Dae Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City.
I have been thinking of things that used to be everyday common and are no longer… Public phone boots that offered a folding door, little ledge used as a desk or to hold a package or two, a little built-in seat, and a modicum of privacy. Shoe stores that had a salesman who measured your foot…size and width while you sat waiting for him (never saw a female sales person) to bring a number of selections to try on. I think I will add an I /remember item or two in my next columns… See how many of those things of yesteryear you remember.
From the Newburgh Heights Association: As every year, Rebecca Brown and team will be updating the Halloween treats Google map that let’s families know which houses will be handing out trick or treats. On October 31 from 4 - 7 p.m. The area includes The Heights, Grand, Liberty, and Montgomery Streets, and more.
If you are planning to distribute treats on Halloween, please fill out the form and share with anyone else in the neighborhood that will be participating and we’ll add your house to the map. Thanks, and Happy Halloween!!! For registering links, go to the very informative Heights Association Facebook site.
Back Door Books at Newburgh Free Library will be open on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. It is not too early to start shopping for the holidays. Back Door Books has a large selection of coffee table, art books and children’s books that are in excellent condition and suitable for gifting. All proceeds support the programs of the Newburgh Free Library. The entrance to Back Door Books is behind the Library on Montgomery St. Cash Only, Please. Bring a sack to hold the treasures you’ll find!
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Center for Cybersecurity at Mount Saint Mary College will host a free public panel session titled “A Day in the Life of a Cybersecurity Professional” on Thursday, October 15 at 4 p.m. on campus in Aquinas Hall, Room 055 at 330 Powell Ave.
Halloween public skate on Friday, October 30 from 7:15 - 9:15 p.m. at Ice Time, 21 Lakeside Rd. in Newburgh. Come in costume to receive a free hot chocolate. Costumes must be safe to skate in. An electronic waiver must be completed in order to attend the event, waiver must be completed by an adult 18 years or older.
Your House: Every house has a history. Do you know yours? What stories are hiding behind your walls? Join the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands for Researching Your Historic House: A FREE Workshop, led by architectural historian James Kelly on Sunday, October 25 at 11 a.m. at Crawford House, 189 Montgomery St. Registration is required; register at newburghhistoricalsociety.org.
Discover how to uncover the history of a building, from identifying architectural details and construction techniques to exploring historic maps, archives, and other research resources. Learn how to piece together a building’s past, navigate conflicting evidence, and better understand its place in Newburgh’s architectural history. This has the excitement of solving a mystery!
Whether you’re a homeowner, preservation enthusiast, or simply curious about Newburgh’s built environment, bring your questions, research projects, and curiosity! Presented as part of Archtober Newburgh, celebrating our city’s architecture, history, and preservation. #ArchtoberNewburgh #NewburghNY #HistoricPreservation.
From Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh about their latest renovation work on Third Street, which is part of this year’s Archtober Newburgh Festival. Archtober Newburgh is a month-long, all-free celebration of the city’s built environment, with more than 50 walks, talks, tours and workshops across October. If you haven’t checked it out, you should!
Join them on Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. at 221 3rd Street for a free walking tour of the homes we just finished. They will walk the sites together and talk through how they came together: the planning, the partnerships, and the community effort behind them.
It’s a close-up look at how affordable homeownership is taking shape on this block. RSVP: https://buff.ly/VHf4n3x.
Prayers are requested for Major James, a little boy who is very sick with leukemia. His family are praying for his strength, comfort and speedy recovery and are most grateful for every gift of prayer.
A bit heartbreakingly chilly…Local legend says Downing Park lake is haunted by the spirit of a young boy who drowned there. Visitors and locals claim to see him sobbing near the water or making bubbles, and stories warn that he cries out if children get too close to the edge.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is collecting new winter coats for boys and girls from size 3 months to 5T. This year the Baby Center’s greatest need is for toddler coats (sizes 2T - 5T). Donation boxes will be available at both churches until the end of October.
Thank you for your generosity as we help our littlest neighbors in need.
Upcoming Bagel Hour at Sacred Heart after the 10 a.m. and 12 Noon Masses on October 25.
The Catholic Daughters, Court Patricia # 195, will host their annual Tricky Tray in Sacred Heart Church’s Gallo Hall on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert are included with admission. Food will be available to p
Birthday Blessings will be given out this weekend at all St. Francis of Assisi Church Masses for those celebrating a birthday in October.
“And in the summer heat the reapers say, “We have seen [Beauty] dancing with the autumn leaves, and we saw a drift of snow in her hair.” -Kahlil Gibran.
“Shorter days bestir a wake of falling colors whose sound is silence.”-Cave Ou law.
“The days of autumn are shorter, and they hurry along as if they had more important business elsewhere.”-Raymond Carlson.
The shorter dark days of Autumn are bearable if you have a cozy home. As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.