Read Sanctuary Needs Its Curator
Dear Editor,
For the second year, the County’s proposed budget cuts the curator position for Rye’s Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary.
Last year it took public outcry, testimony at budget hearings, and efforts by our legislators, including Judy Myers, to get this position restored.
The public must mount the same efforts this year.
The curator of the Read Sanctuary is the only County employee who supervises and operates the park. Without his presence, the wildlife and the structures go unprotected. No educational programs, of the type proven to be so popular with students and adult, go on. Improper uses are made of the area if there is no policing, a role the curator also plays.
The importance of the sanctuary to Rye and our region can best be measured by the enormously successful Octoberfest we held last month. Some 1,500 people came and enjoyed the programs and the natural setting.
Sincerely,
Paul D. Rheingold
The author is a member of the Friends of Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary.
Leading by Example
Dear Editor,
As a follow-up to letters in the last issue, I wanted to share a most remarkable event during the Sandy power outages.
After ten days of no electricity, the power in our house on Forest Avenue finally went on. I had seen trucks on Forest identified as “Hydro-Québec.” I went out to the corner of Forest and Manursing avenues and saw a couple of men in windbreakers and slacks talking with one of the linemen. I went over to thank them, using my best attempts at “merci.” One of them shook my hand and said, “Hello”, followed by “I’m Thierry Vandal, the CEO of….” and he pointed at one of the Quebec trucks.
In the midst of all the frustration of no electricity, I thought it was pretty special to meet the CEO of the largest electricity generator in Canada and the world’s largest hydroelectric producer, and one of the many out-of-New-York energy companies helping Con Ed get us up and running again, actually out in the trenches, actually on my corner! A pretty good example for any CEO to follow.
Sincerely,
Allen Clark
Thank a Million, Rye
Dear Editor,
As we enjoy this holiday season and reflect on this past year, Sole Ryeders & Friends would like to extend our appreciation to the Rye community. We are thankful again for all our walkers, climbers, sponsors, and innumerable individuals who have generously supported all our efforts in so many different ways this year.
In 2012, we have raised over $160,000 through our various efforts. This brings the total amount raised since our inception in 2007 to more than $1 million! It goes without saying that none of this would be possible without the phenomenal and continued support we receive from our friends and neighbors.
This year demonstrated a broader scope for Sole Ryeders. In 2012 we launched The Wig Exchange, which provides women undergoing chemotherapy with high quality wigs and practical tips for managing cancer-related hair loss. This year, we also held our inaugural children’s fundraiser, Cover the Court with Coins. Held in May at Rye Rec, we created a fun, unique way to show our children that even pocket change can make a difference. Many of us participated in our first Cancer Climb in September, scaling Massachusetts’ Mt. Greylock. And of course, we had our team of walkers who walked the length of Manhattan and beyond.
As we end this year, we will award grants to our current partners: Cancer Support Team, Open Door Family Medical Centers, Support Connection, Gilda’s Club Westchester, and LIVESTRONG at the Rye YMCA. Each grant is for a specific program, which addresses previously unmet cancer-related needs. Everyone who raised funds for Sole Ryeders this year decides how their dollars will be allocated. Less tangible but equally as important, we continue to provide resources and emotional support for individuals and families in our community who are affected by cancer.
Thank you, Rye friends, for making 2012 such a successful year for Sole Ryeders. We appreciate every dollar you donate, every event you attend, every cupcake you buy, and every honk and shout out you give us on our weekend training walks.
If you are interested in learning more about Sole Ryeders, visit soleryeders@gmail.com.
With much gratitude,
Sole Ryeders & Friends Team 2012
