May at Newark Valley Community Connection: Honoring Veterans and Service Members, Building Community and Celebrating Mothers(Don’t Miss Our Mother’s Day Blooms & Brunch!)
- Catherine Aingworth
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
May tends to be a month where things start moving again. People are out more, calendars begin to fill, and there are more chances to spend time together.
At Newark Valley Community Connection, we’ve shaped this month with that in mind—offering a mix of events that invite you to come out, try something new, and hopefully find a few reasons to come back again.
From honoring our veterans and service members, to creating space for families and children, to sharing meals and music with neighbors, each gathering offers something a little different—and together, they’re what create that sense of small-town magic we’re lucky to experience here.
And this month, two of the most meaningful opportunities to gather center around something we all care deeply about—celebrating the people who have given so much to others.
🇺🇸 Honoring Those Who Served
May is a natural time to pause and recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and service members in our community—not just in a formal way, but in a way that brings people together to listen, learn, and connect.
At our Monday Lunch on May 11, veterans and service members are invited to eat free while we hear from Ed Nizalowski, who will share stories of Northern Tioga veterans who served in World War II, along with the contributions of African Americans from Tioga County in both World War I and World War II. It’s a chance to reflect on local history in a way that feels personal and meaningful.
We’ll continue that tribute on Thursday, May 14, with a special evening program by retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Gary Cornett. His presentation will explore submarine history, life on patrol, and the realities of serving beneath the sea—offering a fascinating look into a world many of us never see. This event is free and open to the public-students and veterans are especially encouraged to attend. Pizza and refreshments will be available as well.
These events aren’t just about history—they’re about connection across generations, honoring real people from our own communities, and taking time to listen.
🌸 A Mother’s Day to Actually Enjoy: Blooms & Brunch (May 10)
Right alongside honoring service, May also gives us the chance to celebrate the people who care for others every day.
Let’s be honest—Mother’s Day shouldn’t feel rushed, stressful, or like just another thing to plan.
Our Mother’s Day “Blooms & Brunch” on Sunday, May 10 is designed to be easy, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable—for moms, grandmothers, and the whole family.
Picture this: a bright, cheerful space with simple spring touches, a table already set, and no cooking or cleanup—just time to sit, relax, and enjoy being together.
Our brunch menu is built to feel both special and comforting:
A build-your-own waffle bar with toppings
A fresh and simple yogurt bar
Chicken salad with croissants
Crispy bacon & mac & cheese
Coffee, juice, and a non-alcoholic mimosa station
Fresh fruit, a vegetarian quiche, sausage egg casserole and more!
Guests are also welcome to bring champagne or wine if they’d like to enjoy a traditional mimosa alongside their meal.
Whether you’re celebrating your mom, gathering multiple generations, or just want a meaningful way to spend the morning, this is a chance to slow down and truly enjoy it.
👉 We’re just a short time away, and seating is limited—be sure to reserve your spot soon.
🚲 Kick Off the Month: Children’s Bike Fest (May 2)
We’re starting May with energy and fun at our Children’s Bike Fest on Saturday, May 2 at Trout Ponds Park. Kids can enjoy face painting, balloon creations, a bike safety talk, and an obstacle course—with the chance to explore our developing trail system (weather permitting).
🎶 Music, Dinner, and Community: May 17
We’ll round out the week with a Sunday Pasta & Lasagna Dinner and Concert on May 17 featuring Valley Harmony—a relaxed afternoon of great food and live music from a beloved local group. We are especially grateful to Valley Harmony for generously donating their time and talent each year.
💛 Ongoing Ways to Connect
Beyond special events, NVCC continues to offer simple, welcoming ways to gather:
Tuesday Yoga at 10:15 a.m.
Beginner Line Dancing at 6:30 p.m. on May 7
Sewing group and book club, meeting regularly
We are checking interest for a Tae Kwon Do club-reach out if this is something you would like to see offered.
These are the moments that quietly build community week after week.
Supporting Wellness in Our Community
As part of our ongoing commitment to health and well-being, we're grateful that we have been able to expand our wellness offerings through the generosity of Lindsey Kerani, who is donating her time to provide our weekly live stream yoga sessions. What started as a trial run has developed into a weekly offering, and we are thankful for Lindsey Kerani's continued support. Lindsey's approach blends movement, nervous system support,and overall well-being, creating a welcoming space for participants of all abilities. Her contribution helps make accessible, consistent wellness programming possible for our community. For those interested, additional information about Lindsey's work can be found at: https://www.lindseykerani.com/
Buildings & Grounds Update
We continue to make steady progress on improving our space to better serve the community. Most recently, we completed drywall installation and repairs in the lower level, creating more usable space for youth and future programming.
We've also completed the first phase of our parking lot improvements, adding hardened blacktop fines to create a more stable and accessible surface. In addition, designated handicap parking spaces are now available next to the ramp along the event center (church building) south side, making access a bit easier for all who attend our events and programs. We hope to blacktop those areas in the near future.
We are especially grateful to the businesses and local contractors, including Valley Smoke BBQ, Hoffmier Construction, LLC, Martin Enterprises and volunteers who helped make this work possible, all of whom donated a significant portion of their time and expertise.
Looking ahead, we have begun work with an architect to explore ideas for connecting our two buildings in a way that improves flow, accessibility, and overall use of the property.
What do YOU want to see here? As we continue to plan, we'd truly value community input. If you've attended an event-or even if you haven't yet- we'd love to hear your thoughts on how this pace could better serve you, your family, and the broader community. Your ideas help shape what comes next, and we welcome them anytime!
With Additional Gratitude
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers. We are especially grateful to organizations including the Community Foundation for South Central New York, Tioga Downs Regional Community Foundation, Visions Federal Credit Union, the Floyd Hooker Foundation, The Margaret F. Truman Foundation, the Tioga County Senior Citizens Foundation and many more donors and supporters who continue to invest in our mission. Your support and generosity helps us create meaningful programs, care for our spaces, and build a stronger more connected community.
At Newark Valley Community Connection, everything we do is about creating spaces where people feel welcome, connected, and part of something meaningful.
As the month unfolds, we hope you’ll find more than one reason to join us—whether it’s to honor those who have served, celebrate the people who care for us, or simply spend time with neighbors. It’s those moments, repeated over time, that build connection, strengthen community, and create the kind of small-town magic that makes the Northern Tioga area and Newark Valley feel like home.
🌸 Start by reserving your seat for Blooms & Brunch—and give the moms in your life a Mother’s Day they’ll truly enjoy.
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