I want to start out by wishing everyone the happiest of Passovers and Easters that are possible during these strange and difficult times. If you are interested in an online religious service, please see this excellent list compiled by Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny.
The Governor continues to report improved statewide numbers, however, the Rockland County COVID-19 cases are some of the highest per capita in the State. Despite some reason for optimism, we MUST continue to socially distance. And all other practical rules to protect you and your family remain in place. Frequent hand washing, wear masks if you must venture out of your home, stay at least six feet away from those who do not live in your house, avoid any large gathering (this includes socializing from a distance with neighbors or friends or taking walks with those who do not live in your home). The County has closed all County owned parks, Memorial Park will remain closed until we are advised by the State and Federal government that it is safe to socialize again.
I am proud of the way our community has risen to this horrible occasion…whether by staying home, limiting essential shopping excursions to one outing a week, checking in on our elderly or those neighbors who live alone….and some residents have established programs to help our neighbors on the front lines and the first responders supporting them. Artists Bill Batson and Donna Timm have enlisted the help of neighbors and friends who have sewing machines and have created the Nyack Mask Makers which has provided our local hospitals and first responders with over 4,000 home sewn masks…and they are still going and need more help. Visit their website for more details. Meg Mayo from Visit Nyack has created a support network for our local businesses on Facebook - visit Nyack Business Roundtable. Annie Hekker and Susan Wilmink have created a food delivery program for our medical facilities and our first responders. Please consider a donation to Nyack Nourishes. And local musicians continue to play the shift changes at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, providing support, love and a whole lot of good music for our amazing and brave first responders and hospital workers. This week we’ve heard the extraordinary Lee Reiser, who’s opened for legends like Richie Havens and The Carpenters, open for Montefiore Nyack Hospital workers….. under the special pink moon, with hospital workers looking on, he sent out the Nyack love with a little twist on a Billy Joel favorite…and on both Monday and Wednesday, as the sun set and the Nyack sky filled with end of day oranges and pinks and a bit of spring in the air, hospital workers were serenaded by the talented Ed Packer. We are so lucky to live in a place ripe with talent…and place so full of people are willing to put their lives on the line for all of us.
A special shout out today to the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack. They are tucked out of our view but we know they are fighting the same battles every day to keep us all going. And also to the police departments that keep us safe. Orangetown PD and Clarkstown PD are out there every day, answering calls, helping the sick get the care they need. Thank you.
And one final note…this evening at 4:30 pm, more of Nyack’s brilliant and brave front line workers, Nyack Fire Department, will pay tribute to all of those engaged in this battle with a drive-by at Nyack Hospital. We are so lucky to have so many brave people in our small Village willing to endanger their lives to save ours. We will share video of the drive-by tomorrow.
Stay safe everyone and we will see you soon. And remember, we will see each other sooner if we continue to SOCIALLY DISTANCE. Pleases, do so for your families, for our elderly and vulnerable and especially for the brave people putting their lives on the line for us every day.
Mayor Don Hammond
Enjoy these NYACK musical tributes from Lee Reiser and Ed Packer 
You can contact us at (845) 358-0548, or visit www.Nyack-NY.gov.
