Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
Spring Break
The kids may be off from school next week, but there are plenty of ways to fill their days right in town. From one-hour activities to full-day programs, there is something for every curious — or restless — child.
The Rye Arts Center offers a myriad of creative classes available all week. Ages 7-9 can create 3D paper mock-up characters in Making Minecraft from 10-12. Ages 8-12 will create their own designs in 3D Modeling that can be printed for any application — art, jewelry, technology, and engineering — from 10-12.
Ages 7-9 who love Legos will enjoy Making Lego Decals from 12:30-2:30. Young artists ages 8-12 can experiment with color and texture in Drawing and Painting from 12:30-2:30.
All classes are $195. Members receive a discount. For more information and to register, log on to ryeartscenter.org or call 967-0700.
The Rye YMCA offers a variety of vacation clubs. Ages 5-11 may enroll in half- or full-day gymnastics or soccer. Besides sports, the Y offers arts and crafts, games, and fitness. Half-day/full-day rates are $62/$82 per day for family members, $72/$93 for youth members, $113/$129 for non-members.
Grades K-6 can join a Fun Club available all week from 9-4 with extended care options available. Activities include sports, games, swimming, arts and crafts, nature, science, special events, and field trips. The daily cost for members is $72, $88 for non-members.
Teens will have the opportunity to get in shape at a fitness clinic with three- and five-day options. The focus is agility, cardio, strength, conditioning, games, and instructional swim. Participants ages 14 and up are eligible for a Teen Passport to the Wellness Center after completing the clinic. The three-day fee is $199 for members, $260 non-members. The five-day cost is $299 for members, $360 non-members.
For more information and to register, visit ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
The Rye Free Reading Room has daily activities for students in kindergarten and up, and their grown-ups.
At a brown bag lunch, watch “The Good Dinosaur” March 21 from 1-2:45. Enjoy a cookie-decorating workshop, complete with sprinkles, icing, and cookies March 22 from 1-2. Crafts are the thing on March 23 from 1-3. Wile away the afternoon of March 24 playing board games from 1-4. Last but not least, enjoy “The Peanuts Movie” on March 25 from 1-3:30, along with a brown bag lunch.
For more information and to register, visit ryelibrary.org or call 967-0480.
The Rye Nature Center invites students in grades pre-K through 5 to take a weeklong nature break. The camp theme is “Our Land Through Time: An Exploration of Our Local Temperate Forest.” Hours are 10-2.
On March 21, discover the biology of the ecosystem. On March 22, explore the impact native and indigenous cultures had on the forests of the Northeast. Learn how the forest changed when Europeans settled on March 23 and how we use the land today on March 24. The Nature Center will round out the week on March 25 with a look at the forest of the future.
Children should dress for the weather and bring lunch. The cost is $60 for child members per day, $70 non-members. Register at ryenaturecenter.org or call 967-5150.
Rye Recreation is offering a wide spectrum of fun. A golf camp is available for grades K-5 March 21-23 from 9:30-12:30 at Osborn Gym. Total Golf Adventures’ Premier Junior Golf will teach swing fundamentals, rules, and etiquette. Equipment is provided. Fee is $200 for residents, $225 non-residents.
Over at the Rye Middle School Gym March 21-23, grades K-5 will have access to a multi-sport camp with over 16 sports from 9-12:30. Fee is $100 for residents, $125 non-residents.
On March 22 from 12-2, children in grades K-5 can take a Jewelry and Beading Workshop at the Damiano Center. Fee is $45 for residents, $55 non-residents.
On March 24, a Spa Party with two sessions will be available for grades 3-8: Lip Balm from 10-11; Mini Facial from 11-12. Fee is $35 for residents, $45 non-residents.
Students in grades K-5 will have the chance to work with Lego brick artists from Brick Kids to build a big duck on March 25 from 10-12. Bring a camera. The fee is $30 for residents, $40 non-residents.
Don’t Miss!
Bring Your Baskets
The Carole D. Kirby Memorial Easter Egg Hunt, for ages 2 through grade 5, will be held at the Rye Recreation Field on March 26. Line-up starts at 10:30 near the tennis courts. The hunt begins at 11. This time-honored event is sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Rye Fire Department and the Rye Fire Department. In case of questionable weather, call 390-1379.
For many years, The Osborn has hosted an Easter Egg Hunt that is free and open to the community. Arrive by 11 sharp on March 26 to join in the fun. Young bunnies will enjoy candy-filled eggs. The rain/snow date is April 2, same time.
This Weekend
Equinox Walk
Welcome spring this Saturday at 9:30 by planting bulbs at the Rye Nature Center. Join a naturalist and explore the forest to find signs of the new season’s arrival. Suggested for ages 5 and up. The cost is $8 per person members, $10 non-members. Call 967-5150 for more information.
Landing a Job
Explore your next career step and learn the ABC’s of a successful job search at the Rye Free Reading Room Saturday from 10-11:30. Career Counselor Nada Beth Glick will cover optimizing your background and past job experiences, decoding job descriptions, composing an effective cover letter, writing a winning resume, acing the interview, generating helpful personal and professional contacts, and getting the job offer of your choice.
For more information, visit ryelibrary.org or call 231-3161.
The Mow the Merrier
How about moving preying mantis egg cases before the meadow is mowed at Marshlands Conservancy on Saturday from 1-3? Hand tools will be provided, but bring work gloves.
The Promise of Flight
Wainwright House is offering two workshops by Native American Studies professor and author Evan Pritchard on Saturday from 1-3. Learn about the medicine wheel of life and discover how birds connect us to the power of the mind, uplifting us with the promise of flight. In a second workshop from 3:30-5:30, Pritchard will lead a ceremony in which participants will name over 100 species of birds.
The fee for each workshop is $35 for members, $40 non-members. Workshops combined are $60 for members, $70 non-members. For more information, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Steamy and Sultry Plantation Life
SPRYE will screen “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at the Rye library Saturday at 3. This memorable 1958 American drama, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Tennessee Williams, stars Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP at 481-5706 or email director@sprye.org.
Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Enjoy a performance by the pupils at the Kelly-Oster School of Irish Dance and listen to storyteller Marianne McShane spin Irish tales and play the harp at the Rye Free Reading Room on Sunday at 2.
The event, presented by the Rye Storytellers’ Guild, includes Irish tea, cheeses, and soda bread.
Psychic Leanings
A Mediumship 101 workshop at Wainwright on Sunday from 1-4 will trace the history of mediums that have communicated with elders long gone. Psychic Joan Carra will teach participants how to trust their intuition and access messages and feelings from the spirit with exercises and techniques.
The fee is $60 for members, $66 non-members.
Sounds of Music at Rye Pres
All are welcome to Rye Presbyterian Church for a chamber music concert on at 2:30 on Sunday. The program includes Debussy’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G Minor and the Chausson Piano Quartet.
The talented artists include violinist Jeffrey Multer, violist Danielle Farina, cellist Edward Arron, and pianist Jeewon Park.
Seats are $40.
Welcoming Spring With a Bang
The Equinox is a time to rebalance ourselves and Wainwright House is offering the opportunity on Sunday from 5:30-7:30. Facilitated by Susan Wright and Leigh Reeves, the evening will give guests the chance to connect with Mother Earth and Grandmother Fire, as well as with the heart of all beings.
Feel free to bring a drum or other instrument. Music by Rebecca Kane. Suggested donation is $10.
For a Good Cause
Mind-Bending Gala
The Rye YMCA invites one and all to its magical and mysterious annual fundraiser featuring mentalist and magician Oz Pearlman, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent” on April 1 from 7:30-11:30 at Shenorock Shore Club.
Proceeds go to Y Cares, a financial assistance program that creates opportunities so that the lives of all youth are changed for the better. It is part of the YMCA’s leading global movement for youth empowerment.
Call Special Events Coordinator Margaret Mead at 967-6363 for more information and for tickets.
Arts & Entertainment
Lens on Rye
The Rye library will feature the work of photographer David F. Donnelly through March 30. Donnelly has masterfully turned his lens on the local environment to capture the beauty of Rye. For more information, visit ryelibrary.org or call 231-3161.
Room for Art
“Hot Ticket: Works on Paper,” which opened to great success last weekend at The Rye Arts Center, is on view through April 16. This curated exhibition of works on paper by emerging and seasoned artists offers collectors access to new art at affordable prices.
Prints, drawings, and collages unframed are available for $1,100 or less. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org.
Talks, Workshops, and Just for Fun
Cut, Copy, Paste
A workshop at the Rye Free Reading Room on March 24 from 10-12 will cover Microsoft Word. Learn about preparing documents, data handling, folders and files, and useful editing functions.
Computer classes are taught by Mike Negrelli, a longtime IBM employee, and are made possible by the Thomas A. Williams Memorial Fund.
Peeling off the Pounds
The Rye YMCA’s next Weight Watchers meetings will be held March 24 and 31 from 1-2. All are welcome in the Teen Lounge. Contact Diana Vita at 967-6363 ext. 211 for more information.
The Grass Is Not Always Greener
Grassroots Environmental Educator Ellen Weininger will offer an overview of the ramifications of exposure to synthetic turf at the Rye library on March 24 from 7:30-9. Learn updates, solutions, and resources in order to keep the community safe.
Under the Stars
Go on a night hike at the Marshlands Conservancy on March 25 from 7:30-9. Enjoy some amazing lights along the beautiful shoreline.
College Savings
On March 29 from 6:30-8, the Rye library will present a workshop that will help participants set financial goals for their children’s college education. Financial aid, student loans, and tax advantages will be covered. Facilitator David Lasco is an experienced financial advisor.
Fire Up the Kindle
Learn to download e-books on the Kindle at the Rye library on March 31 from 10-11. See how to use the overdrive catalog to find popular titles, download them, and access them on a mobile device. Some experience with computers is required.
Supporting Seniors
On March 31 from 10:30-12, SPRYE is holding an informational Open House at its third floor office at 55 S. Main Street (One Gateway Plaza) in Port Chester. All are welcome, from volunteers to new and current members.
Find out all about how older adults can Stay Put in Rye and Environs. SPRYE serves the communities of Harrison, Port Chester, Rye, and Rye Brook. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP by calling 481-5706.
Drink Up!
On March 31 at 7, the Rye library is holding a panel discussion about cocktails and their history. Join former New York Times editor and “Quiet Drink” columnist Steve Reddicliffe, “Drinking with Men” author Rose Schapp, and Robert Simonson author of “The Old Fashioned.” The threesome will also chat about their favorite works from famed New York Times journalists, Mark Bittman, Eric Asimov, Melissa Clark, and Amanda Hesser.
Copies of their books will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served.
Keep Moving
Jump into ongoing yoga, Qigong, and Tai Chi classes at Wainwright House. Drop-in fee is $25 and prorated fees are available. For a full schedule, visit wainwright.org or call 967-6080.
Family Ties
From a Seedling, A Mighty Trunk
On March 26, Read Sanctuary is kicking off its indoor seed-starting program from 1-2:30 for ages 6 and up. Plant some seeds, learn all about them, and watch them grow at home.
Silly Dilliness
On March 26, families with kids of all ages can head to the Rye library at 2 to meet children’s poet and parody songwriter Alan Katz of “Take Me Out of the Bathtub” and its “Silly Dilly” sequels.
An Emmy-nominated television comedy writer, Katz recently penned a new chapter book, “The Day the Mustache Took Over,” and the soon-to-be published picture book “That Stinks! A Punny Show and Tell.” Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Teen Time
Sketching Rye
The Rye library is holding a series of workshops starting March 31 from 6-7:30. In addition to learning architecture and design, teens will explore the history of Rye landmarks. Then they will recreate favorite buildings with Sketchup 3D design software with the help of The Rye Arts Center and the Rye Historical Society, as well as the Rye Free Reading Room.
Subsequent workshops are scheduled for April 7, 14, 21, and 28. Designs will be presented to members of the City Council and Landmarks Committee at a special event. Registration is required at ryelibrary.org.
Coding Craze
Tweens in grades 6-8, and teens without previous experience, will learn coding and its role in creating software, apps, and websites in a program at the Rye library April 1 from 4-5:20. Laptops not required.
Instructor Irum Khan has completed a professional development course to teach coding and has held workshops in Mamaroneck and Larchmont. Space is limited. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Children’s Corner
Paintball Party!
Grades 6-8 are invited to join the Rye YMCA as they travel to Hogan’s Alley Paintball in Meriden, Connecticut, on March 22 from 9-4:30. The Y will have its own reserved fields and participants will be chaperoned by the Y’s Teen Staff. No experience is necessary and all gear is provided, but kids may bring their own.
For family/youth members the fee is $115, non-members $135. For more information, email john@ryeymca.org or call 967-6363.
Books, Snacks, and Chats
The Rye Free Reading Room will continue its children’s book clubs March 26 from 3-4 when the Ryebrary Readers for grades 1 and 2 will discuss “Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine” by Gloria Whelan. From 4-5, Rye Rockin’ Readers for grades 3 and 4 will discuss “The Mysteries of Harris Burdick” by Chris Van Allsburg.
On April 23 from 3-4, grades 1 and 2 will discuss “Me…Jane” by Patrick McDonnell. From 4-5, grades 3 and 4 will discuss “Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall” by Anita Silvey.
Books are available in the Children’s Room. Pre-registration is required at ryelibrary.org.
Gizmos Galore
Future scientists and engineers in grades K-2 will enjoy Gizmos Fun Club on April 1 from 4-5. A different STEM activity takes center stage at these monthly sessions. Register at ryelibrary.org.
Book Nook
The Rye library’s I Read a “Latte” book club for tweens is meeting April 16 at 3 to discuss “Nooks and Crannies” by Jessica Lawson. Grades 5 and 6 will enjoy the story about six children navigating a mansion’s many mysteries.
Register at ryelibrary.org and pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room.
Save the Date
Jazz Over Brunch
The Gary Adamson Trio will perform at the next Jazz Brunch at Wainwright House, on Sunday, April 3 from 11:30-2:30. Admission, which includes brunch, champagne, and concert, costs $45. Call 967-6080 to register.
Towards a Sustainable Economy
Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker is the keynote speaker at the League of Women Voters’ Annual Luncheon, April 8 from 12-2 at Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck. Her timely topic is “Making Westchester’s Economic Development a Model of Sustainability in the 21st Century.”
The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Larchmont-Mamaroneck; New Rochelle; and Rye, Rye Brook, and Port Chester. The fee is $55, $15 of which is tax-deductible). To reserve a seat, visit lwvlm.org.
Doors Are Open Celebration
The Westchester Children’s Museum invites you to come over to the North Bathhouse at Playland and celebrate the opening of their expanded space and new interactive exhibits. The date is Tuesday, April 12 from 6-9.
Enjoy cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres while taking a tour or hearing about all the special programs and events the Museum has in store.
At the event, Lisina Hoch and her daughter and son-in-law, Alix and Rudolf Laager, will be honored for their longstanding support. Their commitment dates back to when the Museum was merely an idea, and they have remained firmly committed to building a vibrant learning center for the children of this region.
The Doors Are Open Celebration marks the turning point for the Westchester Children’s Museum as it becomes a fully operational institution. The new and vibrant galleries overlooking Long Island Sound are the first step in the Museum’s ongoing plan to develop the entirety of its 22,000 square-foot space with hands-on exhibits, a one-of-a-kind climbing structure, and a performance theater.
For tickets, call 421-5050 or visit discoverwcm.org.
Bird’s-Eye View
French-born photographer Nadia Valla will present a program at the Rye Meeting House called “Through the Eyes of the Photographer” April 16 at 3. She will share the stories behind her exquisite photos of birds now on view at the Meeting House in an exhibit called “On the Wing.” Valla has captured more than 50 species of birds, often from a kayak, in 80 artistic photographs.
Valla will also explain her printing techniques and such practical matters as how she keeps her equipment dry in a kayak. The audience will be encouraged to ask questions throughout the program.
Native Son
Rye Native James Gedney will discuss his memoir, “No Experience Necessary,” at the Rye Free Reading Room April 23 from 2-3:30. He will take everyone on his journey from a “bohemian zero” who couldn’t hold down a job through his life-changing sojourns and an epiphany after a close encounter with serial killers and the impending birth of his daughter.
His story provides an entertaining look at the American workplace and also features familiar settings in Rye.
