This Week in Clarkstown

It has been a hectic few weeks for the Veronesi family. We recently sold our home and are in the process of purchasing my parents’ house, where we are also building a 1,000-square-foot addition to create a private apartment for them. While construction on the addition began several months ago, it is not yet complete, so for now we have all moved into the main house together.

The kids have settled into their rooms, but my wife and I are currently in the guest room as we await completion of the addition. I’m sure this transition has been more challenging for my parents than for us, as they are now sharing their home with five additional people, three dogs, and two guinea pigs—definitely a change from the peace and quiet they once enjoyed. There are still boxes everywhere, but we are slowly unpacking and finding our way back to some sense of normalcy.

I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Town of Clarkstown’s retiring Police Chief, Jeff Wanamaker, whose final day was April 24. Chief Wanamaker retires after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to the Clarkstown Police Department, including the last five years as Chief. In my role as Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, I have had the pleasure of working with Chief Wanamaker over the past two years, and he has been an outstanding colleague.

Having worked in Parks and Recreation for over 20 years, I have seen several police chiefs retire, and it is always a moment filled with both celebration and reflection. As the saying goes, “Retirement is not the end of service—it is the celebration of a lifetime of sacrifice, resilience, and countless moments where duty came before self.”

Thank you, Chief Wanamaker, for your unwavering support of our programs and events, and for your service to the residents of Clarkstown. I wish you a long, healthy, and well-deserved retirement.

Congratulations as well to incoming Chief James Fay on his promotion from Captain. I look forward to working with you in your new role.

The Clarkstown Parks and Recreation Department still has spots available for an upcoming bus trip to Citi Field on Tuesday, May 12, where the New York Mets will take on the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m. Regardless of the team’s early-season performance, this is always a great outing. Citi Field offers an outstanding, family-friendly experience with plenty of activities for kids beyond the game itself.

Having worked in professional baseball years ago when the Mets played at Shea Stadium, I can say firsthand that the game-day experience at Citi Field is a significant upgrade. In fact, even as a lifelong Yankees fan, I believe it now rivals—and even surpasses—the experience at the current Yankee Stadium. The price of the trip which includes the bus ride to and from the stadium and field level seats is $110. 

If you are interested in signing up for this trip please call the Parks & Recreation Department at 845-639-6200. 

If you’re looking for free, fun family-friendly entertainment this weekend, be sure to attend the Town of Clarkstown’s annual Senior Showcase on Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 p.m. in the Clarkstown South High School Auditorium. This special event highlights the incredible talents of our senior citizen participants through singing, dancing, and acting.

We are especially excited this year to welcome students from the Clarkstown South Drama and Music Departments, who will be performing and assisting with the production. This intergenerational collaboration is a wonderful addition, and we are looking forward to seeing it come to life.

Clarkstown South High School is located at 31 Demarest Mill Road in West Nyack. Admission is free, and all are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Got an idea for the column or an event in Clarkstown you want me to mention? Shoot me an email at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov. Have a great week!