With Thanksgiving falling so late in November this year, the rush is really on to prepare
for the remainder of the 2025 holiday season. The month of December was upon us
even before the last of the turkey leftovers were gone. But here we are, gearing up for a
new round of celebrations and a new opportunity to help others in need.
The festive events have already started, as the town’s first tree lighting celebration for
the season took place in West Nyack on Wednesday, December 3rd. If you missed that
one, don’t worry because there are many other fun events planned for the days and
weeks ahead. Friday, December 5th is our annual “Candy Cane Hunt” and the blessing
of the creche at Congers Station Park. Saturday, December 6th is the annual tree
lighting in Nanuet, coordinated by the Nanuet Chamber of Commerce.
Finally, the biggest holiday event in town is the Town’s Winter Wonderland Kick Off at
Congers Lake Memorial Park, to be held on December 11th at 6:00pm. The evening
begins with a tree lighting, followed by a children’s concert featuring Matty Roxx, tractor
rides, cookies & hot chocolate, photos with Santa, and marshmallow roasting. It’s an
evening of holiday spirit you don’t want to miss!
And of course, coinciding with the tree lighting, our Winter Wonderland music and light
display is opened to the public. This collection of illuminated holiday decorations lines a
portion of the walkway near the Congers Community Center buildings. The lights are
coordinated to keep time with a holiday music soundtrack that plays in the background,
making for an enjoyable and festive walk for all. The display will run daily from 5-8:30
pm until January 1st. I encourage everyone to come out and look at all the beautiful
Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holiday displays. It’s a great way for people to enjoy
this beautiful park in the winter.
The Town is also proud to host its annual Menorah Lighting at Congers Station Park.
This special event will take place on Wednesday, December 17th at 5pm. Rabbi Paul
Kurland, from Congregation Shir Shalom, will be leading the Menorah lighting with
other local Jewish leaders. Refreshments will be served.
All these celebrations are great, but nothing embodies the spirit and meaning of the
season more than giving to those in need. Clarkstown offers a wide range of
opportunities to help others in many different ways. Having worked for various not-for-
profits for many years prior to becoming Supervisor, I know firsthand how impactful the
donations that are made at this time of year can be. If you aren’t sure where to start,
here are some local charitable programs you might wish to consider supporting:
The town’s own department of Parks & recreation is collecting new toys for children of
all ages. Donation boxes are located at our four community centers (Congers, Central
Nyack, Pascack, and Street) to be distributed by the Center for Safety and Change, an
organization that provides critical services and support to women and all victims and
survivors of gender-based violence and other crimes . If you would like to donate to this
worthy cause, please bring toys to the Winter Wonderland event or one of our four
community centers.
The Town of Clarkstown is also proud to be participating in Senator Bill Weber’s
December coat drive. The donation box is located in the main lobby of Town Hall in
New City. Coats will be donated to Martin Luther King Center and People to People.
Please take a look through your closets and donate any coats you may no longer need.
Help us keep our neighbors warm this winter!
You might also consider supporting any number of the wonderful, local charitable
organizations operating in Clarktown. You can shop for used Lego pieces and sets at
Brick It Again, located in Valley Cottage and operated by Jawonio. You can pick up some
delicious cookies sold by Baking Memories 4 Kids. Also based in Valley Cottage, this
non- profit (501 (c)(3) foundation sells cookies to provide children with life threatening
and /or terminal illnesses and their families an all-expense paid vacation to ALL the
theme parks in Orlando, Florida. Other great local options include the Happy Jack
Fund, ARC of Rockland, and Meals on Wheels.
As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season surrounds us, it’s heartwarming to see the
holiday spirit and generosity displayed by many of you. I’m always amazed by the
kindness and willingness of the residents of Clarkstown to help our neighbors in need.
Please consider giving any amount of time or money that you can spare, and I hope you
take comfort, as I do, in knowing we played a small role in spreading kindness and the
true spirit of the holidays.
