The Toast of Rye
The Rye Youth Council’s Most Valuable People Gala will be held January 26 at 7 p.m. at Westchester Country Club. Joe DeRuvo, Rev. Dan Love, and Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. will be honored for their incredibly generous and ongoing contributions to Rye youth.
DeRuvo has been involved in the Rye City Schools since 1969. He began his teaching career at Osborn School. Twenty-three years ago, he moved from Osborn to Rye Middle School, at first as a permanent assistant to the principal. Soon, his title was changed to Dean of Students, and then to Assistant Principal.
While working in the Rye City School District, DeRuvo has participated in many different endeavors, becoming part of the storytelling workshop for Rye teachers, appearing in school theatrical productions both at Osborn and Rye High. DeRuvo joined the Rye Youth Council Board as the community representative for Rye Middle School over 20 years ago and continues in the role today. He joined the Rye Youth Council Players and loved the opportunity to be “on stage.” He is a father, grandfather, and well-respected and much-loved member of the Rye community.
Rev. Love has been the Associate Pastor at Rye Presbyterian Church since 1997. In addition to working with the senior pastor to tend to the worship and pastoral care of the church, he has primary responsibility for the confirmation class. For many years, Love was the leader of the middle school youth group, and has served on youth mission trips from the church to Honduras, Kentucky, New York City, and New Orleans.
He also works closely with the Board of Deacons, the Stephen ministry care giving team, and the Mission and Outreach Committee. Within the larger community, Love has been an active participant, frequently seen coaching his children, or participating in various community endeavors, joining with a number of Rye Youth Council programs, such as Community Conversations. Prior to coming to Rye, he served as a chaplain at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. The Loves have three children.
Kid’s S.P.A.C.E. was created by Rye parents in 1994 to meet the childcare needs of the Rye elementary school age population and provide an affordable and reliable, high quality program of childcare and enrichment. It is a not-for-profit, user funded, school-based, community organization providing programs at Osborn School and the Rye YMCA.
The program is open to any child in elementary school in the Rye City School District and currently serves over 160 children, many of whom are from single and/or dual-career families. The flexible time schedule ensures that the child who needs care once a week, once a month, or once a year has the same opportunity to use the program as the child who needs care on a daily basis.
Since its inception, Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. has served over 1,500 children, through its three components: Breakfast Club and After Kindergarten and After School programs. All of the programs encourage self-confidence and self-expression, as well as responsibility, decisionmaking, and respect for others.
Tickets to the gala, which include cocktails, dinner, dancing, and an auction, are available at the Rye Youth Council Office at the Rye Y, 2nd floor. For more information, call 967-3838 or visit ryeyouthcouncil.org.
Save the Date
Wall-to-Wall Excitement
The Woman’s Club of Rye Annual Rug Sale, held in partnership with Caravan Connection, a fine rug purveyor, will be held, February 9 and 10 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Rye Middle School. Mike McRee and his wife Mary Lynn will be on hand for the entire weekend offering their expert advice on style, type, and size of rug. The rugs are of high quality, mostly hand-knotted, in styles ranging from contemporary and transitional to traditional.
Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon
The Rye Nature Center’s annual event will be held, February 9 from 12-3 p.m. Activities include a bonfire, guided hikes, arts & crafts, maple sugaring demonstrations, and a log-sawing competition.
Don’t Miss
Start Planning Your Summer Now
Rye Y summer camp registration for returning campers and their siblings is ongoing; open registration begins January 14.
Winter/Spring program registration begins January 16 for members, January 18 for non-members.
To register, call 967-6363 or visit ryeymca.org.
This Weekend
For Young Snow Lovers
Ages 5 and up can listen to stories about snow and make a frosty craft, Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the Rye library. Call 231-3162.
DJ Night
Fifth graders can show off their best moves at Rye Rec, Friday from 7-8:45 p.m. Attendees can also play pool and Guitar Hero.
Refreshments will be served. Cost is $20 for residents, $25 non-residents.
Blood Drive
Community Synagogue of Rye and Congregation Emanu-el of Westchester, in conjunction with White Plains Hospital, will hold a blood drive, Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Community Synagogue. Donors must be 16 years or older (with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Individuals ages 76 and over may donate with a doctor’s note. All donors should eat a meal before giving blood. Call 681-1056.
A Life in Pictures
An opening reception for “Life Story,” an exhibit of work by Eli Serfaty, will be held at the Rye library, Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The artist, who was born in Morocco and emigrated to Israel as a child, is noted for his use of media inspired by ancient techniques, such as fresco and etching, and their application to modern themes.
The show will be up all month.
A Noteworthy Brunch
Attend a Jazz Brunch featuring The Gary Adamson Trio, Sunday from 12-3 p.m. at Wainwright House. Food and wine provided by Corner Stone Caterers and Wine at Five.
Tickets are $45 per person. Reservations are required; call 967-6080.
Talks and Workshops
The Health of Our Health Care
What can be done to save our broken medical system? A film and discussion will be held January 15 at 6 p.m. at the Rye library. “Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare” examines the powerful forces trying to maintain the status quo in a medical industry designed for quick fixes rather than prevention, for profit-driven care rather than patient-driven care.
After decades of resistance, a movement to bring innovative low-cost methods of prevention and healing into our high-tech, costly system is finally gaining ground. The film follows dramatic human stories as well as leaders fighting to transform healthcare at the highest levels of medicine, industry, government, and even the U.S. military.
Following the viewing, Dr. Henri Roca, Medical Director of the Integrative Medicine Program at Greenwich Hospital, will discuss the film’s pressing issues. A Diplomat of both the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Holistic Integrative Medicine, Dr. Roca provides both primary care and consultation services across all ages.
This program is co-sponsored by Greenwich Hospital. For more information, call 231-3161.
Creating a Photo-worthy Garden
Photographer Rich Pomerantz will give a lecture on “Art in the Garden” January 24 at 11 a.m. at the Rye library. The talk covers the use and placement of objects and will be accompanied by Pomerantz’s own slides of art and ornament in gardens ranging from the grand and historic to the mundane and personal.
A specialist in garden photography, Pomerantz’s images have appeared in such periodicals as Garden Design, Traditional Home, Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Organic Gardening, and Outdoor Photographer.
iPad 101
Are you the lucky owner of a new iPad? Learn its basic setup and how to use it for email and the Internet, January 17 or 24 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Rye library. Downloading and using apps, books, and music will also be covered. Attendees should bring their iPads to class.
Enhance Your Golden Years
At the next “Heard in Rye” meeting, Dr. Karl A. Pillemer will discuss his book, “30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans”, and give advice on living for people ages 70 and beyond, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. at The Osborn. An internationally renowned gerontologist, Dr. Pillemer’s research examines how people develop and change throughout their lives. He has written five books and over 100 scientific publications, and speaks throughout the world on aging-related issues.
Coping with Deer
The Committee to Save the Bird Homestead presents “Coping with Deer in the Garden and Landscape,” a lecture and book signing by well-known horticulturalist and garden writer Ruth Rogers Clausen, January 26 at 3 p.m. at the Meeting House. The program was postponed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which left the Meeting House without power.
Clausen is the author of “50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants: The Prettiest Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, and Shrubs that Deer Don’t Eat”. She will offer expert advice on how to have a successful garden, while coexisting with deer.
The gardening programs presented by the Bird Homestead honor the tradition of horticultural and landscape expertise represented by Henry Bird and his daughter Alice Bird Erikson.
Admission is $5 per person at the door. For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com or call 967-0099.
Arts and Entertainment
Seasonal Scenes
Harrison Council for the Arts presents “Winter Grays”, paintings by Ruth O. Carlucci, at the Harrison Public Library through January 26. The abstract, mixed media paintings were inspired by the muted palette of winter. The materials used are fast drying, transitory, and mutable.
For more information, call 835-0324.
Our Talented Artists to Put on a Show
An opening reception for the Rye Arts Center’s Student and Member Art Show will be held January 13 from 3-5 p.m. Pieces in a variety of media were submitted by students, loyal members, and patrons. Works include oils, pastels, watercolor, photography, sculpture, ceramics, prints, jewelry, and textiles.
The exhibit runs through January 26. Gallery hours are Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Kids’ Corner
Wild Outside Workshops
Grades K-5 can explore the outdoors on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. through February 26 at the Rye Nature Center. The per class fee is $20 for members, $30 non-members.
Spend an afternoon with the RNC critters, January 15. Pet, hold, and feed the animals that live within the nature center.
Put your detective skills to work by participating in a nature scavenger hunt, January 22. Various clues will lead children throughout the grounds.
Search for critters that blend in with their environment, January 29. On a hike of the grounds, learn how many animals camouflage themselves with their surroundings.
The Adventures of Hannah!
Meet children’s book author Linda Petrie Bunch, January 19 at 2 p.m. at the Rye Library. Learn about the books she has written and illustrated with photographs of Hannah, her Bernese Mountain pup. “A Snow Day for Hannah” and “A Beach Day for Hannah” follow the young dog’s adventures as she romps through spectacular scenery in playful stories with rollicking rhyme schemes.
Children can also make a doggie craft and visit with a mystery guest!
Petrie Bunch has loved — and been loved by — Bernese Mountain dogs for more than 20 years. In Colorado, she and Hannah travel around the state reading at Boys & Girls Clubs. A portion of the proceeds from her books, which will be available at the library for purchase and signing, benefits the Clubs.
“Boys & Girls Clubs provide amazing opportunities for children to expand their horizons and I’m honored to be able to help this cause,” said Bunch.
School’s Out
Children in grades K-6, enjoy the school holiday at the Rye Y’s Fun Club, January 21 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $60 for members, $75 non-members.
On the Library’s Big Screen
Age 5 and up can see “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” (PG), January 25 at 3:30 p.m. Everybody’s favorite wimp, Greg Heffley, is back for three times the fun in the latest film based on the popular book series.
Teen & Tween Times
Game On!
Play Wii games on the library’s big screen January 18 from 3:15-5 p.m. Whether you’re a sports, action, or karaoke fan, the library has lots to choose from. Snacks will be provided.
Babysitting Training
Ages 11-15 can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly care for children, January 12 and 19 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Rye Rec. Participants will develop leadership skills and learn how to develop a business. Basic first aid will also be covered.
Fee is $100. Must attend both sessions. To register, call 967-2535.
Party Time at the Rec
Sixth graders can join their friends on the dance floor at DJ Night at Rye Rec, January 25 from 7-8:45 p.m. Also, enjoy playing pool and Guitar Hero.
Refreshments will be served. Cost is $20 for residents, $25 non-residents.
Beat-Boxing
Take a crash course in beat-boxing and vocal percussion techniques, January 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. Evan Feist (vocal coach for NBC’s “The Voice”) and Andrew Fox will teach teens how to craft an improvisational performance-ready jam on the spot. Fee is $30.
Commercials, Ads, & Fads
Ages 8 and up can learn how to create the words, product name, advertising, and packaging that sells products, January 26 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. Participants will create promotions for their favorite products or their own invention. Fee is $15.
The Great Outdoors
Winter Survival Series
The whole family can learn to construct a shelter made out of all natural materials, January 20 at 2 p.m. at the Marshlands Conservancy.
To Your Health
Senior Stretch
SPRYE is offering a self-healing Tai Chi class, January 16 from 3-4:30 p.m. at Wainwright House. The program is free.
Yoga for All
The Rye Y and Wainwright House are once again co-sponsoring yoga classes.
Focus on practices and poses, appropriate for all levels of flexibility, that help open the shoulders, January 17.
Experience a variety of meditation techniques and styles, January 24. Learn how to develop a regular meditation practice at home.
Sessions run from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at Wainwright. Free for Y members.
Family Caregivers Group
The Rye Y and Wainwright House co-sponsor a support group for family caregivers. The next meeting is January 19 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Wainwright. The group offers guidance, healing, and hope on how to make the most of the experience without losing yourself in the process.
Receive information on resources to help you in your role as a caregiver. Each meeting includes a guided relaxation meditation and stress-release exercises. Light refreshments will be served.
Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members. For more information, call 967-6363.
