Where’s Jane Luchsinger, you may be asking yourself? After eight years of writing this column, she retired her pen earlier this month in order to focus more energy on her role on the Tusten Town Board.

Let me introduce myself. Originally a weekender, I’ve been a full-time resident of Narrowsburg for the past 10 years, during which time I’ve been head of communications at Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and festival director of the Big Eddy Film Festival. I live in the Luxton Lake section of Tusten, where I’ve led the effort to deal with the problem of unsafe homes in the community. I’m also dedicated to keeping alive the rich history of Lucky Lake through documentation and preservation. I’ve bought and restored a couple of Luxton Lake cabins and have another currently in the works. But most of my life is spent being mama to two vibrant and beautiful preschoolers, Lulu (five) and Pedro (four).

The Spangler home front is bustling with excitement right now. We’re hosting my parents from northern Wisconsin (they’ve already gotten over a foot of snow at home, so Sullivan County feels downright balmy to them). Our holiday traditions revolve around staying warm and cheerful, whether that’s in the kitchen baking cookies and sipping wine, in our pajamas watching Christmas movies (our favorites are “A Christmas Story,” “Elf” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”), or bundled up around a campfire with hot chocolate.

If you’re looking for a place to take family or friends this week, the Christmas tree on Narrowsburg’s newly dedicated Main Street Observation Deck is a gorgeous destination. Main Street literally looks “just like a picture print by Currier & Ives.” Most of Narrowsburg’s restaurants are open through the holidays, and are all decked out with festive lights and decorations. (The Heron and Emerald Ballroom are closed through December 27.) Of course it’s too late to order gifts online, but if you still need to do some shopping, keep it local. Right in town you can find anything from a blanket to a bird feeder to a bottle of locally distilled whiskey.

The Narrowsburg, Lava, and Lake Huntington fire departments recently filled the “Skate of the Union” ice rink on Kirk Road, and it will be open as soon as the temperatures dip low enough to freeze it solid. The official kickoff is scheduled for January 6, starting at 12 noon, but skaters are welcome to use it before then, weather pending. Skates will be available for borrowing, there’s a newly expanded sledding area, and the rink-side fire pit will help skaters and sledders keep toasty. Check the Tusten Youth Commission on Facebook page for updates.

However you celebrate the holidays, I’d like to wish you all a season filled with warmth and good cheer. See you next year!