Many of you must have been inspired by watching  Clark Griswold of Christmas Vacation. The results of the Annual House Decorating Contest are: Most Beautiful: 1st - 53 Sycamore Drive, 2nd - 191 Union Street and 3rd - 48 Sycamore Drive.  Most Traditional: 1st - 194 Union Street, 2nd - 109 Union Street and 3rd - 90 Railroad Avenue.  Old Fashioned: 1st - 87 Madison Avenue,  2nd -  86 Union Street 3rd - 146 Union Street. Most Original: 1st - 137 Blue Bird Drive, 2nd - 204 Tompkins Road and 3rd - 194 Oriole Drive. Most Eye Catching: 1st - 10 Oakley Street, 2nd - 1 Tyler Street and 3rd - 177 Pleasant Avenue. Children’s Delight: 1st - 9 Conroy Avenue, 2nd - 89 Madison Avenue and 3rd - 83 Weaver Street.   

Judges were Teri Latasa, Diane Karsten and Pat Toranzo who braved the not so nice weather to bring you the results.

Many area businesses donated prizes to the homeowners who worked so hard on their displays.

They are:
88 Charles Street Restaurant, Antonio’s Family Restaurant; ArtBox Studio; Boiler King; Borland House; Cantania Mahon & Ryder PLLC.; City Winery; Copperfield’s Kildare Pub; Delessio’s Barber Shop; Devitt Management; Dragon City Restaurant; Iron Cafe; Java Blue Coffee & Food Market, Lanc & Tully, Le Peche; Montgomery Book Exchange; Montgomery Jeweler; Montgomery Mercantile; Scott’s Corner; Vic’s Pizzeria; Wallkill Valley Federal; Ward’s Bridge Inn ; Wildfire Grill; Yoga on Wallkill, Corey’s Pickles and Sunoco Gas Station, Route 17K and Ward Street.

Thanks to our generous Village and Town of Montgomery Businesses for making this event possible! 

Camino Island was the topic of discussion for the Montgomery Senior Center book club this month.  The story was engaging and we came to discover that it is the first in a series of three books by John Grisham.  For next month the book club will be reviewing “The Book of Ruth” by Jane Hamilton, a novel, not to be confused with the Bible story.  Please join us for this on December 20 at 10 a.m.

Bingo will be Monday January 8 at 11 a.m. A new activity, six week Tai Chi Program with instructor Rae Fallon, to be held on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. starting January 9. Contact the Senior Center for any info.

The Valley Central High School PTSA is sponsoring their annual Winter Coat Drive. They are looking for new or gently used coats. Coats can be dropped off at the VCHS lobby, the Central Office or the Town of Montgomery Town Hall building (110 Bracken Road, Montgomery).
The drive goes thru December 30. 

Coming soon to our already crowded roadways: Taco Bell is planning on constructing a new location at our old Dunkin Donuts site on Route 208 in Montgomery.

Give the Gift of Life this holiday season. There will be a Blood Drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross at the Village of Montgomery Senior Center on December 21, from 12 to 5 p.m. Appointments are required,  donors are needed. Please visit  RedCrossBlood.org and enter VOM to schedule an appointment. Call 1-800-REDCROSS. 

We just got them decorated and already we are talking about Christmas Tree Pickup: begins on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 thru January 30, 2024. Trees are to be placed curbside by 7 a.m. with no tinsel/garland or ornaments.

Montgomery Village Hall will be closed on Friday, December 22 and Monday, December 25. It will reopen on Tuesday, December 26.

The Walden Humane Society is in need of bleach. Thank you to all who donated towels and blankets.

Merry Christmas and Happy healthy New Year wishes to all!