Mahopac News 08.24.2023

VOL. 14 NO. 28 THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 HEALTH & WELLNESS 16 LEGAL NOTICES 23 LEISURE 19 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4 OPINION 8 SPORTS 14 MSA’s “Play Like a Girl” pg 14 FLEET OF FEET Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A 14-station sporting-clay range built several years ago at a Mahopac gun club remains at the center of controversy even though the Carmel Planning Board approved the site plan back in May, albeit without requiring an environmental impact statement (EIS). The club’s neighbors in Somers are saying stray lead shot and clay targets now litter their land and have contaminated their soil and water. The Willow Wood Gun Club is a private, 200-member club located on 86 acres off Union Valley Road. The club built the sporting-clay course several years ago without the requisite Planning Board approvals and Zoning Board of Appeals variances and when neighbors complained about the excessive noise that they say it created, the club was issued a cease-and-desist order by the town of Carmel. The club abided by the order and its leaders then went before the Planning Board to get the requisite approvals, which have now been granted with certain stipulations and conditions. But now those Somers neighbors—the Somers Land Trust and parts of Heritage Hills— contend that during the time when the sporting-clay range was operating illegally, lead shot and clay pigeons landed on their property resulting in both ground and water contamination. On Aug. 11, Jack Stein, vice president of Condominium 22 in Heritage Hills, wrote a letter to George Calcagnini, a Somers attorney who serves as president of Willow Wood Gun Club, informing him that tests have revealed the soil on their property now contains dangerous levels of lead. Stein said broken and unbroken clay pigeons can be found scattered throughout the area. Heritage Hills is broken down into 30 condo clusters, each with its own governing board. Condo 22 is closest to Willow Wood and the only one claiming to be affected by the lead. Stein argues that if lead shot Gun club neighbors: Lead shots contaminated soil, water Seek clean-up and want Planning Board approval overturned A broken clay skeet allegedly found on Heritage Hills property PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK STEIN BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR A Carmel man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly beating a Canada goose to death with his golf club at Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac last Friday. According to Putnam County SPCA chief Ken Ross, 59-year-old Carmel resident Enrico Sarli was on a golf outing with a group of people when, at the 14th hole, he saw the goose had been struck by a ball from another group of golfers. “Hitting the goose with the golf ball was not a crime, and by all accounts it was accidental,” Ross said. According to witnesses, the goose appeared to be dazed and injured. Some described it as “looking drunk, which is not uncommon for an animal that has been stunned,” Ross said, adding that the vet who later examined the carcass noted a swelling on the bird’s breast. “In all likelihood, that was where the golf ball struck it,” Ross said. “There were no injuries to the wings or legs. The vet thought it possible the bird might have been able to recover from that initial injury.” But according to police, the bird would never get the chance. “Sarli allegedly went over to the goose and said he was going to ‘put it out of its misery,’” Ross said. Ross said Sarli beat the goose with so much force that the vet said its head was separated from its spine. “A witness said he struck the bird numerous times,” Ross said. “It looked like he was chopping wood.” Even if the bird had been mortally injured by the golf ball, ‘Like he was chopping wood’ Golfer accused of brutally killing goose with club SEE GUN CLUB PAGE 7 SEE ARREST PAGE 6 SellYour Home for TOP DOLLAR with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist Visit: MahopacRealEstate.com or Email: [email protected] Michael Trinchitella Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker FREE Home Evaluation Anytime — No Cost or Obligation Call 845.628.4189 MahopacHomeValues.com CLASSIC REALTY

PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Gerard Ahler CARMEL HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT Gerard Guarantees a More Effective Highway Department, Free Leaf Pick Up, Free Firewood from storm cleanups, and a Recycling Center! EXPERIENCE | LEADERSHIP | ACCOUNTABILITY | INTEGRITY Paid for by Gerard Ahler THE REPUBLICAN & CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE 914-447-4106 [email protected] • mycarmelhighway.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 The Italian American Club of Mahopac packed Chamber Park with its Evening at the Piazza event last Saturday. Featuring traditional Italian and contemporary music, dancing, crafts, and novelties as well as an abundance of authentic food, the event drew amici of all nationalities. “Using the natural beauty of our community Chamber Park with a view of Lake Mahopac, along with the flowing fountain, the atmosphere truly  simulated the Italian Piazza and the magic that surrounds the Italian heritage,” said IAC President Giulio Cefaloni. “It was a wonderful evening.” Mahopac’s molto bene! Pasqualu Mancini, Luigi Sinapi Sr., Luigi Sinapi Jr., and Camila Lopez of Cafe Piccolo Sal Impemba, 9, shows off his car tattoo. Benjamin Manna, 2, enjoys a ride on the dragons. Michelle Gallicho, Teagan Harvey, and Steven Martinez Emilia Bal, 6 Twins Christian and Thomas Agnello, age 10 ‘Evening at the Piazza’ a feast for eyes, ears and taste buds! Vienna, 8, and John Romano, 5, dance to the music while waiting on line for the bouncy castle. PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN Jose Calderon of Frankie & Augie’Z Ristorante and Pizzeria

The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [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 Mahopac News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 (ISSN 2330-1627) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC 99th Annual Yorktown Grange Fair September 8 — September 10 Yorktown Grange Fairgrounds 99 Moseman Road, Yorktown Heights Antique Tractor Parade Saturday at Noon! All proceeds benefit the Yorktown Grange Agricultural Society, a 501(c)(3) corporation. YORKTOWN GRANGE Celebrating 125 Years 1899-2023 P of H #862 Rides ~ Exhibits ~ Contests ~ Live Music All Weekend Livestock ~ Craft Vendors ~ Great Food & Craft Beer Only $10 per Carload Presented by the Yorktown Grange Agricultural Society Legion Golf Outing American Legion Mahopac Post 1080 will hold a golf outing fundraiser on Monday, Aug.28. Enjoy a full day of golf at the Mahopac Golf Club, including a cart, lunch, and beverages on the course. There will be raffles, prizes, and a 50/50 drawing.   At 4 p.m., there will be a onehour open bar  with appetizers, followed by dinner at the American Legion Mahopac Post 1080. Registration is at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. The cost is $150 per golfer and $50 for nongolfers. For more information, call Anthony at 845-225-2248. Honoring Our Heroes The Mount Carmel Baptist Church and United for the Troops will host the second annual Honoring Our Heroes – Remembering 9/11 event on Friday, Sept. 8, 6:30-8 p.m., at Chamber Park on South Lake Boulevard in Mahopac. The event includes a ceremony, music, and free food and is open to the public. TYathlon Swim, bike, and run (or walk) in support of pediatric cancer research at the 111th Annual TYathlon on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Lake Mahopac. The event consists of a sprint triathlon and family-friendly 5K walk/run to raise money to support the Ty Louis Campbell Fellowship, which funds research into pediatric cancer treatments at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell. “Your support is of tremendous value to this organization, and it truly helps move the needle forward in making these events a success in memory of Ty!” Learn how to register or donate at facebook.com/TyAthlon. Suicide Prevention Walk The annual Putnam County American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)  Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by the Hudson Valley Chapter, will be held Sunday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m., at the county’s Department of Social Services building located at  110 Old Route 6, in Carmel. The walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and supports programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent by the year 2025. To register, visit afsp.org/PC. Remembrance Ceremony The Union Valley Cemetery Association will hold its annual Remembrance Service on Sunday, Sept.10, at 11 a.m. Guests are welcome to come share the service, exchange memories, and enjoy light refreshments at the Union Valley Cemetery Chapel, 730 Union Valley Road, in Mahopac. Donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, please call 845-628- 3867. MSA Soccer Mahopac Sports Association’s fall soccer season registration is open and will run until Aug. 27, with early bird discounts on offer until Aug. 6. All teams practice once a week; games are played on Saturdays. Practices and games will be held at Baldwin Field or Airport Field. The season is expected to start on Saturday, Sept. 16, and will end on Saturday, Nov. 4 (rain date Nov. 11). MSA is also looking for coaches and volunteers. Register, volunteer, and learn more at MahopacSoccer.com or contact [email protected]. Red Mills Art Exhibit The town’s Recreation and Parks Department is presenting the Red Mills Historic Park Art Exhibit at Red Mills Park, 23 Hill St., Mahopac. The free exhibit will run until Oct. 30 and is open to the public daily from dusk to dawn. It’s made possible in part by the Putnam Arts Council’s Art Link Grant Program and public funds from Putnam County. For more info, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 845-628-7888. MAHOPAC MUSINGS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 5 Robert Buckley has won the Mahopac News/SERVPRO of Putnam County’s flood photo contest. In announcing the selection, SERVPRO’s Stephanie Bellofatto gave Buckley’s dramatic aerial shot a title: “Capturing Resilience: A Glimpse of Unity Amidst Mahopac’s Deluge.” “In the wake of the torrential rains and flooding that descended upon Mahopac and the surrounding area on July 9 and 10, the community’s strength and solidarity shone brightly,” Bellofatto said. “Amidst the challenges and trials, a single photograph encapsulates the spirit of resilience that defines this town, showcasing both the devastation and the unwavering unity that binds its residents together.” Buckley’s photo was submitted to Mahopac News and SERVPRO of Putnam County as part of a community photo contest that sought images of the aftermath of the July 9 storm, which brought more than 8 inches of rain to Mahopac in less than 24 hours. And while other excellent submissions included shots taken from ground level, the judges felt Buckley’s aerial image put the magnitude of the flood in context. “After driving through Mahopac and taking photos with my drone, I saw much devastation throughout our beautiful town,” Buckley said. “Route 6N had a lot of flooding in different areas from Mahopac to Jefferson Valley with most flooding by Hill Street and the Swan Cove Park area. This photo shows the devastating impact of the almost 9 Flood photo contest winner named SERVPRO judges call Robert Buckley’s aerial shot ‘a glimpse of unity’ Robert Buckley’s image has won the Mahopac News/SERVPRO flood photo contest. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT BUCKLEY SEE FLOOD PAGE 22 349 Route 52 • Carmel 845-225-3054 24/hr Towing • 845-225-8006 www.chrisautomotive.com Celebrating our 32nd Anniversary in August! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE! OPEN SATURDAYS FOR REPAIRS No Appointments Needed For Most Services Mon - Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 7am-1pm $5.00 OFF REG. OIL CHANGE & $10.00 OFF SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE Present coupon at time of drop off. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 9/25/23 $30.00 OFF The Purchase of 4 New Tires & A 4 Wheel Alignment Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 9/25/23 $10.00 OFF Any $100 Service Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 9/25/23 $100.00 OFF AUTO BODY REPAIR OVER $1,500 SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 9/25/23 State Of The Art Auto Body Repair Center Collision Estimates • Repair All Makes & Models • All Major Insurance Accepted I-Car Certified Technicians • Body & Frame/Dent & Ding Repair • Glass Replacement Courtesy Door To Door Service Available! FREE TOWING back to shop with most repairs!

PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Ross said it was not up to the golfers to decide to kill it. “None of them  were  vets,” he said of Sarli’s party. “They  didn’t  know if the bird would recover or even the extent of its injuries.”    According to an SPCA statement announcing the arrest, witnesses said Sarli went back more than once after his initial attempt failed to kill the bird. “He proceeded to allegedly strike the goose several times with his club, walk away, then notice the goose was still moving, come back and strike the goose again,” the SPCA statement said. Sarli’s group allegedly left the dead carcass on the side of the fairway and continued their golf game. Witnesses at the golf club called Environmental Conservation Police,  which then called  Putnam SPCA police  to jointly handle the complaint, Ross said. Sarli was still at the club when police arrived and was identified by witnesses there. Mahopac News learned of the story by an anonymous phone tip and later confirmed the caller’s account with the police. The caller, who asked not to be identified, called Sarli’s actions disturbing to both guests and staff and said Sarli acted as if he did nothing wrong. According to Ross, Sarli justified his actions. “He said he  felt  he  did  the humane thing by putting it out of its misery,” Ross said. “If you were injured and dying, would you want someone to  put you ‘out of your misery’ by beating you to death? The bird was tortured. It boggles the mind what people are thinking.” According to geeserelief.com, Canada geese can be a nuisance on golf courses. “Once comfortable, Canada geese will protect their turf and this can mean acting aggressively towards golfers,” the website says. “While geese are not known for violence, they will stamp and hiss if golfers get near their eggs.” Some courses use herding dogs like border collies as a deterrent. “Geese are concerned with survival and will not congregate where a border collie is patrolling,” the website says. “Even better, when geese seek refuge in the water, the dogs are very adept at swimming and won’t rest until the last goose has fled.” Sarli is facing a class A misdemeanor charge under the state Agriculture & Markets Law that penalizes driving over, torturing, and injuring animals and failure to provide proper sustenance. If someone injures an animal or sees an injured animal, the best thing to do is call the local police, the SPCA, or the Department of Environmental Conservation police, Ross said. “If you hit a dog with your car, for example, you’re obligated  by law to report it to the police, to stop and get it help, or immediately inform the owner,” he said. “You can’t dispatch it yourself. You’re certainly not supposed to kill the animal out of mercy.” While abundant, Canada geese are protected in New York State—but even if they weren’t a protected species, Ross said that killing an  animal in the manner in which Sarli is alleged to have done is cruel—and it’s illegal. “There are mechanisms in place to offer guidance on how to handle injured animals: Local police, SPCA, state wildlife rehabilitators, state DEC police, even taking the injured animal to/or calling a local veterinarian,” Ross said. Sarli is due to be arraigned in Carmel Town Court on Sept. 12. ARREST FROM PAGE 1 Police photo of a Canada goose allegedly beaten to death by a golfer at Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac PHOTO COURTESY OF PUTNAM SPCA Service... Integrity... Compassion www.YorktownFuneralhome.com • (914) 962-0700 • [email protected] 945 East Main Street, Yorktown, NY 10588 Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences. Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 and clays are being found on the property, that means those hiking in these areas are literally being shot at when the sport-clays range is being used. “Originally, they fired west to east, but when they opened [the sporting-clay range] illegally they started shooting in the opposite direction,” Stein said. “They made an error. They were firing from their property, but it came onto our property. Until five years ago there was no lead on our property. They did not give themselves enough room, and they thought no one would find out what they were doing.” Stein said once he discovered the clay pigeons on the property, he believed it meant there was likely lead contamination due to stray shots. “Once you have skeet discs on the ground it means lead is on the ground,” he said. “Condo 22 has land adjacent to the gun club and I am a hiker and walk a lot and use that property a lot.” Stein said the neighboring Somers Land Trust-owned area to the east of Condo 22, which also borders the gun club property, has experienced the same thing. “I walked the boundary line and lo and behold right on the surface were thousands of skeet discs and fragments which told me that if the Land Trust was polluted then Condo 22 was polluted,” he said. “We spent $4,200 to hire a land survey company and they discovered and marked on a map five distinct fields of skeet discs and fragments on our property. We hired a lead testing company for $1,600. They took samples to test for lead and nine of 17 test sites had very elevated levels of lead.” The study, conducted by Lincolndale, N.Y.-based BNF Consultants, stated that “... the analysis of the data collected indicates that a significant proportion of the soil samples (53 percent, nine out of 17) exceeded the background lead concentration observed in New York State surface soils. Notably, the highest recorded lead concentration in the Heritage Hills parcel reached a staggering 729.8 ppm, surpassing the 98th percentile value of 75 ppm for lead by nearly 10 times, based on data from rural New York State surface soils. These findings provide compelling evidence that shooting clay target activities are a major contributing factor to the elevated lead levels observed in the surface soil of the subject property. “Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations inherent in this assessment,” BNF Consultants continued. “These limitations include the inability to access the lower east end, the challenge of covering a large area comprehensively, and the relatively small sample size. These constraints have the potential to affect the overall accuracy and representativeness of the findings. To acquire a more thorough understanding of the lead contamination, it is highly recommended to continue ongoing observation and conduct additional evaluations. This approach will allow for the collection of more data and ensure a more robust assessment of the lead risk at the site. Addressing these limitations will enable the attainment of a more dependable and comprehensive depiction of the lead contamination situation.” ‘Stop Shooting at Us’ Condo 22 has yet to file a lawsuit against Willow Wood. Instead, the Heritage Hills group wants the club to rectify the situation before any legal action is taken. Stein said they are requesting just two things from the club: “Stop shooting at us and clean up the mess you made.” Stein’s letter to Calcagnini states, “Discharging firearms in the direction of Condo 22 property is a reckless and dangerous act which Condo 22 cannot tolerate any longer. We are deeply concerned about the safety of our residents who should be able to enjoy their property without fear of being injured due to shooting activity at Willow Wood. Our residents’ property should also be free of contamination by lead shot and debris from skeet discs. “We, therefore, insist that Willow Wood and its members immediately cease and desist from discharging any firearms in the direction of Condo 22 property, and in the depositing of lead shot, skeet discs, or any other material onto Condo 22 property,” the letter continues. “Willow Wood must take steps to ensure the safety of its neighbors and their property before the shooting activity continues.” The letter said Condo 22 wants Willow Wood to pay for both the soil analysis and the cost of removing lead, skeet debris, and any other contaminants from the shooting club’s activity. Condo 22 also plans to file complaints with the state and Carmel police as well as the town of Carmel “in the event that any other further material is observed entering our property from Willow Wood.” Stein said the state police will be called if club members are discovered shooting in Condo 22’s direction. He also wants the club’s insurance carrier notified of what he alleges has happened. “We want them to remove the lead and not put any more in and make it as pristine as before the skeet course opened,” he said. “And remove the thousands of skeet discs and fragments all over our property. They were operating illegally. Did their insurance company have any idea they were doing that and that they polluted two properties? “There are statistics that show how far lead from a shotgun travels and based on that, it would be easy to determine they put these shooting sites in the wrong place,” he added. “I think it’s unconscionable they would fire weapons like that. If they want to redesign [the course] and shoot in a different direction, that’s fine.” GUN CLUB FROM PAGE 1 Condo 22 officials say lead was found to the northeast of Valley View Drive IMAGE FROM GOOGLE MAPS RED MILLS Convenience Center 575 Route 6N, Mahopac Falls • 845-628-9745 We have your grab and go items! Come see our vintage candy shop Happy Hour Coffee Ask About our coffee club Your 10th Cup is FREE! Any Size 3-7pm Purchase your box of Coffee to go! Buy 10, Get 1 FREE! Try our Coffee Flavors of the Season! Milkshakes & Smoothies $ 399 $ 1 00 Sandwiches OFF We are here if you need anything! $.99 Valid 3 to 7 PM Cool off with our Summer Savings! We have over 100 helium balloon choices! OUR COOLERS ARE STOCKED! With your Favorite Cool beverages, Ice, Beer, Ice cream & Cases of Poland Spring Water! SEE GUN CLUB PAGE 20

Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENACHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Mahopac News or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 845-208-0774 PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Over the last several years, no fewer than six employees at Halston Media have been the victims of major cyber theft. The latest victims were my wife and me. A few weeks ago, someone pretending to be one of our employees asked us to change their bank account for direct deposit. To explain, employees and independent contractors request bank changes from time to time, so the request wasn’t out of the ordinary. The real employee didn’t notify us of his missing paycheck until a couple of weeks later. Of course, we reimbursed him for the missing amount. While every email address is unique, a person can choose any name when setting up an account. Many email programs only show the sender’s name in the “from” line. In order to see the actual address, you have to actively click on the name. This is especially true when reading emails on your cell phone. So, thieves can pretend to be anyone, and they can make it look quite real by copying the person’s signature. This particular type of cyber theft is known as a phishing scam. Obviously, my wife and I should have done more due diligence before changing an employee’s bank account. After we discovered what happened, my wife filed a criminal complaint with our local police department and our bank tried to recover the missing funds to no avail. Through the routing number, I was able to find out that the thief set up his account with Green Dot Bank, which is headquartered in Ohio. After putting me on hold for over a half hour, a Green Dot Bank employee instructed me to send them a formal letter to explain what happened, and we “may” be able to recover our money. Since the incident, we’ve changed our procedures, and employees and independent contractors must request changes of this nature over the phone (although AI reportedly will facilitate even scarier types of identity theft in the future, where thieves will be able to steal a person’s voice). A few months before this, another employee was tricked into surrendering a vast sum of money. The thief in that instant convinced our colleague that his/her bank account was hacked, and said that if he/ she tells anyone, then the investigation would be compromised. So, our colleague physically went to his/her bank and transferred his/her funds into a new “uncompromised” account. For months now, our colleague has been unable to recover the funds. A few years ago, someone pretending to be me asked an employee to send them a few hundred dollars in gift cards. That employee obliged. And finally, our editor-at-large, Bob Dumas, has written extensively about being the victim of cyber theft on a number of occasions. In his case, the thieves actually hacked into his accounts, and one even hacked directly into his computer. In all instances, the local police departments where we’ve filed complaints have told each of us that there’s really not much they can do, and that this happens all the time. Why are the police unable to arrest anyone for this crime? If six people on our team have been victims of this crime, how many of our readers have been victims as well? If banks are required to know the identity of their customers, how are the thieves able to get away with it? What can the government do to fix the problem? We have a lot of questions and we assume our readers do as well. So, our editorial team plans to investigate. We’d love to hear from you during the course of our investigations. We recently fell prey to cyber theft We’d like to hear from readers who have been victimized by this crime too Have you been the victim of cyber and/or identity theft? If so, please contact us. • Email [email protected]. • Write “cyber theft” in the subject line. • Tell us your story. • We understand that falling prey to this crime can be embarrassing and we are happy to keep you anonymous in any published story. BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 Do you know what the cost of your long-term care will be if you are not eligible for Medicaid? Dear Dr. Linda, As a retired teacher, I’d like to give some advice to parents whose children hate math. A big part of helping improve math skills is changing students’ negative attitudes towards math in general. The better they like it, the more willing they’ll be to approach learning math. Given a budget, students can make gift lists (encourage giving vs. getting) while simultaneously creating math scenarios. Again, too, the decisionmaking and “power” is in the students’ control, which fosters independence! A winner all around. My body is still shaking with excitement over those “Pigs Will Be Pigs” books among other math-themed books in the library too. Sincerely, Leslie K. Dear Leslie, Thank you for your email. As children go back to school, the feelings they had when school was over in June all come back. There’s a population of children that hated math in June who are entering school in September, still hating math. I remember an email I received years ago from a parent. “Our daughter is entering fourth grade and the last thing her teacher said to me at our spring conference was, ‘Emma is still struggling in math, so be sure to do math with her over the summer so she won’t struggle in fourth grade.’ Did she ruin our summer with that advice? Yes. As a student, I hated math. I didn’t understand what the teacher was saying and when my parents tried to help me, it made everything worse. My husband and I don’t know what to do—and my daughter ends up crying if I mention the word “math.” Any advice? Vicky.” Unfortunately, many people hate math. And it’s not because math is so hard to understand—it’s that math is personal. Some children understand numbers and enjoy playing with numbers. They’re our future mathematicians. However, even these children sometimes struggle in school with math because the teacher is told to follow a particular program and some children simply don’t do well with that program. For example, Andrew loved basketball and was able to figure out scores and make predictions by doing math in his head. Yet, he was unable to succeed following the school program because it had multiple steps and he struggled with anything in which he had to follow multiple steps. Because of this, he was failing math and had to go to school at 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before everyone else, for math help. Obviously, it didn’t help him because he was still following the same program, a program that didn’t account for Andrew’s needs. Then today, many children need to count on their fingers when they first learn how to add and subtract. Yet, as I mentioned in a previous column, many program-following teachers don’t allow these children to use their fingers. (As a result, the only thing they learn is how to hide their fingers.) One more example is the child who loves math, but is told (because of the program the school is using) that he needs to write and explain what he’s doing. For some children this is fine, but for one fifth-grader I worked with, this was a disaster because he had trouble with writing. He started failing math. If not for his parents and teacher who decided together to let him do the math his way, he’d still be failing math. Instead, he’s now entering eighth grade with an A+ average in accelerated math. The point is, teachers need to find the method that fits each child, not find a method and then try to make each child fit the method. When this happens, the child usually becomes frustrated and anxious and math becomes a negative thing.  To prevent math from becoming even more negative, in addition to Leslie’s ideas above, play age-appropriate math games that require the learning of addition or subtraction or the times tables, etc., to win. This helps change the way children who hate math think and feel about math. Here’s one you might start with: First make a tic-tac-toe design. Instead of putting in Xs and Os, put the numbers 4, 9 and 2 across the top row. Then put 3, 5 and 7 across the center row. Now put 8, 1 and 6 across the bottom row. (If you add any three numbers across, down or diagonally, it always adds up to the same thing—15. To fun with math, -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the authors of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids.” Let children do math their way DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING

PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 saturday September 30, 2023 11 am to 4 pm Rain date: October 1, 2023 at the Intersection of Route 6 and 6N, Mahopac Call to reserve your space today! 845-628-5553 or visit mahopaccarmelchamber.com CHAMBER SPONSORS FALL STREET FAIR FOOD • VENDORS • FUN th anniversary! at the Mahopac Showcase your Business TALENT SEARCH FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES! or Email: [email protected] Call: (914) 997-8000 Fax: (914) 940-4730 APPLY NOW! GO TO CMCS.ORG/CAREERS Visit our website for career listings. • Teacher (Birth-2) • Family Worker/Advocates • Home Visitors • Health Specialist/Nurse • Custodians • Cooks • Teachers on Study Plan • Health Nutrition & Safety • Social Worker • Education Specialist The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 My niece, who is also my goddaughter, is getting married next month up in Syracuse. I got the invitation in the mail a few weeks back and it, of course, asked for an RSVP. But there was no little return envelope with a stamp that you could mail back stating your intentions. Instead, there was a card with a QR code that you could scan with your phone, which would then take you online where you could RSVP (and shop at their myriad registries for a wedding gift). Now for those of you who are technologically impaired, a QR code is a small box that contains some weird black-andwhite hieroglyphics. You might have seen one without knowing what it was or what they do. I sighed and shrugged and longed for the days of stamps and envelopes. But I gamely took my phone and waved it over the weird little box. Nothing happened. “Scan!” I shouted. “Scan!” Still nothing. Maybe I have to turn on the camera, I thought. So, I did. Still nothing. So, then I actually took a picture. Now I had a picture of a QR code, but I figured that wasn’t going to RSVP me. So... I gave up. Sunday morning, I got a text from my sister saying, “We know you can’t come to the wedding, but can you scan the QR code and RSVP anyway? It would help.” I sheepishly confessed my ineptitude with the QR thingy. My sister gamely walked me through it. “Turn on the camera and just hold it over the code. Some words will appear on your screen. Tap them and it will take you to the website and then just follow the instructions,” she wrote. I was skeptical, but gave it a try and, damn, it actually worked! I felt like the theme from “Rocky” should be playing in the background. I never gave it a lot of thought, but I always considered myself technologically adept. But I am not. Oh, I handle the basic fundamentals. My job requires me to work on a computer every day and I am pretty good at finding workarounds when the thing won’t do what it is normally supposed to do. But it seems like every other week some new technology comes along that leaves me drooling in the corner, curled up in the fetal position, and begging for my mommy. (As Dr. McCoy on “Star Trek” might say, “I’m a writer, not a scientist, dammit!”) I remember back around 2008 when Twitter first came on the scene. You could send out messages up to 140 characters long. One hundred and forty characters... not words. I didn’t understand the point. What could you possibly say with just 140 characters? I poo-pooed the idea and told coworkers that the thing would be dead in a year. Whoops. Of course, I also lacked the foresight to see we would eventually have a linguistically challenged president who governed by tweeting out monosyllabic word salads. I was just as myopic on the advent of most other social media. Back around 2007, my sister began haranguing me about getting a Facebook account. “Why the heck would I want that?” I asked. “I already have Myspace and I Forget COVID Techno-itis will ruin your life BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEE DUMAS PAGE 11

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 hardly use it.” But she was persistent, so I eventually signed up, but I rarely logged in. My sister said that made me a “lurker.” Whatever. Then I began getting friend requests from people I hadn’t heard from in ages, including an old high school crush. “Well, this just got interesting,” I thought. I decided to stop lurking in the shadows and have a bigger presence on the platform. Then, some of the media companies I worked for started using Facebook as a marketing tool, and that kind of mandated that I learn my way around the site and become more proficient. The rest is history. Now Facebook is an everyday part of my life and I always have fun with it, even though sometimes it gets me in trouble. Turns out, I have a big mouth. Who knew? But the point is, when it comes to technology, I am not only unperceptive about its future but also borderline incompetent. Let’s talk cell phones, aka smartphones. I submit to you right here and now that they are not nearly as smart as they claim to be. Let me ask you this... how do you feel when you know it’s time to get a new phone? Do you start feeling a little nauseous? Do you feel compelled to block off a series of dates on your calendar and maybe ask your boss for a couple of days off because you know you are going to be otherwise preoccupied? I wish it was as simple as walking into the store, finding a phone on the shelves that you like and is in your price range (there are still some that can cost nearly $1,000... what the hell do they do?), taking it to the checkout counter, paying, and leaving. Nope. Get ready to devote half a day to uninterested employees who will spend most of their time with you furiously typing away on their tablets, mumbling to themselves, and occasionally looking up to tell you why they can’t do what you want them to do. A few years ago, I walked into a local phone store (I won’t say which one) and there was no one in it but one employee. It might even have been the proprietor, I don’t know. She was sitting at a table in the middle of the room typing on her phone. She never looked up to acknowledge my presence. So, I walked around the store checking out the phones and noticed they were all really, really expensive. “Excuse me, ma’am?” I actually heard her sigh as she put down her phone and looked up at me. She didn’t say a word. “Um, are these all the phones you have? I am looking for something a little less expensive. Like this.” I showed her my old (and now dead) phone. She wrinkled her nose as if I was a hobo who’d wandered into the wrong building and was now stinking up the place. “This is a franchise store,” she said. “You need to go to the corporate store. They have the cheap phones. It’s down Route 6 a few miles.” So, that is what I did. She was right. The corporate store was bigger and had more products. The workers were actually nice and helpful, but I was still in there for about two hours before I staggered back out into the parking lot, my brain numb from the experience. So, last summer my phone began to refuse to take a charge. I tried a bunch of different remedies, but nothing worked. That queasy feeling came over me... I was—gasp!—going to have to go to the phone store again! I went through all the dreaded machinations with the phone store automatons and four hours later I was back home. That night, I began getting ready to cook dinner. It should be noted I had one of those flat black electric stovetops. I turned a burner on and went to fetch something from the fridge. Suddenly, I smelled something weird... something burning. Black, acrid smoke was rising from the stove where I had laid my phone. It had melted... destroyed. After one day. Back to the store. Again. Twice in two days. More nausea. Now this summer, I have a new smartphone again. And it might be the dumbest one yet. When you want to send a text message and use the speaking mode, it will often wildly misinterpret you and write stuff you never even said. It will randomly capitalize words and place periods in the middle of a sentence. And it will always happily write what it hears coming off the TV. Recently, I was sending a text to someone—newspaper job-related—named Judy. I had never met Judy before, and she didn’t know me. But the phone heard her name as “Cutie.” So, I sent a business text to a total stranger that began, “Hi Cutie!” I was mortified and called Judy right away and explained and apologized profusely. Fortunately, she had a sense of humor and pretended to be disappointed I didn’t really mean “Cutie.” Just another bad case of techno-itis. And it’s spreading. And a mask won’t help. DUMAS FROM PAGE 10 To most people it’s ancient history, but for me it feels like yesterday. It was 1971 and the world was my oyster. At the ripe old age of 23, I was excited about what life had in store for me. Adding to my exuberant outlook was the fact that, on the entertainment side, American movies had entered a new era of realism, which immersed itself in the gritty corners of everyday life. This bold cinematic approach was best exemplified by a director, William Friedkin, whose one-two punch not only defined his career, but made a lasting imprint on a new generation of films to come. PUNCH NUMBER ONE “The French Connection” was a drama about a grungy, racist New York cop, Popeye Doyle, who Gene Hackman played with gusto, so much so that he won an Academy Award for his performance. I was familiar with his work, having loved his portrayal of a son in search of a father’s love in the little-known 1970 film, “I Never Sang for My Father,” which still is one of my top 10 movies of all time. Embedded in every scene of “The French Connection” is a dark vision of class differences as well as bigotry, which Saluting a master craftsman JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 12 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! 10% OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! 914-277-4424 • 440 Rt 22 North Salem, NY • www.theblazerpub.com CELEBRATING 521 YEARS! Where Good Food meets Good Grades!

PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Nestled in a lush green hideaway of Yorktown Heights amidst tall evergreens and nature’s beauty, sits The Country House, recently named a Best Assisted Living community by U.S. News & World Report. We invite you to tour and learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one. Call (914) 249-9144 to schedule. Experience the Best THE Country House in westchester 2000 Baldwin Road · Yorktown Heights · thecountryhouseinwestchester.com LIC # 800-F-007 the film displays without apology. Working class stiff and swashbuckling detective Popeye Doyle spends much of the film chasing a very wellto-do drug kingpin, played to perfection by Fernando Rey.  The most famous sequence in the motion picture is one where Popeye races like a crazed man (or like the people we see passing us on the Taconic every morning) in a Pontiac LeMans he seized from a civilian through the streets of Bensonhurst. Why the hurry? The detective is attempting to apprehend a hitman who has commandeered a subway train and is running all the normal subway stops. Hackman’s acting is truly superb. He makes his pursuit seem like his personal existential quest. He can’t breathe if he doesn’t catch the bad guy. To raise the audience’s blood pressure, Friedkin strapped a camera to the front bumper of the runaway LeMans, giving the viewers an angle that’s visceral and dizzying at the same time. After seven minutes of perhaps the most exciting chase ever filmed, the subway crashes and the thug exits. Doyle, following on foot, corners him on the stairs. When the bad guy turns, Doyle shoots him in the back.  That movie shook me to my core. Given my reaction, I didn’t think it was possible for Friedkin to ever soar to such heights again. Then, two years later, as my life’s career path shifted from philosophy professor to lawyer, I had the occasion to meet some incredibly interesting contemporaries. As a thirdyear law student, over lunch, one of my classmates confided in me that Friedkin had directed a soon-to-be released movie “that will knock your socks off.” He seemed to have inside information, which prompted me to ask how he knew so much. Delighted by my curiosity, he informed me that he was a body double for the “old priest” in Friedkin’s new production. I had no idea what role the “old priest” had in the movie but, rest assured, I would make sure I saw the film as soon as it opened.  PUNCH NUMBER TWO Sure enough, during the December holiday recess in 1973, Friedkin’s second masterpiece opened. I didn’t go on opening night, but a few days after Christmas I ventured down to 59th Street to a theater in the round showing “The Exorcist.” To my chagrin, I was not the only one who made the pilgrimage to the West side of Manhattan to see this movie. There were long lines stretching around the block. To add to the anticipation, the movie theater gave out free vomit bags to moviegoers as we entered. Their antics weren’t far off. Friedkin’s skill at turning standard supernatural-horror scenes into amusement park thrill rides and shock treatments in fact caused fainting spells and vomiting among several of the patrons in my theater.  Even though “The French Connection” won more Academy Awards, “The Exorcist really” was the cornerstone of Friedkin’s legacy. In case you’re not familiar with the book or the film, let me tell you a little about what it’s about. The movie focused on a 12-yearold girl in Washington D.C. named Regan MacNeil (played by Linda Blair), who begins to exhibit odd behavior. A young priest, experiencing a crisis of faith, is called upon to rid her of the evil spirit that possesses her. He is helping an older priest (whose body double was my law school friend) who seemed to be clearly overmatched by the ghoul.  The movie was a big hit. It struck a deep chord in many of us who had been taught to fear the devil, but had, in our adult years, begun to doubt the efficacy of the entire tale. Movie theaters were packed. “The Exorcist” was the second highest grossing film of 1974.   To Friedkin’s credit, looking beyond its popularity, the movie was laid out masterfully. For example, Friedkin stages early scenes, like when Regan comes into the living room and pees on the carpet, in hushed tones. He lets the tempo build, like a Barry Manilow song, as the movie gradually evolves into a nightmare of such grotesque primal queasiness that its images never leave you. The most striking example is a scene that people still talk about. Regan’s head turns completely around as she spews green vomit (pea soup) into the priest’s face. Talk about a distressing moment! In the final analysis, “The Exorcist” turned horror into something real, tangible and fearful. And yes, my law school friend was correct, it knocked my socks off.   William Friedkin died last week at the age of 87. His career lasted until the present day, but for me, his one-two punch in the early 70s was enough to cement his place as one of the greatest directors of my lifetime. Friedkin used cinema to say the unsayable, to suggest that cops and criminals exist on the same continuum and that, even in the modernday science first world, Satan lives.  Even into his 80s, Friedkin kept working. His last effort, “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial,” starring Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Clarke, will be released this fall. Regardless of its success or failure, in my mind, William Friedkin long ago solidified his place as a groundbreaking and revolutionary director.  For all his accomplishments, Friedkin remained modest. In 2012, he stated, “I don’t see myself as a pioneer; I see myself as a working guy and that’s all, and that is enough.” Recalling the scene of scores of terrified moviegoers running out of my movie theater in 1973, I beg to differ. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed. MARTORANO FROM PAGE 11

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 You are Cordially Invited to the Digital Marketing Best Practice Seminar www.HalstonMedia.com Digital Marketing Best Practices Webinar When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 Where: Zoom Who: Business Owners who want to Leverage Digital Media to Grow their Business Seminar Description: Strategies for connecting with the always connected consumer have changed. In this fast-paced, 45-minute educational seminar, you'll learn how your business can take advantage of changing consumer behavior, with actionable tips & ideas for improving online visibility, telling the story of your business, and precision digital targeting options for reaching your perfect next customer. Everyone who attends will receive a Free Digital Audit report for their Business! Registration is Free: To register: 1. Email [email protected]. 2. Visit halstonmedia.org/webinar 3. Register by scanning QR code. About us: Halston Digital Agency is the digital department of Halston Media Group. We offer Digital Education, Web Design, SEO, Social Media, & Precision Digital Target Marketing that generates inbound Leads!

SpoPAGE 14 – MAHOPAC NEWS Kick stEmma Godin PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN Alyssa Settembrini PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Mary Kate Larue gets ready to test her throw-ins. PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Mahopac Soccer (MSA) held its second “Play Like a Girl” event at Mahopac’s Airport Park on Sunday to celebrate the finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hours after Spain’s ball-possession masterclass clinched the coveted title with a 1-0 victory over 2022 European champions England, more than 70 girls from Mahopac’s travel soccer teams came together to test their skills and have a great time playing the beautiful game. In addition to some fun team-building activities, players competed in skills like shooting, punting, and throw-ins. The MSA travel season kicks off on September 10, and MSA in-house soccer starts on Sept. 16. For more information, visit mahopacsoccer.com. Article courtesy of Jennifer Colamonico, MSA KyoP66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team

orts THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 tarters Catalina Alvarado PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN Kaylanni Roebuck kicks as Delilah Alvarado and Gianna Tucci wait their turns. PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Teagan O’Connor, Emily Ielpi, and Cadence Mcguire PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN Abigail Long PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN Summer McDermott and Emerson Catania PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN Kathryn DeCicco shows the younger girls how its done. PHOTO: JENNA WALDMAN

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17

PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Planning Medicaid Applications Guardianships Probates Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 We make home & hospital visits Contact the team today! (845) 621-8640 DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve Get help paying dental bills and keep more money in your pocket This is real dental insurance — NOT just a discount plan You can get coverage before your next checkup CALL NOW! 1-877-690-2680 Don’t wait! Call now and we’ll rush you a FREE Information Kit with all the details. Product not available in all states. Acceptance is guaranteed for one insurance policy/certifi cate of this type. This specifi c offer is not available in CO: call 1-800-969-4781 for a similar offer. For complete details about this solicitation of insurance, please contact us. Certifi cate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN) 6129-1118 FREE Information Kit 1-877-690-2680 Visit us online at www.dental50plus.com/seasonal Which of these three sentences is true?  • My pet octopus likes to be walked three times a day.  • An 18-year-old is an adult. • Hudson Valley drivers never tailgate and always follow traffic rules.  The smart money is probably on the octopus story, but lo and behold, an 18-year-old is actually an adult…legally. Why this matters will be clear to every parent who has called a college health center to get an update on their child’s status.   Adulthood confers a right to privacy. Specific authorizations must be prepared to allow a parent of a college-age child to receive important health information or handle finances. Once a son or daughter crosses the age of majority threshold, the free and easy parental access and control over their child goes away. Many colleges believe it is their obligation to protect their students’ privacy at the expense of a parent’s natural interest in safeguarding their child. Legally, colleges are technically correct, even if the methodology is heavy handed. It is then up to the child to reestablish those links through legal documents and think constructively about personal finance. Every young adult needs basic estate planning to ensure that the people who care about them most have the ability to help. An estate plan for college students looks something like this: Before college begins, your 18-year-old should complete a Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney naming parents as decisionmakers. With those documents in place and filed with the college, parents can more easily communicate with college officials should something happen.   Set up a basic student checking and savings account with one or both parents as joint owner. The account should have a debit/credit card, which can be augmented by a parent if funds get low. While establishing credit with a non-bank account linked credit card is important, the danger of overspending with punitive interest rates is something that should be discussed.   A low-fee brokerage or mutual fund account makes sense as your child accumulates income from working part-time and looks for some growth with limited risk. Naming parents as beneficiaries on these accounts is a good idea. If parents have a trusted financial advisor, then seek out advice to fine tune their child’s money education. The key is the word “education.” This is the time to learn how important saving is and how the routine of having a set amount of earnings automatically sent to an interest bearing savings or growth investment account must be maintained. For the really motivated, establishing a Roth IRA to begin their retirement planning journey may be useful. While nudging 18-year-olds to prepare a Will feels a little off, thinking about preserving their digital lives is logical. The vast amount of time and attention an 18-year-old has spent online means that there is a tremendous amount of content that needs protecting and cataloguing. Except for older sites like Facebook, not enough social media sites include memorialization options, but that could change as this generation ages.   Eighteen is where estate planning and financial literacy cross paths. Form good habits early and try not to deviate from those habits as expenses and work begin to pile up.  For more information on estate planning and college students, speak to the professionals at The Feller Group, P.C. today. The Feller Group is a multi-disciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and business advisement. Alan D. Feller can be reached at 845-621-8640, or visit thefellergroup.com.  Do college students need an estate plan? ‘Specific authorizations must be prepared to allow a parent of a collegeage child to receive important health information or handle finances.’ -Alan D. Feller  The Feller Group, P.C. ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 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. Russian painter 6. Very fast jet 9. Phillipine municipality 13. Intestinal 14. Small freshwater fish 15. Algerian coastal city 16. Vomit 17. Famed astronomer 18. Ghanaian currency 19. Improved the condition of 21. Int’l association of interpreters 22. Infections 23. Dish made with lentils 24. Thou 25. Former CIA 28. Unit used to compare power levels 29. Members of Pueblo people 31. Myanmar monetary units 33. Polished 36. Signed a contract 38. Nothing 39. Once-ubiquitous department store 41. Neural structures 44. Thick piece of something 45. Slang for trucks with trailers 46. Longing 48. Senior officer 49. Levels of frequency 51. Bird’s beak 52. Move rapidly downwards 54. Koran chapters 56. Streteches out 60. Top of the human body 61. A Chinese temple and Indian town are two 62. Fertility god 63. Sea eagle 64. Dry 65. Zodiac sign 66. “Horizon Call of the Mountain” character 67. Have the ability to 68. Take somewhere CLUES DOWN 1. “Iron Man” actress Leslie 2. Wings 3. Adjust the spacing 4. They’re usually locked 5. Atomic #43 6. Wise individuals 7. Horse mackerel 8. Pearl Jam’s debut album 9. Confines 10. Colorless crystalline compound 11. Unsatisfactorily 12. Plant of the parsley family 14. Determines time 17. Causes the birth of 20. Small ornament on a watch chain 21. Richly decorated cloth tapestry 23. Vito Corleone was one 25. Igbo musical instrument 26. Put in harmony 27. Japanese alcoholic drinks 29. Tinseltown 30. Closes tightly 32. Songs sung to one’s lover 34. One thousandth of an inch 35. Small drink of whiskey 37. Political divisions in ancient Greece 40. Helps little firms 42. Baby’s eating accessory 43. Very long periods of time 47. Small block of wood 49. Town in Surrey, England 50. Enquiry 52. Murdered 53. Bura-__: Chadic language 55. Crater on Mars 56. Mammal genus 57. Sock 58. Make 59. Stony waste matter 61. Partner to cheese 65. Pound Potatoes are often the unsung heroes of meals. They work any time of the day and with most meals. Hash browns accompany eggs at breakfast, French fries are ideal with sandwiches come lunchtime, and there’s no limiting potatoes at dinner. They can be the star of the show with potato gnocchi or baked potato soup, or serve as mashed or baked complements to roasts and more. Steak and potatoes long has been a popular pairing that wins rave reviews around the table. This recipe for “Steak with Crispy Potatoes and Pistachio Pesto” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done” (Time Home Entertainment) by the editors of Real Simple highlights what a winning combination steak and potatoes can be. Potatoes are the perfect side dish Steak with Crispy Potatoes and Pistachio Pesto Serves 4 1-1/2 pounds red new potatoes (about 18), sliced 1/4-inch thick 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and black pepper 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 1/4 cup shelled roasted pistachios 1 small garlic clove 2 strip or sirloin steaks (1 inch thick; about 1-1/2 pounds total) 1 bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 pound) Heat oven to 425 F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Roast until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a food processor, process the parsley, pistachios, garlic, 1/4 cup of the remaining oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper until finely chopped. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steaks with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook to the desired doneness, 4 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Wipe out the skillet. Add the broccoli rabe and 1/2 cup water and simmer, covered, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with the steak, potatoes and pesto. Tip: The pistachio pesto in this dish makes an excellent accompaniment to lamb, chicken, shrimp or fish. Or serve it on toasted country bread for an easy appetizer.

PAGE 20 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 Willow Wood Responds While calls by this paper to Calcagnini seeking comment were not returned, Stein provided a copy of a letter that the gun club president sent in response to Condo 22’s demands. That letter, in its entirety, reads as follows: Dear Mr. Stein, At no time during our conversation did I indicate that I would provide you with the insurance information for Willow Wood. What I indicated was that if you sent me a survey showing the areas you say have target debris and/or elevated levels of lead, I would investigate the matter and then get back to you. To be clear, I have no intention of providing you with Willow Wood’s insurance information. Please note that the survey you sent is not legible. I cannot make out any notes about clay targets or elevated levels of lead. Please send me a clear legible copy—either digital or print. As requested, please send me any reports by your lead expert along with the lab reports on the soil samples. Kindly also state whether you are claiming to have found lead shot on your property or just what you claim is elevated levels of lead microparticles in the soil and in what areas. Please also advise me as to what you are looking for from Willow Wood. If there are broken clays on the Condo property that came from Willow Wood (which I doubt), then I will send a crew to clean them up. If you want a fence in the area where you claim the clays crossed the line, we can also discuss that. If you want a swale to divert surface water away from the Heritage Hills property, we could discuss that also. If your demand is to cease shooting at any of our stations, that is a non-negotiable no. Yours truly, George J. Calcagnini ‘I’ve Been Chicken Little’ Graeme Cooper, a Somers resident who lives across the valley from the gun club, has been warning residents and town officials in both Mahopac and Somers about the alleged impact of the gun club’s clay-shooting range for GUN CLUB FROM PAGE 7 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 One Marina Drive, Lake Mahopac NY 845-628-2333 www.macdonaldmarineny.net SALES • SERVICE • STORAGE BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 52 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! 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! 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 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in the Mahopac News Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 Next month, volunteers from  Putnam County  will join the quarter of a million people who are walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to suicide prevention. The annual Putnam County AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by the Hudson Valley Chapter will begin at 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 10, at the county’s Department of Social Services building located at 110 Old Route 6, in Carmel. The walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education and supports programs and its goal to reduce the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent by the year 2025. Suicide rose to the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2021, reversing two years of decline. Yet suicide can be prevented. “Suicide touches one in five American families,” said Maria Idoni, area director for AFSP Hudson Valley Chapter. “We hope that by walking we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.” The Putnam County Out of the Darkness Walk is one of more than 550 Out of the Darkness Overnight, Community and Campus Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts. Last year, these walks raised over $21 million for suicide prevention. “These walks are about turning hope into action,” said  AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. “The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better, and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers and a real investment from our nation’s leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States.” Putnam County experienced 13 suicides in 2022. This year, there are already nine confirmed suicides—the highest number since 2013. “The Out of the Darkness Walk helps bring attention to an often-silent issue and helps begin the conversation on promoting positive mental health,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “We’re working every day to educate our residents about the resources available to those in crisis, and we’re working to expand and strengthen our partnerships in the community so that there truly is no wrong door when someone needs help.” Byrne will be joined by Michael Piazza, Jr., commissioner of mental health, and Sheriff Kevin McConville as this year’s Putnam County Out of the Darkness Carmel Walk speakers. “As law enforcement, we recognize the critical importance of addressing mental health and suicide prevention,” McConville said. “This is a powerful initiative that not only raises awareness about this issue but also fosters community support for those affected. Through collaboration and open conversations, we can work together to save lives and provide hope to those individuals and families facing these challenges.” Local sponsors for the Putnam County Out of the Darkness Walk include Volz Auto Group, NAMI Putnam/The National Alliance on Mental Illness, MHA Putnam/ The Mental Health Association of Putnam County, Brightview Health, The Nicole Ettere Memorial Gardens Foundation, CoveCare Center, and the Putnam County Suicide Prevention Task Force. To register for the walk, visit www.afsp. org/PC. Article courtesy of County Executive’s Office Volunteers to walk in fight to prevent suicide in Carmel SEE GUN CLUB PAGE 24

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PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 A state emergency assistance program for homeowners affected by severe flooding from the July 9-10 rainstorm that caused millions of dollars of damage to both public and private property is now available. County Executive Kevin Byrne said Gov. Kathy Hochul has pledged up to $3 million in aid for those in counties affected by disaster, including Putnam and Westchester counties. The funding will come through the state’s affordable housing agency, Homes and Community Renewal The program began accepting applications on Aug. 11. According to the HCR website (hcr. ny.gov/ahc-flood-assistance-program), the funding will be available through the Affordable Housing Corporation’s (AHC) Affordable Home Ownership Development Program with the money going to non-profit partners that will assist homeowners in the affected communities. Homeowners who are unable to get FEMA Individual Assistance or other disaster recovery assistance may be eligible to use AHC funds for emergency home repair, the website says. “Last month, Putnam County was battered by heavy downpours and historic flooding. Many residents suffered severe damage to their personal property and are in need of additional relief, so this is obviously welcome news,” Byrne said. “I thank Gov. Hochul and her team for stepping up to provide additional assistance from the state to help homeowners and families who are still struggling to rebuild a month later. We are still proactively sharing information with the state and federal governments to bolster our Congressional representative’s efforts to bring back additional assistance from FEMA.” Hochul said the additional funding “will help to provide relief to even more New Yorkers impacted by these devastating floods as they work to repair their homes and return to their normal lives.” To apply in Putnam, visit the Putnam County Housing Corporation (putnamhousing.com), email Denene Makkay at  [email protected], or call Makkay at 845-225-8493, ext. 211, or Renee McEntee at 845-225-8493, ext. 214. Property owners in Westchester should contact Habitat NYC & Westchester (habitatnycwc.org/floodresponse), email  [email protected], or phone at 646-779-8901. Learn more at  hcr.ny.gov/ahc-floodassistance-program. Local residents can get flood assistance money State accepting emergency aid applications inches of rain that caused Swan Cove to remain flooded for more than 10 days.” “The image captures a poignant scene along the fringes of Lake Mahopac, adjacent to Chamber Park,” added Bellofatto, who was named Emerging Professional by the Mahopac Carmel Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. “The photo, taken from a drone’s vantage point, offers a unique perspective of the aftermath of the floods, emphasizing the extent of the damage caused by the unrelenting rains.” Bellofatto said Buckley’s photo captures both “the challenges faced by Mahopac during those trying days,” and “symbolizes the hope that began to sprout as the waters receded.” “As the floodwaters ebbed away, the community’s response was swift and robust,” she said. “Local organizations rallied to provide aid and support to those affected by the floods. Their commitment to restoring homes and lives did not go unnoticed. “Amid the debris and remnants of the deluge, there’s a sense of unity and determination,” she added. “It’s a testament to Mahopac’s indomitable spirit – a community that pulls together during the toughest of times. The photograph isn’t just about the damage; it’s about the people who refuse to be defeated by adversity.” Bellofatto said that SERVPRO of Putnam County, a water damage restoration company with offices near Mahopac, played a pivotal role in helping the community recover. “This photograph is a reminder that Mahopac is a community that stands as one, a collective force that rises above challenges, no matter how formidable,” Bellofatto said. “As we view this photo, let’s remember the spirit it encapsulates and the strength that defines Mahopac. Together, we endure; together, we rebuild; and together, we thrive. “In the end, this photograph isn’t just about the past, it’s about the future, the stories that will be told, and the testament of unity that will echo through the years,” she concluded. Learn more about SERVPRO at ServproPutnamCounty.com. FLOOD FROM PAGE 5 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. 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 from other accountants and tax preparers is our ability to work with you not just on taxes, but on financials, college planning, divorce, retirement planning, changes in life planning... We don’t just process tax forms, we advise on how to handle your income and expenses in the future with personalized recommendations. We help you navigate the tax code, and in the end, help you set sound financial goals. What separates us

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 23 LEGAL NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received at the Office of the Town  Clerk,  Town   of   Carmel,   60   McAlpin   Avenue,    Mahopac,    New    York    10541,    until 11:00 a.m. (local  time)  Friday,  September  22,  2023,  immediately  after  which the bids will be opened publicly and read for the following:  CONTRACT NO. C287 REHABILITATION OF LAKE MAHOPAC DAM  All bidders must comply with  Section  103(a)  and  103(d)  of  the  General  Municipal  Law  relating to non-collusive bidding and waiver of immunity against criminal prosecution.  Contract Documents may be examined at the Office of the Town Clerk between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, August 24, 2023.  Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained at the Office of the Town Clerk upon receipt of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per set. Payment shall be in the form of Cash, Certified Check or Money Order, payable to the Town of Carmel, non-refundable.  Contract Documents may be obtained from the Office of the Town Clerk, Carmel Town Hall beginning Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.    Prospective bidders may request mailing of Contract Documents by contacting the Town Clerk’s Office.  Bidders must provide a prepaid air bill for mailing a minimum of one week prior to the mandatory pre-bid conference. Neither OWNER or ENGINEER shall be responsible for any delay in such shipment.  One Bid  will be received.    Bids shall  be  as specified  in the BID FORM.    Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, with  all  required  bidding  documents, at  the above address and must bear on the face thereofthe name and address of the bidder and the inscription: Bid for Contract No. C287 Rehabilitation of Lake Mahopac Dam. The bidder is solely responsible for ensuring delivery to the Town Clerk.  Neither the OWNER nor the ENGINEER will be responsible for full or partial sets of Contract Documents, including any Addenda, obtained from other sources.  A    pre-bid    conference    will    be    held    on    Tuesday,    August    29,    2023,    at    10:00 a.m.,  at  the  Town  Hall,  60  McAlpin  Avenue,  Mahopac,  New   York   10541.   The   purpose   of   the   pre-bid   conference   is   to   afford   the    prospective    Bidders    and  interested parties an opportunity to raise questions pertaining to the Bidding and Contract Documents and for the OWNER or its representatives to clarify any points. A site visit will be held following the pre-bid meeting. Subsequent access to the project site will not be available following the pre-bid meeting site visit.  The work under this Contract comprises the furnishing of all tools, equipment, materials, and labor     for     the     performance     of     Contract     No.     C287     Rehabilitation     of   Lake Mahopac Dam, located in the hamlet of Mahopac  in  the  Town  of  Carmel,  New  York, complete, in place, tested and ready for use in accordance with the Contract Documents prepared by Schnabel Engineering of New York.  The PROJECT consists of:  Removal of the sycamore tree and willow tree from the dam crest, the sumac and sapling grove along the right masonry training wall of the spillway structure, and the associated stumps and root systems;  • • Placement of compacted earthfill, topsoil, and seed in the areas of tree and stump removal and disturbance;  Removal of the vegetation growing within the spillway outlet channel downstream of the spillway structure, and placement of stone aggregate in the disturbed area;  • • Removal and replacement of the low level outlet gate and actuator;  Installation of a new platform and railings over the spillway structure to allow access to both sides of the spillway and to create a safe operating area for the low level outlet gate actuator;  • and as more fully described in the Contract Documents (Plans and Specifications) and as required to complete the PROJECT.  The foregoing is a general description only and shall not be construed as a complete description of the Work to be performed for this Project.  Bid security and proof of qualifications to perform the Work shall be as described in the Instructions to Bidders.  Bidders shall comply with all special and statutory requirements in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.  Contract time of commencement and completion will be as specified in the Agreement. The Bid Bond Form is contained in the Proposal.  Each bid shall be accompanied by a Bid Bond, or Certified Check accompanied by a Certificate of Surety, the coverage of which is specified in the Instructions to Bidders.  This project is subject to the provisions of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York and certificates required thereunder shall be available for public inspection at the office of the Town Clerk, Town of Carmel, New York.  For any reason whatsoever, or for no reason, the Town reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids or to reject any and all bids. No bidder may withdraw their bid  except by written request submitted at least twenty-four hours before the time of opening or until the lapse of 45 days after the actual opening thereof. The Town is exempt from payment of sales and compensating use taxes of the State of  New York and of Cities and Counties on all materials to be incorporated into the Work. These taxes shall not be included in the Bid.  The Town will furnish the required certificates of tax exemption to the CONTRACTOR for use in the purchase of supplies and materials to be incorporated into the Work.  The Town’s exemption does not apply to construction tools, machinery, equipment or other property purchased by or leased by the CONTRACTOR, or to supplies or materials not incorporated into the Work.  Non-Discrimination in Employment:  It is the policy of the Town that their Contractors shall comply with all Federal, State, and local law, policy orders, rules and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race creed, color, or national origin, and will take affirmative action to insure that they are afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color or national origin.  Provisions concerning this requirement are detailed in the Supplementary Conditions.  Order of the Town Board  of the Town of Carmel Ann Spofford, Town Clerk  Notice of Formation of SaberHightower Advisors, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 7/25/23. Office location: Putnam County. Princ. bus. addr.: 2453 Route 6, Brewster, NY 10509. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 122 E. 42nd St., 18th Fl., NY, NY 10168. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Notice of Formation of MAHOPAC WINE COMPANY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 04/21/2023. Office location: Putnam SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 179 US-6, MAHOPAC, NY, 10541. Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of LKG ENTERPRISES LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 07-21. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to LKG Enterprises LLC: 219 Avery Road Garrison NY 10524. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of SaberHightower, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 7/25/23. Office location: Putnam County. Princ. bus. addr.: 2453 Route 6, Brewster, NY 10509. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 122 E. 42nd St., 18th Fl., NY, NY 10168. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Lucky Dog Investors LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/17/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Richard Keller, 381 E Mountain Rd. North, Cold Springs, NY 10516. General Purpose  46 118, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 7/20/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Joseph Ferone, 486 Bullet Hole Rd., Mahopac, NY 10541. General Purpose   RCF Realty Management LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/6/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 33 Cimarron Rd., Putnam Valley, NY 10579. General Purpose    Bulls Head Farm LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/19/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Matthew Bress, 24 Walker Dr., Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512. General Purpose    LEGAL NOTICES

PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 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! LEGAL NOTICE By the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Carmel pursuant to Section 267 Town Law, notice is hereby given that a hearing will be held on: AUGUST 31, 2023 – 7:30 P.M. To hear the following applications: HOLD OVER APPLICATIONS: 1. Application of LIZ & PAT MARTIN for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to relocate accessory apartment (no setback variance needed).  The property is located at 151 Secor Road, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #74.12-2-56.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  Single Family House w/accessory apt can be detached if existing prior to 1998.  Separate cottage as an accessory apartment being relocated  To relocate accessory apt./cottage, therefore, not existing prior to 1998.  2. Application of JOHN CHANG for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to retain church on 2nd floor.  The property is located at 716 Route 6, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #76.30-1- 26.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  1 space/200 sf – Deli  23/07/100 = 12 ps  1 ps/3 seats – church  32 seats/3 = 11 ps  Total 23 ps  18 ps  5 ps  NEW APPLICATIONS: 3. Application of PATRICK VETERE for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to construct a deck in the rear of property.  The property is located at 56 Entrance Way, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #74.43-1-18.1.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  15’   11.7’  3.3’  4. Application of THOMAS McKENNA for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to construct addition with 15’ property setback instead of 20’ required by Code, and retain existing shed.  The property is located at 100 Macgregor Drive, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #64.17-1-46.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  20’ setback - addition   15’ setback  5’  10’ side – shed  3’  7’  5. Application of LORI DESETTO for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to retain shed.  The property is located at 71 Rebecca Lane, Carmel NY and is known as Tax Map #76.8-1-19.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  10’ side  9.6’  0.4’  years. His research and complaints helped get the creaseand-desist order levied against the club when the new range first opened illegally. He said he’s not surprised to learn of the alleged lead contamination in Heritage Hills and the Somers Land Trust. “I’ve been Chicken Little sending letters for the past year and a half with tons of supporting documents,” he said. “‘You are shooting into Somers... lead birdshot.’ They won’t shoot anything but lead shot. But [my complaints] fell on deaf ears.” Cooper said the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) own ballistic studies illustrate that the lead shot from the club’s shooting stations could reach the Heritage Hills property. “The new site plan has three stations pointed toward their property,” he said. “[Club officials] say [the shots] will travel into the hillside but I can’t figure out how that would work. Are they shooting into the ground?” Asked if it was possible that the lead and clays found on the Land Trust and Condo 22 property could have come from someplace other than the gun club, Cooper said, “I didn’t witness it but there is no other shooting in that area, so I think it safe to say. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.” And while the gun club has been at its current location since the early 1950s, before Heritage Hills was built, Cooper contends that the lead had to have been placed there more recently because those clay skeets are biodegradable and would have disappeared by now. While not all clay targets are biodegradable, Cooper says the brand used by Willow Wood is. “These clays are biodegradable and only last about six years, so they couldn’t have been there very long,” he said. “The clay targets they found [at Heritage Hills and Somers Land Trust] are White Flyer [brand], which is what the club uses.” On the White Flyer website, the company does confirm its clays are indeed biodegradable. GUN CLUB FROM PAGE 20 SEE GUN CLUB PAGE 25 SEE LEGALS PAGE 25

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE *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. (877) 516-1160 $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS REQUEST A FREE QUOTE FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $735 Value! Whether you are home or away, protect what matters most from unexpected power outages with a Generac Home Standby Generator. ON YOUR INSTALLATION 60% OFF Limited Time Offer! SAVE! TAKE AN ADDITIONAL Additional savings for military, health workers and fi rst responders 10% OFF 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 available in your area. 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. License numbers available at eriemetalroofs.com/licenses/ MADE IN THE U.S.A. 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 1.855.492.6084 FREE ESTIMATE Expires 6/30/2023 Before After Make the smart and ONLY CHOICE when tackling your roof! 6. Application of MARC PEKOWSKY for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to install a pre-fabricated garage on property.  The property is located at 43 Benjamin Rd., Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #75.13-1-37.  Code Requires/Allows Provided Variance Required 40’ front  15’  25’  20’ side  10’  10’  7. Application of CARL & ANITA ALBANO for a Variation of Section 156-45.2B(3) seeking a Variance for permission to allow 1,640 square foot accessory apartment where 900 square foot maximum is allowed.  The property is located at 7 Albano Ridge, Carmel NY and is known as Tax Map #55.14-1-26.324. Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  Apartment should be between 400 s.f. & 900 s.f.  1,640 s.f.  740 s.f.  8. Application of CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to build addition at 4.75’ from the left side of property line.  The property is located at 20 Front Street, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #76.6-1-4.  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  20 ft.  4.75 ft.  15.25 ft.  9. Application of ROBERT ALTERO for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to retain gazebo and legalize room above garage.  The property is located at 3 Curry Spur, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #53.12-1-17  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  10’ rear (gazebo)  2’   8’  25’ front (garage)  0’   (over property line.  Easement agreement needed.)  25’  10. Application of MATTHEW SIMON for a Variation of Section 156-15 seeking a Variance for permission to retain a shed that’s existing 6’ from rear property line.  The property is located at 20 Red Brook Road, Mahopac NY and is known as Tax Map #74.12-1-18  Code Requires/Allows  Provided  Variance Required  10’  6’  4’  11. Application of JOHN CICERALE for an Interpretation to retain 2 residences on one lot (currently three 1- family dwellings.)  There are three residential structures with history of residential use.  The main structure (31) has recently been destroyed by a fire in March 2023.  It will be rebuilt upon receipt of insurance proceeds.  The “cabin” was occupied residentially upon Applicant’s purchase in 2021 and has not been discontinued during Applicant’s ownership.  The third residential structure (27) has fallen into severe disrepair and has not been resided in for an extended period of time.  Applicant wishes to discontinue the legal residential use of the “cabin”, raze the house in disrepair (27) and place a new one-bedroom structure which is smaller than the existing structure (27).  Applicant seeks an Interpretation of §156-47 permitting the replacement of the singlefamily house (27) which is of “a more restrictive nature” (156-47 A-2).  In the alternative, Applicant seeks a variance of §156-10 to permit two residential structures on one lot.  The property is located at 27-31 Causeway Park, Carmel NY and is known as Tax Map #43.-1-53.  MISCELLANEOUS: MINUTES: July 27, 2023 By Order of the Chairman, John Maxwell Land Trust Fights Back Meanwhile, lawyers for the Somers Land Trust have filed an Article 78 against the Carmel Planning Board in an effort to have the site-plan approval overturned. An Article 78 suit does not seek monetary damages but instead seeks to overturn actions or inactions by the state or local governments. Todd Ommen, an attorney with the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic in White Plains, which represents the Somers Land Trust, said the Carnel Planning Board failed to call for an environmental impact assessment, which, he said, should have been done under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). “With the shooting range expansion, lead shot is landing on the [Land Trust] property and stream and they did not take into account that environmental impact,” he said. “There was a failure to look at that under SEQRA. They gave a negative declaration and said there was no impact and there is no basis for [an EIS], yet there is clear evidence.” In a document containing the reasons supporting its negative declaration, the Planning Board wrote, “The proposed action does not present any opportunity to adversely affect public safety, nor would it create a hazard to human health. The fields of fire at the sporting clays course...cannot extend off the site, and fully comply with all safety guidelines. The sporting clays course has been designed to take advantage of the site’s elevation changes that serve to intercept any errant shot. No significant adverse public safety impacts will result from the proposed action.” But Ommen contends that is simply not the case. “We found there is significant lead downstream [on the Land Trust property],” he said. “These issues should have caused them to investigate. Their decision was arbitrary and capricious. [The shooters] are pointed in the direction of the [Land Trust] property. That is the whole purpose of an environmental impact statement. That is all we are asking for.” Ommen said the goal of the Article 78 is to have the Planning Board’s decision vacated and then “they would have to complete an EIS to make sure they are not causing any environmental impacts.” A spokesperson for the Carmel Planning Department said she could not comment on the issue due to the pending litigation. GUN CLUB FROM PAGE 24 LEGALS FROM PAGE 24

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27 NO NEWS... 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! # Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to Mahopac News YES, I really enjoy Mahopac News and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times Grand opening of a ‘ruff’ new business Diana and Zeyar Myint opened Diana’s Wet N’ Wild Dog Wash at 441 Rt 6 in Mahopac last month. Services also include self wash. For more information, call 845-600-6879. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MYINT FAMILY Dog grooming is often associated with fluffy canines and adorable haircuts, but there’s more to it than just ensuring your furry friend looks its best. A vital aspect of dog care, grooming is essential for maintaining your dog’s health, happiness and overall well-being. Health Check-Up Every grooming session is an opportunity to check your dog’s health. As you brush, you can look out for signs of skin infections, fleas, ticks or lumps that might not be otherwise noticeable. Cleaning their ears can help prevent infections, while trimming their nails ensures they don’t overgrow, which can lead to painful split nails or affect their posture. Physical Comfort Regular grooming keeps your dog comfortable. Long-haired breeds can develop painful mats or tangles if not brushed regularly. In the warmer months, a good trim can help dogs stay cool. Moreover, imagine the relief a dog feels after having burrs or debris removed that they might have picked up from their adventures outside. Bonding Time For many dogs and their owners, grooming is a chance to bond. It’s a time when your pet can enjoy your undivided attention. Many dogs grow to love the routine, especially when they realize they get treats and affection afterward. This bonding time also teaches your dog to be calm and patient. Preventing Future Problems Routine grooming can lead to early detection of potential issues, saving you costly vet bills in the future. Additionally, by acclimating your dog to being touched and handled, vet visits can become less stressful for both of you. Aesthetic Appeal While health and comfort are primary reasons for grooming, there’s no denying the pleasure of having a neatly groomed pet. Whether it’s for a dog show or just a stroll in the park, a well-groomed dog often garners admiration and can be a source of pride for pet owners. In conclusion, dog grooming is not just a luxury or a vanity project. It’s an integral part of pet care that ensures our canine companions are healthy, comfortable and happy. Whether you choose to groom your dog at home or utilize the services of a professional, regular grooming sessions offer multifaceted benefits that every dog deserves. Dog grooming: More than just aesthetic

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