Cheers to the New Year! I hope your January is off to a great start and thank you for the warm welcome for those who have emailed! If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch!

The Town of Cochecton held its re-organizational meeting on January 3. Town officials are as follows ... Supervisor: Gary Maas; Councilmembers: Edwin Grund, Mike Walter, John Nearing, Sean Nearing and newest board member John Nober; Tax Collector: Eileen Hennessy; Town Clerk: Maryann Oumrim; and   Assessor: Lorry King.

Please note that the 2022 taxes will be received in Eileen Hennessey’s office in the Town of Cochecton Town Hall (74 Smales Rd, Cochecton, NY 12752) on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays by chance or appointment. Eileen can be reached via email, taxcollector@townofcochectonny.org or if weather is bad, please call first (845) 932-8360 X 17.

The Lake Huntington Fire Company would like to congratulate Hunter Keesler, John Nober, Rob Senzon and the entire Sullivan County Fall 2021 class on completing BEFO (Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations) and Hazemat First Responder Operations. Thank you for all that you do for our communities.

The Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps is advertising a new EMT class, beginning on February 10 in Ellenville. Contact Mobile Life (www.mobilelife.com) to register and more information.

Mark your calendars for the First Annual Youth Ice Fishing Tournament in memory of Gerald “Jerry” Bruce Sheppard hosted by Smugglers Nob Rod & Gun Club on Saturday, February 5th from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Mitchell Pond, Cochecton. Bring the kids of all ages out for a fun-filled day of ice fishing (all kids fish for free). Food and beverages for all kids who participate, and all children will be eligible for prizes. Fishing regulations will be in accordance with the NYSDEC. Contact Harold “Boomer” Russell (845-583-6602) or Kevin Esselman (845-932-7829) with any questions.

Join the CYC on an Easter Egg Train Ride on April 10th at 1 p.m. Please note that space is limited and may sell out. Bring your basket and take a ride down the Bunny Trail, to a special egg hunt! The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures at the egg hunt. All kids will get a special gift bag for riding. Steps required to get on and off the train.

The train will run rain or shine and the trip will take about two hours. Adults are $20 and out of town youth are $10. Sign ups will be February 1st from 6:30-7p.m. Please bring cash to sign ups. Please also note that mask mandates may or may not be in place by the time of this event. For sign up questions, please contact Val at (570) 493-7882. For day of the event questions, please contact Michelle at (570) 419-8801.

The programs are funded in full or in part by the Sullivan County Youth Bureau.

Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings.