“The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February.”
– Joseph Wood Krutch
Art retreats for kids at Olana
Register now to secure your child’s spot at the Olana State Historic Site’s special daylong artmaking retreat series for ages 5 to 12 years. On Monday, February 16 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., artist Robin Brickman helps youth to create paper landscapes in “3D Underwater Worlds,” based on an underwater scene painted by Frederic Church and the 1860s children’s book, Water Babies. On Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., certified teacher Sarah Hasbrook leads students in art projects and outdoor play.
The cost is $45 per day, or $100 for all three days, and registration is required by February 12. Participants require a snack, packed lunch and clothing for outdoor play. Olana is located at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson. For more information or to register, call (518) 828-1872, extension 105, or visit www.olana.org.
Polar bears against Alzheimer’s in Highland
Youth ages 14 and up as well as adults still have time to raise the required $100 minimum to participate in next weekend’s “Subzero Heroes” fundraiser for Alzheimer’s disease. On Saturday, February 14, setup and registration begin at 10 a.m., and at 12 noon, participants plunge into Berean Pond in order of their amounts raised.
Berean Pond is located on Reservoir Road in Highland. For more information or to register, call (800) 272-3900 or visit https://subzeroheroes.wordpress.com/faqs.
Flurry Festival in Saratoga
The Flurry Festival takes place in Saratoga, but I know so many local people who attend every year that I want to let everyone else know about it. From Friday through Sunday, February 13 to 15, 400 musicians and dancers and their workshops, events and activities swirl throughout the town. For accommodations and a complete schedule, visit www.flurryfestival.org.
“Writing about Place!” winners announced
Congratulations to the area students who won this year’s fourth Teaching the Hudson Valley poem and essay contest, “Writing about Place!” The winners are: Vincent Cheng, second grade, Arlington School District; Asa Miller, second grade, Haldane Central School District; Charlotte Weinstein, fourth grade, Red Hook School District; Ember Reynolds, fifth grade, Valley Central School District; Liliana Rivera, fifth grade, Warwick School District; Brian Angevine, eighth grade, Onteora School District; and Itzel Garcia, 11th grade, Newburgh School District. For more information, visit www.teachingthehudsonvalley.org.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Chocolate Day at Fishkill’s Blodgett Library
This Friday, February 6, the Blodgett Memorial Library presents Chocolate Day for all ages from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event includes games, chocolate activities and making a chocolate pizza to bring home. All are welcome, and no registration is necessary.
The Blodgett Memorial Library is located at 37 Broad Street in Fishkill. For more information, call (845) 896-9215 or visit https://blodgettmemoriallibrary.org.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Take Your Child to the Library Day
Take Your Child to the Library Day is an international push to encourage families to bring their children to the library. It takes place on the first Saturday of February, so check out your local library’s schedule for special celebratory events. I would like to express my appreciation personally to every one of our area’s fantastic librarians for all that they do: Thank you!
To learn more about Take Your Child to the Library Day, call your local branch or visit https://takeyourchildtothelibrary.blogspot.com and www.takeyourchildtothelibrary.org.
Wizard of Oz puppet show at Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck
Happily, the Saturday Morning Family Series at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck has resumed after its winter break, and 2015 begins with The Wizard of Oz puppet show. On Saturday, February 7 at 11 a.m., give your children a chance to see the story come to life while inspiring the rest of us to reconnect with our loving hearts, smart minds, enduring courage and our own sense of home.
Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults. 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://centerforperformingarts.org.
Join the family! 
