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.

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″.

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

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.

In addition, the museum presents various changing exhibits, drawing on its extensive collection of antique farm and household implements, quilts, clothing and assorted Americana reflecting 19th century material culture. The museum is located on Main Street, Brewster in one of Putnam County’s largest landmarked buildings, the 1896 Old Town Hall, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Southeast Museum’s website is a wealth of information. All the information in this article was obtained from their website, such as the history of the American Circus noted below.  Visit the museum conveniently located on Main Street in the heart of Brewster in one of Putnam County’s largest landmark buildings, the 1896 Old Town Hall, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The museum right down the street from the Metro North Train Station and next door to the Brewster Library.  You can also visit their website for more history and information at http://www.southeastmuseum.org

The Early American Circus: Traveling Menageries
During the 19th century, farmers in and around Southeast began to invest in a new and unique business venture. This area would later become known as the cradle of the American circus. In, 1793, Englishman John Bill Rickets introduced Americans to the circus at his arena in Philadelphia where trick riding was featured along with clown acts in the same show.
In the 1830′s, farmers in Southeast began showing menageries, collections of exotic beasts from far away lands. They soon combined the menagerie show with the acrobatic entertainment of trick riding and these early circus entrepreneurs began taking their show on the road. This early practice of touring unusual animals proved profitable in the rural areas of the Hudson Valley. In fact, circus entrepreneurs took these wagon “mud” shows up and down the east coast. By the 1850′s American circuses were a big business and they began to travel abroad, bringing back to American even more unique items and animals.

Hachaliah Bailey, from nearby Somers, Westchester County, brought the first elephant “Old Bet” to the United States in 1796. Bailey exhibited “Old Bet,” until her death in 1816. Somers is home to the Elephant Hotel, built by Hachaliah Bailey in 1820-1825. The building served as a meeting place for menagerie owners.
  
The Circus in Southeast and Brewster
The circus had a large impact on the Town of Southeast as it provided employment for many local businesses,  blacksmiths, feed and grain stores, wagon makers and painters. Many showman and circus people came from Southeast. Nathan and Seth B. Howes began their show business careers at early ages, in Southeast.
In 1811, Nathan formed a small circus company made up largely of his friends and family, including 11 year-old Seth. Seth B. Howes would later become one of the foremost circus businessmen in the area.From 1850-1853, Seth B. Howes managed a circus project for P. T. Barnum. He later toured Europe and England, performing before heads of state. Seth B. Howes retired in 1870. With the wealth he accumulated, Howes remodeled the family home Stonehenge, located at the foot of Brewster Hill Road.

In 1893,with concerns about the large earthern dam being constructed behind the family house, Seth B. Howes moved to Turk Hill Road. There, he built a castle-like home, Morningthorpe, that is based on the Howes’ ancestral home in England. A golden elephant once stood guarding the entrance to this majestic house.

The kids will also enjoy attending the Leather Workshop at the Southeast Museum on Saturday, and while you are in the neighborhood, stop by Tilly Foster Farm and meet and learn about the rare and endangered American Blue Rabbit.   For your listening enjoyment, head over to Cold Spring on Sunday night for their sunset concert series.

A special note, on Monday, August 24 the Mahopac Library is hosting the 4th Annual Anime Extravaganza for teens grades 6 & up. The kids can enjoy some Japanese snacks, cosplay and a continuous showing of popular Japanese anime, including the screening of volume one of Kenichi: the Mightiest Disciple.

Below is the list of what is going on in Putnam County this weekend.  For all details [CLICK HERE] to access the Calendar of Events.

Friday, 21 August, 2009
03:00 PM – 07:00 PM  Putnam Valley Farmers Market
08:00 PM – 09:30 PM  Murder in the Library! (Grades 6-12) Registration Ends 5pm 8/20

Saturday, 22 August, 2009
08:30 AM – 01:30 PM  Cold Spring Farmers Market
09:00 AM – 02:00 PM  Brewster Farmers Market
09:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Chuang Yen Monastery
09:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Kent Lakes Farm Market
09:00 AM – 05:30 PM  Salinger Orchard Farm Market & Bakery
09:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Tilly Foster Farm Community Garden
09:30 AM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: Home on the Hudson: Women & Men Painting Landscapes 1825-1875
09:30 AM – 05:00 PM  Explore Boscobel House & Gardens
10:00 AM – 01:00 PM  Brewster Book Sale
10:00 AM – 04:00 PM  Explore Tilly Foster Farm
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM  Children’s Leather Workshop
11:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: George Pope Morris – Defining American Culture
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Meet the Animals: Rare Animals Breeders Host Public Program
11:00 AM – 06:00 PM  Russel Wright – Manitoga House & Garden Tours
11:00 AM – 07:00 PM  Southeast Town Beach – Lake Tonetta
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: Judy Sigunick& Ed Smith
12:00 PM – 06:00 PM  Town of Southeast – Markel Park Pool
01:00 PM – 03:00 PM  Open Roller Skating in Mahopac
02:00 PM – 05:00 PM  Book & Media Sale at Desmond Fish Library
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM  Meet the Animals: Rare Animals Breeders Host Public Program

Sunday, 23 August, 2009
08:00 AM – 04:00 PM  Patterson Flea Market
09:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Chuang Yen Monastery
09:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Kent Lakes Farm Market
09:00 AM – 05:30 PM  Salinger Orchard Farm Market & Bakery
09:30 AM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: Home on the Hudson: Women & Men Painting Landscapes 1825-1875
09:30 AM – 05:00 PM  Explore Boscobel House & Gardens
10:00 AM – 04:00 PM  Explore Tilly Foster Farm
11:00 AM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: George Pope Morris – Defining American Culture
11:00 AM – 06:00 PM  Russel Wright – Manitoga House & Garden Tours
11:00 AM – 07:00 PM  Southeast Town Beach – Lake Tonetta
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM  Art Exhibit: Judy Sigunick& Ed Smith
12:00 PM – 06:00 PM  Town of Southeast – Markel Park Pool
01:00 PM – 05:00 PM  Book & Media Sale at Desmond Fish Library
05:30 PM – 07:30 PM  Cold Spring Summer Concert Series