Sue Wiand
By Sue Wiand
Trivia Tidbit: on April 23, 2024 will be the Pink Moon. Thank you to timeanddate.com/astronomy/ for the meaning. I will be checking in with them each month for an update.
The Full Moon in April is named the Pink Moon after the pink wildflowers that bloom in the early spring. It is thought that the name comes from the brightly-colored pink phlox wildflowers that are native to North America and that often bloom around the time of April’s Full Moon. The Native American names refer to the spring thaw and the signs of new growth each year—including names like the Breaking Ice Moon and The Moon of the Red Grass Appearing. Common names in Europe also refer to the budding and birth of spring: with grass sprouting, birds laying eggs, and people planting seeds. The Celts had names like Budding Moon, New Shoots Moon, Seed Moon, and Growing Moon. A Neo-Pagan name is Awakening Moon. The Anglo-Saxons called it Egg Moon, which is often referenced as a possible reason for the emergence of the modern Easter Bunny laying Easter eggs.
Folks driving along Route 52 in Walker Valley will notice some new Hometown Heroes Veterans Banners that have been installed on poles located around the Cobblestone Corners. These banners are offered through the Pine Bush American Legion and VFW Posts. The first batch of banners were installed with the help of members of the Walker Valley Sportsman’s Association and President Seth Mance says the members will continue to place them as more are received.
The five banners already placed are for: Curt Schoeberl, AO3 US Navy Vietnam Era; Thomas A. Stueber, Spec. 4 US Army Vietnam; Lester A. Mance Sr., E4 US Army 1964-1970; John Carroll Jr., Corporal US Marine Corps WWII & Michael W. Weed, 3rd Class Aviation Mechanic US Navy Vietnam. Thank you for your service.
This program is open to any veteran in the area. Paperwork to order up the banner can be requested through Pine Bush American Legion Commander Dan Dambrozio at ddambrozio@yahoo.com or call him at 845-636-3177. Banners cost $160 and are ordered through a company in Montgomery. All details will be included in the paperwork.
Calling all Walker Valley Warriors for an Earth Day roadside litter pickup on Sunday April 21! Meet at the schoolhouse community center anytime beginning at 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. for road assignments.
Pick what road you want to clean or choose from the list of ‘roads really in need of attention’. Please dress in bright colors so you can be seen; bring gloves, water or any other creature comforts you might need. Bags will be provided.
There will be community service hours available to anyone who might need them. Call Sue Wiand at 845-744-5648 prior to for info. or 845-551-2349 morning of for details. Organized by the Walker Valley Community Enhancement Committee.
Summer Camp days will be here before you know it. The Town of Shawangunk kids summer camp will be held at the Verkeerderkill Park from July 1st to August 9th 9am to 3pm Mon-Fri. Activities include sports, karate, arts & crafts, hiking, projects and water sports. Price includes breakfast and lunch daily and three field trips. Shawangunk and Crawford residents pay $600; non-residents pay $675. $25 off for additional siblings.
Please pick up a registration packet at Shawangunk Town Hall, 14 Central Ave., Wallkill NY 12589.
For more information contact Gillian at 917-848-8633. Camp is for children ages 5-14.
Our neighbors over at the Shawangunk Valley Fire House, 2150 Bruynswick Rd., Wallkill will be holding a Penny Social fundraiser hosted by the Shawangunk Valley Ladies Auxiliary. The event is scheduled for Friday May 3 with the doors opening at 5 p.m and calling starting at 7 p.m. Prices for tickets are as follows: 100 Penny tickets for $1; Blue tickets at $5 for a sheet of 25 tickets; Pink tickets are $20 for a sheet of 25 tickets; Dumpster Service Raffle tickets are $5 each; 50/50 tickets are $1 each or $5 for 6 tickets and the Pick a Cork Wines tickets are $15 per cork. Sounds like a whole lot of fun, so make your plans to attend and support the fire company.
All area Seniors are invited to join and participate in the offerings of both the Walker Valley Seniors and the Pine Bush Seniors. The Pine Bush group meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in the Crawford Senior & Community Center, Route 302 next to town hall. Your first three meetings are free and then it is $2 per meeting after that. When you hit 90 years of age there is no more dues. The group has something planned every week and you can get an idea of what is scheduled by visiting townofcrawford.org/Community-Services/Pine-Bush-Seniors-Club or you can reach out to club President Kay Phillips at 845.524.4247 for more information.
The Walker Valley Seniors group meets on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. in the Walker Valley Schoolhouse Community Center, 6 Marl Rd & Route 52.
Members usually start arriving at noon for social time and the business meeting is at 1pm. Afterwards, the group enjoys bingo or other activities and there are several trips planned throughout the year. Dues is $5 for the year and visitors are welcome so contact President Stephanie Jansen at 845-987-0148 for more information. The group is planning a trip to Silver Birches in PA on April 24 and the cost is $50 for non-members. They will be carpooling so contact Stephanie if you want to go so arrangements can be made.
They will be doing another trip to Silver Birches in October for October Fest so think about joining and take advantage of all the events they have planned.
The Pine Bush Area Arts Council is looking for entrants for the “Engineer Your UFO Craft” Contest. “Let your imagination take flight! Show us your vision of the tiny craft that would transport you to worlds beyond our own!” There will be a Youth and an Adult division, so enter for glory and prizes. Entries will be received on May 11. For more information, rules and an entry form, please email: pbartscouncil@gmail.com.
Our Pine Bush Library continues to be busy with an assortment of activities for the month of April. On Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. stop in and enjoy a presentation called ‘Then & Now – Trolleys from Middletown to Goshen’ narrated by Ray Kelly. Call 845-744-4265 ext. 2 to sign up and this talk will be held in the library community center annex.
The library continues to provide point insurance reduction classes that could save you 10% on your vehicle liability, collision and personal injury insurance premiums for three (3) years and may reduce up to four points on your driving record.
The next class will be held on April 20 and will start promptly at 9 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Registration is recommended by contacting the library at 845-744-4265 ext. 2 or by calling Michael Sweeting #2768 at 845-407-1378 or 845-920-0120. Seniors age 60+ pay $30; Adults ages 18-59 pay $40.
The library is also looking for donations of items for their annual yard sale taking place on Saturday May 4th. There is a whole long list of what they will take and you can stop into the library and get a copy of that list or visit them on Facebook. Lots of suggestions – but don’t bring clothing!
For a look at all that the library has to offer, visit them on Facebook or stop by the library and request a copy of their calendar; or better yet - sign up for their monthly newsletter – that way you won’t miss a thing!