Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice
From the Mayor’s Office
December 24, 2025
The Mayor’s Message at the Old School Baptist Meeting House
Christmas Eve Celebration
Good evening, I am truly grateful to be here with you tonight.
We are gathered in a remarkable place, within the walls of this beautiful meetinghouse. The very name—meetinghouse—speaks to why we are here: to come together, in the simplest and most powerful way, as a caring community. The world beyond these walls, beyond our Valley, can feel chaotic—sometimes even senseless. At times, it feels as though we may have lost our way. That sense of disarray touches our lives and shapes how we see ourselves, our neighbors, our community, and our country. It certainly gives new meaning to the words, “Oh, the weather outside is frightful.”
But in here, it is the warmth that shines through—the warmth that comes from each of you, from goodness, from purpose, and from love—and that is truly delightful.
No matter how frightful things may seem, or how lost we may feel, there is always a way home. And that, my friends, is a gift of great magnitude. The Warwick Valley is as old as time, and every generation—every person who has fallen under its spell—has understood that we are stewards of something precious and tangible in its everyday and astonishing beauty.
Tonight, we celebrate miracles and wonder—the birth of a child who would change the world. Whether you are Christian or of another faith, the power of this moment is undeniable. It brings us together. It reminds us of both our fragility and our strength. Most importantly, it opens our hearts.
An open heart allows us to give and to receive the blessings that surround us. It allows us to renew, to love, to remember, and to forgive. It is the very essence of why we are here. An open heart brings solace, invites learning and understanding, and has the power to transform.
And if you look to the sky right now, there is truly an amazing sight—a very jolly man in a sleigh, pulled by reindeer, delivering toys at the speed of light. I also know, for a fact—because a firefighter told me—that Santa has reserved a fire truck and expects to arrive just as we finish singing.
So for this moment, all is right in the world. Carry this feeling with you like a lucky charm—a reminder that we are blessed and that we live in a truly remarkable place.
On behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, the Village Administration, and our Public Works team—the dedicated men and women who work every day for the success of our Village—I wish you a joyful Christmas and all good things in the New Year!
