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November 15, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
As we make our way through the autumn season as well as November, our community is gearing up for the exciting festivities and meaningful moments that come with the holiday season. There is much to celebrate in the Town of Wappinger, from special events to new initiatives designed to improve the quality of life for all residents.
One of these memorable highlights was our annual Veterans Day ceremonies as our neighbors came together to honor the brave men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces. We are proud to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families and encourage everyone to continue to join us in paying tribute to these heroes, whose courage and dedication continue to inspire us all.
As we approach the holidays, there are numerous family-friendly events to look forward to Light Up Wappinger which is a new decoration competition as well as the much-anticipated Celebration of Lights, a redesigned version of our tree lighting and a new holiday light parade at Brexel-Schlathaus Park. These events are an opportunity for our community to come together, share in the holiday spirit, and create lasting memories with loved ones.
In addition to these exciting events, we continue to work diligently day to day here in Town Hall with planning for our future and ensuring that our infrastructure and services are being safeguarded. Last month, I released the Town Supervisor’s Tentative Budget for 2025, which has been presented to the Town Board. The proposed budget reflects a commitment to providing additional programs and services to our residents while staying under the tax cap and even achieving a tax rate decrease. This budget ensures that we continue to realistically prioritize essential services and community development while maintaining Wappinger as the most affordable Town in the County.
As we work to make meaningful improvements to our Town, we are particularly excited about the progress being made on several key projects. One of the most anticipated is the construction of a new live performance stage at Brexel-Schlathaus Park. This stage, which was approved by the Town Board last week will enhance our ability to host cultural events, concerts, and community gatherings, offering new opportunities for entertainment and engagement for residents of all ages. We have also completed the installation of the new outdoor exercise equipment at Spook Hill Park with an accompanying jogging track. This one-of-a-kind facility will offer healthy lifestyle options and programs for residents of all ages and abilities and get us even closer to completing this long-overdue rehabilitation project.
Moving forward, it’s important to keep building on the momentum of our ongoing initiatives. Together, we will continue to enhance our Town’s infrastructure, celebrate our rich heritage, and create an even more vibrant, welcoming community for future generations.
I want to thank all of you for your continued support and engagement. It is through your participation that our Town remains strong, resilient, and ever-growing.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to the holiday season.
See you around Town,
Joseph D. Cavaccini, Town Supervisor
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HOLIDAY EVENTS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Your Guide to Local Events Happening in Wappinger
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SANTA CALLS
This year the Town of Wappinger is excited to introduce Santa Calls!
Would your child enjoy a personal call from Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of Santa's Helper?
Check out the times to receive a call and head over to wappingerrecreation.com to register! All registration must be in by December 5th.
LIGHT UP WAPPINGER
Introducing Light Up Wappinger! This is a new event we are bringing to the town! Do you decorate your house or business every year? This is your chance to show it off to the community!
Light Up Wappinger will be taking place
December 14th and 15th between 5PM-9PM.
How it Works -
Decorate your home or business with one of the category themes.
Must be a Town of Wappinger resident (this includes the village).
Decorations must be visible from the street and lit up on December 14th & 15th from 5PM-9PM for judging.
To be including in the voting, you must have your address registered.
Online voting closes December 18th.
3 Prize Categories
Most Lights
Traditional
Best Movie Theme
A map of all the participants in Light Up Wappinger will be provided here as well as on social media. After viewing all the spots, there will be an online voting form to be completed. This form will allow you to vote on the top place in each category! Paper voting forms will be available in the Recreation Office at Town Hall. The place with the most votes in the prize category will receive a gift!
To be included in Light Up Wappinger, registration must be completed by December 5th.
Online voting and all paper voting forms must be completed by December 18th.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS & TREE LIGHTING
This year’s tree lighting will take place December 7th from 5PM-7:30PM.
Please join us for this annual celebration where we light the Town tree!
This year will be having a parade of lights! Get your car, trucks, trailers decorated in the best lights and join the parade! Click the button below to Register!
We will have hot chocolate and cookies, a craft and game for the children, and a visit from our Jolly friend Santa! There will be gift bags available for the first 300 kids who visit Santa!
This is a free event! Registration is only required for the parade of lights!
THE HOLIDAY PARTY
It's the most wonderful time of year! Our Senior Holiday Party at Villa Borghese will be held on 12/11 from 11:30-2pm. Register at the Town of Wappinger Senior Center.
All Guests MUST be a Wappinger resident and 55+ to register. Don't miss out on an amazing party with food, live music, and a special performance from our Senior Center chorus!
Village of Wappingers Falls Holiday Tree Lighting
Here's your chance to Meet Santa with Family & Friends at the Village Holiday Tree Lighting Event!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
6PM - MESIER PARK
(RAIN DATE - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1)
HOLIDAY MUSIC | REFRESHMENTS | PARADE | TREE LIGHTING
SINTERKLAAS AND DUTCH HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
In tribute to the Dutch origins of the Mesier Homestead, the Historical Society will hold a program for children entitled, “Sinterklaas and Dutch Holiday Traditions”. This family-oriented program takes place at the Mesier Homestead on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Program times are 11:00am, 12:15pm, and 1:30pm.
Attendees will learn about the history of Sinterklaas and the holiday traditions that the early Dutch settlers brought with them to New Netherland, and discover how Sinterklaasavond (St. Nicholas Eve) was celebrated in the home with food and sweet treats. Children will also be treated to a special Sinterklaas story time and a surprise visit by a special guest, Sinterklaas himself!
Tickets are $5 per child; one accompanying adult is free with each child ticket.
Adults not accompanying a child are $8.
FREE HOMESTEAD & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOUSE DAYS
In addition, there are several free open house dates for visitors to enjoy the beautifully decorated first floor rooms of the Mesier Homestead, including the original 1741 section, complete with candlelight, greenery, ribbons and bows. The 2024 Open House dates are Wednesdays, December 11 and 18; Thursdays, December 12 and 19, and Saturday, December 21. All are from 11:00am - 2:00pm.
Holiday shopping hours at the Gift Shop at Mesier Homestead are Monday - Friday from 10:00am - 2:00pm starting December 2 through December 23and Saturday, December 7 and 21. The gift shop specializes in unique items that you can't find anywhere else - work by local artists, books by local authors, greeting cards featuring local scenes; many items are unique to Wappinger.
More information on all events can be found on the Wappingers Historical Society website at www.wappingershistoricalsociety.org. The Mesier Homestead is located at 2 Spring Street, Wappingers Falls. For more information, please call 845-632-1281.
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COMMUNITY WELCOMES PAGE AND PETALS BOOKSTORE
On Saturday, November 9, Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini, Village Mayor Kevin Huber, Legislator Lynne Miele-Versaci, and Assemblyman Anil Beephan hosted a ribbon cutting for Page and Petals, a new women owned fiction bookstore located at 2692 West Main Street, Wappingers Falls. Page and Petals is owned and operated by Town of Wappinger residents Jackie LeVan and her husband, Justin.
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LADIES AUXILLARY HOSTS ANNUAL LIP SYNC BATTLE FOR VETERANS
What a great evening on Saturday, November 9, watching our Wappinger Ladies Auxiliary annual Lip Sync Battle in support of our veterans!
This sold-out show at the Knights of Columbus in the Village of Wappingers Falls that boasted amazing performances by members of our community to raise thousands of dollars for area veterans in need.
Great work ladies! We thank you for your efforts!
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WAPPINGER TOWN AND VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS HOST VETERANS DAY SERVICES
It was truly beautiful to see so many residents of all ages and backgrounds participate in both our annual Town of Wappinger and Village of Wappingers Falls Veterans Day Ceremonies.
We pay tribute to those who have served their country honorably in service and may we reflect on those veterans who returned home to our Town of Wappinger - created families, made significant contributions to this community, and offered their skill sets to our society upon returning home.
On behalf of all in our great Town of Wappinger, thank you and welcome home.
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ABILITIES FIRST EXPANDS EDUCATION CENTER ON MYERS CORNERS ROAD
Abilities First is thrilled to share highlights from last week's ribbon-cutting ceremony at Myers Corners Education Center!
Our students and staff celebrated the addition of two new classrooms, made possible through a grant from Empire State Development. This renovation allows us to welcome more students, meeting the growing demand for educational services for children with developmental or intellectual disabilities in our community!
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TOWN DEDICATES PARK SECTION IN MEMORY OF YOUNG RESIDENT
Town and County officials joined community partners gathered at Spook Hill Park to dedicate "Kelsey's Corner" - an artistic new addition to the Park celebrating the life of a young girl from our Town who lost her battle to cancer.”
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SPOOK HILL PARK REHABILITATION PROJECT UPDATE
Earlier this year, Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini and the Wappinger Town Board took action to fully fund the completion of the nearly 9 year old Spook Hill Park rehabilitation project.
This week the brand new outdoor exercise equipment and jogging track will be completed and open to the public. The Parks and Recreation Department is currently developing new programming and activities to complement the new one of a kind facility at Spook Hill Park for 2025.
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VISCOUNT WINES AND LIQUORS
CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini and Town Clerk Joseph P. Paoloni joined dozens of residents and community partners to celebrate the five decade anniversary of Viscount Wine and Liquor and thank them for their contributions to improving our community through philanthropic donations to local charities and causes.
 ASSEMBLYMAN ANIL BEEPHAN &
SUPERVISOR JOSEPH D. CAVACCINI HOST
CENTRAL HUDSON OFFICE HOURS
WAPPINGER TOWN HALL
DECEMBER 12th
5-7PM
To schedule an appointment for this event, or for more information please call 845-221-2202 or email beephana@nyassembly.gov. RSVP REQUIRED for this event. Appointments are on a First Come, First Serve Basis.
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TOWN AND ZION FOOD PANTRY PARTNER FOR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
🍁Thanksgiving is coming up! The Town of Wappinger is teaming up with the Zion Food Pantry to host a Thanksgiving food drive.
Drop your donations off at the Senior Center located in Wappinger Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Rd. We're collecting until November 21st. 🍁
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ADDITIONAL RECENT
NEWS AROUND TOWN ...
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WAPPINGER TOWN HALL GOES GREEN FOR OPERATION GREEN LIGHT
In observance of this Veterans Day, the Town of Wappinger is participating in Operation Green Light, a campaign designed to show support for our nation's veterans, raise awareness of the role communities play in providing support and resources to veterans, and advocate for legislation that will strengthen counties' ability to support veterans.
Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini and the Wappinger Town Board directed the illumination of Wappinger Town Hall to be green in recognition of Operation Green Light and in support of our veterans.
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CARNWATH FARMS COMMUNITY GARDEN HAS ROOM TO...GROW!
Have you always wanted your own space to grow food, flowers, and connect with gardeners?
Carnwath Community Farming is our volunteer group running the community growing space in our town park Carnwath Farms.
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We are excited to announce that it's time to assign plots for the upcoming season. If you're interested in having your own 20x10 plot, please reach out by emailing carnwathcommunityfarming@gmail.com.
This marks their third season, and we are thrilled they will offer even more plots for residents to cultivate and connect with community. Throughout the year, they also host a variety of events, including Dahlia Education Series, seed swaps, educational activities for children, potlucks, and sunset gatherings.
If you're looking for a place to grow your own harvest, and meet other local gardeners, now is the time to secure your plot! Please remember that spaces are limited, so don't hesitate to contact carnwathcommunityfarming@gmail.com today!
Cost is only $55/year!
Happy growing!
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