African Drumming concert/workshop at Unison
Go to Moustapha Diedhiou’s African Drumming concert and workshop at Unison for a chance to hear and play with a master in a family-friendly environment. Diedhiou’s event takes place on Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring your own drums, or share some of the extras that he has on hand. Tickets at the door cost $14 for adults, $10 for Unison members and $7 for children age 12 and under; or purchase in advance to save $2 per ticket.
The Unison Arts & Learning Center is located at 68 Mountain Rest Road in New Paltz. For tickets or more information, call (845) 255-1559 or visit https://unisonarts.org. To learn more about the performer, visit https://taphadrums.com.
Pumpkin Walk for mental health at CGCC
I’m hearing lots of buzz about this Saturday’s eighth annual Pumpkin Walk at Columbia-Greene Community College. Hosted by the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, the family entertainment begins at 4 p.m., followed by the walk along the trail at 6 p.m. to see all of the carved Jack o’ lanterns. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $6 at the event.
Columbia-Greene Community College is located at 4400 State Route 23 in Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (518) 828-4610, extension 302, or visit www.mhacg.org.
All aboard for the Catskill Mountain Railroad’s Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express
Get ready to take Linus’ Great Pumpkin story to a whole new level with the Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express at the Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston. Beginning Saturday, October 18 and running hourly on weekends through Sunday, October 26, enjoy a two-hour experience that includes a train ride, meeting favorite Peanuts characters, live music, storytelling, tractor rides, pumpkin-decorating, trick-or-treating and more. Tickets cost $24 for adults age 14 and over, and children ages 3 to 13 get in for $16.
For tickets or more information, call (845) 688-7400 or visit https://catskillmtrailroad.com.
Under the Trees Storytelling & Songs at Stone Ridge Orchard
This Saturday, October 18, be a part of the crowd for the inaugural Under the Trees Storytelling and Songs event at the Stone Ridge Orchard. Entertainment from 3 to 5:30 p.m. includes performances by Jill Olesker, Steve and Susan Kotansky, Grian MacGregor, musicians Bindlestick Bill, Betty Boomer and more. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., bring your own picnic or enjoy a Stone Ridge Orchard wood-fired pizza, apple cider and apple donuts. The suggested donation is $10 per family, but no one will be turned away, and the event goes on rain or shine.
Stone Ridge Orchard is located at 3012 New York 213 in Stone Ridge. For more information, call (845) 687-2587 or visit www.stoneridgeorchard.us.
New York State Sheep & Wool Family Festival at Dutchess Fairgrounds
Fiber arts folks get pretty keyed up every year about the New York State Sheep & Wool Family Festival, but only recently did I understand that this event is a good time for everybody, including lapsed knitters like myself. This weekend, on Saturday, October 18 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, October 19 at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., come see for yourself, including activities and classes for children such as Yarn “Painting” Embroidery, $8; Finger-Knitted Felt: Bangles, Wrap Bracelets and Necklaces for ages 5 and up, $8; Upcycled Sweater Stitching for ages 10 and up, $12; Wet Felting: Collage Cards for ages 7 and up, $12; and Wet Felting: Beaded Necklaces and Bracelets for ages 5 and up, $8.
Admission costs $12 per day, with discounts for advanced online purchase. The Festival takes place at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds at 6550 Spring Brook Avenue in Rhinebeck; visit www.sheepandwool.com for more information.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Ashokan Center hosts Fall Festival
The Ashokan Fall Festival is the quintessential autumnal gathering, with music performed by Jay & Molly, Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower and the Walker Family Band, and traditional rustic Ashokan signature activities including cidering, blacksmithing and broommaking, all in the gorgeous wooded setting of the Ashokan Center. The Ashokan Fall Festival takes place on Sunday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission costs $5.
The Ashokan Center is located at 477 Beaverkill Road in Olivebridge. For more information, call (845) 657-8333 or visit https://ashokancenter.org.
Spooky Story writing workshop at Poughkidsie
Every October, spooky stories populate library storytimes and bookstore displays; but how about giving your kids a chance to write one of their own? On Sunday, October 19 from 2 to 4 p.m., Poughkidsie hosts How to Write a Spooky Story. Participants will receive a bound book of all the stories created in the workshop, which is geared for ages 7 and up. The cost is $18 if registered in advance, $22 for walk-ins.
Poughkidsie is located at 25 Van Wagner Road. For more information or to register, call (845) 243-3750 or visit https://poughkidsie.com.
Kingston Model Train & Hobby Show at Murphy Midtown Center
If your little one is into Thomas the Tank Engine, or has never outgrown a love of trains, stop by the Kingston Model Train & Hobby Show this Sunday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Murphy Midtown Center. Admission costs $6 for adults, $1 for children under 12.
The Murphy Midtown Center is located at 467 Broadway in Kingston, next to Rite-Aid. For more information, call (845) 481-4198 or visit https://kingstontrainshow.com.
Participatory Indian folk dancing in New Paltz
Been a while since you’ve done some Indian folk dancing? Bring back your Bhangas this Sunday, October 19 at 2 p.m. with free public Garba dance instruction for all ages, using dandiyas sticks. And remember to mark your calendars for Diwali, the Festival of Lights, that will be celebrated at the Elting Memorial Library on October 25.
The Water Street Market is located at 10 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-1403 or visit https://waterstreetmarket.com or www.eltinglibrary.org.
Oblong Books in Rhinebeck welcomes R. L. Stine
On Sunday, October 19 at 4 p.m., R. L. Stine comes to Oblong Books! You know him from his Fear Street series and Goosebumps series, and you can check out his new work, Party Games: the first new Fear Street novel in almost 20 years. Reservations are required to attend.
Oblong Books is located at 6422 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. For more information or to reserve a spot, call (845) 876-0500 or visit www.oblongbooks.com/event/rlstine.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20
Learn to make comics at the Treehouse in New Paltz
With the kids fresh off of ComiCon, give them a chance to make their own! Creating Comics begins at the Treehouse this Monday, October 20 from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. and runs for eight weeks. Children aged 8 to 13 years work with Matt Maley to develop characters, design backgrounds and work with perspective, penciling, inking, coloring and logo design. The cost is $200, which includes all supplies and a light snack.
The Treehouse is located at 17 Church Street in New Paltz. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0345 or visit www.treehousenewpaltz.com.
Simplicity Parenting workshops at Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz
Looking for ways to slow down your children’s lives, and perhaps your own? Decrease stress? Then reserve your place at the Simplicity Parenting: Free Introductory Workshop on Monday, October 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School, located at 16 South Chestnut Street in New Paltz. Simplicity Parenting is based on the book by Kim John Payne, and the workshop is applicable to all ages of children.
And save the dates for these upcoming free parenting workshops: Monday, November 10, 6 p.m., Simplifying for the Holidays; and Monday, December 1 at 6 p.m., Simplicity Gifts: Less is More. For more information or to RSVP, call (845) 255-0033, extension 400. To learn more about the philosophy, visit www.simplicityparenting.com.
Mindfulness in the Classroom workshop at Gardiner Library
If you struggle with test-taking, attend Barbara Neiman’s program, Improve Test Taking Skills with Brain/Body Strategies: Mindfulness in the Classroom. The session takes place at the Gardiner Library this Monday, October 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at a cost of $10. Preregistration is required for this workshop geared for children between third and 12th grades, along with their caregivers.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Richard Louv lectures on the Nature-Rich Life at SUNY-New Paltz
Richard Louv and his talk, “The Nature-Rich Life,” appear at Lecture Center 100 at SUNY-New Paltz this Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss options to improve your health, business, community, relationships and more by tapping into the restorative power of nature. Tickets cost $13 and $18.
SUNY-New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 257-3880 or visit www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries.
Kids’ Almanac Writes
Kids’ Almanac thanks Michael Reiter for supplying writing prompts during the month of October. Michael is a longtime teacher of English literature in public high schools: “I love to get people reading. I love to get people writing.” Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607.
Writing Prompt: You’re in a shopping mall, and people start looking at you strangely. Then you realize: They can all read your thoughts…
Erica Chase-Salerno can’t wait to get back to Frost Valley! 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! 
