Another full year has flown by as we begin our tradition of New Year Resolutions moving forward into 2026. The past year has brought us highs and lows, good and bad, and so much activity.

Many have asked me why I choose to write this column knowing the busy schedule that I tend to lead. When I was asked to write the column a little over a year and a half ago, I was asked to share what it was that I knew about. And what I know about are some of the most incredible goings-on that occur in Sullivan County.

Too often we hear the negative, and we don't take the time to find the positive in our beautiful community. My New Year's Resolution to those who read this column is to continue to share the information of great things happening in our own backyard in hopes that we can all enjoy our hometowns and community. And to that end, I will continue, with the assistance of many of you out there who keep me informed, to share information with you on our community and what it has to offer. 

Congratulations to Kathleen Lara being sworn in as Sullivan County Treasurer on Friday, January 2, at 10 a.m. in the Legislative Chambers at the Sullivan County Government Center.

Thank you to all the State, County, Town, and Village Highway Departments who took care of ensuring our roads were cleaned and treated for safe travels during the holidays. And, don't forget all of our first responders and medical professionals who worked through the holiday season as well.

The last of the Community Tree Lighting events took place on December 23 in the Village of Monticello. The St. John’s Episcopal Church and Monticello United Methodist Church sponsored the event attended by dignitaries and community members. It was wonderful to see this long-time tradition renewed with a commitment to reinvigorate the Inter-Faith Council for better community relationships and collaboration of services within our community.  More to come as this develops. 

A great season of love and giving! The Sullivan Central Rotary Club was delighted to support numerous causes throughout Sullivan County adopting a Town of Wallkill Boys & Girls Club family, being "Angels" making individualized gift packages for 40 residents at Care Center at Sunset Lake in Liberty, collaborating with Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) to deliver gently used toys to the Children's Home in Liberty, dropping off gifts to Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty for their Holiday Sr. Comfort Closet for their patients, and being Santa Elves for a visit from Santa himself at Garnet Health Catskills where they distributed with Santa over 300 stuffed animals, cookies, donuts, candy, sang holiday carols, and took pictures with Santa for the patients and staff. 

Their Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign continues with the Never Ending Coat Drive. New or gently used coats can be dropped off at The Comfort Closet at Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay’s Office on Broadway in Monticello, United Way of Sullivan County in Monticello, or Children's Home on Main Street in Liberty. 

Mark your calendars for February 20 for the second Annual Health Fair during the 48^th Annual 98.3 WSUL Heart-a-thon to take place at Resorts World – Catskills from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Rotary Clubs of Sullivan County in conjunction with Jeff Bank are sponsoring this event after its huge success last year. All are welcome to attend the Vendors Event as well as the Mini-Class Sessions throughout the day. This event is free of charge. Stay tuned for a listing of classes and times. If you are interested in being a vendor or presenting a session, register at https://bit.ly/HealthFair2026VendorApp or call 845-798-1770. 

The coveted 48th Annual 98.3 WSUL Heart-A-Thon T-shirt is on sale now. A donation of $20 gets the shirt to you with 100% of the purchase price going to funds raised for this year's event. For more information or to order your shirt, contact 845-798-1770.

Condolences to the Bobby Friedland, Marc Friedland and the entire extended family on the loss of family matriarch Betty Friedland. Betty was a force to be reckoned with having a great passion for her community and those she loved. May her memory be for a blessing.

Happy Birthday to Julie Starner, Regina Lombardo-Phillipy, Nancy Heimbuecher, Joy Tunno (12/30), Ashley Leavitt, Tyler Murtie, Gerry Skoda (12/31), Legislator Nick Salomone, Pam Sussman, Maria Claudio (1/1), Debbie Muller, Becky Perez (1/3), Lorelei Davis, Alex Cabrero (1/4), Merissa Jurow, Julia Kurthy, Heather Carnesi, Christopher Russo, Barry Foxman (1/5).

Continued Get Well Wishes to Lenore Grauer. 

Wishing all a New Year filled with happiness, good health, kindness, prosperity, and peace. Make a New Year’s Resolution that is easy to keep – explore our community, learn more about the great things happening, and support what is going on in Sullivan County. You won’t regret 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.