Thank Eugene V. Debs, early American patriot and labor leader, and the Pullman Strike for the long Labor Day weekend.

Born amid the bloody confrontations between federal troops and striking union railroad workers in 1894, Labor Day was enacted by Congress and designed to celebrate the “spirit de corps” of trade and labor unions and dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker. The weekend now signifies a seasonal shift; the end of summer and a general sense of the ebbing of vacation season. Continue Reading

People can get worked up and passionate about politics. Sometimes a person discovers that his or her co-worker is all fired up, puts money to mouth and donates a hundred dollars to a favorite local campaign.

And sometimes a bunch of co-workers get inspired and, say, without discussing anything with one another, donate $4000 to a candidate running for Rockland County Executive. Continue Reading

The Sloatsburg Village Board of Trustees had a full agenda Tuesday evening, with discussion ranging from old utility poles to an estimate to resurface the Community Field tennis courts to Ramapo Police Department coverage throughout the village. Continue Reading

Take a moment to lock that door, as someone around the village has apparently developed a case of the hot hands.

There have been recent whispers and rumors of a rash of break-ins throughout Sloatsburg. Mayor Carl Wright said that the Ramapo Police Department met with him Monday to give a brief report of two official incidents in the Pine Grove Lakes neighborhood that took place on Friday, August 23, on Hazelwood and on Ann Place. Continue Reading

There may be sewer blasting on a street near you — if you live in the vicinity of Sloatsburg Elementary School.

Calls from the Rockland County Sewer District 1 rang around Sloatsburg Friday evening. The alerts were part of an information effort by the District related to continuing sewer project work in the neighborhood of Grant Street and the area adjacent to the elementary school. The call from Sewer District Asst. Director Mike Saber’s office alerted residents about possible upcoming blasting for sewers. Additionally, the call mentioned a home inspection company called PEACE, which is working with the Sewer District on the Sloatsburg project and may be soliciting home inspections related to the upcoming work. Continue Reading

The court gavel has officially hammered down the feisty bid by Suffern Mayor Dagan Lacorte to win the Democratic nomination for Rockland County Executive.

Updated Monday, August 22

Sometimes you’re in the moment. And sometimes it is your moment to shine. Mario Marchese, known in most circles as Mario The Magician, was the focus of a recent successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign and will now be the subject of a documentary film. For Mario, the magic moment is at hand. Continue Reading

It was back in March of 2012 that a massive fish kill at Four Corners Pond occurred. Dead fish floated on the surface of the pond, washing ashore and the pond smelled foul. Continue Reading

You know the story: doom, despair, misery — all wrapped up in an epic story sung sweetly by summer stock theater students.

The New Generation Theatre has been rehearsing this summer’s huge student production of Les Miserables at the Helen Hayes Studios in Nyack. Now the show is ready for the public and will be premiered tonight, August 15, at North Rockland High School on Hammond Road in Thiells, NY

Co-produced by the popular dynamic duo of Sol Block and Justin Boccitto, the production had most every theater kid throughout Rockland County hustling to audition. The cast is huge, the production bold and the show is certain to be quite entertaining.

New Generation Theatre promotion for its summer production of Les Miserables.

New Generation is one of the area’s outstanding summer theater intensive experiences for young performers. This summer’s Les Miserables auditions attracted so many tryouts that the production team had to hang a closed-to-females out because of the large number of interested students. New Generation attracts 8th grade through 12th grade kids throughout the area.

Les Miserables tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. Performances take pace at North Rockland HS Thursday & Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 17, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Think about checking it out. You got one more day, at least, to make it happen. Support the arts, as they touch the heart.

Shine your boots and clean your duds because the Red Knights NY 18 are hosting a down home country dance party.

The first responder motorcycle club will host its 9th Annual “Benefit” Fundraiser with a boot-stomping Country Western Night Saturday, August 24, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Pomona American Legion Hall. The evening will feature live country rock with Tequila Rose as well as twangy tunes from DJ Doug Volpi.

This year’s event will benefit Sloatsburg Fire Department‘s own 24-year old Sean Connell, recovering from cancer, to help with medical bills. As anyone without the best possible insurance policy can attest, health costs can rapidly accrue. Connell was also the recipient of funds from this year’s 2nd Annual Classic Car Show.

All proceeds from Country Western Night go towards Connell.

Tickets cost $20 per person pre-event or $25 at the door. And you don’t have to ride a bike to enjoy the party.

Sponsors include the Palisades Mall Outback Steakhouse, which will be donating plenty of food for the evening’s event. For more information, call the Red Knights at 845.558.1971 or email RedKnights18@Yahoo.com or go online to RedKnightsny18.org.

Step up and get out by buying a ticket to some country fun for a cause and join the Red Knights NY 18 for some country stomping.