Look, I’m no Julie Andrews, but that catchy song from the 1965 movie musical “The Sound of Music” has inspired me once again to write my end-of-year shortlist of favorite things. 

Although COVID-19 keeps insisting on rearing its ugly head with variant after variant, 2023 saw us all making a valiant effort to return to normalcy. 

Admittedly, I’ll never be “normal,” (“you’re not right in the head,” my mother would say), but I’ve stepped out a lot over the last 12 in an attempt to keep you all in the know re: the who, what, when and where of arts and leisure in the Upper Delaware River region.

Therefore, with one eye on the future and one glancing in the rear view, I present (in no particular order) a few favorite things here to jog your memory. With apologies to Julie, I’m afraid that once again, “raindrops on roses” did not make the cut. 

No list of mine would be worth its salt without a mention of the annual Livingston Manor Trout Parade, and the latest was the greatest, in my oh-so-humble opinion. The floats, the bands, the puppets and dogs all contributed to make a lot of people happy, as always. Before we know it, June will be bustin’ out all over and the Trout Parade will be back.

Speaking of dogs—Dharma the Wonder Dog will always top my list of favorite things, and losing her this year was hard on all of us, because she was so, so special. The public outpouring of affection for that little girl will always hold a special place in my heart. As for That Dog Named Gidget? Follow her on social media. She’s a work in progress.

The Catskills and beyond is brimming with talent, and this past year was no exception. Live music, live theatre and live-action movies are all on my list, including—but not limited to—the Farm Arts Collective’s latest installment of “Dream on the Farm.” 

A production of “The SpongeBob Musical” at Forestburgh’s In the Woods/In the Works festival showcased a cast of incredibly talented local kids, and catching “Barbie” at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre’s state-of-the-art cinema was fun for the whole family. I didn’t dress up as Ken, but instead chose the discontinued Allan doll. Make of that what you will. 

What’s in store for ’24? One way to stay on top is to read the award-winning River Reporter all year ‘round, and I’ll do my best to keep you apprised as the next 52 issues unfold. Meanwhile, I guess I have “brown paper packages tied up with strings” to look forward to. Great. 

Ask the Google: Q—What does “worth its salt” mean?

A—This expression originates from ancient times, when Roman soldiers were paid in the form of salt as wages.