Mayor Marvin's Column: Senior Living in Bronxville

In my columns, I seem to frequently write about Bronxville as a great place to be a young person because of the exceptional public school and the safety and freedom for children to walk about and enjoy a childhood much like our own.

This past week I spoke at the Bronxville Senior Citizens meeting and a light bulb went off thanks to Karla Diserens who is doing a strategic plan for the organization.  Bronxville is a wonderful place to be a senior citizen (and for which I now qualify!).

As I got to thinking about the concept, I genuinely could not name another community that has so many amenities and conveniences for seniors.

A supermarket is just a walk away and truly all one’s shopping needs can be met by the incredible variety of stores we have within our one square mile.  Our merchants are also so accommodating to our seniors often delivering heavy bundles, taking phone orders and helping with prescription needs.

A walkable business district is vital to maintaining a robust senior population.  So when you shop in the Village, you not only send sales tax revenues to our Village and school and help to keep home prices stable, you aid in maintaining age diversity in our Village.  An inter-generational community adds to the richness and fabric of our Village and is so worth preserving.  I cannot imagine Pondfield Road without toddlers and seniors.

Seniors without cars can walk to medical specialists in every field, visit the dentist and even walk to a hospital. 

We have a great variety of houses of worship, all only a walk away as well as a post office, a college, movie theater, taxi service and a variety of restaurants to meet every price point.

Our library sponsors book clubs, computer lessons and thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Library, cultural performances and readings.

The Bronxville Adult School offers a broad array of classes, trips and recreational and cultural opportunities at very reasonable cost.  The options in Bronxville for food for the body and mind is unparalleled.

And, if Broadway calls, Metro North is in the center of the Village and Grand Central less than a half hour away.

Our wonderful police department will even check on any senior if they so wish and also hold a house key in case of emergency.

In addition to all of the above amenities for seniors, the Village is also home to two vibrant organizations specifically dedicated to the needs of seniors.

The Senior Citizens’ of Bronxville has cared for senior needs for over 40 years.  The organization offers a wide variety of activities and services, most of which take place in Congregational Hall, thanks to the kindness and support of the Reformed Church.

The founding premise of the Bronxville senior organization is that aging is a normal developmental process but those aging also need a way to meet their peers with whom they can interact and serve as a source of encouragement.

In that spirit, they sponsor a panoply of social and enrichment activities including luncheons with speakers, Tai Chi and yoga classes, knitting and bridge.  In the next few weeks, our seniors will be heading to Ellis Island, the Bruce Museum and the Botanical Gardens.  Led by Sue Tozzi, who is a licensed social worker, her skills are used to reach out to seniors via in-home evaluations or referrals to connect them with needed social services or medical support.

The Bronxville Seniors are also known for their philanthropic work whether it is collecting cereal for a Head Start program, buying mittens for the needy or delivering presents to hospital patients.

If you would like to join the seniors, reach out to Director Sue Tozzi at 793-2222 or Bronxvilleseniorcitizens@gmail.com.  If you are not of age, but would like to support their efforts, donations are gratefully accepted.  Purchasing tickets for the upcoming Free Parking Space raffle will not only help the seniors but entitles the winner to a placard allowing free parking anywhere in the Village for a full year – one of the best prizes ever!!!

A recent addition to the Village’s array of senior services is which fills an important niche in our community.  Founded by your fellow Village residents several years ago, Gramatan Village follows the very successful model of a program first begun in Beacon Hill, Boston.  Gramatan’s mission is to provide local seniors with information and services enabling them to age safely and confidentially in their own home, thereby allowing them to age in place and stay in our community.  Gramatan Village offers a wide spectrum of services including transportation, help with errands, handyman referrals, recreational and educational opportunities and assistance with medical issues. 

They even have a service that connects our seniors with volunteer opportunities as our seniors always seem desirous of giving back.  If you are interested in joining, contact Executive Director Julie Dalton at 337-1338 or stop by their offices at 85 Pondfield Road.

Gramatan is having a festive “May Magic” fundraiser on May 6 at where for her many contributions to our Village.  All are invited to attend.

Your support of these two vital organizations will help to ensure the unique age diversity in our Village which enriches us all.