Hartsdale, NY shares not only a border with White Plains (WP) but its history. White Plains has a street named Hartsdale Ave located in Highlands neighborhood. Hartsdale during Colonial Days was part of Philipsburg Manor owned by the Frederick Philipse family and his descendants. The patriarch was born Vredyck Filipsen before emigrating but changed his…
Category: Interests
Sandra Harrison’s Family Heritage Story
Following here is a paper I wrote in 1971 for a Sociology class in high school. For my assignment, I interviewed my grandparents to find out my family's immigrant experience coming to the United States. At this time, I had only one living grandparent on my father's side Rita Harrison that had emigrated here. My…
The Arts in White Plains: Past & Present
Film Production and Cinemas: City Center on Mamaroneck Ave In more recent years, film making has become common place in White Plains (WP) but going to a cinema to watch a movie on a big screen has been a favorite pastime in WP for over 100 years. Today, people can see a movie on the…
Gaudier-Brzeska
Intriguing artist Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915) lived a short full life before dying on the battle field in Europe during World War I at 23. French born sculptor had a platonic but personal relationship with Sophie Brzeska, a polish poet and writer. He adopted her surname. The couple moved to London in 1910 till he enlisted…
History Behind the Curtain: Broadway Theatre
The first play I went to as a teen was Fiddler on the Roof and was hooked. I continued to go to live theatre during my college years. In 1982, I became a TDF member and I was able to attend a lot of theatre on and off Broadway. Most Broadway theatres are historic and…
Bioretention (Rain) Gardens
Rain gardens or bioretention spaces are a good and inexpensive way of alleviating flooding issues caused by run-off or heavy down pours. "Bioretention is a process in which contaminants and sedimentation are removed from storm water runoff. Storm water is collected into the treatment area which consists of a grass buffer strip, sand bed, ponding…
Paul Harrison
In memory of my father Paul Harrison (1920-2013), my mother celebrates my father's birthday each June at NEJC. Paul was born on June 14, our country's flag day. She made a collage last June. We visit him in Valhalla (Sharon Gardens) each year. He died Sept 11, 2013 at the age of 93. He was…
