I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I know I did. For Christmas Eve, I was home alone with five eggplants, three pounds of sausage and peppers. I had my brother Teddy and my friend Kathy and her husband over for dinner; I made eggplant parmesan. I spent Christmas on my phone talking to family, and I FaceTimed my cousins in England. We had the best time. After Christmas dinner, we played a few games—one was charades, and my sides still hurt from laughing. Then we played the reindeer game where you wear a pair of antlers and your partner has to throw hoops at you and get them on the antler. I had to tell my brother to stop aiming for my face. 

The next day, I drove down to Newburgh and picked up the tax bills. I have some going out on December 28 and the rest on December 29. You know that December 30 is my 61st birthday, so I like to have taxes done and in the mail. 

On Sunday, I had my niece, her husband, Brett, and family over for dinner and to do gifts. Kristin and Brett own Lake Huntington Automotives Service. I asked Brett how COVID-19 affected their business in 2020. Brett’s response was that COVID-19 created many challenges from shipping and receiving to delays and availability of parts, but the customer base remained strong with the many second-home owners who came up in the spring. They came earlier and stayed longer than usual. There were also new faces with new homes, and Brett considered himself very fortunate to be considered an essential business and most grateful for continued employment and no layoffs. It was one of his better years and, he explained, he now has a stronger customer base. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses cannot say that. He was not happy with me; as they were leaving, I handed him his tax bill (lol).

The Ecumenical Food Pantry in Narrowsburg would like to thank all the many, many people who donated during this trying year. lt was overwhelming. Special thanks to the River Reporter, Ned and John Lang, and the Narrowsburg Union. May God bless you all and have a safe and healthy New Year, from all the workers at the food pantry.

For the 2021 tax season, keep this in mind: If the weather is bad, first call 845/932-8360 ext. 17. If you are paying in person, you have to wear a mask. Put your tax payment on my desk and wait in the hall. 

God bless and I wish you all the best in 2021. Hope you all have a healthy and happy new year. Keep smiling and wash your hands. 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.