IN THE NEWS
Here you'll find a selection of feature photos and stories about The Center that were originally published in our community newspaper, The News of the Highlands. Beginning in 2014 through the present, we'd like to share with you some of our highlights and memories brought to you by local journalism.
All Stories & Photos by MJ Pitt
The News of the Highlands / Times Hudson Valley Media
Used with permission
February 3, 2021
Black History Month events at The Center
February is Black History Month, recognizing the lives and contributions of African Americans in the United States.
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There will be a display in various media sharing local and beyond information about black history, at The Center of Highland Falls, every Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 9-25. The building will be open to the public from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. on those days.
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Some of the information includes: the Underground Railroad into Canada, the Negro League Baseball, minorities moving to the mid-Hudson in the 1990's, and the Constitution and the Rights of Blacks.
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Also for Black History Month, all Town of Highlands students are invited to participate in "Why Studying Black History is Important" essay contest. Entry forms are available at The Center and the winners will be announced. The essays will be judged by Rev. Judy Ferguson, Carla Burns, Yvette Oaddams and Brian Aylward. Stop by The Center, 274 Main St., Highland Falls for details.
Saturday's award recipients included: Front row - Jessica Carpanini (NFCU), Elena Dionisio (NFCU), Hannah Pitt, Emily Green, Astrid Johnson; Back row - Clark Batungbakal (NFCU), Supervisor Bob Livsey, Rev. Julius Collins, Deputy Mayor Brian Aylward. Missing from photo is John Flynn.
April 16, 2021
"Thank you for 'doing something'"
Eight volunteers were honored at Saturday ceremony
If you saw a group of people gathered in Highland Falls’ Memorial Park on Saturday morning, you may have wondered what was going on. It was a gathering of some of the region’s many volunteers, being honored for their selfless service.
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It was the 17th annual “People Who Make a Difference” awards, co-sponsored by The Center of Highland Falls and Hudson Valley Women’s Association and Friends. The Center’s Ann Molina hosted the event.
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Molina thanked all who attended the event, noting this particular ceremony was a year late -- and held outside for the first time ever -- due to COVID.
“It’s been a year of waiting to get these recipients together,” she said. “But it was worth the wait. We thank all of the honorees today for ‘doing something’ in their own way that makes a difference in the lives of others.”
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The recipients were:
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Navy Federal Credit Union was honored as the Business of the Year. Nikki Renda presented the award to Branch Manager Elena Dionisio and her coworkers Jessica Carpanini and Clark Batungbakal. Renda praised the bank for not only its high business standards, but its community engagement, participating in local events such as Trunk or Treat and a popular summer reading program.
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Hannah Pitt, with the ‘Rising Star” award presented to her by Recreation Director Aaron Falk. Pitt worked for Falk as a Summer Recreation Counselor for several years, and has taught cheerleading clinics for the town for several years. He thanked the 2019 college graduate for the “energy and friendship” she has brought to the youth of the community in recent years.
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Emily Green, presented with her award by Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio. The mayor praised Green for her many years of participation in local community groups like Scouts, but also thanked her for her more recent commitment to the Highland Falls Fire Department and Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps. Green, who will graduate from O’Neill High School this year, also received a “Rising Star” award.
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American Legion Post 633 Commander John Flynn was unable to be at the ceremony due to his O’Neill High School coaching duties, but his brother, Pat Flynn, accepted on his behalf, and spoke about his brother’s lifelong dedication to volunteering. He spoke about his efforts to make Highland Falls a better place for its children. Flynn, an Army veteran, was also praised for single-handedly keeping the local American Legion Hall open.
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Supervisor Bob Livsey was presented his award by his son, Merv Livsey. The two men expressed equal praise for one another’s dedication to the community in both elected public service and volunteering. Livsey is a veteran of the US Army, owns and operates Richie’s Little Place in Fort Montgomery, and has served as town supervisor for 16 years over three decades.
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Deputy Mayor Brian Aylward was presented his award by former Village Trustee Charlie Murphy-Dodson. She called Aylward an ‘angel’ in the community, citing his dedication to The Center, as well as to local children. A retired educator, Aylward has worked with parents and students in navigating special education services in the local school district.
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Rev. Julius Collins, a former Highland Falls resident and now Ellenville resident and “proud” pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church there, was joined by his wife Vernice at the podium. Collins, who encouraged all at the event to do what they can for their community, is a former Ulster County Legislator and current president of the Ellenville Regional Hospital and on the Ellenville Central School District’s Board of Education. Molina noted the couple “started their greatness here in Highland Falls” after he retired from the US Army in 1988.
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Astrid Johnson, retired principal of Eldorado School in the East Ramapo Central School District, was presented with her award by Alfrae Johnson Ragins, who praised the educator for all she’s done, but encouraged her to keep on doing it. Johnson, a resident of Monroe, is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, and a very proud grandmother of one.
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Church of the Holy Innocents’ Rev. Judy Ferguson opened the event with prayer. “Dear God, we ask you to be with us today as we honor wonderful people who have made a significant difference in other people’s lives, and in our town and our greater area, especially in this time of COVID. Shower your blessings on those who serve and help others.”
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Pastor Marty Tyce, president of the West Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club, so very familiar with community service, closed the event with a benediction.
A fine bunch of community volunteers are shown in this photo, including members of The Center's Board of Directors and honorees at last week's Senior Recognition luncheon. Standing from left - Stella Bailey, Chris Byrnes, Denise Gibney, Cathy McCutchen, Ann Molina, Nikki Renda, Brian Alyward and Bob Quintavalla; and seated from left - Sue Heywood, Carla Fey and Stella Root.
August 20, 2021
It was National Senior Citizen Appreciation Day
Six local seniors were honored last week
The Center of Highland Falls, Inc. and Town of Highlands Recreation Dept for Seniors Citizens celebrated National Senior Citizen Appreciation Day on August 11 with a well-attended luncheon at Richie’s Little Place in Fort Montgomery.
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Honored were Stella Bailey, Stella Root, Bob Quintavalla, Carla Fey, Chris Byrnes and Sue Haywood.
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There were quite a few special guests, who enjoyed lunch with the seniors.
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Clergy in attendance were Rev. Lieta Singleton of St. John’s AME Zion Church and Rev. Ross Topliff of the Hudson Highlands United Methodist Church, who gave the invocation and blessed the food.
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State Senator James Skoufis was expected to attend but had to travel to Albany suddenly; his office was represented by his senior advisor Mike Anagnostakis, who spoke about the importance of seniors and their example of community service and presented certificates to all honorees.
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Supervisor Bob Livsey addressed the group, thanking them for their years of contributions to the Town of Highlands and also speaking briefly about present dissolution conversation in Highland Falls. He said if any seniors were feeling concerned about it, they should reach out to him, Mayor Joe D’Onofrio or any member of either the Town or Village Boards to express their concerns or get their questions answered.
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Certificates were then presented to each honoree from the Town of Highlands, by Councilman Jim Modlin. In addition, each honoree received certificates of appreciation from The Center’s Board of Directors.
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Two honorees, Carla Fey and Stella Root, were acknowledged as ‘Gold Level’ supporters of the Center with gift bags.
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Honorees
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Stella Bailey ... “is the outstanding Highlands historian. She has been the curator for the town’s history for many years. Mrs. Bailey is president of the Historical Society, a founding member, and president of the Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association. She is also a member of the local American Legion Auxiliary Unit 633.”
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Chris Byrnes ... “a former Town Board member, who still attends Village and Town Board meetings when he feels important concerns that need to be expressed. He is the coordinator for the Community Christmas Dinner, he is president of the Highlanders Senior Club and is a distinguished Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps Volunteer.”
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Carla Fey ... “has an extensive and continuous history working in multiple community committees and giving her support. She taught generations of local girls to play softball. A testament to her appreciated service, the softball field at Brook’s Park in Fort Montgomery is named the Carla Fey Field.”
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Sue Haywood is a lay leader and home and overseas missionary worker in the local AME Zion Church. She is a retired New York State employee who worked with the developmentally disabled for more than 30 years. With no fanfare, she gives to those in need of assistance, attention, and support.”
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Robert Quintavalla ... “is an active ‘do good’ gentleman always has a smile and sense of humor. He often provides seniors with local transportation, and is a dedicated member of the Highland Falls American Legion Post 633, Highlanders Senior Club and good supporter of the Farmer’s Market and most community events.”
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Stella Root ... “a former employee of the Village of Highland Falls, she continues her service in the village as a Hudson Highland United Methodist Church volunteer, recently with the School Supply bake sale and packing of the supplies to give away. She is treasurer of the Mine Dock Park Friends group and member of the West-Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club.”
Molina offered a special thank you to those who sponsored the program: Brian Aylward, Rich Fox, Mary Mack, Senator James Skoufis and Highlands Town Board members Bob Livsey, Rich Sullivan, Richard Parry, Jim Modlin and Tyrone King.
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She noted that The Center’s Board of Directors is made up of Brian Aylward (president), Denise Gibney, (vice-president), Cathy McCutchen (treasurer), and Nikki Renda, Rich Fox and John Flynn (members), and thanked them for their constant service to the community.
August 20, 2021
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
Ann Molina recently had an ‘aha’ moment. She was talking with Highlands Highway and Sanitation Superintendent Pat Patterson about something mundane, like garbage cans, and learned something new.
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“That’s when I realized that many of us that live in Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery don’t really know as much as we think we know,” she said.
So, she came up with the idea to host, at The Center, a series of speakers called ‘Community Speaks’.
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“It’s just going to be information sharing specific to our community,” she said this week. “No politics ... just a way for all of us who want to learn about things happening here, whether that’s about garbage collection or upcoming events.”
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They’re going to be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 7-8 p.m. at The Center’s 274 Main St. storefront.
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She hopes that once the first few get going, more people will express an interest in sharing what they do here in Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery and join the list of presenters. If you’d like to do so, please reach out to Molina.
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It will be Patterson who starts off the series, with information for all about the services his department provides.
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Here’s the schedule so far:
August 24 - Pat Patterson, Highway Department
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September 28 - Olga Anderson, Environmental Advisory Committee
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October 26 - Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Sheboy
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November 23 - ‘Get Involved at The Center of Highland Falls, Inc’.
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April 26 - Volunteer opportunities in the Town of Highlands
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May 24 - Fourth of July weekend volunteer sign-ups
October 8, 2021
Support for local environmental efforts -- Town of Highlands Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee members Olga Anderson and Mindy Kimball were at The Center recently to discuss their goals and plans for environmental action. In particular they discussed how the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) will be kicking off soon for both town and village residents. The participants engaged in a productive conversation that everyone hopes will continue. For more information check out @THCEAC on Facebook. They thanked The Center for hosting the event; pictured are the two with all of those who attended. (Photo provided)
Among those celebrating the seventh anniversary of The Center this past weekend were: Back row - Brian Aylward, Rich Fox, Ann Molina; Front row - Denise Gibney, Stella Root, Cathy McCutchen, Pharoby Ripa, Martha Aywlard, Charlie Murphy and Marlene Ripa.
'Happy Anniversary' to The Center
Storefront resource establishment celebrates 7 years
The doors were wide-open at 274 Main St. on Saturday afternoon, and there was a steady stream of people in and out of the building, there to wish Ann Molina and the Board of Director of The Center of Highland Falls, Inc. well.
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The event was the seventh anniversary of the ... business? No. Club? No. Government office? No. Church? No.
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None of those titles work for the non-profit Community Center, a simple storefront space that offers everything from classes to resources to senior citizen activities to simple meeting space. For the last seven years -- even through the 18 months or so of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Center has simply been a partner to all residents and friends of Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery.
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Here’s a sampling of what Molina and her friends do, or have done:
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-- They host the kids’ March Mania basketball tournament each spring.
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-- They are the impetus behind the Community Coalition, a group that meets monthly with community leaders and the Orange County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council to combat substance abuse.
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-- They provide ‘learning academies’ for children, teaching everything from penmanship to banking to volunteering.
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-- In conjunction with the Town of Highlands, they provide weekly social activities for senior citizens. They also annually recognize, seniors who have served the town and village.
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-- They collect donations to give to those who need them -- food, school supplies, hygiene goods, winter gear. They make sure those who need them get those donations.
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-- They support families during the holiday season.
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-- They register voters.
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-- They honor veterans.
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-- They sponsor trips (A show in Lancaster, Penn, casinos, Niagara Falls and New Orleans in the year ahead.)
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-- They give away books.
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-- They provide health screenings in conjunction with the Orange County Office of the Aging.
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-- They help the community recycle.
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-- They support other community groups -- the American Legion, local thrift shops
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-- They host educational programs.
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-- They encourage others to get involved in the community.
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And that last one, Molina says, may be the most important.
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“We want to help build a sense of community and common purpose for all the residents of the Town of Highlands -- Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery and West Point,” she says. She quotes President Jimmy Carter: “Our dreams are big, our hopes are high, our goals long term, and the path difficult. But, the only failure is not to try.”
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While Saturday was a fun celebration, Molina noted that it’s back to work right away. She stood near the door of The Center on Saturday handing out booklets filled with flyers for upcoming programs.
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Want to get involved? Just stop by 274 Main St. Want to help financially support The Center? Donations (not that Molina is asking ... she’s willing to work for every cent) can be mailed to PO Box 197, Highland Falls, NY 10928.