100 yard sales and a ribbon cutting
In our last issue (Oct. 16, 2020), I told you about a busy day on Main Street. A week later the crowd moved east into Cornwall-on-Hudson. The occasion was the Village Wide Yard Sale.
It’s not a new event. But with the threat of a resurgence of the virus it was hard to know what to expect. Would village residents welcome shoppers? Would outsiders come to the Village to look for bargains?
The weatherman cooperated. Saturday, Oct. 17 was a warm, sunny day. When it was over, I checked with the organizer, Barbara Gosda. She was more than pleased with the results.
“Ken,” she wrote, “it was great and I wasn’t even sure we should have it this year. But COVID didn’t slow the crowd and everybody was wearing masks but friendly and happy to be out. There were about 100 yard sales and in my neighborhood it was very crowded. I understand that Idlewild Park Drive did well too. I saw a crowd on Academy Avenue and there were even sales in the Town. The weather report was ‘iffy’ but cleared nicely and people were enjoying the nice fall day.”
As usual, shoppers could stop at Village Hall to get a map of Cornwall-on-Hudson that showed the location of all the sales. Across the street from Village Hall another event was taking place. At 11 a.m., Helen Bunted hosted a ribbon cutting for the Butterhill Day School.
After years on Main Street, Mrs. Bunt now has her students at the former home of St. Thomas of Canterbury School. She celebrated the event with music, a buffet, and a larger than life storybook character.
Among the guests were students, parents and teachers. The event also attracted several elected officials. Many of them had a connection to the school or the building. County Legislator Kevin Hines was a graduate of St. Thomas. He noted that Mrs. Bunt had added sinks in every room and had expanded the playground.
Town Supervisor Richard Randazzo recalled playing CYO basketball in the building. And Deputy Mayor Jim Kane proudly announced that his son was a Butterhill alumnus.
Senator James Skoufis congratulated the hostess. And Nikki Schmitt represented her husband (Assemblyman Schmitt), who was on weekend military duty.
Chamber President Rich Massimi congratulated Mrs. Bunt and gave her a plaque to commemorate her service to the chamber and the community. This was the chamber’s third ribbon cutting in three weeks.
“Given the economic climate,” he said, “that’s really amazing.”
It was a good day in Cornwall-on-Hudson.
