They were at it again, those French-loving Kendalites. As always ahead of the times, all Kendal was invited to celebrate Bastille Day on Sunday, July 13—and Francophiles responded dramatically.
There was wild dancing in the aisles:
Very wild—Mon Dieu!
Photos from Simone (with help from Caroline Reiss)
Coming soon to your cubbies is a “ballot” that looks like this:
Fill it out and drop it off at the red collection box at the front desk. Let your choice be heard—and seen! But note: once you’ve received your ballot, you only have until August 15 to respond. Don’t dawdle!
It’s here! On the Terrace Level. Down the long hallway towards the far door to the Fitness Center. It’s The Window! Our view to the construction world of Refresh. The following pictures were taken over a weekend. Get ready for the work week!
Yes, it looks like an actual window!
Issued by Ellen Ottstadt
In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson absentmindedly left his cup of soda with a stirring stick in it on the porch overnight. Temperatures dipped below freezing that evening, which was a rarity where Epperson lived in Oakland, California. This unusual frigidity proved to be a blessing in disguise.
The next morning, Epperson discovered his drink had frozen over and transformed into a delicious icy concoction, which he dubbed the “Epsicle.” Epperson showed the creation to his classmates, who loved it, as well.
After becoming a parent, he introduced it to his own children. His kids referred to the refreshing treat as “Pop’s ’sicle,” and the name stuck. In 1923, he began selling the dessert at Neptune Beach near San Francisco, and the Popsicle went on to achieve popularity worldwide.
Source: historyfacts.com
As usual, Dr. Moore-Grey’s underwater dentistry practice was booked solid
Junior was glad Uncle Stew had forgotten the details of the William Tell legend
Born a flying fish, Hackerman evolved into an amphibian, and spent much of each day counting his steps
The bad news: it was raining plastic The good news: it was only a drizzle
Carleton couldn’t resist pulling out one of Bossie’s whiskers
Art and photos by Jane Hart
Art and photo by Sheila Benedis
Photo by Philip Monteleoni
Photo by Carolyn Reiss
Photo by Mimi Abramovitz
Even the fungi flourish under the trees! Photo by Edward Kasinec
A shy Alida neighbor, by Jane Hart
A-peeling bark, by Carolyn Reiss
Fungi Feast, by Edward Kasinec
A Very Old Fellow, by Carolyn Reiss
Photo by Hubert Herring
Recently, a Carolina wren set up housekeeping in a flower pot on the Herrings’ deck. Six babies resulted. They have now flown off to seek their fortunes. (No thank-you notes were left.)
Photo by Carolyn Reiss
For those of you longing for goat-contact without the burden of trail-walking, there’s good news: the goats have been moved to the nearest point to Kendal. Seek and ye shall find!
However, someone else might just be interested, as well. Coyote noticed (and photographed) by Rich Shields.
Photo by Carolyn Reiss
Photo by Stan Amburg
Photo by Ruth Dinowitz
Kendalites travelled to Kingston to the Hudson River Maritime Museum—and then back in time to the steamboat era. Especially evocative: the Mary Powell’s really, really big wheel, seen here behind the group.
There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.
Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.
I have many hidden talents. I just wish I could remember where I hid them.
My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.
Exercise helps you with decision-making. It’s true. I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again!
Four out of three adults have trouble with math.
Contributed by Barbara Wallach
For those of us not blessed with a green thumb, it’d certainly be helpful if our plant friends could tell us when they need attention. Well, it turns out they do—we just can’t hear them.
In early 2023, scientists from Tel Aviv University revealed the results of an investigation into whether plants make sounds in ultrasonic frequencies. Previous studies had established that plants can hear sounds, despite not having ears, so it seemed possible that they could create sounds without mouths. After isolating plants in a soundproofed acoustic chamber and a greenhouse and then recording them, the researchers were able to train a machine learning algorithm to differentiate sounds among three disparate plant states: unstressed, cut, or dehydrated.
Unstressed plants made little noise and continued along in their usual happy routine of photosynthesizing, but cut and dehydrated plants let out frequent small pops and clicks in a range too high for humans to hear. Stressed plants produced up to 40 of these clicks per hour, while dehydrated plants increased clicks as they got more and more parched. Although tomato and tobacco plants were originally tested, other crops were found to produce similar noises.
It’s possible some animals that can hear in frequencies beyond human capabilities could respond to these noises. If a moth were trying to find a suitable plant to lay its eggs, for example, it might skip one that’s popping in distress.
Big mysteries remain: For one thing, scientists don’t know how plants are making these sounds in the first place. All we know for sure is that the quiet lives of plants are not nearly as quiet as they seem.
Source: Interestingfacts.com
Contributed by Jane Hart
Contributed by Norman Sissman
Contributed by Norman Sissman
Contributed by Barbara Bruno
Contributed by Barbara Wallach
Effie’s dentist offered a cuddly support heron
Ruffin was still obsessing over the bad call that ended his little league career
Unsure if it was Friday or Saturday, Franklin took a vote
Gleason turned white as a sheet when AI told him what his puppy was really saying
Wentworth loved finding inchworms on Aunt Sadie
Hope I Collage
Art and photo by Sheila Benedis
A perfect Fourth in Rockwood Park, by day, by Edward Kasinec
And by night, too.
Photo by Harry Bloomfeld
Boy, is Bambi’s mom gonna be ticked. Edward Kasinec noticed him (her?) and siblings, all adorable in their spots and spindly legs, in Rockwood Hall, under the watchful eye of mom (she demurred from being photographed).
Photo by Edward Kasinec
Later that day, Jane Hart just happened to be at Phelps, when who should appear but . . .
Photos by Jane Hart
No indication of whether there’s a ring leader or this was a group decision. Just don’t tell their mom.
Lynn Brady journeyed to Briarcliff for a traditional Fourth of July fireworks display. And display, it did!
Photos by Lynn Brady
Our traditional Fourth-of-July Emcee and producer of grand galas, Muriel Fox.
Frank Neuwirth read the Declaration of Independence
The Kendal Singers presented The Bill of Rights and two traditional American anthems: We Shall Overcome and America the Beautiful
Philip Monteleoni presented a new “E Pluribus Unum,” creating an American flag that stresses pride in America’s identity as a nation of immigrants.
Philip Monteleoni’s flag, excerpted from his Fourth of July remarks:
I wanted to show that we are a nation of immigrants, and it should be seen as a positive thing.
This nation was founded by people who came from elsewhere. Even the Native Americans, who were here when Europeans arrived, had come from Asia. They were the first people into this historically empty continent.
I am an immigrant, as were my father and mother. [In his new flag] our flag, Italy, is the red, white and green one sort of in the center. There are 77 national flags, out of many more, arranged alphabetically, starting with Afghanistan on the upper left and ending with Vietnam at the bottom right. They speak to the amazing and rich potpourri, or melting pot, that fuels the energy and creativity of our beloved nation.
At this moment of persecution and hounding of our latest immigrants–don’t forget, we are all immigrants–I would like to read the poem that Emma Lazarus, in 1883, composed to raise money to build the masonry base for the gigantic copper statue that France had sent over as a gift to celebrate the first centennial of our democracy, and our abolition of slavery during the Civil War.
She entitled her poem, THE NEW COLOSSUS. Yes, the last six lines have been overused and are too familiar, but I wish to read the whole 14 lines, which are in standard sonnet form.
The flag for a nation of people who came from someplace else (and the nations from which they came outline below it):
Contributed by Philip Monteleoni
The Goldenaires present a new, revised, 2025 version of “I’m Gonna Wash That Man . . .”
The Statue of Liberty was busy that night, so Ginny Bender stood in for her. Oh, yes, and Ginny also provided the piano accompaniment.
Bobbi Roggemann discussed the odd friendship/competition between two of our greatest founders: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
In our annual Fourth of July “Debate” the topic was “Does the US Supreme Court Need Fixing and What Would Be the Best Way to Do It?”
Carol Monteleoni presented the argument for increasing the size of the Court.
Stan Amberg presented the argument for maintaining the status quo.
Anne White presented the argument for term limits.
Gerry Mahoney added up the votes and . . .
Term limits took the day (or night).
Photos by Carolyn Reiss
If Adam and Eve were Cajuns, they would have eaten the snake instead of the apple and saved us all a lot of trouble.
We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages: Metamucil and Ensure.
Weight loss goal: To be able to clip my toenails and breathe at the same time.
After watching how some people wore their COVID masks, I understand why contraception fails.
Some of my friends exercise every day. Meanwhile I am watching a show I don’t like because the remote fell on the floor.
For those of you who don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version. It doesn’t listen to anything.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts his sails.
To be continued . . .
Contributed by Barbara Wallach
In the ongoing shocking goat-sex exposé, we have received news that The Billy has arrived. Investigative photographer Carolyn Reiss has been able to capture photos of him in silhouette and, later, closer up. As you can see, he is short, dark, and handsome-ish (well, for a goat). We await the next step.
All alone on a hilltop
Up closer and personal
Photos by Carolyn Reiss
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Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.