I was out and about with my husband Tommy eating dinner at Angelina’s on The Hill the other night, when it was really cold out, and a bunch a kids came in—the Sullivan West Bulldogs basketball team—and not one of them had a coat on. Nice to be young. There was this one kid, Ronj Padu, wearing snap-up pants. Those of you who know me will understand that I had to ask him what kind of pants they were with the snaps up the side. He gave me a look and said warm-up pants, and then he went to the back room to eat his pizza or whatever it was he was eating. We could hear the kids carrying on, laughing and having a good time, and they must have dared him, because he came back out and within a second he whipped those pants off. Thank God he had shorts on. What will they think of next? I will tell you they were a very nice, polite bunch of young men. Good luck in your basketball games. (See page 22 for a look at Padu in action.)

Tax season is very busy. It looks like everyone just wants to get their bills paid. Nancy Powell was the first one to pay this year. (It used to always be Jean Kerrigan.) Here’s a reminder that my office will be closed on Saturday, January 18.

The Cochecton Youth Commission has some great events coming up: on January 26, a Sunday afternoon of snow tubing and on February 9, a Sunday afternoon of ice skating, both at Villa Roma. Call event coordinator Sue Rodriguez at 845/866-0853. On March 1, a hockey game at West Point; the game begins at 7:05 p.m. Admission for adults costs $11. Call event coordinator Joan Ernst at 845/932-8123. To sign up for any of these events (or all three), come to the old town hall on Monday, January 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. In-town youth are free.

Please keep Helene Indelicato and her family in your prayers. Sal passed away on Monday, January 13 at home with his loving wife by his side. Sal was one of the first people we met when we moved to Cochecton. As we were unpacking, he was already trying to register us to vote. Sal, you will be missed. Cochecton has lost a one-of-a-kind person. Love you, Sal. Say “hi” to my mom for me.

Have a great week and email me at leeniebeans@citlink.net or call 845/252-3568 if you have news.