Map your Path through History online next two weekends
When I first heard about New York State’s new Path through History initiative, I wasn’t sure what was different from its predecessor, Heritage Weekend. Now I understand it better: It’s more of an expansion of Heritage Weekend, and I think that the concept works – just go onto the https://paththroughhistory.ny.gov website, click on one of the 13 themes, then choose an area of New York State to explore. You instantly see a list of places that makes up your “path”: a museum, park, gallery or other site that you can visit to learn more about your given theme. “Experience a Revolutionary War battle, discovery some of our state’s and nation’s greatest natural wonders or relive some of sports’ greatest moments. From US presidents to leaders of the suffragette movement to innovators in industry, technology and art, it all happened in New York State. You can visit over 500 destinations across our great state.”
The 13 themes are: Arts & Culture; Canals & Transportation; Civil Rights; Colonial History; Immigration; Innovation & Commerce; Native Americans; Natural History; Revolutionary War; Sports History; US Presidents; War of 1812; and Women’s Rights. Our area is marked by two regions: The Catskills and Hudson Valley, and you could probably think of some local sites that tie in with these themes already, such as the Franklin Roosevelt Historic Site in Hyde Park for US Presidents or the Museum at Bethel Woods for Arts & Culture; but I was surprised that I didn’t see the Catskill Mountain Railroad or Hudson River Maritime Museum listed under Canals & Transportation.
I did find that one way to fill the gaps in the Create Your Trip function and yield more locations is simply to select any theme and then click on “Planned Itinerary,” which gives a more complete list of names and addresses, along with a map of the locations.
Path through History takes place on the weekends of June 1 and 2 and June 8 and 9. For more information, visit https://paththroughhistory.ny.gov or https://iloveny.com. And just as a side note, to learn more about the Catskill Mountain Railroad and this weekend’s Lollipop Express, visit https://catskillmtrailroad.com or call (845) 688-7400.
Old-Fashioned Day at Walker Valley Firehouse
All summer long we have the chance to go to fairs and festivals throughout the Hudson Valley. But Old-Fashioned Day sounds different from the rest, starting with free admission. Check out the exhibitors displaying crafts or explaining antiques or artifacts from the 1800s to the present, such as traditional techniques for washing clothes, cooking, woodcutting, ice-cutting, woodworking and farm equipment. In addition to live demonstrations by a blacksmith, woodcarvers and others, families are invited to participate in old-time games such as the three-legged race, egg toss and hoop race. And everyone is encouraged to wear old-fashioned clothes!
Old-Fashioned Day takes place on Sunday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Walker Valley Firehouse, located at 3679 Route 52 in Walker Valley. For more information, call (845) 744-2827.
Kids & Family Fun Day at Rosendale Rec Center
If your family is looking for more modern-day fun, check out Kids & Family Fun Day this Sunday, June 2 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Highlights include live music and entertainment by Uncle Rock and Story Laurie; performances by POOK (the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston), Dance Xross Fitness and the New Genesis Youth Shakespeare Theater; author readings and book-signings including Jennifer Castle and her new release, You Look Different In Real Life, and Jacky Davis and David Soman of the Ladybug Girl series; family photography by Lorna Tychostup; and outdoor activities from the YMCA of Kingston, including ultimate kickball, human bingo, wacky Olympics and a 50-yard scream.
Admission is $10 per family. Kids & Family Fun Day takes place at the Rosendale Rec Center, located at 1055 Route 32 in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 334-8600 or visit www.chronogram.com.
Comic drawing class with Paul Abrams at ASK in Kingston
We may have seen the Avengers movies and bought Marvel’s Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD comics, but did you know that Paul Abrams was the artist behind some of those comic book images and more? And he’s local, which means that your kids are in for a treat: On Saturdays from June 1 to June 22, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Abrams offers an art class for drawing superheroes “with an emphasis on improving drawing skills, techniques and pictorial development.” I know some kids who have taken his classes and loved it.
This class is for youth between the ages of 8 and 17 years, and takes place at the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK), located at 97 Broadway in Kingston. To register or for more information, call (845) 338-0331 or visit www.askforarts.org. To learn more about the artist, visit https://paulabrams.com or www.catskillcomics.com.
Join the family! 
