Birthday wishes to Charley Gipps, Mitch, Jerry, Faith Kolakowski, Barbara Reno, Resa Wallach, Kathy Knepper, Scott Hindley, JJ Pavese, Leah Maidenbaum, and Andrew Herzog. Happy anniversary to Adrian and Mike Dollard.

Our condolences to the family of Marcia Pomerantz. I was remiss and apologize for not extending sympathy to the Glass, Lyttle or Currey families recently when their family members passed.

Kudos to Gordon MacAdam and his brother Henry, for finally going back to school! Actually, together they chronicled the Town of Thompson's educational history, unveiling a display of 20 one-room schoolhouses.

James Loney will soon be writing the Smallwood SC Democrat column in 2020. Thank you to Jonathan Hyman for the honest reporting, past coverage of community stories and the many words, well written.

To Do List: Send me your news! Check Bethel Parks & Rec for activities and Rita's Town of Bethel newsletter for programs and current events.

Be a good neighbor: Donate clothing, personal items and food to local organizations serving our communities. Bethel's ‘Nourish Your Neighbor' bins are located in area businesses for healthy food to local pantries. The official campaign ends on the 10th, but continue to drop donations at the MV Methodist Church or WL Presbyterian Church-Shepherd's Pantry.

Pick up Bethel Lions' Lottery Tree tickets (Valentine's Day drawing) at Fox's or from a member.

Do your holiday shopping locally at ‘Industry', in2retro, Laughing Ladies, and the Country Bum'kin. Gift certificates for local artists, restaurants, or services are a great idea, too!

Culture: Check Bethel Woods, the Museum, Stray Cat, BCA, NCA and area art organization's schedules. NACL's Deep Space 2020 performance residency application deadline is December 15 (nacl.org). Shadowland offers “It's a Wonderful Life” on weekends through the 22nd (647-5511) and DVAA's “Art in Sixes” show and sale runs until December 22nd. Purchase the Bethel Woods 2020 Lawn Pass before the 31st price increase. Support local musicians performing locally.

Create your holiday card or post your photos when you travel the local 1969 Woodstock highlights, ‘Bethel Heritage Trail' (www.bethelheritagetrail.org), or drive the SCVA ‘Dove Trail' of 50 doves in our15 towns.

Enjoy Wurtsboro Canal Towne Emporium's 7pm “Dance of the Lights” with music show until the 24th.

Callicoon Theater screens “Frozen Two“ on the 12th and “Ford vs Ferrari” from the 13th-16th and Hurleyville Arts Center offers “Harriet” on the 13-15th. Crawford Library has a Family Movie on Saturdays at 1p.m.

Attend the EB Crawford Library ‘Holiday Bake Off' on the 10th, benefitting ‘Friends of EBC' programs at 5:30-7pm. Enjoy tastings, treats, and prizes. $6.

Stop by Wednesday Wing Night at Hector's Inn at 5p.m.

Local businesses and current members are welcome to the Bethel Business Association Holiday Mixer and Membership Meeting on Thursday, the 12th, at Local Table &Tap at 5:30pm. Lite fare, cash bar. Members/guest $10.

The collection of unwrapped holiday toys at Bethel Town office ends on Friday, the 13th!

Drop by the Boutique 845 Event with vendors and crafts, benefitting Alzheimer's at Duggan Community Center on the 14th from 10-4p.m. vendorboutique845@gmail.com. Fit in “Dickens on the Delaware”, where Callicoon is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland on the 14th from 12-6p.m. On Saturday, Eldred hosts Santa's Village and Santa Express comes to town at 6:30p.m. Also on the 14th, the Chamber and Sullivan-BHR host an annual ‘Holiday Party', open to small businesses and the public for their holiday gatherings! Call 796-3333 to reserve $55 or $85 options.

Try a Henning's Local Monday Movie Night with dinner at 5 and film, “The Polar Express” on the 16th, at 7pm.

Suz sez, “Shop local!”