North Salem News 12.29.2022

Vol. 8 No. 42 North Salem’s only weekly newspaper mailed to every home and business. Thursday, December 29, 2022
Visit TapIntoNorthSalem.net for the latest news.

Year in Review

2022 was an eventful DR. FREESTON ANNOUNCES Freeston told the Board of Ed- response of a nearby teen. Just March 12 “Levi DiDomenico
year, as the North Salem Day” in North Salem.
community emerged RETIREMENT ucation that he reached the deci- 13, Levi DiDomenico grabbed
from the pandemic GOLISANO PASSES THE
and embraced a return Dr. Kenneth Freeston an- sion to retire “after a lot of think- a small rowboat that his uncle TORCH TO ROSASCO
to normalcy. Before we
ring in 2023, North Sa- nounced that he will be stepping ing, some of it COVID-related, had given him last summer and North Salem’s recreation su-
lem News takes one last perintendent Beverly Golisano
look back at some of the down as North Salem schools over the break.” pushed it across the ice to the ended her multi-decade career
noteworthy stories from this year. Golisano joined the
superintendent in June 2023. scene.
the past 12 months2. 023 SEE 2022 PAGE 3
Freeston has held the position ICE SAVE Vail clambered aboard and

since 2007. Prior to that, he While ice boating on Peach Levi – still on skates – used the

served as schools superintendent Lake, Rich Vail crashed through craft’s rope to pull him to safety.

in both Ridge eld and Redding, the ice and was rescued thanks In recognition of his brav-

Conn. to the quick thinking and fast ery, the Town Board declared

As we turn the page HOPEMAZZOLA
on 2022, thank you for
your love, support and YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE
friendship. Wishing you
all a New Year filled with Sales Vice President
hopes and dreams and Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
most of all, kindness.
cell: 914.714.0090

[email protected]
hopemazzola.com

95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536

BALANCED ROCK 2
CLASSIFIEDS 23
LEGAL NOTICES 22
LEISURE 18
OBITUARIES
OPINION 4 MAGIC
SPORTS
8 Harlem Wizards Visit
16 pg 16

Page 2 – North Salem News BALANCED ROCK Thursday, December 29, 2022

The Staff Wreath be sent to click on, including a lower your stress. Participate in informal group of local expert

EDITORIAL TEAM Decorating Contest password to enter. a program of gentle movement, garden enthusiasts. Please check
TOM WALOGORSKY breathing and relaxation exer- the web page to see if it is meet-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] e North Salem Recreation HOLIDAY SCHEDULE cises that reduce the experience ing by zoom or in person. is
WHIT ANDERSON
Department and Ruth Keeler e library will be closed on of stress and anxiety and have a group is free, open to all.
SPORTS EDITOR
[email protected] Memorial Library present the Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. positive impact on your health Friends of Lasdon
2022 Wreath Decorating Contest! and well-being.
VIM WILKINSON
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Wreaths will be on display outside SOCIAL KNITTING PUPPET STORYTIME Park & Arboretum
[email protected] Town Hall and the library cam- Mondays,

ADVERTISING TEAM pus from until Jan. 3. All are wel- from 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, Lasdon Park Arboretum &
PAUL FORHAN
come to stop by to see the wreaths, Bring your projects and ideas from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Veterans Memorial, 2610 Route
(914) 806-3951
[email protected] or vote online for their favorites. for an hour of chatting and knit- Open to kids of all ages! Meets 35, Katonah NY 10536

BRUCE HELLER Prizes will be awarded for “People’s ting. Send an email, and you will every ursday.
(914) 486-7608
[email protected] Choice” and “Best eme.” For receive an invitation. Led by HOLIDAYS ON THE

LISA KAIN more info or to sign up, visit. www. Cathleen Sulli. POETRY READING HILL TRAIN SHOW
(201) 317-1139
[email protected] northsalemny.org/recreation WITH ALAN SKLAR Select dates from,
CORINNE STANTON
(914) 760-7009 Ruth Keeler FRIDAY PAINTERS Sunday, Jan. 8, from 3 to 4 p.m. Thru Dec. 31
[email protected] AND ARTISTS Alan Sklar will be live at the Holidays on the Hill Annual

JAY GUSSAK Memorial Library Fridays, at 10:30 a.m. library for an afternoon reading Train Show at Lasdon Park of-
(914) 299-4541
[email protected] Join a fun and informal group of Robert Frost. is program is fers a chance to visit and cele-
PAM Zacotinsky
845-661-0748 e library is open for of painters and artists, begin- free, open to all, and requires no brate the season with iconic and
[email protected]
browsing, computer use, and ners and experienced. ere is registration. immersive exhibits that will de-
PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL reading! Please visit www. no instruction, and you can draw, light audiences of all ages. is

CREATIVE DIRECTOR r uthkeelermemoriallibrar y. paint or work in any medium you CONVERSATION WITH year, visitors will be surrounded
PHOTOGRAPHER
org for more information. choose. You must bring your own LOCAL GARDENERS by the magic of the season as
[email protected]
NOAH ELDER Most programs are in person materials. Saturday, Jan. 14, they stroll by colorful characters
DESIGNER
or on ZOOM. Send an email from 10 to 11 a.m. and enchanting holiday scenes.
[email protected]
if you want to participate to WESTCHESTER BREATHES Meets monthly on the second With more than 5,000+ square
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRETT FREEMAN keeler librar [email protected]. Fridays, from 9:30 - 10 a.m. Saturday of the month. Bring feet of indoor and outdoor ex-
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 When you email, a link will Increase your resilience, and your questions and ideas to this hibit space that begins with a

[email protected] stroll through whimsical holiday

Deadlines exhibits leading to the Conserva-

tory. Once inside, you will be sur-

rounded by trains chugging along

twelve multi-level tracks, over

JJOOIINN FFOORR $$11 bridges, through tunnels, under
waterfalls and by quaint holiday
scenes all framed with colorful

START THE NEW YEAR WITH seasonal plants and decorations!
For tickets and more informa-

tion, visit www.lasdonpark.org.

A NEW FITNESS EXPERIENCE North Salem
Democratic
(6 AND 12 MONTH MEMBERSHIPS) Committee

NORTH SALEM NEWS DEADLINE Group Classes, VOLUNTEERS WANTED
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS Personal Training! ere are a few open seats on the

AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR YOGA, ZUMBA, town committee and the Demo-
SILVER SNEAKERS, crats would love to have some
NORTH SALEM NEWS IS THE THURSDAY BODYSCULPTING, new volunteers come forward. It’s
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. BARRE, AND MORE! a great way to meet new people
and be involved in who and what
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL Anytime Fitness shapes our community. If, on the
TOM WALOGORSKY AT 914-302-5830 Somers other hand, you may be interested
in serving on a town committee or
OR EMAIL NORTHSALEMNEWS@ 13th year in Somers! board, we suggest you keep an eye
HALSTONMEDIA.COM on the town’s website, northsa-
325 Route 100, Somers, NY 10589 lemny.org, and send an inquiry to
Online (Behind CVS) the town clerk, mhlushko@north-
FOLLOW US salemny.org. Vacancies are listed
914-301-5969 on the town website. Contact us
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT at PO Box 525, North Salem, NY
SOMERS, NY AND AT @anytimefitnesssomers 10560 or northsalemdemocratic-
[email protected]
MEDIAADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. https://www.anytimefitness.com
/gyms/1782/Somers NY 10589/ North Salem
TREATPOSTMASTER: Republican Town

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO Committee
NORTH SALEM NEWS AT
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
YOURSELF TO A118 N. BEDFORD ROAD e North Salem Republican
SUITE 100
MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 Town Committee is looking for
volunteers. If you cannot volunteer
North Salem News GUEST
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©2022 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC

Thursday, December 29, 2022 North Salem News – Page 3
The community marching in

the Memorial Day parade.

PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY

North Salem High School bid North Salem students were given the option to
farewell to the Class of 2022 in June. remove their masks in March.

PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

2022 years of experience serving as the ing,” explained Gilchrist. “I was After nearly three years with- of a second SRO, thanks to -
FROM PAGE 1
director of conservation for the in a good rhythm, and I had great out a venue for live performances, nancial assistance from Sen. Pete

Westchester County Parks sys- defense behind me.” e Schoolhouse eater came Harckham. Harckham secured

Recreation Department as a tem. back with a bang in December the necessary funds through the

part-time employee in 1980. She SULLI NAMED DIRECTOR with a bene t concert featuring CREST Program for a capital

took over as its full-time superin- DR. ROY MARTIN NAMED AT KEELER LIBRARY renowned saxophonist Houston expense.

tendent three years later and be- PRINCIPAL AT PQ Following the retirement of Person at Hygrade Market.

gan running the town’s summer Dr. Roy Martin was named Carolyn Reznick, assistant direc- TURF FIELD

camp and its recreation programs the new principal of  Pequena- tor and children’s librarian Cath- SECOND SRO MOVES FORWARD

“to great success,” said Supervi- konck Elementary School. Prior leen Sulli was tapped to become CAUSES DEBATE e fall saw North Salem’s $6.9

sor Warren Lucas after the Town to coming to the district, Mar- the next director at Keeler Li- e community voiced its dis- million turf eld project moving

Board formally accepted Goli- tin taught in the White Plains brary. satisfaction at a November Board swiftly at the middle school/high

sano’s letter of resignation. School District, served as a of Education meeting follow- school campus. Other features

In August, recreation leader teacher in the Bronx, and worked SCHOOLHOUSE THEATER ing the prior meeting’s 4-2 of the project include bleachers,

Lauren Rosasco o cially stepped at Green Chimneys in Brewster. EYES RETURN TO THE STAGE  vote against the authorization LED lighting, pedestrian path-

into the role. “I always will be a teacher, and e Schoolhouse eater set to transfer $97,258 from unas- ways, and outdoor bathrooms.

“I recreate for a living,” said I have a strong background in in- the stage for its return to live signed funds to cover the cost

Rosasco. “Can’t get any better structional practices,” explained performances at its former home of a second school resource o - MISSING CHILD

than that.” Martin. “It’s something that I in Croton Falls. e 99-seat per- cer (SRO) for the North Salem FOUND SAFE

de nitely want to continue.” formance space and arts center at Central School District. It was a nerve-wracking couple

HAPPY TRAILS 3 Owens Road was shuttered by e debate about the addition- of hours for the family of a miss-

Jocko McKean stepped down PERFECTION the pandemic in 2020, the same al SRO spanned multiple board ing North Salem youngster – and

after six years as the North Salem On April 28, Robbie Gilchrist year its founder,  Leandra “Lee” meetings, with parents, students, for the folks who were out in the

Open Land Foundation execu- etched his name into the North Pope, died. and administrators all weighing cold and dark literally beating

tive director. Founded in 1974, Salem baseball history book. Fac- e nonpro t arts founda- in. the bushes for him – but things

NSOLF’s “interest is in conserv- ing o against Putnam Valley, tion’s acting troupe carried on via After months of contention, turned out all right in the end

ing as much of that as possible, Gilchrist tossed a 56-pitch per- Zoom, putting on more than 110 the North Salem Board of Edu- thanks to the coordinated e orts

while keeping it in private hands.” fect game, leading the Tigers to virtual plays in as many weeks, cation announced at a Decem- of multiple emergency services

McKean is succeeded by John a 10-0 victory. according to producing direc- ber  meeting that the district is SEE 2022 PAGE 7

Baker, who brings more than 25 “All of my pitches were work- tor Bram Lewis. moving forward with the hiring

In April, the North Salem Committee for Ukraine’s Dr. Roy Martin was named An act of bravery
fundraiser at Hayfields Market brought in over $23,000. the new principal at PQ. by Levi DiDomenico
helped an ice
PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY PHOTO COURTESY OF ROY MARTIN boating mishap have
a happy ending.

PHOTO COURTESY OF
NINA CARLSON

Page 4 – North Salem News Thursday, December 29, 2022

OBITUARIES

Sean Lawrence Tobin working in the eld of arboriculture. of New Preston, Conn.; his loving
Sean was an outdoorsman, growing cousin Elizabeth Dayton, who
10/12/1990 - 12/19/2022 up camping and snowboarding, with he considered his sister, and her
Sean Tobin grew up in Croton summers spent boating and shing husband Scott and daughters Eliza
Falls. He graduated from North on Candlewood Lake. His fearless and Mackenzie; Aunt Michelle
Salem High School in the Class spirit took him to great heights. He Cirino of Southport, Conn.,  and
of 2009 and was a top athlete naturally mastered it all. His love his Cirino cousins; and Aunt
that shined with his teammates of animals and the great outdoors Patricia Sullivan of Silver Springs,
on the soccer eld, enjoying the were always part of who he was. Md., and all the Sullivan family.
thrill of being part of the NYS Sean is forever missed in the lives Although he lost this battle,he fought
championship team. Following of his many friends and family. He until the end. A life cut too short.
in his late father Lawrence Tobin is survived by his mother Sharon Donations can be made in Sean
and grandfather John “Tip” Tobin’s Lonergan Tobin of Croton Falls; Tobin’s name to High Watch
footsteps, he graduated from his loving girlfriend Faith Zimmel Recovery Center at 62 Carter Road
Fordham University in the class of of Mt Kisco; uncle Richard in Kent, Conn., where other young
2017, having studied environmental Lonergan of Sherman, Conn.; lives can nd help in recovery over
management. He long enjoyed Aunt Terry and Richard Hawley addiction.

ROCK consider mailing a donation via North Salem Republicans. If tion at www.northsalemrepub- lican Club will be hosting get
FROM PAGE 2
check or money order to: North you want to get involved in our lican.com togethers for co ee, pastries and

Salem Republican Town Com- committee or want to participate informal conversation in North

your time, please consider a do- mittee (NSRTC), PO Box 289 in other town volunteer e orts, NORTH SALEM Salem on Saturday mornings

nation to our committee. If you North Salem, NY 10560. Follow email us at northsalemrepubli- REPUBLICAN SOCIAL CLUB twice monthly. Please only bring

believe in the conservative cause us daily on Facebook to keep [email protected], and also visit We’re back and o Covid-19 your willingness to relax and speak

and want to support our e orts, up with Republican issues at @ our website for more informa- hiatus! e North Salem Repub- freely with like minded individu-

als. RSVP’s only! Please RSVP via

email with full name to northsa-

Happy Holidays [email protected],
and you will then be provided with
the Saturday morning time and

& Happy New Year! location. Looking forward to see-
ing you soon.

Chronic Pain
Support Group

From Our Family to Yours Research tells us that  50 mil-
lion Americans  live with chronic
YOUR TRUSTED HVAC COMPANY WITH HEATING SCAN HERE 0 DOWN pain, or pain that lasts most days
DECADES OF EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE AIR CONDITIONING FOR MORE 0% or every day for three months or
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE more. Of this group, 20 million
AIR QUALITY INFO FINANCING experience high-impact chronic
DUCT CLEANING/SEALING AVAILABLE! pain, or pain that interferes with
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS basic functioning and activities of
daily living. Pain is the  number
WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP? one reason  that Americans ac-
cess the health care system, and
costs the nation up to $635 billion
each year  in medical treatments,
disability payments, and lost pro-
ductivity.

Support groups provide a forum
for those with pain to gain support
and learn about ways to manage
pain and progress from patient to
person. is group takes place over
Zoom every other week.

For more information, please
call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281
or email him at tednbloch@gmail.
com. All conversations are kept
strictly con dential.

Race Amity
of Northern
Westchester &

Putnam

845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com MONTHLY MEETING
Please join us for our monthly

discussion as we work to advance

SEE ROCK PAGE 22