“You will never find anybody who can give you a clear
and compelling reason why we observe Daylight Savings Time.”
– Dave Barry
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
Beacon’s Howland Cultural Center presents The Mitten
“Put on your mittens, you silly kittens, and you shall have some pie…” chants the nursery rhyme. Your children of all ages, especially 3 to 7 years, will be enthralled by this weekend’s performances of The Mitten: a family musical experience taking place on Saturday, March 10 at 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center. Each show lasts 45 minutes. Children are admitted for free; adult tickets cost $10.
The Howland Cultural Center is located at 477 Main Street in Beacon. For tickets or more information, call (845) 831-4988 or visit themitten@brownpapertickets.com or www.howlandculturalcenter.org.
Easter/Passover/Nowruz program at Millbrook Library
Poet Amy Gerstler writes of spring spirit, “Suddenly the archetypal human desire for peace with every other species wells up in you!” Do you relate? Gather up your family of all ages and be a part of the Arts Mid-Hudson Folk Arts program and the Millbrook Library’s event about Easter, Passover and Nowruz taking place this Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at the library. Family-friendly, free and open to the public of all ages, you and your crew will learn more about these spiritual holidays and their unique histories, foods and traditions.
The Millbrook Library is located at 3 Friendly Lane in Millbrook. For more information, call (845) 677-3611 or visit http://millbrooklibrary.org or https://artsmidhudson.org.
Maskmaking/hatmaking workshop at Maritime Museum
Sea creature masks? Riding on a St. Patrick’s Day parade float? Crack on! This weekend, families can get two days of fun with the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM). On Saturday, March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m., children ages 5 to 14 years are invited to craft a sea mask or a sailor’s hat. Then, come back on Sunday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. and wear your creation on the HRMM St. Patrick’s Day parade float! The cost is $10 per child for just Saturday crafting, or $15 per child for both crafting and parade participation (less for HRMM members). Don’t be a chancer; space is limited, so register now!
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For reservations or more information, call (845) 338-0071 or visit http://bit.ly/2FxgEnt.
Abilities First Showcase at Galleria
Life got you down? How about feeling better through dancing? As a reminder, Abilities First: A Showcase of Resources for Enrichment & Inclusion takes place this Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Galleria’s center court. And you can even join in the dance flashmob at 1:30 p.m. by learning the moves here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3-3OudXXq0! Go early for the sensory-sensitive environment and the sensory-friendly matinée at Regal Cinemas, and stay for the demos, performances, costumed characters and more. The event is free and open to all.
The Poughkeepsie Galleria is located at 2001 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information and a complete schedule, call (845) 485-9803 or visit www.abilitiesfirstny.org/showcase/index.php.
Skate & Paint at Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties
Miss seeing ice skaters Nathan Chen and Vincent Zhou and Soohorang, the white tiger Olympic mascot, on your screens or in the headlines? Well, perhaps they can serve as your Muses at this weekend’s event in Saugerties: On Saturday, March 10 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kiwanis Ice Arena, join the Skating Club of Saugerties for skating and painting! All ages are invited to paint your own piece of art and skate (not at the same time). Skate rentals, art supplies and light refreshments are provided. The cost is $30 for Skate and Paint, or $25 for painting only. The Kiwanis Ice Arena is located at 6 Small World Drive in Saugerties. For more information or to register, e-mail Lynda at aknelw@gmail.com or visit www.skatingclubofsaugerties.com/skate-and-paint.
SUNDAY, MARCH 11
Fishkill Recreation hosts All for One & One for All
“All for one, and one for all – united we stand, divided we fall” is the theme of All for One & One for All taking place on Sunday, March 11 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Fishkill Recreation. The Muslim community, the Mid-Hudson Islamic Association, Jewish temples, the Dutchess Human Rights Commission, the Mid-Hudson Refugee organization, the Dutchess County Interfaith Council, civic leaders, educators, parents and children present a message of peace, solidarity, religious tolerance and kindness for all, with the aim of an inclusive America.
This event is free and open to the public, and begins with registration and social time until 2 p.m. Fishkill Recreation is located at 793 Route 52 in Fishkill. To RSVP, contact Seema Rizvi, MD at seema.rizvi1682@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, MARCH 13
Special needs caregivers workshop in Kingston
Q: Why is money called dough?
A: Because we all knead it!
If your family includes a child with special needs, this workshop is for you. On Tuesday, March 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Center for Spectrum Services presents “Making the Future More Secure with Caregivers of Dependents.” In addition to reviewing laws pertaining to minors as they age, such as required legal guardians at age 18 (surprisingly, not you!), the session includes “10 Basic Financial Steps for Special Needs Caregivers.”
This event is free and open to the public. The Center for Spectrum Services is located at 70 Kukuk Lane in Kingston. For more information or to make a reservation to attend, call (845) 336-2616 or e-mail lsiuta@centerforspectrumservices.org.
Trauma training for adoptive/foster parents
“I am Frustration. I am Memory-Lost. Sometimes I read a line a dozen times before it sticks. My creative force has slipped. I type slower, speak slower, think at a snail’s pace. I’m Life shapeshifted by Post-Traumatic Stress bastardized by Fate,” expresses writer Chila Woychik. Adoptive, kinship and foster parents are invited to “Circle of Trauma,” a free training about raising children with adverse childhood experiences and difficult past histories. This free workshop takes place on Tuesday, March 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Dutch Church. Light refreshments and childcare are provided.
The Old Dutch Church is located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 679-9900 or visit http://affcny.org/adoption-foster-events-ny/circle-of-trauma-ulster.
Sugaring roundup
What’s fat-free, comes from a tree and tastes like Sunday morning? Maple syrup! Here are some family-friendly sugaring events happening this weekend. Follow the links for a full description of each event:
• Saturday, March 10, 9-11 a.m.: Maple Sugaring Tour with Columbia Land Conservancy at Farm at Miller’s Crossing, 81 Roxbury Road, Claverack. Free. RSVP at (518) 851-2331, https://clctrust.org/event/maple-sugaring-tour.
• Sunday, March 11, 1-3 p.m.: Kids’ Day in the Sugarbush with Mohonk Preserve at Spring Farm Trailhead, Upper 27 Knolls Road, High Falls. $5 per person. RSVP at (845) 255-0919, http://mohonkpreserve.org/events/kids%e2%80%99-day-sugarbush.
• Sunday, March 11, 1-4 p.m.: Mystical Magical Musical Maple Sugaring at Seed Song Farm, 160 Esopus Avenue, Kingston. $10-$25 family; $5-$15 adults. (845) 902-8155, www.seedsongfarm.org/events.html.
• Thursday, March 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Super Special Storytime: Making Maple Syrup at the Gardiner Library, 133 Farmers’ Turnpike, Gardiner. Free. (845) 255-1255, https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=127-21197.0.
– Erica Chase-Salerno
Erica Chase-Salerno’s crew’s Pi Day 3.14.18 features chocolate cream pie, broccoli/cheddar pot pie, shepherds’ pie, sweet potato pie and a pizza pie. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
