“A farmer should on Candlemas day have half his corn and half his hay.”
-Traditional
Happy Chinese New Year!
So many festivities taking place this week! For starters, Friday, January 31 marks the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Horse. Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin) and Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese), especially to those of you born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 or 2014. Our family is planning to create our own celebration by enjoying a Chinese meal with chopsticks, wearing clothing in the festive red New Year’s Day color and reading books about China from our local bookshops and library.
Take Your Child to the Library Day events
Speaking of library, Saturday, February 1 is Take Your Child to the Library Day, with a variety of events and activities taking place at libraries around the country. As an unabashed library-lover, I want to thank all of you librarians and volunteers out there who help make our lives thrive through your fresh, creative and innovative activities. Here are some highlights of special offerings happening in our area this Saturday:
The Adriance Memorial Library hosts activities for all ages on Saturday, February 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including a gift for children who register for a new library card; valentine-making; family storytime; and guessing games with a chance to win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. Tours of the Youth Services Department take place from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, and a Library Alphabet Scavenger Hunt takes place any time you like between 1 and 3 p.m. While you are at the library, inquire about the fantastic new Teen Media Lab, too.
No registration is required for the day’s program. The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445, extension 3320, or visit www.poklib.org.
The Saugerties Public Library offers a fun-filled performance on Saturday, February 1 at 11 a.m.: “Using a ‘How To’ book, unusual musical instruments, juggling, dance and mime, Clown Red learns that if he can read and follow directions, he can accomplish anything along the road of life – and you can, too!”
The Saugerties Public Library is located at 91 Washington Avenue in Saugerties. For more information, call (845) 246-4317 or visit https://saugertiespubliclibrary.org.
The Starr Library presents a free puppet show by Ronald Sopyla on Saturday, February 1 at 3:30 p.m. Sopyla shares international folktales using shadow and black-light puppetry techniques.
The Starr Library is located at 68 West Market Street in Rhinebeck. For more information, call (845) 876-4030 or visit https://starrlibrary.org.
The West Hurley Public Library has organized a presentation on Saturday, February 1 at 1 p.m. of Bill Robinson’s World of Animals, including birds of prey and reptiles. The program takes place at the West Hurley Firehouse, located at 24 Wall Street in West Hurley. For more information, call (845) 679-6405 or visit https://westhurleylibrary.org.
The Town of Esopus Library hosts “IEP Success: A Workshop for Parents” on Wednesday, February 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the downstairs Hasbrouck Room. This talk is presented by Lorraine McGrane, a practicing lawyer who specializes in the field.
The Town of Esopus Library is located at 128 Canal Street in Port Ewen. For more information, call (845) 338-5580 or visit https://esopuslibrary.org.
African American artists’ exhibit in Beacon
February is National African American History Month, and the Howland Cultural Center is celebrating with an exhibition of African American artists of the Hudson Valley from February 1 until February 23. Artists include Ronald Brown, Helen Douglas, Walter Evans, Martha Evans, Josephine Green, Robert L. Lewis, Richard Outlaw, Daniel W. Seejars, Michael White, Donald Whitely, Jacob William and budding artist Symantha Outlaw. Gallery hours run from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays; it’s closed on February 9.
Head over to the Howland earlier on February 1 and you can catch the Family Music Show with Gina Samardge and special guests Sophia Jackson and Buzz at 10:30 a.m. The cost of the show is $10 for adults; children get in free when accompanied by an adult.
The Howland Cultural Center is located at 477 Main Street in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 831-4988 or visit www.howlandculturalcenter.org. To learn more about the performer, visit www.compassarts.org.
Join the family! 
