The SPRYE Sentinel
Winter 2023 Edition



See What Members Have
Been Up To!

At left, a non-typical, late afternoon Winter scene at Tod's Point, Greenwich in late February.
From the Director's Desk
Pro Aging

In a recent AARP Magazine interview, Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis commented that she's pro-aging and welcomes her new role as an aging

"This word anti-aging has to be struck," said the Oscar nominated actress.

"I am pro-aging. I want to age with intelligence, grace, dignity, verve and energy," she told AARP editor Myrna Himes.

Ms. Curtis is the daughter of movie stars Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, and says the key to pro-aging is to keep life simple and embrace the positive.

“At age 63, I have stripped away the things that are not essential to me, so I am free to do the creative aspects of my life", said the actress.

She has become something of a role model lately, comfortable in her own skin and shattering myths about aging.

So, what does it mean to age with intelligence and grace?

Let's turn to author Margareta Magnusson, who recently wrote a book entitled "The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly."

"Life can sometimes stink, but it’s better than the alternative", writes the 86-year-old author who lives in Stockholm.

If you have hardship, be glad you’re around to experience it and, hopefully, able to overcome it. An example: It’s a pain to pay bills, but if you can afford to pay them, be grateful.

Second, youth can make you younger. Spend time with young people.

Magnusson’s advice for hanging out with younger generations: “Just ask them questions. Listen to them. Give them food. Don’t tell them about your bad knee again.”

Finally, just say yes. Growing older often leads to self-cloistering. Doing less. Saying no a lot.

"Saying 'yes' as often as you can, says author Regina Koepp, a clinical psychologist, "is in effect saying 'yes' to life--being curious and exploratory, being part of the community."

SPRYE is pro-aging, too and wants to hear your stories about ways you stay positive, joyful and full of verve!
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Did you know?

All SPRYE members are eligible for a free home safety evaluation provided by the Executive Director.

The assessment
will suggest recommendations to reduce falls and add minor equipment where it is deemed necessary.

Call SPRYE for more information at 914-481-5706.
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SPRYE Board
of Directors

President
Lauren Miscimarra

Chair,
Executive Committee
Dan O'Day

Vice President
Richard Flahive

Treasurer
Hilary Garland

Secretary
Maria Hargraves

James Alban-Davis
Betsy Biddle
Ellen Cacciapaglia
Meg Cameron
Kathy Carley-Spanier
Ron Cohen
Barbara Cummings
Share Cunningham
Dolores Eyler
Richard Flahive
Svend Hansen
Lisa Hoxie
Peter Rolland
Tom Wynne



Advisory Council
Co-Chairs
Barbara Brunner
Joan Feinstein

Nancy Haneman
Paul Hicks
Dale Mintz
Isobel Perry
Tom Saunders
Arthur Stampleman
Michele Thomas
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 urgently needs volunteer drivers.

If you are interested in driving members to medical appointments or other essential errands, please call:
 914-481-5706.
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Warm, delicious Thanksgiving Day meals were delivered to SPRYE members who were home for the holidays last year.
 
At left Samantha Hargraves presents a meal prepared by Balduccis in Rye Brook to Port Chester resident Agnes Brady.
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SPRYE thanks the volunteers who took time during the holiday to help deliver meals. They included Samantha's siblings Gordon lll, Helena, and parents Maria (SPRYE Treasurer) and her husband Gordon.
Board member Ellen Cacciapaglia also helped deliver meals to several Rye residents.
SPRYE's Holiday Giving Season
In 2022, SPRYE chose the Carver Center in Port Chester as its "giveback charity."

They were recognized at our Annual Holiday Party held at the Shenorock Shore Club in December. 

Many bags of hats, mittens, scarves, and snowsuits of all colors and sizes were collected and presented to Ann Bradner, Executive Director of the Carver Center. 

Each year SPRYE members and volunteers have generously donated items to a local not-for-profit to support underserved clients. SPRYE has previously collected items for The Sharing Shelf, Hope House, Caritas/Meals on Main Street, Five Steps to 5 and the Harrison Food Pantry.
  
Below Rye resident Betty Baer connects with her friend Ann Bradner, Executive Director at the Carver Center in Port Chester.
"Season's Readings" at the Crawford Park Mansion in Rye Brook

The Crawford Park Mansion was beautifully decorated for the holidays in December and was the perfect venue for "Season Readings."

The talented actors, pictured above, read holiday-themed short stories for over 50 attendees on a cold winter evening. The material centered on holiday memories written by authors such as Grace Paley.

The program was presented by JIB Productions, Inc., which also offers Play With Your Food productions in Fairfield and Westchester Counties.
SPRYE Announces
New Art Appreciation Group

SPRYE 's newly formed Art Appreciation Group took its initial trip to the William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation in Mount Kisco on a mild January afternoon.

The Foundation recently opened the exhibit offering group tours by reservation only, and SPRYE members were delighted to see the collection of dozens of pieces the late billionaire and philanthropist collected.

Below SPRYE Board member Dolores Eyler examines artist Gil Batle's intricately carved ostrich eggs depicting prison scenes influenced by Batle's own experiences.

The link to the artist and the Foundation is below.

The onsite tour offered members a look into hundreds of art pieces collected by Mr. Dreyfus.

Above, top, the SPRYE group and docent Elizabeth Maxwell examine artwork in the central portion of the building.

Above, Louis Maggio, Tom and Marge Wynne, Lauren Miscimarra and Maureen Kirkpatrick admire the sculpture pieces on a black walnut table from the studio of George Nakashima at the Dreyfus Foundation located in Mt. Kisco.

"We are very excited and pleased to offer this opportunity to our members, and in March we are planning to visit the New York Historical Society to see the exhibit, "I'll Have What She's Having," said Board President Lauren Miscimarra.

SPRYE Returns to the Movies

The film "80 For Brady" starring Hollywood legends Sally Fields, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Lily Tomlin proved to be popular with SPRYE members and friends.

A group of 20 watched the comedy "80 For Brady." where the true-dash characters concoct a scheme to reach the Super Bowl and meet their hero Tom Brady.

SPRYE members took a hiatus from attending the movies during COVID, but it appears our film buffs are still out there!
Valentines Were in the
Air at Crawford Park
More than 60 people enjoyed lunch and memorable love songs provided by DJ and musician Anthony Radice at Crawford Park Mansion on February 10th.

Board members Lauren Miscimarra and Lisa Hoxie, along with Dale Mintz (Advisory Council), volunteered to make the afternoon special by serving sandwiches and cookies from Rock Ridge Deli in Rye and Balducci's located in Rye Brook.

Above, top, from left, Dolores Anselmo and Peter Giacco of Port Chester enjoyed a laugh with Judith Greason of Rye.

At left, Board member Lisa Hoxie helps participants write personal Valentine's Day cards to send to loved ones.

Lisa is the Director of Life Enrichment at the Osborn and Chairs the Program Committee.
SPRYE Keeps Everyone in Their Hearts

For those that couldn't make it to Crawford Park Mansion on Friday, February 10, boxed chocolate-covered goodies were delivered to their doors.
At left Samantha Hargraves meets member Marge Wynne on Bradford Street with the gift prepared by MTD Cakes in Pleasantville, NY.
SPRYE Winter Activities
and Programs
SPRYE Book Club, Chair Yoga and
Current Events Keep Members Engaged

These FREE SPRYE programs have kept members active and engaged during the winter.

​SPRYE President Lauren Miscimarra schedules a Zoom Book Club that meets every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. She said the voracious readers look forward to meeting with each other to discuss the week's short story and monthly novel.

Now called Public Affairs, the group is led by Rye Brook resident Arthur Stampleman and meets monthly at the Rye Bar and Grill to discuss news around the world or around the corner.

Joan Gibbons led the Gentle Chair Yoga outside at Crawford Park in Rye Brook every Wednesday through Fall. The group will resume in April 2023.
SPRYE Loves Birthdays!
"It's my birthday too, yeah"

The Beatles, nine-month-old Abby Rose at right and SPRYE love birthdays.

If we know it's your birthday, we're coming over with cake, balloons, and a completely out-of-tune rendition of Happy Birthday to celebrate your day!

Below are a few birthdays we were able to catch!
Above, former Board member and Port Chester resident Tilly Young celebrated her birthday with friend and neighbor Patricia Mayberry.

Below, SPRYE Board President Lauren Miscimarra surprised Rye Brook resident member Carol Selinske with a balloon, cake, and a song.
Below, top, SPRYE Board member Ron Cohen and his wife Joan, met with Executive Director Marie Johnson to wish Member and Rye resident Pat Levine a happy day!

And in Rye Brook, Eileen Annis came out in early February despite the cold weather and received well wishes from Dale Mintz and Lauren.
"When I'm 64"

Another birthday and another Beatles song.

Friends reversed the number 64 and placed 46 on top of SPRYE's Executive Director Marie Johnson's cake on Super Bowl Sunday in February.
And, after the Happy Birthday song, they sang "Will you still feed me, will you still need me,
when I'm 64"?

Happy Birthday to everyone
In Memoriam
Katherine Moore

One of SPRYE's founders, Katherine Moore of Rye, passed away on February 15, 2023. Her late husband David was an early SPRYE supporter and after his death, she filled his seat.

Katherine served on many not-for-profit boards, primarily in Westchester County.

She brought value and dedication not only to the arts and cultural institutions but also to social, racial, and economic justice, and served on each board with compassion and intelligence. 
SPRYE Board News

SPRYE's Vice President Richard Flahive, was recently promoted to Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Partner at Hightower Westchester.

He will be responsible for setting the investment style and strategy for the firm.

Hightower Westchester is in Harrison, New York. Richard lives in Wilton with his wife Laurie, baby Sophia and their dog Ollie.


Michele Thomas Becomes
Certified Dementia Practitioner

Congratulations to Michele Thomas, past SPRYE President and Advisory Board Member, for her recent certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, or CDP.

A CDP is someone with a certification demonstrating achievement and specialized training in the areas of Alzheimer's and dementia care.

Michele plans to continue training with the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners focusing on the Montessori approach to Dementia Care. She hopes to use this extended training to educate the community and caregivers on the beneficial methods of this approach to care.

Announcing Two
New Volunteers

SPRYE welcomes two new volunteers
Sue Galin, Rye Brook
Sarah Garrity, Rye

Welcome New SPRYE Members

Sue Galin, Rye Brook
Maureen Kirkpatrick, Rye
Judy Koblenz, Rye
Claire Manto, Rye
Richard Tietjen, Harrison
Frances Wiener, Rye
Welcome New Members from Vienna Senior Housing in Rye

Residents of Vienna Senior Housing on Theodore Fremd Avenue in Rye recently joined SPRYE. Shown playing Bingo with Advisory Council member Dale Mintz and Board President Lauren Miscimarra are, from left, Betty Baer, Johanna Tiso, Dale, Viola Esposito, Lauren, Mary Ladore, and Gloria Gonzalez.
Not pictured: Juan Gonzalez, Peter Fransca and Diane Fransca, and Louretta Farr.
Upcoming Programs
"Insignificant" is a touching story in which the spirit of an immigrant American from Ireland of the past visits a modern immigrant family from Mexico. What unfolds is a message of unity and solidarity despite the many differences between people, drawing attention to the common themes of humanity that unite us all.

March 25th
Saturday
3:00 p.m.

FREE
Rye Brook Senior Center
Anthony J. Possillipo
32 Garibaldi Place, Rye Brook

Reservations are required for this production. Please call 914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org.
  
This program is FREE and
courtesy of SPRYE and the Fanny and Svante
Knistrom Foundation.
 
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Volunteer Drivers Needed to
Serve Harrison, Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook
Greenwich and White Plains

Do you have one, or maybe two hours a month to
volunteer in your community?

SPRYE is recruiting volunteers who can drive our members to medical, dental or physical therapy appointments and shopping trips during the week (Monday through Friday).

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, and Rides are available from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

If you have any questions, please call Director Marie Johnson at 914-481-5706 or email director@sprye.org. A thorough interview will be arranged when you decide to sign up to drive.

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

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