Christmas Comes to Broadway

NEWBURGH – The Broadway Tree arrived today, Dec. 6, 2013.    This year’s beautiful blue spruce was donated by Ted and Donna Curry and their daughter, Dorothy Parken, of the Town of Newburgh. It will be lit with the help of Santa Claus on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.  The Salvation Army Band will play Christmas Carols, and refreshments will follow at the Karpeles Museum, 94 Broadway. All are invited.

The tree, nearly 30 feet tall and weighing in at 2000 lbs., was tiny when it was planted in 1989 by the Currys.   Every year they would decorate it at Christmas, but by this year, it had grown so big that it was difficult for Mr. Curry to reach the top.  When the family saw the article in the newspapers about the City needing a tree, they leapt at the opportunity to help.

“We both used to work at the Post Office in Newburgh,” said Mrs. Curry. “Every year we would go by the Broadway Tree, and it is exciting to think that this year, our tree will be enjoyed by so many people.”

Michael Bigg, Jr., Inc. and Quality Autobody, Vails Gate once again donated their crane to assist the process from takedown to placement in the Broadway median. Crane operator John Ammirati offered his expertise for the 12th year in a row.

DPW Superintendent George Garrison and his expert crew, Michael Rauchet, Hector Iglesias, Paul Taylor, Robert Krom, Michael Naclerio, Leander Williams, Joecephous Smith, Jr., Christopher McGuinness, John Colurciello, Patrick Shaughnessy, and Salvatore Colandrea, orchestrated everything from take-down to installation of the tree in the median just down from City Hall. The tree will be beautifully decorated by DPW over the next few days.

From the search for the perfect tree to the arrival of Santa Claus, Deputy Mayor Regina Angelo has coordinated the City’s holiday celebration for more than a quarter century.  “I am very grateful to the Curry family and to everyone who offered a tree for Broadway, or helped spread the word for us,” she said. “I also want to thank Michael Bigg, Jr. Inc., the City DPW, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Salvation Army, the Karpeles Museum, and the Friends of the Library for all they do every year to make this possible.”