Patti Greco Sunshine at the Eldred Preserve

ELDRED, NY — Sullivan County native Patti Greco Sunshine will take the stage at the Eldred Preserve at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 with a performance that features a variety of classics.

Born in Monticello, Greco Sunshine has performed in major cities across the country, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She has opened for Marvin Hamlisch, Vic Damone, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (aka Steve & Eydie), as well as many other notable performers.

These days Greco Sunshine, the daughter of Sullivan County entertainer and emcee Johnny Greco, performs at Catskill haunts. She is also the owner/operator of Funky Hippy Chic Boutique in Monticello, a shop that features some of the most notable trends of the 1960s.

“We are thrilled to bring a homegrown artist to The Bradstan Cabaret Series,” said chief operating officer Scott Samuelson. “In addition to her soaring voice, guests are sure to be enchanted with Patti’s stage presence and stories of life in the Catskills.”

Greco Sunshine will be joined by opener John Pizzi. Pizzi’s one-man show features stand-up, magic, comedy, mentalism and ventriloquism. He performs regularly in Las Vegas and at the Borgata in Atlantic City, and has opened for performers such as Joy Behar, Jerry Vale, Weird Al Yankovic, Johnny Maestro and more.

Tickets cost $60.86 for general admission or $71.56 for premium admission, and can be purchased at theeldredpreserve.com/cabaret.

Human trafficking and the U.S. economy

An author talk with Melissa Hope Ditmore

CALLICOON, NY — The Delaware Free Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library will host author Melissa Hope Ditmore as she reads from her book titled “Unbroken Chains: The Hidden Role of Human Trafficking in the American Economy” at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 23.

The book is an exposition on the pervasive human trafficking that lies just beneath the surface of the U.S. economy, taken from the stories of its survivors. The years of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to light the exploitation of workers, noted a library press release. Readers can examine this hidden sector of American trafficked labor and understand its prevalence across our economy.

There will be a Q&A session with the opportunity to purchase her book.

The Delaware Free Branch is located at 45 Lower Main St.

Registration is required at www.wsplonline.org. For more information, email wsplprograms@rcls.org.

Herbal plants at the 1930s Lost Catskill Farm

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — All are invited to learn about herbal plants and their use in the Depression at the 1930s Lost Catskill Farm; the program will be held on Sunday, June 25 at 2 p.m. at the Time and the Valleys Museum on St. Rt. 55 in Grahamsville, NY.

During the Great Depression, many people relied on their home gardens to grow herbs to use as remedies to stay healthy.

Now you can join trustee and horticulturist Diana Weiner to learn how to grow and harvest annual and perennial herbs in the 1930s Catskill Farmhouse garden.

The weather will affect whether the program is held.

There is no admission fee for members; the cost for non-members is $5.  

About the Time and the Valleys Museum  

The Museum is open weekends from Memorial Day to the end of September, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

The museum is located at 332 Main St.

All exhibitions are interactive and both fun and educational for all ages.

Right now, visitors can see:  

Water and the Valleys, an exhibit on the history of the Rondout and Neversink watershed area from early geological times to the 20th century. This exhibition includes a Native American artifact guessing game, grinding corn with a mortar and pestle, videos and more.  

Tunnels, Toil and Trouble: New York City’s Quest for Water and the Rondout-Neversink Story, an interactive exhibit on the New York City water-supply system and the towns that were removed to build the system. It includes computer interactives, games, puzzles, videos and a chance to build a dam and tunnel.

1930s Lost Catskill Farm is a farmhouse, outhouse, barn, electric plant, milk house and working waterwheel that help visitors experience life in the 1930s through displays, videos, games and hands-on activities.

For more information, call 845/985-7700, email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org or visit www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org.

Prime Timers of Temple Sholom to visit CFFCM

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — The Prime Timers of Temple Sholom of Monticello will take a guided tour of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum on Wednesday, June 28.

It will be followed by lunch and a tour of the DeBruce Fishing Hatchery.

The cost is $25 per person.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call Paula at 561/504-7192.

Family values are relative, we guess

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Narrowsburg branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library will hold its monthly book club meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 11 a.m.

The book to be discussed is Benjamin Stevenson’s “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.”

Book clubs are held monthly in each of the branches. The Delaware Free branch book club will discuss “Solito,” by Javier Zamora, on Tuesday, June 27 at 6 p.m. This is in addition to the author talk by Melissa Hope Ditmore; see page 14.

The next meeting of the Jeffersonville Book Club will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 14. The book to be discussed is “Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano.

See the library’s calendar for more at bit.ly/3JidTpN.

Garage and yard sale for the Damascus Women in Faith

DAMASCUS, PA — A garage and yard sale benefiting the Damascus Manor United Women in Faith will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 at the Damascus Manor Church Parsonage, 1721 Cochecton Tpk.

Pike residents: women’s expo to be held

STROUDSBURG, PA — State Reps. Tarah Probst and Maureen Madden invite area women to learn about the opportunities that are available to them and their families at their upcoming women’s expo; the free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at the Stroudsburg High School Cafeteria, 1100 West Main St.

No RSVP is required to attend.

“We will have information on programs that can help everyone in Monroe and Pike counties, and it will be a wonderful opportunity for people to learn so much in one location,” said Probst (D-Monroe/Pike.)

In addition to information from more than 40 organizations offering health programs, children and youth services, housing, financial expertise, nutrition, exercise, beauty and more, attendees will have access to a mobile mammography bus, NARCAN giveaways, a wildlife exhibit, a program on owning a small business and health screenings.

“I am excited to join with my new House colleague Tarah Probst in offering this year’s Women’s Expo. It has been remarkably successful in the past and I am sure this year’s edition will continue to provide valuable insight and material for all who attend,” said Madden (D-Monroe).

Learn more at www.pahouse.com/Madden/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=129312.

Decant Wine & Spirits holds its grand opening

HURLEYVILLE, NY — Decant Wine & Spirits will host a grand opening on Saturday, June 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The afternoon features free wine tastings, gift giveaways and a live acoustic performance by Greg Castro of the Electric Chords. Cheese and charcuterie from La Salumina will be served alongside wines from around the world.

With 50 bottles costing under $20 each, there are a lot of options for every budget, a spokesperson said. The shop features low-intervention and organic wines as well as ciders, mead and a broad range of spirits from local vodka to rare mezcals.

“Our focus is on quality, with something for everyone on any budget. We want to expand people’s understanding of wine without being intimidating,” said Cat Wilson, store manager.

Wilson plans to offer free weekly tastings, event consultation services, classes and more.

For more information, visit www.decanthurleyville.com.

Listen to some ‘Cranky Seniors’

MONTICELLO, NY — The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library will host the Catskills Readers Theatre in a performance of “Cranky Seniors 2” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28.

It’s performed by Paul Puershner, Peter Nastasi, Jean Eifert, Sally Gladden and Ellen Pavloff.

The program is geared toward adults aged 18-plus.

The library is located at 479 Broadway.

For more information, call 845/794-4660 or visit ebcpl.org.

Celebrate everyday heroes and the work they do. On June 24, kids have a chance to touch a truck—and other first-responder apparatus.

EMS, law enforcement and their apparatus at Touch a Truck

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan Allies Leading Together (SALT) Community Coalition invites all to attend its first Touch a Truck event on Saturday June 24 (with a rain date of June 25), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 15 Sullivan Ave.

The day celebrates everyday heroes and the work they do in prevention. It’s held in collaboration with the Liberty Police and Fire Department, the New York State Sheriff’s Office and Barbara Moran of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H youth development program.

Emergency services agencies and law enforcement are invited to bring their apparatus or equipment, along with a few members, to share an up-close view of what they do.

4-H will bring animals and farm-related trucks.

There is no charge.

Volunteers are also needed. If you are interested, email tb363@cornell.edu.

Strawberry festival in Bethany

BETHANY, PA — On Saturday June 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Bethany Public Library and the Bethany Methodist and Presbyterian churches will host an old-fashioned Strawberry Festival in the Bethany Library Park.

It’s a family-friendly afternoon that includes old-fashioned treats such as strawberry shortcake and live music in the bandshell.

There will also be games for all ages and local vendors featuring hand-crafted and locally sourced items.

The park is located at 8 Court St.

Admission is free. For more information call 570/253-4349.

UDC Raft Trip registration opens

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — The 35th annual Family Raft Trip, which is sponsored by the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), will take place on Sunday, August 6; public reservations are due by Friday, July 28.

The river section to be paddled in 2023 is a six-mile stretch from the staircase access in the Town of Lumberland, NY, to Kittatinny Canoes’ Matamoras base in Westfall Township, PA.

Participants should plan to arrive between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. at 1147 Delaware Dr. in Matamoras to park and check in. Kittatinny Canoes will provide the rafts, paddles, life jackets, safety instructions and shuttle transportation.

This segment of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River offers Class 1 & 2 rapids, with stretches of quiet pools. There are multiple sets of rapids at Staircase, Mongaup, Butlers Rift and Mill Rift.

Minimum occupancy per raft is four people. Parties of less than four will be matched at the UDC’s discretion. Participants should be in good physical condition. Children must weigh a minimum of 40 pounds and be able to swim.

For optimum safety, all UDC participants (children and adults) will be required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device when they are on the water for the duration of the trip.

Pack a picnic lunch and plenty of drinking water. Dress to get wet, wear sunscreen and foot protection and avoid bringing valuables. Small coolers and waterproof bags for items such as cameras and keys can be tied into the raft.

The UDC’s deeply discounted group rate is $29 per person for ages 13 and up, and $19 for ages four to 12. Advance payment (cash, check, or Paypal) is requested by Friday, July 28. The reservation must include complete contact information, all guest names and the ages of any children under 18.

To reserve a space or for more information, see the registration flyer posted at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org, call 845/252-3022 or email laurie@upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Plant seeds, make a difference

LIBERTY, NY — Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Katie Gasior will host a kids’ program on gardening on Wednesday, June 28 beginning at 5 p.m. at the extension education center.

Getting kids in the garden helps them develop skills like responsibility, patience and gears them toward scientific thinking, a spokesperson said. So the program will educate young people on the planting and care of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

The class will be taught in person and will begin with a short lesson on plant care and basic biology. This will be followed by a demonstration of seed planting, where participants will have a chance to choose from a variety of flower, herb and vegetable seeds, then plant their chosen seeds with Gasior’s guidance.

Participants will take their planted seeds home.

The Extension Education Center is located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd.

There is no fee, but preregistration is required to participate. Register online at sullivancce.org/events.

Those with related questions can email sullivan@cornell.edu or call 845/292-6180.