Summer survey
What say you?
I take two identical glasses and put them on the table. One glass gets filled up halfway with lemonade and then topped off with unsweetened iced tea. The other gets filled up halfway with lemonade and then topped off with sweetened iced tea. Did I just serve two different drinks, or two of the same drink?
Send your responses to kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
SATURDAY, JULY 28
Butterfly Festival at Stony Kill Farm
Whether your kid is a huge fan of Jennifer Castle’s Butterfly Wishes series or you just like gazing at tie-dye wings gracing the air, all ages and interests will enjoy some “flying flowers” this weekend! On Saturday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stony Kill Farm, spend some time celebrating beauty at Stony Kill’s Butterfly Festival! Free admission, free parking, hands-on activities, a monarch expert, an education table, music and of course butterfly tents are available for you and your caterpillars to explore.
Stony Kill Farm is located at 79 Farmstead Lane in Wappingers Falls. For more information, call (845) 831-3800 or visit https://bit.ly/2LuoP79.
Rosendale Theatre hosts World Dance for Families
Looking for indoor fun or foul-weather backup with the fam? Make plans to attend the Vanaver Caravan’s World Dance for Families taking place this Saturday, July 28 at 5 p.m. at the Rosendale Theatre. I’d say sit back and relax, but I think you’ll end up tapping your toes and moving along with the music like I do! The one-hour performance is suitable for all ages. Entry costs $10 general admission, $8 for kids and Rosendale Theatre members. And remember: The more family shows you attend, the more rewards you receive!
The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit https://bit.ly/2NIRWRF. To learn more about the performers, visit https://vanavercaravan.org.
Red Feathers & Drummers at Kingston’s Matthewis Persen House
So much of the Hudson Valley hearkens back to our fascinating history. Have you been to this treasure yet? This Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Matthewis Persen House Museum, enjoy the music of Red Feathers & Drummers while taking in this special dwelling. All ages are welcome to this free event, which includes hands-on children’s activities. One of Ulster County’s oldest government-owned buildings in one of our country’s oldest neighborhoods, plus a bakery stop at Deising’s afterwards? Sounds like the perfect plan for a summer Saturday to me.
The Matthewis Persen House Museum is located at 74 John Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 340-3040 or visit https://bit.ly/2O99C9U.
Family Music Extravaganza at Plattekill Library
Live music! Bubbles! Parachutes! Your whole family, especially babies through eight years, will let loose and have fun at Evan Gottfried’s Family Music Extravaganza this Saturday, July 28 at 1 p.m. at the Plattekill Public Library. This free one-hour-long performance is interactive and the perfect weekend pick-me-up. Registration is required.
The Plattekill Public Library is located at 2047 Route 32 in Modena. To register or for more information, call (845) 883-7286 or visit www.facebook.com/events/250271245705807. To learn more about the performer, visit https://bit.ly/2NHKK8m.
Berry Bonanza at Sam’s Point
“Can ya tell a huckleberry from a blueberry?” queries Dean Jones in his summery, swinging song, “Huckleberries.” This weekend, you and your crew can give it your berry best try! On Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., join the Berry Bonanza Drop-In Celebration at Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Sam’s Point Area. Take a berry taste test and make your own berry carrier in the picnic area; explore remnants of berry-picker shacks along the trails; and watch a 27-minute documentary about local berrying history in the Visitor Center. Park entry costs $10 per vehicle, but the program is free, and registration is not required.
Sam’s Point is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For more information, call (845) 647-7989 or visit https://on.ny.gov/2JPHmWk. To learn more about the “Huckleberries” song I love, visit www.dogonfleas.com.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck stages Treasure Island
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! Arrrr, it’s Kids’ Almanac; let’s change that to root beer… Well, whatever your tastes, this weekend, bring out your inner pirate and take in a family performance with Long John Silver and a hunt for treasure! Treasure Island takes place this Saturday, July 28 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. General admission for all you scallywags costs $7.
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308 in Rhinebeck. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://bit.ly/2A5IAx9. To learn more about the performers, visit https://hampsteadstage.org or download the guide and activities for Treasure Island at https://bit.ly/2Lk5pmd.
Camp Lightheart
Know anyone in the area with breast cancer who has kids? Please let them know about Camp Lightheart, created by Breast Cancer Options for children with a parent with breast cancer, or who passed away from the disease. Hosted by the Omega Institute and free to all campers, including meals and lodging, my kids love this four-day camp experience, from the hands-on activities to supportive discussions and connections with kids their age. This year’s camp takes place Sunday to Wednesday, August 5 through 8.
The Omega Institute is located at 150 Lake Drive in Rhinebeck. To donate toward the expenses of this incredible, unique offering for children right in our own back yard, for more information or to register (hurry: registration due August 1), call Breast Cancer Options at (845) 339-4673 or visit https://bit.ly/2uXUWSk. To learn more about Omega, visit www.eomega.org.
Scholarships offered for youth sailing camp in Kingston
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Riverport Sailing and Rowing School is offering half-price scholarships for its summer youth sailing programs running from August 6-10 and August 13-17. Applications must be completed before August 2, using the coupon code SCHOLARSAIL18. Scholarships will be given according to financial need and the desire of the student to learn to sail. Applications can be found online at http://www.hrmm.org/sailing–rowing-school.html.
Students will be taught the basics of sailing on a fleet of eight-foot Optimist Prams and 19-foot Lightning sailboats.
Each day will feature on-shore instruction, followed by on-the-water sailing lessons. During the course, students will become familiar with sailing terms, sailing theory, reading the wind and weather, capsize drills, knots and line-handling and will be introduced to the sport of racing.
The normal program fees per student for one week are $425 for museum members and $495 for non-members. Scholarship students would pay $212.50. For more information, visit http://www.hrmm.org/sailing–rowing-school.html or contact Carter Blease at cblease@hrmm.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno wants to hear your summer survey responses! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
