Greetings from River City.  As I write this in the middle of the night, the annual remembrance of 9/11 will begin in a few hours. Though in some moments it seems like yesterday, it has been twenty years.  I think of the children whose lives were changed after that day, and the post 9/11 children who have never known a time when we weren’t looking over our shoulders.   

Those that joined the service right after September 11, 2001, had the same mettle as those who joined right after December 7, 1941.  They loved this country, loved their families and friends; they wanted to protect what was dear to them.  

We don’t know what lies ahead for us or the rest of the world regarding the Taliban and their fellow travelers.  What we do know is that bad decisions rarely have good outcomes and usually have extremely long-lasting consequences.  I hope that we have learned, whatever our affiliation, the decisions each of us make, can carry the weight of life and death. 
 
My memories of Richard Drago are of a thoughtful and friendly man who had a strong loyalty to his fellow veterans.  He made sure I had the latest press releases of their meetings and events.  He took his work with veterans’ organizations very seriously and was Board Vice Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of New York State Commander, MOPH Chapter 1782 Commander, a member of John T. Kenney Memorial VFW Post 973, AMVETS Post 826, and a member of the American Legion Post 1420.   

He will be so very missed by his loving family, all the Vets he served so selflessly, and all who knew him.   I will miss receiving his friendly emails.  I offer my heartfelt condolences to Rich’s beloved family and friends.         

Newburgh City Historian, HSNBHH Board Member, and Mid Hudson Times columnist, Mary McTamaney, invites you to be sure to log on to the next virtual program at the Newburgh Historical Society.   Dr. Kevin Burke will talk about the connections we hold dear from our childhoods and how we are guided throughout life by the impressions our neighbors make on us.   

Kevin is an NFA grad who hosts the podcast “Your Hometown” sponsored by the Museum of the City of New York.  He has also worked closely with the genealogy series “Finding Your Roots” with Dr. Henry Louis Gates and is co-author of the landmark book, And Still I Rise.                                                      

Listen in and remember what makes you Newburgh Strong.  Link will be found on the society’s Facebook page: Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and on its webpage: newburghhistoricalsociety.com.   
 

Safe Harbors Ann Street Gallery is seeking volunteers at the Ann Street Gallery, 104 Ann St. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 & 26 from 12 – 6 p.m. for the Black Renaissance Exhibition & Community Paint-In.  Sign up for Black Renaissance Exhibition and for the Community Paint-In at https://volunteersignup.org/CFFK7.   

Safe Harbors of the Hudson is proud to present Black Renaissance Festival – A celebration and amplification of Black voices in our community through visual and performing arts.  

This year’s Community Paint-In will be held in conjunction with the Black Renaissance Festival and will take place in a COVID-friendly, open-air setting on the block in front of the Gallery, which will be closed to traffic for the event.  This hands-on, collaborative, community art event is open to all ages.   

This year, they are pleased to welcome the Paint-In, local artist and Safe Harbors board member, Vernon Byron, who will be collaborating with the community on the creation of a mural on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 12 - 2 p.m. (weather permitting).   
 

The City of Newburgh Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the City beginning on Monday, Sept. 13.  This process will take two to three weeks to finish.  Customers may notice a water discoloration or a change in water pressure for a short period of time.  

NOTE: Please check water before use.
Please contact the City of Newburgh Water Department at (845) 565-3356, if you have additional questions or require additional information. 

The Environmental Justice Fellowship invites community members to take a tree survey for the City of Newburgh.  Community input will help create a community-led movement to plant and protect trees in the City and will help to identify areas for fall 2021 tree planting.  The Fellowship program will culminate with the planting of 16 trees throughout the city. 

To learn the benefits of street trees in Newburgh and to learn about the 2021 Fellows, please visit the Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy website, newburghparksconservancy.org/newburgh-street-trees. This is a wonderful project.  Newburgh needs more trees and 16 new ones is a good start.    

From the Not-To-Early file:  Free Bulk Item Pickup Program: The next free-of-charge bulk Item pickup is on Oct. 27.  City residents must call the Sanitation line at (845) 565-1082 or the Department of Public Works at (845) 565-3297 by 3 p.m. the TUESDAY BEFORE the collection date to schedule a pickup.   
 
Registration is now open for Religion Classes (REP), Grades 1 – 6, and Adolescent program Grades 7, 8, and High school.  Program details and registration forms can be found on the website https://stmotherteresanewburgh.com.  You may call the Religious Education Office at (845) 561-2589--come into the office at Sacred Heart School (Robinson Avenue & Ann St.) or call or text Sister Laura at (347) 207-5020 or Frank Rich (845) 764-1983. 
 
Saint Francis Dart League is Back!  The two teams are St. Francis Padres and St. Francis Crusaders, which are part of the Orange County Good Fellowship League.  They will meet every Thursday from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., in O’Connor Hall. 

 
Sacred Heart Donations For MARY’S HOPE. They are very much in need of canned fruit, cereal, canned chili, corned beef or chicken.  They also need plastic bags (yellow or white) and paper bags with handles.  Please note: They cannot give out expired food to our clients. Please bring donations to Sacred Heart Church. They thank donors for their continued generosity. 
 
40 Days For Life – Sept. 12 – Oct. 31:  Vigil - Planned Parenthood, Lake Street, from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., daily.  Contact: Wendy Wood (845) 820-4366.  Learn more at  40daysforlife.com/Newburgh.    
 
Annual Columbus Day Ball: Honoring Knight of the Year – Frank Gerbes on Saturday, Oct. 16, from  5:30 - 10:30 p.m. at Colden Manor at Spruce Lodge,  619 Rte. 17K, Montgomery.  $60/per person includes sit down dinner, dancing, cash bar, and door prices.  RSVP by Oct. 1 to Bill Kuntz at  (201) 697-9920.  
 
Listening to the recitation of 9/11 victims’ names in Manhattan over hours, reminds us of what America is—A nation of ‘people from all parts of the world, living and working together side by side every day. 

Their heartbreaking sorrow, which is still so potent, at the loss of their loved ones, is difficult to witness, but I feel it is important to listen, to help them by sharing their grief, that they know they are not alone in it. We are bound by the tragedies of that hellish day.   

As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.