Now that spring is in full swing, and these nice seventy degree days are beginning to feel like summer, our county is showing signs of coming out of hibernation. Towns and roads were busier this weekend, as the slow influx from the southeast works its way towards us. Suddenly there will be a bit more Burberry scattered across the county, and a bit less flannel. The Delaware River will be dotted with canoes, rafts and kayaks, the country roads sprinkled with joggers and bicyclists.
All the local businesses who cater to the summer folk are also getting ready. Signs are going back up, outdoor umbrellas are appearing, and cobwebs are being dusted off. As the local farmers put it, "Gotta make hay while the sun shines."
Well, there is a particular group of people who are rolling up their sleeves and trying to make some hay for a pretty selfless cause. They are our volunteer firefighters, and every year the various stations hold assorted community events, the proceeds literally going to help keep the lights on in the firehouse the whole year round.
Sullivan County firefighters are all volunteer, save for a few in Monticello. These are men and women who live in our communities, who donate time and effort to ensure our safety. And firefighting is not their only duty. We also have a volunteer ambulance corps, but it is small and with the huge area that it must cover, the response is understandably slow. And of course we have state police, and local sheriffs, but they too must cover a large area. So, 99% of the time in any emergency call, the local fire department will show up first. They are trained in First Response, and are equipped to stabilize and save lives until further help arrives. I know a bunch of local S.C firemen, and their commitment to helping others is something I admire and respect. They have families, jobs, and lawns to mow, but they take time out of their busy lives to make our county safer. Good bunch of people.
The fire department in general is pretty inter-woven into the community. From parades to field days to pancake breakfasts, you can find a fire department event pretty much every weekend. In just a few weeks for Memorial Day, there are two parades in Sullivan County. One in Roscoe, and one in Fremont Center. Click Here for Sullivan County Events.
My favorite is the chicken barbecues. Many of the firefighters are weekend grill warriors and take special pride in their grilling. At most of these events you get a tasty piece of freshly grilled chicken, some various sides, a piece of corn on the cob, or homemade potato salad, all for around eight bucks. Whether it be a day on the Delaware, or on one of our lakes, or golfing--however you decided to enjoy the Sullivan County Catskills, stop by the local firehouse and pick up dinner for the family. It goes to a good cause. They are the ones that will show up first should you ever need them.
And now for my "pick of the week." This house (more like estate, it is a 12 bedroom B&B) just came back on the market. It is a really cool old building on Washington Lake, and although it, and the surrounding area is in a bit of disrepair, it seems they are finally having a dose of reality, and have dropped the price. I am not saying it will sell at this price. It needs work, and a bunch more money for whomever buys it. I hope it does sell though. Some fresh energy on Washington Lake would be great. House on Washington Lake. Click on the "show all photos" on the top.
I am also going to add a weekly listing. It is going to be a house that has gone into contract that is in someway remarkable, whether it be the price, style, whatever.
This week it is a house on Australia Road in Lumberland on 56 acres. This house has been on the market forever--I believe well over three years. It dropped in price from 699K to 585K over a year ago, and stayed put there. I know this property pretty well, because I had an interested party. We walked the acreage. It is beautiful land which backs up to 1500 hundred acres of state land that runs all the way to Rio Reservoir. At the top of the property, the views are spectacular, you can see all the way to New Jersey. The house is a log, I believe Beaver Mountain, but the layout was a little cramped and funny. The bedrooms were more like lofts, and open. Despite the obvious draws of this property, I did not believe it would sell until there was a substantial price reduction. I was wrong. I am curious to know what the agreed upon price was. Lumberland Home With Acreage
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