Serving the residents of Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery, and as a courtesy, residents of West Point, New York

The library was beautifully decorated inside and out this holiday season thanks to the creativity and hard work from the volunteers of Vision.

Local children decorated gingerbread houses and personalized snowman ornaments on December 9, 2017 and had the chance to purchase gifts and have them gift wrapped. Many thanks to the Girl Scout troop, Junior Honor Society students, and Joann Lewis for all their hard work in preparing and working this event.

Over 120 patrons visited the library on Saturday, November 18, 2017 to support the Friends of the Library’s annual bake sale and to see Kevin Wurster entertain the packed audience with his magic tricks and illusions. Both parents and children were spellbound for the one-hour show. Many thanks to The Friends of the Library who hosted this event.

Mrs. Suzanne Brahm, the library’s director for 32 years, retired on October 31, 2017. A farewell hosted by the Friends of the Library, and open to the entire community, was very well-attended. Many friends and civic groups for whom Mrs. Brahm has tirelessly assisted over the years, as well as former story time attendees (many now grown with young families of their own) stopped by to wish her well in her retirement.

Local author George Dapra held a book talk and signing for his biography Non-Disclosure, published by Outskirts Press, at the library on August 15, 2017. Dapra, who was an inspector in the Witness Security Division, United States Marshals Services for over 17 years, entertained a packed room with his stories and experiences. The book also includes family photos, recipes, and anecdotes of local friends and family, and is available in the library’s Biography section.

The Friends of the Library, under the guidance of Charlie Murphy, Angela McLellan, and Elaine Dapra, held their fourth bi-annual Spring Gala and Awards Night on Saturday, June 3rd.   Honorees that evening were Joe Gill of the News of the Highlands, and the West Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club.  Over 125 people attended and a substantial amount was raised for assistance to the library’s capital fund.  The opening and dedication of two new meeting rooms in the basement was also part of the evening.

Our own local author, Siobhan Fallon, will be at the library on Thursday, July 6, from 7 to 9pm.  This is one of many stops she will make while in the US.  Her new book, The Confusion of Languages, is now published and for sale by Penguin Putnam.  The library will have copies for sale that night.  For a complete interview with Siobhan about her life and family in the Middle East, read the June 22 issue of the News of the Highlands.

Community volunteers, Barbara Mennite and Olga Anderson, were among those who provided information tables for an Earth Day event, sharing their concerns for the environment.  James Skoufis, our Assemblyman, Bob Livsey, our Supervisor, and Frank Sheboy, our Superintendent of Schools, also attended.