Sentinel
Winter 2020
Edition

From the Director's Desk
Sure Signs of Spring
As I wrote the headline Winter Edition and added snowflakes up at the top of this newsletter, I looked outside and wondered
has winter 2019-2020 happened yet?

With baseball season soon to resume and crocuses popping up, spring is right around the corner.

And spring is a great time to rediscover the beautiful and natural resources in Westchester county.
Stay informed through SPRYE emails and mailings on the many opportunities to engage with friends (and strangers soon to be friends).

Call today to learn how to become a SPRYE member: 914-481-5706.
SPRYE Board
of Directors

President
Michele Thomas

Chair,
Executive Committee
Barbara Brunner

Vice President
Dale Mintz

Secretary/ Treasurer
Joan Feinstein

Lisa Aaronberg
Geraldine Bowling
Kathy Carley-Spanier
Ron Cohen
Hilary Garland
Svend Hansen
Maria Hargraves
Julie Hartman
Lauren Miscimarra
Owen Nee, Jr.
Dan O'Day
Peter Rolland
Wendy Weinreb
Tilly Young

Advisory Council
Nancy Haneman
Paul Hicks
Lee Katz
Katherine Moore
Isobel Perry
Tom Saunders
Arthur Stampleman, Chair
Gil Weinstein
 
Executive Director
Marie Johnson

Administrative Assistant
Margie McCabe

One Gateway Plaza 
55 S. Main St.
Third Floor
Port Chester, NY
10573
  
Mailing Address:  
P.O. Box 748
Rye, N.Y. 10580
914-481-5706

SPRYE has many opportunities to volunteer. If you are interested in driving members to medical appointments or other trips, reading to older adults or making friendly visits, please call the office to discuss opportunities.
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We hope you like the new format.
This version now allows readers to download the newsletter on their Smart phones.
Tea and Jazz Event at the Newly Renovated Crawford Mansion Was a Lovely Affair
Mary Ferriner and her companion Ruth Mussing-Ton enjoyed sandwiches, scones, cookies and many different varieties of tea at the beautiful Crawford Mansion in Rye Brook on February 14th.
A chilly February afternoon and a fabulous band attracted many tea and jazz lovers on Friday afternoon. The Jacob Robinson Trio played favorites and requests during the afternoon that included many
homemade goodies.
Band members performing were Jacob on drums, Don Asher on bass and Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano.

Below, friends Barbara Brunner and JoAnn Santiago prepared delicious strawberries in the Crawford Mansion kitchen for the afternoon program.

Who votes yes to hold this again next year?
Trip to the Katonah Museum
to view abstract collection
Members learned about the tight knit group of women who painted separately and in the spirit of kinship during the post-war decades from docent Bonnie Stanley. Ms.Stanley gave a perceptive and insightful tour of the "Sparkling Amazons: Abstract Expressionist Women of the 9th Street Show" at the Katonah Museum.

After the tour the group headed to nearby Muscoot Tavern and enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading back to Rye.

Next museum stop: The newly renovated Bruce Museum in Greenwich on April 23 to view "On the Edge of the World: Master Works by Laurits Andersen Ring From SMK-the National Gallery of Denmark.

Educational and entertaining programs at Wainwright House
If you ever wondered how long it took to create the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Port Chester native Lou Del Bianco could share that information and more. (It took 14 years, from 1927 to 1941). Lou provided interesting bits of history and more during the January program where he told the story how his grandfather (Luigi Del Bianco) was finally recognized by the National Parks Service in 2017 as Chief Carver of the national monument.
(A fun fact Lou shared with the group: Susan B. Anthony was considered as a fifth face in 1935, but the idea stalled and was never considered again).
Above, Port Chester native Lou Del Bianco explains
how his grandfather and 400 carvers sculpted the famous monument in South Dakota out of granite.
The Wainwright was also the setting for Margot Clark-Junkins, below, as she described the relevance and relationship art has played around the world. Look for Ms. Junkins to make a reappearance
at the Wainwright House in the fall.

On Wednesday, March 18, Lauren Broch, Ph.D.,a and Rye Brook resident, will bring her holistic approach to treating mood, sleep, and how diet and nutrition affect sleep patterns.

See details below for more information
on Ms. Broch's program.
SPRYE Celebrates Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rat
Plates of delicious Chinese food were enjoyed by SPRYE members at O Mandarin in Hartsdale in early February.. Once again member Frank Woo knew exactly what to order for the group. Sue and Hal Schwartz enjoyed the afternoon.
SPRYE on WFUV's
"Strike A Chord"

Executive Director Marie Johnson recorded a Public Service Announcement at the Fordham University radio station WFUV-FM. The 15-second PSA aired throughout the day during February. SPRYE along with nine other area New York area organizations described how they help area residents combat social isolation during the winter.
To hear the PSA turn to WFUV.org.
Thanks to your donations
SPRYE purchases a new printer
SPRYE thanks everyone who contributed to the Giving Tuesday Fund at the end of 2019. The printer improves the speed of printing copies so SPRYE can keep you up to date on what's happening in your community. Above, Administrative Assistant Margie McCabe and Director Marie Johnson.
Welcome New Members!
Richard Rutledge
Mohini Khemlani
John and June Bess Lane
Patricia and Nelson Sales

And welcome aboard
new volunteers:
Susan Storms
Sally Adler
Important Required Minimum
Distribution Information
Attention seniors who are 70-1/2 years of age! If you have an IRA account you are required to annually withdraw an amount, known as a “required minimum distribution” (RMD), and pay tax on that amount.

The amount of the RMD is calculated by the IRA custodian and is based on the annual value of your IRA and your life expectancy.

However, if you are the beneficial owner of an IRA and you request the IRA custodian to pay a portion or all of the RMD directly to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization designated by you, such as SPRYE, the amount of the RMD paid to the charity will be tax-free to you.

This is a very technical area of the tax law and a tax advisor should be consulted for the details. SPRYE does not provide any tax advice
April 15th

Come rain or shine
It's the deadline to file taxes!

Free income tax help for older adults is available at 20 area libraries and community centers throughout the county from February 1-April 15th, 2020. AARP membership is not required. For more information call 1-888-227-7665.
March-June Programs
Please RSVP for all events
It's easy
(914) 481-5706 or director@sprye.org


March Calendar

Friday, 13th
Current Events at Ruby's Oyster Bar, Purchase. Noon

Wednesday, 18th
Lauren Broch, Ph.D. , on sleep, nutrition and diet, Wainwright House, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. This program is FREE and open to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, 28th
Afternoon movie at the Rye Free Reading Room
"Queen of Katwe." (2016) 2:30 p.m.
Living in the slums of Katwe, Uganda, is a struggle for 10-year-old Phiona and her family. Her world changes when she meets a missionary who teaches her how to play chess.


April Calendar
Thursday, 9th ,
Westchester Culinary Cafe in White Plains. A car pool leaves Rye Recreation Tennis Courts at 11:00 a.m. seating starts at 11:30 a.m.
Three-course lunch for $12.00, cash only.
***Reservations are required, seating is limited***

Wednesday, 15th
Coline Jenkins, great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and president of Stanton's Trust discusses the 100th anniversary of the women's suffrage movement.
This program is FREE and open to the public and light refreshments will be served. 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Friday, 17th, noon
Current Events at Ruby's Oyster Bar, Noon.

Thursday, 23rd
Tour the exhibit "Edge of the World: Master-Works by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK--The National Gallery of Denmark at the newly renovated Bruce Museum in Greenwich .

Transportation provided if needed for members.


May Calendar

Wednesday, 6th
Let's celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Salsa Picante, 110 Adee Street, Port Chester. Enjoy tacos, guacamole, salsa, margaritas and more!
Time to be determined. Reservations required. Look for future emails.
Friday, 8th,
Current Events, Ruby's Oyster Bar, Noon

Wednesday, 13th
Paula Span, columnist for the New York Times and author of the weekly column "The New Old Age."
Wainwright House, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. FREE and open to the public.
This program is brought to the community through the generosity of the Knistrom Foundation

June Calendar
Thursday, June 4th
Nationally known comedian Nancy Witter. Mrs. Witter was selected one of five
finalists on the television show 'Nick at Nite's "Search for Funniest Mom in America."
Vienna Senior Housing, 250 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye.
Pizza and refreshments start at 6:00 p.m.
Show starts at 7:00 p.m.
***Reservations required, limited seating***

FREE and open to the public.

This program is brought to the community through the generosity of the Knistrom Foundation.

Friday, June 12th
Current Events, Ruby's Oyster Bar, Noon

Tuesday 23rd,
SPRYE Annual Member Picnic, Rye Town Pavilion, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
FREE to all members as our way of saying Thank You!

July Calendar

Wednesday, 15th
T he always popular two hour "Cruise to Nowhere" leaves the Arch Street dock in Greenwich at 5:00 p.m. $20 in advance and reservations are required.
RSVP the office at 914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org
Good News!!
SPRYE Donations are tax deductible

SPRYE is a charitable corporation organized under New York State Law. Its tax exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service, which has also determined that donations to SPRYE are deductible under applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.
Want to learn more about SPRYE?
Go to our website sprye.org
OR
Call or email at:
914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org
We love mail!
Send to
Director,
P.O. Box 748
Rye, NY 10580