Wednesday, December 27, 2023

AN END OF YEAR NOTE FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

Dear Readers of Everything Croton:

As another year has come to a close, it's important to once again recognize those here in the village who seldom receive a thank-you...but should...

And especially in a year of rising crime, surging inflation,  and calls for "pandemic amnesty"........

Indeed for these special Croton residents, life has always been about more than lawn signs, marches and postcards---they choose very real everyday actions instead that have very real impact....

Here’s just a small sampling....and in no particular order:

1. Special thanks to all our veterans--and to those village residents who have recently chosen to serve their country...we recognize your sacrifice--and that of your families......(For more about Croton's Vets visit THE NEW EVERYTHING CROTON: VETERANS DAY, CROTON-ON-HUDSON, 2023, PAST & PRESENT)

2. Many thanks to Jo-Jo, Lyn, Don, Kim, and so many others for providing holiday packages to our soldiers serving overseas.

3. Many thanks to all the volunteers associated with the Croton Caring Committee---and to those volunteers who regularly collect for the Montrose VA Food Bank. Special note of thanks to the reactivated MIDNIGHT RUN MINSTRY AT HOLY NAME. 

4. Once again, village animal lovers helped pay for the spaying/neutering of several feral cats, found homes for numerous kittens, and re-united 2 lost pets with their families. Thank you!

5. The “Grand Street Gals” continue their impromptu “Clean up Croton” days, especially at the Duck Pond. Special thanks again for their unsung efforts.

6. A special round of thanks to everyone monitoring the Katz, Finkelstein and other local projects.

7. Many thanks to  all the unsung youth ministries at Croton's assorted houses of worship.

8. To our service organizations, a BIG EVERYTHING CROTON THANK YOU for all you do for the community and the world at large--your activities are too numerous to mention: the Croton Lions----Holy Name of Mary's Knights of Columbus----and the Croton Rotary Club.

And to our all-volunteer Croton Fire Department--and Croton EMS----we don't know what we'd do without you.

9. Special thanks to all of Croton's businesses who have often had to contend with far too much nonsense from the "never satisfied" crowd. They nevertheless continue to support our schools, sports programs and other local causes whenever possible---especially in this very difficult and challenging environment. Special note to Feed the Birds, and all the other businesses, for their wonderful Christmas decorations. (You may also enjoy the Top Ten business posts at the blog.)

10. Special thanks to all those we may have forgotten who volunteer without compensation for the greater good.

11. Special thanks as always to the keepers of the flame, the hard-working volunteers of THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

12. Special thanks to those who just say no to online trolling and community "conversation" that disparages their neighbors and local businesses.

13. Special thanks to those in the police profession. They have had a tough year that only got worse. Enough said.

14. Many thanks to Paul Steinberg, Joel Gingold, Tom Faranda, Jessica Dieckmann, MICHAEL BALTER (The Croton Chronicle) and other members of the "loyal opposition" for shining a hard light on assorted issues of the day-----and to all those who hold their village, town and school officials accountable. (You may also have an interest in THE NEW EVERYTHING CROTON: THE TOP TEN CURRENT CROTON EVENTS OF 2023)

15, Special note of thanks to Croton's houses of worship---from maintaining food banks to thrift shops to holding free community concerts, you are truly the backbone of the village.

16. A note of thanks to everyone who worked on the village anniversary celebration.

In short, thank you everyone for doing more than just complaining--and doing it selflessly! Happy New Year and best wishes for 2024.

Your editor at The New Everything Croton

PROTESTERS WHO SHUT DOWN FREEWAYS, AIRPORTS AND BRIDGES NEED TO GO TO JAIL

Opinion: Protesters who want a ceasefire in Israel win no one to their cause by shutting down freeways, bridges and airports.--Phil Boas--Arizona Republic

On Friday I drove my daughter, her husband and their infant child to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Traffic was heavy and my daughter was nervous because she wasn’t sure how her newborn would do on a cross-country flight to visit relatives in Virginia. She was also feeling a bit off physically.

The stress level was high.

I dropped them at the airport, said our goodbyes and drove home. Several hours later we got a text that they had landed safely — the baby had fussed a bit, but passengers around them were kind.

We were all relieved.  Later, I watched the news about another airport — Chicago’s O’Hare International. Political protesters had brought traffic to a standstill on a freeway leading to the airport on Saturday.  READ MORE AT Chicago protesters who shut down freeway should be arrested (azcentral.com)

2 MEN STEAL BEER, DETERGENT CHRISTMAS MORNING FROM CVS, POUGHKEEPSIE

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

2 Men Steal Beer, Laundry Detergent Christmas Morning From CVS
Police said almost $300 in merchandise was stolen from the store on South Road in Poughkeepsie. MORE AT 2 Men Steal Beer, Laundry Detergent Christmas Morning From CVS | Mid Hudson Valley, NY Patch

CHRISTMAS IN CLASSIC FILMS, KINDLE EDITION, JACQUELINE LYNCH

Christmas in Classic Films Kindle Edition

by Jacqueline T Lynch (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Christmas turns everyone who celebrates it into a classic film fan—at least for that special season.

The average person, unlike devoted classic film fans, may not recognize images of Clark Gable or know who James Wong Howe was, or be able to tell you why 1939 was such a spectacular year for films. But when yuletide rolls around, they rejoice with Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and of course, White Christmas.

We find a vast treasure of Christmas scenes in films that were never meant to be “Christmas movies” but which are now part of the holiday canon, and this collection of essays spotlighting Christmas in classic films brings you all the warmth and memories that have become as dear a custom as decorating your home and holiday baking. You may even have one of these movies on in the background when you’re writing out your Christmas cards

Unwrap this package and relive the moments and discover Christmas nostalgia anew, from Cary Grant’s mysterious angel in The Bishop’s Wife to poor Ralphie pining for a Red Ryder BB-gun in A Christmas Story. ORDER FROM AMAZON AT Christmas in Classic Films - Kindle edition by Lynch, Jacqueline T. Humor & Entertainment Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

EXAMINER NEWS--CROTON HARMON TO HONOR "IGGY" ON 1/12

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.


Croton-Harmon to Honor “Iggy” in Memorial Service on Jan. 12
December 23, 2023

By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays

Croton-Harmon High will honor the memory of beloved sports icon Steve ‘Iggy’ Aguado.

On Jan. 12, Croton-Harmon High will honor the memory of beloved Section 1 sports fanatic Steve “Iggy” Aguado, who, to know him, was to love him. Before his untimely passing last year, Iggy’s winters resembled the movie ‘Groundhog Day’: Sometimes you’d see him pop up at three different gyms in three different locations all on the same day, and then again the next day, over and over. He was a fixture at gymnasiums across Section 1, including the mecca, the Westchester County Center...... READ MORE AT Croton-Harmon to Honor “Iggy” in Memorial Service on Jan. 12 | The Examiner News

ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH DECEMBER 2023 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH DECEMBER 2023 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

A REPORT ON THE DAY'S EVENT.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE.

RIP TOMMY SMOTHERS

(Travalanche)---RIP Tommy Smothers--Very sad to be the bearer of the news that Tommy Smothers has left us at the age of 86. He embodied so much that I love. Springing out of the culture of the folk music revival of the '50s and '60s, he and his brother Dick revitalized television variety by making it topical, bravely sacrificing their success on the altar of free speech and political principal.  READ AND SEE MORE AT 231227113539-01-tom-smothers-file-1987.jpg (1480×833) (wordpress.com)

WATER MAIN BREAK CROTON, SOUTH RIVERSIDE (9A) BETWEEN GRAND & BROOK

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Water Main Break May Cause Road Closures On Route 9A In Croton: Officials

A busy main route in Northern Westchester may be affected by temporary road closures as crews work to repair a water main break, officials said. The water main break occurred in Croton-on-Hudson on South Riverside Avenue (Route 9A) between Grand Street and Brook Street, village officials announced on Wednesday, Dec. 27 just after 10:30 a.m. MORE AT Water Main Break May Cause Road Closures On Route 9A In Croton: Officials | Cortlandt Daily Voice

MICHAEL BALTER---THE CRYING OF PARKING LOT A---WITH APOLOGIES TO THOMAS PYNCHON

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

The Crying of Parking Lot A--With apologies to Thomas Pynchon.

The village has received “multiple” proposals to develop Lot A but won’t say what they are. Is transparency delayed transparency denied?

MICHAEL BALTER
DEC 27, 2023

Last July, the village of Croton-on-Hudson issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Parking Lot A, a 1.225 acre, village owned property across Croton Point Avenue from the main entrance to the Croton-Harmon train station. According to village manager Bryan Healy, the village had received “multiple” proposals by the November 1 deadline, although Healy declined to tell the Chronicle anything about them when asked earlier this month. READ MORE AT The Crying of Parking Lot A - by Michael Balter (substack.com)

FAVE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS FROM SHORPY

Our favorite vintage Christmas photos from the Shorpy Photo Archive:

---CHRISTMAS IN MIAMI 1954

---1925 CHRISTMAS OFFICE PARTY

---MERRY CHRISTMAS 1954

---HELLO HOLLY 1952

---1914 MODERN FAMILY Modern Family: 1914 | Shorpy Old Photos | Framed Prints

---CHRISTMAS WITH WILBUR AND ORVILLE 1900 Christmas With Wilbur and Orville: 1900 | Shorpy Old Photos | Framed Prints

THE ANNUAL REQUEST--1982: THE YEAR IN REVIEW, FROM THE CROTON-CORTLANDT NEWS

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

BY SPECIAL REQUEST: 1982, THE YEAR IN REVIEW, FROM THE CROTON-CORTLANDT NEWS. Courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by the volunteers of The Croton Historical Society. Click on the images below.

2024 FIRST COMMUNION DAY AT HOLY NAME OF MARY

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton -- our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools -- in sho...