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News! Rainbeau Ridge Farm in Bedford Hills Offers Spring & Summer Sessions!
Spring - starting 3/2
Summer Camp at the Farm - Once a week Camp - 8 weekly sessions starting 6/29
Ages: 2 yr olds - "Roots" - Mommy & Me in Nature
3-4 yr. olds - "Buds"
K-3rd grade - "Sprouts"
What a wonderful activity with an impact to last a lifetime!
www.rainbeauridge.com
F Hal
Our Area Traditions and Events
Katonah At Halloween
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You could not be in a more beautiful setting for Halloween! "Downtown" Katonah is the center for Halloween !
The Sunday before Halloween there is a parade in the afternoon for the young children. Their parents and grandparents also march along most often in costume as well! It is a grand day! We at Houlihan Lawrence hand out glow in the dark buckets to these youngest of revelers.
The Katonah Library has a story hour, treats and a little parade for the Tiny Tots the week before.
On the big event day of Halloween the trick or treaters are out in full force! The homes of the Village are a sight to behold in their Victorian Glory festooned for this Holiday. The Trick or Treaters fill the streets under the watchful eye of the local police and it is truly a Halloween Haven!
In nearby Pound Ridge there is a 2 hour Halloween walk through the Hamlet of Scotts Corners.
Activities for Children in Katonah & Bedford
I also serve as a resource for activities for your children. There are numerous locations for gymnastics classes on state of the art (safe) equipment - one with an accredited nursery school as well, art lessons, theater and dance classes, karate and more right here in Bedford Hills! There is actually a restored Victorian in Town which hosts The Arts Caravan School of Performing Arts and the Katonah Art School.
Our Local Library is a town favorite. You have access to the entire Westchester Library System. You can reserve a book from your home or work computer! There are also book clubs sponsored by the Library and events, lectures and readings throughout the year.The Bedford Village and the Bedford Hills Library are also places of respite and the county wide lending system makes any book held by a participating library available to you.
There is also the Annual Book Fair in Katonah at the Katonah Library which is held in the beauty, rustle and crispness of Fall and is very popular. Donated books and videos are on display on tables throughout the library at GREAT value! Bring an empty box !
There is a very large Children's Reading Room at The Katonah Library. They also sponsor many events and reading clubs for children. Every visit there must include a visit to see Tina the Turtle!
The Katonah Library also has their own Halloween Party for the little ones before Halloween during the day through "downtown Katonah".
There is also Bramson's School of Music in Bedford Hills where you can buy instruments, sheet music and have personal lessons in piano, guitar and more.
It is wonderful to live in a town where you feel safe with your children and as they mature you also are assured that your children are having a very happy time meeting friends in the Town of Katonah.
In the Fall there are various fairs when Katonah Avenue is closed to traffic and the local merchants have tables out filled with wonderful sale merchandise. There is also a Fashion Show, numerous raffles with wonderful prizes and gift certificates. Always music and games for the children.
Activities for the Grown Ups
Residents also enjoy the various Golf,Tennis, Swim, Art and Exercise clubs and studios. The Saw Mill River Club in Mt. Kisco is very popular for both Tennis & Swimming & More!
For those of us with a Green Thumb and a love of Nature there is the Hopp Ground Garden Club,the Bedford Garden Club, and Bedford Audubon Clubs. There is also The Master Singers of Westchester that both meet and then perform in Bedford. There are also local chapters of the Sweet Adeline's and The Chordsmen for those with a love of singing.
The Katonah Fireman's Parade
On the first Wednesday of every June there is a very popular Fireman's Parade which has been in existence for over 40 yrs! Fire Companies from the tri-state area all participate. People in the Victorians in town host lavish picnics during the parade and the parade then kicks off a 5 day Carnival at the Katonah Firehouse.
The Shops of Katonah
Katonah has wonderful unique shops. National Chains are against the law! Therefore we have a coffee shop named "Perks" with outdoor tables in the fairer months. There is a very classic general store called "Charles Department Store" which has been in the same family for three generations. There you can find top of the line cookware, small appliances, barbecues (often out on the sidewalk with savory samples grilling) serving ware, classic foot ware, the largest collection of leather gloves I have ever seen and country casual clothing on the upper level.
There are a great number of fashionable jewelry & clothing boutiques for all in Katonah. There is also an old time hardware store named "Kellogg's & Lawrence" which is complete with wood floors and a barrel of peanuts. They are famous for their fireplace accessories. Katonah is also a "go to" place for architectural hardware and other fine specialties.
There is even a new business in town, "Blue Bus" That is a guitar/Music store that also offers recording booths - 24 The Parkway
Our Christmas Holiday Tree Lighting in Katonah to Kick Off The Holiday Season!
On the First Sunday of December the people of the area of all faiths assemble at St Luke's at the crossroads of Katonah Avenue and Bedford Rd.which is situated at the beginning of our charming village. They have a pine tree there which often exceeds the height of the much celebrated tree in Rockefeller Center!
The tree is draped in lights with the help of the local Fire Department. Then we have hot cocoa and cookies served on the Church grounds by volunteers. It is fun to run into friends and neighbors as we stroll the area in anticipation of the TREE LIGHTING! First there are performances by the local choirs and a performance by out talented bell ringers. As you arrive it is de rigeur (important) that you get a raffle ticket for any child with you. It is the one time I take my beloved Bichon into Town to stroll the now quiet streets as we head to the hub of Holiday Activity - the big kick off for The Season! At the end of all of the socializing and music is the drawing of the raffle. The prize? To pull the switch which lights the tree!
One year my children and I were racing to get there and we got there just in time!
As I gave out their tickets I glanced at my son's ticket and remarked "That is the winning ticket - it ends with our house # !"
Well, one by one the numbers were teasingly called out and as we got to the next to the last number and it was our number I quickly knew that we had a 1 in 9 chance for the last digit and WE WON! I saw "we" because as soon as it was called the three of us began jumping up and down and so many people in the throng started cheering "It's Karen and her Kids!"
My son pulled the switch and I could not wait to get home in order to call family and friends! (Pre cell phone days)
We then later returned in the week equipped with a camera (then again pre cell phone days!) for my Father to take the shot of us in front of the lit tree "Our Tree" which then became our Photo Christmas Card.
Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, Pound Ridge & Mt. Kisco also have their own tree lighting ceremonies.
KATONAH AND THE 1897 MOVE!
The hamlet of Katonah was located originally North West of the present location in rhe Whitlockville area.
Just over 110 yrs ago New York City decided to declare its right of eminent domain and informed the townsfolk that they intended to flood the town in order to create the New York City Reservoir System. WELL - the hardy feisty people of Katonah were not about to take THAT lying down!
They hired Frederick Law Olmstead of Central Park fame to design the "New Katonah".
So, the people of Katonah then LIFTED over 85 homes and places of business and worship onto shaved trees and pulled and rolled the buildings to the new site by horse and mule on shaved trees!
It was based on a great deal of green space which was his trademark which is still in evidence today. There is the green space which runs along Bedford Avenue (Rt 117) and divides the lanes for car traffic with park benches and many trees. New York State also created a truck bypass to the outlying area to avoid rattling the windows and floors of these precious venerable Victorians.
There is also "The Parkway" in the Katonah Business District with a smaller scale strip of green which still keeps the town verdant. There are lovely benches under the Japanese Maples and seasonal flowers planted throughout the area.
The Katonah Library in town has an exhibit on this subject - complete with PHOTOS - a new fangled invention at the time! My favorite is the stately Victorian with a line of clothes still drying on the front porch as it is being moved!
These homes still continue in use as private homes, businesses and Churches.
Stay tuned ....
I hope to cover what you can find on our Museum Mile & More! Oops! I forgot to mention where all the children learn to ice skate!
(The Harvey School Skating Rink and there is also seasonal ice skating at the Lewisboro Town Park)
Ilease also go to my Home Page for Information on our Area
Christmas In Katonah!
Here are the dates of the traditional events held in the Hamlet of Katonah, Town of Bedford each year
I have written about my own personal experiences with them on my site.
Santa Comes to Katonah On the Saturday after Thanksgiving ,Santa is making an early stop in Katonah. He will be right next door to my office at Houlihan Lawrence behind the Chase Bank (used to be the Bank of New York)
The NEW Katonah Stroll
Sponsored by the Katonah Chamber of Commerce
Stroll Katonah Avenue all day and enjoy the live music,refreshments, trunk shows, a scavenger hunt and specials. There will be a free raffle ticket with each purchase from a participating store to win a gift basket from the Katonah Merchants.
My Favorite Event!
The Annual Tree Lighting at St. Luke's Church is held the first Sunday in December.
The festivities begin at the beginning of Katonah Avenue where Bedford Road splits to the left. St. Luke's is in between Katonah Avenue & Bedford Rd (Rt. 117). We enjoy singing groups from John Jay High School. They have had Bell Ringers and other local singers in the past. The whole time we are having hot chocolate and Christmas Cookies on the lawn around the Church and greet our neighbors (all of the Katonah area being our neighborhood) and friends from School and sports which our children attend.
If you do have a child in tow they MUST get a ticket. After all of the musical events are over there is a raffle and the child that has the winning ticket gets to light THE TREE with a HUGE countdown from everyone! During the rest of the Christmasn Season you can spot the tip of the lit tree at night from any spot in downtown Katonah. Must admit my son, Ross had the winning ticket one year and it was one of the greatest events of my life - we went back to have my Dad snap a picture which then became our Christmas card!
The Fireman's Parade
We here in Katonah look forward to the Annual Fireman's Parade which is always the first Wednesday in June when fire companies from the TRISTATE AREA all gather and march through town with their freshly washed and waxed fire engines and donned with their crisp sharp uniforms. We all cheer them on as they pass. I am especially proud as I see the Fire Companies from the Tarrytown's (oops - Tarrytown and the newly renamed Sleepy Hollow!) since they are my home towns from my childhood.
It is a wonderful time for the whole area. Homeowners along the route set up wonderful porch and lawn parties. Children ride their bikes alongside the Parade and those children in their strollers all are amazed at the festivity. It is a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell print! This is also the kickoff of the Carnival held on the Fire House Grounds which runs through the weekend with wonderful kiddie rides, more daring rides and lots of games with prizes and food kiosks. The most popular evening is "bracelet night" - a flat fee for unlimited rides.
HALLOWEEN WEEK !
I will leave these posts up for awhile so newcomers to the site will see what Katonah Halloween is all about
Annual Katonah Traditions for Halloween
Saturday before Halloween:
Katonah Elementary School Halloween Fair
The KES Halloween fundraiser, from 11:00 am to 3
Hallways of crafts and fun and a gym full of contests and games and tons of prizes!
Do not miss the upstairs Haunted Hallway!
The Sunday before Halloween - The Halloween Parade. The parade has its start behiond the Katonah Fire Department on Bedford Rd - Rt 117at 2 pm. Fun for all to watch - Parents also enjoy dressing up to walk their Tots through the Town
Katonah Village Library - Halloween Party & PARADE
For Pre Schoolers! Come in costume and join the fun, games, craft, treats and a short parade around the library. Please call 232-1233 to sign up.
Oct 31st: Then on Halloween, Katonah becomes the center for trick or treating . Little ones start out at 4 and the town is decorated beautifully. Enjoy the Village Victorians!
You could not be in a more beautiful setting for Halloween! "Downtown" Katonah is the center for Halloween fun!
The Sunday before Halloween there is a parade in the afternoon for the young children. Their parents and grandparents also march along most often in costume as well! It is a grand day! We at Houlihan Lawrence hand out glow in the dark buckets to these youngest of revelers.
On the big event day of Halloween the trick or treaters are out in full force! The homes of the Village are a sight to behold in their Victorian Glory festooned for this Holiday.
Memorial Day In Katonah
On Memorial Day in Katonah there is the traditional Memorial Day Parade with the local Fire & Police, the Boys and Girl Scouts all paying tribute to our fallen in a parade through the village which culminates at the Memorial Site at the top of The Parkway where there is a Flag Ceremony and the traditional gun salute. Wonder who the visiting dignitary will be this year! There is also a similar event in Bedford Village.
It is a busy time for parents, plus the end of year recitals, productions and graduation.
Town of Bedford Recreation
The Town of Bedford Parks open on this weekend as well. Within the Town Of Bedford there are three hamlets - Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah. Each hamlet - Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah have their own wonderful Day Camps. Each hamlet has their own Town Park complete with Pool facilities with both a large Kiddie Pool and large Main Pool. They also have Pool Houses with showers, changing rooms and snack bars! At the pools, there is plenty of green space. There is plenty of room on the surrounding lawns for your favorite beach chair and umbrella. There is a special Adult Swim time allowed for 20 minutes every hour and children anxiously sit by the side waiting for the whistle to blow so they can jump right back in. There are also open fields, Tennis Courts and Playgrounds
During the Month of July there is a FREE Family Concert in the parks three nights a week! One night is Katonah Night, one is for the Bedford Hills Park and then one for Bedford Village. We often went to all three! People would bring a picnic, a pizza, or buy from the snack bar. Of course the ice cream man is there for a refreshing treat! I have also booked talent from these shows for Birthday Parties!
The hamlets of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah have their own day camps as well held at these park facilities. They also include swim time and lessons. They culminate in a Musical Production at the end. On rainy days they take refuge in The Elementary Schools of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah. For the little ones there is a Tiny Tots program held in the Elementary Schools Of Katonah, Bedford Village and Bedford Hills. It is these same schools which offer refuge on rainy days as well. For the younger teens there is a new program which takes them to area museums and amusement parks three day a week!
Nursery Schools in Our Area
Bedford Village Nursery School - Bedford Village NY - 914-234-3020
Bet Torah Nursery School - Mt. Kisco NY - 914-241-6339
Boys & Girls Club - Mt. Kisco NY - 914-666-8069
Canaan Ridge School - N Stamford, Ct. - 203-322-7191
Gym Care - Bedford Hills - 914-241-1997
Hi Ho School - Bedford Village, NY - 914-234-3360
Jennie's School for Little Children - Mt. Kisco NY - 914-666-4001
Jewish Family Congregation of South Salem - S. Salem, NY - 914-763-3028
Katonah Playcare - Katonah, NY - 914-232-7825
Katonah Playschool - Katonah, NY - 914-232-5903
Katonah Quality Time Nursery School - Katonah NY - 914-767-0585
Little Blessings Children's Center - Mt. Kisco, NY - 914-241-0445
Little Garden Pre-School & Child Care Center - Mt. Kisco - 914-241-0445
The Little Pre-School - Mt. Kisco - 914-666-6505
Montessori School of Pound Ridge - Pound Ridge, NY - 914-763-3125
Mt. Kisco Day Care Center - Mt. Kisco, NY 914-241-2135
Mt Kisco Head Start - Mt. Kisco, NY -914-666-7087
North Salem Nursery School - North Salem, NY - 914-669-8911
Our Montessori School of Yorktown & Carmel - Yorktown Heights, NY -914-962-9466
Pound Ridge Community Church Play School - Pound Ridge, NY 914-764-4360
Rippowam Cisqua School - Cisqua Campus - 914-234-2775
St. John's Early Learning Center - South Salem, NY - 914-763-3671
South Salem Nursery School - S. Salem, NY - 914-763-3560
Re-Opened in a NEW Sparkling Location! ThistleWaithe Learning Center - 1340 Rt 35, S. Salem, 914-977-3662 - www.thistlewaithe.org
Village Green Nursery School - Bedford Village, NY -914-234-7967
I will also be doing a list of Party Venues and Entertainers for Great Children's Birthday Parties. The Town Parks also have venues that are very affordable. I have found "my talent" for the parties I had for my children at the Family Concerts given in the Town Parks each summer. If you need suggestions right away please contact me!
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Hamlet of Katonah - Part of the Town of Bedford
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Distance to NYC: 45 miles
Area: 25 square miles
Katonah is a village in the Town of Bedford, located at the junction of three main highways, two scenic reservoirs and a Metro North station offering a 60 minute commute to New York City. Katonah has its own unique flavor, enhanced by the charm of its turn-of-the-century architecture. It's a village with a tremendous sense of pride and cohesiveness, having survived two moves (the latter being when Old Katonah was flooded to create the reservoir system in the late 1800's). The New Katonah was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead of Central Park Fame! That is why we have several green spaces throughout the "downtown" area. Surrounded by family neighborhoods and country estates, horse farms and wooded retreats, the predominant feeling is one of a small, but thriving, old-fashioned village.
Educational Facilities
The Village of Katonah and its environs are in the Katonah-Lewisboro School System. Katonah Elementary School serves grades K-5 and John Jay Middle School (grades 6-8) and John Jay High School are located about 15 minutes away in the hamlet of Cross River, on a beautiful 55-acre campus with distant mountain views. Graduation is held in The Venetian Theater on the grounds of Caramoor.
In addition there are two private schools - the Harvey School in Katonah and Rippowam Cisqua located nearby in Bedford.
Recreational Facilities
The Katonah Museum of Art, a nationally recognized art museum, offers exhibits and educational and artistic programs far superior to what would normally be expected from a community of this size. Plans are in the works to develop a side walk/cross walk system to make it accessible from the Town by walking. There is also a Children's wing with many activities for them. My favorite were the "Hunt Sheets". I would give each child a clip board, pencil & sheet which would have "clues" for them to find on the pieces in the exhibit. There are also Family Days planned on Sundays.
My favorite memory was when the Nordstoms was being built in White Plains the area children were able to do a sketch on a 4 x 4 piece of paper which was then transferred onto a tile and fired and used in the tiled flooring of the Children's Department! We still love to pay it a visit!
Katonah Town Park offers swimming, tennis and sports. The Recreation Department of the Town of Bedford (which includes Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah) also offers wonderful Day Camps in the Summer plus a new program for Teens which takes them to places of interest three days week! There are also Family Concerts 3 evenings a week in July at the three Town Parks. Also helped me find "talent" for my children's Birthday Parties! It is fun to bring a picnic or pick up a Pizza and then have an ice cream treat when The Good Humor truck arrives.
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts not only houses one of the last important private art collections which is still intact, but is famous for its summer music festival. The Rosen House is Open to the Public and there are seasonal teas combined with tours available as well. It is one of the only 5 House Museums opened to the public in the Country. The specialty is Renaissance Art with 19 rooms brought to the home site and retrofitted to be installed in the space alloted along the corridors which form a square around the Spanish Courtyard. I am pleased to say that I am a Docent there and find the groups entranced each and every time I lead a tour. The story of Walter & Lucy Rosen is very rich.
There are wonderful concerts of classical music all in a country setting.There are also All American Concerts for the Fourth of July and a very popular Jazz Festival. School groups also are brought to the house museum. Picnicking on the lovely grounds before concerts is encouraged.
The historic John Jay Homestead is also a Katonah landmark. This period home,open to the public, offers seasonal events such as movies, concerts and special exhibits. The beautiful stone library is one of the finest in Westchester.
The small town atmosphere is enhanced by many popular events throughout the year: The Fireman's Parade, Halloween Parade, Lion's (Rotary) Street Fair, Katonah Sales Day, Santa's arrival and the Holiday Festival, which are all heavily attended.
Houses of Worship
First Church of Christian Scientist, St. Luke's Episcopal, Katonah United Methodist, First Presbyterian Church, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic
Local Links
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Katonah Library | Katonah-Lewisboro School District | Katonah Bedford School District
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