Around Town

Coming Attractions in Rye

– Compiled by Teddi Thrush –

Lectures & Workshops
Kids' Corner
The Great Outdoors
Mix and Mingle
Arts for All
Save the Date
Don't Miss

Lectures & Workshops

Join the Rye Historical Society for a talk on “Early American Hand-Tools” by Curator Jarod Kearney Thursday, Nov. 16, 12 p.m., at the Square House.

The talk will focus on the functionality of a wide variety of common hand-tools and their use in early America, as well as the manufacture and evolution of the featured tools. Collectors are encouraged to bring samples of their own early tools to share stories and information. The program is free. For more information, call 967-7588.

“Good Night and Good Luck,” the 2005 film about the decision by Edward R. Murrow and CBS News to challenge Senator Joe McCarthy and his fear-mongering and smear tactics, will be shown at the Rye Free Reading Room Sunday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m.

The Rye Storytellers' Guild and the Rye Free Reading Room welcome listeners to Tellabration Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. This local commemoration of the annual international celebration of storytelling for adults will feature stories from around the world told by Guild members and guest tellers. For more information, call Neva Winter at 231-3162.

For the past two years the Jay Heritage Center has presented an ongoing series of lectures on our Founding Fathers. Now it's time for the women to get their due. Carol Berkin will give a talk based on her book “Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence” Sunday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m.

Berkin tells of women boycotting British goods in the years before independence, writing propaganda that radicalized their neighbors, raising funds for the army, and helping to finance the fledgling government. Women managed farms, plantations, and businesses while the men went into battle. They also served as nurses and cooks in army camps, risked their lives seeking freedom from slavery, and served as spies, saboteurs, and couriers. Many displayed courage and resourcefulness, and some performed extraordinary feats of bravery.

A regular on PBS and The History Channel, Berkin is also the author of “A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution and First Generations: Women in Colonial America.”

The cost of the talk at the Jay Center is $5 per person. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Light refreshments will be served. For further information or to reserve seats, call 698-9275 or visit jayhc@earthlink.net.

Honor our fighting forces at a special Veterans Day screening of the film “Arlington: Field of Honor” at the Rye Free Reading Room Saturday, Nov. 11, 3 p.m. The National Geographic documentary chronicles the history of the cemetery from potter's field to national shrine.

Kids' Corner

Learn about Native American traditions at a workshop offered by the Rye Historical Society at the Square House Tuesday, Nov. 14, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and again Saturday, Nov. 18, 2 to 4 p.m. Students ages 7-11 are invited to explore the history and culture of several Native American tribes. The children will also have an opportunity to create their very own dream catcher and wampum bracelet. The cost is $15 per child and reservations are required. For more information, call 967-7588 or visit www.ryehistoricalsociety.org.

The Rye Free Reading Room encourages teens to join Poetry Aloud and read their favorite poems on cable TV. Speak to young adult librarian Lisa DeLange about choosing a selection and tape at Rye High School Tuesday, Nov. 14, 3:30 p.m. Call the library at 231-3161 for more information about this monthly event.

Be the first to check out the library's latest books for teens. Young adult librarian Lisa DeLange invites reading fans to chat about hot new titles Thursday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m.

Children's Book Week, Nov. 12 through 18, is the perfect time to draw attention to all the special and regular programs the Rye Free Reading Room presents to children all year round. Come to the library during the weeklong celebration and then make it a frequent destination for all the family.

Mother Goose Time offers up rhymes, songs and puppets for children age 6 months and up Sunday, Nov. 12, 2:30 p.m.

Tales for Tots Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. entertains children ages 2 to 3 1/2 with books, songs and felt board stories. That same evening at 7 p.m., children age 3 1/2 and up are invited to wear their nightclothes and bring blankets and their favorite stuffed animals to Pajama Story Hour.

On both Wednesday and Friday mornings, Nov. 15 and 17, 9:30, 10:15 and 11 a.m., Mother Goose Time programs introduce children to nursery rhymes and finger plays.

Preschool Story Times for ages 3 1/2 and up will be held on Thursday and Saturday, Nov. 16 and 18 at 10 a.m. Following Saturday's program, children may stay on and create crafts until noon. Board games will be available for children age 8 to 12 to play from 2 to 4 p.m. that afternoon.

Friday Fun Club, for age 5 and up meets after school Nov. 17, 3:30 p.m. for stories and crafts about children's favorite literary characters.

Children age 5 and up are invited to meet author and illustrator Jennifer Thermes Saturday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m. The author of “When I Was Built” and “Sam Bennett's New Shoes” will show how a picture book grows from an initial idea to final creation. Both of her books, she says, began with discoveries made in the old Connecticut house she shares with her husband, children and reminders from the past.

The Rye Free Reading Room will screen “Curious George” for children age 5 and older Friday, Nov. 10, 3:30 p.m. The animated feature follows the adventures of a frisky little monkey and his friend, “the man in the yellow hat.”

For more information on all Rye Free Reading Room events, call 231-3162 or visit www.RyeLibrary.org.

In an effort to encourage more teens to incorporate exercise into their busy lives, the Rye Y has recently expanded its exercise classes geared to teens.

Yoga for ages 11 to 14 will be held Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. Young people learn Yoga and Pilates moves for better core strength, better posture and stress reduction. Fit-Teen: After School Strength & Conditioning classes, will be available Wednesday and Friday afternoons, for ages 12 to 16. Teen Intro to the Y Fitness Center, Workouts and Healthy Lifestyles is available any day after school for those 12 to 15 year-olds. Your children can learn how to use exercise machines and weights in the fitness center.

Teen Spinning for ages 12 to 15 is held Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Teens participate in instructor-led Spinning Classes in the Spinning Studio on the specially designed Life Fitness bicycles. This is great for weight control and fat loss. Lastly, Personal Training sessions for teens 12 years and older or semi-private Personal Training sessions with a friend, are also available.

All classes started this week and run to Jan. 22. For more information and fees, call 967-6363, ext. 206.

Children ages 4 to 10 years old are welcome to come enjoy “Father/Daughter Day” Saturday, Nov. 18, 3 to 6 p.m. at the Y. The cost is free to Family Members, $5 for Youth Members, $10 to all non-members, and dads are free. Register at the Member Services Desk.

Come take part in the Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl, which is part of Family Skate Night at Playland Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:30 to 10 p.m. The cost is $30 for two to four skaters and includes skate rentals and a large pizza. For additional information, call 813-7059.

The Great Outdoors

Join the Read Sanctuary for their Nature Scavenger Hunt Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m. Meet at the Sanctuary headquarters building, rain or shine, to get your scavenger hunt list. Come by yourself or as part of a group or parent-child team.

Come to the Intro to Wintering Ducks, workshop Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. at Read Sanctuary. Each year thousands of ducks spend their winter in the balmy climates of Rye. You will discuss methods of identification and take a walk to see these winter residents. Binoculars will be provided.

For more information on Read Sanctuary events, call 967-8720.

Listen to the sounds of the evening as day turns into night during the Crepuscular Walk Sunday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m. at the Marshlands. You may hear the courtship calls of the Great Horned Owl. For more information on Marshland Conservancy events, call 835-4466.

Explore with the Rye Nature Center as they host Lenape Lifeways Sunday, Nov. 19, 1 to 3 p.m. Discover the traditional Lenape life in the Eastern Woodlands homeland with archaeologist/educator John Kraft. The two-hour program will focus on everyday village activities and the roles of men, women and children within the family and community. Artifacts and illustrations will show how the Lenape dressed, built shelters, grew crops, fished, hunted, cooked, made tools and weapons, treated disease, grew up and more. Rye was once the site of a village, called Poningo, of the Wappinger Tribe, who were neighbors that later merged with the Lenape.

Mix and Mingle

Join the Rye Newcomers & Neighbors' Club for Girls Night Out Wine Tasting Nov. 15, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Wine at Five on Purchase Street. You can learn about different wines from the experts. Come mingle with new and old friends while exploring a variety of interesting wines.

The cost is $20 per person. For more information and to reserve your spot, call Sue Wexler at 967-4243.

Join the RAC for a fun evening that is sure to tickle all kinds of funny bones. Invite a friend and support the center as it presents its second annual Ladies' Comedy Night, stand-up, featuring comedians Leighann Lord and Maureen Langan, Thursday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m.

Unabashedly smart and wickedly funny, Leighann Lord's on-stage charisma, topics and punch lines get you laughing and thinking at the same time. Once Maureen Langan takes to the stage, it's clear why Backstage Magazine named this feisty comic one of the “Ten Standout Stand-ups Worth Watching.”

Tickets are $45 per person, which includes a light dinner. For more information, call 967-0700, ext. 25, or visit www.ryeartscenter.org.

Arts For All

Come view The Art of Photography, works by Martin and Eileen Kantor, at the Rye Free Reading Room Nov. 15 through Dec. 28. Film and digital images in color of beautiful and interesting people, subjects in nature, textures and the unexpected captured by husband and wife photographers with artistic points of view.

A Rye Interfaith Thanksgiving Concert will be held at Rye Presbyterian Church Sunday, Nov. 19, 4 p.m. Selections from G. F. Handel's Judas Maccabeus will be performed by the Westchester Oratorio Society under the direction of Harold Rosenbaum, with Kevin Walters, organist. The concert is free and open to the public.

Wainwright House invites you to meet artist Cristina Melotti and see her recent paintings and sketches at a cocktail reception Saturday, Nov. 18, 6 to 8 p.m. Melotti, who was born in Milan, says she has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. Born in Milan to a family of artists and intellectuals, her works are soulful and uniquely colorful. “I want to touch other souls, through the heart and mind, and I do it with colors, which are my world.

Visit RSVP to 967-6080 or registrar@wainwright.org. To learn more about the artist, visit www.cristinamelotti.it. The show runs through Dec. 17 at Wainwright House.

Save the Date

The Rye Youth Council will recognize four outstanding individuals, Sally Rogol, Luke Walsh, Dan Brown and Doug Tuttle, at its annual gala, Jan. 27 at the Doral Arrowwood. The “City of Lights” celebration will feature a live and silent auction, lucky draw, dancing, casual dinner and a few other surprises.

The gala is a big part of the Youth Council's fund-raising effort and provides a great opportunity to socialize with your friends, while helping a great cause. Call the RYC office, 967-3838, to purchase tickets, place an ad or tribute in the journal, or donate an auction item.

Don't Miss

Get a jump on your Christmas shopping Twig Holiday Fair to benefit the EMS of Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook at Coveleigh Club, Friday, Nov. 10, 12 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature vendors selling a wide range of merchandise including jewelry, home furnishings and children's clothing and accessories. Kids' events include holiday crafts, a visit from Santa, and a performance by Graham Clarke. For more information, contact Carla Eggers at carlaeggers@optonline.net.

While you may not yet have your Thanksgiving menu down pat, get an early start on Thanksgiving weekend by registering now for Rye Recreation's 30th Annual Turkey Run Saturday, Nov. 25. Whether it's already a tradition, or about to become a new one, you are bound to have a great time running or walking off all that dressing and mashed potatoes. The Turkey Run is a fun event for all ages, abilities and interests. Adults with young children are encouraged to participate in the non-competitive 1-mile Fun Run/Walk.

Runners, joggers and walkers, casual and competitive alike, can compete in the 3.1 mile or 5.2 mile races.

In addition to the Turkey Run, you can come out for the Rye Rec Paws Walk-a-thon, Saturday, Nov. 25, 9 a.m. and enjoy this new event with your family, friends, neighbors and, of course, your dog. In a relaxed and friendly setting, dogs and their human companions will walk 1 mile for fun. Pre-registration or on-site registration is required to participate.

For more information, call 967-2535 or visit www.ryeny.gov/recreation.htm.