Group VOWs to focus
on a better community 
If you're interested in making the Hamlet of Wallkill an even better place to live, work, and visit, you might want to participate in the new Vision of Wallkill workshops.
V.O.W.'s ultimate goal will be to create a vision for the hamlet based on how people currently use the space around the area. The group's work will be based on the principles of placemaking, which focuses on people-centered designs that transform public spaces into vital community areas. These designs are geared toward spurring economic and social rejuvenation while at the same time maintaining the day-to-day needs of residents and visitors.
Wallkill Public Library director Mary Lou Carolan was invited to Detroit back in April to attend the Project for Public Space's inaugural session of the Placemaking Leadership Council, which was comprised of 300 people from different organizations and companies around the world, all of whom were there to learn more about making their communities better places. She  has since been featured on PPS's site as a Citizen Placemaker for her efforts to make the library's formerly fenced-in front lawn a more inviting, welcoming place
V.O.W.'s first placemaking session will be Saturday, Jan. 18, from 1-4 p.m. in the community room of Town Hall. If you'd like to attend, please contact Mary Lou at 895-3707or mlcarolan@rcls.org.
Coming up at the Wallkill Public Library
Monday: School's closed but the library's open! Stop in for the latest bestsellers and DVDs (including the newly arrived Insidious 2 and Prisoners). Learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa during our Placemat Craft at 1 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday the library will be closed for the New Year holiday.
Thursday: The Knit and Crochet Club meets at 6:30 p.m.
Friday: The Nintendo DS Game Club and LEGO Building will be offered from 4-5 p.m.
 
Wallkill Public Library archivist is history
Library staff bid a sad farewell Monday to Matthew Thorenz, who's worked behind the circulation desk and as the library archivist since August of last year. Matt is moving on to a full-time position at Washingtonville's Moffat Library.
During his short tenure with the Wallkill Public Library, Matt amassed an impressive array of accomplishments. In addition to helping patrons curious about their family's genealogy and other historical questions, Matt cataloged and digitized the library's archives, including such subjects as local history, Borden family memorabilia, library historical records, and the local veterans' collection. Between all this, he manned the circ desk, helping patrons and contributing to the day-to-day functions of the library.
We'll miss you, Matt!
No space left in Books Alive! production
Books Alive!, the children's theater project for ages 8-14, has filled to capacity and will not be accepting anymore applications for their 2014 production.
The good news is you can still watch the performance! The 30 actors who have signed up for the program will perform Magic and Mayhem on Saturday, March 29.
Play practices begin Jan. 7 in fellowship hall at the Wallkill Reformed Church and will take place each Tuesday or Wednesday (depending on which scene is being rehearsed) thereafter from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Once again, directors Adrienne and Jim Perine will be at the helm of the popular production, with composer Barbara Ganin in charge of the music. Good luck to all involved!
 
Special Story Time brings book to life 
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom will be the book featured during a special Scholastic Story Time at 11 a.m. Jan. 27.
That day's program will include not only a reading of the story, but a short video re-creation, followed by a craft that will encourage little ones to model their own artwork in the style of illustrator Lois Ehlert.
Those who already own this popular book, which features the letters of the alphabet racing each other to the top of a coconut tree, are welcome to bring their own copy so they can follow along!
How polluted is the Wallkill River?
The environmental watchdog group Riverkeeper will be at Town Hall Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. for a presentation on the state of the Wallkill River.
Riverkeeper monitors the Wallkill and other tributaries of the Hudson on a monthly basis. Their presentation, requested by the Shawangunk Environmental Management Council, will showcase the data they've thus far collected, including the pollution level of the Wallkill and its potential dangers to the health of residents and local wildlife.
This winter, water quality data on the seven tributaries Riverkeeper samples, as well as information on the Hudson River, will be available at riverkeeper.org.
Those with questions about the Wallkill River monitoring project should contact Jennifer Epstein at jepstein@riverkeeper.org.
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