Daddy: Are the kids asleep in the back seat?
Papa: Son is snoring and I can’t see our daughter. K, are you awake?
K: …
Papa: K, are you ignoring me?
K: Yes.
Papa: Okay then, K is not.
– overheard in Lake Carmel
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10
Bill Shannon performs at PS21
Like dance? Skateboarding? How about a performance that features both – and on crutches? On Friday, August 10 at 1 p.m. at PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, you will see exactly that! Born with a congenital hip issue, Bill Shannon takes the PS21 stage as part of the Just for Fun series this season, showing us his own signature moves and sharing his personal story while inspiring audiences to create our own steps. This performance is free and open to the public of all ages.
PS21 is located at 2980 Route 66 in Chatham. For more information, call (518) 392-6121 or visit http://ps21chatham.org/event/just-for-fun-bill-shannon. To learn more about the performer, visit www.whatiswhat.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11
Family Fly-Fishing Class at Olive Free Library
Q: How do you communicate with a fish?
A: Drop it a line!
When you drive by someone fly-fishing, do you pine away for some of that time in the great outdoors? Maybe you wish you could access the gear and the skills to try it? You can get started this weekend! On Saturday, August 11 from 1 to 3 p.m., join Trout Unlimited for a Family Fly-Fishing Class at the Olive Free Library. A couple of hours of learning, and your family will feel like you’re in A River Runs through It. The class is free, but preregistration is required.
The Olive Free Library is located at 4033 Route 23A in Ashokan. For more information, call (845) 657-2482 or visit https://bit.ly/2nnuNsx.
Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count at Waryas Park
Hmmm, does something seem fishy to you? Ha-ha, I mean in a good way! This Saturday, August 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. is the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count: Poughkeepsie at the south end of Waryas Park. Participants use a 30-foot seine net to identify and count fish that dwell in the Hudson. The Count is free and open to the public of all ages and gives a glimpse of the amazing world under the water surface.
Waryas Park is located at 1 Main Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 473-4440, extension 265, e-mail Kristin Welch at kwelch@scenichudson.org or visit https://bit.ly/2nk51Wd.
Rosendale Theatre presents Truth!
Sojourner Truth is one of our area’s most prominent names: She was born right along Route 213 in Esopus; she emancipated herself from slavery; she fought in the Ulster County Courthouse for custody of her son after he was illegally sold down South (and she won!); and she influenced Abraham Lincoln’s laws to abolish slavery. Now you and your crew can enjoy a live performance about this incredible woman whose impact continues to resonate today.
This Saturday, August 11 at 11 a.m., head over to the Rosendale Theatre for the original performance piece Truth! Truth! includes music composed by middle-schoolers Rhys Ellis and Maitreya Motel, and a cast of local youth artists ages 10 to 21. “All of the cast members have been learning about this strong and passionate woman. We have asked them to look inward to discover their own ‘truths’ and are thrilled to see them stand up and share their discoveries onstage,” stated Carrie Wykoff, director of Youth Arts at the Rosendale Theatre.
The cost to attend is $8 for children and members, $10 for adult non-members. The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street (Route 213) in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit www.rosendaletheatre.org/2018/05/17/truth. To learn more about Sojourner Truth, visit www2.newpaltz.edu/sojourner_truth.
Hudson Black Arts & Cultural Festival
Here’s a terrific way to spend your weekend: We’re talking a parade, an engaging kid zone, delicious food and a variety of performances in music, art and dance highlighting the traditions and contributions of the black community. The Hudson Black Arts and Cultural Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12 in Hudson. The parade begins on Saturday at 2 p.m., proceeds down Warren Street and finishes at the Hudson Riverfront Park, which is located on Front Street in Hudson.
The Hudson Black Arts and Cultural Festival is free and open to the public of all ages. For more information, call (518) 828-3612 or visit www.operationuniteny.com or www.facebook.com/events/1778801715543476.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
“How We Beat the British” at Mt. Gulian
How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower
Somehow defeat a global superpower?
How do we emerge victorious from the quagmire?
Leave the battlefield waving Betsy Ross’s flag higher?
– “Guns and Ships” from Hamilton: An American Musical
Our annual July 4 celebrations honor our country’s independence from Great Britain. But how did we do it? Well, that’s just what Mount Gulian is all about this weekend! On Sunday, August 12 from noon to 5 p.m., bring your crew of modern-day musketeers to be a part of Revolutionary War Day at the Mount Gulian Historic Site: “How We Beat the British.” Families can practice military drills, take house tours, hear a talk about how we won our independence and enjoy a living-history visit with Patriot General von Steuben “himself,” who was headquartered at Mount Gulian and widely considered one of the unsung heroes of the war. Suitable for all ages, admission to the event costs $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 12 to 18, $4 for ages 4 to 11 and is free for children under 4 and members.
The Mount Gulian Historic Site is located at 145 Sterling Street in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 831-8172 or visit www.mountgulian.org/events.html.
Day of the Bird at Storm King Art Center
“A-well, a bird, bird, bird, bird is the word,” sing the Trashmen, now revitalized for the next generation by Family Guy. It’s the perfect earworm for this weekend’s Special Exhibition Public Program: Day of the Bird taking place this Sunday, August 12 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Storm King Art Center. Come early, before open hours, to do some birdwatching. Then meet some live raptors, draw live birds, attend readings and talks and hear Sandbox Percussion perform John Luther Adams’ songbird songs at the end of the day.
Day of the Bird activities are all included with site admission, but some workshops require preregistration. Admission costs $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for students and youth ages 5 to 18 and is free for members and children under 4 years of age. The Storm King Art Center is located at 1 Museum Road in New Windsor. To register for any of the programs or for more information, call (845) 534-3115 or visit https://stormking.org/events/special-exhibition-public-program-day-of-the-bird.
Mohonk Preserve offers Ulster County residents a free month of membership
Ulster County residents who like *free* fun family experiences, read on: The Mohonk Preserve offers a free monthlong membership, good through September 16! Just provide proof of residency and show up at one of the places and times as listed here to score your passes. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://bit.ly/2nkcHaZ.
• Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, August 16 through Sunday, August 19; 3197 Route 44/55 in Gardiner.
• Spring Farm Trailhead from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19; Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls.
– Erica Chase-Salerno
Erica Chase-Salerno hopes this is your best summer yet! She invites your comments and feedback at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
