SPRYE SENTINEL

Vol 4/No. 4

Fall/2014

From the Director's Desk

The summer went by in a flash and the Fall season has begun. The SPRYE benefit was a smashing success. So many people commented on what a lovely event it was and how good a time they had meeting new people and catching up with old friends. Everyone was especially taken with honorees Jane & Bob Mickatavage and their wonderful family. It was especially gratifying on my part to have so many people come out to support SPRYE and the work we do. Now that the event is behind us we are focusing on building membership, responding to members' needs and seeking more volunteer drivers. We have many interesting and exciting programs lined up now through December and I hope they will attract our members as well as new participants. Feedback is encouraged and welcomed. I look forward to hearing from you.

Betti Weimersheimer

SPRYE welcomes
volunteers!

We especially need drivers. What better way to get to know your neighbors than to volunteer. Just two hours of your time each week can make a tremendous difference in the life of a local resident who can no longer drive. As SPRYE membership grows, we need to increase our volunteer corps. It's easy to get involved: call 481-5706 for more information.

Board of Directors

President

Nancy Haneman

Chair, Exec. Comm.

Tom Saunders

Vice President

Paul Hicks

Secretary

Barbara Brunner

Treasurer

Alan Kelsey

Maureen Adams

Valerie Barrett

Jim Buckley

Rozlyn Carvin

Joan Feinstein

John Gray

Ed Herbster

Lee Katz

Ken Knowles

Kathy Lonergan

Jane Mickatavage

Katherine Moore

Isobel Perry

Martin Rogowsky

Hal Schwartz

Arthur Stampleman

Gil Weinstein

Executive Director

Betti Weimersheimer

P.O. Box 748

Rye, N.Y. 10580

914-481-5706

director@sprye.org

www.sprye.org

Jane & Bob Mickatavage Feted at Third Annual SPRYE Benefit

The sunset over Wainwright House provided a stunning backdrop for the third annual SPRYE benefit on Thursday, September 18th. Approximately 200 guests converged under the tent as SPRYE honored Jane and Bob Mickatavage for their long history of community service and dedication to helping older adults. Bob and Jane and their family members delighted the crowd with a song addressed to the attendees called "The Toast," after receiving an award from Board President Nancy Haneman and a proclamation from State Assemblyman Steve Otis. Guests were able to bid on a wide array of items in the silent auction. The event was a great success and a warm and friendly atmosphere filled the tent. SPRYE thanks all those involved who worked so hard to make it a special evening as well as all our friends and supporters.

Guests waiting to check in for the benefit.

Jane and Bob Mickatavage listen intently before receiving their award.

The Mickatavage family sings for the crowd.

Attendees get their bids in for their favorite silent auction items.

The beautiful view outside the tent at Wainwright House.

SPRYE member Eleanor Panton and volunteer Harry Hogueland, who were featured in a short video that premiered at the benefit, with Board member Barbara Brunner.

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Medicare Open Enrollment Season Begins this Month

The Medicare open enrollment season runs from October 15 through December 7 and gives enrollees a chance to reassess whether their plan still fits their needs. Don't assume your plan, especially Part D coverage, which is the drug plan, will remain exactly the same. For more information check out the latest Medicare & You booklet, which all enrollees should have received in the mail by now. To talk to a live person, call 1-800-Medicare.

Put Your Life Skills to Use by Volunteering to Mentor Youth in Port Chester

Port Chester Cares is looking for several part-time volunteers to help teach LifeSkills at the Port Chester Middle School. This is a great opportunity for you to get involved with the youth community and help develop their skills in drug resistance, general social skills and personal self management skills.

Grades 6-8 30-45 minute class sessions For further information please call 914-255-4856 or email portchestercares@gmail.com. Full training will be provided. A background check will be required.

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Volunteer Profile: Marilyn Eldridge

Marilyn Eldridge enjoying the company of her granddaughter.

Marilyn Eldridge gives new meaning to the words caring volunteer. The Harrison resident has been volunteering for SPRYE for two years, both as a driver and filling in at the SPRYE office when necessary. She has formed close relationships with a couple of SPRYE members who always request Marilyn as their driver when they call. She often goes way beyond just simply giving a ride to a member. For instance, she and her husband were scheduled to pick up a member for the SPRYE benefit. When he did not answer his door or phone, Marilyn got worried. After the benefit she went back to his house to check on him and she found him just as he was being dropped off by his nephew after spending the day in the hospital because he had a dizzy spell. She wouldn't have been able to sleep until she knew he was safe and sound.

Marilyn has lived in Harrison for 20 years. She grew up in White Plains and then raised her two sons in Rye. Now retired, for 25 years she ran the office of a commercial real estate firm. Marilyn comes from a big family: five sisters, one of whom has passed away, and three brothers. She credits coming from such a large family with her sense of community spirit and sharing. Her sister, Barbara Brunner, is on the Board of SPRYE and very involved with the organization. When Marilyn mentioned that she was looking to do some volunteering, Barbara said SPRYE would be a perfect outlet, and as Marilyn pointed out, she wasn't going to say nay to her sister! "I am very happy that I decided to volunteer for SPRYE. I really find it gratifying to help older adults," she said. "I love older people and it's really been a pleasure to be a part of SPRYE." Besides volunteering, Marilyn enjoys traveling, and hitting the road with her husband to visit their seven grandchildren in Indiana and Worcester, Massachusetts.

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What's New at SPRYE

SPRYE has created a short video highlighting how the organization makes a difference in the daily lives of its members. It premiered at the annual benefit and will be distributed to local tv stations in Rye, Port Chester and Harrison. It will soon be able to be seen on SPRYE's web site. It was produced with the invaluable help of cameraman Anthony Forma and editor Ken Knowles.

Executive Director Betti Weimersheimer attended the Village to Village Network conference in Washington D.C. September 28-30. The mission of VtV is to enable communities to establish and effectively manage aging in community organizations initiated and inspired by their members. There are currently over 140 villages such as SPRYE around the country, with over 100 in formation. Almost 300 representatives of villages from around the country attended the conference, sharing ideas and inspiration. SPRYE is part of a growing national movement that seeks to empower and provide the means for older adults to design their own futures and keep control of their own lives.

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS - October-December 2014

Please make sure to RSVP: 914-481-5706. Rides are available to all programs.

Tuesday, October 7 from 3-4 pm: Return of the technical workshops, with coaching by Rye Youth Council students. Learn the ins and outs of your electronic devices. Become proficient in the use of the latest apps and games. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free.

Friday, October 10 at 9 am:Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

Wednesday, October 15 from 3-4:30 pm: Pamela Dwyer, Webster Bank Vice President and Manager of the Rye branch, as well as active member of the Rye Rotary, will test our knowledge of how to avoid fraud when she presents BEWARE/BE WARY. Older adults are said to be the group most vulnerable to fraud of many kinds and Ms. Dwyer will give us examples of what to watch out for and how to deal with suspected fraud. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Free.

Saturday, October 18, time to be determined: Saturday Night Out. Join fellow SPRYE members for a casual evening out for early movie and dinner. Information about movie time and dinner location will be provided the Friday before date. Contact Isobel Perry at 967-4894 for more information.

Tuesday, October 21 at 12:30: Guided tour of Grand Central Station. Walking required. Attendees will take 10:30 train from Rye and have lunch at Grand Central before the tour, which is 75 minutes long. Tour is $15, plus cost of train and lunch. Payment for tour must be made in advance to hold a place.

Wednesday, October 29 at 6:30 pm: Three course dinner created by students at Dining Lab- Culinary Arts Program at Monroe College, Main St., New Rochelle. $21.95 plus tip.

Thursday, November 6 at noon: Dim sum lunch in Flushing, Queens with special menu choices made by SPRYE member Frank Woo. Car pooling. $15

Wednesday, November 12, 10:30-11:30 am: Be among the first in the nation to see the Bruce Museum's new exhibit Northern Baroque Splendor, the inaugural showing in the U.S. of Dutch and Flemish 17th century paintings on loan from the Princely Collection, Vienna. Among the almost 60 artists represented are Jan Breughel and Peter Paul Rubens. One Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT. $6 Optional lunch at nearby Asian restaurant.

Friday, November 14 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

Saturday, November 15, time to be determined: Saturday Night Out. Join fellow SPRYE members for a casual evening out for early movie and dinner. Information about movie time and dinner location will be provided the Friday before date. Contact Isobel Perry at 967-4894 for more information.

Tuesday, November 18 from 3-4 pm: Return of the technical workshops, with coaching by Rye Youth Council students. Learn the ins and outs of your electronic devices. Become proficient in the use of the latest apps and games. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free.

Wednesday, November 19 from 3-4:30 pm: Rye resident and well regarded landscape architect Peter Rolland will tell us about his ten years of experience as an American Down Under. In the 1980's his firm won an international competition to create the landscape architecture for Australia's new capitol building, New Parliament House. Fifty-one round trips later his team's design eventually appeared on that country's currency! Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Free.

Thursday, December 11 at noon: Come one, come all to the annual SPRYE holiday party. Shenorock Shore Club. $35

Friday, December 12 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

Wednesday, December 10 from 3-4:30 pm: Join us for MIND/BODY/SPIRIT, a demonstration of a series of gentle chair exercises designed to help seniors maintain flexibility and balance. Led by experienced Rye YMCA fitness instructor Michael Iachetta, himself a senior, these exercises incorporate elements of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Free.

Tell your friends about SPRYE. We have many services to offer that can make a difference in the lives of older adults in the community who want to remain active, independent and socially connected.