Ken Wojehowski has worked his gym magic in the Ramapo Central Schools outpost of Sloatsburg Elementary School for a few years now — long enough to have a legend. Mr. Woj, as he’s popularly known, is often the first person to introduce many Sloatsburg kids to serious physical and sports activity via his innovative gym programs.

And it’s run, run, run leading up to the annual Ramapo Central elementary school cross country meet at Suffern High School, where Mr. Woj’s Sloatsburg teams are known monsters. Continue Reading

The days do shorten. This year it feels like the fall season has already arrived. But the official change of season takes place Sunday during the Autumn Equinox, which occurs at 4:44 p.m. The Harvest Moon, or full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, has risen evening’s over the Ramapo Mountains. Continue Reading

Fatigue, rolling fevers, aching joints, and worried sleeplessness — these are a few of the symptoms of that little tick terror known as Lyme Disease.

For many doctors and insurance companies, Lyme is a pain not only in the neck but in the bottom line. Lingering symptoms and hard to diagnose maladies associated with Lyme have caused the medical and insurance industries to often isolate and ignore many people with the disease. Today, once a firm diagnosis is made, Lyme is typically treated with anywhere from a tw0-week to 21 day cycle of antibiotics — widely considered in the medical industry as a “cure.” Continue Reading

Have you always wanted to eat at a few Suffern restaurants but just never found the time to narrow your choices. Well, Wednesday’s A Taste of Suffern offers you the perfect the opportunity, where for $30 you can get a bellyful of appetizers from ten different Suffern hot spots plus know that it’s all money well spent.

A Taste of Suffern is one of three taste of fundraisers that the Rockland YMCA holds throughout the year, with Wednesday’s being presented by the Suffern Greater Chamber of Commerce. Nearly every family in Sloatsburg with kids has at one time or another had a member go a tumbling or dancing at the Suffern Y on Washington.

“It’s a lot of fun, especially if you go with someone” said Fritz Brevil, membership coordinator for Rockland YMCA about Rockland Y’s foody fundraisers. Brevil said the June Taste of Nyack drew some 100 people who wandered the village tasting foods of some of the village’s most popular cafes and restaurants. The Rockland YMCA also holds A Taste of Pearl River.

“You get to try out restaurants that you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the time,” said Brevil.

Ten of Suffern’s most popular restaurants will participate in Wednesday’s tasty fundraising event. The cost per person is $30 buys you an evening’s worth of appetizers. You must call the Rockland YMCA for a reservation. It’s easy. Beth or her staff will expecting your call at 845-358-0245.

Some of the participating restaurants include Hacienda de Don Manuel, Marcello’s Ristorante, Ravi’s, and El Banquetes. A Taste of Suffern begins at 6 p.m. with a shotgun start, meaning each ticket or set of tickets will give an assigned starting restaurant. If there’s a particular restaurant that you want to begin with, the Rockland YMCA will try to accommodate you. And then head out and enjoy the offerings. Even though the participants will be serving appetizers, you will be filled. The whole evening ends up at Ravi’s, where dessert and door prizes will be presented after 9 p.m.

Can you say date? A Taste of Suffern will keep you moving along so you won’t have to work hard on the conversation. Just comment on the delicious food.

“What I love about the Taste of Suffern event each year is that it provides a unique opportunity to taste some exquisitely fattening dishes from an eclectic assortment of American and international traditions without the traditional guilt,” said Suzanne Daycock, president of the Suffern Greater Chamber of Commerce. “Suffern is a fabulous place to visit if you’re a fan of great food and the YMCA is a great group to support. I also think its a great opportunity for Suffern to show off some of the county’s best restaurants in a setting that is historic, beautiful and full of acres of free parking. How can you miss?”

To purchase of ticket for a Taste of Suffern, call the Rockland YMCA offices at 845-358-0245 and put in your order. Tickets cost $30 per person.

Bill Demarest reports on local Hudson Valley happenings through his site, Nyack Free Press. Demarest caught the Monday morning driving blues action in Tuxedo when a dump truck flipped over and spilled its gravel load. Not a good way to start your week.

TUXEDO – An overturned heavy dump truck snarled traffic on Route 17 Continue Reading

It’s a good late summer day to take a walk down Lafayette Aveneue, the Village of Suffern’s main street. This afternoon you’ll be able to stroll and loiter and look all day, walking right down the middle of the road, visiting shops while you people watch during the Suffern Greater Chamber of Commerce Street Fair, the last of the season. Continue Reading

The old Waldron property across from the Sloatsburg Library was once the hot heart of the village. In the early 1900s, the Waldron’s (yes, the Waldron Terrace Waldron’s) big barn served as the village livery stable while the smithy occupied another, smaller building on the property. It was the heyday of horseshoes and carriages. Continue Reading

All around Sloatsburg new 45 foot power poles have been planted in the ground by Orange and Rockland. The poles are part of a continuing O&R’s distribution line upgrade project that has involved right-of-way tree cutting along lines, new power poles and upgraded wire. Continue Reading

Bright red fire trucks and men dressed in sharp, clean uniforms parade today.

The volunteers of the Sloatsburg Fire Department will join with other Rockland County firefighters — volunteer all, mind you — and parade this afternoon, September 7, at 2 p.m. along the Main Streets in New City. The parade begins on Little Tor Road and moves north to Collyer Avenue, then moves north along South Main Street to New Hempstead Road, concluding at the Rockland County Courthouse. Continue Reading

Next to New City, the Village of Spring Valley has the largest population in Rockland County and straddles both the Towns of Ramapo and Clarkstown. Spring Valley is a microcosm of sorts of Ramapo itself, with a fast-growing Orthodox population and a mix of colors, ethnicities and beliefs. And just like many other towns and villages across the county, Spring Valley appears to be at a crossroads, with an entrenched political hierarchy that faces growing citizen clamor for change. The current Spring Valley mayor is running for re-election even while under federal indictment for public corruption. Newly built store fronts in the village have sat empty — some for years.  The following article excerpts Karben Copy and Ryan Karben’s colorful take on the Spring Valley mayoral race as it winds its way to the Tuesday, September 10, primary. 

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