SPRYE SENTINEL
Vol. 5/No. 1Winter/2015 
 

 

  
From the Director's Desk  
Happy New Year! SPRYE is starting the new year with the goal of improving programs by seeking the input of members. We rely on our members to provide us with fresh ideas and insight to best meet their needs and offer as many options as possible to enable them to age in place.  As the population ages and life expectancy rises, many older adults may start to feel anxious and concerned about relying on family members as they require more support in their later years.   That's where SPRYE comes in. And it's a trend that's growing across the country as more and more "virtual villages" are created to connect older adults with their peers as well as offer a low cost way to age in place and delay going to costly institutional settings. Research has shown that the social activities offered by organizations like SPRYE give people a greater sense of purpose and increases well-being. The support of the larger community has enabled SPRYE to grow and flourish and we encourage all our members to stay engaged and active as we strive to expand upon our services.
Betti Weimersheimer
Executive Director
  
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

[email protected] 

www.sprye.org  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprye brochure photo  Sprye Logo
 
SPRYE Holiday Luncheon a Festive Affair
The clouds parted just in time to provide beautiful views of the harbor from the windows of the Shenorock Shore Club as SPRYE members and volunteers gathered for the their annual holiday lunch. Fifty members and volunteers enjoyed a delicious three-course meal and one another's company at the event.  Board President Nancy Haneman welcomed everyone and thanked all for their support and participation. The atmosphere was one of conviviality and pride in all the things that SPRYE has accomplished during the past year.
Attendees at the holiday lunch smile for the camera!
Board member Valerie Barrett chats with members Anthony Briganti and Jane Weidlund.
 

SPRYE Board Member Lee Katz Inducted Into Westchester County Senior Citizen Hall of Fame  

 

SPRYE Board member Lee Katz's family and friends couldn't have been more proud as she was inducted into the Westchester County's Senior Citizen Hall of Fame Class of 2014 at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown on Friday, December 2.   Lee was inducted into the Senior Citizen Hall of Fame for her many years of volunteer work in the community.  She has spent countless hours of her time not only helping SPRYE build its scholarship fund for lower income members, but also assisting other organizations too numerous to mention, devoting herself to obtaining public and private support to enrich the lives of others, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. SPRYE is extremely proud of her achievements and salutes her for receiving this honor.

  

Lee Katz (in hat) surrounded by her proud family at the induction ceremony.
 
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SPRYE Participates in Mistletoe Magic
SPRYE member Jane Mickatavage in action at the SPRYE booth in Rye at Mistletoe Magic.

The Rye Chamber of Commerce once again sponsored Mistletoe Magic on November 30th. Purchase Street was closed off for the afternoon for this fun community family festival. It included an array of activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, holiday crafts, games, music and food.  

Board members Barbara Brunner and Jane Mickatavage represented SPRYE at a table at the event.  In addition to giving out pamphlets and information, our bean bag toss game was very popular.  Three high school and middle school volunteers monitored the game and handled out prizes and lollipops.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon and a wonderful community event for all ages.

  
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Staying Fit with SPRYE's Help 
SPRYE members learn a new exercise routine.
 
It goes without saying that keeping your body moving as you age  improves and maintains your physical well being, not to mention your mental acuity. SPRYE members had the opportunity to learn some new, non-impact chair exercises at a recent program at Wainwright House. Experienced Rye YMCA fitness instructor Michael Iachetta, himself a senior,  demonstrated a series of gentle chair exercises designed to help seniors maintain flexibility and balance which incorporate elements of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. He emphasized that these exercises can also be done at home and encouraged those who attended to attempt to maintain a regular exercise regimen, even for just half an hour each day.  
 
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      UPCOMING PROGRAMS - January - July 2015 

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

 

Friday, January 9 at 9:00 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

 

Tuesday, January 13 from 3-4 pm: Return of the technical workshops, with coaching by Rye Youth Council students. Learn the ins and outs of your latest electronic devices. Become proficient in the latest apps and games. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free

  

Saturday, January 17 - time to be determined. Depending on interest and what is available in local movie houses, there will be an offering of movie and dinner. Please check with office if interested.

 

Wednesday, January 21 from 3-4:30 pm: Dr. Stephen Jones, Medical Director of Greenwich Hospital's Healthy Aging Department will present Keeping Your Brain Happy & Healthy. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Free.

 

Wednesday, January 28 from 6:30- 8:30 pm: The Osborn Sandwich Generation Conference sponsored by Heard in Rye, SPRYE and The Osborn. Dr. Sandra Haymon will present The Sacred Journey of Caregiving-A Transformational Approach to Life. The Osborn, 101 Theall Rd., Rye. Free

 

Sunday, February 8 from 3:30-5 pm: Repeat of our popular sing-along with a piano accompanist at home of SPRYE member Isobel Perry, 7 Kirby Lane North, Rye. Free

 

Tuesday, February 10 from 3-4 pm:   Technical workshops, with coaching by Rye Youth Council students. Learn the ins and outs of your latest electronic devices. Become proficient in the latest apps and games. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free

  

Friday, February 13 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

 

Wednesday, February 18 from 3-4:30 pm: Screening of hybrid documentary "Nights", based on the stories of Scheherazade and co-produced by news/documentary cameraman Anthony Forma (Executive Director Betti Weimersheimer's husband) and Grahame Weinbren. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.

 

Saturday, February 21 - Depending on interest and what is available in local movie houses, there will be an offering of movie and dinner. Please check with office if interested.

 

Thursday, February 26 at noon: Chinese New Year lunch at local restaurant arranged by SPRYE member Frank Woo. $20

 

Tuesday, March 10 from 3-4 pm: Technical workshops, with coaching by Rye Youth Council students. Learn the ins and outs of your latest electronic devices. Become proficient in the latest apps and games. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free

  

Friday, March 13 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

 

Wednesday, March 18 from 3-4:30 pm: Rye resident Pamela McGuire will present HIDDEN HISTORY: THE STORY OF SLAVERY IN RYE, NEW YORK. Her talk will cover the history of slavery in Rye from the late 17th century to the 1820's when slavery was outlawed in New York State. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Refreshments at 3, program at 3:15. Free.

 

Thursday, March 26 at noon: Lunch at Westchester Community College Culinary Arts Program. $14

 

Saturday, March 28 at 3 pm: Joint SPRYE/Rye Free Reading Room program: Screening of documentary ELEVATED THINKING: The High Line in New York City. Narrated by Susan Sarandon. Rye Free Reading Room. Free

  

Friday, April 10 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte

 

Wednesday, April 15 from 3-4:30 pm: Popular lecturer and Rye resident Paul Hicks will present his latest work, THE HISTORY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF MANURSING ISLAND. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.

 

Tuesday, April 21, time to be determined: Tentative, trip to 911 Memorial Museum in lower Manhattan.

 

Saturday, April 25, time to be determined: Depending on interest and what is available in local movie houses, there will be an offering of movie and dinner. Please check with office if interested.

 

Friday, May 8 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

 

Tuesday, May 12 at 12:30 pm-   Docent led tour of selected highlights at Yale Art Gallery, New Haven, CT.  Leave Rye by 11 am. Free    

 

Saturday, May 16, time to be determined: -- Depending on interest and what is available in local movie houses, there will be an offering of movie and dinner. Please check with office if interested.

 

Wednesday, May 20 from 3-4:30 pm:   John Adler, a leading expert on the influential work of 19th century political cartoonist Thomas Nast, will present the results of his research THOMAS NAST & THE CIVIL WAR. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.

 

Friday, June 12 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

 

Wednesday, June 17 from 3-4:30 pm:   MUNICH 1950- Russian speaking newlyweds Gene & Gloria Sosin of Rye travel to Germany during the Cold War to interview Soviet refugees and defectors for information and conditions in the Soviet Union. Come and hear their story. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.

 

Saturday, June 20, time to be determined: - -- Depending on interest and what is available in local movie houses, there will be an offering of movie and dinner. Please check with office if interested.

 

Thursday, June 25 at 11:30 am:   Tour of the Chagall windows at Union Church in Tarrytown followed by lunch at Red Hat Grill in Irvington. Tour is free, lunch a la carte.

 

Friday, July 10 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at

Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte

 

Wednesday, July 15 at 3 pm:   Tour of the gardens at Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 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.