|
|
| 4th Edition FOJJH E-News |
February 2009 | |
UPCOMING EVENTS
 |
|
|
|
Philip Kunhardt to Speak at Homestead
on Wednesday, February 25
 The 2009 Lecture Series, "A New Look at Three American Presidents," continues on Wednesday, February 25th with noted author Philip B. Kunhardt III discussing his new book Looking for Lincoln: The Making of an American Icon. More than a conventional biography, Looking for Lincoln traces the effort after his death "to probe Lincoln's ancestry, to reconstruct his boyhood years, to investigate his early political efforts, to learn about his marriage and his family, and to judge his career as a lawyer," according to David Herbert Donald in his Foreword. The book has been called "beautiful," "fascinating," "remarkable," "highly original," and a "first-rate study of Abraham Lincoln in his bicentennial year." Mr. Kunhardt is currently a Bard Center Fellow at Bard College, in Annandale, New York and for seventeen years, he was a writer-producer at Kunhardt Productions, where he has more than fifteen documentary films and series to his credit. Looking for Lincoln is the companion to the PBS documentary film of the same name, which can be seen in the New York area this Wednesday, February 11th at 9 p.m on Channel 13.
All lectures take place in the Ballroom at John Jay Homestead, 400 Route 22 in Katonah. Each evening begins with a reception and book signing at 6:30 p.m. followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. The February 25th lecture will feature refreshments provided by Table Local Market and Fountainhead Wines of Bedford Hills. We are encouraging guests to arrive promptly at 6:30 p.m. to see both the Treaty of Paris exhibit in the Rear Parlor, which will be open for this evening, and a collection of unique historic documents about Abraham Lincoln, which will be displayed in the Ballroom. These documents will be provided through an agreement with Seth Kaller, President of Seth Kaller, Inc., a leading historic document dealer and collection builder, based in White Plains, NY. Ticket prices are $15 for members; $20 for non-members; free for students.
The final lecture in the series will take place on Wednesday, April 1, when Annette Gordon-Reed will discuss her book The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, which won the 2008 National Book Award for Nonfiction.
To sign up for the lecture, please call Dot Voorhees at the Friends' office, (914) 232-8119, or email friends@johnjayhomestead.org. For updated information about the lecture, particularly if there is inclement weather, visit the website at www.johnjayhomestead.org.
|
|
NEW John Jay Book Club holds first meeting
on Thursday April 9th at noon
 Do you like reading history? The inaugural meeting of the John Jay Book Club featuring monthly selections of historical non-fiction and moderated by John Jay Homestead Site Manager, Heather Iannucci, will take place on Thursday, April 9th from noon to 1 PM in the Homestead Ballroom.
Bring a brown bag lunch and join in the discussion about our first book, The Hemingses of Monticello: An
American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed. Free admission. To RSVP or for more information, please contact the Friends' office at (914) 232-8119, or email friends@johnjayhomestead.org
|
Founders Award Dinner Honoring
Bedford Riding Lanes Association on March 7
 The Second Annual Founders Award Dinner, which will honor the Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA), is coming up on Saturday, March 7. This elegant, black tie evening begins at 6:30 p.m., with a cocktail reception in the period rooms, followed by a seated dinner in the Ballroom at 8 p.m. During the dinner, the Founders Award will be presented to the BRLA, an organization that has maintained and preserved over 160 miles of trails throughout Bedford. The BRLA has been instrumental in preserving Bedford's unique character.
We encourage all who wish to attend to RSVP as soon as possible, as the event is limited to 120 guests. To purchase tickets, which range from $375 per person to $2,500 per person, or to place an ad in the journal, please call the Friends' office at (914) 232-8119, email friends@johnjayhomestead, or visit the website at www.johnjayhomestead.org. Pictured above are Friends' President Laurie Lewis and Founders Dinner Committee members Mary Anne Hawley, Barbara Matarazzo-Silverman, Bob Torre, Marian Torre and Alex Hamer.
|
House and Garden Tour Scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2009
 Mark Wednesday, May 20 on your calendars for the 2009 House & Garden Tour, sponsored by Friends of John Jay Homestead. We anticipate that this will be a unique and memorable day, given that all the houses are in close proximity and "antiques." Look for your invitation in the mail in early April.
For more information, contact the Friends' office at (914) 232-8119, or email friends@johnjayhomestead.org.
|
Environmental Summit on January 31 was a Huge Success
 From all accounts, the huge effort made by the Bedford Environmental Summit committee, co-chaired by Ellen Conrad of the Bedford Garden Club and Mary Beth Kass of the Bedford Energy Advisory Panel, was a worthwhile, successful, even inspirational event. Fox Lane High School was packed with over 1,000 people on January 31, and at least 110 adult and 100 student volunteers participated.
Friends of John Jay Homestead board and staff members attended workshops and lectures on Biodiversity, Oceans in Peril, Green Homes, Composting, Home Farming, and Community Gardens, all of which were very informative. We came away brimming with great ideas about how to implement changes in our own behavior and inspired to take action to reduce our carbon footprint. This spring and summer, the Friends will be doing our part by working with our garden
club partners to install compost bins near the garden areas, and with
the State of NY to reduce the mowing of the fields, as well as progressing
towards our goal of bringing a community garden to the grounds of "Bedford Farm."
Tables at the Expo featured exhibits by the four local clubs that maintain gardens at John Jay Homestead-- Bedford Garden Club, Hopp Ground Garden Club, the New York Unit of the Herb Society of America, and Rusticus Garden Club. We are proud of our partnerships with these active and committed groups.
The Environmental Summit's website will remain up and running, with feedback from the event appearing continuously. Stay in touch with the latest information from this sustainable Bedford movement by visiting www.sustainablebedford.org.
|
It's February - Time to Sign Up for Summer History Camp
 "Patriots, Loyalists, and the Fight For Independence" along with "Tribal Tales: American Indians and Early Settlers" will be the exciting themes your children can explore during this year's Summer History Camp at John Jay Homestead. How can you improve an already great summer experience? By increasing the opportunities for fun and targeting activities toward specific age groups.
The first two weeks (July 20-23 & July 27-30) are specifically designed for children entering grades 5, 6, and 7; the second two weeks (August 3-6 & August 10-13) are customized for those entering grades 2, 3, and 4. Museum Educator Bethany White will once again be organizing the camp, and she anticipates as much interest this year as last, so sign up early. The cost per week will remain the same, a bargain at $300, with a 15% discount for Friends' members.
The camp will run Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, or to sign up your child(ren), please call (914) 232-5651, ext. 101, or visit the Friends' website at www.johnjayhomestead.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
JOIN THE FRIENDS OF JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD NOW!
ALL MEMBERS RECEIVE:
Free admission to John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, discounted admission to Homestead special events, and invitations to members-only events including the annual Goodhue Lecture. Members also receive a 15% discount on Gift Shop purchases and a subscription and annual listing in our lively and informative newsletter. Membership is the most important means of supporting this local and national treasure.
|
| Visit our website to learn more about becoming a member.
|
|
|
