SPRYE Appreciates Its Volunteers!

On a glorious afternoon in June SPRYE volunteers gathered at Picnic Point at the American Yacht Club to be feted by SPRYE in appreciation of their dedication and hard work on behalf of the organization. It was the second volunteer reception of the year and we couldn't have asked for better weather or a more beautiful spot to show how grateful we are to all the volunteers who sustain us and make it possible for our members to have access to so many essential services. They certainly enhance and improve the quality of our members' lives.  Our members cannot say enough kind words about our volunteers.  They realize they are the heart and soul of SPRYE.

 

  

Enjoying the lovely afternoon.

During the summer many of our volunteers take much earned breaks. However, the number of ride requests do not lessen. Members who cannot drive must still get to their appointments or complete essential errands. If you know of anyone who is available to fill in as a driver or in the office answering phones during the summer months, please let the SPRYE office know.  We can always use the help! 

Volunteers Arthur Stampleman and Tom Wynne deep in conversation

               Member Profile: Betsy Healy

Betsy Healy (in middle) on a SPRYE excursion.

Betsy Healy had a long and illustrious career as a social worker. But one of the highlights of her life was her time in Japan, Okinawa and South Korea when she counselled servicemen and Marines who had been wounded, and after recovery were being sent back to the battlefield in the Korean War. She worked for the American Red Cross and was stationed at the Swedish Red Cross Hospital and subsequently on Navy ships where she assessed and provided support to soldiers from 18 nations, including Turkey, Ethiopia, Greece, France and Britain. "I always made sure to greet the wounded soldiers when they arrived at the hospital, to reassure them, no matter what time it was, and to say goodbye when they went off to battle again," said Betsy. "I wanted to make sure they knew someone was thinking of them." When she returned to the United States in the 1950's, Betsy worked at Army and Navy Hospitals in Indiana and on Long Island.  

Betsy moved to Rye with her parents and older brother in 1933 when she was nine years old.  She went to Connecticut College for Women where she received a BA in Social Work and later received her Masters degree in Social Work from Fordham University.  She lived in Manhattan for many years and worked at St. Vincent's Hospital, Brooklyn Hospital and as a consultant for the Heart Association. Betsy retired 26 years ago and returned to Rye in 1993.  After retirement she realized she wanted to get involved in the community and volunteered in various capacities: teaching ESL, volunteering in a hospice and for a United Hospital program for the home bound elderly. Her interest in the elderly led to her involvement in SPRYE. When Betsy first joined in 2011 she was not in need of services and in fact, signed on as a volunteer driver.  As her health changed, she realized it was no longer possible for her to continue driving and now relies on SPRYE to help get her to appointments and grocery shopping.  "I love all the volunteer drivers who have taken me," she says.  "They are just the nicest people."  And the volunteers enjoy spending time with Betsy because she is such a wealth of information on history and local lore and has such wonderful to stories to relate as she goes on her errands.

The SPRYE Board has gone through some recent changes. Founder and long time Board member Tom Saunders and his wife Emily moved to Connecticut in the spring to be closer to family.  They both devoted many years to SPRYE and will be sorely missed. Four other Board members went off the Board when their terms ended June 30: Roz Carvin, Ken Knowles, Kathy Lonergan and Marty Rogowsky.   New to the Board are Geraldine Bowling, Kathy Carley-Spanier, Svend Hansen, Dan O'Day and Wendy Weinreb. We are delighted to welcome them to our Board. 

	Wendy Weinreb

Geraldine Bowling

	Svend Hansen

 

Kathy Carley-Spanier

Dan O'Day

The SPRYE Program Committee is hard at work planning programs and events for the Fall. We welcome any ideas or suggestions for trips, lectures etc. We strive to offer programs of interest to our members and your input is invaluable.  Happily, the monthly current events breakfast at Ruby's Oyster Bar now draws a group of regulars who look forward to the stimulating discussions organized by Arthur Stampleman. Newcomers are welcome to join the group!   

Local historian, author and SPRYE Board member Paul Hicks  recently collaborated on an exhibit with the Rye Historical Society called "Mapping the History of Rye." The exhibit features reproductions of maps from the 17th-19th centuries as well as original maps from the Rye Historical Society collection. We are planning to visit the exhibit in the fall when Paul will share his findings with us. A group of members and volunteers ventured to the Met Breuer Museum on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in June and particularly enjoyed the Marsden Hartley Maine exhibit.

The SPRYE group poses at the Met Breuer.

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Upcoming Opportunity for SPRYE Artists and Craftspeople!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS: July - September 2017

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.