We're now making our way through February and, so far, we've been able to avoid any major snowstorm this year. We knocked on wood after writing that, because we all know how unpredictable February and March can be.

While many of us are celebrating the relatively low amount of snow and ice this winter, others are lamenting. It can be disappointing to those who enjoy all the seasonal events that depend on cold weather.

The Livingston Manor Ice Carnival this past weekend became a Family Fun Day (see photos in Friday's paper). Attendees still enjoyed the day but, like many other events, the activities needed to be rethought.

The Hurleyville Fire Department and the Sullivan County Conservation Club announced on Friday that the their ice fishing tournaments were cancelled.

“After assessing the situation and consulting with the White Lake Fire Company, we have been advised to cancel this year's event,” the Conservation Club said in a statement.

“Safety is always our top priority, and the areas of thin ice and potentially open water present too much of a danger to those who would be participating.”

As much as we look forward to the tournaments each year, we can't blame them for putting safety first.

In separate incidents within the same week, three people died after falling through ice in New Jersey last month.

The White Lake Fire Company recently hosted a joint Ice rescue drill with the Rock Hill Fire Department. They say getting in the water is their last resort, but when trouble occurs and someone's in a dangerous situation, they don't think twice.

They went over techniques from the very basic to the more difficult. They trained on “throw, row, go” where members started with basic rope bag throws to reach the victims. If the victim can't be reached by throwing a rope, they “row” with some kind of floatation device to reach them. If that's not possible, they “go” out onto the ice themselves.

“The rescuers simulated going through the ice and self rescuing prior to getting to the victim. The Rock Hill Drone team simultaneously trained overhead,” the White Lake Fire Company said.

This kind of training is invaluable in a rural area like ours with so many lakes, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts. We're lucky to have such well-trained and dedicated emergency personnel to respond in the event of an emergency.

A sad farewell

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the passing of a Sullivan County Icon.

Elizabeth Goldstein, better known as Jackie Horner, passed away over the weekend at the age of 87.

She was a Liberty resident, a longtime dancer and, of course, the inspiration for the movie “Dirty Dancing.”

But she was so much more than that. She was our friend and neighbor.

She could often be seen at the Liberty Diner and the Forestburgh Playhouse. She always made the time to tell a story to anyone who was interested.

We're grateful that she was honored by the Sullivan County Legislature in August for the extraordinary life she lived.

We're all going to truly miss her.