October 12 – Down they come as trees shed their beautiful colors and the cooler fall weather leads us to Halloween Season. So many stores have begun the countdown to Christmas, and before you know it, the end of 2026 will be here. But we still have a while to go so stop wishing away the time and plan to get out and do what is possible in the beautiful Sullivan County Catskills.

And what better way to celebrate our rural community than with a production of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town? As part of its on-going 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is thrilled to present an ambitious new production of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning play at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg on October 16,17, and 23, 2026 at 7 PM and again on October 24 at 2:30 PM. For more information, visit delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

The Sullivan County Historical Society Annual Dinner and Meeting will be held at the Rockland House in Roscoe on Sunday, October 18 at 2 PM for hors d’oeuvres and dinner at 3. In staying with the America’s 250th Anniversary theme, this years’ honorees are Fort Delaware for the History Maker Award and the Beaverkill Chapter of the DAR as History Preserver. For more information, contact scecil@scnyhistory.org.

It will be a busy week for Sullivan Central Rotary Club. Join them on Saturday, October 17 at Cunningham Family Farms, 233 Hurd and Parks Road, Swan Lake, during the Annual Lemonade and Sweet Treat for Wishes event where they will have their Baskets for Hope Raffle Booth set up for final Raffle sales, benefiting the Hudson Valley Make A Wish Chapter. Raffle Tickets are available before the event from any SCRC Rotarian or come enjoy the event for tons of family fun for a great cause from Noon until 4pm (rain date – October 18).

On Monday, October 19 the Sullivan Central Rotary Club will hold the local Sullivan County Walk for Alzheimer’s Twilight Walk with gathering at 5:30 PM and kick-off at 6 PM at the Rail Trail in Hurleyville. So many in our community are directly impacted by Alzheimer’s. Come join the walk or make a donation today. All are welcome to walk to help this cause! For more information on either of these events, call 845-798-1770, email sullivancentralrotraryclub@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook Page or Webpage.

Sunshine Hall Free Library presents True Crime Saturday – High Profile Cases from OJ to Lindsay Clancy with Dr. Michael Baden and Linda Kenney Baden hosted by Melissa Gilbert on Saturday, October 17 at Noon at the Lumberland Town Hall. For more information, call the Town Hall.

Monticello Elks Lodge #1544 will hold a Roast Beef Dinner on October 16 from 5PM – 7PM at the Lodge, 46 North Street, Monticello. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Dinner includes roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll, and dessert for $15. To pre-order call or text 845-798-2545.

Liberty Elks Lodge #1545 presents its Roast Pork on garlic Bread Friday Night Dinner on October 16 from 5PM – 7PM at the Lodge, 21 John Street, Liberty. Menu includes roast port on garlic bread, French fries, coleslaw, and dessert, all for $15 a dinner. Reservations are required – call 845-292-3434.

On Friday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m., Frederick Cook Society Executive Director Carol Smith will present a talk on this American explorer who led multiple expeditions to the Arctic, and nearly always traveled with the finest custom designed Zeiss glass plate camera equipment. This engaging talk will examine the roles that The New York Times, the National Geographic Society, and President Theodore Roosevelt played in shaping public opinion around the “polar controversy.” The presentation will also include some fascinating local history about the Cook family’s time in Sullivan County. For more information email carolsmith2223@gmail.com, visit frederickcookpolar.org, or call 845-434-8044.

Join the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce for a fun evening of networking, conversation and celebration at The Quiet Saint, 7991 State Route 55, Grahamsville, on Thursday, October 15 at 5PM during its Monthly Mixer. Meet the candidates for the Chamber’s Board of Directors, connect with fellow business professionals, and enjoy a two-hour happy hour featuring a selection of appetizers and drinks. Cash bar available. At 6PM, celebrate The Quiet Saint with a Grand Ribbon Cutting as the Chamber officially welcome this new business to the Sullivan County business community. For more information, call 845-791-4200.

Bring the entire family to East Mongaup River Park for a spooktacular free afternoon of fun on Saturday, October 17 from 3pm – 6pm. Bring a bag to collect treats along the trail. Come in costume and get in the Halloween spirit. Enjoy hayrides along the trails. Paint a Pumpkin. Snack on Halloween Treats and more. All ages welcome. Interested in being a treat stop as a vendor or organization? Contact jferriero@thompsonny.gov for details.

Don’t miss the Monticello Fire Department Annual Fall Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 18 at 23 Richardson Avenue, Monticello from 7AM – Noon. Enjoy homemade buttermilk pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and orange juice for $12 for adults, Seniors and Children under 12 - $8, with kids under 5 – free.

Happy Birthday to Angela Rein, Ilan Zedek, Shannan Magnetico (10/13), Michelle Gibber (10/14), Brad Rutledge, Lauren Sutton, Stuart Hirsch (10/17), Samika Foy (10/18), Andrew Verdino, Paul Keller, Becky Belcher (10/19).

Tons to do – just get out and do it! 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.