HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my gentle readers! I pray you rang in the New Year 2019 with people you love and care about. Two years ago, I posted lyrics from a Tim McGraw song, “Humble and Kind” written by Lori McKenna which always touches my soul especially the last paragraph. “Don't take for granted the love this life gives you, When you get where you're going don't forget turn back around, And help the next one in line, Always stay humble and kind.” If only we could use this mantra in our every day lives……..
2018 brought much joy, two new baby girls born into our family, and heartache, a number of our loved ones passed away. Some health issues and family issues occurred that we faced head-on. You can make resolutions, promises and goals, but when LIFE rears its ugly head, you accept the cards you were dealt and just go along with the FLOW! I thank God for family, friends and even strangers who have been supportive in their words and actions.
Please don’t think I am being preachy, but I’d like to share the readings from Sunday, Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14, which speaks of honoring the Holy Family:
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.
I highlighted certain lines, but the entire passage is important to read. If we show respect and revere our family, we will and they will, in turn, show love, respect and kindness to our fellowman. Isn’t this a great goal for the new year?
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On Wednesday, 1/2 at 11, bring your babies from birth to 18 months old and their parents/caregivers to Infant Lapsit Storytime at the Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Ln. to enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes and meet other babies in the neighborhood.
Family Storytime: Picture Book Time takes place on Wednesday from 4-4:45 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. Enjoy hearing books read aloud, finger plays action rhymes and coloring. For ages 3+ with caregiver.
Children ages 5-11, can come to Wednesday STEM Day at 4 at the Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St. and have a blast exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and math!
Family Association Meeting, for family members who are dealing with a loved one struggling with substance use, meets on Wednesday from 7-8:30 at the YMCA-South Shore, 3939 Richmond Ave.
Baby Storytime: Baby & Me is on Thursday 1/3 at 10:15 at the Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Rd. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories and playtime for infants ages 0-18 months along with a parent or caregiver. Meet other babies in the neighborhood!
Bring your babies up to 18 mos, to Bouncing Babies, Thursday at 11:15 at the West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. Come for playtime, stories and songs for babies and their caregivers.
CloseKnit, the museum’s longest-running public program, is free and open to knitters of all skill levels and meets on Thursday from 2-4 at the Noble Maritime Collection, 1000 Richmond Terr. They donate the goods members make to community charities including the The Seamen’s Church Institute’s Christmas at Sea program and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. Consider joining in, or tell a knitter that you know!
Attend Family Storytime on Thursday at 4 at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd. for children of all ages.
Spend the day at the library playing games on Game Day, Friday, 1/4 at 2 at the South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. They have Nintendo, Wii and PlayStation 4 video games, board games, and Lego Bricks. Good for all ages.
Challenge your friends and other kids as you play cool Wii games at the library at Wii Love Gaming on Friday at 3:30 at the Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St. For ages 5-11.
Pique your child’s visual arts interests with a hands-on workshop where you and your child can build an Easel with Whiteboard on Saturday, 1/5 from 9-12 at the Home Depot, 2501 Forest Ave. Your child can display artwork from school or create a new masterpiece on the dry-erase whiteboard keeping the project mess free. Once the easel is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Visit the site: https://www.homedepot.com/workshops/
Staten Island OutLOUD welcomes Islanders to Memoirs OutLOUD-Creative Writing Workshop, open to adults on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 1/5 and 1/19 at 10, at the St. George Library Center, 5 Central Ave. Whether you are an experienced writer or just beginning to explore your writing potential, this free workshop offers a welcoming and nurturing environment. Bring a pen and notebook or paper. You can read any of your previous work, as time permits. If you are just beginning to explore your writing potential, that’s just fine; we will help you get started at your own pace. When you arrive, please speak with Vicki, our workshop leader.
Kids 6+ can enjoy making a yarn snowman at Kids Club Fuzzy Snow Friends on Saturday 1/5 from 10-12 at Michael's Craft Store. Fee is $5. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in the following locations: Pergament Mall, 2795 Richmond Ave.: 718-697-0252; Forest Ave. Shoppers Town, 30 Barrett Avenue: 718-720-0377; Charleston, 245 Bricktown Center: 347-694-7203. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
On Saturday from 11-3, volunteer to help ride, build, and maintain the trails at Wolfe's Pond Park at Holton Ave., Chisolm St., Luten Ave., Arbutus Ave. and Raritan Bay in a range of trail maintenance tasks for all ages and abilities. From digging and brush clearing to raking and litter cleanup, there is something for everyone! Meet at the Wolfe's Pond Park main parking lot; drop-in participation is encouraged. Early birds can join the off-road trail ride starting at 10 through the Wolfe's Pond Park Trails. The route is about 7 miles and mostly beginner friendly. Check out www.nycmtb.eventbrite.com to register prior or for more information!
Sing, dance and reveal your inner musician at Music & Movement for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers on Saturday at 11 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. Music time is dynamic and interactive, so come ready to participate in the fun.
Homework Help is available on Saturday from 2-4 and Tuesday from 11-1 at the New Dorp Library, 309 New Dorp Ln. High School volunteers are offering their services to help with reading and math! Reading: Pre-K-3rd grade, Math: Pre-K to 8th grade. First come first served. Sign up lists will start the day of each session when library first opens.
Come in and cozy up at the West New Brighton Library, 976 Castleton Ave. as the librarian reads New Year Stories for Children on Saturday at 2:30. You will be smiling and joining in to share your own New Years experiences. Good for ages 5+.
The Holiday Festival of Traditions ends this weekend, Saturday 1/5 and Sunday, 1/6 from 1-4 at the Conference House, 7455 Hylan Blvd. This holiday celebration features the Festival of Trees exhibit with a glittering display of decorated evergreen trees and the Menorah representing the Jewish Festival of Lights to commemorate the diverse cultures of our community past and present. Trees are individually decorated to honor the traditions of Poland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Scandinavia, and Mexico.
On Sunday from 1-2:30 explore with the Urban Park Rangers at Ecosystem Explorers: Grasslands as you venture into habitats that exist in Brookfield Park, 575 Arthur Kill Rd. We will identify and view the many different birds, mammal, insect and plant species of a grassland ecosystem.
Every evening into the New Year, you can visit the DiMartino home at 107 Sharrotts Rd. to enjoy the most spectacular Holiday Display and favorite for kids of all ages. Joe DiMartino erected this wonder in memory of his wife Debra Ann who died on 9/11. All proceeds are donated to the SIUH Foundation, Inc. to support Pediatric Oncology. While you are visiting, drop a cash donation of any amount or a check made payable to “SIUH Foundation, Inc.” into the donation box. Read about Joe Martino and how he makes our Christmas season just a little more joyous https://expo.silive.com/news/erry-2018/11/dccf34e74f9550/joe-dimartino-lights-up-annada.html
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE after the holidays? DSNY will be conducting special curbside collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees from Wednesday, 1/2 through Saturday 1/12. From 1/4-13, you can haul your tree to a Mulchfest location and Sanitation will chip your tree into wood chips that are used to nourish trees and make NYC even greener. Chipping Weekend is 1/12-13 from 10-2. Sanitation will chip your tree and give your very own bag of mulch to use in your yard or to make a winter bed for a street tree. Check the website: https:nycgov.parks.org to find the nearest location.
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