Hudson Valley Artisans’ Guild Demo Day in Poughkeepsie
Just up the road from RocCon is the Hudson Valley Artisans’ Guild’s Demo Day over at the Poughkeepsie Plaza. Demo Day is an opportunity to watch artists practice their crafts, including sculpture, pottery, jewelrymaking, pencil art and more. Our family gets inspired when we see expert artists in action, and this event is so accessible that you can stop by during your shopping. And here’s a bonus: a raffle to support food pantry efforts!
The Poughkeepsie Plaza is located at 2600 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 471-4265 or visit www.poughkeepsieplaza.com. To learn more about the Hudson Valley Artisans’ Guild, visit https://hvag.tripod.com.
Wildflower Walk at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall
In her book Help, Thanks, Wow, Anne Lamott writes, “In spring, we expand and stretch in all directions. It’s green exuberance and giddiness; bright clown colors and Easter colors too; the rebirth of the tender growing soul.” This weekend, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildflower Walk offers families a chance to expand and stretch and let all of our senses receive spring: “The trails are alive with the first signs of spring, the early wildflowers.”
The Wildflower Walk takes place on Saturday, April 6 at 10 a.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center. This event is for adults and children aged 5 years and older. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children and discounted for Museum members. The Outdoor Discovery Center is located at 100 Muser Drive in Cornwall. For more information, call (845) 534-5506 or visit https://hhnaturemuseum.org.
“Re-Inhabiting Ourselves” workshop for mothers in Accord
“How do we incorporate motherhood into our lives and our lives into motherhood?” This is the central question that Lara Kohn-Thompson poses to participants in “Re-Inhabiting Ourselves: A Workshop Series for Mothers.” This gathering is intended to be a retreat for mothers of children of all ages, but it will “speak to issues that any woman who has young children will have encountered, but may not have had the time or space to address.”
The way I see it, you can spend three-and-a-half hours performing the same weekend responsibilities that you always do, frustrated that you haven’t managed to get any downtime again; or you can take a chance that the world might keep on spinning and give yourself what you provide so often and freely to others.
“Re-Inhabiting Ourselves” takes place on Saturday, April 6 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Iris Yoga. The cost is $45 and preregistration is required. Iris is located at 238 Towpath Road in Accord. To register or for more information, call (917) 331-5473 or visit www.yogairis.com. To learn more about the facilitator, visit www.larakohnthompson.com.
Check out the Hudson Valley Seed Library
With all of this talk about flowers, from the Wildflower Walk to a workshop taking place in a yoga center named Iris, I started thinking about growing flowers, and I want to be sure that you know about the Hudson Valley Seed Library. The Hudson Valley Seed Library has three guiding principles:
1. to create an accessible and independent source of regionally adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring farmers and gardeners;
2. to create gift-quality seed packs featuring original works designed by artists in order to celebrate the beauty and diversity of American heirloom gardening; and
3. to help farmers, gardeners and eaters understand where seeds come from, how they are grown, who grows them and why seed-saving is more important than ever.
I wrote about the joy that my family experienced at the Seed Library’s Cultural Seed Savers exhibit at Unison in the November 22, 2012 Kids’ Almanac. Its Art Pack seed packs are absolutely gorgeous, and they make terrific favors for any occasion. I used them as prizes at my Bunco group last month.
Looking for regionally grown seeds? No problem; the Seed Library has those, too. Even if you don’t have gardening plans this year, go check out its blog. I always smile at the funny stuff and learn something every time I read it. You can buy these wonderful heirloom and open-pollinated (versus hybrid and genetically engineered) seeds either locally at area stores and markets or online at www.seedlibrary.org.
Equine Spring Fling in Montgomery, chicken-raising and posthumous pet care workshops in Gardiner
Looking for animal activities? I happened to learn about these events during a routine stop at our favorite pet supply place, the Natural Pet Center at Ireland Corners in Gardiner. Our family receives so much support with our animals here, including dog training, organic feed and excellent information when we have questions.
This weekend, round up your horse-lovers and head over to the Equine Spring Fling. This event includes equine art, a fashion show, new and used tack, door prizes, information booths and arts and crafts. The Equine Spring Fling takes place on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Paul Congelosi Trailer Sales, located at 2201 Route 17K in Montgomery. For more information, visit www.orangecountyhc.com or visit the Orange County Horse Council of New York on www.facebook.com.
Now, this next subject can be a tough topic. If you have ever shared your life with a pet, you may have experienced the sad loss of that animal’s death and taken care of the responsibilities associated with its passing. But what happens to your pet when you pass away? I hope that each and every reader has a legal guardianship in place for your children should you ever need it, and our pets deserve protection, too.
On Saturday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m., attorney Leitha Ortiz-Lesh presents “Who Will Care For My Pets When I’m Gone?” at the Gardiner Library. Ortiz-Lesh answers your questions and explores some of the options available “to ensure your pets are cared for if they outlive you.”
Then head back to the Gardiner Library on Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. for its free program, “Backyard Chickens: Raising Small Flocks for Fun and Profit.” Erin Campbell-Craven, Livestock Community Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, shares an overview of poultry management from egg to hen. Topics include feeding, health, housing, meat and egg production and local chicken-keeping laws and ordinances.
Speaking of chickens, did you see that video of Saugerties native Jimmy Fallon, Blake Shelton and Nick Offerman singing – well, technically clucking – “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers? The owner of the Natural Pet Center at Ireland Corners, Michelle Zigrossi, may or may not sing “Ho Hey” for you, but she does have everything that you need to get started with your own backyard flock, including a variety of baby chicks and plenty of poultry supplies.
The Gardiner Library is located at 133 Farmers’ Turnpike in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org. To learn more about the Natural Pet Center at Ireland Corners, call (845) 255-7387 or visit www.thenaturalpetcenter.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno lives in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind our backyard sugaring this year and hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at [email protected].
