“Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring.”
– William Alexander
FRIDAY, MAY 18
Endangered Species Weekend at Millbrook’s Trevor Zoo
Red pandas like me best. You can tell by the way they keep looking past you for me. If you want to encounter this most adorable animal ever (tell them Erica says “Hi”), head over to Millbrook this weekend! On Friday through Sunday, May 18 to 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., come to the Trevor Zoo to glimpse the finned, feathered and furred eye-candy that are all on the endangered species list. You and your family will appreciate discovering this terrific animal treasure: It’s the perfect-sized center for all ages to discover, learn, explore and experience endangered animals from around the world, as well as many others! And each purchase at the gift shop helps to save endangered species.
Endangered Species Weekend takes place at the Trevor Zoo at the Millbrook School, located at 282 Millbrook School Road in Millbrook. Daily admission costs $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children ages 3 to 13 and is free for children under 3 years of age. For more information, call (845) 677-3704 or visit www.facebook.com/trevorzoomillbrook or www.millbrook.org/page/trevor-zoo-home. Afterwards, keep the fun going at the Millbrook Tribute Playground and Gardens, located in the village at 3269 Franklin Avenue in Millbrook. It’s free and open to the public of all ages.
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Make seed paper and seed balls at Clermont
Channel your inner Tears for Fears rock star and be a part of Sowing the Seeds of Love on Saturday, May 19 at the Clermont State Historic Site. From 1 to 3 p.m., make your own seed paper or seed ball, using your own seeds or those from Clermont’s reserves. The day rounds out with garden and nature activities: a great way to spend the afternoon for individuals and families ages 8 and up. Admission costs $10 per person, free for children aged 2 and under. Advance registration is required.
The Clermont State Historic Site is located at 87 Clermont Avenue in Germantown. For more information or to register, call (518) 537-6622 or visit www.friendsofclermont.org/events.
Land of Chocolate MyKingstonKids Fest at Lace Mill
Who needs passports when a world of cacao comes to you? Wear any costume you like to the MyKingstonKids Fest 2018: Land of Chocolate this Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lace Mill. The day includes a new pre-activity, Pancakes with Poppy at 9:30 a.m.; candymaking, live performances, a Red Velvet Tea Party and, of course, lots of chocolate!
The Lace Mill is located at 165 Cornell Street in Kingston. For more information about activities, ticket, and sponsorships, call (845) 282-0182 or visit https://bit.ly/2wIgBSr.
Grow Your Own Mushrooms at Sam’s Point
“Life is too short to stuff a mushroom,” proclaims writer Shirley Conran. But not too short to cultivate them! Learn all about fun with fungi at Grow Your Own Mushrooms this Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. The program is free, but advance registration is required. Park admission costs $10 per vehicle.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve at Sam’s Point is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For reservations or more information, call (845) 647-7989.
Square Dance and Potluck Dinner at Olive Fire Department
Remember the Huey Lewis and the News hit, “Hip to be Square”? Kick your heels up a notch and join this weekend’s annual Square Dance and Potluck Dinner on Saturday, May 19: Dinner starts at 6 p.m.; easy round and square-dancing runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Olive Fire Department Company. Do-si-do your way in with a dish to share, and $10 if you’re an adult (free for children under 12).
The Olive Fire Department is located at 9 Mill Road, at the corner of Route 213 in Olivebridge. This is a change of location; please help them spread the word! For more information or potluck reservations, call (845) 294-9016 or e-mail dmjure33@frontiernet.net.
Slabsides Day in West Park
“From what fact or event shall one really date the beginning of spring? The little piping frogs usually furnish a good starting-point,” wrote local naturalist John Burroughs in “A Spring Relish,” Signs and Seasons, 1886. Spend some time immersed in his world of nature right at his cottage during the Slabsides Open House happening this Saturday, May 19. Tour the cabin between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., enjoy the gorgeous woods, delightful hiking trails and notable speaker Nicholas Robinson for his talk, “Writing Nature, Saving Nature,” at 12 noon. Robinson, Professor for the Environment at Pace University, and Adjunct Professor at Yale University School of Forestry & Environment, played a significany role in constructing environmental legislation for New York State and developing international environmental organizations and laws to safeguard the planet.
This event is free and open to the public. Come see why this is one of my favorite hiking spots in our area! Slabsides is located off Floyd Ackert Road on Burroughs Drive in West Park. For more information, e-mail info@johnburroughsassociation.org or visit https://bit.ly/2rKNAjx.
Water Wars at Museum of Firefighting in Hudson
Have your mini fearless firefighters been pleading to run a real firehose? Here’s their chance! Head over to Water Wars: Who Will “Rain” Supreme? this Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting. Kids of all ages will love both the activities available outside and the engaging regular exhibits inside. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for children 3 and older, and is free for children under 3 as well as Columbia County residents, since it’s a Super Saturday event.
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1875 or visit https://bit.ly/2xixQbU.
SUNDAY, MAY 20
Family Fun & Fish Day in Mt. Tremper
No more excuses: Get yourself and your kids outside for some quality family traditions, like this weekend’s Family Fun and Fish Day at the Kenneth L. Wilson State Campground. The fun takes place this Sunday, May 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and is geared to families of all ages who are new to fishing. All activities are free, including fishing supplies, but park entry costs $6.
The Kenneth L. Wilson State Campground is located at 859 Wittenberg Road in Mount Tremper. For more information, call (845) 688-3027 or visit https://bit.ly/2L1sWV3.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus rehearses at Hudson Hall
Celebrate spring and enjoy animal-free entertainment at the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus this weekend! On Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m., you can watch an open rehearsal of the creative, fun and renowned antics of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at Hudson Hall. What a great way to see the hard work that goes into seemingly effortless performances!
Hudson Hall is located at 327 Warren Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit http://hudsonhall.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno is hooked on Paris Fog at Underground. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
