Crocuses are in bloom, peepers are starting to be heard, bears are out of hibernation, and spring is most definitely in the Sullivan County air.

The Sullivan County Chamber held its 3rd Thursday Networking Mixer at Starters American Eatery on Broadway in Monticello on March 20, 2025 which included an amazing Ribbon Cutting to welcome the business into the heart of Monticello.

Congratulations on a fabulous opening filled with delicious food, amazing service, great company, and tons of networking opportunities. Thanks to the Chamber for a terrific community event.

Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre offers another installment of its exciting new program designed just for kids on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 11am until noon! Move & Groove combines music, instruments and dance all into one fun hour at HPAC! It is the perfect way for children to have fun, move, and groove with friends. 

Suggested donation $10 towards future events. Registration required by contacting HPAC or online on their website | ages 6 & under.

Congratulations to George and Steve Nikolados and family on the Official Opening of the Rock Hill Cafe & Deli. Reviews are in for great food, service, and company! Stop in and check it out!

The RJK Middle School PTO will hold its 2nd Annual RJK Panther Pride Fun Run (or Walk). A ‘Color Run’ style event is a 1.5 mile, untimed ‘fun run and walk’ over the grounds of our beautiful school!  A wonderful opportunity to get outside as a family and a community and enjoy that fresh spring air!

Registration is $35 with no guarantee of an RJK t-shirt at this point.

Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Monticello/RJKPTOColorRun.

Don’t miss a delicious Spaghetti Dinner to support Boy Scout Troop 1717 on Sunday, March 30th at the White Sulphur Springs Fire House from 4pm - 7pm. Eat-in or Take-out Dinners are $15 each and support our wonderful kids and their future! For more information call 845 292-2683.

The Monticello High School production of Legally Blonde is slated for Friday and Saturday, April 4th and 5th at 7:30pm at the Arnold Packer Hughs Auditorium at the High School. Break legs Emily Pine, Morris Germann, and all the talented students and teacher who make this happen.

The Monticello Rotary Second Annual Taste of Sullivan in collaboration with SUNY Sullivan to benefit the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless will take place at the Paul Gerry Fieldhouse at SCCC on April 22, 2025 from 6pm - 8pm.

Over 20 Sullivan County restaurants, distilleries, and food distributors will be serving samplings of their culinary delicacies. From appetizers to desserts, participants will enjoy the multicultural and diverse eatery options in our area.

Students from the SUNY Sullivan Culinary Department, along with SUNY Rotaract Members and Fallsburg High School Interact Clubs, will be on hand to showcase their culinary talents and assist in the operations of this event.

In addition, raffles will be available for gift certificates to the vendors present and many others throughout Sullivan County to help raise funds for this worthy cause.

Tickets (which go quickly) are priced at $40 per person and are available online: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/PGFWGZAT853LN,  through Monticello Rotary members, or by contacting  RotaryMonti@gmail.com.

The Landfield Avenue Synagogue is preparing for Passover. They have made arrangements to secure handmade Shmura Matzo for Passover to order. Priced at $23 per pound, those who would like to make arrangements to purchase may do so by calling the Synagogue Office. Payment is due at time of order. Also, those wishing to sell their chometz can make arrangements by calling the Synagogue Office at 845-794-8470 as well.

Condolences to Lorelei Boxberger and the entire family on the loss of their beautiful family matriarch Lorelei Mary Schonbachler. May her memory be a blessing for all who knew and loved her.

Happy Birthday to Sullivan County’s very own fabulous District Attorney Brian Conaty (3/26), Patricia Hoose, David Coon (3/27), SC District Legislator Cat Scott, Sheryl Manz, (3/28), Kirk Harris, Trish Ellmaurer (3/30), Tanya Duryea, Barbara O’Rourke, Karen Linen, and Taylor Knapp, (3/31).

As predicted, March came in like a lion and goes out like a lamb as we prepare for what the full glory of Spring is in Sullivan County. Get out and enjoy its full beauty! And, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.