“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is.”
– Mark Twain
Get bit by the jazz bug, discover hidden spaces, race a rubber duck or meet a soldier girl of the Revolution
Bench press for birders
How can people sitting without benches and watching birds at a local wildlife refuge result in benches for all of us to use at the refuge? Also, did you know that we even have a national wildlife refuge in Ulster County?
On Saturday, May 7, we can support the John Burroughs Natural History Society’s Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Big Sit fundraiser by pledging an amount-per-bird-species observed (such as .25, .50, $1) or by making a one-time donation at the https://jbnhs.org website. Volunteers who actually enjoy this type of thing – like Mark DeDea, president of the Society and caretaker at the Forsyth Nature Center – spend up to 24 hours in a 17-foot circle and record the number of bird species heard or seen: typically between 50 and 75 species. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support a welcoming gazebo at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR: a win/win for both nature and our community!
For more information about participating in this Big Sit, helping out or donating, visit https://jbnhs.org. To learn more about this local wildlife refuge, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/shawangunk_grasslands.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
Art Show/Fundraiser at SUNY-Ulster Children’s Center
The kids at the Children’s Center at SUNY-Ulster made art! Now you can buy it and make their dreams come true about a new playground! But you need to hurry: These are the last two days of their first annual Art Show and Fundraiser, which runs during Center hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, April 29.
SUNY-Ulster is located at 491 Cottekill Road in Stone Ridge. For more information, call (845) 687-5257, e-mail childrenscenter@sunyulster.edu or visit https://sunyulster.edu/childrenscenter.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Rosendale Theatre presents International Jazz Day for Families
Wish you knew more about the differences between bebop, Big Band and the blues? Interested in learning more about jazz, now that the new Nina Simone movie is coming out? Well, now you can whistle the standard “I Remember April” with confidence by attending International Jazz Day for Families at the Rosendale Theatre! This special event takes place on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m., includes a concert for families presented by the Hudson Valley Youth Orchestra and features clinicians and students of the Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra. Admission costs $3 for children and $5 for adults. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, visit www.rosendaletheatre.org.
Free Youth Fishing Derby in Lagrangeville’s Tymor Park
“…and the trout we ate! It was an insane way to live – but Mercy! wasn’t those trout good?” naturalist John Burroughs reminisced. Ready to get your own crew out for some fishing? Come on out to the free Youth Fishing Derby this Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Tymor Park. Worms will be provided; participants bring their own rods, hooks and any additional tackle. This event is held rain or shine, geared for youth ages 15 and under, and prizes will be awarded at 11:30 a.m. Anyone older than 15 assisting others with casting or reeling in, or wishing to fish themselves, must bring a valid fishing permit.
Tymor Park is located at 8 Tymor Park Road in Lagrangeville. For more information, visit https://uvparksandrec.com/program-descriptions/community-events/fishing-derby.
Draft Horse Spring Plow at Saunderskill Farm in Accord
Do you like old-timey demonstrations of horses pulling things? Wagon rides? Live music? Bring the kids to the Draft Horse Spring Plow this Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saunderskill Farm. See horses, mules and oxen plowing fields, enjoy an assortment of children’s games and indulge in some great food – not to mention the crafts and vendors on hand. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed.
Saunderskill Farm is located at 5100 Route 209 in Accord. For more information, call (845) 626-2676 or visit https://saunderskill.com.
Fishkill’s Trinity Church presents A Revolution of Her Own
Are you a Hamilton fan like I am? Well, we can definitely say that Deborah Samson Gannett did not throw away her shot! This Revolutionary War soldier disguised herself as a man and was not only honorably discharged, but also won petitions for pension after her service, thanks to some help from her buddy Paul Revere. There’s more to Samson’s fascinating story, and you can learn all about her in A Revolution of Her Own, an interactive one-woman play chronicling her life, taking place this Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. Admission costs $20, or $10 for Fishkill Historical Society members.
Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 1200 Main Street in Fishkill. Seating is limited. For reservations or more information, call (845) 896-9560 or visit www.fishkillhistoricalsociety.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.historyatplay.com.
Birdfeeder-building workshop at Red Hook Town Hall
Tired? Busy? Wishing nature would just come to you sometimes? By simply hanging a birdfeeder outside, you can get visits from feathered friends – and sometimes chipmunks and squirrels, too! This Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, you can make a birdfeeder out of recycled materials at the Red Hook Town Hall. This Arbor Day event is free and open to the public of all ages.
The Red Hook Town Hall is located at 7340 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information, call (845) 758-3241 or visit https://redhooklibrary.org/mc-events/rh-makes-arbor-day-celebration.
Beltane Festival returns to Tillson’s Stone Mountain Farm
Looking for a Maypole to dance around? Dress up in your finest spring attire, pack a picnic lunch and head over to Beltane 2016 at Stone Mountain Farm this Saturday, April 30 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Activities include dance performances by the Vanaver Caravan Dance Institute, live music, jongleurs and players, giant puppets, clowns, food, vendors and more. Admission costs $15, teens and seniors $5 and children aged 10 and under get in free. Parking onsite at the gate costs an additional $15.
Stone Mountain Farm is located at 310 River Road Extension in Tillson. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.cssfestivals.org or https://symbolicstudies.org.
SUNDAY, MAY 1
Holistic First Aid Kit workshop at Earthgoods in Hyde Park
Do you follow organic or homeopathic practices for your family? Are you curious about healthy alternatives for your family’s boo-boos? Head over to “How to Create a Holistic First Aid Kit” at Earthgoods this Sunday, May 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. This is a great chance to approach first aid from a holistic perspective, including elements from your own kitchen and yard!
Earthgoods is located at 4246 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, contact the presenter, Marnie McKnight-Favell, at (877) 452-2632 or visit www.dragonflyholistic.com.
Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In at Wallace Center in Hyde Park
Did you know that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was constant knitter? She always had a project with her during meetings. Are you a knitter or crocheter? Come on out to the ninth annual Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In this Sunday, May 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Home.
Participants will knit or crochet acrylic yarn blocks seven-by-nine-inches to be assembled into afghans and donated to Veterans’ Administration hospitals, domestic violence shelters, the troops and others in need. Attendees will also learn more about Eleanor herself, enjoy refreshments and receive a free pass to the FDR Library the day of the event. This is a fundraiser for the Town of Hyde Park Historical Society, and the cost to participate in the Knit-In is $20. The FDR Presidential Library and Home are located at 4079 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 229-2559 or e-mail patsyc97@aol.com.
New Paltz Regatta returns to the Wallkill River
Whether your jam is “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or “Come Sail Away,” the New Paltz Regatta has it all. Taking place this Sunday, May 1, the Regatta is a 61-year-old tradition starting with a 1 p.m. parade down Main Street of watercraft on floats, led by the awesome musicians of Yard Sale and followed by a rubber duck race in the Wallkill River at 1:30 p.m. Then, between 2 and 2:30 p.m., the boats race their way a quarter-mile down the Wallkill to the Route 299 bridge finish line any way that they can, but without motors. The prize categories are Best in Show, Most Creative, Most Theatrical, Green Award, Funniest, Fastest and Most Likely to Sink.
Onshore entertainment includes Ratboy, Jr. and other family activities. This festival is free to attend, but bring some money to sponsor a rubber duck and buy food. Registration for the boat race costs $25.
The New Paltz Regatta takes place along lower Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, visit www.newpaltzregatta.com.
Percussionfest with Joakim Lartey at First Presbyterian Church of Hudson
Storytelling and drumming and a spontaneous percussion jam with the audience? That can only mean that Joakim Lartey is onstage! This Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson, enjoy a free performance with this master percussionist. Learn from the show-and-tell of the instruments, and sit back and enjoy the amazing sounds.
The First Presbyterian Church is located at 369 Warren Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit https://hudsonoperahouse.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.joakimlartey.com.
Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie hosts Hudson Valley Heritage Fair
Passionate about preservation? Excited about historic estates? Then clear your calendar for this Sunday, May 1 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. for the second annual Hudson Valley Heritage Fair at Locust Grove. This year’s theme is “Hidden Spaces,” highlighting physical spaces, collections and stories that are not usually accessible to the public.
This event is free and open to the public of all ages, and is a sweet roundup of some of your favorite heritage history organizations. The kids are especially going to enjoy activities like the Civil War reenactors camping outside.
Locust Grove is located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register your heritage organization, call (914) 592-6726 or visit www.greaterhudson.org. To learn more about Locust Grove, visit www.lgny.org.
Poughkeepsie’s Civic Center becomes Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
“Ugga Mugga!” Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood fans know what I’m talking about. Bring this beloved children’s PBS television show (an offshoot of Mr. Rogers!) to life for your crew this weekend. Performances take place on Sunday, May 1 at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Filled with singing and dancing, this show will delight all ages. Tickets cost $38.50 and $28.50 for reserved seating.
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 454-5800 or contact Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. To learn more about Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, visit https://pbskids.org/daniel.
Erica Chase-Salerno is feeding birds and happy to be home from the hospital! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
