Rosendale Theatre hosts matinées of Miyazaki’s Spirited Away during school break
Add this to your list of activities to do with the kids during their winter vacation: See Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated animated film Spirited Away in a terrific 1949 community movie theatre. Here is a translation of some of the movie’s inspiring theme song, which plays during the closing credits: “When a mirror has been broken, shattered pieces scattered on the ground/Glimpses of new life, reflected all around…/No need to search outside, nor sail across the sea/’Cause here shining inside me, it’s right here inside me.”
Spirited Away is playing at 2 p.m. from Wednesday, December 26 through Sunday, December 30. Admission for this PG-rated film is $3.50. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit https://rosendaletheatre.org.
Poughkeepsie’s Adriance Memorial Library screens The Lorax next Wednesday
Go for the environmental message, go to spend some time outside of the house with the kids or go for the chance to hear the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White, but just go, and give your kids another chance to experience the fun and humor of the movie version of The Lorax.
Did you know that Dr. Seuss wrote the original story in 1970 during a vacation to Kenya? He had been playing with the idea of writing a story with environmental themes, but was frustrated with his attempts to convey the message. Then, while lying at the pool in Kenya, he noticed a number of elephants crossing a mountain, and something clicked. The rest…well, you can see at the Adriance Memorial Library on Wednesday, December 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Adriance-JLP Preschooler Learning Center.
Love the Library? Head back over on Thursday, December 27 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to decorate gingerbread houses for the Adriance Children’s Room winter display. The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445 or visit https://poklib.org.
Join the Christmas Bird Count next Wednesday
I delight when I hear Pete Seeger sing through my CD player, “Little bird, little bird, fly through my window.” What is it about these air creatures that pulls on us to connect with them?
Well, nothing has to fly through any windows to be a part of the 113th Christmas Bird Count 2012; you just have to log the types and numbers of birds that you encounter. This event takes place internationally, but there are local bird circles in which you can participate. The Ulster/Dutchess circle takes place on Wednesday, December 26. You can spend the day outdoors in your assigned location, or watch your feeder if you live in the Glasco, Ulster County area.
To register or to learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, contact Peter Schoenberger at (914) 466-2707 or pds@netstep.net or Mark DeDea at (845) 339-1277 or forsythnature@aol.com. For more information about the Count, visit https://birds.audubon.org.
More kid-friendly local activities for the holiday school break
Here are some additional cool and local activities to do with the kids this week while they’re home from school, or if you are hosting friends and family for the holidays:
December 22 and 23 is the last weekend to ride with Santa on the Catskill Mountain Railroad Train, but train service continues for one more Saturday, until December 30. Tickets cost $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 2 through 11 years, and children under 2 ride free with a paid adult admission. Bundle up for this decorative open-air ride! Boarding takes place at the Kingston Plaza ballfield parking lot, near the Hannaford supermarket. For more information or to volunteer, call (845) 688-7400 or visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/catskillmountainrailroad or https://catskillmtrailroad.com.
The Green Palette hosts its all-ages puppet show and crafting activity on Saturday, December 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. It is located at 215 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 594-8476 or visit online at www.facebook.com/thegreenpalette. Afterwards, stop in for lunch or sweet treats at Moxie Cupcake, in the same building, just a few doors down: www.facebook.com/moxiecupcake.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If I can be even the least bit crafty, then anybody can! Fiberflame Studio owner Shea and Christina take my intense anxiety and self-criticism and encourage me to turn it into art. I implore you to go there, and just let the magic happen. You pay a $10 sitting fee, plus materials for the item that you decide to craft. Or just pay to let your kids craft. But this is a really, really fun and safe way to build confidence in crafting creativity. Open Tuesday through Sunday for walk-in crafting, Fiberflame is located at 1776 Route 212 in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 679-6132 or visit www.fiberflamestudio.com.
Looking for a place to drop shnookums off? Definitely check out the Little Gym of Kingston. It’s running morning, afternoon or all-day mini-camps of nonstop fun from December 23 through 31 for ages 3 through 12 years. Call or check online for the schedule and pricing. The Little Gym of Kingston is located at 1200 Ulster Avenue in the Kings Mall, near Marshall’s. For reservations or more information, call (845) 382-1020 or visit online at www.facebook.com/tlgkingston or www.thelittlegym.com/kingstonny.
Right down the road, you can do dropoffs at Mac Park! It runs day programs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children in kindergarten through fifth grade for $35 per child. It’s open any time that the Kingston School District is on vacation. Mac Park is located at 743 East Chester Street in Kingston. For reservations or more information, call (845) 338-2887 or visit www.mac-park.com.
Head for the hills! And renew or become a member of the Mohonk Preserve. Don’t worry about paying the day fee of $12 per hiker over 12 years of age when you pay the basic annual membership of $55. It pays for itself in just a handful of visits, and you help conserve the beautiful landscape. The Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center is located at 3197 Route 55 in Gardiner. To purchase a family membership or for more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://mohonkpreserve.org.
While you’re at it, pick up or gift someone else with an Empire Passport, which gets you into any New York State Park. Park entrance fees are usually $8 per car, so save the hassle of paying at the gate, and get put the Empire Passport sticker right on your car window. The Empire Passport costs $65. To purchase an Empire Pass or for more information, visit https://nysparks.com/admission/empire-passport.
Erica Chase-Salerno celebrates the holiday season with lots of chocolate in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
