Compiled by Janice Llanes Fabry
This Weekend
Tapping Into History
Calling all devotees of craft brews Saturday at 7 at the Square House, once a Colonial tavern, where The Rye Historical Society will host a program on the history of brewing in America. On hand will be Scott Ryan and Ronald McKechnie, founders of Six Degrees of Separation, a brewery and restaurant being built at Westerly Marina in Ossining.
Craft brewing has a long history in America and attendees will learn about a great variety of beer recipes, including some that have come down the ages from Founding Father and our nation’s third President, Thomas Jefferson.
The program will include tastings and a raffle to win a beer-making kit. The fee is $25 for members, $35 non-members. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Call 967-7588. Attendees must be 21 years or older.
Seeing Solutions Through the Leaves
Enjoy an afternoon of tea and light refreshments as you learn the art of tea-leaf reading (tasseography) at Wainwright House Sunday from 12-2. Spiritual counselor Joan Carra will illuminate the ancient practice and discuss pattern interpretation, which stimulates the imagination to create solutions. (Coffee drinkers in the group may work with coffee grounds.) Register by calling 967-6080 or visiting wainwright.org. The program is $32 for members, $35 non-members.
Symbols of Stillness
Create your own mandala or sacred circle at Wainwright on Sunday from 1-4. This meditation tool offers the opportunity to listen to the inner self. Art teacher and owner of Room to Create, Doreen Grozinger will guide participants through meditation and teach the meaning of symbols.
All will be designing their own patterns. Dress accordingly, as acrylic paints will be used. Materials included. Register by calling 967-6080 or visiting wainwright .org. The cost is $55 for members, $65 non-members.
Sunday Best
The Jay Heritage Center’s weekly docent-led tours of the 1838 Jay Mansion are held Sundays from 2-5 through October. See the ongoing restoration efforts of this Greek revival masterpiece, where one of the nation’s Founding Fathers, John Jay (1745-1829), grew up.
Both visitors and volunteers who enjoy history and meeting new people are welcome. Sip iced tea while taking in the beautiful vista.
Arts & Entertainment
Heirloom Garden
Tour a new exhibit in the partially restored Jay Heritage Center Mansion July 15 from 3-4. Suzanne Clary, president, will be the guide for a program on “Mary Rutherford Jay: Garden Architect.”
The great, great-granddaughter of John Jay grew up in Rye and, unusually for a woman of her era, studied at Harvard and MIT to become one of the few landscape architects of the early 20th century. She is also known as a vocal advocate for horticultural education and as a volunteer during World War I.
The Jay Center recently received a grant from New York State to restore the gardens Ms. Jay designed behind the mansion. Suggested donation is $7. The exhibit is open to the public through September 27.
Exhibit on landscape architect Mary Rutherford Jay inside the Jay Mansion
Heavenly Music
Christ’s Church will host a special star-spangled organ recital July 5 at 4. The program includes music by John Williams, Charles Ives, Jerome Moross, and John Philip Sousa, and will be performed by church organist Ruaraidh Sutherland. The concert will be followed with a barbeque in the rectory gardens. The suggested donation is $20.
Local Color
The Rye Free Reading Room is delighted to present new works by Heather Patterson, award-winning artist and Rye resident. The show runs July 3- 29. A reception will be held July 11 from 1-3. Patterson’s vivid acrylic and oil paintings feature local scenes, botanicals, and more.
Family Ties
Both Sides of the Story
On June 29 at 2, the Rye Free Reading Room will present artist/storyteller Christopher Agostino’s “Every Hero Has A Story”. Ages 5 and up will enjoy his Story Faces show, during which volunteers get up on stage to be face-painted to illustrate Agostino’s tales. Families will be captivated by engaging folktales and heroic stories, coupled with a visual arts performance.
The event kicks off the 2015 New York State Summer Reading Program, sponsored by the Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room and the Woman’s Club of Rye/Children’s Philanthropy Section. To sign up, visit ryelibrary.org to sign up.
Olé!
Bilingual Birdies, a foreign language and music program, will present a blast of culture, music, and stories at the Rye library July 18 and August 1 at 11. All ages will enjoy learning songs and rhymes in Spanish.
Mind/Body Imagination
Master storyteller and yoga teacher Elisha Simpson will take children of all ages and their families on a journey of exploration through body and word July 11 and 25 at 11 at the Rye Free Reading Room. She pairs folktales from around the world with yoga exercises to give audience members a way to connect and discover their inner creativity. Afterwards, everyone will work on a simple related craft.
Talks, Workshops, and Just for Fun
Once Upon a Wave
The Rye Storytellers’ Guild, which meets at the Rye Free Reading Room one Tuesday a month, meets next July 7 at 6. The theme is “Seashells, Seashores, and Sea Animals.” As always, traditional and personal tales will be told and tips on storytelling techniques will be shared. Listeners, as well as tellers, are always welcome to join. To learn more, contact Angela at booksamc@aol.com.
Drumming Up Wellness
Learn how to use a variety of timbal instruments in a circle of rhythm and soul at Wainwright House July 10 and August 14. Trained facilitator Damon Jackson will cover the benefits of group drumming as a way to reduce stress, boost the immune system, and gain intellectual stimulation.
Register by calling 967-6080 or visit wainwright.org. The fee is $20 for members, $22 non-members.
Well-Spaced
Wainwright House will present a workshop on opening your intuitive self and learning how to channel and create your own perfect space July 12 from 1-4. Feng-shui practitioner Nidhi Huba will use yoga, feng-shui, dowsing, and divination to help you get there.
Wear comfortable clothing for some light yoga. Bring a journal, floor plan or a sketch of your space. Each participant will receive a pendulum and feng-shui card for AumHome. The program is $60 for members, $66 non-members. Register at wainwright.org.
Pain, Pain, Go Away
Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined, and the costs of medications are enormous. If you are one of those who suffer, head to the Rye library on July 16 at 10 to learn about natural and safe ways to alleviate pain.
Dr. John Thomas Giudice, of Larchmont Wellness, who has been using natural methods since 1998, will discuss anti-inflammatory diets, foods that help block pain, manual and laser therapies, and exercises. Read more on his background on his website www.LarchmontWellness.com.
Paving a Path to Constructive Behavior
Find your true edge at an interactive workshop with Ellen Blaufox July 17 from 10-5 at Wainwright. Through discussion, music, video, and movement, participants will learn to identify triggers that lead to unconscious self-destructive behavior patterns.
Using mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, uncover blocks to nurture your authenticity and liberate yourself. Participants will leave with an action plan on actualizing their goals. A complimentary follow-up phone call will be offered. The fee is $90 for members, $100 non-members.
Teen Time
Penmanship Alive and Well
Teens are invited to enroll in a Calligraphy Workshop at the library, Mondays at 4 from July 6-27. They will learn from calligraphy artist and teacher Mary Jackson. Snacks and supplies will be provided. Space is limited; pre-register at ryelibrary.org. The workshops are sponsored by the library’s Auxiliary Board.
Children’s Corner
Summer Blockbusters
The Rye Free Reading Room has planned three brown bag movie afternoons for ages 5 and up: “The Incredibles” on June 30; “Paddington” on July 1; and “Penguins of Madagascar” on July 3. All are rated PG and begin at 1. Bring your own lunch; snacks and beverages will be provided.
Science Fun
Science teacher Johnda Ferrari is heading up a Science Club for children entering third through fifth grades Friday afternoons at 4 on July 10, 17, 24, and 31 at the Rye library. The fun hour-long programs will focus on such topics as the ocean, bird and insect life, and magnetism. They will include experiments and many hands-on activities.
Visit ryelibrary.org for specific information about each session and to sign up. Pre-registration is required and opens a week in advance of the program.
Not Just For Borrowing Books
The library has planned a series of Family Fun Nights for children ages 5 and up and their grown-ups every Thursday at 6 throughout the summer, starting July 9. All will pertain to the Summer Reading Program’s theme “Every Hero Has a Story” and feature presentations, films and entertainments with a superhero focus.
The first will feature a Super Cape and Mask Workshop with fabric, feather, and sparkles led by Rockland artist B. Smith. Space is limited; pre-registration (ryelibrary.org) is required and begins July 2.
On July 16, brothers Lev and Ellis Rosen will share the story behind the creation of “Woundabout”, their brand-new children’s book about siblings sent to live in a very odd town. Audience members will draw their own versions of the children’s pet capybara, and books will be available for purchase and signing. No registration required.
