Yesterday I posted pictures of Six Flags Great Adventure all dressed up for Halloween.  The reason for our trip to New Jersey was for the Annual Fall Dance Fest.  My daughters dance with The Dance Diamond of Middletown NY. The girls of The Dance Diamond came ready to represent.  They included jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and step in the 15 minute program.  We really enjoyed watching them on stage and judging by the applause and participation of the crowd you could tell they did a great job! The Dancers of The Dance Diamond at the Six Flags Great Adventure Fall Dance Fest The following three (slightly blurry) pictures are of a Jazz dance  performed to a song from Hairspray. One exciting moment was when the girls did Step.  Step is performed without musical accompaniment.They performed a Hip H... 10/05/2008

Are you planning a community event near Middletown NY or the surrounding area?     If you would like to have some great entertainment Please let us know.   The performers of The Dance Diamond will help you out!  We will be happy to come to your event to perform any of the following types of dance - Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop, Step, and African.   The Dance Diamond has been providing a great environment for dance instruction in Middletown for over seven years.  Our dancers have participated in local, regional, and countrywide competitions. They have performed at Walt Disney World, Six Flags Great Adventure, Nassau Bahamas and on cruise ships.  They have been the sponsors of Dancin to Win - an annual fund raiser for breast cancer research which occurs in October of every year.  A... 09/23/2008

Sunday September 21, 2008 in Orange County NY Special Events Sunday's Weather Looks Like It Will Great (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Come to a Civil War Reenactment - Montgomery, NY This is the 12th annual Civil War Reenactment at the Farmers Museum (next to the Brick House Museum) 850 Route 17K, Montgomery, NY Open both Saturday and Sunday for visitors from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM For further information call 845-742-7598 65th Annual Charity Horse Show - Middletown NY There is free admission for spectators at this Middletown Rotary Club Horse Show from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Fancher Davidge Park Middletown, NY For further information call 845-692-5417 Play "CLUE" on a Life Size Game Board - Middletown NY Come to the Interactive Museum to play the game of Clue in costume o... 09/19/2008

Sunday September 14, 2008 in Orange County NY Special Events Chicken Barbecue and Yard Sale - Circleville, NY Circleville Fire Department will benefit from this sale and barbecue.  2618 Route 302 Circleville, NY For further information call 845-342-4782 Poker Run to Benefit Hudson Valley Autism Society- Newburgh, NY Meet at Moroney's Harley Dealership, 833 Union Ave, Newburgh with registration from 9:00 AM - Noon - End with pig roastcand picnic at Chadwick Lake until 4:00 PM Games, bike show, door prizes, and fun for a great cause. For further information call 845-264-2606 or 914-597-3953   Nature Hike - Museum of the Highlands  Join the staff for a Nature Hike at the Outdoor Discovery Center for a hike at 10:00 AM Located at 20 Kenridge Farm Road, Cornwall, NY.   For further informati... 09/12/2008

One of the first things I like to do as a new school year begins is to mark up my calendar and scheduler for the days that the children have off from school.  Of course there can be changes during the year but at least it avoids being clueless.  For parents with young children who need to have childcare available on days when school is not in session it is essential to be ready for those oddball days that come up like Superintendents Conference Days or Staff Development Days that don't follow with the standard holiday breaks that your school follows.   For your convenience I am displaying the school year calendar for the Middletown City School District here.  Take a minute this morning to get all the dates down so you won't be surprised.  (I have even heard of children who might, on oc... 08/26/2008

Location! Location! Location! A like-new Colonial in move in condition with a private, partly wooded yard in a great neighborhood. Ideal for commuters - close to shopping, highways & train. From the entry foyer to the formal living rm & formal dining room you will be surrounded by elegance. Hardwood floors & beautiful ceramic tile will delight. A master suite with walk in closet & private bath is a perfect oasis. The finished basement not included in the sqft. 08/16/2008

Sunday August 10, 2008 in Orange County NY Special Events Hear Some Music at Storm King Art Center, Mountainville, NY  If you have never visited this amazing "giant sculpture garden" this would be great weekend to go.  It has acres of fields with huge sculptures placed around the grounds.  Concert at 1:00 PM with Ellen Woloshin and Barney Griffin and band 1 Museum Road, Mountainville, NY   Click link or call 845-534-3115 for more information. If You Can't Go To The Beach...-Interactive Museum Middletown NY Exhibits and programs at this Children's Museum on Saturday highlight seashells.  From 2:00 - 4:00 PM 23 Center Street, Middletown NY Click above or call 845-344-3131  Hear the US Military Academy Band Jazz Knights - United States Military Academy Free concert as part of the "Music U... 08/10/2008

One of the gems I often visit in the City of Middletown New York is the Middletown Thrall Library.  The library, is housed in a former train station which was built in 1896 and served passengers through 1983, has an extensive collection of books, periodicals, audio and video collections, a reading room, a computer center with many available stations, a children's library with many programs for chilren, and a performance/meeting room where they screen movies and have performances that are open to the public.  I was inspired to feature this wonderful resource by Jennifer Fivelsvel's blog Come Visit The Expanded Starr Library - Rhinebeck NY The library is available to use by the public and is a part of the Ramapo Catskill Library System which allows library patrons from many Orange, Ulster... 07/27/2008

Middletown NY is one of the three small cities that are part of the fabric of Orange County.  Located about 55 miles northwest of New York City, it has access to public transportation via a commuter train station and bus service, commuter and local.  The city and surrounding town of Wallkill have all the stores you could want including the Galleria Mall at Crystal Run, several national department and discount chain stores, six major grocery stores, and many other places to shop including a newly revitalized city center.  The city is currently served by Orange Regional Medical Center at it's two locations, one in Middletown and one in Goshen NY, and construction has begun on a new state of the art facilty is due to be completed by 2011.  The city boasts of a great library, the main camp... 06/24/2008

My two Dancing Stars, Nicole and Victoria, performed in their annual dance concert on Saturday night.  They did a wonderful job.   Nicole and Victoria These two were involved in many dance routines during the show and managed to get changed on time, get out there on stage, and look like they were having fun.   I think we are all glad it is over though because of the rehearsals and their concerns that they might forget something. If they did no one noticed and they keep on dancing through it all.   1/2 A Karet Performance Group from The Dance Diamond in Middletown NY Most touching was a salute to our fighting forces called United We Dance.  It was a great night for all.    06/08/2008

Every season, Prudential Rand Realty collects information about community events throughout the Hudson Valley for our clients, colleagues, and friends. For Spring 2008, we assembled this compilation of events, and hope you are able to make the most out of this beautiful Spring Season.Middletown, NY Events - A Music Festivel 17, 11 am - 1 pmThe Arts and Communication Department Orange County Community College presents A Music Festival on the gardens of Horton Hall, featuring the OCCC Madrigal Singers and the OCCC Jazz Band. For more information call 845-341-4787 or visit www.sunyorange.eduNote: Many thanks to the tourism offices for Westchesterr, Rockland, and Orange Counties, and to the towns and villages for providing the information. Please check with event organizer for any late chan... 04/14/2008

Some fishing spots can be found in the "Parks" listings. O&H Bait Shop48 Main Street  · Chester 10918 • 845-469-2566All NY state fishing and hunting licenses. Fishing and hunting equipment, bait and information on access points. Daily 6-6. Winter 6-5:30. Orange County Park / Thomas Bull Memorial Park211 Route 416  · Montgomery 12549 • 845-457-49496 acre pond. Rowboats available to rent. Reel 'Em In Guide Service13 Fall Street  · Port Jervis 12771 • 845-856-3009Delaware River driftboat fishing. Spin or flyfish for shad, trout, smallmouth bass or walleye. Full or half day trips for up to 2 anglers on a custom-made driftboat. Ice fishing in Jan and Feb. Year round, reservations. Sam & Mabel's138 West Main Street  · Port Jervis 12771 • 845-856-4077All NY State fishing and hunting licenses. ... 03/27/2008

Algonquin ParkPowder Mill Road & Rte 52  · Newburgh 12550 • 845-561-188027 acres of history and natural beauty. Three ponds, a stream, picnic areas and a children's playground. 1800's site of the only black powder manufacturing facility in Orange County; many stone structures remaining. Open during daylight hours. Seasonal. Pavillion reservations 845-564-7815. Bear Mountain and Harriman State ParksRoute 9W  · Bear Mountain 10911 • 845-786-2701Hiking, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, lodging, fishing. Ice skating, cross-country skiing, playing fields, bicycling, museum and wildlife center. Binniewater ParkGreenville 12771  · 845-856-5064Pavilion and playgrounds. Known for its fishing. Chadwick LakeRoute 300  · Newburgh 12550 • 845-564-7815Fishing. Ice skating. Call for hours. Circ... 03/27/2008

Scotts Corners Golf Course1 Rose Win Lane, Route 208  · Montgomery 12549 • 845-457-91419 hole course with 18 different tees. Full service pro shop with left handed equipment. Snack bar. Daily, Mar 1-Nov 1. Mon-Fri, 7-dusk. Sat-Sun, 6-dusk. Stony Ford Golf Course550 Rte 416  · Hamptonburgh 12549 • 845-457-494918 holes, par 72. Pro shop, driving range, lessons. Dining and banquet facilities. In Thomas Bull Memorial Park. Mar-Nov. Dawn-dusk. Wallkill Golf ClubSands Road   · Fair Oaks 10940 • 845-361-102218 hole championship course. Lessons, driving range and locker rooms available. Apr 1-Dec 1. Full dining and catering facilities, 845-361-3100. Exit 119 off Rte 17 West. West Point Golf CourseRoutes 9W and 218  · West Point 10996845-938-243518 hole, par 71. Practice green with pitching and ... 03/27/2008

CommanderPO Box 355  · Cornwall-on-Hudson 12520 • 845-534-SAILNarrated excursion cruises aboard m/v Commander (on National Historic Register). Snack bar. Departing West Point 12:30; Haverstraw Marina 10am. Reservations required. Charter available for dinner cruises, lunches, weddings, corporate outings, fund-raisers, floating classroom for schools. May-Oct. PollepelTorches Landing  · Newburgh Waterfront 12550 • 845-220-21202 1/2 hour walking tour of Bannerman Island. See the castle and its unique gardens and trails. Fri-Sun., May-Oct. Pride Of The HudsonTorches Landing  · Newburgh Waterfront 12550 • 845-220-2120Cruise through history and the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on a 2 hour narrated sightseeing cruise. Customized cruises for schools and camps. Specializing in private char... 03/27/2008

Above the CloudsPO Box 4816  · Middletown 10941 • 845-692-2556View beautiful rolling hills and green pastures from a bird's eye view. Fully insured flight operations with a certified pilot. May-Oct. Reservations needed. Fantasy Balloon Flights, Inc.2 Evergreen Lane  · Port Jervis 12771 • 845-856-7103Hot air balloon rides. FAA certified commercial pilots. Fully insured flight operations. If you're looking for adventure or romance, we can take you up and away on the balloon ride of your dreams. All flights include champagne and a beautiful flight certificate. Groups accomodated. Flights depart from Randall Airport, Middletown. Hudson Valley Enchanted Balloon Tours14 Franklin Lane  · Otisville 10963 • 845-386-1402Hot air balloon rides with FAA certified pilots. Drift gently over the lower ... 03/27/2008

An amazing little piece of paper arrived in my mailbox from my mortgage provider today that made me smile all over. My mortgage holder sent me my 2007 Form 1098! What makes this correspondence so special? After all, monthly communications from my mortgage holder are not unusual. Every month I receive an updated bill that shows payments made, payment due, principal, interest ,escrow, and taxes. Every month I get to see where my money is going, going, going, gone. The Form 1098 is very different from my monthly statement, however. The 1098 is not simply a statement showing where my money has gone. The 1098 provides me with information I will use on my 2007 Federal Income Tax Return to get some of my hard earned dollars back. Did you get that? Money back!Some hesitate to take the plunge in... 01/16/2008

Residents of New York State's Hudson Valley know to turn to the Times Herald-Record for up-to-date in-depth coverage of local news and events, but how many know their newspaper also reaches out to assist local residents in distress?  For over twenty years the Times Herald-Record has operated a very special fund called People For People. People For People helps people who find themselves in difficulties that can be alleviated with one-time financial assistance. Examples of past People For People grants include money for auto repairs and help with utility bills. Each grant may seem like a small thing, but over time People For People has given assistance to thousands of local residents at a total cost that exceeds 3 million dollars. Moneys for People For People come from the community for ... 11/28/2007

Welcome to NewYorkEstates.net were you will find the best Hudson Valley real estate, new homes, realtors, communities, central New York home builders, and pre-owned homes. It's just a click awayNEW NEIGHBORHOODSwith help from NewYorkEstates.net as your Real Estate Guide. We have one of the largest local databases of New York builders, new home community real estate, and real estate related information on the Internet. You will be able to find all your local NY real estate needs here while gathering information about your new home purchase.Click Here to locate our 15 New Neighborhoods on our 6 county map of the Hudson Valley.  MIDDLETOWN Agape Love Multipurpose Center 26 Monhagen AveMiddletown, NY 10940 (845) 346-0068Agape Love Prayer Tabernacle 25 W Main StMiddletown, NY 10940 (845) 34... 11/25/2007

Are you interested in becoming a home owner in Middletown, New York but think you can't afford it? Orange County and the non-profit Community Housing Innovations are offering grants as high as $25,000 to low income first-time home buyers interested in buying two bedroom condos in Middletown's brand new Eagle's Point development.Funds for this assistance program total $250,000. Grants are available to those who meet the financial requirement by earning less than $59,000 for a family of four. Actual grant levels will depend on individual need. Units in Eagle's Point start at $169,000.Interested parties are encouraged to attend the informational seminar offered November 10, 2007 at SUNY Orange in Middletown, NY at 10 AM. This seminar for first-time home buyers is presented by Community Hou... 11/03/2007