FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE: A Moment to Reflect

From the Mayor’s Office
December 17, 2021

A Moment to Reflect

It’s a busy time of year. December days are full of activities and events. Last Sunday was one of those days for me. It started in the early sunny morning with the arrival of Santa on a special train collecting Toys for Military Tots. When the train came into town, so did a local fire truck filled with gifts. Hundreds of parents and children were there to get a peek and a photo of Santa who was with an entourage of Marines in full dress uniform. Through a child’s eyes this was the real deal, an incredible mix of community including a train, fire trucks, soldiers, treats and, of course, the main event – Santa. A young person was overheard in a local shop. “We went to see Santa on the train, and this was the REAL Santa.”

Part of my job this Sunday was to practice a short welcome address in Spanish. In the early evening there was a Mass at St. Stephen’s Church in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Denise Bulnes, the Village’s Deputy Treasurer, translated it for me and then kindly recorded it into my phone so I could listen and practice. This is what I said to the friends and neighbors that attended the celebration:

‘Queridos amigo y vecinos,

¡Buenas noches y mis deseos para una bendita fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe!

En nombre de La junta directiva del pueblo de Warwick les deseo a ustedes y a sus familias una Feliz Navidad y un Año Nuevo lleno de Alegría y Buena Voluntad.

This was a fun exercise and made more meaningful through a connection of language and words. When the mass ended, I had a moment to reflect on the season and what makes Warwick a wonderful place to live.’

The next activity that evening was also at St Stephen’s, the Warwick Valley Chorale performed their Holiday Concert after a year’s hiatus due to COVD-19. The concert was in honor of long-time conductor Stanley Curtis who sadly passed from COVID a year ago. Under the caring guidance and virtuosity of conductor Dennis English and accompanist, Gail Johnson and with special guest musicians Elissa Jones and Kenneth Korn, the choir performed a variety of Holiday classics including Dona Nobis Pacem by JS Bach, a favorite of Stanley’s. It was a wonderful evening of music from the heart and always a meaningful way to celebrate the Season. The Mass and concert, because they were performed inside, were done with a strict protocol of mask wearing that never hindered the enjoyment of a special evening.

So, a Season of fun and community. Coming Up? Two much loved events sponsored by the Village of Warwick that were virtual last year, but this year are live!

• The Christmas Eve Sing-along will happen this year outside on the front lawn of the Old School Baptist Meeting House – Friday, December 24th at 5:00 p.m.
• The Apple Eve gathering and Apple Drop – Friday, December 31st at 11:30 p.m. on Railroad Green with countdown just prior to midnight to ring in 2022!! Bring your noisemakers to herald in the New Year!