“Perseverance and Spirit have done Wonders in all ages.”
– President George Washington
Revolt with the Huguenots, stalk some butterflies, watch fire-eaters at play, get a vegan tattoo
Kudos: Ulster County
Are you looking for fresh young voices about topics concerning voting, smiling or black America? I’ve got you covered! Congratulations to the winners of the recent seventh annual Anita Williams Peck Public Speaking Competition, all Kingston High School seniors who presented five-minute speeches about a topic of their choice. The Stentorian first-place award for a $3,500 scholarship went to Rudy Weitze for his speech, “Get Out and Vote.” The second-place Top Lecturer award for $2,500 went to Andrew Hoben for his speech, “The Power of a Smile.” The third-place prize of $1,500 was awarded to Codi Childs for her speech, “Undervalued Lives of Black America.”
Kudos: Dutchess County
Have you ever been so inspired by a book that you created an art piece about it? Sixteen-year-old homeschooler Rachel Brainerd did, and now she’s the first-place winner of the Poughkeepsie Read Teen Art Contest, sponsored by the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. After reading the Big Read book selection, Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea, Rachel used a combination of collage and painting to highlight main character Nayeli’s journey, including layered maps of Mexico and the US and a barbed-wire border. Her work, The Beauty between Borders, can be viewed at the Adriance Library’s main-floor entry and gallery area, located at 93 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.
For more information, call (845) 485-3445, extension 3702, or visit https://poklib.org.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Forestburgh Playhouse presents Willy Wonka & The Addams Family
Making plans to take the kids to see some live theater this summer? Put the Forestburgh Playhouse’s Willy Wonka or The Addams Family on your list! Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Theatre for Young Audiences Version is a one-act version of the famous story that follows the adventures of the chocolate candy man’s quest to find an heir. Performances take place every Thursday and Saturday at 11 a.m. through Saturday, August 20. Tickets cost $12 for children up to age 12, and $20 for adults 13 and older.
The Addams Family is a musical comedy, perfect for all ages, including dramatic lighting and costumes. Performances take place through July 17 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $35.
The Forestburgh Playhouse is located at 39 Forestburgh Road in Forestburgh. For tickets or more information, call (845) 794-1194 or visit www.fbplayhouse.org.
FRIDAY, JULY 1
A Night on Fire at Philipsburg Manor
Now that it’s campfire season, how about punching things up a little by taking in a performance of fire arts? A Night on Fire at Philipsburg Manor is going to blow your family’s minds as performers juggle fire, eat fire and dance with fire, all with panache and humor. These shows are great for all ages and take place on Friday, July 1 at 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 2 at 8 and 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 3 at 8 p.m. Come early and enjoy pre-show entertainment from musician Jim Keyes. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance: $22 for adults, $16 for children 17 and under.
Philipsburg Manor is located at 381 North Broadway in Sleepy Hollow. For tickets, video previews or more information, call (914) 631-8200 or visit www.hudsonvalley.org/events/night-fire.
Amy Trompetter’s Fantasque premieres at Bard’s Fisher Center
Giant babies? Check! Blue angels? Check! A restaurant where the customers are tuxedo-wearing fish? Check! The Fantasque world premiere takes place at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts’ Sosnoff Theater during Bard SummerScape 2016 this Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 3 at 2 p.m. Come for the giant puppets and human dancers, stay for the themes of new hope and new innocence overcoming a tainted world. Ticket prices range from $25 to $60, including a Family Pack option that offers a 20-percent discount on the purchase of three or more tickets.
The Fisher Center is located at 60 Manor Road in Annandale-on-Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (845) 758-7900 or visit https://fishercenter.bard.edu.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
War on Huguenot Street
“To the Revolution!” toast the characters in Hamilton: An American Musical. Want to give your family a real-life look at 18th-century history? Head over to Historic Huguenot Street this Saturday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for “New Paltz in the War for Independence,” featuring a Revolutionary War reenactment, live music of the period, cool demonstrations of civilian life such as musketball and cartridge manufacturing and candlemaking, and Colonial games. The reenactment is free and open to the public, and guided house tours will be available hourly at $15 for adults, ten percent off for seniors and free for children age 12 and under. Historic Huguenot Street is located in New Paltz. For more information, call (845) 255-1660 or visit www.huguenotstreet.org.
Young People’s Concert with Arturo O’Farrill at the Maverick
Planning any trips this summer? Well, hold onto your passport, because Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin jazz music will transport you to Cuba, without your even having to get on a plane! This Saturday, July 2, head over to the Maverick’s Young People’s Concert at 11 a.m. for a dynamic, abbreviated and family-friendly performance from this Grammy Award-winning artist. Admission costs $5 for adults and is free for children.
Maverick Concerts take place at 120 Maverick Road in Woodstock. For more information, call (845) 679-8217 or visit https://maverickconcerts.org. To learn more about the musician, visit www.arturoofarrill.com.
Marisa Williams roleplays Sally Hemings at Storm King Art Center
You may recall this reference in the Hamilton musical: “Sally, be a lamb…” Sally Hemings was Thomas Jefferson’s slave and mistress. Want to experience more of this early history in a fresh, new, interesting and engaging way? Come to the Storm King Art Center this Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 at 2 p.m. for Wanderings and Wonderings with artist Marisa Williams. She will be dressed up as Sally Hemings, sharing her insights and observations about the art collection, as well as questions about identity, history, power, gender and more.
This program is free, with admission to Storm King: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors age 65 and up, $8 for youth ages 5 to 18 and free for children age 4 and under. The Storm King Art Center is located at 1 Museum Road in New Windsor. For more information, call (845) 534-3115 or visit https://stormking.org.
Sadie Hawkins Day Extravaganza at Catskill’s Bridge Street Theatre
Ladies, round up your partners and head over to the Ramblin’ Jug Stompers’ Sadie Hawkins Day Extravaganza taking place this Saturday, July 2 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bridge Street Theatre Speakeasy. You’ll hear banjo mixed with mandolin, guitar, washboard and more, fusing bluegrass, ragtime, folk and fun, with plenty of time to make it to the fireworks. Admission costs $15, and $10 for ages 21 and under.
The Bridge Street Theatre is located at 44 West Bridge Street in Catskill. For more information, call (518) 943-3818 or visit https://bridgest.org. To learn more about the musicians, visit www.jugstompers.com.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
July Jamboree at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls
Joke: “My friend changed after she became a vegetarian…It’s like I’ve never seen herbivore.”
Looking for a family-friendly festival? Been meaning to get a vegan-themed tattoo? Want a place to try out your new joke? Come to the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary’s July Jamboree this Sunday, July 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With great children’s activities including a slip ‘n’ slide, live music, food demos, vegan- and animal-themed tattoos and lots of live animals, this grand event is pretty popular, so get your tickets in advance. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $5 for kids age 12 and under.
The Woodstock Farm Sanctuary is located at 2 Rescue Road in High Falls. For tickets or more information, call (845) 247-5700 or visit https://woodstocksanctuary.org.
MONDAY, JULY 4
Revolutionary War sites mark Independence Day
What better way to honor the sacrifices of our country’s Revolutionary soldiers than to take your crew to visit some local historic sites that were actually part of gaining our independence? I highly recommend spending time at the New Windsor Cantonment and nearby Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site this Monday, July 4. The New Windsor Cantonment presents military firing demonstrations at 2 p.m., and while you’re there, I suggest that you stop in at the neighboring National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Knox’s Headquarters will fire a small cannon at 1 and 4 p.m.
The New Windsor Cantonment and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor are co-located at 374 Temple Hill Road in New Windsor. The Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site is located at 289 Forge Hill Road in Vails Gate. For more information, call (845) 561-1765, extension 22, or visit https://palisadesparksconservancy.org.
Old-Fashioned Independence Day at Clermont
Can’t get tickets to Hamilton? Then how about at least celebrating a July Fourth in the style of his era? This Monday, July 4 beginning at 2 p.m., enjoy some time at the Clermont State Historic Site for “An Old-Fashioned Independence Day.” Activities include 18th-century crafts, historic reenactors, live music and entertainment and delicious food. Stick around and finish the day with a bang by watching the fireworks over the Hudson River from Saugerties that night. Admission costs $10 per car.
The Clermont State Historic Site is located at 400 Wood Road in Germantown. For more information, call (518) 537-4240 or visit www.friendsofclermont.org.
Beautiful Butterflies program at Minnewaska
Do your kids get butterflies on the high diving board, or maybe en route to sleepaway camp? Well, here’s a chance to learn more about the colorful, winged kind found in nature. On Monday, July 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Minnewaska State Park Preserve presents “Beautiful Butterflies for Children,” a program including exploration to find signs of them on the trails, as well as a craft to keep. This session is recommended for children ages 6 to 10 accompanied by a parent, and registration is required.
And save the date for “Junior Naturalists: Ghost Hotels of Minnewaska,” taking place on Thursday, July 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 8 to 12. The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information or to register for either program, call (845) 255-0752 or visit https://nysparks.com.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6
College entrance essay workshop at Millbrook’s Merritt Bookstore
I know, I know, it’s summertime; but these college applications won’t write themselves. Register now for the College Essay Kickoff Workshop taking place on Wednesday, July 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Merritt Bookstore. Participants will learn how to make their personal essays stand out from the crowd of applicants. The cost is $25 and a minimum of six students is required to run the class.
The Merritt Bookstore is located at 57 Front Street in Millbrook. For more information or to register, call (845) 677-5857 or visit https://merrittbookstore.com.
Millbrook Library hosts shadow puppets program
As someone who can barely do the bunny ears with the nightlight on the wall, I have a sound appreciation for shadow puppets. You too? Join Ron Sopyla for “Shadow Puppets and Storytelling” this Wednesday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Millbrook Library. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
The Millbrook Library is located at 3 Friendly Lane in Millbrook. For more information or to register, call (845) 677-3611, extension 4, or visit https://millbrooklibrary.org.
Learn to make field recordings at Chatham Library
Remember the old days of playing announcer by recording ourselves on cassettes? Here’s a radio activity that the kids of this next generation are sure to enjoy! On Wednesday, through Friday, July 6 to 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Chatham Public Library, families can check out the “Radio from the Field Youth Workshop.” Geared for children up to age 15, participants will get hands-on experience recording in the field. Students should plan to attend all three days of the workshop.
The Chatham Public Library is located at 11 Woodbridge Avenue in Chatham. For more information or to register, call (518) 697-7400, e-mail max@wgxc.org or visit https://clctrust.org.
THURSDAY, JULY 7
Wild about Birds Club meets at Tivoli Library
Got a kid who’s interested in our feathered friends, but longs to explore this hobby with human friends? Join the Wild about Birds Club for ages 5 to 10, every Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. from July 7 through August 4 at the Tivoli Free Library. Participants will learn to identify birds by sounds and sight, information about these birds and how we can help them. This club is free and open to the public.
The Tivoli Free Library is located at 86 Broadway in Tivoli. For more information or to reserve your spot, call (845) 757-3771 or visit https://tivolilibrary.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno is thoroughly entranced by the wonderful cuckoo clock that Mike gave her for their 20th anniversary. Cuckoo! Their kids are not amused. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
