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
These are the young men and women who participated in the recent March Mania basketball tournament, including their high school coaches. The day-long event was a fundraiser for local scholarships for high school graduates.
March 24, 2023
Defense, offense, repeat, repeat!
Successful March Mania tournament was held
On a cold Saturday in March, just before the country's collegiate March Madness got underway, the gymnasium of the Highland Falls Intermediate School was filled to the brim with four teams worth of young basketball players, a team of cheerleaders, parents and community basketball fans, and a host of volunteers who were running things.
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It was the annual co-ed March Mania basketball tournament, making its post-COVID return in grand fashion. There were 20-minute games from 11 a.m. straight through 5 p.m. with the day leading up to an elimination round. A good time was had by all!
The tournament was hosted by The Center of Highland Falls, Inc., the Hudson Valley Women's Association & Friends, and the Town of Highlands Recreation Department. It came just as school and recreation league basketball teams were wrapping up their seasons, and just before all of those same young basketball players geared up for their softball, baseball and lacrosse seasons.
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The tournament participants -- the stars of the day! -- were:
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Cheerleaders
Ariel Andrade, Katelyn Biladeau, Scarlett Dennis, Addison Falk, Molly Guerra, Elena Joseph, Abi Padula, Abigail Rivas, Samantha VanPelt, Evelyn VanZetta (Hannah Pitt - coach)
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Team Gray
Sean Larkins, Jordan Sams, Cooper Rose, Alex Duval, Joey VanZetta, Aaron Falk Jr., Juliette O'Connell (Daisy West & Seamus Dodge - coaches)
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Team Red
Darrel Terio, Kayden Valentin, Mickey Flynn, AJ Duval, Sawyer Barr, Jackson Padula, Georgio Fatsis (Kenny Tatum & Bella Alberici - coaches)
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Team Black
David Walsh, Joseph Padula, Damien Forty, Giovanni Montellese, Claire VanPelt, Olly Buchheim (Victoria Evangelista & Isaac Visger - coaches)
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Team Blue
Joey Hurtado, Luke DiSalvo, Jacob Bione, Brennan Guerra, Elijah Joseph, Olivia Dennis, Logan DeTemple (Roni Arbogast & Austin Borgos - coaches)
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Among the volunteers at the event were Ann Molina, Rich Fox, Brian Aylward, Aaron & Stacy Falk, Pat Flynn, Cathy McCutchen, Karen Paul, Nikki Renda, Pharoby Ripa, Trisha VanZetta and Brian Jones, with support from Fort Fitness, Crafty Dee's Canvas, Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan, Jim DiSalvo, Erica Affronti, Bill & Colleen Solan, George Hancock, Stephanie Dennis, Paul Holt, Danielle Sabel and Jeff & Lisa Buchheim.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Sheriff Paul Arteta, County Clerk Kelly Eskew and District Attorney Dave Hoovler are shown with representatives of The Center of Highland Falls at National Night Out last week -- Denise Gibney, Brian Aylward, Rich Fox and Ann Molina. (Photo provided)
August 11, 2023
County officials were at NNO
They visited with local leaders while here
GOSHEN - Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, District Attorney David Hoovler, Sheriff Paul Arteta, County Clerk Kelly Eskew and other county officials participated in National Night Out events throughout Orange County on August 1.
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Neuhaus, Hoovler, Arteta and Eskew visited Highland Falls, where a joint event with the West Point community took place on West Point Highway. They also stopped by New Windsor, Montgomery, Wallkill and Goshen.
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“National Night Out provides another opportunity to support law enforcement and the men and women who protect us every day,” Neuhaus said. “These events bring the community together and give residents a chance to get to know police officers and law enforcement officials in a more relaxed setting. Now more than ever, we need to extend our support to law enforcement, and I was glad to see that each venue attracted a great turnout.”
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Added Hoovler: “National Night Out is a great opportunity to meet the public and promote crime prevention and stress the need to support local law enforcement,” Hoovler said. “Public safety starts with the relationship between the police and the public. As district attorney, I am committed to fostering good communication between our police and our communities.”
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National Night Out, which began in 1984, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to bring communities together and make them safer. It is designed to raise drug and crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime efforts, strengthen community spirit and send a strong message to criminals that crime will not be tolerated. Millions of residents participate in National Night Out events in the U.S. on the first Tuesday in August.
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Communities host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, and various other community events that include safety demonstrations, seminars, youth activities, visits from emergency personnel and exhibits.
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“I appreciate the importance of National Night Out,” Arteta said. “It provided a wonderful opportunity for engagements and interaction between the public and police agencies that protect and serve us every day.”
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“I recognize the importance of National Night Out and it provided a wonderful opportunity for police agencies to engage and interact with the community, and vice versa,” Eskew said. “I was glad that each venue attracted a good turnout and enjoyed speaking with so many residents.”
The honorees and some of those who honored them at last week’s Senior Recognition Luncheon: (l-r) Supervisor Bob Livsey, Dick Stair, Rich Fox, Dan Zint, Office of the Aging’s Anne Marie Maglione, The Center’s Denise Gibney, Gary Wojciechowki, Rich Sullivan, Assemblyman Chris Eachus, Senator James Skoufis, Ned Kopald, Recreation Director Aaron Falk and The Center’s Ann Molina.
August 25, 2023
Seven men honored for years of community service
It was at a National Senior Recognition luncheon last week
Seven men -- all familiar faces to Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery residents -- were honored at the community’s annual National Senior Recognition Day luncheon on August 16, held at Richie’s Little Place in Fort Montgomery.
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On hand to offer remarks about the important rolls of senior citizens in any community, and specifically about the local honorees, were Ann Marie Maglione, Orange County Office of Aging Director Ann Marie Maglione; Supervisor Bob Livsey, Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Chris Eachus.
Those speaking also addressed the July 9 flash flood in the community, and “the amazing volunteers and collaborative efforts in the Town of Highlands”, luncheon organizer Ann Molina said.
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Each of the honorees was presented certificates along with certificates from The Center and Town of Highlands. A special letter from HF-FMCSD Superintendent Michael McElduff, speaking about the dedication of Ned Kopald to the Board of Education, was also read at the meeting, by the town’s recreation director, Aaron Falk. Falk served with Kopald on the BOE.
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About 35 people attended the lunch, which was sponsored by My Town Marketplace, John & June Gunza and Brian & Marty Aylward. Livsey did dual duty in speaking at the event and preparing the lunch.
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The honorees, who all drew great applause, are listed below, along with some information about them:
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Rich Fox
A 50 year resident of the community, Fox is an active volunteer (and Board of Directors member) at The Center and assists local seniors and others with daily errands and transportation; has worked with a community Disabled Citizens Mentoring group; and service as a youth baseball, basketball and soccer coach.
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Ned Kopald
Kopald has practiced law in Highland Falls for 58 years and served as a Highlands Town Justice. He served on the HF-FMCSD Board of Education for ten terms, retiring from that this past June.
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Dick Stair
Stair retired from working 27.5 years at IBM, and also retired from Saint Dominic Home where he was a maintenance supervisor. He has since developed small engine hobby into a small business service to the community.
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Richard Sullivan
Currently the Town of Highlands deputy supervisor, Sullivan is a former member of the HF-FMCSD Board of Education. He’s a presenter at local Sit & Chat history presentations.
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Gary Wojciechowski
A former community Little and Senior League coach, and recreation and CYO basketball coach, Wojciechowski is presently the parking enforcement officer for the Highland Falls Police Department.
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Danny Zint
A United States Air Force veteran, Zint is a member of the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps. He has served on the Town of Highlands Special Police Force as a supervising court officer, and currently serves on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
September 15, 2023
Local disaster fund is created
Post-flood grants available
A modest disaster fund has been set up to assist residents of the Town of Highlands most affected by the July 9 flooding disaster.
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The Center of Highland Falls, a 501 c3 organization, was asked by Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel and Town of Highlands officials to set up and receive monetary donations to assist victims of the flooding who live in Highland Falls or Fort Montgomery. A three-person committee has been set up to review applications and award grants of up to $400 to affected residents.
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An application and associated submission process is currently being set up and should be ready to receive applications by September 15. Guidelines on submission and restrictions will be included in the application.
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Applications will be available online and at the following locations: Town Hall (254 Main St.), and the Highland Falls Library. Those who are unable to access the application online or cannot get to either of the two locations above, should contact Supervisor Bob Livsey, at 845-238-8074, so arrangements can be made to get the form to you.
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The fund was created after donations were received from various charitable groups and private citizens.
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To donate to the fund contact the Center of Highland Falls at 845-839-0550 or via email at thecenterathighlandfalls@aol.com.
Last Wednesday (Oct. 4) was a productive day for local senior citizens. First, quite a few of them met with Orange County’s Danielle Diana-Smith to talk about needs in the community, as shown here. Then, many walked across the street to rally in favor of the Highland Falls Post Office being reopened. (Photo provided)
October 13, 2023
Senior Council met on Oct. 4
The Town of Highlands Senior Advisory Council met at The Center on Oct. 4 and heard from Danielle Diana-Smith, assistant director of the Orange County Office of the Aging on a wide range of topics.
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Diana-Smith, formerly a counselor at O'Neill High School, talked about several of the upcoming events sponsored by the Office of the Aging, including three Medicare Information Sessions on Oct. 18, 30, and Nov. 14; a golf tournament on Oct. 30. She invited seniors to participate in the Orange County Senior Council which meets quarterly. Any senior may attend council meetings. Call 845-615-3700 for information on any of these senior activities.
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There was lively discussion about the transportation needs in the Town of Highlands, for seniors in particular. It is possible for the town to get 100 percent reimbursement for establishing a senior transportation service through available Federal CARES COVID funds, Diana-Smith said. She suggested reaching out to Rob Parrington at OC Planning to discuss options. This item will remain on the Advisory Council agenda.
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Finally, there were questions about the senior dining program that has been closed for some time but Diana-Smith could not provide any updates at this time.
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The Town of Highlands Senior Advisory Council will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at The Center on 264 Main St.
Contact Ann Molina for more information at 845-839-0550 or thecenterathighlandfalls@aol.com.
November 3, 2023
$4000 in grants was distributed
The Town of Highlands Disaster Fund Committee met on October 17 and awarded over $4000 to residents affected by the July 9th Flood Disaster. The committee reviewed 15 applications between September 15 and October 15, and every applicant received a monetary grant ranging from $200 up to $400 to offset costs and expenses because of the disaster.
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The fund was set up by The Center of Highland Falls, a 501c3 organization, after Orange County Legislator Laurie Tautel and Town of Highlands officials looked for a way to set up and receive monetary donations to assist victims of the July 9 Flooding Disaster.
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With the fund now depleted, the committee is hoping for a replenishment of donations so that a second wave of applications can be announced and reviewed and the small grants can continue helping town residents as they continue to recover.
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For those wishing to donate, contact the Center of Highland Falls at 845-839-0550 or via email at thecenterathighlandfalls@aol.com.
November 10, 2023
It’s all about Community Enrichment -- For nearly a decade, The Center of Highland Falls has worked to make the Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery community a better place, with things like summer programs for kids, adult enrichment, senior citizen programs and recognition, scholarships, student parent advocacy and more. This past Saturday the ninth anniversary of The Center was celebrated; here are some of the Board of Directors members and friends at one point during the busy event. From left: Charlie Murphy, Brian Aylward, Hannah Pitt, Nancy Sporbert, Rich Fox, Denise Gibney, Marty Byrnes, Ann Taylor and Ann Molina.