July 21 — Greetings faithful readers. You may recall that the first few days of May were very rainy. Then we had almost four weeks of dry weather, when our farmers were able to make some hay, however, the hay was very short and thin, not the best quality hay. Then the rainy season began. If the hay fields are too wet, the farmers don’t even want to get on their fields, for fears of rutting up or getting stuck in their hay fields. To make rectangle hay bales that you put in a barn, you need a few days of dry weather, as the hay must be 99.9% dry. The lightning bugs/fireflies are finally out there lighting up the evening nights. They are so magical. Normally I would see them at the end of June, however, this year, they are out a bit later. 

The biggest event of the week is the Kenoza Lake Volunteer Fire Company’s annual chicken barbeque. The chicken is basted with the famous Cornell Extension Service Chicken sauce recipe. I know where the sweet corn is coming from, and it is going to be DELICIOUS! In fact, Lisa Schick of L & M farms of Bethel is securing the sweet corn. If you are not familiar with Lisa’s farmstand, you must check it out. Every Thursday she gets her delivery of farm fresh tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, sweet corn, peaches and much, much more.  

One can have barbequed chicken almost every weekend during the Catskill summer months. So, Saturday, July 22nd is the date of the Kenoza Lake Fire Company chicken barbeque. Next Saturday, July 29th, the Kauneonga Lake Fire Company will hold their chicken barbeque. Of special mention is the August 5th Chicken BBQ that will take place in Hortonville for the benefit of the Grover M. Hermann hospital auxiliary. For folks living in the Kenoza Lake area and other towns in the western part of Sullivan County, the Grover M. Hermann hospital is the closest hospital. In fact, it is closer and easier to get to the Grover M. Hermann hospital from where I live in Western Bethel than to go to the Harris hospital campus. Presale tickets only by July 28th. $14.00 a ticket. Call Peggy at 845-588-0625 or Tess at 845-887-5839 for tickets. 

A very special happy birthday to Bill Brey who will be celebrating a milestone birthday this weekend with his family. Rick and Linda Tyler celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last weekend at the Kenoza Lake Firehouse with numerous family members, friends and neighbors. Happy 50th wedding anniversary wishes Rick and Linda!

Congratulations to Cindy Snedeker on your recent retirement from Sullivan West School.

I have said it before and I will say it again, Route 17B is one of the deadliest roads in New York State. Please slow down, please wear your seat belt. What a tragedy last week in the Town of Bethel. 

Huge yard sale next weekend, July 28th to July 30th from 9 am to 5:00 pm for the Catskill Animal Rescue.  Joann Lionetti Gerow and her team are truly amazing. The location of the yard sale is 263 Old Monticello Road, Ferndale, NY. No clothes or books. Joanne spearheaded the huge animal rescue that took place last July in Bethel, at the corner of Perry Road and route 17B. Also, the rehabilitation of Zola the dog. 

There will be no church at the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church on Sunday, July 30th.  Rather, the service will be held in White Sulphur Springs volunteer Firemen’s Park on Shore Road, 10:00 am. The Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church is part of the Western Sullivan Cooperative Parish. Pastor Joycalyn Jordan is the lead pastor of the Western Sullivan Cooperative Parish. Pastors Bridgette LeConey, Virginia Bossley, Bud LeConey and Linda Simmons are associates or Certified Lay Ministers. The Western Sullivan parish includes the Jeffersonville, Kenoza Lake, Liberty, Livingston Manor, North Branch and White Sulphur Springs churches.  

There will be a senior luncheon at Fellowship Hall, White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs. Open to all. Lunch provided. Email Joycalyn.Jordan@nyac-umc.com, if you are interested in attending. 

Every year, Mets fans begin the year with the hope that this will be their year to win the World Series. 2023 was no different, but alas, that dream is fading a bit. However, Mets fans are tough, and it was great to see that they have won their past three games. If they win today, it will be a sweep! Hope springs eternal for Mets fans. It is still possible, game by game, to get to the playoffs. I would rather be a Mets fan today than a Yankee fan. The Mets are on the cusp of a sweep and the Yankees ended up getting swept.  Where can I buy a broom?