“Mom, are you getting extra salt on your glass like a 13-year-old on Fortnite?”
– overheard in New Paltz
Clearwater public sails from Beacon and Kingston
Sailin’ up! (Sailin’ up!) / Sailin’ down! (Sailin’ down!) / Up! (Down!) / Down! (Up!) / Up ‘n’ down the river…
When you go on a Clearwater public sail, you sing together. It’s just what you do, connecting all types of people around working together, learning together and having fun! Music has been the backbone to the Clearwater organization since legendary folksinger, activist et cetera Pete Seeger got the “crazy” idea of cleaning up the pollution in the Hudson River in the first place. River Pool in Beacon is just one example, and a testament to the ongoing success of Clearwater’s efforts.
Haven’t been on a Clearwater sail, you say? Well, here’s an opportunity for you and your family crew. This Friday, August 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. out of Beacon, and on Wednesday, August 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. from Kingston, get ready to hoist the sail and steer the 11-foot tiller on the Clearwater sloop for a powerful summer experience. Tickets cost $50 for adults, $35 for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater members and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. After the “voyage,” many public “sailors” of all ages continue to volunteer with the Clearwater organization or even work on the sloop itself.
The Beacon dock is located on Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, on the river side of the train station; the Kingston dock is at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (845) 265-8080 or visit www.clearwater.org. To hear the amazing Pete Seeger leading folks in the sailing song on the Clearwater, visit https://bit.ly/2w4JPIx.
Special soccer stars
If Dmitri Shostakovich is right, then soccer is the “ballet of the masses,” and everyone gets to dance. The Port Ewen Athletic Association is helping to make that happen. Soccer Stars is an adaptive soccer program for a variety of children from 5 to 17 years of age with a variety of disabilities or special needs. Players learn skills and sportsmanship in a supportive environment without the layers of competition; and, since we’re talking about everyone being able to play, volunteer “buddy” players are needed, too. The season runs on Sundays from September 9 through November 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Robert Graves Elementary School at a cost of $20 per player.
Robert Graves Elementary School is located at 345 Mountain View Avenue in Port Ewen. For more information or to register, visit www.peaa.org, call (914) 466-4168 or e-mail alixfoxtcutrone@gmail.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 25
Kayaking 101 at Kingston Point
In addition to being fun to do, a kayak is also fun to spell because it’s a palindrome: The word is spelled the same forwards and backwards! If we just covered the extent of your kayak knowledge, clear your calendar for Kayaking 101 this Saturday, August 25 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Kingston Point Beach. Ages 13 and up can be in their own boats; otherwise, participants will ride two-person or tandem kayaks. The class is a fit for all levels, especially beginners, and a rental kayak is included in the fee: $20 for Kingston residents, $30 for non-residents and a discount of $10 for youth up to age 16.
Kingston Point Beach is located at 102 Delaware Avenue in Kingston. For reservations, go to https://bit.ly/2BGB8ts, or for more information visit or message https://bit.ly/2PmS0YV.
Backyard Block Party in Chatham
A Backyard Block Party in Chatham is like the Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes song “Block Party” (“Where you from?/Ninth Street/Where you goin’?/To the party/Can I come?/Uh huh/Oh, they’re playin’ hopscotch”). except at the Chatham event, there will also be a Full Moon walk and yoga at the gazebo. So, what are you waiting for? This Saturday, August 25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ooms Conservation Area, come together in community with family, fun, games and yoga. Food is available for purchase; the party is free, but reservations are helpful.
The Ooms Conservation Area is located at 480 Rock City Road in Chatham. To hold your spots or for more information, call (518) 392-5252 or visit https://bit.ly/2nYB2U2.
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum hosts Butterfly Weekend
Q: Have you ever seen a butterfly cry?
A: No, but I’ve seen a moth bawl!
I am happy to announce that it’s time! Butterfly Weekend is happening this Saturday and Sunday, August 25 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center! Come visit these flying flowers; hear butterfly presentations at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day; go in the butterfly tent; create butterfly, moth and caterpillar crafts; and as a Citizen Scientist, help tag and release these beauties through Monarch Watch. Littles can also go in the Grasshopper Grove nature playground.
Admission costs $10 for adults, $7 for children and $2 off for museum members. The Outdoor Discovery Center is located at 120 Muser Drive in Cornwall. For tickets or more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit www.hhnm.org/special-events-1.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26
¡Viva Kid Flicks! at Basilica Hudson
“Did you hear about the Spanish-speaking magician? He said, ‘For my next trick, I will disappear on the count of three. Uno, dos…’ but then he vanished without a tres.”
Whether you are learning Spanish, or already speak it, or just like foreign films, head to Hudson this weekend. On Sunday, August 26 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Basilica Hudson presents the New York Children’s International Film Festival ¡Viva Kid Flicks! All films are in Spanish with English subtitles or no dialogue, enjoyable and part of the cultural richness of Mexico. This event is free and open to the public, best for ages 7 and up.
Basilica Hudson is located at 110 South Front Street in Hudson. For more information, including a list of the shorts, call (518) 822-1050 or visit http://basilicahudson.org/basilica-free-family-matinee-series-viva-kid-flicks.
Intro to Map & Compass for Kids at Sam’s Point
Those of you who have seen my new favorite movie, Christopher Robin, will recall the compass given to Pooh by Christopher. If you have never learned how to use one, or your adventurers would like to teach Pooh, keep reading! Kids ages 6 to 12 years are invited to join Intro to Map and Compass for Kids at Sam’s Point this Sunday, August 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Families practice reading a map and a compass, utilizing both to identify landmarks, then trying an outdoor navigation challenge. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are required, and there is a $10 vehicle entry fee.
Meet in the Visitors’ Center. Sam’s Point is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For reservations or more information, call (845) 647-7989 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=193-22983.0.
Women’s right to bike at Staatsburgh
“She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life.”
– Frances E. Willard, How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle, 1895
If learning and doing are a key combination, then this weekend’s outing is for you! Bring your bikes! On Sunday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to noon, hear interesting history during the Gilded Age at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site, where a costumed historian discusses how the bicycle affected women’s social status before freedom to vote. Afterwards, all are welcome to join an optional 30-minute bike ride around the Staatsburgh/mansion area (helmets required for ages 14 and under), followed by refreshments. The cost is $5 for adults, $1 for children; reservations are required.
The Staatsburgh State Historic Site is located along Old Post Road in Staatsburg. For reservations or more information, call (845) 889-8851 or visit h.
Erica Chase-Salerno reminds young people to send in the best word to describe this summer. Please send your submissions to kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com by Friday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m., and include your first name, age and town.
Join the family! 
