Route 17 slices through the center of Sloatsburg, making it difficult to generate that leisurely village vibe. Sometimes the main street is empty and the central village all quiet. But most times the frenetic traffic speeds through, racing from light to light. Continue Reading

A look back at this year’s Highlands Bluegrass Festival, presented annually by the Town of Ramapo and the Friends of Harmony Hall~Jacob Sloat House. The event has helped to put Sloatsburg on the musical map as a late summer music festival destination. In addition to the music and crafts, the festival features a variety of children’s amusements, raffles, great food, and historic house tours.

This year’s festival welcomed renowned bluegrass fiddler Sue Cunningham and her band. Mama Tried, a popular progressive bluegrass band, shared this year’s stage.

“The Bluegrass Festival is a tremendous achievement that puts our community in the most positive light,” said Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright. “It has always been our hope that Harmony Hall would become a showcase west of the Hudson River for local history.”

Darrell Frasier and Stephen Hoefer, from Sloatsburg, have moved their popular weekend yard sales indoors in a big way. They just renovated a two-story store at 215 Rt. 17 in the heart of Tuxedo and opened BackHome Antiques. Their new place invites a leisurely walk through and is filled with all sorts of collectibles and curiosities, priced just right to tempt most anyone to buy something.

According to a story by Sarah Armaghan at Newsday, Ramapo Police ran a sting operation on Sloatsburg businesses recently. Using an underage informant, Ramapo police ran a daylong effort September 13, where the underage agent tested businesses in the village by trying to purchase alcohol. Continue Reading

The drama on stage this fall at Suffern High School will be full of one-line zingers and comedic mixups compliments of Neil Simon. The school’s Fall Play will be Rumors, a frothy concoction about a chaotic dinner party where nearly everyone has something to hide. Continue Reading

Back in May, residents in the Academy and Ballard Avenue area, along with their Mill Street neighbors, packed the Village Hall with a petition to stop speeding through the narrow streets of their neighborhoods. Continue Reading

Before powerlines blanketed everything in light, the passing seasons were marked by various festivals, especially those of the last harvests. John Barleycorn, that personification of barely, was celebrated at this time — being the juncture of the last grain harvest. Mead and ale most certainly would be on the menu. Continue Reading

Joseph P. Sorice died this past Saturday, September 15, 2012 at age 86. Sorice was known near and far for his work at Sorice Landscaping, a company he built into a very successful landscaping business in Sloatsburg. Sorice literally helped build the village. Sorice trucks can be seen working most days in neighborhoods throughout the area, trimming trees and lawns, and building beautifully executed rock retaining walls. The company is now run by his son. Continue Reading

For the past 30 years Greenwood Lake students have attended George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo, NY. Beginning next school year, Tuxedo will lose those students to either the school districts of Warwick or Chester. Nearly 300 Greenwood Lake high school students currently attend George Baker, out of approximately 377. The Greenwood Lake Board of Education decision to switch schools, if it stands, will certainly change Tuxedo. Continue Reading

An odd, interesting case has been filed by a resident in Tuxedo that blames the Town of Tuxedo for flooding her home during Hurricane Irene.

Times-Herald Record reporter John Sullivan published an article on September 18 about Tuxedo East Village resident Evelyn David, of River Road, and her allegation that “a town decision to fill in wetlands for a park across the Ramapo River from her home caused the flooding to her community.” Continue Reading