Happy birthday to Janis Green from Ryan, Molly and Cora on Oct. 14!

A Look Back: Jerry Jacobowitz and the Thruway Plaza

A huge thank you to Mr. Jerry Jacobowitz for sitting down with me to share the history of the Thruway Plaza and some of his own history in Walden.

Jerry first came to Walden with his family in 1941, when his father opened a grocery store on Main Street. He graduated as salutatorian of the Walden High School Class of 1951 and attended law school before serving in the Army.

Many of Jerry’s law school classmates headed to New York City to work on Wall Street, and he expected that he would do the same. That changed when Raymond and Ann Dulye stepped in. The Dulyes owned the Citizen Herald and were friends with Jerry. They were also friends with Walden attorney George R. Bartlett Jr., affectionately known as Bucky.

At the time, Bucky was managing his father’s law practice following his unexpected death, as well as a law firm he had acquired from a friend of his father. The Dulyes put Jerry in touch with Bucky, and the two met at Bucky’s Riverview Street home over Thanksgiving break. It was decided that Jerry would return to Walden after completing his active military service and work with Bucky.

Jerry returned to Walden on March 1, 1959, to begin working at Bucky’s firm. He described Bucky as a great lawyer with a great reputation and said he was honored to have the opportunity to work with him.

Jerry is certain he learned much more working alongside Bucky than he would have in a position on Wall Street. Bucky’s philosophy, Jerry recalled, was essentially that if someone was going to learn to swim, “you have to throw them in the water.”

That philosophy proved true early in Jerry’s career. He arrived at a meeting regarding a case he was helping with, only to discover that Bucky would not be attending. Bucky had left it to Jerry to handle the meeting himself.

Walden holds a special place in Jerry’s heart for another reason. While taking a walk in 1952 at the corner of Main and Bank streets, he met his future wife, Marlene. She was visiting her cousin, Ina Friedman, whose father owned a dress factory on Pleasant Avenue and whose family lived at Capron and Oak streets.

Jerry said he pretty much knew at that moment that Marlene was the girl he would marry. The couple married in December 1957.

When Jerry returned to Walden after his military service, he and Marlene rented a house while waiting for the arrival of their son, Ronald Jacobowitz. Eleven months later, they welcomed their daughter, Marcia.

The family eventually settled in a home on Highland Avenue. A fun fact: bricks from the old knife factory buildings were used in the construction of their house.

Jerry continued working for Bucky for four years before opening his own law practice. He credits Bucky with teaching him much of what he learned about practicing law and is grateful for the opportunity and guidance that allowed him to raise his family in Walden.

After retirement, Jerry and Marlene moved to Cornwall, where they now enjoy spending time together.

Of course, I had to ask Jerry about the famous Thruway Plaza slogan: “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”

Jerry doesn’t remember exactly where the slogan originated, but believes someone in his sister Joyce’s family came up with it.

Thank you, Jerry, for sharing your story with us all!

Pumpkin Painting at Bradley Park
Friends of Walden Parks and Walden Recreation will host a pumpkin painting and decorating event Saturday, Oct. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Bradley Park.

The decorated pumpkins will be placed along the park road to help beautify the entrance. Pumpkins and painting supplies will be provided, along with cider and cider doughnuts.
Come paint a pumpkin and enjoy an afternoon with others from the community!

News From the Library
October will be a busy month at the Josephine-Louise Public Library.

Miss Beth’s Kids Art Club will meet Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 4:30 p.m. for children ages 6 and older.

The library’s reading therapy cats, Max and Millie, will visit Thursday, Oct. 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Also Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m., the library welcomes back Alex Prizgintas for “The British Invasion: A Cello Show of the 1960s and 1970s Rock ’n’ Roll.”

While American blues originated in the United States, its unique sound traveled across the Atlantic to England, where it took root before returning as part of the highly successful British Invasion of the 1960s.

Prizgintas will share stories behind iconic hits of the era and explore the musical history behind baroque, jazz and folk classics. Classically trained, he uses nonclassical tools to create his own sound.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m., Bill Fiero, the library’s favorite ornithologist, will present “Kenya: An African Adventure, Part 1.”

Fiero will take attendees on an armchair tour of his recent trip to Africa, sharing photographs of wildlife, culture and the beautiful landscape.

The Great Give Back
The Josephine-Louise Public Library will participate in The Great Give Back throughout October.
Help give back to the community by picking up a specific list of needed children’s clothing that will be donated to a local women’s shelter. The list will be available at the main circulation desk.
Donations may be dropped off at the library through Nov. 1.

Will Spay Pets Benefit Auction
Will Spay Pets Inc. will hold its annual Benefit Auction and Raffle Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Maybrook Senior Center, 11 Schipps Lane, Maybrook.
The live auction will include a beautiful quilt, specialty-themed baskets and 50/50 raffles. The quilt, handmade by Marla Vickers, is currently on display at the Josephine-Louise Public Library.
There are also opportunities to sponsor a table for friends, include company information in a brochure or place an advertisement.
For information or reservations, call Diane Decker at 845-857-7657. Seats fill up quickly.

Saturday Yoga
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 10, Walden Recreation will offer a yoga class from 9 to 9:50 a.m. at the Train Station at Wooster Grove.
The class will be held every Saturday for six weeks. The cost is $60 per person. Participants should bring their own mat and other essentials.
To register, visit waldenrecreation.sportngin.com and look under the Adult Programs tab.

Walden Baptist Church Tricky Tray

Walden Baptist Church will host a Tricky Tray Saturday, Oct. 10, at 38 Bank St. Doors open at 5 p.m., with calling beginning at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Clothing and Accessories Bag Sale
Walden Baptist Church will hold a gently used clothing and accessories bag sale Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 38 Bank St.
Everything is $5 a bag. Extra parking is available in the rear of the church.
For information, call 845-778-5611.

Monster Bash
Also Saturday, Oct. 17, Walden Recreation will host its Monster Bash at Wooster Grove.
The evening will include a costume parade, trick-or-treating and a showing of “Hocus Pocus.” The event begins at 5 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk.
Bring a chair and blankets and enjoy the evening!

Soup, Sandwich, Salad Dinner

Looking ahead, Walden Baptist Church will host a soup, sandwich and salad dinner Saturday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The cost is $10 per person, with dine-in and takeout available.
For orders or more information, call 845-778-5611 or 845-541-1246.