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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , December 14 , 2016

PUBLIC AGENDA

THURSDAY , DECEMBER 15 Shawangunk Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill Village of Walden Planning Board , 7:30 p . m . Village Hall , 1 Municipal Square . Crawford Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 121 Route 302 , Pine Bush . Wallkill Board of Education . 7 p . m ., Leptondale Elementary School

MONDAY , DECEMBER 19 Town of Montgomery ZBA , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery .

TUESDAY , DECEMBER 20 Walden Village Board of Trustees , 6:30 p . m . Village Hall , 1 Municipal Square . Montgomery Village Board , 7:30 p . m ., Village Hall , 133 Clinton Street .

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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

The crew at the Shawangunk Reformed Church : ( l . r .) Paul Mader , Melissa Offenheiser , Lis Tucker , Patty Myers , Wilma Gilbert , Pastor Howie Dalton and Sandy DuBois

By GARY M . AYD

Yet Saturday in Wallkill , members of the women ’ s fellowship and others were selling a product whose appeal is centuries older than even one of America ’ s most vintage churches - cookies .

The annual event , which has been ongoing for more than 20 years and is

Pine Bush School Board is still pursuing its multifaceted process of choosing a new district superintendent , with no decision in sight , according to board chair Lloyd Greer . However , the board has narrowed the field from 30 applicants to four candidates , two now working in the district , two who are not , he says . Several recent board executive sessions have been dedicated to the process , including one devoted to writing a superintendent ’ s contract .

On December 1 , Greer said he hoped the board would come to a final decision that week . But on December 9 , he still had no decision , nor an expected date of decision .

“ Were taking this process very seriously held the second Saturday of December each year ; weather permitting . Scores of cookies flooded the numerous tables set up in the gathering hall of the church . The event began promptly at 9 a . m . and lasted until about noon .

It was an early crowd as much of the hustle and bustle had ended before 11 . Still dozens of people , many members of the church came by and paid the $ 6 per pound for delectable confectionary treats , served up by 31 bakers from the congregation .

All tolled the event raised north of $ 1000 toward the churches general fund , money used to extend and execute its

and looking at every possible angle ,” he said . “ It ’ s a very important step for Pine Bush and the future of our district , and we want to do the tax payers and stake holders of the district our due diligence in making the best decision .”

Robert Hendricks , managing principal of Educational Legacy Planning Group ( ELP ) has guided the search since last spring , six months before Joan Carbone announced her retirement . Through October , online surveys queried the public about the qualities they want in a superintendent , and school employee and community focus groups were formed to provide input . Then each of those groups selected a representative for a group of 14 ministry . While the bakers were mum on revealing the secrets to their mouthwatering concoctions , they did share with us some year-to-year fan favorites . A quick poll of the room revealed that the Snickerdoodle , Oatmeal Raisin and Walnut Crescents were a hit each year . To this authors palate , nothing tops the succulent taste of the moist peanutbutter cookies .

Some leftovers even made it as far as the frontlines in Iraq to support troops overseas .

“ sworn to secrecy ” that would interview candidates .

“ However they have no baring on the choice , only feedback to the board ,” Greer said .

Meanwhile , Hendricks began recruiting applicants in September . He said that both the board and selected confidential group would interview candidates . Board members would then visit the finalists ’ current districts . To attract “ top tier candidates ,” applications have been confidential , Hendricks said . The plan included choosing a superintendent this month and having them begin work in March or April .

- Jessica Cohen