City of Newburgh

Washington’s Headquarters open for the holidays

By Dae Vitale
Posted 12/22/21

Greetings from River City. The spirit of Christmas from Him Who came to give His love to each one of us to find our home in Heaven.  “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep …

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City of Newburgh

Washington’s Headquarters open for the holidays

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Greetings from River City. The spirit of Christmas from Him Who came to give His love to each one of us to find our home in Heaven.  “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ~Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. “I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet, The words repeat, Of peace on earth, good‑will to men!”~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Christmas Bells, “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness.” ~Bob Hope 
  
Each year, Safe Harbors brings the community together by hosting engaging and celebratory events. These events are a success thanks to the help of our incredible volunteers, neighbors and donors! 

 Please consider making a donation today to support Safe Harbors expanding arts programs! Ritz Kidz Circus, Newburgh Literary Festival, Ann Street Gallery Exhibits, Concerts on the Green, Public Art, Dance Performances, Cultural Events, and Children’s Programming,  

The Newburgh Free Library has plenty to do and discover, along with a few programs to entertain kids and families over Winter Break at the Main Library on Grand Street. On Monday, Dec. 27, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. the library will be hosting a day of drop-in Chess games. Join with regional chess teams and the Newburgh Free Library’s own Chess for Kids! Program to dust-off your skills in a casual, friendly environment. All ages and skill levels welcome to attend.

On Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 2 – 4 p.m. kids are invited to stop in for Crafts to Ring in the New Year, and on Thursday, Dec. 29 children ages 2-5 are invited to celebrate Mercer Mayer’s birthday with a 10 a.m. story time program of Little Critter Day!

The start of a new year invites resolutions and goal setting for the year ahead. Teens ages 12-17 are welcome to register for a Teen Yoga and Vision Board Crafting program on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 1-3 p.m. Start the year off with some mindful meditation and relaxing yoga. You deserve it!

All programs at the Newburgh Free Library are free to attend. The Newburgh Free Library hours are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Mon. through Thurs.; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri. and Sat.; and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sun. For information about library programs for youth, please call 845-563-3625 or visit www.newburghlibrary.org.
 
With the pandemic here for another holiday, Mount Saint Mary College is doing its best to make the season brighter for families in need, said Fr. Gregoire Fluet, campus chaplain and director of Campus Ministry. 

As of Dec.14, the college’s annual toy drive had garnered donations of nearly 550 toys, to be given to Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. 

The effort continues online through Dec. 22.  If you would like to help, you can donate through Amazon at this link: www.msmc.edu/ToyDrive. A final toy donation count will be announced on or around Dec. 22 on the Mount’s Facebook page. 

The drive was a community effort, from the Mount’s athletics teams to the Student Government Association, and more. Bishop Dunn Memorial School also donated dozens of toys to the effort. 

“Service is the calling of our college,” said Fr. Fluet. “We are really called to help one another, to care for one another, and to uplift one another. I’m overwhelmed at the generosity of the Mount community.” 

With this year’s total added in, the college’s toy drive events over the last decade have collected more than 6,500 gifts to local families. The program was sponsored by Campus Ministry with aid from the entire campus. 

The College’s Loops and Threads Club donated about 100 winter clothing items to Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties on Dec. 13. 

The items, donated by the college community, included hats, pants, coats, and more. With winter nearly upon us and cold weather already here, the club hopes that those in need will get good use out of the clothing, noted Loops and Threads Club president Victoria Archuleta. 

The club’s efforts were aided by the college’s Campus Ministry. The Loops and Threads Club is a safe place for Mount students to learn how to knit, crochet, and sew. The club creates items to give as a gift or donate to those who are in need. It has about a dozen members. 
 
Several urgent requests for prayers: Serious health conditions for Tyler Andrade and his mother Letise Andrade; and for serious health conditions for Matthew Taraboccia and his mother Kathy Taraboccia; for serious health conditions and more for Sandy Thompason; for work for Heather M. and for Anna M.  Thank you, all who will offer the gift of prayer. God bless you, each one.     

 
 Looking for something to do and some place to go with your family during the holiday season? Check out Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site. The site is open by reservation throughout the fall/winter with their regular schedule: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

 Tour Washington’s Headquarters and browse through the Museum. The grounds and “Around the Grounds,” a self-guided tour of the outdoor features of the site, will also be available. And a take-home craft will be given while supplies last. 

 Holiday schedule is:  Friday, Dec. 24; Wednesday, Dec. 29; Thursday, Dec. 30; and Friday, Dec. 31.                                                                                             

To comply with COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing and capacity reductions, reservations will be required in order to visit inside the buildings. Masks are required inside all buildings. Additional appointments may be available other days – call (845) 562-1195, for more information. 

 
A most merry and blessed Christmas to you each one and to all those you love…and don’t love, to everyone everywhere.  May the spirit of Christmas live in you throughout the year.  “May you have the gladness of Christmas, Which is Hope; The spirit of Christmas, Which is Peace; The heart of Christmas, Which is Love.” Ada V. Hendricks Larsen.   

As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.