Pound Ridge repair café returns Oct. 17

The Pound Ridge Repair Café will return Saturday, Oct. 17,  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Conant Hall, located at 279 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge.

It is the 16th biannual event sponsored by the Pound Ridge Conservation Board. It is open to all local communities and towns in the area and Hudson Valley. 

It’s an opportunity to help people deal with a variety of broken household items, from lamps to jewelry, to electronics, to sewing and knitting services. 

It’s also free.

The group of experienced “fixers” will repair your lamps, clocks, humidifiers, electronics and sharpen knives. Some of the fixers include:

Jim Perry, the Pound Ridge building inspector, will be on hand to advise on prospective building plans for your home or property. He offers friendly advice and is always a very popular feature at the cafés. 

Kurt Ostenheimer will show people how to sharpen their electric and gas chainsaws. He also can work with loose chain loops and is ready to discuss different types of chains, chain terminology, files, adjusting chain tension, and for those interested, discuss the merits of battery powered chainsaws; some of which can outperform their gas counterparts. 

Peter Avellino can help get your bicycle ready for fall. He can do most bike repairs to make sure your bike is safe and your tires are patched and filled for winter storage. 

“If it’s broken, don’t toss it, bring it to us,” said Marilyn Shapiro-Lowell, coordinator of the event. “We have fun activities for the kiddos and while you are there, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and chat with your neighbors.”

Interested people can also work with repair coaches or volunteer as a coach in general carpentry, bicycles, electronics, computers, printers, toys, lamps, clothes and jewelry. Community service hours are available for high school volunteers. If interested, contact Shapiro at 914-764-4270 or email mashap102@verizon.net.