Louise Haight
By Louise Haight
We welcomed Daylight Saving Time and Spring has sprung to the joy of our winter-weary hearts, so we are ever grateful to think about spring planting and everybody’s favorite sport, baseball, warming our hearts. Best of all, many friends and family share March 25 birthdays, praying for a healthy and perfectly wonderful year that will create treasured memories.
Happy Birthday: Carl Aiello, Regina Angelo, Dominick Biolsi, Maurice Cea, Christopher Decker, Dan NiNoia, John Dipofi, Lauren Enright, Robert Gould, Peter Haight, Winnie Lee, Darren Marshall, Joe O’Brian, Nicoles Osler, Jennie Scalzo, and Doris Strakosch. May all your days be filled with fun, family, and friends, forever!
Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club invites you to join them on Sunday, March 26, at Beacon waterfront, Madam Brett Park to visit to DIA:Beacon, which is a C level hike, about 4 miles on level ground. Co-Leaders are: Lalita Malik, lalitamalik@aol.com, and Lyn W., hikebuddy@gmail.com.
This is a multi-part day starting at 10 a.m. with a 2.5 hour walk, break for a snack, followed at 1 p.m., with a tour of DIA:Beacon and an optional early dinner. E-mail Lyn W. at hikebuddy@gmail.com for parking instructions and to register for free DIA:Beacon tickets, which must be done in advance.
We will walk the River Trail between two Scenic Hudson Parks; Long Dock and Madam Brett. Along the way are views of the Hudson and cities across from Beacon and Newburgh Beacon Bridge. We will see ruins, waterfalls and possibly amphibians, aquatic mammals, ospreys and bald eagles. Our day continues as we gather in the bookshop/cafe of DIA:Beacon, an industrial former box factory that houses large scale art installations from the 1960’s to the present. Galleries are filled with famous artworks from Richard Serra, Andy Warhol, Sol Lewitt and others. Walk around on our own or join the guided tour that begins at 1:30 p.m., complimentary with admission. On the last Sunday of every month tickets are free for Hudson Valley residents or $20 if you live outside the Valley. At 4 p.m., an optional early dinner follows in town, just a few blocks away.
Good Will Fire Department held their annual Installation/Awards Ceremony on March 11, at Villa Borghese Caterers in Wappingers Falls. Master of Ceremonies was Jeff Holmes; Frank Valdina Jr. welcomed everyone to the Awards Dinner. Pledge of Allegiance was said, and the Invocation was given by Chaplain of the Good Will FD, Deacon Peter Haight. President Rick Bartley introduced his Company Officers; Chief Tom Van Zandt introduced his Firematic Officers; Frank Valdina Jr. introduced the Fire Commissioners; Anthony Novella introduced the Benevolent Association Officers, and JoAnn Brown introduced the Ladies Auxiliary Officers. Town of Newburgh Councilman/Deputy Supervisor Scott Manley then swore in the 2023 Incoming Officers.
Fifty Year Members John Conner and Rick Bartley were presented Awards from Deputy Supervisor Manley from the Town of Newburgh, and Senator Rob Rolison from the Senate of NY; Amy Kosturik VP of GWFD, Dot Brown, Ray VanInwegen Jr. and Charlie Piper also presented certificates.
Chief Tom Van Zandt then thanked the department and Chief Chris Wilson, for the experience and knowledge he has gained through the years. He mentioned how wonderful and supportive his wife has been during this time, and in a very touching moment, he presented to her a lovely bouquet of roses. Tom called his officers up to present the top dozen responders of the year.
Top Responder of the Year was Frank Valdina Jr. After the closing prayer and a great dinner, everyone was entertained with music from Izasion ProductionsI, and all enjoyed the tunes and dancing that made it a grand evening.