SPRYE SENTINEL
Vol. 6/No. 4 Fall/2016 
 

  
From the Director's Desk  

How gratifying to report that SPRYE's fifth aniversary  benefit attracted a record crowd, all of whom came to honor and celebrate our deserving Founders and Sustainers and the fact that SPRYE has proven to be a vital part of the community. The energy and good will in the room was palpable and as it got closer to the final minutes of the evening, it seemed that many attendees did not want to leave! I am so proud to be part of an organization that is improving the lives of our members, and providing options and strategies for daily living.  SPRYE is a gateway to independence, connection and fulfillment.  A membership in SPRYE enriches the lives of its members. and brings peace of mind to family members.   Whatever their needs at the moment, we can work together to find ways to accommodate them. I encourage you to tell your friends and neighbors about us. 
Enjoy the lovely Fall weather.
  
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.
Tom Saunders
Vice President
Joan Feinstein
Secretary
Nancy Haneman
Treasurer
Gene Collins
  
Lisa Aaronberg
Valerie Barrett
Rozlyn Carvin
Richard Falanka
John Gray
Paul Hicks
Lee Katz
Ken Knowles
Kathy Lonergan
Dale Mintz
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


















Sprye brochure photo  Sprye Logo

The Stars of SPRYE Shine at the Fifth Anniversary Benefit

The Stars of SPRYE shone bright at the 5th anniversary benefit held at the Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison on September 29. The event attracted a record crowd of well wishers, family and friends as the Founders and Sustainers of SPRYE were recognized for their vision, energy and hard work on behalf of the organization. The honorees were Founders Paul Hicks, Tom Saunders, Arthur Stampleman and Gil Weinstein; Sustainers Valerie Barrett, Gene Ceccarelli, Nancy Haneman, Ed Herbster and Kathy Lonergan; The Osborn was recognized  for supporting SPRYE on its journey to sustainability. All received a small token of appreciation from SPRYE as well as proclamations from State Assemblyman Steve Otis and State Senator George Latimer.  

Eager bidders vied for the numerous silent auction items displayed on tables in the beautifully decorated room.  The success of this wonderful evening was due to the efforts of so many people.  The Benefit Committee, co-chaired by Emily and Tom Saunders, worked tirelessly as a team for several months to organize the event. Roz Larr and Arthur Stampleman spearheaded and managed the silent auction. Numerous local businesses and individuals contributed interesting, creative items to the auction. SPRYE volunteer Valerie Barrett created the gorgeous flower arrangements. We are very grateful to everyone and especially to all those who attended the event and have provided support over the years.

 

Founders Gil Weinstein, Tom Saunders, Arthur Stampleman and Paul Hicks.


 

Sustainers Kathy Lonergan, Nancy Haneman, Gene Ceccarelli, Ed Herbster and Valerie Barrett.

 

Patrick LoRusso and President and CEO of the Osborn, Matt Anderson.

 

Getting a head start on silent auction bidding.

 

Sharing a good laugh during the festivities.

 

One of the beautiful flower arrangements by Valerie Barrett.  
Having fun bidding on silent auction items.
Gil Weinstein's daughter, Whitney Goodman, with her winning silent auction necklace.

Tiffany raffle boxes on display.




Photos by Julieane Webb

 

Volunteer Profile: Janet Joyce


Office volunteer Janet Joyce. 

Janet Joyce is always on the go.  She has boundless energy and a positive outlook on life. All that energy helped in raising five sons and working at two careers.  After college she worked for a large advertising agency before marrying and having children. As her sons got older she went back to school for a teaching certificate at Iona College and a Masters in Special Education at the College of New Rochelle. She went on to teach in the Harrison schools for 14 years before retiring. Her sons have kept her busy with nine grandchildren. 
Janet was born and raised in Harrison and lived there all her life before moving to R ye in 2004.  She has always been active in the community, from volunteering at United Hospital in the Recovery Room, to helping out with the Cub Scouts when her sons were members. SPRYE Board President Barbara Brunner met Janet at an event at Helping Hands for the Homeless and Hungry, where they were both volunteering to stuff backpacks for needy school children. Barbara asked Janet if she had time to help out in the SPRYE office and Janet enthusiastically signed on. She helps out once a week answering phones and with clerical work. Janet spends part of the year in Florida, from late October to May, so we will miss her sunny demeanor for a few months. She has promised to come back over the summer as well as join the Benefit Committee and help out with next year's fundraising event. While in Florida Janet remains active and engaged, voluntering at a local thrift shop, at a facility for homeless pregnant women and at a hospice for cancer patients. She still makes time for some favorite hobbies like bridge, mah-jongg and golf. A full life that keeps her forever young!
 
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SPRYE News


Michele Thomas getting ready for her radio broadcast.
The joy at having a new grandson is apparent on Frank Woo's face. 

On July 12, SPRYE  Executive Director Betti Weimersheimer was a guest on a half hour radio show (WGCH 1490 AM) hosted by Osborn Home Care Executive Vice President and SPRYE Board member Michele Thomas. The focus was on SPRYE and the Village (aging in place) movement that is growing by leaps and bounds across the country.
SPRYE member Frank Woo is ecstatic about the birth of his second grandchild, the first child of his daughter who lives in California. Since both his grandchildren reside on the West Coast, he is likely to become a frequent flier! 
SPRYE Board member Paul Hicks gave a  presentation about his newly published book at the Rye Free Reading Room on October 5. The title of the book is John E. Parsons: An Eminent New Yorker in the Gilded Age. It is available on Amazon and at Arcade Books in Rye. Paul is also scheduled to speak about the book at SPRYE's monthly Wainwright program on Wednesday, November 16. 
Please check you mailboxes in November for an announcement from SPRYE about a new membership option which will be available starting January 1, 2017!

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 SPRYE On the Go
A perfect evening for a cruise around Long Island Sound.
SPRYE continues to offer a rich variety of opportunities for social interaction and connections, by scheduling lectures, trips, and lunches or dinners. One of the more popular excursions was the Cruise to Nowhere out of Greenwich in July. We hope to schedule another one next summer. In early September members were able to express their creativity at a free painting workshop led by an art instructor from the Rye Arts Center or participate in a tour of an exhibit at Lyndhurst.  Coming up is a free Fall wine tasting, the tech workshops with Rye Youth Council students and a lecture by our favorite local historian, Paul Hicks, about the Parsons family, the subject of his new book. 
Enjoying the beautiful flora during an outing to the Botanical Gardens.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS: October - December 2016 
Please make sure to RSVP: 914-481-5706.  All programs are for SPRYE members and volunteers only. The monthly program at Wainwright House is open to the general public. Rides are available to all programs for members only. 
 
Friday, October 14 at 9 am:  Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at  Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Saturday, October 15 -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, October 19 from 3-4:30 pm: Mysteries of the Kimono - Vintage Kimono Display and Discussion.  
When Japan began to embrace the western world in the late 1800s women from across the globe became captivated by the vibrant colors and ornate textiles of the Kimono. Western women traveling to Japan returned home with these beautiful garments and have passed both the garments and mystery of the Kimono down through generations.  More people the world over are recognizing that Japanese traditional arts are too lovely to be left behind or stored away.  Join us as we examine several traditional kimonos. We will have the opportunity to study actual garments and the meaning of their colors, the 
symbolism of the patterns and decoration and the use of fabrics in these exquisite works of art.  Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Tuesday, November 1 from 3-4 pm:  Connect with Tech Workshop: Perfect your skills on your various electronic devices.  One on one help from Rye Youth Council students. Free.

Friday, November 4 from 5-7 pm:  Wine tasting at G. Griffin Wine & Spirits, 498 Forest Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Friday, November 11 at 9 am:  Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at  Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
 
Wednesday, November 16 from 3-4:30 pm .:  Paul Hicks, a Rye resident and favorite SPRYE speaker, is the author of a recently published biography, "John Parsons: An Eminent New Yorker of the Gilded Age."  His talk will highlight the many contributions the Parsons family have made to the Rye area. Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free.
 
Saturday, November 19 -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 29 at 12 pm: Lunch at Culinary Arts Cafe, Westchester Community College. Students of the Culinary Arts Program plan, cook and serve the luncheon. $12.

Sunday, December 4 from 3-5 pm: Sing along of seasonal songs at home of Isobel Perry. Piano accompaniment. Refreshments. Free.
 
Thursday, December 8 at 12: Annual Holiday Party. Shenorock Shore Club. Details to follow.
 
Friday, December 9 at 9 am: Monthly current events discussion/breakfast at  Ruby's Oyster Bar, 45 Purchase St., Rye. Breakfast a la carte.
  
Tuesday, December 13 from 3-4 pm:  Connect with 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, December 14 from 3-4:30 pm:   CUBA: A BRIDGE BETWEEN CULTURES.  Pam McGuire is one of our most engaging speakers.  She and her husband Gene have been Rye residents for 40 years, and have enjoyed traveling throughout their marriage. After spending 30 years as a corporate lawyer for PepsiCo, Pam became involved as a volunteer with the Rye Historical Society, with a principal interest in their collection of 17th and 18th century manuscripts , This presentation will be a report on a recent trip to Cuba, described as a  people-to-people journey, and will focus particularly on Cuba's vibrant artistic culture.   Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. Free

Saturday, December 17: 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.
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 now can help with grocery shopping/delivery, mail sorting, and home tech help.