Sue Wiand
By Sue Wiand
HAPPY NEW YEAR. Milestones so far for me this year; I am celebrating my first anniversary of doing this column. I have survived 51 years of marriage and one year of Bill being retired. Lots of memories to cherish starting out the new year and new exciting adventures ahead of me.
And just for the record – I believe that the new decade starts Jan 1, 2020 – because it is easier to say the 20s, not 21s……snicker.
Light Up Walker Valley 2019 report. Nice crowd and a nicer assortment of cookies and goodies at the firehouse on Sat. Dec. 21 for the parade and awards celebration.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the prizes – trophies & gift certificates by 3rd & Co Lakeside Restaurant, Beck’s True Value Hardware for a $50 gift card to the overall 1st place winner and Valley Supreme Liquors for the bottles of wine for all of the winners. Thank you to everyone in the community who donated to the cookies/goodies tables.
Thank you to the Walker Valley Firemen and Ladies Auxiliary for hosting the awards celebration and Charlie Garrison and Joe Russek for getting the ball rolling again for the annual event.
Drum roll please! Category winners are: Best cookie = Chelsea Zuidema; Best Interior Decorations = Brian and Laurie O’Shae; Most Creative Outdoor Decorations = the Les Marshall family; 3rd place Decorations = Joe Murphy; 2nd place Decorations = Diance Briscese/Thomas McClure; 1st place Decorations = Daniel Greer and last but certainly not least.....this year’s Grinch award goes to Trisha Rose. Congrats to all of the winners! And TY to all of the area residents who participated and brightened up our community for the holidays with your lights and decorations.
The Craft Supply Sale to benefit the Walker Valley Community Enhancement Committee has been rescheduled. The new dates are January 31 and February 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale will be held at the Walker Valley Schoolhouse Community Center. Donations are currently being accepted for all types of craft supplies.
Contact Kelli Palinkas Greer at 744-3055 for information.
Not everyone looks forward to a new year, especially if you have lost a child. If you know of someone, let them know that there is a group right here in the Pine Bush area that helps parents who have lost a child of any age. It is a safe place to heal with those who know what you are going through.
“Tools to cope are imperative. We have the tools” says founders Tina Gordon and Sue Sapio. Visit them on Facebook for more information or contact them at 800-4875.
The Ray of Light Bereavement Group meets every 1st Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 in the iRealty Building, 127 State Route 302, Pine Bush NY. NOTE: The next group meeting will be Tuesday March 3, 2020.
Mental Health & addiction have become real issues here in America, but now we have mental health & substance urgent care walk-in facilities within our local area. No appointments or referrals needed and there are no fees.
The units are open to adults and children throughout the Hudson Valley 7 days a week: Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Locations: Union St. Community Counseling Center, 16-24 Union St. Middletown NY and Kaplan Family Counseling Center, 21-23 Grand St. Newburgh NY 12550.
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24/7/365.
Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.
Here is a message from Patrick K. Ryan, Ulster County Executive: “I want to let you know that we are creating a Memorial Pavilion at the Ulster County Veterans Cemetery located in New Paltz dedicated to the internment of Veterans and their spouses. This project will allow Ulster County to honor our Veterans for the next century. As the County Executive and as a combat veteran, I am committed to ensuring that we recognize the selfless service of the thousands of veterans here in our County. This new addition will serve as a monument for the brave men and women who fought to protect our nation.”
The Ulster Office of Aging would like you to know about the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). You may be eligible to get help paying your Medicare premiums and you may also get help paying for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. If you are a Medicare recipient and your gross monthly income is $1,426 or less (Married income $1,923 or less) you may be eligible! Call the Office for Aging at 845-340-3456 or toll free at 1-877-914-3456 to make an appointment with one of our Health Insurance counselors for free, unbiased assistance with Medicare and find out more.
The Ulster Office of Aging would also like you to know - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Volunteer drivers help seniors get to medical appointments through the Neighbor to Neighbor Program. We offer a generous mileage reimbursement, and this flexible opportunity allows you to do as much or as little transportation as suits your schedule. If you’d like to help a senior in need, contact Patrick McDonough at the OFA Volunteer Program: 845-802-7935 or email him at pmcd@co.ulster.ny.us
The Department of Motor Vehicles has a Mobile Unit available at the Shawangunk Town Hall, Hamlet of Wallkill, 14 Central Ave. Here is the schedule: the bus will be there every 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Friday of each month.
The hours will be: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. Things you can do at the mobile unit: driver’s license renewals, learner’s permits, non-driver ID, vehicle registrations, license plate surrenders, duplicate titles and change of address.
For more information call the Ulster County Clerk’s office at 845-340-3040 or log onto co.ulster.ny.us/countyclerk.