Bicycle enthusiasts across the Northeast are gearing up in preparation for the 13th Annual Tour de Putnam Cycling Festival, the race designed by cyclists for cyclists. Kickstands go up at 8 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Gipsy Trail Road in Kent, NY on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010.

In the Tour de Putnam, cyclists have the opportunity to choose a route length to suit their own riding ability. Clearly marked and color coded 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100 mile routes take riders through breathtaking Putnam County countryside whose scenic roads weave and wind and are bordered by history itself. Mountain bikers will have their own woodland loop awaiting them as well. 

The SAG supported event will open for registration at 7:30 with staggered starting times beginning at 8. Pre-registration is $25; same day registration is $30. For an on-line registration form visit: http://www.visitputnam.org/. Registration includes a t-shirt, picnic lunch and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

Ride Info:
- Full SAG support
- Clearly marked, color coded routes
- Easy to follow cue sheets
- Bike mechanics courtesy of Bikeway (845) 621-2800
- Route sweeps
- Medical support
- Complimentary massages
- Access from the Southeast Station, on Metro-North’s “Harlem Line”
call 1-800-METRO-INFO
- Free Shuttle service from the Southeast Station with (reservations only),
call 800-470-4854 or 845-225-0381

Times
Check in and same day registration 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Food and water stations are open from 8:30 – 3:00 pm

Ride Start time
- 100 miles, 8 to 9 am
- 75 miles,  8 to 9 am
- 50 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 30 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 15 miles,  9:00 to 10:00 am

- Mountain Bike loops   9:30 am

Fees
Pre-registration $25.00
Same day registration $30.00

Registration includes t-shirt, picnic lunch, and Dixieland band. No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.

Free shuttle service from the Southeast Metro-North Train Station will be available but entrants are reminded to make reservations for the shuttle by calling: (800) 470-4854 or (845) 225-0381.

So strap the bikes onto the car or load them onto a Metro-North train but don’t miss a fabulous ride through Putnam County – where the country begins.

Resource: Marty Collins, The Putnam County Times;  http://www.visitputnam.org/

Photo credit: Tony Mazzariello

On Tuesday May 4, 2010, Legislator Sam Oliverio, Jr., of the Putnam County Legislative Board,  proudly proclaimed May as Older American’s Month in front of local Senior Club Presidents and their guests, Executive Director, William Huestis and the Office for Aging staff, and a room filled with supportive participants.

This year’s theme, “Age Strong!  Live Long!”, recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans and highlights the importance of staying healthy throughout our lives!

This year, to honor and celebrate with our Older Americans, the Office for the Aging will be having an  Open House” at our four Friendship Centers:

• Carmel Friendship Center…..May 17th
110 Old Route 6 – bldg. #1, Carmel, NY (845) 225-2500

• Cold Spring Friendship Center…May 18th
American Legion Hall on Cedar St., Cold Spring, NY  (845) 265-3952

• Putnam Valley Friendship Center…May 19th
117 Town Park Lane, Putnam Valley, NY (845)  528-2662

• Mahopac Friendship Center…..May 21st
180 Route Six, Mahopac, NY  (845) 628-0411

Please join us for this special event, meet new friends, stay for lunch and also learn about the many programs and services offered by the Office for the Aging.  Dessert will be an old-fashioned Ice Cream Sunday!

For more information, please call William Huestis (845) 225-1034, ext. 47100.

Putnam Valley is proud to host the 2nd Annual Children’s Educational Program – An Educational Experience for All Nature and Native Americans on Saturday, May 1, 2010 and Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 10am to 5pm.  The event will take place at the Putnam Valley Grange Building  #841 located at 128 Mill St. (Corner of Peekskill Hollow Road), Putnam Valley, NY, and is presented by American Indian Art, Minerals and Fossil Company.

Looking for free of low cost things to do with your kids and family?  Bring them to the Putnam Valley Annual Children’s Education Day for a day of fun.  Walk around and examine such items as bear skulls, moose, deer and caribou antlers; view a large collection of insects; authentic Native American artifacts including moccasins, weapons, tools, and carved items from 3,000 BC.   Also on display will be  antique Native American dolls,  baskets, 17th c. trade beads, old drums, arrows, a bird nest made out of horse hair, original fishing line from late 1800′s, original wampum, scalp lock, old human tooth bracelet (yuck), monkey and other animal teeth, arrowheads, beaded bags, a pair of Revolutionary War silver breeches buckles, Civil War bullets and so much more.

There will also be personal items of Blackfoot John Two Guns White Calf (original model for the Indian Head Nickel), the original moccasins that belonged to General Custer’s Personal Scout, and the Dentalium Shell Cape that belonged to Chief American Horse’s Daughter. 

Come on over and meet the “Mountain Man” (you’ll have to come to the event to find out who this is — it’s a surprise).   There will be a TeePee on grounds (weather permitting).

A FREE  Alligator Tooth will be given to all Children on Saturday.

A FREE  Buffalo Tooth will be given to all Children on Sunday.

There will also be Free Workshops, Mineral Displays and Identification.  Minerals, Fossils, Native American items and jewelry for sale starting at $3.

Refreshments and lunch are available for purchase.  Suggested Donation: $4 for Adults, $2.50 Seniors, Students and Children. Free to children 6 and under.

For more info contact: quailcrossing10@gmail.com or call: 845-528-0345

Guiding Eyes for the Blind Asks: Can You Spot the Donation Dog? “Where’s Waldo” Facebook Photo Contest Kicks-Off New Donation Dog Initiative To kick-off of their new Donation Dog initiative, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is hosting a “Where’s Waldo” Facebook photo contest for residents of Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties.

The nonprofit guide dog school has placed fourteen Donation Dogs in locations throughout the region and invites those interested to sniff out and snap a photo with the life-sized guide dog piggybanks. Guiding Eyes’ “Spot the Donation Dog” contest will run through June 30, 2010.

In addition to a gift basket valued at $250, the winner will also receive a private tour of Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Headquarters and Training Center in Yorktown Heights to meet the future guide dogs who reside there. Second and third place winners will also receive Guiding Eyes merchandise. To enter, participants must have a Facebook account and become a Fan of Guiding Eyes for the Blind at www.facebook.com/guidingeyes.  Participants may submit one photo per location by posting it on Guiding Eye’s Facebook Wall. Entries should include “Donation Dog Photo Contest” along with the location of the photo. The winner will be notified on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Fan page by July 30, 2010.

Guiding Eyes’ Donation Dog initiative raises funds for the school’s Kennel Enrichment Program. Designed to prepare current dogs in training for their future lives as guides, the program supports each dog’s inherent curious, intelligent, and loving nature with a combination of exercises and mental stimulation. Funds raised through Donation Dogs will enable Guiding Eyes to purchase specially chosen toys and dog beds. “As Guiding Eyes receives no government support, our work is only possible through individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in our life-changing mission,” said Lisa Deutsch, Vice President for Marketing and Development, Guiding Eyes for the Blind. “Our Donation Dogs are great tools to spread awareness and also show that generosity matters – in all shapes and sizes.” Deutsch continued, “We are also thankful to the restaurants, shops, schools, and other venues who have so graciously agreed to participate in our new initiative.  By displaying a Donation Dog, they are demonstrating their commitment to supporting the community.”

Donation Dog locations include:

Murphy’s (355 Kear Street, Yorktown Heights)

Little Sorrento (3565 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor)

Walter Panas High School (300 Croton Avenue, Cortlandt Manor)

Kellogg and Lawrence Hardware (26 Parkway, Katonah)

Simply Bagels (17 Peekskill Hollow Road, Putnam Valley)

Carmel Movieplex 8 (150 Route 52, Carmel)

Flory’s Mobil (157 Bryant Pond Road, Mahopac)

Jumpin’ Jeepers (926 Route 6, Mahopac)

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, NY. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind Guiding Eyes for the Blind (www.guidingeyes.org), an internationally accredited nonprofit guide dog school, was founded in 1954 to enrich the lives of blind and visually impaired men and women by providing them with the freedom to travel safely, thereby assuring greater independence, dignity and expanded horizons of opportunity. Since that time, Guiding Eyes has become one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, graduating more than 7,000 guide dog teams.

It provides superbly bred Guiding Eyes dogs, professional training and follow-up support services to students at no cost to them and depends on contributions to fulfill its mission. The comprehensive cost of breeding, raising, preparing, training, and supporting a Guiding Eyes team is $45,000. Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, NY and the Canine Development Center is in Patterson, NY.

Putnam Valley Town Park is located off Oscawana Lake Road and North Street, right near the Putnam Valley Elementary School. 

The Putnam Valley Parks & Recreation Department and its Commission are continuing to improve the quality of life for its residents.  Construction of the pavilion, new bathrooms, additional parking, a new field area, and new park lighting are continuing so that all ages, from youth to seniors, can enjoy the park.

The resurfacing of multi-purpose courts and the roller hockey rink has been completed waiting for Spring to arrive.   Also coming soon is a new Senior Center in the park, which is a cooperative effort of the Town, County and New York State. This construction project will include improvements to the entrance, roadway, and facilities.

To learn more about the Putnam Valley Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit their website at http://www.putnamvalley.com/parksandrec.htm or give them a call at the numbers noted below.

Parks & Recreation
Phone: (845) 526-3292
Fax:    (845) 526-3179

Children’s Center
Phone: (845) 528-4911
 
Parks and Recreation Dept. (Town Hall Annex)
Office Hours:
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday through Friday

Facilities Include:
3 Lighted Tennis Courts (permit required)
Lighted multi-purpose courts for handball, basketball, and other games (proper equipment required)
Children’s Playground Pavilion with BBQ grills and picnic tables (available for rental)
After dark lighting Revitalized Hiking trails Union Baseball field (NO DOGS! NO GOLF)
Multi-purpose field (NO DOGS! NO GOLF!)
Lighted Softball field
Three new fields; one softball, one soccer, one practice (NO DOGS! NO GOLF!!)
Two lighted sand volleyball courts – for volleyball only (NO GLASS, NO PETS NO SAND TOYS ALLOWED)
Roller Hockey Rink, with family roller skating permitted (Roller Hockey by permit only, all proper equipment required)

Content and image from the Putnam Valley Department of Parks and Recreation