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Published: 03 May 2011

Created: 03 May 2011

Last Updated: 03 May 2011

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The County Tennis Club on the Bronx River Parkway will celebrate their 100th anniversary next year. They are looking back on their illustrious history and looking forward to continuing to be a vital venue for Westchester’s racket enthusiasts. According to Harry Phillips, who has been a member of the club since 1955 the County Tennis Club of Westchester was built in 1912 to encourage people to buy homes in a new development called Greenacres, and was run as a private membership club until 1980. Since then, membership has been open to residents of Westchester and beyond who enjoy the club which is devoted exclusively to tennis.

To mark the occasion, two longtime club members have provided highlights of the club’s history.

Here are Phillips recollections:

“In the 1920s, the Club was acquired by what became the Bronx River Parkway Commission, part of Westchester County government. The County leased the property to County, which continued to run it as a private club.

When I joined County in 1955, one had to be a “good tennis player” (or know somebody) to be admitted. Truth be told, I knew the Club treasurer and the team captain, so I got in. Back then, County had the best tennis in the entire Metropolitan area, a 10-year waiting list, and everyone wore traditional tennis whites.

In the 1980s, a court case involving a hangar at Westchester Airport led to a decision that public lands could not be used for private purposes. Westchester County told the Club it would continue the lease but on new conditions: all members had to reside in Westchester, and people would have to be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. A few years later, as membership declined, the County agreed that members from outside Westchester could again be admitted.

When I joined, all the courts were red clay. Six courts were soon converted to Har-Tru, although some members wanted all to be converted. Bill Greenawalt, whose father Kenneth was Club president 1953-54, told me that as a boy he played barefoot on the clay, and that he remembers linesmen and ball boys at championship matches. Bill, who followed in his father’s footsteps by serving as president 1979-80, also recalls a piano in the clubhouse and a working paddlewheel in the river.

The Club’s one tragedy was the arson of the historic two-story clubhouse in 1985, the same night nearby Hitchcock Church was set afire. With the help of member/architect Sy Breines, the clubhouse was rebuilt.

County has been fortunate to have great members and the stability of long-serving pros including Frank Brennan, who went on to legendary status as the architect of the women’s tennis program at Stanford University and the coach of Billie Jean King, and since 1963, Bob Frey, now in his 38th year with us.

All in all, our historic club, built 15 years before the oldest parkway in America would run past its courts, is looking very good indeed as its nears its centennial.”

Herb Haber, a member since 1965 also provided his reflections:

“Because the Club was on County land, there could be no discrimination as to religion, race or color. From its origin, County was the only club in the area with an “open membership” policy.

My late wife Faith and I moved to the Fox Meadow area in the fall of 1952, as did many of the World War II era. We first made tennis friends at the Brite Avenue courts, and grew those friendships at County.

In 1953, I played in the State clay court singles tournament at County, advancing to the second round (after a default) where I lost in three sets on Court 1. The tournament winner, as I recall, was a top ten U.S. player from New Jersey. Other tournaments were held at County back then: Bobby Riggs won an event, and players often came to practice on our red clay before leaving for Paris and Roland Garros. Later, when I was president and for some years afterward, regional senior events were held at the Club.

Back then, we were very social, with parties and dances, often with live music. We had fun on and off the courts with our County friends with special events on Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day, and a well-attended mid-winter dinner at a local restaurant.

We also had a strong junior program run by Lois Steckler, wife of Phil Steckler, who with Bill Adolph formed a highly ranked senior doubles teams in the 1960’s. My son Ed came through that program and went on to captain the Scarsdale High team and then play for the University of Michigan.

In 1985, the last year of my presidency, the clubhouse burned to its foundation, leaving only the fireplace standing as a lasting memorial to those who have played at County for nearly 100 years. When that tragedy struck we asked fellow member and noted architect Sy Breines to design a new Clubhouse. Donating his time and talents, Sy was on-site virtually every day to direct rebuilding activities.

We were under-insured faced with difficult decisions about rebuilding. In a very important Board meeting, former Club President Max Kahn made an impassioned plea, and the necessary funds were raised by assessment to build the “new” Clubhouse more than 25 years ago. If not for Sy and Max, who knows if County would still be around and be the great Club it is today."

Today the club hosts informal play, competitive tournaments and special events on nine well-maintained soft courts, three red clay and six Har-tru. They have both intra and interclub teams for men and woman and hold round robins, twilight tennis, a monthly social barbeque and member-guest days.

County Tennis Director Doug Proudian recently became the club’s head pro, filling the shoes of Bob Frey who served for 38 years and retired at the end of the 2010 season. Proudian played college varsity tennis, coached the University of North Carolina team and competed on the international pro satellite circuit. He is available for individual lessons, group clinics and runs a tennis academy for kids and teens. In addition breakfast, lunch and snacks catered by Lange’s of Scarsdale are available in the Club’s café.

The club is now welcoming new members. To learn more about joining, contact countytennis@gmail.com or call 917-414-2179. Members can join for this season and fees will be pro-rated depending on the enrollment date. Rates are competitive with other tennis only clubs and full and limited memberships for individuals of various ages as well as family memberships are available. The club can be accessed from Greenacres Avenue and Brook Lane in Greenacres or from the Bronx River Parkway.

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Published: 09 May 2011

Created: 09 May 2011

Last Updated: 09 May 2011

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The seventh annual Mamapalooza, a free music, arts and health festival will be held on Saturday, May 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Kensico Dam. The event will feature entertainment, women’s health and fitness, family life and green living.

Voted the Best in Girl Power Event 2009 by Westchester Magazine, Mamapalooza is a day of fun with free helpful information and plenty of activities and services to help empower women, mothers and families. There will also be shopping, fun for kids, foods to sample and purchase, and a farmers market. Bring a chair and blanket and spend the day listening to some great musicians and learning how to make your life better. Admission and parking are free and the event will be held rain or shine.

Health and Fitness: A Walk Live Westchester exercise program will kick off at 11 a.m. The Westchester County Office for Women and non-profit organizations will provide information on health, wellness and social services for women and families including help for victims of domestic violence. Information about summer events and programs from Westchester County Parks and the county’s Office of Tourism will be available.

Living Green: Vendors celebrate a holistic lifestyle of mind, body and spirit with information and booths selling natural cleaning products, soaps and holistic products.

Entertainment: Media partner 100.7 WHUD radio will be onsite. This year's stage features Massachusetts Six; Dawn Drake and ZapOote world percussion; a musical performance by Armelle for kids; and exhibitions by Suburbia Roller Derby.

Women’s Marketplace: Women-centered vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry and gifts, make-up and sunglasses to active wear fashions and tee shirts. Cash accepted only.

For Kids and Families: Kids and their families can also learn how to have fun as they get and stay fit with the county’s own Be Fit Mobile, a fitness center on wheels, which offers hula hoops, obstacle ladders and Frisbees to show everyone how to have fun as they work out. There’ll also be face painting and gymnastics.

Farmers Market: Shop a selection of locally grown produce, baked goods, cheeses and food products.

Food and Refreshments: Vendors will offer salads, wraps, veggie burgers, rice and beans and gyros. The concession stand will also be open for sandwiches, pizza, burgers and hot dogs.

There will be free giveaways and raffles for prizes throughout the day.

Mamapalooza 2011 is presented to benefit the Motherhood Foundation, an organization that creates and presents visual, literary and performing arts events for mothers. Sponsors are the County’s Office for Women, 100.7 WHUD radio, Westchester Family, Natural Awakenings and Parenting magazines, Awaken Fair, Q.bel, New York Liberty and Friends of Westchester County Parks, Inc.

Kensico Dam Plaza is located at the north end of the Bronx River Parkway in Valhalla. For more information, visit Mamapalooza.com or call Westchester County Parks at (914) 864-PARK.

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Published: 26 April 2011

Created: 26 April 2011

Last Updated: 28 April 2011

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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School and/or live in Scarsdale and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance.

Applications should be submitted online on the Scarsdale Foundation’s website, scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2011. Late applications will not be accepted. Inquiries regarding scholarship applications should be directed to Susie Rush, srush76@gmail.com or 472-7797.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, $76,000 was awarded to 24 students attending private and state-supported colleges in their second, third, and fourth years.

The Scarsdale Foundation is the presenter of the Scarsdale Bowl award, given annually to a citizen(s) who has contributed outstanding voluntary service. Emily Sherwood, former president of the Board of Education and exemplary community volunteer, received this year’s award.

The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may also be donated to a specially earmarked scholarship fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, with monies to be used for 2011-2012 recipients. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website, scarsdalefoundation.org , or mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

For students entering their freshman year, one-year grants for graduating SHS seniors are available from the SHS PTA Scholarship Fund.  The application form and the dean’s evaluation form may be downloaded from the Scarsdale High School PTA website, http://www.scarsdaleschools.org/shspta or may be obtained from the deans’ offices at the High School. Completed applications must be submitted by May 8.

For additional information regarding the Scholarship Fund, or to make a donation in honor of a teacher or a graduate, visit the PTA website or contact Sarah Wolf at sarah@hallac.com .