Volunteers at WRT Cook Thanksgiving Dinners for Those in Need
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- Written by Danielle Feigenbam
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Congregants from Westchester Reform Temple are doing their part to fight food insecurity in our local communities. To ensure that as many people as possible, regardless of circumstances, have the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving, the temple is joining a local Scarsdale tradition - Grandma Pat’s Thanksgiving Dinner - to come together to feed those who might otherwise go hungry on Thanksgiving.
On Sunday November 20, members came together to prepare Thanksgiving meals for those in need. The WRT community will continue to cook, bake, and assemble meals for distribution by volunteers in time for the holiday. The meals will be distributed at local churches and community centers through Meals on Main and The Friendly Fridge Network.
A bit about Grandma Pat: Grandma Pat was the mother of a local Scarsdale mother, Cindi Fisher, who shared in the belief that no one should go hungry, much less on Thanksgiving when others are able to gather around a table and enjoy a holiday meal. When Pat passed away, Grandma Pat’s Thanksgiving Dinner was her family’s way of not only feeding those who are hungry but also of keeping alive the traditions of showing kindness and support to those who are experiencing food insecurity. Cindy Fisher is teaming up with the synagogue to continue her family’s tradition.
Preventing the Winter Blues
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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When the nights get longer, the days get colder, and our summer glow starts to wane along with our energy and motivation some of us are prone to get the winter blues. But what is the difference between feeling a bit low during the coldest months of the year and the more severe mental health condition, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? Recently, Stacey Cook, the “Aging In Place” coordinator at Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services, helped organize a presentation explaining the differences and outlining the warning signs and tips to prevent both the typical winter blues and SAD. While the presentation was hosted for Scarsdale’s more mature residents, the information shared is valuable for all ages.
The program was led by Alyssa Green, a registered nurse working for Jancare, a private home care service. Ms. Green started her presentation by explaining that it is normal and common to feel down during the coldest, darkest winter months especially during December, January, and February. At one point or another, most of us in Scarsdale have probably felt some of the symptoms of typical winter blues including: sadness, lack of motivation, trouble sleeping, or not engaging in regular self-care. This sort of “seasonal sadness” might involve a lack of motivation to get out of bed, not getting dressed and binging on both TV shows and junk food. Ms. Green made clear though, that while the winter blues might make us feel like hunkering down for a day or two, the feelings usually pass quickly and after a short time the affected person is ready to spruce themselves up and re-engage in their daily routines.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, however, is much more than feeling a little sluggish and down because of bad winter weather. In fact, SAD is a diagnosable mental health disorder that, according to Green, affects more than 10 million people in the US alone. The onset of SAD usually occurs in people between the ages of 18 and 30 and affects both men and women. Green went on to explain that while people with SAD may also suffer from a lack of motivation and depressed feelings, the symptoms of SAD are much more intense and debilitating. People with SAD may experience changes in mood, decreased energy levels, a loss of interest in enjoyable activities, inability to focus and concentrate, trouble sleeping and getting out of bed in the morning, a lack of motivation to partake in daily grooming such as brushing teeth, increased appetite and over-eating, feelings of hopelessness and even suicidal thoughts and ideations. And while the winter blues might come and go and can typically be resolved with a few interventions, SAD is overwhelming, persistent and may need to be treated with medication.
The good news is that there are steps to take to prevent both the winter blues and these blues from worsening and turning into Seasonal Affective Disorder. Before symptoms emerge, Green suggests the following preventative steps:
-Stay connected to friends, family, or community. Take advantage of community centers and other local resources to maintain healthy, active relationships.
-Create and maintain an exercise routine. While walking outside in the sunshine and fresh air is highly recommended, even stretching and small exercises at home are beneficial.
-Maintain a balanced diet with lots of water, fruit, and fiber to make sure you take care of your bowels and remove unwanted toxins.
-Establish and stick to a regular sleep routine where you wake up and go to bed at the same times each day.
-Try to get as much natural daylight as possible by going outside or by just making sure to open all the curtains in your home.
If you or someone you know is starting to experience symptoms of the winter blues, Green suggests taking small, simple steps to help get back on track:
-Have a cup of warm tea or take a warm bath.
-Use prayer or meditation to help clear and focus your mind.
-Get outside for an early morning walk.
-Watch a funny show that will make you laugh and help your brain release natural endorphins (but stay away from the news!).
-Get a plant or small pet that you can talk to and will rely on you to take care of it.
-Listen to uplifting music.
-Use a light box for light therapy. Thirty minutes each morning has proven to be helpful for many who struggle with SAD.
It is important to remember, particularly when we set back our clocks and natural daylight ends earlier, to pay attention to our mental well-being and monitor our loved ones. If either you or someone you know seems to be struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, reach out to a doctor or mental health provider who can prescribe medication or other effective treatment options.
Procedure Committee Announces Candidates for CNC Plus an Amendment to Allow Non-Citizens to Participate in the Non-Partisan Process
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Procedure Committee which administers the Citizen’s Nominating Committee (CNC) elections each year has selected an excellent new slate of Scarsdale residents for election to the CNC. If elected these new members will join current CNC members for a total of 30 Scarsdale residents on the CNC. Together the CNC will choose a slate of non-partisan candidates to run in Scarsdale’s March election for Mayor and the open Village Trustee positions.
The current and proposed new CNC members are:
Voting in the CNC election can be done in-person or by mail.
In-person voting will be held at the Scarsdale Library, Scott Room from 7:00-9:30 AM and 2:00-9:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
Mail-In Ballots are comprised of the candidate and NPR amendment ballot and are available here. Mail-In Ballots must be received at the Chase Road Post Office by 4pm on November 15.
Amendments made to the Non-Partisan Resolution (NPR), which is the document that governs the CNC process, are also part of the CNC election ballot.
This year there are 7 substantive proposed amendments to the NPR, and 8 non-substantive ones. All of the amendments can be reviewed here.
One of the substantive proposed amendments would allow Scarsdale residents who are not U.S. citizens to fully participate in the CNC process by serving on the CNC, signing CNC petitions and participating on the Procedure Committee.
“The Procedure Committee is thrilled to be taking this positive step in allowing non-citizen Scarsdale residents to participate in the CNC,” said Michelle Sterling, Chair of the Procedure Committee. “We have so many residents who live here, own homes, pay taxes, and send their kids to school here, but are not able to participate in their local governance because for one reason or another they are not U.S. citizens. This never seemed right. We have such a diverse community. It is one of the greatest strengths of this town. It’s so important to enfranchise our residents, and bring everyone into the fold. We want people involved in local government, and in local happenings on all levels. The more we embrace and include everyone in our community to every extent we can, the stronger we will be as a community. I’m so pleased about this proposed amendment and hope that many many residents come out and vote in support of it at the CNC election on November 15.”
Halloween Parade is a Hit for Scarsdale's Youngest
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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This year's Halloween Parade brought a host of kids to the Village - some experiencing Halloween for the first time. They enjoyed a parade, treats and crafts sponsored by the Scarsdale Forum along with a show from a magician.
The event, sponsored by The Scarsdale Recreation Department on Friday October 28, was a big hit.
Check out the children and their parents in costume.
BK Munguia and Susan Douglass from the Scarsdale Forum supplied treats and games.
Faculty Performance Series to Feature Work Composed by HBMS Faculty Member Derek Cooper on 10-28
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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April JohnsonThe 2022-2023 HB Artist Faculty Performance Series continues Friday, October 28, 2022, at 7:30 pm with a performance of faculty member Derek Cooper's composition Survivor: 4 Autobiographical Pieces for Countertenor and Piano as well as works by J.S. Bach, Clara Schumann and Eric Ewazen performed by faculty members April Johnson, violin; Peter Seidenberg, cello; and pianists Dominic Meiman, Delana Thomsen and Tomoko Uchino.
Joining the faculty are guest artists countertenor Robert Francis Orbach, pianist Lauren Ninoshvili and Darlene Kaukoranta, horn. The concert will be held in the School’s Joan Behrens Bergman Auditorium, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, New York. Program and performers subject to change.
Admission
Admission to the concert is $20 general admission and is free of charge to HBMS students. Tickets may be purchased in advance via Eventbrite, the School’s website (www.hbms.org), by calling 914-723-1169, or e-mailing hb@hbms.org.
For Additional Information call 914-723-1169, email hb@hbms.org, or visit www.hbms.org.
About the HB Artist Faculty Concert Series
Hoff-Barthelson faculty comprises some of the nation’s most distinguished performers and educators. Many hold chairs in prominent New York orchestras, are members of world-class chamber ensembles, perform in major Broadway productions, and are in international demand as solo artists. Others teach at leading conservatories including The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes College of Music. Held in Scarsdale, these concerts guarantee riveting music making of the highest caliber, in an intimate setting, at prices far below those in New York’s major concert halls.
Additional concerts in the series will be held November 18, 2022, and February 10, March 3, and April 14, 2023.
About the Faculty Artists
Derek Cooper’s music has been performed worldwide by groups including Contemporaneous, Sonic Apricity, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble, Jenny Lin, Yarn/Wire, Ekmeles, the Iridium Saxophone Quartet, and Blueshift Ensemble. His piece, Kill James, was awarded the New York Composers Circle’s 2019 award at the John Eaton Memorial Composition Competition. 2020 gave way to virtual performances and Derek’s Miniatures Project, Vol. 1: Puzzles. The project has been hailed as being a unique and skillful way to redefine composition during the pandemic. The project has garnered attention from around the world.
Derek Cooper
Violinist April Johnson has performed throughout the U.S. as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral freelancer. She has appeared as concertmaster with the Jupiter Symphony and the Galatea Ensemble, the Queens Oratorio Society and the Canton Symphony of Canton, Ohio. She has also performed with the Norwalk Symphony as assistant concertmaster, and the New York Chamber Soloists, the Ridgefield, Bridgeport, New Haven, Fairfield, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestras, and the Pennsylvania Philharmonia. With her husband, cellist Peter Seidenberg and pianist Kate Boyd, she is a member of The Oracle Trio. She has recorded with Lyrichord, Dorian and Newport Classics labels.
In addition to his teaching, Dominic Meiman has worked as a pianist/conductor on several Columbia Artists Management national tours. For several years, he was the principal pianist for the Light Opera of Manhattan, performing most of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon. Mr. Meiman is the composer of the children’s opera, Jack and the Beanstalk and is the arranger and co-librettist/lyricist of The Ring of the Fettuccines, an introduction to opera for children. He also orchestrated the show The Night They Invented Champagne, Operettas and the Musicals They Influenced.
Peter Seidenberg has performed in major halls throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He made his solo debut with the Chicago Symphony, and has since appeared as soloist with many orchestras, including the Century Orchestra of Osaka, Japan, the New American Chamber Orchestra, the De Paul Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Soloists, and the Eastman Rochester Philharmonic. He was founding member of the critically acclaimed Elements Quartet which created groundbreaking commissioning projects involving over 30 composers. He has collaborated with members of the Cleveland, Tokyo, Juilliard, and Emerson Quartets, and has participated in the Marlboro, Aspen, Caramoor, Casals, and Norfolk Festivals.
Delana Thomsen is a highly accomplished solo and collaborative pianist who has given recitals throughout Europe and the US, as well as Master Classes in Iceland, Bulgaria, and Italy. She has appeared at numerous venues including Carnegie Weill Recital Hall and been affiliated with InterHarmony International Music Festival; Aspen Music Festival; Juilliard; Mannes College of Music and she performs regularly with the Thomsen-Belli piano duo and SAGA ensemble. Ms. Thomsen was invited to perform with violinist Gudny Gudmundsdottir for Mozartmarathon Tónleiker in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2018 with an acclaimed all Mozart program.
Tomoko Uchino has performed in recitals and concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. As a soloist, she has been a top prize winner in such competitions as the Ettlingen International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Germany and the Takahiro Sonoda Piano Award International Competition in Japan. She has also appeared in recitals, collaborating with numerous instrumentalists and vocalists in such concert halls as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Weill Hall, Herbst Theater in San Francisco and Hamarikyu Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
For complete faculty artist biographies click here.
