Well, as predicted, here we are. Although there are those who argued about it, I still maintain that March came in like a lion. Will it go out like a lamb? So far, so good, but as we all know, it’ ain’t over yet. 

That said, there are signs that spring (3/20) is in the air and I’m not complaining. Aside from warmer temps, which led to a highly-anticipated thaw, I’m seeing subtle signs of a waning winter, including my calendar filling up with a schedule of events that are less concerned with the weather outside being frightful, and more geared to wearing sneakers rather than boots.

Don’t get me wrong: winter has its charms, but the older I get, the less charming it is. This last was summed up in one word that I’m still hearing bandied about in the hills and dales of the Upper Delaware River region: brutal. 

While my childhood might have been a wintry mix of snowsuits, sleds and spending endless hours in front of the television set, these days I while away much of the winter months scrolling for news and distraction on my phone or in front of the computer, since I “cut the cord” many moons ago. Additionally, with the advent of technology eerily creeping into our worlds, I’ve become a bit of a YouTube addict, since it provides much of the former, with scads of information squeezed in between mindless hours of what now passes for entertainment.

While that may not be the best use of my time, there are advantages. For instance, my freakin’ toilet has been incessantly running for a couple of weeks, but it’s been so cold out, I just buried myself under the covers and ignored it, before getting the brilliant idea to look up the how-to fix on YouTube. Sure enough, I discovered video upon video of handy guys and gals more than happy to share their know-how. Once I knew how, I made my way to the local hardware store, purchased the necessary part (aptly dubbed a “flapper”) and in a matter of minutes the weeks-long annoyance came to a screeching halt. Problem solved.

Naturally, the silence was deafening, so once again I turned to YouTube for distraction and stumbled upon rock-and-roller Jefferson McDonald’s channel, aptly called “Jefferson McDonald.”  

“Gosh, he’s talented,” I thought, while turning the screen so the dog could watch too. We discovered scads of videos starring Jeff and his rotating crew of equally talented bandmates performing tunes like “Great Balls of Fire,” “Johnny B. Goode” and “Route 66,” to name but a few. 

Not so coincidentally, I recalled that Shadowland Stages had recently announced that McDonald would be “Back by Popular Demand” at the stunning art-deco theatre in Ellenville, NY, “for two nights only” last week, so I picked up the phone and the rest is history.

McDonald’s new tour is called the “Big ol’ Rockin Rollin’ Comedy Show,” and it was all that and more. A packed house showed up for the incomparable man himself, guitarist/vocalist Colin Summers, bassist/vocalist Armando Gutierrez, Michael Klopp on drums and sax-master James White. All performed with such skill and passion for the material that, upon arriving home, I did some additional scrolling on YouTube—because once you’ve heard and seen these guys, it’s never (IMHO) enough.

McDonald’s YouTube channel is loaded with videos and shorts, and somehow keeps track of what I’ve watched and what I’ve saved. So should the weather turn ugly again, I’ve got plenty to keep me occupied, now that my toilet is fixed.

While typing “Jefferson…” into my YouTube search, I noticed that Jeffersonville, NY popped up along with the entertainer’s channel. That directed me to some videos from the town’s legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parades posted in years past. “Isn’t that this weekend?” I asked the dog, who was still pawing at my phone for more of McDonald. A quick glance at my calendar confirmed my suspicions. “Oh, great!” I enthused, watching Gidget rockin’ and rollin’ in bed. “It’s time for the annual “wearin’ o’ the green” girl—let’s go!

Presented each year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Sullivan Brothers, Division One) the parade in Jeff is always a blast. It ushers in spring with a fantastic cavalcade of floats, cars and fire engines galore—and it seems to grow exponentially as the years go by. 

Never one to pass up a good parade, I got the dog’s stroller (don’t judge!) out of the garage, slung the camera over one shoulder and snapped, snapped, snapped my way along Main Street, taking it all in and preserving as much as I could for posterity, including a few quick videos for the River Reporter’s own YouTube channel, aptly called “The River Reporter.” 

Sadly, our attempt at maintaining a channel for the newspaper has been languishing unnoticed—but it’s something I’m determined to rectify. There are only a few videos posted at present, so I’ll make a better-late-than-never New Year’s resolution (uh oh) to stay on top of that. 

Meanwhile, I took loads of photos while observing kids wearing their St. Patrick’s finery and having a blast, adults doing the same. Dogs, dogs, dogs were eyeing mine in her stroller with envy as I steered it through the crowd, while she whined her way into the hearts of all. This year we even spied a cow or two and a miniature horse in the parade, so Gidget was thrilled, as were the onlookers who made up a veritable sea of green lining the streets. Check out the pics on our Facebook page and keep an eye out for our YouTube Channel. I swear I’m working on it!

For more on the guy who keeps rock rollin’, go to www.jeffersonmcdonaldactor.com. He’s on Instagram too, but don’t get me started. 

For more on Shadowland and the theatre’s upcoming 40th anniversary season, visit www.shadowlandstages.org. 

Fun Fact: The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish fraternal organization. Members must be male, Catholic and either born in Ireland or of Irish descent.