The Somers Record 06.09.2022

Vol. 12 No. 9 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, June 9, 2022

St. Luke’s aids Ukraine
Bene t concert planned for July 30

BY CAROL REIF supplies, clothing and other stant chicken soup, saying that adding that the drive grew PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM FULTON
STAFF WRITER necessities for folks in Kyiv. “that would x just about any- quickly from an idea to “quite
thing,” Fulton said. And an- a community event.” Deacon Norman Fulton, Irena Portenko
St. Luke’s Episcopal One woman even donated a other person wrote out a check and Gocha Abuladze
Church’s recent “Project for beautiful white lace frock her for $100 to purchase supplies. e Somers church’s e orts
Ukraine” was such a success daughter had made because, were, and continue to be, aided
that organizers are hoping for she told Deacon Norman Ful- e response “exceeded all by world-renowned concert
an encore. ton, she hoped it would “go to expectations,” Fulton said. pianist Irena Portenko, who is
a young girl who might like to from Kyiv.
e drive wound up collect- dress up for the day.” So much was donated that
ing 50 big boxes of medical “it took us a couple of weeks SEE AID PAGE 32
Someone else donated in- to sort out and pack,” he said,

A On June 5, Julia Whalen led parishioners at the
Church of the Good Shepherd in raising a Pride
Flag outside the church for the rst time. Read more
about the journey to this moment on page 4.

Moment
of Pride

PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY

gBccoaaasmrcaukfgaoltelroy.tS-itenehlteekognFnaounw1.tt8ui4n5rgepB!yaRUorkpCu-dolaikalroeteenabdiacelrwaeotisfitn,fheygroestucog’oldle-eafornytiej’hsoneysdrkmflyaynraoaltnacHskdVteisActiunCinsgtdaaeoninnodaer/baroglceuyhtecdanorogesotrinrsg!gsypssatycas$etti1eoa,1mnn7d5sin,,0ttat0hhki0ees Hope Mazzola

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 39
CLASSIFIEDS 38
ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2
LEGAL NOTICES 36
LEISURE 30
OBITUARIES
OPINION 8 HEADLINERS
SPORTS
10

23 Somers Student News
pg 20

Page 2 – The Somers Record ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Thursday, June 9, 2022

The Staff The Church of the calling 914-248-5631 or email- service in honor of Juneteenth, an able clothing (men, women,
Good Shepherd ing seniorssaturdays@goodshep- annual holiday commemorating kids), sneakers and shoes, blan-
EDITORIAL TEAM heredny.org the end of slavery in the United kets, sheets, bedspreads, quilts,
TOM WALOGORSKY SENIOR SATURDAY LUNCH States, which has been celebrat- comforters, towels, table cloths,
EDITOR: 914-302-5830 Saturday, June 18, at 12 p.m. Hebrew ed by African-Americans since drapery/curtains, bath rugs,
[email protected] e Church of the Good Congregation the late 1800s. e synagogue purses, backpacks, briefcases,
will welcome the participation belts, hats/gloves, under gar-
VIM WILKINSON Shepherd will host its second of Somers of Marisa Ragonese, founder of ments, socks, scarves, ties, baby
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR non-denominational, free lunch Yorktown for Justice.  accessories, clean soft toys and
[email protected] gathering of local senior citi- Located at Cypress Lane & stu ed animals. Please NO
zens at the church, located at 39 Mervin Drive in Shenorock. For Somers High books/CDs, VHS tapes, kitchen
ADVERTISING TEAM Granite Springs Road.  A deli- more information, email ques- School PTSA appliances, outdoor toys, or fur-
PAUL FORHAN cious hot meal will be served, and tions@hebrewcongregationof- niture. Please put all items in
will be accompanied by compan- somers.org or call 914-248-9532 CLOTHING DRIVE well-tied trash bags. e PTSA
(914) 806-3951 ionship, conversation and com- Saturday, June 18, is working with clothingdrive-
[email protected] munity!  e meal will conclude SHABBAT SERVICE IN from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. fundraiser.com and will receive
with dessert and co ee. A second HONOR OF JUNETEENTH e Somers High School a monetary donation based on
BRUCE HELLER meal will be given to everyone at- the total weight of all items col-
(914) 486-7608 tending to take home. RSVP is Saturday, June 18, at 9:30 a.m. PTSA will be collecting all lected. Drop of location: Somers
[email protected] required by Saturday, June 11 by e Hebrew Congrega- types and styles of used wear- Middle School, 250 Rt. 202.
For more information, contact
LISA KAIN tion  will have a special Shabbat Amanda Casabona-Cohen at
(201) 317-1139 646-391-3686 or by email at ca-
[email protected] [email protected] or Kelly
CORINNE STANTON Mitchell at 917-693-4085.
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] Temple Beth Am

JAY GUSSAK Any questions about Temple
(914) 299-4541 events, please call 914-6-BETH-
[email protected] AM. All Shabbat Services are
SHELLEY KILCOYNE held at the Temple, located at
(914) 924-9122 203 Church Place, Yorktown
[email protected] Heights NY.
PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tuesday, June 14,
from 7 - 8 p.m.
PHOTOGRAPHER Join virtually to learn about
[email protected]
Temple Beth Am from clergy
GABRIELLE BILIK and temple members. Bring your
DESIGNER questions about Religious School,
the Temple Community, and
[email protected] more. Register via their website
https://www.templebetham-ny.
EXECUTIVE TEAM org/event/virtual-open-house1.
BRETT FREEMAN html
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 The Somers Library

[email protected] m for Summer Fu ! ere is a mix of in-person
and virtual events. Please register
Deadlines Enjo th Summer Seaso an Loo your Bes ! on our online calendar at www.
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Thursday, June 9, 2022 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 15

DR LINDA

FROM PAGE 15

help them learn. Multi-sensory learners
are kids who learn best using two or more
senses at the same time.

7. Use rhyming. Do you remember,
“I before E, except after C, or when it
sounds like “A” as in neighbor and weigh”?
Or “ irty days has September, April,
June and November”? Make up a silly
poem to help you remember.

8. Talk. Tell somebody about the
information you have to learn. Discuss
the topic with a parent, a grandparent or a
friend. Have an argument with someone
about the subject. Believe it or not, eve-
ning telling your dog or talking to yourself
in a mirror helps.

9. Write sentences. Do you remember
learning the silly sentence “Every good
boy deserves fudge” in music class? It
worked! Millions of us still remember the
notes. Making a sentence using the rst
letters of what you want to remember is a
technique that can be used for any subject.

ese easy-to-use study skills strategies
help not only kids who want better grades,
but also parents and grandparents who
have something they need to remember.

Dr. Linda

Dr. Linda is co-author of “Why Bad Grades
Happen to Good Kids,” and director of Strong
Learning Tutoring. Send your questions
to [email protected]. Find more
articles on her blog at StrongLearning.com.

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Page 16 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, June 9, 2022

LETTERS

Delzio Dedication Somers, becoming a permanent asset to all of us. He saw important than protecting children in school, or people just
opportunity and seized it, and became the consummate going about their daily lives?
To the Editor,  entrepreneur. What separates all of us individually are the
Steve Delzio once said that he likes the personal touch – positive personal attributes we each bring to the table. Steve Is this what we celebrate now – that a little eleven-year-
Delzio and the Mexican Shack are a living testament to old girl in a classroom in Uvalde,Texas smeared herself
he wants people to “experience” e Mexican Shack – see it what makes a community successful. He exempli es all the with the blood of her dead friend so that if the shooter
– and feel it. Over the years, he has lived it, and successfully positive attributes that anyone could ask for. He is honest, came back, he might think she was dead too? Is this what
created his own brand. dedicated, focused, smart, and a visionary who created and children are learning now – to use their intelligence and
paved his own road.THAT is what successful entrepre- creativity to play dead? And it took time to identify those
But there is much more here than meets the eye. If neurs do! We all know e Mexican Shack is a success, due actually killed because of how these weapons shred a body.
you think about this town, how it evolved, and how the to Steve’s dedication to his vision, his family Mary, Michael, It is what they were designed to do.
community grew, you can honestly say that it has always and Lauren, and to the Somers community.
remained true to itself. People here care about each other A ban on assault weapons was enacted in 1994, and ex-
and support each other. e town’s historic character and its I am proud and privileged to call Steve Delzio my friend pired because of a sunset provision in 2004. A 1993 CNN/
wealth of natural areas lend a rural sensibility that has at- and colleague. Congratulations! USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 77 percent of Ameri-
tracted many to live here. Somers has an outstanding com- cans supported a ban on the manufacture, sale, and posses-
munity history, which continues to this day. Look around Ed Liss sion of such weapons. ere were constitutional challenges
the room and see for yourself. to the ban, and all were rejected. 
The Real Slippery Slope
Having lived here over 40 years has enabled me to We no longer talk about ‘a mass shooting.’Now we talk
witness this up close and personal. e Mexican Shack is To the Editor, about ‘the most recent’mass shooting. In the ten years
an asset, a personal vision Steve had based on an idea that It was with visceral disgust that I heard Senator Bill the ban was in e ect, did anyone come get your handgun,
came along when he needed one most. Steve was smart your hunting ri e, or your shotgun? No. e only ‘slippery
– he looked at the long-term vision while still growing Cassidy (R-LA) respond to a question as to why people slope’in this discussion is the slide into further carnage and
his business. He expanded by investing in new busi- need AR-15s. Owners, Cassidy said, would tell you killing unbearable heartbreak. Demand a ban on weapons of war.
ness property and became a landlord. But most of all, he feral pigs makes AR-15 ownership worthwhile. Senator, is
stayed here - a true “Townie”- and rea rmed his roots in this how low you will go for power and money – a specious Anita Krusko
argument making killing pigs with a weapon of war more
Happily

Ever
After

Fudge Brownie Cherry Vanilla ice cream?

Wonderful dilemmas at e Country House

What is so great about ice cream? It seems that in the warmer months, it is PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTRY HOUSE
the “go to”food to cool o while enjoying the sultry breezes of summer.But ice
cream hails as a far more meaningful snack than simply a refreshing treat. Ice Judy Higgins and Nancy Cicillini, residents at the The Country House,
cream received national recognition in 1984, when Ronald Reagan declared are sitting and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, while enjoying a
July 15th as National Ice Cream Day. scrumptious ice-cream sundae.

Ice cream lovers often view this frosty dessert as a panacea of sorts, o ering e Country House is a marketing partner of this newspaper. is article is
medicinal qualities of comfort and healing for the mind and for the spirit. And written by e Country House, a 100 bed boutique assisted living community,
scientists continue to explore any tangible explanations for the “calm, satis ed nestled amidst a beautiful rustic landscape. It is located at 2000 Baldwin Rd
and happy” feelings that ice cream devotees attribute to the ingestion of this in Yorktown Heights, NY. For more information, call 914-455-1363 or visit
sweet and creamy deliciousness. Research studies have identi ed Tryptophan, meridiansenior.com.
an amino acid found in ice cream,and known to increase serotonin production,
as a tangible contributing factor to this “feel good” treat. Other studies, utiliz-
ing MRI machines to analyze brain function, indicated that the orbitofrontal
cortex at the front of the brain “lit up”in response to one swallow of ice cream.

is section of the brain is associated with processing and reacts when people
are enjoying themselves. It is unclear how statistically signi cant these studies
are, but without any scienti c evidence, many ice cream lovers will attest to the
positive e ects ice cream has on one’s psyche.

At e Country House, an assisted living community in Yorktown Heights,
no one is particularly concerned with the validity of ice cream studies. ere
are far more important considerations like having a simple co ee ice cream
cone or opting for a mint chocolate chip sundae with whipped cream and
chocolate syrup. Judy Higgins told me that she loves the basic avor of choco-
late and whenever she eats chocolate ice cream , it reminds her of the ice-
cream truck coming down the block. Nancy Cicillini, another resident of e
Country House, also reminiscences about the Good Humor ice-cream truck
and care-free childhood days.

Whatever the magical qualities of ingesting ice-cream may be, it is for cer-
tain that eating ice cream, is for many, a delightful and delicious adventure.

Thursday, June 9, 2022 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 17

Roll the dice

Once there was a time when TV men, and women, claim that they “woke Games of chance are not for me. “A gambling so exciting. Why not get o the
commercials were so cool that we everyone in the house” when they won big dollar and a dream” to buy a Lottery ticket couch and go sky-diving or ride a roller
did not even know what product on a gambling app while sitting in their once in a while, maybe. But people love coaster or enter a triathalon, audition to be
to gamble. Horse racing, sports games, in a play or sign-up for a TV baking com-
the advertisement was supposed to be bedroom at home. dice, cards, the stock market, you name it, petition to feel that same adrenaline rush?
people have been placing bets since the
promoting. Was it hyp- At the height of the beginning of time. It’s a slippery slope. ink about it – if you have money
Placing a three-dollar bet on a long-shot to burn, why not fund a new children’s
ing a luxury car or car pandemic, shutdowns horse at the track on a Saturday afternoon playground or donate to an animal shel-
or playing a monthly poker game with a ter? If you really want to show o as a big
insurance? READING, certainly put a crimp group of friends is one thing. e sad fact spender, how about surprising a few col-
e majority of WRITING & in the in-person casino is that many of these new on-line gamblers lege graduates by paying o their student
CHOCOLATE gambling action. People most likely do not have the extra money loans?
TV commercials are to lose.
Kim Kovach thinks everyday life is a big
for medications and KIM who enjoy gambling as a It’s the adrenaline rush that makes enough gamble. www.kimkovachwrites.com
products to treat aches, KOVACH way to spend an after-
pains, and illnesses. noon pulling the lever on

Judging by the number a slot machine in Atlan-

of these commercials, tic City or spending a

it looks like the United weekend at the casinos in

States is the most unhealthy country in the upstate New York or Connecticut did not

world. Pills, creams, copper-infused socks, have those options during the shutdowns

and digestive remedies are constantly be- for health and safety reasons.

ing marketed to the viewing audience. ose gambling fans are now encour-

en the Covid pandemic hit. Since aged to save money on gasoline and hotel

March of 2020, we have been bombarded accommodations and continue to play

with a steady loop of TV commercials blackjack or roulette on their cell phones

about safety precautions, testing protocols, from anywhere – at home or at work.

vaccines, and booster shots. Doctors and ese loud, slick TV commercials are

nurses dressed in professional white coats targeting a wider audience of would-be

or smart business attire present the same gamblers. It is so easy to turn on your

messages over and over. phone, download the app and throw your

But a new, insidious type of televi- money away – anyone can do it!

sion commercial has slowly taken over College students, regular working folks

the airwaves promoting various types of and senior citizens can now spend hours

gambling apps. Celebrity sports gures glued to their screens in a whole new way.

and “real life” players extol the ease and No more waiting on a long line at the

excitement of sitting on a couch at home convenience store to buy a Lottery ticket.

and gambling on a computer or smart e promise of winning big bucks is right

phone. Several of these “real life” players, in the palm of your hand!

The

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Thursday, June 9, 2022 SPORTS The Somers Record – Page 29

Somers resident aiding Pickleball surge

BY WHIT ANDERSON  PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM G PHOTO COURTESY OF GEOFF JADFELD gives lessons at the local parks
STAFF WRITER A Memorial Day Pickleball event at Reis Park drew a nice turnout Teresa Chang and Pickleball and recreation center 
from the community. partner Dave Racioppo
Late last month, the Billie “I think it is great because New
Jean King Tennis Center hosted the most of the opportunity to training as a referee. e arduous tournament next year as it be- York has very little pickleball.
compete in the Franklin Open, process to get certi ed back in comes more established. 
e Franklin NYC Pickleball enjoying each moment on the big 2021 involved taking an online e sport is big in other parts of
Open, their rst major pickleball stage.  course, getting evaluated, and “I will de nitely encourage the country. When I rst started,
tournament for both profession- shadowing other referees. None- more local residents to play in people did not even know what
als and amateurs. e venue will “It was quite exciting to see the theless, Chang said it was all tournaments,” she said.   it was. I started my community
host the tournament annually for pickleball on the tennis courts worth it once she got to o ciate group last year in Somers. We
pickleball players of all ages and where they play the U.S. Open,” big-time matches at Billie Jean With pickleball’s recent rise in now have people from the neigh-
skill levels to showcase their tal- said Chang. “ ere were thou- King in her free time between popularity locally, Chang looks boring towns join us because they
ents on a grand stage.  sands of people playing.”  playing.   to promote the sport in any way do not have a place to play. We
she can. On top of the pickleball are getting the word around and
One of these participants was Since the Franklin Open was Chang anticipates that more Facebook group she runs, Chang people are noticing,” Chang said. 
Somers resident Teresa Chang. a sanctioned tournament, Chang people will participate in the currently serves as the Pickleball
She competed in the mixed dou- also got the chance to utilize her Ambassador for Somers, and e sport has garnered enough
bles aged 60 and over bracket, interest in the Somers area that
winning the gold, and earning a on Memorial Day, an open pick-
golden ticket to play at the USA leball event at Reis Park occupied
Pickleball National Champion- seven out of the eight courts.
ships in California this Novem- Chang recalled that just last year,
ber.   she and the other players had to
use tape on those same courts
Chang began playing pick- to t the pickleball dimensions.
leball three years ago when her
Yorktown tennis facility, Solaris ey had to take the tape o af-
Sports Club, began a program for ter each match before they were
the sport. She and her doubles supplied with spray paint for per-
partner, Yorktown resident Dave manent lines.  
Racioppo, practice at the facil-
ity while also competing in local “ e players used their own
tournaments. Most recently, they money for this. It was a journey,”
won a mixed doubles gold in a Chang said. 
local tournament at the New Ca-
naan Racquet Club.  For anyone interested in learning
more about local Pickleball
Racioppo and Chang made programs, please contact Teresa
Chang at [email protected]

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