What it takes to be a Warwickian

To the editor: I am one of the lucky ones who got to grow up here in Warwick. There’s no finer place on earth to me, and I bet you’d agree. I have always felt that part of the joy of living in this valley is the camaraderie between old-time Warwickians and newcomers, young and old, and people of diverse races and backgrounds; perhaps that has something to do with the fact that we all love this valley and are determined to preserve its rural and historic charms. I have repeatedly been impressed by the way the citizens of Warwick pull together to protect the valley. Did you know the Old School Baptist Meeting House at the center of our Village was slated to be destroyed several decades ago so a factory could be built on that rise? People rallied then to save it just as they rallied to stop a massive jetport runway from covering most of Pine Island in the 50’s, and a radon dump on the Warwick-Vernon border in the 80’s, and a county landfill site near Ackerman Road in the 90’s. Our town has repeatedly pulled together and shown proactive resolve for the preservation and well-being of institutions like our local hospital, farmland, purchase of development rights, library, Winslow Therapeutic, the Hallowed Ground initiative, the Railroad Green park, the recent relocation of the historic U.A.M.E. Church, and so many more. Newcomers and old time Warwickians alike have rallied together for all these causes. We are an awesomely committed community. At the heart of many of these projects was the Warwick Historical Society. Now the Historical Society needs our help. With no government aid this tireless group of volunteers—in addition to the many preservation projects they take on—maintain nine historic buildings that provide the historic setting for the Village we all love. Though many were generous in the past with their time, contributions, and property purchases, unfortunately the Historical Society has virtually no endowment to assure the maintenance and future preservation of these buildings—an alarming fact many are not aware of. The Society depends on your membership to maintain and carry on these projects. The Society needs more Warwickians to join and support the cause. At minimum become a supporting member by going to www.warwickhistoricalsociety.com or calling 986- 3236. And this summer, when you see the sign announcing a fundraising party in Lewis Park (in front of the rise where the factory could have been), come party and preserve with us. John Sandfort Warwick