To have youth art portfolios reviewed: For youth who have created art portfolios and would like to show them to colleges in which they’re interested, head over to Mill Street Loft’s Portfolio Review Day. Portfolio Review Day takes place on Friday, November 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park. This event is free and open to the public and has four main goals: Students can find the college that is best-suited for them; they can explore various art-based careers; they may receive advice on their portfolio development; and they are able to discuss their work with the major art schools’ representatives.
I’ve heard that this is a great way to get real feedback and worth attending. Students should bring 15 to 20 examples of original, recent artwork. The FDR Home is located at 4097 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 471-7477 or visit https://millstreetloft.org.
To create art: For kids ages 4 through 12 who are interested in creating art, you will delight in the Creating Your Own Dreambox workshop. Led by artist Sadee Brathwaite on Saturday, November 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kingston Library, “Dreamboxes are fun, fanciful receptacles that hold writings and drawings of your precious nighttime dreams, or your thoughts and hopes for present and future dreaming.” All supplies will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own boxes or revamp a Dreambox that they made before.
This event is free and open to the public, and is held in conjunction with Ione’s 18th annual Dream Festival. The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507 or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the festival, visit https://deeplistening.org/dreamfestival.
To delve into a fairy artform: If your kids delight in the fairy world, then you should know about the second annual Fairytale and Folklore Journey event at Woodstock Day School on Saturday, November 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Admission costs $5 per person or $20 per family. Hot dogs and baked goods will be available for sale as well. All ages are welcome, and participants should meet at the bonfire at the back of the parking lot.
The Woodstock Day School is located at 1430 Glasco Turnpike in Saugerties. For more information, visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginedayschool.org.
To be entertained by a great artist: I heard that performer Elska is a must-see! She appears on Saturday, November 9 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, which many of you know is one of my favorite venues because every seat is great. “Blending music with engaging storytelling, Elska shares the adventures of her high-tech-yet-simple life among an eclectic group of characters, including Winter Bear, the Goobler, the Nunni, the Shooshi and a vast colony of Lost Socks.”
Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors. The Center is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For reservations or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org. To learn more about the performer, visit https://islandofelska.com.
Santa’s Arrival at Poughkeepsie Galleria, Hanukkah Sunday Funday at Newburgh Jewish Community Center
Some of you in the throes of holiday planning may appreciate knowing about this weekend’s Christmas and Hanukkah festivities.
On Saturday, November 9, it’s the Santa’s Arrival show in center court at the Poughkeepsie Galleria. Join Joe Daily from 92.1 LITE-FM for holiday music beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a show at 12 noon. And every child receives a gift! The Poughkeepsie Galleria is located at 2001 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 297-7600 or visit www.poughkeepsiegalleriamall.com.
On Sunday, November 10, it’s Hanukkah Sunday Funday at the Newburgh Jewish Community Center (JCC). The event begins at 1 p.m. and features a holiday craft fair, food and a family concert by Yosi & the Superdads, which begins at 2 p.m. Admission costs $7 for adults, $5 for children and free for Newburgh JCC members. The Newburgh Jewish Community Center is located at 290 North Street in Newburgh. For more information or to RSVP, call (845) 561-6602 or visit www.newburghjcc.org.
I invite you to support our area teens and inspire other youth by attending or spreading the word about these two events.
Frightmares spaghetti fundraiser at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie
On Friday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., stop by Locust Grove Estate for the Hudson Valley Frightmares Junior Roller Derby spaghetti dinner fundraiser. For $10, your dinner includes bread, salad, spaghetti and dessert. “Want to help out even more? Bring a nonperishable canned good to be donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and receive $1 off your ticket!”
Locust Grove is located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 705-5446 or visit www.facebook.com/frightmaresjrd.
Two short films by area youth at Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia
All aboard! On Friday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m., go to the Empire State Railway Museum for a special short film double screening event: Train and Riding Shotgun. Both films were created by such talented young men and shown at this year’s Woodstock Film Festival, and I can’t wait to see more work from them.
I saw Train (15 minutes) at the Festival and thoroughly enjoyed the performances, dialogue and the choice of settings for each scene. Train was written and directed by Jack Warren of Phoenicia: “In a time different from our own, two teenagers, Sam and Sylvia, meet in the ruins of a forgotten train station. For the first time in both their lives, they dance and discuss the troubles of their torn pasts.”
Riding Shotgun (32 minutes) was written by Jack Fessenden and Alex Hoffman, and directed by Jack Fessenden from New York City: “Atticus and Max are just two ordinary teenagers who spend their days bickering over the little things, while all around them the big thing is closing in.”
The $5 admission will benefit the museum. The Empire State Railway Museum is located at 70 High Street in Phoenicia.
Dohnut in New Paltz plans Grand Opening
Special Note: Stay tuned for the Kosiner brothers’ announcement of their upcoming Grand Opening of Dohnut by watching their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dohnutnnewpaltz.
Erica Chase-Salerno wants to say Thank You again to all veterans. 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! 
