AN END OF YEAR MESSAGE FROM EVERYTHING CROTON &...

Dear Readers of Everything Croton:

As another year comes to a close, it's important to once again recognize all those residents who seldom receive a thank-you for all their efforts to make Croton a better place—but should.

Here’s just a small sampling:

1. Once again, village animal lovers helped pay for the spaying/neutering of 7 feral cats, found homes for 9 kittens and other animals, re-united 7 lost pets with their families, and regularly collected pet food donations for pet-owning residents living on a fixed income.

2. Once again, many thanks to those who have generously made dozens of village documents obtained through the Freedom of Information process—on everything from the budget to the Gouveia gift to HUD--available to Croton residents without hesitation--the better to keep us all informed. Special recognition to Virginia Calcutti, Robert Scott and many others, as well as to the League for Open Government in Croton https://www.facebook.com/leagueforopengovernmentincroton

3. The “Grand Street Gals” continue their impromptu “Clean up Croton” days:  Special thanks again to Lynn, Josie, Cal and Miss M; special thanks to the Duck Pond Committee for restoring this local treasure http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-five-2013-duck-pond-articles.html and to the Croton Conservation Advisory Council for re-starting the Village Garden Club and beautifying long-neglected areas http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-three-2013-articles-croton.html 

4. Many thanks to all those who once again provided rides to the polls for our older and physically challenged residents in the recent elections.

5. Many thanks to our impromptu Good Neighbor Watch which continues to help an older resident “age in place” by running errands, reading mail, or just checking in---and helped recycle old computer equipment by donating it to families on a limited budget too.

6. Special thanks to Mary, Jo-Jo, Scott, Lyn, Ellie and Elsbeth for providing Christmas packages to our soldiers serving overseas.

7. Many thanks to the Grand Street Duelling Snowblower guys who help dig out our neighbors without being asked.

8. To our fraternal organizations, a BIG EVERYTHING CROTON THANK YOU for all you do for the community and the world at large: the Croton Lions, Knights of Columbus, and the Rotary Club.

9. Special thanks to all of Croton's businesses who have had to contend with far too much nonsense from the "never satisifed" crowd--but nevertheless continue to support our schools, churches and other local causes whenever they can despite a still sluggish economy.

10. Special thanks to all our houses of worship who do so much, this list would go on forever.

11. Special thanks to the hard-working volunteers of THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/05/meet-volunteers-almost-everybody-from.html 

In short, thank you everyone for doing more than just complaining!  Happy Holidays and good wishes for 2014.

With special recognition for the loss of Jim Moore, an extraordinary man, fitted for the times and Croton, may he rest in peace:

http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/04/photos-todays-dedication-of-jim-moore.html 

Sincerely,
Maria, your editor at EverythingCroton and for the Concerned Citizens of Croton newsletter