Child: “Wake up!”
Dad: “What?” “I want a waffle.”
“Okay, but you have to have something else too.”
“How about a waffle and a waffle?”
– Cooper, age 5, Hurley
Write It Out special needs writing workshop
Do you have a child with special needs? How would you like to explore and express your many thoughts and feelings about your incredible journey in a welcoming space? Take a look at “Write It Out: A Creative Writing Workshop for Parents of Special Needs Children” taking place on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Red Hook Library on February 2, 9, 1M and 23. Diana Rush, writer and homeschooling Mom of six, leads the group. Here’s some of her story:
“Eighteen months ago, I began writing again after a 21-year lapse. Before that, I had grown up writing poetry for Show and Tell in elementary school and short stories of how I wished life had been in high school. I even earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing in fiction. Then, life happened. I was busy raising six children – including one with an intellectual disability – and homeschooling, and I never wrote anything but to-do lists and the occasional Christmas letter. I didn’t think about writing or the absence of it in my life.
“When I brought pen to paper at last, I knew I was filling a need to revisit this part of who I was. I started graduate school to work towards my Master’s degree in Creative Writing, and there I rediscovered my voice. Writing became a therapeutic way to process all the emotions that went along with parenting, especially parenting my disabled child. On paper, I could sort through how I was feeling as a diagnosis was revealed and the aftermath of such monumental news. Recalling stories, as my memoir began to take shape, showed me there were plenty of moments of joy in all the chaos. I now see writing as a gift that I am, once again, giving to myself.”
Write It Out is free and open to all, and no writing experience is necessary. Bring a new notebook and something to write with, as Diana leads exercises and writing prompts using writing as a means of sorting through some of the unique challenges and victories of parenting these special kids. Come and be supported and encouraged!
The Red Hook Library is located at 7444 South Broadway in Red Hook. For more information or to register, call (845) 758-3241 or visit https://redhooklibrary.org/calendar.
SUNY Social Skills Group for Adolescents
Could your teen on the autism spectrum benefit from supervised time spent with peers? Check out the Social Skills Group for Adolescents taking place at SUNY-New Paltz on Thursdays from 5 to 6:15 p.m., beginning February 9 (no sessions on March 23 or April 13). The group will focus on improving verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and is limited to eight to ten participants. This ten-week program costs $100 and is open to seventh- through 11th-graders.
SUNY-New Paltz is located at 1 Hawk Drive in New Paltz, and the group takes place in the Speech, Language and Hearing Center temporarily located in the South Classroom Building. For more information or to register, call (845) 257-3600 or e-mail bowerw@newpaltz.edu.
Women in Rock Workshop
Live with a young resident rocker at home? Or do you know someone else who might be interested in doing cover songs of female pop and rock musicians from the 1960s to the 2010s? The Women in Rock Workshop engages young people in rock music over the decades, studying stylistic and historical characteristics of each song. Come to class ready to sing, and bring your main instruments to class.
This class is geared for youth ages 12 to 17 and takes place on Saturdays from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at SUNY-Dutchess from February 4 to April 8. The cost is $200. SUNY-Dutchess is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, call (845) 431-8910 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu/assets/dcc_musicschool_spring2017.pdf.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
Kids’ Night Out at MAC Fit Kids in Kingston
Need a sitter but don’t want to clean the house? Enjoy an evening on the town without the kids by sending them to MAC Fit Kids for “Kids’ Night Out” this Friday, January 20 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. While the kids play, run around and gorge on pizza, you can do whatever you like somewhere else! Kids’ Night Out costs $20 per child, $15 for siblings.
MAC Fit Kids is located at 743 East Chester Street in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 338-2887 or visit www.mac-park.com/kids-night-out.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21
Free Bubble Trouble show at SUNY-Dutchess
Are bubbles just a summer activity to you? Not anymore! How about a bubble volcano? Bubble rollercoaster? A kid in a bubble? This much bubble action can only mean one thing: the Bubble Trouble show with Jeff Boyer! Bubble Trouble takes place at SUNY-Dutchess this Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. The show is free and open to all ages, which is exactly the cabin fever and budget solution that you need for your plans this weekend.
SUNY-Dutchess is located at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 431-8050 or visit www.sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/studentactivities/famfest.html.
To learn more about the performer, visit https://jeffboyer.com/bubble-trouble.
Birding workshop, snowtubing at Orange County Arboretum
Looking for a great plan for all ages today? The Orange County Arboretum has got you covered! On Saturday, January 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., kids ages 6 to 12 years are invited to learn about birds, how humans can help them and constructing a birdfeeder. The program takes place at the Kosuga Education Building and costs $3 per child; registration is required.
But your day can also include snowtubing, right in the same park network, at Thomas Bull Memorial Park! Snowtubing is dependent on weather and conditions, but regular hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for 90 minutes is $20 per person, or $15 per person for Orange County residents. Remember the 42-inch height requirement, and one person per tube. Or enjoy some time at Sally’s Dream Playground, for kids who prefer to swing and slide year-round!
The Orange County Arboretum, including all of these parks, is located at 211 Route 416 in Montgomery. For more information or to register for Bird Feeding, call (845) 615-3828 or visit https://orangecountyarboretum.org/calendar.php. For more information about snowtubing, call (845) 457-4949 or visit www.orangecountynyparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-snow-tubing.pdf.
“Winter Wildlife Survival” workshop at Sam’s Point
Ever wonder what happens in nature this season? While I gorge on carbs, wild animals are finding their own food, too. Your crew will enjoy “Winter Wildlife Survival” at the Sam’s Point Area at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve this Saturday, January 21 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Kids between the ages of 7 and 13 will play an interactive game, look for signs of wildlife along the trails and, if there is enough snow, build a shelter! Youth must be accompanied by a guardian 18 years or older, and registration is required. This program is free and open to the public, and it is included in the $10 vehicle park entry fee.
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam’s Point Area is located at 400 Sam’s Point Road in Cragsmoor. For more information or to register, call (845) 647-7989 or visit https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=193-18091.0.
Little Gym of Kingston hosts “Parent Survival Night”
Love date night? Or just looking for an evening of kid-free errands? Bring your crew ages 3 to 12 years over to “Parent Survival Night” at the Little Gym of Kingston this Saturday, January 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Your kids will have a blast doing group activities with music, fun and even a pizza party! For reservations and cost information, call (845) 382-1020 or visit www.thelittlegym.com/kingstonny.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
Coloring Night at Darkside Records in Poughkeepsie
Coloring just got even cooler! Coloring is all the rage right now, but how about an event with original work by local tattoo artists? Bring your family to Coloring Night at Darkside Records this Tuesday, January 24 between 6 and 9 p.m. for coloring, relaxation and prizes, featuring original artwork from the Hudson Valley Tattoo Company by Mike Shishmanian, Jason Carpino, Diego Martin, Rick Lohm and more (some designs incorporate skulls, so decide whether that’s a good fit for your crew). This event is free and open to the public, and crayons and markers will be available for use – or bring your own!
Darkside Records is located at 611 Dutchess Turnpike in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 452-8010 or visit www.facebook.com/events/342828169434728/?active_tab=about or www.darksiderecordsandgallery.com.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
Wellness Embodied in New Paltz offers “Mindfulness Toolbox for Teens” class
Could one of the biggest gifts that we can give our teens be mindfulness? How might your teen benefit from learning to focus, regulating emotions, decreasing impulsivity, managing stress and building healthy relationships? Our young people can apply mindfulness techniques to daily routines with information and practice from “Mindfulness Toolbox for Teens,” a six-session class at Wellness Embodied: A Center for Psychotherapy and Healing, taking place on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. from January 26 through March 2. The cost is $150 and includes supplies.
Interested in helping your teens design their lives? Call for more information or to register at (845) 532-6064, or visit www.wellnessembodiedcenter.com/mindfulness-for-teens.html.
Erica Chase-Salerno just discovered the Mexican beverage horchata at El Azteca in Poughkeepsie, and she is hooked! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
