Support-Connection

Maggie Barbieri, author of a popular mystery series, will speak at a benefit luncheon on Friday, Dec. 3rd, from 12 noon – 3 pm at The Travelers Rest, Route 100, Ossining, NY. Proceeds from the event will benefit Support Connection, Inc., a Yorktown-based not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

Maggie Barbieri, a Westchester County resident, is the daughter of a retired New York City police officer and a life-long Nancy Drew fan, so mystery writing has been in her blood since she was a child. She is currently a freelance writer and textbook editor, in addition to being the author of the Murder 101 series which stars college professor Alison Bergeron and her New York City Detective boyfriend, Bobby Crawford. “Third Degree,” the fifth installment in the series, was published in November 2010.

Ms. Barbieri will talk about: “Living Your Best Life in the Face of Life’s Obstacles.” In 2005, on the same day, Maggie received both the best news and the worst news someone can receive: She was offered a two-book deal to write a mystery series and was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma. During the past five years in which she had surgery, twenty doses of radiation, and five different cancer treatments, she has made it her goal to live as normal a life as she could in the face of this devastating obstacle. She says: “Writing, literally and figuratively, saved my life. By writing about death, and pursuing my dream conceived long ago when I was reading my Nancy Drew books, I was able to transcend the negativity that a cancer diagnosis can bring. Not content to be put into the role of ‘patient,’ I instead took on the role of ‘writer.’ Five years and five books later, I am here to tell my story.” With 5 popular novels under her belt, Maggie is an entertaining & insightful speaker. Learn more about her at www.maggiebarbieri.com.

The event will feature a delicious lunch courtesy of The Travelers Rest restaurant (http://www.thetravelersrest.comThere will also be a silent auction and raffles, as well as book sales and signings by the author. Cost is $50 per person and reservations are required. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: call Support Connection at 914-962-6402.

SUPPORT CONNECTION, INC. is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Founded in 1996, Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., but through their toll-free hotline and website they serve people throughout the country. With Support Connection, those living with breast and ovarian cancer don’t have to face it alone. To learn more, call 914-962-6402 (toll-free: 800-532-4290) or visit www.supportconnection.org.

Many Ramble events highlight themes such as the Revolutionary War, Great Estates, Hudson River School artists, Greenway Trails and the Hudson River Estuary. Whether you are interested in a challenging hike, bike or paddle, an inspiring walk through the grounds and homes of some of the Valley’s most notable artists, authors, and Great Americans, a trip back in time to experience the significant role the region played in the Revolutionary War, or a family-fun festival or river exploration event, the Hudson River Valley Ramble truly offers something for everyone.

In addition to many historic sites that are participating in the Ramble [CLICK HERE] for their calendar of events. the Fishkill Historical Society will be participating in the Dutch Heritage weekend September 11 th & 12th at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum. On September 11th & 12th at 2:00 PM, Firth Fabend will give a talk on the Hudson River Valley’s Dutch Culture. Guided Tours will be given in the Museum both days.

On September 18th & 19th the Fishkill Historical Societyand the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot will sponsor a Revolutionary War weekend dedicated to the thousands of Continental Soldiers and Militia Regiments who were stationed at the Fishkill Supply Depot (1776 – 1783). On Saturday, September 18th, the 5th New York Regiment – Revolutionary War re-enactors – will have an encampment at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum – from 10:00 AM until approximately 9:00 PM when “TAPS” will be played. Guided Tours will be given in the Museum both days.

Also on September 18th, a dramatization of the Major John Andre – Benedict Arnold Conspiracy (230th Anniversary re-enactment of their September 21st 1780 meeting and plot to allow the British to capture West Point) will be presented at 1:30 PM at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum.  Guided Tours of the Fishkill Supply Depot Headquarters i.e. the Van Wyck Homestead, and guided walking tours explaining the Fishkill Supply Depot, which was the largest supply camp of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, will be conducted until 7:00 PM.

The Van Wyck Homestead Museum located at 504 Route 9, Fishkill, New York, 12524 at the junction of I-84 and Route 9.  For more info call  845-896-9560.

Whatever your interest, the Hudson Valley Ramble has hundreds of activities for everyone to enjoy… so go out and explore the beautiful Hudson Valley.

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

The Garrison

Looking for a delicious and fun way to spend the summer evenings on the banks of the majestic Hudson River that is affordable for the entire family?

Every Thursday night, rain or shine, from July 8 through August 12, 2010, The Garrison throws a party under the stars on its front lawn. A casual barbecue buffet with all the trimmings is served from 6:00pm until 7:45pm. Music starts at 6:00pm. A different live band is featured each week, with music ranging from rock to blues and jazz – this year Soulsystem will open our season.

Barbecue and Music is $25 per person, $ 12 for children 12 and under, children 2 and younger are free. To enjoy the music and dancing only (no barbecue) please come after 8:00pm ($10 cover charge). Neat, informal summer attire (shorts OK).

Pre-purchase tickets for a free drink!

For additional info and to purchase your tickets, please call 845-424-3604  or email donnagallo@thegarrison.com

About the Garrison

Located an hour north of New York City in the picturesque Hudson Highlands, The Garrison is a 300-acre property with sweeping 360 degree views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountainous landscape. Open March through December, The Garrison offers guests an 18-hole golf course with stunning views, a critically-acclaimed fine dining restaurant called Valley, overnight accommodations in the four-room Inn (member of Small Elegant Hotels and Vintage Hudson Valley), private event spaces for weddings and celebrations, and a day spa and yoga center.

Info above obtained from http://www.thegarrison.com/

Don’t Miss Another Event in Putnam County… sign up for our Free weekly  ”Things To Do Guide” newsletter.

 “Show Your Support Night” is a night of family fun and FUNdraising for a great cause! It’s minor league baseball at its finest with the Hudson Valley Renegades vs. the Auburn Doubledays. For only $15, pre-purchase a ticket package that includes a grandstand reserved ticket, a food/soda voucher and a guaranteed giveaway. To benefit Support Connection, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Order online at  http://www.gadesgroups.com/ (password “support”) or call Kaitlin at 845-838-0094 ext 222.

WHERE: Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.  Only 1 mile from I-84 on Thursday, July 8, 2010.  Gates open 5:30 pm; Game starts 7:05 pm.

“Show Your Support Night” is being held to kickoff plans and registration for Support Connection’s 16^thAnnual Support-A-Walk for breast and ovarian cancer awareness. The Support-A-Walk, scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010 at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights, is a 3-mile walkathon held each year to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer. Proceeds from Support-A-Walk directly fund Support Connection’s free, confidential breast and ovarian cancer support services. Each year, thousands of people from across the Hudson Valley come together for this uplifting community event. Participants walk in celebration of or in tribute to those affected by these diseases. To learn more about Support Connection or the Support-A-Walk, visit www.supportconnection.org.

Find us on Facebook.

CURRENT 2010 runs through October 11, 2010.  The exhibition features 9 regional artists and 25 sculptures sited on the majestic grounds of Boscobel House & Gardens and along the banks of the Hudson at Garrison Art Centeron Garrison’s Landing in Garrison, New York.   This year’s featured artists are Emil Alzamora, Leonda F. Finke, Kevin Forest, Mara Haseltine, David Hayes, Brett Hunter, Eric David Laxman, Judith Steinberg and Jay Wholley.

CURRENT 2010 is made possible by the generosity of Exhibition Benefactors, Lisa and Lloyd Zeiderman of Garrison, Jasmine Swann and John Wieker of New York City, and Angelina Fiordellisi and Matt Williams of Garrison.

Corporate sponsors Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill, Riverview Restaurant, D. Yannitelli Fine Wines and Spirits, and Grey Printing , all businesses in Cold Spring, New York, make it possible for 100% of the proceeds from party admission to benefit the need-based scholarship fund.   Admission is $35 per person.   Reservations are required, 845-424-3960.

For more information on Garrison Art Center programs and events, visit garrisonartcenter.org.

This season will take the audience to the Trojan War where love turns to infidelity in the bedroom and on the battlefield.  A cast of celebrated Greek heroes bring intrinsic values of honor and love into question with Troilus and Cressida. From classic war time battlefields to the battle of the sexes, the question ‘who’s taming whom?’ will be answered with classic wit in the comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. And what would a season at HVSF be without an all out irreverent takes on Shakespeare, in this case The Bomb-itty of Errors, a comic hip-hop rapping romp through The Comedy of Errors?

The Bomb-itty of Errors, directed by Associate Artistic Director Christopher Edwards, opens the season on Saturday June 19 (previews begin Tuesday, June 15).  The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Kurt Rhoads opens on Saturday, June 26 (previews begin Friday, June 18).  Terrence O’Brien, Founding Artistic Director of the Festival, directs Troilus and Cressida which opens Saturday, July 3 (previews begin June 16).

Performances begin at 7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (grounds open for picnicking at 5pm); 8pm Friday and Saturday (grounds open at 6pm); and 6pm on Sundays (grounds open at 4pm).

“I am very excited about this season. It’s a great mix of plays and a real exploration of men, their views on women and the world. It should offer some interesting dialogue with our audience. As I work on Troilus and Cressida I am struck by the fact that the play doesn’t really seem to fit into any true Shakespeare “categories”. It seems to defy what we’ve come to expect – taking on somewhat of an experimental form said Mr. O’Brien.  “I am also very happy to welcome Festival veterans Chris Edwards and Kurt Rhodes back this season as directors of our two other shows.

Watch the interview with the actor’s from last year’s Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.  Don’t miss this year’s performance, it is sure to be terrific!!

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has inspired and delighted audiences with its vigorously original interpretations of the great works of William Shakespeare for twenty-three seasons to much critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Journal News and numerous other national and regional  publications.  Founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien has maintained a commitment to making the timeless plays accessible to all audiences, relieving the burden of heavy language and over-dramatization that so many equate with Shakespeare.  “We want the audience to feel the same way about the plays as we do,” explained O’Brien.  “The stories are timeless and we work to eliminate the affectation so often associated with Shakespeare.  Our productions are lively, fast-paced and reflect our own excitement.  You know it’s working,” he continued, “when you not only have people return season after season but every year they bring more new friends.”

The region’s only professional resident Shakespeare Company, HVSF, makes its home under an open-air tent theater perched high up on the banks of the Hudson River on the grounds of the historic 19^th Century Boscobel estate in Garrison, New York. Using the dramatic views of the Hudson Highlands and the sweeping vistas from the elegant lawns of Boscobel as near-perfect stage scenery, the critically acclaimed Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presents unparalleled productions with the perfect marriage of theater and nature. Audience members are invited to arrive two hours early in order to enjoy a picnic meal – with one of the most spectacular al fresco views – on the grounds of the estate.

“Populism without pandering: That’s the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s style and I’ve never seen it go wrong.” –—Terry Teachout, the Wall Street Journal

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Ticket prices for all performances are $29-$47.  Tickets are available through the HVSF Box Office, which opens May 3: 845-265-9575 and are now available online at hvshakespeare.org.  Discounts are available on most nights for groups, students, senior citizens and children 12 and under. The Festival offers several special packages, including a tour of the Boscobel mansion and Exhibition Gallery plus tickets.  In addition discounts at local hotels and restaurants are also available.  For packages and information visit the Festival website, http://www.hvshakespeare.org/ and are available through the box office.  On-line sales are currently available.

For more information about the 2010 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, as well as information about their ongoing Education and Community Outreach Programs, contact the Festival at (845) 265-7858.

On the day of the tour, after you sign up and register, you will receive directions and a map of the locations that participate on the tour.  You go at your own pace.  Stop and start whenever you like.  See as many locations as you want.  This year’s special feature, with only 90 tickets being sold, is a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house on Petra Island in Mahopac. The tour is open from 10 a.m. to  4 p.m. Tickets are $30 advance, $40 on the day of the tour.   $90 for the Frank Lloyd Wright house tour plus all gardens ($100 on day of tour if available).

The warmth of the homeowners and property managers during previous year’s tours reminded me of how truly special Putnam County and its residents are.  Everyone was so warm and friendly as they greet tour guests stopping by to say hello and stroll the gardens.  Pride beamed from their faces as they shared their gardening tips. The advice I heard over and over from these creative gardeners was that building a garden takes time and you should follow whatever design you personally like – be creative. For all of you new gardeners, now is the time to be inspired.   Previous Secret Garden Tour’s included the Miriam Yekutiel residence in Brewster who incorporated whimsical, recycled materials into their garden. Miriam enjoyed sharing her passion for landscaping, which she discovered as a little girl growing up in Israel. 

Another gem in Cold Spring is Stonecrop Gardens.  I felt like I was transported onto the grounds of a French Chateau high over the valley. If you explore the gardens you might come across a handsome prince… for Stonecrop holds many hidden treasures including a life-sized frog tucked away in a gorgeous arbor created using all natural materials. Stonecrop is open to the public, and I highly suggest visiting this garden as often as possible. For all gardening enthusiasts, let the Secret Garden Tour inspire and delight you on all the possibilities your own garden can achieve.  All of the gardens on the tour evolved out of woods or plain grass over a period of 10 to 15 years, so be patient and create one section at a time.  Before you know it, your garden maybe the next stop on the Putnam County Secret Garden Tour!!

For information and reservations, call 845-278-PARC, ext. 287 or Buy tickets online at www.partnerswithparc.org

Putnam County..the best place to call home. [CLICK HERE] to find out what else is going on in Putnam County.

Art Halperin, an award-winning songwriter, singer, composer, producer and artist, has had a long connection with Haiti and the Caribbean for over 25 years.  His wife, Nadeje, was born and raised in Port-au-Prince and came to the United States in 1978.

Due to their very personal connection to Haiti and that they still have many family members and friends there, the Halperins are utilizing their talents and resources to raise much-needed funds to help the devastated people of Haiti.  All donations, which are tax-deductible, will go to the “Stand for Haiti” initiative of Partners in Health, a registered nonprofit organization that has since 1983 provided relief to Haiti through medicine and trained medical staff.

“We couldn’t sit by while so many people are suffering,” said Nadeje.  “The heartbreaking scenes unfolding in front of us are made worse with the knowledge that their pain will continue for years to come.”

The benefit concert will feature Halperin’s band ‘Work Of Art’.  Playing their own uniquely styled music, they have successfully toured throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, both headlining and opening for many acts such as Santana, Jerry Garcia, The Police, Eric Clapton and others.

Other performers scheduled to appear include Urban Folk and Jazz artist K.J. Denhert, Broadway stars Craig Schulman and Tamra Hayden, as well as interactive live painting by Artist Zaza Noah.  Zaza Noah, who was born in Africa and currently lives on the Caribbean island of St. Barth, will be painting live to ‘Work of Art’s’ music and her artwork will be auctioned off at the end of the show.  Her works have been in exhibitions throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the United States.  The evening will be hosted by 100.7 WHUD radio personality Andy Bale.

Partners in Health (PIH – www.pih.org), is a 501(c)(3) organization and is affiliated with Harvard Medical School, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  Leveraging the resources of these world-renowned institutions, PIH brings modern medical science to areas of the world where it is needed most.  Founded by Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim (current President of Dartmouth College) and others, PIH today has the strongest health presence in Haiti, where in 2009 it treated 2.6 million patients there with clinic visits, vaccinations, mobile health care and hospital services.

The concert is being produced in partnership with Work of Art, Sword in the Stone Records Inc., the Paramount Center for the Arts, 100.7 WHUD, Pamal Broadcasting and LF Communications, Inc.

Tickets will be available at the door (cash and checks only) with a suggested minimum donation of $10; more gratefully accepted.  No advance tickets will be available.  Tickets purchased by check are tax deductible and should be made out to “Partners in Health” with “Stand for Haiti” marked on the memo line.  The Paramount Center for the Arts is located at 1008 Brown Street in Peekskill, New York.  For information, please visit www.paramountcenter.org or www.WOAHaitiBenefit.com.

Article submitted by: Lisa Fine Communications