Dae Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City.
“Notice how your memories nest, one inside another — so close-fitting that you can’t peel one free without releasing others.”
- Dr. SunWolf
When we think about America, remember especially the names of 9/11 dead and survivors…they represent all of this world. People who were able to be here and live and work together in peace. That’s the essence of this land we call home.
The PresbyBuild Talent Show at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 will present performers from area churches who will take the stage at Calvary Presbyterian Church (120 South Street) for 90 minutes of music, theater, and spoken word.
Though no tickets are required, there will be a goodwill offering during the show, the proceeds of which will go to support construction costs of the 13th PresbyBuild house, supporting Habitat Greater Newburgh’s mission. “Come out and support us.” #HabitatNewburgh.
Tickets are now on sale for Safe Harbors of the Hudson’s second Newburgh Fringe Festival, a weekend-long celebration of performing arts in the Hudson Valley on October 16 - 18.
The Festival presents a total of 65 productions with over 100 performances at multiple Downtown Newburgh venues, including Safe Harbors’ Ritz Theater Stagehouse, Lobby at the Ritz, Safe Harbors Green, and venue partners ADS Warehouse, Baristas on Broadway, and Grit Works.
The Newburgh Fringe Festival is dedicated to showcasing the vibrant and diverse performing arts community of the Hudson Valley. This three-day event will feature an eclectic mix of original theater, reimagined classics, debut performances, short-form works, improv solo acts, puppetry, magic shows, music, dance, storytelling, and more—embracing the original, immersive, and experimental.
Writers Hub is now at Newburgh Free Library Main Library and Town Branch! Writers Hub is a relaxed monthly gathering for anyone who likes to write—or wants to start. Led by writer and teaching artist Harrie Mulé. Register at newburghlibrary.org.
Newburgh Open Studios at Crawford House, 189 Montgomery Street. Step inside one of Newburgh’s historic homes and discover work by local artists throughout the weekend of September 26 - 27, from 12 - 6 p.m.
Their Open Studios Group Show features Gayle Clark Fedigan, Sandy Brandman, Cathy Cahill, JoAnn Johnson, Ann Marie Silvano, Barbara Valentino, Elizabeth Roche, Cathy Prager, Judy Byrne, Lily Norton, and Katherine Mahoney.
They will also unveil 12 landscape paintings by Newburgh Hudson River School artist Thomas Pope as part of their expanded 2026 exhibition, The World of Thomas Pope. Come for the art. Explore the house. Stay for a refreshment.
Cocktails and Collections, Thursday, September 17 from 7 - 8 p.m. Liam Mitchell (Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site) will give a lecture entitled “A Patriotic Precinct: the American Revolution in Newburgh, 1763-1783” on Newburgh’s roles in the Revolutionary War.
Enjoy an evening at the Crawford House while sipping on a cocktail or mocktail. This lecture is free to the public, though a donation is requested.
As part of the Adult Faith Formation Activities of the Parish of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a Bereavement Support Group will be starting on Thursday, September 17. Meetings will be on Thursdays for a total of six weeks. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The program will run from 2 - 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Sacred Heart Church, 25 Robinson Avenue. Entrance is from the back of the Church parking lot on Washington Street. Individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to attend.
Please register with Elaine DeCrosta, email elaineshouses@aol.com or call 845-590-1499; or Linda DeWitt email maryjo69kp@gmail.com or call 845-826-4804.
The Fatima Rosary will be prayed on Saturday, September 19 at noon at Our Lady of the Lake Church to commemorate the September 8th Birth of The Blessed Virgin Mary and to commemorate the September 13th, 1917 fifth Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and to commemorate the September 15th Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. All are welcome.
Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry Hours are Fridays from 9 a.m. - 12 Noon and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Sacred Heart School Gym, 240 South Robinson Avenue. “In your goodness, please bring One Pound Packages of Pasta and Sauce, Canned Vegetables or whatever is on sale to Church next weekend to be distributed to the less fortunate in our area. Thank you so much for your continued help.”
If your child needs volunteer hours, the Food Pantry will coordinate service hours; however, you must first register with Sister Gloria Perez at 845-670-7630.
Prayers for all the suffering, past and present.
“How often will fond memories creep Into my lonely heart, To awaken longings fast asleep, And tear my soul apart?”
-Anonymous
“The next best thing to the enjoyment of a good time, is the recollection of it.”
-James Lendall Basford
“Memory only slumbers—never dies.”
-Thomas Paine
May the most of your memories be dear and sweet, a balm in loss. As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.