Arts and leisure digest
S.S. Seward PTSA hosts Tricky Tray fundraiser this Saturday Florida -The S.S. Seward PTSA will host its annual Tricky Tray on Saturday, March 19. Doors open at 4 p.m. and calling begins at 7 p.m. There will be more than 400 prizes, including four Disney World Park Hopper Passes, a Jaguar R Performance Academy day, Keurig coffee machine, patio set donated by the school staff, Bronx Zoo tickets and many more items donated by local and national businesses. An updated list of donors is on the floridaufsd.org Web site; look for the parent tab. Admission is $3 and includes one card of tickets. Food court is available. For more information, e-mail sssiptsa@gmail.com, call Robin at 845-651-6023 or Beth at 845-651-6227. Feline Fanciers host cat show March 19-20 Middletown - Warwick Valley Feline Fanciers will present its annual cat show on March 19 and 20 at the Orange County Fair Grounds in Middletown. Three hundred cats will be on exhibition, with six judging rings. The show also will have vendors and face painting. The show runs from 9 a.m. t0 4 p.m. both days. Admission: adult $5; children and seniors $4; children under 4 free. Call 845-343-4826. O’Leary to read as featured poet Warwick Tomas O’Leary will be the Warwick Valley Poets’ featured reader at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at Utopian Direction, located at 7 West St., in Warwick. O’Leary’s books of poetry are “Fool at the Funeral,” “The Devil Take a Crooked House,” both from Lynx House Press, and “A Prayer for Everyone,” from Ilora Press. He is currently working on two new books, one of his own poems and the other his translations of the 19th century Cuban poet José Martí. In addition to writing, O’Leary also plays Irish accordion. The poet, who has an MA in expressive therapies, has taught at Northeastern, UMass/Amherst, and North Adams State College. He now works with people who have Alzheimer’s. The reading and refreshments are free. An open reading will follow. Gardening program will focus on proper pruning Montgomery The Friends of the Orange County Arboretum will offer pruning for the home gardener on Thursday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Kosuga Greenhouse classroom on the grounds of the Orange County Arboretum. The class will be led by Peter Patel, the Orange County Parks Department horticulturist/arborist. Participants will learn about proper pruning techniques, appropriate equipment, and gear to do the job right for the health of plants and garden beauty. Patel will also discuss pruning myths and common mistakes made by the home gardener. Weather permitting, students will take a guided tour of the grounds and see a pruning demonstration. The cost for the class is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 615-3828. The arboretum is located in Thomas Bull Memorial Park, on Route 416 in Montgomery. For information about other programs, visit www.orangecountynyparks.com. Bowling fundraiser set for March 26 Warwick Warwick Day Care Center, Inc. and the Warwick Community Center will hold a joint bowling fundraiser on Saturday, March 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Pin St. Bowling Alley in Warwick. The event will include a 50/50 drawing and three $50 gift certificate raffle prizes to local businesses (Pin St. Bowling Alley, Warwick Bucks, and Fratello). Raffle tickets are $5 and a way to support local non-profit organizations even if you are unable to attend the bowling fund raiser. Hospice hosts annual gala on March 26 at Anthony’s Pier 9 Newburgh Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties is focusing on warmer weather, sunshine and flowers as preparations take place for the Tulips and Tuxedos Spring Gala, on Saturday, March 26. at Anthony’s Pier 9, beginning at 6 p.m. The Honorable Anthony and Nancy Kane from Sullivan County and David Recine, Flowers by David Anthony in Monroe, are being honored for their continued support over the years. The gala co-chairs are Marilyn D’Ambrosio and Janet Sullivan. Major sponsors include Crystal Run Healthcare, Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Funeral Homes, Walden Savings Bank, William F. Hogan Funeral Home, and Dr. Robert Dinsmore. A major fundraiser, the event will raise funds through sponsorships, a silent auction and a raffle for a one week stay at a Hyatt Regency Resort in the Florida Keys. Ticket price is $175 per person or table of 10 for $1600. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase a raffle ticket call Gloria Alisandrella at 561-5362, ext. 366 or visit www.hospiceoforange.com.