The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
Published by Halston Media, 2020-08-12 11:06:30

The Somers Record 08.13.20

Vol. 10 No. 17 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, August 13, 2020

Cleanup efforts continue,
more than a week after the
storm first touched down.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MADELINE
AND JEFF ZIMMERMAN

Residents bristle at long power outages after storm

BY CAROL REIF that power had been fully re- roll with the punches, residents was being restored last week. As trees lying on power lines and a
STAFF WRITER stored. found unique ways to cope or to of Friday, Aug. 7, Macias said “multitude” of lane closures.
help others. there were still “a couple hundred
On Day 6 of recovery e orts, NYSEG spokesman Michael bags” in the walk-in. Supervisor Rick Morrissey,
the occasional whine of chain- Jamison said last week that it, DeCicco & Sons, the town’s who had been posting regular
saws could still be heard around like Con Ed, simply doesn’t have newest grocery store, came to the e day after the storm, High- updates on the town’s website,
Somers and other Westchester enough in-house manpower to rescue of residents in danger of way Superintendent Nick De- was clearly frustrated on Friday,
communities slammed by Tropi- handle a storm that destructive. losing their perishable foods be- Vito apologized for the “lack of Aug. 7, about how long it was
cal Storm Isaias. cause of the power outage. updates” about road clearing op- taking to restore phone and in-
e utility had had outside erations. ternet services.
e brief but powerful wind contractors gathered in Brews- According to general manager
event on Tuesday, Aug. 4, caused ter set to respond, but even with Charlie Macias, dozens of people “We have had our hands full In light of the fact that more
widespread damage in West- so-called “mutual aid,” it was a hauled in bags of goods for safe- along with no internet or cell people had begun returning to
chester County. tough go. keeping in the store’s freezer—at service,” he said, adding, “We also work and were being charged
its invitation—until the crisis got our [butts] kicked.” with home-schooling their
By Tuesday, Aug. 11, a week STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE passed. children, such outages were an
after the initial storm, New York In Somers, a town known for e storm did “massive dam-
Electric and Gas Corp. reported People came to retrieve their age” and, as of Wednesday, Aug. SEE STORM PAGE 10
its volunteerism and ability to groceries little by little as power 5, there were close to 20 downed

Now is the time to We are experiencing low Ask me about
sell your home! inventory levels in the market. RealVitalize!
This paired with low interest rates
and an abundance of buyers We cover up front costs
leaving the NYC area make it an to get your home ready
opportune time for sellers to put
for the market.
their home on the market.
NO hidden fees, interest
Contact me for a complimentary charges or mark ups.
market consultation!

AUDRA MACCARIELLO, Associate Real Estate Broker | Coldwell Banker

Call me today: 914.438.5680 | 165 Katonah Ave. Katonah | AUDRAM.com

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 LIFT TRUCKS
CLASSIFIEDS 18
LEGAL NOTICES 23 Art gallery open
LEISURE 21 for business
OPINION 12 pg 3
SPORTS 20

Page 2 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

The Staff Cuomo allows schools to reopen

EDITORIAL TEAM BY CAROL REIF tion rate was below the thresh- that guidance. e district plans to bring
JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER old deemed necessary to reopen e superintendent has said all kindergarten through sixth-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] schools, provided they adhere to he is con dent the district will grade students back for in-

BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER e Somers school district the state’s strict Department of be able to address all challenges person instruction, but with
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] seems to have gotten a jump on Health guidelines, he said. “directly and model for our stu- “enhanced distancing.” Seventh-

ADVERTISING TEAM the homework assignments is- Somers schools Superinten- dents the strength that our com- through 12th-graders will fol-

ADVERTISING TEAM sued by the state last week. dent Dr. Raymond Blanch told munity possesses.” low an A/B (one day in school,
PAUL FORHAN
914-202-2392 On Friday, Aug. 7, Gov. An- the community the same day If all goes well, school bells one day learning from home)

[email protected] drew Cuomo announced that that if infection rates rise again, could start ringing in Somers on schedule.
BRUCE HELLER
914-202-2941 every region’s COVID-19 infec- the state will no doubt “revise” Tuesday, Sept. 8. Classes—for live and remote

[email protected] instruction—will be held in the
LISA KAIN
mornings, leaving the after-
914-351-2424
[email protected] noons open for teachers to col-

CORINNE STANTON laborate with colleagues on “best
845-621-4049
Replacing scores of practices.”
[email protected] Allstate | State Farm | Geico Cuomo said that districts
SHELLEY KILCOYNE
CO-FOUNDER Policies Everyday! must post their remote learning
914-924-9122 plans online. ey also must post

[email protected] detailed plans for testing stu-
JENNIFER CONNELLY
917-446-7757 dents, teachers and sta and for

[email protected] tracking positive cases of CO-
GABRIELLE BILIK
VID-19.
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER
[email protected] Somers posted its reopening

PRODUCTION TEAM plan on its website, somerss-
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
ONE CALL… MULTIPLE QUOTES chools.org, on Friday, July 31.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR e 41-page document provides
PHOTOGRAPHER
So You Can Get The Best Buy! We Offer Many an overview of the district’s pro-
[email protected] A-Rated Companies posed restart plan and covers
CHRISTINA ROSE Come See the protocols targeting health

ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER Hy Reichbach, Susan Rohrig & Carmen A. Ritter Travelers • Foremost and safety (screening, monitor-
DESIGNER For Experience, Knowledge and Service Progressive • Safeco ing, mask-wearing and social
distancing), operations (busing,
[email protected]
Aardvark Insurance Kemper • Hartford classrooms and food services),
EXECUTIVE TEAM Mercury • 1st American instruction (scheduling), com-
BRETT FREEMAN munications, and extracurricular
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 600 Rt. 6 | Mahopac NY Main Street America activities (athletics).
845.208.3707 • 845.225.1007 Utica Mutual Although schools will provide
[email protected]
the data if someone tests posi-
Deadlines
[email protected] tive for COVID-19, any contact
THE SOMERS RECORD DEADLINE
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS tracing will be handled by health

AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR The Carmel Aardvark Insurance office is merged with the Mahopac office o cials, the Board of Education
effective November 25, 2015. was told at its meeting Monday,
SOMERS RECORD IS THE THURSDAY Aug. 10.
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE.
Districts must also hold three
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CALL JODI WEINBERGER AT Serving the Community to ve public meetings with
914-302-5830 OR EMAIL parents and one meeting with
[email protected].
for Over 30 Years teachers to go over reopening
Subscribe plans prior to Friday, Aug. 21.

TO REQUEST THE SOMERS RECORD e meetings can be held re-
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503
OR EMAIL [email protected]. We Welcome You Back! motely, Cuomo said last week.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR Principals from all four of
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN.
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE We Follow Strict CDC Guidelines the district’s schools met—vir-
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL. tually—with the school board
We Pledge To Keep Everyone Safe!
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT Monday to update trustees on
SOMERS, NY AND AT Precision Cuts • Sets the progress being made to wel-
High-End Color • Highlights come kids back. ey have had
ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. live Q&A sessions with parents
POSTMASTER:
Perms • Blow-Dry and are planning to hold more
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO Facial Waxing in the coming weeks. Videos of
THE SOMERS RECORD AT those sessions will be posted on
BAILEY COURT (914) 232-7070 each school’s homepage.

334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S HOURS: Tues • Wed • Fri 10am - 5pm Several administrators said
SOMERS, NY 10589 Thurs 10am - 7pm • Sat 9am - 4:30pm they were putting together lists
of “frequently asked questions”
(ISSN 2330-1597)
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY that would be posted on the
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC AT
homepages, as well.
BAILEY COURT
334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S e district sent out an infor-

SOMERS, NY 10589 mal questionnaire to parents last
©2020 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC
month to nd out how many are

planning to send their kids back

to school and how many would

opt for complete distance learn-

256 Route 100 • Somers, NY ing.
is week it will send out
(Mexican Shack Building)
SEE REOPENING PAGE 6

Thursday, August 13, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 3

Watercolor tribute

Somers resident Lori Mc-
Queeney was so thrilled to see
NYSEG trucks on her street
after Tropical Storm Isaias
knocked out power for several
days that she took to her water-
colors to paint the line workers
a tribute.

Called “Welcome Sight,”
McQueeney was inspired to
paint the scene after a neighbor,
Raquel Bartholomew, texted the
photo to a group chat letting
neighbors know crews had ar-
rived.

After an outpouring of love
for the painting on social media,
NYSEG President and CEO
Carl Taylor met with McQuee-
ney to thank her for the tribute.

Lori McQueeney painted this scene NYSEG President and CEO Carl Taylor met with
of NYSEG crews arriving on her street McQueeney to thank her for the painting.
after several days with no power.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LORI MCQUEENEY

Lift Trucks gallery Patrons were invited back inside
opens to patrons the Croton Falls art gallery, Lift
Trucks, after it closed during the
height of the pandemic.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIFT TRUCKS

BY CAROL REIF expressionist urban paintings and rodders Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, sual Arts, he studied the Masters Brace, natural-born photogra-
STAFF WRITER murals, mostly of New York City. Von Dutch and Robert Williams. in Amsterdam and later trained pher and native New Yorker, fo-
his Renaissance eye on the vibrant cuses on vintage advertising and
It’s been a long, hard last ve Lift Trucks occupies a former Machin himself drives a highly sights and sounds of Harlem and contemporary “scenes of color and
months, and our hearts and minds fork-lift sales, service and repair enhanced ’65 Caddy, which he Greenwich Village. collaboration,” Lift Trucks said.
could really use a little lift. business known as the B. Hawley called a “rat rod,” aka “blue-collar
Smith Co., on Route 22 in Croton custom car.” Litaker’s passion is to chronicle, Folks are invited to wander in to
And what better way to do that Falls. e circa-1922 building was a in sketches, people of color going the gallery—and also peruse Lift
than to spend a few moments feed,grain and hardware store when He has shown his pinstriped about their day-to-day lives. Trucks’ hand-painted Depression
getting lost in a painting or pho- Route 22 was a mere farm road. objets d’art at venues such as the era shoeshine boxes, industrial ar-
tograph, admiring a beautifully Brooklyn Rumble, Hot Rod Fall- He lives in upstate Delaware tifacts, tattoo ash and other one-
glazed pot or ogling the complex It later became a John Deere out, Rust Riot, and e Rats Nest. County. of-a-kind folk art —from 10 a.m.
pinstriping on a motorcycle gas factory outlet, but was abandoned to 6 p.m.Wednesday through Sat-
tank turned funky art object? until Smith, an inventor and entre- Machin had his own space, Kroll-Witt, a world traveler and urday, Parker said.
preneur, took it over in the 1940s. Kool Friggen’ Creations, in the North Salem resident, has an ex-
Lift Trucks Project, a artsy Rockland County village of tensive background in textiles. She For more information, visit
2,500-square-foot exhibit space in Artists featured in Lift Trucks’ Nyack. applies her respect of color and www.ltproject.com, or call 914-
the North Salem hamlet of Croton latest exhibit are Chris Machin, texture to her inspired pottery. Her 602-4681. e gallery is at 3 East
Falls, was closed in March because James Litaker, Lisa Kroll-Witt and Litaker, born in Harlem, began ability to create her own glazes Cross St., Croton Falls.
of the coronavirus pandemic. Christopher S. Brace. to draw when he was just a tot of makes each piece unique.
3. A graduate of the School of Vi-
But at a “soft opening”on Satur- Machin is a child of the “Kustom
day, Aug. 1, it was able to welcome Kulture” era. e neologism is used
art lovers back with open arms,said to describe the art, vehicles, hair-
executive director Libby Parker. styles and fashions of the those who
drive and build custom cars and
e exhibit space, launched by motorcycles. It started in the 1950s
Lewisboro artist Tom Christopher and is still rolling strong today.
a decade ago, also houses working
artists’ studios. e unorthodox and under-
ground style of art was birthed in
Christopher is best known for his Los Angeles by artists and hot-

Storm
Damage
Claims!

Gary Forbes Chris Radding HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH How Can
914-232-7750 • www.forbesinsurance.com We Help?

The Forbes Insurance Team

Page 4 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

OBITUARIES Harckham pushes for cell
tower backup generators
Lawrence M.
Newman BY CAROL REIF Harckham said it was “unac- munications companies expand
STAFF WRITER ceptable” that many of the area’s their network and provide signal
Lawrence M. Newman, cellular communications were of- reception to communication de-
95, died on Wednesday, Electrical power and internet vices like mobile phones, televi-
July 15, 2020 at the VA services weren’t the only things ine for several days following the sion, computers and radios.
Home in Montrose NY. MIA after Tropical Storm Isaias storm.
slammed the region last week. ey are also used by emer-
He leaves his wife of over “Our cellphone towers need to gency management centers and
45 years, Sydel Newman, Tens of thousands of residents stay online no matter what, and
his daughter Marjorie and in Westchester, Putnam and my bill will ensure that coverage rst responders and typically have
her companion, Dennis, Dutchess counties couldn’t use and capacity are preserved during a battery backup that lasts about
his son Royal and his wife their cellphones as well, according crises and natural disasters,” he eight hours in case of a power out-
Debbie, his daughters Alli- to state Sen. Pete Harckham (D- said, adding that “unforeseen situ- age.
son, Leslie and her husband South Salem). ations” should not be allowed to
Bob, Susan and her ancé “turn into potentially dangerous Eight years ago, when Hur-
Mike and his previously Harckman announced Satur- emergencies that put our residents ricane Sandy left millions from
deceased son, Michael and his wife Lisa. He also leaves day, Aug. 8, that he will introduce at risk.” North Carolina to Maine in the
behind his 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and many legislation that will require backup dark for more than a week, the
close friends. generators for cellphone towers In North Salem, Supervi- then-county legislator proposed a
throughout the state. sor Warren Lucas explained in a bill that would ensure cell towers
He was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, the son Facebook post the day after the have at least 72 hours of generator
of Harry and Beatrice Newman. e intention of the bill is to storm that cellphones require dig- backup.
reinforce communications capa- ital telecommunications equip-
In his early years, Mr. Newman would help his father sell bilities in the aftermath of a storm ment to operate. e bill did not pass.
cutlery from door to door. After graduating AB Davis High or any natural disaster that cuts o “It is critical for emergency
School in Mt. Vernon, he attended the University of Penn- the electricity to the tower for an “When the power and batter- personnel, town employees and
sylvania - Wharton where he earned a degree in Finance. extended period of time, he said. ies supporting this equipment fail, residents in emergency situations
He proudly served his country in the Army during World the cell towers and Cablevision to be able to have reliable com-
War II. He was an entrepreneur with several successful busi- Gaps in cell service has been internet will no long function,” he munications,” the senator said.
nesses including Real Estate and the Dairy Industry. a longtime thorn in the side of said. “ e wireless communications
many Somers and North Salem providers across New York can
Mr. Newman was a devout man with a passion for Israel. residents. “ at is what is happening now. no longer continue to be negli-
He had a voracious appetite for learning and most of all en- e signal from your phone to the gent in this regard. From their
joyed travelling the world with his beloved wife. e subject of coverage and cell tower is OK, but from the cell immense pro ts, it is time they
method of emergency power tower, the carrier goes to a digital make an infrastructure invest-
A private funeral service was held graveside at Mt. Eden for the facilities was discussed at wired network on poles, and they ment that makes sense and will
Cemetery in Valhalla, New York on July 17, 2020. the Somers Town Board’s July 8 require power on the poles to run.” probably save some lives.”
meeting. Cell towers allow wireless com-
We love him and he will be in our hearts forever.

CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST! $1000 OFF

$ $2$$551$70=205=$00=$30=$62$9=5.1$57.0203.0560V00V.A0V.A00LA0LUVLVUAEUAELELUUEE #SOMERSSTRONG Your Kitchen
Remodel on
OCNALSYH!auNnsobeytedoEvtXtfoeohTrbreEaerNgcieoDcgsofaEfmDoreerrbttsnoti.neeC8sewa,/dn3sawpn1lca/oio2tpthh0ebo2rels0i.c Renovations
over $10,000
Order online! www.SOMERSSUPERdeli.com
Delivery & Expires 08/31/2020. Can not
Lovell St., Lincolndale, NY Curb Side Pick-Up be combined with other offers.

Mon - Fri 6am to 6pm (914) 248-8975 Call for Appointment:
Sat 6am to 5pm • Sun 6am to 3pm
845-628-4100

361 Route 6, Mahopac NY
samsceramic.com

Thursday, August 13, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 5

OPEN 7 DAYS
See website for

daily hours

Order Online!

NMowondOapyesn NfoorwLOunpcehn Takeout
Featuring a
3-course menu for Tuesday-Saturday 12-4 Family meals
are here to stay!
only $19.99 Pizza by the slice or pie,
Specialty Pizza rolls; Calzones & Dinner for 4
including FREE glass
of House Wine! Gourmet Salads available. starting at $30

Available all Night Monday! Regular menu not available. Includes salad, pasta & garlic knots.
Large selection available.
Also available 4-5pm Tuesday -Thurs- Sunday 12-3
day And Sunday from 3-5 Get 2 large cheese pies
Full menu available
w/brunch specials. for only $20!

Bottomless Check out our signature Savor Crust!
Mimosas &
Bloody Marys (Toppings can be added for additional cost)

for $11

Take out serviced from our lower room.
Completely separated from our dining areas.

FREE delivery, online ordering &
contactless curbside pick up available.

• CHECK OUT OUR NEW CATERING MENU! •

18 Clark Pl, Mahopac, NY 10541 • www.savormahopac.com • (845) 628-3081

Order with confidence. All silverware, dishes, cookware and surfaces sanitized after each use.

Page 6 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

REOPENING Evelyn, Xavier M., Xavier
E. and Evelise Flores.
FROM PAGE 2
PHOTO COURTESY OF
another survey to solidify the STEPINAC HIGH SCHOOL
numbers, the school board was
told Monday. Virtual run honors COVID-19 victim

It plans to assign certain teachers, Somers resident Laurie Naughton, President of the Stepinac Lady Crusaders, has helped plan a virtual run honoring a victim
by grade level, to teach remotely. of the coronavirus.

Parents must adhere to the op- e Stepinac Lady Crusaders and Archbishop Stepinac High School have announced the Xavier E. Flores Memorial Run
tion they choose until a time when from September 27-Sunday, October 4.
protocols enable a change, as tog-
gling between options would cre- is virtual event is named in memory of Xavier E. Flores, Stepinac Class of 1988, and father of Stepinac Class of 2020
ate sta ng and logistical problems, graduate, Xavier M. Flores. On April 27, Xavier E. Flores tragically lost his life to COVID-19.
the board was told.
Cortlandt Manor resident Xavier E. Flores was actively involved in the Stepinac community as the Co-President of the
District administrators have Crusader Men’s Club. He was dedicated to making an impact on the students of Stepinac by helping to raise funds for the
gotten the board’s thumbs-up to school he loved. Xavier’s legacy of sel ess giving to his community is re ected in this year’s event, as all funds raised will go to
begin the hiring process for teach- support the Stepinac COVID-19 safety initiatives. .
ing assistants. Principals who have
been meeting with TA candidates To register or become a race sponsor, visit stepinacladycrusaders.com.
said they found the pool to be im-
pressive.

e district’s Reentry Coalition
proposed Monday, Aug. 10, that
the rst three days of school be
half-days to give both students and
teachers a soft landing.

e board on Monday also ap-
proved the district’s 2020-2021 tax
levy of $81,123,0005. It also went
over its safety and security plan and
heard a presentation on school bus-
ing protocol by its new transporta-
tion director, Nathanael Spence.

Blanch has said that while no
one’s sure hat the future holds, the
district is aware that “COVID-19
conditions will evolve uidly” and
that it must “be prepared to ad-
dress the related changes.”

Do you understand
the difference
between
an irrevocable and
a revocable trust?

WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM

• Asset Protection • Elder Law • Wills, Trusts & Estates
• Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association
• Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 10 consecutive years

Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ.

Managing Member • Fluent in Italian

914.948.1500

Thursday, August 13, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 7

Somers Lions Club Charity Raffle

Purchase tickets at
www.somerslionsclub.org

GRAND PRIZE
2020 Mustang Premium

(or equal value vehicle) Provided by Park Ford Mahopac, NY

or $30,000 cash

2nd Prize: $2,500.00 • 3rd Prize: $1,000.00 • 4th Prize: $500.00

ONLY 1000 Tickets will be sold • Donation $100.00
BUY 3 Tickets for $250.00

Raffle Date: Labor Day September 7th, 2020

Proceeds from the raffle will help us to continue to support Somers Food Pantry, local families in need,
Friends of Karen, Blythdale Children’s Hospital, Northern Westchester YMCA, Hudson Valley Make-A-Wish,
Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Blue-Path Autism Dogs. Winner need not be present.
Car to be delivered at Park Ford, Mahopac, NY. Winner responsible for all taxes and fees.

HELP WANTED: Take a chance and help your neighbor. Your generosity in purchasing
this raffle ticket enables the Somers Lions Charitable Foundation, Inc. to support
local families in need and many local and regional charities.

If you would like to purchase tickets TGhaonokdYLouuck&!
please send your name, address and phone along with a check payable to:
Somers Lions Charitable Foundation, Inc. - Car Raffle
P.O. Box 95, Somers, NY 10589

or purchase your ticket online at

www.somerslionsclub.org

This ad is funded by the dues of Somers Lions members.

100% of donations to the Somers Lions Charitable Foundation are used to fund charitable projects and organizations helping those in need.

Page 8 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

Fire department answers dozens of calls during the storm

BY CAROL REIF Tuesday, Aug. 4, storm’s aftermath.

STAFF WRITER According to Mackey, the

Somers Volunteer Fire Depart-

Somers rst responders, already ment had been responding to calls

exhausted from handling 48 hours for service for nearly 48 hours

worth of emergency calls in the straight.

wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, Somers was assisted at the scene

were dispatched to a house re by the Croton Falls, Bedford Hills,

early ursday, Aug. 6, in the Lake Mahopac, and Goldens Bridge re

Purdy section of town. departments as well as Westches-

According to re Chief Jona- ter EMS and Westchester County

than Mackey, the call came in at Department of Emergency Ser-

6:58 a.m. vices. During the re, the Katonah

Crews arrived within minutes and Yorktown re departments re-

at the Eastern Way residence and located to Somers Fire Headquar-

began attacking the blaze. ters to cover any additional calls in

Since there are no municipal Somers.

sources or re hydrants in that area e Westchester County Cause

of town, re ghters used the lake and Origin Team investigated and

for water. determined that the re was acci-

e re, which was quickly dental and electrical in nature.

brought under control, apparently e town’s Building Depart- PHOTO COURTESY OF JON MACKEY

started in the basement. It had ment was also on the scene. The Somers Fire Department was busy answering dozens of calls last week after the storm took out
then burned through the rst oor, According to Mackey,as of mid- power lines and trees.

creating a hazard for re ghters, night Friday, Aug. 8, “a majority of

Mackey said. the Town of Somers had power re-

ey conducted a search for vic- stored, o cially ending our storm vantaged youths located on Route 32; hazard, tree, 27; inside electri- day, Aug. 7.

tims and found none because the operations.” 202 in Lincolndale. cal hazard, one; inside smoke/odor, Generators should never be

home was unoccupied at the time, e re department elded an And that was just for the inci- one; technical rescue, two; inves- run inside a house, garage or

he added. estimated 151 calls from Tuesday, dents that got a “run number,” he tigation, 12; mutual aid, EMS, shed since their exhaust can reach

One re ghter had to be taken Aug. 4, to ursday, Aug. 7, in- added. three; PIAA, one; and lift assists, deadly levels within minutes.

by Somers EMS crews to a local cluding a “widespread CO (car- Here is a preliminary break- two. ey should be outside, at least

hospital where he was treated for bon monoxide) incident in mul- down of the call types: EMS, 29; Mackey said a lot of the CO 20 feet away from the house be-

heat-related injuries. tiple buildings on the Lincoln Hall brush re, one; structure re, two; alarms resulted from improper use cause air temperatures and pres-

e rst occurred during the campus,” Mackey said. Lincoln CO alarms, 10; residential alarms, of portable generators. sure can create drafts that pull

height of power outages in the Hall is a private school for disad- 15; uid spill,one; electrical hazard, “It’s a real concern,” he said Fri- fumes into the home.

NOW Toothache?
IS
THE Wisdom Teeth or
Fractured Teeth
TIME Removal
TO Available Now!
SELL!

For a FREE comprehensive market analysis, Don’t wait, call today!
contact me today.

THE MARKET IS HOT! HOT! HOT!

MARCIE NOLLETTI

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson NY & CT www.yorktownoralsurgeon.com
Somers/North Salem/
Putnam Regional Office
338 Route 202/Somers, NY 10589

Cell: (914) 424-5545 Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC
[email protected]
marcienolletti.com Jefferson Valley Oral Surgery Cortlandt Manor Oral Surgery
3535 Hill Blvd. Suite N 1983 Crompond Rd. Suite 101
Marcie makes © 2020 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos aretrademarks of Coldwell Banker
it happen! Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised ofcompany owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System
fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 914-245-1220 914-736-3343

Thursday, August 13, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 9

Ready For Some Sale valid: 8/14/20 - 8/20/20 SAVE BI
Mouthwatering BBQ?
23rdCeYleebarraAtinnngiOveursrary! With Your Uncle G’s
Place Your Catering Order at PRICES VALID Savings Card!
UncleG.com/Catering AT Yorktown
It's Unheard Of!
Heights
LOCATION ONLY HCOOWLY!

Limit 2
With an
additional
$25 purchase.

Hood 1$ 99
Gallon Milk ea

Select Varieties
128 oz

WOW!

WOW! PRIME Limit 2
With an
Cowboy additional
Rib Steaks $25 purchase.

12$ 99 $499Dunkin' Donuts ea
/ lb
K-Cup Coffee

Select Varieties,
10 ct, 3.52-3.7 oz

WOW!

7Chicken $ 99

Milanese / lb

Kellogg's
$199Raisin Bran or
Kabobs with Peppers Chicken Steak Teriyaki Marinated Chicken Steak ea
& Onions Mini Wheats
$ 99 99 99 $ 99 Cereal

/ lb / lb / lb Select Varieties, 14-16.8 oz
5 8 5 8(Plain or Marinated) $ $
Chicken or Steak Made WITH WOW!
/ lb on a Stick FRESH

CHICKPEAS!

5Our Freshly Made$ 99 Limit 2
offers with an
Hummus
Assorted Varieties / lb additional
$25 purchase.

Eggo 3 5$
Waffles for

10 ct, 12.3 oz

8Fresh Wild Whole Snappers $ 99 Fresh Wild $1099 8GOuuar cFaremsohlley Made $ 99 WOW!
Cod Fillet / lb
/ lb Regular or Spicy, 16 oz ea Limit 2
offers with an

additional
$25 purchase.

Sweet waves of 2 $5Häagen-Dazs
meringue cover a tart
lemon pie filling in this Ice Cream

delicious summer Select Varieties, 14 oz
favorite. for

1Black Seedless Grapes $ 99 2Black Mission $ 99 Fage
Red, Green or Greek Yogurt
Figs 8 OZ PACKAGE
/ lb Saturday, August 15th: Select Varieties
This is an excellent grating cheese over pasta CELEBRATE NATIONAL LEMON
WOW! (PCehcuonrkinoOnRlyo)mano dishes, breads and baking casseroles. Pair it MERINGUE PIE DAY! 5 55.3 oz
with a glass of big, bold Italian red wine or a $
3$ 99 for
/ lb light beer.
Meringue12Lemon Pie $ 99 Limit 2 Bush's
ea offers with Baked Beans
10 Inch, 40 oz an additional
$25 purchase. Select Varieties

5 516 oz
$
for

Visit UncleG.com for our Marketplace locations and to view all our weekly specials! Limit 2

Photographs and illustrations do not necessarily depict sale items. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices Valid at Yorktown Location Only.

Page 10 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

STORM

FROM PAGE 1

DESIGN • BUILD • REMODEL • SINCE 1973 “abomination,” he said.
Obviously, he said, NYSEG
Your premier kitchen & bath remodelers all under one roof!
and Con Ed are “regulated” to
SHOWROOMS: a “greater degree” than are com-
19 Old Doansburg Rd. 101 Greenwood Ave. panies such as Optimum, now
owned by Altice USA Inc. But
Brewster, NY Bethel, CT the internet is a “needed service”
equal to the need for electricity,
845-278-0070 203-748-9000 Morrissey said, pointing out that
it was “ironic” that the town had
SOUTHEASTKITCHENANDBATH.COM to postpone its ursday, Aug.
6, meeting at which the Town
Professional Advice & Caring board planned to announce the
Personal Service Won’t Cost Any Extra formation of a Telecommunica-
tions Task Force.
Prescriptions Owned & PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHANNE YURSA
• Operated Morrissey said Friday he also
by Your It took several days in some areas of Somers to make all roads found it distressing that, once
Compounding Neighborhood passable again after dozens of trees fell during the storm. again, the town was forced to
• Pharmacist To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at deploy a generator at the inter-
845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. section of routes 35 and 100 to
Specialty Pharmacy maintain tra c control.
• Rooney Orthodontics
Children & Adults With multiple lanes of tra c
Surgical Supplies converging at that spot—and at
• 17 Miller Rd. the intersection of routes 100
Mahopac and 202 near Town Hall—a lack
Health & of signalization was an accident
845-621-1222 waiting to happen.
Wellness Center
RooneyOrtho.com “It’s a matter of public safety,”
• Morrissey said of the town’s re-
sponse.
Organic, Natural
e town declared a state of
& Homeopathic emergency, in line with Gov.
Andrew M. Cuomo’s edict, on
Remedies Wednesday, Aug. 5.

FREE DELIVERY Nagi Wissa, R.Ph. Somers opened an emergency
response center at the Lake Lin-
All major insurances accepted. colndale Firehouse on Primrose
We accept all competitors Street. It had generator-sup-
coupons & price matching. ported power and internet.

Same co-pay as the big chains. No town buildings were dam-
AND WE CARE ABOUT YOU! aged during the storm and no
injuries reported, although one
559 Rt. 6 • Mahopac, NY 10541
re ghter su ered from the
845.208.0424 heat while battling a blaze in the
www.lakemahopacpharmacy.com Lake Purdy area.

Grace Zimmerman of the
Somers Historical Society said
Friday that she wasn’t aware of
harm to any historical sites.

Town Hall, which had just
reopened to accommodate sta
according to the state’s phased
reopening guidelines, did not
get power back until ursday,
Aug. 6.

Heritage Hills was among the
rst places to get power back.
But, as of Friday, e Paramount,
a rehabilitation center and nurs-
ing home on Route 100, was still
o ine.
Morrissey, like other o cials,
raised concerns about utilities’
apparent failure to adequately
prepare for the storm. One of his
gripes is that NYSEG has not
o ered to reimburse residents
for spoiled food, as Con Edison
is doing.
After New York o cials pres-
sured Con Ed, the utility said it
would expand its claims policy
to include spoiled food, medica-
tion and other perishables.

SEE STORM PAGE 11

Thursday, August 13, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 11
Trees were
STORM providers to prepare adequately uprooted all
for a powerful storm, and their over town.
FROM PAGE 10 slow response to power outages.”
PHOTO COURTESY
Morrissey pointed out that a “ e widespread damage and OF MICHAEL
lot of the elderly and families resulting power outages from CANAVAN
had been “stocking up” because Tropical Storm Isaias have
they wanted to cut down on revealed, once again, that our
trips to the grocery stores to help public utilities do not seriously
bend the curve in COVID-19 prepare for natural disasters nor
cases. have they su ciently hardened
their infrastructure to withstand
Food also have risen during the magnitude of the storms
the pandemic, he noted. that are now the new normal,”
Harckham said. “I have worked
Praising DeCicco & Sons storm recovery response since
for o ering its freezer space to 2008 and little has changed. It is
the public, he said it could have as if every time they forget the
easily turned a blind eye and lessons learned.”
another toward pro t-making.
According to the senator, who
Morrissey also said he was “so represents the 40th District,
proud” of all the e orts of rst which includes the towns of
responders and volunteers in the Somers, Yorktown, North Salem
aftermath of the storm. and Lewisboro, more than
200,000 Con Ed customers
“ ere was not one ‘no’ the lost power in the storm, along
whole rst four days. ey all with about 90,000 NYSEG
simply asked what they could do, customers.
and did it,” he said.
Cleanup efforts continue, more
CALL FOR HEARINGS than a week after the storm first
Besides the sounds of
touched down.
chainsaws, wood chippers, and
leaf blowers, there was a buzzing PHOTO COURTESY OF MADELINE AND JEFF
of another kind also to be heard ZIMMERMAN
in the hard-hit region as local
and state politicians decried the
storm response.

State Sen. Pete Harckham
called Sunday, Aug. 9, on Albany
to hold formal hearings on
“the failure of electrical utilities
and wireless communications

Restored Con dence with
Cardiac Rehabilitation

How cardiac rehabilitation speeds recovery and
improves your health and quality of life…

Ask the Doctor Q: What is cardiac rehab? even during rehabilitation, as patients see undeniable
A: Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically-supervised, evidence of their gains in strength and stamina.
Pong Wong, MS individualized program of exercise and education that Activities like walking uphill on the treadmill, riding
Supervisor helps you recover faster from heart disease and acquire the bike, or using the rowing machine gives them
Cardiac Rehabilitation the strength to resume a full life. Northern Westchester great con dence.
Northern Westchester Hospital Hospital’s Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
requires a physician’s prescription, and besides the core Q: What happens when you enter
Learn more about cardiac training component, includes counseling in nutrition, NWH’s cardiac rehabilitation program?
rehabilitation, visit stress management and meditation, as well as A: A personalized exercise regimen is designed based
nwhrehab.org/CardiacRehab education in heart disease prevention. on your health history and your physical condition.
You’ll have up to 36 training sessions, depending upon
Q: Am I a candidate? your insurance, during which you receive continuous
A: You’re a candidate if you’ve suffered a cardiovascular EKG monitoring and close supervision by physician
event such as heart attack, bypass surgery, angina, and exercise physiologists. We’re watching your heart
heart valve repair or replacement, myocardial rate and cardiac rhythm the whole time. Your blood
infraction, heart transplantation, coronary stenting pressure is taken before, during and after exercise.
or heart failure. Starting off at 30 minutes, you’ll work up to between
42 minutes and an hour of training, with weight
Q: What are the bene ts? training added when appropriate.
A: Perhaps surprisingly, a key bene t of cardiac
rehabilitation is restored con dence. That emotion Q: How do I choose a cardiac
has as much impact as do medical issues on a person’s rehabilitation program?
ability to resume an active, rewarding life. Some patients A: Look for accreditation, convenient scheduling,
are initially afraid to do anything. A pain in the chest insurance coverage, and the expertise and experience
area makes them terri ed that another cardiac event of staff. Whether you’ve had a heart attack, coronary
is happening. They’re afraid to work, to drive, to leave bypass or other cardiac event, you are basically getting a
the area where their doctors practice. These fears second chance after your cardiac event. It’s wise to take
typically go away after cardiac rehabilitation – indeed, advantage of all the bene ts of cardiac rehabilitation.

Page 12 – The Somers Record Thursday, August 13, 2020

Happily Opinion
Ever
After

oughts about life and love

THE not going to allow his teenage Lisa, having noticed her friend Adrienne’s mom, Florence deeply into each other that you
SEASONED daughter to travel anywhere with Michael, stepped into an empty become one.
CITIZEN a stranger no matter how famous aisle, stretched her arms wide psychologically, and best of all
he was. us ended, before it and said in an audible yet plead- romantically. I am jealous that my mom and
ADRIENNE started, my mom’s Hollywood ing voice, “Michael Sussman, my dad had 70 years together and
KAVELLE career! own true love, come to me!” All I personally believe that the Jay and I had only 62, but I am
the shoppers smiled and some greatest love is that of Seasoned grateful to them for inspiring us to
My mother’s name Florence was as talented as she applauded. Since our children Citizens who have survived life’s love as deeply and as fully as they
was Florence which was beautiful and entertained were faithful watchers of “ e di culties and joys, happiness did. I hope Jason and I have done
means ‘little ower’, all the local clubs and organi- Little Rascals” on TV Faith and and sadness, and remain together as much for our children and they
and that’s exactly what she was, zations with her singing and I laughingly gured that’s what to experience each other at the for theirs. Respect love because it
a perfectly made, exquisite little dancing. Flo Ziegfeld saw her Lisa was emulating. ey ran deepest levels possible. To know spans all time and all ages and is
and immediately recruited her o together in all innocence to the other as well as you know the magic by which we live.
ower. She was also a ‘Flapper’. for his Follies. As a petite ve check out the children’s depart- yourself; to feel what he/she is
Does anyone today know what foot tall woman she was known ment never realizing that they feeling and to know what he/she Contact Adrienne at: ergosum1@
a Flapper was or why they were as ‘the pony’. e ‘pony’ was the were exhibiting love at its earliest is thinking; to wonder what you comcast.net
called Flappers? It’s because dancer at the start of the line. stages. would do without that particular
they wore goulashes, (does any- person in your life; to invest so
one know what goulashes were), is part of her life ended Love springs eternal and
high overshoes to protect one’s when she met my father, a young throughout life we experience
own shoes from rain and snow. medical student, who persuaded di erent kinds of love. Parent
When worn open, unfastened, her to enroll in nursing school. for child; child for parent; chil-
they ‘ apped’…ergo Flappers! dren who feel a special warmth
at, dear friends, is how my for some of their friends but not
We indulge in crazy fads and mom and dad got to spend 70 as much for others; teenagers
this, in my estimation, is one of years together sharing not only a who begin to date and invest
the craziest! loving marriage but a successful more of themselves into one
medical profession as well. speci c person; the special love
My mother was the quintes- we feel when we meet ‘the one’
sential Flapper. She was so My idea in writing this with whom we wish to spend
beautiful that in 1925 at just 16 column is to show that love blos- our lives. It encompasses our
George Jessel, who was known soms at every age. I remember deepest sense of self and sex
as the “Toastmaster General”, a delightful incident when my and hopes and dreams. All that
named her Miss New York. He daughter, Lisa, was about 6 years went before was practice for this
wanted to take Florence to Hol- old. She, my younger daughter moment when nature tells us to
lywood, but her proud European Ilene and I were walking around merge and reproduce and carry
father, my grandfather, was Saks Fifth Avenue in White our combined genes into the
Plains when we bumped into future. It a ects us physically,
my friend Faith and her two
sons. We were also neighbors
and our children played together.

A match made for your wallet. Karen Merritt
914-276-3400
+ 366 Route 202
Somers, NY 10589

Save up to 25% 10472220

Based on coverage selected. Savings vary. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Vehicle and
Property Insurance Co., Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL © 2019 Allstate Insurance Co.

Thursday, August 13, 2020 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 13

Vitamin W

Ifeel incredibly healthy. I outside in nature boosts your have been grown for thousands ons rating a 9 or 10. Nutritious READING,
drink lots of water, eat lightly mood. You may not be grinning of years in Africa, Egypt and and delicious, watermelon is WRITING &
and enjoy eight hours of like a lunatic, but you most likely China. In the U.S., watermelon high in vitamins A and C as well CHOCOLATE
sleep each night. I make time will return home after a good production is big in California, as a good source of potassium

to read every day, indulge in my walk feeling in a much lighter, Texas, Arizona, Florida and and lycopene. KIM
favorite avor of chocolate ice more positive frame of mind. Georgia. Watermelons are 92 Kim Kovach enjoys walking, KOVACH
cream and half a dark chocolate percent water. e sweetness of
Walking is a great activity

bar, and try to maintain a posi- to mull over problems, create watermelons is measured on the writing and watermelon every

tive attitude. new ideas, or erase all thoughts Brix scale, with most watermel- day! www.kimkovachwrites.com

I appreciate the sun shin- and stay open to the sights and

ing in the windows, teaching sounds around you. Look up and Overwhelmed
my fun classes, talking on the watch the con gurations of pu y
phone with friends, reading my clouds, maybe spot a rainbow.

columns to Dad over our weekly Look to the left and notice Caring For Your
Zoom calls, and watching the those interesting blue owers. Loved One?
chipmunk and other wildlife Look right, and appreciate the
out in the yard. I wear my mask, tiny ceramic garden gures and
wash my hands and keep a safe messages someone took the time

distance from strangers. to display. Look straight ahead Call us today!
I believe that my good health (not at your phone) and wave
to passersby. I saw a woman
can be attributed to an abun-

dance of Vitamin W. Never pushing a small dog in a stroller.

heard of it? It’s not a supplement I passed moving vans in front of

at the health food store. It’s two di erent neighbors’ homes.

not something you brew from I observed a small child learning

a package of unknown seeds how to ride a bicycle without

that show up in your mailbox. training wheels.

For me, Vitamin W is found in My second important Vita-

Walking, Writing and Water- min W is writing, of course. I Owned and operated by two Registered Nurses with over 80 years of combined experience!
melon. write because I love it. I write Proudly Serving Putnam and Westchester Counties
this weekly newspaper col-
Walking is the most basic

form of exercise. Just lace up umn on subjects that appeal to Dementia Care Companion Care Nursing Care
those running shoes and open me. I write feature articles for In-Home Evaluations Respite Care 24 Hour Care
the front door. Whether you magazines and get to interview

amble, mosey, stride or power interesting people. I write short www.ecstaffingsolutions.com
walk with arms pumping at your stories to challenge and amuse
sides, the physical act of walking myself. I invent unusual char- CALL US TODAY for a free phone evaluation!
has lots of bene ts. acters, the complete opposite
of me, and get into their heads 914.265.4299
Walking briskly enough to get to create dialogue and action. I Route 202 Suite #3 Somers, NY 10589
your heart-rate up and possibly

break a sweat, can do wonders write in order to share my writ-
for your circulatory system, ing. I enjoy hearing the reactions

heart, bone density, muscles and of laughter or surprise from my ease...Put your
joints, and mood. Walkers are audience in all of the places I’d
more likely to feel energized, intended. mind at
keep a positive outlook, maintain
a healthy body weight, and sleep My third Vitamin W is
well. watermelon. I savor the red,
juicy, sweet watermelon as a side
Even if you start out feeling dish or in salads or dessert on a

grumpy, a 15-20 minute walk hot summer day. Watermelons • Elder Law
• Wills & Trusts
BEDFORD GRAVEL • Estate Planning
& LANDSCAPE SUPPLY • Medicaid Planning

• Gravel • Topsoil • Mulches • Guardianships
• Sweet Peet • Unilock Pavers • Probates

• Sand • Stonedust CALL US We make home and hospital visits.
• Item #4 • Drainage Pipe TODAY!
• Flagstone • Fieldstone
• Belgian Block (845) 621-8640
• Cobblestones • Wallstone sloanandfeller.com • 625 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541
• Fire Pits • Stepping Stones • Soil/Fill

27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s)

www.bedfordgravel.com

914-241-3851

Page 14 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, August 13, 2020

Make room for Zoom

Zoom meetings. Zoom Twisting on the dance oor. Sixty and his e ort at erecting an ersatz was chastened to the point of BRUCE
webinars. Zoom school- years later, a historic public health environment back red recently. quickly denuding his pretti ed THE BLOG
ing. Zoom sales calls. meltdown has got the whole faux background, mid-meeting,
Zoom happy hours. Zoom blind country Zooming. In his zeal to Zoomify his restoring the live backdrop of BRUCE
dates. Zoom theater. Zoom job pedestrian persona on screen, this the wonky scribe stable where he APAR
interviews. Zoom press confer- In our fraught zeitgeist, is this writer cleverly camou aged the dutifully hammers out words on
ences. Zoom picnics. Zoom fo- phenomenon a godsend or simply tacky workspace he toils in with an alphanumeric anvil. appropriately assaultive name for
cus groups. Zoom live concerts. the end of real life as we once a tony trompe l’oeil of a signature him to call it: In Your Facebook.)
Zoom religious services. Zoom knew it? Frank Gehry Manhattan o ce Vowing to mend his wayward
exercise classes. Zoom funerals. building looming above his Max drift, the writer has since banned ZOOMING TO THE FUTURE
Zoom weddings. SENSE OF DISLOCATION Headroom head. It turned out from his Zoom room all manner is rambling musing on
As if Zoom doesn’t already the writer was too clever by half. of virtual wallpaper. Found guilty
Zoom skyrockets... of bad taste, it was sentenced to Zooming is not meant to
April 2019: Zoom’s IPO keep warm bodies at enough e slick maneuver was called be unhung. dismiss its compelling power
(initial public o ering) opens at of a remove from other warm out on Zoom by a disapproving to bring people together virtu-
$36 per share. bodies, there are Zoom virtual colleague for being cheesy and— VIRTUAL VENUES ally, at a time that we are being
December 2019: 10 million backgrounds to amplify the sense ouch!—inauthentic. I’ve seen people appear in prudently advised—and are
meeting participants a day use of dislocation, and to misdirect maturely obliged—to keep our
Zoom. colleagues. Graduating from tacky to Zoom rooms so unexotic you safe distance physically.
June 2020: 300 million cheesy isn’t exactly a quantum assume they are the person’s
meeting participants a day use ey know you at work as a leap in interior design, but the everyday living space, only to re- If Zooming is here to stay, and
Zoom. fussbudget but—thanks to that shade-slinger is entitled to his alize that even normal-seeming why shouldn’t it be for the right
July 2020: Zoom’s stock price colorful Caribbean sunset hiding snooty opinion. In truth, after all, spaces no longer can be trust- reasons, whither evolution?
zooms to $254 per share. your dirty laundry—those same the guy’s an ad agency creative ed—some of them, too, turn out
In 1960, singer Chubby co-workers never will glimpse director with a Madison Avenue to be synthetic stand-ins for the To what degree will pandemi-
Checker got the whole country what a slob you are at home. pedigree, so his chops are USDA organic venue the person doesn’t cally modi ed behavior, enabled
Prime. want to reveal. e Zoomer in by cybertools like Zoom, a ect
is writer can get mighty that scenario evidently aspires future consciousness?
messy himself in his home o ce, e embarrassed writer to a grander lifestyle without
the hassle and cost of actually In adulthood, will a member
Alive with Color moving. of today’s Generation Alpha
(ages 0-15) re exively tell a
I’m not telling you anything long-winded friend, “mute
you haven’t already seen your- yourself ”?
self. We know Zoom easily can
bend reality to trick our eyes, Will engagement with fewer
but what about Zoom’s e ect on than nine talking heads tiled
our psyches, and on our innate across a screen trigger a paranoid
need for close encounters of sense of isolation (“Where did
humankind that recall the old everybody go?”), if not a future
days, six months ago, when we form of clinical depression?
were person-to-person instead of
pixel-to-pixel? Is Zoom real life?
Or it is a sneak preview of
Fair to say there’s hasn’t been mid-21st century homo sapiens’
such a longing to see people in perception of real life?
more than two dimensions since
3D sensation “Creature from the Bruce Apar is a writer, actor,
Black Lagoon” drew throngs of consultant, and community
1950s moviegoers. volunteer. He can be reached at
[email protected]; 914-275-6887.
(Hey, that’s an idea even
Westchester native Mark
Zuckerberg hasn’t thought of
yet—Zoom 3D! ere’s even an

R&OCOLTETAORUGCLHA-ZUEP

The Hair Wharf CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE

20 Valley Road, Katonah • 914-232-7271 • • In Home Electrical Upgrade •
• Smart Home Setup •
• Electric Car Chargers •
• Generators •

• All of Your Electric Needs! •

10%WheOnFYFouSPreersevnitcTehisCAadlls 914.455.2158
SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected]
Licenses in Westchester, Putnam, NYC & CT!

Thursday, August 13, 2020 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 15

e logistics of ‘pod learning’ in the pandemic

Dear Dr. Linda, home, yard, or rented space for are not certi ed teachers? reduces the cost per child, but STRONG
My friends and I are think- a speci ed amount of time to • How much will each family that also means more expo- LEARNING
learn a particular school subject sure for each student. Many
ing of starting a pod for our or more. Either one of the contribute? parents can’t decide if they DR. LINDA
rst graders instead of having parents is the teacher or they • How much will the teacher should withdraw their child SILBERT
hire a teacher. e number of totally from the public-school
them go back to school in Sep- children usually ranges from 3 or tutor charge? system or simply supplement of the families ies across the
tember—if they open. We’ve to 10, and they are usually in • Who decides the material their child’s education with a country to visit family during
been reading about the pods the same grade. It takes a bit pod. Parents have been doing
that are popping up all over the of research, time and money to they use? both for years. Homeschoolers anksgiving?
country. put a pod together. e families • Who pays for supplies, withdraw their children to- e bottom line is that every
involved need to think about tally from public school while
We could put the four of the following: books, etc.? other parents supplement their family that joins a pod needs
them together in my home, • What happens if someone child’s public or private school to follow the guidelines estab-
hire a teacher to work with • What is the goal of the education with additional tu- lished at the onset of the pod.
them and then we could take pod? For example, is it to teach is paid, but after classes begin, toring, whether it’s one to one So, talk to your friends and go
care of our younger ones the parent decides to pull the or in a group setting. over your options exploring
ourselves. How do we nd a rst graders how to read, to child out for some reason? how you can work together to
teacher and how do we learn teach fth graders math or to e decision obviously isn’t create a pod that works for all
what they need to learn? teach eighth graders American • What happens if a child is as simple as before because of you. is will guarantee you
history? absent for a few days or more? we’re in the middle of a pan- that in case schools don’t open,
It’s turned out to be more Does the family receive a demic—and the reasons for your children will still have
complicated than we thought, • What age group will be refund or credit? making the decision today are school.
but if other parents are guring part of the pod? directly related to the pan-
out what to do, we should be • And, of course, how will demic. No matter how careful Dr. Linda
able to. What’s your opinion • Who will be invited to join you determine if children are/ parents are as to who their
about pod learning? the pod? may be infected with the virus child will be with, it will be Dr. Linda is co-author of “Why
and what will you do to keep impossible to control the en- Bad Grades Happen to Good
Four Moms • Where will the children other children and parents/ vironment totally. Suppose, for Kids” and director of Strong
Dear Four Moms, meet? grandparents safe? instance, one of the children in Learning Tutoring and Test
the group has a play date over Prep. Send your questions to
Pods are doable and solve a • What days will they meet? obviously, the logistics of the weekend with a child out- [email protected].
problem during the pandemic. • What times will they meet? creating and running a pod side of the pod. Or, what if one
Homeschoolers have been • Will the children meet in is more complicated than it
creating pods, sometimes called person or will it be virtual? seems. erefore, questions
co-ops, for years. It’s where a • Who will be the teacher? A concerning pods are many. To
group of children, usually the professional certi ed teacher? begin with, when a profes-
same age, meet in someone’s One of the moms or dads who sional tutor is hired, it can be
expensive. Of course, the more
children there are in a pod

To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].

DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH THE LAW AND MEDIATION
AN AGING OIL TANK! OFFICE OF

MARGARET A. NICHOLSON

Before you place your home on the A RESPECTFUL APPROACH TO NAVIGATING FAMILY
TRANSITIONS AND CONFLICT
market, contact ENVIROSTAR about
- Family, Elder And Divorce Mediation
replacing your aging underground - Collaborative Divorce
- Co-Parenting Plans
DON’T HOLD UP storage tank (UST). It it required by - Pre-Nuptial And Marital Settlement Agreements
most insurance companies prior to
THE SALE OF insuring property. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION OFFERS
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
YOUR HOME! ESTIFMRAETEES
- Privacy
1050 OFFFF$$SUSMUPMEERRSSPPEECCIAIALL OUWREACWDOVOIMLEFLRFPETMERITSA!IETTDOCRH’S Since - A Voice In Decision Making
- Preservation Of Assets
WitIIhNNthi-s-GGcouRRponOOonUUly. NCNouDDponTTmAAustNNbeKKpresRRentEEedMMat tOhOe tViVmAeAofLLthe 1998 - Child Focused Options
- Avoidance Of Often Toxic And Costly Court Proceedings
esWtimithattheis. cNNooouttptotoonbboeneclyoc.moCmboiunbpeinodnewdmithwusaittnhbyeaopnthryeesroeotnhffteeerrdso.afEtftexhpresir.etimsEe9x/po1if5ret/h1se9 1e0st/i3m1a/t2e0.
Understand Your Options, Especially In These Difficult Times
We are the name you trust for environmental needs When Court Access Is Limited

845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Free Half Hour Consultations – Virtual Options Available

MILL POND OFFICE BUILDING
293 ROUTE 100, SUITE 205 • SOMERS, NY 10589 •

914-669-5224

www.margaretnicholson.com • [email protected]

Page 16 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, August 13, 2020

World denomination

deny the power of the force of they up on current events? I don’t hobbies? I had a piece of cake last at sure clouds the issue. I’m
want to have to sit around and week that I thought was a slice probably getting all of this wrong,
MAN nature, which does not mean for listen to Starliters records with of Heaven, but hopefully I won’t but why is after you’re dead any
them or talk about boring stu know for sure for quite some di erent than before you were
OVERBOARD you to know them. that happened before they died time. Some believe in reincarna- born? Nobody spends much
ey say you’re not supposed or play Chinese checkers. Also, if tion, and that what you do in this time worrying about that. e
RICK to discuss religion so I won’t talk a woman dies for the cause, does life can a ect what you become in interesting thing about religion
MELÉN about it. e subject of religion she get to meet a bunch of inept the next life. Maybe you cheated to me is not the weird stu that
dudes who don’t really know on your taxes every year and got people believe, but that you can
always brings up more questions what they’re doing? Even though bounced down to a gibbon or so. get that many people to agree on
this is a ctional example, you see Maybe an ant helped so many the same thing in the rst place.
than it answers for me anyway. what I mean. ants walk away with a slice of
meatloaf sandwich at a picnic ey couldn’t even get 12 people
As if a global pandemic For instance, there was a myth at’s why I never discuss that after somebody whacks him to agree that O.J. was guilty, just
weren’t bad enough, God religion. Some people believe with a newspaper he gets bumped because it’s impossible to nd
sent around a hurricane going around that there is a doc- in an afterlife, and that if you’re up to housecat. But isn’t it awfully gloves in size 13 .
trine which states in the by-laws a good person you can go to anthropocentric to think that be-
that if you die for the cause, you Heaven after you’re through with ing a human is better than being Trump recently came out and
this life. And that you can meet an ant? Ants live a simple but boasted that he is more religious
just to see if we’re all paying at- will be introduced to 72 women all the people that you knew, and productive life according to what than Biden. Maybe he is, for all
re-connect with them. It’s a nice goes on in my pantry. I know, but the ones who say
tention. It seems like a lot of pes- of sparkling reputation. e thing to believe, but do I have they’re the most religious are the
to remember everyone’s name? And what does it mean to be a ones who have the most interest-
tilence for one week. I don’t like religion doesn’t really say that in I have a hard enough time as it good person? Di erent things to ing stu in their Google search
is. And what exactly do you DO di erent people. Mae West said, history... If Trump were really
to make light of peoples’ religions, its teachings, but there are people in Heaven? Are you automati- “When I’m good, I’m very good. smart he’d “double down” like he
cally retired? Do I have the same But when I’m bad I’m better.” always does and say he believes
so I’ll let you make light of mine. who believe it. Whoever thought in two gods! Better than Biden!
Somebody asked Trump which
I don’t believe in God the way He it up didn’t really think it through. of the books of the Bible was his
favorite, and he seemed genuinely
usually looks in pictures, with a Are the 72 ladies also dead? If surprised that there were more
than just the big black one on the
big white beard sitting on a cloud, so, it takes a bit of starch out of shelf with the dust on it.

and trying to keep track of what the thing. And if they are dead, is But this is not the place to
examine theology, even if I move
the devil is doing and so forth.To this supposed to be a reward for my laptop to a di erent room.
It’s like discussing music: every-
me, God is whatever the force of them or a punishment? I’d hate one has their personal beliefs.
You may enjoy a lil’ Lil’Wayne,
nature is, with all the mysteries to think that their hearts weren’t whereas I agree with Tom Rob-
bins, who said in a book that rap
that come with it. And to try to in it and that they’re just laughing music is like feeding a rhyming
dictionary to a popcorn popper. I
understand those mysteries is to at my jokes to be polite. And are don’t know how I got started on
it in the rst place, I was going to
Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES talk about the hurricane. I have
to go now- we have no power
Help at Home and my wife says she’s running
out of data, so I’m going out to
Help in Shower HELPI’ve fallen and I can’t get up!® Welcome Home with
nd some data to surprise her
GwPiSth! with, such as: “Look, Honey, the
average American eats nearly 13
Help On-the-Go pounds of ice cream per year!”
Most people live on their cell
Get HELP fast, 24/7, . Adson: NEW phones, but I do not, and words
® anywhere with CONSTRUCTION like “data” and “text” are precisely
358 Rt 202, Somers NY the kind of terms that sent me
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! HOMES right to the smoking area during
914.248.6117 physics class in high school, even
For a FREE brochure call: Starting at $900,000 though I didn’t smoke. It turns
ManciniRealEstate.com out that I don’t even know how
1-800-404-9776 to answer my own phone when
it started ringing (true story).
The ad published on behalf of Prepare for I pushed every button on the
Je Anderson & Associates power outages thing, and nothing. My wife said,
in the August 3 issue with a Generac “ ese days most people swipe
was placed in advance of the home standby their phone to answer it.”What a
New York Child Victims Act generator fool I was to have paid for mine.
window extension.
The new deadline for claims SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN HOME Join Rick and Trillium on
ASSESSMENT TODAY! Saturday, August 15th, 7:00PM
filed under the Child Victims Act is at UnWined Winebar & Kitchen
August 13, 2021. 877 516 1160 in Granite Springs for some wine,
women and song! Distancing and
FREE reservations required!

7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
O er valid March 16, 2020 June 30, 2020

Special Financing Available

Subject to Credit Approval

*Terms & Conditions Apply Say hello at: [email protected]

Thursday, August 13, 2020 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 17

It’s not the heat, it’s the frigidity

There are some exotic While I am not likely to My husband is the exact op- destination for our honeymoon, TRACY
breeds of tropical sh go belly up and oat to the posite. He’s a hot rock. He likes we ended up in the Canadian BECKERMAN
that need to live in an top of our tank, I will become the house to be just a little bit Rockies. In our marriage vows,
environment where the tem- extremely cranky and whiney nippy and is happiest if he can he asked me to love and honor for a peri-menopausal hot ash.
perature cannot uctuate more if I get too cold, or if even my see his breath when he sleeps. him, and teach our kids to ski. I got into bed and lay there
than one or two degrees, or they Because of this, we have nightly
will die. ngers and toes are cold, or bedroom wars. He opens the I soon realized I didn’t marry shivering. My husband imme-
even, sometimes, just the tip of window wide. I slam it shut. a man: I married a polar bear. diately dropped o to sleep, or
I’m kind of like those sh. my nose. I pile on the blankets. He maybe it was a state of frozen
throws them all on the oor. I In my defense, I did follow suspended animation, I’m not
crank up the thermostat and him to the Canadian Rockies, sure.
he drops it down to freezing. and I did teach our kids to ski. I
even learned how to ski myself, Even with my sixteen blan-
“You should live in an igloo,” although I wear so many layers kets and three layers of pajamas
I barked at him as I shivered. and have so many heated acces- I was cold, and I could not get
“You’re a Yeti.” sories that I leave a trail of slush my toes to warm up. ey were
behind me when I ski down the like ten little piggy ice cubes.
“Well you’re the Heat slopes. Tossing and turning, I nally
Miser,” he shot back. “It’s like
the Amazon in here. We could Willing though I am to vaca- gured out the only way to
grow orchids in this room.” tion in the arctic, I prefer my warm them up was to put them
own home to be more tropical. on something hot.
I gave him an icy stare… the Especially in the bedroom.
only kind of stare I could give So, I stuck them on my
him in a sub-zero bedroom. So, there we were, glaring at husband.
each other… him in his shorts
You would think that after and me in my annel feetie You can follow Tracy on
28 years together, we would pajamas. Facebook at facebook.com/
have come to some kind of LostinSuburbiaFanPage and
thermal compromise, but that’s “Look,” he said. “It is health- on Twitter at twitter.com/
not the case. I should have ier to keep the room a little tracybeckerman.
seen the writing on the wall cooler when you sleep, AND
when we rst started dating. it saves us money to turn the
When the subject of a vacation thermostat down. Can you try it
came up, I suggested the Baha- for one night?”
mas. He wanted to go to Ice-
land. When I let him pick the “Fine!” I agreed reluctantly. I
added two more blankets to my
heap of comforters and prayed

D ODNONNANOA’ COO’ CNONNENL LE L L I F YIOF UYOHUAVHEAVCEOCNOS INDSEIRDEEDR E D
P U RPCUHRACSHIANSGI NOGR OS ERLSLEI NL LGI N, PGL,EPALSEEA S E
11# # AGAGENETNTININ F E EFLEFERL EFER TE EO TCOOCNOTANCTTACMTE MAEN YATNIYMTEI .M E .
SOSOMMERESRS
As thAes#t1haeg#en1 at ginenStoimneSrosmanerdsHanerditHageeriHtaiglles,HIibllrsi,nIgborivnegr o2v4er 24
yearsyoeaf ersxopfeerxiepnecreieanncdeuannmd uatncmheadtcdheevdodtieovnottoioenactoheaancdh and
everyevpeerrysopnerIswonorIkwwoirtkh.with.

D O NDNOANON’ AC OON’ CNOENL LN E L L
AssocAiastesoRceiaalteERsteaatleEBsrtoakteerBroker
M M. . . .
DoconDnoecllo@[email protected]
donnadoocnonnanoecllo.hnonuellilh.haonullaiwharnenlacwe.rceonmce.com

SOMERS BROKERAGE
S O M E R S B RVOI LKLEARGAEGSEQ U A R E , S O M E R S, N Y

VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY

Source: HGMLS, 1/1/19-12/31/19, total dollar volume of Single Family homes and Condominiums sold by agent, Somers
Source: HscGhMooLlSd,i1s/t1r/ic19t;-H12G/3M1/L1S9,1t/o1t/a9l-d12o/ll3a1r/1v9o,ltuomtael ovfoSluinmgeleCFoanmdoilymhinoimuiemssasnodldCboyndaogemnitn, iSuommsesros.ld by agent, Somers
school district; HGMLS 1/1/9-12/31/19, total volume Condominiuims sold by agent, Somers.














Click to View FlipBook Version