“I love that I can forget ice cream in the back of the car for a week and it’s still great!”
– Donna Bruschi, New Paltz
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13
Indigenous storytelling at Sam’s Point
Don’t we want more for our families than filtered Pocahontas stories? Come on over to the Sam’s Point Area of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve this Friday, January 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. Grandfather Chipmunk (Evan Pritchard) will regale you with authentic Native American stories and hands-on experiences about their culture. Geared for children ages 4 to 10 years, preregistration is required for this program. Entry costs $10 per vehicle. An adult version of this program is available a few days later, on Wednesday, January 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and preregistration is required.
Sam’s Point is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For more information or to register, call (845) 647-7989 or visit http://on.ny.gov/2DceCp5.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14
Hudson Valley Rail Trail Winterfest in Highland
Caboose? Kids’ activities? Chili contest? Check, check and check! I’m writing about the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Winterfest, of course. This Saturday, January 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Pavilion, join the hearty and enthusiastic fellow festivalgoers at Winterfest! Inhale the aromas of chestnuts and marshmallows roasting, enjoy a hayride and more. Admission costs $2 for general admission; ages 8 and under get in free; and food tickets cost 50 cents each.
The Hudson Valley Rail Trail Pavilion is located at 101 New Paltz Road in Highland. For more information, call (845) 691-6313 or visit www.facebook.com/events/587946854724476. To learn more about the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, visit http://hudsonvalleyrailtrail.net.
Shandaken Primitive Biathlon in Oliverea
Who doesn’t love Scandinavia, the inspiration behind Frozen, birthplace of those delicious little meatballs in cream sauce and creator of Ikea (stands for I Kill Everyone’s Affection, because of all of the fights that ensue in the store and at home during furniture assembly)? Well, it also turns out to be the biathlon’s origin story. Tap into this Nordic tradition by participating in the 21st annual Shandaken Primitive Biathlon this Saturday, January 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Upper Esopus Fish & Game Club.
The competition is divided into four age groups: 12 to 16 years, 17 to 40, 41 to 59 and 60 and older. Prizes are awarded to the winner from each bracket, along with a special youth prize. Dress up in 1800s-style attire and get a minute knocked off your time! You can use any snowshoes and black-powder muzzle-loading firearms along the 1.25-mile course with four shooting stations. No need for speed? Register to take an untimed woodswalk, where you can take your time snowshoeing and shooting the course. Admission costs $18 per person, or $12 for the woodswalk.
The Upper Esopus Fish & Game Club is located on Little Peck Hollow Road in Oliverea. For more information, call (845) 246-3954 or visit http://bit.ly/2AJHbHF.
MONDAY, JANUARY 15
Celebrate MLK’s birthday at Community Center in Woodstock
If “life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” perhaps this event will help! Engage and educate your family at United! a special annual birthday celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King this Monday, January 15 at 2 p.m. at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center. The afternoon draws from reflection, celebration, education, music and drama. This event is free and open to the public.
The Community Center is located at 56 Rock City Road in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-7320.
Build a butterfly house at Habitat Newburgh
The kids are off from school, and you want to help them learn about volunteering in their community; here’s one fun activity to check out. This Monday, January 15 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh invites your crew to celebrate this MLK Day of Service by building butterfly houses! Your young carpenters ages 8 to 15 will support these colorful pollinators by constructing these shelters, which will be donated to the Downing Park Urban Farm.
Habitat Newburgh is located at 125 Washington Street in Newburgh. For more information or to register, call (845) 568-6035, extension 110, or visit http://bit.ly/2CZJdt6.
MLK birthday screening & more at Rosendale Theatre
“Dear Thurgood,” begins a letter from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Thurgood Marshall – a new lawyer at the time, and eventually the first African American Supreme Court justice – that accompanied his $1,000 donation to the NAACP in thanks for its legal support with the bus boycott. The two men worked together for the same goals of equal rights, but their different approaches to desegregation – courts vs. the street – created tension between them.
This Monday, January 15 at 2 p.m. at the Rosendale Theatre, come celebrate the birthday of MLK, Jr.: Hear his “I Have a Dream” speech, watch the movie Marshall, join the singalong, eat cake and more at this free community event. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit http://bit.ly/2qL6ppk.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17
College financial aid workshop in Poughkeepsie
Got money issues as your kids “suddenly” approach college age? But weren’t they just toddlers? You’re not alone. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld says: “Dogs have no money. Isn’t that amazing? They’re broke their entire lives. But they get through. You know why dogs have no money? … No pockets.”
New to financial aid? Let an expert talk you through it! On Wednesday, January 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Adriance Memorial Library, Dutchess County Community College Financial Aid director Susan Mead is ready to demystify the college financial aid and FAFSA application process for you and your teens. This workshop is free and open to the public, and registration is required.
The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445, extension 3320, or visit https://poklib.org.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18
Haunted History tour of Rhinebeck’s Beekman Arms
What, you thought all of that haunted fun was limited to Halloween season? The Beekman Arms gets you! On Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m., including this Thursday, January 18, you are invited to the Beekman Arms Haunted History tour of America’s oldest inn. This hourlong visit includes a Revolutionary War soldier, a Victorian hostess, a governor, a bootlegger, a runaway servant girl and a few other surprises, followed by an afterparty in the tavern!
Advance reservations are required. Entry costs $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors ages 62 and up and $8 for children age 12 and under. The Beekman Arms is located at 6387 Mill Street in Rhinebeck. For reservations or more information, call (845) 876-7077 or visit http://bit.ly/2AJHhz1.
Erica Chase-Salerno is deciding which of her many awesome hats to wear today. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
