Gramatan Village Hosts Seventh Annual 'May Magic' Benefit; See Photos
By Margaret Fuller Hayden
May 10, 2017: About a dozen wallets and watches had been stolen by the end of the evening, but everyone could rest assured that there was no black magic at play. If anything, the seventh annual Gramatan Village May Magic reception at Siwanoy Country Club reflected an enchanting amount of kindness, respect, giving, and community, mixed with the mesmerizingly supernatural entertainment of mentalist Ken Salaz, who could read minds, bend quarters, and snatch various accouterments without one's knowing.
More than 200 people attended the event, which was co-chaired by Wright Elliott and Patty Warble, with a working committee composed of Anne Bernstein, Pippa Colvin, Ridgely Donohue, Lynda Stewart, and Kathryn Urbina, member and volunteer services coordinator. Calling the committee and Executive Director Julie Dalton the driving force behind the party and praising the terrific staff, Gramatan Village president Kerry Walsh mused, "They juggle so many balls at one time they may compete for the entertainment award next year."
Kerry introduced the three honorees of the evening as "people known by their first names, like Cher, Madonna, and Sting." In presenting longtime Bronxvillians and Gramatan Village board members Schatze and Peter Thorp with the J. Rockhill Gray Memorial Award, Kerry proclaimed, "I can think of nobody more deserving to receive this award." She cited their long list of contributions to Gramatan Village and the community at large, ranging from giving car rides to Gramatan Village members to tutoring in a Yonkers public school. "These are the quiet gifts the Thorps give to our community," Kerry stated.
Calling it "a family occasion," Kerry asked Schatze and Peter's three daughters, Ridgely, Victoria, and Lindsay, to join in presenting the award. Upon receiving the large glass bowl inscribed with their names, Peter and Schatze took to the microphone, the former putting his well-known humor on display: "We only paid Kerry five dollars to say what she did. Imagine if we had given her ten?"
"We are all--I repeat--we are all getting older, so it is time to start helping others," urged Peter. He encouraged everyone to "be sure you are giving and getting the most out of this crazy world," and offered several concrete ideas, including smiling and saying hello to a mature person on the sidewalk, volunteering for the Gramatan Village car service (he recently drove a blind person and recounted that the "range of our conversation was extraordinary and very special to me"), and sharing something new with friends, family, and colleagues every day (daughter Lindsay recently gave him David McCullough's book The American Spirit, which he in turn recommended).
"Peter and I are both very dedicated to serving Gramatan Village and its members. I hope those of you who are not familiar with its mission will get a better sense of its role, and I hope you will become a member, or even more importantly, a volunteer," said Schatze, whose name--as Kerry had mentioned in her introduction--aptly means "sweetheart" in German.
The first-ever John Corry Award for Excellence, which commemorates beloved former board member John Corry, who passed away on December 26, 2016, was presented to José Ramirez ("Tony"), of the Siwanoy waitstaff. "John appreciated good service, and Tony gives it seamlessly," said Kerry, as everyone applauded fervently and Tony--clearly very well-liked and affable--beamed. "John's legacy will live on for generations," Kerry voiced with confidence.
In her closing remarks, Julie Dalton stressed the invaluableness of the people who make up the organization: "It's not what is Gramatan Village, but who is Gramatan Village," she said. Julie shared some heartwarming anecdotes about Gramatan Village members, including those who delighted in reading poetry they had never before shared, and a woman who memorably said, "I never thought I could make new friends at my age, but now I realize I can."
As Julie spoke, the windows behind her revealed the emergence of sun and a golf course showcasing a more vivid hue of green. She pointed out the noticeably brighter landscape after a day of dreariness: "Now the sun's out, and that's because of the wonderful shining example of Schatze and Peter." Whether due to magic or meteorology, it was the perfect close to the evening.
To see photos, click here.
Pictured here: Peter and Schatze Thorp, honorees at the May Magic benefit.
Photos above and in the link by Lisa Sorensen
Community Service Organizations Directory
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
Community Service Organizations Recent Articles
Quick Links
Newsletter
MyhometownBroxnville reserves the right to monitor and remove all comments. For more information on Posting Rules, please review our Rules and Terms of Use, both of which govern the use and access of this site. Thank you.
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, myhometownBronxville, LLC, does not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information herein. We urge all users to independently confirm any information provided herein and consult with an appropriate professional concerning any material issue of fact or law. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of myhometownBronxville, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors. The use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use . No portion of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or part, without the express written consent of the publisher.
Copyright © 2009 myhometownbronxville.com, All rights reserved.