BY WHIT ANDERSON STAFF WRITER e Jan. 25 Bedford Central School District (BCSD) Board of Education meeting began with a presentation from Tom Cole, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services, on the Athletic/CoCurricular budget. e second of seven budget presentations, Cole highlighted that the proposed 2023-24 athletic nancial estimate will be $971,105, a $4,236 decrease from the $975,341 for 2022-23. Cole cited the one-time infusion of money into the 2022-23 budget for replacement uniforms and a refresh on the ropes course at Fox Lane Middle School as the reason for next year’s decrease. On top of planning to hire two seasonal assistants for Athletic Director Adam Lodewick, items for consideration in next year’s sports budget include permanent uniform replacement money, two score board replacements at the middle school gym and the high school’s eld #3, and a new medical cart for the athletic trainer. Board President Edward Reder, with the anticipation of new sport teams being added for next year, also proposed hiring a second athletic trainer. “I think even today, the coverage is thin,” he said. Superintendent Robert Glass will present the full proposed budget on Mar. 22. For Co-Curriculars, the $215,000 budget will remain the same for 2023-24, with only $195,000 expected to be used for the high school and middle school clubs. Next on the docket was Amy Fishkin, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and her presentation on the rst part of the 2022 Student Achievement Report (Grades 3-8). Based on data from the New York State website, grades three through eight district-wide had a 55% pro ciency level on the 2022 ELA, compared to a 47% state average. e 2022 math assessment showed similar results with 50% district pro ciency (41% state average). “It was not as strong as we would want it to be,” said Fishkin. “ ere is a lot of work to do there, so we acknowledge that.” Fishkin emphasized action steps being taken to improve the scores, which included a Jan. 25-27 Tri-States visit from local educators to assess the K-12 math and reading curriculum, the creation of an Elementary Reading Committee, following through with Dr. Glass’ Success Plan, Professional Development, and the addition of high dose tutoring through COVID grant funding. “Reading is an area we are focusing on, and I’m con dent we will make gains,” said Glass. e Board met again on Feb. 8, and will meet next on Mar. 1. FOX TRACKS 2 HEALTH & WELLNESS 18 LEISURE 17 OBITUARIES 22 OPINION 8 SPORTS 16 Mount Kisco History pg 3 WASHINGTON VOL. 1 NO. 10 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 9 – MARCH 9, 2023 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Taking a shower’s pretty easy, right? Just step into the stall and turn on the tap. Now imagine having to get out of bed at 4 a.m., grabbing a bucket, and then standing in line for hours while waiting your turn at the one well available so you can get water for your morning bath. at’s the daily reality for hundreds of young students who attend Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls Senior High School in Ghana, a small country on the West African coast. e private mission school was started by the Catholic Church in 2006 with the aim of “o ering excellent education with sound moral values to young ladies” and “empowering them with the needed skills for the future,” according to its website. Its motto is simple: “Love and Service.” Love and service Mount Kisco church brings aid to Ghana school PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY LUPPINO Parishoners at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Mount Kisco have been pitching in to aid Our Lady of Mount Carmel Girls Senior High School in Ghana. Board of Ed presents athletic and co-curricular budget review Student Achievement report released SEE GHANA PAGE 6 *Marketed on One Key MLS Justin Pieragostini KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY PARTNERS Real Estate Salesperson 57 Route 6, Baldwin Place NY 10505 C - 914.447.3396 / JustinPieragostini.com Real Estate that is JustinCredible The HGTV Realtor JUST SOLD SINGLE FAMILY / 474 BEDFORD ROAD Be part of my success and see how my professional approach can help you! GOING INTO CONTRACT: Mt Kisco • Commercial Portfolio • Offered at 3,250,000 Bedford Hills • Single Family • Offered at 557,500 OFFERED AT 549,000 / 392 BEDFORD RD NEW LISTING The HGTV Realtor
PAGE 2 – MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR: 914-302-5830 [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] SHELLEY KILCOYNE (914) 924-9122 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL CREATIVE DIRECTOR PHOTOGRAPHER [email protected] NOAH ELDER DESIGNER [email protected] EXECUTIVE TEAM BRETT FREEMAN CEO & PUBLISHER 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES DEADLINE THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS IS THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL TOM WALOGORSKY AT 914-302-5830 OR EMAIL [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY HALSTON MEDIA, LLC ©2022 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Mount Kisco Bedford Times readers, contact us for all your real estate needs! 295 E MAIN STREET | MOUNT KISCO 914-666-7792 (O) [email protected] www.TheCafeResidentialTeam.com ☑Full-Service Brokerage ☑Personal Touch ☑Advanced Marketing ☑Highly Recommended Meet our partners Carol Christiansen Elisa Bruno-Midili Walter Sadowski FOX TRACKS FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 Town of Bedford Recreation Department For more information, visit www.bedfordny.gov/departments/ recreation-parks TEEN SQUAD PIZZA AND PAINT WITH NANDO Friday, Feb. 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. Looking for a place you hang out with friends? Create a place to be with friends and just be you. Come on out and get the party started! Grades 6 to 9, to be held at Bedford Hills Community House. $30 for residents/school-district residents, $36 for non-residents. ICE SKATING AT THE HARVEY SCHOOL Monday, Feb. 20 from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. In cooperation with e Harvey School, the department is o ering public recreational skating for all ages. $5 per person, pay at the door. A DJ will be on hand spinning favorites and requests! You must provide your own skates. No hockey playing permitted. Bedford Free Library Located at 32 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506. For more information or to register for events, visit www.bedfordfreelibrary.org STORIES, SONGS, & SURPRISES ON THE VILLAGE GREEN ursday, Feb. 16, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. is week’s theme: Dinosaur Dance! Join in for a weekly storytime with Mrs. Crummy. Plan to be outside on the Village Green, and in the event of inclement weather check the website for updated details. TECH HELP WITH CHARLIE ursday, Feb. 23, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Make an appointment with our Student Tech Expert Charlie. He will help you with technology questions and can assist you with downloading materials. All sessions are held in the Reading Room on the rst oor. Don’t forget to bring you device and any relevant password information. Fox Lane Sports Booster Club SOFTBALL MOVIE NIGHT Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. To be held at the Bedford Playhouse. Come out to support Fox Lane girls softball! Proceeds will go towards boosting the program, purchasing equipment, and providing practice jerseys for all three teams. To purchase tickts or to make a donation, please visit https://foxlanesportsboostersclub.com/softball-programdonations/ Mt. Kisco Public Library Located at 100 Main St. For more information, visit www. mountkiscolibrary.org WOMEN & MONEY Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. is program is a series led by two Merrill Lynch Wealth Management nancial advisors to help women make sound nancial decisions in a time of uncertainty. Speci c topics will be covered at each session with time for participants to ask their own individual questions. Please email mtkref@wlsmail. org to receive the Zoom link for each session. AFFORDABLE HEALTH C ARE NAVIGATOR Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. By appointment only, a trained Navigator provided by the Westchester County Department of Health will be available to help with choosing and signing up for health insurance under the SEE TRACKS PAGE 23
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER It may not look like much, but one big, at rock in Mount Kisco appears to have played a tiny, but charming, role in the Revolutionary War e ort. Local lore has it that General George Washington sat on it and ate his dinner while heading to his headquarters in Peekskill. It is a fact, however, that the commander-in-chief and his troops were passing through Mount Kisco on Nov. 10, 1776, after their defeat in the Battle of White Plains. Washington was traveling north to inspect defenses in the Highlands, including the construction of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton on the other side of the Hudson River. e other part of the legend is that little Mary Weeks encountered a company of Continental soldiers while coming home from school. One of them, she assumed, was a general based on his regal bearing and splendid uniform. e terri ed child was about to run away when Washington kindly told her: “Don’t be afraid my little girl. We will not hurt you.” According to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, legends about places Washington “stopped or spent the night are commonplace across the 13 original colonies.” “Mount Kisco has just such a place, one rock speci cally, that has become legendary for its service to the Revolutionary War hero,” it said. e Mount Kisco Recorder reported in 1886 that the rock was still to be seen in the “door yard” of the former home of Caleb Kirby, one of the village’s founding fathers. ( e area used to be known as Kirbyville.) One of the earliest maps of Mount Kisco was created by American cartographer Frederick William Beers. Published in 1867, it includes an insert depicting Kirby’s pond, mills along the Kisco River, and “Washington Rock.” Weeks may be buried in the (Quaker Church) Chappaqua Friends Meeting House Cemetery on Route 120. e Mount Kisco Historical Society has in its collection a photo from 1913 that was found in a box of postcards and came from the family of Dr. Leroy Heck. ( e foundation’s website lists the rock’s o cial address as 639 Main St., which is right across from Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop.) Volunteers cleaned up the overgrown site in 2015 and even old George made an appearance. (Actually, it was Keir Alexander, a former Pound Ridge resident and Fox Lane High School grad, who took on the costumed role.) Later, a local Eagle Scout candidate created a path. PLAQUE UNVEILING SET One of the Pomeroy Foundation’s chief missions is to help folks celebrate their community’s history. One of the ways it does that is to fund historic site markers, such as the one for the late 19th century home of Spencer Optical Works, also located on Route 117. One of the largest manufacturers of optical goods in the country at that time, it was forced to decamp to Newark, N.J., after the lake that supplied its turbines with water was drained. In 2021, the foundation indicated it was looking to put up more markers, but “instead of something that was historically accurate, they were calling it lore and legends,” society vice president Michael Kirsch told the Mount Kisco Village Board recently. “Maybe it happened; maybe it didn’t happen,” he said, adding that “one of the things that’s really been profound in Mount Kisco for a very, very long time is Washington Rock.” Kirsch pointed to the 1867 map, the old photo, and the fact that someone named Mary Weeks is buried in the Quaker Church cemetery in Chappaqua. Her stone has no birth date, but she died in January of 1838. Society president Ralph Vigliotti is doing some more research. “So there’s enough evidence to say, ‘Hey, maybe it did happen,’” Kirsch said on Monday, Jan. 23. e historical society subsequently applied for and was awarded a $1,800 grant to purchase and install the Washington Rock marker. Village trustees voted unanimously to give the society the go-ahead to hold a plaque unveiling at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. e rain date is Sunday, March 26. Washington Rock Honoring a piece of Mount Kisco’s Revolutionary War history The rock where Gen. George Washington sat following the Battle of White Plains. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL KIRSCH Washington and his troops passed through the area en route to their headquarters in nearby Peekskill. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL KIRSCH Fox Lane High School graduate Keir Alexander as George Washington in 2015 PHOTO COURTESY OF KEIR ALEXANDER THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 3
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COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN SERVICES AN AMAZING JOURNEY AT POUND RIDGE ELEMENTARY “I never knew it was so frustrating being a water molecule,” a fifth grader in Amy Coughlin’s class at Pound Ridge Elementary School said. The student and his peers were playing a game in which they were pretending to be water molecules during the “Amazing Journey of Water,” an enrichment lesson by the PNW BOCES Center for Environmental Education. Stations were set up around the classroom that signified different stops on a water molecule’s journey. There were tables labeled plants, clouds, ocean, mountains and glaciers, groundwater, and streams and rivers. At each station, there was a die for students to roll that sent them to the next part of their journey. They kept track of where they went by adding a bead from each station to a pipe cleaner. “This is rigged!” a student yelled out after being stuck in a loop at the same three stations. The environmental educator laughed, bringing the students’ frustration back to what they had just learned about water. “Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by the ocean,” he said. “A water molecule spends a lot of time there. How does it leave?” Thinking about what they learned about the water cycle during the lesson, students excitedly called out that water evaporates from the ocean and forms clouds. One student noted that a lot of clouds end up as rain that goes back into the ocean. “Exactly!” the environmental educator said. “That’s why some of you are getting stuck at the same stations.” The dice were set up with options that mirrored where an actual water molecule would move from each part of the cycle. While groundwater might have a bunch of different options, some parts of the cycle did not. The ocean station, for example, had a die that was heavy on clouds and the cloud station had a die that had a lot of sides with “ocean” on it. “As you can see, water does move around,” the environmental educator said. “Your journey was different from anyone else’s. Some water repeats the cloud-to-ocean loop. Some water travels all around.” BEDFORD HILLS THIRD GRADERS MEET LOCAL WILDLIFE Gasps of delight filled the Bedford Hills Elementary School gym as an opossum peeked her head out of a crate and grabbed a chunk of mushroom to nibble on. The opossum was an animal ambassador from Teatown on her very first school visit during an enrichment opportunity for third graders. Teatown environmental educator and animal care assistant Maddy Schroeder tried to coax the opossum out further with berries and other treats as she spoke to students about the animal and her habitat, but the marsupial was happy to stay inside her cozy crate. Schroeder brought a variety of local wildlife with her for the visit, introducing students to everything from a black rat snake and a snapping turtle to a mourning dove and a barred owl. Schroeder’s presentation focused on wildlife that can be found in students’ own backyards and community, with an emphasis on the biodiversity of our area as well as how humans and other animals play a part in different species’ populations. She noted, for example, that humans and the extinction of wolves in our area contribute to the overabundance of whitetail deer and the increase of coyotes. Students had many questions and observations that they were excited to share. “How does the owl defend herself?” “I saw a coyote at the park once!” “What’s the most dangerous snake in the world?” Before they left, students had the opportunity to touch the black rat snake — the largest species of snake in New York State. “I hope you’ve learned a few ways we can be good neighbors to our animal friends and live in harmony with them,” Schroeder said to the students. FOX LANE STUDENTS DREAM ON Fox Lane High School Animation and Creative Writing classes recently joined forces to collaborate on an impressive creative project that culminated in a screening in the Mary Lou Meese Theater. Art teacher Amy Salerno and English teacher David Albano worked together with their classes last year and were excited to embark on the process again. The theme was “dreams.” Each student created a piece about their own dreams that they swapped with the other class. Writers wrote about an animation and artists chose a written piece to animate. The project brought different challenges for each group. For Salerno’s animation students, time was the biggest challenge. News from across our schools! Bedford Hills Elementary students lining up to pet a snake brought by an animal ambassador from Teatown. BEDFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SEE SCHOOL NEWS PAGE 5
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 5 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 Do you understand the difference between an irrevocable and a revocable trust? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER A Mount Kisco street called by any other moniker would be as sweet. Last year residents were given the chance to pick a new name for Holiday Inn Drive. e short byway is located o Kisco Avenue near the Saw Mill River Parkway. e results of the village-wide survey were unveiled by Mayor Gina Picinich last month. ere were six contenders and the intent was to honor outstanding residents, memorable neighborhoods, the area’s indigenous people, and even a tropical bird. And the winner was -- with 55 percent of the vote -- former mayor of the big little village Patricia Reilly. e beloved public o cial and volunteer extraordinaire passed away in November at the age of 92. She was named Mount Kisco Citizen of the Year in 1991. Reilly was the daughter of J. Edward Fox, who was also once Mount Kisco’s mayor. A village trustee from 1994 to 1999 and mayor from 1999 to 2003, she raised six children and worked as a school nurse. She also sat on the board of the Boys & Girls Club and was renowned for aiding seniors through the Friends in Service Helping (FISH) program. She held positions with numerous civic organizations. Coming in second – with 22 percent – was Mel Berger, the owner of a pharmacy and the founder of the village’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Council. He helped pioneer “Drug Court,” which aimed to divert young o enders from prison into recovery programs, and also collaborated with local faith organizations to shelter the homeless. e other contenders were: LenniLenape for the area’s original inhabitants. ey were part of the Wappinger confederation and lived by hunting, shing, and farming until ousted from their lands in the early 18th century; Quetzal (pronounced kay-tzahl) a threatened Guatemalan bird prized for its resplendent green and red plumage and long wispy tail; Peter Chinni. e Mount Kisco resident, born to immigrant parents, was a celebrated sculptor, painter, printmaker, and singer whose work is known around the world; and Sutton’s Row. e beloved Italian immigrant neighborhood was located in the village’s northern end. In the mid-1960s, it was razed to make way for an urban renewal project. e village expects to host the grand unveiling of the new street sign sometime in February, Picinich said. Mount Kisco unveils renamed Holiday Inn Drive “An average ten-second animation has 240 drawings in it,” said Salerno, noting that many animation students came in during free periods, lunch or after school to work on the project. Max Chen, a junior, said it took about 30 hours to create one of his animations. “I rst tried to imagine the piece of writing in my head so I could begin animating it,” he said. “I started animating using a lower frame rate of six to save time, and then a higher frame rate of 12 for smoother motions.” He noted that the project helped him learn to manage his time better. Albano’s students were cognizant of the fact that animation is time consuming. ey pared their dream writings down to something called a Fiction 55, which is a story told in 55 words. “I thought starting with dreams was great because dreams don’t follow the traditional story structure. It freed students to tell stories in a surprising or unique way,” Albano said. “Also, writers need an audience. By passing their dream stories to the animators, they were assured that someone read and considered their work closely.” Sophomore Madeline Barrett, a writing student, took the challenge very seriously. “ e most di cult thing while writing this was trying to be innovative,” Madeline said. “You want to make sure that when people read your work, it stands out to them.” While the collaboration was challenging, students had so many positives to share about the experience. “Having to come up with these animations was extremely fun,” said junior So a Avila. “I’m proud of my work.” “I was surprised that I was able to almost immediately picture what I had to animate — great job on the writer’s part,” said senior Ethan Karpowich. “I learned that I seem to be good at envisioning text.” Nick Wong, a senior, enjoyed getting innovative. “Since everyone’s dreams were nightmares and full of scary stu , I wanted to take a more funny and cheerful approach to my art,” he said. Madeline loved the collaborative nature of the project. “Being able to work with the animation students was beyond exciting,” she said. “It’s breathtaking to see your poems and stories put into these short animations for others to experience. My favorite part was seeing it all come together.” Amy Fishkin, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, came to the screening and was similarly impressed. “What an incredible experience!” she said. “ e collaboration between students, the creativity expressed, and the deep and thoughtful insights students brought to their dreams, their writing and their animation were truly inspiring.” Albano said that his favorite part of the collaboration was the screening. “ ere was an atmosphere of anticipation,” he said. “Students were wonderfully curious to see the connections between their work and the work produced in response to it.” Articles provided by Bedford Central School District. SCHOOL NEWS FROM PAGE 4
PAGE 6 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 e school’s solid academic and religious reputation draws students from all over – and sometimes outside – Ghana. Enrollment is now around 900, nearly triple what it was ve years ago. Students range in age from 14 to 17. at has put tremendous pressure on basic resources such as water. Mount Carmel receives some nancial aid from the government. at pays for teachers’ salaries, food, and other bare necessities. Mostly everything else is up to God, ingenuity, and the generosity of strangers. at’s where Father Benjamin Obour and the good folks of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Mount Kisco come in. A native of Ghana, Obour arrived in the United States in 2011. He served at Saint Francis for seven years before being re-assigned as Mount Carmel’s chaplain. at’s how he came to know parishioner and longtime volunteer Sharon Luppino and her four sons. e youngest, Anthony, is now a senior and a class o cer at Fox Lane High School. Mom is co-president of the Fox Lane High School Association Board, which is made up of parent volunteers. Obour visits whenever he can, both to renew old ties and to seek funding for his school. “We were very upset when father had to leave, but he’s much loved and wanted and needed in so many places that we have to share him,” Luppino told e Mount Kisco-Bedford Times. In 2019, Obour approached Jill Carelli, Saint Francis’s coordinator of religious education, and her assistant, Lisa Reinhardt, for help obtaining pens, pencils, and other school supplies and toiletries such as toothbrushes. at went well just through word of mouth and notices in the church’s newsletter and on its bulletin board. But for bigger-ticket items such as calculators and backpacks, the two realized they’d need to do some fundraising. Carelli and Reinhardt enlisted Luppino, who they knew had serious social media and fundraising skills. Luppino used her numerous community connections to launch a GoFundMe campaign and the three women rounded up an army of adult and teen volunteers for a fundraising car wash. e organizers’ combined e orts proved so fruitful that they were not only able to provide the supplies but – with the assistance of two local sporting goods stores – also numbered soccer jerseys with Mount Carmel’s logo. e team also collects little trinkets they think Father Ben’s charges might “get a kick out of,” said Carelli. Posted outside the o ce where they pack up donations is a sign that jokingly reads: “ e Ghana Room. Shipping and Handling.” e Franciscan Friars of the Atonement have a bookstore at Graymoor in Garrison. ey once sent the school crosses, holy water fonts, and religious statues, she said. Call Obour “charismatic, sweet, and funny,” Reinhardt said he’s been an inspiration to their congregation’s young people and a godsend to Mount Carmel’s. According to Carelli, Obour supplements his chaplain’s salary by saying Mass in local villages for a small stipend. Sometimes he gets paid in food. Obour has been using his own money to buy things for the school, she said, noting that he also helps nancially support his eight siblings, some of whom are very ill. NEEDS PAST, PRESENT at rst GoFundMe and car wash in 2019 produced funding for 40 new ceiling fans for the school’s one dorm and a security fence. e latter took two years to build, but it’s up. A second dorm is under construction. (Fans keep air circulating and malaria-carrying mosquitoes at bay.) Some money also went towards installing lights so that students wouldn’t have to use handheld ashlights when walking around campus at night. ere are many highly venomous snakes in Ghana and the girls were rightly terri ed of encountering one in the dark, Obour said. Now it’s water that the school desperately needs. e Luppinos and members of the church community – and beyond -- are again stepping up to the plate. In the latest GoFundMe plea, Anthony explains that the rapidly growing student population has strained the school’s only well to the breaking point. Engineers have told Obour that there needs to be at least four to serve that many people. ere are no rivers or streams near the 300- acre school compound. And sometimes the water table is so low that even digging wells doesn’t help. Ghana is in sub-Saharan Africa, one of the world’s most water-insecure regions. Factors contributing to the growing crisis include insu cient rainfall, population growth, urbanization, and poverty. e money raised in this latest campaign will be used to buy tanks, pipes, and motors, and to pay associated electricity and labor costs. “Please help me to help them,” Anthony wrote, adding: “Any amount donated will make a huge di erence in their lives.” e 17-year-old posted shots of the students lined up with their buckets and promised more photos so folks could see exactly what their donations were doing. Helping them seems like a perfect cause for Anthony to pursue, not only because he and his family have long admired “Father Ben” but because the teen loves working with kids. He’s a part of a mentoring program at Mount Kisco Elementary School and plans to study biology and medicine in college with the goal of becoming a pediatrician someday. Anthony is also quite fond of his passel of little cousins. As of Jan. 29, the campaign had raised $5,020 of its $8,000 goal. However, there are no plans to “cap” the GoFundMe campaign at this time, Luppino noted. According to Obour, new wells cost around $5,000 apiece. But with $8,000, the school may be able to eke out two. Her son is so “into” the project that he’s constantly checking his phone to track its progress, said Luppino. Also on Mount Carmel’s longterm wish list is a real chapel. Right now Mass is celebrated in an allpurpose hall that’s not big enough to t all of the students in at the same time. GHANA FROM PAGE 1 SEE GHANA PAGE 21 Car accidents happen when you least expect them, and they can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Driving your vehicle after can be incredibly dangerous, especially if there is damage to the frame. Pro Shop North can assess the damage for you and work with your insurance company to complete any necessary repairs. Customers always come first at Pro Shop North, so we’ll help you make the most of your insurance claim and get you back on the road safely. 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FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 7 Providing Solutions to Live More Independently Stair Lifts & Ramps Mobility Scooters Reclining Lift Chairs Patient Handling + Lifts Portable Oxygen Hospital Beds Barrier Free Showers Bathroom Safety Ramps, Rentals & more! We deliver! Mon-Fri 9-5pm Sat. 9-3pm 385 Main St. S Ste. 102 Southbury, CT 06488 203-262-0383 280 N Bedford Rd. Ste. 101 Mt Kisco, NY 10549 914-483-3605 Five Star Customer Service! 10% OFF your first purchase! Call for a Complimentary Home Safety Assessment onthemendmedical.com Ramps, Rentals & more! We deliver! 385 Main St. S Ste. 102 Southbury, CT 06488 Bringing service back to the industry! *10% off of your first purchase. Valid on one item. One time use only. Exp. 12/31/22. BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Kaethe Bierbach grew up in Chappaqua, spent 30 years as an administrator at the omas Watson Research in Yorktown, and moved to Somers in 2019. She also joined the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Kisco in 1979 and has long been part of the social justice aspect of the congregation’s mission. As such, she’s lent her time on behalf of organizations like Neighbor’s Link, the Interfaith Food Pantry and the Interfaith Prison Partnership. But rising temperatures has gotten the Heritage Hills resident to focus her latest energies beyond the local, and the climate of concern has nothing to do with mercury levels. She sees rage, anger and fear everywhere in America, and impossible to overlook, the critical mass of ire found at the border actually sent the retiree to the river in November for seven days. e actual town is Agua Prieta, and the partnering organization across the Border in Douglass, Arizona is called Frontera de Cristo. A migrant resource center, she was drawn in by a ier at the Presbyterian Church, and her speci c mission was pretty simple. “My role was to listen and connect,” said Bierbach. “ en start a relationship and see where it goes.” Of course, Frontera, which is run by Reverend Mark Adams and his wife Miriam Maldonada, has more on its plate. With the Title 42 catch and release program still in e ect, there’s no shortage of people stuck in Mexico who need help. e rst order is to get migrants back on their feet with a few days of housing and meals. From there, there’s a children enrichment center, an employment training program and a drug rehab, among other supportive services. However, there’s a larger mission than just providing a bridge to those caught up in the struggle, and the endeavor does not prescribe to the impulsiveness of turning an imaginary line into fortress America. “700 miles of wall, drones and helicopters, it doesn’t stop,” said Bierbach. “It may slow things down, but it’s not stopping. So the solution is not more walls, it’s trying to gure out how can people can stay in their homes.” Cafe Justo provides one blueprint. An o shoot of Frontera, approximately 40 farms in Chiapas are part of the initiative, and with a network of American churches among the customers, co ee is the product. “ eir mission is to deliver high quality, chemical free co ee at a fair price,” said Bierbach. “ e pro ts go back to the co ee cooperative.” In turn, a small part of the problem has been solved. “A couple hundred families have now built a life,” she asserted. at said, Bierbach is ready to bring her mission home, and a key component is helping Americans cut through all the vitriolic reporting. “We need to try to see them as individuals,” she said. Bierbach obviously had the opportunity up close and one young migrant was pretty standard. “He wanted to be able to go to school,” said Bierbach. “He was just a normal kid.” On the older side, migrants mostly want to nd work and send money home. In this, she can attest to both their persistence and desperation. “We met people who have been caught 25 times,” Bierbach revealed. Others haven’t been so lucky. ere’s an average of one death a day, and every Tuesday, Frontera members walk the border in vigil. e migrants aren’t the only victims either. With the recent reports of suicides among border guards, the Somers traveler gained some insight from a former agent who now works with Adams. “He told us some of the things he did to capture people, and he just couldn’t take it anymore,” said Bierbach. An approach he regrets, according to Bierbach, and one we pay a hefty price for. In 2020, $4 billion was budgeted for Border Patrol, according statista.com, and she believes the money could be better spent. At the same time, the samaritan does acknowledge the anxiety Americans feel, and their perception of how the wave impacts our economy. She implores us to rise above nonetheless. “Social justice, we can’t just stop. We can’t just say it’s impossible. So we’re not going to do it,” Bierbach concluded. For more info, visit www. fronteradecristo.org. A mission to the border PHOTO COURTESY OF KAETHE BIERBACH
PAGE 8 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES 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 The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky , Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected]. FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 Happily Ever After This month’s issue publishes two years from when I took the next step in my journalism career and joined Halston Media. February 2021 seems like a lifetime ago. Hitting this milestone got me thinking back on the last 24 months, and being lucky enough to be a part of the happenings in our communities. Where does the time go? SCRAP HEAP My journey to Halston Media’s doorstep began with hip replacement surgery and a global pandemic. Prior to COVID rocking our world, I spent three years as the editor of The Pawling Record in nearby Dutchess County. I was the smallest of the small town newsmen, operating out of a tiny office and shamelessly leveraging my status in the community for free coffee. Like many small businesses, the publication couldn’t withstand the financial impact of the pandemic, and I found myself without a paper. I discovered that my bills don’t pay themselves, so I took a temp job doing clerical work at a hospital in Poughkeepsie. While I dutifully answered phone calls and filed medical charts, a nagging pain in my hip steadily worsened, and I finally gave in to the inevitable and scheduled a replacement surgery. (Having a hip replacement at age 36 also placed me firmly in the “not a kid anymore” category.) After I was successfully patched up, I had six weeks of recovery time to catch up on my reading, re-watch a bunch of James Bond films, and think about my future plans. Deciding that the hospital life wasn’t for me, I began looking for options to return to the wonderful world of journalism. THE INTERVIEW I sent in an application to Halston Media, aware that I was trying to make the jump from my small Pawling pond to a much larger chain of newspapers in a sizable coverage area. Soon, I was scheduled for an interview with the publisher. Since we were still in the midst of the dark pandemic times, I first met Brett Freeman over Zoom as I interviewed from my kitchen table. It was my first virtual job interview, and I decided to wear a shirt and tie, just as I Happy Halstonversary “Daddy, you no longer have superpowers,” said my son, mocking me for my hubris over the past three years. My wife, Lauren, who followed every COVID protocol imaginable from the very beginning – even double masking in some situations – was the first among us to get the dreaded virus. Like dominoes, the virus captured my son and daughter, my mom and dad, and my brother, sister-in-law and nieces. But for three years, I managed to avoid it. What was wrong with me? Was I like Spider-Man, living in some sort of chemically altered super-body? The day before Lauren was formally diagnosed with COVID in 2021, I sat next to her in a car for about four hours. We even kissed. I never got it. The second time she got COVID, about a year later, I threw all caution to the wind and entered her quarantined space without a mask. Still nothing. But after three years, the virus finally caught up to me. On the night before I tested positive, I attended my daughter’s jazz band concert without a mask. I had a slight tickle in my throat, and Lauren tested me. I was negative. I thought it was probably nothing. Before any keyboard warriors decide to write a letter to the editor saying how awful I was for not wearing a mask, I concede that in hindsight, I should have worn one. I feel pretty awful that I didn’t. I’m one of those jerks that keeps this thing spreading. Even a small tickle should have prompted more caution on my part, and I hope and pray that I didn’t make anyone else seriously ill by the ripple effect I may have caused. At the end of the concert, I asked Lauren and several people sitting near us if it was just me or if the auditorium was freezing. Lauren looked at me with total bewilderment and embarrassment, as apparently it was just me. Not only should I have been masked, but I clearly shouldn’t have been there. The next morning I had a fever and the red stripe indicating a positive test appeared immediately. Luckily, it was like a mild flu. In July, I came down with bronchial pneumonia (not COVID), and that was far worse than this. But given my recent history with bronchial pneumonia and given the The ‘VID’ finally caught up to me TOM WALOGORSKY TOM’S TAKE SEEWALOGORSKYPAGE 9 SEEFREEMANPAGE 9 BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 9 We Have Exactly What You’RE Craving! & 914 • 218 • 3877 | www.kiscoriver.com | 222 East Main Street Mt Kisco We Have Exactly What You’RE Craving! & Experience our stunning variety of the freshest seafood, steaks, chops and pasta selections. 1 coupon per table. Offer expires 3/1/23 Happy Hour Daily from 3-6 Dinner Tuesday-Sunday 914 • 218 • 3877 | www.kiscoriver.com | 222 East Main Street Mt Kisco We Have Exactly What You’RE Craving! & FREE PARKING AROUND THE BACK JOIN US FOR Valentine’s Day! All Ladies Receive a Rose! WALOGORSKY FROM PAGE 8 FREEMAN FROM PAGE 8 fact that my wife and mom think I’m extremely overweight (I think the word “extreme” is extreme; I like to call it a dad-bod), I was instructed by the two women in my life to call the doctor and request to be prescribed the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid. Of course, after I Googled Paxlovid to make sure I was spelling it correctly for this column, I happened to look up the side e ects, and all of a sudden I became nauseous. Putting all irreverence and joking aside, I think all of us can use a little common sense when it comes to COVID. e truth is that it can be deadly for people with comorbidities. My good friend’s sister, who was in her 50s, just died after catching COVID in the hospital, where she was being treated for cancer. So, the virus is deadly serious. At the same time, my son recently had the u followed a bit later by COVID, and the u was exponentially worse for him. He got up to a 105 fever with the u, which would have surely killed someone else with a comorbidity. So obviously the cautions that we learned from this pandemic are applicable in preventing all sorts of other potential bugs, which can be deadly to the wrong person. One of the best practices many of us developed during the height of the pandemic is to avoid shaking people’s hands. While part of me feels that it’s a shame to stop this time-honored tradition, especially when it comes to conducting business, I think a good st bump is preferable over spreading COVID, u or a cold. Unfortunately, the one good thing about being sick – getting some rest and relaxation, is hard to achieve when you run a business fueled by technology. With COVID, I had the privilege of replying to emails and answering phone calls while working from my laptop and cell phone while lying in bed. e press never sleeps. would have if it were conducted in-person. We barely made it ve minutes into our chat before he jokingly made two things clear: I was overdressed for a Zoom interview, and I wasn’t to refer to him as “Mr. Freeman.” We spoke about the trials and tribulations of local journalism and shared some stories from our respective beats. A week later, I received a phone call that I would be joining Halston Media as the editor of North Salem News and e Somers Record. ( e lesson here is that, even virtually, you should dress for success!) TIGERS AND ELEPHANTS I was born and raised in Brewster, and my knowledge of the towns that I would be covering was limited to the Balanced Rock and e Elephant Hotel. Interesting local landmarks aside, I needed to get myself up to speed, and fast. Fortunately, Halston Media has an amazing sta of reporters, editors and salespeople, all of which were more than happy to help me get ingrained in my new communities. e next year was everything North Salem and Somers, dodging foul balls at Tiger baseball games, chatting with politicians outside e Elephant Hotel, and impressing community members by outrunning another news crew to get the perfect photo of a local parade. ONWARD AND UPWARD Last spring, Halson’s family of papers was set to expand with the addition of e Mt. KiscoBedford Times (MKBT). For the second time in my career, I was entrusted with the launch of a brand-new publication, once again starting from scratch within a new community. Six months after the launch of MKBT, I received a call from our publisher. He said we needed to “discuss my future with the company.” When your boss says those words, it is essentially the equivalent of your signi cant other saying “we need to talk” right before you nd yourself single. In reality, one of our editors was leaving Halston to pursue another opportunity and I would be taking on his publications with the new title of Editor-inChief. Once my panic subsided, I politely asked Brett to use di erent wording when he wants to discuss a potential promotion with an employee. And just like that, I had taken on editorial duties for e Katonah-Lewisboro Times and Yorktown News. ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS In two years with Halston Media, I have had a hand in producing more than 250 papers covering life in eight di erent towns. Each community has their own personality, and there have been countless stories to tell. I have seen celebrations and cancelations, tragedies and triumphs, and our papers have been there through it all. I would like to thank everyone at Halston Media for all their help over the past two years. We truly have a wonderful sta , and I’m proud to be a part of it. I also want to give special thanks to my parents (my most loyal readers), and my wife, Maggie (who hears more about local news than she probably wants to) for all of their love and support in my crazy life of journalism. And nally, I want to express my gratitude to all of our readers. ank you for picking up the paper each week (and each month for the Mt. Kisco-Bedford publication). ank you for the kind words we often receive and for not yelling at me too often. We’ll keep doing our best to tell your stories. Tom Walogorsky isn’t getting old, he’s becoming a classic. Contact him at [email protected]
PAGE 10 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 Brewster, NY and Bethel, CT Showrooms On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenandbath.com Celebrating 50 years YOUR LOCAL PAINTING COMPANY! RPC Painting & Contracting is a full-service painting and contracting company that has been servicing the area for over 26 years. We specialize in interior and exterior painting for residential and commercial customers based in Westchester County, NY. We also do basic maintenance and repairs. Our team is fully licensed and insured, so you can be sure that your home will be taken care of by highly skilled professionals who know what they’re doing. Contact Rick Cook TODAY! 914-486-8905 [email protected] rpcpaintingandcontracting.com FREE ESTIMATES! J ust like McDonald’s, we love to see our clients smile. But all too often, prospective clients approach us with a disastrous plan: they want to advertise for just one month (or just one week in our weekly publications). You know…to try us out. As our client, unless you have an urgent call to action because of an imminent event planned, this is what my sales colleagues will tell you to do with your money: “Use the $200 (or whatever you planned to spend based on ad size) and take your wife or husband out to a nice dinner.” While we don’t like to turn down a sale, we are not going to let a client waste their hard-earned cash on an ill-advised marketing approach. Oneand-done ads rarely see much success and the client will be unhappy with the results (and they’ll tell the world they were unhappy with the results). Seasoned marketing professionals will say that advertising frequency (repetition) separates winning campaigns from losing ones, among other important approaches. ey will also say that just like a business owner needs to pay essential expenses like rent and utilities, they also need to dedicate money towards building their brand’s awareness and image. “Fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.” I could recite that quote in my sleep. Or if you decide to go with your local Allstate insurance agent, you’ll be “in good hands.” ese brands have simple, memorable messages that are repeated all day long, 365 days per year. Of course, small businesses don’t have multi-billion-dollar budgets. But most industry associations are able to recommend a percentage of a business’s budget that should be devoted to marketing. is is true whether you own or run a restaurant, an insurance, law or medical practice, or if you are in real estate, home improvement or retail. Ideally, you should take that marketing budget and divide it by as many impressions as possible, and that is what you should spend every month (or every week or biweekly in our weekly publications). If you are a seasonal business, perhaps go with the idea of ighting, where you run a few times at a stretch during the appropriate time of year. While the size of the ad is important, we’d rather you run a smaller ad repeatedly versus running a full-page ad just once or twice. You’ll have more success with the repetition of a smaller ad than you would with a one-hit wonder. If you have an urgent call to action, it’s important that you advertise more than just once. You should be promoting the event both before and during the sale. is is not self-serving. You don’t need to spend any of your marketing budget with us. at is our advice whether you decide to advertise in newspapers, on radio, on the Internet, on cable/streaming TV, or all-of-theabove. Any salesperson who wants to take your money for just one impression is doing you a disservice. Marketing your business for the longhaul is a necessary expense. As Nike says, “Just do it!” Marketing is all about repetition Marketing is all about repetition BRETT FREEMAN MARKETING 101
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Smart customer service is the sine qua non of smart business. ree of four business leaders “report a direct link between their customer service and business performance.” at’s courtesy of the 2022 Zendesk Customer Experience Trends Report. I have a decidedly un-scienti c way of making snap judgments about the value a business places on customer convenience. Which spaces in its parking lot are closest to the entrance – visitors or employees? Logic suggests that customer convenience comes rst, right? Not at Westchester County-owned Mohansic Golf Course, where the employees’ spaces are closest to the clubhouse. But that makes sense because the paying customers are masochists anyhow, so what’s one more indignity. is whole notion came to mind when a friend expressed concern about the rescheduling of his town’s 7 p.m. public work sessions to 6 p.m. He commutes from New York City, so those 60 minutes materially compromise his getting to the meetings on time to observe how the proverbial sausage is made. CONSIDER THE STAFF Why the time rollback? I asked. My friend says he was told a 6 p.m. start is more considerate toward the convenience of town hall sta , presumably so they don’t have to hang around as long after the workday for the meeting to start, and they get home that much sooner. OK, ne. e question is whether the convenience of constituents like my friend also was taken into consideration. Is town hall’s foremost obligation to its sta or is the sta ’s priority to serve constituents? It’s not that the two must be mutually exclusive or zero sum, but it’s worth a conversation if one disadvantages the other. A saving grace of sorts is that in these days of televised local government meetings, you can tune in from home, so you can have your 6 p.m. meeting and eat too. But wait a minute. ere’s more. In this case, the work sessions have not been televised. It would seem there’s no better reason to start televising those meetings ASAP than because of the one-hourearlier meeting time that could curtail in-person attendance. STREAMING RIGHT ALONG It’s increasingly out of step for any 21st Century municipality not to televise public sessions. Whether it’s cable, Facebook Live, Zoom or YouTube, there’s no shortage of options to maximize reach into the community when town business is on the table and o cials are at the dais. Even New York State Assembly committee meetings now are being beamed into homes via livestreaming. Hey, it only took the gazelle-like gears of government more than six years, since it was legislated (in 2016), to turn the cameras on themselves. To his credit, freshman New York State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,CYorktown) has wasted no time making an impression in Albany. His cogent comment on this topic is worth citing … “ e best solution to stop Albany’s out-of-control spending and big government programs is to shine a light on the very process that has produced policies that have led to a mass exodus of New Yorkers,” Slater said. “Being able to view committee meetings is a signi cant victory for constituents across New York. Transparency for constituents is one of the most important jobs of an Assembly representative and I am proud to be a part of a new era here in Albany.” PITHY, PLEASE Is the customer always right? A quaint notion as well as an absurd one. It’s not hard to understand, for example, why elected o cials consider it fair treatment of their collective constituency to limit public remarks at town meetings to three minutes per constituent. More people get to say their piece and the bloviators get to practice being pithy instead of pissy. On the other hand, what if the august body running your town brings in a friendly subject matter expert to put a shine on legislation it is jonesing to push through, but does not give equal time to an expert to speak against that same legislation? How customer- … I mean constituent-friendly is that? By the way, that ZenDesk Report reveals that three of ve customers say they would go to a direct competitor after one bad experience. So, if you don’t like how your public servants are treating you, the answer is clear – pick yourself up, dust yourself o , and move to the next town over. at’ll show ‘em who’s boss. Bruce watches town board meetings from the comfort of his man cave. He advocates that the pandemic practice of letting constituents at home participate in Courtesy of the Floor via Zoom during town board meetings should be adopted as standard practice to be more inclusive of constituents who choose to keep informed in the privacy of their abode. [email protected]. Constituents are customers too BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG
PAGE 12 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Friday, Jan. 20, the Bedford Recreation and Parks Department held a reception for seniors who have been taking part in the Arts and Crafts Studio. With their art displayed on the walls of the Bedford Hills Community House, the gathering was low-key and commensurate with the basic curriculum. “Most of the seniors came for the simple pleasure and to just enjoy the class,” said Rosemary Vorel, who served as the class facilitator and is a local senior advocate. Rebecca Cuba, on the other hand, gave a big nod to the organizer for her e orts. “We keep coming back because Rosemary is so cool,” beamed Cuba. “She’s our inspiration.” Still, Cuba had her own personal push for making the grade. “I like to think, I’ve been an artist my whole life,” said the longtime Hawaii resident. Moving in with her daughter a few years ago, the Bedford Hills resident got out of the class what she put in. “I felt my goal was reached,” said Cuba. “I kept my creative juices going.” ere’s also another important element to the weekly get-together. “I was hoping to meet people,” Cuba revealed. Or in the case of Terry Chiola, the senior had no problem with the status quo and was primarily motivated to keep it in the family. “It’s fun to get out and do things with my daughter,” said Chiola, who de nitely doesn’t describe herself as an artist. In turn, Chiola was very appreciative of the town for providing people the opportunity to have their spirits picked up, and her daughter Laurie Chiola agreed on both counts. Another non-artist, Laurie was also happy to come across some fresh faces. “It’s nice to meet neighbors here that I’ve never actually met before,” she asserted. As for Gina Shea, she’s been on both ends of the classroom. A longtime teacher, she was de nitely cool with this school and participated as both student and a facilitator. Doing oil painting in her free time, she l her inspiration. “I encouraged clamates to get at their creative s and lose themselves in the art,” S explained. “Because there’s more the world than all the circular thiing we do. So we need to jump fr our left brain stagnation and m to right brain creativity.” Mike Berardino de nitely undstood and pared down the thou to suit the situation for himself others. “I’m older, you need to be cupied, and you still need passio said the Katonah resident. So kudos were in order for eveone who took part. “I congratu everyone who challenged theselves and got themselves out the Vorel extolled. In this, the advocate hopes more of the same. “We’re trying draw seniors to the Rec Depment,” said Vorel, and there are limits based on ability. One nal artist made it her p to deliver the overall message. “I joyed the class and would join ag - even though I was so bad,” He Barrett of Bedford Hills conclud Art ts Laurie and Terry Chiola Susan La Barbera Bedford Rec Department holds Senior Art Exhibit among us! The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D.
– FEBRUARY 9 -MARCH 9, 2023 PAGE 13 lent assside Shea e to inkrom move derught and ocons,” eryulate emere,” for g to arte no part engain elen ded. Mike Berardino Gigi Eggleton and Rebecca Cuba Doris Krebster, Gina Shea, and Bobbi Bittker PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI EDS (Electro Dermal Screening) testing uncovers root-cause and locates natural remedies that eliminate root-cause of illness. Additionally, body work is available to speed up and support healing. We specialize in chronic, and weight loss issues. Call today for a free consultation and receive 914-330-5594 • www.AlternativeHealingClinic.com Looking for Results? EDS Is the answer! NOW OFFERING $50 GIFT CERTIFICATES 2023 SPECIAL $ 125 each session Progressive Animal Hospital Voted “Best of Somers” 2020-2022 What is the most common mismanaged condition that you see? THE ITCHY DOG! Is your pet... scratching • licking • chewing feet or having chronic skin infections? Stop treating the symptoms and find out the underlying cause with a simple blood test. Get your pet feeling better and stop the frequent trips to the vet. INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 route 202 l somers, ny 10589 914.248.6220 l progressive-vet.com
PAGE 14 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 MUSCOOT Since the 1920’s MUSCOOT T A V E R N SINCE THE ROARING 20’S Our legendary and charming tavern is the ideal spot for a scrumptious dining experience. Our Chefs fresh daily seafood specials, famous Mussels Muscoot & signature thin crust pizza has our neighbors coming back time and time again! www.muscoottavern.com 914 • 232 • 2800 105 Somerstown Turnpike, Katonah, NY 10536 MUSCOOT Since the 1920’s MUSCOOT T A V E R N SINCE THE ROARING 20’S Our legendary and charming tavern is the ideal spot for a scrumptious dining experience. Our Chefs fresh daily seafood specials, famous Mussels Muscoot & signature thin crust pizza has our neighbors coming back time and time again! www.muscoottavern.com 914 • 232 • 2800 105 Somerstown Turnpike, Katonah, NY 10536 MUSCOOT Since the 1920’s MUSCOOT T A V E R N SINCE THE ROARING 20’S Our legendary and charming tavern is the ideal spot for a scrumptious dining experience. Our Chefs fresh daily seafood specials, famous Mussels Muscoot & signature thin crust pizza has our neighbors coming back time and time again! www.muscoottavern.com 914 • 232 • 2800 105 Somerstown Turnpike, Katonah, NY 10536 HAPPY HOUR! Daily from 4-6 and again from 9-11 on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights. ENJOY DINING on our heated, covered patio! JOIN US FOR Valentine’s Day! All Ladies Receive a Rose! When I was in high school, I never had any recollection of hearing about what the school board was up to. I couldn’t have told you the names of the board president or anyone on the board. at is a credit to them. Under ideal circumstances, you are never aware of what the board is doing because everything is moving in the right direction. After serving on a school board as a trustee and part of that time as president, I began to appreciate that when the board was making news, it wasn’t usually a good thing, Over the past couple of months, our local school boards have been making news. And not the kind you want. e Bedford Central School District board just published a disturbing report about a series of terrible incidents involving pornographic images being taken of special education students in a school bathroom that were circulated via text and social media. Upon learning of the incidents, the administration did not distinguish itself in its handling of the investigation or communicating with parents and the public. Were it not for a motivated group of parents keeping the pressure on the board and the administration, it is not clear any of the facts would have come to light. I give credit to board President Ed Reder for commissioning an investigation by Kroll Associates to see what happened and learn what changes need to be made. e report was pretty damning. Breakdowns up and down the chain of command were plentiful. e one bright spot noted was the e proper role of a school board DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEESCOTTPAGE 15
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 15 SCOTT FROM PAGE 14 Ode to my last baby The last time I rocked you to sleep, I didn’t know it was going to be the final time you would need me to hold you so close to rest. Did I know the last time I smelled your baby scent that it wouldn’t stay forever? I often feel guilt when I think about how I longed for you to be just a little bit older so I could rest a little longer. Did I not appreciate every second? Every quiet moment together? Even every hard one? I look back at your picture from when you were first born and I remember the day so clearly. The joy, the excitement, the nervousness, the exhaustion…even the pain. How could it be that it is three years later, and you are your own person now. You have your likes and dislikes and your own opinion, a strong one for that matter. It hit me this morning. You’re not a baby anymore. And I’ll never get to nurse you again, hush and rock you to sleep, or smell your hair as you sleep on my chest. Not in the newborn way at least. Those days are behind us. They really did pass so quickly, even when the nights were so very, very long. Sometimes I look at you and I still see your face as an infant, and it brings me back to those early moments. I’ve had a few tears, but mostly I smile just watching those expressions on your face. Thank you, my baby, my last baby, for having me as your mother. One day you will be 6, and then 15, and even 40. But you’ll forever be the baby, my baby. There’s something cathartic about the realization (and the tears) that your last baby is the end of what was a very long phase of your life. But it’s also the start of a new chapter. Thank you, my baby, my last baby, for helping me through motherhood, for teaching and guiding me, for everything. I will miss your baby smiles, giggle quietly when thinking about your attempts at crawling, smile softly when remembering your first steps and happily laugh when visualizing your reactions to first trying peas and plums. I will always remember our cuddle sessions, dances in the living room, swaying until you smiled, and our baby talks, which I hold forever in my heart. Thank you my baby for giving me that precious time. And I even thought I can’t have it back, it’s forever with me and I’m eternally grateful for our time together and for all the memories we have yet to make. Nicole Dooley is a Somers mom who enjoys writing for her parenting blog. If you enjoyed her column, you can read more of her entries at www.mamaexplains. com or follow her on Instagram at @mamaexplains for relatable parenting tips and stories. quick reaction of the Special Education department upon learning about the incidents. What happened above them in the hierarchy was less commendable. The Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education has had its stumbles, too, in the last 18 months, which put it in the news. That district’s administration was in the hot seat for a perceived lack of transparency by failing to report to the parents of a special ed student who had to be physically restrained in class as well as another similar incident involving other parents. As with the Fox Lane matter, these missteps would not have come to light without pressure from parents. At John Jay, the board and the administration were also dealing – or not dealing – with the now well-chronicled incident with wrestling coach Bill Swertfager, determining that the best course was to kick the can down the road for a year-and-a-half before dealing with it. A central theme in all of these moments is that tough decisions never get easier when you delay, stonewall and fail to communicate. Serving on a school board is a tough and thankless job, but when the board members fail to realize that the superintendent and the administration work for and report to them and not the other way around, the job gets even harder. Personnel matters have special rules of confidentiality, but that doesn’t permit board members to completely clam up. It is possible to discuss the process without describing specifics and to show empathy and understanding for those before you at public forums and to respond, at the appropriate time, to their specific concerns. The superintendent has a monopoly on information and board members have only what they are given by him or her. It is imperative that the board is provided all the information from all the school buildings through the super. The first superintendent I worked with when I was a new school board member provided a weekly report of seemingly everything going on throughout the district. It took a couple of hours to read it each weekend. He engaged in what business author Tom Peters calls MBWA, management by walking around. The free flow of information puts everyone in a position to do their job, one facet of which is to provide proper oversight. Let’s hope we hear from both school boards what lessons have been learned from recent events. NICOLE DOOLEY MAMA EXPLAINS
BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family of a Putnam Valley girl who su ered a severe brain injury after in a September car accident that took the life of a Mahopac man and injured two other teens. Emily Quinn, 15, is on a long journey to recovery after the traumatic brain injury. A talented gymnast who represented Putnam Valley and the Lakeland/Panas combined team at the state championships last year, she was being trained by former Olympians at Dynamic Gymnastics in Mohegan Lake and competed at the National level. Friends have described her as a “bubbly, happy and hardworking girl.” On the GoFundMe page, her family writes that during her time in the hospital, Emily overcame several health scares. After months of hospitalization, she has transitioned from the ICU to a rehabilitation facility where she will have to relearn many daily tasks. “She is incredibly strong, a true ghter and continues to amaze us every day. She is truly a miracle in progress,” the family wrote. Emily was injured in a two-car accident on Sept. 27 on Wood Street near Meadow Crest Drive in Putnam Valley near the Mahopac Falls border. e driver of the rst vehicle, 23-yearold Bryan Tumolo of Mahopac, was pronounced deceased at the scene. e second car contained Emily, her older sister, Caitlin, 17, and Catlin’s boyfriend, Ethan Cruz, 18, of Lake Peekskill. Cruz was also seriously injured, and a GoFundMe page has been set up in his name as well. Police said that the preliminary investigation indicated that the rst vehicle was northbound on Wood Street when it crossed over into the path of Cruz’s vehicle, e Quinn family said that Caitlin experienced a brief setback from her injuries around late November and was readmitted for another surgery. She has since recovered and is o cially back in school. While she was hospitalized, she submitted her college applications. “We are also happy to announce [Caitlin] has been accepted into multiple colleges with merit scholarships. We are incredibly proud of how strong and resilient she is,” the family wrote. e link to the GoFundMe page for the Quinn family is gofund.me/d9dbc48e. Ethan Cruz’s page is at gofund.me/9462cdb3. You can also support the Quinn family by purchasing a leotard from Melody’s Leotards. e leotards say “She is Strong” on the front, and “Quinn Strong” on the back and are available in a variety of color options and back styles. Cost is $30. Find them at melodyleotards.com/product/ quinn-strong-fundraising-leotard. “We are blessed to have such an extended community who has shown tremendous support during this di cult time,” the Quinn family wrote on their GoFundMe page. “We recognize we will not be able to individually thank everyone. We ask that you extend our gratitude to your friends, family, churches and communities who have continued to keep the girls in their thoughts and prayers.” a true fighter and continues to amaze us every day. She is truly a miracle in progress.’ - e Quinn Family PAGE 16 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 On Saturday, Jan. 27, Fox Lane hockey came out swinging and broke out to a 4-1 lead against Mahopac. e Indians rallied and netted the next ve goals, but the Foxes refused to relent. ey tied the score at 6-6 in the third period. Despite falling behind 11-7 late in the game, Fox Lane pressed on to an 11-9 nail-biter. Unfortunately, Mahopac got the empty netter in the nal minute and Fox Lane fell 12-9 in a hard-fought battle. Foxes fall in battle with Mahopac PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Luke Valenti Teddy Kao Mikey Toole HOCKEY e combined John JayFox Lane swim team is looking to nish strong down the stretch, currently holding a 3-5 record and coming o a 5th place nish at the Conference Championships. Under the direction of Head Coach Clare Carr and coaches Renee Acquisto and Sydney De ico, the team has a group of swimmers already quali ed for this week’s Sectional Championships at Clarkstown Middle School. Currently, the squad has two Fox Lane swimmers quali ed for states, with senior captain Dylan Gourlay and junior captain Brendan Morgan both qualifying in the 100-yard butter y event. Combined team looks to make a splash Ryan Loveless (FLHS), Thomas Brown (JJHS), Patrick Polese (FLHS), and Hunter Hoskins (JJHS) Dylan Gourlay SWIMMING GoFundMe page created to aid area gymnast Accident near Mahopac Falls left Emily Quinn with traumatic brain injury Emily Quinn performs her floor routine in last year’s divisionals for the LPPV varsity gymnastics team. PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL REGIONAL Spencer Grayson PHOTOS COURTESY OF RACHELE BACHMANN A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family of a Putnam Valley girl who su ered a severe brain injury after in a September car accident that took the life of a Mahopac man and injured two other teens. Emily Quinn, 15, is on a long journey to recovery after the traumatic brain injury. A talented gymnast who represented Putnam Valley and the Lakeland/Panas combined team at the state championships last year, she was being trained by former Olympians at Dynamic Gymnastics in Mohegan Lake and competed at Friends have described her as a “bubbly, On the GoFundMe page, her family writes that during her time in the hospital, Emily overcame several health scares. After months of hospitalization, she has transitioned from the ICU to a rehabilitation facility where she will have to relearn “She is incredibly strong, a true ghter and continues to amaze us every day. She Mahopac Falls border. e driver of the rst vehicle, 23-yearold Bryan Tumolo of Mahopac, was pronounced deceased at the scene. e second car contained Emily, her older sister, Caitlin, 17, and Catlin’s boyfriend, Ethan Cruz, 18, of Lake Peekskill. Cruz was also seriously injured, and a GoFundMe page has been set up in his name as well. Police said that the preliminary investigation indicated that the rst vehicle was northbound on Wood Street when it crossed over into the path of Cruz’s vehicle, e Quinn family said that Caitlin experienced a brief setback from her injuries around late November and was readmitted for another surgery. She has since recovered and is o cially back in school. While she was hospitalized, she submitted her college applications. “We are also happy to announce [Caitlin] has been accepted into multiple colleges with merit scholarships. We are inYou can also support the Quinn family by purchasing a leotard from Melody’s Leotards. e leotards say “She is Strong” on the front, and “Quinn Strong” on the back and are available in a variety of color options and back styles. Cost is $30. Find them at melodyleotards.com/product/ quinn-strong-fundraising-leotard. “We are blessed to have such an extended community who has shown tremendous support during this di cult time,” the Quinn family wrote on their GoFundMe page. “We recognize we will not be able to a true fighter and continues to amaze us every day. She is truly a miracle in progress.’ - e Quinn Family PAGE 16 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES e combined John JayFox Lane swim team is looking to nish strong down the stretch, currently holding a 3-5 record and coming o a 5th place nish at the Conference Championships. Under the direction of Head Coach Clare Carr and coaches Renee Acquisto and Sydney De ico, the team has a group of swimmers already quali ed for this week’s Sectional Championships at Clarkstown Middle School. Currently, the squad has two Fox Lane swimmers quali ed for states, with senior captain Dylan Gourlay and junior captain Brendan Morgan both qualifying in the 100-yard butter y event. Combined SWIMMING GoFundMe page created to aid area gymnast Accident near Mahopac Falls left Emily Quinn with traumatic brain injury Emily Quinn performs her floor routine in last year’s divisionals for the LPPV varsity gymnastics team. PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL REGIONAL ‘She is incredibly STRONG,
LEISURE FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 17 Hello readers! I hope you had a great January and were able to include live music in life. February may be a short month, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. We have romance to talk about! Music is the language of love! What could be more loving than a scrumptious dining experience, toasting your Valentine with a glass of Champagne and enjoying romantic music in an intimate setting? Jazz on Main in Mt. Kisco will provide you with a chance to experience that! e jazz dinner club will host two passionate Valentine’s dinner shows. On Saturday, Feb. 11, Italian vocalist Vanessa Racci’s Quartet entertains for two sets at 7 and 9 p.m. On Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, jazz vocalist Beatrix Malnic and her band performs Falando de amor (speaking of love) at 7 p.m. Below I have skimmed the surface of what’s happening this month. For a full listing of local live music events, visit HearIt ere.com. ELMSFORD Live Music at Carmine’s, 7 Old Road, 914-345-2605 Weekend nights, the deli turns down the lights to host live music, delicious food and a fun time dancing. Who’s been? e February band line up can be found on Facebook @ LiveMusicAtCarmines. KATONAH Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Road, 914-232-1252 Ivalas Quartet, Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., featuring the 2022-23 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-inResidence. Children under 18 are free! MT. KISCO Jazz on Main, 37 S Moger Avenue, 914-730-2399 Check out the details of two Valentine’s dinner shows in the opening paragraph. PLEASANTVILLE e Garage at Lucy’s, 446 Bedford Road, 914-747-4740 Local rock celebrity Pete Donnelly and his “Band of Special Guests” return Feb. 9 and March 16 to host his monthly residency. If you recognize Pete from e Figgs, NRBQ or Soul Asylum, you will certainly recognize his special guests! PURCHASE e Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Road, 914- 251-6200 e Queen’s Cartoonists, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. A high-energy jazz performance brings iconic cartoons to life. Tickets are available at artscenter.org. Venue owners, musicians and event planners, if you have live music events to share for March 2023, tell me about it at jacque@ wbutter y.net. For a detailed listing of local live music events, visit HearIt ere.com. Jacque Roche is a freelance writer, content contributor to several local publications, as well as editor and music blogger for HearIt ere. com. Archived broadcasts of her 2016-2020 radio shows can be heard streaming on Mixcloud.com. Jacque’s Spin on Music for February! JACQUE’S S PIN O N M USI C JACQUE’S S PIN O N M USI C 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. Functions 5. Records electric currents associated with contractions of the heart 8. Trigonometric function (abbr.) 11. Secret political clique 13. Type of gibbon 14. Nocturnal S. American rodent 15. Famed American playwright 16. Mesopotamian goddess 17. Abba __, Israeli politician 18. Long ridge of gravel and sediment 20. A place to stay 21. Actor Idris 22. One who behaves in a rebellious way 25. A way to measure movement 30. Distinguish oneself 31. Type of drug (abbr.) 32. Basketball great Baylor 33. Masses of salivary matter 38. Calls balls and strikes 41. Plant that grows along the ground 43. A recreational activity in the air 45. Consumes too much 47. Island nation 49. Pistol 50. Mixtures of soul and calypso 55. Ancient Greek City 56. Similar 57. Roughly trimmed tree trunk used in a Scottish game 59. Semitic fertility god 60. Born of 61. Frogs, toads, tree toads 62. School in the northeast (abbr.) 63. Soviet Socialist Republic 64. “__ the Man” Musical, baseball player CLUES DOWN 1. Fiddler crabs 2. Discount 3. Partner to “flows” 4. Ethnic group of Laos 5. Beloved “Seinfeld” character 6. Book of tickets 7. The last name of “Hermione” 8. Type of TV package 9. Helps to heal a cut 10. Town in Galilee 12. Actor Horsley 14. “Hocus Pocus 2” actor Ed 19. Bird-loving group (abbr.) 23. They respond when someone is sick 24. Emerged 25. Midway between south and southeast 26. Monetary unit of Afghanistan 27. Unit of work or energy 28. Indicates near 29. Famed river 34. For each 35. News organization 36. CNN’s founder 37. They __ 39. Areas off to the side 40. Satisfies 41. A spare bed 42. Legendary singer Diana 44. Frothy mass of bubbles 45. A kind of sorcery 46. River in South Africa 47. Philippine Island 48. County in China 51. S. American plant 52. Beverage containers 53. Edge 54. Protein-rich liquids 58. Moved quickly on foot
PAGE 18 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 Snowfall is magical and the excitement of playing in the snow can turn into a painful reality when you need to dig your way out of your house as snow keeps piling up. With snow shoveling comes the risk of injuries. Be smart when shoveling snow. Approach it as your first session in a gym. You can only work out for 15-20 minutes for the first time: pace your body, especially with wet, heavy snow UNDERSTANDING HOW SNOW SHOVELING MAY LEAD TO INJURIES Shoveling is a strenuous, repetitive activity and can lead to lower back strain, shoulder tendinitis to name just two. As in the case of any repetitive exercise, you should warm up your body with gentle dynamic stretches that will help to loosen your muscles and joints, improve blood circulation. WARMING-UP EXERCISES TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF SNOW SHOVELING INJURIES The following warm-up exercises and dynamic stretches will get you ready for snow shoveling: • Hold light weights (3-5lb) in your hands and march or walk in place for 5-10 minutes keeping your elbows bent and shoulders down. March with your shoulders and arms as you bring your knees high up to your waist. • Stretch your hamstrings: place your one leg up on a step, keep your front knee straight and gently lean with your body forward until you feel a stretch behind your leg. Hold for 5 seconds, and move in and out of the stretch; never bounce. Repeat 10 times with both legs. • Stretch your adductor: open your legs wide, hold onto a sturdy counter and bend your one leg deep down in a side lunge until you feel a stretch on the inner thigh. Hold 5 seconds and lunge from side to side. Repeat 10 times. • Stand upright with your core tight and gently rotate your body from side to side stretching your arm across your body as you rotate. Repeat 10 times. OTHER SNOW SHOVELING TIPS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURIES • Choose the correct size shovel with lightweight material. A bigger scoop may carry more snow, but is more strenuous on your back to lift. • When shoveling - - keep your feet separated with one leg forward and your knees in a soft bent position. Keep your ribcage up, your spine straight, and hinge from the hips slightly forward; - Bend your knees and not your back; - Keep the shovel close to your body, and your elbows tucked in. Let your thigh muscles do the work to push the shovel and keep your core tight; - Avoid lifting the shovel with arms stretched out, because that puts extra strain on your spine and shoulder tendons; and - Avoid twisting your back. Instead, take an extra step to face with your shoulders and hips in the direction of where you shovel. • Avoiding shoveling only to your dominant side. Alternate sides; shoveling to the left leading with your left foot and left hand on the bottom of the snow shovel and when shoveling to the right, reverse the above. • Create distance between your hands on the snow shovel. It provides more leverage when lifting the shovel. • Lift smaller loads of snow at a time. • Never throw snow over your shoulder. Instead, go forward with a load to avoid twisting and torquing of your lower back. STRETCH AFTER YOU SHOVELED SNOW Gentle stretches will assist your body to relax and cool down. • Stand on your hands and knees (Quadruped), and do gentle cat-cow movements lifting your head to the ceiling and arching your back as you inhale then tucking your behind and head down, rounding your spine to the ceiling. You can modify this movement if you have difficulty kneeling on your hands and knees: hold onto a sturdy counter, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent and gently arch and tuck your spine. Repeat 10 times. • In Quadruped lift your one arm up to the ceiling as you gently rotate your body and head to follow the outstretched arm to the ceiling. Then needle through bringing you stretched arm underneath the supporting arm, following the movement with your head and upper body. The modified position can again be done leaning against a sturdy counter. Repeat 10 times. • Sit on a chair with one leg straight out and foot flexed back. Lean forward with your body until you feel a stretch behind your knee to stretch your hamstring. Hold for 20 deep breaths. Repeat 5 times. • Sit on a chair and cross your one ankle over your knee in a “cross 4” position and lean with your body forward to your ankle to feel the stretch in your buttocks. Hold for 20 deep breaths. Repeat 5 times. • Stand in a doorway with one leg in front and arms up against the doorframe. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in front of your shoulders. Hold for 20 deep breaths. Repeat 5 times. Stay warm and safe. If you experience any pain or injury, please contact your medical practitioner or physical therapist. LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER ADVERTORIAL Minimizing snow shoveling injuries Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.lizelubbept.com. We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building)
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 19 Trusts are excellent vehicles for probate avoidance, management of assets, ease of disposition of funds to one’s beneficiaries upon death, asset protection planning and estate tax planning. That being said, it is often difficult to know what type of Trust one needs! This article will discuss the basic differences between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. A Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a writing wherein the Trust Creator(s) (also known as a “Grantor(s)”) create a Trust for their benefit, where they can also be the sole Trustee of the RLT. During the lifetime of the Creator, they have full control over the real property, bank accounts, investments and any other assets that have been titled in the name of the RLT, along with the power to amend, modify and/or revoke the RLT. The most significant advantage of an RLT is that it avoids the need for Probate with respect to the assets titled to the RLT upon the Creator’s death. Probate is the process of admitting one’s Last Will and Testament in the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the decedent resided in order for it to be deemed legally valid after one’s passing. This is in order to allow the Executor to have access to assets titled to the decedent’s name alone and to allow the Executor to pay bills and distribute the funds to the beneficiaries named in the Will. The probate process can take approximately nine months to over a year to complete. There are also filing fees to be paid to the court, legal fees to attorneys and one’s estate is then a matter of public record. A RLT, and the diligent transfer of one’s assets (non-IRA/non-Retirement) to said trust, can accomplish everything a Last Will and Testament can while avoiding the expenses, difficulties and delays associated with the Probate process. It should be noted that IRAs, 401Ks, Annuities and Life Insurance should have named beneficiaries and alternate beneficiaries so as to avoid Probate. Additionally, any estate tax planning that can be done in one’s Last Will and Testament can be done in a RLT. In comparison, Irrevocable Trusts are trusts that cannot be amended and/or revoked. There are a number of types of Irrevocable Trusts, but most commonly they are used as a planning tool to transfer assets for the benefit of another without making an outright gift to said individual, or for purposes of Medicaid Planning and/or Estate Tax Planning. An Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) allows an individual to protect one’s life savings (non-retirement savings) and home from the cost of long-term care, while granting the Trust Creator the right to continue to reside in their home and still benefit from the income generated by the assets transferred to the Irrevocable Trust. With this type of Trust, the Trust Creator cannot be the Trustee of the Trust. Typically, one’s children and/or loved ones are named as Trustees. The transfer of assets to a MAPT creates a five-year penalty period for Nursing Home Medicaid and, as of the time of this writing, would create a two-and-a-half-year penalty period for Home Care Medicaid for applications filed after March 31, 2024. After the penalty periods run, the funds held by the trust are protected and no longer countable assets for Medicaid eligibility purposes and Medicaid can no longer have a claim or lien on said assets. Additionally, an Irrevocable Trust can be used to transfer assets for the benefit of a loved one, friend, child and/ or grandchild so that the assets are not controlled by the Trust’s beneficiary, but can be used by the Trustee of the trust for the beneficiary’s health, education, maintenance and support. This is an excellent tool often used to lower one’s taxable estate and provide for the education and future needs of a grandchild and/or child. As you can see, there are a number of excellent reasons to consider a Revocable and/or Irrevocable Trust! Lauren C. Enea, Esq. is a Senior Associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. She concentrates her practice on Wills, Trusts and Estates, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning and Probate/Estate Administration. She believes that it is never too early or too late to start planning for your future, and she enjoys working with individuals to ensure that their plan best suits their needs. Ms. Enea received a B.S. in Business Management from Quinnipiac University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a J.D. from the Pace University School of Law, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida. She can be contacted at 914-948-1500 or esslawfirm.com. Which is best for me? Choosing between a Revocable or Irrevocable Trust The law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, with offices in Somers and White Plains, is pleased to announce the launch of their 2023 Lunch & Learn Series. Held at noon on the last Wednesday of each month, the free educational programs will shed light on important elder law and estate planning topics. The first program, “Nuts and Bolts of Estate and Financial Planning,” takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 22. “Many clients come to us when they (or their loved ones) are on the verge of losing everything, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets,” said Anthony J. Enea, the firm’s managing member. “Educating seniors and their families on the need for advanced planning is extremely important to all the attorneys at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano – and it’s never too early to start. There are several planning options available for adults of all ages, yet many remain in the dark.” The 90-minute programs, which include a light lunch and refreshments, will take place at the firm’s White Plains location and are open to the public at no cost – though space is limited. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early by calling 914-948-1500 to reserve their spot. FEBRUARY 22 – NUTS AND BOLTS OF ESTATE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING Discover the difference between a last will & testament and a trust – and why you may need both. This program will also cover the importance of the power of attorney and health care proxy documents. Presented by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. and Lauren C. Enea, Esq. MARCH 29 – AVOIDING THE NEW YORK “ESTATE TAX CLIFF” Take an in-depth look at how to avoid the tax implications of New York’s “estate tax cliff.” Learn effective planning techniques, from the role of completed gift trusts to disclaimer and “Santa Clause” provisions. Presented by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. and Michael P. Enea, Esq. APRIL 26 – AGING IN PLACE: A GUIDE TO GROWING OLDER AT HOME Nearly 90 percent of seniors wish to stay in their own home as they age (source: AARP). Learn how to prepare a home to safely age in place through senior-proofing, necessary legal documents, strategies for bill paying and financial management, as well as an overview of the Medicaid home care program. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. & Samantha Lyons, Esq. MAY 31 – ESTATE PLANNING AND YOUR RESIDENCE What is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust? Learn the ins and outs of Medicaid planning as well as options for home buying and selling within the trust. Presented by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. JUNE 28 – PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES FROM FINANCIAL ELDER ABUSE AND SENIOR SCAMS Often referred to as “the crime of the 21st century,” learn key signs of financial and personal elder abuse, typical scams that are targeted toward the senior population as well as the important estate planning documents to help protect against financial abuse as one ages. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. SEPTEMBER 27 – LLCS: THE PROS, CONS AND ESTATE PLANNING For some, an LLC can be a useful tool to pass assets down to loved ones while avoiding or minimizing estate taxes. Discover if an LLC may be right for your estate planning needs as well as how they are used to reduce the risk of personal liability with rental properties. Presentation by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. & Michael P. Enea, Esq. OCTOBER 25 – UNDERSTANDING THE IMPLICATIONS OF GRAY DIVORCE A divorce later in life often adds a level of complexity to the estate and tax plan process. Understand what potential complications may arise and how to address them – from division of assets and tax issues to estate and long-term care planning. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. NOVEMBER 29 – SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Ensure the future care and wellbeing of your child or grandchild with special needs using these estate planning strategies. This program will cover the three basic types of special needs trusts (also known as supplemental needs trusts), general drafting considerations and the newest type of special needs trust – the sole benefits trust. Presented by Sara Meyers, Esq. & Lauren C. Enea, Esq. The attorneys at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP specialize in elder law planning, asset protection planning, wills, trusts and estates, Medicaid applications (home care and nursing home), guardianships, and special needs planning. The firm has also attained Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV Preeminent, for superior ethical standards and legal ability. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street in White Plains, with additional offices in Somers. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 914- 948-1500 or visit esslawfirm.com. Law firm launches monthly ‘Lunch & Learn’ estate planning series ENEA, SCANLAN & SIRIGNANO LAUREN ENEA GUEST CORNER
Deb Austin, the owner of Sunshine CrossFit in Bedford Hills, created a workout for a Jan. 28 fundraiser that raised $6,000 in support of the Live Like Lou Foundation. Sunshine CrossFit was one of eight participating gyms across three di erent states, including Connecticut and Ohio. One hundred and forty tness enthusiasts worked out together to support individuals and families a ected by ALS. Named “ e Lou” and honoring Lou Gehrig’s #4, the challenge consisted of 44 rounds of four movements split between two athletes: four dumbbell snatches, four burpees, four wallballs, and four pull-ups. “CrossFit facilitates a unique environment in which members come together to support each other, whether it’s helping someone get through a workout or tackling some of life’s biggest challenges,” Austin said. “We were honored to lead this year’s fundraiser and we’re grateful for the support of the larger CrossFit community.” e event was inspired by Fred Reimer of Bedford, who is also a member of Sunshine, a Live Like Lou board member, and a long-time advocate and supporter of the ALS community, in honor of a friend and mentor who lost his battle with the disease in 2019. In Reimer’s opening remarks, he encouraged participants to remember the courage and humility of Lou Gehrig, the mantra of the Live Like Lou Foundation, “onwards,” and the ultimate goal – a future without ALS. e Live Like Lou Foundation is a national nonpro t organization whose mission is to create and connect communities to stimulate emerging research and uniquely support families a ected by Lou Gehrig’s disease. e organization’s work is in honor of its namesake, Lou Gehrig, and the more than 20,000 people living with the 100% fatal disease of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) each day across North America. Its vision is to provide meaningful support to people living with ALS and their families, to invest in ALS research to nd treatments or cures, and to amplify Lou Gehrig’s story, his legacy, and what it means to Live Like Lou. For more information, visit livelikelou.org. Sunshine CrossFit is located at 56 Babbitt Road in Bedford Hills. For more information, visit sunshinecross t.com. PAGE 20 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 Local gym raises $6k for Live Like Lou Foundation Deb Austin, owner of Sunshine CrossFit in Bedford Hills with Fred Reimer, a member of Sunshine and a board member of the Live Like Lou organization. Members of Sunshine as well as seven other participating gyms did a workout to raise funds for the ALS charity. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE BRIER BY GIOVANNA TARTARONE GUEST COLUMNIST We all know that in order to accomplish new goals, we must develop positive habits and eliminate bad ones. One must examine all of their behaviors and beliefs to establish new habits that call for commitment and discipline. Easier said, than done! Well, one of my favorite books, “Atomic Habits,” a No. 1 New York Times bestseller written by James Clear, does the best job explaining this concept. Several important points made by Clear are worth highlighting: • “Habit stacking - Identify a habit you already do every day and then build a new one on top of it.” • “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. e same way that money multiplies through compound interest, the e ects of your habits multiply as you repeat them. ey seem to make little di erence on any given day and yet the impact they deliver over the months and years can be enormous.” • “ e ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes a part of your identity.” • “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You rise to the level of your system.” • “Get 1% better everyday.” Let’s take a closer look at your “identity” and how a habit becomes an essential part of your beliefs. e dictionary de nes belief as “an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.” e second de nition is that “one accepts as true or real a rmly held opinion or conviction.” Life can be either great or challenging. Every area of our life re ects our conscious and subconscious thoughts and beliefs. Our subconscious beliefs limit what we can accomplish. Our beliefs greatly affect our experience. Basically, a belief is just a thought that you think over and over again, but they are not facts; all it means is that you have programmed your mind to think these thoughts over and over again. If it’s a limiting belief, your mind will sabotage your success. Before the age of 7, our early experiences are when our beliefs are formed. ey come from our parents, our personal experiences, our families, our culture and the world. It is from our beliefs that we form perceptions about the world and ourselves, and from these perceptions, we develop behaviors. Too frequently, we fall back into old behaviors when it comes to goal setting, because they are set in the context of a self-limiting belief, and therefore obstruct constructive growth towards achieving the goal. Our beliefs are the foundation of our personality. ey act as the lter through which we perceive ourself and the world around us. ey de ne us as worthy or Mindset reset: Believing you can change SEE MINDSET PAGE 21
FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 21 worthless, self-reliant or dependent, competent or incompetent, belonging or outcast, exible or judgmental, fairly treated or victimized, loved or hated; our beliefs have far reaching consequences, both positive and negative, in our lives. Usually, it is self-defeating behaviors we must to change to support our goals. Often the most e ective way to change our behavior is to change your subconscious beliefs that support it. Neuroscience reveals that at least 95% of our thoughts, beliefs, values, habits, behaviors, emotions, attitude and decisions originate at the subconscious level of the mind, which means that we are only consciously aware of 5% of our actions. Basically, our habits are embedded in most of our daily activity, which run on autopilot. Our reactions and behavioral patterns are automatically controlled by our subconscious minds. As we become older, this autopilot ceases serving us well and frequently takes us in the incorrect direction. As a result, we encounter unpleasant circumstances and emotions in life and prevent us from achieving our goals. Another book I highly recommend is “ e Biology of Belief,” by Dr. Bruce Lipton, a native of Mount Kisco. In his book, Dr. Lipton explains why our beliefs are the driving force that a ect every area of our lives. “Our beliefs run our lives,” he wrote. Beliefs a ect our moods, relationships, job performance, self-esteem, physical health, even our religious or spiritual outlook. With so much at stake, it is crucial that we know how to change beliefs that are limiting us into beliefs that support us. Beliefs are so deeply established and control the results in our life. When you change the beliefs that are limiting you, then you are able to reach your true potential, achieve your goals and ultimately change your life for the better. It is an honor and rewarding for me to share this information and be able to present the tools to create sustainable change in a person’s life. Everyone deserve to succeed and enjoy life to the fullest! Stay tuned next month as we learn more about the importance of having our words, thoughts, feelings and actions all in alignment with our goals. Giovanna Tartarone is an Energy Practitioner and Transformational Life Coach. She is the founder and owner of Rainbow Alternative Healing and Life Coaching at 120 Kisco Ave., Suite J, in Mt. Kisco. For more information, visit GiovannaTartarone.com, email info@ giovannatartarone.com or call 914- 879-9900. MINDSET FROM PAGE 20 As Catholics, it’s important to take the sacraments together, Obour said. e government is building a dining hall for students, but the construction’s been dragging on for at least eight years and the structure still has no roof. SCHOOL’S SUCCESS INSPIRES Despite challenges with its physical plant, the school has such an excellent reputation that the head of the local diocese, Bishop Dominic Yeboah Nyarko, has asked Rome for permission to start an all-boys seminary school in Techiman, Obour said. (On the high school level, a Catholic seminary school teaches students theology and scripture as a core part of the curriculum. It helps students identify vocational callings and readies them for adulthood while a Catholic seminary college prepares them for ordination to the priesthood.) Mount Carmel’s headmistress – or principal as we would call her here – is a nun. Last year, several grads joined the religious congregation. Students form lifetime connections. Even after they’ve moved on to college, university, and jobs many reach out just to let Father Benand their teachers and former classmates know how they’re doing. ey’ve formed an ad hoc alumni association and keep up with things via Facebook. Always a compassionate and thoughtful kid, Anthony would tell his mom how hard it was for him to imagine having to deal with the things the young members of Father Ben’s ock do. Especially going without the basic things – such as water – that we Americans take for granted. He would like to bring a group of people over to visit the school one day, his mom said. When asked why he’s doing this, Anthony responded: “I’ve always loved to give back to the community and help any way I could, especially my church. I was raised a Catholic and, like I said, so far have made all my sacraments. I just feel like anywhere I can help would be bene cial in some way.” Luppino’s willingness to come to the aid of others was an inspiration. “She’s helped people in so many ways,” he said. In Obour’s case, rising to the occasion was a no-brainer for Luppino and the other intrepid members of Saint Francis’s fundraising team. e priest’s dynamic personality and unwavering dedication to his parishioners and students make the job of getting folks to reach for their wallets relatively easy. “He’s so well-loved here. Knowing what he does, and how he shares everything with us, makes us want to help him help his school,” Luppino said. HOW TO HELP To contribute to the “Providing Wells for Fr. Ben’s School in Ghana” campaign, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/water-for-the-girls-ofghana. Donations can also be left at or mailed to Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Religious Education O ce, 16 Green St., Mount Kisco, N.Y., 10549. Its hours are 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays; 12 noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ursdays. For more information, call 914-666-3161. GHANA FROM PAGE 6 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Mt. 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Irene Loretta Squirrell Irene Loretta Squirrell passed away after a brief illness on January 1, 2023, at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. She was surrounded by her loving family as her amazing spirit was welcomed into Heaven. Irene was born on July 17, 1933, in Orange, New Jersey to Loretta McLaughlin McManman Barry and Frances McManman. Her father passed away when Irene was four years old. Irene grew up on Morris Street in Orange in a house shared by Irene, her mom and her grandmother, Rachel McGarry McLaughlin. As Irene’s mom was the youngest of eleven children, Irene was fortunate to grow up surrounded by many rst cousins who lived in other houses on that street. Despite being a single mother in the depths of the Depression, Irene’s mom managed to open and operate a beauty salon in Orange, where Irene spent many hours after school and on weekends. When Irene was ten, her mother married John (Jack) Barry, her step-father, who was later a beloved grandfather to Irene’s four children. Irene graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange. Irene was a gifted soprano and was asked to sing at many of “ e Valley’s” graduations, and she also had leading roles in high school plays. Irene was also a gifted artist and her high school yearbooks contain numerous pieces of her artwork. Irene’s mom worked tirelessly and, as a result, Irene attended and graduated from the former Newark State Teachers college, now Keene College receiving a degree in Early Childhood Education. Years later, in a true example of nding a lost treasure, Irene’s family found her high school and college scrapbook and numerous pieces of artwork she created while in college. Her scrapbook delighted her family and the Mount Kisco Arts Council displayed some of Irene’s art in two separate expositions featuring local artists. In 1957, Irene married the love of her life, Robert W. Squirrell. Bob predeceased Irene in 2005 and she kept his memory alive until she joined him in Heaven. eirs was a true love match. It began when Irene had a blind date with Bob’s twin brother, John, who opted not to go. Bob went instead, and it was love at rst sight. Irene and Bob then played matchmaker when John later married Irene’s rst cousin, Betty, who grew up next to Irene on Morris Street. Irene’s fty-year teaching career began at the Hazel Avenue Elementary School in West Orange. A few years later, in 1960, after being granted tenure, she left to start her family, and also started taking piano students. Also during these years, she found the time to participate in many theatrical productions put on by the Chatham Players in New Jersey. As for her piano students, from then until 2010 she taught out of her living room, developing her own curriculum and having beautiful annual recitals for her students. In 1972 Bob and Irene relocated from New Jersey to New York. At that time, the youngest of her four children started kindergarten, so Irene decided to re-entered the classroom. However, because she was in her early forties, she was told she was too old and that younger teaching candidates were preferable. Irene was undeterred and initially substituted and then earned a Master’s Degree in Reading and a separate Sixth Year Certi cate requiring 36 credits, each from Western Connecticut State College (now University). Irene then taught as an elementary school teacher in private schools such as Saint James the Apostle in Carmel, NY, e Melrose School in Brewster, NY, Annunciation in Crestwood, NY and Holy Rosary in Hawthorne, NY, until her retirement. As a classroom teacher, Irene’s subject focus was on grade speci c curriculum. Irene also shared her love for the arts, theater and music, by way of acting as piano accompanist for any school function and organizing and directing annual school drama/musical performances. After retiring from the classroom, Irene taught piano and voice up until a few years ago. Every June, she would plan the annual recital that was an impressive program which included a local venue and warranted the support of every family member. Irene touched and assisted in molding countless lives as a teacher. She was strong, charismatic and friendly with a zest for life. To this day, it was not uncommon for her children to run into Irene’s former students and be regaled with wonderful stories. Irene enjoyed time with family and friends whether at home or at the Jersey Shore. If there was singing, Irene would join in singing and with her hand conducting, encouraging you to smile and annunciate. If music was playing, her foot would be tapping. As a mom, her children were steered towards learning scales, playing instruments, singing and creating art. In fact, most if not all car rides usually involved a sing along with a frequent repertoire of current hits of the time period. As adults, Irene sang at each of her children’s weddings, and even had the emotional strength to sing at her husband Bob’s funeral. Irene was Catholic and, in addition to being a parishioner, she was an active member in various roles of the parish music ministries. She was Choir Director at Corpus Christie in Chatham, New Jersey and was organist in St. John’s the Evangelist in Mahopac, New York. In addition, she was a member of the choir at St. James the Apostle in Carmel, NY, Holy Innocents in Pleasantville NY, and Saint Francis PAGE 22 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 1. Clip the short form on the page 2.Fill out the information. 3.Mail it to P.O. 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THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 23 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 A ordable Care Act and the NYS of Health Marketplace. Please call to make an appointment at 914-336-6935. Chronic Pain Support Group Research tells us that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, or pain that lasts most days or every day for three months or more. Of this group, 20 million experience high-impact chronic pain, or pain that interferes with basic functioning and activities of daily living. Pain is the number one reason that Americans access the health care system, and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. Support groups provide a forum for those with pain to gain support and learn about ways to manage pain and progress from patient to person. is group takes place over Zoom every other week. For more information, please call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281 or email him at tednbloch@ gmail.com. All conversations are kept strictly con dential. of Assisi in Mount Kisco, NY. Until recent years, Irene was a member of the Bedford Woman’s Club, St Patrick’s of Yorktown Heights Bereavement Group, and the Mount Kisco Senior Citizens program at the Fox Senior Center. Since 2020, Irene was blessed to enjoy the daily companionship and be under the care of, Lupe Naranjo. Lupe became a member of the family and, under her loving care, Irene was able to maintain the dignity and comfort she deserved in her - nal years. Irene’s love of family and song cannot be overstated. Even in her last weeks and days, as Irene, without complaint, su ered from her body’s limitations and dementia, all it took to evoke a smile was to mention her grandchildren and ask her to join in singing one of her favorite songs. Once started, Irene never missed a note until the end. Irene is preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, her step-father and her daughter-in-law, Mona Marie Reilly Squirrell. Irene is survived by her children Robert Squirrell, Jr (Mona Marie), Ossining, NY; Loretta Ball (Fred), Brook eld, Ct; David Squirrell (Melissa), Mount Kisco, NY; and Linda McIntyre (Peter), Yorktown Heights, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren Abigail, Jackson, Christian, Peter, Gleb and Lyrica, her step-grandchildren, Amanda and Michael and her dear friend Lupe Naranjo. In leu of Flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Irene’s honor to the Mount Kisco Arts Council, 104 Main Street, Mount Kisco, New York 10549 Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl Ellen Elizabeth Hilpl, 67, a former Pound Ridge, NY resident most recently of the Village of Millerton since 2017, died Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at her home in the village. Born May 26, 1955, in Port Chester, NY, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Norman Dean (Lasher) Hilpl of Pound Ridge. Ellen Elizabeth was a graduate of William Patterson College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1979 and the College of New Rochelle receiving her master’s degree in 1984 in education as well as a master’s degree in music. For many years Ellen Elizabeth was a beloved kindergarten teacher at Pound Ridge Elementary School in Pound Ridge where she would dress up every Halloween as the beloved “Mother Goose.” Her teaching career lasted for over 25 years, and she retired in 2010. She was also a recognized teacher of voice and stringed instruments, certi ed in the Suzuki method of teaching violin. She had a magni - cent voice and enjoyed singing from the pews at Christ Trinity Church in She eld, MA, where she was an active and much-loved member. For many years she assisted the Franciscan Friars at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, with their musical selections, and she also had the opportunity to sing on Broadway in New York City. She was an avid cat lover and had a great a ection for horses as well. Her easy laugh and infectious good humor will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Ellen is survived by three brothers, Mark Hilpl and his wife Christina of Cortland Manor, NY, Peter Hilpl and his wife Lisa of Uxbridge, MA, and Neil Hilpl of Pound Ridge; her dear uncle, Paul Lasher of Utica, NY, and several cousins and many close friends. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her brother, Michael Hilpl of Antioch, TN in January 2000. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 11, at Christ Trinity Church, 180 Main Street/CT Route 7, Shef- eld, MA 01257 at 11 a.m. e Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey will o ciate. Burial will follow in the Memorial Garden at Christ Trinity Church of She eld. A reception in Ellen Elizabeth’s honor will follow in the parish hall at Christ Trinity Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellen E. Hilpl Memorial Fund at Christ Trinity Church at www.christtrinitychurch.org. To send an online condolence to the family please visit www.conklinfuneralhome. com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 22 TRACKS FROM PAGE 2
PAGE 24 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES FEBRUARY 9 - MARCH 9, 2023 DOROTHY BOTSOE ABR, AHWD, BA, C2EX, CBR, CDEI, CIPS, CRB, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, ITI, PSA, RENE, SFR, SRES, SRS 2020 NYS Association of Realtors Realtor of the Year l 2019 Lawrence B Caldwell RPAC Award Recipient 2017 HGAR President l 2012 HGAR Realtor of the Year l 2007 NYS WCR Member of the Year Platinum RPAC, HOF Member l RPAC President’s Circle member If your property is currently listed, this is not intended as a solicitation. I have lived in Westchester County for over 30 years and am happy to help you with any of your real estate needs. We are your Hometown Realtors CALL US NOW! 914-846-0408 Independently Owned and Operated Weichert Realtors Signature Properties.com Real Estate Broker, New York O: 1-914-846-0408 M: 1-914-359-0368 275 E. Main Street • Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 [email protected] / Weichertsignatureproperties.com YOUR PROPERTY, OUR PRIORITY FREE Market Analysis. NO OBLIGATION. , OUR PRIORITY We Need Listings For Our Buyers. Inventory Is Low. Happy Valentine ’s Day! s and am