November 29, 2009

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

When Tom Andersen (Westchester Land Trust director of communications and special projects) and Gina Federico (graphic designer) learned that several mid-20th century Modern houses by well-known architects in New Canaan (a mecca of Modernism) and Westport were being threatened by demolition, they launched a blog to bring attention to their plight of these and other structures that represent an important era in architecture. Their hope is that more people will appreciate these homes and that the rush to tear them down and replace them with large, soul-less houses will be stemmed. Their interest also comes from the fact that they live in a modern house in Pound Ridge built in 1939 and singled out by the Museum of Modern Art in its “1940 Guide to Modern Architecture In the Northeast.”

We think of ‘modern’ as a sensibility rather than as a style,” said Gina, whose main interest is in finding contemporary examples of that sensibility. Her husband Tom’s main interest is historical.
“In Pound Ridge there are at least 24 Modern houses. All one has to do is drive down Eastwoods Road to see half-a-dozen of them,” she continued. “The best Modern houses are not too big, have well-proportioned rooms, good connections between the rooms, are energy-efficient, beautiful, unusual if not unique, and are connected to the land in a way that cookie-cutter development houses are not. We believe Moderns set a good example of how to build and live in a beautiful place WITH the land instead of just on it.” The Andersen/Federico blog on modern houses, architects and design gets more than 200 readers a day, and over the course of a month, spans readers from 50 countries. To learn more about the Modern heritage in our area, check out www.modernhousenotes.blogspot.com

On Friday, December 4, Jody Sandhaus, a jazz singer/recording artist commended for her amazing phrasing and a voice described as “subtle, sensitive and projecting a clear, emotional tone,” returns to Jazz at SoundWaters in Stamford to perform her favorites from the Great American Songbook. She will be accompanied by the formidable pianist Pete Malinverni and will introduce songs from her newest CD, Afterglow. Doors open at 7 p.m.; the show begins at 8 p.m. Tix are $25. Come hear the magic. To reserve, call 203-406-3336 or email soundbusiness@soundwaters.org.

Pound Ridge Elementary School is completely flipping out. Mark your calendars for the 5th Grade Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. This year’s theme is “Cloudy with a Chance of Pancakes.” A fun press release submitted to the “Talk of the Town” news desk reads, “The latest forecast confirms there will be a heavy ‘downpours’ of pancakes with possible ‘flash floods’ of syrup. This is an isolated storm only hitting PRES. By lunchtime, the clouds will clear and the storm will disappear. Don’t’ miss it! We won’t see another storm like this until next year!” For more information on the Pancake Breakfast, call the School at 764-8133.

Other dates to note: The Pound Ridge Women's Republican Club will collect Toys for Tots at Scotts Corner Market on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. They will also collect donations to the USO to support the troops overseas.
And . . . “Save the Date" for Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at the Pound Ridge Community Church Holiday Fair and Cookie Walk. The holiday bazaar features unique, handcrafted and handmade gifts. More on this event in next week’s column.

And finally, as we settle in to celebrate the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays with family and friends, let us not forget our valiant men and women serving our country during this time of war. The flags in the triangles and at the Town House remain at half-mast for a Pound Ridge son, Capt. Eric A. Jones, a Marine who grew up here and was killed in a midair helicopter collision on Oct. 26 in Afghanistan. We honor Eric for his patriotism, courage and heroism. He was due home this month and had plans to attend his 10-year reunion at Fox Lane High School. Many have mentioned that they would like to drop a line to Eric’s parents, Cyndy and Ken Jones. They can be reached at cjones28@comcast.net. Donations in his Eric’s honor can be made to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (www.semperfifund.org), which was created to provide financial assistance and quality of life solutions to support our wounded Marines and Sailors. This season, as we deck our homes with wreaths and lights, include an American flag to honor our soldiers.

No comments:

Blog Archive