"My Stroke in the Fast Lane" -- Pound Ridge Library to host . . .

"Memoir Workshop with Bonni Brodnick"

Saturdays Nov. 2, 16 & 23 

@ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Are you inspired to write about something that changed your life? Are you drawn to explore the circumstances surrounding your most vivid memories? For those with a work-in-progress, or those starting fresh, this class will offer a supportive environment where we’ll discuss memoir writing, writing in class, and sharing constructive feedback. You will leave with a new work-in-progress and some insights into the stories you want to write. Join us for this special 3-part memoir workshop series led by famed local author Bonni Brodnick.

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Bonni Brodnick is the author of My Stroke in the Fast Lane: A Journey to Recovery and Pound Ridge Past, now in its second edition. She was the town columnist for many years by writing “Talk of the Town” for our local Record-Review. Formerly with Condé Nast Publication’s Glamour and House & Garden magazines, Bonni has written scripts for Children’s Television Workshop and was editor of two academic magazines. She is an award-winning communications specialist, a Pound Ridge Authors Society member, and a blogger at bonnibrodnick.com. In addition, Bonni is an ambassador for the American Heart Association and a proud Stroke Survivor.

Registration is required. 

"POUND RIDGE PAST" - A perfect gift for the holidays!

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for friends, teachers, past neighbors, or anyone eager to learn more about Pound Ridge?

POUND RIDGE PAST: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk — with photographs by Fran Collin and graphic design by Gina Federico — is a perfect coffee table book. In it, you'll find historical and personal recollections that span from the rural 1920s to the swinging 1970s.

Anecdotes from former Pound Ridgers across the country share humorous memories about growing up here, and their brushes with such celebrities as Lauren Bacall and Jason Robards (who once summered on Old Stone Hill Road) and renowned jazz and swing musician Benny Goodman (whose home still graces Long Ridge Road).

The collection of more than thirty interviews with the town elders includes charming first-hand stories about the one-room schoolhouses scattered about town, the day World War II ended, raising children, basket making, fishing, farming, partying and more. Actors Tallulah Bankhead, Frank Morgan (“The Wizard of Oz” himself), Buster Crabbe, Shirley Jones, Eli Wallach, and Ann Jackson; writer Westbrook Pegler; radio sports legend Howard Cosell; “Tom and Jerry” cartoonist Jack Zander; violinist and TV personality Florian ZaBach were just a few of the screen, musical and literary celebrities dazzling the calm of the countryside.

POUND RIDGE PAST: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk is available for $35 (includes S+H). Venmo + Zelle accepted. Contact bonnibrodnick@gmail.com

 

My latest piece on MEDIUM: "Punctuation: Double-Check Your Commas & Colons"

 

Questioning the Use of a Question Mark

Punctuation: Double-check Your Commas & Colons

“,LA” knows what I’m talkin’ about

Exclamation points on neon Post-its courtesy of https://pixabay.com/.

Imagine a world without punctuation. There would be run-on sentences all over the place. Not to mention a complete breakdown of en-dashes and em-dashes. People wouldn’t overuse the exclamation point in ! every ! sentence!!! Nights would run into days into months into years into centuries into millennia. Birds would never stop singing.

Life would be so chaotic that people would be wearing summer clothes in the winter and vice versa. Copy editors worldwide could go on vacation!!

Everything would be a big blur. For example, take this paragraph —

Although most people are not punctual per se I cannot imagine life without punctuation Im not kidding Is it me or what Wait what is that noise Did you hear that Oh its nothing just my cat jumping off the counter No seriously what the heck was that Name of husband was that you Could you to see if the cat wants to go out What did you say

Punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences, and I always remember these examples:

“I ate macaroni and cheese, and an apple for lunch.”

“I ate macaroni, and cheese, and an apple for lunch.”

What a difference a comma makes.

Or this —   

Although most people are not punctual per se I cannot imagine life without punctuation Im not kidding Is it me or what Wait what is that noise Did you hear that Oh its nothing just my cat jumping off the counter No seriously what the heck was that Name of husband was that you Could you to see if the cat wants to go out What did you say

Punctuation is vital to disambiguate the meaning of sentences, and I always remember these examples:

“I ate macaroni and cheese, and an apple for lunch.”

“I ate macaroni, and cheese, and an apple for lunch.”

What a difference a comma makes.

Or this —

“Did you do your laundry?” (Polite enough.)

“Did you do your laundry??!!!?!! (It’s starting to sound rant-ful.)

And, can we applaude Kamala Harris’s clever use of “,LA”. (Get it? “Comma, LA”?)

Stop and embrace the beauty of clarity.

Learn where to add commas, and the usage of three different brackets — — (), [], and {}.

Play around with punctuation [(.)(.)].

Become versed in the distinction of colons. (Oh, you mean there is more than ONE colon?)

Consider dropping in … an ellipsis.

Don’t be afraid, reticent, or shy to “clean up” your copy.

Make your mark.

Ready? Get set,

Go!!!!!!!!!

Carla Tscherny, my dear friend (1956-2024)

 I am so sad to write that Carla passed away on Saturday night in NYC. She was my best friend at Hampshire College. We did everything together, and to many, we were “The Dynamic Duo.” I will miss her friendship dearly. Her intelligence, grace, sassiness, sense of humor, and artistry will forever be remembered.

Only ten days ago, we had a nice back and forth. She wasn't up for visitors because she was told not to talk. "Could you ever have imagined me with nothing to say?"

Two days ago, her son Max (Milder) wrote: "If we can get through tonight, I would love to get some of her closest friends in here - if she's up for it.  "

I wrote back: "Please whisper in her ear, 'I love you, from Bonimo."

"Done  ," Max wrote. "She smiled and blew a kiss." 

My friend Gloria Koster announces her new (fun, hilarious) book, "OVERDUE: The Misadventure of Bob the Book"

 

Children's book author Gloria Koster is a fellow member of the Pound Ridge Authors Society. She is also a member of the Women's National Book Association and graces Bank Street College of Education as a member of their Children's Book Committee.

For many years, Gloria worked full-time as a librarian at an elementary school, thereby giving her a front-row seat to the shenanigans kids do. Her new book, OVERDUE: The Misadventure of Bob the Book is hilarious. In fact, you'll find Gloria's delightful sense of humor in all of her books.

Come meet Gloria at her book signing event this coming Saturday, September 14 Elm Street Books at 10:30 am, followed by another book signing, same day, at Pound Ridge Library at 1 pm.