“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault
What are you reading?
Love the book that you’re reading? Are you working on your own novel? The Woodstock Library wants to know and to share it with the world!
The Woodstock Library TV Show records segments called “What Book Are You Reading?” and “What Book Are You Writing?” and is looking for children and adults of all ages to video. Parents who read to their children can also be included. If you are interested in participating, visit the Woodstock Library, located at 5 Library Lane in Woodstock, and leave your name, phone number and e-mail address at the front desk or with Janet Dymond or Lesley Sawhill.
Want to see samples of the show? Visit ulsterpub.staging.wpengine.org and click on the YouTube link on the left-hand side. For more information, call (845) 679-2213 or visit ulsterpub.staging.wpengine.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Kissing Ball workshop at Cornell Coop in Kingston
Do you see those fragrant kissing-ball holiday decorations every year and think to yourself, “I should try making one sometime”? Well, here’s your chance! Friday, November 20 is the registration deadline for “Deck the Halls! Create Your Own Victorian Holiday Kissing Ball!” a class offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC)’s Master Gardener Program. The workshop takes place on Monday, November 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the CCEUC Education Center, located at 232 Plaza Road in Kingston.
The fee is $25 per person, and space is limited. Participants should bring gloves, and pruning shears or wire-clippers if you have them; all other supplies will be provided. To register or for more information, call (845) 340-3990, extension 335, e-mail dm282@cornell.edu or visit https://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/events/2015/11/30/kissing-ball-workshop.
Little Red Riding Hood: The Musical at Spackenkill High School
Are your kids enchanted by the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Or does it seem that they have outgrown this tale? Either way, kids of all ages will appreciate this weekend’s performance by the Community Children’s Theatre of Dutchess County of Little Red Riding Hood: The Musical. This family-friendly performance includes music, laughter and fun.
Shows take place on Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22 at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for children and seniors. The performances take place at Spackenkill High School, located at 15 Croft Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, visit https://cctdc.weebly.com.
Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association’s stargazing party at Mohonk Preserve
If your family is keyed up about the new Star Wars movie coming out, how about getting them out for an evening of real stargazing first? On Friday, November 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mohonk Preserve’s Spring Farm, members of the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association will be on-site with telescopes and information to help your crew enjoy viewings of the Moon, comets and stellar clusters. The cost is $3 per person, and registration is required.
The Spring Farm trailhead is located at Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls, just off Mountain Road. To register or for more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://mohonkpreserve.org/events/million-dollar-night-view.
Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill hosts magic show with Steven Brundage
If you delight in magic, then you’ll be happy to hear that internationally renowned magician Steven Brundage has a performance this Friday, November 20 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at the Bridge Street Theatre Speakeasy. And if you go, I have three words for you: Rubik’s Cube Trick. He scrambles a Rubik’s Cube, tosses it into the air, and it comes back completed. How does he do that?
Tickets cost $15 general admission, $10 for students and seniors. The Bridge Street Theatre is located at 44 West Bridge Street in Catskill. For tickets or more information, call (518) 943-3818 or visit https://bridgest.org. To learn more about the performer (seriously, how does he do that?!), visit https://stevenbrundagemagic.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Dog on Fleas plays Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Do your kids love to dance and bop around to live music? Are you looking for children’s music that’s easy on your ears as well? Then get your tickets now for Dog on Fleas at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck for this Saturday, November 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. They play a variety of fantastic tunes on all kinds of instruments, with melodies that appeal to all ages of folks who love music and fun, in a venue that’s perfect for dancing around!
Tickets cost $9 for adults and seniors and $7 for children. The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org. To learn more about the band, visit https://dogonfleas.com.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in Kingston
Some of you have lost a family member to suicide. I want to make sure that you’ve heard about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, organized locally by Amy Sullivan on November 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Resource Center for Accessible Living. I asked her to tell us about it: “International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is a special day for folks to remember their loved one and learn ways to heal. This year’s event will be held across the globe on November 21. We will show a short documentary video that demonstrates the different ways families grieve and heal, and a trailer for the documentary is available on the website www.survivorday.org. We will have a craft project, a writing project and a candle-lighting ceremony at the Kingston event. There will also be time for a short support group that day. Each event will have different activities for healing and hope.”
I asked Sullivan how she got involved in this organization: “I got started with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention [AFSP] in 2013 after the loss of a family member to suicide. I started going to support groups regularly and immersed myself in learning to cope with the grief and family changes. Since that time, I have joined the board for AFSP and formed a support group in Kingston. More information about the support group and other resources can be found at www.afsp.org.”
The Resource Center for Accessible Living is located at 727 Ulster Avenue in Kingston, across from Merchant Wines and behind the florist. For more information, contact Sullivan directly at (845) 532-1936 or by e-mailing amysullivan12477@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/events/775908239221747 or www.survivorday.org.
Crowns & Branches workshop for Sinterklaas at Kingston Library
It’s Sinterklaas season, which means time to make preparations for the November 28 arrival of this traditional Dutch Santalike character in Kingston, and subsequent arrival in Rhinebeck on December 5, for two different days of festivities on both sides of the Hudson River. The Crowns & Branches workshops are a chance for children to festoon themselves like the kings and queens they are, by creating props for the Sinterklaas Children’s Parade on December 5.
The first Crowns & Branches workshop takes place this Saturday, November 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Kingston Library, with additional workshops scheduled leading up to the big events. The Crowns & Branches workshops are free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information and a complete schedule of Sinterklaas events, visit www.sinterklaashudsonvalley.com.
Family Music Hootenanny at Beacon Music Factory
Round up your kids from ages 0 to 10 and head over to the Family Music Hootenanny taking place this Saturday, November 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Beacon Music Factory! This weekend’s featured musician is Emily Ellison, who’s ready to engage your kids for a great musical experience.
The Beacon Music Factory is located at 629 Route 52 in Beacon. Admission is free for kids, $15 for grownups at the door. For more information, call (845) 765-0472 or visit https://beaconmusicfactory.com. To learn more about the performer, visit www.facebook.com/emilymusic4kids.
Abilities expo at SUNY-Dutchess
If you’ve ever advocated for someone with a disability, such as your child or other family member, a friend or another person in the community, you know how hard it can be to find what resources are available. Here’s an event that ties it all together: “Abilities: Resources to Adapt, Support and Enrich Life” for children and adults with a developmental, intellectual, physical, mental or other disability. Abilities takes place this Saturday, November 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Falcon Hall at Dutchess County Community College. A variety of exhibitors and vendors will attend the event. Admission to this expo is free and open to the public.
Dutchess County Community College is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, or to learn about vendor or sponsor opportunities, call (845) 485-9803, extension 223, or visit www.abilitiesfirstny.org/expo-2015.php.
International Games Day at your Library in Ellenville, Modena & Highland
International Games Day at your Library takes place this Saturday, November 21! Here are some cool activities around the area:
At 10:30 a.m., the Ellenville Public Library, located at 40 Center Street in Ellenville, invites you to play life-sized Candyland, where humans are the game pieces; https://eplm.sharepoint.com.
The Plattekill Public Library at 2047 Route 32 in Modena hosts games from 12 noon to 2 p.m.; https://plattekill.lib.ny.us.
The Highland Public Library at 30 Church Street in Highland offers tabletop and Wii gaming at 1 p.m.; www.highlandlibrary.org.
To learn more about International Games Day at your Library, visit https://igd.ala.org.
Meet Zeke the zonkey at Frog Hollow Farm in Esopus this Saturday
Have you ever met a zonkey (zebra/donkey hybrid)? You can do just that at Frog Hollow Farm in Esopus on Saturday, November 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. as Horses for a Change celebrates the zonkey Zeke’s arrival. He was rescued because his markings are faint and his future was grim. He now has a new home, and the proprietors of Frog Hollow want to celebrate with pony rides, cider, donuts and fun.
For more information on Horses for a Change, call (845) 658-8224. Frog Hollow Farm is located at 570 Old Post Road in Esopus.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Advent calendars in Poughkeepsie, menorahs in Fishkill
With Advent beginning on Sunday, November 29 and Hanukkah starting on the evening of Sunday, December 6, families may be interested in these two workshops:
On Sunday, November 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Poughkidsie, families can create a wooden Advent calendar for tucking in treats during the holiday season. The cost is $45 per family, all supplies are included and children get Village playtime. Poughkidsie is located at 50 Springside Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to make a reservation, call (845) 243-3750 or visit www.poughkidsie.com.
On Sunday, November 22 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Home Depot, children can build their own menorah and get a free work apron, as well as enjoy music and refreshments. This event is free of charge, and reservations are required. Home Depot is located at 450 Route 9 in Fishkill. For more information or to make a reservation, call (845) 440-7592 or visit www.mypardess.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno is enjoying the little things. She and her husband, Michael, live in New Paltz with their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
