Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
Find out about the historical Colonel Chandler this Friday in Kingston
I am so fascinated by this bit of history that I had to share it with my readers, and now you can tell your kids and grandkids next time you drive through this area! First of all, who knew that Colonel Chandler Drive, that tiny bit of road from the Kingston Thruway circle to Michael’s Candy Corner, is said to be America’s shortest interstate highway? Second, who is colonel George Chandler, anyway?
He was the founder of the New York State Police: “He introduced many innovations, such as requiring his men to wear their weapons on belts outside of their uniforms, considered radical at the time, that have since become standard procedures for law enforcement agencies throughout the world.”
You can learn all about this accomplished man this Friday, January 18 at 5:30 p.m. when New York State Police director of training major Robin Benziger presents “Colonel George Chandler: Founder of the New York State Police” as part of Kingston’s Buried Treasures lecture series. The presentation is free and open to the public and takes place in the Vanderlyn Gallery of the Senate House Museum, located at 296 Fair Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 339-0720 or visit www.fohk.org.
Fuzzy Lollipop performs this Saturday at Unison in New Paltz
The last time we went to see Fuzzy Lollipop perform its fun, toe-tapping music for children, our daughter said, “I really liked it, but they played the songs out of order!” She’s so used to knowing which song comes next from listening to Fuzzy Lollipop’s album.
Bring your family to hear Fuzzy Lollipop’s danceable, singable tunes at the Unison this Saturday, January 19 at 1 p.m. Advance tickets cost $12 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under; pay $2 more at the door, and Unison members receive a discount on adult tickets. If you don’t have the album yet, you and the kids can check out Fuzzy Lollipop’s previous performance at Unison on YouTube, or listen to some songs on the website at https://fuzzylollipop.com.
Unison is located at 68 Mountain Rest Road in New Paltz. For tickets or more information, call (845) 255-1559 or visit www.unisonarts.org.
Support group for kids this Friday at Vassar Hospital; free roller-skating for sick kids in Hyde Park this Saturday
I just learned about some of the work that Katie Rapp is doing as a pediatrics caseworker at Vassar Hospital. She runs some great events that offer support for area families. This Friday, January 18 at 6 p.m., kids are invited to attend the Cubs’ Place Support Group, a gathering for children whose families are experiencing exceptional stress, such as a family illness, crisis or significant changes of any sort. Cubs’ Place takes place in Conference Room B on the third Friday of each month. Children can be dropped off, and while children are encouraged to attend multiple sessions, no commitment is required.
On Saturday, January 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., families of children with chronic illness are invited for some free fun at Roller Magic in Hyde Park. RSVPs are required for this roller-skating event, which includes free rentals and skating time. For more information about these events or other programming, or to RSVP, call Rapp at (845) 454-8500, extension 72385.
Join the family! 
