A herd of more than 30 “VOW’S COWS” (Vision of Wallkill’s cows) were celebrated on Saturday with a photo opportunity on the Wallkill Public Library lawn.

Primed cow forms (measuring 31” tall by 46” wide), were made available to the public for a donation beginning March 7. The cows are designed to be painted by anyone and displayed in their yard or in front of their business.

Elsie the Cow has been the beloved visual symbol of the Hamlet of Wallkill and its colorful history. The Borden Dairy Company’s cow was voted one of the top ten most outstanding marketing mascots of all time. In this tradition, VOW is using the cow theme to create “VOW’S COWS”, artistically painted wooden cow forms that will beautify Wallkill.

In the late 1800s, Gail Borden invented the condensed milk process creating a product that became a staple in everyone’s home pantry.
After his son John G. Borden settled in the Wallkill Valley in 1881, the hamlet soon became the center of the condensed milk business for 50 years. Although the company moved its operations several years later, the Borden family remained in the town whereby their generosity further helped the community flourish.

The Borden family donated the properties where the town hall, fire department as well as the recreation park now stand and also established the library system. Along with their innovative practices, they also brought electricity to Wallkill. Marion Borden, the youngest child of John G. and Ellen Borden, further willed funds for an addition to the original school, the community hall of the Wallkill Reformed Church, the auditorium in the present-day John G. Borden Middle School and Camp Wendy.

“We wanted to pay homage back to the Borden family and to Marion Borden for everything they’ve given to our community,” said Donna Barczak, president of VOW. “With that, the cows were our inspiration for this project.”

VOW was aided by volunteers from the Vision of Wallkill VOW COW Committee. The Wallkill Lions Club also helped out, as they cut out the templates for the cows.

Over the past few years, VOW has offered Art Along the Sidewalk projects featuring local artists of all ages, art workshops, a Beauty of Wallkill Art Contest at the annual Weekend of Wallkill, window painting of local businesses and a silent auction of plein-air paintings from area artists.

Cows should be on display in the artist’s yard or business by Friday, April 23, in time for the town-wide yard sale the following day.

“We’re so delighted by all the beautiful cows,” she said. “The talent in our community, the Rembrandts and Picassos that we have right here in our hamlet is amazing.”