Lafarge has always been a proud sponsor of the annual Ravena Friendship Festival that’s held in town on the last Saturday of August.

But this year’s celebration has the team at Lafarge Ravena especially excited. Tapping into Ravena’s history as a railroad-town, this year’s festival will be changed to the ‘Trackin’ Through the R.C. Station Festival” and feature train themed activities and events.

Needless to say, we’re all aboard!

In an effort to build awareness and support for the festival and its new name, event organizers are partnering with local businesses and asking them to display hand-painted fiberglass model trains outside their storefronts from June through mid October. The trains will be painted by various local artists and then auctioned off to the highest bidder. Portions of proceeds from the auction will go to help the Hopeful Life Center, a local charity that provides help to low-income families.

Check out this article for more information about this year’s festival, or to learn about how to get involved.

The Ravena-Coeymans Historical Society’s program, “Fifty Years Making Cement in Ravena, held Sunday, March 18 was great.

In many ways, it actually felt more like a reunion. Former and current employees, along with and their families gathered to reflect on their time at the Ravena plant, reconnect, and learn about the plant’s future.

I want to thank the folks from the Ravena-Coeymans Historical Society for all their hardwork putting together a terrific program.

Also, thanks to Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin for his presentation of a New York State Assembly Citation recognizing the contributions made to the community by generations of Lafarge Ravena plant employees.

The latest edition of Lafarge Ravena’s Around the Block newsletter has just hit doorsteps across the region. It features the latest news about the recently approved modernization plan, as well as an inside look at plant operations. Readers will also enjoy meeting another Lafarge Ravena vendor in this issue and learn how they help keep our operation running. Click here to check it out.

Last week, employees from Lafarge Ravena took time out of their busy schedules to give back to the local community.

Twice a year, as many as 30 Lafarge workers donate blood for the American Red Cross Blood Services Division for the Albany District. Also, twice a year, a dozen Lafarge workers clean up trash along 1.5 miles of Rt. 9W and another mile of Rt. 144.

One group made blood donations as part of the American Red Cross’ annual blood drive at the plant.

A separate group of employees volunteered to clean up Route 9W in the town of Coeymans as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program.

It was a productive outing and I know we all look forward to our next one.

I recently delivered a presentation at the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce where I reviewed the plans for the proposed Lafarge plant modernization along with the benefits it will offer to the Ravena community and the environment. To learn more about the project click here.

It was a great opportunity, with a great turnout.

I’d like to thank the Chamber and guests for giving me a chance to share this exciting information in their public forum.