Survey results are in! In response to your survey input, there will be four bi-weekly meetings this spring. The first meeting is on Thursday, May 11 at 1:00 pm at the Palisades Presbyterian Church. To foster a deeper sense of belonging with our neighbors we will hear one another’s stories, and have a respectful, open-ended dialogue as we explore topics that concern us all. Light refreshments will be served. Come on out and share what’s on your mind.

The South Orangetown Central School District's annual school budget vote and Board of Education elections are on Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Tappan Zee Education Center (formerly Tappan Zee Elementary School) at 561 Route 9W in Piermont, is the polling site for Palisades residents. The proposed 2023-24 school budget totals $108,815,021 and reflects a 7.15 percent budget-to- budget increase. It remains within the tax cap with a 2.08 percent tax levy increase. For the Board of Education election seats the candidates' names, in the order they will appear on the ballot, are:
Seat 1: Katie Gravino and Leon Jacobs (encumbent)
Seat 2: Dawn Kitz and Diana Korabel
Additional information is online at www.socsd.org/ budget.

Oral Storytelling Workshop at ROCA – your story matters! Wednesdays, May 17, May 31, and June 7, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Join artist and educator Katie Elevitch for a fun and inspiring workshop that will ignite your inner storyteller and show you the unique power of oral storytelling to heal, transform & build community. For adults ages 18+. No performing or creative arts experience is required. Contact Katie at storyspacearts@gmail.com

The Sheep and Wool Festival is May 28, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Child–friendly craft activities, a petting zoo, live music, local craft vendors, and delicious food. On the lawn at Orchard House at 275 Hungry Hollow Road in Chestnut Ridge. Admission and parking are free. A small fee is charged for activities.

The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the flagpole at Closter Road and RT 9W at 9:00 am on Monday, May 29.

Palisadian Meagan Cohen launches The Palisades Review, an online quarterly literary magazine celebrating short form nonfiction. The publication is looking for true stories honed to 1000 words or less. “Tell us anything, as long as it’s true,” says Cohen. Cohen, a published writer, has worked in the publishing industry for seven years and, in addition to founding The Palisades Review, is a Partnerships Manager at Stitcher Podcasts. To submit please contact www.thepalisadesreview.com

Marianne Scordel, a resident of Palisades since 2016, became a U.S. citizen in February. Marianne was born and grew up in France and graduated from Oxford. She worked in financial services for many years. “I am feeling proud and privileged to have been admitted as a new Citizen and I look forward to contributing to the life of this country.” Congratulations Marianne!

Cassandra Bartels, a soon to be Barnard College graduate, was awarded a Fulbright student scholarship to study carbon release during the last 20,000 years from the Southern Ocean using a novel radiocarbon technique called MICADAS. She will be moving to Kiel, Germany in September to study under former Lamont postdoc, Dr. Julia Gottschalk.