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
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
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.”
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Bronxville 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.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
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
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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
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 Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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.”
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