Be A Neighbor

Be A Neighbor

Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we’re not alone. – Fred Rogers. When the credits rolled on the Fred Rogers documentary, Won’t You Be […]

Troubled Waters In Patterson: Contaminants Lead To Undrinkable Water in Homes, Town Hall

FREE Contaminants Lead To Undrinkable Water in Homes, Town Hall

Three years have passed since Jennifer Gallagher, a Patterson resident, had the luxury of drinking her own tap water. Put another way, three years since she could boil water for pasta or brew a cup of tea. Three years since Gallagher didn’t have to worry about ordering eight 5-gallon water jugs from Poland Spring every month. It was May of […]

Barriers on the Hudson: A Wake-up Call to Action

Barriers on the Hudson: A Wake-up Call to Action

Editor’s Note: The Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating proposals for storm surge barriers and other measures to mitigate flooding such as that caused by Hurricane Sandy. Environmental groups, including Riverkeeper, believe the barriers could permanently change the Hudson River as we know it, possibly even endanger its very aquatic vitality. The writer attended the public comment session in Poughkeepsie […]

Clients Needed at St. John’s Food Pantry


Free food is available each Friday morning at St. John’s Food Pantry in Mahopac yet this summer, the clientele taking advantage of the service has declined dramatically. Nancy Gagne, director of the pantry, admitted last Friday that she was at a loss for the reason behind the sudden decline. “Normally, we provide food to 100 to 125 families each week […]

Leadership Shift at Arc of Putnam

Editor’s Note: This was addressed to the “Putnam Community”: The time has come, after 18 years, to announce my retirement. On July 27, 2018, I will be retiring from my position as Executive Director of the Arc of Putnam, formerly known as PARC. Over the past 6 years, the Arc of Putnam has been in a successful collaboration with the […]

Things to Do

That Vacation Time Won’t Use Itself!

July 2-July 31 Departure Project: Saying Goodbye Exhibit at Kent Lib. More info: 845-225-8585 Thurs (July 5-26) 10am-12pm Creativity Workshop at Reed Library, Carmel. More info/ reg : 845-225-2439 July 11-Aug 15-10am Basic Drawing Class For Adults Kids at Kent Lib. More info/ reg: 225-8585 or kentlibrary.org July 12-Aug 9 (Thursdays) Tweens Rock program at Reed Lib, Carmel. More info/reg: […]

Putnam’s State Lawmakers Deserve The Gold Star For Attendance


Putnam’s four state lawmakers each deserve the gold star when it comes to their attendance records in Albany. During the 2018 legislative session, State Senator Terrence Murphy and State Assemblyman Kevin Byrne each recorded 100 percent attendance while State Senator Sue Serino and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef weren’t far behind with attendance of 99 percent, each missing only a single meeting […]

Maloney Officially Enters AG Race


It’s now official: Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney has become a candidate for New York State Attorney General. The Cold Spring Democrat last Thursday filed a petition signed by nearly 40,000 voters to compete in a primary in September against three other candidates. Maloney thanked his supporters: “Tens of thousands of New Yorkers know that I’ll have their back as the […]

Meet Memphis: Mayor of Putnam Valley


If you’ve spent any time at all in Putnam Valley, you have seen Sam Oliverio around town. Although he is the town supervisor, Oliverio is not the boss. Above him in the chain of command is the newly-proclaimed Mayor. That would be Memphis, the German Shepherd dog. Besides being man’s best friend for Oliverio, Memphis wears many hats for the […]

Legislators Discuss Increasing Minimum Smoking Age To 21


Eighteen-year-olds throughout Putnam County currently have the right to vote, drive a car and enlist in the military; yet county lawmakers are considering passing legislation banning them from purchasing tobacco. While previous testimony presented to the county favored the ban, at last week’s meeting of the Putnam Legislature’s Health Committee, Jim Calvin, President of the NYS Association of Convenience Stores, […]