Celebrating Summer Youth Art, Honoring Community Resilience, and Looking Ahead to Fall at NVCC

As August comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on both the challenges and the joys this summer brought to Newark Valley Community Connection.

In July, our community was impacted by flash flooding that caused damage to parts of our building and many nearby homes and properties. While recovery is ongoing for us and for many of our neighbors, we are deeply grateful for the volunteers, neighbors, and donors who stepped forward in the aftermath to lend a hand. Thanks to your generosity of time, talent, and resources, we are making steady progress. Our upper floors were barely impacted, which has allowed us to continue moving forward with programming — though some areas remain under repair. We hope visitors can extend patience and understanding as we work toward full restoration.

We also recognize that many of our neighbors are still in the midst of their own recovery. At NVCC, our hope is to be a bright light for the community — a place where people can come together, find encouragement, and share in creativity and connection as we all move forward.

Amidst these challenges, there were moments of great joy worth celebrating — especially the creativity and energy of our summer youth art workshops. The artwork produced by our young participants was inspiring, and it reminded us of the resilience, imagination, and strength that runs through this community. Thank you to the children, families, and instructor Donna Dajnowski, along with the Tioga Arts Council and Tioga County Youth Bureau, who made these workshops possible.

Now, as the seasons change, we’re excited to turn the page to our fall lineup of events — a season of music, dance, creativity, and community spirit that we can’t wait to share with you.

 What’s Coming This Fall:

• Line Dancing Returns – Starting Thursday, September 4 and September 11th at 6:30 PM

  Kick up your heels and join the fun! Whether you’re brand-new to line dancing or a returning regular, these evenings are full of energy, laughter, and movement.

  

  
  

• Dinner & Concert with Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Saturday, September 6

  Enjoy a delicious chicken piccata dinner followed by live music and dancing with the talented band Ain’t Misbehavin’. A perfect night out to celebrate the start of fall! You can reserve your spot here: https://www.newarkvalleycc.com/events-1/dinner-live-music-and-dancing-with-the-band-aint-misbavin

  
  

• Monday Lunch, Monday, September 8th, 11:30 AM

  Come enjoy delicious food and good company, along with a special treat! A Presentation @ 12:15 PM: “Close Encounters in Newark Valley”

  Program by Ed Nizalowski about April 24, 1964, when a Newark Valley farmer by the name of Gary Wilcox claimed to have a two-hour conversation with two Martians.

  
  

• Monday, September 8th, 5 PM-Haunted Halls Meeting. Actors and volunteers needed. Help us plan our Halloween fundraiser to be held on October 24th and 25th.

  
  

• Sunday, September 21 Sterling Silver Workshop at 10 am reserve here:https://www.newarkvalleycc.com/events-1/sterling-silver-jewelry-workshop-session-1-at-10-am

  
  

  or 2 pm Sterling Silver Jewelry Workshop, reserve here: https://www.newarkvalleycc.com/events-1/sterling-silver-jewelry-workshop-session-2-at-2-pm

And that’s just the beginning — with more jewelry-making workshops, our beloved Pipes Alive! concert, Haunted Halls, a Murder Mystery Dinner, Madrigal Choir Concert and holiday events all on the horizon, there’s something for everyone this season at NVCC.

Our Holiday Magic planning is underway as well, and we are accepting a limited number of vendors for our Arts and Crafts Show that will be held December 6th from 1 PM to 7 PM in the Event Center/ old Church, decorated as a Winter Wonderland, and run in conjunction with Holiday Magic celebrations in Newark Valley. Vendors can register here: https://www.newarkvalleycc.com/events-1/holiday-magic-arts-and-crafts-fair-and-bake-sale

We are humbled by the support we’ve received and inspired by the resilience of our community. As our neighbors continue their recovery, we hope NVCC can be a source of joy, hope, and connection for all who walk through our doors. Thank you for standing with us — and for joining us as we step into a vibrant fall season together.