FIREHOUSE MAGIC BEHIND THE VILLAGE'S MC LAUGHLIN SQUARE

A NEW BUSINESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A COMMUNITY GOAL .

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR SOMETHING THE VILLAGE HAS PRAYED AND WORKED THEIR HEARTS OUT FOR

Washiugtonville - There are times when something happens that has so much "Serendipity" that you just have to look up and wonder how much of the happening is Heaven Sent, how much might be a little Magic, and how much is simply the result of lifetimes of good hard work. Something happened this week that blended all 3 of those ingredients. Clearly a huge portion of this successful Grand Opening was due to these good people who are Firefighters and also with good business sense, and worked with families, friends, a devoted Mayor, and residents with a hope and a dream.

The spacious, and on this Tuesday very busy Firehouse Grand Opening

So, what was this grand happening? A new business offering a broad variety of Roofing Services has made the site across from McLaughlin Square and down the short alleyway in a beautiful huge barn (former Spears Cycle Shop) their new business home. And who better to offer roofing solutions to homeowners than experienced firefighters.

Part II of this little miracle - They invited the Washingtonville and the greater Blooming Grove community for a spectacular Grand Opening/Open House WITH the announcement that the enormous red barn will also be available for Community Events.

Family - Dave Heffernan, his son, niece and nephew. Sister Maddy, is in charge of media relations, and was busy coordinating the event and meeting guests and future customers.

A little dancing started by Dave's wife Filomena and a friend while he chats with Orange County Chamber of Commerce and thanks Mid-Hudson Federal Credit Union for sponsoring their ribbon-cuttings

As you can see, the FIREHOUSE theme is already well instilled in the Heffernan Family

Now, the decade long search for a place for Community Events that is near the Village Center (and will perform an important secondary purpose of ratcheting up the daily downtown business flow) is a cause near and dear to the Village officials, the businesses along Main Street, and the community at large. The previous years of that search has had minimal success because the quaint Village Center has lots of shops, but none with a big enough space for a really significant entertainment or business market EVENT!

BELOW -MAYOR DEVINKO WEIGHS IN on this gift of a place to hold large indoor events... a wish that nearly half of village residents listed in their desires of what should be included in the recently completed Village's new Comprehensive Plan.

The Heffernan family is offering that and it will be available on a 50:50 basis. Bottom Line: THE SKY's THE LIMIT FOR A GOAL THE VILLAGE HAS PRAYED AND WORKED HARD FOR DURING NEARLY A DECADE. Mayor Tom DeVinko, who 'coincidentally?' mentioned earlier this year that he thought there might be a barn near enough to McLaughlin Square to make a difference in Village Events' future, is delighted. And if you thought the pretty barn looks really big, it is not only REALLY big, there is a huge entire working section for the Roofing business behind it, as well as some significant outdoor space as well. This is the ultimate proof of the Firehouse Roofing commitment to the Washingtonville community.

This short video gives an idea (before the crowd arrived) of just how large the building is, and what a creative mix it is for both future business and entertainment.

THE RIBBON CUTTING - READY? 1, 2, 3!

Not only did this family do a fantastic job updating the structure, they decorated it perfectly both for Business and for Community Events, with tall 4 ft. round tables that encourage mingling, a music area that had Mad Dog performing with his guitar (the best party music I have heard in years), an entrance area, an open board room area for business discussions (their business showing reminders here and there throughout the building), and a beautiful decorated business office. A couple of vendors were invited (one in the building serving ices, and another outside..... who prophetically encouraged mingling in the large yard that is available for outdoor events as well.

"MAD DOG" Got them dancing.

Adding to the magic, this gentleman known as Mad Dog, provided incredible electric guitar music throughout the evening.

Sure, Washingtonville has had numerous spectacular events on Main Street, at the Village Veterans Park and McLaughlin Square itself. But there was a gaping hole for the half of the year when bad weather stomps on carefully made plans. And the awesome large events held at Vern Allen Park are a huge success, but pull attention away from Main Street... a great location for occasional huge outdoor events, but not for regular indoor entertainment. Mayor DeVinko and the Events Committee have worked hard over the past few years on other aspects of making Village Center into a place people want to go (with new codes that encourage businesses to have signs and a front with a historic quaint look, new lighting, a mini park atmosphere in the Square, and talented performers). But having the FIREHOUSE BARN (which CLEARLY showed it is more than up to the task, is ... being mildly put.... the Icing on the Cake. And, speaking of food, a buffet offered by GRAZE Restarant and Catering of Campbell Hall was simply amazing and couldn't have had more delicious choices. From delicate shrimp (with a REALLY hot sauce), to packed scrumptious mini-burgers, potstickers with some kind of amazing Asian sauce, crackers with a complex cheesy dip, and a giant jug of lemonade/ice tea and more,... it all just made you wonder how many times you might be able to sneak back for 2nds, and 3rds. Topping it off, Ice Capps offered some 'cool' dessert.

Down to brass tacks and roofing choices, I will be providing a second story in the next two weeks all about the FIREHOUSE Roofing options, the family and company's history & technical skills.

Edie Johnson

Executive Editor - ejreporter@gmail.com

Orange County Courier Journal

courierjournalocny.com