Area libraries plan holiday activities

With the December break just beginning, “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again,” or so sang Bing Crosby in the ‘50s, as the reality of too much time with nothing to do can become a burden for some families. But fear not, as libraries throughout the area have just what’s needed to fill those empty hours with times and activities posted on all their websites.

Millerton

NorthEast-Millerton Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson said organizing for the week begins with plans “to have a little something every day with wide appeal,” as she recognized that, with multiple  beliefs throughout the community, the activities need not be “tied to a religious holiday.”

This year, families may borrow newly acquired snowshoes for both children and adults as well as outdoor adventure kits, which will get everyone out of the house as they brave the seasonal weather to explore what nature has to offer. That winter theme will continue with a scavenger hunt with all those items available for pick-up at the 75 Main St. location.

For those who would like to expand at-home activities, A “Make and Take” pinball kit joins board games, puzzles and DVDs. With just a single laptop and hot spot available to check out, Leo-Jameson suggested reserving that item while noting that additional public computers will be available in the library for all ages, with parents providing supervision for the younger users.

Leo-Jameson said that to welcome 2023, a festive Noon Year’s Eve family-friendly event at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, will bring a “celebratory countdown to party games and snacks. It’s a cute little play on words to celebrate counting down for those who cannot stay up late enough to count down.”  While designed primarily for younger children, older siblings are always welcome and the library will have goodies throughout the day for all patrons.

In addition to the party countdown, the staff will also be marking the hours until they close the building for a well-earned vacation through the first week in January, re-opening on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

Millbrook

On Thursday, Dec. 29, the regular 11 a.m. story time for infants and toddlers as well as the preschool session at 4 p.m. will be available at the Millbrook Library at 3 Friendly Lane. That will be followed at 4:30 p.m. with+ the creation of luminary snowflake lanterns.

Through out the week, teen winter craft grab bags will be distributed, as will materials to turn T-shirts into potholders.

Pine Plains

At the Pine Plains Free Library at 7775 S. Main St., anticipation was high with a pre-break  “Snow Week,” which included a special snowman reading and prizes for guessing how many snowballs had been packed into a jar, a competition which will continue through the end of the year.

“Here Comes Jack Frost” story time on Wednesday, Dec. 28, will include creating snowflake ornaments. On Thursday, Dec. 29, young patrons will go one step further with a mini science project by adding water to a hyper-absorbent material to create snow in a cup with both the texture and the temperature of the real thing.

Copake-Hillsdale

The Roeliff Jansen Library at 9091 NY-22 in Hillsdale began festivities with young patrons constructing gingerbread houses on Saturday, Dec. 17.

As always, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. brings a fun Circle Time for preschoolers and their families with Lego Club scheduled for Thursday afternoons. Story time and activities are set for Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Homeschool Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m. will be special on Dec. 28 with Babe, a gentle golden retriever therapy dog visiting. The weekly program is always open to all. For more information, call 518-325-4101.

Amenia

The Amenia Library will be taking advantage of its new large-screen viewing capacities with a showing of “Snow Day” on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 5 p.m. Story hour is set for 10:30 a.m. and Legos for 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29. The expanded facility will have holiday hours from Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 30.

The Roeliff Jansen Library, 9091 NY-22 in Hillsdale, began festivities with young patrons constructing gingerbread houses on Saturday, Dec. 17. Photo By Tia Maggio