“Each moment is just what it is. It might be the only moment of our life; it might be the only strawberry we’ll ever eat.” ~ Pema Chodron
Friday, June 10
Teen book festival at Barnes & Noble
Gathering suggestions for an enjoyable outing with your teens? How about books and a latte? Come to B-Fest at all Barnes & Noble stores this weekend, Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12, for the largest teen book festival in the United States! At the Poughkeepsie store, you’ll meet authors Emmy Laybourne and Kimberly Sabatini, along with trivia contests, interactive games/activities, cosplay and more. And you can get your latte right in the store, too! Local Barnes & Noble stores are located in Poughkeepsie at 2518 South Road, (845) 485-2229; and in Kingston at 1177 Ulster Avenue, (845) 336-0590. For a complete schedule and more information, call the store directly or visit www.barnesandnoble.com.
Writing class at Olana
What happens when storytelling makes history come alive, like the hip-hop musical Hamilton? Hearts and minds are ignited! This Friday, June 10, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., join storyteller Tom Lee at Olana State Historic Site for Non-Fiction Stories for Writers and Teachers: a non-fiction story tour that will equip and inspire both ecrivains and educators to incorporate stories into their own work and classes. This event is limited to adults only. Tickets are $10, and pre-registration is required. Olana State Historic Site is located at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson. For more information or to register, call (518) 828-0135 or visit h. To learn more about the presenter, visit h.
Saturday, June 11
Check out Jennifer Castle’s What Happens Now this Saturday in New Paltz
Wish you could infuse your teens’ summer reading list with books they’ll love? Then take a look a local author Jennifer Castle’s What Happens Now, which takes place during the main character Ari’s summer between junior and senior year of high school. During that time, Ari juggles her roles as a daughter to a mom who spends most of her time at work to avoid managing her depression and being an older sister to Dani, whom she cares for. She’s also receiving attention from Camden, and gaining insights about herself when fantasy becomes reality. What Happens Now is $17.99. You can catch Castle at her reading and booksigning at Inquiring Minds in New Paltz this Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Inquiring Minds is located at 6 Church Street in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-8300 or visit h. To learn more about the author and her other books for young adults, visit h.
Look up to look back at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Do you ever try to visualize the world of the early 1900’s? Hearken back to the era where new inventions included plastic, windshield wipers and crossword puzzles, and take in a vintage air show at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome! Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome features aircraft and other machines with engines from 1900 to 1939, with vintage air shows every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., starting this weekend, June 11 and 12, until October 9. Advance air show tickets are available for a discounted rate of $20 at Rhinebeck Bank until June 15, or you can purchase them on site for $25. Want to spoil someone you love? Treat your bestie to a memorable biplane ride in a newly restored 1929 New Standard D-25 for $75 per person, with up to four people per ride. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is located at 9 Norton Road in Red Hook. For more information, call (845) 752-3200 or visit h.
Visit Frost Valley for free during its 100th birthday celebration
Free Community Day at Frost Valley means fun for the entire family, especially this weekend, in celebration of the Frost Valley Castle’s 100th birthday! Have you been to The Castle? This beautiful mansion, built in 1916, was the home of the Forstmann family, founders of Forstmann Woolen Company. This Saturday, June 11 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy tours of The Castle, along with early 20th century games and activities. While you’re there, take a look around the rest of the campus, and find out more about its popular summer camp program, or just make a reservation to come back during the year with your family (my kids can’t wait to go back for the weekend and stay at “our” cabin again!). And be sure to check out the new Blue Hill Special Events Center & Art Gallery to view artwork inspired by The Castle, created by local artists and students, which is on display between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Frost Valley is located at 2000 Frost Valley Road in Claryville. Blue Hill Special Events Center & Art Gallery is located at 1471 Denning Road in Claryville. For more information, call (845) 985-2291 or visit h.
Zip-lining & ropes courses in Rhinebeck this weekend
Three of my favorite words: Eat, Play, Give! And a soon-to-be favorite outing for you and your family! Ramapo for Children invites you to its Friends and Family Weekend: Eat, Play, Give! this Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12. The cost is $60 for a Saturday day pass, but check this out – using the code HV50, local residents pay only $30 per person for a Saturday day pass! And only $40 for a weekend tent pass! Your passes include meals and access to activities including zip-lining, ropes courses, boating and kayaking, swimming and waterslides, arts and crafts, playgrounds, a campfire with a marshmallow roast, and a wine and cheese social hour for adults. What’s the catch? Nothing! What’s the “Give!” part? You help Camp Ramapo make more community connections to enable kids with special needs to enjoy an authentic camp experience, and so much more: “Ramapo helps young people learn to align their behaviors with their aspirations.” I encourage you to read all about it on the website. Camp Ramapo is located at 22 Camp Ramapo Road in Rhinebeck. For reservations or more information, call (845) 876-8409 or visit https://ramapoforchildren.org.
Shale Hill Music Fest this Saturday in Saugerties
Looking for a music festival that’s a great fit for your family? Shale Hill Music Fest is a great way to start the season! Head over to Shale Hill Farm, the original site of the famous Saugerties Garlic Festival, this Saturday, June 11 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for children’s activities and musicians performing all afternoon, featuring Tracy Bonham, Bari Koral and The Cameramen, along with local favorites Katie Hoffstatter, and Hudson’s Crew. Tickets are $20 in advance, $35 for two, or $25 per person at the door, and free for children under 12. Shale Hill Farm is located at 134 Hommelville Road in Saugerties. Proceeds benefit Choices in Childbirth and the New York State Birth Center Association. Food is available for purchase. For tickets or more information, visit https://shalehillmusicfest.eventbrite.com.
Special tour for kids at Olana
Reluctant to take your crew to Olana State Historic Site because you think they’ll be bored with a traditional mansion tour? Well, clear your calendar for a free family tour of Olana this Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m. where storyteller Tom Lee uses the museum collection and Olana’s views to craft creative tales, followed by a question and answer session. This one-hour event is free and open to the public of all ages, but enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. Olana State Historic Site is located at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson. For reservations or more information, call (518) 828-0135 or visit h. To learn more about the presenter, visit h.
Bring the Kids tour at Boscobel
Nature and landscape can be heady words for kids who just want to jump into activities head-first and hands-on. Lucky for us, Lisa DiMarzo at Boscobel House & Gardens knows kids, and she helps create links between words and experiences for all ages. This weekend, head over to Bring the Kids! Tour & More. Designed for ages 5 to 11 with an adult, this event takes place on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and explores the seasons inside and outside of Boscobel followed by an activity and a craft to take home. The cost is $20 for one adult and child, and $5 for each additional person, $10 for members. Boscobel is located at 1601 Route 9D in Garrison. For reservations or more information, call (845) 265-3638 or visit h.
Think Differently Dash on Walkway; Wellness Expo at Civic Center
When I wonder about something, I begin to think differently. And thinking differently can mean more opportunities for folks right in our own communities, which is exactly the premise behind the Think Differently Dash, a one-mile run/walk for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities: part of the Dutchess County Think Differently initiative to ensure that every individual, regardless of ability, has access to community resources. The Think Differently Dash takes place on Saturday, June 1, and the out-and-back Main Street route is open for one hour (note traffic detours during the race). Packet pick-up takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center lobby, and the dash begins at 10 a.m. The cost is $10 per person, and all participants receive finisher medals. Pre-registration for this race was required in May, but perhaps you can come out and cheer, or volunteer, or see if there’s a spot to join in. The Health & Wellness Expo opens on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, and the other races in Walkway Marathon Race Series: 5K, Half-Marathon, and Full-Marathon, take place the following day on Sunday, June 12. The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is located at 14 Civic Center Plaza in Poughkeepsie. For more information, email soneil@walkway.org or visit h.
Fishing Derby at Red Wing Lake in Hopewell Junction
This weekend, forget about the birds: it’s all about the early fish who gets the worm! On Saturday, June 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., join the all-ages fishing derby fun happening at Red Wing Lake for Cast Away for Julie’s Jungle. Derby entry is $5 per person for a morning of fishing, prizes, games, and a fishing lesson for beginners. Proceeds benefit Julie’s Jungle, an accessible playground-in-progress in the Town of East Fishkill for children of all abilities to interact with family and friends. Red Wing Lake is located at 11 Old Farm Road in Hopewell Junction. For more information, to inquire about sponsorships, or simply to make a donation, call (845) 226-8395, email dilloncopeland2@gmail.com, or visit https://www.juliesjungle.org/fishing.
Hudson Valley Family and Pet Expo at Dutchess Stadium
Have you ever imagined what an Internet search of local Hudson Valley family resources might look like in real life? I believe it would closely resemble Hudson Valley Family and Pet Expo 2016. Come and see for yourself! On Saturday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., parents, future pet-parents and kids can head over to Dutchess Stadium for information booths covering childcare, health education, pet services, animal shelters, traveling, child/pet entertainment, community events, children’s activities and more, along with hands-on fun for kids. Hudson Valley Family and Pet Expo is free and open to the public of all ages. For more information, call (845) 838-0094 or visit https://www.facebook.com/hvfamilyfest.
Sunday, June 12
Picture Your Self(ie) in the 1930s at Time and the Valleys Museum
History buffs are in their heyday right now! The world (including this writer) is consumed with the hip-hop musical Hamilton. And now, a creative local museum exhibit includes a chance to take selfies in a vintage, three-dimensional scene! Picture Your Self(ie) in the 1930s at Time and the Valleys Museum opens on Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. This new exhibit contains scenes from a barbershop, school room, hat shop, wash day and a farm scene. Admission is $3, or free for members and their guests. Wear your favorite old hat for the Best Hat Competition, give the office a call to let them know you’re coming, and remember to bring your camera! Time and the Valleys Museum is located at 332 Main Street in Grahamsville. For more information or to make a reservation to attend the opening, call (845) 985-7700, email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org, or visit https://www.timeandthevalleysmuseum.org.
Get happy with John Medeski and friends benefit at Bearsville
John Medeski. Amy Helm. Marco Benevento. Simi Stone. Elizabeth Mitchell. Dan Littleton. And more! And you! All in one place, and all for one great cause. On Sunday, June 12, Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST presents John Medeski and Friends at Bearsville Theater. This special lineup of musicians benefits KhusiHona Woodstock for its service learning trip with local high school and college students to India this summer. KhusiHona means Feel Happy in Hindi, which is exactly how you’ll feel when you attend this show, hear this rich variety of music, bid on your auction items, and reflect on the good you’re promoting in the world. Doors open and the silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $55 for general admission, reserved seating, and standing room only. Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock. For tickets or more information, visit https://radiowoodstock.com/concerts. To contribute to the silent auction, email wendyerikson@earthlink.net. To learn more about the charitable organization, visit https://www.khusihonawoodstock.org.
Learn about Morse Code at Museum Village
If your best attempt at radio talk is something along the lines of Breaker Breaker 1-9 about a Smokey, here’s a chance for you and your kids to learn more about this cool activity. On Sunday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Orange County Amateur Radio Club presents Morse Code/telegraph demonstrations at Museum Village. In addition to enjoying the museum displays, exhibits and regular hands-on activities (the free-range chickens are a real highlight), you and your family can learn about ham radio, make Morse Code jewelry, and perhaps you’ll even be inspired to “get your ticket” someday (acquire your radio license). Admission to Museum Village is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children 4 to 12, and free for children under 4. Museum Village is located at 1010 State Route 17M in Monroe. For more information, call (845) 782-8248 or visit https://museumvillage.org/event/radio-day. And, as they say, 7-3 (Best wishes)!
Strawberry Festival in Beacon
Do you dream of strawberry fields forever? Head for the Beacon Sloop Club Annual Strawberry Festival this Sunday, June 12 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, at Pete & Toshi Seeger Park in Beacon. Admission to this event is free; the live entertainment appearing on the Main Stage and the Children’s Stage will appeal to families and individuals of all ages, and kid activities include hooping. And did I mention the food? Choose from traditional, fresh, homemade strawberry shortcake with local berries, chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry smoothies. Pete & Toshi Seeger Park is located at Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, near the train station. For more information, call (845) 463-4660 or visit https://www.beaconsloopclub.org/Strawberry%20Fest.html.
Erica Chase-Salerno is gorging on fresh, local strawberries. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
