This is such a busy time of the year, with the food pantry and Toys for Tots, how does Santa do it all? I guess it’s all his little elves! We are helping over 60 families with Christmas dinners and toys for their kids.

Ned Lang and the Narrowsburg Inn have been a great help this year, hosting a Toys for Tots party so we could bring in lots of toys. Two other great business owners are Tony and Val from Tony’s on the Lake, who had their Toys for Tots party the next night. It’s great how local businesses chip in and help the community. When we all stick together, we can get a lot done. I love helping others and I thank God that I am able to do so. I hope you all noticed that the star is lit in Narrowsburg; the Tusten Lions worked hard, and would like to thank everyone who helped.

If you were not at Pete Tuscano’s funeral, you missed a classic. Pete’s funeral is the only one I ever went to where, when you left the church, you got bread and English muffins. Pete’s grandsons Gregory and Geoffrey had Pete’s car with a trunk full of breads. I just got a call from my best friend Paula who told me her uncle died; they say it runs in threes.

If you still have shopping to do, shop local. I love going into Signatures in the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and picking something out that I like and telling Tommy to go get it for me for Christmas. This way it’s something I like and he doesn’t have to return it.

Dolores Manaseri is at Grover Herman Hospital in Callicoon and is doing much better; she needs to get herself stronger with rehab. She is so funny. I went to visit her and she got me all caught up on what’s going on in town—nothing gets past her. She tells me she should be home for Christmas, which means Joe’s peace and quiet is over. Hurry up home Dolores, we need you.

The Town of Cochecton has a new resident: Rachel Amelia, born on 12/12/12 at 1:55 p.m., weighing in at seven pounds and 21 inches long. Her big sister is Alison and her proud parents are Melissa and Paddy McCarthy.

Please keep all the families who lost someone at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut in your prayers. What a shame.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, and remember to tell your loved ones that you love them and give lots of hugs. Hugs are the best gifts of all.

Have a great week and you can e-mail me at leeniebeans@citlink.net or call 845/252-3568.