21Democrat0105-11

BETHEL: The Corner Suzanne White 583-4808 swhite747@gmail.com Happy birthday to Jenna Helmig, Mona Ingber, Erin Slaver, Erika Perilla, Yitz, Provi, Jennifer Bitetto, Carolyn Brown, Martin Steinbauer, and Easton Suarez. Happy anniversary to Debra and John Conway and to Rochi and Leon. Congratulations to Maddie and Corey on their engagement. Congrats to Kate Quaintance and Peter Godfrey and families on their recent marriage. Welcome Jonah, born to Devin and Josh Cohen. Our condolences to the family of Eva Molnar and to the Collins'.

Public Service & Covid alert: Wear your mask. Get tested. So far, no ‘UK strain' has been found in NYS, but Covid19 is still with us! The vaccine is available and roll out is slow. Be patient. Also, know that only with the second dose are you 95% protected. In the meantime, be sure to contact your doctor for the flu and pneumonia shot. If traveling, check area Health Department protocols.

Watch for Federal and State stimulus aid. To come through shortly. For those collecting benefits, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance may need adjustment and your continual certification, but it will be paid. Individual states, especially New York and California, are not assured of covering their revenue loss and continue the debate...

If all this, the quarantining, the social restraints, the disconnect, fear, and worry are getting to you, talk to someone. It's been months of tension and hard work and then the holidays proved to be the icing on the cake! Phone a friend, find a professional or distract your dark side with a good walk or chance to commune with nature. The result of 2020 may be great loss or some very good lessons, but we'll get through this. Let's stay positive and help each other out.

Town of Bethel-583-4350. Community Assistance-807-0925. Public Health-292-5910. Mental Health-292-8770. Food Security: This issue is quite serious and families rely on our local resources. Make donations directly to the pantries:

Shephard's Pantry-583-5885, 707-2333. SCFederation for the Homeless - Veteran's Pantry Service (Monti)-794-2604. Meals on Wheels- 807-0241.Food benefit service applications: www.MyBenefits.ny.gov or NOEP (HVCS) 845-842-1232.

For Bethel resident program applications: CEAP heat aid or the ‘Save A Life' Smoke CO2 Alarm Program (583-4350).

To Do: Hey, how about them Bills? Not great for most, but this has been their year.

I'm curious if you watched the virtual Times Square NYE ball drop or did you go out for entertainment?

Mark your calendar for the Jan 13th “Get Ready to Renaissance Winter Symposium” being held on line with gathering at 5:30 and Program start at 6pm. You must pre-register at Sullivanrenaissance.org. The Empire State Trail is open and runs N-S from Manhattan to Canada and E-W from Albany to Buffalo. Catskill Mountainkeeper and Trailkeeper.org offers miles and miles of hiking. Try Ora's Yoga classes (oraramat@gmail.com). Check out on-line programs at Crawford Library (http://www.ebcpl.org. Claim a novel or two at the Past Perfect Bookstore at Duggan.

Support the weekly SPCA hosted ‘Sullivan County SPCA Prize Wheel' (on fb) fundraisers.

The Bethel Business Association is welcoming new businesses and volunteers for 2021 Committees. Contact bethelnybba@gmail.com with interest, ideas or to join the group.

Culture: The BW Museum is no longer open but you can shop the Bethel Woods Bindy Bazaar Museum Gift Shop at www.shopBethelWoods.com. Stop by Catskill Distilling-The Cat to find spirit and entertainment on weekends. Catch local musicians on line: Albi, Aerial Acoustics -The Wagners, Fisher & Kean, Laura Garone, Joanna Gass, Keith Newman, Shlomo Franklin, or Steve and Antoine. Any others?

Support area artists and art centers: CAS, DVAA, NCA, HPAC, NACL, SCDW. Look into the Farm Arts Collective, Forestburgh Playhouse and Narrowsburg Union. SCDW will host virtual performances of “Poets Circle“ on the weekend of Jan 22 and 29. Contact: 845-401-6364. “Support Local 845”: Purchase certificates, shop, order or buy on-line from area businesses or stop by ‘in person'. Many small businesses need a boost to survive! Suz Sez,“Without resolutions, I look forward to spending time wisely in 2021!”