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Pictures taken at the River Swim on July 27, 2013 showing kayakers and swimmers on their way from Newburgh to Beacon  via the Hudson Estuary.

Photo © Tom Knieser

Add your own photos depicting city life to the Newburgh Restoration flickr pool to be used on the blog, or email me. **Flickr users please do not forgot to remove disabling of downloading of pictures. Otherwise I can’t use them**

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06/27/13 5:01pm

Orange County Rowing Association

Orange County Rowing Association’s Summer 2013 season offers an expanded program list, including Adult Learn-to-Row, Masters/Open, Youth Competitive and Collegiate Prep.

OCRA’s Summer season will offer an Adult program for all skill levels, including a Learn-To-Row program for adults new to the sport. The six-week program begins July 7 and runs through August 15, culminating in a “mini-regatta” for the participants as well as a celebratory barbecue open to members, supporters and the public.

“I’m very excited to see our program offerings grow. Our primary mission is to introduce rowing to those that may be unfamiliar with it–who want to try something new. The Adult Learn-To-Row program is for adults of any age who have never stepped into a scull and get them that experience safely and while having fun,” said OCRA Chairman Austin F. DuBois.

The fee for Adult Learn-To-Row is $250. To sign up, contact DuBois at adubois@orangecountyrowing.org or Head Coach Megan Shedden, mshedden@orangecountyrowing.org. There will be an orientation meeting on July 7 at 8 a.m. at the OCRA boat yard. Please visit www.orangecountyrowing.org or “Like” the Orange County Rowing Association Facebook page for directions and more details.

Other programs include

  • Masters/Open for adult rowers with experience, both recreational and competitive;
  • Collegiate Prep for college and high school graduate rowers seeking to improve their performance before leaving for college; and
  • Youth Competitive for high school-age rowers seeking aggressive training for medaling regatta performances

OCRA is a 501(c)(3)-pending tax exempt nonprofit dedicated to promoting the sport of rowing, community service and quality of life in Newburgh, Orange County and the Hudson Valley. OCRA’s primary mission is threefold: (1) to operate a rowing club for all skill levels (no prior rowing experience is necessary), focused primarily on post-high school age rowers, with training for both recreational and competitive rowing; (2) to partner with other organizations, such as colleges and schools, to assist them in developing their own scholastic rowing programs; and (3) to develop the Hudson River into a venue for national-level regattas (rowing races).

02/27/13 2:30pm

Orange County Rowing Association

Orange County Rowing Association is seeking to raise $5,000 by March 22 to build a dock on the Hudson River.  In furtherance of that goal, they are hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Sale. Vice Chair and Co-Founder Megan Shedden, a gourmet cupcake baker and owner of Yummee Cupcake Cafe spearheaded this fundraising effort.

“All of our dedicated members are bringing their skills to bear to help us raise the money,” says Shedden. “I am happy to offer my services to help us toward our goal of improving the Newburgh waterfront.”

Cupcakes are available in three themed flavors: “Guinness”, “Green Velvet”, and “Bailey’s Irish Cream”, and are available as “mini” cupcakes or traditional size.

Orders can be placed on the OCRA Facebook pageYummee Cupcake Cafe website, or by emailing the club at OrangeCountyRowing@gmail.com. Send OCRA a message or click the image below for more information.

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11/26/12 9:30am

On November 14 the Waterfront Advisory Committee met with Scenic Hudson to discuss plans about the South Street Water Project. Plans were first initiated back in 2010 and residents were eager however, these plans were later delayed due to the survey describing the parcel not being released because of inconsistencies between what the city knew to be its property and privately held portions.

South Street Park Project on Newburgh Waterfront

The city was able to clarify ownership of the waterfront section of its parcel through a Cooperation Agreement in July of this year. Now, the City has the capability to once again move forward with plans for a public park to be located just to the north of Torches Restaurant at the turn-around area of Front Street as pictured above.

Scenic Hudson’s presentation enabled the Waterfront Advisory Committee to make a recommendation (following their approval of the plan) to the Common Council to accept the design and permit the release of grant funding available to hire a consultant to bring the plans to the construction documents and full cost estimate phase.  These items will be valuable tools as the city seeks funding which, is still needed through grants and other programs to build the park.

The city-owned waterfront property was used as an illegal junkyard in the 1930s and was proposed for a public parking lot in the 1960s. Today, the property offers the opportunity to extend the existing Newburgh waterfront walkway, to provide seating and areas for quiet contemplation as well as access to the Hudson River via an in-water structure. The site also provides spectacular views to the Hudson Highlands to the south and Fishkill Ridge to the east.

Other waterfront communities are capitalizing on their waterfront properties to create parks and foster revitalization. Scenic Hudson is also involved in a $16.5 investment project to create a park on Beacon’s waterfront. A waterfront park in the City of Newburgh would further solidify a revitalization movement.For now, we must to wait and see how the many details come together to make this a reality. What do you think about this proposed project?

Thank you Kate for sharing these details!

06/28/12 10:00am

Newburgh 4th of July Fireworks 2012

Newburgh 4th of July Fireworks 2012 will be launched from a barge on the Hudson River on Wednesday, at approximately 9 p.m. Events will begin at noon at UNICO Park.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Noon-6 p.m. Art Show on the River
  • 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.- Music by Dr. Magkneetoe
  • Fireworks by Legion Fireworks from a barge on the Hudson River begin at dusk (approximately 9 p.m.)

Artist/Vendor space is available on a first-come, first served basis for $50. Please contact Ann Kuzmik at 569-7354Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site on Liberty Street will host a “Grand Celebration” of their 162nd anniversary with magic by Melody “The Amazing Meldini” Newcomb at noon and 1:15 p.m. All are invited to dress up in red, white and blue and participate in the  Grand Parade at 1 p.m. Free tours of the Hasbrouck House, sponsored by Deputy Mayor Regina Angelo, are given every half hour from 10:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Also, Washington’s Headquarters’ great lawn offers a perfect view of the City of Newburgh’s fireworks!  Call 845-562-1195 for directions and further details.

-Newburgh 4th of July Fireworks 2012