In and Around Kendal

Kendalites at Work

Man “Gives Birth” to Giraffe

Among his many abilities, Philip Monteloni sculpts. And he loves a challenge. A strange challenge. Recently commissioned to create a giraffe—yes, a giraffe—he has done his planning. And has now created mock-up for creating said giraffe on site in Sante Fe where the giraffe-lover lives. File under “The Unexpected in Life.”

Absorbed in Her Work

So absorbed in her gardening, Shelley Robinson didn’t notice the paparazzi recording her diligent work, by Joe Bruno

A Springtime Study in Greys

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Waiting for a Walk . . .

Photo by Ed Lannert

A Vibrant Reawakening

Morning Glory, by Aruna Raghavan

Spring Pinks and Greens . . . from Near, Nearer, Far, and Further

Photo by Aruna Raghavan

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Photo by Aruna Raghavan

Photo by Carolyn Reiss

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Nighttime Comes to The Hudson

Photo by Edward Kasinec

Photo by Harry Bloomfeld

Riddle Me a Riddle

It all happened Easter Sunday. No, not that. At the Lannert’s family Easter. Their son produced a set of challenging riddles for de-riddling. And they are tough. So, Kendalites, can you solved the puzzles? If so, send your answers—with Subject “Riddles Solved”—to kohresweb@gmail.com by midnight Thursday, April 23. Your prize? What could be more exciting than to have your name and answers published on April 27 in that august online experience Residents Website?

Here they are:

Riddle 1: What is broken when you say its name?

Riddle 2: What is 3/7 chicken, 2/3 cat, and 2/4 goat?

Riddle 3: I am seven letters long. I am very heavy. Take away two letters from me, and you will get 8. But only take away one letter, and you will get 80. Who am I?

Riddle 4: I add 5 to 9 and get the answer 2. The answer is correct, but how?

Riddle 5: Forward I am heavy, but backwards I am not. What am I?

Riddle 6: I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?

Get Your Ducks in a Row!

The KoH Resident Website is not the only voice shouting loud—though in bits and bytes—about April 25, the great and wonderful Rubber Ducky Derby! This past week, the online Hudson Independent echoed the praise and glory associated with the racers and expressed by the KoH Residents Website last week.

To Read the Hudson independent rubber ducky derby article, click here

And, yes!, there’s still time to purchase adoption of 1, 6, or even 13 ducky racers. Click below to find out how.

click here to adopt your ducky racers

The races are fun to watch, the day in Patriots park is fun to be part of, and the “duck adoption fees” support great community work of the Rotary and YMCA. And our Kendal is one of the two top supporters of the day.

I Never Knew That

The Boston Flood of 1919 . . .

On January 15, 1919, more than 2 million gallons of molasses spewed through Boston’s North End in an event known today as the Great Molasses Flood. The incident occurred due to a faulty storage tank managed by United States Industrial Alcohol, a distilling company. The massive storage vat measured 50 feet high with a diameter of 90 feet, and was known to rumble and leak from the time it was built in 1915. These issues occurred in part because the walls were only 0.31 to 0.67 inches thick, far too thin to contain the weight of a full tank of molasses.

On January 12 and 13, 600,000 gallons of molasses were pumped into the tank, filling it to capacity. This, coupled with temperature fluctuations that affected both the molasses and the vat itself, put an added strain on the tank. Two days later, the container burst from the pressure, sending a 40-foot-high wave of molasses gushing through the streets at a speed of up to 35 miles per hour. The destructive force of gooey liquid destroyed buildings and claimed 21 lives, requiring 87,000 worker hours to clean up in the event’s aftermath. For years after, residents claimed the area reeked of molasses on warmer days. 

Source: Bennett Kleinman, historyfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

Art by Hart

Barton insisted that donating his nextdoor neighbor and a chicken to the rummage sale was just a joke

Jeremy had always been a firebug

Trenton’s latest self-portraits were disturbingly lifelike

Wallace was the one who made McNuggets into a fashion statement

It’s been an apple-bobbin’ Sunday for Dobbin

Art and photos by Jane Hart

Thoughts for Food

Eddy: Our Executive Chef. A really great guy. A really nice guy. He feeds us. He cooks for us. He plans menus for us.

And all this lovely man asks in return is our comments. On the food. On the menu. That’s all. Your opinion. Did you find something really good? Something really, well, shall we say not to your taste? Maybe you feel something is being served too often. Maybe you’d like to see something more often. A suggestion perhaps for something new.

Not every day. When the spirit moves you. Maybe daily. Maybe weekly. Takes maybe five minutes.

But if Eddy doesn’t hear from us, how can he know what we need, want, prefer?

How to comment? Two ways.

For those who prefer the hand-written vehicle, there’s the Kendal on Hudson Dining Services-Comment Slip.

Where do you find one? Simple. On the chest where you fob in for meals.

In the blond box with the “Dining Service Comment Card.” The card themselves are on the side of the box.

When you fill in the card, make sure the date and time you write in are the date and time (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) when you ate the meal you’re commenting on. So when you say “not enough salt in the soup,” Eddy will know which soup at which meal on which day.

When you finish (doesn’t have to be that moment, take it home, fill it out, bring it the next day, if you like), put it in the slot at the top of the box.

OR

If you’re more the email type, send an email with your comments to:

diningcomments@kohud.kendal.org

Again, make sure you include the date and time of the meal you are commenting on. Then Eddy knows the soup with too much salt was the Rhode Island Clam Chowder for lunch on Tuesday and you ate it around about 7 pm.

And as the old saying goes: Keep those cards and letters comin’ in! (Eddy will thank us all.)

Just Ducky!

Oh, Joy, oh Rapture! It is getting close to that time again. That time when the world opens up bright and shiny—and they arrive. So squeezy, so colorful, so ready for action. Yes, it’s true. It’s . . .

. . . or, anyway, getting close to . . .  

Saturday, April 25 is the day — and it starts at 11 am (though the duckies really start racing at 11:15).

How important is this vaunted day? Well, Kendal on Hudson is one of the two Presenting Sponsors (the highest rank of sponsors). Ponder that! Why is this day of all days important? It’s a major support for the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns and all the good work they do. What good work?

click here to learn more about the Rotary

Rubber Ducky Derby Day (which, if you practice, will come trippingly off the tongue) happens in Patriots Park right at the border of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. There are booths. There are excited children. There are rubber duckies. What could possibly be better? Only one thing could be: donate!

Yes, it’s true, you, too, can back one or more duckies and have skin (or feathers) in the game. One ducky will cost you $10. But, wait, there’s more! A Six Quack can be yours for $50. And—be still, my heart—a Tub o’ Ducks comes in at $100. And—here’s the best part—you can name your ducky(s)! If you think you can stand all this excitement (or even if you can’t) click below for more information. Yes, that’s right, you can back your ducky(s) online. And, yes, there is financial incentive to do so. $100 per eliminating race (there are 4), with a grand prize of $1,500!

With little more than 1 more week to plan! Better get ready to get your ducks in order!

click here to adopt duckies

 

From Out of the Pens of Babes

  • An opera is a song of bigly size. In the last scene of Pagliacci, Canio stabs Nedda who is the one he really loves. Pretty soon Silvio gets stabbed also, and they all live happily ever after.

  • Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel.

  • I know what a sextet is, but I'd rather not say.

  • Caruso was at first an Italian. Then someone heard his voice and said he would go a long way. And so he came to America.

  • Most authorities agree that music of antiquity was written long ago.

  • Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between the Hatfields and the McCoys.

  • My favorite composer is opus.

  • A harp is a nude piano.

  • My very best liked piece is the Bronze Lullaby.

Contributed by Cathie Campbell

A Changemaker in Our Very Midst!

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

Kendal on Hudson CEO Jean Eccleston Honored at Pace University’s 2026 Westchester Changemakers Awards

Jean Eccleston, Chief Executive Officer of Kendal on Hudson, will be honored alongside three other esteemed community leaders at the annual Pace Celebrates: Westchester Changemakers Award Ceremony. The inspiring event, hosted by Pace University, will take place on April 29, 2026, at Kanopi at The Opus Hotel in White Plains, New York. This prestigious recognition celebrates extraordinary individuals who are deeply committed to shaping Westchester County into a vibrant, forward-looking community that uplifts residents, local organizations, and students alike.

The Westchester Changemakers Awards highlight the profound impact of leaders who champion the region as a true beacon of opportunity and inclusion. Jean embodies this nurturing spirit through her dedicated leadership at Kendal on Hudson, a Life Plan Community in Sleep Hollow, founded on Quaker principles. She shares this year's distinct honor with Kerri Elsabrout of White Plains Hospital, Stephanie Lynn of the Sing Sing Prison Museum, and Dorry Swope representing The David Swope Fund. Together, they represent a shared commitment to expanding meaningful support and empowering others to thrive.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Jean Eccleston shared. “I am continually inspired by my colleagues and by the residents of Kendal on Hudson, whose generosity and spirit strengthen our community every day. It is a privilege to support our local community and to nurture our valued partnership with our neighbor, Pace University. I hope this recognition brings attention to important community initiatives and encourages others to give, connect, and support one another.”

The upcoming cocktail reception and award ceremony directly support Pace University students by funding Immediate Impact Scholarships. By gathering to celebrate these transformative leaders, the community helps foster a new generation of diverse, compassionate thinkers who will continue to elevate the region and transform the shared experience of lifelong learning.

Throughout her tenure, Jean has consistently demonstrated empathetic leadership, a deep understanding of the people she serves and dedicated support of the beautiful local community where Kendal on Hudson is located. Her heartfelt recognition by Pace University reflects her support for the ongoing well-being of the lower Hudson Valley.

I Never Knew That

The Day Bananas Debuted in London: April 10, 1633  

On this spring day in 1633, people gathered outside a Holborn shop window in central London to stare at something few of them had ever seen before: a cluster of strange, curved fruits, green but yellowing gently in the English light. These were bananas—and for most Londoners, they were utterly bewildering (and surprisingly phallic).

The window display belonged to Thomas Johnson, a well-regarded botanist and apothecary who apparently had a flair for spectacle. On April 10 he exhibited the fruit in his shop, effectively staging Britain’s banana debut. Crowds gathered, not to buy—few could have afforded the fruits or even known how to eat them—but to gawk. (Indeed, there are no records indicating whether Johnson sold any of the novel fruits.) 

In an age when colonization and global trade were just beginning to reshape English diets, the banana was nothing short of a true marvel.

These early bananas probably arrived somewhat battered after a long Atlantic journey from Bermuda. They were nothing like the sweet, familiar Cavendish variety many of us eat today (in fact, the Cavendish wasn’t developed until the 1800s). Johnson’s bananas were starchy plantains likely meant to be cooked rather than eaten fresh. It seems the man himself wasn’t particularly fond of them. He edited John Gerard’s popular botanical encyclopedia, The Herball, and is thought to have expanded the banana’s description: 

“. . . the fruit hereof yieldeth but little nourishment…and hurteth the stomach if too much of it be eaten.”

It would take another two centuries—and the advent of steamships and refrigeration—before bananas became an everyday pleasure in Britain. But on that day in 1633, in a modest Holborn shop, London caught its first glimpse of the wider world in an absurd bunch of unfamiliar fruits.

Source: Britanica Today in History website

© Kendal on Hudson Residents Association 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 all rights reserved.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.