Feb. 5, 2014:  On January 26, approximately 300 people gathered on Concordia College's campus on a snowy afternoon to hear Jane Ziegelman, author of 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement, launch a yearlong series of programs to celebrate the 350th anniversary year of the town's founding in 1664. 

The book had been chosen by the directors of the town's three libraries as the first-ever selection for a One Book/One Community Reading Program, with this lecture one of several outcomes.

With an event that highlighted common immigrant roots and the role of the three local libraries in the community's enrichment, the audience was enlightened and entertained by Ms. Ziegelman's talk. She focused on the strength and tenacity of the early immigrant forebears in bringing their various culinary tastes to America. 

Chuckles from all greeted her illustration of the steadfastness of one group in particular, a group of Italians who refused to allow the Settlement House "food educators" to keep their children from enjoying their traditional Mediterranean diet. 

Ms. Ziegelman drew from her background as a culinary researcher for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum to cover topics ranging from the beneficial effects of the lowly pickle to the well-meaning activities of the New York City Police Department's sanitary commission.

Prior to her talk, Concordia College's president, Viji George, welcomed the audience and commented on the theme for the 350th anniversary year, Keeping the Covenant. He noted that one year after settling in the town, its residents pledged to each other in writing to "help and counsel each other, keep and maintain . . . civil honesty and deal plainly with each other." 

Dr. George acknowledged Concordia's lengthy history within the town as indicative of efforts to "keep the covenant" and expressed his delight that the college was hosting this inaugural event.

Patty Dohrenwend, who as a member of the steering committee chaired the One Book/One Community Reading Program, commented afterward that the libraries will be following up Ms. Ziegelman's talk with programs of their own. Eastchester Library will host the author, again, for a pasta-making course; the Tuckahoe Library plans a program of Irish step dancers during March; and the Bronxville Library will focus its annual poetry reading in April and a poetry contest for students on the topic of legacy. Ms. Dohrenwend noted that "the libraries have even inspired our local chamber of commerce to initiate not one but two restaurant weeks in April and May of 2014, our 350th year!"

As Bob Riggs, co-chair of Eastchester 350th Anniversary, Inc., expressed, "The steering committee hopes to focus the community on its roots and sponsor events and programs that are open to all residents. That the first one focused on our libraries and our immigrant legacies is fitting. We encourage everyone to participate as we celebrate the town's unique history and to follow the calendar of festivities that are planned by using our website at www.eastchester350.org."

For those who may have missed the kickoff, local cable television will feature the event throughout February. Check local listings for Cablevision's government access channels 19, 74, and 75 and FiOS channels 40, 47, and 26.

Pictured here: Jane Ziegelman (lower left), author of 97 Orchard, is joined (counterclockwise) by library directors Swadesh Pachnanda (Tuckahoe), Tracy Wright (Eastchester), Gabriella Radujko (Bronxville), and program chair Patty Dohrenwend.

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