Laura McNamee
By Laura McNamee
Happy Birthday to my sister Helen on September 29th!
Continuing from last week- After Mr. Brown’s idea failed, four local businessmen decided to go in together to purchase this property for use as a retail store with vendors and booths. Louis Leis had a dress factory, Abe Steinborn owned a hotel in Ulster County, Saul Schnear had a suit and coat factory and Meyer Jacobotwitz had his grocery store. Mr. Leis, Mr. Steinhorn and Mr. Schnear all had connections with apparel distributors, and were able to fill the booths with different vendors. Mr. Jacobowitz needed electric and refrigeration, to help maintain his grocery store, so he funded all of the electricity and refrigeration installation. After about a year or two, Leis, Steinhorn and Schnear felt it was becoming too expensive to operate. Mr. Jacobowitz, having invested a large amount of money into the building, did not want to let the endeavor go just yet. Ultimately he ended up buying out the other partners.
At first Mr. Jacobowitz felt very overwhelmed and wasn’t quite sure how to successfully move forward. So, he began to brainstorm ideas to attract the public to the plaza, including host a Circus on the lot- complete with llama rides, auctions on Saturday nights, and having Santa arrive by helicopter each year (aside from the year the weather did not allow the helicopter to fly, and so the Fearless Hook and Ladder gave Santa a lift).
Keeping his eyes forward he continued to expand the store and began selling refrigerators, ovens, hardware, etc., all of which was foreign to him, but he was determined to learn and to make it successful. He also worked with lease operators to rent out space in the store, similar to some of the bigger department stores around this time.
He also made additions to the building, including a new front to the store entrance and a laundromat and pharmacy to the left side of the building.
News from the Library: Attention - A-t-t-e-n-t-i-o-n! Walden Harvest Fest presents The Third Annual Spelling Bee on Saturday, at 12 noon. All students in 4th or 5th grade are welcome to participate.
There will be trophies awarded for 1st and 2nd place. Join us on the third-floor Col. Bradley Assembly Room in the Municipal Building.
For more information and to register please call the library at (845)778-7621.
Back by popular demand! Will Spay Pets, Inc. will hold their annual Benefit Auction & Raffle event on Sunday, October 11, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Maybrook Senior Center, 11 Schipps Lane, Maybrook.
This is a live auction that will include a beautiful quilt, raffles on specialty themed baskets, and 50/50 raffles.
There will be options to sponsor a table for your friends, list your company’s information in a brochure, or place an ad.
The quilt is handmade by Marla Vickers and currently on display at the Josephine-Louise Public Library. For more information and to make a reservation, please call Diane Decker at (845)857-7657. Seats fill up quickly!
The library will offer a session on Medicare 101 on Thursday, October 1, 6:00 p.m. We will offer a session on Medigap shortly after, at 7:00 p.m. the same evening. Both programs are free and open to all.
The library’s next book discussion will be held on Monday, October 5, 6:00 p.m. on the non-fiction book titled Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn.
Christine Adams will return to the library on Thursday, October 8, 6:00 p.m. for her popular Felting Craft activity. Stop in and pick up the October calendar to see upcoming events.
This Saturday will be Walden’s 40th Annual Harvest Festival! Saturday September 26, 11a.m.-5:30p.m. Vendor Information Contact Debbie Robb 845-706-1570; Sponsorship Information Contact Jodi Lynn waldencommunitycouncil@gmail.com. Walden Baptist Church let me know that Rev. Jim VanHouten will be popping popcorn for everyone at the church’s table!
The annual Fall Yard Sale at Walden UMC on Rt 52 will be held Fri 10/2 and Saturday 10/3, from 9-3. Household goods, used books, clothing, all sorts of treasures, you never know what you might find!
American Legion Post 521 will also be hosting a Yard Sale on Saturday 10/3, 9a.m.-3p.m. at 2130 Route 208, Montgomery. Interested Vendors contact Marge Schwerdtfeger 845-313-9806, $25 bring your own table. Food, snacks, drinks and desserts available for purchase.
Walden UMC on Rt 52 is hosting a Craft and Vendor Fair Saturday, September 26 from 10-3 with indoor and outdoor spaces available. Come support local crafters and vendors. Hand turned wood pens, boards and decor, sports themed items, 3-D printed items and laser cut sun catchers, pottery, Avon, jewelry, and much more!
Contact Scott at 845-978-4354 for more information
Walden Baptist Church will be running a Tricky Tray on Saturday, October 10, Doors open at 5p.m., Calling starts at 7p.m. at the church, 38 Bank St., Walden. Food & Drink will be available for purchase too!
On Saturday, October 17th,2026, Walden Baptist Church will be hosting a Gently Used Clothing & Accessories Bag Sale for $5.00 a Bag, 9a.m.-2p.m.; At the Church, 38 Bank St. Walden, Extra Parking located in back.
For questions or more information 845-778-5611.
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.