“Which do you like better: your front teeth or your back teeth?”
– Amanda, age 4, Garrison
Earth Day
Remember this gem from George Carlin?
“Oh beautiful for smoggy skies,
Insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain’s majesty
Above the asphalt plain.
America, America,
Man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs,
From sea to oily sea.”
This weekend, every family has a chance to restore America to its spacious skies and fruited plains – or at least skip using a few straws. Let me know where you were inspired to be an Earth steward this week!
1) 2018 Beacon Earth Day: Saturday, April 21, 9-11 a.m., morning cleanup throughout Beacon; 12-2 p.m., barbecue, music, Repair Café and performance by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater: Dirt: The Secret Life of Soil. Registration, site locations and schedule: www.greenbeaconcoalition.org/earth-day.
2) Drop-Off at the Drive-In: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Hyde Park Drive-In, 4114 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, (845) 229-5320. Recycle household items, Earth Day activities for kids and families, free raffle. www.nps.gov/hofr/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.
3) Earth Day 2018: Sunday, April 22, 1-4 p.m., Rip Van Winkle Lake & Park, Tannersville, (518) 589-1049. Clean up Sawmill and Gooseberry Creeks; children’s activities, music, food for sale. http://tannersville.com/event/earth-day-2018.
4) Earth Day Celebration: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center, 120 Muser Drive, Cornwall, (845) 534-5506. Hike, Green Zone eco-learning, entertainment, hayrides, storytelling, much more. $5 per carload. www.hhnm.org/earth-day-celebration.
5) Earth Day Celebration at Stony Kill Farm: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, (914) 582-4534. Crafts, plant seedlings, pond exploration, learn about bees, baby lambs and more. http://stonykill.org, www.facebook.com/events/827512044102874.
6) Earth Day Community Creek & Street Cleanup/World Fish Migration Day: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., throughout Poughkeepsie: Murphy Park, 517 Main Street by Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory; Malcolm X Park; Brookside Avenue/Verrazano Boulevard; and Upper Landing Park, 83 North Water Street. Collect litter in parks and the creek. 12:15 p.m.: fish migration presentation at Upper Landing Park. Registration required, contact info at http://ccedutchess.org/events/2018/04/21/clean-up-poughkeepsie.
7) Earth Day Fair: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Reformed Church of New Paltz, 92 Huguenot Street, New Paltz, (845) 750-8292. Environmental info, children’s activities, food, music and entertainment. www.reformedchurchofnewpaltz.org/earth-day.html.
8) Earth Day Guided Hike: Sunday, April 22, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Columbia Land Conservancy, (518) 392-5252. Sneak peek at newest conservation area; details and meet-up location supplied with registration. http://clctrust.org/event/earth-day-bioblitz.
9) Green-Up Day: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., High Falls Pollinator Garden; meet at Route 213 and Berme Road, High Falls. Spread mulch, dirt, build raised beds and retaining walls, pick up trash. Free lunch. highfallscivicassociation@gmail.com, www.highfallscivic.org.
10) Helping Creation Continue: 10 Simple Ceremonies to Honor the Earth: Sunday, April 22, 2-4 p.m., Mirabai of Woodstock, 23 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, (845) 679-2100. Ceremonies to practice at home, indoors and out, with author Evan Pritchard, $25. www.mirabai.com/workshops.shtml.
11) Kingston Earth Fair: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Forsyth Park, 125 Lucas Avenue Extension, Kingston, (845) 481-7339. Swap your used goods, recycle electronics and great live entertainment! https://kingston-ny.gov/earthexpo.
12) Earth Day Spring Trails Cleanup at Slabsides: Saturday, April 21, meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Slabsides entrance on Burroughs Drive in West Park and stay as long as you are able. Slabsides is the name of the cabin that John Burroughs built in 1895. In it he wrote some of the essays that made him America’s foremost nature writer of his time, and entertained Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Thomas Edison and Walt Whitman. Slabsides is set within the 200-acre John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968. Help get the Nature Sanctuary trails ready for the season. Bring water and work gloves, a wire rake if you have it. For info, e-mail joan@johnburroughsassociation.org or visit www.johnburroughsassociation.org.
Mohonk Preserve’s one-month free pass
Love nature? I do, and I’m with Ellen DeGeneres: “Do things that make you happy within the confines of the legal system.” Would it make you happy to spend more time exploring the Mohonk Preserve? You can actually do it for free for an entire month if you’re an Ulster County resident. Sign up for your free monthlong pass through Healthy Ulster Spring this Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center at 3196 Route 44/55 in Gardiner, or Saturday and Sunday at the Spring Farm Trailhead at Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit http://mohonkpreserve.org/events/healthy-ulster-spring or www.facebook.com/events/1851559518197676. To learn more about Healthy Ulster County, check out http://healthyulstercounty.net.
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Daffodil Tea at Wilderstein
If “Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage,” as described by Catherine Douzel, then get ready for some epic time travel this weekend! On Saturday, April 21 from 1 to 4 p.m., think spring at the Wilderstein Historic Site’s Daffodil Tea. Tour the mansion, stroll the grounds and spoil yourself and people you love with delectable treats. Bring your camera for this one. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $20 for children.
The Wilderstein Historic Site is located at 330 Morton Road in Rhinebeck and is the former residence of Margaret “Daisy” Suckley, cousin and confidante (wink) of president Franklin Roosevelt. For reservations (it fills up fast!) or more information, call (845) 876-4818 or visit www.facebook.com/events/228953077664476 or http://wilderstein.org. As a side note, Wilderstein’s Volunteer Recruitment Day is May 5 if you’re interested in leading tours et cetera.
Family Fishing Day at Ashokan Reservoir
Like fish puns? Let minnow!
I’ve been “herring” about Family Fishing Day at the Frying Pan parking area of the Ashokan Reservoir off Route 28A. Well, “carp” diem! Kids and adults will have a “whale” of a time learning and practicing their casting and luring skills with “off-fish-ial” Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Environmental Conservation experts. Bring your poles if you have them, but no fishing license is required, and bait and fishing gear will also be provided.
You can reel in the fun this Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. What’s the catch? Nothing! Adults who do not have a free DEP Access Permit are encouraged to get one before coming to the event. Participants can obtain and print their free permit from home by visiting www.nyc.gov/dep/accesspermit. For more information or to register ASAP, click on www.facebook.com/nycwatershed or www.facebook.com/events/2134845056739140.
Celebration of Fly-Fishing in Margaretville
If you love your Ryan Cronin fish blanket like I do, perhaps you’d like to spend some time getting “schooled” about the sport itself? On Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., “Something Fishy on Main Street: A Celebration of Fly-Fishing” is a chance to learn the bass-ics of fly-fishing at the Binnekill Stream Walking Bridge (ages 10 and up), watch fly-tying demonstrations and eat fish-shaped chocolates, as well as the oppor-tuna-ty to do hands-on activities and perch-ase fishing licenses. Something Fishy on Main Street takes place eel-long Main Street in Margaretville. For more-ay information, call (845) 586-4177 or visit http://co.centralcatskills.com/calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=283520.
Chancellor’s Sheep & Wool Showcase at Clermont
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes, yes, we have all the wool, including fleece as white as snow, along with 18th-century reenactors, crafts, sheepshearing using three different historical techniques, live music and more. I’m not pulling the wool over your eyes; you want to head over to the Clermont State Historic Site’s Chancellor’s Sheep & Wool Showcase this Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 per vehicle. The Clermont State Historic Site is located at 1 Clermont Avenue in Germantown. For more information or to inquire about being a vendor, call (518) 537-6622 or visit www.friendsofclermont.org/sheep-wool or www.facebook.com/events/1458772974245153.
Three Hudson River Canals at Maritime Museum
1830s Almanac Weekly classifieds (imagined): “Mule wanted. Must be good worker/pal. Able to haul lumber, coal, hay, Albany to Buffalo. Low bridges. Qualified candidates honored in rhymey song. Reply to 15-M1L3S.”
Want a private tour of the new canal exhibit at the Hudson River Maritime Museum? How about a hands-on craft? Throw in a snack! Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to “April Museum Mates: Three Hudson River Canals – Champlain, Erie and Delaware & Hudson” taking place this Saturday, April 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free for adults, $5 per child, and registration is required.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 338-0071 or visit www.hrmm.org/store/p139/april_museum_mates-three_hudson_river_canals.html.
Cessation of Hostilities at New Windsor Cantonment
The Hudson Valley is rooted in the American Revolution, and the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site remains a proud reminder that we can’t spell New Windsor without “win.” On Saturday, April 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., we celebrate the Announcement of the Cessation of Hostilities, which loosely translates to “Game over, Brits!” Chat with reenactors about what the end of the war means to them; and while you’re there, I encourage you to visit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, which I find a very powerful experience.
The New Windsor Cantonment is located at 374 Temple Hill Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 561-1765 or visit www.facebook.com/newwindsorcantonment and www.facebook.com/events/508871726163884. To learn more about the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, click on www.thepurpleheart.com.
Hudson Valley Comic Con
According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, “If the people of Comic-Con ruled the world…then tomorrow would be invented every day.” It’s Hudson Valley Comic Con time, and there’s a new superhero attending this year! On Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., join new local justice seeker SuperWaterMan as well as familiar notables at Gold’s Gym and Exhibition Center. Dress up as your favorite character and enter the costume contest, enjoy the live entertainment, discussion panels, photo ops, an Escape Room and more! Ticket prices start at $10 and are priced according to age, number of days and package levels.
Gold’s Gym is located at 258 Titusville Road in Poughkeepsie. For tickets or more information, visit www.hvcomiccon.com and www.facebook.com/events/135899033873852. To learn more about our area’s new celebrity, check out http://superwaterman.org.
TUESDAY, APRIL 24
Supporting LGBT Children & Youth conference in New Paltz
Zachary Quinto shares, “When I was growing up, there was no one in a movie the size or scale of Star Trek who was openly gay. I understand people’s interest in having a conversation with me about it, but I also feel like, ‘Let’s stop having that conversation and just have the conversation about how we can continue to encourage the evolution and the change that’s already brought us so far.’” This Tuesday, April 24 is a chance to do just that. “Supporting LGBT Children & Youth: Challenges and Opportunities – A Conference for Providers & Families” runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reformed Church of New Paltz and includes topics such as LGBT Child/Adolescent Development and Trauma Informed Care; Creating Safer Spaces; small group discussions and more. (A conference for LGBT youth is planned for the fall.)
The is located at 92 Huguenot Street in New Paltz. Registration is required for lunch planning. For more information and to reserve your spot, e-mail prideandjoyfamilies@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/prideandjoyfamilies.
Coming up…
• Calling all LGBTQ+ youth ages 12 to 19 and those who love them: Register now for the events taking place next Friday, April 27 in Kingston.
1) Take a vow to join the Day of Silence next Friday, April 27 to highlight the silencing of LGBTQ+ people at school.
2) Join QueerCon at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center from 1 to 6 p.m., co-hosted by the Center and the Woodstock Day School LGBTQ+ Club, including workshops, panels, speakers and free lunch.
3) After QueerCon, stay for the Breaking the Silence Dance, open to LGBTQ teens and allies, from 7 to 10 p.m., including deejays, a photo booth and refreshments. $5 donation.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. To register or for more information, call (845) 331-5300, e-mail f.brenner@lgbtqcenter.org or visit http://lgbtqcenter.org/silence or http://lgbtqcenter.org/news/queercon.
• If you have differently-abled kids or children with special needs, I can tell you how to get, how to get to Variety Day at Sesame Place. On Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sesame Place, join the Variety Club and enjoy a day of fun with the family. As the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center, could this be a dream come true for your family?
Sesame Place is located at 100 Sesame Road in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. To attend Variety Day, you must register online for the Variety Club at http://varietyphila.org/sesame, or for more information, call (610) 584-4366. To learn more about Sesame Place and its autism supports, call ((215) 702-ELMO or visit https://sesameplace.com/philadelphia/help/autism-resources.
Erica Chase-Salerno is surprised by how delicious Tic Tac watermelon gum tastes. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
