The Somers Record 11.23.2023

VOL. 13 NO. 34 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS 31 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 HEALTH & WELLNESS 18 LEGAL NOTICES 30 LEISURE 26 OPINION 10 SPORTS 23 Tuskers to Division 1 pg 24 SIGNING DAY Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at The Somers Record! We’ll be back in your mailbox on Dec. 7, as our staff is taking a much-needed holiday break. In the meantime, check for breaking news at News.HalstonMedia.com. BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER More than 60 military veterans were saluted last week at a gathering designed to both promote camaraderie and to raise awareness about the town’s newly formed Somers Veterans Board. According to SVB Chair Kate O’Keefe, a member of the local Lions Club, it was the first of many such events to come. The vets and their families were treated to burgers, pulled pork sliders, and other hot food as well as fancy pastries and coffee for dessert. It was held upstairs at the SmokeHouse Tailgate Grill at DeCicco & Sons on Route 202. Cards made by young CCD students at Saint Joseph’s Church were distributed by a local Boy Scout to participants. Having served in conflicts from WWII to the Afghanistan War, they represented all branches of the service. The disbanding of Somers’ VFW Post 8213 in 2015 and its Jewish War Veterans Post 46 two years later, left a void that the board is now valiantly trying to fill. Other founders of the organization are Joseph Manna, Jeff Gilberg, Grace Zimmermann, and Gina Arena. Veteran Ron Miller also got a shoutout from O’Keefe for his contributions. For more information, visit the SVB’s Facebook page, Somers NY Veterans, or email O’Keefe at [email protected]. See more photos on page 16. Thank you for your service BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER The Somers Town Board last week gave the thumbs-up to a preliminary 2024 budget of $16,814,210 million. According to Supervisor Robert Scorrano, who detailed the proposed spending plan’s highlights on Thursday, Nov. 16, it once again stays under the so-called state “tax cap.” Folks can put their two cents in at a public hearing set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Town Hall, 335 Route 202. The entire plan is posted on the town’s website www.somersny.com under the “News” heading. The final version is expected to be approved on Thursday, Dec. 14, and filed with the state no later than Wednesday, Dec. 20. Board members also voted to set salaries for elected officials, namely the supervisor, Town Board members, town clerk, judges, and highway superintendent. The preliminary budget is $795,713 or 4.7 percent higher than the current $16,018,497 plan. Town Board approves preliminary budget SEE BUDGET PAGE 6 Joseph Manna, Kenneth Ferraro, Bob Kennedy, and Len Destefano PHOTO: CAROL REIF

PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Sunday, December 3, 2023, 3:30-5pm Town Christmas Tree Tradition Town of Somers 335 Route 202 Somers NY 10589 914.277.3637 Please join in on the 10th Annual Town of Somers tradition and take a photo of your children in front of the Town Christmas Tree with a 6' Ruler. Watch your children and the tree grow each year. Photo may also be taken with the ruler by appointment (914-277-3637) during Town office hours.

BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER In middle school, Sophia Mancuso became very acquainted with a group of Somers special education students.  A group of eight, she would help out in Mrs. Carino’s class, and the nonverbal nature of the students provided a tie in to one of her interests.  “They are able to express themselves through art,” said the senior. So when the chance presented itself to sync up the duality in a learning experience this past summer, Mancuso took it. Sophia went to Carino, and the special ed teacher accepted her proposal. “We did three, one hour classes,” she said.  Along with Gemma Carr, Emily Robinson and Gabriella Crecco, the familiarity did take some reacquainting nonetheless. “They are very routine bound, but me and my friends were somehow able to wiggle our way in,” Mancuso joked. The smiles came quick enough, though, and sundown was the subject matter. “We did sunsets the first time, which was just them copying what I did,” she said. The kids were proud of the end result, but the process was slightly askew. “It was a little difficult to keep everyone on the same page,” she admitted. Like any good teacher, adjustments were made. “That’s when we decided to do something more personal,” Mancuso revealed. The baseline was their initials in large lettering and the students could “free roam” over in any way they wanted. “They were much happier doing this one,” she assured. The inspired artwork wasn’t just easy on the eyes either. “They expressed their own personalities,” Mancuso said, and the pride was hard to miss. So two in the books, the student teachers combined the two previous approaches. “The first time was very structured, the second was not structured at all, and the third was a happy medium,” she said. For butterfly paper plates, there were a lot of different steps to follow. But the artists could do what they wanted with the different materials, colors and how they place the body parts. “So they looked really silly,” she said. In a good way obviously, she had every reason to feel a sense of accomplishment. “It really satisfied me to see them looking at their work and feeling proud of themselves,” Mancuso beamed. Not taking place in a vacuum, she isn’t stopping here. “I know I have a passion for special education and art, so this was a really great experience,” Mancuso said. But for now, she just relishes the positive reaction that continues to come around from this small population. “I feel so honored,” Mancuso concluded. Your Neighbor THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 Sophia Mancuso Mixing art, special education, and self-expression Magic things were happening in Mrs. Carino’s classroom. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOPHIA MANCUSO A message from the Friends of Somers Library ‘I know I have a passion for special education and art, so this was a really great experience.’ HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com From the Forbes family to yours. Happy Thanksgiving November 28 is Giving Tuesday. The Friends of the Somers Library and the Somers Library Foundation have again joined to raise funds to purchase Playaway Launchpad tablets and Chromebooks for our library’s children’s area. These devices would be preloaded with educational materials that would be age appropriate and will be available at the library. The Library will provide more details on how to access and use these devices once they are available. We need to raise $3,000 to purchase these for the children and youth of Somers. All money collected on Nov. 27, 28 and 29 will be given to the library to purchase these items. All donations are tax deductible.   You can donate any amount through PayPal (including credit or debit card payments) by going to [email protected]. You can also mail a check to the Friends of the Somers Library, PO Box 443, Somers, 10589, marked “Giving Tuesday.” You can also visit the Foundation website at somerslibraryfoundation.org to purchase a Chromebook or headphones from their Amazon wishlist. Whatever amount you are able to give will make a huge difference to the library and to our community. Please encourage your family and friends to join you in donating whatever they can to make these educational tools a reality. Thank you!

PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! Somers Track & Field Booster Club 5th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Thursday, Nov. 23, at 8 a.m. The 5K trot is on the Somers High School Cross Country trail. It’s beautiful, but expect hills and turns along the way! To learn more or register, visit https:// runsignup.com/Race/Events/NY/ Somers/1stAnnualThanksgiving DayTurkeyTrot5KTrailRaceand 1MileFunRun First Church of Christ, Scientist 13 Bedford Road in Katonah Thanksgiving Day Service Thursday, Nov. 23, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. All are welcome! Child care will be provided, no collection taken. For more information, call 914-232-3842. Somers Volunteer Fire Department Christmas Tree Sale Begins Saturday, Nov. 25 To be held until the last tree is sold. Wednesday - Friday (3 to 8 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and Sunday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Wreaths and robing are also for sale! Located at Peter J. Babich Memorial Fireman’s Field at 258 Route 202 in Somers. Town of Somers Holiday Celebrations Join the community and ring in the holiday season at the Elephant Hotel, a National Historic Landmark decorated by the Somers Historical Society! Sunday, Dec. 3 3 p.m - Nativity Scene dedication and blessing sponsored by The Msgr. Raymond M. Collins Council 6205 of the Knights of Columbus 3:30 - 5 p.m. - Photos with Santa in the meeting room, Somers Historical Society Open House on the 3rd floor, holiday music and sing-a-long, complementary hot cocoa on the front lawn. Sponsored by Somers Lions Club, Somers Historical Society, Somers Chamber of Commerce, and Somers Girl Scout Troop 1455 3:30 p.m. - throughout the holiday season - Town Christmas Tree Tradition. Take a photo of your children in front of the Town Christmas Tree with a 6’ ruler. Watch your children and the tree grow each year! 5 p.m. - Christmas Tree Lighting with Supervisor Rob Scorrano, accompanied by Santa and Town Board members. Thursday, Dec. 7 Menorah lighting ceremony on the first night of Chanukah at 6 p.m. on the front lawn, refreshments to follow in the meeting room. Somers Historical Society Open House on the 3rd floor. Sponsored by Chabad of Yorktown. Coldwell Banker Realty 338 Route 202 in Somers Small Business Saturday Saturday, Nov. 25, from 12 to 3 p.m. Holiday shopping with vendors including Cutco Knives, Nu Skin, Pampered Chef, Collier’s Candle Co., Scentsy, and more! Also featuring the “Magical Moments” exhibit by local artists. Cookie Exchange Thursday, Dec. 7, at 12 p.m. Coldwell Banker is hosting a cookie exchange, along with their art show exhibition of local artists. Arrive at noon, exchange begins at 12:30 p.m. Bring your cookies to swap with other bakers, and express your artistic talent with baking! Bring 2 dozen cookies and take home 2 dozen. Please bring your own take-home container. Seasonal beverages will be served. ELEPHANT’S TRUNK SEE TRUNK PAGE 28

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 NORTHERN WESTCHESTER’S WALK-THROUGH LIGHT EXPERIENCE INTERACTIVE LIGHT DISPLAYS HOT DRINKS & FOOD SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW LIGHTS TO MUSIC It might not look like a different kind of recess, but there is a plan and a method behind the fun thanks to Somers SEPTA (Special Education Parent Teacher Association). SEPTA has brought a fresh new take on recess with Recess Refresh at Primrose Elementary and Somers Intermediate School. “We get to pick what activities we do,” said first-grader Alex Rahe. “I picked the parachute.” Last year, SEPTA saw an opportunity for inclusivity and exploration for all students during unstructured playtime at recess. With that idea in mind, they created Recess Refresh, a time when school community volunteers provide extra hands-on activities and support during recess several times a month, for as long as weather permits. Activities include chalk art, hulahoops, potato sack races, parachute play, a friendship scavenger hunt, and ring toss, among many others.  “Someone would make a design, and then they would color inside of it with chalk,” said Alex. Activities change each time, except for a few fan favorites like chalk art, which is included during every Recess Refresh. The committee is always looking for new games and activities to try. Kenny Grisanti, a kindergarten student, said, “I would want the ring toss again,” when asked what he’d like to see the next time Recess Refresh comes back to school. Recess Refresh is an opportunity for volunteers to look for those children who may need a little extra help playing with new friends. That can mean noticing a child walking by themselves and inviting them to play a new game or getting a group of students involved with an activity like the parachute. The program was piloted last year with first- and second-grade students. This year, the program expanded to include the kindergarten playground and has also been adopted by Somers Intermediate School. SEPTA continues to grow and broaden the program, with hopes of finding ways to expand into all schools and grades over time. Article courtesy of Somers Central School District.  Refreshing recess at SIS and Primrose Elementary You can help a family in need this holiday season. Many families in our community are struggling to make the holidays bright this year. If you can help by “adopting a family” and providing them with holiday gifts from their wishlist, the Lions need your help. Please scan the QR code included in this article to adopt a family. The deadline is Sunday, Dec. 10. For more information, contact Lion Paul Laspina at [email protected] Somers Lions announce ‘Adopt a Family’ program

PAGE 6 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 If the budget is approved as is, the current tax levy of $7,639,512 will rise to $7,803,762 in 2024 and the current tax rate of $15.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation will rise by approximately 47 cents to $15.73 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. For a home assessed at $63,115 (equivalent to an actual home value of $650,000), this means that the owner would pay less than a $30 increase overall. There’s one little “caveat,” town finance director Robert Kehoe told the Town Board Thursday – it’s not yet known if health insurance costs are going up, down, or will remain static. That could impact the budget, he added. Councilman Richard Clinchy asked Kehoe for his best “forecast.” “About 6 percent. It’s been as high as 10 and as low as two. It’s actually gone down in some years so it’s a little bit of a crapshoot,” he responded Thursday. Calling it “unusual,” Kehoe said that since the town’s insurers just had a “midyear decrease,” he didn’t expect “them to turn around and have a large increase.” Besides property taxes, the town gets revenues from county sales taxes, mortgage taxes, fund balances, and court and building inspection fees. The town expects to see a decrease in its mortgage tax revenues and increases on the county sales taxes and interest income side, Scorrano said. UNDER THE TAX CAP The tax cap law establishes a limit on the annual growth of property taxes levied. The calculated state tax cap limit for 2024 is $8,465,622. After special districts such as lighting and water/sewer are excluded ($514,600), that leaves a balance available for the town tax levy for 2024 of $7,951,022. According to the town’s calculations, that means that the proposed levy will be $147,260 or 1.85 percent below the cap. SALARIES If the 2024 budget is approved as is, the town supervisor’s salary will increase from $126,480 to $130,907 and the salaries of each of the four town councilmen will rise from $14,904 to $15,426. The highway superintendent’s salary is going up from $126,193 to $130,609, and the town clerk’s, from $98,151 to $101,586. Salaries for each of the two town justices will rise from the current $42,650 to $44,143 in 2024. At the meeting, Clinchy broached what he dubbed an “uncomfortable” subject – Town Board salaries. He acknowledged Thursday that the topic had been discussed, but was unsure if all of the councilmen had agreed to a raise. Councilman Anthony Cirieco – for the public’s benefit – explained that the town extends the same percentage raises to nonunion employees that it gives the union workers in order to be “consistent.” That also applies to elected officials such as councilmen, he said. However, while raises can be given retroactively to employees, that can’t happen with elected officials. Even though the proposed increase is small, Clinchy felt he needed to address it as a “matter of principle.” There was a 10-year period when board members didn’t get any kind of a raise at all, he noted. Clinchy allowed that an overall change was necessary in order to continue to attract and keep personnel and folks in elected positions. Councilmen are part-time but the supervisor’s position is a full-time one and so a raise is “fully justified,” said Clinchy. Agreeing with Cirieco that the town’s trying to “keep talent and bring talent in,” Scorrano told Clinchy that it was fine to bring the topic up. Cirieco also claimed that Somers employees are “lower paid than (in) similarly situated municipalities across Westchester.” The town has been looking at ways to attract “the best talent,” he said, adding that it’s “always with the thought of, can we afford it and are we coming in under the tax cap?” “We’re trying to strike a balance,” Cirieco concluded. Before voting to adopt the preliminary budget, Clinchy explained that he wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page. “I understand the reasoning (for the raises) 100 percent; the board’s no less than anyone else in town. If everybody’s okay with that, then it’s fine with me,” he said. Also voting ‘yes” were Scorrano, Cirieco, and Councilman Bill Faulkner, who was participating in the meeting via Zoom. Councilman Tom Garrity was not present. OTHER BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS Scorrano also noted that no new fulltime positions have been included in the 2024 budget. Another highlight was $500,000 in the highway fund will allow the town to continue its road resurfacing program without having to go out to bond. “Everybody knows how the interest rates are nowadays, so we feel it’s best to go through our available funds,” the supervisor said, adding that although there’s more projects to do, the town’s “in really good shape when it comes to paving.” The highway department paved about 10 miles of town roads this past season. Among the other budgetary items of note were $61,000 for a new police car, money for two part-time police officers, and the reallocation of $26,000 from the building/capital improvement maintenance line in the Somers Library budget to “use any way that the library sees fit,” Scorrano said. Somers is part of an eight-municipality coalition that contracts with Westchester Emergency Medical Services (WEMS). The other members are Bedford, Lewisboro, New Castle, North Castle, Pound Ridge, and North Salem. 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PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT ONE OF OUR SHOWROOMS TODAY! Your Bath. Your Kitchen. Your Home. 49 Route 138 Somers, NY 10589 M-Fr 9:30AM-4:30PM 914-232-2020 3372 Old Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 M-Sat 10AM-5PM 914-736-2468 (ACROSS FROM THE BJ’S SHOPPING CENTER) BESTPLG.COM $50 off $500 Minimum Purchase when Shipped Complete. Eligible at Yorktown and Somers showrooms only Show this Ad to Receive Discount. One per customer Expires 3/15/2024 BY BENJI CUTLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Earlier this month, The Harvey School Performing Arts Department presented “Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical” in Katonah. The Disney classic was beautifully retold by Harvey’s extraordinary faculty and upper school students, with every corner of the school being involved in the production. Directed by Chair of the Performing Arts Department Mr. Vinny Alexander, the musical was a mix of heartfelt romance and warm Disney humor captured brilliantly by every contributor. Whether it was the memorable musical numbers or the eccentric characters, seats were filled for the energy-filled production. As Mr. Alexander stated, the production “...involved the entire Harvey Community,” whether it was “the maintenance department, countless students, all the members of the performing arts staff, and the support of the upper school administration.” Students from robotics and technology classes added to the musical, and other students played key roles in building the sound and set designs. At the center of it all were the actors themselves, as students from grades 9-12 filled the stage with talent. Mr. Alexander noted, “I am impressed with any student who has the courage to perform in front of a live audience.” He was especially proud of the seniors for leading the cast to success in the musical. Most notably, senior Chloé Ramsey Lavoie gave an unforgettable lead performance as Belle, commanding the stage with her elegance and captivating voice. Alongside her was sophomore Logan Kreisberg as the Beast, who portrayed the Be our guest! The Harvey School presents ‘Beauty and the Beast’ The Harvey School Performing Arts Department captured the magic of the Disney classic. Logan Kreisberg as Beast. PHOTOS: BENJI CUTLER Chloé Ramsey Lavoie as Belle SEE HARVEY PAGE 9

BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Participants in the Arthritis Foundation’s signature holiday fundraising event will be there with bells on. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 2 at Manhattanville College, the Jingle Bell Run event drew 300 runners last year. With a goal of raising $115,000 to support arthritis research, resources, and local programs, organizers are hoping for an even greater turnout this year. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation has also received more than a few helping hands from throughout the area. “We have a lot of brand new sponsors from throughout Westchester this year,” explains event chairperson Nancy Sorbella. “And they are closely aligned with our mission, so we’re very excited about that.” Sponsors for this year’s Jingle Bell Run include Novartis, Tompkins Community Bank, Somers Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Group, Amgen, Planet Fitness, Tops Friendly Markets, Wegmans, Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy, J&J MedTech, LegoLand Discovery Center Westchester, and Rothman Orthopedics. The event will also recognize medical honoree Joyce Reyes-Thomas, MD, adult honoree Filomena Fanelli, and young adult honoree Jasmine Lyle. The Jingle Bell Run not only helps to raise funds for the extraordinary work that the Arthritis Foundation does, but also shines a light on health concerns relevant in our area and across the country. “One in four Westchester residents has some form of arthritis, and there are over 100 forms of arthritis,” explains Sorbella. “60 million Americans have it, including 300,000 children.” This year, the Arthritis Foundation also marked its 75th anniversary. “We’re celebrating progress instead of anything else because we still don’t have a cure,” adds Sorbella. “But we’ve made tremendous progress.” The 2023 Jingle Bell Run kicks off at 8 a.m. at Manhattanville College on Dec. 2. For more information or to register, visit www.arthritis.org/events/jbr and search for the “Purchase, NY” event. “It’s going to be a really great, festive, fun day,” concludes Sorbella. “It’s a perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season for everyone.” Running for a reason Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run returns Dec. 2 The Jingle Bell Run is a fun and festive way to raise funds for an important cause. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION PAGE 9 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 character’s arc from madness to love through his dynamic acting range. The entire supporting cast matched their energy to a tee, with junior Jordan Feigenbaum’s Gaston and senior Alexa Williams’ LeFou bringing endless laughs. 12th graders Łukasz Daszczyński and Carina Weksel excellently played the charming Lumiere and Mrs. Potts respectively, and 11th grader Gabi Schneider was no different as the memorable Cogsworth. The production staff brought the musical together through their hard work and dedication. Mr. Alexander was particularly grateful for the work of Mr. William Norman as Music Director and Ms. Leighann Kowalsky as Choreographer, expressing that they “bring so much to a production that it is inspiring and energizing.” Ms. Brittney Merola and Mrs. Kristine Kreiness added visual beauty to the production through their phenomenal work on costumes and props. The use of various instruments in the musical was extraordinary, with the piano, violin, cello, flute, and even the harp being incorporated by Harvey’s musically masterful teachers. Overall, there was an evident sense of warmth and passion put into Harvey’s “Beauty and the Beast” adaptation, through the performances, music, and the unbelievable talent of Harvey’s Performing Arts program. The Harvey School Performing Arts Department will be presenting “12 Angry Men” for their winter production on Feb. 2 and 3, 2024. HARVEY FROM PAGE 8 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 What steps have you taken to protect your life savings from the cost of long term care?

Opinion 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky , Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 10 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Note to Readers: We are republishing this column from last year’s Thanksgiving edition, with modifications, as it is certainly still applicable today. We don’t always know what is going on in another person’s life. So, when we criticize another human being, we often do so without the context of knowing whether that person is in pain, whether they are grieving and whether they are depressed or feeling hopeless. The criticism may also miss the mark and lack context. I raise these points because of a general sense that people seem to be on edge, particularly because of politics, where our country seems to be in a stalemate. I’ve heard the term “civil war” mentioned too many times over the past couple of years, but who are we going to fight? Uncle Bob and Aunt Sue at our Thanksgiving dinner? Little Johnny who is home from college?  What are we going to do in a civil war? Take our own family members as prisoners?  I think the solution starts with empathy. It’s the acknowledgment that we can’t fully understand why the other person thinks the way they do without stepping into their shoes. It’s about bringing a degree of empathy to our posts on social media. Halston Media relies on Facebook to bring traffic to our website, but we often brace ourselves before posting a story, no matter how innocuous. Keyboard warriors love to tell us how stupid we are, how awful we are and how partisan our newspaper is (we’re either “rightwing nut jobs” or a “liberal rag” depending on who we offended). And forget about us. These keyboard warriors are also vicious about the people we write about.  It’s about taking politics out of gender, race, ethnicity and religion. It’s about not assuming that everyone at your church or synagogue agrees with you on everything. And it’s about not assuming that a person thinks a certain way because of the color of their skin or whether that person is male or female. There is nothing more racist or sexist than assuming all members of a race or gender should think a certain way.  The most deeply persecuted minority in America is the “individual.” What do I mean by that?  I mean that the most misunderstood people in the world and the people who suffer from the greatest persecution are victims because they are a party of one. It’s because nobody was capable of jumping into that person’s shoes to try and truly understand them. It’s because we all lacked a degree of empathy.  Don’t get me wrong. I’m guilty of this as well at times. But I do think Thanksgiving is a time to take stock of our lives and acknowledge our blessings. It’s also a time to acknowledge that others are in a different situation.  The nicest house on your road? That family might be struggling financially or perhaps they are grieving. Aunt Betty, who you disagree with on politics, might be hiding a cancer diagnosis. And Johnny might be really homesick while away at college after breaking up with his girlfriend.  Life is more than politics. As we enter into the holiday season, let’s all attempt to have a little empathy for one another.  Have some empathy for your ‘enemies’ BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO One of our Thanksgiving gatherings from years ago is a day that lives in infamy. Things were going so well until two of my brothers-in-law got into it with my father over politics after a few glasses of wine. I may have contributed to the altercation, but memories are fuzzy. The incident caused my mother to ban all political discussions from future family gatherings. We have mellowed a bit, so maybe it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. The political dynamics of many families make Thanksgiving especially challenging these days. Should politics be avoided at all costs, or should it be attempted with some ground rules? According to an Economist/YouGov poll, 46% of Americans avoid talking about politics at the Thanksgiving celebration. But maybe it is the way we talk about politics that is the problem and not the topic itself. After all, politics is on many of our minds these days, so why not share with friends and family?  I’m active in an organization called Braver Angels. They are dedicated to depolarizing our politics by, among other things, promoting more civil discussions about controversial topics. I attended one of their workshops called “Families and Politics, How to Talk to Loved Ones on the Other Side.” I gained some insights on how to navigate difficult conversations, even over Thanksgiving turkey.  Is politics on the menu for Thanksgiving? A guide for civil discussion DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE SCOTT PAGE 11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 11 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! ENJOY 0 DOWN, 0% FINANCING! FEDERAL & STATE INCENTIVES UP TO 30% AVAILABLE! SUPER SAVINGS on your Heat Pump project while program funding lasts... CALL NOW TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY! CALL US TODAY! ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! LIMITED TIME OFFER UP TO INSTANT REBATE EXP 12/15/23 Please call or visit us online 845-600-8004 $ 10,000 AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS INSTANT REBATE EXP 12/15/23 Please call or visit us online 845-600-8004 $ 25,000 GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS UP TO EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT • EXP 12/15/23 Coupon must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com Happy Thanksgiving! UP TO Family members fall in to different roles in political conversations. The Gladiator initiates the battles to straighten out wrongheaded relatives. The Defender counterattacks, sometimes by mischaracterizing the position of the speaker. The Sniper tosses in barbs from the sidelines. The Peacekeeper, my mom, always wants to cut off all political conversations before they get started. The Bystander keeps their mouth shut and has their head down on their phone when the sparks start to fly. And finally, there is the Engager, who tries to have a respectful conversation to understand differences and seeks common ground. The goal is to be an engager. Braver Angels teaches constructive engagement in these conversations by using CAPP, an acronym for Clarify, Agree, Pivot, Perspective.  You Clarify, by restating your discussion partner’s position to demonstrate that you were listening to them. Paraphrase their position without judgment or shading. “So to make sure I know what you are saying…” Then Agree by trying to find some common ground. “We can agree that X is a problem” or “we all want the same thing.” By creating some alignment, it turns the temperature down a bit and puts both people on the same side of the table. Finding agreement is sometimes easier said than done. Pivot, by asking permission or signaling that you would like to offer your own point of view. “Here is where I am coming from on this.” Or, “Can I give my thoughts?” Offer your Perspective, with your feelings on the topic. Anecdotes and stories are always helpful to make your point. Calmly explain your position and how you came to it. Deliver your perspective without denigrating the other person’s position or motives. In order to be understood, you must first understand where your relative is coming from. Even if you might not agree with their view. And, most importantly, have an exit strategy. If head-butting persists, a simple, “maybe we should leave it there for now” should suffice. Or, if they insist on having the last word, “OK, got it, let’s move on.” But let’s be optimistic and assume things went well. Close the conversation with, “I enjoyed our conversation. Thank you. I’m glad we could discuss this in a civil way. That doesn’t happen often these days. Please pass the turkey.” Happy Thanksgiving. SCOTT FROM PAGE 10 Nature is revolting. For example, I was walking along my street with my dog, and this enormous pine cone dropped right in front of me, missing me by inches. Of all the enormous pine cones in the world, this particular one came down right when I was almost underneath it? I’m telling you right now, this was no accident. It reminded me of when I was in a Hollywood cliché where I’m standing on a stage, and a sandbag held aloft by a fraying rope is about to drop onto my head, and the hero, at the last second, sees it and rushes in to push a really hot girl out of the way who is nowhere near it, and the sandbag drops onto my head, knocking me conscious. And he says, “Are you all right?” And I say I think so, and he says, “I was talking to the hot girl.” And he grabs her in his arms and I ask, “Where are you going?” And he shouts, “There’s no time to explain!” And he whisks her out the door and into a restaurant across the street that’s really hard to get reservations for. Anyway, I think it’s a sign. I think Mother Nature is talking to us, saying, “Clean up your room! NOW!” Okay, your Mom might ground you for a couple weeks or take away your phone if you do something bad. But when you get Mother Nature angry, it’s a different level of punishment. Feast, famine, plague, that sort of thing. And we’re seeing more and more of it. What about the otters? Otters are about the most playful creatures on the Earth. And yet, a man training for a triathlon a couple months ago sustained a prolonged attack by two otters as he was swimming in a lake in the Sierra Nevadas. He tried to swim away, at a rate of speed that probably would have won him the triathlon, but the otters kept cutting him off and biting him. He was terrified, and his wife finally came out on a paddle board and rowed him to safety. I don’t know about this guy, but my wife would have made me promise to get rid of all that crap in the garage, change the light bulbs in front of the house that have been out for weeks, and a dozen other things before she rescued me from an otter attack. She would have brought a pen so she could get it in writing. Anyway, otters are normally peaceful, have a great sense of humor and excel at board games, but they will attack if threatened, so saying things like, “Why don’t you come at me, bro?” should be avoided. But this was Unforgiving nature RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD SEE MELEN PAGE 12

PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 an unprovoked aggression. Another example is the case of orcas attacking boats in Europe and Australia. While there have been no reported deaths as yet, the sudden downturn in behavior exhibited in animals thought to be benign to humans is somewhat disquieting. If I would have been present during the attack, once I dried off I would have asked the orca, “Why are you doing this to us?” His reply probably would be, “We’re not happy with your stewardship of the Earth. And by the way, we are ‘killer’ whales, not ‘seconddegree attempted manslaughter’ whales, so consider yourself lucky.” “Lucky is that guy on that boat over there, who is bone-dry and nursing a frozen mango margarita, laughing at us.” “He’s next.” Humans have been running this planet for a long time, and it’s not going that great. We have always assumed that we are the smartest animals on the planet, even though my cat sits around 23 hours a day, gets all his meals for free, never tips, never fills out any paperwork of any kind, free medical (no dental though), no jury duty, short commute and can lick his own tail. Maybe we’re not that smart after all. We’ve dumped a lot of carbon dioxide into the air. And every time one of those genius politicians opens his mouth about how scientists are wrong about climate change, guess what comes out? More carbon dioxide. Those who think, well, there are plenty of natural resources out there, let’s just use them up and then we’ll figure something else out -- should consider one thing: That oil we pump out of the ground comes from the bones of an extinct species. Hmmmm. You can hardly blame Mother Nature for being angry. I don’t remember my own Mom being too tough on me, but when she was really mad I used to get a whacking on the behind with the hairbrush. It was corporal punishment, and I was a major pain in the neck, so I actually outranked my punishment. But I would resort to hiding the hairbrush from her. This explains a little about my lack of discipline, and a lot about my hair. Say hello at [email protected]. MELEN FROM PAGE 11 The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 Croton Falls Community Church presents: A Moravian Christmas Putz (Nativity Scene) Nightly, December 17th–24th • 7pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 8pm & 11pm Discover Moravian Traditions: a multi-media presentation, Beeswax Candles, Hot Chocolate and Cookies. “How Far is it to Bethlehem” For details Contact Pastor Tim (917) 554-7853 tmwag5@gmail The celebration of Thanksgiving this week provides a perfect opportunity for us to pause and reflect on all the good things in our lives. With all the pressures we are under, it is quite natural that, given our constant state of stress, we never afford ourselves a moment of self-reflection about all the people and things we should be thankful for. Given the fact that this is Thanksgiving week, I humbly will take the liberty of sharing with you what I am particularly thankful for this and every year.  Appreciating Parents I was blessed with two loving and wonderful parents, Rose and James. I am largely the product of their values and solid parenting.   I can still remember my mom, Rose, giving me words of wisdom on how I should live my life: “Respect everyone,” she instructed, “and always maintain a sense of humor.” I have throughout my life kept her words close to my heart. When my mother taught me this lesson, neither of us anticipated a world as contentious and as frightening as today’s. But instead of diminishing the wisdom of her mandate, our present situation makes her insight more important than ever. It doesn’t cost you anything to acknowledge that everyone has value. Regardless of the person’s origin, age, race, religion, politics, beliefs, everyone must be respected. Sounds elementary, but listen to the voices today denying that fundamental principle.  My father, James, correctly understood that the vitality of a democracy requires an active and informed electorate. As a family, we dutifully watched the debates of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon as well as any presidential press conference and news shows (there weren’t that many back then). It was our obligation, he instructed my sister June and me, to get involved in our community, and dedicate our lives to helping others. His political career reached its zenith when he ran for mayor of our hometown of Ansonia, Conn., in 1964 as the Republican candidate. That was not a great year for Republicans and my dad was not successful at the ballot box. However, he didn’t protest. Instead, he graciously conceded on election night and pledged to help the mayor who defeated him in any way he could. His actions taught me a valuable lesson that our commitment to our democracy and our community supersedes any personal fortune. After leaving politics, my dad worked for the Red Cross and other not-for-profits. His life’s mission made it clear to me how important it is to care about your community and that it is our responsibility to do what we can to make our town, our state, our country and yes our world a better place. Both my parents passed away in 1998, but their lessons live on in my sister and me. What I wouldn’t give to spend a few moments with them again. If you are fortunate to have your parents still with you, please do yourself a favor, tell them, this Thanksgiving, how much you love them and appreciate all they have done for you. They will be grateful for your thoughtful words. Our Community We live in a wonderful country. If you think about it, our nation combines (like no other country) the seemingly antithetical values of individualism and community. The fabric of our laws as well as our state and federal constitutions are designed to respect and protect the rights of the individual. Yet in times of crisis, we value most the examples set by countless citizens helping and saving their communities. This year’s catastrophic storms nationwide provided numerous examples of individuals putting aside their own safety and needs Reflecting on gratitude A Thanksgiving tribute to parents, community and our nation’s values JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 2023 Year in Sales Listed (Represented the Seller) Price 7 Linda Lane, Katonah $1,975,000 60 Spring Hill Lane, Mt Kisco $1,887,400 4 Emerson Court, Katonah $1,200,000 36 Coventry Lane, Brewster $906,501 399 Hawley Road, North Salem $850,000 3 Gwynne Drive, Yorktown Hts. $799,000 15 Mustato Road, Katonah $750,000 222B Heritage Hills, Somers $725,000 307B Heritage Hills, Somers $700,000 14 Nightingale Road, Katonah $695,000 74 Mitchell Road, Somers $692,000 12 Summit Circle, Somers $653,500 563B Heritage Hills, Somers $612,500 50 Maple Wood Drive, Brewster $600,000 651 Garth Court, Yorktown Hts $589,000 448B Heritage Hills, Somers $535,000 6 Krystal Drive, Somers $525,000 2 Mahopac Ave, Amawalk - L/S* $500,000 57 Hudson Point Lane, Ossining $479,000 16 Waterview, Peekskill - L/S* $350,000 30 Windsor Terrace, White Plains $300,000 Sold (Represented the Buyer) Price 456 Armonk Road, Mount Kisco $1,265,000 107 Horseshoe Hill, Pound Ridge $985,000 313 Nash Road, North Salem $945,000 4 Hillcrest Court, South Salem $689,000 307C Heritage Hills, Somers $485,000 484E Heritage Hills, Somers $455,000 577D Heritage Hills, Somers $450,000 *Represented Seller and Buyer. #TheyHadHope 95 Katonah Ave l Katonah NY 10536 Your Local Expert! Data Source: ONEKEY 2023. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed #UGottaHaveHope Find Out What Your Home Might Be Worth Dear Dr. Linda, Last year you suggested some fun activities to do at home that are also educational that we could do with our children for Thanksgiving. Do you have any suggestions for this year? -Teacher Wannabes Dear Teacher Wannabes, I’m glad you enjoyed last year’s activities. To recap, last year I suggested that if you’re going to roast a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, get the kids to help you do the calculations.  Ask them what size bird you need to buy, how long it needs to be in the oven and how much stuffing you’ll need for it. This is a good activity for your kids from Grades 5-9. Let’s say you’re going to have dinner at 5 p.m. Ask the kids what time you need to put the turkey in the oven based on their calculations.  Obviously, younger children can do easier calculations. Maybe you’re making a double batch of cranberry sauce and the bag says 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar; how much water and sugar would you need?  And what about the stuffing? How many cups of stuffing will you need for your turkey? If you buy pre-packaged stuffing mix, how many bags will you need? They’ll need to read the fine print on the bags of stuffing when you go to the store. If you need a bag and a half, how much water and how much butter or margarine will you need? If you’re following Grandma’s recipe, will you need to double it? Cut it in half? Now here’s something to do between dinner and dessert or after the meal. It’s fun for all and it gives guests who don’t watch football something else to do — and everyone will learn something. It’s a 10-question quiz that kids and adults can play individually or on teams. Teams are usually more fun. I suggest the rules include allowing people to go online to find the answers. (The answers are at the bottom.) Of course the winner or winning team gets a prize. The History of Thanksgiving Quiz We trace our Thanksgiving dinner to the Thanksgiving feast which occurred in Plymouth Colony in 1621. Governor William (1)_______________approved a celebration to give thanks to God for the end of a drought and the safe journey of a ship carrying new colonists to Plymouth.  The celebration lasted for (2)_______ days. A large number of Wampanoag Indians attended. In fact, it is said that there were (3)_______in total. There were more Indians at the celebration than Pilgrims. Some thanksgiving celebrations continued, especially in the New England colonies, but not on a specific date.  They ate ducks, geese and turkeys in addition to lots of (4)___________,which is usually not part of the main course of our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Because the Pilgrims didn’t have ovens or (5)__________, it is said that they didn’t eat pumpkin pie or other baked desserts.  In 1789, after the Revolutionary War, President (6)_________________ proclaimed that Nov. 26 of that year would be a national holiday to give thanks for the establishment of a new government. But only some states celebrated Thanksgiving. By 1830, the state of (7)_____________ had an official Thanksgiving Day. It was the first state to have an official Thanksgiving Day. In 1863, Sarah Hale, the editor of a famous lady’s magazine, convinced President (8) ___________________ to proclaim that the last Thursday in November would be a day of thanksgiving.   Then in 1939, President (9) _____________said that Thanksgiving should be celebrated one week earlier. In 1941, Congress passed a law that Thanksgiving would be observed on the fourth Thursday of November and it would be a legal federal (10) __________. Answers: 1. Bradford 2. Three 3. 90 4. Fish (specifically shell fish) Deer is an acceptable answer also. 5. Sugar 6. George Washington 7. New York. 8. Abraham Lincoln 9. Franklin D. Roosevelt 10. holiday Happy Thanksgiving, -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the authors of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids,” available on Amazon and at stronglearning.com.   A Thanksgiving quiz for the whole family And other educational and fun activities for the holiday DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING

PAGE 14 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present This Ad. New Customers Only. Keep the lights on. • GENERATORS • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com So many Thanksgivings over so many years.  This is my favorite time of the year and my favorite holiday when family comes together to love, laugh and enjoy a wonderful, stomach-bursting dinner.  It also brings to my mind memories that have become part of my family’s legacy. Let me share these with you, once again. My first Thanksgiving as a young newlywed was certainly memorable. I was going to do much of the preparation the night before. Of course Mom and my in-laws were contributing side dishes and desserts, so it was Mr. Turkey, dressing and me. I looked at this bird and panicked—how do I clean it, how do I stuff it? Practically in tears, I called my neighbor:   Betty said: “I’ll be right over to help you.” When she came into the kitchen, she burst out laughing. There I was facing Mr. Turkey with rubber gloves on, just like a surgeon. After she got her breath, she helped me prepare my bird. If not for Betty removing it, the bag inside the turkey containing the neck, gizzard, etc., would have been roasted with the turkey.   Another Thanksgiving proved to be a real challenge. We were living in Yorktown and expecting the family. Both ovens were going, the stove top was littered with pans and the smells were heavenly. Pow! We lost power. Everything came to a full stop. I called Mom: “Mom, we lost power. What am I going to do?” I wailed. “I have a pot full of Sunday gravy and meatballs. We can still have a wonderful holiday,” she soothingly said.   Bud came up with the best solution: He lit the bucket grill on the patio, brought the turkey out (it just made it into the grill; wings nearly touching the cover) and we continued getting our turkey ready. The power shortly came back on and all other dishes continued to bubble and cook. The wings were on the well-done side, but this pleased Mom; wings were her favorite!  The holiday that seems to be memorialized is when I decided we were all going to sit at the Thanksgiving table. Usually, we ate buffet style because there were so many of us. Not this time. We set up the family room: two picnic tables, end to end, plenty of chairs and a table for the food. Oh, my, the traffic up and down the stairs carrying dishes, glasses, food and drink. And the joy of being together was the wishbone of the day. I had colorful table cloths, flowers and candles on the tables; we sat down, gave thanks and dug in. The laughter and love as we passed the dishes of food around the table will live in my memory forever. My nephew, John, has told me many times that he will never forget this particular Thanksgiving— neither will I. I’ve mentioned before that Dad wouldn’t eat anything poultry. So whether it was at my home, Mom and Dad’s or sister Roe’s, we would have to adapt on Thanksgiving. Mom, Roe and I would broil two beautiful, thick pork chops for Dad. That was his only dinner substitution: He filled his plate with all the Thanksgiving trimmings and enjoyed his meal like the rest of us traditionalists. He loved the delicious stuffing and mashed potatoes with delectable gravy. I don’t think he realized bits of turkey were mixed into the stuffing and that the gravy was made from turkey drippings: ha, ha, gotcha, Dad!   From my family to yours, wishes for a warm, safe and joyful Thanksgiving. Savor your turkey—or whatever! Most important: cherish the time spent with those you love and care about.   Thanksgiving memories RUTHANN SCHEFFER WHAT WAS I THINKING?

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ThyAnthony Monroe, Katie Cullum, Giselle Malone, and Dominick DiLieto of The Paramount at Somers. Mike Bergin, Tom Myers, Andy Sabol Chris Tegmier, Mary Scale, Eileen Lore, and Alice Roemer Peter and Terry Colomer Philipe Alvarez, Curtis Benge, and Debra Benge NMLS #60828 Registered Mortgage Broker NY & CT Banking Depts. All Loans Arranged through Third Party Providers. Call Us Today! 800-771-1071 YOUR LOCAL HOME MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS 1013 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 - www.putcap.com Please join us for our 14th annual memorial tree lighting, in remembrance of those who have passed before us. Saturday, December 2nd, 5pm. Service Integrity Compassion YorktownFuneralhome.com • (914) 962-0700 • [email protected] Anthony J. Guarino 945 East Main Street, Shrub Oak, NY 10588 For more details visit our website PAGE 16 THE SOMERS RECORD – THU

hank you for your service Ron Miller and grandson Derek Miller, a Brewster High School sophomore who had just been named chief of the school’s ROTC. Frank LaSala, Mario Della Valle, John Supple, Diane Supple, and Jim Mortellaro Dan Roemer, Dan Iamiceli, Bill Tegmier, Phil Scali, and Frank Lore Veterans, community gather on Nov. 17 PHOTOS: CAROL REIF (914) 248-6220 Progressive-Vet.com 268 Route 202 • Somers, NY 10589 Does your pet need an Ultrasound or Echocardiogram? Say goodbye to long wait times and uncertainties! Introducing a revolutionary pet healthcare solution — QuickScan Pet Ultrasound! INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED SPEEDY DIAGNOSIS CONVENIENCE EXPERT ANALYSIS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY PEACE OF MIND Your pet’s health matters to us, and with QuickScan Pet Ultrasound, we’re committed to providing the fastest and most reliable diagnostic service available. DON’T WAIT—give your pet the care they deserve with QuickScan Pet Ultrasound today! Elder Law & Estate Planning Wills, Trusts & Estates Small Business • Real Estate Matrimonial • Criminal Personal Injury • Commercial SOMERS • YONKERS Evening Appointments & Home Visits Tel: 914-964-6806 www.marralaw.com • [email protected] URSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 PAGE 17

BY MARIA SCAROS GUEST COLUMNIST Choosing a living option when you’re over 65 is reminiscent of choosing a college.  One decides on a geographic area. Do academics match up with your interests? Is the campus too big or too small?  Is it the best bang for my buck? And most importantly, can I see myself living here?   Let’s just say at this stage of the game I want to live in a safe, active community with amenities. While touring, I find myself walking into a palatial entryway with waterfalls and a concierge. So, this is “Senior Living?”  I’m interested in an authentic living community.  Not a private club. I want to walk into a “home,” not an upscale hotel. One’s initial reaction may be,  “Wow.  This is incredible. I don’t think I can afford this.” Or, “I don’t know if I’d be comfortable here” or “Yes. I deserve this. I’m in.”    This can be what is referred to as Independent Living, as opposed to living independently.  Independent Living is structured and has care levels.  This can be comforting to many who do not want to be moving every few years as needs change. Living independently, one lives wherever they want and in whatever type of home they want. If they should need care, they can bring help in.  This could work, but it can also prove to be lonely and isolating, especially if you do not have a partner. A CCRC (continuum of care residential community) is another option. This is a “buy-in,” meaning, you purchase a home and are cared for as your needs change.  You would move, within the community, from Independent Living to Assisted Living and to Skilled nursing if you need to move.   Assisted Living is just that. You need a bit of help, but for the most part, you can care for yourself. As your needs change, your fees are increased, which may prove cost prohibitive on a tight budget.  Memory Care Assisted Living is care for those living with memory impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease.  These folks are not thriving at home and may be unsafe, but they are not medically compromised enough to be in a skilled nursing facility (a nursing home). Skilled nursing is for those who require round-theclock medical supervision. It is the only facility that is paid for by Medicaid, once a person spends down all their assets.  Each state has its own criteria. All others are private pay and accept long-term care insurance. Be honest with yourself when it is time to choose where to live.  Only then will you make the best choice. What do you need to help you live the rest of your life with dignity, support and happiness?  Senior Advisors can help at low or no cost to you. Be sure to call someone local as opposed to a large entity that is not familiar with the area in which you are interested.   Think senior year and scouting for the next chapter.  It is a new beginning. Maria Scaros is Executive Director of The Greens at Greenwich. For more information, visit www. thegreensatgreenwich.com, or call 203-531-5500. Living options after 65 How do I choose? Two different seniors need to think about “senior” living. IMAGE PRODUCED BY DALL-E PAGE 18 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Now Accepting New Patients We Are In-Network With MetLife, Delta Dental, United HealthCare, Cigna PPO, and Ameritas PPO, and We Accept Other Insurances 914.277.3518 380 Route 202 at Junction of 116 (across from Heritage Hills) PaulHarbottle.com Excellence in Dentistry In Somers Since 1990 Paul D. Harbottle, DDS VOTED TOP DENTIST 2009-2019 by his Peers as featured in The Greens provides safety, comfort, and a loving home filled with laughter and joy. We are a small intimate assisted living community for your loved one with memory impairment. Discover The Greens at Greenwich Home is a Feeling [email protected] • thegreensatgreenwich.com Awarded the Best Practice for Resident Care by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association Schedule a Tour 203.531.5500

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19 ADVERTORIAL “DEM BONES” IN OUR BODY You probably have heard the spiritual song “Dem Bones” of the 1920s by James Weldon Johnson with the following lyrics: “Toe bones are connected to the foot bone, foot bone connected to the heel bone, heel bone connected to the ankle bone, ankle bone connected to the leg bone” …. all the way to the “shoulder bone connected to the neck bone; neck bone connected to the head bone “how “dem bones gonna walk around”. This song sums up in a nutshell the body’s kinetic chain how it is linked together to work together. HISTORY OF THE KINETIC CHAIN IN OUR BODIES The German engineer Franz Reuleuax is credited for defining the kinetic chain in machines in 1875: if both ends of a chain are fixed and an external force is applied, it receives and produces a force to the adjacent segment causing a movement pattern that generates a chain reaction. Years later, Orthopedic Surgeon Arthur Steindler applied the kinetic chain concept to the human body for rehabilitation when he stated, “the human body is linked together where energy is transferred from one fixed joint to the next joint to set the chain reaction in motion or make the body move.” * UNDERSTANDING OUR HUMAN CHAIN REACTION The musculoskeletal system is the movement mechanism of our bodies. It is a network of joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, connective tissue from our toes to the top of our head. The term “kinetic” means relates to or results from motion. Thus, for the body to move, or to set the kinetic chain reaction in motion, energy must be created and transferred in a coordinated and well-timed manner to move naturally and prevent injuries. The body can be divided in the upper and lower chain. • The upper kinetic chain includes our shoulders, shoulder blades, spinal column, arms, wrists, and hands. • The lower kinetic chain consists of our feet, ankles, legs, hips, pelvis, and lower spine. Within the musculoskeletal system our body can perform close or open chain movements. • Open chain movements refer to the end part of the body moving freely in space; for example, waving your hand of sitting and kicking your lower leg straight up. • Close chain movements refer to the distal/end part of the body being fixed against a solid object; for example, placing your foot on a stair to step up or put your hands on the wall. During our daily lives, our body’s kinetic chain performs open and close chain movements without interruption or conscious effort, unless you have an injury. When you take a step forward, your toes, feet and ankles are flexed back to plant your feet on the ground for a close chain reaction. Or lower legs, thighs, butts, pelvic, core and postural muscles keep our body upright and stable. The spine and upper body automatically rotate slightly with the arms swinging freely for a balanced, open chain motion to produce a normal walking cadence. INTERRUPTION OF OUR BODY’S NORMAL KINETIC CHAIN REACTION When you have an injury or are in pain, the connecting body parts compensate. For example, when you stub your toe and start limping, it may affect your knee, hip and back and can cause pain and unevenness of the pelvis that in turn results in pain, not only in your toe but in the rest of the lower kinetic chain. A similar problem can happen in the upper extremity when you slam your finger in the door and your neck goes into muscle spasm. STRENGTHENING EXERCISES TO STAY BALANCED AND MOVE FREELY When doing exercises try to use as many combined muscles as possible in close and open chain movements. Remember to breathe when the muscles contract and never hold your breath. Here are three suggestions: • Sit to stand: hold a 5lb weight in your hands. When upright, rotate your torso to the right and lift your left leg up to balance on your right leg. Sit down and repeat to the other side. • Lunges: forward and sideways; hold a 5lb weight in your hands and rotate your torso performing a core crunch. • Wall squats: with your back against the wall hold a 5lb weight in your hands. Squat down to a safe level, punch your arms forward and try to straighten up on one leg only. DAILY MOVEMENT FOR OUR HUMAN KINETIC CHAIN Doing physical activity for 30 minutes every day keeps your kinetic chain strong and healthy. Whether you do LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER Our Body’s Kinetic Chain and Free Movement fast-paced walking, gym workout, dancing, playing racquet ball, golf, do yoga or garden work…the key is not to sit all day. Include movement in your day-to-day routine. • Park your car far from the door to take extra steps. • When talking on the phone, walk around or march in place. • Climb the steps instead of taking the elevator. • When cooking in the kitchen, dance around. • Play outside with your kids, dogs, or grandkids. If you have any difficulty performing any exercises or feel your body’s kinetic chain is not moving freely or experience any pain, please contact your physician of physical therapist. *A. Steindler, Kinesiology of the Human Body - Under Normal and Pathological Conditions (Charles C. Thomas, 1955) We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing contact@ lizelubbept.com or visiting www.lizelubbept.com.

PAGE 20 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Is there anything more heartwarming than the tradition of a turkey being pardoned by the President before Thanksgiving?  Of course not. The inalienable rights of poultry must be preserved at all cost. But, what about the yams.  Who will speak up for them?  Don’t yams deserve a pardon too….a suspended sentence at least?  These are some of my Thanksgiving thoughts while I wait for a giant roasted bird to be paraded through the kitchen and settle on the dining room table. Turkey day is a time for reflection (and arranging food on your plate that strikes the perfect balance between proteins, starches and canned cranberry sauce). Memories of past feasts blend with the warmth of present-day family camaraderie. You may have noticed that some family members have a tendency to retreat into their phones when the conversation lags.  Hiding the phone in the turkey, calling it and watching your loved one panic as the ringtone reverberates in the stuffing is not recommended.  Talking about estate planning readiness is a much better option…..and less sticky. So, how do you start a conversation about estate planning?  Do what comes easy. Talk about yourself. If you are organized and have completed your core estate planning documents (Trust, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will and Last Will and Testament), then you are a force of change, stressing the importance of planning and nudging family members in the right direction. If you are a disorganized procrastinator and disclose that fact in your estate planning commentary, you may find that others share your affliction. A few chuckles and shrugs later, everyone collectively decides to change their ways. Sometimes the subject of estate planning comes up inadvertently.  Maybe a loved one was recently discharged from a hospital or the lack of a Power of Attorney may have made it difficult for a spouse to get information concerning a retirement account. These life events provide an opening for wider discussions about the value of being prepared. I like the phrase “mapping things out.” There is a form of geographical positioning that takes place in estate planning in which the people you care about and the things you own are carefully arranged to obtain an optimal result.   There is a school of thought among certain estate planning practitioners and clients that all of this should remain private and not for public consumption. Obviously, larger Thanksgiving gatherings with distant cousins, friends and neighbors of the host may not be the optimal occasion to blurt out the names of all the people you’re disinheriting. What we are talking about is a holiday meal where the individuals seated around you are lifelong intimates, family, loved ones of enduring duration. The idea of a strong family that is meeting estate planning goals and building an infrastructure that will connect family members for decades in celebration and difficulty remains paramount in my mind.   Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at The Feller Group, P.C. Contact the professionals at The Feller Group, P.C. today for more information. The Feller Group is a multi-disciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and business advisement. This article was written by Alan D. Feller, Esq. Feller can be reached at 845-621-8640, or visit thefellergroup.com.  Why Thanksgiving is perfect for estate planning discussion ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Planning Medicaid Applications Guardianships Probates Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 We make home & hospital visits Contact the team today! (845) 621-8640 4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr. • Somers, NY 10589 914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com A new generation of family dentistry We are so thankful to be your dental care provider.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 21 DR. AMANDA WIECHERT, DMD & DR. FELICIA NICOLAS, DDS. 1855 COMMERCE STREET YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 (914) 302-7717 www.northeastdentalny.com [email protected] Dentistry with the personalized touch EXPERIENCE THE NORTHEAST DENTAL DIFFERENCE Long-time Yorktown dentist Dr. Amanda Wiechert founded Northeast Dental in 2014, with the idea that patients should be #1. We know that life can be hectic, and our team goes the extra mile to make patients’ care convenient, comfortable, and reliably high in quality. www.aonpt.com The Road To Recovery Starts Here GOODROW BUILDING 862 Route 6 Mahopac NY 10541 (845) 208-0963 MILL POND OFFICES 293 Route 100 • Suite 107 Somers, NY 10589 (914) 276-2520 BREWSTER 3 Starr Ridge Road Brewster, NY 10509 (845) 279-9288 NEW LOCATION Check out our Facebook & Twitter pages! 845-225-7777 • www.puthumane.org Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 11 11 is a Sweet older boy. Estimated to be about 10 years old. He gets along with all the other cats that walk loose in the lobby and the office. He’s a true sweetheart! Loves to cuddle with other cats. Will make a great lap Cat. Sweet Reba can be a little shy , but warms up very quickly. We think she’s about two years old. Found as a stray, and we were shocked that no one claimed her. kids Reba THIS AD WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY HALSTON MEDIA. 68 Old Rt. 6, Carmel an be a very hocke that o one Pain occurs for a variety of reasons. Pain may be a byproduct of overuse of a particular part of the body, or it could signal an underlying illness or condition. Sometimes injury is at the heart of aches and pains. Daily aches and pains may be seen as a normal byproduct of aging, but that does not mean aging individuals should simply accept pain. In fact, daily discomfort can be remedied with some relatively easy techniques. • Get moving. Lower back pain is common among adults, and most often appears when individuals are in their mid30s and 40s. Strength training and cardio exercises can remedy this pain because these activities increase blood flow and help build core muscles, which support the spine. Support can alleviate pressure on the discs in the back. Exercising also will build strength in other areas of the body and support joints. • Practice good posture. Sitting and standing with optimal posture can help the body feel better. The body is designed to stand in a “neutral” position that stacks the pelvis, head and torso, according to DMC Healthcare. When posture is out of whack, this puts undue stress on muscles, leading to pain. Dropping your head or shoulders also can create unnecessary tension that leads to headaches. Good posture can alleviate this. • Exercise more often. Certain pains arise when exercising for the first time or performing a new activity. Allan H. Goldfarb, Ph.D., a professor and exercise physiologist at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, says when you do the same activity again and again, your muscles will start to get used to it and soreness will be reduced. Don’t give up on exercise too soon, but include off days in your routine to give your body time to become more acclimated to increased physical activity. • Get tested. Speak with your doctor if you have chronic pain in one or more areas. Such pain may be a sign of osteoarthritis, an inflammatory condition that is associated with aging. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions can cause aches and pains as well, leaving the joints and tendons inflamed and a body with low energy. A doctor can rule out these conditions or help you get the therapy and medications you need. • Increase stretching and movement exercises. Incorporate stretching and movement exercises like yoga or tai chi into your daily regimen. These activities slowly stretch areas of the body and can improve range of motion and flexibility over time.  These are just a few ways to address common aches and pains. Medical interventions, physical therapy, occupational therapy and ergonomics assessments, and massage therapy also may help to alleviate aches and pains.  This article is from Metro Creative Connection. Alleviate everyday aches and pains

PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 There’s much to look forward to at the start of winter. The holiday season starts winter off with a bang, while outdoor enthusiasts know their chances to hit the slopes and ski and snowboard are just beginning. Sports fans know January marks the return of the National Football League playoffs, while travelers who need a little winter warmth often designate February as a month to soak up some sun in a faraway locale. With so much to do each winter, it’s especially problematic when you come down with a cold. However, winter tends to be cold and flu season in many areas, as viruses tend to spread more easily when people spend more time indoors. This winter, people may wonder if their sniffles indicate they have a cold, the flu or a sign of something more serious, such as COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Anyone unsure of what’s behind a coldlike illness is urged to speak with their physician. In addition, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases notes that the common cold, the flu, COVID-19 and RSV present some similar symptoms, but also some unique ones. Though each illness is complex, the frequency with which some symptoms present may indicate which issue a person is dealing with. Knowledge of those symptoms and their frequency can help people determine if the culprit behind their winter illness is a cold, the flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Cold • Aches: Sometimes • Difficulty breathing: Rarely • Fatigue: Sometimes • Fever: Rarely • Loss of taste or smell: Rarely • Sore throat: Often • Wheezing: Rarely Flu • Aches: Often • Difficulty breathing: Rarely • Fatigue: Often • Fever: Often • Loss of taste or smell: Rarely • Sore throat: Sometimes • Wheezing: Rarely COVID-19 • Aches: Sometimes • Difficulty breathing: Often • Fatigue: Often • Fever: Sometimes • Loss of taste or smell: Sometimes • Sore throat: Often • Wheezing: Rarely RSV • Aches: Rarely • Difficulty breathing: Sometimes • Fatigue: Rarely • Fever: Sometimes • Loss of taste or smell: Rarely • Sore throat: Rarely • Wheezing: Often Individuals who are concerned by the presence of cold- or flulike symptoms are urged to speak with their physicians. Though many instances of cold, flu, COVID-19 and RSV will go away without medical intervention, each condition can pose a significant health risk in certain situations.  This article is from Metro Creative Connection. Is it a cold, flu, COVID-19 or RSV? Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that affects millions of people across the globe. In the United States alone, more than 37 million people have diabetes, with approximately 90 to 95 percent of those individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  When a person has type 2 diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or it resists insulin. Without treatment, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health implications. Before an individual develops type 2 diabetes, a precursor known as prediabetes may be diagnosed. Johns Hopkins Medicine says having prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal, even if they have not yet reached the point that indicates diabetes. Prediabetes is nothing to take lightly, as even this condition can increase risk of injury or illness to the heart, kidneys and nerves. Prediabetes typically does not show any signs or symptoms. One possible sign, darkened skin on certain parts of the body like the neck, armpits and groin, may be overlooked, states the Mayo Clinic. Still, of those with prediabetes, 80 percent do not know they have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Routine physical examinations and bloodwork are a key tool in diagnosing prediabetes and getting people the care they need. The CDC indicates a fasting blood sugar level of 100 to 125 mg/dL (99 or lower is normal) is considered prediabetes. A level of 126 mg/DL or higher indicates diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes does not need to turn into full-blown diabetes if people embrace various strategies. • Aspire to live a healthier lifestyle: Exercising more, losing weight and changing the foods one eats can stop and even reverse the progression of prediabetes, says Johns Hopkins Medicine. A doctor may suggest a diabetes prevention program. • Medication: Medications to lower blood sugar may be prescribed. • Manage stress: High stress levels may exacerbate hormonal responses and lead to prediabetes. Finding ways to reduce stress can help. • Quit smoking: There are scores of reasons to quit smoking, and avoiding a diabetes diagnosis is just one of them. Prediabetes is a serious concern that may escalate and turn into type 2 diabetes if left unchecked. Individuals who are overweight, have large waist sizes, are sedentary, are over the age of 35, and have a family history of type 2 diabetes should talk to their doctors about their own risk for the disease.  This article is from Metro Creative Connection. What is prediabetes? 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults [email protected] Somers Lions Adopt a Family CONTACT LION PAUL LASPINA FOR MORE INFORMATION M a n y f a m i l i e s i n o u r c o m m u n i t y a r e s tr u g g l i n g t o m a k e t h e h o l i d a y s b ri g h t t h i s y e a r. I f y o u c a n h e l p b y " a d o p t i n g a f a m i l y " a n d p r o v i d i n g t h e m w i t h h o l i d a y g i f t s fr o m t h e ir w i s h l i s t , w e n e e d y o u r h e l p . Y O U C A N H EL P A F A M I L Y I N N EE D T H I S H O L I D A Y SE A S O N Thank Thank Thank you! you! you! Scan QR Code to adopt a family today Deadline December 10th This ad was donated by Halston Media.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 Sports SHIFT HAPPENS! $1,250 Touch-up Treatment starting at Call for your FREE consultation today Call today to start your Invisalign Touch-Up treatment to correct minor shifting! 293 Route 100 Suite 209 Somers, NY (914) 277-1111 www.BBOsmiles.com LOST OR FORGOT TO WEAR YOUR RETAINERS? NO PROBLEM! BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Friday, Nov. 17, Somers faced Averill Park at Mahopac High School in the regional finals of the New York State football tournament, and Coach Anthony DeMatteo’s game plan didn’t go heavy on any sophisticated array of X’s and O’s. “We felt it was going to be physical, and we thought we could match that up with our guys upfront,” he said. A successful game plan that the Tuskers didn’t wait to implement either. Two Ryan Cole sacks, and a Nick Crecco tackle in the backfield quickly ended the first drive and set the winning tone, according to lineman Matt Klee. “We were the better team right off the jump,” he said after the 31-7 Somers victory. Averill even felt the disadvantage when they lined One step closer Tuskers keep rolling in regionals Ryan Cole Coach Anthony DeMatteo Bisons’ returnees bring experience ICE HOCKEY BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Brewster/Yorktown/Somers/North Salem (BYSNS) Bisons coach John Veteri brings plenty of experience, as this is his 13th year coaching in the program, with his first two with modified and the last 11 on the varsity. The Bisons’ top returners are junior, assistant captain Michael Bonelli (North Salem, defense), junior Wolfgang Cook (Somers, forward), junior Daniel Luis (Yorktown, defense), senior, captain Matteo Guastadisegni (Brewster, forward) and senior Dylan Weber (Brewster, goalie).  “This year’s returning players probably have the most experience playing deep into sectionals,” said Veteri, whose team went 5-15-1 and qualified for the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament last season. “With that experience comes confidence and high expectations. I expect them to lead our team throughout the season.” Veteri said that the Bisons have some incoming freshmen and sophomores with experience and high hockey IQ. “I am looking forward to see how they can contribute to our success this season,” Veteri said. Seniors Chris Gardner (Somers, forward) and assistant captain James Shea (Somers, defense), and juniors Kaden Krempler (Brewster, forward) and Sam Cucinelli (Brewster, forward) are also Bisons’ upperclassmen. Sophomores Patrick Vaughan (Brewster, goalie), Paul Rienzi (Brewster, defense), Lucas Salvatore (North Salem, forward), AJ Jones (Somers, forward), assistant captain James Munoz (Brewster, forward), Ryan Dean (Yorktown, forward), Brady Janec (Somers, forward), Henry Rossi (North Salem, forward), and Jordan Millar (Somers, defense), and freshmen Hunter Gershen (Yorktown, forward), Kiernan Ryan (Somers, forward), Greg Marotta (Yorktown, forward), and Jack Lukse (North Salem, defense) are the Bisons’ underclassmen. The Bisons start the season at the Brewster Ice Arena at 6:15 p.m. on Friday Dec. 1 against Byram Hills. “Defense first and shots on goal,” Veteri said on what he expects from his team this season. Somers junior Wolfgang Cook will be a leader on the ice this season. PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO Dean Palazzolo PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI FOOTBALL SEE TUSKERS PAGE 25

PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Somers High School staff, students, families, and coaches joined in celebrating seven seniors as they signed to play at the next level as NCAA Division 1 athletes next fall. Julia Wilkinson will be diving for Cornell University’s Swiming & Diving team. Nick Newman will be heading to Iona University to play lacrosse. Annie Maguire will play soccer at Fordham University. Isabella Milojevic will be joining the track team at Marist College. Molly Fink will be playing lacrosse at College of the Holy Cross. Mac Sullivan is headed to Towson University to play lacrosse, and Chloe Monachelli will be playing tennis at Ryder University. “What I love so much about this year’s group is that they represent a wide range of teams here at SHS,” said Marc Hattem, athletic director for SHS. “It’s very cool to see our tennis, swim, and track programs represented. Most of our D1 commits are multi-season athletes, something we value in our athletic program. In addition, five of our commits have won Sectional and/or Regional titles in the Fall of 2023 and will be participating in this year’s NYS Final 4 (or beyond).” The seniors shared what the signing day meant to each of them. Julia Wilkinson - Cornell University - Swimming & Diving (diver) “Signing Day is a ceremony in which the other committed athletes and I could celebrate the hard work, time, and energy put into our sports so far and to thank all of the people (coaches, family, and friends) who have helped us get to this point. It is also a celebration to get excited for what lies ahead and everything we can accomplish in collegiate athletics.” Nick Newman - Iona University - Lacrosse “This Signing Day means a lot to me because it represents that all of the work I have put into playing lacrosse has finally paid off. It also meant a lot to see all of my family members, friends, and coaches there to support me.” Annie Maguire - Fordham University - Soccer “This Signing Day meant that all the hard work and effort had been celebrated with my friends, family, and coaches, who have helped me endlessly through this process. It was amazing seeing all the people in one place who helped me through this long process.” Isabella Milojevic - Marist College - Track “The Signing Day was an extremely honoring experience that reflected all my hard work and dedication to track over the past few years and how it has now paid off. I’m excited to be continuing my athletic and academic career, and I’m so glad that I got to spend this day with my teammates, classmates, friends, family, and coaches.” Molly Fink - College of the Holy Cross - Lacrosse “This Signing Day means a lot to me because it shows that the work I’ve put in on the field and in the classroom has paid off. I’m proud of my classmates and myself, and I’m so glad to have shared this day with my friends, family, and coaches.” Mac Sullivan - Towson University - Lacrosse “This Signing Day means a lot to me because it represents all of the work and countless hours I’ve spent over the years, and my dream is finally becoming official. With all the support from family and friends over the years, being there for support is a great feeling.” Chloe Monachelli - Ryder University - Tennis “The Signing Day was extremely important to me because it was a time to celebrate all of my hard work on and off the court. It was also a time of recognition for my family, friends, and coaches who have supported me throughout the years to get to this point.” SHS celebrates Signing Day 7 Tuskers to become Division 1 athletes The seniors celebrated with coaches and family. PHOTO: VIM WILKINSON MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE DEC. 2ND 2023 Register Now www.jbr.org/westchester 55KK JJIINNGGLLEE BBEELLLL RRUUNN WWeessttcchheesstteerr Join us for a family, fun 5k (timed or untimed) in support of the Arthritis Foundation! All registered runners receive a t-shirt. Gold Sponsor: Contact Nancy Sorbella at [email protected] or 929-446-0939 Silver Sponsor: Llewellyn Burchell Charitable Trust Foundation Event Supporter: 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) $15,000 GOBBLE GOBBLE CASH GIVEAWAY Win Your Share Of $15,000! Sunday, November 26 • 5pm Earn Entries All Month Long! 1st Place: $10,000 Cash 2nd – 6th Place: $1,000 Cash Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 Exit 36B | I-87 Exit 17

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 25 25% OFF ALL IN-STOCK OUTERWEAR, FLEECE & ACCESSORIES (Jackets, Snowpants, Thermals, Helmets, Hats, Gloves, Goggles and Socks) 20% OFF ALL IN-STOCK LACROSSE EQUIPMENT BLACK FRIDAY SALE 11/20-11/27 CLOSED THANKSGIVING 15% OFF ALL CURRENT MODEL HARD GOODS (Skis, Snowboards, Bindings, Boots, Poles) WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY. SALE IS ON IN-STOCK MERCHANDISE ONLY. DOES NOT APPLY TO CUSTOM OR SPECIAL ORDERS. NOT VALID ON SKI RENTALS. NOT VALID ON ALREADY MARKED DOWN ITEMS. Join our email list for MORE savings. BLACK FRIDAY ONLY POWER HOUR SALE 11/24 - 10am - Noon 30% OFF All In-Stock Outerwear, Fleece & Accessories 20% OFF Skis, Snowboards, Boots, Bindings & Poles 2918 Crompond Rd, Yorktown, NY 10598 sportsbarnyorktownny.com • (914) 245-1300 up to punt. A weak attempt under pressure, Somers took over at the 39 and didn’t stay there long. After Kelly got his first three yards, Mac Sullivan hit Miguel Iglesias on a screen, and the Tuskers were first and ten from the 20.  Still, Averill was strong enough to force a fourth and five, but Dean Palazzolo found the cracks in the foundation anyway. He received the screen and refused to go down until Somers stood first and goal at the eight. Then no surprise, Mason Kelly knocked down the wall on the next play, and Somers was on the board. The extra point by Luke Cukaj good, the defense didn’t make the offense wait long to add on. Another Cole sack dooming the three-play drive, this time the Tuskers started at the Averill 45. Deja vu, the boys faced another fourth down when Sullivan’s screen to Miguel Iglesias was stopped at the 41. No problem, Somers’ demolition man rumbled to the right for a first down to the 28. A breather for Kelly came on Sullivan’s sideline pass to Andrew Kapica, but Somers refused to let their running back get restless. Four bruising runs put him in the end zone, and it was no bother for Nick Newman to help pave the way.  “I love hitting kids,” beamed the blocking tight end. “So just give me the chance to put someone on the ground.” Another Cukaj extra point made it 14-0 to start the second period. Unfortunately, for the third time in two weeks, the kicker was left chasing. Drew Canaday received, hit the hole and found the sideline for an 85- yard touchdown return.  14-7 after the Gabby Geise extra point, Somers didn’t answer, and a game it appeared. Not quite, the Tusker defense dug in at the 35 and swung their mighty trunks. Two short runs and frontline pressure had Drake Teal-Gamble unloading the ball just before the herd landed on him. The punt away, Somers took over at the 36 and was at midfield on two keepers by Sullivan. A few more Kelly runs and the Tuskers were 26 yards away. A fourth down conversion was not to be, though, and one score was still too close for comfort. Not so much when the Somers defense stands in the way, and Andrew Violante’s tackle of Nicholas Williams made good to force fourth down. So Averill tried to unsettle the paradigm. Instead of punting, TealGamble loaded to pass. An open Williams was not hit by the QB and Somers took over at the 43. From there, completions to Violante and Kelly had Somers fourth and three from the 11. Not enough time, Cukaj trotted out and got some payback with a 28 yard field goal to close the half. The kicker was left on the sidelines to start the 3rd, and the wear down of the bruising Somers offense soon had the Averill defense heading in the same direction. This time it was a trio of offenders sending the Warriors back into hiding. Kelly went 19 yards to the 31, Palozzolo had two screen receptions to get Somers knocking at the 21, and two more Kelly runs yielded another first down. A dead ball personal foul set Somers back, but Iglesias hit the trifecta when Sullivan hit him over the middle for a 25 yard TD reception. A 31-7 game, Somers kicked short, but even after forcing a fourth down, special teams still proved problematic. Austin Rouleau took the snap and took off for a first down to the 15. That was all, though. The ball was surrendered on downs, and Nate Mitchell got a chance to show what he could do. To the cheers of his teammates, the backup back rumbled five times through the Averill defense, and his effort (and touchdown) exemplified the commitment of all the Tusker reserves, according to DeMatteo. “Guys that don’t see the field have more impact on the game than the guys that touch the ball, and people buying into our culture and doing all the little things on a daily basis is why we are who we are,” the coach clarified. A team reaching the state semifinals for the third year in a row, the boys are looking forward to a rematch with Niskayuna “We know they’re better than last year. So we’re going to prepare hard this week and go for the win,” concluded Klee. The Tuskers will meet Niskayuna in the state semifinal at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, at Middletown High School. TUSKERS FROM PAGE 23 Miguel Iglesias PHOTO: RICH MONETTI

PAGE 26 – THE SOMERS RECORD LEISURE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 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. Nocturnal S. American rodent 5. Requesting 11. Give temporarily 12. Happiness 16. Military branch 17. -__, denotes past 18. Middle Eastern city 19. Air hostesses 24. Partner to Pa 25. Percussion instrument 26. Popular computers 27. Decrease light 28. Valley in the Osh Region 29. “To __ his own” 30. Absence of difficulty 31. Notice announcing intended marriage read out in church 33. Trims by cutting 34. Impact 38. Military member 39. A French river 40. Member of prehistoric people in Mexico 43. Messenger ribonucleic acid 44. Musician Clapton 45. Greek sophist 49. Largest English dictionary (abbr.) 50. Narrow valley 51. A way to disentangle 53. Indicates not an issue (abbr.) 54. Recommending 56. Genus of legumes 58. Friend to Larry and Curly 59. Off-Broadway theater award 60. Fencers 63. Small Eurasian deer 64. Denoting passerine birds 65. Separate by category CLUES DOWN 1. Colorless fluid part of blood 2. Of a main artery 3. Photographic equipment 4. Confirms a point 5. Developed over time 6. Not the leader 7. __ Lang (country singer) 8. Adults need one 9. Nests of pheasants 10. Antelopes 13. One quintillion bytes (abbr.) 14. Japanese threestringed lute 15. Type of cat 20. Cools your home 21. The ancient Egyptian sun god 22. Pouches 23. Trigraph 27. Form of Persian spoken in Afghanistan 29. __ route 30. Body part 31. Bridge building degree 32. Indicates position 33. Political action committee 34. Tasty snack 35. Part of a quadruped 36. Locate 37. Pitching statistic 38. Of I 40. City in Utah 41. Football players in the trenches 42. Hammer is one 44. A “nightmarish” street 45. Performers 46. Slang for cut or scrape 47. More breathable 48. Most slick 50. Provokes 51. Home to collegeÕs Flyers 52. Sodium 54. Large fish of mackerel family 55. Zero 57. __ and behold 61. The Palmetto State 62. Popular Tom Cruise movie franchise (abbr.) 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 Somers Record YES, I really enjoy The Somers Record 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 Mahopac News Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 27 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board DSL Construction The Home Team! Floors • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! FREE Consultation and Design Fully Insured to Meet Your Needs Complete Remodeling of Your Home OFFICE: 845-276-8608 LOU: 845-494-9857 Proudly Serving Heritage Hills Community VIKING LYNX MONOGRAM SUBZERO SCOTSMAN BERTAZZONI BOSCH BEST DCS GE MARVEL MIELE MAYTAG ELECTROLUX WHIPSPERKOOL FRIDGIDAIRE Trusted Repair That Will Stand the Test of Time Grills | Washers | Dryers | Refrigerators | Ovens | Ranges | Wine Coolers Serving Westchester County PH: 914.864.1252 6 Mark Mead Road • Cross River, NY 10518 Email: [email protected] www.appliancegenie.com AUTHORIZED SERVICE FOR VIKING, LYNX, FRIGIDAIRE 421 Rt 6 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel: 845.628.9604 • www.callsullivan.com Neal L. Sullivan Business Umbrella Home Auto FOR SALE SNACK ROUTE Northern Westchester/ Putnam Weekly Sales $6000 For 3-1/2 Day Work Week Call Ross At Mr. Route | 516-785-6600 | mrrouteinc.com DSL Construction Inc. Windows, Doors, and Painting Full Service Window and Door Installations Call for Free Quote and Measure We deal with all the major window, door, and paint brand manufacturers Office: 845-276-8608 • Lou: 845-494-9857 Fully Licensed to meet your needs! Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! Established 1979 Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer WESTCHESTER 914-277-4229 • PUTNAM 845-278-2575 AS FEATURED ON FREE ESTIMATES AND FREE INSTALLATION DISCOUNTED BLINDS & SHADES VERTICAL-MINI BLINDS-SILHOUETTE SHUTTERS-WOOD BLINDS-VIGNETTE LUMINETTES-ROMAN BLINDS-VALANCES Shades Above the Rest for Home & Office SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $25 PER BLIND! www.westrockwindowdesigns.com Somers Resident COUPON from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Call to get your FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 Dental50Plus.com/nypress Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6208-0721 DENTAL Insurance 845-278-7312 ALL FUEL CO. The Shelley Family Home Heating Fuel 1606 Rte 22, Brewster • Burner Sales, Service & Installation • Tank Removal & Installation • Propane Available for Cooking & Heating BOGO 40% OFF OFFER ENDS 1/31 Available at participating locations 888-448-0421

PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Somers Custom Framing & Gifts 253 Route 202, Somers • 914-276-3173 [email protected] • SomersFraming.com We are your gift headquarters! Clothing • Accessories • Gifts • Toys & Games • Gourmet Items • Custom Framing & More! Open 7 days/week until Xmas. Mon-Fri 9-5 • Sat 9-4 • Sun 11-3 Complimentary Gift Wrapping Always Available! 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com • [email protected] DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor • BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director • RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad Station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 • Cremations and Burials Braver Angels www.braver-angels.org Families and Politics Workshop Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. To be held at Somers Library. Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic political environment. Family members are having nasty political arguments, avoiding each other, or even cutting off lifetime relationships. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop will offer you: Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging. Recognition of common roles that family members play in political conversations (for example, the Gladiator, the Defender, and the Sniper). Strategies and skills for handling family political differences in a constructive way. Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use learnings in this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have some fun in this workshop—it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families. RSVP at SomersLibrary.org events calendar, and click on the event “Politics and Family” to register. Braver Angels is a national nonprofit with a mission to depolarize America. Its leadership is half “red” and half “blue.” Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 a.m. To be held at Manhattanville College. Be part of the original festive race for charity and signature Arthritis Foundation holiday event! Wear your favorite holiday attire and together, we’ll jingle all the way to a cure! Register as an individual or bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run, walk or stroll, and spread the good cheer. Together, we’re raising funds to support research for Arthritis treatment and a cure - plus life-changing resources and local programs. Your registration fee and fundraising support the fight to conquer arthritis! To register or learn more, visit https:// events.arthritis.org/ Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden 28 Deveau Rd. in North Salem www.hammondmuseum.org Swing Dance at the Hammond Museum Saturday, Dec. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Norm Hathaway Big Band plays it like it was! An eighteen-piece band will have you tapping your toes and shaking a leg to favorite tunes. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and baked goods available for purchase. $25 general admission; $15 for 18 and under; free to North Salem residents, with one outof-town guest, with proof of residency. Space is limited, advance reservations recommended. The Friends of the Somers Library Holiday Concert Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. Featuring John and Eddie Fiscella. This talented father and son act never fail to entertain! Join in for what promises to be a fun and festive holiday event! To be held in the library’s Program Room. The Golden Apple Chorus Harmony for the Holidays Saturday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. The Golden Apple Chorus, under the direction of Sharon Vitkovsky, presents “Harmony for the Holidays” at St. Luke’s Church at 331 Route 100 in Somers. Featuring special guest quartet Impact. Donation/$20, Seniors/Students/$15 and children under 10 are free. For tickets or more information, email [email protected]. Temple Beth Shalom 760 Rte. 6 in Mahopac www.tbsmahopac.org Stories and Snacks with Rabbi Sarah Sunday, Dec. 10, at 11:30 a.m. Ideal for ages 2 - 5 years old. Please call 845-628-6133 to register. Somers Library Please register using the online calendar at www.somerslibrary. org to have access to online meetings. If virtual, you will receive an invitation prior to the start of the program. Programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through patrons’ generous contributions. Playdate at the Library Wednesdays, thru Dec. 13, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Join in at the library for a play date, with arts and crafts (self-guided), books & music for children to enjoy while parents/guardians get a chance to meet and mingle.No registration needed. Lil’ Atoms STEM Club Thursday, Nov. 30, at 3:45 p.m. Calling all Lil’ Atoms! Join in each month for STEM/STEAM based experiments and projects. For November, you will be working with Copper Tape to make electrical circuits! Bring your imaginations. Grades 3 to 5. A Message from The Friends of the Somers Library The Friends of the Somers Library is dedicated to supporting and enriching the Somers Library. Over the years, the library has played an essential role in the Town of Somers by providing access to knowledge, fostering literacy, and serving as a gathering place for residents of all ages.  Our organization has been working to fund the library’s resources and programs. We have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that the library has on our community, and we are committed to ensuring its continued success. To that end, we are reaching out to you to request your support in our mission. The financial support of town residents has played a pivotal role in the growth and improvement of the Somers Library over the years, and we are grateful for the continued dedication. TRUNK FROM PAGE 4 SEE TRUNK PAGE 30 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK

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PAGE 30 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 in the last two decades and that average response times had risen significantly. The need was greatest during the day, it said, when proposing to add one more “fly car” with Advanced Life Support (ALS). Somers has okayed that request and the “fly car” will become part of the WEMS’ fleet in July. It’s share for the first half year is approximately $40,000. The following year it will be $80,000. IN GOOD SHAPE Last month the board authorized Scorrano to execute an agreement between the town and employees who belong to the CSEA. The contract runs, retroactively, from Jan. 1, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2025. Salary increases approved as part of that are “not exorbitant, just a few percentage points higher than what they were in past years,” said Cirieco, who praised Scorrano for his negotiating skills and said that, in light of an 8 percent inflation rate, the settlement was “done very well.” He also addressed the tax cap, calling it “essentially a regulatory expression of what you’re allowed to spend.” The town’s philosophy is not to spend up to the limit, but to spend only what it absolutely needs to, he explained, claiming that it’s “saved taxpayers over $2 million” in the 12 years since the property tax cap was signed into law. “We’ve been able to put money away throughout this whole situation and that’s because we really don’t get out in front of our headlights,” Cirieco said. Because revenues have grown faster than expenses, the town has been able to fund items such as payroll increases and projects such as its brand-new salt shed and a proposed crosswalk on Route 202 near the Towne Centre at Somers, he added. (The latter is especially important because of the numbers of Somers Middle School students who cross the busy roadway to get to the shops at the Heritage 202 Center, town officials have said.) “So we’re investing in people; we’re investing in safety,” Cirieco concluded. Pointing out that there are infrastructure projects in the works that will “better the town,” Scorrano said he was “very proud of what this preliminary budget looks like right now.” BUDGET FROM PAGE 6 Your generous donations have enabled us to: Enhance Educational Programs: Through your support, we’ve been able to offer engaging and educational programs for children, teens, and adults, including author talks, workshops, and live events. Improve Facilities: Your contributions have helped us make vital improvements to the library ensuring a comfortable and welcoming environment for all visitors. Promote Involvement: Your donations have enabled us to launch initiatives aimed at community involvement in our town, including summer reading programs for children and educational programs for adults. As we look ahead, we are eager to expand our offerings. To achieve these goals, we kindly ask for your continued financial support. To make on online donation, please visit the library’s website at www.somerslibrary.org and click on the “support” tab in the menu. Follow the prompts to the Friends of the Somers Library. To donate in person, there are membership flyers available at the front desk of the library that you can fill out and leave with one of the librarians.  If you received one of our mailings, you can send a check in the envelope provided. Your donation, will make a significant difference in helping us fulfill our mission. Donating to the Friends of the Somers Library is an investment in the future of our town. Somers Library Foundation Needs You Are you a passionate supporter of the Somers Library and looking for a way to help improve the services and capabilities? The Somers Library Foundation is looking for new board members. There are lots of opportunities to use your talents and build new skills. Send the foundation an email at [email protected]. Watch the Somers Library Foundation website (https://somers libraryfoundation.org) for details on upcoming meet and greet events to learn more about the Foundation and what it means to be a board member of the board. TRUNK FROM PAGE 28 Notice of Formation of Mijin Kim Creative Arts Therapy Psychotherapy, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 10-04. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Mijin Kim : 111 North Central Park Avenue Suite 340 Hartsdale NY 10530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of LITTLE ECHO PSYCHOANALYSIS & CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-09-20. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to William C Thornton: 21 Carolyn Way Purdys NY 10578. Purpose: Any lawful purpose PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET OF THE TOWN OF SOMERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024, has been approved by the Town Board of the Town of Somers and filed in the office of the Town Clerk at the Town House, Somers, New York where said budget is available for inspection by any interested person during regular office hours. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Somers will meet and hold a public hearing on said Preliminary Budget at the Town House 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, on Wednesday evening, December 6, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. and that at such public hearing, any person may be heard in favor or against any item or items contained therein. Pursuant to Section 108 of Town Law, the proposed salaries of the following Town Officers are hereby specified as follows: COUNCILMAN (4) each                                           $15,426.00 SUPERVISOR                                                           $130,907.00 TOWN CLERK                                                          $101,586.00 SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS                        $130,609.00 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF SOMERS Patricia Kalba Town Clerk – Town of Somers Dated:  November 17, 2023 UPDATED Halston Media fillers *NOTE: when putting these into place, please take hypweb and/or email athanks! Somers RecoPromote Your Charity Send us a press release at somersrecord@halstonmedia. com, or give us a call at 914- 302-5830. Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Somers Record need to be high-resolution. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special momentsin your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, weddingor anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement asomersrecord@halstonmedcom or mail it to The SomeRecord, 118 N. Bedford RoaSuite 100, Mount Kisco, NY10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Sena self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Letters and Op-Ed PLetters to the editor and op-ed submissions may bedited. The views and opexpressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarithose of The Somers Recor its affiliates. Submissiomust include a phone nuand address for verificatiNot all letters and op-edsnecessarily be publishedLetters and op-eds whichcannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send ysubmissions to the editorby e-mail at somersrecorhalstonmedia.com. For minformation, call the edito914-302-5830. Contact Us The Somers Record is locat 118 N. Bedford Road, 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10You can contact us at 915830 or email somersrechalstonmedia.com. Advertise With Us When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout the Town of Somers, including all of its hamlets and Heritage Hills. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Pana Infiniti LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/31/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Grunwald & Seman, PC, Attn: Milton Grunwald, Esq., 100 Garden City Plaza, Ste 203, Garden City, NY 11530. General Purpose  Silverlake Estimating LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/31/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Chris Bisceglia, 1 Main Place, West Harrison, NY 10604. General Purpose  99 North Broadway LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/31/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 11 Quarry Ln, Irvington, NY 10533. General Purpose  589 Building Management LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/29/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Fation Syla, 140 Brendon Hill Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583. General Purpose   Cosmic Art Studio LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/25/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 354 Mamaroneck Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583. General Purpose   Melmaz LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/17/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 1530 East Main St., Shrub Oak, NY 10588. General Purpose     Alwaffa, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/28/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 300 Bleakley Ave., Cortlandt, NY 10511. General Purpose     26 Purdy LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/12/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Rita Olivier, 9 Brevoort Ln., Rye, NY 10580. General Purpose     185 Nest, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/14/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Nicolina A. Tumminia, 11 Colonial Rd., White Plains, NY 10605. General Purpose FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473

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PAGE 32 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 Scan Me! Now you can read all about Somers AND the region!