July 24, 2009

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Is it really possible to get Chris Bohjalian, Ethan Canin, Benjamin Cheever, Dominick Dunne, Richard Ford, Mikal Gilmore, Pete Hamill, David Kaczynski, Phillip Lopate, David Maraniss, Daniel Menaker, Nathaniel and Simon Rich, Steven V. Roberts, David Sedaris, Jim Shepard, Darin Strauss, John Edgar Wideman, Geoffrey Wolff, and Tobias Wolff together in one place? Author Andrew Blauner, of Pound Ridge and Manhattan, has achieved the near impossible. His new book, “Brothers: 26 Stories of Love and Rivalry,” reminds us that brothers who bugged us when were young, just might be our greatest ally when we’re older. (My older brother always gave me nuggies, made weird mouth noises, and wore smelly soccer shirts. Now he’s one of my best friends in the world.)

“Brothers” — which includes a foreword by author Frank McCourt, who passed away last Sunday — examines and explores the experiences of love, loyalty and loss, the altruism and anger, and the competition and compassion of this unique fraternal union. Are we, in fact, our brother’s keepers? Check out the book at www.amazon.com or visit your local bookstore.

We’d like to take a moment to honor Leonard Scofield, Pound Ridge’s oldest son. During our interview for “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk,” Leonard told me that the Scofield family has been in Pound Ridge since Ebenezer Scofield came here in 1743. “I was born 182 years later in Mount Kisco Hospital, a tiny brick building, and I am tenth generation in the direct line of Scofields.”
The Scofield Farm on Salem Road was more than 40 acres when Len was growing up. During our interview, he talked about working the land and a research report that a geologist did on their land. “Indian arrowheads —more accurately called projectile points — from our land were evaluated. The earliest one found was from 5700 B.C. The Indians were right on this land. Isn’t that staggering?” He also talked about how we have lost so much of the open space. “I once counted the number of houses I passed when walking to the one-room Village School (which is now Hiram Halle Library). There were only 12 houses on both sides of Salem Road from Scofield farm to the school.” Particularly profound was Leonard’s thought on protecting our town. “Every person has an obligation to make their community better,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to see what you can do to preserve that for future generations.”

Good wishes to Polly Gutierriez on the announcement of her engagement to Esau Espinoza-Lucas (both Fox Lane High school grads). As if this news isn’t exciting enough for one year, Polly was recently named a Fulbright Scholar and will spend the 2009-10 academic year in Mexico City as part of the Fulbright Binational Business Program. Esau will be joining Polly in Mexico City, and a fall 2010 wedding is planned after the couple’s return.

Pound Ridge artist Jeff Terreson is working away in his studio, getting ready for an upcoming exhibit at Bedford Historical Hall. His paintings are mixed media, mostly a homemade encaustic (cold wax and oils). Themes are generally equestrian, flora, landscape, and figurative, and many of his paintings are already in the homes of bold-face names in the area. If you see an empty wall in your house that could use a splash of color, Jeff’s 30 new paintings range in size from 30 inches x 30 inches, to 5 feet x 7 feet.
Terreson, who either has a paint brush or a tennis racket in his hand, grew up in the Bedford/Mount Kisco area. From kindergarten on, he’s been a first class artist. For more background, check out www.jterreson.com

Last Saturday was just an ordinary one in Scotts Corners, and with many away on vacation, one would never have known it was mid-July. People were up and down the Avenue doing chores, stopping at Chubby’s for Bobbex, eating al fresco at Blind Charlie’s and Oh! My Goodness, doing their banking, scouting Antiques and Interiors, All Your Yesteryears, Antiques & Tools, stopping into Plum Plums for the week’s cheese fix … our little town was abuzz. Another new shop is opening. The windows are dressed with large Barbie silhouettes wearing high-dos and bling. The building face quotes Coco Chanel: “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
What could this new store be bringing to town? Be one of the many strolling the Avenue to find out soon.

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