Business Notebook: Think snow, historic gifts and mail

Warwick - This weekend Mt. Peter Ski Area will kick off the 2006-07 winter sports season with its “Great American Annual Ski Swap and Sale.” The Ski Swap portion of the event, run by volunteers from the ski area’s Mountain Patrol, will be held Sunday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mt. Peter Ski Swap is viewed as a great opportunity for families to solve the problem of children growing out of last year’s boots and equipment or adults wishing to trade in their equipment for newer technology. If you have something to sell, you’re asked to drop the items off at Mt. Peter Ski Area, just off Route 17A and Old Mt. Peter Road, this Saturday, October 14, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. There is a small fee for each item and a percentage charged when sold. All proceeds help support the safety programs and activities of the volunteer ski patrol. Items not sold and not retrieved will be donated to charity. The new equipment and clothing sale is sponsored by Ski Barn of Paramus and will take place at Mt. Peter on both Saturday and Sunday, October 14 - 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will also be the last weekend to purchase $179 unlimited and $139 mid-week season passes. For information call 986-4940 or visit: www.mtpeter.com Historic gift shop Most people know there are several fine gift shops on Main St. in downtown Warwick. But did you know there’s another gift shop near the intersection of Main St. and Colonial Ave.? In recent years, the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick has been selling historical papers, books, pamphlets, note cards, place mats, CDs, and newsletters on its Web site. These items and more are also available at its newly refurbished gift shop in the historic Baird’s Tavern on Main St. Baird’s Tavern, which sits directly across the street from the Post Office, is one of the historic museum buildings owned by the Historical Society. The well known tavern on King’s Highway (Colonial Avenue), which was built in 1766, can document at least one visit by General George Washington during the War for Independence. The Baird’s Tavern Gift Shop offers a large selection of unique gift items including items of colonial dress, original art, local history books, jewelry, handmade colonial toys and various collectibles including one 100 year old tea set. Volunteers staff the Baird’s Tavern Gift Shop and all proceeds are used to help fund activities and programs sponsored by the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick. “We urge everyone to stop by and visit our gift shop,” said Sheila Warner, president of the Historical Society. “I’m sure you will find a gift that’s different.” The Baird’s Tavern Gift Shop is currently having a sale to reduce inventory in preparation for the Christmas season. Until then, the shop will be open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For additional information call 986-3236. You have mail You may not be able to receive a United Parcel Service (UPS) delivery at your local U.S. Post Office. But, along with regular mail, Federal Express, DHL (Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn)) and what-have-you, that same UPS package can be delivered and picked up by you at your own street address in the new Track 7 Postal Center at 5 First St., Warwick. And, not only that, you can call to see if a package you expect has already arrived. Early in September, owners Ken and Betsy Van Tuyl Mitchell opened the doors to Track 7, a postal center and authorized shipping center for FedEx and DHL Ground and Express. And they anticipate becoming an approved U.S. Postal Service shipper in the near future. The company also sells boxes and provides an expert packaging service. Track 7 offers mailbox rentals with 24 hour access, postal products and services, greeting cards, boxes, faxing, scanning and printing, color and black and white copying and passport photos. “We guarantee the passport photo will be much better than the one on your driver’s license,” laughed Betsy,“and you can see it immediately.” Ken and Betsy, who have owned and managed other retail businesses outside this area, recently moved to Warwick. Betsy, whose maiden name is Van Tuyl, is a former resident and a graduate of Warwick Valley High School. Track 7 Postal Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 544-1810. For the record Applefest 2006 was another huge success, thanks in large part to the generous contributions of corporate sponsors including County Waste, Provident Bank, Cruises Inc., Coldwell Banker, Times Herald-Record and Mountain Creek.