Winter brings our thoughts to snow and ice. Ice on sidewalks and highways is a slippery menace; ice on ponds and skating rinks is a medium for recreation (not to mention the combative spirit of professional ice hockey). Ice on frozen northern lakes gives the opportunity for ice-fishing and for the almost-forgotten sport of iceboating. But what of the word ice itself? Ice is one of the older words in the English language, coming from Old Teutonic. In the related languages of German and Dutch, it sounds just the same, although it is spelled differently in those languages. The Greeks of classic times called it krystallon, from which we get our word crystal, and the Romans called it glacies, which gave us glacier (but not glass and glaze, which come from a different root). Ice has skidded into our language in a number of words and expressions. It was (and maybe still is) criminal slang for diamonds, because both sparkle. Criminals also ice a person when they kill him (or her). To delay something is to “put it on ice.” We all know that speaking icily to a person is very unfriendly, but breaking the ice is putting strangers at ease with each other. When something doesn’t appeal to us, we may say “That cuts no ice with me.” Ice, as we all know, is frozen water. But how does it get that way? Drawing on memories of long-ago physics classes, I’d say the loss of heat steals energy from the water molecules, making them move slower and slower until at last they come to a standstill and bond together to form crystals. The crystals join to form blocks and sheets of ice. Ice has been used since ancient times to preserve food. American farmers used to keep perishables for months in icehouses, which were cellars dug into the ground and protected by a peaked roof on top. Ice was placed above the food and insulated with sawdust. In Colonial times and well into the 19th century New Englanders and New Yorkers used to harvest ice from frozen ponds and ship it to tropical countries, and even as far as China, well-insulated in a thick coat of sawdust. All this came gradually to an end with the invention of mechanical refrigeration in 1842, by a Florida doctor named John Gorrie, who used it to cool sickrooms in a hospital—the first air-conditioner. By 1851 Gorrie had patented a true refrigeration system, which was quickly adopted by the brewing and meatpacking industries. Then someone hit on the idea of using mechanical refrigeration to make ice. Well into the 20th century households relied on iceboxes, which were zinc-lined chests with a compartment on top for the ice and another below for the food. The ice was delivered daily by brawny men who grabbed a block of ice with huge tongs, slung it over their shoulders, and toiled up flights of stairs with it if need be. In popular lore, icemen were noted for sexual liaisons with bored housewives. How much truth there was in this I cannot say. I was never an iceman.
It's cold outside and there's snow on the ground, but there's still plenty to do in Armonk. And there's something for everyone.
Byram Hills Ski Team is competing at Thunder Ridge Ski Resort in Patterson, NY. Only 35 minutes from Armonk. Did you know that during
the 1960's, Armonk had a short lived tiny ski slope called Dynamite
Hill? It was located behind Town Hall on a hill that is no longer
there. The hill was cut through to lay the new Route 22 dividing the
Town Hall and IBM property. A rope tow brought skiers to the top of a small
hill. The rope was attached to a turning wheel axle of a truck that was
up on blocks. There are many fond memories of that set up. If you hit
the slopes yourself, Hickory & Tweed's got the gear to keep you warm and looking good.
Byram Hills' schools offer a variety of after school events from dinner theatre and the winter district wide art show to Winter Family Festival at Coman Hill.
Sharpen your blades and hang them over the fireplace for the near future to skate at Armonk's indoor skating rink. Discussions are taken place to bubble in a rink near the soccer/tennis bubbles in Town Park.
Wampus Park on Route 128 is a must for outdoor skating and ice fishing. Just keep an eye out for the "Skating" sign posted in the parking lot. Impromptu hockey games are known to be held there on Sunday mornings.
The nice thing about snow sledding is that it is wherever the hills are. We've talked to some private property owners that have asked us not to name the locations, but just ask around and you'll hear about Armonk's favorite sledding hills. Or consider carving a luge track in your own backyard, that is, if you're located on a hill. But warning: speeds are known to get pretty fast.
Nearby Audubon Greenwich
offers a variety of indoor/outdoor activities. There is a quilt show at
the museum and continual lectures about nature, green building, the
great outdoors and more.
Don't forget you can always throw on a good pair of hiking boots, call a friend and walk the track at Town Park or the trails on Oregon Road or Betsy Sluder Preserve. Hiking trails are reviewed in our outdoor section.
There are plenty of ways to pamper yourself in Armonk. Did you know we
have five nail salons in town? There are plenty of hair salons in town
as well, Salon Bellezza
is among them and conveniently located in Olive Branch Plaza next to LaGravinese Jewelers.
Proprietor Debra LaGravinese is very personable and has a unique
selection of jewelry.
Since we're indoors more this time of year, what how about sitting for a portrait painting. Chrissanth Green Gross is a very talented artist and is capable of capturing personality. Visit her gallery. What about your pooch? Tina Ravitz of Animate Photography will come to your favorite play area. Glen Sider enjoys the outdoors and sees everyday objects a little different from behind the lens.
For those that like to be indoors till it warms up, there's plenty happening in Armonk. Start at our wonderful public libraries: book clubs, discussion groups, knitting, chess games and lessons, music, Armonk Players' play readings, children's games and entertainment, learning Tai Chi, Italian Culture, cooking classes, internet classes and the list goes on.
Did we mention shopping? Armonk has a variety of shops for women's clothing including Ruthie Z's, and TruGrace. Looking for Kids' clothing and acessories? Check out Monkey Business NY. The Right Thing has gifts and such and consigned goods are available at Treasures. Cocobolo has a vast selection of interior items for the home. And there's a great choice of eye wear at the Armonk Vision and Armonk Eye Design.
The Towns Parks and Rec Department is happening at the Hergenhan Center. Classes for adults and children in music, art, cooking, sports and more. If you've got an idea for a class that doesn't exists, inquiry about starting one up.
So lets get off this computer and get out there in Armonk to enjoy a slew of activities that are in our own backyard. Did we miss something? Send it to us at edit@allaboutarmonk.com.
Click movie reel below to see Winter Fun in Armonk. Photos by Jane Ellen Gertz.
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Lions Way
A picture perfect winter day at Wampus Brook Park. Have any photos you would like to share? Send them to us at edit@allaboutarmonk.com.
Winter Storm Photo: Rich Fon
Dawn in Windmill Photo by Andrea Colella Albino
December 21, 2009
Jane Ellen Gertz capture this magnificent sunset during the evening before Winter Solstice. Not only was Monday the shortest day of the year, it was also the first day of Winter. Click to view larger image.
Cross Country Skiing Nearby
Whether
you
prefer challenging trails through wooded areas or acres of open
space to traverse, Westchester County parks and golf courses offer an
ideal setting for cross country skiing. You must provide your own
equipment; no rentals are available. (Please note: Sledding is
allowed only where noted. Sledding is not permitted at golf courses.) For
more information and locations:
westchestergov.com
Conditions permitting,
cross country skiing is allowed seven days a week during daylight hours
at the following locations: Marked trails in addition to open areas
*
CENTRAL WESTCHESTER Cranberry Lake
Preserve*, Old Orchard Street off Route 22, North White Plains, Maple
Moor Golf Course, North Street, White Plains, Marshlands
Conservancy, Route 1, Rye*, Saxon Woods Golf Course, Mamaroneck Road,
Scarsdale, Saxon Woods Park, Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains *. Source:Westchestergov.com
