The SPRYE Sentinel
Winter 2022 Edition

SPRYE is a member-based organization for adults 55-years and older who want to live confidently at home and stay connected to their community in meaningful ways. 
From the Director's Desk
Changes
in the air
The SPRYE's Board of Directors kicked the New Year off with several exciting announcements.

The membership age has been lowered to 55, a new mission statement was approved and membership offerings were renamed SPRYE and SPRYE +PLUS.

Why drop the age to 55?

SPRYE wishes to ensure that members are connected, and remain connected, from Halstead Avenue in Harrison to Country Ridge Drive in Rye Brook.

The lower age makes it possible for more individuals to take advantage of ​our expanded on-line and in-person offerings.

But it is not entirely clear at what age someone ​is considered a "senior," or an "older adult". Is it 55? 62? 70?
Is it when you retire?

The American Association of Retired Persons starts sending membership materials to ​individuals at age 50.

According to AARP,
there is no universally accepted age requirement to be deemed a senior, and the association refers to seniors as older adults or older Americans.

Some might consider themselves a senior when they retire from the workplace, sign up for Social Security or begin to spend their retirement savings​; others are not ready to ​identify as a senior or older person.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people who are aged 65 and older ​are the designated “older population” category for the purposes of data collection and reporting. In the 2010 Census, 13% of Americans fell into this category, and this number is expected to increase.

The average life expectancy for Americans was 61 years when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act in 1935.

Current data suggests life expectancy has increased to 79 years.
With people living longer, ​eligibility to receive full Social Security benefits is now age 67, a change from its' former age requirement of 65. 

After all this information, it's still good to know that Dunkin Donuts
offers senior discounts beginning at age 60!

It seems there is no number that magically states: "you are older," so remember what the pitcher Satchel Paige once said:

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"

Marie Johnson
basicImage
SPRYE Board
of Directors

President
Lauren Miscimarra

Chair,
Executive Committee
Dan O'Day

Vice President
Dale Mintz

Treasurer
Hilary Garland

Secretary
Maria Hargraves

James Alban-Davis
Ellen Cacciagpaglia
Meg Cameron
Kathy Carley-Spanier
Ron Cohen
Dolores Eyler
Richard Flahive
Svend Hansen
Peter Rolland
Tom Wynne
Tilly Young


Advisory Council
Co-Chairs
Barbara Brunner
Joan Feinstein

Nancy Haneman
Paul Hicks
Isobel Perry
Tom Saunders
Arthur Stampleman
Wendy Weinreb
Gil Weinstein
 
Executive Director
Marie Johnson

Executive
Administrative Assistant/Tech Assistant
Kathy Barefoot

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 a need for volunteer drivers.

Only one hour a month is needed.

If you are interested in driving members to medical appointments or other essential errands for our members, please call 914-481-5706.


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SPRYE Adopts New Lower Minimum Membership Age
and New Mission Statement

SPRYE announces that it has lowered its minimum membership age from 60 to 55, effective January 2022.

"This will make it possible for more individuals to take advantage of the expanded online and in-person offerings that SPRYE brings to its members to keep them meaningfully engaged," said Marie Johnson, Executive Director.

The two memberships SPRYE offers, SPRYE and SPRYE +PLUS, are designed to meet every lifestyle.

The newly-named SPRYE basic membership formerly known as Associate membership, provides access to all the varied programs, luncheons, outings, and technology assistance vital to keep older adults connected in meaningful ways.

The SPRYE +PLUS membership, formerly known as Full membership, includes all the offerings of the basic SPRYE level PLUS round-trip transportation to essential appointments, friendly visits, Care Team check-ins, and the assistance of a Certified Senior Advisor in planning for the future.

In the months ahead, the SPRYE website will be remodeled and upgraded to make it a more valuable tool for our members’ use and for public education of all that SPRYE has to offer.
SPRYE Loves its Members
365 Days a Year
(Not just on Valentine's Day)

SPRYE volunteers, board members and teens Gordon Hargraves lll and Mia Cunningham helped deliver chocolate roses and other goodies to SPRYE members on Valentine's Day.

The beautiful heart display above was prominently displayed on Purchase Street in Rye.  

At right, Port Chester resident Phoebe Klein was so happy to receive her goodie bag and a card made by one of the teens in the Rye Youth Council Adopt-A-Grandfriend Program.
Second Annual Drive-Thru at
Crawford Park for Hot Beverages
SPRYE held its Second Annual Drive-thru on a cold January day at Crawford Park in Rye Brook

Free cups of delicious hot beverages were offered again from Caffe Bon of Stamford.

Rye resident Louis Maggio enjoyed a cup of delicious hot chocolate.
TotalAccess Now
An Update
SPRYE launched Total Access Now last year and many older adults benefited from the one-to one-tech advice from
Tech Assistant Kathy Barefoot.

Here, Harrison resident Lina Lindine showed Executive Director Marie Johnson how she saves photos to her phone.

Lina will receive additional assistance on the smartphone sometime in early April after she turns 98 years old!
SPRYE Online Programs
Fordham University Professor Brian Rose presented his first of three scheduled programs in February.

Entitled "And That's The Way it Was: 70 Years of Television News," Brian took listeners from the early days of NBC News to cable and Fox News.

Two additional online programs are scheduled: "And Now a Word From Our Sponsor," on March 22 at 2:00 p.m; and "The Films of Alfred Hitchcock" on April 22, also at 2:00 p.m.

Please contact SPRYE to receive the links for each of these engaging programs.
"Notorious: The Life and Times of
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
SPRYE members were treated to an online exhibit of the late Supreme Court Justice hosted by the New York Historical Society.

Viewers enjoyed seeing the late Justice's robes, memorabilia, and handwritten decisions. speeches.
SPRYE Book Club

Members of the weekly SPRYE Book Club ​have ​enjoyed robust discussion​s on the short ​stories and books they ​read.

In February the Group started reading the New York Times bestseller The Sum of Us.

​Club members meet via Zoom every Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

Current Events

According to Arthur Stampleman, the Current Events program ​has been meeting monthly for the past seven years. 

Arthur leads the program and says he ​continues to enjoy the discussions and many points of view ​shared by its members.

For more information please call the SPRYE office at 914-481-5706.
Lauren Miscimarra Elected to the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame

The SPRYE Board of Directors, led by Vice President Dale Mintz, nominated SPRYE's President Lauren Miscimarra to the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame in December.

The annual event was held virtually this year as 49 community leaders and volunteers were elected to the Hall of Fame.

"Lauren embodies the total spirit of volunteering and giving back to the community," said Dale.
Lee Katz
1931 to 2022
​ A long-time friend and member of SPRYE, Dr. Lee Katz passed away at home in February. She shared her many talents while serving on the Board of Directors and the Advisory Council.

Lee was a beacon of elegance, grace, and wisdom and she was an inspiration to us all.

For the full obituary please click the link below.
Welcome to the World Sophia!
Board ​member Richard Flahive and
his wife Laura welcomed daughter 
Sophia. The couple's first child was
born on December 20, 2021. She
weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds and
measured 21 inches. 
Richard is chair of the Marketing
Committee and sits on the Finance Committee.
Upcoming Programs

Hearing Health: Critical for YOUR Health
Thursday, March 24th at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom link

ENT & Allergy Associates' Audiologist Megan Mass will discuss the link between hearing loss and memory impairment.

Contact the SPRYE office to receive the necessary link by March 22nd.

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JIB Productions, Inc. Presents
"Play With Your Food"
Thursday, April 14th at Noon

An afternoon of engaging community theatre performed by area actors and lunch

Supported by the Greenwich Arts Council
299 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich

Tickets are $60 and include a live, engaging one-act play and a boxed lunch.
Transportation will be provided for those that make reservations.
Tickets are limited so PLEASE make a reservation now!!

Please call 914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org.

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Coming this Spring- In Person!

These three upcoming programs are free and
courtesy of the generosity of the Fanny and Svante Knistrom Foundation.

Seating is limited for all three programs so please call the
office to make your reservation!

Paula Span, author and
New York Times New Old Age Columnist and
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism will discuss
"What is Ageism and How To Recognize It"

Sunday, May 15th at 3:00 p.m.
14 Hidden Pond Drive, Club House, Rye Brook

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M & M Productions presents The Divas 
The Divas, by Jack Neary. A funny and quirky show about the dysfunctional relationship of two veteran actresses for whom the show must go on even if it's over the dead body of the other.

Sunday, June 5th at 3:00 p.m.
14 Hidden Falls Club House, Rye Brook
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An Evening with Barry Dougherty (Time, Date, Venue to be determined)
Peggy Boyce, President of Ladies of Laughter, will converse with the nationally recognized author, publicist, and writer of many comedies and roasts. He will share memories working with greats such as Betty White, Billy Crystal, Joy Behar, and more.

“Barry Dougherty is a gifted writer who has fostered comedy history with his insightful books. He doesn’t just showcase the people who make the laughs he also writes the laughs. And he’s also a great lumberjack.” Gilbert Gottfried
Welcome New SPRYE Members!

Bertrand and Barbara de Frondeville/Rye
Denise Garzilli/Port Chester
Lina Lindine/Harrison
Carolyn Mann/Port Chester
Alan Marasco and Deborah Mawhinney
Barbara Ward/Rye

SPRYE welcomes gifts of stock and distributions from IRAs and donor-advised funds. Please remember SPRYE in your estate planning.


Great News!
SPRYE accepts donations year-round
and they 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.

You can donate directly to SPRYE by going to our website
www.sprye.org

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

Follow us on Facebook (SPRYE), Instagram (SPRYE_NY), LinkedIn-
and look for a new and improved website soon!