City of Newburgh Assistant Fire Chief John Ryan played first responder to a different kind of incident Wednesday afternoon.

While driving down Renwick Street in the area of Avoca Street, his eye detected a flash of bright red.

The source: a boy wearing a firefighter’s costume while playing outside with other children.

“It was a lot of people outside, and out of the corner of my eye, I see a red helmet,” Ryan said.

“I passed him, and then I said, 'I've got to go say hello to the kid.'”

Ryan turned around and returned, finding not just the kid dressed as a firefighter, but another boy outfitted as a police officer.

He let them sit in his department vehicle and turn on the emergency lights, visiting with the youngsters for about 15 minutes.

“The kids really enjoyed it,” he said. “They were in the car hanging out, and the parents were taking pictures.”

Leonard Sparks

More visiting hours at historic site

When the days get longer, so do the hours when you can visit Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site.

Beginning Wednesday, the site will be open to visitors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The site includes the historic fieldstone Hasbrouck House, where General George Washington stayed for 16 months in 1782-83.

His wife, Martha, and several of his aides, guards, slaves and servants also stayed there.

Washington announced the ceasefire that ended the fighting of the American Revolution while he was stationed in Newburgh.

He also wrote some of his thoughts about the new republic, and created the Badge of Military Merit, the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart award, while at the Hasbrouck House.

In addition to a guided tour of the site, admission entitles you to explore the museum.

For information, call 562-1195, or visit facebook.com/washingtonsheadquarters.

Michael Randall

Town clerk's offices open this Saturday

The New Windsor and Newburgh town clerk's offices will be open for Saturday hours this week, for those who cannot get to Town Hall during normal weekday business hours.

New Windsor Town Clerk Deborah Green’s office and Newburgh Town Clerk Andrew Zasrutskie’s office will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

A notary public will be available; and residents can get various licenses, like marriage licenses, dog licenses and hunting and fishing licenses.

For information, call Green’s office at 563-4611, or Zarutskie’s office at 564-4554.