This Week in Clarkstown

By Matt Veronesi

Life can get pretty hectic sometimes, and the other day was no different. After a long day at work, followed by coaching my son Anthony’s baseball game, I was ready to settle in and relax for the evening watching television. Then life threw us a curveball.

My mom tripped over one of our dogs and fell, banging her elbow badly enough that it split open. As I mentioned in a previous column, we recently sold our house and are in the process of buying my parents’ home while building a 1,000-square-foot addition that will include an apartment for them. Since the addition is not yet complete, we are all currently living together in the main house.

After her fall, I helped my mom up and quickly realized her elbow would need stitches. My dad and I brought her to the emergency room, arriving around 10:00 p.m. Unfortunately, the ER was extremely crowded, and we did not receive treatment until nearly 4:00 a.m. My mom ended up needing seven stitches, and we finally got home around 5:00 a.m. Since I had to be up by 6:30 a.m., I managed just over an hour of sleep. To top it all off — it was my birthday.

Thankfully, aside from being sore and needing stitches, my mom is doing well.

Please note that the start time for the Town of Clarkstown Memorial Day Ceremony has been moved up by one hour due to a scheduling change. The ceremony will now take place on Friday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Street Community Center, followed by a barbecue lunch. Please join us as we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I’m also excited to announce two new classes being offered by the Parks & Recreation Department — Charcuterie Workshops for kids and adults. Charcuterie is the art of preparing and arranging cured meats, cheeses, and complementary foods into beautiful and delicious displays.

Join the Parks & Recreation Department and local resident Kasi Lydon from Social Snacker Inc. to learn the art of charcuterie.

The Charcuterie Workshop for Kids will take place on Thursday, June 11, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the Street Community Center. The cost is $55, and children ages 6–12 are welcome to participate. Young chefs will learn how to arrange snacks in fun and creative ways while building their own mini charcuterie board to enjoy.

The Adult Charcuterie Workshop will take place on Friday, June 12, from 6:30–8:00 p.m., also at the Street Community Center. Participants will learn food styling and presentation techniques, food pairing basics, and board composition for maximum visual impact. The workshop costs $75 and is perfect for beginners, food lovers, and anyone who enjoys entertaining. The class is open to ages 13 and older.

Space is limited for both classes, so don’t wait — sign up today! 

Since 1974, Birthright, a charitable pregnancy resource center, has been helping pregnant women throughout Rockland County. Their free services include prenatal classes, diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, maternity and baby clothing, blankets, housing referrals, groceries, cribs, car seats, access to community resources, and one-on-one support and friendship. In 2025 alone, Birthright assisted 326 women. Their work is made possible through dedicated volunteers and the support of loyal donors.

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Birthright will host its fundraising Golf Outing at New York Country Club honoring the Knights of Columbus. Approximately 200 golfers and guests are expected to attend.

Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. Golfers will enjoy a complimentary beverage cart on the course and a chance to win a new car with a hole-in-one. Following golf, guests can attend a cocktail hour beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and an open bar.

Not a golfer? You can still join the fun with lunch, dinner, and musical bingo beginning at 2:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, email birthrightrcklndgolf@ipgimage.com or call 845-642-2901.

For information on any Town of Clarkstown programs or events, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 845-639-6200.

Have an idea for a future column or a Clarkstown event you would like highlighted? Feel free to reach out at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov.

Have a great week!