Did you know that a smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door! Smiles are free! So don’t save them. Brighten the world with your smile!

On January 8, the Walden Fire Explorers Post 46 traveled to the New York State Fire Museum in Hudson, NY.

Members learned about the amazing evolution of firefighting going back to the Roman Empire to the present. They also had the opportunity to see numerous different fire apparatus’ from today going back to American Colonial times when fires were extinguished using the ‘Bucket Brigade’. It was a neat experience for these future fighters! The Walden Fire Explorer Program, Post 46 is for young men and women age 13 - 19.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday 6 p.m. at the Walden Firehouse, 230 Old Orange Avenue. If you are interested in joining or for additional information, contact Lt. Jim Grismer at 845-527-1608.

Be reminded that Basketball Games will not begin until February. There is still time to register for the Village of Walden Recreation and Parks Department Basketball Season! Register online at http://recreationsportssignup.com/. Boys and girls ages 6-18 in Valley Central School District may participate. Registration Cost: Village of Walden Residents: $40; Town of Montgomery residents: $50 - plus $3 registration fee. Games will begin in January.

Locations: Wooster Grove Gym and Walden Elementary School gym. Any additional questions contact the Recreation & Parks Department at (845)778-2177 ext. 1524.

Walden Rotary Club members join in wishing fellow member Matt Flanagan Happy Birthday! Matt will celebrate his birthday on January 21. Enjoy your special day Dr. Matt!

Walden Sunshine Society members send Laura McNamee “Happy Birthday” wishes on January 23. Thanks for your service to this great organization.
The Walden Historical Society sends Happy Birthday greetings to Board Member, Richard Hoyt. He will celebrate his special day on January 24.

Family and friends are looking forward to joining in sending well-known Village resident John Manning Happy 100th Birthday wishes on January 30. Enjoy your special day!

The Walden Community Council meeting scheduled to be held at the Josephine-Louise Public Library on Wednesday, January 12 was postponed until Wednesday, February 9. The Harvest Fest meeting with Mike Bliss, Parks and Recreation Dept. Director begins at 6:30 a.m. The Community Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

For information contact Sue VanDuyne at 845-778-3532.

The Walden Humane Society, 2489 Albany Post Road, Walden will hold their next indoor yard sale on Thursday, January 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.! Always great items to choose from. All purchases benefit the care of the animals at the shelter. Also a good time to bring a donation of food, litter, old towels or cleaning supplies. Need information? Call the shelter at 778-5115.

January is National Blood Donor Month! Kristie Hall, Captain of the Walden Fire Department sends word that on Monday, January 24, noon - 5 p.m. the Walden Fire Department will host a Blood Drive at the firehouse, 230 Old Orange Avenue. Appointments are strongly encouraged. However, walk-ins are welcome as long as capacity allows and social distancing is maintained. Please call 800-933-2566 to make an appointment.

The Village of Walden POD for Covid 19 vaccination Boosters (Moderna and Pfizer) will be on January 25, 2:00 - 7 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Walden Municipal Building. Register for an appointment on the Village of Walden website or the Orange County website.

Catholic Conversations will meet on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7:30 p.m. at the M. P. B Parish House to discuss “The Beatitudes” as taught to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ. For more information, please call Larry and Jean Winum at (845) 778-1602.

Time is running out to share your favorite recipe to be included in a recipe book “Where friends and Family Come Together” that is being organized as a fundraiser for the 2022 Harvest Fest celebration. Please submit your recipe to Debbie Robb by email to baglady1054@yahoo.com or submission to Debbie Robb, 53 Rider Road, Walden, New York 12586.

The Josephine-Louise Public Library sends the following news:

Our Winter Story Time for Toddlers will be delayed by a few weeks. We are still taking registration and will begin the sessions on Tuesday, February 8, 10:30 a.m. for children ages 3 - 5 years.

Classic Movie Night is scheduled for Friday, January 28, 6 p.m. and will feature “Twelve Angry Men”, from 1957l starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, and Martin Balsam. If you have not viewed this academy award winning film, join us, and find out why it is considered one of the best!

The Novel Reads book group will meet on Thursday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. for “New York Dead” by Stuart Woods.