AROUND TOWN
Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
<<This Weekend>>
Stroll and Scrawl
A writer’s workshop will be held at Wainwright House on Saturday and again on August 15 from 9-12. Michelle Levy will inspire participants with a walk on the grounds, mindful awareness, and ecological discoveries.
The fee is $75 for members, $85 for non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
Grain of Truth
Rye Recreation invites all ages to Sand Castle Building at Rye Town Park’s Oakland Beach on Saturday from 10-12. The family festival and friendly competition will include free refreshments and prizes.
Families should bring their own tools. Rain date is Sunday, 1-3.
Follow Directions
Children and youth can learn to use a compass at Read Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday at 10. This guided orienteering program includes planned routes with checklists and questions.
A Will to Yin
A Yin Yoga teacher training will be held at Wainwright on Saturday and Sunday from 10-6. Instructor Megan Moss Freeman will teach students how to weave yin yoga into their existing practices. She will include an in-depth study of postures, pranayama, and meditation, as well as meridian and chakra work.
Expect a blend of lecture, discussion, personal practice, and hands-on work during the immersion. Students will receive 20 yoga continuing education hours through Yoga Alliance. Call 967-6080 for fees and more information.
Those Golden Years
Solve the retirement income puzzle at the Rye library on Saturday from 10:30-11:30. CPA and retirement income specialist Paul M. Petrone will take participants through the transition from accumulation to distribution, along with the critical five years before and after retirement.
Pack a Picnic
Families can enjoy a summer picnic at Wainwright House on Sunday from 5:30-9 and again on August 5 from 4-8. Share a meal while overlooking Milton Harbor.
Free to members, $20 for individuals, $40 for families. Picnics are BYOB – bring your own blankets, baskets, and beverages.
<<Arts & Entertainment>>
Cinematic Art
The Rye library’s “The Art of Art” film series continues on Mondays from 12-2:30 with “The Agony and the Ecstasy” on July 23; “Seraphine” on July 30; “Lust for Life” on August 6; and “Georgia O’Keefe” on August 13.
Tuesdays in the Park
Next up in the Rye Town Park Twilight Concert Series is The Derivatives, taking us back to the pop classics of the ’60s July 24 from 7:30-9. Bring the family and dance the night away. Admission is free.
Music in the Air
The Osborn’s Summer Lawn Concerts continue with the Jan Leder Trio on July 26 at 7. The jazz recording artist has enjoyed critical acclaim throughout her 25 years performing in the New York area.
Linda Ipanema and the Dixie Cats will take the stage on August 2; Gary Kahn, a Great American Songbook crooner, on August 9; and Jamal Risbrook, singer of Motown favorites, on August 16.
Bring a lawn chair, park on the Theall Road campus, and enjoy music and light refreshments. For more information, call 925-8205.
Armchair Art History
Michael Norris is back with Art History lessons at the Rye library August 4 from 11-1. He will cover the grandeur that was Rome in a discussion of the ancient art collections at the Montclair Art Museum, the Newark Museum, the Princeton University Art Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
<<For a Good Cause>>
Tee Time
The 28th Annual George J. Kirby Memorial Golf Tournament will be held July 23 at the Griffith E. Harris “the Griff” Golf Course in Greenwich. Thanks to this tournament, along with generous local sponsorships, over 300 Rye senior citizens are able to participate in cultural, educational, and health programs plus seasonal luncheon events through Rye Recreation.
The cost of the tournament and dinner, hosted by Kelly’s at Rye Recreation Park, is $180. Contact Tom Maloney at 310-7631 or Jerry McGuire at 490-8641 for sponsorship information, and golf and dinner reservations.
<<The Great Outdoors>
I Spy Nature
Read Wildlife Sanctuary is holding a scavenger hunt July 28 at 10. Sharpen your observation skills with a self-guided program using the sanctuary’s nature checklist and map.
Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer
Calling all volunteers to Read Wildlife Sanctuary on August 4 at 10. Lend a hand with invasive plant removal, clearing tails, and cleaning up the beach.
<<Talks, Workshops, & Just for Fun>>
National Treasure
The Jay Heritage Center’s 1838 Greek Revival mansion is open to the public all summer long on Sundays from 2-5. Founding Father John Jay grew up at this historic 23-acre oasis that boasts views of Long Island Sound.
The Ultimate Relaxation
Enjoy a yoga session and wine tasting at Wainwright’s outdoor Vino and Vinyasa on July 26 and August 30 from 6:30-9. Sessions will be held on the grounds overlooking Milton Harbor.
The fee is $25 per person.
Putting Your House in Order
Learn to protect your estate from nursing home costs at a free workshop at the Rye library July 28 from 10-11:30. Pat Micek, Esq. will cover such elder law topics as legal documents, ideal trusts, and qualifying for government-paid aides.
Reserve a seat by calling 358-4235.
The Roads More Traveled
The Jay Heritage Center is hosting a double feature July 29 from 4-6. First up is a private screening of “Ten Streets that Changed America,” a PBS documentary that was shot in Rye. Author and journalist Eric Jaffe will then discuss the history behind the highways that influenced the way we travel around the United States.
The event is co-sponsored by the Harvard Club of Westchester. The fee is $10 for JHC and HCW members, $15 general admission. For more information and for tickets, visit jayheritage.org.
Summer Reads
At the next Friday Book Café, August 10 from 9:30-11:30, the selection is “The Code Girls” by Liza Mundy. The national bestseller reveals a hidden army of female cryptographers, whose work played a critical role in ending World War II.
The Current Events Book Group will discuss “The Growth Delusion” by David Pilling on August 28 from 6:30-8. This eye-opening book addresses the biases of economic orthodoxy and offers insights into how society responds to everyone’s needs.
Etch-a-Sketch
A Rye library drawing workshop on August 11 from 10-12 will cover fundamental topics as the building blocks of drawing, shading techniques, one- and two-point perspectives, values and edges, shadows and value gradients.
Elizabeth B. Derderian, who teaches at The Rye Arts Center, will lead the workshop that will culminate in drawing a still life.
All participants should bring a sketchpad, drawing pencils, and an eraser. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Healing Touch
Reiki training Level 1 will be held at Wainwright House on August 11 from 10-6. Instructor Jody Raso will teach participants all about the gentle, yet powerful system of energy-based healing and spiritual growth.
Practitioners utilize meditation, breathing techniques and non-invasive light touch to restore harmony and balance to oneself and others.
The fee is $250 for members, $275 non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
<<Family Ties>>
Stories Under the Sun
Families may head to Rye Town Park for story time every Tuesday morning in July and August from 9:30-10:15. Rye Reading Room librarians have lots of fun seaside activities up their sleeves.
Fun Fantasy Film
The Rye library’s family summer movie series continues with “Snow White” on August 1, “Bright Eyes” on August 8, “The Little Mermaid” on August 15, and “Leap” on August 29. These popular family movies run from 4-5:30.
Where Kids Act Up
Play musical charades at the Rye library on July 26 from 6-7. As part of the Libraries Rock initiative, families may also experience a taste of Japan with Taiko drumming on August 2, sample Bollywood dancing on August 9, and learn about fairies and gnome gardens on August 16, all from 6-7.
A grand finale of ice cream sundaes and a photo booth will be held on August 23.
<<Children’s Corner>>
Brain Surge
STEM programs are scheduled every Friday at the Rye library from 4-5 for kids entering grades K-2 and grades 3-5. A variety of interactive workshops are available for each group through August 24.
Space is limited. For more information and to register, visit ryelibrary.org.
Make My Day
A Maker Space is available every Monday from 2-5 at the Rye library through August 27. “Libraries Rock” programming offers activities where kids K-5 can create, build, invent, and explore.
Advance registration is not necessary. For more information, visit ryelibrary.org.
Fossil Fun
Kids entering grades 3-5 will have the opportunity to study paleontology at the Rye library’s series of workshops with Cornell University’s Nancy Caswell on July 24 and 31 from 4-5.
Participants will learn about analyzing excavated dirt, types of rocks, animals, and ecosystems. They will participate in Beast Box habitat games, too.
Space is limited. Register at ryelibrary.org.
In Your Own World
The Rye library is offering a 4-day Minecraft Camp August 6-9 from 1-3. Not a gaming program, the camp will have kids ages 11 and up record their story, add voice overs, and create characters in a Minecraft world.
The final session will feature a virtual reality exploration of the world they have been creating. It is important that students attend all four sessions. Register at ryelibrary.org starting July 23.
Down to a Science
Kids entering grades 3-5 can join resident scientist Johnda Ansbro at the Rye library for science workshops on August 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 4-5. Topics that will be covered include the magnificent world of magnets, minerals, crystals, and recycled instruments.
Register at ryelibrary.org.
Read Aloud
On August 24 from 3:30-5, the Rye Free Reading Room is recruiting students from kindergarten to third grade for their new Reading Buddies program.
Young readers will be paired with older listeners, who are residents of The Osborn. The program will help kids strengthen their reading skills by improving vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension, and public speaking skills. The seniors will benefit from the personal interaction.
<<Teen Time>>
Get on Your Mat
Teens and tweens can head to the Rye library for a basic yoga session on August 11 from 3-4. Instructor Damien Germino will guide participants through fundamental postures and will demonstrate how yoga can have profound positive effects, both physically and mentally, when practiced regularly.
<<Save the Date>>
In a Warming Climate
A new series, “When Science Meets History,” kicks off at the Meeting House with a lecture and book signing by Professor Richard Primack of Boston University on September 29 at 3.
The author of the highly-praised book, “Walden Warming: Climate Change Comes to Thoreau’s Woods”, tracks the effects of a warming climate on plants and animals. He compares Thoreau’s meticulous mid-19th century records with present- day data.
Senior Benefits
SPRYE’s seventh annual benefit will be held October 4 at Apawamis Club. The honoree is volunteer extraordinaire Barbara Brunner. Currently SPRYE board president, she has served many community organizations, including Meals on Wheels and the Rye Lions Club.