Can you believe it? It’s August already! How come summer goes by so fast and winter seems to last forever? Just like weekends go by so fast, and Monday to Friday drags. I hope all of you are out there enjoying yourselves and taking advantage of all the events that summer brings. Enjoy life and keep smiling.

The Lake Huntington Fire Department is getting beautified by a Renaissance project headed by Ray Evans, Master Gardener Edna Calkin, Cochecton residents Frank Leonardo, Ed Kraack and Tom Bonanza. Doug Diehl donated the pine tree and Cochecton Youth Hunter Keesler, Jonathan Shannon and Dalton Rankin also chipped in to help. Thank you to everyone who helped make the Memorial Service Garden a beautiful landscape of flowers in our wonderful Town of Cochecton. This garden is a tribute to Cochecton fire fighters and veterans.

Have you seen the best kept secret in Cochecton Center? Yes the second floor of Heinle’s is open and is so very lovely. The first party to be held there was for one-year-old Aleksandra Bernas; it was a birthday party. I heard the food was delicious and the place was absolutely gorgeous. The chandeliers are breathtaking. So if you are looking to have a party, they are open and ready to go.

On the subject of birthdays, a little birdie told me there was a surprise 50th birthday party for April Sheppard. Happy birthday, April, and I hope you enjoyed your party a few weeks early.

On Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Women's Community Club of Cochecton is having a huge yard sale at the Old Town Hall. For information, call Pam at 845/252-7208.

On Saturday, August 16 there will be a penny social sponsored by the Cochecton Democratic Club at the Nutshell, 6692 Rte. 52, Lake Huntington, NY. The theme is “back to school." Doors open at 6 p.m. and calling begins at 7. Coming soon, the Democratic Club will have a new website: CochectonDemocrats.org.

August 1 marked my father and mother’s birthdays. Yes both on the same day, four years apart. Dad would have been 91 and Mother Dear, 87. I miss them so much. Hope they had a happy one in heaven.

Have a great week and e-mail leeniebeans@citlink.net or call 845/252-3568, if you have any news.