Does it feel like January out there or what? Tuesday morning, it was simply gorgeous outside, the cloudless blue sky with the postcard perfect snow draping on the trees, what such a memorable sight! Who needs to go to Switzerland, Colorado or Vermont? We are surrounded by God's beauty.

Advent arrived on Sunday, December 1st, the official start of Christmas on the Christian calendar. Many local church services were cancelled with the start of the two-day weather event. The Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church preaching schedule for the rest of December is: 8th Linda Simmons, 15th Allen Wachter Holy Communion, 22nd Paul Thompson, 24th Linda Simmons, 29th Bud LeConey.

Save the date! Christmas Eve service at the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church, December 24th, 7 p.m. This is a joint Kenoza Lake-Jeffersonville United Methodist Church event, which is open to ALL. Come capture the real meaning of Christmas.

Janet Terwilliger is taking orders for red, white or pink poinsettias as well as Christmas cactus plants. Price: $10.00. Please contact Janet if you are interested: 845-707-3359. Friday, December 20th is the deadline for ordering.

The White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Women will have their annual Christmas Bazaar and bake sale on Saturday, December 7th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the White Sulphur Springs church hall. There will be a special, community Christmas service at the United Methodist Church in White Sulphur Springs called the Blue Christmas worship service, Sunday, December 15th, 1 p.m.

This is a service for those who feel at odds with or estranged from the general feeling of joy and happiness typically associated with this time of year. These may be people who have suffered a personal loss: death of a loved one, divorce, illness, or job loss. The service seeks to comfort them by reminding them they are not alone and that their feelings are honored.

Our sympathy to the Puerschner family with the recent passing of Sharon Puerschner.

I just received a phone call from Helen Wachter, of the Jeffersonville Travelers. She just received confirmation of two of her big, 2020 travel trips. Looking for a special gift for someone who has all the “stuff” that they ever want? Why not a gift certificate to one of Helen's trips. Her phone number is 482-5623. The first trip is a two-day, one-night trip to the Pennsylvania Amish Country, Sight and Sound. The name of the snow is Queen Ester. Also, the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater. On September 23 - 28, 2020, six-day five-night trip to Nashville, Tennessee.

I received an email earlier this week from fellow Smallwood columnist Jonathan Hyman, saying that he was passing the baton on writing the Smallwood news column. Jonathan was a dedicated columnist who wrote with passion and excellent writing skills. The person taking over the column is James Loney, the owner of the Kauneonga Lake Café, Sticky Fingers Ice Cream and Delectables.

Several our birds have returned to the Otto birdfeeder, including our red bellied woodpecker and chip sparrows. Today we had a sparrow hawk feasting on what appeared to be a dead gray squirrel. Feeding the deer: faithful readers of this column know that yours truly feed the deer. For the most part, during the non-snow part of the year, it was a core two does and their solo fawn and twin fawns. That all changed with the Sunday and Monday snow event. Within days, word was out on Pucky Huddle Road that there was free Sweet Feed at the Otto residence.

If you want to take some winter pleasure, make a trip to Cochecton Mills, one of my favorite stores and buy some sweet feed. Also, bird seed is on sale until Christmas. Looking for a practical gift for a loved one who is not a snowbird? Why not buy some bird seed. (Also, a subscription to The Sullivan County Democrat!). I noticed a new beaver or muskrat lodge in Briscoe pond, close to the road. I still can't tell the difference between a beaver and muskrat lodge.

Mets fans, including your trusty, Kenoza Lake news correspondent, ecstatic about the probable change of ownership of the team from the Wilpons to Steve Cohen. WOW, AMAZIN” I tried out Netflix for the first time and watched the marathon movie, The Irishman. Don't ask me why I am attracted to movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas and The Irishman. I can't wait to see Tom Hanks in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”. I read that the United Methodist Church was involved in producing the official study guide for this movie starring Tom Hanks. The NY Post had a recent cover photo and headline saying “love thy Neighbor” with four stars for this movie.

December 12th, Full Cold Moon. No Kenoza Lake news next week, next column will be December 20th. Keep the Christ in Christmas, He is the reason for the season. Say Merry Christmas & not Happy Holidays.