Rotary of Peekskill Red Carpet Fundraiser 

The Rotary Club of Peekskill, in its ever growing community support, is holding a Red Carpet Fundraiser dedicated to raising money in support of Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, with the goal of raising funds to help two local kids have their wishes granted.

The glamorous event will be held this Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 12:30-4:30 pm at Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant. This fun event is $75 per ticket and once inside, attendees will enjoy a buffet of food, beer and wine, a silent auction with amazing prizes such as a week stay in an Airbnb in Isabella, Puerto Rico, live performances, and presentations related to Make-A-Wish’s impact and mission. In addition, all attendees will receive a gift bag with a healing stone necklace. Every ticket sold brings the Rotary Club of Peekskill and the Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley closer to granting two local kids their magical wish. Bring some tissues because on the day of the event, Make-A-Wish will be announcing the name of the person who was chosen for the wish.

Right now, in the Hudson Valley there are more than 220 kids waiting for their wishes to come true. On average, each wish granted across the United States averages $10,000. Some wishes are expensive but many are not. As a result of the incredible donations, fundraisers and supporters, in January of this year, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley was able to grant 10 wishes to Hudson Valley kids. Three wishes were granted to go to Disney World, one wish was granted to go to Atlantis, one wish was granted to have a shopping spree, one wish was granted to go to Hawaii, one wish was granted to be a NY Giant, two wishes were granted to have a room redecoration, and one wish was granted to go to a Dallas Cowboys game. These were all granted as a result of support of Hudson Valley residents. 

Check out the Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley Facebook page to learn how they are hoping to help Seven’s wish to become a Chef at J.P. Doyle’s come true. Learn about how Jonah, a former patient himself, was granted the wish to bring hope and strength to the children undergoing advanced care at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and give the gift of games and 10 Nintendo Switch devices for the kids to play while in the Hospital. Learn about Ava who was  7 years old and and was granted her wish to learn how to Hula dance in Hawaii or Freddy who wished to have a puppy or Alex who wished to be a DJ at the Governors Ball Music Festival.

In the United States, tens of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. According to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, in the U.S. and its territories, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. A wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses. Research shows a wish can give kids the strength to fight against and even overcome a critical illness. 99% of doctors say wishes help relieve a family from traumatic stress and 87% of alumni say their wish was a turning point in their treatment. Granting a wish that can help believe anything is possible is the one belief that guides the Make-a-Wish foundation and inspires them to grant wishes that change the lives of the kids they serve.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Peekskill’s Red Carpet Fundraiser and/or tickets, contact Linda Murphy at [email protected] or [email protected]. Tickets are still available and can be purchased with a credit card via this PayPal link or by check made out to “Peekskill Rotary”, P.O. Box 344, Peekskill, NY 10566, with the words “The Peekskill Rotary Foundation with “Make A Wish Fundraiser” in the notes section.

If you would like to donate something to the fundraiser’s silent auction, you can email [email protected].

First Saturdays at the Lincoln Museum

The popular monthly program “First Saturdays at the Museum” returns at The Lincoln Depot Museum featuring a full lineup of events for 2024. On the first Saturday of each month throughout the year there a variety of historical presentations will be featured. Last month the presentation was “Early West Point History: The Long Gray Line to The Pale Blue Eve” with United States Military Academy Professor of History Dr. Samuel Watson.

This month, Author and Historian Carolyn Ivanoff will discuss her book “We Fought at Gettysburg: Firsthand Accounts by the Survivors of the 17th CT Vol. Infantry”.  The event will begin at 2:00 pm sharp at the Lincoln Depot Museum on Water Street. 

We Fought At Gettysburg follows the 17th Connecticut Regiment through the Gettysburg Campaign and beyond in June and July of 1863. William H. Warren dedicated his life to compiling the accounts of his comrades in the 17th Connecticut. Many are published here for the first time. These are the words of those who lived through the trauma of combat and survived to write about it. Many of these men were wounded, taken prisoner, lost friends, and suffered themselves on this great battlefield of the war. These men tell what they experienced at Gettysburg in their own words. They describe what they saw, thought, and felt on the battlefield. Their story is told here through fascinating firsthand accounts, numerous photographs, including a photographic index of the regiment, and maps by Phil Laino. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the program. Admission is $10 for the event and to tour the museum. For more information, contact:  [email protected]. First Saturdays at the Museum are brought to you by the Friends of the Lincoln Depot Museum.

Lincoln Society of Peekskill’s 121st Anniversary Dinner Gala: “Lincoln and the Fight for Peace”

The Lincoln Society of Peekskill, the oldest continually active Lincoln Society in the United States (circa 1903), will celebrate their 121st Annual Dinner Dance this Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 6:30 to 11:30 pm at the Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant. The evening begins with a cocktail hour starting at 6:30 pm. Music will be performed live by Vinyl Siding, a local Peekskill band. There will be lots of dancing, food, drinks, a book signing station, and a silent auction featuring Lincolnania, fine art, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, historical items and books.

The evening’s program will be headlined by keynote speaker ​John Avalon, former CNN anchor, political analyst and author of “Lincoln and the Fight for Peace”. He will be joined in conversation with News 12 anchor and reporter, Tara Rosenblum.

​The Westchester County Historical Society will also be honored at the Gala where they will be the recipient of the Lincoln Society’s 2024 “Champion Of History Award” for its outstanding leadership and scholarship within the history community. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Westchester Historical Society since its founding in 1874.

Tickets are $100 per person which includes: open bar, cocktail Hour with hors d’oeuvres, dinner & dancing, dessert & coffee, and live music. 

For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.lincolnsocietyinpeekskill.org/

The Lincoln Society in Peekskill is a non-partisan and not.
for-profit historical society that is dedicated to promoting a
greater awareness of the life and legacy of America’s 16th
President.

Just in time for Spring – A Plethora of Plants: Real, Observed, Imagined 

And for those looking to do something out of Peekskill, the Hammond Museum is the site of an artist reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Local artist and art historian Marcy B. Freedman is the curator of a multimedia exhibition at the Hammond Museum, which features a number of Peekskill artists.  The exhibition is called “A Plethora of Plants: Real, Observed, Imagined.”  Freedman insists that the show is “dynamic and whimsical, with something for everyone.”  She explains that the fun and excitement stem from the range of mediums and styles, from traditional representational drawings in silverpoint and watercolor to experimental works employing recycled materials, found objects, text, and digital video.  There is also a quadraphonic soundscape and a plant-based fragrance display.  Peekskill artists include Lisa Breznak, Ivy Dachman, Carla Rae Johnson, Mary McFerran, Gene Panczenko, and Ilse Schreiber-Noll.   Museum admission will be FREE on Saturday, April 6 from 11am to 5pm, with a reception for the artists from 3 to 5pm.

Visit the Peekskill Herald Events Calendar Features and the Peekskill Herald Event Calendar to see more local events.

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