Capital District Parent Pages June 2018 by Spotlight Newspapers

June calendar listings

arent pages

Volume 22 • Number 6 • JUNE 2018 • Complimentary

Capital District

Inside:

The Resource for Parents

Mini Miss has a big heart A golden age time 3 Getting started on summer reading

cdparentpages.com JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 1

The Bizzy Beez Bus Brought to you by the Spotted Zebra Learning Center

IMAGINE a sensory playground that comes to you! Bizzy Beez

can host your next birthday party, come to your school and provide an in-house field trip, work a play date, etc. And what’s more... we bring competent, knowledgeable and trained staff to support children with special needs!

The Spotted Zebra Learning Center 26 Computer Drive East Albany, NY 12205 (518) 438-4800 www.spottedzebra.org

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The Y is Your Trusted Source for

SUMMER CAMP! EASY ONLINE

• Check out all our REGISTRATION! convenient locations! • Visit us for a free tour of camp today! • Fun Trips! • Free t-shirt!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA 518.869.3500 • www.CDYMCA.org For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility

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CDPP.6.18

www.CDYMCA.org/CAMP

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Every challenge has its rewards

o anyone reading this magazine, I am going to state the obvious: Parenting is hard. Don’t get me wrong, it is also joyful and rewarding and all that jazz, but most of all it is HARD. Emotionally and physically. The funny thing is, no matter where you are on the parenting timeline, there is always somebody out there who will tell you how much harder it is GOING to be in the future. Oh, you think post-partum and a colicky baby is tough? Wait till you get to the terrible twos! Those tantrums your darling is having? That’s child’s play. Wait till you start the homework battles in grade school! Middle school and all those hormones are the WORST, but wait till you are dealing with an eye-rolling defiant teen. Campus tours and preparing your child for college is an emotional challenge, but it’s even worse when they stumble and return home for a relaunch. When you’re in the throes of one kind of parenting challenge, the last thing you want to hear is that it only gets worse. We get it. It’s HARD. You don’t need to sugarcoat it, but sometimes it might just be best for parents to meet those challenges as they come. Columnist Theresa Davis talks about one of those challenging moments that many adoptive and foster parents face. No parent wants to hear their child scream, “You’re not my mom!” And it’s even harder when that statement, while technically true, is hurled out by a child who may be testing the boundaries of his or her adoptive family. Read Theresa’s suggestions on Page 10 for stopping those hurtful words in their tracks. It is hard to hear a child you love unconditionally say those things. It’s also hard to try to comfort a screaming baby or sick child into the wee hours of the morning. It can be a challenge helping your child navigate playground bullies and exclusive cliques. And it’s demanding doing all of this on top the regular care and feeding and LOVING of that child. You know what else is hard? Running a marathon. And yet people do it all the time – sometimes more than once. Practicing the piano for countless hours is hard, too, but the great musicians of our time would not be where they are if they didn’t work at it. Working toward a goal is always going to be challenging – and that is exactly what parenting is all about. The goal is to raise a happy, well-adjusted human to adulthood, but parents come out of it stronger, too. As always, thanks for reading. Check out our articles and resource listings at www. cdparentpages.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Capital District Parent Pages, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail me at robertsk@spotlightnews.com. Kristen Roberts, Editor, Capital District Parent Pages

On the cover: Sianna Granato, 9, shares a playful moment with her pet in this photo submitted by her grandmother. Parent Pages is always accepting photos for potential covers. Submissions should be at least 8-by-10-inches with a dpi of 400. They can be sent via email to robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

p Capital District

Editor’s desk

arent pages The Resource for Parents

June 2018 Features Pageantry for pets

14-15

Columnists Let’s Cook!

Triple Threat

6-7

British Nanny

8-9

24-Hour Shift

What’s new On the Bookshelf

Resources Rensselaer County resources 11-13 Calendar 17-26

publisher - John

McIntyre Roberts advertising sales - Denice Mau art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen editor - Kristen

Capital District Parent Pages is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request. Capital District Parent Pages reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright 2013 by Capital District Parent Pages. No portion of Capital District Parent Pages may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC. Rachelle & Lawrence Stallman Founders of Capital District Parent Pages

JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 3

Let’s Cook!

Last month for lunchbox fun

t is almost the end of the school year. Is your lunchbox routine getting b-o-r-i-n-g? Try building a turtle! Not only are you creating lunch time memories, you’re squeezing in lots of extra veggies.

When kids help with the creation, they pick up skills in measuring, mixing, spreading and creating. Another way to put some pizzazz in a packed lunch is with the Banana Split Dip. That plain old lunchbox

banana just got a whole lot more interesting!

Place the bottom of the roll on the salad. Cut a third of the long cucumber off and then slice that piece into thin pieces. Use one long slice to place on the bottom roll with the rounded edge hanging out to serve as the head of the turtle. Cut the two outer edge pieces of those cucumber slices in half so that you create four legs. Place them in the sandwich to hang out as the legs of the turtle. Place the top roll on top of the cucumber sandwich.Add two candy eyes on top by using a little of the cream cheese spread to “glue” them in place.

June 25 - August 24

Ages 3-12

Woodland Hill Montessori School 100 Montessori Place • North Greenbush

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Banana Split Dip (Makes one serving) 2 tablespoons vanilla low fat yogurt 1 tablespoon Greek vanilla yogurt 4 cherries (fresh frozen and thawed) 1 teaspoon walnuts, chopped (optional) 1 medium banana

Cucumber ½ cup cream cheese ¼ cup diced bell pepper (choose your favorite color) ¼ cup baby leaf spinach 2 tablespoons shredded carrots ½ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Pinch of sea salt Spring mix salad

2018

Jodie Fitz

Get more recipes from Jodie Fitz through the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club at www.pricechopper.com or visit www.jodiefitz.com.

Turtle Lunchbox

Place the cream cheese, bell pepper, baby leaf spinach, carrots, onion powder, garlic powder and salt into a mini food chopper (or blender) and blend the ingredients well. Place some spring mix into your sandwich container along with your child’s favorite veggies and pack 1-2 tablespoons of their favorite dressing so that they can eat the salad after their sandwich. Use a small dinner roll (whole grain if accessible) as the body of the turtle. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of the spread onto each side of the roll.

Chop the cherries either in a mini chopper or with a knife. Stir the yogurts, cherries and nuts together. Send it to school in a small container with a banana. Your child simply peels, dips and eats. Or, for an after-school snack, slice the banana and use pretzel sticks as edible skewers to serve.

Woodland Hill welcomes you to engineer, invent, tinker, and create! Become a master builder, explore your theatrical side, learn about creatures great and small, get hands-on with electronics, and explore the outdoors!

Space is limited. Register today! 518.283.5400 woodlandhill.org 105769_4

On the Bookshelf

Start summer reading today ‘A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always by the Ocean’

‘Charlie & Frog: A Mystery’

By Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats

Discover the surprising ways people listen in this contemporary middle grade mystery about a friendship between Charlie and Frog (aka Francine) who is deaf. The story includes hand sign illustrations so readers can practice American Sign Language along with Charlie. Disney-Hyperion

By Karen Kane

A fifth-grade class uncovers the secrets of their peculiar town in a series of linked tales that combine whimsy with a touch of eeriness. Disney-Hyperion

‘Maker Lab: Outdoors’ By Jack Challoner Get ready for some DIY projects that take place outdoors or emphasize the earth and the environment. The 25 activities in the book will spark kids’ creativity and help the develop science skills through hands-on learning. DK Publishing

IT’S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT PRESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMPS FOR 2018! Come check out The Herman and Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel! Located right next to St Peter’s Hospital

Temple Israel Nursery School offers: • Care for children 18 months 5 years • Register for 2 - 5 days per week, Full Day 8:00am - 5:30pm or Half Day 9:00am - 1:00pm • Unique Hebrew immersion program, ages 3 - 5 years • Music, art, gardening, and so much more every day!

Summer Camp is right around the corner…Registration begins March 1 for our 2018 Summer Camp season!

Take a tour, learn more, or register by contacting: Amie Bloom, Director • 518 438-7858 x120 amiebloom@tialbany.org • 600 New Scotland Ave, Albany 105052_4

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Triple Threat

parenting triplets in the Capital District

When they’re

there’s still time

It’s an age when personalities develop and possibilities are endless

have three children. They are not just triplets, but three very individual people with their own ideas of who they are and who they want to be.

The influences of school, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, friends, relatives, DNA and parents are all working together to (hopefully, please!) create a masterpiece within each child. There is so much within them that was already there from the moment of conception just waiting for outside influences. Now, these magical individuals have stepped forward as though exiting a chrysalis.

Jennifer Steuer

Each child is developing strong opinions that they are willing to debate, research and debate

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more. Each sees injustice at their level and tries to rectify the situation. Sometimes there is a good outcome. More often, a 10-year-old cannot fix the poverty that many in our school district face, but they can help a friend be less hungry or sad in the moment. Ten years old is the best age, according to my good friend and onetime stepmom, Rose. I wasn’t always so sure about that. There are many times every day when the children and I butt heads, but we end the day with hugs.

Olivia fought reading for the longest time. I have always been a reader so trying to help her love

Continued on Page 7

At 10 years old, the individual personalities of the Steuer triplets are really beginning to shine.

n Triple Threat continued from Page 6 love reading was hard because she just despised it. I always have a book on me. For Olivia a book meant work. Then this strange thing happened: Olivia handed me a book that she had read in school … and really liked. She told me I would like it, and that I should also read it. I was wondering who had replaced her with a pod person. The book, “A Million Ways Home” by Dianna Dorisi Winget, is really great, and I can see why Olivia likes it. The absolute best part of it all was Olivia sharing something with me that makes her happy. This experience moved me so much, and became one of the defining moments in my life. A child handing her mother a book. Benjamin, Rebecca and Olivia are not cookie cutter kids. They do not fall into a line like lemmings and perform for all the world to see. Benjamin is so brilliantly Ben. He shines in ways that make me step back sometimes and question my own levels of empathy as an adult. In his 10 short years, he has seen a few things he would rather not remember and those things manifest in his dreams and sleepwalking. During the day, Benjamin is almost always throwing shine onto his friends and will do anything he can to help them with a problem that he thinks he can fix. Once the school day is over, Harlan and I will find out from Ben how he was trying to help. Most of the time we are encouraged by his suggestions; other times we want to go crawl under a rock to avoid the email or phone call from the parent who is not looking for finan-

cial advice from my 10-year-old. Let’s just get that apology out of the way now: I am so sorry. Benjamin was trying to be helpful and frequently doesn’t understand social cues because he has autism. Watch out world! If you think Notorious RBG can dole out some justice just wait until Rebecca gets her turn to tell everyone what isn’t fair. Due to so many reasons beyond her control, Rebecca hasn’t gotten the same one-on-one attention as her siblings because she doesn’t have as many appointments. That really isn’t fair. A few weeks ago we had a chance to do something, just the two of us. We went to the dentist! Rebecca loves the dentist, and because it was just her appointment and there was a little extra time, I decided to “kidnap” her and get frozen hot chocolate and doughnuts before I brought her back to school. We sat, and as she talked about her classmates, I listened. My cellphone: gone. My attention: on her. She is now talking about being a lawyer and eventually a judge. Rebecca is a very smart girl with a moral compass that is true. Ten is the best age. Rose is right. You can still just be who you are and who you want to be, and no one really blinks. There is still time to dream and try on all these personalities and possibilities. Peer pressure hasn’t really started. Ten years old means dolls and cars are still OK. Ten years old means that boys and girls still have cooties. Ten means I still have time. Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mom whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 10-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer. JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 7

British Nanny

speech matters

Gifts from an English garden A letter to my granddaughter on her birthday This “classic” British Nanny article first ran in 2017. Regular columns from Sharon Cole will resume in August.

arling Cadence,

Gardening is a metaphor for life. Especially British life. Just as patriotic as our tea and crumpets, are our British gardens. All you will ever need to grow in strength and wisdom, you can learn in a garden. From the tiniest seed planted with hope to the fruit-bearing trees and hardy flowering shrubs. The basic premise of gardening is change and growth, just like life. Change is inevitable, my sweet darling. Nothing ever stays

the same. The English love their gardens. Gardening sustains their minds, bodies and souls. English gardens are exuberant and colorful, and although it may look unplanned, each planting has a role. Its offerings are both ornamental, edible and medicinal.

grace and hardiness coexist and support each other. I also learned about my own strength and what challenged me. In search of my Nanny’s garden, I found my own. Passion, promises and possibility. By the time you were born, I was already a “seasoned” grandparent of 3 years. Your cousin, Copeland, planted the seeds of grandparenting. Your brother, Jack, helped water them, and you, my precious granddaughter, are the warmth of the sun. All are needed to produce nature’s vibrant colors.

Sharon Cole

My Nanny’s garden was a magical place. There I found a sanctuary; a place for meditation; a refuge to reflect and heal. I learned my greatest life lessons there. That life’s bittersweet gifts begin and end with nature. That

Your roots are deep and strong, my darling. You were planted and are nurtured by love. There are

many things I wish for you as you grow, Cadence. I pray that you will see more sunny days than rain. But know, my sweet darling, that in every garden, rain must fall for strong growth. The following seeds of greatness are deep within you, and the temperate nature of life will guide them to fruition. Balance. It’s all about the dirt, my precious Cadence. A good foundation is the preparation for everything you plant, in life as well as in the garden. Plants need balanced fertile soil rich in nutrients, “good bones,” to sustain life. You will need balance too – physical, mental, spiritual and emotional. Resilience. You will fail

Continued on Page 9

We’re all about family.

At Burdett Birth Center, we want your birth experience to be as special as your new infant. That’s why we offer a range of personal options to make your experience your own, including access to highly-experienced OB/GYN and midwife providers, as well as private rooms and state-of-the-art services. Childbirth education and support groups are also available. Burdett Birth Center. A family experience. Located on the second floor of Samaritan Hospital in the heart of Troy. burdettbirthcenter.org | 2215 Burdett Avenue, Suite 200, Troy, NY 12180 | (518) 271-3393 | 105771_4

8 PARENT PAGES — JUNE 2018

n British Nanny continued from Page 8 sometimes. In fact, you will fail many times. Life and growing a garden are not for the faint of heart. Be like a weed. Not all weeds are bad. Weeds are survivors designed to grow under the hardest conditions. A weed is no more than a flower in disguise. You will fail, but you will keep on digging and planting. Patience. Good things come to those who wait. You have been born into a time of immediate gratification. Nothing can be rushed in the garden. A garden takes many seasons to reach maturity. Along the way, both master and masterpiece become intertwined, and both are created and recreated. Openness. Celebrate differences, including your own. English cottage gardens observe a natural harmony but emphasize individuality through texture, color and size. Gardens with diversity are not only more beautiful, but healthier. Develop your own colors and dare to be different. Mindfulness. The garden is a healing place; a time and a place for reflection. Develop an awareness of that very moment you are in. Notice each sense as it ebbs and flows. Spending time digging in the sacred earth will quiet your mind and stir your soul. Imagination. Follow your dreams. What you can imagine, you can design. Your planning will only go as far as your imagination will allow. As Peter Pan so wisely observed, “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.” Get lost in your daydreams and believe!

Playfulness. Live with passion. Develop joy. Climb the trees and jump in the puddles. Accentuate your path in life with a vibrant ground cover and play hopscotch. Confidence. “From a small seed, a mighty oak may grow.” Rely on your instincts. Believe in your ability to create something from nothing. Be mindful that the biggest is not necessarily the best or sweetest, and that bitter isn’t always bad. Curiosity. A curious nature is a sure sign of a vigorous intellect. Keep asking questions and digging for answers. Life is an adventure. As you dig in life’s garden, fill your mind with wonder and never take anything at face value. Love. To everything there is a season. All living things have a beginning and an end. It is with this in mind that we can savor each moment. There will be many perfects moments in your life, my sweet granddaughter. Enjoy their beauty in that moment, but don’t hold too tightly. Moments, like the fertile soil, slip through your fingers. Live long, laugh loud and love hard.

SUMMER CAMP Hands-on Summer Camps explore topics from Archeology to Zoology, Paleontology to Sustainability Science! REGISTER YOUR BUDDING SCIENTIST TODAY!

www.cmost.org or call 518.235.2120

250 Jordan Road, Troy, NY 12180 105058_4

In the end, it’s all about love. In every flower, shrub, herb, fruit, vegetable, blade of grass and weed, you will find love . And where you find love, you will find me. Forever, your Nanny Sharon Cole is a speechlanguage pathologist and proud grandmother based in Brunswick. She is the owner of Vocally Clear Communications PLLC. Vocally Clear’s goal is to promote effective communication for all ages. She can be reached at Vocallyclear. com or message her at “British Nanny” on Facebook.

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JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 9

The 24-hour shift

Child’s harsh words can test parents

at RPI!

OU’RE NOT MY MOM! YOU’RE NOT MY DAD!

Who’s heard this yet? I have. As an adoptive or foster parent, it’s not fun to hear these words, and if you haven’t yet, brace yourself. You’ve been lucky so far.

Swimming, arts and crafts, nature walks, sports, drama, field trips ... SamaritanRensselaer Children’s Center Discovery Day Camp has it all!

These words sting a lot. Arguably, they are even worse than “I don’t love you!” Almost every parent hears that one. “You’re not my parent!” has a teeny ring of truth to it. Biologically, no, you’re not. What now?

June 25 - August 30 6:30 am - 5:30 pm • For children ages 4 through 12. • Full- and part-time enrollment.

If you are still fostering, this is certainly true. They are living with you, however, and they must follow the rules of your home, as well as any other legal issues put forth by the social worker.

• Located on the campus of RPI. • Fees include all trips, supplies and two snacks daily. (Campers bring their own lunch.)

Show the child that you care about him or her. You want the same things their biological parents do — for them to be safe, to do well, try hard, etc. At the next visit or meeting, talk with your child’s biological parents about rules your foster child should follow, and involve the child, too. That way there is continuity between home visits and being in the foster home, and your foster child will be more likely to follow rules they helped to establish.

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, or to register, call Deirdre or Kristina at (518) 271-3748. Or go to sphp.com/childrens-day-care-sam.

Remember that saying these words may be the child lashing out at you. At a calmer moment, have a chat about how things are going. Let them vent about everything patiently, without judgement. Presented by:

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parenting is a full-time job

If you have adopted, hearing this is an experience. If you are a new forever family, it can still feel like you are fostering sometimes. It takes time to let that blessed feeling of permanence to sink in.

Theresa Davis For now, don’t let the comment go unchecked. You are their mom and dad. Whether you are a new family and you feel a bit awkward about hearing this, or you have been a forever family for, well, forever, let them know that you are the parents. This will bring the family closer to that sense of permanence and reestablish it if it has been there for a while. Your child could be saying this to test that permanency. True, their biological parents and other family is out there. Whatever the circumstances surrounding the fostering or adoption process, those people will always be their biological parents. Whether this makes you uncomfortable or not this is a foster/adoptive parent’s reality. And it is also your child’s reality. We all wonder what would happen if things were different, and children are no exception. Would the rules be different? Would the love be different? Would life be different? Of course it would. In the end, be kind but firm. Yes, we are your parents. We adopted you. We love you. You are an important part of our family. Now do your homework. Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.

Family resources

Rensselaer County

2018 SUMMER SESSION BEGINS JULY 10th 4 Lessons in Piano or Voice Email Miss Peggy To Reserve Your Spot! misspeggysmusic@aol.com

Bennington Battlefield

misspeggysmusic.com 518-458-2927

Brunswick Historical Society Garfield School, 605 Brunswick Road, Troy, (518) 279-4024 Society maintains a library and collection of reference materials, photographs, objects and other ephemera intrinsic to local history. www.bhs-ny.org Open Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

CNSE Children’s Museum of Science & Technology 250 Jordan Road, Troy, (518) 235-2120 Hands-on science center, inspiring students of all ages to explore, discover, and imagine their world. Call or visit website for hours and admission. www.cmost.org

Crailo State Historic Site 9 1/2 Riverside Ave., Rensselaer, (518) 463-8738 A museum of the Colonial Dutch in the Hudson River Valley. Open mid-May through October. Call or visit website for hours, admission and special events. www. nysparks.com; www.facebook.com/CrailoStateHistoricSite

Knickerbocker Mansion 132 Knickerbacker Road, Schaghticoke, (518) 664-1700 Built in the 1780s by Johannes and Elizabeth Knickerbocker. Open for tours from May-October on Sundays. Call or visit website for hours, admission and special events. knickmansion.com

Rensselaer County Historical Society & Museum at the Hart-Cluett House 57 2nd St., Troy, (518) 272-7232 These buildings house the Society’s extensive museum collections, changing exhibits, gift shop, research library, and offices. Call or visit website for hours, admission and special events. www. rchsonline.org

Outdoor fun

In Schenectady, Orlando Means Dance

Our 64 Year th !

SUMMER FUN DANCE CAMP

Ages 4-6 & 7-9 • JULY 30 - AUG. 3

For registration and tuition info call the studio 518-393-7827. OPEN HOUSES

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Route 67, North Hoosick, (518) 860-9094

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Registration Opens June 18th

Museums and historic sites

Location of a historic Revolutionary War battle. Facilities include game fields, 276 acres, interpretive panels, information room, and restrooms. Open May 1 through Labor Day: daily 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Labor Day-Columbus Day weekends only 10am-sunset.

Miss Peggy’s Music Room Live Your Love!

Wed., July 11, Aug. 8 & Sept. 5 • 5-7PM

Life lessons that will last long after the dance classes are over!

1765 State St., Schenectady • www.orlandodance.com

Cherry Plain State Park 26 State Park Road, Cherry Plain, (518) 733-5400 The park offers a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking, a campground with tent and trailer sites, cross-country skiing, a boat launch with boat rentals, and a food concession.

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center 475 Dyken Pond Road, Cropseyville, (518) 658-2055 The Center offers activities and workshops dedicated to environmental education. All programs are open to both adults and children accompanied by their parents.

Grafton Lakes State Park 100 Grafton Lakes State Parkway, Grafton, (518) 279-1155 Park includes five ponds and 2,357 acres. Long Pond has a large, sandy beach, which is a popular summer attraction.

Continued on the next page

www.dramakids.com www.dramakids.com (518) 458-1313 (518) 458-1313 105054_4

Rensselaer County

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Summer Camps Enrolling Now!

JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 11

Rensselaer County

Outdoor fun (cont.)

YMCA. Held every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. from June 15-Oct. 5.

Schodack Island State Park 1 Schodack Island Way, Schodack Landing, (518) 732-0187 Park sits off the eastern shore of the Hudson River just south of Albany. Approximately seven miles of Hudson River and Schodack Creek shoreline bound the 1,052-acre site.

Farms and farmers markets Engelke Farm 463 Garfield Road, Troy, (518) 275-8433 Pick-your-own fruits and vegetables from June to October with special fall events and a zip line. www.engelkefarm. com

East Greenbush Farmer’s Market 10 Community Way, East Greenbush, (518) 477-7476 Fresh vegetables and local goods in the parking lot between the library and the

Goold Orchards 1297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton, (518) 732-7317 One hundred years of family farming offering apples and apple products and more. www.goold.com

Liberty Ridge Farm 29 Bevis Road, Schaghticoke (518) 664-1515 Fun at the farm with special events, corn maze and more. libertyridgefarmny. com

North Greenbush Farmers Market

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market

July: Southern Saratoga County August: Schenectady County

Parks and Rec Frear Park 155 Oakwood Ave., Troy, (518) 270-4553 Frear Park and Municipal Golf Course is a 247-acre park, offering an 18-hole public golf course, hockey arena, playground and more attractions.

Joe Bruno Stadium 80 Vandenburg Ave., Troy, (518) 629-2287 Stadium is home to the minor league Tri-City ValleyCats baseball team.

(518) 235-7761 A playground, nature trails, picnic areas and facilities for tennis, basketball, softball and soccer.

Sand Lake Center for the Arts 2880 Route 43, Averill Park (518) 674-2007

Knickerbacker Park

Live theater, music, gallery and family events. slca-ctp.org

103rd Street and 8th Ave., Troy, (518) 235-7761

The Arts Center of the Capital Region

Many recreational uses such as baseball, soccer, track, and more, located at 104th and 7th Ave., Troy.

265 River St., Troy, (518) 273-0552

Twin Town Baseball Fields 79 Williams Road, Troy, (518) 283-4306 Held every Thursday from June through mid October.

Coming up:

Year-round marketplace of quality regional farm and food products, crafts, services and entertainment. www.troymarket.org

282 River St., Troy, (518) 708-4216

Prospect Park 65 Prospect Park Road, Troy,

FU NP LE X FUN PARK

Looking for the Perfect Place for your Birthday?

BOOK YOUR PARTY NOW!

(518) 477-2651

www.funplexfunpark.com 589 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, NY Just 5 minutes east of Albany just off exit 9 of I-90

Engaging people of all ages in the creative experience through classes and exhibits. www.artscenteronline.org

Continued on the next page

LET’S PLAY • Go Karts • Adventure Golf • Gyroscope • Bouncy Bounce • Mini Go-Karts • Rock Climbing • Bumper Boats • Bankshot Basketball • Batting Cages • Bungee Trampoline

Buy One, Get One FREE! MINI-GOLF, GO-KART OR BUMPER BOAT with this ad

Expires 10/7/18. One coupon/person/visit.

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Family resources

RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGE WITH THIS AD. 12 PARENT PAGES — JUNE 2018

Rensselaer County

Libraries Arvilla E. Diver Memorial Library

Family resources Rensselaer City Library 810 Broadway, Rensselaer

Sand Lake Town Library

136 Main St., Schaghticoke

8428 Miller Hill Road, Averill Park

Berlin Free Town Library

Troy Public Library: Lansingburg Branch

47 Main St., Berlin

Brunswick Community Library 605 Brunswick Road, Troy

Castleton Public Library 85 South Main St., Castleton

Cheney Library 77 Classic St., Hoosick Falls

East Greenbush Community Library 10 Community Way, East Greenbush

Grafton Community Library 2455 NY2, Grafton

Mechanicville District Public Library 190 North Main St., Mechanicville

Nassau Free Library 18 Church St., Nassau

North Greenbush Public Library 141 Main Ave., Wynantskill

Petersburg Public Library 69 Main St., Petersburgh

Poestenkill Library 9 Plank Road, Poestenkill

114th St. & 4th Ave., Troy

Troy Public Library: Sycaway Branch Hoosick Street And Lee Avenue, Troy

Troy Public Library 100 Second St., Troy

Valley Falls Free Library 42 State St. Valley Falls

Don’t Miss Uncle Sam Monument Corner of River and 3rd streets, Troy Grand, aluminum statue of Uncle Sam in the hometown of Samuel Wilson, who inspired the cartoon character Uncle Sam.

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Poestenkill Falls Linden Avenue, Troy A waterfall that drops 85-feet into the Dyken Pond and then 75-more feet into a larger pool.

Grafton Peace Pagoda

✓ UPK Programs for Schenectady City SD Residents ✓ Before & After Day Care ✓ Day Care

87 Crandall Road, Petersburg, (518) 658-9301 A monument to peace and the site of numerous interfaith celebrations throughout the year. www.dharmawalk.org

✓ Half Day Programs 9am-12:30pm ✓ Full Day School 9am-3pm

Resources Beyond the Capital District Rochester School for the Deaf

If there’s a great Rensselaer County resource for families you’d like to see on this list, please email robertsk@ spotlightnews.com so we can include it online and in future issues.

RSD provides a nurturing and inclusive education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at no cost to families. Education includes American Sign Language and English in a bilingual scholastic setting. Learning programs cater to infants, early childhood, K-12, and up to age 21. www.RSDeaf.org

July 2nd - Aug 24th

officeadmin@rosavenerini.com

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Did we miss something?

1545 St. Paul St., Rochester NY, (585) 544-1240, email: infor@RSDeaf.org

JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 13

Crowning ac Local Mini Miss Spirit USA 2018 raises money for local animals

velyn Rituno, a third-grader at Slingerlands Elementary School and the 2018 Mini Miss Spirit USA, has been using her success on the pageant circuit to benefit animals and local wildlife.

Rituno, who began entering pageants two years ago, has now been in 16 altogether. She has won 13 local pageants, placed second in two and won her national title last summer. She first became interested in 2015, when she was with her family at the Altamont Fair and saw the Miss Altamont Fair pageant. Her mother Ashleigh looked into it the following year and Evelyn entered. She placed second and said she had so much fun, she decided she wanted to do more. According to Ashleigh Rituno, pageantry isn’t all just “glitz and glamour.” The contestants do a lot of volunteer charity work outside of the pageants themselves. Rituno has done fundraising, appeared at numerous events and even sang Christmas carols at a nursing home. She is currently working with a girl from another pageant circuit to make dinner for the Ronald McDonald House, where she recently walked in a fundraising pageant.

“She doesn’t do the fake spray tans or the fake teeth. It’s not Toddlers in Tiaras. It’s all based on poise and how you present yourself. The national one is based on volunteer work and stuff like that and what you do in your community.” — Ashleigh Rituno

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Her mother said that at Rituno’s age, contestants aren’t typically required to have a platform issue, but they have been talking about it, and last summer, they found it. “Last summer, me and my mom were walking, and we found a baby squirrel just lying in the road,” said Rituno. “So we wrapped it up in my mom’s sweatshirt and put it under the wagon seat and brought it home. And we called all these people until we found one that took injured wildlife and she took me through all the steps until she could pick up the squirrel. After that, I decided that I wanted my platform to be based around animals. Not just the cute and snuggly animals like cats and dogs, but like deer, squirrels, rabbits, and so

chievements by

Ali Hibbs

my platform is ‘all animals need love.’” This year, Rituno decided that she wanted to raise money for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society so she organized her own pageant at Sprinkles Spa in Clifton Park. Rituno chose Sprinkles because she had had a birthday party there and liked the venue. “She thought of the idea and did it completely herself,” said her mother. “So I set up a meeting, and she went there and pitched her idea all by herself.” “And then just yesterday, we brought all this stuff to the humane society,” Evelyn Rituno piped in with a grin. She chose the venue, planned the event, and selected the prizes, crowns and color of the sashes. Sixteen girls competed in three age groups, and a winner and runner-up were chosen, but every girl received a crown. There was a Charity Queen award for the child that donated the most pet supplies, as well as other optional awards.

“She does all-natural pageants,” said Rituno’s mother. “She doesn’t do the fake spray tans or the fake teeth. It’s not Toddlers in Tiaras. It’s all based on poise and how you present yourself. The national one is based on volunteer work and stuff like that and what you do in your community.”

Rituno ended up raising $548 and collecting more than 200 donations. And she doesn’t plan on stopping there.

Rituno does have a lot of tiaras, though. “A lot,” she said. “I can’t even count. I have a lot of crowns and sashes.”

This summer, she said she’s going to look into doing a dog-walking service to raise money for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, but said she’s definitely also interested in directing more pageants, “because that was really fun!” Rituno said she plans to continue entering pageants for the foreseeable future. While she will have to give up her national title this summer, she intends to run for the state title and return to the nationals next year. And, in between the national competitions, there are countless local and fair pageants she can enter.

While Evelyn says her favorite part of it all is making friends, she also likes being on stage. Next year, she’s excited to begin acting classes. “I think that’s what she’s really hoping to get out of pageants,” said her mother, explaining that it’s a good stepping stone to other performance-based careers. “Because you have to talk a lot,” explained the 8-year-old. JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 15

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UNDERWATER WORD FIND

Color By Numbers

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2: LIGHT BLUE

3: GREEN

4: YELLOW

5: BLUE

6: RED

family fun for June

June 1 Friday

Calendar of events

2 Saturday

Lupine Fest 2018

Armenian Festival

Fields of violet lupine flowers and fluttering Karner Blue butterflies set the stage for visitors to enjoy nature walks, hands on activities with community partners, music, games, crafts, food, vendors and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For all ages. Free. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 4560655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

Enjoy a variety of authentic Armenian foods such as Shish Kebab, Friday Family Film: Lahmejune (Armenian pizza), rice pilaf, ‘Paddington 2’ desserts plus music, dancing, bounce Watch Paddington’s latest adventures rides, and carnival games, noon-8 p.m now that he’s happily settled with the Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Brown family and a popular member Free. St. Peter Armenian Church, 100 of the local community, 6:30 p.m. Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet. For Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western more information, call (518) 274-3673. Ave., Guilderland. For more information, call (518) 456-2400 or visit www. guilpl.org.

National Trails Day at Thacher Park Come and help out with trail maintenance projects for the morning and stay for lunch, provided by the Friends of Thacher Park, 9 a.m. Free; call to register. John Boyd Thacher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, call (518) 8721237 or visit parks.ny.gov/parks/128/ details.aspx.

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Movies in the Park: ‘Despicable Me 3’ Free movies in Wiswall Park are back for the eleventh summer in a row, presented by the Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association, 8:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Wiswall Park, 39 Front St., Ballston Spa. For more information, call (518) 885-2772.

First Friday Friends Children ages 12 to 36 months and their parents are invited to the library to play and interact with others while using age appropriate toys, books and puzzles, 10 a.m. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 3718622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

St. Basil Greek Fest Also Saturday and Sunday. Sample homemade Greek dishes, such assouvlaki, moussaka, lamb with potatoes and pastichio, enjoy dancing, browse the bazaar or enjoy a bouncy-bounce and other games at this three-day family event. Free. Festival hours are Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 12-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m. St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 909 River St., Troy. For more information, call (518)273-8923 or visit www.stbasiltroy.com. St. Mary’s hospitals will present the movie “Ferdinand” at the third annual Park and Play Movie Night. In addition to the movie, there will be free popcorn and refreshments, games, and the TriCity ValleyCats Street Team, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Free. St. Mary’s Hospital, 1300 Massachusetts Ave., Troy For more information, call (518) 271-3372 or visit HealthyFutureTroy.org.

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Park and Play Movie Night

JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 17

Calendar of events 3 Sunday Birding with Rich Guthrie This is the best time to see birds dressed in their finest plumage and singing to find their mates. Start at the Nature Center feeders and head out on the trails, 8 a.m. Beginners are welcome and binoculars are available to borrow.

family fun for June

Free; call to register. John Boyd Thacher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, call (518) 872-1237 or visit parks.ny.gov/ parks/128/details.aspx.

Explore a Bog

What is the nature of a bog? Who lives there? What kinds of plants exist in a bog? We will explore these questions and more. Smell the fragrance of sweet gale, see native iris in bloom, and search for carnivorous sundews, 2 p.m. Free; call to register. John Boyd Thacher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, call (518) 872-1237 or • To have your event included in our visit parks.ny.gov/ parks/128/details. print edition, email the information, aspx. including date, time, place, cost and

Submit an event

contact information to robertsk@ spotlightnews.com by the 10th of the preceding month. Events run space permitting, and submission does not guarantee publication.

Pond Exploration

for an up-close and magnified view of damselflies, dragonflies, and mayflies – as well as newts and tadpoles and leeches, 2-3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person and $15 per family for members, and $15 per person and $25 per family for non-members. Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance. Visit landislive. weebly.com or call (518) 875-6935 for more information.

4 Monday Bike Rodeo Bring your bikes and helmets and try out an obstacle course, learn some important safety tips, and decorate your wheels, 4:30-6:30 p.m. For kids grades 2-5, with an adult. Colonie Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. For more information, call (518) 458-9274 or visit colonielibrary.org.

Colonie Town Band Concert The Colonie Town Band continues it summer concert series with a performance under the gazebo at The Crossings, 7-8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for the best seat in the house. If it rains,

Bring the family to romp in the Meeting House pond in search of the creatures within

the band will perform inside The Crossings’ large conference room. Free. The Crossings of Colonie Park, 580 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. For more information, call (518) 783-2760.

5 Tuesday Read to Furry Friends GPL’s furry friends are waiting to hear the stories that new readers will share with them. Reading to furry friends is a fun way to relax and practice reading skills, 6:30 p.m. Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. For more information, call (518) 4562400 or visit www.guilpl.org.

Preschool Storytime Theme-based, multi-age level storytimes with an emphasis on early literacy. Books, rhymes, songs, a short video, and an art activity, 10 a.m. For ages 2 to 5 with caregiver. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

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ANNUAL RECITAL

Sunday, June 17 • 2 PM SPECIAL FEATURE:

SpongeBob the Musical

Presented by: Mara’s Performing Arts Co. & Acro Team

• TAP • JAZZ • GYMNASTICS • BALLET • BATON • MUSICAL THEATRE • KINDERDANCE

CREDITS: Disney, TV, Movies, Cruise Lines, Pro Bowl, Ballet Companies, National & International Tours, Cirque De Soleil John-David, Declan, Manny, Logan & Owen

372-5282

Sunday, June 17th • 2:00 pm Tickets Available at The Door

Certified by test to teach, Dance Masters of America & DEA

www.merrittdancecenter.com

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PROCTOR’S THEATRE

H SUMMER DANCE CAMP JULY 30-AUG 2 & AUG 6-9 H 18 PARENT PAGES — JUNE 2018

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Justina Natalie Junior Miss Dance DMA 2019 & Julia Dion Junior Miss Dance DMA 2018

family fun for June

5 Tuesday (cont.)

7 Thursday

Pre-K Story Time

Rubber Ducky Club: Fishy Storytime

Enjoy a drop-in Story-time for children ages 2-5; babies and siblings welcome, no sign-up needed, 11 a.m. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St., Rensselaer. For more information, visit www.rensselaerlibrary.org or call (518) 462-1193.

6 Wednesday ARTfull Afternoons Children ages 5 to 14 are introduced to art in the collection and exhibitions, then explore the concepts they learn in the Art Studio creating their own masterpieces, 2:30 p.m. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection. org.

Have some fishy fun with stories, songs and a craft, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For children up to age 6 with family. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Library Tots Children from newborn to 36 months with a caregiver will enjoy activities to develop baby’s skills, 9:45 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Calendar of events

House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection.org.

Family Fun: Outdoors After School Join us after school to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and have fun outdoors with a different theme each week and time to explore, 4:30 p.m. Free. For children in grades K-5 and their caregivers. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec. ny.gov/education/1835.html.

8 Friday Super Smash Afternoon Play Super Smash Bros. on the WiiU with friends, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Snacks will be served! For grades 5-12. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Star Parties Also Saturday. Come view the stars

and planets in Landis’ dark skies with members of the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers, 9:30 p.m. Free. Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance. For more information, call (518) 875-6935.

9 Saturday Wild Tails of Albany Animals Enjoy a guided walking tour that leads your family on a safari through downtown Albany where you will uncover many creatures in the form of carvings and statues hidden in plain sight, 11 a.m. Cost is $3 per adult. Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany. For more information, call (518) 434-0405.

Anime Night Enjoy a night of everything manga and anime – food, fun and film, 5-7 p.m. For grades 7-12. Colonie Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. For more information, call (518) 458-9274 or visit colonielibrary.org.

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JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 19

Calendar of events 9 Saturday (cont.) Outdoor Day With planned outdoor activities for visitors to try first-hand, such as hiking, bird watching, fishing, and pitching a tent, Five Rivers’ Outdoor Day will emphasize connecting to nature through hands-on experiences, 10 a.m. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.

10 Sunday Beekman Street Art Fair Enjoy a juried art and craft show, live music, kids open mic, street performers, makers’ spaces for kids and adults, and food trucks, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Beekman Street Arts District, Beekman from Grand to West Circular Street, Saratoga Springs. For more information, call (518) 583-2129.

Explore the Bluebird Trail

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Check on who’s in the nest boxes and monitor and record data on several bird species, 1 p.m. Bring binoculars and

20 PARENT PAGES — JUNE 2018

family fun for June

be prepared to walk on uneven terrain. Free; call to register. John Boyd Thacher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, call (518) 872-1237 or visit parks.ny.gov/ parks/128/details.aspx.

Pick of the month

Art Lab A gallery and art-making activity that explores the “A” in STEAM, 1-4 p.m. For families with children ages 6 and older, but anyone can participate. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www. hydecollection.org.

Knit One Purl One If you’re an experienced knitter, bring your current project. If you’re a beginner, bring size 8 knitting needles no longer than 10 inches; we’ll provide yarn and get you started, 2-3 p.m. For adults, teens and kids age 9 and up. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

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Car Seat Safety Check

June

Stop by and have your car seat checked out by a member of the Guilderland Police Department, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. For more information, call (518) 456-2400 or visit www.guilpl.org.

family fun for June

11 Monday Parachute Play Children ages 3-4, accompanied by an adult, are invited to join library staff for songs and games with a parachute, 10 a.m. Registration is required. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

12 Tuesday Pre-K Story Time Enjoy a drop-in Story-time for children ages 2-5; babies and siblings welcome, no sign-up needed, 11 a.m. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St., Rensselaer. For more information, visit www.rensselaerlibrary. org or call (518) 462-1193.

13 Wednesday ARTfull Afternoons Children ages 5 to 14 are introduced to art in the collection and exhibitions, then explore the concepts they learn in the Art Studio creating their own masterpieces, 2:30 p.m. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection.org.

14 Thursday Library Tots Children from newborn to 36 months with a caregiver will enjoy activities to develop baby’s skills, 9:45 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Calendar of events caregivers. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/ education/1835.html.

Tours for Tots Children ages 5 and younger learn about a work in the museum, then spend time in the Art Studio making their own creations, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection.org.

15 Friday Kidz Bop Live 2018

Stu e n a o

The D

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er umm s n u nd f nal a ar old? o i t a duc -8 ye M* r an e or your 3 o f g “STEA ce, f n i w k e m o ra Lo an ur n prog sic, D g in o u n i M n , r a ing ce, P = le Read Scien * ( SCAM om, plus ! n ath) or fu ro nd M o ” a r d t t o r i u Jun ing, A a&o ineer Dram g n E y, nolog Tech

Kid-friendly renditions of today’s popular hits, 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35-$55 online at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000. Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue Of The Pines, Saratoga Springs.

Pinkalicious & Peterrific Playdate Wear your favorite dress up or costume outfit and enjoy fun activities and snacks inspired by the Pinkalicious and Peterrific series, 3:30-4:30. Registration required. Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. For more information, call (518) 456-2400 or visit www.guilpl.org.

16 Saturday Circus Science Family STEAM Program Come to a hands-on science enrichment program. For ages 3-7 with parent or caregiver. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesville library.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Hike Through History at Peebles Island State Park Learn about the geological formation of the island, the Native American presence, early Dutch heritage, Revolutionary War encampment as well as Island flora and fauna on an easy 2-mile hike, 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Free. Peebles Island State Park, 1 Delaware Ave., Waterford. For more information, visit sites.google.com/ view/FriendsOfPeeblesIsland/home or email FriendsofPeebles@gmail.com.

DoaneStuart.org/SCAMP

Continued on the next page Parent Pages - April 2018.indd 3

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JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 21 3/15/18 2:59 PM

16 Saturday (cont.) Children’s Star Sighting Enjoy an interactive program exploring the stars, planets, comets and constellations in the night sky, 11 a.m. Appropriate for children grades pre-K-2 and their families. Cost is $3 per person. Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany. For more information, call (518) 434-0405.

Albany Star Sighting Interactive program identifies stars, planets, comets and constellations in the night sky and the tools and techniques for becoming an amateur astronomer, 1 p.m. Geared for skywatchers 8 and above. Cost is $3 per person. Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany. For more information, call (518) 434-0405.

Little Wonders of Science: ‘Cubetto Blue Ocean Adventure’ Inspire curiosity through stories, play and special hands-on activities

family fun for June

specifically created for children ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Cost is $5 plus regular admission of $5 for children, $8 for seniors and $10 for adults. MiSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. For more information, call (518) 382-7890 or visit www.misci.org.

Historic Trolley Tour of Albany Pine Bush Preserve Come aboard and join Albany Pine Bush staff and local historians for a 2-hour ride through the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, where you will hear about the people, places and stories that once filled this area., 9-11 a.m. For ages 10 and up. Cost is $3 per person; $5 per family. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 4560655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

Family Fun: Darting Dragonflies Start indoors to learn about these beautiful insects with crafts for the whole family, then go outside to explore ponds and search for nymphs

and adult dragonflies, 10 a.m. Space is limited. Call Five Rivers by June 13 to register. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. For more information, call (518) 475-0291 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835. html.

17 Sunday Discover the Pine Bush A 0.9-mile hike over rolling sand dunes to discover Pine Bush natural history, seasonal surprises and transformations, 1-2 p.m. For all ages. Free. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www. albanypinebush.org. Pre-registration is required for all events.

Family Wilderness Crafts Join MHLC and Dave Muska of Ondatra Adventures for a hands-on crafting experience in the beautiful outdoors, where you’ll learn to make

Get the word out! List your event for parents & children in our calendar section.

Make your last month of lunch boxes a good one! Page 4

crafts using the natural materials found in the preserve, 1-4 p.m. Free; registration required. Van Dyke Preserve, Bethlehem For more information, visit mohawkhudson.org or call (518) 436-6346.

18 Monday Rubber Ducky Club: Music Storytime Prepare for a rockin’ summer of reading with stories, songs and a craft, 10:30-11:15 a.m. For children up to age 6 with family. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Continued on the next page

To advertise on our website, call Denice Mau at 439-4949 Check us out at:

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We’re online!

Be sure to visit our website…

p Capital District

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Send calendar submission by the 5th of the previous month to: Capital District Parent Pages, Attn: Calendar, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, N.Y. 12054 email: robertsk@spotlightnews.com

What’s cooking?

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Calendar of events

arent pages The Resource for Parents

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22 PARENT PAGES — JUNE 2018

family fun for June

Father’s Day fun

Calendar of events

19 Tuesday Pre-K Story Time Enjoy a drop-in Story-time for children ages 2-5; babies and siblings welcome, no sign-up needed, 11 a.m. Rensselaer Public Library, 676 East St., Rensselaer. For more information, visit www.rensselaerlibrary.org or call (518) 462-1193.

Origami for Kids

We Love Dads

June

Children ages 3 and up accompanied by an adult are invited for stories and songs all about Dad, followed by a craft to give Dad or someone special on Father’s Day, 11 a.m. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

Enjoy some paper-folding fun as you create a project with us or bring something you want to work on together, 3:30-4:45 p.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Preschool Movies A series of short, literature-based films from children’s favorite books, including “The Foolish Frog,” “Swimmy,” and “Peanut Butter and Jellyfish,” 10:15 a.m. For families with children ages 3-6. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park.

For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

20 Wednesday ARTfull Afternoons Children ages 5 to 14 are introduced to art in the collection and exhibitions, then explore the concepts they learn in the Art Studio creating their own masterpieces, 2:30 p.m. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection.org.

21 Thursday Library Tots Children from newborn to 36 months with a caregiver will enjoy activities to develop baby’s skills, 9:45 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville For more info, visit www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Continued on the next page

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JUNE 2018 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 23

Capital District

arent pages

Calendar of events 21 Thursday (cont.) Tours for Tots Children ages 5 and younger learn about a work in the museum, then spend time in the Art Studio making their own creations, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free with museum admission of $12. Hyde House Art Museum & Historic House, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. For more information, call (518) 792-1761 or visit www.hydecollection.org.

The Resource for Parents

Upcoming Monthly Themes & Deadlines

22 Friday Game Day

July

Summer Fun & Travel Summer Birthdays Schenectady County: Parenting Resources Deadline: June 4th

August

Child Care Guide & After School Activities (Part1) Planning Back To School Deadline: July 9th

Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is determined to find his way home and rallies a misfit team to join his adventure (PG, 108 min., 20th Century Fox), 2:30 p.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

SenseAble Science

Now They’re Back in School After School Activities (Part 2) Deadline: August 6th

October

Fun Fall Activities Halloween Deadline: September 4th

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Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Tot Time Play and interact with others while using age-appropriate toys, books, and puzzles, 10 a.m. This is a drop-in program for infants under 24 months with an adult; no siblings please. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www. cphlibrary.org.

26 Tuesday School’s Out Hike Kids, bring your parents for a 2.6mile hike over rolling sand dunes to explore this rare ecosystem through hands-on activities and seasonal surprises, 10:30 a.m.-noon. For ages 6 and up. Free. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org. Preregistration is required for all events.

Lego Free Build We’ve got the Legos — lots and lots of them — you bring the building skills, 10 a.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Libraries Rock Kickoff Festival

A sensory friendly science center experience for those with autism and other sensory needs, 10 a.m.-noon. Presented by the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, Schenectady ARC, and miSci with additional funds from sponsors. Cost $5 for children, $8 for seniors and $10 for adults. MiSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady. For more information, call (518) 382-7890 or visit www.misci.org.

Enjoy face painters, balloon artists, a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, refreshments, and carnival games, 5-7 p.m. Pizza will be available to purchase. Colonie Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. For more information, call (518) 458-9274 or visit colonielibrary.org.

25 Monday

Enjoy a rousing round of bingo based upon favorite book characters, 11 a.m. This is a drop-in program for families to enjoy together, however the focus will be on picture books and easy readers. For children ages 4-8 with an adult. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

Libraries Rock! Stories & Crafts Program

To advertise in one or more of these issues please call

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Summer Cinema: Ferdinand

24 Sunday

September

Denice Mau at 439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com

Stop in and play old-fashioned board games, card games, and building games for all ages, 1-3 p.m. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

family fun for June

Kids in grades K-5 are welcome to join us at 1:30 pm as we share some rockin’ reads, then make some musical crafts. Decorate your own rock guitar, then show-off your style in an airguitar contest. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road,

27 Wednesday Book Bingo

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family fun for June

27 Wednesday Game Day Kids in grades k-5 are invited to join us for an energetic afternoon. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can run in. Please register at the Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www.voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

28 Thursday Summer Reading Program Kick-Off and Ice Cream Social Musician/puppeteer Tom Knight’s upbeat and entertaining family concert includes songs and skits about animals, food, environmental science, and the importance of reading. Make your own ice cream sundaes generously supplied by Stewart’s Shops will be served after the 6:30 pm show. All ages welcome. Voorheesville Library, 51 School Road, Voorheesville, www. voorheesvillelibrary.org or call (518) 765-2791.

Capital District

arent pages The Resource for Parents

Family Child Care Orientation information, call 456-0655 or visit www. albanypinebush.org. Pre-registration is and Information Session

Calendar of events

required for all events. This free information session will help families get started on the path to 29 Friday opening you’re their own family child Wonder Walk care program, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Child Use your senses to explore the big Care Council, 91 Broadway, Menands. and the small, the living and non-living, For more information, visit cdcccc. and the seasonal surprises around you, doubleknot.com. using Rachel Carson as inspiration, Libraries Rock! 1-2:30 p.m. For ages 6 and up. Cost is Ice Cream Party $3 per person; $5 per family. Albany Stop by for a build-your-own ice Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New cream sundae party to kick-off the Karner Road, Albany. For more informaSummer Reading festivities and sign up tion, call 456-0655 or visit www. for special events, 6-8 p.m. Guilderland albanypinebush.org. Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Valley Cats Visit Guilderland. For more information, Baseball players and Mascot South call (518) 456-2400 or visit www. Paw will visit to read stories, answer guilpl.org. questions, and sign autograph, 10-11 Firefly Full Moon Hike a.m. Every child will get a voucher Hike approximately one for two free tickets to the Summer mile under the full moon Reading Night game on Monday, while looking for fireflies, Aug. 20, courtesy of the NYS 529 8:30-10 p.m. For ages 10 and up. College Savings Program. Register Free. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, starting Friday, June 1 in Youth 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more Services or online. Colonie Town

Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville. For more information, call (518) 458-9274 or visit colonielibrary.org.

Family Concert with Heard - World Jazz Heard will present their original and traditional world music repertoire, with influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Middle East, and places in between and points beyond in a multimedia concert will be interactive, 6-7:30 p.m. Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Ave., Guilderland. For more information, call (518) 456-2400 or visit www. guilpl.org.

Pucker Street Fair Also Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a classic car show, rides, games, food, music, fireworks, chicken BBQ, K-9 and Drone demo, 5K race, local vendors and more. Schedule is 6-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Knox Town Park, 2192 Berne-Altamont Road, Altamont. For more information, call (518) 872-2185.

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Calendar of events 29 Friday (cont.) Summer Cinema: ‘Paddington 2’ Paddington finds himself in hot water when he sets out to get the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy (PG, 104 min., Warner Bros.) , 2:30 p.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Stillwater Library Sing-a-Long Music lovers of any age are invited to join us at Blockhouse Park on Hudson Avenue in Stillwater to sing-a-long with guitars; just bring your lawn chair, 6-7:30 p.m. In case of rain it will be in the library itself. For information, call (518) 664-6255 or visit Stillwater.sals.edu

30 Saturday Libraries Rock! Family Festival Kick-off Summer Reading Programs and celebrate the launch of the library’s new website with a dance party with KISS

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family fun for June

102.3, face painting, Sam the Magic Man, crafts, carnival games, refreshments, and more, 1-4 p.m. Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. For more information, call 371-8622 or visit www.cphlibrary.org.

This month

Spittlebugs Is it a cocoon or is it spit? No, it’s a spittlebug! Take a 0.9-mile walk and talk about this common insect in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, 11 a.m.-noon. For ages 6 and up. Cost is $3 per person; $5 per family. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany. For more information, call 456-0655 or visit www.albanypinebush.org.

Wild about Wetlands Study the plants and animals that thrive in this unique environment, and discuss the integral role that wetlands play in watershed ecology, 10 a.m. For ages 12 and up. Free; call to register. John Boyd Thacher State Park, 830 Thacher Park Road, Voorheesville. For more information, call (518) 872-1237 or visit parks.ny.gov/parks/128/details.aspx.

Summer Reading Kickoff: Sylvia the Ventriloquist

June

Get ready for some serious silliness with a professional actress/ventriloquist/comedian who will have you wondering who said what. Sign up for the Summer Reading Program while you’re at it, 2:30 p.m. OR 6:30 p.m. For kids and families. Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Our students say it all. Joy of learning

is what it’s all about for students at Rochester School for the Deaf. Since 1876, our students have been discovering the

art of communication and education in a nurturing, inclusive environment—at no cost to families. As a private school, our dynamic educational programs employ skilled professionals who

educate students in a vibrant multicultural and

bilingual scholastic setting which includes American Sign Language and English.

H Building futures for deaf and hard of hearing students

H Focusing on infant, early childhood,

K-12 grades, up to age 21

H Sign language learning programs and

community outreach services

Get in touch today and give your student the joy of learning.

Luke, 7th Grade signing “Happy”

Rochester School for the Deaf Celebrating our 140th Year! 1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, NY 14621 585-544-1240 • www.RSDeaf.org • email info@RSDeaf.org

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