Anti-bullying seminar with Kingston’s Martial Arts Alliance
Looking for some practical skills and techniques to combat bullying? Wish you knew some actual basic self-defense? On Saturday, December 6 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Martial Arts Alliance invites you to a seminar where it supports children who are bullied, redirects the behavior of children who bully and gives parents and adults the tools that they need to help themselves and their children, using nonviolent methods of de-escalation. The seminar is for men, women and children ages 8 and up and takes place at Stockade Martial Arts, located at 302 Wall Street in Kingston.
Admission costs $10 for one, $15 for two, $20 for three or $25 for four, and all proceeds for the seminar benefit CASA Ulster: Court-Appointed Special Advocates for children. For more information or to register, call (917) 494-6849 or visit www.themartialartsalliance.com.
“A Child’s Christmas” at Clermont in Germantown
What a terrific way to engage children at a historic site: Read stories to them under the Christmas tree and give them free treats! On Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, the Clermont State Historic Site presents “A Child’s Christmas.” Stop by for the stories, and ages 3 to 10 can get a free treat. Admission costs $4 per person.
The Clermont State Historic Site is located at 1 Clermont Road in Germantown. For more information, call (518) 537-4240 or visit www.friendsofclermont.org.
Rondout Valley Food Pantry benefit with Spiral up Kids at Rosendale Theatre
During the winter months, almost everyone I know is looking for indoor activities that encourage kids to move around. Mark your calendars, because on Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m., Spiral up Kids hit the stage at the Rosendale Theatre, with special guest Marco Benevento. In addition to great tunes, including songs from their latest family music album, Road Trip, proceeds support the Rondout Valley Food Pantry’s weekend backpack program, which supplies two days of food each weekend for one child. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for children under 18 years and $25 for a family four-pack.
The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit https://rosendaletheatre.org. To learn more about the performers, visit www.spiralupkids.com.
Sinterklaas in Rhinebeck
Here are my two tips for a successful Sinterklaas experience: 1) Leave plenty of time to find a parking space within walking distance of the center of Rhinebeck. 2) Thoroughly review the schedule of events before the day of the event. This festival is so magical, special, unique and memorable, but keeping in mind that some children may only last for an hour or two while some may stick it out all day, it can be hard to make a firm plan. Sinterklaas is made for that: You show up at the events that you’re interested in, and you skip the rest.
One definite highlight for me is the performance by the family music band Dog on Fleas at Town Hall at 1 p.m. I will plan around this event, knowing that my kids will need to eat lunch beforehand, and that I will require extra time to park and walk to Town Hall. Depending on their energy levels, we might be able to participate in the Children’s Starlight Parade, which marks the end of the day’s festivities. We might craft our parade crowns and branches at the Firehouse between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or we could bring them from home, complete with attached wishes. There is no festival like Sinterklaas, and I hope that you are able to attend at least some part of it. For a complete schedule of the day’s festivities, visit www.sinterklaashudsonvalley.com/sinterlass-kingston.
Dutchess Community College hosts Rick Adam’s free Holiday Extravaganza
With a generation used to Photoshopped images, edited videos and perfectly mixed music, I think that it is imperative that we take our families to see live shows. This Saturday, December 6 at 11 a.m., performer Rick Adam presents his Holiday Extravaganza at Dutchess County Community College. Highlights include hand shadows, juggling, magic and more. This vaudeville show takes place at the James & Betty Hall Theatre, is free and open to the public and geared for children ages 4 to 12 years.
Dutchess County Community College is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8050 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html. To learn more about the performer, visit www.rickadam.info.
Photos with Santa in a firetruck at FASNY Museum in Hudson
Pictures with Santa just reached a whole new level: This weekend, kids can meet Santa in a firetruck! On Saturday, December 6 between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, come to the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum of Firefighting for photos of the kids with Santa in his firetruck, as well as a scavenger hunt; and that’s on top of the number of interactive stations that the museum has on exhibit. Admission costs $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 and older and $20 for a family (two adults, two children); children under age 3 and members get in free.
FASNY is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1875 or visit www.fasnyfiremuseum.com.
Felted Holiday Ornaments workshop at Vanderpoel House of History in Kinderhook
Felting is so therapeutic; just experiencing that satisfying punch of the needle into the woolen fuzz is exciting. On Saturday, December 6 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 to 3 p.m., try it yourself at Vanderpoel’s House of History event, “Family Craft: Felted Holiday Ornaments.” This free make-and-take craft is intended for children ages 8 and up, and all supplies are provided.
The Vanderpoel House of History is located at 16 Broad Street in Kinderhook. For more information, call (518) 758-9265 or visit www.cchsny.org/gallery-of-wreaths.html.
Holiday activities at West Point
Visiting West Point feels like such a thrill to me, and here are two events open to the public this weekend. On Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 at 12:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Hall, the West Point Band presents a free holiday show with singer Jay Montgomery, a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and a visit from Santa Claus. Then, on Sunday, December 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Grant Ballroom at the Hotel Thayer, reserve your spot now for the Mother/Daughter Holiday Tea. The price is $19.95 per person, and reservations are required.
The Thayer is located at 674 Thayer Road in West Point. For reservations or more information, call (845) 446-4731, extension 7929, or visit www.thethayerhotel.com.
Rosendale Theatre screens The Muppet Christmas Carol
Many of us saw the latest Muppet movie with our families but want more – maybe to entice them into loving these characters as much as those of us who grew up watching them each week. On Saturday, December 6 at 4 p.m., you can bring your crew to the Rosendale Theatre to see The Muppet Christmas Carol. Admission costs $6, and all proceeds will be donated to Family of Woodstock.
The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 857-8127 or visit https://youngulsterprofessionals.com/events/event/muppet-christmas-carol.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Hurley Heritage Society presents holiday crafts & stories
The Hurley Heritage Society is another terrific example of connecting children with historic sites in a fun and festive way. On Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m., children ages 3 to 11 can enjoy storytelling, crafts and refreshments, but space is limited and reservations are required.
The Hurley Heritage Society is located at 52 Main Street in Hurley. For reservations or more information, call (845) 331-4852 or visit www.hurleyheritagesociety.org.
WWII vets share memories to mark Pearl Harbor Day in Kingston
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan,” stated president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Interested in hearing more from that era? Head over to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills on Pearl Harbor Day, this Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. for some firsthand accounts about the love of airplanes and flying and personal experiences of World War II by Stan Goldstein, 91 years old, as well as the memoirs of John Graham, read by his daughter Nancy Graham.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills is located at 320 Sawkill Road in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-7714.
Shadowland Theatre hosts Vanaver Caravan’s Into the Light!
This weekend, one collaborative event that combines dance, visual artistry and music and celebrates a range of traditions, with a troupe of performers from a variety of ages, comes together for your viewing pleasure: Into the Light! takes place at the Shadowland Theatre and is presented by the Vanaver Caravan, Arm-of-the-Sea Theater and Barely Lace. It follows the story of Lucia, who seeks to rekindle her inner light as the sun diminishes, including a journey that touches on light-filled traditions of Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Sankta Lucia, the Winter Solstice and Yule.
Performances take place on Sunday, December 7 at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for children under 12 and $8 for adults. For more information, call (845) 256-9300 or visit https://vanavercaravan.org.
Christmas in the Village at Museum Village in Monroe
Where can you visit Santa by the fireplace, take a hayride, enjoy entertainment, make crafts and explore some local history? At Christmas in the Village! On Sunday, December 7 from 12 noon to 4 p.m., your food donation (especially soups and pastas) is your free admission to an afternoon of fun at Museum Village.
Museum Village is located at 1010 State Route 17M in Monroe. For more information, call (845) 782-8248 or visit https://museumvillage.org.
Starr Library in Rhinebeck presents Dreidel House
Celebrate the spirit of the season with the Dreidel House event at the downstairs entrance of the Starr Library this Sunday, December 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Activities include a Chanukah photo booth, make-your-own doughnuts, a candlemaking workshop and new Chanukah crafts (costing between $3 and $5 each), and a free olive oil-making workshop.
The Starr Library is located at 68 West Market Street in Rhinebeck. For more information, call (845) 876-7666 or visit https://rhinebeckjewishcenter.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno carols 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! 
