VOL. 6 NO. 29 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 18 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 16 Senator Peter Harckham pg 3 CONVERSATION Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 John Jay High School has proudly announced that Alice Cai has been named this year’s Valedictorian, with Salutatorian honors going to Shayna Kar. Cheers echoed through John Jay’s halls when Principal Steven Siciliano announced the top honors for the Class of 2024 on Sept. 22. He also congratulated Alice on being a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. “We are proud of their accomplishments and all that they bring to the student body at John Jay High School,” said Dr. Siciliano. Alice and Shayna describe themselves as well-rounded students, are both part of John Jay’s Science Research program, and enjoy all subjects of study. “I like learning and asking questions,” said Alice. “John Jay has fostered that. There are so many teachers who support us in challenging ourselves.” Shayna agreed. “We are in a lot of the same classes,” she added. Alice is the founder and President of John Jay High School’s Fashion Reimagined Club; its mission is to advocate and educate members of the community about sustainable and ethical fashion. She is also Student Council President and a Campus Congress Representative. Outside of school, Alice is an accomplished pianist who has performed at concert halls and competitions, and is a Presidents Junior Leadership Council Advisory Board Member, through which she volunteers at Northern Westchester Hospital to plan public health initiatives to improve mental health of teenagers in our community. Shayna is a violinist in John Jay’s Orchestra, on the Executive Board of Campus Congress, Co-Secretary of Student Council and Co-president of Tri-M, a member of LEAD JJ. She also plays varsity tennis and is the Student Trustee on the Board of Education this year. Her community involvements include volunteering at the Katonah Village Library, with the Lipliekha Bangla Association and at the Westchester Medical Center in the physical medicine and rehab unit. She is also a teaching assistant with Kumon. The two scholars have been friends since middle school. Both are looking forward to enjoying all of the senior activities ahead, like Homecoming, and spending time with the Class of 2024! Article provided by Katonah-Lewisboro School District. John Jay announces Valedictorian and Salutatorian Alice Cai and Shayna Kar top Class of 2024 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 Alice Cai and Shayna Kar CamScanner
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BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 112 North County Center • Goldens Bridge, NY 10526 914-232-9012 • www.northcountycleaners.com Mon - Fri: 7am - 7pm • Sat: 8am - 5pm Tailoring • Repairs • Leather Cleaning • Drapes & Curtains Over 30 Years Experience Pick Up & Delivery for New Customers First Orders Only Mention Promo Code NCCT10 $10 OFF Weekly Delivery in your Area • All Dry Cleaning Done on Premises • Same Day Service (in-store drop off only) drop off by 10am Point B Planning, LLC d/b/a/ AtwoB (“AtwoB”) is a registered investment adviser. A copy of AtwoB’s current written disclosure statement discussing AtwoB’s business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC’s investment adviser public information website or from AtwoB upon written request. This article is for information only and should not be considered investment advice. Michael Tom CFP® CFA® • Jeff Wund • Todd Rebori, CFA® www.AtwoB.com • (914) 302-3233 23 Parkway, Second Floor • Katonah, NY 10536 Why AtwoB? • Boutique, Independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) • Owner-Operated, Your Money Matters to Us • Legally Obligated to Act in Your Best Interests 100% of the Time • Unbiased – Paid Only By Clients, No Commissions or Hidden Fees • High-Touch, Attentive Service You Can Depend On • Employer-Sponsored Retirement Solutions for Business Owners Financial Planning Investment Management Tax Preparation & Planning Business Retirement Plan Services CoveCare Center 2023 Imagine Gala Friday, Nov. 3, from 6 to 10 p.m. CoveCare Center invites the community to attend its 2023 Imagine Gala at Salem Golf Club in North Salem. CoveCare Center provides mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services to adults, children, families, and seniors. All proceeds from the event directly benefit CoveCare Center’s programs and make it possible for the agency to continue to offer accessible and affordable services. At the event, CoveCare Center will be celebrating the career of Michael Piazza, Putnam County Commissioner of Social Services, Mental Health, and Youth Bureau, and presenting him with the Sid Gibson Imagine Award. The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and music by Tony T Entertainment featuring The City Express Band. An exciting silent auction will be held, including a host of valuable items, such as sports and entertainment tickets, vacation accommodations, gift baskets, and more. In addition, CoveCare Center will display their Giving Tree, which will give guests the opportunity to see the many programs and services their donation could impact. For more information, to purchase tickets, or become a sponsor to the event, please visit www.CoveCareCenter.org, or contact Development development@ covecarecenter.org Women’s Civic Club of Katonah Annual New Members Breakfast Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. It’s been called the Sorority you always wanted to join. The Women’s Civic Club of Katonah will hold its Annual New Members Breakfast at the Memorial House. The club is known for its commitment to local charities and has earned the gratitude of generations of deserving high school seniors through its scholarship program. Women who are interested have long found it a rewarding way to give back to the community, enjoy a variety of activities like luncheons, book club and bridge, as well as making life long friends. Intrigued? Call MaryJo O‘Brien at 914- 666-2064 and RSVP. Members aren’t all from Katonah. Bedford, Mahopec, Pound Ridge and both Salems are welcome! Vista Volunteer Fire Department 377 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem, www.vistafd.org Pancake Breakfast & Open House Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8 to 11 a.m. Bring the whole family for a community event supporting your local first responders, and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of others! Featuring fire truck rides on Engine 141, firefighting demonstrations, fire truck and ambulance tours, and EMS demonstrations. Service dogs are welcome! Tickets are $12/adults, $8 for children 8 and under. Women’s Civic Club of Katonah Oktoberfest Saturday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 10 p.m. Join in for traditional fare and celebrate the history of The Women’s Civic Club of Katonah and their Katonah Thrift Shop. Featuring live music by John Praino from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person. (Adults only.) Mail R.S.V.P. or donation checks to: The Katonah Thrift Shop Melanie Krebs, 54 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 If you are unable to join in for beer and brats, please consider making a donation. For more information, email [email protected]. Lewisboro ItalianAmerican Heritage Day Monday, Oct. 9, from 12 to 4 p.m. Celebrate with the Garibaldi Society of Lewisboro at their second annual Italian-American Heritage Day (Columbus Day). Once again Lewisboro’s renowned Italian-American chef Sue Fiore Vales is hosting the event at the Horse and Hound at 94 Spring Street in South Salem. There will be traditional Italian fare, free to all with a cash bar. Come enjoy the food, music and camaraderie. And for those non TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 6
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 FLOODS Can Happen TO ANYONE! Contact Us for Info on Flood Insurance HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com BY EMILE MENASCHE AND TOM WALOGORSKY EDITORS Last month, Halston Media sat down for an interview with State Senator Peter Harckham. Sen. Harckham offered his thoughts on a number of topics relevant to the 40th Senate District, including the approach to securing grants for municipalities, the recently passed “Save the Hudson” bill, and the ongoing effort to combat the opioid epidemic in our communities. Your district covers a purple area that is part red, part blue, and mixed in some places. How do you find working with these different constituencies? We work with every municipality, whether they’re represented by Democrats or Republicans. We give everybody the same amount of grant money. When I have discretionary grant money, we dole it out evenly. We just announced $2.1 million in electrification grants. Every municipality got the same $100,000, we try to be fair to everybody. We work with the first responders, and we work with the veterans. One of the promises we made when I was elected was we would do a coffee and conversation every month. We go to every town in the district, we rotate around, usually we do it at libraries, sometimes at town halls, depending on what the availability is. And so you know, there are towns that we know don’t vote for us. Carmel is not a town that votes for us. And yet we work very closely with [Carmel Town Supervisor] Mike Cazzari. We didn’t do well in Stony Point, but we’re spending a lot of time there. The day after the storm, we were over there with Jimmy Monahan, a supervisor in the police team surveying damage. Really, once Election Day is over, it doesn’t matter. We put in the same effort for everybody. Many of these communities are structured differently and have different levels of need. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. How do you find a balance and identify the key areas? One of the examples we’ll give is the number one promise I made when I was elected, that we’re going to fully fund Foundation Aid, because the Foundation Aid formula was inequitably applied. And so school districts like Peekskill and North Rockland were disproportionally underfunded. They were higher needs districts, and they have less property value. And so we set out to do that, we had a three-year plan two years ago, we brought everybody to 60%, then everybody to 80%. This year, we got everybody up to 100%. This year, the state education aid increased $86 million in my district. Since I’ve been in office, it’s been $186 million. So that’s $186 million going directly into the classrooms. And it’s $186 million less that the property taxpayers have to pay. You know, the state constitution says the state will provide sound education, every student, not property taxpayer. We’ve taken that seriously. In some communities, it’s property tax relief. In other communities, it’s more about being beneficial to the students. But even if there were school districts in our district that were almost near getting full Foundation Aid when we started, they were getting 3% more a year anyhow. So all our school districts have gotten more. It’s been 30% more in education funding to all our districts since we’ve been in. So that’s been a way that it’s helped everybody lift students and places like Peekskill in Ossining. But it also helps property taxpayers as well. Sometimes there seems to be a feeling of tension between local and state government, which is true of both parties. Given the size of the bureaucracy, how do you work through it to turn grants into practical funds that local governments can use? It’s how different people view government. On the Republican side, less regulation, less government. I think sometimes I’ve heard from Republican colleagues that say, “oh, another mandate from the state.” Certainly, the communities that are in the New York City watershed, the restrictions that they have, and that goes back to my days as a County Legislator too, so I do understand those challenges. There are challenges in their opportunities. You know, New York City’s got money for infrastructure and New York State has money for infrastructure and other programs. But the state also loves to pass down mandates that then impact the flexibility of local governments and I get that tension. I think some of it is educating municipalities on how they make a competitive grant. It’s working with our first responders, and we now have new money at the state for the upgrades of fire houses. Because of all the new requirements, the engines are much longer and all our local fire houses have to expand. We now have money, which we put in the budget just for that process. And how do we educate our local first responders? I have discretionary grant money that I can help ambulance corps, first responders and fire departments. We’ve done over a million dollars for EMS and fire, over a million dollars for local police, police cars, license plate readers, radios, we get $200,000 to Westchester County Department of Corrections for transponders for the emergency buttons on the officers’ vests. Some of the grants are easier, because they just go through senate finance. But some of the other ones go through the consolidated funding application, which is a much trickier process. Those are competitive grants. A lot of this stuff was set up under Cuomo and to make everything a competition. And so the richer municipalities that can afford grant writers, they always do much better, as opposed to the poorer municipalities, the ones who need the help the most. That’s why we try to A conversation with Sen. Peter Harckham Emile Menasche, Tom Walogorsky, and Sen Peter Harckham discussing issues within the 40th Senate District. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM STAUDTER SEE HARCKHAM PAGE 19
PAGE 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 V O TE F O R DON SC O T T FO R B E DFO R D T O W N C OUN C I L Local Roots, Committed to Bedford Don first moved to Bedford Village in 4th grade and his love for our community has only grown since. After graduating from Vanderbilt, Don returned to Katonah to raise his family and build a business. Proven Track Record on the Town Board Fiscal Responsibility: Held the line on taxes while maintaining a AAA bond rating. Infrastructure Investment: Increased investments in roads and town assets. Critical Road Paving: Fought to get I-684 paved, addressing safety and noise. Protecting Our Youth: Stopped the sale of vaping products in our hamlets. Supporting Community Groups: Reduced the fees paid for town services. V OTE FO R MIKE P A L LADIN O FO R B EDFO R D T O WN C OUNCIL A True Bedford Love Story Mike moved to Bedford in 2016 but has ties dating back over two decades including being a Camp Counselor at the Bedford Hills Day Camp where he entertained campers at the very same Community House that is now right outside his living room window. His first job out of college – a sports marketing firm on Adams Street – was where he met his now wife, Nell. Service Before Self Motivated by his profound engagement in the community, Mike seeks a Town Board seat to provide Bedford residents with enhanced representation and commitment. WE CAN DO BETTER MIKE PALLADINO & DON SCOTT FOR BEDFO R D T O W N BO A R D Don & Mike celebrating Flag Day 2023 at the Bedford Hills Community House. [email protected] 914-263-9681 www.MikeForBedford.com [email protected] 914-262-7697 www.DonForBedford.com “I come with a neighborly spirit, not a politician’s agenda.” -Mike Palladino Paid for by Bedford United 2023 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bedford is moving to make the town a lot more welcoming for the autistic and others with brainfunction challenges. The Town Board is expected to act in coming weeks on recommendations of a town-appointed task force seeking to foster greater inclusion. High on the list of proposed steps will be the education of many in local businesses, schools, government and police about the nature of those disabilities. “All of us, including myself, can benefit from learning what neurodiversity means,” Wendy Belzberg, the task force chair, told the Town Board last week. Belzberg said the training, in-person and online, will emphasize information to increase the public’s understanding of neurological conditions like autism, dyslexia and ADHD and lift the stigma that ignorance often breeds. “It’s all about education,” she said. Belzberg delivered a report by the six-month-old Neurodivergent-Friendly Town Task Force at the Town Board’s Sept. 19 meeting. In her 20-plus-minute presentation, she urged Bedford officials to widely convey both their commitment to neurodiversity and relevant information about it. Specifically, the report suggests the town website host a permanent neurodiversity homepage, one that includes pledges of official commitment to inclusion and belonging. The website would also maintain an up-todate resource guide for residents seeking professional and recreational services and a link to online autism-registry forms. Among its other recommendations, the task force called for placing brochures and additional reference materials in public venues, restaurants and retail stores. The materials should be written on town stationery, Belzberg said, and describe Bedford’s commitment to inclusion. “Ultimately, the community has to own this,” the Bedford Hills resident said. In creating the task force last March, the Town Board noted the importance of “accepting and destigmatizing human neurodiversity.” It asked Belzberg, who is co-chair of the town’s Open Space Acquisition Committee, to recruit a task force that would, in six to 12 months, report back “with recommendations and input from the community for an ongoing townwide initiative for a more autismfriendly town.” Belzberg said the task force reached out to residents with a survey, asking “what do you need, what are we doing well, what aren’t we doing well, how do we better service you?” The community feedback was important, she said—“so we were not just making stuff up as we went along”—and helped to guide the report’s findings. Broad neurodiversity training was a key recommendation. It will be offered to first responders, emergency room and hosp ital staff, public school administrators, teachers and students, managers and employees of all restaurants, banks, retail stores and community institutions, and every town employee as well as task force committee members. “I don’t think there is anyone who wouldn’t benefit from being trained,” Belzberg told the board. Already, she said, 55 people have signed up for in-person schooling, scheduled for Oct. 23 and financed by a local business. Among the participants are Supervisor Ellen Calves, department heads and other town employees, the Bedford Playhouse, Katonah Museum of Art, Caramoor, Katonah Village Library, Tease Hair, Amy Drucker Photography, Olde New House, Chroma Gallery, Reading Room, Kelloggs & Lawrence, oHHo and Majestic Hudson. Calves thanked Belzberg and said it was “really heartening to see the outpouring of support from all the businesses and organizations.” But she postponed any official adoption of the task force’s recommendations, pending a board review and preparation of a final resolution for an upcoming agenda. “I think most of the recommendations are adoptable,” she said. “I just don’t have it [the resolution] before me.” Belzberg, for her part, sees Bedford taking a neurodiversity leadership role. “We will become a town where people with all levels of abilities will feel welcome,” she predicted. “We hope to be the first neurodiverse town in Westchester and that we will lead the way for a countywide initiative. . . . I do believe we will lead by example.” Councilwoman Bobbi Bittker, who chaired one of three task force committees working on the report, told last week’s Town Board meeting, “I can’t even tell you what a difference this is going to make for people.” As Calves and others in the fiscal trenches work to control expenses in next year’s budget, the supervisor said neurodiversity training will not require additional town spending. “The police already have had a training on this and already have a training budget they can use for new officers or more training as needed,” she said in an email response to a question. “For seasonal staff, autism training will be part of regular staff training, already in the budget. As for the other elements, like providing resources on the town website and doing community outreach, we do not need to increase funding for those.” Bedford looks to make strides for inclusion BEDFORD TOWN BOARD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 5 SUNDAY OCTOBER 8th | 12pm-4pm SUNDAY OCTOBER 8th | 12pm-4pm 99 Valley Road, Katonah NY A fundraiser to support our Parish Center! A fundraiser to support our Parish Center! Live Music, Games, Food, & Fun! Purchase Tickets Here: stmarykatonah.com/oktoberfest/
PAGE 6 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com $20,000 CASH VAULT GIVEAWAY Friday, October 20 • 10pm Earn Entries Now! MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) 1st Place: $15,000 Cash 2nd – 6th Place: $1,000 Cash Italian-Americans, please come and see what you have been missing. 3rd Annual Crossroads Plaza Halloween Party Friday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. Featuring Trunk or Treat! Kids are welcome to wear their costumes and spooky masks and collect treats from each decorated trunk! Sponsored by Keller Williams Realty partners. To be held at Crossroads Plaza, located at 57 Route 6 in Baldwin Place. Shredding Services Friday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The “Shredder Truck” will be at Lewisboro Town Park, 1079 Route 35 (Old Post Road), in South Salem. This will be for the town departments along with town residents. Please remove all metal clips, fasteners, binders, folders and hard covers and place the papers loosely in a box. Hard covers – cardboard or plastic covers on items such as ledger books, marble composition books and hard-cover books – cannot be shredded and will be turned away. Residents must rip pages out from hard cover books for shredding and throw the covers in their regular household recycling. Up to four large (cubic foot) boxes of papers are allowed for shredding. All residents attending shredder events must follow these safety guidelines to protect themselves and staff: Residents must remain in their vehicles at all times. Documents should be boxed and placed in the trunk of resident’s vehicle, if possible, or in the back seat of the resident’s vehicle. Staff will remove the boxes directly from the resident’s vehicle and place them in the shredder mechanism. Vehicles will be queued at a safe distance from staff and only one vehicle will be serviced at a time. Please be mindful to observe all posted signage and directions from the staff. If you have any questions, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 763-3511. St. Mary’s Parish 99 Valley Road in Katonah 1st Annual Family Oktoberfest Sunday, Oct. 8, from 12 to 4 p.m. A fundraiser to support the Parish Center! Featuring live music, games, food, and fun. To purchase tickets, visit www.stmarykatonah. com/oktoberfest Westchester Bluegrass Club www.westchesterbluegrassclub .com Mark Cosgrove and Good Medicine Saturday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Mark Cosgrove’s distinctive, creative flatpicking sound has been heard all over the US and Europe, as well as in Australia and Japan. A lot of this exposure and travel is due to Mark’s association with Americana and roots music icon David Bromberg. In addition to touring with the Grammy nominated David BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER It’s the Great Pumpkin Picking Fundraiser, autumn fun lovers. Muscoot Farm will be holding the annual event from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Saturday, Oct. 7, through Monday, Oct. 9. Attendance is free and participants will be able to visit the farm animals. The trails, however, will be closed while the event is going on. Pumpkins are priced based on their sizes. Hayrides run from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are $5 per person (cash only). Kids ages 3 and under ride free. Cider and doughnuts will be on sale. On Friday, Oct. 6, the farm will host a free outdoor screening of the Charles M. Schulz beloved TV special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” It runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the film starts promptly at 8 p.m. Pumpkins will be available for purchase. Proceeds from those sales will go directly to The Friends of Muscoot Farm, which preserves and interprets – for the public benefit – the early 1900’s farm’s agricultural, cultural, and natural heritage. Calling it an “event not to miss,” County Executive George Latimer said “there’s nothing better than spending an autumn day with the family, picking pumpkins, going on hayrides, and visiting farm animals.” County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor agreed. “Muscoot Farm is one of the most family-friendly parks in our entire parks system. Not only is the staff knowledgeable in their field, they run top-tier programming, including the annual Pumpkin Picking Fundraiser,” she said. Alfred B. DelBello Muscoot Farm is located at 51 Route 100, in Katonah. For more information, visit www. muscootfarm.org or call (914) 864-7286. Pumpkin fundraiser returns to Muscoot Farm CROSSING FROM PAGE 4 SEE CROSSING PAGE 20
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. AND WHEN THEY DO, PRO SHOP NORTH HAS GOT YOU COVERED. Car accidents happen when you least expect them, and they can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Driving your vehicle after can be incredibly dangerous, especially if there is damage to the frame. Pro Shop North can assess the damage for you and work with your insurance company to complete any necessary repairs. Customers always come first at Pro Shop North, so we’ll help you make the most of your insurance claim and get you back on the road safely. PHONE: 845-628-0069 | PHONE/TEXT NOW: 914-727-9497 | FAX: 845-628-3745 381 US-6 MAHOPAC NY | PROSHOPAUTOBODYNORTH.COM 24 HOUR LOCK-OUT SERVICE & TOWING AVAILABLE AUTO BODY COLLISION SPECIALIST | EXPERT FRAME STRAIGHTENING PROFESSIONAL COLOR MATCHING | ALL WORK GUARANTEED PROSHOPAUTOBODYNORTH
Opinion PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 2 TRACKS BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its 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 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Editor’s Note: Don Scott is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to opinion@ halstonmedia.com. Please keep to a 1,000- word limit. One of the humorous stories coming out of Washington recently – and we need some humor coming out of Washington – was the kerfuffle surrounding the change of dress code for the Senate. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer unilaterally changed the Senate’s 200-year traditional dress code, which required business attire on the Senate floor -- suit and tie for men and pants suits, skirts or dresses for women. The change was to accommodate Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Sen. Fetterman’s sartorial choices for work were more appropriate for a pickup basketball game– high top sneakers, no socks, and basketball shorts topped off with a hoodie. He is 6-foot, 8-inches, so it is a good look for him– just not for the Senate floor. Not surprisingly, there was a spirited reaction from across the political spectrum. The brouhaha got me thinking about my own feelings about dressing up. I must admit that post-COVID, I own more sweatpants than dress pants. For me, wearing a belt seems like dressing up nowadays. That said, I still take my hat off when I go indoors. Seeing hats worn indoors by other guys, whether frontwards or backwards, wells up memories of my dad swatting me in the head for the same offense when I was a kid. Tradition and custom, I guess. We all are experiencing a coarsening of our culture. The elimination of dress codes may play just a small part in that coarsening, but it does play a role. We dress up for weddings and funerals, among other things, to acknowledge the significance of the event as well as show respect for those being married or buried. And to show respect for the families. Dressing up also shows our appreciation for those institutions that we revere; marriage, of course, being a central institution of our culture Senatorial sneakers and hoodie hubbub A Capitol fashion faux pas or a step towards a casual Congress? DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE SCOTT PAGE 9 Editor’s Note: Bobbi M. Bittker is a candidate for re-election to the Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to [email protected]. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit. My grandmother was like another parent to me. So, eight years ago, when we realized she was suffering from dementia and could no longer live independently, we quickly moved her into our home in Bedford Hills. I must give kudos to my family. My husband Aric didn’t think twice about taking in a super-senior, who needed constant care, while we were raising our three children. Our oldest immediately offered to move out of his room so Gram could be on the main floor near the bathroom. I was thrust into the role of full-time caregiver for an elderly woman with dementia. I was not trained for this. Few of us are. But it’s more common than you might think. Spouses, children, grandchildren and siblings of seniors are becoming primary caregivers for their elderly loved ones. Many of us leave jobs and forego income to take on this role. It can be a strain on the household, but it is also a calling. These are the people who once cared for us. You might be surprised by how many friends and neighbors are caring for senior family members. It took time and research, but we found a memory care day program for my grandmother to attend. As an attorney, my experience navigating the systems to find and access services for her simplified the process. But this is not an easy task for many seniors or their families. And for many, aging in Delivering for Bedford’s seniors BOBBI BITTKER GUEST COLUMNIST SEE BITTKER PAGE 9 Editor’s Note: Alison Biddle is a candidate for the Lewisboro Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to [email protected]. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit. An entire generation of senior citizens in Lewisboro have been using the town firehouse as a “temporary” senior center. They are allowed use of a room for one day a week. When they are done, everything belonging to the seniors’ group must be packed up and taken home because the fire department needs and uses this room the other six days a week. And as generous as the fire department has been, 20 years is a long time to turn over such a large space to an outside group every seven days. Lewisboro needs a dedicated senior citizen center ALISON BIDDLE GUEST COLUMNIST SEE BIDDLE PAGE 10
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 and society. Sharing common views about dress codes is something that brings us together; traditions we hold in common. Sadly, respect for public institutions is in decline, so holding on to traditions about dress codes might help stem the slide. If those who serve don’t show respect for the institution, why should we? Although I’m not a huge fan of dressing up, when I served on the school board and our town board, I felt it was important to dress up. When you and your fellow board members are responsible for tens of millions of tax dollars, the education of our kids, and the quality of the services local government delivers, constituents need to see that you take the job seriously. A judge or a doctor wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops doesn’t send the same signal that a white coat or black robe does. Despite the appeal for decorum, I am also a fan of business casual, which is becoming the workplace norm. There are notable exceptions, however, like law offices and banks where the jacket and tie are still expected. Comfortable clothes increase creativity and productivity. IQs could rise by a couple of points once the necktie is loosened. With so many people working from home, at least part of the time, there must be impacts at the office. Is it inconsistent to recognize an increasing role for casual dress while at the same time feeling that our institutions should hold the line on formality? Maybe, but I am not ready for flip flops on the Senate floor yet. There is a happy conclusion with the Senate dress code controversy, however. CNN reported that they “passed a resolution formalizing business attire as the proper dress code for the floor of the chamber by unanimous consent.” Just imagine, if they can pass a dress code with a unanimous vote, what else is possible? SCOTT FROM PAGE 8 BITTKER FROM PAGE 8 place for as long as possible is a goal in itself. I won’t lie. I always had a soft spot for senior citizens. I grew up in a neighborhood whose demographic was distinctly older. I volunteered at my grandmother’s senior center when I was 14 years old. It wasn’t uncommon to see me serving hot lunches or fishing a guest’s dentures out of the garbage. Because I always lived in the same building as my grandparents as a child, I “hung out” with my grandparents and their friends often. It wasn’t “The Golden Girls,” but they were a lot of fun. The reality of aging is more sober. It’s physically, emotionally and financially difficult. Seniors need support systems and services. When I first stepped into my role as councilwoman, Bedford’s seniors received few support services on the local level. That had to change. The start of my tenure on the Bedford Town Board coincided with COVID’s onset. Even seniors who were not previously isolated were plagued by loneliness. One of the first actions now-Supervisor Ellen Calves and I took was to build a corps of over 100 volunteers to deliver necessities and make calls to check in on isolated seniors. The initiative was so successful that some of those relationships endured. I joined the Town Seniors Advisory Committee to be the bridge between the town and the senior community. Senior citizens are not only a growing demographic in Bedford, but because of longer life expectancies, we are fortunate to have two generations of seniors. These two generations of seniors – some in their 60s and 70s, others in their 80s and 90s – have very different needs and we are working to provide appropriate services and amenities. For that reason, I championed a full-time senior advocate to be an exclusive resource for Bedford seniors and their families. As soon as the Town Board hired Rosemary Vorel to fill this role, her dance card was overflowing. Today she has a client list of over 200 seniors who, among other things, call on her to navigate the very services I sourced for my grandmother. Rosemary and I recently won a grant from the Field Hall Foundation to provide supplemental needs to low- and middle-income seniors in Bedford that are not covered by insurance, including transportation to medical appointments and food grinders for special diets. Rosemary runs a monthly support group for spouse and partner caregivers, and we also provide a monthly support group for seniors with visual and mobility issues with a local social worker. Rosemary is available for private consultations with Bedford seniors and their family members. I am proud that our senior advocate has been called “a vital link during the pandemic.” If you think that you, a neighbor, or a family member in Bedford can benefit from Rosemary’s services, please call her at 914- 882-5886 or e-mail her at rvorel@ bedfordny.gov. Additionally, the Town Board recently adopted tax exemptions for qualifying seniors as allowed by New York State law. You can contact the Town Assessor’s office to learn whether you qualify. We are also partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide grants of up to $125,000 to homeowners of modest means, many of whom are seniors, to build Alternate Dwelling Units (ADUs) onto their homes. These ADUs may have a dual benefit: providing additional income to keep seniors in their homes while combating isolation. My grandmother’s legacy is important to me. Some of you may even remember her. I brought her to shows at the Bedford Community Theatre. She was a regular at Sammy’s Kosher Butcher and Shop Rite. She lived to almost 103 and I miss her terribly. But I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our seniors, having learned so much about being a senior in Bedford when she became a part of my household. Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. 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Because no one in Lewisboro town government is prioritizing the needs of our older neighbors. When residents raised $200,000 for the town park and an updated playground, they got a $400,000 state grant, but were still short of funds. So our Lewisboro Town Board took $350,000 from ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds to cover the difference. Other ARPA funds have been used to pay for sheds, park bathrooms and various other projects throughout town. Recently at the Lewisboro Town Board meeting, they discussed using the remaining $500,000 of ARPA funds for the pool and other repair projects around our town. Senior citizens never came up in that discussion. Nor did the creation of a permanent, dedicated senior citizen center for Lewisboro. Playgrounds are great. Bike lanes are wonderful. Parks and pools are amazing. But seniors are our greatest resource. They fought and bled for our country and have a lifetime of experience and perspective no one will ever have again. They grew up, married, had children and grandchildren and ran businesses. They worked day and night. They lived and loved and sacrificed to build a better future for those who came after them. And they are singularly responsible for Lewisboro being the wonderful, vibrant town it is today. I think it’s time we move to create a permanent, dedicated senior center for the town of Lewisboro. Political realities being what they are, the smart approach is to raise funds through a 501(c)(3) entity, with a board of directors representing a cross spectrum of Lewisboro leaders, of all political persuasions, from every walk of life. I am committed to this project, regardless of the outcome of this election, and will welcome civic and political leaders to join us, regardless of party and ideology, and would work with anyone who shares our vision of a better future for Lewisboro seniors. As I mentioned, there is local precedent for this kind of plan. When Lewisboro residents petitioned the Town Board about that town park and the playground, they were told to raise the money themselves. So they did. Their hard work and determination paid off. I have two young children, so the park and playground have been a wonderful addition to our town. But a senior center is something long overdue. And it is sorely needed. Imagine a place seniors can visit seven days a week and where they can keep books and games and watch classic films together; maybe go outside and play pickleball with a friend; where they can improve their computer skills or just have a conversation with people who’ve lived as long as they have, laughing at bad jokes together. So where should this new Lewisboro senior center be located? The only town building that immediately comes to mind is the Cyrus Russell House. It would need much work -- and might need to be taken down to the studs. It is town-owned and otherwise seems viable for a senior center. Other sites may suggest themselves. We welcome ideas from everyone, but we should start now, before another generation of Lewisboro seniors passes into history. Alison Biddle worked in financial software for 20 years and is currently Global Senior Enterprise Account Manager for Fusion Risk Management. Born in Yonkers and raised in Mt. Kisco, she has lived in Lewisboro for seven years. She is currently a candidate for the Lewisboro Town Board. BIDDLE FROM PAGE 8 Do any of you long for the return of the neighborhood pharmacy? Most of us have a CVS or Walgreens fairly nearby, but they do not have a pharmacist who might be our next door neighbor or live just up the street. I remember, so fondly, Katonah Pharmacy, with Lou and Frank behind the counter. They knew everything about medicine in general, your medications, and even knew you personally. My dad graduated from the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy in 1925. He opened a store in the heart of Federal Hill in Providence. Many of you might know of this area, as it is the epicenter of some of the best Italian food you will ever eat, plus the fact that it has not lost much of an ethnic culture. Alongside his pharmacy were pushcarts loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables. The guys selling the produce were my dad’s buddies. He helped them with the best pharmaceuticals for their ailments, and they pressed every peach Remembering mom & pop pharmacies with fondness MARILYN A. PELLINI MUSINGS: PAST AND PRESENT SEE PELLINI PAGE 11
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GO TO CMCS.ORG/CAREERS Visit our website for career listings. • Teacher (Birth-2) • Family Worker/Advocates • Home Visitors • Health Specialist/Nurse • Custodians • Cooks • Teachers on Study Plan • Health Nutrition & Safety • Social Worker • Education Specialist BEDFORD GRAVEL & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY 27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s) www.bedfordgravel.com 914-241-3851 FIREWOOD One Face Cord (Single Row 4’x8’) . . . $189 Two Face Cords ($187 each) . . . . . . . . $374 • Small amounts available for pick-up • Fatwood firestarter & kindling wood DEER FENCING, NETTING, POSTS & REPELLENT Gravel • Mulches • Topsoil • Fieldstone Serving the Area Since 1949 before putting the best ones in a bag for him. Dad’s pharmacy was open everyday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but never on Sunday. Everyone in those days had church to attend, with a huge family dinner to follow. During the weekday hours, he would run home for a short rest and a bite to eat, at whatever time the prescription filling had slowed a bit. In the Depression years, Dad sometimes had to give away much needed medicine. His brother, who was a doctor in the same area, often could not collect his fee. After making a house call, he would leave some money for the necessary medication and also to buy milk for the family’s children. People were just that poor back then. That drugstore had a famous soda fountain where Dad served his homemade ice cream. Coffee flavor was his specialty, topped with chocolate sauce, which was not as thick as hot fudge and lighter in color. I still have his recipe, and made it often for my children and grandkids too. Just delicious! When Katonah Pharmacy closed a few years back, a CVS opened in its place. Recently, that too closed, so the nearest big pharmacy is in Bedford Hills. Turned out to be rather convenient because they had a drive-up window where you could pick up prescriptions when ready. The drive-up window closed a few weeks ago. Now one must walk the whole length of the store to get to the pharmacy area. When I arrived one day this week, there were 12 people in line waiting. All I needed to know was if they had been able to get in touch with the doctor’s office to renew my prescription. At that point, I thought it made more sense to go out to my car and make a phone call to them and ask that one quick question. The phone rang and rang and rang and no one answered. I did a couple of errands and called back, but no one picked up. As of now, I have made six trips there and finally had to call the doctor’s office myself. Perhaps my medications will be ready tomorrow when I make trip No. 7. Now I am just hoping that some other pharmacy, with better management and caring responses, opens in my area soon. PELLINI FROM PAGE 10 Thanks for supporting the Lewisboro Library Fair Dear Editor, Thank you to the people of Lewisboro for coming out to Onatru Farm to attend the annual Lewisboro Library Fair on Sept. 9! The fair is our biggest fundraiser, so we were grateful for all those who shopped and had fun while supporting their library. We truly appreciate the tireless efforts of our volunteers and community groups, as well as the generous funding from fair sponsors that helped make this event such a success! Thank you to: Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Cross River Demon Shell Service, ECR Eurocar, Houlihan Lawrence Katonah, The Hudson Milk Company, JPL Construction, Marshall Oil Company, Meccanic Shop North Inc, MercedesBenz of Goldens Bridge, Ring’s End and South Salem Auto Care. Thanks also to Bill Mayer of Ingenuities, for his delicious bake sale treats. A huge thanks to the 2023 Fair Committee chairs and individual volunteers. Some were new this year, but many have been volunteering for decades! We are deeply grateful for your dedication and contributing so generously of your time. Local organizations and businesses also supported the library fair via in-kind donations and volunteer time. Please see our complete list of supporters on the library website and join us in supporting these organizations. They made this fair possible. Finally, our biggest thank you goes to the person who made it come together, Fair Coordinator Julie McCaffrey, whose enthusiasm, leadership and organization were the key to the success of the fair and the funds raised for the library, which go directly to daily operations. We look forward to seeing you at the next Lewisboro Library Fair! -Lewisboro Library Director Cindy Rubino and The Lewisboro Library Board of Trustees Lewisboro LETTER Contact Us The Katonah-Lewisboro Times is located at 118 N Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914- 302-5830 or email [email protected].
PAGE 12 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMESWith the school year in full swing, students across the Katonah-Lewisboro School District have been learning a lot, having fun, and showing their spirit! September activities included John Jay Middle School’s Lego League, and the always popular Spirit Week at JJHS! Scenes from across our schools! Area All State musiciansFenton Lio, Will Fenton, aHunsberger (not picturedat Katonah Elementary School. at John Jay Middle School Favorite Sports Team Day Kindergarten Pattern Day
S – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 PAGE 13 at John Jay High School! at John Jay Middle School during Spirit Week at JJHS. s Alex Bond, and Sophie d: Zack Geller) Lego Team Barbie Day 2 TRACKS PHOTOS COURTESY OF KLSD Western Day
PAGE 14 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 Pick your play and order today! (Gasp!) Don’t have tickets? Don’t miss out! SEPT 28 - OCT 21 • 10 dierent shows to choose from • Matinee and evening shows • 9 Nyack stages LiveArtsInNyack.com For program details & tickets: 833-681-4800 ®NYSDED Welcome to “News & Notes,” where we look at the happenings here in Westchester County. Maybe I should clean our couch more often. I found over $2 in coins the other day. I rushed over to the matching chair, but had no luck. So, after checking all the other pieces of furniture in our house, I wrote this week’s “Counting my nickels” edition of “News & Notes.” October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early. Make a difference, spread the word about mammograms, and encourage communities, organizations, families and individuals to get involved. I’m putting on my sneakers and getting ready to walk again, in honor of my dad, for the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Putnam County on Sunday, Oct. 22. We are raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Hope to see you there. The Women’s Civic Club of Katonah is once again holding their annual Oktoberfest from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Katonah Memorial House. There will be Oktoberfest brew, brats, wine and soft drinks. Calling all singers (they must have lost my number, probably for the best), the newly formed St. Luke’s Community Choir in Katonah is looking for singers to perform masterworks twice a year under the direction of its music director, Harold Rosenbaum. Rehearsals take place for just a few weeks before each concert and the good news is auditions are not required. Speaking of music, the Bedford Music Festival featuring the Wailers is set for 3 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the John Jay Homestead. There is a $40 car parking fee. The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater has some really cool shows set for October. On Oct. 20, Ballet Hispánico performs as it looks to push the culture forward on issues of dance and Hispanic creative expression. Tape Face takes the stage on Oct. 26 through simple, clever and charming humor aimed at satisfying audiences. Tape Face has created one of the most accessible and enjoyable shows the world has ever seen. Both shows start at 8 p.m. In more entertainment news (I hope we’re entertaining), our sports radio show “The Clubhouse” returns for our 20th year. I must have started when I was 2. On Oct. 11 at The Hub in Mount Kisco, you can hear all the craziness and fun from 7 to 8 p.m. on WGCH 1490AM. Muscoot Farm is holding its annual pumpkin picking fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7-9. There will be hayrides, cider, doughnuts, and attendees will also be able to visit the farm animals. Sound like tons of fun. Three cheers to our three wonderful libraries that serve the town of Bedford. We are very fortunate to have these outstanding institutions available for all of us to use and enjoy. With all this cheering, I may lose my voice, but first wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween. Westchester News & Notes for October MARK JEFFERS NEWS & NOTES I t was quite a while ago, but I clearly remember television commercials in the 1950s lauding the benefits of cigarette smoking. At the time, my mom smoked. Her choice seemed acceptable given the list of experts willing to give their stamp of approval. Even when government scientists began to link smoking with lung cancer, the tobacco industry enlisted hired guns to debunk any such claim. What should have been a united front against an incredibly deadly public health hazard became a battle of experts. This pattern has been repeated many times since, most notably with the raging debate over climate change. For us the question remains: what should we do when we are confronted with dueling scientists? This is not a new problem. Plato confronted this issue concerning a medical dispute in The Charmides. He opined, “can anyone pursue the inquiry…unless she has knowledge of medicine?” In other words, it takes an expert to evaluate an expert. It reminds me of my decades at the Legal Aid Society. We trial lawyers were originally taught not to cross examine experts because we would get burned. I didn’t heed that advice and had substantial success challenging the methodology and conclusions of experts whose testimony was averse to my clients’ interest. My first step was to read everything I could get my hands on about the topic at hand. Inevitably, the scientist or Believe it or not JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 15
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 15 technician on the stand had to utilize a device, which produced a reading of some type. I made it a practice to examine the operating manual of the device used to make sure that the test was run properly. You would be shocked at how many times the answer was a resounding no. All of us, inside and outside the courtroom, are faced with the conundrum of clashing experts. We want to know the truth, but who are we to believe? One expert says X and the other insists on Y. One says global warming is a real and present danger. The other says it’s a hoax. We can take the easy way out and latch on to the position that fits our already incorporated mindset (and ideology), or we can make a good faith effort to find out the truth. But how? One of my favorite philosophers, Alvin Goldman, has proposed an answer to our dilemma. Goldman proposed five criteria for figuring out whether to trust an expert’s conclusions. 1. Examine the arguments presented by the expert and her rivals. Occasionally, an argument is so weak that it doesn’t hold up to even the most superficial scrutiny, especially in politics where a candidate or elected official, claiming to be an expert, wishes to convince us that she (he) has a better idea than her (his) opponent. To begin with, most politicians are not more knowledgeable about say, economics, than the rest of us. Often, their proposition can be disregarded because of common sense or because they have taken a contradictory position in the past before a different audience. If, however, we are talking about a legitimate expert, we must advance to Goldman’s other points. 2. Look for evidence of agreement among other experts. Say your stove doesn’t work and you call in an electrician. She (he) tells you that your wiring is faulty and needs repair. You consult with nine more professionals and receive the same analysis from all but one. You would be foolish to not adhere to the advice of 90% of the experts consulted. Similarly, over 99% of scientists insisted that cigarette smoking was related to cancer. Tobacco companies were only able to employ less than 1%. The consensus was indisputable. 3. Look for independent evidence that the expert is, in fact, an expert in the relevant field. A Ph.D. in one field doesn’t make you an expert in other matters. My juris doctor doesn’t make me more knowledgeable than anyone else when it comes to vaccines, for example. Before I cross examined an expert on the witness stand, I researched their credentials, thoroughly including, if possible, their doctoral thesis. Often, they claimed things beyond their area of expertise. 4. Examine the potential bias of a witness. Were they bought and sold by a party of interest, say a pharmaceutical or tobacco company? In a famous study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the authors surveyed research on anti-cancer drugs and kept track of where funding for the research came from. The results were embarrassing. Thirty-eight percent of the studies sponsored by independent organizations (such as the federal government) yielded negative assessments of the efficacy of the tested drugs. Only 5% of studies sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry found that the drugs being tested didn’t work. 5. Examine the track record of the expert in question. We do this every day in our lives. We go to the same mechanic for our cars because, over the years, we developed trust in her (him). That trust is built on solid results. A word of caution is needed here, to avoid what is referred to as the “celebrity effect.” Just because someone is good at one thing doesn’t make them good at other things. Tom Selleck may be a good actor. If we were producing a television show, we may want to sign him up. But that doesn’t mean he has the slightest expertise in reverse mortgages. Goldman’s five step approach is not airtight. He acknowledges that. He, therefore, suggests we take a general approach known as “inference to the best explanation.” This methodology directs us to weigh all available evidence and then make an educated guess about where the truth lies. Often, an educated guess is all we have. In that case, the more educated the better. I know this requires us to do a little work, but isn’t the truth worth it? So, there you have it. Armed with Goldman’s approach, you are now hopefully able to critically evaluate expert testimony and make an informed decision whether to accept it or not. Good luck. MARTORANO FROM PAGE 14 BOGO 40% OFF OFFER ENDS 10/31 888-448-0421 SPECIAL OFFER Waiving All Installation Costs* *Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change and vary by dealer. Ends 12/31/23. 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To advertise in The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. BY KIM STOLL GUEST CORNER Ahh… fall is here. It always feels like a fresh start. I’m not sure if that’s because last month was the start of a new school year and that felt like monumental change? Maybe it’s because it’s a season where things die off, preparing for new growth. Either way, I hope this year you truly fall. Fall completely in love with the things that matter most to you. Fall totally devoted to what you are called to. I hope you let everything that hinders you fall away and prepare yourself for the blessings that fall onto your path. Kim Stoll empowers others in providing positive habits in mindset, at home fitness and simple nutrition. Virtual support available. Reach her at [email protected]. Fall into positivity and purpose
Sports PAGE 16 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER John Jay volleyball has definitely been on a roll. They entered Tuesday night’s game with a 6-1 record and hoped to add another victory to the win column versus Ardsley. Leading 1-0 and 2-1, John Jay looked good again, but the visitors had other ideas on Sept. 26. The Panthers won game four 25-20 and clinched with a 15-12 game five victory. A slugfest through and through, Ilirjana Ahmetaj was the first to come out swinging. Four kills in five points, the Wolves were able to dig in with a 10-6 lead. Still, Ardsley hung in and forced a 15- 15 tie on Alexandra Lebron’s service winner. But a kill by Hellen Dollar and a pair of aces by Megan Flynn reset the Wolves. Up 18-15, Ahmetaj added two more kills, and Ava Calandros rubbed it in with two more aces. So the way was paved for a 25- 17 win. Undeterred, Ardsley jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but back and forth remained the order of the day. A 14-14 on the way, John Jay looked like they might pull away with another kill by Ahmetaj, a McKenna Flynn block and an ace by Haley Hoskins. Unfortunately, Hoskins gave it back with a long serve, and Ardsley eventually responded by tying the game at 19 when Megan Flynn spiked wide. The sister act stood strong nonetheless. McKenna dinked for one and Megan hammered down two more for a 22-20 lead. Close was not enough though, and Ardsley pulled out a 25-23 win on the strength of two aces by Antonella Lanza. Now Ardsley was rolling, and they showed it by breaking out to a 7-1 lead. Not so fast, Katherine Martin’s resounding kill from the center provided a spark, and John Jay pulled even on consecutive kills by Megan Flynn. At 11-11, John Jay continued to play big at the net. Jaime Bartley-Cohen had a block and a kill, Megan Flynn added two more kills and McKenna added one of her own. Along with a block from Hellen Dollar, a 25-18 victory resulted, and game four certainly had John Jay thinking they would earn a very hard fought victory. McKenna Flynn dropped a dink to even game four at 17, but Ardsley scored eight of the next 11 points to even the games at two. No surprise, game five was more of the same. Tied at ten on yet another Megan Flynn kill, her itchy trigger finger proved the last hoorah for the Wolves. Ardsley scored four straight points, and the way was paved for a 15-12 deciding win. John Jay falls in five set thriller to Ardsley Ilirjana Ahmetaj Megan Flynn Olivia Casabona Zoe Dollar PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI VOLLEYBALL BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER After falling to 28-0 to Eastchester and dropping their record out at 1-1, John Jay hoped to get back in both the win and scoring column. Unfortunately, at Yorktown on Friday September 22, the Wolves did neither. A great running game and relentless pressure on quarterback Tommy Machado, and the squad succumbed in a 42-0 blowout. The game did start with promise, though. On third and fifteen from the Yorktown 41, Kaden Gonzalez dropped back and his pass to the sideline was picked off by James Arefieg. John Jay took over at the 30, and after Machado hit Jack Marcogliese to set up a fourth and one, there was every reason to hope. Instead, a screen right was incomplete, and the high point of the evening quickly passed the Wolves by. Changing over, Gonzalez hit Thomas Costello to the 35, and that left running back Dylan DelVecchio in position to start doing his stuff. Three runs and the Huskers had first down at the John Jay 45. But a block in the back pushed Yorktown the other way, and seemed to give the Wolves a reprieve. Not quite, a completion each to Tyler Galante and Costello put Yorktown on the 28, and Delveccio mostly took it from there. Three more runs and Yorktown was in the end zone with 2:42 left in the first. 7-0 after the extra point, John Jay seemed to fall short with a three and out, but a roughing the Wolves fall 42-0 at Yorktown Tommy Machado PHOTO: RICH MONETTI FOOTBALL SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 17
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 17 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER After a difficult 2022, John Jay began this year with two losses and maybe more of the same was on the way. Three straight wins to follow said otherwise, though, and new Coach Elliott O’Sullivan cites a shift in culture for the sea change. “The boys have bought in. They are more collective and having more fun with less ego,” he said. So 22 shots on goal versus Mahopac on Sept. 26 reinforced the sentiment that the train has continued to roll. But when it came to goals, O’Sullivan was forced to accept that the Wolves got left at the station. “You expect to score at least one,” the coach lamented, and an early goal had the Wolves falling 1-0. It was a flukey one at that too. Victor Beltrami launched a penalty kick from the 25, and the lazy bounce proved a lot more trouble than it looked. The defender and goaltender Jared Weitman both hesitated, and the ball went untouched into the goal at 37:02. But the bewilderment didn’t last long. First Ryan Ramirez shot a BB from the sideline, and then Cam Cambareri set up Dagan Ohana for a shot that traveled just wide with 32:15 left in the first. The duo not done, three more shots on goal by Cambareri and a crossbar by Ohana had O’Sullivan singing the centerstage his two key playmakers have assumed. “They are taking on their share and stepping up,” the coach assured. Of course, Mahopac got their fans out of the seats too. On the sideline, Ian Lanter delivered a perfect pass across the crease, and Matt Keen was a forehead short of beating Whitman. But John Jay held sway on the near misses, and Logan Denyer probably made the best effort to close the half. On the penalty kick, the bounce of the ball had just passed the end line, and the junior was able to roundhouse the ball back into the crease. Unfortunately, Mahopac got their first, and the Wolves had 40 minutes to tie. More of the same in the second, Cambareri and Ohana again whooshed wows from John Jay faithful. On the sideline, Ohana refused to relent. He juked, dribbled and faked between multiple defenders and would find Cambareri out front with five minutes to go. With moves of his own, the senior put a hook on the ball, but Alex Ruzzo was able to cut off the curvature. So it came down to the end, and another near miss sent everyone over the edge. On the corner kick in the final minute, the descent into the crowd bounced the ball around and heads were everywhere. Charlie Buri finally got firm standing, and by a nose, a breach came into focus. Not today, Ruzzo dove and Mahopac was able to cover and clear for the win. Possibly evoking the failures of 2022, O’Sullivan is confident the memory is more positive than negative. “I think they’ve used last year and learned from it. They haven’t run from it. They’ve embraced it and they are continuing to take the next steps,” he concluded. John Jay keeps up the chemistry but falls to Mahopac Alex Bond Devon Kislin Ryan Ramirez PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI BOYS SOCCER passer call put the Wolves at the 45. The offense was unable to capitalize anyway, and four plays later, Ronan Forde accentuated the omission with a blocked punt. Set up at the 23, DelVecchio mixed and matched with Chris Constantine, and they handed the rest off to Duncan Conor. Third and goal from the one, the senior breached the goal line, and the lead grew to 14-0. 11:16 left in the second, John Jay did get past midfield and hinted at a semblance of a game. A little deceptive, a personal foul and a pass interference call gobbled up most of the yardage. Still, a roll out to Nick Russo converted a fourth and five, but the drive ended on a sack and batted ball at the line. The defense then appeared to shine a glimmer on their turn. Unfortunately, after forcing a fourth and four, Gonzalez’s head fake drew the offside, and the drive went on. The Wolves remained engaged nonetheless and had Yorktown facing fourth and 12 at the 45. The ball snapped, Forde saw an opening on the sideline and broke wind. He easily got the first down, and four plays later, Gonzalez hit Ryan Cane for a 21-0 lead. Slipping away, all doubt was soon removed, and the exclamation point came on the heels of an amazing interception. With pressure bearing down, Machado let go, and Ryan Vogel played his own personal tip drill. The linebacker got a piece and made a diving catch on the deflection. Even so, John Jay did force a fourth and goal from the two, but Gonzalez again found Cane for a 27-0 lead. DelVeccio added another touchdown to the stat sheet, and all that remained for John Jay was to somehow light their side of the scoreboard. In the last possession, Dom Savastano ran 30 yards around the left corner to the 25 and Machado did the same a few plays later. Stopped at the one, the quarterback was sacked and the clock ran out on a night the Wolves would like to forget. FOOTBALL FROM PAGE 16 Patrick Ryan PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Dom Savastano
PAGE 18 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES LEISURE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 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. Flat tableland with steep edges 5. Byproduct of fire 10. Talked 12. Unique skill 14. Unembarrassed 16. Where teenagers go 18. Boxing’s GOAT 19. Used to anoint 20. Reproductive structure found in rust fungi 22. Auburn great Newton 23. Some are for Christmas 25. Dried, split pulses 26. Self 27. Where to get your mail 28. High schoolers’ test 30. Flightless bird 31. Expectorated 33. Practice of misrepresenting the truth 35. Type of patch 37. French river 38. Told on 40. Hillside 41. Peyton’s little brother 42. Soviet Socialist Republic 44. Progressive country musician 45. Witness 48. Brews 50. Yellowish-brown 52. Arctic explorers (abbr.) 53. Mexican agave 55. Type of “cast” 56. Popular breakfast food 57. Atomic #52 58. Position north or south of the equator 63. Gadget 65. Another recording 66. Irregular bulges in cell membranes 67. Dark brown CLUES DOWN 1. Licensed for Wall Street 2. Partner to flow 3. A very large body of water 4. Accumulate on the surface of 5. Central cores of stems 6. Angry 7. Spanish stew: __ podrida 8. Fastened with a pin 9. On your way: __ route 10. Soviet labor camp system 11. Enmities 13. B complex vitamin 15. Go quickly 17. Toast 18. A team’s best pitcher 21. Philly culinary specialty 23. Small child 24. Unhappy 27. Trims away 29. Full of tears 32. Touch softly 34. Former OSS 35. A person’s chest 36. Came from behind 39. Fall back 40. Nellie __, journalist 43. A part of a river where the current is very fast 44. Weather 46. Sports broadcaster Ian 47. Electroencephalograph 49. Phenyl salicylate 51. Web of Things 54. Ship goods as cargo 59. The bill in a restaurant 60. Young female 61. OJ trial judge 62. One’s grandmother 64. West Siberian river One of the benefits of a day out fishing is being able to pull in your catch and then enjoy it almost immediately for lunch or dinner. Fish and other creatures of the sea can be delicious on their own or enjoyed as part of larger meals. Lump crab cakes are a delicacy often enjoyed at seafood and steak restaurants across the country, but they easily can be made at home with a few ingredients. Enjoy this recipe for “Grilled Gulf Lump Crab Cake,” courtesy of Alabama Gulf Seafood and Chefs Greg & Lindsey Kilgore of Black Rock Bistro. A delicious seafood meal is a catch away Grilled Gulf Lump Crab Cake Makes one large crab cake or two smaller ones • 1 pound Gulf lump crabmeat, picked • 1/3 cup red bell pepper, diced small • Juice and zest of one lemon • 1 scallion, thinly sliced • Aioli or mayo, just enough to combine • 1 pinch Old Bay seasoning • Couple dashes of hot sauce (Louisiana or Cholula) • Salt and pepper to taste 1. Place all ingredients in metal ring, or loosely form into a patty. Place in hot cast iron. 2. Flip once until browned on both sides. Serve immediately. Garnish with grilled lemon and either tartar or remoulade. Tip: For a fall or winter meal, serve crab cake on a bed of mashed potatoes and parsnip or carrot puree.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 HARCKHAM FROM PAGE 3 be as helpful as we can. After completing your first legislative session as chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, what would you count among your most important accomplishments? We were very busy. Number one locally was probably the “Save the Hudson” bill that the governor just signed. That was absolutely huge. It was really generated from the public. And when we found out that Holtec’s plan was to discharge, they weren’t doing anything that Entergy or Con Ed hadn’t done, or that any other nuclear plant in the country hadn’t done, for that matter. That was state of the industry. That’s how you get rid of the wastewater. And there are a couple plants upstate that do it. But then there was the outcry because the public never knew that this was standard operating procedure. And you saw the outcry in Massachusetts, you see the outcry in the Pacific with China, South Korea, and Japan. And it’s a notion that we’re just not going to allow our water bodies to be dumping grounds anymore. For industrial pollution, there is the notion that there are safe levels of pollution. And what the public is telling us now is that no level of pollution is acceptable. And we passed 63-0 in the Senate. We had every Republican on board with that. You can’t pass puppies and kittens in the Senate unanimously. So that was a big one. You are a member of both the committee for Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders and the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention. What are some of the latest efforts to combat those issues in the district? It’s always been personal for me, I’m in long term recovery, and I could have been a statistic. Every time I get a call from a family that’s lost somebody, it’s heartbreaking. I don’t chair that committee anymore, but I’m still on the committee. We just passed Matthew’s Law this year, which will allow fentanyl test strips to be distributed in drugstores, the way we did with Naloxone years ago. Now they’re starting to sell Narcan in stores. Before, it had to be on standing prescriptive order. And that’s now what we’re doing with fentanyl test strips. A young fellow from Croton named Matthew passed away from an overdose and his sister wanted some meaning to come from that. So we worked with her and Assemblymember McDonald, on Matthew’s Law. So now fentanyl test strips will be available through standing order in pharmacies, and that’s so important because people are dying, not based on the traditional heroin overdose. They’re dying because of fentanyl poisoning. And so this is in the realm of harm reduction. Not everyone is ready for treatment. Not everyone is ready to stop. The goal is to keep people alive until they may be, and at least test what’s in what they think they might be using, then they can make an educated choice. We fund New York State harm reduction teams, but there are far too few of them. They do heroic work, they’re in tough areas, but there are far too few of them. So why not use the retail network that we have in pharmacies all over the state. And hopefully, we can get fentanyl test strips in more hands. Some people incorrectly assume that things like this enable drug use, but they don’t. People are going to use anyhow. We need to meet them where they are and try and keep them alive until such time that they may be ready for treatment. Our final question concerns the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which would give tax credits to local newspapers. Has there been any traction on that legislation? We’re on that bill. I think we’ll know better when we get closer to session. There were the beginnings of a lot of conversations at the end of last year about that. Honestly, just with any bill, it’s about the activists and the squeaky wheel. The more noise all of you can make, the better it is. And your statewide associations can come up to Albany and know that it’s your building, you own it, you pay for it. We work for you. Come on up and see us and tell the other statewide folks go up and see your local legislators. To me, that’s incredibly impactful. We have folks come up for this issue for that issue. And I think it’s an incredible form of advocacy. So, I’ll keep working on it. But if you guys want to come up and get your colleagues to come up, you don’t have to be lobbyists to come up to Albany and talk to your local legislators. Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. 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PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 Bromberg Quintet and Big Band, Mark had the great good fortune to be featured on the three most recent recordings of David’s, the latest of which, Big Road, reached Number One on Billboard’s Blues Chart for multiple weeks. The previous release, The Blues, The Whole Blues, And Nothing But The Blues, was selected by The Downbeat Magazine’s Critics Poll as 2017 Blues Album of the Year. In the Bromberg bands, Mark plays acoustic and electric guitar and mandolin, and sings harmony vocals. Doors open at 6 p.m., acoustic jam from 6 - 7:15, Open Mic 7:15 - 8, Mark Cosgrove and Good Medicine 8 - 9:30 p.m. Donation: $25. Please bring a small snack to share! Katonah Classic Stage Harold Pinter Play Festival Thursday to Sunday, October 5 – 29 Katonah Classic Stage, Westchester County’s professional theatre company dedicated to classic plays, will give audiences a unique peak at Harold Pinter’s distinguished career by mounting three of his plays this Fall: Betrayal, The Dumb Waiter, and Applicant. This festival gives audiences a rare opportunity to survey 20 years of Nobel Laureate Pinter’s writing, from the “comedy of menace” in his early work to the “memory plays” which he developed in the midpoint of career. All of the plays explore his distinct use of rhythm, known as the “Pinter Pause,” to great effect, eliciting laughter and terror, often at the same time, from audiences. Returning to Whippoorwill Hall in Armonk, KCS will kickoff the play festival on Oct. 5, with “Betrayal.” Reserved Seats on sale now at https://katonah classicstage.com/events/pinter/ St John’s Episcopal Parish 82 Spring St., South Salem FOOD PANTRY Spread the word and get involved with the St. John’s Food Pantry! Distribution is every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. John’s. A food pantry box is available in the church parking lot 24/7 for those who cannot make it to pick up on Saturday morning - please take whatever you need from the box, as it will be replenished. Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry Fundraiser The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, a weekly choice pantry with a 32 year history, will hold a fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 1 - 4 p.m. at the Captain Lawrence Barrel House in Mount Kisco. Come enjoy suds, sliders and songs while supporting the incredible work of this predominantly volunteer run community mainstay. This past year saw a staggering increase in the number of guests - over 92,000 ‘person visits’, 28% of which were children and 12% seniors. This is up 40% since last year. Food for over 1.2 million meals was provided, purchased at inflationary prices. There is no expectation of the need decreasing or prices of food falling. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available. Please visit www.mountkiscopantry.org or email outreach@mountkiscofood pantry.org for more information. Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 Please register for programs by visiting www.lewisborolibrary. org Cube Craze Beginning in October, the Library is launching a new program called “Cube Craze,” for Rubik’s Cubes fans in grades three through six. Whether your child just learned how to solve their first cube, or are a budding speedcuber, the monthly Cube Craze gathering will allow them to meet fellow cubers, learn how to solve new cubes and improve their cubing skills! Meetings will be held monthly on Fridays at 5 p.m., beginning Oct. 13. Four-Library Book Swap on Oct. 14 The Library is co-sponsoring a “Four-Library Book Swap” on Saturday, October 14 from 12 until 2 pm. This event is a collaboration between local libraries to create programming targeted to patrons in their 20s30s. This first event will be held at the Katonah Village Library. Other participating libraries are Lewisboro, Bedford Free and Bedford Hills. Each participant is encouraged to bring between one and five books to swap – a great way to meet fellow booklovers from your surrounding communities! Please register via the library website. CROSSING FROM PAGE 6 TOWN CROSSING NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS: HELP IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY CASH ROOFING | SIDING | WINDOWS | DOORS & MORE! Approved applications will have the work completed by a quality repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. 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PAGE 22 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES CLASSIFIEDS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 NO NEWS... 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times Mahopac News 2 TRACKS DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor personApplication 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 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 ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 888-514-3044 My Caring Plan’s local advisors have helped thousands of families with unique needs find senior living. Can you afford 2k a month in rent? We can help for free! 866-989-1812 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 Secure your home with Vivint Smart Home technology. Call 866- 601-1219 to learn how you can get a professionally installed security system with $0 activation. 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 DIRECTV Sports Pack – 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 ATTORNEY AUTO DONATIONS HEALTH HOME IMPROVEMENT MISCELLANEOUS PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 9/28/23 Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times need to be a high-resolution image. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to KLT@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at [email protected], or give us a call at 914-302-5628.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 23 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 We’ve advertised with Halston newspapers since the beginning because we know they connect us to the communities we serve. We view our ads as an extension of word-of- mouth advertising; they have definitely played a role in our continued success with both new and returning families. -Jamie Sirkin Summer Trails Day Camp & Baseball Camp from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Call to get your FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 dental50plus.com/nypress Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Product not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. 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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 There are certainly numerous challenges facing those with disabilities and special needs. Whether a loved one has a physical disability, which impairs their ability to engage in the activities of daily living (i.e., walking, dressing, bathing, feeding and/or using the toilet), and/or prevents them from obtaining gainful employment, the question is often what steps can and/or should you be taking to protect them financially and/or provide for their needs. This is also true if your loved one is a child and/or an adult with intellectual disabilities and cognitive impairments. The following is a general overview and summary of the steps you can take to assist and provide for them: 1. Become familiar with the state and/or federal programs they may be entitled to, depending on their finances and nature of disability. For example, are they eligible for Medicaid (nursing home/homecare) and/or SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income), which have resource and income eligibility tests? Do they have a disability and a work history that would qualify them for Social Security Disability (SSD), which doesn’t have a financial test? 2. If a disabled person is over the age of 18 and has assets/ resources in their name, and/or they received an award or settlement, which disqualifies them for such programs as Medicaid and SSI, they have the option of creating and funding a “Self-Settled Special Needs Trust,” which will not impact their eligibility for said programs. The principal and/ or income from such a trust can be utilized for their special and supplemental needs (those not covered by Medicaid/SSI and/ or any other program they might be eligible for) without impacting their eligibility for said programs. The only downside of utilizing a “Self-Settled Special Needs Trust” is that upon the death of the trust beneficiary, the balance of the trust assets, if any, have to be first used to reimburse the government for services provided before they can be disbursed to the named final beneficiaries. 3. In addition to a “SelfSettled Special Needs Trust,” one should also investigate if there are other trusts that can be utilized to protect assets. For example, perhaps look into a Pooled Community Trust or an Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. Additionally, the use of an ABLE account might be an option. However, an ABLE account has a $100,000 limit if the disabled individual is receiving SSI or Medicaid. 4. If a family member and/ or friend wants to provide for a person with a disability either during their lifetime on upon their demise, they can create a “Third Party Special Needs Trust,” which can be funded with their assets while they are alive or upon their demise for the benefit of the special and supplemental needs of the disabled person. This trust is not funded with the assets of the disabled person. The advantage of this trust is that the principal and/ or income of the trust used for the special and supplemental needs of the disabled person will not impact their eligibility for Medicaid/SSI and/or any other program they may be entitled to; and that upon the death of the trust beneficiary, the remaining trust principal and/or income can be distributed to anyone or any entity (charity) named by the trust’s creator without there being any payback to the state for the benefits they provided to the disabled beneficiary. 5. One other major concern and issue that needs to be addressed is whether the disabled person is able to make personal and financial decisions on their own or do they need a court-appointed guardian to make said decisions for them. If they are competent and have the intellectual ability to execute a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, HIPAA form or other advance directive, the need for a guardian may be avoided. However, if they do not have the mental capacity to execute advance directives and are an adult (a person age 18 or older) who is intellectually or developmentally disabled, it may be necessary to seek the appointment of an Article 17-A guardian in the Surrogate’s Court of the county of their residence. Said guardian will have the authority to make personal and financial decision for the disabled person. This proceeding is to have someone with legal authority to make medical and financial decisions for the disabled individual. Finally, if an adult is physically and/or mentally incapacitated because of a medical condition (stroke, heart attack, ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s as an example) or because of an injury from an accident, medical malpractice or an act of violence, a Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 Guardianship proceeding in the Supreme Court of New York State in the county where they are present would be the appropriate proceeding. 6. If the person with a disability needs assistance at home with activities of daily living as identified above, then the option of applying for Medicaid homecare should be strongly considered. Presently, there is no look-back period for Medicaid homecare in New York. While the 30-month lookback is scheduled to be implemented on March 21, 2024, there is still uncertainty if it will. A five-year lookback still applies for Medicaid nursing home. Finally, as can be seen from the above, there are a multitude of issues that affect a disabled person and taking proactive steps to address them is advisable. Anthony J. Enea is the managing attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He can be reached at 914-948-1500 or at esslawfirm.com. Planning for a disabled loved one’s future Lunch & Learn Series Held on the last Wednesday of each month, Lunch & Learn programs at Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP, shed light on a variety of important elder law and estate planning topics. The free educational program, held at the firm’s White Plains location, is open to the public – though space is limited. Those interested are encouraged to register early by calling 914-948- 1500 to reserve their spot. A light lunch and refreshments are included. Future programs include: October 25 Understanding the Implications of Gray Divorce: A divorce later in life often adds a level of complexity to the estate and tax plan process. Understand what potential complications may arise and how to address them – from division of assets and tax issues to estate and long-term care planning. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER
PAGE 24 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 @2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 83 KATONAH AVENUE, KATONAH, NY 10536. 914.232.3700. *2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN ELLIE AWARDS. When it comes to selling real estate, local expertise has never been more important. An award-winning 20-year veteran and top-producing broker at Douglas Elliman, Melissa is raising her family in Katonah and has deep roots in the Northern Westchester community. Melissa has successfully leveraged Douglas Elliman's New York City reach by matching exceptional Westchester homes with the right buyers. If you’ve been considering a move, now is a great time to contact Melissa. It pays to work with a professional with local expertise and first-hand knowledge of the community. Contact Melissa today. 2023 Gold Award Winner - Top 12% of Agents Company Wide* 2023 #4 Agent - GCI & Transactions in Westchester* 2023 Top Real Estate Agent by Westchester Magazine Melissa Frank Lutz Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker M: 646.765.8691 [email protected] Who You Work With Matters. Call Melissa Today & Get a Jump On the Fall Real Estate Season. If you are considering selling your home, the fall season can an optimal time to put your home on the market before the winter begins. Call Melissa today to get started.