And in a blink of an eye, we are halfway through the month of September. Even though summer is leaving us, we still have a bit more time for those seasonal outdoor activities.

Spend some of that time at the Town of Liberty Park and Recreations Department's Fall Festival on Saturday, September 19 from 11 AM until 4 PM at Walnut Mountain Park. Start at 9 AM with a hike up the mountain in honor of Michelle Behrman. Entry fee is $40 which includes a t-shirt with proceeds to benefit Sullivan County Ride to Survive and the Liberty Snack Pack Program. Follow it up with a day of family fun of Hay Rides, Corn Maze Picking, vendors, food, games, and more. For more information, contact the Town of Liberty Recreation Department.

Jeffersonville JEMS holds its Annual Duck Race and Jeff Jamboree on Saturday, September 19 starting with a delicious Pancake Breakfast at the First Presbyterian Church from 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, free Story Time at 10 AM at Ratty Books, a Tractor Parade at noon, and the Duck Race at 3 PM. Enjoy vendors, food, horse and carriage rides, music, games and more.

Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay with be the Guest Speaker at the Professional Women of Sullivan County meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at The Quiet Saint on Rt 55 in Grahamsville at 5:30 PM. Assembly Member Kay will address state and local county issues affecting women followed by a Q & A session. Food will be ordered off the menu. Come with a friend and find more about Professional Women and their goals for this year. Contact acolon@sunysullivan.edu for more information.

Head out all weekend long to Forestburgh Playhouse for the Into the Woods Festival on Saturday, September 19 and 20. Fill your days with workshops and new productions in theatre with special youth programs as well. Contact the Forestburgh Playhouse Box Office at 845 794-1194 for more information.

Looking on how to make some amazing Farm to Table meals? Join Chef Mary of Chestnut Creek Baked Goods at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm to Table Cooking Class for a hands-on cooking experience that celebrates the best of our local farms. Create a delicious meal from scratch and enjoy it together around the table. Spaces are limited! Reserve your spot today for September 18 from 1pm - 3PM to learn Recipes for Chicken Pesto Pasta, Baked Chicken with Roasted Vegetables, Corn and Black Bean Salsa, Berry Crumble and more! Class seats are $35 per person, payable upon registration. Call Chef Mary at 845-798-1724 for more info. or to reserve your spot.

Don't miss the 90th Anniversary Celebration of the Etherbert B. Crawford Public Library on September 19, 2026 from 1PM- 3PM in the Robert D Norris Community Room. Share fond memories of the storied history of the library. View never before seen artwork of Library namesake, a slide show of the 90 year history, rededication of the restored 1936 plaque memorializing the 143rd Sullivan County Civil War Regiment. Light refreshments with be served throughout. For more information, contact the Library at 845 794-4660.

Join the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce for a special evening of networking and celebration at Dos Gatos Restaurant. Be there as they announce this year’s Gala honorees and recognize their outstanding contributions, accomplishments, and commitment to our community.

Enjoy an evening of light fare, a cash bar, great conversation, and plenty of opportunities to connect on Thursday, September 17 from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM at Dos Gatos Restaurant, 750 Resorts World Drive, Monticello. For more information, contact the Chamber at 845 791-4200.

Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Leadership Sullivan Class of 2026 is pleased to invite you to its Class Project Comfort Closet Ribbon Cutting Tour. This year's class raised over $10,000 to ensure students in Sullivan County schools would have access to hygiene and other items right in their own schools.

Join the Class as they celebrate this meaningful project and the positive impact it brings to our students and communities! Everyone is welcome to join all or part of the tour starting on Friday, September 18 at Tri-Valley Central School - 8 AM, SUNY Sullivan - 9 AM, Liberty Middle School - 10 AM, Monticello High School 11 AM, Eldred Central School 12:15 PM, Sullivan West Central School District - 1:30 PM. Celebrate, connect, and continue supporting our students-together! For more information, call 845 798-1770.

Happy Birthday to Julie Kaufman (9/15), Sarah Mootz, William Hulse, LouAnn Carlucci, Fred Kuriger (9/16), Peter Kunz (9/17), Carol MacAdam Anna Gibbs (9/18), Dayle Chollet-MacDowell, Bobby Krutman, Donna Donovan (9/19), Jared Kaufman, Patricia Walsh, Scott Mace, Rosemarie Monaco Romano (9/20), Layla Mack, Meaghan McCormack, Nancy McDonald-Gilbert, Jinni Reeves (9/21).

To those who will honor the holiday of Yom Kippur, may you have an easy fast and may you be inscribed in the Book of Life. Enjoy the Sullivan County – Catskills. 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.