Feb. 19, 2014:  On February 10, Eastchester town historian Richard Forliano led a room full of Bronxville Rotarians back in time for a history lesson. A former social studies teacher in the Eastchester public schools, Forliano presented the 350 years of the town's history in an encapsulated version, but one that offered new information to his audience.

The Rotarians learned, as school assemblies and other groups this year have also discovered from Forliano, that the town and its two villages represent a microcosm of the country's development from the first interactions of the farmer/settlers with Native Americans to heroes in the Civil War to the town's becoming the present-day bustling suburban community.

As the town's history keeper and a member of the steering committee of Eastchester 350th Anniversary, Inc., Forliano noted that much of what is now known about the town was brought to light within the last couple of decades.

With a PowerPoint presentation as his tool, the Rotary's guest speaker spoke about the primary source materials he has uncovered and the documentation of the town's history that is being showcased this year.

In the fall, an exhibit at Concordia's OSilas Gallery and the publication of a hardcover and beautifully illustrated history book will be the capstones of this research as the celebrations conclude.

But before those planned programs unfold, many Eastchester organizations are "jumping on the bandwagon" and adding, with pride, the town's history to their own events. The Eastchester Historical Society plans a special Eastchester 350th anniversary float for the St. Patrick's Day parade. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life in May will take as its theme a birthday party for the Town of Eastchester.

The Bronxville Garden Tour will acknowledge the anniversary by including garden locations in Eastchester and Tuckahoe, as well as in Bronxville, and will include a history of each home on the map handout.

The Eastchester Tuckahoe Chamber of Commerce has planned not one but two restaurant weeks--one in April, the other in May. Local eateries are being encouraged to offer menus that represent the best of ethnic cuisine in acknowledgment of residents' immigrant roots.

The three public libraries are also acknowledging the theme of legacy and an appreciation of immigrant forebears. On Monday afternoons from March 17 to April 14, the Eastchester Public Library will feature a film series on immigrants in America.

The annual poetry reading at the Bronxville Public Library on April 6 will focus on the topic of legacy. And the Tuckahoe Public Library plans to host a troupe of Irish step dancers in the next month.

To keep up with all of these various community events--and ones still in formation--residents are encouraged to check www.eastchester350.org, the official website of the town's anniversary celebration. Announcements of all programs will be posted there, and information about the upcoming official celebrations this spring will be detailed.

Pictured here (L to R):  Martin Schulman, program chair, and Gregory Tanno, president, of The Rotary Club of Bronxville with Richard Forliano, historian for the Town of Eastchester.

Photo courtesy Linda Doherty, Co-Chair, Steering Committee, Eastchester 350th Anniversary, Inc.