RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" - March 28, 2010

March 28, 2010

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick


You know we can put winter behind us when “Talk of the Town” puts out the words that the town pool will open on Saturday, May 29, followed by the 12th Annual 5K Road Race on Saturday, July 3, followed by Independence Day fireworks in the Town Park that evening. To learn more about upcoming seasonal activities, Pound Ridge Recreation Department has posted the 2010 Spring/Summer brochure on the home page of the town’s web site: www.townofpoundridge.com. In a continued effort to go green, there will not be a brochure-mailing so be sure to tell your friends to check out the website. Any ?s, call the Rec. Dept. at 764-0947or 764-3987. Oh-man-oh-man, spring is finally here!

Carrie Sears, Pound Ridge Garden Club master gardener, offers a few seasonal tips: “If you haven't already cut some forsythia branches for forcing, now is a great time to do so. I brought some into the warm house a few days ago and put them into a vase with water. Already the flower buds are swelling and soon will burst into yellow.” In regard to pulling out your hair to get out of the house after this incredible winter, Carrie also mentioned how following the urge to garden can cause destruction of the soil. “Leave wet soil undisturbed. Walking on it, turning it, digging into it can destroy its tilth, which refers to the natural aggregates (clusters) of soil particles that create porous spaces. Plant roots need the porous spaces for oxygen and to be able to reach out into the soil. Most gardeners work hard to improve the tilth by adding compost.” To test the soil for readiness, take a handful, close your hand and open it. If it crumbles like chocolate cake, it is ready to work. Or shape a handful of soil into a ball and bounce it up and down a few inches. If it breaks within a few bounces, it is ready to work. So, what can we do in the meantime? Our Master Gardener Advisor advises us to cut back any ornamental grasses. “Soon they will begin to grow and be almost impossible to cut. And when the soil is ready, plant peas.”

Sometimes the less-traveled roads can be the bumpiest. For potholes, that is. We checked in with Dick Lyman, Town Councilman/Highway Department Administrator. “To paraphrase Forrest Gump, ‘Potholes are like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’” When asked about these torturous roadway fractures that appear abundantly, especially after a winter as arduous as our last, Dick said, “We know what causes them, just not where they want to pop up or crater in.” The Pound Ridge Highway Department has a cold patch asphalt material that they use in the winter, but it typically doesn't make for a permanent repair. “Come early April, the asphalt plant will be open and the guys will be filling and patching in earnest once the hot mix is available.” You’ll also see them sweeping and cleaning roads from all the sand they put out during storms, along with whatever accumulates in the way of leaves, etc. in the gutters. Hand in hand with that, catch basins will be cleaned; there are a number of drainage projects in the hopper for over the summer and fall, and on-going road resurfacing. “While all of that is going on, you will see our mower about Town keeping the brush and weeds along the roadsides under control. We also have topsoil — made from road sweepings and mulch from storm damaged and dead trees — for sale to residents. We are constantly dealing with fallen branches along the roads as well,” Dick continued. The Pound Ridge Highway crew is under the auspice of Vinnie Duffield, the foreman who makes the unit run like a Swiss watch. They all do an amazing job, day in, day out, in all kinds of weather. (I know, I know. We weren’t going to bring up the word “snow” again, but didn’t the guys do a great job of clearing our roads after the last storm? Which one, you may ask? Not the one two weeks ago; the one three weeks ago.)

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

"Talk of the Town"
By Bonni Brodnick

Longtime Pound Ridger Rose Krapowicz was regally fêted in February when she achieved her centennial birthday. Louise Paolicelli and Keri Dezell were behind the scenes organizing a terrific gift basket, and are grateful to our local merchants for helping to make Rose’s celebration that much more special with their generosity. The basket was overloaded with gift certificates for scrumptious meals from Billy Fortin at Blind Charlie's; Jane and Frank at Dinardo's; Steve Cioffi and Bruno DiFabio at Pinnochio’s Pizza; and Philip Maniatty and David Schlack at North Star. Don’t go away … there’s more … a wash and set from Charles at Salon Perri; two free lunches from Perry at My Goodness Deli & Café; a manicure from Nails by Kay; a protein shake mix and hand mixer from Joanne Davis at Curves; chocolate chip and sugar cookies from Lori and Mark Sandler at Divvies; a jar of honey from Plum Plums Cheese; gardening gloves, shovel and seeds from Chubby's Hardware; a flower arrangement from L.H. Greene Florist; cocktail napkins from Antiques and Interiors; a selection of handmade soaps from Clean Ridge Soap Company; and plants from the Pound Ridge Garden Club and Topiary The Flower Shop. Proclamations to Rose were received from Town Supervisor Gary Warshauer, County Executive Rob Astorino and State Assemblyman Peter Harckman, along with a citation from New York State Senator Vincent Liebell. Happy 100th Birthday, Rose!

If you’re looking for a perfectly gorgeous hostess gift, Sandy Wellons, proprietor of Topiary The Flower Shop at 70 Westchester Avenue in Scotts Corners, has an exquisite array of miniature orchids. While there, you might also ask about her seasonal table arrangements à la Passover (the first night is Monday, March 29) and Easter (Sunday, April 4). Sandy’s “Centerpieces of Spring” can be designed with ferns, primroses and grasses placed around forsythia and quince branches (that come in white and peachy colors). She can also put together a handsome line-up of antique-wooden crates filled with tulips, daffodils and wheat grasses. Let your floral reverie become a reality. For centerpieces, Topiary needs 7-10 day notice so be sure to order as early as possible. T: 764-1154.

While you’re there, walk a few steps back onto Westchester Avenue, turn left, and go to Plum Plums, our town cheese shop that has also become the Metropolitan Museum of Scotts Corners. Lisl Steiner-Monchek has curated an exhibition of paintings by primitive artist Khatuna Devdariani, who reigns from Tbilisi, Georgia. Khatuna’s work includes copies of such masterworks as “Girl with the Pearl Earring” by Jan Vermeer (1755) and “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh (1889). All paintings are for sale. The opening of the exhibit is on Saturday, March 20 starting at noon at Plum Plums, 72 Westchester Avenue, T: 764-1525.

Pound Ridge youngsters (pre-kindergarten to third grade) are beckoned to grab their Easter baskets and come to Pound Ridge Elementary School on Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. sharp for a visit by the Easter Bunny, an Egg Scramble and Candy Hunt. This fun event, co-sponsored by Scotts Corner Market, the Pound Ridge PBA and Recreation Department, will also be highlighted by the announcement of winners for the Egg Decorating Contest. Forms are available at Scotts Corners Market, the Recreation Department and Hiram Halle Library. Encourage the kiddos to bring out their favorite Crayola colors (like inch worm, jazzberry jam, mango tango and wild blue yonder). The art projects should be brought to the Recreation Department no later than Wednesday, March 24 at 4 p.m., which is also the deadline for the Jelly Bean count. (See that giant jar on display at the library? Make a wild guess.) A variety of awards, courtesy of the Market, will be presented at the oeuf hunt by the Easter bunny him/herself. For more information, call the Pound Ridge Recreation Department. at Ts: 764-0947 or 764 –3987.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

There’s something in the water. Alex Forrester, a freshman at Yale and one of Pound Ridge’s celebrated swimmers, was completely in her league when she participated in the Ivy Champs 2010, a women’s swimming and diving championship in Cambridge, Mass. The top Ivy League performers in each individual event and the top Ivy League team in each relay event earned selection to the All-Ivy League swimming and diving team. “Though the Yale team came in third, their individual performances were stunning, and positioned them for run at the championship next year (with recruits and returning athletes),” said Cynthia, Alex’s mom.

“This may not seem like a big deal, but Harvard and Princeton have pretty much been the only ones at the table of late. The Cornell athletes did terrifically well, too.” In summary, Alex had a great meet: 6 wins (3 individual and 3 relays) and did times that will enter her in top 8 at the NCAA Championship Meet. Her 100 fly time at Ivy Champs of 52.58 seconds places her #1 in the U.S. for all 18-and-unders. “This was pretty much her goal this year,” Cynthia continued. “I’m happy because she had great fun and really supported her team.”

Frances Levy, loving wife of Murray, said that her patio still has enough snow on it to build a snowman. When asked if she was looking forward to spring, there was no hesitation when she exclaimed, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” In talking about how she looks forward to a more colorful landscape, Frances mentioned that this year she wasn’t able to plant seeds. An idea for our local scouts might be to connect with Neighbor to Neighbor and see if some of our esteemed town elders might like a hand with planting a few annuals. This would certainly spread the glee and celebration of springtime with others.

Scott Gerber from Pound Ridge and Michael Weisburger— from Bedford have undertaken an effort to get Bedford volunteer fireman Juan Cerda’s firefighting gear to him in Chile so that he can assist with relief efforts after the 8.8 earthquake struck on February 27. Scott and his wife, Tracey, were especially eager to help since Gerber Group — proprietors of hotel restaurants and bars worldwide — opened three bars at the W Hotel in Santiago last year. Fortunately none of their staff was injured in the earthquake, and the property received minor damage. Knowing that Juan was in Santiago, though, they wanted to reach out to Chilean friends and help Juan get his “turn-out” gear, which is basic firefighting equipment: helmet, coat, pants, boots, hood and gloves. Scott and Michael contacted Bedford Village Fire Department, asked if they would help facilitate getting the gear to Chile, and mentioned that they would replace it. The fire department was immediately on-board. “It’s important to realize how lucky we are to live in our safe country of America,” said Scott. “We just completed a fundraiser at all 30 of our bars to donate a percentage of Friday night sales to help Haiti after their 7.0 earthquake that struck on January 12. We are now doing what we can for Chile. I’m glad that we can do a little bit to help, but it doesn’t make me feel any better about the earthquakes that created such enormous loss and destruction.”

“We are grateful to the Bedford Village Fire Department which has been extremely gracious in working with us to release Juan’s equipment. This is one of those unique opportunities were we could have an immediate impact and see our efforts go to work directly ‘where the rubber hits the road,’” said Michael.