A Glorious Gourmet Galaxy

The Gourmet Galaxy at the Westchester Country Club showcased a dazzling array of area food purveyors and honored the late Rita Aranow, who provided a lifetime of support for Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling and helped to launch a new initiative for Scarsdale seniors. Also sharing the Open Door Award was the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation that was honored for their contributions.

This year’s Galaxy was held on Wednesday May 4th and it was the event’s eighteenth year. The night included a substantial silent auction with splendid gifts from many area retailers and professionals. Available for bids was Judith Ripka jewelry, tickets to sporting events, restaurant gift certificates, wines, flowers, beauty services and more.

Food was provided by many of the areas leading restaurants, named below. Sushi, pasta, seared tuna, sliders and

spanikopita were just a few of the delectable dishes available. Desserts abounded with yodels from Lulu’s, the famous Renaissance cake and handcrafted chocolates donated by Margaret Smith of Odyssey Chocolate.

A large crew of volunteers took on this ambitious project, contacting restaurants, retailers and community friends to produce this successful event.

Galaxy Chairperson Marie Posthumus remembered Aranow as “charming” and “interesting” and credited her with being the woman behind the initiative to launch “At Home in Scarsdale” in 2010. She thanked the entire event committee, including Penny Bauersfeld, Anne Moretti, and Monica Rafajac as well as the entire staff of Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling for their efforts.

Geraldine Greene, SFCS Executive Director thanked the restaurants for their “movable feast” and also alerted the group to SFCS’s new van and driver that will ferry Scarsdale seniors to meetings and medical appointments. The van was provided by Aranow’s family who has vowed to continue their support in the future. Saying that “we live forever in the institutions we create”, Greene said that Aranow “lives on through her generosity.”

Rita Aranow’s daughter Vicki accepted the award in her mother’s name, and choking back tears she told the group that she missed her mother who was shy and would have avoided public recognition. Crediting her with a life of “quiet dedication” she said her mother would be happy to know that her gifts are allowing people to age at home in Scarsdale.

Thanks to these restaurants, caterers and bakeries for their support:

• An American Bistro
• Anna Maria’s Restaurant
• Benjamin Steakhouse
• Bistro 88
• Caffe Azzurri
• Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
• Chat American Grill
• Chat 19
• CRAVE Bar and Grill
  

  Al Gatta/Miriam Flisser
• Don Coqui
• Eastchester Fish Gourmet
• Il Castello
• La Panetiere
• La Renaissance
• Lulu Cake boutique
• Lusardi’s
• Martine’s Fine Bake Shoppe
• Moscato
• Niko’s Greek Taverna
• Odyssey Chocolates
  

  Dawn Knief
• Rainwater Grill
• Route 100 Wine Bar and Grill
• Seth Greenberg’s Just Desserts
• Tango Grill
• Turkish Meze
• Za Za Restaurant
• Kirari
• Haiku
• Sakanaya Sushi