Baby goats at Cornwall’s Edgwick Farm
My family had a terrific time at our recent visit to Edgwick Farm in Cornwall. Our tour of this goat micro-dairy and creamery began with co-owners Talitha and Dan in the Viewing Room, where we watched goat cheese being made. From there, our tour leader Cara led us a short distance down the driveway to the shed where we met the farm donkey and the two male goats. The next stop was the hoop house, a large enclosed space where all of the adult female goats are housed, with a separate pen inside for the baby goats, or kids.
Cara warned us that goats have no sense of personal space, and we immediately understood what she meant when these affectionate animals walked right up and rubbed up against us, stepped on our feet or climbed on us. If you are small or seated on the ground, the goats get even more physical, so I suggest being extra-watchful with young children who might be easily overwhelmed. My kids discovered that the goats were fond of nibbling on mittens, mouthing the tassels on their hats and chewing on the lift tickets on their jackets, which we swiftly tucked away. While we hung out with the animals, Cara answered all of our questions and told us their names.
Next, we lined up to visit the absolutely adorable babies in their enclosure within the hoop house. Only a few people are allowed in at a time, so as not to overwhelm the babies, plus the space is small. The goat kids are snuggly, soft and rambunctious, and they climbed all over us. These babies were in a constant happy swirl around us. One kept climbing up on my son’s back and zipping down his shoulder like a slide. The goats are bottle-fed, but feeding is not usually part of the tours. We got to peek at the milking room before heading back to the Viewing Room for the final leg of our tour: tasting samples of raw goat’s milk and a delectable array of goat cheeses.
The farm is so small and manageable that there is not much walking to do, but the uneven ground won’t work for strollers. The parking is very close to the tour area, and the bathroom is right next to the viewing room.
Our loving interactions with all of the animals more than made up for the little bit of dirt that ended up on our clothes, especially our shoes. Keep in mind that these hooves climbing on us are the same ones that walk in goat urine and droppings on the hay-covered floor. My warm technical pants got covered in bits of straw, so I recommend wearing a fabric that you can just brush off, like jeans. I also suggest bringing clothing that you can change into afterwards, especially shoes.
Edgwick tours are available by reservation only and take place on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visits are capped at 15 people per tour, and tickets cost $10 per person; children under 2 get in free. While you’re there, ask where the name Edgwick comes from!
Edgwick Farm is located at 348 Angola Road in Cornwall. For tour reservations or more information, contact (845) 534-8707 or edgwickfarm@gmail.com, or visit www.facebook.com/edgwickfarm.
A visit to Jones Farm in Cornwall
After we left Edgwick Farm, we made a stop down the road at 100-year-old Jones Farm, where we were warmly greeted by Doris, “everybody’s Grandma.” We gazed at all of the tempting treats in the bakery cases, then were stunned by the sheer size of the gift shop upstairs, which includes an entire children’s room with awesome toys for all ages – and free gift-wrapping! Be sure to check out the art gallery in the small building next door, too. I highly recommend Jones Farm for unique gift-giving with a local focus, for all ages, all tastes and all price points.
Jones Farm is located at 190 Angola Road in Cornwall. For more information or to order pies, call (845) 534-4445 or visit www.jonesfarminc.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Leprechaun Tales at Poughkeepsie’s Adriance Library
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with Leprechaun Tales at the Adriance Memorial Library on Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m. Children from kindergarten through grade 5 are encouraged to wear green and enjoy music, dancing, crafting and a leprechaun story.
The Adriance Memorial Library is located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 485-3445 or visit https://poklib.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
Pi Day bake sale, head-shaving in Saugerties fight childhood cancer
Pi Day is celebrated around the world on March 14, or 3/14, as corresponds with the mathematical constant 3.14… This year is a once-in-a-century event, because 3/14/15; 9:26:53 a.m. are the first ten digits of pi. Our family has traditionally honored this special day as an excuse to eat some form of pie at every meal, from savories such as pizza, quiche, pot pie and shepherds’ pie to favorite sweets like chocolate cream pie, sweet potato, blueberry and apple.
Pick up a pie at the St. Baldrick’s Day bake sale in Saugerties and support a good cause while you indulge. My kids’ favorite part of Pi Day is smashing whipped-cream pies in each other’s faces. Happy Pi Day!
Local dynamo Gloria Darmanin has organized a special event to help raise funds to fight childhood cancer. “St. Baldrick’s Day: Brave the Shave” takes place on Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Building Multi-Purpose Room, located at 207 Market Street in Saugerties. Many children lose their hair during cancer treatments, and this St. Baldrick’s fundraiser features “shavees”: volunteers who will shave their heads in support of these children, to inspire others to donate. This family-friendly event also includes a special performance by 16-year-old singer/songwriter Katie Hoffstatter, as well as raffles, a bake sale, face-painting, crafting and coloring.
“We have raised over $35,000, but I’m most proud of the awareness being spread here in the Hudson Valley,” writes Darmanin. “Many people didn’t realize that seven children die every single day from cancer in the USA! Every three minutes a child is diagnosed worldwide. Each of our small towns has children and their families fighting the hardest battles of their lives. We want them to know that nobody fights alone. I am in awe of the 80 shavees who have signed up to raise money and stand with these families. Do what you can. Brave the Shave!”
To donate or learn more about the event, call (845) 901-2919, visit www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/11646/2015 or look for St. Baldrick’s Day – Saugerties on Facebook.
Kleinert in Woodstock presents mentalist Lucas Handwerker
Mentalist Lucas Handwerker challenges our perceptions of what’s possible in this weekend’s event, “The Hidden.” On Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. at the Kleinert/James Art Center, Handwerker draws from hypnosis, neurolinguistic programming and psychological suggestion to demonstrate his remarkable talents and skill, opening our minds to go beyond what we perceive as personal limitations.
Handwerker elaborates, “My work is based on one simple idea, a belief. It is my belief that in the right state of mind all people are capable of all things. It is my goal to explore this state of mind with my audiences, and facilitate a process.”
Tickets cost $20. The Kleinert/James Art Center is located at 36 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, visit https://woodstockguild.org/lucashandwerker.html. To learn more about this local young man and his amazing work, visit www.lucashandwerker.com.
Gardiner Library hosts MakerSpace
Many of us use computers every day, but what are the mechanics inside of these devices? That’s exactly the focus of this weekend’s MakerSpace at the Gardiner Library. On Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., technologist Alan Macaluso explains to children the functions of various parts of a disassembled computer, which they put back together afterwards. The 11 a.m. presentation is for children 5 to 8 years old; 1 p.m. is for children 9 to 12 years old.
This event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Barefoot Dance Company in Rhinebeck
Introduce modern dance to your family this Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m. at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. The youth of the Barefoot Dance Company will inspire all ages with its powerful and innovative choreography. I always leave a Barefoot performance feeling upbeat and energized!
Tickets cost $7 for children, $9 for adults and seniors. The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck is located at 661 Route 308. For tickets or more information, call (845) 876-3080 or visit https://centerforperformingarts.org. To learn more about the performers, visit https://barefootdancecenter.com.
Join the family! 
