out and about

A Caramoor Summer

In-Person and Outdoors

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is set to present a full summer season of live, in-person outdoor performances at their idyllic Katonah campus.

A seven-week festival, running June 19 to August 8 will be followed by two post-season concert series: from August 13 to September 12.

Artistic Director Kathy Schuman comments, “We’re so fortunate that our outdoor venues enable us to have a full concert season this summer. Despite some operational differences, this year’s program remains as robust and varied as ever. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back to Caramoor for programs that run the gamut from celebratory to reflective. I think we’ve all deeply missed the kind of magical experience that comes from sharing live music in the company of others.”

Two major experiential, site-specific, open-air contemporary works highlight this year’s summer lineup. The first of these, The Forest (July 3) – created in response to the pandemic and the particular problems it presents for choral performance – is the creation of Donald Nally, conductor and twotime Grammy-winner. Drawing on new amplification technology to create an immersive soundscape, Nally’s work places the singers 30 feet apart from one another in Caramoor’s wooded grounds, where audience members will follow a special route at socially distanced intervals, experiencing the music as they walk.

The second work, Ten Thousand Birds (July 11), composed expressly for the chamber orchestra and customized for Caramoor by Alarm Will Sound’s Artistic Director Alan Pierson draws inspiration from the different species’ birdsongs heard at each performance location, captured in minute detail to evoke the cycle of a single day. Audience members will be encouraged to walk around and experience the music from multiple perspectives.

And to celebrate Independence Day, Curt Ebersole and the Westchester Symphonic Winds return for their annual Pops & Patriots concert (this time without fireworks). Two guest vocalists – soprano Candice Hoyes and baritone Jorell Williams – will perform a medley of Gershwin songs; the program also includes patriotic tunes, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, a special tribute to Duke Ellington, and more (July 4).

This is just a small taste of all that is going on this summer at Caramoor. For more complete coverage, visit caramoor.org

Just Gogh!

Following sold out shows in Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the Immersive Van Gogh exhibition will be opening on Thursday, June 10 in New York City. Basic timed tickets are $49.99.

Created by Italy’s Massimiliano Siccardi, a world-renowned master of digital art who has been pioneering immersive exhibitions in Europe for 30 years, the show merges stateof-the-art technology, theatrical storytelling and world-class animation, and is set to a score of orchestral arrangements with electronic compositions. pulse with imagery and emotional resonance.” The Toronto Sun declared, “The mind-blowing imagery brings van Gogh’s best work to life — including Sunflower, Irises and The Starry Night — for a cathartic and liberating experience.” “Immersive Van Gogh ups the emotional ante.” Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star stated, “I wondered: could projections of paintings on walls and floors be thrilling? The answer is ‘yes.'”

Impressionist works of Van Gogh at Pier 36, a 75,000 square foot waterfront space in Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Welcome Back

Bicycle Sundays

A beloved Westchester tradition since 1974, and funded by Westchester Parks Foundation and its partners since 2012, 6.5 miles of the Bronx River Parkway will be exclusively devoted to bicyclists, skaters, joggers and walkers from 10a.m. to 2p.m on the following dates: June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; August 8, 15, 22, 29; September 12, 19, 26; and October 3, 17, 24, 31

Seth Mandelbaum, Chairperson of Westchester Parks Foundation stated, “Bicycle Sundays is one of the most iconic events in Westchester, and we are thrilled to be able to offer this event for free to all residents from May through October. It not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also a muchneeded mental health break to all during the pandemic. We are grateful to Con Edison and NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital for their generous support and commitment to parks and open space.” The route runs from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers: a round-trip of 13.1 miles. There are many points of entry, exit, and parking along the way. The event is free to the public.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Getting outdoors and active has always been good for physical and mental health – and over the past year we have experienced this more than ever. In 2020, Bicycle Sundays offered residents a rare outlet as activities were limited and I am thrilled to continue this annual event in an extended capacity.”

Each year, more than 60,000 thousand cyclists, joggers, and others come out to enjoy the curves and wooded scenery that make the nation’s first parkway a national historic landmark. The path winds alongside the wooded Bronx River Reservation. For more information visit: https://www.thewpf.org/ programs/bicycle-sundays/

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Since You Asked ...

BY KIM KOVACH

Summer days in Westchester may include nature walks, tending to your vegetable garden, swimming laps, playing golf with friends or simply relaxing with a good book and a cool beverage outside on the deck. Five Westchester residents share their thoughts on staying positive, favorite summer activities and life lessons.

HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR

SPIRITS UP THIS YEAR? In addition to reading science fiction and setting up her basement as an art studio for drawing and painting, Somers resident Patricia Humphreys makes time to walk outside and photograph swans on the reservoir. Retired after careers as a para-legal and reference librarian, Patricia adds, “I also discovered new kinds of entertainment like watching Chinese dramas on You Tube!”

Everett Fields, a lifelong Greenburgh resident, says, “I have a lot of stuff around the house to keep me amused.” A songwriter in his spare time, the retired Verizon technician enjoys writing songs using computer software programs.

“Fortunately, I am a creative individual,” says Jerry Becker, a retired New York City high school science teacher and Yonkers resident. “My interests allowed me to be distracted positively from all that’s going on.” Jerry listens to classical and new age music and plays piano, drums and harmonica. He maintains a schedule of one hour of tai chi, yoga, weights and aerobics every day. “I also have a very creative wife, a dancer,” Jerry notes. “I have survived and thrived.”

Janice Boland of Bedford kept her spirits up over the winter by reading travel, gardening and nonfiction books, going out for nature walks, and practicing tai chi. A retired editorial and art director for an educational publisher, as well as a children’s book author, Janice says, “I play the piano for my own enjoyment and I also take a weekly creative writing class over Zoom which challenges me to write stories for adults.”

Heidi Candell, MSW, LCSW, traded commuting from Scarsdale for working virtually from home three days a week as a psychotherapist. “I made a list of things that I had not been able to do before,” explains Heidi. “I enjoyed reading novels, cooking more, exercising, and being home with my dog. I was able to spend time with my three adult sons who are the funniest people in the world.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITY? Jerry Becker enjoys walking in the park. A world traveler, Jerry and his wife hope to resume traveling in the not-too-distant future. Patricia Humphreys and her husband have fun discovering new hiking trails in Westchester. She also plants flower varieties in her garden to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Everett Fields looks forward to hosting family cook-outs in the backyard this summer with “steak, chicken and ribs.” Summer plans for Heidi Candell include biking with her husband around Larchmont Manor and attending outdoor music concerts with the family. Janice Boland’s favorite summer activity is going out on the lake in her rowboat. “It’s very peaceful and calming,” she says, “and good exercise!”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Heidi says, “To not feel in a hurry to hit all of my goals and to trust your gut that things will work out the way they are supposed to.”

“Follow your interests and dreams and don’t take the practical route,” advises Janice Boland.

Everett would encourage his younger self, “Be more adventurous and try new things.”

“Be more adventuresome and outgoing,” agrees Patricia Humphreys.

Jerry Becker reflects, “Knowing what I know now, I would say to be more accepting of myself as a human being and not to be so demanding, driven or competitive.”

Sage advice. Be kind to yourself and applaud your resilience and strength. You’ve earned that extra scoop of ice cream, my friends!

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Kim Kovach enjoys daily walks followed by chocolate ice cream. Kim teaches fiction writing and nonfiction writing classes for adults via Zoom. www.kimkovachwrites.com

Save Your Skin From the Sun

BY DR. ATHENA KAPORIS

Each year in the United States, more than five million people are treated for skin cancer. At age 40, the average person has received 47 percent of their cumulative sun damage. By age 60, it jumps to nearly 100 percent. Unprotected sun exposure is also the number one cause for skin aging, and less than half of older adults protect their skin from the sun when they are outside for an hour or more in the summer.

No one wants to deny themselves time with their family or friends when the weather is wonderful and the sun is shining. On the other hand, some of us feel we have to dress up like a mummy in order to avoid skin damage. So how can we protect ourselves from the harmful rays of the sun? Let’s answer some of your questions…

DOES A HIGHER SPF PROVIDE MORE PROTECTION FROM THE SUN? The sun protection factor (SPF) number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30 will provide proper protection. Higher SPF numbers mean better protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference in protection. SPF 15 sunscreens filter out approximately 93% of harmful ultraviolet rays, while SPF 30 filters out about 97%, and SPF 50 blocks about 98%. SPF 100 is the most effective sunscreen at approximately 99%.

But beware. Very high SPFs can give sun worshippers a false sense of security, thinking it’s a stamp of approval to stay in the sun all day. Doing so can end up damaging your skin. When using sunscreen, apply enough to cover the areas of your skin not covered by your clothing. Remember to reapply when engaging in swimming or other outdoor physical activities. You will need about one ounce to fully cover your body. And don't forget to apply to the tops of your feet, neck, ears and the top of your head.

CAN RETINOL A

REPAIR SUN DAMAGE? Retinol is essentially a by-product of vitamin A, which is one of the body's key nutrients for repairing sun damage, and is one of the best over-the-counter ingredients to counteract the effects of aging on skin. By accelerating skin renewal, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots and even out skin tone. It dissolves oil and makes pores tighter and smoother, helping to keep them unclogged. However, if you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, it may cause irritation, redness or dryness if you have sensitive skin. Apply Retinol with a moisturizer to prevent dryness and irritation. IS HYALURONIC

ACID AS EFFECTIVE

AS RETINOL A? People with dry skin benefit from hyaluronic acid, which is more of a moisturizing than healing ingredient. Hyaluronic acid pulls water from the environment into your skin and is effective at hydrating. It’s like a big drink of water for your pores. It can soften fine lines in your face, make your skin look firmer, and smooth out even the roughest dry patches of skin. Do not use hyaluronic acid without following up with a moisturizer, especially in a dry climate; otherwise it can drain the water from your skin leaving it dryer.

HOW HARMFUL ARE

ULTRAVIOLET RAYS? Ultraviolet light (UV) is invisible to humans because it has shorter wavelengths than the light we can see. There are two types of UV rays that can damage your skin cells. UVB rays cause sunburn and play a key role in developing skin cancer, while UVA rays age the skin and cause wrinkles.

No single method of sun defense is 100% effective. Sunscreen is just one vital part of a strategy that should also include simple but effective methods such as staying in the shade, and wearing a hat and sunglasses. A hat can protect your head against melanoma (skin cancer), while sunglasses with UV protection can keep your eyes from developing cataracts.

n n n Dr. Athena Kaporis is a dermatologist with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates - Westchester Dermatology and Mohs Surgery in Mount Kisco. For information or to make an appointment, call Dr. Kaporis’ office at 914-242-2020.

Brain Fog is Real !

Many of us have listened to friends and family complain about feeling confused, not being on top of their mental game, and seeming "a bit out of it" these days. Perhaps, at times, you have even felt challenged to form a cohesive sentence. None of this is at all surprising.

With Covid, our typical stimulations have been taken away, days are flowing together, and social isolation has led to lethargy and depression. Those who have lost loved ones have felt it even more keenly.

This feeling of brain fog is what those suffering from memory loss experience every day. The vital person they were has been gradually replaced by someone who cannot remember simple things at best, and family members or themselves at worst. While the world is beginning to see some light at the end of this horrible tunnel, it will be some time before things are back to normal. In the interim, there are many positive activities used in helping those with early-stage memory loss.

These same activities can help you lift the fog and get your brain back to its pre-COVID self:

GET OUTDOORS Take a walk and listen to the birds or plant some flowers. Leave the phone at home – just focus on yourself and being part of nature. GO TO BED AT THE SAME TIME and sleep for eight to nine hours every night. Most of us do not get enough sleep. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to give your brain a chance to clean out toxins and build new connections. EAT WELL Just like exercise, eating well benefits the mind as well as the body. Be sure to make healthy choices and avoid processed foods.

EXERCISE BUILDS HEALTHY BRAINS Walk, run, do yoga, do something! Regular exercise, even low-impact, benefits the mind just as much as it does the body. We know it’s hard – but get moving.

FIND WAYS TO TAKE A BREAK FROM STRESS Do whatever works for you to take a stress break – disconnect from the news, from family, from work, and just ‘be’ for a few minutes every day.

TAKE A BREAK FROM ZOOM “I’m Zoomed out” has become the new buzz phrase. Sitting in front of the computer talking all day is exhausting! Try to schedule breaks between Zoom calls; if possible, stay off the computer at least one day a week.

DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF We all deserve a little TLC right now. Whether it’s reading a favorite book, taking a long bath, meditating, playing with the dog, or simply closing the bedroom door for a little ‘me’ time away from the family, take 20 to 30 minutes every single day to focus on yourself and your own well-being.

We must all take an active role in caring for our brain health, especially now. Take some positive steps today to lessen that fog. Your brain and your mental health will thank you for it!

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Article provided by Sharp Again Naturally. To find the resources you need to help prevent and address memory loss, visit Sharpagain.org. Also inquire about their ten-week Sharp Again Small Group program.