Hello New Windsor. As the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of New Windsor one of the best parts of my job is getting to see so many kids come through and grow up in our programs. I have been working in this job for nearly 15 years now so many of the kids that were in our programs when I started this job are now adults working as police officers, firemen, teachers, etc. It is such as joy to watch these young men and women grow up in our programs and how so many of them go on to be CIT’s at age 13 (Counselor’s In Training) and then as camp counselors, field crew, or concession stand staff when they turn age 16. Most will continue to work with us until they graduate college and move on to their full-time jobs. I always like to say that the New Windsor Recreation Department is molding our future leaders.
With that joy of seeing these young men and women grow up in our programs there also comes with sadness when we lose one these young people. Recently we lost one of these shining stars with the passing of 19-year-old Joseph Cici who tied tragically from a medical event. Joe was a camper, CIT, and a Camp Counselor since he turned 16. Joe always had a smile on his face and truly loved being a part of the Recreation Department and guiding the campers like he was once guided when he was in their shoes. Joe always got rave reviews as a camp counselor and the campers really loved having him as a counselor. And for me being the person responsible for doing the hiring for camp,
Joe was the ideal candidate for counselor. Someone that worked hard, did what he was told, and really enjoyed playing and interacting with the campers. Joe will be extremely missed by all of us at the Recreation Department, and by everyone that knew him.
May God bless his family to get them through their loss and may Joe rest in eternal peace. You will never be forgotten!

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern will celebrate 150 years on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in a virtual service. The congregation will have three mementos from its Roots: an historical documentary, a Zoom accessible book, and a section of a curved wooden beam.

The 10:30 a.m. service, will view and discuss the half- hour documentary which first recounts the 40 years before the UUCRT was organized as a religious entity-- from the time of John and Abigail Adams to Warren Delano, the grandfather of FDR.  Their involvement led to the 1870 dedication of the Church of Our Father, Unitarian.  That building still stands on the corner of South and Johnson Streets in the City of Newburgh, and the brief documentary goes on to review the 100 years that it housed Unitarians.
In addition of the 50 years since the move to Rock Tavern will go down memory lane via a hard cover book, shared through Zoom. The documentary and the book have been created from the collected, saved and preserved records, articles, newsletters, photos and memories pulled together by Verne M. Bell, Elizabeth Mehling and Linda Mangelsdorf. 
After discussion, there will be a brief break, and then a unique “Cupcake Communion” will be celebrated with cupcakes and candles that have been distributed to members and friends.
Then, there will be a service led by the Rev. Chris J. Antal, and it will honor two special members Agnes Cavalari, and Verne M. Bell.
Anyone with memories of the honorees is invited to share them to info.uucrt@gmail.com. To tune in to the service through Zoom or by phone, please check the congregational website – www.uucrt.org – for connection information closer to Oct. 18.

Join the Town of New Windsor Recreation Department on Friday October 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park for a fun filled scary Halloween Celebration.
Drive your car along the Haunted Road and get “scared silly,” drive thru trick or treat and get candy from the characters of Once Upon a Tea Party, and other special guests. And end the evening with a socially distant safe costume parade with prizes, and a Drive In Halloween Movie where you can watch the “Addams Family” from the warmth of your car or on a lawn chair right outside of your car.
This event is being sponsored by Regenbaum Arcerio McMillan & Burgess, PC. Attorneys At Law. For more information please call the Recreation Department at 565-7750.

Join the Town of New Windsor Recreation Department on Wednesday December 2 from 6 - 9 p.m. in the Community Center and learn how to make your own beautiful holiday wreath. Keep it for yourself or give it away as a gift, you will go home feeling good about what you created. Why buy a wreath when you can have fun making your own?
Bring your own pruner’s, and gloves if you have them. Social distancing will be in place for this class so space is extremely limited so sign up today! Price of class is $30 which is more affordable than buying a wreath from the store, and it will be a lot nicer.

Birthday shout outs this week go to Shawn Hinspeter and Dimitri Simou whose birthdays are on October 8, to Angie Babcock whose birthday is on October 9, to Emma Deloughery and Blaise Farese whose birthdays are on October 11, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week. Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to John and Terry Hammernic who are celebrating on October 10.
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.