Charles Laughton’s cult hit The Night of the Hunter tells the frightening tale of Harry Powers (played by Robert Mitchum, left), who was hanged for the murders of two widows and three children. After the screening, author Jeffrey Couchman discusses his book The Night of the Hunter: A Biography of a Film, in which he examines the movie and the bestseller on which it was based. Tuesday, 7:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center The annual Bedford Turkey Trot is a great way to burn off the holiday fat—and tension. Run, walk, dash, or stagger through historic Bedford Village. Saturday, 9:00 am.
Second and 3rd graders can get to know some amazing inventors, explorers, and adventurers and then do a related craft or science project. Tuesday, 4:15 pm, at the Katonah Village Library.
According to an informative post on Westmoreland Sanctuary's Nature Notes, from now until the end of December, our area will be visited by Hooded Mergansers (left), Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Canada Geese, and Ring-billed Gulls. Keep your eyes peeled!
Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester:
If you're looking for a turkey that is both organic and from nearby, check out Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt Manor. The farm's store—which also sells fresh chickens, beef, pork, lamb, sausages, bacon, eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, and honey—has turkeys for $4.29/lb. I drove by the farm last weekend and saw the gobblers out on the pasture, along with the Black Angus cattle. The farm's turkeys can also be purchased through My Personal Farmers.
People with Alzheimer's disease and their families or care partners are invited to this gallery tour. Specially trained docents will guide participants through the interactive program, followed by a social hour. Thursday, 2:00 pm. Neuberger Museum of Art
Often considered the premier banjo player in the world, Béla Fleck joins forces with the Grammy-winning Flecktones, who've been presenting their unique blend of bluegrass and jazz since 1988. Thursday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts
Singer/songwriter Mani Cregan takes the stage with his acoustic guitar to share his own songs such as "Happiness Descends" and "Careful What you Wish For." Wednesday, 8:00 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine BarGot art? Bring it to the Katonah Museum of Art to share and discuss with other artisits. Tuesday, 7:30 pm.
The exhibition “Megadeck” showcases works by 21 emerging artists from the Peekskill area. The works include sculpture, paintings, photographs, and thematic installations. Each piece has a unique skateboard deck mounted beside it, created specifically for the show, which explores the artist's point of view. Through December 7. Paramount Center for the Arts
A big thanks to everyone who completed the recent survey. The number of respondents was pleasing, and the responses were quite interesting. Based on the survey, the site's visitors are pretty evenly split between people who live in the area and those who are considering moving here. That's good, since the goal of the site has always been to appeal to both groups. Here are some highlights:
32% visit the site two or three times a week
32% visit the site once a week
18% visit the site daily
18% visit twice a month or now and then
52% live in Northern Westchester
18% live in Manhattan
18% live in Brooklyn
8% live in Queens
4% live elsewhere in the region
53% are currently looking to buy a house
33% are considering Northern Westchester
20% are actively looking in Northern Westchester
66% are interested in learning about houses for sale
61% are interested in learning about parks and places to hike
52% are interested in learning about restaurants
48% are interested in learning about exhibitions and music performances
48% are interested in learning about children's events
48% are interested in learning about the real estate market
73% said that the addition of more posts on weekday events was "good" or "great"
27% didn't care about or notice the addition of more posts on weekday events
An extra special thanks to those who added comments about the site. They were all positive and supportive, and a few were extremely touching. Comments like those should keep me blogging for awhile!
Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester
Beausoleil and Iris DeMent The Grammy-winning Cajun band Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet team up with country singer Iris DeMent. Friday, 8:00 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall
Poets and Writers on War and Peace The fourth annual Veteran’s Day Reading features selections by award winning poet and human rights activist D. Nurkse and poet Frances Richey. Also included will be readings by selected community poets and writers. Friday, 7:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writer's Center
Dancing at Lughnasa Brian Friel's play Dancing at Lughnasa won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1992. Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 pm. Pound Ridge Theatre Company
Storybook Reading Author/Illustrator Ann Palm Reibel will read her book How Pearl Discovered Henry Hudson’s Shoe. Afterward, children can create miniature versions of Henry Hudson’s boat. Saturday, 10:30 am. Katonah Museum of Art
Fun with Pop-ups Kids in third grade and up can learn how to make clever pop-up creations. Saturday, 2:00 pm. John C. Hart Memorial Library
Raptors Rule! Children 8 to 12 years old can learn about and get close to birds of prey. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation
Shelter on the Point Learn techniques of survival in the woods, including a survival activity and shelter building. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Croton Point Park Nature Center
The Wizard of Oz The family classic is back! Saturday, 7:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 pm. Yorktown Stage
Owl Prowl Join a naturalist from the Connecticut Audubon Society as he presents a talk about owls. Then enjoy a walk through the woods in search of owls. Saturday 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Muscoot Farm
Gregg Allman Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer, and founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman performs. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts
Brahms Sonatas Four sets of renowned performers bring four of Brahms' masterful sonatas to life. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Caramoor Center for the Arts
Taste of the Paramount Come and taste delicious bites and refreshments from local restaurants, while enjoying live performances by The Mighty Theater Company, The Chamber Players of Croton, The Straight Up Dirties, and more! Sunday, 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts
Bird Feeder Construction Learn all the basics of bird feeding and make a great bird feeder. Sunday, 2:00 pm. Westmoreland Sanctuary
Bike Design Join cutting-edge bicycle designers as they discuss their approach to new technologies in frame materials such as titanium, carbon fiber, bamboo, and aluminum. Sunday, 5:00 pm. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Cheese Tasting Lisa Schwartz, resident cheese maker and herdswoman of Rainbeau Ridge Farm, celebrates her new book, Over the Rainbeau, with tastings of her award-winning goat cheese. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
An Evening With Walt Novelist Benjamin Cheever will be joined by friends as they read and explore the words of Walt Whitman. Readers include author and Katonah resident Judy Blundell, 2008 National Book Award winner. Sunday, 5:30 pm. Katonah Museum of Art
The directorial debut from screenwriter Oren Moverman, The Messenger tells the tale of a war hero whose new assignment is to inform parents that their children were killed in action. The movie stars Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson. After the showing, the writer/director will be interviewed by New York Times critic Janet Maslin. Thursday, 7:15 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center
The 2009 Farm-Based Education Conference is designed for teachers, farmers, and community organizers. Hosted by the Farm-Based Education Association and Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, the conference runs from Thursday through Saturday. Workshops include "Experiential Education and its Role on the Farm," "Urban Agriculture/Food Systems and Public Schools," and "Fiber Arts for Children and Adults." There will also be field trips to area farm education centers including Green Chimneys, Hilltop Hanover Farm and Muscoot Farm.
The Bedford Chamber Concerts performs works from the court of Frederick the Great, including Bach's flute trio sonatas. Soloists will include Eugenia Zuckerman on the flute and Renee Jolles on the violin. Wednesday, 8:00 pm. St. Mathew's Episcopal Church
Singer-songwriter Neko Case delivers her own "country noir" songs with her trademark power vocals. Her latest album, Middle Cyclone, debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts. Wednesday, 8:00 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall 
Enrique Chagoya—a painter, print maker, and art historian at Stanford University—discusses the "Enlightened Savage" in pre-Columbian art. Monday, 4:00 pm. Neuberger Museum of Art
Michael Gross, author of "Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money that Made the Metropolitan Museum," reads from and discusses his book and the stories behind one of New York's most storied institutions. Thursday, 7:30 pm. Bedford Free Library
The Homestead's curator discusses the Chinese export art in the museum's collection. The topic will include the history of China's trade with America—and participants will get to view some seldom-seen antiques. Wednesday, 7:00 pm. John Jay Homestead
October was a lot like September, with little change in the number of houses going to contract in the area this blog covers. As for previously-featured Hot Properties, only two found suitors and only two tied the knot.
Contracts signed on single-family homes
September: 71
October: 74
Hot Properties that went to contract
Location: Peekskill
Featured: September 15, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $299,900
Last Asking Price: $299,900
Location: Katonah
Featured: July 29, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $1,199,999
Last Asking Price: $999,999
Hot Properties That Closed
Location: Ossining
Featured: June 23, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $439,222
Last Asking Price: $439,222
Sold for: $420,500
Location: Mt. Kisco
Featured: March 31, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $639,000
Last Asking Price: $599,000
Sold for: $565,000
According to the recent survey, most of you like posts on local restaurants and food venues (surprise). To make it easier to find those posts already on the blog, I've created a new label. Click on Food Buzz to find all of the past posts on restaurants and food stores. There are already 32 posts—and more to come. Including...
The Tavern at Croton Landing
41 North Riverside Avenue, Croton
The New York Times calls the Taverns' burgers "tasty," but the reviewer really raves about the wings, which are made with real wings and come with sauces and dips made from scratch. The wings—"spicy and true" Buffalo, Thai, and Jack Daniel’s—are just 35 cents each on Thursdays and Sundays. Metromix calls it a "great place for a freshly ground half pound burger or a slice of signature thin-crust pizza." It was named the Best Tavern of 2008 by Westchester Magazine, which praised the "amazing country salad...to-die-for artichoke dip, and freshly ground, belly-filling half-pound burgers." Posters on Chowhound call the burgers and pizza "excellent." The Hungry Travels blog says the Tavern has "the musty, pubby feel of a well-patronized neighborhood joint" and is "refreshingly unpretentious." The food is "surprisingly good." The Tavern also has over 100 "fans" on Facebook.
Image: Hungry Travels
