Don’t try to break the will of that little girl. She’s going to need it. Find a way to make it work.
– quoted on Smittenby.net blog
It’s always Pi Day at the CIA’s Apple Pie Bakery Café
Pi Day is celebrated around the world on March 14, or 3/14, as corresponds with the mathematical constant 3.14. Our family has traditionally honored this special day as an excuse to eat some form of pie at every meal, from savories such as pizza, quiche and shepherds’ pie to favorite sweets like sweet potato pie, blueberry pie and apple pie. Last year, the kids made some hilarious videos smashing whipped cream pies in each other’s faces.
This year, I think we’ll make a stop at the Apple Pie Bakery Café at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park. Reservations are not required at Apple Pie, and the dress code is casual, so it’s perfect for a family outing for a meal or just a snack – plus, I just love the food. If you Like its page on Facebook, you can track the daily specials. Personally, I like tracking the 61 Percent Chocolate Mousse the most.
The CIA is located at 1946 Campus Drive in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 905-4500 or visit www.ciarestaurants.com.
Stories Rising at Hudson River Playback Theatre in New Paltz
Another March 14 event that I’m excited about is Hudson River Playback Theatre (HRPT)’s performance, Stories Rising. Stories Rising centers around the One Billion Rising theme that took place around the world on February 14 and focused on empowerment of women and girls. I connect deeply to these real-life improv performances of HRPT, and I leave every show feeling clearer, lighter and happier.
Stories Rising takes place on Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at Deyo Hall, located at 6 Broadhead Avenue, off Huguenot Street in New Paltz. The suggested donation is $10. For more information, call (845) 255-7716 or visit https://hudsonriverplayback.org.
Beacon Sloop Clubhouse hosts Kingston Sea Chantey Singers
You may recall recent mention in Kids’ Almanac about local community singing groups. Well, here’s one more genre: sea chanteys! This Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m., Dean Barnes and the Kingston Sea Chantey Singers perform at the Beacon Sloop Clubhouse. And get this: There’s also a monthly Open Chantey Sing in Kingston! You can learn more about that on the group’s Facebook page. I cannot wait to attend one of these gatherings.
The Beacon Sloop Clubhouse is located at 2 Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, on the harbor, across from the train station. For more information, call (914) 879-1082 or visit https://beaconarts.org or www.beaconsloop.org. To learn more about the musicians, visit the Kingston Sea Chantey Singers’ page on Facebook.com.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Paltz screens chess film Queen to Play
Our son loves to play chess, and we feel fortunate that so many area libraries offer regular gatherings for all levels of chess players. Whether you are a seasoned player or you don’t know a check from a checkmate, this weekend’s Queen to Play movie is another way to infuse chess into your family’s life. Queen to Play is not rated, but is equivalent to PG-13.
Queen to Play will be shown on Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, located at 163 Main Street in New Paltz. A donation of $5 is suggested for attendees aged over 12 years. For more information, call (845) 389-9201 or visit www.facebook.com/movieswithspirit. To learn more about the film, visit https://zeitgeistfilms.com/queentoplay.
Join the family! 
