SPRYE SENTINEL
Vol. 6/No. 1Winter/2016 
 

 

  
From the Director's Desk  
Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. The last three months of 2015 were busy for SPRYE. We inaugurated our new office in Port Chester and held our first open house for community members. The first annual SPRYE Art Show at The Osborn Pavilion was mounted and numerous other SPRYE programs attracted record numbers of attendees. The holiday party was the best attended  yet and everyone commented on what a wonderful time they had.  Getting members  where they need to go is a crucial aspect of SPRYE's mission, however the opportunities we provide for people to get together and enjoy one another's company or to be exposed to new and interesting experiences is also an essential part of what we do. We strive to enable our members and volunteers to make new connections and forge new relationships, which is essential to preventing isolation and to keeping SPRYE members vital, engaged and young at heart!  The program committee worked very hard to  create the 2016 Calendar ..so please join us at a future SPRYE program and of course know that your input and comments are welcomed.
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
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

Mailing Address: 

P.O. Box 748

Rye, N.Y. 10580

914-481-5706

[email protected] 

www.sprye.org  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprye brochure photo  Sprye Logo

SPRYE Holiday Lunch a Festive Affair

The SPRYE holiday luncheon on December 10 attracted a record crowd. Fifty-four members and volunteers enjoyed a delicious three course meal at Shenorock Shore Club in a festive atmosphere. The tables were decorated with mini-poinsettias, which each guest took home as a gift from SPRYE.  Each person attending was asked to bring a donation of either toiletries or socks, hats or gloves for Hope House, an organization in Port Chester that provides services to those with mental illness. The response to this request was overwhelming, with SPRYE collecting four large boxes of donated items. Board President Barbara Brunner delivered the much appreciated items to Hope House and we hope to continue our relationship with the organization.  During the lunch, SPRYE raffled off gift certificates and twelve lap blankets knitted and donated by Board Member Valerie Barrett's mother.  Comments after the party ranged from "lovely" and "superb" to "scrumptious."  


 

The beautiful table setting at the luncheon.

 

Board member John Gray holds up the gift he won in the raffle.


 

Lee Katz chats with Pat and John Carey.
Board Member Valerie Barrett helps Jane Weidlund pick out a lap blanket won in the raffle.

Member Eileen Simpson displays her Christmas sweater and her holiday spirit.

 

All photos of holiday party by JoAnn Cancro Photography.


       SPRYE Holds Ribbon Cutting           
               Ceremony at New Office
SPRYE officially inaugurated its new office space on the evening of October 28. Joining SPRYE staff and Board members in celebrating its move to Port Chester were SPRYE members and volunteers, local officials and neighbors.  The Mayors of Port Chester (Dennis Pilla), Rye (Joe Sack) and Rye Brook (Paul Rosenberg) were on hand to welcome SPRYE, along with State Senator George Latimer, Lisa Urban, District Office Director for State Representative Steve Otis and Rye City Council Member Julie Killian. SPRYE is now an established presence in Port Chester. The event also received coverage in the Westmore News.

Executive Director Betti Weimersheimer, Board Member Tom Saunders, and President Barbara Brunner wield the scissors to inaugurate the new SPRYE office as volunteer Gene Ceccarelli, Rye Mayor Joe Sack, Rye Brook Mayor Paul Rosenberg, State Senator George Latimer and  Rye City Council Member Julie Killian, look on.
 
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The Osborn Hosts SPRYE Art Show

Visitors at the SPRYE art show opening reception.
Artist Wendy Rolland talks about her photos on display in the show.
Appreciating the artists' work at The Osborn.

Eight extremely talented artists, all either SPRYE members or volunteers, participated in an art show sponsored by SPRYE in collaboration with The Osborn and displayed in the Art Gallery @ The Osborn Rehabilitation Center from October 26, 2015 through January 6, 2016. The opening reception was attended by over 40 people on November 19.  Each artist gave a short description of their work as well a brief explanation of how they came to be an artist. The work ranged from needlepoint and quilting to oils, collages and photographs.  The artists were SPRYE members Anthony Briganti, Doris Mark, Nancy Platt, Wendy Rolland, Tom Saunders and Sue Schwartz.  Volunteer Sigi Brunner and Marjorie Wynne, wife of volunteer Tom Wynne, also displayed their work. The show was such a success that it was decided to make it an annual event.
                        
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SPRYE Board Member Hal Schwartz Inducted Into Senior Citizens Hall of Fame

Hal Schwartz with his son Aaron and wife Sue at the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame luncheon.
SPRYE Board member Hal Schwartz was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame on December 4 at a luncheon at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, along with 32 other worthy older adults. The Senior Citizens Hall of Fame is a Westchester tradition that recognizes seniors who have generously given their time and talent to improve their home communities and the county at large. Hal is the fifth SPRYE Board member to be honored with this recognition and we salute him and sincerely thank him for his work on behalf of our organization.  
  
 IRS Scam Warning!!!
  
The IRS continues to warn consumers to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on stealing their money or their identity. Criminals pose as the IRS to trick victims out of their money or personal information. Here are several tips to help you avoid being a victim of these scams:
  • Scammers make unsolicited calls.  Thieves call taxpayers claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave "urgent" callback requests through phone "robo-calls," or via phishing email.
      
  • Callers try to scare their victims.  Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don't get the money.
     
  • Scams use caller ID spoofing.  Scammers often alter caller ID to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim's name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.
     
  • Cons try new tricks all the time.  Some schemes provide an actual IRS address where they tell the victim to mail a receipt for the payment they make. Others use emails that contain a fake IRS document with a phone number or an email address for a reply. These scams often use official IRS letterhead in emails or regular mail that they send to their victims. They try these ploys to make the ruse look official.
     
    The IRS will not:
    • Call you to demand immediate payment. The IRS will not call you if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
       
    • Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.
       
    • Require that you pay your taxes a certain way. For instance, require that you pay with a prepaid debit card.
       
    • Ask for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
       
    • Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.
    If you don't owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:
    • Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately. 
    • Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page or call 800-366-4484.
    • Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the "FTC Complaint Assist" on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
    If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:
    • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.  IRS workers can help you.
    Phone scams first tried to sting older people, new immigrants to the U.S. and those who speak English as a second language. Now the crooks try to swindle just about anyone. And they've ripped-off people in every state in the nation.
    Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more, visit "Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts" on IRS.gov.
    Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayers Bill of Rights.  Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov. 
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS - January - July 2016 
 Please make sure to RSVP: 914-481-5706. Rides are available to all programs for members only.
 
Friday, January 8 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Tuesday, January 12 from 3-4 pm: Tech Workshop: Perfect your skills on your various electronic devices. One on one help from Rye Youth Council students. Free.
 
Saturday, January 16: Saturday Night Out.  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, January 20 from 3-4:30 pm:  Hidden Treasures: Rye antiques dealer Bill Ketchum will appraise American and English objects in the areas of ceramics, furniture, silver, folk art and pewter. (Bill will not be appraising jewelry, time-pieces or Judaica). Up to two items per person. For items too big or heavy to bring to the site, a photo will do. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
  
Tuesday, February 9 at 12 pm: Chinese New Year lunch at Aberdeen Restaurant, Barker Ave., White Plains. Menu arranged by SPRYE member Frank Woo. Cost to be determined.
 
Friday, February 12 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Wednesday, February 17 from 3-4:30 pm: From Social Worker to Entrepreneur.  Rye resident Karen Galland will reveal the mystery of how she manufactures clothing in China from the comfort of her own home. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, February 20 -Saturday Night Out. 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, February 23 from 3-4 pm: Tech Workshop: Perfect your skills on your various electronic devices. One on one help from Rye Youth Council students. Free
 
Thursday, March 3 at noon: Three course lunch at Westchester Community College Culinary Program. More details to follow. Cost to be determined.
  
Friday, March 11 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Tuesday, March 15 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, March 16 from 3-4:30 pm.: Holistic Healing: A Partner with Conventional Medicine. Hear Toyoko Yasui, Director of Holistic Care Services at White Plains Hospital, discuss how her work helps patients maximize the benefits of conventional medical care. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, March 19 at 3 pm: : TBA Film screening at the Rye Free Reading Room. Light refreshments will be served. If interested, optional early dinner in Rye following the screening. Free.
 
Wednesday, April 6 at 1 pm: Docent-led tour of Bush Holley House. A unique presentation provides visitors with two distinct time periods: the New Nation (1790-1825) and the Cos Cob Art Colony (1890-1920). Eight evocative, well-documented rooms tell a story of change over time, while the historic buildings, landscape and gardens evoke the turn of the twentieth century when Cos Cob became the first art colony in Connecticut, a cradle of American Impressionism. 39 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob, CT. $8.
 
Friday, April 8 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
  
Saturday, April 16: Saturday Night Out.  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, April 19 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.
 
Wednesday, April 20 from 3-4:30 pm: End of Life Issues: Death with Dignity. More details to come. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free
 
Tuesday, May 10, time to be determined.  Trip to Bronx Botanical Garden. Details to come.
 
Friday, May 13 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.

Tuesday, May 17 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.
 
Wednesday, May 18 from 3-4:30 pm:  An Israel Experience. Popular speaker Pam McGuire will talk about her recent Christ's Church sponsored trip to Israel. She may be joined by the Rev. Susan Harriss. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Wednesday, May 25 at 11 am: Electric Paris. Docent led tour. Electric Paris is the first exhibition to explore the ways in which artists depicted older oil and gas lamps and the newer electric lighting that emerged by the turn of the twentieth century.  The show will feature some 50 to 60 works--paintings, prints, photographs, and drawings--by artists such as Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Pierre Bonnard, �douard Vuillard, Georges Seurat, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Jean B�raud, James Tissot, Childe Hassam, Charles Courtney Curran, Alfred Maurer, and Maurice Prendergast, among others. Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Ct. $6.
 
Monday, June 6 , time to be determined:  Joint trip to Whitney Museum with At Home on the Sound. More details to come.
 
Friday, June 10 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Wednesday, June 15 from 3-4:30 pm: Taro Ietaka of the Rye Nature Center will present A Half-Century of Change: Rye's Flora and Fauna in the Last Fifty Years. In 1963, Frank W. Knight Jr, Director of the Rye Nature Center, created a checklist of the plants of the Park. In 2013, the Nature Center began another round of surveys of the Park's wildlife. The results have been interesting - discouraging at times and encouraging at others. We'll learn about wildflowers that have disappeared, animals that have been missing for decades only to reappear, and an influx of immigrants from Asia and Europe. Input from SPRYE members on their local wildlife experiences, past and present, is welcome. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, June 18: Saturday Night Out.  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.
 
Friday, July 8 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Saturday, July 16: Saturday Night Out.  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, July 20 from 5-7 pm: Cruise to Nowhere.  Enjoy a relaxing two hour tour of local waters. SPRYE will provide refreshments. Boat leaves from the Arch St. dock, Greenwich, CT. $15.
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.