Did you attend Prompted: A Creative Writing Session at the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library on Friday or join the Friends of the Olmsted-Beil House for "Love in the Writings of Frederick Law Olmsted and Other Staten Island Love Stories" on Sunday? For those of you who love “love letters” and wish you could write something memorable to your dear ones, these events are a good start. I have received a number of love letters in my life and have kept and cherished but a few. The cards and letters that have really touched my soul were handmade and written from the heart. I searched today for cards and/or letters that were sent to me by loved ones over the years.
The most special letters I have received were written to me for no special occasion or just because the writer was thinking of me! My son, Jeff, always the prolific writer, wrote to me from SUNY Oneonta filling me in on the activities of college life. One year during summer break, he assisted my sister, Ellen, the chef, at a private camp upstate NY near the Canadian border; he shared his thoughts about learning to cook and bake, cleaning fish, catching chipmunks and releasing them out to nature, among other exciting adventures. When he made a trip to Spain to visit Santiago de Compostela, he documented his trip in missives that transported me directly to the streets of Spain. My son slipped a note into my briefcase before a business trip many years ago stating: “To my darling mother, So I may not be too heartbroken during your absence in Farmington, CT, I can be reached at [our tel. #], Te Quiero, Love Jeff.” It remains in my briefcase to remind me no matter where I am, family is the most important. My niece, Lily, had plenty of adventures training horses in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas and wrote me about her trials and tribulations. My nephew, Nils George, wrote me letters from Iraq sharing only the interesting adventures—not the horror and sorrow he experienced being in the Army. My brother, Mark, always finds the most humorous cards for every occasion and writes special notes in every one of them. My dear Aunt Theresa would write a thank you note for every time we included her at dinner, lunch or any occasion. Quite often she would send a note with money enclosed to “feed the iron maiden” (my car). My Aunt Genevieve had the most beautiful flourishing handwriting and wrote notes in any card she would send. I most especially hold dear to my heart the paintings and art work of my grandchildren who so proudly present their masterpieces to me. You don’t have to be Jane Austen or the Bronte Sisters or Nicholas Sparks, for that matter, to write from your heart. I promise you: a letter or a note will be remembered. A text or Facebook post will not! You may even become the next "best seller" author while you are having fun writing. “Just do it!”
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Join in a fun day of physical activity stations at Total Fitness Challenge Winter Activity Day on Wednesday 2/19 from 10-12 at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, 625 Father Capodanno Blvd.including relays, jumping, throwing, hurdle drills, agility and race walking. RSVP to cusickrsvp@gmail.com
On Wednesday from 10-5, enjoy Cool School Holiday for FREE at the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr. sponsored by the Lois and Richard Nicotra Foundation.
Bring the kiddies to Itty Bitty Storytime on Wednesday at 11:15 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.Children and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, lively songs, finger plays and rhymes. Foster a love of reading and meet other little ones in the neighborhood.
Head to the Allison Pond Park and join the Urban Park Rangers for Kids Week: Animal Tracks on Wednesday from 1–2:30 at Prospect Ave. and Brentwood Ave. Immerse your kids, and yourself, in the natural world. All are welcome, but programs are geared for ages 12 and younger. From falcons and salamanders to deer and seals, wildlife viewing opportunities exist year-round in all of our parks. Wildlife viewing is a perfect activity for any age. Our Urban Park Rangers will teach you the basics of wildlife tracking. By the end, you will be skilled in recognizing differences between raccoon and common house cat tracks.
For kids 4+, Afternoon Craft takes place on Wednesday at 2 at the Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Ln. Come out and make something with us!
Attend Black History Month Collaboration Project on Wednesday from 2-3 and 3-4 at the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr.
Join the Anime & Manga Club on Wednesday at 5 at the South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Rd. as you watch our favorite anime, as well as discuss new and upcoming manga.
The Staten Island Workforce1 Career Center is hosting a job fair for multiple Staten Island employers at the Staten Island Job Fair on Thursday 2/20 from 11-1 at the Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Rd. These are same day interviews. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/staten-island-job-fair-tickets-92934334095?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Join our educators to learn more about finding and identifying winter residents here in the Greenbelt at Winter Bird Hike on Thursday from 11:30–12:30 at the Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Ave. at Brielle Ave. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Good for all ages.
On Thursday from 1-2:30, your kids will enjoy Kids Week: Winter Crafts at Blue Heron Nature Center, Blue Heron Park,222 Poillon Ave. Immerse your kids, and yourself, in the natural world. All are welcome, but programs are geared for ages 12 and younger. Create crafts using natural materials found outdoors with the Urban Park Rangers.
Lend a hand to help Friends of Kivlehan Park, Inc. for It's My Park at Kivlehan Playground to make the streets and park of New Dorp Beach cleaner and more beautiful on Thursday from 1-3. Volunteers should meet at corner of New Dorp Ln. and Cedar Grove Ave. Supplies provided, refreshments served, free raffle and t-shirts for volunteers.
Have fun at Midwinter Recess BINGO on Thursday 2/20 from 4-5 at the Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.Is there anything better than some friendly competition amongst friends? Maybe BINGO in Spanish! That is why we are playing a round of Bilingual BINGO. Join us, learn another language, play against your friends, and win some cool prizes! First come, first served.
Carry a tune with the Urban Park Rangers and learn fire techniques, roast marshmallows, sing your favorite song and play instruments at Kids Weeks Staten Island: Campfire Sing-Along on Friday, 2/21 from 1–2:30 at the Archery Field Parking Lot in Willowbrook Park. All are welcome, but programs are geared for ages 12 and younger.
Participate in NYRR Open Run on Friday at 7 at Silver Lake Park, Silver Lake Park Rd. and Forest Ave. Through this initiative, New York Road Runners is working with community leaders and volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks. All runs are directed by volunteers and are free to all participants. To sign up, visit https://openrun.nyrr.org/?utm_source=nyrrorg&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=openrun16
Kids 3+ can enjoy painting clay pot critters at Kids’ Crafting at Michael’s on Saturday 2/22 from 8-5 continuing all day. Admission is $3. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event. To register, visit https://www.michaels.com/classes or call Richmond Ave: 718-697-0252; Forest Ave: 718-720-0377; Charleston: 347-694-7203
The Zimmer Club Free Youth Winter Program continues on Saturday at 9 at 4411 Arthur Kill Rd. The Zimmer Club youth program uses the great outdoors as a classroom to teach youngsters about outdoor activities, conservation and embracing nature. The program blends learning with recreation in the belief that this approach heightens the participant’s environmental awareness. Youngsters are introduced to activities that bring conservation topics to life such as environmental conservation, estuary systems, Blue and Greenbelt management, hunting, fishing (both salt and fresh-water), boating, first aid, camping, gun safety, archery, marksmanship, compass and map reading and more. Please pre-register by email to info@aezyouth.com. All classes are FREE to girls and boys under 18.
The 2020 Cold Feat 5K & 10K Greenbelt Trail Race takes place on Saturday from 9:30–12:30 at Latourette Golf Course Clubhouse, 1001 Richmond Hill Rd. Runners can choose either distance (5K or 10K at registration). The 5K runners will go out 15 minutes before the 10K runners, and on a separate section of the course. The course for both distances begins on the rolling fairways and takes you off into the surrounding Greenbelt trails – single track, and rustic and hilly. The 10K runners will cross Richmond Hill Rd. twice – at the 1/2 mile mark and again at the 2-mile mark, and there will be assistance at the crossings. Course maps will be posted several days before the race on The Greenbelt Conservancy Facebook page. Start/finish location: federal-style David LaTourette House. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-cold-feat-5k-10k-greenbelt-trail-race-tickets-87619465179
Participate in the Willowbrook Park Forest Restoration on Saturday from 10–12 at the Archery Field Parking Lot in Willowbrook Park. Volunteers will learn how to identify and safely remove invasive plants in order to help create a healthier ecosystem. Come dressed in sturdy boots or shoes, long pants, and clothing that can get dirty. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own water bottle. To register, visit https://www.nycgovparks.org/reg/stewardship/7882/register
Join Barnes & Noble, 2655 Richmond Ave. on Saturday at 11 at Storytime and Activities Featuring SATURDAY as we read about a mother and daughter who learn what’s best about Saturdays: precious time together! Stay for fun activities following our Storytime reading.
Attend Black History Month: African-American History of Staten Island on Saturday from 11–12:30 at Bay St. and Canal St. in Tappen Park. Our Urban Park Rangers will provide historical information on points of interest that are focal points of the African-American story on Staten Island.
On Saturday at 1, participate in Maple Syrup Saturdays at Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center, 2351 Veterans Rd. W. Learn about the entire process of making maple syrup from tap to table! You will hike for up to an hour on our trails to find maple trees, drill holes, hang buckets, and collect sap. Please wear snow boots, gloves and a hat. Good for ages 5+. To accommodate as many people as possible, we will run the exact same program every Saturday. If you think this program might be cancelled due to weather, call 718-605-3970 x201.
The Tavern Concerts continue with two sessions on Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. featuring Stout at the newly-restored Guyon Tavern, located on Richmond Rd. The concerts boast the feeling of a 19th-century tavern with a wood-burning stove, candlelight and costumed interpreters. Beverage options include hot apple cider, homemade mulled wine, as well as a refreshing selection of beers. For more info and tickets, visit historicrichmondtown.org
On Sunday 2/23 at 9 participate in NYRR Open Run at Conference House Park, 7455 Hylan Blvd. Through this initiative, New York Road Runners is working with community leaders and volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks. All runs are directed by volunteers and are free to all participants. To register, visit https://openrun.nyrr.org/?utm_source=nyrrorg&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=openrun16
Attend Astronomy: The Night Sky, Sunday from 6–7:30 at Lemon Creek Pier in Lemon Creek Park, Hylan Blvd. and Sharrott Ave. Our Urban Park Rangers will be your guides to the solar system discussing the science, history and folklore of the universe. Our Night Sky programs highlight the history and folklore of the solar system, using the naked eye to locate stars and planets.
I welcome comments and photos at events you have attended. If you want to share events for me to post, email, text or call.
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