Community at Its Best! - Blooming Grove Gathering for James Loughran Way Dedication

Patrick Loughran and his Sister Erin

....Heroes Come in Many Forms - This One Was

Not To Be Forgotten....

On Friday afternoon several generations of family, friends and neighbors gathered with area officials and unveiled the bright new Irish Green sign, formerly Schoolhouse Road, which is now officially James Loughran Way. In fact, the sign is such a bright green it made you wonder if it was a color called "Irish Pub" (sic).

Left to right - Blooming Grove Town Supervisor Rob Jeroloman, former Town

Clerk Barbara Decker, Highway Superintendent Wayne Kirkpatrick, Town Board members John Stegenga and Johanna Kiernan, and Legislator Kathy Calhoun Stegenga

Town Ckerk Darlena Geyer-Decker at left just outside of the photo

Also present were Senator James Skoufis and Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge

Proud and grateful Loughran family, appreciating the efforts

of their friends - Patrick, Linda, and Erin

Supervisor Jeroloman gave a short speech, recounting the many years he had known James Loughran, the dozens of times he had been to events where Jimmy was preparing the meals, his times at West Point events and the many years of hard work at his Pub. There had been difficulties, he said, but Jimmy always persisted. The townspeople worried about him during COVID, but he was able to make it through that as well. Chuckling a little he reminded the crowd that in an ironic twist it was actually St. Patricks Day (when Loughran's Irish Pub was always the most packed) that COVID shutdown began.... and that the Town had allowed the Pub to stay open as long as they could. Loughran was of course good about it but eventually they were shaking their heads in agreement.."took it all in good spirits" and temporary closed the door.

Chatting with Mrs. (Linda) Loughran

The event organized by Blooming Grove Supervisor Rob Jeroloman, Highway Superintendent Wayne Kirkpatrick, Town Clerk Darlena Geyer-Decker, former Town Clerk Barbara Decker, and "Jimmy's" extended family members gathered along the road behind the Town's longtime favorite restaurant and Pub, "Loughrans". Barbara Decker had come to a Town Board Meeting some months ago, and proposed the new sign. This is the way it goes in a lovely historic country town... nearly half a century of two town clerks who were usually the first people new town residents met. And they have had their way of showing newcomers that It's OK, official Town Hall is a friendly place, and your life and residency is safe with us." She was delighted that the idea took form and that so many people had come to celebrate. They came in two's and three's, some walking along Orr's Mills Road, and clustered in small groups sharing memories of how things were in 'the good old days'. But this was a vibrant and active sector of The Old Guard, and this would be remembered for future generations as another gathering of heart of the earth people who made and will continue to make Blooming Grove an integral stepway to the Catskills. In a touch of serendipity, the relatively short stretch of road turned into a perfect parklike setting. Wayne Kirkpatrick had seen to it that the sign was perfect, the busy Orr's Mills Road was monitored by Blooming Grove Police, and the length of the newly named road would work.

Town Clerk, Darlena Geyer-Decker, vesiting with the gatherers and

making sure everything is running smoothly.

Wayne Kirkpatrick chatting with old friends, and of course

behind the scenes working to make sure all of the benchwork was

done properly to have the event run smoothly

Councilwoman Johanna Kiernan

in deep conversation with a resident, far too busy solving

the problems of the world to pose

And the genial crowd kept growing!

Giving Mrs. Loughran an assist so she would stand

for the unveiling

From the beginning of the event, Supervisor Jeroloman spent a lot of his time with Jimmy's wife Linda, simply making sure that she was comfortable and having a good time. Spending most of the afternoon in a wheelchair, she is able to walk, though because at times a bit unsteady she took the safe choice. Her smiles (and indeed those of son Patrick and daughter Erin), tell the whole story of how the day went for her went. And just look at James' son Patrick's face when he and his sister pulled the cover (green of course) from the new James Loughran Way sign.

The sign is unveiled!

Patrick Loughran

The tenor of the group, and of the entire surrounding area filled with appreciations of Jimmy Loughran and good times at the family restaurant, was captured by one gentleman who stepped forward when Patrick Loughran invited any guests to speak who had spent time at the Pub, helping out, even for a few moments. This gentleman humbly and simply said that he had not worked at the Pub, but "Jimmy was a friend, and (eyes filled to their brim with tears starting to flow), ...and I loved him." Jimmy Loughren was known for his smile, and those Irish Eyes that were always not only smiling, but telling whoever was around that he cared about them from the bottom of his heart. It was his "Gift", and everyone at the gathering knew it.

This gathering was made of people with 2 important lessons - how to live a life of service, and how to age fearlessly and gracefully. The other special blessing of this roadside dedication is that while everyone there surely misses their friend, the Joy shared from his life was able to overshadow any grief, and is an inspiration for others to live their life, with joy and love of community in the forefront.

The sign unveiling and gathering was followed by light refreshments and more

community socializing at the Town's new Senior Center at Lassar Park. SO,

MORE PICTURES MAY BE COMING.