Depot Wine and Liquor, a busy, upscale retail establishment, will hold its eagerly-awaited “Second Annual Tasting Extravaganza” on Saturday, December 10th from 1 – 5PM, announced the store’s manager Ryan Venezia.  The tasting fete is doubling as a fundraiser:  10% of the sales from all wines on that day will be donated to United Way of Putnam County.

Loyal customers will get the chance to sample over 50 wines, spirits and cordials from around the world.  A good wine should accompany good food, of which there will be a plentiful offering from local gourmet restaurants near Depot’s shopping center.  On the menu too are wine lectures, prizes, giveaways and live music by local bands.

“It’s going to be a fun day for our customers,” says Venezia.  “For people who are shopping for the holidays, they will get to sample a vast array of wine and spirits that will make for ideal holiday gifts.”

Admission is free to the “2bd Annual Tasting Extravaganza” at Depot Wine and liquor, 100 Independent Way in the upper level of the shopping center.  The phone number for further information is 845-279-0112.

By: Bruce Lynn

Paws for a Cause is a joint effort between Westchester K-9 and Margaret Rizzuto Photography to help support the Putnam Humane Society (PHS).

The Putnam Humane Society (PHS) cares for hundreds of animals each year.  Participating in this event is a fun and easy way for you to help make a difference at the Putnam Humane Society while getting professional portraits of your pet.  Participants should call Margaret Rizzuto Photography at 845 621-3183 to schedule their pet’s mini session.  Sessions and a 5×7 gift print are complimentary with donations.  Scheduling in advance is encouraged.

For more information or to schedule your session, please visit, www.westchesterk-9.com/pawsforacause or phone the studio at 845 621-3183.  Raffle prizes sponsored in part by Groomingdale’s, Bella Moda Hair Salon, Herban Essentials and more!

The Putnam Human Society is a non-profit organization serving Putnam County, and relies on donations from businesses and individuals to help support their programs.  The mission of the PHS is to promote responsible and compassionate care for animals.

PARENT / GUARDIAN PARTICIPATION REQUIRED.

Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $85.00 Non 4-H Members; $65.00 for 4-H Members  (includes enrollment & workbook materials).

Paid registration reserves your spot – Prior Participants not eligible

Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program,
in partnership with the Whipple Foundation and Tilly Foster Farm.
4-H Junior Farmer Registration Form — First Come, First Serve — Due with payment before April 1, 2011

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Child’s Name:______________________________________________ Age:________
Parent / Guardian’s Name:_________________________________
Address:______________________________________________

City:______________________ Zip:____________

Phone Number:______________________ Alt. #:______________

Email: _______________________________________________

(Please Print) : _________________________________________

Please make check payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County
Send to: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County
Terravest Corporate Park—1 Geneva Rd. * Brewster, NY 10509

For additional information on how to enroll your child in 4-H please call Cornell Cooperative Extension (845) 278-6738 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/putnam

The May 15 performance will focus on music by Scandinavian composers, and is scheduled to include, “The Rustle of Spring” by Sinding, “Finlandia” by Sibelius, “Festive Overture” by Alfven, “A Winter’s Tale” by Lars-Erik Larson, “Norwegian Rhapsody” by Svendson, and Grieg’s “Symphonic Dances Op. 64″.

After living in Carmel for three years and getting tired of traveling down to the city to find Salsa venues, Harry and his wife decided to start teaching and launched the Salsa Picante Dance Studios at 571 North Main Street, 2nd Floor in Brewster in hopes of forming a community of like minded people who had the same passion for Salsa as they did.

After teaching for about six months, they saw it was catching on and  decided to start doing Salsa events.  Harry felt that that they would be able to enjoy the dancing themselves and encourge the community of Salsa aficionados they were building to be able to enjoy the dance without having to travel so far.   In addition to being a Salsa instructor, Harry is also a promoter and DJ so he spins the tunes at all of his events.

During the last two and a half  years that Harry and his wife have been teaching Salsa, they hosted Salsa dances with live bands, a Salsa Cruise to Bermuda, a weekend Salsa event in the Catskills, which by popular demand is coming back this August 19-21, 2011, and they recently began combining a Comedy Series followed by dancing that has worked out very well and growing in popluarity.   

The Trindad’s have some great things in store this coming year like a Pre-Valentines day Salsa dance in Sciortino’s Restaurant in Brewster on Saturday February 12^th, featuring the  world famous and Grammy nominated band, The New Swing Sextet as well as another Catskill Salsa Weekend in August.

The Trinidad’s have built a great community of students and have made many good friends in the process.  “We are very proud of what we have accomplished and have been shown much gratitude and appreciation many times over for what we have brought to the community.  Salsa dancing is an activity that almost anyone can do and something that can bring much joy to someone’s life.”  Salsa dancing has the benefits of exercise for cardio health and keeping your mind sharp as you focus on learning the various turn patterns and techniques.

For more information about Salsa dancing and signing up for one of their dancing classes, visit their website at http://www.meetup.com/salsapicantedance.  Classes are only $10 each with no committment.  Give it a try.  Don’t have a dance partner?  Don’t worry, solo dancers are welcome and you will meet new people and make new friends.

Story Synopsis:

Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives.

Cast
2 women and 2 men
Readings will be done from material provided.
Sylviais scheduled to be performed in March-April at the Melrose School, 120 Federal Hill Road Brewster, NY 10509. Produced by Rachel Halko and directed by Daniel Mulvilhill.

For further information and directions, please go to www.brewstertheater.org or leave a message at 845-598-1621.

This event is made possible, in part, with public funds from the Artslink Program, combining or using both State and County dollars. In Putnam County, the Artslink Program is administered by the Putnam Arts Council.

Saturday Nov. 13, 2010
8:00 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church
Route 6
Brewster, NY

Sunday Nov. 14, 2010
3:00 PM
United Methodist Church
300 Main Street
Mount Kisco, NY

$15 Regular Admission
$12 Students & Seniors
Children under 12 FREE

ALSO THIS SEASON
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Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 4, 2010 — 7:30 pm
United Methodist Church
83 Main Street, Brewster, NY
FREE
Join the Chorale and a Brass Quintet in a musical celebration of the season.  Carol singing for the audience.  Child friendly—Following the Brewster Tree Lighting
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Handel’s Messiah
Community Sing Along—Audience Participation
Saturday, December 11, 2010 — 8:00 pm
Gilead Presbyterian Church
7 Church Street, Carmel, NY

Partial funding for this program was provided by The Putnam Arts Fund which is supported by public fundsfrom Putnam County and administered by The Putnam Arts Council.

For More Informtion contact:
The Putnam Chorale
P.O. Box 982
Carmel, New York 10512

845-279-7265 or  http://www.putnamchorale.org/

In the Tour de Putnam, cyclists have the opportunity to choose a route length to suit their own riding ability. Clearly marked and color coded 15, 30, 50, 75 or 100 mile routes take riders through breathtaking Putnam County countryside whose scenic roads weave and wind and are bordered by history itself. Mountain bikers will have their own woodland loop awaiting them as well. 

The SAG supported event will open for registration at 7:30 with staggered starting times beginning at 8. Pre-registration is $25; same day registration is $30. For an on-line registration form visit: http://www.visitputnam.org/. Registration includes a t-shirt, picnic lunch and entertainment by a Dixieland band.

Ride Info:
- Full SAG support
- Clearly marked, color coded routes
- Easy to follow cue sheets
- Bike mechanics courtesy of Bikeway (845) 621-2800
- Route sweeps
- Medical support
- Complimentary massages
- Access from the Southeast Station, on Metro-North’s “Harlem Line”
call 1-800-METRO-INFO
- Free Shuttle service from the Southeast Station with (reservations only),
call 800-470-4854 or 845-225-0381

Times
Check in and same day registration 7:30 to 9:00 am.
Food and water stations are open from 8:30 – 3:00 pm

Ride Start time
- 100 miles, 8 to 9 am
- 75 miles,  8 to 9 am
- 50 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 30 miles,  8:30 to 9:30 am
- 15 miles,  9:00 to 10:00 am

- Mountain Bike loops   9:30 am

Fees
Pre-registration $25.00
Same day registration $30.00

Registration includes t-shirt, picnic lunch, and Dixieland band. No children under 12. No bike trailers or child seats.

Free shuttle service from the Southeast Metro-North Train Station will be available but entrants are reminded to make reservations for the shuttle by calling: (800) 470-4854 or (845) 225-0381.

So strap the bikes onto the car or load them onto a Metro-North train but don’t miss a fabulous ride through Putnam County – where the country begins.

Resource: Marty Collins, The Putnam County Times;  http://www.visitputnam.org/

Photo credit: Tony Mazzariello