Mom: “O, what’s your job?”
Kid: “Eating. Yoga. Superman.”
– age 2, Highland
Halloween & higher ed
Give your kids a head start this year on their higher education: Don’t act like you never ate candy for breakfast in college! Here’s what’s happening at Marist, SUNY-New Paltz and Vassar Colleges this Halloween weekend:
• Marist College hosts “Residence Hall-oween” this Saturday, October 28 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Foy and Upper New Townhouses, with your best parking options in Lot 14 via the north campus entrance. Children will enjoy hands-on activities and a costume contest, and the entire event is free and open to the public. Marist College is located at 3399 North Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 575-3430 or visit www.marist.edu/events/2017/10/29/8603.
• SUNY-New Paltz invites your crew ages 12 and under to “Halloween in the Halls” this Sunday, October 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. in every dormitory residence. Each dorm offers its own hands-on activities, and groups of trick-or-treaters tour the halls. This is a great way to test out that costume, or to preserve the candy-collecting fun during adverse weather. Parking is available in the Haggerty Administration Building Lot 15 at the Route 32 entrance, or parking lot 28 on Route 32. For more information, call (845) 257-4444 or visit www.newpaltz.edu.
• Vassar College holds its “Halloween Festival” this Saturday, October 28, starting with a 5K Fun Run at 11 a.m. (registration opens at 10 a.m.), followed by a parade which begins in the North Parking Lot at noon, a costume contest and hands-on activities, including Quidditch(!), in the Josselyn Beach area. This event is free and open to the public. Vassar College is located at 124 Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, visit http://info.vassar.edu/news/2017-2018/170929-halloween.html or click on the free online registration at www.mhrrc.org/events/view.aspx?eventid=1591.
Columbia County Halloween happenings
Head up to where you can really see the rural, enchanting sky, while taking in October holiday fun here on the ground!
• Trick or Treat in the Fields at Art Omi takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, October 28. The day includes artmaking, hayrides and a candy scavenger hunt in the sculpture garden. Wear your costume, make a treat bag and enjoy refreshments. It’s free and open to the public of all ages. Art Omi is located at 1405 County Route 22 in Ghent. For more info call (518) 392-4747 or visit www.artomi.org/calendar-section.php?upcoming-1.
• The Hudson Halloween Trick or Treat and Parade takes place on Sunday, October 29. The afternoon begins at 2 p.m. along Warren Street in Hudson, followed by the 4 p.m. parade from Seventh Street Park to Hudson Hall. It’s free and open to the public of all ages. For info visit www.hudsonhalloween.com.
• The Headless Horseman Reading at Vanderpoel House will get you in the spirit of the story this Saturday, October 28 from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Actor Robert Ian Mackenzie reads this legendary tale, along with a surprise listener! It’s free and open to the public of all ages. Vanderpoel House is located at 16 Broad Street in Kinderhook. For info call (518) 758-9265 or visit www.cchsny.org/events.html.
• A Spooky Bonfire means scary stories, cocoa and roasted marshmallows, which makes for a memorable evening. It’s free and open to the public of all ages. This timeless tradition takes place this Saturday, October 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation Area at 152 County Route 21 in Ghent. For info call (518) 392-5252 or visit www.clctrust.org or http://columbiacountytourism.org/event_calendar.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Kaatsbaan in Tivoli
Whoa, what’s that? Ten hairy legs? Oh, you’re wondering about 10 Hairy Legs’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, coming to the Kaatsbaan International Dance Center! This one-act in the 160-seat Kaatsbaan Black-Box Theatre brings the book to life, and performances take place this Thursday, October 26 at 10 a.m. and noon for school groups ($5 for youth; teachers and chaperones get in free); Saturday, October 28 at 11 a.m. ($10 for adults, $5 for children and youth); and Saturday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m., which includes additional repertory work ($30 for adults, $10 for children and youth). The Kaatsbaan International Dance Center is located at 33 Kaatsbaan Road in Tivoli. For reservations or more information, call (845) 757-5106, extension 10 or 2, or visit www.kaatsbaan.org/events.html.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
Spooktacular at Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum in Po’town
A happy and Halloweeny celebration for the youngest set? Easy: Just head over to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum this weekend to ignite your kids’ imaginations! The Halloween Spooktacular takes place on Friday, October 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new attraction, a Not-So-Spooky Fun House, is set up both days in the waterfront pavilion and features a mini-hay maze, sensory slime activities and more! Friday includes Halloween games and trick-or-treating, and the cost is $13 general admission, or $9 for members; Saturday’s cost is $4 with museum admission; tickets are available online. The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit http://mhcm.org/event/halloween-spooktacular-2 and http://mhcm.org/event/not-spooky-fun-house.
Take a Halloween Journey in Big Indian
How about some real magical experiences this Halloween? This Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28 from 5 to 9 p.m., join The Halloween Journey, presented by Cara Cruickshank, which weaves together Catskills history, ecology and folklore. This walking event begins at the corner of Church Road and Route 28 in Big Indian. Start by fueling up for your evening with a bonfire, live folk music, hot apple cider, homemade chili and seasonal treats. Then, led by candlelight into nature, meet local historic notables such as Rip Van Winkle, Sojourner Truth, John Burroughs and lots of fanciful creatures. They even have special treats for each child’s goodie bag! The cost is $30 general admission, $20 per child ticket, a Wizard Pass for $15 that gets you into the next departing tour without waiting (no goodie bag for Wizard tix) and even VIP packages for those looking to delve even deeper into this enchanting event. For tickets or more information, call (720) 935-2540 or visit www.halloweenjourney.com.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary hosts HalloWoodstock
Do your kids prefer turkeys and goats to toads and ghosts? Then HalloWoodstock is your place to be this Saturday, October 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. It’s the last weekend to explore the farm this season, and additional activities include hayrides, painting pumpkins, live music, a bounce house, trick-or-treating for vegan candy and more! Tickets cost $5 for ages 4 and up and are free for children 3 and under, or five guests can carpool for only $4 per ticket. The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is located at 2 Rescue Road in High Falls. For advance tickets or more information, call (845) 247-5700 or visit http://woodstocksanctuary.org/events/hallowoodstock-2017.
Resilience Conference for special needs caregivers at Marist
With a conference called “Creating Networks of Support for Families Living with Special Needs,” and a keynote speech with “positive psychologist” Dr. Maria Sirois called, “What to Do When It All Goes Wrong,” are you hungry to hear more? On Saturday, October 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hancock Center at Marist College, connect with others who “get it” at the annual Resilience Conference. Topics include overcoming barriers to care; planning for the future of a special needs child; support for siblings; and caring for the caregiver. The cost is $15 and includes meals. Marist College is located at 3399 North Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, visit www.devereux.org/site/pageserver?pagename=ny_resilience_conference.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29
Charms of Hallowe’en Tea & Talk at Staatsburgh
A history of Halloween traditions, a devilishly delicious tea and creative costumes? You must be planning to attend the Charms of Hallowe’en Tea & Talk, taking place this Sunday, October 29 at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site from 1 to 3 p.m. Reservations are required, and the cost is $30 per person, $25 for members. The Staatsburgh State Historic Site is located at 75 Mills Mansion Drive in Staatsburg. For more information or reservations, call (845) 889-8851 or visit www.facebook.com/events/116611988990956.
Rocky Horror Show Broadway Workshop at SUNY-New Paltz
Been looking for ways to include your family in the exciting, interactive and iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show? Here’s a great addition to the Halloween lineup: This Sunday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Parker Theatre Dance Studio at SUNY-New Paltz, you and your kids ages 10 and up can attend a Rocky Horror Show Broadway Workshop! Want more? High school and college students, as well as adults, can have their own session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Participants in each workshop will learn music and choreography from the Broadway production and hear what it was like for award-winning Broadway actor, Rocky Horror cast member and today’s event presenter, Denise Summerford, to work with guest notables such as Joan Jett! The cost is $25 per person, and free for the first 10 SUNY Theatre majors to e-mail their registration. SUNY-New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz. For more information or to register, call (845) 419-3515, e-mail broadwayartscollective@gmail.com or visit www.broadwayartscollective.com/rocky-horror-workshop. See you there!
EPIC Youth Day: Halloween Edition in New Paltz
Got epic kids in the age range of 5 to 12 years? Give them an epic experience at EPIC Youth Day: Halloween Edition this Sunday, October 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at One EPIC Place in New Paltz, naturally! Unique and interesting workshops include Story Studio: Cooking up a Story, Spooktacular Crafts, Halloween dress-up and face-painting, Artist Corner, Halloween Potions, Meet the Cat in the Hat and more! Click on the link for class descriptions right on the Facebook page. Yummy, natural snacks are provided. The cost is $30 per child, $25 for each sibling. But you’ve got to get your Halloween hustle on: Registration is due by Friday, October 27! For more information or to register, call (845) 232-0402 or visit https://squareup.com/store/one-epic-place/item/epic-kids-day.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31
Woodstock & New Paltz vie for Halloween Central honors
Halloween 2017 is here – which means candy sales tomorrow! Here are two big ways to celebrate in two small towns: Woodstock and New Paltz.
Woodstock: Every year you want good Halloween portraits, and the kids inevitably have coats on or they’re looking in different directions. Well, that was then; let amazing photographer Dion Ogust help you out. Say Boo! A 2017 Halloween Portrait Booth & Fundraiser is an ideal chance for your crew and/or friends to get their photos taken right on the porch at the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) during the Woodstock Parade from 4 to 7 p.m. Receive your high-res digital file via e-mail for a tax-deductible $25; or add in an eight-by-ten-inch inkjet print via surface mail for $35. All proceeds benefit CPW, including exhibitions, lectures, educational programs and more. CPW is located at 59 Tinker Street in Woodstock.
Have young kids? Head over to the Woodstock Library for the Halloween Story Journey, a free, non-scary program with activities for children aged 3 to 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (and food!). It’s at 5 Library Lane in Woodstock. Wistful for the younger years? Check out Dion’s exhibit from past Halloween portraits until November 12 at Oriole 9, located at 17 Tinker Street in Woodstock. To learn more about the photographer, visit www.dionphoto.com.
New Paltz: Come out to New Paltz for trick-or-treating from 4 to 6 p.m. in the oldest street in the USA with its original houses! Then, jump into the everyone-can-join-in parade from the corner of Main Street and North Manheim at 6 p.m. down to the firehouse. Finally, see who won the prizes at the annual Night of 100 Pumpkins at the Bakery, located at 13 North Front Street in New Paltz (remember to get those carved pumpkins in on Monday, October 30 – and get a free cookie just for entering!). You will also score free hot cider, cocoa and pumpkin cake, along with live music. Pro tip, especially with young children: Go early to the pumpkin display, before the parade, so they can see; this place gets lovingly loud and crowded afterwards. For more information about this special evening, visit www.huguenotstreet.org/calendar-of-events/2017/10/31/trick-or-treat-on-huguenot-street or www.ilovethebakery.com/halloween.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
New Paltz Rescue Squad hosts free Narcan Training
Want to help recognize the signs and save someone from an opiate/heroin overdose? Join View from the Street: Parent Program with Narcan Training, offered this Wednesday, November 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. by the New Paltz Rescue Squad. This workshop is free and open to the public; and, in additional to learning about the protections under New York State’s Good Samaritan Law, eligible participants will receive a free Narcan (naxolone) kit. The New Paltz Rescue Squad is located at 78 North Putt Corners Road in New Paltz. For more information or to register, call (845) 325-2595 or (845) 256-5014 or visit www.facebook.com/events/279507599207766.
Middle school support group
Is your middle schooler with special needs having challenges at school? Lynda Rosner of Hudson Valley Behavioral Services is introducing a new support group, Middle School Rulez! Could your tween or teen use a hand developing social skills such as maintaining conversations, personal space, handling bullying, rumors, gossiping and choosing appropriate peers? Sessions take place on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning in November. Middle School Rulez takes place at HVBS Highland at 550 Route 299, Suite 100b-2, in Highland. For more information about cost, insurance, the start date and more, e-mail lsrosner@gmail.com or visit www.behaviorsos.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno is trick-or-treating as a box of popcorn this year. How about you? She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
