Benefits of Breastfeeding

Imagine if there were a food, a single food possessing the perfect nutitional value for your body to function in the most optimal way, with the promise of superior immunity, a lower risk of illness, obesity, chronic disease, allergies, high blood pressure as well as certain forms of cancer? This 'super' food would be easy to obtain, hypoallergenic and free. It may not be available for you right now, but it does exist for your infant and has from the beginning of time.  This is, of course, breast milk.

The definition of a mammal is that it can feed its young from its breasts for survival of the species.  The body of all mammals, including humans, is designed to manufacture a complete and selectedly individualized diet for that particular offspring. We are always hearing that 'breast is best' but what does the research really tell us. The advantages discussed below have been supported by the research of many professionals. Some of the research is based on exclusively breastfed babies. Even though exclusive breastfeeding and a longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with greater long term health benefits, it is better to breastfeed for a brief period than not at all. Lets break down the benefits for both the child and the mother, beginning with the infant.      

Read more...

Book and a Blanket

Calling all crocheters and knitters! The library is continuing our program called "Book and a Blanket" where we will donate a hand-stitched blanket and a book to new babies born at Hudson Valley Hospital Center. The Library will provide yarn for the projects and simple patterns to choose from. Join us in the lounge on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. All projects made will be donated to the hospital. No registration necessary.  Hendrick Hudson Free Library
6:30-8pm

Cortland Roller Hockey Rink

Cortlandt Train Station, Rte 9A, Montrose, NY.  Rink hours are 9am to dusk.  Skate at your own rish.  Time slots not reserved by the Cortlandt Recreation programs are available for community use. 914-734-1055.

Croton Arboretum and Sanctuary

Incorportated in 1994, the Croton Arboretum and Sanctuary, Inc. is a volunteer, non-profit organization that provides environmental stewardship for 20+ acres of wetlands and woods at the Jane E. Lytle Arboretum in New York State's beautiful mid-Hudson River Valley.

Working in collaborative partnership with local schools, businesses and other civic organizations, the Arboretum promotes ecological literacy and environmental education programs in wetland restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement and water quality monitoring.

Open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk free of charge.  http://www.crotonarboretum.org/

Read more...

Croton Historical Society

1 Van Wyck Street Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 Phone: 914-271-4574 Hours: Mondays 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. or by appointment. When Monday is a holiday, the History Room opens on Tuesday instead.

Read more...

Croton Point Park

Heading over to the Hudson River, now is the time wander Croton Point Park. Go to the very back of the parking lot and walk out past the campground area, and suddenly you will be alone with your thoughts, the river, and perhaps a bald eagle or two. Hike up on top of the grassland area for an almost full 360-degree view of the Hudson and all the surrounding counties of New York State. Standing atop this hill you will encounter many wintering species of sparrows and other songbirds, along with a suite of majestic raptors from eagles to northern harriers, along with several species of owl that winter in the area. 
-John Hannan, The Daily Cortlandt 

Discover Teatown

Many people, even those that have lived in the area their whole lives, have never heard of the place where I work, Teatown Lake Reservation.  Teatown is a private, non-profit environmental and educational organization with an 875-acre preserve spanning parts of Yorktown, Cortlandt, and New Castle in Westchester County.  The main entrance and Nature Center are at 1600 Spring Valley Road in Ossining.

Read more...

Fishing

Technically, you can fish on any County-owned stream or lake so long as it's not expressly forbiden and you have a NY State fishing license (you can get one by calling 914-995-3080).  Here are some spots close by:
Blue Mountain Reservation, Peekskill 914-862-5275
Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson 914-862-5297
George's Island Park, Montrose 914-737-7530

Hudson Highlands Gateway Park

An ideal destination for an afternoon or all-day outing.  Recreational activities include hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, fishing, and snowshoeing.  Located at the southern end of the fabled Hudson Highlands, the park once served as a Revolutionary War lookout and now is open for public enjoyment.  Open year around from dawn to dusk.  Sprout Brook Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY  10567

Hudson Valley Renegades

Want to save $$$ and have fun with the family at a baseball game?  Go cheer on the minor league Hudson Valley Renegades! Tickets run from $5 -$15 (for the premium box seats)  All firework night tickets are $2 extra. Group tickets available.  Sun-Thurs kids

(3-14 & seniors over 60) are $5.  Go to www.hvrenegades.com for more details or call 845-838-0094

 

Bicentennial Garden

Serving as a lasting tribute to the Town's 200th Birthday, the garden includes a flower garden, time capsule and site marker.  The time capsule contains over 100 items of significance to the town.  Its site is marked by a historic millstone from the vicinity of the Croton River.  Location: Charles J. Cook Recreation Center  FREE

Check This Out…At The Library

February is a busy month, celebrating presidents’ birthdays, African American history, heart health, and of course, Valentine’s day.  These holidays and events are a great way to enrich your child’s knowledge. What better place to do it than the library?

Read more...

Cortlandt Museum

Once the town hall and jail, the Cortlandt Museum has a lovely collection of domestic and historic artifacts and ephemera. The Cortlandt Historical Society uses it as its headquarters and plans appropriate events from time to time. 137 Seventh St., Verplanck. Call (914) 734-1110 for hours.

Croton Dam

Sometimes called "the eighth wonder of the world," the Croton Dam is second only to Egypt's great pyramid when it comes to hand-hewn stone structures. On New Year's Day 2007 it observed its 100th birthday. Visitors are awed by the water cascading over the spillway and immensity of the construction. Route 129 about two miles north-east of the Village of Croton. (914) 271-3293.

Croton Landing Park

Two miles of primo picnicking spots right along the Hudson River.  Bring a camera; this is one prime for photo opportunities.  westchestergov.com/riverwalk/

Read more...

Discounted Amusement Park Tickets

The Croton Village’s Recreation & Parks Department, in cooperation with the New York State Recreation & Park Society, is offering discounted admission tickets again this year to a variety of amusement parks. Individual or group tickets may be purchased directly from the Recreation & Parks Office in the Municipal Building for parks in NY, NJ and PA. There is no minimum purchase required to take advantage of these discounts. The following Amusement park tickets are available: Great Escape/Splashwater (Lake George, NY), Hershey Park (Hershey, PA), Mountain Creek Waterpark (Vernon, NJ), Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA - July only), Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ –Safari admission is included in this ticket). The largest discount is for tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure where the regular gate admission is $77.02 and the discounted ticket is $31. If these parks are in your plans, these tickets are a great buy!

Eagle Cam

New “EagleCam” allows online viewing of Croton River Estuary.  The School District will integrate use of the camera as a remote observation tool for science classes.  The collaborators chose this location for its excellent panoramic view of the Croton River estuary as it meets the Hudson River. Waterfowl, raptor, migratory wading and perching birds are common visitors to the estuary.   Canon’s VC-C50i camera delivers high-quality video from far distances and under the dimmest lighting conditions. Equally importantly, the EagleCam provides a high-tech tool allowing area residents to stay better connected to their local fauna and flora–and consequently, it strengthens community resolve to conserve nature. Find the EagleCam online by clicking the EagleCam button under “On Our Site” on the Village’s homepage: www.crotononhudson-ny.gov; Or  http://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/eaglecam.

Fort Montgomery

Tour the ruins of Fort Montgomery at night! Hear dramatic tales from the battle and bring yourself back to October 1777. Witness the fort come alive as re-enactors depict various scenes from the fort’s dark, dramatic history. Tours leaving from Fort Montgomery Visitor’s Center at 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM & 7:30 PM. Reservations required. Call 845-446-2134.**Don't forget about our popular Thursday Night Lecture Series. Visit www.palisadesparksconservancy.org 

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site is located at 690 Route 9W, Fort Montgomery, NY, ¼ mile north of the Bear Mountain Bridge Traffic Circle. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM – 5 PM. For more information, please call (845) 446-2134.

 

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

"HVCCA is the most dynamic contemporary art site in Westchester... Maybe one day, these regional, more experimental art places might supersede art-stately New York City."

Read more...

Joseph G. Caputo Community Center,

95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562  (914) 941-3189

GAME ROOM Mon- Fri 4:30 - 9:45 pm, Sat 11:00 - 9:45 pm.  6 years olds & up Free with I.D. Card.  A variety of activities including table tennis, billiards, video games, board games and TV are available to all residents. Ages 6 - 10 can stay at Center until 8:15 pm, Ages 11-13 til 9pm, Ages 13-17 til 9:45 pm

GYMNASIUM Our gymnasium is open Mon- Sat. Participants must have an I.D. card.

TABLE TENNIS Sat 3 - 6 pm, All ages Fee: I.D. Card.  Ping-Pong Players, take your talent out of the garage or basement and join us.

OPEN SWIM TIMES Offered various times Mon- Fri - Generally 6pm to 8:30pm but subject to change.  Sat: 1:30-6:00pm Sun: 1-4pm.  Recreation ID card is required, no exceptions. Non Village of Ossining residents are subject to non resident fees.