Birthday wishes to Jake Gold, Gregory Van Lowe, Juliette Loughlin, Ira ‘Moose' Liff, Laura Glass, Devin Alenky, Cheryl Cohen, Max Carmack, Art Salomon, Barri Glick, Susan Dollard, Melinda Cali, Debbie Berman, Morgan Tucker, Charlotte and Alice Sachs, and special wishes to my first-born grandson, Greyson V. White!

Happy anniversary to the Levines and the Broskins.

Wellness wishes to Eileen, Jay and Evelyn Haas.

Now, for the tough stuff. As of this writing, news of recent passings: Jon Thomas, Amy Leshner's husband, died. Ken Cohen's mother, Penny, died recently. Norman Billig passed away last week, as did Dr. George Woolf. Our sympathy is extended to all these families.

Difficult news to bear was hearing that William “Bill” Burns had died. He was such a sweet, caring, honest man and of tough character. I adored him and appreciated all he did for Bethel and his community. He had his hand in everything and was a man of his word. Things got done and done right! Not only me, many folks will miss Bill! Our love, thoughts and condolences to Pat, Matt and all the family.

To do list: We should act as if we have tested positive for COVID-19 and behave accordingly. We are in this together and if we do right, timing of this ‘way of life' could be shorter in duration and with less consequence. You're hopefully monitoring the news and every day it's more sobering.

Be smart and be healthy. Self-quarantine. Be vigilant about personal hygiene, cleanliness, social contact and the health of others. Communicate with friends and family. Check on your neighbors. Be creative. Pretend it's a hurricane, but you have utilities.

Be appreciative of those in the ‘front lines' and every person out there protecting, sustaining or serving our communities. We are all thankful to those who sacrifice so much to help sustain a degree of normalcy, health and sanity.

For those in need of assistance in Sullivan County, use (845) 807-0925. The Public Health hot line number is (845) 292-5910. SC Dept of Community Service-Mental Health number is 292-8770. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther's contact numbers are (845) 794-5807, 707-3158 or 798-5585.

For Rep. Delgado, crisis aid use delgado.house.gov. Use metzger@nysenate.gov or 292-0215 to contact the Senator's office. Gov Cuomo's office: (518) 474-8390. For Bethel information, use 583-4350.

Send me your news. Most local events have been postponed, canceled altogether or moved to a media platform source. To reach Parks & Rec news and camp information, use 583-5360, facebook or (bethelnyparksandrec@gmail.com). Call 5834350 x108 for Bethel Tax collection information. SC Chamber of Commerce is another good info source - 791-4200.

Sign up for a future ‘Nana's House Children's Free Trips' (eventbrite). Although postponed, you can still support and register for the ‘Allyson Whitney Foundation 5K'

(allysonwhitney.org), originally set for May 9. Register for the June Rhulen R4 Run at www.rockhillrun.com. Call 295-2445 or use sullivanrenaissance.org for Renaissance grant information or where and how to start an independent project.

Passover actually begins the evening before Thursday, the 9th, with the first Seder dinner and ends the evening of the 16th. Good Friday is the 10th, followed by Easter Sunday on the 12th. There may be no congregation or the usual family attendance at any of these occasions, but where is it better for spirituality, meditation and blessings than your home?

Town of Bethel departments are closed on the 10th. The Callicoon Theater is closed. Manny Safer's Defensive Driving class for April 25 is postponed (cdsp126

@gmail.com). Area exhibit and arts centers are shuttered. Forestburgh Playhouse is offering a series of ‘Performing Arts Academy' classes on line starting on the 11th.

Meanwhile, for your listening pleasure, creative local musicians are posting performances on line. Check ‘Bethel Lakeside Music' on facebook site or see Youtube sites. Bethel Woods events, programs and the Museum opening are postponed until further notice. ‘Mountain Jam Weekend' and ‘Zac Brown Band' are cancelled. Use BethelWoodsCenter.org/Covid19 to stay in tune with the latest.

Catskill Distillery Co. is open Thur-Sun for spirits and working with other distilleries, prepared and offers hand sanitizer pick ups. Country Bum'kin Antiques is closed for visitors, but Jenny has ‘Video Sales' on line. We can support our local restaurants, still enjoy prepared food, and until further notice, it's an ‘Order and Pick Up or Delivery' situation. FYI: Sticky Fingers Delectables, is open Wednesday to Sunday, (845) 475-8900, Annie's Ruff Cut, Wednesday to Sunday, 932-5100, Hennings Local, Thursday to Sunday, 252-3008, and Local Table & Tap, weekends, 583-3020. Sorella, open everyday, 583-4300, Brother Bruno, everyday, 791-4600, and Papa Luke's, everyday, but Sunday, 791-7272. Woodstock Oasis, is open everyday, 583-5500, and Callicoon's Peppino's, everyday, 887-6767. The Fat Lady Cafe and Benji and Jakes remain closed. Barrio Kitchen, Hector's Inn, and Bethel Market Cafe closed.

Suz Sez, “103,000 NY cases and counting... please take care of yourselves.”