Yet another wonderful new business in town, the “Lilac Shade” florist with Courtney Goldsmith the talented owner. The shop is located on the side of the Tavern on Main and is open Tuesday thru Thursday from 9:30 to 6:30, Friday thru Sunday from 9:30 to 3:30, and closed Mondays to get ready for the next week!

Courtney is making beautiful arrangements for “Everyday” and all “Special Events” too. She uses natural and healthy recycled materials in her paper goods and ribbons when she puts together her arrangements so she can put more into premium, quality flowers.

As you come in the shop you will find a “flower bar” (these flowers change weekly) where you can pick up a small bouquet made in front of you, or just a stem. If you are looking for a particular flower, she will try to get it for you and she will make deliveries, too. (no same day deliveries, yet) You will also find some natural, organic products such as beeswax and pollen, and her Mema's homemade gifts, shawls, scarves, afghans just to name a few gift items! Courtney is more than happy to handle consultations for weddings, special parties, and any event - free.

Contact her at lilacshadeny.com to book a consultation. For more information or to place an order, (845) 798-4548 or email support@lilacshade.info.

The 14th annual Trout Release Day for Sullivan West 5th and 6th grade students took place on May 17th and May 20th. (Normally a 5th-grade activity, 6th graders missed out last year due to the Covid closing. Somewhere between 400-500 fingerlings were released from the 5 tanks raised at the school.

5th and 6th grade teachers and volunteers from the Upper Delaware Chapter of Trout Unlimited are involved in the program. Jim and Diane Hughson donated the use of their streamside park. The School District, The Trout Unlimited Chapter, the SW Elementary PTSO, and the Jeff Bank contributed towards the supplies and entertainment.

The weather was great for the field trip, and the water conditions were terrific for the Trout Release. Students made streamside observations, tested the pH, and checked the water temperature.

They also participated in fly casting, constructed “Solar “bead bracelets (they let you know when you need sunscreen), did some frame decorating (for their fisherman photo booth picture), raced upstream on scooters propelling themselves with plungers to win a trophy, and decorated a cutout trout cookie to mimic the anatomy of a trout.

There was a musical storytelling performance by Laurie McIntosh aka Story Laurie. The 6th Grade Students also planted 50 trees obtained by the PTSO through the DEC seedling program. Educational lessons revolved around the importance of trees especially in the life cycle of a trout. Thank you to Mrs. S. Mullally for her great cub reporting!

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, one in ten Sullivan County residents struggled with food insecurity, with one in five children in a household receiving SNAP benefits to ensure their next meal. In response to COVID-19, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan and community coalition Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) procured a refrigerated van for door-to-door food distribution and community outreach, now dubbed the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard.

The Community Cupboard has provided enough food and prepared meals to make more than 250,000 free meals and personal necessities to folks in need from all walks of life, across Sullivan County since March 2020. Please consider contributing to the Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and be sure to thank all of our servicemen and servicewomen for their service.