July 27 – August is just around the corner and before you know it, the new school year will be starting. But there is still a lot of summer fun and opportunities in Sullivan County!

Get ready for sirens, smiles, and serious hometown pride as the Rock Hill Fire Department and Rock Hill Ambulance Corps roll into the Rock Hill Farmers Market for a hands‑on, family‑favorite Touch‑A‑Truck Day.

Fun for the whole family, get out to the Rock Hill Farmers Market on Saturday, August 1 from 10 AM – 1PM where you can visit amazing local farming and artisan vendors.  Bring the kids for Fire Engine Exploration. Kids can climb aboard, check out real gear, and meet the firefighters who keep Rock Hill safe, and an Ambulance Walkthrough — Step inside a working ambulance and learn how EMTs respond in emergencies. Meet the Hometown Heroes — Firefighters and EMTs will be on site to answer questions, show equipment, and connect with families.

Big Sky Productions and the Sullivan County Museum presents Closets, a dramatic reading of a new play by Bill Duncan and directed by Carol Montana. The cast features Ellen Pavloff, David Dann, Albee Bockman, Paul Ciliberto, Jason Dole, Laurie Valentine, Lourdes Hunt, Pamela LeConey, and Bob Bliefernich. Performances are Saturday August 1 and Sunday August 2 at 2:00 both days. Tickets, available at the door, are $12 and refreshments will be available. For further information, call the museum at 845-434-8044 or email scecil@scnyhistory.org .

Sullivan Central Rotary Club NY has “adopted” Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley as a partner. For 40 years, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley has been transforming lives through hope, resilience, and the power of a wish. Since receiving its charter in 1986, they granted more than 3,500 wishes for children with critical illnesses across the Hudson Valley - each one made possible by the extraordinary people who stand behind its mission. And SCRC is doing just that. SCRC found out that although Make-A-Wish provides service to many children in Sullivan County over the last 40 years, volunteers in the county are lacking.

Sullivan Central Rotarian Colleen Cunningham and Make-a-Wish Volunteer holds a fundraiser every year at the Cunningham Family Farms to raise much needed funds for the organization. Sullivan Central Rotary created its “Baskets of Hope Raffle” as a fundraiser to help the cause. After meeting the Make-a-Wish team at the event last fall, the club began a collaboration for fundraising and now, thanks to Sullivan Central President-Elect Alyssa Wowk and her leadership prowess, the club now has five members who attended a training to become Wish Granters this past week. Another four members will do their training shortly. And the entire club is actively gearing up for the “Second Annual Baskets for Hope Raffle” where each basket is valued at $150 or more with last year's event having a few Baskets valued at over $2,500.

Tickets for the Basket for Hope Raffle go on sale August 1st. Visit the Sullivan Central Rotary Club Booth at the The Bagel Festival on August 9th to learn more about Rotary, our other initiatives, Make-A-Wish, Neighbors- Helping-Neighbors, and/or to get your raffle tickets or make a donation!

Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library presents Felting with Christine on Thursday, July 30 at 5:30pm. Discover the art of felting in this hands-on workshop led by award-winning fiber artist Christine Adams. With over 8 years of experience and numerous accolades under her belt, Christine will guide you step-by-step through this fun and creative process. All materials provided. Space for this program is limited with a $5 cash materials/registration fee collected at registration. Please call (845) 794-4660 ext. 2 to register.

Monticello Rotary will hold its 48th Annual Monster Run Classic on Sunday, August 2 at Resorts World Catskills at 8:45 AM. Participants can choose from a 5K or 10K road race, or a 5K walk along one of the most scenic and challenging courses the Catskills has to offer. Whether you're chasing a personal record or enjoying a morning stroll, the Monster Classic welcomes all ages and ability levels.

This year's event benefits the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition, which provides direct financial assistance to local veterans facing hardship covering essential needs such as utilities, rent, groceries, and transportation to medical appointments. Every registration and every dollar raised makes a measurable difference in the lives of those who have served. For more information, contact MonticelloNYRotary@gmail.com .

Condolences to the Anderman-Hussey family on the loss of family matriarch Arlene. Our love and prayers go out to Wayne, Artie, Bill, Kathleen, Lorraine and the entire family during this difficult time. May her memory be for a blessing.

Happy Birthday to Maria Ingrassia, Jacquie Leventoff, Suzie Gold (7/28), Christina Antizzo, Ellen Neumann, Joanne Gerow (7/30), Dawn Roemer, Monticello Police Chief David Lindsay, Dianna Green, Jackie Kearns, Tina Rau (7/31), Hope Blecher Croney, Daisy Green (8/1), Kelly McRell, Allison Scheinfeld, Stacy Cohen (8/2), Eddie Wilson, Derek Kirk (8/3).

Get out and be part of these and so many other mid-summer opportunities. 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.