Scarsdale Seniors Celebrate the Year of the Horse
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Roughly 60 Scarsdale seniors celebrated the Chinese New Year with a potluck luncheon at the Girl Scouts House on Jan 12. The 30 Chinese seniors were joined by another 30 non-Asian seniors making it a record-breaking event for the newly-formed Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club.
"We wanted to celebrate the upcoming lunar New Year, which is the most important holiday for Chinese people. We thought it would definitely be fun to invite people from other ethnic backgrounds to share this joyful occasion. And we want to say Happy Year of Horse to all the Scarsdale seniors", said Professor ZhongJun Hao, president of the Scarsdale Chinese senior group.
Chinese seniors and volunteers decorated the Girl Scout House with traditional Chinese lanterns, spring scrolls, Chinese knots and flowers. Mr. Hao started the lunch with a quick introduction about how Chinese people typically celebrate lunar New Year (also called Spring Festival in China).
Many members brought homemade dishes of different styles of Chinese cuisine. These dishes are traditional to certain ethnic groups and are not found in Chinese restaurant around the area. One dish that attracted the interest of many non-Chinese seniors is called "Tang Yuan", which is glutinous rice with sweet sesame paste inside. In Chinese culture, this dish has a special meaning of happiness. "The variety of dishes was remarkable, representing the diversity of Chinese cuisine. The food was delicious and must have taken many hours of cutting, folding and cooking." said Mrs. Bridie Wetmur, a Scarsdale senior resident, who was impressed with the gathering.
Even though only a handful of Chinese seniors speak English, many people enjoyed the conversations. Andrey Wax, a 
playwriter/lyricist/composer from Scarsdale said "it was challenging, though exciting and stimulating (and rewarding when we were understood!) trying to learn and communicate in a language very different from English." She suggested that in the future, "it would be very helpful to have a large map of China so people can show us where they come from and we can gradually learn about the different areas. My husband and I haven't been there yet, and getting to know a place through its people is the best way, we think".
Kathy Hurwitz, director of the village senior program, said she could not believe how smoothly everything went with the lunch, "Today's lunch was a miracle. People will be talking about it for quite a while. I never saw a group of people work so efficiently and well. I think this was a wonderful way of sharing cultures and getting to know one another". Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Berman and Kathy Gray, President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library have supported the program and were also on hand to enjoy the luncheon.
Yulan Zhou, a Chinese senior resident of Heathcote, said "the senior club has been a very important part of the Chinese seniors' life here. Thanks to the Scarsdale village senior program and the library for their support. We would also like to do something to make our community a warm home for everyone."
Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club was founded in September 2013, and meets twice a week in the Girl Scout House and the library. The club is open to all Scarsdale seniors.
Greenacres Third Graders Visit the Hebrew Home
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The 1920's and 1930's came to life for the third graders of the Greenacres School on Friday, January 10 as they visited residents of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale and RiverWalk apartments, located on the Hebrew Home's campus.
The day began with trivia, courtesy of Daniel Reingold, President and CEO of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, who is also a Scarsdale resident and Greenacres alum.
Students then interviewed residents at the Hebrew Home and at RiverWalk about their childhood, education, family life, and current interests and hobbies. Residents shared stories about television and automobiles being introduced to consumers for the first time, remembering their days filled with stick ball and hopscotch, in an era well before electronics. After completing their questions, each student drew a picture of the resident whom they interviewed.
"We believe these two distinct generations can learn a lot from one another, and also share commonalities," said Connee Kaufman, Director of Volunteers and Cultural Enrichment at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale.
Edgemont SBNC Seeks Nominations
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The School Board Nominating Committee (the "SBNC") will hold an open meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 (snow date - January 23) at 8:00 pm in the Greenville School library to receive nominations for candidates to the Board of Education. Two vacancies will be filled at the general election on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, created by the expiration of the second term of office for board president Michaeline Curtis and first term of office for Anish Nanavaty. Anish Nanavaty will run for a second term. Michaeline Curtis will not seek a third term.
The SBNC invites all Edgemont residents to actively participate in the nominating process by urging qualified residents of our community to seek nomination to the Board of Education, submit nomination letters for candidates, and attend the open meeting.
Nominations must be made in a letter addressed as set forth below and must be received before 8:00 pm on January 22, 2014. Nominating letters may also be presented in person at the open meeting held that evening. The letter may be written by any qualified voter of the Edgemont School District other than a member (or spouse of a member) of the SBNC. In addition to the name and address of the candidate, the letter must contain a brief biographical sketch of the candidate, including the candidate's educational background, occupation, participation in civic affairs and the length of residence in the Edgemont School District, and the grade level of any children attending any Edgemont schools and/or the year of graduation of any children who have previously attended Edgemont schools. The letter must also contain a statement indicating that the candidate has consented to serve if nominated and elected. Please address nominating letters to Monica Sganga, SBNC Chair, 350 Evandale Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
Junior League Invites Prospective Members to Informational Coffees
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The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) invites women living or working in Eastchester, Greenburgh, Scarsdale and White Plains to its semi-annual "Recruiting Coffees" at historic Wayside Cottage on Thursday, January 23, 2014, 8pm and Friday, January 24, 2014, 9:30am. Joining the JLCW provides opportunities for volunteers to impact their community in a meaningful way and foster life-long friendships and professional relationships with fellow volunteers and members of the community in which they serve. RSVP to [email protected] by January 20, 2014.
Wayside Cottage
1039 Post Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
Thursday: January 23 at 8 pm
Friday: January 24 at 9:30 am
RSVP to [email protected]
jlcentralwestchester.org
Free
Eighth Graders Give Inspiring Performance at Scarsdale Middle School
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- Written by: Carly Glickenhaus
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Parents and friends of the eighth grade Cooper and Popham Chorus and Orchestra gathered in the auditorium for the Scarsdale Middle School Winter Concert on Thursday December 12. At the end of a long workday for both students and parents, the young musicians brought energy to the stage and gave their worn-out parents the holiday cheer many needed. The long-anticipated winter break seemed closer as the students filled the cold SMS auditorium with warmth.
The chorus opened the concert, grabbing the audience with Sing We Joy by Henry Purcell and Patrick Liebergen and Sway (Quien Será) by Norman Gimbel and Pablo Beltran Ruiz. Students said they enjoyed rehearsing Sing We Joy since it "filled the chorus room with excitement and of course, joy!" Since they performed songs they liked, many students say they were more inclined to practice at home, make an effort to memorize the lyrics, and listen to those around them to stay on pitch. Some even found themselves humming and singing in the hallways after chorus class! The second piece particularly engaged the students who study Spanish since they were able to explain some of the lyrics to their French counterparts. To some, singing in English is difficult enough, so performing before an audience in another language required focus and repetition at rehearsals.
After the chorus performed two pieces, orchestra director Rachel Han cheerfully addressed the audience. She announced excitedly that this was her first performance with the group, as she is new to the district this year. She has clearly done an astonishing job motivating students to practice, concentrate during rehearsals, and push themselves to new levels as they improve as both musicians and students. Like athletes of team sports, each musician takes responsibility and accountability for the part they play in the overall success of the group. Though it is early in the school year, Ms. Han has already taught the students many new skills to help each play their role. Ananta Wadwha, a violinist in Popham house, speaks highly of her new teacher. "Ms. Han has great demeanor. She is teaching us the basics that some of the students didnʼt learn such as tuning and proper position. She is very helpful and sweet so that makes us want to play more. She is patient and the orchestra has improved."
The orchestraʼs first piece, Themes from Howlʼs Moving Castle, was a waltz composed by Joe Hisaishi and arranged by Victor Ruiz-Azuaga. It featured student Ismael Ameen on the piano. The piece was a "whimsical journey filled with adventures," according to Ms. Han. It was also written in 3/4 time, one of the more difficult signatures. Of the challenges the orchestra faced, Ananta says "(The music involved) a lot of shifting positions and complicated rhythms." They seemed to overcome these obstacles and even sparked the interest of the restless chorus students in the audience, eagerly awaiting their return to the stage.
When the chorus resumed their performance, they sang Fascinating Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin and I Dreamed a Dream from "Les Miserables." The former has been added to the Library of Congressʼs National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important," according to the choral studentsʼ research. The second, I Dreamed a Dream was the popular favorite since most of the students have seen or heard the film version of "Les Miserables" that received an Oscar in 2012. The song, performed by Anne Hathaway in the modern film, demanded more emotion and tone in its performance than the lighter, more upbeat songs of the concert.
The variety of song choices made the concert engaging to the audience as well as a more positive experience for the students. There was something to satisfy everyones' tastes. Some songs had significance in a historical context; Sing We Joy withstood over 350 years of history to arrive at a stage in Scarsdale in the 21st century. Others appealed to those interested in contemporary music or theater. Even if they didnʼt realize it, the singers surely learned some history, culture, and Spanish vocabulary in the process of learning about voice and working together as a performing group.
When the orchestra performed their second piece, they were joined by four band students, Kelsey Chin on the flute, Melanie Holmes on the oboe, Anna Marie Horn on the clarinet, and Mariko Asai on the French horn. Symphony No. 40, in G-minor, was composed by Mozart in his late years. The orchestra and band members learned to collaborate while rehearsing Mozart. At times, parents may have forgotten that the music enthusiasts on stage were indeed pre-teens and not experienced adults. Ms. Han explained to the audience that one of the studentsʼ goals for this year was to perform a piece as purely written, without transposing nor omitting sections. Thus, the students were presented with several challenges in preparing the piece; They were practicing the same parts performed by accomplished musicians in the New York Philharmonic!
The last piece of the concert was a traditional Russian sleigh ride composed by Sergei Prokofiev, who is well known for "Peter and the Wolf." The piece had rapid tempo changes and encompassed contrasting lyrical passages in a nationalistic, spirited style. Ananta says, "Troika was especially difficult. We had to learn a new pizzicato [plucking strings] technique and [add] percussion to make sure it didn't fall apart." It was a fun, cheery ending to an entertaining holiday concert.
All in all, the SMS students have worked hard this fall to learn new skills, polish those lost over the summer, better understand group dynamics, and discover their potential as musicians. They look forward to the start of a new year and a new chapter in their growing musical careers and will, without a doubt, impress their parents again at the spring concert in 2014.
