Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
<<This Weekend>>
Happy Hunting
Sharpen your observation skills at a scavenger hunt at Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary’s Saturday at 10. In this self-guided program on the beautiful grounds, participants will have nature as a checklist and a map as a guide.
Accept the Challenge
The Rye Nature Center invites ages 6 and up to a STEM Challenge Saturday at 1. In the Con Edison course, teammates will use science, technology, engineering, and math to build earthquake-proof structures and learn how a water pump works.
The cost is $5 per person for members, $8 non-members.
Holiday Harvest
Kids can create a polymer clay turkey sculpture to decorate the holiday table at The Rye Arts Center on Saturday from 2-3 for ages 6-8, and 3-4 for ages 9-12.
Terry Taylor will show students how to use magic color clay to make beautiful turkey tails, and will teach them how to transform simple balls and coils of clay into unique sculptures.
The fee is $15. Register at ryeartscenter.org.
A Different Kind of Hoop Dreams
Celebrate a Native American tradition at the Dreamcatcher Make ‘n’ Take at the Marshlands Conservancy on Saturday from 2-3:30.
Tellabration
The Rye Free Reading Room will host their annual Thanksgiving storytelling event for grown-ups on Saturday from 3-6. Bring a friend and enjoy all the stories they’ll tell, along with refreshments.
(With pix and caption)
Wood carving of a butterfly by Henry Bird, who was both a prominent entomologist and an accomplished woodworker.
Metamorphosis and Art
The Bird Homestead will present a lecture by Victoria Alexander, Ph.D. on “Nabokov’s Unorthodox Theory of Insect Mimicry: Why Science Needs More Artists” at the Meeting House Saturday at 3. Renowned Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) was also a lepidopterist, who used his artistic knowledge to understand evolution.
This program, which is free and open to the public, is made possible through the support of Humanities New York’s Public Scholars program.
Fall Hike for Tykes
Children with special needs are invited to bring a family member or caregiver to the Rye Nature Center’s Ecology Club Saturday from 3:30-4:30. Enjoy animal programs, hikes, and other science and sensory adventures.
No fee. For more information, email marygillick@ryenaturecenter.org.
Spirits for the Holidays
Get ready for holiday entertaining and gift giving at a special one-day pop-up market within the Rye Farmers Market on Sunday from 8:30-2. Sample New York’s finest spirits, hard ciders, and mead. Get cocktail ideas from the makers themselves.
The Triumph and the Tragedy
Join Yale dean Dr. Mark Schenker at the Rye Free Reading Room for a talk on William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar Sunday from 4:30-5:45. In the first of his Roman history plays, the greatest writer in the English language tells the story of the murder of Caesar and the gruesome aftermath as Rome descends into a violent mob.
<<Arts &Entertainment>>
Everything Is Beautiful at the Ballet
The next midday movie at the Rye library is “Giselle,” which will be screened November 20 from 12-2. The romantic ballet is the story of a maiden, the prettiest girl and the best dancer in her village, who dies of a broken heart but whose spirit frees her lover from death.
Fiddler Under the Roof
Congregation Emanu-El of Weatchester invites the community to a program of Jewish composers, Kreisler, Mendelssohn, and Gershwin, featuring New York Philharmonic violinist Fiona Simon and pianist Ellen Farren December 1 from 7:30-8:30.
The evening begins with a brief Shabbat service. The synagogue is located at 2125 Westchester Avenue East, near School of the Holy Child.
Masterpieces in Our Midst
Learn about the art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cloisters at the Rye library’s virtual reality stroll December 2 from 10-12. Dr. Michael Norris, who spent two decades at the Cloisters, will share his experience with medieval masterpieces.
Nature Calls
The Rye library presents recent works by landscape artist Avri Ohana’s through the end of the month. The richly colored oils and acrylic paintings are inspired by nature.
With 2 pix
A Gathering of Light
The Rye Arts Center’s display of The Ground Glass photography runs through December 2. The Westchester-based association of fine art photographers was founded in 1975 and has been a longtime collaborator with The Rye Arts Center. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org or thegroundglass.org.
<<Talks, Workshops, & Just for Fun>>
Peace and Joy
From now through December 17, Wainwright House is hosting its first MOVEMBER Challenge to encourage a holiday season of heath and calm. Move on the opportunity to take time for yourself and stroke an ember within you of self-care and sanity.
The five-week commitment offers unlimited movement and meditation classes; Vino and Vinyasa on November 30, with a yoga class followed by a winetasting; a closing celebration, and more.
The fee is $45, along with a Wainwright membership of $125. Visit the WainwrightHouse blog and register at wainwright.org.
With 2 book jackets
Shattering Revelations
The next selection of the Rye Free Reading Room Current Events Book Group is “Everybody Lies” by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. The author, a data scientist who analyzed Google search results, offers some disturbing truths about the Internet’s powerful influence.
The group will meet at the library on November 28 from 6:30-8.
The Friday Morning Book Café’s next selection is David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The true crime drama revolves around serial murders on the Osage Indian Reservation in the 1920s.
The group will meet December 1 from 9:30-11 at an off-site location.
Toil for Soil and Sand
Join the Read Sanctuary volunteer corps December 2 at 10 to give back to the earth and get some exercise at the same time. Help is needed with invasive vine removal, trail work, and beach cleanup.
<<Family Ties>>
Wild Turkey
Rye Recreation is holding its 41st annual Turkey Run on November 25. Participate in a one-mile fun run at 9:30 or a 3.1- or 5.2-mile race/walk at 10. Pet owners can enjoy a Paws Walk with their four-legged friends.
The early bird fee by November 21 is $15 for all ages. The day of race fee is $20. Register online at ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm. For more information and for the full schedule, call 967-5521.
Mistletoe Magic
The place to be on Sunday, November 26 from 12-3 is downtown Rye, where the Rye Merchants are offering a bounty of festivities to celebrate the start of the holiday season from 12-3. Bring family and friends.
Santa’s First Stop
Meet the man with the white beard and the jolly smile at the Rye YMCA’s First Family Friday December 1 from 6:30-7:30. There will be holiday crafts, snacks, and a whole lot of fun.
The event is free for family members, $10 per person for youth members, $20 non-members. Register at ryeymca.org and contact Kathy@ryeymca.org with any questions.
<<Children’s Corner>>
What’s 277 Miles Long and 18 Miles Wide?
All Rye STEAM Rollers in grades 3-5 are invited to the Rye library on November 24 from 4-5. They will discuss “Grand Canyon” by Jason Chin and participate in a related hands-on activity.
Register at ryelibrary.org. Children do not have to pre-read the book.
Gobble, Gobble
Ages 4-7 may join a Rye Nature Center naturalist on November 25 at 1 to search for local turkeys in the forest. The fee is $5 per person for members, $8 non-members.
Dodge that Ball!
Grades 6-8 can head to the Osborn Gym for Dodge Ball Night, sponsored by Rye Recreation from 6:30-8:30.
The fee is $20. Register at ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm.
<<Save the Date>>
Oh Christmas Tree
Christ’s Church will hold its seventh annual Christmas Tree Sale on December 2 and 3 from 9 to 5. Choose from a large assortment of Fraser and Douglas firs. Cash or check only. All proceeds benefit Christ’s Church.
Heard on High
Enjoy holiday music at The Rye Arts Center’s student and teacher recitals December 2 and 3 from 1-6.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Enjoy a holiday bonfire and sing-a-long at Rye Recreation Park December 3 at 4. The event is free and fun for all ages.
Making a List and Checking It Twice
The Little Garden Club of Rye is hosting its annual holiday fundraiser boutique and luncheon at Apawamis Club December 8 at 10. The guest speaker is “Czar of Christmas” Chistopher Radko, who designed eponymous glass ornaments for 25 years and now focuses on home and garden design.
Radko has been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has appeared on numerous national television programs, including the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “The Today Show.”
The boutique is open to the public. For Luncheon tickets, contact Cheryl Adler at cherylmadler@yahoo.com.
Proceeds will go to support the maintenance of six civic sites in Rye, including The Knapp House.
In Our Own Artistic Backyard
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.
Merry Marionettes
Families are in for 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 charming puppet show about a winter wonderland with penguins, a snowman, elves, and toys.
Rogers has been creating and performing a repertoire of original puppet plays with humor and song all over the world for over 30 years.