Dae Vitale
By Dae Vitale
Greetings from River City. This column is for you, my dears. If your group or organization is having a special event or meeting, if someone is having a birthday or anniversary, or anything you think the community might be interested in knowing about…let me know I’ll spread the word. Email me with the particulars. Include your name and phone number just in case I have a question. It’s one of the best buys in town…there’s no charge.
Reminder: You’re invited to Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site to help us celebrate George Washington’s Birthday! The three-day event will be held February 17, 18 and 19, from 12 - 3 p.m. each day. Admission is free for all those three days, though donations are welcomed.
Sing “Happy Birthday” to General Washington (reenactor John Koopman) as he cuts into his birthday cake, officially starting the day’s festivities. Have a piece of cake and prepare to enjoy all that each day offers: history, music, demonstrations of 18th century military and camp life, a take-home craft and more.
After enjoying his cake, the General will meet visitors at his Headquarters. Mrs. Washington (reenactor Sandy Spector) will join him Sunday and Monday. Each day, balladeer Thad McGregor will offer musical entertainment, and youth of all ages can create a take-home craft and play with 18th century toys and games! On the grounds, Revolutionary War reenactors will perform demonstrations of 18th century military and camp life.
Make sure you explore the Museum including our newest exhibits, The Defense of the Hudson and George Washington: Perspectives on His Life and Legacy. For more information call 845-562-1195.
The Newburgh Enlarged City School District in collaboration with Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley will present a College Bound Workshop: Workshop dates are February 15 and 29; March 7, 14, 21. From 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. (late bus boards 3:45 p.m.). NFA Main campus. Computer Lab.
Have you been thinking about going to college? Are you having difficulty finding out how to apply? Are you not sure about what major you want to pursue? Do you think you don’t have The grades to get in? Do you feel you can’t afford it? Are you having difficulty in choosing which college to attend? Do you have the resources to navigate to pursuing your interest? to attend college? Questions? Email: latinosunidoshv@gmail.com.
Chinese New Year 2024 – Year of the Dragon is celebrated from Feb.10 – Feb. 24. Lunar New Year, also known as “Spring Festival” is the most important holiday of the year for over 1.5 billion people in the world. Lunar New Year, which originated in China and is also known as Chinese New Year, is also celebrated in several other parts of Asia, including, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, and Vietnam. Because it is based on a lunar calendar, the start date changes slightly every year. This year, Lunar New Year begins on February 10, and culminates with the Lantern Festival on February 24.
In mainland China, the first three days of the New Year festival are statutory holidays, but many businesses close for at least seven days. This celebration is seen by many East Asian people as the origins of their spirituality and home rituals. It has a great influence on their values, including family, tradition, and ethics.
Giving out red envelopes that contain money is another common tradition. The red envelope is to keep evil or bad luck away and the money is to bring wealth and good fortune. East Asian patients and/or their family members may give out red envelopes to their care providers in the hospital. It is a sign of their cultural respect to the staff members who protect their loved ones from bad luck, evil, and the illnesses from which they suffer. The red envelope also serves as a protective shield from bad spirits.
Here are some quotes from Confucius (551-479 (BCE): “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third by experience, which is the bitterest.” “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
As always, close my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.