Daughter, age 6: (eating a delicious snack)
Mom: (dips hand into bowl for a bite)
Daughter: (without missing a beat) I wouldn’t do that.
Mom: Why not?
Daughter: I pick my nose. (continues munching her snack)
– overheard in Saugerties
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Hudson River Valley Rambles
I cross the fields and the dunes, I follow the ocean’s edge.
I climb, I backtrack.
I float.
I ramble my way home.
– Mary Oliver, “Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long, Black Branches”
This September marks the 19th annual Hudson River Valley Ramble: a chance for all ages to connect with local culture, history and natural resources – especially through special outdoor activities and volunteer opportunities – on weekends all month long. Here are four taking place in our area. To learn more, or for a 2018 Ramble booklet listing many more events throughout the entire Hudson Valley, visit www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com/ramble.
• Slabsides Geology at John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary: Saturday, September 15, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hike and learn about the history of the rocks on the Slabsides trails; cabin open for tours noon to 4 p.m. Registration requested at info@johnburroughsassociation.org. 261 Floyd Ackert Road, West Park; https://bit.ly/2CCfDdq.
• Apple Cider Ramble & Fall Festival at Peach Hill Park: Sunday, September 16, 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy apple-picking, cider-pressing demonstrations, horsedrawn hayrides, a maze and live music! Suggested donation: $5 per person/$10 per family. Bring a bag for your apples. 34 Edgewood Drive, Poughkeepsie; (845) 485-3600, www.peach-hill-park.org, https://bit.ly/2wZdpip
• Paddle at the Park at Lake Taghkanic State Park: Saturday, September 15, 3 to 5 p.m. BYOK (Bring Your Own Kayak) or reserve one when you preregister. Free! 1528 Route 82, Ancram; (518) 392-525, https://clctrust.org/event/paddle-at-the-park.
• Vassar Ramble at Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve: Sunday, September 16, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Explore urban ecology, wildlife and conservation on a walking tour. Bring a camera in case you see a beaver! 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie; RSVP not required, but for more information, message ecologicalpreserve@vassar.edu or visit https://bit.ly/2x2fH0S, https://farm.vassar.edu.
Classics for Kids in Beacon
“Don’t let your kids watch symphonies on TV. There’s too much sax and violins.”
Do you or your kids play a musical instrument? Have you ever tried one? Here’s a noteworthy chance to experiment! On Saturday, September 15 from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center, you and your family of all ages can check out all lots of instruments that make a variety of sounds, and it’s free and open to the public!
The Howland Cultural Center is located at 477 Main Street in Beacon. To reserve your free admission ticket or for more information, call (845) 765-3012 or visit www.howlandmusic.org/classicsforkids.html.
Zero-Emissions Parade and bicycle-decorating contest in New Paltz
The New Paltz Climate Action Coalition invites all children and their families to decorate their bikes and ride in the Zero-Emissions Parade this Saturday, September 15. Free registration begins at 10 o’clock, and the half-mile parade starts at 11 a.m., running from the New Paltz Middle School to the New Paltz Village Hall. Prizes will be provided by Bicycle Depot, and judging will be based on originality, portrayal of sustainability or natural themes, and the use of recycled, recyclable or compostable materials as decorations. Helmets must be worn when riding in the parade, and costumes should not interfere with the rider’s vision.
There will be three categories (babies up to five years old, ages 6-11 and 12+ years). The youngest category includes festooned strollers, tricycles and bikes with training wheels. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded after the parade at the Green Vendor Fair in the Village Hall parking lot. For questions or more information email janellepeotter@gmail.com or call (920) 883-1788.
City Winds Trio gives kids’ workshop at Kingston Library
Musicians? Yeah, we think outside the Bachs. Accordion to a recent survey, replacing words with the names of musical instruments in a sentence often goes undetected. While you puzzle that one out, give your budding musicians a chance to hear some great music. On Saturday, September 15 at 10:30 a.m., check out Musical Innovations: Celebrate Classical Music Treasures with the City Winds Trio. Recommended for ages 5 and up, children will conduct the trio, explore dynamics and tempos with movement, learn about melody and rhythm, draw a picture and end with the opportunity to try musical instruments in the musical “Petting Zoo.” This program is free and open to the public.
The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org/kids/supersat.php.
Cleaner Hudson River program at Maritime Museum in Kingston
Q: What’s the name of the new Tom Cruise eco-thriller?
A: Mission Compostable!
This weekend, give your crew the chance to learn about the history surrounding the Hudson River, as well as ideas and plans for cleaning it up! On Saturday, September 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, join “A Cleaner Hudson River” family program. Participants will also do an activity that illustrates the consequences of pollution. This program is geared for children ages 5 to 12 years at a cost of $5 per child, free for adults.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is located at 50 Rondout Landing in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 338-0071 or visit https://bit.ly/2x2c0aP.
Mushroom walk at Sam’s Point
Did you know that mushrooms are more closely related to humans than to plants? That a Portobello mushroom contains more potassium than a banana? How about why the mushroom gets invited to all the parties? Because he’s a fun-gi!
Here’s your chance to raise mushrooms yourself: On Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., take a guided trail walk at Sam’s Point, learn some of the mysteries about mushrooms and then create your own mushroom log that you can take home when it’s complete! This activity is free and open to the public of all ages, but preregistration is required. There is also a $10 fee per vehicle to park at Minnewaska’s Sam’s Point entrance, or use your Empire Pass.
To register or for more information, call (845) 647-7989 or visit https://on.ny.gov/2x43VlS.
Papermaking workshop at Minnewaska
“Look at me now, I’m getting paper…” sings Chris Brown. Well, now that you’ve secured the items on the school supplies list, how about giving your family the opportunity to make paper? This Saturday, September 15 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., the Minnewaska State Park Preserve invites everyone to its papermaking drop-in session. Geared for ages 6 to 12 years, kids will get hands-on experience making paper using recycled paper, a blender, a press and other simple tools. This program is free and open to the public; come anytime during the workshop, and no preregistration is necessary. There is a $10 fee per vehicle for park entry, or use your Empire Pass.
Meet in the Minnewaska Nature Center, located in the upper level of Minnewaska State Park at 5281 Route 44/55 in Kerhonkson. For more information, call (845)255-0752 or visit https://on.ny.gov/2CDOxCX.
Wednesday, September 19
Yom Kippur events
“A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy, ‘So, you tell me that your mother says your prayers for you each night. That’s very commendable. What does she actually say?’ The little boy replied, ‘Thank God he’s in bed!’”
Here are some area Yom Kippur services welcoming children. They all take place on Wednesday, September 19. G’mar Hatima Tova!
• Congregation Emanuel: Morning service 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., pre-K and elementary children’s activity 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., children’s service 10 to 11 a.m.; additional services follow. 243 Albany Avenue, Kingston; www.cehv.org.
• Temple Beth Jacob: Pre-K children’s services 10:30 a.m.; study 1:15 p.m., children’s services 2:30 p.m.; additional services follow. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Orange County. 290 North Street, Newburgh; (845) 561-6602; https://tbjnewburgh.org; www.jewishorangeny.org.
• Woodstock Jewish Congregation: Morning services 10 a.m., Yizkor begins after 12 noon, children’s services 10:30 a.m. 1682 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock; (845) 679-2218, www.wjcshul.org.
Erica Chase-Salerno just became a rabid fan of the Saturday Bread Lab baguettes at Rough Draft in Kingston. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
