“There’s always something to look at if you open your eyes.”
– Doctor Who #5
National Get Outdoors Day
Get Outdoors, or “GO” Day, is in its 11th year and intended to inspire people to get outside, especially children. Here are some places to check out – so, let’s GO! All of these events listed take place on Saturday, June 9. For more information, visit www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org and www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/113380.html.
• Catskill Interpretive Center Outdoors Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include archery, hiking, stream health, animal tracking and more. Free, but preregistration is required for some activities. 5096 Route 28, Mount Tremper, (845) 688-3369, info@catskillcenter.org, http://catskillinterpretivecenter.org/outdoors-day-1.
• Kenneth L. Wilson Campground Outdoors Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include fishing, paddling, archery, biking and more. 859 Wittenberg Road, Mount Tremper, (845) 679-7020, www.facebook.com/events/1737992542948289.
• Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam’s Point Area National Get Outdoors Day, 9:30 to 11 a.m.: Introduction to Birding Walk for Families at Minnewaska, recommended for ages 8 and up, preregistration required at (845) 255-0752. 1 to 3 p.m.: Make Your Own Sunprint or Animal Track, recommended for ages 6 and up, drop-in, no registration required. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Live Birds of Prey at Sam’s Point, all ages, drop-in, no registration required. 12 to 3 p.m.: Introduction to Bird Identification, all ages, drop-in, no registration required. Minnewaska: 5281 Route 44/55, Kerhonkson, (845) 255-0752, https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx; Sam’s Point Area: 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor, https://parks.ny.gov/parks/193.
• Stony Kill Farm Outdoors Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities include painting garden rocks, starting seeds, honeybee hive inspection, fishing, family nature walk and more. Preregistration required for each activity. 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, (845) 831-3800, http://stonykill.org.
Special Education support events
• Special Education Law & Autism: Monday, June 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street in Kingston. Presented by Michael Gilberg, an attorney on the autism spectrum. Reserve your spot or get more information at (845) 746-3013 or www.pulsesny.org.
• Transitioning from Early Intervention (EI) to Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE): Wednesday, June 13, 6 to 8 p.m. at Early Intervention/Preschool Special Education Programs, Main Entrance at Ulster County Department of Social Services, 1071 Development Court in Kingston. Free. Presented by Renee Falanga-Brenner. Register ASAP (especially if you need childcare) or get more information at (845) 565-1162, extension 244.
THURSDAY, JUNE 7
Amelia Pond actress Caitlin Blackwood at Beacon’s Pandorica
Brave heart, readers: Thursday, June 7 isn’t just any ordinary evening; Amelia Pond is coming for dinner! From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. you want to reverse the polarity of the neutron flow and get over to the Pandorica Restaurant. You have three full hours to mingle and chat, take selfies and get autographs with Caitlin Blackwood, who played the girl who actually opened the Pandorica in Season 5, Episode 13. The three-course dinner includes fish fingers and custard. The cost is $125 per person, but hurry, because space is limited.
The Pandorica Restaurant is located at 165 Main Street in Beacon. For reservations or more information, call (845) 831-6287 or visit www.thepandoricarestaurant.com. Allons-y!
FRIDAY, JUNE 8
Family Camp Out at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Did you hear about the camping trip? It was in-tents (intense).
Calling all families with children, from newbie campers to experienced overnighters, whose crew could use a gentle introduction to the world of sleeping in the great outdoors: The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum hosts its Family Camp Out this Friday, June 8 at 6 p.m. through Saturday, June 9 at 8 a.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center. After dinner, pack up your tent and sleeping bags, head to the Center and get ready for some entertainment and s’mores around the campfire. You’ll get a light breakfast and coffee in the morning as you break camp. This is such a terrific way to make special memories with your crew.
The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for children 5 and above, free for littles and less for members. Prepaid registration is required. The Outdoor Discovery Center is located at 120 Muser Drive in Cornwall. For reservations or more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit www.hhnm.org/special-events-1.
Happy Birthday, Forsyth Nature Center
Happy birth-day dear Tulip, Mario, Abe and all your furred, feathered, finned, shelled and slithery frie…nds…. Happy Birthday to you! It’s the Forsyth Nature Center’s birthday, and you are invited to sing, visit your favorite critters and have a cupcake! The festivities take place this Friday, June 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Center, one of my favorite places. There are new animal exhibits and gorgeous gardens, and bring those bird questions to query Mark DeDea, Nature Center caretaker and knower of all things animals.
This celebration is free and open to the public, and in the meantime, be sure to check out the new website. The Forsyth Nature Center is located at 125 Lucas Avenue Extension in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 339-3053 or visit http://forsythnaturecenter.org.
GlassBarge comes to Poughkeepsie, Kingston & Catskill
You know what they say: People in glass barges shouldn’t throw sand! I am hearing so much buzz about GlassBarge, which is making a four-month journey with stops along the Hudson River, then along the Erie Canal. This special voyage honors the 150th anniversary of the Flint Glass Company moving from Brooklyn to Corning. We’ll see glassblowing demonstrations, tour the Lois McClure to learn about barge life in the 1800s and hear about the historic tug moving the barge during its journey. Stops closest to our area are Victor C. Waryas Park on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, June 8, 9, 10; Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston, June 15, 16, 17; and Historic Catskill Point 1 Main Street in Catskill, June 19 (no Lois McClure).
Tickets are timed and free, but they are going fast! For your free tickets or more information, visit www.cmog.org/glassmaking/demos/hot-glass-demos/glassbarge.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
18th-Century Market Days at Locust Lawn in New Paltz
Blood and ‘ounds!* After this weekend, you’ll have tongue enough for two sets of teeth!** I don’t know B from a bull’s foot***, so I look forward to 18th-Century Market Days with the Brigade happening this Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Locust Lawn. Bring the whole family for the Brigade of the American Revolution, demos, children’s games and more. Admission costs $8 per person.
Locust Lawn is located at 436 Route 32 in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 454-4500 or visit https://bit.ly/2HouXHJ or www.facebook.com/locustlawn.
18th-century idioms:
*exclamation
**a very talkative person
***to be ignorant
KING TRIES HOT DOG AND ASKS FOR MORE
– New York Times headline, June 12, 1939
On June 11, 1939, president Franklin Delano Roosevelt hosted Prince Harry’s great-grandparents, King George VI and Queen “Mum” Elizabeth; no big deal. Here’s the fun part: Roosevelt brought them home(!) to his “cottage” (technically, his Mom’s place), the Springwood estate in Hyde Park! That had never been done before. Even better? He served them hotdogs! Whaaaat? The wieners were presented on silver platters, but they all ate from paper plates, just like the commoners who were also invited. I mean, can you even?
Take a bite out of history and enjoy the annual HVRRS Commemorative Royal Hot Dog Picnic this Saturday, June 9 at the Hyde Park Train Station Museum. This out-of-the-bun celebration is free and open to the public, royalty or not, and takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. While you’re there, see the train displays and learn more about being a volunteer.
The Hyde Park Train Station Museum is located at 34 River Road in Hyde Park. For more information, call (845) 229-2338 or visit www.hydeparkstation.com/hps.html or www.facebook.com/events/792788944252138.
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival
As if your tastebuds weren’t already instinctively twitching, it’s Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry Festival time! Come down to the Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park this Sunday, June 10 from 12 to 5 p.m., rain or shine, and enjoy fresh homemade strawberry shortcake, strawberry smoothies and chocolate-covered strawberries, along with other treats. Stay a while for the free Woody Guthrie sloop rides (sign up early!), the variety of live music like Pat Lamanna (tell her I say Hi!), entertainment, children’s activities, environmental awareness and to channel Pete and Toshi Seeger, who started the Sloop’s environmental mission of saving the Hudson River. Admission is free, and there’s something to appeal to all ages.
Riverfront Park is located at 2 Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, behind the train station. For more information, visit http://beaconsloopclub.org.
Pride Picnic at Locust Grove estate in Poughkeepsie
Express to impress, and throw a spread with gusto at the Pride Picnic at Locust Grove Estate! This event takes place on Sunday, June 10 from 5 to 10 p.m. and is not only BYOB, it’s BYOE: Bring Your Own Everything. You could win a prize in one of the following Best Picnicscape categories: Best Food and Drink Display; Best Pride-Inspired Theme; and Best Use of a Picnic Blanket. Tanglewood hasn’t seen anything like this before! Tickets cost $15 per person.
Locust Grove Estate is located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit http://lgbtqcenter.org/pec-events/pride-picnic-at-locust-grove/1528650000.
Erica Chase-Salerno’s favorite is the Kosiner Brothers Blue Ribbon hotdog on a gluten-free bun. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
