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
While the Wintermarket went on behind them, Tyrone King, Charlene Yehl, Loma Yehl, Kat Dagaev, Ann Molina and Akenataa Hammagaadji work on plans to assist community residents facing economic hardship due to COVID-19.
March 20, 2020
Banding together to help others
Collection drive for basic goods Saturday
Highland Falls' Charlene Yehl is worried about the effect COVID-19 will have on the Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery communities.
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She's, of course, concerned about her own family, and friends with older or compromised family members who may be more at risk than others, but she's mostly worried about families which don't necessarily have the resources to get through weeks or months of the possibility of no income.
One of the quotes that kept coming into her mind this past week is a famous one by Mr. Rogers, the childhood hero of many: "When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people helping'."
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That triggered her last week to do some reaching out.
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"I contacted the leadership in our town and organized a Community Coalition to help people who live locally and are elderly, home bound, or immuno-compromised," Yehl, a lifelong resident and the mother of two small children said on Saturday.
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Then, for about an hour on Saturday morning at Wintermarket, Yehl, her mom Loma Yehl, Village Trustee Brian Aylward, Town Councilman Tyrone King, The Center's Ann Molina and Kat Dagaev and the Wintermarket's Akenataa Hammagaadji sat and figured it all out.
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"We got together, and are now asking for a small list of donations from our peers. We are trying to keep this simple yet extremely effective," Yehl said.
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The plan is to collect donations on Saturday, March 21 from 12-3 p.m. in the back parking lot (Tobins Lane) of her family's Sidestreet Saloon.
"We are not looking for groups to gather by any means but we are prepared for a simple, clean drop off site that will be active with volunteers taking appropriate measures," she added. "After we finish the collection we will pack up bags right then and deliver them to those who have reached out."
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She said they are looking for new, sealed over-the-counter medications such as Advil, Tylenol or couch & cold medicines; hygiene essentials such as toothpaste and soap; paper products like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels; antibacterial soaps, sanitizers and cleaning products; and canned (only) food items like soups, pastas, vegetables, etc.
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Those who feel they need a bag of the supplies are asked to call Yehl at 845-721-5659, or King at 845-305-0111. They can also stop by The Center and leave their information with anyone there.
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"If you can spare even one item of the many we're asking for, this will be very, very successful," Yehl said. "Be kind, show empathy, and make every day count. We are all in this together."
August 14, 2020
It's good to have friends! -- Highlands Councilman Tyrone King, his mom Juanita King, NYS Assemblyman Colin Schmitt, Annette Avery, Tina Graham and her granddaughter, and The Center’s Ann Molina, were all at The Center last week to celebrate National Friendship Day, which encourages people across the country and world to connect with their friends and neighbors.
They're the backbone of this operation! -- The Center of Highland Falls held its sixth anniversary open house this past Saturday; and while, due to COVID restrictions, not that many community residents were able to attend, a core group of The Center's volunteers were on hand. They are, from left: Cindy Modlin, Charlie Murphy, Stella Root, Brian Aylward, Denise Gibney, Kat Dagaev, Marty Aylward, Ann Molina and Cathy McCutchen.
September 25, 2020
The Center celebrated Saturday
They've got a busy few months ahead!
On Saturday, Sept. 19, The Center, a community resource facility on Main St. in Highland Falls, celebrated its sixth anniversary with an open house.
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What started as a one-woman show has morphed into a force to be reckoned with, and a corps of volunteers. Ann Molina, a lifelong Highland Falls resident, started The Center, located at 274 Main St., because she saw a need in the community for not only a place to provide connections, but a place for everyone to go for activities. Through the five full years of its existence it has, in various locations, served as a place for classes, a meeting room, a place just to stop in and rest, and more. The Center also manages the Town of Highlands senior citizen recreation program.
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What is one of the most significant ongoing fundraisers that The Center has? They have a steady group of community residents who drop off their cans and bottles to be recycled. “Those five cents add up quickly,” Molina and Denise Gibney noted. “We’ve paid everything from the rent to our liability insurance with that type of donation!”
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Here are a few up the upcoming events at The Center.
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Tuesday, Oct. 6: student advocacy and assistance 10:30 a.m.-noon.
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Wednesdays, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2: Highlands Community Coalition at Santangelo’s 287 Main St. Wear mask,11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Addressing issues associated with drugs and alcohol.
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Wednesdays, Oct. 7 - April 28: Community String Orchestra, 7-8 p.m.. For all ages at the American Legion Hall, tuition.
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Saturday, Oct. 17: 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Outdoor fall shopping spree. Holiday gifts and more at the American Legion Hall. Vendors needed. Krispy Kreme donuts on sale.
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Wednesday, Oct. 21: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Social Hour. Bring your coffee and let’s talk. Must wear mask.
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Saturday, Oct. 24: 6:30 -9 p.m. Sip-n-Paint at American Legion Hall. $35pp. Limited participation.
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Tuesday, Oct. 27: Free gift bag raffle (Highlands Rec-reation for Older Adults), at 5 p.m.
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Saturday, Dec. 12: Army-Navy buffet tailgate party (two large screens) at Amer-ican Legion Hall, seating inside and outside.
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Thursday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party 7 p.m. - 1 a.m., American Legion Hall.
Behind the masks are Ann Molina and James Skoufis, when she stopped by his Newburgh office recently to be honored as his 'Woman of the Year'. (Photo provided)
November 6, 2020
Molina honored by Skoufis
Highland Falls resident is Woman of the Year
Senator James Skoufis recently presented Ann Molina with the 2020 Woman of Distinction award, plaque, and Senate proclamation in her name.
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Back in March, Senator Skoufis nominated Ann Molina for her lifetime dedication to enriching the lives of people in Highland Falls.
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Each year, the New York State Senate honors a select group of women whose perseverance sets an example for future generations; every state senator is allowed to nominate one person per year and this year, due to COVID-19, there was no in-person ceremony in Albany, so Skoufis honored Ann Molina privately at his Newburgh district office.
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At the brief ceremony in late October, the senator read the following biography of Molina:
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“Varnese Ann Mims Molina (Ann) was born at West Point in 1951 and is a lifelong resident of the Town of Highlands. She earned degrees from both Long Island University and SUNY New Paltz. She spent 30 years in a variety of professional roles, working to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Ann founded a local volunteer organization, the Hudson Valley Women’s Association and Friends, whose mission is working together to promote positive and influential community activities. Ann has led this group for over a decade holding spring recognition breakfasts honoring professionals and volunteers in the community, as well as raising money for college scholarships for local high school students.
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Through this organization, Ann has helped organize community activities, bus trips, prom dress sales for high schoolers, clothing drives, annual youth basketball tournaments, and cancer walks. Ann also coordinates yearly deliveries for Thanksgiving dinner donations for those in need.
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Ann is currently the Town of Highlands senior coordinator and has been the executive director of The Center of Highland Falls for five years. She has done extensive work with the Highlands Community Coalition and the Orange County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council.”
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Skoufis went on to praise the example Molina sets.
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“If you live in Highland Falls, it’s likely that Ann Molina has touched your life in some way, whether or not you even know it,” Skoufis said during the presentation. “Ann is the epitome of a dedicated community partner and is an inspiration to the many that are lucky to know her. Ann’s work has resulted in thousands of young students getting the resources, help, and supplies they need to reach their full potential. I was absolutely honored to present this award to her and look forward to continuing to work together.”
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Mims said she was honored.
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“I’d like to thank Senator Skoufis for the honor,” she said. “He is a great community representative in the New York Senate and friend to his constituents. Community service is something I observed and learned growing up, from my parents and the incredible people of Highland Falls. The success of the Hudson Valley Women’s Association and Friends and Center of Highland Falls is because of the many giving and selfless volunteers in the Town of Highlands and surrounding communities. I appreciate the acknowledgment, but I share it with my family, friends, and good people in Highland Falls.”
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Last year, Skoufis honored Colleen Pearce of Jay’s Deli in Woodbury as the 2019 Woman of Distinction.
December 25, 2020
A very welcome holiday delivery! -- West Point military police, with the assistance of the HFPD, delivered several cases of food to The Center on Dec. 12; the food will be given to those in need in the community, The Center’s Ann Molina said. Among those involved, shown with Molina: SFC Ariel Reed, Sgt. Hassan Hodge-Holiinglas, Sgt. Jose Crespo, Miguel Sotomayor, HFPD Sgt. Jason Torpey and Deputy Mayor Brian Aylward. (Photo provided)