The opportunity to try on the wheels of the trade drew crowds of future drivers to the Rye Free Reading Room’s Vehicle Fair this Sunday, May 31, 2026. Kids hopped into the driver’s seat of a police car, bucket truck, firetruck, and school bus among other transport themed activities. Hundreds of children and families gathered […]
Category: Rye Free Reading Room
Posted inCommunity Groups, Giving Friday, Giving Rye, Rye Free Reading Room
Giving Rye: Meet the Rye Free Reading Room
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Chris Shoemaker of the Rye Free Reading Room. Your Name: Chris Shoemaker Name of your organization: Rye Free Reading Room Your role: Director MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission Shoemaker: The Rye Free Reading Room […]
Posted inCommunity Groups, Rye Free Reading Room
Eighth Annual Rye Free Reading Room Spelling Bee
The Rye Free Reading Room hosted its Eighth Annual Spelling Bee on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Library Director Chris Shoemaker welcomed 37 elementary, middle, and high school students who came to test their spelling skills. Mayor Josh Cohn and Rye patron Cara Giacomo served as official word readers for the event. This year, […]
Posted inCommunity Groups, Green, Police & Fire, Rye Fire Department, Rye Free Reading Room, Rye Nature Center
Rye Professional Firefighters Support Rye Nature Center and Library with Donations
Local 2029, the local fire fighter union, recently presented donations the the Rye Nature Center and the Rye Free Reading Room. On Saturday, September 6 the Local 2029 presented $25,000 to the Rye Nature Center. The funds will go towards design and permit work for the new driveway access being planned for the nature center […]
Posted inCommunity Groups, Rye Free Reading Room
PHOTOS: Vehicle Fair Draws 1,100, Raises $35K for Library
On Sunday, June 1st, the Rye Free Reading Room’s annual Vehicle Fair drew over 1,100 kids and their families for a day fun with fire trucks, police cruisers, bulldozers, bounce houses, classic games, favorite local food trucks, and a Taylor Swift- inspired live performance. The event raised over $35,000 to support library programs.
Posted inCommunity Groups, Rye Free Reading Room, The Osborn, The Osborn Home
‘The Wisdom Gallery’ – Tribute to Rye’s Older Residents – Opens @ Library
A tribute to the vibrancy, wisdom, and contributions of older adults, “The Wisdom Gallery” has opened at the Rye Free Reading Room. The art exhibit runs all of May in celebration of Older Americans Month and is sponsored by The Osborn. The exhibit showcases photographic portraits and personal reflections from older residents who have contributed […]
Posted inCommunity Groups, Giving Friday, Giving Rye, Rye Free Reading Room
Giving Rye: Meet the Rye Free Reading Room
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Chris Shoemaker of the Rye Free Reading Room. Your Name: Chris Shoemaker Organization: Rye Free Reading Room Your role: Director MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission. Shoemaker: The Rye Free Reading Room serves as a […]
Posted inCommunity Groups, Rye Free Reading Room
Strong + Puzzling: 7th Annual Spelling Bee Awards Award $3K in Scholarship Cash
The Rye Free Reading Room hosted its Seventh Annual Spelling Bee on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2024. Library Director Chris Shoemaker welcomed twelve middle and high school students who arrived ready to test their spelling skills and compete for scholarship prizes. Rye patrons and sisters, Cara Giacomo and Adrienne Mecca, served as official word […]
Posted inArt in Rye, NY, Community Groups, People, Rye Free Reading Room
Bestselling Author Tom Casey Discusses Latest Hit Release Unsettled States
Rye native Tom Casey spoke at the Rye Free Reading Room on Thursday evening, July 25 about his Amazon-bestselling book Unsettled States (see our interview with Casey). The novel follows residents of “a small Connecticut coastal town” that is “rocked by a set of seemingly random tragedies,” resulting in “a gripping story of voyeurism, infidelity, […]
Posted inPeople, Rye Free Reading Room
Interview with Tom Casey, Amazon Bestselling Author of Unsettled States
Tom Casey was born in New York City in 1950 and grew up near the beach in Rye. He graduated from Rye High School in 1968, after which he was both a military and commercial airline captain. He turned to fiction novel writing, and has published three novels – the last of which came out […]