Town of Bedford resident and freelance writer Don Scott’s column speaks to the importance of Stepping Stones to the entire local community and the world. Don said, “The property draws visitors from across the country and around the world, who come to be inspired as well as to reflect on the importance of the site to the recovery community.” Click here to read the column.
News
“A Hidden Treasure: Katonah’s Stepping Stones”, Westchester Magazine, July 2023
Check out the great story from Westchester Magazine from July of 2023 – “A Hidden Treasure: Katonah’s Stepping Stones” by clicking here.
Author Robert Brum interviewed Bill W.’s great niece and Stepping Stones Executive Director and tells the history of the Wilson’s arrival at their beloved home and how the legacy continues on through the Stepping Stones Foundation and support of friends like you.
Wander with Wonder Features Stepping Stones
Read the blog / picture essay by Teresa Bergen who visited in March 2023 on her “Wander with Wonder” website. Click Visiting Stepping Stones: AA History | Wander With Wonder
“Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters – Play Readings in Katonah, NY, Sept. 24, 2022
For Immediate Release: August 31, 2022
Contact: 914-232-4822, x11, info@steppingstones.org
National Historic Landmark Home of Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill W. & Al-Anon Family Groups Cofounder Lois W. Presents Fundraising Benefit and Staged Readings Comprised of the Wilson’s Writings
National Recovery Month Event September 24, 2022, Westchester NY
See end of release for calendar listing.
Photos of the actors, the Wilsons, and video of Stepping Stones is available upon request.
Katonah, NY—“Stepping Stones – Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson” in Katonah, NY, builds public understanding of alcoholism and inspires recovery by preserving and sharing the National Historic Landmark home and archive of Bill Wilson, cofounder, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Lois Wilson, cofounder, Al-Anon Family Groups. In celebration of National Recovery Month and marking the launch of the new Town of Bedford Friends of Stepping Stones in September 2022, Stepping Stones presents staged readings of the play “Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters.” The play only uses the diaries, letters, and other writings of the Wilsons from Stepping Stones Archive to tell their eventful, moving love story. The ticketed play readings are Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Walker Center for the Arts, Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah, NY, 10536. For tickets ($10-25), the website is https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com. A free reception for reading ticketholders follows the 7:30 reading.
“Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters,” takes the audience through the eventful lives of the Wilsons—from falling in love and the start of Bill’s 17-year descent into alcoholism through his recovery, cofounding of A.A., and writing the 12-Steps of recovery. Acclaimed actors John Bedford Lloyd and Anne Twomey Lloyd will play the roles of “Older Bill” and “Older Lois”, respectively and Eileen Hanley and Bradley Lewis, will play “Younger Lois” and “Younger Bill,” respectively.
This play shines a light on the lives of the longtime New Yorkers, Bill and Lois Wilson, who are relatively little known but had a major, lasting impact in fostering worldwide 12-Step recovery programs (A.A. founded 1935; Al-Anon founded 1951). These fellowships have continued to aid millions of people decades after Bill’s passing in 1971 and Lois’ in 1988.
“Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters” is directed, staged and compiled from the writings of the Wilsons in Stepping Stones Archive by Laurie Heffner Lewis. The staged reading has original music by Cary Brown, music production by Robert Kessler, and visual sequences by Gene Pope. The play is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission and late seating.
The evening of play readings are a fundraising benefit for Stepping Stones and its play program. Sponsorships are available at https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com. Stepping Stones gratefully acknowledges the support of the following sponsors and promotional partners:
Patron-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Henry “Hank” Albing; Anonymous; The Corbett-Turco Family; Corbett Public Relations, Long Island, NY; The Harvey School, Katonah, NY; Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA); Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk, NY; Russell Speeders Car Wash & Detailing, Bedford Hills, NY; Stephen Tilly, Architect, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Friend-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Bedford Diner, Bedford Hills, NY; Michael P. Berardino; Blossom Flower Shops, Yonkers & White Plains, NY; Bradsell Contracting, Bedford, NY; Landmark Facilities Group, Inc., Norwalk, CT; Kyle R. Lewis; Hans Morefield & Helene Kopal; The Peckham Family Foundation, Brewster, NY
Supporter-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Mary Morrow & Bob Albing; Bill & Virginia Albing; Bedford Gourmet; Bedford Village Pastry; Russ & Laura C.; Ellen Calves; Charles Department Store, Katonah, NY; Country Willow Home, Bedford Hills, NY; Decker Tool Rental, Bedford Hills, NY; Alysa DiMarco, State Farm Insurance, Bedford Hills, NY; Cori Estrow; David & Dale Foster; Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Heffner; Christine Howe; La Familia Pizza & Pasta, Katonah, NY; La Maison Fete, Bedford, NY; Landmark Kitchen & Baths Bedford Hills, NY; Jacob & Zan Lewis; Jennifer Llwellyn & Majestic Hudson Spiritual Boutique & Blissful Experiences, Katonah; Carolyn M.; Sarah Melamed; Rud & Jen Niles; Phil OKeefe; The Paint Box, Bedford Hills, NY; Joseph & Johanna Pak; Paulie’s Deli, Katonah, NY; Phoenix Theatre & Arts Company, Carmel, NY; Sgaglio’s Marketplace, Katonah, NY; Singleton, Davis & Singleton, PLLC, Mt. Kisco, NY; ShopRite, Bedford Hills, NY; Rusty Turner, Charleston SC; Jay & Karen VanHouten; Village Market, Katonah, NY
Promotional Partners & Media Sponsors: Creative Alliance Project of Bedford Hills, Bedford, & Katonah; Drug Abuse Prevention Council of Bedford, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro; Friends of Recovery (FOR)-Westchester, NY; Katonah Chamber of Commerce; Katonah Classic Stage; Katonah Connect Magazine & Website; Katonah Village Improvement Society
ABOUT STEPPING STONES – HISTORIC HOME OF BILL & LOIS WILSON: Bill and Lois Wilson moved to their northern Westchester home in 1941 after two years without a home. They later named the property “Stepping Stones.” Lois left the 8.17-acre site and 110,000 original objects and documents to the nonprofit she founded in 1979—The Stepping Stones Foundation. The house museum and archive site is on the N.Y. and U.S. registries of historic places, the NY Women’s Heritage Trail, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. The Stepping Stones Foundation offers tours, online presentations, off-site events, access to its archive (online and in person), and a play program. For more information, email info@steppingstones.org and watch “Homecoming – Stepping Stones” – a video introduction to Stepping Stones.
Calendar Listing
Event: “Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters” Staged Reading
Date & Time: Saturday, September 24, 2022, 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $25; $10 for those 21 Years of Age and Under (Limited scholarship tickets available)
Ticketing & Information Website: https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com
Location: Walker Center for the Arts, Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah, NY, 10536
Description: For National Recovery Month in September 2022, Stepping Stones-Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson in Katonah, NY, presents professional actors in a rare, staged reading of an eventful, moving love story comprised solely of the diaries, letters, and other writings of Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson and Al-Anon Family Groups cofounder Lois Wilson.
For more information: info@steppingstones.org or 914-232-4822
2021 Newsletter
Click to read the 2021 Newsletter Stepping Stones 12_22_21
This issue features these news items:
– Share in Gratitude: 2021 Annual Appeal
– Greetings from Board & Staff
– From the Archive: Who is Fred B.?
– News You Can Use: Virtual Tour Video, Online Archive, Play Script & Video, Program, Speakers for Virtual & In-Person Events, Our New Website & Online Shop
– In Appreciation: Sunlight of the Spirit Appeal Comes to Shining Finish
– Online Series’ Stellar Presenters
– Saluting Our Tour Guides
– In Memoriam: Bernadette Borchert and Maurice F. Dettman
– Volunteer Opportunities – Remote or In-Person
– 70th Picnic Recap & 71st Picnic Announcement
– Planned Giving Notice
Neighborhood Notes
General, Volunteer, & Intern Opportunities Contact Phone and Email: 914.232.4822 and info@steppingstones.org
Community Garden Contact to Inquire about Garden Plots: visit@steppingstones.org
Notification of Town Permit-Required Meetings with Neighbors
Check back here for May 2024 and September 2024 Neighbor Meeting notices.
Notifications of Upcoming or Cancelled Large or Medium Events On Site
Stepping Stones’ notifications of scheduled or cancelled events:
Large Event, Saturday October 14, 2023, Estimated visitors 90-140, the majority will arrive by passenger car or small van between 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Cancelled: Medium Event, Saturday September 23, 2023, Estimated visitors 50-70, the majority will arrive by passenger car or small van between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Cancelled: Medium Event, Saturday September 9, 2023, Estimated visitors 50-70, the majority will arrive by passenger car or small van between 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Cancelled: Friday, April 21, 2023, Estimated visitors 40-60, the majority will arrive by passenger car between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and leave by approximately 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 73rd Annual Stepping Stones Lois’ Family Groups Picnic, ticketed (limit 500), small shuttles from Bedford Hills Train Station to property; limited special needs parking on property. Volunteer arrivals by shuttle begin about 8 a.m. Guests arrivals begin at noon. Event ends at 5 p.m.
Updated September 2023. Please check back here for updates and email info@steppingstones.org for more information.
Launch of “Stepping Stones Online Series: The Living Legacy of Bill & Lois Wilson”
Since November of 2019 “Stepping Stones Online: The Living Legacy of Bill & Lois Wilson” series has offered online interviews and events to share the history of the Wilsons, inspire recovery, and foster understanding of alcoholism. As Stepping Stones Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary, it launched the series with an interview by noted author William Schaberg (go to recordings page). For online event notices and other news you can use, join the mail/email list using the sign up button on the top of this page. To suggest an online program or presenter, email office@steppingstones.org
