Engage in Local Learning and Culture in the Mid-Hudson Valley
The Mid-Hudson Valley offers a variety of engaging educational and cultural activities for residents and visitors as 2025 begins. Opportunities range from online presentations to local exhibitions, providing something for everyone in the community.
Saugerties Adult Learning Community is set to host its second winter presentation titled “Inside Woodstock — Music, Culture, and Community,” on January 7, 2025, from 11:00 to 12:30. The free Zoom event requires pre-registration and will be led by Candace Rivela, assistant director of museum education and creative programs at Bethel Woods. Participants will explore the iconic Woodstock festival through images and videos, while discussing its significance as a cultural phenomenon.
In addition to the winter presentation, the Phoenicia Library offers free English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring every Thursday from 18:00 to 19:00. Led by librarian Susan, these sessions accommodate learners at all proficiency levels. For more information, interested individuals can contact Phoenicia Library at (845) 688-7811.
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is hosting its “Museum Mates” children’s activity series, which takes place on the first Saturday and third Thursday of each month at 11:00. This series features crafts, storytelling, and Lego-building activities, with ticket prices varying based on the program type.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy drop-in snowshoe lessons at Minnewaska State Park Preserve’s Sam’s Point Visitor Center every Saturday through March, weather permitting. Beginning at 10:00, these sessions cater to newcomers and offer rental snowshoes for a nominal fee of $5.
For art lovers, the Henry A. Wallace Center at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is showcasing an exhibition featuring ice yachts, open until January 4, 2025. Admission is free, offering a chance to appreciate both historical artifacts and their significance in the region.
The Center for Photography at Woodstock has four exhibitions currently running through January 4. These exhibitions include “Everyday Culture: Seven Projects by Documentary Arts,” curated by Brian Wallis, and “Kinship and Community: Selections from the Texas African American Photographers Archive,” curated by Nicole R. Fleetwood.
The Cornell Cooperative Arts Center is also hosting an exhibition titled “A Matt-Rospective,” featuring works by artist Matthew Pleva, the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Artist Award from the city of Kingston. This exhibition highlights Pleva’s artistic contributions to the local scene.
On January 1, 2025, outdoor enthusiasts can participate in “First Day hikes” at two locations. The Peter’s Kill Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve will offer a scenic hike from 09:30 to 11:30, while the Sam’s Point Visitor Center will host a three-mile hike from 13:00 to 15:30. Both hikes require registration and may involve challenging terrain, so participants are encouraged to prepare accordingly.
For those interested in creative expression, a workshop titled “Words of Resistance: Making Protest Signs on Umbrellas or Posters” will take place on January 3, 2025, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston. This event allows participants to create their own protest signs, with all materials provided for free.
Local entertainment options include the Upstate Films’ New Year’s Eve Karaoke Party on December 31, 2025, from 22:00 to 00:30, at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties. Admission is $20 and includes popcorn, champagne, and a sparkling wine toast.
As the community welcomes the New Year, the Mid-Hudson Valley continues to foster a rich tapestry of learning, culture, and engagement. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to partake in these diverse offerings, ensuring a vibrant start to 2025. For more information on these events and activities, visit local websites or contact the respective organizations directly.
