SPECIAL EDITION

Connections

10/9/2026

GALA CONCERT SPOTLIGHT!

Centennial Gala Concert A Success!

Exciting, Historic & Cultural Event

See Below for Sponsor List & Event Photos

By: Mary McDermott, Crestwood resident, Library volunteer

Please patronize the businesses and organizations below who so generously sponsored the Centennial Gala Concert. We are very grateful for their support!

Crestwood Library patrons, Asbury Church members and many music lovers packed the house on Sun, Sep 27 at Asbury United Methodist Church for an exciting gala concert to celebrate “A Century of Stories and Community.” The multi-faceted festivities featured a concert of local performers, a silent auction of prizes and delicious refreshments. The afternoon served as an amazing opportunity to see all of the talent and diversity in our community. Overall, it was a great way to honor 100 years of the Crestwood Library. 

Performers

Performances included an elegant Sonata for Flute and Continuo in E Major; a different world by local artist duoJalal; the St. Vladimir's Seminary Chorale, and Scenes for Viola and Percussion played a piece both composed and performed by Crestwood residents. Even the library and church were represented in the program including the Little Big Band part of The Library Jazz Band at YPL; Nina Colavolpe-Leone, vocalist, part-time clerk at the library; Mary Thombs, vocals, artistic director and producer, Music at Asbury, and John Riss, organist. See here to download a complete list of performers.

From a Member of the Audience

“I just love [the concert] because it shows the diversity in the community…I loved what I was hearing and the audience who gathered on a rainy Sunday afternoon to support the library,” remarked Brad Crownover, a patron of the Crestwood Library. 

Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Beyond the music, the Centennial Gala Concert was also intended to celebrate the long and unique history of our very own Crestwood Library. Friends of the Crestwood Library Board Member Gloria Fields gave a bit of insight about that history, saying: “It was an idea I had to use Asbury if the library ever needed to close…it used to have events here years ago when the library was homeless…and it came to fruition. They had a dream and [accomplished] it.” Asbury Church has had a long history with the Crestwood Library, and it has come to the library’s aid on several occasions. “It’s fitting that Asbury Methodist Church should step in and help the show go on– just as it did over 100 years ago when it served as the library’s temporary home while the library at 16 Thompson Street we know and love was being built,” said Jesse Montero, library director, Yonkers Public Library.

Wrap-Up

This event was truly a testament of the hard work and dedication put in over these last hundred years. It was fitting that the gala took place in the very church that served as its home a century ago. The entire event, was a delightful celebration to honor all those who make our Crestwood Library more than a building filled with books but a community that supports and shows up for one another.

Thank You to Mary Thombs & Z Baird

While many people dedicated hours to make the Centennial Gala Concert a success, there are two people who deserve an extra standing ovation. Mary Thombs, artistic director and producer, Music at Asbury, Asbury Methodist Church, and Z Baird, Branch Administrator, Crestwood Library.

Thank You to Jesse Montero, YPL Admin Team & YPL Board

Renovations of our beloved Library are coming to fruition and this involved the work of many people. A special thank you goes out to YPL Director Jesse Montero, leading the YPL Admin Team including James Hackett, Vivian Presedo and to the YPL Board for their efforts in securing grants and awards to fund the best birthday present ever-a makeover for our cozy Crestwood Library.

From Branch Administrator

"I feel grateful to be able to continue the work of our Founding Mothers (of Crestwood Library). They would be so proud to see their vision of a neighborhood resource for all types of literacy with that "home away from home" feeling that seamlessly unites and connects everyone who comes through the door. Their dream that inspired Crestwood Library to open in 1926, marked by the Concert & Gala, is now getting an investment by the City of Yonkers (thank you Mayor Spano and City Council Members) and New York State (thank you to State Senator Shelley Mayer) to recognize and celebrate 100 years of community service and literacy. Happy 100th Birthday Crestwood Library!" Z Baird, Branch Administrator, Crestwood Library truly believes that "Everyone Belongs Here." Feel free to reach out to Z via her work cell 914-846-9117 she would love to hear from you.

THANK YOU GALA CONCERT SPONSORS!

Patronize Our Sponsors - Say You Saw Their Ad or Products at the Asbury Methodist Church - Crestwood Library Centennial Gala Concert - Show Them Their Advertising Dollars Work!

Centennial Gala Concert PHOTOS

Add your photos to the Flickr Album on the YPL website!

Send photos jpgs only, under 1MB to z@ypl.org (No other formats accepted)

Find the album here.

Many thanks to Ann Rakoff, Board Member, Friends of the Crestwood Library, for her generous donation to sponsor Connections for 2026. (She is one of the volunteers writing and sending Connections.)