Law Enforcement Day at Vassar Alumnae House
None of us thinks twice when we need to call 911 for help, but how about connecting with members of law enforcement in a relaxed, festive environment? On Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can check out police cars and equipment at Law Enforcement Day on the Vassar Alumnae House lawn. Additional activities include a bounce house, face-painting, area youth services, a child identification service and more. Come early or stay late to see the annual car show in the same location from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Vassar Alumnae House is located at 161 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 462-4979 or visit Arlington Has It at www.facebook.com.
Butterfly activities at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall
Didn’t make it to the Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History this spring? No problem; you can interact with these colorful creatures this weekend at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. On Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit the butterfly tent and feed the Painted Ladies at the museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Visitors can also check out the butterfly slideshow at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; take in a guided butterfly walk at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; create butterfly crafts; and play in the Grasshopper Grove nature play area.
Tickets cost $8 for adults, $6 for children, and museum members pay $2 less. The Outdoor Discovery Center is located on Muser Drive, across from 174 Angola Road in Cornwall. For more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit https://hhnaturemuseum.org.
SUNDAY, JUNE 29
Dog Days of Summer Hike at Mohonk Preserve
There’s no better way to prepare for the dog days of summer than to participate in Mohonk Preserve’s Dog Days of Summer Hike. Next time you see Almanac Weekly columnist and astronomer Bob Berman, you might impress him by casually mentioning that the term “dog days of summer” actually refers to the bright Dog Star, Sirius, which was associated with the season’s hot, sultry weather.
On Sunday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, children ages 10 and up accompanied by an adult can bring their well-behaved dog on a four-mile hike through fields and forests. Remember to bring a short leash and plenty of water for you and your pup. The starting point is the Mohonk Preserve Spring Farm Trailhead, located on Upper 27 Knolls Road, off Mountain Rest Road.
The program is free, but you’ll need a $12 day pass for anyone ages 13 and older, obtainable at the Spring Farm kiosk, or present your Mohonk Preserve membership. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://mohonkpreserve.org.
MONDAY, JUNE 30
Kids dig for fossils at Adriance Memorial Library in Poughkeepsie
Sure, you can always go to the library and read up on fossils, but dig them up? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening at the Adriance Memorial Library on Monday, June 30 at 4 p.m. Preregister now for “Oceans Rock! Museum Exhibit & Fossil & Seashell Dig.” Children will take home a genuine fossil, seashell or piece of seaglass after this interactive show.
This event is intended for families with children ages 3 and up, and preregistration is required. The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, call (845) 485-3445, extension 3320, or visit https://poklib.org.
TUESDAY, JULY 1
$1 kids’ movies at the Galleria in Poughkeepsie
Air conditioning: check. Tickets $1 per person: check. Not weather-dependent: check. Movies that your family loves: check. Wait, $1? Yes! On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., beginning Tuesday, July 1 with Hotel Transylvania and Wednesday, July 2 with Smurfs 2, and running all summer long, Regal Summer Movie Express features $1 tickets to selected movies. The closest screen doing it in our area is Regal Galleria Cinema 16 in Poughkeepsie, and all of this season’s titles are rated PG.
For a complete schedule of dates and titles, visit https://regalmoviesdev.rem.designory.com/movies/summermovieexpress2014?search=12601&theatrename=aajft. Galleria Cinema 16 is located in the Galleria Mall at 2001 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 297-0785.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
Young Adult reading club at Saugerties Public Library
Fandom. Fan fiction. YA lit. Give your teen an opportunity to connect with other interested youth to come together and discuss favorite books at the Saugerties Public Library on Wednesday, July 2 at 3 p.m. This program is for ages 13 and up.
The Saugerties Public Library is located at 91 Washington Avenue in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-4317 or visit https://saugertiespubliclibrary.org.
Special sessions in Highland for kids on or near the spectrum
For families with children on or near the autism spectrum or with special needs, whether or not they are diagnosed, Hudson Valley Behavioral Solutions in Highland are offering small-group, three-hour half-day sessions all summer long, beginning Monday, June 30, and it’s a dropoff program! Days will include social language development, core social skills, academic skills, cooperative and independent play skills, multi-sensory art activities and an instructional lunch, all tailored to your child’s needs.
For more information, contact Lynda Rosner at (845) 834-3722 or lsrosner@gmail.com.
Kids’ Almanac Writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Stefan Bolz for supplying writing prompts during the month of June. Stefan recently published his third book. It’s called The Fourth Sage, and it’s about a young girl who fights against a corporation that has taken away everyone’s freedom.
Here is his prompt for the week. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Prompt: “Imagine you can fly. From where you stand, you could just lift off and float up, like a hot-air balloon. You’d see your room, your house, your town from above. Where would you fly to? What would you see? How would it feel? Write, write, write!”
Erica Chase-Salerno is celebrating another wedding anniversary with her fella. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
