April showers bring May flowers, which are in full bloom as we move closer to official summer. Get your calendars out and start marking in the great things happening!

The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly Networking Breakfast on Friday, May 1 at Seminary Hill in Callicoon. Breakfast and networking will begin at 7:30 AM at 43 Wagner Rd, Callicoon, NY 12723, offering a welcoming setting to connect with fellow business professionals, community leaders, and entrepreneurs from across Sullivan County. This monthly gathering continues to be a valuable opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and grow your network. While each Networking Breakfast brings our business community together, this month the Chamber is proud to highlight the impactful work of the sponsor - Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) partner, the Foundation plays an important role in supporting professional development, expanding access to education, and fostering growth within our local business community.

Don't miss the SUNY Sullivan SpringFest. This rain or shine, open to the public free admission event is on Saturday, May 2 from 11 AM - 3 PM at SUNY Sullivan, 112 College Road, Loch Sheldrake. Join the community for a day of fun, special events, and surprises at SUNY Sullivan's campus! The day’s festivities include: Free kites for the first 300 kids, inflatable bouncy houses, delicious food trucks and food vendors, craft vendors, Student Art Show, Community organizations & local non-profits vendor tables, and more. Proceeds will benefit the SUNY Sullivan Foundation, which plays a critical role in sustaining in making SUNY Sullivan accessible and affordable for all.

Leadership Sullivan Class of 2026, a Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Program, is on a mission to make sure students in our local schools have access to the essentials they deserve, and you can be a part of it!

Through the Comfort Closet Project, the Class Members are working to provide hygiene items, clothing basics, and comfort/sensory supports so school staff can respond immediately when a student is in need. Every donation, every sponsor, and every event attendee helps to provide essential items to our own students that truly make a difference.

Here’s how you can support and have a great time doing it: Movie Day – Saturday, May 16th at Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre, Main Street, Hurleyville. Two showings, one incredible cause! 11:00 AM – Zootopia 2 and 7:00 PM – Superman. Just $10. Bring your family, friends, and enjoy a day at the movies while giving back. 

And who doesn't love a good Bingo Night? Thursday, May 14 at Tango Café (HPAC). Check-in: 6:00 PM. Games start: 6:30 PM. Bring 5 travel-size hygiene items OR $10 to play. Prizes, laughs, and a 50/50 raffle all night long. 

Why it matters: Your support helps provide: Hygiene essentials (toothpaste, soap, deodorant), clothing basics (socks, underwear, T-shirts), personal care items, sensory & comfort tools for emotional well-being. Whether you donate, sponsor, or simply show up...you are helping a student feel confident, cared for, and supported. Let’s come together as a community and show our students they are never alone. To donate, become a sponsor, or for more information, contact Foundation@catskills.com.

Good luck to all the local school music students attending the New York State School Music Association Spring Solo and Small Ensembles Adjudication Festival at Sullivan West this weekend.

Liberty Elks Lodge #1545 is hosting an Ice Cream Sundae Party on, Monday, May 4 from 3 PM - 4:30 PM. Free Sundae for those 12 and under. Five-dollar donation for those 13 and up. Children are encouraged to submit their art for the Drug Awareness Program. RSVP to 845 283- 5335.

And don't miss the 4th Annual Liberty Cinco De Mayo Festival on Main Street, Liberty from 10 AM - 4 PM on Saturday, May 2. Food, music, entertainment, dance, and more.

Don't forget to post pictures of you fulfilling the Sullivan Central Rotary Club Earth Day Challenge. Pictures must be posted of you and/or club or organization to be officially entered in the challenge by May 1. Remember to tag Sullivan Central Rotary Club and add #SCRCRotaryCares to be eligible for recognition.

This is an open challenge to all Rotary Clubs, community members, students, other service clubs, businesses – the more the merrier. Top collectors in each category will be recognized at our Rotary Epic Day of Service in May. For more information, contact SullivanCentralRotaryClub@gmail.com.

Congratulations to all college students graduating these next two weeks. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

Happy Birthday to Norman Duttweiler (4/29), Lee Karasik, Rebecca Gordon, Shawn Wiles (4/30), Patricia Smith, Evan Waterton, Ryan Cerullo, Danielle Mack (5/1), Deja Bloom, Stephanie Kellam, Allie Billias (5/2), Hazel Goldstein (5/3), Irene Greenfield, Mona Karasik, Maggie Schutte (5/4). 

A reminder to all that there is a Burn Ban until May 14. Please keep us all safe and adhere to this important message. 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.