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Odds & Ends - May/June 2018


History in the Making

Although the United States Military Academy at West Point has been training commissioned army leaders since the early 1800s, it has yet to see more than 20 African-American women graduate in a single class. 
Simone Askew


When she marches among the graduating class of 2018, Cadet Simone Askew will do so as the very first Black woman to lead the Corps of Cadets in the school’s history, the highest student position at USMA. Her appointment comes 28 years after Cadet Vincent K. Brookswas named the first African-American to ever serve as First Captain.
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Askew, a native of a Washington, D.C. suburb in Northern Virginia, has said her interest in the armed forces started when she was a little girl, when her mother took her and her sister to football games at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. 
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“I never saw my race or gender as a roadblock to me being selected or even for me being competitive as a First Captain candidate,” she told Time magazine. “I resolved in elementary school that if someone didn’t like me because of things I couldn’t change, then that was their problem. So while it’s great to see headlines of me being the first, it’s also true that I wasn’t chosen to be the first. I was chosen to be the First Captain.”
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After graduation, Askew will study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
(Photo courtesy of the USMA)


Zip-idy Do Dah

When you think of zip lining, you might picture climbing to a steep point in the wooded areas of the Florida Keys or even the rainforests of Costa Rica. But as zip line tours become popular leisure-time activities, they are popping up everywhere from adventure camps and amusement parks to resorts all over the world – including right here in the Hudson Valley.  

The Castle Fun Center just added a 130 ft. high, 700 ft. long zip line to its Chester location. Along with laser tag and maze, roller skating rink, bumper cars, rock-climbing wall, miniature golf and other activities the Castle has, the 30 MPH line will also offer a few unique twists: Riders are lifted to the top from ground level and two people ride at a time, seated side-by-side.

Suitable for anyone at least three-and-a-half feet tall (42”) or taller, the new line might be good for just about any age child, which means your whole family can tag along for a ride. Want to see it in action? Log onto the Castle Fun Center’s website for a look. 


Let It Shine

For the sixth year in a row, the city of Newburgh – one of the Hudson Valley’s most historic communities – will be celebrate its diversity and dynamism with the Newburgh Illuminated Festival, a full day of art, music, dance, poetry, food, vendors, and many other indoor and outdoor activities. 

The event was the brainchild of Newburgh mayor, Judy Kennedy, who passed away this past April. An award for community activism and dedication will be given in her honor during this year’s June 2 festivities. 

The family- and pet-friendly event will begin at noon and run through 10pm on Broadway near Liberty and Grand Streets. Four performance stages will be featured throughout the day along with the annual Colorfest, activities especially for children (on the lawn of Washington Headquarters) and more performances at the Wherehouse (located at the corner of Liberty and Washington Streets). 

Although easily accessible by car (with plenty of safe, free parking available), for those traveling via Metro North, free shuttle bus transportation to and from the Beacon train station coinciding with train arrivals from New York City and Poughkeepsie will be provided throughout the day.

For more information, log onto www.newburghilluminatedfestival.com.



Veggies 'R Us

Are you a vegetarian, vegan or just vegan-curious? VegFest 2018 – taking place at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ on June 16 from noon until 6pm – might be the perfect place to explore all that plant-based living has to offer. 

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Sure, the dairy-free, meatless festival showcases vegan lifestyle cuisine and cruelty-free products, but ultimately, it’s all about food, community and entertainment as a celebration of the health and the environment. 

With food to sample and purchase, engaging speakers, exciting performers and members from the vegan community members to answer questions about what inspires them, VegFest has a little something for everyone.

The $20 entry fee (free for kids under 12) gives participants access to educational workshops, chef demonstrations, yoga and fitness classes, activities for kids and free parking.  

For more information or to purchase tickets, log onto vegfestexpos.com. 

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