June 15 – As the heat climbs bringing the full feel of summer, there is plenty to do as we head into the end of June. 

And as graduations are on the horizon, congratulations to the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership Sullivan Class of 2026 upon completion of the 10-month program in which the class members learn about Sullivan County becoming Ambassadors and Leaders in our community. In addition to the class learning, members must attend three public meetings, as well as research an issue in the community and design and implement a project to help solve the issue. The project must have a plan to be sustainable. This year’s class chose to offer Comfort Closets (both the equipment and supply) to all schools in Sullivan County. Raising close to $10,000 to date for the project, the class continues to accept donations monetarily and in product. 

Class Members Matthew Rourke (Class President), Alyssa Wowk (Class Historian), Colleen Collins, Megan Evans, Christina Antizzo, Holly Rau, Jill Goodman, Michael D’Auria, Kaylee Wagner, Camden Olivero, Bernard O'Donohue III, Erika Acevedo, Lina Ledvin, and Brent Fullum will become graduates of the program tonight, at 5pm at Resorts World Catskills. Tickets are $75 for Dinner and the Ceremony. For more information, call 845-798-1770.

Monticello High School Class of ’86 has its fortieth Class Reunion planned for July 17 – 18, 2026. Friday night is scheduled at Holiday Mountain with Saturday at Swinging Bridge. Food, music, fun, friends and memories. For more information, call 845-798-3838. 

Summer in Sullivan County would not be complete without a wonderful season of shows at the Forestburgh Playhouse. In 1947, a group of young actors from New York City discovered an old barn in Forestburgh and imagined something extraordinary, a place where stories could come alive, music could fill the air, and audiences could gather to share unforgettable moments. That vision became the Forestburgh Playhouse, a beloved institution that has continued to inspire generations for 80 remarkable years.

Today, the Playhouse stands as a cornerstone of the Sullivan Catskills arts community, with 500 plus productions, 200 plus cabarets, over 6,000 plus artists and technicians employed, and 1 million plus audience members welcomed over the last 80 years. More than a theatre, the Forestburgh Playhouse has become a tradition, a creative home, and an important part of the heartbeat of our community.

Join community leaders, artists, supporters, and friends of the Playhouse as they celebrate the opening of the 80th season with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, champagne toast, and an evening dedicated to honoring the past while looking ahead to an exciting future.

The celebration begins on June 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM with light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments in the beautiful Playhouse Garden, followed by the ribbon cutting and remarks at 6:00 PM. Guests are invited to stay afterward to mix, mingle, and continue the celebration with the Tavern bar open following the ceremony. RSVP by emailing boxoffice@fbplayhouse.org or calling 845-794-1194. Come celebrate 80 years of creativity, passion, and community at Forestburgh Playhouse. Eighty years young, and the curtain is just rising.

Don’t miss the Sullivan County Branch of NAACP Junteeth Celebration at with Liberty Parks and Recreation at Hanofee Park, Sunset Drive, Liberty, NY from Noon – 4 PM. For more information contact naacpsullivancountyny@gmail.com. 

The Claryville Fire Department will hold a Father’s Day All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 8am – Noon.  Tickets are $13 for Adults, Sr. Citizens (65+) for $11, Children 5-11 - $5, and Children under 5 – Free. Take-outs available at $13. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast complete with pancakes, French Toast, eggs any style, hash browns, sausage, Man-n-moon, Spud-eggos, orange juice, coffee, and tea while celebrating Dad! Cash and checks only. For more information, call 845-985-7270.

There is still time to register for the 34^th Annual Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble taking place on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9 AM – Noon in Rock Hill. Register today at www.rockhillrun.com.

And, you still have time to vote in this year’s primary – your vote does matter. 

June 16, 2026 – June 21, 2026 is Early Voting for this year’s Primary with a regular Primary vote on June 23, 2026. Early Voting takes place at the Sullivan County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello, and at Sullivan County Public Health, 50 Community Lane, Liberty. Voting times are 9am – 5pm each day accept June 16 and 18, when times are Noon until 8pm. In Sullivan County, there is a Republican Primary for NY Senate District 51, Supervisor and Highway Superintendent in the Town of Cochecton, Supervisor in the Town of Forestbugh, and a Democratic Primary for State Comptroller. 

Happy Birthday to Cris Spinner, Tialisa Whipple, Tina Evans (6/16), Amanda Ward, Cheryl Taylor, Ed Epstein (6/17), Bill Rieber, Michelle Schneider, Steve Melendez, Armand “Moonie”

Seibert, (6/18), Stephanie Blythe, Leo Kaytes, Stephany Lopez, Stuart Wizwer (6/19), My

beautiful little sister and bestie Lisa Budoff Ouimette, Nancy Wegrzyn, Justice Mazzotti, Shannon Sanford, Maryann Kaplan, Joe D’Abbracio, (6/20), Nikki Harding, Dennis Browne (6/21), Lori Gibber Glauberman, Town of Thompson Councilperson Melinda Meddaugh, and Danny Briggs (6/22).

Happy Father’s Day to all types of Dads out there. Enjoy another great Sullivan County week ahead! 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.