Greetings from River City. Welcome to baby Alexa Jean Mains, who arrived on Jan 30 to the delight of her mommy Jamie and daddy Louie, and a big extended family. May God’s blessings be with you on each and every day of your life, dearest little one.

Request for prayers for 4 year-old Charlotte who has been hospitalized for two weeks with a serious infection contracted when the family were on vacation. She is in a hospital in Tennessee. Please include this darling little one in your prayers that she will be well soon and be able to go home with her parents who are constantly by her side.

Eileen Burke, Adult Programs Assistant at Newburgh Free Library announced some of their programs for Feb. 6 – 20.

Get help with your taxes. Trained tax volunteers from AARP will assist seniors and other eligible persons with their taxes on Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 5. You must make an appointment to reserve your spot. To register, please call 211; or call 1 (800) 899-1479 or 1(914) 933-3700 to connect to 211.

Celebrate Black History month by coming to the lecture “Forgotten Newburghers Remembered” on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. In this presentation, city historian Mary McTamaney shines a light on the lives and accomplishments of several notable African Americans from the city’s past.

On Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m., join a free program in Spanish designed to introduce you to small business ownership. Learn about the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and what it takes to run your own business. Pre-registration required at wedcbiz.org/events.
Be creative in the Twirled Paper Heart workshop on Thursday, Feb.7 and use curling strips of colored paper to make a decorative Valentine’s heart.

Enjoy a free concert on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. to enjoy an afternoon of exciting and uplifting music honoring the life and work of Ray Charles. Forever Ray provides lively performance that is sure to have you moving, and grooving, and dancing in your seat! Note that seating is limited to 150.

Searching for a new job or looking for a change? Attend a Job Fair coordinated by the Department of Labor on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. Come speak to over 20 different companies to find the career you love. Be sure to bring plenty of updated résumés, and dress to impress.

Participating businesses include Scott’s Miracle-Gro, Bellwether Behavioral Health, Civil Service, Access: Supports for Living, DocuWare Corporation, Unitex, and US Census.

Afican/Latino Art Exhibit
In celebration of Black History Month, Safe Harbors at 107 Broadway, is pleased to hosts a special African/Latino art exhibit featuring the work of Newburgh Performing Arts Academy students led by local artists, Gerardo Castro and Trish Halverson. An artists’ reception was scheduled for Feb. 3. This exhibit will be up throughout the month and is part of another event for Black History Month on Feb. 24,
African Visions & Vibrations on Feb. 24 is a percussive exploration and art exhibition, an interactive, educational event that focuses on the impact of the African arts on the Latino/Caribbean culture in music, dance and the visual arts.

Music by Grammy award-winning percussionist, Jeff Haynes, with NFA D.R.U.M. (Discipline, Respect, Unity and Music) students.

For more information, contact Maritza Calderon at marimari1399@gmail.com or 913-6085.

Valentine’s Day Dance
St. Valentine’s Day Dance: The Knights of Columbus, Council #444 is hosting a Valentines Dance on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. at Temple Hill Tavern & Catering located at 171 Temple Hill Rd. in Vails Gate. Buffet dinner, cash bar and music by DJ Ming. Cost is $35 per person/$40 at the door. RSVP to Bill Kuntz at (201) 697-9920.

Keep an eye and an ear out for Fish Fry information regarding upcoming Friday night Lenten Fish Fry sponsored by Council 444.

Youth Ministry needs volunteers
SHSF Youth Ministry is asking for volunteers to provide snacks, chips, cookies, water, sparking water, and juices for the youth nights. Contact Sr. Laura at (347) 207-5020.

The SVDP Baby Outreach Center is open on Tuesdays mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., in Gallo Hall at Sacred Heart Church for those in need of diapers and other baby items.

Woman of History award
Historic advocate and preservationist Mildred Starin is this year’s recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award. This award is given by Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site each year to a woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation.

Mrs. Starin, of Newburgh, is a member of the Newburgh Preservation Association and has dedicated a lifetime to preservation and promotion of historic landmarks in the Hudson Valley.

Mrs. Starin repaired and refurbished the Gomez Mill House, securing New York State registered status for the homestead; eventually the property was placed on the National Register. She has also lobbied for preservation of the Reuben Deyo Farm, the Chadwick Mansion, and the Dutch Reformed Church. One of her local claims to fame is that she saved the Chadwick Mansion’s copper finial when it was being thoughtlessly demolished.

The award presentation will take place at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, on Mar. 24, during the Women’s History Month program, The General’s Lady. The public is welcome to attend the program, starting at 2 p.m.

For further details, or directions, call (845) 562-1195.

Blood drive
Mount Saint Mary College invites the public to donate to a blood drive on Feb. 12 and 13, from 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. both days, at the college’s Hudson Hall auditorium at 330 Powell Ave. Bring ID with photo or signature.

Eat well and drink fluids before donating. Mount students will be among those assisting blood donors. Each donor will give approximately one pint of blood, enough to save up to three lives. For eligibility questions, call (800) 688-0900.

Author Flora Whittemore said it simply, “The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”

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