“Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print;
experience is what you get when you don’t.”
– Pete Seeger
Track an animal, share Stone Soup, make your own snowglobe or cheer Special Olympians
Help out at the Special Olympics
As you may have heard, the 2016 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games take place right here in the Hudson Valley from Friday to Sunday, February 19 to 21. Athletes from around New York will compete in Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey and Snowshoe.
I’m mentioning this because there’s a call for support for this event that I thought you might be interested in: social volunteers. When our family does volunteer work in the community, it’s typically just that type of approach: work, a designated set of specific tasks and responsibilities. The Special Olympics volunteer roster for those types of service jobs is currently full. What are needed now are social volunteers: folks to cheer from the stands! Not all athletes’ families can make the games, and some local encouragement during the competitions can help these participants know that they are seen, heard and celebrated.
Being a social volunteer means that it’s personal. You are there solely to support the athletes, person to person, watching, listening, responding in real time to the action in front of you. You’re not there for these athletes; you’re there with them. And to me, that perspective is the heart of volunteering.
Volunteers must be ages 13 and up, and youth 13 to 15 years must be accompanied by an adult. Individuals and groups are welcome to register, either in advance or on the days of the events. Events take place at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, Stewart Air National Guard in Newburgh and Holiday Mountain in Monticello. All events are free and open to the public.
To learn more about social volunteers for the 2016 games or to register, call (518) 388-0791 or visit https://specialolympics-ny.org/winter-games.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
Magic show with Adam Trent the Futurist at West Point
Wondering where the time has gone since the New Year began? Then you are already warmed up for more disappearing acts with magician Adam Trent, the Futurist, performing at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall on Saturday, January 23 at 8 p.m. This is a performance that will wow your magic-jaded tweens and teens while you thoroughly enjoy it as well: interactive, cool music, sweet graphics. Tickets cost $38 each.
West Point is located at 655 Pitcher Road in West Point. For tickets, directions or more information, call (845) 938-4159 or visit www.ikehall.com. To learn more about the performer, visit www.adamtrent.com.
“Squishy Circuits” workshop at Esopus Library
You know that hands-on science takes on a whole new level when the word squishy appears in the event title! On Saturday, January 23 at 1 p.m. at the Town of Esopus Library, children of all ages can participate in “Squishy Circuits,” a Play-Doh-based activity experimenting with conductive and non-conductive electric circuits and LED lights (or just Play-Doh play for the younger set). This activity is free and open to the public.
The Town of Esopus Library is located at 128 Canal Street in Port Ewen. For more information, call (845) 338-5580 or visit https://esopuslibrary.org. To learn more about the activity or for ideas about doing Squishy Circuits at home, visit www.squishycircuits.com.
Bill Robinson wildlife show at Kingston’s Seven21 Media Center
Ever wish you knew more ways to engage your kids outdoors? Inspire them with some nature time indoors! On Saturday, January 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Seven21 Media Center’s Studio A, the Kingston Library presents “Wildlife,” a Super Saturday program featuring Bill Robinson. Bill gives kids a chance to encounter interesting animals up-close and personal, as well as to answer their questions.
The Kingston Library is renovating its Children’s Library, so the children’s room is moving across the hall into the Community Room for a while, and larger programs will take place at Seven21 from January to May. Seven21 is located at 721 Broadway in Kingston.
For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the presenter, visit www.robinsonswildlifelectures.com.
Stringendo Gala Concert at the Bardavon
Been a while since your kids attended a live concert? Here’s one performed by young people that your family is sure to enjoy! On Saturday, January 23 at 7 p.m. at the Bardavon Opera House, four Stringendo youth ensembles perform at the Gala Concert: Vivace, Chaconne, Strawberries and Raspberries. Vivace and Chaconne are advanced youth orchestras, and Strawberries and Raspberries are advanced youth fiddle groups. Encouraging your family to attend concerts is one easy-yet-radical way to support live music and today’s youth, and honor classical and fiddle style traditions as well as cultural centers such as the Bardavon.
Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. The Bardavon is located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 339-6088 or visit www.bardavon.org. To learn more about the musicians, visit www.stringendoweb.org.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
Pete Seeger tribute concert in Rosendale raises funds for Clearwater restoration
What fun to sing along to the songs of local Hudson Valley legend Pete Seeger, blending voices together in community and hearing other artists’ renditions of his iconic songs! This Sunday, January 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Rosendale Recreation Center, be a part of a Tribute to Pete Seeger. This family-friendly event features WDST’s Jimmy Buff as emcee, live music, a silent auction and a potluck with Stone Soup; so bring your crew, a dish to share and a vegetable for the soup, and enjoy an afternoon of fun!
Tickets cost $20 for children age 12 and under, $30 for adults, $50 for adults and a Clearwater membership and VIP premium tickets for $100, $250 and $500. The Rosendale Rec Center is located at 1055 Route 32 in Rosendale. Tickets are limited, so don’t delay. The snow date is two weeks later, same time, same place: February 2. For tickets or more information, call (845) 265-8080 or visit www.clearwater.org/petetribute.
Wildlife tracking program at Minnewaska
If a deer walks in the forest and no one sees it, did anything really happen? Yes, if you’ve got wildlife tracking skills! On Sunday, January 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Peterskill area, take your crew to “Winter Wildlife Tracking for Families.” Children from 5 to 8 years of age and their parents or grandparents will get an introduction to animal tracking, get started with some snowshoeing and create their own pocket tracking guide. Bring your own snowshoes, or come early and rent some for $5.
This program is open to the public, and registration is required. The park entry fee is $10 per vehicle, or use your Empire Passport sticker. The Peterskill area is east of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve entrance, located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://nysparks.com/parks/127.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27
Snowglobe workshop at Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
Making snowglobes is such a satisfying craft. Got small, random toys or game pieces lying around? Why not incorporate them into a snowglobe?
You can get started making snowglobes at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum this Wednesday, January 27 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per child, plus museum admission, which costs $8 for ages 1 and up.
The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit www.mhcm.org.
Animal tracks workshop in Ellenville
You and your young sleuths ages 9 and up can decode the pawprint patterns in your backyard by attending “Animal Tracks” this Wednesday, January 27 from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. at the Ellenville Library. Children will make their own plaster animal track to take home, play a game about wildlife survival and learn how to interpret animal tracks. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
The Ellenville Public Library is located at 40 Center Street in Ellenville. For more information or to register, call (845) 647-5530 or visit https://eplm.sharepoint.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno thanks Nurse Technician Christina for introducing her to eyebrow stencils this week. Erica can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
