All One People
Be the change we wish to see in the world, right? So 10-year-old Milo is doing just that. What do I mean? Well, the Revolution Art Offensive promotes “messages of democracy, hope, humor, belief and change,” and this organization is relaunching a campaign, All One People, and its design was created by Milo. What’s the connection? Milo is a trans child living in New Paltz who has created pieces with their artwork to raise money for the Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, ages 13 to 24.
Want to support this cause with a tee-shirt purchase, or a tote bag? Missed the last campaign? Now’s your chance! For more information and to eyeball your awesome selections that Milo created, visit https://revolutionart.threadless.com/designs/all-one-people-for-the-trevor-project.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
Galeón Andalucía docks at Rondout
Here’s another terrific chance for your crew to experience history…now! El Galeón Andalucía is coming to Kingston’s Hudson River Maritime Museum, which is one of its almost-last stops before returning back to Spain. A reproduction of armed merchant vessels from Spain, establishing new trade routes and more, Andalucía is docked in Kingston from Saturday, August 5 through Tuesday, August 8, with deck tours available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Deck-tour tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 5 to 11; children under 5 board for free. Tickets may be purchased online or at the docks. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For tickets or more information, visit www.hrmm.org.
Mess Fest at Kiwi Country Day Camp helps kids with cancer
It just shouldn’t be, right? Kids with cancer. Kids enduring excruciating treatments. Kids not able to join their peers in some of life’s most simple pleasures – you know, such as playing in the mud! Well, here’s one way to show solidarity with a family who has been through this hell of losing a child to cancer, because I hear it’s such a blast, and the proceeds benefit childhood cancer research: The Muddy Puddles Project “Mess Fest” takes place this Saturday, August 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kiwi Country Day Camp.
This carnival-style event features mud: letting kids be kids in honor of those who can’t. So when you go, you can get in the giant mud pit; splatter paint; the Slopstacle Course; whipped cream pie toss; swimming; paddleboats; bounce houses and so much more! Tickets cost $35 each; or create a team that fundraises $100, and pay no admission. Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes, and go get messy!
Kiwi Country Day Camp is located at 825 Union Valley Road in Mahopac (Carmel). For tickets, to sponsor, to volunteer or for more information, call (845) 204-5447 or visit www.muddypuddlesproject.org/?essential_grid=2016-mess-fest.
Kingston Clay Day in Midtown
According to Charles F. Binns, considered the father of modern studio ceramics, “E Concrematio, Confirmatio: Out of the fire comes firmness; through stress we pass to strength.” You and your kids can personally experience crafting with clay at Kingston Clay Day this Saturday, August 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Kingston Ceramics Studio! Clay Day includes basic instruction in hand-building and supervised turns at the wheel. All ages and levels of experience are welcome, and the cost is $25 per person. Reservations are helpful to guarantee your spot, but walk-ins are welcome if there is space available.
The Kingston Ceramics Studio is located at the Shirt Factory, located at 77 Cornell Street, #305, in Kingston. For reservations or more information, call (845) 419-3332, e-mail kingstonceramicsstudio@gmail.com or visit www.kingstonceramicsstudio.com.
Drum & Bugle Competition in Kingston
Did you know that Rosie O’Donnell, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Fred Astaire, Tipper Gore and Fred Armisen all play drums? Come discover a new generation of beaters and blowers this weekend! On Saturday, August 5 at 7 p.m. at Dietz Stadium, you can cheer on your favorites at the March of Champions 22nd Drum & Bugle Competition! Tickets cost $20, and proceeds benefit the Children’s Home of Kingston. The gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Dietz Stadium is located at 76 North Front Street in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (845) 331-1448, extension 1123, or visit www.chkingston.org/march-of-champions.
Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish…how many fish and their interesting colors will you see this weekend? This Saturday, August 5, Scenic Hudson offers us two opportunities to participate in the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count. Early birds might prefer the 8-to-10 a.m. count at Long Dock Park (8 Long Dock Road, Beacon, by the train station). Twilighters can count from 6 to 7 p.m. at Waryas Park South (Waryas Park Promenade, Poughkeepsie). This free annual event is open to all ages, and your crew may be fascinated with which slipperies and wigglies get drawn up in the seine nets! What an exciting way to get a glimpse of “under the sea/estuary.”
And that’s not all: Scenic Hudson presents that evening’s Under the Walkway movie, Hidden Figures! To me, this movie is one more example demonstrating that women were involved and active throughout US history; we just don’t appear in the history books. You could make an entire day of it: exploring nature, hiking around Hyde Park Trails (www.hydeparkny.us/recreation/trails) and a free movie. Don’t you just love living here?
For more information about the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count, call (845) 473-4440, extension 238, or visit http://scenichudson.org/events.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6
Mermaid Parade in Rosendale
I was just reading a Dave Barry book where he mentions a retro-style mermaid roadside attraction in Florida, where the mermaids dance in tanks for the audience as part of the show. No plans to get to the Sunshine State anytime soon? No problem; just head to Rosendale!
On Sunday, August 6 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Rosendale Farmers’ Market, the
2017 Rosendale Mermaid Parade struts its stuff – or should I say, swims its fins? Glides its gams? However you do it, find a spot along Main Street between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to park and organize. The market that day includes “undersea” hands-on activities for children, and the parade includes a band playing songs about water. Top fundraisers for this event are honored as the 2017 Mermaid Queen and Mermaid King. All are welcome to participate; mermaid attire is optional; and some of Amy Trompetter’s giant puppets need carriers during the parade. The Rosendale Farmers’ Market is located behind Rosendale Theatre at 408 Main Street in Rosendale.
On social media? Instagram has been set up here: www.instagram.com/rosendalemermaidparade; @rosendalemermaidparade; the hashtag is #rosendalemermaidparade. You can join the Rosendale Mermaid Brigade group through this link: www.facebook.com/groups/1650522678515876 for Mermaid event updates. If you are unable to attend the Mermaid Parade and still want to support the Rosendale Town Pool, you can mail a check to the Rosendale Pool Fund using the Donate page on the Official Mermaid Website, or mail your check, payable to the Town of Rosendale (and put Pool Fund in the memo section) to Rosendale Pool Fund, 1915 Lucas Avenue, Cottekill, NY 12419. For more information about the Pool Fund, you can call (845) 658-8198 or e-mail rosendalerecreation@gmail.com. For more information, visit
http://rosendalevictorian.wixsite.com/mermaid-parade. To learn more about the Rosendale Farmers’ Market, visit http://rosendalefarmersmarketny.com.
Bon-Odori Dance for Peace relocates to Kingston Point Beach
My friends are in Japan right now, so Jaxon can compete in the big Pokémon tournament happening there right now – which is the perfect introduction to another Japanese activity, but right here in the Hudson Valley! On Sunday, August 6 from 12 noon to 7 p.m., the Bon-Odori Dance for Peace takes place at Kingston Point Beach. The day’s theme is to promote peace and take a step toward a nuclear-free world. Vendors and sponsors are invited to participate as well. Your family will enjoy this outdoor festival with activities such as dancing, eating, Taiko drumming, Japanese martial arts and enjoying live music. Admission is free for all ages, and this event goes on rain or shine! Kingston Point Beach is located at 53 Delaware Avenue in Kingston. For more information or to donate to the event, call (845) 255-8811 or visit www.bonodori.org. (Aligato gozaimasu, which means “Thank you very much!”)
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
Riverport Youth Sailing Workshop
When I’m grocery shopping and hear this song, “I’m sailing away set an open course for the virgin sea / I’ve got to be free free to face the life that’s ahead of me,” I can’t help but nostalgically sing along. Speaking of sailing, if you’ve got a youth between 10 and 13 who is interested in learning how to “sail away” on a real sailboat, read on! From Monday to Friday, August 7 to 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) invites budding sailors to join the Riverport Youth Sailing Workshop. Youth learn on 19-foot Lightning Class sailboats, taught by certified instructors.
The cost is $440 for the week, or $395 for HRMM members. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 338-0071, extension 16, or visit www.hrmm.org/store/p106/youth_sailing_workshop.html.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
Shrinkable Jewelrymaking Workshop at Roost Studios in New Paltz
If you remember the slogan, “If you can think it, you can shrink it,” you know the drill: There’s something magical about baking flat, flexible plastic impossibly twisting and turning into a solid, smaller form that maintains the original coloration. Have your crew try it for themselves!
This Tuesday, August 8, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Roost Studios and Art Gallery present a Shrinkable Jewelrymaking Workshop. After creating three unique drawings and baking them, participants choose among earrings, necklaces or Alex and Ani-style bracelets. The class is appropriate for ages 5 to 12 years, and the cost is $20, which you can register and pay for online.
Roost Studios and Art Gallery are located at 69 Main Street, second floor, in New Paltz. For more information or to sign up, call (845) 518-0195 or visit www.roostcoop.org.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
Into the Woods in Kingston’s Hasbrouck Park
Does your family enjoy going Into the Woods? No, not the movie musical; we’re talking Hasbrouck Park! On Thursday, August 10 at 4:30 p.m., the Forsyth Nature Center presents this week’s installment of its Naturalist’s Passport Program. This series is free and open to the public, designed for families of all ages to enjoy nature together.
At this point, there are three remaining programs after this week; so unless you’ve participated in other weeks this summer, your youth won’t receive a Naturalist’s Passport for completing six sessions. But the birds you’ll hear, the fresh air you’ll breathe and the chance to discover this gem if you’re new to Hasbrouck Park (you drive past it every time you take Route 9W toward the malls) make the certificate pale in comparison to the actual experience of being there.
Hasbrouck Park is located on Delaware Avenue in Kingston, next to the John F. Kennedy Elementary School. For more information, call (845) 481-7336 or visit http://forsythnaturecenter.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno wishes her son a new year of adventure, fun, anime and everything that he loves. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
