Every year, the Village of Montgomery St. Pat’s Ramble Committee nominates an outstanding resident as grand marshal, becoming the center of several celebrations and leader in the village’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. For 2025, the Ramble Committee wanted to shake things up and nominated seven couples, resulting in the village’s biggest grand marshal reception on Sunday, March 9 at the Twin Ponds on the Farm.

This year’s grand marshals include Ray and Terry Andidero, Kevin and Barbara Conroy, Ron and Anita Feller, Fred and Margarette Flood, Bill and Joanne Huddleston, Bob and Cindy Reynolds, and Derrik and Alison Wynkoop. As longtime Montgomery residents, these 14 individuals have taken up various business, government, and volunteer roles in the village and Orange County. They all love their homes in Montgomery and have strived to make the village an even better place for their communities.

“These couples represent everything that makes Montgomery great. The old saying is it takes a village to raise a child; well, I think it’s more like it takes couples to raise a village, and they certainly have made our village great,” said Paul Satkowski, a Ramble Committee member and owner of Copperfield’s Kildare Pub. “It’s not only about the acts, volunteer work, or the sponsorships that they do for us. It’s about the love they show for each other; they show us how to respect one another, and that true love is really out there.”

The Ramble Committee opened Sunday’s celebrations with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy Name of Mary-Assumption Church. Following the Mass, residents gathered at the Twin Ponds on the Farm at 1:30 p.m., during which attendees enjoyed ample food, conversation, and live music by “The Hype” band. Around 2:30 p.m., Ramble Committee Member Amy McKenna opened the speeches with welcoming remarks and introduced the other speakers throughout the afternoon. Satkowski then spoke about the seven couples, inviting them up to receive grand marshal sashes and take photos.

“All of them have shaped our community to be the great community that it is today. But as I said earlier, it’s not the amazing things they’ve all done, it’s how they show us how to respect one another. I’ve seen them all for so many years here, and they’re amazing,” Satkowski said. “It is an honor to honor you today, and I want to thank you all for what you have done for our community.”

Aside from celebrating these grand marshals, this year’s reception was in honor of the late Resident Walt Lindner, a former village trustee and previous grand marshal. Originally from Munich, Germany, Lindner was a 50-year village resident who extensively contributed to his community’s government, schools, events, sports, and firefighters. Throughout his lifetime in the village, he served on various boards, formed the Montgomery Men’s Breakfast Club, helped establish the Clinton Street Band Stand, and worked with Residents Marc Devitt and Brian Fitzpatrick to secure the village’s $4.5 million New York Forward Grant.

Devitt and Fitzpatrick, who were both close friends with Lindner, spoke about the late trustee’s legacy and presented a special plaque to the Lindner family.
“When I think about Walt and MaryAnn Lindner, I think about the community growing up here in Montgomery. What an amazing place to be a kid running around,” Devitt said. “I think about Walt and MaryAnn, whether it’s Little League, all the St. Mary’s activities, or Oktoberfest. I have such fond memories of all of those.”

“Beyond all the village titles and volunteer roles he held during his lifetime, Walt is being honored for the person he was: a humble, kind, caring, and compassionate man who made time for everyone he met,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m encouraging everyone to join us for the St. Pat’s Ramble parade on Saturday, March 22 to show our thanks and appreciation to the Lindner Family for the selfless dedication, countless hours, and contributions Walt made to our village.”

John O’Brien, another Ramble Committee member, concluded the afternoon’s speeches by shining the spotlight on McKenna and Satkowski. He announced that McKenna would be retiring from organizing St. Pat’s Ramble after this year, emphasizing how instrumental she was in organizing the village’s parades and receptions every year.

“This is Amy’s last year, she’s leaving on top with one of our best receptions with multiple grand marshals this year. This is one of our biggest years, and she’s managed a lot of sponsorships and fundraising,” O’Brien said. “It’s a lot of work, and she basically did it all by herself. Thank you for your help over the years, we really do appreciate it.”

O’Brien also mentioned that Satkowski would be retiring as owner of Copperfield’s Kildare Pub on March 30; he urged residents to visit and thank Satkowski after the parade.

“Paul’s retiring, March 30 will be his last day at Copperfield’s. After the parade, make sure you come into Copperfield’s,” he continued. “This is probably one of the last few times you’re going to see him behind that bar. Make sure you thank him for all of what he’s done for us.”

Missed out on the grand marshal reception? Residents will have another opportunity to celebrate during the 2025 St. Pat’s Ramble Parade, coming to the village this Saturday, March 22. At 1 p.m, the parade will head out at the corner of Union and River Street, march through Union Street, turn left at Clinton Street, and turn left at Bridge Street before concluding. Anyone interested in marching with the parade should arrive at the starting point between 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Parking will be available at Montgomery Elementary School, and St. Mary’s Church will provide bleachers for optimal viewing.

For more information, contact O’Brien at 845-457-6228 or 914-755-7579.