Orienteering program at Comeau property in Woodstock
How would it be to feel confident about exploring the outdoors without worry of losing the trail? Whether you did orienteering in your scouting days, or you are just curious to learn this sport of navigating with just a map and a compass, head over to the Comeau parking lot on Comeau Drive in Woodstock at 10 a.m. this Saturday, October 5. This Woodstock Land Conservancy program is free and open to all ages. There will be special challenges for young children and novices with map and compass, as well as those experienced in orienteering.
For more information, visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginelandconservancy.org or check the Woodstock Land Conservancy Facebook page.
Science on the River at Norrie Point
I feel like I’m always driving across the Hudson River, so I jump at the chance to spend some time either right alongside it, or even in it. At this weekend’s Science on the River program, I can do just that! On Saturday, October 5 from 2 to 5 p.m., get into the world of Hudson River science. Watch demonstrations and activities, seine or angle for fish, go on a science scavenger hunt and join Norrie Point Research Reserve staff on a short, guided tidal marsh paddle. It’s all free and open to all ages; and have you seen the river views from Norrie Point lately?
Science on the River takes place at the Norrie Point Environmental Center, located at 256 Norrie Point Way in Staatsburgh. For more information, call (845) 889-4745, extension 109, or e-mail jgherrin@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
Saunderskill Farms supports gleaning for the hungry
A note of thanks to Saunderskill Farms, the Rondout Valley Growers’ Association and the Epic Explorers 4-H group for supporting the 4-H youth’s efforts to glean 600 pounds of tomatoes for donation to the Queens Galley soup kitchen in Kingston and to Family of New Paltz. What a powerful example of our community working together for a common goal to help others! There’ll be more to come on gleaning and the Rondout Valley Growers’ Association in Kids’ Almanac.
For more information, visit www.rondoutvalleygrowers.org. To learn more about the farm, visit https://saunderskill.com – or better yet, stop by their Farm Market for a cider donut, the greenhouse for a mum or the Fall Corn Harvest this Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5100 Route 209 in Accord.
Benefit for Brook Farm Project in New Paltz
The two-day food and music festival at the Brook Farm Project stands out among the many farm and harvest celebrations this time of year because of its absolute commitment to “local.” On Saturday, October 5, experience the Locavore Challenge All-Local Chili Cookout from 12 noon to 4 p.m., including music by the band the Four Essential Food Group. Meal prices are as follows: adult, $12; children under age 12, $6; under age 6, free; family of four, $30 plus $5 for each additional family member.
Then, from 4 to 11 p.m., the party continues with more music, “Beets to Feed the World.” The evening features six local bands and musical guests including Amadou Diallo and the Korinya Ukrainian Folk Band. The suggested donation is $5 for students, $10 for general admission and free for kids age 12 and under.
On Sunday, October 6 at 10 a.m., roll up your sleeves to do farm tasks and sing work songs. Then, the legendary Pete Seeger and other friends take the stage for a singalong and music round-robin. Sunday’s ticket price is $10 general admission and $5 for students, with 20 percent off for farm members; children 12 and under get in free. Discounts are available for full weekend passes and advance ticket purchases.
Donations to the Saturday evening and Sunday music celebrations will benefit Oxfam America at SUNY-New Paltz and the Brook Farm Project. Give your family a real working-farm experience while honoring sustainable agriculture and having lots of fun! The Brook Farm Project is located at 60 Gatehouse Road/Lenape Lane in New Paltz. For tickets, performance schedule or more information, call (845) 255-1052 or visit https://brookfarmproject.wordpress.com or https://slowfoodhv.org.
Movies by youth or of interest to families at Woodstock Film Festival
The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) matters because it brings together an array of talent from around the world with a wide range of genres, right to Woodstock. The WFF has done all of the work for you: All you have to do is choose which ones you want to see! Here are some youth or family-related features that I’m really looking forward to checking out.
Youth Short Films are screened on Friday, October 4 at 5 p.m. at the Bearsville Theater at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock. Tickets cost $5. Area teen filmmakers include Kayleigh A. Myer for Lok, “a lust for life is corrupted by greed and passion swept with psychedelic imagery,” and Wynther, “a film which utilizes light to cultivate an essence within the viewers’ minds and perception of imagery.” Also local are David Britton, for Madeshwara, “a young man sets out on a whimsical journey to retrieve his feline friend”; Jack Warren for Train, “in a time different from our own, two teenagers, Sam and Sylvia, meet in the ruins of a forgotten train station”; and Darian Henry and Imani Peterkin for Inside the Ring, “There is more to this boxing gym than what you see inside the ring.”
The film Breastmilk makes its world premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. at Upstate Films in Woodstock, located at 132 Tinker Street in Woodstock. Tickets cost $12. “Breastmilk follows the lives of breastfeeding women and addresses the many questions around breast milk.”
American Commune has showings on Friday, October 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Bearsville Theater at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock, and on Sunday, October 6 at 1 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater at 156 Main Street in Saugerties. Tickets cost $10. “Sisters Rena and Nadine return to the Farm, the legendary commune they grew up on, to tell the story of their family and the rise and fall of America’s largest socialist experiment.”
For a full schedule and additional film summaries, visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginefilmfestival.com.
Oblong Books in Rhinebeck & Millerton Celebrates Star Wars Reads Day
Speaking of movies, have you heard about this weekend’s second annual Star Wars Reads Day? Don’t worry, you don’t have to drive your family to a galaxy far, far away to enjoy this one: Have fun you will at Oblong Books & Music in both Rhinebeck and Millerton. Participants are encouraged to dress as their favorite Star Wars character and to make crazy stories with Star Wars Mad Libs.
Star Wars Reads takes place on Saturday, October 5 at 4 p.m. Oblong Books is located at 6422 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck and at 26 Main Street in Millerton. For more information, call (845) 876-0500 or (518) 789-3797 or visit https://oblongbooks.com. To learn more about the day itself, visit https://starwars.com/reads.
When Erica Chase-Salerno is not at the “Anonymous” art exhibit at the Dorsky, she lives 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! 
