Anita Vandermark
By Anita Vandermark
I’d like to extend a “thank you” to all involved with the Leadership Day Awards Ceremony held on January 11 at the Municipal Building. Special thanks to the event committee - Marisa Kraus, Becky Pearson, Brenda Adams, Ginny Neidermier and Jeffry Holmes. Thank you to the Jacobowitz Family; the Norman Family; the Phelps Family; Keynote speaker, William Sestrom and all who attended. Thank you to the Phelps Family for honoring the Historical Society of the Walden and Wallkill Valley. Congratulations to all recipients who received awards.
An outstanding organization is the Walden Community Council, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1996 by Derrik Wynkoop, Dave Cocks, Jeff Sohns, Gerry Jacobowits and residents and businesses whose goals were to create a positive image in the Village of Walden and surrounding areas. All activities were designed to encourage the residents to restore pride in their Village and community and to facilitate positive changes for the betterment of the community.
Fundraisers help provide funding for events such as the Walden Harvest Fest, the Music in the Grove Concert Series, events at Walden Veterans Memorial Park, as well as awarding scholarships to graduating seniors from Valley Central High School. All residents, businesses and interested parties are welcome to join. Monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in area locations.
More information can be found on the WCC Facebook page and in Anita Vandermark’s column in the Wallkill Valley Times.
Be reminded you may continue to donate pajamas to Inspire in memory of June Garcia during the month of January at the Josephine-Louise Public Library or Millspaugh Furniture. They are local drop off locations. Only new pajamas for children between the ages of newborn and 18 are accepted.
Village of Walden Recreation & Parks Department currently holds Pick-up Basketball Adult Gym for Town of Montgomery residents ages 18 + every Tuesday from 8 - 10 p.m. during the months of January - March. Entrance fee $5 per person. Any questions contact Anthony Romeo at (845) 778-2177 ext. 1524.
A pancake breakfast to honor veterans will be held at Sweeney’s Irish Pub on Saturday, January 20, 8 - 11 a.m., hosted by Assemblyman Brian Maher and Sweeney’s Irish Pub. Open to the public - Cost $15 per person. All proceeds benefit Hudson Valley Honor Flight, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring veterans for their service.
For information visit sweenysirishpub.com.
The Walden Community Council lottery calendars for 2024 are available at the front desk of the Josephine-Louise Public Library until the end of January. Each number is good for the entire year of 2024 with the exception of Christmas Day.
Choose a lucky number and when you win, a check will be mailed to you. The winning on a daily number is $25, for a Sunday it is $40 and on the marked holidays the amount is $75, The cost of each calendar is $20. The Walden Community Council sponsors this sale and any profit is used within the village for events and scholarships.
Belated birthday greetings to Vivian Motter Schunk who celebrated her 7th birthday on January 13. Happy Birthday to a very special young lady!
Family, friends and Walden Sunshine members look forward to sending Laura McNamee “Happy Birthday” greetings on January 23. Many thanks for all she does for this great organization.
Family and friends look forward to sending Karl Winum Happy Birthday wishes on January 20 and thank him for all he does for our community. Enjoy your special day Karl.
Catholic Conversations will meet on January 25 at 7 p.m. in Fr. Sullivan Hall at Most Precious Blood Church. For information call Larry and Jean Winum at 845-778-1602. A new topic is discussed every month.
Please mark your calendar to support the Walden Historical Society by participating in their Dining for Dollars event at Franco’s Italian Pizzeria, Walden on Tuesday, January 31, 5 - 9 p.m. A coupon must be used to participate. Twenty percent of your meal purchased from
Francos will be donated to the Walden Historical Society. Find coupons at the Josephine-Louise Public Library or the Historical Society Website. Thank you for your support.
The Josephine-Louise Public Library sends the following news:
Village Historian Mary Ellen Matise has been hard at work preserving our local history. Mary Ellen has taken much of her research and loaded it onto a stand-alone computer that is now located at the library.
Stop in and spend some time learning about the past and the people that invested in Walden’s future.
Family Movie will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 6 p.m. featuring “Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” starring Gene Wilder. Light refreshments served.
Join us on Thursday, January 18, 6:30 p.m. for Random Reads. Participants are invited to bring their recent reads to discuss with other readers. For ages 18 years and up. No registration needed.