Six-year-old: This is the best helicopter I’ve made.
14-year-old: Have you built others?
Six-year-old: No.
14-year-old: So it’s also the worst
Six-year-old: Then I’ll call it SuckAwesome.
– overheard in West Hurley
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
Seasonal stageworks
Love holiday plays? Why go all the way down to New York City when we have the talent for live performances right here?
A Charlie Brown Christmas leaps from your television to the stage this weekend, from December 1 through 3 at the County Players’ Falls Theatre. Your family will connect with these familiar characters in a whole new way seeing them live! Tickets cost $10.
The County Players Falls Theatre is located at 2681 West Main Street in Wappingers Falls. For tickets or more information, call (845) 298-1491 or visit http://bit.ly/2k8kdHQ.
Babes in Toyland takes the stage at the Woodstock Playhouse from December 1 through 10. This holiday favorite is an entirely different experience live from watching it on the silver screen, so round up your crew and enjoy the show! Tickets cost $29 for adults and $25 for students, seniors and children.
The Woodstock Playhouse is located at 103 Mill Hill Road in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, call (845) 679-6900 or visit www.woodstockplayhouse.org.
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol takes place at Shadowland Stages from December 1 through 17. This family-friendly play is based on Dickens’ story, but told from an entirely different perspective from the traditional tale you know. Enjoy the special Shadowland twists! Tickets cost $34 for general admission, and youth under 16 cost $15. Shadowland Stages is located at 157 Canal Street in Ellenville. For tickets or more information, call (845) 647-5511 or visit www.shadowlandtheatre.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
Amazing Reptiles visit Kingston Library
My friend just found out that her cat birthed kittens in her basement ceiling; so if you have any fears about lizardy critters, maybe that provides a helpful perspective, because you definitely want to bring your kids to the library this weekend! This Saturday, December 2, the Kingston Library presents Bruce Lowder’s Amazing Reptiles. There are two shows: 10:30 a.m. for ages 4 to 6 years and 11:30 a.m. for ages 7 and up. The live animals featured include snakes, lizards, a turtle and a baby alligator! Participants will learn about how these animals adapt to their habitats, animal safety tips, caring for your pet reptiles and more.
This program is free and open to the public, and is geared for school-aged children. Registration is required. The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or click on http://kingston.evanced.info/signup/calendar or www.kingstonlibrary.org. To learn more about the presenter, visit http://reptileexpo.com/index.html.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
Activist Story Hour in New Paltz
Celebrating diversity in community with your family? It’s the perfect time of year to come together, and Activist Story Hour brings the experience right to us! Make plans for your crew to hear Dan Logan reading from an assortment of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Japanese New Year and Christmas books, as well as hosting a seasonal craft.
Activist Story Hour takes place this Sunday, December 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Elting Memorial Library. This event is free and open to the public. The Elting Memorial Library is located at 93 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-5030 or visit www.facebook.com/events/230433504157920.
Vanderbilt Mansion hosts Christmas Open House
Adore holiday décor? The swankier the better, you say? How about feeling good tidings Vanderbilt-style? This Sunday, December 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., come to the annual Christmas Open House at Vanderbilt Mansion. Not only is the house dressed to the nines, but it’s also free admission – and you score 20 percent off at the gift shop all day. Remember your holiday cheer, and your camera so you can catch a special holiday shot of your family at the decadent Christmas tree! Enjoy music, refreshments and a visit from the park mascot, with no reservations or tickets needed.
The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is located at 81 Route 9 in Hyde Park. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/360406664403021.
The Perils of Mr. Punch at TSL in Hudson
Live music, clever puppetry and a story for all ages: What’s not to love? Well, what are you waiting for? Head over to Time & Space Limited this Sunday, December 3 at 1 p.m. for the latest escapades of the famous crackpot puppet, The Perils of Mr. Punch. Enjoy the handiwork of husband-and-wife team Rose Friedman and Justin Lander, who are Bread & Puppet alums, so you know you’re in for a real treat! The show lasts for about 45 minutes and is open to the public of all ages, and tickets cost $5.
Time & Space Limited is located at 434 Columbia Street in Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (518) 822-8100 or visit http://timeandspace.org/calendar/modern-times-theater-%E2%80%A2-perils-mr-punch. To learn more about the puppeteers, visit http://moderntimestheater.com.
Elf hunt at Locust Grove
Where are the Christmas Tree Fairy, Reindeer Elf and Snow Fairy living this winter? Why, at Locust Grove, of course. Can your family find them? Head on over this Sunday, December 3 between noon and 4 p.m. for a specially decorated house tour while keeping an eye out for these elfin residents.
But that’s not all! Enjoy a holiday performance by storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, a sweet treat and a special poem to guide you through the decorated rooms to help find the pixies. Showtimes are 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. The cost is $8 per person, and children ages 6 and under get in free.
The Locust Grove Estate, the former home of Samuel F. B. Morse, is located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 454-4500 or visit www.lgny.org/sunday-december-3-holiday-hunt.
Support for seniors
Did Thanksgiving yield some surprising insights about new needs of your senior loved ones living in Ulster County? Could they use some regular meal dropoffs? The Ulster County Office of the Aging offers home-delivered meals for those aged 60 and over, Ulster County residents, who are unable to prepare their own meals and are financially eligible for the program. Nutritious hot meals brought to Grandma’s doorstep, enabling her to stay at home a little longer? Yes, please!
For more information, call (845) 340-3456 or visit http://ulstercountyny.gov/aging/home-delivered-meals.
Erica Chase-Salerno can’t decide if she prefers blueberry pie, pumpkin pie or chocolate cream pie and is doing more “research.” She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
