While working on our front-page story about the oft-rumored arrival of Wal-Mart to the Napanoch Valley Mall, we at the Ellenville Journal started mentally planning what the welcoming committee should bring to Wal-Mart's housewarming party. It's always wise to start things off on the right foot, and what better way than to welcome a new resident to the neighborhood with open arms and good feelings?

It's a tradition among some folks to bring certain gifts to anyone's new residence: wine, "so your life is always sweet," bread, "so you never go hungry," salt, "so there is always spice in your life," and a candle, "so you always have light."

Well, the first and last items on the list's no problem — Bella Volchik, the proprietor of Napanoch Valley Wines and Liquors and Katherine's Korner sells both such items in abundance! And her stores are right there in the Napanoch Valley Mall, so picking them up should be easy and convenient…only, it would be if we knew when her stores were open, or where they'd be located. Volchik has recently complained of having to close Katherine's Korner at two in the afternoon for simply not having made a single sale on her many gifts and cards. And should Wal-Mart come to the mall, the entire property will be demolished, leaving the future location of her wine store somewhat difficult to pin down, especially for the retailer herself.

But the other two items on the housewarming gift list should be easy enough to get—why Peter's Market in Napanoch should certainly have salt, and both Peter's and Cohen's Bakery in Ellenville have a huge selection of breads to choose from (like Cohen's world-famous pumpernickel!). If only we could be assured that Wal-Mart's arrival wouldn't draw customers away from these two Wawarsing-area stalwarts…the big-box retailer is a one-stop shopping destination, after all, and why would we want to make two separate driving trips when we could get everything we need for the party right at Wal-Mart? Come to think of it, Wal-Mart sells candles, too…with the exception of a wine from Bella's, why would we want to go anywhere else?

That just leaves the date and time of the party — if only we could get in touch with our shy new neighbors! Whenever we try to pin down a definite...or semi-definite…or vague idea as to when we might expect their arrival, we usually have to wind up playing phone tag. Well, not really phone tag…that would imply that they call us back. In fact, in this game of tag, Wal-Mart's been "it" for a while, now. All we want to do is tell folks when to RSVP!

Obviously, there's nothing wrong with a new neighbor coming to Wawarsing — in fact, people have been practically clamoring to bring someone — anyone — to our neighborhood for years. But it's hard to try and get things off on the right foot when a lack of communication or confirmation from our newest possible neighbors keeps everyone unsure of their footing at all times.

Talk about a lousy way to plan a housewarming party.

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