Bonni Brodnick Blog

By BONNI BRODNICK L ots of college kids were recently home for fall break. At Scotts Corner Market, “Talk of the Town” ran into a few of their moms who were frantically zipping through the aisles in an effort to stock the larder before their visiting first-semester progeny returned to Pound Ridge. We caught up with Sarah Best , who is a freshman at Mitchell College, a four-year liberal arts college in New London, Conn. “Being at college and away from home and my comfort zone is a huge transition,” Sarah said. “One thing I’ve realized about school in the past two months is if you do your work, you’ll do well and not fall behind. There are a few bumps along the way, but I know I will get through them!” Sarah is majoring in early-childhood education with a possible future certification in assistive technology. This young Pound Ridger with fortitude and spirit is, literally and figuratively, one of the Best. W hether to eat or not to eat hamburgers is the buzz in town after reading the rec...

By BONNI BRODNICK A riel Simons is about to change her life. In November she’s traveling to Lesotho (pronounced “le-SOO-TOO.”) This small country inside of northeast South Africa counters the typical expectations of arid and deserted Africa. Ariel will be in the mountains, at about 4,600 feet, seeing the four seasons and even snow. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she will teach either chemistry or biology in a rural high school. “I’ll also help development community-based projects depending on people’s needs. For Lesotho, it will likely comprise of AIDS education and awareness (since the country has over a 30% AIDS rate), and programs for women and girls to develop confidence and independence in a predominately male-dominated society.” The commitment to the Peace Corps is two-to-three months of language and skills training in the capital followed by two years at her post, which will likely be in an isolated village. The trip is scheduled to last from November 2009 through January 2012. Ho...

"Talk of the Town" By Bonni Brodnick P ut on your dancing shoes and tails and join the at their 7th annual fall benefit, “Top Hat & Cocktails,” at The Ritz-Carlton in White Plains on Friday, Oct. 30 from 7-9:30 p.m. The evening will honor Susan Maounis and Lisa Wysocki , two dedicated animal lovers who have been leaders in helping the SPCA save hundreds of animals. Chairman of the board since 2005 of this awesome organization is Pound Ridger Deb Mehne , who is, plain and simply, nuts for dogs. (But that’s a different story. Bobby Sue’s Nuts! is another one of her pet projects. As one of three partners of this sweet/savory, organic nut company, a portion of every dollar earned goes to helping build new animal shelters.) “The upcoming SPCA benefit invites both dogs and the people who love them to step out together for a special evening to benefit homeless and abused animals of Westchester County,” said Deb, who is mom of lucky dogs Stella, Henry and Ladybird....

By BONNI BRODNICK “ S inger Jody Sandhaus possesses an extraordinary vocal instrument and impeccable diction and phrasing…” wrote “JazzTimes Magazine” concert reviewer Thomas Conrad. Give a listen yourself with her glorious new CD, “Afterglow.” The newest work is 50-minutes of duet recordings featuring Jody singing with her husband, Pete Malinverni, playing piano. The CD achieves their intention to produce an intimate, loving recording for quiet moments. Included in the rhapsody are “I'm in Love Again,” “I Never Meant to Hurt You,” “Isn't It a Pity?” “In the Days of Our Love,” and “It's April Again.” “If you know my repertoire, you know that I looked deeper into the ‘Great American Songbook’ for these hidden jewels,” Jody said. Be the cool guy on your block by purchasing the “Afterglow” pre-release for $16. (It will be released officially in November.) Send a check to Jody Sandhaus, 241 Avenue of the Americas, #1C, New York, NY 10014, with instructions if you'd like t...