By this point in winter, many of us are doing the same quiet math in our heads—how many more weeks until spring, how many more gray days, how many more icy mornings before the Spring and Summer months will be with us. I am looking forward to warmer weather and the big defrost!

Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

A reminder that Eileen Hennessy the Tax Collector of the Town of Cochecton, County of Sullivan, and the State of New York, will be collecting the 2026 Town and County Taxes in the Town of Cochecton Town Hall at 74 Smales Rd, Cochecton NY 12726. Taxes will be received in her office during the new hours on Tuesdays from 4p.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays or appointment. Best way to get in touch with Eileen is by email: taxcollector@townofcochectonny.org.  If weather is bad, please call first 845-932-8360 X 17.

The Smugglers Nob Rod & Gun Club will host its Annual Youth Ice Fishing Tournament on Sunday, February 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mitchell Pond in Cochecton, New York. Held in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Bruce Sheppard, this event invites families to bring kids out for a fun-filled day on the ice. All children fish for free and will receive food and beverages, with additional food and drinks available for purchase for adults. Every participating child is eligible for prizes. Fishing regulations will follow NYSDEC guidelines, and access to the pond will be at 175 Mitchell Pond West Road. Transportation to the fishing area will be provided by club members, and no outside ATVs or UTVs are permitted. Registration will take place upon entry. For more information, attendees can contact Harold “Boomer” Russell at (845) 583-6602 or Kevin Esselman at (845) 932-7829.

Mark your calendars and shake off the winter blues at the Winter Blues Bash, as the Delaware Youth Center’s Kids Dance Party returns on Saturday, February 21, from noon to 4 p.m. After last year’s great turnout, this year’s party is shaping up to be even bigger and more fun. Pre-K through 2nd graders are invited to dance and play from noon to 2 p.m. with classic favorites like musical chairs and other age-appropriate games, while 3rd through 6th graders take over the dance floor from 2 to 4 p.m. DJ Mazz will keep the energy high, spinning crowd favorites like the Cha Cha Slide, Macarena, Cotton Eyed Joe, and more, ensuring nonstop dancing, laughs, and fun. Admission is just $5 per child, with adults free, or $10 per child includes a hot dog, snack, and drink, with additional food available for purchase. Grab those dancing shoes and head to the Delaware Youth Center at 8 Creamery Road in Callicoon for an afternoon of winter-beating fun your kids won’t want to miss.

If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch! Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings. You can also find me online at www.rustic-road.com.