Good news update !
My daughter tells me she is happy to convey me from Newburgh to Freddy's Back Room in Brooklyn, NYC, for their Solstice Celebration with informal singing, food and partying on Dec 20th, and she assures me that adverse weather conditions won't present a problem to her as she drives an SUV 4WD vehicle (which has similar attributes to the Landrovers we have here in the UK, I gather). One of the organisers of this event has been in touch by e-mail (thanks Steve for passing on my request!) and I'm looking forward to meeting him, and the other singers/musicians who will be there on Sunday evening.
Furthermore, my daughter has organised a pretty eventful social/music schedule during my visit, including attending another solstice folk event, the next day !!
Thanks again to all in the Mudcat.
Anne XX