August 2026 Newsletter

THE GOLDEN HOUR OF SUMMER

There is something about August in Warwick.

The days are still long, the farm stands are overflowing, the evenings practically beg you to sit outside a little longer and yet, there is that unmistakable feeling that summer is beginning to turn the corner.

You can feel it in the fields.

You can see it in the first hints of apples coming along in the orchards.

And if you have kids, you can definitely feel it when the back-to-school lists start appearing on the kitchen counter.

But not quite yet.

There are still concerts in the parks, farmers' market mornings, ice cream runs, evenings on Main Street and plenty of reasons to put off thinking about September.

So before we trade flip-flops for sneakers and beach bags for backpacks, here's what's happening around the Valley.

Whether you're a longtime resident, new to the area, or simply love everything our community has to offer, I hope this newsletter becomes something you look forward to each month. Thanks for being here, and welcome to the very first edition!

Life Around Warwick, NY

August has arrived, and summer is beginning to settle into its sweetest stretch here in Warwick. From warm evenings and local events to community updates, farm stands, and the first hints of fall on the horizon, there’s still plenty to enjoy around town.

Noteworthy Announcements:

PROJECTS & IMPROVEMENTS

Water

Lead Service Lines: The Village continues its inventory of potential lead and galvanized service lines, with engineering interns surveying public and residential properties.

Grand Street Pump Station: The new above-ground pump station is complete following its relocation from Maple Avenue.

Well No. 3: A new purification system is bringing the long-offline well back online as an important backup water source.

Wastewater

Treatment Plant Upgrade: Work has begun on the $21 million wastewater treatment plant modernization, with completion expected by the end of 2027.

Roads & Safety

Route 94 Multi-Use Path: A feasibility study for a pedestrian/bike path connecting the Village to ShopRite and Pennings is nearing completion.

Safe Streets for All: The Town and Villages are developing a transportation safety plan, including the new Slow Down Warwick campaign.

Wheeler Avenue: ADA sidewalk improvements are underway.

Road Paving: Wheeler, Poplar, Ridgeway, Valley View and Sleepy Valley Road are scheduled for reclamation and paving in September.

Route 94: ADA ramps, crosswalks, sidewalks and drainage improvements continue ahead of major road resurfacing.

Parks

Patriot’s Path: Plans are nearing completion for a seven-section historical walkway at Veterans Memorial Park highlighting Warwick's military and community history.

Park Improvements: The Village is planning improvements around Daniel Prial Field and the Little League area.

Pickleball: New courts are planned for the former skatepark area, with resurfacing scheduled for September.

Kayak Launch: A new launch is planned near the pickleball courts.

All are part of the Village's broader Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan.

From water and wastewater upgrades to safer streets and expanded park amenities, major projects are underway throughout the Village—many supported by state and federal funding.

For unbiased local news, I strongly suggest following The Warwick Record on Facebook.

Stay Connected: Local Happenings Around Town

Whether you’re planning a family outing, looking for something fun to do, or just want to stay in the know, these resources are a great place to start.

There are two more Saturday night concerts on the August calendar:

August 29: OC5, 7 PM • Railroad Avenue / Railroad Green Park
Classic & eclectic rock covers

And if you're reading this after August 29, you've still got one more chance to grab a blanket, find a spot on the grass and enjoy a Warwick summer evening.

The Village's concert series runs through September 5, when Tito Puente Jr. headlines the Warwick Arts Festival.

My recommendation: bring dinner, bring a chair, and don't overthink it.

Sometimes the best plans are the ones that don't require reservations.

Save the Dates

August 29

OC5, 7 PM, Railroad Green
Fuchs Fest, Hudson Sports Complex
Amity Gallery, 1–4 PM
Dead Fest, Warwick Valley Winery, 12–5 PM
Pine Island Fire Dept 90^th Anniversary, Blue Arrow Farm ,12-4, Open to Public

August 30

Warwick Valley Farmers' Market, 9 AM–2 PM
Outdoor Shakespeare, Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center
Bluegrass, Live Music, Drowned Lands
Emish, Last Whiskey Bar, 3-5pm

September 5

Tito Puente Jr., Warwick Arts Festival Headliner, 7pm, Stanley-Deming Park

October 1st

Harvest Dinner, The Arbor Grove at Pennings Orchard
Details at following edition

Local Farms with Produce & Meats

Apple Picking may look at little different this year but it’s important to still support your local farms.

On April 21, 2026 the severe, late-season hard freeze devastated the Hudson Valley apple crops. While a late-April freeze falls right on the tail end of the typical average frost window for Warwick, NY, it became a disaster due to a record-breaking warm spell in March and early April. This unseasonal heat tricked the apple trees into an early bloom, leaving the delicate blossoms completely vulnerable when temperatures suddenly plummeted into the low 20s.

Many local apple orchards lost up to 98% of their crops. It’s never been more important to support our local farms.

31 Firepit Ideas That Will Transform Your Backyard into a Go-To Hangout

A backyard firepit provides a natural hub for outdoor entertaining. Create an inviting hangout with these firepit ideas, including stone, brick, concrete, and built-in designs.

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31 Firepit Ideas for Your Backyard

Create the perfect outdoor gathering space with these inspiring firepit ideas from Better Homes & Gardens.

Explore the Firepit Ideas →

Market Watch:

Warwick’s market is shifting toward a healthier balance between buyers and sellers. In July, the median sold price reached $645,000, while homes sold for an average of 99.9% of asking price. This is a sign that well-priced properties are still commanding strong offers.

Inventory has increased, with 5.72 months of supply, up 34.6% from last year. That gives buyers more choices and a bit more negotiating room, while sellers can still benefit from strong demand when their homes are priced strategically.

Home values continue to trend upward, with the median estimated value at $612,680—up 5.7% over the past year.

Warwick’s market is cooling, not collapsing. Buyers have more options, but desirable homes remain competitive. Pricing correctly is more important than ever.

🌻 FROM MY FRONT PORCH

August always makes me a little nostalgic.

Maybe it's because summer in Warwick has a way of feeling like a collection of little moments rather than one big event.

A farm stand stop.

A concert in the park.

An unexpected conversation on Main Street.

Kids running around later than they should.

A sunset over the hills.

A neighbor waving while you're driving by.

And then, suddenly, we're talking about school schedules, football practices, apple picking and pumpkins.

So before we rush into the next season, I'm trying to remember to enjoy this one.

Summer isn't over yet. There's still plenty of Warwick left to enjoy.

See you around town,

Nicole McCormick
The Front Porch
Warwick, NY

August 2026 Newsletter

THE GOLDEN HOUR OF SUMMER