Around Town 5-25-12

Don’t Miss

In Remembrance of Service and Sacrifice

All are invited to the Memorial Day service on the Village Green Monday, May 28 starting at 9:45 a.m.

The keynote speaker is Benjamin Patton, grandson of Gen. George S. Patton. Arthur Stampleman, former City Council member, will receive the Americanism Award from Rye Post 128, The American Legion, which organizes the annual ceremony.

Johanna Loddo will perform the “Star Spangled Banner” and Robin Phelps Latimer will lead the audience in “God Bless America”.

Rev. Joseph Lim of Church of the Resurrection will give the Invocation.

Mayor Doug French will speak on behalf of the City of Rye.

Resurrection School student Matthew Pike will read Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”. The winners of the John M. Kingery Memorial Essay Contest will receive their certificates.

Gala to Honor the McGuires and Their Place in Rye History

The Rye Historical Society’s Annual Gala Fundraiser will be held June 2 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Knapp House. This year Pam and Gene McGuire will be honored for their efforts in bringing Rye’s history to life.

Co-Chairs Jacqueline Jenkins and Luana Murno have planned a memorable evening. Enjoy music by the Joe Fitzgerald Trio over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and live and silent auctions featuring unique and distinctive items. Docents will be available to guide guests through the history of this wonderful historic home.

Gene McGuire is a former President of the Board of Trustees and the driving force behind the annual Historic Walking Tours. He is currently planning the 2012 October tour, which will be his ninth.

Pam McGuire is the current Secretary of the Board of Trustees and has spearheaded the research and design of permanent signs that will constitute the “Walk Rye History” project being installed this summer. The evening will also honor the corporate and individual sponsors of those beautiful and informative signs.

Built in 1670, The Knapp House is considered to be the oldest residential property in Westchester. The original owner, Thomas Studwell, settled the property in 1663 when Rye was still a part of Connecticut. Timothy Knapp bought the property in 1667 and it remained in his family until 1746. Knapp built the oldest part of the house consisting of the keeping room on the left side and a bedchamber above between 1667 and 1680.

After two other families lived in and expanded the Knapp House, The Rye Historical Society purchased it in 1992 and restored it with the help of generous donations from the community.

It now houses the archives of the city and the society and displays changing exhibits of historical interest and art shows highlighting local artists. The Kay Donahue Memorial Garden is a historic kitchen and herb garden with authentic plantings, maintained by The Little Garden Club of Rye.

Ticket start at $150. For more information and tickets, call Aina Ford at 967-7588.

A Lucky 13th Year

Get in gear for the 13th annual Vehicle Fair June 3 from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Osborn School parking lot. Climb, ride, and explore an ambulance, mini-excavator, 75-ton rotator, police cruiser, and more. Test your skills at Pedal to the Metal, Car Craft, Obstacles Course, and Dump Truck Toss. Children can also enjoy a cupcake walk, bouncy house, slide, fire truck rides, tattoos, and face painting.

Take part in a silent auction and raffle, while listening to the tunes of DJ Anthony Radice. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Longford’s ice cream and snack on treats from Post Road Market.

Admission is $30 per family. The event is sponsored by the Rye library’s Auxiliary Board.

Save the Date

The Best Block Party in Town

Longford’s will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its delicious brand with a neighborhood block party, Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Elm Place. The event is co-sponsored by Al Dente Pizzeria. There will be fun for all ages as well as lots of ice cream and pizza.

Take part in an eating contest and lots of games. Bounce high in a jumping castle. Have your face painted. Listen to great entertainment. A 50/50 raffle will benefit Autism Speaks.

For a Good Cause

A Big Ray of Hope

The Hailey’s Hope Foundation annual benefit, honoring Olivia and Lawrence Blau, will be held June 2 from 7-11 p.m. at Manursing Island Club. Proceeds benefit families of premature and critically ill babies in neonatal ICUs at Maria Fareri Children’s and other area hospitals.

Enjoy cocktails and dinner overlooking the Sound, great raffles, and a beachside marshmallow roast. For information on sponsorship opportunities, journal advertisements, and ticket sales, call 584-8833. Tickets are $150 and can also be purchased at haileyshopefoundation.org.

Patio Perfect

Twig Antiques will hold an outdoor furniture sale on the lawn of the Rye Arts Center Sunday, June 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The sale will feature antique and gently used summer furniture. Proceeds will benefit the Port Chester-Rye-Rye Brook EMS. The sculpture show on display at the Arts Center will be another good reason to visit

that day.

Arts and Entertainment

Chalk Me in for a Portrait

Portrait artist Ed Salazar will create original charcoal drawings May 26, from 9 a.m.-1p.m. and 2-6 p.m. by appointment at Gallery 52.

Among Salazar’s portrait subjects are celebrities such as actress and singer Vanessa Williams, NBA star Rick Fox, NASCAR great Mark Martin, and jazz legends Gato Barbieri and Lionel Hampton.

The cost is $50 per person, per drawing. Sessions will be scheduled for 30 minutes to an hour. For reservations, call 921-1585.

Digital Photography: Open Critique

Adults and teens can learn tips and tricks to improve their photography June 2 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Rye

Arts Center. Whether you are a novice or an advanced photographer, critique can help in your growth as an artist.

Bring your photos (either printed or on disc/USB drive) for a group gathering moderated by instructor David Baer. Call 967-0700.

A Universal View

“The Mystery of the Shattered Vessels, or Humpty Dumpty Re-Visited,” an exhibit of work by Mitchell Flaum, will be on display at the Rye library June 4 through 28, with an artist’s reception June 19 from 7-9 p.m.

Flaum uses collage as a medium to reconnect the broken pieces, literally and metaphorically, of a shattered universe seeking healing and redemption.

Portraits of Humanity

Paintings by Luis de Mena, a Rye resident, will be on display at the Harrison Public Library June 4-29. An opening reception will be held June 9 from 2-4 p.m.

The Madrid-born artist trained in academic realism by studying the techniques of the Spanish and Dutch old masters in depth, under the personal direction of artist Victor Zaldivar.

Says de Mena of his art: “A portrait has to be much more than a moment frozen in time. I try to capture the essence of the individual, so the viewer can make an intimate connection to the human being on the canvas, and not just its representation.”

His exquisite paintings and commissioned portraits have been featured at The Salmagundi Art Club, UConn Art Gallery, Old Lyme Art Academy, Ridgewood Art Institute, The Arts Students League of New York, and The National Academy of Fine Arts.

Have a Creative Summer

The Rye Arts Center is offering an array of programming beginning June 25. Classes include Creative Arts, Digital Photography, Ceramics, Music and Voice Classes, Drawing, Painting, Cartooning, and more.

Registration is ongoing. For more information and complete class descriptions, visit ryeartscenter.org or call 967-0700.

Talks and Workshops

Turn the Page

The Rye library’s book groups have announced the reading selections for the next meetings.

“Henry’s Sisters” by Cathy Lamb is the book under discussion at Friday Morning Book Café June 1 at 9:30 a.m. Call 231-3161 for the location of this meeting.

The Thursday Afternoon Book Group will talk about “The Professor and the Madman” by Simon Winchester, June 7 at 1:15 p.m.

“Coming Apart: The State of White America 1960-2010” by Charles Murray is the selection of the Current Events Group. They meet next June 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Computer Class

Learn to use Media Player to set up music playlists, view video, and access hundreds of online radio stations at the Rye library’s two-session computer class, June 7 and 14 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. You’ll also learn how to crop, remove red eye, and make changes to photos.

Teen Times

Paddle Along

Ages 12-15  can join the Rye Y June 1 and travel to Downunder Kayaks in Rowayton. Bus departs the Rye YMCA at 4 p.m. and returns around 9 p.m. Cost is $60 for family/youth members, $70 non-members.

Y Nights

Grades 9-12 can enjoy basketball, swimming (swim caps required), working out, video games, air hockey, ping-pong, and socializing with friends June 1 and 8 from 7-

10 p.m.

At fifth-grade night out, the popular Velcro Wall is back June 2 and 9 from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free for members, $5 for Teen Access members.

Gaming at the Library

Play games on the big screen June 1 from 3:13-5 p.m. “Smack Down vs. Raw 2011” is back and there are many others to choose from. Players can also bring their own appropriate non-mature content Wii games. Snacks will be provided.

Kids’ Corner

Talking Dog, Running a Zoo

The Rye library invites children ages 5 and up to two upcoming Friday afternoons of film and fun. On May 25 at 3:30 p.m., celebrate the 20th birthday of Martha, the beloved talking dog. Hear the story “Martha Speaks” and some of Martha’s own favorite canine stories. Afterwards, make a doggie craft.

Watch “We Bought a Zoo” (PG) June 8 from 3:30 to 5:05 p.m. The film stars Matt Damon, a widowed father who moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Children and their grown-ups can laugh and move along with Jeffrey from the Bossy Frog Band June 1 at 10 a.m. at the Rye library. The funky musical experience

includes banjo, guitar, and silly songs that will have the audience dancing.

4th Grade Field Night

Spend the night at Rye Rec Park June 1 from 7-8:45 p.m. Children can play a variety of sports and test their skills. The event is for residents only. The cost is $15. Pre-registration is required; call 967-2535.

June Fest

Grades 5 and 6 can enjoy games, rides, the skate park, music, and more at Rye Rec June 8 from 7:30-9 p.m. Popcorn and cotton candy will be served. To register, call 967-2535. Admission is $20. The event is for Rye residents only.

Back to the Sixties!

Make a one-of-a-kind T-shirt at the Rye library June 27 at 2 p.m. Must register by June 2. Artist Susan Ordahl will lead ages 5 and up in designing T-shirts that will set you apart from the crowd this summer.

The Great Outdoors

The Mating Call

Join a quiet vigil to witness a natural phenomenon June 1 at the Marshlands Conservancy. Beginning at 10:30 p.m., curator Scott Williamson will lead a walk to the shore of Long Island Sound where horseshoe crabs arrive to mate. This wondrous spectacle has been occurring at the conservancy for over 250 million years.

Admission and parking are free. Call 835-4466.

Family Ties

Under the Stars

Follow the journey of “Duma”, an orphaned cheetah who becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa June 1 at 7 p.m. on the Rye Nature Center’s outdoor big screen. For members only.

Paddle Time

Kayak in the Long Island Sound with Rye Rec June 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Licensed guides and instructors will provide a brief instruction. Guides will lead games, activities, and a tour. Great for ages 8 and up. Cost is $30 per person.

To Your Health

Shape Up, Seniors! 

The Rye Y is devoting an afternoon to health and fitness for adults 60 years and older May 30 from 2-4:30 p.m.

Programming includes Posture Discussion and Tips, Tai-Chi Balance, Top Hat Class, Zen Tango, and Balance and Injury Prevention. Have your blood pressure taken by a registered nurse between 3:30-4 p.m.   

Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required; call 967-6363.

Diabetes Prevention Program

Would you like to lose weight and exercise more? Take control with the help of the YMCA’s new program. The goal is to reduce body weight by 7% and increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week.

The 16-session program begins June 4 and runs Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Cost is $100 for members, $160 non-members. Financial assistance is available. To find out if you are eligible and take a free risk assessment, call 967-6363 ext., 206.

Beat the Sugar Blues

Do you constantly crave sweets and want to understand why? Do you want to gain control without deprivation? If so, join health coaches Jennifer Hirsch and Nicole

Dimartino for a free lecture at the Rye Y June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to permanently change your relationship with sugar.

To register, call 967-6363, ext. 206.

Low Back Pain and What to Do About it

Neurosurgeon Dr. Andrea Douglas will speak about degenerative lumbar spine disease June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rye library as a part of Community Health at Greenwich Hospital. Learn about the most common causes of low back and radiating leg pain and the new minimally invasive techniques for treating it. Ongoing clinical trials of spinal fusion techniques at Greenwich Hospital will be presented.

To register, call 203-863-4277.