POUGHKEEPSIE – Radio morning show personality Woodman of “Woodman in the Morning” on K104 brought his morning show crew including Bill Beale and Diva to the Grandview on the Poughkeepsie waterfront on Thursday to honor the essential and frontline workers and first responders for their dedication to helping others when the COVID pandemic shut most of the world down in 2020. New York, specifically the Hudson Valley, was the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak in the United States, beginning in New Rochelle.
New York had the highest number of confirmed cases of any state from the start of U.S. outbreak until July 22, 2020, when it was first surpassed by California and later by Florida and Texas. Approximately half of the state’s reported cases were in New York City, where around 40 percent of the state’s population lives.
Then Governor Cuomo took drastic measures and closed down most of the state’s economy, leaving essential workers, the media, and first responders to continue working. The shutdown lasted until July of 2021. During the shutdown, healthcare workers, police, fire and EMS workers, and others worked daily to provide vital services to the community while members of the media, including Mid-Hudson News, worked around the clock to keep people informed of the seemingly daily changes to government restrictions, infection rates, and tips to avoid exposure.
When life resumed after the long pause, Woodman and his crew waited until things settled back to the new normal before planning a party to celebrate the essential and frontline workers that took risks to protect their neighbors.
The idea for Woodman’s “First Responder and Frontline Worker Appreciation Party” came to fruition on February 22 at the Grandview where hundreds of the dedicated workers were treated to live music by The Hype, a performance by the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes and Drums, and plenty of dance music arranged and played by Bill Beale.
Sponsors including Belfor Restoration and the Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Attorneys sponsored the event, making it possible for a substantial variety of light fare being served to the attendees as a show of thanks.
“This is the first real chance we’ve had to honor the essential workers who worked tirelessly during the pandemic and our first responders who risk their lives each and every day to keep our communities safe,” said Beale, in between songs keeping people on the dance floor.
An Orange County version of the event is taking place on February 29 in Middletown at Aspire Brewing. Tickets to the event are sold out but people are encouraged to listen to Woodman in the Morning on K104 weekdays from 5:30 – 10:00 am for a chance to win tickets.
