It appears that spring has finally arrived, temperature wise. I do not think we will have any more snow, until October or November. Let us hope that our apple trees will bloom and produce bountiful fruit. In addition, that our honeybees have survived and that our wild turkeys can hatch some eggs.

Bear mating season is going on. Yesterday, my husband Ray saw a huge bear frolicking with a smaller bear in a field on Pucky Huddle Road.

Those of you who are birders, may be as fortunate as I am to have Baltimore Orioles at your home. We have at least three pairs of Baltimore Orioles and my mother has several pairs as well. They are eating at least one orange a day. I have also put out some grape jelly, that they like to eat.

Baltimore Orioles are messy birds, but I put up with their dirty sanitary habits because they are so gorgeous. Last night I heard my first Wood Thrush of the year, a songbird who, in my opinion, wins first prize, for our most melodious, local, songbird.

First fawn sighting of the year! Yours truly spotted a fawn nursing with its mother on Monday, May 11th. Beware, May is turtle crossing month. I escorted a turtle across Old Taylor Road on May 1st. Yesterday, there were at least seven turtles sunning themselves on a log, that jutted out of Kenoza Lake.

COVID-19 news: Happy to report that the Cochecton Transfer Station is now back to being open on Saturdays. Thank you, Chairman Doherty! Betty Snedeker tells me that her Fosterdale Café (formerly The Chicken Coop) will re-open on May 20th. Ice cream and delicious fried chicken. Nora Manzoillios's ice cream stand will open up the last week in May, in Narrowsburg, near the former Peck's supermarket.

I understand that if Sullivan County was part of the Southern Tier and not the Mid-Hudson that we, Sullivan County have met 7 of the 7 metrics, that Governor Cuomo has decreed and as such, we should be re-opening for business this weekend. I don't understand why we can't re-open this weekend, in time for Memorial Day.

This week's Kenoza Lake news column is dedicated to another dear Pucky Huddle Road who has just passed away. Last May, Cliff Horton passed away and Gene Romer passed away in February of this year. On Sunday, our special Pucky Huddle neighbor and friend, George Wagner passed away.

Some background information to help put things in context. Ray's family has owned property on Pucky Huddle Road since the late 1960s, more than 50 years. Ray built our house in 2007 and we moved in, after getting married in June 2007. Pucky Huddle Road is a dead-end road that is 2.5 miles long.

The Cherokee Hunting Club borders our property and their camp is located at the end of this road. Living on Pucky Huddle Road is like living in a gated community, without the gate and without the homeowner's dues. For the most part, the only people driving on Pucky Huddle Road live on the road or have business with someone living on the road. There is no through traffic. It is a terrific place to live with wonderful neighbors.

When Ray and I first moved to Pucky Huddle Road, we didn't know George Wagner. I don't recall specifically when we first met him, but we did meet him awhile back and developed a wonderful friendship with him. He was one of those larger than life people who always made you laugh. He would high five you when he told you a story.

I would make him venison chili or chicken soup. George had this downy ski jacket that he wore in the winter. I told him he looked like the Michelin tire man. He invited us to the Cherokee annual chicken barbeque. He would call or text me if the electric power or cable service went out. He had a diamond stud earing that he sported. I never asked him what the story was behind that earring. But it fitted him well.

I remember running into him at two concerts at Bethel Woods, where he attended with Janet Warren. We sat there on the patio, before the concert, next to the concession stands, one fine evening, (was it the Elton John Concert?) But George held court there, greeting and chatting with the numerous people he knew.

George would call me up whenever he got a favorable health test report back. He would give me hunting reports of how many deer were shot. He was one of those special, larger than life people. I spoke with his son Andy yesterday and Andy said that there will be a celebration of George's life at some future time, after COVID-19 concerns pass.

Pucky Huddle Road will never be the same. So, with tears in my eyes, I dedicate this Kenoza Lake news column, to the wonderful memories that I have of George Wagner. I can hear him laughing from heaven.