The leaves are heading toward peek this week. Right on target time wise. As a child, I remember the absolute beauty Mother Nature always provided me for my birthday and also thought that the school was closed specifically in honor of my birthday. Hard to believe we are already at Columbus Day Weekend. And in no time, the Holiday Season will be upon us.

Calling all Veterans! The Sullivan County Workforce Summit Veteran Forum 2026, hosted by the Sullivan County Center for Workforce Development will be held on October 7, at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark Grand Ballroom in Monticello from 7:30 AM – Noon. From Veteran and Employer Panel Discussions, Workforce and Training Resources, Inclusive Hiring Strategies, Veteran Employment Success Stories, Community Partner Networking, and Resources Exhibitors, participants will find what they are seeking to help find employment and outstanding hires! For more information, call 845-1794-3340.

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance will hold an Artist Talk with Heidi Jensen entitled Landlooker in the Loft Gallery, 37 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY on Saturday, October 10, at 1PM. The centerpiece of Heidi Jensen’s exhibition, Landlooker, is a video featuring her carved wooden puppets performing songs that were written and sung in lumber camps in the 19th and 20th centuries. The audio is taken from field recordings from the 1930s, which are part of the Alan Lomax Collection in the Library of Congress. Jensen explores logging culture, historical processes of extraction, colonization and the aftermath of ecological devastation left in the wake of logging in this era. The video will be accompanied by Jensen’s hand-carved puppets, props and drawn backdrops.

The Sixth Catskill International Film Festival runs at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre from October 9 – October 11. Join for three days of celebrating independent cinema at the beautiful cinematic space at HPAC for one of the last events in this space with this collaboration. Experience Official Selection screenings, filmmaker Q&A’s, workshops, special events, live entertainment, red carpet celebrations, after parties and more throughout the weekend. For more information, contact HPAC at 845 985- 4722.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow at the Bradstan Cabaret at The Eldred Preserve where you can see Broadway’s original “Annie” in Andrea McArdle’s Broadway Jukebox on October 11, at 7 PM. McArdle brings a completely unscripted, audience-driven evening to The Bradstan stage, where you help choose songs and story prompts in real time. It’s Broadway up close in the Catskills: spontaneous, hilarious, and full of surprise. Doors open at 5:30 PM with show at 7 PM. For more information, call 845 557-8316.

Perfect Fall weather will be on hand for the Diehl Homestead Farm Fall Festival on October 10 at 93 Diehl Road in Callicoon from 11 AM – 5PM. From a Harvest Market, Apple Cider Donuts, Maple Cotton Candy, Food & Craft, vendors, Hayrides, Bouncy House, and Farm Animals, this Family Fun Day is a must. Admission is free.

Have a technology question? You can Stop by during Technology Office Hours and the Ethelbert Crawford Public Library on Broadway in Monticello and work through the issue together. Before you visit, please review the EBCPL Technology Office Hours Guidelines for details about what is and is not covered during these sessions. Call (845) 794-4660 extension 9 for additional information.

And, also at the Library – Fall Storytimes return on Friday October 9, from 10 AM until 11 AM. This Toddler and Preschool Storytime is held every Friday through December 18. Kids will practice basic classroom skills while hearing longer stories, singing songs, and doing activities and/or crafts. For more information, call the library.

Are you someone who would like to make a difference in Sullivan County and a member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce? If so, then think about serving as a member of the Board of Directors helping to shape the future of business in Sullivan County. Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce 2027 Board of Directors Nominations are now open with a deadline for nominations on Friday, October 10, by 5:00 PM. The 2027 Board of Directors term beginning January 1, 2027, until December 31, 2029. For more information, call 845 791-4200.

Happy Birthday to Joanna Gass, Louis Setren, Chuck Dorman (10/6), Robin Moore DeRito, Keith Stephenson (10/7), BettyJane Stevens, Mary Burkhart, Carolyn Bivins, Talya Regan, Chales Lee Miller (10/8), Russell Reeves, Maria Kyprianou, Joanna Goldfarb (10/9), Mike Cohn, Steven Schwartz, Travis Brust (10/10), Well ME and all of my birthday twins - David Howson, Danny Paik, Glorianne Ellison, Dr. Gerry Galaneau, Anna Dexheimer (10/11), George Nikolados, Larry Smiglewski, Rima Intregila, Matthew Patrick, Rob Carnell (10/12).

Enjoy the wonderful weather week expected ahead and Columbus Day Weekend! I still believe schools are closed on Monday in honor of my birthday – either way, enjoy the day! 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.