This week I spoke with Esther Coppola about the Plattekill Citizen of the Year Award. The first thing that struck me was her great dedication and enthusiasm for the Citizen of the Year award process. For many years she has chaired the award committee which she describes as a mix of representatives from the town fire departments, churches, and community organizations. As a non-political award, current elected officials do not serve on the committee nor are they eligible for the award.

Awards are sponsored by the Plattekill Town Board. The award winner is announced by the Town Supervisor at 1 p.m. on Plattekill Day. Winners of the award receive a plaque and are named on a honoree plaque at the town hall.

The winner is decided based on current and past contributions to the town, community organizations, and its residents. Eligible individuals must be 18 years of age or older and current town residents. According to Esther, nominees for Citizen of the Year should be a “deserving person with a positive impact on others and an unselfish attitude.” Nominations may be made posthumously for recently deceased town residents.

Nomination forms are available from the town clerk’s office at the town hall. All nomination forms received by the committee are kept for three years and considered in the decision-making process. Esther emphasized that this is an ongoing nomination process. Forms are available all year long and nominations may be made at any time. The more nominations an individual receives, the better.

The nominator must also be a town resident and is responsible for making sure the winner is present at Plattekill Day to receive the award. This is all done confidentially. The only people who know the identity of the winner is the committee and the nominator. It is a surprise to the rest of the town. Who will win this year? Come to Plattekill Day on September 18 and find out who is this year’s winner!

Plattekill Public Library Events
The Plattekill Library calendar is jam-packed with summer events! All are FREE and open to the public. To register, contact the Plattekill Library at 845-883-7286 or email plattekill.lib@gmail.com.

Under the Sea Tales Outdoor Read Aloud
Thursday, August 12 at 4 p.m.
Come to the library for stories, crafts and more! Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. Call to register.

Annual Campfire
Thursday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The Plattekill Library’s Annual Campfire returns! Enjoy live music performed by Dylan Doyle. Bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating as well as sticks for toasting marshmallows! Call to register.

Outdoor Zumba with Danielle and Emily
Sunday, August 22nd at 8:30 a.m.

A fun morning of exercise and music. Danielle and Emily will lead you through the moves and get you in the groove! Call to register.

Pawsitive Stories Read Aloud to a Therapy Dog
Tuesday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause visits the Plattekill Library with certified Reading Education Assistance Dogs. Research shows children who read to dogs on a regular basis show significant improvement in reading skills. Bring your children to meet the dogs and work on reading skills! Please bring blankets and chairs for outdoor seating. Call to register.

Outdoor Story-Time with Miss Melissa

Every Thursday morning at 11 a.m.
Weekly outdoor educational and engaging story time with crafts for preschoolers and homeschooled children. Please call the library to register and in case of rain.

Tails & Tales Plattekill Public Library Summer Reading Program
The summer reading program is divided by age groups from Pre-K to Adults. Kids can stop by the library to pick up an animal-themed book, bingo board, and a FREE goodie bag just for registering. For more information and to register, call or visit the library or visit lattlibny11.readsquared.com.

Vet 2 Vet

First Wednesday of
every month at 4 p.m.
Current military and veterans receive support and outreach including employment resources, financial literacy strategies, peer-to-peer woodworking workshops, and much more.

Plattekill Calendar of Events
Plattekill Park Workshop with the Town Board and Park Committee.

Wednesday, August 25 at 7 p.m.
Plattekill Town Hall, 1915 Route 44-55, Modena.
Open to the public. All are welcome to come and share your views on park expansion.

Plattekill Community Yard Sale
Saturday, September 11

from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
FREE spaces are available at the Town Hall parking lot. You will need to provide your own tables. Or have a yard sale at your home and register to be on the “shopping list.” For registration forms, visit email plattekillrising@gmail.com or call 845-670-4442.
Ulster County Salutes Our Heroes: A Tribute for Those Not Forgotten
Saturday, September 11 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Ulster County Fair Grounds, 249 Libertyville Rd., New Paltz.
A 20th anniversary ceremony to honor the survivors, First Responders and those who lost their lives on 9/11. There will be music, food, and honored speakers. Admission is FREE. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Hope for Heroes Project which combats First Responder and Veteran post-traumatic stress.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact mserlin@heroeshope.org or dpotenza@heroeshope.org for more information.

Plattekill Day with Veterans’
Car Cruise and Swap Meet
Saturday, September 18

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thomas Felten Park, Route 32, Modena.
Come enjoy the music, visit the vendors, and taste the food. The Veteran’s Car Cruise sponsored by Lakeside Licks begins registration at 9 a.m. New for 2021 is a Swap Meet. The Plattekill Historical Society will be exhibiting Plattekill history. At 1 p.m. is the presentation of Plattekill Citizen of the Year. Vendor registration forms and trophy sponsorship forms are available at www.town.plattekill.ny.us. For additional information and car show/swap meet registration, call Linda at (917) 574-7387. This is always a wonderful celebration of our town! Hope to see you there!

Rotary Club of Southern Ulster 10th Annual Wheels & Wings Fundraiser
Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.(Rain Date Sunday 9/26)

Nu Cavu Restaurant, 857 Plains Rd., Wallkill.
Event is FREE for spectators. A donation of $20 requested to show your car. Register at the gate until 12 p.m. Judging takes places at 1:30 p.m. Pretty Boy Productions will DJ the tunes. Food available for purchase by Nu Cavu. Raffles and door prizes. Fundraiser proceeds go towards the great Rotary community projects and Rotary International. For sponsorship opportunities contact Chris Dawes (845) 883-5440.

Please share your upcoming events or community news at LEMDougherty22@gmail.com or (845) 670-4442. Thank you!