“The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are.”
– John Burroughs
Rainbow’s End Butterfly Farm
My daughter and I visited Rainbow’s End Butterfly Farm, and we appreciated so many things about it. The butterfly house is filled with tempting, colorful blooms, but we were able to persuade a few Monarchs and Painted Ladies to perch on our Gatorade-infused cotton swabs. The caterpillar tent next door offers a chance to see different types of these hungry, wiggly creatures, all in different phases of development.
The dainty tables and chairs dotting the lawn make a sweet spot for a water break or picnic lunch. The short butterfly trail to a tadpole-filled pond features informative signposts that the kids enjoyed reading. We finished by browsing through the gift shop, which has fun butterfly-themed decorations, books and other tempting items. The entire atmosphere of the farm is quiet, mellow and relaxing.
Rainbow’s End is open to the public and offers free admission on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It closes for the season at the end of June. Group tours are charged admission and are available by appointment during the week. Rainbow’s End Butterfly Farm is located at 13 Rainbow’s End in Pawling. For more information, call (845) 832-6749 or visit www.rainbowsendfarm.biz.
Ann Guenther’s Spring Scavenger Hunt
Local educator, naturalist and climate-change activist Ann Guenther receives Mohonk Consultations’ 2015 Distinguished Achievement Award this Monday, June 8 in New Paltz: https://mohonk-consultations.org/2015-distinguished-achievement-award-ann-guenther. I think that Ann is so terrific, and I learn or notice something in the natural world every single time I see her.
She likes to create mini-scavenger hunts, and this latest one was a kit: a list of things to find, a hand lens and a pencil, all nestled together in a little baggie. My kids loved it! Here’s her scavenger hunt so that you can recreate it at home. It’s a fun activity to do with all ages, right in your own backyard, at a local park or during a rest stop while you’re on the road.
Can you find?
1. a bug (live or dead)
2. a smooth bud
3. a fuzzy or furry bud
4. a pebble with shiny specks
5. wet dirt – then smell it
6. two kinds of tree bark – anything on it?
7. a foot-long twig, & follow the length of it with the lens
8. Find something very fuzzy
9. Find something WEIRD!
10. Draw something that’s tiny VERY LARGE in a circle on this sheet.
Friday, June 5
Pride Luau Dance Party in Kingston
TGI Friday, and LGBTQ and allied teens 14 to 18 are invited to start the weekend in style, at the Pride Luau Dance Party! The party takes place on Friday, June 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center. Dancers can enjoy tropical refreshments along with the hot tunes played by deejay Jason Stryker.
The LGBTQ Community Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, e-mail corinne@lgbtqcenter.org.
“User-Friendly Judaism” workshop in Woodstock
Some of my friends who professed not to have any particular faith practices in place started to scramble and revisit the decision after their first child was born. Here’s an event that sounds particularly interesting for anyone who falls into that category; is Jewish or wants a refresher or to learn about it; or is simply curious. This Friday, June 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Lev Shalem Institute of the Woodstock Jewish Congregation offers “User-Friendly Judaism,” a free weekend workshop including topics such as Welcoming Shabbat around the Dinner Table; a beginner’s Shabbat morning service; and the third meal and Havdalah service. Attendees may choose specific workshops to attend or participate in the entire experience.
The workshop takes place at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, located at 1682 Glasco Turnpike in Woodstock. For more information or to register for a paid meal, call (845) 679-2218 or e-mail lsi-wcj.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Uncle Rock at Kingston Library
Uncle Rock, a/k/a Robert Burke Warren, performs at the Kingston Library this weekend, which means that it’s time to stomp your feet, flap your wings and sing along in your outside voices! On Saturday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m., rally your kids and come on out: Uncle Rock puts on a great, interactive show that parents will thoroughly enjoy too, with tunes like Buddy Holly’s “Got the Hiccups.” This event 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 musician, visit https://unclerock.net.
Join the family! 
