From the Mayor: Spotlight on Gramatan Village
By Mary Marvin, Mayor, Village of Bronxville
Nov. 17, 2022: We have so many truly innovative and unique organizations in the Village that deserve to be highlighted so I thought I would devote my column this week to one that totally fits this bill.
It is our own Gramatan Village.
It holds a special place in my heart as the incredible Villager John Cory, who left an indelible mark on our community with his kindness, vision and generosity, came to me to get my signature on a proposal to emulate an organization that was begun in Boston’s Beacon Hill. The mission was to keep seniors in the homes they love and not be forced to move by exigent living circumstances. He needed an affidavit municipal support which I was happy to do and as he left the office I thought, oh please let this come to fruition because at the same time I had two parents in the Albany area who needed the exact services that John was trying to create for our neighbors.
Gramatan Village opened its doors to seniors in 2008 and it is now a nonprofit organization that supports adults ages 55 and up who want to age in the home and the neighborhood they love.
Their mission is to support empowered aging in our community with a network of volunteers, experts, professional referrals and peer connections that enable members to stay independent, vital and engaged, as they grow older.
Gramatan Village members receive such services as transportation to local appointments, referrals to vetted community partners, technology support, home maintenance support, home safety checks, assistance in financial planning, help in navigating the Medicare/Medicaid process, advocacy, workshop and seminar offerings, priority consideration for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, volunteer opportunities as well as incredible social and cultural outings.
Gramatan Village and its members are a part of the fabric of the life of the Village as they lend their time, experience and proven skill sets to so many worthy organizations, and they have fun while expanding their own horizons.
As example, they have a very active movie club and book club and they meet currently outdoors at BXBL coffeehouse near the train station, another newfound hub of Village energy. Given the life experiences of so many members of Gramatan Village, the recent book they read, The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis, was followed by a discussion led by Gramatan Village member Joan Golan who is a volunteer docent at the New York Public Library Main Branch. Joan later planned and hosted a private guided tour of the library for all book club members.
The movie club recently previewed and discussed “Nowhere in Africa” an Academy Award winner and before that watched and discussed “The Official Story”, the classic 1985 historical drama that won both Academy and Golden Globe picture awards depicting by using the history of Argentina to address the human and moral themes. Again, drawing on the lifelong expertise of its members, Gramatan Village member, Marta Rowland, who is from Argentina, lent her personal insights to guide a very heartfelt conversation.
And just tonight Gramatan Village will be hosting a seminar on Alzheimer’s and dementia at The Bronxville School Auditorium at 7pm. The featured speaker is Kerry Mills Rutland, who has worked solely with people with cognitive impairment for over 20 years.
The talk will discuss treatment options, examine the stages of the disease and most importantly, help people with the disease and those who love them live their best lives. All are welcome to attend.
To keep such a truly visionary organization alive and well in Bronxville truly takes a Village. To learn about becoming a member or to volunteer with Gramatan Village in almost any capacity, please visit www.gramatanvillage.org or contact the office at 914-337-1338. It is a great way to intersect with a truly vibrant group of dedicated citizens.
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
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