Parenting

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 27 October 2015; Created: 27 October 2015; Last Updated: 27 October 2015; Hits: 4244

Robin Sparkman headshot Robin Sparkman, CEO of StoryCorps, will give a multimedia presentation on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm at the Scarsdale Library. An NPR favorite and 2015 TED Prize Winner, StoryCorps' mission is "to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives." From humble beginnings in a small booth in Grand Central Station, StoryCorps has grown into the largest single collection of human voices ever recorded.

In conjunction with this program, eighth graders at Scarsdale Middle School and students at Scarsdale High School will be participating in "The Great Thanksgiving Listen," a national initiative to have students interview their elders over the Thanksgiving holiday using the StoryCorps App. Students will be able to conduct interviews following StoryCorps' guidelines, record them on their mobile devices, and save a copy in the Library of Congress.

"We are excited that the schools have chosen to participate in The Great Thanksgiving Listen," said Library Director, Elizabeth Bermel. "Ms. Sparkman's visit will be an excellent introduction to the initiative and an opportunity for parents and students alike to gain a greater understanding of the value of such an assignment. Everyone has an interesting story to tell, if we just take the time to listen."

The November 12 event is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.scarsdalelibrary.org or call the Reference Desk at 914-722-1302.

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 19 October 2015; Created: 19 October 2015; Last Updated: 21 October 2015; Hits: 5346

parades Unseasonably chilly temperatures did not deter Scarsdale's youngest from coming out in costume for the Halloween Parade on Sunday October 18th. Adorable kids in colorful costumes proudly posed for the camera before lining up to parade down Spencer Place and show off their Halloween garb.

An enthusiastic team from the Scarsdale Recreation Department handed out donuts and led the parade, dressed in wonderful costumes themselves.

See our photo gallery of Scarsdale kids in costume below:

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Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 29 September 2015; Created: 29 September 2015; Last Updated: 29 September 2015; Hits: 5734

Scarsdale families had a blast building straw men and women at the Scarecrow Festival at Scarsdale Pool on Sunday September 27. Close to 200 people attended with 34 families signing up to build their own scarecrows. The weather was perfect and everyone enjoyed hot dogs, corn on the cob, apple cider, music, and face painting while doing some very creative work.

Fall fun continues with a Halloween Parade in Scarsdale Village and Halloween Window Painting on Sunday October 18th.

Photo Credit: Anthony DiDomenico

Details: Written by Lori Gertzog; Published: 06 October 2015; Created: 06 October 2015; Last Updated: 14 October 2015; Hits: 6082

applepicking Now is the perfect time to take the family to one of the many apple orchards in our area, all within an easy drive from Scarsdale. Make sure you call ahead to confirm hours, availability and attractions or special events. Leave your pets at home; they aren't allowed at most farms. If you are thinking of bringing a picnic, call ahead to make sure the farm allows you to bring your own food.

Apple picking season started around Labor Day and lasts through October. Go soon to get the best apples. Also, the apples on the lower branches, which are easier for smaller children to reach, generally get picked first.

Pumpkin picking season starts around October 1. The best pumpkins go fast and Halloween is coming soon!

When you arrive home with your apples, keep them in a cool spot (root cellar, crisper, etc.) to extend their freshness so you can enjoy them longer.

Westchester County

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard – North Salem, 914-485-1210
130 Hardscrabble Road; http://www.harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/about.html
Formerly Outhouse Orchards, this family-run farm allows visitors to pick their own apples daily throughout the season. Easy drive up I-684 and good choice for young children. Fall festival with lots of activities for the family every weekend. Also enjoy wine tasting for the adults. Afterward, stop off at Muscoot Farm (free admission) to visit a working farm (muscootfarm.org) or walk around charming Katonah.

Stuart's Farm – Granite Springs, 914-245-2784
62 Granite Springs Road; http://www.stuartsfarm.com/
The Stuart family farm, the oldest in Westchester, offers nine types of apples. Also, pick your own pumpkins from the vine through November. Enjoy hayrides with the family.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm – Yorktown Heights, 914-245-5111
1335 White Hill Road; www.wilkensfarm.com/
Apple picking began the first week of September and there are dozens of varieties. Wilkens offers pumpkin picking beginning October 15 and cut-your-own Christmas trees starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Dutchess County

Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, 845 897-4377
9 Fishkill Farm Road; http://fishkillfarms.com
Historic apple orchard run by the same family for more than 100 years. The farm's store stocks pies, donuts, pasture-raised eggs, locally produced ice cream, maple syrup and more. Apple varieties grown on the farm include Cortland, Spartan, Empire, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Jonagold, Idared, and Stayman Winesap.

Mead Orchards – Tivoli, 845-756-5641
15 Scism Road, off Rte. 9; www.meadorchards.com
Mead Orchards is a 185-acre fruit orchard and vegetable farm. Its orchards produce Fortune, Northern Spy, Senshu, Suncrisp, Cameo, Crimson Crisp and Ruby Frost, among others.

Orange County

Pennings Orchard – Warwick, 845-986-5959
Route 94 & Warwick Turnpike; http://penningsfarmmarket.com
Offers 15 varieties. Probably the biggest and one of the best orchards around. The trees tend to be low to the ground, so you don't need a pole to pick them. Good for small children. Adults can enjoy the hops garden and relax at the outdoor bar, which offers craft beer, wine, hard cider, live music, picnic table seating and lawn games.

Apple Ridge Orchards – Warwick, 845-987-7717
101 Jessup Road; www.appleridgeorchards.com
Located in the picturesque Warwick Valley, the views are worth the trip, plus you can pick pumpkins right off the vine. This is a great place for kids, as they have dwarf apple trees. An added attraction is the glass honey bee observation hive, where you can watch honey bees at work and learn about pollination. There are also hayrides, farm animals and fresh pressed apple cider and delicious homemade hot apple cider donuts.

Slate Hill Orchards – Slate Hill, 845-355-4493
2580 US Route 6; www.slatehillorchards.com
Every weekend starting the third week in September, you can pick apples, pumpkins and, a treat we don't usually see in our area as pick-your-own, grapes. All organic – no herbicides, pesticides or fungicides. Enjoy the hayrides and hay maze.

Rockland County

Dr. Davies Farm – Congers, 845-268-7020
306 Route 304
This historic 35-acre orchard is home to 4,000 trees and is open for picking daily. One of the oldest continually working farms in the area.

Long Island

The Milk Pail - Water Mill, NY, 631-537-2565
50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill, NY.
Choose from twenty apple varieties. This orchard has dwarf apples trees, which are the perfect height for all ages. Select your own pumpkins, squash and gourds in many sizes, shapes and colors.

Nearby New Jersey

Riamede Farm - Chester, NJ 908-879-5353
122 Oakdale Road. www.riamede.com
Bring your own scissors and snip a pumpkin right off the vine starting September 28! The farm offers a complimentary hayride to the picking field on weekends and Columbus Day. You can also pick your own apples in several varieties including heirlooms.

Connecticut

Silverman's Farm – Easton, CT 203-261-3306
451 Sport Hill Road. http://www.silvermansfarm.com
Pick your own apples and pumpkins. Animal farm/petting zoo with many animals, including buffalo, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, fallow deer, emus, long-horn cattle, and exotic birds.

Candee Farm – Easton, CT (203) 268-5623
456 Morehouse Rd
Candee Farm is a great stop just down the road from Silverman's Farm. You can pick your own fruits and vegetables throughout the spring and fall. They are currently offering peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, zucchini, and more, all at low prices.
Easy drive - located 45 minutes up the Merritt Parkway.

Details: Written by Midori Im; Published: 22 September 2015; Created: 22 September 2015; Last Updated: 22 September 2015; Hits: 3661

GA1 Greenacres Elementary families and faculty gathered at the start of the new academic year at the annual back to school picnic. Areas of the field were marked off by classroom, so that parents and students could easily find their new classmates and informally meet their teachers. In furtherance of the school's goal of zero-waste events, composting bins were left out, and sixth graders who had moved on to middle school helped oversee trash separation. greenacrescentennial This year Greenacres, the oldest school in the district, continues to celebrate its centennial with special events which will culminate in a huge celebration of current and past students, families, and faculty at the Diamond Jubilee Gala on November 20th and a family celebration on November 29th. More information can be found at the link below.