“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.”
– Minot J. Savage
FRIDAY, MAY 27
Live goats visit Red Hook Public Library
You’ve heard of a herd of elephants and a gaggle of geese; but to see a trip of goats, bring the family to the Red Hook Public Library’s Children’s Garden this Friday, May 27 at 11 a.m. This is your chance to hang out with some real goats, learn about them, discover some of the cool things that they do and how to take care of them. This event is free and open to the general public of all ages.
The Red Hook Public Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information, call (845) 758-3241 or visit h. To learn more about the presenters, visit www.hudsonvalleykinders.com.
New Genesis performs Richard III at Byrdcliffe Theater
Quick! In which Shakespearean play do these lines appear? “Now is the winter of our discontent/Made glorious summer by this sun of York.” If you answered Richard III, you are correct!
Now, give your kids the chance to hear these words this Memorial Day weekend. Teen actors from the New Genesis Productions Youth Theater perform Richard III at the Byrdcliffe Theater this Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 28 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 29 at 4 p.m. The actors are 13 to 17 years of age, and they just might inspire a new appreciation for the Bard. Tickets cost $12 at the door or $10 in advance.
The Byrdcliffe Theater is located at 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Road in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, call (845) 657-5867 or visit www.newgenesisproductions.org.
Toddlers on the Trail Wildflower Walk at Mohonk Preserve
Do your little people put the “wild” in wildflowers? Let’s get them out on the trails! Kids ages 2 to 6 years and their adults are invited to join Toddlers on the Trail this Friday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Mohonk Preserve West Trapps Trailhead. This slow and meandering 1.5-mile guided hike focuses on finding wildflowers and critters in the forest. Babes in carriers are fine, but jogging strollers won’t work on this terrain. Preregistration is required. This program is free for children aged 12 and under and Mohonk Preserve members, or costs a $12 day fee for non-member adults.
The West Trapps Trailhead is located along Route 44/55 in Gardiner, 1.3 miles past the Visitors’ Center. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0919 or visit www.mohonkpreserve.org.
Birding Basics workshops at Ellenville Library
Interested in our feathered friends, but feel too dumb to join a bird walk? Do your kids need an intro to the bird world? Check out one, two or all three sessions of “For the Birds! Birding Basics” at the Ellenville Library from 10 to 11 a.m. the next three Fridays: May 27 and June 3 and 10. Topics include bird habitats, identifying birds physically and through birdsong, binoculars and a birding walk. This program is open to the public.
The Ellenville 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. To learn more about other Minnewaska State Park Preserve programs, visit https://nysparks.com/parks/127/details.aspx.
SATURDAY, MAY 28
“Hands over the Hudson” at Walkway
You know the adage, “Many hands make light work”? Well, many hands are needed for this event to work! On Saturday, May 28 from 1 to 3 p.m., join the Down Syndrome Association Hudson Valley at the Walkway over the Hudson for “Hands over the Hudson” to celebrate similarities over differences while having a great time. Registration tables and vendors will be located at both sides of the bridge, and all hands are needed at 2 p.m. to reach across the 6,768-foot span, so bring your family and friends! Afterwards, head down the awesome glass elevator for the Party at the Pavilion by the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum for music, games, crafts and more.
Parking for the Walkway over the Hudson is located at 87 Haviland Road in Highland and 61 Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, to sponsor or to volunteer, call (845) 226-1630 or visit https://dsahv.org.
Catskill Mountain Railroad’s Farewell to Kingston ride
It’s the last call of “All aboard!” for the trains of the Catskill Mountain Railroad, so make a plan for your family to take one more ride this holiday weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 28 through 30. Kingston rides depart at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Rides from the Mount Tremper station leave at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Rides are 45 minutes long and tickets cost $14 for adults, $8 for children ages 2 to 11 and are free for children under 2 with a paid adult fare.
The Kingston Westbrook Station is located at 149 Aaron Court in Kingston. The Mount Tremper Station is located at 5401 Route 28 in Mount Tremper. For more information, call (845) 688-7400 or visit www.catskillmtrailroad.com.
Knox’s Headquarters in New Windsor reopens for the season
Hamilton musical fans will recognize this line during general George Washington’s first conversation with Alexander: “Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox both wanted to hire you.” But did you know that these Revolutionary War generals ran a headquarters right here in the Hudson Valley? And you can still go see it! It’s Opening Day this Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site. Take a tour of this historical treasure, spend some time exploring the hiking trails and learn more about the restoration of the Jane Colden Native Plant Sanctuary, in honor of New England’s first female botanist.
The Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site is located at 289 Forge Hill Road in New Windsor. For more information including tour times and fees, call (845) 561-1765, extension 22, or (845) 561-5498 or visit https://palisadesparksconservancy.org/historic_detail.php?historic_id=4.
“Live Birds of Prey” at Minnewaska
Are Marvel movies the closest your youngsters have gotten to encountering a falcon? This Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., get an up-close-and-personal look at a variety of raptors at “Live Birds of Prey” at the Minnewaska Nature Center. What a great chance to meet these birds common to the Shawangunk Ridge area! Live Birds of Prey is free and open to the public of all ages, and no registration is required, but there is an entry fee of $10 per vehicle, free for Empire Passport holders.
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx. To learn more about the presenter or to get help for an injured local wild bird, visit Wild Mountain Birds on Facebook or call (845) 943-8098.
SUNDAY, MAY 29
Sunday Art Studio at Olana
Few of us can bend it like Beckham, but we can all try to sketch like Frederic Church! This Sunday, May 29 at the Olana State Historic Site’s Wagon House Education Center, drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 12 noon for “Sunday Art Studio: Sketch Like Church” and give yourself and your family the opportunity to create some art right on the Church estate. Projects take about 30 minutes and are open to all ages. This workshop is free, but I highly recommend spending more time there. Make a reservation for a house tour – $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 62 and above, free for children up to 12 – or a guided electrical vehicle landscape tour for ages 8 and over at $25 per person. Or just pack a picnic lunch and stroll the grounds or hike the trails for free.
The Olana State Historic Site is located at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson. For more information, tour reservations, or additional tour options, call (518) 828-0135 or visit www.olana.org.
Vegan Vitality at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
Do you have a vegetarian or vegan in your household like I do? Or does your crew just adore animals? Or maybe you just want to check out the new 150-acre home of the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. Head over to the Sanctuary’s Vegan Vitality this Sunday, May 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for delicious vegan fare, great demos, yoga classes, terrific vendors and connecting with the animals, where “sheeple” is used as a compliment. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the event.
Can’t make it this weekend? Come any weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and take a tour, which you can learn more about on the website. The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is located at 2 Rescue Road in High Falls. For more information, call (845) 247-5700 or visit https://woodstocksanctuary.org.
MONDAY, MAY 30
“The grave has eloquence – its lectures teach,/In silence louder than divines can preach…”
– Rev. Mr. Moore of Cornwall
New Windsor Cantonment marks Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, we can honor the fallen Revolutionary War soldiers who made the creation of our new nation possible with an authentic 18th-century graveside ceremony. On Monday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, Revolutionary War soldier reenactors stand at the coffin of colonel Francis Barber. Barber was a highly regarded military leader who fought in a number of battles, and was on his way to dinner with general George Washington when he was killed in New Windsor. At 2 p.m., the soldiers will perform a graveside mourning ceremony in honor of all of America’s veterans, followed by a cannon-firing and military demonstration.
While you’re there, spend some time exploring the Encampment, including musket drills and blacksmithing as well as displays and exhibits at the Visitor Center of this actual Revolutionary War site. Admission is free. The New Windsor Cantonment is located at 374 Temple Hill Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 561-1765, extension 22, or visit www.facebook.com/newwindsorcantonment.
Benmarl Winery hosts sheep-shearing demos
Sheep-shearing and wine: The more I think about it, it’s the perfect pairing for a family outing. Kids love animals, and as for parents…well, wine! On Monday, May 30 from 12 noon to 6 p.m., enjoy a day outdoors at the Benmarl Winery with live music, tours and sheep-shearing demonstrations. And, who knows? Maybe your kids will be inspired to want to get their hair cut! The Benmarl Winery is located at 156 Highland Avenue in Marlboro. For more information, call (845) 236-4265 or visit https://benmarl.com.
Animal Track workshop at Minnewaska
Tired of the same old handprint crafts? Change things up while getting a great nature experience at the same time! This Monday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, join “Kids Make Your Own Animal Track” at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Children from 6 to 10 years of age and their parents can come to the Minnewaska Nature Center to make a plaster animal track to take home, as well as explore along a two-mile carriage-road walk to find other animal pawprints. Siblings of all ages are welcome, keeping in mind that younger kids will need parental support for the project.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required, and vehicles pay a $10 entry fee, unless you have the Empire Passport. The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
Family Fun & Fish Day at Kenneth Wilson State Campground
Are your fishing poles still in winter storage? Dust off those rods and reels and clear your calendar. because Wednesday, June 1 is the last day to register for the Family Fun & Fish Day on June 5 at the Kenneth Wilson State Campground. Family Fun & Fish Day takes place from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. and includes instruction on fishing, fishing supplies, fish identification and aquatic ecology, as well as a barbecue and crafts. All activities are free, fishing license is required and park entry is $6 per car. Just remember to preregister by June 1!
The Kenneth Wilson State Campground is located at 859 Wittenberg Road in Mount Tremper. For more information or to register, call (845) 688-3047, extension 3, e-mail bwg37@cornell.edu or visit https://ashokanstreams.org.
In appreciation of the service of so many. Thank you. Erica Chase-Salerno can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
