Greetings from River City. Most special anniversary wishes to our dearest Gabrielle and Gary who celebrate their fourth on May 2. May God bless all the years ahead with an abundance of joys and good health with a deep and happy camaraderie, our dearests.
On Mother’s Day, May 12, Newburgh Chamber Music will feature Uncommon Ground, the Hudson Valley based acoustic group that takes audiences on a voyage of musical discovery through a fun fusion of many styles and genres, from bluegrass to Bartók to the Beatles.
The quartet includes violinist Rachel Handman, bassist Phil Helm, guitarist Mike Kobetitsch, and Wayne Fugate on the mandolin. The performance begins at 3 p.m. at St. George’s Church, 105 Grand St. Tickets are available at the door or online at newburghchambermusic.org. Tickets: Adults/$25, Students/$5.

St. George’s is handicapped accessible with parking across the street. The concert will be followed by a reception with the artists.

Chairman Bruce Lubkeman, Chairman of the 2019 Joint Memorial Day Parade Committee has announced that Charles Arthur Leo will be this year’s Parade Marshal. Born 93 years ago, on Jan. 3, 1926, Mr. Leo has been a lifelong resident of Newburgh.

Mr. Leo served the nation in World War II as a Deck Engineer from 1943 - 1946 in the Merchant Marines. He is the father of former City Councilwoman, Mary Ann Dickinson. She said her father is a proud and dedicated veteran and the family is overjoyed at his being given this honor. She will be driving the car in which he will be riding at the head of the Parade.

Parade applications have been mailed out to organizations—all are welcome. There is no charge to be included in this annual historic event. Applications may be picked up at City Hall from the City Manager’s office on the second floor.

For information, call Special Events Coordinator Regina Angelo at (845) 565-5429.

Come August, those beautiful Japanese Cherry Trees that are enjoyed by residents and visitors, were bought nineteen years ago, by a group of women who called themselves “Ten Ambitious Women”.

The trees were planted by Regina and Patricia “Holly” Johnson.
The group, headed by Regina Angelo, got started after Regina and Lily Hodge visited Nyack to see what had been done there. Inspired by the visit, Regina felt something had to be done with Liberty St. as it was then.

The renaissance of Liberty St. included opening shops, one of which was Regina and Holly Johnson’s “Antiques and Collectibles”.

It was only when last year’s tornado took the roof off the building that they had to close the shop.

Since that time, a variety of shops have been opened along the area across and along the street opposite Washington’s Headquarters offering wares and food for residents and visitors to enjoy.

From Kippy Boyle and the Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council: A group of dedicated tree-lovers from Newburgh planted a Kwanzan Cherry Tree on Apr. 25 in front of the Flour Shop, a new bakery on Newburgh’s Liberty St. It adds to the beauty of the other cherry trees on the block, which lend shade, protection, beauty and healthier air to a popular area of the city.

“In the run-up to Arbor Day tomorrow, this is one of the best things the city can do to protect its environment and ensure a better future for our kids,” said City Council Member Ramona Monteverde.

Helping plant the tree were several city activists; Acting City Manager Joe Donat; members of the Department of Public Works; arborist Fred Fetter; members of City Council and the City’s Conservation Advisory Council; Sen. James Skoufis; and local business owners, including Flour Shop owner Mike Kelly.

Newburgh once again has been named a “Tree City, USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation, meaning it plants trees to clean the air and improve the natural environment and health of its citizens. A banner was unfurled at the tree-planting event, proclaiming that title for the city.

From Habitat Newburgh: Newburgh Free Academy’s ‘Fullerton Crew’ was recruited by two alumni to create a design for their annual walk. Matthew Arbolino, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh and Gary Chasteen, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, both alumni of Newburgh Free Academy, recruited scholars to create a design for their annual Walk for Housing
Upcoming Habitat Newburgh Events: Tuesday, May 7- Saturday, May 11 - Women Build Week; Wednesday, May 8, 1 p.m. - Women Build Luncheon; Wednesday, May 8, 5:30 p.m. - Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Walking Tour; Wednesday, May 15 - Hudson Valley Gives Day.

In addition, Saturday, May 18, 12-4 p.m. - Chris O’Leary Band and Willa & Company Concert for Habitat Newburgh at Billy Joe’s Ribworks; Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. - PresbyBuild Talent Show at First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery; Monday, May 20 - 20th Annual Golf for Housing.

A Spicy Spring evening filled with Mambo, Latin Jazz entertainment and dancing to the music of the Tito Puente Jr. Latin Jazz Ensemble with special guests Mariachi Aguila Y Plata and Dojo Dance Company on Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m., at Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz and The Historic Green Room, 107 Broadway.

Tickets: General Admission - $35. Early admission - $50, includes at 6:30 p.m. admission to the Lobby at the Ritz for a pre-concert dance lesson, meet and greet, food, and beverage reception, plus reserved table seating in the Historic Green Room. VIP Tickets - $100, includes all of the above plus preferred reserved table seating with special refreshments.
Box Office opens at 7:30 p.m. Beverages and desserts will be available during the music and dancing. To order tickets, call, 1 (800) 838-3006 or go to brownpapertickets.com/event/3913865. Proceeds benefit Safe Harbors of the Hudson. In association with DA Associates PR.

Calling All Alumni and Friends: You are invited to celebrate the 60 Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes High School on Saturday, May 4 from 4 – 8 p.m. Join them, as the OLL Courtyard is transformed into a charming Kentucky Derby themed Garden Party. Enjoy cocktails and southern fare, raffles, silent auction, music, and fun!

To purchase tickets or if you need additional information, contact Danielle Riley at (845) 463-0400 at ext. 1148.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society will host a baby shower during the month of May. Baskets will be at the doors of the church to accept your donations, which will be given to their Outreach Center that operates on Tuesday mornings in Sacred Heart Church’s Gallo Hall.

Cicero, Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher, believed, “Friendship makes prosperity more brilliant, and lightens adversity by dividing and sharing it.” May we all have friendship that shares joy in good times and comfort in hard times.

As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.