Friends of the North Castle Public Library

Unique Collections, Family Fun and More at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show

September 27, 2017 by Inside Press

Friends of the North Castle Public Library holding court.

By Molly Alexander

On Business Park Drive, the sun shone brightly and visitors either strolled or boarded a complimentary shuttle bus all eager to arrive at the North Castle Community Park for the 56^th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show (AOAS) on September 23 and 24. With over 300 volunteers, more than 185 artists and excited attendees from near and far, this award-winning fine art and fine crafts show served as a warm and welcoming family attraction.

Corporate sponsors including Equinox, Houlihan Lawrence, Northern Westchester Hospital, and White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness offered info and demonstrations. Family Activities sponsors included the Harvey School, First Five Learn and Play and the Neuberger Museum of Art provided wonderful activities for children of all ages. Silver corporate sponsors included William Raveis, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Framings. For a full listing of sponsors, visit armonkoutdoorartshow.org.

Show-goers meandered through rows and rows of art ranging from crafts, sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, handbags and clothing. Each tent had a unique artistic treasure inside. “It’s very interesting how all the artists are from everywhere; all around the country,” an attendee commented. “Every piece of art is different.”

Awards were also presented to artists in seven categories and there were two additional special awards with $1000 prizes. The Alan C. Solomon Best of Show Prize went to honor the artist who “exemplifies creativity, artistic talent and mastery in his/her artwork across all artistic categories.” It was awarded to Bounkhong Signavong, the founder of Lao Design. The Sylvia Rogers Best New Artist Prize “to attract new artists to the AOAS and recognize the talent and imagination of up and coming artists,” was awarded to Cuban born Enrique Miralles, who exhibited a powerful collection of dry point etchings.

The weather on both days was absolutely gorgeous, if a bit toasty and kept guests sipping on iced drinks to keep cool and partaking in delicious foods from area vendors. It offered a day of exploration for all with many visitors picking up original pieces of art wear, paintings, and sculptures created in a variety of mediums to treasure for many years to come. If you missed this event, come next year when the 57^th annual AOAS will be held on September 29 and 30.

Celebrate Indie Author Day

August 26, 2017 by The Inside Press

Come to the North Castle Public Library on Saturday, October 14, to celebrate Indie Author day! You can meet local authors Patricia Dunn (Rebels by Accident) and Jimin Han, ( A Small Revolution), participate in a creative writing workshop, have coffee and conversation with an author, attend a nationwide webinar on independent publishing, and more!

Our celebration will start at 11 a.m. and continue through 3:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Mary Johnson at the North Castle Public Library, 914-273-3887. Also, visit: www.indieauthorday.com.

An Invite to Join Melissa Clark at a Literary Luncheon Benefit

July 25, 2017 by Inside Press

New York Times Food Writer and Prolific Cookbook Author Melissa Clark will be speaking at the Moderne Barn to benefit the Friends of the North Castle Public Library

Monday, November 13, 2017

Moderne Barn @ 11:30 a.m.

480 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504

TICKETS $85

ON SALE SEPTEMBER 27

http://www.friendsncpl.org

Food writer and cookbook author MELISSA CLARK is staff reporter for the New York Times Food section, where she writes her popular column “A Good Appetite” and appears in a weekly cooking video series. Melissa has written 38 cookbooks, including her latest, Dinner: Changing the Game. She had been honored with awards by the James Beard Foundation and IACP and selected for the Best Food Writing Series. Melissa is a regular guest on the Today Show and Rachel Ray. She has also been a judge on Iron Chef America and a frequent guest host on the NPR radio show The Splendid Table and on The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC.

Melissa will lead a discussion on her new book Dinner: Changing the Game with a question and answer period, plus a book signing. (Books will be available to purchase). The event will be held at Moderne Barn Restaurant in Armonk, NY featuring a three course luncheon, featuring a recipe from Melissa’s book, for $85. Space is limited.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library Inc. The Friends exists to help the Library achieve its maximum usefulness and benefit to the community as its informational and cultural center. They create an awareness of the resources, educational and cultural programs and other activities made available to the North Castle community by the Library. These resources, in turn, not only benefit North Castle and Westchester County, but also residents of neighboring towns and counties. The ARMONK OUTDOOR ART SHOW, currently in its 56^th year, is also sponsored by the Friends–which will be held this year on September 23 & 24.

The Melissa Clark luncheon is the 3^rd speakers event in a series entitled Chefs are the New Rock Stars. Previous speakers included Ruth Reichl and Eric Ripert.

Armonk Outdoor Art Show: Question and Answer with Anne Curran

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

By Andrew Vitelli

When did you first get involved with the Armonk Outdoor Art Show? What made you get involved?

I first attended the show in the early 1990’s when I lived in White Plains. My husband and I became acquainted with Armonk because of coming to the art show, and we still credit the art show as what motivated us to find our home here, 18 years ago. We felt that a community that supports a wonderful art show and theatre group (The Armonk Players), as well as the local library, had to be a great place to live, and that is still true today.

Over the past decade, I volunteered at the annual shows and always enjoyed working with neighbors and meeting old and new friends. Early this year, after completing my final term as town clerk, I accepted the position of Executive Director of the Art Show. I work very closely with the co-chairs of the show and others who have key organizational roles. I’m happy to work for the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, and contribute to the wonderful work done by so many long serving and dedicated volunteers. In many ways, I feel like assuming the role of Executive Director of the Art Show has brought me full circle to what originally brought me to Armonk.

Is running the art show a year-round effort? What are some of the biggest challenges in preparing for the show?

The organizational requirements are tremendous and it is very much a year-round effort. Since the show is juried, marketing to exhibitors is important so that we continue to draw a large quality pool of applicants. The evaluation of applications is time-consuming and takes place during the early months of the year. Soliciting contributions and corporate sponsors is key to successful fundraising and this year we have provided Gold Sponsors with the opportunity to have a booth at the show. This has been very well received and we hope to continue to offer special opportunities for our highest level donors to connect with art show visitors. The planning of all aspects of communications, field operations, volunteer committees and volunteer staff for the two-day event is a team effort. Fortunately, the team works very well together and has a good time, too! We are always looking for new volunteers to take on small or larger assignments. The work is rewarding and there is a wonderful community of art show friends that will warmly welcome new volunteers.

What makes the show so unique and valuable for the community?

It is a high quality show that is nationally recognized as one of the top Fine Art and Fine Craft Shows, and while extremely well organized, it maintains a very personal, small community feeling that artists and visitors appreciate. The community benefits from the recognition of hosting such a highly regarded and well attended show in Armonk, while the net proceeds help fund a broad spectrum of library programs, entertainment, new technology, and facility enhancements. Besides that, there is huge satisfaction in putting on the show, now celebrating our 55th year.

How can businesses who want to support the art show get involved?

Corporate Sponsorships are available at three levels: Gold Sponsors ($5,000); Silver Sponsors ($2,500); Bronze Sponsors ($1,000). Business can also support the show as a Community Booster for contributions of $500 and $250. We promote all donors in our communications and maximize corporate visibility for our sponsors. Visit armonkoutdoorartshow.org for more details and to contact me. I would be happy to discuss the unique value to any business by supporting the art show.

For more information, contact https://www.friendsncpl.org/

When the Race is Run for LOVE

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

Jamie’s UVM teammates, left to right: Philip Vernimb, Women’s Division winner Sydney Durand, Men’s Division winner Aaron Szotka, Maurie Clark and Tucker Nixon.

By Deborah Raider Notis

Photos by Pinsky Studio

Armonk was treated to a perfect, warm and sunny day on September 20th. Many residents celebrated the last day of summer at Armonk’s Chamber of Commerce sponsored Fall Festival. The town was bustling, with people laughing at the competitive pie eaters and humming along with the band on the Wampus Park gazebo. Children played on inflatables, competed in bean bag toss games, and ran the 100 Yard Donut Dash and Macintosh Mile. Highlighting the morning’s events was Jamie’s 5K Run for Love, a race in memory of Jamie Love and benefitting the Friends of the North Castle Library.

The 5K race began in 2008; Jane Ellen Gertz and Grace Mui of the Byram Hills PTSA made it part of their larger Halloween Fun event, and proceeds benefitted the PTSA. Soon after, the race became part of Armonk’s Cider and Donut Festival. Sean Ryan, then President of the Friends of the North Castle Library, a retired IBMer, and the track and cross country coach at Briarcliff High School, took over coordinating the event with proceeds donated to the Friends of the North Castle Library.

BHHS grads Jeannette Martimucci (left) and Evan Bauer often come back to visit and for community events. Running for the first time, Evan says he’s especially happy to be part of something that “brings community together.”

Friends of the North Castle Library supports programming at the North Castle Library, including events not supported by tax dollars. Ryan says he became involved to “bring a fun community events to our town where we could focus all residents on the good works we were doing and planned to do at our library.” In 2011, the race was part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show. Then, in 2013 the race was named for Byram Hills High School graduate Jamie Love.

Jamie was an Armonk resident, and a University of Vermont student studying mechanical engineering. While growing up in Armonk, he was actively involved in children’s programs at the North Castle Library. He worked at Hickory and Tweed Ski and Bicycle Shop, and he ran for the BHHS cross country team. In 2013, his Junior year, he passed away in his sleep from an undetected heart ailment.

The BHHS cross country team was always a huge part of the annual 5K race, whether it supported the PTSA or Friends of the North Castle Library. Jamie ran in the earliest races before attending UVM; his strong relationship and history with the BHHS team and the race made this a perfect way to memorialize him and honor his memory.

“We are incredibly honored that people continue to love Jamie and come out to support him even three years later,” Jamie’s mother, Michelle Love, says of this Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. Love is particularly appreciative of the Ryan family’s continued support for the event. “They do all the heavy lifting.”

Love describes her son as a young man who truly appreciated his friends, his family and his life. For friends who cannot make it to Armonk, her family tries to send out custom tee shirts. “That way, whenever friends and family cannot make it to the race, they can still celebrate Jamie, whether they are running, biking, hiking, eating or simply laughing together. This year, one friend even hosted a pulled pork dinner to honor Jamie,” mentions Love. The image on these shirts, designed by Jamie’s sister and Sean Ryan’s daughter, is a silhouette of Jamie Love and teammates from from BHHS. All of these boys went to State finals for cross country during high school.

Re-naming the race in Jamie’s honor sparked an added energy. This year, 286 runners finished Jamie’s Race for Love. Jamie’s UVM teammate, Aaron Szotka, came in first in the Men’s Division at 18:17, and Sydney Durand won the Women’s Division at 20:05. Maurie Clark and Eddie Paniccia came in second and third in the Men’s Division at 18:36 and 19:04 respectively. And Shannon Duffy, with a time of 21:39, and Isabella Vesco, with a time of 22:42, finished second and third in the Women’s Division.

Sean Ryan, whom Michelle Love gratefully describes as the event’s “heavy lifter.”

The race also united the North Castle community with Jamie’s UVM teammates and friends, many of whom have run the race since Jamie’s death. “Having the race named after Jamie is another chance to celebrate Jamie and what an amazing friend he was. We preserve his memory by wearing JBLOVE rubberized bracelets everyday. I never take the bracelet off,” says Tucker Nixon, Jamie’s good friend and UVM classmate.

Armonk resident Charlotte Wittels, a friend of Jamie’s sister Noelle, brought the Byram Hills tennis team with her to run the 5k. “This incident was very close to home, and I’m glad I was able to support Noelle and her family by bringing the tennis team to the event,” states Wittels.

And they’re off–close to 300 runners turned out for Jamie’s 5K Run for Love this year.

The day was a celebration of all things bright, beautiful and fun–just like Jamie would have wanted and loved!

“The race serves as a great memorial for Jamie as well as a great reunion for all of us,” notes Philip Vernimb, who credits Jamie with his decision to attend UVM. “Jamie was what brought us together in the first place. When we were still running for UVM, every race was dedicated to Jamie. Personally, he is in my thoughts every day.”

Ultimately, Love feels that friends and family should honor her son by “laughing and living their lives to the fullest.” Jamie’s UVM friends fondly recall that Jamie always had a smile on his face. On a beautiful day like September 20th, with people enjoying the beautiful weather, listening to music, visiting with friends and community members, running races and shopping local, Jamie most definitely would have been smiling.

Deborah Raider Notis is a writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC, a free referral service connecting Westchester families to highly qualified, competitively priced instructors. She lives in Pleasantville with her husband, four boys and their dog Oscar.