Dae Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City. After years of living with the fear that our highly trafficked street might cave in while drivers were on it — despite repeated efforts to get it properly repaired and patches that never seemed to last — a miracle has finally been performed!
Overlook Place, from Liberty Street to Bay View Terrace, has a newly laid surface. Hoo hah! Who says miracles don’t happen?
Newburgh Actors Studio Christmas Show
The Newburgh Actors Studio will present its 18th annual Christmas Show on Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. at the Silk Factory, 299 Washington Street.
The cast includes Mark Etri as Santa, Mark Gamma, Debbie Major, Tony De Paolo, Kierstin Martin and Mary Kay Messenger.
Tickets are $20, and children 10 and younger will be admitted free. For pre-purchased tickets, call 845-541-1065.
Join the cast for an afternoon of holiday magic, music and cheer. All ages are welcome.
Helping Those in Need
The Hot Meals Van Ministry is currently seeking donations of hygiene products, either regular or travel size; men’s and women’s underwear; and men’s and women’s winter clothing.
If you are able to help, donations may be placed in the baskets at the doors of Sacred Heart Church and St. Francis of Assisi Church.
If you would like to participate in the ministry each month, please leave your name and phone number with the rectory at 845-561-2264, and someone will contact you.
Thank you for your continued support.
The Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry is open Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Sacred Heart School Gym, 240 S. Robinson Avenue.
Please bring canned tuna, chicken, vegetables or whatever else is on sale to church next weekend to be distributed to those in need in our area. Thank you so much for your continued help.
If your child needs volunteer hours, the Food Pantry can coordinate service hours. You must first register with Sister Gloria Perez at 845-670-7630.
The Food Pantry also needs volunteers on Wednesdays and Thursdays to help unload the truck and bring ordered items into the pantry. The times vary slightly but are generally about two hours, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Healing and Spiritual Mass
A Healing and Spiritual Mass with Father Omachi will be held Wednesday, November 18, at St. Francis of Assisi Church at noon and at Sacred Heart Church at 6 p.m.
Parishioners are invited to join in this special service focused on prayers for physical and spiritual blessings.
Please note a change in Mass location: Beginning November 1, the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Masses at St. Francis will be held in the chapel. Please enter through the sacristy.
Little Learners at the Armory
In collaboration with the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and the Orange County Department of Health, the Newburgh Free Library is offering a special circulating collection of early literacy books for children ages 0-5 at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, 321 S. William St.
Funded by the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and managed by the Newburgh Free Library, the “Little Learners: Literacy Collection” advances a shared vision of early childhood literacy and family engagement in the community.
The collection is available Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Armory now has a dedicated literacy space designed specifically for infants, toddlers and young families.
The Newburgh Free Library has also done away with age restrictions on library cards, meaning even children ages 0-5 can have their own library card. Five items may be checked out at a time per card.
The collection at the Armory is part of the Newburgh Free Library’s cataloged holdings, making checkouts easier. Patrons may also return Armory books to the library’s main location or Town Branch, where library staff will make sure the books find their way back to the Armory.
I remember when our Chris was 4 years old and wanted a library card. The clerk told him he couldn’t get one because you had to sign your name to get a card.
No problem.
Chris had already learned to sign his name. He’s had a library card since he was 4 years old. The library was a second home to him.
Youth Program
Maternal Infant Services Network, a community-based organization dedicated to supporting youth and families throughout the Hudson Valley, will be at the Newburgh Free Library Wednesday, November 11, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Through its CAPP Youth Program, MISN provides free, evidence-based programs designed to promote positive youth development, healthy relationships and life skills while reducing risk factors associated with teen pregnancy.
Programs focus on sexual health education, community service learning, career development and leadership skills, financial literacy, positive youth development, referrals to health care services, and social and racial justice.
The programs are facilitated by trained youth health educators for young people ages 10-21 throughout Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties.
Information and activities will include program materials, positive-affirmation items, flyers, one-on-one information sessions, games and registration for the after-school program.
Homework Help
Children in grades 1-6 can drop in for homework help from Newburgh School District teachers. Please bring any device needed to access online assignments or classwork.
The program will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Early Reader Section.
November dates are November 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and 30.
City Charter Review
The City of Newburgh’s Charter Review Commission will hold its first meeting Thursday, November 12, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Activity Center, 401 Washington St.
The Charter Review Commission was established under Local Law No. A of 2026, adopted by the City Council on May 26. The commission is charged with reviewing the entire City Charter and determining whether to prepare a draft of a new or revised charter, propose revisions or amendments to specific chapters of the current charter, or recommend no changes.
The initial organizational meeting will give commission members an opportunity to establish leadership, procedures and a regular meeting schedule.
The meeting will be livestreamed, and a recording will be made available on the city’s website at a later date.
A November Thought
Some fallen leaves have begun to take their rest on the still-green backyard grass, while others wait for November winds to loosen them from their hold and scatter them below.
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.