I was born in Chicago in 1929. My father immigrated from Russia in 1914 and seven years later he sent for the rest of his family, including my mother, who arrived in Ellis Island in 1921. I came to New York for a vacation in 1951 and met my future husband. We got married 9 months later and I moved to New York. We bought a house in Greenburgh where I raised my three children. During that time, I took art courses at the County Center in White Plains, which was home to the Westchester Art Workshop and also studied art at Suny Purchase, where I developed a passion for oil and acrylic painting, as well as watercolors and printmaking. Over the years, I have had group and solo shows in libraries, government offices, town halls, White Plains Hospital, galleries and outdoor venues in Westchester and New York City. In addition, I have sold multiple paintings to private collectors and various corporations. I have never stopped painting and at 92, I am as excited about creating art as I was at the beginning. See my work at www.adeleyale.com
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I was married for 57 years to my husband, William Yale, a CPA who worked in New York City and Westchetser. He passed away in 2009. I have three grown children.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am an artist and my work is mostly abstact and impressionistic. I love color, design and landscapes.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Some favorite restaurants are La Manda’s and Sam’s of Gedney Way in White Plains. I also enjoy a great steak at Ruth’s Chris, medium rare.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
67 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
One of the most interesting and lovely people I have met is Sarah Bracey White, Executive Director of Arts and Culture for the Town of Greenburgh, also an artist, writer, teacher, actor and motivational speaker.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would travel to a beach in the Caribbean to warm up from the ice storm we’re having right now. Antiqua is fabulous.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Cinema Paradiso, a 1988 Italian drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. I just loved it.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Follow your dreams. Challenge yourself to be better than you ever thought you could be.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
When I was 89, I went up in an open door helicopter over New York City with my grandson. I can’t really top that!
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I love all classical symphonies. I listen to WQXR, day and night.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Alexanders was a department store in White Plains and I looked forward to going there whenever possible. I get nostalgic thinking about how I would shop for clothes for my kids and myself. Another was Altmans, a store long gone from White Plains.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to have lunch with my friend Sheila, and we would meet at The Cheesecake Factory.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Greenburgh Recreation Department has a wonderful pool and a senior center that offers so much.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself living with my family and continuing my love for painting.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know how much I love to dance.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The California Coast is so beautiful.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August and every day that you wake up is my favorite day.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Myself.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children and grandchildren.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Lemon meringue pie.