As our area continues in Phase I of the COVID-19 recovery process, the Maybrook Village Board wants to play it safe and has canceled several upcoming activities.

At a “virtual” teleconference meeting last week, the board voted to cancel the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Maybrook Ensemble yearly spring concert, the annual community yard sale, the first Family Movie Night, the Kick-Off the 4th of July celebration and the Women’s Over 25 Recreation Softball Program. Although Orange County is expected to be in in Phase 2 by July, Mayor Dennis Leahy said “lots of donations” are always sought for the pre-July 4th celebration and the village “does not feel comfortable” asking for so many donations in these hard economic times.

The 2nd Family Movie Night, set for July 24, is still on the schedule, hoping conditions permit its showing. The next Village Board meeting, the only one in June, is set for 7 p.m., Mon., June 22, as another teleconference virtual meeting but could change if virus recovery efforts permit.

In other business, the board voted to note achievements by Maybrook students of all kinds who have or will miss out on so many milestone celebrations, from proms to graduations. Banners will be hung at each of the two entrances to the village congratulating all of them, from students “moving up” from 5th grade to the Middle School, from Middle Schoolers moving up to the High School and, of course, Maybrook’s graduates from Valley Central High School. Cost of the banners will not exceed $250 for both.

“It’s appropriate,” Trustee Daryl Capozzoli smiled as he moved to purchase the banners. “And it’s for all graduates.”

Also in line for appreciation at the meeting was the village Public Works Dept. for all their work, especially for their extensive labors recently at the sewer treatment plant.

One more note of appreciation went to the village Police Dept. whom, the board agreed, often go above and beyond their normal duties. Trustee Jim Barnett described a recent episode where a police officer found a dog and searched for — and found — it’s owner.

Finally, special get-well wishes went out to Artie Orpikowski, member of the Maybrook Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2064, who is hospitalized with COVID-19.

Orpikowski is a familiar face around the village, often selling raffle tickets or giving out poppies at Stewart’s, ShopRite and various village events.