Beautiful October: Hello everyone. I'm loving the extra vivid Autumn colors this month. Our daughter-in-law, Lesli, created a beautiful table centerpiece by placing a string of battery lights in a pretty glass vase and adding freshly gathered bright, colored leaves, it looks so beautiful. It was a great appreciation of our God-given out-door beauty and Lesli's artistic ability. Thanks, Lesli.

Liberty Library: Marjorie Linko, the librarian has done more than an amazing job applying for and getting grants to help with the cost of about doubling the space. I entered from the parking lot in back to the lower level. This is a meeting area and the children's area where I met Marj as we and a small masked group waited for the speaker, Sims Foster from Foster Supply Hospitality. We certainly have a library to be proud of and Marjorie needs to get so much credit. Her message is: We are dedicated to being a scholastic and cultural center within our community. Phone: 845-292-6070. The new entry is spacious and so up-scale, looking down on the new lower level and an elevator to the top level. I'm sure parents of pre-schoolers are thrilled with the Story Time On The Lawn every Wednesday @10:30 this Fall, weather permitting. Just bring a blanket to sit on.

Sims Foster: Attendance was limited at the library talk because of the virus, but I was moved as he thanked his former high-school teacher and several of the local bankers for their help when he was getting started with investments. He was happy to see them and they were proud of what he has accomplished. In Liberty, he and his wife Kirsten, co-founders of Foster Supply Hospitality, have invested in Piccolo Paese and have partnered with Western Sullivan Properties at the Liberty Golf Course. They're working with the Liberty Planning Board to get approval for condo units and a hotel at the golf course.

Cornell Co-Operative: Young puppy lovers...listen up. Every Wednesday from 10-14 to 11-18…AKC Star Puppy program. Youth can learn beginning basic obedience training and developing a relationship with your puppy. Sounds like fun to meet other young owners and their pets.

Southern Fried Soul: That is the name of the surprise sound stage opposite Danny's Steakout and Panda Parlor. We noticed a gathering outside on the lawn last week around four on Friday or Saturday next to Atkins and Garone tax office. Laura Garone is singing with a band there and drawing a crowd. As we ate a delicious meal in Danny's Steakout, socially distancing, I saw the back of the stage and a baton rising across the street. The waitress said they perform every week. A nice idea.

Supervisor, Frank Demayo: It is so great to hear some plans and to know that because of the flurry of real-estate activity, Frank says he expects a very active winter as we prepare to move the town forward. He mentioned planning and implementation of long awaited commercial development at the Old Rt.17 Corridor with the assistance of the S.C. Partnership for Economic Development, Delaware Engineering and other agencies. Great interest and activity in Parksville and Swan Lake, and he is looking for volunteers to form Hamlet Groups to discuss the future of these two important areas within the town. Swan Lake wants to continue efforts with Swan Lake Renaissance and other endeavors in the hamlet. Contact to Volunteer: Nick Rusin or Frank Demayo. Call (845) 292-5111 or email n.rusin@townofliberty.org or supervisordemayo@townofliberty.org. “We are going to be as good as those who participate and remain active in Liberty's future,” said Demayo. So true, Frank.

Dr. John Muccia: I chatted recently with Doctor John's wife, Petra. She said it is a year since we lost him. He was a great heart doctor. When I worked in Radiology I was always aware of the lives he saved. One of his last fun days was spent at Gieger Farm for my “Awesome Mom” party. Petra took great pictures of the kids with the farm animals, and Sam and John sharing a laugh, and Rev. Father Bob Higgins giving the blessing. Father Bob went to High school with Cindy. That day was a life-long memory.

Sweet Neighbor Kids: I have to thank my special friends, Alex and Brody Kelly for surprising me with a bouquet of hydrangea flowers on my birthday. (I saw Carol in the background). That was so sweet. You've heard of the West Wing these days? Well that is where these beautiful flowers are looking so pretty with some of my plants. If you want your African Violets to bloom...they need the west wing window also.

Class Of 1951…Liberty High School: I know there are a few classmates still around and wonder about this very interesting note that was printed in the 50th reunion booklet. There was no-one more able to locate our classmates than my dear friend, the late Roberta Zalkin Yeagerman. She and I worked together back in 2001 with the thought of bonding our class and other classes to the Liberty Museum where it would be a welcoming haven in our hometown and Roberta's belief that keeping alumni involved was a monetary help…smart woman.

A Special Note: From Ken Laskey's post in the booklet that I find fascinating. Ken wrote: (back in 2001). “I attended a class at UCLA (California) and while talking to another student, Liberty came up in conversation. The other student said he had known a guy from Liberty and it turned out to be Joe Brender. This student was in the Navy, stationed on the aircraft carrier with Joe and was present when Joe's plane was unable to land on the carrier, and ditched in the sea. The airplane and pilot were lost.” Ken Laskey added that this friend of Joe Brender wrote a book about the accident and presented it to him. When this reunion booklet was printed Ken said, “I had moved from Los Angeles to Camarillo in the last year and the book was in one of the boxes.” It would truly be great if someone knows about this book. Ken was married to Gretchen Ordin from the class of 1953. Any ideas?

Positives: Dunkin Donuts is expanding and will have a drive-through…Wow. sounds great. A food catering shop called Serendipity will open in Beer World Mall. Also moving along is the Tap Room on Lake Street. A new Tattoo Shop called Royal Society is also in the works. I don't have a location right now.

At what was Barbuti Furniture, we now have new owners who will have a grand opening of Liberty Fine Upholstery in November. We wish them all the best. The Farmers Market also reported a record season. Local growers were very pleased.

We Thank Bruce Davidson: The Theater building and attached stores, are moving slowly ahead, slowed by ability to get materials in the building supply market since covid. But Bruce said Spring should show a much different scene there on South Main. Won't that be great! Thank You, Bruce.

S.C. Public Health: Promoting their next rabies vaccine clinic on Oct. 21st at the Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department from 5-8 p.m. They are also providing virtual narcan training for members of the public who may need to help in dire cases of substance abuse by family members or those they come in contact with.

Liberty Rotary: Many already know about their hard work taking care of our hospital employees and struggling families through Operation Feed, but we should also know about $29,000 donations from twenty-eight restaurants which fed over a thousand health-care workers breakfast and lunch during the height of the pandemic. Also: They are excited about their annual coat drive. Plans are in the works for renovating the kitchen at Hanofee Park. A special thanks to all these dedicated volunteers.