A Heckuva Show!
Rye Middle School recently put on a rip-roaring production of “New York, New York,” a themed musical review.
The show featured seven sixth graders, 11 seventh graders, and seven eighth graders performing, along with 11 high school and three middle school crew members.
Performers sang and danced their way across the stage to a variety of well-known show tunes, including “On Broadway” and “New York, New York.” The songs, drawn primarily from shows produced in New York, provided a variety of styles and opportunities for groups, solos, and duets.
Tom Snowden directed, Cathy Cunningham choreographed, Victoria Jessie was musical director, and Jeff Loddo was technical director.
Lunch with a Side of Murder
America’s first murder trial was the topic of conversation at the Rye Historical Society’s Annual Spring Luncheon on Thursday, May 8 at Shenorock Shore Club.
Over 140 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch, a shopping boutique of local vendors, and a presentation from New York Times best-selling author Lauren Willig, who discussed her latest book, “The Girl from Greenwich Street.”
Set in New York City in the early 1800’s, Willig’s book explores the true story of Elma Sands, who disappeared from her Quaker cousins’ boardinghouse just before Christmas in 1799. After her body appears in a Manhattan well, local carpenter Levi Weeks is accused of her murder and is defended by none other than bitter rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
Willig shared that during her in-depth research for the book, she uncovered numerous fictions about the infamous case that were routinely passed on as fact, highlighting skewed perceptions of both the victim and the famous lawyers themselves.
Thanks to the efforts of event chairs Allison Young, Jackie Jenkins and Kendra Moran, as well as Rye Historical Society’s Board of Trustees and staff, over $30,000 was raised to support the museum, as well as educational programming and special events.
Parents’ Softball Fundraiser for PTOs
Parents from Milton and Osborn schools took each other on in a softball game on May 16 to raise money for the PTOs.
In the game at the Rye recreation field, Milton parents were up until the fifth inning, when the Osborn parents found their A game and took the lead for good.
Parents reported they had a great time, and they all were pleased to be able to raise some money for Rye schools.
Residents Pick Up Free Compost
Over 20 yards of compost were distributed during Compost Giveback Day, hosted by the Rye Sustainability Committee and the City of Rye on Saturday, May 10.
The nutrient-rich soil, made from yard waste and recycled food scraps, was offered as a thank-you for residents who participate in the community’s food scrap recycling program.
The Rye Sustainability Foundation was also on-site, inviting residents to join its new Healthy Yards program. Those who signed up received a yard sign to display their commitment to eco-friendly lawn practices.
The program aims to reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, create safe habitats for pollinators, and protect the health of the Long Island Sound by cutting back on harmful runoff. Rye Sustainability Committee Chair Hilary Garland and Healthy Yards Chair Tracy Stora were there to greet residents and promote the initiative. Residents can sign up for the program at ryesustainability.com.
Celebrating a Greener Rye
With a packed house of residents and local leaders, the Rye Sustainability Foundation hosted a Green Cocktails and Conversation event on Thursday, May 8 at the Rye Free Reading Room to celebrate the progress made by grassroots and municipal groups working toward a greener, healthier Rye.
The program featured updates from foundation, a video showcasing the environmental initiatives of 20 Rye organizations, and the presentation of the foundation’s annual leadership awards.
This year’s honorees included Friends of Rye Town Park, Billy Weeks (Rye City tree foreman), Gretchen Crowley (longtime Rye Sustainability Committee volunteer), and Ella Froah (a Rye High School senior).
“Tonight is all about education and collaboration,” said foundation Co-Founder Donna Providenti. “We’re here to celebrate the incredible environmental work happening citywide — and to inspire more of it.”
The foundation launched in 2024 as an offshoot of the Rye Sustainability Committee and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on amplifying local impact through fundraising, grants, and expanded programming.
Current initiatives include the 250 Acorns to Oaks project, which will grow and distribute 250 native oak saplings in 2026 in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Another key effort, the Playland Parkway Beautification Project, aims to transform one of Rye’s main gateways into a thriving native landscape.
RAC Benefit
Over 300 people attended The Rye Arts Center’s third annual Studio 51 Spring Benefit at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, May 15, raising a record-breaking $320,000.
Transforming the venue into a homage to Studio 54, the benefit blended music, art, and self-expression. Guests experienced a cocktail hour, a retro-cool DJ set, and a dance party fueled by the tunes of Rubix Kube, an ’80s tribute band. Attendees also explored a curated gallery of original artwork for sale, all created by local artists connected to The Rye Arts Center.
The evening included an awards ceremony honoring some of the center’s most dedicated supporters, including Executive Director Adam Levi and longtime champions Laurie and Rob Platek and Rob and Nicole Weber. Painter Jill Parry received the Visionary Artist Award, the second artist to receive the honor.
A live auction, hosted by NFL Network personalities Ian Rapoport and Kyle Brandt, featured bidding battles that raised nearly $50,000. Guests were also encouraged to participate in the “Text-to-Give” Fund-a-Need moment, which brought in $135,000.
All net proceeds will support The Rye Arts Center’s programming, outreach, and scholarships, supporting the center’s mission to make arts education and programming accessible to everyone in the community.
Author Fiona Davis Visits the Osborn
New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis discussed her latest novel, “The Stolen Queen,” with over 80 readers when she visited The Osborn on Thursday, May 8.
The event was held as part of The Osborn’s WellSpring Series, a program open to the wider community designed to engage the intellectual, social, physical, environmental, occupational, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Davis’ novel, set in 1978 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, represented the intellectual and social.
After informally meeting attendees and signing books, Davis discussed the novel, which tells the story of a curator in the Egyptian Art Collection who unwillingly teams up with a Met Gala assistant to track down a stolen artifact. After Davis’ talk, attendees had the chance to participate in a Q&A.
Trading Study Stress for Snakes
Reptiles proved to be a great escape on Friday, May 9, as teens temporarily put exam stress aside to get hands-on time with reptiles at The Rye Reading Room’s Ssssnamke Break.
Reptile educator and advocate Maureen Hecht, of Wild & Bright, gave participants a chance to touch, hold, and learn about a variety of reptiles, including a bearded dragon, snow corn snake, Russian tortoise, and ball python.
Hecht covered the difference between poisonous and venomous snakes, how each animal protects themselves in the wild, and how reptiles play an important part in each of their habitats by eating rodents, toads, and ticks.
Hecht kept the cool factor going by showing teens a preserved viper skull, snake skeleton, and tortoise shell, while sharing fun facts and answering teens’ questions.
Little ones will be able to get in on the fun later this year at the Rye Reading Room’s “Spooktacular Animals” program in October.
RHS Production Nabs Metro Nominations
RHS has received three 2025 Metro Awards (aka the high school Tony awards) nominations for the Parsons Street Players’ production of “Grease.”
The winners will be announced live at a ceremony on Monday, June 2, at SUNY Purchase.
The nominations are:
Outstanding Performance in a Cameo Male-Identified Role
Jasper Singh for Eugene Florczyk
Outstanding Achievement by a Student Stage Manager
Andrea Kamander
Outstanding Performance by a Stage Crew
Stage Manager Andrea Kamander
Assistant Stage Managers Dean Degnan, Jenna Kloepfer
Light Board Cole Corcino
Sound Board Henry Tighe
Spotlights David Berrocal, Aarav Shah
Props Ava Rollano
Costumes Giada Paone, Maria Kostko
Mics Lex Fogarty, Shaina Lane
Running Crew: Sebrina Bucalo
