SPRYE SENTINEL
Vol. 7/No. 4 Fall/2017
 

  
From the Director's Desk  

SPRYE continues to grow and is proud and excited to be marking another anniversary. Our sixth annual benefit was truly a wonderful affair with everyone expressing how much fun they had and remarking on the positive energy in the room. It's especially energizing to have so many of SPRYE's donors and volunteers come together in support of our mission. How gratifying to know that after all these years their loyalty and willingness to give back to their community continues to be an important aspect of their lives. We are forever grateful to all those who participated in the event.  SPRYE's Board takes an active role in responding to member needs and how best to serve member interests. With more and more members facing unexpected illness or injury, we are excited to be launching our new Care Team initiative that will address the needs of members experiencing life changing events. Innovation is at the core of our mission and we continue to strive to offer creative options for aging in community to the older adults in in our catchment area. Enjoy the Fall weather before the cold sets in!
 
Betti Weimersheimer
Executive Director
  
SPRYE welcomes
volunteers!
We especially need drivers. What better way to get to know your neighbors than to volunteer for SPRYE. 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.
Nancy Haneman
Vice President
Joan Feinstein
Secretary
Michele Thomas
Treasurer
Gene Collins
  
Lisa Aaronberg
Valerie Barrett
Geraldine Bowling
Kathy Carley-Spanier
Richard Falanka
John Gray
Svend Hansen
Paul Hicks
Lee Katz
Dale Mintz
Katherine Moore
Dan O'Day
Isobel Perry
Hal Schwartz
Arthur Stampleman
Wendy Weinreb
Gil Weinstein
 
Executive Director
Betti Weimersheimer

Administrative Asst.
Margie McCabe
  
            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


















Sprye brochure photo   
Sprye Logo

 

 

Celebrating Six Years of SPRYE

 

The sixth annual SPRYE benefit on Thursday, September 28 was an affair to remember. Willow Ridge Country Club overflowed with attendees, many of whom had accolades for the event, from the camaraderie in the room to praise for our honorees Roz and Joe Carvin, who exemplify extraordinary volunteer spirit and who have given so much of their time and resources to the communities SPRYE serves. Simply put, it was a fun-filled night. Board president Barbara Brunner came up with the idea of a wine toss in which participants paid twenty dollars for three chances to win a bottle of wine by tossing a ring over it. It proved to be a very popular aspect of the event.  The jewelry raffle was a sell out and the silent auction was a huge success. "This was the best SPRYE event yet," was the often expressed statement from many of the guests. Our thanks to the benefit committee, the SPRYE Board, and our many devoted donors and volunteers. SPRYE is going strong because of your participation and service.

 
           
                Honorees Roz and Joe Carvin and their daughters.

 
            Kent Warner on his way to winning a bottle of wine.

 

 
Osborn CEO Matt Anderson tries his hand at the wine toss.


 
One of the lovely flower arrangements at the event.

             

The jewelry raffle display.  

 
Jewelry raffle winner Lisa Palazzo.

 
Perusing the silent auction offerings.

All Benefit photos courtesy of Julieane Webb Photography

 
Forging New Relationships While Enhancing Lives 

Volunteer Esther Blumstein reads with Jack Zahringer in his home.

While getting older can bring new opportunities and exposure to new experiences, it can also present physical challenges that can hamper one's ability to fully participate in every day activities that we often take for granted.  Jack and Rosemary Zahringer have been SPRYE members since 2014. Initially they were not in need of SPRYE's services on a regular basis but they both now face vision issues that prevent them from driving and even from reading the newspaper, books or their mail. Here is where SPRYE has stepped in to provide volunteers who visit weekly to read to each of them.  Esther Blumstein and Dick Lee (also a SPRYE member) take turns reading the newspaper with Mr. Zahringer as well as helping him to sort mail and read his bills. "This has been extremely helpful because it keeps me up to date with the newspaper and what's going on in the world," said Mr. Zahringer. "They also read bulletins I receive, which keeps my mind alert. I am very pleased with the service. It is so important for keeping me here in Rye in my own home. I can't tell you how pleased I am." Mrs. Zahringer couldn't agree more. Volunteer Steve McCabe usually meets with her each Friday. The two of them have developed an enormous interest in the founding fathers and Steve reads her books related to that topic.  "Steve is an excellent reader," said Mrs. Zahringer. "We've established a relationship and have become friends."  Creating new friendships and social connections is a crucial element of SPRYE's mission. As Esther put it, " I find the time I spend with Jack very rewarding. He is very appreciative of the help, especially with his bills. It's wonderful to be able to establish new relationships while helping another person."  
 
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SPRYE News
 
It's been a busy Fall! What better time to get together with friends and enjoy the beautiful weather. A trip to the Audubon Society in Greenwich enlightened members about local bird migration. Ten SPRYE members made the trip upstate to Storm King Sculpture Park where they took in the beautiful vistas and art work and picnicked on the grounds.  Upcoming programs include a docent led tour of the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the Bruce Museum and a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to view the Rodin exhibit.  

SPRYE is excited to announce a new initiative called The Care Team, to be launched in November. Many SPRYE members need extra assistance when experiencing a significant event such as a hospital or rehab stay or temporary home confinement as a result of injury or illness, the death of a loved one or other events that might occur unexpectedly. The goal of the Care Team is to provide access to needed support and services to SPRYE members when they require that extra support. We will keep you informed of the Care Team's progress and when it will be ready to respond to such requests for help. Stay Tuned!


Posing on the grounds of the Audubon Society.


Pausing for a break by one of the sculptures.



If you want to stay connected and engaged consider joining SPRYE as an Associate Member. To better serve our membership demographic this option allows a greater number of local residents to participate in our social and educational programs.  Associate Memberships are available now.  For full details and a fee schedule, please click on the following link: http://www.sprye.org/membership.html

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Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15-December 7. During the open enrollment  period changes to Medicare coverage can be made for the following year.  Medicare Questions? Get your answers from people who know. You can get assistance at a Senior Benefits Information Center: no appointment is necessary. Port Chester-Rye Brook Library has people who can help on Thursdays from 11 am - 2 pm. 1 Haseco Avenue, Port Chester. If you can't visit the library in person you can leave a message on the SBIC helpline at 914-231-3260 or email SBIC@wlsmail.org with your name, number, a time to call between 9 am-5 pm and whether your interest is in Medicare services or other benefits. A counselor will return your call within two business days.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS: October-December 2017

Please make sure to  RSVP: 914-481-5706.  All programs are for SPRYE members and volunteers only unless otherwise noted. The monthly program at Wainwright House is open to the general public. Rides are available to all programs for members only. 

Wednesday, October 18 from 3-4:30 pm:  Port Chester residents Joan Grangenois-Thomas and David Thomas will talk about the Afro-American history of Port Chester.  Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, October 21 at 2:30 pm: Movie at Rye Free Reading Room. We will be seeing the acclaimed Japanese film The Wind Rises, created by Academy Award winner Hayao Miyazaki. As reviewed by Amazon, this dazzling film "is perhaps the greatest animated film the cinema has ever seen."  Free and open to the public. Refreshments following the movie.
 
T hursday, October 26 at 11 am:  Trip to Bruce Museum. Docent led tour of  In the Limelight: Toulouse-Lautrec Portraits from the Herakleidon Museum.Featuring 100 drawings, prints, and posters, the exhibition showcases the artist's satirical portraits of stage personalities like Sarah Bernhardt, Jane Avril, and Arstide Bruant alongside those of his friends and family.  Greenwich, CT. $12
 
Wednesday, November 1 at 10 am:  Trip to Metropolitan Museum in NYC to see the Rodin exhibit.  Van will depart Rye at 10 am. Lunch on your own.  $17.
 
Friday, November 3 from 5-6:30 pm: Fall wine tasting at G. Griffin Wine and Spirits, 498 Forest Ave., Rye. Free
 
Tuesday, November 7 at 3 pm:  Mapping the History of Rye. A special exhibit collaboration between the Rye Historical Society and Paul Hicks.  Paul will guide us through the exhibit. Square House Museum, 1 Purchase St., Rye.  Free.
 
Friday, November 10 at 9 am:  Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at  Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Wednesday, November 15 from 3-4:30 pm .:   Lilian Sicular of Mamaroneck will present her very personal experience of laying memorial Stolpersteine (Stepping Stones) in front of the former homes of German holocaust victims who were members of her family.  Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, November 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.
 
Tuesday, November 28 at 3:30 pm : We will enjoy a special afternoon tea, featuring organic teas and savory and sweet snack choices at Rosemary & Vine, 29 Purchase St., Rye. $10.
 
Saturday, December 2 from 4-5:30 pm:  Sing along of seasonal songs at home of SPRYE member. Details to follow. Free.
 
Thursday, December 7 at noon:  Annual SPRYE holiday party. (for members and volunteers) Shenorock Shore Club, Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. $30.

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.  We can help with grocery shopping/delivery, mail sorting, and home tech help.