April 27, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

The Kentucky Derby is coming up quickly on the Pound Ridge track. Come watch the action at the Pound Ridge Republican “Derby Day Party” hosted by Helene and Herbert Solomon. The annual event, sponsored by the Pound Ridge Republican Town Committee, is $30 per person. If you take a minute to step away from the tellie, you’ll find the gathering a nice opportunity to meet neighbors, friends, local officials and candidates. Open bar, buffet dinner, and the rush of adrenaline as your winning horse goes for the first jewel in the Triple Crown of thoroughbred horseracing. For reservations/information, race to the phone and call Frank Sisti at 764-5622 or Jackie Rodney at 764-5666.

Get in the swim. Or at least start thinking about it. The “Early Bird” rate for Pound Ridge Town Park swimming pool passes is available until May 15. Start loading up on sun lotion, flippers and goggles. Opening day is nigh. For more info on other upcoming summer programs, call David Goldberg at 764-0947/dgoldberg@townofpoundrige.com.

Pound Ridge resident Wendy Lipp, and her band, featuring Isaac Raz, Mike Shapiro, and Rom Flizot, will fill the Schaffner Room with jazz, blues and rock n’ roll as a benefit for The Pound Ridge Library Foundation on Saturday evening, April 25, from 8 to 10 p.m. Refreshments will be served before and during the performance.

“The Library is important to our town because it’s a place where we can all come together to enjoy, learn, and support one another,” Wendy said. “The concert is an opportunity for me and my band to perform and do something special for the community.”

Tickets to the Library Foundation concert are $10 per person; children under 18 are free. To reserve your place, contact Janet Schloat at 764-1680 / jschloat@verizon.net.

The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem in on a mission: to promote wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future. Besides increasing the population and diversity, the organization seeks to get the wolves out into the wild. Veterinarians Drs. Renee Bayha and Kim Khodakhah of Pound Ridge Veterinary Center are among the many volunteers who donate their time and services to help this mission.

“It takes dedicated and caring people to venture out in the cold to work in the field, sometimes for hours, as wolves are isolated for their annual physical check-ups. Renee and Kim help with medical procedures, health checks, and vaccinations. We are lucky and grateful to have them donate their time and services to help us,” said Rebecca Bose, curator. For more info, contact Wolf Conservation Center at 763-2373 or http://www.nywolf.org/.

A Retrospective Installation: Celebrating 50 Years in Pound Ridge” by welded-steel sculptor/photographer April Herbert, will be on exhibit at the Library from April 26 to June 4. All are invited to the artist’s reception on Saturday, May 9 from 4-6 p.m. (Please note that this date is different from what is in the library’s winter/spring newsletter.) The 60-piece show coincides with April’s 75th birthday! Pencil in the date and stop by to see the retrospective of work and to give her your best birthday wishes. For more info, contact Marilyn Tinter, Library director, at 764-5085.

Lift your hands and give a round of applause to Jason Weisburg for being one of the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship lottery winners who will race in Kailua Bay in Kona, Hawaii this October 2009.

Since it began as a challenge between a group of Navy Seals, the Ironman has grown to become one of the most recognized endurance events in the world. Originally a combination of the Waikiki Rough Water swim, the Around Oahu Bike Race and the Honolulu Marathon, the Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. No easy feat.

Fox Lane Class of ’83, it’s been 25 years since graduation. Time to reunite! Lisa Cerniglia is taking a poll on what alums would like to do . . . family BBQ in the summer, cocktail party, whatev? Lisa contacted us to ask you to contact her to get in contact at lisa.cerniglia@yahoo.com.

April 19, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Their collective efforts grace our town with swags on the road posts at holiday time, and daffodils roadside in springtime. The Pound Ridge Garden Club makes us look real good.

While we’re loving the site of daffs in bloom, it’s not too early to think about next year’s crop. The Club, who has planted literally thousands of daffodil bulbs in public areas and along roads throughout the town, is taking orders for a selection of bulbs to be delivered in time for fall planting. Think Marieke (which is golden yellow and long-lasting), Tahiti (a yellow early-bloomer with tufts of orange), Tête-à-Tête (small, early blooming with up to three yellow flowers per stem); Sushi (white accents and ruffled cups) and more. Also for sale are “Daffodil 100” collection of mixed varieties, colors and heights selected to bloom over a 6-week period.

To purchase, look for the Pound Ridge Garden Club ladies who will have a table in front of Scotts Corners Market this weekend (April 17-18) and next weekend (April 24-25) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also call in your order until June 1 to Carrie Sears at 763-3219.

Next Friday evening, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., Jewish Family Congregation (JFC) in South Salem will host two special guest speakers, Alan Bell and Peter Duffy, as part of their Yom Hashoah service commemorating the millions of Jews and others who lost their lives in World War II.

Mr. Bell, a Pound Ridge resident and past Board member of the Westchester Holocaust Commission, is the son of Aron Bell (originally “Bielski”), born in 1930. He was 12 years old when he entered the forest of Belarus with his older brothers and family members. Depicted in the recently released Paramount film, “Defiance,” The Bielski Brigade, led by several of the brothers, saved the lives of more than 1,200 Jews, at least as many as Oskar Schindler. The Bielski’s forest haven, whose sole priority was the preservation of their people, included a gun workshop, a bakery, a synagogue, a communal bath, and even a theater. Mr. Bell’s appearance at JFC presents an opportunity to hear more about this epic story of family, honor, vengeance and salvation directly from a Bielski descendant.

Mr. Duffy, the evening’s second guest speaker, is a freelance writer who has written for the New York Times, The New York Post and Newsday. In his book, “The Bielski Brothers,” he recognizes them for their spectacular wartime achievements by illuminating their heroic efforts made on behalf of Jews throughout Belarus, a region south of Lithuania.
For more information, call Leslie Gottlieb, director of education at JFC, at 763-3028.
Note: If you are unable to make it to JFC, Mr. Bell will also appear this Sunday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hebrew Institute in White Plains. For more info, call 696-0738.


The Pound Ridge Women’s Republican Club invites all in the community, regardless of party affiliation, to a wine and cheese open house on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at 198 Barnegat Road. The event, hosted by Millie and Craig Braun, and is an opportunity to get to know the organization and to meet some of our Pound Ridge elected officials. For more info, give Mrs. Braun a call at 764-5725.

"It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members and to preserve and tend to the environment in which we all live,” said the Dalai Lama.

On Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m., volunteers are welcome to help the spring clean up at the Henry Morgenthau Preserve. Bring gloves and help get the preserve ready for the summer season. Light refreshments will be available. If it rains, no go.

The Preserve is located on the south side of Pound Ridge Road (Route 172), just east of the intersection with Tatomuck Road. Don’t be a stick in the mud. Get out there and help spruce up this jewel of a preserve. No need to sign up. Just show up.


And leave open a few hours on Sunday as Antiques & Tools of Business & Kitchen in Scotts Corners celebrates its nineteenth anniversary BBQ (a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society) and free raffle from noon until 2 p.m. It’s also the shop’s Second Sunday Antiques Market and Every Sunday Farmers Market (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Twelve antiques dealers will offer all sorts of vintage items. Six farmers will bring duck, goose, chicken eggs, smoked meats, fish, pasta sauces, flowers and more.

Joan Silbersher, La Doyenne du Funk and impresario of Westchester Avenue, is founder of the Pound Ridge Business Association’s Antiques & Farmers Holiday Markets on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day, from which she donated all proceeds to create the Fred Zwick fountain in Scotts Corners, as well as benches throughout the business area. New manager of these Markets is Joanna Nevins, of Juleigh’s Re-Sale Couture, right next door.

If you’re looking for slow-foods, bric-a-brac, frittatas, and ephemera, the outdoor antiques and farmers market is a nice way to procrastinate changing the closets from winter to spring.

April 13, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

For those of us hanging out in Zone 6, listen up. As we plant the pansies and watch the crocuses come up, we also see our lawns awakening. Are you in the perennial state of panic thinking you’ll have crab grass again?

Corn gluten is considered the organic and biologically responsible way to prevent unwanted turf problems. Tests performed on pestiferous areas have shown that crabgrass — as well as curly dock, dandelions, lamb’s quarters and pigweed — will be reduced by about 60 percent in the first year.

Carol Cioppa of Cioppa Architects and program chair of Pound Ridge Garden Club (and an award-winning gardener, mind you) uses Organica Lawn Booster (available at Mill River Supply) and says that it also acts as a pre-emergent.

“And do NOT fertilize your lawn until it is growing and you are mowing it!” Carol admonished. “Otherwise the corn gluten isn’t properly absorbed by the lawn grasses.” Ever green, Carol uses only organic fertilizer (with 8-3-3 feathermeal-bonemeal-sulfate of potash) or Milorganite along with a pinch of lime.

Spring is a time of rebirth and Easter is a great time for spiritual renewal. Pound Ridge Community Church will hold their Good Friday “Stations of the Cross” service in the church sanctuary this evening at 7:30 p.m. On Easter Sunday, there will be a sunrise worship service at the Town Park at 7 a.m. Get out your bonnet for the Easter service at the church at 10 a.m. All townsfolk are invited and welcome, no matter where you may be in your spiritual journey.

Driving safely in your car, vroom, vroom, vroom? Hiram Halle Library will sponsor AARP's Driver Safety Program on Saturdays, April 18 and April 25 at both 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. This 8-hour classroom driver improvement course is designed for motorists age 50 and up and will be taught in two 4-hour sessions. The course provides practical techniques for coping with changes in vision, hearing and reaction time, along with a review of "rules of the road." (Always a good thing to review, don’t you think?)

To register, call the Library at 764-5085.

Do you hate Hamlet? The Pound Ridge Theater Company is doing thusly in their spring production, “I Hate Hamlet.” This hilarious play, written by Paul Rudnick and directed by Richard Manichello, opens at Conant Hall next Friday, April 17 and runs through Saturday, May 2. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees (April 19 and 26) at 2 p.m. In the lead are actors Chris Luongo, Melissa Gerth, Lisa Dahlstrom, Christine D'Amato, Matthew Tomasino and Robert J. D'Amato.

Cabaret seating. Doors open one hour prior to curtain-up so that you can pack a dinner to enjoy before the show. Samuel Parker's Landmark Deli is offering theater patrons gourmet boxed dinners delivered to Conant Hall for $15 per person. Please reserve two days prior to the performance by calling 764-5435.

“I Hate Hamlet” tickets are available online at www.prtc01.org or call 764-1902. Tickets are $18 per person or $30 for ticket + boxed dinner. Special group rates for 10+ people. We promise you will love Hamlet after this mirthful performance.

The Westchester Community College Celebrity Salon Series continues to attract glitterati in literature, media and politics to help the college foundation raise funds for scholarships.

Back by popular demand is “Kitchen Confidential” on Sunday, May 3 at 6 p.m. You’re in for a treat as Abigail and Robert Kirsch invite you for a private dinner in their beautiful Pound Ridge home. Get an insider’s look at the famed Kirsch kitchen and taste a memorable menu paired with premium wines, all while being seasoned with behind-the-scenes tales of catering mishaps. Indulge yourself by calling 914-606-6558.

Fran Collin, bi-coastal Pound Ridge/California photographer who graced the book “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Past” with his black and white portraits, was recently spotted at North Star in Scotts Corners. Fran was back in town on a magazine assignment to shoot Catherine Russell (from New Canaan), along with her cast from “Perfect Crime.” The popular Broadway hit is celebrating its 22nd anniversary and 9,000th performance (of which Ms. Russell has missed only four.)

Save the date! “Taste of Pound Ridge,” a fundraiser for the Pound Ridge Library Capital Campaign, takes place on Sunday, May 17 from 4-7 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Pound Ridge Business Association, will be hosted by Albano’s Appliance and Houlihan-Lawrence. All Pound Ridge eateries are participating. More dish to come, but in the meantime, save that Sunday.

Happy springtime celebrations of Passover and Easter to all of our readers!

April 5, 2009

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" - April 5, 2009


"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick

Last week the peepers arrived, which is always a harbinger that spring is here. The seasonal nocturnal peep is important during the breeding season, since the female will choose a mate by the quality of the male’s call—a single clear note (or peep) that occurs once a second. The faster and louder he sings, the more likely he is to attract a mate. You might also hear a lower-pitched trilled whistle, which means another male has moved too close to a competing male’s calling site. Often heard, but not seen, these tiny-thumb-nail sized frogs make quite a cacophonic chorus on a Pound Ridge night. Call the doctor. Spring fever is in the air.

What’s up à la mode this spring? According to Gaynor Scott, Pound Ridge fashion arbiter and proprietor of Boo Girls in Katonah, “Short-cuffed shorts are in and skinny jeans, in white or dark wash, are here to stay. We also can’t keep Sugar Lips tank tops in neon colors on the shelves.”
Other fashion trends to step out in are butter-soft sweatshirts in bright colors with peace sign appliqués, “and scarves, scarves, scarves in tie dye, prints, or with glitter.” Anything/everything with peace signs—including jewelry, accessories, clothing, and handbags—will sartorially announce the season of flower power.

Congratulations to the 2009 Egg Decorating and Jelly Bean Count winners! Egg decorators extraordinaire are Sophia Cleveland (Pre K), Abby Bartlett (K), Toriana Sauro (1), Perrine Cummings (2), Eric Maiorano (3) and most comical egg decoration was by Zach Everett. Keep the drum roll going as we give the blue ribbon to Oona Owen for the closest guess of 969 jelly beans in the giant jar at the library. Actual count was 976, but what are seven jellybeans between friends? The Egg Hunt & Scramble usually takes place at the Town Park, but this year PRES hosted because of the rain. The always-generous Scotts Corners Market provided awards. “A sweet time was had by all, young and old alike,” reports Jo Ann Luksin at the Recreation Department.

"Love means never having to say I’m sorry,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t say “Happy 71st Birthday” to Ali MacGraw. The celebrated actress, who starred in “Love Story” and “Goodbye, Columbus”, grew up on Honey Hollow Road.

While we’re bestowing birthday wishes, HB to a special sassy sissy formerly of Old Mill River Road.

Ten industrious, well-wishing fifth graders from Pound Ridge Elementary School— Jessica Avellino, Michael DiBiase, Natasha Lehner, Liam McDonough, Molly Moore, Hannah Mele, Lauren Miele, Sara Perl, Noah Peterman, and Robert Workman—raised $166 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. By purchasing Smensils (scented pencils made from rolled sheets of newspaper instead of wood) and selling them to family and friends, the students made their mark to help others. “Please use this money to help a child who is very sick and less fortunate than we are,” wrote Sara Perl in a thoughtful note to the Foundation.

Jeesh, it’s crowded in there. Hiram Halle Library sure could use is a little more space. And not even an economic recession will stop them from seeking an expansion to accommodate special book collections, the crowded Children’s Room, new technologies, and teens and adult programming and services.
The acclaimed Fontenay Chamber Players—comprised of a harp, flute, clarinet, two violins, viola, cello and French horn— has been touted as “A radiant meshing of color!” “Haunting!” and “Visceral excitement!” They will perform a benefit concert on Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. in the Schaffner Room. Bring a friend or family member and enjoy a special afternoon while giving to a great cause. Tickets are $30 ($20 for seniors and $10 for children) and the proceeds of the event will support the Library’s expansion plan.
A reception will follow. To Rsvp for the benefit concert, call 764-5085. For details on the Library’s Expansion Project, visit http://www.poundridgelibrary.org/

One of my wise octogenarian friends (and a Pound Ridge treasure) shared ideas on how to obtain optimism. “Forget watching the morning talk shows where the hosts talk over one another and laugh in the wrong places,” she said. “For real inspiration to start the day, people should tune in to ‘Sesame Street.’ The show is light-hearted, funny and uplifting.”

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