Traditionally, I consider February my “slow” month—a period of time when more than a few businesses, art galleries, restaurants, theaters and the like, shutter for a few weeks in anticipation of the hustle and bustle that spring inevitably ushers in here in the Upper Delaware River region. This year is a little different, what with the 50th anniversary of you-know-what looming. While I’m keeping my ear to the ground regarding all things Woodstock, I haven’t learned much to date. Rest assured we at The River Reporter are paying keen attention and will leave no stone (rolling or otherwise) unturned in our never-ending quest to supply answers to your burning questions regarding what to expect this August. We do know that there’s going to be a three-day long shindig over at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where 400,000 hippies once partied hard during the summer of ’69. When that time comes, all eyes will be on Sullivan County and we can expect visitors from around the globe. It is for this reason perhaps, that I’m busier than usual at this time of year. If the past week is any indication, there aren’t a lot of naps in my future.

The future was the subject at hand last Friday at (what are the odds?) Bethel Woods, where the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce was hosting February’s “First Friday” networking breakfast, featuring a colorful presentation from the folks at LEGOLAND New York. LEGOLAND rep Phil Royle delivered a spirited slideshow peek at the progress of the theme park currently under construction in Goshen, NY, and slated to open in the spring of 2020. Royle’s excitement over the project was infectious, and business owners appeared enthused while posing for pics with the park’s mascot, a perky gal made entirely of LEGO. Stay tuned.

Saturday’s sky was a vivid bright blue, so with a spring in my step and a dog at my side, I made my way to Livingston Manor and a new exhibit at the Catskill Art Society (CAS). Group show contributors Theresa Hackett, Dale Emmart, Margot McLean and Mermer Blakeslee were all on hand for the opening reception and artist talk that drew a standing-room-only crowd. Collectively, their work encompasses paintings, drawings and the written word, all of which is tied together by an organic, earthy sensibility that is large and small, in both color and black and white. The exhibit runs through March 9, and Livingston Manor is (IMHO) one heck of a great small town to visit. Following the reception, Dharma and I did a little window shopping in The Manor. As the sun began to set, the sky resembled an “old masters” painting in its own right, as pastel pinks turned to orange, and blues into purple, bathing Main Street, USA in a magical glow. Whipping out my camera, I snapped one or two before taking the wheel and heading home with my “good eye” on the road and the lazy one cast skyward where Mother Nature was showing off Catskills-Style. When my cell phone began to light up with calls and text messages, I pulled off the road on 17-B to find that everyone I knew (or so it seemed) was discussing the light show and taking photos just like me, simultaneously sharing their pics on social media in real time, because they could. One of the texts included a picture that TRR graphic designer Amanda Reed had just taken of the sunset over Honesdale, PA, also ablaze with fiery reds and orange. I stayed roadside until dark, then headed home where I took to social media myself. “Show us your sunsets” I posted to our page, and boy-howdy, did ya’ll come through! Now, that’s a colorful turn of phrase, right? To see all of those photos, or share one of your own, go to www.Facebook.com/theriverreporter and “like” our page. You know what we say: The River Reporter—We’ve got you covered.