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From the Director's Desk
There have been many new developments at SPRYE since the summer. New Board President Barbara Brunner has swiftly taken the reins and is actively involved in programming and developing enhanced services for members. The staff is delighted with its new office space in Port Chester and welcomes visitors during office hours. The benefit was spectacular, with record ticket sales and silent auction items. We are so grateful to everyone who turned out to support us or who made donations that will enable us to engage more older adults in the community who want to make their own choices about how and where they live. SPRYE also recognizes and thanks the many volunteers who helped with the benefit and made it such a beautiful, meaningful event. We are all working together to keep Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester and Harrison inclusive, multi-generational, vibrant communities.
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
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President
Barbara Brunner
Chair, Exec. Comm.
Tom Saunders
Vice President
Joan Feinstein
Secretary
Nancy Haneman
Treasurer
Alan Kelsey
Maureen Adams
Valerie Barrett
Rozlyn Carvin
Richard Falanka
John Gray
Ed Herbster
Paul Hicks
Lee Katz
Ken Knowles
Kathy Lonergan
Jane Mickatavage
Katherine Moore
Isobel Perry
Martin Rogowsky
Hal Schwartz
Arthur Stampleman
Michele Thomas
Gil Weinstein
Executive Director
Betti Weimersheimer
Office:
One Gateway Plaza
55 S. Main St.
3rd Floor
Port Chester, N.Y. 10573
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Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 748
Rye, N.Y. 10580
914-481-5706
director@sprye.org
www.sprye.org
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Fourth Annual SPRYE Benefit Another Resounding Success
The room was buzzing and the excitement palpable at SPRYE's 4th annual benefit held at the Shenorock Shore Club on October 1, 2015. Honorees John and Carolyn Cunningham spoke eloquently to a rapt crowd about their reasons for their commitment to volunteerism in the Rye community, which made them feel so welcome when they moved here many years ago. and which, in their estimation, continues to be a special place to live. The silent auction was a huge success, with over 60 items sold to the highest bidders. It was wonderful that so many people turned out to show their support for SPRYE.
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| | Benefit Chair Nancy Haneman, honorees Carolyn and John Cunningham and Board President Barbara Brunner at the event. |
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| | Attendees give their full attention as John Cunningham spoke to the assembled guests. |
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| | The crowd mingling and socializing. |
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| | Guests get in early bids for the silent auction. |
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SPRYE'S NEW LOCATION
SPRYE is happily ensconced in its new office at One Gateway Plaza, 55. S. Main Street, Third Floor in Port Chester. The new office is light and airy and has plenty of room for visitors who want to stop by. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the new office will be held on October 28 from 5-7 pm. Local officials, representatives of local organizations and the local media have been invited to learn more about SPRYE and its services. We plan to hold monthly open houses for potential members and volunteers to learn more about opportunities to become involved. We are delighted to be located in Port Chester. Our new office is centrally located within the area we serve - Harrison, Port Chester, Rye and Rye Brook. We look forward to serving a growing number of older adults as we enter our fifth year of operation.
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| | SPRYE's new office is located at One Gateway Plaza, 55 S. Main St. at the corner of Main St. and Purdy Ave. in Port Chester. |
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Volunteer Profile: Luisa Bardini
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| | New SPRYE volunteer driver Luisa Bardini. |
Luisa Baldini is an unusual SPRYE volunteer in many ways. She was born in Africa to an Italian father and British mother. When she was 10 years old, she was enrolled in a boarding school in the UK and later attended college in London. After college she had a career in broadcast journalism. Since her parents remained in Africa during her schooling, she spent a lot of time with her grandparents, who lived near the boarding school.
"My grandfather was one of the biggest influences in my life," she said. "It upset me when he couldn't drive anymore and lost his independence, so I understand how people feel when they have to stop driving. I saw a way I could be of help to them." So, after moving to Rye Gardens in Rye last year, she became a volunteer driver for SPRYE.
"Driving SPRYE members is something I really like to do, especially since I miss being able to help my grandparents. Volunteering for SPRYE suits me well since it is not a huge commitment, is flexible, and is very realistic for me since it works around childcare. I really like feeling helpful to a part of the community that may be overlooked. I'm aware that everyone's busy, especially if they have young children, yet I encourage them to join me and volunteer for SPRYE," concluded Luisa.
Luisa and her husband have two children, aged five and eight, and the family recently added to their family by adopting a kitten.
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Preparing for the Winter Cold
While no one really knows what kind of winter we'll have during the upcoming season, The Farmer's Almanac has predicted that it will be unseasonably cold and wet, much like last winter. So it is important to be prepared for whatever happens weatherwise with these steps for staying safe and healthy.
1. Have Emergency Kits on hand. Should include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water, flashlights, batteries, radio and blankets. Always have a week's supply of prescription medicine on hand.
2. Plan for winter emergencies, such as loss of power. Keep an emergency bag packed with a change of clothing and all medical and care necessities. Keep a pet carrier handy in case you need to take your pets with you. Have a cell phone available and fully charged.
3. Keep emergency snow supplies in your car. Keep kitty litter or sand in our car as well as flares, snow scrapers, water and blankets. Keep the gas tank full.
4. Stay warm. The elderly and people with cardiac issues tend to get cold faster. Ensure hat your house is properly insulated and caulk windows and weather-strip doors to prevent drafts. Know the signs f hypothermia and frostbite. See www.mergency.cdc.gov.
5. Reduce risk of falling. Wear boots if going outdoors and when you come into your house and take off your boots, make sure that you have slip-proof paths and shoes or slippers nearby. Know whom you can call to keep driveways and walkways clear of snow. Contact SPRYE if you need help finding someone to clear snow for you.
6. Eliminate potential fire risks. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have fresh batteries and check to make sure they are working. Keep fire extinguishers available near stoves and fireplaces. Have your chimney cleaned.
7. Stay active and exercise. Helps stave off winter depression.
8. Eat a balanced diet. Eat balanced meals that include vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Make sure to keep your Vitamin D level up through food or supplements. Keep bottled or canned fruit juices handy.
9. Know how to dress for cold weather. Layered, loose-fitting clothing and waterproof gloves or mittens are best for outdoors. Wear a hat; close to half of body heat is lost through the head.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS - October - December 2015
Please make sure to RSVP: 914-481-5706. Rides are available to all programs for members only.
Saturday, October 24 (date change!!) - 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 in attending.
Wednesday, October 21 from 3-4:30 pm: HEALING TOUCH: Part of a Holistic Approach to Health Care. Roberta Brown Brugo, Greenwich Hospital's Integrative Medicine Program Coordinator, will help us explore the healing options offered by this program and give us a taste of the healing touch experience. Wainwright House. 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free
Friday, October 30 from 5-7 pm: Fall wine tasting at Griffin Wine & Spirits, 498 Forest Ave., Rye. Free.
Tuesday, November 3 at 12 pm: Dim Sum lunch at Aberdeen Restaurant in White Plains. Arranged by SPRYE member Frank Woo. Price to be determined.
Tuesday, November 10 at 11 am: The Bruce Museum presents Pride, the sin of arrogance. This mother of all sins is characterized by the desire to be exceptional. Join us as we explore the dazzling, dizzying heights of mankind's hubris and vanity -- as well as the resultant cataclysmic falls -- through objects of art and material culture from the Renaissance into the contemporary period. Humans are not alone in being implicated in the sin of pride; peacocks and lions have also been symbols of the sin. This study of exquisite master prints, drawings, paintings, rare books, and a video installation will demonstrate the breadth and endurance of the imagery of this deadly sin. Docent led tour. Bruce Museum, Greenwich CT. $6.
Friday, November 13 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at
Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
Saturday, November 14 - 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 in attending.
Tuesday, November 17 from 3-4 pm: Tech Workshop: Perfect your skills on your various electronic devices. One on one help from Rye Youth Council students. Free.
Wednesday, November 18 from 3-4:30 pm: SPRYE member and local historian Paul Hicks will talk about his book. Details to follow. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
Sunday, December 6 from 4-6 pm: Sing along of holiday songs at home of SPRYE member. Details to follow. Free.
Tuesday, December 8 from 3-4 pm: Tech Workshop: Perfect your skills on your various electronic devices. One on one help from Rye Youth Council students. Rye TV Studios, Rye High School. Free.
Friday, December 11 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at
Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
Wednesday, December 16 from 3-4:30 pm: Executive Director Betti Weimersheimer will talk about her summer trip to Ghana where she volunteered for a week in a rural school. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
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