RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

It’s a blissful Thanksgiving morning in Pound Ridge. The sugar maples are glistening amidst fields kissed by winter’s frost. So what’s all the racket out there? Crows. No doubt about it, these feathery creatures are far from birdbrains. They are top of the ranking as the most intelligent species of birds and have 250 distinctive crow calls. Their sophisticated language skills range from a loud talk for the general community to a quieter twill for within the family. They are monogamous and mate for a lifetime (which could be as long as 20 years), mourn their deceased, and rear their young for as long as five years. Crows need to be close to each other, especially to their parents, and have complex cognitive behaviors. Their resourcefulness comes from their intelligence: some have memorized garbage truck routes, the better to feast on debris. Others drop nuts in the road and wait for passing cars to crack them open. And still others have demonstrated the ability to recognize individual human faces and find them in a crowd. So don’t shoo them away. Honor them as one of the world’s most intelligent creatures right up there with whales, dolphins, apes and elephants. And obviously they are smarter than turkeys or we would be eating crow for Thanksgiving.

Save the date for the Pound Ridge Community Church Holiday Fair and Cookie Walk on Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are guaranteed to find wonderful holiday gifts, many of which are lovingly handcrafted. This year you’ll find a few unusual items like decoupage one-of-a-kind Pound Ridge trays, antique quilt shopping bags and birch-bark Santas. You won’t want to miss Ebie Wood’s scrumptious jams and jellies made from berries from Martha’s Vineyard. They are always beautifully wrapped and make perfect off-the-shelf hostess gifts throughout the year. There will be different vendors at the fair, including items made by women from Afghanistan. One of John Hufnagel’s beautiful paintings is this year’s raffle. And while you might be stuffed with pecan and pumpkin pies when reading this, by mid-December you’ll be ready (I promise) for the delectable selection of homemade holiday cookies that you can purchase by the pound. While you’re at the Church, be sure to bring any gently used blankets you may no longer need for The Bed Roll project. A dedicated group of women from PRCC are in need of twin and full-size blankets to continue making bedrolls for the homeless in NYC. For more information on the holiday bazaar or The Bedroll Project, please call 764-9000.

Did you just come down from upstairs? Did you leave the lights on? The Sustainability Task Force of Pound Ridge will host a meeting open to the public on Monday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Town House to introduce a $280,000 grant received by the Town of Pound Ridge from the New York State Energy Research and Design Authority (NYSERDA). The grant will be shared by six towns in the area to collect data on energy efficiency throughout the community. Based on this data, the grant will also provide for development of a plan for improving energy efficiency throughout Pound Ridge. Leo Wiegman, mayor of Croton-on-Hudson, which was the lead community for the grant, will be guest speaker to explain the grant and answer questions. “We welcome representatives from other community groups in Pound Ridge, as well as home owners who are interested in energy efficiency in their homes, the environment and the activities of the Pound Ridge Sustainability Task Force,” said Chairman John Maddocks. For more info, please contact John at dr.johnmaddocks@hotmail.com. In the meantime, go back upstairs and shut off all of those lights if you’re not in the rooms. As my mother would say, “Don’t waste energy.”

Happy Birthday to Lisl Steiner who turned 83 or 84 … the exact number doesn’t matter because who’s counting? Not only is her creativity and originality celebrated here in Pound Ridge, but Austria is bringing out a stamp of Lisl’s photograph of Friedrich Gulda, a renowned pianist and one of her close friends. The stamp is coming out on the 27th of January, by coincidence the day he died in 2000, and also coincidentally, on the birthday of the composer he most admired, Mozart. Lisl’s photograph was taken in 1949 at Gulda’s first public concert at the Colon Opera House in Buenos Aires. You can see this remarkable image at www.lislsteiner.com.

If you’re hosting guests this weekend, you might want to leave the Record-Review open to page six as we discuss what makes the perfect Thanksgiving weekend guest. Don’t freak out if Pound Ridge doesn’t have a Starbucks (we like it this way.) Make your own bed in the morning. Offer to help wash the dishes but don’t be offended when your host/ess repeatedly tells you, “That’s fine. Stay where you are and enjoy yourself.” (They just might want to be responsible for breaking their own Limoges china.) Don’t overstay your visit (Remember the Ben Franklin saying: “Guests and fish smell after three days.”) Write (not email or text) a handwritten thank you note. As we celebrate this simple holiday of giving thanks for our many blessings, I am grateful to my beloved pets (Willis the Corgi and Augie the Cat), and for family and friends gathered at our table.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our “Talk of the Town” readers.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

BY BONNI BRODNICK

Thanksgiving is a time to count your many blessings and share the bounty with others. Laura LaFreniere, manager of Blind Charlie’s, along with Dara Gruskin, a server at the Scotts Corners hot spot, have come up with an idea that truly exemplifies neighborliness and goodness by sending an open invitation to all townsfolk who might be alone on Thanksgiving Day. Blind Charlie’s will be serving turkey, stuffing, and pie to all who might be in need of company, great conversation and a great meal. They’ll even have the television fired up with the big Turkey Bowl football matchup. “It’s our privilege and honor to help our Pound Ridge neighbors in this way,” Laura said.

If you’d like to help, too, here are a few needs: let Blind Charlie’s know the name of anyone who might like to attend so that they can send them an invitation; bake a dessert than can be shared at the dinner; volunteer to deliver meals to those who can’t join; and/or contribute non-perishable items for the food drive on behalf of the Community Center of Northern Westchester. Blind Charlie’s will have multiple seatings on Thanksgiving Day. No charge, but space is limited so they need to know ASAP if you’d like to attend. Transportation can be arranged. If you know of someone who can’t come out and join the feast, a Thanksgiving meal can be delivered. Call 764-8000 or email poundridgethanksgiving@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.

“Talk of the Town” is delighted to hear from Jane Rainsford, who grew up in Pound Ridge in the 1960s and 70s and now lives in Steuben County, NY. (The inimitable Grace Rainsford, her mother, was the inspiration for my book, “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk.”) “At Thanksgiving time, my Mom used to put together holiday baskets for friends in town who may have needed a helping hand,” Jane wrote. “I would often go with her to deliver these ‘care baskets.’” Another fond memory for Jane is the turkey bulletin boards her Kindergarten teacher, Miss Costello, used to put up in the hallway at Pound Ridge Elementary School. “Every year, she asked her class if their dads had any old ties they could donate to her turkey project. She would arrange the ties into a beautiful fanned out tail. I loved looking at that turkey every Thanksgiving while attending PRES.”

On Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Artistic Director Joe Cavise and his Off Center Dance Theatre (OCDT) Youth Ensemble will host their Seventh Annual “Giving Thanks & Giving Back” Dance-a-Thon for Charity. This year’s recipient is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event is open to the public and you don’t have to be a Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers to participate. Just register, get an official “Giving Thanks & Giving Back” pledge sheet and number, and boogey down to the dance studio in Mamaroneck. Participants will dance for the first two hours to tunes spun by DJ Eric Kizis of Double Image Sounds & Entertainment and then be treated (revived?) to pizza provided by several local pizzerias. Blind Charlie’s is in on the scoop and will provide ice cream. The annual dance-a-thon began following the December 2005 Tsunami when “We felt compelled as an organization to help in some way,” Joe said. That first year nearly $7,000 was raised for the UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund. Subsequently, OCDT raised over $40,000 in support of such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Katrina Relief Fund, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Friends of Karen and Blythedale Children’s Hospital. Walk-ins to the dance-a-thon are welcome but registration is preferred. To get in the swing, contact Lori Cavise at 764-0049 or fancyd@optonline.net.

This is the final weekend to catch the Pound Ridge Theater Company presentation of “Moon Over Buffalo.” The backstage Broadway farce by Ken Ludwig is directed by Maryann Arcoleo-Koltun and features a comedic and nimble cast that includes Robert J. D’Amato, Tina D'Amato, Amanda Brown, Laurel Lettieri, Dan Friedman, Gary McNerney, Rachel Halko and Sam Borrelli. Performances are Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. at Conant Hall. Cabaret seating. Bring food and/or drink. Doors open one hour prior to curtain. We went last weekend and the show was hilarious. Don’t miss it. For tix, go to www.prtc01.org or call 764-1902.

And finally ... Pound Ridge Library will have their Holiday Book Sale on Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Choose from a great selection of art and gardening books, children's books, current novels, non-fiction, coffee table books, cookbooks, audio books, CDs, DVDs and more. For more information, call the Library at 764-5085 or visit the website at www.poundridgelibrary.com.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

If you’re looking for a way to chase the winter blues before they even set in, maybe it’s time to tweak your look. Lynn Cesaria, an image consultant and personal stylist, has an eye for fashion and color like it’s nobody’s business. Formerly a stylist and personal shopper at Sak’s Fifth Avenue in NYC, Lynn has been written up in “Town & Country” and can work her magic to help you determine your own style from hair to wardrobe. She is also available for personal shopping from casual to corporate to evening attire, and can alleviate the panic when you need that certain je ne sais quoi special event outfit. How does she do it? Let’s say you want to emulate the hottiness of Victoria Beckham, the classiness of Jackie O, the allure-ness of Gwyneth Paltrow, or the tony-ness of Deborah “Debo” the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. “I start with going on-line and researching the celebrity my clients would like to emulate,” Lynn said. “I then print out the best photos of outfits that each of them are wearing so that we get a gallery of looks from day to night. When I meet with my client, we’ll do a head-to-toe 3-hour session, talk about her lifestyle and review what’s in her closet – from handbags to coats, sweaters, dresses, suits, etc.” Lynn will pull the classics that need to be revamped (she’ll even share the name of her tailor), and help you get rid of old stuff that you know is outdated and will never be back in style. She’ll make two lists of what is needed to fill in your wardrobe and what she calls, a list of “Want and Must Have” for the season. To make it even easier, Lynn will either accompany you to shop, or do it for you and present her findings. She’s got the eye to make you look more fabulous than you ever thought possible and even knows where to get that stunning Helmut Lang grey dress for under $150. “I give my clients the Bergdorf look at half the price.” Get chic. Contact Lynn/ LRC Image, Styling & Personal Shopping, at LRCPhoto@yahoo.com.

Through the Local Heroes Program sponsored by PRES PTA’s after-school program, PRIDE, students made a thoughtful effort to kick off the season of giving. Local Heroes, which works with registered 501©3s such as Friends of Karen and the Community Center of Northern Westchester, assembled Thanksgiving dinner kits that will be distributed to families whom Friends of Karen social workers have identified as being in need of financial assistance and having a terminally ill child. Kits include non-perishable items for a festive Thanksgiving dinner, plus a $20 gift card to buy perishable items from a supermarket. In addition, a representative from Friends of Karen came to explain how the organization got started and how it helps local families. “Putting together the Thanksgiving dinner kits was a team-building and problem-solving exercise because the children had to strategize how to organize the goods and assemble the kits,” said Claire Quinn on behalf of PRES PTA. “The project also hits home because it gives the children a keen sense of all they have to be thankful for, including good health and family.”

We’re having a bad flashback from Election Day. The new voting method was a colossal, cross-the-board bust. Some thought it worse than taking the SAT and others cursed the new procedure as “nightmarish” … especially if they forgot their reading glasses. “I miss the Caribbean blue voting machines,” said Election Inspector Jody Sullivan as she recalled a fun mention in “Talk of the Town” about 10 years ago. It used to be you went to the Town House, stepped into a brilliantly blue booth that gave the sensation of voting on some far-away island, closed the curtain, pulled the levers, and cast your vote. “This new method is absolutely chaotic,” added Florence Dworetzky. “The ballot is difficult to read and we don’t have adequate space for people to sit down and write.” On the brighter side, she commented, “It’s fun to be an election inspector because it gives an opportunity to see neighbors and catch up on things.”

A warm welcome to Jenson George Sofronas, born on October 6 to proud parents Nargis and James Sofronas. “Just had a wonderful visit in Newport Beach (California) and loved being with Jenson and his ‘big’ sister, Chloe, who is 15-months old,” wrote former longtime Pound Ridge resident and beaming grandmother Anne Sofronas. “We are now up to eight grandchildren—five granddaughters and three grandsons.” “Talk of the Town” shares the joy of this happy news in the Sofronas family.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

November 4, 2010

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By BONNI BRODNICK

Election Day is over. Time to take down the election signs. And while you’re out there, remove the expired tag sale signs. There is also buzz about the permanent vendor signs that are strategically placed on major roadways like Routes 35, 172 and High Ridge Road. Some of the mini-billboards are as sturdy and fixed to the ground as any of the shop signs in Scotts Corners. Many townsfolk landed in Pound Ridge for the beauty of our landscape and the absence of advertising on our country roadways. Let’s get back to nature, folks.

Pound Ridge Fire Department will hold a bi-annual blood drive on Saturday, Nov. 6 from

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the firehouse in Scotts Corners. “The blood supply in our area is always critically low at this time of year and can’t keep pace with the demand,” said Daniel Rainford, a PRFD volunteer fireman for more than 15 years and Blood Drive chair for the last 10 years.

“Having the opportunity to help save a life is one of the greatest things anyone can do,” he said. “By donating blood, you are sure to help someone who is unexpectedly in great need.” For more information, contact Daniel at danielrainford@aol.com or call Pound Ridge Fire Department at 764-5102. Eat well and drink fluids before you donate. Walk-ins welcome.

The Bed Roll Project is an effort conducted by a dynamite group of women at Pound Ridge Community Church who have gathered twice a month for the past 13 years to painstakingly sew bedrolls for the homeless in NYC. Their handiwork has also made its way to Haiti after the earthquake. The Bedroll Project is currently in need of new and/or used blankets, quilts and comforters to make into sleeping bags filled with toiletries. (Double, queen and king sizes only, please.) Along with donation boxes at Pound Ridge Elementary School, Scotts Corners Market and PRCC, Amanda Lawrence, a 7^th grader at Fox Lane Middle School, has taken on this community service project and put boxes in each house at the Middle School, as well as by the central office. “I accidentally stumbled on The Bedroll Project when I went to church and was amazed that these ladies had been doing this project for 13 years – that’s longer than I’ve been alive! I decided I would help by gathering more blankets, which they’ve completely run out of.” Let’s do all we can to spread the warmth of Pound Ridge. To continue the mission, drop off new and/or used blankets, quilts and comforters in the downstairs Commons Room at PRCC. For more information, contact Diane Fulves (The Bedroll Project coordinator) at 584-4273. You can also touch base with Bridget Lawrence (bal@lawrenceny.net or 764-9245) and she will be happy to pick your donations.

A little station break between paragraphs: To submit story ideas, please note the new contact address for “Talk of the Town” is bonnibrodnick@gmail.com. (Now back to our regularly scheduled column.)

A “Talk of the Town” reader wrote and mentioned a fun observation. Last summer, she asked if I’ve ever driven by the parking lot alongside North Star Restaurant in the late afternoon (between 4:30-6). “The chefs/kitchen staff always play soccer and they always look so happy and carefree. It’s such a nice reflection on the restaurant.” We went and checked with the source, co-owner Phil Maniatty. “Yes, my guys in the kitchen are all HUGE soccer fans,” he said. “Once they are finished prepping for the evening and before the night begins, they love to go outside and kick the ball around with each other for 15 minutes or so. They're all very good, too. We have a real family feeling among our staff. Everyone genuinely likes each other and there are always lots of smiles and laughter among them all night. A family that plays together stays together. For this reason I think we have amazing longevity with our staff, most of whom have been with us over three years now.” European-trained Executive Chef Franz Fruhmann, who is on the mark with current food trends, has some exciting new dishes on the fall menu, including Short Rib Parmentier. You start with boneless short rib, marinated in red wine and vegetables for three days. It’s served crushed with a fork and covered with a dome of truffle-mashed potatoes and finished with a red wine sauce. A visual and culinary delight. They also have a new poached lobster with kombucha squash gnocchi and Seared Bay Scallops over lemon-asparagus risotto and a curried carrot broth. North Star is revamping their wine list and welcome customers a chance to submit suggestions as to what wines you’d like to see on the menu. Next time you’re there, check out the comment cards in the restaurant where you can list your faves, both bottles and by the glass. “North Star was designed to feel like it belongs to our customers,” said Phil. “Who better than our customers to design a list that they love.” And for all the groovers out there, North Star will be the spot 2 B when Flipside, the renowned eclectic blues and classic R&B band, makes their appearance on Thursday, Nov. 11, 9-ish to midnight. Their music comes from the melting pot of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Lots of old that sounds completely new. “It’s like nothing you’ve heard before,” said Jim Ballantine, who rocks on bass. Catch songwriter Johnny Garretson on guitar, Shawn Murphy, lead vocals and sax, and Cal Kramer on drums. You can’t beat their original “Pecan Pie,” “Happiness is a State of Mind” and “Choose to Loose the Blues.” You can’t lose.

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 bonnibrodnick@gmail.com. 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