It is truly my pleasure to be among the many local residents ready to congratulate a well-known local jewelry store celebrating 100 years in the Jewelry business. It all began in the Village of Monroe and continued in our great village of Walden.

A special celebration began on July 9 and continues throughout the week July 9, 1919 is the actual date Jacob I. Roosa opened for business.
Grandpa Roosa (Jacob I. Roosa) started the business in Monroe in 1919 in a kiosk in the back of a Rexall drug store and later opened a storefront as soon as he was able. However, business never seemed as good as he thought it should be, and attributed it to the fact that Monroe was a “bedroom community” even back in the teens and twenties. It was a short ride to NYC and many worked there, which means many spent their shopping dollars there as well!

He heard that Walden needed another jeweler, and he would be the FIFTH watchmaker/jeweler at that time in the small village. With all the knife workers and the railroad near by, there were plenty of hard working, watch wearing people whoflourished in our community! On May 1, 1934, he opened up his shop in Walden right next to the Eagle Hotel at the top of Oak Street. His first Christmas in Walden was better than his entire previous year in Monroe!

In 1951 Grandpa Jacob and his son, Walter Roosa bought the building at the current location (21 Main St.) from Warren Roosa, who at that time was still operating the old Caleb Birch and Son shoe store as Warren J. Roosa Shoes.

Grandpa Roosa retired in 1960 and Walter and his wife, Barbara were left manning the store. Sister Linda would help out holidays after she got back from college in Potsdam until she was off to her teaching job up-state.

Around 1976, son, Paul began coming in after school. He attended OCCC and majored in retail business management after graduating Valley Central in 1978. Still working in the store when not in school.
In 1990 Walter and Barbara told Paul they wanted to retire and hand the reins over to him. It was a year that was a life changing time for Paul. He had to make all of the decisions for the business! Paul knew he couldn’t run the business alone, so he begged his Sister-In-Law, Kathy (married to his brother Bruce) to leave her job in Middletown and come to work for him. Paul guaranteed her low pay and horrible hours and amazingly she still took the job!

From 1990 to 2008 everything was status quo until Paul’s wife received an amazing job offer in New Hampshire. Sadly, Paul closed the doors of the 89 year old family business, J.I. Roosa and Son Jewelers.
Paul missed the business. He was contacted by so many people to please come back. Neighboring businesses were contacting Paul that people had been dropping things off with them knowing that we stayed in contact and I would see them at various holidays when we returned home.

After a little more than a year Paul decided to reopen the store on a part-time basis. He reopened on the business’s 90th anniversary to a jam packed store full of well wishing loyal customers.

As life eased up in NH a bit, it afforded Paul the ability to open a full week every month. Paul relates that Walden and its surrounding communities have been very good to his family for decades. He thanks Walden for having the family business for most of the 100 years.
Thank you Roosa Jewelers for your valued service. May you always maintain your business in the Village of Walden.

July 10 is the birthday of Walden Police Chief Jeffry Holmes, a very special Walden Official. Be sure to wish him all life’s best. Have a great Birthday Chief!

Walden Rotary members send Happy Anniversary wishes to Kevin and Lisa Cannon who will celebrate on July 16 and to Steve and Lucy Bojsiak and Johnson and Claudia Germaine who will celebrate on July 26. May they all enjoy their Special day.

A beekeeping program for participants with some bee raising experience will take place on Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m. – noon at the Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park. All participants must bring and wear safety equipment consisting of a veil or bee suit. Please make reservations at 845-283-5011. The cost is $10. Rain date is Sunday, July 14, 10 a.m.

The Walden Beach at James W. Olley Park, 97 Sherman Avenue, Walden, is opened daily 12-6 p.m. for the 2019 Summer Season until August 26. Bring the family for affordable summer fun close to home. Lifeguards on duty. Any questions call 778-2177 x1524.

Last Call for Veteran Brick Orders for placement at Walden Veterans Memorial Park. All orders are due no later than July 15 to be dedicated in November 2019. Orders received after July 15 will be held for 2020. 4 x 8 bricks are $40; 8 x 8 bricks are $80. Honor or memorialize your favorite veteran or active duty member today. For more information call Brenda at 778-4028.

The Walden Humane Society, 2489 Albany Post Road, Walden will hold their indoor yard sale on Thursday, July 18, 9 – 3 p.m. Stop in and check out the many treasures they have for sale. Every penny is used to care for the animals at the shelter. Please also check out the Kitten Population. The Shelter has a policy in place that any animal (dog or cat) that has been at the shelter for more than six months, the fee will be waived for their adoption. Please visit the Shelter to see all the animals. Call 778-5115 for information.

You are welcome to attend the Music in the Grove, Free Concert Series at Wooster Memorial Grove Park, 89 East Main Street, Walden. All concerts will be held on Wednesdays with a starting time of 6:30 p.m. The Hillbilly Parade Band will play on Wednesday, July 10, 6:30 p.m.
Call the Town of Montgomery/Town of Crawford Dial-A-Bus to schedule a free pick up. In inclement weather, concerts will be held indoors in the John Howland Teen Center. Any questions call 778-7621.

You are invited to attend the Walden Community Council meeting on Wednesday, July 10 at the Angry Orchard, 2241 Albany Post Road, Walden. The Harvest Fest Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. The WCC meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m. New members are encouraged and are most welcome to attend. For information call Sue at 778-3532.

The Coldenham Garden Club will meet at the Coldenham Fire House on Thursday, July 11 at 1 p.m. This meeting will include the annual plant exchange and a presentation on the herb Mint by Vernice Arnott.

The Knights of Columbus, MPB Council 9254 will hold their 10th Annual Classic Car Show on Saturday, July 13, 2019 (rain date July 20) 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Walden’s Village Square. Classic and new cars and trucks exhibited. Also a “Kiddie Korner” for children with anything on wheels. Free registration. All entries receive medals. Come and enjoy the show, food, music, raffles, 50/50 and more. Judging begins at 12 noon. Trophies awarded at 2:30 p.m. For information call Paul J. Plate at 845-774-9964.

Also stop by the Jacob T. Walden House, 34 No. Montgomery Street on Saturday, July 13, 1 – 4 p.m. for Open House and a free concert on the porch. Music provided by the N. Y. School of Music. Questions? Call 778-7772.

Anita Bucci sends word that VCHS Class of 79 is holding their 40th year reunion on August 17, 2019 at Colden Manor (Spruce Lodge). It is a two day event! On August 16, there will be a visit to VCHS and on August 17, the dinner at 6 p.m. Call Anita at (845) 344-7928 for cost and details. Please leave a message if no answer. You can also visit Facebook – VCHS 40th Class Reunion (79).

Be reminded if you would like to be a vendor or a sponsor for the upcoming Walden’s 33rd Annual Harvest on September 28, Contact Mike Bliss at 778-2177 x 1523 (Sponsorship information) and Debbie Robb at 845-706-1570 (Vendor information).

Library news

Enjoy our “Tea Time Book Talk” with Sonia on Saturday, July 13, 12 p.m. We will have a lively discussion of Jennifer Donnelly’s “Lost in a Book: Beauty and the Beast”. Books are available for check out at the second floor Circulation Desk Tea and light snacks will be served. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will have a “Moon Button Collage” program Thursday evening, July 11, 6 p.m. highlighting the summer program theme. Debbie La Rocca will also be back for her monthly Stamping Craft program on Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m.

The next “Moon Monday Matinee”, is scheduled for July 15, 2 p.m. and will feature “Mars Needs Moms”.

Author event! Todd Strasser will be at the library on Tuesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. He will talk about his latest book “Summer of ‘69” and his personal experiences. Kirkus review states “Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to talk about. The book is set against the backdrop of Vietnam, Woodstock, the Moon Landing...a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, melancholy read set against a country in flux” as well as many other events from that tumultuous summer. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. A raffle will be held for your own personal copy of his book. Please join us for this exciting author’s visit.

Celebrate Woodstock with a family program on Thursday, July 18, 2 p.m. We will have music and stories. Then be prepared to create your own tie-dye shirt! All are welcome! (Please sign up ahead of time so that we have enough shirts!)