How’s everyone doing with the New Year? Are you settled into your new regime of exercising every day, eating more vegetables and at least three fruits a day, going to sleep earlier; trying to figure out the difference between Kindle and Nook; and why, in short haircuts, Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder look like twins separated at birth? By putting an end to saying how strange it is to say/write “2011,” you are on your way to a brilliant New Year.
You live. You learn. Pound Ridge Library’s Adult Learning Center is gearing up to offer an evening of winter mini-courses called “How to Read Fiction.” Robert DiYanni, an adjunct professor of humanities and a senior lecturer at New York University, teaches courses in writing, literature, critical thinking and interdisciplinary humanities. He has taught English and humanities for four decades at a number of universities— including Pace City University of New York and Harvard. Dr. DiYanni — a former Pound Ridger and now of Bedford — is also author/editor of a slew of books, primarily for college students, including “Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities” (Prentice Hall; “Modern American Poets” (McGraw), a text to accompany the PBS television series, “Voices and Visions.” The course at the Library will teach/inspire you to embrace reading fiction as one of life’s greatest pleasures. “It offers suspense and surprise, conflict and resolution, expectations aroused and satisfied, delayed or possible frustrated,” Dr. DiYanni wrote. “Fiction also offers pleasures of language and form, meaning and feeling, image and idea.” Bring your thinking caps. The meetings will be interactive and engaging, as perceptions and perspectives of provocative pieces of fiction are shared. Clear the calendar for Tuesday evenings: Jan. 11 and 18, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. There is no fee, but registration is required, as class size is limited. Call the Library at 764-5085 for more information.
While most of the trees in Pound Ridge are dormant at this time of year, artist and printmaker Sally Frank brings their images alive with “Tree Work,” her new one-woman exhibition of etchings, monoprints and monotypes of trees and woodland landscapes. “I attempt to convey the distinctive beauty, energy and sense of balance found in nature,” Sally said. “In today’s busy world, nature has become remote and is of little relevance. Few and few people have the opportunity to stand in the midst of an old forest; to hear the rustle of leaves in the wind, high in the canopy; to see sunlight filtered through the intricate patterns of leaves and branches; and to feel the stillness of an old forest.” The new work to be presented in “Tree Work” illustrates Sally’s exceptional talent with the solar plate and intaglio print process. Come meet the artist at the exhibit’s opening reception at Pound Ridge Library Gallery on Sunday, Jan. 9 from 3-6 p.m.
Mary Moat took the cake this week as townsfolk gathered at Conant Hall to celebrate her 100th birthday. Regaled for decades for her elegance, generosity, graciousness, thoughtfulness and civic-mindedness, Mary was surrounded by friends as she welcomed in her new century. As one of the stars in the book, “Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of our Townsfolk,” Mary talked about coming to Pound Ridge in 1949 as a young mother. “The town was small with only 800 people. Everyone knew everyone else and all of the kids played together.” It was a time when Lower Shad Road had not been paved, and “… Long Ridge Road was a joy. There was no traffic. It was before 684 and it was a beautiful easy road.” A founding member of the Pound Ridge Historical Society, Mary has been involved in practically every club and committee in town, from the Pound Ridge Landmarks Commission to the Pound Ridge Garden Club. Her stance on community service has long been clear: “If you come here and love Pound Ridge, you should be willing to give something of yourself to the town.” As we all start our New Year, we send Mary our most heartfelt Happy Birthday wishes.
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