Spring was greeted on Saturday April the 8th at Palisades Presbyterian Church by our annual, ritual Spring Cleaning. In the rain, members climbed ladders, cleaned gutters and raked away the winters’ detritus.

On April 22nd, Earth Day, there was a Memorial Service Celebration for a dearly beloved life-time member of the Church, Ann Gray, who died on March 9, 2006. Ann, who was born in Rockland and spent the greatest part of her life living on Rockland Road, was the Church’s resident Florist and Horticulturist. Each Sunday for over 40 years, the sanctuary was graced by a floral arrangement of Ann’s making. She delighted in being able to say that she never bought anything — it all came from her garden. Even in the dead of winter, a lovely flowering plant would appear on the organ as if by magic.

After the Church Service, led by Ray Bagnuolo, Palisades Interim Pastor, a brunch was enjoyed and then plants, brought by friends and family, were placed in a prepared bed in the back yard, with the help of the Nyack Garden Club, where Ann was an enthusiastic member for years. In the future, the garden will be expanded so that others can plant flowers in memory of a loved one.

Ann was a very young 88 years old.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

• MAY 5, 6, 12, 13, 14: Children’s Shakespeare Theatre: “The Tempest”.
  

• MAY 21: Stanley Barlow, a long time friend of Palisades, reading from his own book, Appalachia and Beyond. Pot Luck Dinner at 6:30: Reading at 7:30.

• MAY 29: Our Annual MEMORIAL DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST — an event always anticipated by loyal Palisades residents: 8AM TO 10:30AM in the Parish House Juice, Sausage and Pancakes. Adults; $5.00: $3.00 for children under 10.

• JUNE 10: STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL; Palisades residents always know when summer arrives when the banner is strung across Washington Spring Road to announce the Church’s annual Strawberry Festival. Open from 2:00 to 6:00, they serve delicious strawberry shortcake (all home-made), ice cream, punch, soft drinks: there are games and face-painting for the children, and flowers and plants for sale.

• JULY 14: A BASTILLE DAY FRENCH DINNER; Our young children are taking a few lessons in May and June to learn some French recipes, and will be joining their parents in this lively evening of POT-LUCK and all things FRENCH. 6:00PM. Everyone welcome.

• AUGUST 5: AN AFTERNOON WITH TILLY GREY; Tillie Grey, who was raised in Snedens Landing, has written a book about her six years experience with Habitat for Humanity, in AFRICA. She will be speaking about her experiences, and signing her book, from 3:00 PM to 5:00PM in the Parish House. Refreshments will be served. This is a wonderful chance to say hello to an old friend. ALL are Welcome.