THE CROTON 125 COMMITTEE THANKS EVERYONE WHO MADE OUR BBQ, MUSIC & FRIENDS EVENT SUCH AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS

Click on the photo by C. Whiting.

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To the Editor,

The Croton 125 Committee thanks all who made our BBQ, Music & Friends event such an enormous success. 

The committee is tremendously grateful to Historic Hudson Valley CEO Peter Pockriss and President Waddell Stillman for opening the Van Cortlandt Manor property for our BBQ. The staff, Fiona Galloway, Carlton Sargeant, Ben Roeser, and Karen Clark were beyond helpful during the long planning process. High kudos to the creative team that made the “Croton 125th” letters and numbers displayed on the hillside. The letters and numbers were used as the backdrop for many photos. The volunteers who gave tours of the Manor House and the Ferry house were kind, knowledgeable, and informative. We are immensely grateful to all! 

Musicians of International Orange, Wild Irish Way, and Connie Grossman y Su Charanga wowed the crowd with an eclectic mix of music. Our MC Mario Giacalone did a fantastic job keeping things running on time and was a consummate professional MC and wonderful musician.  Professional and immensely talented musician Peter Calo assisted the committee in choosing the musicians, and the music that brought joy to all is due to Peter’s generosity with his time and talent. We look forward to his Croton 125 Summer concert on August 4, at 7 pm at Senasqua. 

We are grateful to Cole’s for providing a delicious meal while the Green Growler provided thirst quenching beer, wine, and cider for purchase. 

The Village DPW staff Frank Balbi, Scott Marsh, and John Bouchard put in an extraordinary amount of preplanning, day of event, and post event work. The DPW staff who worked the day of event made everyone feel welcome and made the event run flawlessly. They are Mr. Bouchard, Mike Esposito, Domenic Cassese, Chris Antonecchia, Nico Franggi, and Adam Burlew.  DPW Office Assistant Debra Lopano created helpful and attractive signage to assist drivers navigate the parking lot and attendees on Van Cortlandt grounds.  

Croton’s Police Department Chief Nikitopoulos and Park Ranger Richard Novohardsky did a superb job of assisting motorists in parking and Police Officer John Roper was a wonderful addition to the event in his community policing capacity. He brought smiles to all he stopped to chat with. 

The Director of EMS Philip Dinkler volunteered at the event to ensure a rapid response for anyone who might need assistance. Fortunately, no one needed EMS, but it was comforting to know he was there. 

Assistant to the Village Manager Emily (Mancini) Giovanni was invaluable with all of her behind-the-scenes assistance with the planning of this event. 

We had numerous volunteers who made the event possible: Trustees Len Simon and Ann Gallelli, photographer Jim Christensen, Leif Lindholm, Lucas and Theo Curran, Robert Whiting, Linda Simon, and high school juniors; Jenny from Croton Harmon High School and Emily from Hendrick Hudson High School who assisted in the games area.

We thank the Gazette for covering our BBQ, Music, and Friends event, and all our Croton 125 events throughout the year. The newspaper’s motto says it all, “Where you are front page news.” There is no better local newspaper! 

Most of all, thank you to all who attended and made the event so much fun. 

Sincerely, 

Joe Streany, Carolyn Whiting, Eleanor Kwei, Laurie Dean, Nancy Libow, Matilda Weekes, Joel Gingold, Marc Cheshire, Nicole Belle DeRise, and Nenad Bach

Croton 125 Committee