Spotlight on Sheila Benedis, Artist

A Portrait of Autism: Artists and Their Works, With Sheila Benedis

On April 14, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC) hosted their 10th Annual Autism Awareness Month Special Event, A Portrait of Autism: Artists and Their Works. The virtual event featured four artists who talked about how their experiences as autistic individuals have shaped their artistic expression. Key among them wasour very own Sheila Benedis. The event included a sampling of their artwork and a Q&A with the artists.

If you missed it, you can find a video recording by clicking the button below.

And you can see Sheila’s most recent work here.

Click Here

Special Observances, April 24-30

April 24: National Pigs in a Blanket Day

National Pig-in-a-Blanket Day is celebrated across the world. Pigs-in-a-blanket, a dish made by wrapping pork sausage in bacon, is most common during Christmas. This dish is made with different variations in different parts of the world. In the United States, pigs-in-blankets are often baked by wrapping hot dogs or sausages in biscuit dough, croissant dough, or a pancake. These are usually made small and are served as an appetizer, though they can be served at any three mealtimes. These are also found with little differences in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Canada, and Japan. Children of America enjoy this dish for generations.

April 25: World Penguin Day

World Penguin Day aims to raise awareness about these flightless birds to preserve their species so future generations get to see these elegant and remarkable creatures. This day coincides with the annual northern migration of Adélie penguins, a pattern inherent and conserved across generations. Eight species are native to Antarctica. Most penguins are monogamous and have unique calls to assist them in finding their mates in large groups. Most species lay up to two eggs in a season. The King and Emperor penguins lay only one. Alarmingly though, of the 18 known living species, 10 have been listed as endangered.

April 26: Hug a Friend Day

Hug a Friend Day is the time to celebrate your favorite people on earth. Friendship has a huge impact on mental health and happiness, relieves stress, brings comfort and joy, prevents loneliness and isolation. Hugs may release a hormone called oxytocin into the bloodstream, which helps lower blood pressure, heart rate, and the stress hormone cortisol.

April 27: National Tell a Story Day

Stories have the undeniable quality of transporting us to another time and place as we sit snug in our seats. Stories are also great bonding material since people create memories as they immerse themselves in the storytelling activity. Whether they happened in real life or are a product of our imagination, stories form an interesting part of human society. In the old days, they were used as history recording tools as well as entertainment. From “Aesop’s Fables” and ancient Egypt’s hieroglyphics to modern-day Harry Potter, storytelling is no different today with the advent of shows, books, poetry, etc.

April 28: National Blueberry Pie Day

National Blueberry Pie Day on April 28th each year ushers in blueberry pie-making season. Blueberry harvest begins in April and lasts until September giving us a long season full of blueberry enjoyment. We’ve been enjoying blueberries in pies since early American settlers arrived. In 1872, the first documented recipe for blueberry pie appeared in the Appledore Cook Book. Blueberries are abundant in Maine, so it’s no surprise that blueberry pie is the state’s official dessert! (And just FYI: New York’s state dessert is cheesecake! Which you can top with blueberries, of course.)

April 28: National Peace Rose Day

National Peace Rose Day honors a well-known and fruitful garden rose. The light yellow to large cream-colored flowers of the Peace rose have slightly flushed crimson pink petal edges. It is a hybrid tea rose that is hardy, vigorous, and highly resistant to disease. French horticulturist Francis Meilland developed the Peace rose between 1935 and 1939. When Meilland foresaw the German invasion of France, to protect the new rose, he sent cutting to his friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany, and the United States. It is believed these cuttings were sent to the United States on the last plane available before the German invasion. Each country that received a cutting gave the rose a different name. The United States named the rose “Peace.” The national flower of the United States is the rose. Later in 1945, Peace roses were given to each delegate at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations, in San Francisco, with a note that read: “We hope the Peace rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.”

April 30: Bugs Bunny Day

National Bugs Bunny Day commemorates the date the famous bunny first appeared in a short film in 1938. Known for his comical antics, Bugs Bunny created memorable roles in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons produced by Warner Bros. The wascally wabbit caused many a raucous scene for his castmates Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam, Porky Pig, Pepe Le Pew, and Marvin the Martian. However, his eminent counterpart was forever the estimable hunter, Elmer Fudd. He first appeared in 1938 in Porky’s Hare Hunt as a Happy Rabbit but later solidified his character as Bugs Bunny in the 1940 A Wild Hare. Over the years, various actors have voiced the animated bunny. However, Mel Blanc originally voiced the iconic “Eh, what’s up, doc?” voice and he did so for almost 50 years. 

Art by Hart

A riding mower was not the open two-seater Scott had hinted about

For days, Gigi had been trying to come up with the name of her wonderful hair stylist

At 83 Teddy and Tuffy still fought over their favorite stuffed toy

Mrs. T solved the "simple, eco-friendly wedding" challenge for $2.36 plus tax

Mrs. Closky never should have eaten the barista

Art and photos by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal . . .

Happy Birthday, Liz Laite! By Cynthia Ferguson

A dinner-time cascade of “orchids” spoon together, by Art Brady

Alida garden studio residence available, by Edward Kasinec

Beckoning spring path, by Edward Kasinec

Magnolia trees at Rockwood Hall, by Harry Bloomfeld

Pink harbingers of spring, by Edward Kasinec

A lovely bunch of skunk cabbage in Rockwood Hall, Brook Trail, by Marianne Bloomfeld

And Way Beyond . . .

There are moments when someone tells us of something that that person has done in their lives, which leaves us gaping. Case in point: Martin Smolin. He sent a photo. Not an easily recognizable photo. When I asked, he explained casually, as if it ‘twer nothin’ at all: “While on a recent parachuting course in the Chilean Andes, I got this terrific photo of Sierra Montearbol in the northern part of the country. Just like to share it with everyone here.”

So, for you who are also not contemplating a parachuting course in the Chilean Andes (or anywhere else, for that matter), here’s what it looks like from a parachute:

Coming Soon to a Gathering Room Near You . . . NY State Government

MaryJane Shimsky, Representative, 92nd District

April 21, 2 PM, in the Gathering Room, our Albany Representative will be here at Kendal to give us an update on what’s doin’ in the New York State Legislature and hear from us, her constituents.

A lifelong environmentalist, Shimsky has been most recently involved in the Holtec efforts to dispose of Indian Point nuclear power plant wastewater into the Hudson. The company has put that on hold off until early May, saying it wishes to “further engage” on its plans with elected officials. Shimsky will surely be glad of the opportunity to “further engage” with her constituents on the issue this Friday.

Fox News . . . No, Not That Fox, Our Fox

Muriel Fox is still getting press — in The NY Times, no less — and with vim and vigor, too. In her April 13 column, “How 90 Became the New 60,” Gail Collins features Muriel Fox (“a feminist pioneer”) and her signature feistiness: “ “Ninety is the new 60. I’ve got several great friends in their 100s.” (And we know who they are!)

Did you miss it the Op Ed piece? If so, click below for the link:

Click Here

Special Observances, April 17-23

April 17: International Bat Appreciation Day

International Bat Appreciation Day is a chance to show our flying and mostly nocturnal friends some love. There are over 1,400 different bat species and, contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t blind. Bat Conservation International (BCI) was founded in 1982 by a group of concerned scientists who recognized the importance of protecting bats. Bats contribute towards controlling pests, create rich fertilizer for landowners, and pollinate fruit and flowers. BCI aims to conserve bats and their habitats through a combination of education, conservation, and research. 

April 18: National Animal Crackers Day

Who can resist the iconic treats of our childhood on National Animal Crackers Day? They have been part of American childhood memories since the late 1800s when brought from England where animal crackers were invented. Animal crackers are one of the best-recognized food products on the planet today. Who knew that the little menagerie of zoo and circus creatures that delighted us as children would later become one of our fondest childhood memories – and a simple guilty pleasure for us as adults?

April 19: National Banana Day

National Banana Day takes place on the third Wednesday in April. Have an amazing day doing the best thing with bananas . . . eating them! Bananas are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. The edible berry fruit that grows in fingerlike clusters, there are thousands of banana varieties, with world-wide popularity. Bananas are beneficial and versatile, and can be used in puddings, muffins, pies, sandwiches, bread, cakes . . . and more.

April 20: National Lima Bean Respect Day

The Andes’ Inca Empire considered limas one of its most common and basic food. Though famously referred to as “butter beans,” lima beans have many more names than any other bean, including the wax bean, chad bean, sieva bean, double bean, Rangoon bean, Burma bean, and Madagascar bean. Lima Bean Respect Day, however, was created to give recognition to the wonderful, tasty, nutritious legumes, lima beans. People observe this day by making delicious lima bean recipes and enjoying them with friends and family.

April 21: Thank you for Libraries Day

Thank You for Libraries Day is celebrated to appreciate the contribution of libraries to society and their roles in transforming lives. The first systematically organized library in the world dates back to the 7th century B.C. According to historians, the birth of libraries marked the end of prehistory and the start of history. The first libraries were nothing more than archives for commercial transactions or inventory records. Now, libraries are a collection of materials, books, or media that are accessible by the public. In most communities, they are the center of art and culture and help drive creativity and innovation. There are currently over 110,000 libraries spread across the United States.

April 22: National Jelly Bean Day

Who can resist sweet jelly beans on National Jelly Bean Day? While similar candies existed before the jelly bean, confectioner William Schrafft made them popular during the Civil War. With their firm exterior, jelly beans were the first candies sold by the pound. Schrafft encouraged customers to send them to Union soldiers. In the 1930s, jelly beans became closely associated with the Easter holiday thanks to their egg-like shape. Now, jelly beans are available all year long.

April 23: Spanish Language Day

Spanish Language Day celebrates the second most spoken language in the world. Currently, there are more than 450 million native Spanish speakers in the world. Spanish is also the third most studied language in the world, behind English and French. Our own Harriet Barnet teaches Spanish here at Kendal (along with English to those whose first language is Spanish). Spanish is also one of six official languages of the United Nations. 

For Your Funny Bone . . .

Know Your Mate, contributed by Jeff O’Donnell

A man and woman were married for many years.  Whenever there was a confrontation, the old man would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back to haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Neighbors feared him.  The old man liked the fact that he was feared.  One evening, he died.

After the burial, her neighbors, asked, “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?”

The wife said, “Let him dig.  I had him buried upside down…and I know he won’t ask for directions.”

Art By Hart

At 13, Chester was embarrassed by every single word his mother said

Rena made all her colleagues happy

Vernon needed to feel seen and heard 24/7

Nat's Lotto was entirely unregulated, but Leona felt lucky

Medusa finally found a pet-friendly senior residence that took her COBRA insuranc

Photographs and art by Jane Hart

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Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.