May 25, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

May 25, 2009

"Talk of the Town"
By Bonni Brodnick

Owning a home is like peeling an onion. Our situation started with the cold water pipes not working. We tried heat and a snake (a daunting pair) and found that the pipe was clogged with silt and a broken shampoo cap that may have been from the late-1940s when this Marshall house was built. But to get to that conclusion, we had to first bash through a section of sheetrock in the laundry room, locate the specific point of clog, then cut through the tile floor, which lead to the discovery of rotted wood under the floor, which lead to needing to put in a new floor, new tiles, and whoa, while we're all torn up about this, let's just change the doors, which lead to we might as well also change the doors leading to the powder room in the den, and then it has to match the living room, and what about the door knobs? What started as a clogged pipe has now creeped out of the floor and is heading into the living room.
If you have what you think might be an onion of a situation developing, and you need a contractor or painter who can repair it with skillful execution, go no further than Dennis Pimentel at dmp626@optonline.net

More dahlias have arrived at Poundridge Nurseries! Check out this link to learn how to care for them. http://www.thegardenenhelper/. (Oh, those tender tubers.)

Albano Applicance and Service and "Westchester County Home Improvement Magazine" will host a fundraiser and industry networking event on Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Just Imagine Making Miracles Yours (J.I.M.M.Y.) Foundation, Inc., a local organization that assists children with life-threatening illnesses and/or injuries.
Chefs in Albano's test kitchens in Scotts Corners will prepare a variety of fare on the latest/greatest indoor/outdoor cooking equipment. Come meet home improvement industry experts and representatives from applicance makers like Alfresco, Bosch, Gannenau, GE, Lynx, Miele, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Viking, and Wolf. A few local businesses will also be there to strut their stuff, including Plum Plums in Scotts Corners.
Suggested donation is $25 per person. For information, contact 764-0451 or go to http://www.albanoapplicance.com/.

Film buff Norman Senior will be the presenter of Hiram Halle Library's new Friday evening film series. The central theme of this third spring series is "Finding a Moral Compass" and we begin with "The Lives of Others," on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. This seductive political thriller was a 2006 Academy Award winner in the "Best Foreign Language" category.
If you missed seeing it then, you won't want to miss it again. For more info, call 764-5085 or check out http://www.poundridgelibrary.org/.

Is your garden gate on some kind of a crazy swing and your garden path going in a wild direction? Curtis Lew can refresh or redesign garden gates and paths. Do you live in a historic home and love the gate but it's seen its day? Curtis can replicate it. Depending on your budget, he can do it all. Contact Curtis at 347-886-7235 or curtislew@aol.com.

The Pound Ridge Neighbors and Newcomers Club will hold their spring luncheon on Friday, May 29 at 12:00 noon at the home of Linda Merrill and Bill Nolan. Guests with last name A-P, please bring a soup or salad; Q-Z, bring a dessert. Also, please bring new or gently used books, which Linda will deliver to injured soldiers at the VA Hospital in Montrose, NY. R.S.V.P. to 764-6812.

Hillary Johnson has an upcoming gig at Rockwood Music Hall in the East Village on Saturday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you'd like to hear Hillary's recent music, listen up at www.myspace.com/hillaryjohnson.

Did you know that Sloan Wilson wrote "The Man in the Gray Flannet Suit" at his home on High Ridge Road in Pound Ridge? Grace and Guy Rainsford bought the house from the author in the 1960s and raised their four daughters -- Jane, Betsy, Susan, and Nancy -- there.
Jane wrote to "Talk of the Town" from her home in Steuben County (NY): "Coincidentally, my son Owen has been attending Binghamton University and one of his professors was Sloan Wilson's son, David Sloan Wilson, who also lived in the house in which we grew up on High Ridge Road." (It's kismet.)

May 19, 2009

BEDFORD POUND RIDGE Record-Review "Talk of the Town" - May 17, 2009

May 19, 2009

"Talk of the Town"
By Bonni Brodnick


At The Long Ridge School annual auction, Kris Bria was the “It Girl” as current students, alumni, parents and colleagues celebrated her 20 years of service as Head of School. Kris, a 37-year resident of Pound Ridge, has been at the Long Ridge helm since 1989, after serving as Assistant Head, Nursery Director, and a Teacher in several grades. Previously, she taught grades three and five at P.S. 92 in Harlem.
Much has been accomplished at The Long Ridge School during Kris’s tenure — several additions, including a new Arts and Athletics Center, were built, a nature preserve and school garden were established, and world language and after-school programs were expanded. Congratulations to Kris for achieving this milestone and for all she has accomplished on behalf of the Long Ridge students.

Fresh lobsters, steamers, mussels, corn, homemade pies, cookies and lemonade. It’s not too late to get in on the savory fun of the Pound Ridge Community Church Annual Lobster Festival that takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 16. This is the church’s largest fundraiser and this year’s recipient is the Northern Westchester Shelter for victims of domestic violence. New to the fest agenda is a bluegrass band, “Grass Routes,” playing on the lawn from 3-5 p.m. So bring a chair, lay out the blanket and hear the tunes, then pick up your lobstahs fah dinnah. For more info, telephone 764-9000.

The Westchester Philharmonic’s spring gala, “The Art of the Violin,” takes place on Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. Itzhak Perlman, world renowned violinist and conductor of the Philharmonic, which performs exclusively at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase, is the guest of honor. The benefit will feature an exclusive auction of one-of-a-kind works and a unique offering of violins as objets d’art. Pound Ridge artist Stan Eisenman was one of six Westchester artists (including Martha Stewart) invited to paint violins that will be auctioned to help support the Westchester Philharmonic’s many activities in the concert hall, communities and classrooms.
Stan, founder of the graphic design firm Eisenman Associates, has designed for corporations such as PepsiCo, Phillip Morris, Land O’Lakes, TWA and Mirage Resorts. He also designed a number of Christmas exhibits displayed in the lobby of Pepsico’s world headquarters on Park Avenue and has won numerous AIGA and art director awards for Excellence in Design. Now retired, Stan focuses on his artwork … like the beautifully painted violin to benefit the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra. To see Stan's work, check out www.staneisenman.com.

The Pound Ridge Fire Department hosted their Annual Inspection and Dinner and enjoyed the chance to show off the fire house, rigs and equipment to our neighboring departments in Bedford, Croton Falls, South Salem, Goldens Bridge, Mount Kisco and Katonah, Vista, Banksville, Stamford and New Canaan. All compete against one another in this best rig and firehouse gig, and this year we can boast Tanker #3 as a winner, thanks to Fireman Kyle Jones (who was in charge of the rig) and Dave Adronaco (who was a big help).
“In winter, it’s hard to keep the rigs clean because of snow, salt and sand,” said Fire Chief Steve Eidam, who follows the reign of Fire Chief Vinny Duffy, Jr., who’s father Vinny, Sr. retired last year after 45 years with PRFD. “In spring, all of the equipment is cleaned and organized. Rigs are polished, waxed and detailed through and through. The annual dinner is an in-house competition between other local firehouses. It’s always a lot of fun.”
Fireman Ray Andretta won “Fireman of the Year” for the PRFD. The award is presented by the Fire Chief to a member who has gone above and beyond what is expected of a member. “Ray always goes the extra mile and is always eager to help,” said Terry Buckbee, Fireman and past-Fire Chief.
The Pound Ridge Fire Department has 50 men and women volunteers who are here for us 24/7/365. “In a day and age when volunteering is down, our fire department is very, very strong,” said Fire Chief Eidam. “I tell them all the time that our team is second to none.”

P
encil in this Sunday, May 17 from 4-7 p.m. for “The Taste of Pound Ridge” taking place at Albano’s and Houlihan-Lawrence in Scotts Corners. The event — featuring good eats from local restaurateurs DiNardo's, Northstar, Pinochio's, Samuel Parker's, Tokyo Hamachi, Plum Plums and Scotts Corner Market, along with foodie Chef Jehan deNoue of Albano's — will benefit the Pound Ridge Library Capital Campaign. Cost is a tax deductible donation of $25 per person/$35 at the door/$10 for anyone under 12, with checks made out to the Pound Ridge Library Foundation, P.O. Box 515. All townsfolk are welcome to come and get the latest dish.



May 10, 2009

BEDFORD RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" - May 10, 2009

By BONNI BRODNICK

Pound Ridge Mets fans have been waiting for his call all winter. Gary Cohen, SNY-TV’s Mets sportscaster — along with Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling — is back in swing with the opening of Citi Field and the second year of their foundation, “Pitch in for a Good Cause.” Each of the sportscasters chose a charity of choice: Gary’s is the Woman’s Center of Danbury (to whom the foundation gave $10,000 last season); Keith’s is Cobble Hill Health Center in Brooklyn; and Ron’s is Juvenile Diabetes.
By purchasing “Pitch in for a Good Cause” T-shirts, stuffed animals, or attending one of their GKR fundraising events, Mets fans can help raise money for the broadcasting trios’ charities. The boys in the broadcast booth are grateful for all of your support to help others in need. This Father’s Day they will partner with Share Joy Foundation, assign you a buddy to hang out with and be a “Dad for a Day” for kids growing up without dads.
“Our modest effort to do some good in the world has inspired thousands of fans to participate in ways large and small,” said Gary (who used to live down the road.)
Here’s the catch: go to www.pitchinforagoodcause.org. You buy. They give. All win.

There’s “God’s Country,” “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk,” and soon on the bookshelves, “Images of America: Pound Ridge.” Richard Major, president of the Pound Ridge Historical Society, and Vince Manna, a member of the Society, have teamed together on a must-have book that will feature rarely seen archival photographs of important events, buildings and maps, along with a historical narrative that spans 300 years. Readers will be transported to a time when “Poundridge” was known for its dairy farming, shoe- and basket making.
The book is due out in September 2009, but each week the authors will update the website — http://www.poundridgeny.com/ — with a new photograph and caption from the book. This week features a photograph of Fred Bennett Scofield (1866-1950) in his basket shop. Oyster basketry was an important industry in town from the mid-1800s to the turn of the century. According to Messieurs Major and Manna, “Over 80 Scotts Corners families were engaged in basket making at its peak.”

For the past 37 years, Pound Ridge Community Church has brought the scent of Maine to town every May. The Annual Lobster Festival takes place on Saturday, May 16 and includes a seasonal feast of lobsters, steamers, and mussels, fresh corn and fresh-baked pies. This year, proceeds from the Festival will go to The Northern Westchester Shelter victims of domestic violence in our community.
To place your order and kick-off springtime in Pound Ridge, call 764-900 or check out lobsters@poundridgecommunitychurch.org.

Warm wishes to Hilary and Ja Lee Kao on the announcement of the birth of their son, Theodore Eric.

And a toast to Tom Andersen for the terrific job he has done over the past 11 months as acting executive director of the Westchester Land Trust. As Tom returns to his seat as director of communications and special projects, we welcome Ben Spinelli, the new executive director of this organization that helps preserve our beautiful land and improve/maintain the qualities that make it special.

Taped inside one of my kitchen cabinets is the inspirational “Beatitudes for Mothers, by a Mother.” I have no idea where I got it, but it’s been inside the cabinet for more than 18 years. When I need maternal inspiration, the words are always uplifting.
“Blessed is the mother who takes time to rock and cuddle her baby; for the mother who does not, will someday wish that she had.”
“Blessed is the mother who will exclaim over every bouquet of wilted dandelions her little one brings, and put them in a vase on the table. For she is teaching courtesy, and the graciousness of giving and receiving.”
Motherhood is the most joyous, challenging, daunting, wonderful, inspiring, and rewarding experience. To all of the mothers in our readership, Happy Mother’s Day!






May 4, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

“A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

~ William Wordsworth, English poet

Congratulations to Don Henry for being a top finisher in the Boston Marathon with a 3:20:25 time.

“I like to run one or two marathons a year since it keeps me in shape for triathlons, which are my main passion,” Don told us. He works out everyday and estimates that he trained for the Boston marathon for about three and-a-half months, starting in January.

“My typical 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. running route is to leave my house on Fox Run Road to Fancher Road to Westchester Avenue through Scotts Corners and into New Canaan,” Don said. “I then take a right on West Road and run to Dan's Highway, turn around, and come home from there or via Barnegat Road for the steep hills. It's about 8 miles. I'll run longer on the weekend, between two to two-and-a-half hours on Sundays, and I usually bike on Saturdays.”

How does it feel to see the finish line at the end of a marathon? “It’s always a great feeling of accomplishment, as well as some pain … along with the relief that it's over.”

We’ve heard that a half-boy/half-bat creature will wing into The Tarrytown Music Hall this weekend as The Edge Theatre Company, the teen/college student division of Random Farms Kids Theatre, presents “Bat Boy.” This musical comedy/horror show was inspired by a 1992 headline in The Weekly World News about a human-like creature discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia.

Fox Lane seniors Kate Brenner from Pound Ridge and Max Hunter from Bedford will likely bowl over the audience once again with their astounding theatric talent. Lead parts as wife and husband in “Bat Boy” marks their fourth show together. This reporter attended “Chicago” last spring and the duo were nothing less than smokin’.

"Bat Boy” performances are Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. The theater is located at 13 Main Street in Tarrytown. For more info, go to http://www.tarrytownmusichall.org/ of call 877-840-0457.

What’s cooking? Ask Deanna Abbondola, a junior at Fox Lane who loves to cook and try new recipes.

“I became interested in cooking around three years ago when I got home from school and started watching Food Network on TV. I eventually decided that what I was watching was easy enough to make. After that I was hooked,”said Deanna, who lives with her grandparents, Anita and Louis Molinaro, both European immigrants who also love to cook. “My grandma is Finnish and my grandpa is Italian, so I grew up watching them cook traditional things like Pulla, a Finnish cardamon coffee bread, and huge pots of tomato sauce with pasta,” she said.

Deanna started the Fox Lane Cooking Club Lane this year, and recently catered the refreshments for a senior citizen event of about 80 at the high school. She’s also taken classes at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park. “I cook all the time, both for my family and my friends, who seem to enjoy it very much.”

If you’d like the recipe for the hottest Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies in all of Pound Ridge, we’ve arranged for Deanna to send them to you if you dash an email request to dabbondola@gmail.com.

Besides trying to veer your car away from major potholes that plague the roads after an especially wicked winter, has anyone else noticed the double-wire lines running across Salem Road, Pound Ridge Road, and elsewhere in town? Is “Big Brother” watching? According to Dave Ryan, Chief of the Pound Ridge Police Department, the wires are traffic monitoring devices placed by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine volume, speed, direction, day, date and time, and the class of the vehicles (trucks, cars, tractor trailers, etc.)

“This is usually done to capture data when DOT is looking to do a capital project,” he said. “It allows them to determine the type of blacktop and get the specs for the top coat.”

As our country’s state of economics continues to nosedive, parlor games like Boggle and Bunco are starting to thrive. Most of us know Boggle, but what the heck is Bunco?

In 2006, the game was played by over 29 million people regularly. A turn consists of rolling three dice aiming to obtain the specified number. Players gain one point for each of the specified number. If the player gets three-of-a-kind of the specified number they get 21 points (the winning number). The round stops when a player at the head table gets 21 points, and then the next round starts. There are six rounds and whoever wins the most rounds is the total winner and receives a prize.

If you want to go Bunco once a month, call Anne Cook at 763-4625. No experience necessary, just a sense of good, old-fashioned fun.


We enjoy hearing about what’s happening to Pound Ridgers near and far, present and past. Please send your quips, blips and blurbs regarding town activities, nature notes, travels afar, scholastic accomplishments, sports achievements, engagements, weddings, new babies and grandchildren to towntalk@optonline.net. All topics are appropriate for inclusion in this column. Alternatively (but not preferred), you may mail info to The Record-Review, P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 10507.

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