I had such a great time at the high school on Sunday watching the Harlem Wizards play basketball against some of the teachers and staff. I have to tell you my neighbor Dan Parisi worked up a sweat making those baskets. Paddy McCarthy gave the Wizards a run for their money—he was just as good as they were. It was nice to see Judge James Farrell out and about with so many others; it was nice to be able to say hi to everyone.

Have you seen the nice new office at Cochecton Oil and Propane built by David Casey and crew? Peter and Norma Pierce employ one of their sons along with other local guys. The new hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and office hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Good luck with the new office.

I have been asked about the elephant on Lake Huntington that the Cochecton Republicans put up. I was told last year when it went in for a swim it never came up—the elephant is at the bottom of the lake.

Please follow the Cochecton Youth Commission on Facebook at New Cochecton Youth Commission for all upcoming events.

I was talking to Tom Bonanza last week and he told me his grandson Sabastian, who I remember as a little kid in the youth group, is now in basic training for the army. Be safe Sabastian, and thank you for your service. Gods’ blessings.

The tax bills were mailed out on December 30, 2019. They may be paid without interest on or before January 31, 2020. Any payments made after then will follow this graduated interest schedule:

January Par, February 1 percent and March 2 percent. In addition, a $2 penalty will be added to your bill if they are not paid when the unpaid notices are sent on or before March 5, according to state law. 

Installment payments may be paid as follows:

January- 50 percent due by 1/31/2020 at 0 percent interest. Send “Payment #1” stub with your check. February- 25 percent due by 2/29/2020 at 1 percent interest on remaining account. Send “Payment#2” stub with your check. March- 25 percent due by 3/31/2020 at 2 percent interest, plus a $2 unpaid notice fee. Send entire bill. If installment payments are not timely postmarked, they will not be accepted. There is a $30 returned check charge. Taxes can be paid at the town hall on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Any other time by appointment, just leave me a message at 845/932-83960 ext. 17 or email me at taxcollector@townofcochectonny.org.

Our town lost three members in the first week of January. Dottie Schlegel, Shirley Utagg and Ruthann Powell Rundel—may their families have the strength to get through this hard time. I pray the three ladies are at peace. Willy Nelson has a song that I love with the line “it’s not something you get over, it’s something you get through.” He is so right.

Keep smiling and have a great week. You can email me at leeniebeans@citlink.net or call 845/252-3568 if you have any news. You can always check me out in Community Living.