HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
Fossils 101 at the Bird Homestead & Meeting House Conservancy
Carl Mehling, one of the American Museum of Natural History’s esteemed paleontologists and preeminent scholar on Roland T. Bird, will host his final session, “Tracking a Dinosaur Tracker Through Texas,” on May 11 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Meeting House. This session will cover Roland T. Bird’s significance to paleontology through his work in Texas in 1938 and 1940. Cost: free.
Witness Stones Ceremony
Join Rye High School and the School of the Holy Child for the Second Annual Witness Stones Memorialization and Public Ceremony to honor the memory of individuals who were enslaved in this community. The ceremony will be held at the Rye Historical Society Knapp House on Friday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. This year, the ceremony focuses on Peg Lyon, a significant figure in Rye’s history, whose granddaughter, Teresa Vega, is a board member of the Rye Historical Society. The ceremony will include the installation of a wit-ness stone for Lyon, with remarks from Vega, and School of the Holy Child staff and students who studied her life. This act of remembrance serves as a poignant reminder of our shared history. RSVPs are appreciat-ed. Please register on the events page of ryehistory.org. Cost: free.
CELEBRATE THE ARTS
One Theme, One Composition
The Rye Arts Center is showcasing the artwork of Rye High School students from three advanced level courses including AP, Advanced Painting and Drawing, and Advanced Studio in Mixed Media. The work of 26 student artists will be on display in the main gallery at Rye Arts Center from May 9 to May 24. Cost: free.
FAN-tastic Butterflies Exhibit/Craft Activity
To mark the opening of the Rye’s Above FAN-tastic Butterflies public art exhibit on Saturday, May 18, fun activities for the whole family will be available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This fundraiser, co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rye and the Rye Arts Center aims to “uplift the community through the arts while supporting educational programs in the region.”
View the Butterfly sculpture installations on the Village Green created by various artists. The sale of these sculptures supports scholarships for local students.The exhibit aims to celebrate the beauty and symbolic nature of butterflies, both in the Victorian era and in contemporary art installations. A paper fan-making arts and crafts activity is available in the Square House Council Room. This workshop invites children and adults to delve into the art of paper fan making, and provides a hands-on experience that connects participants with the historical and communicative aspects of fan use. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and practice the subtle signals and secret language of fan gestures, a form of non-verbal communication that was popular in Victorian times. Visitors can sign up in advance online at ryehistory.org. Walk-ins are welcome. Cost: Free.
Back to the Garden 1969 Outdoor Concert
On May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m., Rye Recreation will host its second free outdoor concert in the amphitheater in Rye Recreation Park. Bring food and drinks and set up a picnic or treat yourself to the a slice of brick-oven pizza from the Arthur Ave Food Truck. Recreating the classic sounds of Woodstock, the performance will feature songs from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and more and feature the musicianship of Rye resident Gary Adamson. Music fans of all ages are welcome, so bring the whole family. Cost: Free.Day Trippers – Broadway AdventureLimited spots are available for the Rye Y Day Trippers excursion to see a new musical, Water for Elephants, on Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. Travel by train or carpool into New York City. Enjoy lunch before the show at Juniors in Time Square Transportation and lunch not included in the ticket price. For more information, contact barbara@ryeymca.org or Denise at denise@ryeymca.org. Cost: $118 per ticket (does not include transportation.)Nature Studio for 6th-9th GradersOn May 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the Nature Center will offer a painting class designed for artists of any skill level as long as they are in sixth to ninth grade. The workshop will challenge artists to capture various blooms while socializing and enjoying a treat. Rye Nature Center will provide the supplies. Drop off program. Pre-registration required. Cost: $25 per child.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Marsh Madness
Join outdoor educators for the final two classes in the Meeting House & Bird Homestead Conservancy’s Marsh Madness series. On May 16, Captain George Klein will teach a class called Knots & Nots. Doug Carey of the Bird Homestead & Meeting House Conservancy will lead a program on May 23 entitled Ambassadors of the Estuary. These programs are held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Meeting House. Cost: free.
Hide and Seek
Join the Friends of Rye Nature Center team on Friday, May 17 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a large group session of hide and seek in the Rye Nature Center forest. Children will be assigned a team and work together to both hide and seek the other group. This is a drop off program. Pre-registration is required through the website ryenaturecenter.org. Cost: $15 per child.
Pond Investigations
Visit the Rye Nature Center or May 18 at 12:30 p.m. for an exploration of Nanderwhere Pond. Participants will hike to the pond to scoop leaves and silt, search for larvae and insects, and look for wildlife like frogs and turtles. Cost: $15 per familyFamily Camp OutEnjoy campfire stories, roasting marshmallows, and falling asleep under the stars at the Rye Nature Center. Introduce your family to the joys of the outdoors while there is still a Starbucks five minutes down the road. Bring your own tent, or borrow one from the Nature Center (supplies are limited.) Price includes dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike. This event is for members only. Limited space. Advanced registra-tion required. Suggested for ages 5 and up. The camp out runs from May 18 at 6:00 p.m. until May 19 at 8 a.m. Cost: $50 per person
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Falls: Prevention and Intervention presented by Yossi Taubenfeld, PT, MPA
On May 18 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., learn about balance, fall prevention, and understanding the biomechanics of the human body in order to facilitate activities and prevent injuries from Yossi Taubenfel, a physical therapist and rehab expert. You’ll learn methods to reduce the risk of falls by improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility and have an opportunity to ask questions, This event is held at the Community Room in the Rye Free Reading Room.
Taubenfeld is experienced in multiple rehabilitative therapy techniques including vertigo-vestibular, acute orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, respiratory, pelvic floor rehab, and post-surgical rehab as well as mobilization of the nervous system, manual therapy and treatment of sports injuries. He has 22 years of experience as a physical therapist working in hospital, clinic, home, school and daycare settings.
