As an educator, I can tell you that as the years pass, each year seems to speed by more quickly than the year before. Before you know it, stores will begin their “Back to School” sales and the cycle will continue. But for those graduating High School this week and weekend, it feels like it was the longest road to get here. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 as you embark on the next leg of the journey of life. Keep kindness first and foremost in your heart and you will go far. 

And to those educators who will hold their final graduation entering into retirement, thank you for your dedicated service to our students, community, and future. Sadly, the profession of education has taken a hit as to qualified people entering into the arena of the most important profession on earth. Bottom line – no matter what we do in life, it started first with a teacher. Thank you for dedicating your career to touching so many lives. Our greatest gift is to see the success of those we taught. Happy Retirement!

Today is Primary Day. There are races in our area on the Republican and Democratic sides. In Sullivan County, there is a Republican Primary for NY Senate District 51, Supervisor and Highway Superintendent in the Town of Cochecton, and Supervisor in the Town of Forestburgh. On the Democratic side, there is a primary race for the New York State Comptroller position currently held by Thomas DiNapoli who is seeking reelection. If you are registered to either party, please get out and vote today. 

Congratulations to the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership Sullivan Class of 2026 upon graduation of the program. Your dedication to learning and collaborating is an asset to our community as you become Ambassadors and leaders in our community. The class is still seeking donations of products and financially to support the Comfort Closet Project. Please email foundation@chamber.org to make arrangement to assist. 

Town of Thompson has Summer Craft for Kids with Jamie Thursday from 6pm – 8pm. Space is limited, so register today! Thompson kids can make a craft to take home at this FREE event! Options may include sand art, kites, bird houses, and more. It takes place indoors at the Community Room at East Mongaup River Park. All supplies are provided. An adult must accompany youth for the duration of the event. Space is limited and registration is required, thompsonny.myrec.com. If you have questions, contact jferriero@thompsonny.gov.

How about movie classics? To infinity... and beyond! The toys are back for a brand-new adventure! Join Woody, Buzz, and the gang for Toy Story 5, playing June 19th - June 28th at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (HPAC) Cinema in Hurleyville, with showings Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM. If you haven’t been to this gem in our community, you are missing something special. Clean, beautiful, and staffed to perfection. This is the cinema you will love to go to. 

And what would summer be if not for The Forestburgh Playhouse celebrating 80 glorious years of quality professional theatre to our community? Help kick off the season with Broadway in the Catskills - The 80-Year Mixtape June 23- 27^, at 6:00PM in the Forestburgh Playhouse Tavern. This high-energy musical journey features unforgettable songs from beloved productions that have graced the Forestburgh Playhouse stage across eight decades. Performed by FBP sensational Resident Company, this cabaret is a joyful tribute to Broadway, the magic of summer theatre, and the generations of artists and audiences who made Forestburgh a tradition worth singing about. Contact the Playhouse Box Office for more information or to make a reservation. 

Happy Birthday to first and foremost, my husband, Bill James, Diane Moss, Dawn Ciorciari, Jamie Shanberg, Hollie Turner-Hall, Hedy Rubinstein (6/23), Alex Rey, Hank Good (6/25), Shannon Daniel, Pastor John C. Williams (6/26), Miranda Behan, Yisroel (Izzy) Kreitman, Town of Thompson Councilman Rich Benjamin, Jr. (6/27), Carol Montana (former Sullivan County Democrat Editor), Isabel Braverman (current Sullivan County Democrat Editor), Patricio Robayo (6/28), Pedro Tweed, Laurie Hackett Maddalena, and Jaie Vine (6/29). 

Enjoy another great Sullivan County week ahead! Graduations, lots to do, don’t miss the local farmers markets all in full swing, and – oh yeah – today is the first official full day of summer! So, enjoy! And, as always, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.