Holiday Happenings
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So many wonderful holiday events on the calendar for the coming month. Keep these in mind:
James and the Giant Peach at the Playgroup Theater
This zany mesmerizing tale comes dramatically to life on The Play Group Theatre stage. Chock full of laughs and delightful songs, this stage adaptation of the beloved book will captivate your imagination and capture your heart. Travel with James and friends from sky to sea in the most unusual form of transportation imaginable.
With a dazzling score by Pasek and Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen) and plenty of humor, heart, and spectacle, James and the Giant Peach is a feel-good musical for audiences of all ages. Packed with catchy songs, whimsical storytelling, and colorful characters, it’s a reminder that even the smallest person can do something big!
Climb on board the epic adventure of James and the Giant Peach at PGT.
Saturday, Dec. 6 @ 8pm
Sunday, Dec. 7 @ 2pm
Saturday, Dec. 13 @ 8pm
Sunday, Dec. 14 @ 2pm**
**Sensory Friendly
The Play Group Theatre
One North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601
https://www.playgroup.org/shows/
New Choral Society
The New Choral Society will present the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah, Part I. Hear the familiar and uplifting choruses and solos from the Messiah. The concert concludes with the famous "Hallelujah Chorus." This concert is always a festive way to begin the holiday season with family and friends. Concerts on Friday, December 5 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 PM at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, 6 Greenacres Avenue, Scarsdale. Click here for tickets:
Holiday Boutique at Westchester Reform Temple
Discover one-of-a-kind holiday treasures at the WRT/WRJ Holiday Boutique. Celebrating its 21st year as a beloved spot for seasonal 
shopping. This festive, one day event transforms Westchester Reform Temple into a curated marketplace filled with unique, high quality gifts. With 27 exceptional vendors, shoppers will find everything from luxury bags and artisan jewelry to men’s and women’s apparel, home goods, novelty items and speciality merchandise, perfect for everyone on your holiday list.
Beyond discovering beautiful finds, every purchase has purpose: a portion of all sales supports the meaningful programs and charitable initiatives of Women of Reform Judaism at Westchester Reform Temple, helping strengthen the broader community.
Join this wonderful shopping event on Monday, December 8th from 11am to 4pm at Westchester Reform Temple, 255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale. Admission is free!
Messiah at IHM
Celebrate the Christmas season with a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Friday December 12 at 7:30 pm at Church of the Immaculate 
Heart of Mar, 8 Carman Road, Scarsdale. Join them for an unforgettable evening of music at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Experience the beauty and power of Handel's Messiah Part I performed by the all professional New York City based Modus Operandi Orchestra (MOO) and The Modus Singers. Get ready to be moved by the heavenly sounds filling the sacred space of the church. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of live music! Purchase tickets here:
Charis Holiday Concerts
Charis Chamber Voices celebrates the season with Rejoice!, its annual Holiday Concert: Friday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. at St. James the Less Episcopal Church, 10 Church Lane, Scarsdale, NY, and Sunday, December 14, at 4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, 178 Oenoke Ridge Road, New Canaan, CT. Charis’s Artistic Director, Jeremy Wiggins, conducts, accompanied by the organist Terrence Flanagan.
Benjamin Britten’s Festival Te Deum offers a striking, multi-layered treatment of this historic text, while his mystical Rejoice in the Lamb showcases his 
imaginative use of poetry and sound. Antonio Vivaldi’s radiant Gloria crowns the program with music as glorious and uplifting as the season itself, and Gustav Holst’s Christmas Day, a fantasy on familiar carols, carries on the holiday spirit. Charis’s famous wine and cheese reception will follow each concert. We look forward to sharing this unforgettable celebration with you!
Tickets are $25 ($20 for seniors and $15 for students). They may be purchased in advance through the Charis website, www.charisvocals.com, or at the door.
Charis is an auditioned chorus of about 30 men and women from Westchester County, NY, and Fairfield County, CT. Founded in 1994, the group is renowned for its diverse repertoire, unique blend of voices and captivating performances.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker will be performed by Central Park Dance at the Capitol Theater on Sunday December 7 and Sunday December 14. A winter tradition for families, Central Park Dance will return to the Capitol Theater with three performances this holiday season with its 10th annual production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. Join Clara on her wild journey through a blizzard of ballerinas into a land of sweets filled with colorful characters and pure holiday magic. Featuring Tanner Schwartz formerly with Boston Ballet & Maisee Anderson formerly with The National Ballet of Canada. December 7th 5:00PM and December 14th 12:30PM & 5:00PM. Click here for ticket info:
Westchester Band Concerts
The Westchester Band will perform two concerts at Scarsdale Library, featuring Sounds of the Season. Concerts on December 11 and December 18 at 7 pm.
Halloween Parade for Scarsdale's Youngest Trick or Treaters
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The kids could not have been cuter at the annual Halloween Parade in Scarsdale Village on Wednesday October 29, 2025. Babies in strollers, newly minted walkers, toddlers, and pre-schoolers ran around Chase Park dressed as monsters, witches, cartoon characters, princesses, K-Pop Demon Hunters, lady bugs, bumble bees, Minnie Mouse, bunnies, knights and unicorns. Parents got into the act too wearing costumes that complemented their kids. We met a former Broadway costume designer who created incredible costumes for his kids.
Everyone lined up to parade the around Harwood Court for some trick or treating – and then were greeted by an awesome Bubble Man who showered the crowd in thousands of bubbles and foam.
The event was run by the Scarsdale Recreation Department – who showed up in costumes to distribute treats. Rec Supervisor Brian Gray marveled at the weather on a perfect October day for a parade.
Happy Halloween!
Scarsdale Democrats Urge Voters to Vote Row A
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(The following letter was contributed by the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee)
To the Editor:
County elections sometimes get a short shrift in Scarsdale, but these elections often have more direct impact on everyday life. This is especially true for this November’s off-year election, where three important county positions will be filled. This election gives Scarsdale voters an opportunity to set the tone and assert their values for this and future elections.
Unlike the chaos and pettiness in Washington, Westchester government operates to serve all people in the county with sound policies and fiscal responsibility. This year, two longtime officials, our current county clerk and county legislator, will not be running due to retirement and term limits, respectively. There presents us with a unique opportunity to continue Westchester’s legacy of competent Democratic leadership with officials who will bring new energy and ideas to these positions.
The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee urges voters to cast their ballots for the entire Democratic slate of candidates on Row A.
Early voting starts Saturday, October 25 and lasts through Sunday, November 2. Any Westchester resident may vote at any early voting location in the county during the early voting period. See here a complete list of early voting locations and hours:
If you vote on Election Day, November 4, you must vote at your assigned polling location.
Vote for Ken Jenkins for County Executive
Ken Jenkins, elected as County Executive in February in a special election to fill the spot vacated when County Executive George Latimer was elected to the U.S. Congress, is seeking reelection.
Jenkins’ experience for the job is unmatched, having served as Deputy County Executive under Latimer and, prior to that, as a member of the Board of Legislators for 18 years, including four years as Chairman.
Jenkins has been able to continue and further the legacy of his predecessor by holding the line on taxes, working to build affordable housing, protecting a woman’s right to choose, reducing crime, and restoring aging infrastructure and protecting the environment. Rather than becoming embroiled in partisan debate, Jenkins knows his job is to make sure that the County government operates smoothly to the benefit of all residents.
Vote for Tom Roach for County Clerk
Tom Roach, having served as mayor of White Plains for 14 years, is running for Westchester County clerk to succeed the retiring Tim Idoni. Prior to serving as mayor, Roach served on the White Plains Common Council and was an attorney in private practice.
As mayor, Roach has managed to keep White Plains taxes below the tax cap while investing in the police and fire departments, adding services for residents, and introducing innovative technologies to make it easier for residents to access city services. The county clerk safeguards Westchester's land and court records, issues pistol licenses, issues IDs, and holds naturalization ceremonies, among other services. Roach will use his experience to protect this sensitive information and to continue to give residents excellent county administrative services.
Vote for Jenn Puja for County Legislator
Jenn Puja is the youngest woman to be elected to the White Plains Common Council and is the Executive Director of the Westchester/Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO. She is running to represent us in the County Legislature, to take the seat long held by Ben Boykin, who can no longer serve due to term limits.
Puja has long been a supporter of workers’ rights, expanding affordable housing, and promoting sustainability. Puja recognizes the importance of fiscal responsibility and intends to “hold the line” on taxes while investing in needed capital improvements. Puja is a visible and available member of the community and will make sure to address the needs of her entire district which includes Scarsdale and West Harrison in addition to a majority of White Plains.
Scarsdale and the County are in good hands with these Democratic candidates. Vote Democratic Row A All the Way!
Respectfully Submitted,
Alissa Baum and Myra Saul
Co-Chairs, Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee
Holocaust Survivors Celebrate Sukkot
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More than 50 Holocaust Survivors, along with their relatives and caregivers, gathered on Thursday October 9th to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale.
The luncheon, hosted by Westchester Jewish Community Services, was attended by Congressman George Latimer, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, and Michael Elkin, CFO of the Claims Conference (Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany). They. WJCS CEO Seth Diamond, and Allison Danzig, Coordinator of WJCS Holocaust Survivor Services, spoke to the guests, which also included many WJCS Board members, about the joy of Sukkot and how special and inspiring it is to celebrate the holiday with survivors, who have overcome a horrific past and build productive lives that are models of strength and resilience.
The luncheon, catered by Seasons of Scarsdale, was co-hosted by partners UJA-Federation of New York, the Claims Conference, and Wolfensohn Family Foundation.
Class of '53 Returns to SHS: How Old Are They? Do the Math!
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As Scarsdale High School’s class of 2026 cheered on the Raiders at their last high school homecoming game on Friday September 26th, over at the Royal Sonesta in White Plains another generation of graduates happily toasted to a reunion of classmates turned life-long friends.
Coming from as far away as New Mexico and Texas, members of SHS’s class of 1953 not only celebrated a reunion of their peers, but a special milestone birthday as they collectively turn ninety this year!
Before the cocktail party, the alumni were treated to a meet and greet with SHS’s current Principal Mr. Ken Bonamo and Assistant Principal Andrea O’Gorman. Though it was a busy, celebratory day with a pep rally and evening homecoming festivities, the duo happily met with their esteemed guests to reminisce about Scarsdale High School in the yesteryears.
As the group came together in the Little Theater (formerly the school library), they met each other with delighted enthusiasm, happy to reconnect and to discuss all the changes that have taken place since 1953.
After an engaging Q and A session with Principal Bonamo, the alumni were then treated to a private tour of the high school led by current SHS students. As the group wandered the halls, it quickly became a walk down memory lane with one former student describing how Scarsdale High School prepared her to attend college in Ohio after graduation.
Another alumni who traveled all the way from California, noted the importance of how inclusive and accepting Scarsdale High School is and that he was impressed by the huge advances in technology available to current students.
While touring the contemporary library, another alum shared that he was the former editor of the Maroon (the SHS student-run newspaper). He went on to describe his time as president of the Harvard Crimson and how he is now writing a memoir about his rich and storied life.
The organizer of the reunion, Karl Panthen, felt that though he organized a get-together every five years, this year’s reunion was particularly special considering that the group was turning ninety. He also expressed his appreciation for his peers traveling from all over the nation to come together to share their memories and to honor those who are no longer with us.
The class of 1953’s reunion at Scarsdale High School was a powerful reminder that SHS has long produced thoughtful, curious, kind, and generous graduates. May their enthusiasm carry on as the class of 2026 prepares to take their next steps into the bigger world.
