Free tax services from Monti’s Academy of Finance

By Fiona Feltman, Academy of Finance graduate

Did you have a job in 2022? Was your income less than $60,000?  

For the 16th year, the NAF Academy of Finance students will offer free tax preparation.  The program is IRS-certified, and services run from Thursday, February 9 through Tuesday, April 11.  

Located conveniently at Monticello High School, this free service allows students to showcase their knowledge and professionalism, while also giving back to their community.  

All students are trained by Susan Bahrenburg and Eric Shewmaker. Bahrenburg is the director of the Monticello High School NAF Academy of Finance, and has over 30 years of experience as a certified public accountant.  Shewmaker is a certified tax preparer with over 15 years of experience.  

The students’ work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Times Herald-Record and on Spectrum News.  

For information about this year’s process, or to make an appointment, call 845/794-8840 ext. 10966 and listen to the message.  

Hopefully you aren't just getting around to your 2018 taxes, like the poor individual dealing with the form above. If you want some help with your …

Growing Lackawaxen’s ‘50s-themed bingo a success

LACKAWAXEN TOWNSHIP, PA — Growing Lackawaxen had a great turnout at the group’s first-ever ‘50s-themed bingo event, held on January 14 at the Lackawaxen Firehouse. 

Participants raised $2,600 from the night’s event; this included admission, food donations and funds raised in the 50/50 raffles. All money raised will be used for the Care Cabin Food Pantry and events that they put on throughout the year.

Local businesses and residents all helped by donating gift baskets and gift certificates to be used for the prizes of the games. 

The Lackawaxen Fire Department donated $1,000 to Growing Lackawaxen that evening as well.

The group was thankful for everyone who helped out that evening to make it a great success, said a spokesperson. “As always, we are forever grateful for the generosity of our community.”

Growing Lackawaxen is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the township. Learn more at growinglackawaxen.com.

Raising money for Growing Lackawaxen. The group's '50s-themed bingo night was a success.

Fall Music Festival donates $1,000 to help kids, families

WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT, PA — According to Wikipedia, “It takes a village to raise a child” is a proverb that means that an entire community of people must provide for and interact positively with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. 

The Fall Music Festival (FMF) couldn’t agree more.

It’s crucial, a spokesperson wrote, to “support our community organizations that are working hard to make sure our children and their families have the resources they need to address financial hardship, food insecurity and other challenges.”

The FMF gave $1,000 to It Takes a Village (ITAV). The nonprofit provides students and their families within the Wayne Highlands School District with critical resources and basic needs, such as food in their homes, proper clothing, shoes, gas money for transportation to and from mental health or doctor appointments, overdue utility bills, home repairs, vehicle maintenance and more. 

Helping to meet those needs, the spokesperson wrote, ensures that students are able to restore and maintain a favorable, healthy learning environment to thrive personally and academically. 

ITAV also helps families in the district who have been impacted by COVID-19. 

“On behalf of the ITAV board, we are very grateful, humbled and appreciative for the generous donation from Jamie Rutherford and his partner board members from the Fall Music Festival,” said Paige Pinto, board president. “It’s with donations like this that we are able to continue to work to help meet the needs of our students and families that are struggling throughout our Wayne Highlands School District.”

For more information about ITAV, visit itavnow.org. 

For information about the Fall Music Festival, visit www.facebook.com/FallMusicFestivalPA.

The Fall Music Festival recently donated $1,000 to the program It Takes a Village. Pictured are Jamie Rutherford, left; Suzie Frisch; Amy Gries; …

Allocation applications open for United Way of Pike

PIKE COUNTY, PA — Applications are now open for 2023 funding allocations through the United Way of Pike County. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 15 for eligible nonprofits and agencies.

The United Way supports a full range of local human services. It is focused on alleviating hunger and homelessness, and on meeting the critical needs of the community, a press release stated. 

To receive an application, email United Way president Steve Guccini at steveguccini@gmail.com, or secretary Amy Burke at aburke@thedimebank.com.

Completed applications can be emailed to Guccini or Burke, or can be mailed to the United Way of Pike County, PO Box 806, Milford, PA 18337.

UDC to host sexual harassment prevention training

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will host a video presentation for UDC representatives and alternates on preventing sexual harassment. The training begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 2.

The meeting to follow will include potential status reports from the Delaware River Basin Commission, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the National Park Service, a report by the UDC executive director and more. 

All UDC meetings are open to the public. For further information on how to participate, call 845/252-3022 or email ashley@upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Check www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or the UDC social media pages for any meeting updates.