One of the best and most publicly engaged agencies in Sullivan County is without a doubt the Sullivan County Office of the Aging. And as luck would have it the Office of the Aging will be holding an outreach program here in the Town of Highland Town Hall. 

The staff of the agency will be at Town Hall on Thursday, November 14th from 11-1pm. They will be answering questions about various programs they have-senior nutrition program, heating assistance (HEAP) SNAP benefits (food stamps) home care and health insurance counseling to help you select the right healthcare coverage for your needs. 

These wizards can solve all sorts of complicated problems facing our seniors and help with filling out any applications for services that are needed. You can also register with the Department of Aging and with NY Connects the  online New York State free resource directory to find long term services and support including medical and non-medical home and community-based services like personal care, or food banks, emergency shelters for people of all ages or with any type of disability. 

You can also be referred to a local NY Connects office for further follow-up and assistance. No appointments are needed, so mark whatever calendar you use and get down to Town Hall to meet with the staff of the Sullivan County Department for the Aging and get the resources you need. 

Because in years past, members of my family have benefited from donated blood during medical emergencies my heart is always filled with gratitude when I see an announcement for a local blood drive. The next blood drive will take place on Wednesday, November 6th from 1-6pm at the Lumberland Senior Center which is located at 1054 Proctor Road in Glen Spey (behind the Lumberland Town Hall). The Blood Drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross. No appointments are necessary and walk-ins are welcome. For more information go to redcrossblood.com or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

A friend of mine called me recently about the next event listing, and it’s definitely not my cup of tea and I have never heard of this before but it will go over well with many women I know and a contingent from Highland will be attending. It’s Designer Handbag Bingo and it is being sponsored by the Callicoon Business Association. 

It takes place on Saturday, November 16 at the Delaware Youth Center at 8 Creamery Road in Callicoon. It’s a regular bingo but the prizes are all designer handbags. The entrance fee is $40.00 in advance and $50.00 at the door. For the admission fee the players will get fourteen bingo games (three games per card) and entered into a raffle for a door prize and enjoy a pizza lunch. 

There will be a 50/50 and a wide array of raffle baskets. Doors open at Noon and the play begins at 1pm. You can text 917-969-3485 +Venmo payment, and it is requested that you provide a list of all the names in your party who plan to attend, or email events.callicoon@gmail.com.

Great News: The replacement of County bridge #77 on Beaver Brook Road in Yulan over the dam for Toasperns Pond (or taxpayers pond as the locals call it-because that’s who paid for it) is nearly completed. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the County’s Department of Public Works installed a temporary bridge while the new bridge was built and the dam restored. 

Several of the staff of the Sullivan County DPW told me that the new bridge is scheduled to reopen on Friday November 8th. The project was budgeted for $5M. Thank you to the workers of the Sullivan County Department of Public Works for all of their terrific work on this project!