Art by Hart

A riding mower was not the open two-seater Scott had hinted about

For days, Gigi had been trying to come up with the name of her wonderful hair stylist

At 83 Teddy and Tuffy still fought over their favorite stuffed toy

Mrs. T solved the "simple, eco-friendly wedding" challenge for $2.36 plus tax

Mrs. Closky never should have eaten the barista

Art and photos by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal . . .

Happy Birthday, Liz Laite! By Cynthia Ferguson

A dinner-time cascade of “orchids” spoon together, by Art Brady

Alida garden studio residence available, by Edward Kasinec

Beckoning spring path, by Edward Kasinec

Magnolia trees at Rockwood Hall, by Harry Bloomfeld

Pink harbingers of spring, by Edward Kasinec

A lovely bunch of skunk cabbage in Rockwood Hall, Brook Trail, by Marianne Bloomfeld

And Way Beyond . . .

There are moments when someone tells us of something that that person has done in their lives, which leaves us gaping. Case in point: Martin Smolin. He sent a photo. Not an easily recognizable photo. When I asked, he explained casually, as if it ‘twer nothin’ at all: “While on a recent parachuting course in the Chilean Andes, I got this terrific photo of Sierra Montearbol in the northern part of the country. Just like to share it with everyone here.”

So, for you who are also not contemplating a parachuting course in the Chilean Andes (or anywhere else, for that matter), here’s what it looks like from a parachute:

Coming Soon to a Gathering Room Near You . . . NY State Government

MaryJane Shimsky, Representative, 92nd District

April 21, 2 PM, in the Gathering Room, our Albany Representative will be here at Kendal to give us an update on what’s doin’ in the New York State Legislature and hear from us, her constituents.

A lifelong environmentalist, Shimsky has been most recently involved in the Holtec efforts to dispose of Indian Point nuclear power plant wastewater into the Hudson. The company has put that on hold off until early May, saying it wishes to “further engage” on its plans with elected officials. Shimsky will surely be glad of the opportunity to “further engage” with her constituents on the issue this Friday.

Fox News . . . No, Not That Fox, Our Fox

Muriel Fox is still getting press — in The NY Times, no less — and with vim and vigor, too. In her April 13 column, “How 90 Became the New 60,” Gail Collins features Muriel Fox (“a feminist pioneer”) and her signature feistiness: “ “Ninety is the new 60. I’ve got several great friends in their 100s.” (And we know who they are!)

Did you miss it the Op Ed piece? If so, click below for the link:

Special Observances, April 17-23

April 17: International Bat Appreciation Day

International Bat Appreciation Day is a chance to show our flying and mostly nocturnal friends some love. There are over 1,400 different bat species and, contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t blind. Bat Conservation International (BCI) was founded in 1982 by a group of concerned scientists who recognized the importance of protecting bats. Bats contribute towards controlling pests, create rich fertilizer for landowners, and pollinate fruit and flowers. BCI aims to conserve bats and their habitats through a combination of education, conservation, and research. 

April 18: National Animal Crackers Day

Who can resist the iconic treats of our childhood on National Animal Crackers Day? They have been part of American childhood memories since the late 1800s when brought from England where animal crackers were invented. Animal crackers are one of the best-recognized food products on the planet today. Who knew that the little menagerie of zoo and circus creatures that delighted us as children would later become one of our fondest childhood memories – and a simple guilty pleasure for us as adults?

April 19: National Banana Day

National Banana Day takes place on the third Wednesday in April. Have an amazing day doing the best thing with bananas . . . eating them! Bananas are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. The edible berry fruit that grows in fingerlike clusters, there are thousands of banana varieties, with world-wide popularity. Bananas are beneficial and versatile, and can be used in puddings, muffins, pies, sandwiches, bread, cakes . . . and more.

April 20: National Lima Bean Respect Day

The Andes’ Inca Empire considered limas one of its most common and basic food. Though famously referred to as “butter beans,” lima beans have many more names than any other bean, including the wax bean, chad bean, sieva bean, double bean, Rangoon bean, Burma bean, and Madagascar bean. Lima Bean Respect Day, however, was created to give recognition to the wonderful, tasty, nutritious legumes, lima beans. People observe this day by making delicious lima bean recipes and enjoying them with friends and family.

April 21: Thank you for Libraries Day

Thank You for Libraries Day is celebrated to appreciate the contribution of libraries to society and their roles in transforming lives. The first systematically organized library in the world dates back to the 7th century B.C. According to historians, the birth of libraries marked the end of prehistory and the start of history. The first libraries were nothing more than archives for commercial transactions or inventory records. Now, libraries are a collection of materials, books, or media that are accessible by the public. In most communities, they are the center of art and culture and help drive creativity and innovation. There are currently over 110,000 libraries spread across the United States.

April 22: National Jelly Bean Day

Who can resist sweet jelly beans on National Jelly Bean Day? While similar candies existed before the jelly bean, confectioner William Schrafft made them popular during the Civil War. With their firm exterior, jelly beans were the first candies sold by the pound. Schrafft encouraged customers to send them to Union soldiers. In the 1930s, jelly beans became closely associated with the Easter holiday thanks to their egg-like shape. Now, jelly beans are available all year long.

April 23: Spanish Language Day

Spanish Language Day celebrates the second most spoken language in the world. Currently, there are more than 450 million native Spanish speakers in the world. Spanish is also the third most studied language in the world, behind English and French. Our own Harriet Barnet teaches Spanish here at Kendal (along with English to those whose first language is Spanish). Spanish is also one of six official languages of the United Nations. 

For Your Funny Bone . . .

Know Your Mate, contributed by Jeff O’Donnell

A man and woman were married for many years.  Whenever there was a confrontation, the old man would shout, “When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back to haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Neighbors feared him.  The old man liked the fact that he was feared.  One evening, he died.

After the burial, her neighbors, asked, “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?”

The wife said, “Let him dig.  I had him buried upside down…and I know he won’t ask for directions.”

Art By Hart

At 13, Chester was embarrassed by every single word his mother said

Rena made all her colleagues happy

Vernon needed to feel seen and heard 24/7

Nat's Lotto was entirely unregulated, but Leona felt lucky

Medusa finally found a pet-friendly senior residence that took her COBRA insuranc

Photographs and art by Jane Hart

An Old Joy Returns to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

The Washington Irving Chimes in the chapel at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery have not rung in decades. Shelley Robinson led the charge to change that and, on Sunday, April 2, the village came together on a beautiful day to hear them ring for the first time in a long time. Shelley led the day and other Kendalites were there to see it all — and some to actively participate in the ceremony. Pictures follow, but first a new Legend of Sleepy Hollow for the Sleepy Hollow Cemetary Chapel:

Story written and illustrated by Shelley Robinson — and provided for photographing by Peter Sibley.

Girl Scouts and other village volunteers set the tone for the ringing of the chimes . . . and, yes, that’s Nick Robinson on “bass”

Washington Irving stopped by to hear his Washington Irving Chimes after a very, very long hiatus. And he told the audience some pretty tall tales, too.

Who better to bring the 100-year-old Washington Irving Chimes back to song for the first time than 104-year-old Bill Rakower?

And Marianne Bloomfeld made the cover for the chimes’ keyboard

Photos by Peter Sibley

© 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.