Greetings from River City. I have been waiting since Apr. 11 to get my new roof, but unbelievable as it is—we have not had the needed three consecutive days without rain! Rain is predicted for some part of every day in the week ahead, as of this writing. It’s beginning to feel a bit Noahish, darn it!

In this time of earth shattering things going on in the world, my roof may seem like small potatoes. However, I have the worst sore throat I’ve had in years, and I think I may be a tad bit too grumpy and a lot too tired to think.

FerryGodmother Productions presents an Outdoor Music and Art event on Saturday, June 8 at Storm King Art Center Jazz with Social Consciousness with Tyrone Birkett Emancipation.

FerryGodmother Productions presents a Father’s Day Concert on Sunday, June 16 at 4 p.m. at AME Zion Church, 109 Washington St., featuring African American Heritage Music Trail: Survival – A musical journey through Gospel and Jewish Klezmeer.

Gospel with Saints of Swing featuring Miss Rene Bailey and Hudson Valley Klez, with Scott Eckers and Dale DeMarco. Tickets are General Admission: $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Tickets are general admission. Member VIP seating available, For information/tickets, go to FerryGodmother.com.

Johanna Porr Yaun posted another Remembering Newburgh, New York item—an advert for C.H. Paffendorf & Sons furniture company on Colden St., which was established in 1855. If you haven’t checked out that site, you’re missing some very interesting photos and articles.

From the Library:
Join Sunshine Adult Day Care for a Zumba class for beginners on Thursday, May 23 at 1 p.m.
Participate in the Tuesday at Two Book Discussion on Tuesday, May 28 at 2 p.m. with Librarian Patty Sussmann for a lively discussion of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hug” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Attend the Health Fair on Wednesday, May 29 at 2 p.m. and get information from local agencies that provide quality, affordable medical services, health insurance coverage, or educate on all aspects of health, wellness, fitness, and lifestyle improvements.

Learn the best practices for keeping track of and preserving photographs, letters, documents, and even social media posts from memorable moments of your life at Personal Archiving: How to get started on Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers are invited to stop by to create a planet sun catcher with simple craft supplies at the All Abilities program on Tues., June 4 at 6 p.m.

Support the Friends of the Library Spring Book Fair. It’s easy to join the Friends of the Library - just join at the door! An individual one-year membership is only $10/person, and allows you entry to the book fair preview session on Saturday, June 1 from 3 - 5 p.m.

The fair is free and open to the public on Saturday, June 1 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. and on Sunday, June 2 from 10a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Lobby and Auditorium. Most paperbacks are only a 50-cent donation and most hardcovers are available for a $1 donation. Special folios are offered at advantageous prices.

Julie Tremblay: Unpacked A Retrospective - 1999-2019. Safe Harbors Ann Street Gallery is pleased to welcome artist, Julie Tremblay for a Gallery Talk on Saturday, May 25 at 2 p.m. Tremblay will be discussing her work in the current solo exhibit. This event is free and open to the public.

Whether you are an old fan of Tremblay’s work or a neophyte admirer, you will find the exhibition an inspiration. For those unaware of this world-renowned artist, newly settled in the Hudson Valley, this retrospective presents an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to make a personal connection with Tremblay’s art, practice and development throughout the past two decades.

For more information regarding the exhibit or the Ann Street Gallery contact Virginia Walsh, Director and curator of the exhibit, at 784-1146, vwalsh@annstreetgallery.org, or visit annstreetgallery.org. The exhibition will be on view through Saturday, June 1, 2019.

Karen Monti, Park Worker at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, announced “The Mystery Box Presentation” at Washington’s Headquarters. While work was being done at the Headquarters, a small paper box was found behind one of the chimneys. However, an even greater discovery was made – inside the box was a ring and a thimble!

On Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m., the mystery will be “solved” during “The Mystery Box Presentation.” Three guest speakers, Heidi Miksch, Michele Phillips and Amanda Massie, comprised the team that worked to uncover the story behind the mystery box. The program is free with museum admission.

For more information, call (845) 562-1195.

Happy birthday greetings to Bette Grethe who celebrates her candles and cake day on June 8.

Baptismal Preparation Class: The next Baptismal Preparation Class is Sunday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Francis Church. Parents and Godparents need to attend. Parents must bring a copy of child’s Birth Certificate. Godparents need to bring a Sponsor Certificate from the Church they attend.

Sacred Heart Church’s Annual Parish Italian Feast – Honoring Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Saint Anthony June 7-8-9. Join the 107th Feast. Great food, music and fun!! Zeppole, Sausage and Peppers, Meatballs, Eggplant, Panninis, Pizza, Pasta, Gelato, Desserts, and Expresso.

The highlight of the weekend is the street procession after the noon Mass, lead by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Fr. Giuseppe.

Anyone interested in volunteering, call Joe Bilello at (914) 715-9196.

Day trip planned and all are welcome! July 10 – Westchester Dinner Theater to see “On Your Feet”, the Gloria and Emilio Esteban musical. Please Note: this is limited to 20 attendees. Bus transportation provided. Reservations due by Monday, June 3. Put you name, phone number and e-mail address on an envelope with your payment and leave at Sacred Heart rectory. Cost is $63.

Senior Group Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 at 12:30 p.m. in O’Connor Hall. Bring your lunch, coffee, tea and desserts are provided. They have speakers, games and enjoy each other’s company, at their Wednesday meetings. Know that all are welcome to attend their meetings and trips.

I always truly liked rain, but roofs, falling and things like that have taken quite a bit of the fun out of rain. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s wise observation, “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.”

May the rain that falls in your life, be the right amount, at the right time. 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.