The Somers Record 07.29.21

Vol. 11 No. 15 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, July 29, 2021

Linkletter School district
named new nixes masks for
summer students
Somers
police chief BY CAROL REIF
STAFF WRITER

Children attending a summer program in Somers

won’t have to wear face coverings.

BY CAROL REIF Schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond Blanch told
STAFF WRITER
parents on Monday, July 12, that the district had received

updated guidance from the state Department of Health

Somers has a new police chief. regarding mask-wearing in school buildings.

Brian Linkletter joined the town’s part- e DOH still “strongly” encourages, but does not

time force in 2003, just a week after hanging require, unvaccinated students to wear face coverings

up his badge as a New York City cop. indoors.

e Town Board o cially appointed e reversal is due to the “current low rates of CO-

the 60-year-old married dad of two to the VID-19 transmission,” Blanch said.

$65,000-a-year post on Tuesday, July 8. e DOH is allowing schools “to choose” whether

He takes over for retired chief Mike to require students to mask up for the remainder of the

Driscoll, who also hailed from the NYPD. Extended School Year (ESY) sessions. To do so, district

Of Driscoll’s 55 years in law enforcement, 35 administrators consulted with legal counsel as well as the

were spent keeping the 21,656-resident com- Brian Linkletter with those on the health subcommittee of the district’s Re-
munity safe. Sgt. Richie Barker
entry Committee, namely the school district’s physician,

Linkletter knows he has big shoes to ll, PHOTO: CAROL REIF nurse, faculty, sta and several community members who

but he’s con dent in his crew’s ability to back are in the health care profession.

him up. e district decided that masks will be optional for

“ ey’re all seasoned o cers,” he said re- “It’s not a 9 to 5 job,” he noted. vaccinated sta and for the 50-some students in the ESY

cently, referring to their past full-time stints in more e force — housed o Route 139 — currently con- program whether they received the shot or not.

populous places such as Mount Vernon, White Plains, sists of two sergeants, 14 police o cers, and a chief. Unvaccinated sta must still wear face coverings.

Greenburgh, Carmel, and New York City. Among the extra services it o ers are vacant house e district also decided that it will no longer ask ESY

While Somers doesn’t currently struggle with the checks, neighborhood watches, car-etching, and child- participants to ll out daily health questionnaires. How-

types of violent incidents that other communities may, safe programs. O cers are all trained rst responders. ever, they and sta will receive a weekly email reminder

keeping the peace here is still not a cake-walk. State police handled any case that involves investi- that they should not come to school if they are experi-

Linkletter said property crimes and domestic vio- gations — anything from a major crime to vandalism. encing COVID-like symptoms.

lence cases seem to have risen in recent years. Local cops, everything else, including car accidents. e changes only apply to the summer program,

While working with the state police, the department SEE LINKLETTER PAGE 28 Blanch said. SEE MASKS PAGE 22
is still a part-time one with “full-time” responsibilities.

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Page 2 – The Somers Record ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Thursday, July 29, 2021

Church of the Good Hammond Museum Session 3: “Trickster Spirits, members of the group. Call the
The Staff Shepherd Cursed Objects, UFO’s and the library to reserve your copy. New
MOONLIGHT SWING DANCE Bermuda Triangle. Ron Cain members are very welcome!
EDITORIAL TEAM
TOM WALOGORSKY Friday, August 6 from 8 - 10 presents the nal session on un-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] CAR SHOW p.m. explained phenomena and magi- TEEN SUMMER READING

ADVERTISING TEAM Saturday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to e Hammond Museum cal places. Please register for each CHALLENGE 2021:TALES &
PAUL FORHAN
2 p.m. proudly presents the Norm Hath- event separately on the library’s on- TAILS
(914) 806-3951
[email protected] e Church of the Good Shep- away Big Band, featuring vocalist line events calendar at www.som- rough August 25

BRUCE HELLER herd presents their 3rd Annual Stephanie Purcell. Gardens open erslibrary.org or call the library at For teens/tweens entering 6th
(914) 486-7608
[email protected] Classic Car Show,held at 39 Gran- at 7, performance begins at 8 p.m. 914-232-5717. You will receive an grade & up! Spend part of your

LISA KAIN ite Springs Road, Granite Springs. Bring a picnic basket and refresh- email prior to each meeting with a summer enjoying reading books
(201) 317-1139
[email protected] Registration starts at 9 a.m. $20 ments! For more information, visit Zoom invitation. AND get prizes for doing so! Go
CORINNE STANTON
(914) 760-7009 per car entered. Free admission for www.hammondmuseum.org to the Somers Library web page
[email protected]
The Somers Libraryother attendees. LIBRARY BOOK CLUB at www.somerslibrary.org, click on
JAY GUSSAK Trophies will be awarded, and
(914) 299-4541 Friday, August 13 from 2:30 - 4 the Teens tab, then on Summer
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE prize ra es will be held. Free gift p.m. Reading to nd out how it works.
(914) 924-9122
[email protected] bags for all. Food vendors will be MYSTERIOUS WORLD: “ e Tiger’s Wife,” by Tea Ob- You can register for the challenge
GABRIELLE BILIK
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER on hand.All proceeds bene t Out- UNEXPLAINED CREATURES & reht. e group is open to any online at http://www.somersli-
[email protected]
PRODUCTION TEAM reach Programs at Church of the PLACES Somers library user;copies of books brary.org/teensummer.asp or call
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Good Shepherd. Wednesday,August 4,from 4 - 5 p.m. to be discussed will be reserved for the library at 232-5717.

PHOTOGRAPHER Somers Lions Club
[email protected]
LICENSED & SOMERS CARES
CHRISTINA ROSE INSURED Who cares about Somers? We
ART DIRECTOR/
• Well Pumps • Residential & do, and so do you. It shows. Even
DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER • Water Heaters Commercial in its beginning stage, the Somers
[email protected] Cares initiative has helped several
• Boilers • Emergency Services families in Somers who have been
EXECUTIVE TEAM hit hard by the pandemic. is new
BRETT FREEMAN YOUR FULL SERVICE initiative that has two main goals.
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTOR e rst is to locate and assist lo-
cal people in need of short term
[email protected] (845) 628-7593
nancial assistance. Anyone with
Deadlines degasperiplumbing.com • [email protected] need can apply for a Somers Cares
Grant via a simple form. All ap-
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If you or someone you know needs
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR help, let us know. Go to www.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, Cares bigger and better. For more
CALL TOM WALOGORSKY AT information on how you can join
914-302-5830 OR EMAIL us, email Lion Gary Forbes at gary.
[email protected]. [email protected]

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Thursday, July 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 3

Your Neighbor

Matt Merullo and the campers on July 21.

Little big leaguePHOTOCOURTESYOFSUMMERTRAILS

Former MLB stars visit Summer Trails Baseball Camp

BY TOM WALOGORSKY John Doherty. Doherty played summer include retired NY Mets really superstars, Bo Jackson and

EDITOR four seasons with the Detroit shortstop Kevin Baez and Mets Mike Jordan,” said Merullo. “I

Tigers from 1992-1995, and Human Resources Director Do- talked about how humble they

Nothing says summer quite nished up his big league career navan Mitchell. In previous years, were, how di cult this game is,

like a game of baseball. with a nal season playing for the Summer Trails has attracted sim- how hard those guys worked, and

For players at Summer Trails Boston Red Sox.  ilar big names to work with the what good teammates they were.”

Baseball Camp, their time on the On Wednesday, July 21, campers, including David Cone, Merullo helped to talk the

diamond was extra special this catcher and rst baseman Matt Didi Gregorius, Bobby Valentine, players through the frustration of

summer when a few former big Merullo worked with campers, Graig Nettles, and Brett Gard- making errors, reminding them

leaguers took the eld to help o ering batting advice and shar- ner.  that while improving their game

them learn America’s pastime.   ing some of his experiences from “It’s always fun being here at is important, they should not for- PHOTO COURTESY OF SUMMER TRAILS
“One of the highlights of the his time in the majors. Merullo Summer Trails, I think this is get the enjoyment of being out
played four seasons with the my third time back,” said Matt on the eld.  Former Detroit Tigers pitcher
summer is when retired Major Chicago White Sox, followed by Merullo after a day on the dia- John Doherty
League players come and visit “ is is a hard game to play,

us,” explained Summer Trails a season with the Cleveland Indi- mond with the campers. “Espe- and you have to keep driving, be-

Camp Director Jamie Sirkin.  ans before ending his career with cially after missing out on last cause this game doesn’t come eas-

On Friday, July 9, players re- the Minnesota Twins in 1995.  year, it just seems like life is back ily to anyone” explained Merullo.

ceived a visit from retired pitcher Other players visiting this to normal. It’s just kids being kids “But you have to make it fun.”

out on the ball eld.”  After a morning on the eld,

Merullo spent the morning Merullo sat down to sign auto-

out on the eld with the play- graphs, providing the nal touch

ers, o ering batting and elding to an already memorable after-

tips and helping the youngsters noon. 

to improve their game. However, “Matt Merullo coached our

the big league lessons didn’t end campers both on and o the eld,

there. Merullo also took the time and gave advice about managing

to impart some words of wisdom, the pressure each player feels to

garnered from his years in the perform when up at bat,” con-

majors.  cluded Jamie Sirkin. “ ese are PHOTOS: TOM WALOGORSKY
“I spoke to them about a few memories that will last a life- Merullo offering batting tips to a
Camp Director Jamie Sirkin with former White Sox star Matt Merullo camper.
guys that I came across who were time.”

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Page 4 – The Somers Record Thursday, July 29, 2021

Somers schools delay universal pre-K

Program to begin in January

PHOTO: METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION BY CAROL REIF of the administrative team, e district still has to sen.edu found. Using the
STAFF WRITER Blanch said Tuesday, July gure out exactly how that government-funded Head
13, that he thought it was system will work. Start program as an ex-
Local tots will have to “prudent to slow us up a ample, it said teachers are
wait a wee bit longer to little bit.” INS, OUTS OF “often required to perform
attend universal pre-K in UNIVERSAL PRE K more observations and as-
Somers. Somers will start its uni- sessments to maintain their
versal pre-K in January in- According to Rasmus- high-quality standards.”
e school district stead, he told the Board of sen.edu, universal pre-K is
learned this spring that it Education at its reorganiza- similar to other forms of Another problem? Uni-
was getting a state grant tion meeting. public school. It enables versal pre-K is a formalized
that could pay for the pro- all children, regardless of educational experience that
gram that prepares 3- and It will not lose funding family income, to access a could take business away
4-year-olds for kindergar- because of the delay be- high-quality educational from traditional home child
ten. cause, he explained, Albany program. care providers.
has acknowledged that the
e late notice left it with turnaround time was ex- Most states o er some As for advantages, Ras-
little time to get ready, but tremely tight and some form of government-fund- mussen.edu said, children
schools Superintendent Dr. districts need more time to ed pre-K to families based have access to a high-quality
Raymond Blanch still had prepare. on income. Universal pre-K education often too expen-
hopes of launching univer- guarantees all children can sive for parents to provide.
sal pre-K this fall. e grant will cover start their education on a According to the Brook-
about 95% of the costs. e level playing eld. ings Institute, the median
Two vendors have ex- per-pupil funding limit is annual cost to educate a
pressed interest in running $5,400. Universal pre-K is in 4-year-old is $6,500. In ad-
the program. However, a widespread use in other dition, because states have
third came forward recently Pre-K space has already countries, but only a hand- di erent regulations, many
and the district subsequent- been carved out at Primrose ful of states o er it. Among of the programs don’t apply
ly decided to issue another Elementary School. Somers the reasons: lack of “sus- best practices standards for
request for proposals (RFP) will save money by host- tained and reliable funding,” high-quality pre-K.
which are due by the end of ing the program in its own according to the American
the summer. building. Institutes for Research. Other advantages in-
clude more diverse class-
After conferring with e full-day program will It also increases the edu- rooms and greater parental
Stacey Elconin, director of follow the regular school cational burden on teachers involvement.
special services, and the rest calendar and spots will be is another hurdle, Rasmus-
distributed via lottery.

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Page 6 – The Somers Record Thursday, July 29, 2021

The Marvelous Elephant Hotel

Two hundred years ago, the Somers Hamlet was a thriving $111.150 in capital. It was located on the rst oor

community with around 30 businesses and home to the early where the current Somers Town Clerk has her o ce.

menageries.In 1820,the enterprising Hachaliah Bailey began e large 8-foot bank safe in that room is still used

the building of a stagecoach hotel in the center of the hamlet to store town records.

to serve the “Eagle”and “Red Bird”stage coach lines.It would e hotel was nicely furnished and attracted many

be three stories tall and built mostly of brick which he made special guests, which include Aaron Burr (former Vice

in ovens just across the street. Beams were of hand-hewn oak, President), Horace Greeley (who owned the New York

mortised, tenoned, and held together by wooden pins. Tribune), and the famous author Washington Irving.

Finished around April 6th, 1825, Bailey painted  EL- One of the rooms on the third oor of the hotel was

EPHANT HOTEL across the structure in 18 inch letters. named the Washington Irving Bedchamber. It now

e words are still there. e hotel had 22 rooms, including houses part of the Early American Circus collection.

a kitchen and dining area. In 1827, Hachaliah Bailey erected e Civil War saw women using the hotel to make PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
a monument to “Old Bet”which also served as a sign for the soldier’s garments. During World War I, Red Cross
The Elephant Hotel, circa 1900
hotel. Around 1836 a large frame extension was built on the women met in the hotel which was then a “tea room”.

side of the hotel with a barroom,and upstairs a ballroom that In World War II it was used to make surgical dressings for Board. e Somers Historical Society and Town Historian

could accommodate several hundred dancers. the wounded. have o ces on the third oor. ere are also four galleries

Guests in the hotel had to follow the posted rules: Five generations of Bailey’s owned the hotel, ending with a nice collection of Menagerie, early American Cir-

“Four pence a night for a bed with James Bailey who sold the hotel on January 29, 1927, cus, Wright-Reis, and Somers historical artifacts.

Six pence with supper to the Town of Somers who converted it for use as the On November 21, 2003, the Elephant Hotel and monu-

No more than five to sleep in a bed Town House. When James Bailey’s brother William died ment to “Old Bet” were nominated for designation as Na-

No boots to be worn in bed in 1857, the connection with the name Bailey ended. tional Historical Landmark. On May 27, 2005, the Somers

Organ grinders to sleep in the wash shed” e old wooden extension with the ballroom was torn Town Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy received a letter from

Dances called the “7 to 7” were given each week. On down and is now the parking lot on the east side of the the United States Department of the Interior designating the

Washington’s birthday, a grand ball was held, with the Elephant Hotel. property as a National Historic Landmark,joining 2392 other

“Washington Ball of 1849”the most elegant. e music from Today, the rst oor of the Elephant Hotel (now called properties so designated in the United States since the estab-

these dances could be heard by farmers two miles away in the Town House) provided o ces for the Town Clerk and lishment of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

Somers Center (Now Lincolndale). e ballroom oor was the Tax Collector. An addition was made in 1959 to pro- anks to “Hack” Bailey for giving us this marvelous

constructed so that it “bounced”and was called a jump oor. vide a large meeting room the Town Board and court. On structure!

In 1839, Horace Bailey who now owned the hotel, the second oor, the town supervisor has his o ce togeth-

opened the Farmers and Drovers National Bank with er with the town bookkeeper, court o ce, and Planning Article provided by e Somers Historical Society.

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Thursday, July 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 7

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Page 8 – The Somers Record Thursday, July 29, 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF SVFD OBITUARIES

Respect and Honor Clyde A. Teetsel

On July 15, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department had the honor of provid- Clyde A. Teetsel, age 87,
ing the ag detail for the funeral procession of Croton Falls Fire Department’s passed away peacefully on
Sunday, July 18, 2021, in e
former chief and commissioner, Drew Outhouse. Villages, Florida. He was
born on September 14, 1933
in Catskill, New York to the
late William R. and Nellie
D. Teetsell. He served in the
Air Force from 1952-1956 at
which time he served in the
Korean Con ict from 1953-
1954. He graduated from Al-
bany Medical Center Hos-
pital School of Radiography
and worked as an x-ray tech-
nician for Westchester Or-
thopedic Associates in White Plains New York until retirement.
He was a lifelong member and o cer of the Somers Volunteer
Fire Department, and the VFW (various posts in NY and FL).
As a resident of Florida, he was a member of the Lions Club and
American Legion, a FEMA certi ed Community Emergency
Response Team volunteer, and was an active member in the St.
George Episcopal Church. He enjoyed golf, scuba diving, volun-
teering, and travel.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Elaine, beloved pets Bogey and
Penny, and his six children — William (Carol) Teetsel, David
(Amy) Teetsel, Paul Teetsel, Mary ( John) Arzoumanian, Barbara
( Jay) Webb, Raymond ( Jennie) Teetsel and 9 grandchildren. He
is survived by his sisters, Gertrude Keller and Vera Whitman,
along with multiple nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his

rst wife, Janet, and his sisters, Ellen and Alfreda. Per his wishes,
funeral services will be held near his hometown in New York, date
to be determined. In lieu of owers, donations can be made to
Honor Flight at honor ight.org.

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Page 12 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, July 29, 2021

Remember when...

Ken and I were having lunch the could to get it ready “I just saw a mouse weeks to check the traps.
other day. Since he retired a “Feel better?” asked Ken as the exter-
little over a year ago, making and for the holidays. I, of JUST crawl out of my stove. 
having our lunch together is one of my course, needed to put JO ANN Igottago, Igottago,” I minator drove down the driveway.
favorite parts of the day. We enjoy play- my stamp on every- yelled into the phone. “We’re going to Sears right now to
ing “remember when” and try to outdo JO ANN
each other on who could remember the thing as soon as pos- FRANCELLA “Ken? We have to get a new stove,” I announced. Ken was
weirdest or funniest things that have hap- sible and that included move,” I said breath- amazing as he unplugged the “mouse-
pened to us. stove” from its socket and placed it on the
tearing up carpeting, lessly as I tried to stretch deck.
We began talking about when we
moved into our current home almost 30 painting, wallpapering the phone cord as far We did, in fact, buy a stove that night,
years ago. It looks a lot di erent from but it did not arrive until after the holi-
when we rst moved in. We were coming and getting new appli- away as possible from days.  ere was one excuse after another,
from a much smaller, two-bedroom home and they all had to do with shipping
in Amawalk. We hung in there about 14 ances for the kitchen. the stove. during the holiday season. We did a lot
years before we realized we were growing of eating out for those two and a half
out of it. It was a tiny house, but we loved ings were moving along nicely, and “Hon, I’m at work.” months before the new stove arrived, but
it. Kim would be getting ready for college we were able to try most of the restau-
in a few years and so it was nally time soon it was November. Ken convinced “I just saw a mouse crawl out of and rants in Somers, we had fun and made
to expand. I had envisioned her coming some good memories out of a crazy time.
home from college with friends on week- me that we should put o replacing any then back into the stove. I can’t possibly
ends and breaks and that’s exactly what As Ken and I nished our lunch and
happened. e friends who weren’t able appliances in the kitchen before anks- stay in this house. I think I’m a little began clearing the table, I suggested that
to get home during holidays were always the next day we reminisce about the time
welcome to stay with us. giving and Christmas and I agreed with nauseous.” the squirrel fell into our chimney and
wedged itself behind the replace stove.
We moved into our new home in him. Our biggest concern was that the Realizing I was having a major melt-
September of ’95 and did as much as we “Are you sure you really want to revisit
items wouldn’t arrive in time for anks- down, he quickly called an exterminator that one?” asked Ken.

giving. who got there about the same time as [email protected]

I was sitting at the island in the kitchen Ken got home from work.  e extermi-

talking to my best friend and getting nator carefully pulled out the stove and

ready to bake cookies. I was facing the there on the wall was a hole the size of

outdated, mustard-yellow stove when a golf ball. He also checked under the

suddenly I saw a tiny mouse crawl out sink and in the cabinets for any points of

from the side of the oven door, hear my entry. He found a small opening around

scream and rush back in. the pipes under the sink. He lled in the

“What the heck just happened?” asked two openings with steel wool and set out

my friend. bait traps. He said he’d come by in a few

Fun Facts Mice can flatten their bodies to squeeze through a hole the size of a pencil. During
by Jo Ann the fall and winter months mice like to seek warmth in people’s homes. Since mice
teeth never stop growing, they must constantly gnaw on things to keep them small.

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Thursday, July 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 13



















Thursday, July 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 23

The importance of civility with Jonathan Schneider

On this week’s episode of Hudson ing according to plan. He tells Free- term repercussions yet to unfold in

Valley Uncensored, podcast host Brett man about nding his true strength the business world, such as in ation,

Freeman welcomes Jonathan Schnei- through life’s di cult moments, and factory closures, and worker shortages.

der of Mahopac. using them as an opportunity to re- He o ers his perspective on the future

Before beginning his career as an evaluate his priorities. Schneider an- of automation across all industries,

accountant, Schneider was a sergeant swers questions about his softer side, changes to the government, and

in the United States Marine Corps, his journey through parenthood, and the war of economics and race in

instructing Marines in hand-to-hand the importance of civility, even in mo- our country. Freeman asks Schneider

combat before leaving for overseas ments of con ict or misunderstand- about his position to allow marijuana

combat zones. He did a tour in Iraq in ing. dispensaries in the town of Carmel,

2003 and returned to Mahopac when He shares his experience taking NY, as well as his passion for serving

his military duty concluded. horticultural classes following his fa- veterans, starting his own non-pro t

Schneider joins Freeman to discuss ther’s passing, and moving o ces for organization, and whether he sees a

his professional trajectory, beginning a fresh start. future in politics.

with his service in the military and Schneider recounts the experience Finally, they chat about Schneider’s

aspirations to join the NYPD before of helping many businesses through admiration for Elon Musk,Teslas, and

sustaining an injury in Iraq in 2003. the COVID-19 shutdown in March engineering, and where he believes

From there, he joined Schneider Fi- 2020, and discusses the huge profes- forward-thinking leaders like Musk,

nancial Group, Ltd. He talks about sional and personal challenges people Sir Richard Branson, and Je Bezos

the trying times following his injury, have had to juggle during the pan- are going to take the future of human- Jonathan Schneider

and struggling as nothing was go- demic, as well as the possible long- ity.

Listen to Hudson Valley Uncensored podcast

• Find it on hudson-valley-uncensored.captivate.fm
• Search for it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Audible

Letters and Op-Ed Policy
Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record
or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds
which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more
information, call the editor at 914-302-5830.

Somers Lions Club Charity Raffle Purchase tickets at

www.somerslionsclub.org

GRAND PRIZE

2021 Bronco Sport

(or equal value vehicle) Provided by Park Ford Mahopac, NY

or $30,000 in Big Bucks!

2nd Prize: $2,500 • 3rd Prize: $1,000
4th Prize: $500

ONLY 1000 Tickets will be sold • Donation $100
BUY 3 Tickets for $250

Raffle Date: Sunday, September 5, 2021

Proceeds from the raffle will help us to continue to support Somers Food Pantry, local families in need, Friends of Karen, Blythdale Children’s Hospital,
Northern Westchester YMCA, Hudson Valley Make-A-Wish, Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Blue-Path Autism Dogs. Winner need not be present.
Car to be delivered at Park Ford, Mahopac, NY. Winner responsible for all taxes and fees.

Take a chance and help your If you would like to purchase tickets please send TGhaonokdYLouuc&k!
neighbor. Your generosity in your name, address and phone along with a check payable to:
purchasing this raffle ticket enables
the Somers Lions Charitable Somers Lions Charitable Foundation, Inc. -
Foundation, Inc. to support local Car Raffle, P.O. Box 95, Somers, NY 10589
families in need and many local
or purchase your ticket online at
and regional charities.
www.somerslionsclub.org

Page 24 – The Somers Record Thursday, July 29, 2021

Run like a wolf
Conservation center brings back 100-mile challenge

BY CAROL REIF the Half-Moon Pack with a huge For more details, visit runsignup. PHOTO COURTESY OF WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER
STAFF WRITER territory to traverse,  V094  can com/runlikeawolf. Registration is
rack up 30 miles a day. open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, The Wolf Conservation Center will hold its second annual fundraiser
Forget dancing; it’s much bet- Aug. 8. If folks register after Aug. beginning in August.
ter to run, walk, or bike with His mileage will be monitored 1, they can backlog their mileage
wolves. and posted on the race results by clicking on the “Results” tab of Raven Tree Works Studio, and ging some bragging rights about
page starting Sunday, Aug. 1. the race homepage.)
At least that’s what Summer Look for his name or bib number Red Wolf Networks. (Because it besting a wolf? e opportunity
Hoogenboom probably thinks. 530. All who successfully complete
their challenge will win a custom has a global fan base, challenge to support a really good cause.
e wildlife conservationist e 5-year-old male and his wooden medal featuring one of
coordinates special events at the mate took over the Bowman the center’s ambassador wolves, sponsors can gain a bunch of ex- As a nonpro t environmental
world-renowned Wolf Conser- Bay Pack territory in the Greater the photogenic Zephyr. is is
vation Center in South Salem. Voyageurs Ecosystem in the fall the second time that WCC has posure, WCC said.) organization, WCC uses edu-
of 2019. hosted this race.
e nonpro t’s latest is its What’s in it for participants, cation, advocacy, active species
“Run Like a Wolf ” challenge. Since then, the pair’s produced It was such a howling success
two batches of pups, including a last year that it drew partici- besides healthy exercise or the SEE WOLF PAGE 25
e family-friendly fund- big one of eight this past spring. pants from 12 di erent countries, chance to have fun while snag-
raiser will pit the skills of packs Usually, there are only four to six which is not all that surprising
of humans against those of a real in a litter. considering that WCC’s Face-
live Canis lupus. book page is followed by more
According to Hoogenboom, than 5 million people.
Participants can either run or folks can take part as individuals
walk 100 miles or ride their bi- or, if they can’t handle the whole One of last year’s racers, a man
cycles for 200 miles—or do both 100 or 200 miles by themselves, from Italy, was so gung-ho that
if they’re really ambitious. (Get- as relay teams of up to four mem- he put in an amazing 700 miles.
ting on a treadmill or a stationary bers. e mileage can be divvied
bike is allowed.) up in any way they want. Going virtual ensures that
“anyone can participate no mat-
e two-footed kind will ere are also “full-distance” ter where they are in the world,”
be vying in the virtual sphere teams with no limits on mem- Hoogenboom said. 
against  V094,  a denizen of the bership.
wilds of northern Minnesota. e e top two 2020 winners
GPS-collared gray wolf is part of If they have at least 10 mem- came from the international pool.
a research project that centers on bers, each will get $10 o their
Voyageurs National Park. registration fee. Sponsoring the event are Os-
prey, readfellows,Proud Source
e competition is expected (It’s $50 for the 100-mile chal- Water, Belgioioso, Bu Sunscreen,
to be erce—as breeding male of lenge; $55 for the 200-mile one.

What makes our home
so special has a lot to
do with the service.

B m s & BeyLook for our special d
pullout section in the
Aug. 12 issue of this newspaper!
Every funeral service deserves to be truly memorable, flawlessly planned and correct to
the smallest detail. The families of our community have long turned to us because we We want toofh r cthemseuansity.ed citizens
give every funeral service that kind of respect. In fact, giving our best is simply the way
we do everything here. That can go a long way toward providing real comfort for the
families we serve. And we think that makes our funeral home a special place indeed.

JOSEPH J. SMITH
FUNERAL HOME, INC.

845-621-1992 | 692 U.S. Route 6, Mahopac
Joseph J. Smith, Owner/Director | josephjsmithfuneralhome.com