The old yellow school bus was ready for the rescue, the crowd gathered in anticipation at Village Hall for the live extraction demonstration. There remained one problem — the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department’s old Jaws-Of-Life was having problems biting down on the metal meal. Continue Reading

The Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department recently participated in a Nyack celebration and anniversary parade honoring the all-volunteer Nyack Fire Department and marking its 150th year of service. The event marked the formation of the Nyack fire department and also marked the 150th anniversary of Empire Hook and Ladder Co 1, based at the historic firehouse at 330 North Broadway in Upper Nyack. Continue Reading

By Geoff Welch, Harmony Hall, Curator

Liberty Rock Park Trashed By Party Litter  

Someone failed to follow, or even remember, the unwritten park etiquette: carry in, carry out.

The Friends of Harmony Hall have been working to improve a trail that will lead up to the scenic Sloatsburg overview on the rock outcrop known as Liberty Rock. The Harmony Hall trail up to Liberty Rock would begin near the Sloatsburg Senior Center and follow a ravine up through the woods, looping around to Liberty Rock and the scenic overlook. Continue Reading

According to sources, one or both of the men arrested for home burglary in Ho-Ho-Kus this week have confessed to similar break-ins in Rockland County. Sloatsburg residents were unnerved in late summer by a rash of break-ins very like those under investigation in Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus. Continue Reading

People crave that certain authentic creation, be it craft beer, a local store with flair or handmade soap. Kathy Goldman is the magic maker behind Ol’ Darlin’ artisanal soaps, salves and lip balms, all colorfully packaged by hand. Continue Reading

Like a Lloyd and Harry criminal pair from the movie Dumb and Dumber, two men arrested in Ho-Ho-Kus this week may also have been behind the recent uptick in Sloatsburg burglaries. According to sources, similarities in various burglaries in Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus, Sloatsburg, and other municipalities, could link the duo, who were charged with pilfering small items such as an iPad, jewelry and cash.

The reported break-ins involved not only similar small items taken but also homes were burgled in the daytime, left unlocked or had a broken window as entry point. Continue Reading

By Geoff Welch, Curator, Harmony Hall

Film Composer Howard Shore Talked Movie Music Magic

Tuxedo Park resident, Howard Shore is a well-known composer of film scores including, among many, the popular “Lord of the Ring” trilogy Silence of the lambs, Naked Lunch, Philadelphia, Ed Wood, The Aviator, Hugo and the Hobbit. He also has composed a piano concerto a cello concerto, and an opera, The Fly. On Saturday, September 28, Shore gave a talk for the Tuxedo Park Library that was moved to the larger space of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, just inside the gates of Tuxedo Park, to accommodate more people. The church is stunning with its Tiffany and LaFarge stained glass windows. A modest sized screen and sound system was deployed to present a number of film clips, excerpts from orchestral performances and a lovely short documentary by Shore’s wife, Elisabeth. Continue Reading

Bill Demarest reports on local Hudson Valley happenings through his site, Nyack Free Press. Demarest recently attended a Nyack village court session related to rowdy night life along the old main drag.  

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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