Sign up for the Third Annual Spelling Bee
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To Bee or not to Bee: that is certainly not the question as the Friends of the Scarsdale Library gear up for the third annual Adult and Teen Spelling Bee, to be held on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:30 PM in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium. The Spelling Bee, a Scarsdale institution in the making, is an important fund raising event for the Scarsdale Library. Over the past two years, monies raised through the Spelling Bee have been used to make significant technology upgrades to the Library’s community room and to plan enhancements to the children’s room.
Besides raising money, the event provides a great evening of entertainment to the community during the winter doldrums. Trivia games, music, a silent auction, and emcee Ed Coleman, the radio voice of the New York Mets, will keep audience members regaled between rounds of the Spelling Bee. Of course, coming to the Bee and supporting friends and neighbors on the spelling teams will get the audience’s competitive blood racing.
Participants in the Spelling Bee compete as teams of up to three people. Anyone of high-school age and above may participate, and the entrance fee is $150 per team. Two rounds, the first written, and the second oral, winnow the field of teams down to the finalists and ultimate champions. As Library trustee, Florie Wachtenheim, notes of her debuting team (Terri Simon and Jonathan Flaxer), “With great anticipation (Does anyone know a good spelling tutor?), we’re putting ourselves on the spelling line for a very good cause!”
Besides participating on a spelling team, sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses and individuals. Contact Spelling Bee co-chair Sara Werder at 472-6264 or sarawerder@gmail.com to discuss sponsorship levels.
The deadline to enter as a team is December 31, 2012. Only 20 teams will be accepted, so get your application in soon in order to avoid being shut out of this fun event. Application forms are available at the Library or online. For more information, contact Sara Werder or her co-chair Renu Lalwani at 917-584-8834 or renublalwani@gmail.com.
Helping Others Through Music
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The 6th annual concert bringing together different religious and musical groups to benefit at-risk children from the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon will be held on Saturday, November 17th at 7:00pm at St. James the Less Church in Scarsdale in collaboration with Westchester Jewish Community Services and Westchester Reform Temple. The musical theme for the event is Celebrating Kings of the Old Testament/Torah.
This unique concert is a joint effort of the Episcopal and Jewish communities in Scarsdale. Their five previous concerts have raised over $215,000 and have sent over 300 disadvantaged children to the Wagon Road Camp in Chappaqua for 7 weeks each summer.
The Children’s Choir of the Edward Williams School along with children from Scarsdale will join forces (40 children) to sing a song of inspiration with orchestra to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of this Benefit. Internationally acclaimed Canadian violinist Marc Benzekri will be the guest artist performing Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccio.
Orchestra musicians from the greater New York City area donate their time and talent for this special performance of classical music. The concert will include Mozart’s Overture from The Magic Flute, 2 world premieres for choir and orchestra by Maestro Bischof, a spiritual for choirs and orchestra and Brahms’ legendary Symphony No. 4. For most of the children, this event is the first time they will experience classical music. On the day of the concert, the children attend the dress rehearsal and get to meet the professional musicians and ask them questions about music and their lives as performers.
“Our first five years have been both exciting and inspiring,” said Dorothy Yewer, Co-Founder and Benefit Chair. “The community has been incredibly supportive of our work and the crucial need that exists so close to home. The children are empowered by participating in the Benefit and we are looking forward to growing our audience and helping even more children as we begin our next five years.”
The beneficiaries all attend the WJCS Amazing Afternoons Program in Mount Vernon during the school year. The program gives 125 at-risk elementary school aged children a safe place to learn and grow after school during the critical 3-6pm time frame when their parents or guardians are usually at work. During the summer there is a void in these children’s lives and many desperately need a safe, productive environment that their families cannot provide for them.
To purchase tickets please call 914.723.6100 extension 203 . Tickets are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mark Your Calendars for the JLCW's Holiday Boutique and A Matter of Taste for ARC
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Tis the season for fall benefits and here are just a few coming up in the next few weeks: The Junior League of Central Westchester will host the 26th annual holiday boutique on Thursday, November 8 from 6 pm - 10 pm and Friday, November 9, from 9 am - 3 pm at its new venue, The Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester, NY.
In addition to its already amazing roster of vendors, the shopping extravaganza will include many terrific new vendors. More than 40 businesses will offer a wide variety of merchandise including gifts, accessories, jewelry, home décor, clothing and children’s items. Participating vendors will include Sophie's Runway, The Look, Chintz Giraffe, jewelry by Alejandra Gallo and We Wear It. Guests will also have the opportunity to sell their gold and silver for cash from Good as Gold.
On November 8, "A Taste of Our Town" will showcase plated samples from some of Westchester’s premiere restaurants including Benjamin Steak House, Grace's Table, The 808 Bistro, Caffe Azzurri, ZaZa Ristorante and more. Fantastic new features this year include a Wine & Spirits Tasting hosted by Vintology of Scarsdale and an Artisanal Beer tasting hosted by Growlers Beer Bistro.
On November 9, patrons can indulge in “A Delightful Day” of shopping, dining and pampering, featuring food from Andy’s Pure Foods and Cooked & Co. among others. Complimentary mini-spa treatments will be provided by Skin Thera P, Massage Envy of Scarsdale, Jude’s Brow Bar, Spa Parties at Home and more.
A $35 suggested donation on November 8 includes entry for both days, while admission for November 9 only is a $20 suggested donation. A $10 Express Shopping option will also be available. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.
Proceeds from the Holiday Boutique support the JLCW’s programs that promote health and literacy, provide food and necessities to the underprivileged, empower low-income families, help preserve community history and train effective community volunteers.
A Matter of Taste: ARC of Westchester Foundation will hold a dinner at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains featuring signature cuisine prepared by the finest chefs in the area. Abigail Kirsch, An American Bistro, Eastchester Fish Gourmet, and Mima Vintoeca are just a few of the culinary partners who will be sampling their fare at the event. The Youth Partner Award will be given to Scarsdale Middle School student Sabrina Wirth. As part of her recent Bat Mitzvah preparation, Sabrina undertook a community service project to raise money for the Arc of Westchester, setting a goal of $5,000. Sabrina’s interest in the Arc of Westchester arose from her family friendship with Alex Masket, a 25 year old with severe autism who lives in one of Arc of Westchester’s supervised residences. Their special connection was forged through art—Sabrina and Alex are each talented artists and creating art is an important aspect of their lives.
Dinner is planned for Tuesday night October 30 beginning at 6:00 pm with the food and wine tasting to be followed by a silent and live auction.
Founded in 1949, Arc of Westchester is the oldest and largest agency in Westchester County serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities and their families. For more information, visit www.westchesterarc.org.
Car Wash and Benefit for Lakota Children Sunday 10-14
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This Sunday, October 14, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., the Scarsdale High School Pine Ridge Reservation Aid Club is teaming up with the Scarsdale Congregational Church (SCC) and the Lakota Pine Ridge Children’s Enrichment Project to sponsor a Car Wash and Benefit for the Lakota Children of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This awareness and fundraising event - - featuring music, a bake sale, a silent auction and raffle, and “good, clean fun” - - will take place, rain or shine, at the SCC, located at 1 Heathcote Road in Scarsdale. All proceeds will benefit the Lakota children of Pine Ridge.
Bring your car to be washed, enjoy the refreshments, listen to the songs of Scarsdale High School’s premier a cappella group, “For Good Measure,” and participate in the silent auction and raffle! Local merchants have generously donated items for the auction and raffle, and they are hoping to see the community come out to support the event.. While you wait for your car, volunteer your time to package items for the Lakota children. Bring a new pair of snow boots, running shoes or a snow jacket to send to a school on the reservation.
The high school club is coordinating the event with the SCC’s Youth Action Committee (YAC) and the Lakota Pine Ridge Children’s Enrichment Project, the successful non-profit organization started by Maggie Dunne, a 2009 graduate of SHS and a current senior at Colgate University. Ms. Dunne was inspired to create the project in 2007 after going on YAC’s first service trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation, organized by the Rev. Fran Wise Grenley, the SCC’s Senior Minister for Congregational Care and Outreach. Since then, Rev. Grenley and YAC members have continued volunteering with RE-MEMBER, a non-profit, non-religious organization that works with the Lakota Indian communities living on the reservation. Ms. Dunne’s project has provided over $100,000 in aid to children on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and her dedication to the Lakota children was recognized nationally in April 2012, when she was awarded the Grand Prize in Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women contest.
The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota covers more than 2.8 million acres in southwestern South Dakota, making it 
the second-largest reservation in the United States and larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined. The reservation, home to approximately 28,000-35,000 people, is located in Shannon County, where its per-capita income of $6,286 makes it the second poorest county in the United States. Some startling and disturbing statistics about the reservation are: Unemployment rate: 80-90%. Lowest life expectancy in the United States, with an average life span of 48 for men and 53 for women. Percent of residents living below the federal poverty line: 49. Children living in poverty: 69%. Infant mortality: 3 times higher than the national average. Teen suicide rate: 4 times higher than the national average.
Last year the Scarsdale community sent 5,000 pounds of donations of mostly new items to the children of Pine Ridge Reservation, through the Lakota Pine Ridge Enrichment Project, and its Fall Supply Drive provided clothing, boots and warm outerwear to thousands of children and families.This year they are asking Scarsdale neighbors to donate new boots, running shoes, and snow jackets to help to keep hundreds of Lakota children warm this winter.
The Car Wash and Benefit for Lakota Children will take place this Sunday 10/14 from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Scarsdale Congregational Church. All proceeds will benefit the Lakota Pine Ridge Children's Enrichment Project, Ltd., a 501(c)(3) corporation. Contact the project at lakotakids@gmail.com and follow it at http://lakotakids.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook and Twitter @Lakota_Children. For more information about the Car Wash and Benefit, call (914) 806-2720.
Contributor Katie Colella is a SHS senior, who volunteered at the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2011 and is president of the SHS Pine Ridge Reservation Aid Club.
Fall Benefits: Children's Hope Chest, American Cancer Society and Friends of Karen
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On Saturday September 22, dozens of Scarsdale kids sold home baked goods to benefit The Children’s Hope Chest first annual Recipe for Hope Fundraiser. Pictured here are Sydney Frank, Allie Singer, Abby Fisher, and Audrey Gendel who ran a bake sale at the Green Acres soccer field, following their soccer game.
All of the proceeds from the bake sales were given to The Children’s Hope Chest and will be used to support its mission of providing help and offering hope to children in our community suffering from poverty, abuse, neglect and illness. “In addition to helping those in need, The Children’s Hope Chest strives to increase social action by promoting adult and youth volunteerism,” said Susan Nangle, co-President of the organization. “We are excited that this program will get so many young people out to help others.”
The Children’s Hope Chest is a local grass-roots organization comprised of concerned individuals who wish to promote volunteerism and goodwill in an effort to help lift despair among local children in need. By creating programs and encouraging the participation of children, CHC strives to offer hope to these children. They partner with established organizations that are already helping local needy families to provide them with items that are already helping local needy families to provide them with items that are
Learn more at: www.childrenshopechest.com
Houlihan Lawrence Makes Strides for Breast Cancer
Scarsdale agents and staff from Houlihan Lawrence are participating in the American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer “ walk on October 21 at Manhattanville College in Purchase. They are inviting supporters from Scarsdale to join them for this fun, two-hour walk through the beautiful Manhattanville campus. Contributions can also be made to the cause by going to Erika Collazo’s Making Strides webpage. Erika is on staff at Houlihan Lawrence.
Friends of Karen to Host Event at LIFE in Ardsley
The Adina's Angels Fund at Friends of Karen is named in memory of Adina Berkowitz, who lost her 4-year battle with leukemia at the age of 17. Justin, Adina's 20-year-old brother, died unexpectedly only two weeks before Adina.
The Adina's Angels Fund has raised over $100,000 so far to support Friends of Karen’s mission of providing emotional, financial and advocacy support to children with a life-threatening illness and their family. It particularly strengthens support for youngsters coping with their sister's or brother's illness.
So put on your dancing shoes and enjoy cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, dinner, a raffle the DJ and more. join the fun! Click here for more information.
The Adina’s Angels 3rd Annual Fundraising Event to support Friends of Karen
October 12, 2012
7:30-11pm
LIFE...The Place To Be
2 Lawrence Street
Ardsley, NY 10502
