20 Teams to Compete in the Scarsdale Library Spelling Bee Friday Night
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Will there be a spelling bee or “Family Feud” at the Scarsdale High School auditorium on January 27th at 7:30pm? At the second annual Friends of the Scarsdale Library Spelling Bee, some husbands will compete with their wives; others will compete against their wives! A mother will compete against her daughter, and three generations of Guggenheimers will return to compete as a team.
Yale junior Marcus Moretti is competing once again with his uncle Jon Ungar, joined this year by family friend David Scinto. “Last year, we were the ‘Wanna Bees.’” said Moretti. “This year, we're the ‘Gonna Bees.’ We've changed our name because we've changed our game. We're going to win.”
Twenty teams are competing for the title of Scarsdale Spelling Champion, and competition will be stiff! Rumor has it that the Friends of the Scarsdale Park team will be wearing the most creative costumes.
Contestants will range from 9th graders to Esther Sloan, the Bee’s most senior contestant at age 81. Esther filled in at the last minute at the 2011 Spelling Bee and took her team into the final round. She and her teammates Lucas Meyer and Ian Weston are returning this year to vie for the grand prize. Sloan attributes her strong vocabulary to the many hours she spent reading at the library as a child.
Audience members will be entertained by trivia quizzes, music, refreshments, a raffle, and emcee Ed Coleman, the radio voice of the New York Mets. Admission is $5 per person.
NY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin is returning as one of the judges, joined by Scarsdale Mayor Miriam Levitt Flisser and Jamie Tanzer of the Library Teen Advisory Board.
Thomson Reuters is the “Platinum Sponsor” this year. The “Diamond Sponsors” include Houlihan Lawrence, Paul Hastings LLP, Bradford and Phyllis Perkins, and Rick and Sara Werder. For more information and a complete list of the contestants, visit the Friends of the Library website (www.scarsdalelibrary.org/friends/spellingbee/html). February 3rd is the snow date.
Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 per ticket or $20 for 5 tickets.
Here is a list of the raffle prizes:
- 8 week SAT prep course and all materials (value $1,995) donated by Testtakers
- 32 GB iPod Touch (value $300)
- Monster Beats Headphones by Dr Dre (value $300)
- Diane James silk flower arrangement (value $230)
- Evening bag with bee (value $165) donated by Tracey Novick/ Ah!Dorned
- Five classes at SoulCycle (value $160)
- Basket of Lindt chocolates (value $100)
- Basket of children’s games (value $100)
- Bee Bookends and “History of Scarsdale" by Helen Hultz (value: priceless!)
- Scarsdale Skin Care facial (value $90)
- Picnic backpack with a bottle of wine (value $75)
Girl Scouts and Junior League to Host Annual Galas
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Both the Girl Scouts and the Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) have announced their upcoming anniversary galas. Actress Vanessa Williams will be honored at the Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Heart of the Hudson event and Brian Conybeare, an award winning journalists and News 12 anchor, will emcee of the night for the JLCW gala.
The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) announced that tickets are now available for its 65th Anniversary Gala on March 16, 2012, at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. This monumental 65th Anniversary Gala will celebrate the JLCW’s growth over 65 years, and the organization’s commitment to promoting volunteerism; developing the potential of women; and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. As one of the JLCW’s primary fundraisers, the Gala will provide essential financial support for the JLCW’s educational and charitable projects.
The theme of the gala will be “Lights, Camera, ACTION!” Set against a red carpet backdrop, the Gala will recreate the atmosphere of a Hollywood party. The event is open to the public and will be attended by JLCW members and other prominent members of the community. Family Services of Westchester will be recognized with the Community Partner Award for their demonstrated excellence in partnering with JLCW. JLCW member and Scarsdale resident Lynne Clark will also be honored with the Distinguished Sustainer Award. Many of the League’s past presidents will be in attendance to receive the Circle of Leadership Award for their exceptional leadership and commitment to promoting the mission of JLCW.
“We are thrilled to host a festive evening to celebrate this milestone and honor those volunteers whose tireless efforts have made a significant impact in our community,” stated Lynn Marvin, President of Junior League of Central Westchester. "We hope this year's gala will increase our ability to promote the literacy, health and welfare of children and families in the JLCW service areas of White Plains, Greenburgh, Eastchester and Scarsdale.”
Sponsorship packages, including tickets, tables and a range of additional recognition opportunities are available, as are advertisements in the Gala journal.
For more information on the Gala, becoming a sponsor, advertising in the journal, or donating to the silent auction, please contact the JLCW office at (914) 723-6130, or email jlcw@verizon.net. Tickets to the Gala are now available at www.jlcentralwestchester.com .
In honor of Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson (GSHH) is hosting a Centennial Gala honoring Women of Leadership and Excellence on Thursday, March 15th, 2012 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, in Tarrytown, NY. GSHH will honor women who have distinguished themselves in their fields and are role models for girls striving to become the leaders of tomorrow. At the event actress Vanessa Williams; Congresswoman Nita Lowey; PR Executive Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson; and Watson Women of IBM will all be honored.
The evening will be hosted by CBS news correspondent Alexis Christofouros and include live jazz entertainment by Ragan Whiteside and the Fam, a silent auction, dinner, Girl Scout ceremony and a special Girl Scouts 100th birthday celebration. Christofouros is an Emmy-nominated MoneyWatch correspondent and anchor for CBS Newspath, the affiliate news service, covering business and consumer news. Ragan Whiteside is a contemporary jazz songwriter, composer and musician who is nationally recognized.
Vanessa Williams, actress, will be honored for her work in the arts and entertainment field. A Westchester native, Williams was a Girl Scout in Chappaqua and has been involved in the performing arts since childhood. She is a world-renowned actress having played roles in major motion pictures, on Broadway and recurring roles on the popular TV series “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives”.
Nita Lowey, U.S Congresswoman, will be honored for more than three decades of public service to the citizens of New York State. Lowey is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and has served in Congress since 1989. Lowey was a Girl Scout in the Bronx.
Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, partner in Thompson & Bender, Westchester’s leading public relations/marketing/advertising firm based in Briarcliff Manor, will be honored for her achievements in business entrepreneurship. A Girl Scout as a child, she has had an extensive career in marketing and communications over the past 20 years. She is an active member of, and has served in leadership positions for, many professional women’s associations as well as a number of non-profit boards.
The Watson Women of IBM will be honored for their tremendous leadership in developing female leaders in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields at IBM. Watson Women's Network (WWN) is a volunteer network at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center. our members reach their full potential in the workplace.
The fifth and final honoree will be a Young Woman of Leadership and Excellence who has yet to be named. This young lady will have demonstrated leadership among her peers and in her community to help “make the world a better place.” Nominations are now open for this honor.
Tickets for the Gala, which begins with a reception at 6pm, are $175 per person. To become a sponsor, attend the event, purchase a journal ad, or more information, contact Mary Ellen Hoffman at (914) 747-3080, ext. 739, mhoffman@girlscoutshh.org. In addition to the silent auction at the Gala event, GSHH will also host an online auction consisting of a wide selection of highly desirable prizes including; trips, jewelry, household items and professional services. For more information about the online auction, go to: www.biddingforgood.com/girlscoutshh . For more information about both the silent and online auctions contact Monica Spears at (914) 747-3080, ext. 765, mspears@girlscoutshh.org.
Girl Scouts of the USA was founded in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) strives to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Accordingly, GSUSA continues to be the world’s pre-eminent organization for, and leading authority on, girls, with a membership of more than 3.2 million girls and adults.
(Pictured at top: Vanessa Williams)
Junior League Sponsors Diaper Drive
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The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) is kicking off their “Do Your Duty” Campaign to help ease diaper deprivation in Westchester. Diapers are an important basic need and it is for this reason that the JLCW is seeking to meet their goal of 2,000 packaged diapers, sizes 3, 4, and 6 for the toddlers attending Family Services of Westchester’s Early Head Start program in White Plains. The JLCW is part of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI), one of the largest, most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world. The AJLI is a major partner of Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies® Every Little Bottom program, which will donate more than 22.5 million diapers to babies and moms in need in North America in 2011.
Why is the Junior League adopting this project? Because according to a study commissioned by the Huggies® Every Little Bottom program, one in three American mothers struggle to provide diapers for their babies. These mothers have had to cut back on basics such as food, utilities like heat or electricity, or even child care in order to provide enough diapers. This often leads to babies being kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended periods of time, resulting in babies suffering. What was also realized is that many mothers struggle with providing enough diapers to daycares because most licensed daycares require a full day supply of disposable diapers. Therefore, mothers sometimes miss work or school because they didn’t have enough diapers. Even more compelling is that diapers are not covered by Federal Programs and is a major gap in the assistance of children and their mothers.
You may help by dropping diapers off at the JLCW’s headquarters at the Wayside Cottage, 1039 Post Rd., Scarsdale, NY, or by visiting their website for participating vendors and drop off locations.
Contest for Teen Fashionistas and Junior League Recruiting Coffees
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As one out of three homeless people are under the age of 18, this year the Scarsdale Teen Center is partnering with Teens for Jeans to raise awareness and jean donations for homeless teens. The Teen Center is sponsoring "My Dream Jeans Outfit" contest from January 16 to February 12. To participate, go to Havana Jeans in Scarsdale, Beginnings Boutique in Scarsdale or Industry in Dobbs Ferry, and create an outfit featuring a pair of jeans. Take a photo of your creation and submit it online to the Teen Center to win fabulous prizes.
In addition, you can also win a prize by donating a pair of jeans for a homeless teen. As a thanks, for each pair of jeans you donate, you'll receive a coupon off your next pair of Aeropostale jeans.
Contest rules and more information can be found on the Scarsdale Teen Center website: www.scarsdaleteencenter.com or by calling 914-722-8358.
Junior League Coffees: The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) invites women from Eastchester, Greenburgh, Scarsdale and White Plains to its semi-annual “Recruiting Coffees” at historic Wayside Cottage on January 25, 2012 at either 9:30 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. The JLCW is a nonprofit women’s organization committed to promoting volunteerism; developing the potential of women; and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLCW invites women of all races, religions and national origins who are committed to volunteerism to become a member.
Prospective members will learn about JLCW’s efforts to improve the lives of our neighbors in need. New members enter a training course where they work together to complete a short-term community service project. Recent projects have included a diaper drive to collect diapers and baby wipes for Family Services of Westchester’s Early Head Start program, a nutrition-themed event called “Choosy Fest” and an interactive exhibit at the White Plains Hospital Community Health Fair, also with a nutrition theme.
The JLCW’s 2011-2012 projects include the Family Literacy Program, a project where members visit Head Start preschool classrooms to read and provide books and other essential tools for improving literacy; Grace Church Soup Kitchen, where JLCW members provide 1,500 meals annually to individuals served by the Grace Church Community Center Soup Kitchen; Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen, a program that combats childhood obesity by teaching children about nutrition and exercise; Let’s Save the Earth, a program in which JLCW members plan and implement a variety of small scale projects in the local community to create awareness of environmental issues and help “save the earth”; and BackPack Buddies, a project for which JLCW will purchase and members will assemble and distribute weekend food-filled backpacks to children in its service area.
JLCW members have been effecting positive change in the area for almost 65 years. As JLCW President Lynn Marvin puts it, “Being part of the JLCW is about effecting positive community change, empowering other women as well as yourself, and developing friendships with other dynamic women. You are a part of a long tradition of community advocacy and volunteerism– in 2012 the JLCW will celebrate its 65th Anniversary!”
The coffees will be a chance to meet current JLCW members, get to know other prospective members, learn about the JLCW, and enjoy a visit to Wayside Cottage, a historic landmark that has recently completed a “period” renovation. The coffees will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Wayside Cottage, 1039 Post Road, Scarsdale NY.
RSVP by January 18th to jlcw@verizon.net or by phone to (914) 723-6130.
Scarsdale Boy Organizes Footloose Shoe Drive to Benefit Souls4Souls
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Westchester residents are invited to recycle their 'gently worn' shoes in an effort to help distribute shoes to people in need. The Play Group Theatre’s teenage cast of Footloose is not only dancing their feet off in rehearsal, but they are doing a different type of important legwork this winter. Beginning this weekend, with the opening of The Play Group Theatre’s, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” these young actors will use their talents to inspire the community to break out their shoes and give them to others in need.
Dylan Nossel, The Play Group Theatre (PGT) student who is organizing the shoe drive remarked, “It’s great to give to the community not just locally through our shows, but on a national scale through our shoes.” Dylan and his cast have partnered with Soles4Souls an international shoe donation program.
Soles4Souls Inc. has committed to collect and distribute shoes to people living in extreme poverty and recovering from natural disasters. “With tragedies such as the earthquakes in countries like Haiti and Japan, on top of the enormous needs elsewhere, we can use the estimated 1.5 billion shoes taking up space in the closets of ordinary people to change the world one pair at a time,” said Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey.
The shoe charity provides one pair of shoes to a person in need every 7 seconds. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 13 million pairs of shoes because of the generosity and commitment of people and organizations like The Play Group Theatre.
"Building a strong connection with the community is such an important part of PGT," says Rachael Longo, The Play Group Theatre's Director of Education. "We present free previews and performances to local charitable organizations and love to find show specific ways of giving back to the community. The Footloose Shoe Drive is a great example of the way our students are running with PGT’s Community Connection mission.”
The Play Group Theatre will be collecting new or gently worn footwear to make a tangible difference through the gift of shoes. Every shoe donation will support the Soles4Souls’ initiative to distribute shoes to those in need.
“Our show is about having the freedom to dance and to have fun,” says Footloose cast member Aviva Abusch. “We think that helping to put shoes on the feet of others may give them the freedom to do the same.”
The Play Group Theatre invites caring residents of Westchester and the surrounding areas to “Kick off your Sunday shoes….” right into one of PGT’s collection bins. To be a part of the Footloose Shoe Drive this winter, bring your shoes to any of their upcoming performances. Just make sure you have an extra pair to wear home from the show!
Footloose performs January 14 at 8pm, January 15 at 2pm, January 16 at 2pm, January 21 at 8pm and January 22 at 2pm.
For tickets or additional information about The Play Group Theatre, visit The Play Group Theatre’s website at www.playgroup.org .
People and companies interested in finding out more about Soles4Souls or donating shoes can visit the organization’s website at www.giveshoes.org.
