“True love is singing karaoke
‘Under Pressure’ and letting the other person sing the Freddie Mercury part.”
– Mindy Kaling
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom at Catskill’s Bridge Street Theatre
A young teen, committed to racial equality? Jailed nine times before 15 years old? Are you as fascinated as I am by Lynda Blackmon Lowery’s true story about being the youngest marcher from Selma to Montgomery in 1965? You and your family can see it all for yourselves this weekend! Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom is a stage adaptation of Lowery’s book for young readers of the same title, and takes place at the Bridge Street Theatre this Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 11 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m. I am very excited to share that after the Saturday performances, the audience can participate in a talkback with author Lynda Blackmon Lowery, actress Damaras Obi and director Ally Sheedy! Tickets cost $20 general admission and $10 for students.
Bridge Street Theatre is located at 44 West Bridge Street in Catskill. For tickets or more information, call (518) 943-3818 or visit www.bridgest.org/feb17.htm.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Luge Challenge at Belleayre Mountain
Have you heard this quote by Canada’s former minister of Sports, Otto Jelinek, after taking a luge run? “It is what I would call the ultimate laxative.” Be your own Olympian and try it for yourself! Adults and kids ages 10 years and older can participate in the Norton/USA Luge Challenge at Belleayre Mountain this Saturday and Sunday, February 11 and 12, beginning at 9 a.m.! Using simple plastic sleds, you’ll learn how to accelerate, steer and stop, then take a luge run with curves and timing equipment. This Challenge is free and open to the public, and if your child demonstrates a knack for luge, you could even hear from some of the scouts on hand that day.
Belleayre Mountain is located at 181 Galli Curci Road in Highmount. For more information, call (845) 254-5600 or visit www.belleayre.com/home/components/calendar/event/456/151.
Hudson River EagleFest
Have you been watching that popular live eaglecam online? How exciting to watch an egg hatch – but Florida is still so far away! Would you like to gaze at wildlife a little closer to home? Then make plans to be at Teatown Reservation’s Hudson River EagleFest this Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eagle Headquarters at Croton Point Park. Activities include live bird shows, a special performance with Tom Chapin, children’s activities and lots of heated tents! There are even two screenings at Pace University of the movie The Eagle Huntress, which looks fantastic. Tickets for EagleFest cost $22 for adults, $12 for children.
Croton Point Park is located at 1 Croton Point Avenue in Croton-on-Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (914) 762-2912 or visit www.teatown.org/events/eaglefest.
Puppets perform African Adventure Tales at SUNY-Dutchess
What helps us to become fully engaged in a story? Is it using humor? Employing characters that require physical animation? Discovering common ground where there appears to be none? You and your children can enjoy a sweet storytelling Saturday at African Adventure Tales on February 11 at 11 a.m. at the James & Betty Hall Theatre at SUNY-Dutchess, performed by the Crabgrass Puppets! The stories, “Koi and the Kola Nuts” and “Anansi and the Talking Melon,” both show how interconnected the world can be. African Adventure Tales is free and open to the public, geared for school-aged children.
SUNY Dutchess is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8000 or visit
http://sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html. To learn more about the performers, visit www.crabgrasspuppets.com/resource_aat.html.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck presents Jedi Academy
With so much excitement buzzing about all things Star Wars lately, where in the world can your junior Jedi tap into some age-appropriate fun, like learning to harness the Force within or how to wield a light saber? That’s where Jedi Academy with David Engel comes in, a/k/a Panniken Moonjumper! David’s shows are interactive, lively, smart and funny: the perfect blend of learning mixed with a great time. And remember to dress up as your favorite Star Wars characters! Jedi Academy takes place this Saturday, February 11 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors.
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 www.centerforperformingarts.org/saturday-morning-family-series/item/jedi-academy-with-david-engel?category_id=25. To learn more about the performer, visit www.davidengel.biz/jedi-academy.
Valentine fun
When’s the last time you made handcrafted Valentine’s Day cards? Have your kids ever made cake pops to give away or share? Could roller derby infuse new energy into your Valentine celebrations? Here are three Valentine’s Day events slated for this Saturday, February 11!
- Valentines Making: Card supplies, snacks and coffee are available for free use all day. Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Phoenicia Library, 48 Main Street, Phoenicia; (845) 688-7811, http://phoenicialibrary.org.
- Valentine Cake Pops & Gift Boxes: Children make delicious cake pops and color the boxes, to give away or to keep and eat. Saturday, February 11, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Frida’s Bakery & Cafe, 26 Main Street, Milton; (845) 795-5550, www.facebook.com/events/208222289648544.
- Cupid Scuffle: Mid-Hudson Misfits Roller Derby Mash-Up Scrimmage means fierce fun. Tickets cost $12; proceeds benefit the 2017 New York State Rural Women’s Conference: Destiny Assembly. Saturday, February 11, 5:30 p.m., Skate Time 209, 5164 Route 209, Accord; (845) 626-7971, http://midhudsonmisfits.com/wp/we-can-scuffle-all-night-long.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Kingston screening of Lost in Detention
“Immigrants,” punctuates a verse that always brings down the house in Hamilton: An American Musical: “We get the job done!” But what happens behind the scenes, where immigrants cannot come and go freely as they please? You and your family can watch the movie Lost in Detention this Sunday, February 12 at 3 p.m. at the LGBTQ Center, and what you see will probably challenge and surprise you. The LGBTQ Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit www.wherevent.com/detail/lgbtq-community-for-lost-in-detention-film-screening-and-discussion. To learn more about the film, visit www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/lost-in-detention.
Fishkill Model Train & Hobby Show
With strains of “I’ve been working on the railroad, all the livelong day,” permeating my childhood, and maybe yours, it’s no wonder why so many of us might be curious about trains. Or perhaps you have become as smitten with the Lion movie as I have!
Help the next generation connect with being a conductor or enjoy being an engineer at the Fishkill Model Train & Hobby Show taking place this Sunday, February 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fishkill Recreation Center. Guests will like the model train displays, children’s activities, memorabilia and books, as well as dealer and vendor tables. Admission costs $7 for adults, $2 for kids under 12.
The Fishkill Recreation Center is located at 793 Route 52 in Fishkill. For more information, call (845) 616-0931 or visit https://kingstontrainshow.com/fishkill-model-train-and-railroad-hobby-show.
Sledding party at Clermont
What a fine line between bundling up and being held hostage by our winter layers! Remember how Randy couldn’t put his snowsuit-stuffed arms down in A Christmas Story? Let’s all dress for the outdoors and have some fun on the slopes at the Clermont State Historic Site this Sunday, February 12 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. We’re talking a real party: bonfire, snowman contest, hot chocolate…and it’s all free! Remember your camera, because this day is sure to delight!
The Clermont State Historic Site is located at 1 Clermont Avenue in Germantown. For more information, call (518) 537-4240 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=16-18081.0.
Sailors’ Valentines at Hudson River Maritime Museum
She may sell seashells by the seashore, but can she make Valentines with them? Well, that’s where your crew comes in! This Sunday, February 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM), kids can make Sailors’ Valentines, complete with seashells in interesting patterns, reminiscent of collections from their ocean travels; they can even hear a lighthouse story, too. This program is free and open to the public of all ages with museum admission of $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 and up, or free for HRMM members. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-0071 or visit www.hrmm.org/family-programs.html.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Cookie-decorating at Children’s Museum
A rose may be a rose by any other name, but a hand-decorated cookie crafted by your adorable little sweetheart can be a wonderful life lesson about generosity. Give your kids a chance to say “I love you” with tasty carbs this Wednesday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. In addition to having a blast playing at the various exhibits and imagination areas, your kidlets will create a Valentine cookie masterpiece for only $5 (adults are free) with the admission fee of $9 per person ages 1 and up…and your kitchen remains mess-free!
The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit http://mhcm.org/event/making-masterpieces-valentines-day-cookie-decorating-3.
Learn to Snowshoe workshop in Gardiner
So, you want to take your kids snowshoeing, but is there a program that’s developmentally appropriate and supportive for that age? Take a look! This Friday, February 17 from 10 to 11 a.m., the Gardiner Library offers “Learn How to Snowshoe for Families.” Kids get used to walking with snowshoe bindings; parents follow along nearby; then everyone takes a nature observation walk together along the Rail Trail behind the library. Snowshoes are sized for children up to 125 pounds and available to loan for this program; parents need to bring their own snowshoes or wear boots. Registration is required.
The Gardiner Public Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information or to register, call (845) 255-1255 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=127-18413.0 or http://gardinerlibrary.org.
On the horizon
Math & Science Matter at SUNY-Dutchess
Here’s yet another real-life tie-in with the Hidden Figures movie, because just like the film, Math & Science Matter celebrates the importance of drawing from the skills and gifts from our diverse community! Registration is open now for Math & Science Matter: a day of workshops focused on the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math, designed to motivate, educate and inspire fifth-through-eighth-grade girls. The seminar takes place on Saturday, March 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon at SUNY-Dutchess.
Workshop titles include: “Building Bridges,” “Build Your Own Telescope, Spot Craters on the Moon,” “Whodunit? A Forensic Investigation,” “Nanotechnology: Tiny Tech with Big Impact!” “Soldering Circuits” and more. Math & Science Matter costs $10, and advance registration is recommended; space is limited.
SUNY-Dutchess is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, call (845) 431-8545 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu/msm.
Zine Challenge at SUNY-New Paltz
What in the world did we do before blogging, Amazon or Fast & Furious 8? We shared our ideas on paper, such as zines! Got a burning topic to share? Or just interested in getting your thoughts and ideas out there? Now, you and your family can learn how to make zines at the 24-hour Zine Challenge. The challenge begins on Friday, February 17 from 5 to 6 p.m. at SUNY-New Paltz’s Sojourner Truth Library lobby with instruction about how to make a zine, followed by an open studio from 6 to 9 p.m., including help with layout and formatting.
Drop by on Saturday, February 18 between 3 and 5 p.m. when 20 free photocopies of each finished zine will be produced. Then it’s time to read! On Sunday, February 19 from 7 to 9 p.m., head to Lagusta’s Luscious Commissary to see and read each others’ zines, trade zines, hear live music and even win prizes.
SUNY-New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz. Lagusta’s Luscious Commissary is located at 11 Church Street in New Paltz. For more information, e-mail zines@newpaltz.edu or visit www.facebook.com/events/925675084236681.
Erica Chase-Salerno is mourning and celebrating the life of Oksana “Maman” Bakum. Erica can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
