Hello New Windsor. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving last week. My brother and his family were in NY for Thanksgiving and they brought my niece Emma’s boyfriend with them for the trip.
Both Emma and her boyfriend Thai are 16 years old. I had briefly met Thai in June when we were in Florida on vacation but didn’t get the chance to give him the over protective uncle talk. But he was going to be in NY for over a week this time so I was going to make sure it was going to be very clear that he better always treat Emma with respect and kindness. My brother and his family and Thai would stay at my parents’ house.
My mom and dad were trying to decide where Thai would sleep and I said I could set up a cot for him in the shed. My mom decided he could have one of the guest rooms. I think Thai enjoyed his trip to NY even though I gave him the crazy uncle talk and he had a chance to visit New York City where he saw how wonderful of a city it was and how bad it could be all in the same trip.
More about that trip to the city to come in a future column.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 37 Old Route 9W (across from Plum Point Condos), New Windsor, is holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They will have vendors and boutique items. This is a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping. The Carpenter’s Café will be open for breakfast and lunch.
For questions or information, please call 845-591-4522 and leave a message or email: StThomasNW.events@gmail.com.

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C,I-New Windsor) and the 99th Assembly District Animal Advisory Council will host Pet Photos with Santa at Assemblyman Schmitt’s district office.
Assemblyman Schmitt is encouraging residents to bring their pets to his Assembly Office to get a free photo with Santa and enjoy light winter snacks.
During the photo shoot, Assemblyman Schmitt will also be collecting animal supplies to donate to a local shelter to help through the winter months.

The photo shoot will take place on Sunday, December 8, 1-3 p.m. at the Assemblyman’s office, 6 Depot Street in Washingtonville.

Join Junior Catholic Daughters Association/Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Rita #264 as they say a Rosary for the Unborn on Sunday, December 8 after the 12:30 Mass at St. Joseph Church, New Windsor, by the Memorial for the Unborn (at the bottom of the ramp) weather permitting, otherwise event will be held inside the Church.

On Saturday, December 21, the Vails Gate Fire Department will once again be escorting Santa Claus on his annual tour of our district and handing out candy canes to children.
We will also be collecting canned and non-perishable food items to benefit the Town of New Windsor Food Pantry. The food pantry is in desperate need of assistance, as many local families are in need of help. Last year the food pantry was able to assist numerous local families. Any donations will be greatly appreciated!
Santa will be starting out around 10 am and will appear at various locations in the district throughout the day. The Vails Gate Fire District protects the following areas: Along Route 94 from Erie Ave. up to ½ mile past Mt. Airy Rd., along Route 32 from Union Ave. to Orrs Mills Rd. in Cornwall, along Union Ave. from Rt. 32 to the Town of Newburgh line, and all along Route 207 out to Hampton Court.

If you unsure if you live in the Vails Gate Fire District, please contact the firehouse at 561-9729.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we may not be able to go down every street, but if you hear us come through your neighborhood, please escort your children down to the corner to see Santa. Dead end and narrow streets are particularly difficult for us to navigate safely. We will make every effort to cover as much ground as possible. In the event of inclement weather, we will reschedule for Sunday, December 22. Thank you for your continued support!

The Town of New Windsor Recreation Department and one of the country’s most successful soccer programs Quickstrike FC, are offering a completely revamped new and exciting coed Recreational Soccer Program. The professional coaches from Quickstrike FC, along with some of their high school players, will work together to provide and mentor our recreational soccer players with a dash of soccer fundamentals mixed with playing soccer games.
The program is $65 for residents and $75 for non-residents of New Windsor and takes place on Friday nights or Saturday mornings depending on age group. For more info visit nwrecisfun.com.

Please join the Recreation Department on Wednesday December 4 from 6-9 p.m. for a class on how to make your own Holiday Wreath.

The class is $30 which includes all supplies and his held at the Community Center at the New Windsor Town Hall Complex 555 Union Avenue. To register go to nwrecisfun.com.

Join the Town of New Windsor for our annual holiday events with Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday December 6 from 6-8pm. Let us help you get into the Christmas Spirit with a fun filled night for all! Count down the lighting of the Town Tree, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and other characters, enjoy music, dancing, For more refreshments, Jester Jim’s Juggling Show, a Christmas hay ride and holiday vendors. For more information please contact the Recreation Department at 845-565-7750.
Then the annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting will be held on Monday December 23 at 5 p.m. The Menorah will be light in front of Town Hall and then everyone will head down to the Community Center where the Vails Gate Fire Department will be on hand doing a chocolate coin drop for the kids from the ladder truck and there will be food and refreshments as well as festive music.

The Town of New Windsor Recreation Department has the following available trips.
On Wednesday January 29 the Recreation Department will be taking a trip to see the Brooklyn Nets take on the Detroit Pistons at the Barclays Center. The bus leaves New Windsor Town Hall Complex at 4:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. game. The seats are floor level section 12 and if you bought them on your own would cost $145 and our price is $110 which includes bus ride!

Then on Sunday March 1 the Recreation Department will be taking a trip to Broadway to see the hit show “Come From Away” which is based on the true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world.
If you went on your own these tickets would cost you over $150 for the Orchestra seats we have and our price is $135 and includes bus ride down! Space is extremely limited do not hesitate sign up today!

The Senior Matinee Movie is held every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Marasco Senior Center. The movie for Tuesday December 10 is the all new “The Lion King.” A young lion returns to reclaim the throne that was stolen from him and his father by his treacherous and fratricidal uncle after spending his adolescence in exile, under the care and supervision of a friendly warthog and meerkat.
For more information on the programs above or for all Town of New Windsor Recreation programs visit nwrecisfun.com or call 845-565-7750.

Birthday shout outs this week go to Joan Mesaris and Louis Pellella on December 2, Kara Steffensen and Charlie Peyton whose birthdays are on December 5, to Tyler Fitzpatrick on December 8, to Anthony Fayo on December 10, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week.

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.