Greetings from River City. Johanna Porr Yaun posted an article written 50 years ago but still relevant today in Remembering Newburgh NY. The article, “Over-familiarity blamed for Newburgh’s failure to exploit historic houses” written by Barry Benepe, will break your heart. It was a warning to stop the mindless devastation of so-called Urban Renewal. A warning unheeded.

Is it too late? Yes, for too much of our historic treasures, however, we can and must guard against a repeat of the past’s imprudence, lack of understanding the place and value of history, and even plain old stupidity.

In the 1970s, in a conversation, a man said that Newburgh was suffering from depression. He meant a kind of psychological depression. I never forgot it--it seemed so apt. Too many Newburghers so believed the bad press, the bad mouthing of others, that they joined in.

Our family of four came to Newburgh from Nyack on Oct. 26, 1971, knowing little of it. We needed to be close to New York City, and I had lived most of my life near the Hudson River, so Newburgh seemed right with schools, church, a hospital, and the River view from the Bluff that our home offered.

With two children and only one car, which Joe had most of the time because he traveled for work, it was good to have those essential things within walking distance (in those days, I walked everywhere). We became involved in the community, immediately. Homeowner or renter, you have a stake in your community for however long you live there.

There were hard times—racial strife, drugs, crime, joblessness, not enough good things for youngsters to do or to go to—everything with which big cities were plagued. It could be discouraging, even heartbreaking. Still, amidst all that, there was a city full of people--caring, generous.

The Newburgh Heights Association helped to start others who wanted their neighborhoods to form associations. There were all kinds of organizations--where people gathered to do good, to share troubles and look for solutions, to help others (Frederica Warner started the Meals on Wheels group), faith based groups and activities. It was a city full of good people, which is why Newburgh is still here—and still trying.

Hudson Valley Gives Day
Get Ready to Open Doors on Hudson Valley Gives Day on May 15. You can open doors for 7 families on William Street. Habitat needs your help to put front, back and interior doors in all 7 of Habitat Newburgh’s gut-rehab houses on William Street.

Give on May 15 and your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $5,000). Open the door for 7 homebuyer families who are building a strong foundation for their future. They are a Charity Navigator 4-star rated organization and a Habitat for Humanity International Affiliate of Distinction, so you can give with confidence.

Let’s Celebrate! Join them at Newburgh Brewing Company from 4 – 7 p.m. for a celebration of Hudson Valley Gives Day. All Habitat supporters who attend will get a free Habitat Newburgh bottle opener, and donors who give at least $25 get a Hudson Valley Gives t-shirt or pint glass! (While supplies last).

Memorial Day Parade Events Coordinator, Regina Angelo, has announced the parade will be held on Monday, May 27. Invitations have been sent out to all participants and the Committee is awaiting responses. You may still obtain a form from City Hall, second floor, or from Newburgh Free Library. The Committee reminds participants that this is a solemn parade, honoring beloved military men and women who died for our freedom. Please march with dignity, honor and respect.

In conjunction with the parade, the following observances will be held: Saturday, May 25: The City of Newburgh Joint Memorial Day Committee will be distributing staff flags in front of the City of Newburgh Activity Center, 401 Washington St. from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for decorating the graves of veterans only.

Sunday, May 26: Join the Committee, in honoring our deceased veterans as they visit 17 area cemeteries and monuments for wreath laying and services with a Color Guard. The motorcade will depart from the former American Legion Hall, 62 Grand St. at 8:30 a.m. and visit all area cemeteries to place wreaths and flags.

Monday, May 27: Lineup at 9:15 a.m. The Memorial Day Parade steps off from its formation on West and Third Sts. promptly at 10 a.m. The Parade proceeds down West St. to Broadway, then turns onto Liberty St. and continues into Washington’s Headquarters.

Memorial Day Services will begin at Washington’s Headquarters at approximately 11:30 a.m. Parade participants and the public are encouraged to attend. Please plan to attend.

Memorial Day observances in the City of Newburgh will conclude with the reading of the names of all deceased veterans since World War I at the Orange County Veterans Memorial at the intersection of Liberty St. and Leroy Pl. at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

Members who would like to read the names of their veterans are most welcome to do so.
For more information, contact Regina Angelo at (845) 565-5429.

20th Annual Stewart State Forest Bike Tour

It’s time to sign up for the 20th Annual Stewart State Forest Bike Tour. A great off-road event in the beautiful Forest. Don’t Wait! Register right away at BikeReg.com/Stewart-State-Forest-Bike-Tour. For info, email sparc@frontiernet.net or call (845) 564-3018.

Pre-registration fee of $40 includes: Miles of groomed single track and old country roads; Breakfast with fresh fruit, bagels, coffee, tea; Lunch with pasture-raised beef burgers, Soons’ pies, cold drinks, Blueberry Mt. ice cream.

In addition, free trail maps and unlimited water. Raffle prizes, auction for new bike from Wheel and Heel. Mini-massage, Nature table, free bike check; Plus Free Event T-shirt for riders who register by May 20.

Safe Harbors Off Broadway 5K
It’s that time of the year, when the outdoors is calling with bike tours, walks and runs. Safe Harbors Off Broadway 5K on Sunday, May 19. All proceeds from this event benefit Safe Harbors of the Hudson and its programs. Starting and finishing at 111 Broadway in Newburgh’s historic downtown, the 5K will take you on a great tour of the city, featuring stunning views of the Hudson River and the famous architecture of Newburgh’s historic district.

New This Year - Kids Run FREE! Register to run/walk ONLINE today! Help support housing, the arts, and community programs, and increase your impact on your community! Ask your friends to support Safe Harbors! Create your own online fundraising team! Become a Sponsor! Race Day Events: 7 - 8:30 a.m. Registration, 9 a.m. 5K Start.

School Challenge
The school with the most race registrants will be awarded a trophy. Cash prizes for runners and walkers! Chip-timed by Catskill Timing - results will be posted on Safe Harbors’ website. FREE T-shirts to the first 200 registered participants. Free parking! Can’t participate in the 5K but want to support Safe Harbors, go to safeharbors.org.

Pray for our troops
Please remember the following Members of the Armed Services in your prayers: LCpl. Nick Kozlik - US Marines; Sgt. C.J. Kozlik - US Army; Lt. Thomas O. Mennerich – USN; LCDR. Abby K. Mennerich Lorfeld – USN; Keith O’Connor - US Army; Sgt. Anthony Colotti - US Army; Nicholos M. Pisani - US Navy; Capt. Bryan Malone - US Army; Airman Matthew Cook - Air Force; and Pfc. Cory Ray Kretzmer - US Army.

In addition, Sgt. Vincent Thurston - US Marines; Pvt. Francis Thurston - US Marines; E2 Thomas Pacenza III – USAF; Pvt. Haley Pacenza - US Army; Airman Samantha Trappe - Air Nat’l Guard; S/Sgt. Grant Drumgold - Air Force; M/Sgt. Theresa Castellane - Air Force; Maj. Cathy Sileno - Air Nat’l Guard; and Lt. Cmdr. Stephan Newhaus - US Navy. If you know of someone deployed overseas or stateside, please let me know.

Mass merger
Effective June 1, the 7:30 a.m. Italian Mass at Sacred Heart Church will merge with the 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Sr. Alba will continue to grace us with her song and one of the readings will be said in Italian. We look forward to continuing our Italian heritage with future generations.

Adopt a Baby Shower
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society will be hosting 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, which operates on Tuesday mornings in Sacred Heart’s Gallo Hall.

Eucharist for the First Time
Let us pray and congratulate the children of our St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish who have received the sacrament of Eucharist for the First Time in St. Francis of Assisi Church on May 5, and those who will in Sacred Heart Church on May 19, at the 10 a.m. Mass.

They are Megan Baxter; Isabella Blanco; Robert Brown III; Mia Cartagena; Julianna Clarino; Owen Daly; Diana Itzel De La Cruz; Jake DeBellis; Victoria DiMarsico; Reggie Forrester; and Domenic Fratto.

Also, Cesar Ángel Hernández; Juliana Hicks; Jack Horton; Joseph LaMela; Jacob Lazarski; Ariana Lemma; Keira Lennon; Marissa Mugnano; Beleck Esther Ngon; Karla Osnaya; Leonardo Payes; Abigail Quezada; and Sophie Rinaldo;.

In addition, Tristan Romero; Ethan Ruballo; James Santo; Ryan Tarsio; Evan Thorn; Danamari Torres; Yemaya Torres; Julian Urrutia; Axel Vázquez; Cristell Vázquez; Marely Vázquez; Marea Vélez; Perry Vélez; and Sean Walsh. Congratulations, each and every one.

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta believed in this truth, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” May the bread we have never exceed the love we have.

As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears, and on the heads of all our brothers and sisters in this world, from the youngest in the womb to the oldest on earth.