And just like that, September is here with the start of Leaf Peeping Season, Pumpkin Season, and of course, children returning to school. Summer is over and parents alike are snapping pictures and posting First Day Photos. So, let’s take a minute and thank those amazing teachers, bus drivers, teaching assistants, and all involved in making school happen. We entrust our most precious commodity to them for the next ten months. They hold the future in their hands, and we are all grateful for what they do.

Sometimes, sad things bring about great opportunities. Hurleyville Performing Arts Center will soon be closing its doors, but not before, once again supporting the community, the arts, and our kids. They have proclaimed, “We have too much art stuff!” And what better way than to offer it to teachers, families, and crafters. Stock up on creative supplies at HPAC’s Art-Focused Tag Sale on September 1 and 2, from 10 AM until 2 PM, For just $10, fill a bag with as much art-making goodness as you can fit!

Find treasures like: Paints and art supplies, canvases, easels, crayons, colored pencils, markers, pens, aprons, and more! Bags are provided. Note the location is HPAC Offices, 222 Main St, Hurleyville, NY. Come early for the best selection.

The Liberty Museum and Arts Center located at 46 South Main Street in Liberty, will hold its Sullivan County Art Educators Exhibition from September 5, until October, Friday through Sunday from Noon until 4 PM with an Artist Reception on Saturday, September 5 from 1 PM until 3 PM. Admission is free and open to all.

Don’t miss the Kay Danchak Memorial Youth Outdoor Expo on Saturday, September 5, from 11 AM until 3 PM at the Grahamsville Fair Grounds. Open to youth age 5 – 15 and accompanied by an adult, the day is filled with exciting activities, hands-on fun, presentations and demonstrations. From building a bluebird house, trapping demonstration, archery, DEC and DEP, fly casting demonstration, BB gun shooting, fishing, birds of prey, maple cotton candy, First Aid, and more, the day is all about amazing youth outdoor activities that can be done in beautiful Sullivan County. Admission is free for the kids with free ice cream, hot dog, chips and beverage. Registration and Good Bag for the first 100 children. This event is sponsored by the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County and co-sponsored by the Tri-Valley Lions Club and Sullivan County Long Beards.

The Sullivan Cup Golf Tournament is back! Presented by the SUNY Sullivan Foundation, this year’s tournament takes place Friday, September 18, at Roscoe Mountain Club. The perfect event for 18 holes of golf, Catskills views, golfer gifts, lunch, awards, and a day of community support for SUNY Sullivan students. Not golfing? Lunch-only tickets are available, too. Support Sullivan County’s college, and the students building what comes next. Learn more and register: sunysullivan.edu/sullivan-cup.

We start the summer with amazing July 4^th Fireworks, why not end it with fireworks for Labor Day? Mark your calendars for Friday, September 4, at 8:30 PM at Resorts World Catskills for a free fireworks show to celebrate the long weekend in spectacular fashion! Grab your friends and family, find the perfect spot, and get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars.

When Fall starts, we can be sure the Jewish High Holidays are not far behind. Landfield Avenue Synagogue opens its doors to all for its High Holiday Services 2026, Rosh Hashanah Evening Services on Friday, September 11th at 7 PM and Saturday, September 12^th at 7 PM; Rosh Hashanah Day Services on Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13 at 9AM for Morning Services. Yom Kippur Kol Nidre begins Sunday, September 20, 6:45 PM with Yom Kippur Morning Services, Monday, September 21 at 9AM (Yizkor not before 11:30AM) and Evening Services, September 21, 2-4:45PM followed by a Community Break Fast at 7:39PM. All are welcome and there is no seat charge to experience the LAS Family warmth. For more information call 845-794-8470.

Looking for some yumminess – then make your way out to the Fish and Chips Dinner to benefit the Neversink Tack Club on Wednesday, September 2 from 5 PM – 7PM. This Drive-Thru Dinner – Pre-Sales Only event includes Cod, French Fries, coleslaw and dessert (Chicken Dinner also available) for $22 per ticket. To secure your tickets or for more information call 914-799-4637.

And for a bit more of the yummy, the Smallwood-Mongaup Fire Department holds its Annual Pancake Breakfast, on Sunday, September 6 from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Adults are $10, Kids 5-12 are $6, with kids under 5 – free. Bring a little extra cash for the Ladies Auxiliaries Bake Sale items!

Happy Birthday to Fay Cerullo, John Garry, Beth McCormick Bernitt, Jack Costello (9/1), Melinda Little-Green (9/2), Abe Rosenberg (9/3), Shari Cohen Koster, Angela Rausch Ruggeri (9/4), Alan Kesten, Joshua Gottlieb, Joanne Alesi, Kwane Delvalle, Pat Walsh (9/5), Beth Leshner Garner, Slam Allen (9/6), Colleen Cunnigham, Katie Ippolito Fagan, Anna Sawyer, Ellen Cutler (9/7).

Lastly, remember that Labor Day may signal the end of summer, but the day is to honor all those who labor each and every day to make our community and country better. Enjoy the day and take a well-deserved moment to reflect on those who keep our wheels running. 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.