I keep insisting that I’m not making New Year’s resolutions, but truth be told, I always do. Whether those resolutions stick remains to be seen, but I suppose there’s nothing wrong with trying. There’s something to be said for “if at first, you don’t succeed,” and I’m the first to admit that there’s room for improvement.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to share them here—that’s a recipe for disaster, and I have Dharma (the Wonder Dog) to confide in. When it comes to keeping a confidence, I can always count on the pup. Now that it’s officially 2014, (oy), looking back at the past year is only natural, and 2013 was a banner year for the arts here in the Upper Delaware River Valley.

Theatre, music and art thrive here in the mountains, and I’m certainly looking forward to what lies in store during the next 12 months.

I know I can count on the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (www.artsalliancesite.org) in Narrowsburg, NY to continue to challenge observers like me not only to develop new appreciation for various art forms that have hitherto escaped me, but also to remind me of the artistic expression that already strikes a chord.

Not willing to rest on its laurels, there are many exciting plans in the works for the folks at the old Woodstock site (www.bethelwoodscenter.org) and with the 45th anniversary of the iconic music festival looming, I feel confident that there will be some cool surprises in store as the year unfolds.

Music has been at the heart of the region for decades, and the smaller venues know how to keep up with the Joneses, so I’m expecting some amazing talent to be showcased in the coming months.

Between traveling to Honesdale (www.thecooperageproject.org) and Hawley, PA (www.silkmillharmony.com), there are many stops along the way and this year, and I’m planning to spend more time on both sides of the river.

I’ve promised Jill Padua (riverfolkconcerts.vpweb.com) that she’ll see more of me in the future, since the RiverFolk concert series is so popular and I’m tired of missing out.

While I’m prepared to maintain a fair amount of “me” time as the calendar allows, it’s difficult to stand still with so many exciting events occurring at any given time in the Catskills, so time management will continue to play an important role as I make arrangements and plot my moves with a precision that often escapes me, since (like many of us) I’m busy, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love live theatre and have no doubt that the creative juices are constantly flowing in Highland Lake, NY (www.nacl.org) where Tannis Kowalchuk and Co. are quite deft at keeping me on my toes, pushing the boundaries of “mainstream” theatrical endeavors.

As for my love of the classics, I can always count on Norman Dutweiller’s troupe in Forestburgh, NY (www.FBplayhouse.org) to come through, and with “Mary Poppins,” “My Fair Lady” and “La Cage Aux Folles” slated for the summer, it looks to be an exciting season. As if that wasn’t enough, television star Loretta Swit will be returning this year, starring in “Mame,” and that (IMHO) should be a lot of fun. I’ve interviewed Swit in past years, but am already making plans to ask her to lunch, armed with some probing questions that have not been presented in the past.

Of course, Forestburgh does not have the market cornered, and there are other curtains to be raised across the region. This year, it’s my wish to make more opening nights and (given the opportunity) express my “humble” opinion on what’s happening, where and when.

Care to share? Visit www.riverreporter.com/where-when, and take the opportunity to let us all know what you think needs attention. Meantime, stay tuned—I’m looking forward to sharing new experiences with you all in 2014. Cheers!