“Spring’s wakening bugle long is hushed, Long dimm’d is Summer’s splendour; October yields her easel bright To ‘black and white’ November!”
– James Rigg, “November,” Wild Flower Lyrics and Other Poems, 1897
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Adriance Library plans welcome for Syrian refugees
Looking for easy ways to welcome Syrian refugees to our area? Start by saying “Welcome” in Arabic: “Ahlan wa sahlan!” Then, head to the Adriance Memorial Library this Thursday, November 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. for a public information session about plans to support the 80 Syrian refugees arriving in Poughkeepsie, as well as other updates provided by the new Church World Service resettlement office setting up in Poughkeepsie. Families can partner with these efforts through the Mid-Hudson Refugee Solidarity Alliance, which includes Vassar College, Dutchess County Community College, SUNY-New Paltz, Bard College, Vassar Temple, Christ Episcopal Church, Masjid al-Noor Mosque, the Arlington Refugee Project and the Dutchess County Interfaith Council.
The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (800) 297-1516 or visit https://cwspoughkeepsie.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Diorama-making workshop at Olana
What would it be like to create a diorama with your family, complete with inspiration by a book, but without the whole book-report piece? Fun, right? Then round up your crew this Friday, November 11 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Olana’s Wagon House Education Center. Participants will explore the ideas behind what makes a house a home with Young Adult writer Tara Altebrando, author of My Life in Dioramas. Families can make a model to take home of an existing room or create a dream room. This activity is geared for youth ages 7 to 14 years, and the cost is $50 per person, which includes a diorama kit, all materials and a copy of the novel! The Olana State Historic Site is located at 5720 Route 9G in Hudson. For reservations or more information, call (518) 828-0135 or visit www.olana.org/calendar/artventure-making-dioramas-2. To learn more about the author, visit www.taraaltebrando.com.
Free Fishing Days
Soccer is ending, and hunting season hasn’t started up yet, so dig up those worms and come on out for Free Fishing Days! This Friday, November 11, “Anyone can fish the fresh or marine waters of New York State, and no fishing license or recreational marine fishing registry is required! All other freshwater and saltwater fishing regulations still apply.” That means a great family outing with the grandparents to reflect on during Thanksgiving; it means spending time outside with family; and it means giving your kids a chance to love and respect nature. For more information about Free Fishing Days, visit www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/89821.html.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Bardavon hosts free Zootopia screening for special needs kids
Love movies? So does director J. J. Abrams: “What are stories, but mystery boxes?…What’s a bigger mystery box than a movie theater? You go to the theater, you’re just so excited to see anything – the moment the lights go down is often the best part.” Throw in adjusted lighting and sound, a special invitation for area residents with special needs and their families and free admission, and we’ve got the ingredients for a fantastic community film experience!
This Saturday, November 12 at 10 a.m. at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Dutchess County executive Marc Molinaro and City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison invite residents with special needs, including autism or sensory challenges, and their families to ThinkDifferently’s Free Movie Day to see Zootopia. Advance reservations are required and can be made at www.dutchessny.gov/rsvp.
The Bardavon is located at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information or reservations, call (845) 486-2000 or visit https://dutchessny.gov. To learn more about the film (which my kids thoroughly enjoy), visit https://movies.disney.com/zootopia.
Pocahontas’ Vision Quest at SUNY-Dutchess
Can your kids sing with all the voices of the mountain? Paint with all the colors of the wind? Because they will like attending Pocahontas’ Vision Quest with Kit’s Interactive Theatre, part of Dutchess Community College’s Family Festival programs, this Saturday, November 12 at 11 a.m. This fun and engaging performance involves audience participation, and admission is free!
Pocahontas’ Vision Quest takes place in the James & Betty Hall Theatre at SUNY-Dutchess, located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8000 or visit https://sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html. To learn more about the performers, visit www.kitsinteractivetheatre.com.
Beacon Institute hosts 3-D virtual Hudson River tour
Since virtual reality always feel like being transported somewhere else, how about giving your kids a chance to experience it in a local way, right here, with our own estuary? This Saturday, November 12 from 10 to 11 a.m., the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries presents Hudson Habitats: A Virtual River Tour, offering a 3-D virtual tour of the Hudson River, from its source from Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks to the Atlantic Ocean. Led by Hudson Highlands Nature Museum environmental educator Carl Heitmuller, participants in this WOW! for Kids event perform interactive roleplaying activities, sculpt sand and more – all designed to enable youth to learn about the many functions of the Hudson.
Hudson Habitats takes place at the Gallery at 199 Main Street in Beacon. For more information or to register, call (845) 838-1600, extension 26, or visit www.bire.org/events.
Roxbury Arts Center presents Gustafer Yellowgold
When you walk through the produce department at the grocery store, do your kids start spontaneously singing, “Rock Melon, Rock, Rock Melon”? How about “Pancake Smackdown” over breakfast? If so, then I expect you’re already planning on attending the Gustafer Yellowgold show this Saturday, November 12 at 2 p.m. at the Roxbury Arts Center. Our family adores Gustafer Yellowgold shows because the combination of excellent, accessible music with sweet and funny visuals, all drawn and performed by musician, artist and Gustafer creator Morgan Taylor, is irresistible! If you have never been to a show, I implore you to make it happen. The music is wonderful and appreciated by all ages; and isn’t it refreshing to enjoy a good performance for kids and families without wondering if it’s age-appropriate?
Tickets cost $15 for adults, students and seniors and $5 for ages 8 and under; or save $5 per adult ticket by ordering in advance. The Roxbury Arts Center is located at 5025 Vega Mountain Road in Roxbury. For tickets or more information, call (607) 326-7908 or visit https://roxburyartsgroup.org/2015/02/18/november-12-gustafer-yellowgold. To learn more about the performer, visit https://gustaferyellowgold.com.
Leaf walk & workshop at Minnewaska
Sure, every year we rake them and pile them (and jump in them) and dispose of them, but how much do we really know about leaves? That’s where the Minnewaska State Park Preserve comes in! This Saturday, November 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., join “Families: Learn Your Leaves” at the Minnewaska Nature Center. Families will look at parts of leaves to notice their differences, take a short leaf-collecting walk on trails near the Center and create a leaf collection book to take home. This program is geared for children ages 7 to 12 years, accompanied by an adult over 18; and it is free and open to the public, but registration is required. I say, bring a picnic lunch and stay a while!
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://nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=127-17826.0.
Bonfire with Storycrafters at Siegel-Kline Kill
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, it could be amore or simply that you are attending the Bonfire at the Siegel-Kline Kill. This Saturday, November 12 at 5 p.m., join the Columbia Land Conservancy for an almost-Full Moon bonfire, s’mores and tales from the Storycrafters. With the Moon on its closest visit to Earth since 1948, this event is sure to make terrific memories for your family. And did I mention that it’s free?
The Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation Area is located at 1452 Garage Place Road in Ghent. For more information or to register, call (518) 392-5252 or visit https://clctrust.org/events/131/bonfire-at-siegel-kline-kill. To learn more about the entertainment, visit www.storycrafters.com.
Makerfaire at Poughkeepsie Day School
Like the idea of an event filled with creative, unique inventions and ideas, hands-on activities and close to home? Then mark your calendar for the Makerfaire at the Poughkeepsie Day School this Saturday, November 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Make a relief print of a fish on paper or fabric; build giant structures with nuts, bolts, pulleys, wheels and wood; discover the elements of shoemaking; create a do-it-yourself ’zine about your pets or favorite animals (feel free to bring your own pictures to cut up and glue); make digital art and more!
Tickets cost $32 for an advance family pass, which includes up to five family members; $10.50 for adults in advance, or $12 at the door; $8 for youth; and free for children aged 2 and younger. The Poughkeepsie Day School is located at 260 Boardman Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 462-7600 or visit https://makerfairepoughkeepsie.com.
Puppet People perform The Firebird at Kingston Library
Would you like to engage your kids in an entertaining puppet show that also deals with themes of friendship, teamwork, responsibility and courage? Would you like that show to be free of charge? Then mark your calendar for The Firebird this Saturday, November 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Kingston Library. The Firebird is a story told by the Puppet People, with amazingly detailed marionettes, and Firebird music by composer Igor Stravinsky. Can Ivan and Princess Yelena break the enchantment spell and save the kingdom? You’ll have to come see for yourself! The Firebird is free and open to the public of schoolaged children.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the performers, visit www.thepuppetpeople.org.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Dance Xross Fitness fundraiser for Washbourne House
What if you and your family could make a difference to end domestic violence by taking a single step? I’m talking soul-line dance shimmy, Dance Xross Fitness sway, kickboxing jab, Zumba stretch and more! You and your crew can jump into fitness the fun way by attending “Take a Step with DXF” this Sunday, November 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center. Participants of all ages will enjoy trying out new exercise classes, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Washbourne House, a local center providing a safe haven and services to victims of domestic violence. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per person.
The Andy Murphy Midtown Neighborhood Center is located at 467 Broadway in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-7664 or visit https://cce4me.org/events-2. To learn more about DXF, visit www.facebook.com/dancexrossfitness. To learn more about the featured charity or to donate, visit www.washbournehouse.com.
Civic Center hosts Train and Hobby Show
Channel your inner child’s choo-choo or just help the new generation appreciate trains as much as you do by attending the Hudson Valley Railroad Society’s Train and Hobby Show this Sunday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Check out the children’s area, see cool displays, ask questions of the model train experts, watch railroad movies, buy railroadiana and more. Admission costs $5 for adults and $2 for children under age 12.
The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 297-0901 or visit https://hydeparkstation.com/hvrsshow.html.
Bountiful Harvest painting class at Gardiner Library
Your kids have picked apples and carved pumpkins; now it’s time to paint! Register your crew from kindergarten through fifth grade for Bountiful Harvest, a one-day painting class, this Sunday, November 13 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Gardiner Library. With instructors from Sunflower Arts Studio, kids will create their own cornucopias, right in time for Thanksgiving! The cost is $5 per child, and registration is required.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org. To learn more about the instructors, visit www.sunflowerartstudios.community.
Erica Chase-Salerno invites you to save the date for all-ages holiday caroling with Hudson Valley Parents at the Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday, December 4 from 2 to 3 p.m. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
