VOL. 6 NO. 11 THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 LEISURE 19 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 20 Wolves Win Big pg 20 PLAYOFFS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 On May 19, John Jay Middle School’s theater came alive at the 14th annual Rock the Halls Concert! More than 60 students performed, with proceeds from the event going to bene t KLSD ArtsAlive. See more photos from this electric evening on page 14! On May 19, John Jay Middle Rock on! PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER e biggest in-person voting in more than a decade swept Bill Swertfager and Lorraine Gallagher into seats on the KatonahLewisboro school board last week and approved the district’s $120 million budget. KLSD’s newest trustees each captured two-thirds of the more than 3,200 votes cast. And while Samantha Hirsch’s name was not on the ballot, her candidacy persuaded a third of May 16’s voters to write it in. O cial results, certi ed two days later by the school board, showed Gallagher the top vote-getter with 2,147. Swertfager, whose ouster as varsity wrestling coach last fall triggered a furious, months’ long community backlash, polled 2,127. Hirsh, who had not formally led to be on the ballot, drew 1,081 votes as a write-in candidate after a brief but clearly e ective campaign. e administration’s proposed $119,988,980 budget for 2023- 24 enjoyed its usual strong voter support, passing 2,052 to 1,215. Although it increased spending by Katonah-Lewisboro voters turn out in force Gallagher, Swertfager elected to Board of Ed SEE ELECTION PAGE 6 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi Find Out What Your Home Might Be Worth Scan for Instant Results #UGottaHaveHope New Listing! This charming 5 BR/3.1 BA Colonial is all about JOY. Gather the family & friends in the beautiful & spacious rooms or out on the sun porch & yard. Invite nanny or granny to live in the newly updated legal accessory apartment. Close to all and set on a lovely usable acre. $825,000 House of the Week!
PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 CLASSIFIEDS 18 LEISURE 17 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 14 Wolves Win Big pg 15 HOCKEY Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 On Jan. 7, the stage at John Jay High School came alive with the return of ArtsALIVE’s Encore Cabaret! See more photos from this amazing evening on page 10. Encore! PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO The cast performing “What I did for Love” from A Chorus Line. BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Who thought this was a good idea, anyway? Two young bandits, clearly not acquainted with the relentless calculus of risk and reward, knocked over the tiny Waccabuc post o ce the other day. Sure, they came away with all of about $200, perhaps more cash than they might have realized in a gas station stickup. But for that skimpy take-home they quickly had at least four law enforcement agencies—local, state and federal, including the FBI and postal-inspection service— in hot pursuit. By late last week, all were said to have the getaway car’s license-plate number and to be closing in on their quarry. Waccabuc’s mail service is centered in a quaint, one-story white-clapboard structure on Post O ce Road. Built in 1880, it’s a venerable piece of the Waccabuc Historic District and had never, as far as anyone can recall, been a target of desperadoes. Until Jan. 10. at’s the day the two men entered, says Lewisboro Police Chief David Alfano, who gave this account: Both intruders were packing pistols when they walked in around 4:30 in the afternoon. While one guarded the door, the other vaulted the counter to scoop up the cash register’s contents. Neither thug bothered to cover his face. Alfano described the stickup duo as black men in their 20s, about 5 foot 8 and 6 feet tall and said one wore an orange re- ective safety vest. Cash in hand, the two ed, seemingly successfully. But their getaway car had a date with today’s ubiquitous digital surveillance. “We did succeed in obtaining a registration from our license-plate reader on Route 35,” Alfano said. Relatively new technology, license-plate readers capture and cross-reference a car’s plates in real-time, allowing the police to issue alerts even as suspects on the run believe they’ve evaded their pursuers. Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a state police spokesman said. e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. Authorities hunt for Waccabuc post offi ce robbers HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi HAVE IT ALL AT HERITAGE HILLS! Absolutely one of the best locations in Heritage Hills - convenient, private and picturesque! Set on an expansive cul-de-sac, this desirable location offers beautiful year-round views of nature. Enjoy no steps in this one level light and bright updated 3-bedroom/2 full bath Croton II with a 2-car garage! $699,900 #UGottaHaveHope VOL. 5 NO. 44 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023 as suspects on the run believe they’ve evaded their pursuers. Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a state police spokesman said. e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. Authorities hunt for Waccabuc post offi ce robbers MAZZOLA Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com as suspects on the run believe Two postal employees, one of them a woman working the service counter, were in the building when the bandits struck, police said. eir names were being withheld. Neither was hurt, a e U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which traces its roots to 1775, more than a century before the Waccabuc post o ce went up, was “taking the lead” in the investigation, Alfano said. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 VOL. 5 NO. 47 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 CLASSIFIEDS 18 OBITUARIES 5 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 5 SPORTS 13 Scouts Give Back pg 10 TROOP 104 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CALDWELL, NJ WEST PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Taxpayers in the KatonahLewisboro School District are being asked whether, and by how much, they want to thank veterans and rst responders for their service. KLSD’s Board of Education is considering a package of tax-relief proposals for vets and others, including senior citizens and disabled persons. Although the various tax breaks—covering eligibility levels as well as dollar amounts—were authorized last year by state legislation, Albany neither mandates them nor makes up any revenue they cost the district, shifting that burden to other KLSD taxpayers. At their Feb. 2 meeting, board members generally supported proposed improvements in the tax-relief programs. But they were less enthusiastic about creating di erent taxing levels for di erent groups of residents without a complete nancial picture of the impact. Trustee William Rifkin appeared to sum up their unease. Although the board annually approves the schools’ $100 millionplus budgets and their subsequent hefty tax levy, that burden is meant to be shared evenly by district property owners. “Here,” Rifkin observed, “we’re picking people who will pay to honor [other] people, and we’re making the decision for them. It’s uncomfortable.” e board will hold a public hearing Feb. 23 on the various proposals, which are also under separate discussion by the Lewisboro Town Board. In the meantime, residents are invited to email questions and views to BOE@ klschools.org. e decision to turn to the community for feedback followed an 80-minute discussion at last week’s board meeting in which the trustees leaned toward increasing Veterans’ existing tax bene t to new top levels enacted by last year’s state legislation. Albany also eased eligibility requirements for tax breaks to the other groups. Volunteer re ghters and ambulance workers would now qualify for the bene t in two years, down from ve, and seniors and persons with disabilities would be given higher permissible income levels. In an email, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick said the district does not yet have “precise language for resolutions that may or may not be adopted on Feb. 23.” But he told board members they would have to act by about March 1 to assure that the new bene ts could go into e ect in the 2024-25 school year. Other nearby towns and school districts have already enacted tax breaks for Veterans, seniors and the disabled. Bedford, for example, acted last spring on Veterans, approving the maximum permissible levels, and voted relief for seniors and disabled persons at year’s end. e Bedford Central School District also voted last year to give Veterans the top exemption levels authorized in the new state law. Selesnick sat in last week for Danelle Pacella, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who had briefed the board Dec. 1 on potential Veterans-exemption increases. For his own discussion, SeleBoard of Education considers tax-relief proposals SEE KLSD PAGE 4 Following a big win on the road against Somers last week, Annabel Brennan and the Wolves are looking to make an impact in the postseason! Read more on page 14. HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words, Then This Amazing Story is A Best Seller! Meticulous and truly move-in ready, this sunny and spacious contemporary has been nicely updated and perfectly maintained. Located in Greenbriar with pool, tennis, basketball and clubhouse just moments from town, train, school and highways. Super low taxes! 4 BR/3 BA, 2,850sf $685,000 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 VOL. 5 NO. 34 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 7 SPORTS 20 Project Breaks Ground pg 16 PLAYGROUND Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER For more than 20 years, Coach Bill Swertfager has built John Jay High School’s wrestling program, from literally nothing to a perennial Section One contender. More signi cantly, he’s built a generation of young men and women who are now better adults thanks to the example he set and the life lessons he taught, scores of supporters told the Katonah-Lewisboro school board last week. Some 300 strong, a standingroom-only throng, they packed the board’s Nov. 3 meeting in the high school cafeteria to deliver full-throated support for Coach Bill. ey appealed to keep him at the wrestling program’s helm, beseeching school o cials in public a week ago after a complaint made in private more than a year ago put the coach’s job in jeopardy. In the spring of 2021, an unidenti ed person asserts, Swertfager slapped a player on the backside in a girls juniorvarsity softball game. Neither the KLSD administration nor the school board, bound by privacy regulations, is permitted to identify the complainant. One account making the rounds among the coach’s supporters insists that neither the player nor her parents have taken issue with his actions. Instead, this version holds, one of the girl’s teammates, “uncomfortable” with seeing the touch, complained about it. Swertfager, for his part, says he has no recollection of delivering what is the sports world’s longtime, spontaneous gesture of support or congratulations. “I have no idea who the player was that I supposedly did it to, or who the teammate was who was uncomfortable with it,” he said in an interview last weekend. “I simply don’t remember the incident. I am not saying it didn’t happen; I am just saying I don’t remember it.” ough he has been an integral part of John Jay’s athletic establishment for more than two decades, Swertfager is not a full-time KLSD employee. e owner of the Cross River-based marketing rm AIA Promotional Source, he draws only a token stipend from the school treasury. Whoever is varsity wrestling coach this winter will be paid $8,140 for the season. Still, the 63-year-old Swertfager noted in the interview, “I have dedicated my entire adult life, 40 years, to coaching boys and girls in seven sports, including softball, baseball, track and eld, boys and girls soccer, football, basketball and, of course, wrestling. ousands of young men and women without a single blemish on my record for anything.” e school board had been expected to appoint all coaches for winter sports at ursday’s meeting but ultimately put the matter over to the next meeting, Nov. 17, after a crescendo of voices insisted Coach Bill be retained. Swertfager had the rst word. Addressing the school board for Coach Bill Swertfager speaking before the Board of Education on Nov. 3. PHOTO: TOM BARTLEY Outpouring of support for John Jay coach following complaint SEE COACH PAGE 28 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 UH, OH! THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT ‘ME’, AGAIN! fi "Hope pulled out all the stops during the purchase of our home. She reached out to her contacts, connected us with her invaluable resources, negotiated on our behalf, and got us the keys to our dream house in a timely manner. She made herself available to us at all times, had our best interest at heart, and did not stop working for us - even after the closing. I can't say enough good things about Hope; without her on our team, there is no way my husband and I would have gotten our house." — CS, Purdys NY Your Local Expert. #UGottaHaveHope Another great transaction with 1. Clip the short form on this page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to: P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or Visit or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) 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We Need Your Support To Continue The Paper THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 would be given higher permissible In an email, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick said the district does not yet have “precise language for resolutions that may or may not be adopted on Feb. 23.” But he told board members they would have to act by about March 1 to assure that the new bene ts could go into e ect in the 2024-25 Other nearby towns and school districts have already enacted tax breaks for Veterans, seniors and the disabled. Bedford, for example, acted last spring on Veterans, approving the maximum permissible levels, and voted relief for seniors and disabled persons at year’s end. e Bedford Central School District also voted last year to give Veterans the top exemption levels authorized in the new state law. Selesnick sat in last week for Danelle Pacella, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, who had briefed the board Dec. 1 on potential Veterans-exemption For his own discussion, SeleSEE KLSD PAGE 4 fi VOL. 5 NO. 34 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 7 SPORTS 20 Project Breaks Ground PLAYGROUND BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER For more than 20 years, Coach Bill Swertfager has built John Jay High School’s wrestling program, from literally nothing to a perennial Section One contender. More signi cantly, he’s built a generation of young men and women who are now better adults thanks to the example he set and the life lessons he taught, scores of supporters told the Katonah-Lewisboro school board last week. Some 300 strong, a standingroom-only throng, they packed the board’s Nov. 3 meeting in the high school cafeteria to deliver full-throated support for Coach Bill. ey appealed to keep him at the wrestling program’s helm, beseeching school o cials in public a week ago after a complaint made in private more than a year ago put the coach’s job in jeopardy. In the spring of 2021, an unidenti ed person asserts, Swertfager slapped a player on among the coach’s supporters insists that neither the player nor her parents have taken issue with his actions. Instead, this version holds, one of the girl’s teammates, “uncomfortable” with seeing the touch, complained about it. Swertfager, for his part, says he has no recollection of delivering what is the sports world’s longtime, spontaneous gesture of support or congratulations. “I have no idea who the player was that I supposedly did it to, or who the teammate was who was uncomfortable with it,” he said in an interview last weekend. “I simply don’t remember the incident. I am not saying it didn’t happen; I am just saying I don’t remember it.” ough he has been an integral part of John Jay’s athletic establishment for more than Outpouring of support for John Jay coach following complaint UH, OH! THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT ‘ME’, AGAIN! fi "Hope pulled out all the stops during the purchase of our home. She reached out to her contacts, connected us with her invaluable resources, negotiated on our behalf, and got us the keys to our dream house in a timely manner. She made herself available to us at all times, had our best interest at heart, and did not stop working for us - even after the closing. I can't say enough good things about Hope; without her on our team, there is no way my husband and I would have gotten our house." — CS, Purdys NY Your Local Expert. Another great transaction with THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 VOL. 5 NO. 48 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 21 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 17 Heading for States pg 17 GYMNASTICS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cardinal Timothy Dolan scored some big points with the clergy at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah with a blessing of a newly renovated gymnasium. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, led a Saturday night mass at the parish’s school building on Valley Road. Hundreds gathered on Feb. 11 to celebrate the new gym, which serves as a facility for various sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. “Let me say again how happy I am to be with you here at St. Mary’s Parish in Katonah,” Dolan said in his homily. “Of all the duties that I have as your archbishop, this one is what I relish the most, to be with you, God’s people, for the most important thing we do every week: o er the holy sacri ce of mass.” e e ort to renovate the Cardinal Dolan visits Katonah Archbishop praises St. Mary’s for investing in sports and spirituality Cardinal Dolan at St. Mary’s on Feb. 11. PHOTO: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER ‘You’ve got a good thing going here at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah.’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bedford’s Town Board, which last year improved the propertytax breaks it gives veterans and others, is looking now to add rst responders to that list. e board last week scheduled a public hearing for next month on a proposal that would cut the length of service time needed before volunteer re ghters and ambulance crew members could claim a 10 percent reduction on the assessed value of their homes. More than simply a “thank you” for the critical services these volunteers provide, the cut in qualifying time from ve years to two is seen as a potential recruiting enticement. Bedford’s emergency services are having “quite a challenge” bringing in new members, Supervisor Ellen Calves said in introducing the measure at the board’s Feb. 7 meeting. Similar proposals, all based on recent changes in state law, are under consideration by the Lewisboro Town Board and the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, the latter representing by far the biggest chunk of local homeowners’ property taxes. Exemptions would apply only to primary residences. All told, the breaks that have either been enacted or are under consideration in the three taxing jurisdictions would bene t veterans, rst responders, senior citizens and the disabled. e money they would save—expected to be a relatively small piece of their total tax bill— would have to be made up by the other town and school district residents, those not in one of the qualifying categories e tax bills of those other residents likely would not see signi cant increases, Bedford Assessor Harold Girdlestone said in proposing the expanded break last week. “ e ve-to-two-years [service requirement] wouldn’t be much of an impact,” he told the board, saying “to wait ve years is really a long time.” Saluting the volunteers who roll on myriad emergency calls 24/7, Girdlestone said, “ e service they provide is really unbelievable.” Bedford contemplates first responder tax break SEE DOLAN PAGE 3 SEE BEDFORD PAGE 4 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice Licensed Associate Real Est President ate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi What Dreams Are Made Of! Car Collectors - Landscapers - Contractors - Studio - whatever space you need or want to do, this 8-car garage will totally deliver. Add the 900 sf move-in ready ranch with gleaming wood floors, new kitchen appliances and a lovely 1/2 acre lot - all for one low price and with super low taxes. Garage has full heat, AC, hot water/drain and super high ceilings. The total package for living, rental or as a hangout. A rare bird for sure and not going to last so call me today! $499,000 Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) 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THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR On Memorial Day, the community will gather to remember and honor the military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country. GBFD PARADE & CEREMONY On Monday, May 29, e Golden’s Bridge Fire Department invites residents to a community parade, wreath-laying ceremony, and breakfast as part of the day’s festivities. e parade will end with members of the community and re ghters placing a memorial wreath at the American Legion monument situated outside the entrance of the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse. Fire ghters will read the names of the 76 Goldens Bridge residents engraved on the monument’s bronze plaques, memorializing their service in World Wars I and II. At the conclusion of the ceremony, all participants and attendees will be invited into the rehouse for a breakfast banquet of bagels, mu ns, donuts, juice, and co ee. GBFD o cials have extended the invitation to all residents and military veterans who live in the re district to participate, also encouraging local youngsters to festively decorate their bicycles and ride them in the parade. “We are asking Goldens Bridge residents to participate in this community event in observance of those who died in military service to our country,” says Fire Commissioner Joseph Simoncini. “Memorial Day, originally called ‘Decoration Day,’ is a time-honored tradition whose roots date back to the post-Civil War era, when Americans decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with memorials of owers, wreaths and ags. It’s a wonderful way to start your Memorial Day – coming to the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse and joining your friends, neighbors, and re ghters to honor our war deceased, especially those who lived in Goldens Bridge and whose names are forever etched in history on the magni cent monument under the care of the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department.” Participants in the Line of March will gather at 9:30 a.m. at the step-o point on Todd Hill Circle in the Brady’s Farm development (o Rt. 138, just beyond the rehouse). e parade will begin at 10 a.m. Residents who want to participate as spectators should arrive at the rehouse by 9:30 a.m. to be in place to greet the re trucks, contingent of uniformed re ghters bearing the American ag, and other participants as they turn into the GBFD parking lot. In addition to the presence of GBFD o cials, several local youths will also play an integral part in the day’s festivities. Kaeleigh Picco will sing the National Anthem, and Ben Foglio, a student at Increase Miller Elementary School, will ride on the lead re truck and serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. MEMORIAL DAY IN SOUTH SALEM South Salem’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony will also be held on Monday, May 29. e parade will form at 11:45 a.m. from the intersection of Spring Street and Lake Shore Drive in South Salem and step o at 12:15 for the march to the Town House. Community readies for Memorial Day John Jay High School’s Orchestra, conducted by Elissa Leventhal, received a Superior rating/1st Place and the Esprit de Corps Award at Music in the Parks on May 12. e regional competition included judged performances at Middletown High School South in New Jersey and rollercoaster rides at Six Flags Adventure Park. Music in the Parks describes the Esprit de Corps award as “Presented to students from a school who demonstrated proper social behavior as well as musical behavior/encouragement. ey possess the qualities of highly successful people who are sensitive to the feelings of others and applaud accomplishments no matter if by one’s own school or another school. Evaluation has taken place from arrival at the festival site to the awards presentation.” “I am so incredibly proud of the John Jay High School Orchestra on their accomplishment at Music in the Parks,” said Leventhal. “My students have worked so hard on their music, and I am thrilled that they have reached this goal. Not only did they earn the highest rating in their ensemble category, but they also won the Spirit Award for their conduct throughout the festival. Congratulations to all orchestra members – you’ve made our community so proud!” Article provided by KatonahLewisboro School District. Showing some spirit! The JJHS Orchestra received a Superior rating/1st Place and the Esprit de Corps Award at Music in the Parks. My students have worked so hard on their music, and I am thrilled that they have reached this goal.’ Elissa Leventhal John Jay High School Orchestra Conductor John Jay Orchestra shines at Music in the Parks
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Katonah-Lewisboro Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY HALSTON MEDIA, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC PAGE 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 “Reaching our local neighborhood customers is exactly why we chose Halston Media. Everyone loves the local news. Living in the area as well as owning a business makes it easy to understand why we ‘advertise local’. Halston Media is definitely our best bang for the buck.” John Barile Owner, Sam’s Ceramic & Tile Harvey’s Robotics Program will need to make room in its trophy case for another piece of hardware after a team of RoboCavs won a major award at the VEX 2023 World Championship tournament in Dallas. Harvey’s team 6277C, made up of junior Katie McCulloch and sophomores Meaghan Sullivan and Logan Alexander, a Goldens Bridge resident, captured the prestigious Innovate Award for demonstrating a strong combination of ingenuity and innovation in the design of their robot. e award recognizes unique engineering concepts and outside of the box problem solving in response to the complex challenges of the game. “Katie, Meaghan and Logan worked collaboratively, communicated their ideas e ectively, and demonstrated strong leadership all season,” said Harvey’s technology director and RoboCavs co-coach John Wahlers. “ is award recognizes their accomplishment at the highest level.” e VEX 2023 World Championship is highly anticipated and brings together some of the brightest young minds from around the globe. is annual competition is organized by the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation, which aims to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through the exciting world of robotics. e competition allows robotics teams to showcase their innovative designs and problem-solving skills in a variety of challenges. Team 6277C was one of three Harvey teams that quali ed to compete in this year’s World Championship. RoboCavs teams 6277B with junior Blake Friedman and sophomore Ben Zilberstein and 62777D with senior Eli Birch of Yorktown Heights, senior Alex Rynott of Mount Kisco, and junior Julian Marin also earned bids to compete in Dallas. Qualifying for the competition is a season-long process with over 11,500 from 40 countries vying for 800 spots. “ e world championship event is not only an opportunity for students to test their skills and knowledge in a competitive environment but also a chance to network with other like-minded individuals and learn from experts in the eld,’ Harvey robotics director and co-coach Chris Kelly said. e Dallas tournament put the wraps on another year of competition for Harvey’s RoboCavs who have won a combined 20 major tournament awards. Although participating in tournaments during the school year is exciting and fun for both students and coaches alike, Mr. Kelly says there’s much more at stake. “Our number one priority is to teach our students to be problem-solvers and critical thinkers,” Mr. Kelly said. Mr. Wahlers said robotics is not all about winning tournaments and capturing awards. He said, “Robotics creates an environment that encourages our students to become more creative, innovative, collaborative and adaptable. He added, “ e true measure of their success is they have developed the ability to learn from their mistakes. Learning to overcome obstacles in the pursuit of their goals is a skill that is transferable to all areas of their lives.” Finishing up its ninth year, Harvey’s highly successful robotics program over that span has produced dozens of regional tournament wins, a state championship, multiple awards for both excellence and design, quali ed for the World Championship ve times - winning a World Championship Excellence award in 2021, and winning the 2023 open division at this year’s Create US Open national championship, which they also won in 2016. Article courtesy of e Harvey School. Harvey Robotics takes top award at World Championship Team 6277C, consisting of Katie McCulloch, Meaghan Sullivan, and Logan Alexander. TOWN CROSSING Memorial Day in South Salem Monday, May 29, at 11:45 a.m. e Town House has announced that the Town’s annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony will again take place this year and will be held on Monday, May 29. e parade will form at 11:45 a.m. from the intersection of Spring Street and Lake Shore Drive in South Salem and step o at 12:15 for the march to the Town House. All Veterans and Town civic organizations are invited to march. Please contact the Town Clerk’s o© ce at 763-3511 or email to [email protected] if you plan to join the parade. Lewisboro Comprehensive Plan Update www.lewisborogov.com/cmpsc HAMLET WORKSHOPS ree opportunities to review proposed vision and goals. Provide input for your hamlet! (Content is the same for all formats.) Hamlet speci c workshops will be held at the town planning o© ces at 79 Bouton Road in South Salem from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 2 to 4 p.m. Childcare provided by Country Children’s Center. Vista & Lewisboro Saturday, June 10 All Hamlets Workshop Sunday, June 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. An online survey will be available until June 30. Spanish and Chinese translation available. South Salem Presbyterian Church 111 Spring Street, South Salem MEMORIAL DAY 10K, 5K AND FUN RUN Monday, May 29 Back by popular demand! More than 400 runners from Lewisboro and surrounding towns will participate on a certi- ed course from Main Street in South Salem around Lake Truesdale to the nish line at Lewisboro Library where ribbons and SEE CROSSING PAGE 7
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 5 Lawton Adams Serving communities Throughout the tri-state region for over 80 years recycling: We accept clean concrete, blacktop, rock, stumps, logs, brush and leaves at our yard for recycling. Go green by keeping your recyclable construction debris out of landfills and by purchasing inexpensive, high quality, and approved recycled materials! construction materials: Sand, gravel, Item#4, Portland cement, re-bar, wire mesh, concrete block, filter fabric, silt fence, drainage pipe & fittings, plastic drywells, precast boxes & basins, and much more! Delivered or picked up at our yard. winter ice control products: Bulk & bagged rock salt, sand & salt mix, traction sand, bagged calcium chloride, bagged magnesium chloride and a variety of snow shovels & ice scrapers. Delivered or picked up at our yard. landscape materials: Topsoil, compost subsoil, clean dirt fill, hardwood mulch, Nutri-Peat, flagstone, wallstone, boulders, steppers & garden path stones, Jonathan Green grass seed, fertilizer, hand tolls, and much more! Delivered or picked up at our yard. Equestrian projects: Designs and installation of both commercial and private indoor and outdoor areas, grass or dry paddocks, grand prix and derby fields, tracks, ring maintenance, dust control, and a variety of quality footing (visit footingfirst.com for more details). 260 Route 100 • Somers, New York 10589 914 232-3275 LawtonAdams.com • lic WC2139-H89 We accept clean concrete, blacktop, VISIT: WWW.LAWTONADAMS.COM FOR OUR COMPREHENSIVE PRICE LIST INTRODUCING THE EQUESTRIAN BUFFER UNDERLAYMENT SYSTEM FROM The Equestrian Buffer Underlayment System (EBUS) consists of subterranean mats made of recycled rubber, which we install beneath our proprietary dust-free or water-dependent footings. EBUS efectively reduces concussion and vibration for the horse and rider in both indoor and outdoor arenas. Footingfirst.com - [email protected] 914.980.0123
PAGE 6 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 WHERE HORSE & RIDER BECOME ONE A Unique & Outstanding Horse Riding Experience 21 Waccabuc River Lane, South Salem 203-613-1146 • hazelnutfarmny.com Hazelnut Farms is a full service barn o ering two levels of board and horseback riding lessons in Dressage, Hunter, Jumper and Equitation. We teach Students of all ages and skill levels, including new riders and those who want to rediscover their love for horses. HazelnutFarm Est. 2007 BOARDING • LESSONS TRAINING • LEASING 3.64 percent, the budget raised the property-tax levy by only 1.56 percent, well under the state’s cap on tax hikes, thanks to a sizable infusion of state aid and other factors. A second ballot question on transportation did not enjoy the same overwhelming approval. Proposition 2 needed taxpayer approval to spend $950,000 already in district co ers to replace a half-dozen school buses, vans and trucks with electric, hybrid or fuel vehicles. Although the proposition would not impose any new taxes, its approval came by a smaller margin, 1,944 to 1,318. School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick thanked residents who voted, saying he was “deeply appreciative of the community’s show of support for our students and our schools by passing both propositions. More than 3,260 residents went to the polls at KLSD’s three elementary schools. e largest turnout for in-person voting in more than a decade, it easily eclipsed the previous high for walk-in voting: 2,281 in 2014, amid controversy over shutting down Lewisboro Elementary School. In 2020—in a one-o , pandemic-year election—voting was by mail and brought some 5,000 responses. Last year, with three board incumbents facing three challengers, 2,255 voted. is year, only Swertfager and Gallagher were on the ballot after incumbents William Rifkin and Catharine Oestreicher announced last month that they were not seeking re-election. So, the high turnout would appear to owe its numbers to Hirsh’s write-in candidacy and Swertfager’s termination. Last Nov. 3, more than 300 people lled the high school cafeteria, imploring KLSD o cials to keep Swertfager at the helm of John Jay’s wrestling program. But two weeks later, even as the community backlash continued, six of the currently serving trustees approved Selesnick’s recommended winter coaching slate, which did not include Swertfager. Board Vice President Julia Hadlock abstained, but the other votes e ectively ended the coach’s storied, two-decade career mentoring John Jay athletes and others. Coach Bill, as a legion of supporters fondly calls him, had built the program over the school’s wrestling program. But he earned the abiding respect and appreciation of his athletes, their parents and others not simply for the skills he imparted on the mats but perhaps more importantly the values he instilled in them for life. Still, showing no bitterness, Swertfager said after last week’s vote that he was “ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work” on a number of issues, including communication and transparency, scal responsibility, reading literacy and special education. He and Gallagher, president of the John Jay Boosters Club and a staunch as well as vocal Swertfager supporter throughout the coaching protests, thanked their voters. Gallagher said she was “grateful to each person who supported me throughout this journey, but especially my family and the entire Swertfager family. I could not have done it without them.” “I am committed to this community,” she said, “and am looking forward to making it better for everyone. I hope Samantha [Hirsh] and her supporters continue to show up and make their voices heard. Now is the time to come together and work for the common good.” Hirsh, a longtime educator and mother of an Increase Miller rst-grader, congratulated the new trustees-elect and said she hoped they will “approach their roles with utmost dedication, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving our community.” After announcing her candidacy last month—more than a week after the deadline to submit nominating petitions and only three weeks before the voting—Hirsh nevertheless attracted the support of “nearly 1,100 people who believed in my candidacy and took the time to cast their write-in votes.” By contrast, consider: In 2019, two write-in candidates shared a total of only 869 votes. “Although I was not elected yesterday,” she said in the immediate aftermath of the voting, “I remain committed to advocating for continuously improving our education system and will continue my work and volunteering to make a positive impact in our community.” Hirsh expressed gratitude for her voters’ support and said, “I am proud of the fact that my candidacy gave people a choice and allowed for the democratic process to prevail during the election.” ELECTION FROM PAGE 1 PHOTO: TOM BARTLEY Lorraine Gallagher, son Ian and Bill Swertfager anxiously awaiting the results on election night.
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com fifffflffiflflfflflfffflffifl fifffflffiflflflffflflflffiffflff ff ffifl fflffl ffflfl ffiflfflflffl flfflflffffl fl flfffl ff fl fl ffl fl ffi ffiflffffflfflffflfffflffi flfflfl ffl fl ffi flffiffflffiffflffifffl ffiffff fflffi ffflffi ffifl flffflffiflfffl ffflffff flfflfl fflflfflffflflflffifl fl fl flfflflfffflffi fl ffi DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE to lock-in these incentive savings! FEDERAL INCENTIVE: 30% of the total cost STATE INCENTIVE: $5,000 UTILITY COMPANY INCENTIVE: Up to $20,000 HYBRID HOT WATER HEATER: $1000 Rebate SUPER SAVINGS on your Heat Pump project while program funding lasts... CALL NOW TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY! fifffflffiflfififflfifflffl fiff ffl ffl fi fffflffifl fifffflffiflffiflffi Honoring Our Heroes This Memorial Day. awards are ceremoniously presented. e 10K begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:30 a.m., and the Mile Fun Run at 10:45 a.m. To register, visit https:// events.elitefeats.com/23salem. For more information, email sspcmemorialdayraces@gmail. com Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 www.lewisborolibrary.org GET YOUR LEWISBORO ILLUSTRATED POSTER e Library is now selling a newly completed poster print highlighting the town of Lewisboro. Created by artist Marilena Perilli, “Lewisboro Illustrated” includes several of the many special parts that make up the six hamlets. e poster is 24”w x 18”h, and is available for $65. Proceeds bene t both the Lewisboro Library and the Lewisboro Town Park Playground Improvement Project. Posters may be purchased in person at the Library, or ordered online via the Library website and then picked up at the Library. View the poster and order online at www.lewisborolibrary.org. VIRTUAL PRESENTATION ON ‘LIVING WITH BLACK BEARS’ On Tuesday, May 30, at 7 p.m., the Library is hosting a virtual presentation on “Living with Black Bears.” Jonathan Russell, Wildlife Biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will talk about how DEC manages black bear populations, research, and con ict mitigation. Learn about bear biology, behavior, and measures you can take to avoid human-bear con icts. Please register for the Zoom link via the Library website. WORKSHOPS FOR CAREGIVERS e library is hosting inperson workshops this summer for individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, as a way for caregivers to learn and share experiences. e rst one, “Alzheimer’s Caregivers: E¦ ective Communication Strategies,” takes place on ursday, June 8 at 2 p.m. is program helps explain the communication changes that take place in a person with dementia and identify strategies to connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. Space is limited and registration is required via the library website. e woorkshop will be presented by the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. COMEDY NIGHT AT THE LEWISBORO LIBRARY e “Hard Headed Comedy Showcase” returns to the Lewisboro Library on Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m. is event features SIX stand-up comics – who regularly perform on TV, podcasts and comedy clubs – and now on stage at the Library! Reserve seats today for $40 per person – whether for a unique Father’s Day gift or a hilarious date night. Get a NYC comedy club experience, right here in Lewisboro! Comics appearing that night include: Pedro Gonzalez, Meghan O’Malley, Shelly Colman, Michael Harrison, Alex Kollar and host Luz Michelle. Luz is a local resident who as Founder of Hard Headed ComedyTM, produces showcases with a dynamic mix of established and emerging comedic talents. is is the fourth Comedy Night fundraiser she has organized for her hometown library. Reserved seating can be purchased in person at the Library or online via the Library website: https://lewisborolibrary.org. e $40 fee includes wine, beer and dessert. is event is a bene t for the Lewisboro Library and is sponsored by Salem Wine & Liquor. For information call 914-875-9004. Westchester Female Flag Football Registration is open for Summer Female Flag Football under the lights! Westchester Female Flag Football, powered by Gridiron Partners, o¦ ers a summer league for adults ( ursday evenings) and youth (Tuesday evenings) from late June through early August at the Somers High School main football turf eld. Please visit their website to learn more and register https://clubs. bluesombrero.com/gridiron. Visit them on Instagram and Facebook @gridironpartnersinc St John’s Episcopal Parish 82 Spring St., South Salem FOOD PANTRY Spread the word and get involved with the St. John’s Food Pantry! Distribution is every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. John’s. A food pantry box is available in the church parking lot 24/7 for those who cannot make it to pick up on Saturday morning - please take whatever you need from the box, as it will be replenished. Katonah Village Library 26 Bedford Rd, Katonah, NY 10536 www.katonahlibrary.org SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP Did you take Spanish in high School or college and wish you could practice the language again? ere’s a group for you! Join on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 11:30 a.m. for Spanish Conversation Group. Register on the library’s website calendar. SIT AND KNIT AND OTHER HAND-CRAFTS Exchange pattern ideas, use your skills to help others - and most importantly - have fun! is group meets the rst two Mondays of every month. However, holidays may impact. Check the website for updated times. NEED SOME TECH HELP? Get help with iPhones/Androids, Ebooks, Kindles, tablets, Zoom, Skype and more. Sign up for free one-on-one 30 minute tech support sessions. Tech-helper, Lucas, is a JJHS Junior, a volunteer for the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corp and an aspiring software engineer. Call to reserve a ursday or Saturday time. 914- 232-3508. CROSSING FROM PAGE 4 TOWN CROSSING
Opinion PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 2 TRACKS BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Oice: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its ailiates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC BY MIKE PALLADINO GUEST COLUMNIST Editor’s Note: Mike Palladino is chair of the Bedford Republican Party and is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to [email protected]. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit. I recently created a survey to better understand the concerns of Bedford residents. Circulated to a few hundred people of various demographic and political backgrounds, I wanted to gather feedback in order to help my goal of representing the people of Bedford - ALL of the people. is should not be such a novel idea. However, over the last four years I’ve witnessed a vemember Town Board that fails to listen to — or dare I say represent — all of its constituents. Instead, it has used its position of power to push a national agenda or use the local seat as a platform for a career in higher politics. Given my participation in local civic life — and not to mention having knocked on a few hundred doors collecting signatures over the last few weeks — I consider myself pretty in tune with the pulse of Bedford residents. So I wasn’t too surprised with the most popular survey responses: lack of balance on the board, national politics at the local level, Bedford Hills neglect, The saddest result of the extreme vitriol and animosity expressed between Americans today is that it has ltered down to the local level. So, when I see something positive, I want to go out of my way to oer praise. is newspaper is often on the receiving end of hate mail from both liberals and conservatives. Each side is convinced that we’re either an “extreme right-wing mouthpiece” or “liberal rag.” Some on the political left tend to hate my Publisher’s Memos, but nobody has ever been able to identify anything hateful I’ve actually written. We’re also not immune from hate mail from people on the political right, who sometimes call to cancel us because I don’t censor our liberal columnists and because we cover progressive causes on our news pages. As a community newspaper, we’re going to cover Columbus Day parades and Pride marches. Short of views expressed outside a pretty wide range across the Overton Window, we will never cancel anyone. Additionally, not everything is reduceable to politics. Regardless of my personal feelings about any topics, we are charged with evaluating everyone as individuals. If people and organizations in town treat us with respect, we will oer the same respect in return. In January, I wrote a Publisher’s Memo titled “DEI versus academic freedom: A critique of critical race theory in our schools.” I received a lot of private praise and some public criticism for writing that piece. But one group, Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam, went a step further and invited me to meet with the leaders of their organization. On March 4, I met with ve members of the Race Amity Steering Committee at the Somers Library for what turned out to be about a three-hour conversation, the details of which we all agreed would remain o the record. But there are some things I am permitted to reveal. First o, Race Amity is strictly a non-partisan organization. While I had signicant political disagreements with one or more of the vocal people at the meeting (and I assume even more signicant disagreements with the less vocal people), I came away genuinely liking the people with whom I met. I hope they felt the same about me! ey made it clear at the beginning of the meeting that there was no plan to attack me. No, they didn’t think I was a racist for my positions on DEI. ey shared their personal backgrounds and gave me the same opportunity to share mine. Most importantly, we saw each other as human beings with value. We were united in our goals to reduce racism and hate, but we diered at times in how to get there. A couple of days after our meeting, I sent the Race Amity members the following note: “It was a pleasure to meet with all of you! Stepping back from our conversation a bit, I think I came away with the fact that some things are beyond politics. I appreciate that each of you saw my humanity regardless of how you felt about my positions on politics. I know we got into some debates, but what stuck with me is what we had in common, which is a sincere desire to heal our nation and to make connections with people. “If everyone could approach disagreements in the manner in which your organization approached them, then this world would be a much better place. I’m not familiar with Bahai theology [the religion of a couple of the members], but as a Jew, I know that you all are practicing Tikkun Olam, which in Hebrew means the act of engaging with people in a way that seeks to repair the world. I truly hope that this is the beginning of a great relationship between the local paper and Race Amity. Wishing you all the best.” Unlike my productive meeting with Racy Amity, these days, unfortunately, people too often are brutal to one another. I witness the vitriol of the various local groups on social media. People on the left and the right are both guilty of this. It is simply sad if one can’t debate topics civilly without calling people names. Yes, this includes calling people racists because of some “dog whistle” one is convinced exists. It used to be that we called If you want to stop hate, stop hating In praise of Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO SEE FREEMAN PAGE 11 What Bedford residents are looking for SEE PALLADINO PAGE 9
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years Do you understand the dierence between an irrevocable and a revocable trust? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 outsourcing to consultants, etc. But there were a number of themes that did surprise me, speci cally quite a few questioning town committee and board appointments. Here’s a sample: • ere are too many “consultant” and “advisory” committees and there’s not a real listing about how many there are, who is on them and whether they are politically balanced. • We need more transparency in our town as it relates to boards. • e process of key volunteer board appointments is closed/opaque and there is no accountability for outcomes. Some are clearly incompetent but are reappointed repeatedly despite other high quality candidates available and willing to serve. Refreshing all boards periodically, volunteer or elected, is critical to e ective, open, honest, impartial functioning of government at all levels. Sure, the Town Board positions are supposed to be elected seats. However, the trend over the last few years has seen elected o cials vacating their terms early and enabling unelected appointees to inherit powers of what should be democratically elected positions. Former Supervisor Chris Burdick (D) did not ful ll his full term, leaving for State Assembly and orchestrating a behind-closed-doors appointment of MaryAnn Carr (D) back in 2021. is appointment — to the Supervisor seat no less — all happened without public notice. at appointment vacated Carr’s previously held seat to which the Town Board appointed Stephanie McCaine (D). Learning from this practice, thenTown Board member Ellen Calves bailed on her rst term and ran for Supervisor in 2021, which allowed her to appoint Tom Catoliato (D) to ll her vacated seat on the Board in 2022. Tom had long been registered as an Independent, but changed his party a liation to Democrat that same year, according to publicly available Board of Election data. Let’s hope this was a remarkable coincidence, otherwise being a registered Democrat looks a lot like a requirement for an appointment. ere is even less transparency at the town committee level. I’ve been personally frustrated over the last few years after not hearing a word back after the many applications I’ve submitted for vacant and advertised seats. Only once did I get a response — from Kate Galligan, then Deputy Supervisor — who claimed that “none of the committees you indicated being of interest to you are currently appointing new members.” is was a pretty remarkable reply despite the weekly Supervisor newsletter asking for volunteers. Should I read between the lines: “Republicans active in civic life need not apply?” Interestingly, that tune changed recently when I heard back from Calves’ chief of sta , who told me that the Town Board wanted to schedule an interview for the Recreation Parks Advisory Committee vacancy that I applied to many weeks prior. I was elated and got to work preparing for the interview, including chatting with a handful of neighbors about their impression of Parks & Rec and even reaching out to the person who had vacated the seat due to moving out of town. I put together a resume and showed up at the meeting location a full 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Councilwoman Stephanie McCaine — who serves as the Town Board liaison to the committee — arrived at 4 p.m. on the dot and I was ready to get started. However, we were still waiting on Councilwoman Bobbi Bittker, as she was running late. I was surprised to hear that because 1) Bittker had no o cial role with the Recreation Parks Advisory Committee and 2) she is on record as being a staunch opponent of me (thanks to an embarrassingly bad email that she sent just a few months ago). If there was ever a time to recuse oneself, you would think this would be the time. But I guess that’s not the rules by which this Town Board plays. So the fate of my application lies in the hands of someone who openly dislikes me for my political registration. But equally abusive, she is a person in a position of power who has zero a liation with the committee under review. Survey says: the people are right — there needs to be some more transparency around the list of town committees, who sits on them, and how they are appointed. Otherwise, how is every resident supposed to feel welcomed to contribute to local civic life? How is every resident to know that their governing body and its sub-committees truly represents all the people? Mike Palladino is chair of the Bedford Republican Party and is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. PALLADINO FROM PAGE 8 Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times need to be a high-resolution image. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to [email protected] or mail it to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned.
PAGE 10 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 Cremations and Burials DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. Editor’s Note: Don Scott is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to [email protected]. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit. I have not been able to keep my eyes o the George Santos train wreck over the past six months. With his recent 13-count indictment, the show may be mercifully entering its nal act, although it is certain to generate many more headlines along the way. Hindsight being what it is, it is unfathomable how this guy got to the starting gate, much less win an election for the U.S. Congress in a hotly contested district. Santos should resign; that much is obvious. But I am not a fan of having him removed via a congressional procedure until he is convicted of a crime. Even he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in our system. Removing members of Congress for lying would set a bad precedent, and it could create a lot more vacancies. e number of lies told and scams run by Santos is mind boggling, yet none of them seemed interesting to any of the gatekeepers we depend on to make sure that candidates are properly vetted. Both political parties are to blame, along with the media who had little interest in scratching the surface of claims Santos made that were seemingly ridiculous at the time they were rst uttered. His sensational stories about his lineage, employment history and net worth included in his resume and bio would have been debunked by a low-level bureaucrat in an HR department with a few phone calls, yet none of those charged with the responsibility doing the checking seemed to engage. e rst level of protection should have been provided by the party bosses of his own Republican Party prior to nominating him for o ce. at didn’t happen. At the next level, basic opposition research should have been conducted by the Democratic Party -- again crickets. Robert Zimmerman, the Democrat that lost to Santos, must be looking himself in the mirror every morning asking himself how he ever lost to this fraudster. en the next level of protection should have been journalists and the media. But no one at Politico, e New York Times, New York Newsday, e Post or any other major news outlet took any interest in the story until after the election when e Times nally ran a story. ere is one exception in this chain of failure though, and it is a local Long Island newspaper,” e North Shore Leader,” which ran several stories in the months leading up to the election about who many referred to as “George Scam-tos.” eir endorsement of his opponent was very speci c about his mendacity. ey endorsed the Democrat, Robert Zimmerman, even though the paper was owned and run by Republican Grant Lally, who himself had run for the seat in previous election cycles. After e Times piece ran, the North Shore Leader ran a story headlined, “ e Leader Told You So: US Rep-Elect George Santos is a Fraud - and Wanted Criminal.” Part of the lesson here is that institutions we depend on—political parties and the media—are failing us and becoming weaker, but the other lesson is that local journalism is a linchpin for a well-functioning democracy. e problem is that local papers across the country are dropping like ies. According to Steven Waldman, chair of the Rebuild Local News Coalition, over 3,400 local papers have closed since 2004. He points out, “communities without local news have less civic engagement, lower voter turnouts, more waste and more corruption. Towns with less local news even have lower bond ratings and higher taxes. Polarization and misinformation grow.” ere are some interesting e orts underway at the state and federal level to pass legislation to provide nancial support for local journalism, including tax credits for subscribing to local news sources and advertising in local newspapers or local online news services, as well as incentives to hire local journalists. ese e orts deserve our support. George Santos and the importance of local papers I have learned a lot of lessons over my lifetime, some of them the hard way. Mistakes were made, and some ended up costing quite a bit of money. I guess errors in life are just unavoidable. My rst sofa was in the Danish modern style, all the rage back then. My husband, my little son and I lived in an apartment, and the landlord would only take prospective new tenants to our place to see the layout. Our bright blue couch really livened up the drab colors that had been chosen when the building was constructed. After moving to Katonah and having no family room in our home, that sofa began to look quite worn. e replacement I found was just what I wanted. It was a subtle green color in sort of a velour fabric. It lasted and lasted, but because we used our living room exclusively, it too was shot after a number of years. Since I loved the color, fabric and comfort of that piece, I went back to the store where I had purchased it, and lo and behold they still had the same coach. I bought it again, even in the same color. My husband thought that a bit odd, but had to admit we got many good years of wear out of it. When the store delivered the new piece, one of the fellows asked if they were taking back the one that was here because it was damaged. When I told him that I had simply bought the exact same sofa because I loved it, he exclaimed, “Wow, that’s the rst time I’m hearing that one.” e average lifespan for a sofa at our house seems to be about 12 years. I have even tried buying those boards that you place under the cushions, but eventually the springs go and repairing a couch costs about the same as purchasing a new one. I did not buy a third one like the last two, and anyway, they were no longer making that model. Many long days were spent scouting out this new living room essential. Eventually, we chose a piece with a crewel design to blend with our chairs, which we were not changing. I hated it the minute they brought it in the front door. at little square of material they show you at the furniture company looked ne, but here in my rather small living room, the fabric look bold and overwhelming. I called a friend to come over to see what she thought after I had explained my dilemma. She walked in the front door and silently looked and stared and then proclaimed, “I’ll buy it from you.” It was exactly what she needed in her rather dark and huge living room. So out the door it went a few days later and at a bargain price. What to replace it with seemed to take forever, and the chairs we were relegated to were not all that comfortable, so I had to hurry with a decision. I nally found a nice replacement way up at a furniture store in Poughkeepsie. It had a much quieter design, and a tough durable fabric. Again, the years passed and our comfort was being compromised because we sat in the same spots every night. So o I went to Ethan Allen in Danbury. ere was a stylish woman sitting at an elegant table as you entered the store. She o ered to help me. I told her I was looking for a sofa, and she instructed me to follow the aisle facing us, past two rooms, and then in the third room on the right I would nd my sofa. She would be down to help me in just a few minutes, she added. I was thoroughly confused as I had not yet described what I was looking for, but Buying a new couch MARILYN A. PELLINI MUSINGS: PAST AND PRESENT DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE PELLINI PAGE 12
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 11 people racists – and legitimately so – for marching through a town with swastikas or white sheets. Now people are accused of being racists because they believe the pursuit of equity (equal outcomes) over equality (equal opportunities) is bad policy. If you want to debate this, debate this. But there are two negative results when people bandy the term “racist” in a cavalier way. 1. Accusing someone of being a racist shuts down conversation and presumes the ability to know what is in someone’s heart. 2. Cavalierly using the term “racist” reduces the impact of the word when there is a justi ed reason for using it. We can’t continue like this and expect to survive as a nation. As much as any of us may nd beliefs harbored by some neighbors distasteful (or worse), we can’t allow that to spawn hatred. Both sides of the political spectrum are convinced the other side started it, but having sat through some marital therapy sessions (which I’m not ashamed to admit), I’ve learned that relational con ict is rarely about the content. It’s almost always about both listening and feeling heard, and the emotions associated with both. When I say that we can’t continue like this and expect to survive as a nation, I’m not suggesting there will be a civil war on a battle eld. America is too large and our federal political system is too complex to ever repeat the exact history of the 1860s. But what I am suggesting is that if Americans feel unheard – and even hated – by the other side, and if they feel that the justice system in particular, which is supposed to be blind, favors the other side, then we will turn into a system where people obey the government, not out of some sense of civic duty, but solely out of compulsion. And what kind of society is that? I want to repeat again, because this bears repeating. It’s not about the content. It doesn’t matter whether or not you think your neighbor is a kook who believes in conspiracy theories. It should, however, matter to you that your neighbor feels the way he or she feels. We all have an obligation to reach out to those neighbors so they feel heard. Additionally, even if you are convinced that your neighbor believes the most vile things, aren’t all human beings worthy of being treated with some sense of value? e pastor at my church (yes, I’m Jewish, but sometimes attend both synagogue and church) once rhetorically asked during a sermon whether a racist person should be turned away if he showed up one Sunday morning. His point was not that anyone should condone or tolerate racism. His point is that churches are in the business of providing a means for people to seek redemption, and casting people out with pitchforks may not be the proper response. Arguing and debate may not be the proper response either, especially when it comes to certain mediums. Years ago, I spent an inordinate amount of time debating acquaintances and strangers on Facebook. Ultimately, I stopped. For whatever reason, Facebook is just a toxic place to post anything political. I remain an observer, though, and it truly saddens me to witness some of the conversations on these local town pages. I seriously doubt much of what is said on Facebook would ever occur if the conversations took place over a cup of co ee or cocktail. Or in the case of Race Amity, our conversation took place over a box of cookies, which were yummy! I do think that the good folks over at the Race Amity organization (and other bridgebuilding organizations such as Braver Angels) have found the right approach to advance the cause of combating hate. And the approach is this: If you want to stop hate, stop hating. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 8 “Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block!” reads the online ad from Constant Contact for a virtual seminar, which continues, “Let AI Be Your New Wingman.” “Craft the perfect message in seconds” is another lofty promise. My favorite value proposition in the bulleted bene ts is “See how AI can save time & e ort in creating marketing content.” After all, who the heck wants to put good, ol’-fashioned human e ort into their work? OK, so I’m being a bit churlish here. It does say AI will help you “save” e ort, not eliminate it. But I’m not using AI right now, so I had to come up with that less-than-perfect introductory paragraph all on my own, relying solely on soon-to-be-super uous native intelligence. Here’s another example of AI fallout: I got a pitch from a publicist inviting me to interview his client, who heads a study prep service for law school students. I was told the founder could discuss such topics as “How students are cheating, writing essays, and completing assignments with AI” and “Ways to combat it.” at presumes parents are well aware to begin with that their kids are using AI bots – namely heavily hyped ChatGPT. WHAT PARENTS DON’T KNOW Uh-huh. Not so fast, says Impact Research, which AI in the family BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG SEE APAR PAGE 12 Summer Female Flag Football Under the lights REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 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PAGE 12 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 surveyed parents of K-12 students and directly polled students 12-18 years old, for Common Sense Media. Half of the 12-18-year-olds surveyed have used Chat GPT for school work, yet 26% of parents of students in that age range said they were aware their child used ChatGPT in school. It’s 2023. Do you know where in the metaverse your child is? e survey says “38% of students said they have used ChatGPT for a school assignment without their teacher’s permission.” Boys are twice as likely to use ChatGPT without a teacher’s permission (48%) as are girls (24%). ere’s not-so-good news in the survey for Google. More than half of the students who’ve used ChatGPT reported that they are more likely to use it than Google. (Google is deep into engineering its search-by-AI iteration, so no need to take a collection for it just yet.) SHARED CONCERNS While many more students said they have used ChatGPT (58%) than parents who’ve used it (30%), both groups agree in nearly equal measure (84% and 82%, respectively) that “ChatGPT has potential to greatly benet the world or cause great harm.” Parents and students alike expressed high concern about students relying too much on AI for school, on using it to cheat, and on it generating inappropriate content. e parent and student cohorts surveyed also shared similar sentiments about wanting schools to establish rules for the use of articial intelligence in school work. One-fourth of parents said they believe their child’s school has such rules in place. More than 6 in 10 parents and 5 in 10 students surveyed said schools should limit AI programs like ChatGPT until ocial school rules for usage are enacted. Among the rules encouraged by three-quarters of the parents and students are disallowing ChatGPT to be used during tests and setting a minimum age limit on the use of ChatGPT for school. As the very proud father of an elementary school teacher (Elissa Apar) whose extraordinary empathy and energy are central to the quality of her work (and which account for the high regard in which she’s held by students, parents, and supervisors), one thing I’m not worried about is AI replacing any time soon the irreplaceable educator at the head of the class. Bruce Apar is a journalist, community volunteer and actor, who can be seen in the title role of Tuesdays with Morrie on June 2 and 4 in Armonk. Admission is free. Info at armonkplayers.org. He can be reached at [email protected] or 914-275-6887. APAR FROM PAGE 11 I did follow her directions. As I sat there waiting for her, I knew this would be the couch I would purchase. When she showed up in the appointed room, she had her order pad in hand. We did look at a few other pieces, but I was already convinced about that rst couch. She nally revealed that she took one look at me and realized I was about as short as she was. is, she explained, was the sofa with the least depth, and she was sure that when I sat in it, I would love it because my feet could actually touch the oor. She was right! Here again, though, I did make a mistake, because I chose a heavy, thick, beige fabric. When you sit on a sofa every evening, especially if you occasionally wear blue jeans, the covering begins to take on a bluish tinge. Shampooing the piece helps, but now I keep a washable throw over the seats. Not crazy about how that looks, but it’s practical. Surely do not want to go shopping for another new couch anytime soon! PELLINI FROM PAGE 10 Happily Ever After Get Dad into America’s Largest Exclusive Whiskey Club He’s your VIP, so make him feel like one for Father’s Day and the rest of the year. Scan & use code “GIFTNOW” for a 5% discount. Excellent 6,408 reviews on TICKS ARE HERE. MOSQUITOS CAN BE DEADLY! CALL TODAY! ANTS • TERMITES • TICKS • MOSQUITOES SQUIRRELS • RACCOONS • BATS • MICE RATS • WASPS • BEES SPIDERS • MOLES • SKUNKS • BEDBUGS NEW SERVICE ONLY - ALL PEST AND WILDLIFE DON’T LIVE WITH ANY CRAWLING PESTS THIS SPRING & SUMMER. WE “ELIMINATE ‘EM! SpCB23 TERMITE ELIMINATION OR RODENT/BAT EXCLUSION
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In front of a sold out crowd, John Jay students brought down the house at the 14th annual Rock the Halls Concert! More than 60 performers from the middle school and high school joined together with house band Halfway to Sanity for an amazing evening of music. Proceeds from the evening will bene t KLSD ArtsAlive, who are committed to promoting the arts in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. e set list for the evening included “I Love Rock and Roll” (Lucy Crimmins, Ryla Krulik - Bass, Nico Vigil & Alex Popescu – Guitar), “We Got the Beat” (Ada Sullivan, Ava Baiocco & Eleanor Bromage), “Yellow” (Nalaia Nosworthy), “Viva La Vida” (Ethan Mishler), “Born to Run” (Asher Barnett), “I Hate Myself for Loving You” (Sophia Cheng & Violet Oyen, Alex Popescu, Nico Vigil, Sawyer Rand - Guitar) “Glory Days” (Mr Fritsch & Jamie Babbitt on Piano) “What I Like About You” (Nila Solano & Marcela Maurice), “I Fought the Law” (Reilly Squadron & Patrick Yatsko Nico Vigil - Guitar) “I Lived” (Davi Greenspan) “What’s Up” ( Jane Brennan & Mia Puccio), “Somewhere Only We Know” (Fiona Slane & Taylor Hodge) “Little Talks” (Alex Milich & Charlotte Ball), “Iris” (Maya Nelsen & Mia Holbrook) “Edge of 17” (Cassie Juchem, Ryla Krulik - Bass, Dave S.- Piano) “Should’ve Said No” (Neha Nitta) “Don’t Stop Believing” (Aubrey Hickerson & Vanessa Giardina Nico, Alex, Sawyer, Cassie) “Still Into You” (Katelyn Rogan & Sammi Mishler), “Walking on Sunshine” (Tori Berisha, Ella Schneidermesser), “21 Guns” (Megan Venkatraman, Ryla Krulik – Bass), “All Too Well” ( Jordyn Blachar, Sophie Hunsberger) “Sk8ter Boi” (Caitlin Brennan) “Rolling in the Deep” (Kayla Orellana, Kiley Nelsen) “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (Ryla Krulik), “Our Lips Are Sealed” (Ainsley Graham Cassie Juchem - Piano) “Valerie” (Nalani Nosworthy, Cassie Juchem - Piano) “Ain’t It Fun” (Sarah Swiderski, Cassie Juchem - Piano) “Sparks Fly” (Amanda Altholz, Casey Le¥ , Sammi Sperling) “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” (Lucas Mongiello, Jesse Collins) “ at’s What You Get” (Alice Cai, Maddy Galgano) “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (RJ Ellrodt, Alex Milich, Nico Vigil, Sawyer Rand), and “Laverne & Shirley” (Strings). Musicians for the evening were: Stings: Sophie Hunsberger, Fidella Swana, Susannah Rogers & Sasha Lovitz; Horns: Ben Swiderski on saxophone, Andrew Cai & Jake Mongiello on trumpet; Guitar: Alex Popescu, Nico Vigil, Maya Nelsen, Sawyer Rand, Mia Puccio; Bass- Ryla Krulik; Piano: Cassie Juchem; Backups: Adrianna Longley, Caitlyn Wol¥ , and Halfway to Sanity (Craig Jettelson, David Seligson, Jesse Weiss, and Nino Sidari.) Special thanks were also given to David Fritsch for lighting, DJ Grant for sound engineering, Ava Beck-Ley Assistant sound engineer, and vocal coach Jamie Babbit. John Jay Rocks the Halls! PAGE 14 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIM SUMMERCAMP CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR MORE INFORMATION: (914) 248-2220 or (914) 248-2430 Discount of $10 per camper for payments received before May 5, 2023.Register early to guarantee camp choice and discount. FOR STUDENTS 12 - 15 YEARS OLD FUN PROGRAMS INSTRUCTORS ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD SESSION 3 July 17 - 21 SESSION 4 July 24 - 28 SESSION 1 July 3,5,6,7 ($185) SESSION 2 July 10 - 14 ALL PROGRAM OFFERINGS: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm | $235 per week www.PNWBOCES.org/SummerCamp HEALTHY COOKING SPORTS MEDICINE LAW ENFORCEMENT BEAUTY HAIRSTYLING BAKING NURSING ANIMATION DIGITAL MEDIA YORKTOWN TILLY FOSTER FARM PROGRAMS: ANIMAL CARE CUISINES AND DESSERTS AROUND THE WORLD BREWSTER
2 TRACKS PHOTOS: ROB DISTASIO MES – THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 PAGE 15 Fr e e l a n c e Wr i t e r, E d i t o r, a n d C o n t e n t P r o d u c e r B i l l B o n g i o r n o | ( 9 1 4 ) 5 3 3 - 7 0 6 5 | b i l l @ b l u e c h i p p r . c o m F o r A l l Yo u r W r i t i n g N e e d s
PAGE 16 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 Progressive Animal Hospital 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 Voted “Best of Somers” 2020-2023 Discover The Greens at Greenwich The Greens provides safety, comfort, and a loving home filled with laughter and joy. We are a small intimate assisted living community for your loved one with memory impairment. Home is a Feeling Awarded the Best Practice for Resident Care by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association [email protected] • thegreensatgreenwich.com Schedule a Tour 203.531.5500 BY MARIA SCAROS GUEST COLUMNIST It is recorded that around 1030 B.C., the music of a shepherd boy named David soothed the “savage breast” of King Saul. Music conjures images and memories like no other medium can. Dr. Oliver Sachs, a wellknown neurologist, was fascinated by how music a ected the cortical parts of our brain. Hearing a familiar tune brings us to a time and place vividly stored in our mind. Our rst kiss. A special summer. Our wedding song. We do not remember in language. We remember in images awakened through art, music, dance and story. Watching amenco in Seville after a painful breakup, I felt the dancer’s passion as she stomped and lled the space with her gorgeous skirt and owing scarf validating my hurt and my anger more than any words. She “spoke” for me. She knew me. She was me. I was healing through her dance. I was renewed. My anger lifted and I knew I was ready to move on. As a Drama erapist, I see life as an epic, a play. Each act furthers the story. I see myself being in Act ree, just where the story resolves many of its complications. It’s juicy and exciting. I like referring to it as “Passion, Risk and Adventure,” as Dr. Sara Lawrence Lightfoot, a celebrated sociologist refers to it. At almost 70 years old, I look forward to more passion, risk and adventure. Everyone’s story matters. e telling of it and the hearing it validates us. Our stories de- ne us. We are all “players,” as Shakespeare reminded us. “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; … and one man in his time plays many parts…” When we enter a theater, we “suspend our disbelief ” and enter the world of the players. We sympathize. We empathize and we are seeing our own stories in bits and pieces, re ecting on them, and are renewed. Whether we experience the arts passively or actively, we are soothing our soul. Never forget that music, art, dancing and storytelling are universal healing salves for all of us. ey help us travel though time and con- rm our place in the present. Be sure to listen, look and feel carefully. e arts speak to our body, our mind and our soul. Maria Scaros is Executive Director at e Greens at Greenwich. For more information, visit thegreensatgreenwich.com or call 203-486-8642. The healing power of the arts Executive Director Maria Scaros with some of the residents at The Greens at Greenwich PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREENS AT GREENWICH Stretching is par for the course Lize Lubbe, founder of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy in Cross River, working with Brad Worthington, PGA professional and Director of Golf during a golf stretching clinic at the Pound Ridge Golf Club. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK JEFFERS
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 17 ADVERTORIAL Balance is important throughout our lives: from learning to walk as a toddler, moving around doing daily activities, or participating in sports. Balance is frequently taken for granted but becomes crucial as we age to avoid injury and even death from falling. STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE Balance can be divided in two categories: static and dynamic balance. • Static balance is to control the center of gravity within the limits of the base of support (BOS). e BOS is what keeps your body grounded to earth: your feet, crutches, chair you sit on or your hands and knees when you are on all fours. Static balance is important with stationary exercises and daily activities where your feet are grounded, and you are not moving. • Dynamic balance is controlling the body in motion (such as walking or jogging) and is essential to keep you upright when your body reacts to sudden changes. ree body systems must be in sync to ensure you achieve and maintain a good and safe balance: • e visual system – your eyes; • e vestibular system – your inner ear; and • e proprioceptive system – sensory system that connects with the brain and gives the body a sense of where in space your joints and muscles are. Aging may aect any these body systems, impact your balance, and increase your risk to fall. AVOID BEING A FALL STATISTIC Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide. Adults over the age of 60 suer the greatest number of fatal falls. Further, about 37 million people worldwide annually sustain serious injuries that require medical attention.* Also, research shows that if you are unable to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without losing your balance, you have a 84% heightened risk of death from all causes during the next 10 years.** Balance test to assess if you have a fall-risk Stand with your back close to a corner, not leaning or touching the corner (this is only a safety-precaution): • Put your one foot in front of the other foot and distribute your weight equally between the feet (Tandem stance). Hold 10-30 seconds. Switch legs. • Stand with feet close together and close your eyes. Hold 10-30 seconds. • Stand and balance on one leg hold for 10-30 seconds. If you cannot hold each of this clinical balance test positions, you have a fall-risk. IMPROVING BALANCE AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE SYSTEM THROUGH STRUCTURED EXERCISES Balance starts with good stability and muscle strength coming from the primary foundation of our bodies (the pelvic girdle) and exibility in the trunk (oracic area). Exercise improves your body’s endurance, strength, exibility, range of motion, posture and movement. You must also train your proprioceptive system to open-up new muscle memories to keep you balanced and safe in movement. Balance exercise as a daily activity Incorporate simple balance exercises as part of your daily life. For example, stand on one leg when you brush your teeth or wash dishes; when getting up from sitting, reach forward with your arms, keep your back straight, instead of pushing up from the chair with your hands; and come upright by squeezing your core, buttock (gluts) and thigh (Quads)muscles. Structured balance exercises Perform the following exercises in a standing position: • Warm-up: About 5-7 minutes. March in place bring your one knee high up to your chest and swing your arms while maintaining a good upright posture. • Imagine you stand in the middle of a clock: keep your body upright and tighten your core and Glutes. Lift one leg up and tap forward with the other foot to 12 o’ clock. Bring the leg back to balance and tap on every hour. Switch legs. Repeat 5 times in clockwise and 5 times counterclockwise directions. • Open legs shoulder width apart, bend knees slightly and shift your body weight on the balls of your feet. Do fast side to side movements forward for about 8 -10 steps and then backwards. Repeat 5 times forwards and backwards. • Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Knees slightly bent; elbows bent at your side. Take weight on the ball of your feet and perform twisting movements with your waist. Arms, shoulders and thoracic area go one way and the pelvic girdle, hips, knees and feet go the opposite way. Keep shoulders relaxed and breathe deep in and out. Proprioceptive system exercises Exercises to improve your proprioceptive system include the following: keep your eyes closed doing repetitive standing LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER BALANCE STABILITY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FALLING exercises and connect your brain to your feet and do not use your eyes to keep your upright and balanced. Please contact your physical therapist or health care provider if you experience any serious balance problems or need a full static/dynamic exercise program. *World Health Organization report (April 26, 2021) accessible at https://www.who.int/newsroom/fact-sheets/detail/falls ** https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ can-you-stand-on-one-leg-for-10-secondswhat-that-tells-you-about-your-overall-health fifffflffiflfffflffifflffl fifffflffiflfflffifflfflffiffifffflffifflffiffi fifffflffiflfiffiflffflffifl ffl ffi fifffflffiflfffffflffffiflffifffl fiff ffiff ffifffl ff fiffflffi fffl fiffffiflfl ffff fl fl ffffffi flff fifffflffi ff flffffffffi fiffffl ffffflflff flfl fifffffl ffffiff ffiffffifl fffffflfl ff fflfflfl fflfflfl ffi ffiffiffl ffiffiffi fflffifflffi 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 contact@ lizelubbept.com or visiting www.lizelubbept.com.
PAGE 18 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 EXCELLENCE IN COSMETIC AND GENERAL DENTAL CARE SINCE 1972 Dr. John J. Browne Dr. Eugene Goetz Dr. Ben Miraglia Dr. Alexandria Rivera Dr. Luke Charms Please welcome Dr. Rivera & Dr. Charms: Now Accepting New Patients! • General Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants • Invisalign® Treatment • TMJ Treatment • Smile Makeover 280 N. BEDFORD RD, SUITE 201, MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 BGMDENTAL.COM Schedule Today: 914-200-1018 2009-2023 Owned and operated by two Registered Nurses with over 80 years of combined experience! Proudly Serving Putnam and Westchester Counties www.ecstaffingsolutions.com CALL US TODAY for a free phone evaluation! Route 202 Suite #3 Somers, NY 10589 914.265.4299 Dementia Care In-Home Evaluations Companion Care Respite Care Nursing Care 24 Hour Care Overwhelmed Caring For Your Loved One? Call us today! BY DR. ANDREW FRISHMAN GUEST COLUMNIST As pet owners, we love and care for our furry friends like they are part of our family. It’s a sad reality, but just like humans, pets have a limited lifespan. Eventually, we may nd ourselves faced with the di cult decision of determining the end of our pet’s life. As much as we may wish to hold onto our pets forever, it’s essential to be realistic about their health and well-being. It’s important to recognize the signs that our pets are approaching the end of their lives, so we can make the best possible decisions for their care. PHYSICAL SIGNS One of the most obvious signs that a pet is nearing the end of their life is a decline in physical health. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it may be time to consider end-of-life care: • Loss of appetite and weight loss • Di culty breathing or shortness of breath • Weakness or inability to walk or stand • Chronic pain, even with medication • Loss of control over bladder and bowel movements BEHAVIORAL SIGNS In addition to physical symptoms, pets may also exhibit behavioral changes as they approach the end of their lives. If your pet is experiencing any of the following, it may be a sign that it’s time to start thinking about end-of-life care: • Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. • Increased restlessness or agitation • Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia • Withdrawal from social interactions • Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up QUALITY OF LIFE Ultimately, the decision to determine the end of a pet’s life should come down to their quality of life. It’s important to consider how much pain and discomfort they are experiencing, and whether their quality of life has deteriorated to the point where it’s no longer humane to continue treatment. DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL TESTS ARE CRITICAL e behaviors described above are opinions. As veterinarians, it is essential that we have hard facts for us to feel con dent about making end-of-life decisions. Diagnostic tests, including blood tests, urine tests and radiograph help veterinarians determine prognosis. e diagnostics tests will let your veterinarian know the right time to say goodbye. DISCUSSING END-OF-LIFE CARE WITH A VETERINARIAN If you’re struggling to determine whether it’s time to consider end-oflife care for your pet, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian. ey can provide guidance on your pet’s overall health, treatment options and the likelihood of recovery. In some cases, a veterinarian may suggest palliative care, which focuses on keeping the pet comfortable and pain-free in the nal days of their life. In other cases, euthanasia may be the best option to prevent unnecessary su ering. SAYING GOODBYE Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, but it’s important to remember that it’s a necessary part of the natural cycle of life. When the time comes to say goodbye, it’s important to provide a comfortable and peaceful environment for your pet’s nal moments. Consider arranging for a euthanasia appointment in your home or in a quiet, comfortable setting. is can allow your pet to pass peacefully, surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings. Determining the end of life for a pet is a di cult decision that no pet owner wants to make. However, it’s important to recognize the signs of decline and prioritize your pet’s quality of life. By working closely with a veterinarian, you can make informed decisions about end-of-life care and provide your pet with the comfort and care they deserve in their nal days. Dr. Andrew Frishman owns Progressive Animal Hospital at 268 Route 202 in Somers. He can be reached at 914-248- 6220 or visit www.progressive -vet.com. Difi cult end-of-life decisions with your pet Dr. Andrew Frishman
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 LEISURE BY JO ANN HICKEY GUEST COLUMNIST I attended “Bedford 2030: e Power of Trees,” a community forum at Fox Lane High school. It was heartwarming to see so many tree lovers. Numerous vendors and educational organizations displayed products and information. It was almost impossible to visit all the booths. I heard a talk from our neighbors in Greenwich, Conn., where they have an outstanding group, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy. eirs is a great model for town tree stewardship. We are of course much smaller, but we can learn from them. eir goal is to plant 500 trees a year. I believe Lewisboro could plant ve trees every year. is year the Lewisboro Garden Club as an organization has planted ve trees so far and given away hundreds of tree seedlings through our Rooting for Lewisboro program. As citizens, we can protect trees all by ourselves. We can help trees on our property, on town property, even our neighbor’s property, with just basic information. Here are some easy tree-saving tips. Don’t park anything under a tree. Damage to tree roots signi cantly a ects the health of trees. is is because the roots of a tree extend all the way out to the dripline of the tree’s canopy. So no cars, no boat storage, etc. Ninety percent of a tree’s root system is in the top three feet of soil. You can see how parking anything under a tree has a huge impact; it compresses roots, making it impossible for the tree to absorb rainwater. Another easy thing is to protect trees in the path of construction. Also, don’t let your landscaper create mulch volcanoes under your trees. More than three inches of mulch prevents water from reaching the soil. I’m not sure how the practice of mounding large mulch piles around trees began, but I see it everywhere. Please ask your lawn company to stop doing this to your trees. I have driven by some commercial properties with massive mounds of mulch piled up on the tree bark and had to resist the temptation to jump out of my car and smooth out the mulch away from the tree trunk. My favorite aphorism from the conference: You can’t un-chop a tree! is little phrase should become a mantra that everyone repeats before cutting down a tree. Sometimes it is necessary. But in this case, couldn’t you plant another tree? Probably yes. I got a little refresher on the many bene ts of trees: trees clean carbon dioxide from our air; a tree can produce enough oxygen for a family of four for one year; trees help to prevent ooding; and a large mature tree can intercept over 5,000 gallons of storm water. I urge you to pause and let that sink in (pun intended). Healthy trees can increase property values by as much at 20%. I would bet that if you are not a Westchester native, one of the reasons you moved here was because you love our semi-rural character, which is directly related to the abundance of trees in our town. I know that’s why I moved here from Brooklyn, even though a tree grows in Brooklyn. If you have questions about planting trees, you can always contact the garden club and we’ll be happy to help. For more information, visit lewisborogardenclub. org. fi e beauty of trees in Lewisboro LEWISBORO GARDEN CLUB 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. Wear away by friction 7. Insecticide 10. Elicited a secret vote 12. Beef 13. Disagreement 14. __ Crawford, supermodel 15. Jeweled headdress 16. Digits 17. Trillion hertz 18. Snap up 19. Classical portico 21. Residue after burning 22. Large integers 27. Free agent 28. Where ballplayers work 33. Blood type 34. Scottish city 36. Google certification (abbr.) 37. Serbian monetary unit 38. Make a sudden surprise attack on 39. Wood or metal bolt 40. Relaxing attire 41. Famed neurologist 44. Dullish brown fabrics 45. Member of ancient Jewish sect 48. Griith, Rooney 49. Lawmakers 50. Government lawyers 51. The arch of the foot CLUES DOWN 1. Nonflowering aquatic plant 2. Britpop rockers 3. National capital 4. Consumed 5. The habitat of wild animals 6. Sun up in New York 7. Cygnus star 8. Male parents 9. Talk to you (abbr.) 10. A place to clean oneself 11. Southwestern US state 12. South Korean idol singer 14. Pirate 17. Pituitary hormone (abbr.) 18. Mistake 20. Promotions 23. Prepares 24. Partner to flowed 25. State lawyer 26. Patti Hearst’s captors 29. Pound 30. Electronic data processing 31. Sports player 32. Treats with contempt 35. Apprehend 36. Excessively talkative 38. Highways 40. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 41. College organization for males 42. Any customary observance or practice 43. Employee stock ownership plan 44. Male parent 45. The 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet 46. Female bird 47. Autonomic nervous system
Sports PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Coach Ted Lawrence didn’t have any doubts about beginning Sectionals with Nick Fassert, and a less than stellar win-loss record still gave him no pause. “We didn’t score any runs for him,” lamented Lawrence. On the other hand, a 4-1 lead in the fth seemed to break the hex. But not to be, a few tough hops and a misplayed y ball negated the prosperity. Now, the dramatic turn of events required a hero, but for Scott Esposito, coming to the rescue was simply business as usual. “No matter the situation, all I want to do is hit the ball hard,” said the catcher, and his eighth-inning two run homer paved the way for an exciting 8-4 victory at Eastchester on May 15. Esposito nishing strong, he didn’t wait to get started either. e three hitter strode in and doubled Marco Maiuolo to third. Unable to push the run across, Fassert struck out the side anyway, and just because John Jay got back up didn’t mean the pitching sta was done. Jacob Storch led o and stroked an opposite eld single. en Mike Aiello followed suit by punching one right, and Storch came around when Jason Ugalde threw wide on Will Civetta’s sacrice bunt. e small margin for error didn’t last, though. After Aidan Schultz got to second on an error at short by Storch, Fassert looked like he would get out of the second. e freshman struck out Tristen Fucci and then welcomed some help from his defense. On Matt Porcello’s high bouncer, Brendan Willingham ranged into right eld, and Maiuolo nished the job. e rst baseman scooped the throw to record the out and keep Schultz at third. Jaden Bruner singled to right nonetheless, and the game was tied. So John Jay’s other pitcher took over again. With Andrew Lombardi on after drawing a walk, Storch had the read on Ugalde. “e last 3-1 count, he threw me a fastball. So I was expecting another, and I said to myself, I’m just going to try to be on time.” e clock struck, and the ball sailing over the wall was not the only thing that countered typical light hitting shortstop narrative. “He uses his lower half, that’s why he’s able to drive the baseball,” Lawrence boasted. A 3-1 game, Fassert would have a small brush with re to put out in the third. After he struck out Kieran McCloskey, Nate Lam hit a hot shot to Civetta. e third baseman making the snare, he lost the ball on the transfer. So safe at rst, AJ DiBenedetto’s slow roller had McCloskey beat the throw to second. But Storch was still able to get the out at rst, and Fassert got Ugalde to y out. Staying up two, Jay’s pitchers would not go away on oense. Even though Fassert was not able to move Willingham over on the sacrice bunt, the leado hitter made due by stealing second, and Esposito did the rest. He singled in his pitcher, and John Jay led 4-1. Unable to extend after a two-out double by Willingham in the fth, the prospects still looked good, and Ryan Stern’s softly hit hump back to short seemed to reiterate. Unfortunately, Storch didn’t get a great read, and the odd bounce got past him. McCloskey’s grounder didn’t give Storch a break either. A high hop at the last second, Storch still stood in, and despite getting clipped, so did his sense of humor. “I will need a few stitches, but I will be ne.” en at third, Civetta gobbled up Lam’s grounder, and the out at second looked like Fassert would laugh o another jam. DiBenedetto had other ideas, and his shot to right had Eastchester dropping the mic. Mike Aiello rst broke in, and seeing the ball sail, he fell down. Everyone o to the races, two runs scored, and the tying run was at third. So the ineld in, the move paid o. Maiuolo made the play on Ugalde’s one-bouncer, and DiBenedetto was out in the rundown. Even so, Ugalde got to second, and Schultz knocked him in on a single to center. John Jay almost answered in the sixth. But on Aiello’s grounder with runners on the corners, Porcello scooped Schultz’s throw from short and ended the inning. at left Fassert his only option. “I knew I had to get the job done,” he said, and after doing some calming breath work between innings, the pitcher struck out the side. Eastchester was still up to the task, and a 3-6-3 double play by Porcello really rubbed it in. at said, Lawrence had no concern about how deep he could tap the Fassert well. “I’m going with Nick as long as we can.” e coach was rewarded with a y out and a strikeout, but again, the ball would bounce. DiBenedetto pulled Fassert hard to the right side, and Willingham playing deep, the ball took a wicked hop. A two-out single didn’t look so bad until it got passed Aiello too. DiBenedetto was now at third with the winning run. Much ado, Fassert got Porcello to y out, and Esposito took the baton. “I was looking for a fastball,” he said, and the smash set o a celebration at home plate. en Eastchester had their own troubles in the eld. Bruner was unable to squeeze Nick Russo’s tailing line to right, and Schultz could not throw out Aiello on a grounder deep up the middle. Finally, the shortstop made a mess of Willingham’s bouncer, and the Wolves took a four-run lead into the bottom. All Fassert again, he got two quick strikes on Schultz, and next there was a thud. Hit on the hand, the umpire ruled that the batter leaned into the pitch. “He denitely did,” said Fassert. Storch got the out number two on a ground ball, and ouch again. is time the umpire sent Porcello to rst on the hit by pitch, but call just prolonged the inevitable. Bruner ied to center, and the bounce in the team’s celebration was a collective one, according to Lawrence. “is was a total team victory,” he concluded. It didn’t end there either. After a Esposito ground out got John Jay on the board in the rst at Pelham on Wednesday (5/15), the boys took a 4-0 lead in the fourth on RBI singles by Nick Fassert and Marco Maiuolo. A ve-run fourth gave Pelham a 5-4 lead lead, but the Wolves took the onslaught in stride. Maiuolo, Fassert, Andrew Lombardi, Will Civetta, and Jacob Storch all registered a multiple-hit games in the comeback and Will Matthews retired 10 in a row for the 8-5 win. en on Sunday (5/21) the Wolves continued their run with a seminal 4-1 win against visiting Harrison. Wolves start 3-0 in the playo s Jacob Storch cracks a home run. PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Nick Fassert Scott Esposito runs the bases after clearing the fences. BASEBALL
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 21 Mahopac News Mahopac News 2 TRACKS 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MT. KISCO, NY 10549 • PH: 914.202.0575 $60 for a 1/8 page ad to participate. 10% of all revenue earned from this section will be donated to your school's PTA as a parting gift to the organization. Ad booking deadline: JUNE 21 Ad approval deadline: JUNE 22 fifffflffiflflffiflffffffifflffi fifffflffiflfflfflflfffiffifflff fifffflffiffiflffffffifflffi fifffflffifl ffi fflflfffiffifflff ffifl Graduate! fififffiffl fflfifflffffifl fflff flffifffiffi fifffflffiflflfiffi fl fifififflfifflfi Movin' On Up! ffi ffffffiflfifl ffiflffifflfflffifi fifffi fflfflflfifi fififfiffi fflffiffi fiffffiffl fiffifflflfffifflfiffiffl flfflfiffifl fifflffiflflflfflffl fflffffffl ffi ffi ffi ffi ffififlffi ffiffifflflffiffifflflffiflfiffi fififi fifflffi fiflffiffififfl flffiffiffifififi ffl fi fififififfifflfffifflfi flfiffiflffifflflfflfflfffiffififffifflfifi fffifflfiffiffifffifffflffiflfififififl fi fi fi fi fiflfiflfi fifl fi fi fi fifi fi fififfifi fifl fififififlfi flflfiflfi flflfi fifi fi fifflffffiflflfiffififflfflfiffifflfi fflfififfiffl fflfl fiffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi Parents!
SPORTS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Wednesday, May 17, 24th-seeded John Jay traveled to Somers to face No. 10, and there was no shortage of excitement. e lead went back and forth, and John Jay was still threatening in the seventh. But a nal score that didn’t go the Wolves way was not the nal tally, according to Adrionna Palmiero, who stepped in while Steve DelMoro was away with the arrival of his rst child. “ ey put in blood, sweat, and tears, and they care that we were not at the top. But the girls are great athletes, and they will go far,” Palmiero said after the 14-11 defeat. e Wolves didn’t wait to get started either. Brenna Doherty walked, Laney Daly reached on an error, and Riley Foote’s single knocked in two. So Somers was quick to return the favor. Katie Cole led o with a triple against Emma Klares, and Ellie Walsh bunted her shortstop home. With a little controversy at rst, the Tuskers then took the lead in the second. After Maya Nelsen cleanly elded Alyssa Pirraglia’s grounder, her throw to rst was dropped by Jamie Siegel. Still, the rst baseman picked up the ball, and the out call was given. Somers questioned, and the umpire reversed the decision. Klares would walk three of the next four batters, and with a run in, Krista Gallagher made John Jay pay. She stroked a single, and Somers took a 4-2 lead. e girls didn’t get down, though. Maya Nelsen’s one hopper to Cole at short was too hot to handle, and two wild pitches later, the third baseman was at third. Foote followed with a run-scoring single to right, and the Wolves were not done getting into Cole’s head. e shortstop overthrew Bella Barry’s grounder, and after Siegel’s single made it rst and third, Brooke Buatte’s little bouncer to the pitcher turned into another run. Not done yet, Cole was not able to eld Doherty’s grounder, and the lead grew to 6-4. Still, Ellie Walsh got a Daly grounder to third, and the force play ended the inning. No problem, Klares didn’t allow Somers to answer back, and the fourth really had things looking up for the visitors. Nelsen again led o with a single, and Foote’s bloop found a spot between the center elder, the shortstop and the second baseman. One out with runners on rst and second, Barry doubled to deep center, and on the launch pad, the freshman really felt the groove. “Today, I was on it,” said the center elder, and the lead was three. at gave Siegel a chance to pick it up. Her single drove in two, and the score stood at 9-4. A double down rst by Julia Neumann kept the rally going, but more insurance was not to be. After the catcher dropped strike three to Buatte, Siegel danced o third to draw attention away from rst. Katherine Papa was on top of the misdirection, nonetheless, and threw out Siegel as she tried to slide back into third. Of course, the heads up play didn’t keep Maya Nelsen from doing her thing at the hot corner. She gobbled up Papa’s sidewinder, and made no bother of playing in. “I grew up playing third. I’m used to it,” said the senior. “ en I have a mentality of like, give me the ball.” Even so, Somers kept stroking. Gallagher and Julia Rossi both launched long y balls, but Buatte and Barry ran them down. Unfortunately, John Jay could not add on in the fth, and even after Klares got the rst out, Somers still exploded. Singles by Victoria Morel and Pirraglia, and a double by Jenna Jagr knocked the John Jay starter from the game. A 9-6 game, Neumann entered, and got out number two on a Cole grounder to rst. Unfortunately, the last out proved elusive. Walsh was hit, Papa walked, and Gallagher’s grand slam gave Somers a 10-9 lead. e mood obviously altered, John Jay was unable to push a run across after Siegel singled and Buatte walked. So Somers continued the attitude adjustment. Triples by Pirraglia and Cole led the way to a 14-9 lead, and the Wolves were down to their last three outs. After Daly struck out, Nelsen and Carys Cooper walked, and Barry kept it going with two outs. Her single drove in two, and John Jay was a bloop and a blast away. Unfortunately, Siegel struck out, but the disappointment didn’t diminish the never-quit facts on the ground. “I’m really proud of what the team did today,” she said, and while she will be at Syracuse next year, the rst baseman hopes that the example set by the seniors carries over. e same sentiment came from Brenna Doherty. “I hope I was a good role model, and I’m proud of how the younger players have grown.” e lessons do not just sit with the kids either. “ e game has taught me so much,” said Doherty. “I learned how to be myself, and I would not be the person I am today without it.” O to Bucknell, she will probably play club, while Nelsen has committed to play at Oneonta. ere, she hopes to apply the softball curriculum that has schooled her. “I have learned to not be so hard on myself - especially when it comes to high school softball. You just gotta have fun.” In this, her teammates have been pretty good teachers. “ ey are each their own special person, and they each bring their own unique fun vibe to the team,” she concluded. “ e team would not be how it is without each and everyone of them.” John Jay falls short at Somers Maya Nelsen PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Emma Klares Brenna Doherty SOFTBALL PAGE 22 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 23 Sports are a favorite pastime for many children and adults. e benets of participating in sports are too numerous to mention, but include learning to be part of a team, improving physical tness and developing sportsmanship. e tness building resource PHITAmerica notes that participation in sports helps build character and social skills. Sports help children develop discipline and encourages them set goals. ese are skills that can be utilized later in life, especially when pursuing a career. As the weather warms, there are many dierent spring and summer sports that children and adults can explore. Here are just some of the sports that make spring and summer that much more fun. Baseball: Baseball has long been America’s pastime, but its fan base stretches around the world. According to an annual report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, a leader in sports participation research, baseball and softball combined ranked as the most participated in team sport in 2016. Many youngsters start out on youth baseball or softball teams and move up the ranks as their love of the game grows. Lacrosse: is is a team game originally played by North American native peoples. e ball is thrown, caught and carried with a long-handled stick having a curved L-shape or a triangular frame. Soccer: Soccer’s popularity continues to grow exponentially. It is often one of the rst sports a child will try. In a 2017 Nielsen survey that spanned 18 global markets, 43 percent of people said they were “interested” or “very interested” in the sport. It has grown to become the world’s sport, with teams in most major countries. Softball: A close cousin to baseball, softball is played on a smaller diamond with a ball that’s larger than a baseball. Even though both sexes can play softball, it is primarily a female-driven sport among elementary, high school and college players. Swimming: Swimming is a sport that works the entire body. People are drawn to swimming because it can be a low-impact exercise. Whether enjoyed competitively or for recreation, swimming is a great way to have fun while exercising. Tennis: Tennis is a physical sport that provides cardiovascular exercise. Tennis oers friendly competition and can be played in singles or pairs. While matches primarily take place outdoors, the weather doesn’t have to impact access when an indoor court is available. Volleyball: Beach volleyball is popular in coastal and noncoastal communities alike. It is an intense, competitive sport that requires excellent focus and teamwork. Article provided by Metro Creative Popular sports for spring and summer 1 DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 7/31/2023. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, 0% interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 3/26/2023 and 7/31/2023. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. CA License CLSB #1050316. Central CA License #1096271. License #RCE-50303. OR License #198571. WA License #RENEWAP877BM. WA License# RENEWAW856K6. All other license numbers available upon request. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. “Renewal by Andersen" and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2023 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. RBA13228 Save on Windows and Doors! AND 40% OFF1 BUY ONE, GET ONE Minimum purchase of 4 – interest accrues from the date of purchase but is waived if paid in full within 12 months. $0 Money Down $0 Interest $0 Monthly Payments for 12 months1 866-944-1728 Call by July 31 to schedule your FREE consultation.
BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Growing up, Kira Ortega got as many backyard pitches from her father as her twin brother, Kirk. ey also played baseball on the same teams until the sister opted for softball at age 11. e twins continued their divergence on the diamond at e Harvey School, but when a lack of interest had the school disband the softball team, Kira was left outside the lines. So the senior, three-sport athlete did what she has always done. She stepped up to the plate. “Joining the baseball team,” she boasted, “It was my idea.” Undeniably, the change up she was throwing caught the school o balance. “Yes, there was a lot of discussion,” the New Rochelle resident revealed. Among the discourse, her dad obviously lent his voice. “He fought really hard for it,” Kira said. A former minor leaguer in the Cubs system, the senior Kirk was not the most important voice in Kira’s corner. In the o seasons, she’s long trained with Harvey’s baseball manager. “Coach Luis (Lopez) knows how I play,” assured Kira, who was also part of the HVAL girls basketball championship team this winter. So making the case too, the coach had no doubts. “I knew she was going to be ne,” said the former Toronto Blue Jay. “She’s a competitor.” e school would eventually give the green light, and the ballplayer just followed suit in tryouts. “I knew I was going to do well, because my mindset is always to out-do everyone.” As a result, the completion of tryouts forced the manager to alter his annual message. “I usually say baseball is a brotherhood,” Lopez recalled. “Now you have a sister that’s part of the family. So you take care of her like any other of your teammates.” He did so by letting Kira know what the biggest adjustment would be. Not velocity, the mentor told her, it will be picking up the breaking ball. Less prevalent in softball, she quickly concurred. “Seeing curveballs is one of the hardest things,” she admitted, and early spring training meant, “K after K.” She eventually got a track on the slow stu , but pitchers initially assumed that fastballs would do her in. Proving she could make contact, the up-the-middle hitter nds that pitchers groove curveballs on the rst pitch instead of fastballs. e .200 average to date is a bit misleading, though. Kira has one of highest on base percentages on the team, according to Lopez. Even so, Dad thinks there was not enough time to break the learning curve. “If she had another 10, 15 games, I think she would catch up,” said Kirk Ortega Sr. “She could see the curveball now,” However, the lag has not meant big moments were absent at the plate. “She was on base, and my son has knocked her in for gamewinning hits,” beamed Dad. Of course, Kira plays both ways, and again, the speed of the game is not the factor it would seem. Used to hot corner in softball, second base is less re exive. “ e ball does not come to me as quick. So that was an adjustment.” Size and speed, on the other hand, does not faze the second baseman when the runner tries to break up two. “She stays in there, and they are like, ‘wow, she’s tough,’” boasted Lopez. At the same, she can still be pretty easy to miss. at is until proximity comes into play at second. “Sometimes there’s just a little double look to make sure I’m actually a female,” she joked. Interestingly, her brother has to remind his sister that being a girl should not be the focus. “Sometimes she feels like she needs to do more, and I tell her, ‘just be yourself, because that’s when you’re the best,’” explained Kirk, who was also an HVAL Basketball champ this past season. at said, the Harvey catcher cherishes the throw to second that cuts down the stolen base, and he’s not alone in the sentiment. Dad swells with pride with the synergy, and Lopez is almost beside himself. “Every time Kirk throws down with his sister at second, she tags him out, and I just shake my head and smile.” But college coming next year, she has her eyes on playing D1 softball and knows that playing with the boys has given her a leg up Furthermore, the path Kira has blazed aims for equal footing. “You have the same right to play as boys,” she concluded. “If you put in the hard work, if you believe your passion is on the eld, there’s nothing that should stop you.” At Harvey, baseball is a family a air Kira Ortega breaking boundaries Kira Ortega made the move from Harvey Softball to Baseball to continue her passion for the game. THE HARVEY SCHOOL PAGE 24 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 The Ortega family is proud to sport two talented athletes on the Harvey baseball team. PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (877) 516-1160 Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* – A $695 Value! BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER After winning the league, John Jay got a bye in the rst round of the Section 1 team tournament, and hosting Nyack in the quarter nals had Jordan Fiderer reaching for the possibilities. “It would be great to go to States my senior season. I have been dreaming of that my entire high school career,” he said, and the singles player de nitely did his part. He won 6-3, 6-0 and the Wolves won ve of the six matches to advance to play Rye on Sunday (5/21). A windy day, Fiderer went to the slice because his normal shot kept going long. Devon Kislin and Andrew Glass concurred after their 7-6, 7-5 win. “We had to keep our shots low so the ball didn’t go out,” said the doubles player. e duo didn’t take their feet o the gas, though. “We played an aggressive serve and volley game,” said Glass. Uncharacteristically, Dylan Scott found himself making the approach too, and again, the elements were the impetus. “ e wind was di cult. So I came to the net, held my forehand and hit behind him,” said Scott. “He was not expecting that.” A 6-2, 6-0 victory resulted and Jonathan Marchini did him two better. e eighth grader won 6-0, 6-0, and his forehand made the day a breeze. “I didn’t miss a whole lot,” he assured. Ian Rhodes and Guillaume Pestie generated their own whirlwind to start their doubles match. But a 6-2 rst set win turned into a 4-1 second set de cit. “ ey gured us out,” said Rhodes. Even so, overcoming was simply a matter of going back to Tennis 101. “We stopped making unforced errors,” said Rhodes, and the Wolves took the nal ve games. Pestie didn’t get too complicated either in terms of what a sectional win would mean. “Getting to States would be a great reward for all our e ort we put in so far.” Rye rst, Coach Paul Crivelli laid out the specs for a successful advance. “Everyone has to step up and play their best,” he concluded. Wolves advance to second round Jordan Fiderer PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Devon Kislin Ian Rhodes TENNIS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 25
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THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 27 Taking the time to formulate an estate plan can often seem daunting. is is particularly true for the single parent. Single parents are already pressed for time as they “balance” the demands of taking care of their children, home and career. e mere thought of adding anything to the “to-do list” can seem overwhelming. However, taking the time to develop an estate plan can ease some stress and help ensure that your children are provided for according to your wishes, if you were to pass away while the child is a minor. Here are a few documents and decisions a single parent should consider if they have not done so already: DRAFTING A LAST WILL is document provides specic instructions to loved ones and family members on how assets should be distributed upon your demise. It can provide that assets not be distributed to your children until they have attained a specic age or satised by a specic condition, with the assets being held in a trust for the benet of your children. Within the Last Will, you will be able to select who will handle the aairs of your estate (Executor) and administer any trust for your children (Trustee). is is very important, especially if the child’s guardian (for example the other parent) is not someone you would want handling your money for the benet of your child. Without creating a trust for your children’s benet, any inheritance would be held in joint control by the Surrogate’s Court (in New York) and the Guardian, with the Guardian ultimately deciding how said funds are to be utilized. GUARDIANS Arguably, the most important step when creating an estate plan for the benet of young children is to determine who will be the guardian of the children. It is often recommended to choose guardians who are in a similar age group as the parent, or younger. It is important to keep in mind that if the other parent is alive and willing, that individual will likely gain custody of the children regardless of whom is named as a guardian. REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST A revocable living trust allows the creator of the trust to remain in control of the assets while he or she is alive, but also name someone to manage the assets in the event of the creator’s incapacity or death without Court approval or oversight, such as a Guardianship proceeding or Estate (probate) proceeding. is legal tool avoids probate and can also help to ensure that children and young adults do not receive a large inheritance before they are mature enough to manage the assets. e trust can have a continuing trust for the children until they have attained a certain age and/or for their life, or until a specic condition is met, while permitting the trust assets and income to be used for the health, education, maintenance and support of the child. POWER OF ATTORNEY Single parents typically are the only account holders on their bank accounts and likely hold all their assets in their name alone. As such, what would happen if the single parent were to become incapacitated? Who would be able to access funds for the single parent and his or her children? Who would be able to pay the mortgage and bills? is is where a durable general power of attorney is important. It is a document that allows the single parent to name a trusted person to handle their nancial aairs if they are unable to do so themselves. Without a Power of Attorney, the only way to gain access to assets is to petition the Supreme Court in Westchester to have a guardian appointed for the individual, which can be a long, expensive, stressful and contentious process, especially if minor children are involved. ese are just four of the legal tools and documents that can be used to help better ensure a single parent’s children are protected and the parent’s wishes are fullled. Other tools that can provide additional guidance are advance health care directives, which allow the creator to name an individual to make health care decisions on his or her behalf in the event of incapacity, and beneciary designation forms on retirement accounts and life insurance policies. ose putting together an estate plan are wise to seek the counsel of an experienced estate planning attorney. is legal professional can review your situation and help guide you through the process, better ensuring a plan that is more likely to reect your wishes, as well as ensure the legal documents signed are valid and will be upheld if contested by a quarrelsome co-parent. 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 www.esslawrm.com. Single parents can protect children with estate plan Another school year is coming to a close. And if you have young children, they’re now a year closer to heading o to college or some other type of post-secondary education or training. So, if you haven’t already done so, you may want to start preparing for these costs. And they can be considerable. During the 2022-23 school year, the average estimated annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses) was nearly $28,000 for public four-year in-state schools and more than $57,000 for private nonprot four-year schools, according to the College Board. Of course, some students don’t pay the full bill for college. Any grants and scholarships they receive can bring down the “sticker price.” Still, there’s often a sizable amount that students and their families must come up with. To help ll this gap, you may want to explore various strategies, one of which is a 529 education savings plan. A 529 plan oers several key benets. First of all, your earnings can grow tax deferred and your withdrawals are federally tax free when used for quali- ed education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and so on. You may be eligible to invest in a 529 plan in most states, but depending on where you live, you may be able to deduct your contributions from your state income tax or possibly receive a state tax credit for investing in your home state’s 529 plan. Tax issues for 529 plans can be complex. Please consult your tax advisory about your situation. And 529 plans aren’t just for college. You may be able to use one to pay K-12 expenses, up to $10,000 per student per year. (However, not all states comply with this 529 expansion for K-12, so you might not be able to claim deductions and your withdrawals could be subject to state tax penalties.) A 529 plan can also be used to pay for most expenses connected to apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. ese programs are often available at community colleges and combine classroom education with on-the-job training. Furthermore, you can now withdraw funds from a 529 plan to repay qualied federal private and student loans, up to $10,000 for each 529 plan beneciary and another $10,000 for each of the beneciary’s siblings. But what if you’ve named a child as a 529 plan beneciary and that child doesn’t want to pursue any type of advanced education? If this happens, you, as the account owner, are free to name another family member as beneciary. And beginning in 2024, you may have even more exibility if a child foregoes college or other post-secondary education. Due to the passing of the Secure Act 2.0 in December 2022, unused 529 plan funds of up to $35,000 may be eligible to roll over to a Roth IRA of the designated beneciary. One of the qualications for this rollover is to have had your 529 plan for at least 15 years. To determine if you qualify for this rollover, you will want to consult your tax advisor. A 529 plan has a lot to oer — and it might be something to consider for your family’s future. Withdrawals used for expenses other than quali- ed education expenses may be subject to federal and state taxes, plus a 10% penalty. Make sure to discuss the potential nancial aid impacts with a nancial aid professional. Edward Jones, its nancial advisors and employees cannot provide tax or legal advice. is article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Financial Advisor, Judi McAnaw, a resident of Katonah. She has an oce at 200 Business Park Drive, Suite 107, in Armonk. Judi can be reached at 914-669-5329. Can you benet from a 529 plan? LAUREN ENEA GUEST CORNER JUDI MCANAW GUEST CORNER
PAGE 28 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 @2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 83 KATONAH AVENUE, KATONAH, NY 10536. 914.232.3700. *SOURCE: 2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN ELLIE AWARDS. When it comes to selling real estate, local expertise has never been more important. An award-winning 20-yearveteran and top-producing broker at Douglas Elliman, Melissa is raising her family in Katonah and has deep roots in the Northern Westchester community. Melissa has successfully leveraged Douglas Elliman's New York City reach by matching exceptional Westchester homes with the right buyers. If you’ve been considering a move, now is a great time to contact Melissa. It pays to work with a professional with local expertise and Contact Melissa today. 2023 GoldAward Winner -Top 12%ofAgents CompanyWide* 2023 #4 Agent - GCI & Transactions in Westchester* 2023 Top Real Estate Agent by Westchester Magazine Melissa Frank Lutz Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker O: 914.232.3700 | M: 646.765.8691 [email protected] Deep Local Knowledge. Broad Expertise. If you have considered selling your home, the active Summerreal estate season is an optimal time to put your home on the market. Call Melissa today to get started. Relax This Summer And Let Melissa & Douglas Elliman Work for You!