The Stony Point PAL will be hosting its annual Fall Festival and Family Fun Day this Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 10am to 4pm at Kirkbride Hall. Also at the Festival will be a child safety seat check. Come out and enjoy this fantastic community event!
News
Senator Reichlin-Melnick Delivers Funding for Environmental Education Programs with Keep Rockland Beautiful
ROCKLAND, NY – Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick recently announced $20,000 in funding he secured in the state budget to help Keep Rockland Beautiful (KRB) provide two interactive environmental education programs at schools in Rockland. Earth B.E.A.T. works with elementary school students, and Rockland P.L.U.S. works with high school students.
At a recent visit to Haverstraw Elementary School, Senator Reichlin-Melnick spoke with students, as well as KRB Executive Director Sonia Cairo and North Rockland Central School District teacher Nicole Jessie, about the value of KRB’s programs for students and the community.
Senator Reichlin-Melnick said, “Programs that involve students with hands-on connections to their communities and their environment have a powerful impact. As a former teacher, I know the value of partnerships that enrich education with tangible experiences. I’m proud to deliver funding to help Keep Rockland Beautiful continue to work with schools across our county.”
Sonia Cairo, KRB Executive Director said, “Not-for-profits are always operating on a thin razor’s edge, so this funding is really, really helpful. This grant will have a tremendous impact, allowing us to deliver programs that teach students how they can make a difference in their own households, schools, and communities.”
Nicole Jessie of the North Rockland Central School District said, “This grant is amazing because it allows the school district to sustain these programs year after year and keep our children’s interest alive. Both of these programs teach kids a little bit of taking ownership of their community. This is not just a place where they live, but it’s a place where they can make a difference and their voices can be heard. ”
Earth B.E.A.T. provides a series of eco-stations where students focus on energy and water conservation and protection, biodiversity, and climate change. Teachers and parents engage as facilitators.
Senator Reichlin-Melnick is especially familiar with the inspiring work of the Rockland P.L.U.S. program as they connect students with professional planners. The Senator, who has his Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University, once served as a mentor for the program. The P.L.U.S. stands for Planning Land Use for Students.
Rockland PLUS enjoys a 17-year partnership with Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Keep Rockland Beautiful, Rockland Conservation & Service Corps, and the Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District Columbia University, Rockland Conservation and Service Corp. About a dozen high schools participate in a series of workshops to learn about sustainable planning and integrate the ideas into a plan for a site in their community.
BSA Greater Hudson Valley Council’s Camp Bullowa celebrates 75 years
Stony Point, NY – September 25, 2022 – In an age where change comes at an ever-increasing pace, some things show they stand the test of time. The Greater Hudson Valley Council of BSA’s (GHVBSA) Camp Bullowa stands as one such gem, having just celebrated its 75th anniversary.
In addition to welcoming New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Rockland County Legislator Doug Jobson, GHVBSA was host to over 400 Scouts from all over the Hudson Valley over the weekend.
Senator Reichlin-Melnick presented a proclamation commending the camp for their inspiring commitment to lifting up the community.
“We truly appreciate the recognition,” says GHVBSA Board President, Ben Mills. “We are immensely proud of our history in Rockland County and look forward to the next 75 years at Bullowa.”
The property was purchased in September 1947 using a gift from Miss Grace A.M. Bullowa and Dr. Addison S. Boyce as a memorial to Dr. Alma Boyce. The first campout, a Fall Camporee, was held the next month with 250 Scouts in attendance.
While none of the Scouters – as adult volunteers are called – in attendance go as far back as far as 1947, many have memories of camping at Bullowa 25 years ago, or more. Some were involved in burying a time capsule at the 50th Anniversary celebration in 1972. The opening of the time capsule was one of the highlights of the weekend. Contents included Scout handbooks, neckerchiefs and slides as examples of the then-current Scout uniform, pictures, troop rosters, and the ubiquitous Scout patches.
Many of the activities enjoyed by Boy Scouts at Camp Bullowa in 1947, such as fishing, hiking, and camping, are still enjoyed by Scouts today. You’ll notice some significant differences however. Today, Scouts include male and female Troops. And there is an increased emphasis on “Leave No Trace” which teaches the tenets of sustainability while enjoying outdoor activities.
“Scouting has deep roots in Rockland County,” says Rich Stockton, GHVBSA Scout Executive, “and we’re really just getting started.” Council plans for 2023 and beyond include renovating cabins, the dining hall, fresh paint, and improving our program areas for their 5-week long Summer Day Camp Program, says Stockton.
Nyack’s Halloween Parade is back on October 29th
| Nyack NY, September 27, 2022 – Is it Halloween yet?’ Not quite. But it’s back to school and fall is in the air…so Halloween is a question haunting kids of all ages, especially those who want to get a jump on crafting their costumes for the big event in Nyack. After a two-year pandemic halt, the famous parade is coming back on Saturday, October 29. (Rain date Sunday, October 30.) Festivities begin at 3:00 pm and continue into the evening. Nyack’s Main Street and South Broadway will be closed for the day’s celebrations. The parade will step off promptly at 5:30 pm. Hosted by the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, the Nyack Halloween parade is the biggest outside New York City, second in magnitude only to the Greenwich Village event ? and just as spectacular on the “wow” meter for color, pageantry and unabashed craziness. “For people who love the scary fun and pageantry of Halloween, Nyack is the place to be for the best parade, costumes, parties, trick-or-treating and all-out wacky celebrations,” said Roger Cohen, President, Nyack Chamber. Building on a history of record-breaking crowds, over 10,000 parade spectators are expected to line the streets of Main and Broadway in Nyack for this fun-filled, family-friendly event, featuring marching bands, festooned fire trucks, fantasmagorical floats and a host of costumed revelers. Great prizes will be awarded to the most creative among the parade’s participants. The winner of this year’s Best Float competition will score a $500 cash prize. Floats taking second and third place will receive $250 and $100 prizes respectively. In the costume categories, winners will get a ‘piece of Nyack’ — a variety of experiences at Nyack favorites. Highlights include free food, parties, gift certificates for cool merchandise, hotel stays, and even local food tours for groups. Among the fun prizes for kids are a make-your-own waffle or pancake party for four at the Breakfast & Burger Club, a gift certificate for Pickwick Bookstore, and a free large pizza from Turiello’s Pizzeria. What’s more, for the first time this year, pets with the most creative Halloween regalia can compete for high-end salon services, such as a full service bath, brush and trim, a creative color dye, or a nail trim and file. (Who doesn’t need that?) Prizes are donated by Nyack businesses: Breakfast & Burger Club Hotel Nyack Joey G’s Food Tours Modern Druid Paws on Main Pickwick Bookstore Turiello’s Pizzeria All are welcome to march in the parade and compete for prizes. Marchers and floats will assemble at 3:00 pm for check-in and contest judging in Memorial Park at the corner of Depew and Piermont streets in downtown Nyack. Registration is required for prize eligibility. Registration and judging will continue until 5:00 pm, followed by the parade step-off at 5:30 pm. (See below for parade route.) Prize contestants – both costumes and floats — are encouraged to pre-register online at nyackchamber.org to speed up the process on parade day. All contestants should plan to check in on parade day in Memorial Park for confirmation and photography. The much-anticipated prize award ceremony for costumes and floats will begin immediately after the parade at the Main and Cedar gazebo in the center of town. Parade-goers will enjoy a variety of special (‘barely alive’!) live talent, including Nyack and Nanuet high school marching bands. Additional highlights include Vince Mocerino’s Deadsled, Texas Chain Saw truck, Suburbia Roller Derby of Westchester, Hudson Valley Harley Riders, True 20ne Unicycle Club, Skateboard Wizards and Limitskate, an array of spooky classic cars, local fire departments showing off their best very scary (and very clean) machines — and of course, the weirdest and wackiest costumes this side of the grave. Famous Frankie D and the Boyz — perennial favorites at the Nyack celebration — will provide live music all afternoon before and during the parade in the Gazebo at Cedar and Main Streets. Dancing is optional, but encouraged. Post-parade parties will continue into the evening…with the traditional costume madness and live music at Casa del Sol across Main Street from the Gazebo and other establishments in the village. For the deadly serious, parade sponsor Hotel Nyack will host a swanky costume party with music, dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres and four-hour open bar in the Hotel’s private ballroom (400 High Avenue, Nyack). The revelry runs from 8:00 to midnight. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite with a discount available until September 30. So back to the first question: Is it Halloween yet? Not quite, but to get the spooky vibe going for the parade, students from Nyack High School will be painting the village store windows on October 20 with appropriately monstrous themes. Plus, families and kids of all ages can get “psyched” ahead of time at the Nyack Farmers Market on October 27 (8:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Main Street parking lot). Kids can enjoy crafts and stories with parent volunteers from the Nursery School of the Nyacks. Music will help create the ghostly mood for all. “The Nyack Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to bring back Halloween celebrations after a two-year break,” said Cohen. “Chamber members Hotel Nyack and Nyack Ridge Rehabilitation and Nursing Center have helped make the 2022 parade possible through their generous sponsorships.” “We’ve been doing the parade for over 30 years, and look forward to haunting the Hudson Valley for a least another 30.” PARADE ROUTE from Memorial Park (Depew and Piermont streets):· South on Piermont Avenue· West on Cedar Hill· North on Broadway· West on Main Street· South on Franklin Street· East on Artopee |
Road closure in Haverstraw
202 closed between Bridge St and Gurnee Ave due to motor vehicle accident. Expect delays. Use alternate route