Randolph School in Wappingers Falls holds Maple Fest
If you haven’t had your share of Jack Wax Taffy yet this season (maple syrup on snow), head on over to the Randolph School for this weekend’s Maple Fest. On Saturday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests are invited to join in for maple sugaring, pancakes all day, music, crafts and much more. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for kids and a $25 cap per family for up to five members.
The Randolph School is located at 2467 Route 9D in Wappingers Falls. For more information, call (845) 297-5600 or visit www.randolphschool.org/maplefest.
Spycraft of the American Revolution talk in New Paltz
Real history that you’ve always seen references to and been curious about: spies and secret code – and Hudson Valley spies? On Saturday, March 15 at 4 p.m., John A. Nagy presents a talk based on his book, Invisible Ink: Spycraft of the American Revolution. The talk takes place at Historic Huguenot Street’s Deyo Hall, located on Broadhead Avenue in New Paltz. Admission costs $8, $5 for seniors and is free for students.
For more information, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org. To learn more about the author, visit https://johnanagy.com.
Sunday, March 16
Shamrock Run & Saint Patrick’s Parade in Kingston
“Flat, Fast and First-Class” is the tagline for the 26th annual Shamrock Run, which takes place in Kingston on Sunday, March 16 at 12:50 p.m. Registration costs $25, and the two-mile race begins at Academy Green and ends at the foot of Broadway. Bring canned or dry boxed food to the race to help support an area food pantry. I learned from our recent volunteer stint at People’s Place food pantry that canned fruit cocktail and jarred spaghetti sauce are important staples that they always need the most. And on top of, or instead of, running shorts, runners are being asked to wear kilts to help achieve a new world record. For more information or to register, call (845) 389-3896 or visit www.shamrockrunners.org.
Then, immediately following the race at 1 p.m., stick around for the largest parade in the Hudson Valley: the Kingston Saint Patrick’s Parade. Wave to parade youth dignitaries, Irish Princess Meghan Gavis and Bearer of St. Patrick Jared Kinnin, and see if your float picks match up with the judges’ winners: Best Band; Best School Float; Best-Decorated Float; Best Original Group; and Best Irish Spirit. For more information, visit www.ulsteraoh.com.
Tuesday, March 18
Talk on challenging kids at Joyful Moments Childcare in Highland
Wouldn’t it be easier if kids came with instructions? Well, Lynda Rosner of Hudson Valley Behavioral Solutions is the next-best thing. Rosner presents “Strategies for Dealing with Challenging Behaviors” on Tuesday, March 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Joyful Moments Childcare. Rosner will share behavioral techniques to improve communication and increase positive behaviors in your child. While this event is geared toward preschool-aged children, the strategies can be applied to any age.
Admission to the event is by a suggested donation of $10, and space is limited, so interested attendees are encouraged to reserve by calling (845) 834-3722 or e-mailing lsrosner@gmail.com. Joyful Moments Childcare is located at 85 South Street in Highland. To learn more about Hudson Valley Behavioral Solutions, visit www.behaviorsos.com.
Mermaid Theatre performs Eric Carle stories at UPAC & Bardavon
Eric Carle’s endearing stories The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and the Mixed-up Chameleon come to life onstage in our area with Mermaid Theatre this week: on Tuesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. at the Ulster Performing Arts Center, located at 601 Broadway in Kingston; and on Wednesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. and 12 noon at the Bardavon, located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.
Tickets cost $6 for schools and Bardavon members; $6 for children with individual ticket-buyers; and $10 for adults. For tickets or more information, call (845) 473-2072 or visit www.bardavon.org. To learn more about the performers, visit https://mermaidtheatre.ca.
High schoolers rally for March of Dimes at FDR Library
What a fantastic display of our area’s smart young people! On Tuesday March 18 at 9:30 a.m., 300 young people from Arlington High School, John Jay High School, Onteora Central School, Red Hook Central School and Ulster County BOCES rally together to help out the March of Dimes at the FDR Library. This convocation is intended to educate and motivate youth into pursuing life science studies.
The FDR Library is located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 486-7770 or visit www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu.
Wednesday, March 19
Vassar hosts DUSO math championship
On Wednesday, March 19, students from Arlington, Cornwall, Chapel Field, New Paltz, Beacon, Spackenkill, John Jay, Monroe/Woodbury, Goshen, Washingtonville, Onteora and Roy C. Ketcham High Schools come together to compete in the Dutchess/Ulster/Sullivan/Orange (DUSO) math championship at Vassar College. Outsiders are not permitted to watch the meet, which takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Rockefeller Hall, Room 300; however, the public is invited to attend a talk by Jan Cameron, assistant professor of Mathematics, at 10:30 a.m., titled “An Invitation to the Mathematics of Voting.”
Vassar College is located at 24 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 897-6700, extension 30130.
Erica Chase-Salerno thanks Colleen Geraghty for such a wonderful women’s writing workshop last weekend. Thank you! Erica lives with her husband Mike in New Paltz, along with their two children: the inspirations behind www.hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
