Morsels on Rye

Weddings
Totaro — de Barros

Bethany Nora Totaro and Paul Tweddle de Barros were married March 10 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Albany, N.Y. The Reverend William G. Hempel III, assisted by Reverend Ronald Habedank, a close friend of the bride's family, performed the service.

The bride is the daughter of James and Deborah Murphey Totaro of Angola, N.Y. The groom is the son of Paul and Victoria Tweddle de Barros of Rye.

Zandy de Barros McBeth was her brother's groomsperson and Clare Dunn was the groom's best woman. Lauren Brachmann served as the maid of honor.  Kelly Flintrop and Jen Sorenson were bridesmaids. The ushers were Scott Duquin and Martin Totaro, the bride's brothers, Andy McBeth, Paul Sandak and Corbin Chase.  Tommy Borzoni, cousin of the groom, was the ring bearer.

The bride and groom met as undergraduates at the University at Albany. In March of 2006 they traveled to California, where Mr. de Barros was a presenter at the National Conference of School Psychologists. During their visit to Disneyland, while in front of the castle, Mr. de Barros, known as PJ, got down on one knee and pulled out an engagement ring that was cradled in a glass slipper and proposed to the applause of onlookers.

The bride, who received her bachelor's degree in English from the University at Albany, is the marketing coordinator for Excelsior College. Mrs. de Barros, a proponent of community service, is a member of the Albany Junior League. She also volunteers for many community activities, including Habitat for Humanity, HATAS (Homeless and Travelers Aid Society), and the Honest Weight Food Co-Op.

The groom graduated cum laude from the University at Albany with a bachelor's degree in psychology.  He received a master's degree in educational psychology and methodology and will receive a certificate of advanced study from the School of Psychology of The University at Albany this month. He is currently pursuing his teaching certification in mathematics.

After their honeymoon, Part 1, in Bermuda, the couple returned to Albany. Honeymoon Part 2, to Paris, is scheduled for summer.

Engagements
Saunders - O'Mara

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Saunders of Marshfield, Mass., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathleen Saunders, to Brian O'Mara, son of Doreen Germond O'Mara of Brandon, Vt., formerly of Rye, and the late Timothy O'Mara.

The future bride is a teacher at Pembroke High School in Pembroke, Mass. The future groom works for the Renaissance Company in educational sales.

The couple resides in South Boston. The wedding will take place Aug. 4 at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, Vt.

Stamped for Life

At their annual luncheon May 24, members of the Rye Association for the Handicapped presented longtime president Lucy Pederson, back row right, with a framed set of U. S. Postal Service stamps with her photo.

Also pictured: Kent and Nancy Young, Don and Helen Friedkin, Shirley Hollis and Kate Loree.

The event was held at Apawamis Club. Volunteers are always needed.

A Golden Achievement

Lindy Smalt, a senior at Rye High School and member of Rye Girl Scouts Senior Troop 2196, received the Gold Award at a special ceremony held at the Square House last month. The Gold Award is Girl Scouting's highest achievement, equal to the Eagle Award in Boy Scouting. Lindy was the only scout to earn the award this year in Rye.

For her Gold Award project, "The History of the Future," Lindy focused on preserving the history and experience of Rye teenagers by conducting interviews and recording their stories. History has long been a passion of Lindy's, and she enjoys finding ways to make it come alive for others. Her project will be donated to the Rye Historical Society.

Symphonic Sounds

On Sunday, April 22, three Rye High School students performed at Lincoln Center in New York City as members of The Westchester Youth Symphony. The three students, senior Courtney Clark (violin) and juniors Sam Malin (percussion) and Jesseca Turner (cello) performed works by Beethoven, Bizet and Wagner as part of the county youth orchestra’s spring concert. All three musicians are active participants in the music and arts program at Rye High School.

The Westchester Youth Symphony has been led for many years by the father-and-son team of Victor and Vincent Lionti.  This season is the thirty-eighth year of the senior Mr. Lionti’s involvement with the orchestra.

Courtney Clark will study at Brown University this fall. This summer, Sam Malin will be performing in New Orleans with the Youth Symphony for United Nations and their jazz band. Jesseca Turner was accepted into Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artist Composition Program.

Pictured above, Courtney Clark, Victor Lionti, Jesseca Turner, Sam Malin.

Births

Gene and Nancy Collins announce the birth of a grandson, Kevin Li Collins, May 13 in Tokyo, Japan. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces. His parents, Tyler and Nan Collins, reside in Tokyo. His maternal grandparents are Xiao Yongqin and the late Li Wenkang of Chengdu, China.