Greetings to all. I hope and pray that this column finds you doing well, staying well and practicing social distancing. I heard on the radio with all the electronic tools that we have at our disposal, that it is really not social distancing, but physical distancing. Good point, as we work to “flatten the curve”. Thinking of both our health care workers, other essential workers and folks, especially our seniors, who are most vulnerable. Thank you.

Faithful readers of this column know that I spend a good part of my working hours before a computer screen. I like to listen to the radio when I work (one of the unpaid benefits). Since the year 2000, I first listened to the Imus in the Morning and then when Imus retired, I started to listen to the Bernie and Sid show, which airs each weekday morning, from 6:00 a.m. until 10 a.m.

The 77 WABC radio station was recently sold and the new owner of the radio station is John Catsimatdis, the owner of the New York City grocery chain Gristede's. If you want more information about the Corona Virus pandemic, you may want to listen to the new show that airs each workday at 5 pm, hosted by Steven K. Bannon, entitled War Room. Also, the radio station has had various guest hosts on each afternoon. Today, Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor will guest host an afternoon radio show and Governor Pataki will also host a show. If you want more information on the Corona Virus, go to Steven K Bannon's War Room (LISTEN.WARRROOM.ORG). You will find lots of interesting information on the Corona Virus.

In my humble opinion, I believe that President Trump and his team and Governor Cuomo and his team are doing a great job with the Corona Virus. I am happy to hear that there will be a Sullivan County Facebook Live Q & A town hall today on the topic with Legislator Mike Brooks, Sheriff Mike Schiff, County Manager Josh Potesek and Public Health Director Nancy McGraw participating.

Be alert to scam! Folks calling up saying that they are with the IRS and they want to verify your bank details for the special money that the IRS will be sending folks. No, No, NO! The IRS will not be calling you to verify your bank account details. Please spread the word. Also, I heard about people going door-to-door saying that they are there to administer Corona Virus test. Another scam. Do not let these people into your house.

Although this date may not work for the entire United States, the date of Easter may be a good date for many folks, as a date for life kind of returning to normal. As of now, there is Easter service scheduled for the Kenoza Lake United Methodist Church at 8 a.m. Not sure about Palm Sunday service. Stay tuned.

Alyyn Van Pelt contacted me last week to say that she had peepers at her house. Retired DEC Wildlife Biologist pointed out to me that there are also Wood frogs out there. I went on a walk last week and heard both the wood frogs and a handful of peepers.

The DEC's Wildlife, Fish and Marine Life Newsletter had an article on their website this week, entitled: “Be On The Lookout For Amphibians Crossing The Road”. It stated that:

“With the arrival of spring temperatures, amphibians have begun their annual migrations to woodland pools to breed. Often, they must cross roads to reach these pools. In New York, this migration usually occurs on rainy nights in late March and early April, when the night air temperature is above 40F. When these conditions exist there can be explosive, “big night” migrations, with hundreds of amphibians on the move. Volunteers can help document these locations and help amphibians like wood frogs, spotted salamanders, American toads, or spring peepers safely cross the road. Drivers on New York roads are encouraged to proceed with caution or avoid travel on the first warm, rainy evenings of the season. Amphibians come out after nightfall and are slow moving; mortality can be high even on low-traffic roads.”

Why not take this time of social distancing and get reacquainted with spring? Other than the tax filing deadlines, I love spring. The morning chorus of songbirds is music to my ears. Remember when folks went “a courtin”? The birds are “a courtin” This morning I watched two tom turkeys, all fanned out, strutting and gobbling to hens that played hard to get. Male blue birds are looking for potential homes for their mates. Canada geese are paired up. Ducks are out on the ponds and lakes. Wood ducks, Bufflehead ducks, teal ducks and merganser ducks.

If you want to see something incredible that some beavers did, drive to West Shore Road in the Town of Bethel. Start at the Woodstock monument at the corner of Hurd Road and West Shore Road, and then drive East on West Shore Road, towards Kauneonga Lake. Just past the sight of the original Woodstock stage, start to drive really slowly, look on the right hand side, right near where that house is located on the left. Drive from there until around Best Road and West Shore. Take note of what the beavers did to those trees. Amazing! This is known as “girdling”. I don't see a beaver lodge there, but boy did those beavers sharpen their teeth on those trees. Most likely those trees will die due to the extensive damage they caused.

I heard that that there was a bear out and about on Perry Road, checking out garbage bins. So far, no bears visiting the Otto residence however just wait, as they always pay us a visit in April and May.

So, I would like to end my column with something my friend Jane shared with me: Her friend Tony Bellizzi shared this with her and he has given me permission to share this with you:

“It's a time when so many things have been cancelled, but there are daffodils blooming in front of my home. God's creation is pushing through and reminding us of what's not been cancelled: family, friendship, faith, hope, love, mercy, prayer, goodness, music, learning, art, community, courage, conversation, gratitude, most of all the love of God. Last time I looked, none of these have been cancelled. As everything else falls away, let's anchor in these things that we still have, that define our humanity, and can't be taken away. We are not victims, we are blessed. God is good, all the time!”