Maybrook Quarterly

MAYBROOK

FREE

ONeUwT2B0A17CSKubaru 269Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
$$
Auto, 2.5L 4cyl, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD, htd front seats, backup camera, bluetooth, braking assist, dual climate ctrl,
Stk# 170752, Model# HDB-01, MSRP $26,767. $1196 due at signing, no sec dep req’d.
Excludes tax, title & MV fees.

NeIwM2P01R7ESZuAbaru NeFwO2R0E17STSuEbRaru NCeRwO20S1S7TSRubEaKru NewL2E0G1A7 CSuYbaru New 2W01R7XSubaru
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

Auto, 2.0L 4cyl, a/c, p/w/l/m, ALLOY WHEEL PACKAGE 5spd manual, 2.0L 4cyl, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD, ALLOY WHEEL PACKAGE 6spd manual, 2.0L 4cyl, a/c,
CD, snrf, htd front seats, Auto, 2.5l 4cyl, a/c, p/w/l/m, htd front seats, keyless ent, backup cam- Auto, 2.5L 4cyl, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD, snrf, p/w/l/m, CD, remote keyless ent,
backup camera, bluetooth, CD, Bluetooth, alloys, keyless ent, htd front seats, backup camera, blue-
Stk# 170421, Model# HFB-02, era, bluetooth, braking assist, trac ctrl, tooth, hill start assist, Stk# 170313, htd front seats, 18” alloys,
Stk# 170634, Model# HLB-01, dual airbags, Stk# 170804, Stk# 170411, Model# HUN-01,
MSRP $20,907 MSRP $25,544 Model# HAB-02, MSRP $25,127
Model# HRA-01, MSRP $23,063 MSRP $27,701
270Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos 272Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos 279Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos
277Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos 306Lease For • Per Mo • 36 Mos
$$ $$ $$
$1205 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. $$ $$
$1199 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. Excludes tax, title & MV fees. $1228 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. $1235 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. $1340 due at signing, no sec dep req’d.
Excludes tax, title & MV fees. Excludes tax, title & MV fees. Excludes tax, title & MV fees. Excludes tax, title & MV fees.

The best-selling all-wheel drive cars in America for the past 6 years.*

243 Dolson Avenue
Middletown, NY

845-344-3100

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY @

JohnstonsSubaru.com

PRESENT THIS ADVERTISEMENT AT THE TIME OF SALE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ADVERTISED PRICES ON ADVERTISED VEHICLE. Prices incl. all costs to consumer
except tax, title & MV fees. Price incl. all mfr incentives. Lessee resp for maintenance and all excess wear/tear. Leases incl. 10k mi/yr @ .15/mi over.Total pymts/residual: Subaru
Outback $9684/$18,736.90; Subaru Impreza $9720/$13,380.48; Subaru Forester $9792/$13,380.48; Subaru Crosstrek $9972/$15,452.21; Subaru Legacy $10,044/$15,327.47;
2sSpuobnMasrAiubYlWeBRRfoOXrOt$Ky1pQ1oU.g0Ar1aR6pT/h$Ei1cR8aLY,l8e/3r/6rSo.6Prs8R.oINArGlpl ro2o0ffge1r7rasmsuablljoewctatnocpercimhaanrygelesnpdreior ratpopprouvbalilc. a*Btioanse. PdiocntuIrHesSaMrearfkoirt total registrations among all-wheel drive vehicles from 2007-2016. Not re-
illustration purposes only. Offers expire 6/30/17.

Johnstons
Toyota Is

2017 TOYOTA 2017 TOYOTA 2016 TOYOTA

TACOMA SR5 TACOMA TRD SPORT TUNDRA SR5
DOUBLE CAB 4X4 DOUBLE CAB 4X4
$0 DOWN $0 DOWN DOUBLE CAB 4X4 $0 DOWN
Auto, V6, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD, PAYMENT Auto, 3.5L V6, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD, PAYMENT PAYMENT
2102 miles, Stk# 34134 2044 miles, Stk# 34299 Auto, 4.6L V8, a/c, p/w/l/m, CD,
84 miles, Stk# 34061

$Lease /Mo $349Lease /Mo $489Lease /Mo
36 36 42
329For Mos For Mos For Mos

$329 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. $349 due at signing, no sec dep req’d. $489 due at signing, no sec dep req’d.
Excludes tax, title & MV fees. Excludes tax, title & MV fees. Excludes tax, title & MV fees.

845-374-8600

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY
@JohnstonsToyota.com

MUST PRESENT THIS ADVERTISEMENT AT THE TIME OF SALE IN ORDER TO RECEIVED ADVERTISED PRICES ON ADVERTISED VEHICLES. Price
includes all costs to consumer except tax, title & MV fees & $75 doc fee. Prices incl. all mfr rebates/incentives, if qualified. Leases incl. 12k mi/yr @ .25¢/mi
over. Lessee resp for maint excess wear/tear. Total pmts/Residual: Toyota Tacoma SR5 $11,844/$27,778; Toyota Tacoma TRD $12,564/$28,601; Toyota Tundra
SR5 $20,538/$18,944. All offers subject to primary lender approval. Not responsible for typographical errors or program allowance changes prior to publication.
Pictures are for illustration purposes only. Offers expire 6/30/17.

What’s Inside…

5 Editor in Chief 22 TOMSIP Volunteer of the Year
7 Village of Maybrook 25 Valley Central High School Musical
8 Carissa Thompson of Studio C 27 Orange-Ulster BOCES
14 Goodwill Church / Lighthouse Events 29 Around Town
16 Karl Heller 20 Events
20 Maybrook Easter Egg Hunt 31 Then & Now

Making it Happen

Sharon MacGregor has been Michael Bloom hails from the Leigh-Ann Mosca is the Director Erni Hewett has been a freelance
a freelance writer, newspaper Catskills where he resides with and Founder of Women’s Quest, and corporate designer for more
his partner Kristin and their two than 20 years. She has worked in
columnist, and reporter for dogs Chussie and Maggie. He is which holds conferences in a creative capacity for companies
more than 20 years. Her current an award winning photographer Orange County tailored to such as Conde Nast Publications
endeavors include the food blog, empower, promote, and unite and Intel. Currently, she is running
Fed Well, and running the Hudson and photojournalist. He has women. She was instrumental her own design studio, Erni Girl
Valley Restaurants and Kitchens shot for NBC Universo, Rolling in starting the Goshen chapter of
group on Facebook while editor Stone, Farmacy Beauty, DETAILS Girls on the Run as head coach. Designs, where she has the
of the Quarterly magazines. She Magazine, The NY Times, NY Leigh-Ann has also enjoyed opportunity to work for the
Daily News, La-Z-Boy, American teaching and tutoring within the Quarterly magazines. She lives
and her husband Bruce have Express Black Ink and Ferrari, community and has coached with her husband Brian and they
raised their sons, Ken and Colin, GoshenYouth Football while are raising their children, Evan
Hudson Whiskey as well as and Josie in New Hampton, NY.
in the Pine Bush area. Orange and Ulster magazines. raising her two children
Gabrielle and Paul.

Acknowledgments Lillian Jane

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom
of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man
took and planted in his field. Though it is
the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it
is the largest of garden plants and becomes a
tree, so that the birds come and perch in its
branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32

4 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

LE T TE R f ro m the ed itor I N C HI EF MAYBROOK

When my nana got older, she moved in with my dad after my Owner/Publisher:
parents got divorced. It worked out for the both of them be- John E Kidd
cause my grandmother was elderly and unable to maintain her Editor:
home by herself, and my father was paralyzed and needed the
extra help with laundry and cooking meals. Between the two of Sharon MacGregor
them, they managed to help each other. My father took care of Account Executive:
the finances and my grandmother helped my father with most Leigh-Ann Mosca
of the physical things he was unable to do. In the summer of Director of Photography:
1993, my brothers and sister came to stay with them for summer
visitation. Michael Bloom
Don’t get me wrong. My dad and nana loved when we came to Layout & Graphic Design:
visit, but we wore them down, drove them crazy, and were prob-
ably a bit too much to handle. One night, my nana, who was 72 Erni Hewett
years old, was doing laundry and cleaning up around the house. I could see she was tired. Advertising:
She was really tired. Aside from picking up after us and catching up on some late night John E Kidd
chores, I happened to notice that she had also washed and dried her own sheets and had Leigh-Ann Mosca
them placed in a pile on her bed upstairs. Like us on Facebook!
I saw it as an opportunity. When she wasn’t looking, I made up her bed in a few minutes www.Facebook.com/
and managed to do it without her seeing me. When I was finished, I quietly came back MaybrookQuarterly
downstairs and hid in the living room so I could hear her reaction when she went back
upstairs to see the surprise. Subscribe for only $30.00 per year.
When she did finally retire for the evening, she went up to her room and turned on the We’d love to hear from you! If you’d
lights. In the most gentle, but yet excited sweet voice, she said, “Somebody made my bed!” like to advertise in a future issue,
She repeated, “Somebody made my bed!” She kept on saying it over and over in gratitude send us your comments, questions,
and disbelief. or letters to the editor, please submit
I started to tear up because I realized how happy it made her. She came back downstairs them for consideration to:
and kept on saying, “Somebody made my bed!” In reality, it wasn’t a big deal. I took me P.O. Box 963
just a few minutes, but to her, that small act of kindness made her so happy. Pine Bush, NY 12566
As school was starting up again, we had to return back to Wyoming toward the end of the or email:
summer. It wasn’t long into the school year that my mom sat us down after school and told [email protected]
us that my nana had a heart attack the night before and she died. For some reason, the Advertising and Content is subject to
first thing I could think of was how happy she was that night. I can still hear her saying, approval of the editor.
“Somebody made my bed!”
You see, it didn’t take long to make that bed, but it was the heart behind it. It was inten- All contents © 2017. All rights
tional and done with love. When we look for small intentional things we can do for oth- reserved. No portion of this
ers, chances are, it will have more of an impact on their day or on their life than we might magazine may be reproduced
think. If for anything else, we are planting seeds of love, and the harvest is much greater without written consent of the
when the seeds of a field are sown in love. It’s the small things that you do that make the publisher.
biggest impact in people’s lives. Take notice of it. Look for opportunities to be the differ- Printed in the U.S.A.
ence in somebody’s life.
On the Cover:
I hope you enjoy reading, Carissa Thompson,
Owner of Studio C
Photo by John Kidd.

5wwç www.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

6 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Village of Maybrook

Village Hall
111 Schipps Lane
Maybrook, New York
(845) 427-2717
www.VillageofMaybrook.com

Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. - Noon

Dear Maybrook Residents, Village of Maybrook
Representatives from New York Waterways presented a “concept” to the Village Trustee: Kevin Greany
Board February 27th that included development of the Galaxy Property along the Trustee: James R Barnett
old Maybrook Rail. The “concept” includes the development of a Corporate Park Trustee: Robert Pritchard
on 80 acres of land adjacent to the rail. This project would require the annexation of
28 acres from the Town of Montgomery into the Village of Maybrook. The wetlands Village Mayor:
on the property will not be developed and will remain in the town. The “concept” Dennis K Leahy
includes 10 buildings totaling 750,000 square feet of building space. A road would (845) 427-2717 ext 201
be constructed that will continue down Main Street (passenger cars only) across the
tracks, run parallel to the tracks and connect with Henry Henning Drive in the Town Deputy Mayor
of Montgomery. The village can and will supply water and sewer. There is a potential well located on the site Noreen Reynolds
also. There is a Walking and Bicycle Trail along the road included in the “concept”. This project will create (845) 427-2571
tax revenue, jobs, residential growth in the village, the revitalization of the B-2 zone, and maybe at the end, a
need for an elementary school back in our village. In order to move forward the Village Board was asked if we Village Clerk-Treasurer:
wished to proceed with the annexation and we were unanimously in favor of moving forward. On Thursday, Valentina Johnson
March 9, 2017, the “concept” was presented to the town of Montgomery, and they have agreed to a joint (845) 427-2717 ext 201
meeting to discuss and move forward with the annexation process.
DPW Superintendent:
From 1925 to 1980 the Village of Maybrook thrived because of the railroad. There were 200 plus families Matthew Thorp
who lived and worked for the Maybrook Railroad. When the Maybrook Railroad shut down in 1980, much of (845) 427-2222
Maybrook’s identity was lost, and over time, became a bedroom community. On June 29, 2016, Trustee Bob
Pritchard and I held an “Economic Development Kick Off ” here at the Government Center. The County Building Inspector:
Executive, Steve Neuhaus, attended along with local businesses and local realtors, and we discussed how the Timothy Ippolito
efforts of the Village Board in repairing our infrastructure got us to this point over the past eight years. Our 845) 427-2717 ext 205
message for those who attended this meeting was “the Village of Maybrook is ready to move to the next level
and welcome economic development”. Since then, we have had many conversations with investors about Police Chief:
plans to maintain going forward. Arnold Amthor
(845) 427-2717 ext 208
The Village Board moved to “set the table” by purchasing property on Main Street from the County for a
possible municipal parking lot back in 2015. The addition of cameras for increased security on Tower Ave Police Department:
and Main Street will be installed and are in the final stages for installation. Although it has been a work (845) 427-2226
in progress, we have been working with our municipal planner and village attorney on the B-2 zone that
surrounds Main Street. The owners of the Galaxy property contacted us, and we met for a meeting in October George C Bullis Memorial Library:
2016 to discuss a “concept” proposal. An actual “concept” was reviewed with the Village Board on February (845) 427-2914
27th as previously mentioned. Shortly after, a summary was given to the Village of Maybrook Planning Board
of our last Village Board Meeting and the “concept”. I explained to the members of our Planning Board that Hon. William J. Schimpf,
this is a very important moment in the history of the Village and that this project will move the Village into Village Justice:
the 21st century. The Village Board and I have the utmost confidence that they will be on top of this project (845) 427-2224
and make decisions in the best interest of our Village. We still have a long road ahead of us, but we will keep
pushing forward in making our Village the best it can be for our residents. Residents are welcome to attend Court is in session: Vehicle & Traffic:
our meetings. We will keep the residents updated and informed of any new developments going forward. 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.
I have met and spoken to the County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, and Criminal: 4th Tuesday of the month
Senator William Larkin and all of them are excited and have offered to provide their support going forward. 2:00pm.
The “concept” is on display at the Maybrook Government Center and residents are welcome to stop in and
review it.
A safe and happy summer to all!
Mayor Dennis K. Leahy
Village of Maybrook

7www.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Story by Sharon MacGregor
Photos by John Kidd

What would you do if you had the confidence you needed to chase your
dream as well as the encouragement and back-up from someone you
loved? Sounds like a formula for success and for Carissa Thompson, it
all began with a fiery desire to allow the creativity flow in the field of
Cosmetology while her husband, Christopher found the space for her to
flourish. Simultaneously, the couple, working as a team, took the leap
into owning a “Mom and Pop” business while meeting their neighbors
and new clients at events like the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser.

In addition to supporting a meaningful and worthy cause, participating
in the St. Baldrick’s event in Walden allowed Carissa Thompson, owner
of Studio C hair salon and resident of Maybrook, the opportunity to get to
know some members of the local community just a little bit better.

“I have heard of this event for years, but this was my first time participat-
ing,” Thompson explained. “I spent three hours shaving heads to raise
money to support childhood cancer research and I shaved men, women
and children from all around the area. One experience I can share was
meeting a young lady of about 20 years old who had super long hair,
down her back, and I just shaved it off. She told me she never did it be-
fore and was honoring an aunt who is having chemotherapy. Along with
her brother and father, the entire family shaved their heads and had a
big hug after. I was touched that I could share this moment with them.”

8 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

9wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Asked to share a bit more about herself, Thompson said, “My husband Christopher
and I are raising our three girls; Julia age seven, Liv age five and baby Leia who is ten
months old, in Maybrook. Neither of us are originally from Maybrook, but we made
a choice to live here about eight years ago and are very happy here. Christopher is
retired military with over 15 years of service in the Army and formerly from the New
Paltz area while I grew up in Washingtonville.

I have always wanted to be a hairdresser and have been for the past 15 years. My hus-
band coached me to open my own studio which I did with his support this past year.
I was a little scared at first, but now I love it.”

Christopher shared a little bit of background about the couple, “I met my wife soon af-
ter my return home from my combat tour in Iraq in mid-2004. I met her five months
later on a blind date at a time when I was apprehensive about making new friends, but
I said, ‘What the heck, I’ll go.’ It was the best decision I have ever made. It’s been 13
years now that I have shared my life with the most wonderful, caring, selfless person
I have ever met. Carissa would give more than the shirt off of her back to support
someone in need. She has supported me in times when it has been difficult for me to
adjust after, well, what war can do to a man, I suppose. She has blessed me with so
much love and three beautiful girls. There is nothing I would not do in support of my
beautiful wife. So, of course when the day came a couple of years ago when someone
told me, ‘Oh, no. Carissa couldn’t take on her own business. It would overwhelm her,’
that lit a fire inside me. Every night when I got home from work, for months when
everyone was sleeping, I was awake. Learning to design and build her a studio. Gave
it a name. A brand. Handed it over to her to showcase her amazing and unique tal-
ent. She quickly became booked up by word of mouth. Carissa has a natural ability
to uplift most anyone and it brings me joy every day to see her harness her craft and
passion to bring a little joy and happiness into her clients/friends lives.”

10 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

11wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Christopher also enthusiastically said, “I
hope the one message I can convey is that
everyone should follow their own pas-
sions. Don’t be afraid to take the steps
and along the way, take the time to mo-
tivate others. I just backed my wife up
to complete her dream and we are just a
little family living in Maybrook.”
Visual testaments of Thompson’s
creativity can be found on her business
Facebook page, “Studio C – Hairstylist”
and appointments can be made by call-
ing (845) 636-4672. Carissa also shared,
“Look for Studio C at Montgomery Day
this year. I had a tent last year and was
surprised at how many people I was able
to meet from all around the area; Walden,
Montgomery, Maybrook and more. I set
up my tent to mimic my studio and was
really busy promoting my business.”
Keep your eyes on the Thompsons, it is
likely they are planning business endeav-
ors that will allow them to each grow pro-
fessionally, in ways that will allow them to
reach and help even more people.

12 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

The full history of the St. Baldrick’s event and efforts can be found by visiting www.stbaldricks.org.
The Hudson Valley St. Baldrick’s Facebook page is Hudson Valley St. Baldricks and can also be reached
by emailing: [email protected]. For questions or comments, please contact Volunteer
Event Organizer Kristie Hall (845)-629-3444, Tina Quinlan (845) 313-8648, Tabitha Bliss (845) 728-2142
or Jenn Tokle (845) 699-7936.

13wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Go o dwill C h urch

Need Hope? Need Encouragement?
Need Prayers? We’re Here for You!

A Proverbial Chihuahua services
events
Just as I never expect to read an article about a
Chihuahua being a police dog, I never expected to
have one living in my home. She was a gift from an
area breeder who asked us to take in a kitten he had
rescued. My daughters’ dreams of dog ownership
finally came true and the ratio of male to female
mammals in my home went from five-to-one to
seven-to-one overnight. (Both the puppy and the
kitten are female; they join two older female cats.)
At first, I had difficulty accepting that this five-
pound, doted-upon creature was really a dog at all;
she seemed more like the idea of a dog, or a snack for a dog. But, cuteness aside, Daisy
gets to keep her dog card in my mind because of one beautiful phrase: “small dog, small
output.” She beats every big dog with this one. Some big dog owners I know have to
clean up massive amounts of doggie output and sometimes endure harsh weather to
keep that output outdoors. Daisy, however, comes with the delightful indoor option of
a wee-wee pad. She enjoys the ovation she gets from us every time she hits her doormat-
sized target with her tiny ordinance. Such affirmations, intended to reinforce training
success, fill our home with joy and make us all feel like winners. They also remind me
of an opposite principle taught in James 3:5 and its surrounding context. Though the
tongue is like the Chihuahua of body parts, it can do more damage than the rest put
together; it turns out to be a small dog with a huge output. “So also the tongue is a
small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a
small fire!” Our new little Chihuahua reminds me that our words, unlike her, can leave
behind big messes in our lives that are hard to clean up. Trust God to help you with
what Psalm 141:3 describes as “keeping watch over the door of your lips.”

God Bless You,

Pastor John Torres

14 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Photos by Chet Gordon

Photos by John Kidd 15wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

16 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Story By Sharon MacGregor
Photos by John Kidd

Every year since 2005, the Village
of Maybrook Board of Trustees has
selected a resident in the Village
who goes above and beyond as
a volunteer. This past year, Karl
Heller was bestowed the honor
and Mayor Dennis Leahy said, “I
look at this year’s Joseph E. Dineen
Award recipient as more of a Life
Achievement Award because of the
many contributions this individual
has made to his community and his
country. He walks about the Village
with a smile that’s guaranteed to
brighten your day. I, along with
the rest of the Village Board of
Trustees, wish him the happiest of
birthdays on December 11th and
many more years of good health
as well. I kid with him whenever I
see him about how I hope to look
half as good as he does if and
when I make it to his age. It is my
honor to announce, present and
congratulate the Joseph E. Dineen
Award recipient for 2016, Mr. Karl
Heller.”
While volunteering may be defined
as, “a person who freely offers to take
part in an enterprise or undertake a
task,” for some it is simply a part of
their life just as much as finding gainful
employment, or choosing to raise a
family. Service, “the action of helping
or doing work for someone,” is just
second nature and does not end at a
particular time or with the completion
of a specific task.

17wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

For Heller, life began on December
11th, 1931 in the Village of
Maybrook, on the east side of the
tracks, formally First Street and
also known then as the “Old Row.”
As a point of reference, in that year,
worldwide unemployment reached
double figures, the Empire State
building was completed, gambling
was legalized in Nevada, and
the George Washington Bridge
opened. The average price of a
new home was under $7,000 with
median annual income of just
under $2,000, and yes, that loaf of
bread was really only about a dime.
“I remember how different things
looked in Maybrook,” Heller
shares. “When I was growing up,
you saw some of the women in the
neighborhood outside sweeping
their sidewalks and the streets
were lined with trees.”
At about eight years old, the Heller
family moved to Creamery Road.
Karl worked in the Maybrook Rail
Yard when he was 16 and soon
after joined the Army at the age
of 18. He started basic training
in Fort Dix, and went on to Fort
Hood, Texas before being shipped
out to Hawaii for about ten days.
Soon after he went on to serve his
country in the Korean War.
He became a Military Policeman in
Japan, spent time in Killeen, Texas
then moved to Governor’s Island
in New York and was stationed out
of the 18th Precinct. During this
time Heller met the lovely Irma
Gonzalez.
The couple married and in 1955
returned to Maybrook. It took
a little time to find just the right
house, as they first lived in Lido
Mansion, next to Casey’s farm, and
on Main Street above the jewelry
store (which eventually became the
old Village Hall) but then, in 1962,
they purchased a house on Wallace
Avenue where he still gardens and
resides today after approximately
65 years.
At this point, Heller was employed
on the New York, New Haven,
Hartford line.

18 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

“Now, I’m retired from the In response to receiving recognition
railroad,” he explained, “I worked in the form of the Joseph E. Dineen
for them basically since I was 16 Award, Heller humbly responded,
(barring time in the military) and “I am very appreciative. I love
was a conductor on a freight train. Maybrook and have lived here all
One thing I can tell you, Maybrook my life.”
has definitely changed since we Asked what the best part of living
lost the railroad, even just the way in Maybrook is, Heller answered,
Main Street looks because of the “Well, I think it is where I live. I’ve
tracks.” been here for about 65 years, right
While the Heller’s were raising here in this house. I’m getting my
their children, Joann, Karl, Jr. and gardens ready now. I’ve raised
Iris, Karl and Irma were actively my three children and now I have
involved in their activities. “I seven grandchildren, and seven
started the Webelos (Boy Scouts great-grandchildren. I’m a lucky
for the youngest age group) and man.”
we launched the girls’ basketball Maybrook is equally lucky to have
program in the Village.” been the place Heller chose to
Heller became a member in the reside, work in, volunteer and
Maybrook Engine Company No. contribute to through decades of
1 in 1955. A local newspaper changes.
wrote an article about his efforts to
acquire the first oxygen tanks for
the Maybrook Fire Department just
eight years later. He was Chief in
1965, remaining an active member
in the Fire Police until 2015.

“After 60 years in the fire
department,” he laughs, “I’m
semi-retired.”

Simultaneously, Heller joined the To join the Maybrook Fire Depart-
Dusenberry-Flannery Veterans of ment call (845) 427-2220 and if you
Foreign Wars Post 2064. Many are a veteran, consider contacting
Maybrook residents knew the the Dusenberry-Flannery Veterans of
land used for the site of the VFW Foreign Wars Post 2064 about mem-
building as the former home of the bership by calling (845) 427-5881.
Blue Mirror. It was donated by Ma
Bastiano and when construction
began on the VFW, Heller, along
with Jack Barletta, put their
homes up as collateral to secure
the loan needed to complete the
Dusenberry-Flannery Veterans of
Foreign Wars Post 2064 which
stands today.
Heller was Commander of the post
in 1975, again in the 1980’s, and
as an active member continues to
participate and march in parades.

“My favorite is the Memorial Day Thank you to Mayor Leahy for compiling some of the information used in this story.
Parade,” Heller said.

19wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

20 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Photos by John Kidd 21wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

The Town of Montgomery Seniors Independence Project
Volunteer recognition dinner

By John Kidd

The Town of Montgomery Seniors we spend together as much as I do,” Sometimes a volunteer may be able
Independence Project (TOMSIP) Christopher expressed. “Sometimes to help out with occasional light
recently honored Deborah Christopher my granddaughters ride along too, housekeeping and simple chores such
as 2017 Volunteer of the Year April 19th which the seniors really enjoy.” as vacuuming, dusting, changing the
at their annual Volunteer Recognition Along with the recognition of light bulbs, and other common tasks
Dinner at the Maybrook Senior Center Christopher, Sean Bauer of Bauer such as writing letters, thank you
held in memory of charter member Landscaping was recognized as 2017 notes, filing, or mailing. Volunteers
and former Maybrook resident, Ruth Vendor of the Year. “He went the may also help assist with yard work,
Gardner. extra mile when it came to assisting snow shoveling, and leaf raking. Other
seniors with snow removal and yard times a volunteer may just be able to
Christopher, who owns Foxtail Farms work,” explained TOMSIP coordinator provide a friendly visit or call to ask
in Montgomery, started volunteering a Eileen Steed. TOMSIP also welcomed how a senior’s day was or find out
little over a year ago. Christopher’s new volunteers Laura Cormier, Karen about their week.
daughter Heidi, who helps run the Denisi, Larry Frumes, and Kathleen
mobile zoo parties and pony parties, Passineau. Music for the evening was Keeping seniors in the community not
said her mother often rearranges provided by Side-By-Side. only benefits them, but it enriches
her own plans in order to make sure The mission of TOMSIP is to support the community as a whole through
seniors get to where they need to seniors in their goal to remain their companionship, experience, and
be, sometimes up to five times a independent in their homes rather than wisdom. TOMSIP’s volunteers are such
week. There are many areas in which moving on to institutional settings. a great asset to the program because
“Friendly Visitors” can help volunteer, This is done through the coordination without them, none of this would be
but Christopher enjoys helping seniors of a network of volunteers and reliable possible. Whatever time or assistance
with their transportation needs and vendors to provide services necessary a volunteer can give, that is exactly
getting them to and from their doctor to achieve this goal. what TOMSIP needs.
appointments the most. Volunteers who enter the program are
called Friendly Visitors and they can For information about becoming a
Christopher says the friendships she help provide transportation services volunteer call (845) 457-4138 and
creates is why she volunteers so much for doctor appointments, grocery store a coordinator will get you signed
of her time. “They have become more runs, beauty/barber appointments, up for their next two day training
than just people who need rides here and even trips to the bank and library. session at the Town of Montgomery
and there. They have become my Town Hall.
friends. I hope they enjoy the time

22 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

23wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Life keeps moving forward

Your family keeps growing…
and so do we!

• Personal Banking
• Business Banking
• Loans

Locations in: Visit us at NMLS# 404992
Wallkill * Milton * Highland Falls * Maybrook www.wallkill.com

845-895-2051

24 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Photos by John Kidd 25wwww.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

26 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

Casey LaBar and Hayley Mant, talented artists and good friends, Casey and Hayley feel they never would have been as focused
are set to graduate in June from Valley Central High School as well and successful in pursuing their passion for art if they hadn’t expe-
as the Orange-Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) rienced the demands and rewards of the Digital Design and Ad-
Center. Throughout their two years as Digital Design and Advertis- vertising program. Casey says: “The CTE Center has been like a
ing students in the Visual Arts Careers Academy, these gifted de- second home, and the program here has challenged me to push
sign superstars have inspired their fellow students, instructors and myself to be a better, more disciplined artist. I have been exposed
the community with their stunning creativity and talent. to opportunities that enabled me to get into a top art and design
Casey and Hayley have won numerous art and design awards over college and gave me a solid base to start my career as an artist. Mr.
the past two years as CTE students, including poster contests for Diaz and Mrs. Lennon were amazing in their support which allowed
the Great American Smoke Out in Orange County, the Orange me to take risks and expand my boundaries.”
County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council and most recently the
“Safe Love” art contest sponsored by Orange County Safe Homes, Hayley agrees; “My CTE experience is one that I will treasure for
where Casey placed first and Hayley second among the many en- the rest of my life. It has been the highlight of my high school years.
tries. They have also been recognized in New We had the opportunity not only to take part in many competitions
York State competitions as well as the national
Beneath the Sea “Ocean Pals” computer in the county, in New York State and na-
graphic poster contest where Hayley placed tionally, but we also participated in real-life
first and Casey placed second in the nation. work for local clients. We got to experience
Last year they teamed up and took second all areas of advertising and design, and I’m
place among their peers across New York excited to move on to the next step in col-
State in the SkillsUSA Banner Contest. Both lege. Attending the CTE Digital Design
young women recently contributed illustra- and Advertising program helped me make
tions for a children’s book that will be published this summer. They sure that this is what I plan to do for the rest
are set to attend college in the fall; Casey was awarded a four-year of my life.”
scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue an
advanced degree in illustration and conceptual design, and Hayley Photo Caption: Digital Design and Advertising Instructor Derek
is starting at SUNY Fredonia for two years and then transferring to Diaz with Casey (left) and Hayley holding their winning Be-
Savannah College of Art and Design to become an illustrator. neath the Sea posters. Digital Design and Advertising Instructor
Through their art, work ethic, and positive attitudes, Casey and Madeline Lennon is at right.
Hayley have left their mark on the CTE Digital Design and Ad-
vertising program, according to their instructors Derek Diaz and Visit our website at ouboces.org to learn more about the great
Madeline Lennon. Diaz says, “Casey and Hayley are exceptional opportunities OU BOCES provides for our region. Join us on
students and artists. It has been a pleasure to watch them continue Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
to grow and improve, and it will be exciting to see what the future
has in store for them.”

27www.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

The key to your
next mortgage

is at Walden Savings Bank

Michael Bulgia Ana Tranchina Tracy Mackey Sheri Herbert Helen Gordon
845.522.1882 845.234.8310 845.532.7090 845.234.2140 914.456.6483

NMLS ID#: 1432006 Se Habla Español NMLS ID#: 500216 NMLS ID#: 500215 NMLS ID#: 18741
NMLS ID#: 138522

Get pre-qualified and start looking today by visiting
www.waldensavingsbank.com/mortgages

or contact one of our Mortgage Loan Consultants!

$750 OFF YOUR
CLOSING COSTS!*

YEARS YEARS Your Bank.
18 7 2- 2 017 18 7 2- 2 017 Our Community.

845.457.7700
www.WaldenSavingsBank.com

*$750 credit applied at the closing of your loan. Valid for applications received between 4/15/17 and 12/31/17. Valid on adjustable and fixed-rate first lien closed end mortgage loans. NMLS#: 490957
Borrower must pay normal and customary application fees. Borrower must identify this offer when submitting mortgage application. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

In April, Maybrook VFW Auxiliary Chaplain Tina Ramos graduated from the The Valley Central Middle School Girls Rock STEM Crew thank VCMS Master
military mental health training class offered by BRIDGES of Rockland County. Teacher Nancy Donohue Rypkema for all her hard work in making this program a
Topics included: The Role of the Mentor, PTSD, Mild TBI, Military Sexual Trau- reality. They recently participated in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
ma, Reintegration Concerns, Multiple Deployment Stress, Military Family Issues, Math) activities led by female educators, master teachers and scientists from the Mid-
Self-Harm and Suicide Hudson area during the Girls Rock STEM event at SUNY New Paltz.

Members of the Valley Central Middle School Chamber Musicians recently per- Maybrook VFW Auxiliary Chaplain Tina Ramos graduated from the military men-
formed at Barnes and Nobles. tal health training class offered by BRIDGES of Rockland County which encom-

passed a wide range of military related topics.

Julia Thompson, Liv Thompson, and Natalie Sheridan show off their face paint- “We’re very lucky to have the coaches that we have here at Valley Central. They push
ings they received at the recent St. Baldrick’s event in Walden, New York. you to the next limit -- the one that you didn’t know you had in you,” Francesca

Scaudroni, Team Captain of the VCHS girls soccer team, 2017 recipient of the

Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Scholar Athlete Award.

29www.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

Upcoming Events

May 19: Maybrook Wind Ensemble Spring Concert at the Maybrook Senior Center. Admission FREE but donations
arekindly accepted. 7:30 p.m.
May 29: Memorial Day Parade and Service. Parade starts at 9 a.m. followed by service in the
Frederick Myers Veterans Memorial Park.
June 1: Village of Maybrook Co-ed Beach Volleyball Teams are forming.
If interested contact Doug Carlson @ 845-863-4128 ASAP!!
June 17: Village of Maybrook Annual Community Wide Yard Sale 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
June 23: Village of Maybrook Family Movie Night beginning at dusk in the Frederick Myers
Veterans Memorial Park.
June 30: Village of Maybrook Annual 4th of July Kick Off Celebration at the Frederick Myers Veterans Memorial Park.
Live music performed by “Hot Rod” and the “Maybrook Troop 236 Boy Scout Band”. *FIREWORKS* (Rain Date is
July1st ). 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
July 11: Village of Maybrook Women’s (Over 21) Recreation Softball games played on Tuesday’s. Teams interested can
contact Maybrook Village Clerk/Treasurer Tina Johnson @ 845-427-2717 ext 201. Registration deadline is Thursday, June
29th. Season runs from July 11th through September 19th.
July 28: Village of Maybrook Family Movie Night beginning at dusk in the Frederick Myers Veterans Memorial Park.
August 23, 24,25,26: Carnival, Live Music and Fireworks!
Please check the Village of Maybrook website regularly at www.villageofmaybrook.com for more information and
additional events.

30 MAYBROOK QUARTERLY // SPRING 2017

A train seen passing through Campbell Hall in 1946.
Photo posted to We Are From Maybrook, NY Facebook page by Ray Kelly.

31www.JOHNKIDDPROMOTIONS.com

845-374-8600 243 Dolson Avenue, Middletown, NY

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY 845-344-3100
@JohnstonsToyota.com
OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY
@JohnstonsSubaru.com