Greetings from River City . News that President Trump has been diagnosed with coronavirus, it has brought out the best and worst sentiments of some human beings.  I do not care whether you like, dislike, approve or disapprove of the president. What is concerning is the level of pure hatred that the news of his illness has brought out in some of us.

On Oct. 12, the Library will be entertaining a new temporary resident.  A beautiful, 9-foot tall, 2400-pound bronze statue called Journey to Freedom will grace the plaza in front of the Library until December.
Newburgh Free Library is hosting “Journey to Freedom,” a yearlong series of arts, cultural and educational programs, inspired by the courage, vision and strength of the American abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Tubman.
This sculpture of Harriet Tubman by award-winning artist Wesley Wofford will be on display in front of the Newburgh Free Library from Oct. 12 to Dec. 12, For more information, go to www.newburghlibrary.org.   Funded in part by Humanities New York.
On Monday, Oct. 12, the Library will hold an outdoor, socially distanced program: Harriet Tubman Arrival Ceremony from 5 – 6:30 p.m., limited to 50. The program features The M’Vore Entertainment Dance Group, “The Mouvas” and choir “Sounds of Heritage.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m., a virtual program features Diverse Voices book club reading, Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl.  On Thursday, Oct. 15, a virtual program from 6 – 7 p.m. features Silent Messages in the Music:  Decoding Tubman’s Spirituals.  William Walker facilitates the program.
Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom, a celebration featuring a variety of musicians, artists and spoken word performers will be presented outdoors on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 12 – 3 p.m.  This event will be a socially distanced program limited to 50 people.
The Library will present Effie’s Daughter’s Book Club reads excerpts from “Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman” on Thursday, Oct. 22 and 29 at 6:30 p.m. Gabrielle Burton-Hill facilitates the program.  Meeting will be held at Gritworks, 115 Broadway. 
The Library’s Tuesday at Two Book Discussion group features, The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs. This is a virtual program on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is a downloadable material available with a Newburgh Free Library card.
A welcoming visual celebration of the Harriet Tubman sculpture arriving in Newburgh.  Local creative leaders have been inspired by the oral history of quilt codes that supported efforts of the Underground Railroad in freeing enslaved people.  Community members, elected leaders, Library supporters and our thriving arts community will contribute to this new creative initiative at the Newburgh Free Library on the plaza.  Volunteers are needed to paint quilt squares from Oct. 5 through Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Imagination Pavilion Community members and families are invited to stop by the Main Library on Saturday, Oct. 10 between 1 - 4 p.m. to take part in decorating and putting the finishing touches on the pavilion, an outdoor creative performance space designed for children and families to enjoy independently or at library programs.
Children and teens are invited to decorate elements of the canopy or decking/platform. Give back to the community by creating with the community! Social distancing and masks required; event will be outdoors so dress appropriately for both the weather and painting activities.
Sculpture Sketch Contest:  The Youth Services Department is inviting children and teens to enter an art contest focusing on the Harriet Tubman statue.  In an effort to encourage youth to look closely and examine the sculpture as a piece of art and focus on detail and symbolic elements of the work, youth ages 17 and under can create a sketch or drawing of the sculpture and enter their representation into a contest to win a gift card to a local business. Entry forms will be available in print or online, beginning Oct. 12.  Entries will be collected through Nov. 30 and winners notified in early December. 
Great Give Back:  on Saturday Oct. 17, the Library will hold the Great Give Back along with the Harriet Tubman celebration.  Families are invited to stop by and create lanterns with inspirational words to place around the Library plaza.  Social distancing and masks required; event will be outdoors.
  
Save the Dates: Oct. 15 – 19:  Safe Harbors invites you to join them for a fun, new virtual gala event to include an auction, performances and highlights of what makes their organization so important in our community. For Gala Sponsorship Opportunities and everything about the Gala and Safe Harbors of the Hudson, go to safe-harbors.org.
 
If you have a computer with an internet connection, you have probably received messages using a popular scam involving an individual or company contacting you claiming to be from “support” and urging you strongly to respond to their message ASAP.  
Computer viruses and malware are downloaded via links and before you know it, a third party can access your computer, email, and every site you visit online, including your banking source.   
You should NEVER respond to an email, text, or phone call from “support” that requests you to take quick action. This includes unsolicited pop-up messages when browsing the internet. Immediately close the pop-up window WITHOUT clicking any links.
If you are ever directed to “contact us immediately” because there is a problem, ignore the message and any links you might be sent. If you’re truly worried there is a problem, call the company independently or contact their legitimate customer service on their website.
Finally, if you ever notice unusual transactions on Internet or Mobile Banking, or are contacted via text to provide your Internet Banking credentials or debit card PIN under the premise of verifying a transaction, please contact your bank immediately.
 
Grace United Methodist Church at 468 Broadway has scheduled Tuesday Prayer Meetings from 7 – 7:30 p.m.  Social distancing and masks are required. 
 
40 Days for Life runs to Nov. 1 at Planned Parenthood, 136 Lake St.  Campaign Hours are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  Campaign Manager is Wendy Wood, (845) 820-4366 or 40DaysforLife.com/Newburgh.
 
Take heed when lesser lights seek to triumph over beacons…beware when they do.  Please pray for our country, pray for the world. As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.