Wednesday Night Lecture on Historic Preservation in Sleepy Hollow

On Wednesday evening Kendal will be treated to a lecture by Sara Mascia and Len Andrew on the proposed Historic Preservation Law for the Village of Sleepy Hollow

Years ago, Nicholas Robinson drafted an Historic Preservation Ordinance which was adopted by Tarrytown.  A similar ordinance was also proposed for Sleepy Hollow, and the Planning Board recommended its adoption.  However, the Sleepy Hollow Village Board did not act on the recommendation.  Now, with Sleepy Hollow preparing a Comprehensive Plan, and with the inner village being threatened by gentrification, it is time for the Village Board to reconsider an ordinance.

Landmark preservation has become settled law, and a model landmarks law for New York State municipalities has been published.  The reasons this law should be enacted by Sleepy Hollow will be discussed by Sara Mascia, Executive Director, Historical Society of Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown, and Kendal resident Len Andrew, a long-time resident of Sleepy Hollow. 

All residents are invited  join in for this important discussion.

It will take place on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30 pm, in the Gathering Room.

Trips, Trips and More Trips

On Wednesday , Sept. 5, the Trips Committee will be sponsoring a trip to the Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers

Now a city park, the gardens, designed for Samuel Untermyer, a wealthy lawyer, were among the best in America in the 1920s and 1930s but were too costly to keep up after his death in 1940.  They were in ruins when the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy started restoring the gardens in 2011, and in a short time it has achieved wonders.  The trip will focus on the Walled Garden, based on Indo-Persian gardens of antiquity.

"Stephen Byrns, a New York architect with a substantial practice came upon the site and was mesmerized. The important remaining feature, in addition to the “Temple of Love,” was a walled Persian garden. The water feature had gone dry, the pools and surrounding mosaics were crumbling, the vistas were overgrown. As with Betsy Rogers a generation earlier, Byrns created a public/private partnership, rolled up his sleeves, engaged horticulturalist Timothy Tilghman and began the process of recovery. The results after a few years, are magical. Within the armature of the structure, with Marco’s advice, the garden has become something of a magic carpet. While not reproducing the original planting schemes it enhances the character of the space, creating a world apart, a landscape of imagination and, yes, reverie." (American Fine Art Magazine, July/August 2018)

To sign up you must go to the Activities Alcove, locate the Trips Book and enter your name. 

On Wednesday, Oct 3 the Committee will be offering a walking excursion on the Walkway over the Hudson between Poughkeepsie and Highland.  Residents may stroll at their own pace over the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge at 1.28 miles, a former railway bridge and now a New York state park, 212 feet above the river with 360º panoramic views. Join the mix of individuals who stroll, cycle, walk, jog, roller blade, walk dogs, and push baby carriages or strollers.  Kendal participants must be able to walk the entire one-way distance.  Wheelchair accessible, benches on bridge

Sign up in the Trips Book. 

New Library Collection

Photo by Arthur Brady

The Kendal Library Committee announced the acquisition of a new collection. 

MYSTERIES, CRIME & THRILLERS is now available for all Kendal residents on the Alida Bridge Alcove (between Alida and Mary Powell). 

The collection was donated by a generous Kendal resident and was shelved by Lynn Brady and Gretchen Engler.

The Committee encourages all residents to enjoy the works of favorite authors and explore unfamiliar ones from many different countries.

The collection is now available for some very exciting reading. 

New Phelps Vitality Events for September

For the Vitality September Calendar, Click here.

For the Vitality Breakfast Club, Click here.

For the Autumn Games, Click here.

For the Women's Health and Fitness Day, Click here.

For Information about Demystefying Medicare, Click here.

For the Phelps Vitality Program Newsletter, Click here.

Vitality Director Ellen Woods has sent copies of two forms for participants in their programs.  Click here for a copy of the Vitality Survey that she asks participants to complete and bring with them to the next event they attend.  Click here for the Revised Participant Consent Form for the Autumn Games. 

New Executive Director Arrives

Kendal on Hudson's new Executive Director, James "Jim" Antonucci, has arrived and has begun his administration.

On August 15 the Kendal Board sponsored a cocktail reception for all residents and it appeared that each and every one attended. The crowd was so large that seating was just not availabe for all who wanted to crowd in. 

On September 24 Jim Antonucci held his first "Fireside Chat" with the resident community. There was no actual fire but the questions, comments and answers provided all the heat necessary. By and large the residents showed great support for Kendal and their new chief executive. Mr. Antonucci's comments and open style indicated a great willingness to take into account the feelings and wishes of the residents. 

All in all, it was  a great start. Mr. A. promised regular such meetings. 

Give-And-Take Table Returns

One of Kendal's great traditions, the Give-And-Take Table, will be available from Saturday, September 1 until Friday, September 7.  As usual, look for it on the T level of Mary Powell, just across from and a little to the right of the elevators. 

This table appreciates your giving it lots of different things that you once liked, used, perhaps adored, but no longer!  Now, you either are willing to give it up because of lack of space in your apartment, or you’ve come to detest it, but yet know that somebody else might care for it and give it a loving home.

Exclusions: pillows and fabrics, shoes, knives and other sharp objects.  Also, anything noisy that cries, squawks, pleads, or otherwise demands the attention of a new owner.  A string is nice, but only if it is long enough to tie a package

Questions or suggestions? Call or speak to Bert Pepper or Peggy McLaughlin.

New Trip

The never-resting Trips Committee has come up with a new and exciting excursion.  On Wed. Sept. 26, a group will venture to Ever Rest, home of the Hudson River School landscape artist Jasper Cropsey (1823-1900) and the Gallery of Art, Hastings-on-Hudson.

They will tour the charming wooden Gothic-style house where Cropsey lived his last 15 years with his art, furniture he designed and his studio; and the nearby gallery, which displays paintings from throughout his career in 19th-century gallery style.

Ever Rest is partially furnished with selections of furniture from the Cropseys' former home, Aladdin, in Warwick, NY. The dining room set, including table, chairs, and breakfront, were designed by Cropsey and built by furniture makers in New York City. Even some of the drapery that had been custom made for Aladdin and was later altered for use at Ever Rest is there. Many European and Asian pieces purchased in New York City and Europe accent the decor.

Jasper was still a very active artist in his early 60s when he and his wife moved to Ever Rest. Having been trained as an architect he designed and built a painting studio at Ever Rest. He painted there for the rest of his career. The studio includes a large windowed cupola and full length window facing north, both designed to give the artist as much natural light as possible. In addition to being a working studio, the very large space also served as a family-room of sorts, as well as a place to entertain guests. 

Sign-up, as usual, is in the Trips Book located in the Activities Alcove.

Faith Group Hears About "Loneliness: The Next Step"

The Kendal Faith Group held its most successful meeting on Thursday, August 16 with an overflow crowd in the Private Dining Room.

Pamela A. Cardozo, RN, a Psychiatric Nurse addressed the group on “Loneliness: The Next Step”. The Faith Group had previously held sessions on “Loneliness” and on “Belonging”. Ms. Cardozo spoke on the various types of loneliness, how it begins, what the health risks are, and outlined a plan to combat it.

It was apparent from the turnout that loneliness is a widespread affliction. Ms. Cardozo’s identification of the elements leading to it and her mapping out of a plan to confront it was of great importance to many of the attendees.   

Ms. Cardozo was brought to Kendal through the efforts of former Residents Association Chair Fran Kelly.

Trips

The Trips Committee announced that there are short waiting lists for the following trips:

Thursday, Aug. 30: Lyndhurst, Tarrytown
Wednesday, Sept. 5: Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers
Wednesday, Sept. 12: Pepsico Sculpture Gardens, Purchase

Residents are asked not to sign up for a trip unless they are willing to avoid making conflicting plans. If you do need to cancel, please promptly cross your name off the list or wait list. The Trips Book is in the Activities Alcove across from the Computer Room. 

Fall Concerts

As we head into the fall, the Kendal Concert series continues.

On Saturday, September 22, The Merling Trio consisting of piano, cello and violin, will perform.  This fascinating  trio consists of Polish, Japanese and Dutch musicians which gives it an interesting international flavor. 

On Friday, October 12, REBEL Early Music Ensemble will make its fifth appearance at Kendal.

Both these concerts are not on Sundays when Kendal usually hosts its concerts. Please note that on your calendars.