Jane and Joe Concato stopped by Susan’s and Carl Simpfenderfer’s home last week to surprise Carl with one of Jane’s delicious lemon cakes for his birthday.  They enjoyed a lovely visit.  On Jan. 31, 12 Simpfenderfer family members went to the Chicken Run in Windham to celebrate three birthdays—Carl’s, Tony’s (hubby of Susan’s and Carl’s daughter Stephanie) and little Charlotte Clark (daughter of Susan’s and Carl’s daughter Samantha and Matt Clark).

Fellowship Lunch will be Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kaaterskill UMC, Main Street, Tannersville.  Stop in for a delicious free meal and fellowship.  Everyone is welcomed.

The annual “Freeze Your Butt Off for Wildlife Bake Sale” is Saturday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sunoco Gas Station, 6360 Main Street, Tannersville.  The bake sale is a crucial fundraiser that helps Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center care for injured and orphaned NYS wildlife.  They don’t receive funding from any agencies and FFF counts on your generosity to keep their efforts going.  Message Dave and let him know what you can bake for FFF and to arrange for drop off or pick up if necessary.  You can also drop off your baked goods on Saturday, Feb. 14 morning at the Sunoco in Tannersville.

There is a Workshop Series in West Kill/Lexington – Tools for Wellbeing and Connection on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Topic will be Let’s connect, come together to build community resilience and hope.  Workshop will take place in West Kill.   For more information and to register, contact Helle Thorning at 518-255-8657 or email hellethorningwine@gmail.com.

Children’s Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by The Catskill Mountain Fish and Game Club and The Stony Clove Rod and Gun Club will be Sunday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Registration starts at 9 a.m. at the Rip Van Winkle/Tannersville Lake.  Prizes for largest fish and most fish in both Junior and Senior Divisions.  Open to children up to 16 years old.  Children 16 must have valid fishing license.  You may fish up to three tip ups or hand lines and use single hooks only.  Live bait and some tip ups will be available for use.  For more information, call Bob Monteleone at 518-488-0240.

The Greene County Senior Nutrition Program menu for the week of Feb. 9 – Feb. 13 is as follows:  Monday—Chicken and biscuits with gravy, broccoli, mashed potatoes, mandarin oranges with pineapple; Tuesday—Shrimp kielbasa jambalaya, California medley, white rice, juice, peanut butter brownie; Wednesday—Crab topped cod, green beans, Au Gratin potatoes, tropical fruit; Thursday—Valentine’s Day Lunch—Roast pork with gravy (gravy contains gluten), mashed potatoes, peas/carrots, strawberry cream cake; Friday—Rigatoni with sausage, tossed salad, Italian vegetables, fresh fruit.  All persons 60 and older are invited to attend.  Meals served at noon, suggested $4 donation for each meal.  Congregate reservations are required by noon at least a day in advance.  If you reserve a meal and are unable to attend, please call as soon as you can to cancel.  The number to call for the Senior Service Center at the Jewett Municipal Building, 3547 Route 23C, Jewett is 518-253-4392.

Happy birthday to Diane Pendarvis on Friday, Feb. 6.

Saturday, Feb. 7 is Diane Potter’s birthday.

Happy birthday on Sunday, Feb. 8 to Charlotte Jaeger.

Debbie and Jim Buscarello celebrate their wedding anniversary on Monday, Feb. 9.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 is Skip Dippold’s birthday.

Cindy Nelson celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Thursday, Feb. 12 is Mary Cline’s birthday.

Best wishes to everyone.

More happenings at the Hunter Public Library, 7965 Main Street Hunter:  

National Groundhog Day is Feb. 2.  Make a groundhog craft at the library Feb. 2 – Feb. 9.  

There is an on-going Puzzle Swap.  Bring a puzzle in good condition to the library during library hours and exchange for another puzzle.  

February is Adopt a Reading Buddy.  Choose a reading buddy you would like to adopt and let the Librarian know.  Receive an adoption certificate.  Read to your new reading buddy for five minutes a day.

Greene County Veterans Service Agency Honor a Vet (May) deadline to nominate is the third Tuesday in March which is March 17.  For eligibility and instructions please contact Greene County Veterans Service Agency at 518-943-3703. 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7, 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.  for the Ashland Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Italian Pasta Dinner hosted at the Town of Ashland Firehouse, sit down and takeouts.  Adults, $13; children, $8; under 6 years are free.  Here’s the menu:  Choice of ravioli, lasagna or Penne pasta and meatballs; tossed salad, Italian bread, dessert, coffee, iced tea or water.  There will also be a 50/50 raffle.  

The Greene County Veterans Relief Fund provides financial assistance to eligible veterans who are Greene County residents.  The fund supports veterans of all ages and from every branch, helping cover expenses ranging from medical bills to home repairs.  

Veterans who are Greene County residents and are experiencing a financial hardship may benefit from the Greene County Veterans Relief Fund.  Run in partnership with the Greene County Department of Human Services, the fund provides emergency financial assistance to eligible Greene County veterans.  Monies from the fund can be used to pay for both health-related expenses like health insurance premiums, co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles and for household expenses like rent, utility payments, and transportation,  Additionally the staff can help identify other resources that may be available to you.  

To apply for assistance from the Veterans Relief Fund, please complete a brief application in person or online at www.columbiahealthnet.org/programs/veterans_relief/  For more information, please call 518-719-3556 or visit at Greene County Department of Human Services, 411 Main Street, Catskill.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, volunteers, healthcare providers, veterans, actively serving military, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be safe, be respectful of others and please be kind to one another.  Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.