On Our Minds

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 02 February 2014; Created: 02 February 2014; Last Updated: 06 February 2014; Hits: 8079

Bee Winners Florie Wachtenheim, Terry Simon and Seth Ross

The Fourth Annual Friends of the Scarsdale Library Spelling Bee had all the elements for a dramatic evening .... great expectations, spelling starlets, returning champions and the promise of youth.

Four swarms , each with five cleverly-named teams of spellers competed in the first rounds, followed by a final round with the four finalists. PTA moms entered as the "Bee Tee Council and the "PT Bees", returning champions Lucas Meyer and Esther Sloan were joined by Robert Berg in "Hip to Bee-Square,

Hip to Bee-Square, Robert Berg, Lucas Meyer and Esther Sloan

and "The Presbeeterians with Heather Gilchiest Meili and Stephen Meili were back to see if they could repeat their success from prior years. Trigens, Brian Guggenheimer and Randy Guggenheimer with Stephie Miller were also former players as well as the Library Trustbees, Terry Simon, Florie Wachtenheim and Seth Ross --who won last year with different teammates. Five teams of Scarsdale High School students also showed great promise. Fresh from reviewing their SAT words, these teens were forbidding challengers.

Following introductory remarks Spelling Bee Co-Chair Renu Lalwani and Library Director Beth Bermel, Co-Chair Sara Werder introduced the judge :Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Village Trustee Jon Mark and eagle-eye Margaret Smith from the Spelling Bee Committee.

PTBees Neela Mathias, Angela Manson and Ronit Fisher took second place

Voice of the Mets Ed Coleman began the games opening with the word P-A-V-I-L-I-O-N. Two teams were out immediately, including a second "L" to write P-A-V-I-L-L-I-O-N. The remaining teams, save The Presbeeterians, had a quandary over the word Q-U-A-N-D-A-R-Y and Swarm A was over after just four words.

However Swarm B was just the opposite and proved to be the longest in the history of the Bee as the teams went through seventeen words before Seth Ross, Terry Simon and Florie Wachtenheim emerged the victors.

One team was eliminated after they spelled J-A-C-K-K-N-I-F-E with one K (fooled me!) and two more teams fell on the word P-L-E-B-E-I-A-N –(who knew there was another E, following the B?)

The remaining three teams all misspelled Rorschach, so they all stayed in until the Trigens were

Bee Judges Margaret Smith, Amy Paulin and Jon Mark

eliminated by the word D-Y-B-B-U-K (an evil spirit in Jewish folklore) and the remaining team failed to spell Q-U-I-D-N-U-N-C correctly. No surprise as I had never even heard the word "quidnunc" before, no less spelled it. I later found out it means "a person who knows the latest news or gossip," and had a good laugh. The Library Trustbees emerged the winner of that most-difficult round.

Onto Swarm C where the word P-A-S-T-I-M-E quickly knocked out one team who included a second "T" in the center, with the others falling away on H-I-R-S-U-T-E,
and S-A-C-R-I-L-E-G-I-O-U-S leaving the PTBees, Ronit Fisher Angela Manson, Neela Mathias to go onto the final round.

B Sharps, Harry Chalfin, Justin Cooper and Charlie Musoff won Swarm D

In Swarm D of SHS students, three teams were quickly knocked out by the word A-B-S-C-E-S-S and the remaining teams spelled macabre, lacquer and feign correctly until the double H in B-E-A-C-H-H-E-A-D left the B Sharps with Harry Chalfin, Justin Cooper and Charlie Musoff to battle the adults in the finals.

After refreshments and a wonderful trivia quiz for the audience led by Carolyn Mehta and Christine Bensche, the four finalists were back to see who would take the title for 2014. While in the previous round teams wrote the words on erasable boards and held them up for the judges to review, this round was done orally with a representative from each team taking the mike without notes to spell the word.

Adorable Little Bees

Unfortunately the pressure of the oral presentation was too much for the teen team who was knocked out when they forgot the "A" in
D-I-A-P-H-R-A-G-M though they remembered the "G." The Presbeeterians lost the contest by including an "I" rather than an "E" in
C-U-R-V-A-C-E-O-U-S leaving the Library Trustbees to battle the PT Bees for first place. They traded some difficult works including "grosgrain" "inchoate" and "chartreuse" until the PT Bees tripped up by using a "U" rather than a "Y" in D-I-P-T-Y-C-H (a pair of painted or carved panels that are hinged together). Seth Ross of The Library Trustbees advanced to the mike to spell M-I-S-C-H-I-E-V-O-U-S and won the contest for the TrustBees for the second year in a row. (Last year's winners included Ross, Barbara Josselshon and Warren Breakstone.)

Jay A to Z, Lee Berke with Frank and Michelle Lichtenberg

Awards were announced by Christine Bensche and presented by three adorable little B's. Everyone in the audience was smiling and had visions of letters dancing in their heads.

Friends of the Library Say Thank You!

To the Editor: On behalf of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library, we would like to express our gratitude to so many in the community for making our fourth Spelling Bee a tremendous success. The funds raised will be used to upgrade the Library's lobby and entryway.

Our congratulations to all the team members and particularly to our winning team, the Library Trust-Bees (Seth Ross, Terri Simon, and Florie Wachtenheim)!

We would like to thank our fantastic emcee Ed Coleman; our judges NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Deputy Mayor Jonathan Mark and Spelling Bee Committee member Margaret Smith; our photographer Larry Smith; our tech crew including Steve Bogardus, Dave Berry, and Kamal and Rohan Mehta; and our many "worker bees" who helped out during the evening.

Please support our generous sponsors: Platinum: Thomson Reuters; Diamond: Mercedes-Benz of White Plains, Paul Hastings LLP, and Sara & Rick Werder; Gold: Country Bank, Houlihan Lawrence, Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, Drs Renu & Anil Lalwani, and Margaret & Laurence Smith; and Silver: Christine & John Bensche, Buzz Potential Inc, Coldwell Banker, Linda & Jonathan Flaxer, Frank's Home Improvements, Drs Lopa & Mantu Gupta, Prudential Centennial Realty, Rachele Rose Day Spa, William & Cynthia Roberts, Vintology, and A.G. Williams Painting Company. Numerous "Friends of the Bee" also made donations to help us achieve our goal.

Our heartfelt appreciation to TestTakers for donating an SAT study course; our other auction and raffle donors (Pole Position Dance & Fitness, Rachele Rose Day Spa, Skin TheraP, SoulCycle, Steve Sohn's Jujitsu Concepts/Krav Maga, and Yoga Station); our team prize donors (BlueQ.com, Chat, Eastchester Fish Gourmet, Masala Kraft, Moscato, and Patisserie Salzburg); and our refreshment donors (DeCicco Family Markets, Fresh Market and ShopRite).

And we are BEEholden to our unBEElievable committee: Christine Bensche, Liz Blagg, Ellen Brodsky, Mona Longman, Carolyn Mehta, and Margaret Smith.

Sincerely,
Renu Lalwani and Sara Werder, Spelling Bee Co-Chairs

Details: Written by Ali Farfel; Published: 27 January 2014; Created: 27 January 2014; Last Updated: 27 January 2014; Hits: 5032

sower The Southern Westchester Food & Wine Festival will be back this year from September 19 to 21 and will feature a September weekend of outdoor culinary events. This past September, SOWE attracted over 7,500 attendees to an epicurean celebration, featuring over 100 sponsors, 75 restaurants, celebrity chefs, and more.

"Last year's festival was so well received, and the feedback was so strong, we had to expand the schedule and programming to accommodate everyone," stated Richard Baumer, Founder of SOWE. "Every restaurant, vendor, attendee, sponsor, media partner, chef, and charitable organization, expressed an interest to participate on an ongoing basis." Last year's Festival took place in a fully tented Scarsdale Village, featuring the best Westchester food, wine, beer, music, kid's activities, chef demonstrations, book signings, and celebrity meet & greets.

The weekend's festivities will showcase gourmet food samplings from hundreds of Southern Westchester's top restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and pit masters, plus over 300 award winning wines and craft beers from around the world. Attendees will also experience celebrity-chef cooking demonstrations, product displays, book signings, live music, children's activities, and more!

Weekend events will include:
• Friday, Sept 19, 2014: SOWE Best Chef Battle
• Saturday, Sept 20, 2014 SOWE BBQ & Jazz Bash
• Saturday, Sept 20, 2014 SOWE Concert and Food Truck Parade
• Sunday, Sept 21, 2014 SOWE Grand Tasting Village

This year's program will include an outdoor concert in Harbor Island Park (Mamaroneck, NY), a chef competition, a BBQ tasting competition, and well as a chance for restaurants, wineries, pit masters, cheese mongers, breweries, and specialty culinary providers, to distribute tastings.

Ticket sales will begin in June, 2014.

The producers of SOWE are looking for volunteers who want to help make this year's event even better. They are seeking committed part time volunteers from January until September, .Schedule is flexible and can accommodate kids pick-up times, etc. If you would like to be part of the team to plan the 2014 program email SB@sowefwf.com

To sign up for email alerts visit: www.sowefwf.com. For more information contact Rich Baumer at rb@sowefwf.com or 917-733-3900

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 14 January 2014; Created: 14 January 2014; Last Updated: 14 January 2014; Hits: 4194

ScarsdaleWomensClub League of Women Voters of Scarsdale Winter Cocktail Party Fundraiser
The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale will kick off 2014 with a cocktail party fundraiser open to members and friends on Saturday, January 25th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at 65 Church Lane, Scarsdale, NY. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by visiting the League's website at www.lwvs.org and clicking on "Event Tickets" or writing a check made out to LWVS and mailing it to Janice Starr at 65 Church Lane, Scarsdale, NY. Those interested in joining the League can visit www.lwvs.org or join at the party.

Scarsdale Forum Celebrates 110 Years
The Scarsdale Forum will host its sixth annual membership party celebrating its 110th anniversary on Saturday, February 1st at the Scarsdale Woman's Club, 37 Drake Road from 7 to 11 PM. The snow date is Sunday, February 2nd, 4 to 7 PM.

Members of the Forum and their guests can look forward to an evening of lively conversation and friendship to chase away the winter weather blues. A delicious buffet dinner prepared by Jensina Olson and the home-brewed beers of resident brew meister, Bruce Wells are some of the evening's highlights. Several member and guest pianists will set the mood in the music room. As guests stroll though the beautifully appointed Scarsdale Woman's Club, the boutique Vintage Via Carrie will offer unique items for purchase. Dessert will feature the home baked goods of member bakers and the donations of local vendors.

All members and their guests will receive a benefit journal that will include a history of the Forum. Businesses, not for profit organizations and individuals are invited to purchase ads for inclusion in the journal.

The Scarsdale Forum is a civic organization dedicated to improving life in Scarsdale. The Forum studies many issues affecting the Village and frequently provides input to governing bodies and elected officials on the local, county and state level via reports and statements prepared by its committees. Scarsdale residents are encouraged to join the Forum and come to the best party in town! All profits from the event will be used for the digitization of the Forum's historical records and to support the public programs offered by the Forum throughout the year.

Admission is $25 per person and limited to members and their guests. Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are encouraged. Please RSVP by Monday, January 27th.

Advanced reservations, membership renewal and joining the Forum for the first time can be done online at: www.scarsdaleforum.com or by mailing a check to Scarsdale Forum Inc., 24 East Parkway, P.O. Box 86, Scarsdale, NY 10583. For additional information regarding the event or to purchase an ad in the journal, please contact the Forum office at 914-723-2829 or office@scarsdaleforum.com.

Details: Written by Administrator; Published: 21 January 2014; Created: 21 January 2014; Last Updated: 21 January 2014; Hits: 4914

ChelseaJump Looking for a Bar or Mitzvah destination that is sure to thrill the thirteen year-old guests? Chelsea Piers – now with two locations, Manhattan and Stamford, Connecticut offers state-of-the-art sports facilities and expert instructors and is an ideal setting for unique and exciting activity-based parties. Kids can enjoy basketball, soccer, dodge ball, flag football, rock climbing, batting cages, ice skating and more. The Stamford facility also offers a super fun Trampoline Center. Experienced party facilitators oversee the kids' activities, allowing adult guests to relax and watch the action while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Finish off the night with dinner and dancing in one of the dedicated party rooms or, in New York, the popular Sunset Terrace with Hudson River views. Experienced event managers customize each celebration, ensuring a perfect unique and affordable celebration you and your guests will never forget.

Contact: chelseabarmitzvah
Chelsea Piers New York
212.336.6777
events@chelseapiers.com
www.chelseapiers.com/events

Chelsea Piers Connecticut
203.989.1005
events@chelseapiersct.com
www.chelseapiersct.com/mitzvah

(This posting was sponsored by Chelsea Piers)

ChelseaMitzvah2

Details: Published: 05 January 2014; Created: 05 January 2014; Last Updated: 05 January 2014; Hits: 3541

spellingbee On Friday, January 31 at 7:30pm, people of all ages will swarm to the Scarsdale High School auditorium for the fourth annual Friends of the Scarsdale Library Adult and Teen Spelling Bee. Veteran teams will compete against novices, parents will compete against their children, and librarians will compete against patrons, all in support of the Library.

The fun starts when the doors open at 7:00pm. Silent auction items include an eight-week TestTakers SAT prep course valued at $1995, a 64GB iPad valued at $890, and a facials/Botox package from Skin TheraP worth $675. Raffle prizes include classes at SoulCycle, Yoga Station and Fly Gym, baskets of children's games, and more. Raffle tickets can also be purchased at the Library on January 18 from 12-4pm and on January 25 from 10am-2pm. Ticket holders need not be present to win.

Admission to the Spelling Bee is $5, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Audience members will be entertained by trivia quizzes served up between rounds. Ed Coleman, the voice of the New York Mets, will once again play emcee. NY Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Mayor Robert Steves, and Spelling Bee committee member Margaret Smith will serve as judges.

Proceeds from the 2014 Spelling Bee will enable the Library's lobby and entryway to go from vintage to au courant. The upgrade, which will include a flat screen for digital signage and new display cases as well as additional indoor and outdoor furniture, will help move the Library into the 21st century.

The Friends are grateful for the generous support received from the sponsors of the Spelling Bee. To date, sponsors at the Diamond Level are Mercedes-Benz of White Plains, Paul Hastings LLP, and Sara and Richard Werder. At the Gold Level, sponsors are Houlihan Lawrence, Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, Drs. Renu and Anil Lalwani, and Margaret and Larry Smith. Those who are interested in sponsoring the Bee by making a donation of $250 or more should contact Renu Lalwani at 472-4310. In addition, anyone can become a "Friend of the Bee" by making a donation of any amount. A donation form is available at the Library's website.