Friends of the Nyacks-
The Little Engine That Could.

This Spring and Summer while you're on a village walking tour, or enjoying a Rivertown Film movie, or at the Farmer's Market, or reveling to the sounds of a Mostly Music Festival on the Hudson, be sure to thank the Friends of the Nyacks.

They make things happen in the Nyacks. An industrious steering committee of 24 moves mountains to help keep Nyack beautiful, viable and a place people want to live and visit.

"We're the little engine that could," Deborah Darbonne stated cheerfully during a recent interview. "Our projects run the gamut from promoting the Community Garden to supporting Columbia University's architectural survey of Nyack, to building the Jimmy Van Heusen Preschool Playpark. There is hardly an aspect of village life the Friends haven't helped in the past 35 years."

One of their biggest undertakings (and successes) is the revitalization of the former Helen Hayes Theater, now RiverSpace. The theater's previous management had folded and the theater was slated for sale. Facing the possibility of having a huge CVS in the center of the village thrilled neither residents nor merchants.

"We knew we couldn't let our community down," Deborah added. "The Friends stepped in with help from the professional artistic community, with financial backing from residents. Now, RiverSpace holds a regular schedule of jazz jams and music concerts, children's programs, films, and poetry readings."

Deborah is no stranger to not letting people down. She described the harrowing experiences of two of her elderly relatives in the aftermath of Katrina. A New Orleans native and proud of her Louisiana heritage, Deborah remembers the dark days during which she tried to locate family members from thousands of miles away, in Nyack. But it is exactly this tireless spirit that Deborah and all the Friends of the Nyacks bring to the task of making things happen

"We strive to cultivate a climate where Nyack can be the best it can be," Deborah said.

The Friends of the Nyacks will help a local non-profit with grant writing, exploring available resources, assist with fundraising or help concerned citizens figure out a solution for a community need or help launch a non-profit that wants to address a need. Established in 1974, The Friends are dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the Nyacks. The Friends value the history and architecture, the diversity of the residents, and the possibilities for Nyack's future.

Sometimes people lose sight of the fact that The Friends of the Nyacks is also a nonprofit. They accept volunteer membership and as well as donations. To learn more about them, please visit: friendsofthenyacks.org-

and don't miss the Friends' Dinner Dance on May 12.
Friends' Dinner Dance
Monday, May 12-Friends of the Nyacks honors The Honorable Harriet Cornell and Mr. Howard Hellman of All Brite Electric as recipients of our first Citizen Awards. The event will be held at Nyack Seaport at 7pm, with dinner and dancing.
Tickets: $100, tables: $1000. Contact Danielle Watson at 353-4701 or eyevolve@yahoo.com