Orangetown, Where Even The Stars Seek Serenity

Rockland County began its written history as being essentially rural and agricultural with scattered centers of businesses and modestly populated residential neighborhoods, both of which developed together over time.

Before the agricultural ingredient began to disappear and large residential neighborhoods emerged, both the State government and New York City saw Rockland as being a safe healthy sanctuary for places like Rockland State Hospital, which once served 9,000+ mentally ill adults and children in Orangeburg/Orangetown and Letchworth Village, which served 5,500 + intellectually/developmentally adults and children in the Towns of Haverstraw and Stony Point.

Likewise, very many of New York City's orphanages saw the same thing, a refuge from a dirty, crowded, dangerous city, not too far away. It offered space, fresh air and not crowded.

Likewise, many of our nation's celebrities of the stage, movies, TV worlds felt the same way.

Here is a short list just of some of those who chose homes in just Orangetown, which was probably because of the Hudson River and driving distance/ convenience vis a vis the Big Apple.

In alphabetical order - Lorraine Brocco, Ethel Barrymore, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Harry Bellaver, Ellen Burstyn, Noel Coward, Jonathan Demme, Van Johnson, Angelia Jolie, Helen Hayes, Edward Hopper, Angelina Jolie, Bill Murray, Rosie O'Donnell, Al Pacino, Aidan Quinn, Jon Voight, Mike Wallace and many others, not to mention some of their world famous guests.

Of course, my favorite was the beloved iconic legendary Helen Hayes, who Eileen and I got to know very well and loved. This incredibly gifted nationally honored artist and humanitarian, who was modest with grace, warmth and infinite class. just wanted her Nyack neighbors to be her friends and they were.