Kids’ Almanac: Celebrate Earth Day!

TUESDAY, APRIL 22 – EARTH DAY

Birds of Kingston program at Forsyth Park

In honor of Earth Day, Mark “at the Park” DeDea brings his infectious enthusiasm about nature to children 5 years and older and their families at the Kingston Library with his program “Birds of Kingston.” As caretaker of Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston, Mark is why I have not one but two bird feeders, binoculars and a whole new appreciation and interest in birds – because just talking to him fires me up to learn and do more to connect with nature right in my own yard. What will he inspire in your family? Participants will learn about the magic of spring migration and when and where to find certain birds; create a bird coloring book; and pick up information about optics, field guides and even birdseed. Birds of Kingston takes place on Tuesday, April 22 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The Kingston Library is located at 55 Franklin Street in Kingston. For more information or to register, call (845) 331-0507, extension 7, or visit www.kingstonlibrary.org.

Cleanup volunteers wanted at Mount Beacon Park

During this season of spring cleaning, how about spending a few hours on Earth Day this year cleaning Mother Earth? On Tuesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., all ages are welcome to join Scenic Hudson in clearing litter, restoring planting beds and maintaining trails at Mount Beacon Park. Wear appropriate get-messy clothing, closed-toe shoes and gloves, and bring water and a snack.

Mount Beacon Park is located at 788 Wolcott Avenue in Beacon. For more information, call (845) 473-4440, extension 273, or visit https://scenichudson.org.

Earth Day crafts at Tivoli Free Library

On Tuesday, April 22 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., drop by the Tivoli Free Library for Earth Day crafts such as starting seeds for the community garden or making recycled crafts. The Tivoli Free Library is located at 86 Broadway in Tivoli. For more information, call (845) 757-3771 or visit www.tivolilibrary.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

Fishkill Recreation Center hosts Be Green Kids Consignments

Whether you are selling your used items outgrown by your children, or you are in the market for any age of kid stuff, Be Green Kids Consignments’ motto says it all: Make Green; Save Green; Be Green. Yes, I am saying that you can help save the Earth by shopping!

Be Green Kids Consignments takes place from Thursday, April 24 to Saturday, April 26 at the Fishkill Recreation Center, located at 793 Route 52 in Fishkill. For more information, including each day’s sale hours and first-time parent perks, call (516) 672-2614 or (401) 339-3569 or visit www.begreensale.com.

Craft a garden at Poughkeepsie’s Howland Public Library

On Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., crafty kids from kindergarten through fifth grade have an opportunity to build free springtime mixed-media gardens at the Howland Public Library. The Howland Public Library is located at 313 Main Street in Poughkeepsie. For more information or to register, call (845) 831-1134, extension 103, or visit https://beaconlibrary.org.

How to raise worms at home

Our family enjoyed making wormeries last week. Would you like to try it? We placed a packing-tape-covered toilet paper roll in the middle of a clear, one-quart lidded container. The roll helps keep the worms closer to the side of the container where we could see them better. We surrounded it with alternating layers of sand and soil until nearing the top of the container. A sprinkle of grated carrots went on top; we spritzed it with water, then added our worms and replaced the top back on the wormery. We taped a piece of dark paper to the outside of the container and decorated it with chalk, keeping the soil dark for the worms. We’re starting to see the soil and sand mix together, and eventually they will all blend into one mixture. Happy wormery-making!

Writing Prompt

by April Prompt contributor Grady Kane-Horrigan

In a poem titled “For the Anniversary of My Death,” the poet W. S. Merwin wrote about something that had not yet happened:

Every day without knowing it I will have passed the day

When the last fires will wave to me

And the silence will set out

Tireless traveler

Like the beam of a lightless star

Write about the anniversary of an important event in your life that has yet to occur.

Bio: Grady Kane-Horrigan has amassed a large collection of ways to mispronounce his name: Grandy, Brady, Gardy, Greedy, Gladys, to name just a few.

Remember to post your piece on the Almanac Weekly Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/almanac-weekly/287633831270607

Projects for Peace Awards to four Bard students

Congratulations to Bard College students Lia Soorenian (Class of ’14), Ameer Shalabi (’16), Zelda Bas (’16) and Harrison Liddle (’14) for receiving 2014 Davis Projects for Peace Awards for each of their two projects, which provide $10,000 in funding for the proposed plans. Soorenian’s work involves promoting sustainable development in Armenia through beekeeping. Shalabi, Bas and Liddle’s project supports the Bard Palestinian Youth Initiative. For more information about the awards, visit www.davisprojectsforpeace.org.

Rosendale Theatre screens The Lego Movie

“Everything is awesome!” is the refrain that many of us have had stuck in our heads for months now, but that’s how I felt about that hilarious Lego movie, so I don’t mind. This weekend, you can relive the classic one-liners (“First try!”) and see The Lego Movie at the Rosendale Theatre. The movie is rated PG and will be shown at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 18, Saturday, April 19 and Monday, April 21, and at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 20. Admission costs $7 for adults, $5 for children.

The Rosendale Theatre is located at 408 Main Street in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8989 or visit https://rosendaletheatre.org. To learn more about the film, visit www.thelegomovie.com.

Run against cystic fibrosis in New Paltz

Four great reasons to come out for the fourth annual Spring Dual against Cystic Fibrosis in New Paltz on Saturday, April 26 – especially teens and kids!

Like to feel useful while supporting a worthy cause? Need something where you feel you make a small difference, but in a doable way? Serve as a volunteer during the race (they could use a few more volunteers).

Kids curious about racing but never tried it? Register your crew for the Kids’ Dual, which takes place after the adult dual finishes: half-mile run; two-mile bike; half-mile run on Huguenot Street and the Rail Trail (they need more kids to participate).

Children love to run? Sign up your kids age 7 years and younger for the Kids’ Fun Run, which takes place after the Kids Dual at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Got youth or college athletes in the family? Participating in the kids’ or adult-level Dual can help build endurance, as well as get them warmed up for playing softball, baseball or swimming that afternoon.

For more information or to register, call (914) 714-9417 or visit www.springdualagainstcf.com. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, visit www.cff.org.

Dutchess Stadium in Wappinger Falls hosts Hudson Valley Fair

Hudson Valley Fair kicks off this weekend at Dutchess Stadium. Open on Fridays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. from April 18 through May 4, it’s all of the rides, shows, food and fireworks that you love. Be sure to check the website for dates and online ticket discounts.

Dutchess Stadium is located at 1500 Route 9D in Wappinger Falls. For more information, visit www.hudsonvalleyfair.com.

Erica Chase-Salerno asks: What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny! She and her husband live in New Paltz with their two children: the inspiration behind www. hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at [email protected].