Join authors Rosa Kwon Easton and Jimin Han for a discussion of Kwon Easton's debut novel, White Mulberry on Sunday February 2 at 2 pm at Scarsdale Library.

Inspired by the life of Rosa Kwon Easton's grandmother, White Mulberry is a moving portrait of a young Korean woman in 1930s Japan who is torn between two worlds. Teenaged Miyoung eagerly accepts her older sister's offer to live in Japan and continue her education even though it means leaving her sick mother behind. However, in Japan, she confronts extreme racial prejudice and realizes she must pass as Japanese to survive. Her Japanese name, Miyoko, helps advance her career as a nurse, but, as the years go by, she fears losing her identity. She finds solace in a Korean church group and in her romance with an activist, which results in the birth of a beloved son. As war looms,

Miyoung is faced with a difficult choice that will forever change her life and the lives of those she loves.

Rosa Kwon Easton was born in Seoul, Korea and grew up in Los Angeles. A mother of two grown children, she is a writer, lawyer and library trustee in the Palos Verdes Library District. Her debut novel, White Mulberry (Lake Union), is an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and was voted a “Best Historical Fiction” book by BookBub. Easton is an Anaphora Writing Residency Fellow and her work has been published in CRAFT Literary, StoryCenter.org, Writer’s Digest, and in numerous newspapers and anthologies. A graduate of Smith College, Columbia University, and Boston College Law School, she resides with her husband and Maltipoo in Southern California. The sequel to White Mulberry, Red Seal, is due out in 2026.

Jimin Han was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, Dayton, Ohio, and Jamestown, New York. Her 2023 novel, The Apology, was named a Barnes and Noble Discover Pick, a best audiobook of the year by Booklist, and a best book of the summer by the LA Times, Vanity Fair, Shondaland, and Apple Books. She is also the author of the 2017 novel, A Small Revolution. Her writing can be found online at American Public Media's Weekend America, Poets & Writers, and Catapult. Jimin teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College and at Pace University. Her work has been supported by the New York State Council on the Arts. Jimin lives with her family in Westchester County.

Sunday February 2 from 2 - 4:15 pm.
Scarsdale Public Library
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Westchester County will hold a special election on February 11, 2025, to fill the unexpired County Executive term created by former County Executive George Latimer’s election to the House of Representatives for Congressional District 16. The candidates are Kenneth W. Jenkins (D) and Christine A. Sculti (R). The winner of the special election will serve as County Executive until the expiration of the current term on December 31, 2025. Another election will be held in November 2025 for a full term.

The candidates are Kenneth W. Jenkins (D) and Christine A. Sculti (R). The winner of the special election will serve as County Executive until the expiration of the current term on December 31, 2025. Another election will be held in November 2025 for a full term.

Early Voting begins on February 1, 2025. All registered voters in Westchester County are eligible to vote.

Saturday, February 1, 2025 through Sunday, February 9, 2025: Early voting at any of the early voting polling locations and times in Westchester County.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (Special Election Day): In person voting only at your assigned polling location, that may be found using the Westchester County Board of Elections Find a Polling Place webpage.

Back by popular demand!

Fresh mozzarella making class at Scarsdale Library on Wednesday February 5 at 7 pm.

Want to know the secrets to great fresh mozzarella? Join us as we demonstrate how to take unrefined curds and turn them into silky, creamy orbs of joy. And then? We eat!

Register here

The HB Artist Series at Hoff-Barthelson Music School (HBMS) continues its 2024-25 season with a highly anticipated concert on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 7:30 pm. This exciting evening will feature a diverse program showcasing a wide range of musical styles performed by members of the School's distinguished faculty. The concert will be held at the School, 25 School Lane, in Scarsdale, NY.

The evening’s program features both classical and contemporary works, offering something for every music lover, and begins with three pieces for flute and piano performed by Donna Elaine, flute, and Emily White, piano:

• Sonata – Bohuslav Martinů
The concert will feature the Allegro poco moderato movement. Inspired by Martinů's experience nursing an injured whippoorwill back to health in Cape Cod, this movement evokes the bird's song through lyrical melodies and rhythmic complexity. It captures the essence of the bird’s delicate yet resilient nature, making it a poignant and evocative piece for flute and piano.

• Le Merle Noir – Olivier Messiaen
A mesmerizing piece inspired by the sounds of a blackbird, Messiaen’s inventive use of rhythm and harmony captures the essence of nature’s song.

• Nightingale Polka – Ernesto Koehler
A lively and playful polka, this piece features virtuosic flute lines that evoke the cheerful spirit of a nightingale in full song.

Additional works to be performed include:

• Piano Trio (2003) – Jennifer Higdon
A stunning example of contemporary American composition, Higdon’s Piano Trio alternates between the gentle colors of Pale Yellow and the fiery intensity of Fiery Red. Performed by Sunhwa Kim, piano with guest artists Eric Tsai, violin; and Connor Kim, cello.

• String Quintet, Op. 39 – Alexander Glazunov
This lush and emotive work takes the audience through contrasting moods, from tranquil passages to vibrant and animated themes. Performed by Eriko Sato, violin; Lani King Chang, violin; Leslie Tomkins, viola; Michael Finckel, cello; and guest artist Mark Humburg, cello.

• Piano Trio – Rebecca Clarke
Clarke’s intricate and evocative trio is a masterwork of early 20th-century chamber music, blending lush harmonies with passionate expression. Performed by Laura Giannini, violin; Lila Ainsworth, cello; and Vered Reznik, piano.

Program and performers are subject to change.

The Hoff-Barthelson faculty comprises some of the nation’s most distinguished performers and educators. Many hold chairs in prominent New York orchestras, are members of world-class chamber ensembles, perform in major Broadway productions, and are in international demand as solo artists. Others teach at leading conservatories including The Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, and Juilliard Pre-College. These superb musicians contribute to the School’s national recognition for unsurpassed excellence in music education. Hoff-Barthelson prides itself on providing access to these outstanding artist-educators in the heart of Westchester. These concerts guarantee riveting music making of the highest caliber, in an intimate setting, at prices far below those in New York’s major concert halls.

Tickets are available for $20 and can be purchased via Eventbrite. Hoff-Barthelson Music School students can attend for free but must reserve their tickets in advance.

About Hoff-Barthelson Music School
Hoff-Barthelson Music School, based in Scarsdale, NY, has earned national recognition as a premier community music school, known for its outstanding leadership in education, performance, and community service. With a faculty drawn from the region’s most talented teachers and performers, the School has long been one of Westchester County’s most cherished cultural resources. At Hoff-Barthelson, students find a warm, friendly music school dedicated to the highest standards of education, performance, and community service. Students of all ages, aptitudes, and levels of interest enjoy a supportive, joyful learning environment; a focus on the whole person; exceptional teaching; and a multifaceted curriculum.

Photo credit: Pianist and HBMS Faculty Member Sunhwa Kim; photo provided by the artist.

Westchester County will hold a special election on February 11, 2025, to fill the unexpired County Executive term created by former County Executive George Latimer’s election to the House of Representatives for Congressional District 16. The candidates are Kenneth W. Jenkins (D) and Christine A. Sculti (R). The winner of the special election will serve as County Executive until the expiration of the current term on December 31, 2025. Another election will be held in November 2025 for a full term.

The candidates are Kenneth W. Jenkins (D) and Christine A. Sculti (R). The winner of the special election will serve as County Executive until the expiration of the current term on December 31, 2025. Another election will be held in November 2025 for a full term.

Early Voting begins on February 1, 2025. All registered voters in Westchester County are eligible to vote.

Saturday, February 1, 2025 through Sunday, February 9, 2025: Early voting at any of the early voting polling locations and times in Westchester County.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (Special Election Day): In person voting only at your assigned polling location, that may be found using the Westchester County Board of Elections Find a Polling Place webpage.