Around Town 10-25-13

Just for Fun

Old School Poker

Make your way to the Knapp House for cards, spirits, smokes, and snacks, November 1 at 8 p.m. The Knapp House (c. 1667) is the oldest residential structure in Westchester, and home to the Rye Historical Society’s extensive collection of documents, photographs, and maps, some dating back to the earliest days of Rye’s settlement.

Entry is $60 (chips included). Proceeds go towards improvements of the historic building. RSVP to poker.ryehistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 967-7588.

To Your Health

Register Now

Rye Y’s Winter Session registration begins October 30 for members, November 1 for non-members. For a complete list of programs, visit ryeymca.org.

This Weekend

Kids Have All the Fun

The Rye Free Reading Room invites children ages 5 and up to Fun Club programs on Fridays at 3:30 p.m. Not-too-scary stories and a craft for Halloween will be featured on October 25, the movie “Monster U” (G) on November 8, and a program with Native American stories and a craft on November 22.

Tales for a Haunted Evening

Bring a flashlight, hot dogs, and your courage to Ghost Stories by the campfire, Friday at 6 p.m. at the Rye Nature Center. Listen to tales and poems about Westchester’s haunted forests, houses, and caves. Marshmallows will be provided. Cost is $10 for non-members.

Treasures — No Map Required

Bargains are in store at the semi-annual Rye Presbyterian Thrift Shop Sale at Rye Presbyterian Church, Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. You’ll find all your favorite items, many new ones among them. Don’t miss the designer handbag table and one brimming with Christmas and holiday decor.

Slightly larger items – small furniture and large toys – will be on display in the Assembly Room on the main floor of the church. All proceeds go to local charitable organizations.

Morning Forest Hike

Grab your boots and explore the Rye Nature Center forest, Saturday at 9:15 a.m. Cost is free for members, $10 for non-members.

Sit for SAT

Take a practice SAT exam before walking into the real thing at the Rye library, Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Test takers should bring water, a snack, pencils, and a calculator.

Ghosts & Ghouls Will Greet You at the Fair

The Osborn Scare Fair will be held October 26 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Osborn School grounds. Enjoy a jumping castle, body art, rock wall, games, prizes, cakewalk, photo booth, dunk tank, delicious food, and more.

Rye’s Literary Lights

Our town has a rich and varied literary history, which the Rye Free Reading Room’s shelves have offered for borrowing for a century. Celebrate the Literary History of Rye Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Rye library. Here’s your chance to meet the talented creators of some of the very books on its shelves. Find out how they craft their stories and what they have coming next.

Meet Doug Brunt, Bob Clyatt, Kevin Egan, Andrew Gross, Harold Holzer, David Kidder, Dinah Moche, Annabel Monaghan, Mitchell Silver, and Lee Woodruff.

Masquerade Ball

Dress up for Wainwright House’s annual benefit, Saturday from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a musical performance by the gifted young artists of The Mannes College and The New School for Music.

Wear a mask and cocktail attire. Tickets start at $125.

Y Fright Nights

Teens, in grades 6-8, can hang out with friends and enjoy a Halloween- themed night on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Entry is $5.

Halloween Part-Y

Come in costume and enjoy games, healthy refreshments, prizes, and lots of haunted fun at the Rye Y, Sunday from 2-4 p.m. All ages are welcome. Cost is $2 per child.

The Beauty of Marshlands

Attend an opening reception for “Pictured Memories,” the annual Marshlands Conservancy photo exhibit, Sunday at 2 p.m. Featured are photos taken at the sanctuary by amateur and professional photographers and visitors of all ages. The exhibit runs through December 8.

SPRYE Me to the Moon

SPRYE will hold a tribute to American Musical Theater, at the home of Isobel Perry, 7 Kirby Lane North, Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Enjoy a sing-along featuring all-time familiar favorites from 20th-century musicals. Lyrics and refreshments will be provided. For more information, e-mail director@sprye.org.

Rediscovering Milton Village

Howard Husock presents a talk on “From Mission to Meeting House: A Changing Chapel and the Lost Village of Milton,” Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Meeting House.

Hear about a time when the area was a bustling port, when Milton Road was named Main Street, and when the building we know as the Meeting House was Grace Chapel, affiliated with Christ’s Church. Learn about multiple generations of the Wainwright family, prominent and wealthy congregants of Christ’s Church who took a special interest in the welfare of the little chapel.

Wine and cheese will be served following the lecture. Cost is $10 per person.

For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com.

For a Good Cause

Super Bowl Champ, Take a Bow

The Auxiliary of St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester in Harrison will honor Michael Strahan, Super Bowl champion, Fox NFL Sunday analyst, and co-host of the television show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” at its 58th annual Luncheon and Fashion Show, November 7 at Westchester Country Club. Mr. Strahan will be honored for his charitable work on behalf of disadvantaged and sick children.

The event features a fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue of Greenwich, including Oscar de la Renta’s Children’s Collection.

Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased by calling 925-5401. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Vincent’s mental health and chemical dependency recovery services for children, adolescents, and adults.

Arts and Entertainment

The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow!

A cast of over 50 Rye Middle School students will perform the musical “Annie, Jr.” on November 1 and 2. Based on the classic storyline about a young girl living in an orphanage, the show portrays Annie’s journey and feature famous songs from the original production. Come out and enjoy an outstanding production.

Performances will be held in the Rye High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $5 and free for senior citizens.

Listen to a Lincoln Center Trio

The Westchester Chamber Music Society presents the Kafavian-Schub-Shifrin Trio November 3 at 4 p.m. at Congregation Emanue-El of Rye, 2125 Westchester Avenue.

These three amazing musicians are members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and create a trio with enormous chemistry. The program will vary from Milhaud to Khatchaturian to Schumann.

A wine and cheese reception follows the performance, where all are welcome to meet the artists. Seating is open. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $40. Students are always encouraged to attend free of charge.

Seeing Red in All its Beauty

Red Circle PhotoArts, a recently formed group of fine art photographers based in the metropolitan area, will have its first group exhibition, “Here, There, and Everywhere,” at The Rye Arts Center, November 2-27. An opening reception will be held November 8 from 6-8 p.m.

The exhibit includes a mix of landscapes, street photography, and abstracts.

Red Circle photographers have a wide range of experience and interests, and have worked in both film and digital formats. Their photographs have previously appeared in many solo and juried group exhibitions, and have been published in a variety of print and online media, including Photo Technique, Manhattan Magazine, Architectural Digest, Photographers’ Forum Magazine, and Stone Voices Magazine.

Derderian Display at Library

“New York City and Beyond” a show of recent work by Elizabeth B. Derderian is on display November 6-29 at the Rye library. A reception for the artist will be held, November 9 from 2-4 p.m. This is the tenth solo show for the award-winning painter, whose work can be seen locally on the cover of the March 2010 Rye Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Map, postcards of the Pearl Restaurant Group, and the walls of On the Way Café, Ruby’s, and Sotheby’s. Derderian thoroughly enjoys sharing her joy and skill of painting as a teacher at The Rye Arts Center.

Talks and Workshops

Holistic Medicine Series

Next up in the ongoing health series at the library is a program on “Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia,” November 2 at 10 a.m. Dr. Kurt Waples, of Larchmont Wellness, will offer ways to diminish pain as well as lifestyle strategies to live pain-free.

Storytellers Dig In

Join the Rye Storytellers’ Guild to share traditional and personal tales and trade tips on storytelling techniques, November 5 at 6 p.m. The next meeting’s theme is “Digging into Our Ethnic Treasure Trove of Folktales.”

Pageturners

The Rye Free Reading Room book groups have announced the selections for their next meetings. The Thursday Afternoon Group’s book for its November 7, 1:15 p.m., meeting is Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw.”

The Friday Book Café title for its November 8, 9:30 a.m., session is “The Family” by Mario Puzo. Call the library at 231-3161 for this meeting’s offsite location.

LinkedIn Primer

At the next Lives in Transition meeting, learn tips and gain information on LinkedIn, November 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Rye Presbyterian Church. Brian Tietje, Strategic Account Executive for LinkedIn, will provide an insider’s view. A national speaker and expert, Tietje will explain the power of this popular and important global professional network.

Connect to trusted contacts and exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities.

RSVP to livesintransition@gmail.com.

The Sellers’ Site

Review the basics of selling on eBay, November 9 at 10 a.m. at the Rye library. Learn about opening a seller’s account, researching your items, creating listings, improving descriptions and photography, setting prices, opening a PayPal account, and completing your transactions.

Jennifer Stevens, a longtime eBay seller and eBay certified Education Specialist, will lead the workshop.

The Real Downton Abbey

Learn the history of Highclere Castle at the Jay Heritage Center, November 10 from 3-5 p.m. Although famous today as the country house depicted in the television series “Downton Abbey,” the Berkshire castle has a rich and fascinating history that goes far beyond its television fame.

Home, since 1672, of the Herbert family, later Earls of Carnarvon, the current English Renaissance Revival house was built in the early 19th century by architect Charles Barry. Highclere is famous as the home of the 5th Earl, who financed the 1922 expedition that discovered the tomb of King Tut. (The Earl’s sudden death, after discovering the tomb, led to the legend of “The Curse of the Mummy.”)

The 5th Earl’s wife, Lady Almina, the illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild, also brought great prominence to Highclere. Through the generosity of her natural father (one of the richest men in late 19th-century England), she was a pioneer of military hospitals and set standards of care that are followed today.

Architectural historian Curt DiCamillo will explore Highclere Castle, linking it to other Victorian country houses, and explaining how the fictional Downton plotline has unexpected connections to Highclere’s history.

For more information, visit jaycenter.org.

Take Me to the Internet

Take part in a two-part workshop on Internet Basics, November 14 and 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Rye library. Learn to use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and review security and privacy issues. E-mail basics in the new and old Microsoft programs will be covered including set-up and sending, receiving and downloading attachments.

NY’s Finest: Drug Awareness

At the next “Heard in Rye” talk, Tom Grimes, a 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, will speak with teens and their parents on drug use awareness, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Rye High School. A regular speaker in and around the Rye community, Grimes has years of experience speaking on Internet and drug and alcohol awareness.

Tellabration Storytelling Event

The annual worldwide gathering will be commemorated locally at the Rye library November 16 at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Rye Storytellers’ Guild, the event will be dedicated to the memory of Diane Wolkstein, a noted international storyteller and tale collector who died earlier this year.

Along with tales told by members of the Guild, guest teller Melissa Heckler will share personal remembrances and a story from Diane Wolkstein’s story chest. Heckler was a protégé of Wolkstein’s and is a beloved Westchester teller.

Family Ties

Family Spingo Night

Children (in grades 2 and up) and their parents can play Bingo and enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner, November 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Rye Rec. Several variations of Bingo will be played for a variety of prizes. Cost is $14 per person. To register, call 967-2535.

Teen & Tween Times

Garage Band Tuneup

This fall, RyeTV is offering several free classes in the Rye High School TV studio. High School students, bring your electric guitar or use keyboards and mics to create music with Garage Band software. The workshops will be offered November 4 and 6 from 6:30-8 p.m. and November 18 and 20, same time.

Soap Up Some Knowledge

Learn about all soapmaking and make some fancy bars to take home, November 16 at 2 p.m. at the Rye library. Westchester artist Susan Ordahl explains the different methods and ingredients for making and shaping soap and shows participants how to create their own soap leaves and petals to take home.

Space in the workshop is limited; register by calling 231-3172.

Children’s Corner

Come in Costume

The Rye library invites ages 4 and up to join the Library Witches for some Halloween fun, October 29 at 6 p.m. Wear your costume, make a trick-or-treat bag, and parade through the library collecting goodies to take home. Pre-registration is required for this event; call 231-3162.

Just Daddy & Me Animal Show

Stop by the Rye Nature Center for an animal adventure, November 2 from 9:15-10 a.m. Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members.

Puppetry Participation

Puppeteer Ronald Sopyla will combine storytelling and shadow puppetry to present “The Other Side of the Jungle,” November 2 at 2 p.m. at the Rye library. Journey through a jungle in this performance of a tale from India told with a mix of Indonesian and Chinese puppets. The whole family will enjoy this audience participation event.

Elect an Animal President

Children in grades K-5 can join the Rye Nature Center on Election Day and elect a new RNC animal president, November 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will learn all about how animals adapt to their local environment.

Cost is $60 for members, $70 non-members. Pre-registration is required; call 967-5150.

Save the Date

Avian Artistry

Attend an opening night fundraiser for “On the Wing: Birds of the Bird Homestead and Meeting House,” an exhibit of 55 photographs by Nadia Valla, November 16 at the Meeting House. Valla has photographed almost all the bird species, which have been documented by naturalist Alison Beall on the two sites.

Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets start at $75 per person; a portion of which is tax-deductible. For more information, email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com or call 967-0099.

Pottery Show & Sale

The Hudson River Potters will show and sell their wares at the Rye library, November 22 from 2-5 p.m. and November 23 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hudson River Potters was formed over 30 years ago with the goal of sharing strategies, technical insights, failures and triumphs in an atmosphere rich in creative energy. The potters are guided by the recognition that sharing can only benefit all. Techniques may be borrowed, glaze recipes may be traded, forms may be mimicked, visions may inspire, but the hands and heart of the individual potter invariably lend a unique stamp.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rye Free Reading Room.

For more information, call 231-3161.

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