October 26 – Is anyone else thinking like me that this month just flew right by? The weather is still looking good with leaves still changing, Election Day is just around the corner, and Daylight-Saving Time ends as we set our clocks back an hour this weekend. But none of this stops the great things happening in Sullivan County.

The next few days are filled with family Halloween opportunities. Start your weekend at SUNY Sullivan for FallFest on Friday, October 30 from 4pm - 6pm for an evening of trick-or-treating, fall activities, and community connection. With Trick-or-Treating, a festive scavenger hunt, an expansive bake sale hosted by Catskill Hospitality Institute students, and local community organizations and nonprofits on hand. Take a tour of the college and discover what the college can do for you. No RSVP is required for FallFest and no admission fee!

The Woodbourne Fire Department holds its Annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 30 from 5 PM – 7 PM. Fire trucks will be decorated and candy distributed. If you would like to decorate your car and give out candy, please call 845 798-8648.

Then on Saturday, October 31 from Noon until 2PM, the Rock Hill Business and Community Association holds its Rock Hill Trunk or Treat at the Rock Hill Firehouse. Join in for a spook-tacular afternoon of Halloween fun. Families can stroll through a lineup of creatively decorated trunks, collect candy, and enjoy the festive fall atmosphere. If you want to participate in giving out candy and hosting a trunk, please contact 845-701-2200.

The Wurtsboro Board of Trade hosts their Hallo-Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 31 from Noon – 3pm. A great vendors day with treats for all who attend. A perfect Fall Harvest event before going out to trick or treat.

The Tri-Valley TV Bears PTO holds its Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31 from Noon – 2 PM. Costumes are encouraged. If you are interested in hosting a trunk, contact a PTO Member directly. Community fun for everyone. In addition, bring a non-perishable food items to support local families to Stuff the Bus!

And don’t miss the 2nd Annual Liberty Medicine Shoppe Halloween Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31 from 2 PM – 4 PM at the Colonial Plaza Side Parking Lot. If you would like to host a trunk, decorate and arrive 45 minutes early for a spot. Winning trunk gets a $50 Gift Certificate. Hot Beverages will be served as well. All are welcome.

Then, to close out your Halloween fun, the Hurleyville Fire Department holds its Annual Halloween Parade with line up at 266 Main Street and step off at 6pm. Costumes, prizes, and refreshments to round out this family fun event.

And to round out the weekend, the Hurleyville Fire Department holds its Annual Fall-Back Pancake Breakfast starting on Sunday, November 1 at 7 AM until Noon at the Firehouse. Known for delicious homemade buckwheat Pancakes, eggs any style, sausage, juice, coffee, and tea, you are guaranteed a fabulous breakfast while helping those who help others. Tickets at $12 for adults with $8 for kids. For more information, call 845-434-4161.

Congratulations to the Liberty Rotary Club hosting it Annual Coat Drive to help those in need in the community. The Club Members collected and distributed approximately 500 coats in the community this past Saturday. The Sullivan Central Rotary Club continues its Never-Ending Coat Drive. To donate new or gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarfs, bring your items to The Children’s Home in Liberty, Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay’s Office on Broadway in Monticello, or drop off directly at United Way in Monticello. Thank you to all Rotarians for creating lasting impact for those in our community.

Members of the Sullivan County School Boards Association were in Buffalo this past week at the New York State School Boards Association Conference. Members attended Board Training, School Law, Portrait of a Graduate, Building and Facility Learning, Transportation, Computer/AI, and a myriad of other professional trainings. Although elected officials, members of all school boards are volunteers who give of themselves to ensure our schools are the best they can be. Representation from Sullivan County BOCES, Liberty, Monticello, Tri-Valley, Fallsburg, and Sullivan West were on hand for these professional opportunities. Just finishing School Board Recognition Week, this is a fitting time to say thank you for your service to our kids and community.

The Sullivan County Historical Society, INC. and the Sullivan County Bar Association invite you to a Historical Marker Dedication in honor and memory of the Honorable Lawrence H. Cooke, Chief Judge of the State of New York, 1979-1984 on Tuesday, October 27 at 1:30 PM for light refreshments and the Dedication Ceremony at the Courtroom Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello. The marker unveiling will immediately follow at the Cooke family home in Monticello at the corner of Forestburgh Road and Broadway. For more information, contact josedeckerchambers@nycourts.

Early voting has begun! Don’t forget to get out and vote! For voting locations and times, visit sullivanny.gov/Departments/Elections/EarlyVoting.

Happy Birthday Tom Rue (10/27), Ira Steingart (10/28), Jeanne Rieber, Gerard Bonner, Lauren Miller (10/29), Roberto Colon, Bethany England (10/30), Franco Incanno (10/31), Franci Solomon-Kirtack, Joseph Solomon, Amanda Russo, Jane Powers, Jayme Kaplan-Krutz (11/1), Wendy Brown, Judy McGowan, Deanna Senyk, Myrna Ginsberg, Eric Shewmaker, Donald Edward, Karen Bradley, Pam Henning, Michelle Knowlton (11/2).

Lots to do! Remember the Holiday Ten as you snack on those leftover Halloween Candy Treats. Get out and vote! Turn Back your clocks - 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.