Greetings from River City. Special happy birthday wishes to my Sterling Character, my Knight in Black Chinos, My Joe, who is celebrating his 90th birthday--his 11th in heaven. Dearest Joe, it’s hard for me to think of you as a 90-year-old; you will always seem young to me. I’m thinking that all the family and friends in Heaven, are helping you to celebrate. We do miss you terribly, but we know that you are in the most wonderful place, beyond our imagination. Happy Birthday, Dearest. 
 
Kippy Boyle, who is not on the Board of the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), “but is helping out.” “Helping out” is right up Kippy’s street; she does that rather expertly. Kippy is encouraging you to Recycle Your Christmas Tree on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. – Noon at the Recreation Center, 401 Washington St.  There will be Free Cider and Donuts.   

DPW crew will chip your tree.  CAC volunteers will give out recyclable leaf bags, filled with fresh pine chips. Use your Pine Chips for protecting trees and plants.  Kippy suggests, “If you don’t have a yard, make a winter bed for a Street Tree on your block.”  

Look for Drop Off signs at the Rec Center. REMINDER: REMOVE ALL TREE DECORATIONS! Masks are required. City of Newburgh Christmas Tree Recycling is Co-Sponsored by CAC and DPW. 

 
Come join the Town of Newburgh Friends of Seniors. We are affiliated with Jewish Family Service of Orange County, Office for the Aging, and the Town of Newburgh. 

Jewish Family Service is a recipient agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County. We Are More Than A ride to the doctors; Picking up the groceries; Taking up the garbage cans; Stopping by for a cup of coffee; and Checking in on the telephone.  

“Thanks to our volunteers and staff. We are assisting with overall health and wellness; Reassurance and security for those living alone; Emotional support; Increasing access to socialization;  Combating Food insecurity; and Filling the gaps of traditional services.  

Complete an application and attend a 90-minute volunteer Zoom training! It’s that easy—Monday, Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m. or Thursday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. OUR DOORS ARE OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.” Call (845) 341-1173 ext. 305 or email volunteer@jfsorange.org to register for the training or for more information. 

 
From Newburgh Habitat for Humanity: “Together, with our families, supporters, and volunteers, Habitat Newburgh builds much more than just houses.  We build community. Our homeowners join their neighbors in cleaning streets, planting trees, advocating for safer neighborhoods, and hosting cookouts. We build better lives through homeownership. A gift from you today will ensure we can continue our work.”  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, 125 Washington St., Newburgh, NY 12550-5537. 
 
Safe Harbors invites you to join them for Intro to Professional Puppet Building - 6 Hour Crash Course (teen-adult) on Saturday, Jan 8 at 10 a.m. in the Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz. Fee: $125 per person (materials included).  Aspiring puppet builders and performers, teachers, and therapists, join us and build your next entertainment, teaching or therapy tool.  

Students will create their own 14” mouth/rod puppet with permanent arm rods employing basic hand and machine sewing skills, and using an X-Acto (razor), scissors, hot glue and contact cement to complete their professional puppet.  

This is a SKILLS workshops, not a craft class. With the use of hot glue, needles, scissors and razors, this workshop is geared towards teen through adult. Workshop sizes are limited to 10 participants and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. To reserve space and payment information: info@upinarms.biz.  
While covid guidelines are enforced, we are in a large enough space to spread out 10 participants comfortably. Snow date: Saturday, Jan. 15. Metered parking on Broadway. Free parking on Liberty and in municipal lots on Ann Street and behind DMV on Lander.  
 
Happy anniversary wishes to Leetha and Ted Berchielli who celebrate Jan.13.
  

From St. Francis of Assisi Church-Sacred Heart Church: The Adult Formation Committee would like to thank all who participated in this year’s Giving Tree Program. “Gifts went out to Catholic Charities, Newburgh Ministry, Sapphire Nursing Home and people that Sr. Ana and Sr. Alba assist regularly. These unexpected gifts put smiles on faces of both the young and old on Christmas Day. We also give thanks to Fr. Bill for his support of this program. Thank you everyone for your generosity and kindness and may God continue to bless you for all you do for others.”

 The St. Vincent De Paul Society would like to thank the Catholic Daughters for their generous donation of newborn layette items for their Baby Center. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is not able to accept any donations of baby clothes until the second week of January 2022. Any parishioner wishing to donate diapers to the Baby Center please be advised that they are only in need of size 5 and size 6 diapers at this time. 
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.