Peggy Bennett was treated to a surprise party in honor of her 100th birthday.
Photo provided
By Louise Haight
She has wisdom and grace, courage and confidence, compassion to those in need, a clear mind and a bold heart, and integrity and dedication, words that describe Peggy Bennett, who is a treasured resource here in Orange County, and who, at 100 years young is still going strong as an active volunteer in her community.
To know Peggy is to love her, and that love was gloriously showered on her with a surprise 100th Birthday Party on May 2, attended by over 100 friends, at her residence in Senior Horizons in Newburgh. It was ingenious, to say the least, to pull this surprise off, but Andrea Babcock, owner of Senior Horizons, and Candi Harris, owner of Scissors N Tips at Senior Horizons, had the residents promise to keep it a big secret, for this young in heart beloved lady who is always ready to help anyone and everyone when needed.
Peggy was born in Brooklyn, as the second oldest of 16 children, and she is the last surviving member of her family. In 1946, she moved to Newburgh, where she raised her children and worked as a legal secretary and during that time served as President of her local chapter of the National Association of Legal Secretaries. She is the oldest living retired NALS legal secretary. Enrolled as an RSVP volunteer since 1993, Peggy has volunteered in 14 different capacities, ranging from the Orange County Senior Advisory Council to Disaster Preparedness; from Senior Games to TNT Tappers bringing entertainment to local nursing homes; delivering meals to the homebound; to assisting with tax return preparations; to her current position with the Newburgh Police Department and says, “The cops are my kids.”
Her life has certainly been full, and her positive outlook and seeing everything as a God-given gift has touched her friends who themselves needed a little loving. She loves her family and finds quality time to visit them, play bingo, cook for friends, and enjoy a few movies. Actually, Peggy’s life sounds like a movie in the making!
Peggy has a twinkle in her eye and pep in her step and lets us know she is not ready to slow down. She is a cheerful inspiration and an awesome example for us to know what is possible in life, which is a cherished gift, and to give all we can to help others. God bless Peggy for all the loving little things she has done all her life helping others, with her helping hands, her encouraging words, and her heartfelt prayers.
Hats for Health Spring Luncheon, hosted by The St. Luke’s Cornwall Auxiliary, cordially invites you for a spring luncheon, Saturday, the eleventh of May, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at Storm King Tavern, 18 Ridge Road, Cornwall.
Please join us for lunch, prizes, and a silent dessert auction in support of St. Luke’s Cornwall and The St. Luke’s Cornwall Auxiliary. “Hats are optional!”
When we were the new folks in Meadow Hill in 1967, our friendly neighbors took us under their wing to suggest the best pizza in our area, and unanimously it was Joe’s Pizza. That was really important for Peter, who insisted that Fridays were always pizza night in his house, just to give his wife a little break, and that was a really big fib. Pizza was his number one favorite and still is, even when he was very ill these past two years, and was craving the best, Joe’s!
With that thought in mind, the Meadow Hill community offers their heartfelt prayers to the loving family of Jack Matikiewicz, the owner of Joe’s Pizza and Deli in the Town of Newburgh. To his dear and devoted wife, Bridget, sons William, John, and Michael and daughter Jacqueline, who always had a bright smile and patiently tried to get all the orders correctly served to the crowds of favorite customers and to the new ones, who were there by word of mouth, and always came back with their friends.
May we share something with you. All of our children who live out of state, and when they come to visit us, only request one thing—Joe’s cheese pizza, meatball calzones, and the most delicious roast beef subs ever; but their menu is truly the best!
God bless Jack, a good and honest man, and may our Lord comfort his precious family during this time of sadness. Remember, our loved ones are never gone, they are always with us in our hearts.
This is a friendly reminder from Genie Abrams for golfers of all levels who enjoy the challenge of a fun day, hosted by Meals on Wheels who is having its first-ever golf tournament, “Take a Swing at Hunger,” on Monday, July 1, at Storm King Country Club in Cornwall. Proceeds will go to MOW.
MOW receives no government funding and is seeking tax-deductible donations to sponsor holes, provide raffle items, and buy ads in the event program. Program ads and hole sponsorships range from $100 to $1,000; raffle-items are $25 and up, with in-kind donations accepted.
The event will feature 18 holes of golf with a scramble format. Deadline for registration is May 15; the deadline for sponsorships is May 31. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m.; shotgun start tees off at 9 a.m.; barbecue luncheon begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony. To obtain registration or sponsorship forms, email jsdirago@yahoo.com.