Rumerations & Reminisces

When I was in Target last weekend, I overheard a conversation between two women in their late-40s. They were standing in the bedding section talking about Facebook.

"When I went on in the morning I had 365 friends," said One. "Then when I went on later in the day, I had 364 friends. I can't believe someone blocked me. Can you?"

"Do you know who it was?" asked Two. "I don't know why anyone would do that to someone."

"It would have seriously hurt my feelings, but then I thought, 'Who cares? At least I have 364 other friends.'"

Rumerations & Reminisces: My Son's First Apartment

My son moved to his first apartment in NYC. Maternal instincts were at an all-time high as I wanted to settle him in to his new home (away from my home). With three other guys living in the quarters, we anticipate a mounting degree of male-gross-me-outedness. (E.g., who made elbow noodles and didn't put the pot in the sink afterwards? And who's the dare-devil who scrambled eggs in a sauce pan?)

After the new mattress was delivered, I went into gear to make up the bed with brand new sheets and give one final lesson on the importance of hospital corners. I prolonged the stay by sewing a button onto his blue blazer, and then stalled a bit more by folding his towels and organizing his books by size/by color. When he wasn't looking, I pathetically straightened out the laptop on the window sill.

The bureau that used to be in my son's bedroom at home was about to have a city chapter, too. Drawers once filled with little clip-on bow ties, extra light bulbs for the Bearded Dragon Lizard tank, a Cub Scout neckerchief and, later, T-shirts with fratty sayings, were now crammed with boxer shorts and starched shirts. There was no turning back. (Plus it was too much of a pain to even think about getting that bureau back into the station wagon.)

With heavy heart, I thought about how my son's leaving for college was like baby food compared to his moving into the city. Now his bedroom at home would be empty for practically forever. Behind us were all those years of telling him to straighten up and get the ukelele off the floor if he didn't want the cat to sleep on it.

The real kicker came when I was about to leave his apartment and there was a knock on the door.

"Hello, we're your neighbors and live on the 4th floor," said one of the two beauties with saucy English accents. "Do you have any power tools we could borrow?"

Perfect, right? Time to go, Mom!

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Want to be a part of giving back to our town? The Pound Ridge Ambulance Corps is a volunteer organization that was started in April 1966 by five members of the Pound Ridge Lions Club. When calls for emergency help were being fielded to Mount Kisco and other neighboring towns, it was felt that the time had come to take care of our own. The Pound Ridge Ambulance Corps’ first president, Warren Everett, used a converted Cadillac hearse as our town’s first ambulance; and the current building on Westchester Avenue was built in 1975, which is when Elaine Smith (who, with her husband, Larry, give so much to our town) joined. She is still a dedicated member 35 years later. “What we do on the Ambulance Corps is one of the most important things we can do for our friends and neighbors,” said Tammy Rainford, current president. “I get immense satisfaction from knowing that I can help in any emergency.” The Ambulance Corps is in desperate need of new members, EMT’s and drivers. All hours are open, especially during daytime. Free training is provided. For more information, call Tammy at home in the evening at 764-9107 or email prvac@optonline.net. The Ambulance Corps is here for you. Let’s be here for them.

On Wednesday, October 6, Ahavah Hadassah’s first book group for the 5771 season will be “City of Thieves” by David Benioff. “The book is a wise, funny and thrilling story about two young men on an impossible
adventure in Russia during World War II,” said Theresa Fischer. “Read about a Jewish young man, Lev, and his military friend, Kolya, as they travel through Leningrad and the lawlessness of Russia to reach their goal.” Copies of the book are at Pound Ridge Library.” Join a lovely group of women who love to read and discuss books. For more information on the book group and Ahavah Hadassah, call Theresa at 764-8342.

Per dictum/sound advice from the Pound Ridge Garden Club, September is a good time to jot down in your gardening note book what was a success and what was not this past summer. From season to season it is often confusing and difficult to remember which variety of plant was the most successful, so a note at harvest--time can prove to be most helpful next spring. September should also bring the fall crops of squash, pumpkin and corn. At the first sign of frost, pick all the green tomatoes and ripen them inside. Newspaper is invaluable for covering tender pants if an early frost is anticipated. The newspaper will also keep your plants warm and dry overnight. Before settling in for winter, it’s also time to think about the compost pile. Composting can be as simple as a pile of leaves and vegetable cuttings in a corner of your garden, or as complex as commercial bins with various additives to hasten the composting process. Either way, compost is gardener's gold and totally free when made in your own garden. There is a lot of information available on composting on the Internet.

So anyway, there’s this store in Katonah called Boo Girls? And it’s like this really cool place for way stylish fashion for juniors and teens that you will completely lovvvveeeeee? And like all of the staff know practically everything there is to know about current fashion trends?? Well, in August, Gaynor Scott, the proprietor from Pound Ridge, moved to a bigger and brighter space across the street from Perks on Katonah Avenue and now Boo Girls has three fitting rooms, and there are like no more queues to try on clothes. Seriously! And Boo Girls is like completely stocked for fall with lots of skinny jeans, cargo pants (the hottest new thing), sweaters, leggings, fuzzy PJ pants, and dresses for holidays and parties. “We have fashion-forward styles and brands that the girls love,” said Gaynor. “We’ll also help accessorize so that customers walk out with everything they need to be chic and complete.” The shop features Juicy Couture, Michael Stars, 7 For All Mankind, Rebecca Beeson, It!, Sky, Baily 44, Hanky Panky and tons of other totally phenom clothing, accessories and gifts. To keep up with the trends, get some personal pop, and be totally fab with or without the clash factor, go to Boo Girls or give them a call at 232-8082.

Words of Wisdom from your Mom

"Fry up some onions before your husband gets home from the office," my mother always told me. "It will make the house smell as if you've been cooking for hours." Oh, and, "Always put on lipstick before he walks in the front door."

Is your mother Betty Draper-esque? (Her name doesn't have to be "Betty" to be so, even though my mother's name is Betty.)

Write and tell me the best advice you've ever gotten from your Dear Mom. If it has to do with fried onions and lipstick, well ... we've got that covered.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

September 19, 2010

 

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick

Is your garden starting to wane? Are you yearning for a bouquet of fresh flowers? Sandy Wellons, proprietor of Topiary the Flower Shop, has a new twist on flower giving. A “plunkett” (a.k.a. “European Wrap”) is a pre-cut bouquet plunked in thick cellophane filled with water to form its own vase. One that caught our eye was a luscious assortment of Peach Finesse and High and Yellow roses, raspberries on the stem, miniature calla lily and poppy pods. Tied with a gros-grain ribbon, and you’ve got a ready-to-go bouquet that doesn’t need cutting when received. Along with being a floral arranger with a masterful eye, Sandy is a keen pen and ink artist and is currently rendering drawings of begonias, orchids and ferns for plant care instructions that will go out with every plant. (Always handy if you don’t know/forget whether your new annual/biennial/perennial should be watered daily/weekly/monthly; does it prefer sunny/shady, inside/outside?) “In the last few days, we’ve also gotten in some absolutely beautiful and huge Garden Meister Fuscia, which are tubular coral-ly, orange flowers with a bronzy leaf; a couple of monstrous baskets of thyme and rosemary, and unusual house plants, like huge-huge Boston ferns,” Sandy said. In addition to the exotic, Topiary the Flower Shop offers unique everyday arrangements, along with mums and cabbages for your fall planters. On top of that, they can deliver everything right to your doorstep. Or to your friends’ doorstep. Or to whomever you want to send good wishes and thanks for something special. For more info, stop by the shop at 70 Westchester Avenue, or give Sandy a ring at 764-1154.

The doors to Pound Ridge Library are now open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., which gives all the more time to pick up a Family Museum Pass Kit to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Katonah Museum of Art and Neuberger Museum of Art. The kits, which can be picked up at the circulation desk, are available to adult patrons and will admit up to two adults and four children free of charge. The loan period is four days, including three overnights. The library will soon be in full autumn swing with a roster of activities for all ages. Some of the new programs include “Fun with Music – featuring Laura D’Amico,” for children age 5 and under. The program is on Fridays at 11 a.m. (starting September 24). Scrabble Club for grades 4-6 takes place after-school on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. (starting September 23). Along with learning new Scrabble techniques (and who couldn’t use a few Scrabble tips?), it’s a great way to hang out with old friends and meet new ones. (Registration is required for both programs.) Also mark on your calendar a gallery opening for renowned photojournalist Lisl Steiner Monchek in an exhibition of her work, “Life of a Documentarian.” The opening is Saturday, Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Schaffner Room. For more info on this, that and the other, call Pound Ridge Library at 764-5085.

For many, there’s a welcome new calm now that the children have gone back to school. For those whose last child went off to college that calm has morphed into dead quiet. Too quiet. The kind of quiet that might bring you to one of the shops in town hoping/wishing/praying to run into a friend just to have a little conversation. Can you hear the twitter of empty nesters as they gather to laugh, cry, and in some occasions, celebrate the new era in their lives? “Today was the first time I went to the supermarket for groceries, came home with a bag of apples and a pound of peaches, and thought, ‘I have no idea who is going to eat this,’” said Jean Mann, whose daughter, Nicole, is settling into her freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis. “I have to learn a new way of food shopping now.” If there’s a piece of advice we can give to empty nesters in our midst: don’t fret. The birdies do return to the nest. Especially when you lure them with homemade chocolate pudding. They always come back for more.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick

Rev up your engines for the upcoming Pound Ridge Car Show, sponsored by The Pound Ridge Police Benevolent Association, on Saturday, September 18 at the Pound Ridge Town Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday, September 19). Classes for trophies include Antique, Classic Pre- and Post-War, Foreign Classic Pre- and Post-War, Thunderbirds, Fords, GMs, Mopars, Customs-Lead sleds, street rods, sport compacts, Corvettes, Vipers, military fire apparatus, muscle cars and motorcycles. In other words, if it’s got wheels and has a hot design, you’re likely to see it. And be inspired. And wish you had one in your garage. Along with the wheels, there will be a spitfire raffle with items from local businesses and generous neighbors, including the Avellino and Nardozzi families, Scotts Corner Market; Grand Prix NY; Dinardo’s, Nino’s, and North Star restaurants; Chubby’s; Albano’s Appliance & Service; Future Value Association and the NCM; Bedford Post Inn, Pound Ridge Sunoco, Dodge & Associates; Plus Nails & Spa; Curves; My Goodness Deli; Pinocchio’s Pizza & Restaurant; Pound Ridge Dry Cleaners; and so many more. All proceeds from the car show will benefit the Pound Ridge PBA Community Programs.

The ever-generous PRBA will host the Pound Ridge Lions Club and their annual silent auction that is filled to the brim with additional items, also donated through the generosity of local merchants and townsfolk. The mission of Pound Ridge Lions -- one of the largest service organizations in the work with more than 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas -- is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among all peoples for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation. Let’s take a break in the paragraph here for an interesting factoid. Did you know that LIONS is an acronym for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety?

If “Talk of the Town” were to bid (and win) all of the cool items given to the PBA raffle and Lion’s silent auction, a day in the life of a lucky Pound Ridger would go something like this: after returning from Highlands Resort at Verde Ridge in Sedona, Arizona, find the tickets for the photo safari for two at Zulu Nyala Game Reserve in South Africa; and stow my golf clubs and swim suit after a week at Smuggler’s Notch Resort in Vermont; put the four Yankee vs. Red Sox tickets on September 26 on the entranceway table so that we don’t forget them; stop over at Bedford Post Inn for a chef’s tasting menu; check to see if my Weber Smokey Joe Grill is ready for pick-up at Chubby’s; before which I need to remind my husband to get his hair cut at Philip’s Men Hair Design, while I’m over at Salon Perri getting the absolute chic-est haircut in town by Charles. Walk down Westchester Avenue a few shops to get a mani/pedi at Nails by Kay; remind myself about the Christine Brooking, LMT one-hour home massage; check with Pearl Glassman on the educational counseling session for my good friend’s daughter; get fit with Meg Coco so that I don’t keel over at the Bikram Yoga Yorktown classes; pop over to North Salem Golf Club for a round and lunch; make dinner reservations for different nights at North Star Restaurant in Scotts Corners and Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua; choose spots for the 200 daffodil bulbs to be planted by the Pound Ridge Garden Club and where to place the goldfinch feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited. Invite 10 friends for the Bonsai lecture and tour; hang the beautiful nature photograph by Curtis Lew; think about firming my core at Pilates of Pound Ridge; check with Pound Ridge Police Chief David Ryan to see when it might be “convenient” for me to take over as Police Chief for a Day; grab a chunk of cheese at Plum Plums Cheese Shop; call the kids to get find out when they’re coming home from college so that we can go racing at Grand Prix in Mount Kisco; and get sartorially inspired at Juleigh’s Resale Couture. By now I am so exhausted that I’ll cash in my chit for the one-hour massage by Dina P. Dunaway, LMT; give myself a bouquet of calla lilies from Topiary the Flower Shop; stop over at Samuel Parker Deli for a second yummilicous lunch and a great view of the hamlet; drive across the road to see if I can stuff the Weeping Japanese Maple Tree from Poundridge Nurseries in the back of my station wagon; and not to ever forget my beloved pets—Willis the Corgi and Augie the Cat—pick them up a surprise at Abby’s Pet Store and the gift basket at Pound Ridge Veterinary. “Talk of the Town” readers, mark your calendar and make some traction over to the annual Pound Ridge Car Show. There’s a lot to see and bid on at the PRBA raffle and Lions Club silent auction. Come hear the motors rev high and the Lions low roar.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

September 3, 2010

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick

The beautiful weather of summer 2010 just continues to go on and on and on. When Ellen Best, my “Talk of the Town” co-columnist flagged me that it was my turn at bat for September columns (since we alternate months), I thought, “But it’s still August. It’s been August for a nice long time.” I’m one of the crazillion who wants summer to go on forever. But September is here, and with it the town awakens. Good luck to all students — from the Pre-Kindergarteners just starting school up to the college students, many of who are leaving home for the first time. For those of us long-graduated, we will give a wink to September as we travel down our beautiful roads and notice some of the trees just slightly-kissed with a new autumn. If you take a hike in Halle’s Ravine, you’ll see touches of yellow or red on upper branches as small splashes of color gently signify summer’s end. (So do the nightmares about not being able to find my locker or being late for class. I can’t be the only one who has these annual panics that set in once the Staples commercials hit the airwaves.) I suppose it’s time to shut down Tangueray and Tonic Time. But it’s still 90-degrees outside. That means it’s still summer, doesn’t it?

One thing it’s never too late for is love. Pound Ridge Tennis Club (PRTC), which has seven impeccably maintained Har-Tru tennis courts and three paddle courts, is seeking new members and will host an open house and BBQ on Saturday, September 11 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. In my book, “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk,” George Bria, one of the Club’s charter members and former president, said, “The nucleus of Pound Ridge Tennis Club started with Joan Silbersher, and Paul and Maisie Kohnstamm, who had a beautiful court on Lower Shad Road that they made available to people who wanted to play, including Joan, me, and about ten others. This became the seed, but Joan was really the power behind the club. Tom Ratliffe was one of the early members. (Former Town Supervisor) Jim Trippe, Vuko Tashkovich, John Gallagher and Jim Kenyon are just few of the past presidents. We even had some celebrities play on our courts, including actor Art Carney and Senator Jacob Javits.”

Today, PRTC offers both tennis and platform tennis; an accommodating schedule of private, semi-private and group lessons (days, nights or weekends); and seasonal championships for juniors and adults, member/member, member/guest and mixers. For the more competitive members, the club fields three women's MITL (Metropolitan Interclub Tennis League) teams, and one women's and one men's Westchester Interclub team. Located off of Route 172 on Major Lockwood Road, PRTC is one of Westchester’s best kept secrets (and you don’t even have to be a Pound Ridge resident to join). For more information, please contact Tom Mulligan, president, at 764-5960 or Carol Bouyoucos, board member in charge of memberships, at 234-2489.

And there is no way on earth we could talk about tennis in Pound Ridge without mentioning the inimitable Charlotte Lyman, who just celebrated her 90th birthday and continues to play doubles several times a week with her many friends. According to one long-time partner, she can still hit the heck out of the ball. Charlotte, the so-called “Charismatic Matriarch of League Tennis,” first played during the Great Depression when her father would save half his lunch money to buy tennis balls. She played through high school, married Brooks Lyman in 1942, and took time off from tennis to raise her three children: Candace (of Rancho Bernardo, Calif.); Douglas (of Weymouth, Mass.) and Dick (who serves on the Town Board). Charlotte picked up tennis again when she was 45, and has been swinging a racquet ever since. From all of us in the Record-Review newsroom, we send very best wishes for many happy returns.