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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , August 1 , 2018

PUBLIC AGENDA

THURSDAY , AUGUST 2 Montgomery Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery . Shawangunk Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill .

TUESDAY , AUGUST 7 Town of Shawangunk Planning Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill . Wallkill Board of Education , 7 p . m . Wallkill High School Library Media Center . Montgomery Village Board , 7:30 p . m . Village Hall , 133 Clinton Street .

MONDAY , AUGUST 13

Valley Central Board of Education , 5:30 p . m . Administration building , 944 Route 17K , Montgomery . ( Special meeting : board retreat ).

HOW TO REACH US

OFFICE : 300 Stony Brook Court Newburgh , NY 12550

PHONE : 845-561-0170 , FAX : 845-561-3967

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WEBSITE www . timescommunitypapers . com

The Wallkill Valley Times , ( USPS 699-490 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , N . Y . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Wallkill Valley Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 .

By LAURA FITZGERALD lfitz @ tcnewspapers . com

bicyclist pedaled into Dark Horse Cyclery of Montgomery as volunteers in gray Project Hero shirts cheered them on and rang cowbells . He took his medal as the volunteers readied for the next rider , cowbells poised .

This was the 4th annual Project Hero Honor Ride , a bike ride that supports veterans through cycling . About 100 riders participated in the event , with 12 volunteers assisting riders and handing out medals and 12 members of the Defiant Motorcycle Crew escorting the riders . Jack Shepard , national operations director for Project Hero , said the event raised about $ 10,000 for Project Hero .

Project Hero is a national organization that raises awareness for the national Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) mental health crisis and assists veterans and first responders by building and donating adaptive bikes for veterans , producing cycling events , supporting communitybased rehabilitation , recovery programs and medical and clinical research .

The organization has donated more than 200 adaptive bikes and 2,500 nonadaptive bikes to veterans and logged more than 30,000 bicycling miles in 30 states and six countries .

Since 2008 , Project Hero has assisted more than 10,000 veterans and first responders through cycling-based programs and other events . Participants in the organization ’ s programs report decreases in prescription drug use of up to 65 percent , according to Project Hero ’ s website . Participants also experience greater recovery rates , improved sleep habits and overall improvement in daily function .

Shepard said the physical activity and concentration required to ride a bike benefits veterans who may be dealing with traumatic memories and improves their mental health .

“ It takes them out of that dark hole of depression . . . When you ’ re riding a bike , you need to be focused on what gear you ’ re in , if there ’ s a hole coming up , if there ’ s a car next to you , who else you ’ re riding with ,” Shepard said . “ It allows your brain to stop thinking about all those memories of war .”

About 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report symptoms of PTSD or major depression , according to a 2008 RAND Corporation study . Risk for suicide is 22 percent higher for veterans when compared to non-U . S . veteran adults , according to a study from the U . S .

Riders participate in the Project Hero Honor Ride , a bike ride that benefits veterans and first responders .

Veterans Affairs office .

The ride also gives local community members the ability to meet and support their veterans .

“ It gives the vets a good push to show that people still support them , and it gives the general public an opportunity to come out and meet some of their local heroes ,” Shepard said .

Paul Thomas , an active duty member with the Marine Corps , participated in the ride . He said he enjoys seeing support for veterans from the community .

“ I wanted to come out and support my fellow military members and it ’ s rare that you see an outpouring of support of this magnitude ,” Thomas said .

Rider Kristen Leavy said she rides in bike events a few times a year . Her dad is a veteran , so she was happy to support a race that gave back to a cause that means something to her .

Dark Horse Cyclery owner George Zubalsky said he is humbled to be able to serve veterans in the community as a business owner .

“ It ’ s the least I can do to have the privilege to be in business and have somebody else protect my interest with their lives ,” Zubalsky said .

And even though the race is sponsored by local businesses , such as Walden Savings Bank , Newburgh Brewing Company and more , riders from as far as Texas and Ohio traveled to participate , Shepard said .

Rider Kevin Woo said this event was very accessible to anyone because some races require riders to raise a certain amount of money , which acts as a deterrent if riders are unable to raise it or don ’ t have the money . Project Hero ’ s

race was perfect for anybody because it only required a nominal registration fee and no minimum fundraising goal .

Woo said a 30-mile ride is also the perfect distance for anyone to complete , unlike longer races that require a certain ability level .

“ Enjoying yourself , that ’ s kind of the point ,” Woo said .

Rider Paul Zucker said he enjoys the comradery and friendships he has built through cycling . That comradery was easy to see as riders chatted with each other while munching on burgers or drinking a beer . Others sat on blankets enjoying the sunny day .

“ If you love cycling and then you share it with people who love it , it ’ s nice ,” Zucker said .

The next Honor Rides is in Barrington , Illinois on Aug . 12 . Another Honor Ride is scheduled for Doylestown , PA on Sept . 22 . A 19 , 40 and 63-mile route is available . Registration for all routes is $ 75 . Anyone is invited to sign up at any time , including the day of the race . To register or learn more , go to projecthero . org / events .

Riders Kevin Woo ( left ) and Kristin Leavy enjoy a beautiful day for an easy bike ride .