BIRTHS
Christy and George Schultze announce the arrival of a son, Blaise Alexander, December 10, 2011 at White Plains Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 21 inches.
He was the best Christmas gift for his siblings Annabelle, Julia, Hugo, Walter, and Eloise, and makes John and Anita Schwarz of Rye the proud grandparents of 18, and Dr. Dietrich Schultze of Denver, Colorado, grandfather of 20.
Cupcakes for a Cause
A determined group of Midland fourth graders braved the cold February 11 to set up a bake sale, complete with a hot chocolate stand, in front of TD Bank. The girls did all the baking themselves and sold delicious treats like brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and even homemade waffles. They raised over $260, which they will send to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect endangered animals.
To make a donation, email Leigh Geller at leighgeller@me.com.
Women Together Forever
The Woman’s Club of Rye celebrated 79 years of service at its annual luncheon February 7 in the Great Room at Christ’s Church. The club, which is comprised of the Woman’s Club, Children’s Philanthropy, and Crossroads, also enjoyed a fashion show and shopping boutique.
Members modeled the latest fashions from Bubble & Tweet, Parkers, Rhythm in Rye, and Weezie D. Micheline DiNardo orchestrated the show. A delicious buffet was arranged by Dottie Dretzin and Debbie Herman.
A fabulous shopping boutique, organized by Helene Byrnes and Susanne D’Ariano, featured local vendors, many of whom will be at this year’s Designing Women fundraiser May 9 at Apawamis Club. Mark your calendars!
Sonenclar Spreads Hope Through Song
By Janice Llanes Fabry
We have a Starlight Ambassador in our midst, Carly Rose Sonenclar, a seventh grader at Rye Neck Middle School who also happens to be a Broadway actress. Not only has she starred in “Wonderland The Musical” and “Les Miserables,” but she will be performing at the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Annual Gala, March 8 at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Sonenclar is also known to a young generation of fans as Gilda Flip on “The Electric Company”, the educational children’s series on PBS. On the big screen, the 12-year-old has appeared in “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II” and “The Nanny Diaries”. On February 26, she will be performing in the 6 p.m. show at Birdland, the landmark jazz club in midtown Manhattan.
Her participation in the Starlight Foundation started out as a service project for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah, in which she wanted to incorporate her voice. The Starlight people happened to see her take on a principal role in “Wonderland”. As her mom, Terri Edelman, said, “It was kismet.”
The Starlight Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children diagnosed with chronic and life-threatening illnesses or severe injuries for almost 30 years. It provides children and their families with education, coping activities, and entertainment. That’s where Sonenclar comes in.
She sings to children at Mt. Sinai Hospital via KidZone TV, a studio at the hospital. Her voice is broadcast live into the rooms of all the young patients, who often come visit her in the studio. At Starlight’s Holiday Party, she played the piano and sang with any child who wanted to join her.
“I feel really good after a performance, because you never know who you’re going to reach. It could be someone’s first Broadway show, so every performance has to be special,” said Sonenclar, who has sung the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden and performed at Carnegie Hall.
“As much fun as that is, singing for the kids makes me feel even better. It’s really personal and interactive. It brings them together and takes their mind’s off their illnesses for a little while.”
At the gala, Starlight will honor Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and BCG Partners, for his philanthropic efforts. In addition to Carly Sonenclar, the line-up includes actor Charles Grodin, “SNL” actress Abby Elliott, and musical act Big Shot.
