“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.”
– Doug Larson
Spring walks
As Charles Dickens writes in Great Expectations, “Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.” Here are two opportunities to see what signs of spring find you!
• A Signs of Spring Nature Walk is hosted by the Esopus Creek Conservancy this Sunday, March 18 at 8 a.m. It’s free and open to the public; preregistration encouraged. Meet in the Saugerties Village Beach parking lot on Route 9W, just north of the Esopus Creek bridge, at the foot of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties. Contact Steve Chorvas at schorvas@gmail.com for additional information or directions; www.esopuscreekconservancy.org.
• Spring into Nature: a Children’s Program takes place at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center on Tuesday, March 20 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Geared for children ages 5 to 10 years, free, preregistration required. 3197 Route 44/55, Gardiner. (845) 255-0919, http://mohonkpreserve.org.
Dance delight
Searching for a place to show off your cool new Floss Dance moves, as inspired by Backpack Kid? Check out this weekend’s multigenerational dance parties!
• The All Ages Ecstatic Dance Party takes place monthly on the third Saturday, March 17 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Marbletown Multi-Arts Center. Activities include a barefoot-friendly dancefloor, healthy and delicious potluck snacks, a clothing swap and an open mic! Admission costs $10, $5 for seniors/students/teens, free for children and volunteers. 3588 Main Street, Stone Ridge; (845) 658-8319, virginiamichele@yahoo.com, http://freestylefrolic.org.
• The International Day of Happiness Yellow Dance Party happens on Tuesday, March 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at YMCA Kingston. Wear something yellow, bring a flashlight and let’s all promote optimism by dancing together! Submit to DJ Ali the songs that make you happy, here: www.facebook.com/events/172305446902167/?active_tab=discussion. Admission costs $3.20 per person. YMCA Kingston is located at 507 Broadway in Kingston. www.facebook.com/kingstonisintoyellow, www.intoyellow.com.
Spring break boosters
Looking for spring break ideas for your kids beyond setting personal records in Mario Kart? We are so lucky: Here are just a few of the offerings available for young people next week right here in the Hudson Valley!
• Boscobel has sessions Monday, March 26, Starlab; Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, flashlight house tours; and Wednesday, March 28, clowning workshop. See www.boscobel.org/events-and-exhibitions/calendar-of-events/march for times, pricing and reservations. 1601 Route 9D, Garrison.
• The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum offers science workshops at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Tuesday, March 27 and Friday, March 30, Bubble Gum Science; Wednesday, March 28, Dough Science. $5 per session plus museum admission. 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie; http://mhcm.org/visit/calendar.
• Mount Gulian hosts a Children’s Spring Tea on Tuesday, March 27 from noon to 2 p.m. Reserve by March 6. $22 for adults, $17 for children. 145 Sterling Street, Beacon; http://mountgulian.org/events.html.
• The Staatsburgh State Historic Site invites families with children ages 8 to 12 years to learn about life in the mansion 100 years ago. Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $5 per person or $12 for families of three and more; registration is required. 75 Mills Mansion Drive Road, Staatsburg; (845) 889-8851, www.facebook.com/staatsburghshs, https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/25/details.aspx.
• Wild Earth runs its three-day Spring Break Day Camp for 5-to-11-year-olds, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 27 to 29, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Accord. $240 per child; sibling discounts available. https://wildearth.org/youth/3-day-spring-break-day-camp.
NYS Maple Weekend
Drill, drill, drill the hole.
Hammer in the spout.
Hang the bucket on the tree
To catch sap dripping out.
How about some family time in nature and its accompanying sweet seasonal sumptuousness? New York State Maple Weekend takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 17, 18, 24 and 25, with sugaring sites throughout the Hudson Valley. For more information, visit https://sugarmakers.nysmaple.com and www.facebook.com/mapleweekend.
• Maple Sugaring Basics at Sam’s Point takes place on Saturday, March 17 from 10 to 11 a.m., geared for ages 6 to 12 years. The program is free, and registration is required. The park entry fee is $10 per vehicle. 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor. Register at (845) 647-7989 or https://parks.ny.gov/parks/193.
• Ashokan Maple Fest happens on Sunday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ashokan Center. Admission costs $5 for adults; children aged 12 and under get in free; the pancake breakfast (gluten-free available!) costs $8 per person. 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge. (845) 657-8333 or https://ashokancenter.org/events/march-18-2018-maple-fest.
• New Beginnings Farmstead, 2585 Route 209, Kingston, https://newbeginningsfarmstead.com.
• Corey’s Fall Harvest Farm, 105 Hawley’s Corners Road, Highland, www.coreysfarm.com.
• Beechford Maple, 10 Beechford Drive, Boiceville, (845) 657-2897, wkraus@hvc.rr.com.
• Marty’s Maple Products Farm, 52 Bell Lane, West Shokan, (845) 417-8448.
• Frost Valley YMCA, 1920 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, http://frostvalley.org/event/new-york-state-maple-weekend-2.
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
Green Golly and Her Golden Flute at Kingston Library
Classical music and storytelling: Turns out there’s more to life than just Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf! Come to the Kingston Library’s Super Saturday event on March 17 at 10:30 a.m. to see and hear Green Golly and Her Golden Flute. The story resembles Rapunzel in that Green Golly is locked in a tower for days; but instead of it bringing her down, she is inspired to create music. After the free show, keep the music flowing in your home by purchasing Green Golly sheet music, CDs and a storybook.
This program is free and open to the public of all ages, especially young people of school age. The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507 or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org/kids/supersat.php. To learn more about the Green Golly Project, visit www.greengolly.com.
Princess & Protectors Tea Party at FASNY Museum of Firefighting
Kids’ Almanac readers already know that women are brave, fierce, strong and brilliant, from Princess Shuri of Wakanda to Moana. Now, how about meeting some real-life heroines? On Saturday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m., join the Princess and Protectors Tea Party at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting. Meet fantastic female firefighters face-to-face, learn how they protect and serve our community and experience the Junior Firefighter Challenge together!
Preregister to save your spots. Admission costs $10 for adults; $5 for children aged 3 and up; $25 for families of two adults and two children; and is free for children under 3, museum members and residents of Columbia County. The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1875, extension 10, or visit www.fasnyfiremuseum.com/content/events_and_programs/super_saturdays.
SUNDAY, MARCH 18
Kingston Model Train & Railroad Hobby Show
“If you’re traveling near or far, don’t hassle with a plane or car,” suggests the announcer in the old Amtrak commercials, and I quite agree. My kids and I enjoyed a cushy Amtrak train ride just last week (note: there is a Krispy Kreme in Penn Station!), and now there’s a Kingston Model Train & Railroad Hobby Show this weekend! On Sunday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Andy Murphy Midtown Recreation Center, you and your budding conductors, engineers and mechanics can go loco for locomotives, train memorabilia, Thomas the Tank Engine displays in the Children’s Corner and more.
Admission costs $7 for adults, $2 for children under 12. The Andy Murphy Rec Center is located at 467 Broadway in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 616-0931 or visit https://kingstontrainshow.com.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at Helsinki Hudson
Have you ever threatened to sell your kids to the circus? Well, be careful of what you wish for, because they may end up performing right here! On Sunday, March 18, Helsinki Hudson presents the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus in a family show. You’ll find yourself helpless with hilarity, marvel at the music and be awed by the acrobatics. Ticket prices range from $7.50 to $45.
Helsinki Hudson is located at 405 Columbia Street in Hudson. For tickets or more information, visit https://helsinkihudson.ticketfly.com/event/1590563. To learn more about the performers, visit www.bindlestiff.org.
TUESDAY, MARCH 20
Highland Library hosts Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Are you reeling from an autism diagnosis in your family? Wish you knew more people who really “get” what it’s like to live with autism in family life? Check out the Parent Workshop for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder this Tuesday, March 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Highland Public Library. Participants will learn techniques, receive support, share experiences and ask questions. This workshop is free and open to the public.
The Highland Public Library is located at 14 Elting Place in Highland. For more information, call (845) 834-3722, e-mail lsrosner@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/hvbsny or www.behaviorsos.com/highland-location.
– Erica Chase-Salerno
Erica Chase-Salerno is defenseless against rainbow cookies…nom nom nom. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
