Good morning subscribers. ☕This is your Wednesday, Jan. 15, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.

-Today’s newsletter is curated by Christian Falcone

Staring down death. In 1939, Donn Fendler, a 12-year-old boy from Rye, went on a hike up Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, with his father, two brothers, and a guide.

During a sudden storm, he was separated from the group and was lost in the wilderness alone for nine days. 

His story of survival riveted a nation desperate for good news. Americans had been struggling with the Depression and war was looming in Europe. One young boy’s fight against the odds became national news. 

And now Fendler’s tale is a motion picture, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” It chronicles his days in the wilderness — covering 80 miles without food and only a few items of clothing. He encountered wildlife, bugs, and leeches and slept without shelter during long, cold nights.

In the end his shoes and feet were shredded.  

Fendler credited his survival to using what he had learned from the Boy Scouts and his father. (“If you ever get lost, find a stream and follow it because it will lead to a river which will lead to civilization,” his father had told him.)

This story of determination and perseverance become canon in the state of Maine.

Fendler wrote a book, also called “Lost on a Mountain in Maine,” and spent 25 years telling his story in Maine classrooms (the book is now required reading).  

To read the full article click here

➡️ Follow The Record, @ryerecordnews, on our social media channels and at ryerecord.com for the latest news. 💻📱

INSTAGRAM POST OF THE WEEK 📸

-A late December sunrise at Rye Town Park.

➡️To follow The Record on Instagram click here 

IN OTHER NEWS

I swear. James Ward took the ceremonial oath of office last Wednesday, and joined the dais for his first official meeting as a member of the Rye City Council. -Christian Falcone

Doctor’s orders. January, with its short and cold days, can be a tough month. The holidays are behind us, and we’re all craving a little extra vitamin D. Liz Woods offers little tips to make these wintry days a bit easier.

Take a seat. George Latimer has been assigned to the House’s Foreign Affairs and Small Business committees. “I’ve long been active in local Chambers of Commerce and I can bring those needs to proper attention at the Federal level with a seat on Small Business,” the freshman congressman told On The Record. “Foreign Affairs stretches me into a new area of public policy with great impact on the nation.” -David Hessekiel

AROUND TOWN

-A Rye Arts Center exhibit, “Unseen Photographs of Rock & Roll Legends,” opens today featuring Michael Friedman’s rediscovered works — including candid images of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and other legendary artists during their primes.

-The Rye PD Marine Unit has unveiled a new patrol boat, which will monitor the waters of the Long Island Sound.

Off the record: Two Sound Shore Democrats — Anant Nambiar, of Mamaroneck, and Andrew Regenstreich, of Larchmont — are interested in running for the Westchester County Legislature seat currently occupied by Rye’s Catherine Parker. Parker, whose term expires at year end, cannot run for reelection after six terms in office.

WEATHER

Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a high of 33 degrees. 🌥 Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.

➡️ Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for our newsletter here. Interested in advertising or sponsoring this post? Click here.

SPORTS

Rye Hockey Wins Applebee’s Winter Classic With 7-2 Rout of Beekmantown

The Rye boys’ hockey team wrapped up 2024 on a high note, winning the Applebee’s Winter Classic Tournament in Plattsburgh. It’s just the bounce Coach Peter Thomas and the Garnets were looking for as they enter the heart of their season.

“We got behind (in the championship game) to Beekmantown (West Chazy, N.Y.) early,” Rye’s coach said. “But the boys found their stride at the end of the first period and never looked back.”

Beekmantown scored the first two goals of the championship game before Rye answered with seven straight scores in a commanding 7-2 victory.

-by Steven Kearney

NEWS

What’s in a Name? A New Bagel Place on Purchase Street Is Finding Out.

From its saucy name to its distinctive menu, Badass Bagels, which opened at 12 Purchase St. on Jan. 2, isn’t your father’s bagel shop.

Created during the pandemic by foodie entrepreneur Jennifer Balin, this business makes bagels that are 100 percent wild yeast sourdough concoctions (Balin calls her process “farm to bagel”).

That the new eatery sold out of its signature bagels on opening day was clearly the result of word of mouth and social media buzz, because the store had no outdoor sign.

-by David Hessekiel

CITY

Council Sets Public Hearing to Consider Large-Scale Building Moratorium

The Rye City Council is considering a building moratorium on multi-family and non-residential development projects.  

After an initial discussion at Wednesday night’s meeting, the council — in a unanimous vote — set a Jan. 21 public hearing to further debate the matter.   

Mayor Josh Cohn described the proposed law as only affecting “a limited number of districts” and “particularly the central business district.”

-by David Hessekiel

POLICE & FIRE

Saved by a Whisker: Rye Firefighters Rescue Dog from Freezing Apawamis Club Pond

It was a ruff day for one local pooch.

Rye firefighters saved a 15-pound mini Goldendoodle in a harrowing rescue Monday morning from a freezing pond at The Apawamis Club. Four-year-old Scout — who apparently doesn’t like swimming — had chased after a flock of geese on the private golf club’s greens, only to realize that “she wasn’t on grass anymore,” her owner Caitlin Layng told The Record.

In fact, Scout had somehow made it all the way out to the middle of the pond, which was 25 yards away and 20 feet deep, according to the fire department.

-by Mayra Kalaora