Village of Warwick celebrates Founder's Day

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — It was another opportunity to be a part of history.
On Saturday, April 15, the Village of Warwick Sesquicentennial Committee invited the public to celebrate an important event in the 150-year history of the Village with a parade and ceremony.
On April 15, 1867 the Village charter was approved by the New York Legislature.
A short parade led by a VFW Color Guard and immediately followed by Mayor Michael Newhard and Kid Mayor Danny Alquezada Madero, both in nineteenth century costumes, headed down Main Street to ceremonies at Railroad Green.
Newhard, who served as master of ceremonies, introduced state, county and local officials, past and present, and later, he officiated along with Justice Peter Barlet, in the swearing in of Kid Mayor Madero, who was the winner of the "What would you do if you were Mayor" contest.
A representative from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, Orange County legislators Barry Cheney and Paul Ruszkiewicz and Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton were among those who presented proclamations, letters and congratulatory messages.
During the event guest speakers Village Historian Jean Beattie May and Town Historian Dr. Richard Hull gave presentations about interesting events that occurred during the history of the Village.
A highlight of the ceremonies was the swearing in by Barlet of contest-winner Danny Alquezada Madero as Kid Mayor. He and "President" Newhard, as village mayors were originally called, then reenacted the signing of the Village Charter followed by making an impression on the document with an actual historic seal.
Mayor Newhard then read his Proclamation for the Future, which stated in part: "We are blessed and we are connected to each other as well as to the land and values we share....
"Our future is filled with hope because we have taught our children to love the very place that we love."
A reception with a lemonade toast and a special carrot cake provided by Jean-Claude's Patisserie and Dessert Café followed along with an opportunity to participate in a silent auction to raise funds for the July 4 Olde Time Family Fourth event at the Warwick Valley Community Center.
And members of the Warwick Odd Fellows also entertained the visitors when they played, Happy Birthday," on their kazoos.

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