Trivia Tidbit: on July 21, 2024 will be the Buck Moon. Thank you to timeanddate.com/astronomy for the meaning. I will be checking in with them each month for an update.

In July, the Full Moon is called Buck Moon to signify the new antlers that emerge on a deer buck’s forehead around this time. Male deer, or bucks, shed their antlers and grow new ones every year. Deer belong to the Cervidae family along with elk, moose, reindeer and other species. Other Native American tribes call it Salmon Moon, Raspberry Moon and Thunder Moon because of the frequent thunderstorms in the summer.

In Celtic, this Moon was known as the Claiming Moon, Wyrt Moon, Herb Moon and Mead Moon, indicating that July is the time to gather herbs (or wyrts) to dry and use as spices and remedies. The Anglo-Saxons called it the Hay Moon after the hay harvest in July.

Back by popular demand will be the Summer Crafts Supply Sale on Fri. August 2 & Saturday, August 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is always a big hit so make plans to come early before everything is sold out! Stop by the Walker Valley Schoolhouse Community Center, 6 Marl Road, Walker Valley and shop ‘til you drop!

Kelli Palinkas Greer is accepting donations for items and you can reach out to her at 845-744-3055 to make arrangements for drop-off. Items of interest include yarn, buttons, fabric and anything else ‘crafty’. Proceeds from this event benefit programming and services to the Walker Valley community.

Saturday, August 3 is a really busy day in Walker Valley with the ladies auxiliary holding a yard sale at the firehouse from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any community member is invited to join in and the fee is $25 for a spot. You would have to provide your own table & chairs.

Reserve your location by July 20 by calling Tami Lutz at 845-744-2107. This is a rain or shine event. The ladies will be selling breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. Firehouse is located at 3679 State Route 52, Walker Valley.

Also scheduled for Saturday, August 3 is the Walker Valley Fire Company chicken BBQ fundraiser from 12 - 3 p.m. at the firehouse. Menu includes chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, drinks and desert. Adults $15. Discount $12 for Seniors, Veterans and kids 5-12 with kids under 5 eating for free.

Contact any fireman for tickets or stop at the firehouse on Monday drill nights 7 - 9 p.m. Take-out will be available.

Reminder: the United Friends Observer Society Support Group is meeting again on the first Wednesday of the month from 7 - 9 p.m. Their location is the Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum, 86 Main Street, Pine Bush. $5 donation appreciated to offset light refreshment expenses.

For more info, contact the museum at 845-524-4272 or group facilitator Dr. Bill Wiand at 845-744-3143.

The Pine Bush Area Library has some interesting activities going on in the month of July and every month, as a matter of fact, so please visit them on Facebook or call 845-744-4265 ext. 2 to get signed up to receive their newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!

Shawangunk Valley Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary is looking for vendors for their Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will be a rain or shine event with indoor and outdoor spaces available. 10x10 Indoor space is $60, includes an 8’ table and 2 chairs.

10x10 Outdoor space is $40, bring your own tent, table & chairs. Contact the auxiliary for an application at SVFCauxiliary@gmail.com.

Our sister hamlet of Wallkill, Town of Shawangunk, invites you to their ‘Rhythm on the River’ Summer Concert Series for 2024. Weekly schedule on Thursdays beginning on July 11 and running through August 22. Bring your chairs, blankets and dancing shoes to Popp’s Memorial Park, 3081 Route 208, Wallkill and let the ‘Music Move You’!

Some of the favorites scheduled to perform include Hillbilly Parade - July 11; Soul Purpose - July 18; The Mustangs - July 25; BluCrush - August 1; Sons of Hudson - August 8; Oxford Station - August 15 and Dog Party - August 22.
These are rain or shine events.

‘Salute Saturdays’ with Heroes, Cowboys & Companions, 2208 Route 52, Pine Bush. On the 3rd Saturday of each month this organization holds activities for Active Duty, Veterans & First Responders. Dwayne Lallathin & Jacque Transmeier are your hosts and all Saturday events start out with snacks and socializing from 10 a.m. - noon followed with a demonstration on relationship building skills with horses; Q&A until 1 p.m. when the main activity begins. July 20 will be Fly Fishing with the Southern Catskill Anglers.

Their mission is to inspire who are new to the outdoors through their program which includes fly-tying, fly-fishing, bait casting and spinning instructions. Come to the farm and get involved – you might catch a fish! Follow both the Heroes, Cowboys & Companions and the Southern Catskill Anglers on Facebook.

More music for your entertainment can be found when The Hilltop Experience presents Music at the Cragsmoor Stone Church on Saturday, August 17 with The Antlers, voice-guitar+ and again on Saturday, September 21 with Trina Basu & Arun Ramamurthy, Indian violin duo. Shows are at 7 p.m. and for more information call 800-275-8777 or visit them at cragsmoorstonechurch.org.

The historic stone church is located at 280 Henry Road, Cragsmoor and is a very beautiful location so bring your camera!

The Reformed Church of Shawangunk will have their chicken BBQ on Saturday, July 27. Take-out only! Pick up in church parking lot from 5 - 6 p.m. For reservations and info call 845-895-2952 by July 24. Send checks to Reformed Church of Shawangunk, 1166 Hoagerburgh Road, Wallkill NY 12589 and put BBQ on the memo line. Menu includes half chicken, baked potato, baked beans, coleslaw, roll and watermelon.

The RCofS would also like you to know about their FREE family movie night on Fri. July 19 at 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The featured showing will be Disney’s Inside Out (PG) and will be viewed inside the fellowship hall, 1166 Hoagerburgh Road, Wallkill.

The Circleville Presbyterian Church has posted the information regarding the need for volunteers for this years’ Jungle Journey VBS August 12 - August 16.

Visit them on line or on Facebook for more information. Looks like a very fun filled adventure!