Wow…talk about a month flying by. We end October and welcome November with so much to be part of in our beautiful Sullivan County Catskills. Get out your calendar and mark down all you are interested in.

And, speaking about calendars, are you aware that there is a great new community calendar available to find and post your events? Thank you, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, for adding a Community Calendar to its website. To enter your event, visit https://business.catskills.com.

Don’t miss this month’s Sullivan County First Friday Networking Breakfast on November 7 at Liberty Diner at 7:30am. Call the Chamber at 845-791-4200 for more information.

The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library is proud to present the next installment of its Community Art Exhibit series: “Short Stories: Every Picture Tells a Story”, featuring local artist Nick Roes - a folk artist, author, and singer/songwriter based in Barryville. There is an Opening Reception on Saturday, November 1 at 1pm in the Robert D. Norris Community Room with Exhibit Viewing from November 1 - December 13.

The Town of Thompson Democratic Committee is hosting a “Bagel & Ballots Candidate Meet and Greet” on Saturday, November 1 from 9am to 1pm at the Miss Monticello Diner. Enjoy bagels and coffee while discussing important community issues with Bill Rieber, Supervisor; Melinda Meddaugh and John Pavese, Council Members; Hayden Carnell, Highway Superintendent; Marilee Calhoun, Town Clerk. (The October 29 Meet and Greet noted in last week’s column has been postponed and changed to this event).

Reminder that Early Voting is in progress with voting sites at the Sullivan County Government Center and Sullivan County Public Health through November 2, Tuesday and Thursday noon until 8pm and Wednesday, Friday – Sunday 9am until 5pm. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4 at your regular voting locations. Make your plan and get out and vote.

The Landfield Avenue Synagogue will once again honor Veterans at its Annual Veterans Shabbat on Saturday morning, November 8, at 9am, followed by a delicious meat kiddush to celebrate those who serve and have served. All are welcome.

Big Sky Productions will present “Shorts & Sweets Honoring Veterans: Dear Folks,” featuring actress and writer Margaret Bruetsch of Cochecton and Big Sky’s Artistic Director, Carol Montana of Grahamsville. The program will include stories and anecdotes by and about Veterans, interspersed with letters to and from home. Performances are on Monday, November 3 at 6 p.m.at the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library, in Monticello; Sunday, November 9 at 2pm at the Sullivan County Historical Society and Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville; and the Tusten-Cochecton Branch of the Western Sullivan Public, Narrowsburg, on Friday, November 14 at 5pm. Admission is free. Call 845-985-3175 for more information.

As concerns of SNAP being cut are on the horizon, it is important as a community that we recognize that food insecurity is real. It is our neighbors struggling to make ends meet. Stigma should not prevent anyone in need. So, when you are shopping this week, consider purchasing a few additional items to give to your local food pantry. Also, don’t forget the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership Sullivan Class of 2025 Little Food Panty boxes at the Bethel and Lumberland Town Halls, the Liberty Police Department, the River Reporter in Narrowsburg, and the Landfield Avenue Synagogue in Monticello. The Little Food Pantry boxes are open 24/7 for drop off. Leave what you can, take what you need.

Happy Belated Birthday to Michelle Gibber, Tim Hawkins (10/14), Brad Rutledge, Lauren Sutton, Stuart Hirsch (10/17), Andrew Verdino, Paul Keller, Becky Belcher (10/19), John Hauschild (10/20).

Happy Birthday to Ira Steingart (10/28), Jeanne Rieber, Gerard Bonner, Lauren Miller (10/29), my B-I-L Robert Ouimette, Frank Incanno, Lauren Roman (10/31), Franci Solomon-Kirtack, Joseph Soloman, Amanda LaRusso, Jayme Krutz, Jane Powers (11/1), Wendy Brown, Judy McGowan, Karen Bradley Deanna Senyk, Myrna Ginsberg, Eric Shewmaker, Pamela Henning, Michelle Knowlton (11/2), Courtney Bonfante, Kathie Mabee, Cara Rieber, and Town of Highland’s very own Supervisor John Pizzolato (11/3).

And last, but not least – don’t forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday morning. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep, but not too long, because there is so much of Fall to come with so much to do! Just get out there and do it! And, as always, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.