Tammy Ruggeri
By Tammy Ruggeri
Spring is officially here, and with it comes a full calendar of community happenings, opportunities to give back, and plenty of ways to get involved around town.
One of the most anticipated events returns early next month. The Annual Shredder Truck Event will be held on Friday, April 3, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. sharp at the Town of Marlborough Community Center, 1520 Route 9W.
Residents are invited to safely dispose of sensitive documents, which will be destroyed on-site in seconds. The event operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with a three bag or box limit per person. The truck will be located in the rear parking lot, and attendees are asked not to arrive early to allow for proper setup.
Accepted items include paper (white or colored), file folders, plastic ID cards, credit cards, old checkbooks and carbon paper. Please note that hazardous materials, prescription bottles, syringes, needles, heavy metal objects such as nuts, bolts, metal plates or hard drives are not permitted, as they can cause severe damage to the equipment or pose safety risks.
Our schools continue to shine with acts of kindness and creativity. At Marlboro Elementary School, students and staff celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in a meaningful way through the “Bowls of Gold” cereal drive, led by Grade 5 teacher Kristi Bogaczyk. The school community collected an impressive 895 boxes of cereal for local food banks. Before donating the items, students created a domino-style display, sending the boxes tumbling to the “end of the rainbow” — a fun and memorable way to mark their accomplishment.
A reminder to residents that the annual statewide burn ban is now in effect from March 16 through May 14. This seasonal restriction helps prevent wildfires during the spring months when conditions are particularly dry.
The Marlboro Free Library continues to offer enriching programs for residents. On Thursday, March 26, from 6 to 7 p.m., the community is invited to attend a Cornell Cooperative Extension workshop, “Vegetable Garden: From Seed to Harvest,” at the Marlborough Community Center. Master Gardeners Diane and Skip will share tips on planning a productive garden. All experience levels are welcome, and while no registration is required, RSVPs are encouraged for updates.
Throughout April, adults can take part in a Spring Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt. Participants can download or pick up a hunt sheet, explore their surroundings for Shakespeare-inspired items, and submit completed forms by May 1 for a chance to win tickets to Something Rotten! at County Players.
Creative residents may also enjoy the Marlborough Makers Club’s “Recycled Sun Catchers” workshop on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center. This in-person program requires registration and offers a fun way to craft decorative pieces from recycled materials.
At the Sara Hull Hallock Free Library, April is packed with engaging events, including the Edible Book Festival on April 4, Poetry as Protest on April 8, a Wood Burning Workshop on April 11 and 12, and “Meet the Beekeeper” on April 18. Additional offerings include art classes, hands-on workshops, and a National Poetry Month series led by Linda McCauley Freeman, culminating in a Poetry Open Mic on April 24.
St. Mary’s Church invites families to upcoming faith formation gatherings, with elementary students meeting March 29 at 9:45 a.m. and middle school students on March 30 at 7 p.m. Parishioners are encouraged to keep these students in their prayers and to continue building a welcoming church community.
There are also several upcoming events to mark on your calendar. The Middle Hope Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast on March 29 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at 11 Lattintown Road in Newburgh. In addition, families can look forward to an Easter celebration at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome on April 4, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the egg dash beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m.
Looking ahead, vendors are being sought for the “Almost Summer” Outdoor Vendor Market, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Marlboro Hose Company No. 1, scheduled for May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kedem Winery. Interested vendors can reach out for more information.
As always, we close with our community birthdays. Happy Birthday to Trevor Eichler, Barbara Domenek, Carmela Nelson, Rebecca Rhodes, Josie Marchica, Lena Toro, Jennifer Ferrari and Steve Runberg.
If you have events, announcements, recipes or photos you would like to share, please email Telltammy123@gmail.com or call 845-430-4394.
Weekly Recipe
Potato Gratin – Camille G
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of heavy cream
3 sprigs thyme
2 bay leaves
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 pounds large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups shredded Havarti cheese (about 8 ounces)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the heavy cream, thyme, bay leaves, garlic and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook until just starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves.
Spread the potatoes in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour the cream mixture over the top and gently stir, pressing and submerging the potatoes to make an even layer. Cover with foil and bake until the potatoes are tender and the cream is bubbling, 45 to 55 minutes.
Uncover the potatoes and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake until the cheese is golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.