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.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Happy news from Patti and Phil Pessoni in Westbrook, Conn. On June 8, they became first-time grandparents to Ethan Madigan Lemieux, born to Anne and her husband, Jason. “Ethan is the best of the best,” according to Patti, who is in super-heaven now that she is a grandmamma. The Pessonis are also in the throws of fine-tuning the September 6 wedding of daughter Clare and her soon-2-B husband, Pete.

We also send best wishes to paternal grandparents Anne and George Sofronos, longtime former Pound Ridgers, on the birth of their granddaughter, Chloe Mina Sofronas, born on June 30. James Sofronas and his wife, Nargis, are doing great and if you look to the skies, you’ll see the happy family residing on Cloud Nine (right next to the Pessonis).

I’ve discovered a new website: “When editors were gods” (don’t get heady, RJ). In a recent entry, it mentions former Pound Ridger Sylvia Porter (19313-1991), a successful financial columnist and writer. At the height of her career, she became editor-in-chief of “Sylvia Porter’s Personal Finance” magazine and had over 40 million people reading her syndicated column. Her popularity continued to rise and she wasn’t shy to expose corruption or unethical behavior in the financial community.

“Porter, who might rightfully be considered the inventor of personal finance journalism, was past her prime during her magazine's run in the 1980s. To the knowledge of the blog writer, “ … she never set foot in its offices at Davis Publications, although she did read manuscripts messengered to her Fifth Avenue apartment and to her house in pastoral Pound Ridge. Sylvia would comment on them in her trademark green pen and woe to you if you ever split an infinitive.” (Rusty on split infinitives? The most famous example is Star Trek's “TO BOLDLY GO where no man has gone before.”)

Feeling sluggish? The rain of late has gastropod molluscs proliferating in gardens across Pound Ridge and you’ll usually find the slow-moving, soft, and slimy creatures early in the morning on the leaves. To prevent them from devouring everything you’ve waited all year to bloom, try propping up the leaves from the ground, and cleaning out old leaves and debris where the buggers can hide. You can also trap them by offering stale beer. Pour it into a shallow cup and change regularly. For some reason, slugs really have a taste for this. It’s a whole new twist on the term “garden party.”

Where eagles dare. From the southern region of Pound Ridge, Joyce and Bob Matern report siting an American Golden Eagle. Joyce recently took out her binoculars and, from afar, saw that the nest is now empty. “About two months ago, I spotted him/her on Lower Trinity Pass eating road kill. When he flew away, he appeared to have a six to seven-foot wing spread,” she wrote. “He soared flat-winged with an occasional wing beat.”

The auspicious bird is brown, and after seeing his head, referring to her Eastern Birds Book, and the Internet, Joyce determined that he is assuredly a Golden Eagle.

Our children are lucky, indeed, to grow up in such a beautiful town as Pound Ridge, New York. Each of the seasons bequeaths us with gifts from nature – from balmy summer nights, to glorious colorful autumns, crisp winter landscapes, and springtime’s awakening. If you ask my children what is one of their favorite Pound Ridge summer memories, they will tell you — without hesitation — that it was “Pajama Story Hour” at Hiram Halle Library. Start creating memories. Mark your calendar for Tuesday nights from now until August 17 at 7 p.m. Bring the kiddies in their jim-jams, along with a blanket and/or favorite stuffed animal. While stories and snacks are for ages 3-5, you’re sure to share the mirth. I promise.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Oh, My Goodness! It’s true! A new deli and café will soon be opening next to the fire house in Scotts Corners. The fare will include sandwiches, salads, hot food, dinners-to- go, paninis, wraps, gelato, lattés, smoothies, and health shakes.

“We’re going to offer traditional deli, along with heart-healthy, figure-friendly foods,” said Perry the proprietor/entrepreneur. Oh, My Goodness! will also have a full line of gluten-free foods. Oh, my! Stay tuned for additional upcoming scoop on the opening.

Feeling computer savvy… or NOT?? Hiram Halle Library is offering two adult computer instruction seminars. Come learn how to navigate the information super highway on July 17 and 31, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Register for one session only by calling 764-5085.

And while we’re thinking books, did you happen to whiz through all of your beach reading while on vacation? Hiram Halle Library will hold its Summer Book Sale on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You’ll find everything you need to restock the shelves—children’s and young adult, current fiction and non-fiction, coffee table books, gardening, and cookbooks. Here’s your chance to load up on audio books, DVDs, videos, and CDs. All books are $1, unless otherwise marked. This is the perfect first stop to make for the next rainy day.

Incidentally, a New York Times article in June 1881 curiously parallels our current weather system. “ . . . The month of June of this year has so far beaten the record of all other Junes in the matter of rain-storms. May closed with rain, and June opened with the same kind of weather … Those who sell umbrellas in such a season as this would be cheerful and happy, but they complain that the rain has produced nothing but an unusually large crop of umbrella borrowers.”
The Town of Pound Ridge Recreation Department and Neighbor to Neighbor (herein known as N2N) cordially invites you to their 11th Annual N2N Senior Picnic on Friday, July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pound Ridge Town park picnic area (near the pool). Come listen and dance to live music. See old friends and meet new neighbors. Our awesome Recreation Department and Scotts Corners Market will provide the food and beverages. Handicapped parking available. For more information, or if you need transportation to the Town Park, don’t be shy. Call Louise Paolicelli at 447-0021.

And speaking of N2N, there’s a whole smattering of fun summer activities on the docket. Get out your calendar and mark down the “Lobster Fest at Stew’s” on Thursday, July 23; “PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens” on Monday, July 27; “A Day at Compo Beach” on Tuesday, August 4; and “Shop at The Westchester” on Monday, August 17. N2N provides transportation, and you can either bring or buy lunch. All trips leave from the Pound Ridge Town House. Louise Paolicelli has any and all info you might need. (See cell phone number above.)

And finally, wanna dance? Trinity Psychotherapy, Yoga & Dance: For the Mind, Body & Soul at 34 Westchester Avenue in Scotts Corners also features Latin dance instructor Chris Alvarez who will teach you how to shake your bootie to the rhythm of Salsa, Mambo, Meringue, Cha Cha, Samba, Hustle, and Swing. Group classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. He is also available for private lessons, and to dance host at parties and special events.

“Teaching dance begins and ends with my love of music,” Chris said, “My main objectives are getting people over the fear of dancing, realizing that they can do it, and that it’s a fun way to stay fit. For me, one of the greatest things was also learning how to lead a lady in an elegant manner.” Summer’s here. Put a little sizzle in your dance step. Call Chris Alvarez at 845-489-3729.

By BONNI BRODNICK

Gather all ye family and friends for the Fourth of July festivities that celebrate and commemorate the courage and faith of our founding fathers in the pursuit of liberty. Stake your place on the Town Park lawn any time after the road race, which usually ends by 1 p.m. Fireworks blast-off at dark (8:30-ish). If it rains (which of course it won’t because after two straight weeks of rain, there can’t possibly be a single drop left in the clouds), the show will go on July 5. For more info, call the Rec Department at 764-0947.

Many thanks to Marianne Vitelli, the Supervisor’s administrative assistant; along with Police Chief Dave Ryan; building inspector/fire marshal Jim Perry, the maintenance department, and our police department for all they do to make the evening dazzle and crackle so seamlessly and safely.

Rosemarie Saracione, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, adheres to the sage words of St. Augustine, the philosopher and theologian: “In as much as love grows in you, so in you beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.”

Her new dance studio, health and wellness facility, Trinity Psychotherapy, Yoga & Dance: For the Mind, Body & Soul at 34 Westchester Avenue, offers individual, family, and group therapy for adults and children. Their eclectic, holistic approach specializes in self-esteem, relationship counseling, weight issues, stress/anger management and behavioral change. In other words, they are there to help you make this the very best time of your life. Call 764-1700 to find your inner bliss.

Theatrical lighting designer Graham Posner just finished a project for the widely-acclaimed world premiere production of Tom Dudzick’s heartwarming and clever comedy, “Our Lady of South Division Street,” performed at the Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point, N.Y. The production, which played to sold-out performances and won a four out of four star rating, was praised as “Utterly delightful!” and “Laugh out loud funny!” by The New York Times and other publications.

Graham was turned on to lighting design at Harvey School through the mentorship of Victor Whitehurst. From there, Graham attended Carnegie Mellon Drama School and graduated in 2007. When asked for key considerations when lighting a production, he responded, “It depends on everything from musical numbers, time of day, emotions, or set color. I recently had a production meeting for ‘Shrunken Heads’ [opening at Playwrights Horizons in NYC, August 27-30], which takes place in the country in the spring time. The director wanted to know if it were possible to see fireflies outside. It’s challenging to figure out concepts like that.”

So the big question is: “Are you conservative with electricity at home?” Graham says he does what he can. “I turn off lights when I leave a room, use energy-efficient light bulbs, and try to run washing machines only when they are full.”

In the Twitterverse, we recently read that Mrs. Larkin sold out eight dozen scones in under an hour-and-a-half. In mathematical terms, that’s 96 cones in 90 minutes, which equals 1.067 scones per minute. In logical terms that equals “The early bird gets the scone.”

If you have Fourth of July guests and want to add something special to the breakfast or brunch table, Mrs. Larkin’s holiday offering includes blueberry, cranberry-orange, chocolate chip, cinn-ful, lavender-blueberry and plain (to make strawberry shortcake)strawberry scones. She also has chewy chocolate chip cookies and mocha chocolate chip cookies (for those seeking an extra caffeine kick).

Check out the Pound Ridge Farmers’ Market on the patio of Antiques and Tools of Business and Kitchen in Scotts Corners. Mrs. Larkin will be there at 11 a.m., but don’t be hasty. She’s usually sold out by 2 p.m. (Google: proverb early bird.)

Stars and stripes forever! Three cheers for the Red, White, and Blue! God bless America! Happy Fourth of July!