Katonah-Lewisboro Times 02.23.2023

VOL. 5 NO. 49 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 HEALTH & WELLNESS 20 LEISURE 19 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 16 Wolves Upset Panas pg 16 BASKETBALL Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bill Swertfager, whose ouster as John Jay’s longtime wrestling coach sparked a community furor, and Lorraine Gallagher, a prominent voice opposing his dismissal, are running for the Katonah-Lewisboro School District board. Two of the board’s seven seats will be up for grabs this year, and it’s not yet known whether the trustees who now  ll them— nine-year veteran William Rifkin and  rst-term member Catharine Oestreicher—plan to seek re-election It will be the second straight year that a KLSD policy controversy has moved from protracted school-board protests to a ballotbox showdown. Last year, in voting marked by a dramatic spike in turnout, three incumbents turned back challenges keyed to the treatment of special-education students and the district’s approach to reading education.  When residents go to the polls this May, some believe turnout could be even greater, given the demonstrated support Swertfager has attracted over his dismissal and Gallagher’s longtime leadership in John Jay athletics. Both candidates insist their challenges go beyond Swertfager’s termination, which was prompted, district o cials say, by a complaint lodged after a girls softball game in the spring of 2021. “I know I can make the KLSD school board better,” Swertfager says on his campaign website (www.billswertfager.com), which was scheduled to go active this week. “My only agenda is to make this the best school district in the nation.” In an interview, the Katonah businessman depicted KLSD as living on its reputation and said the district has fallen relative to other top-ranked Westchester school systems. “We need fresh ideas, a di erent perspective and a vocal proponent for positive change,” his website message maintains. Gallagher, for her part, has been active for years in school issues here and earlier in her native Massachusetts, where she served as the voting student member of the state Board of Education. President for the past three years of the John Jay Boosters Club, she acknowledged in an interview this week that the Swertfager turmoil had played a role in her decision to run. But it was not, she said, the only reason. “I thought it was time for me to step it up and get involved at a higher level,” she said. While the KLSD school board “isn’t a bad board,” Gallagher said, “so many people . . . don’t really understand what they [the trustees] do and how they do it. So, I’d like to see some improvements in how we communicate with all of the residents.” Both candidates cited communication as a key concern. Swertfager calls it the issue that “frustrates the residents of this community the most, based on the feedback I have been receiving.” Listening to questions and answering them, Swertfager says on his website, are basic responsibilities of the board and administration. Silence surrounds whatever issue has led to Swertfager’s sudden dismissal from his part-time post, some 20 years after he pioneered the John Jay wrestling program and built it into a consistent contender on the Section 1 mats. Along the way, his supporters have told the school board at successive meetings since last fall, Swertfager has instilled in his young charges not only the fundamentals of the sport but also an ethos for meeting life’s challenges. District o cials, citing privacy concerns and state regulations, will not disclose details of the complaint against Swertfager or identify the complainant. In one version, widely circulated among the coach’s supporters and never rebutted entirely by district o - cials, Swertfager was a volunteer coaching at  rst base for a girls softball game played in the spring of 2021.  e coach, in this telling, congratulated a player with a high  ve and slap on the backside, commonplace actions on a ball eld but apparently o ensive to someone who was at the game or was later told about it. As a result, KLSD o cials met a short time later with Swertfager to discuss what had happened Swertfager, Gallagher announce bids for KLSD Board of Ed  PHOTOS: TOM BARTLEY Former wrestling coach Bill Swertfager and Booster Club president Lorraine Gallagher will be seeking seats on the school board in May. SEE BOE PAGE 6 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 Just Listed  Sophisticated and stylish “Home Resort” For the car enthusiast, sports fan, extended family or grand entertainer - an absolutely special and spectacular compound with every possible amenity. 5800 sf, 4 BR/6 BA show-place offering the best for everyday living and seamless entertaining. Situated on a private, professionally landscaped, level 3.19 acre property close to shopping, transportation and moments to school! $1,950,000 #UGottaHaveHope

The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [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 The Katonah-Lewisboro Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY HALSTON MEDIA, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 St John’s Episcopal Parish 82 Spring St., South Salem FEBRUARY SERVICES Join in for February services with Guest Priest Father Hakoola on Sunday, Feb. 26 (Holy Eucharist) at St. John’s at 9:30 a.m. Evening Prayer will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., led by parishioners. FOOD PANTRY Spread the word and get involved with the St. John’s Food Pantry! Distribution is every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. John’s. A food pantry box is available in the church parking lot 24/7 for those who cannot make it to pick up on Saturday morning - please take whatever you need from the box, as it will be replenished. Lewisboro Garden Club ROOTING FOR LEWISBORO Welcome to the third year of Rooting for Lewisboro for town residents!  e Lewisboro Garden Club is o ering 22 varieties of native trees and shrubs for free, thanks to a grant from One Tree Planted. Seedlings may be ordered starting March 1. Requests will be  lled in the order they are received. You are limited to a maximum of 30 plants.  e order form and tree and shrub information are available at www.Lewisborogardenclub.org. It is recommended that you refer to the LGC Tree and Shrub Information Guide located on the site for descriptions and site requirements. Be one of the many Lewisboro residents to  nd the perfect spot in your yard for some of our 2,850 o erings.  ose who have ordered will be noti ed of the date and time to pick up the seedlings in late April. Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 www.lewisborolibrary.org IN THEIR OWN WORDS: LEWISBORO VOICES FROM THE PAST Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. History comes alive with the staged reading of “In  eir Own Words: Lewisboro Voices from the Past.” Come “meet” residents of Lewisboro past, through readings taken from their letters, diaries, sermons and poems. Readings will be performed by residents of Lewisboro present-day, under the guidance of Town Historian Maureen Koehl. Space is limited, please register via the Library website. TEEN ADVISORY GRUP Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. Teens in middle and high school can earn community service hours, plan and run teen events, and gain leadership skills.  e Lewisboro Library Teen Advisory Group (or “TAG”) meets monthly to help come up with fun, engaging programs for you and your friends all year round. New members are welcome. Ice cream is served. Help make the Library your favorite gathering space! LEWISBORO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER FAIR Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Give back to your Community! After two years of being virtual, this event will be in person at the Library this year.  e Volunteer Fair matches would-be volunteers with local organizations in need of help. Local agencies will have tables at the Library with information on their services and volunteer needs.  ere are volunteer opportunities for adults and teens. CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS TRAINING PROGRAM Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Led by members of the New York National Guard. Be prepared for emergencies and disasters.  is one-hour program will go over the steps you need to take to prepare for an emergency. Attendees can enter a free ra e for a 3-Day Emergency Supply Kit, courtesy of co-sponsor, the Lewisboro Emergency Management Committee. Space is limited to 50 people and registration is required. Please register via the Library website. Lewisboro Parks & Recreation To register for events, visit www.lewisbororecreation.com BINGO BASH Friday, Feb. 24 Grab some friends and head John Jay High School for this great program where you can eat, socialize, and win fabulous prizes. To stir it up, there will be bingo played in a variety of ways. Food will be served followed by an exhilarating evening of bingo. Grades 2, 3 & 6 will have pizza and grades 4 and 5 will make ice cream sundaes. Grades 4/5: 8 to 9:30 p.m. Grade 6: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Fee: $25/bash WINE AND CHEESE SOCIAL Sunday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. All Lewisboro Residents, ages 21 and up, new to town are invited to come along with your TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 7 IRT-4395H-A > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC You're retired. Your money isn't. Let's work together to find the right strategy to help keep you on track. Call or email me today to get started. 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 On Super Bowl Sunday while the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles were battling on the gridiron, Goldens Bridge  re ghters were in a di erent type of  ght. For nearly  ve hours on Feb. 12, the GBFD battled what of-  cials described as a “challenging” structure  re in the Old Goldens Bridge section of the hamlet. It was the third  re response in as many days by the Goldens Bridge Fire Department. During the Feb. 12 blaze, Goldens Bridge  re ghters assisted the occupants with self-evacuation from the twostory residence, which received extensive damage, according to  re o cials. One  re ghter was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released.  e  re was reported at about 5:30 p.m., and upon the Goldens Bridge Fire Department’s arrival,  re ghters were met at the door with heavy smoke,  ames, and  ooring that had already been compromised by the intense heat.  “Older-constructed homes often have horizontal and vertical void spaces and pipe chases that lack  re stops, thus allowing smoke and  re to travel throughout the interior and exterior of the building. As a result,  re can spread rapidly to multiple areas of the home,” explained GBFD Chief Dennis Delborgo. “Void spaces are very challenging in terms of seeing and checking for  re extension. Opening up  oors, walls and ceilings to prevent  re spread is extremely labor intensive and time-consuming. Wood and wire lath, and plaster in walls and ceilings, make this process an even greater challenge in older construction. But this is what Goldens Bridge  re ghters train for – and their skills and highly specialized training were on full display at this  re scene,” the Goldens Bridge  re chief added. Goldens Bridge Fire ghters worked for nearly  ve hours “hitting hot spots,” according to Fire Chief Delborgo. After the  re was extinguished,  re-  ghters returned to the Goldens Bridge Firehouse to clean tools, repack hose, refuel vehicles, and perform other tasks – a process that ensures total readiness to respond to the next 911 emergency call.   e GBFD responded to the Sunday night house  re  with all available apparatus and personnel, including Engine 140, Engine 139, Engine 138, Tanker 1, Rescue 25, and Cars 2141, 2142, and 2143.    e e orts of Goldens Bridge  re ghters were aided by an unseasonably warm night and several mutual aid partners. Chief Delborgo said that the GBFD wanted to publicly acknowledge and thank the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corp., Westchester EMS, Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, Town of Lewisboro Building Department, Town of Lewisboro Police Department, New York State Police, American Red Cross, and, of course, the other area volunteer  re departments that responded with mutual aid, including  Croton Falls, Katonah, South Salem, Bedford Hills, Somers and Vista.    It was the third  re response in as many days by the GBFD, which relocated a unit to provide standby coverage for the Yorktown Heights Fire District while Yorktown  re ghters battled a house  re last Friday; and again last Saturday, Goldens Bridge  re ghters responded to a chimney  re at a home in Lake Katonah that they quickly extinguished.  Article provided by Goldens Bridge Fire Department. GBFD battles blaze on Super Bowl Sunday Responders fought the blaze for almost fi ve hours. One fi refi ghter was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.  e New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation last week sponsored by State Senator Pete Harckham that will help expand health bene ts for volunteer  re ghters.  e legislation, when approved by the Assembly and enacted by the governor, will make permanent the longstanding law covering disability determinations for volunteer  re ghters due to certain lung disabilities. “Volunteer  re ghters statewide often incur major diseases and ailments in the course of protecting our residents and businesses, so we must reciprocate and safeguard the health of these brave  rst responders whenever possible,” said Harckham. “ is bill will eliminate a sunset clause for lung care while streamlining access to much deserved health bene ts.” Volunteer  re ghters provide an invaluable service to New York State and our individual communities. Accordingly, it simply makes sense to prevent unnecessary worry on the part of volunteer  re-  ghters and their families as to whether or not they will receive their bene ts. Harckham’s bill (S.1176) regarding  re ghters with lung maladies will amend a 2006 law that grants important lung health care bene ts, yet needs to be renewed through legislative approval and enacted every two years. Similar health bene ts for full-time  re ghters, though, do not need to go through the biannual approval process—even though career and volunteer  re ghters are exposed to the same risks.  e risks are, indeed, signi cant. Lung disabilities for  re ghters exceed those experienced by the average adult population in the U.S. In the line of duty,  re ghters are exposed to gases, toxins and other substances that have damaging short- and long-term e ects on the respiratory system. Some of the toxic gases and respiratory tract irritants that  re ghters are at risk of inhaling include sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene, nitrous oxides, aldehydes and particulate matter.  e New York State Senate passed a similar bill introduced by Harckham last year, but the State Assembly did not approve the legislation. When enacted, the legislation will bene t over 80,000 volunteer  re ghters and their families across New York. “We would like to thank Senator Harckham for his hard work in getting this important piece of legislation again passed in the State Senate,” said Edward Tase, Jr., president of the Fire ghters Association of the State of New York (FASNY).  “New York’s volunteer  re ghters are exposed to dangerous chemicals while  ghting  res that may cause lasting lung damage. FASNY wholeheartedly supports this legislation, which will take this long standing bene t and make it permanent, further strengthening this critical safety net for our volunteer  re ghters. We are ready to work with the Assembly and we urge them to follow suit and pass this in their house.”  Article provided by the O ce of State Senator Pete Harckham. Sen. Harckham helps to guarantee benefits for volunteer firefighters  Firefi ghters battled what offi cials described as a “challenging” structure fi re on Feb. 12. HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Spring Hill Kennels Great Kennel! Great People! Always Helping Others!

PAGE 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY BILL BONGIORNO  CONTRIBUTING WRITER Near the end of a three-hour Town Board meeting on Feb. 13, Lewisboro Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves reversed his unilateral decision made at the previous meeting and reinstated public comments over Zoom. He made the point that the board was not bound to have public comment periods at all, much less over Zoom. Goncalves explained that he did hear from a number of constituents and received feedback on the topic. RESIDENTS WRITE IN  Two letters sent to the board regarding the discontinuance were read aloud for the record by Councilwoman Andrea Rendo.  e  rst was from Jo Ann Ehnes of Goldens Bridge: “I’m writing in disagreement with the decision to stop participants, via Zoom, from speaking during public comments. I have an adult disabled son, who can’t make the meetings, but participates via Zoom. Since Covid, life has changed for all and having a Zoom option is a great way for the homebound, aging, disabled, families with childcare issues, be part of the town meetings that they have a right to partake in. I would like to thank Andrea Rendo, Dan Walsh, and Richard Sklarin for voting yes and asking others to reconsider your vote.”   e second was from Todd Gardner and signed “Disappointed.”  “I was appalled at your treatment of your fellow board members over your mandate to cancel public commentary from Zoom meeting attendees. You spoke about public bullying and harassment from folks and then turned around and did exactly that to the other members with dismissive rhetoric and constant interruption. I strongly encourage you rethink this idea. If this town needs anything, it is more transparency, not less. I voted for you. After seeing this meeting, I won’t again.” NEW BUILDING INSPECTOR During the announcements at the end of the meeting, Supervisor Gonçalves announced a new Building Inspector, Kevin Kelly, who began his tenure since the last meeting. ROUTE 35 AND 121 PAVING  Supervisor Gonçalves read a letter from the NYSDOT from Feb. 6 that it plans to resurface portions of Route 35 and Route 121.   e Route 35 part will begin at Old Shop Road to the East section to Route 121 and end South of the John Jay Middle School.  Construction will begin this summer and take place during daytime hours.  e town has requested crosswalks as well and a study is pending.  Councilman Sklarin asked that when the time comes, the board alert businesses in Cross River to the work. ARPA FUNDS, SALARY INCREASE   e Town Board approved borrowing authority of up to $614,000 for purchase of two trucks and a hot box for the Highway Department. Each HV International plow and salt truck would cost $279,000, the hotbox $56,000.  ey decided to table a motion to pass a resolution to be able to borrow $367,000 for capital improvements for Parks and Recreation, which included $125,000 to pave the town park driveway, $100,000 for Onatru bathroom updates, $75,000 for baseball  eld backstops, $55,000 for pool equipment and $12,000 for a shed at the town park. During the borrowing discussions, both Councilmembers Andrea Rendo and Richard Sklarin brought to the forefront the need for a discussion as to how the ARPA Funds will be used that the town was allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  ere currently is $934,304 left of the $1.284 million it received after allocating $350,000 to the Town Park Playground. Mr. Sklarin questioned even having a discussion of borrowing such a large amount of almost $1 million, close to the amount already on hand, without even having  rst talked about  rst using the ARPA funds to pay for projects.  Supervisor Gonçalves pointed out they had until 2024 to decide how to use those funds, but Mr. Sklarin said there should be a plan before borrowing money.  e board also approved by resolution, a salary increase for the Parks and Recreation Supervisor to $82,500. PUBLIC HEARING FOR FIRST RESPONDER EXEMPTION   e board set another public hearing for Proposed Amendment to Chapter 199 Article IV, entitled “Volunteer Fire ghters and Ambulance Workers Exemption” for the next meeting on Feb. 27 to determine speci cs regarding the measure.  e purpose is for the Town of Lewisboro to opt in to the provisions to provide a real property tax exemption of 10% on the assessed valuation of certain real property owned by an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer  re company,  re department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service for a minimum of two years, or to such enrolled member and spouse, as permitted by the Real Property Tax Law.  TOWN SPONSORED EVENTS  Andrea Rendo asked that an agenda item be added to that meeting as well on what the town policy will be on what constitutes a town sponsored event.  She noted nothing was included in the town budget in the fall, and asked that all town residents be treated equally and the same.  KEANE & BEANE FEES RAISED  Keane and Beane serves as legal counsel for the Town Planning Board and Wetlands.   e Board approved an hourly increase to $245 per hour from $225 to town residents for application speci c services which are paid by escrow by planning board applicants. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Valerie Monastra, Principal Planner of Nelson Pope Voorhis, the  rm charged with developing the documents for the Comprehensive Plan, gave an update on the  rst round of public meetings.   e in-person event on Jan. 21 drew 122 people, the two virtual meetings on Feb. 6 and 9 about 35 people and so far 74 people have answered the public survey.  e 266 people in total that have participated represents about 2% of the population of Lewisboro. Town Councilman Richard Sklarin asked how that compares to engagement in other towns, and she stated it was well above the average. She said the next steps were to develop a draft vision, draft goals and objectives and hamlet focused public meetings in the future. Councilman Daniel Welsh suggested a mailer to residents at taxpayer expense. FEE INCREASE FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT Meadows at Cross River Sewage Works maintains a sewage treatment plant serving solely the adjoining shopping center and the individual residents of Meadows at Cross River Homeowners Association which consists of 174 homes.  e board voted in favor of increasing its sewage treatment rates of the homeowner users current rate of $5.50 per 1000 gallons and $73/quarterly to $8.50 per 1000 gallons and $90/ quarterly starting March 1, 2023 at the written request and spoken at the meeting by the Managing Agent Andrea Scalzo. LETTER FROM ANN WALLACE DOUGLAS CORNELL Councilwoman Mary Shah read aloud a letter to the board from  Ann Wallace Douglas Cornell, granddaughter of former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace and South Salem resident.  “…I feel deeply that our family’s stewardship of Farvue Farm has been dedicated to preserving the valuable green spaces of South Salem and to ensuring that the use of water resources on our property adhere to the strict environmental guidelines of New York. While we no longer own the land deeded to the town, it is discouraging that the Town of Lewisboro has not been a conscientious steward of this property, or respectful of the stringent restrictions of the deed, which includes a reverter clause in case they are not followed. 50 years ago this small parcel was considered so valuable by the town that one of-  cial proclaimed it the gateway to South Salem and the  rst welcoming sight to visitors. I urge the current Town Council to also treat it with the same respect and appreciation as did the town o cials who came before them.”   Mrs. Shah stated she had replied that it would be taken care of and encouraged everyone to clean it up and restore it for the future. Lewisboro Board reinstates Zoom public comments New Building Inspector announced

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 5 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022 VOL. 5 NO. 32 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 21 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 18 Wolves Top Edgemont pg 20 GOAL! Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 A record-breaking crowd gathered on Oct. 22 for the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department’s annual “Community Day at the Firehouse” event. See more photos from this awesome afternoon on page 12! PHOTO COURTESY OF GBFD BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Construction is expected to begin next summer or fall on almost $50 million in school-building upgrades approved last week by voters in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. In the district’s ‹ rst capitalconstruction referendum in 20 years, residents signed oŽ on security improvements at all ‹ ve of their schools, a clean-energy HVAC alternative for Katonah Elementary and multiple other brick-and-mortar projects, including new classrooms at Increase Miller. Balloting took place Oct. 18 at KLSD’s three elementary schools. Despite a comfortable 893 to 565 overall margin in favor of the $49,458,200 bond, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick later acknowledged the size of the vote against the proposed project. “I can’t imagine there’s ever been a bond vote that passed unanimously, in any school district,” he told the KLSD school board’s Oct. 20 meeting. “I say that because we also want to acknowledge that it [the bond] didn’t have unanimous support and we want to remain mindful of those who didn’t support the bond.” Opposition was clear at Meadow Pond Elementary School, where 53 percent of South Salemarea residents rejected the project, 199 to 174. But elsewhere, voters registered their support in numbers strong enough to overcome that de‹ cit. At Katonah Elementary, “yes” votes prevailed, 311 to 124, as they did at Increase Miller, 408 to 122. “We can pledge to continue being mindful of our entire community in the ways we move forward,” Selesnick continued at the Oct. 20 board meeting. “We try very hard to be thoughtful about all the work that we do and all the projects we put forward with the entire community in mind.” As he did in the hours immediately after the balloting, Selesnick expressed his gratitude for the voter turnout. “We really do thank everybody who came out,” he said, “regardless of how you voted. We appreciate the participation in the democratic process.” District o¡ cials now move into the next phase of the project, including what Selesnick described, in a letter to the KLSD community, as “further design and re‹ nement.” Final plans must then be submitted to the State Education Department for approval. “We anticipate this phase will take approximately one year,” Selesnick said. “Once approvals are received, construction is projected to last approximately two years. If all goes smoothly, all aspects of the project will be complete by the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.” KLSD Trustee Liz Gereghty chairs the two key school board committees, Finance and Facilities, as well as a resident-experts panel that helped guide development of bond speci‹ cs. She had thanked her volunteers weeks before the vote and observed, “Public education is the most important investment a community makes.” Voters approve $49.5 million bond for Katonah-Lewisboro School District Fire away!   HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market? If you’re wondering what a potential recession could mean for the housing market, here’s a look at what history tells us. Questions? Let’s connect. #UGottaHaveHope VOL. 5 NO. 33 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 LEISURE 20 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 16 Wolves Win Big pg 16 PLAYOFFS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 Please note that the Nov. 10 edition of The Katonah-Lewisboro Times will go to press before the Nov. 8 election results are available. Please visit tapintoKLT.net to view our full election coverage. BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER  e race for New York’s 17th Congressional District has gained national attention as polls show it’s a tossup between Democrat Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Republican Assemblyman Mike Lawler. Maloney, who is chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, currently represents the 18th district and was … rst elected in 2012. He is running in this new district after redistricting took place in New York State. Congressman Maloney was raised in New Hampshire and earned his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Virginia. Maloney served as a senior advisor in the Clinton Administration and after leaving the White House, he built a high-tech startup in New York and later worked for New York Governors Spitzer and Paterson. He and his husband, Randy Florke, have three children together and currently reside in Cold Spring. Meanwhile, Lawler represents New York’s Assembly District 97 in Rockland County. Assemblyman Lawler graduated from Suffern High School and went on to earn his degree in business administration from Manhattan College, where he graduated as the valedictorian. Lawler and his wife, Doina, live in Pearl River, and they have a baby girl. We asked the candidates a series of similar questions in separate interviews. You can Crime, infl ation and abortion at issue in Congressional race Both express support for Israel and Ukraine SEE CONGRESS PAGE 6 Assemblyman Mike Lawler Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney LOCAL REALTORS YOU CAN TRUST Ellen Schwartz and Devin McCrossan are Licensed Associate Real Estate Brokers affiliated with Compass. Kaitlyn ‘Katie’ D’Ambrosio and Catia Leon are Licensed Real Estate Salespersons. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity Laws. Lic. Assoc. Real Estate Broker M: 646.937.1897 • [email protected] 68-70 The Crossing, Chappaqua Lic. Assoc. Real Estate Broker [email protected] • M: 646.937.1897 387 Main Street, Armonk Ellen Schwartz Devin McCrossan THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 VOL. 5 NO. 34 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 7 SPORTS 20 Project Breaks Ground pg 16 PLAYGROUND Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER For more than 20 years, Coach Bill Swertfager has built John Jay High School’s wrestling program, from literally nothing to a perennial Section One contender. More signi€ cantly, he’s built a generation of young men and women who are now better adults thanks to the example he set and the life lessons he taught, scores of supporters told the Katonah-Lewisboro school board last week. Some 300 strong, a standingroom-only throng, they packed the board’s Nov. 3 meeting in the high school cafeteria to deliver full-throated support for Coach Bill. ˆ ey appealed to keep him at the wrestling program’s helm, beseeching school o‰ cials in public a week ago after a complaint made in private more than a year ago put the coach’s job in jeopardy. In the spring of 2021, an unidenti€ ed person asserts, Swertfager slapped a player on the backside in a girls juniorvarsity softball game. Neither the KLSD administration nor the school board, bound by privacy regulations, is permitted to identify the complainant. One account making the rounds among the coach’s supporters insists that neither the player nor her parents have taken issue with his actions. Instead, this version holds, one of the girl’s teammates, “uncomfortable” with seeing the touch, complained about it. Swertfager, for his part, says he has no recollection of delivering what is the sports world’s longtime, spontaneous gesture of support or congratulations. “I have no idea who the player was that I supposedly did it to, or who the teammate was who was uncomfortable with it,” he said in an interview last weekend. “I simply don’t remember the incident. I am not saying it didn’t happen; I am just saying I don’t remember it.” ˆ ough he has been an integral part of John Jay’s athletic establishment for more than two decades, Swertfager is not a full-time KLSD employee. ˆ e owner of the Cross River-based marketing € rm AIA Promotional Source, he draws only a token stipend from the school treasury. Whoever is varsity wrestling coach this winter will be paid $8,140 for the season. Still, the 63-year-old Swertfager noted in the interview, “I have dedicated my entire adult life, 40 years, to coaching boys and girls in seven sports, including softball, baseball, track and € eld, boys and girls soccer, football, basketball and, of course, wrestling. ˆ ousands of young men and women without a single blemish on my record for anything.”  ˆ e school board had been expected to appoint all coaches for winter sports at ˆ ursday’s meeting but ultimately put the matter over to the next meeting, Nov. 17, after a crescendo of voices insisted Coach Bill be retained. Swertfager had the € rst word. Addressing the school board for Coach Bill Swertfager speaking before the Board of Education on Nov. 3. PHOTO: TOM BARTLEY Outpouring of support for John Jay coach following complaint SEE COACH PAGE 28 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Sales Vice President cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Sales Vice President 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 UH, OH! THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT ‘ME’, AGAIN!  "Hope pulled out all the stops during the purchase of our home. She reached out to her contacts, connected us with her invaluable resources, negotiated on our behalf, and got us the keys to our dream house in a timely manner. She made herself available to us at all times, had our best interest at heart, and did not stop working for us - even after the closing. I can't say enough good things about Hope; without her on our team, there is no way my husband and I would have gotten our house." — CS, Purdys NY Your Local Expert. #UGottaHaveHope Another great transaction with 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. 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 The Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 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.) 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PAGE 6 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 and in the fall 2021, they installed him in the newly created, unpaid position of “wrestling coordinator.” John Jay physical education teacher Bill Carter was named head coach. Last fall, after word got out that the coach would not be retained in any capacity, more than 300 supporters showed up, on short notice, at the board’s Nov. 3 meeting to oppose his dismissal.  ey continued to turn out, in reduced but stillsubstantial numbers, for the rest of the year, until it was clear Swertfager would not be returning this season. Gallagher was among the scores of speakers who extolled the former coach and who bristles at the secrecy surrounding his ouster. “I’m a lawyer, so I understand intimately the con dentiality issues,” she said in this week’s interview. “But as a lawyer, I know there are ways to communicate things without breaching any con dential information.” It’s not yet clear whether Swertfager and Gallagher will face none, one or both of the incumbent board members when KLSD voters go to the polls May 16.  ree years ago, shortly before COVID upended people’s plans everywhere, KLSD Trustee Bill Rifkin announced he would not seek a third term. But as the dimensions of the pandemic quickly became chillingly clear, Rifkin, a doctor, decided his medical experience could be helpful in meeting the emergency. He ran and won. Asked whether he now expected to renew his retirement plans, Rifkin said, “I haven’t decided yet, but either way I do plan to inform folks soon, probably sometime in March.” Candidates have until April to  le for a board run.  Oestreicher did not respond to a request for comment. BOE FROM PAGE 1 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com 0 DOWN 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE! 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 up to 30% on your cooling and heating costs. $ 1,000 IN REBATES Heat Pump Hot Water Heater Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 UP TO Spring into Savings with BELL! EXP 4/30/23 Coupon must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 115 INSTANT REBATE Duct Cleaning $ 174 PLUS TAX Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 Preventative Maintenance Visit Starting at Only spouse and/or other adults in the house to meet new people, neighbors, and learn more about this wonderful town you just moved into! Wine, cheese, and light fare will be provided, and guests will be joined by several town o cials as well as fellow newcomers. De nitely something not to miss out on! To be held at Onatru Farmhouse at 99 Elmwood Rd. South Salem. MEN’S BASKETBALL  rough Mar. 2  is is an opportunity to have fun and gain physical  tness.  e program will focus on pick-up games, with teams formed on a weekly basis, on-site.  e pick-up games are not part of a regularly scheduled season of competition or a championship series. Instead, it is a more-or-less spontaneous game, with teams often made up on the spot. Open to adults, 18 and up. To be held in the John Jay High School gym on Mondays and  ursdays from 8:30 - 10 p.m. $10/residents, $15/non-residents, payable by cash or check. Pre-register by visiting www.lewisbororecreation.com. Practice basketball at open gym  e Lewisboro Parks & Rec Department will sponsor a limited open gym program this fall for all Lewisboro and KatonahLewisboro School District residents.  is is an opportunity for young athletes to play/practice basketball in a supervised, noninstructional, friendly and casual setting. Please note: participants will be responsible for how they decide to spend their time. FEE: $10 per session. (Supervision provided, drop o is required) Pre-registration is required! Each session limited to 16 participants. BRING: A basketball, water bottle, and sneakers. For more information, visit lewisbororecreation.com/open-gym. INDOOR PICKLEBALL  e Town of Lewisboro will be o ering our residents an indoor location at the Lewisboro Recreation Gym, 79 Bouton Road, South Salem NY.  ere are three indoor courts which will be  rst come,  rst served. Permits are required for indoor play. Photo Permits: A photo ID system has been implemented for indoor pickleball permits. Fees: Resident/School District Individuals - $125.00 Resident/School District Families - $200.00 Resident/School District Seniors (65+)- $80.00 Non-Resident Individuals - $150.00 Indoor Hours Adults: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (All Wednesday Pickleball will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m.) Family: Sundays 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Additional indoor evening hours: Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.: 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21  e Pickleball season will run until approximately March 31, weather and holiday permitting. Chronic Pain Support Group Research tells us that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, or pain that lasts most days or every day for three months or more. Of this group, 20 million experience high-impact chronic pain, or pain that interferes with basic functioning and activities of daily living. Pain is the number one reason  that Americans access the health care system, and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year  in medical treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. Support groups provide a forum for those with pain to gain support and learn about ways to manage pain and progress from patient to person.  is group takes place over Zoom every other week. For more information, please call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281 or email him at tednbloch@gmail. com. All conversations are kept strictly con dential. RideConnect Rideconnect has volunteers ready to help drive seniors to their medical appointments and assist with shopping. Services are free to seniors residing in Westchester and southern Putnam Counties. To request assistance call (914) 242-7433. Anyone wishing to volunteer for Rideconnect may do so by emailing Marietta Manoni at [email protected] CROSSING FROM PAGE 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 Take your plain vanilla ice cream to the next level using balsamic vinegar and cherries! Ingredients: • 4 cups of fresh or frozen cherries • 1 cinnamon stick • 3/4 cup of sugar • 2 tablespoons of cornstarch • 2 cups of dry red wine • 4 teaspoons of Phat Olive Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar • Vanilla or Vanilla Bean Ice cream Directions: In a large saucepan over medium heat cook cherries, cinnamon stick, sugar and corn starch - cook until sugar starts to melt - about 1 min. Add the wine and Dark Chocolate Balsamic, bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the wine & balsamic has reduced and is slightly thickened, about 4 min. Remove from the heat, remove the cinnamon stick. Scoop vanilla ice cream into bowls and top with the warm cherries, wine and chocolate balsamic sauce. phatoliveoil.com 87 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY SCAN TO VIEW MORE RECIPES Take your plain vanilla 4 cups of fresh or frozen cherries Serving all Faiths since 1858 Cremations and Burials FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Railroad station. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars. • Monuments & inscriptions available. 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director MARISA A. GIULIANO ~ Director ADNER J. MONTENEGRO-LEE ~ Director CLARK ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME Dry hydrants at key static water sources, emergency access to northbound I-684 from Route 22, and expanded incentives to recruit and retain volunteers – these are among the key recommendations of the Goldens Bridge Fire District in a letter to the consultant coordinating the new comprehensive Master Plan process for the Town of Lewisboro.   e recommendations are aimed at further enhancing and improving the ability of Goldens Bridge  re ghters to serve the emergency response needs of residents, businesses and institutions throughout the Fire District, which includes the hamlet of Goldens Bridge and swaths of North Salem and Somers.  “Dry hydrants at key static water sources on private and public property throughout the Fire District would further improve the already extensive water supply for  re suppression. We are always seeking ways to make water more readily accessible. By further reducing water delivery time to a structure  re, it improves  re ghters’ ability to save lives and minimize damage to property,” said Edward Brancati, a Fire Commissioner and Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Goldens Bridge Fire District. Static water sources, including ponds, lakes and reservoirs, are central to  re ghting operations in rural communities that don’t have pressurized water distribution systems and hydrants, according to Goldens Bridge Fire Chief Dennis Delborgo, who worked with the Board of Fire Commissioners in developing the recommendations. Water is drafted from static sources,  lling tanker engines for transport to structure  res, he explained, which is why there are typically multiple tankers, including those from mutual aid departments, staging at a static water source.  e Goldens Bridge Fire District consists of hundreds of  residential structures; a retail shopping center, auto dealership and wholesale/retail plumbing supply complexes, and a multitude of other businesses and professional o ces; a Metro North Railroad station and NYSEG substation; portions of the I-684 corridor and Muscoot Reservoir system, and institutions such as Increase Miller Elementary School and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.  e Goldens Bridge Fire Department, which is usually  rst on the scene of all 911 emergency calls in the district,  responds to structure, vehicle and brush  res; all medical emergencies; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; vehicular accidents and motor vehicle extrication; hazardous material spills; storm-related disasters, and water and ice rescue.  e GBFD responds to 250-300 calls per year.  Its  eet consists of a rescue engine, brush engine, an engine with 1,000 gallons of water, tanker engine with a 3,500-gallon capacity, utility/EMS  rst response vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, rescue boat, and others.  e recommendations for the town’s comprehensive Master Plan was in response to a series of questions from Valerie Monastra, principal planner of Nelson Pope Voorhis, the consulting  rm retained by the Town Board. In the letter, Brancati raised a need for emergency access to I-684 from Route 22 when Goldens Bridge  re ghters respond to vehicle accidents on the busy highway. While the GBFD, at present, more than adequately responds to emergencies on I-684, the Fire District, for a number of years, has proposed to local, state and federal o cials the need for a northbound emergency access point to improve and make more e ective and e cient the GBFD’s response to highway 911 calls. “An on-ramp or emergency access – not just for the Goldens Bridge Fire Department, but also for the State Police, EMS, and all emergency services agencies – would reduce response time. Every minute counts and could be the di erence between life or death for those in a motor vehicle accident or having a medical episode on the highway,” Brancati said. “ e GBFD is forced to drive south one exit in order to turn around and come back north to the accident scene. On occasion,  re ghters have jumped the barrier on foot with equipment in hand because it was faster to get to injured motorists.  at shouldn’t have to be the case when a simple solution is emergency access or a northbound on-ramp.” Brancati said the comprehensive Master Plan process also presents the opportunity to address the challenges of recruitment and retention of volunteers – an issue that all volunteer emergency services experience.  “Recruitment and retention of volunteers is an ongoing e ort.  e GBFD is a member of a recentlyestablished committee – which consists of the Town’s three  re departments (including South Salem and Vista), LVAC, and the Town supervisor – to address these issues.  is collaborative e ort has yielded some progress, but there is much to be done in this area. We believe the Master Plan process could play a role in addressing the recruitment and retention of emergency services volunteers,” said Brancati.  “Some of the things to consider – tapping into the community reach of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, expanding Town and school district tax incentives, no-cost access to Town recreational programs, and a ordable  rst responder housing.  ese could have a positive impact on recruiting and retaining volunteer emergency responders – the  rst line of defense in our greatest time of need,” added Brancati. Article provided by Goldens Bridge Fire Department. GBFD o ers Master Plan recommendations  Dry hydrants, 684 access, volunteer incentives proposed 

Opinion PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 2 TRACKS BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial O ice: 914-302-5830 [email protected] 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 Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its a iliates. 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 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC On Feb. 9, we ran side-byside opinion pieces about proposed environmental regulations. Halston Media’s regular columnist, Don Scott, expressed particular concern about the unintended consequences of central planners. Guest columnist, Anshul Gupta, made the case for allelectric vehicles, stoves and heating, and shared his concern that our world could be unrecognizable without taking immediate action to tame carbon pollution. On the same page, we asked our readers to  ll out a survey to select who they thought made a more compelling argument. Hands down, readers selected Gupta over Scott, 86.67% to 13.33%. But I was disappointed we received only 30 responses to our survey (we surveyed the communities covered by all  ve of our weekly community newspapers, with a total mailed circulation of 26,000). Anyone who has ever read my opinion pieces can guess where my sympathies lie. As someone who leans libertarian when it comes to the role of government in our lives, I rarely think regulation is the right response. But regardless of my opinion, I would feel a whole lot better about the survey if we received a couple hundred responses, even if the ratio of Scott vs. Gupta supporters remained the same. For perspective, we recently ran a survey — in just one of Halston Media’s papers, Mahopac News — asking for suggestions on renaming the school district’s mascot. We published that survey after the state Education Department issued a directive that threatened school funding due to the district’s current use of the term, “Indians.”  at survey, which ran in just one of our papers, yielded over 1,000 responses from readers. So, it’s not likely that we lost our audience overnight. It’s obvious that something else impacted the success of the two di erent surveys. Perhaps it was the topic? Maybe the environment isn’t a sexy topic, as the headline says. Or maybe it was how the two topics were presented. We published the mascot survey link and QR code on the front page of Mahopac News. In any case, we’re hoping to generate a more meaningful sample. So, stay tuned for our March 9th edition with updated results. To revisit the two columns published on Feb. 9th, visit halstonmedia.com, and press the “Newspaper archives” tab at the top of the screen on a computer (or look for the “Newspaper archives” page by pressing the three parallel lines at the top of the page on your cell phone). Survey says: environment isn’t a sexy topic Reader poll extended through Friday, March 3, due to low response Scan the QR code to take the survey. Read the columns again Visit halstonmedia.com, press the “Newspaper archives” tab, and go to the Opinion section in the Feb. 9th edition. Take the survey Visit halstonmedia.org/3YIegzp (the address is case sensitive) or scan the QR code. BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO BY KENNETH FREEMAN FOR HALSTON MEDIA Did those fun commercials on the Super Bowl get your creative juices  owing? Do you wish that your ads were so engaging that the audience couldn’t wait to see them? As a career marketer, I always put on my “management hat” and consider how e ective those fun ads really are. Do I think they’ll increase pro table sales? Some of them earn high marks, but others a failing grade because they leave me wondering what they’re selling, what’s di erent and special about them, and why I should care. Engaging your audience, like those fun Super Bowl ads do, is important, no question. But your ads need to sell too.  ey do that by communicating and reinforcing smart brand positioning. What do I mean by brand positioning? It starts with a clear understanding of your target customer. Who is your target and when do they want your brand?  e answers shouldn’t be “everybody” and “all the time.” Your target may have di erent needs and wants at di erent times.  e better you can de ne your target customer bullseye, the smarter you can be in Fun ads are... well... fun But you need to communicate your brand positioning to sell SEEFREEMAN PAGE 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 crafting the best message. Let’s say you own a restaurant. Your target might be families with kids. Or maybe working people looking for a quick lunch bite. Perhaps low price is a must. Or maybe an over-worked, stressed couple is looking for a leisurely evening beginning with cocktails. And maybe gourmet food and ambiance are key too.  Why should the particular target pick your restaurant? What do you do di erently or better than other nearby restaurants in meeting their needs? Does your menu o er a range of foods to satisfy everyone in their family? Or maybe you o er the fastest service when time is of the essence. Perhaps you o er a hearty meal at a surprisingly low price. Or maybe gourmet food and a wine and cocktail menu to match. Or an ambiance that makes any night as romantic as Valentine’s Day. How can you convey to your target that you really do provide that special di erence? How can you convince them that your menu will satisfy everyone in their family? Or that they really can get in and out quickly? What can you show that shouts value? Or that convinces them that yours is the place to go for great food and drink? Or for that special romantic evening?  is is what positioning is all about. You need to be able to answer these kinds of questions before putting your advertising pen to paper. Otherwise you risk wasting ad dollars with a diluted or disjointed message that doesn’t convince anybody.  en comes the challenge of communicating that positioning in a clear way that also engages your target. More in the weeks that follow to help you tackle that challenge.  Kenneth Freeman has his MBA from Harvard University and lead the marketing departments at major Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career, before helping his son found Halston Media. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 8 On May 17, across New York, voters will head to the polls in 686 school districts to vote on their school budgets, as well as elect school board members. Which means, about now, hundreds of people are considering whether to throw their hats in the proverbial ring and run for o ce. If they are like me 20 years ago, they have no idea what they are getting into, and that’s not all bad since many of the surprises for those elected will be pleasant. My own descent into…I mean journey began innocently enough by attending my  rst school board meeting.  e hot topic of the day was busing, not for racial balance, but rather for a sane schedule at school that wouldn’t have kids starting class at 7 a.m., lunch at 10 a.m. and home by 1:30 p.m. I was asked, along with several other dads, to attend a meeting and help pressure the school board to buy a few more buses, so kids could have a normal schedule and a more normal school life.  e district was saving money by “triple tripping,” a practice which many parents wanted to end. A friend asked me to attend because she said, “it is just moms complaining; we need dads to jump in.”  e campaign ended successfully, the buses were added, and the schools returned to a normal schedule.  en the phone rang.  e same friend who asked me to attend the meeting wanted to know if I had ever considered running for the school board – she was very persuasive.  I went from no, to let me think about it, to well since you took the time to get the signatures on the petition, how can I say no? My wife told me I was nuts and she may have had a point. I ended up running with a lovely woman similarly recruited. We put up signs, walked ball  elds shaking hands and kissing babies, and a few weeks later we defeated two long-time incumbents. Our brilliant tagline, “Time for Change” was so good that Barack Obama grabbed it a few years later and rode it to victory. I am still waiting for that royalty check for our creative work. Next to serving on your condo board, school board service is the most local form of democracy. Many feel that a deep knowledge of education and a philosophy about learning, curriculum and pedagogy is a prerequisite. Not me. School boards should draw from all in the community – the butcher, baker and the candlestick maker.  e only requirement should be an interest in making schools better for kids.  e board does a lot. It sets goals, manages policy,  hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts budgets and negotiates labor contracts. A good school board member should have good communication skills and be able to work with others. Ultimately, all the decisions are group decisions, so it helps to be collaborative as well as persuasive. As a representative of the community, a good board member is a connector and is constantly rubbing elbows with neighbors to get and give feedback by attending ball games, concerts, plays, assemblies, and anyplace else where crowds gather.  I used to say beware of single issue candidates, but I’ve changed my mind. Nearly every board member that I have talked to got interested in school board service as a result of one issue, but the good ones were able to become generalists when they began their service and not get stuck on that one issue.  ey saw the big picture.  ey came to the job with fresh eyes and looked for creative ways to challenge the “we’ve always done it that way” mentality.  I found my six years on the KatonahLewisboro board challenging and deeply rewarding. It was a privilege to serve and I would recommend service to anyone with the energy and the inclination.  My journey into school board politics DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The place where everyone is satisfied 914-277-4424 • 440 Rt 22 North Salem, NY • www.theblazerpub.com CELEBRA CELEBRA CELEBRA CELEBRATING 521 YEARS! Voted Most Popular Burger in Westchester! Michael Tom CFP® CFA® • Jeff Wund • Todd Rebori, CFA® 23 Parkway, Second Floor • Katonah, NY 10536 FOR BUSINESSES Retirement Plan Services PERSONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT Financial Planning • Investment Management Tax Planning & Preparation Stressed about taxes? We’ll help you organize, strategize, and file. www.AtwoB.com • (914) 302-3233 Point B Planning, LLC d/b/a/ AtwoB (“AtwoB”) is a registered investment adviser. 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PAGE 10 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 I was intrigued by recent news stories about Connecticut lawmakers considering the requests from constituents to pardon their relatives convicted of witchcraft in the 1600s. Apparently, genealogy bu s tracing their family trees have discovered long lost relatives who had been accused or convicted of witchcraft and are not too happy about that. Personally, if I discovered that my ninth great aunt had been tried and convicted as a witch, I might have thought, “Oh, cool!” But clearly, Connecticut residents have been appalled to learn that a distant relation had been accused of Satanic behavior. Connecticut state legislators are being asked to clear the names of the long since accused. Over a 15-year period in the mid-to-late 1600s, historical records show that nine women and two men were executed in Connecticut for witchcraft. A diary entry from Windsor, dated May 26, 1647, listed the  rst woman hanged as a witch named Alse Young. In the New England colonies, witchcraft was considered a capital o ense.  e English settlers to the area were confronted by cold winters,  oods, epidemics and crop failures.  is harsh existence gave rise to placing blame for bad luck and accusing neighbors of witchcraft. Mary Johnson, a servant in Wethers eld, Conn., had been accused of “familiarity with the Devil” by the local minister. After years of accusations and public torment, Mary was hanged after giving birth to a child out of wedlock. Salem, Mass., is famous for the Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600s. After years of requests from descendants and special interest groups, Massachusetts state legislators in 2022 formally exonerated Elizabeth Johnson Jr., who had been convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to death in 1693 during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, I received mixed messages about witches. My  rst Halloween costume was a witch out t, complete with ugly green plastic face mask, black pointy hat and a black cape. My brother was dressed as a skeleton in a black onepiece jumpsuit decorated with white skull and bones. My mother thought we looked cute. On TV, we watched the sitcom, “Bewitched,” starring Elizabeth Montgomery as the nice, blonde witch named Samantha. She could twitch her nose and cast spells on the neighbors.  is popular TV show lasted for eight seasons from 1964-1972. Once a year, I remember sitting on the rug in front of the family TV set to watch the classic 1939 movie, “ e Wizard of Oz.” I liked Glinda, the Good Witch, played by actress Billie Burke, dressed all in white. I can still hear her tremulous vibrato voice telling Dorothy to click her heels together in those ruby red slippers. But I did not like that ugly green-faced Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton, with her cackling laugh and those  ying monkeys! In seventh grade, I discovered the gothic horror TV soap opera, “Dark Shadows.” My favorite character was Angelique, played by actress Lara Parker. I thought she was very pretty. Angelique’s character was described as “a beautiful, powerful witch with a love-hate relationship with Barnabas Collins.”  is vampire-centric soap opera had a cult following and lasted from 1966-1971. Another TV series that featured a good witch was “Sabrina,  e Teenage Witch.”  is show became part of popular culture and lasted for seven seasons from 1996-2003. If you think back, lots of rock songs referred to witches, including “Season of the Witch,” by Scottish singersongwriter Donovan in 1966, “Witchy Woman” by the Eagles in 1972 and “Black Magic Woman” by Santana in 1970.  Kim Kovach has not traced back her family tree. www. kimkovachwrites.com Good witch, bad witch A rebuttal to Don Scott’s electric vehicle critique Dear Editor, In regard to “Unintended Consequences of All-Electric Mandates” by Don Scott (Feb. 9), the facts about electric vehicles (EVs) are clear.  ey are three to four times more e cient than their fossil counterparts.  us, even if they are charged with “dirty” grid electricity, it is a win for the environment and a win for the pocketbook.  e environmental gain is not only elimination of carbon dioxide, but also elimination of particulate emissions that cause health problems like emphysema, asthma and cancer. Mr. Scott claims that only 6% of power generation in New York comes from renewable sources.  e correct  gure is 30% as of 2021, according to eia.gov, (with a goal of 70% by 2030), after including clean electricity generated from hydropower. It is important to note that during the lifetime of an EV, the grid is likely to continually get cleaner, delivering additional decarbonization bene ts. “EVs just move the  ame from under the hood to the power plant” should therefore be rephrased to “EVs reduce the size of the  ame by 3x to 4x, and of the rest, 30% is clean, soon to be 70%.” Operating an EV in New York is therefore at least 78% cleaner than a fossil fuel vehicle. EV owners have been found to be more likely to charge their vehicles with clean electricity from rooftop solar, community solar or a commercial clean energy supply, which makes the EV 100% cleaner! Given the high contribution of transportation to greenhouse gases in our region, we desperately need this 78% to 100% decarbonization from as many vehicles as possible. Numerous studies have documented the lifecycle carbon reduction of EVs, taking into account manufacturing. When one estimates the cost of a fossil fuel car, one is unlikely to use a Porsche as a benchmark, so we should refrain from doing so for EVs as well.  e truth is that there are over 40 models of EVs available on the market.  e price di erential between a fossil car and an equivalent EV is rapidly diminishing. Economies of scale and technological progress are continuing to help batteries become less expensive by an astonishing 18% per year! Also, the cost of maintaining and driving an EV is far less than a fossil vehicle, so this reduces or even eliminates any di erential in the total cost of ownership.  erefore, we should all plan to transition to EVs (not hybrids, which still require fossil fuels) as soon as possible. Methane (the main ingredient of “natural gas”) is a powerful greenhouse gas. If released unburned, it will trap 80 times as much heat as the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide over the next couple of decades, which are crucial from a climate perspective. Unfortunately, the gas distribution system is rife with leaks from well heads to compressors to aging transmission and distribution pipes. Satellite tracking has shown the true extent of the massive harm from methane leaks. Induction stoves are attractive alternatives that have been embraced by cooking connoisseurs and chefs alike. In general, we should move away from all uses of natural gas as soon as possible, irrespective of government mandates. Humanity successfully moved away from leaded gasoline, asbestos and freon once their harms were understood. Now that our future critically depends on moving away from fossil fuels post haste, we need to lean into this transformation with a sense of urgency. Our “Central Planners” feel this sense of urgency and do not deserve the derision meted out in Mr. Scott’s article. We need to be educated on the issues and challenge ourselves to be part of the climate solution while recognizing that the energy transformation glass is economically and technologically well over half full at this point in time. -Chandu Visweswariah Vice President, CURE100 CURE100 is a not-for-pro t consortium of communities that seeks to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2040, or 5% reduction per year, through a combination of advocacy, education and campaigns at the local and global levels. LETTERS KIM KOVACH READING, WRITING & CHOCOLATE WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? 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PAGE 12 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES 2 TRACKS Across Our C SINGALONG WITH LAUREL  e popular “Singalong with Laurel” program returns to the Library on Monday, Feb. 27 at 4:30 p.m. High school student Laurel Aronian plays guitar and sings an array of seasonal songs for children – while the children accompany her on small instruments. Space is limited and registration is required. Please register via the Library website at  https://lewisborolibrary.org. REGISTER FOR GIRLS WHO CODE “Girls Who Code” is a non-pro t organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology.  e Club is a FREE after-school computer science program for students in grades three through six.  e Club meets monthly at the Library, facilitated by Children’s Librarian, Marie Nania.  e next meeting will be on Monday, March 6 at 4 p.m. Please register via the Library website. REMINDER: LEWISBORO HISTORY ON STAGE AT THE LIBRARY On Sunday, Feb.  26 at 2 p.m., history comes alive with a staged reading “In  eir Own Words: Lewisboro Voices from the Past.” Come “meet” residents of Lewisboro past, through readings taken from their letters, diaries, sermons and poems.  ese staged readings will be performed by residents of Lewisboro present-day, aided by Town Historian Maureen Koehl. A big thank you to guest readers: Brenda Bobletz, Caty Koehl, Priscilla Luckow, Peter Parsons, John Rubino, David Sanders, Anne Testa and Jill Wishner. Space is limited, please register via the Library website. On Sunday, March 26, the Katonah Poetry Series is honored to present awardwinning poet Franny Choi for an in-person reading and book signing. Franny Choi’s most recent book of poetry is “ e World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes on” (Ecco Books, 2022).  Other books include “Soft Science” (Alice James Books, 2019) “Floating, Brilliant, Gone” (Write Bloody Publishing, 2014),  and a chapbook, “Death by Sex Machine” (Sibling Rivalry Press, 2017).  Choi’s poems have appeared in the New York Times, the Nation, the Atlantic, Paris Review, and elsewhere. Her work has also been featured in  Ms. Magazine,  NPR’s  All  ings Considered,  PBS NewsHour’s  Brief But Spectacular  series, the Angry Asian Man blog, and  e Abolitionist, a newspaper that distributes to over 7,000 incarcerated readers.  Choi founded Brew & Forge, a project to build connections between writers and movement workers and in 2022, Choi joined the Bennington faculty in Fall 2022. Choi was a 2019 Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellow and has received awards from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and a Holmes National Poetry Prize from Princeton University’s Lewis Center, and the Science Fiction Poetry Association’s Elgin Award. Soft Science,  a  Rumpus  and  Paris Review  sta pick, received attention from National Public Radio, the  New York Times,  and  Lit Hub,  which called it “profoundly intelligent work which makes you feel.”  e speculative  ction magazine  Strange Horizons  said it “o ers  reworks enough for everyone, whether you’re excited about the queerness of cyborgs, the nature of consciousness, or the porous boundaries of contemporary lyric poetry.” Soft Science was a  - nalist for a Lambda Literary Award, a Massachusetts Book Award, the Publishing Triangle’s Audre Lorde Award for Lesbian Poetry, and a Believer Book Award.  e reading will be presented in-person on Sunday, March 26th, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Admission is $15 and will be collected at the door. For further information and to read our exclusive KPS poet interviews, conducted by poet Ann van Buren, visit katonahpoetry. com.  e Katonah Poetry Series has been showcasing the world’s best poets for more than 50 years.  e series continues on May 7th with a reading by Matthew Olzmann. Franny Choi to read for Katonah Poetry Series  PHOTO COURTESY OF JASMINE DURHAL Franny Choi  e Chammerce shopp playerence head local pick u Com bingo receip the wait t a win  e $250 $100 winne one patin and will s card Wha to lea Ga of the D’E Store  e H & Ne hotel Kisco Maki Rules L News from the Freelance Writer, Editor, and Content Producer Bill Bongiorno | (914) 533-7065 | [email protected] For All Your Writing Needs 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 One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m nev Life Alert® is alway here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home sends help fast, 24/7. with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE b 1-800-40 Saving a Life EV

– THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 PAGE 13 Community e Mount Kisco mber of Come invites all pers and bingo rs (no experinecessary) to to one of 28 merchants and up a bingo card. plete a good o, submit your pts via email to Chamber, and to see if you are nner! ere will be one prize and three prizes.  e ers will choose of the particig merchants the Chamber supply the gift to that shop. at a fun reason ave the couch! ame play has already begun, and will end on March 19. Stop by any e following merchants to get your play on! Errico Jewelry, Porch, NY Dolls, Reining Cats & Dogs, Your CBD e, Club Pilates, Limited/Unlimited Jewelers, Jolie Jordan, Sai Liam, Hamlet, Athleta, Pure Barre, Code Ninjas, All Together Now, Pins eedles, Ben & Jerry’s, Leonard Park Wines & Spirits, Saw Mill Club, MTK, Northern Westchester Auto Body, Massage Envy, Mount o Chevrolet, Forged Iron, Indulgence Beauty Bar, Minuteman Press, ing Faces Parties, Kiscoclean, and Plants &  ings. s and game cards can all be found at www.mtkiscochamber.com ove and Luck Bingo comes to Mount Kisco  e Harvey School’s robotics program continues to shine as one of its teams has captured another major tournament championship and garnered the event’s top prize. In one of the largest and most competitive Southern New York robotics competition this season held Jan. 28 at Kennedy High School in Belmore, New York on Long Island, the RoboCavs of Harvey saw their 6277B team of junior Blake Friedman and sophomore Ben Zilberstein come out on top among the 42 participating high school teams from downstate New York.  e Harvey pair also received the tournament’s highest prize, the Excellence Award given to the team deemed to be the best overall in the combined categories of design, the engineering interview, skills, and performance. After  nishing  rst in quali-  cations, Friedman and Zilberstein partnered with a team from Mount Academy, and easily made it through the quarter - nals and semi nals. In the  nals, they faced o against two very strong teams from the Hewitt School in New York City, a perennial powerhouse in middle and high school robotics. In a hard-fought match, the RoboCavs and Mount Academy Eagles prevailed, earning Friedman and Zilberstein their  rst tournament championship trophy of the season.  ey previously had been  nalists or semi nalists in their past  ve events.  “Ben and Blake have been in three  nals matches this season, and it was amazing to see them  nally get their big win,” said Harvey robotics director and coach Chris Kelly. “I am always proud of our team’s accomplishments, and the B-team’s success in Bellmore was well deserved,” he added. Harvey’s RoboCavs had two other teams participate in the event, including team 6277C with sophomore Logan Alexander of Goldens Bridge, who, along with his teammates junior Katie McCulloch and sophomore Meaghan Sullivan,  nished second overall in the skills event and made it to the semi nals before being eliminated. Competing in only their second event of the season was a third Harvey team, 6277D, with seniors Eli Birch of Yorktown Heights and Alex Rynott of Mount Kisco, and junior Julian Marin. Harvey’s other coach, technology director John Wahlers, praised all three RoboCavs teams. “Hard work is its own reward and all three teams have put in a lot of hours in the robotics lab to prepare for these events,” said coach Wahlers. “All three teams represented Harvey with class and great sportsmanship,” he said. Harvey’s robotics program, which began in 2014, has earned a number of major awards and won several regional, state, and national championships. Article provided by  e Harvey School. Harvey team wins robotics championship The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. 140 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 www.arrowaytractor.com 914-232-3515 5-20% OFF IN-STOCK INVENTORY! e ver ys brochure call: 04-9776 VERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging.

PAGE 14 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 I am at the stage of my life where my Social Security checks are an indispensable and vital part of my monthly income. So, it’s not surprising that recent challenges to Social Security’s continued existence caught my attention. To assess the situation, I turned to an old friend, who happens to be the leading expert on all things related to Social Security, William Arnone. Can you tell our readers what your expertise is with regards to the Social Security program? Arnone: As a founding board member of the National Academy of Social Insurance in 1986, I have devoted my career to researching and promoting public understanding of Social Security and other social insurance programs, like Medicare and unemployment insurance. I have written extensively on Social Security over the years and have conducted presentations on its importance at conferences and other events nationwide. What was the philosophical basis of the program when it was  rst established by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Arnone:  e philosophy underlying its establishment by FDR in 1935 was the urgent need to protect older Americans from the risks of poverty.  e Great Depression dramatically highlighted the need for such a program, as millions of older people lost their life savings and were plunged into destitution. Few had other sources of retirement income, such as pensions.  e U.S. Social Security program was based on Germany’s social insurance approach. Its essential characteristic was that bene ts would be earned based on compulsory employee and employer contributions while individuals were working. Eligibility for bene ts was based on earnings from work, and not subject to means tests.  is di erentiates social insurance from social assistance. Revenues come from dedicated payments (called Federal Insurance Contributions Act - or FICA, often referred to as “payroll taxes”) withheld from employee wages and matched by employers. Has the program been successful? Arnone: Yes. For the past nearly 90 years, Social Security has been the most cost-e ective and popular government program in the nation’s history. It has dramatically reduced poverty among the elderly and has provided a solid foundation on which people build retirement security through other sources of income, such as their own savings. It has also been expanded to provide critical protection for spouses, survivors, dependents and people with disabilities. While its focus has been on providing a measure of economic security to older people, over three million children also receive bene ts today. It has proven to be a “family protection” program for people of all ages.  is is not to say that the program does not need to be enhanced, especially for subgroups of our population who are still facing high levels of economic insecurity. A recent report of the National Academy of Social Insurance, “Economic Security for the 21st Century,” includes a portfolio of Social Security policy options to meet the needs of those who are falling through the cracks. See https://www.nasi.org/research/ economic-security/the-four-pillarsof-economic-security/ Recently Florida Sen. Rick Scott released a proposal to “sunset” all federal programs every  ve years. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin went even further, suggesting that federal programs should all be deemed “discretionary” and debated and voted on every year. Please clarify for us – if their recommendations are implemented, how would it a ect programs like Social Security and Medicare? Arnone: Social Security and Medicare are often referred to as “entitlements.”  is is a technical federal budgetary term, which means that, unlike “discretionary” programs, their funding is based on appropriations that are not subject to annual Congressional action. As “earned rights,” they are protected by law and may not be reduced, unless Congress passes legislation to speci cally make changes in bene ts and their  nancing. Both programs also have trust funds that contain reserves to help  nance bene ts. Subjecting Social Security and Medicare to annual reconsideration or “sunset” would lump them with all other federally funded programs and subject them to the uncertainties of the annual Congressional appropriations process. It would also pit them against other programs that also provide needed bene ts to millions of Americans, like Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka “food stamps”). What do you say to critics like Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who say these “entitlement programs” are socialism and should eventually be scrapped? Arnone: From the inception of Social Security, ideological opponents have attacked it as “socialism.” Similarly, when Medicare was launched in 1965, opponents called it “socialized medicine.” To the contrary, social insurance is an alternative to a socialist approach to economic security, which would involve government ownership of the means of production. Social insurance complements free markets by  lling gaps for which private businesses are either unable or unwilling to provide solutions. As our baby boomer generation ages, there are legitimate concerns about the  nancial viability of Social Security. What can be done to keep the program solvent? Arnone:  e aging of the U.S. population, and that of most  Is Social Security in trouble? 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 15 MARTORANO FROM PAGE 14 Dear Dr. Linda: I read your column every week, but as an intermediate teacher, I especially love the quizzes and often share them with my students because they’re fun. In honor of this past Presidents Day, will you give us another chance to test what we know about the presidents? Thanks, 5th Grade Teacher Dear 5th Grade Teacher, I love the quizzes, too, no matter what the subjects, because no matter what age, we’re engaged when we play and we learn because of it. That’s why you’ve probably noticed that I talk a lot about using games of all kinds to teach and learn facts – whether those facts are the sounds that letters make or interesting facts about U.S. history or science. Learning any new subject or building on past learning is much easier when we know and understand the terms, words and facts about a subject. They’re the foundation to expanded understanding and higher order thinking, so why not make it fun! Adults, practice up and be sure to let your students and children test you on the questions too! MATCH THE PRESIDENT TO THE FACT Match the names of the president(s) to interesting facts about each one. 1. Which president established a federal budget? 2. Who signed the Emancipation Proclamation? 3. Which president was the youngest ever when he was elected? 4. Who was the only unmarried president? 5. Who was the only president with a Ph.D.? 6. Which president commanded the Allies during World War II? 7. Which two presidents’ fathers were also president? 8. Who was president during The Great Depression and World War II? 9. Which president was the first to be born in the United States? 10. Which of our first five presidents did not own slaves? 11. Which president was arrested for driving his horse and carriage too fast? 12. Which president was the first to ride in an automobile while in office? Have fun! -Dr. Linda Answers: 1. Warren Harding 2. Abraham Lincoln 3. John F. Kennedy (Theodore Roosevelt was younger than Kennedy when he became president after William McKinley’s death, but he was not elected president until 1904.) 4. James Buchanan 5. Woodrow Wilson 6. Dwight Eisenhower 7. John Quincy Adams and George W. Bush 8. Franklin Roosevelt 9. Martin van Buren 10. John Adams 11. Ulysses Grant 12. William McKinley. Learn more at stronglearning.com. Take a fun quiz about U.S. presidents other countries, does provide significant funding challenges to programs like Social Security. Much of this is due to the shrinking ratio of workers to beneficiaries. Currently, funding for Social Security is adequate to pay for all legislated benefits until 2035. If Congress does not act before then, Social Security benefits for all would need to be reduced by about 20 percent. The longer we wait to develop a long-term bipartisan solution, the more difficult it will be. The key to a politically viable solution will be a combination of additional revenues (e.g., increasing the amount of wages subject to FICA, which is now capped at $160,200) and benefit adjustments (e.g., changes in the benefit formula and the full retirement age). You worked during your college years in the New York Senate office of Robert F. Kennedy. If he were alive today, how do you think he would view the present situation? Arnone: No one who knew Robert F. Kennedy is able to project how he might view today’s issues. Although I always ask myself this question as part of my role and responsibilities as the nonpartisan Academy’s chief executive, I remain inspired and driven by his compassion for those who are suffering the most. Programs like Social Security are vital lifelines to millions and reduce economic insecurity and anxiety. When I worked for him in 1967-68, his positions on Social Security were quite progressive, as he called for significant increases in benefits. Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with our readers? Arnone: Every generation is called upon to reaffirm its political support for programs like Social Security. We boomers, who did not trust anyone or anything over age 30, came to trust this vital program. My biggest concern today is how many millennials and Generation Z express skepticism that Social Security will “be there for me.” My response is that, unless they show their strong support for it, then the program faces the risk of its substantial reduction by those who have always opposed it on ideological grounds. Thank you so much for your time! Arnone: You’re very welcome. Please invite your readers to visit the Academy’s website at www. nasi.org and sign up to receive information about our activities. DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. 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Sports PAGE 16 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER After toughing out a 63-51 win in the play-in game at Pelham on  ursday, Feb. 16, John Jay was expected to have a harder time against third-seeded Panas on Saturday (Feb. 18).  But the Wolves seemed to have missed the memo, and the Panthers were the ones who were served notice. John Jay led 18-14 at the half, and after brie y trailing by a score of 25-24, the Wolves sailed home with a 43-36 victory.  Unafraid, John Jay took an 11-8  rst-quarter lead on Craig Galea’s corner three, and the Wolves quickly proved the lead was no anomaly. Ben Gold’s penetration freed Galea for a layup, and Will Sanz would have none of that on the other end.  Alex Tavarez got in down low, and Sanz swatted the ball away like he really meant it. So Liam Lynch rewarded him back on o ense.  e guard drove baseline, and the defense converging, Sanz turned the nifty pass into two o the glass.   One good turn, Sanz returned the favor.  is time the center drew the defense o the dribble, and Lynch perfectly hit the square to increase the lead to 18-10. Panas would still have a say, though. Tavarez got to the line for two, Tyler Greene manhandled a put back to close the second, and Tavarez opened the third with a steal and fast break layup. A twopoint game, Sanz quieted the outburst with a corner three. Even so, Panas was not that impressed, as Cayden Turner and Tavarez thumbed their noses. Turner hit a three, and Tavarez followed Dillon Chenard’s miss to tie the score at 21. Panas didn’t miss a beat either after Sanz drained a three. Tavarez drove to make it a one-point game, and Jerry Smallwood’s tip-in gave the home team a 25- 24 lead. Less than three minutes left in the third, the Panas momentum didn’t last, and it was Galea who put on the breaks. He blocked Greene on the baseline and hit a three to give John Jay a 29-25 lead. Still, Galea knows the onetwo punch of this team gets thrown by Sanz and Lynch. But the duo  cannot do it on their own, and three, four and  ve provided the tale of tape, according to the John Jay big. “Sometimes other people have to step up, and I think I did that today - our whole team did,” Galea asserted. Nonetheless, crunch time did pack a wallop, and on rewind, Lynch and Sanz did the honors. As earlier, Lynch penetrated for a Sanz layup, and then Sanz drove to put Lynch at the rack. A 33-25 game with 3:25 remaining, Tavarez gave Panas hope. He drove for two, but after Sanz ripped down Smallwood’s miss, one of those other players made his mark. Peter Giner pulled up for a jumper, and despite the shot not coming from a top scorer, it was no surprise to Sayre either. “We always say, good shots go in,” the coach assured. Now leading by eight, Tavarez gave one last gasp. He got two from the line, but Sanz and Lynch were up to the task. Lynch beat the press, got the ball ahead to his running mate, and Sanz made an acrobatic layup to seal the victory. But the coach reserved highest praise for the Wolf who didn’t even make it onto the scoresheet. “Ben Gold may have been MVP. He held Alex Tavarez (26 ppg this season) to 12 points - eight of which came at end of fourth  quarter when the game was essentially decided.” Of course, Sayre was not leaving anyone out of this victory and spread the wealth across the roster.  “I’m incredibly proud,” he concluded. “ e boys were focused and locked in.” Upset at Panas! Gold’s defense leads the way PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI The No. 15 Wolves were ecstatic after knocking off No. 3 Walter Panas in the fi rst round of the Class A playoffs. Craig Galea and the rest of the Wolves’ roster stepped up big-time to get the win. BOYS BASKETBALL ‘I’m incredibly proud. The boys were focused and locked in.’ Tyler Sayre John Jay Basketball Head Coach Ben Gold (Left) and Peter Giner were all smiles in the biggest game of their season. Ben Gold put the clamps on to hold Panas star Alex Tavarez to just 12 points.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 17 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER  e last time Lakeland and John Jay met, the Wolves had a late lead they could not hold. Nonetheless, the girls came out like things would be settled long before the end. But despite a 22-7  rst-quarter lead, Coach Matt Gallagher was not a orded that luxury. And after enduring the hard-fought a air, he could only comment how his heart was doing. “Not good, not good,” he exhaled. But the Feb. 17 stress test did not mean the season  atlined.  e game standing at 45-43 with three minutes to play, seventh-seeded John Jay scored nine of the next ten and pulled out a 54-44  rst-round victory.  e game began innocently enough. John Jay got the  rst points in the paint, and Ava Lugo answered back when her teammate showed her the back door. Unfazed, the Wolves went to work. Miranda Martin spied Kelley underneath for two, but there was nothing covert about Mia Puccio’s part in the early onslaught. O Martin’s miss, the guard muscled the o ensive rebound and dished back to Martin for an easy layup. Up 6-2, Puccio relinquished momentarily to Shannon Nolan and Annabel Brennan. Nolan hit Brennan on the cut for two, and left to her own devices, Nolan dropped a three for a 11-4 lead. Lakeland calling for time, there was no grounding Puccio. She followed Martin’s miss for a turnaround jumper in the paint, and after another battle down low, the guard let Martin make good on the kick out above the arc. A 16-4 lead, Martin was in awe of her teammate. “I’m the tallest kid on the team, and she out rebounds me,” said the center, and the game-high 10 rebounds made the point.  e quarter closed on a steal by Nolan, which led to Brennan’s fast-break layup.  However, an omen emerged in Nicole Ljuljic. She hit the game-winning shot in overtime before, and with the shot clock winding down, the guard heaved a three. Landing at the buzzer, the Hornets inched back to 18-7. Still, John Jay continued to throttle. Brennan drove hard through tra c, and then Sela Halaifonua downshifted on a put back to give Jay 22-7 lead. Even so, Puccio had gone to the bench with three fouls, and there was nothing supernatural in  guring out the impact. Amanda Finnlo followed with a three and Giana Hahn posted up for two more.  e shots not falling for John Jay now, Ljuljic  lled the void. She hit a three, and her halfcourt steal led to foul shots that cut the lead to 24-21. More Jay misses from the  eld and foul line, the easy win went out the window when Lakeland’s front line closed the half. Lugo converted two free throws on her roll to the hoop, and Hahn’s put back made it a 25-25 game. So looking in disarray, Gallagher set the adjustment to calm at halftime.   “We were a little frantic,” he said. “Quick shots are not us, so we settled in.” Not immediately e ective, Nolan’s opening pass was picked o at the outset, and Lugo broke for the basket. But Kelley raced back, knocked the ball away and the failed opportunity proved to be the last time Lakeland would have to take the lead. Plus, Puccio was back on the  oor. She played give-and-go with Nolan for two, put Brennan on the foul line after securing a defensive rebound and executed yet another perfect inbound with Brennan for a 30-25 lead. 5:25 left in the third, another Hahn put back kept things contained.  at is until Puccio sent the omen in the other direction. Trapped in the corner with the shot clock running down, Puccio found Kelley and the forward proceeded against her better judgement. “I was not planning on shooting, but obviously I had to,” she said. “It went in, and that’s all that matters.” At the buzzer, John Jay led 33- 27, and the lead grew to eight o the boards again. Only this time, Brennan fought for the rock. She went hard to the  oor, and that left Martin to do her part in the other corner for three of her 13. “Sometimes we need a shot to get us going, and if I’m open, everyone is rooting for me,” said Martin. “So if it was not for them, I probably would not be taking those shots.” Still no quit in Lakeland, Lugo’s steal looked like another basket. But Kelley again got back and cleanly blocked the Hornet with a minute to go in the third. Unable to take advantage on the scoreboard, John Jay could not breathe easy when Ljuljic closed the quarter with a pair of foul shots. But Brennan seemed to give the Wolves a signi cant upper hand to start the fourth.  e senior drew a charge on Ljuljic and hit three of her teamhigh 14 points on the other end. Down 40-31, Ljuljic didn’t take kindly, and went into gear. She responded with a drive for two, a jumper to get within three, and after getting to the rim, Hahn had the put back for a 45- 43 de cit.  ree minutes to go, John Jay was now ready to sink their teeth in, and no surprise, Puccio did the gnashing. Passing the ball o to Nolan, Puccio didn’t hesitate and neither  did Nolan.  e ball came in over the top, and Puccio scored the bucket and ensuing free-throw.  A  ve-point lead with 2:47 left, both teams mis red until Lakeland was forced to foul with 1:06 remaining. Puccio made one, and the senior had no problem letting Brennan get the defensive rebound that sealed the victory. A lot of clutch play all around, the victory was not as important to Gallagher as the team that brought it. “ e composure and leadership we have on this team - all ten of my seniors. I am so grateful.” John Jay holds o Lakeland Advance to second round Annabel Brennan had a team-high 14 points in the Wolves’ win over Lakeland. PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Ava Kelley Mia Puccio (Right) Shannon Nolan (middle) GIRLS BASKETBALL CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION March 23, 2023 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm WALDEN GYM, 200 BOCES DRIVE, YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 REGIONAL UNION INFORMATION EVENT CARPENTRY HVAC ARCHITECTURE ELECTRICITY PLUMBING URBAN FORESTRY WELDING MASONRY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [email protected] JOIN US AND MEET LOCAL UNIONS AND EMPLOYER PARTNERS REGISTER HERE! Learn About Career Opportunities with Union Apprenticeships

PAGE 18 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 The regular season finale for the Harvey girls varsity basketball team, a 66-38 victory over Forman on Saturday, Feb. 18,  was one for the record books.  With the win, the Cavs made school history, collecting their 20th victory to become the first varsity team in Harvey’s basketball program to reach that  lofty plateau. They surpassed the boys’ 19 wins in the 1994-95 campaign that produced Harvey’s first and only New England Prep School Athletic Council championship. Saturday’s win wrapped up the regular season as the girls’ team, now 20-2 overall, is the top seed in this week’s HVAL playoffs. With their 13-1 record against league opponents, the girls earned a first-round bye and will wait till Thursday (2/23) to host their semifinal matchup. Harvey and Watkinson finished with identical 13-1 records in the HVAL, with each team losing once to the other. The tiebreaker to determine the No. 1 seed went  to the Cavs whose combined point total in the two games the teams played against each was larger than that of the Rams. Harvey’s matchup against Forman was decided early as the Cavaliers jumped out to a 19-2 lead after the first quarter. The Cavs hit their shots while the Lions from Litchfield missed on the few they could get past Harvey’s relentless defense. Forman found some life in the second quarter, but Harvey kept pace, despite falling victim to several turnovers. Harvey outscored Forman by just 12- 11, but the Cavs maintained a comfortable halftime lead of 31-13. With most of their starters back in for the start of the second half, the Cavs began the third quarter with a 9-0 run, thanks to the hot hand of junior McKensi Forde who led the barrage. She would go on to score 18 for the game. By the end of the third quarter, Harvey had a 24-point lead of 49-25. Harvey remained in control throughout the fourth quarter even though Forman found a little more consistency on offense. For the visiting Lions, it was far too little and much too late as Harvey won by 28. Senior captain Kira Ortega led Harvey in scoring with 20 points. Ninth grader Amani Carty added 14, her careerhigh in a varsity game. Harvey coach Victoria Shopovick enjoyed being a part of the historical game. “The girls played amazing. I could not be prouder of the way they played.”  After the game, Harvey Director of Athletics Ray Lacen waved the team over to line up at center court, saluting the squad that had just made school history. The team threw their arms up in celebration and embraced the cheers the home fans sent their way. Meanwhile, the boys varsity basketball team, by virtue of its 9-1 record in the HVAL, is the top seed. The boys wrapped up their regular season Friday, Feb. 17, with a 58-53 victory against Rye Country Day School. Sophomore Jonah Kass was the offensive star, collecting a team-high 30 points. The boys will also host a semifinal game Thursday. Article Provided by The Harvey School Girls make Harvey Hoops history Girls, boys HVAL top seeds PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARVEY SCHOOL The GVB girls pose after their 20th win, an all-time school record. The girls celebrating after the buzzer. HARVEY BASKETBALL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 LEISURE 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. Sea grape 5. European public health group (abbr.) 9. A way to delight 11. Appetizers 13. Ancient heralds’ wands 15. Make a booking 16. ‘__ death do us part 17. Pearl Jam frontman 19. Spider genus 21. Fill with high spirits 22. A major division of geological time 23. Catch 25. An independent ruler or chieftain 26. Electronic music style (abbr.) 27. Influential Spanish cubist painter 29. Illegally persuades 31. A way to derive 33. British School 34. Appear alongside 36. Surely (archaic) 38. Harsh cry of a crow 39. A day in the middle 41. Kansas hoops coach Bill 43. The longest division of geological time 44. The first sign of the zodiac 46. Appetizer 48. Link together in a chain 52. A bacterium 53. In a way, forces apart 54. Cheese dish 56. Combines 57. In an inferior way 58. Colors clothes 59. Dried-up CLUES DOWN 1. Gastropods 2. Confusing 3. Romanian monetary unit 4. The rate at which something proceeds 5. A prosperous state of well-being 6. Asked for forgiveness 7. Makes less soft 8. Part of speech 9. Outside 10. Advice or counsel 11. Badness 12. Protein-rich liquids 14. Not moving 15. Call it a career 18. Poetry term 20. Not wide 24. Pastries 26. Turns away 28. Satisfies 30. Gift adornments 32. San Diego ballplayers 34. Manufacturing plant 35. Check or guide 37. Dogs do it 38. Chilled 40. Scorch 42. Unproductive of success 43. Electronic countercountermeasures 45. Attack with a knife 47. Feel bad for 49. Enclosure 50. Assert 51. Geological times 55. Midway between east and southeast February may be known as the shortest month of the year, but it also can be among the coldest. When cooking during this time of year, whether it’s a family meal or a romantic dinner for two, foods that take the cold weather into consideration are the best bets. Cottage pie is a meal traditionally served in areas of Great Britain and Ireland.  e name is sometimes used interchangeably with shepherd’s pie, but that’s a mistake. While shepherd’s pie uses lamb in the recipe, cottage pie contains beef. Cottage pie features a layer of meat and vegetables topped with potatoes. Some people opt for a mashed potato topping, others arrange thin slices of potatoes to look like “shingles” on the cottage.  is recipe for “Cottage Pies” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done” (Time Home Entertainment) from the editors of Real Simple prepares the pies into individual servings.  ey can be prepared up to two days in advance and then baked straight from the refrigerator as needed. This hearty meal chases away the chill Cottage Pies Serves 4 1-1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces Kosher salt and black pepper 1/2 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1-1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots Heat oven to 425 F. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and add 2 teaspoons salt. Reduce heat and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and mash to the desired consistency. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the peas and carrots. Transfer the beef mixture to 4 individual baking dishes and top with the mashed potatoes. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Our feet are the ground foundation of our bodies. We use our feet from the moment we are in the upright position: when we start walking as infants, run as toddlers, active as athletes in sport, and walk and run for fitness and health as we age. We rely on our feet, yet when it comes to self-care, our feet often get the least attention until we experience foot pain, injury, or dysfunction. UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX STRUCTURE OF OUR FEET AND OUR WALKING ACTION Our feet are of the most complex parts of our body. Each foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons. In addition, a foot has about 7,000 nerve endings which connect it to our brain to stabilize, balance and assist in our body proprioception (to know where our bodies are in space). A normal walking or gait pattern consists of two phases: the stance phase (close contact chain) and the swing phase (open chain). • The stance phase starts with the heel strike, full weight bearing on the midfoot and the push off through the front foot and occupies 60% of the gait cycle. • The swing phase is the push off, foot clearance in the air and swing through before heel-strike for a continuous alternating close contact and open-chain gait cycle. PRESSURE ON OUR FEET BIOMECHANICS As the rest of our bodies change when we age, so do our feet. Several factors affect our feet biomechanics (how the foot moves), such as weight gain, overuse as an athlete, wearing wrong footwear, being less active and getting weaker, any injury that causes a limp when we walk (antalgic gait). Changes in our feet biomechanics put extra stress on our ankle and foot ligaments, muscles, and joints. These result in pain and limitations in normal movement and compromise our balance. MOBILITY CHALLENGES DUE TO FEET PROBLEMS Our feet can be divided in three sections, each part with their own actions and problems: • The heel or hind foot • The midfoot or foot arch • The forefoot For a normal gait, the heel must contact the ground first. The heel attaches the lower leg calf muscle to the ankle and foot. Common problems causing pain to the 1. Heel: • Achilles Tendinitis - overuse of the calf muscle that connects to the heel causing an inflammation of the tendon • Heel spurs - bony outgrowth that causes severe pain with weightbearing and can lead to plantar fasciitis • Ankle fractures – sports related or from a fall • Arthritis – common disease that cause swelling, stiffness, and pain 2. Foot arch: • Plantar fasciitis – tightened and inflamed foot arch muscles from the heel into the arch of the foot • Stress fractures – tiny breaks in the small bones in the midfoot from repetitive movements • Flat feet (pronated feet) – fallen foot arches affecting wrong alignment of feet 3. Forefoot: • Metatarsalgia – inflammation and pain in the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the ball of the foot • Bunion – bony outgrowth at the base of the big toe causing the big toe to move towards the second toe, can result in hammer toes (second toe, third toe crawling over each other) • Neuroma – benign growth and thickening pressing on a nerve PREVENTING AND TREATING FOOT PAIN AND PROBLEMS Our feet work as an extension of our bodies, especially from the hips and legs. When foot problems arise, the whole leg should be addressed to get the foot in a balanced, supportive position again. As a start, ensure you wear proper footwear and do basic exercises to improve the strength of your feet and leg muscles, attain more flexibility and get up to move with good balance and proprioception. Toe/feet/leg exercises: Repeat both feet about one minute each. • Scrunch up a towel with your toes. Swoop the towel to the inside and to the outside, keeping your heel on the ground working the forefoot • Pick up scrunched-up pieces of paper with your toes. Turn your leg to your opposite knee and put the paper in your opposite hand. -Start sitting on a chair and progress to standing and balance on one leg • Trace the alphabet with your foot, making large letters. As you improve, add the whole leg for strengthening and balance, standing only on one leg tracing the alphabet from the hip to the knee to the ankle • Seated - progress to standing. Raise up on your toes then back on your heels. Rock back-and-forth and when you are standing. Squeeze your butt and thigh muscles to add strengthening. • Roll a tennis/golf ball under your foot, apply gentle pressure through the whole surface of your foot A gait dysfunction can change your normal gait pattern and affect your safety and daily activities. It requires more energy and causes stress on other body parts and needs more specialized attention. Please contact your health care provider of physical therapist for more detailed gait analysis, specialized treatment, and individualized exercises. LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER ADVERTORIAL Foot maintenance: We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing [email protected] or visiting www. lizelubbept.com. HEALTHY FEET PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR OUR MOBILITY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 21 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 When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500  e law  rm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, with o ces in Somers and White Plains, is pleased to announce the launch of their 2023 Lunch & Learn Series. Held at noon on the last Wednesday of each month, the free educational programs will shed light on important elder law and estate planning topics. “Many clients come to us when they (or their loved ones) are on the verge of losing everything, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets,” said Anthony J. Enea, the  rm’s managing member. “Educating seniors and their families on the need for advanced planning is extremely important to all the attorneys at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano – and it’s never too early to start.  ere are several planning options available for adults of all ages, yet many remain in the dark.”  e 90-minute programs, which include a light lunch and refreshments, will take place at the  rm’s White Plains location and are open to the public at no cost – though space is limited.  ose interested in attending are encouraged to register early by calling 914-948-1500 to reserve their spot. MARCH 29 – AVOIDING THE NEW YORK ‘ESTATE TAX CLIFF’ Take an in-depth look at how to avoid the tax implications of New York’s “estate tax cli .” Learn e ective planning techniques, from the role of completed gift trusts to disclaimer and “Santa Clause” provisions. Presented by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. and Michael P. Enea, Esq. APRIL 26 – AGING IN PLACE: A GUIDE TO GROWING OLDER AT HOME Nearly 90 percent of seniors wish to stay in their own home as they age (source: AARP). Learn how to prepare a home to safely age in place through senior-proo ng, necessary legal documents, strategies for bill paying and  nancial management, as well as an overview of the Medicaid home care program. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. & Samantha Lyons, Esq. MAY 31 – ESTATE PLANNING AND YOUR RESIDENCE What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust? Learn the ins and outs of Medicaid planning as well as options for home buying and selling within the trust. Presented by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. JUNE 28 – PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES FROM FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE AND SENIOR SCAMS Often referred to as “the crime of the 21st century,” learn key signs of  nancial and personal elder abuse, typical scams that are targeted toward the senior population as well as the important estate planning documents to help protect against  nancial abuse as one ages. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. SEPTEMBER 27 – LLCS: THE PROS, CONS AND ESTATE PLANNING For some, an LLC can be a useful tool to pass assets down to loved ones while avoiding or minimizing estate taxes. Discover if an LLC may be right for your estate planning needs as well as how they are used to reduce the risk of personal liability with rental properties. Presentation by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. & Michael P. Enea, Esq. OCTOBER 25 – UNDERSTANDING THE IMPLICATIONS OF GRAY DIVORCE A divorce later in life often adds a level of complexity to the estate and tax plan process. Understand what potential complications may arise and how to address them – from division of assets and tax issues to estate and long-term care planning. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. NOVEMBER 29 – SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Ensure the future care and well-being of your child or grandchild with special needs using these estate planning strategies.  is program will cover the three basic types of special needs trusts (also known as supplemental needs trusts), general drafting considerations and the newest type of special needs trust – the sole bene ts trust. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. & Lauren C. Enea, Esq.  e attorneys at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP specialize in elder law planning, asset protection planning, wills, trusts and estates, Medicaid applications (home care and nursing home), guardianships, and special needs planning.  e  rm has also attained Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV Preeminent, for superior ethical standards and legal ability. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street in White Plains, with additional o ces in Somers. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 914-948-1500 or visit esslaw rm.com. Law firm launches monthly ‘Lunch & Learn’ estate planning series Attend an upcoming “Lunch & Learn” event. ENEA, SCANLAN & SIRIGNANO

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 23 NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS: YOU MAY *QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS! HELP IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY CASH Qualify Today: 800-944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to see if you *qualify Do you need a New Roof and Help paying for it? Do you need Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? Approved applications will have the work completed by a quality repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. Contractor License: NY: #2719-h14 *Enrollment is only open during a limited time. Programs, appointments, and installations are on a first come, first serve basis in your area. Any leaking, visible damage, or roof age, may *qualify you! Drafty windows, energy cost too high, you may *qualify! Take advantage of the new 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) with PWRcell, Generac’s fully-integrated solar + battery storage system. 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Trusts are excellent vehicles for probate avoidance, management of assets, ease of disposition of funds to one’s beneficiaries upon death, asset protection planning and estate tax planning. That being said, it is often difficult to know what type of Trust one needs! This article will discuss the basic differences between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. A Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a writing wherein the Trust Creator(s) (also known as a “Grantor(s)”) create a Trust for their benefit, where they can also be the sole Trustee of the RLT. During the lifetime of the Creator, they have full control over the real property, bank accounts, investments and any other assets that have been titled in the name of the RLT, along with the power to amend, modify and/or revoke the RLT. The most significant advantage of an RLT is that it avoids the need for Probate with respect to the assets titled to the RLT upon the Creator’s death. Probate is the process of admitting one’s Last Will and Testament in the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the decedent resided in order for it to be deemed legally valid after one’s passing. This is in order to allow the Executor to have access to assets titled to the decedent’s name alone and to allow the Executor to pay bills and distribute the funds to the beneficiaries named in the Will. The probate process can take approximately nine months to over a year to complete. There are also filing fees to be paid to the court, legal fees to attorneys and one’s estate is then a matter of public record. A RLT, and the diligent transfer of one’s assets (nonIRA/non-Retirement) to said trust, can accomplish everything a Last Will and Testament can while avoiding the expenses, difficulties and delays associated with the Probate process. It should be noted that IRAs, 401Ks, Annuities and Life Insurance should have named beneficiaries and alternate beneficiaries so as to avoid Probate. Additionally, any estate tax planning that can be done in one’s Last Will and Testament can be done in a RLT. In comparison, Irrevocable Trusts are trusts that cannot be amended and/or revoked. There are a number of types of Irrevocable Trusts, but most commonly they are used as a planning tool to transfer assets for the benefit of another without making an outright gift to said individual, or for purposes of Medicaid Planning and/or Estate Tax Planning. An Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) allows an individual to protect one’s life savings (non-retirement savings) and home from the cost of long-term care, while granting the Trust Creator the right to continue to reside in their home and still benefit from the income generated by the assets transferred to the Irrevocable Trust. With this type of Trust, the Trust Creator cannot be the Trustee of the Trust. Typically, one’s children and/or loved ones are named as Trustees. The transfer of assets to a MAPT creates a five-year penalty period for Nursing Home Medicaid and, as of the time of this writing, would create a two-and-a-half-year penalty period for Home Care Medicaid for applications filed after March 31, 2024. After the penalty periods run, the funds held by the trust are protected and no longer countable assets for Medicaid eligibility purposes and Medicaid can no longer have a claim or lien on said assets. Additionally, an Irrevocable Trust can be used to transfer assets for the benefit of a loved one, friend, child and/ or grandchild so that the assets are not controlled by the Trust’s beneficiary, but can be used by the Trustee of the trust for the beneficiary’s health, education, maintenance and support. This is an excellent tool often used to lower one’s taxable estate and provide for the education and future needs of a grandchild and/or child. As you can see, there are a number of excellent reasons to consider a Revocable and/or Irrevocable Trust! Lauren C. Enea, Esq. is a Senior Associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. She concentrates her practice on Wills, Trusts and Estates, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning and Probate/Estate Administration. She believes that it is never too early or too late to start planning for your future, and she enjoys working with individuals to ensure that their plan best suits their needs. Ms. Enea received a B.S. in Business Management from Quinnipiac University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a J.D. from the Pace University School of Law, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida. She can be contacted at 914-948-1500 or esslawfirm.com. Which is best for me? Choosing between a Revocable or Irrevocable Trust The most significant advantage of an RLT [Revocable Living Trust] is that it avoids the need for Probate with respect to the assets titled to the RLT upon the Creator’s death.’ -Lauren C. Enea, Esq. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP LAUREN ENEA GUEST CORNER Contact Us The Katonah-Lewisboro Times is located at 118 N Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected].

PAGE 24 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 @2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 83 KATONAH AVENUE, KATONAH, NY 10536. 914.232.3700. When it comes to selling real estate, local expertise has never been more important. An award-winning 20-year veteran and top-producing broker at Douglas Elliman, Melissa is raising her family in Katonah and has deep roots in the Northern Westchester community. Melissa has successfully leveraged Douglas Elliman's New York City reach by matching exceptional Westchester homes with the right buyers. If you’ve been considering a move, now is a great time to contact Melissa. It pays to work with a professional with local expertise and first-hand knowledge of the community. Contact Melissa today. 2023 Top Real Estate Agent by Westchester Magazine Melissa Frank Lutz Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker O: 914.232.3700 | M: 646.765.8691 [email protected] Now is the Time to Contact Me to Prepare for Our Spring Market. Deep Local Knowledge. Broad Expertise. Real Estate market demand will increase in the coming months. Call Melissa today to get a head start.