Laura McNamee
By Laura McNamee
Happy Birthday to Emilia McNamee and to Jodi Lynn on October 26th! I hope you both enjoy your special day!
In one of my earliest columns I featured the Didsbury Theatre, I wanted to share it again, in case anyone didn’t get a chance to read it last year.
In 1903 William H. Didsbury constructed a 2-story building (now home to the senior housing on Main St.); the first floor was home to a butcher market and grocery store, the basement was equipped with a kitchen which allowed local organizations and church groups to host their gatherings, and the top floor of the building served a few different purposes- it was a basketball court, a dance space and of course, at times, a theatre. In the early years, traveling shows would stop at the Didsbury to bring a little bit of Broadway to the Village. The dance floor would be transformed into a theatre with seating brought in, a curtain put up and stage built equipped with footlights.
In 1907 Mr. Didsbury purchased and installed the Edison VITA-GRAPH which allowed him to show movies in the theatre as well. A piano player and stage hand provided music and sound effects to complement the action in the silent films. Local dramatic clubs also presented full length plays complete with elaborate costumes and scenery. Both John Philip Sousa (The Stars and Stripes Forever) and The Great Enrico Caruso appeared at the Didsbury!
The Didsbury was remodeled in 1918. The theatre was moved to the ground floor, permanent orchestra seats on a sloping floor, along with a balcony, loges and an orchestra pit were installed. Movies were projected on a large screen at the rear of the stage
Thankfully, the theatre was able to survive during the Great Depression, as “talkies” began to become more popular. Families and residents would start saving their money as posters for upcoming movies were advertised. Movies provided a brief escape for people during the uncertain times of the depression.
As a gimmick to attract movie goers, the purchase of a ticket automatically entered you in the weekly drawing for a chance to win small amounts of money. Louise Didsbury also awarded free passes to a boy and a girl from the Walden School for their academic excellence, and members of her church’s children’s choir were admitted for free to a matinee twice a year- granted they regularly attended their practices and appointed Sundays and holidays.
The Didsburys also allowed Fire Companies, church organizations and other civic groups to put on plays and musicals as fundraisers for their respective organizations. There was also a cooking class held each Friday where each participant who paid for the class was entered to win a grand prize of featured appliances.
Over the decades theater attendance overall slowly declined and eventually the curtain came down on the Didsbury Theatre. Unfortunately, in 1974, after making it through two smaller fires in its history, the theatre on Main Street was completely destroyed by a fire.
News From The Library: We would like to remind the community that there is a Social Work Intern on site at the library. The Social Work Intern helps patrons navigate the local social services system, provides assistance with completing SNAP, HEAP, unemployment and housing applications as well as connects patrons with organizations that combat food insecurity, mental health issues and other emergency situations. Hours available by appointment are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Please call the library at (845)778-7621 for more information.
The Knit/Crochet Club will meet on Friday, 10/23, 10:30 a.m. (Please note new date and time) Join us for a fun morning of knitting and crochet. Bring in your projects and patterns to work on and share with others. Having your own supplies is suggested, but some supplies may be available for beginners.
We are taking part in The Great Give Back through November 1st. Help us collect the following items for a local domestic abuse shelter: new socks of all sizes, new underwear for children, teens, adults, new pillows, diapers of all sizes, new or gently used Christmas Stockings. The smallest things bring comfort and dignity to every person. Stop by the library for a detailed list.
Polymer Clay craft is scheduled for Monday, 10/26, 5:30 p.m. Ms. Jada will guide participants in creating a cute polymer clay cat. Please sign up ahead of time so that we have enough materials for everyone.
Fall is a wonderful time to decorate your home. Once again, the Walden Community Council is sponsoring a Halloween Decorating Contest for village residents. Use your imagination to make your yard spooky, full of fall colors, or decorated as you please. Walden Community Council members will tour the village on the evening of October 30 to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the contest. If you want to make sure the committee stops by your home (must be within village limits), please send an email to: WALDENCOMMUNITYCOUNCIL@GMAIL.COM by 10/29/26.
Make sure when you are out trick-or-treating next weekend you add two stops to your plans- The Historical Society will be handing out candy at the Jacob T. Walden House, and the First Reformed Church will have decorated drunks.
The First Reformed Church will also be hosting their Chili Cook-Off during the trick-or-treating hours. Stop by to sample chilis and vote for the ‘Best Chili’, ‘Most Original Chili’, ‘Hottest Chili’, as well as the ‘Best Decorated Trunk’. They will also be serving hot beverages and apple cider donuts. Free for everyone and they have restrooms and parking available as well!
On Wednesday Oct. 21, the Historical Society hosts speaker Ted Reiss at 7p.m. talking about Lake Mohonk and the Civil War between 1860 and 1870. Light refreshments will be served. New members always welcome.
The New Rose Theatre Group will be hosting Halloween Movie Nights Oct. 30th & 31st. They will feature Scream Friday, Oct. 30 at 8pm and Halloween on Saturday Oct. 31 at 9p.m. at the New Rose Theatre. Tickets are $10 for the movie only or $12 popcorn + water + additional donation (movie is free). Costumes are encouraged! Visit the NewRoseTheatreGroup or Hudson Valley Conservatory Social Media Pages for link to purchase tickets.
Saturday November 7, the Walden Baptist Church is hosting a soup, sandwich and salad dinner, 5-8p.m. $10 a person to dine in or take out. To place an order for more information- call 845-778-5611 or 845-541-1246.
Walden Rec will be hosting the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Saturday, November 14, 1-3p.m. at Anita Vandermark Community Center. To register call Laura at 845-778-2177 ext. 1527. Limited to the first 100 people, so reserve your spot soon!
If you have been wondering when the 2027 lottery calendar cards will be available, they are almost here ! The calendar cards are provided by the Walden Community Council for a donation of $20.00. The good news about them is that the price is the same as it has been for 18 years: a donation of $20.00 buys a calendar card with numbers matching the NYS Evening Lottery and is good for one full year of drawings. Watch for the next update telling you where and when!
Save the Date for WCC Holiday Shopping Vendor Event, Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10a.m.-4p.m. at Wooster Grove. Vendors can apply at www.waldencommunitycouncil.org. Any questions contact Debbie Robb, baglady1054@yahoo.com.
There will be a Yoga Class from 9-9:50a.m. at the Train Station at Wooster Grove. The class will be held every Saturday for 6 weeks, $60 per person, bring your own mat and other essentials. To register go to waldenrecreation.sportngin.com, under the adult programs tab.