By BONNI BRODNICK

Where better to sit on a beautiful day in Pound Ridge than outside, under an umbrella, at Panella’s, Arthur Avenue Deli and Catering, in Scotts Corners? Proprietors Josephine and Vito DiPaola offer Italian specialties, fresh pasta and homemade mozzarella, fresh-baked bread from Arthur Avenue, amazing sandwiches (wedges, paninis, you name it), salads, dinners-to-go and so much more. They can cater any kind of party, from graduation, pre-prom or post-prom, to New England clambakes, pig roasts, BBQs, pool and summer cocktail parties. Informal or formal wait staff (all spiffed up in black and white) can also be arranged. “We take care of everything so that you can relax and feel like you are a guest at your own party,” said Josephine.

One of my faves on the menu is #17, “Josephine’s Delight,” with thinly sliced prosciutto, hot capicola, imported provolone, and sweet pepper. They also have delicious Italian fare for vegetarians (roasted vegetables, eggplant parm, etc.) and can accommodate any special diets (e.g. gluten-free). The DiPaola’s both grew up with great food. Her parents opened the first traditional Italian deli in Monroe, N.Y. that started small and is now a 4,800 square foot eatery. Vito (who truly cooks from the heart) started in editorial graphics at The Associated Press in Rockefeller Plaza. If you’re not talking about food, he can always swing into fonts.

“Vito and I wanted to share what we’ve learned about food over the years,” said Josephine. “It really is our great pleasure to have our new home in Pound Ridge and we hope to serve the community for a very long time.” Keep this handy: Panella’s, 764-3446. Open Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. I promise, once you step inside, you’ll feel like you’re home. Or at Vito’s and Josephine’s home. It’s that good.

Many are making beelines to Poundridge Nurseries to fluff up their gardens with flowers and shrubs. The Pound Ridge Garden Club offers a few helpful words on the care of your new treasures: water the shrubs daily for the first few weeks until their roots settle in. Good deep watering is essential for survival and growth. Diligent care now will mean that you will have beautiful shrubs for years to come.

Seedlings also need care. Place them outdoors in a sheltered spot that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon sunlight for a few days before planting them in the ground. Then water every day until they are established. If you purchase the plants in peat pots, be sure to stand them in a tray of water overnight to keep them and the soil around the plants moist. Otherwise, the dried-out peat pots will suck the moisture from the soil, depriving the plant. An even better method is to cut off the base of the pot before planting so the roots can grow unobstructed into the soil of the planting bed.

We were thrilled to hear from longtime former Pound Ridger Suzi April, who was in New York from Florida on a business trip. As a trained life coach since 1998, Suzi helps clients see their way with clarity and purpose. Through masterful coaching, she uses highly effective and reliable tools, techniques and practices to help clients learn to shift their attention from thoughts, ideas and judgments about experiences to actually experiencing the moment. (Sort of like putting down the video camera and actually experiencing the moment, say your child’s graduation?) “This frees you from old patterns and limitations, and you live your life with clarity, purpose and integrity.” Her website is IAmThePresent.com. Email suzi@IAmThePresent.com; telephone 386-402-4683. Coaching is easily done by phone and, in some cases, Suzi will travel to work one-on-one with clients. While in Pound Ridge, Suzi was purely in the moment. “It was lovely to be here in the spring and to see the beautiful blossoming trees. Lilacs always remind me of my mom (Laura April). They were one of our favorite springtime flowers, so being in Pound Ridge while they were in full bloom was quite a gift.”

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

May 21, 2011

"Talk of the Town"
By Bonni Brodnick

Hear now. Here now. Mark your calendars for the first annual Pound Ridge Pride Day on Sunday, June 5 from noon to 5 p.m. on Westchester Avenue. The all-out block party, sponsored by the Pound Ridge Partnership (PRP), is a collaboration with numerous local organizations and businesses to spearhead an exciting new era. “There are a lot of small things that we can do to beautify our town that will make a big difference towards improving the image of our business district,” said Charles Guilianti, owner of Salon Perri and co-founder of PRP along with Ali Boak. Many other good townsfolk have joined this community effort that continues to gather momentum and pick up speed.

Pound Ridge Pride Day centers around three themes: beautification, education and community. Along with sprucing up the main avenue of our town, organizations will set up information tables about their local projects. Scotts Corner Market and the Pound Ridge Police Benevolent Association will host a real down-home country BBQ complete with an old-fashioned ice cream truck. The Subourbons, a local band featuring Pound Ridge’s own Donna and Rick Volpitta, will provide live music. Other highlights of the day include hula-hoop and pie-eating contests (you might not want to participate in both back-to-back.)

We applaud all in Pound Ridge Partnership for launching this terrific initiative. Valerie Price joins Ali and Charles on the board of directors, and other neighbors have graciously taken on committee chair posts including Dennis Mele (Architectural), Susan Grissom and Terri Pike (Beautification), Kevin Long and Melina Velez (Family Friendly), Zita Bensusan (Fundraising) and Christine Juchem (Bookkeeping). These folks mean business. Proceeds from Pound Ridge Pride Day will be used to establish a beautification fund for the town. Event coordinators are looking for people to volunteer, home-based businesses to set up free tables, and groups of volunteers to complete beautification community service projects throughout the year. For more info, contact Susan Grissom (susan.grisson@gmail.com or 764-8689) or Terri Pike (terri.pike@attglobal.net/714-4107).

“Talk of the Town” was delighted to hear from Gloria Smith, who lived with her husband, the late Bill Smith, on Old Snake Hill Road for 33 years (1962-1995). Gloria continues to champion the topic of healthy and engaged aging in her newspaper column, "It's our time" for the Brunswick Times Record, which covers Brunswick, Bath, and most of mid-coast Maine. Daughter Megan is the town historian of Belfast, Maine. As director of the Belfast Historical Society & Museum, she also conceived the idea for and obtained a grant for a “Museum of the Streets”, a self-directed walking tour of Belfast, that features plaques (in English and French) and indicates where historic events happened in town. Second daughter, Maud, heads the English department at The Governor's Academy (formerly know as Governor Dummer Academy) in Byfield, Mass. “It’s the oldest continuously operating boarding school in the country and boasts many famous alumni like the Phillips who founded Philips Academy in Andover and Exeter,” writes Gloria. “Last March, Maud was chosen to lead a group of students to a ‘sister’ school - the African Leadership Academy -- in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her blog (http://govsabroad.wordpress.com/) is filled with exciting photos and stories of all the adventures they shared.” If you’d like to drop a line to Gloria, her cyber-mailbox is globill@gwi.net.

The Pound Ridge Recreation Department is still accepting applications to Teen Travel Camp, which is open to12 to 14-year olds. Recreations Supervisor David Goldberg and Office Assistant Jo Ann Luksin have whipped up a cool schedule that includes paint ball at Thunder Ridge, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdon, kayaking in Cornwall, Shark Boat Ride at South Street Seaport, Six Flags Northeast and more. Leave Pound Ridge behind (just for the day) and sign up for some f-u-n. For more info, contact the aforementioned names in bold at dgoldberg@townofpoundridge.com/jluksin@townofpoundridge.com or give them a ring at 764-3987. (I love that phrase. When I was in elementary school, one of my friends said she was going to give me a ring. Was I disappointed when it was a telephone call and not a diamond ring.)

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

"Talk of the Town"

By Bonni Brodnick

Are you thinking the sunglasses you just spent a fortune on look funny with your eyebrows? What about your new sneaks. Should they be Adidas or Pumas? Should you cut your hair or wear it long? Should you fight the ticket or pay the fine? Be silent no more. Judgment Day is here. Pound Ridge tech whiz/web entrepreneur Tereza Nemessanyi is co-founder and CEO of Honestly Now, Inc. (www.honestlynow.com), a web and mobile social media Q&A platform that helps people make better personal decisions by safely and anonymously asking trusted friends and pros for no-fluff feedback. To keep it safe, Honestlynow.com is building the on-line community by inviting their friends, who are inviting their friends, who are inviting their friends … you get the picture. The fun is going viral.

The website and apps are in beta, which means they’re still tweaking and adding things every day, but that hasn’t stopped folks from registering more than 400,000 votes so far. “We have a highly intelligent group of users that are 70% female and average age 37,” said Tereza. “They demand smart questions and we are aligning to deliver.” Honestlynow.com got a great review from the blog Techlicious, which was re-run on MSNBC.com and TODAYshow.com. Tereza appeared live on the leading Australian morning show that led to a run-up from Down Under. Wait, that was back in March. Fast-forward to May: Tereza was named one of Forbes’ “Ten Female Entrepreneurs to Watch” and was selected as one of eight company finalists (only two of which were led by women) in Business Insider's Startup 2011 conference in NYC.

Come on. Be honest. Are red high-tops hip or clownish? Rsvp at honestlynow.com. You’ll find it addictively fun and easy to be forthright. “We believe in being nice,” said Tereza. “And we believe questions are the start of the very best conversations.”

Albano Appliance was a-buzz when more than 190 friends and neighbors attended “Taste of Pound Ridge,” a benefit sponsored by the Pound Ridge Business Association in conjunction with the Pound Ridge Library Foundation. Approximately $12,000 was raised, a small part toward the goal of $3 million for the capital campaign to renovate the library, a vital resource to our community. Key players who helped make the benefit a success included Jon Posner (president of the PRLibrary Foundation), Vivian Falco (vice president) and Peter Clough (treasurer). Fred Albano and Chef Jehan de Noue were major coordinators of all the vendors and Ruth Mendes (president of the PRBA) designed the mailers and signs. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of the Foundation members for their help soliciting auction items, and to the generous local businesses and residents who contributed more than 103 items to the silent auction,” Vivian said. “The local businesses are so important to our quality of life here in Pound Ridge. When we need something in a pinch, they are always there.”

Incidentally, if you missed “Taste of Pound Ridge,” a few items are still available for bidding at the library. Place your bet on a pair of Tiffany clip earrings; gift certificates for garden and interior design consultation, a gas grill, ceramic bowl planter, pet supplies, Italian lessons, Mary Kay gift basket, and (drum roll, please) a week (June 3-10, 2011) at Smuggler’s Notch resort in Vermont. Generously donated by Marian and Peter Senatore, this 3-bedroom condo package includes golf at nearby courses, hiking, kayaking and canoeing. What a great present for your college graduate and their friends. Or get a few families together. The package is worth $2,200 and is yours-all-yours for only $600. For more info, contact Vivian at 764-4988 or vivian.falco@gmail.com.

Yearning for a taste of summer? Pound Ridge Community Church will bring it on with the 39^th Lobster Festival on Saturday, May 21from 1-6 p.m. (This year we tip our hat of gratitude to former Pound Ridger, the late Garth Dickey for all he contributed to the fest back in the day.) As you delight in the sea-ful bounty, eat well, do good. Pound Ridge Emergency Services (Pound Ridge Fire Department and Lion’s Ambulance Corp.) is the recipient of proceeds. Lobsters (live) are $14 each (add a buck per lobster and you can have them cooked.) Littleneck clams and mussels are $8. Let’s not forget the delicious/scrumptious homemade pies, which cannot be pre-ordered, but you can pick them up when you wing by to get your lobster fest. Credit cards are now accepted. Email your order to lobsters@poundridgecommunitychurch.org. (Be sure to indicate live or cooked.) Any more Q’s? Call PRCC at 764-9000.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" - May 9, 2011

TALK OF THE TOWN
By Bonni Brodnick

The 2011 Kentucky Derby marks the 137^th renewal of the greatest two minutes in sports. Don’t be a bystander. Grab your stable mates and get into the running with the annual Pound Ridge Derby Day Party, an annual tradition sponsored by the Pound Ridge Republican Town Committee. The event is a great opportunity to meet neighbors, friends, local officials and candidates as you cheer on mighty Derby contenders Uncle Mo, Archarcharch, Toby’s Corner, Pants on Fire, Midnight Interlude, Soldat, Brilliant Speed, Master of Hounds, Nehro, Twice the Appeal, Decisive Moment, Animal Kingdom, Stay Thirsty, Twinspired, Santiva, Watch Me Go, Shackleford … and my personal favorites, Comma to the Top and Mucho Macho Man. Lisa and John Sauro are this year’s Derby Day hosts. The event takes place on Saturday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m. (Post time is 6:24 p.m.) Expected guests include Nan Hayworth, Greg Ball, Bob Castelli, and our very own Gary Warshauer. Cost is $35 per person for open bar and buffet dinner. All townsfolk are invited to attend. For more information and to make your reservation, call Frank Sisti at 764-5622.

Along with generously hosting the “Taste of Pound Ridge” event this week, Albano Appliance on Westchester Avenue has a smokin’ schedule for some upcoming outdoor BBQ events and manufacturer’s cooking demonstrations. Resident Chef Jehan de Noue is pleased to have Chef Dawn Keenan, owner of Dinner in Thyme, back again to share her culinary talents, nutritional and healthy living knowledge at the following events. On Thursday, May 12 at 6 p.m. there will be a Thermador/Gaggenau cooking demonstration. The event will start with hors d'oeuvres, steamed salmon in lemon broth with minted fresh spring pea purée, followed by garden herb-roasted organic chicken and roasted vegetables. Finish the feast with chocolate-coconut milk and coffee dust truffles. (RSVPs must be received by Tuesday, May 10.) The first of two outdoor BBQ cooking demos takes place on Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. Learn about outdoor pizza ovens, wood/charcoal and gas-fired grills, pro-sear gas grills, outdoor refrigeration and beer taps and outdoor griddle. (You will surely have your Ph.G. [Doctorate in Grilling] after this event.) The menu includes sweet Italian sausage, peppers and onions, pulled pork with cherry BBQ sauce, grilled hanger steaks with coffee rub, roasted chicken, Albano burgers, roasted corn and much more. (RSVPs must be received by Wednesday, May 11.) Chef Keenan, will also conduct “Eat, Live & Feel Well” on Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. The class will start with a broccoli, orange and watercress salad, followed by Brie and caramelized onion-stuffed chicken breast, herbed Basmati rice. End the night sweetly with cocoa meringue shells and glazed fresh fruit. (Class fee is $45. RSVPs must be received by Monday, May 16.) Call 764-4051 to make your rez. To learn more about the tradition and renown of Albano, check out their website at www.albanoappliance.com.

Eager to see some great theater but don’t want to trek into the city? Enjoy a night in the hamlet when the Pound Ridge Theatre Company presents “Later Life,” a bittersweet comedy by A.R. Gurney. Inspired by the Henry James novella, Gurney has penned the story of two people who meet at a Boston cocktail party 30 years after they had a brief encounter on the isle of Capri when he was a sailor on leave and she was a college girl on European tour. The talented Sherry Asch will direct actors Michael Bergstein, Laurel Lettieri, Sarah Saltus and Dick Smith in the production that takes place at Conant Hall on Fridays and Saturdays May 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. Cabaret seating. Special discounts for theater parties. Doors open one-hour prior to curtain, and you are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy before the show. North Star Restaurant in Scotts Corners (7645-0200) and Bistro 22 in Bedford (234-7333) also offer a specially priced pre-theater dinner prior to all performances. (Please call them directly for reservations.) To get tickets online to “Later Life,” go to www.prtc01.org. For more information, you may also call the box office at 764-1902 or email prtc01@yahoo.com.

On the inside of my one of my kitchen cabinets is taped “Beatitudes for Mothers.” I’ve treasured its inspiration through the years: “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 has the grace to listen, really listen, to her talkative 4-year old; for this is one important link in the chain of teaching respect.” “Blessed is the mother who means ‘NO’ when she says ‘no’ and cannot be moved by tears, screams, threats or persistent argument. Also blessed is the mother who sees to it that her child completes each task that she has assigned to him, for she is preparing him to be a person of character.” My personal beatitude is “Blessed are the children who make us mothers. They truly grace our lives.” Happy Mother’s Day.

POUND RIDGE PAST: REMEMBRANCES OF OUR TOWNSFOLK going into 2nd edition

At last! Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk, first printed in 2006, is going into reprint.

The historical, personal recollections in this book span from the rural 1920s to the swinging 1970s, and reveal what life was like in Pound Ridge, New York in the 20th century. There's intrigue, lust, glitterati and history. 

Interested to reserve an advance copy? Dash me a line at poundridgepast@gmail.com or PM me via the POUND RIDGE PAST Facebook page.  Signed copies are $30 + $4 for shipping/handling. 

Merci, merci.