Don’t Miss
Celebrate Your Inner Solstice
Restore your balance with nature at a drumming and fire ceremony, December 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Wainwright House. For reservations, call 967-6080.
New Year’s Day Register and Millennial Quilt
The Rye Historical Society is starting what it hopes will be a new tradition. They invite the community to the Square House between 12-3 p.m. on January 1 to sign the 2014 New Year’s Day Register. Stop in and record important data for the record — from the name of the street where you live to anecdotes on family life.
Visitors will also have a chance to view the Millennial Quilt, which has the names of families living in Rye on January 1, 2000.
Register Now
Rye Y Summer Camp registration for returning campers and their siblings begins January 7, for new campers January 14. Visit ryeycamp.org to peruse the camp guide.
Winter program registration begins January 15 for members, January 17 for non-members.
Save the Date
“Downton Abbey” Premiere Party
What will this new season bring for the Crawley family and the staff of “Downton Abbey”? The Rye Historical Society and The Osborn will once again host a special Girls’ Night Out event celebrating the Season 4 premiere, January 5 at The Osborn.
Beginning at 8 p.m. in the elegant drawing room, fans of the series will enjoy cocktails while viewing a selection of 1920s-era dresses and accessories from the collections of both the Rye Historical Society and The Osborn. At 9 p.m. attendees can take a seat in the adjacent theater for a big screen viewing of the premiere.
The event is free, but reservations are suggested. Call 967-7588.
Arts & Entertainment
Uplifting Exhibit
“Raising the bar,” an exhibit of works in pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, and watercolor on plaster/paper by Rye resident Kent Iarocci will be on display at the Rye library January 3-23.
An opening reception will be held January 4 from 1-3 p.m.
Also hanging at the library until January 4 is “Art within Nature,” an exhibit of photography by Robert Uricchio.
Coffeehouse Sunday
Warm up in January with the soulful sounds of the New Originals, January 5 from 2-4 p.m. at the Harrison Public Library. The show features acoustic and electric folk rock and pop music from the ’60s to the present.
WWII Film Series, Part II
Following the enthusiastic response to its World War II film series in September, the Rye Historical Society invites the public back to the Square House on two Sunday afternoons in January for two more classic and powerful films from that period.
Jerome (Jerry) Coleman, trustee and avid WWII buff, has selected two iconic films from that era. On January 12, the film is “12 O’Clock High” starring Gregory Peck. The story follows U.S. Army aircrews flying daylight bombing missions in the early days of America’s involvement in the war.
“The Best Years of Our Lives” will be featured on January 26. The winner of seven Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, and best actor (Frederic March), the film traces the stories of three U.S. servicemen readjusting to civilian life after coming home from the war.
Thanks to the brand-new video projector and large projection screen, the visual and audio quality for film screenings has been excellent — and the complimentary popcorn and soda pops are an added bonus.
The films will be shown starting at 2:30 p.m. both days. Cost is $5 per screening. Admission is free for veterans and active military service personnel.
Maker Movement Day
It’s Free Arts Day. New technologies for creating art and music will be on display, January 11 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. Maker Movement will provide demos and workshops featuring 3-D printing, Little Bits, Scratch music making, MineCraft, a free music school concert, and mini-exhibit by RAC instructors. Visit ryeartscenter.org.
RAC Members Show
The artistic talents of members of The Rye Arts Center will be on display through January 11. Over 30 works — drawings, paintings, clay sculptures, and photographs — by all ages will be featured.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The RAC will be closed December 21-January 1, reopening January 2.
Talks and Workshops
RFRR Reading Groups
The Rye library book groups have announced the selections for their next meetings. The next meeting of the Thursday Afternoon Group is January 2 at 1:15 p.m. The selection is “Secrets of Mary Bowser” by Lois Leveen.
The Friday Book Café selection is “Flora” by Gail Godwin. The session date is January 3 session at 9:30 a.m. Call 231-3161 for this meeting’s offsite location.
Do Tell
At the upcoming Rye Storytellers’ Guild meeting, the theme is “Warming Stories for a Cold Winter Night.” Listeners as well as tellers are welcome at the January 7, 6 p.m. session at the Rye library.
Finding Your Way on eBay
Learn more about selling on eBay, January 11 at 10 a.m. at the Rye library. Jennifer Stevens, a longtime eBay seller and certified education specialist, goes beyond the basics about starting a business on eBay, increasing sales with proven techniques, finding new sources of merchandise, opening an eBay store, and tracking your sales.
Kids’ Corner
RNC to the Rescue
Drop the kids off for a festive workshop at the Rye Nature Center while you finish your holiday errands and complete last-minute holiday prep, December 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Half-day or full day programs are available. Children staying the whole day should pack a lunch.
Daddy & Me Animal Show
Take part in an animal adventure, January 4 from 9:15-10 a.m. at the Rye Nature Center. Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members.
Snowy Story Hour
Ages 5 and up can listen to stories about snowmen and make a frosty craft, January 10 at 3:30 p.m. at the Rye library.
Special Ecology Club
Children with special needs and a family center can enjoy animal programs, hikes, and other science and sensory adventures, January 18 at 10 a.m. at the Rye Nature Center. There is no fee but pre-registration is required. For more information, e-mail christinesiller@ryenaturecenter.org.
Teen Times
Those Shining Sapphires
In 1968, four gutsy Australian Aboriginal women become unlikely stars by singing for the troops in Vietnam with the help of an R&B-loving musician. The Rye library invites teens to see “The Sapphires” (PG-13), the film inspired by this true story, January 2 at 3 p.m.
New RAC Vocal Group
NBC “The Voice” Director Evan Feist and award-winning NYMF Music Director Andrew Fox have created a RACappella Group at the Rye Arts Center. Classes begin January 9 or March 30, with performances March 13 and June 5. Visit ryeartscenter.org.
Over at the Harrison Library
Head to the Harrison Public Library this December for a variety of programs the whole family will enjoy.
Miss Bonnie will read stories for ages 3-5, December 23 at 10:30 a.m. Children can play Board Games at 4 p.m. in the Children’s Room.
Also at 4 p.m., watch “Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas”.
On December 24 at 10 a.m., spend an hour playing with the library’s LEGO collection.
Take part in a family workshop and learn the Art of Making and Playing Origami, December 27 at 10:30 a.m.
At 4 p.m., attend an Arts and Crafts Program specifically designed for children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration issues, or other special needs. Great for ages 3-5. To sign up, call 835-0324.
Superheroes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but now there is a new superhero in town and he is a bunny — Thumperino Superbunny!
Thumperino is the star character in the children’s book “Thumperino Superbunny and The Christmas Star Caper” by Amber L. Spradlin. Meet the author and listen to her fun tale, December 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Get Creative at the Rye Arts Center
The elves have been busy at the Arts Center. They are piloting an exciting an exciting array of programs designed to prepare future artists for the 21st century. They’re focusing on the STEAM movement begun by educators from the Rhode Island School of Design and other colleges, in which the arts are integrated to spark design creativity and innovation.
Registration is ongoing for art, music, dance and art classes for ages 4 and up at the Rye Arts Center. Registration is also now open for Winter & Spring School Recess classes, which run February 17-21 and April 14-18.
Classes include private, semi-private and group music lessons, parent and child music lessons in piano, guitar, and Suzuki violin and piano, painting, drawing, photography, fashion illustration, cartooning, Mine Craft, Little Bits, and teen Beat Boxing workshops.
Dance For Parkinson’s classes will be offered Wednesdays and Fridays starting January 8. This popular dance program for adults provides creative movement to enhance physical and spatial awareness and stimulating mind, body, and emotion. Classes are taught by professionally trained dancers and based on the acclaimed Mark Morris Dance for PD program started in Brooklyn.
The pre-K half-day for Half Pints program begins January 6. Participants explore the arts while developing cognitive, social, creative, and motor skills through drawing, painting, music, and creative movement. This multi-disciplinary arts curriculum provides an enriching educational experience as a stand-alone half-day morning or afternoon program, or as a companion program to augment and extend a pre-school day.
For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org.
The Great Outdoors
Winter Wildflower Arrangements
We have a few vases that are available for use, but we ask you to bring a vase of your own so we are sure to have enough for everyone. Learn to make a beautiful winter bouquet using dried plants, December 21 at 1 p.m. at the Read sanctuary. A donation of $5 is suggested and appreciated. Cookies and hot drinks will be provided.
Also, at 1 p.m. take a Winter Ecology Walk and explore the changing landscape at the Sanctuary. Refreshments to follow.
Marshland Happenings
Bring your work gloves at lend at hand at the Marshlands December 21 and January 4 from 1-3 p.m. at Marshlands. Join the Winter Feeder Watch, January 5 at 2 p.m.
School Vacation Camps
Rye’s organizations have planned a variety of activities to entertain children during the holiday school break.
Rye Free Reading Room
On December 23 at 2 p.m., ages 4 and up are invited to make Edible Gingerbread Houses with librarian Jess Centuori and her mom.
Programs about the Art and Science of Rainbows will be presented by artist Susan Ordahl for ages 5-7 on December 26 at 2 p.m., and for ages 8-11 on December 27 at 2 p.m. Pre-registration is required; call 231-3162.
No registration is necessary to see “Arthur Christmas” (PG) on December 27 at 3:30 p.m., or to attend Preschool Stories and Crafts at 11 a.m. on December 28.
Rye Nature Center
Pre-school and elementary school students can learn about nature in the winter and habits of local wildlife as the days grow colder, December 23, 26, 27, 30, and 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Per child cost is $60 for members, $70 non-members. Pre-registration is required; call 967-5150 or visit ryenaturecenter.org.
Rye Rec
At Golf Camp, children in grades K-8 can practice their swing and improve their game, December 27 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Osborn gym. Cost is $60 for residents, $70 non-residents.
Grades K-4 will create a special snowball that will never melt at Mad Science. Learn about the form of energy called heat and use it to create chemical changes in sugar crystals to make a cotton candy treat, December 27 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $55 for residents, $60 non-residents.
For more information, visit ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm or call 967-2535.
Rye Y
Ages 5-11 can review the fundamentals of basketball, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Basketball Camp. Participants will be grouped according to age and skill level.
Ages 5 and up can learn skills through drills, tumbling, and open workouts at Gymnastics Camp, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
For both camps: half-day fee is $50 for family members, $60 youth members, and $95 non-members. Full day fee is $70 for family members, $80 youth members, and $110 non-members.
Grades K-6 can participate in a variety of activities including sports, games, swimming, arts & crafts, science projects, field trips, and special events at Fun Club, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Per day cost is $65 for members, $80 non-members.
Camp dates are December 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, and January 2-3. For more information, visit ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
