Dea Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City.
Please keep up your prayers for the thousands of victims of the catastrophic hurricane Helene. As of this writing, more than 220 people have died, and many remain missing, feared dead. The devastation across North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia is extraordinary, and the heartbreak is beyond words. Without television to witness the horror, we wouldn’t believe it.
On Saturday, October 5, at the Newburgh Elks Pavilion, the Newburgh Elks Lodge #247 held their 15th annual 10K Drawing and Picnic. The 10K Drawing supports Miles of Hope for Breast Cancer. Chairman John Giudice presented a check for $2,000 to Pari Farood of the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. Pari thanked John and everyone who made it possible. Rockslyde Band provided music, and Elks members cooked sausage and peppers, hot dogs, hamburgers, and pulled pork. Refreshments were available throughout the fundraiser, and everyone attending had a great time. The Elks Grand Exalted Ruler also held a Memorial Service for members who passed during 2023-2024, striking the cymbal eleven times as the names were read.
Visit the Crawford House, home of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Special tours can be arranged by appointment—call (845) 561-2585 or email info@newburghhistoricalsociety.org to schedule a visit.
“From Farm to Ferry: The Art of Charles Keller in Newburgh, 1951-1961” is on display in Newburgh for the first time since the Kellers made their home just north at Danskammer Farm in Roseton. The apple and cherry farm, an early co-op on the Armstrong family property, was a center of farm labor and leftist political organizing. Keller, alongside fellow activists like Pete Seeger, sketched and painted scenes from around the farm. In the City of Newburgh, Keller created works inspired by the Newburgh-Beacon ferries. His politics, shaped by joining the Communist Party USA in 1940, influenced his art throughout his life. The exhibit is made possible by the generosity of the Keller Family, Marthe Keller, and Tracy Zungola, who entrusted these works to the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.
Set your alarm for Saturday, October 26, to see the sun rise over Mount Beacon from the Tower of Victory’s belvedere at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site. Enjoy learning about the history of the Tower of Victory and its restoration while sipping coffee and watching the sun awaken the seasonal vistas of the Hudson Valley. Pre-registration is necessary, as space is limited. There is a $10 fee per person, and arrival is at 6 a.m. For more information or to register, call (845) 562-1195.
Grace Community Church, Newburgh location (128 Old South Plank Road), offers several ministries, including Grace Buddies—a one-to-one program for children 18 and younger with special needs. If you are interested in connecting your child with a Grace Buddy or if you would like to serve, contact Kathy Santiago, the Special Needs Ministry Director, at kathy.santiago@graceoc.com. Other ministries include GraceKids, which helps children grow in a safe environment during each service, and Collective Youth, a student ministry focused on connecting students with God’s Word and other Christian peers. For more information, call (845) 576-0730 or email info@graceoc.com.
Sacred Heart Church is collecting donations for Mary’s Hope. They need medium-sized boxes of cereal, canned corned beef, tuna, chicken, chili, fruit, and packages of mashed potatoes and gravy mix. Please contact Suzanna Campora at (845) 561-5162 with any questions and bring donations to Sacred Heart Church. Please note that expired food or dented cans cannot be accepted. Thank you for your continued generosity.
The Catholic Daughters, Court Patricia #195, will celebrate Catholic Daughter Day on October 20 with a 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church (55 Grand St.), followed by brunch at Temple Hill Tavern (171 Temple Hill Rd., New Windsor). Bring a door prize to receive a door prize. Contact Helene Kerin at (845) 561-8329 or Desiree Abbruscato at (845) 541-0769 to register.
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.