Laura McNamee
By Laura McNamee
Happy Birthday to Veronica Kirnan and Richard McNamee on October 29! And Happy Birthday on November 4 to my mom Susan Millspaugh! I hope you all have a wonderful birthday!
A couple weeks ago you may have seen the article about the Barry’s Grove Fishing Derby. Aside from my son and nephews being very excited to participate in the fishing derby, I have to admit that I didn’t know too much about what Barry’s Grove was. So I reached out to founder Logan Heaney to find out more about this wonderful organization.
Barry’s Grove is a non-profit organization founded in 2022, with a goal to promote the ideals of conservation, as well as inspiring future generations to do the same. The name comes from Logan’s late father, Barry D. Heaney, who had a dream that if he was ever in a more fortunate situation in life, he would turn his focus to anonymously helping those who were struggling to get by. Logan always remembered this conversation and wanted to use his dad’s name as a way to honor him. In his words he “wanted to feel like we were still doing something together”.
With the intention to put his dad’s words into action and do some good, Logan focused on the natural world and how it has its own struggles to get by. “It makes me feel proud to know that the spirit of what we do through Barry’s Grove is to help and assist nature”.
Their efforts have been focused on tree planting, stream stockings and educational stewardship. Their overall intention “is to help facilitate an awareness that we all can play a part: no matter how big or small, as caretakers of this planet we call home”.
Barry’s Grove has hosted a disc golf fundraiser, fishing derbies, annual stocking in the Tin Brook (in coordination with Walden Elementary School and fifth grade teacher George Hoeffner through the Trout in the Classroom program), and a Spring Fling Dinner and Award Ceremony. At this ceremony they present their Shepherd Award to an individual who embodies a selfless nature of giving back to their community.
In the future Barry’s Grove intends to present five scholarships to students in local school districts who show interest in fields of conservation, ecology, forestry and/or biology. They hope to help restore the ecology of the Tin Brook to be recognized as a Class A stream through NYS, and to also be able to open a nature preserve complete with a learning center to help further perpetuate their endeavors as a conservation group.
They have also contributed to many local projects including assisting in the finance and construction of the new Olley Park and Bradley Park signs, constructing various flower bed projects throughout Walden, built and donated SPOMA sign and flower bed at the African American Cemetery in Montgomery, constructed and donated water barrel collector at Beth Hillel Cemetery in Walden, donated park benches, as well as materials to aid in Logan Hickey’s Eagle Scout Project of the Vietnam Memorial at Bradley Park.
If you would like to make a donation to Barry’s Grove, visit their website at barrysgrove.org or their general donation fund through givebutter.com. Special thank you to Logan Heaney for taking the time to share all about Barry’s Grove and its story!
News From November is just around the corner, and the library has a few special programs planned. Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 6 p.m. for Prayers in the Wind with Rev. Ani Kunga. Prayer flags adorn the homes and landscapes of many countries in Asia, including Tibet, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, and northern India. Make your own prayer flag and take it home to hang in a place where the wind will carry your prayers all over the world. This program is free of charge, suitable for all ages, and all materials are supplied. Co-hosted by the Josephine-Louise Public Library and Tesechen Kunchab Ling Temple, highlighting the Temple’s Jubilee Celebration.
Stop at the library and pick up November’s calendar soon so you can add our events to your own calendar! Fall is a wonderful time to decorate your home. Once again, the Walden Community Council is sponsoring a Halloween Decorating Contest for village residents. Use your imagination to make your yard spooky, full of fall colors, or decorated as you please. Walden Community Council members will tour the village on the evening of October 30 to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the contest. If you want to make sure the committee stops by your home (must be within village limits), please send an email to: WALDENCOMMUNITYCOUNCIL@GMAIL.COM by October 29.
Make sure when you are out trick-or-treating this Saturday you add two stops to your plans- The Historical Society will be handing out candy at the Jacob T. Walden House, and the First Reformed Church will have decorated trunks.
The First Reformed Church will also be hosting their Chili Cook-Off during the trick-or-treating hours. Stop by to sample chilis and vote for the ‘Best Chili’, ‘Most Original Chili’, ‘Hottest Chili’, as well as the ‘Best Decorated Trunk’. They will also be serving hot beverages and apple cider donuts. Free for everyone and they have restrooms and parking available as well!
The New Rose Theatre Group will be hosting Halloween Movie Nights this weekend Oct. 30th & 31st. They will feature Scream Friday, Oct. 30 at 8p.m. and Halloween on Saturday Oct. 31 at 9p.m. at the New Rose Theatre. Tickets are $10 for the movie only or $12 popcorn + water + additional donation (movie is free). Costumes are encouraged! Visit the NewRoseTheatreGroup or Hudson Valley Conservatory Social Media Pages for link to purchase tickets.
Saturday November 7, the Walden Baptist Church is hosting a soup, sandwich and salad dinner, 5-8p.m. $10 a person to dine in or take out. To place an order for more information- call 845-778-5611 or 845-541-1246.
Walden Rec will be hosting the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Saturday, November 14, 1-3p.m. at Anita Vandermark Community Center. To register call Laura at 845-778-2177 ext. 1527. Limited to the first 100 people, so reserve your spot soon!
The lottery cards for 2027 are here! If you have a favorite number, now is the time to buy the card. The lottery cards are at the front desk of the Josephine Louise Public Library in Walden. The price per card remains the same as it has been for 18 years---$20.00 per card. Each card is good for one full year of winnings. The year 2026 brought many winners---some folks have won twice on the same card. Good luck to all!
It’s not too early to mark your calendar for the Holiday Shopping Event sponsored by the Walden Community Council. Come to Wooster Grove on December 12, 2026 (10 a.m. until 4 p.m.) to shop from local vendors and find just what you need as gifts for family and friends. The variety of vendors makes this an easy shopping day and the costs are moderate. See you there!
Starting this Saturday, October 10, there will be a Yoga Class from 9a.m.-9:50a.m. at the Train Station at Wooster Grove. The class will be held every Saturday for 6 weeks, $60 per person, bring your own mat and other essentials. To register go to waldenrecreation.sportngin.com, under the adult programs tab.