Now is the time of warm summer nights: of frogs in the headlights, fireflies in the ferns, of near-full moons and breakfasts on the patio as the sun rides up over yon line of dark hemlocks. The early summer is also the time of orange ditch lilies and banks of fragrant roses, of high summer sultriness that oozes a kind of  “laissez-moi” attitude whereby even the most diligent among us feel the undertow of indolence and lassitude. For God’s sake, if you are lucky enough to enjoy the option, enjoy the Sullivan summertime ‘permission’! Go to the dogs like all the others heading down to splash in the Delaware or some secret swimming hole. Or, if you’re bookish, kick back on the deck under a floppy hat, grab a couple fat paperbacks and try to read your way through just one of them without falling asleep while happy children patter around you. Day and night, these are some of life’s best times and we the people of Sullivan and our guests are here to enjoy it, rarely! Yes, Summer says: you have permission. Let’s take it!

Independence Day looms just 10 days away. Our County is bustling and bursting with life. There’s so much to relate and so little time and space. But a few choice tidbits follow. -- The Smallwood Civic Association announces that its really stunning embroidered Smallwood sweatshirts are again available for purchase. SWCA embroidered hoodies (with full zippers) are S-XL for $65 and 2XL for $70; the embroidered crew necks (S – XL) go for $55. Quantities are limited for these much-sought-after pieces of apparel; don’t hesitate to contact Terry Gedan at 914-441-5416 or email monte125@aol.com for more info on how to pay for your new wardrobe. Orders must be received by 7/8/2024. By the way: the equally adorable SWCA caps and T-shirts will be on sale at the hut on the Smallwood Beach so hurry on over to pick up one (or more) of these fashion statements! 

Smallwood’s Beach (open to members of the SWCA and their friends) will open this year on June 29th. The Beach and the community life which seems to spontaneously organize itself about it are some of the best parts of life here in Smallwood, particularly if you have children. Unforgettable to me as a relatively new Smallwoodian are the scenes of groups of children in floppies and silly hats with inflatable inner tubes buckled over their shoulders strolling off early on a summer’s day—unattended by adults, mind you—who saunter home later red as lobsters, laughing and chattering. It’s a scene of complete innocence, from an imaginary movie made sometime around 1950 and I am at a loss to know where else to look and find such scenes in 2024! -- This year the SWCA is also holding several nighttime swims at the Beach (Wednesday, 7/3; Saturday, 7/13; Friday, 8/2; Saturday, 8/10). The SWCA Annual Family Picnic will be held from 12:00 – 3:00 PM on July 7th at the Association Lodge on Pine Grove Road.  Afterwards the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire House over on Ballard Road will be hosting their Annual Open House. Then on July 13th, the SWCA will be holding its Third Annual Mountain Lake Regatta, starting at 3:30 PM at the Boat Launch. More details to follow.

This month’s Bethel Business Association monthly “Meet & Greet” will be held at The Club At Smallwood on Sgt. Brucher Road on Friday, July 5th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. Guests are most welcome. Yes, you have permission to go and meet many of Bethel’s most interesting people and entrepreneurs in the charming digs of The Club’s Club House. There will be refreshments for those attending. The evening also affords a great opportunity to take a look at the Club up close. The very next day, Saturday July 6th from noon to 3:00 PM, The Club is having its Annual Open Day. Everyone is welcome to attend and come for a free swim and tour of the Club House. The enormous pool—a gleaming gem and something completely unique in our rural county—is heated and much loved by those using it. If you’d like more info about the Open Day or have any questions, please email theclubatsmallwood@gmail.com. – So you see, Dear Reader: the whole Sullivan world lies all before you this day and you have so many permissions to enrich your life in the next few weeks. Have fun while at it, and hope to see you soon!