SUNDAY, MARCH 22
Family Fun Harmonica Fest at SUNY-Ulster in Stone Ridge
Everything about this weekend’s Family Fun Harmonica Fest sounds great: a short concert by David Laks and his Mid-Hudson Music Mavens, a harmonica workshop and a jam session. The Harmonica Fest takes place on Sunday, March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Vanderlyn Hall College Lounge at SUNY-Ulster. This event is geared toward families with school-aged children, but all ages are welcome.
Admission costs $10 for children ages 6 to 12, $15 for teens and adults and includes a harmonica, a learning guide and refreshments. Proceeds will benefit local not-for-profit organizations. SUNY-Ulster is located at 491 Cottekill Road in Stone Ridge. Advance registration is requested by calling (845) 338-8131 or by visiting www.ucjf.org.
Kingston Model Train & Railroad Show at Midtown Center
You don’t have to go far this weekend to delight the train fan in your family. This Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Kingston Model Train & Railroad Show takes place at the Andy Murphy Midtown Recreation Center, where highlights include model train displays, a garden railroad train display, employees from area historic railroads and rail museums and a Children’s Fun Corner with Thomas the Tank Engine displays.
Admission costs $6 for adults, $1 for children under 12. The Andy Murphy Midtown Recreation Center is located at 467 Broadway in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 481-4198 or visit https://kingstontrainshow.com.
Hudson Valley Horrors open season at Roller Magic in Hyde Park
When I say “whip,” “jam” and “blocker,” which sport’s terms am I using? Yes, it’s roller derby! Have you been to a bout before? It’s so exciting to watch, especially after I get the hang of what’s going on!
On Sunday, March 22, the Hudson Valley Horrors roller derby has its first bout of the season at Roller Magic, with proceeds benefiting the Grace Smith House domestic violence shelter. Tickets cost $10, $5 more if you want a chair, with discounts for groups. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the bout begins at 6:30.
Roller Magic is located at 4178 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For tickets or more information, visit www.horrorsrollerderby.com.
Tales of the Rainbow Forest at Arts Society of Kingston
One perfect way to honor these first days of spring is by spending time gazing at the vibrant pictures in Tales of the Rainbow Forest, a children’s book written by McKenzie Willis and illustrated by Rick Holland. Willis reads his story this Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at the Arts Society of Kingston. The suggested donation is $8 for the reading and performance, which are primarily geared for children ages 4 to 8 years, who must be accompanied by a parent.
The Arts Society of Kingston is located at 97 Broadway in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-0333 or visit www.askforarts.org.
New fishing club for kids
Legacy Jr. Bass is a new local youth bass-fishing club to Milan, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Pine Plains, Kingston and the surrounding areas. An information and registration session takes place this Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at the Milan Firehouse on Route 199 in Milan.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/legacyjrbass and www.legacyjrbass.com.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
Math championship, cartography lecture at Vassar
What do you know? I’m still recovering from last week’s Pi Day of the Century, and now Vassar College hosts the annual four-county math championship. After the closed competition on Wednesday, March 25, the public is invited to attend a free lecture at 10:30 a.m. by Adam Lowrance, assistant professor of Mathematics: “Coloring Maps on Surfaces,” which will cover how to color maps so no that two countries sharing a border have the same color.
The lecture, followed by an awards ceremony for the math event, takes place in Rockefeller Hall, Room 300. Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 437-7000 or visit https://info.vassar.edu.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
Aaron Freeman/Gene Ween Storytellers Concert at Woodstock Day School
This week’s Woodstock Day School Storytellers Concert series features Aaron Freeman, a/k/a Gene Ween, the songwriter behind Ween & Freeman, on Thursday, March 26 at the school. Admission costs $10 for adults, kids get in free and the doors open at 6 p.m.
The Woodstock Day School is located at 1430 Glasco Turnpike in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-3744 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpenginedayschool.org.
Children’s Spring Tea at Mount Gulian in Beacon
If you’d like to score a seat to the annual Mount Gulian Children’s Spring Tea on Thursday, April 2 from 12 noon to 2 p.m., I urge you to move quickly, as they sell out every year. Each table has teapots and trays of sandwiches and sweets, and you can just snack and relax in your fancy hat while volunteers replenish the goodies. When you make your reservation, be sure to mention any gluten-free requirements, since they can accommodate it, especially if they know in advance.
A few remarks will be shared about the historic house, and children are invited to participate in a craft downstairs. The tea is a lovely, low-key, special experience, and some families make it an annual tradition. The cost is $15 for children and $18 for adults, and adults must be accompanied by a child. Prepaid reservations are due by Thursday, April 2.
Mount Gulian is located at 145 Sterling Street in Beacon. For reservations or more information, call (845) 831-8172 or visit www.mountgulian.org.
LGBTQ Center seeks scholarship applicants
Students interested in the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center Youth Scholarship should submit applications by Wednesday, April 1. This award was created to provide financial support for a high school graduate who displays leadership toward LGBTQ equality, whether as a LGBTQ teen or a straight ally. To apply or for more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit https://lgbtqcenter.org.
Spring Break Creative Arts Therapy at Heartsong
Parents of preschoolers through adolescent youth with special needs can register now for Heartsong’s Spring Break Creative Arts Therapy Program. These dropoff sessions take place from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 30 through April 1, at a cost of $325 for the week plus a $75 registration fee for new families.
Heartsong serves people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and developmental and global delays. It is located at 277 Martine Avenue, Suite 230, in White Plains. To register or for more information, call (914) 358-5613 or visit https://heartsong.org.
“Saving for College with Confidence” workshop in New Paltz
Homeschool parents are invited to join financial mentor Joanne Leffeld for “Saving for College with Confidence,” an evening of information, insights, tips and strategies for home educators to plan financially for college: How can families on one income best save for college? Is it too late for a 529 savings account? How can life insurance help while you’re living? What are some quick fixes to watch out for? How will you know if you have enough? Why is it all so complicated?
“Saving for College with Confidence” takes place on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. at 231 Main Street in New Paltz. This two-hour session is geared for parents as well as teens age 16 and up, and costs $20 per family. Enrollment is limited and preregistration is required.
For reservations or more information, call (845) 706-4145, e-mail joanneleffeld@gmail.com or visit www.moolahdoula.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno is so enthralled by the Cinderella movie! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
