Sloatsburg Village Historian and Sloat descendent Harrison O. Bush gets around. Whether at work as a founding board member for the Friends of Harmony Hall or involved in some sort of other community event, Bush appears to keep busy.

He recently made his voice known to The Journal News in an opinion piece that was related to an article on the slow demise of the family nursery and other small, family businesses in the lower Hudson Valley titled, “The vanishing nursery: Changing lifestyles, chain stores edge out struggling mom-and-pops. The article explored the lament heard round the county by businesses related to razor thin profits and dwindling customer base. For nurseries, customers are being lost to big chain food stores. Plants and basic plant goods such as potting soil are sold at nearly every store.

Throughout the article, many business owners said that the secret to success is apparently customer service and more customer service. And then more. Know your customers.

Bush took the time to write in and defend not only Sloatsburg but small business itself, while tossing in a few Sloatsburg historical references, of course.

“What a disappointment to read of the demise of family nurseries!” Bush’s opinion letter began while updating LoHud readers on Sloatsburg’s norther corridor businesses that includes Arden Hill Nursery, Sarkis Auto, Jessie’s Bagels, Sunnyside Restaurant, and Vintage Autos.

“. . . Sloatsburg is reviving,” wrote Bush. “No committees — just American hard work on the part of these local business owners and a positive outlook!”

Shout Out to Sloatsburg’s Centenarian

The Sloatsburg Senior Center recently celebrated the village’s newest centenarian, Mary Gulick Buckley. Ms. Buckley also happens to be mother to Village Trustee Thomas Buckley, Jr. Mary Buckley was feted at the Senior Center surrounded by her family.

Happy Birthday Mary.