"A thrilling book about the abounding queerness of the natural world that challenges our expectations of what is normal, beautiful, and possible."

In Forest Euphoria, Kaishian shows us this making of a scientist and introduces readers to the queerness, literal and otherwise, of all the life around us. Fungi, we learn, commonly have more than two biological sexes—and some as many as twenty-three thousand. Some intersex slugs mutually fire calcium carbonate “love darts” at each other during courtship. Glass eels are sexually undetermined until their last year of life, which stumped scientists once dubbed “the eel question.” Nature, Kaishian shows us, is filled with the unusual, the overlooked, and the marginalized—and they have lessons for us all.

Growing up, Patricia Kaishian felt most at home in the swamps and culverts near her house in the Hudson Valley. A child who frequently felt out of place, too much of one thing or not enough of another, she found acceptance in these settings, among other amphibious beings. In snakes, snails, and, above all, fungi, she saw her own developing identities as a queer, neurodivergent person reflected back at her—and in them, too, she found a personal path to a life of science.

Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian is the Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum, and a professor of biology with Bard Prison Initiative. Her research focuses on fungal taxonomy, diversity and evolution, as well as queer theory and philosophy of science. Forest Euphoria: the Abounding Queerness of Nature is her first book.

Copies of Forest Euphoria will be available for sale after the the lecture.

Bad Naturalist by Paula Whyman

You're invited to discuss themes of ecology and humanity’s relationship with nature with other book and nature lovers in our reading and hiking club! Each month we will go on a leisurely hike with stopping points for book discussion. Some months will have guest lecturers.

Registration is encouraged.

The ORDER OF THE ILLUSIVE live musical ensemble accompanies Fritz Lang’s final silent epic, where the legendary filmmaker spins a tale involving a wicked cartel of spies who co-opt an experimental mission to the moon in the hope of plundering the satellite’s rumored, vast stores of gold. Lunar emotions run scattershot, and the new goal becomes their very survival.

More information on the event and the Sci:Fi Schenectady Film Fest 2025:
https://www.scifischenectadyfilmfest.com/

Individual Tickets available here.

Full Fest Pass available here.

Bobby Previte leads a quartet exploring free improvisation.

Keith Pray - Saxophones
John Esposito - Piano
Otto Gardner - Acoustic Bass
Boby Previte - Drums

Every 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sunday at 6 p.m. upstair at the Avalon Lounge!

This month, the Library's Nonfiction book group will read and discuss "Stay True" by Hua Hsu. The discussion will be held virtually on June 23rd at 6pm via Zoom. To sign up and receive the Zoom link, you can email info@hudsonarealibrary.org.

All are welcome to join and learn various Qigong sets and then work on a traditional Tai Chi Form – a set series of movements and postures – with instructor Curt Anthon, a member of the Yang Family Tai Chi Association.

Date/Time: Tuesdays, June 24 through August 26, 10 – 11am

Location: In person, Hudson Area Library Community Room and virtual via Zoom!

Registration: No registration required for the in-person sessions. To access the Zoom stream, email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org

The Aviary Kinderhook hosts a night of music with Meg & Séamus!

We are excited to announce that we will be joined by musical guests for this performance offering a special arrangement of strings to accompany our music. You can listen to our music here or find us on instagram @megandseamus.

Buster Keaton: giant of American comedy, filmmaker of grace and beauty, and performer of the impossible. Working without special effects or stuntmen, Keaton’s ability to hold a straight face through every calamity while also being so incredibly expressive, seems impossible. Further, his achievement of producing 19 silent short films and 10 silent features would be called impossible if it were not for the fortunate fact that the films exist. Proctor's Theater will celebrate four of Buster Keaton’s greatest shorts on June 24th, with more events potentially to follow!

Providing musical accompaniment for these films is Carl Hackert, Program Director of the Hudson-Mohawk American Theatre Organ Society and one of New York’s most celebrated theatre organists. Hackert’s performance partner for this event will be the magnificent “George,” an incredible recreation of George Wright’s famous Hollywood Philharmonic recording studio organ!

Films include:

Hard Luck (1921): A down on his luck young man makes several attempts to end it all, yet fortunately proves a failure at that too! (22 min)
The Electric House (1922): A Botany major, Buster mistakenly graduates in Electrical Engineering and gets hired to wire a house. (23 min)
My Wife’s Relations (1922): Buster and an intimidating woman accidentally get married. (24 min)
The Balloonatic (1923): A hapless amusement park attendant finds his runaway balloon ride has left him in a strange predicament. (22 min)

NOTE:
This program is not rated and has a total running time of approximately 95 minutes.

Yoga for Gardening with Pamela Martin at the Mountain Top Arboretum.

Sessions run Wednesdays from June 11- October 8; Class is from 3:15-4:15 (feel free to join us beforehand for volunteer gardening!)

You're welcome to join us for outdoor* yoga classes led by Pamela Martin and other local yoga teachers. Learn tips and tricks to avoid injury, and to help support the body during gardening and yard work. A stretch and strength class appropriate for multiple levels. Please bring a mat, water, sunscreen and bug spray. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in.

* in case of inclement weather, sessions will take place indoors in the Education Center.

This program starts just after our garden volunteering ends. Please feel free to join us for volunteer gardening.

This month, the Library's general reading book group will read and discuss “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver. In person, on the 2nd Floor of the Armory in the Senior Center, on June 25th at 5pm.

CREATE Council will be hosting award ceremonies to celebrate the wonderful artists and arts organizations in Greene, Columbia and Schoharie Counties! Attending an award ceremony is a great way to meet creatives and community members that are passionate about the arts. Award ceremonies are open to the public.

*Light refreshments will be provided*

You're invited to join Stewardship Coordinator Garrett Chisholm every Thursday to help tackle the invasive species that threaten the health of the Preserve. Volunteers will learn how to identify and manage a different invasive species every week.
Taking place at the Lake Myosotis Boat Launch.

Dr. Paul Spector is certified as a trainer with the American Academy of Sports Medicine. In this class, he shares exercises that improve postural stability, core strength, spatial body awareness, sensory integration, agility, and coordination. The class will serve as an important space for community through its focus on healthy connection, breathing, and its encouraging atmosphere.

Date/Time: Thursdays, May 15 – June 26, 10:30 – 11:30am
(except Juneteenth, June 19th due to the holiday)

Next session: Thursdays, July 10 – August 14, 10:30 – 11:30am

Location: Upstairs from the library – 2nd floor Senior Center (elevator available)

Registration: Space is limited and registration is required. To register, you may email programs@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101

A partnership with the City of Hudson Senior Center.

This is an 8-week series, concluding on August 14, 2025

Qigong is an ancient Chinese energy cultivation practice. Qi means life force energy and the practice of Qigong promotes health, longevity and self-healing. The practice clears energy stagnation, balances and integrates mind, body, spirit and emotions. Intention and breath guide the movements. It is based on Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions, as in acupuncture. The movement patterns are called flows: repetitive, slow, gentle movements that refine and increase our energy. We learn to be in the moment and “go with the flow” as our movements are guided by our intention rather than muscular force. The practice can be done sitting or standing by anyone of any age. No prior experience is necessary. Attend as often as you can…consistency will strengthen your practice and results.

Bring a yoga mat if you have one. We will meet outdoors at the gazebo in the West Meadow, weather permitting, or indoors in the Education Center during inclement weather. Two parking areas are available, dependent on location of the class.

Olympia Ward, Associate Qigong Instructor, has been practicing different forms of Qigong for 15 years. Attainment of my YOQI Instructor status was completed in March 2025. For more information about YOQI: YOQI.com; YOQI videos on YouTube

More information available at the link below

You are invited to join us for songs, stories, and fun moves led by local musician, Abby Lappen, as we continue this joyful storytime. All are welcome! Date/Time: Thursdays, through June 26, 4 – 5pm (except June 19) Location: In person, Hudson Area Library Community Room Registration: Registration is appreciated, but not required. Email youth@hudsonarealibrary.org or call 518-828-1792 x101.

You can join the local art scene in celebrating the 2nd Annual ArtEast Plein Air Paint Out and Auction on June 28. “Plein air” is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and plein air painting is the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. This event will be held rain-or-shine. Participating artists will be setting up to paint around the Pawling area. General locations can be found on the event website map (link below) or keep watch for artists standing along scenic roadways or over-looks applying their paint to canvas and using their unique skills while capturing the beauty of this region. At the reception, meet the artists and ask them about their work. The public is free to visit the painters as they paint, ask questions and see how plein air painters create their master pieces. Consider it an “open studio” tour!

The event culminates in a reception that kicks off at 5:00pm on Saturday, June 28, at the Lathrop Center at Lakeside Park, Pawling NY. Starting at 5:00pm, patrons will be able to meet the artists, view their work created that day and vote for the People’s Choice Award. Dancing Bear Café of Pawling will be supplying delectable treats for all to enjoy. At 6:00pm, a live auction will begin. With a bidding paddle, patrons can bid on the paintings and take home a local piece of art. This event is a collaborative fundraiser for the participating artists and the FROGS (Friends of the Great Swamp a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the health of the Great Swamp watershed through research, education and conservation). Nestled in the Harlem Valley and covering over 6,000 acres in New York’s eastern Putnam and Dutchess Counties, the Great Swamp Watershed is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the state. Designated by the USDA Forest Service as a Highlands Conservation Focal Area and cited by the state Department of Environmental Conservation in a 2009 report for its unique habitat, diverse wildlife, scenic value, the Great Swamp’s critical function is as an aquifer recharge area.

Take the day and enjoy yet another aspect of what this region has to offer while supporting the local arts and the environment.
Artists interested in participating should contact Jeanne.

Paint Out: 7:00am-4:00pm
Public Reception & auction at Lakeside Park, 2 Lakeside Drive, Pawling, NY, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Contact: Jeanne Plekon 845.702.6974 jplekon@yahoo.com (or info@arteastdutchess.com)

Monarda Community Care offers a free drop-in care clinic, which will include ear acupuncture, ear seeds, acupressure, a wide variety of free herbal medicines, Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, zines, and more.

Date/time: Saturday, June 28, 11am – 2pm

Note: To receive acupuncture treatment, you must arrive by 1:30pm.

Location: In person, Hudson Area Library Community Room.

Registration: No registration required. First come, first served.

The Hawks Nest Shop and Stable Gate Winery presents the Honky-Tonk Prom and Vintage Market
Saturday June 28th 2025

Join us for our first honky tonk prom in the barn! Featuring tarot readings, prom photo booth, Tintype Portraits, 10 vintage vendors, food by herba buena + drinks

We will announce prom king and queen. Prizes for best dressed! ** High school dates not required or recommended :)***

The vintage market opens at noon and free to the public with lots of vintage finds, come for shopping, snacks + day time music with Sarah Joy Hazelton and Lewie Degrote playing from noon till 4pm.

At 4pm prom starts with dj jukebox cowgirl and at 6pm andrea Maddox and the hey yalls plays

9 pm western burlesque performance by Lilin (from the slipper room)

Tickets here.

Your Sponsors include: Hawks Nest, Catskill Crew, Black Lodge Boot Co and Stable Gate Winery!

Meet with board members and staff, and cast your vote at the annual board election. Featuring James Lendemer, Ph.D., NYS Botanist who will speak about his eastern US lichen project and how study of the Preserve fits into understanding the diversity and distributions of these spectacular symbioses.

Registration is encouraged.

Harold Stevenson: Less Real Than My Routine Fantasy in the Newmark Gallery opens on Saturday, June 28 from 2–5 PM.

The first institutional solo exhibition of Harold Stevenson in New York, "Less Real Than My Routine Fantasy" will explore Stevenson’s commitment to the sensual for more than five decades, and insistence on placing his paintings in the public sphere in a pre-Stonewall era.

Jazz and Classics for Change (JCFC) invites you to celebrate summer with an inspiring musical performance on Saturday, June 28th at 4 p.m. The concert will be held in the charming barn at Tydeman Farm, located at 564 County Route 10, Germantown, NY 12526. This special event features four distinguished musicians: Anthony Bracewell on violin and viola, Rhiannon Banerdt on violin, Luke Krafka on cello, and Gili Melamed-Lev on piano. The program includes a selection of works by celebrated composers such as Astor Piazzolla, Franz Schubert, Arvo Pärt, and Robert Schumann, offering a rich and diverse musical experience."

“Our mission is to connect and heal through music in our changing world,” says JCFC Artistic Director, Gili Melamed-Lev. “Performing in the beautiful setting of Tydeman Farm allows us to create an intimate atmosphere where music can truly inspire and uplift listeners.”

This concert is part of JCFC’s ongoing commitment to bringing the highest quality classical and jazz music to new audiences in Columbia county and the Berkshires, thereby fostering a community that values music as a vital expression of the human experience.

The project is made possible in part through funding from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Office of the Governor, and the New York State Legislature, and administered by CREATE Council on the Arts.

For more information about JCFC and upcoming events, please visit jazzandclassicsforchange.org.

The Hilltop Barn at Roeliff Jansen Park
116 Ol Rte 22, Hillsdale, NY 12529
(518) 329-0114

Everyone has a story to tell! With each edition of Real People, residents share stories with the community.

REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES is a centerpiece of Ancram Center’s seasonal programming. The seminar involves a series of storytelling workshops. In these workshops, residents develop and shape their monologues with guidance from program director, Paul Ricciardi. The results are an array of poignant, humorous, and captivating tales that celebrate community and personal connection!