Sons of Apollo
As for the “first-born son has a higher chance for success” notion, the Apollo astronauts would seem to support such a thesis strongly, since 27 of the 29 were eldest sons.
Nature
Minnewaska hosts first Forest Bathing Workshop
Sunday, Aug. 4: Studies are showing that even small periods of time spent in the forest reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower blood pressure and heart rate. Trees release phytoncides into the air, which boost the immune system and stimulate production of white blood cells. Being in natural settings also activates our nervous system’s relaxation response, allowing us to recover from the chronic low-intensity “fight-or-flight” environment of daily life.
Check out Phoenicia Library’s collection of fly-fishing info
The Phoenicia Library is home to the Jerry Bartlett Memorial Angling Collection, an impressive inventory of books about fishing and fly-tying. “It could be hyperbole, but we like to say we have the largest circulating collection in the Northeast,” says Library Board member Beth Waterman.
Moth Night at Burroughs Sanctuary in West Park
Aug. 3: In the fifth in a series of curious and heightened outings, attendees will meet trip leader Mathew Rymkiewicz at the Pond House, where lighting and other bait will be set up to attract the winged creatures of mention.
The world beneath: Snorkeling in the Esopus
Swimming is a great way to commune with the Esopus Creek, but there’s something extra satisfying about adventures that involve us in a more active way.
See the stars from the Walkway over the Hudson
Friday, July 19: Walkway over the Hudson and the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association present Walkway at Night, an opportunity to enjoy breathtaking twilight views and study the night sky with telescopes.
In search of natural darkness
In our 21st century, more than half the world’s population lives in an urban environment, with natural nocturnal darkness a phenomenon many only read about. But we who live in a rural setting still mostly enjoy the natural night and its splendors. Still, there’s dark and then there’s really dark.
This week’s total eclipse
If you’ve seen the Great Pyramids, Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, the Taj Mahal, the Atacama Desert, the Himalayas and maybe even rented a houseboat on Lake Powell, is there any sight that can top all these? Yes. A total solar eclipse. Not a lunar eclipse. And certainly not a partial solar eclipse.
Garden Conservancy Open Days in Dutchess and Ulster
Saturday/Sunday, June 22/23: Many of these sites are accessible to the general public only one day each year.
Foraging, herbal medicine workshops in Woodstock & Red Hook
The back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s spurred a revival of interest not only in organic farming, but also in foraging for wild foods and medicinal herbs. Now, with epochal climate change driving the desire to get off the grid and live as sustainably as possible, a whole new generation too young to remember Euell Gibbons is turning its attention to these same pursuits. This weekend brings several local events on these themes.
