As the days of summer begin to wind down and the crisp, cooler days of fall arrive, I would like to wish all our students, teachers, staff and families a happy and successful new school year.

Weekend of Wallkill
If you are looking for something to do this weekend, come out to the Weekend of Wallkill. Head down to the library lawn for a fun-filled afternoon and evening.

If you have ever attended this event, I highly recommend taking some time out of your day to see what a great job Visions of Wallkill does in bringing the community together.

Visions of Wallkill will host the Weekend of Wallkill Sept. 18-19, a weekend of family fun, creativity and community pride. The celebration is free and open to everyone, with events taking place on or near the Wallkill Public Library lawn and Shawangunk Town Hall.

Friday’s kickoff celebration begins at 5 p.m. Activities include Lego sculpture building and story time, sponsored by the Wallkill Public Library, featuring local author Nancy Scofield Stewart; a fall egg hunt; and a photography and art show featuring local artists. The art show will open Friday evening and continue throughout the weekend.

Townwide Yard Sale
Visions of Wallkill is also planning its fall townwide yard sale for Sept. 26, with a rain date of Oct. 3.

Those who would like to participate should text their address to 845-276-6230 by Wednesday, Sept. 23, to be added to the list.

Steak Dinner
The Wallkill Lions Club will hold its annual steak dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Popp’s Park in Wallkill.

The event will feature music, games and giveaways. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased from any Wallkill Lions Club member or by texting Buck at 845-541-2981.

Stuff the Bus

Wallkill Senior High School is helping the Wallkill Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry collect needed food and selected hygiene products through a Stuff the Bus donation drive Friday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 8 p.m.

The drive will be held at Wallkill Senior High School, 90 Robinson Drive, Wallkill, in the student parking lot by the auditorium doors.

All donations are welcome. The pantry’s greatest needs include canned spaghetti sauce, pork and beans, canned fruits and vegetables, creamy peanut butter, assorted pasta and white rice.

The pantry also provides hygiene items, when available, including shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bar soap and liquid hand soap. Monetary donations are also welcome.

If you are in need and are a resident of the Wallkill Central School District, the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is located at Wallkill Reformed Church, 45 Bridge St. Pantry hours are Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For information about volunteering or the pantry, call 845-851-4010. The pantry can also be found on Facebook at Wallkill Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

Golden Rule Thrift Shop
The Golden Rule Thrift Shop offers clothing and household linens, including towels, sheets and blankets, to its clientele in exchange for a moderate free-will offering.

The shop is located at 5 Wallkill Ave., Wallkill. Hours are Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wallkill Public Library

The Wallkill Public Library will host a Historical Homes of Shawangunk talk Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Reading Room.

Presenter Merrie Witkin will discuss seven colonial-era homes in the hamlet and surrounding area. The program was made possible through the efforts of Witkin and members of the Historical Society of Shawangunk & Gardiner and is hosted by Visions of Wallkill.

Registration is recommended but not required.

The library’s Saturday Morning Book Club will meet Sept. 26 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Reading Room. This month’s selection is The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick. No registration is required.

Election Information
The Shawangunk Democrats will host a nonpartisan panel discussion about the upcoming Oct. 7 election at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 in the community center at Town Hall.

The discussion will cover voting procedures, questions and concerns about the upcoming election, the importance of voting and election-related myths.

Wallkill Fire Department

The Wallkill Firehouse will hold its annual golf outing Oct. 5. Tickets are $110 per player and include breakfast, a barbecue lunch, a door prize and golf cart.

For information or to sign up, call the firehouse at 845-801-6221.
The firehouse will also host its annual fall chicken barbecue Nov. 7.

Takeout begins at 5 p.m., with dine-in service beginning at 6 p.m. Contact any firehouse member for tickets.

Wednesday evenings are bingo nights at the Wallkill Firehouse, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

The firehouse’s pancake breakfast is held the first Sunday of every month.

Wallkill Senior Citizens
The Wallkill senior citizens meet every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the community room at Town Hall.

New members age 55 and older are always welcome. The group offers occasional trips, luncheons and guest speakers.

For information, contact President Carmel Bellas at 914-588-8892.

Fall Festival
The Mid Hudson Christian Church will host its annual fall festival Saturday, Oct. 24, at the church, 2393 Route 300, Wallkill.

This year’s event will be the church’s first family and friends fall fest. Admission is free, with activities for all ages, including a photo booth, carnival games, a bonfire and more.

The fun begins at 4 p.m., with the bonfire scheduled for 6 p.m. Candy, raffles and free food will be provided.

Preregistration is requested but is not required for those who attend the day of the event. Visit the church’s Facebook page to register.

As always, I encourage everyone to get out and support the many organizations, businesses, churches and community groups that make Wallkill such a special place to live.