Regarding Chris Rowley's 4/15 opinion piece (Frugivorous Yes): Come now, Chris, did you really not get it that my April Fool's Day column was totally tongue-in-cheek?

If the accompanying mug shot and the column's ending were not clues enough, you might have been tipped off if you've ever watched me chow down at the annual staff holiday party in December--in reality, I'm a strict opportunivore.

Marc B. Fried
Gardiner

Cheers to Dave Grass, his son David Grass and Danny Greer who braved 3 feet of snow on February 25 to take my son and daughter-in-law to the hospital. We now have a beautiful baby girl!

Cheers to all the road crews and utility workers who quickly fixed all of the issues after the storm.

Jeers to the Town of Crawford Town board who has taken credit for the Town of Crawford Park. The land was donated, Castle park built by volunteers with donated materials and the baseball fields built by Pine Bush Little League Volunteers with all donated materials or materials paid for by the Little League. The fields are and always have been, with the exception of the grass mowing of the outfields, maintained by the league. On August 20th 2009 the Town Board passed a resolution taking the rights of PBLL to have first right of refusal for the fields they pay for and negated all previously agreed upon arrangements, including the trading of the 5 ½ acres of field presently used by soccer for two fields in the front (built and paid for by the league). The current town board did nothing to create the park and receives grant and building tax money to maintain the pavilions and mow the grass. Shame on all of you!

Judith Pulver
Walker Valley

My name is Theresa Nettles. I am writing at this time to inform you of an extremely thoughtful act that my grandson, Michael Rodriguez performed this week. Michael is a Senior at Ellenville High School. Since the beginning of the school year his parents have made payments for the upcoming Senior Trip. It was not easy but it was one of the many things that they wanted for him for his Senior year. As the trip approaches, Michael began to feel that since none of friends could afford to go, he wouldn't have as much fun without them and maybe someone else would appreciate the trip more. He approached his mother with the idea of giving his trip to a deserving student that wanted to go on the trip but could not afford to.

After accepting the fact that he didn't want to go on the trip without his friends, my daughter began to like his idea and presented it to Mr. Rydell, the H.S. principal. One thing led to another and now a very happy and surprised student is going on the trip. I'm extremely proud of my grandson's thoughtfulness and just wanted him to be recognized.

Theresa Nettles
Ellenville

April 18-24, 2010 marks National Volunteer Week. On behalf of the Gardiner Library Staff and Board of Trustees, I would like to thank the over 100 volunteers who devote their valuable time to assist with the everyday operations and special programming at the Gardiner Library. Library volunteers lend a hand with duties such as: assisting at the circulation desk, shelving books, repairing books, processing inter-library loan materials, setting up displays, fundraising, running special programs, and maintenance. While some folks help occasionally, we have some volunteers that are devoted to volunteering every week and an extraordinary few that help out on a daily basis.

I would also like to thank the Friends of the Gardiner Library. This active community group was formed more than thirty years ago and has been fundraising and performing needed services for the Gardiner Library ever since.

It is one thing for people to give money, but to give so selflessly of ones time speaks volumes. Thank you again for all of your past support, and in advance, for your continued participation, support and involvement in the Gardiner Library's future.

Susan Hill
President, Gardiner Library Board of Trustees