GREENPORT — All is in readiness for the town’s bigger-than-ever Community Day this weekend.
Town Clerk Sharon Zempko, organizer of the event, updated Town Board members on plans and prospects at their meeting Wednesday, September 7.
Community Day takes place at the Town Park on Joslen Boulevard from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, September 17. Admission is free.
The kid-friendly event includes:
*Hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo and a train ride for toddlers
*Face painting (1 to 4 p.m.), popcorn art taught by the Scotia-Glenville museum (1 to 3 p.m.), and magic and balloon animals by Joey D. (2 to 6 p.m.)
*Three bounce houses from Jump! kids’ activity center in Greenport, and a special appearance by the Jump! Frogs.
Also at the park will be:
*Gerald Wright with his greyhounds, and Wendy Guntert of Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue and Advocacy with pets for adoption
*The Greenport Fire Department with its smoke house, teaching children how to get out of a burning house; as well as information booths by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Greenport Police and Greenport Rescue Squad
*Walgreens will be on hand to offer flu shots
*Music is provided by songstress Valinda Brandow (noon to 1 p.m.), Head West (2 to 4 p.m.) and The Ponytails (6 to 8 p.m.)
*And vendors will serve food of all kinds — burgers, hot dogs, the ever-popular fried dough, and more.
Ms. Zempko said more than $11,000 has been donated to support Community Day. She encouraged everyone to attend, and pitch in as volunteer help.
Also at the meeting, conducted by Councilman Guy Apicella in the absence of Supervisor Edward Nabozny, the board:
*Heard that Deputy Clerk Beth MacGiffert is supervising collection of usable shoes and boots for flood-drenched towns in Greene County. They may be brought to her at the Town Hall
*Agreed to seek a state grant for the town Justice Court to pay for a security system, walk-through metal detector, storage cabinet and fireproof filing cabinet
*Heard resident Mary Hallenbeck’s concern about lack of emergency information during recent bad weather, particularly location of shelters and imposition of a boil-water order. “Not all of us have computers and can go to a website,” she reminded the board. Councilman Thomas Fleming proposed that the town look into having an 800 telephone number for emergency issues
*Heard from Building Inspector John Florio that the Planet Fitness project on Fairview Avenue next to Peeble’s is moving forward. He said the roof and roof covering have to be replaced, and that the expected opening date is now sometime in November.
*Heard Planning Board Chairman Don Alger report that the former Sav-a-Lot store on Fairview is now occupied by Halloween City, a temporary “pop-up” store that will run until late November
*Heard Councilman Apicella thank all town departments and their staff/volunteers for “staying on top of Hurricane Irene.”
