Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
<<Over the Weekend>>
Whistle While You Work
Join the volunteer corps at Read Sanctuary Saturday at 10, and give back to Mother Nature, and get fit at the same time. Help is needed with invasive vine removal, trail work, and beach cleanup.
Armchair Art Travel
Take a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cloisters at the Rye library Saturday from 10-12. Dr. Michael Norris, who spent 20 years at the Met Cloisters, will share his knowledge and love of medieval masterpieces.
In the Spirit
Wainwright House is holding its annual Boutique and Crafts event on Saturday from 10-4. The festivities include crafts for kids, holiday gift shopping, Christmas carolers, and musical entertainment.
For more information, visit wainwright.org.
Hear Them Sing
Holiday music will fill The Rye Arts Center at student and instructor recitals on Saturday and Sunday from 1-6.
Symphony Soloist
Come hear the music of violinist Akiko Kobayashi at the Rye library on Saturday from 2-3. The New York-born musician has appeared in various symphony orchestras and international music festivals. She has performed in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.
Of Thee They Sing
Families can celebrate and keep warm at Rye Recreation Park’s magical holiday show at 4 and bonfire with sing-a-long at 5.
Together with the Rye Police Association, Rye Rec is supporting the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Bring new, unwrapped books and toys for underprivileged children in the Westchester area.
The event is free and fun for all ages.
<<In a Holiday Mood>>
Dear Santa
Rye Recreation’s mailbox on the corner of Elm Place and Purchase Street will deliver letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole through December 14. Santa will answer as many letters as possible. No stamp necessary, but a return address is required.
Catch a Rising Czar
The Little Garden Club of Rye will host its annual holiday boutique and luncheon at Apawamis Club December 8 starting at 10. The guest speaker is the “Czar of Christmas,” Chistopher Radko, who designed glass ornaments for 25 years before focusing his talents on home and garden design.
Featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, Radko has also appeared on many national television programs, including “Oprah Winfrey Show.”
The boutique is open to the public. To purchase luncheon tickets, contact Cheryl Adler at cherylmadler@yahoo.com. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser will go to support the maintenance of six civic sites in Rye, including the Knapp House and the train station.
Celebrate in Style
Wainwright House is ringing in the holidays with a cocktail reception and dinner on December 8 from 7-10. Along with a silent auction, there will be scrumptious cuisine by Corner Stone Caterers and entertainment by Gary Adamson.
Reservations are required at wainwright.org or by calling 967-6080. Tickets are $65 per person for members, $75 non-members.
For Kids from One to Ninety-Two
The Jay Heritage Center is hosting its annual John Day Birthday Bash and Holiday Open House December 9 from 2-5. Held in the 1838 Jay House, the festivities include <a capella> singing with the Yale Spizzwinks, candlelit tours, and plenty of holiday activities and treats.
Free for JHC members, $10 non-members.
Getting Ornamental
Make paper quilled holiday ornaments at the Rye library December 9 from 3-4:30. Quilling is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create designs. The technique comes in handy this time of year.
North Pole Connection
Santa has made special arrangements with Rye Recreation to telephone your child, ages 3-7, at home on December 11 or 12 from 6-8.
Register at ryeny.gov/recreation2.cfm by the evening of December 5. Santa will do his best.
Holly, Jolly Puppetry
Enjoy a holiday treat at the Square House Museum December 16 at 1. The Robert Rogers Puppet Company will present “It’s a Jolly Holiday,” a winter wonderland with penguins, a snowman, elves, and toys that features the music of American composer Leroy Anderson.
The company has been creating and performing a repertoire of original puppet plays with humor and song all over the world for more than 30 years.
The fee is $10 per person. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Call 967-7588.
Let it Glow, Let it Glow
Create wonderful decorations for the holidays at a workshop at the Rye Nature Center December 16 at 1. Make your own colorful candles to use this holiday season or all year round.
The fee is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Miracle on Purchase Street
Carolers of all ages are welcome at a holiday sing-a-long at the Square House December 16 at 4. Songbooks, as well as hot chocolate and cookies, will be on hand.
Messiah Matinee
The Rye library presents a screening of “Handel’s Messiah” on December 18 from 12-1:30. This authentic production with world-renowned soloists, 40 instrumentalists, and a chorus of all ages was recorded for television at Westminster Abbey in 1982.
<<Arts & Entertainment>>
Community Creations
Explore the works of Rye Arts Center members, beginners and professionals alike, from December 9-January 6. An opening reception will be held December 9 from 1-3.
Walk Like an Egyptian
Take a virtual stroll through the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Egyptian art at the Rye library December 16 from 10-12. Discover the banks of the Nile, Egyptian culture, tombs, mummies, temples, and sculpture with art historian Michael Norris.
<<Talks, Workshops, & Just for Fun>>
A Bite of the Apple
The Rye library is holding an iPhone session December 7 from 10-12. Gain a better understanding of basic settings and options of Apple’s latest operating system iOS 11. Learn to text, place calls on hold, use WiFi to reduce phone charges, and set up voicemail.
A second session on December 14 from 10-12 will cover the iPhone’s camera, iTunes, Amazon Kindle, and more.
Bring your fully charged iPhones to class.
Family Practice
Holistic Moms presents a program on Homeopathy and Functional Medicine by Dr. Susanne Saltzman December 7 from 7:30-9 at the Rye library. Dr. Saltzman, who has been practicing for 25 years, incorporates both homeopathy and functional medicine to treat acute and chronic conditions in adults and children.
Busy but Balanced
A Chakra workshop at Wainwright House, December 9 from 2-4, will help restore balance during this busy season. Yoga and aromatherapy will instigate deep and lasting healing.
Instructor Sandhi Ferreira has been practicing Jivamukti yoga for over 20 years. The fee is $35 for members, $40 non-members.
Celestial Coverage
Local astronomer Paul Alimena will give a free talk, courtesy of SPRYE, at Wainwright House December 13 from 3-4:30. Learn more about the great eclipse of August 21, 2017.
Free Speech
The Rye Free Reading Room’s Current Events Book Group meets December 14 from 6:30-8 to discuss “The Soul of the First Amendment” by Floyd Abrams. The noted lawyer and award-winning legal scholar is an expert in First Amendment issues. His lively, powerful book examines the degree to which American law protects free speech.
The Original Game of Thrones
Meet the author of “Jerusalem Throne Games: Bible Story Battles after the Death of David” at the Rye Free Reading Room December 16 from 2-4. In his new book, Peter Feinman explores the political battle for power to succeed David and provides analysis of stories from the Book of Genesis.
Feinman is the founder of the Institute of History, Archaeology, and Education, a nonprofit organization that provides enrichment programs for schools.
Heart Healthy
Join the Rye YMCA for a free nutrition seminar December 20 from 11:30-12:30. The focus will be on cardiovascular health.
For more information, email elana@ryeymca.org.
<<The Great Outdoors>>
Crystal Clear
Explore how snow falling from the sky forms at the Rye Nature Center December 9 at 1. Learn how every crystal is unique and then make your own snow.
Suggested for ages 5 and up. The cost is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Winter Wildflowers
Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a floral arrangement workshop December 9 at 1. Bring your own vase and make a festive centerpiece for the holidays using dried plants and natural objects from the sanctuary.
The cost is $5.
Nature’s Many Layers
Discover how plants, trees, and animals survive the freezing winter months at Read Sanctuary on December 16 at 1. Bundle up for an ecological discussion on a leisurely stroll through the property.
<<Teen Time>>
In the Loop
Learn how to make a scarf to wear or give to a special someone at a crochet workshop at the Rye library December 5 from 6:30-7:45. Maureen Amaturo will teach ages 12 and up the basic chain stitch and more.
Bring a skein of yarn in a color you like and crochet hooks in size G or H. Register at ryelibrary.org.
The Third Dimension
Discover the world of 3D programming with Alice, an innovative program with interactive graphics, at the Rye library December 14 from 6:30-7:45. Instructor Austin Olney will make it easy to create animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share.
Register at ryelibrary.org.
<<Children’s Corner>>
STEAMy Stuff
Grades K-2 are invited to join the Rye Free Reading Room’s librarians in the STEAM lab where literacy meets science on December 8 from 4-5. Read a book together and engage in a related hands-on activity.
Grades 3-5 can meet at the STEAM lab December 22 from 4-5. They’ll read “Ada’s Ideas” by Fiona Robinson and then participate in an inquiry-based activity.
Register at ryelibrary.org.
