“May the Fourth be with you!”
– dorks like me, everywhere
Help out your favorite park and get a workout
I Love My Park Day 2018 is summed up perfectly by the Parks and Recreation show’s Leslie Knope: “We get to do work worth doing, alongside people we love.” Below are some local options to help out. For a full list of events (most for all ages!), visit www.ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day.
• I Love My Park Day: Maurice Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center, May 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 5096 Route 28, Mount Tremper; (845) 256-3083, ian.dunn@dec.ny.gov, http://catskillinterpretivecenter.org/cic-events/2018/5/5/i-love-my-park-day.
• I Love My Park Day: Minnewaska State Park Preserve, May 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson. Projects for ages 13 and up/12 and under. Registration required: (845) 255-0752, nicholas.martin@parks.ny.gov, https://bit.ly/2HMxIUt.
• Help get rid of invasive plants and clean up litter at Olana State Historic Site, May 5, starts at 10 a.m., 5720 Route 9G, a bit outside of the City of Hudson; (518) 828-1872, https://bit.ly/2HMxIUt.
• I Love My Park Day: Sam’s Point, May 5, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor. Projects for ages 5 and up. Registration required: (845) 647-7989, laura.davis@parks.ny.gov, https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=193-21448.0.
• I Love My Park Day: Walkway over the Hudson, May 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 87 Haviland Road, Highland, 61 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie. Projects for 13 and up/12 and under; https://bit.ly/2jjVufP.
• Help make a new trail at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, May 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 75 Mills Mansion Drive Road, Staatsburg; (845) 889-8851, https://bit.ly/2HMxIUt.
• Riverkeeper Sweep: Waryas Park Shoreline Cleanup, May 5, 9 a.m.-noon, Main Street at the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie; sweep@riverkeeper.org, sarah@dutchessoutreach.org, https://bit.ly/2Fy5ue6, https://bit.ly/2rjobhB.
• Spring Spruce-Up Day: Century House Historical Society, Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 668 Route 213, Rosendale; (845) 658-9900, https://bit.ly/2jnlHKH.
FRIDAY, MAY 4
Silver Needle Runway event at Marist
Does your child watch America’s Next Top Model? Are they passionate about art? Or just looking for something interesting to do on a Friday afternoon? Then the 32nd annual Silver Needle Runway is the perfect event for you and your family! Come join the young designers of Marist Fashion for this fun event on Friday, May 4 at 4 or 7 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. This highly anticipated event is attended by more than 2,500 guests and shows the collections of Marist’s student designers and future fashion leaders. Here’s the promo video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1AZnPPwpPQ#action=share.
Ticket prices range from $27 to $102 and are available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.com. The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For more information, e-mail haley.ogrady1@marist.edu or visit www.marist.edu/commarts/fashion/fash_show.html.
Circles Prom in Poughkeepsie
Aw, what’s the “hatter”? Looking to gain more of your “muchness” by doing something fun this weekend? Calling all LGBTQ high school teens to enjoy great music and hang out, or invite a special someone who would be over the rainbow by inviting them to a dance. Make sure your watch isn’t two days slow, and come to Circles Prom in Poughkeepsie this Friday, May 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. The theme is “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party,” and the location is shared when you call or text (845) 891-3494, http://lgbtqcenter.org/news/circles.
SATURDAY, MAY 5
Free Comic Book Day
Who came first: Superman or Batman? Superman! He was introduced in Action Comics #1 in 1938 (incidentally the most expensive comic in the world, sold on eBay for $3.2 million). This Saturday, May 5 is Free Comic Book Day for all ages, so stop in your favorite shop, introduce your crew to the cool world of comics and take advantage of some terrific sales that many stores are having as well. Visit www.freecomicbookday.com for more details. Here are some participating Hudson Valley businesses:
• Alterniverse, 1164 Route 9G, Suite 6, Rockledge Plaza, Hyde Park; (845) 233-4234, http://alterniverse.net.
• Kirwan’s Game Store, 2001 South Road, Suite C204, Poughkeepsie, (845) 298-0091, https://kgspoughkeepsie.com; 369 Main Street, Catskill, (518) 719-0091, https://kgscatskill.com.
• Megabrain Comics, 20 Garden Street, Rhinebeck; (845) 516-4168; www.megabraincomics.com.
• October Country Comics, 246 Main Street, Suite #15, Cherry Hill Center, New Paltz; (845) 255-1115; http://octobercountrycomics.com.
• POW! Card Games & Comics, 175 Broadway, Esopus; (845) 616-5473, http://powcardgamesandcomics.business.site.
Ryan Cronin Gallery in New Paltz hosts Opus Fun
We all know how STEAM is all the rage right now (“Sometimes Toothy Eagles Appreciate Mittens”). Now, I introduce you to a brand-new trendy acronym that I made up myself: STEMMA, in honor of this weekend’s robotic melodics (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Music and Art). So, round up the kids and check out Opus Fun this Saturday, May 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ryan Cronin Gallery.
These Experimental Music Ensemble students of SUNY-New Paltz worked with children at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx to construct and program the robots and learn to use them to create music. “Every robot is different, so part of our rehearsal has been learning the quirks of each one,” explains Steven Roberts (Class of ’18), the founder of the Ensemble. “You have to know exactly how each robot works, and how to arrange it to get the precise sound and rhythm you need.” Cronin’s bold, powerful artwork is the perfect setting for the group’s encore performance of this unique style of music-making. Opus Fun is free, family-friendly and open to the public of all ages.
Cronin Gallery is located in Water Street Market at10 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 257-2700 or visit https://bit.ly/2HEXQV6. To learn more about the venue, visit www.cronartusa.com.
Hudson Children’s Book Festival
“Be anyone, but you’ve got to turn the key; open a book, let your mind run free” is from the charming theme song of the Hudson Children’s Book Festival (you can hear the entire song on the festival website). The Hudson Children’s Book Festival takes place this Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hudson Junior/Senior High School. All ages are welcome at this free event, where attendees can meet 75 children’s and Young Adult authors and illustrators, enjoy storytimes, watch live entertainment and more. This year’s festival features Kwame Alexander, poet, educator and New York Times best-selling author of 24 books including The Crossover.
Hudson Junior/Senior High School is located at 215 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information and a complete schedule (and to hear the song!), e-mail hcbf@hudsoncsd.org or visit https://hudsonchildrensbookfestival.com. To learn more about the 2018 featured author, visit http://kwamealexander.com.
Stockade Football Club vs. Newtown Pride at Dietz Stadium
Get your kicks in Kingston this weekend by attending a pre-season friendly match of futbol! This Saturday, May 5 from 6 to 8 p.m., cheer on our own Kingston Stockade Football Club semi-professional soccer team versus Newtown Pride at Dietz Stadium. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $4 for ages 12 and under.
Dietz Stadium is located at 170 North Front Street in Kingston. For tickets, swag or more information, visit www.stockadefc.com.
Olive Free Library presents Lend-a-Pole
According to humor writer Dave Barry, “When I was a boy, I fished with a worm on a hook and it always worked, and I will tell you why: Fish are not rocket scientists. They see a worm, and in their tiny brains they think, ‘Huh! This is something I have never seen before underwater! I had better eat it!’”
Missing your fishing because you don’t have a pole? Problem solved! This Saturday, May 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. is opening day of the Lend-a-Pole program at the Olive Free Library. Borrow a pole, take a family fishing lesson, have some refreshments and enjoy some fishy fun!
The Olive Free Library is located at 4033 Route 28A in West Shokan. For more information, call (845) 657-2482 or visit http://olivefreelibrary.org.
SUNDAY, MAY 6
Coloring book release party in Kingston
Craving a coloring book that honors all manner of children along the gender spectrum? I’m talking girls who build drum sets and fix bikes, or boys who bake and knit. Then I have great news for you! Come to the Girls Will Be Boys Will Be Girls Will Be…Coloring Book release party this Sunday, May 6 at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center. The event begins at 5 p.m. and the music begins at 6, featuring Rhys Ellis, age 10 (you can hear Rhys’ music on Julie Novak’s No One like You radio show and podcast); Graciela Reyes-Bondar; Samiha Golden; and of course, the creator of the coloring book (and an incredible force of nature), Jacinta Bunnell. The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/108039753365745. To learn more about the artist, visit www.jacintabunnell.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno is remembering the wonderful Charlotte Biro this week. Erica can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
