Tales From a Life-Changing, Cross Country Hitchhiking Trip Circa 1980
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Who knew that the dashing British banker we met in Greenacres in the 1980’s had a far less conventional past then we would ever imagine?
It took me forty years to find out that the charming executive and former President of Scarsdale Golf Club discovered America by trading in funds he won for a scholarship to study at the Library of Congress for a plane ticket to Los Angeles so he could surf at Malibu Beach and then hitchhike across the United States.
Now retired, Broyd explains that those memorable seven weeks of his life became the content for his first book. He explained, “I decided to write down the amusing stories that I have told for 40 years of my first trip to the US in 1980, when I hitchhiked across the country. I thought I would write them for fun, I would self-publish the stories and send them to 30 or 40 friends.”
But you never know where an email will go. Broyd says, “I sent some chapters to a friend for feedback, he forwarded it, and they forwarded it, and it ended up in the hands of a major publisher, who absolutely loved it. They signed me up to a 3-book contract. I am on the short-list for a major literary event in Philadelphia. I have a book tour - New York, Atlanta, Dallas and London, with more to follow. It has completely taken-off. I am in the pre-review process now - everything is coming back really positive.”
And publishing a book is not Broyd’s first success. He was born and educated in the UK and came to New York in January 1982 on a bank assignment. He married Betsy Broyd in 1983 and moved to Scarsdale in 1986. Apart from one 5-year and one 3 1/2 year assignment back to London, the Broyd’s have been in Scarsdale ever since.
He had a 40-year career and served as the US CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He was also President of British American Business (the US/UK Chambers of Commerce) and sat on several Federal Reserve Committees. He was President of Scarsdale Golf Club from 2023-2024 and now lives on Rutland Road in Edgemont. In 2024, he published his first book, 'The Panama Canal Treaties: The diplomacy and economics behind the treaty that changed the international order.’
His latest book, titled “Backpack, Jacket, Surfboard, My Journey Across America Then and Now” will be published on August 12, 2025.
Here’s the genesis of the tale, in Broyd’s own words:
“While at college in England I won a scholarship to study at the Library of Congress for 6 weeks, flight out and back, cheap hotel, stipend for food. I sold my ticket to DC and bought one to LA as I wanted to go surf Malibu Beach. I thought I would surf for a week, hitchhike across to DC for a week, study for 4 weeks and go home. The stories from those 7 weeks, including visits to Tijuana, Yosemite, New Orleans, and New York amongst others, and gambling in Vegas and interviewing the head of the US Senate, are pretty remarkable. But I have added a little on how these adventures can be formative experiences for a person, better education than any school. I also went back to retrace my steps in 2024, and that allowed me to reflect a little on the differences between the American I fell in love with in 1980 and the America we experienced in 2024.
See more about the book on Amazon here and find an interview with Broyd on “Call to Create” with Betsy Bush here.
Broyd will hold a publication launch party on Thursday August 14 at 6:45 at Scarsdale Golf Club. If you’re interested in attending, please reach out to him at graham@broydpartners.com.
Heathcote Moves Up... Middle School, Here They Come!
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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On the bright and sunny morning of June 20th, four classes of Heathcote School fifth graders, joined by their families, gathered in the auditorium for their Moving Up Ceremony. The event marked the end of their elementary school journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in middle school.
The program featured joyful choral performances led by music teacher, Ms. Accola. Principal Maria Stile followed with an inspiring message to the Class of 2025. She recognized their hard work, growth, and resilience, and encouraged them to embrace the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Fifth grade teachers Ms. Cooper and Ms. Lattin, Ms. Duncan and Ms. Burns, Ms. Edwards & Ms. Heffernan, and Ms. Volpi then took the stage to proudly present certificates to their students, each greeted with smiles and celebratory applause.
After the certificates were awarded, Assistant Principal Kathy de la Garza shared her heartfelt remarks and introduced a sentimental video montage that highlighted the friendships, milestones, and everyday moments that defined the students’ time at Heathcote.
Following the ceremony, students gathered to take photos under a beautiful balloon display and enjoy refreshments including special ice cream treats, adding a sweet touch to the celebration.
It was a ceremony filled with joy, pride, and anticipation. Congratulations to the Heathcote Class of 2025! Middle School, here they come!
Photo Credit: Reid Miller
Bad Shabbos: A Home Run from a Scarsdale Director
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It has all the elements of a great film:
-An Upper West side location with scenery you’ll recognize.
-A cameo by Gary Greengrass at his famous restaurant.
-A cast of well-loved actors including Kyra Sedgwick and Method Man – plus some wonderful newcomers you’ll grow to love.
And best of all: A Director from Scarsdale!
That’s right, Daniel Robbins of Scarsdale directed and co-wrote the comedy “Bad Shabbos” that will open in theaters this week. The story follows an observant Upper West Side family, gathering for their weekly Shabbat dinner where the oldest son will introduce the parents of his Catholic fiancée. It lures you in with many known Jewish tropes – a nerdy Jewish father who retreats to the Talmud to resolve family conflict, a Jewish mother who makes biting statements about marrying outside the tribe with a frozen smile on her face and kids struggling to live in modern society while hiding the fact that they drove their car to dinner.
At first you think the film will be a send-up of the clash of the old vs. the new, kosher vs. treif and how to get upstairs when you can’t touch the elevator button on Shabbat. But then the disturbed youngest brother emerges from his bedroom and with a sweep of his barbell sends the plot spinning out of control. The film takes a zany turn, pitting the family’s piety against the will to protect themselves from their own actions. They enlist their black doorman into the tsuris and the outcome is hilarious but disturbing at the same time.
Discussing his movie, Robbins says, “This film is about a family trying to find its place, on a night when they’re meeting the in-laws for the first time. It’s a fun kinetic ride that pulls from the great comedies of the past. The films Meet The Parents and My Big Fat Greek Wedding were constantly playing on my parents’ TV, broken up with whatever commercials TNT decided to include. These two films were comedies with tight scripts, big laughs, some heart and authentic portrayals of their subcultures – Chicago Greeks and Long Island Christian."
How was he influenced by growing up in Scarsdale? Robbins, who attended Westchester Day School, said, “I grew up on Heathcote between Crossway and Stratton and my dad coached me in Little League through the years. We had one of the worst teams but always had a good time.
My parents (Marc Robbins and Rise Robbins) met at the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and both worked there for around 20 years. I attended the synagogue Young Israel of Scarsdale.
I think Scarsdale influenced the film because it was such a warm place to grow up. As a person and also as a Jewish kid. I think that warmth shows on screen. And many of my parents' friends happen to be funny and may have influenced the jokes in the film.”
Watch a trailer here and reserve tickets at Mamaroneck Cinema for the opening on June 6 here.
Summer Reading 2025 at the Scarsdale Public Library Begins June 22!
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It's the perfect time to dive into some great books and audiobooks! Whether you're gardening, taking a walk, or relaxing at the park or beach, there are countless ways to enjoy a great read. Dive into a world of literary adventures and fun challenges, earning chances to win some fantastic prizes generously funded by the Friends of the Scarsdale Library.
From babies to toddlers, children to teens, and even adults, there’s a summer reading program for all ages at the library. Read books, attend programs, earn prizes!
Register here:
Children's Summer Reading - June 22 - August 9
Join our Summer Reading Bingo game for Babies & Toddlers, PreK through 1st grade, and 2nd through 5th grade. Complete any one row, column, or diagonal to receive a prize. Finish the entire card and receive a book to keep!
Teenstack Summer Reading - June 22 - August 30
Scarsdale teens in rising grades 6-12: download the free Beanstack app on your phone or tablet. Play a virtual bingo game where you can win prizes by reading books and completing activities that earn you badges and tickets towards grand prize drawings.
Adult Summer Reading - June 22 - August 9
Register to receive your themed pin and earn points toward summer reading prizes. On June 22, begin submitting your book reviews, and plan to attend Trivia, Competitive Puzzling and Paint Night for more chances to win.
New Choral Society Wraps Season
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Dr. John T. King has been the Artistic Director and Conductor of The New Choral Society (NCS) of Scarsdale since he founded it in 1994. But nothing seemingly could have surpassed the finale of its 2024-2025 season, Georg Friederich Handel’s Israel in Egypt, on Sunday afternoon, May 4, in those 31 years.
It was brilliant, strenuous, and a “barn burner” in the eyes, ears and minds of several in the sold-out audience in the sanctuary of Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale. The afternoon raindrops didn’t have a chance at spoiling this wonderful oratorio.
Smiling faces were all around for this particular piece.
For the avid students of choral music and/or those just listening for the simple enjoyment of the most professional music, Handel’s work and King’s interpretation of same on Sunday had everything: six soloists for the first time, three of them for their first appearances ever for NCS, Maestro King, who surprisingly had to carefully study the unfamiliar piece to him before introducing it to his singers and orchestra players, and Una Tone, always the energetic Concertmaster and the Elizabeth J. Broyd Chair (in honor of the founding Executive Director for her 25 years of service) playing Violin 1.
Soprano and Tenor Drew Most Applause
Kathryn Lewek, soprano, and Alex McKissick, tenor, drew the most applause from the concert attendees following the conclusion of the event.
From the Playbill for Sunday’s event, it says, “Kathryn Lewek is a born communicator who has been called ‘utterly enthralling’ by the New York Times.’ Combining charismatic stage presence with a voice of sumptuous range, crystalline purity, and rich emotional power, she headlines productions at the foremost opera houses and festivals worldwide.” American Tenor Alex McKissick “has been engaged by the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Irish National Opera, Des Moines Opera, North Carolina Opera, Aspen Music Festival, and a plethora of other musical houses, the Playbill said.
Other soloists for Sunday afternoon included: Ellie Dehn, Soprano; Tamara Mumford, Mezzo-Soprano; Daniel Rich, Baritone, and Michael Adams, Baritone. Dehn, McKissick and Adams were performing for the first time for NCS.
American soprano Ellie Dehn “has been praised by critics as a ‘revelation’ (Chicago Sun Times), acclaimed for her ‘great stage presence and a voice combining metallic clarity and sensual richness’ (Wall Street Journal),” the Playbill said. “American mezzo-soprano Tamara Mumford has gained a reputation as an exciting and in-demand singer appearing with many of the finest orchestras and opera houses in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Mumford has appeared many times with NCS including the 2020 and 2021 Messiahs and the 30th Anniversary Gala, the Playbill said. Mr. Rich “is a recent graduate of The Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program,” the Playbill also said. He has previously appeared with NCS for the performances of Messiah and the 30th Anniversary Gala. Praised by Opera News for “brandishing a beautiful, evenly produced, nicely ripe sound, baritone Michael Adams’ engagements in the 2024-2025 season include his return to the Metropolitan Opera as Scarus in Adams’ Anthony and Cleopatra. Mr. Adams was originally scheduled to make his NCS debut in April of 2020, which was postponed.
Ms. Mumford, Mr. McKissick, Mr. Rich and Mr. Adams appeared on Sunday by permission of the Metropolitan Opera.
All six soloists appeared on stage in different configurations during the singing and playing of the piece.
Learned Seminar Before Concert
To provide an educational introduction prior to the Handel concert on Sunday, on Wednesday evening, April 30, also in the sanctuary at Hitchcock, NCS presented Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Scarsdale’s Westchester Reform Temple, who is known to play his guitar often during services at his temple, and the same Dr. King provided a seminar with a closer look at the libretto source of Handel’s Israel in Egypt.
A good crowd showed up for that presentation, too, including a number of members from Westchester Reform Temple, singing members from NCS and the church’s Chancel Choir. It felt very much like an evening college course, only without college credit or an assignment to write an essay on what everyone heard, at perhaps the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, with most professional and interesting comments coming from the two commentators and selected examples of the actual music from the score.
Beautiful and professional music and a lecture on the subject to boot. Not a bad way to spend your leisure time if you’re a music lover. Thanks to Hitchcock, John King, also Minister of Music at Hitchcock, and his dedicated team.
