In truth, I know nothing about making hay, but am thankful that I live in a region where other folks do. My version of “making hay” is proverbial, rather than practical, since my skills lean more toward typing and talking than doing something useful behind the wheel of a tractor. As for the popular proverb itself, it’s fairly self-explanatory: “To take advantage of favorable circumstances. i.e. If you have an opportunity to do something, do so before the time expires” (www.freedictionary.com). Autumn officially begins on September 23, and since the sun has been shining brightly on the Upper Delaware River region, I’m well… you know.

The last week provided a plethora of “favorable circumstances” for end-of-summer events, and in spite of the fact that I had zero invitations to Labor Day barbeques (what’s up with that?) my calendar was chock-a-block with a wide variety of “opportunities.” Glancing at my schedule made me a little dizzy, (what else is new?) and I’m still a bit light-headed, upon review. I saw that I was slated to catch “Chicago” with “Earth, Wind & Fire” on Tuesday at Bethel Woods, followed by the Callicoon Center band’s final performance of the summer on Wednesday and another finale (“Driving Miss Daisy”) in Forestburgh on Thursday. The concert (www.bethelwoods.org) was pretty nifty, what with all of those horns being blown by some of Rock and Roll’s legendary performers, and I was once again reminded of how fortunate we are to have a world-class venue like Bethel Woods right in our own backyard.

Prior to making my way to the band shell in Callicoon Center, the Wonder Dog reminded me that we had an appointment in Monticello (www.frameshopartshop.com) where Les and Amy Kristt were toiling away with their team, helping me prepare for my very first exhibit of photographs, slated to open on the 18th of this month (www.forestburghtavern.com). I’m excited (and nervous), but the opening reception will be starring the multi-talented Patti Greco, and I’m pretty certain that folks will turn out in droves to hear her (www.pattigrecosunshine.com) sing, and by default, see my show, titled “Fall Foliage Fantasy.” Both Patti and I are donating a portion of the proceeds to Dharma’s four-legged friends (www.facebook.com/catskillanimalrescueinc), and we would love to see you there!

Oh, right… the band. For more than 75 years, these musicians have been entertaining in Sullivan County every year for 10 weeks each summer and (in hay-making spirit) I caught the last performance of the season. It was a perfect evening under the stars, and I joined friends and neighbors for the “Presentation of the Colors” and the “Star Spangled Banner,” followed by a lovely program, which included “Shine on Harvest Moon,” “Autumn Leaves,” and “Till We Meet Again,” under the direction of guest conductor Gary Siegel. Folks lined up after the concert to say “hi” to the dog, while I checked my email, reminded that “Driving Miss Daisy” (www.fbplayhouse.org) was next on the list. Alfred Uhry’s one-act play, which centers on the unlikely friendship between an ornery southern matriarch (Loretta Swit) and her unwanted chauffeur (Lorenzo Scott) spans 20 years, interspersed with commentary from Miss Daisy’s doting son (Franklin Trapp). It’s a fine play, nicely directed by Ron Nash, and the performers did a fine job bringing these vivid characters to life, closing out the stellar season at the playhouse.

On Friday, this little piggy stayed home, because I had plans to catch Cass Collins and John Higgins in a “performance reading” of Ben Power’s “A Tender Thing” (with stage direction by Roan Gillingham) at the Laundry King (www.catskillartsociety.org) in Livingston Manor, NY. Directed by Mimi McGurl, the play asks us to assume that Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet lived into old age and employs words solely written by the Bard himself to drive the story. Heady stuff, performed (IMHO) with style.

In an attempt to spin straw into gold, I took my seat for Van Halen (I mean the incomparable David Lee Roth) at Bethel Woods the next night and gasped when BW External Affairs Coordinator Liz McKay informed me that I reminded her of Roth. Although we’re both Jewish and around the same age, I checked to see what others have said about the on-again, off-again front man for the legendary band. “Flamboyant and outspoken with a flair for the dramatic” are but a few of the words used to describe Roth, which gave me pause. Gasping in mock-horror, I took umbrage. “No, no—it’s a good thing!” McKay protested, in-between Roth strutting his stuff for a wildly enthusiastic crowd. “You’re very entertaining!” Hmmm. I’m from Binghamton and he’s from Bloomington. Maybe that’s what she meant.