SCENE IN RYE

All in a Day’s Fun

The competition was stiff at Family Fitness Fun Day, especially in the potato sack and three-legged races. The old-fashioned event, sponsored by The Twig, was held at Rye Recreation, Sunday, May 20.

When the kids weren’t running and jumping, they were paying close inspection to the new EMS vehicle, funded by The Twig. The event raised over $1,000 to replace fitness equipment at the Y

The Wonder of it All

That is what children discovered at Explore-A-Thon 2007, sponsored by the Westchester Children's Museum at Playland June 3. Five exploration stations — Construction, Water, Ecology, Bubble and Physical Challenge - were spread throughout the park. All took lots of concentration and produced a strong sense of satisfaction among participants, whose “passports” were stamped after they completed each task.

A rainforest was set up by FastracKids, an enrichment program based in Rye. Con Ed educated youngsters about energy. The future museum will be “green.”

Kudos to event chair Susan Mackle and her team of volunteers for an enriching experience and for offering free admission to many needy Westchester children.

Millinery Musts

For the latest in hat fashions and designer couture, one only need go to the annual Jay Heritage Spring Luncheon. This year’s event was held May 16 at American Yacht Club. Both guests and models from Neiman Marcus put on a fine display.

Enduringly Modern

The Rye Historical Society celebrated the ever-fascinating 1920s with a luncheon at American Yacht Club. Before lunch, guests sipped lemonade on the deck overlooking the Sound and viewed Kharma Bhutia’s handmade fabrics and accessories from Tantra Om. Wonda Clyatt, Sheri Jordan, and Elizabeth Ellis, dressed in ’20s flapper costumes, were a big hit.

During the luncheon, guests enjoyed an informative and often humorous presentation by Phyllis Magidson, Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the Museum of the City of New York. A prominent theme of the talk and slide show was the changing role of women and their resultant increased freedoms. Actual dresses from the 1920s were on display, on loan from the current Square House exhibit, “Rye and the Roaring 20s: A Time for Change,” curated by Jarod Kearny.

A Flowering Display

The Osborn played host to the annual Larchmont and Mamaroneck Garden Clubs Flower Show May 3 and 4.  Over 150 visitors viewed the creative arrangements and exquisite horticulture, five of which were arranged by Osborn residents who are active club members.

A Picnic Indoors

The Rye Free Reading Room held its annual Butterfield’s Picnic mostly inside the library, not on the Village Green as planned, because of rainy weather May 19. But spirits weren’t dampened. In fact, many thousands of dollars for flood relief were raised at the festive event. The library suffered $100,000 in damages from the April 15 flood.

Ready for Inspection

The Milton Point Fire House proudly displayed its new ladder truck, right, at a community event, Engine 192 Wetdown, May 20. As far as which dial to turn, the hundreds of residents in attendance agreed to leave that to the professionals and volunteers.

A Berry Good Time

The Rye Nature Center hosted its delicious Strawberry Sunday festival June 3. Children spent the afternoon potting their own strawberry plants, decorating birdhouses, picture frames and canvas shopping bags, sifting “gold” at a miner's table and creating grass head people. While hiking around the property, many got a sneak peek at the center's new summer overnight campsite and outdoor beehives. For those who had their fill of strawberry shortcakes, milkshakes and sundaes, there was the old standby, cotton candy. Annie and the Natural Wonder Band provided entertaining sounds for all ages.

In Remembrance

Tom Seaver at the bench dedication ceremony for his late wife, Darlene Seaver, at Rye Recreation May 20. The Twig donated the bench which bears her name.

The School of Rock

Rock Island Sound music school students and faculty played to a full house at their second annual student recital and concert at Wainwright House last month. The program ran the musical gamut from “Ode to Joy” to “Blue Eyes” to “Let It Be.” The applause from the more than 200 people in the audience could be heard all night long.

At the end of the evening, Rock Island Sound owner/musician/teacher Paul Bessolo took to the stage with his guitar and his band, The Rock Island Sound Rejects. He was joined by Kenny Malloy on keyboards, Greg Saracino on drums, Mike Bernal on bass and vocalist Jason Spoor. The band performed rocking renditions of “Brown Sugar”, “Johnny B. Goode”, “I Shot the Sheriff”. One of their show-stopping numbers was “Black Magic Woman.”

Rock Island Sound, 619 Milton Road, offers instruction in guitar, piano, drums, bass and voice to ages 4 to 80. The shop also sells a full range of guitars and musical equipment.