It started out as a very simple premise: I attended three different events over a three-day period last week, and as usual, scratched my head over a headline for this week’s column. So I sat …
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It started out as a very simple premise: I attended three different events over a three-day period last week, and as usual, scratched my head over a headline for this week’s column. So I sat down, typed the word “three” into my Google search and voila!—a veritable plethora of pages relating to the number popped up. So many responses in fact, that I could write a dissertation on that prompt alone, but have no fear—I won’t today.
What I will share, with a little help from a website called Lead With Nice (dot com), is that there is something special about the number three.
“There are three goals in a hat trick, three primary colors, Three Stooges, three flavors in Neapolitan ice cream, three pieces to a classic suit and three choices in a game of rock, paper, scissors,” the site states. This should have been obvious, but I’m not that sharp.
I’ve known for a while (think decades) that the Rule of Three is a renowned writing principle, suggesting that when things come in threes, they are inherently “funnier, more satisfying or more effective” than other numbers of things. “Think of a famous phrase or slogan and chances are it’s structured in three” the website says.
Having perused the schedule of holiday concerts being presented inside the Sullivan County Government Center during the month of December, I circled three that I hoped to attend, and called for the dog.
“Baby, it’s cold outside” I sang off-key while helping her slip into a festive, fleece-lined parka (don’t judge!). We headed toward Monticello with the heat blasting in the Gidget-mobile.
There’s nothing “funny” about it, but I love this concert series, and really—what’s not to love? The kids are always psyched to perform for relatives and friends, and the stodgy décor is elevated with a large tree that is always, you know, merry and bright.
We ran into a few friends, including Regina Phillipy, whose son Donavan is in the fifth grade. “I’m warning you,” Regina said, “I’m gonna cry. This is his last year in elementary.”
As directed by music teacher Benjamin Corbett, the kids sang really well, and the halls echoed with holiday cheer.
As for “satisfying”—there were more than three being honored at the 2024 Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) annual meeting and cocktail party (that’s a mouthful)—but I did try on three different outfits before choosing a manly pink and black sequined tuxedo jacket and coordinating sweater (don’t judge!) for the dog. Because I wanted to, you know, blend in.
Last weekend’s SCVA event was held at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. It is always a seasonal highlight, and did not disappoint. The holiday party is an opportunity for folks to dress up (hence the manly sequins) and enjoy a veritable smorgasbord of fantastic food and lively conversation, and to take advantage of the opportunity to hear the annual report. That illustrates the booming tourism dollars flowing through Sullivan County under the brilliant (IMHO) marketing strategy led by president/CEO Roberta Byron Lockwood, who will be stepping down in a few months.
Seminary Hill’s Bill Hess (Star Individual), Holiday Mountain (Star Business), Two Farms Brewing (Emerging Business) and Paul Nanni and Marla Puccetti (Sullivan Catskill Ambassadors) were honored at the event. As were The Eldred Preserve’s Katie McMyne and Irvin Sorto, who were recognized with the SCVA’s TOAST award.
This year’s President’s Award was bestowed upon NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, who is also retiring this year. Ever succinct and forthright, Gunther was, and always has been, humble about the impact she has had on her constituents and the county as a whole—and kept her comments brief. As did Lockwood, who received a well-deserved standing ovation following the beautiful, moving and heartfelt video tribute to her storied career.
Honestly, I became more than a little verklempt while attempting to capture some photos to illustrate the event. I thought about these two women: admirable forces of nature who have created a powerful and lasting impact on the community that both love so much.
“That makes two who are stepping down, girl” I whispered in the dog’s adorable ear. “I wonder who the third will be?” Hmmm.
As for my third adventure last week, I attended a gripping, fascinating, entertaining and thought-provoking performance at the Farm Arts Collective across the river last Saturday, but concluded that it would be far more effective to give it more space than a paragraph or two would allow. So with apologies to artistic director Tannis Kowalchuk and Co., I’m holding my commentary (and humble opinion) until next week. Stay tuned.
For the complete schedule of holiday concerts being held at the government center, visit www.sullivanny.gov/news/holiday-spirit-returns-series-concerts-area-high-schoolers.
Ask the Google: What the heck does that funny word mean?
A: “Verklempt is an informal adjective that means ‘overcome with emotion and unable to speak.’”
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