Rye Lifers is a MyRye.com series that introduces you to people that have spent their lives in Rye – people who have grown up in Rye, worked in Rye, come back to raise their family in Rye. Do you know someone we should profile for Rye Lifers? Tell us.
Today, meet Maggie Nye.
MyRye.com: Why are you a Rye “Lifer”?
Nye: My parents moved here in 1950 to start a business. Initially, they lived in a three bedroom house on Meadow Place, but after six children and one on the way, they bought property on Pine Lane and my dad built my mom’s dream house. I was born in United Hospital in 1967, the eighth and final Nye child. I have remained in Rye not only to be close to family but also because I appreciate the beauty, great schools, and strong community ties.
Tell us about the street in Rye you grew up on:
Nye: Pine Lane is behind Rye High School and was an amazing street to grow up on because we had the brook, softball and football fields, and tennis courts right in our backyard. The Millers, Van De Kamps, and Nyes played outside all day until dinner, avoiding Pasha (the Blood’s German Shepherd) at all costs. Sometimes we would cut Sunday school to play on the lacrosse nets, pocketing the 25 cent donation to the church. And while the occasional flooding was a nightmare for our parents, we had a blast!
Where in Rye do you live now?
Nye: Today, I live on Cedar Place with my two daughters. It’s an unusual neighborhood for Rye in that there are a few commercial properties along with single- and multi-family homes. One of the businesses there is my dad’s, now owned by my brothers, and next door is a wonderful day care facility. The diversity here is wonderful!
Who was your favorite teacher at Rye High School and what year did you graduate?
Nye: I graduated in 1985. I had a lot of great teachers at Midland, RMS and RHS, but I think my favorite was Mr. DeRosa. He was my AP Biology teacher and I was fascinated by the content, I think because he taught it so well. But more importantly he let us play the B-52’s during labs. I also loved my gym teachers Miss Hiller and Miss Lane; they both had a long history with my sisters and were so nice and friendly to me when I entered Rye Middle School. Back in the day, RHS had father-daughter volleyball nights, and during the brief period when my father had no daughter at Rye High School, Miss Lane invited him to play with her!
What in your view are the two or three greatest Rye traditions—current or past?
Nye:
- Midland School Book Fair
- Halloween Window Painting
- Twig Fair
What about the great Rye institutions—community organizations, shops, restaurants. Which ones are or have been part of the Rye fabric?
Nye:
- Bellucio’s Restaurant has always put up with my large and boisterous family. It’s always our go-to when family is in town – thank you Frank!
- Tony’s Smoke Shop. They had a corner in the back full of candy and little toys, like cap guns and Silly Putty. I believe one piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum cost a half cent.
- Sunrise Pizza. We could walk there as little kids and play the juke box (Seasons in the Sun was a favorite) and eat pizza and Italian ices. Inevitably, I would see one of my sisters there with her friends – Raymond Bly could make his eyes spin like Petey the dog from the Little Rascals!
- Rye Beach. It was my mom’s favorite place so we were there a lot as kids. And I still love it to this day.
Thank you, Maggie!
