‘Treasure Buddies’ screened at Village Hall

MILLBROOK — Village Hall was transformed into a movie theater on Friday, Feb. 3, for a feature film. It was the Washington Recreation Commission’s first of three planned movie nights this winter. The commission screened “Treasure Buddies” in the Guertin Gym and gave out free popcorn and water and sold candy at a reduced price. The event was free. Families attended with chairs and blankets, making it a cozy outing. Children wore their pajamas and brought pillows to enjoy the movie night with friends. “We have been doing this for at least 10 years,” said Warren McMillian, director of the Washington Recreation Commission. “Whenever ‘Finding Nemo’ came out — that was our first big movie. I remember that one and it was packed. It’s always fairly full in this gym so it’s pretty fun. Poughkeepsie or Hyde Park is the closest theater. This is not like what you get from a movie theater, it gives families an opportunity to, on a Friday night, watch a movie and be together without the high prices.”Most of the families that attended have children in the Millbrook Central School District. The Recreation Commission flier is distributed throughout all Millbrook schools. “My daughter told me about this,” said Rich Dinge. “She was all excited and said, ‘Look, Dad, it’s free popcorn, free water and a free movie. Do you want to go?’ And I said, yes, we would go. It really makes a difference having this, because otherwise you have to drive to Poughkeepsie and stand in line. Plus, with the economy, it’s free, and it’s at her gym, so she’s excited about going.”Another parent, Dana Stanley, said that she found out about the movie night through her son, who was looking forward to it. Stanley said she enjoys attending because the whole family can enjoy the event.“It’s good for the kids to get out and not be home on the Xbox and playing only video games,” said Stanley.The next movie nights will be Fridays, March 2 and 30. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. with the movie beginning at 7 p.m. The featured films will be announced closer to the event dates.