Art by Hart

Lilly thought Tom was cute, but it was an unlucky time of year to start a relationship with a turkey

Wardwell hadn’t checked the pockets of his blazer for mice

Georgette found her split ends exasperating

Mitzi dreamed she had grown much bigger than a dinosaur

Sandee wondered if she ought to have Rara Avis printed on her business cards

Art and photos by Jane Hart.

In and Around

November Birthdays

Photo by Harry Bloomfeld

Kendal: River-side

Papa Boat and Baby Boat, by Joe Bruno

Kendal: Land-side

Autumn Iris, by Carolyn Reiss

While Strolling in the Park One Day . . .

Early Morning, by Carolyn Reiss

Life, Death, and Permanence, by Philip Monteleoni

Sihlouettes, by Philip Monteleoni

The Beauty and Drama of Day’s End

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Time to Say "Thanks!"

A few reminders—from actual resident commendations—of why we value our Kendal staff:

[The cleaning team] did an absolutely amazing [annual cleaning] job—no nook or cranny was left untouched.  It was wonderful to come back to such a clean apartment. (Housekeeping)

Whatever he is doing, he makes it his job to help residents feel comfortable. He has always gone out of his way to ask me how my day has been. He makes sure that residents are given exactly what they want to eat. (Dining Room Server)

[He] did an excellent job today . . . on our Tour of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown . . . residents gave [him] a well-deserved round of applause and their thanks . . . (Kendal Transportation)

Faced with an energetic two-year-old and easily distracted five-year-old, she was kind, patient, and amazingly responsive to their needs as well as those of my adult guests. (Dining Room Server)

I spoke to him about a dinner for a guest who is a strict vegan.  He promptly suggested that he could put aside a portion of the vegetarian dish [and] make it vegan. When we appeared in the Bistro, the vegan dinner was attractively presented to our guest and she enjoyed it. (Chef)

He is always cheerful, quick to help, and so responsive when you call. We are so very fortunate to have him! (IT Staff)

******

We’re not allowed to tip here at Kendal—no matter how wonderful staff members are. Instead, twice a year we donate to the Staff Appreciation Fund to:

Show Our Appreciation!

It’s easy to want to do so—and easy to forget! So, consider this a friendly reminder just in case. The box is at the main desk in the lobby.

It’s easy. Make your check out to KoH Residents Association (and in the Memo line, write: SAF) and drop it in the Staff Appreciation box at the Main Desk.

Do you have a favorite employee? Several? Many? ALL?

Please don’t forget to say “Thanks!” Especially at this time of actual Thanksgiving. What would Kendal—and our individual lives—be without them? When November ends, so does the drive.

Weekly Construction Report

KENDAL on HUDSON 

Together, Transforming the Experience of Aging

COMMONS REFRESH BULLETIN

issued Friday, November 14

During the week of November 17th:

• The temporary kitchen is fully functional

• The Chefs will move back to their new office, and Christie and Jorge will move

to the computer room while they work on their offices

• Demo will continue in the main kitchen area

• Flooring will be installed in the Terrace Lounge area

• Sprinklers will be installed in the new Terrace Lounge area

Formal Dining Room, Transition, and Back Area of the Kitchen

I Never Knew That

The Cleopatra/Mark Antony Drinking Club

Because Cleopatra’s life and legacy is mired by propaganda that painted her as cunning and improper, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction in tales of the Egyptian queen and her storied relationship with Roman politician Mark Antony. But while some accounts of their extravagance were exaggerated, these two ancient leaders undoubtedly liked to party. One winter, they formed a drinking society called the Inimitable Livers, which convened nightly for debauchery—although historians are divided on whether that debauchery was in service of the Greek god Dionysus or just for fun. 

Social activities of the Inimitable Livers, in addition to drinking, included feasting, hunting, and playing dice. According to the Greek historian Plutarch, who wrote one of the more sympathetic accounts of Cleopatra’s life in his biography of Antony, the drinking group was also partial to games and pranks. Plutarch described Antony and Cleopatra disguising themselves in servants’ clothing and taking to the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, to poke fun at ordinary people. He also noted that they would take plenty of abuse in return, even when people figured out who they actually were.

After Antony lost the decisive Battle of Actium against Julius Caesar’s heir Octavian, the couple dissolved the Inimitable Livers and formed the Society of Partners in Death, which also may have been associated with Dionysus. Plutarch wrote that this club, despite its more somber name, feasted just as extravagantly.

Source: historyfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal

A New Day Begins in Kendal-land

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

And, Suddenly, They’re Gone

The last goat, herded into his transport, begins the journey back to Stone Barns, by Carolyn Reiss

Checking to Make Sure No Goats Were Left Behind?

Photo by Joe Bruno

The Actual Move Begins . . .

Carolyn Reiss managed a peek into the temporary kitchen now being established in prep of old-kitchen’s renewal.

A New Development: The Senior Computer Desk

Photo by Joe Bruno

And Evening Slowly Turns to Night

Photo by Sue Bastian

Photo by Philip Monteleoni

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Out and About

The Trek Continues

Henry Neale and his intrepid Croton Aquaduct Walkers have reached Dobbs Ferry, having started at the Croton dam! Pictured here is Hildegarde Gray standing in “The Croton Arch of Triumph,” a 2022 sculpture by artist/architect Dionisio Cortes Ortega at the old Keepers House in Dobbs Ferry. It gives you an idea of just how big the aqueduct is! Using historically-accurate materials and working to scale, Ortega re-created a cross-section of the original Old Croton Aqueduct Tunnel completed in 1842.

Kendal-Tripping Out

Recently intrepid Kendalites visited the William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation in Mt. Kisco for a docent-led tour of the organization’s art. The mission of the Foundation is to educate the public about the importance of art and to increase public awareness of self-taught and emerging artists. The Foundation's collection is made up of pieces by over 200 self-taught and contemporary artists.

Photo by Ruth Dinowitz

Faces of Ossining: An Exhibit at the Bethany Arts Community

A group of interested Kendalites attended the opening of “Faces of Ossining,” a show of local portraits by artist Jack Berkowitz.

Kendal artist Jane Hart says of the show:

“Wonderfully dynamic portraits—technically right on, and so dynamic and engaging in their size (big!) and simplicity. They make the traditional  conventions of portraiture (like backgrounds, formal poses and even frames) seem unnecessary and even intrusive. While a few are in full-color pastel, most are dramatic in black and white, graphite and pencil on paper.” 

Amanda Slattery works with artist Berkowitz on more than art. He is also a chef who provides meals to indigent people in the area. Amanda helps prepare bag lunches—some Thursdays and Fridays—while he cooks. Seem like something you’d like to volunteer for? Contact Amanda for more information.

Maintaining a Healthy Level of Insanity in Senior Living . . .

At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on, point a hair dryer at passing cars and watch them slow down! 

Skip down the street rather than walk—and see how many looks you get.

With a serious face, order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat.

Sing along at the Opera.

When the money comes out of the ATM, scream “I Won! I Won!”

When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the car park, yelling, “Run for Your Lives! They’re Loose!”

Contributed by Barbara Wallach

Emphasizing the “Giving” Part of the Season: Food Bank Donations

Food Banks, in any season, look for help in the form of donations and volunteers. This season—when both Thanksgiving and Christmas come around—the need only increases. Kendal has its own food drives (see flyers in the elevators). This week we also had emails from the school foundation and the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown asking for help, and thought we would pass them on should you be so inclined.

From the Villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown

This week, the leaders of the local food pantries serving the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow met to discuss ways they could work together to assist those who need extra help while SNAP benefits are delayed, reduced or cancelled. Many in our community have expressed a wish to help those who need it. Local food pantries are serving approximately 500 families at their distributions, and more than 1,000 people in our communities, and this was prior to the shutdown.

The following takeaways from that meeting may help those wishing to help, or those in need of assistance (click on the bolded words for more information):

  • If you would like to support food distribution organizations, donating money is the best way to do so. The organizations are able to purchase in bulk at discounted prices and stretch a dollar farther than any individual donor. This clickable flyer lists all of the local organizations working to alleviate food insecurity in the two Villages.

  • On Tuesday, November 18th, all of the organizations will be getting together to host a joint registration event at the Warner Library from 6-8pm for anyone who needs assistance. This event will allow anyone in Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow who needs assistance to register for multiple food distributions at once. No single food distribution event can provide adequate food for a month, which is why the organizations are collaborating to provide multiple layers of support.

  • In addition to the food pantries, there are two other organizations specifically serving Seniors.

  • The Neighborhood House provides a hot lunch every weekday for $3/meal. It is a substantial meal and is part of the Town of Greenburgh's Nutrition program.

  • It Takes a Village is a volunteer organization that helps Seniors who wish to keep living in their homes. They will deliver groceries, or food pantry distributions to any Senior who is eligible.

  • For those who are interested in assisting a neighbor in need directly, or for someone who would like to sign up for an additional layer of support, the Village is working with community organizations to pair neighbors who want to assist, with neighbors who need assistance while the federal government shutdown is still in effect. If interested in signing up to be a “Grocery Buddy” fill out this form.

From the Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns

Dear friends,

As you are likely aware, beginning November 1st, anyone who receives SNAP will not have their account refilled.

These are members of our community, many of whom work full time jobs, many of whom are neighbors, students and staff in our schools, many of whom have families much like your own. Caregivers who have even more difficult choices to make right now.

We encourage you, our friends and community supporters, to make a donation to the Sleepy Hollow High School Food Pantry if you are able to do so. This grassroots food pantry was established in 2022 by our very own Jacki Geoghegan, and serves over 400 families with children of all ages in our District.

The SHHS Food Pantry does have regular partners including Feeding Westchester, the TASH, Stop & Shop and the Union Church of Pocantico Hills. However, at this moment in time, resources are being cut across the board, and food distributions are unreliable.

How can we help? Any donation is a significant donation. 100% of any money donated through the Foundation goes directly to the SHHS Food Pantry which uses those funds to purchase food for their registered families. The Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns facilitates contributions through our 501(c)(3) status allowing your donations to be tax deductible.

Donations and more information available through link below:

To donate to the SHHS Food Pantry, click here

With much gratitude,

The Foundation for the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns

I Never Knew That

The Eagle Once Depicted on U.S. Coins Had a Real Name

Not unlike Leo the Lion, who roars at the beginning of many a movie produced by MGM, the eagle seen on early US coins was a real creature with a surprisingly common name: Peter. In a rather patriotic confluence of events, none other than an eagle took residence at the US Mint in the 1830s—roughly 50 years after the bald eagle was added to the national seal. The noble raptor would reportedly while away his days at the mint before being shooed away after working hours. As he and his human colleagues would eventually find out, however, industrial workplaces are no place for birds. Peter was mortally injured after his wing was caught in a coining press in 1836 and died a few days later despite workers’ best efforts to save him.

But his story does not end there. Peter’s friends and colleagues were not ready to say goodbye to him, as he’d become both a companion and mascot, so they hired a taxidermist and placed his stuffed remains on display in the building’s entrance; he still inhabits the current Philadelphia Mint. Historians believe the eagle featured on the silver dollar issued from 1836 to 1839 was based on the “magnificent specimen” that was Peter, as was the Flying Eagle one-cent piece issued in 1857 and 1858—a fitting tribute to a bird who clearly inspired many.

Source: historyfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

© Kendal on Hudson Residents Association 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 all rights reserved.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.