Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
Bird Watching
Every moment spent outdoors will be more meaningful once you start noticing the birds. Learn to recognize common birds and their songs at the Rye Nature Center on Saturday at 9:15. Bring your own binoculars. The fee is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Candid Camera
Learn to use your iPhone camera like a pro at the Rye Free Reading Saturday from 10-12. Master the basics of using this amazing tool and learn to edit photos to achieve the right look with the right effects. iPhone Tutor Julie Stauffer will lead the workshop.
Sentimental Journal
Capture family traditions and history or memories of friends and relatives in your own journal, where words are preserved for generations to come. On Saturday at the Rye library from 10-12, Maureen Amaturo will discuss techniques for constructing a story and determining one’s focus in journaling.
Monarch Morning
Want to see butterflies in your own backyard? Learn what plants attract butterflies and caterpillars at the Rye Nature Center on Saturday at 3. The program will end with a butterfly release. Fee: $10 for members, $15 non-members.
Ill-Fated Maiden Voyage
The Rye Free Reading Room’s “I Read A Latte” book club for tweens in grades 4-6 will discuss their May selection, “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster” by Deborah Hopkinson, Saturday at 3. The meeting will focus on the historic account of the 1912 tragic sinking of the cruise liner.
Stitching Together a Little History
The Rye Free Reading Room and the Rye Historical Society invite children in first grade and up, along with their grown-ups, to the library on Saturday from 2-5. Everyone will have the opportunity to tell his/her family story on a community quilt with the help of quilt artist Kate Perri. The workshop will include a bit of the history of quilt making, as well as hands-on instruction in creating the squares.
In celebration of the RHS’s “Immigration” exhibit, the project will make a memorable Rye keepsake as the assembled community quilt will hang in the library and the Square House for all to see. Limited space. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Banking on Blood
A blood drive will be held May 17 from 9-1 at Congregation KTI of Port Chester at 575 King Street. Jointly sponsored by KTI and Community Synagogue of Rye, the drive requires that all donors be at least 16 years old (with parental permission – forms available at the event), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.
People 76 and over may donate with a doctor’s note. All donors should eat a meal before donating. For questions, call the White Plains Hospital Blood Donor Center at 681-1056.
Full Steam Ahead
Discover a whole new way of moving forward at Wainwright House May 16 from 10-1. Participants will learn to attain resistant goals when introduced to the groundbreaking Immunity to Change approach, developed by Harvard professors Bob Kegan and Lisa Lehay.
Led by Ettie Shapiro, the workshop will help identify “hidden commitments” that are undermining one’s goals. Fee: $54 for members, $64 non-members.
Study Time Sundays
The Rye Free Reading Room will be open three more Sundays from 12-4 — May 17 and 31 and June 7. The additional hours will give students extra prep time for Regents, AP tests, and final exams. Of course, all others are welcome to use the library on these afternoons.
Spring Awakening
Wainwright House invites all to their third annual luncheon on May 19 from 12-2:30. The 2015 Fonrose Wainwright Condit Heart and Soul Award honorees are: Helping Hands for the Homeless and Hungry, Robert GiaQuinto of Rye Beach Pharmacy, and Rye Sustainability Committee.
For reservations to this memorable occasion, visit wainwright.org. Cost is $75 per person; $525 for a table of 8; $600 for a table of 10.
Italian mandolin virtuoso Carlo Aonzo and Cuban guitarist Rene Izquierdo will perform at Wainwright House on May 28. Enjoy a wine and beer reception at 7:30 and an evening filled with music starting at 8.
Register at wainwright.org or call 967-6080. Admission: $25 for members, $28 non-members.
Ahead of the Curve
Visitors have one more week to enjoy the works of Eva Zeisel at the Rye Arts Center. The internationally recognized mid-century designer’s search for beauty in abstract forms is evident in her vases, tableware, and home furnishings, on display through May 22. Experience Zeisel’s extraordinary story and 80-year career.
Community Art
Celebrate the works of the talented students, instructors, and members of the Rye Arts Center at an exhibit at their gallery from June 6-27. An opening reception will be held June 6 from 3-5. This community favorite is a culmination of works by young and old, novice and accomplished.
Local Color
The Rye Free Reading Room is hosting an exhibit of oil paintings by four local artists from June 2-29. An artists’ reception will be held at the library June 6 from 2-4. The featured artists are Shirley Wolf and Doris Peet of Port Chester, Kathleen Joyce of Greenwich, and Terry Eppridge of Harrison.
Their work is varied in subject matter and personal style, ranging from figural to landscape to portrait. All studied with Enzo Russo at the Greenwich Art Society Studio School.
Community Shout-out
Élan Yoga invites you to a spring celebration May 21 from 6-9. Meet local women entrepreneurs and check out what is going on in the fitness world. Élan Yoga owner Jennifer O’Connor will introduce Ellen Blaufox of True Edge Workshop and Erica Christ of EC Wellness Pilates Studio, as well as local artist Jeanette Doné-Lagemann and singer/songwriter Raina Mullen.
Enjoy spirits from Wine at Five and hors d’oeuvres from Le Pain Quotidien.
Father of the American Cartoon
Join SPRYE on May 20 from 3-4:30 at Wainwright House for a most interesting lecture. John Adler, a leading expert on the influential work of 19th century political cartoonist Thomas Nast, will talk about and illustrate Nast’s impact on the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln called Nast his “best recruiting sergeant.” The program is free.
Just Browsing
Learn to use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Google’s Chrome browser at the Rye library May 21 from 10-12. Among the topics covered will be setting new home pages and bookmarks, clearing Internet data, security, and using the private browsing feature.
Healthcare Maze and Then Some
The Rye Free Reading Room’s Current Events Book Group will discuss “America’s Bitter Pill” by Steven Brill May 26 from 6:30-8. Moderated by John Dolan, the evening’s discussion will focus on money, politics, and the Affordable Care Act.
Meet novelist Susie Orman Schnall at the Rye Free Reading Room on May 19 at 9:15. Author of “The Balance Project” and founder of the popular interview series of the same name, Schnall will discuss ways of maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
“The Balance Project” is a story of two women making tough choices that will resonate deeply with women who struggle to “do it all.” Schnall is also the author of the award-winning “On Grace.” Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and Westchester Magazine.
Healthy Happy Seniors
Celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day at the Rye YMCA on May 27 from 1-4. The nation’s largest annual health promotion event, the common goal is to help keep older Americans healthy and fit.
Dr. Nina Cheigh, former professor of pharmacy, will kick off the events with a “Jump Start Your Health” discussion about nutrition and exercise. A variety of exercise programs for all fitness levels will be offered, including a tai-chi session.
There will also be a stress management segment to help seniors manage tension and create greater balance for a more peaceful, satisfying life. Breathing and meditation practices will be introduced. RSVP to dianavita@ ryeymca.org
Uncharted Territory
Learn all about the new email programs at the Rye Free Reading Room on May 28 from 10-12. Microsoft’s hotmail, the changed Outlook, and Google’s Gmail will all be covered.
Medicare Mysteries
Understand your Medicare options, supplements, and plans at the Rye Free Reading Room on May 28 at 10. An insurance and retirement representative and IRS-registered tax return preparer, will help attendees decipher between HMO, PPO, PFFS, SNP, AND MSA in clear an simple language.
Miners 101
Take a peek inside the earth at the Rye Nature Center Quarry on May 30 at 10. RNC staff will lead the expedition to see what Rye is really made of. The cost is $5 for members, $8 non-members.
Creating a Cocoon
Join the Rye Garden Club and the Rye Free Reading Room May 30 at 1 in saving the beautiful Monarch butterfly from extinction. Bring and plant your milkweed sprout to the library to welcome the butterflies back to the Children’s Room Garden.
Make sure to stop by throughout the summer to see the butterflies enjoying the milkweed plants.
Animal Whisperer Wannabes
Interested in volunteering at the Rye Nature Center? Attend an animal care training session on June 3 from 4-6. No experience necessary. Participants must be 15 and older. Pre-registration is required. Email jenicasinelli@ryenaturecenter.org for more information.
Rekindle Your Kindle
Learn how to download library e-books on your Kindle at the Rye Free Reading Room on the first Thursday of the month — June 4 — from 10-11. Become familiar with the Overdrive catalog’s popular titles. Library staff will provide attendees with all the technical assistance they need.
Dear Dad
Join adult story lovers at monthly meetings at the Rye Free Reading Room and share traditional and personal tales and trade tips on storytelling techniques. The theme at the June 2 Rye Storytellers’ Guild meeting at 6 will focus on fathers and grandfathers, past, present, and future. Both tellers and listeners are always welcome.
Kindle-garten
Come by the Rye Free Reading Room on the first Thursday of the month –June 4 – from 4:30-5:25 for help downloading e-books to tablets and phones. Assistance is available on a first come basis.
Calling All Gamers
Discover how to create a game of your own using Roblox, a free online application, at the Rye library May 26 from 6:30-8. Designed for teenagers, it allows users to make games by coding and designing in a virtual world. Create a Roblox account and bring your vision to life.
Family Campout
Rye Nature Center is offering the perfect introduction to the joys of the outdoors at a campout from May 30 at 5 to May 31 at 10. Parents and their children will enjoy the great outdoors with stargazing, campfire stories, roasted marshmallows, and falling asleep under the stars to the calls of crickets and owls.
Imagine all this and a Starbucks within a 5-minute drive. Dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike are included. Bring your own tent or borrow one of the Center’s. The adventure is suggested for ages 5 and up. Advanced registration is required at ryeymca .org. Members only. Limited space. $30/person.
First Family Friday
Celebrate the coming of summer at the Rye YMCA on the first Friday of the month, June 5 from 6:30-7:30. The evening promises to be chockfull of activities, themed crafts, snacks and plenty of fun.
Space is limited, so register at ryeymca.org or email hillary@ ryeymca.org with any questions. Family members: free. Youth and non-members: $10/person.
Meet children’s author Jonah Winter and illustrator and satirist Barry Blitt at Jay Heritage Center June 5 at 3:30. After the program, the co-authors will sign copies of “The Founding Fathers: Those Horse-Ridin’, Fiddle-Playin’, Book-Readin, Gun-Totin’ Gentlemen Who Started America!”
Winter is also the author of “Fair Ball! 14 Great Stars from Baseball’s Negro Leagues”, and Blitt is known for his New Yorker covers. See a live drawing demonstration and hear them explain why John Jay was on “the varsity squad” for his important role in building our nation as a formidable peacemaker. Ideal for kids in grades 2-5 and their parents.
The program is free, but seating is limited, so reservations are required. Call 698-9275 or email jayheritagecenter@gmail.com
Fun Club Day
Kids in grades K-6 can enjoy their day off with fun activities at the Rye YMCA May 22 from 9-4. Pack a lunch, a swimsuit and cap, and a towel. Fee: $65 for members and KT/ASA members, $80 non-members.
Register at ymca.org and email yanique@ryeymca.org for more information. Extended hours are available.
You’re It
Rye Recreation is offering a fun-filled evening on May 29 for kids in grades 6-8. Archery Tag is on the agenda at the multipurpose court. Two sessions are available: 5:30-7, 7-8:30.
Expect extreme action, fun, and excitement in a laser skirmish adventure. Space is limited and pre-registration is required at ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm. Fee: $25. Residents only. No drop-ins.
Book groups aren’t just for grownups. On the fourth Saturday of each month, a “snack and chat” about a fun book will be held at the Rye Free Reading Room. The May selection, “Dory Fantasmagory” by Abby Hanlon, is about a little sister with a big personality and an imagination to match.
The program for grades 2 and 3 will be held May 23 at 3. Pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room and sign up at ryelibrary .org.
June Fest
Kids in grades 5 and 6 are in for a treat at Rye Recreation Park on June 5 from 7-8:45. The multipurpose court will have inflatables, games, music, and more. Register in advance at ryeny.gov/recreation.cfm. Fee: $20. Residents only. No drop-ins.
Great Performance Camps
Wainwright House is offering a special music and art program for ages 6-9 August 17 to 21 from 9-12:15. The summer camp will incorporate all things “princesses and princes” into fun-filled mornings of music, dance, and art. The royal staff will help the children make their own crowns and activity books, and enjoy royalty-themed movies during snack break.
They’re also offering a camp for aspiring performers 10-13 August 17-21 from 1-4. Kids will learn essential audition tools and techniques, including the correct 16-32 bar cut to present the best audition ever. Students will work with a music director and participate in master classes presented by Broadway performers.
The fee for either camp is $245 for members, $298 non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
Anchors Aweigh
The Rye Historical Society will host its annual gala benefit June 6 from 7-10 at a beautiful waterfront private home in Rye. The gala committee has planned a memorable evening of live music, light supper, and specialty cocktails to tie in with Rye’s nautical heritage. Live auction offerings include a week’s stay in the heart of Nantucket in a beautiful historic home.
Guests will also have an opportunity to support the Society’s mission by making donations to the 2015 Giving Tree, which includes underwriting some of the most popular programs, such as Pumpkin Carving in the fall and Hands-on-History summer camp.
Tickets are $150 per person for members. Various levels: Skippers $165; Captains $275; and Commodores $500. Tickets at the door, if available, will be $175. For reservations or more information, call 967-7588 or visit ryehistory.org.
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