Mahopac News 12.16.21

VOL. 12 NO. 45 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

The magic of ‘Illusion’ Downtown revitalization
project ambles forward
Sydney Leary
performs during Public workshop held; project will be
the annual MHS take several years to complete
rock show Illusion,
which hit the BY BOB DUMAS ing Chamber Park, a shing dock, a
stage for three EDITOR non-motorized boat/kayak launch,
performances last a boardwalk and a small outbuilding
weekend. e show e downtown revitalization proj- containing bathrooms, storage and a
features some of ect, which is now some three years Parks & Rec satellite o ce. It will also
the school’s best in the making, took a lumbering step involve the redevelopment of the ex-
musicians and forward recently after the Town Board isting Chamber Park.
features songs held a public workshop in order to
from the classic obtain feedback from residents about “As far as [the existing] Cham-
rock era to modern what they would like to see included ber Park is concerned, it is really just
pop. For more in the plan. a function of reorganizing that, so it
photos from the connects properly and works properly
show, see the e Nov. 30 workshop was the rst with the new park,” said Je Con-
centerspread on one held in nearly six months when telmo, principal engineer for Insite
pages 18 and 19. the board introduced three alternative Engineering, the rm acting as con-
site plans back in June. At last week’s sultant for the town on the project and
PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL meeting, the board again introduced developed the three alternative site
the same three plans, none of which plans. “It will also include the dredg-
had been altered since the June work- ing of the channel, maybe some land-
shop. scaping, and reorganizing some of the
improvements.”
e revitalization project includes,
among other things, the creation of Contelmo said the municipal park-
Swan Cove Park, a municipal parking ing lot, next to Tompkins Mahopac
lot, the expansion of the sidewalk in Bank, will be regraded and feature
front of the businesses on Route 6N, other improvements to prevent ood-
new lighting, curbs and crosswalks. It img.
will also eliminate the diagonal park-
ing scheme and replace it with end-to- Contelmo noted the parking lot will
end parking and change Cherry Lane feature 80 parking spaces to “balance
to a one-way street. the needs of the downtown area, the
park and the bank.”
e Swan Cove Park will feature
a bridge connecting it to neighbor- SEE DOWNTOWN PAGE 4

SellYour Home forTOP DOLLAR BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 34
CLASSIFIEDS
with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist LEGAL NOTICES 32
LEISURE
FREE MAHOPAC MUSINGS 33
OBITUARIES
Home Evaluation OPINION 24
SPORTS
Anytime — No Cost or Obligation 2 WEAPONS BUST

Call 845.628.4189 29 Police arrest Mahopac
10 man on gun charges.
MahopacHomeValues.com 20 pg 6

CLASSIC REALTY Michael Trinchitella
LicensedAssociate Real Estate Broker

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

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Mahopac Library 628-2009, ext. 100. terials provided to create your duration of the movie (1 hr/44

The Staff Events Decl 24: Mahopac Library own winter masterpiece! For ages min). No registration required.

EDITORIAL TEAM will close at 1 p.m.. 4-12. No registration necessary. Indoor Snow Fun!
BOB DUMAS
Board of Trustees Meeting Dec. 25, 26: Mahopac Pub- Call for more information: 845- ursday, Dec. 30, 2 p.m. For
EDITOR: 845-208-0774
[email protected] Wednesday, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. lic Library will be closed for the 628-2009, ext. 139. children in grades 2-5. Make

VIM WILKINSON Mahopac Public Library Board Christmas holiday. Access the Family Afternoon at the an edible (candy) snowman and
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
[email protected] of Trustees meeting (virtual). is Library 24/7 via www.mahopa- Movies then join in an indoor snow-

ADVERTISING TEAM meeting is held virtually on Go- clibrary.org. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 12 p.m. ball ght (no coats or mittens
PAUL FORHAN
ToMeeting. To attend this meet- Drop-in Winter Crafts Drop in to enjoy a screening of needed!) First preference given
(914) 806-3951
[email protected] ing visit www.mahopaclibrary. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1 p.m. Fami- the heartwarming family adven- to Mahopac/Mahopac Central

BRUCE HELLER org, and join the meeting from lies welcome! Drop in to the ture movie Paddington 2 (rated School District residents. Chil-
(914) 486-7608
[email protected] computer, tablet or smartphone. Garden View room to make a PG). Parents/caregivers must re- dren in grades K-5 must be ac-

LISA KAIN For further information call 845- winter collage. A variety of ma- main with their children for the companied by a responsible adult
(201) 317-1139
[email protected] over the age of 18 who must re-
CORINNE STANTON
(914) 760-7009 main in the building for the du-
[email protected]
ration of the program. Registra-
JAY GUSSAK
(914) 299-4541 tion is required; register online at
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE Merr Christma & Happ Holiday ! www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call
(914) 924-9122 845-628-2009, ext. 139.
[email protected] Dec. 31: Mahopac Library will

PRODUCTION TEAM Open Christmas Eve & NewYears Eve til 6pm close at 1 p.m.
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
Closed Christmas & NewYears Day ‘Scavenger’ Artists
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sought for Exhibit
PHOTOGRAPHER
WARSTEINER COORS LIGHT One person’s junk is often
[email protected] someone else’s treasure.
GABRIELLE BILIK GERMAN LAGER $14.99
DESIGNER Many artists are scavengers of
$11.99 STELLA items that retain their beauty or
[email protected] ARTOIS provide creative inspiration even
COORS LIGHT after they have been discarded.
EXECUTIVE TEAM $15.99
BRETT FREEMAN With this in mind, Mahopac
CEO & PUBLISHER Public Library has announced
845-208-8151 a call for entries featuring the
theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
[email protected] a Sustainable Art Exhibit,” to
showcase mixed media work
Deadlines that combines disparate elements
and materials to create inspiring
MAHOPAC NEWS DEADLINE works of art.
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS
e show, hosted in partner-
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR ship with Sustainable Putnam,
will be installed in the ird
MAHOPAC NEWS IS THE THURSDAY Floor Gallery during the month
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. of February 2022. A virtual pre-
sentation of the entries will be
FOR MORE INFORMATION, created in conjunction with the
CALL BOB DUMAS AT onsite show to be screened on the
Library’s YouTube channel.
845-208-0774 OR EMAIL
[email protected]. Call for entry requirements:
this exhibit it open to profession-
Subscribe al artists 18 years of age or older.
Work must be hand-delivered,
TO REQUEST MAHOPAC NEWS labeled and ready to hang. ere
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503 OR is a limit of two entries per art-
EMAIL [email protected]. ist; entries must not exceed 36
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR inches with frame. Small three-
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN. dimensional work that can be
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE placed in the ird Floor Gallery
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL. display case will be exhibited if
space permits.
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT
MAHOPAC, NY AND AT Drop-o dates: Sunday, Jan.
30, 1-4 p.m.; Monday, Jan. 31,
ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. 1-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednes-
day, Feb. 1 and 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
POSTMASTER: To be included in the virtual ex-
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO hibit, send one digital image of
each entry submitted for the on-
MAHOPAC NEWS AT site show to mplgallerycommit-
824 ROUTE 6, SUITE 4 [email protected].
MAHOPAC, NY 10541
ere is no fee to enter the
NMeawhsopac “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” exhibit,
and artists from the tristate area
(ISSN 2330-1627) (and beyond) are welcome to par-
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY ticipate. e show will be on dis-
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC AT play at the library from Feb. 4-26,
824 ROUTE 6, SUITE 4 2022. For further information, or
MAHOPAC, NY 10541 to download an exhibit prospec-

MAIN OFFICE
118 N. BEDFORD ROAD

SUITE 100
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549

©2021 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC

SEE MUSINGS PAGE 26





















THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 13

e best day of the year

OF HUMAN dor’s, where the Job Lot store I promised to have Jesus paint- owing brown hair and piercing as garbage cans over owing with
INTEREST is today. I made sure that the ed and glazed but he didn’t want blue eyes.To this day, the plaster torn wrapping paper. After dinner,
bell-ringing Santa noticed the me to. He liked the unadorned, Jesus sits on my mantle, along our belly’s stu ed with antipasto
LORENZO 20s in my hand, too. plain and simple Jesus, who held with the Jesus my father loved. and lasagna, my father poured
GARO the meek and the poor in spirit wine in our glasses and made a
After that, whenever some- above everyone else, better than More than any other Christ- toast.
Apart of me is always one asked how the shopping the handsome “King of Kings” mas, I remember this one the
relieved when the was going, I told them about Hollywood version with the best. e tree did look a little sad “To the best day of the year!”
holidays are over. e what our family was doing, without presents, but not as sorry he said.
fussing, shopping, worrying making it sound as if we gave
over gifts, having to get a hair- away tons of money every year. 50% OF
cut and change my dust so the Sometimes I volunteered the
relatives won’t think I’ve gone information to strangers, girls I Plus FRE GIFT
to seed, sometimes seems like wanted to impress, bartenders,
more trouble than it’s worth, anyone who’d listen. In time, the WE KENDS ONLY — UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
especially after you’ve reached 60 bucks became 200. I began
a certain age. Yet the spirit of to identify with St. Francis of Visit Our
Christmas never dies. She may Assisi, the fawns by my side and New Of ice!
get a little slower and sleep the doves overhead.
later, but she always shows up, Dr. Brendan D. Delamere
somehow. I wish my mother was still
around so she could read the Chiropractor
When I was 18 or 19, my paragraph I just wrote. She
mother came up with a simple would have laughed and prob- (845) 628-6000
but brilliant idea for Christ- ably teased me about not having
mas. “Instead of buying pres- changed all that much. I’m
ents this year,” she said, “why lacking. When she became ill
don’t we just give all the money and I had to look after her af-
to charity.” fairs, I was not at all shocked to
discover the long list of charities
It was almost with a sigh to which she donated. It was a
of relief that everyone in my lifelong business with her. Never
family agreed to the idea. And once did she say a word about it.
not necessarily because it was
a charitable thing to do. It was e day didn’t turn out to be
going to be nice not having to completely without presents,
shop for presents and pro- after all. My mother whimsically
crastinate until the very last bought each of us kids a bag of
minute. I never questioned walnuts and a nutcracker. Every
my mother’s motives, though. year she told us the same story
about growing up during the
ere were people who needed Great Depression and how the
food more than we needed only thing her mother could af-
presents. She didn’t say it. She ford to buy her was a bag of nuts.
didn’t have to say it.
“And I was happy to get
“How much should we give?” them,” she recalled, the violins
I asked my mother. playing in the background.

“It should hurt a little,” she My father handed me a
replied. Christmas card with the coveted
50-dollar bill inside. He wrote a
As the day got closer, I note: “Don’t tell your mother.”
started to like the idea less
and less. How sad the tree was I gave my father a small plas-
going to look baron of color- ter bust of Jesus that cost all of
fully wrapped presents. And $3.50. He was a real fan of Jesus.
why did I want to give away I don’t think he cared that much
money when I hardly had any about being saved or whether
myself ? I needed gloves and Jesus was divine. He just liked
work boots and the crisp $50 Jesus. is was in the early
bill that came with the Christ- 1970s, when people were being
mas card my father gave me “born again” left and right and
every year. Nevertheless, with getting saved. My father took a
a mixture of self-aggrandizing curious view, imparting the idea
charity and chagrin, I dropped that it was more important for
three wrinkled 20-dollar bills us to save Jesus than the other
into the red Salvation Army way around.
kettle in front of the old Cal-
He looked at the plaster Jesus
for a long time.

“Lorenzo,” he said, “this is the
nicest present you ever gave me.”

Advertise With Us Skyview Building
When you advertise with Mahopac News, you are reaching 530 Route 6
thousands of households and businesses throughout Mahopac,
Mahopac Falls and portions of Carmel. To advertise or to place Mahopac, NY 10541
a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email
[email protected].























THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 25

Byrne announces holiday MHS teacher publishes
food and gift drive scientific research paper

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne is partner- • Sports posters

ing with the United Way of Westches- • Behind the door basketball hoops As if she weren’t already accomplished her daughter was born prematurely in
enough, Jennifer Degl, an earth science 2012 and spent months in the Neonatal
ter and Putnam for his annual Holiday • Skateboards teacher at Mahopac High School, just Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Maria
added another achievement to her port- Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.
Food & Gift Drive this year. e drive • Sports balls (basketballs, footballs, folio.
Since then,Degl has written three books
will collect non-perishables, as well as etc.) Degl, who has taught at MHS since
1999, was rst inspired to activism when SEE DEGL PAGE 27
new and unwrapped gifts for pre-teens • Anti-stress coloring books/pencils

and teens in need. • Anti-stress weighted stu ed animals

“Everyone deserves a little holiday • Weighted blankets

cheer. I hope our neighbors will join us • Jewelry

in helping local families in need,” said • Scrunchies

Byrne. “ is year, in addition to collect- • Journals/notebooks

ing non-perishables, we are focusing on • Puzzles

pre-teens and teens who, unfortunately, • T-shirts

are often not the primary focus of many • Sweatshirts

other holiday gift drives. e collection • Joggers

will run until Monday, Dec. 20, so please • Wallets

consider helping by giving what you can.” • Watches

Food donations can include non-per- • LED string lights

ishable foods Drop o locations include:

Donations for pre-teens and teens can • JV Bagels of Brewster – 2505 Carmel

include: Ave., Brewster

• Makeup kits • Carmel Diner – 63 Gleneida Ave.,

• Straightening irons Carmel

• Curling irons • Dunkin Donuts Somers Plaza – 325

• Face masks Route 100, Somers Town Center

• Shaving/self-care kits • JV Bagels of Je erson Valley – 1 Lee

• Bath bombs Blvd., Je erson Valley

• Nail polish • Southeast Town Hall – 1360

• Perfume & cologne Route22, Brewster

• Slippers • Putnam Valley Town Hall – 265 PHOTO COURTESY OF MAHOPAC SCHOOL DISTRICT

• Candles Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley Jennifer Degl, an earth science teacher at Mahopac High School, published a research
paper in a scientific journal
• Di users • Mahopac Library – 668 Route 6,

• Blankets Mahopac

A big thank you to all who joined us for DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH
our Virtual Imagine Event to support the AN AGING OIL TANK!

services of CoveCare Center.

Before you place your home on the

market, contact ENVIROSTAR about

replacing your aging underground

DON’T HOLD UP storage tank (UST). It it required by
most insurance companies prior to
THE SALE OF insuring property.

Congratulations to Joseph D. Roberto YOUR HOME! ESTIFMRAETEES
who was presented with the
11500 OFFF$$WSEUPWTHEOERRWKSITPNHTERECORIUAGLH OUWREACWDOVOIMLEFLRFPETMERITSA!IETTDOCRH’S Since
2021 Imagine Award and a big shout out to
Kacey Morabito Grean of WHUD 100.7 IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL 1998
for hosting our event!
WWithiththtishicsocuopuonpoonlyo.nClyo.uCpoonupmounstmbeusptrebseenptreedsaetnttheedtiamtethoef tthime esotimf tahte.
If you were not able to join us, estimateN. Nototot tboebceomcboimnebdinweitdh awniythotahneyr oofftehres.rEoxffpeirress. 9E/1x5p/i1r9es 3/31/22
you can view the video and more at:
We are the name you trust for environmental needs
covecare.onlinegalas.org
845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com

PAGE 26 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

MUSINGS pose is to make life while away Snowman Building 3-3:15 p.m. Winner an- a.m.-noon, ursday 4-6:45
from home a little better for Contest nouncement p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m.-2
FROM PAGE 2 these brave men and women. p.m. Have a book donation?
Some of the items include Come and join the Mahopac 3:15 p.m. Depart Call to make an appointment,
tus, visit https://mahopacli- cookies, DVDs, CDs, snacks, Girl Scouts for their rst snow- Carpool if possible; parking Mahopac Public Library at
brary.org/art-exhibits/. For t-shirts, and other food items. man building contest at Syca- will be limited. A snack con-
questions or clari cation, call Following numerous conver- more Park! Choose a category cession stand, food truck, and a 1-845-628-2009, ext. 143,
845-628-2009, ext. 108. sations with service men and and compete against other warming room will be available. leave your name and phone
women, the group found out teams and win prizes. Compe- Registrations is underway. Go number. Someone will contact
Defend the that the military provides sol- tition will be on Jan. 15. If no to https://snowapalooza.ched- you to schedule a date and time.
Holidays diers with the essentials for snow, the competition will be darup.com to register, or write
day- to-day life and many of either Jan. 22 or 29. Weather to [email protected]. Italian American
United for the Troops has them miss the extra amenities permitting (no refunds will be Club
launched the Defend the Holi- that they enjoy while at home. given, unless there is not enough Northern
day program, a joint e ort that United for the Troops’ goal is to snow by Jan. 29). Cost is $10 a Westchester e Italian American Club
will supply comfort packages show them that we are proud of team. Each team may consists Hospital Events of Mahopac on 141 Buckshol-
to those serving overseas in the them and appreciate all of their of up to ve people. Teams must low Road is now open for party
U.S. Armed Forces. For a $15 e orts in areas of the world. supply all of their own tools/ Chair Yoga rentals. Come see our spacious
donation, a care package will supplies to build and decorate Mondays and ursdays, Dec, hall and book your family party
be sent to a soldier overseas on Comfort Packages can be re- their snowman, ere will be 16, 20, 23, 30 (no class Dec. 27), or business meeting/event.
your behalf. If you would like to served by submitting the form two sessions to choose from: 11 a.m. – noon, live over Zoom
write a note or a card the volun- found at http://www.putnam- Cost: Free We are also seeking new
teers that pack the boxes will be c o u n t y n y. c o m / c a r e p a c k a g e / . Session 1 Schedule Chair Yoga is one of the gen- members to join us in celebrat-
sure to include it in the comfort Payment for the Comfort Pack- 10-11:30 a.m. Build Time. tlest forms of yoga available, ing the Italian heritage and
package. age must be mailed, or hand 11:30 a.m. -noon Judging. adapting poses through the cre- culture. Monthly meetings are
delivered to Terry Oliver, Con- Noon-12:15p.m. Winner an- ative use of a chair. Emphasis held the rst Wednesday of
United for the Troops was nouncement will be on breathing, balance, each month at 7:00 PM. Please
founded by Jim and Patty Rath- dential Secretary, 40 Gleneida 12:15 p.m. Depart and taking things at your own contact President, Giulio Ce-
schmidt of Mahopac with the Ave., Carmel, NY 10512 Session 2 Schedule pace. is workshop is led by faloni for more information at
help of friends and families 1-2:30 p.m. Build time. Toni Russo, MS, RN AHN- 845-745-2655 or gcefaloni@
whose sons and daughters are Terry can be reached at 845- 2:30-3 p.m. Judging. BC, RYT-220, a leader on fordham.edu.
serving overseas. Its sole pur- 808-1001 with any questions. NWH’s Integrative Medicine
Team. Voluneer Drivers
For today, retirement Register at: Chair Yoga, visit Needed
and every moment Eventbrite.com. All programs
in between. are currently o ered virtually. RideConnect, a program of
Smoking Cessation Family Services of Westches-
Tier 4 planning isn’t about getting a new 403(b) ter, is seeking volunteers willing
or buying financial products. It’s about becoming ursday, Dec. 21, 6-7 p.m., to o er occasional rides to se-
educated and empowered around the events live over Microsoft Teams niors who are no longer driving.
and decisions in your personal financial life. It’s Rides might be to a medical
about being prepared. Maybe it’s time. Cost: Free appointment, the hair salon, or
Cigarettes are one of the other errands. Volunteering is
Call me today for your initial Confident leading causes of preventable very exible and RideConnect
Retirement conversation. death in the United States. We sta help volunteers nd a ride
know it’s challenging to quit, that most suits their location
Confident Retirement approach and we are here to help. is and availability.
support group is facilitated by
Michael A. Bucci 203.302.6744 a NWH respiratory therapist. For more information go to
Financial Advisor For more information, contact www.rideconnectwestchester.
41 W. Putnam Ave. NWHSmokingCessation@ org or call 914-242-7433.
Tier 4 Planning Greenwich, CT 06830 northwell.edu or call 914-666-
A financial advisory practice of [email protected] 1868. Rental Arrears Help
Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Tier4planning.com Register at: Smoking Cessa-
CA Insurance #0M83870 tion, visit Eventbrite.com. Starting Oct. 6, volunteer res-
Wellness Wednesdays – idents of Putnam Progressives,
The Confident Retirement approach is not a guarantee of future financial results. The initial Confident Retirement conversation provides an overview Sexual Health with Dr. Cath- in partnership with the Legal
of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. ryn Devons Services of the Hudson Val-
Wednesday, Dec. 29, 11- ley, will help local tenants with
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., a registered investment adviser. 11:30 am, by phone. rent debt, or “rental arrears,” get
Cost: Free money from New York’s ERAP
© 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (05/19) (Emergency Rental Assistance
is month’s Wellness Program). ese volunteers will
Wednesday will focus on sexual be at the Gilead Presbyterian
health. Register at the link be- Church, 9 Church St, Carmel,
low or simply dial 1-929-436- from 1 to 8 p.m.,Wednesdays,
2866 to join the program. and from 1 to 5 p.m., Mondays.
Renters from Putnam County
• When prompted, enter the are encouraged to come, so vol-
Webinar ID 994 8502 3594, unteers can check your quali -
followed by the # sign. cation for money aid and apply
you for rent relief.To be able to
• You will hear music until apply, please bring some papers
the program starts promptly at which show your (1) personal
11 am. identity (2) rental amount (3)
residency (4) income and, uf
• ere is a 100-person limit you have one, (5) social security
for this webinar. number. You can also apply for
utility aid with us! If you want
Register at https://nwhwell- this, then also bring a utility bill.
nesswednesday.eventbrite.com. Questions? Please call a rent re-
lief volunteer at 817-382-7549
Book Barn Hours or at 845- 418-5740.

Mahopac Book Barn is open.
Hours are as follows: Tuesday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.,Wednesday 10

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 27

DEGL there’s a lot of miscommuni- MHS musician chosen first
FROM PAGE 25 violinist at All-State
cation.”

Degl, a mother of four,

about the experience, testi- remembers being over-

ed in front of Congress whelmed when her daugh-

twice, been named to the ter Joy was born extremely

leadership team of the Inter- premature, weighing just 1

national Neonatal Consor- pound, 4 ounces. Joy spent Mahopac High School junior
Rachel Berger played rst violin in
tium, and founded Maria’s 121 days in the NICU. e the All-State Symphony Orchestra
at the NYSSMA Conference in
Hope, a support group that experience set Degl on a Rochester in early December. e
All-State Symphony Orchestra is
mentors parents who have mission to improve health- made up of the top student musi-
cians in New York and Berger was
babies in the NICU at the care for preemies. selected after auditioning at the
Solo Festival in the spring.
children’s hospital. In Oc- “All of the research and
“Even scoring perfectly at the au-
tober, she had another rst: volunteering I do helps me dition, which Rachel did, does not
guarantee you a spot in one of the
Degl was the lead author in to be a better teacher and ensembles,” said Evan McGregor,
MHS orchestra director and Music
a scienti c research paper the opposite is true as well,” Department chair.“Rachel’s selection
is a testament to her drive for excel-
published in the Journal of said Degl, who also teaches lence and her achievement of it.”

Perinatology that grew out Living Environment and Berger, who started playing violin
when she was 5 years old, said it was
of her weekly volunteer work the MHS Life class for great to play with a group of such
high-level musicians at All-State,
in the Maria Fareri NICU. freshman at the high school. but that she also enjoys playing at
local hospitals and nursing homes,
“We wanted to look at “Both experiences help me which she has done for community
service.
how doctors, nurses and to better the lives of chil-
“I really love to play violin because
parents communicate with dren. My experience as a I nd it extremely rewarding to see
how my music can bring comfort
each other in the NICU,” NICU parent mentor has and joy to others,” Berger l said. “It
is incredibly heartwarming to see
Degl said. “I put together a helped me immensely as a the faces of the old and sick light up

survey of 323 neonatologists, teacher of the MHS Life

neonatal nurses and NICU course at the high school.

parents from around the I have been mentoring Rachel Berger PHOTO COURTESY OF MAHOPAC SCHOOL DISTRICT

globe, and we found ways NICU parents for years as

that communication could they process fear, confusion,

be improved.When research con ict, sadness, and grief. when I perform.” travaganza known as “Illusion” each
e Mahopac Central School year featuring the district’s most tal-
scientists speak to parents, I’d like to think that all of ented rock musicians and vocalists.
District is known for its outstanding It is also regularly cited as among
they speak at a completely those experiences shape me, performing arts. e high school of- the Best Schools for Music Educa-
fers a wide array of musical ensem- tion by the NAMM Foundation.
di erent level, with their and I know they provide me bles including the Philharmonic
Orchestra, String Sinfonietta, Cho- Article courtesy of Mahopac School
own scienti c vocabulary. with additional tools to sup- rus, Wind Ensemble & Symphonic District
Band and produces a musical ex-
Parents, who are under a lot port my students at MHS.”

of stress at the time, often do

not speak out and say that Article courtesy of Mahopac

they do not understand. So, School District

We thank all the volunteers, supporters
and organizations that assisted this year!

Help bring the All toys and
holiday season donations
to the children distributed

in all our locally.
communities.
Donate to Toys For Tots
Checks can be made payable to Toys for Tots Foundation and mailed to by scanning this QR code.
P.O. Box 628, Mahopac, NY 10541
For more information, email [email protected]
or call 845-519-5299