Or an April fool, I suppose. While making out my schedule over the last week, I couldn’t help but notice that April Fool’s Day (April 1, 2023) is about to strike. To be perfectly honest, I feel like an old fool often enough that I don’t need a special day on the calendar to remind me. Not only that, but I am not a fan of practical jokes.

Before leashing the dog and heading out to the Kauneonga Lake Farmers & Makers Market (held indoors, at the Duggan School in Bethel, NY) last Saturday, I actually plucked an old-fashioned Encyclopedia Britannica from a shelf in my office, dusted it off, and looked up the stupid (IMHO) holiday.

“April Fools’ Day, also called All Fools’ Day, is in most countries, the first day of April,” the cumbersome tome informed me. “It received its name from the custom of playing practical jokes on this day—for example, telling friends that their shoelaces are untied.”

Wow, man—talk about old-fashioned. Simpler times, for simpler fools.

“Although the day has been observed for centuries,” my research revealed, “its true origins are unknown and effectively unknowable.” Hmmm.

Wondering if “unknowable” was actually a word, I decided that I’d rather not know, and made my way to said farmers and the market they often inhabit.

“Nothin’ like a bit of schmoozing,” I murmured to the Wonder Dog, once we had arrived and joined a somewhat packed house of like-minded individuals.

“Remind me,” I said to the pooch. “We need fresh eggs.” In addition to the usual wonderful assortment of meats, veggies, local honey and such, the farmers market in Kauneonga (like ‘em on Facebook!) also features local makers, who offer an assortment of goods and services, including jewelry, original paintings or even a massage.

Like many, this market also features live music, and I was momentarily taken aback, spying an accordion waiting to be played. “I hope that’s an April Fools’ joke,” I muttered under my breath, because, well… it was an accordion.

Turns out that not only was it for real, but the man behind the squeezebox did the unthinkable (that’s a word, right?), and turned my frown upside down. In an unconventional turn, accomplished and highly entertaining musician D’Raz’ (www.MrSqueeze.com) was performing the accordion version of the Sinatra classic “That’s Life,” and I thoroughly dug his swingin’ groove. No joke! “Go figure,” as my mother was fond of saying.

Not only that, but I learned that retired New York City Department of Education dance teacher Jamee Schleifer (aka “Lady Jam”) was leading a beginner hip hop class down the hall, so I ducked in to check it out; I watched from the sidelines, not wanting to look like an old fool. I hear that Jamee will return during the summer to teach us some new moves, so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule as the season unfolds.

Speaking of my dog, I was informed by Bold Gold Media’s Paul Ciliberto that she had promised to appear at the Thunder 102 Celebrity Bartending event being held at the Callicoon Brewing Company later that same day, so I grabbed my bee-yoo-ti-ful eggs from Windy Willow Farm’s Allysa Torey and hit the road, wondering how Dharma made a promise without my knowledge. Unknowable.  

The popular pub, housed in what was once the historic Olympia Hotel in the ultra-cool hamlet of Callicoon, NY, was thrumming with activity and more lively music, this time wildly Irish in theme and provided by Banjo Don & Friends. I tried to find them on social media, to no avail. It was easy to pick Banjo Don out, but who his friend was remains unknowable as well.

There were scads of celebrity bartenders (Dharma makes a mean mojito) from a variety of local businesses and organizations. A boisterous crowd bought raffle tickets while enjoying the music and the convivial atmosphere provided by host Jim Wilson—who knows how to put the “fun” in “fundraiser.”

All told, the hardworking servers and guest bartenders raked in a whopping $4,500 in tips during the four-hour event, all of which goes to assist the amazing folks at St. Jude Research Hospital. Check out Thunder 102 (dot com) to stay informed about the next one. I guess my dog will keep me in the loop.

As the weather warms up and the leaves begin to unfurl, so too will a slew of happenings, including farmers’ markets, fundraisers, outdoor concerts and my never-ending need for fresh eggs. It’s entirely possible that you’ll run into me, gray hair uncombed (is that a word?), and  more than likely I’ll be befuddled and confused. After all, there’s no fool like an old fool. Oh, look! Your shoelace is untied. Hardy-har-har.

Ask the Google:

Q: What does the word “Callicoon” mean?

A: The original spelling of the name might have been “Collikoon,” “Kollikoon” or “Kollikoonkill.” The name is said to mean “turkey” or “wild turkey” in both Dutch and Choctaw; “Kollikoonkill” means “Wild Turkey Creek,” according to visitcallicoon.com. The modern Dutch word for turkey is “kalkoen.”

First called Callicoon Depot in the 1840s, the hamlet was originally part of the Town of Cochecton.