Now that we have filled our bellies with a Thanksgiving Feast, we head into the Holiday Season full swing. So many things to get done, and so many things to yet do. Our calendars fill quickly so remember to fill your calendar with fun stuff, not just the work of getting ready.

To get you started, how about a great movie night for the whole family or a friend’s night out at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre. Join them on December 4, 2025 at 6pm for “Reel Good Thursdays,” when The Goonies will be playing and you can watch a movie while feeding a family. The sponsor is the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership Sullivan Class of 2025. Tickets are $10 each and proceeds benefit the Little Free Food Pantry Project. In addition, bring non-perishable food items to donate and be entered into a raffle. 

Congratulations and thanks to all the wonderful volunteers in our community who stepped up to ensure others will have a Thanksgiving to remember. More than 34 million people, including 9 million children, are currently experiencing food insecurity in the United States. From United Way, SC Federation for the Homeless; Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay and her staff, numerous churches, synagogues, and mosques; The Regional Food Bank, Sullivan Central Rotary Club, Monticello Rotary Club, Catholic Charities, The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, and so many more, our neighbors will be able to celebrate from the kindness that is Sullivan County’s hospitality specialty!

The Fallsburg Jr/Sr High School PTSO is holding a Poinsettia Fundraiser for $10 per plant. Orders due by December 1, 2025 or further information: vernamgreer1@hotmail.com.

The Ethelbert Crawford Library is still collecting non-perishable foods from November 10, 2025 until December 30, 2025 during Library hours. 

The Sullivan Central Rotary Club continues with its, “Never Ending Coat Drive.” Please drop off new or gently used coats, scarfs, hats, and gloves to Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay’s Office, United Way of Sullivan County in Monticello, The Children’s Home in Liberty, or email sullivancentralrotaryclub@gmail.com 

Please consider a donation to The Sullivan Fresh Community Cupboard serving 700 of our neighbors every week. To donate visit https://bit.ly/43w6kpB 

The Rock Hill Fire Department holds it Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Fundraiser every Saturday and Sunday until December 14, 2025 from 10 AM – 6 PM. Trees are $65 and Wreaths at $25. For more information email: rhfdtrees@gmail.com . Trees are also available at The Rock Hill Trading Post. 

The Callicoon Business Association officially kick off the Holiday Season with its tenth Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on November 29, 2025 starting at 5:00pm at The Callicoon Train Depot. There will be a Bonfire with FREE S'mores for the kids, a Hot Chocolate Bar, Performances from the Sullivan West High School Select Choir and Faith Kelly and a special visit from Santa! In addition, there will be a toy collection for the Sullivan West Elementary School PTSO Holiday Toy Drive. Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate. 

The Boys and Girls Club is still seeking “angels” to adopt a family for the holidays during its Giving Tree Project. Please contact Barbi Neumann at (845) 342-8833. 

Condolences to the Brown and Otto family on the loss of Susan Brown, the Barashi family on the loss of family patriarch Itzak Barashi, the Houman family on the loss of family matriarch Ceil Houman, and the Tighe family on the loss of Harold Tighe. Each of these individuals not only left behind the legacy of beautiful families, but they each in their own way left behind extended family of friends and communities that valued and cherished them as they provided service to others. All can be said to have lives that were well lived. May their memories be for a blessing to all who knew and loved them.

Happy Birthday to Terry Grafmuller, Dana Stone, Debra Fuchs Nadeau, Meghan Stalter, Earl Gomez (11/25), Hassina Broadie, Lori Leshner, (11/26), Dylan Price, Mark Blackford, Karen Guarino (11/27), Amy Phillips, Jonathan Rahm (11/28), Charles Atwell, Cody Brosnan, Lori Benjamin (11/29), Gloria Verdino, Jessica Clopton (11/30), Heather Stanway-Ross, Wendy Tyler-Julkerski, Tom Bosket, Akiko Hosoi (12/1).

So much more yet to share, but you will have to stay tuned. 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 .