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| 2nd Edition FOJJH E-News
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December 2008
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Katonah Celebration Ringers Perform
at John Jay Homestead on December 6
 The popular handbell choir, the Katonah Celebration Ringers, will perform their annual holiday concert in the Ballroom at the Homestead December 6 at 2 p.m., unless there is a significant storm, in which case the concert will be held on Sunday, December 7. Admission is $20 per person; children 3 years or under are free; members of Friends of John Jay Homestead will receive a $3 ticket discount.
In honor of the patron saint of children, the Ringers will perform Leon Jessel's Parade of the Toy Soldiers; a
Ukrainian Carol, called the Carol of the Bells; Jazz Pizzicato by Leroy Anderson, which is played with mallets like a glockenspiel; and traditional holiday carols. Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve seats, call (914) 232-5651.
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Public Information Meeting
A Public information meeting about the Carriage Barn Restoration Project will take place on Wednesday, December 10, at 7 p.m., in the Ballroom at John Jay Homestead. All are welcome.
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Treaty of Paris Exhibit Opens on December 12
 The opening night reception for the Treaty of Paris exhibit will take place in the Rear Parlor and period rooms at the Homestead on Friday, December 12, starting at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit is a celebration of the 225th signing of the Treaty of Paris, and will be comprised of many objects in the Homestead's collection that pertain to Jay's years as a diplomat. Count Pierre F. de Ravel d'Esclapon will speak and a lively crowd is anticipated to drink a toast on Jay's birthday. Valet parking is available, and beverages are courtesy of Moet & Chandon.
Tickets are $100 for members; $125 for non-members. If you have not yet made reservations, call the Homestead today at (914) 232-8119, email us at friends@johnjayhomestead.org, or visit our website to download the invitation and reply card. If you miss opening night, this exhibit will be ongoing at the Homestead through Fall 2009. The next planned exhibit in the Rear Parlor will be about Jay's Huguenot heritage. Click here for more information on the Treaty of Paris exhibit.
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Winter Vacation Workshops Planned at John Jay Homestead
 To entertain your children during the upcoming holiday break, the Homestead site has planned three Winter Vacation Workshops on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 29 - 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshops are geared for children aged 5 to 10 years old; each day will focus on a different historic theme. On Monday, children will experience the secret world of "John Jay, Spymaster," which includes a top secret house tour, making spy ink, playing spy games and other activities. On Tuesday, children will be History Detectives, exploring artifacts and discovering aspects of daily life 200 years ago, making candles and taking "Then and Now" tours of the house. On Wednesday, participants will dress up in 18th century clothing, make band boxes and tour the upstairs bedrooms.
The workshops are co-sponsored by the John Jay Homestead State Historic Site and Friends of John Jay Homestead. Workshops are $15 per child; reservations are required. For more details, or to reserve a spot, call the site office at (914) 232-5651, ext. 101, by Monday, December 22.
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2009 John Jay Lecture Series:
A New Look at Three American Presidents
 The 2009 lecture series features three illustrious authors who have written books about Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Prof. David S. Reynolds, Professor of English and American Studies at the CUNY Graduate School, will speak on January 28 about his book, "Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson." On February 15, Philip Kunhardt, a local resident who teaches history at Bard College, will speak about his book, "Looking for Lincoln: The Making of an American Icon." Lastly, on April 1, Annette Gordon-Reed, a Professor at New York Law School and history professor at Rutgers, will discuss her book, "The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family." Ms. Reed just won the National Book Award in non-fiction for her book on the Hemings family and Thomas Jefferson. It is undoubtedly a worthwhile read, so come pick up a signed copy!!!
All three of the lectures will take place on Wednesday evenings in the Ballroom at the John Jay Homestead, starting with a reception and book signing at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for members; $20 for non-members. For more information or to make reservations, call (914) 232-8119, email friends@johnjayhomestead.org or visit the website at www.johnjayhomestead.org.
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Bedford Environmental Summit
 The first Bedford Environmental Summit will take
place on Saturday, January 31, 2009. The committee plans a full day of events to raise local awareness of pressing environmental
issues, including oil depletion, school and
community gardens, biodiversity, water conservation and recycling. The Summit will
take place at Fox Lane High School in Bedford from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Initial co-sponsors of the event are the Bedford Energy Advisory Panel
and the Bedford Garden Club, and close to 40 community organizations,
including Friends of John Jay Homestead, have signed on to support the
project. The keynote speaker will be Bob Woodruff of ABC News, giving
an overview of major environmental issues facing the world today. The
Summit will offer workshops, lectures, networking opportunities and an
expo; over 600 guests are expected. Tickets are $25 in advance; $35 the
day of the event; $10 for students. For ticket information, visit
www.sustainablebedford.org.
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JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD SITE NEWS
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- Winter Historic House Tour hours are Wednesday to Saturday, from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(the last tour begins at 3 p.m.).
- Final phase of the Main House roof project
should be complete by December 5!
- Current Projects funded by Friends of John Jay
Homestead:
- Extensive tree work is now
underway in the Formal Gardens.
- Interior work is currently taking
place on the reinterpretation of Nancy Jay's
bedroom.
- Interior plaster and painting
work on the Conservatory will begin in
Mid-December.
Your membership dollars at
work!
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JOIN THE FRIENDS OF JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD NOW!
ALL MEMBERS RECEIVE:
Free admission to John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, invitations to members-only events (including annual Goodhue Lectures), discounted admission to Homestead special events and lectures, 15% discount on Gift Shop purchases, subscription to our lively and informative newsletter and listing in the newsletter.
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| Visit our website to learn more about becoming a member.
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