Sunset Seining and Song at Esopus Meadows
It’s a beautiful spot. You will return again and again, and if you’ve visited before, you already know what I mean: Esopus Meadows Preserve. Pack up those picnic baskets, because at the Sunset Seining and Song event on Saturday, September 20 at 4 p.m., participants will actually go in the water with waders and a net and see what they catch, followed by a picnic and singalong, featuring several performers from the Clearwater Sloop Singers. This free educational program is open to the public and best for families with children over 3 years of age.
Esopus Meadows Preserve is located at 257 River Road in Ulster Park. For more information, call (845) 797-2847, e-mail eli@clearwater.org or visit www.clearwater.org.
Andrew Simmons’ Wildlife Program at Kingston Library
My daughter got pretty enthused about the orange-and-black beetle that she noticed in the grass after soccer yesterday. I can only imagine her excitement about being in the same room as a lemur, live raptors and reptiles. Wildlife-lovers of all ages will enjoy Andrew Simmons’ Wildlife Program, where he introduces those animals and more in his interactive presentation at the Kingston Library this Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public.
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 presenter, visit www.simmonswildlife.com.
Art at Trailside at Bear Mountain
Art at Trailside means that in addition to visiting the animals at Bear Mountain’s Trailside Museums and Zoo, participants can create nature-inspired art and crafts. Art at Trailside takes place on Saturday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The suggested fee for the program is $1; a $1 donation is suggested for entry into the zoo; and there is an $8-per-vehicle parking fee, unless you have the Empire State Passport.
The Trailside Zoo is located on Seven Lakes Parkway in Bear Mountain. For more information, call (845) 786-2701 or visit www.trailsidezoo.org.
First responders’ 9/11 memorial games at Dutchess Stadium
On Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m., Hudson Valley Guns & Hoses presents its 9/11/01 Memorial Event at Dutchess Stadium. What a day they have planned, with first-responder heroes from Ulster, Dutchess, Orange and Putnam Counties: Softball and Baseball Games of Heroes, seven innings each; Firefighter and Law Enforcement Challenge obstacle courses; a K-9 demonstration; a Tug of War; a 9/11/01 Memorial Ceremony; post-game fireworks and more. Come cheer on the “Bravest” (law enforcement) or “Finest” (fire departments) as they compete to win.
Dutchess Stadium is located at 1500 Route 9D in Wappingers Falls. For rosters, schedule and more information, visit www.hvgunsandhoses.org and www.facebook.com/hv.gunsandhoses.
Game Fair & Country Sporting Weekend in Millbrook
How many times have you driven by the Orvis Sandanona Grounds going through Millbrook, and wondered what it’s like down that driveway? The Orvis Game Fair and Country Sporting Weekend is all about traditions of the field and hunt. On Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be fly-fishing demonstrations, dog-training seminars, birds of prey exhibitions, hands-on youth programs, a Land Rover driving course, free flycasting lessons, safe shooting instruction for novices and many exhibits of interest to children and youth.
Orvis Sandanona is located at 3047 Sharon Turnpike Road in Millbrook (note that the driving directions indicate 311 Sharon Turnpike, Route 44, Millbrook). For more information, call (845) 677-9701 or visit www.orvis.com/s/orvis-game-fair-and-country-sporting-weekend-at-the-sandanona-shooting-grounds-in-millbrook-ny-/8953.
An Autumn Day at Historic Huguenot Street
Head over to Huguenot Street in New Paltz on Saturday, September 20 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for “An Autumn Day”: a living history day intended to recreate a day during the fall season of 1864. Reenactors celebrate the return of Civil War soldiers with an all-day lawn party at the DuBois Fort, located at 81 Huguenot Street. (Special assignment: Report back to me the numbers hidden-in-plain-sight on the side of the fort.)
Period outdoor activities include croquet, graces, badminton, battledore, shuttlecock, hoops and archery. For more information, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Walk with Pride at Kingston Point
Would you walk a mile for nationwide marriage equality? School safety? Transgender rights? LGBTQ advocacy and support? Then lace your sneakers and walk yourself over to Rotary Park at Kingston Point on Sunday, September 21.
Registration is available online at https://lgbtqcenter.org/walk-with-pride-registration, or at 9:30 a.m. at the park. The walk begins at 10 a.m. The donation to participate can be any amount, but the suggested donation per walker or team is $25, so start collecting those contributions from those who want to support you.
Can’t make it to the walk? You can still donate and simply walk anywhere, or sit still and be with the event in spirit. Rotary Park at Kingston Point is located at the end of Delaware Avenue in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-5300 or visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
Kids’ Fishing Day at Ashokan Reservoir
Kids’ Fishing Day at Ashokan’s Woodstock Dike this Sunday, September 21 runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can learn how to fish, and adults can be granted a free Department of Environmental Protection access permit on-site so that they can help their families. Poles and bait will be supplied, but participants are welcome to bring their own. And it’s all free!
To reach Woodstock Dike from Route 28 in Kingston, travel west from Kingston and just after the intersection at Stewart’s (and opposite the West Hurley Post Office), turn left on a gravel road off Route 28 and follow to its end. For more information, call (845) 256-2204 or visit www.dec.ny.gov.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Hobo Night at Hyde Park Station
The combination of Hudson River troubadour Bindlestick Bill and the Hyde Park Station means historic fun for the whole family. Join Bindlestick Bill for Hobo Night on Monday, September 22 at 7 p.m.
The Hyde Park Station is located at 34 River Road in Hyde Park. For more information, visit https://hydeparkstation.com. To learn more about the performer, visit www.bindlestick.com.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Community Harvest Party & Film Screening at Kingston YMCA
One of the jewels of Kingston is the Kingston YMCA Farm Project. Come celebrate this wonderful venture at the Community Harvest Party and Film Screening on Tuesday, September 23. At 5:30 p.m., park at the YMCA and walk to the farm on the corner of Susan and Summer Street, or inside the YMCA if it’s raining, for kids’ activities and an auction. The film screening of Growing Cities takes place at 7:30 p.m. and is about urban farming in America.
The suggested donation for the movie is $10 for adults, $5 for children. For more information, call (845) 332-2927 or visit www.kingstonymcafarmproject.org or www.facebook.com/kingstonymcafarmproject.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
The Wiggles play the Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Blow me down! Guess who’s coming to Poughkeepsie from Down Under? That’s right: the Wiggles! Wahoo! On Friday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m., the Wiggles perform at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center as part of their Ready, Steady, Wiggle! tour. Ticket prices range from $33.80 to $56.40. I’ve heard that the cheaper, elevated bleacher seats that are further from the stage offer a better view of the performing area for little ones than the flat front section.
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 454-5800 or visit www.midhudsonciviccenter.org. To learn more about the performers, visit www.thewiggles.com.
Kids’ Almanac Writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Sari Botton for supplying writing prompts during the month of September. Sari is a writer who teaches workshops with the TMI Project and has edited anthologies including Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York and the forthcoming Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers on Their Unshakable Love for New York. Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Writing prompt: Is there a lesson you’ve learned that was really hard? Tell the story of that lesson, and how you learned it – or are trying to learn it.
Erica Chase-Salerno just learned that soccer cleats have two top spikes at the toe, versus soft/baseball cleats that have one spike. As a result, soccer cleats may be worn for ball games, but not vice versa, due to the risk of injury from a kick with that front spike. She and her husband Mike live in New Paltz with their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
