NEWS from

NEW ROCHELLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

One Library Plaza, New Rochelle, New York 10801-9998 (914) 632-8254 Fax: (914) 632-5386

FORIMMEDIATERELEASE

Contact: BarbaraDavis
Community Relations Coordinator

April 3, 2013 NEW ROCHELLE TO CELEBRATE NOTABLE RESIDENTS ON APRIL 27th The 325th Anniversary Event Will Include Walk of Fame Inductions From colonial to contemporary times, New Rochelle has been home to a lions share of notable individuals. On April 27th, a number of these luminaries will be celebrated in a day-long event, New Rochelle Notables Day, that will include the induction of nine individuals into the New Rochelle Walk of Fame (description and list of 2013 and 2011 inductees is attached). Authors of New Rochelle Biographies and New Rochelle Songs and Songwriters will bookend the Walk of Fame program, providing the public with plenty of opportunities to experience the communitys rich talent in this 375th Anniversary year. The complete schedule of activities for the day is as follows: 11:00 am Authors of New Rochelle Biographies will feature a lively panel discussion by individuals who have researched and written about the lives of some of the communitys late, great women, including dancer and cultural anthropologist Pearl Primus, dancer and trend-setter Irene Castle, and local businesswoman Bessie Dreizen. A book-signing to follow the discussion in the Librarys Ossie Davis Theater. Official Presentation of the 2013 Inductees into the New Rochelle Walk of Fame on the Library Green. Seven beautifully-illustrated interpretive signs will be unveiled, adding to the 25 honorees originally inducted in 2011. A reception will follow. (In the event of rain, the induction ceremony and reception will take place in the librarys Ossie Davis Theater and Meeting Room). New Rochelle Songs & Songwriters of the Past Members of the Village Light Opera Guild will perform a program of famous popular songs written about New Rochelle (just 45 Minutes from Broadway!) or written by New Rochelle residents. The program will include selections from How to Succeed in Business, Ragtime, Strike Up the Band, two popular Christmas tunes and a medley that includes Woody Woodpeckers theme song. New Rochelle Songs & Songwriters of Today New Rochelle musicians Diane Guernsey, Liz Loglisci, Paul Gross, Brian Carter and Kevin Hill, will perform a program that includes classical, folk, popular and jazz. New Rochelle Songs and Songwriters of the Past and Today is made possible by the Friends of NRPL. The two programs will take place in the Ossie Davis Theater. Donations accepted.

1:00 pm

2:00 pm

3:30 pm

NEW ROCHELLE WALK OF FAME

ABOUT THE NEW ROCHELLE WALK OF FAME The New Rochelle Walk of Fame was dedicated in 2011, and is located on New Rochelles Library Green, at Huguenot Street between Memorial Highway and Lawton Street. It is comprised of attractive interpretive signboards relating the stories of nationally notable individuals with distinct ties to New Rochelle, and their contributions to America. Strategically located in the gardens lining the Library Green pathway, the signs were created and funded by former resident and historian Roderick Kennedy Jr., working in partnership with the New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation, the Downtown BID, the New Rochelle Public Library, and City Historian Barbara Davis. Mr. Kennedy was born in New Rochelle and developed a great affection for the city while spending his early childhood here. The Walk of Fame is a micro history of America as reflected in the lives of New Rochelles famous sons and daughters, representing the arts, business, politics, education, the media, entertainment and sports. 2013 INDUCTEES Jerry Boch, Composer and Joseph Stein, Writer The award-winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof, was created by Jerry Bock (score), Joseph Stein (book), and Sheldon Harnick (score), while Bock and Stein were living in New Rochelle. Nell Brinkley, Illustrator, Cartoonist Nell Brinkley was one of the most famous American illustrators in the early decades of the twentieth century. She was the creator of the Brinkley Girl, a young liberated workingwoman who wore lacy dresses and her hair in curls, who became popular in songs, films and theater. E. L. Doctorow, Novelist An editor, professor and prolific writer, he is best-known for his works of historical fiction that include The Book of Daniel (1971), Ragtime (1975), World's Fair (1985), Billy Bathgate (1989), The March (2005) and Homer and Langley (2009). Jay Leno, television Personality and Comedian Jay Leno grew up on Leland Avenue in New Rochelle, attending Trinity school until his family moved to Massachusetts, in 1959. Frederick Douglass Patterson, Frederick Douglas Patterson was an educator, humanitarian and doctor of veterinary medicine. He is best remembered for founding (UNCF). In 1935, He was president of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University), one of the foremost African American institutions of higher education in the country, founder of the United Negro College Fund, initiator of the black Army Air Corps (Tuskegee Airmen0 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Carl Reiner, T.V. Writer, Director, and Rob Reiner, T.V. Personality, Actor, Writer, Director In 1953, Carl and Estelle Reiner moved from the Bronx with their 6 year old son Rob to 48 Bonnie Meadow Road in New Rochelle. The home and community became the inspiration for hit TV series The Dick Van Dyke Show staring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore as the quintessential American suburban couple (1961 to 1966). Mighty Mouse (Paul Terry, Animator) In 1934, Paul Terry settled his pioneering animation studio, Terrytoons, in the Pershing Square Building in New Rochelle, now known as the Kaufman or K Building. In 1949, he moved his studio to the former Knights of Columbus Hall at 38 Centre Avenue. Over the next several decades, the studio would create some of Americas most beloved cartoons, including the famous mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, Gandy Goose and Deputy Dawg. CONTINUED

2011 NEW ROCHELLE WALK OF FAME INDUCTEES

Madame Beatrice Alexander Premier doll maker of the 20th Century (1895-1990) Theresa Brewer Singer and entertainer (1932 2007) Joseph Campbell Professor and writer about mythology and comparative religions (1904 1987) Irene Castle Dancer and trend-setter, of Irene and Vernon Castle fame (1893-1969) Carrie Chapman Catt Leader of the womens suffrage movement (1859 1947) Ellabelle Davis Opera singer (1907 1960) Ossie Davis Actor, writer, activist (1917 2005) Ruby Dee - Actress, writer, activist (b. 1924) Eddie Foy Vaudeville performer, of Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foys fame (1856-1928) Lou Gehrig Yankee great and Hall of Famer (1903 1941) Don Hewitt Television producer; 60 Minutes (1922 2009) Adrian Iselin and family Financier, philanthropist (1818 1905) Elia Kazan Director, playwright (1909 2003) Walter Lantz Animator, cartoonist; Woody Woodpecker (1899-1994) Joseph Leyendecker Artist, illustrator. Robert Merrill Opera singer (1917 2004) Thomas Paine The man who sparked the American Revolution, author of Common Sense (1737 1809) Jan Peerce Opera singer (1904 1984) Pearl Primus Dancer and choreographer (1919 1994) Alex Raymond Comic Strip artist; Flash Gordon (1909 1956) Frederic Remington Artist of Americas West. Norman Rockwell Artist, illustrator (1894-1978) Saint Elizabeth Seton The first American-born woman to become a saint (1774-1821) Buffalo Bob Smith Radio and TV personality; Howdy Doody (1917 1998) Whitney M. Young, Jr. Educator, Civil Rights leader, founder of the Urban League (1921 1971)

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