North Salem News 09.09.21

North Salem’s only weekly newspaper mailed to every home and business.

Vol. 7 No. 25 Visit TapIntoNorthSalem.net for the latest news. Thursday, September 9, 2021

Weathering the storm North Salem
heads into new
school year
BY CAROL REIF dens Co-op, one of several low-
O cials announce health
STAFF WRITER lying communities situated along and safety protocols

Peach Lake. BY CAROL REIF
STAFF WRITER
North Salem was left in “good A parking area and a baseball
When the rst bell rings in the
shape” compared to what hap- eld to the right of the channel 2021-2022 school year in North Salem
on ursday, Sept. 9, all teaching and
pened in other communities that runs along Cottage Lane learning will be in-person, which the
district called “critical to the academic,
when the remnants of Hurricane were both still ooded the next social and emotional well-being of our
students” in announcing its reopening
Ida drenched the lower Hudson day. e water may have also plans.

Valley last week, Supervisor War- made it into a few backyards Faculty and sta were back in the
buildings on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
ren Lucas said. there, Lucas said.
e district’s “overall goal”is also to be
ere were some ooded base- e folks at Vail’s Grove Co- “responsive to student needs” and keep
them and district employees “healthy
ments around town, and over- op next door couldn’t be reached and safe.” North Salem is following
guidance from the Centers for Disease
saturated soils from the torrential for comment before press time. Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
state Education Department.
downpour caused a few trees to e New York region, as hard-
is includes instituting protocols
keel over. One fell on electrical hit as it was, was still “very, very necessary to keep operating “on a tra-
ditional in-person schedule to the fur-
lines on Starr Ridge Road, taking lucky” that it didn’t experience thest extent practicable.” e plan could
change depending on what state and
out power to close to 20 homes. the kind of catastrophic winds local leaders and the departments of
health have to say.
Crews from the Croton Falls that had lashed Louisiana and
SEE SCHOOL PAGE 6
Fire Department were there other parts of the South, Lucas

“immediately” to re-direct tra c noted.

because wires were down, Lucas Meanwhile, thousands of folks

said, thanking them and other in lower Westchester were still

town volunteers. knee-deep in recovery and clean-

About 100 New York State up e orts the day after. 

Electric & Gas customers were Gov. Kathy Hochul declared

temporarily left without power a State of Emergency in New

due to the storm, which last- York in Westchester, Putnam,

ed from Wednesday, Sept. 1, Dutchess, Rockland, and 10 oth-

through the wee hours of urs- er counties.

day, Sept. 2. e New York Times reported

Flooding also washed out parts that at least 45 people were killed

of some of the town’s dirt roads. in New York, New Jersey, and

Highway crews were “on it” Pennsylvania. irteen of those PHOTO COURTESY OF WARREN LUCAS

ursday, Lucas said. were in New York City alone, the A baseball field and parking area in the Pietsch Gardens Co-
op were flooded during the storm on Sept. 1.
en there was Pietsch Gar- newspaper said.

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BALANCED ROCK 5
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICES 23
LEISURE
OPINION 20
SPORTS
19 SUNSET
8

18 So long summer

pg 12

Page 2 – North Salem News Thursday, September 9, 2021

Town approves Schoolhouse Theater purchase
Property to be used for community center, thespians

BY CAROL REIF PHOTO: CAROL REIF its intrepid acting troupe, e
STAFF WRITER Pandemic Players, has carried on
The property at 3 Owens Road will serve as a hub for senior and community programs. with virtual performances. Artis-
You know the old saying about tic director Bram Lewis said his
one door opening after another of sale. Nevertheless, the paperwork has cades had raised hundreds of
closes? Well, in one local cultural e board also passed a “nega- to be done before a municipality thousands of dollars in the hopes rst goal after Lee Pope died last
institution’s case, you might be can take action. of purchasing the former school year was to “do anything and ev-
able to substitute the word “cur- tive declaration” for the purchase building itself. erything” to protect the theater,
tain.” under state environmental law. MATCHING ‘VISIONS’ which he called a “vital, creative
Buying a building isn’t men- e nonpro t foundation that e acclaimed 100-seat the- hub for the community.”
e North Salem Town Board tioned, so it’s considered an “un- ater has been closed since 2020
voted unanimously Monday, listed action,” Lucas explained. has run the cultural icon for de- due to the COVID-19 crisis but e theater has since had to
Aug. 30, to authorize the pur- transition from a founder-based
chase of e Schoolhouse e- model to one supported entirely
ater in Croton Falls. by the local community. Accord-
ing to Lewis, there are about
e circa-1925 building, as- 4,000 “subscribers.”
sessed at about $1.2 million, is
under contract to be sold to the e hope was, Lewis said on
town for $800,000 by White the theater’s website, that “as the
Squirrel Properties. e LLC was oldest professional theater in
created by the iconic arts center’s Westchester County, our roots
late founder, Leandra “Lee” Pope. are deep enough to survive this
It’s held by her heirs, Christo- mendicancy,” or the practice of
pher Pope, now a state senator begging.
in Montana, and his sister, Holly
Pope. But it’s unikey the foundation
will have to “beg” to be able to
e town hopes to close on the use the building for future live
3 Owens Road property by the performances.
end of October and then turn it
into a much-needed senior/com- “We’d be more than happy to
munity center. have them in there,” Lucas said
Tuesday, Aug. 31, noting that
“We’re all pretty excited about the theater and arts center have
it,” Supervisor Warren Lucas said been “a complete asset” to the
the day after signing the contract
SEE THEATER PAGE 4

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Thursday, September 9, 2021 Your Neighbor North Salem News – Page 3

Driven to help
RideConnect volunteers aid their community

BY DONNA CHRISTOPHER “I’m handicapped at present and using a can use volunteers,” says Casill. “We have Charlie Mayone make the di cult deci-

CONTRIBUTING WRITER walker,” Charlie adds. “I just had a ride the to remind people there’s no guarantee of sion to give up their car keys when they

other day. I use them to go to all medical rides because we need to give the sta a are no longer able to get behind the wheel.

Imagine having to get around Northern appointments. I’ve been really dependent week to nd a ride for them, so it’s not Friends and family members are not al-

Westchester if you don’t drive. on them and very fortunate. I feel thank- like a taxi. Generally speaking, a volunteer ways available, and taxis can get extremely

“You can’t survive without a car. You ful.” will drive someone who lives in their own expensive. ere are ride-sharing apps, but

must have someone to drive you some- With RideConnect, clients make ap- community but can drive a client outside as Casill pointed out, you can’t know for

place. Everyone depends on a vehicle. pointments for the rides they need. Des- if they want to.” sure you’ll be able to get the ride the day

Somers is out of the way,” says Charlie tinations might range from doctor to hair Working for RideConnect is “tremen- you need it.

Mayone. appointments, train stations, churches, dously satisfying,” says Casill. An employ- Additionally, in many towns, there is

e 91-year-old - married for 67 years temples, senior centers, and entertainment ee, she also helps with rides. “Someone little to no public transportation. In Heri-

to wife Jenny - had to face this challenge venues like a movie theater, among other who is older is often living alone, and it tage Hills in Somers, older residents do

when he gave up driving because of macu- places. e program - o ered by appoint- can be lonely. ey have to get to appoint- have access to transportation that can take

lar degeneration. Since then, he’s been able ment - also provides transportation for ments and still want to go out, have their them shopping and to Metro-North, but

to count on getting important rides to his dialysis. hair done, or go to an event,” she says. they need to arrange their own rides to

doctor appointments from RideConnect.  “ is is not an easy place to get around. In addition to giving locals a volunteer health and other appointments. 

RideConnect is a program of Family I couldn’t go anywhere without a car opportunity, the community service aspect For 11 years, RideConnect, which is a

Services of Westchester that provides free around here,” says RideConnect Outreach allows for this: “Recently, a local theater program of Family Services of Westches-

volunteer transportation to older adults Coordinator Deb Casill who also lives in asked us to help get seniors in by o ering ter, has been matching volunteer drivers

throughout the county. the area. transportation,” Casill notes. with older adults in Westchester and Put-

“I’m legally blind,” he explains. “Ride- Another positive experience for seniors “We’ve had drivers take our seniors to nam Counties.

Connect has been very dependable and is the opportunity for them to become do their own volunteer work. at’s a nice Unlike donating time at many other

helpful.” volunteers for RideConnect. “We have spin on things. ey want to be active and nonpro ts, volunteering with RideCon-

Prior to their “lengthy retirement,” people in their 60s who drive,” she adds. independent in their community. It’s nice nect is totally exible – a plus for many

Charlie and Jenny owned a gift and acces- Typically, clients will book one ap- for them and for the drivers too. You have who are looking for opportunities to t

sories shop in Wilton, Conn. pointment ride per week. “ e programs enjoyable conversations. Both of you end their unique and speci c schedules.

up making a lovely connection with some- Choosing when you volunteer, who you

one, and you can’t imagine how apprecia- drive, and where you go is as easy as click-

tive they are. e volunteers feel really ap- ing into an easy online program RideCon-

preciated.” nect uses, then clicking the ride request (or

Being a volunteer is a exible arrange- requests) that t your schedule and loca-

ment. All are vetted with a  background tion preferences. 

check and once on board, they can log on One thing all volunteers have in com-

to a website to pick what rides they can mon though is the feeling of ful llment

provide. e majority of rides are for doc- and joy they get from making someone’s

tor appointments and clients must be able day by getting them where they need to

to ambulate on their own. go. Some give monthly and weekly rides,

During the COVID-19 pandemic in depending on what they choose and their

2020, when most people, especially seniors schedule.

weren’t going out, the program began a Somers couple Richard & Sue O’Brien

Shop and Drop service to get groceries for are volunteer drivers. Richard says he

local residents. drives weekly in general. “You meet in-

Jennifer Dallow - a North Salem resi- teresting people with interesting stories

dent, teacher and mother of two - volun- to tell. I had the opportunity to meet the

teered to shop. oldest man I’ve ever met. He was 104,” he

“I was teaching at home and had some says of the man who has since passed away.

availability,” says Dallow. She delivered to He’s taken many people to their doctor

two di erent clients from March to Sep- and one woman client to her regular hair-

tember and made a new friend through dresser appointments, among rides he’s

the e ort. given.

“I would drop the stu at the door and “ is allows them to stay in the com-

we’d chat via email. She would give me her munity. If I get to that point where I can’t

grocery list and I would shop. If she ran drive myself I hope someone would do it

out of an item she’d tell me, and I’d get for me,” says O’Brien.

it. She said the next time, stay for a glass According to Casill, the pandemic

of iced tea. We have a lot in common. We shopping programs are ready to wind

both used to live in Yonkers. She has a down, with clients now able to get to the

great sense of humor. I brought her Chi- supermarket. 

nese dinner and she treated me to Italian Meanwhile, volunteer drivers are urged

dinner,” Dallow recalls. to sign on to address the growing need of

Aside from being “helpful,” Dallow this life-changing service in the commu-

wanted to set a good example for her kids, nities RideConnect serves.

she says. “We were home locked in the

house, wiping down groceries. My own To learn more about volunteering for

mother is able to get out, but I know if she RideConnect or to see if you qualify for their

needed this kind of help I would like it if free rides, go to www.rideconnectwestchester.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIDECONNECT she had it.” org, or email [email protected],
Sue and Richard O’Brien, part of the network of RideConnect volunteers.
Every year, countless older adults like or call 914-232-7433.

Page 4 – North Salem News Thursday, September 9, 2021

THEATER that in a great city, or even in Wednesday, Sept. 1, that his the arts and other bene cial
FROM PAGE 2
The Staff a small city or a village, a great family is “incredibly thankful public purposes would “make

EDITORIAL TEAM theater is the outward and vis- that there’s an interest there and our hearts happy because it’s
TOM WALOGORSKY
EDITOR: 914-302-5830 community. ible sign of an inward and prov- thankful for the o er” from the what my mother would have
[email protected]
Lewis, who couldn’t be able culture.” town. wanted,” said Pope, who grew up
ADVERTISING TEAM
PAUL FORHAN blamed for having mixed emo- He sees North Salem’s move e Popes will do what they in Armonk.

(914) 806-3951 tions about the situation, said as “a big step forward in a very can to make the transition go
[email protected]
Tuesday that he still felt “cel- positive direction.” smoothly while the town does FILLING A NEED
BRUCE HELLER
(914) 486-7608 ebratory” because it means the “As far as our vision and the its due diligence, he said. e town has been looking
[email protected]
theater will be saved. town’s vision, goes, we’re looking “ ey need time to kick the for the right place for commu-
LISA KAIN
(201) 317-1139 Quoting Laurence Olivier, a through the same pair of bin- tires, so to speak,” Pope said. nity programs, many of which
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON towering gure of British stage oculars,” Lewis said. Having the former school- now have to take place in school
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] and screen, Lewis said: “I believe Christopher Pope said house continue to be used for spaces, and a permanent home

JAY GUSSAK for its elderly to socialize. ere
(914) 299-4541
[email protected] have already been programs go-
SHELLEY KILCOYNE
(914) 924-9122 From closets to kitchens ing on there already: children’s
[email protected] theater and dance classes, yoga,
GABRIELLE BILIK
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER to bedrooms and more, jam sessions for young musi-
[email protected] cians, art exhibits and even a

PRODUCTION TEAM barn doors make for the knitting circle.
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL “I expect this to blossom into
perfect functional accent piece.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR a bunch of di erent things,” Lu-
PHOTOGRAPHER
cas said Tuesday.
[email protected] While the town expects to
CHRISTINA ROSE
ART DIRECTOR/ close on the building this fall

DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Built with superior craftsmanship, and maybe open it to the public
[email protected]
by spring, there’s lots to be done.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRETT FREEMAN Woodgrain barn doors set the bar First it has to take out a Bond
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 for the industry’s highest standard of Anticipation Note (BAN), a
renewable one-year nancial
[email protected] authentic stile and rail construction.
instrument that will allow it to
Deadlines
borrow money at a relatively low
NORTH SALEM NEWS DEADLINE
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS Give your home a interest rate for the purchase.
timeless and rustic feel en it has to gure out what
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR with Woodgrain
barn doors. structural upgrades, from insu-
NORTH SALEM NEWS IS THE THURSDAY lation to roof repairs, will cost
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. before deciding how to fund the
rest.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL
TOM WALOGORSKY AT 914-302-5830 e money could come from
the town budget’s fund balances,
OR EMAIL NORTHSALEMNEWS@
HALSTONMEDIA.COM said Lucas, adding that he’s ap-

Online These barn doors are on display plied for grants that would not
FOLLOW US likely materialize for another

Location now at Interstate + Lakeland year or two.
Lumber’s Shrub Oak Meanwhile, the town is await-
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT
SOMERS, NY AND AT ing the results of a study of the

ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. Design Center. property’s well water for radio-
active contaminants. If there’s
POSTMASTER:
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO any kind of problem with the

NORTH SALEM NEWS AT well, the town can hook the
118 N. BEDFORD ROAD
building to the Croton Falls wa-
SUITE 100
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ter system, which Lucas admit-

North Salem News ted would not be cheap to do.
USPS #22110
White Squirrel Properties also
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC AT has agreed to pay for soil testing
118 N. BEDFORD ROAD
in the vicinity of an old fuel oil
SUITE 100
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 tank that may remain buried.

©2021 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Although the owners say they’ve

been told that the tank was

safely removed decades ago, they

have no supporting documenta-

tion. e town also has no o -

cial records related to the tank or

its removal.

Another potential kink is the

possibility the town will be pe-

titioned to hold a “permissive

referendum.”

e town has missed the

deadline to get a question on the

community center on the No-

vember ballot, so it would have

to schedule a special election.

at clock started ticking

the moment Lucas signed the

INTERSTATE + LAKELAND LUMBER purchase agreement. Residents
have 45 days in which to gather
What Dream Homes are Made of enough signatures – an estimat-
ed minimum of 350 – to force
1248 East Main Street •Shrub Oak NY 10588 • 914- 245- 5050 • www.interstatelumber.com the matter to a public vote.

Thursday, September 9, 2021 BALANCED ROCK North Salem News – Page 5

9/11 Remembrance the Hammond Museum. Art- ets only: Hammond member Putnam Service [email protected]. When you
Ceremonies
ist Mary McFerran will discuss $20, Non-member $25. Please Dogs email us, we will send you a link
NORTH SALEM to click on, and a password to
6 p.m. at North Salem Fire- the unique experience of blend- make reservations at www.ham-

house, 301 Titicus Rd. ing historical research with the mondmuseum.org or call 914- enter.

SOMERS creation of an artwork and share 669-5033 GOLF TOURNAMENT
10 a.m. at Bailey Park, corner
background information about North Salem Open Friday, September 17, at 9 a.m. CONVERSATION WITH
of routes 100 and 202 the photos, quotes, symbolism,
$175/golfer. Tee o at 9 a.m. LOCAL GARDENERS
MT. KISCO
6:15 p.m. at Mt. Kisco Li- and persons included in the in- Land Foundation Full breakfast and putting con- Saturday, September 11, from
stallation. Live at the Hammond
brary, 100 Main St. test 7:15 a.m. -8:45 a.m. Bar- 10 -11 a.m.

Croton Falls Museum at 1 p.m. becue lunch served after gol ng Meets monthly on the second
Community Church
For more information, please RACE FOR OPEN SPACE with beer & wine included. Lots Saturday of the month. Bring
9/11 REMEMBRANCE
Saturday, September 11, at 8 see www.hammondmuseum.org Sunday, September 12 of great prizes! Putnam County your questions and ideas to this

p.m. or call 914-669-5033 Join us for the rst-ever Race Golf Course, Mahopac. e informal group of local expert
An Ecumenical Service of
for Open Space, a family-friend- deadline to register is Friday, garden enthusiasts.
“Remembrance, Re ection and
Prayer.” e keynote speaker 55TH ANNUAL MOON ly trail run! is inaugural event September 10. Register at put-
will be North Salem Town Su-
pervisor Warren Lucas. e VIEWING CONCERT AND will be held at the much-loved, namservicedogs.org. For info, BAGELS AND BOOKS
community is invited to come
together on this 20th Anniver- DINNER bucolic Baxter Preserve. Am- call 845-490-0096. Single golf- Wednesday, September 15,
sary of the terror attacks. Mem-
bers and friends of the church Saturday, September 11, 2021, plify your support of our open ers welcome. All proceeds go from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
worked at St. Paul’s Chapel
providing support to the rst re- at 6:30 p.m. spaces in North Salem by ‘super towards the training of our dogs. Heather Ostman will discuss
sponders at Ground Zero in the
weeks following the attack. On Join us for this special tradi- charging’ your registration - add Ruth Keeler her new book, “ e Second
September 18, 2001, over 200 Chance Home for Girl,” de-
meatloaves were prepared and tion begun by Natalie Hays a fundraising goal, create a team,
delivered by the North Salem
community which marked the Hammond in 1966. invite family and friends to reg- Memorial Library scribed as a story of friendship
one week anniversary. e silver and freedom, loss and grief. We
crown suspended in the Sanctu- e garden opens at 6:30 p.m. ister, or post on your social me-
ary of the Church was dedicated
in memory of those who lost and the concert begins at 8:30 dia page(s). Every dollar raised e Keeler Library is open will have copies for you to read.
their lives on the rst anniver-
sary. Please join us as we mark p.m. Traditional Japanese koto will be put directly towards for browsing, computer use, and e group will meet in person at
this solemn occasion.
music by Ishigure Masayo. En- conserving the land you love. To reading! Please see our website the library, inside or out depend-

joy a Tea Ceremony demonstra- learn more or register, visit www. for more information. ing on the weather.

tion and Japanese bento-box nsolf.com Most of our programs are on

dinner, along with complemen- ZOOM. Send us an email if SEE ROCK PAGE 22
you want to participate: keeler-
tary sake and beer. Concert tick-

nor SCHISOEONNCOCIREESTYs
a
cade

societyMATHHONORS SV=CEODV=-SEVS•VHR
SCHOLARSNHOAOCTNIIEOOTNRYSALtop ho
my
ryan eddington >> athlete 2021 ARCHB
class of O L >>

Hammond Museum
& Japanese Stroll

Garden

ART FILLED SATURDAY S tepinacAP CAPSTONE gave me...
Saturday, September 11 ISHOP STE
Virtual Exhibition - Land- PINAC
join us >>open houses :: oct 20 &24 >> HI
scape Deconstructed: Mimi take a virtual tour @ stepinac.org GH SCHO
Czajka Graminski and Linda
Stillman

ArtWomen@Work Museum
Space at the Hammond Muse-
um is delighted to present, for its

rst virtual exhibition, the work
of two artists who are engaged
with transforming nature into
art. Each artist explores her rela-
tionship to the environment and
uses non-traditional materials
to record intimate observations
of her surroundings. Curated by
Bibiana Huang Matheis. Online
Facebook opening at 10 a.m.
and on view until June 2022.

Mary McFerran: Artist Talk
on “Suffragists”

You are cordially invited to
an Art Talk and guided tour
of “Su ragists,” a wall-collage
that is part of BroadPowers at