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
February 1, 2019
The Center will plan for seniors
Town contracts for coordinator position
Ann Molina, The Center's Board of Directors, and the non-profit's volunteers have been appointed by the Town of Highlands to serve as the Senior Coordinator for local senior citizens.
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The Center will be paid $100 a week -- $5200 a year -- to plan trips and activities for seniors, and to help coordinate activities planned by other groups for seniors. It's a position created several years ago, but that has had only one person fill it for a short period of time.
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At some point this past fall, the Town Board members, Recreation Director Aaron Falk and others realized that The Center was already doing much of the work, and started talks with Molina to take over the position.
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"We want to encourage every group out there that does things for seniors to keep doing them," Councilman Tyrone King said. "We just ask that you coordinate dates and advertising with Ann."
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Supervisor Bob Livsey also said that when groups such as The Highlanders Senior Citizens Club needs to schedule buses for senior trips, etc., they to should work through Molina, who will work with Falk for scheduling.
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"Our goal is to ensure that the senior citizen population here has services -- trips, activities, programs," King said. "To me, it looks like we're moving full-speed ahead in 2019."
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He took a minute to thank Senior Citizen Advisory Council chairman Agnes Saffoury for planning a great day for seniors this past Monday -- at the Holy Innocents Dining Site there was a CPR class going on, lunch, a discussion on nutrition and a presentation on diversity in the community.
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As of Monday's Town Board meeting, The Center and Livsey have now officially signed the contract for the senior coordinator position.
Staff Sgt. Windollyn Patino (left) and Sgt. Julia Fernandez of the New York National Guard's Counterdrug Task Force, spent last Saturday morning taking part in March Mania events in Highland Falls. They worked with the children involved in the basketball tournament on leadership and team building.
March 22, 2019
March Mania was a fantastic success
Tournament was two weekends
Every year for the last seven years, March Mania in Highland Falls has grown. But perhaps this year, the annual youth basketball tournament saw its most growth.
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The event is hosted by The Center, the Hudson Valley Women's Association & Friends, and, new this year, the Town of Highlands Recreation Department. There are minimal fees for young athletes to participate. Funds were raised via concessions, raffles, and a $2 entrance fee, for scholarships to be given out this spring from the HVWA&F.
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The place was packed all four days of the event.
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"The energy was so positive, and there were kids there to watch games even when they weren't playing," Tournament Director Desiree Talley said.
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Recreation Director Aaron Falk estimates that there were 32 children involved in the tournament games themselves, another 20 involved in the cheerleading component, several dozen adults and high schoolers playing in games for that age group, and "at minimum" 20 volunteers who helped pull the whole tournament off.
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"I love that we can not only do things for our kids, but that community residents come out and support them by volunteering and even just watching the games," Falk said this week. "I'd guess there were at least two adults on hand for every kid during the games and cheerleading performances. There was so much enthusiasm."
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He gives full credit to Talley, who has coordinated the fun event since 2014.
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"She is the fire behind it, and does the majority of the work," he said. "It's definitely a community effort, but she does the heavy lifting."
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A new feature of the event this year was on Saturday, March 16, when Sgt. Julio Fernandez and Staff Sgt. Windollyn Patino, civil operations specialists from the New York National Guard Counter-drug Task Force were on hand.
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They were there to do "team building and prevention activities" with the children, and, in fact, spent time with every team of basketball players, the cheerleaders, and any other child who wanted to spend time with them. They played games, had National Guard gear for the children to try on, and even had goggles designed to simulate driving while impaired for older children to use as they rode around on scooters.
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"They were a great addition," Falk said, noting that the smiling soldiers appeared to enjoy their time with the children as well. The two said their role was to get to know and talk to the children, as they have done in other community locations via the Community Coalition that has been operating in town for about a year. They also spent time talking with the parents of the youth.
Also new were the adult games, and the all-star games of the town's recreation leagues.
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While it's impossible to list everyone who helped, Talley said the following list is a pretty good representation:
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In the kitchen - Denise, Tiffany, Andrea, Teresa and Nicolle Gibney, Madison and Zach Hurst, Dominick Vanzetta and Brian Aylward;
As DJ - Desirea Coyle;
Making signs- Dria King;
Refereeing - John Jackson, George Hancock and Joe Green;
Coaching - Michael Medina, Jack Aprilante, Tahiem McCormick and Janne Rowan;
Admissions - Colleen Solan and Linda Green;
Scoreboard and keeping the book - Randy Shuman and Richard Fox;
Cheerleader coaches - Hannah Pitt, Sophia Vanzetta, Riley VanPelt, Alyssa Horn and Jocelyn Shuman.
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"This was definitely the best year yet," Talley said.
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Some final awards were given out at the end of the second weekend of the tournament:
Most improved - Amiyah Johnson
Sportsmanship - Riley Shuman
All Tournament - Tristin Laurore
Most Valuable Player - Lonnie Whatley
March Mania champs - The Spurs
There was great basketball to watch during March Mania, including this attempt to get the ball by Kenny Tatum.
This squad of young cheerleaders 'wowed' the crowd during two different performances during March Mania. The cheerleaders were one of the new components of March Mania.
May 10, 2019
A good start for 2020 -- Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio presented Desiree Talley, organizer of the annual March Mania tournament, with a check for $250. The money was a donation from the proceeds of clothing donation bins in the village.
June 14, 2019
Molina 'making the rounds' as honoree
Recognized as 'Senior Citizen of the Year'
Highland Falls' Ann Molina is not one for the spotlight. She is much happier in the back of the room, watching whatever is going on, tending to any problems that arise, and, in most cases, already organizing some other event even before the first one is complete.
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That's why she was recently named as one of Orange County's Senior Citizens of the Year, which has taken her on a whirlwind of 'fancy places' to be honored. Those include a luncheon hosted by the Orange County Office for the Aging in Middletown, a trip to the state capital and a visit to stand before the Orange County Legislature.
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It was there last week that she received a proclamation from acting County Executive Harry Porr and Legislator Laurie Tautel.
"WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to publicly recognize the many good works and kind deeds of an individual performed without publicity or fanfare for many years which have made significant contributions to the quality of life of many of our most frail and needful citizens;
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and WHEREAS, Ann Mims Molina of Highland Falls was born at West Point in 1951 and is a lifelong resident of the Town of Highlands...."
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The proclamation goes on to recognize so many of the deeds Molina has accomplished in her life, including opening The Center of Highland Falls, where volunteers help with homework, teach local history, support veterans, promote substance abuse education and more.
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"NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby PROCLAIMED, that this be a Day of Recognition of the achievements and good works of Ann Mims Molina of Highland Falls, on the occasion of her designation as the recipient of the 2019 Orange County Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen Award, so that all citizens of Orange County may be mindful of her efforts and example, and accord to Ann Mims Molina all due esteem, respect, appreciation and honor.
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Given this 6th day of June, 2019."
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Mims calls the accolades "a great honor" and is full of praise for the many community members, friends and family members who have accompanied her to the various recognitions.
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But, true to form, the thing she wants to talk about most when asked about the honor is the fact that when in Albany, she met a 102-year-old woman who is the founder of the Literacy Volunteers of America.
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"That's someone who deserves recognition," Molina said.
June 21, 2019
Thanks very much! -- The Highland Falls' Intermediate School's 'Sunshine Club' collects money from it’s members throughout the school year and then donates it at the end of each year. Last week, The Center was the lucky recipient of one of their donations, to be used toward the many programs that benefit HFIS students. Gratefully accepting the donation from Teacher Kelly Hall were Desiree Talley and Denise Gibney.
July 12, 2019
Lending a helping hand -- Fort Montgomery's Tony Squicciarini works for The Gorman Group, and on behalf of his employer recently stopped by The Center to make a donation of a handful of ShopRite gift cards to be used to help local families in need. Brian Aylward, from the Board of Directors of the non-profit, gratefully accepted the generous donation.
October 11, 2019
Celebrating five years of service -- The Center, 274 Main St., was a busy place on a recent Saturday morning, as community residents, elected officials and others turned out to congratulate the non-profit resource center's 5th anniversary. Volunteers shown with founder Ann Molina, front row - Pharoby Ripa and Denise Gibney; back row - Brian Aylward, Sherry Lowther, Mabel Galu and Kathy McCutchen.
November 22, 2019
They’re very concerned about Mother Earth! -- Heart of the Hudson Girl Scouts Ashley Moran, Lilia Surowka, Isabelle DeSpirito, Quinn Manning and Ava Lopez took part in National Recycling Day activities at The Center on Saturday; the event was put together by the Environmental Advisory Council. The girls not only offered tips on recycling better, but had a hands-on activity -- making window cleaner -- for all who stopped by.