“Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
– Mary Ann Pietzker, Miscellaneous Poems, 1872
Lego invention contest at Museum Village in Monroe
For any kids from 6 to 11 years old who love Legos, here’s a chance to start the year off with a brick-building contest at Museum Village. The challenge: to support the appreciation of the evolution of technology in America. The categories: Technological Machine Invention (past, present or future). Participants must bring their own Legos, and no kits are allowed. Contestants may compete as individuals or in teams of two; age levels are 6 to 8 years and 9 to 11 years.
Registration is due by Monday, January 12, and the contest takes place on Saturday, January 17 from 1 to 4 p.m., with a snow date of Saturday, January 31. The competition includes orientation, 1.5 hours of build time, a 45-minute judging period and an award ceremony. Points are awarded for relevance, creativity, originality, construction detail, use of technology and application of engineering principles.
The grand prize is a Lego Technic building set, and the runner-up wins one free week of Bricks 4 Kidz camp. The cost is $10 to register, $5 for spectators. Twenty entries will be taken per category.
Museum Village is located at 1010 Route 17M in Monroe. For more information or to register for the contest, call Bricks 4 Kidz at (845) 610-3354 or visit www.bricks4kidz.com/newyork-warwick-middletown. To learn more about Museum Village, visit https://museumvillage.org.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
Pokémon game night at Grinnell Library in Wappingers Falls
If you recognize the high-pitched sounds of “Pika-Pika” or know the song lyrics “Gotta catch ’em all,” then you must have a Pokémon fan in your life who will surely enjoy this weekend’s Pokémon game night. On Friday, January 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Grinnell Library invites players ages 6 to 18 to battle other trainers and gym leaders to compete to be a champion. Bring your Nintendo DS/3DS and charger with a version of the following games: White 2, Black 2, X or Y. Admission to this event is free, and snacks will be provided.
The Grinnell Library is located at 2642 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. For more information, call (845) 297-3428 or visit https://grinnell-library.org.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
Community Free Day at Dia:Beacon
Here’s a chance successfully to honor those New Year’s resolutions that you made about spending time with family and becoming better cultured. On Saturday, January 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dia:Beacon hosts a Community Free Day for residents of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties. I always feel more expansive and tuned in to the world around me after I visit this modern art museum, and with the tours and workshops offered that day, the work will feel even more accessible to everyone – especially the one-hour tour geared to families at 11:30 a.m.
As a reminder, Dia is well-suited for wheelchairs, with its wide corridors and elevators. After viewing the art, leave time for a snack from the on-site café area. Dia:Beacon is located at 3 Beekman Street in Beacon. For more information and a complete schedule for the day, call (845) 440-0100 or visit www.diaart.org/events/main/641.
Spanish Playgroup at Tivoli Library
Spanish speakers ages 5 to 8 years are invited hablar español at the Tivoli Library’s Spanish Playgroup on Saturday, January 10 from 2 to 3 p.m. Activities include reading, crafting, playing and cooking while learning about Spanish language traditions, art, history and culture.
The Tivoli Library is located at 86 Broadway in Tivoli. For more information, call (845) 757-3771 or visit www.tivolilibrary.org.
Winterfest on Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland
Beat the chills and help pick this year’s winner for Best Chili at the 2015 Hudson Valley Rail Trail Winterfest this Saturday, January 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Will the Walkway Café and Catering Company take First Prize again this year? Will the New Paltz Bagel Café take another First Place in veggie chili? In addition to sampling area chili submissions, Winterfest includes a children’s activity tent, haywagon rides, chestnut- and marshmallow-roasting over the bonfire and more.
Winterfest is located at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail pavilion at 101 New Paltz Road in Highland. For more information, call (845) 691-2066 or visit https://hudsonvalleyrailtrail.net.
Join the family! 
