Laura McNamee
Happy Birthday on October 2 to my uncle Keith Millspaugh! Enjoy your day!
Part 3 of the Thruway Plaza-In the 1950s, Meyer Jacobowitz gave the Walden Ambulance Corps its first home. The building where Franco’s is located was originally used as the base for the Walden Ambulance Corp. Many questioned the decision, but he knew how important it was for the Walden Ambulance to have a central location to operate from in between emergency calls. When the Ambulance Corps had plans to move to Scofield Street, Mr. Jacobowitz bought back the building, so that they would have adequate funds to operate out of their new location.
The building then became a laundromat, before being converted into a restaurant, and now is the home of Franco’s Pizzeria.
Around 1963, there was a federal grant (Urban Development Action Grant-UDAG) to help develop non-residential commercial buildings that the Thruway Shopping Plaza was approved for. The Village of Walden received the money, loaned it to Mr. Jacobowitz, who would in return pay the village back overtime. The money that was paid back to the village was then used to fund loans to other local businesses for their improvements.
With this grant money, Mr. Jacobowitz added stores to the original building. He built the two-story building that runs parallel to the river and was able to connect the new building to the original.
Most recently in the early 2010s a developer from Warwick purchased the plaza and opened a Hannaford Super Market. He was also able to work with local chains and bring in Mavis Tire and Auto Zone for the local and surrounding community.
As I’m sure many of already heard- Walden Harvest Fest has been moved to this Saturday, October 3!
News from the Library: A reminder: the library will host a program on Medicare 101 on Thursday, October 1, 6 p.m. Immediately following we will have a session on Medigap at 7 p.m.
Toddler Storytime sessions for ages 2 1/2 - 5, will begin on Tuesday, October 6, 10:30 a.m. Baby Rhyme Time for babies through 3 years, will begin on Thursday, October 8, 10:30 a.m. Please call the library at 845-778-7621 for more information and to register for the sessions.
Christine Adams will return to the library on Thursday, evening, October 8, 6 p.m. for her popular seasonal Felting Craft. We will be adding an evening session of Mahjong beginning Wednesday, October 7, 6 p.m. for those unable to attend the daytime activity. These sessions will be held weekly.
The library will be closed for the Holiday on Monday, October 12.
Will Spay Pets, Inc. will hold their annual Benefit Auction & Raffle event on Sunday, October 11, 1 - 4 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 annual Fall Yard Sale at Walden UMC on Rt 52 will be held this Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 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 this Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. - 3 p.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.
Starting Saturday, October 10, there will be a Yoga Class from 9 - 9:50 a.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.
Walden Baptist Church will be running a Tricky Tray on Saturday, October 10, Doors open at 5 p.m., Calling starts at 7 p.m. at the church, 38 Bank Street, Walden. Food & Drink will be available for purchase too!
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Walden Baptist Church will be hosting a Gently Used Clothing & Accessories Bag Sale for $5 a Bag, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; At the Church, 38 Bank Street, Walden. Extra Parking located in back. For questions or more information 845-778-5611.
Also on October 17, Walden Rec will be hosting The Monster Bash- costume parade, trick-or-treating and Hocus Pocus Movie Night! 5 p.m. at Wooster Grove. Bring a chair and blankets-movie starts at Dusk!
Saturday November 7, the Walden Baptist Church is hosting a soup, sandwich and salad dinner, 5 - 8 p.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.