BRIARCRIER
August 26, 2011, Friday at 12:00, former Briarcliff Rec Dept, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club
TODAY IN HISTORY
1883 – The island volcano Krakatoa began cataclysmic eruptions leading to a massive explosion the following day.
MEETING LEADER – Dean Dykeman
PLEDGE - Paul Rosen PATRIOTIC SONG – Sy Yuter PRAYER – Paul Rosen
HAPPY THOUGHTS - Rod happy Ted Kuhn is speaking; Ernie has 12 grandchildren, some from his wife’s family; Dean – tree work from Hurricane Irene.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Blood drive being held by Rachel on August 31st at the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department from 3 – 7:30. Friday, September 2nd will be our first meeting at the Briars Restaurant and we will be ordering from a menu. Community day is September 10th. Set up is at 2 pm and food starts at 4 pm. Sign up sheets are being done by Ernie.
SPEAKER AND SUBJECT – Ted Kuhn – Music appreciation at Sing Sing Prison
SUMMARY OF TALK
The first thing that Ted Kuhn told us about was how violent the inmate population is. They have plenty of time to reflect upon their situation and what they could do for the next 20 or 30 years. Finally some accept the idea of further education and take courses. Some are fine students and support each other. The inmates are a captive audience and there is pressure to succeed. Recently 200 inmates received a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Mercy College. A popular course is music appreciation. Some like jazz or classical music. The two hour class was singing Gregorian chants. They are taught the identification of musical instruments. Ted Kuhn plays the violin but could not bring it in because the inmates would have the ability to pull off a string and endanger someone. There are many religious conversions in the prison. Rachel’s father has performed many weddings within Sing Sing prison. At their graduation, the actor Tim Robbins, of the movie Shawshank Redemption, gave a graduation speech and Harry Belafonte spoke, being given an honorary degree.
Elinor Yuter, Reporter
Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter
