Time to share information on another special local organization -The Historical Society of Walden and the Wallkill Valley. This organization was founded in 1958 via a committee consisting of Mary Kidd, Eleanor Phelps, C. Fred Fowler, Clarence (String) Cooper and Earle Houghtaling. Earle Houghtaling was voted its first President.

On March 28, 1958 a public meeting was held at the William Deakin Post American Legion Home to decide if there was enough interest to start a Historical Society. Their goal was to organize a Historical Society. Their objective was to collect and preserve items of local interest, artifacts and memorabilia of days gone by. In October of 1958, residents and businesses were approached in a door-to-door fundraiser to raise money to purchase and restore the old Walden House. They needed to raise $6,000. In February 1959 after reaching their goal, they were able to purchase the house. The House required many hours of restoration over the following year. It has been furnished with donations from local residents and businesses.

In July of 1958 the Society was granted a provisional charter by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York as an Educational Corporation. This charter stated the purpose of the Society as (1) to promote and encourage historical research; (2) to gather and disseminate information concerning the early history of Orange and Ulster counties; (3) to gather and preserve books, manuscripts, papers and relics relating to the early history of the territory; and (4) to mark places of historical interest with suitable monuments of markers.

In 1966 an adjoining property owned by the Ralph Shafter family was put on the market. It was purchased by the Society to protect the property around the Jacob T. Walden House. It is currently used as a museum and for artifact storage. The mission of the Historical Society of Walden and Wallkill Valley is to preserve the Jacob T. Walden House, collect items related to Walden and the Wallkill Valley, and to advance public knowledge of our history, past and present.

New members are welcome and encouraged to join. Visit facebook at The Jacob T. Walden House group and our website at theWaldenhouse.org. Dues are $20 for single; $30 for family. Current officers are Barbara Imbasciani - President; Anita Vandermark, Vice President; Patricia Eisley - Treasurer; Mary Slater - Secretary; Trustees Richard Hoyt, Esq.; Sandra Magill; Mary Ellen Matise; Lisa Melville-McIver; Susan Millspaugh; Chris Danny Moore; Howard Oldrey, Nancy Phelps, and Gail Yeaple.

The Society celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2023. Informative meetings are presented by knowledgeable speakers. Stop in for a visit.

Congratulations to Walden resident Eileen Panagiotopoulos, a member and student at the Wallkill River Center for the Arts in Montgomery, for receiving a first place ribbon for her charcoal drawing, “Summer, the Calico Cat’, in the Members and Teachers” Exhibit. See it, along with other amazing works of art, at the gallery until Sunday, February 25. Visit Wallkill.art for more information.

Happy Birthday greetings from family and friends to well known former Walden Mayor Sue Taylor who will celebrate her special day on February 24. We wish Sue all of life’s best.

Walden Rotary Club members send Happy Birthday wishes to Keith Hunter. The love of his life, Cynthia will also celebrate her birthday on the same day, February 26. May you both enjoy it all.

Margot Fink, daughter of Chris and Robin Fink, is looking forward to celebrating her 4th birthday on February 26. Enjoy your special day, sweet neighbor.

Let M. P. B. Knights of Columbus do the cooking for you on Fridays this Lenten Season. The February 23 menu is Bob’s Now Famous Fish Cakes; Tim’s Famous Cole Slaw, Vegetable; Roll, and Cookies. Meals are $10 each. Pre-orders and take-out only. Leave a message by 11 p.m. Thursday, February 22 with your order at 845-972-2303 to reserve your dinners. You will be put on the list. Leave your name, phone number and number of meals. Pick up at MPB, Fr. Sullivan Hall between 5 - 6 p.m.

Catholic Conversations will meet on February 29 at 7 p.m. in Father Sullivan Hall of M. P. B. Church.Topic of discussion: “Is the devil active in the world today?” For more information, please call Larry and Jean Winum at 845-778-1602.

The Josephine-Louise Public Library sends the following news:
The library is excited to offer a very special program! Sign up for our Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop Scheduled for Thursday, February 22, 4:30 p.m. Members of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project will be on hand to help attendees make lovely traditional lotus flower lanterns using colored paper and wire frames. At the end of the session, the members will show a short documentary about Korea. All the materials will be provided. This program is suitable for ages 10 and up.

Space is limited so sign up ahead of time. Get ready for “Still Life in a Bag” with Artist Beth Tango on Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 p.m. Beth will bring a “bag” of unexpected objects for us to choose from and give an art lesson using simple charcoal. Join us for this creative session. Suitable for ages 12 and up.