What To Do: Events May 2016

What To Do: Events May 2016: This month is all about mother’s day, road and trail races and the mansions of May. Tours begin at Historic Hudson Valley sites like Lyndhurst Mansion and Rockefeller’s Kykuit in May. Locally, we have our own mansion tours in Chappaqua from the New Castle Historical Society. Weekend warriors can find four 5 & 10K races in Armonk, Chappaqua, Katonah and Purchase. For foodies, A Taste of Westchester comes to Armonk and Mt. Kisco. And culture-vultures can saddle up with Jonathan Demme (and McCabe and Mrs. Miller) at J. Burns. Plus a whole lot more. 

May

Kykuit Tours open May 2: This hilltop paradise, now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. Guided tours include the main rooms of the six-story stone house; the terraced gardens with Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection of 20th-century sculptures from Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and David Smith; the underground art galleries featuring a collection of Picasso tapestries; and the Coach Barn with its collections of classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages. Scheduled tours: Thurs-Sun, plus Memorial Day and Labor Day, 5/2-9/30 and 11/1-13. Open daily except Tuesdays from 10/1-31. Check online for special tours and times. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway: Sponsored by Con Edison and the Friends of Westchester County Parks, a six and a half mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway is closed for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, scooters and strollers. Park your car at the County Center lot for $5 and bike from there to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Round trip 13.1 miles. Bicycle Sundays kick in on the first Sunday in May and run through the last Sunday in June and pick up again for the final three Sundays in September. Check Bicycle Sundays Facebook page for updates.

Hot ticket Alert! Author Talk: Ruth Reichl – North Castle Public Library: Chef Eric (Bubba) Gabrynowicz from Armonk’s Restaurant North will moderate a discussion with bestselling author, food critic, and judge on Bravo’sTop Chef Masters, Ruth Reichl. Ruth was the NYT’s food critic from 1993-1999 before she became the Editor ofGourmet magazine. She has received four James Beard Awards for restaurant criticism and journalism and is the best selling author of The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise. She will be signing her 2015 memoir/cookbook My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life. Tickets go on sale April 4. Wed, 5/4: 7:30pm. (Whippoorwill Hall, 19 Whippoorwill Rd., East, Armonk; www.friendsncpl.org)

Shop for a cure for Lyme Disease at Breezemont Day Camp: The Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), the nation’s leading tick-borne disease organization dedicated to supporting Lyme and tick-borne disease research and education, will host its fourth annual Shop for a Cure on May 5 at Armonk’s Breezemont Day Camp. You can shop at over 15 vendors, such as Barrecoast, Beautycounter, Covet Closet, Eden Max Home, Funky Tykes, Meryl Roesch Sunglasses, So Sweet Jewels and Swag Boutique who will donate a portion of their proceeds to GLA, Plus, a raffle for a variety of prizes and gift certificates at local shops and restaurants. Thurs, 5/5: 10am-2pm. (Breezemont Day Camp, 62 Cox Ave., Armonk)

A Taste of Westchester – The Beehive, Decicco’s, Café of Love & Peter Pratt’s Inn: The Westchester Community College of Continuing Education’s A Taste of Westchester cooking classes offers demonstrations and tastings with top chefs at local restaurants. The May lineup includes The Beehive in Armonk on Wed, 5/4, Café of Love in Mt. Kisco on Mon, 5/9, Decicco’s Armonk on Tues 5/10 Peter Pratt’s Inn in Yorktown Heights on Wed, 5/18. For the complete menu at each of these events and information and links on hot to register check out our A Taste Of Westchester Guide.

Hope’s Door Gala: The Hope’s Door Gala is an evening of dinner and dancing at the Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle to benefit the Northern Westchester Shelter. This year’s event takes on a 70s theme and all are encouraged to pull out your bell bottoms, platform shoes, powder blue tux or flower power outfit for a night of disco. With live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing. This year’s event will honor Penny and Gerry Klingman of Bedford for their years of commitment to Hope’s Door. The shelter provides services and shelter to victims of domestic violence. Fri, 5/6: 6:30-11pm. (Surf Club on the Sound, 280 Davenport Ave., New Rochelle: www.hopesdoorny.org)

Mother’s Day Weekend Teatown Plant Sale: The Teatown Plant Sale ushers in the spring planting season with rare varieties of annuals, perennials, butterfly attractors, herbs, deer-resistant flowers, vegetables, hanging baskets and Mother’s Day gifts. Get on-site advice from Teatown staff and master gardeners. Fri-Sat, 5/6-7. (Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining; www.teatown.org)

The Music of Bugs Bunny – Chappaqua Library: The West Point Quintet plays the music of Raymond Scott, widely known as the soundtracks to classic cartoons like Bugs Bunny. Plus classic tunes like “Misty” and “Big Noise from Winnetka”. Sat, 5/7: 4pm. (Chappaqua Library)

Friday Night Movies with Professor Valerie Franco at NCPL: Swingers: This 1996 comedy looks at love and dating in Los Angeles through the eyes of 4 young hipsters in the entertainment industry. Responsible for launching the career of Vince Vaughn with stellar performances from Heather Graham & Ron Livingston. Fri, 5/6: 8pm. The Orange Thief: This indie-film, reminiscent of the deadpan style of director Jim Jarmusch, follows a young thief in Sicily who steals oranges until he is thrown in jail where his life takes an unexpected turn. Fri, 5/13: 8pm. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. East, Armonk, www.northcastlelibrary.org)

Spirit of the Sound Study Cruise – The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound 63 foot research vessel offers 2½-hour “study cruises” on the Long Island Sound. Marine Life Study Cruises are offered at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays in May, June, September and October, and Wednesday through Sunday from July 1 through Labor Day. Spirit of the Sound runs silently and is North America’s first R.V. to run on hybrid-electric power. Built in Mamaroneck, the vessel doubles the aquarium’s cruise capacity and cuts diesel consumption by 75%. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party at NYBG: The most spectacular spring landscape New York City has to offer is the setting for live music, games, garden tours, picnicking and other dining options. After a significant restoration and expansion, the historic Lilac Collection reopens, making room for more Garden spots to play and relax. Family activities include lawn games, face painting, giant chess, chalk drawing, watercolor painting and more. A family photographer will be on hand. Sat-Sun, 5/7-8: 10am-6pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Lyndhurst Pre-Mother’s Day Plant Sale: Buy your Mother’s Day plants overlooking the Hudson at Lyndhurst Mansion. At the Garden Club of Irvington’s (GCI) Spring Plant Sale you can buy plants cultivated by GCI right on the grounds at the Lyndhurst propagating shed. Just like the Gould’s use to do it. Sat, 5/7: 10am-2pm. (Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 Broadway, Tarrytown;www.lyndhurst.org)

Chappaqua Farmer’s Market: Returns to the Chappaqua Train Station after spending the winter at the First Congregational Church. Sat, 5/7-10/29: 8:30am-1pm. See our Farmer’s Market Guide for more information. (Chappaqua Train Station ;www.chappaquafarmersmarket.org)

Saddle Up Saturdays with Jonathan Demme – Jacob Burns: Film director Jonathan Demme revisits some of his all-time favorite Westerns in the screening rooms of JBFC each Saturday at noon through June 11. The lineup: McCabe & Mrs. Miller: Robert Altman’s 1971 anti-western of love, death and capitalism with Warren Beatty and Julie Christy: Sat, 5/7: 12pm; Forty Guns:Sam Fuller’s story of doomed love and sudden death in Arizona with Barbara Stanwyck: Sat, 5/14: 12pm; Once Upon a Time in the West:Sergio Leone’s 1968 masterpiece, with Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards and Charles Bronson has been hailed as one of the greatest films of all time: Sat, 5/21: 12pm and Seven Men From Now: Randolph Scott devotes his life to hunting down seven men responsible for the death of his wife: Sat, 5/28: 12pm. (JBFC, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Seminars on Art History – Katonah Museum of Art: Curators and art historians from KMA, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College and the Museum of Modern Art present 60 minute lectures and Q&As on topics from late 19th century to contemporary art on Thursdays in May and June. Including: Post-Impressionism, Modernism and Abstract Expressionism: 5/12; Photography: 5/19; Conceptual and Performance Art: 5/26; Pop Art: 6/2 & Contemporary Art: 6/9. (KMA, 134 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

Spring Fest & Craft Fair – Church of St. John and St. Mary, Chappaqua: This first time event offers carnival games, casino games, live music, a beer and wine garden a craft fair, and face painting, popcorn and cotton candy and yummy food for all. Fri-Sat, 5/13-14: 6-10pm & Sun, 5/15: 1-8:30pm. (Church St. John and St. Mary, 30 Poillon Rd., Chappaqua; www.Sjsmrcc.com)

Byram Hills Education Foundation 2016 Spring Gala: BHEF takes a new approach this year with a rocking gala at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Tramps Like Us the renowned Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band from Chappaqua will headline the night’s festivities onstage. The evening will also include hors d’oeuvres and dinner stations, an open bar and an interactive online auction. Festive casual attire this year folks so put away that dinner dresses. Since its inception in 1994, the BHEF has awarded over 300 grants totaling more than $3.5 million. Fri, 5/13: 7-11pm. www.byramhillsfoundation.org)

3rd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run and Walk: The 3rd Annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Run and Fun Run for kids starts at Armonk’s Windmill Club and runs through Windmill’s woodsy community. Stayin’ Alive is a local charity that supports First Responders with equipment that their budgets don’t provide. In 2015, Stayin’ Alive granted over $36,000 to local First Responders including the Armonk, Banksville, North White Plains andThornwood Fire Departments as well as the North Castle Police Department. For more information, check online or email stayinalivecharity@gmail.com. Sat, 5/14: 8am. (The Windmill Club, 10 Maple Way, Armonk; www.stayinalive.org)

New Castle 10K Road Race and Fun Run: The 28th running of the New Castle 10K Road Race takes you on a challenging course from Town Hall through some of the most scenic landscapes in Chappaqua. Runners enjoy a police escort, water stations and a sag wagon for those of you who are off your game that day. Awards are offered in 8 age categories from under 14 to over 70. Check in between 6:45 and 8am for an 8:10am start. Or pre-register with the New Castle Recreation Department. The Kids Fun Run starts at 8:15am with refreshments and an awards ceremony in Town Hall following the race. Sun, 5/15: 8:10am. (Town Hall, 200 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.mynewcastle.org)

Country Children’s Center Golf Outing: The CCC’s golf outing will be held at the Centennial Golf Center in Carmel and features a round of golf, dinner, a silent auction, door prizes, raffles and a complimentary beverage cart. This event supports the Country Children’s Center in Katonah makes childcare available to work parents and those who cannot afford the service for children ages 6 weeks through middle school. Mon, 5/16: 11am. (Centennial Golf Center, 185 John Simpson Rd., Carmel; www.countrychildrenscenter.org)

Castles of New Castle – New Castle Historical Society House Tour:  The NCHS Castles of New Castle house tour showcases five homes in different architectural styles. All proceeds from the House Tour will benefit the New Castle Historical Society. Evidence of the town’s early rural Quaker past to its present life as a thriving suburban hub – can be seen in the various homes featured on the tour. House Tour ticket-holders will also have the opportunity to dine at the Chappaqua Tavern, Crabtree’s Kittle House, Chappaqua Station, Old Stone Trattoria, Le Jardin du Roi, Local, Sherry B’s, and Quaker Hill Tavern for a 15 % discount with their House Tour ticket on the day of the Tour. Thurs, 5/19: 10am-2pm. www.newcastlehs.org 

ArtsWestchester ArtsBash & Open Studios: An evening of food, fun and fabulous art. Highlighting the exhibition “SHE: Deconstructing Female Identity” in the main gallery, the party will feature female artists, female chefs, and the art of craft beer. Guests can enjoy creative tastings and thought-provoking art all under one roof by purchasing tickets to this special reception. Fri, 5/20: 6-9pm. (ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; www.artsw.org/artsbash)

Menus in the Movies – Chappaqua Library: Food author and film buff, Carol Durst presents Eat, Pray, Love – the 2010 film by Ryan Murphy from the bestselling book by Elizabeth Gilbert. Hailed as one woman’s search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia, this film stars Julia Roberts and Javier Badem. Chappaqua resident Carol Durst’s menus in the movies films always feature some good eating on the screen and homemade deserts after. Fri, 5/20: 7pm. (Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Annual Friends of Lasdon Park Plant & Garden Sale: The 25th annual Lasdon Park Plant Sale offers a selection of plants, shrubs, trees and garden items in a day long celebration that includes music and refreshments. Specialties include native plants, butterfly attracters, agro-forestry plants and trees to grow within wooded areas, berries and fruit plants, dwarf trees, herbs, vegetables, flowering plants and planters. Sat, 5/21: 9:30am-3: 30pm. (2610 Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

The Running Goddess 5K at Lasdon Park: The Running Goddess 5K race is a family event that helps support the Running Goddess Scholarship Fund that provides money to female high school graduates in Westchester and Putnam counties who are interested in pursuing a math, science or technology education. This scenic run begins on Lasdon Park’s open fields and continues across Lasdon’s blue, red and yellow trails passing the Arboretum pathway, Lasdon Fountain, the Lilac Path, the Asian Archway, Lasdon Lake Path and over a bridge. Sun, 5/22: 8am. Kids 1 miler: 9am. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.therunninggoddess.com)

Chappaqua Flea – Chappaqua Train Station:The Chappaqua Flea begins its second season at the train station, adjacent to the Chappaqua Farmers Market. Shop for collectibles, antiques, jewelry, vintage clothing, comic books and posters, crafts for kids, mid-century modern furniture, handmade soaps, collectibles from Asia and Africa and fashion items the third Saturday of the month beginning on May 21: 9am-1pm.

Colon Cancer Challenge – Purchase: Walk or run to prevent colon cancer at this 13th annual event in Purchase. This non-competitive walk, Remembrance & Prevention Walk begins at 10am and winds through the 100-acre grounds of Manhattanville College. The walk will be followed by a 4M Mixed Terrain Fun Run and a Kids Fun Run for ages 12 & under. Register online or onsite on Sun, 5/22: 8:30-9:45am for the 10am events. (Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase St., Purchase;  www.coloncancerchallenge.org)

Classical Music at the Library: Juilliard graduates, the Furuya Sisters will perform Ravel’s Piano Trio and solo works by J.S. Bach and Mozart on cello, violin and piano. The Furuya Sisters have performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House. Sun, 5/22: 3pm. (Chappaqua Library)

Armonk Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Golf Outing & Dinner: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce will honor the noted interior designer Susan Geffen at their 2016 Golf Outing at the Whippoorwill Club. Lunch is served at 11:30am followed by a 12:30pm shotgun start tee time. Cocktails and the award dinner begin at 5:30pm. A long-time volunteer at the North Castle Public Library, Susan served two terms as President of the North Castle Public Library and three terms on the North Castle Architectural Review Board. She still serves as a member of the library’s board and on the town’s Residential Projects Review Committee and Landmark Preservation Committee and is President of the Whippoorwill Association. Susan also helped design the interior of the new Whippoorwill Hall, co-founded the Armonk Players and has been known to frequent Armonk’s Colonial Crafts Day – in period costume. Armonk’s Frosty Day can be traced back to a holiday concert at Whippoorwill Hall that she co-produced. Mon, 5/23:11:30am-8pm. (Whippoorwill Club, 150 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk; www.armonckchamberofcommerce.com)

Lime Rock Park Memorial Day Season Opener: After a three-year absence the SCAA Pirelli World Challenge returns to Lime Rock Park for their Memorial Day Season Opener. Four big races are scheduled for GTS, GT and GT Cup plus the park’s first-ever races of the all-new United States Formula 4 open-wheel single seat championship. On Sunday, the Royals Car Show draws 200-400 prime vehicles from rare sports cars to muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Fri-Sun, 5/27-29: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

Hilltop Hanover Farm Memorial Day Farm Fest: A family day at Hilltop Hanover celebrating farming in Westchester. With plants for sale, a farm stand, vendors, kids events, tours, hiking, food, and more! Sat, 5/28: 10am-4pm. 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org)

Memorial Day Picnic – Bedford: The local American Legion Post 1575 will host a Memorial Day picnic at American Legion Hall next to the Katonah Museum of Art. All town residents are invited. Mon, 5/30: 11am-2pm. (American Legion Hall, 136 Jay St. Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)

Bedford Memorial Day Pace, Luncheon and Tag Sale: Horse stuff tag sale: tack, blankets, riding clothes, framed prints. Sat, 5/23: 10am-3pm. BRLA Memorial Day Pace and Luncheon. Mon, 5/30: 7:30-11:30am. Steak and chicken BBQ: 11:30am-1: 30pm. (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Rt. 22, Katonah; www.bedfordridinglanes.com)

Lewisboro/South Salem Memorial Day Races & Fair: Four events starting with the 10K race at 8am that takes on challenging hills in South Salem. Start time for the 5K is 9:30am. Both races are USA Track and Field certified. The youth Mile Fun Run starts at 10:45am and Pee Wee 25 and 50-yard dashes for 2-8 year olds are at 11:05am. Register online or on race day at 7am. Mon, 5/30: 8am-11:05. The Memorial Day Fair (10am-3pm) features performing artists, music, children’s games a bake sale and food. (Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; www.southsalempc.org)

Church of St. Mary’s 78th Annual Strawberry Festival: The Strawberry Festival at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin features games and crafts for kids and teens, live music, bounce castles, BBQ and strawberries, strawberries, strawberries. Including, strawberry smoothies, and St. Mary’s famous strawberry shortcake. Plus, craft vendors and treasures from the attic. Sat, 6/4: 11am-4pm. (Church of St, Mary the Virgin, 191 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; churchofstmary’s)

More stuff to do for spring

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