6-year-old: “Wake up.
I have two stories to tell you.
Do you want to hear about the three-eyed Yankovic or the Flipflop CrackerBox Man?”
Dad: “Clearly I want both.”
– Overheard in West Hurley
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20
Free Day at MASS MoCA
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to experience all of the arts in one day, for free, then I’ve got you covered! This Saturday, January 20 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. is MASS MoCA Free Day 2018. Enjoy live music, hands-on art activities, pop-up performing, a gallery tour and more! Yes, it’s all free!
MASS MoCA is located at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams, Massachusetts. For a complete schedule, call (413) 662-2111 or visit http://massmoca.org/event/free-day-2018.
Ice Harvesting workshop at Maritime Museum in Kingston
Have you heard this once or ten million times before? “Born of cold and winter air / And mountain rain combining / This icy force both foul and fair / Has a frozen heart worth mining / So cut through the heart, cold and clear / Strike for love and strike for fear / See the beauty, sharp and sheer / Split the ice apart! / And break the frozen heart.”
For the three people reading this who need a reference, it’s the ice harvesters’ chant in the movie Frozen. And now you can give your family a local connection to Kristoff and his reindeer Sven: Head over to Museum Mates at the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Ice Harvesting workshop this Saturday, January 20 from 1to 3 p.m. Families will collaborate and listen as you explore life before refrigerators with Internet on the front door, ice-harvesting history and techniques and an ice experiment. Snacks will be provided.
This event is geared for youth ages 5 to 12, and admission costs $5 per child; accompanying adults get in free. Both children and adults are required to preregister. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 338-0071 or visit http://bit.ly/2DGr013.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21
Free Nordic Ski Clinics at Mohonk
Is snowshoeing too slow for you? Downhill too daunting? How about giving Nordic skiing a try? Join one or more of three free community Nordic Ski Clinics 2018 at the Mohonk Mountain House. Each session takes place on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.: January 21, February 4 and February 11. You choose between classic and skate instruction (skate is skinnier, faster skis), and receive instruction from New Paltz and Wallkill Nordic Ski Teams, parents and members of the Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association. Geared for ages in kindergarten through adults, the focus is on beginner-to-intermediate skill levels.
You may rent equipment the night before or the day of the clinics at Rock and Snow for a discounted price of $10 a day, or bring your own. For updates and/or cancellations, contact skithegunks@gmail.com or visit www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us, click on “Our Schools,” then “High School,” then “Quick Links,” then “Sports” where you select “Nordic.” For more information, contact Ann Gregory at agregory@newpaltz.k12.ny.us.
Strawberry Hill Fiddlers perform in Saugerties
In the words of Billy Joel, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity.” That is exactly how I feel at any performance of this group of talented young people! You can catch the Saugerties Pro Musica Fiddle Concert: Strawberry Hill Fiddlers this Sunday, January 21 at 3 p.m. at the Saugerties United Methodist Church. You’ll hear jolly jigs, radical reels, familiar folk tunes and more! General admission costs $15, seniors pay $12 and students get in free.
The Saugerties United Methodist Church is located at 59 Post Street in Saugerties. For more information about the concert, visit www.saugertiespromusica.org, call (845) 679-5733 or e-mail Richard Frisbie at hopefarm@hopefarm.com. To learn more about the performers, visit http://stringendomusic.org.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
Volunteer Open House at LGBTQ Community Center in Kingston
Wish you could change the world beyond clicking “Like” on social media? How about volunteering in your local community? On Wednesday, January 24 from 6 to 7 p.m., head over to the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Volunteer Open House to learn how to help with reception, organizing, special events, data entry, be friendly visitors for LGBTQ elders and much, much more!
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center is located at 300 Wall Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-5300 or visit http://bit.ly/2DDRP5X.
Special Olympics New York State Games call for volunteers
As the saying goes, “Changing the world needs volunteers,” and helping out at the 2018 Special Olympics New York State Games from February 23 to 28. With volunteer tasks such as “hands-on doers” for ages 13 and up (13 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult), social ambassadors and cheerers (no age requirement), athletes and venues around the state need you! Take a look through the calendar and find your best fit for you and your family to make a difference. Sign up early for your preferred spots. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/sonystategames and http://bit.ly/2DFhyek.
Erica Chase-Salerno is delighting in playing her viola again! She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
