Students organize blood drive

WEBUTUCK — Webutuck’s National Honor Society members have organized a blood drive for the American Red Cross, to be held Friday, April 8, in the high school gymnasium.Blood drives at the school are usually held in the fall and spring. Last fall was the first drive held by the National Honor Society under the guidance of high school math teacher and advisor Eric Harvey.“We didn’t break any records then, I don’t think, but the Red Cross definitely felt it was a worthwhile effort,” he said, adding that he hopes to gain insight from school bus driver Rudy Eschbach, who has helped organize blood drives at Webutuck for years, to make upcoming events better and better. “We’re going to try to tap into his knowledge, and the goal is to achieve the same level of success.”There are roughly 35 students in Webutuck’s National Honor Society program. Students qualify through a variety of criteria including grade point average, character and community involvement.It’s a lot of work to prepare for a blood drive, Harvey said. Students will be making phone calls to set up appointments, creating awareness throughout the school building through signs and manning a table in the school cafeteria, and will be on-hand during the actual drive to assist the Red Cross.During the year, the National Honor Society is involved in a number of projects, including sponsoring a family during the holiday season and a variety of fundraisers, like upcoming efforts for the Ronald McDonald House. Webutuck students have been the recipients of scholarships from that organization in the past, and Harvey said it was only appropriate to return the favor.As for the upcoming blood drive, participation is a no-brainer, he explained.“It’s about helping the community,” Harvey said. “The blood that is donated stays right here locally, so it’s very much a matter of community involvement.”The blood drive will be held Friday, April 8, from noon to 7 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling the Webutuck High School office at 845-373-4106, but walk-ins will also be welcome the day of the drive. All individuals ages 17 and older (or 16 with parental permission) who meet the size and health requirements are eligible to participate.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less