“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”
– Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine
New football team: the Hudson Valley Fort
Wish there were more chances to watch live pro football games in our area? Then you’ll be thrilled to hear that Hudson Valley Fort football begins playing at Dutchess Stadium this fall! Part of the Fall Experimental Football League, the Fort’s games at Dutchess Stadium take place on Saturday, October 10 against the Brooklyn Bolts, with postgame fireworks; Friday, October 23 against the Mahoning Valley Brawlers; and Friday, November 6 against the Florida Blacktips. Ticket prices begin at $15. For more information about sponsorships or to host a player during the season, call (845) 838-0094 or visit https://www.fxfl.com/fort/.
Another highlight taking place this summer at the Dutch during the Hudson Valley Renegades regular baseball season is this weekend’s Sleeping under the Stars. $30 gets each person a ticket to watch the game against the Brooklyn Cyclones, food vouchers and a sleepover on the field; a portion of the proceeds benefits Family Promise of the Mid-Hudson Valley, which provides support for the local homeless population.
Dutchess Stadium is located at 1500 Route 9D in Wappingers Falls. For tickets or more information, call (845) 838-3764 or visit www.hvrenegades.com.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Tivoli Free Library hosts Magic: The Gathering
Do you know any avid gamers who play the Magic: The Gathering card game, or the computer game of Minecraft? Then you’ll want to head over to the Tivoli Free Library! On Friday, August 14 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., players age 8 and up can bring their decks and battle it out with their spells and fantastical creatures. My son’s favorite card is the Mystical Hacker.
On Saturday, August 15 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Minecraft players can compete in the Redstone Rally, a contest to make special online creations. Registration is required.
The Tivoli Free Library is located at 86A Broadway in Tivoli. For more information, call (845) 757-3771 or visit https://tivolilibrary.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
Pie-baking workshop at Frida’s in Milton
Love to bake pies with your kids but don’t want the mess? No problem; just do it at Frida’s Bakery & Cafe! On Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 a.m., children and their parents or grandparents can create a seasonal pie, tour the bakery and kitchen and enjoy some yummy treats. The cost is $20 per child, and $15 per additional child from the same family.
Frida’s is located at 26 Main Street in Milton. For more information or to register, call (845) 795-5550 or visit www.fridasbakeryny.com.
Hurley Corn Festival returns
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or you live here, you should attend the annual Hurley Corn Festival, because our area is all about corn this time of year, and it’s a delicious way for the whole family to spend the day! On Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, $3 gets you live music, children’s activities, crafters to check out and more. Corn chowder is highly recommended and will be flowing all day.
The festivities take place at the Hurley Reformed Church, located at 11 Main Street in Hurley. For more information, call (845) 331-5331 or visit www.hurleyheritagesociety.org/corn-festival.html.
My Dolly & Me Tea Party at Plattekill Library
If you know someone who loves dolly tea parties, you know how expensive those kinds of events can be. So when I saw this one, I wanted to let you know about it fast! The Plattekill Public Library hosts a free My Dolly & Me Tea Party this Saturday, August 15 at 1 p.m. This event is for ages 5 and up, and space is limited, so I suggest calling before you make plans to attend.
The Plattekill Public Library is located at 2047 Route 32 in Modena. For more information, call (845) 883-7286 or visit https://plattekill.lib.ny.us.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Artists’ Soapbox Derby on the Rondout
Reason #4,536 to live in the Hudson Valley: the Kingston Artists’ Soapbox Derby. This Sunday, August 16 beginning at 1 p.m., watch these creative crafts take to the streets, running on gravity and determination alone. Prize categories include Kids, Rondout Reject, Charity, Steampunk, Pop Culture, Classic Work of Art and People’s Choice.
Need a few more art supplies to complete your Derby? The folks at Oliveri’s at 63 Broadway in Kingston, https://olivieriart.com, are heading up this year’s event and have all kinds of gear for your finishing touches! You can also get coffee drinks, gluten-free treats by Meredith’s like the black-and-white cookie THAT I had the other day, and there’s a children’s area for kids to play if you just need to take a break.
For more information about the 20th Kingston Artists’ Soapbox Derby, call (845) 383-1663 or visit www.kingstonartistsoapboxderby.com.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
One-week puppet playmaking camp at Rosendale Theatre
Some of you are looking for creative camp options for the kids this summer, and I heard that there might be space in this one: “Youth Arts: Puppet, Music and Performing Arts” at the Rosendale Theatre. Youths between ages 9 and 14 will spend the week doing puppet- and maskmaking, storytelling, creative play, scriptwriting and music. The camp takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21 and culminates in a performance of Outbounders and Dreamers at the end of the week, on the 21st at 5:30 p.m. on the Rosendale Theatre stage.
Tickets for the performance cost $8 for adults, $5 for children or $20 per family. The cost of the camp is $145 per child, with a ten percent discount for siblings. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information or to register, call (845) 658-8989 or visit www.rosendaletheatre.org/youtharts.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
All about Bees at Bear Mountain
I feel like an extra champion of bees this year, because some variety of sunflower seeds must have dropped out of the suet in my birdfeeder and germinated, and we ended up with some crazy tall blooms that the bees just love! So as an accidental bee advocate, I invite you to learn more about this critical population in our ecosystem by attending the All about Bees Family Program at the Trailside Museums and Zoo this Tuesday, August 18 at 10:30 a.m. Geared toward young children, the session includes fun games about pollination, and each family will take home a mason bee hotel, which will attract these pollinators to your yard. Registration is required.
The Trailside Museums and Zoo are located at Bear Mountain State Park, at 55 Hessian Drive in Bear Mountain. For more information or to register, call (845) 786-2701, extension 293, e-mail emma.congalton@parks.ny.gov or visit www.trailsidezoo.org.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
Young climate change activist, Zombie Camp at Red Hook Library
Looking for a way to interest your kids in the topic of climate change? Maybe hearing from a peer will help. This Thursday, August 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Hook Public Library, local teen Clea Shumer will share her experience and what she learned at a three-day conference in Toronto with climate activist and Nobel laureate Al Gore to inspire positive change. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited space.
Coming up at the Red Hook Public Library is a dream for young Walking Dead fans: Zombie Camp! During the week of August 24 through 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., campers will gain essential survival skills, practice problem-solving, learn mapmaking and signal codes, play stealth games and get creative repurposing everyday objects. This program is open to youth 12 and up, and is a free camp.
The Red Hook Public Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information or to register for either program, call (845) 758-3241 or visit www.redhooklibrary.org.
Kingston Library presents Jester Jim
Kids love Jester Jim and his juggling and comedy, so you’ll be happy to know that he’s performing at the Kingston Library this Thursday, August 20 at 1 p.m. This performance marks the end of the Library’s summer reading program, so certificates will be distributed and refreshments available, and registration is required.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-0507 or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno is dancing through a new journey of Stage IV breast cancer. She lives 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! 
