4
Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , May 31 , 2017
Historic Hoot Owl has a rebirth in Shawangunk
By GARY M . AYD
The Hoot Owl is back . Closed since 2013 , this historic building located in Shawangunk has been renovated and reenergized by the entrepreneurial efforts of Rockland County native Arif Khan and his wife Sabeen , who hails from southern Jersey .
The couple took over the venerable building , which is believed to have been built in 1856 , on February 10 and opened three months to the day later on May 10 .
“ We were looking to buy a house to live nearby ,” Khan said . “ I love hosting and offering good food so we figured let ’ s give this a try .”
Khan has done his homework on the history of the building which is long and somewhat mysterious . Starting from the time it was built until the 1920s it served as a general store before becoming a post office later that decade . The site ’ s function between the time period of the 1920s and 1940s is unknown . The name ‘ Hoot Owl ’ is believed to have been given to the site sometime in the 1960s .
After a long period of prosperity , the building was shut down in 2013 amid numerous violations and drug
Owners Sabeen and Arif Khan inside the Hoot Owl .
allegations . There were even rumors of Mafia connections dating back to the 1980s when it was rumored that a hitman was hidden in the building .
Despite its warts , the Hoot Owl was a community beacon , one which Khan hopes to rekindle . “ This place has a really rich history and people genuinely missed it ,” Khan said . “ Many people remember having their first drink here and spending time with family .”
Johannes Sanzin , a famous chef who has worked in New York City , Paris and even owned restaurants has agreed to be
chef . The menu features a unique mix of traditional comfort food like burgers and hand cut fries , as well as Indian specialties and delightful appetizers like the fried olives . The Chicken Curry , Burger , Mac & Cheese and fries seem to be early favorites and dinner has been quite busy .
Hoot Owl is located at 26 Awsting Road . It is open for business Wednesday & Thursday from 11:30 - 10 , Friday from 11:30 - 11 , Saturday 10 - 11 and Sunday 10 - 9 . They are closed Monday and Tuesday . They can be reached at ( 845 ) 670-4668 or find them on Facebook .
The restaurant ’ s namesake overlooks the bar .
Crawford councilman to seek legislative seat
By RACHEL COLEMAN
“ I think I have a lot to offer ,” said Crawford Town Councilman Rob Sassi , after announcing his intention to run for higher office last week .
Sassi will be throwing his hat in the ring this fall for the position of Orange County Legislator of District 18 , which includes the town of Crawford and portions of the town of Wallkill .
“ I want to give the Town of Crawford a voice in county government ,” said Sassi .
Sassi retired in January , after teaching government at Valley Central High School for 32 years . He has simultaneously sat on the Crawford Town Board for the past six years .
“ The town of Crawford really hasn ’ t had active representation in the county ,” said Sassi . “ The county is fairly well run , but I don ’ t think the towns of Crawford and Wallkill have gotten their fair share .”
Sassi said the town has not been receiving much in the way of grants and he knows there are funds available , but Crawford is “ not really getting our fair share of the pie .”
Sassi has been endorsed by both the Republican and Conservative parties .
“ I don ’ t look at Democrat or Republican . I want to find a way to help people ,” said Sassi , adding that he saw himself as a kind of throwback to U . S . Representative Ben Gilman , who passed away last year . “ It ’ s sorely lacking in politics today .”
Sassi is retired from teaching , but he works as a fulltime NYS licensed realtor and serves on the Board of Directors for Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union . He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the “ hidden gem ” known as Braeside Camp — a not-for-profit summer camp for Orange County ’ s underprivileged youth , located in the town of Wallkill .
“ I enjoy public service ,” said Sassi . “ I work well with people .”
He noted that the bittersweet result of a successful election is that he would have to step down from his seat on the Crawford Town Board .
“ I ’ ve really enjoyed sitting on the town board ,” said Sassi .
Sassi noted that over the last couple years the
Crawford Town Board as a whole has been fighting for improvements to State Routes 302 and 52 — and word is that residents will finally be seeing positive results .
“ People are ecstatic and happy about it ,” said Sassi . “ We were diligent and got it done .”
Sassi said he lives and works in Pine Bush ( the Town of Crawford ) and his two children attend school in Pine Bush . While he will miss the town board , he believes he can make a
Rob Sassi difference for Crawford and
Wallkill at the county level and looks forward to serving all the residents of District 18 .
Meanwhile , their current representative says she ’ s not ready to leave just yet . Orange County Legislator Roseanne Sullivan , a Democrat , is finishing her first term after wresting the seat from the Republicans in the last election .
“ I am running for re-election , at the urging of many of my constituents ,” said Sullivan .