Community Center Board Offers Refunds
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4287
The Executive Committee for the Scarsdale Community Center is offering refunds to those who donated toward the effort. Here's how to secure yours:
August 5, 2015
Dear SCC Member,
We have not written to you for some time anticipating that we could report progress on our effort to raise funds for the construction of the Scarsdale Community Center. Unfortunately, our fund raising effort started at the time of the recession and it was very hard to gain any traction.
To date, we have shown community support by reaching our goal in membership deposits from charter members, produced a site feasibility study, agreed upon a particular site (adjacent to the outdoor pool) and prepared preliminary architectural plans and a construction cost estimate for the proposed facility at that site.
We continue to believe that there is a need and support for a community center in Scarsdale. But, in order to move forward, we need new volunteers to help with a significant fundraising effort. If you are interested in participating, you should contact us at scarsdalecommunitycenter@mail.com.
In the interim, the executive committee has decided that it is best to refund your money at this time. If you have moved since you sent us your deposit, please let us know your new address so we can successfully return your deposit. Please email mslonner@earthlink.net your new address.
Everyone who has made a deposit will receive their money back – except for those who gave consent for their funds to be used for operational expenses and/or design studies. We have routinely provided refunds for everyone who has requested his or her deposit back. There are occasions when the refund took some time. We are all volunteers in this organization and we ask for your patience in this effort.
The purpose of collecting your deposits was to prove community support for SCC. We have done this. Should we succeed in raising sufficient capital funds, we will contact all of you again and allow you to re-submit your deposit and continue as a charter member of the SCC.
We want to thank you for your support over the years. We also want to thank the many volunteers who have worked so hard to try to make the SCC a reality. In particular, we are indebted to Robert Macy, Neil Bicknell, Robert November and Edward Morgan, who have chaired our efforts. Their time commitments were enormous and done quietly without seeking personal recognition.
We hope to hear from you soon if you want to volunteer for the fund raising phase of this project or if you have moved. Again, thanks for your support while we pursued this wonderful goal of a Scarsdale Community Center.
Sincerely,
The Executive Committee of the Scarsdale Community Center
Local Kids to Perform in ANNIE JR. at Tarrytown Music Hall
- Details
- Written by: Stacie M. Waldman
- Hits: 10529
It's show time at the Tarrytown Music Hall! Eight children from the Scarsdale/Eastchester area were cast in the 20th Anniversary Random Farms Kids' Theater production of Annie JR that runs from July 24-August 1.
Based on the TONY award winning musical, Annie JR. is the beloved tale of little orphan Annie's quest to find a family in the middle of the big city. The musical features classic show stoppers such as It's The Hard Knock Life, You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, and Tomorrow.
There are four casts (A, B, C, and D). Olivia Reich (orphan ensemble) is in Cast A. Andrea Canas (apple seller/servant), Megan Gallagher (Pepper), Sophia Krembs (orphan ensemble), Isabella Miller (orphan ensemble), and Carly Waldman (Molly) are in Cast B. Caitlyn Kops (Tessie) and Alyssa Marvin (Peaches) are in Cast C. See show times and dates by cast below.
Nine-year-old Sophia Krembs is really excited to be an orphan in the show. "I like being on stage and I like singing," she said. "I love how I get to stand on a bed and scrub the floors while we sing in Hard Knock Life. The choreography is really special." Carly Waldman, age 7, is in her first Random Farms main stage show and is playing Molly, the youngest orphan. "The production feels so professional," she reported. "My character gets to scream at the other orphans while she pretends to be Miss Hannigan, the orphanage director, and it's so funny!" She added, "We're trying to make it the best production of Annie Jr. ever and I think everyone will love it- little kids, older kids, grown-ups, and even boys."
Anya Wallach is Executive Director of the Random Farms Kids' Theater. Ms. Wallach started the theater company in 1995 when she was just 16 years old. It has grown into a large, successful, not-for-profit theater company. She also recently wrote a book series called "StageStruck!," an adorable fictional book series about a girl who starts her own theater company as a pre-teen (and a must read for any young reader who has an interest in theater). I was able to chat with her a bit about the upcoming show.
I've seen Annie before and I've even seen it on Broadway. Why should I come see the Random Farms production of Annie Jr. at Tarrytown Music Hall?
This summer's production is special because it will feature costumes from the original 1982 film and the original Broadway production. And then there's the real dog we have playing Sandy. I think audience members always get excited to see a real dog on stage and Phil Collins (Sandy's real name!) is pretty spectacular. It amazes me how this show never gets old. There is always a new generation of kids that are excited to see it and perform in it. It even appeals to older kids and parents because so many of them grew up with it. There's a new version produced somewhere every decade or so either on Broadway, a made-for-TV version, or a new feature film that has helped to keep the musical alive.
Many of the Random Farms shows are by sign-up so everyone can have a chance to experience and participate in theater, which is great. The main stage show (such as Annie Jr.) is different because it is by audition only. What was the process like?
The auditions for this show were competitive but it's always fun for me to see what each of our young performers brings to the table. I was really proud to see so many kids come out for this show, including some really talented teenagers.
Why was Annie Jr. chosen for the Random Farms Kids' Theater 20th anniversary main stage production?
Annie was the first show I performed in, actually. I was 12 years old and it was at the Tarrytown Music Hall, so this really feels like coming full circle. Annie is also the first full musical we did at Random Farms.
What musical number are you looking forward to the most and why?
My favorite musical number has always been Hard Knock Life. I love the choreography, the upbeat power of the number, and how it features just the orphans. I remember watching this number in the 1982 film when I was really little and thinking how badly I wanted to be an orphan so I could swing from fire escapes and do flips on beds. My poor parents!
Come out and support your local performers! Performance dates and times are as follows:
- Friday, July 24 @ 11:00am (Cast B)
- Friday, July 24 @ 7:00pm (Cast A)
- Saturday, July 25 @ 1:00pm (Cast A)
- Saturday, July 25 @ 7:00pm (Cast B)
- Friday, July 31 @ 11:00am (Cast D)
- Friday, July 31 @ 7:00pm (Cast C)
- Saturday, August 1 @ 1:00pm (Cast C)
- Saturday, August 1 @ 7:00pm (Cast D)
Tickets are $16 (children/seniors), $18 (adults) and $23 for premium seats (first four rows center orchestra). To reserve seats, go to www.randomfarms.com/tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information, visit The Random Farms Kids Theater's website at www.randomfarms.com.
Fourth of July Fun
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4737
Fireworks will go off tonight, July 1 at the Scarsdale Pool Complex at 9:15 pm. A fee of $2 will be charged to anyone entering the pool after 5 pm. Non-pool members can enter after 5. Park at the pool or at Crossway, across the stree. There will be a DJ from 5:30 – 10 pm and O'Neill's will be open to purchase dinner, snacks and drinks.
Arthur Manor July Fourth Celebration:
The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association will hold its annual July Fourth celebration and parade Saturday, July 4, with lineup for marchers in the parade at 9:15 am at the corner of Bell and Sprague Roads. The parade will start promptly at 9:45 am. Children participating in the parade can dress in patriotic costumes or decorate their bicycles, tricycles, wagons or strollers.
The celebration continues at Davis Park with a brief ceremony, field games and refreshments. Volunteers or contributed baked goods are welcome. To help, please contact Margaret Marcus at 723-0807 (peggylou99@aol.com) or Matt Martin at 723-1455 (matthew.martin@pattoneakins.com).
Greenacres July 4th Celebration
The Greenacres Neighborhood Association will hold their annual 4rh of July celebration on Saturday July 4th at the Greenacres Field from 9 am to noon.
The day begins at 9 with bagels and cream cheese, doughnuts, watermelon, lemonade and coffee for all.
Kids of all ages, and grown-ups too can participate in the games that start at 9:30 am. There will be a spoon race, 3-leged sack race, a dash, foul shots and a candy hunt. At 11:15 there will be a patriotic program followed by the traditional Greenacres Gallop. The Fire Department will be on hand to super soak the crowd.
The event is free and all Greenacres residents are welcome.
Greenacres Field
Saturday July 4 from 9 am to noon.
For more information contact Kevin Higgins at 420-3314 or by email at higgins400@aol.com.
Carnival Day at the Scarsdale Pool:
There will be a carnival day at the Scarsdale Pool on Saturday, July 4th (Rain Date: July 5th) from 11 am to 4 pm. A fun-filled day of picnicking, carnival attractions, DJ entertainment and aquatic activities are planned, including a 30 –foot inflatable ride. Uncle Sam will make an appearance and Pooh Bear too. Bring the kids – balloons will be given out.
Scarsdale Ladies Tennis Team Takes Home the Trophy
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 5262
The Scarsdale B2 women's tennis team represented the village in the league finals on Tuesday June 23 against Briarcliff Manor, after defeating Chappaqua in the semi-finals. Following the final match, team member Tammy Fine said, "We had a fabulous team and came up a little short today but there is a nice trophy to add to the Scarsdale collection!"
Congratulations to team captains Wendie Kroll, Helyn Goldstein, Shari Romano and Michelle Silberberg and team members Tammy Fine, Geralyn Della Cava, Amy Cooper, Nancy Clarvit, Diane Loft, Joanne Teoh, Sarah Roth, Alexa Froomberg, Debra Distler, Florence Alkalay, Barbara Goodman, Erika Radin, Jill Hyman, Karen Cohn, Lauren Haller, Mayu Kojima, Karen Friedman, Tracy McCarthy, Yuko Onado, Lydia Hassan and Melissa Bornstein.
A House with a History
- Details
- Hits: 6853
A long time ago, in a place not so far, far away...lived a man and his family, on 66 Brite Avenue in Scarsdale New York. This was the Friedlander family, who moved into the Village of Scarsdale, bought an empty plot of land, and built their own house in 1932. Modestly renovated over the years, it still stands today. Dr. Bernard Friedlander was the youngest of the family, attending Fox Meadow Elementary in the late 1930's. Today 66 Brite is home to my family of four, my mom, dad, my 18 year-old twin sister and me.
In May, Dr. Friedlander returned to Scarsdale to visit the house for the first time since his family sold it in August of 1944. As the current resident of the house, I spoke to him and heard all of his nostalgic stories. Though he did not offer his age, we guessed he was in his 80's. He explained all the "modern conveniences" in the house at that time, which seemed anything but modern to a tech-savvy teen in 2015. We always wondered why there appeared to be a trap door in the basement and he told us that it was a "log box" with a passage into the living room, to allow the handyman to deliver firewood without having to walk around the outside of the house and through the front door. He explained that the box beneath the telephone ledge, a modern luxury in the 1930s, housed the bell system, which was used to summon the live-in maid. The bells can be better seen in my room, which was the former maid's room, on the third floor of the house.
Two homes that are now across the street were not there in Friedlander's time. The lot where they now stand was a deep lot that stretched all the way from Oak Lane to Brite Avenue and became Bernard and his older brother Henry's play area. The owner at the time, a Mr. Steinberger, was tolerant of the boys, until one day, when they pushed their luck too far. Bernard, his brother, their friends and cousins set up an archery range in the yard, firing towards Mr. Steinberger's house, which they thought was a good distance away. During one such archery session, Dr. Friedlander remembers Mr. Steinberger running up the yard, shaking his hat in one hand and one of their arrows in the other. "This arrow just went through the brim of my hat!" bellowed Mr. Steinberger, frightening the children off his yard. Soon after, the archery range was moved.
Today families often gather in living rooms at night to catch up on their favorite TV shows or news programs and spend quality time together. Dr. Friedlander recalls sitting with his family and listening to their favorite radio shows. He remembers helping his father spray pesticides on the trees in the yard, pumping the pesticide through his father's hose while straining his ear to hear the latest jokes on the Jack Benny Show, which was broadcast into the driveway from a radio in the kitchen window. He also remembered the night that the disturbing news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor interrupted the radio broadcast. Dr. Friedlander said his family was fortunate to own the radio at the time and how similar the radio culture was to TV culture today.
The home at 66 Brite Ave has a few attractions that now seem commonplace. For example, an old bay window on the north side of the house was an architecture marvel during Friedlander's years, as it was one of the first freestanding bay windows. Dr. Friedlander remembers that people used to come to the house and photograph or sketch the window in order to study the architecture. Furthermore, the Friedlander's installed a dumbwaiter system that broke back then and was used instead as a laundry chute. We still throw our clothes down the chute today.
One of the best portions of Dr. Friedlander's visit was our trip to the second floor closet by his old room, where he cleared up a mystery that has perplexed my family for years. In that closet there are a series of pencil marks with corresponding dates and letters, such as B Oct 1939, H Oct 1940. It was not until Dr. Bernard Friedlander explained these letters did we fully understand the significance. The marks were height measurements for himself and his older brother Henry as they grew. These marks remain in the closet wall between Bernard and Henry's rooms. During his visit, we measured Dr. Friedlander and we were able to update his height chart as of May 2015. We found that he had actually shrunk.
Dr. Friedlander asked if he could plant a peony in remembrance of his parents on the property. My father obliged and planted it beneath the unique bay window, Dr. Friedlander's mother's favorite window in the house.
