SHOP HOP
“I was so happy,” Maryanne O’Dell said a few days after Cornwall’s Shop Hop. “It was such a surprise, but I worked hard to get it. I was very determined.”
Mrs. O’Dell, the Town’s historian and receiver of taxes, won the grand prize in the Nov. 29 Shop Hop. She qualified for the drawing by having her scorecard initialed by every participating business.
Thirty-three other people did that, but Mrs. O’Dell was the lucky one. She received a gift or a gift certificate from every business in the Shop Hop. Luann Richards, who organized the event, said the prize was worth more than $1,100.
The winner can enjoy free meals at a variety of restaurants and have her hair cut at several different salons. She also won a scooter. But since she didn’t expect to use it, she donated it to Toys for Tots.
SHOPPING
Five national retailers intend to have stores at the LOOP, the shopping center that is planned for Route 300 in Newburgh.
At a Dec. 11 press conference, Tom Wilder (one of the LOOP’s developers) announced that the following chains have signed on: Field & Stream, Dick’s Sporting Goods, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Michaels and ShopRite.
The LOOP expects to include a multi-screen theater, home goods, fitness and lifestyle retailers in addition to a variety of restaurants
GRANTS
The Black Rock Forest Consortium received $216,294 from the state to construct a pedestrian path from the entrance into the forest. It would start at the parking lot and would run parallel to the main road. It would be off limits to bikers and motorists.
The road would be accessible for handicapped people, and would be roughly eight feet wide. It would never have a grade of more than 10 percent.
Bill Schuster, the executive director of the consortium, said that work will start on the pathway in 2015, and the first portion should be completed by the end of the year. The consortium will have to raise additional funds to complete the project.
LAW SUIT
In regard to the Cornwall Commons lawsuit against the Town and two of its boards, the Town has entered into a standstill agreement until February. At that time, the Town will make a motion to dismiss the suit if the issue has not been resolved.
MARTINISI SOCIAL
Over 300 people attended the Holiday Social at the Storm King Engine Company Fire House. Volunteers decorated the fire house with strings of lights and with snow flakes cut out by Christian’s friends and other students at Willow Avenue School.
The organizers report that they have raised about 70 percent of the money they need for new playground equipment and a bench at Willow Avenue School.
Future fund raisers include a Family Fun Day at the Black Rock Fish & Game Club, and a buy-a-brick program where donors can place messages on stones at the playground site.
BFF
Backpacks for Food needs a few more drivers to deliver food to schools between 11 and 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays. Volunteers should have their own vehicle and should be able to lift bins weighing 20 to 25 pounds.
SNOWED OUT
A crew had reserved time on Route 218 to shoot a driving scene for a German Christmas special made for television. But the shoot never took place, because it snowed on the day before Thanksgiving and Route 218 was closed.
