It was a school night at Village Hall this past Tuesday, May 22, as friends and family gathered to see Sloatsburg’s Class of 2012 celebrated during the 12th annual Seniors Night of Recognition, sponsored by the Village Board. The event gathered together Sloatsburg students who came through the ranks together at Sloatsburg Elementary School and are now graduating from Suffern High School. Special guest Ron Anagnostis, former principal during the students’ years at elementary school, gave a fond remembrance of highlights from their years together. Continue Reading

Harmony Hall glowed in light and companionship Friday night as history buffs from Sloatsburg and Suffern gathered in honor of Suffern Historian Emeritus Gardner Watts. The old Jacob Sloat house was warmly transformed for the evening as chamber musicians filled the halls of the South Salon and patrons and guests mingled and celebrated a local legend. Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright and Rockland County Historian Craig Long were on hand to officially honor Watts. Continue Reading

Mike McKenna is one of those Sloatsburg residents who’s up and out early enough to drive into New York City for work. McKenna teaches history and ELA students in a Bronx middle school. His enthusiasm for teaching led him to the Sloatsburg Scholarship Fund, a non-profit group that raises money for local student scholarships, and a place where he’s put his village connections and creative fundraising ideas to good use. Continue Reading

The long and winding budget battle is over. With unofficial results tallied, it appears Ramapo residents passed the $127,066,927 2012-13 school budget, with 1358 yes votes to 618 nos. Ramapo Central also has a new School Board member.

According to school district documents, the district was able to contain a budget-to-budget increase of 3.28%, or $4 million, by capturing savings through the implementation of an energy performance contract, restructuring of its special education program and Family Resource Centers and reductions in transportation, infrastructure and staffing due to attrition. Continue Reading

The Sloatsburg Historical Society and Friends of Harmony Hall have united this week for a series of events and activities to celebrate Ramapo History Week. The historical Jacob Sloat House will be host to talks and multi-media presentations about the significant role that the Hudson Highlands’ Ramapo River Pass has played in the rich history of the Empire State. Continue Reading

Many Sloatsburg residents recently received their blue flyer in the mail announcing that the Municipal Pool is  getting ready to open for weekends, beginning Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 26. The pool’s regular season then begins at the end of June. But first, the pool’s being cleaned and painted. And when residents arrive, they’ll note a marked difference. Continue Reading

The mystery of the Four Corners Fish Kill in Tuxedo continues, like a Charles Durning Texas two-step, where the Governor slides this way and that, obliquely answering ‘could be’ to most all questions.

The known knowns, to use a Rumsfeldianism, are that in late March, a large fish die-off was discovered at Four Corners Pond and Warwick Brook waterways. Many pointed fingers at the steamy Perfect Cut mulch pile on Long Meadow Road as a possible culprit. Continue Reading

A lively crowd turned out for the Ramapough Lunaape Nation Prayer for the Earth rally Saturday, May 5, held at Ramapough Lenape Tribal land in Mahwah. Part anti-fracking rally and Earth day ceremony, the rally was held as an effort to bring attention to the proposed Tennessee Gas pipeline that will cut through the Ramapo Valley Reservation. Continue Reading

Often at the heart of a healthy community is an active library, nurturing young readers and providing a place for locals to meet and greet. The Tuxedo Park Library continues that tradition with its robust Authors’ Circle program that brings in accomplished writers for an evening of audience interaction. This coming Saturday, May 5, the Author’s Circle Presents A Conversation Between Amy Hemple and Patricia Bosworth. Hempel is an acclaimed short story master while Bosworth is a noted biographer and writer. The afternoon event takes place at 3 p.m. and will be moderated by Tuxedo residents Glenn Young and Gerald Howard, who both work in publishing. Continue Reading

These days when the sound of the fire alarm rings out, the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department responds in brand new black turnout gear. Nothing says pride to a firefighter like new high-performance gear, especially when the gear being replaced is worn and faded and fire-seared from years of overuse.

In early March, the Sloatsburg Village Board issued a five-year $100,000 Serial Bond to purchase fire gear, a new Public Works truck, and for municipal improvements and repairs at both the Municipal Building and other village properties. Continue Reading