Grab a cup of coffee and your calendar, because there are plenty of upcoming events to mark down in and around the Village of Montgomery.

The Village of Montgomery Fall Fest and Village of Montgomery Police PBA Touch-a-Truck will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 60 Bachelor St. Come out for music, food, games, a hayride, vendors and more.

Trunk or Treat will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. at 60 Bachelor St., near the Senior Center. Organizers are looking for residents willing to provide decorated trunks. Prizes will be awarded for the best trunks. For information and registration, call Tracey at 845-728-9949 or email Events25@yahoo.com.

How about a real-life Night at the Museum experience? The Village of Montgomery Museum, 142 Clinton St., will host a movie night featuring the popular film “Night at the Museum” on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. Popcorn and juice will be available. Seating is limited, so please fill out a registration form at Village Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend the museum’s first movie night.

Halloween trick-or-treating hours in the Village of Montgomery will be Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ladies, mark your calendars for Ladies Night Out on Friday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 9 p.m. There won’t be any dancing men, but there will be plenty of fun at 17 local businesses, with more possibly joining in. For information, contact Rachel Santana at 845-728-4470 or Joint2jewelers@yahoo.com.

Save the date for the annual Village of Montgomery Old-Fashioned Christmas, which will be held Dec. 12. More information will be coming as plans are finalized.

And while you’re doing your Christmas shopping, remember to pick up a gift for the Toys for Tots Toy Collection Train, which will stop in the Village of Montgomery on Sunday, Dec. 13. Gifts for older children are especially needed, so don’t forget the teenagers.

The popular annual Valley Central Scholarship Council Holiday Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Valley Central High School. There will be vendors, raffles, food and plenty of holiday fun.

Senior Center events

The Village of Montgomery Senior Center has several events planned. Call Jo-Ann at 845-457-9367 to sign up.
It’s never too late to learn something new — and save money at the same time. An AAA Defensive Driving Course will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upon completion, participants can receive a 10% insurance discount, reduce points and refresh their driving skills. The cost is $36.

Get out your fancy hats and white gloves — optional, of course — for a Tea Party Monday, Nov. 16, at 12:30 p.m. The $35 prepaid cost includes lunch, tea, desserts and more. Please RSVP with payment by Nov. 1.
The Senior Center will host a Veterans Luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Space is limited, so call as soon as possible to reserve a spot.

A bus trip to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse is planned for Monday, Nov. 30. The $92 cost includes transportation, the show “Christmas at the Playhouse” and lunch. The bus will leave at 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 6 p.m. The last day to sign up is Nov. 18.

And although Christmas may seem a long way off, now is a good time to give the gift of life. The Village of Montgomery Community Blood Drive will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. New donors are needed. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter code VOM. For questions, call Jo-Ann at 845-457-9367.

Around the community
We were saddened to hear about the closing of Vic’s and Antonio’s, two fine eating establishments in the Village of Montgomery. We wish their owners and employees well. If you’re looking for another place to eat, I recommend my favorite, Francesca’s on Ward Street.

I also noticed that the old Corner Deli is undergoing some transformation. A new business there would certainly be a boost and a blessing to the village.

There is some nice news from Holy Name of Mary-Assumption Church. The children in the Religious Education classes are making cards for local veterans. They are also holding a food drive to benefit the Montgomery Food Pantry. What a wonderful way for our young people to give back to the community.

The annual Orange County Farm Toy Show will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maybrook Senior Center. All proceeds will benefit the Orange County Farmers Museum.

The show will feature new and used farm toys, farm memorabilia, a farm display contest, kiddie tractor pulls beginning at noon, silent auctions, an outdoor tractor display and, of course, food.

The Advisory Board for Senior Citizens will sponsor a free Wellness Fair Thursday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Community and health care agencies will be on hand, and light refreshments will be provided. For information, call 845-260-4475.

The Advisory Board also offers numerous classes and activities, including Chair Pilates, Chair Volleyball, Knitting and Crocheting, Ukulele Lessons and No Pressure Writing Workshops. The Book Club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. In November, members will read “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman. For additional information, check the Advisory Board for Senior Citizens Center Inc. Facebook page.
The board will also host its annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon Thursday, Nov. 5, at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon is free and open to the first 100 veterans and their spouses. There will be a special performance by Maureen and James. Registration is required; call Mary at 845-260-4475. This year’s luncheon will be held at the Maybrook Senior Center, 2 Senior Way, Maybrook.

A special thank you
I want to close this month’s column with a personal thank you.

At a September meeting of the Village of Montgomery Board of Trustees, I was both honored and surprised when Mayor Mike Hembury presented me with a recognition for the work I do reporting the news of the village and surrounding area.

One of the most gratifying parts of writing this column is being stopped while I’m out and about. Just this week, someone stopped me in ShopRite to tell me how much they enjoy reading the column. I also receive calls from people who appreciate having an event, organization or community effort mentioned.

So, thank you, Mayor Hembury, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to read the column and share information with me.

I look forward to many more years of reporting all your news — and here’s to all the wonderful volunteers who work so hard to make Montgomery an even better place to live.