Hello New Windsor. If you have read this column for any time you know that my wife and I have a nine-year-old son named Mattingly, who is named after my all-time favorite baseball player Don Mattingly.

As my Mattingly grew up I always told him about who he was named after and he became a big Yankees fan just like his dad. I ran into Don Mattingly who was and is currently the Manager for the Miami Marlins, at the Winter Baseball Meetings in Orlando Florida in 2017 he was so kind to make a video for my Mattingly telling him that he was honored that he was named after him.

And in May when the Marlins were in town playing the New York Mets Don Mattingly was kind enough to meet with us before the game so my son his namesake could meet him in person. Don was so kind taking time to talk to my son and get his picture with him. And since that day my Mattingly has become an even bigger fan of Don Mattingly and has slowly turned his allegiances to being a Marlins fan. We have corresponded with Don Mattingly a few times over the years since meeting him, and he always gets back to us even during the busy Major League baseball season, which makes my Mattingly so happy. We were so happy and proud last week when Don Mattingly was named National League Manager of the Year for Major League Baseball which is a huge honor.
A great job managing by a really good person.

Congratulations Don Mattingly we are all so proud of you!

On Sunday November 22 from 12 - 4 p.m. members from the Vails Gate Fire Department and the New Windsor PBA will be conducting a food drive at Vails Gate Station 1. The drive is to benefit local families in need for Thanksgiving. Non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be accepted. Social distance practices will be followed.

The Town of New Windsor offices will be closed on Thursday November 26 and Friday November 27 in observance of Thanksgiving.

The Town of New Windsor Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Friday December 4 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Kristi Babcock Memorial Park.

The outside event which is normally held at the Town Hall Complex is being moved out to the park which is much bigger to allow more room to spread out for social distancing. Besides the lighting of the tree Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for safe pictures for all, as will some other characters sponsored by Once Upon A Tea Party. Christmas vendors will be on hand selling wreaths, ornaments, candles, lighted items, and other Christmas wares, and there will be a few food vendors on hand as well. Enjoy Christmas music and watch the amazing dancers from Footworks Dance Center as they put on a Christmas performance.

All attendees must wear masks for everyone’s safety which can be safely taken off for pictures with Santa as well as the other characters. For more information please contact the Recreation Department at 845-565-7750.

Birthday shout outs this week go to Anthony Romano whose birthday is on November 19, to Susan Stankiewicz and Lu Ann Hinspeter whose birthdays are on November 21, to Keith Bedetti whose birthday is on November 22, to Drew Aldridge and Tony Ciccone whose birthdays are on November 23, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday!

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.