BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER A Somers woman and her infant daughter are dead in what police are calling an apparent murder/suicide. Dr. Krystal Cascetta, a prominent New York City oncologist, entered the child’s room in their home around 7 a.m. on Saturday, according to state police investigators. She shot the baby and then turned the gun on herself, police said. A motive has yet to be determined. The baby’s age couldn’t be confirmed, but several media outlets reported that to be about four months. Her husband, Timothy Talty, was not in the house at the time, but her parents were, according to one report. Talty has a line of protein bars endorsed by his wife. The couple were married in Brooklyn in 2019. They purchased their Granite Springs Road property about two years ago. Cascetta, 40, practiced at Mount Sinai Queens in Astoria and was affiliated with many other hospitals. Mount Sinai issued the following statement: “The Mount Sinai community is greatly saddened by the tragic loss of a Mount Sinai Health System doctor and her child. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Cascetta’s family, friends, colleagues, and patients.” The shocking event has left the local community reeling, according to Supervisor Robert Scorrano. In a social media post, he asked residents “to please allow those directly impacted by this tragic event the time to grieve.” “We are Somers, and will find a way to support one another and heal from this tragedy,” he said, adding, “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family.” Cascetta’s patients were also deeply saddened and stunned by the news. In a social media post, cancer survivor Kambri Crews described the doctor as “a star in her field, dedicated, lovely, whip smart, and a competitive athlete.” The entrepreneur and author recalled being “terrified” for Cascetta’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic when Astoria “was the epicenter of the epicenter of the entire world.” “I don’t know what was happening in her life that she felt this was the best end to her story, but I know a large community of survivors, patients, and colleagues are broken-hearted. I will sorely miss her. She deeply cared for her patients and I am grateful that I was one,” Crews wrote. According to a report, ambulances and police had been called to the Cascetta/ Talty home four times this year for unspecified reasons. On the day that the shooting occurred, someone inside the house called 911, according to State Trooper Steven Nevel. The caller reported hearing gunshots. They raced to the room, but found it locked. Nevel said he couldn’t release more details, but said: “We know, 100 percent, without a doubt, that it was a murdersuicide.” Neighbors said the family was very private, according to one media report. Cascetta’s bio on taltybar.com calls her “a fierce advocate for the health of women.” She was a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist who specialized in breast cancer. “The people closest to Krystal will tell you that being a doctor is in her DNA,” it read. “Krystal herself will VOL. 13 NO. 19 THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS 27 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 LEGAL NOTICES 26 LEISURE 19 OPINION 8 SPORTS 16 A Turtle’s Tale pg 3 HARDSHELL Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. TRAGEDY IN SOMERS Police investigate deaths of mother and infant SEE CASCETTA PAGE 24 ‘We know, 100 percent, without a doubt, that it was a murder-suicide.’ - State Trooper Steven Nevel LAWRENCE ZACKS #6 RE/MAX Agent in NY State 3+ Decades Experience RE/MAX Classic Realty Please contact Larry directly for a showing at 914-282-6440! Over 3,000 Families Helped Scan here! NEED MORE INFO? Spacious Townhouse (2,400 Sq. Ft.) with Garage in lovely complex that offers Clubhouse, Pool, Tennis & more - must see! 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths. Living Room / Dining Room feature beautiful Hardwood Floors, Gas Fireplace & Slider to Deck. EatIn Kitchen. Large Primary Bedroom Suite with Cathedral Ceiling. Additional Loft / Den space on third floor, with huge Walk-In Storage Closet. Finished Lower Level boasts Family Room with Full Bath, Separate Laundry Room, Storage & Slider Walk-Out to Yard. Energy Efficient Gas Heat. Garage just steps from your front door... $429,000 HUGE TOWNHOUSE WITH GARAGE!
PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Emile Menasche 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 Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! 10% OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! LOOKING FOR A REAL ESTATE AGENT? Now is the time to sell! Let me help you get top dollar for your home while demand is still high! Call me for a free consultation today! Kayleigh Mayer Licensed Real Estate Salesperson [email protected] M: 914-879-2949 Kayleigh Mayer is a licensed real estate salesperson affiliated with EXP Realty. EXP Realty is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity Laws. A number of Somers students have been recognized for their academic achievements at colleges across the country! Graduations ADELPHI UNIVERSITY Michael Pancirer Kiritin Ramnarace EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY Michael Cleary ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY Brett MacDonald Kayla Natalo First Honors GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Robert Moore III Dean’s List PURCHASE COLLEGE Joshua Rosaspina Lucas Varunok Catherina Viljoen SUNY CORTLAND Megan Spencer Celebrating our scholars! Family Movie Night Wednesday, August 16, starting at dusk. “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.” Sponsored by the Somers Chamber of Commerce, and free for the entire family! To be held at the Upper Reis Fields in Reis Park. Featuring free popcorn from Summer Trails Day Camp, free snow cones from Little People of Somers, and a chance to meet the Tooth Fairy from Somers Smiles. Bring blankets and chairs to relax and enjoy the show! Saturdays in the Parks Concert Series Presented by Somers Parks & Rec. and Somers Historical Society. Concerts begin at 5 p.m. and are free! Bring a blanket, lawn chair, and picnic dinner. Please leave alcoholic beverages and pets at home (they are prohibited in Somers parks.) For up to the minute information, visit Somers Historical Society’s Facebook and Instagram page. For general information, call 914-232-8441 or email somershistoricalsoc@ yahoo.com. Aug. 12 - The Independence (Reis Park Stage) Somers General Store Grand Opening Saturday, August 12, from 2 to 6 p.m. A gift shop born out of love for handcrafted and quality goods. Featuring shopping, food, and drinks. To be held at 2 Old Tomahawk St. Suite 5 (Near Barnwood Grill/Traditions). Somers Library Please register using the online calendar at www.somerslibrary. org to have access to online meetings. If virtual, you will receive an invitation prior to the start of the program. Programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through patrons’ generous contributions. ESL CONVERSATION GROUP Tuesday, August 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meets every other Tuesday. Are you a non-native English speaker looking to brush up on your English conversation skills? Come join for a low-key meeting with likeminded individuals and native English speakers to work on better English verbal communication. No classwork! No homework! Just good conversation and pointers on pronunciation. Meeting Dates: 8/15, 8/29, 9/12, and 9/26. DROP-IN CRAFTS Friday, August 18 Drop in and chill out in the Children’s Room to use our materials and your imagination for a special craft during library hours. Different every other Friday. TIKTOK CONTEST FOR TEENS Submissions end August 25 The Somers Library is looking to start a TikTok account and want our creative teens to make their first TikTok! The theme SEE TRUNK PAGE 6 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER A Somers family is once again shell-ebrating the safe return of its beloved pet tortoise. The 60-pound reptile vanished from the backyard of Tom and Patty Barcia’s home on Tomahawk Street on July 24. It wasn’t the first time Hardshell’s gone on the lam. His owners estimate that he’s pulled his Houdini trick at least a dozen times over the last 24 years. Usually, the African Sulcata tortoise doesn’t get very far. By simply posting an alert on social media they’ve quickly received multiple reports of Hardshell “sightings” from eagle-eyed residents or folks passing through the area. Not surprisingly, a lot of the time he seems to be heading to either Lake Shenorock or the Amawalk Reservoir for a dip. Once Hardshell camped out in a neighbor’s garage. Not realizing it was someone’s pet and not a wild critter, she used a broom to gently nudge him back outside. He’s also been known to wander around Horton Estates, Patty says. But Facebook wasn’t around when Hardshell, then only a couple of years old, first took a powder so the Barcias had to turn to a local television news channel for help. That little sojourn made him a bit of a local shell-ebrity. This time, Hardshell ended up more than 25 miles away, in the Putnam County town of Patterson. How in the world did he get there? He hitchhiked … sort of. Tortoises have claws, not thumbs like we humans. They use them for digging, climbing, and defense. Hardshell was happily plodding along on Route 118 (Tomahawk Street) that fateful Monday when he was nearly run over several times. Concerned for the creature, and other motorists, a woman stopped her car to block traffic. Two men who work for a fencing company then loaded him into their truck. Thinking that was strange, the motorist followed them into The Preserves and jotted down the name and phone number on the vehicle. They ended up carrying him to the home of one of their clients, a Patterson woman who they knew cared for dozens of turtles and tortoises. The Barcias hadn’t noticed Hardshell was gone until the next day. After frantically searching their property in vain, they started posting on every social media site they could. The motorist saw the family’s post on Facebook. She called the fencing company which in turn gave the Barcias’ phone number to the woman who had Hardshell safely A turtle’s tale Somers family reunited with missing pet tortoise TIPS FOR TORTOISE OWNERS The website tortoiseowner.com has lots of good tips for folks who’ve misplaced their tortoises. • First it advises them to organize a search party to “look for burrows, look under things, and inside anything they can crawl into.” • Especially check out the edges of rocks and plants, favored spots for tortoises. • If they can’t find a burrow, tortoises will “aim for the shade,” tortoiseowner.com says. If it’s lost indoors, check under the sofa or behind the refrigerator. • Using food and water to lure them out doesn’t work like it does with mammals such as dogs. • Tortoises can hide nearly anywhere, but they prefer to camp out in places that have “constant and relatively comfortable” temperatures, the website says. • Secondly, they should wait for the morning sun because it might bring them out of hiding in order to soak up some rays. • If all else fails, alert your neighbors, local authorities, zoos, animal shelters, and neighbors. You can also advertise on social media and in the local newspaper. A good quality photo or video of your tortoise helps. • Tortoiseowner.com warns against offering rewards, however, because that can result in other people’s tortoises being stolen or bad guys taking advantage of “your good nature.” • Giving neighbors the headsup means it’s less likely they will confuse your pet with a wild tortoise and release it into the woods or a stream. It also means they’re less tempted to claim the tortoise as their own. And more eyes on the prize is helpful. • Tortoises don’t hide just to torment their owners. They do it for four main reasons: to take shelter, to feel safe, to hibernate, or to lay eggs, tortoiseowner.com explains. • Even though they carry their homes with them, it doesn’t mean that the elements have no effect. It may be too hot or cold or rainy. • Predators also pose a threat. If the tortoise has time, it will go someplace to hide. “Retreating” into its shell is really a “last resort,” according to tortoiseowner.com. • Tortoises hibernate in the winter. Snuggling up in an underground burrow keeps them from freezing. • When tortoises get “broody,” they either nest in a burrow, or near one, so they can hide their eggs when necessary, tortoiseowner.com says. • Of course, all this trouble could be avoided by properly securing the tortoise’s enclosure if it lives outside. They are geniuses at finding and exploiting gaps or holes. SEE TURTLE PAGE 25 Hardshell was safely returned to his family after his escape. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY BARCIA HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Give Us a Call or Contact Us on Our Website. Kids in College? Got Coverage?
PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 Source: OKMLS, 1/1/22-12/31/22, total dollar volume of single family homes and condominiums sold by Agent, Somers school district AGENT IN SOMERS & HERITAGE HILLS DONNA O’CONNELL Associate Real Estate Broker M 914.263.9108 O 914.277.8040 Ext. 334 [email protected] donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com SOMERS BROKERAGE 104 VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY 10589 As we head into the spring market, it’s a great time to list your home or condo. I would be happy to provide you with a complimentary market analysis. With over twenty-five years of real estate experience and an unmatched devotion to each client, I make the transaction process easy. Sellers are receiving multiple offers for their properties! Thinking about selling your home or condo? I can help! BY BRETT FREEMAN AND EMILE MENASCHÉ PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Congressman Mike Lawler sat down with Halston Media last week for a far-ranging interview about national issues and policies affecting our towns. Encompassing Rockland, Northern Westchester, all of Putnam, and parts of Dutchess counties, Lawler’s NY-17 congressional district isn’t just purple: the color palette shifts widely across the entire area: In some places, it is deep blue; in others, it’s crimson red. Our 45-minute interview covered a lot of ground: From bipartisanship to immigration to energy, government spending, taxes, foreign policy, jobs, the opioid crisis and the politics of impeachment and prosecution (in both parties). We even found time to talk about adjusting to life in Washington. The freshman congressman and former member of the New York State Assembly was not provided any of the questions beforehand. He spoke without notes, answering extemporaneously. For brevity, we’ve condensed the questions and sections of the discussion. HOW IS LIFE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.? It’s definitely been a change of pace. As a member of the State Assembly, I was very active, even though it was technically a parttime job, [I] very much made that a full-time job. But this is about tenfold in terms of the schedule, the pace, the number of meetings, and interviews and so on. So that has really been somewhat of a change; you really don’t have a personal life, if you will. Any time I do have, I obviously try to spend it at home with my wife and daughter; my wife stays up here year ’round. She’ll come down for events and stuff. I have an apartment down in D.C. to try and improve the quality of life slightly, rather than living out of a suitcase. I’m loving the job, but it’s 24/7. When I’m not in D.C., and back in district, I try to cover as much ground as possible and hit as many events and be as present as I can be. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FELLOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS? My general nature is to try and talk to as many people as possible and build relationships. I think that’s important in anything you do in life, but certainly in politics and government. All of our freshman members communicate with each other. We talk, we get together from time to time — whether it be officially or unofficially. I’ve tried to, certainly within the New York delegation, on both sides, build relationships [and] try to talk with my colleagues about issues and ways to work together in a bipartisan way on issues that matter to New York. And as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Republican Main Street and the Republican Governance Group, I’ve been able to build stronger relationships with likeminded members and those in districts like mine. The Problem Solvers caucus is bipartisan: 32 Republicans and 32 Democrats. So I have built strong relationships with people like Josh Gottheimer (D - N.J.), who is my neighbor across the New Jersey border, trying to find avenues and areas to work together on legislation. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE “NO LABELS” PARTY? I’ve been in touch with them, certainly. And again, I think the objective is to build consensus A conversation with Mike Lawler Freshman congressman discusses the issues—and being bipartisan in a fractured Washington Congressman Mike Lawler ‘Being in a swing district, you’re much more focused on a general election audience and talking to voters of all parties and persuasions and trying to build a coalition and a consensus on issues.’ SEE LAWLER PAGE 20
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 What steps have you taken to protect your life savings from the cost of long term care? BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER A North Salem man has been charged with burglarizing and trashing a movie theater in Putnam County last month. Less than 24 hours later, Brian Venuti was arrested and charged with assaulting two sheriff’s deputies. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 8:40 a.m. on July 29 to investigate a burglar alarm at the Carmel Cinema on Route 52. They found the theater’s front door open and interior glass doors broken. Venuti was observed inside the building, yelling and throwing papers around, police said. After arresting the 43-year-old, they checked out the rest of the building and found that the snack counter had been smashed and emergency lights pulled down. Venuti was charged with third-degree criminal trespass and petty larceny, both misdemeanors, as well as second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, and criminal impersonation, all felonies. The criminal impersonation charge came after Venuti falsely claimed to be a police officer, the Sheriff’s Office said. He was taken by the Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Putnam Hospital Center, where he was evaluated and released into the deputies’ custody. Venuti was processed at the Putnam County Correctional Facility, arraigned in the Town of Kent Court, and then let go with an appearance ticket for a future court date. Early the next morning, deputies were called to Independent Way to assist Brewster EMS with an “unconscious male.” Venuti had been lying in the road, but when the authorities arrived, he jumped up and began yelling that he needed to go to the hospital for an appointment. Deputies tried to take him into custody for an evaluation, but he resisted, police said. Two deputies were injured in the struggle. Venuti was arrested and taken back to Putnam Hospital Center, arraigned in Town of Southeast Court, and sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail, or $2,000 bond. He was charged with resisting arrest and second-degree obstruction governmental administration, both misdemeanors, and second-degree assault, a felony. North Salem man arrested for trashing theater, assaulting officers Gustavo O. Vergara Gustavo O. Vergara passed away on July 7, 2023. He was a longtime resident of Somers from 1983 to 2007. He was born in Puebla, Mexico in 1942, the son of Dr. Gustavo and Felisa Vergara. He went ahead on the trip that all of us will have to take sooner or later, having had the opportunity to bid farewell to his family and friends. He left this world with a big smile, thanking God for all his many blessings and for the very good life he had. He attended the German school in Puebla, Mexico and graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas in Austin. He was lucky to have been born in Mexico and to live in the United States. He truly loved history and geography and was an avid reader. He traveled the world and visited 63 countries. Due to his outgoing nature, he always made friends wherever he went. He loved working for Readers Digest in the offices of Mexico City, New York, and Miami. His career there spanned over 30 years. He was married to JoAnn Vincent and had two children, Roberta and Gusta. He was married to Yvonne for 49 years and had one son, Alex. He loved his kids and was very close to them all his life. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his wife Yvonne and his three children: Roberta and her husband Brenny Hughes; Gusta and his wife Sandy; and Alex and his girlfriend Kylie. Also, his four grandchildren: Gabriel, Celia, Sofia, and Ivan, as well as his sister Graciela and her husband Juan Alberto Rueda; and his nieces and nephews: Gerardo, Juan Pablo, Renata, Monica, Gaby, and Paco. Visitation was held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Overland Park, Kansas on July 22. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Gustavo O. Vergara OBITUARIES
PAGE 6 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! is Somers Library and could be about books (think BookTok), events, things the library offers, or something humorous about the library. The library has a green screen, a blue screen and a ring light which can be used to create. If you want to film in the library you will have to make an appointment with Terre Thomas, the teen librarian, by calling 232-5717 or emailing [email protected]. All videos will be screened prior to posting and the top winner will receive a prize. All videos will be posted on TikTok. Submit by sending video to [email protected] Sculpture III Through August 27 Three Hudson Valley sculptors, Bob Madden, Karen Madden, and Lila Turjanski-Villard, present their 3D artworks embracing structure, movement, and grace during the 3rd annual sculpture show, SCULPTURE III at Live 4 Art Gallery, located at 20 Charles Colman Blvd in Pawling, NY. Their works encompass abstract and modern figurative forms in stone, metal, and mixed media. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, July 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The annual sculpture show has become a signature event to showcase sculptures at the Live 4 Art Gallery. It is a spacious and contemporary venue, providing the perfect setting to display these captivating works of art. Its open layout and natural lighting create an immersive and engaging experience for visitors, allowing them to fully appreciate the intricate details and unique forms of each sculpture. For the love of art and animals, 25% of all sales will be donated to the SPCA. Sculpture III will be open Friday (2 - 6 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and by appointment. For more information, contact raspstudio@rockandasoftplace. com The Church of the Good Shepherd 39 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs SENIOR SATURDAY LUNCHEONS The Church of the Good Shepherd will host two non-denominational, free lunch gatherings of local senior citizens, on August 12 and August 26 at 12 noon at the church. At each luncheon, a delicious hot meal will be served, and will be accompanied by companionship, conversation and community! The meal will conclude with dessert and coffee. A second meal will be given to everyone attending to take home. RSVP is required by calling 914-248-5631 or emailing seniorssaturdays@ goodshepherdny.org. Moonlight Swing Dance at the Hammond Museum Celebrate the summer and the unique resources of North Salem from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11. Two of our town’s gems include the Hammond Museum and the Norm Hathaway Big Band – two organizations that are joining forces for a ‘big apple’ style evening close to home. The Norm Hathaway Big Band, with vocalist Stephanie Purcell, will entertain you with music for your listening and dancing pleasure - think the “Great American Songbook!” The band is a contemporary 18-piece orchestra formed here in North Salem in 1999. Their first performance was at the Vail’s Grove Pavilion in North Salem to raise funds for the restoration of Peach Lake. Over the years, they have performed at such venues as the world-famous Iridium jazz club on Broadway in Manhattan, and other famous venues in the New York Metropolitan area. In 2012, they were included in Saturday Night Live’s 100th Digital Short Video featuring Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg, John Hamm, Natalie Portman, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber and many other celebrities. Music spans the decades from Glenn Miller’s 1938 swing anthem “In the Mood” to Camila Cabello’s 2017 salsa-pop hit “Havana.” The Aug. 11 program will include fox trots, jitterbugs, swing tunes, ballads, waltzes, Latin dance and Disco with a generous helping of other dancing goodies. So, bring your friends and family to have some fun! Enjoy the musical treasures of the” Great American Songbook,” dance a little, and raise a glass to celebrate our hometown gems. The Hammond Museum is located at 28 Deveau Road in North Salem. Tickets are $25 general admission and $15 for 18-and-under. Free to North Salem residents with proof of residency. Bring a basket of snacks. Cash bar (wine and beer). Nominate a senior citizen for County Hall of Fame Westchester County Executive George Latimer has opened nominations for the 41st Annual Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Celebrate a senior who makes a positive difference in Westchester County through their contributions by nominating them for this year’s Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Latimer said: “I am thrilled to open nominations for the 41st Annual Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Westchester County seniors are an integral part of our communities, and they deserve this special recognition. The Senior Hall of Fame is a tradition I look forward to each year, as an opportunity to honor those who have given their time, energy and talents to improve the quality of life for others in Westchester.” Department of Senior Programs and Services Commissioner Mae Carpenter said: “Our Senior Hall of Fame is an important tradition as we recognize seniors who have helped shape the quality of life in Westchester through their significant contributions. The Senior Hall of Fame is one of the highlights of our year, and we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our older generation.” TRUNK FROM PAGE 2 SEE TRUNK PAGE 26 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 7 QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: AYSOSOMERS95@ GMAIL.COM WILL OLIVERA, NORA IVEZAJ , & THAIS CONLON @ SomersAYSORegion95 REGION 95 SOMERS AYSO FALL SOCCER fifffflffifffflflfffifflffifffflfiffi AYSO VIP is now EPIC AYSO has just rebranded its renowned VIP Program to EPIC, standing for Everyone Plays In our Community. The mission of the AYSO EPIC Program is to provide athletes with disabilities the additional support they need to fully participate in a quality soccer experience. Volunteer buddies help our athletes not only participate, but excel in this wonderful program. Register at ayso95.org They play at 1:30pm-2:30pm on Saturdays at Van Tassel. Season starts September 9th and ends November 18th!
Opinion 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The 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 Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky , Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 I ’ve never been accused of being svelte. Big boned, maybe. So, it may surprise you that I am a devoted Peloton user. I caught the Peloton bug at the beginning of COVID. In addition to riding a Peloton bike, I also use their app to keep track of my exercise progress. I generally respond well to gamification and keeping track of streaks, which the app makes easy. As I was walking my dog the other day, I was proud of my 10-day streak of exercising every day. Then my neighbor Joe jogged past me. My self-satisfaction was shattered, which caused me to chuckle. If you don’t know Joe Gagnon, he is famous for some incredible escapades, accomplishments and exercise streaks of his own. He’s no ordinary Joe. A little background. Six years ago, in April of 2017, Joe set out to meet The Six Continent Challenge. His dream and modest goal were to run six marathons in six days on six continents. Let that sink in. I’m sure he would have planned for seven, but it’s hard to find a marathon to run in Antarctica. And then the flights there are hard to find too, since there aren’t any. According to Runner’s World, only one in 200 Americans will run a marathon in their lifetime, much less six in a week. Putting aside the physical challenge, the logistics were incredible--finding the marathons on consecutive days, arranging flights, transportation to and from airports, meet and greets, nutrition, etc.; it is hard to fathom. It took four months to plan. “Each day there are about 12 hours of travel and 12 hours dedicated to running, meeting the communities, getting to and from the airport and through immigration,” Gagnon said. “The logistics are critical and there is definitely no room for error for me to pull this off.” Starting in Sydney, Australia, then on to Singapore, then to Johannesburg, overnight to London, crossing the Atlantic to São Paulo, Brazil and then, the final leg, popping up to Los Angeles for the sixth and final marathon on April 15. He flew coach and subsisted on ice cream and peanut butter. I get tired just saying it. I forgot to ask him whether he got an extension on his income taxes, which were due that day. Joe refers to himself as an entrepreneur, adventurer and transformation guy. In addition to serving as the CEO at 1upHealth, Inc., a medical software company, he created The High Performance Life (THPL), which he describes as “a philosophy and guide to learning techniques for mental toughness, creative problem solving, leadership and personal effectiveness.” He also wrote the book, “Living the High Performance Life: An Average Joe’s Guide To The Extraordinary.” If that isn’t enough, he writes a daily blog and produces a weekly podcast called “Chasing Tomorrow.” He has completed multiple 100-mile runs as well as a 200-mile run around Lake Tahoe, the equivalent to running from here to Baltimore. When I asked him what his next big thing was, he said that, like me, he is motivated by streaks. Three examples. He has a nearly 11-year streak going where he has exercised over an hour a day. For 540 consecutive days, he ran 10 miles, did 100 pull-ups, and 100 pushups. This year, his goal is to do 100,000 push-ups; that’s about 300 per day. So far, the count is 64,750. This is welling up two conflicting feelings in me: to either take a nap or go for a walk. I am lacing up my sneakers for the walk. See Joe, you are wearing off on me. Some streaks are more impressive than others The unique physical and mental accomplishments of Joe Gagnon Katonah resident Joe Gagnon is the CEO at 1upHealth, Inc. SUBMITTED Katonah resident Joe Gagnon tested his mettle in The Bighorn Mountain Trail 100, which according to bighorntrailrun.com, is “an epic mountain endurance adventure crossing through Little Bighorn and Tongue River areas of the Bighorn National Forest” in Wyoming. “Participants have 35 hours to navigate this remote, technical out-and-back course (average 2.94 mph). Mother Nature provides over 20,500 feet of ascent and 20,750 feet of descent testing the most seasoned ultra-runners with 76 miles of technical single-track trail, 16 miles of rugged 2-track jeep trail road, and 8 miles of gravel road. The Bighorn 100 is one of the classics, demanding you to reach deep down to your core of mental and physical fortitude.” DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 9 We follow strict CDC guidelines. We pledge to keep everyone safe! •Precision Cuts • Sets • High-End Color • Highlights • Perms • Blow-Dry • Facial Waxing (914) 232-7070 Hours: Tues • Wed • Fri 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Thurs 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Time for Summer Fun! Enjoy the Summer Season and Look your Best! These days you can read user reviews on just about anything before you buy it, and see what normal people think. When I say normal, I mean people like you and me. OK, maybe just people like you. It’s been six months since I bought my new car, and I discovered that there’s a learning curve with finally getting a new car after 10 years. One drawback of owning a performance car is that speed limits seem much more archaic than they used to. When I get behind someone going 30 miles an hour, I feel like a garden slug on union golden time. My turn signal doesn’t turn itself off unless I make a 90-degree turn, so I either have to veer into the other lane to tighten up the angle, or turn it off manually and end up signaling in the other direction by mistake. So if you’re behind me, I apologize for my lack of direction. I blame my parents. Luckily there are many more safety features than there used to be. At first this was comforting. An alarm sounds when you’re too close to something, and it sounds when you’re too far away from something. If I’m equidistant from everything, it’s pretty quiet, but that doesn’t happen very often. An alarm such as that would come in handy when you’re dating, so that you know where you stand, and specifically, where TO stand. But when I hear a beep as I’m driving and I don’t know what it’s for, I’ll need to consult the instruction manual while I’m either too close or too far away from something to figure out what it’s for. I was overjoyed to find that there WAS an instruction manual, and it was only in English. Just about every instruction book I’ve ever seen has four or five different languages in the back, and if you turn to the wrong one, you can learn less about your car than before you started. I could turn the car upside down trying to find the écran du tableau de bord, only to realize that I was in the wrong language section. I learned some French curse words and it did make me feel better. The most interesting alarm goes off if you don’t put on your seatbelt right away. It sounds exactly like the first 8 chords of a Guess Who song, in the correct key. And it’s pushy, as if I should have fastened my seatbelt while I was still in the shower. If you don’t act IMMEDIATELY, it gets louder and louder, and I wish they’d get on with the rest of the Guess Who song. I suppose most people love scrolling around all touch screens on a dashboard to find the right station on the sound system, or adjust the perfect temperature for the cockpit. I’m not sure when car companies started calling the inside of the car the “cockpit,” but if my car does suddenly start to take flight, I’ll have to figure out which menu has the altimeter. Anyway, I scroll through the different screens to find the “air recirculate” button, because somebody ran over a skunk. Once I finally find it, deadskunk-air has already finished filling my cockpit and I recirculate it for the next five miles. If I go through that many menus, there had better be dessert at the end and not a dead skunk. I had to wait two years during the pandemic for computer chips to start turning up again for this scrolling opportunity. My last car was 10 years old and just had a bunch of knobs and dials. If you turned the dial towards red, it got warmer, blue it got colder. The system was a relic of its time and not very high-tech, but I could adjust the temperature perfectly without having to look at it. All this assumes that there is nothing particularly interesting going on in the road that I should be paying attention to. If I have my phone assistance app on, I can ask it questions about navigation, song playlists and the weather. And now that there is AI involved, having a normal conversation with your car is something that will be happening very soon. “Hey,” I ask my car, “these are all-season radials you got under you, correct?” My car says, “Yes, it’s baseball season right now, and I think they’ll do better in football season than the Giants will.” “I don’t want to sound insulting,” I continue, “but white was not my first choice for a car color.” “Well,” my car replies, “the first time it snows, no one will notice that you have a white car.” “Hey- how fast are we going? I’ve had three speeding tickets.” “Well at least you have the courage of your convictions.” By the time there is enough artificial intelligence for my car to have a normal conversation with me, it will be smart enough to know that there is no such thing. Say hello at [email protected]. Auto detailing RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD Editorial Submissions Press releases and photos should be submitted to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, 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 SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SUMMER SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 9/30/23 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK! A gift shop born out of love for hand crafted + quality goods 2 Old Tomahawk St. Suite 5 (Near Barnwood Grill/Traditions) GRAND OPENING! Join us Saturday, August 12th, from 2-6pm for the GRAND OPENING OF SOMERS GENERAL STORE! SHOPPING • FOOD • DRINKS 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. I came across a photo where I was wearing a flowery picture hat—remember those? It brought to mind how hats were a big thing in my life all those years ago. A few of them might have been “proper” for wearing at the Kentucky Derby! Let me share some memories with you. When walking downtown after school with my friends, our favorite places were the department stores. We’d wander around looking at the newest fashions, jewelry and shoes. We spent lots of time in the hat department—haven’t seen one of these in years! Such colorful and wispy daintiness on display: large “picture” hats with flowers and veils, stylish pill box hats and others in all shapes and colors. We’d try them on and model and laugh for each other. It was like traveling into a fantasy land. If I was shopping with Mom, we might pick one up for me to wear to church. Hats were a “given” for Sunday worship. Attending Katharine Gibbs School after graduation was a culture shock! From day one, we were required to be professional in our appearance. We wore hats and gloves and conservative business attire. When I began my first job in Manhattan, I ditched the hats—never again! Never say never! After marriage, George and I had a very active social life....lots of weddings and dressy events where hats were worn. OK, at least I had had a bit of a hiatus; this time I went full throttle! My cousin’s wedding was coming up; I had a dress, but needed a special hat to complete the ensemble. My neighbor and friend, Betty, came to the rescue. She brought over a picture hat that was pure confection: rows and rows of white lace that framed my face, absolutely perfect with my dress. As we walked into the reception, the band leader remarked to me that he’d never seen such a beautiful hat and that I was “stunning.” Wow, I felt like a queen. I remember one special Easter Sunday. We had two young sons by then and they were so handsome in their little suits and ties. My Easter bonnet was a white straw picture hat with beautiful flowers around the crown. As we stepped out the door to head for church, Betty clasped her hands together and vowed that we would be the most handsome family at the service. And so it went for several years. Beautiful hats went by the wayside; along came My hats off to you! RUTHANN SCHEFFER WHAT WAS I THINKING? SEE SCHEFFER PAGE 11
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 11 NMLS #60828 Registered Mortgage Broker NY & CT Banking Depts. All Loans Arranged through Third Party Providers. Call Us Today! 800-771-1071 YOUR LOCAL HOME MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS 1013 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 - www.putcap.com Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE Joe and his staff are AMAZING!! They stay on top of everything and communicate with you all the way. You won’t find a better law firm when in need of representation. ~T.D. ‘ baseball caps—won’t ever find me in one of those. Now I have colorful straw hats to shield me from the sun. On our RV trip to Key West years ago, Art bought me a white straw fedora from a street vendor—it came with a colorful scarf. As I think about the hats I owned, I realize, at the time, they made me feel special and elegant. This last memory was not pleasant. While walking to church one Sunday, a bird in a tree decided my white pique flowered hat was the perfect location to do his “thing.” I felt the slight impact on my head and quickly removed my hat. His aim had been impeccable: dead center! I quickly ran back down the hill, crying as I barged into the kitchen. Mom took the hat, soothed my crushed fashion sense and picked another hat. Back up the hill to church--I certainly did not have any kind prayers for that bird! Do you have happy hat memories? Visit them and enjoy! SCHEFFER FROM PAGE 10 Who doesn’t like mustard? Well, me for one. At least I didn’t like mustard for the first 20 years of my life. Something must have been off regarding my taste and smell when I was born, because I can clearly remember my mom and dad coming home with a pizza and the smell not being very pleasant. I recall scraping all sauce and cheese off of the pizza and just eating the dough. My father seemed happy to get the extra cheese, but for me it was nauseating. Years later I could remember my mother boiling a big pot of corn on the cob. The smell wafted through the kitchen and I had to step outside before I became ill. I also never ate corn. I couldn’t imagine the taste if the smell was that bad. Luckily I grew out of those feelings and now enjoy a steady diet of pizza and corn. The last thing I can remember not wanting to eat was mustard. We had it in our refrigerator, but I never used it. Once again, the smell was awful, the color was awful and the taste was weird, so I thought. I was 19 and had a boyfriend who loved taking me to baseball games. He would always buy me a hotdog and I would always say, “No mustard, please.” That didn’t matter at all, as he always returned with hotdogs with a line of mustard along the top of the “dog.” He would apologize, say he forgot and then just encouraged me to eat it, which I did, reluctantly. We dated for about a year and I continued to eat hot dogs with mustard until one day I realized that I could no longer eat a hot dog without mustard on it. As the years flew by and eventually so did the boyfriend, I had my own apartment and found myself buying mustard along with bread and milk, the staples. Eventually I married and also kept my home stocked with mustard, French’s Mustard. Over the years, especially since my daughter left our home over 20 years ago, we usually have one lone jar of dried up, outdated mustard on the door of our refrigerator and it seems the older Ken and I get, the less hot dogs and mustard we eat. This past July 4th, we stayed home and Ken suggested we have our own hamburger/ hot dog barbeque. I needed to get buns and mustard, so I ran to the store while Ken lit the coals in the grill. I guess I hadn’t shopped for mustard for a while because I just expected to grab French’s Mustard, but found many more options. I was dumbfounded and actually took out my phone to take a picture of all my choices. There was: Dijon, Sharp Mustard, Spicy Brown, Sweet Hot, Kicked-up Horseradish, Smooth Honey, New York Deli Style, Sweet & Spicy, Jalapeno, Organic Deli, Stoneground Dijon, Bold Yellow, Stoneground, Rich Country, Dijon Original, Old Style, Whole Grain, Honey Dijon, Horseradish, Honey and Classic Yellow. And that’s all I could get before a manager came over to ask why I was photographing the mustard. I grabbed what looked familiar, paid and raced home. “Hon, we’re being taken over by mustard jars, many different kinds of mustard jars.” “What are you talking about?” “Nothing. Forget it. I’ll just have a burger please.” Jo Ann Francella can be reached at [email protected]. Mustard overload JO ANN FRANCELLA JUST JO ANN Fun Facts by Jo Ann Grinding and mixing seeds with water and vinegar creates basic mustard.
PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 We see you here. The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too. Schedule your visit today and see for yourself. THE BRISTAL AT ARMONK | 914.306.8580 THE BRISTAL AT WHITE PLAINS | 914.594.5787 thebristal.com Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care Dear Dr. Linda, I know there’s still more than a month before school starts again, but I’m taking this time to organize my house so that we’ll have a better school year than we had last year. I don’t know what happens in other peoples’ homes, but the minute school starts, mine feels as if I was just shot out of a cannon. For some reason, my house becomes a mess, I become unwrapped and my kids start fighting with each other. A friend of mine told me that it’s because I’m not organized. After getting over the fact that I was insulted, I started to think about what she said and went online and found some helpful hints. I also remember your column when you recommended getting boxes, bins and baskets to store school papers and other stuff. Any other suggestions? -Tidy Mom Dear Tidy Mom, You can kill two birds with one stone by getting organized—help your children in school and set a good example. Not only will you be less stressed and your house less cluttered, but it will help your kids in more ways than you can imagine. Here’s some suggestions so that your kids will have a better and happier school year because you’re organized and are helping them become organized. Yes, the 3Bs—boxes, bins and baskets—are essential. Label each one with each child’s name and what will be stored in it. For example, Michael’s math papers or Madison’s crayons, markers and pencils. Use the vertical space on walls to put up a shelf system or buy a rolling cart with shelves to keep the 3Bs on. If space is a real issue, there’s usually space under beds, sofas and tables for the 3Bs. Be sure to include your kids in labeling the 3Bs because they’re the ones who will be using them all year. Buy tray tables because they can be opened at a moment’s notice for a laptop or a math sheet, and then closed again for easy storage. Buy a hole punch! Critical to keep papers filed. Once papers are hole-punched, put them in 3-ring binders. Label each binder. For example, one can be English, another math, etc. Or put dividers in an individual binder, sorting the papers by subjects and labeling the binders by dates, e.g., 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, etc. Again, involve your children in making the labeling decisions—they need to create a system that works for them. Make a table of contents page for each binder, including the date for the test or event. When that exam or event is over, cross it off the table of contents and throw away the paper. (Be sure, however, to save papers that need to be referred to again for mid-terms or final exams.) Keep the binders on a shelf to be referred to for tests and exams, science projects, book reports, term papers, fundraising activities and field trips. At least once a week, go through the papers with your elementary-school child, tossing out the unnecessary sheets and hole punching the new papers. Encourage older children to follow a similar plan themselves. The second essential item for organization is a planner. But not just any planner, because those for adults are often too complicated. Go online and find planners that are user friendly and not too complex. That will only make the disorganization worse. Finally, go to http://www.stronglearning.com/downloads/ and download for free my Daily Schedule (it’s under Free Resources). Print multiple copies, holepunch them and put them in your binders or on the refrigerator with a magnet to help organize each day and week. Have fun getting and staying organized. You won’t believe how less stressed you will all become! -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the authors of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids.” Tips to get organized ahead of school year DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING 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.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD | SUITE 100 | MT. KISCO, NY 10549 | PH: 914.202.0575 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] TAPINTOMAHOPAC.NET 2 TRACKS TAPINTOKLT.NET TAPINTOYORKTOWN.NET TAPINTONORTHSALEM.NET TAPINTOSOMERS.NET HALSTONMEDIA.COM Your local gateway to the digital world Your clients are there — you should be too! 100,000 IMPRESSIONS GUARANTEED WITHOUT WASTE** Advertise on America’s top websites for as little as $408/month* *minimum 3-month commitment • Target customers by geography and demographics • Target customers by keyword searches • Target customers who visit your competitors **The number of times your ad will be seen in a 90-day window
Shrek the Musical Jr. featured a number of local performers. Sunflower & Sangria Festival August 18 - 20 Meadowbrook Farm Catskills Leeds, NY GreatNorthernCatskills.com It happens here. Feel it. Breathe it. Live it. 855.281.6439 I Free Quotes UP TO Could your kitchen use a little magic? ON YOUR FULL KITCHEN REMODEL* SAVE 10% *Discount applies to purchase of new cabinets or cabinet refacing with a countertop. Does not apply to countertop only projects. May not combine with other offers or prior purchases. Exp.3/31/23. NP-263. NY: Nassau: H1759490000 Suffolk: 16183-H NY/Rockland: 5642 EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! Promo Code: 285 FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING* SENIORS & MILITARY! YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE* 20 + % % OFF 10 OFF *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate only. 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. Registration# 0366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Registration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-478-9473 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST from Physicians Mutua Call to get your FR 1-855-2 dental50plus Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers a states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/ about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Ins TN: P150TN); Rider kinds B438/B439 (GA: B439B). 6255 DENTAL BOGO 40% OFF OFFER ENDS 10/3 888-4 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES ROCKS ON The last concert of the season at Mt. Zion Church in Reis Park featured bluegrass music by Somers resident Mike Burns and Highway 53 playing to an audience enjoying the cool summer evening! The next concert in the series moves to the Reis Park Stage on Saturday, August 12, with a performance by The Independence. LOCAL YOUTHS PERFORM IN SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. The Limelight Theatre Company presented Shrek the Musical Jr. at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in July. The talented youth cast features all local high school, middle school and elementary students including Zachary Simmons as Shrek and Maeve Looby as Princess Fiona from Brewster, Rebecca Grill from Carmel, Rose Giardiello from Danbury, Evan Mallamud from Katonah, Isabella Wulczyn, Marissa Duran and Ema Pupovic from Mahopac, Chloe Adams, Nicholas DeRobertis and Adrianna Rizzo from New Fairfield, Jack Roche from North Salem, Christian Sciarrillo from Patterson, Coraline O’Brien and Josephine O’Brien from Purdys, Ellie Wanicur from Ridgefield, and Julianna Guida from Somers as Donkey. CHEERS TO 50 YEARS In July, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department recognized Firefighter John Fitzgerald for 50 years of service! Community spirit! The Saturdays in the Parks concert series is presented by The Somers Historical Society and Somers Parks & Rec. Performers having fun during rehearsals for Shrek the Musical Jr. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIMELIGHT THEATRE COMPANY The musical ran for a pair of shows at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Mt. Zion Church presented the final concert of the season before performances shifted to the Reis Park stage. PAGE 14 THE SOMERS RECORD – TH
ON YOUR INSTALLATION 60% OFF Limited Time Offer! SAVE! TAKE AN ADDITIONAL Additional savings for military, health workers and fi rst responders 10% OFF New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not available in your area. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at eriemetalroofs.com/licenses/ MADE IN THE U.S.A. New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and 1.855.492.6084 FREE ESTIMATE Expires 6/30/2023 Before After Make the smart and ONLY CHOICE when tackling your roof! al Insurance Company. EE Information Kit 225-1434 .com/nypress and Preventive Benefits Rider. Product not available in all /certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details not available in CO; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for surance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; L Insurance F 31 448-0421 Mike Burns and Highway 53 entertaining the crowd. The crowd at Mt. Zion Church enjoyed a beautiful evening of entertainment. John Fitzgerald has been helping to keep our community safe for half a century. PHOTO COURTESY OF SVFD HURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 PAGE 15 PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOMERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PAGE 16 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team Two-time state qualifier Julia Wilkinson ended her junior year varsity program in December with a stellar performance at the NYSPHSAA Girls Diving Championship that placed her among the top divers in the state. With her strong showing this past season, Wilkinson was recently named NISCA All America, one of the highest honors for a high school varsity athlete in the country. “I feel very honored and thankful to receive this recognition,” said Wilkinson, who was the only diver from Section 1 this year to be selected. “It was one of my main goals this season and in my high school diving career overall, so I am very proud to have accomplished it.” Wilkinson, who is a swimmer and diver for the combined YorktownSomers swim and dive varsity team, made program history when she won the Section 1 Dive Championship as a sophomore in 2021. NISCA All America is Wilkinson’s second All America title. Last summer, she competed at the AAU Diving Nationals in San Antonio, and made her way to the podium as a top-12 diver in the country, earning the AAU Diving All America title. The All-League, All-Section scholar-athlete holds the current school and program record in both the 6-dive and 11-dive events. Wilkinson is also a high achiever in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and is a high honor roll student every quarter. The rising senior attributes her success in and out of the pool to having a good work ethic and staying focused. “Academics have always been a priority for me,” Wilkinson said. “I have always worked hard to excel and grow as an athlete and student. My training takes up a lot of time as I train with my club team almost every day throughout the year, and that demands that I am organized and manage my time well. I want to be able to carry this into college with the hopes of becoming a collegiate athlete.” Wilkinson will be starting her preseason training in a few weeks going into her senior year. “I intend to train hard for the big championships like Sectionals and States and to overall make the best out of my final year with the team,” said Wilkinson, who has been part of the swim and dive high school team since her freshman year. “We have a great group of girls coming to the team, and I want the underclassmen athletes and the other seniors to have a great season. Coach Brittney, who is our head coach, has always been there every step of the way and has been a great support for me. Our athletics department has gone all in with support, so I want to be able to use the opportunities I have been given to compete to the best of my ability this season.” Wilkinson named AllAmerican Swimmer-diver excels in and out of the pool Wilkinson performs a reverse dive pike. Somers student Julia Wilkinson has earned All-America recognition. PHOTOS: VIM WILKINSON Sports
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Westchester Warriors youth lacrosse program began with a mission statement that it never turns its back on the kids. “We said, let’s have a loyalty program, and if the kids join us when they are young, they can stay with us all the way through 11th grade,” said co-founder Vin Savastano, who is currently the boys lacrosse coach at Kennedy Catholic High School and cofounded the summer program with his own brother, Nick. “It’s become like a family. That’s the best part.” The program combines camaraderie with serious field instruction and play, with a strong focus on the fundamentals and preparing players for the college level. “We go to the top-level college coaches and pick their brains to see what they want to teach kids at a youth level,” Savastano said. That learning process is also ongoing for the brothers. “Once you think you know it all, you’re going to get passed up, and you’re never going to get better,” Savastano said. “So every year we strive to go to clinics with all these college coaches because the game keeps changing.” The bottom line never does, though. The Warriors website states the program values this way: “Building character, doing the right thing even when the right thing is hard.” That begins with the small details. Fly in after the whistle, take a knee, don’t be last, look the coaches in the eye, and outwork your opponent are among the qualities that make a difference. “We try to instill from day one when they start in fifth grade,” said Savastano, who was taught physical education in Brewster for the last 32 years. The philosophy obviously includes academics, because education goes hand in hand with extending play past high school. “We tell them if you’re not focused in school, college coaches are not even going to look at you,” Savastano said. Parents sometimes look to Savastano for help when their kids are struggling in school. So the staff asks the kids to set goals PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI LACROSSE SEE WARRIORS PAGE 18 Westchester Warriors lacrosse focuses on fun SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 17 JUNIOR TENNIS PROGRAMS FOR MORE INFO CALL: 914.669.9500 or email: [email protected] HardscrabbleClub.com • 22 Sutton Pl, Brewster, NY 10509 ENROLLING NOW for FALL 2023 Week of Sept. 4 onward GRAB YOUR SPOT BEFORE THEY’RE ALL TAKEN! STAGES: Red Ball, 5-7 years Orange Ball, 8-9 years Green Ball, 9-10 years Yellow Ball, 11- 18 years CLASSES: Weekdays: 4-5pm, 5-6pm & 5-6:30pm. Saturdays: 3:30-4:30pm & 3-4:30 m ALL LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, Middle School and JV/Varsity Team Players AFTER-SCHOOL ©2023 Rita’s Franchise Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Valid at participating locations. Display Date: 00/00/2023 - 00/00/2023 EXTRA CHARGE FOR TOPPINGS Unicorn Cone Unicorn Gelati Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid on take home treats, catering, or novelty items. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid at cart or theme park venues. Not for resale. ©2020 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING RITA’S LOCATIONS. REDEEMABLE AT FROZEN TREAT $1 OFF WHEN YOU BUY ONE Expires 04.15.2021 RITAS OF YORKTOWN 1881A COMMERCE STREET YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 914 302 7711 ritas.com www.facebook.com/ritasof $1 OFF BUY ONE, GET $1 OFF ANOTHER ritasofyorktown ritasofyorktown.com Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid on take home treats, catering, or novelty items. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid at cart or theme park venues. Not for resale. ©2020 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING RITA’S LOCATIONS. Exp. 9/7/2023
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 18 4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr. • Somers, NY 10589 914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com A new generation of family dentistry Introducing the newest addition to our dental family, Hunter, born on 7/25/23. and let their teachers know of their intentions to do better. “Now, they’re focused,” he said, adding that discipline on the field helps in the classroom. “When they play the sport better, they do better in school, because they budget their time.” In fact, teaching on and off the field are key parts of the program—and that includes life skills. “We only have coaches who are educators,” Savastano explained. “You’re going to have setbacks at different times, which is OK. If you come with a good attitude, good things are going to happen. That’s what we always tell them.” The kids are rewarded with some pretty competitive tournaments after the month-long training, and the evolution is beautiful to behold. With seven boys teams and five squads for the girls, the organization knows how to build teamwork. “By the end of the summer, they start to gel, they know each other and everyone is doing a great job,” said Savastano. “We just had our tournament at Kennedy, our entire program won every game.” Still, the Warriors are also in the business of managing future expectations. In terms of college, Savastano said, “They can’t have false hope.” So if Division 3 is their best chance of playing, the staff recommends that over possibly filling the bench on a Division 1 team. “Go to a place where you can play and get the best education you can get,” he said. Being in the moment matters the most, though. “With the great coaches we have in place and our philosophy, the kids are having fun, and that’s what it’s all about,” Savastano said. The Warriors have summer and fall clinics, and in the winter, they run Indoor Box Lacrosse, which is a 5-5 shortened field game. For more info, visit westchesterwarriors.org WARRIORS FROM PAGE 17 PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 LEISURE THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19 To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. A way to pick up 5. Presents 10. Type of guitar 14. Actor Idris 15. A citizen of Iran 16. Creative 17. Harness 18. Weight unit 19. You better call him 20. Utterly devoted 22. Male cat 23. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation 24. Risk-taker 27. A team’s best pitcher 30. Cool! 31. Women’s __ movement 32. Georgia rockers 35. Step-shaped recess 37. The princess could detect its presence 38. Type of truck 39. Butterhead lettuces 40. Angry people see it 41. Lines where two fabrics are sewn together 42. Soviet city 43. Carpet 44. Traveled all over 45. Thin, straight bar 46. Body art (slang) 47. Congressman (abbr.) 48. No seats available 49. Breaks apart 52. Arabic name 55. Ballplayer’s tool 56. Type of sword 60. Baseball team 61. Upper bract of grass floret 63. Italian Seaport 64. Ancient Syrian city 65. Shoelace tube 66. The Miami mascot is one 67. South American nation 68. Popular video game ‘Max __’ 69. Body part CLUES DOWN 1. German courtesy title 2. Ancient Greek City 3. Ancient Hebrew calendar month 4. Long-legged frog family 5. Photo 6. Delivered a speech 7. Lute in classical Indian music 8. Decorated 9. Take a seat 10. Belonging to a bottom layer 11. Member of a Semitic people 12. Part of a ticket 13. Defunct Guinean money 21. Challenges 23. Popular BBQ food 25. Subway dweller 26. By way of 27. Shady garden alcove 28. Egyptian city 29. Partner to ‘flowed’ 32. Widens 33. Old Eurasian wheat 34. Act incorrectly 36. European pipeline 37. Al Bundy’s wife 38. Ocean 40. Root eaten as a vegetable 41. Sound units 43. Style of music 44. A way to drench 46. Hot beverage 47. A cotton fabric with a satiny finish 49. Rumanian city 50. Urge to action 51. Vaccine developer 52. Canadian law enforcers 53. Wings 54. ‘Perry Mason’ actor Raymond 57. Small fry 58. __ Clapton, musician 59. Take a chance 61. Bland food 62. Consumed fifffffflffiflffflffiff THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Community Service hours are available [email protected] for this event! KEEP SOMERS BEAUTIFUL elephant hotel Sat & Sun AUGUST 19th & 20th 9-12 Supplies at Town Hall SOMERS NEEDS YOU to KEEP SOMERS BEAUTIFUL!
PAGE 20 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 and find areas of commonality. But I certainly am and have been a Republican and remain one. I think the objective is to find commonality where you can, and to work together towards addressing big issues and small issues: like fentanyl. On the Foreign Affairs Committee, I’m dealing with China and Israel and issues in the Caribbean with Haiti. There are a lot of areas where we can find bipartisan agreement, and we should. Within my own conference, Vote View identifies me as pretty much squarely in the middle. You know, I’ve voted with Marjorie Taylor Greene 80 percent of the time — which is among the lowest in my conference. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF REPRESENTING A “PURPLE” DISTRICT? To me, obviously, both the right and the left have gotten more strident in their viewpoints. There’s less competitive districts across the country. You know, a decade ago, you’re talking about 80 districts that were competitive. Today, you’re talking about 30. So gerrymandering has certainly impacted a lot of these districts and the parties have gotten much more hardened in their views. I think a lot of people are concerned about primaries, and so they play to the left or the right. I’m focused on my district, the issues that matter to the state, and the country. Being in a swing district, you’re much more focused on a general election audience and talking to voters of all parties and persuasions and trying to build a coalition and a consensus on issues. There’s more of a drive on the left and the right to kind of diverge from each other. But when I talk to colleagues, I think people are generally frustrated by that and would like to see more commonality and more common purpose in dealing with these major issues. HOW HAS GERRYMANDERING AFFECTED POLITICS? I think gerrymandering is bad. You know, New York Democrats tried to do it last year, they got summarily thrown out in court by a Democrat appointed Court of Appeals. That said, they gerrymandered the maps; they violated the state constitution, and they ordered a special master to draw the maps. You got a fair set of maps. My district is a district Joe Biden won by 10 points. It’s by no means a Republican district. It’s competitive. The 2022 maps are the current maps, though the Democrats are back in court trying to gerrymander them again because they didn’t like the outcome. Well, run better candidates; have a better message; have better policies that appeal to voters. I had a message and a viewpoint that a majority of voters agreed with. And, you know, it was obviously one of the biggest upsets in the country. But I knew the district, I knew what the issues were, I knew what people cared about. I think gerrymandering in both parties and in states across the country is bad; it does not serve the purpose of good government or good policy. It serves the purpose of holding on to power. And that’s what you’re seeing, you know, here in New York, again, with the effort to try and throw out these maps. THERE’S TALK OF IMPEACHMENT, WHETHER IT’S AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN OR [HOMELAND SECURITY ] SECRETARY [ALEJANDRO] MAYORKAS OR ATTORNEY GENERAL [MERRICK] GARLAND—HOW DO YOU PLAN TO NAVIGATE THOSE ISSUES IN A PURPLE DISTRICT? Well, to me, whatever we’re doing needs to be based on facts and evidence. And when you’re talking about impeachment, it is inherently a political tool. But it really should not be political. It should be based on facts, it should be based on evidence. And it should be based on what is in the best interest of the country. And I think across the country, right now, you have people very frustrated in both parties, very frustrated in what they see as kind of two tiers of justice, and how one party or one person is being treated one way and another party and another person is being treated differently, for similar things that they’re accused of doing. And that creates a lack of trust in the system. And I think we’re seeing it across the board, because politics has consumed everything we do, whether it’s education, whether it’s corporate America, whether it’s government, it has consumed everything. And so people are very frustrated. They don’t have faith and confidence in what is going on. So to me, if you’re going to go down the road of impeachment, the facts and the evidence need to warrant it. And I don’t currently think that it’s there. I think there are multiple investigations, Congress has the responsibility of oversight, Congress has the right to inquire. That is what Jim Jordan [and] James Comer are doing with their committees. I think they’re doing it in a very straightforward manner. They’re collecting information, what comes of that will have to be determined. But it should always be rooted in facts and evidence and not conjecture or speculation or misstatement of what is there. I think people want reason— a rational, balanced approach to government, and they want to know that you’re being an adult in handling these things. And [impeachment] is not something that should be just used because it was used in the prior Congress and administration. It should be used if the facts and the evidence warrant it. Certainly, a lot of the information that has come out as a result of these investigations is deeply disturbing. And I think, you know, many of my colleagues who spent four or five years going after Donald Trump about everything under the sun now don’t want to investigate anything. And the reality is if Hunter Biden used his father’s position as vice president to get paid from companies or foreign governments …that is something that should be investigated and the American people should understand what is going on there, and how decisions are being made when somebody is appointed to an administration position after purchasing artwork of the first son—that raises ethical questions. And people should certainly be aware of that. And frankly, as I’ve said to folks in the press, they seem to show no interest in looking into much of what has come out through these hearings, certainly not anywhere near the level of interest they showed in the prior administration. LAWLER FROM PAGE 4 SEE LAWLER PAGE 21 Congressman Mike Lawler (right) with Halston Media Publisher Brett Freeman PHOTO: HALSTON MEDIA My wife is an immigrant. She came here over a decade ago from Moldova. I’ve been through this process; it is a fundamentally broken process, it needs to be reformed.’
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 21 School supply bags with age appropriate lists inside are now available at the Community Center. If you can help, please pick-up, fill and return the bags to the Community Center by August st. The bags cost approximately to fill. Thank you for all you do to make our community a better place! PLEASE NOTE: The Center will be closed August th - th. Visit our website for more information. SCAN QR TO PLEDGE TO FILL BAGS Many local children head to school each fall without the basic supplies needed: pencils, paper, notebooks, binders and erasers. We hope you will help by donating FILLED bags of BRAND-NEW school supplies for our “Erase the Need” drive this year. If you can fill one or more bags with new school supplies, you will be playing a big role in helping us ensure that all children have the tools they need to succeed when they return to school. We anticipate that , children will be relying on our support. MISSION STATEMENT: The Community Center of Northern Westchester seeks to improve the well-being and selfsufficiency of neighbors in need in Northern Westchester by providing food, clothing, programs, and other resources. We are committed to treating all with dignity and respect. COMMUNITY CENTER OF NORTHERN WESTCHESTER BEDFORD RD, KATONAH, NY .. COMMUNITYCENTERNW.ORG Advertising space was generously provided by Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. To me the question is, are we holding all of our elected officials accountable? Are we holding all those who are in a position of power accountable, without fear or favor? And it goes back to the frustration that I hear from people all the time that they feel there are two sets of justice in this country that some people depending on their position and party are treated one way, and others are treated in another way. To me, the investigations certainly have produced enough evidence and information that warrant them to be continued. Does that mean criminal charges? Does that mean impeachment? That is yet to be determined. But it should always be based on evidence and facts. And if the evidence warrants it, then obviously, the investigation should continue. You’re seeing multiple people have come forward; whistleblowers from the IRS, Department of Justice officials…Hunter Biden’s former business partner, who was deeply involved in what was going on, while Joe Biden was vice president. So are there legitimate questions that have been raised that warrant investigation? Absolutely. LOOKING AT IT FROM WASHINGTON, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING NORTHERN WESTCHESTER AND PUTNAM COUNTY? I think the biggest issue for most people in our area is affordability. The first bill I introduced was to lift the cap on the SALT deduction, doubling it for married couples from $10,000 to $20,000... We are working through it with the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee [Jason Smith, R-Mo.] and leadership. To get a fix on SALT (state and local tax deductions) as part of any tax package, I’ve made it very clear to leadership that I will not support a tax bill that does not have a fix on SALT. The cap is set to expire in 2025. We in the New York delegation, in New Jersey and California will have some leverage going forward with that. In the immediate [time frame] there needs to be a fix, otherwise, I will not support any tax bill. The affordability factor is key—and a big part of what has created this crisis is government spending. We just saw, you know, a downgrade today by Fitch on United States bonds from AAA to AA+. That is deeply concerning. And I think it obviously creates challenges ahead within our bond markets, and with the ability of the United States government to continue borrowing and [to] not have a real pathway to pay down our debt. We have a $32 trillion debt. This is totally unsustainable. The Biden Administration over the last two years increased spending by $5 trillion in new spending— on top of all the spending that we were already doing, which was high. You look at states like New York, they have a $229 billion budget, they’re now projecting a $9 billion budget deficit next year, a $13 billion budget deficit in 2025. They have a $36 billion tax revenue shortfall. This is unsustainable. And so I think when we talk about affordability, we need to start by getting government spending under control. We need to focus on pro-growth economic policies, reining in the regulatory structure. I sit on the Financial Services Committee, and we have been looking at what this administration has been doing through the Fed, through the SEC, through the Treasury Department to really make it very difficult for businesses to operate in the United States. We need to be looking at energy policy: how do we increase domestic production of energy to help reduce the cost of business, reduce the cost of living, reduce the cost of goods? That is all critical. And that has been my No. 1 focus. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER KEY ISSUES? People are concerned about education, they’re concerned about immigration, they’re concerned about energy. These are real challenges. And of course, public safety. And those are the issues I ran on. Those are the issues that I won on. I would [also] like to bring back as much manufacturing as possible to the United States. I think that was a big mistake over the long haul, to allow so much manufacturing to leave the U.S. But we need to be looking at it from the perspective of how do we bring back good paying jobs here? And how do we strengthen our relationships with other countries that are key to containing the threat from China? Things like pharmaceuticals or microchips—where we’re having supply chain issues — I think a lot of Americans are looking at it going “Wait a minute, this is a problem. We need to address this.” Especially from a safety standpoint, long term, I think we should be manufacturing drugs, the precursors, chips, and semiconductors here because there’s a national security element to it, there’s a public safety element to it. It’s not just always about cost; it is about safety. It is about ensuring that we have good paying jobs here in the United States, that we have an educated workforce, SHOULD FOSSIL FUELS BE CONSIDERED A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE? Absolutely, I mean, you look at the fact that we are illogically putting constraints on ourselves, while China and India and other countries around the world are not. And it is putting us at a competitive disadvantage. It is also not reducing carbon emissions in the way people think worldwide. I think the objective has to address climate change, yes; reduce carbon emissions, but do so based on technology and science and reality. Natural gas, for instance, has reduced carbon emissions 60 percent more than renewables over the last two decades. Why? Because natural gas helped us shift off of coal. Nuclear power is clean, it’s reliable. And it’s cheap. We need to LAWLER FROM PAGE 20 SEE LAWLER PAGE 22
PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 be focused on how we create an energy policy that is consistent with trying to address climate change, protect our environment, but also ensure that we have reliable and affordable energy. I think New York has been disastrous on this. I think there’s a reason manufacturing has left the state in droves; there’s a reason people are leaving our state in droves, and it has to do with affordability. We do not have a sound energy policy. It’s based on hopes and goals and aspirations and not science and technology and reality. So to me, it’s how do we strike that balance? How do we make sure that yes, we are ensuring there’s clean air, clean water and open space preservation while also ensuring that we have reliable energy that can help attract manufacturing, can help reduce the cost of living for our residents. When New York State is banning gas stoves and requiring all new hookups to be electric, and they’re requiring people to convert their homes to electric—the average homeowner would pay about $30,000 to $35,000 to convert their home from gas to electric. Does that help anybody? These are real challenges ahead that I think we need to have a real honest dialogue about. Yes, we want to address climate change, but we need to do it based on the reality of where we are, where the technology is, what our adversaries are doing. We shouldn’t be relying on OPEC [for oil]. You know, Europe shouldn’t be relying on Russia. We in America should be a net exporter of energy. There’s no reason that we shouldn’t be. YOU RECENTLY MET WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN ABOUT OUR MIGRANT AND DEBT CRISES. WAS IT PRODUCTIVE? Look, it was a great opportunity. Obviously, when the president came to my district, the focus was on the debt ceiling negotiations at the time. And certainly, they were trying to put pressure on me to support a clean debt ceiling. But as I said to the president, [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer did not have the votes for that, and it was never going to pass the Congress. So we needed to have a good faith negotiation between the president and the speaker [Kevin McCarthy, Calif.] to cut spending and to lift our debt ceiling. And that’s ultimately what occurred... We found some common ground there. Ultimately, in my discussions with the president, I said “I will support whatever deal you and the speaker negotiate, but you need to negotiate.” THE MIGRANT CRISIS HAS GOTTEN CLOSER TO HOME FOR OUR AREA. This is a real humanitarian crisis at the border, but also here in New York, [NYC Mayor] Eric Adams has taken in over 85,000 migrants since last year, they have nowhere else to house them. It has been a debacle between him and the governor, in terms of trying to deal with this, and work with other municipalities to accommodate those who are coming here on lawful asylum claims. But when you create a situation where you are a sanctuary city, or a sanctuary state, you have to expect that people are going to come here, when you’re providing health and housing benefits to those that are here illegally, and undocumented, people are going to come here. So this has been a significant challenge. I think it has been very poorly handled by the administration, they’ve allowed over 6 million migrants to cross our border since Joe Biden took office. And you know, they’ve slowed it down slightly, but nowhere near what we need to do to deal with the crisis. You have a backlog of asylumseekers: It’s taking at minimum two to three years for these cases to be heard. Two thirds of the cases are being rejected when they’re finally heard, because poverty, in and of itself, while tragic…is not the basis for asylum. I have great empathy for [people coming to the U.S. to escape poverty]. But that is not the rationale behind asylum. My wife is an immigrant. She came here over a decade ago from Moldova. I’ve been through this process; it is a fundamentally broken process, it needs to be reformed. It’s why I’ve signed on to the Dignity Act as an original cosponsor, the first bipartisan piece of legislation in over a decade to deal with immigration. It would deal with securing our border, it would deal with DACA, and it would deal with reforming the legal immigration system. We want people who want to come here to be able to do through a process. And from top to bottom, this whole system is broken. We need to secure the border; we need to stop the massive influx of not only undocumented migrants but fentanyl pouring across our border. The precursors are coming from China. It’s being manufactured in Mexico, the drug cartels are trafficking it across the border. And it’s killing tens of thousands of Americans a year. LAWLER FROM PAGE 21 I’ve made it very clear to leadership that I will not support a tax bill that does not have a fix on SALT [State and Local Tax Deductions].’ Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! Connect Anywhere, Anytime. fifffflffiflffffffiffffiffi ffi ffiffff flffiffi flflffi CALL TODAY (877) 651-1637 • Medicaid • SNAP • SSI • WIC • Veterans Pension • Survivors or Lifeline Benefits • Tribal Assistance Program • Housing Assistance fifffflffiflffiffffififfiffiflfffflffi ffi © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Savings calculation is based on a comparison of Consumer Cellular’s average customer invoice to the average cost of single-line entry-level plans o ered by the major U.S. wireless carriers as of May 2022. CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 Switch & Save Up to $250/Year On Your Talk, Text and Data Plan! NOTHING YOU NEED. YOU DON’T. EVERYTHING Town of Cortlandt Property NYSAuctions.com ABSOLUTE AUCTIONS & REALTY, Inc. (800) 243-0061 Boat Slip, Home & Land Tax Foreclosures ONLINE ONLY AUCTION ENDING - Wednesday, August 30 @ 10AM Visit Our Display Center at 747 Pierce Road, Clifton Park, NY, 12065 Same Day Installation • Sales • Rentals • Service • Buybacks New and Reconditioned Lifts Locally Owned & Operated Regain Your Independence! $ 200 OFF the purchase of any stairlift Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board DSL Construction The Home Team! Floors • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! FREE Consultation and Design Fully Insured to Meet Your Needs Complete Remodeling of Your Home OFFICE: 845-276-8608 LOU: 845-494-9857 Proudly Serving Heritage Hills Community VIKING LYNX MONOGRAM SUBZERO SCOTSMAN BERTAZZONI BOSCH BEST DCS GE MARVEL MIELE MAYTAG ELECTROLUX WHIPSPERKOOL FRIDGIDAIRE Trusted Repair That Will Stand the Test of Time Grills | Washers | Dryers | Refrigerators | Ovens | Ranges | Wine Coolers Serving Westchester County PH: 914.864.1252 6 Mark Mead Road • Cross River, NY 10518 Email: [email protected] www.appliancegenie.com AUTHORIZED SERVICE FOR VIKING, LYNX, FRIGIDAIRE Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 52 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! DSL Construction Inc. Windows, Doors, and Painting Full Service Window and Door Installations Call for Free Quote and Measure We deal with all the major window, door, and paint brand manufacturers Office: 845-276-8608 • Lou: 845-494-9857 Fully Licensed to meet your needs! Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! Established 1979 Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer WESTCHESTER 914-277-4229 • PUTNAM 845-278-2575 AS FEATURED ON FREE ESTIMATES AND FREE INSTALLATION DISCOUNTED BLINDS & SHADES VERTICAL-MINI BLINDS-SILHOUETTE SHUTTERS-WOOD BLINDS-VIGNETTE LUMINETTES-ROMAN BLINDS-VALANCES Shades Above the Rest for Home & Office SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $25 PER BLIND! www.westrockwindowdesigns.com Somers Resident COUPON Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! 845-278-7312 ALL FUEL CO. The Shelley Family Home Heating Fuel 1606 Rte 22, Brewster • Burner Sales, Service & Installation • Tank Removal & Installation • Propane Available for Cooking & Heating AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 * Maintenance * Planting * Pruning * * Shrubs * Plants * Lawn Maintenance * Soil Test * * Landscape Architectural Planning * Horticulturist * (914) 248-7768 One Marina Drive, Lake Mahopac NY 845-628-2333 www.macdonaldmarineny.net SALES • SERVICE • STORAGE
PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 Postpartum depression (PPD) is emerging as a major health concern, impacting up to one in seven women after childbirth, according to a recent study by the American Psychological Association. The difference between PPD and the common “baby blues” and the available treatments are becoming increasingly vital in conversations surrounding maternal health. “Postpartum depression may be mistaken for baby blues at first,” the Mayo Clinic says in an online article about the condition. “But the signs and symptoms are more intense and last longer. They may eventually interfere with an ability to care for one’s baby and handle other daily tasks.” Instead of trying to distinguish between the two conditions on one’s own, the Mayo Clinic recommends seeking help if symptoms of depression occur. “If you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or postpartum depression, call your doctor and schedule an appointment,” the Clinic’s website says. “If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.” WHAT IS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION? Described by the National Institute of Mental Health as a mood disorder affecting women post childbirth, PPD sufferers often grapple with feelings of intense sadness, anxiety and exhaustion, which can significantly hinder their ability to care for themselves or their infants. This is a far cry from the temporary “baby blues,” a term coined for the short-lived mood swings many new mothers endure post-childbirth. UNRAVELING THE CAUSES Although the precise cause remains elusive, hormonal shifts after childbirth, notably the drastic decrease in estrogen and progesterone, can contribute to mood alterations leading to PPD, as highlighted by a 2019 Mayo Clinic study. These hormonal changes, paired with shifts in blood volume, blood pressure, and metabolism, can usher in fatigue and mood fluctuations. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has identified several risk factors such as: • Past encounters with depression or other mental health disorders • Recent stressful life events • Ambivalence about the pregnancy • Insufficient emotional backup • A previous bout of PPD • Childbirth complications • Issues related to substance abuse RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS Mayo Clinic lists a range of symptoms indicative of PPD, including prolonged sadness, appetite or weight changes, disrupted sleep patterns, irritability, fatigue, severe mood swings, difficulty bonding with the infant, withdrawal from loved ones and even thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby. Typically, healthcare practitioners diagnose PPD through interviews, screenings, or specific questionnaires. NAVIGATING TREATMENT OPTIONS The good news, as pointed out by the National Institute of Mental Health, is that PPD is treatable, with most women responding positively to a blend of the following treatments: • Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, it offers a platform for women to discuss their feelings, enabling them to cope and address problems. • Medication: Antidepressants can play a pivotal role in PPD treatment, although it’s imperative to weigh potential risks against benefits. • Hormone Therapy: Estrogen replacement might alleviate some PPD symptoms by offsetting the post-childbirth estrogen drop. • Support Groups: Engaging with peers can provide invaluable emotional reinforcement and diminish feelings of solitude. BEING READY TO HELP According to experts, treating postpartum depression is about early detection and timely intervention. And because people suffering from any form of depression often don’t know how to seek help, it’s important for their loved ones to be aware and act quickly. “People with depression may not recognize or acknowledge that they’re depressed,” the Mayo Clinic says. “They may not be aware of signs and symptoms of depression. If you suspect that a friend or loved one has postpartum depression or is developing postpartum psychosis, help them seek medical attention and understand that help is available.” A spotlight on maternal mental health tell you that she has wanted to be a doctor for as long as she can remember; that even as a child she could be found wrapping her dolls in gauze.” When Cascetta was in the eighth grade, her mother’s closest friend died from breast cancer. “It was this life-altering event that helped Krystal decide that medical oncology would be her specialty,” the bio said. Cascetta was also boardcertified in internal medicine. She earned her medical degree at Albany Medical College, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for “demonstrating CASCETTA FROM PAGE 1 SEE CASCETTA PAGE 26 Nestled in a lush green hideaway of Yorktown Heights amidst tall evergreens and nature’s beauty, sits The Country House, recently named a Best Assisted Living community by U.S. News & World Report. We invite you to tour and learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one. Call (914) 249-9144 to schedule. Experience the Best THE Country House in westchester 2000 Baldwin Road · Yorktown Heights · thecountryhouseinwestchester.com LIC # 800-F-007 Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Planning Medicaid Applications Guardianships Probates Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 We make home & hospital visits Contact the team today! (845) 621-8640
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 25 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP? Heat pumps will help you find the perfect balance of comfort and savings all year round, while reducing your carbon footprint. These all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems optimize the temperature throughout your home to use less energy, and can save you thousands on your cooling and heating costs. 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! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT EXP 9/30/23 Coupon must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES We’re Committed to Your Comfort! tucked away in an outdoor pen. She called the Barcias and asked for proof so she could make sure she was releasing the tortoise to his rightful owners. They sent her photos and videos and the next morning, although exhausted from having spent a sleepless night, went to pick up their errant pet. “It was wild, insane,” Patty says. REUNITED Scientists say that because tortoises are reptiles, they aren’t capable of feeling “love” as humans understand it. However, they do show signs of affection and appreciation for their owners, such as following them around, tolerating handling, and eating directly from their hands. As soon as the relieved Barcias arrived in Patterson, Hardshell cruised right on over to be petted and fussed over. “He’s more than a pet; he’s a member of the family. He knows us; he knows the sound of our voices,” Patty says. Two plus decades ago, their then 8-year-old daughter had wanted a dog for her birthday, but that wasn’t an option for the family. They went to a pet store where she picked out what they thought was a turtle instead. “No one told us he was a tortoise,” she says, so they had no clue what they were getting into. When Hardshell was a baby, he was small enough to be bathed in the kitchen sink. Now he hangs out in the backyard, near the pool where he has a favorite rock to sleep under. Unfortunately, he has learned that when the gate is not closed properly it makes a handy escape hatch. Tortoises are very good diggers, too. So, when Hardshell was a toddler, he was able to claw his way out from under the fence. In the fall and winter, Hardshell lives in a bedroom that was vacated by the one of the Barcias’ now-grown children. He lounges around in a huge sandbox outfitted with tortoise-appropriate bedding, a rock, and pieces of driftwood. The Barcias, knowing that he’ll be with them a long time, are thinking about building Hardshell a small heated barn. Tortoises are big, tough, and slow survivalists that can live to be 150 years old. As adults, they can weigh between 70 and 100 pounds. At 60 pounds, Hardshell is too heavy to lift. “He’s not like a sack of potatoes you can throw over your shoulder,” Patty explains. You have to pick tortoises up in a certain way. A cracked shell can kill them. And if you don’t hold them horizontally, it can impede their breathing. After giving the Barcias a tour of the grounds, the woman offered to loan them a wheelbarrow so they could cart Hardshell to the car. They politely declined, telling her to just open the gate to his pen. He immediately tagged along behind them, like a dog. CLEVER, MOTIVATED Chris Evers, founder of Animal Embassy, an organization dedicated to exotic animal rescue, adoption and environmental education, cares for a variety of tortoises at his North Salem home. He has African Sulcata, the third biggest kind; red foot, and leopard tortoises. The rascally reptiles can be “very clever as far as escaping goes. They are motivated, driven; they know what they want and generally they’ll find it.” His tortoises have two acres to roam, but they still go AWOL. They are good diggers and it isn’t hard for them to claw their way free. They can’t literally gallop off like the occasional stray horse Evers has helped track down, but they’re faster than most people think. After all, “slow and steady wins the race,” he says, adding that they can “go quite far.” Even if they’re not far away, they can be hard to find because they like to make holes and tunnels. These burrows provide tortoises with a cool place during the dry hot days of late spring and summer when water and food is scarce and a relatively warm place to park themselves during winter hibernation. So what frequently inspires them to set off for parts unknown? Sex and food. They’re either looking for a tasty treat or another tortoise to mate with, he explains. GAME PLAN Hardshell’s family wants to head off any future misadventures at the pass. They were considering getting an Apple AirTag -- a small, tracking device usually used to locate easy-to-lose personal items such as keys, bags, or wallets -- and gluing it to his shell. While using an AirTag to track a pet may sound like a good idea in practice, Apple itself and veterinarians discourage it because it contains batteries and could be harmful if swallowed. It’s better to microchip potential runaways instead, they advise. None the worse for wear, Hardshell is now home, happily hanging out with the Barcias and their grandkids, doing his laps around the yard, and maybe, just maybe, deviously plotting his next big adventure. “We were very, very lucky,” says Patty. TURTLE FROM PAGE 3 The tortoise was located in Patterson, more than 25 miles from home. PHOTO COURTESY OF PATTY BARCIA
excellence in humanistic clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service.” She had a bachelors of science degree from St. John’s University. Cascetta did her residency training in internal medicine at the Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. As a resident, she received the Intern of the Year award, Humanism in Medicine award, and the Daniel Ross Gold, DO Resident Teacher of the Year award. She completed a fellowship program in hematology and medical oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital where she served as chief fellow. Cascetta completed the Greater New York Hospital Association/United Hospital Fund Clinical Quality Fellowship in 2020 and was a 2022 Executive Master of Health Administration candidate at the Sloan Program in Health Administration at Cornell University. According to her professional profile, Cascetta was an assistant professor of medicine within the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and site chief of the Mount Sinai Queens Infusion Center, a state-of-the-art treatment center for cancer and blood disorders and an extension of the Tisch Cancer Institute at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Cascetta was an “active investigator” of breast cancer clinical trials, the profile said. She focused on the treatment of breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal cancer. Last year, Cascetta made it into the New York Times Magazine edition of Super Doctors ® Rising Stars. She also belonged to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. One of the folks who posted in the recommendations section on Cascetta’s LinkedIn page praised her “as the most kind and caring oncologist out there.” If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. PAGE 26 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 To be nominated, a person must: • Be at least 60 years old and live in Westchester County, and cannot be a past Hall of Fame inductee (past honorees can be found here: https://senior citizens.westchestergov.com); • Have made significant contributions to improving life in Westchester; • Be an outstanding leader or advocate; • Have professional achievements that reflect innovative solutions to fulfill unmet community needs (if based on the nominees’ paid professional work). Nominations are due by Sept. 8, and will be reviewed by a judging committee. A nomination should be submitted for each person, with organizations and individuals to be allowed only one nomination. To complete your nomination, please visit bit.ly/2023SHOF or visit www.westchesterpartnership.org to download the form. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Amanda Seebeck at AmandaS@EventsRemember. com or call 914-218-3968. This year’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame will be held in person on Friday, Dec. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), Westchester Parks, Recreation and Conservation, and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services will be hosting this year’s celebration. Additional sponsorships and congratulatory journal ad opportunities are available. For details, visit www. westchesterpartnership.org. To learn more about the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), call 914-813-6300 or visit www.westchestergov.com/seniors. Somers Women’s Club RENT-A-SPACE TAG SALE Sunday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To be held in Reis Park, rain or shine. Spaces are $45 each for a 12’ x 12’ square. No assigned spaces, selection at setup time. Bring your own tables and tents. No raffle sales. No baked goods or fresh food sales. Please note that pets are not allowed in the Town Park. For any questions, please email SWC2023TagSale@ comcast.net or call 914-406-1593. Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 10TH ANNIVERSARY Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taking place at the Chappaqua Train Station in Chappaqua. This year’s Festival will be the largest one yet, with 180 authors in attendance and celebrity authors Mary Pope Osborne and Alan Gratz leading the charge. Organizers look forward to introducing the community to new writers joining this year, like Alex Gino, and reconnecting with returning authors like Bryan Collier. Admission and parking are free, and the event will be held rain or shine (http://www. ccbfestival.org/). CCBF is proud to announce that it is a recipient of the WestchesterArts 2023 Arts Alive grant, given to support community-based arts and cultural projects developed by cultural groups and organizations. TRUNK FROM PAGE 6 CASCETTA FROM PAGE 24 Kokum Kitchens LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 8/2/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Arun Menezes, 2 Eastchester Rd., New Rochelle, NY 10801. General Purpose K&D Peekskill Realty LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 7/13/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 1457 Main St., Peekskill, NY 10566. General Purpose REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. (877) 516-1160 $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS REQUEST A FREE QUOTE FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $735 Value! Whether you are home or away, protect what matters most from unexpected power outages with a Generac Home Standby Generator. One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging. FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS: YOU MAY *QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS! HELP IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY CASH Qualify Today: 800-944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to see if you *qualify Do you need a New Roof and Help paying for it? Do you need Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? Approved applications will have the work completed by a quality repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. Contractor License: NY: #2719-h14 *Enrollment is only open during a limited time. Programs, appointments, and installations are on a first come, first serve basis in your area. Any leaking, visible damage, or roof age, may *qualify you! Drafty windows, energy cost too high, you may *qualify!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 27 DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755 COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required. TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855- 543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required. ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636 Do you need a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months freepremium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595- 6967 DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 ATTORNEY AUTO DONATIONS EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING HEALTH HOME IMPROVEMENT TV INTERNET PHONE MISCELLANEOUS FINANCE PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 8/03/23 Advertise With Us When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout the Town of Somers, including all of its hamlets and Heritage Hills. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845- 208-8151 or email freeman@ halstonmedia.com. PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Nicholas Foster for a Special Exception Use Permit and a variance. The property included in this application is located in an R-80 Residential District at 4 North Lane, Katonah and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 48.13, Block: 1, Lot: 9. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary August 3, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Vincent Cotrona for three variances. The property included in this application is located in an R-10 Residential District at 5 Aery Road, Yorktown Heights and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 16.10, Block: 3, Lot: 22. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary August 3, 2023 Notice of Formation of 124 Seafield Point, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 06-28. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Laura Bortstein: 39 Walbrooke Road Scarsdale NY 10583. Purpose: Any lawful purpose PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Elmer and Sylvia Gudiel for a variance. The property included in this application is located in an R-40 Residential District at 218 North View Lane, Mahopac and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 4.19, Block: 2, Lot: 12.2. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary August 3, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Richard and Diane Borque for two variances. The property included in this application is located in an R-10 Residential District at 14 Overlook Way, Purdys and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 18.13, Block: 2, Lot: 32.5. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary August 3, 2023 Notice of Formation of Aconite Fabrication LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 05-29. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alexander DeMaria: 120 Barrett Hill Road Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of JMRC Yorktown LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 04-10. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Michael Tsao: 746 Delano Rd Yorktown Heights NY 10598. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of DB Greenbuilders LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2018- 05-22. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Don Bleasdale: 66 Forest Lane Yorktown Heights NY 10598. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of 124 Seafield Point, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 06-28. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Laura Bortstein: 39 Walbrooke Road Scarsdale NY 10583. Purpose: Any lawful purpose
PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 @kitchen_headquarters Kitchen Headquarters WWW.KITCHENHQ.NET 1961 Commerce Street • Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 1-855-518-2436 CALL US TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT! Let us create a unique design that will make your kitchen dreams come true, creating a lifetime of memories . Grand Opening CELEBRATION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH