The Somers Record 03.12.20

Vol. 9 No. 47 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, March 12, 2020

One person tests positive Public hearing
for COVID-19 in Somers on sewer district
planned for April
Communities stay vigilant as coronavirus spreads
BY CAROL REIF e second change in the

STAFF WRITER project’s revised Map, Plan and

BY CAROL REIF COVID-19 UPDATES Report, which was accepted by
STAFF WRITER
For the most up-to-date information on Somers is outlining two major the board at its work session, in-
e Somers School District, which has been un- closings and cancellations related to the
settled by the news that a Primrose parent tested coronavirus, visit Somers Record online changes in the way fees would be volves the county’s buy-in fees.
positive for COVID-19, was cleared by county
health o cials to reopen on Tuesday, March 10. at tapintosomers.net or on Facebook assessed for its proposed sewer According to Robbins, the
at facebook.com/TAPintoSomers. To
In a letter to the community issued Monday, alert Somers Record of a closing or district in Lake Shenorock and county has agreed “in principle”
March 9, schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond cancellation, email editor Jodi Weinberger
Blanch said the district will continue to follow state at [email protected] or call Lake Lincolndale. to enact legislation that would
and county guidelines for dealing with the respira-
tory illness. 914-302-5830. According to Steve Robbins, delay the application of its buy-

e state Department of Health on Monday de- do the job and now has an additional, temporary project manager with Woodard in and operation and mainte-
clared a mandatory, 24-hour school closure if a stu- custodian for each building: Primrose Elementary
dent or sta member tests positive for COVID-19. School, Somers Middle School, Somers Intermedi- & Curran, the town’s engineer- nance fees until “such time that
ate School and Somers High School.
is order aims to give investigators time to deter- ing consultants, all homeowners the phase of construction will
mine who the individual might have come in con- As to the high school’s spring musical planned
tact with in the school environment, Blanch said. for this weekend, Blanch said on Monday that he would pay a at annual fee for bring sewers to the front of a
wasn’t prepared to give a “de nitive answer” as to
Districts cannot decide on their own when it’s whether or not it will go on as planned.” sewer service. given parcel.”
safe to reopen schools; they must wait for the
thumbs-up from health o cials. “We must wait to see how this virus progresses,” “We are no long talking about is means that, after the 103
he said, adding that the district would update the
Other members of that parent’s family, including community as soon as possible. ad valorem or market value basis. parcels are hooked up, the re-
the child, have tested negative for the disease and
are under quarantine. Meanwhile, the 10th annual Somers Magic All parcels would pay the same maining 886 parcels would not
Show at Somers High School, set for Friday, March
e parent had not visited the school in recent 20, was postponed in reaction to the epidemic. As amount,” he said at the Town have to pay any buy-in fees to
weeks; the child will not return to school until of Monday, the event, sponsored by Special Edu-
cleared by health authorities, Blanch had said ear- cation Parent Teachers Association, had yet to be Board’s work session on urs- the county until they are actually
lier. rescheduled. It was to include a bake sale to bene t
day, March 5. connected, he said.
e district closed down over the weekend and SEE CORONAVIRUS PAGE 7
on Monday so its maintenance sta could disinfect Ad valorem (Latin for “ac- “ at’s a deviation from public
all four schools along with the handrails and seats
on school buses. It hired extra cleaning crews to cording to value”) is a tax based policy,”noted town attorney Ro-

on the value of property or a land Baroni Jr.

transaction. Morrissey later echoed that

e annual fees—district sentiment, calling the change “a

and county—are expected to be real lift for those not in Phase 1.”

$591 a year for the 103 proper- e only drawback would

ties included in Phase 1 when it be, Baroni added, that those

is completed, Robbins said. At homes would no longer be eli-

full buildout, or when the entire gible to participate in the coun-

project is completed, that fee ty’s pump-out reimbursement

would be $1,187 for all parcels program. Homeowners in the

in the district, including those in SEE SEWERS PAGE 3
Phase 1.

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 SellYour Home forTOP DOLLAR
CLASSIFIEDS
ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 26 with Somers’ Real Estate Specialist
LEGAL NOTICES
LEISURE 2 FREE
OPINION
SPORTS 25 Home Evaluation

24 YOUTH Anytime — No Cost or Obligation
8 BASKETBALL
Call 914.243.3051
19 Champions on the court
pg 21 SomersHouseValues.com

CLASSIC REALTY Michael Trinchitella
LicensedAssociate Real Estate Broker

Visit: SomersHouseValues.com
or Email: [email protected]

Page 2 – The Somers Record ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Thursday, March 12, 2020

The Staff SHS PTSA Scholarship the 2nd Annual Meals,Wheels and Deals on Somers Spring Programs
Fund Raffle Sunday, April 26, 2020 from 11-4 at Somers
EDITORIAL TEAM High School (rain date May 3, 2020) is Spring programs registration begins
JODI WEINBERGER
e PTSA is currently selling $20 each or is a community event featuring Food Trucks, Tuesday, March 17, at 8 a.m.
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] 3 for $50 for a chance/chances to enter to win Vendors and Cool Cars. Funds raised will 2020 camp registration reminder: Tusker

BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER two tickets to see Hamilton at the Richard help o set senior activities for the Class of Trax Travel Camp registration is Tuesday,
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] Rodgers eatre on Friday, July 31st at 8pm. 2021. If anyone has any questions email March 31, at 8 a.m. Day camp registration

ADVERTISING TEAM Seats are Right Orchestra, Row V, Seats 2 & [email protected] is.
LISA KAIN
4. All proceeds will go to the SHSH PTSA Community Forum ursday, April 2, at 8 a.m. Somers parks
914-351-2424 Scholarship Fund. Winner does not need to & recreation is now accepting applications
[email protected]
be present to win. You can purchase tickets for summer camp positions: day camp rst
PAUL FORHAN
914-202-2392 online at www.myschoolbucks.com or via Somers Partners in Prevention and the aid supervisor; day camp division head; day
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON email Vicki Durso at shsptsascholarship- Joseph V. Caruana Foundation invite you to camp counselor; tusker trax camp counselor.
845-621-4049
[email protected] [email protected] and we will make arrange- attend the 6th Annual Community Forum For detailed information go to www.somer-
JENNIFER CONNELLY
917-446-7757 ments to deliver you a lucky ticket. March 24 at 7 p.m. in the Somers Middle sny.com
[email protected]
BRUCE HELLER Meals, Wheels & Deals School Library. We welcome substance use call(914) 232-8441 or parks@somersny.
914-202-2941 prevention Speakers, Kathi and Chris Sul- com.
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE livan. For more information please contact SEE TRUNK PAGE 16
e SHS PTSA Class of 2021 will hold Denise Schirmer at [email protected]
CO-FOUNDER
914-924-9122 Largest selection
[email protected] of Craft Beer and
Liquor around!
PRODUCTION TEAM
MLIUNSEIUCP—
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
PRODUCTION MANAGER • March 14 - THE HAPPY CRABS
DESIGNER/PHOTOGRAPHER • March 18 - LIVE BLUES BAND

[email protected] for our Blues & Brews night special
CHRISTINA ROSE • March 21 - Crossfire

ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER Starting Mar 13—
DESIGNER Friday Night Freestyle
DJ Dance Parties!
[email protected]
Sunday Bottomless Sangria/
EXECUTIVE TEAM Mimosa & Live Music Brunch
BRETT FREEMAN
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151

[email protected]
JOSEPH R. TESONE

SENIOR VP & ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
845-621-1116

[email protected]

Deadlines

THE SOMERS RECORD DEADLINE
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS

AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR

SOMERS RECORD IS THE THURSDAY
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CALL JODI WEINBERGER AT
914-302-5830 OR EMAIL
[email protected].

Subscribe

TO REQUEST THE SOMERS RECORD
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503
OR EMAIL [email protected].
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN.
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT
SOMERS, NY AND AT

ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

POSTMASTER:
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO

THE SOMERS RECORD AT
BAILEY COURT

334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S
SOMERS, NY 10589

(ISSN 2330-1597) KLAZYJAX.COM
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC AT OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 12 NOON TO CLOSING
EXPRESS LUNCH SERVED MON THRU FRIDAY
BAILEY COURT
334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S KLAZY JAX GASTRO PUB • 925 Rt 6 Mahopac NY 10541 • 845-628-5409

SOMERS, NY 10589
©2020 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC

Thursday, March 12, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 3

Library expands its hours to include Sundays, late evenings

BY CAROL REIF hits 25,000. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
STAFF WRITER “We’re not quite there yet, but with the boarding And in the best plot twist, it will now be open on Sun-

e Somers Library has started a whole new chapter in school”— the private STEAM high school proposed for days from 1 to 5 p.m. year-round.
its service to the town. And it wants to share that knowl- the old IBM site on Route 100—”coming and all the de- Most libraries in Westchester are closed on Sundays
edge with all its book-loving patrons—both young and velopment that’s taking place around town, we were look-
old. ing ahead,” Farber said. during the summer.
“We’re in the middle of a park, where people come to
According to director Andrew Farber, word has slowly After two years of gathering data and crunching num-
been ltering out for the past several weeks that the li- bers, he and the library board submitted a proposal to the enjoy the weather and play sports in the summer, so the
brary has expanded both its hours and the days it is open. town, which funds the library. thinking was, ‘Why shouldn’t we stay open?’” Farber said.

Previously, the library had been open ve days a week— e town appropriated $1,074,447 for the library in at adds up to an addition 10 hours a week, for a total
no Sundays—from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ursdays were the 2019.In 2020,the library budget was upped to $1,124,458, of 52.
only days it was open until 8 p.m. which included a bump of $30,000 to pay for additional
sta . at has allowed the library, located in Reis Park “For years we have heard from our patrons that our
But the schedule wasn’t cutting it with busy Somers o Primrose Street, to hire two part-time librarians and hours were not meeting the needs of the community. By
residents, many of whom have long work commutes and three part-time clerks. It will also help pay the electricity working with the town of Somers, we are nally able to
couldn’t make it to the library before it closed at 5, and and heating bills associated with its new hours. meet the requirements of working families and drastically
the younger crowd whose mornings and afternoons are expand our operational hours,” Farber said.
e budget took e ect on Jan. 1 and it took about a
lled with academics and sports. month to nd and train the new sta , Farber said. e e community seems to be thrilled with the changes
ere are 23,000 or so souls in Somers; 10,840, or changes took e ect on Monday, Feb. 3. so far. e sta itself is “very excited” about things, Farber
said.
nearly half, are library cardholders, Farber said Tuesday, e library will now be open on Tuesdays and Wednes-
March 3. days from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; ursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 He expressed gratitude for the town funding and
p.m.; Mondays, Saturdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 praised the “hard work” of the library’s sta .
New York State standards for libraries requires them to p.m. On Saturdays during the summer, the hours will be
be open for 52 hours a week when the local population ere will now be more evening and weekend pro-
grams for adults, children and teens.

For more information, visit www.somerslibrary.org

SEWERS public hearings, the town put the plan on to send to Westchester legislators asking to (county) Board of Legislators.”
FROM PAGE 1
hold in November. be included in the Peekskill sewer district.

e Map, Plan and Report has been re- “So we’re in pretty good stead to take this PUBLIC PUSHBACK

program can get up to $300 every three years vised based on input from residents and the forward,”Morrissey said last ursday. Linda Luciano, a vocal sewer project foe,

for a pump-out of their septic tanks. Town Board and the county. Mailings will go out to all of the 989 after describing the town’s problems with

e updated Map, Plan and Report also e three-phase project will cost $62.2 homes in the proposed district. e town road salt pollution, drew the board’s atten-

clari es the ways homeowners would be million and is “the same in extent and scope planned to post the revamped Map, Plan tion last ursday to a “new, innovative sep-

held nancially responsible for the mainte- as originally proposed,”Robbins said. and Report on its website, www.somersny. tic treatment system” called I/A OWTS, or

nance of grinder pumps. About 103 parcels will be included in com, by Friday (March 6) afternoon or Innovative and Alternative On-Site Waste-

Grinder pumps are wastewater convey- Phase 1 of the project. e $10 million al- Monday (March 9) morning. water Treatment Systems, that she said have

ance devices that are activated once the con- located by the DEP will cover this, Robbins A ier answering key questions about the been used in Su olk County on Long Island

tents of a septic tank reaches a certain level.It said. e town is seeking extra grant money plan is already posted on the town website. since 2016.

grinds the waste into a ne slurry and pumps that might allow it to include 35 to 40 more e board, meanwhile, on ursday, de- It makes “your home its own mini-waste-

it to the central sewer system. homes in Phase 1. clared its intent by resolution to act as lead water treatment plant,”Luciano said.

After questions were raised last year about e construction of future phases depends agency for State Environmental Quality Re- Grants and low-interest loans are avail-

the completeness of the Map, Plan and Re- on the town’s ability to secure additional view Act purposes. able to homeowners who want to upgrade to

port, the town’s engineers confabbed with grant money, Robbins said. While the Map, Plan and Report may this system. ey can be installed “for a frac-

the town assessor to make sure “all the par- have changed, the rules regarding who can tion of the cost of a sewer line and keeps you,

cels”were included, Robbins said. NEXT STEPS vote on the referendum has not, Baroni said. the homeowner, in control of your waste-

It took a lot of work to get to this point, e town had intended to hold a public Only property owners are eligible; tenants water treatment expenses,” she said, asking

he said, summarizing the process during the informational event in Lake Shenorock on and renters aren’t. However, “tenants by en- the board why it hadn’t “looked into these

past few years. March 11, but postponed it until March 25 tirety,”aka spouses, can vote, but only if their systems.”

e New York City Department of Envi- to further review the revised Map, Plan and names are on the deed. Putting in sanitary sewers in Lake She-

ronmental Protection allocated $10 million Report and release it to the public. Partnerships, corporations and LLCs are norock and Lake Lincolndale does not ad-

to Somers to protect its water supplies by It has set a public hearing on the project for entitled to a single vote. And any person or dress road salt contamination, a “townwide”

building sanitary sewers in Lake Shenorock ursday, April 2, which could be carried over entity that owns more than one parcel in the problem, Luciano added. She urged the

and Lake Lincolndale. At full build-out, the to its next meeting, on ursday, April 16. district would only get one vote. town to concentrate instead on xing She-

project would connect 989 developed parcels At the close of the hearing,it would create For further details, consult the town’s norock’s failing 50-year-old water system.

in the R-10 district to a public sewer system. the sewer district subject to the approval of website. “ ey keep ushing the hydrants because

is would, Robbins said, “divert” about the state comptroller and the outcome of a Morrissey praised Baroni and engineering of the brown water. ere’s obvious ongo-

362,000 gallons of wastewater from the “mandatory referendum,”Baroni said. consultants Joe Barbagallo and Robbins for ing issues with it and nobody’s talking about

Amawalk Reservoir watershed to the West- e vote must occur not less than 60 days how much work they’ve put in on the proj- that,”Luciano said.

chester County wastewater treatment plant or more than 75 days after the board adopts ect. “ e majority of residents do not want

in Peekskill. To do so, a new town sewer a resolution to create the sewer district. Westchester’s also been “a willing part- it (the sewer project),” she contended. “You

district had to be created, a Map, Plan and As a result, the vote could occur in early ner” in the process, the supervisor said, add- should have been looking at the most eco-

Report prepared and public hearings held. June. ing that he felt “encouraged” that the town nomical alternatives like residents have re-

e process began in July. After several e town has already prepared a petition would “at least get a fair hearing before the searched and found.”

Gary Forbes Chris Radding HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH SStJthoua&ecdmieaMeSnlfosoptrS:antoutnfhdisiehs Very Proud!
914-232-7750 • www.forbesinsurance.com
The Forbes Insurance Team Hard Work Pays Off!

Page 4 – The Somers Record Thursday, March 12, 2020

Feeling the vibes in science

e following is from the Somers Central School District: experiment you can get wet, and sometimes you have to
pick up many small grains of rice. But usually, you record
First-graders at Primrose Elementary are learning that your ndings on a data collection sheet, discuss your nd-
exploring science through doing is fun. ings with your whole class and add your ndings to your
science notebooks.
“I learned that the vibration goes through the string
from the hanger!,” one student told co-teachers teachers “Science 21 is hands-on and our students are so en-
Nancy Hannon and Crystle Regulbuto. gaged,”says Hannon.“ ey feel like real scientists in these
lessons, called ‘Wild Wave’and ‘Waves: Light and Sound.”
e students used materials at four di erent stations to
collect evidence to support the idea that vibrating materi- “We loved seeing the excitement on their faces as they
als can make sound and that sound can make materials moved from station to station and when they saw, felt and
vibrate. ey also discovered that sometimes in a science heard the vibrations,” says Regulbuto.

BEDFORD GRAVEL First-graders Roman Casimir and Colton PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOMERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
& LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Gorgone conduct an experiment to learn

• Gravel • Topsoil • Mulches about vibrations and sound.
• Sweet Peet • Unilock Pavers
ENGAGEMENT
• Sand • Stonedust
• Item #4 • Drainage Pipe Annabel Chloe Myers of Fleetwood, 27,
• Flagstone • Fieldstone and Austin James Cardona of Fleetwood, 32,
• Belgian Block are engaged to be married. Annabel (Annie)
• Cobblestones • Wallstone graduated from Somers High School in 2011
• Fire Pits • Stepping Stones • Soil/Fill and went on to receive her BA in Psychology
from SUNY Purchase 2015, and a MA in
27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s) psychology from Touro University in 2018. She
currently is a Research Coordinator at Weill
www.bedfordgravel.com Cornell Medicine. Austin graduated Somers
High School in 2006 and received a BA from
914-241-3851 SUNY Potsdam in 2011. He is the Supervisor
for Michael Kors IT Recruitment Department.

eir parents, Jim and Cristi Myers, and James
and Deirdre Cardona live in Somers and enjoyed
raising their children in the community. e
newly engaged couple look forward to a fall
wedding next year.

Somers Partners in Prevention and the Joseph V. Caruana Foundation invite you to attend

The 6th Annual Community Forum

March 24, 2020 7 p.m.

at the Somers Middle School Library

We welcome
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION SPEAKERS

KATHI AND CHRIS SULLIVAN

For more information please contact Denise Schirmer at [email protected]

Thursday, March 12, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 5

Putnam Hospital Center
is now part of
Nuvance Health.

A promising new health system.

At Nuvance Health, we’re rethinking your healthcare
experience with you and your family in mind. We let
our curiosity guide us, asking the right questions, and
discovering what matters to you. We’re finding new ways
to fit into your life, with options for care you can trust.
We invite you to experience that promise for yourself.

nuvancehealth.org

© Nuvance Health

Page 6 – The Somers Record Thursday, March 12, 2020

Nature’s calling, and it wants a composting toilet

Somers Land Trust hopes to ush out the funds for one at Rhinoceros Creek

BY CAROL REIF bush—doesn’t come cheap. at’s It’s for, the trust says coyly in its

STAFF WRITER why the trust is hoping to raise plea for funds, “those times when

$10,000 through tax-deductible you’ve gotta go, but you don’t want

Does a rhinoceros poop in the donations. to leave!”

woods? Although the toilets cost a bit e trust would like to have the

Hopefully, it won’t have to... more, the trust plans to make up toilet up and running before e

if the Somers Land Trust gets its the di erence from its co ers. Rewilding School’s summer ses-

much-needed composting toilet. e mild winter has been great sion gets underway at Rhinoceros

ere are already two of the en- for those craving a quiet stroll Creek. e outdoor-based educa-

vironmentally friendly, waterless, through the woods. e birds are tional program allows children to

allegedly odorless outdoor potties singing and there are already signs “discover their own connections to

at Angle Fly Preserve, a 654-acre of spring. Now Rhinoceros Creek the land and each other,” accord-

nature lover’s haven administered Reservation’s new pavilion and a ing to founder Eric Stone, a natu-

by the volunteer group, its presi- stone patio overlooking the pond ralist, primitive skills educator and PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOMERS LAND TRUST
dent, Michael Barnhart, said on are both just about ready to wel- licensed New York State guide
Monday, March 9. And the trust come footsore visitors in search of and wilderness rst responder. A patio by the pavilion at Rhinoceros Creek Reservation is being
would like to see similar facilities a place to take a load o . constructed.
Participants can expect to help

at its newest endeavor, Rhinoceros Eager volunteer teams of Boy build res, forage for berries and e reserve was named in hon- ing into what is now “downtown”

Creek Reservation, a 155-acre Scouts and adults have been hard shoot bows and arrows. ey can or of one of the stars of a circus Somers. It took eight strong

preserve located o Route 202, at work all winter on the new also, Stone said, expect to get the menagerie owned by 19th cen- horses to drag the protesting beast

just south of the Somers hamlet. trails. e icing on the cake will be occasional scrape or bug bite. tury Somers entrepreneur Gerard back to Crane’s farm.

But answering nature’s call in the composting toilet, to be locat- But they won’t, unfortunately, Crane. An odd-toed ungulate native

comfort—instead of behind a ed somewhere near the pavilion. see a rhinoceros. A small unpaved road leads to of Africa and Southern Asia, the

the 115-acre property donated to rhino also had the habit of bath-

TITAN the Land Trust in 2017 by Rob- ing in the stream that ows into
STEAKHOUSE ert and the late Christine Beshar the property—hence, Rhinoceros
when their home, Stone House Creek.
Farm, was sold. e imposing To donate to the potty fund,
manse was built in 1849 by Crane. go to somerslandtrust.org or send

Local lore has it that he owned your tax-deductible contribution
a rhinoceros that once frightened to Somers Land Trust, P.O. Box
the populace by casually stroll- 248, Somers, NY 10589.

March 16-29 DESIGN • BUILD • REMODEL • SINCE 1973
$32.95 Dinner

TITAN STEAKHOUSE Regular Menu Available Your premier kitchen & bath remodelers all under one roof!

HUDSON VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEK Happy Hour
3-6 Tuesday-Saturday
1st Course
12-4 Sunday
Steamed Mussels
Steamed in a white wine broth with fresh herbs & roasted garlic SHOWROOMS:
19 Old Doansburg Rd. 101 Greenwood Ave.
Tuna Tartare
Tossed with sesame oil, a touch of teriyaki glaze, and black & white Brewster, NY Bethel, CT
sesame seeds. Topped with an avocado puree & finished with balsamic
845-278-0070 203-748-9000
reduction & garnished with toast points

Homemade Maryland Crab Cake
Served with our homemade tartar sauce

2nd Course

Chicken Martini
Lightly breaded with a blend of seasoned bread crumbs & grated parmesan
cheese. Finished in a white wine reduction with fresh squeezed lemon &

herbs with sauteed asparagus

Atlantic Salmon

Grilled & finished with herb roasted potatoes & sauteed spinach in a
homemade meuniere sauce

8oz Filet Mignon
Broiled to temperature & served with your choice of potato or vegetable

3rd Course

NY Cheesecake
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Fudge Brownie (A la mode)

947 South Lake Blvd. • Mahopac (Rt 6N, in the Mahopac Plaza) WWW.SOUTHEASTKITCHENANDBATH.COM
www.titansteakhouse.com
845.595.8222

Page 7 – The Somers Record Thursday, March 12, 2020

CORONAVIRUS county health o cials in the loop Board confabbed with the Somers EMS, Paramount Nursing Home hand sanitizer—said he was in
FROM PAGE 1
and communicate with families Community Council, which is and Lincoln Hall. constant touch with County Ex-

and the community at large about made up of representatives of re- At the Town Board’s work ses- ecutive George Latimer and the

the Camarra Crusaders, a group ways they can help halt the spread ligious groups, the Chamber of sion ursday, March 5, Mor- county’s health o cials.

that is raising money for Christine of the disease. Commerce, local businesses, the rissey, whipping out two “visual e message is “prevention,pre-

Camarra, a Somers Intermedi- “We will navigate this challenge police department, Heritage Hills aids”—disinfecting wipes and caution and don’t panic,” he said.

ate School teacher battling a rare together as a community,” Blanch

form of ovarian cancer. said in an earlier statement. Come to Bethel for some fabulous R&R …

No decisions had been made as Rehab and Recovery, that is!
of Monday about whether eld TOWN WEIGHS IN

trips or sporting events would be Somers Supervisor Rick Mor-

canceled. rissey last week urged residents

not to panic.

THE DIRECTIVE e town has been working
Aquatic Therapyschool administrators to review boring towns such as North Sa-
e new guidelines advise with local health o cials, neigh-

absenteeism patterns among stu- lem, and community groups “in

dents and sta and to alert state preparation for the future,” Mor- Now Available
and local health o cials about rissey wrote in a Facebook post.
marked increases in absentee- “ e Somers community is

ism, particularly if they are due strong and resilient. As health of-

to respiratory illnesses such as cials urge, go about your normal

the common cold or u, which routines, but use common sense Exclusively at

have symptoms similar to those about good hygiene,” he said.
of COVID-19; and to encourage Health o cials report that 80

students and sta to stay home percent of people infected will Bethel Nursing &
when sick. have mild to no symptoms. ose Rehabilitation Center
most at risk are the elderly and
Districts are being asked to those with underlying health is-
discourage the use of perfect at-

tendance awards and incentives. sues. Outpatient Therapy Program
ey should also identify critical People can best protect them-

sta functions and positions and selves and others by taking the

cross-train sta so they can ll in same steps to avoid the u or 914-739-6700 x1245

for those taken ill. common cold. ese include fre-

ey should also prepare for the quent hand washing, coughing or

continuation of critical support sneezing into a tissue or a sleeve,

services including meals and spe- staying home when sick and 67 Springvale Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
cial education. But most impor- avoiding others who are sick.
At the Heart of Senior Living Bethelwell.org
tantly, they have to keep state and On Tuesday,March 3,the Town

COMRNAEND IBAEE!F and Deli

291 Route 100, Somers • 914.277.8539 • route100market.com

CELEBRATE ST. PATTY’S

CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE
ALL DAY

TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER

Open 24/7/365

Food, Fuel, Fast, Friendly

Page 8 – The Somers Record Thursday, March 12, 2020

Happily Opinion
Ever
After

My Favorite Teacher Love hearing from you!

The year JUST Each day he Several years ago, a day and then home to
was 1962 JO ANN carefully and legibly 91-year old senior
and I was wrote equations on wrote to “Dear WHATWAS silence—since my Bon-
in the 8th grade. the board and asked Abby.” “Old Geezer out ITHINKING? nie crossed the Rainbow

is was the year JO ANN us to solve them. Bridge in December, there
RUTHANN
when we stopped FRANCELLA en he explained West” had written from SCHEFFER is no loving kitty to greet

adding, subtract- step by step how to the heart what he was me; I might go for brunch

ing, multiplying achieve the answers. feeling: or lunch with friends on

and dividing and I had never had a “I’ve outlived many of a Sunday but, again, I

began using the term, Pi. We were teacher who cared as much about his my family members and return to a quiet home.

learning algebra. For me, graduating students. long-time friends” and how social events I’ve thought how nice it would be to get

into a new grade was a bit of a horror My frustrations peaked after only are few and far between because advanced a “checking up on you, Mom” phone call or

story because with each year that two months. I gave up. Mr. Levitt age and distance has made it almost impos- a short visit. Not too long ago, I decided

passed the thought of algebra grew urged me to participate, but I was sible to see those who are left. He further it was time to reach out to my kids and

bigger and more ominous. I loved lost. I believe he felt worse than I did stated that at a family gathering—and he let them know how and what I was feel-

all my subjects except for math; and when he had to give me an F on my looks forward to these—“when folks look ing. Showing them I fully understood and

although I did ne with basic math, I rst report card. up from their cell phones, they discover that appreciated that they have families and

knew the dreaded algebra was on the One day Mr. Levitt asked me to I have something to contribute: I’ve lived their own lives and activities, I calmly asked:

horizon. I also knew that algebra was remain after class and said he wanted through the Depression, several wars and a “Hey, guys, what does it take for a short

a rite of passage for a teen and it was to work with me one on one; so, three variety of inventions.” text, phone call or email to check up on

simply my turn. days a week I stayed after school is hit home. Anyone who knows me your Momma once a week?”

I’d like to tell you about the amaz- and listened intently as he explained or is familiar with my columns knows how My oldest boy didn’t need a reminder:

ing algebra teacher I had in the 8th equations. It was a slow start, but precious my family is to me. When we are he checks in with me once or twice a week,

grade, Mr. Levitt. I struggled with soon I actually began to understand together, the love and a ection is obvious and we “do lunch” on his day o . My son-

algebra from the outset. I missed the the language of algebra. Several and easily ows. I have the wisdom and ex- in-law and I can have a 30-minute phone

simple formulas of basic math and weeks in I began solving the prob- perience of almost 83 years on this Earth— call and play catch-up. Now I am receiving

wondered why I had to nd Pi. Try lems on my own and Mr. Levitt was some good, some “eh.” Fortunately I can phone calls from the other guys and/or their

as I did, it just didn’t come easily to so pleased. I had become his goal still remember many events from childhood wives. ey ask for medical updates, tell me

me. I realize now that I was work- and I was his true student. I con- along with loving/funny/weird stu about what is going on in their lives and any news

ing against myself. I bought into the tinued with the extra help for most my folks and family members who’ve passed about my grandchildren.

theory that math was not a strong of the school year. With Mr. Levitt that I can share. Signi cantly in my mind, “Dear Abby,” in her answer to Old

subject in our family and it gave me by my side, there was no problem I heart and soul, I have lots to o er and can Geezer, summed it up as only she could:

the perfect excuse to mess up. couldn’t solve. contribute thoughts and opinions. “Senior citizens have much wisdom to o er.

Mr. Levitt was short, bald and My second report card re ected all But what happens in the course of the ey can also be great fun to be around.

wore a black jacket with di erent my e orts. I received a C; the third week and on the weekends? During the However, they are a diminishing resource.

colored bow ties each day. He was one, a B and the nal report card a week, my sons are working and involved Geezer is right. ey won’t be around for-

a good teacher. He took the time to B+. I had never been more proud of with their wives, kids, signi cant others, ever, so engage with them while you can.”

explain this new, confusing subject myself. schedules and the like. We may celebrate a Dear Abby and Old Geezer nudged me

to students who didn’t catch on as SEE FRANCELLA PAGE 12 birthday on a weekend but more than likely, to speak up and verbalise what I’d been

quickly as the others. it’s quiet time for me. Saturday is errand thinking and feeling for too long. anks!

Proudly keeping Karen Merritt
Somers in 914-276-3400
Good Hands 366 Route 22
Somers, NY 10589
© 2018 Allstate Insurance Co. [email protected]

10472320

Thursday, March 12, 2020 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 9

For goddess sake

MAN because I’m clueless, it’s be- bulb since I’m six-foot two, thick heads. If you’re going to rate every single woman that
OVERBOARD cause I can’t hear quite as well and I say of course, incidentally to tell a dirty joke, make sure walks by, it’s possible that at-
in addition to being clueless. how many drummers does it everyone is cool with it rst. titudes might begin to change.
RICK take to change a light bulb and I know a great dirty joke, and It’s de nite that I would get my
MELÉN e co ee-cart guy outside she says never mind I have the although it isn’t degrading to co ee faster.
the building where I work ap- step-stool and I say WRONG, women, it’s certainly embar-
This Sunday is Interna- preciates women every day, and FOUR- one to hold the light rassing to penguins, so I always Join Rick and Trillium on Friday,
tional Women’s Day, rates them as they go by, on the bulb and three to drink until ask if there are any penguins March 13th, 6:00PM at DeCiccos
and I’d like to take a few basis of several criteria, none of the room spins. in the room before telling it. If in Somers for happy hour! Say
minutes to extol the virtues of which is their ability to solve my co ee-cart guy didn’t stop hello at: [email protected]
the weaker sex. at’s right, the complicated problems in the I’d hate to see all interac-
weaker sex that just beat all the workplace. is kind of thing tion between men and women ank you for a
boy wrestlers to win a North has been going on for eons, monitored by a librarian. Some very success l
Carolina state high school certainly for as long as there of the raunchiest people I
championship. It’s a good day have been co ee-carts. I try to know are women (some are rst year!
to hug your Mom, your wife, discourage him in this behavior librarians), and if you told We appreciate
your Mother-in-Law and your by telling that he’s nuts about them they couldn’t be raunchy your patronage!
dog, and I’m only including the 50 percent of the time, but I anymore they would be genu-
dog so it doesn’t feel left out. confess I may not be hastening inely upset. e benchmark has Stop in for our St. Patrick’s Day
It’s a good day to revel in the the solution. to be some form of consent. If specialties including Irish soda
contradictions, mysteries and you’re a television anchorman bread, corn beef and cabbage,
marvels that make up a woman. I guess I’m not ready to from the Mesozoic era and a
abandon the entire social good-looking, blonde assistant boiled potatoes & carrots
Arguably the most amaz- blueprint that got us this far. I strays into your orbit, don’t just
ing thing about women is still like it when my wife hands assume that she is into paleon- Catering for all occasions!
their ability to bear children. I me a jar of spaghetti sauce that tology. Don’t barrage her with Breakfast/Lunch/Take out Dinners!
was at a friend’s house, he has she can’t get the top o of, and inappropriate and awkward
four children, and I couldn’t when I start joking that a jar comments. Chat with her, then One Lovell St • 914.248.8975
bear them for more than ve of spaghetti sauce shouldn’t talk to her, and if she doesn’t
minutes. Besides that there be going around topless in like you, applaud her honesty Come and get
are other known facts about public, she realizes I can’t get and stick to the news. If she
women that make them supe- it o either, and takes it back does, your comments won’t
rior to men, for example their and whacks the lid against the then be inappropriate and
ability to remain calm in stress- counter and it comes right o . awkward.
ful situations, such as when And I still like it when she says
I just lost my serve in mixed there’s a huge spider in the ga- We all have a little reckon-
doubles. Also, women hear bet- rage, could I please kill it, and I ing to do, and International
ter than men, it’s a proven fact. say, of course, incidentally, how Women’s Day is as good a day
So when my wife understands huge? And when I make a joke as any to start doing it. Women
the instructions at the DMV about killing it with kindness have to take some responsibil-
o ce and I go, “Huh?,” it’s not she elbows past me with a ity by making themselves clear,
can of bug spray and arachnid one way or the other, early on
death comes swiftly. And I still in the game. And men have
like it when she asks me to to receive the signals that are
reach up and change the light struggling to penetrate their

We are lucky your Irish On
at The Winery at St. George

t have patients St. Patrick’s Day
like you! Ha y March 17
. Patricks Day!
festivities start 7 pm

$99 First Exam, X-Ray, & Cleaning* Serving NYC’s Premiere U2
Tribute Band
Regular value: $350. Not to be combined with insurance or any other offer. Corned Beef
Exclusions may apply. and Cabbage VERTIGO

INCLUDES: Entertainment
• Bagpipes 7 pm
Comprehensive Exam, Digital Radiographs, Photos,
• Irish Dancers 7:30pm
Comprehensive Prophylaxis (Cleaning), • VERTIGO 8pm

Oral Cancer Screening, Fluoride & Laser Cavity Detection
*Mention this ad when scheduling your visit Dr. Gianna Ferranti

4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr, Somers, NY 10589 1715 E. Main St., Mohegan Lake, NY 10547

914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com

Page 10 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, March 12, 2020

Promote Your Charity Hello, it’s me, aloe
Send us a press release at somersrecord@ According to some experts,
halstonmedia.com, or give us a call at 914-302-5830. it’s advisable to practice nice. And besides, I think it
taking care of something might a ect his self-esteem.”
living before you actually have TRACY
kids. A lot of people will start out BECKERMAN “ ey meant not to water him,
so he doesn’t get root rot.”

“ROOT ROT?”I exclaimed.

with a pet. But before you have “ at sounds horrible!”

pets, you might need to rst be “ ey can also get soft rot,

able to keep a houseplant alive. fungal stem rot, and leaf rot,”he

And if you nd you really stink added.

at this caretaking thing, you might even want to take “Oh, my God,”I said.“Can our baby get root rot, too?”

one step back beyond that and start with an amoeba. “Probably only if we water him too much.”

Before we plunged into parenthood, my husband It suddenly dawned on me that caring for this aloe

and I felt con dent that we could move beyond the plant was far more complicated than I’d anticipated

Your Home Is Where Our Heart Is single cell organism phase and start with a house- and wondered if we should start over and work on

plant. So, we looked up which plants are supposed to “ e Care and Feeding of Your Paramecium”instead.

be especially hearty and decided on an aloe plant. I should mention here that I do come from a long

And then I named it George. line of green thumbs, so I was somewhat optimistic.

“I think George needs to be watered,”I said to my My grandmother had a fabulous garden and lots of

husband.“His soil is dry.” plants around the house and so did my mom. Feeling

Merritt Park “How do you know the plant is a ‘he?’”he said. con dent, my rst plant when I lived on my own

“He leaves his socks on the oor,”I replied. was something called a cus tree. It seemed really

Estates “No, really.” happy for the rst week, but then one day, I came

15 LOT SUBDIVISION 358 Rt 202, Somers NY “I don’t know. He just looked like a George to me,” home from work and it had dropped every single leaf
CUSTOM NEW HOMES
914.248.6117 I said.“Somewhat trustworthy and unlikely to chop on the oor. It was completely bare. I had no idea

down a cherry tree.” what I had done wrong and decided it wasn’t my

STARTING AT $875,000 ManciniRealEstate.com “But George Washington did chop down a cherry fault. It probably had a gene for baldness, just like my

tree,”he said. grandfather did.

“Well, we don’t have to worry about that with our So, the aloe plant was not actually my rst plant,

Lucky You George. He’s the only plant we have.” but it was my rst plant with my husband, and I

We’ve got you covered with Meanwhile, I really had no idea whether George thought since we would be raising a child together,
your St. Patrick’s Day look!
was thirsty or not. George was a succulent, like a it made sense to raise an aloe plant together. e

cactus, and I had read that they should be watered aloe plant thought otherwise. Within two weeks, the

deeply, but infrequently. However, they did not say leaves of our thriving aloe plant had turned yellow,

how frequently infrequently was. I wondered how and then brown, and then dead.

taking care of this plant would truly help me know “You watered it too much,”said my husband ac-

how to care for a newborn, other than being able to cusingly.

tell when my child needed to be watered and if the “ at’s true,”I said.“But I learned an important

baby would grow better in direct or indirect sunlight. lesson from this.”

“ e website says after we re-pot George, we “What?”

should ignore him for a week or so,”my husband “I should bathe our child infrequently.”

said, reading from “ e Care and Feeding of Your

Succulent.” You can follow Tracy on Facebook at https://www.

“You mean, like, exclude him from conversations facebook.com/LostinSuburbiaFanPage/ and read her blog

and pretend he’s not there?”I said.“ at’s not very at www.tracybeckerman.com.

A Touc f Re & S lveCelebrating 25 YEARS of Service to Somers Schools

SOMERS EDUCATION FOUNDATION BENEFIT

S ve e D te
Friday, March 27, 2020
BASE COLOR WITH KERRY
7 pm - 10 pm • Elevate Lounge
ONLY $65 1761 Front Street, Yorktown Heights, NY

Offer valid any Friday in March. New clients only. LIVE MUSIC HALL OF FAME HONOREES

The Hair Wharf by Hudson Valley JEFF FELDMAN
acoustic folk/rock DOREEN STOECKER
20 Valley Road, Katonah | 914-232-7271 DOMINIC VELTRI
singer/songwriter

DAN ZLOTNICK

a Somers Alum! Sponsorships Available

For more information: www.sefny.org/red

[email protected] • www.sefny.org

Salon Hours: Tues-Fri: 10-5, Thurs: 10-8, Sat: 9:30-4, Media Sponsor
Sun: 10-12 (By Appt. Only), Closed Mon.