Young Artists Invited to Submit Work for the Scarsdale Youth Art Show
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Youth Art Show (SYAS) is back for another exciting year, celebrating the creativity and talent of young artists in our community. Organized in collaboration with the Scarsdale Public Library, this year’s SYAS will feature an opening ceremony and public exhibition held in the Scott Room at the Scarsdale Library this month.
SYAS invites all young artists in the Scarsdale community to participate by displaying, sharing, and optionally selling their artwork as part of this annual exhibition. Artists are welcome to submit past or recent works in any medium they would like to share. Please note that all participating artists are responsible for providing their own frames (if they would like their artwork to be framed) for exhibition.
The opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 18, from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Scarsdale Public Library. This event offers artists a chance to speak about their artwork, inspiration, and to share their creative process with the community. Artists who prefer not to speak may instead submit a quick written artist statement to be printed and displayed alongside their work.
Artwork submissions should be dropped off at Dr. Eisenstadt’s office (Room 278) at Scarsdale High School any time between now and January 15th (as artworks will be installed at the library by that date, in preparation for the exhibition). All pieces should be clearly labeled with the artist’s name and selling price, (if applicable).
The Scarsdale Youth Art Show is a wonderful opportunity to showcase youth creativity and connect with the wider community. Artists, families, and all Scarsdale community members are encouraged to spread the word and attend the opening ceremony on January 18th!
Submit your artwork here:
For questions or additional information, please contact:
claudiawang28@scarsdaleschools.org claudiawang1805@gmail.com
+1 (914) 415-1168
Is Santa Real? Letters to Santa Part II
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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We opened another group of the 500 letters sent to Santa from Scarsdale kids and found some more amusing lists:
A young boy informed Santa that they celebrate Hanukkah, not Christmas, at his house but added his lists of requests nonetheless.
Another family divided their letter into three segments – for mom, dad and the dog to add their requests to the child’s. In additional to a few Lego’s for the letter writer, mom asked for a plum-colored bag and a nice scarf!
Aiden from Fox Meadow reported “I helped by mom do housework, and helped my teacher in math class, adding, “sometimes even teaching the class.”
A Quaker Ride boy reported “that he recycled,” and vowed to "shout less" and say, “thank you more.”
Three and half year-old Sophie said, “After my nap I am going to drop off this note and Santa is going to say “Hey” who dropped off this note!”
On behalf of her two dogs Itty and Sherman a girl said they “would love some peace and quiet and new dog bed.”
One boy wrote in large black block type, “Dear Santa this year I tride to do my best at being good even though I did some stuff that I shouldn’t do and I might have did some stuff that isint necessary but just remember that I’m trying to do my best …. So for Christmas I want …..”
Charlotte requested an AI robot bunny and a “cleaning robot” for her mom. But is Santa real? She added a P.S .to her letter saying, “Please tell me if you are Mom or Dad. Write it in a letter.”
(We will have another 300+ letters to read, so if anyone wants to stop by, let us know.)
Happy New Year!
Scarsdale Kids Mail 500 Letters to Santa
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Santa was in big demand this week in Scarsdale. Kids had deposited a record 500 letters in four mailboxes placed around the Village and he had to collect them, read them and figure out how to fulfill so many Christmas wishes.
The mail was generated in response to the Scarsdale Recreation Department’s Letters to Santa program, and busy elves at the Recreation Department sent responses from Santa to 450 of the 500 letters that included return addresses.
What do kids want this year? Electronic games, dolls, fart blasters, Lego, Air Pods, speakers, slime, remote control trucks, skates, squishmallows, drones, stuffies, make-up and more.
A nine year-old boy said, “I’ve been pretty good this year except I got banned from video games but I know better now.” What did he want from Santa? “Some kind of video game.”
Some looked beyond the material and asked for things that cannot be wrapped up in a box.
One girl asked to “be a smarter kid, to be more successful, to be prettier, to have a best friend, to know if anyone has a crush on her and requested “lots of snow days.” She also wrote a quiz for Santa, “to see if you real,” asking if he knew her favorite color, favorite animal, her favorite sport and the name of her first friend.
Another wrote, “My only Christmas wish is to achieve my goals and have a wonderful new year with my loved ones.”
A six year-old boy decided to interview Santa, before submitting his list for a remote control airplane and a remote control garbage truck for his little brother.
He asked:
1. How did you become Santa?
2. Where did you get your reindeers?
3. How do you go down the chimney
4. Where did you get your sleigh?
A recent immigrant told St. Nick, “U.S. is a new country for me, and everything is new to me too, like new home, new school and new fried also English.But I’m push myself very hard. I made new friend, I join in the school band. I am very excited. I will working harder in 2026. He asked for a German Shepherd puppy and basketball shoes."
A generous soul from Drake Road asked for a puppy but ended her note saying, “But also I would really like for the kids who can’t have presents to have extra toys on Christmas.”
And one who said “I am too old for toys,” asked for world peace, and said. “I hope that all kids, no matter what religion, even if they’re atheist, has a positive holiday season although it might not be perfect.”
From the sampling of letters we read, it’s clear we’re raising some very good kids in Scarsdale. Let’s hope they all find what they want under the tree.
Merry merry.
Creating Festive Holiday Vibes at Home
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- Written by: Wendy MacMillan
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Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or maybe even “Festivus,” this time of year tends to be filled with holiday gatherings and family get-togethers. And there is no better way to bring out the nostalgic holiday vibes, than to create spaces for friends and family that feel special and festive. Some may look for decorating inspiration in magazines or maybe social media sites, but here in Scarsdale we are lucky to have a local floral designer, Amy Sapirstein of Eye Candy Florals, to turn to for some no-fuss decor ideas that will be sure to wow.
From tablescapes and centerpieces to garlands adorning your entryways or fireplaces, Amy offers simple holiday decorating tips using natural-elements and shares accessible ideas to make your space feel cozy, festive and calm this Holiday Season:
Use fresh greenery throughout
Fresh evergreen garland on your mantels or tables
Add Pinecones in a glass vessel or tucked into your greenery
Include simple white twinkle lights (LED battery operated is great) for a festive ambiance
Make festive natural garlands
String cranberries or dried orange slices, mixed with greenery
Making popcorn garland is a fun way to get your kids involved
Candles
Seasonal smelling candles like pine and cinnamon can fill your space with nostalgic scents of the holidays.
Use LED candles on timers that will illuminate your windows once the sun goes down keeping things simple and consistent.
Focus decorating efforts on main areas of your space
Entry tables
Front facing windows
Mantels in main living space
Simple decor in your kitchen where you spend ALOT of time
Forage
Use what you have in your own backyard and involve your kids to collect materials
Collect simple branches
Pinecones
Greenery
Berry branches
Cozy things up
Cozy throw blankets and pillows in neutral tones
Candles for a glow
Display Wooden bowls, trays, etc
Make your own ornaments
Fill clear ornaments shapes with natural elements
Get your kids involved and provide fun festive materials for them to create their own
Cut paper snowflakes
Paint pinecones or decorate with glitter!
For more inspiration head over to Amy’s website Eye Candy Florals or follow her on instagram.
WRT Delivers 650 Thanksgiving Meals
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Over 300 volunteers of all ages united last week at Westchester Reform Temple to prepare and deliver over 650 Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families throughout Westchester County.
The effort—known locally as WRT Delivers Thanksgiving—brought volunteers together to bake, cook, assemble, and personally deliver meals to partner organizations including HOPE Community Services, Meals on Main Street, WJCS, White Plains Family Medical Center, Neighbors Link, and the Salvation Army. These partnerships ensure that the meals reach community members who need them most during the holiday season.
This year’s program once again highlighted the impact that collective action can have on addressing food insecurity and spreading holiday warmth. From children decorating Thanksgiving cards to adults preparing turkeys and side dishes, every volunteer played an important role in making the initiative a success.
This event was planned for the 4th year in a row by WRT’s Director of Social Impact and Community Engagement, Sharon Stiefel. A special thank you goes to Amanda Glattstein, WRT’s resident chef and kitchen manager extraordinaire, and all of the fantastic volunteers whose unshakable enthusiasm helped make this operation such a success!
“WRT Delivers Thanksgiving is one of our most cherished new traditions,” Sharon said. “It reflects the heart of our community—showing up, giving back, and ensuring that hundreds of people in need can experience the comfort and joy of a holiday meal.”
For more information about WRT community service initiatives or to learn how to get involved, please contact Sharon Stiefel at 914-723-7727.
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- Scarsdale Scout Troop 4 Earns 158 Merit Badges and Welcomes New Scoutmaster
- Raiders Football Team Wins Halloween Game to Advance to the Semifinals
