Greetings from River City. The memorials and celebrations of D-Day always brings back those childhood memories of pride engulfed in sadness. On that day thousands of us shared the loss of fathers, brothers, uncles and friends. Still missed, still mourned. The precarious state of the world today, offers no comfort…even less than 80 years ago. May God bless, guide and protect us.
The NFA Dance Ensemble, directed by NFA Dance Teacher Mandy Clifford, traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL to participate in Disney’s Imagination Campus Youth Performance Series.
“During the Disney Dancin’ workshop, they learned choreography from Disney casting and talent coordinators, had a Q&A session about auditions and college programs available at Walt Disney World, and participated in a mock audition.
“They lit up the stage during their performance, a 20-minute Disco-inspired routine, on The Waterside Stage at Disney Springs. The NFA Dance Ensemble joins a select group of high school dance teams that have successfully auditioned to be guest “cast members” at Walt Disney World.
They appreciate everyone who supported their fundraising efforts and are grateful to have experienced this unique opportunity.” Thank you, Ms. Mandy Clifford, for providing this item.
Genie Abram’s first book of poetry will be published by Finishing Line Press. “Its themes are mostly nature-related, but some of the pieces are concerned with aging and with memories of events and people of long ago, here in the Hudson Valley.”
Called “Pretty Nearly All Natural,” readers can get it now by going to: finishinglinepress.com, clicking on the “Bookstore” tab and then, in the search box, typing “Abrams.” It won’t be published till September, BUT if you pre-order before Aug. 3, it’s $15.99; after that, it’s $17.99. Genie is Newburgh’s current Poet Laureate.
Reminder: Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site presents a Donald “Doc” Bayne lecture, The Chain That Saved the Colonies, on Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. To stop the British invasion of the New England colonies during the American Revolution, Peter Townsend manufactured a Great Chain for the Continental Army at Sterling Forest. It was placed across the Hudson River at West Point.
Join Doc Bayne for a presentation on how he discovered the forge that made the Great Chain in Sterling Forest. Doc will share the history of the iron industry that started in 1736 at Sterling Forest, and how the Sterling Forge was used to create the Great Chain that was placed across the Hudson River at West Point.
This lecture is free with admission. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors or students, and children aged 12 or under are admitted for free. Cash and Checks accepted.
The grounds, museum and historic Hasbrouck House are open Wednesday through Saturday from 11am until 5pm, and Sunday from 1pm until 5pm. Washington’s Headquarters SHS is located on Liberty Street, between Washington and Lafayette Streets. For more information, call (845) 562-1195.
Back Door Books at the Newburgh Free Library will be open Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Stock up on summer reading now.
Outdoor Movies at Safe Harbors Green, “Elemental” on Thursday, June 27 at 8:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with the City of Newburgh. Set in Element City, where Fire-, Water-, Earth- and Air-residents live together, Elemental introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Screenings begin at dusk, with pre-movie events and a cookout hosted by the City of Newburgh Police Department starting at 7:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Movie Night: On June 14, showing The Miracle of Marcelino, a 1955 heartwarming Italian movie about the miracle Jesus shared with young mischievous orphaned Marcelino. This movie is a classic and will be shown with English subtitles. As always, the doors of O’Connor Hall will open at 5:30 p.m. and the movie will start at 6 p.m.
Save The Date! Sacred Heart-Saint Francis Italian Feast Honoring Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony on Thursday, July 18; Friday, July 19; Saturday, July 20; and Sunday, July 21 (Yes, 4 days this year!!) There will be great food, entertainment, fellowship, and games for children! Join them for the 12 Noon Mass on Sunday, July 21, followed by the traditional street procession!
Newburgh Young Adult Group: “We are a group of young adults growing our roots in the faith together. Through the study of scripture, we have Christ centered discussions about topics that relate to our lives as young adults practicing our faith. The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 19 from 7-9 p.m. in the Valastro Center. For questions, contact Joseph Saffioti at josephjsaffioti@gmail.com.
“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that other sets of people are human.” Aldous Huxley. I close as always, with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.