Yorktown News 09.28.2023

VOL. 12 NO. 30 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS 31 HEALTH & WELLNESS 18 LEGAL NOTICES 31 LEISURE 27 OPINION 8 SPORTS 20 TOWN GREEN 3 Resurgent Lakeland sinks Huskers pg 20 HORNETS TEST! Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER Increased residential development in town will likely mean more students attending Yorktown schools in the near future, and Superintendent Ron Hattar said at last week’s Board of Education meeting (Sept. 18) that the district may have to expand in order to accommodate the growth. “There is a lot of development happening in town,” Hattar said. “It is something that we’re keenly aware of. We are aware of the potential impact it will have on our school enrollment.” Hattar said that according to the developers building residential units in town, for every 10 units developed one child will attend a Yorktown school. However, Hattar said the school’s own study contradicted that assessment. The superintendent said that, according to the district’s study, more than one child will result per 10 units built, but “not in the order of hundreds.” Hattar said that the option of reopening French Hill School would result in annual costs in the ballpark of $3 million. Instead, he said that making small additions to existing buildings is being considered to reduce the impact on taxpayers. “We’d like any construction or capital project that we propose to be tax-neutral to our community and to not have any substantial impact on the tax rate,” Hattar said. Schools anticipating enrollment jump, ready to expand Uptick in residential development means more students, more classrooms BY EMILE MENASCHÉ AND TOM WALOGORSKY EDITORS Earlier this month, Halston Media sat down for an interview with State Senator Peter Harckham at our Mount Kisco offices. As a Democrat in a purple district with largely Republican local governments, Harckham has often focused on finding state funding to support local projects, including a recent $100,00 grant for Yorktown to put toward electric vehicles. First elected in 2018, Harckham serves on the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, was co-chair of the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention, and recently completed his first legislative session as chair of the State Senate’s Environmental  Conservation Committee. He is also a member of the Domestic Animal Welfare; Labor; Energy and Telecommunications; Local Government; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs committees. In our nearly hour-long conversation, Harckham offered his thoughts on a number of topics relevant to the 40th Senate District, including the approach to securing grants for municipalities, the recently passed “Save the Hudson” bill, working in a bi-partisan way with local officials, and the ongoing effort to combat the opioid epidemic. This interview has been edited for brevity. Your district covers a purple area that is part red, part blue, and mixed in some places. How do you find working with these different constituencies? We work with every municipality, whether they’re represented by Democrats or Republicans. We give everybody the same amount of grant money. When I have discretionary grant money, we dole it out evenly. We just announced $2.1 million in electrification grants. Every municipality got the same $100,000, we try to be fair to everybody. We work with the first responders, and we work with the veterans. One of the promises we made when I was elected was we would have a coffee and conversation every month. We go to every town in the district, we rotate around, usually, we do it at libraries, sometimes at town halls, depending on what the availability is. And so you know, there are towns that we know don’t vote for us. Carmel is not a town that votes for us. And yet we work very closely with [Carmel Town Supervisor] Mike Cazzari. We didn’t do well in Stony Point, but we’re spending a lot of time there. The day after the storm, we were over there with Jimmy Monahan, a supervisor in the police team surveying damage. Really, once Election Day is over, it doesn’t matter. We put in the same effort for everybody. How do you find a balance and identify the key areas? One of the examples we’ll give is A conversation with Sen. Peter Harckham Emile Menasché, Tom Walogorsky, and Sen Peter Harckham discussing issues within the 40th Senate District. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM STAUDTER SEE BOE PAGE 4 SEE HARCKHAM PAGE 6

PAGE 2 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 155 Terminal Drive 3805 Crompond Road P: 516-767-2700 Plainview, NY 11803 Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 F: 516-767-2703 WE ARE HIRING MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Positions Available : • Service Tech • Bus Washer/ Detailer • School Bus Delivery Drivers • Product Specialist • Parts Counter Representative • Inside Parts Sales Clerk • Parts Delivery Driver • Warehouse Associate • School Bus Sales Representative Please email your resume to: [email protected]

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 3 BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER It’s not every day that more than 100,000 users of X (formerly known as Twitter) follow news about the Yorktown High School varsity football team. But then again, it’s not every day that the former White House Deputy Chief of Staff and former Director of Social Media, Dan Scavino, a member of the Yorktown High School Class of 1994, tweets a photo of himself attending a Huskers game. Perhaps Scavino, who worked in the Trump Administration, sought to Make the Huskers Great Again (MHGA). Although, judging by their record this season (4-0), the Huskers are already great. “I loved my four years at YHS, and have always been so appreciative of the incredible school district, town, and community as a whole,” Scavino said in an exclusive interview with Yorktown News. “It was a great place to live and grow up.” Scavino, who has 1.7 million followers on X, was among other members of the 1993 and ’94 state championship winning teams who were honored last Friday night at the Huskers home game against John Jay. “The Yorktown football program, under the leadership of Coach Ron Santavicca, was second to none; he is a legend,” said Scavino, who continues to serve as a communications adviser to the former president and likely 2024 Republican nominee. “The ’93 and ’94 teams were one big family, and to this day, 30 years later, that still stands, with some state titles that nobody can ever take from us.” Years later, another famous alumna, Alexandria OcasioCortez, who graduated from Yorktown High School in 2007, became the youngest woman to ever serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. ’93 and ’94 Husker state champs honored Former top White House official, Dan Scavino, was on ’93 team Members of the 1993 and ’94 state championship teams from Yorktown High School were honored along with their coach, Ron Santavicca, at last Friday’s home game vs. John Jay. The Huskers won 42-0 against the Wolves. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE YORKTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Starting on Oct. 1, Hart Library will be open on Sundays. The updated hours are MondayThursday 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.;  Sunday 12 - 4 p.m. For more information, call (914) 245- 5262, email [email protected], or visit yorktownlibrary.org ‘Friends’ book sale is coming soon Hart Library will hold its annual Friends of the Library Book Sale starting next week. Dates and times are: Friday, Oct. 13, 4 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (with bake sale); Sunday, Oct. 15, 12 - 3:45 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday is an exclusive opportunity to get first pick of the hundreds of books for sale, for Friends of the Library members only. Not a member? You can join at the door on Friday (membership fees apply). On the last day of the sale, you can bring a bag or buy one of ours (pictured here with Library Clerk Colleen Klimeck) and fill it up for just $5. “The Friends of the Library has been hosting this annual book and bake sale for many years,” said Friends of the Library President Audrey Sherman. “It is one of our biggest fundraisers, and the proceeds generated go back to help pay for many of the library’s programs, concerts, and other special events. We hope to see you there!”   Calendar Programming Key: A-Adults; Y-Young Adults; C-Children’s. Please visit the library website (yorktownlibrary. org) calendar page for more information. Please register online except for drop-in programs. FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 C-Music and Movement with Lori Cohen (Drop-in). 11-11:45 a.m. A-Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 12:30-3:30 p.m.   A/Y-One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m.   SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 A/C-Adult & Child Paint Party. 12-2 p.m. MONDAY, OCT. 2 A -Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 10 a.m. -1 p.m. C-Rock and Roll for Little Ones (Drop-in). 10:30-11 a.m. C-PAWS to Read with Izod. 5:30-6:30 p.m. A-Earring Making Workshop. 6-7:30 p.m. TUESDAY, OCT. 3 C-Toddler Time Exploring Emotions (Drop-in). 10:30-11 a.m. A/Y-One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. C-Music and Movement with Lori Cohen (Drop-in). 6-6:45 p.m. A-Hart Book Club (Zoom & In Person). 7-8:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4 C-Stories and Rhymes with Ms. Terry (Drop-in). 10-10:30 a.m. C-Bouncing Babies (Drop-in). 10:30-11 a.m. C-Bouncing Babies (Drop-in). 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. A-Canasta (Drop-in). 12:30- 2:30 p.m. A-Hart Book Club. 2-3:30 p.m. A-Emergency Preparedness with New York National Guard. 6-7 p.m. THURSDAY, OCT. 5  A-Quilting & Needlework (Drop-in). 10 a.m.-12 p.m.   C-Song and Dance Storytime (Drop-in). 10:30-11:15 a.m. C-Crystal Gardens with Stephen Soltish. 4:30-5:30 p.m. C-Lego Free Build (Drop-in). 5:30-6:30 p.m. FRIDAY, OCT. 6 A-Not Your Mother’s Book Club. 10-11:30 a.m. C-Music and Movement with Lori Cohen (Drop-in). 11-11:45 a.m. A-Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 12:30-3:30 p.m.   A/Y-One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. HART LIBRARY CORNER TOWN GREEN Chamber Fall Festival and Car Show Sunday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce will hold its 16th  Annual Fall Festival event at the Jefferson Valley Mall. There will be music, entertainment, a Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, a senior lunch, a variety of vendors, a car show, kids activities, and more. Repair Café The next Yorktown Repair Café will be on Saturday, October 28 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church located at 3830 Gomer Street in Yorktown Heights. While signups are not required, they help minimize waiting and give volunteers some insight on what may be coming through the doors for repairs. Please sign up at shorturl.at/mADJ7 for a slot. If you have any questions or would SEE GREEN PAGE 28 Law Office Of andres d. GiL, PLLC Honor, Integrity, Compassion, and Dignity Call Us Today At (845) 940-1110 ADG-LAW.com 973 Route 22, Suite 3, Brewster New York State Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business TRUST & ESTATES • WILLS • ELDER LAW • REAL ESTATE LAW OFFICE OF ANDRES D. GIL, PLLC Honor, Integrity, Compassion, and Dignity Call us today at (845) 940-1110 Scan here to visit my website

PAGE 4 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Yorktown News at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2329-8693) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines Yorktown News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Yorktown News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Yorktown News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Lisa Sanfilippo, assistant superintendent for business, explained that the district will not incur an additional tax burden for this specific project because debt from previous projects will be expiring. The debt for new projects will replace the old, expiring debt, so the expenditure level will remain constant. Expansion projects are proposed for Brookside Elementary School, Mohansic Elementary School, and Crompond School. Plans for Brookside includes the addition of six classrooms with two on one side of the building and four on the other. Hattar said that six new rooms are believed to be the right number, according to capacity needs, enrollment projection, and an aid-ability factor. Mohansic also has six new classrooms proposed with a twostory addition. The construction for this expansion will encroach slightly on the playground. Crompond has six classrooms planned as well. “There are services being delivered in hallways and we have to be able to do better than that,” Hattar said. “And it’s not for a lack of creativity or resourcefulness. We have turned every square inch of usable space within each of the elementary schools.” Hattar also gave updates on other capital improvement projects the district has undertaken. Capital Project In the Capital Project, the stage floor in the Yorktown High School (YHS) is currently being redone and work is expected to last around three weeks. Work to the Mohansic Elementary School parking lot has been completed, according to Hattar, and next on the list of improvements is the replacement of the YHS main turf and the resurfacing of the track. These athletic facility upgrades are being planned for next summer. Building Upgrades There are upgrades to the middle school and high school in the proposal. The middle school is anticipated to see replacements to doors, hardware, ceilings, flooring, cabinetry, paint, and lighting. The kitchen classroom, which was designed 60 years ago, is also on the list for modernization along with the art classrooms. Updates to the high school’s band, orchestra, and art classrooms, as well as the science research space, are on the renovation wish list as well. According to Hattar, the research space is undersized for the size of the program.  Hattar said that the next steps will involve putting together the designs over the next few months so a presentation can be made to the community by the end of fall. He added that a Facilities Needs website will be activated to keep the community informed. He said there is a bond vote anticipated in the first quarter of 2024. BOE FROM PAGE 1 Pictured is the proposed six classroom addition to Crompond School with the new classes shown in the bottom left corner of the building COURTESY OF YORKTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT EXP 10/31/23 Coupon must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP? Heat pumps will help you find the perfect balance of comfort and savings all year round, while reducing your carbon footprint. These all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems optimize the temperature throughout your home to use less energy, and can save you thousands on your cooling and heating costs. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE to lock-in these incentive savings! 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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 5 New leadership for Yorktown HHHHHHHH Jenna H Grew up in Yorktown and graduated from Yorktown High School H Served as Director of Westchester’s Narcan Program H Managed the Westchester County Health Commissioner’s Department of Constituent Relations H Current senior staff member for the Yorktown Supervisor for the past three years JENNA with Congressman Mike Lawler and Assemblyman Matt Slater PAID FOR BY THE FRIENDS OF JENNA LENNOX BELCASTRO VOTE NOVEMBER 7 Early In-Person: Oct 28 - Nov 5 LEARN MORE ➜ jennaforyorktown.com PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY: Congressman Mike Lawler Assemblyman Matt Slater Westchester County Corrections Superior Officers Association  Affiliated Police Associations of Westchester Jenna Ad #5 9.5x12.25.indd 1 9/22/23 11:55 AM

PAGE 6 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 the number one promise I made when I was elected, that we’re going to fully fund Foundation Aid because the Foundation Aid formula was inequitably applied. And so school districts like Peekskill and North Rockland were disproportionally underfunded. They were higher needs districts, and they had less property value. And so we set out to do that, we had a three-year plan two years ago, we brought everybody to 60 percent, then everybody to 80 percent. This year, we got everybody up to 100 percent. This year, the state education aid increased by $86 million in my district. Since I’ve been in office, it’s been $186 million. So that’s $186 million going directly into the classrooms. And it’s $186 million less than the property taxpayers have to pay. You know, the state constitution says the state will provide a sound education, for every student, not property taxpayer. We’ve taken that seriously. In some communities, it’s property tax relief. In other communities, it’s more about being beneficial to the students. But even if there were school districts in our district that were almost near getting full Foundation Aid when we started, they were getting 3 percent more a year anyhow. So all our school districts have gotten more. It’s been 30 percent more in education funding to all our districts since we’ve been in. So that’s been a way that it’s helped everybody lift students and places like Peekskill in Ossining. But it also helps property taxpayers as well. Local officials of both parties often complain about state bureaucracy and “overreach.” How do you navigate that? It’s how different people view government. On the Republican side, less regulation, and less government. I think sometimes I’ve heard from Republican colleagues who say, “oh, another mandate from the state.” Certainly, the communities that are in the New York City watershed, the restrictions that they have, and that goes back to my days as a County Legislator too, so I do understand those challenges. There are challenges and opportunities. You know, New York City’s got money for infrastructure and New York State has money for infrastructure and other programs. But the state also loves to pass down mandates that then impact the flexibility of local governments and I get that tension. I think some of it is educating municipalities on how they make a competitive grant. It’s working with our first responders, and we now have new money at the state for the upgrades of firehouses. Because of all the new requirements, the engines are much longer and all our local firehouses have to expand. We now have money, which we put in the budget just for that process. And how do we educate our local first responders? I have discretionary grant money that I can help the ambulance corps, first responders, and fire departments. We’ve done over a million dollars for EMS and fire, over a million dollars for local police, police cars, license plate readers, and radios, we get $200,000 to Westchester County Department of Corrections for transponders for the emergency buttons on the officers’ vests. Some of the grants are easier because they just go through Senate finance. But some of the other ones go through the consolidated funding application, which is a much trickier process. Those are competitive grants. A lot of this stuff was set up under Cuomo to make everything a competition. And so the richer municipalities that can afford grant writers, always do much better, as opposed to the poorer municipalities, the ones who need the help the most. That’s why we try to be as helpful as we can. What have you accomplished as chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee? We were very busy. Number one locally was probably the “Save the Hudson” bill that the governor just signed. That was absolutely huge. It was really generated by the public. And when we found out that Holtec’s plan was to discharge, they weren’t doing anything that Entergy or Con Ed hadn’t done, or that any other nuclear plant in the country hadn’t done, for that matter. That was state of the industry. That’s how you get rid of the wastewater. And there are a couple of plants upstate that do it. But then there was the outcry because the public never knew that this was standard operating procedure. And you saw the outcry in Massachusetts, you saw the outcry in the Pacific with China, South Korea, and Japan. And it’s a notion that we’re just not going to allow our water bodies to be dumping grounds anymore. For industrial pollution, there is the notion that there are safe levels of pollution. And what the public is telling us now is that no level of pollution is acceptable. And we passed 63-0 in the Senate. We had every Republican on board with that. You can’t pass puppies and kittens in the Senate unanimously. So that was a big one. You have been outspoken about substance abuse disorder. How is the state helping combat addiction? It’s always been personal for me, I’m in long-term recovery, and I could have been a statistic. Every time I get a call from a family that’s lost somebody, it’s heartbreaking. I don’t chair that committee anymore, but I’m still on the committee. We just passed Matthew’s Law this year, which will allow fentanyl test strips to be distributed in drugstores, the way we did with Naloxone years ago. Now they’re starting to sell Narcan in stores. Before, it had to be on standing prescriptive order. And that’s now what we’re doing with fentanyl test strips. A young fellow from Croton named Matthew passed away from an overdose and his sister wanted some meaning to come from that. So we worked with her and Assemblymember McDonald, on Matthew’s Law. So now fentanyl test strips will be available through standing order in pharmacies, and that’s so important because people are dying, not based on HARCKHAM FROM PAGE 1 SEE HARCKHAM PAGE 26 @TheGrange Join Us for a Joyful Celebration of our Relaunch as Flow Vineyard Church SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 3-5PM 2084 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 RSVP: [email protected] or 914.245.1715 Find God Build Relationships Make A Difference Two Events! Don’t miss - Friday, Oct. 6 7-9pm A Musical Event of Hope. Bring a non-perishible food item to donate to the Yorktown Food Pantry. First 50 attendees will receive a $10 gas card.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 7 THE YORKTOWN TEAM will put people over politics. PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF TOM DIANA

118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Yorktown News or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at (914) 302-5830 Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky, Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: (914) 302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 8 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 Although not devoutly religious, I have always found comfort from the “Serenity Prayer.” It reads, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” As I watch the current situation in the race for the presidency, I rely on the part about accepting things I cannot change a lot these days. Whatever is going to happen is beyond my control. The two current heavy favorites on both sides, if they make it to the starting line – or is it the finish line – will provide the least popular choice in our history. As it stands now, I don’t have a dog in the fight, so I can watch from the sidelines and wonder what lies ahead. As a Jets fan, practiced in heartbreak, I know what it’s like to watch helplessly from the sidelines as disappointment unfolds. Grabbing my popcorn and sitting down to watch the GOP debate recently, I was hoping to see a thoughtful back and forth about policy and the plans that each of the eight candidates had for the country, should they prevail. Instead, the free-for-all of zingers and insults reminded me of the food fight scene from “Animal House,” complete with hooting and hollering from a raucous partisan crowd. Manners and civil discourse were in short supply. It was not a confidence builder for the months ahead. Can’t the parties, campaigns or the networks do better? They used to teach debating skills in middle school. Doesn’t anybody have an old rule book? If they ask me, and I’m sure they will, I have a few ideas for ground rules in no particular order. First, get rid of the crowd. They add nothing to the presentation. Audience members are always asked to refrain from clapping or cheering by moderators, but that never happens. Candidates play to the crowd instead of the millions at home trying to figure out who to support. Second, everyone on the stage gets equal time. As it is now, the biggest bully or loudmouth hogs the most time. Third, enforce the time limits for opening statements, closing statements and rebuttals. Candidates blow through the stop signs like they are not there, without consequences. How about turning off the mic when time is up? That would change behavior. Fourth, no interrupting. The moderators always lose control when the interrupting starts. The most recent debate was no better or worse than what we have seen in the past, which is a shame. Sadly, the chaos and lack of manners has a spillover effect in our everyday conversations. The presidential debates should set an example for society not to play to its worst instincts. As a candidate for office in my town, I am an advocate for as many local forums and debates as possible. It’s the only way voters can learn about the candidates’ qualifications and their vision for the town. It also helps the community get up to speed on what the issues are and provide feedback on what they want for their community. Producing these forums should be a responsibility of local community organizations like chambers of commerce, historical societies, or others, in collaboration with press outlets. As important as these debates are to picking a candidate, we could be heading for a debate-less presidential sweepstakes since neither candidate has stepped onto a debate stage thus far and it looks like neither will. If both make it to next year’s race, what is to keep them from dodging the debate stage then too? There needs to be more debate, not less, and it needs to be civil. We should demand no less. Seeking serenity in political chaos A plea for civil debates DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT “It is easier to change a man’s religion than to change his diet.” -Margaret Mead The other day I found an old picture of myself posing with my brother and sister in our front yard. It was taken around 1968 when I was 10 years old. I was so thin that if I had turned sideways, you probably couldn’t see me. I wanted to be a football player when I got to high school—like my big brother, who was captain of the varsity—but weighing in at about 99 pounds soaking wet, I knew I would make a better water boy than a middle linebacker. “If you want to gain weight, eat potatoes,” was my brother’s advice. So, eat potatoes I did. When I got to high school, I weighed in at a robust 165 pounds my freshman year and made the JV as a fullback. But I wasn’t a very good footballer. Baseball was my game, and I was named All-League in both my junior and senior years and helped lead those teams to several championships. In my senior year, I batted close to .400. I was about 185 pounds at that point. The Potato Initiative was doing fine. Unfortunately, I continued the Potato Initiative well after college, but without all that pesky exercise and movement that comes with being an athlete. I gained more than 50 pounds in about two years, and settled quite nicely into a sedentary lifestyle. Becoming a journalist didn’t help. We spend a lot of time sitting at a desk talking on the phone and typing. That doesn’t burn as many calories as you might think. If it did, I’d be back to the 1968 picture again. Like anyone else with weight issues (I like to call it being “gravitationally challenged”), I tried all kinds of ways to get skinny again: Fad diets, sketchy A weighty problem SEE DUMAS PAGE 9 BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 OPINION YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 9 DUMAS FROM PAGE 8 SEE DUMAS PAGE 10 Look at me, on the right. So thin that you can practically see through me. I was 10. supplements and short bursts of exercise regimens that I never maintained. To make things even more criminal, I knew full well that diabetes ran through my family like a busload of sumo wrestlers heading to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Even when my feet started getting tingly and numb, I thought, well, this is the worst that it gets. When the numbness started climbing up my legs and I had to start using a cane, I figured, well, this was the worst it could get. Wrong. I eventually had a heart attack, which resulted in bypass surgery. Then I got an infected diabetic foot ulcer that led to the amputation of all the toes on my left foot and eventually my entire leg. There is no cure for diabetes, but a healthy diet and some exercise can often stave off the really bad stuff. I paid no attention. Another pack of Skittles, please. There are some who don’t want to hear this, but obesity is a national health crisis. But instead of trying to combat it, we Americans are embracing it. And now we have even gone from fat acceptance to fat celebration. The term “body positivity” has come to mean “I am perfect the way I am because I’m me.” It’s Orwellian when positivity is used to describe what is not healthy. But, if you notice, no one has ever pretended there is “positivity” in smoking. Last year, The New York Times reported that poor diet is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. The paper also reported that military recruitment is at its lowest since the draft because 17- to 24-year-olds are either too obese to qualify or have criminal histories. Now, they even sell business suits with drawstring pants. It shows how much we’ve given up. But at some point, acceptance just becomes enabling. I am all in favor of the Woke movement standing up for the rights of minorities and the LGBTQ+ community, but proselytizing that being overweight is just you being you is not just wrong, it’s dangerous. And fiscally irresponsible. So many health issues are generated by obesity: Diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and immune system breakdowns (COVID taught us that obesity is horrible for the immune system.) This leads to more doctor visits and hospitalizations and the soaring cost of health insurance. That being said, I am not advocating fat shaming. The only thing that does is make people sad and then eat an entire meat lover’s pizza while sitting in the back of a dark closet. I know because I’ve been the victim of such cruelty. Let me share. I used to play in a men’s slow-pitch softball league. It’s the perfect sport for former baseball players who’ve gotten fat. Now when I look at pictures of me in my uniform, I realize I Brewster Brewster, , NY an NY and d Bethel, C Bethel, CT T Design Centers Design Centers On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenan Southeastkitchenandbdbath.com ath.com Celebrating 50 years Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center!

PAGE 10 – YORKTOWN NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 resembled an anaconda that has swallowed a baby gazelle. Anyway, one evening after we had finished a game, my teammates and I were sitting around enjoying a post-competition libation when an old high school classmate whom I hadn’t seen in about 12 years approached. I was so happy to see her. We hugged and laughed. She looked me up and down, smiled, and patted my belly. “So, when are you due?” she asked. It took a moment, but then I realized she was implying I was pregnant. Funny joke. I hadn’t seen this “friend” in a dozen years, and she insulted me within the first 30 seconds of our reunion. It really stung, and I cried a little bit when I got home. Here’s another one: I am a big New York Rangers fan and one time, for my birthday, a friend bought me a Mark Messier jersey, replete with the hockey legend’s number 11 and name on the back. I was out at a bar one night, proudly wearing the jersey. I was standing at the jukebox mulling what songs to play when another friend who I hadn’t seen in a long time came up and put his arm around me. He didn’t say anything like, “Wow! Bob! Long time, no see! How ya doing?” No. Instead, he patted my belly (what is up with that?) and said, “Geez, ‘Mark,’ you really let yourself go!” I wanted to punch him in the neck, but I just smiled and said something like, “Yeah, retirement’s been good.” So, no—shaming someone suffering from weight issues is not the way to go. But, geez, neither is shaming someone who has lost weight. Remember when Adele shed all those pounds? Instead of being praised and congratulated, she was mocked and ridiculed on social media. Her critics felt she should have embraced her fatness. Apparently, losing all that weight was an insult to obese people everywhere. But as Bill Maher once said, “You are not a freedom fighter just because you want to keep eating donuts.” At one point, about three years ago, I discovered I weighed nearly 280 pounds. I was just a couple of bacon cheeseburgers away from the 300-pound threshold, which I considered the point of no return. Then the illnesses hit—first the congestive heart failure/heart attack, then kidney and thyroid issues, and then the diabetic infections and subsequent amputations. I began to lose weight. After the heart surgery, I went from 280 to 230 pounds. When I was in the hospital after the amputation, I began losing weight so rapidly that the head nutritionist was so concerned that she came into my room to see me. I told her the food was inedible. Thus, the weight loss. They actually paid to have Chinese food delivered to me from a local restaurant. I now weigh about 190... nearly the same as I did in high school. When people ask me how I did it, I just smirk and say, “You don’t want to know.” But I call it the “I Damn Near Died Diet.” So, if your doctor tells you that you are prediabetic, pay attention. Your life isn’t over. You can still have a deep-fried Twinkie at the county fair. You just can’t have one every day. Moderation is the key. And go for a walk every once in a while. I wish I could. But I’m in this dang wheelchair. So, now, instead, I go for rolls. DUMAS FROM PAGE 9 Yorktown is paying the price Dear Editor, Due to its incompetent handling of the town’s garbage contract, it appears that the Yorktown Town Board neglected its fiduciary and legal responsibilities. This will likely cost the town hundreds of thousands of dollars, in addition to facing multiple lawsuits and legal fees. The Town Board claims to have adequately vetted Competitive Carting when it decided to award a new contract at the end of last year. With the now evident problems with Competitive Carting, Councilman Ed Lachterman defended their vetting by telling Yorktown News that “some issues are hidden away from the vetting process, you may not necessarily be able to dig them up.” The company went bankrupt in 2019 and lost a significant contract for failing to pay their employees’ medical bills. This information was publicly available, so the board’s failure to fully vet bidders demonstrated incompetence at best, negligence at worst. The problems with Competitive Carting were evident from the beginning of January and throughout the first half of the year, but the Town Board waited until July to take action against it by fining them. In late August, it was caught unaware when its trucks were repossessed and its workers went on strike. The board then invoked a public health emergency, met behind closed doors, and bypassed competitive bidding to award a one-year emergency contract with CRP Sanitation. Again, the board’s failure to act in a timely manner demonstrated incompetence at best, negligence at worst. After considerable pressure by residents to reveal the details of the new contract and the terms of Competitive Carting’s termination, Supervisor Tom Diana released incomplete and confusing information. It remains impossible to determine the correct and relevant costs. And he did not include anything about the pending lawsuits and legal fees the town is now facing as a direct result of the board’s actions/inactions. But one thing is clear: Yorktown is paying the price. The town’s residents deserve— at a minimum—competence, accountability and transparency LETTERS SEE LETTERS PAGE 12 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 Do you know what the cost of your long-term care will be if you are not eligible for Medicaid?

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 11 OCT 8th 11am-5pm at the Jefferson Valley Mall ROAD KNIGHT'S CAR SHOW NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST SENIOR LUNCH CHILDREN'S RIDES & CRAFTS MUSICAL PERFORMANCES DANCE PERFORMANCES BEER GARDEN FOOD TRUCKS VENDORS YORKTOWN FALL FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY THE YORKTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023

PAGE 12 – YORKTOWN NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 from its elected officials, especially when they are running for re-election in six weeks. We have a right to know what’s going on and how our tax dollars are being spent. When information is not forthcoming, it seems as if the situation is so bad that revealing it would be worse. The Yorktown Town Board should conduct public hearings into this matter so that residents can obtain all information and judge the Town Board’s actions for themselves. -Susan Berman Yorktown Jann Mirchandani for Yorktown Supervisor Dear Editor, I’ve been a Yorktown resident for 35 years and an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts, the Yorktown Grange and my local church.   I have had the sincere pleasure of knowing Jann Mirchandani for over eight years. I have been impressed by her work ethic, dedication and commitment to Scouting and making a positive impact on our community. Mirchandani and I serve together on the board of directors of the Westchester-Putnam Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In 2017, we worked together on a challenging membership initiative inviting girls to join Cub Scouting. Mirchandani was integral to the months-long process of meeting with volunteers, families and chartering organizations to field questions, address concerns and secure buy-in. She worked with a pack here in Yorktown to pilot the “Family Pack” program, ultimately rolling it out more widely, resulting in multiple packs and troops open to girls in the Scouts BSA program. In 2020, I worked with her once more on the Merger Taskforce. This team of volunteers conducted a feasibility study and successfully merged the Westchester-Putnam Council and the Hudson Valley Council into the Greater Hudson Valley Council, serving seven counties in the lower Hudson Valley. That process is now the national model for other such mergers between councils. Mirchandani was instrumental in the success of both projects. Her ability to actively listen to the concerns and ideas of all stakeholders created an inclusive and dynamic committee. This not only fostered collaboration, but also ensured that every voice was not just heard, but genuinely valued. She was proactive in identifying and addressing potential challenges ensuring things progressed smoothly. I know Mirchandani will bring the same leadership skills, dedication and passion for her community to the position of Yorktown Supervisor. -Josh Davies Shrub Oak LETTERS FROM PAGE 10 I always found it fascinating and instructive that many important discoveries were accidental. Here are some prime examples: In 1928, Alexander Fleming was studying bacteria when he noticed that one of his petri dishes had been contaminated with mold. He further noticed that the bacteria around the mold had been killed off. This accidental observation led to the discovery of penicillin, the first modern antibiotic. Penicillin revolutionized medicine, providing an effective treatment for bacterial infections. It has saved countless lives.  Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, was conducting experiments on cathode rays when he noticed a fluorescent light glowing in his lab. Investigating further, he realized that the rays produced by the cathode tube could penetrate objects and create images on photographic plates. This, as you may have guessed, led to the invention of the X-ray, which became a crucial tool in medical diagnosis and revolutionized the field of radiology.  In 1896, Henri Becquerel was studying the effects of phosphorescent materials on photography when he inadvertently left a compound containing uranium near photographic plates. He later discovered that the plates had been exposed and developed without any external light source. Becquerel accidentally discovered radioactivity, a phenomenon that paved the way for further research in nuclear physics, ultimately leading to the development of nuclear energy and radiation therapy.  In 1933, chemist Otto Bayer was working on a new rubber compound. He discovered that a waxy substance formed when he heated ethylene and applied pressure. This mysterious substance turned out to be polyethylene, a highly versatile and widely used plastic. This accidental discovery is used in many ways today, from packaging materials to medical devices.  In 1945, Percy Spencer was working on magnetrons for a radar system he The power of inadvertence JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 13 fifffflffiflffifflffi fflffi ffi fifffflfflffiflffiffffiffiffi ffffi ffiffiffffi ffiffi fifffflffiflfffifflfl fffl fffflffifflflfiffififflfiflfi flflfi fififflfifflffiflfi fiflfiffiflflffififflfi ffifi fifffflffiflfflfflfflfffflfflfflffffi fflffiffiffiffi fiffiffififfi ffifflfflffffi
fflffi ffiffifflffffiffiffi fffflffiffffiffiffffi ffiflffiffi ffiffi  ­flffi ffi ffi flfiffiffiffiffiffi ffiffiffi€ffi  Receiver of Taxes 914-962-5722 x212 363 Underhill Avenue 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Monday through Friday TOWN OF YORKTOWN School Tax Bill for Year 2023-2024 The First Half of the school taxes are due and must be paid no later than October 2, 2023. (Last day to pay without penalty). Please note that only one (1) School Tax Bill is mailed to each resident. The bill was mailed on September 1, 2023. Each bill has two perforated payment stubs located at the bottom of the statement which are to be used for payments. Please call the Tax Office if you have not received your bill. Payment options: ➢ Payment in person: Town Hall Hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Drop box (gray box) available in back by the Town Hall entrance. ➢ Payment by mail Please be sure that all envelopes are postmarked by an official United States Post Office no later than October 2, 2023. ➢ On-line check/credit card payments Please refer to the “Tax Receiver” website at www.yorktownny.org to make payments on-line. Taxes must be postmarked no later than October 2, 2023

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 OPINION YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 13 *Annual Percentage Yield (APY). CDs offered by Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. Subject to availability and price change. Minimum purchase of $1,000. CDs are FDIC insured to specific limits and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, whereas investing in securities is subject to market risk including loss of principal. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. or J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd., a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial. J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC www.jmfranklincompany.com 660 White Plains Road, Suite 530 Tarrytown, NY 10591 (929) 427-0347 (646) 798-3609 John D. Traut, AWMA® Financial Advisor 660 White Plains Road, Suite 530 Tarrytown, NY 10591 929-427-0347 Today’s CD Rates 6-Month – 5.30%APY* 9-Month – 5.45% APY* 1-Year – 5.50% APY* www.jmfranklincompany.com | 660 White Plains Road, Suite 530 Tarrytown, NY 10591 (929)427-0347 | (646)798-3609 *Annual Percentage Yield (APY). CDs offered by Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. Subject to availability and price change. Minimum purchasCDs are FDIC insured to specific limits and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, whereas investing in securities is subject to market risk includiStratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. or J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment adWealth Partners, Ltd., a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC are separate entitiJ.M. Franklin & Company, LLC www.jm660 White John D. TrauFinancial660 White PlainsTarrytown,929-427Today’s CD Rates 6-Month – 5.30%APY* 9-Month – 5.45% APY* 1-Year – 5.50% APY* nnual Percentage Yield (APY). CDs offered by Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. Subject to availability and price change. Minimum purchase of $1,000. DIC insured to specific limits and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity, whereas investing in securities is subject to market risk including loss of principal. ners, Ltd. or J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Stratos rs, Ltd., a registered investment advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and J.M. Franklin & Company, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial. anklin & Company, LLC www.jmfranklincompany.com 660 White Plains Road, Suite 530 Tarrytown, NY 10591 (929) 427-0347 (646) 798-3609 John D. Traut, AWMA® Financial Advisor 660 White Plains Road, Suite 530 Tarrytown, NY 10591 929-427-0347 Today’s CD Rates Month – 5.30%APY* Month – 5.45% APY* Year – 5.50% APY* MARTORANO FROM PAGE 12 Letters and Op-Ed Policy Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Yorktown News or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830. hoped would be useful during World War II. He noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket melted during his time in the lab. Spencer came to the realization that his “magnetron” produced electromagnetic waves that could cook food instantly. This, as you again may have guessed, led to the invention of the microwave oven, a staple of our lives today that I can’t imagine living without.  My favorite example of the power of inadvertence happened in the 1960s. Not far from where we are, in Monmouth County, N.J., Bell laboratories built a radio telescope facility, with the hope of some day being able to send a message from one place on earth to another. Project Echo was the program’s name. The facility looked like a telescope stuck within a group of aluminized balloons. When the project was finished, Bell turned the station over to two astronomers: Dr. Penzias and Dr. Wilson. Their mission was to measure the brightness of galaxies. To accomplish this task, they closely examined the temperatures they could observe. On May 20, 1964, the astronomers encountered a troubling development. There was a continuing hiss wherever they pointed their telescope. The intrusive noise was inexplicable. Initially, they blamed it on pigeons and saw to it that pigeons were removed. When the birds returned, unfortunately, the scientists decided on a more permanent fate for them. With the birds gone and the telescope cleaned thoroughly, the noise continued. After a year, the astronomers were at their wit’s end.  While this was going on, not far from the Bell lab, Robert Dicke, a physicist from Princeton, had begun looking for the origins of the universe. He and his students had concluded that the Big Bang must have been hot enough to sustain thermonuclear reactions, at millions of degrees, to synthesize heavy elements from primordial hydrogen.  Dr. Dicke assigned two graduate students, David Wilkinson and James Peebles, to try to detect microwaves originating from the Big Bang. As their first meeting was being conducted, the phone rang. At the end of the line was Dr. Penzias, who excitedly asked the Princeton team for their assistance. When Dr. Dicke got off the phone, he reportedly exclaimed, “boys, we’ve just been scooped.”  The two teams not only met, but produced a paper to memorialize their discovery. It turns out that the microwaves detected by Dr. Penzias and Dr. Wilson dated from 380,000 years after the Big Bang, when the entire universe was as hot as the surface of the sun, the first atoms were formed and the first light was released in the process. More astonishing is the fact that within microwaves, patterns are traceable back to onetrillionth of a second after the Big Bang. Cosmologists speculate that “in that tiny moment, the universe experienced a brief, violent burst of hyper-expansion known as inflation. Such a wrenching outburst would have left ripples-gravitational waves-imprinted on the microwave background.” In 1978, Dr. Penzias and Dr. Wilson were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery, and in 1988, the old laboratory and antenna were designated National Historic Landmarks.  As science has advanced over the ages, major inventions are often the product of inadvertence as much as any planned objective. From the accidental discovery of things like penicillin and the microwave oven to the sounds of the creation of the universe, stumbled upon breakthroughs have revolutionized medicine, chemistry, physics, cosmology and many other disciplines. They have expanded our understanding of the world and led to significant improvements in healthcare, communication, energy production and material sciences. These examples demonstrate that curiosity, observation and perseverance can lead to unexpected, transformative discoveries that shape our lives for the better. 

PAGE 14 – YORKTOWN NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults NO FEE Are You Planning On Retiring Soon? Make an INFORMED DECISION 914-330-5252 [email protected] Angela Asadi Licensed Agent MEDICARE MADE SIMPLE! I CAN HELP! INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 ROUTE 202 SOMERS, NY 10589 progressive-vet.com Rooted in the Community with Excellence & Love 914•248•6220 10% OFF* Glasses & Contact Lenses Cortlandt Town Center 3145 East Main Street Mohegan Lake, NY (845) 823-4063 * Valid only at the Mohegan Lake location. Cannot be combined with other discounts, coupon or insurance plans. See associate for details. Offer Expires: 12/31/24 Coupon code: YTNEWS502510 Visit americasbest.com to book your eye exam. Ingredients • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 2 cups apple cider • 1 large apple, sliced • 1 onion, sliced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1 tablespoon olive oil • Salt and pepper, to taste • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Instructions 1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously with salt and pepper. 2. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear them on both sides until golden brown, about three to four minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. 3. Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about five minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional one minute, or until fragrant. Stir in the sliced apples, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Cook for two to three minutes, allowing the apples to soften slightly. 4. Cook the chicken: Pour the apple cider into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the apple and onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 5. Serve garnished with fresh parsley. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice or a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Spiced apple cider chicken: As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, late September brings the promise of cozy and comforting meals. Our spiced apple cider chicken is a symphony of autumn flavors, combining the sweetness of apples with the warmth of spices. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that will make your kitchen smell like a fall wonderland! Advertise With Us When you advertise with North Salem News, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout North Salem. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. A taste of autumn

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 15 The temperatures are dropping and the leaves are starting to turn. Fall is here, and with this, respiratory viruses are increasing. Covid was 4% in June and has now jumped to 14%. Flu is still less than 1%, but is expected to increase in October and peak in January. RSV cases are found increasing in the Southeast region of the U.S. But there is some good news – we now have vaccines for all three of these viruses (for those who wish to get them). But when should you get these vaccines? COVID vaccine If one did not have the recent COVID disease, and if the person is senior or immunocompromised, it must be given ASAP. If someone had recent COVID disease, then one should wait three to six months before getting the vaccine. After the disease, a person has high circulating antibodies, so getting a vaccine before three months may cause more side effects. Pfizer and Moderna are the mRNA viruses. Recent vaccines are monovalent vaccines. Adults only need one booster dose. If someone had bad side effects from mRNA viruses, they could get the Novavax booster, which is protein based. (Small part of viral protein, which can cause an immune response). Data has found that these vaccines are safe for pregnant and lactating patients. Flu vaccines One should get the flu vaccine in September or early October. Pregnant women should get it, as it is safe in pregnant females. Our seniors, immunocompromised and young children may require two doses of flu vaccine. These vaccines cover four different types of strains. When flu vaccines are being produced, the strains included are standardized by the FDA. Each 2023- 2024 vaccine includes: Two Type-A flu viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and two Type-B viruses (Victoria and Yamagata lineages). Even if someone had recent flu disease, they should still get the flu vaccine. This is because if a person had one type of flu, they can still get another strain of flu. RSV Vaccine Cases are increasing in the Southeast, especially in Florida. This is a new vaccine and should be given to seniors above 60 and pregnant females 32 – 36 weeks. This will help protect the newborn until six months . As cases are increasing, it must be given now, or as soon as possible. It is not intended for children or infants. Most side effects are minor, but in the studies, six patients had GBS like syndrome, (0.3%). Both COVID and flu vaccine can be given at the same time, but RSV must be given at a separate time. Wishing everyone a healthy and happy fall. Dr. Rajesh Gupta is the Medical Director at AFC Urgent Care, 3379 Crompond Road, in Yorktown Heights. For more information, call 914-930- 5550 or visit afcurgentcare.com/ yorktown-heights. Respiratory viruses: Understanding vaccines DR. RAJESH GUPTA GUEST CORNER Come in. Feel better. 3379 Crompond Rd (in the BJs Plaza) Yorktown Heights NY 914.930.5550 afcurgentcare.com/yorktown-heights M-F 8am-8pm, S-S 8am-5pm At American Family Care we know how valuable your time is, that’s why our experienced staff is waiting to care for you and your family seven days a week without an appointment. We know being sick takes a toll on your body, your finances, and your life—so the next time a cold or flu visits you, visit us. We’re open every day with extended hours to fit your schedule. No appointments needed. MEDICAL & SURGICAL EYE CARE Looking Forward to seeing old, familiar and new faces! • Medical Eye Exams • Cataract Surgery • Glaucoma Lasers and Implants • Botox Lan V. Pham,MD, PC PROUD TO ANNOUNCE WE ARE SEEING PATIENTS IN OUR NEW YORKTOWN OFFICE 1825 Commerce Street, 2nd floor, Yorktown Heights 914-772-9983 phameye.com

PAGE 16 YORKTOWN NEWS – THURSWhen the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s San Gennaro. This year’s four-night Italian festival, brought to town by Ti Piace, Italian American Presentations, was packed with vendors, rides, games, and food varying from powdered sugar-coated zeppole to wood-fired pizza. “This year’s turnout was truly remarkable, and it’s a testament to the strong bonds within Yorktown and surrounding communities and the enduring spirit of San Gennaro,” said Josephine Biondi of Ti Piace. Biondi said that the organization wanted to thank sponsors of the feast; Uncle Giuseppe’s, Galbai Cheese, and Jilco Window Corp. They also thanked the vendors, local first responder agencies, the town board, town clerk, highway department, and the parks and recreation department. “Together with these sponsors, we made the Feast of San Gennaro an unforgettable celebration, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead,” Biondi said. — Sophia Caselnova San Gennaro brIlan Gilbert, Diana Quast, and and Tobin Maddie Lombardi, Riley Sacco, Officer Palladino, Sofia Espinosa, Natalie Sacco, and Hailey Martinez Mauro Tropeano makes pizza. Tag Sale [email protected] 914-406-1593 Sunday 9am-4pm 10.1.2023 Reis Park, Somers garden/plants — kitchenware toys — jewelry — books many vendors — raffle Vendors Register Here! Somers Women’s Club Annual

SDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 PAGE 17 rings big crowds Lou Russo and Mark “Sir Shucks-a-lot” Chomich get some clams ready . Laurie Coughlan, Peter Junta, Sal Culmone, and Chris Tubman at San Gennaro Statue of San Gennaro brought to Yorktown from NYC’s Mulberry Street An assembly line of volunteers from St. Patrick’s Church prepare some zeppole. PHOTOS: SOPHIA CASELNOVA TALENT SEARCH FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES! or Email: [email protected] Call: (914) 997-8000 Fax: (914) 940-4730 APPLY NOW! GO TO CMCS.ORG/CAREERS Visit our website for career listings. • Teacher (Birth-2) • Family Worker/Advocates • Home Visitors • Health Specialist/Nurse • Custodians • Cooks • Teachers on Study Plan • Health Nutrition & Safety • Social Worker • Education Specialist Service... Integrity... Compassion www.YorktownFuneralhome.com • (914) 962-0700 • [email protected] 945 East Main Street, Yorktown, NY 10588 Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences.

PAGE 18 – YORKTOWN NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM COSTS ARE COVERED BY NYS MEDICAID AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY 3441 Lexington Ave Mohegan Lake, NY 10547 WHERE LUXURY MEETS AFFORDABILITY | (914) 600. 1430 | sentinelalf.com | Assisted living facilities provide a vital service to families across the globe. In fact, more than 800,000 people in the United States are currently living in assisted living facilities, according to a 2023 report from Zippia, an online recruitment service that gathers information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its own internal data.   The decision to move oneself or an aging relative into an assisted living facility is complicated. Though such facilities typically offer an excellent standard of care, it can still be bittersweet for an individual to leave his or her home. It also can be difficult to identify when is the best time to make such a transition. Though each individual case is unique, the following are some indicators that the time might be right to move oneself or an aging loved one into an assisted living facility. • Emotional challenges: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) notes that certain emotional challenges may indicate the time is right for an individual to move into an assisted living facility. The NCOA encourages individuals making such a decision independent of others to ask themselves if they are experiencing feelings of loneliness or depression. Assisted living facilities can provide much-needed social interaction that seniors may not be getting at home. If feelings of loneliness or depression are present, then the time might be right to make the move to an assisted living facility. • Physical challenges: Many individuals move into assisted living facilities because the physical challenges of daily life have become too significant to handle alone. The NCOA notes that individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by tasks such as buying groceries, cooking and cleaning may benefit from moving into assisted living facilities that handle such tasks for them. • Issues with hygiene: The presence of additional challenges related to hygiene also may suggest a move to an assisted living facility may be beneficial. Staff at assisted living facilities can help adults who are struggling to bathe, dress themselves or use a restroom on their own. Family members can look for signs that a loved one’s personal hygiene has taken a turn for the worse. Issues with hygiene can be a byproduct of depression, and poor hygiene also can increase risk for infection and illness.  • Injuries: The NCOA notes that falls or near-falls are another potential sign that a person can benefit from moving to an assisted living facility. Falls can hurt anyone, but they can be especially damaging to aging adults. For example, the National Institutes of Health report that falls may result in loss of independence, chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Assisted living facilities are often equipped with features to reduce risk of falls, such as grab bars in showers and bathrooms and even along corridor walls. In addition, assisted living facilties may be housed in single-story buildings or equipped with elevators, which means residents won’t be forced to navigate potentially dangerous staircases at any point during the day. Staff also can respond quickly if residents experience a fall, providing much-needed assistance that seniors living alone or with an aging spouse may not get at home. Various signs may indicate that the time is right for individuals to move into an assisted living facility so they can more safely navigate daily life. Signs it could be time to move to an assisted living facility

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 19 Support Connection’s Annual Support-A-Walk For Breast & Ovarian Cancer Sunday, October 1, 2023 Your Donation Makes A Difference. “This organization offers cancer support programs and services that are unlimited for as long as you need them. When you need them, they will be there. Tell your friends and family to reach out when they feel all hope is lost and they don’t know where to turn. No one fighting these cancers needs to feel alone.“ ~ Nancy Stingone, Board Member , Volunteer, Donor “The support that Support Connection has provided our family is indescribable. They not only helped my mom, but they also welcomed us with open arms. “Cancer is a family affair,” and it affects every member in different ways. The service they provide is a valuable asset to the community. The staff and counselors are angels sent from above. “ ~ Carrie & Bella Tropea, Volunteers and Donors Walk With Us in FDR Park or Wherever You Are! Donate, raise funds, spread the word. Proceeds fund Support Connection’s free breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancer support programs and services. LEARN MORE: WWW.SUPPORTCONNECTION.ORG 914-962-6402 Bring help & hope to people fighting breast, ovarian, or any gynecological cancer. Support Connection is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We do not receive funds from Relay for Life, Making Strides, Susan G. Komen, or any other national cancer organization

PAGE 20 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Since Lakeland coach Tim Hourahan took over in 2005, Lakeland and Yorktown have been virtually even in head-to-head competition. The hotly contested rivalry continued with Lakeland winning 2-1 at Yorktown on Sept. 19, with the Huskers holding a razor thin 13- 12-3 advantage during the Hourahan era. “It’s great to be able to compete against a program that won a sectional title last year as that is what all of the other teams are chasing,” Hourahan said. “We have faced three programs (Yorktown, Briarcliff, Haldane) in our last four games that won a title in 2022 and all three of those games finished 2-1. It’s like a playoff game so it’s a great experience to be able to have those games during the year.” The Huskers are the defending Section 1 Class A champions. “Yorktown is a strong program and it took all 24 of our players today to come out of there with a win,” Hourahan said. “We had a great few days of practice to prepare for this game and it was great to see it pay off for our boys.” Silvio Ahmataj scored, with Connor Daly assisting, 10 minutes into the second half, putting Lakeland up 1-0. “It was tough getting past the Yorktown defense but after we won the ball back from its mistake, I made a run in behind and I knew Connor Daly would play me the perfect pass right towards goal, and the feeling was unmatchable after scoring,” Ahmataj said. “Winning the game felt even better as it is our first win on their turf in a really long time.” Ahmataj assisted on Dylan Coppola’s goal with 17 minutes left, increasing Lakeland’s advantage to 2-0. “Silvio was driving down the wing then played a great ball through their defender which I was able to touch and score,” Coppola said. “Knowing that I put our team up a second goal against someone we haven’t beaten in years felt amazing. Rushing to the corner flag with my whole team behind me is something that every player wants to experience, and it felt great.” Yorktown cut Lakeland’s lead to 2-1 on a Michael Munson goal, assisted by Nick Varela, late in the game. “I got a ball from Varela in-between the top of the 18-yard box and the penalty spot,” Munson said. “I turned and hit it hard with my left foot to the bottom corner. Had no time to celebrate due to lack of time but it always feels good to put up a goal for my team.” Munson said that rivalry games against Lakeland are always tough. “Playing club with a lot of those guys, they have some really strong and talented players, however, we do too,” Munson said. “Some of our guys are young due to graduating so many seniors, but we need to continue to develop our chemistry with each other before entering the second half of the season. There are still a lot of games left.” Lakeland’s Oban Rader (7 saves) and Yorktown’s Jason Douglas (4 saves) did the job in goal. Yorktown coach Zoran Milojevic said that this is a rebuilding year for his program. “We continue to improve,” Milojevic said. “We lost 16 seniors and had only one starter (Varela) returning from last season. Other than 10 minutes when we lost focus, we played a decent game. We continue to work on building and preparing for the second half of the season.” Meanwhile, Lakeland players are developing into a cohesive unit. “Our win against Yorktown definitely meant a lot to the whole team,” Daly said. “I personally know a lot of the guys on Yorktown, so it was exciting to beat the talented players I grew up with. It’s been a while since Lakeland was able to beat the Huskers, so everyone was very hyped and excited to finally come out on top.” Other action Lakeland (6-2-1) led at halftime 1-0 and defeated visiting Pleasantville 2-1 on Sept. 21, led by Ahmataj (2G), Anthony Abbondanza (1A), and Rader (4 saves). The Hornets tied visiting Sleepy Hollow 1-1 on Sept. 23, with both goals scored in the first eight minutes of the game, as Daly (1G), Vinny Karaqi (1A), and Rader (7 saves) produced for Lakeland. Yorktown fell to host John JayCross River on Sept. 21. The home team’s 2 second-half goals sealed a 2-0 to leave the Huskers at (3-4). Hornets prevail at Yorktown Rivalry continues to thrive Lakeland’s Jake Pepaj and Oban Rader celebrate the win over Yorktown. Lakeland celebrates with teammate Dylan Coppola after he scored the decisive goal in 2-1 win over Yorktown. Lakeland’s Dylan Coppola makes his move in Hornets’ 2-1 win over Yorktown. Lakeland’s Connor Daly looks to send it up the field while Yorktown’s Ricky Tiberii defends. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO BOYS SOCCER

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 21 Open House /kennedycatholic @kennedygaels @kennedycatholic Register Follow Us Learn How to Join Our Class of 2028! Sunday October 15 | 1pm - 4pm Wednesday October 25 | 7pm 6th-12th GRADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY EDUCATION All Grades Welcome! Traditional American Ideals Foundational Christian Values kennedycatholic.org/admissions

PAGE 22 – YORKTOWN NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 OPEN HOUSE SAT. OCT. 14 WHERE STUDENTS BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES. Grades 6–12 with 5-day boarding for 9–12 in Katonah, NY harveyschool.org/OpenHouse ©2019 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS. CLOSING FOR THE SEASON ON 10/01 Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid on take home treats, catering, or novelty items. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guestNot valid at cart or theme park venues. Not for resale. ©2020 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING RREDEEMABLE AT FROZEN TREAT $1 OFF WHEN YOU BUY ONExpires 04.15.202RITAS OF YORKTOWN 1881A COMMERCE STREET YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 914 302 7711 ritas.com www.facebook.com/ritasof $1 OFF BUY ONE, GET $1 OFF ANOTHER ritasofyorktown ritasofyorktown.com Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid on take home treats, catering, or novelty items. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid at cart or theme park venues. Not for resale. ©2020 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING RITA’S LOCATIONS. Exp. 10/01/2023 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER It was Lakeland’s Homecoming/Hall of Fame Night, and by the way the Hornets played, they were certainly inspired by all the legends who returned. Led by Grady Leonard (23- 32, 454 yards, 4 TDs, 3 rushes, 29 yards), the Hornets rolled to 46-20 triumph against visiting Sleepy Hollow on Sept. 22. “It was awesome to win on Homecoming and Hall of Fame Night,” said Lakeland coach Ryan Shilling. “We had a great crowd of current students who were excited and into it, and the band did an awesome job all night. Playing well in front of such an accomplished Hall of Fame group was really special. They had such a great impact on Lakeland sports and I’m glad we put a good product on the field for them to see.” Two touchdown runs of 29 yards and 1 yard by Robbie Policastro (12 rushes, 75 yards, 3 TDs) set the tone for Lakeland. Leonard’s 2-point conversion pass to Anthony Frobose (4 receptions, 88 yards, first varsity TD) after Policastro’s second score, put the Hornets up 14-0 with 3:45 remaining in the first quarter. Lakeland increased its advantage to 20-0 on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Kyle Gallagher (7 receptions, 166 yards). Gallagher caught it near the sideline at his own 33, cut back to the middle of the field and was off to the races, with just 12 seconds remaining in the opening quarter. The Hornets added to their lead when Leonard connected with Gallagher again, on a fourth and six from the Sleepy Hollow 8, with an 8-yard touchdown pass, where Gallagher caught it in the end zone, just inside the left-side pylon. An Anthony Ramirez’s extra point put Lakeland in front 27-0 with 6:58 left in the first half. “Kyle is legit,” Leonard said. “He has great hands, is very hard to tackle, and is really good at finding open space. His first TD was great, it was all him, the corner was playing off, so I gave him the ball on a hitch and he was able to get loose. The second touchdown he ran a great route and I found him in the front of the end zone. They both felt amazing, he’s exciting to watch.” After a Sleepy Hollow touchdown, Lakeland answered right back with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Sean Perry (8 receptions, 167 yards), with Ramirez’ PAT putting Lakeland up 34-6 with 1:20 before halftime, and it cruised from there. “Sean’s TD catch was honestly all him, he’s so slippery once he gets his hands on the ball so the second I saw him open, I was able to get it to him and he made some guys miss,” Leonard said. “It was big to respond mainly because we didn’t want to lose momentum, especially going into the half.” Hornets win on special night Leonard passes LHS to victory Lakeland quarterback Grady Leonard finds running room in win over Sleepy Hollow. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO FOOTBALL SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 23

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 23 SHRUB OAK ATHLETIC CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL MEETING The Shrub Oak Athletic Club will hold its annual open meeting on Wednesday, October 11th at 8pm at the Copper Beech Middle School Cafeteria Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Questions and suggestions about programs are welcome. 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present This Ad. New Customers Only. Keep the lights on. • GENERATORS • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! Lakeland’s offensive production was a result of a team effort. “We have a very good quarterback and some very skilled receivers,” Ryan Shilling said. “Our offensive coordinator, Kyle Shilling (Ryan’s brother), really allows them to play fast and gives them opportunities to makes plays. Our line has continued to improve and did a nice job giving Grady time tonight.” Anthony Farroni (6.5 tackles), Gavin Morales (5 tackles), Bubba Baumeister (5 tackles), Nick Ferrante (3 tackles, 1 sack), and Nick Jurado (interception) did the job defensively for Lakeland. Lakeland (3-1) will next host Pleasantville, the Class B state finalist the last two years, at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, and Schilling feels it will be another big test for the squad. “We played well [against Sleepy Hollow],” the coach said. “We made a lot of big plays and did some really nice things on both sides of the ball. Defensively, we have to improve in stopping the run. It’s going to be a huge challenge trying to defend Pleasantville with all the weapons they have, especially Daniel Picart. We are excited for the opportunity to play against such a prestigious program.” Alumni enter HOF At halftime, Lakeland held its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, with Joe Cotone (public address announcer, 2006-2023), Karen Cotone (scoreboards, 2011-2023), Brian Prunty (2014 graduate, football, and boys lacrosse), Dana Bozek (2016 graduate, field hockey, and girls lacrosse), and the 2009, 2010, and 2011 field hockey state champions, being inducted into the Class of 2023. FOOTBALL FROM PAGE 22 Lakeland’s D.J. Brody and Robbie Policastro celebrate Policastro’s firsthalf touchdown. The Hornets’ Sean Perry returns a kick. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO Anthony Frobose picks up yards after the catch. Lakeland’s Robbie Policastro heads for the end zone. Lakeland’s Kyle Gallagher follows the block of Robbie Policastro.

PAGE 24 – YORKTOWN NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER LAKELAND GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (8-1) Lakeland 3, Yorktown 1 Tuesday, Sept. 19, Yorktown High School Lakeland defeated Yorktown 3-1 (20-25, 27-25, 25- 23, 25- 19), led by Kelly Mallon (16 kills, 14 digs), Emma Dedushaj (7 kills, 4 assists, 12 digs), and Kaycee Aurigemma (24 assists). “We were able to come out with a win today because we don’t let our mistakes bring us down,” Aurigemma said. “Instead, we use it to come together as a team and play even better and stronger, especially like we did today in the fourth set. As long as we talk and work together, we can do great things.” Scarlett Segal (17 digs, 7 kills, 6 assists, 1 ace), Valentina Nezaj (14 kills, 5 digs, 2 assists), Lexi Livadhi (10 kills, 1 block), Amy Tinton (15 digs, 3 aces), Nicole Dennison (7 digs, 1 kill, 12 assists, 5 aces), and Katie Piehler (7 digs, 1 kill, 15 assists, 2 aces) did the job for Yorktown. Lakeland 3, Saunders 0 Wednesday, Sept. 20, Lakeland High School Lakeland swept Saunders 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-18), ignited by Sofia Cruz (5 kills), Bella Sommovigo (6 kills), Katie Hernandez (8 digs, 3 aces), and Ellie Hamblin (4 kills, 3 blocks). Lakeland 3, Putnam Valley 1 Thursday, Sept. 21, Putnam Valley High School Lakeland overcame Put Valley 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-12, 15- 22), paced by Mallon (15 kills, 18 digs, 8 aces), Tatiana Aquart (8 kills, 4 blocks), Aurigemma (26 assists), Sommovigo (6 kills, 3 blocks, 7 digs), Cruz (4 kills, 10 digs). YORKTOWN GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (3-4) Yorktown Tournament Saturday, Sept. 23, Yorktown High School Ardsley won the Yorktown Tournament, with Lakeland being a finalist and Yorktown and Harrison semifinalists. Nezaj, Mallon, and Dedushaj were named to the All-Tournament team. YORKTOWN FOOTBALL (4-0) Yorktown 42, John Jay-CR 0 Friday, Sept. 22, Yorktown High School Dylan DelVecchio (25 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs), Kaden Gonzalez (5-11, 34 yards, 2 TDs), Ryan Cane (2 receptions, 12 yards, 2 TDs), Chris Constantine (6 carries, 35 yards, 5 tackles, 1 interception), Ryan Vogel (8 tackles, 1 interception), Conor Duncan (6 tackles, 1 sack), Jack Ferone (5-yard TD run, 6 tackles), and Matt Cicinelli (3 tackles, 1 sack), propelled Yorktown to a 42-0 victory against John Jay-Cross River. “We were all fired up from the win against Mahopac and we are on a roll,” DelVecchio said. “Everyone on our team knows how much talent we have this year and we are just going out there to crush teams. Both sides of the ball played amazing and it started with our defense and special teams putting the offense in great field position, and then the offense executing.” What made the win extra special is that it came on the night Yorktown honored its 1993 and 1994 state championship football squads. “Those teams in Yorktown are legendary and we’ve all heard all the stories about those great teams especially with the legendary coach, Coach (Ron) Santavicca,” Hornets GVB defeats Huskers YHS blanks John Jay on gridiron VARSITY ROUNDUP SEE ROUNDUP PAGE 25 Yorktown’s Katie Piehler focuses on the serve. Lakeland’s Emma Dedushaj sets a teammate up. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Savings calculation is based on a comparison of Consumer Cellular’s average customer invoice to the average cost of single-line entry-level plans o ered by the major U.S. wireless carriers as of May 2022. CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 Switch & Save Up to $250/Year On Your Talk, Text and Data Plan! NOTHING YOU NEED. YOU DON’T. EVERYTHING

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 25 ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 24 DelVecchio said. “It definitely meant a lot to our team to see those guys there and for me it was a great moment I got to share with my dad because he was a part of the ‘93 team. But our team wants to write our own story now and be great just like they were.” LAKELAND FIELD HOCKEY (7-1-1) Lakeland 2, Rye 1 Monday, Sept. 18, Rye High School Gabby Santini (2G), Bella Basulto (1A), and Maeve Dineen-Herzog (3 saves), led Lakeland to a 2-1 win in a rematch of last year’s Section 1 Class B title game, also won by the Hornets, 2-0. “It’s always a great game when we play Rye and I feel like this year’s regular-season game was exactly that,” Santini said. “I think we had great connection on the field and we knew that this game wasn’t going to be easy. Once we were down 1-0 at halftime we battled back for the win. This game meant a lot to us because we know that Rye is a very good team.” Lakeland 8, Sleepy Hollow 0 Tuesday, Sept. 19, Lakeland High School Emily Yazzetti  (4G), Santini (1G, 1A), Keira Gallagher (1G, 1A), Emma Numme  (2A), Charlotte Sabert (1G), Riley Waters (1G), Basulto (1A), Aditi Parambath (1A), and DineenHerzog (1 save) propelled Lakeland to an 8-0 victory against Sleepy Hollow. Lakeland 9, Brewster 0 Thursday, Sept. 21, Brewster High School Emily Yazzetti (2G, 2A), Numme (1G, 2A), Basulto (1G, 2A), Santini (2G), Waters (1G), Leigh Chotalal (1G), Meaghan Heyde (1G), Sabert (1A), and Jenna Yazzetti (2 saves) helped the Hornets blank Brewster 9-0. YORKTOWN FIELD HOCKEY (5-2-1) Yorktown 1, Bronxville 0 Monday, Sept. 18, Bronxville High School Brie Gaccino (1G) and Annie Durante (1 save) produced for Yorktown in its 1-0 win against Bronxville, in a game called seven minutes into the third quarter because of lightning. “There was just a lot of wideopen space in front of me so I was able to keep pushing forward and get a shot off,” said Gaccino, of her second-quarter goal. Yorktown 1, Panas 0 Thursday, Sept. 21, Walter Panas High School Gianna Popovic (1G) and Lily Diaz (1A) helped give Yorktown a 1-0 win versus Walter Panas. Rye 1, Yorktown 0 Saturday, Sept. 23, Yorktown High School Durante recorded 11 saves in a 1-0 loss to Rye. YORKTOWN GIRLS SOCCER (3-2-1) Yorktown 10, Riverside 0 Monday, Sept. 18, Riverside High School Yorktown won 10-0 against Riverside, with Eva Monaco, Olivia DelGaudio, Drita Tinaj, Kendall Kardon, Breanna Dicioccio, Caoimhe Vallely, Mia Chee, Maddy Reilly, Peyton Case, and Lea Bryant all scoring. Cori Rosenberg (3 saves) recorded the shutout. “A sound and deep performance from the entire team,” said Yorktown coach Ryan Langkafel. John Jay CR and Somers Hosts John Jay-Cross River nipped Yorktown 2-1 on Wednesday Sept. 28, with Kaitlyn Judge (1G) and Ciara O’Brien (5 saves) producing for the Huskers. The Huskers also suffered a road loss to Somers, 3-0, on Sept. 23. LAKELAND GIRLS SOCCER (3-4) Lakeland lost to Pelham (3-0 at home on Sept. 18) and Sleepy Hollow (6-1 on the road on Sept. 20) before picking up a 2-1 home win against Pleasantville over the weekend. Lakeland’s Amelia Calisi made 6 saves in the loss to Pelham and recorded 5 saves against Sleepy Hollow, where Kayleigh Mula scored the Hornets’ lone goal. On Saturday Sept. 23, Mula (2G) and Calisi (5 saves) helped Lakeland nip Pleasantville 2-1. “Our team was able to pull out the win through staying strong on defense and continuing our pressure,” Mula said. “Our defense stayed tough and continued to win the ball, allowing us Husker John Desiderio makes contact against the Wolves. PHOTO: RICH MONETTI SEE ROUNDUP PAGE 26 THE LARGEST ORCHARD IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY! STUART’S FARM 62 Granite Springs Rd., Granite Spring, NY 10527 • 914.245.2784 9am-6pm, 7 Days – Cash and Checks Only stuartsfarm.com APPLE PICKING Now Till Early November PUMPKIN PICKING Late September – October ENJOY OUR BAKERY! Doughnuts – Pies Apple Cider – Pop Corn In business since 1828 Walk thru our exciting corn maze! fifffffflffiflfflfflffifflflffiffl fflfflffl ffifflfl

PAGE 26 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 the traditional heroin overdose. They’re dying because of fentanyl poisoning. And so this is in the realm of harm reduction. Not everyone is ready for treatment. Not everyone is ready to stop. The goal is to keep people alive until they may be, and at least test what’s in what they think they might be using, then they can make an educated choice. We fund New York State harm reduction teams, but there are far too few of them. They do heroic work, they’re in tough areas, but there are far too few of them. So why not use the retail network that we have in pharmacies all over the state? And hopefully, we can get fentanyl test strips in more hands. Some people incorrectly assume that things like this enable drug use, but they don’t. People are going to use it anyhow. We need to meet them where they are and try and keep them alive until such time that they may be ready for treatment. Our final question concerns the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which would give tax credits to local newspapers. Has there been any movement on that legislation? We’re on that bill. I think we’ll know better when we get closer to session. There were the beginnings of a lot of conversations at the end of last year about that. Honestly, just with any bill, it’s about the activists and the squeaky wheel. The more noise all of you can make, the better it is. And your statewide associations can come up to Albany and know that it’s your building, you own it, you pay for it. We work for you. Come on up and see us and tell the other statewide folks to go up and see your local legislators. To me, that’s incredibly impactful. We have folks come up for this issue for that issue. And I think it’s an incredible form of advocacy. So, I’ll keep working on it. But if you guys want to come up and get your colleagues to come up, you don’t have to be lobbyists to come up to Albany and talk to your local legislators. HARCKHAM FROM PAGE 6 FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 59 Years of Excellence Putnam & Westchester County’s Premier Plumbing Professionals Since 1964 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $25 OFF YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL! VALID ON CALLS OVER 1 HOUR. EXPIRES 10/31/23 It’s Back to School Time... Have a Great Year! ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 25 to get it up the field and get offensive opportunities.” YORKTOWN BOYS VOLLEYBALL (6-2) Yorktown 3, Scarsdale B 0 Monday, Sept. 18, Scarsdale High School Yorktown beat Scarsdale B 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-17), led by Jack Brunner (22 assists, 5 kills), Justin Sek (9 kills), Emanuel Gojani (6 Kills), and Tommy Vano (2 blocks). Yorktown 3, Fox Lane 2 Friday, Sept. 22, Yorktown High School Yorktown rallied from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Fox Lane 3-2 (21-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15- 10), led by Brunner (20 assists), Sek (23 kills), and Zevin DaCruz (7 blocks). “Our team pulled through after adjusting our lineup for more defensive tactics,” said Yorktown coach Mira Rugova. “Once we conquered through a strong serve receive and defensive digs, our passes brought our offense into play, even allowing for quick hits and tactical plays. This, along with communication and staying mentally tough, allowed our players to seal the win with confidence, class, and sportsmanship.” LAKELAND BOYS VOLLEYBALL (0-6) Lakeland fell to North Rockland 3-0 (21-25, 14-25, 21-25) at home last Saturday. Yorktown’s Lexi Livadhi spikes it over the net. PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO Yorktown’s Ronan Forde heads upfield against John Jay CR. PHOTO: RICH MONETTI

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 LEISURE YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 27 To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Outsourcing (abbr.) 4. Post 8. German city on edge of Black Forest 10. “__, but goodie” 11. Spiced stew 12. Passionately 13. Monetary units 15. Group of living organisms 16. Organic compound derived from ammonia 17. High honors 18. 5-year-olds’ classes 21. Swiss river 22. Old woman 23. Cash machine 24. A way to soak 25. Hair product 26. Deride 27. “The Blonde Bombshell” 34. Cause to become insane 35. Bluish greens 36. Supported with money 37. Type of equation 38. Court officials 39. Indian god 40. Rids 41. Leak slowly through 42. Units of ionizing radiation 43. Midway between south and southeast CLUES DOWN 1. Native of Slovakia 2. Deli meat 3. Fibrous substance in fungi 4. Cutting 5. Vedder and Van Halen 6. Horror comic novelist 7. Rulers of Tunis 9. Shaped like a circle 10. Make a pig of oneself 12. Aphorism 14. Witness 15. Single Lens Reflex 17. Freshwater North American fish 19. Nautical ropes 20. Leg (slang) 23. Pokes holes in 24. Moved quickly on foot 25. Fix-it shops 26. Type of bread 27. Repaired 28. Synthetic diamond (abbr.) 29. Type of drug (abbr.) 30. German city along the Rhine 31. Animal disease 32. Martini necessities 33. Get away from 34. Village in Mali 36. Djibouti franc BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER The Yorktown Fire Department will be getting a new fire truck thanks in part to a $75,000 state grant. The State and Municipal Facilities Capital Program/Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology grant (CREST) was obtained for the department with the help of Assemblyman Matt Slater. The new truck is expected to arrive in 2026.  “The Yorktown Heights Fire Department is 100 percent volunteer and they do a great job for us every single day,” Slater said. “We were able to secure a grant that is going to go toward an important piece of equipment that at the end of the day is going to help keep Yorktown residents safe and also help local taxpayers. That’s what we were focused on and we’re happy to identify the funding source and bring some funding back to Yorktown.” Yorktown Fire Commissioner Martin McGannon said the truck, a Seagrave engine, will hold 1,000 gallons of water. The $75,000 will only cover a fraction of the $1.2 million price tag. “It’s just a fraction, but it helps,” McGannon said. “It’s $75,000 less than we have to take from taxpayer money” McGannon said that the department purchased the same truck back in 2020 for slightly more than $700,000, but the cost rose dramatically in the wake of the pandemic. McGannon said that the goal is to replace trucks when they reach about 20 to 25 years old. The one being replaced by the new Seagrave will turn 23 years old by the time the new one arrives. “Because we take meticulous care of them, we get them to last longer,” McGannon said. Grant will help YFD pay for new firetruck Support Connection’s has launched a “Team Spirit” campaign for the organization’s annual Support-A-Walk fundraiser, This year’s walk will take place Oct. 1 at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights and in communities nationwide. Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, but its toll-free and web services allow for a nationwide reach. “Whether showing support locally or from afar, anyone can participate in the Support-A-Walk wherever they are,” the organization said in a press release. The  Support-A-Walk  is held to bring attention to the needs of people affected by breast, ovarian, or any gynecological cancer  and to raise funds for Support Connection’s free cancer support programs and services for those living with these diseases. Since the organization was founded in 1996, many thousands of people locally and across the country have received help from Support Connection. The Team Spirit Campaign encourages friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors to “team up” for the Support-A-Walk. Teams are groups of people who decide to participate together in any way they wish. Team activities can include seeking donations, planning fundraising activities, inviting others to participate, spreading the word about the walk. Teams can create their own t-shirts and signs or banners to share their stories and express their inspiration for participating. Team members can live close to one another or far away. Those who can’t all be in one place can make plans to walk at the same time in different locations. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with loved ones to work for a common cause,” the organization said. “Team Spirit Awards will be presented as part of this campaign. Awards will go to the top three teams for amount raised; the top three teams for number of donors; and the most creative team sign or banner.” To learn more about the Support-A-Walk, or to make a donation, call 914-962-6402 visit  supportconnection.org/ support-a-walk. Information courtesy of Support Connection Cancer fundraiser adds “Team Spirit” Support Connection walk set for Oct. 1 at FDR Park

PAGE 28 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 like to lend a hand, please contact [email protected]. Support Connection Walk Support Connection’s annual Support-A-Walk For Breast & Ovarian Cancer Sunday, Oct.1, at FDR Park in Yorktown (or remotely “wherever you are”). Proceeds from the walk will help fund Support Connection’s free breast, ovarian, and gynecological cancer support programs and services. To learn more, call 914-962-6402 or visit supportconneciton.org. Mahopac Italian American Club Columbus Day ceremony: To commemorate Columbus Day and Italian Heritage Month, the IAC of Mahopac will be hosting a ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Statue at Carmel Town Hall on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 11:30 a.m. All are invited to this outdoor event. Hollywood and Italian American culture: The IAC of Mahopac and Mahopac Library will present a talk by award-winning novelist and screenwriter Michael DeLucia called “Hollywood’s Reshaping of the Italian People” on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m at the library. DeLucia’s works are known for their honest depictions of Italian American life—especially in the Bronx of the 1960s and ‘70s. Refreshments will be served at both events. For more info call Giulio Cefaloni 845-745-2655 or visit italianamericanclubofmahopac.org or facebook.com/Italianamericanclubofmahopac. Organic Yard Waste Facility Is Open Yorktown’s Organic Yard Waste Facility, 2200 Greenwood St., Yorktown Heights The town of Yorktown has “closed the loop on recycling” with the collection, processing, and giving-back of organic yard waste. The Organic Yard Waste Facility is available, without charge, to Yorktown residents delivering organic yard waste in vehicles without commercial license plates. Proof of residency is required. In addition, residents can help themselves to wood chips. This facility is also the depot for biodegradable paper leaf bags, branches, logs, and Christmas trees collected by Yorktown’s Refuse and Recycling, Parks, and Highway departments. Our Sept. 21 ATV Law article misidentified the organizations affiliated with Walt and Jane Daniels. Jane is a volunteer supervisor of Yorktown Trails for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Walt is the trail crew chief for that group. GREEN FROM PAGE 3 To advertise in Yorktown News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208- 8151 or email [email protected]. CORRECTION One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging. ON YOUR INSTALLATION 60% OFF Limited Time Offer! SAVE! 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PAGE 30 – YORKTOWN NEWS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER This November, Yorktown’s Patriot Park will be home to a new Vietnam War memorial to honor and thank veterans the way they should have been decades ago when they returned home. Over 8.7 million Americans served during the Vietnam War and many who made it home were greeted with hostility. They did not return to parades or welcome-home rallies as vets from other wars did. Instead, there were instances where they were spit on. The park, which is located adjacent to Town Hall on Underhill Avenue, currently has four memorials commemorating local vets who served in various wars. One of the current memorials combines the Korean and Vietnam wars. This new addition will be a stand-alone with a plaque honoring the men and women of Yorktown who served Vietnam.  “I’m glad to see that Patriot Park is continuing to evolve,” said John Tegeder, director of Planning. “We are moving forward with honoring both men and women of both wars. Both the Korean and Vietnam wars had women serve and some of them did pass away.” Two dates of dedication will be reflected on the signage: November 2023, and also 1968 for the year the original monument was placed. According to Tegeder, the bronze plaque on the current Korean-Vietnam memorial will be replaced with a new one solely honoring Korean War vets. The original designation will be relocated to preserve its history. The most recent monument was erected last year on Veteran’s Day to honor local service members who served in the Global War on Terror. The other two memorials are for World War I and World War II. Councilman Ed Lachterman said that the idea for this memorial came up last year when the town was working on another monument. “This all started in conversation last year when we were doing the War on Terror monument,” Lachterman said. “I personally have spent a lot of time with Vietnam veterans, because that’s what we have a lot of right now, and the understanding of the disrespect they were given when they came back really cements in that we should be looking to do something that commemorates them that is not lumped together.”  Tegeder hinted that more memorials might come to the park in the future for the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. Vietnam War memorial coming to Patriot Park The new memorial will go in between that the two on the right, and will honor the service of Vietnam veterans PHOTO: COURTESY OF JIM MARTORANO FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 NO NEWS... 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! # Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to Yorktown News YES, I really enjoy Yorktown News and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: The Somers Record Mahopac News North Salem News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 31 DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor personApplication included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755 Privacy Hedge! Arborvitae 6-foot Reduced to $125/each. Free Installation, Free Delivery. Fast growing, High-quality Beautiful & Bushy! Order now to reserve for early Fall delivery. LowCostTrees.com 518-536-1367 HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574 ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! 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Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 03-08. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc: 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 1128. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of ICaT Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 08-06. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ICaT Services LLC: 37 Andover Ct Cortlandt Manor NY 10567. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Hudson River Sports Collective LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-06-12. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. 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NOTICE TO BIDDERS  USED FORD EXPLORER OR EQUIVALENT  YORKTOWN BUILDING MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the Town Clerk, Town of Yorktown, Westchester County, NY until 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at the Town Hall, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 for the purchase of a used Ford Explorer, or equivalent, for the Yorktown Building Maintenance Department.  Specifications may be obtained at the Office of the Town Clerk, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 during regular business hours, also on the Town’s website at www.yorktownny.org., or on BidNet Direct (www.bidnetdirect.com).  All bids must be accompanied by a Non Collusive Bidding Certification.  All sealed bids must be received in the Office of the Town Clerk, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, NY no later than 10:00 a.m. on October 16, 2023 and marked “Bid:  Purchase of Used Ford Explorer or Equivalent.”  The Town of Yorktown reserves the right to waive any informalities in the proposals, to reject any or all proposals and reserves the right to accept that proposal which it deems most favorable to the interests of the Town of Yorktown.    DIANA L. 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