Welcome to your weekly bulletin for January. As winter settles in, bundle up and make the most of the season with community gatherings, indoor programs, and cold-weather fun. Below is what is happening first this week, followed by a few key dates later this month. Whether you are new to town or a longtime resident, there is something here to brighten the short days and long nights in Hillside.
This Week: January 11-17
- Sun Jan 11 - Winter Market Pop-Up, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Community Center Gym: Stock up on root vegetables, baked goods, maple syrup, and hot cider. Live acoustic set at 11:30 a.m. Bring a tote and a mug for refills.
- Mon Jan 12 - Indoor Pickleball Open Play, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Recreation Center Courts: All skill levels welcome. Paddles available to borrow. Quick rules refresher at 6:05 p.m.
- Tue Jan 13 - Storytime and Cozy Crafts, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Public Library: Winter tales followed by a mitten-making paper craft. Ideal for ages 2-6 with caregivers.
- Tue Jan 13 - Town Budget Q&A Drop-In, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Town Hall Annex: Staff on hand to explain the proposed midyear adjustments. Short overview at the top of each half hour.
- Wed Jan 14 - Community Blood Drive, 1:00-6:00 p.m., Firehouse Bay 2: Appointments encouraged, walk-ins welcome. Eat well and hydrate beforehand. Bring photo ID.
- Thu Jan 15 - Teen Coding Lab, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Library Tech Room: Intro to Python mini-project. Laptops provided while supplies last. Ages 12-17.
- Fri Jan 16 - Full Moon Lantern Walk, 6:30-7:45 p.m., Riverbend Trailhead: A gentle, family-friendly walk with warm-up cocoa at the midpoint. Dress in layers and wear traction if paths are icy.
- Sat Jan 17 - Snowshoe and Tracks Hike, 9:00-10:30 a.m., Pine Brook Preserve: Learn to identify winter wildlife signs. Bring snowshoes or microspikes depending on conditions. Limited loaner gear available at check-in.
- Sat Jan 17 - Senior Coffee and Conversation, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Senior Room at the Community Center: Light refreshments and a short talk on winter safety at home.
Seasonal Sports and Recreation
Outdoor skating at the pond opens when ice allows. Check the signboard by the Recreation Center for daily status. Sledding is permitted on the west slope of Town Park when there is at least 6 inches of cover. For indoor workouts, the gym walking loop is open weekday mornings, and open swim runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings with lap lanes and a family section.
Arts, Learning, and Neighborly Fun
The library has kicked off its Winter Reading Challenge with reading logs for all ages and small weekly raffle prizes. The Arts Room hosts a watercolor basics evening on Wednesday Jan 14 at 7:00 p.m. (materials included), and the community chorus resumes rehearsals Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. New voices welcome. The Historical Society room is open Saturday afternoons with a rotating photo exhibit of Hillside winters from decades past.
Service and Safety Notes
Keep sidewalks clear within 24 hours of snowfall to help neighbors who walk or use mobility devices. If you need sand and salt mix, the DPW has a self-serve bin behind the garage for residents with a two-bucket limit. Remember to place house numbers where they are visible from the street for emergency responders.
Looking Ahead in January
- Mon Jan 19: MLK Day of Service, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Community Center - help assemble care kits and write notes for local shelters and senior residents.
- Thu Jan 22: School Winter Concert, 7:00 p.m., High School Auditorium - student ensembles perform seasonal selections.
- Sat Jan 24: WinterFest on the Green, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - sled races, chili cook-off, marshmallow toasting, and snow sculpting if conditions cooperate.
- Wed Jan 28: Town Board Workshop, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall - preview spring capital projects and road maintenance schedule.
- Sat Jan 31: Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, 8:00-11:00 a.m., DPW Yard - oil-based paints, old chemicals, and used motor oil accepted. Bring proof of residency.
Questions about an event? Call the hosting department or stop by the front desk at Town Hall during business hours. Stay warm, look out for one another, and we will see you around Hillside this week.
