IN THE NEWS
Here you'll find a selection of feature photos and stories about The Center that were originally published in our community newspaper, The News of the Highlands. Beginning in 2014 through the present, we'd like to share with you some of our highlights and memories brought to you by local journalism.
All Stories & Photos by MJ Pitt
The News of the Highlands / Times Hudson Valley Media
Used with permission
Helping one another -- Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps President Gina Borra, center, presented a $200 check to Ann Molina of The Center last Saturday morning, just after THAC members and EMTs Morgana Young and Bill Stroppel (far left) volunteered time to teach some basic first aid to local youth. At far right is The Center's Brian Aylward. Molina was grateful and said she is appreciative of the THAC's continued support of The Center.
Learning first aid -- Nicholas Bernicker, Sophia Farina and Anthony Farina were among about a dozen community children who spent last Saturday morning learning some first aid basics at The Center on Main St. Working with them here on simple rescue breathing was Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps Capt. Bill Stroppel, who volunteers at The Center.
January 23, 2015
March 20, 2015
A lot going on here! -- In this photo from last week's monthly awards assembly at the Highland Falls Intermediate School are Brian Aylward, Brendajoy Griffin, Ann Molina, Kelly Hall, Angela Lawrence, James Kelly and Early Bird! Their purposes are: Aylward, Griffin and Molina represent The Center, which received a donation check from Hall, who coordinates the school's 'Sunshine Club'. Molina and Lawrence represent the Hudson Valley Womens' Association and Friends, which donated the Nook that Kelly is holding, after he was randomly selected as its winner after having perfect attendance this past month. Early Bird was on hand to congratulate all of the school's perfect attendance honorees!
Angela McLellan, Dora Smith, Marnie Moscatello, Dashaun Graham and Carly Lawless were this year's recipients of The Center's Parents' Club community service awards.
April 3, 2015
Five residents honored Saturday
Five familiar faces in the community were honored at The Center's second annual "Recognizing Excellence" luncheon held this past Saturday at The Park Restaurant.
It was The Center's Parents' Club that hosted the event, which honored long-time community volunteer Angela McLellan, high schoolers Dashaun Graham and Carly Lawless, and Fort Montgomery Elementary School staff members Dora Smith and Marnie Moscatello.
Town Councilwoman Adrienne Voltaire was the mistress of ceremony at the event and said in her remarks how much she loved the name of the event: Recognizing Excellence.
"To me, the idea of recognizing excellence is just lovely," she said.
Highland Falls' Pharoby Ripa welcomed all to the event, and introduced both Pastor Agnes Saffoury, who gave an invocation, and Ann Molina, "the exceptional woman behind The Center", she said.
Ripa also introduced and spoke about McLellan. She spoke of her passion for making the community better, including volunteering at the Highland Falls Library, for Vision, the Rotary Club and the Sacred Heart Food Bank, and added that were just as many more things -- like gardening in public areas -- that McLellan and her husband John do in the community.
Speaking briefly, McLellan said that she loves this community.
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"It is my great pleasure, at this time in my life, to be able to give back," she said. She added that she has great co-volunteers in all that she does.
Voltaire introduced and honored Smith and Moscatello, nothing that when she returned to this community with her young daughter several years ago it was the two of them at the Fort Montgomery Elementary, and others like them, who made her so glad to have returned home.
"They made it easy for me to send my baby to school each day, knowing that she was going to be so well taken care of," she said.
Moscatello is the school nurse, and Smith is the main office secretary.
"Between them they have given many years of dedicated and professional service," Voltaire said.
Graham and Lawless, both O'Neill High School seniors, were lauded for not only their strong academic standing in their class, but their athletic prowess, and, most importantly, hours of community service. Both volunteer with events serving local children -- Reading Buddies at the FMES and the varsity girls' basketball team's Little Dribblers -- both also assist in community projects such as food drives. In addition, the two were praised for their "great attitudes" and "willingness to help in any way needed."
Each of the recipients received a framed certificate from The Center, as well as certificates of appreciation from Assemblyman James Skoufis.
The Parents' Club meets the first Monday of each month (October through May) at The Center at 8:15 A.M. The group's mission is to "enhance and expand the learning and social experiences of our students in the Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery and West Point communities and to acknowledge those who give of themselves in the schools and communities."
About 40 people attended the luncheon.
May 15, 2015
Thanks Rob! -- The Center's Yemi Caraballo, Brian Aylward, Adrienne Voltaire and Desiree Talley stopped by Highland Falls Market last Wednesday evening to surprise owner Robert Pozo with their first 'Business of the Month' award. He was thanked for his "generous support of The Center, its programs and the community that benefits from those programs".
July 31, 2015
Fun, and delicious! -- Fort Montgomery's Rachelle Squicciarini and her mom, Dolly VanZetta, joined The Center's Ann Molina and the kids pictured here (around the table from left: Theo, Sophia, Alexa, Sean, Christina, Molly and David) for a Monday afternoon cooking class in the kitchen of the Church of the Holy Innocents. The next two weeks the kids will cook with CIndy at the Country Girl Cafe, and then be back with the dynamic duo to make ice cream cakes at Holy Innocents. It's all part of The Center's summer enrichment program.
October 2, 2015
A celebration of service -- Helping to celebrate The Center’s first anniversary last weekend were: from left, front row: LaFolla Davis, Michael Wilson, Dolly VanZetta, Denise Gibney, Ingrid Clarke, Holly & Erin Gokey. Back row: Robert Broom, Patrick Kelly, Josh Grant, Reener Grant, Ann Molina, Angela Lawrence, Brian Aylward and Brendajoy Griffin.