Love Our Library Spring Celebration on May 15th
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The Friends of the Scarsdale Library will hold a “Love Our Library-Spring Celebration” on May 15th (rain date May 22nd). The celebration will be held outdoors at the Scarsdale Public Library and feature several fun child-friendly activities including:
-Performances by Dave Cast of Characters featuring “The Bubble Guy”
-Family rock painting
-Motorized boat racing at Library Pond
-Bollywood dance classes by Mayura Dance Academy
-Educational presentations by the Weinberg Nature Center
-Knit Together – Tanya Singer and Sarah Divi interactive art piece that attendees can photograph and post
-Tours of the Hindsight is 2020 Art Exhibit. The exhibit features local artwork inspired by the pandemic and attendees can sign up for tours at the event.
Food will also be available for purchase from the Apiary at the Library and Manny’s Ice Cream Truck.
Admission is $35.00 per family. Attendees are encouraged to also become “Friends” of the Library with an additional contribution to the FOSL. Due to COVID-19, families are asked to sign up in advance by May 7th via the Library’s website here. Car parking passes and wristbands will then be available ahead of the event for pick-up at Scarsdale Village Hall starting May 10th. Additionally, masks and social distancing will be required at the event, and hand sanitizers will be available.
Since 1946, the Friends of the Scarsdale Library (FOSL) has supported children’s enrichment, lifelong learning, and exciting programming that impact so many in the Scarsdale community. “The Friends of the Scarsdale Library is excited to put on this event for the community to celebrate our new library and the resilience of our community.” said Dara Gruenberg, President of the FOSL. She added “It is inspiring to see the continued support for SPL from Scarsdale, and the funds raised from our annual fundraiser are essential in supporting Library programming and activities that the community continues to enjoy and demand.”
Nancy Kaplan, FOSL board member, who is coordinating the celebration said, “After living for so long under lockdown and with restrictions gradually easing, Scarsdale families are eager for events to take their children to. We are thrilled to be organizing not just one of the first major community celebrations of the library, but for the Scarsdale community as well!”
Elizabeth Bermel, Executive Director at the Scarsdale Public Library added, “We could not hold a celebration for the community after the renovations to the library were completed last year due to COVID-19. I am excited that this event will serve in part as a community celebration. We are grateful to the Friends for all their hard work that raises funds to support our mission: to encourage the joy of reading, the exploration of ideas, and the pursuit of lifelong learning for the children and adults of our community.”
To purchase admission for the event, please visit the sign up page here:
Scarsdale Grad Publishes Second Children's Book
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Rachelle Gage, a 2012 graduate of Scarsdale High School, has just published her second children’s book. “Jacob’s Extraordinary Day,” written and illustrated by Gage, was inspired by her autistic brother and his “super senses.” The story follows Jacob and his class as they plan their school's Annual Spring Jam. Jacob ultimately inspires his class to embrace their creativity through a day full of fun and exciting activities.
Rachelle is also the author and illustrator of “The Fantastic Pups.” Her books include themes of kindness, inclusion, and acceptance.
Gage says that her teachers at SHS supported her talents, especially in her AP art class. She says, “I was so happy to have more art incorporated into my school schedule and would even eat lunch in the art room to continue my projects.”
Gage worked as a graphic designer at a fashion company for four years until the COVID crisis caused the company to eliminate the design department. She says, “It was hard at first, but I learned to be resilient, and began working freelance jobs. I really enhanced my work over the past year. I most recently designed the logo and did the illustrations for a new law website and I am currently working on the marketing campaign. I found that continuing to create art helped keep me busy during lockdown. It was during this time that I decided to finally start my second book. While this past year has been difficult and abnormal, I am grateful for the ongoing support from my family and friends.
Rachelle has experience in drawing, photography, and crochet. When she is not working on her art and design, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and obstacle races.
Purchase your copy of “Jacob’s Extraordinary Day” on Amazon here.
SHS Teens Raising Funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research
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Angelina ClarkSHS Seniors Angelina Clark and Victoria (Tori) Von Redden are raising funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma (LLS) 2021 Students of the Year campaign. The seven-week challenge culminates with the Grand Finale Celebration on March 11th. The funds raised benefit the LLS mission: to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The money that is raised funds research and treatment for both blood and other cancers.
Since the campaign’s inception in 2014, the Students of the Year program has funded blood cancer research, patient aid, and community outreach programs. Last year alone, more than 5,000 high school students participated throughout the country.
Angelina said, “As someone who has lost relatives to blood cancer, I understand the importance of blood cancer research. Every three minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, so every contribution to LLS helps.” Angelina and Tori are supported by SHS LLS club members Grace Cheng, Isabelle Goldban, Alison Jiang, Samantha (Sam) Kofman, and Maria Salem. As Scarsdale Raiders, they have chosen to name their campaign, “Ders for a Cure.” The campaign ends March 11, 2021. 
Tori Von Redden
Make a tax deductible contribution to support the efforts of “Ders for a Cure” here.
Let It Snow
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A two day snowstorm from Sunday January 31 to February 2 compounded by another snowfall on Sunday February 7 has left Scarsdale glazed in white. Kids are sledding, building snowmen and helping their parents shovel paths and driveways. With more snow expected this week, clearing the front walk has become a daily chore.
Thanks to Debra Asher, BK Munguia and Vinnie Phuah for sharing these lovely snow photos. Add yours to our snow gallery by emailing your pictures to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Books Promoting Diversity and Tolerance To Be Highlighted at Free Library Kiosks
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Zane and Asher KohnTwo Scarsdale brothers, Asher and Zane Kohn, have received a $1,000 Stevens Initiative grant to promote tolerance by highlighting books written by or about people from diverse backgrounds. In collaboration with the Scarsdale Public Library (SPL) they are launching Diverse Books Teach Tolerance, a community service project. Books will be purchased and stocked in the free library kiosks and selections will highlight a different theme each month.
The project will launch in February, recommending readings on African American experiences and by African American authors in observance of Black History Month. Find these books at the three kiosks located at Hyatt Field playground, Chase Park, and Crossway Park across from tennis courts. There is normally a fourth kiosk at the Brite Avenue tennis courts, but that one is currently under repair and a fifth kiosk will be installed at the Scarsdale Library when the weather permits.
The program was born out of Asher Kohn’s experience through the virtual exchange program, Experiment Digital, when he got to know counterparts across the US, Middle East, and North Africa and received leadership training to create and implement service projects in local communities. He recruited his brother, Zane Kohn, and came up with the idea for the Diverse Books Teach Tolerance project. They applied to the Stevens Initiative for a grant to fund their idea and were one of fifteen selected and awarded a grant out of 3,000 teens.
Through launching their project, the teens hope to promote diverse perspectives and therefore tolerance in Scarsdale. Zane Kohn explained: “We hope that by bringing diverse books to Scarsdale through the library kiosks, we will encourage people to read these books, start conversations, and bring about positive changes.”
On the program’s launch, Scarsdale Public Library Executive Director, Elizabeth Bermel said, “I was delighted and inspired when the Kohns approached the Library with their idea and thrilled when they won the grant. This program will make a great positive impact locally.”
Recently appointed Teen Librarian, Jennifer Brinley, will work with the Kohns to implement the project. “It is important for the Library to encourage the ambitions and growth of Scarsdale’s teens, especially when it comes to supporting community work,” said Brinley. She further added, “I am happy and proud that Diverse Books Teach Tolerance will be one of the first initiatives I get to support as the new Teen Librarian. I look forward to offering programs and reading materials that inspire an inclusive worldview in the minds and behaviors of Scarsdale’s teens.”
To start, they hope to add new books monthly and have recommended reads for all levels of readers from children to teens to adults. These books will be identifiable in library kiosks by their specialty stickers and bookmarks.
The kiosks function as “take a book, leave a book,” although many people just take or just leave books. Readers are asked to return these specially marked books back to the kiosks when they are finished reading them so they will remain circulating and others in the community can enjoy them as well.
