Business Notebook: Grand openings, thinking snow and latest book

Warwick - Meadowcrest, a retail development on Route 94 South between the Village of Warwick and ShopRite Plaza, will host its official grand opening this evening, Friday, Oct. 14. The celebration, open to the public, is scheduled from 6 - 9 p.m. And at 6:30 p.m., Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton will officiate at a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. Meadowcrest is the brainchild of long-time Warwick residents, Steve Sullivan, co-owner of Sullivan Flotation, and his wife, Barbara Babcock Sullivan, owner of the full-service interior design firm, Interiors Plus. Working with Stone Bridge Construction, Inc. and the architectural team of Charles Schaffer Associates and David Brandt Design, they designed and built a two-story building that would reflect and complement its rural surroundings. “Our development,” said Barbara Sullivan, “incorporates authentic farm details such as a sloping roof, wood siding and traditional colors of barn red, green and tan. We wanted to create a building to house both retail and service businesses and one that would enhance the visual beauty of the surrounding countryside.” In addition to Interiors Plus, Meadowcrest also is home to The Magical Cleaner & Tailor, Synergy Mortgage, Inc., Sun Indulgence, Inc. Tanning, Monograms ‘n Such, Traditional Karate-Do Center, Sunny Studio and L&B Olde World Bakery. Guests are invited to stop in at each shop and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and music throughout the evening. During the grand opening celebration a raffle will be held for the benefit of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Think snow This year, it’s a two-day event. As we reported last week, Mount Peter Ski Area’s Great American Ski Swap and Sale is scheduled this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 - 16. On both days, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ski Barn of Paramus, N.J., will be selling new equipment and clothing at special discounts. And it’s also an opportunity for anyone to sell equipment they’ve outgrown and to purchase pre-owned items. For many years, parents have taken advantage of this sale to keep pace, at a reasonable cost, with their fast growing children. The Mount Peter Ski Patrol will be running the swap. Drop-off of pre-owned equipment is on Friday October 14 from noon to 8 p.m., or Saturday morning, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. There is a $2 per item fee for each item to be sold and all proceeds will be used to help support the important work of the Ski Patrol. Season passes will also be on sale both days Call 845-986-4940 or visit www.mtpeter.com for details. . Author, author Warwick’s Keene Publishing just announced that Hudson Valley Magazine has chosen local author and illustrator Barbara Lanza’s new book, “Time to Fly,” for their “Best of the Hudson Valley” award in the children’s book category. Time to Fly is published by Moo Press, the children’s imprint of Keene Publishing. Lanza will be on hand to sign books at the award ceremony to be held on Oct. 27 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. Lanza, a Pine Island resident and a successful artist, has illustrated more than 40 children’s books for a variety of mainstream publishers. “She was delighted to find a publisher right in Warwick,” said Diane Tinney, President and Publisher of Keene Publishing. “I was enchanted with Barbara’s illustrations and asked if she had a story to go with them. That’s when we began our collaboration which resulted in the first book Barbara has both written and illustrated.” Time to Fly introduces young readers to Fairy Lane, a place Lanza has been imagining since she was a young girl. Encouraged by family and friends, she has been creating art ever since. “Fairy Lane brings together my love for portraying real and fantasy creatures in a natural setting,” said Lanza, who enjoys visiting schools and libraries and doing illustration demonstrations for children. “I hope that Time to Fly encourages children to follow their dreams.” Locally, Keene Publishing and Moo Press books can be purchased at The Bookstore, 20 Main street. Reminder: Tomorrow night, Saturday, Oct. 15, the Garage at the Eclectic Eye antique cooperative on Railroad Avenue will celebrate its fourth anniversary. The party, complete with entertainment and refreshments, begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. The public is invited.