Restored front doors
Umpapa!
The Rye Nature Center will host its annual Oktoberfest fundraiser October 12 from 7-10 p.m. Sample a variety of beers and German fare catered by Strawberry and Sage. That evening, the center will honor Sara Goddard, Gretchen Kaye-Crowley, Birgit Townley, Melissa Brown-Grieco, and Annalise Stack for their advocacy work on the Retail Shopping Bag Ordinance, which was enacted this spring.
For tickets, call 967-5150.
Help Honor Heritage at the Jay
The Jay Heritage Center will celebrate 20 years of preserving, protecting, and interpreting American history and landscape at a black-tie dinner October 13 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. The dinner dance will take place at the 1838 Jay Mansion, and feature the sounds of the Felix Swing Band.
Tickets start at $250. For more information, call 698-9275.
Walk Through History
Mark your calendars and get out your walking shoes. The 2012 Rye Historical Society walking tour is October 14. This year’s tour, “Rye 1850-1950: The Evolution of a Suburb”, will cover the most pivotal century in Rye’s history, from the arrival of the railroad in 1849 to the post-WWII period in the 1950s. During that time, Rye was transformed from the small and agricultural community it had been since the 17th century, into the suburb we know today.
Learn about the impact of the railroad and automobile on Rye, the evolution of the Purchase Street commercial district, the development of Rye’s schools and neighborhoods, the Depression, WWI and WWII, the incorporation of Rye as a village and as a city, the creation of the Village Green, the Rye Free Reading Room, the Y, and Rye’s houses of worship.
The tour begins at the corner of Purchase Street and Theodore Fremd Avenue, the location of Rye’s first railroad station. You’ll then proceed through town, with a slight detour into Loudon Woods. The last stop is the Christ’s Church rectory.
A docent will be at each location and a guide will lead groups of 12 or fewer. For more information, call 967-7588.
A Town Tradition
Register by September 23 for Halloween Window Painting, one of Rye Rec’s most popular events. The painting will take place October 21 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. all over town.
Cost is $15 per team. Registration is online only; visit www.ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm. The event is co-sponsored by the Woman’s Club Children’s Philanthropy.
Read You at the Fair
Church of the Resurrection will host a book fair with offerings for all ages. The sale features popular Scholastic titles, award-winning books, and a newly expanded selection for middle schoolers.
You can also drop off used books and DVDs, which will be donated to St. Vincent’s Hospital. Proceeds from the fair go to the Resurrection School Foundation.
The fair runs September 30 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., October 1 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., October 2 from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and October 3 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Donate Blood
Stop by the Rye Y Saturday from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and give the gift of life. The drive benefits White Plains Hospital Center.
Support the Crew Team
The Rye High School crew team will hold its 4th annual Erg-a-thon Saturday in the Rye Middle School parking lot from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rowers will complete thousands of meters on the ergs in exchange for pledges to support the team’s travel to regattas. There’s also an opportunity to try an erg and learn about rowing.
For Aspiring Teen Designers
Maureen Amaturo presents a Fashion Illustration workshop at the Rye library Saturday 11:30 a.m. The session focuses on how to bring fashion designs to life. Learn tips on how to draw a proportioned fashion figure and create an original design. Design basics, color theory, common fashion mistakes, and how to apply design rules when shopping for a wardrobe will be covered.
Busy Bees
Beekeeper Ray DuBois will discuss the importance of honeybees to our environment and daily lives Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Knapp House. Families will learn how honey is harvested and have an opportunity to taste the sweet nectar. DuBois established BeeLove.org, in order to “to develop a sustainable, genetically diverse local population of honeybees while raising the public’s awareness of these amazing creatures”.
A donation of $5 per person is suggested.
Garden Harvest
Help harvest the Rye Nature Center’s garden Saturday from 1-2 p.m. Learn about seasonal crop rotation, composting, nutritional dishes to get you ready for the winter, and more. Cost is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Sunset Paddle
Spend time with friends while enjoying a spread of wine and cheese Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Great for first-time paddlers or the seasoned kayaker. Must be at least 21 years old. Fee is $65 per person. For details on the event, which is sponsored by Rye Rec, call 967-2535.
A Bountiful Event
When guests arrive they will see that the Meeting House has a striking new look at the front entry, or rather a striking old look. The historic front doors, which were in storage, have now replaced the modern wood ones.
Each of the original double doors has two panels and a graceful proportion. They were recently repaired and painted in the two-tone pattern seen in late 19th and early 20th-century photos of the building. The colors match those in the belfry and were determined by examining earlier layers of paint accumulated during the past 135 years, since the tower was built in 1877. The building was then known as Grace Chapel or Milton Chapel and was affiliated with Rye’s Christ’s Church.
In the late-19th century most hardware, even hinges, presented an opportunity for ornamentation. The original cast-iron hinges, now back in place, display a decorative vine motif on the flat surface and have acorn finials on the ends of the pins.
At the gala, guests will enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and farmstead cheeses while the sun goes down. Tickets are $85 per person. Email birdhomestead.meetinghouse@gmail.com.
Get Ready for the Race
The Jarden Westchester Triathlon pre-race dinner will be held at Seaside Johnnies Pavillion Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The $20 pasta dinner includes salad and soft drinks. Listen to motivational speakers Nick Roumonada (Run Nick Run), Bob Blais from Blazeman Foundation for ALS, and Jordan Jones, 1st Place Finisher of 2011 JWT, 2012 NYC Triathlon, and 2012 5150 Kansas City.
To RSVP, email Ray Kelly at rkelly6768@aol.com.
Shoreline and Sky
Catch fall feathered migrants, including warblers, hawks, and herons, on the move at the Marshlands Saturday at 7:30 a.m. On Sunday at 1 p.m., venture to the Salt Marsh to visit crabs and other shoreline wonders.
Jay Day
Step back to Colonial times and meet rare American heritage farm animals at the Jay estate Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Randall Lineback cattle, American Jackstock donkeys, blue rabbits, and Indian runner ducks are some of the endangered native breeds that will be on view courtesy of the Tilly Foster Farm Museum and the Whipple Foundation/Society for the Preservation of Putnam County Antiquities and Greenways.
All ages will enjoy music on the veranda, tours by docents dressed in 19th century costumes, and balloon animals by James Daniel Entertainment.
Sample cider and take part in a New York State cheese tasting.
Children can build their own Greek revival building in a mini-architecture exercise in the Carriage House. Also partake of farmer’s market offerings from Meredith’s Bread, Hudson Milk, and Wingnut Farm.
Images of Northern India
“Reflections of Hindustan”, an exhibit of paintings and prints by Katharine Dufault, opens at the Rye Arts Center on Sunday, with a reception from 4-6 p.m. The works are based on the artist’s recent visit to the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh regions of Northern India.
Swing for a Cause
Mark your calendar for the Rye Y’s Christopher D. Mello Memorial Golf outing, October 1 at 12:30 p.m. at Apawamis Club. For more information, call 967-6363.
Helping Cancer Patients
The Rye Y’s free LIVESTRONG program has helped over 100 cancer survivors reclaim their health and well being through physical activity.
It empowers adult cancer survivors to improve functional capacity and increase their quality of life through an organized program of fitness and strength. Over the course of next year, the program will help another 140 cancer survivors from communities throughout Westchester get the physical activity, supportive relationships, and stress reduction they need to improve their quality of life and boost their recovery.
The week of October 2-7, celebrate the LIVESTRONG program at the YMCA. Events include a swim challenge, guided walks, and an art exhibit by Alex Davitt, a former LIVESTRONG participant.
The week culminates with several events on Sunday, October 7. A Locks of Love hair donation will take place at Milano’s Hair Salon at 33 Purchase Street from 12-4 p.m., and a spin-a-thon will be held at the Y from 2-5 p.m.
For more information, visit ryeymca.org.
Turn the Page
The Rye library’s three regular book groups have announced selections for their next meetings.
First up is the Current Events Group, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. The book is “Every Nation for Itself: Winners and Losers in a G-Zero World” by Ian Bremmer.
The Thursday Afternoon Book Group will discuss Wallace Stegner’s “Angle of Repose” October 4 at 1:15 p.m.
The Friday Book Café is reading “Bangkok 8: A Novel” by John Burdett. The meeting is October 5 at 9:30 a.m. Call the library at 231-3161 for this meeting’s offsite
location.
Learn to Excel in Excel
The Rye library offers “Microsoft Excel – Creating and Working with Lists” September 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. In addition to list making, the session will cover using Excel for sorting, filtering, auto-subtotaling, and working with pivot tables. Prior experience with Excel is required. No registration is necessary.
Healing Arts and Community Fair
Wainwright House’s 7th annual fair will take place September 30 from 12-6 p.m. Stroll through the marketplace to get information and goods from a variety of holistic vendors. Participate in lectures, group meditations, a Dream Workshop, private Healing Arts Practitioner sessions, and free children’s activities.
The keynote speaker is Marlise Karlin. Other speakers include Rev. Jon Mundy, Jennifer Hadley, and Marion Gambordella.
Walk through the waterside Labyrinth and take a quiet moment in the Meditation Garden. The closing ceremony, which features a drumming circle, will celebrate Earth.
Lunch can be purchased from Chef Johnson’s Food Truck. For more information, call 967-6080.
The Days of Disco
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of “Saturday Night Fever” and other disco- era legends, with an illustrated talk by Stephen A. Welles September 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Harrison Public Library.
This multi-media presentation chronicles the history of disco and references the late, great Donna Summer and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees.
For more information, call 835-0324.
Spin a Yarn
The Rye Storytellers’ Guild will hold its next meeting at the library October 2 at 6:30 p.m. With “Haunting Tales” as their theme, members will share scary and not-too-scary stories to tell children. Listeners as well as tellers are welcome.
Because I Said So!
Heard in Rye presents its first workshop of the new school year, “The Secret of Parenting: What Works and What Doesn’t” by Anthony Wolf, Ph.D., October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rye Middle School Multipurpose Room. With a light touch, Dr. Wolf, will offer practical advice drawn from his experiences as a child psychologist.
Osborn Hosts its Version of “Antiques Roadshow”
If you’re a collector, head to The Osborn next weekend. They’re hosting an “Ask the Experts” event Friday, September 28 from 7-9 p.m. A panel of art and antique professionals will answer your questions and share tips and trends. Admission is $25 per person, $20 for seniors. Wine and cheese will be served. RSVP to 925-8372.
On September 29, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., they are hosting Art & Antiques Appraisal Day in the auditorium. Bring in your treasures for appraisal ($20 for the first item, $10 for additional items up to three).
All proceeds will go to The Osborn Charity Care Program.
Designer Discounts
Panache Designer Showroom is back with all the fall fashions at Coveleigh Club. Favorite labels available include Donna Degnan, Ecru, Lilla P., Peace of Cloth, Tyler Boe, and Christopher Blue, plus new designers such as Ali Ro, Bailey 44, Tees by Tina, and Tart.
Hours are September 30 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and October 1-3 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Enjoy a wine and cheese party October 2 from 6-8 p.m.
For more information and to preview the styles, visit panachedesignershowroom.com.
Botanical Art Workshop
Adults and teens can learn the basic principles and fundamentals of botanical drawing September 27 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. This is a great way to enhance your technique. The class is designed for those with some drawing skills. The fee is $75; members receive a discount.
Cunningham and Sternhagen Co-Star in Comedic Readings
The Osborn invites you to see Frances Sternhagen and John Cunningham perform “Comic Miscommunications” Thursday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sterling Auditorium. The program is free and open to the public.
“Comic Miscommunications” will include selections from Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Romulus Linney’s “Tennessee”, and Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor”, among others.
For more information, contact Susie McNamee at smcnamee@theosborn.org or 925-8367.
September Sound Explosion
It may take a certain age to remember the group Average White Band, but once you hear their familiar pulsating beat, you’ll want to head over to The Rye Arts Center where Roger Ball, co-founder of AWB, will perform on September 28 at 7:30 p.m., along with the John Fumasoli/Bill Harris sextet
Rye’s Fumasoli and Harris, longtime musical cohorts, present a show consisting of hot jazz standards, original compositions, high-energy funk, and R&B.
Cost is $15 adults, $10 for students and seniors. Register at ryeartscenter.org or by calling 967-0700.
Beaux Arts Exhibit
The Woman’s Club of Rye will host their annual exhibit at the Rye library from October 4 through 25. The juried show includes exciting and eclectic works by area artists in oil/acrylic, watercolor, pastels, mixed media, graphic arts, photography, and portraiture.
A reception and awards ceremony will take place October 6 at 2 p.m. First-prize winners advance to the Westchester County Federation of Woman’s Club Beaux Arts Finale. For more information, call 231-3161.
Calling All Photographers!
The submission deadline for the annual Marshlands Photography Exhibit nears. Drop off your scenes of the conservancy grounds, framed and wired for hanging, to the Visitor Center October 6 or 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The exhibit opens October 14, with a reception at 2 p.m.
Fall Fest
Fifth and sixth graders are invited to enjoy games, rides, the skate park, and more September 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Rye Rec. Snack on popcorn and cotton candy. Admission is $25; the event is for residents only.
Game Time
Play Wii games on the Rye library’s big screen October 5 from 3:15-5 p.m. Whether you’re a sports, action or karaoke fan, the library has lots of games to choose from. Snacks will be provided.
Paintball Adventures
Ages 11-14 can join the Rye Y this Columbus Day, October 8, and travel to Liberty Paintball. Games are supervised and refereed at all times, by experienced paintball staff.
Cost is $110 for family/youth members, $120 non-members. Fee includes gear, transportation, and a pizza lunch. The bus departs the Y at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m.
Punt, Pass, & Kick
Boys and girls (grades 1-6) can put their skills to the test September 24 from 4-5 p.m. at Rye Rec. Winners in each age group move on to regional competitions. Cost is $10.
Fun Club
Children can let loose and burn off energy with fun activities September 26 and October 8 at the Rye Y. Cost is $60 for members, $75 non-members. To register, call 967-6363.
Birds & Butterflies
At Magical Migrations, children can learn who the long-distance travelers are this time of year by tracking the paths of birds and butterflies September 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Rye Nature Center. Pre-registration is required; call 967-5150. Cost is $40 for members, $70 non-members.
Mad Science
Grades K-4 can lean all about the excitement of science through hands-on activities September 26 from 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Rye Rec. Cost is $100 for residents, $125 non-residents.
Baseball Days
21st Century Sports will help boys and girls improve their skills and lead games and contests at Rye Rec September 26 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Gymnastics Open Workout
The Rye Y invites ages 7 and up to work on all four Olympic events, plus Tumble Trac and Mini Trampoline instruction, September 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Gymnastics experience is required. Cost is $20.
Ages 5 and up can celebrate author Bernard Waber’s birthday September 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Rye library. Enjoy favorite stories like “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” and “Ira Sleeps Over”, and create a group art project to display in the Children’s Room.
Garnet Ice Hockey Clinic
Sharpen your skates and skills at the RHS Ice Hockey Booster Club’s clinic, October 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Playland. Participate in drills and receive specialized instruction from experienced coaches and current Garnet players.
Great for all ages. Sign-up at garnethockeyschool.com. Cost is $55 per player.
The Great Leaf Hunt Begins
Through Thanksgiving, the Rye Nature Center invites children to search for find the largest leaf they can find. The winning leaf will go on display in the Museum. Gather leaves from the RNC or your own backyard. Here’s a helpful hint- last year’s winner was a sycamore.
Special Needs Family Day
Join other families at the Rye Y for a day filled with recreational swimming, followed by soft gym play September 29 from 1-3 p.m.
This event is free and no registration is required. For more information, contact Scott Umbel at 967-6363, ext. 115.
Animal Show
Fathers can stop by the Rye Nature Center for a fun-filled animal adventure October 6 from 9:15-10 a.m. Cost is $10 for members, $15 non-members.
Celebrate autumn and discover nature’s treasures with a self-guided scavenger hunt to sharpen your observation skills, September 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Read Sanctuary.
Marshlands Happenings
Join a Westchester County Park naturalist to explore and identify the world of mushrooms and other fungi in our forests of the sanctuary September 29 at 2 p.m.
View birds of prey such as hawks, osprey, and maybe an eagle or a falcon September 30 at 7:30 a.m. Also, take a naturalist led hike at 2 p.m.
For Backyard Birders
Rye Nature Center birdseed orders are due October 1. Pickup date is October 20.
Tree Walk and Talk
In conjunction with the Rye Garden Club, certified arborist Patrick Laidman will lead a workshop and tree walk at the Rye Nature Center October 2 at 10:30 a.m. Learn how to identify trees and shrubs, and all their benefits.
The Rye Free Reading Room is eager for public input as it begins planning the future of the library. Public forums will be held September 12 and 25, and October 13. When the planning work is completed it will reshape use of the facility and web design service priorities, programs, and resources to meet the community’s needs over the coming years.
“Public input is very important as we look to the future. The Rye Free Reading Room plays an important part in the lives of nearly all members of the Rye community, and we want to assure that we receive their guidance as we address the next five years. We are holding public forums and circulating a questionnaire during September and October so we can hear from as many people as possible,” said Kitty Little, Director.
The public forums are Wednesday, September 12 from 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 25 from 12:30-2:30 p.m., and Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
The artificial turf and drainage installation will transform an 82,000-square-foot athletic field on 6.75 acres…
City school district taxpayers can cast their ballots in advance of this month’s $110.5 million…
This year's Rye City Board of Education election is uncontested.
Joan Chessman Shipman passed peacefully in her home with her son, Jerry, 49, and dogs…
Vincent J. Ballantoni Jr., a resident of Rye, N.Y. for more than 48 years, a…
Kids bounced in bouncy castles and munched on cotton candy at the Annual Midland Fair on April…