VOL. 6 NO. 4 THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 29 CLASSIFIEDS 31 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 18 Girls Lacrosse Preview pg 18 WOLF PACK Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 The stage at John Jay High School came alive this weekend with performances of “9 to 5: The Musical.” See more photos on page 16! PHOTO COURTESY OF KLSD BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Unchanged after a month’s review, some $120 million in spending for Katonah-Lewisboro schools won unanimous approval last week by the KLSD board. In adopting Superintendent Andrew Selesnick’s proposed 2023-24 budget as their own, trustees agreed on the need for a $4 million increase over current outlays. While that’s the largest hike in years, its impact on property taxes is expected to be cushioned by revenue gains, especially an unexpectedly large infusion of state aid. As a result, despite a 3.64 percent increase in spending, the property tax levy is projected to climb only 1.56 percent, or almost a million dollars below the state-imposed ceiling on levy rises. Selesnick called that percentage increase “very much in line with what the average tax-levy increases have been.” “We think this [budget] meets the board’s goal of being scally responsible,” the superintendent School district approves $120 million budget SEE KLSD PAGE 9 9 to 5! Working 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 Find Out What Your Home Might Be Worth Scan for Instant Results #UGottaHaveHope What if every time you came home you felt like you were on vacation? Set on 3+ Park like acres, your total home resort awaits. $1,950,000 Sophisticated & Stylish ‘Home Resort’
PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Maya Nitta, a John Jay High School senior, will be headed to Dallas to compete in this spring’s Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Nitta was one of 20 rst-place nishers in Regeneron’s regional competition, the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, held March 23 in Somers. She and the 19 other local honorees will present their work in Dallas, May 14 to 19, as they compete against top research students from around the world. All told, four John Jay scienceresearch scholars earned awards at the regional fair, which highlights the work done by high school students in Westchester and Putnam counties. In addition to Nitta, a rstplace nisher for her medical research, fellow fair honorees were senior Byron Wilson, winner of the NASA Earth System Science Award; Sophia Lind, also a senior, who took home the Of- ce of Naval Research Award; and Caleb Lee, who captured a fourth-place award for his research in environmental science. As the awards were being presented at Somers High School, KLSD Superintendent Andrew Selesnick could tell the March 23 school board meeting in Cross River only that four students were being honored. “ ey don’t know what they’re getting, so we don’t know what they’re getting,” he said. Winners were posted the next day on the fair’s website. As a rst-place nisher, Nitta received a gold medal and $125 as well as her place in Dallas on the international stage. In a Facebook post, science research teacher Ann Marie Lipinski saluted her students and fellow teachers, saying, “I am so happy for the students, and appreciative of the hard work and support of teachers Krista Munger and Dr. Linda Burke.” John Jay’s Science Research Symposium is scheduled to showcase the student’s work April 20 at 7 p.m. Science-research students make a three-year commitment to the program, starting in their sophomore year. Working with a mentor who is a professional in the student’s eld of interest, they conduct their own research, using statistical techniques to analyze data and present their ndings at competitions like the Regeneron fair or next month’s symposium. John Jay students shine at WESEF PHOTOS COURTESY OF KLSD Byron Wilson Maya Nitta Caleb Lee Sophia Lind 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
Your Neighbor Your Neighbor THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER What are the odds? A diabetic, John Fiscella, 54, was in end-stage renal failure. The popular guitar teacher from Somers had been on dialysis for more than a year and was on a waitlist for a kidney transplant. He was sleeping 15 hours a day and no longer had much energy for lessons, much less the performances he used to give at local venues such as the Wright-Reis Homestead in Somers. Things had gotten so bad health-wise that the family feared this past Christmas might be his “last,” Fiscella said, goodnaturedly joking that he got so many presents – including a race car set – that he felt “like a kid again.” INTRODUCING VINCENT LUGO A lifelong asthma sufferer, Vincent Lugo, 22, had collapsed at home after a severe attack late on March 10. He was rushed to the hospital and had to be placed on life support. On March 12, his parents got the heart-wrenching news that the damage to their beloved son’s brain -- due to lack of oxygen -- was irreversible. He was declared legally dead the following day. They instinctively knew that their son – who worked as a postal carrier in South Salem and was described as selfless, kind, generous, and talented by those who knew him – would have wanted to give someone the precious gift of life through organ donation. And it would be a comfort to them, too, to feel that he was living on somehow. A VOICEMAIL TO THE FISCELLA FAMILY CHANGES IT ALL Within days of deciding to reach out to the public for help, the family of Fiscella received a life-changing voicemail. It came from Maryjean Lugo, the mother of Vincent, who had just died. She and her husband, Bill, were hoping to donate his vital organs to someone in the community. The Lugos had heard about the Fiscella family’s plight, were touched by the fact that he and their son had both graduated from Somers High School, and that they were both musicians, and wondered if they could do something. That was Tuesday morning, March 14. The message “came out of the blue,” said an awestruck Heide Fiscella, John’s wife. After calling the Lugos back – which she said was very “emotional” – Heide gave them her husband’s information and the number of the transplant team at Westchester Medical Center. (Directed organ requests have to originate from the donor’s family.) At that point, there was no way of knowing if the two men would be a match. Less than three hours later, the Fiscellas got a call from the Valhalla hospital. “Can you get down here, like now?” they were asked. “They didn’t give any names or information because they didn’t know how much we knew. They just said we have a kidney for you, but people wait for years on the list for something like that. So we knew that this was no coincidence. It had to be them,” Heide Fiscella said. Fiscella had to go through more screening to assess the risk of rejection. Tests were being conducted almost right up to the moment they wheeled him into the operating room. “We were very nervous about being disappointed,” his wife said. He passed with flying colors and underwent successful transplant surgery early Wednesday, March 15. The Lugos confirmed this week that they had donated Vincent’s kidneys, heart, and liver, which means their son saved Fiscella’s and three other lives. HOW DID THIS COME TO BE? So how did the two families come together so quickly? Heide had written a plea for help, which she passed to her mother-in-law, Rose, to distribute. (Neither Heide nor their son was a suitable donor. On the national transplant list for a year, they also had yet to be crossmatched.) Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time the Fiscella family has had to go through something like this. In 2018, John’s brother, Matt, was suffering from chronic kidney disease. The dad of three and a 1989 Somers High School grad was undergoing dialysis three times a week in order to stay alive. He put the word out via Facebook and a living donor emerged. The transplant was a success and the Fiscellas and that person’s A precious gift Late South Salem postal carrier donates kidney PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LUGO FAMILY Vincent Lugo will be remembered as a kind and generous person with a passion for music. John Fiscella Here is this 22-yearold kid and he was able to give the gift of life. It’s a testament to who he was.’ -Maryjean Lugo Mother of kidney donor SEE GIFT PAGE 27 HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Is Your Home Insured TO VALUE?
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 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Tel: 914-245-3899 • 32 Triangle Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 www.genesisjewelers.com Watch Battery Special $4.61 Excludes watches with 4 or more screws. Limit 4 watches. With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Expires 4/29/23 April 1 – 8th 45% OFF all fine jewelry (in stock) 21st Anniversary Sale! BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Facing volatile pricing in today’s mercurial energy market, the consortium of local governments buying electricity for much of Westchester wants to fundamentally alter how it sources that supply. But Sustainable Westchester will need approvals from the state as well as member municipalities—Bedford and Lewisboro among them—before it can shift from today’s longterm contracts to buying that’s more closely attuned to energy-market gyrations. Dan Welsh, who directs the consortium’s bulk-buying program, Westchester Power, brought the proposed new approach to Bedford last week in a half-hour Zoom presentation to the Town Board. “ e word which can sum everything up is volatility,” he said. “It’s just been crazy over the past couple of years.” Looking to react more nimbly in an unpredictable market, Welsh told the board, Westchester Power wants to solicit shorter-term bids, allowing renewable-energy contracts for, say, a three-month duration. at would contrast with the current 21-month pact to supply New York State Electric and Gas, for example, or Consolidated Edison’s two-year deal. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has roiled world energy markets ever since. e turmoil was further exacerbated last September by explosions, blamed on sabotage, that ruptured key pipelines delivering Russian natural gas to Europe. At that point, Westchester Power’s contracts with Constellation NewEnergy to provide clean electricity to the area’s two major utilities still had many months to run: Consolidated Edison until Oct. 31 of next year and NYSEG, by far the bigger energy supplier in this area, until Nov. 30 of this year. NYSEG’s supply contract began last March 1. But after being negotiated in a relatively calm market, before the outbreak of hostilities, it provided electricity at 10.179 cents per kilowatt hour. By contrast, the Con Ed pact, in e ect last Nov. 1 after eight months of war and the pipeline disruption, came in at 15.128 cents/kWh. “When we went into contracting with Con Ed at the end of last year, it was literally looking like Armageddon, in all kinds of ways.” is winter’s relatively mild weather globally has led to a drop in demand and thus prices. “We essentially cancelled winter . . . it was so much warmer,” Welsh said. “So, there’s been quite a dip.” Nevertheless, as the war in Europe continues, Westchester Power wants to guard against a rollercoaster market with “shorter hedges . . . buying in blocks three months at a time,” Welsh said. at change will require state approval, by either the full Public Service Commission or its sta arm, the Department of Public Service. DPS is seen as the quicker route to an Albany OK, but if the change is deemed a major departure from past practices, it could face a time-consuming commission hearing even as the NYSEG contract is running out later this year. Even assuming the proposal successfully navigates the state bureaucracy, member municipalities would need to sign o before Westchester Power can solicit competitive bids. In the most pressing case, the NYSEG contract, that means the town boards of North Salem, Pound Ridge and Somers as well as Bedford and Lewisboro must all agree on the top price the consortium would pay for renewable power. Electricity generated by renewable sources like the sun and wind is the preferred though pricier default supply choice in 27 of Westchester Power’s 29 member municipalities. Residents and businesses in any consortium member have the option to switch from the default but they must request the alternative supply. Among NYSEG customers, Somers opted out, choosing fossil-fuel-generated energy at 8.736 cents/kWh as its default choice. Among Con Ed customers, Mount Kisco also went for the nonrenewable source. Power surge Offi cials consider energy contract alternatives Palm Sunday in Katonah Sunday, April 2, at 9 a.m. Presented by Katonah Presbyterian Church, Katonah United Methodist Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, First Church of Christ Scientist, and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Come join in restarting this Holy event, post-Covid. To be held at meet at the old railroad station (Peppino’s), 116 Katonah Ave, in Katonah. A short interdenominational service will be held. Palms will be distributed and guests can then proceed to their respective houses of worship. South Salem Presbyterian Church 111 Spring Street, South Salem EASTER BASKET SILENT AUCTION Sunday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please join in and spend time with friends from the community, enjoy delicious baked goods made by the Sunday School children, and bid on a beautiful basket. MEMORIAL DAY 10K, 5K AND FUN RUN Monday, May 29 Back by popular demand! More than 400 runners from Lewisboro and surrounding towns will participate on a certi- ed course from Main Street in South Salem around Lake Truesdale to the nish line at Lewisboro Library where ribbons and awards are ceremoniously presented. Organizers are looking for sponsors for $250, which includes the following: Your sponsorship name (logo) is listed on 300 race t-shirts, listed TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 6
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 5 Photos for illustrative purposes only. ©2017 Carpet One Floor & Home. All Rights Reserved 246 Route 52 Carmel, NY • www.kennyscarpetone.com • 845-225-4330 MON-FRI: 9 AM-6 PM • LATE NIGHT ON THURS EVE BY APPT ONLY • SAT: 9 AM-4 PM Carpet Hardwood Floor Refinishing Luxury Vinyl Plank Tile Area Rugs H20 Proof Laminate $250 OFF Any purchase of $2,000 or more. Coupon must be present at the time of purchase. Some restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer. 20% OFF Excludes labor. ANY NEW SHADE PURCHASE THRU 5/20/23 HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW TREATMENTS DESIGN INSPIRATION $100 OFF Any purchase of $999 or more. Coupons must be present at the time of purchase. Some restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Excludes labor. 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE F REE In-Home Consultation DESIGN INSPIRATION Spring
PAGE 6 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 our 4th straight year! New Customers2023 BEST OF SOMERS AWARD awarded annually by THE SOMERS AWARD PROGRAM $ 20 OFF FIRST EXAM! (914)248.6220 268 ROUTE 202 / SOMERS,NY 10589 • Progressive-Vet.com WHERE HORSE & RIDER BECOME ONE A Unique & Outstanding Horse Riding Experience 21 Waccabuc River Lane, South Salem 203-613-1146 • hazelnutfarmny.com Hazelnut Farms is a full service barn offering two levels of board and horseback riding lessons in Dressage, Hunter, Jumper and Equitation. We teach Students of all ages and skill levels, including new riders and those who want to rediscover their love for horses. HazelnutFarm Est. 2007 BOARDING • LESSONS TRAINING • LEASING on race registration website and marketing emails, listed on runners’ photos and listed on runners’ nish line videos. Sponsorship also includes a race entry for yourself or a guest. e race committee strongly promotes these events and tailors marketing e orts to local community: Email Blasts to past participants of dozens of races around Westchester location, Strava Event - 3,800+ club members, Facebook Event - 13,000+ followers, Katonah-Lewisboro Times and updates are found on the SSPC Facebook page and multiple community websites. Please mail your tax deductible payment via check, Zelle or paypal payable to South Salem Presbyterian Church Memorial Day Races 2023, PO 399, South Salem, NY 10590. Deadline to participate as a sponsor is Monday, April 3. If you have any questions email sspcmemorialdayraces@ gmail.com. Upon receipt of payment you will be contacted by a member of the race committee to coordinate your sponsorship. Contact SSPC Memorial Day Races at [email protected] Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 www.lewisborolibrary.org SPRING RECESS PROGRAMS e Library has a number of programs scheduled the week of April 3 through 7, for children and teens who are in town that week. Miss Marie will be holding “Dash & Dot Robotics” workshops for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 3, and Friday April 7. For children in grades 3 through 5, there will be “Ozobots Robotics” at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and ursday, April 6. “Girls Who Code,” for students in grades 3 through 8, will meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5. Teens in middle and high school are invited to come make “Dirt Pudding Cups” on Tuesday, April 4, at 4 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required for all programs. Please register via the Library website. APRIL FILMS AT THE LIBRARY e Library’s “Monday Afternoon Film Series” continues in April. Nominated for Best Picture, the movie Women Talking will be shown on April 10 at 1 p.m. e lm is inspired by real-life events that occurred at the Manitoba Colony, a remote and isolated ultraconservative Mennonite community, where the women and girls of the colony discover that the men have been using cow tranquilizer to subdue and rape them. On Monday, April 24, at 1 p.m., the Library will be showing A Man Called Otto. Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Ove, the Americanized lm versio, tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors. Space is limited and registration is required for all lms. Please register via the Library website. WORKSHOP ON FIGHTING AGEISM On Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m., the Library is hosting an in-person workshop on “Fighting Ageism in the Workplace.” Age discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee less favorably because of their age. is in-person workshop will address ageism assumptions and myths; explore why ageism exists and how to confront it; discuss modernizing one’s resume, email address, LinkedIn pro le, and staying current with software and technology; and guide a potential employer’s picture of an applicant. Led by a professional Career Coach from the Westchester Library System’s Career Coaching Services. Registration is required via the Library website. NOT YOUR MOTHER’S GARDEN On ursday, April 13, at 7 p.m., the Library is joining forces with the Lewisboro Garden Club to present the virtual program “Not Your Mother’s Garden.” Deborah Chud takes the audience on a photo tour of her highly unusual Piet-Oudolfstyle New Perennial garden, and describes the design principles underlying it. Many of the plants are unfamiliar – even to experienced and knowledgeable gardeners. ese “New Perennials” constitute a special canon of plants with qualities valued by those embracing naturalistic landscape design. Please register for the Zoom link via the Library website. Town of Lewisboro SHREDDER SERVICES Friday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. e “Shredder Truck” will be at Lewisboro Town Park, 1079 Route 35 (Old Post Road), in South Salem. is will be for the town departments along with town residents. Please remove all metal clips, fasteners, binders, folders and hard covers and place the papers loosely in a box. Hard covers – cardboard or plastic covers on items such as ledger books, marble composition books and hard-cover books – cannot be shredded and will be turned away. Residents must rip pages out from hard cover books for shredding and throw the covers in their regular household recycling. Up to four large (cubic foot) boxes of papers are allowed for shredding. All residents attending shredder events must follow these safety guidelines to protect themselves and sta : Residents must remain in their vehicles at all times. Documents should be boxed and placed in the trunk of resident’s vehicle, if possible, or in the back seat of the resident’s vehicle. Sta will remove the boxes directly from the resident’s vehicle and place them in the shredder mechanism. Vehicles will be queued at a safe distance from sta and only one vehicle will be serviced at a time. Please be mindful to observe all posted signage and directions from the sta . If you have any questions, please call the Town Clerk’s O ce at 763-3511. St John’s Episcopal Parish 82 Spring St., South Salem 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 CROSSING FROM PAGE 4 TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 8
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 BY VIM WILKINSON SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Landscaping has been Al Tiso’s passion all his life. And after dreaming of running his own landscape business for years, the Somers resident found a way to combine that passion with a commitment to professionalism and quality by starting LANDSCAPES, a local company that’s quickly building a reputation for outstanding service that combines traditional values with modern technology. “I was doing it for years as sort of a side business, and every job I did, customers would say I should be doing it full time and that I am different than other landscapers because I treat it like an art,” Al said. LANDSCAPES uses digital design technology that allows the experts and their clients to work together to create a design plan. “We provide a free digital design that shows you a rendering of the finished product,” Al said. The technology lets customers see how the design will look on their property, so they can be confident the design will fit their needs long before the work starts. From design, planting, masonry to lighting and more, Al and his team are ready to help. SERVICES Landscape design and planting Updating our homes’ landscaping is a great way to increase the value of the property and, at the same time, create beautiful spaces for relaxing and entertaining. LANDSCAPES helps homeowners add a dash of color, find the best trees, shrubs, rocks, and perennials for their outdoor space, and more. Masonry Treating masonry as an art, LANDSCAPES provides local stone and masonry services for patios, walkways, walls, fireplaces, and foundations. The company can build from scratch and/or repair existing masonry. Irrigation Good irrigation is key to a lush landscape. LANDSCAPES can design and install irrigation systems tailored to each client’s specific needs and preferences. Lighting LANDSCAPES takes pride in installing wellexecuted outdoor lighting designed to be a continuation of the lighting inside of a home, allowing patios, pools, trees, and pathways to be used for evening entertaining, dining, or relaxing. Well-designed exterior lighting defines a property’s borders while adding depth and nuance to the home. If you are looking to improve the aesthetics of your home and increase the value of your property, the team at Al Tiso’s LANDSCAPES has the tools and experience to help. “Attention to detail and perfection are a priority for me,” said Al, who takes pride in every project the company handles, big or small. “It’s a small business with a small crew, which allows me to have full control to get the job done right.” With the warmer months on the horizon, the upgrade you’ve always wanted may just be a phone call away. LANDSCAPES Contracting p: 914-729-4485 e: [email protected] • scapesbyal.com LANDSCAPES A business built on a lifelong passion ADVERTORIAL Digital design with a rendering of the finished area The actual final product based on the digital plan Somers resident and owner of LANDSCAPES, Al Tiso PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANDSCAPES CONTRACTING
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. 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. Katonah Village Library 26 Bedford Rd, Katonah, NY 10536 www.katonahlibrary.org ART SHOW rough April 17 Neo-Fauvist painter Spencer Eldridge will show his collection of terrascapes, at the Katonah Village Library Meeting Room Gallery from March 16 through April 17. An opening reception will take place ursday, March 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. e original mixed-media paintings will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.spencereldridge.com AARP TAX AIDE Certi ed AARP Foundation TaxAide volunteers provide FREE income tax preparation for people with low and moderate income with special attention to those age 60 and older. Sign up at the library (in-person or by phone), to have a tax packet emailed to you and make an appointment to meet your Tax-Aide volunteer. (Appointments are Tuesdays only from 10:30-2:30). Tax returns - Federal and State - will be done on site (at the Katonah Library), signed by the taxpayer and submitted electronically. Expect to be at the library for an hour. SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP Did you take Spanish in high School or college and wish you could practice the language again? ere’s a group for you! Join on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 11:30 a.m. for Spanish Conversation Group. Register on the library’s website calendar. SIT AND KNIT AND OTHER HAND-CRAFTS Exchange pattern ideas, use your skills to help others - and most importantly - have fun! is group meets the rst two Mondays of every month. However, holidays may impact. Check the website for updated times. NEED SOME TECH HELP? Get help with iPhones/Androids, Ebooks, Kindles, tablets, Zoom, Skype and more. Sign up for free one-on-one 30 minute tech support sessions. Tech-helper, Lucas, is a JJHS Junior, a volunteer for the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corp and an aspiring software engineer. Call to reserve a ursday or Saturday time. 914-232-3508. Lasdon Park and Arboretum 2610 Amawalk Road, Katonah AMAZING BUTTERFLIES EXHIBIT rough May 7 Amazing Butter ies invites you to shrink down into the undergrowth to become one of the most extraordinary creatures on earth. Dates, times and tickets are now available by visiting www.lasdonpark.org. Embark on a challenging journey teeming with friends and foes revealing the unusual relationship between caterpillars, butter ies and their natural surroundings. Adventure through the leaves, learn how to move like caterpillar, discover an ant that reaps the reward of an unusual friendship, then transform into a butter y and take ight! Together, families will explore this interactive experience and learn the surprising challenges butter ies face every day. Become a caterpillar and nd your way through a secret, wild world. As you navigate the terrain lled with challenges around every twist and turn, take on puzzles, games and exciting interactivities. e brave can even take to the air and soar down the butter y zip slide. 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. PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 Cremations and Burials DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. e Harvey School in Katonah has announced the names of area students who have earned academic honors for the second marking period of the winter term. Several have been recognized for making the head’s list as Cavalier Scholars with GPAs of 4.0 or higher, the Head’s List with 3.7 GPA or higher, or the Honor Roll with GPAs of at least 3.3. e celebrated scholars include Goldens Bridge residents Logan Alexander (Grade 10, Cavalier Scholar), Ryan Byrne (Grade 10, Cavalier Scholar), Brandon Hall (Grade 9, Cavalier Scholar), Juliet Jaques (Grade 12, Honor Roll), and Kevin (Xiang) Li (Grade 12, Honor Roll). Article courtesy of e Harvey School. Area students earn academic honors at The Harvey School Logan Alexander Ryan Byrne Brandon Hall Juliet Jaques Kevin (Xiang) Li CROSSING FROM PAGE 6 SEE CROSSING PAGE 9
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 Add Value to Your Home We specialize in targeted home improvements — both big and small — to maximize your home’s value,comfort and beauty. • Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen Remodeling • Durable Vinyl Siding • Room Additions • Add-a-Levels • • Replacement Windows • General Carpentry • Basement Finishing • Painting • Interior Trim • Handy Man • Sero’s Contracting When we’re done, there is nothing left to do. Licensed & Insured • Local References • Brewster, NY • 845-216-1955 • 845-279-6977 • [email protected] said ahead of the trustee’s 6-0 vote to adopt it. Board President Marjorie Schi noted that it had been “quite some time” since the school board modi ed Selesnick’s proposed budget, telling him, “I think that’s a testament to the trust that we have in you and the leadership team here tonight.” e adopted budget, available online at klschools.org, could still change after a public hearing May 4. More likely, it will go to district voters on May 16 showing total spending of $119,988,980, up from this year’s $115,778,990. To pay for that, total property taxes would rise to $102,522,198, an increase of $1,573,008 but $973,723 below the tax cap. Projected tax rates re ect different assessment practices in the district’s four towns but create, school o cials say, roughly equal tax burdens. Rates are projected to decrease in North Salem by 15.75 percent but increase in Lewisboro by 0.11 percent, Bedford by 2.73 percent and Pound Ridge by 2.94 percent. In the only new information at last week’s budget session, Selesnick said he had learned only recently that Albany will require districts receiving state aid increases of 10 percent or more to specify how they will spend the money. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed 2023-24 state aid for Katonah-Lewisboro schools of more than $11 million, an increase of almost 14 percent over this year’s support. While aid numbers are subject to change as state lawmakers close in an April 1 deadline for adoption of the new state budget, KLSD o cials don’t expect any major surprises. Some key areas in which the state asks districts to describe how funds will be used, Selesnick said, are “in line . . . with what we’ve been discussing in recent weeks around our budget.” ey include reductions in class size; support for students who either do not meet, or risk not meeting, learning standards set by the state in core academic subject areas; student socialemotional health; and providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities and students experiencing homelessness. e superintendent noted an additional state requirement linked to the oversized aid increase: an email address, [email protected], to which the public can submit comment. Trustee Rory Burke, a member and former chair of the board’s Finance Committee, had suggested earlier this month that some areas of the budget could bene t from a “second look” and some “belt-tightening.” But at the March 23 board meeting, Burke said he might have been less critical had some issues been discussed in advance of Selesnick unveiling his spending plan, noting that it contained “a lot of new information.” “It would be nice going forward,” Burke said, “if we had an opportunity to talk about these things in advance of them appearing on the rst budget [presentation].” In the end, Burke called the document a “very responsible and well-put-together budget” before joining in the board’s short-handed but unanimous adoption. In addition to the May 4 public hearing, public presentations are scheduled for May 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the middle school theater and May 10 at 7 p.m. in the high school theater. KLSD residents will vote on May 16. DISTRICT UNDERGOES INSPECTION Katonah-Lewisboro school o cials were waiting this week to hear what their peers think of the district’s performance. Members of the Tri-State Consortium—an alliance of some 50 high-performing metroarea school districts, half of them in Westchester—spent three days earlier this month visiting KLSD schools, Superintendent Andrew Selesnick told the school board’s March 23 meeting. KLSD asked the consortium team—teachers, administrators and others, “19 guests,” as Selesnick described them—to “focus on our learning commitment. ey visited classrooms, interviewed parents and students and teachers and, at the end of the three days, they sat with us and debriefed what they’ve seen.” A full report is expected shortly, the superintendent said. KLSD FROM PAGE 1 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. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam MONTHLY MEETING Please join us for our monthly discussion as we work to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural amity to impact the public discourse on race. Our monthly meetings feature speakers, screenings, and presentations where discussions are aimed at educating one another on who we really are. Visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/138495877899 to register for this online event. Virtual Support Groups Support groups for women with breast and ovarian cancers have been transitioned to virtual platforms. Virtual groups are accessible to women from the comfort of their homes, regardless of where they live. All groups are open to new members as well as past participants. Advance registration is required by calling 914- 962-6402 or 800-532-4290. Support Connection’s Peer Counselors are also available for individual counseling and assistance via phone and email. Call 800-532-4290, or submit an online request at supportconnection.org. CROSSING FROM PAGE 8
Opinion PAGE 10 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 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 Our publisher once jokingly remarked that nobody gets rich working in the world of local journalism. Since I am not writing this from the comfort of my beach house, I tend to agree. I might not be watching the sunset over a white sand beach, but I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and plenty of bacon treats for my dog. Honestly, wanting more than that seems greedy. Some days the world of journalism can feel almost mundane. Board meetings, budgets and basketball scores. Occasionally, there are scandals and state championships. We do our best to support our communities and manage the expectations of our readers. And every so often, we have the opportunity to make an impact in the towns we serve. A few weeks ago, an unbelievable coincidence gave Halston Media the chance to truly make a di erence. MAIL BAG On any given day, I receive more than 100 emails. Some of them are spam, but the majority are a mixed bag of requests from readers, news tips, press releases, interdepartmental communications, compliments and (occasionally) complaints. I do my best to be responsive to our readers, because I believe that being accessible to the communities we serve is essential in the world of local journalism. While each communication is important in its own way, occasionally I get messages that lead to something bigger than any single news article. e chain of events that began last week was one of those instances. Just before signing o for the day on a Friday afternoon, I received an email from Corinne Stanton, one of Halston Media’s advertising executives. She had been contacted by a friend who explained a tragic situation. A longtime Somers resident, father and husband was in the midst of end-stage renal failure and in desperate need of a kidney transplant. I have always believed in the importance of using the reach and in uence of the local paper to help those within the community. At that point, I added the plea for a kidney donation to the list of stories to be assigned to one of our reporters the following week. CONNECTIONS Mondays are the busiest day of my work week, juggling nal content submissions, proofreading and layout alongside our design team for all of Halston Media’s Westchester papers. at evening, three days after receiving Corinne’s initial email, I was contacted by the communications coordinator from the Somers Central School District, Amanda Bergen. A situation had been brought to the district’s attention that was both tragic and unusual. A Somers High School alumnus was on life support, and the family was making arrangements to donate his organs upon his passing. ey contacted the district with the idea that those donations might be given to someone within the Somers community. Amanda contacted the paper in hopes that we might be able to somehow help them ful ll this request. Realizing that the solution to both issues would come by simply connecting the two parties, Corinne, Amanda and I got everyone talking early the next morning. Sadly, the donor had passed away. But the loss came with a nal act of sel ess kindness, and the person in need received their new kidney in time. Two separate families reaching out for help within three days. I don’t intend for this to become a theological discussion of faith, but considering the timeline of events, one has to wonder. Call it divine intervention, fate, or luck, but everyone was involved in what amounted to a bittersweet happy ending. Speaking with Corinne days later, we were still in a bit of disbelief at how quickly all of the events had transpired. When talking about the gratitude she was receiving for her part, she modestly said, “All I did was forward an email.” at may have been true, but the newspaper’s connections within the community are what allowed this to happen. AT YOUR SERVICE Our papers serve many roles within our communities. Halston Media’s reporters, salespeople, freelancers and editorial sta are all connected in the worlds of government, commerce, education and countless local organizations. ese connections are what allow us to truly serve our towns in as many ways as we do. We report on important issues, help celebrate achievements, and even o er support in the face of tragedy. In the case of the events that transpired that week, we were able to really make a di erence in someone’s life. When I think about my time in journalism, my fondest memories are of the stories that actually managed to help our readers. While having a small role in helping someone get a new kidney will certainly be added to that list, others are more simple. When I was the sports editor for North Salem News, I received a phone call from a parent. By his own admission, his daughter was not very athletic and didn’t see much playing time on her team. When her name and photo appeared in an issue of our paper, he took the time to thank me and say it was the happiest day of his daughter’s life. is might seem inconsequential to most people, but for that family, it was the opposite. You can’t put a price on getting a call like that, and knowing the impact that we can have on the communities we serve. When I explained the story of the Somers kidney donation to our publisher and the small but important part we played, I jokingly said I should be rewarded with a day o . He was happy to o er it, but I couldn’t have been more anxious to get back to work. Days like that are why we do this job. Tom Walogorsky believes in good karma, but never turns down free co ee. Contact him at [email protected] Why we do what we do An inexplicable series of events helped to save a local life TOM WALOGORSKY TOM’S TAKE I have always believed in the importance of using the reach and influence of the local paper to help those within the community.’
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 11 Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 2022 was a CRAZY YEAR! 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 We can help make your taxes less crazy. My wife Elyse and I noticed on social media recently parents observing something called “National Sons Day.” Heck, we observe that every day, I thought. Not that we have much of a choice. The last time we touched Harrison was March 21, 2003. His last day on earth. A day after my birthday. Since then, he continues to touch us by his mystical presence – touch our hearts, touch our minds, touch our lives. It would be nice to know the luxury of setting aside one day to highlight our love for him. For people like us, the celebration of a child’s life lost must manifest itself each day – in some small, often subconscious way – to keep their spirit alive. It’s not unlike continually stoking a fire to keep the flame aglow. The physical comings and goings of our daughter Elissa – as with anybody’s child – attest to her earthly presence. When you lose a child, that presence no longer readily and regularly presents itself – not without some goading from the living. You conjure ways to fabricate the presence of the deceased child to fool yourself into alleviating the eternal separation anxiety. A TINKERBELL MOMENT For 11 years after Harrison’s death, until we sold our home, each night before turning in, I would go to his bedroom to quickly flick its ceiling light on and off. Call it a Tinkerbell moment. It was my way of letting my son know that, here or not, his light still shone brightly. I performed that light switch ritual of recalling his presence some 4,000 times. For the 15-plus years Harrison was here, we were blessed by his unique and joyful presence. To meet him was to marvel at his wit, his wisdom, his love of life, his prodigious sports knowledge – all the while braving the challenges that accompany being born with a rare dwarfism that stopped his growth at three feet and necessitated three open-heart surgeries. His effect on people knew no age limit. Whether 8 or 80, they saw in him a fortitude that enraptured them. For the 20 years he’s been gone, we continue to be blessed, by the comfort and compassion of community. It’s my belief when you lose a child, you gain the privilege of helping others in your child’s name. One way we sustain his presence is through the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation, which benefits local recreation and education. BRENDAN’S IDEA Harrison succumbed Friday, March 21, 2003, a day after his third surgery – performed on my birthday. When 12-year-old Elissa came home from school that Monday, three days later, she told Elyse and me that one of her classmates, Brendan Frail (the younger brother of Harrison’s friend Kieran Frail), was telling anybody who would listen, “They should name Pinetree Field for Harrison.” “You must have heard wrong,” I told our daughter. Sure, I thought, Harrison was one of the first to ever step foot on that field, after we moved to the new Pinetree housing development in 1993, but that hardly qualifies as any kind of valid reason to change what the field is called. They simply don’t name town parks for 15-yearolds. After spearheading a townwide drive to collect 1,200 signatures on a petition to rename Pinetree Field as Harrison Apar Field of Dreams, Brendan and another classmate, Alison Belcastro, presented their case to the Town of Yorktown Parks and Recreation Commission. MUM’S MY WORD I attended the Parks and Rec meetings at which the proposal, endorsed by Yorktown Athletic Club (for which Harrison played and officiated), was discussed. I was grateful that then-YAC president Mark Vercruysse lent his voice to the proceedings. I sat there quietly, next to him, without saying a word, knowing the commissioners could surmise for themselves where Harrison’s father stood on the matter, even if the renaming movement was not our family’s idea in the first place. During the course of the Commission’s deliberations, local newspaper North County News, under editor Rick Pezzullo, proved an invaluable influencer. He ran prominent stories, wrote endorsements of the idea, and published an editorial cartoon by Dan Capozzi, who exhorted the Commission to “Just do it!” Still, the Commission appeared to be at loggerheads, with some members understandably questioning the unprecedented nature – as I myself thought – of naming a town recreation facility for such a young person. In my mind, an inflection point occurred when highly respected commissioner Richard Huffield spoke up in favor of the proposal. His aye vote came with a very specific proviso that a plaque be installed at the field to explain why it was named for Harrison. His rationale was that 20 years from then (that is, Birthday presence SEEAPAR PAGE 12 BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG
PAGE 12 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 today), there would be meaning behind the field’s name for the edification of future generations, who otherwise would have no reason to know about Harrison. IMPROBABLE RESOLUTION That is how, within weeks of Harrison passing away, in spring 2003, an improbable outcome transpired at Town Hall, as Supervisor Linda Cooper and the Town Board unanimously passed an unprecedented resolution to name a public place after a child of Yorktown. The festive dedication of Harrison Apar Field of Dreams on Sept. 7, 2003 will be recalled this fall (on a date to be determined), with a 20th anniversary celebration at the field, tied in to the start of Yorktown Athletic Club’s fall 2023 baseball season. And so it is that Harrison’s presence endures these two decades later, in a way more public and precious than his family ever dared imagine. I am not the only one firmly convinced that, were it not for schoolchildren leading the way, the field that carries our son’s name still would be known as Pinetree. It was their heartfelt passion and industry that made the difference. CARING COMMUNITY It is humbling to know that it was someone else’s young son who saw it in his heart to honor our young son in such a remarkable way. Tragically, Brendan Frail had a fatal accident in 2010, and a bench at Harrison Apar Field of Dreams rightly commemorates his priceless contributions. Our hearts remain with his mother Diane and brother Kieran. We send well wishes as well to Richard Huffield’s wife Patricia. When her husband – who never had met Harrison but had watched him umpire YAC baseball – passed in 2006, we were overwhelmed to learn that he had left a request for contributions in his memory to be made to the Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation. In a diary he started the night before his surgery, Harrison wrote that he fully expected to “give my dad a refreshing birthday gift wrapped in flesh -- a son’s healthy heart.” The way I look at it, Harrison came through with flying colors on delivering his promise to me. It is a son’s gift that keeps on giving, not only on my birthday but every day – his everlasting and inimitable presence. Bruce can be seen in a wacky one-act called “Dream Lover” at Westchester libraries this spring, including Somers Library on April 2 at 2 p.m. From June 2-4, he will play the title role in “Tuesdays with Morrie” for The Armonk Players at the Whippoorwill Theatre. All shows are free of charge. [email protected]; 914-275-6887. APAR FROM PAGE 11 DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEESCOTT PAGE 13 © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Enjoy $25 o your fi rst month! Customers who sign up before April 15, 2023 get up to $25 o their fi rst invoice. This o er is for new and existing customers, and can be redeemed only at an account level, line levels excluded. This o er is good for $25 o the fi rst invoice, and any remaining credit from o er is forfeited if not used during this period. If account becomes inactive for any reason prior to receiving the full amount, any remaining credits will be forfeited. Customer must use a printed promo code to redeem o er. This o er is not stackable with other promotions, see website or store associate for details. O er not redeemable for cash, has no cash value and is not transferable or refundable. CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 877-427-0320 O First Month of New Service! USE PROMO CODE: GZ59O Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (844) 536-2370 FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* – A $695 Value! Town government can take the lead on sunshine laws You can be forgiven if you missed the national observance of Sunshine Week, which occurred the week of March 16. The movement was first launched in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors to promote transparency and open government. The date was picked since it is the birthday of James Madison, considered by many to be the father of our Constitution. Over a half-dozen good government groups were present in Albany to press for reform in New York’s Freedom of Information (FOIL) and Open Meetings laws, but as in the past, little is expected in terms of legislation. Different bills were brought forward in the Assembly and state Senate, but without corresponding bills in the opposite chambers, it is certain that nothing will happen. A Daily News headline captured the moment: “Cloudy forecast for Sunshine Week.” It goes without saying that New York is a laggard compared to other states when it comes to transparency in government, even though they were one of the first states to pass Freedom of Information legislation in the wake of Watergate. The original legislation said, “The people’s right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society.” Although New York was first to the party, the state legislature has shown no leadership in transparency when compared to their peers since the original legislation was signed. The laws need to catch up with the times, since nearly all information produced by the government at all levels is digital. One bright spot is Open Book New York, maintained by the comptroller, which provides a searchable database of some government contracts. All agencies should be required to participate. A lot of time and resources are consumed with the FOIL process of filing “mother may I” information requests, which must be worded carefully and specifically or the requests will be denied. The system could be dramatically improved by proactively publishing more information rather than waiting for the requests to roll in. After all, the information is, theoretically at least, not a secret. Some have suggested creating an ombudsman’s office to help shepherd first timers through the process of filing
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 13 SCOTT FROM PAGE 12 Acouple of weeks ago, we moved the clocks forward as required by Daylight Saving Time. Most people grumbled about losing an hour of sleep, but I am super excited to see that extra daylight in the early evenings. e more hours of sunshine each day, the more energetic I feel. We are obsessed with the concept of time. What time is my meeting? What time is that doctor’s appointment? Why is Bob always late for our Zoom classes? ere are not enough hours in the day (even though 24 hours should be su cient) to accomplish everything on our busy work and personal schedules. “Where did the time go” is a common refrain as folks get older. We are leading our lives working and commuting and meeting friends for dinner and going out until all hours of the night. Suddenly decades have passed and we are happy to stay home and be in bed by 10 p.m. My wristwatch battery stopped the other day. I looked down and my pink-strapped watch said 12:30 when it was clearly 8 a.m., and I was eating breakfast. I keep looking down at my wrist checking the time. It is very disconcerting. I have to hunt for a place that sells watch batteries. is magical place must also have the correct tiny tools to pry open the back of the wristwatch, t in the battery and make sure everything works in ve minutes or less while I wait. I hope that the cost to replace the battery is not more than buying a new watch! References to time are all around us. e colorful images of the melting clock faces in the famous painting by Salvador Dali come to mind while waiting on long lines at the airport where time has lost all meaning. Remember the Doomsday Clock? Is that still ticking or do we have to guess when the last day on earth will be? ere are time clocks in sports from basketball to hockey to car racing. Hurry, hurry, make that shot, drive that extra lap around the track. Lots of songs use the concept of time in their lyrics. Remember “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce and “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper? Cher sang, “If I Could Turn Back Time,” a sentiment I am sure we have all thought about. “(I’ve Had) e Time of my Life” was a popular song from the “Dirty Dancing” movie soundtrack. “Time is on my Side” is a classic by the Rolling Stones. I can see the passage of time when I open my T-shirt drawer. I still have rock concert T-shirts with images of U-2 and INXS from concerts I attended in the 1980s. ose T-shirts are nestled on the bottom of the drawer with more recent shirts folded on top. e years keep ying by. I continue to expand my writing classes and inspire adults, teens and children in New York, Connecticut, Alaska, California, Colorado, New Jersey and Massachusetts. is spring, many of my younger creative writing students will be graduating from college. I can still remember hearing each distinctive personality share the stories they wrote in my weekly classes. Many of those young writers started with me in fourth grade and continued through ninth grade. I am proud to have witnessed their creativity and personal growth. Speaking of the passage of time, I just realized that in April I will have written weekly columns for this newspaper for ve years. at’s 260 weekly columns on a variety of topics. Where did the time go? Kim Kovach still needs a battery for her pink wristwatch. www.kimkovachwrites. com Time marches on KIM KOVACH READING, WRITING & CHOCOLATE Yorktown Chamber of Commerce 2010 Organization of the Year November 29, 1987-March 21, 2003 MAY WE STAND AS TALL AS HE DID in memory of Our 20th Year Proudly Supporting Community Recreation and Education HARRISON APAR Standing three feet tall due to a rare dwarfism, as a featured speaker at his middle school graduation, Harrison told classmates... ‘Dreams Do Not Come Easily, But If You Stretch Enough, Nothing Is Out of Reach’ Facebook.com/HarrisonAparFoundation [email protected] • 914.275.6887 P.O. Box 1383, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit incorporated in the State of New York WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? To AdverTise wiTh Us, CAll BreTT FreemAn AT (845) 208-8151 information requests. Years ago, I represented a company called Open Gov that provides economical software to publish government information to the web. I naïvely thought that it would be a no-brainer for most local governments, county and town. Everyone in government talks about improving transparency, but when the rubber hits the road, enthusiasm wanes. It wasn’t as popular an idea as I thought, at least from those in government. Florida and Texas are among a few innovative leaders in transparency and open government. Maybe more sunshine leads to better sunshine laws. Everyone jokes about internet stories that start with “Florida man.” Most of these crazy stories are mined by Google, since every police agency in Florida is required to le their arrest records within 24 hours. County real estate records in Florida are available through clickable maps linked to all of the property information. In Texas, state law requires that government entities must publish their checkbooks online. at rule saves millions for those who previously had to FOIL that information. You can’t get any more transparent than that. Many transparency reforms could be started now by local governments without waiting for new legislation from Albany. For starters, publish all non-con- dential information to the web, including property information, checking transactions and public safety information. ose are not di cult steps and would go a long way towards improving transparency and providing better service to the public.
PAGE 14 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Call us at 914-245-5588 or visit anglebrookgc.com to learn more. Non-Equity—No Assessments • Flexible Membership Options—Corporate, Individual, Couples, Families, Junior Executive and Weekday-Plus • Expanded Patio Terrace Outings, Receptions & Banquets • Liberal Guest Policies MGA’S MODERN DREAM 18 (2017) ROBERT TRENT JONES SR’S FINAL DESIGN A MODERN CLASSIC Join Anglebrook today NEW SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP That hairy ruffian, Homo erectus, must have gotten impatient with the slow pace of evolution and stood too soon. How else can you explain the flimsy stack of vertebrae and disks that we call a spine. In the course of a lifetime, roughly four out of five of us will experience significant back pain. Maybe it’d been better if God managed human evolution, rather than apes. Backs are weird. A hulking linebacker slips a disk tying his shoe, while a 90-pound ballerina can be tossed unharmed like a frisbee. A weak back can be made stronger through exercise, but it will never be a strong back. You’re either born with a strong back or you end up like the many of us who can be felled just by leaning over and picking up a rice crispy. The last time my back went out, I was taking a lasagna out of the oven. I felt a slight wrench and then the spasm hit. I average one or two per year. A week’s rest and lots of icing usually get me back in fighting condition. I’m lucky. But last winter, for the first time, I experienced the exquisite torment of sciatica. Of course, I prayed for relief and promised never to sin again. But God didn’t help and neither did three Advil. Sciatic attacks are worse at night, when the sufferer lies prone. I’d been getting strange pinlike pricks in my thigh for a couple of weeks, usually while driving. And then one night I woke, and it felt as if someone was sticking the point of a red-hot needle in the back of my thigh. I tried shifting positions and then jumped out of bed, as if I could run away from my misery. Save an operation or an epidural, there are no effective treatments for sciatica. However, there’s evidence showing that cannabis helps as an analgesic. Advil was putting holes in my stomach. It didn’t take long to realize that treating sciatic pain with cannabis was going to be a lot more expensive than taking Advil. So, instead of buying what God put here for free and throwing out money on a medical card and a doctor visit, I grew my own. I ordered three feminized, autoflowering seeds from a seedbank in the Bronx. They were engineered to flower in half the time. Instead of growing the usual perennials and leaf lettuce, I committed my basement garden to the devil’s lettuce. God forgive me. From the mightiest sequoia to the lowliest weed, the first two leaves of every single plant look exactly the same. Embryo-like, they emerge from the seed itself. The second set of leaves reveal the plant’s identity in miniature. That’s when you begin to feel responsible and connected to what you’re growing. In a way, it’s like being a parent. I mean, when you grow indoors, you provide the sun, water, the company and the entertainment. One of the plants died of unknown causes, one thrived, one got sick because I overfertilized it. That one grew only 10-1/2 inches high, but flowered nicely. The finest moment came when I took them outside for the first time. I placed them in the morning light and watched as they trembled with delight. Their elegant leaves are fun to sketch because they’re so expressive. They dance, they leap, they finally resemble outstretched wings. The plants were just beginning to lose their leaves. This allows them to use all their energy to produce flowers. My two selfless cannabis plants were in effect sacrificing their lives for the next generation. Not wanting to smoke, I turned most of my harvest into an edible by grinding up the flowers and baking them on a low heat. This releases the psychoactive and CBD chemicals that produce the high and medical benefits. The only problem was that my sciatica had disappeared weeks before. Nevertheless, I found a way to make use. As an herb, edible cannabis in brownies makes no sense to me. I use the dried cannabis as a tincture (what amounts to a trace) and a flavoring in tea. Tea drinking is a morning ritual for me. No TV, no newspaper, no me-meme, just a steamy hot cup of tea. It starts with the first soothing sip, and feeling it warm my insides like a pair of loving hands. It may be my imagination, the placebo effect, but the ever-so-gentle infusion seems to help the calm, teafilled consciousness of well-being and lightness linger throughout the day. I don’t worry over how it gets there. But my tea has never tasted better or warmed me more closely. Does the cannabis tincture do anything besides add flavor? I will never know for sure. But if the sciatica ever does return, I’ll be drinking tea morning, noon and night. Lorenzo Garo is a resident of Mahopac. Celestial seasonings LORENZO GARO OF HUMAN INTEREST
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 15 Freelance Writer, Editor, and Content Producer Bill Bongiorno | (914) 533-7065 | [email protected] For All Your Writing Needs S ometimes, especially around tax season, you just need to disappear for a little while, somewhere not too far, someplace with just enough going on to keep you busy. A trip to one of the region’s many casinos seemed like the perfect weekend getaway. My goal was to let the trip pay for itself by winning $10,000 dollars or so and split the proceeds equally, 70-30, with my wife. I felt a little bad that she wasn’t getting 50 percent, so I told her we could split it 70-50. We went to Resorts World in the Catskills, nished in 2017 on the site of the old Concord Hotel. It’s one of four non-Native American casinos that were approved by the New York legislature in 2013. You won’t hear casinos use the word “gambling” anymore, because they don’t want to bring up the fact that you could lose your shirt, since there is a “no shirt, no service” policy. Instead, they refer to it as “gaming,” so they can remind you how much fun it is to lose your shirt. It’s all about good sportsmanship, because it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game, as long as you don’t mind that the games are stacked against you. ere are several to choose from, which require varying degrees of skill. Roulette is strictly a game of chance, where you bet that the little white ball will land on a certain number, red or black or various combinations of possibilities when the wheel stops spinning. In craps, you bet that a roll of the dice will turn up a certain number before another number appears. ere is a little more chance to use strategy in poker or blackjack, but in all the games you place your bet based upon your perception of the odds. I picture myself as a James Bond type, and I’m at the Baccarat table surrounded by three gorgeous blondes, a redhead and a greenhead (it happened to be St. Patrick’s Day). Baccarat is a card game along the lines of blackjack, and it appeals to me because you only need to be able to count to nine instead of twenty-one. Next to me is a stack of chips the likes of which I’ve never seen outside of a Pringles can. I knew that if I could “count the shoe,” my chances of winning were pretty good. It looked like there was just one shoe, so that was a time-saver. I could focus on my duties as a man of mystery. I looked over the rest of the players, trying to guess which one was the mole. I gured there may be some dirt on him and he might have to go back underground soon. I was jolted out of my reverie by the sound of my stomach growling, so I thought I might hit the slot machines before dinner. e blondes are gone and in their place is an old guy with no hair on his head, but a lot in his ears. I gure if I can win 50 percent more than I started with, I’d settle for that. I choose a machine that has a picture of an attractive harem girl who seems to be in possession of a lot of gold, and I can tell by her smile that she is looking for someone to share it with who knows how to re-write a will. It’s a penny slot, so all I have to do is win 1.5 cents, and I can walk away having achieved my objective. We took a break and ate at a very nice Chinese restaurant in the casino. So many choices, I had to narrow it down by the process of elimination. I steered clear of the “Semi Dry Squid” because I didn’t have time to wait around for it to dry completely. I also did not order the “Ho Fun,” a friendly sounding dish whose main ingredients are shrimp, bean sprouts and at least two varieties of misdemeanors. I settled on the Orange Chicken since I had never seen one that color before, and I was not disappointed. After dinner I returned to the same slot machine that I had made some charitable donations to before; I guess I felt sorry that it only had one arm. I knew that my luck had to change at some point. And my luck did change, when it went from bad to appalling. en all of a sudden a ashing, ringing, dinging banner lit up and said, “YOU BROKE THE BANK!!” And at last I was home free, and I was ecstatic, that is until I learned how much they were charging me to repair it. Join Rick and Trillium for some love and harmony at Argonne Rose at Mohegan Lake, Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m.! Say hello at: rlife8@hotmail. com. What are the odds? RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD Dear Dr. Linda, A while back you wrote a column explaining why some kids get poor grades and you mentioned that they don’t practice enough. Even though I’m now a grandfather, I remember high school and college and in order to do well, I had to practice. Kids today don’t seem to realize how important practicing (studying, reviewing, homework) is. Just look at athletes. ey practice. Look at music students. ey practice. ank you for mentioning this in your column. -Steve N. Dear Steve, You’re right. If you want to do well, practice is critical. e old saying “Practice makes perfect” has been around for a long time. In fact, this proverb has been traced back to the 1550s, when the term was ‘Use makes perfect.’ e proverb was even found in the “Diary and Autobiography of John Adams.” Here we are hundreds of years later and this proverb still holds true. People in the eld of sports need to practice continuously. Musicians and actors need to practice continuously. ese particular professions, and virtually all others, are dependent on practicing. e people who went into these careers understood and accepted the fact that to be in that profession, they would spend hours each day practicing the skills they were developing. e problem when it comes to telling children and teens that they need to practice is that they did not choose being a student as a profession. I think we often fail to demonstrate and communicate how learning the skills may be important to them. Believe it or not, there are students who truly enjoy learning, are goal-oriented and want those good grades because they understand the connection to their goals. Making good grades and succeeding in school makes them feel good because they see their own progress. ey are students in the true sense of the word. ey practice academic skills just as they practice dribbling or batting, singing songs in chorus, playing instruments in the band, or learning their lines for a spring play. ey derive pleasure from seeing the results of their labor. Not understanding the connection, the majority of students don’t enjoy learning, and when a particular subject is di cult for them, the last thing they want to do is spend even more time “practicing” it. And these are the students who need the practice even more. Eventually, when they go to college or technical school and decide on a major, they take courses they love and see the connection between what they learn and landing a job in that eld. en, they will practice. ey will want to practice. So, when children or teens refuse to study, which means hours of practicing, remember that they did not choose to be students. To make matters worse, they are under pressure to do well in this “career” they not only didn’t choose, but dislike. Instead of parents and teachers wasting their breath on the old proverb, “Practice makes perfect,” they need to talk about what they want to become as an adult. Investigate with them what they have to do in order to achieve this goal. Discuss the fact that in order to achieve it, they may need to get certain grades now and to get those grades, they’ll have to practice. And if they believe you, they may not want to practice, but they’ll understand why it’s important. Here’s a tip to be sure that children and teens practice. Make it fun! Research has shown that students get higher grades and remember the material longer if they practice by playing games. It’s usually because their anxiety goes down, their focus goes up and they want to keep playing, which results in hours of unlimited purposeful, playful practice! Have fun practicing. -Dr. Linda If you want to learn more or have questions about unlimited purposeful, playful practice, contact Dr. Linda Silbert by visiting her at www.StrongLearning.com. Practice makes perfect DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING
PAGE 16 From March 23-25, the John Jay eater Workshop punched the clock with performances of “9 to 5: e Musical.” Based on the 1980 lm starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Lily Tomlin, the production tells the story of a group of working women who turn the tables on their chauvinistic boss. CAST Ryder Adler, Adeline Bartelemucci, Jordyn Blachar, Memphis Bradford, Emma Chase, Sophia Cheng, Jack Coletta, Kaitlyn Domoto, Samantha Donnelly, Elizabeth Epstein, Madelyn Galgano, Avery Gatrell, Cole Georgi, Emma Gleacher, Nathaniel Greenspan, Ayelet Greenspan, Lusitania Halaifonua, Julia Johnston, Tahlia Koenig, Lily Mostero, Violet Oyen, Julianna Percoco, Oliver Pezone, Francis Pryor, Maclain Rockett, Cade Schwark, Alec Schwartz, Samantha Sperling, Jake Sperling, Nicoletta Summa, Adina Talenfeld, Madison Varriale, So a Verrone, Parker Whitney, Anneliese Zaken CREW Bohdan Adrianowycz, Azumi Appell, Isabela Brazill, Kieran Denyer, Emma Jacobs, Talia Levinsohn, Alison Lustig, Wyeth Lindberg, Cara McPartland, Wesley Miller, Ela Mehra, Marina Meineck, Zack Pezone, Raven Quinlan, Sydney Sarner, Gabriel Tambor, Cecil Tedder, Zoey Upham, Nina Vigil, Calvin Wein COSTUME CREW Gemma Grassi, Adriana Oliveira, Arden Pearl, Lillian Shore, Miranda Wein PIT ORCHESTRA Ara Beigi, Julia Gold, Emma Klares, Joseph Klettner, Bartosz Kolano, Fenton Lio, Ian Rhodes, Emma Richman, Benjamin Swiderski 9 to 5: John Jay thespians work for it The Musical THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIME
PAGE 17 PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATONAH LEWISBORO SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 TRACKS ES – THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023
Sports PAGE 18 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER e John Jay girls lacrosse team is the winner of fourstraight sectional championships, and last spring, held an 11-6 lead in their regional game versus Queensbury. Unfortunately, 12 of the next 14 goals went to the opponent, and the Wolves were forced to walk away in sorrow. But most of the key members returning, Coach Jess McDonough knows their resolve will not allow them to view this year’s potential through the prism of last year’s disappointment. “ e team does a really good job of not focusing on what happened in the past. ey are focusing on being in the moment and seeing what they can do this year,” she assured. Seniors Mia Puccio, Annie Brennan, Shannon Nolan, and Meghan Condon lead the mindset. “ ose core four are amazing young ladies who truly lead the team through their hard work, dedication, and overall grit. ey understand our team’s identity, and we are eager to see where they lead us,” said McDonough. Up and down the eld, Puccio and Brennan return as mid elders, and JoJo Degl will join them after being on the attack last year. e mid- eld will also get a doubletake with Finja Degl getting a turn with her sister as an eighth grader, and along with sophomore Emma Martins, the pace and diligence should not lose a step. “ e girls are good at moving the ball quickly up the eld. ey are good at creating turnovers, getting the ball out there and getting into the fast break,” Coach said. Shannon Nolan and Kayla Shapiro are returning on attack, and sliding into a starting position will be Nicole DiNapoli. “ ey play fast, and we are excited to see what they can do,” said the coach. In support as newcomers, Amelia Inglis, Molly Willingham and Charlotte Henrich are hoping to make a di erence and already look like they have gotten with the program. “ ey seem to click well together,” said McDonough. “ ey understand our concepts, our o ensive identity and o ensive principles.” e same goes for the defense. Condon is the anchoring senior, while Jordan Kauftheil and Jane Brennan will help keep the ship steady as sophomores and will be joined by Julia Verrone, Emilia Viders and Mary Murphy. Finally, Molly Gallagher is going to play backstop and provide lead vocals on the John Jay side of the eld. “She’s nding her voice and taking a lead communicating role. So she knows that is a core value of the defense, and at practice, she’s been loud and vocal,” said McDonough. “She’s de nitely excited to take on the responsibility.” As for the coach, McDonough is not getting ahead of herself - especially in terms of the girls who will eventually put on the uniform for the last time in May. “I just really appreciate the team that’s in front of me. Eighteen individual girls and what they bring, I see each one as a whole person and incorporate that role into making sure our team is a success. I want every single girl to be a success - on and o the eld. So for me it’s staying in the moment, guring out what do we want to accomplish today.” A sentiment that aligns with the goals for 2023 and beyond. “We want to get better every single day,” she concluded. e Wolves played their season-opener against Fox Lane last Saturday (3/25), steamrolling the Foxes to a 13-1 win. Wolves aim to stay focused Getting better everyday Shannon Nolan and Annabel Brennan. FILE PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI JoJo Degl Mia Puccio Meghan Condon GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW ‘I want every single girl to be a success - on and o the field.’ Jess McDonough John Jay Lacrosse Head Coach
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 BY WES ADAMS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Hello, fellow ramblers. I have just moved to the area, and in this new monthly column I aim to explore the local running scene and showcase special upcoming events - starting with the perfect spring shakeout, the fifth annual John Jay Community Trail Race on Sunday, Apr. 16. After the movers dumped our stuff and high-tailed it back to the city, the first thing I did was dig out my running gear. I needed to grab a few miles to clear my head and get situated. Not even a half-mile from my new front door, I crossed paths with another runner. He was kneeling beside his car, lacing on a pair of well-worn trail shoes. I asked if he could recommend a good route for a disoriented newcomer. “Follow me,” he said. We jogged down the road and turned up a discrete access trail, into the early fall glories of the Mount Holly Sanctuary. As we made our way up the steep lower path, through oak, beech, and maple flaming with color, my guide told me all sorts of things about the preserve. How it used to be one of the many dairy farms in the area. How all the stone walls strung along the slopes had once edged old pastures. How horses and wolves and a French-speaking hermit dressed all in leather were often seen on these hills. I didn’t know whether to believe anything he said, but I was too out of breath trying to keep up to question him. We stopped at the top of the 650-foot mountain. While I pretended not to be sucking air, he pointed out a red-blazed trail that would take me back home. He said he was heading on to a nearby waterfall. Again, I was not sure what to believe about this new running wonderland. But I eventually found out that everything he said was true, including the nearby waterfall at Marion Yarrow Preserve . . . and the rambling Leatherman, of course. Mount Holly takes its name not from the spiky, red-berried evergreen, but from Jonah Holly, who settled in the area in the late 1700s and whose family house still stands not far from the southeast corner of the sanctuary. From trailhead to top, the preserve’s main path offers about 350 feet in elevation gain in under mile—an ideal setting for low-key hill repeats. If you are an area runner, chances are you are in striking distance of a trail or quiet road ascending a similar-sized hill. Embrace the rise, don’t avoid it! First, establish a baseline by clocking an easy ascent. Now you have a time to beat on a return run (or run-walk, or walk, whatever’s your jam). I try to do a hill workout at least once a week. If I’m going for multiple ascents, I jog down very slowly as a recovery lap and rest a full minute at the bottom before attacking the climb again. I love getting familiar with the unique challenges of a long hill, knowing where to pour it on and where to ease off and beg for mercy. “May the mountains bring prosperity!” my public school coach used to say, hurling Scripture at us as we gutted out endless hill sprints on the steep grassy banks behind our school. “You are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk!” To test your own skills on the hills and against real Wolves, look no further than the upcoming John Jay Community Trail Race. This event follows the acclaimed crosscountry course used by the Wolves of John Jay High School. Race day will feature a 4k Jaywalk and a 5k run, followed by a 200m dash for kids. “Course building is 98 percent done,” says race director Rob Cummings. “Work on the trail began in 2015 and this year we are raising funding for the finishing touches, like way markers, signage, and benches.” Not far from the start, racers will pass the first of three planned map kiosks, recently completed as an Eagle Scout project by Spencer Hadlock. The course features more elevation gain, says Rob, than the sectional championship course at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. But it’s a well-balanced route, too. According to Lucas Mongiello, a sophomore on the John Jay XC squad, “there seems to be an even amount of uphills and downhills.” With its three footbridges, sixfoot width, and eight boardwalks, the John Jay Community Course is a marvel of trail engineering, winding through the narrow woodland on the slope behind the high school and middle school, alongside North Branch Creek. “It’s amazing how much work our community put into this trail,” says JJ junior Ciara McGroary, who has been on the XC team since eighth grade. For the annual trail race, Rob delegates most of the organizational work to students. Ciara and Lucas are two of the six organizers this year. The student directors reach out to potential sponsors and work together to sweat the big and the small stuff, from permits and insurance to post-race food and prizes. “There are so many little details that go into making the race possible and successful,” says Ciara. One of the best features of the course is that it’s open to the public, so there’s plenty of time to practice between now and race day. As for an insider’s view from two Wolves who know every bump on the trail: “There’s a flat part that can get really muddy which the team calls Lazy River,” according to Lucas, “and the last hill of the course is what we call The Hill of Hell.” Ciara offers a similar observation: “Our captain calls most of the hills ‘The Devil,’” she says. Their hard-earned insights would be music to the ears of my Bible-thumping high school coach. He knew that we sometimes have to journey to the hills of hell and back to wrestle with the Devil in order to get to running heaven. For race info and registration, please visit www.jjtrail.org Head for the hills Community trail 5k this April PHOTOS: ROB CUMMINGS Starters underway at the 2022 John Jay Trail Race. Downhill racers at last year’s event. Youngsters sprinting for the finish at the 2022 kids’ dash. PHOTO: WESLEY ADAMS This discrete access trail is one gateway to the Mount Holly Sanctuary. THE RUNAROUND
Sports PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Last year, John Jay played to about a .500 regular season, and beat Somers in the rst round of Sectionals. “We did not start o great, but by the end of the season, we were rocking and rolling, and played well,” said Coach Steve DelMoro. e Wolves lost to Mahopac in the next round, though, and while the 8-1 defeat was disappointing, Coach thinks this year’s biggest concern speaks well to the new season. People competing all over the eld, he assured, “I have hard decisions to make, but good decisions.” e coach begins behind the plate. Carolina Cerna is returning for her senior year and has All-League Honorable Mention honors in her back pocket. Alongside, the catcher will have eighth grader Carys Cooper to contend with. “Carys looks like she’s going to be an absolute stud,” said DelMoro. A good competition ahead, according to DelMoro, the returning catcher will also have other options if she’s not behind the plate on any particular day. “Carolina is a versatile player,” said the coach. “She can jump in the in eld or the out eld.” Of course, utility will dictate those appearances. Senior Maya Nelsen is returning at third, and Josie Scott and Jamie Siegel held down the in eld last year as juniors. At rst, Elaina Daly is making her case as a freshman, but the verdict still is not in. “We are still up in the air,” said DelMoro. Along the same lines, Amanda Kelly will have a chance to plant her feet in the in eld. “She’s a very versatile athlete,” he said of the junior. Going deep, Brenna Doherty and Sam Luper are returning to the out eld, and while welcoming Brooke Buatte and Skye Volpicella to varsity, all will be in the trenches. “Competition is going to be a big thing for the whole team,” Coach said. “We have a lot of kids who can play every position.” In the circle, John Jay will mix and match for the ball too. First up, Emma Klares is back with plenty of mettle. “Her mental toughness is something that you cannot really teach,” said DelMoro. Of course, Klares also has the physical skills. “She has an array of pitches, and being comfortable throwing those in game situations is going to be a big advantage,” he asserted. Next in line, DelMoro is glad to have a little lineage to fall back on in Julia Neumann. “She is Lindsay’s sister. She comes from a great family and is an overall great kid,” said the coach. She will not have to draw on family name for success, and having a hook will not hurt either. “A lefty, it gives a di erent look for hitters,” DelMoro clari ed. And last, but far from least, Riley Foote comes in as a prodigy who hopefully has a long John Jay run. “An eight grader,” he added. “She came into tryouts really strong. She throws hard, has a great bat and a great attitude.” DelMoro also has no doubt that Neumann and Klares will show the rookie the ropes. “ ey are going to be great mentors,” he said. As for run support, DelMoro feels con dent that his hitters will deliver. “We have a lot of di erent, versatile types of hitters. Some hit for power and some really shoot the gaps.” Another good problem to have, he’s in no rush to ll out his batting order. Scrimmaging Panas on Wednesday (3/22), the coach said, “I will try to hit everyone and see how they do.” From there, DelMoro intends to compete out of the blocks, and the combination of youth and senior leadership means Section 1 will be forced to take notice. “We can compete for a league championship and hang tough with anyone,” he concluded. Maya Nelsen FILE PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Emma Klares John Jay ready to compete Carolina Cerna SOFTBALL PREVIEW
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 21 Harvey’s girls varsity lacrosse team enters the 2023 season wanting more of the same … more as in a fourth-straight Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) championship. Coach Greg Janos, who started the girls lacrosse program and guided the Cavaliers to four league titles over the span of a decade, enters his 11th season on the sidelines, believing his 2023 squad is poised to make a long playo run and capture another trophy. “Our strength will be in our numbers as we have 25 girls on the roster,” he said. “We have a great, solid, strong group of veterans returning who will be tasked with leading the team this year. We will be strong defensively, with speed in the mid- eld, and have a ramped-up offense,” Janos will be assisted by second-year coach John Peters and Taylor Fisher, in her rst year. Coach Peters will work with the goalies and help coordinate the defense, while Coach Fisher will direct the attack. Having lost last year’s leading scorer Ellie Kalman to graduation, the Cavs will turn to senior captain Juliet Jaques at mid eld to help pace the o ense. Jaques, an All-NEPSAC and HVAL All-League selection in 2022, nished second on the team in scoring last season with 32 goals and a remarkable 31 assists. Coach Janos says Jaques is “a triple threat with her speed, strength, and skill.” Coach Janos also expects big things on attack from sophomore captain Emily Sorio, who had a breakout season in 2022, scoring 19 goals and assisting on ve others. She earned an HVAL All-League selection and an All-NEPSAC honorable mention last spring. e coach sizes up Sorio as a player who features “draw control, toughness, and a strong desire to compete.” Much is also expected from junior captain Katie McCulloch, a defensive whiz quite adept at stopping the opponents’ best players. McCulloch was an HVAL All-League selection last spring and earned All-NEPSAC honorable mention. Coach Janos describes McCulloch as “tough and talented, a shut-down defensive player who is good in the transition.” Two other returning players are expected to make signi cant contributions. Coach Janos describes junior Riannah Wallach on attack as “a strong, quick, ground-ball machine with much veteran experience.” e coach also singled out senior Emma Galgano, entering her seventh season of varsity. “On attack, Emma has speed, can shoot, wields a quick stick, and knows the game.” Cavs looking for 4th straight LAX title PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARVEY SCHOOL GVLax outdoor practice. HARVEY GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW SEE LACROSSE PAGE 22 Landscape Artisans • Builders • Commercial • Residential Services • Installation • Grounds Care • Insured • Green Industry Proclamations from Westchester County • Cornell Cooperative LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT contact us for a Free estimate! Servicing the Tri-State Area over 40 years Promote skilled technicians operating in our environment. HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR! Tom Surace PRESIDENT (c) 914.469.3175 (e) [email protected] IMPECCABLE REFERENCES
PAGE 22 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Two newcomers look to be playing plenty of minutes in their rst year. Senior Zoe Melnick will guard the net. “Zoe jumped in front of the net one day and it all just came so naturally to her,” Coach Janos said. “We are all excited to see her in action.” e coach also believes ninth grader Chloe Eisenberg on attack will see action. “Chloe’s a hard worker, talented, and has plenty of experience.” Looking ahead to the season, Coach Janos sees a large roster as a positive. “We have over two team’s worth of players, so each day, everyone will be competing for a starting spot. It will help push everyone to be their best and play their best. We will have a lot of depth on the bench and plenty of fresh legs to jump in at any time.” Coach Janos sees King and Wooster as the two toughest matchups for Harvey, but the coach is not taking any opponent lightly. “We are the top team again and have a pretty big target on our backs. Everyone wants to be the team to snatch our crown.” e Cavs open up on the road in Stamford, C.T. against King on Mar. 31 at 4 p.m. Article provided by e Harvey School LACROSSE FROM PAGE 21 2023 Harvey Girls Lacrosse GVLax indoor practice. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARVEY SCHOOL Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Bulletin Board and reach over 3,500 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. For promo details please call 844-919-1682 CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 O First Month of New Service! USE PROMO CODE: GZ59O One time use only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or offer. Coupon offer good until December 31, 2022. Valid for any new service except subscription fees. Must mention coupon at time of sale. One time use only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or offer. Coupon offer good until December 31, 2022. Valid for any new service except subscription fees. Must mention coupon at time of sale. from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Call to get your FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 Dental50Plus.com/nypress Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6208-0721 DENTAL Insurance 855.281.6439 I Free Quotes UP TO Could your kitchen use a little magic? ON YOUR FULL KITCHEN REMODEL* SAVE 10% *Discount applies to purchase of new cabinets or cabinet refacing with a countertop. Does not apply to countertop only projects. May not combine with other offers or prior purchases. Exp.3/31/23. NP-263. NY: Nassau: H1759490000 Suffolk: 16183-H NY/Rockland: 5642 Multi-Property Auction Homes, Land & Vacation Properties Ulster, Orange, Otsego and Delaware Counties ONLINE AUCTION Ending March 29 @ 1:01PM FREE info, visit web site or call AARauctions.com ABSOLUTE AUCTIONS & REALTY, Inc. (800) 243-0061 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Bulletin Board and reach over 3,500 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today!
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 23 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Bulletin Board and reach over 3,500 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 51 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! GOLD • SILVER • DIAMONDS WATCHES • COINS • FURS PAINTINGS • FULL ESTATES The Buying Service We simply pay more! Contact Barry 914-260-8783 [email protected] WE BUY Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! Promo Code: 285 FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING* SENIORS & MILITARY! YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE* 20 + % % OFF 10 OFF *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate only. 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. Registration# 0366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Registration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-478-9473 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC GENERATOR INSTALLATIONS LICENSED & INSURED NY & CT 914-763-5555 CHARLES GEORGE • POUND RIDGE, NY ADULT SOFTBALL YSALEAGUES.COM [email protected] YORKTOWN PARKS & RECREATION AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 59 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 email: [email protected] 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com For All Your Plumbing, Heating, Hot Water Heater & Gas Needs
PAGE 24 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES LEISURE THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 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. Millisecond 5. Narcotic drug 11. Accident 14. Formal submissions 15. Popular 70s rock band 18. Discourage from doing 19. More socially elite 21. Arid 23. A way to look 24. Heroes 28. A surfer rides it 29. Potato state 30. Insect repellent 32. Cool! 33. Have already done 35. Collegiate women’s fraternity 36. To the __ degree 39. Gasteyer and de Armas are two 41. Blood type 42. Looked over 44. Language of Cameroon and Chad 46. Species of armadillo 47. Touch softly 49. Part of your upper body 52. Large, stocky lizards 56. Lack of social or ethical standards 58. Congressman 60. Unofficial force 62. As a result of this utterance 63. A main branch of Islam CLUES DOWN 1. Woman (French) 2. Province of Pakistan 3. This (Spanish) 4. Transportation device 5. Greater in importance or priority 6. The human foot 7. Within 8. Consumed 9. Respectful Malaysian term 10. Therefore 12. Ceased to exist 13. Type of macaroni 16. English composer 17. Wooded tract 20. Tall, slenderleaved plant 22. 36 inches 25. Take too much (abbr.) 26. Allow 27. Individually 29. Journalist Tarbell 31. Bar bill 34. Hong Kong food stall:__ pai dong 36. Not messy 37. Species that includes reedmace 38. Former MLB catcher Ed 40. Northern U.S. state 43. Wilt 45. Commercial 48. Bolivian river 50. Nursemaid 51. A car needs four 53. Guns (slang) 54. American state 55. Clusters of fern fronds 57. Body part 58. A person’s brother or sister 59. Breed of sheep native to Sweden 61. Of I Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that can make eating challenging. When a person has IBS, certain foods can elicit painful digestion responses. By avoiding certain foods and leaning strongly on others, namely Low-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) ingredients, it is easier to nd relief and enjoy mealtime. When one person in the family su ers from IBS, it can be easier to adjust cooking accordingly for the entire household. Getting the entire family involved in mealtime can foster bonds and help family members spend time together. is recipe for “Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs” from “ e Complete IBS Diet Plan” (Rockridge Press) by Amanda Foote, R.D., is one way to have all hands on deck when preparing a satisfying meal that should not trigger discomfort for people with IBS. Increase the recipe accordingly, depending on the number of diners. Smart meals helps relieve IBS Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs Serves 2 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tablespoon dried oregano Grated zest of 1/2 lemon, plus additional for garnish (optional) 2 4-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup mixed yellow and red bell pepper chunks 1/2 cup zucchini chunks Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 1. Soak two wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and lemon zest (if using). Add the chicken and stir to coat the cubes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 3. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. Set aside. 4. Skewer the marinated chicken, bell pepper chunks, and zucchini chunks, and place the skewers on the baking sheet. 5. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven to broil and broil the kebabs for 2 minutes on each side, watching them carefully so they don’t burn. 6. Garnish the kebabs with more lemon zest (if using).
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 25 BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER The Yorktown Police Department has reported the arrest of a 17-year-old male Yorktown resident who was charged with juvenile delinquency after allegedly obtaining firearm parts. According to police, if the defendant was an adult the charges would have consisted of two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 3rd degree; both Class “A” misdemeanors. On March 13, Officer Hannigan, working alongside members of the Westchester County Police Department, learned that a Yorktown juvenile might have obtained firearms, firearm parts, or components. At 12 p.m., Yorktown Police, with the help of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Westchester Police Department, attempted to locate the juvenile. He was eventually located on Baldwin Road. An investigation was conducted at a local residence, and police located and seized what they alleged to be firearm parts, pistol components, and documents that they alleged to be forged, according to police. The youth was placed under arrest, and he was transported to police headquarters for processing. At the Yorktown Police Department, the juvenile was processed with a parent present and was issued an appearance ticket directing them to appear in Westchester County Family Court in White Plains on March 30 at 10 a.m. “In this case, parents really need to know what’s being shipped to their house,” said Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble. “As a parent, you have every right, especially as the parent of a juvenile, to open and inspect any packages that come and get delivered to your child.” The parts seized are often used in the assembly of “ghost guns,” a term typically used to describe firearms that are constructed from kits. As a result, the weapons do not have serial numbers. “Ghost guns are becoming more frequent in our area and if they make their way out on the street, they take innocent lives, so this was excellent teamwork on behalf of the Westchester County Police and my team,” Noble added. “I’m proud of the work that was done and again, we’re getting guns off the street in any way, shape, or form that we can,” Noble told Halston Media that the components of ghost guns are being ordered online and assembled at home. “These parts are getting shipped and if there are young people involved, parents need to take stricter measures to know what’s coming into their house,” Noble said. Yorktown youth faces juvenile delinquency charge Police seize gun parts REGIONAL BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER The Yorktown Police Department reported the arrest of two people involved in a recent residential robbery. Darling Read, 34, from Elmsford, and Jovanda Paredes, 29, from the Bronx, were both charged with burglary in the 2nd degree and robbery in the 2nd degree; both Class “C” felonies. At approximately 3:27 a.m. on March 17, Yorktown Police responded to a report of a residential robbery. Upon arrival, Officers Lizarzaburu and Delgado met with a “distraught person” who told them that two people entered the home and allegedly remained inside for over half an hour. The defendants allegedly assaulted the victim while inside the home, brandished a firearm, held the victim against their will, and stole property. The defendants fled before police arrived, but the victim was able to identify both individuals. The Yorktown Police commenced their investigation and determined that the alleged assailants were in New York City. Officers notified other agencies, and with the help of the FBI, the Westchester County Police Conditions Unit (WCPD) and the New York Police Department, the defendants were found in the Bronx and were followed into Manhattan. They were arrested by the FBI and WCPD and were transported to Yorktown Police Department headquarters and were processed on the above charges. Once processed, the defendants were arraigned at The Yorktown Justice Court by Judge Cohen-Pierson. Read was held on a $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond. Paredes was held on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. Both were unable to post bail and were remanded to the Westchester County Jail. Two arrested in home burglary REGIONAL 1 DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 4/30/2023. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, 0% interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 12/25/2022 and 4/30/2023. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered nancial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. Central CA License #1096271. CA License CLSB #1050316. License #RCE-50303. WA License# RENEWAW856K6. WA License #RENEWAP877BM. OR License #198571. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. "Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2023 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. RBA13228 PLUS $0 Money Down, $0 Interest, $0 Monthly Payments for 12 Months1 Minimum purchase of 4 – interest accrues from date of purchase but is waived if paid in full within 12 months. CALL BY APRIL 30 to schedule a FREE consultation. 866-944-1728 Minimum purchase of 4. BUY 1, GET 1 40OFF % Windows, Patio & Entry Doors1 Monthly Payments Minimum purchase of 4 – interest accrues from date of purchase but is waived if paid in full within 12 months. 866-944-1728 Windows, Patio & Entry Doors Minimum purchase of 4. 1
PAGE 26 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times ItalIan ContInental CuIsIne Now Taking Reservations For Easter Sunday & Mother’s Day (Serving Special Holiday Menu) Mamma Rosa Gift Certificates are the Perfect Present Year-Round! Every Week is Restaurant Week at Mamma Rosa! • Gluten Free Pasta and Menu Items Available • Private Party Rooms Available• Reservations Recommended 252 Route 100, Somers 10589 • 914.232.8080 • www.mammarosaristorante.com Open Tuesday-Sunday for Lunch and Dinner • Closed Monday BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR New York State has issued an executive order to recognize March 30 as its o cial April Fools’ Day. e decision ends a long tradition of celebrating fools on the rst of April. “ is change is long overdue,” Gov. Hochul said in a press statement. “For too long, April 1 has let the privileged few perpetrate pranks and make mayhem at the expense of those left behind by the system. “April Fools’ has stigmatized both the month of April and people named April,” Hochul added. “We’re here to say that we hear you, will continue to hear you, and want you to hear about us hearing you.” e governor said the new policy came after a $14.1 million, 30-year study by the New York State People’s O ce of Humanity (NYS-POOH), which looked at the level and quality of practical joking, the targets of the jokes, and the reactions of both the perpetrators and victims of the pranks themselves across 10 New York State regions. e study began under the administration of Democrat Mario Cuomo and continued under Republican George Pataki and Democrats Eliot Spitzer, David Patterson, Andrew Cuomo and Hochul before concluding last year. Over a planned 10-year transition period, the Spring Fools’ Period will cover March 30 – April 1 “We know this is a big change,” Hochul admitted. “In 2033, Fools’ Day will begin and end on March 30.” e shift is expected to impact the Hudson Valley the most, with the Capital District almost una ected as “few people know when anyone up there is being serious anyway,” a source said. Local o cials opposed the move and said it was typical of a state administration that pushes down on ordinary New Yorkers. NO DIRTY 30 Hochul’s announcement quickly generated a national reaction. Some advocates said New York’s move could be a vanguard for a federal mandate with rare bipartisan support for a more exible Fool-recognition system. But other groups vowed to ght any attempt to change the Fools’ Day date. Speaking at a meeting for Conservatives Opposing Wokeness (COW), Republican Lee Zeldin, Hochul’s 2022 opponent for governor, called it “another failed policy…nothing but joke-wokeness.” Zeldin said he would make a personal stand by taking absolutely everything seriously on March 30 and 31. e ght spilled into the national spotlight when Florida Governor and potential GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would stand up to any federal government mandate to change April Fools’ Day. If the Biden administration follows New York’s lead, Sunshine State calendars will immediately move April 1 two days earlier, making March only 29 days. “April 1 will be 72 hours long,” DeSantis said. “Nobody likes March anyway.” e Florida State Legislature is reportedly working on a bill dubbed “Dirty 30,” making it illegal for public o cials to discuss anything funny on March 30. BY THE NUMBERS Despite the pushback, a growing number of experts see March 30 as a more sustainable solution for a Fools’ Day. For the NYS study, analysts fed data into a 1992 Amiga 4000 computer (the only machine that could run the software). e Foolster app compared joke delivery satisfaction (JDS) index gures with victim dismay (VD) responses for over 17 million New York-based April Fools’ incidents from 1992-2022. e data tracked such categories as practical jokes, puns, impersonations, satire, written spoofs and dad jokes (later renamed dud jokes to combat gender stereotypes). e developer of Foolster wished to remain anonymous, but allowed us to describe him as a 43-year-old bachelor living in his mother’s basement. “Bad jokes are up, and people feel rushed to get their jokes in on only one day,” he said. “A three-day grace period really helps everyone.” While most of the people interviewed for this piece said April Fools’ day was ne as it was, many said it didn’t matter when Fools’ Day happened as long as they knew it was Fools’ day. In a rare example of agreement, both the New York Times’ and the Wall Street Journal’s editorial pages said that the state needed to be clear about when it was being serious and when it was kidding. “We haven’t gotten a joke unless someone explained the punchline to us since 1986,” said the joint editorial, which ran in both publications. FOOLS RUSH IN While some praised Hochul’s courage in ordering the change, the move poses political risks from both sides of the aisle in a polarized state. In Mahopac, yard signs called for resistance against the change, with “Keep April 1 Fools’ Day” appearing all over town, while a social media campaign said these so-called “April Firsters” fools every day of the year. A Change.org petition called for the name of the holiday to be o cially changed to March Mayhem because April is trending up as a girl’s name. (It was the 416th most popular girls name in 2022, according to babycenter.com, up more than 100 places from the previous year). But Hochul said the state would never be able to get local districts to go along with the name change and opted instead to move the day while recognizing that people could act like fools on April 1 if they wanted. Advocates for the humorchallenged said Hochul’s order would hurt them because it would bring uncertainty about when something that seems completely ridiculous is intended to be a joke or is actually serious. “Not everyone gets jokes,” said Hudson Barques of the organization Just Lines, which advocates against the use of the word punch in punchlines because of the violent connotation. “Sarcasm is especially hard for our members, but satire and wordplay are also problematic.” Meanwhile, the bipartisan group Practical called changing the date “a fools’ errand.” Practical President J. Oker said, “Moving April Fools’ Day is sure to confuse people who don’t have access to credible news. “First of all, people will do ridiculous things on March 30 and others may not realize they’re being subjected to some serious stupidity instead of an attempt at humor. “ en, on April 1, they might get pranked and think people are being serious. “Imagine what will happen then?” NY April Fools’ Day moved to March 30 State mandate brings cries of overreach REGIONAL Letters and Op-Ed Policy Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of the Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its affi liates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verifi cation. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verifi ed or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at KLT@halstonmedia. com. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830.
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 27 family have kept in touch ever since. Rose Fiscella thought if a public plea worked once, it could work again. Rose then passed Heide’s email to a friend, Corinne Stanton, a Halston Media advertising executive (Halston Media is the publisher of this newspaper), who has lots of connections in the community. Stanton immediately sent it to Halston Media editor Tom Walogorsky on Friday, March 10. Maryjean Lugo works as a library aide at Somers Intermediate School. On Monday, March 13, she contacted SIS Acting Principal Linda Belger to see if she could get the word out that they were hoping to find community members in need of a transplant. Belger thought alerting the local newspaper would attract a wider audience. She reached out to the school district’s spokesperson, Amanda Bergen, who contacted Walogorsky. Putting two and two together, Walogorsky sent the Fiscellas’ note to Bergen, who passed it to Belger. Belger contacted Maryjean, who then left a voicemail with the Fiscellas. And a life-saving connection was made. Calling back was rough, John Fiscella recalled. “We didn’t know what to do. We were like, this is the person’s worst hour of need, their lowest point. How do you call somebody? What do you say? We were crying, but she held up pretty good,” he said of Lugo. THE ‘CAT WHISPERER’ Teacher Matt Ridgeway said on Facebook that it “was a privilege to have (had) the chance to teach and mentor Vin [Lugo] at Somers High School.” Calling him an “unforgettable kid who shared positivity, kindness, and his great smile with so many people,” Ridgeway said Lugo will “be sorely missed.” If his mother had to name that special something that made her son so memorable to so many, it would be “charisma.” And it wasn’t just people; animals were charmed too. His family jokingly called him the “cat whisperer.” One of their favorite photos shows the big tough-looking guy gently cradling his favorite feline, Lucky. Music was Lugo’s biggest thing. After getting his first drum kit at age 13, he went on to play guitar and bass, sing, and write songs. When a teenager, he went to the School of Rock in Bedford. While not currently in a band himself, Lugo was a great supporter of those who were and was known to perform with his favorite groups. Mother and son bonded over music. She introduced him to rock and roll and other genres of her generation. He grew up listening to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Styx and Journey. The first live concert they attended together was put on by Jon Bon Jovi in Central Park. Vin was 7. At 9, he rocked out to KISS. As a teen, he discovered metalcore, a fusion of extreme metal and hardcore punk. While not all of that type of heavy music was her thing, Maryjean went along when she could. “I was supporting his passion,” she explained. Once Lugo learned to drive, he started taking himself “all over the place,” Maryjean said, noting that he “attended just about any show that he could.” And that’s what people remember most about him, how supportive he was of other musicians. “He was just a shining light in that community,” his mom said. When not working, he would hang out with his girlfriend, Aviana, or go out with his dad to hit a few golf balls at the driving range or to catch a car show. Vin could be a little introspective. When in need of some alone time, he would drive over to Bear Mountain, a quiet spot where he could take in nature and relax. “He found that comforting, I think,” Maryjean added. Calling her late son “a good soul” and her “whole world,” she hopes that she, his loved ones, and friends find some comfort in his last act of kindness. The fact that he has helped another musician seems like “it was meant to be,” Lugo said, adding: “Here is this 22-year-old kid and he was able to give the gift of life. It’s a testament to who he was.” THANKS AREN’T ENOUGH The fact that John’s donor was so close in age to their own son really hit home for the Fiscellas. “I can’t even imagine what they’re (the Lugos) going through. A thank-you doesn’t even seem to scratch the surface, but I’m thinking of them night and day for what they’ve done. For Maryjean to be so brave to make that phone call, right after losing her son, to reach out and call to see if there was something they could do, it’s just mind-blowing,” Heide said. John’s mother, Rose, said there aren’t words to adequately describe the Lugos’ “unbelievable” act of generosity. Asked to jump in, John wasn’t shy about expressing his gratitude. “First of all, anyone you know gets free guitar lessons for life. Second of all, just big hugs all around and if they need anything … I know you’re not supposed to give them money or anything like that … maybe a little gift box for Christmas,” he said. GIFT FROM PAGE 3 John Fiscella jamming with son Eddie. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FISCELLA FAMILY Vincent Lugo PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LUGO FAMILY 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 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. PWRcell will help you save money on your electric bill and be prepared for utility power outages. Plus it’s compatible with most existing solar arrays. Now’s the Right Time SAVE 30% WITH THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT^ Call to request a free quote! (888) 871-0194 Purchase a PWRcell and Receive a Free Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced – valued at over $189!* *Scan the QR code for promo terms and conditions. ^Consult your tax or legal professional for information regarding eligibility requirements for tax credits. Solar panels sold separately. 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 28 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (877) 516-1160 Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* – A $695 Value! One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home sends help fast, 24/7. with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging. BY EMILE MENASCHÉ CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Local elected o cials and law enforcement agents say that proposed cuts to veteran programs in the 2023-24 state budget would do irreparable harm to vets and, in some cases, could have chilling repercussions. State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R) was joined by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Putnam County Legislator Erin Crowley, and leaders from law enforcement and veterans’ organizations, to decry proposed cuts to veterans’ programs in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget. In a press conference at the Mahopac VFW last month, Slater called the cuts from the state’s $227 billion budget “egregious.” O cials pointed to a recent example in Kent that could have ended tragically when an Army Rangers veteran with PTSD was denied mental and physical health care despite the repeated e orts of those around him. Putnam County Sheri Kevin McConville said the situation “probably would’ve ended horribly” without intervention. “ is veteran was denied services and treatment at a number of facilities. He was declared ne; however, he did not stop indicating that he was going to perform self-harm and harm to other individuals,” McConville said. Cazzari later told Halston Media that the veteran—a 36-year-old with a “violent history [and] suicidal ideations— had been in distress for months and praised local law enforcement for helping avert tragedy. “Over the past six months, [he was] brought to Putnam Hospital for treatment for mental health substance abuse,” Cazzari said. “ is person was attacking sta , breaking property. e VA refused to accept him. “Carmel PD has a peer support group, which was able to develop a relationship and calm him down on several occasions” Cazzari continued. “After being arrested and arraigned for his last attack on sta at the hospital, he was brought back to Putnam Hospital and eventually admitted to Westchester Medical for psychiatric evaluation.” O cials said that cutting veterans’ services also places additional strain on rst responders. “Often the veterans in crisis rst contact with services is our rst responders,” added Carmel Police Chief Anthony Ho mann. “Carmel PD, Putnam County Sheri ’s o ce, and Kent PD have been working on this for weeks and dedicated a lot of man-hours into this one case just this week alone. With the cuts that the governor is proposing, we are essentially adding to the workload of our already strained police/ re/EMS services with no additional funding.” At the press conference, McConville said the case illustrated the ongoing need for veterans’ support. “Let’s hope that upon his discharge, there are programs that he’s able to avail himself [of ],” he said. “Certainly, he continues seeking better health and better mental health.” Slater said if you talk to a lot of veterans, they will tell you that the services in New York State are subpar. “We not only reject the governor’s proposal, but we also need to do more for our valiant veterans,” he said. According to Slater, the proposed budget removes $2.6 million for veterans that were added by the legislature last year, affecting 17 programs. Slater said objections to the cuts were being voiced on both sides of the aisle and that he supports the e ort by state Assembly Democrats Kimberly Jean-Pierre, chair of the Veterans’ A airs Committee, and Assemblyman Chris Burdick to restore funds currently on the governor’s chopping block. Slater’s predecessor, Kevin Byrne, who is now county executive, said the need for veteran support was especially acute in Putnam County. “Some of the programs Assemblyman Slater was talking about brings the ability to fund some of our non-pro t veterans’ organizations, like our VFWs or American Legions, with capital improvements,” Byrne said. “ ere are a number of examples in Putnam County where our local veterans’ organizations could have bene tted from these types of programs and these dollars. I’m thankful to Assemblyman Slater for leading the charge on this and working with a bipartisan coalition.” O cials and advocates said it was especially important to fund mental health support for veterans. “I’ve been working on veterans’ issues since 1985 and, every year, we have to go to Albany and Washington and beg for funding when we shouldn’t have to,” said Karl Rhode, director of the Putnam County Veterans’ Service Agency. “We went and served our country. Why are we begging to be taken care of and helped? Some of us have regular wounds, and some of us have hidden wounds. We shouldn’t have to beg for help. at has to change.” Slater, local leaders warn Gov not to cut vet funding Proposed state budget shaves $2.5 million from veterans’ programs PHOTO: EMILE MENASCHÉ Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari speaks about veterans programs at the Mahopac VFW. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF MATT SLATER Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) speaks on restoring Gov. Hochul’s cuts to veterans’ programs in this year’s budget. REGIONAL
BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Some of the biggest names in New York sports helped welcome BG Entertainment to Yorktown on Sunday, March 5. e sports memorabilia store, which celebrated its grand opening on the second oor of the Je erson Valley Mall, hosted an autograph signing that brought out hundreds of avid fans and autograph seekers. Attending the event were: · Dwight “Doc” Gooden, a pitcher who won a Cy Young Award with the New York Mets (1985) and won World Series titles with both the Mets (1986) and New York Yankees (1996). · Mike Richter, a goalie who helped lead the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994. · Ahmad Bradshaw, a running back who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants (2008 and 2012). · Wayne Chrebet, a wide receiver who amassed over 7,300 yards during an 11- year career with the New York Jets (1995-2005). BG Entertainment, owned by Bill Gilbert, features a wall-to-wall selection of memorabilia that has been autographed by the biggest names in the sports, from Tom Brady to Derek Jeter. e all-star lineup of collectibles has been personally curated over a decade by Gilbert, who once ran the business out of his Lagrangeville home. However, as Gilbert’s inventory grew, so did his need for space. at brought BG Entertainment to the Je erson Valley Mall in 2022. “I just love the reaction I’ve been getting from the customers,” Gilbert said. “When people say it’s the coolest store they’ve ever seen, it means a lot. It’s been a 10-year journey. Every item in here I acquire is from an experience. To see it all in one spot, I get a lot of enjoyment from that.” e mall storefront features memorabilia signed by active and retired athletes from baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and combat sports (boxing/ MMA). e Je erson Valley Mall location has also hosted several public autograph signings with professional athletes and wrestlers. Gilbert said the mall storefront is the “pinnacle” of his business, but BG Entertainment provides many other services. Since 2006, the company has specialized in weddings and special occasions, children’s parties and rentals, and sporting events and memorabilia. BG Entertainment started its autograph business “accidentally” in 2010, Gilbert said. A New York Giants fan, Gilbert decided to link up with wide receiver Steve Smith for an autograph signing. Smith then introduced Gilbert to other Giants players, which led to him working with New York Yankees players, and the rest is history. “I brought in [Steve Smith] and it kind of created an idea that the market needed it,” Gilbert said. “People responded well.” BG Entertainment is happy to call the Je erson Valley Mall home, so much so that Gilbert recently opened up another store on the rst oor. is additional space will serve as a gathering space for autograph signings, comedy shows, open mic nights, and more. On March 5, it served as a Q&A space for the four New York sports legends. BG Entertainment is located on the rst and second oors of the Je erson Valley Mall (650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights). More information about the store’s autograph business and event services can be found online at www.BGAutographs. com and www. BGEntertainment845.com. Dream team BG Entertainment holds star-studded grand opening PHOTOS: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Doc Gooden with Halston Media’s own Jay Gussak Wayne Chrebet signs his No. 80 New York Jets jersey. Former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter meets with a fan. Hundreds came out to the autograph signing event organized by BG Entertainment. THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 29
PAGE 30 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Now that we’ve put winter behind us — at least on the calendar — it’s time for us to think about sprucing up our homes, inside and out. But it also may be time to do some financial spring cleaning. Some of the same ideas involved in tidying up your home can also be used to help put your financial house in order. Here are a few suggestions: • Dust off your investment strategy. As you look around your home, you might find that many items — tables, desks, bookshelves, and computer and television screens — could benefit from a good dusting. And, once you’ve accomplished this, you’ll get a clearer view of all these objects. Similarly, your investment strategy needs to be “dusted off ” every so often, so you can see if it’s still working to help you move toward your financial goals, such as a comfortable retirement. Over time, your personal circumstances and risk tolerance can change, and these changes may lead you to reexamine your future financial and investment decisions. • Declutter your portfolio. If you took a survey of your home, would you find duplicates or even triplicates of some things — brooms, vacuum cleaners, toasters and so on? If so, it may be time to do some de-cluttering. And the same could be true of your portfolio — you might have several identical, or substantially identical, investments taking up space. If so, you might want to replace these redundancies with investments that can improve your diversification. While diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against losses in a declining market, it may help reduce the impact of market volatility on your holdings. • Get organized. If your closets are overstuffed, with clothes and miscellaneous items crammed on shelves and the floor, you may well have trouble finding what you’re looking for — but with a little straightening up, your searches will become much easier. And when you’re trying to locate financial documents, such as investment statements or insurance policies, you’ll also benefit from having everything organized in one central location. Even if you get most of these documents online, you can save what you need and keep them in a file on your desktop, laptop or tablet. (And it’s also a good idea to tell your spouse, adult child or another close relative how these documents can be accessed, just in case something happens to you.) • Protect yourself from dangers. If you look around your garage, shed or other storage area, you may well find some objects — such as gardening tools, paint thinners, engine fluids and leaning ladders — that could be dangerous if they aren’t stored properly. As part of your spring cleaning, you’ll want to remove these hazards to safeguard yourself and your family. But have you addressed the various financial risks that could threaten your loved ones? For example, if something were to happen to you, could your family members maintain their lifestyle? Could your children still go to college? To guard against this risk, you may want to discuss protection strategies with a financial professional. Spring cleaning can pay off — in a cleaner, safer home environment and in helping ensure your financial strategy continues to work hard for you. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Financial Advisor, Judi McAnaw, a resident of Katonah. She has an office at 200 Business Park Drive, Suite 107, in Armonk. Judi can be reached at 914-669-5329. Time for financial ‘spring cleaning’ Your investment strategy needs to be ‘dusted off ’ every so often, so you can see if it’s still working to help you move toward your financial goals.’ -Judi McAnaw Edward Jones Financial Advisor Aphorisms – pithy observations of general truths – are powerful. “Actions speak louder than words.” “The early bird catches the worm.” As a marketer, my favorite is “Fish where the fish are.” As Google puts it, “Take your marketing message and your business to where your customers and potential customers already are.” I first learned this lesson in business school. A class assignment sent four of us to Pittsburgh to tackle an analytic project for Heinz Pickles. We were to measure the brand’s return on marketing investment, market-by-market. We found consistently better returns on marketing investment in areas where the Heinz Pickles brand was already stronger, where its share of market and per capita sales were already higher. The marketing investment had caught more fish where the fish already were. I found that principle confirmed repeatedly over my career. How can you take advantage of this principle in your business? A helpful process to follow is Research > Plan > Implement > Evaluate. Let’s consider each step. In the “Research” step, determine where the fish are. The fish are your customers, especially your best customers. They tend to be concentrated where your business is strongest. The fish are also your highest potential prospects, those with the greatest need for what you have to offer. That may lead you to particular geographic areas. For example, an investment advisor or estate attorney likely does better where there are more wealthy prospects. Sometimes there isn’t a clear geographic answer, but you may find that your best customers are people with particular characteristics. For example, podiatrists may find that more of their patients are people who do lots of physical work on their feet, versus people in sedentary occupations. So podiatrists may tailor their marketing message to appeal more to blue collar workers and craftsmen. The “Planning” step is when you decide how to apply your knowledge of where the fish are. For best results, target your efforts generously to your already-strong markets (where the fish have proven to be), since there are probably still lots more fish there ready to bite. If resources permit, extend efforts into additional areas with the same key characteristics. The investment advisor or estate attorney could broaden efforts toward other high income/ high wealth areas. The podiatrist could broaden efforts to areas with greater numbers of workers who are on their feet more and have greater care needs. The “Implementation” stage is when you execute the plan. With rod and reel in-hand, you cast your bait into the water where there appear to be more fish. Finally, don’t forget the “Evaluation” stage, when you measure and analyze results. Are they what you expected? Where are you seeing greater or less market response? Can you figure out why? Thoughtful analysis will help you get smarter, to refine future planning. The fish-where-the-fish-are principle also can be applied in other aspects of marketing beyond advertising. For example, in some categories, referrals may be powerful and worth incenting current customers to provide them. Wealthy clients of investment advisors and estate attorneys probably can help you reach other high potential prospects like themselves. Podiatrists’ patients who are on their feet at work can probably help you reach others with similar work and similar needs. You also might offer promotional incentives that are most motivating to your best customers and highest potential prospects. That too is fishing where the fish are. For example, a liquor store may offer a discount on the purchase of a half-dozen or dozen bottles of wine. That investment should generate more incremental business and more profit than chasing after people who just don’t drink much wine. The principle is simple. Target your marketing investment in areas and toward people who already buy more of what you have to offer, and pursue growth in similar areas and among similar prospects. Fish where the fish are. You’ll get more bites! Do you want to learn more? Visit www.halstonmedia.com, and fill out the “Get in Touch” form on the home page. Before helping his son found Halston Media, Kenneth Freeman led a global marketing research company. Freeman earned his MBA from Harvard University and has led the marketing departments at major Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career. Fish where the fish are WITH KEN FREEMAN JUDI MCANAW GUEST CORNER
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 31 Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefi ts of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755 Wheels For Wishes benefi ting Make-A-Wish® Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: (877) 798-9474. Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www. wheelsforwishes.org. COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualifi ed applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required. ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfi led tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) Arborvitae 6-foot Reduced to $125/ each Free Installation, Free Delivery. Fast growing, High-quality Beautiful & Bushy! Order now to reserve for spring delivery. Lowcosttreefarm. com 518-536-1367 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636 Do you need a Roof or Energy Effi cient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affi liated with State or Gov Programs. Don’t Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526 Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918 BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 Do you have boxes of old comic books lying around? Turn them into cash. Call, text or write George and I will come get them. 917-652-9128; [email protected] DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 03/23/2023 AUTO DONATIONS BUYING/SELLING Buying diamonds, gold, silver, all fi ne jewelry and watches, coins, paintings, better furs, complete estates. We simply pay more! Call Barry 914-260-8783 or e-mail [email protected] EDUATION/CAREER TRAINING FINANCE HEALTH FOR SALE HOME IMPROVEMENT MISCELLANEOUS TV INTERNET PHONE Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at KLT@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Check out our Facebook & Twitter pages! 845-225-7777 • www.puthumane.org Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Leo Leo is 10 years old. He’s only been with us a few months and we found out that he is a diabetic. He has to have a shot of insulin in the morning and one in the evening. He takes it without any problem. Easy as can be. We hope there’s somebody out there willing to adopt this very special boy. Titan is 10 years old. He’s the sweetest boy you will ever meet. Unfortunately, he has a heart condition which is controlled by medication, but he has to be in a very low-key household with no other pets. He loves to be outside and needs someone to take him on leisurely strolls and not let him overdo it. He’s doing great and is loved by all. He will make a great companion. 845-225-7777 • www.puthumane.org Titan THIS AD WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY HALSTON MEDIA. 68 Old Rt. 6, Carmel STRONG AS STEEL WITH THE ATTRACTIVE LOOK OF VARIOUS ROOF STYLES Upgrade Your Home with a NEW METAL ROOF Guaranteed to Last a Lifetime! From Dimensional Shingles to classic styles reminiscent of Cedar Shake and Spanish Tile, an architectural roo ng system by Erie Metal Roofs can enhance the beauty of your home while protecting your family and property for a lifetime. Call today to schedule your FREE ESTIMATE 1-855-492-6084 Made in the USA New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. Offer expires March 31, 2023. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. GA License Number: RBCO006004 LIMITED TIME OFFER 60%off TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 10% off YOUR INSTALLATION Install for Military, Health Workers and First Responders + Warranty- Limited Lifetime. Transferable to 1 subsequent owner from original purchaser. Terms and conditions apply. Hail up to 2.5”, Appearance of the surface coating beyond normal wear and tear. Limited time offer. Expires 3.31.23
PAGE 32 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 CLASSIFIEDS 18 LEISURE 17 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 14 Wolves Win Big pg 15 HOCKEY Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 On Jan. 7, the stage at John Jay High School came alive with the return of ArtsALIVE’s Encore Cabaret! See more photos from this amazing evening on page 10. Encore! PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO The cast performing “What I did for Love” from A Chorus Line. BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Who thought this was a good idea, anyway? Two young bandits, clearly not acquainted with the relentless calculus of risk and reward, knocked over the tiny Waccabuc post o ce the other day. Sure, they came away with all of about $200, perhaps more cash than they might have realized in a gas station stickup. But for that skimpy take-home they quickly had at least four law enforcement agencies—local, state and federal, including the FBI and postal-inspection service— in hot pursuit. By late last week, all were said to have the getaway car’s license-plate number and to be closing in on their quarry. Waccabuc’s mail service is centered in a quaint, one-story white-clapboard structure on Post O ce Road. Built in 1880, it’s a venerable piece of the Waccabuc Historic District and had never, as far as anyone can recall, been a target of desperadoes. Until Jan. 10. at’s the day the two men entered, says Lewisboro Police Chief David Alfano, who gave this account: Both intruders were packing pistols when they walked in around 4:30 in the afternoon. While one guarded the door, the other vaulted the counter to scoop up the cash register’s contents. Neither thug bothered to cover his face. Alfano described the stickup duo as black men in their 20s, about 5 foot 8 and 6 feet tall and said one wore an orange re- ective safety vest. Cash in hand, the two ed, seemingly successfully. But their getaway car had a date with today’s ubiquitous digital surveillance. “We did succeed in obtaining a registration from our license-plate reader on Route 35,” Alfano said. Relatively new technology, license-plate readers capture and cross-reference a car’s plates in real-time, allowing the police to issue alerts even as suspects on the run believe they’ve evaded their pursuers. Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a state police spokesman said. e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. Authorities hunt for Waccabuc post offi ce robbers HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 HAVE IT ALL AT HERITAGE HILLS! Absolutely one of the best locations in Heritage Hills - convenient, private and picturesque! Set on an expansive cul-de-sac, this desirable location offers beautiful year-round views of nature. Enjoy no steps in this one level light and bright updated 3-bedroom/2 full bath Croton II with a 2-car garage! $699,900 #UGottaHaveHope VOL. 5 NO. 44 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 as suspects on the run believe they’ve evaded their pursuers. Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a state police spokesman said. e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. Authorities hunt for Waccabuc post offi ce robbers MAZZOLA Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com as suspects on the run believe Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 VOL. 5 NO. 47 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 CLASSIFIEDS 18 OBITUARIES 5 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 5 SPORTS 13 Scouts Give Back pg 10 TROOP 104 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CALDWELL, NJ WEST PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Taxpayers in the KatonahLewisboro School District are being asked whether, and by how much, they want to thank veterans and rst responders for their service. KLSD’s Board of Education is considering a package of tax-relief proposals for vets and others, including senior citizens and disabled persons. Although the various tax breaks—covering eligibility levels as well as dollar amounts—were authorized last year by state legislation, Albany neither mandates them nor makes up any revenue they cost the district, shifting that burden to other KLSD taxpayers. At their Feb. 2 meeting, board members generally supported proposed improvements in the tax-relief programs. But they were less enthusiastic about creating di erent taxing levels for di erent groups of residents without a complete nancial picture of the impact. Trustee William Rifkin appeared to sum up their unease. Although the board annually approves the schools’ $100 millionplus budgets and their subsequent hefty tax levy, that burden is meant to be shared evenly by district property owners. “Here,” Rifkin observed, “we’re picking people who will pay to honor [other] people, and we’re making the decision for them. It’s uncomfortable.” e board will hold a public hearing Feb. 23 on the various proposals, which are also under separate discussion by the Lewisboro Town Board. In the meantime, residents are invited to email questions and views to BOE@ klschools.org. e decision to turn to the community for feedback followed an 80-minute discussion at last week’s board meeting in which the trustees leaned toward increasing Veterans’ existing tax bene t to new top levels enacted by last year’s state legislation. Albany also eased eligibility requirements for tax breaks to the other groups. Volunteer re ghters and ambulance workers would now qualify for the bene t in two years, down from ve, and seniors and persons with disabilities would be given higher permissible income levels. In an email, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick said the district does not yet have “precise language for resolutions that may or may not be adopted on Feb. 23.” But he told board members they would have to act by about March 1 to assure that the new bene ts could go into e ect in the 2024-25 school year. Other nearby towns and school districts have already enacted tax breaks for Veterans, seniors and the disabled. Bedford, for example, acted last spring on Veterans, approving the maximum permissible levels, and voted relief for seniors and disabled persons at year’s end. e Bedford Central School District also voted last year to give Veterans the top exemption levels authorized in the new state law. Selesnick sat in last week for Danelle Pacella, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who had briefed the board Dec. 1 on potential Veterans-exemption increases. For his own discussion, SeleBoard of Education considers tax-relief proposals SEE KLSD PAGE 4 Following a big win on the road against Somers last week, Annabel Brennan and the Wolves are looking to make an impact in the postseason! Read more on page 14. 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 If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words, Then This Amazing Story is A Best Seller! Meticulous and truly move-in ready, this sunny and spacious contemporary has been nicely updated and perfectly maintained. Located in Greenbriar with pool, tennis, basketball and clubhouse just moments from town, train, school and highways. Super low taxes! 4 BR/3 BA, 2,850sf $685,000 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. 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.” 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. 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. ousands of young men and women without a single blemish on my record for anything.” e school board had been expected to appoint all coaches for winter sports at 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 Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 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 this page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to: P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or Visit 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.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) Checks payable to Halston Media LLC Please include this form in your envelope. Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other OR Visit https://bit.ly/HalstonSubscribe OR Visit https://bit.ly/ HalstonSubscribe 2 TRACKS Please Subscribe— It’s FREE & it’s Easy! We Need Your Support To Continue The Paper THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 would be given higher permissible In an email, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick said the district does not yet have “precise language for resolutions that may or may not be adopted on Feb. 23.” But he told board members they would have to act by about March 1 to assure that the new bene ts could go into e ect in the 2024-25 Other nearby towns and school districts have already enacted tax breaks for Veterans, seniors and the disabled. Bedford, for example, acted last spring on Veterans, approving the maximum permissible levels, and voted relief for seniors and disabled persons at year’s end. e Bedford Central School District also voted last year to give Veterans the top exemption levels authorized in the new state law. Selesnick sat in last week for Danelle Pacella, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who had briefed the board Dec. 1 on potential Veterans-exemption For his own discussion, SeleSEE KLSD PAGE 4 VOL. 5 NO. 34 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 7 SPORTS 20 Project Breaks Ground PLAYGROUND 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. 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 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.” ough he has been an integral part of John Jay’s athletic establishment for more than Outpouring of support for John Jay coach following complaint 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. Another great transaction with THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 VOL. 5 NO. 48 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 21 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 17 Heading for States pg 17 GYMNASTICS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cardinal Timothy Dolan scored some big points with the clergy at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah with a blessing of a newly renovated gymnasium. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, led a Saturday night mass at the parish’s school building on Valley Road. Hundreds gathered on Feb. 11 to celebrate the new gym, which serves as a facility for various sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. “Let me say again how happy I am to be with you here at St. Mary’s Parish in Katonah,” Dolan said in his homily. “Of all the duties that I have as your archbishop, this one is what I relish the most, to be with you, God’s people, for the most important thing we do every week: o er the holy sacri ce of mass.” e e ort to renovate the Cardinal Dolan visits Katonah Archbishop praises St. Mary’s for investing in sports and spirituality Cardinal Dolan at St. Mary’s on Feb. 11. PHOTO: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER ‘You’ve got a good thing going here at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah.’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bedford’s Town Board, which last year improved the propertytax breaks it gives veterans and others, is looking now to add rst responders to that list. e board last week scheduled a public hearing for next month on a proposal that would cut the length of service time needed before volunteer re ghters and ambulance crew members could claim a 10 percent reduction on the assessed value of their homes. More than simply a “thank you” for the critical services these volunteers provide, the cut in qualifying time from ve years to two is seen as a potential recruiting enticement. Bedford’s emergency services are having “quite a challenge” bringing in new members, Supervisor Ellen Calves said in introducing the measure at the board’s Feb. 7 meeting. Similar proposals, all based on recent changes in state law, are under consideration by the Lewisboro Town Board and the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, the latter representing by far the biggest chunk of local homeowners’ property taxes. Exemptions would apply only to primary residences. All told, the breaks that have either been enacted or are under consideration in the three taxing jurisdictions would bene t veterans, rst responders, senior citizens and the disabled. e money they would save—expected to be a relatively small piece of their total tax bill— would have to be made up by the other town and school district residents, those not in one of the qualifying categories e tax bills of those other residents likely would not see signi cant increases, Bedford Assessor Harold Girdlestone said in proposing the expanded break last week. “ e ve-to-two-years [service requirement] wouldn’t be much of an impact,” he told the board, saying “to wait ve years is really a long time.” Saluting the volunteers who roll on myriad emergency calls 24/7, Girdlestone said, “ e service they provide is really unbelievable.” Bedford contemplates first responder tax break SEE DOLAN PAGE 3 SEE BEDFORD PAGE 4 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice Licensed Associate Real Est President ate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 What Dreams Are Made Of! Car Collectors - Landscapers - Contractors - Studio - whatever space you need or want to do, this 8-car garage will totally deliver. Add the 900 sf move-in ready ranch with gleaming wood floors, new kitchen appliances and a lovely 1/2 acre lot - all for one low price and with super low taxes. Garage has full heat, AC, hot water/drain and super high ceilings. The total package for living, rental or as a hangout. A rare bird for sure and not going to last so call me today! $499,000 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.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please Include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times Mahopac News Since the founding of our country, the U.S. Postal Service offered reduced rates to newspapers. This is because the post office recognized that newspapers were an essential element for an informed electorate, which depended upon a healthy exchange of news, ideas, and opinions. For free newspapers to receive a postal discount, the post office requires that at least 50% of readers formally subscribe with their signature. Signatures are only valid for a limited amount of time. We are a small business and need all the support we can get. If you are able to include a monetary contribution with your signature, it is welcome and appreciated more than you can know. But please also recognize that basic support — a signature to request the paper — is also greatly appreciated. Our Mission: We aim to be the most trusted and respected source for hyper-local content. We want our subscribers to look forward to reading us every week. We want to inform, educate, entertain and inspire better than anyone else on a local level. Truly Grateful, Brett Freeman Publisher #