Exhibits, reenactments & graveside service at FDR Home & Library
Across the river, Memorial Day weekend activities honor the legacy of president Franklin Roosevelt and the history of that era. On Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Roosevelt Library hosts historic military displays in the Henry A. Wallace Center. Exhibits include military uniforms, weapons, military vehicles and other items dating back to 1917. Uniformed military reenactors are also available to share and answer questions. For more information about this event, call (845) 486-7745 or visit www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu.
Then, on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 at 1:30 p.m., the National Park Service hosts a graveside Rose Garden Memorial Service at the Home of FDR National Historic Site. For more information about the service, call (845) 229-6214 or visit www.nps.gov/hofr.
Both events take place at 4097 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park, and they are both free and open to the public.
Beacon’s University Settlement Camp hosts Pow Wow on the Hudson
Speaking of history, let’s go back even further into time, when our Hudson River estuary was called Mahicantuck, meaning “river that flows two ways.” On Saturday through Monday, May 25 to 27, the Pow Wow on the Hudson takes place in Beacon. This annual Native American festival features traditional and children’s dances, crafts, foods and storytelling. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and closes at 5 p.m. on Monday.
This year’s festival takes place at the University Settlement Camp, located at 724 Walcott Avenue in Beacon. Admission costs $6 for adults and youth over 12 years of age and $5 for seniors and children from 6 to 11 years.
For more information, call Tony Moon Hawk at (917) 415-5139 or Marcey Tree in the Wind at (973) 981-1954, e-mail moonhawktitw@msn.com or visit https://500nations.com.
Kids’ nature programs at Minnewaska
Your Empire Passport has a chance for a real workout this weekend at Minnewaska State Park Preserve. On Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the park presents Pond Exploration, geared for 6-to-9-year-olds accompanied by an adult.
Our family actually just did some recent pond exploration with a net, a couple of containers, a plastic spoon and a magnifying glass, and our kids were enthralled with their discoveries. From tadpoles to damselfly and dragonfly nymphs to salamanders, I was truly surprised by how much life dwelt in our small scoop of leaves.
On Monday, May 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, come back for the Fantastic Insects Program for children ages 6 to 9 years, accompanied by an adult. Participants will create their own imaginary insect, then go exploring for bugs outside with nets.
Both programs take place at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Nature Center, located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Gardiner. Preregistration for each program is required at (845) 255-0752, and while there is no cost for the session, the park entry fee is $8 per vehicle, or free with your Empire Passport.
Flower storytime at Gardiner Library
Then on Wednesday, May 29 from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m., it’s a special storytime to learn about flowers at the nearby Gardiner Library with special guest Laura Conner, environmental educator for Minnewaska State Park Preserve, and children’s librarian Amy Laber. This program is intended for 4- and 5-year-olds accompanied by an adult, and registration is required at (845) 255-1255.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information about any of these offerings, visit https://nysparks.com/parks/127.
Grasshopper Grove now open at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Our family had a blast last summer when we happened upon the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center Lodge’s amazing playscape in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. So when I heard that the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall just opened Grasshopper Grove, a natural playground, I was thrilled!
Grasshopper Grove is the only playground of its type in the region, and it’s suitable for ages 2 through 6 years accompanied by an adult, as well as older children. Read the fascinating history and description of playscapes on its website: “Taking inspiration from the wild areas on the Museum’s 177-acre Outdoor Discovery Center where its preschool children love to play, elements that have been added to Grasshopper Grove include a ‘fallen’ oak tree for climbing, large boulders and an area of ‘loose parts’ for building such as pine cones, bark and sticks. There will be water from an old-fashioned hand-pump flowing down a series of cedar troughs, an area of shrubs will grow into a maze of ‘secret hideouts’ and a dirt pile will provide open-ended creative play.”
Grasshopper Grove is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guided activities at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Admission to Grasshopper Grove costs $3, museum members get in free and admission to the Wildlife Education Center is discounted if you visit the same day. Grasshopper Grove is located at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center at 100 Muser Drive in Cornwall. For more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit https://hhnaturemuseum.org.
Art and Nature Hike for families at Storm King Art Center
Nearby, on Sunday, May 26 at 1 p.m., the Storm King Art Center presents its weekly children’s and family activity, and this week’s plan is an Art and Nature Hike: “Explore the meadows, woods and sculptures with Hudson Highlands Nature Museum and Storm King educators.” The family program is included in the admission fee, which is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $8 for students and children from kindergarten through 12th grade and free for children under 5 years of age.
Storm King is located at 1 Museum Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 534-3115 or visit www.stormking.org.
Join the family! 
