The Town of New Windsor held a Celebration Of Essential Workers event at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park on Saturday, September 12. The band The Hype performed from 6:30 to 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at 8:15 p.m. There were a few food vendors on hand for all to enjoy, there was a great turnout, and it seemed like everyone had a good time.
By Matt Veronesi
Hello New Windsor. My staff and I were brainstorming ideas about events that we could offer that would be safe and that would follow all of the regulations regarding social gatherings that have been mandated by the state but because of the pandemic the Town has had to cut back due to shortfalls such as lack of sales tax revenue etc.
Ty Kropp, Plant Manager of Global Partners which is the big fuel company that has terminals located in New Windsor, called me and invited me down to one of the plants to meet their Vice President of External Communications Catie Kearns, and the President and CEO of Global Partners Eric Slifka.
Global has been a long-time sponsor of New Windsor Community Day and despite its cancellation this year, they told me that they still wanted to be able to do something for the community this year. When our discussion was said and done Global decided that they would sponsor an event that would have a concert followed by fireworks with a few food vendors, something that we could do safely having social distancing.
The event would be a celebration of all essential workers since they have worked through this whole pandemic giving everyone an opportunity to say thank you and to show our appreciation for all of their hard work. This past Saturday night the event went off without a hitch. There was great music, amazing food, and a spectacular fireworks show to end the night, all thanks to Global Partners. Global Partners led by Mr. Slifka understands how important giving back to the community is and for a business that started off as a one-truck home heating oil operation during the Great Depression and is now one of the larges networks of fuel terminals, gas stations, and convenience stores in the Northeast, they truly are committed to their neighbors, and take great pride in doing so.
Thank you so much to Ty Kropp, Catie Kearns, Eric Slifka and the entire Global Partners family for being so generous by allowing us to be able to offer this event and give such needed Recreation to our community when everyone has needed it more than ever because of this pandemic. And thank you to Supervisor George Meyers, the Town Board, and all of our elected officials for guiding us through this pandemic and for allowing us to offer recreation once again.
Join the Town of New Windsor tonight (Wednesday, September 16) for a Fall Outdoor on the lawn of New Windsor’s Town Hall from 6 -7:30 p.m. The band Hi 5 will be performing a variety of rock hits from the 80’s, 90’s, and today.
Please bring your lawn chair or a blanket to sit. Social distancing will be in effect. Concert goers must spread out from other parties and must wear a mask walking to and from your car or while using the restroom facilities. No refreshments will be served but feel free to bring your own food and drink. For more information please call the Recreation Department at 845-565-7750.
Join the Town of New Windsor this Saturday September 19 at 8:30 p.m. for our last Drive In movie in the park for the showing of the hit movie “A Dog’s Journey” starring Dennis Quaid. The movie will be held at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park at 660 Mt. Airy Road, in New Windsor.
With most all events having to be canceled due to the pandemic this is a great way to get together with your community and still be able to stay safe and social distance by watching the movie from the comfort of your car. Kids can wear their pajamas and slippers if they want. This is the last movie of a four-part series that was sponsored by Anheuser-Busch MCC. Thank you so much to them for their generous support. We hope to see everyone out at the movies.
Birthday shout outs this week go to Mary DeCunzo whose birthday is on September 16, to Bella June Urban whose birthday is on September 17, to Linda Babcock and Ann Hunger whose birthdays are on September 18, to Mike Hunger whose birthday is on September 20, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week Happy Birthday. If anyone has a birthday or other special event you want mentioned in my column, or have anything going on in New Windsor that you want the world to know about you can reach me at mveronesi@optimum.net or by calling 845-629-1260. Have a great week.