December 29, 2025
Ringing in the New Year
Happy New Year, Greenwood Lake! As we say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026, I hope everyone has had a joyful and safe holiday season. If you’re heading out to celebrate the New Year, please do so responsibly — take a cab, get a ride, or plan ahead so everyone gets home safely. Let’s start the year off right by looking out for one another.
I also want to thank everyone who participated in and voted for our Holiday Decorating Contest. The creativity, effort, and holiday spirit throughout the village were truly wonderful to see. After tallying all the votes from our online poll, here are this year’s winners:
- Best Holiday Theme – 96 Windermere Avenue
- Most Creative / Original – 106 Waterstone Road
- Best Overall Display – 19 East Shore Road
Congratulations to our winners, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated. Every display helped bring festive cheer to our community. Please note that the wind took a toll on some decorations, and a few homes did not have their lights on when photos were taken. Photos of the decorated homes are available on the village’s Facebook page, and results were based on the online poll. Until next year, happy holidays to all!
With winter weather upon us, I want to remind residents and business owners that, according to Village Code (§ 912), you are responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to your property clear of snow and ice. The code requires removal within a reasonable time after a storm, and if it’s not done, the village can clear it and bill the property owner. I know it can be frustrating when the plows come through and undo all of that hard work, but that’s the nature of the beast — and trust me, even the mayor gets plowed in! Greenwood Lake is not alone in this — most municipalities have similar rules, so it’s a common responsibility across communities.
Looking ahead to January, Elks Lodge 4067 will be hosting Karaoke Night on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for all the details. The Greenwood Lake Lions Club is also collecting new, unused gifts for their Spring Tricky Tray — a great opportunity to finally part with those white elephant gifts that didn’t quite find a home. More details will be available soon on their Facebook page.
As the colder weather settles in, please remember that the village will open the Senior Center as a warming station on an as-needed basis. Please call Village Hall or check our Facebook page to see when it is open.
Finally, on this last day of 2025, I want to extend one more heartfelt thank you to Erin Frey and Frank Lotito for their years of service, hospitality, and dedication to Greenwood Lake. As they retire and close the doors of our beloved Emerald Point on their final day of business, we wish them nothing but the very best and thank them for all they have meant to our village.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.
See you around town,
Mayor Tom Howley
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