Mahopac News 01.25.2024

VOL. 14 NO. 45 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 HEALTH & WELLNESS 18 LEISURE 25 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OBITUARIES 7 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Pac cagers continue to roll pg 20 SWISH BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Carmel and Kent police officials hope to continue to jointly operate the Putnam County Multi-Agency Police Emergency Response Team (ERT) after a move by Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville last month to eliminate any Sheriff’s Office personnel from the longstanding team and form a new Sheriff’s Response Team that would operate under his command. For nearly two decades, personnel from the Kent and Carmel police departments served alongside members of the Sheriff’s Office in the county’s ERT, a team of SWAT-certified officers and negotiators specially trained for crisis situations. The dissolution of the three-department ERT—which McConville justified by saying the County Legislature had never approved such a unit and that this exposed the county to insurance liabilities—led to angry exchanges at the Legislature’s Dec. 18 Protective Services meeting and continues to be a source of controversy among officials in Carmel and Kent. At the meeting, McConville announced that the ERT was being replaced by the Sheriff’s Response Team under the command of Capt. James L. Schepperly, a move that some have called a power grab. While he would have preferred to keep the original unit intact, Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann said he and Kent Chief Kevin Owens believe the unit is too important to abandon. So they and their respective town governments are working together to continue the joint ERT with the remaining Carmel and Kent personnel and then rebuild it to the same size as the old threedepartment unit. “It’s the view of Supervisor Cazzari and Kent Supervisor Jaime McGlasson that the team between us and Kent is staying intact,” Hoffmann said. “We’re going to treat it as we’ve always been together and the county has no authority to dissolve the team, which, by their own argument, they were never part of. We have the personnel and the equipment.” Currently, the Carmel-Kent ERT has nine SWAT operators and four hostage negotiators and is set to grow. “We’re hoping to add a couple of certified SWAT members from each department before the end of the year,” Hoffman said. “We have appointed a command structure for the team after [the Sheriff’s Office] removed its members that included team leadership. We are rebuilding and we are ready and capable of a tactical response if needed.” Carmel, Kent clash with sheriff over Emergency Response Team McConnville pulls from joint operation to go solo, towns to continue on their own Carmel PD ERT members Detective Sergeant Brian Forde, Sergeant Kevin Anderson, and Team Commander Lt. John Dearman (now retired) demonstrate to campers some of the tools that ERT officers use when responding to emergencies. PHOTO COURTESY CARMEL PD SEE ERT PAGE 9 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 914-282-6440 [email protected] RE/MAX Classic Realty CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION SERVICES OFFERED: Answers About the Current Market Free Property Evaluations Advice to Prep Properties for Sale Contractor Recommendations High-Definition Photography/Virtual Tour of Your Property Custom Digital Marketing Help with Estates & Probate Relocation Assistance – Anywhere in the World COVERING ALL OF NEW YORK AND FLORIDA Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Multi-Family Land • New Construction • Estates/Probate

PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Putnam County Career Expo Putnam County Government will be hosting its first-ever Career Exposition on Feb. 7, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bureau of Emergency Services, 112 Old Route 6 in Carmel.   Jobseekers and those curious about working for Putnam County are invited to explore job opportunities in government departments. Individuals are encouraged to bring their résumé, and they will have an opportunity to speak with department representatives on-site. Several departments will be in attendance, including the County’s Bureau of Emergency Services, Department of Health, Department of Public Works, the Office for Senior Resources, Department of Social Services and Mental Health, the Sheriff ’s Department, the County Clerk’s Office, and Department of Motor Vehicles; all of which currently have vacancies in their respective departments that need to be filled. MAHOPAC MUSINGS SEE MUSINGS PAGE 8 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 Mahopac News YES, I really enjoy Mahopac News and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A County Supreme Court judge has ruled in favor of a Mahopac business in its lawsuit against the town charging the municipality with malicious prosecution. Charlie Melchner Sr., and his wife Lillian, owners of Mahopac Marina on South Lake Boulevard, had sought $30 million in damages in the case with roots dating back to the 1960s. Between 1991 and 2009, the town commenced four civil actions and three criminal proceedings against the Melchners alleging various violations of the town zoning ordinance. The point of contention concerns whether New York State or the town of Carmel regulates the docks floating in Lake Mahopac off the shore of the Marina. According to Melchners and their attorney Dan Issacs, the state has maintained ownership of the bed beneath the waters of Lake Mahopac since July 1961, when New York City abandoned the lake as part of its water supply system and, by deed, transferred authority to the State. In this week’s 18-page decision, Judge Victor Grossman ruled in favor of the Melchners, writing that “in the face of substantial evidence, jurisdiction for the 2008 criminal prosecution was wholly lacking, effectively ignoring the clear-cut legal precedent the defendants focused on instead of the course of prior proceedings by the town against the Melchners.” Melchner Sr. said lawyers and reps from the insurance company will convene to set a trial date in which a jury can affirm the charges against the town and set damages. “There is no satisfaction in any of this at the end of the day,” Melchner said. “I came here from the Bronx with no money, and we started our own business. This place is our home, and we feel terrible we had to go this route and have been forced into this position. We are happy this is finally going to end and there will be some compensation. But this is in no way what we wanted.” This is a breaking story. Read more at news.halstonmedia.com Breaking: Melchners win ‘malicious prosecution’ case against town Charles Melchner Sr. FILE PHOTO

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE After more than six years in the making, the town is ready to complete the final element at Airport Park on Hill Street, a $2.2 million project that now boasts five new athletic fields, bleachers, fencing, revamped parking, a scoreboard, concession stand, a community meeting room, and coming soon—a playground. Jim Gilchrist, director of the Recreation and Parks Department, went before the Town Council during its Jan. 10 meeting to update board members on the park’s progress, which will finally conclude this spring with the installation of an inclusive playground. “It’s a little bit different than any other playground we’ve installed in town,” Gilchrist said. “It will have a poured-in-place rubber surface beneath it that is [designed] so that rainwater can go right through it with a gravel bed right underneath. We are doing that so that all children can play on the playground. It’s an inclusive playground. Normally we would just have the wood chips.” Gilchrist said the poured-in-place rubber surface is expensive but that after some debate, the Recreation Advisory Committee thought it was the best option. “It is probably a $150,000 project just to do the safety surface,” he told the board. The town already has purchased the playground equipment at a cost of about $115,000 and recently accepted a bid to have it installed. The board approved the bid at its Jan. 17 voting meeting. Gilchrist noted that the entire project is being paid for through a New York State dormitory grant and won’t cost taxpayers anything. He said if additional funds are required beyond the grant, the money is available in the budget on the capital expenditure line for Airport Park. “After the playground goes in, we are going to want to fence the area in and put in some nice benches, maybe a shade structure, so there will be additional funds available for that,” Gilchrist said.  GiaCorp Contracting, a woman-owned business based in Hawthorne, N.Y., was awarded the equipment installation job with a bid of $203,258. “(Town engineer] Rich [Franzetti] vetted [GiaCorp]. They have excellent references and have been in business seven years or so,” the rec director said. “They are more than capable of putting in this playground.” Gilchrist said the town had to make sure GiaCorp was licensed to work in New York State in order to obtain the grant. “We’ve had some grants for some small projects like sidewalks and had local contractors working on it. We assumed they were licensed to work in New York State but they were not and so we were not able to get that [reimbursed] through the grant,” he said. “So [for this project] it was very important we did that with this company. They have also worked with some other municipalities on similar projects, which is nice.” Gilchrist said the plan is to start the installation project around the middle of March and try to have it completed before Memorial Day weekend. “We would like to have a grand opening because this is the last real item for the park,” he said. “We have some other amenities we have planned like tree plantings and lighting, but this is one of the big pieces that we started with from the beginning. This is going to be a great thing when it goes in. It will have an airport theme with a big tower in the middle. All of the equipment is tied together with some type of airport theme.” Gilchrist noted that weather conditions will dictate when the rubber safety surface can be installed. “It can’t be too warm; it can’t be too cold. Can’t have any rain,” he said. “First, they will install the gravel bed. Then they will drill all the holes for the equipment and then install the equipment and then lay down the safety surface. May is the perfect month for that but you have to watch out for those May showers. The rain could hold us up a bit, but I am pretty confident it should be buttoned up by mid to late May.” Inclusive playground coming to Airport Park Bid accepted to complete yearslong project Mahopac’s Nicholas Hangach and Patrick Richards were recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective alldiscipline collegiate honor society. Both were initiated at Fordham University. They’re among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction. Academic lists Grace Goodman and Mia Zucchi of Mahopac qualified for Belmont University’s fall 2023 dean’s list. Dean’s list eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher with no grade below a C. John Patrick Dundon, a senior majoring in civil engineering, was named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2023 semester at Clarkson University. Students must achieve a minimum 3.25 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours to qualify. Hofstra has named two Mahopac students to its fall 2023 dean’s list. Leandro Oliveira is studying computer science and cybersecurity. Kaylee Rodriguez is studying Public relations and strategic communications. Both are in the class of 2006. Hofstra University’s Alexander Thomas Gaspar and Isabella Nieto (both class of 2025) have been named to the school’s provost’s list, which honors students who earn a perfect 4.0 GPA. Gaspar is studying nursing. Nieto is studying community health. Sophia Palminteri was one of 60 SUNY Oneonta students to receive the Richard Siegfried Student Award in the fall 2023 semester for earning a total GPA of 3.9 or higher. To be eligible for the award, a student who meets the GPA requirement must either be a full-time first-year or transfer student. Piper Klammer of Mahopac was named to the fall 2023 president’s list at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. HVCC’s president’s list honors students registered for at least six college credits who have a term average of between 3.5 and 4.0 and who received no grade of “D,” “F,” “I,” “Z,” or “W” on their record for that term. Students must have completed at least 12 college credits successfully. Mahopac college students earn academic honors 914-277-4424 • 440 Rt 22 North Salem, NY • www.theblazerpub.com CELEBRA CELEBRATING 531 YEARS! Sip, Savor & Sparkle! SEE HONORS PAGE 28

PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [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 Mahopac News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News 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 Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 (ISSN 2330-1627) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! ENJOY 0 DOWN, 0% FINANCING! CALL US TODAY! ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! LIMITED TIME OFFER 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com CALL BELL before the Winter Spell! Heat pumps are a cleaner & healthier alternative to traditional heating & cooling systems. This all in one system will eliminate your need for fossil fuel and help you save thousands. Learn more about rebates & financing options! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT • EXP 2/29/24 Coupon must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES UP TO SAVE THOUSANDS in Federal, State and Local Incentives on your new HEATPUMP PROJECT BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR The race to fill the Carmel Town Board seat left vacant by Stephen Baranowski’s sudden resignation last December is underway. Out of the blocks first is 34-year-old local business owner Michael Lugo, who announced his bid for the Republican nomination this week in a race that will determine who will sit on the board for the final year of Baranowski’s term. The seat will then be up for grabs again in 2025. The 22-year Mahopac resident attended Mahopac middle and high schools and owns three businesses in the area: Xclusive Cuts Mahopac, Xclusive Cuts Yorktown, and Love Your Locks Beauty Suite. Lugo said his desire to run was inspired both by raising his family in town and by getting to know his customers. “I am a devoted husband, father, and owner of three small businesses,” Lugo said in a written statement announcing his run. “As a local barber, I have had the privilege of connecting with our community on a more personal level, hearing their stories and understanding the unique challenges they face. This has fueled my passion to contribute more actively to our town’s growth and prosperity. I understand the importance of listening, communicating, and building strong relationships.” Lugo believes his experience as a business owner would be an asset if he’s elected. “These qualities are a foundation of my approach to serving you on the town board,” he said. “I know it’s much easier to stand on the sidelines and criticize, but jumping in the game is so much more rewarding. Let’s do this!” Learn more about Michael Lugo at [email protected]. Mahopac business owner to run for Town Board PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL LUGO Town Board Wednesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Planning Board Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Environmental Conservation Board Thursday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Thursday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Recreation Advisory Committee Thursday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Rec Office Building Sycamore Park, Board of Education (work session) Thursday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. Falls School, 100 Myrtle Ave. GOVERNMENT AT WORK Here is the schedule for upcoming town and school district meetings:

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 5 The Big Game is Sunday Feb 11th! Plan your party, and let us take care of the catering! Orders must be in by Feb 9th Cold Antipastos Wings Hot dishes Strombolis Fresh Mozzarella Wings Small tray $65 Large tray $125 Stromboli $29.99 Antipasto Small $65 Large $125 926 US-6 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Call Us at (845) 225-9525 arthuravedeli.com Scan here for our Full Menu PARTY HERO’S All footers $25 per foot Italian American Chicken Cutlet fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers Eggplant fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers IG @arthuravedeli_ FB Arthur Avenue Deli & Gourmet Foods

PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE Thanks to state- and federal-mandated changes in the acceptable levels of PFOAs in municipal water supplies, the town of Carmel is being compelled to undertake a pilot study to determine the best way to reduce those contaminants in its public drinking water. PFOAs (perfluorooctanoic acid), developed in the 1940s, are a group of chemicals used to make coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. “They are ubiquitous, and they are everywhere,” town engineer Rich Franzetti told the Town Board at its Jan. 10 meeting. “The EPA has said they have been known to possibly cause cancer. The EPA had set a limit of 70 parts per trillion (ppt), and the state DEC has lowered its [limit] to 10 ppt and mandated that we start sampling on a regular basis and alert folks if we have these exceedances. We expect that the EPA is going to lower [the acceptable limit] to about 4 ppt and that will pretty much render all our water districts incapable [of meeting those limits]—pretty much everyone in the country will be over that 4 parts per trillion.” Franzetti noted that items such as waterproof jackets, waterproof tents, and boots all have PFOAs. “Meat-packaging, orange juice has them,” he said. “There is not a thing that doesn’t get touched by PFOAs right now. The problem is it gets into the water. It’s not because someone is pouring a gallon of PFOAs into the water. It’s because we have septic tanks with wastewater that discharges and that contributes to putting it back into the ground and it doesn’t go anywhere. It doesn’t break down, Ultimately, it just accumulates. It needs to be treated.” But just how to treat it is the question and thus the need for the pilot study program. Franzetti noted that PFOA test results in Carmel Water Districts 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 9, and 12 have exceeded the state’s maximum contaminant level of 10 ppt, thus rendering these districts noncompliant with the New York State Sanitary Code. The Putnam County Department of Health has directed PFOA treatment at those facilities. In September 2022, the Town Board authorized its consulting engineer John Folchetti to perform a treatment investigation to assess possible alternative methods that would provide safe drinking water to the district residents. In October 2023, Folchetti met with the board to discuss preliminary findings before committing them to the individual treatment plants in each district. At that time, Folchetti recommended a pilot study evaluation of both surface water treatment systems and groundwater treatment systems. Water districts 1, 2, 8, and 13 will study surface water treatments and the remaining districts will look at groundwater treatments. The total cost of the study is $140,000 which will be distributed across the 14 water districts ($10,000 per district) because all of them will eventually benefit from the results of the testing. Franzetti said that additional costs can be expected for sampling and that none of these costs were anticipated when the engineering department submitted its 2024 budget requests. He noted that town comptroller Mary Ann Maxwell has indicated that budget transfers will need to be submitted in the first quarter to fund these expenses. Most transfers will come from the operating budget; however, some of the districts may have to be funded from the unreserved fund balance. “There are bigger issues such as if we treat this now, what do we do with that waste product, and how often do we change the [filtration] media?” Franzetti said. “That’s why we want to do the pilot study—to understand which one of the treatment trains we should choose. Which is the better one and the most cost-effective because ultimately it relies on the people who reside in these water districts who are going to pay for it.” Councilman Frank Lombardi lamented that these are once again unfunded mandates coming from the state and federal governments that will cost Carmel taxpayers money. He argued that if the DEC and EPA want these changes, they should pay for them. “The EPA lowered [acceptable levels] to one number and then the state lowered it to another number and then the EPA says it might lower it again,” he said. “They want the people to incur the costs because of these changes that they have dictated. They don’t send checks to the municipalities along with the changes that they’re making. “Over the years I have always talked about these unfunded mandates,” he continued. “If they are asking us to do something because they decided in their infinite wisdom that something needs to be changed, that’s fine. Just send us a check along with it and we will comply. But now they are forcing each [water] district to pay for this pilot study and when we get to what we actually have to do to correct it, it’s a [cost] I don’t even want to mention. Again, it’s put upon the residents of this town and when the state makes these changes, they are not looking at what is in the best interest of these taxpayers. Because if they were, they would say let us know how much it will cost and we will incur that cost. But that’s not what’s happening here, and the people are going to feel it.” Town to study ways to reduce water contamination levels Changes in acceptable levels force unfunded mandate

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 845-628-3139 www.mahopaccrossroadsdeli.com 616 Rte 6 • Corner of Rte 6 & 6N • Mahopac, NY 10541 TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR PARTIES— PIG ROASTS • COUNTRY BBQS • AND MORE! THE BIG GAME How can we feed your belly? COME TO THE SLIDER SIDE Half Tray $40 • Full Tray $75 • Pulled Pork With Cheddar Cheese • Philly Style With Onions, Peppers & Provolone • Korean Style Pork With Pineapple Asian Slaw • Cheeseburger With Onions & Pickles • Honey Bomb Burger Munster & Fried Onions WINGS WITH ASSORTED AWARD-WINNING FLAVORS 1/2 Tray $50 • Full Tray $95 APPETIZERS CHICKEN FINGERS Choice Of Dipping Sauce 1/2 Tray $45 • Full Tray $90 MAC N CHEESE BITES 1/2 Tray $60 • Full Tray $120 BAKED CLAMS 1/2 Tray $60 • Full Tray $120 SHRIMP COCKTAIL 16” Tray $85 • 18” Tray $190 PACKAGES PACKAGE #1 - $200 (8 – 10 People) 3-foot Wedge Any Style 1/2 Tray Mac N Cheese Bites • 1/2 Tray Wings Two 2-Liter Bottles Of Soda • 1 Bag Of Chips PACKAGE #2 - $290 (12 – 20 people) One 4-foot Party Wedge 1/2 Tray Of Mac N Cheese Bite 1/2 Tray Wings • 1/2 Tray Chips Full Catering Menu Available! STARTS HERE! ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOON ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8 GET YOUR ORDER IN TODAY! STARTS HERE! Teresa M. Sedran Teresa M. Sedran, a beacon of selfless love and compassion, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2024, at the age of 57 in Manhattan. Born on July 22, 1966, in the Bronx, Teresa was the cherished daughter of the late George and Dymphna (McCabe) Duffy, and the loving sister of George, Brian, and John. Teresa’s life was a testament to the power of caring and devotion. She was a beloved wife to Mark, with whom she shared 30 years of marriage filled with mutual respect, laughter, and unwavering support. Together, they raised two wonderful daughters, Nicole and Jillian, who were the center of Teresa’s world. Teresa’s nurturing spirit extended beyond her family. She was a dedicated school nurse at Austin Road Elementary School in Mahopac, where she tended to the needs of countless children with a gentle hand and a warm smile. Her ability to listen and her innate desire to put others before herself made her an invaluable member of the school community. Her journey through life was marked by enduring friendships that began in grade school and lasted a lifetime. Teresa’s friends knew they had in her a confidante, a source of strength, and a joyous companion. Her laughter and kindness were infectious, and she was truly loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her. A sincere animal lover, Teresa’s heart had a special place for all creatures great and small. She found joy in traveling and cruising, exploring new horizons with a sense of adventure. The beach was her haven, a place where she felt at peace with the rhythm of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Teresa’s legacy is one of love and selflessness. Her life was a beautiful example of how to care for others and make the world a kinder place. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched. To give back to those who helped Teresa, her family has set up a blood drive in her honor at the Austin Road Elementary School Cafeteria on Jan. 24, 2024, from noon to 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 11 at St. John the Evangelist Church, in Mahopac. A private cremation will follow. Lois A. Kiley Lois A. Kiley of Somers, formerly of Mahopac, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 15, 2024, at the age of 91. She was born in the Bronx on Dec. 29, 1932, the daughter of Wilfred and Florence (Schuey) Vallely. Lois was an elementary school teacher in the Mahopac Central School District for 28 years, retiring in 1993. Rarely could she go anywhere without a former student coming up to her and saying, “You were my favorite teacher, do you remember me?” Lois remembered every single one of them and had a special place in her heart for all of her beloved students. She possessed the rare, unique quality of consistently looking for the best in everyone, no matter their social stature. That was her essence. Upon retirement, she taught English as a Second Language in the evenings to many hard-working immigrants who wanted a better life in America. Those close personal connections too stayed with her all her days. She often visited her former students abroad and proudly attended their Citizenship ceremonies. If you were fortunate enough to know Lois, you became part of her family. She took a genuine interest in every part of your life and always kept involved with you and showed you what love was really about. We are all blessed by her boundless love, strength, moral and ethical convictions, wisdom, and the beauty of her soul. Lois embodied “Seize the Day.” She traveled extensively with her treasured sister Pat, her lifelong best friend Roz Lipson as well as many other close friends. Her thirst for knowledge and new experiences brought her to the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, and throughout the USA. A wiz at “Jeopardy,” she often answered with “I know that river, mountain, city. I was there.” Lois kept her mind active with daily crossword puzzles and was an avid lifelong reader. She is survived by her children, Kathleen Clapper, son-inlaw Kevin Clapper, sons William Kenney, and Richard Kiley, and wife Sara Kiley, Brian Kiley as well as her “daughter from another OBITUARIES SEE OBITUARIES PAGE 28

PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 845-628-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ Joe has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Listens to what you say and follows through in a professional and timely manner. ~J.D. Mahopac Public Library is holding a Teen Horror Film Festival and is looking for filmmakers, grades 6-12, to participate for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Movie submissions are due by midnight on March 1, 2024. Films must be no longer than five  minutes and must keep to a PG rating. The films can be done in any medium (live action, Claymation, animation, etc.), but all movies must revolve around the challenge theme: The Unknown. The unknown has always been one of humanity’s biggest fears. We fear things that we can’t see, can’t hear, and just can’t explain. Is someone watching you? Why are these strange things happening? Who can say? Participating filmmakers should think of situations that cause fear or paranoia, things that can’t be explained. Teens submitting a movie must include a contact form, which can be picked up at youth services in the library. The submission should include the director’s name, movie title, and contact information. The library plans to showcase all the films that meet the submission requirements, and will and announce the winners on March 16 starting at 2 p.m. Films must be submitted to Amanda Stalcup either by email at [email protected] or in person on a flash drive. The library has made an FAQ binder with helpful ideas for movies. For any questions, email Amanda at [email protected]. “We  look forward to seeing what horrors you make!” Stalcup said. “The deadline is approaching soon.” Teen filmmakers wanted for horror fest Photo courtesy Rebecca Menasché Staff of the Personnel Department will also be present to discuss application and hiring processes, upcoming civil service examinations, and the professional and personal benefits of working for Putnam County Government. While the Personnel Department administers civil service examinations for the County and local public agencies, not all jobs require testing. These positions will be highlighted at the expo, including both full-time and part-time opportunities. Applications can be completed on the spot. Find more information about the Career Expo at putnamcounty ny.com/personnel. For questions call the Personnel Department at (845) 808-1650.  In the event of excessive snowfall, the Expo will be rescheduled for February 28. Take Your Child to the Library Day Looking for a fun way to spend some time with your kids?  Take your child to the library on Feb. 3!  Pick up a copy of our librarywide scavenger hunt at the Youth Services desk between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and find the titles and items listed, including Dewey, the adorable library mascot! Bring the completed sheet back to the YS desk for a prize and fill out a raffle ticket for another fun giveaway. The first 20 children to turn in their completed sheets will also receive a Speed Cube game.  Activities are geared toward children ages 4 and up. No registration is required.    Rec Dept. Winter Programs Registration for the Recreation and Parks Department’s winter programs began on Monday, Jan.8. Classes begin Jan. 29. Visit the department’s Linktree for the catalog. Call 845-628-7888 for more information. Hand-Sewing 101  Mahopac Library is offering the first in a series of ‘Life Skills for Teens’ classes for grades six and up (and great for kids going off to college). Stitch a colorful keychain while learning to thread a needle, make a knot, sew a seam, and sew on a button. Each participant goes home with their own pocket-sized sewing kit. The class takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 4 – 4:45 p.m. Registration is required; first preference is given to Mahopac Central School District residents. Learn more at Mahopaclibrary.org. Baseball, Softball, and T-ball Registration for Mahopac Sports Association baseball, softball, and T-ball programs is open and will run until March 17 (after which there will be a $75 late registration fee). In addition to T-ball (pre-K to kindergarten), there are the baseball programs Pony (coach pitch, grades 1 and 2), Colt (grades 3 and 4), Minors (grades 5 and 6), Majors (grades 7 and 8), and Seniors (grades 9-12). Softball programs include Ponytail (coach pitch, grades 1-3), 10u (grades 4-5) and 12u (grades 6-8). The season starts on April 20 and runs until late June. For more information, visit mas.org. Save the Belden House Meeting The Friends Beldon House will hold a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Park Bldg. Fair St/Route 52, Carmel. Find out about The Friends of Belden House/DEP litigation, the Town of Carmel, and Putnam County Electives’ commitment. Attend and learn how you can help Visit ww.friendsofbeldenhouse. org. Wing Fest Back again for the 17th year, our biggest event is happening soon at the MJN Convention Center- Hudson Valley Wingfest on February 3rd, 2024. This is the second-largest wing event in New York State and the third longestrunning wing event in the USA! Featuring over 15 of the best and most acclaimed restaurants, food trucks, and caterers in the area, wings of all spices, shapes, and varieties will compete for the King of the Wings! Are you a Wing Connoisseur? If so, this is the event for you to get out and beat. Get serious about your wing addiction and participate in the Bud Light $5,000 wing-eating championship! This year, we will be having a Superhero vs. Villain theme, so come dressed to impress! Also featured is an amazing Bon Jovi tribute band, sure to get you up and dancing. Kayla Reese, a local artist, will be performing her latest hits as well. Star Wars characters will be around for photos and all donations will go to benefit Ty Louis Campbell Foundation. https://www.the tlcfoundation.org/ Tickets on sale now at http:// hvwingfest.com/ MUSINGS FROM PAGE 2

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 What is the ERT? While other agencies (such as the Westchester County Police and New York State Police) have their emergency response teams, Putnam’s team of three departments allowed it to combine local and county-wide policing in crisis situations. In previous comments to Mahopac News, Cazzari said having local officers involved forged bonds between the officers and was an asset to the community. Hoffmann said having local officers involved also allows the department to benefit from the advanced training and equipment afforded to ERT members. “The Putnam County Multi-Agency Emergency Response Team is not unlike similar police tactical teams throughout the country,” Hoffman said. “These teams consist of experienced officers who have significant additional training and special equipment that allow them to respond and safely resolve critical incidents that are beyond the capability of the everyday patrol officer. Chief Owens and I feel strongly that we have the responsibility to our residents to provide them with the highest level of police service, which necessitates a team like ERT.” Hoffmann said Carmel town officials have been “very supportive” of the idea of continuing to maintain an Emergency Response Team, something that is especially important to Cazzari, who is a former Carmel police chief. “When he was with the Carmel Police Department, Supervisor Cazzari was instrumental in establishing the ERT team with Kent PD and [the Sheriff ’s Office] and bringing it to the high standard that it has been operating at since 2006,” Hoffmann said, adding that Carmel and Kent police departments enjoy a good working relationship. “As the only two full-time town police agencies in the county, the Carmel PD/Kent PD camaraderie has always been strong, and these recent events have only strengthened the bonds between us.” Cazzari and Hoffmann have both disputed the county’s argument that the multi-agency force created an insurance liability for the county. “Supervisor Cazzari has spoken to our insurance carrier and has confirmed that this ERT FROM PAGE 1 Mahopac Teachers, Students, School & Bus Garage Employees Buy One Egg Sandwich, Get 2nd HALF OFF Buy Lunch Sandwich, Get a Soda or Coffee FREE We have your grab and go items! Happy Hour Coffee Check out our Coffee of the Month! Firewood Bundles Purchase your box of Coffee to go! Warm Up with Winter Breakfast Special Bacon egg & cheese Sausage egg & cheese and Ham egg & cheese $4.99 bacon egg cheese & hash browns $5.49 Try our Coffee Flavors of the Season! Come see our vintage candy shop Cold weather accessories! Salt and windshield wiper fluid. We have over 100 helium balloon choices! We Have a large selection of valentine Gifts! Happy Valentines Day! BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE Under a new program, in the event of an emergency or crisis, Carmel police officers will be able to enter Mahopac School District buildings using the district’s electric entry access system. Carmel PD Chief Anthony Hoffmann went before the Town Board at its Jan. 10 meeting to explain the program. “There was a lockdown drill earlier this month [at Mahopac schools] to test some of their new security systems,” Hoffmann told the board. “The CPD participated. Part of it was their electric entry access system. School district employees already have that integrated into their ID cards. It is how they get in and out of the buildings. [School district officials] realized that [police] have a need to gain access to their facilities in case of a critical call. And instead of waiting around for school personnel to let us in [district officials] wanted us to look into if we had the technological capabilities with our key fobs to see if they would be compatible with their system. Thankfully they are and we are working out the details [so we can] participate in their accesscontrol systems. Our IT coordinator will coordinate with [the school’s] IT department and we will be able to get all our police officers on their system so they can have access to all their buildings.” Hoffmann said that the police department has an “excellent relationship” with the Mahopac Central School District and it’s improving every day. “We would have an audit trail [of police entries into school buildings] and it would only be for official duty,” the chief said of the entry access system. “I recommend we participate in this MOU (memorandum of understanding).” The board eventually approved the measure at its Jan. 17 meeting. Hoffmann said the CPD has similar plans with the Carmel School District. He and Councilman Robert Kearns attended a superintendent’s forum at Carmel earlier this month and noted that district officials there seemed interested in implementing a similar system.  Police, schools to collaborate on buildingaccess system SEE ERT PAGE 26

PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENASCHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 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 Mahopac News 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 845-208-0774 I have a cousin who suffers from a persecution complex. A textbook paranoid, he thought everyone was out to get him. (Looking back, I think now maybe they were.) He felt the local paper had done him wrong and they were looking to smear his reputation (he had none to begin with). I don’t remember the specific circumstances of what was written about him—this was the ’80s—but he was not happy at all. So, did he write an angry letter to the editor? Did he hire an attorney and sue for libel? No. He decided instead to start his own paper and put the other one out of business. Now, the poor guy couldn’t write a grocery list or spell CAT, even if you spotted him the C and the T, but righteous indignation is a powerful motivator, even if you’re misguided. He actually did it and printed a few issues. He was doing everything... reporting, photographing, selling ads. But he had such a prickly personality that being a salesman was a bit of a challenge for him. His paper folded pretty quickly. The average person has absolutely no idea what goes into owning and running a newspaper. It’s a business like anything else—you have to worry about things such as payroll, insurance, utilities, IT stuff, dealing with printer issues, post office issues, legal stuff and taxes. And within all that, you need to find specialized talents that can write, report, edit, photograph, have a working knowledge of journalistic styles, design ads, and lay out pages using a computer with the help of an array of complex programs. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. My cousin’s inclination would be the same as me walking into a bank and yelling, “You charged me a $40 overdraft fee when I bounced a check! Well, that does it... I’m starting my own bank!” When I was running the paper up in Pawling in the ‘80s, I would get calls all the time from people who told me they always wanted “to try writing” and asked if they could write for us. And when I asked, “Write what?” they inevitably didn’t exactly know. “I’d just always wanted to try it,” they’d explain. They had no experience, no education, and, apparently, no clue. But clearly, all they needed was some paper, a typewriter, and a willingness to try. Yet I needed five years of college and two degrees to get there, which wasn’t cheap. My parents were gonna be pissed. When I first got out of college, I needed a job as quickly as possible because I had student loans to pay off and beers to buy. I had a journalism degree but really had no idea how to get my foot in the door. So, I took a non-journalism job to keep the wolves at bay. Back then, one of the biggest employers in the region was the state-run Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center located in the little hamlet of Wingdale about eight miles north of Pawling. Both my parents worked there at one time or another. But in the ‘70s, the state decided it no longer wanted to warehouse psychiatric patients and set them free. The days of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” were over. So, the state converted the abandoned psychiatric center into a DFY facility. DFY stands for Division for Youth. While that may sound like some sort of patriotic youth organization, it definitely is not. DFY is the sister agency to the state Department of Corrections. It houses kids under the age of 18 who’ve committed serious felonies and were tried as adults. When they turn 18, if there is still time left on their sentence, they are sent off to big boy prison. So, at the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center, they put bars on the windows, keycard locks on the interior doors, and then wrapped the whole thing with a 12-foot-tall chain-link fence topped with some nastylooking razor wire. They hired anyone with a college degree—no vetting, no background check, no psychiatric evaluation to make sure they were fit to work in such a place. So... they hired me. These weren’t hubcap stealers or shoplifters they were housing here—they were scary dudes who’d done some very bad things. We had one “kid” who was about 6-foot2 and 250 pounds. The word about him was, “Don’t shoot him, you’ll really piss Adventures in newspapering BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD Hamlet of Carmel not represented by Town Board Dear Editor, What does it mean to have a representative government? It is a hallmark of our democracy, to ensure all voices are represented and reflected in their government. In Carmel, our elected leaders have deluded themselves into thinking they represent all of us by simply ignoring those of us who aren’t in their social circles. This tyranny of the majority is not giving us the good government we deserve. At the Jan. 3 organizational meeting of the Carmel Town Board, I pointed out that it would be nice to have a voice from the Hamlet of Carmel seated on the Town Board to ensure it is represented. Councilman Robert Kearns interjected that his children often visit their grandfather in the Carmel Hamlet, for what that’s worth to the constituents. Councilman Frank Lombardi was particularly heated in his defense of his presence in Carmel Hamlet, taking umbrage at my suggestion that someone from the Hamlet could better represent the Hamlet. “I am in the Hamlet all the time because I am a member of the Knights of Columbus!” he proclaimed. While I am sure the brethren of the Knights appreciate Mr. Lombardi’s regular attendance, this is not what I was talking about. I know the contribution of the Knights, having been raised Roman Catholic by deeply believing parents. I have a deep respect for the faith, vocation and loyalty of the Knights of Columbus, and my mother was a Colombiette. But let us never confuse a faith based community group with representative government. I highly doubt Mr. Lombardi will meet all of his constituents at the Knights of Columbus hall — none of the women or people of other faiths, to say nothing of lapsed Catholics, let alone non-believers who also pay taxes. One should not need to be a male practicing member of a Catholic church to be represented in a democracy. But then again, I am pretty sure we don’t have an actual democracy here in Carmel Hamlet…or in Mahopac for that matter.  I hope someday soon the forgotten people of Carmel Hamel will understand that their local government isn’t even thinking about them. While the board opted to leave LETTERS SEE DUMAS PAGE 11 SEE LETTERS PAGE 11

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! YOUR FAMILY CAR CARE CENTER For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating relationships and building a remarkable company with an amazing team JOE FERONE, owner of employees! Stephen Baranowski’s seat open, it will be on the ballot this fall. Remember, a truly representative democracy is literally one election away. -Kathleen M. Valletta, Esq. Former Democrat candidate for Town Board Town Board vacancy denies residents full representation Dear Editor, The decision of the Carmel Town Board not to appoint someone to fill the vacancy left by Stephen Baranowski’s resignation has left me both dismayed and questioning.  I am dismayed because according to it’s own statement, the Carmel Town Board is the legislative, appropriating, governing and policy determining body of the Town. The Board is to consist of four board members, elected at large, plus the Town Supervisor. By not appointing a fourth council person, they are limiting the citizens of the Town of Carmel from having another voice in the important decisions made by this legislative body. When presented with a choice of viable candidates, they chose not to fill the vacancy, thus denying the residents full representation. Kathleen Valletta and Jerome Mitchell, both attorneys, are well qualified to serve on the Board. Both have demonstrated a sincere interest in serving the community. Ms. Valletta has a long history of being appointed to or serving on various town boards or civic organizations. Mr. Mitchell offered to serve on the Town Board without pay! I question the motivation of the Town Board. Are they afraid of dialogue, of a voice not in their club? Are they afraid that someone so eligible might leave their own eligibility in question? I am left questioning whether this Town Board has citizens of the Town of Carmel as their primary concern. -Elaine R. Jacobs Mahopac LETTERS FROM PAGE 10 DUMAS FROM PAGE 10 him off.” Not that we had guns. All we had was life insurance. Hiring people to work in a place like that without proper evaluation is a dicey game. It can attract some damaged people with delusional and/or sadistic tendencies... narcissistic bullies. But my first year there was uneventful. I worked the graveyard shift—from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. It was very quiet. Two of us would hang out in the office and once an hour we would walk the hallway of the dorm and peer through the windows in the doors with a flashlight to make sure the inmate (sorry... client) was still in his bed. They often were. It was when I got transferred to the day shift that things got weird. I was able to observe staff-client interaction up close and personal. You could tell pretty quickly the ones who were more suited to working security at a self-storage facility rather than with incarcerated disenfranchised youth. I am not going to go into it all just now, because it’s not what this particular column is about, but I (for reasons I still can’t figure out 45 years later) became a target of the administration. I began getting written up for petty things, and some things that were completely made up. I saw a memo on my boss’s desk that said, “Dumas must be out by July 20th.” That was when my probation was up, and I could join the union and basically become unfirable. Up until then, if they didn’t like the color of your socks, they could let you go without cause. I put in a request to get transferred back to the nightshift and they wrote me up again for that—insubordination. The writing was on the wall, and I was gone within a couple of weeks. Classic blessing in disguise. About a month later I landed my first reporting job and hit the ground running. After three years I made it to managing editor. Not long after, I started getting calls at the paper from former DFY coworkers who were still employed there. Bad things were happening, they told me. Inappropriate relationships between the clients and the female staff... staffers running drugs for clients between the Bronx and Wingdale... administrators being paid hush money to look the other way. Those workers began smuggling out copies of documents, logs, Polaroids and audio tapes. We’d meet late at night at the Triangle Diner—a local greasy spoon. Very skullduggery for so early in my career. It turned out to be a four-part story—front page, above the fold, banner headlines. They fought us... tried to say I was a disgruntled fired employee, that we obtained documents illegally, and that they’d been taped without their knowledge. There were veiled threats; there were blunt threats. But we published anyway and... Nothing ever happened. Crickets chirping. I called the news editor at The Poughkeepsie Journal—the big daily in the region at the time— and asked him if he’d seen our series on the DFY. He said he had and thought it was strong. He said they were thinking of doing something about it. I encouraged him to do that and offered him our box full of documents, pictures and stuff. We didn’t need it anymore. They came and got it (and gave us credit). The Poughkeepsie Journal’s four-part series began two weeks later. Not long after, the state then began its own investigation. There were resignations, firings and arrests resulting in a little national coverage. The place eventually closed. We won a New York State Press Association award for best reporting. Studies show that towns with a community newspaper have lower taxes. That’s because, with a newspaper nosing around all the time, folks are less inclined to get into any monkey business. I offer up the DFY story as an example of what a boots-on-theground community newspaper can do. Perhaps my cousin should have opened up his own bank. It probably would have been a lot easier.

PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Here is a summary of the stories that you might have missed when you were wasting time reading The New York Times. I have carefully curated the most important stories of 2023, along with some pertinent observations, not unlike the observation that I should probably be under. Here they are, in reverse alphabetical order of appearance. Australian meat start-up develops woolly mammoth meatball A company named Vow has successfully fashioned a glob of lab-produced meat using a DNA sequence from cells harvested from the long-extinct woolly mammoth species. They’re hoping that this discovery will open up a conversation about how we think of meat. No one has invited ME into the conversation I notice, because they’re afraid I might suggest that the mammoth meatball could be served with a mole sauce from an actual mole. I’m wondering if the same process can be used to make food out of whatever is in that jar in the back of my refrigerator, which is also long-extinct. I find it fascinating that the future of meat is 15,000 years old, and I guess this proves what I’ve been saying all along: just because you CAN eat something doesn’t mean you SHOULD. It also proves what saber-tooth tigers have been saying all along: woolly mammoths require a lot of salt. Post Malone buys ‘Lord of the Rings’ card for $2 million Austin Richard Post, better known as rapper Post Malone, is a big fan of an immersive fantasy game based on Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” which is played using collectible cards. Post Malone located the owner of a special one-of-a-kind issue and bought it from him for $2 million, and they posed for a picture together after the sale. But I couldn’t really concentrate on the magic card because I was mesmerized by Post Malone’s face, which, due to a preponderance of tattoos, looked like my notebook during geometry class in high school. Instead of “body art,” they appear to be scribbles and doodles, and they made me think that tattoo artists probably know even less about geometry than I do. AI-generated “Seinfeld” parody airs on Twitch Imagine a world where “a show about nothing” airs, using no writers, no director and no actors. Well, that world is ours, and it’s nothing to laugh about. A show called “Nothing, Forever,” debuted on the streaming site Twitch, and it potentially could mirror the evolution of AI itself. The creators used several AI softwares to develop a 24/7 stream based on the characters of “Seinfeld.” The result is a somewhat crude and boring entity that feels like the early days of Atari’s “Pong,” but which could manifest its own growth as its algorithms become more sophisticated. The fact that the characters are starting to realize that they are computergenerated has some worried that the apocalypse is near. If so, the apocalypse might not be as funny as you’d think. Air Force shoots down Chinese balloon A suspected surveillance balloon of Chinese origin was spotted flying over Alaska, possibly sending back the report to China that not much goes on in Alaska. It was deemed a potential threat to other unidentified flying objects that had more important spying to do, and was shot down by the U.S. military several days later. The incident just reaffirms what we’ve always thought: that the American military is no fun. That’s why I never invite them to my birthday party. They probably wouldn’t come anyway, for the same reason, but this is why: “Excuse me, General, but did you just shoot down all our party balloons?” “Yes, sir, they were potentially spying.” “And what about our piñata? You blew it up.” “Yes, sir, an obvious money-laundering operation. Case-in-point: $100,000 bars came out of it.” “I saw that you ate several of them. What about our donkey that you chased off? We were going to give rides on it.” “Yes, sir, but don’t worry, I had it followed.” “You put a tail on the donkey?” DWI suspect tries to switch places with dog A man in Colorado was stopped by the Springfield Police Department for speeding and possible DWI, and attempted to switch places with his dog, who was in the passenger seat. The man insisted he was not driving and attempted to flee, but was immediately apprehended. The dog surrendered peacefully. In comparison, my dog, while excelling in extreme cuteness, is not at all skilled in motor functions that require an actual motor, although she is good at parallel barking. The entire episode makes me wonder if this is really the first time they’ve tried to pull off this stunt, and whose idea it was. Colonoscopies, double dates, bank robberies, obedience training, ventriloquism, they all seem like fair game for the old switcheroo. It also made me thankful that he is not an airline pilot. The man, not the dog. Well, I think you’ll now agree that knowledge is painful sometimes, and that’s why they say, “WOW, that smarts.” I’ll be back next time with some more stories that I did not make up even if I could have, along with some commentary that I shouldn’t have made up even if I didn’t. Join Rick and No Options at Mohansic Grill in Yorktown Heights, Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Say hello at [email protected]. The year in review, part 1 RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD Starting our 44th year serving Yorktown children Family Owned And Operated, Owners Always On The Premises. WWW.PIEDPIPERSCHOOLYORKTOWN.COM 2090 Crompond Road - Yorktown Heights For more information call 914-962-5196 or 914-815-5281 PRESCHOOL • Ages 18 months to 5 years • Operating Hours 7am to 6pm • New York State Certified Curriculum • Before & After Care Available BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ADVENTURES • Ages 18 months to 10 years • Large indoor and fenced in outdoor playgrounds • Homework Assistance • Bus Transportation Provided By The Yorktown School District • Food and drinks provided SUMMER CAMP • Ages 18 Months To 10 Years • Flexible Days, Weeks & Times • Indoor Air Conditioned Playground • Weekly Themes And Activities Including Sports, Arts & Crafts, Music, Cooking And Theatre. • Bls, Cpr, Rit First Aid, Epipen & Mat Certified Check out our new website. Call today and sign up for a tour. Our family can’t wait to meet your family! Enrollment Opens for 2024-25 on February 1st

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 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 Do you know what the cost of your long-term care will be if you are not eligible for Medicaid? I n the twilight of my life, I have grown to appreciate, admire, respect and even envy those who have made a substantial contribution to our scientific understanding of the world.  Progress has only occurred because of the imagination, fierce skepticism, intellectual honesty and, yes, courage of a very few great minds. Of course, there have been detours along the way. We once believed we were the center of the universe. Even after that was cleared up, cosmologists falsely proclaimed that the universe was static. Physicists incorrectly believed that there was nothing smaller than the fundamental particles that make up an atom. Plants could never communicate. DNA could not transmit heredity, etc.  It has always been maverick investigators who ruthlessly try out new theories, forcing detractors to reconsider their cognitive biases. Often, they meet with considerable opposition, ridicule and even violence but, somehow, they persevere. And humanity is better off because of them. We all have heard of some of the shining stars in the constellation of great minds: Galileo, Darwin, Newton, Einstein. But, in the next couple of columns, I would like to introduce two who perhaps you have not heard of. The first, the subject of this column, died the same month I graduated high school. The second is alive and kicking and has graciously agreed to allow me to interview her.  The prestigious British Association for the Advancement of Science celebrated its 100th anniversary in September 1931, at the famed Assembly Hall, near Westminster Alley. Thousands of scientists were in attendance. They had a lot to celebrate. In the previous century, biologists had discovered the power of evolution, geologists had made profound discoveries about the planet, physicists had detected electrons and protons, chemists had learned about how atoms bond, and cosmologists had discovered the vastness of an expanding universe. Anyone who was anyone in the scientific community attended the conference. There was a palpable air of superiority, given the sense that the heights of scientific knowledge had all but been reached. But that was about to be challenged, and then some.  An unknown scientist wearing a black suit and a priest’s collar stepped up to the podium to address the prestigious crowd. Father Georges Lemaître, age 37, was not even listed in the original program. He had to be penciled in.  Lemaître blew minds by suggesting that the expansion of the universe meant that the universe must have originated from a finite point in time. If the universe was expanding then, if you extrapolate back, inevitably you reach a point when the universe was packed together in an extremely dense state. Couple that idea with quantum mechanics and, in Lemaître’s mind, the conclusion that the physical universe initiated in a single particle, a primeval atom, was unavoidable. His conclusion marked the beginning of what later was derisively labeled The Big Bang. Who was this insane priest who dared to challenge the scientific status quo?  Georges Lemaître was born in 1894 in Charleroi, Belgium. As a young man, his interests veered to both science and theology. He was a student at the Catholic University of Leuven when German troops poured across the Belgium border, plunging Europe and Lemaître into World War I. Lemaître ended up in trenches for months, fighting the Kaiser’s army. As fate would have it, he brought his physics books with him and read the works of French physicist Henri Poincaré, which changed the trajectory of his life.  Lemaître continued, after the war, to pursue his two loves, getting ordained a priest but continuing his studies at Cambridge University with the esteemed Sir Arthur Eddington. By then, Albert Einstein had shaken the scientific community with his new theories and equations and established himself as a genius.  For his part, Lemaître was fully immersed in his proposition that, not only was the universe expanding, but that galaxies were being pulled apart. Lemaître hoped to get Einstein’s approval of his ideas but, when they met in 1927, Lemaitre was crestfallen. The Great One made it known he hated Lemaître’s theories. Even when they shared a taxi, Einstein ignored him, considering him nothing more than an eccentric, misguided priest.  Lemaître was undeterred by Einstein’s rejection. When his time came to address the British Association’s assembled throng in 1931, he did not hesitate to put forth his bold theory that the universe was produced by the disintegration of one tiny atom. In his later writings, he extrapolated that, “the evolution of the universe can be likened to a display of fireworks that has just ended: some few wisps, ashes and smoke. Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds.”  After the shock of Lemaître’s declaration wore off, scientists around the world tried unsuccessfully to disprove it. Finally, in 1933, Einstein and Lemaître met again, this time in Pasadena, CA. After examining the existing data and listening to Lemaître speak, the Great One brought a huge smile to the priest’s face by declaring, “this is the most beautiful and satisfactory explanation of creation to which Tales of courage and brilliance JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 14

PAGE 14 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MARTORANO FROM PAGE 13 I have ever listened.” The camaraderie between the two men was evident as they then embarked on a speaking tour together. Even with Einstein’s approval, it took several years for Lemaître’s theory to receive almost universal approval in the scientific community. But, as the evidence grew, so did the group’s reluctant acquiescence.  You may wonder how a priest could propose a theory as controversial as Lemaître’s, seemingly in violation of his religion’s teachings. Lemaitre saw no such contradiction. He bifurcated his two loves with ease. Science, he believed, shows us the nature of the universe, while religion teaches us the way to salvation. Case closed.  Georges Lemaître continued, until his death in 1966, to follow his priestly duties while focusing his brilliant mind on scientific endeavors like electronic computation of astrophysical problems.  Georges Lemaître, The Father of the Big Bang, is forever remembered as a courageous, unrelentingly intellectually curious scientist on whose shoulders new generations of brilliant scientists stand. One of those scientists is the focus of my next column, Dr. Katherine Freese. Stay tuned.  Dear Dr. Linda, I’m an eighth-grade science teacher in a local middle school. I have a student who is extremely bright. She had a 98 average the first quarter. However, this quarter she has a 63 average. She stopped handing in homework, but only in my class. She’s still getting high test grades, but she receives one zero after another for missing homework. I’ve asked her about it, but she wouldn’t say. Do you have any idea why this outstanding student is not handing in homework and allowing herself to fail? Now a second question. When her mom got the interim report, she flipped out and called me because she was angry that I hadn’t notified her before receiving this report. I told “mom” that I’m not responsible for her daughter. Her daughter is responsible for herself and “mom” is responsible for her daughter. Do you agree with me that the homework is her daughter’s responsibility and I didn’t have to notify mom until I sent her the interim report? -Bewildered Science Teacher Dear Bewildered Science Teacher, When you have a student who appears to be the perfect student but suddenly begins acting irrationally, it probably isn’t irrational to the student. Often when kids act irrational, they’re afraid something is wrong with what they’ve done. If they feel safe with the teacher, they’ll take a risk and hand in something that may not be perfect. Either the teacher embarrassed her before or she’s watched her peers being embarrassed by the teacher. Maybe her peers have pressured her not to turn in her homework in science and have teased or bullied her.  Also, if she doesn’t confide in her parents, she probably doesn’t feel safe with them either. So she’ll do whatever she thinks will protect her. Using middle school mentality, she’s decided the safest thing for her to do is to stop turning in her homework and not tell mom or dad. It’s her coping strategy, granted a self-defeating one.  Now, to answer your second question, where does the responsibility lie when a child’s behavior is out of the ordinary? If the situation is occurring in school, it lies with the teacher first. Many times it’s only the teacher that sees the strange behavior. In this case, that’s what happened. It is the teacher’s responsibility to contact the parents when they observe behavior that is out of the ordinary. In addition, she was only missing homework in your class. You have to take ownership and think about what could have caused this in your class only.  Too many teachers immediately put blame on children and claim that they are responsible for their actions. Yes, they are. But they’re children and teens working with an immature brain. They don’t know what to do. Years ago, children dropped out of school in eighth grade. Did that make sense? Of course not, but that’s how they coped with struggling in school. Today, thank goodness, school personnel are now available to help kids and teach them how to deal with decisions, problems and challenges.  As far as the parents, it’s important not to dwell on the fact that their daughter was lying to them. Moms and dads get caught up with, “I’m only mad because she lied to us.” Parents need to be more concerned about the fact that their daughter didn’t feel safe to go to them with a problem she had. Luckily, for these parents, this is a minor problem. Suppose it’s a bigger problem. Who will she feel safe to turn to, her equally irrational peers? School is hard and kids need allies, not adversaries, to succeed. If parents and teachers aren’t there for them, then who will be?  -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.   Bright student’s sudden decline sparks concern DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING 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!

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 15 At least three to four times per month I receive a phone call from a client who is distraught and angered about the behavior of a sibling or family member toward their mom or dad. The caller’s primary complaint is that their family member has a Power of Attorney (POA) from their parent and is not keeping them informed as to what they are doing with the parent’s finances and/or they believe the family member is taking advantage of their parent financially and misappropriating the parent’s assets for their own personal use. The allegations are often serious. However, whether or not they are true is another matter. While it may be valuable for an agent under a POA to keep immediate family members informed as to what financial actions they are undertaking, Section 5-1505 of the New York General Obligations Law (GOL) enumerates the individuals and/or entities entitled to receive said information and records. For example, the agent only has a fiduciary relationship with the principal under the POA, an acting coagent or successor agent under the POA, or a Court Evaluator or Guardian Ad Litem appointed by a Court for the principal. A government entity or official investigating a report that the principal may be in need of protective services resulting from alleged fraud, abuse or neglect is also entitled to such information and records, as is the personal representative of a deceased principal’s estate (executor/trustee), who may receive the principal’s bank records and information regarding the agent’s actions taken pursuant to the POA. In addition to making the financial records of the principal and an accounting of the agent’s actions available to the abovestated individuals or entities within 15 days of a demand, under Section 5-1505 of the GOL, the agent has the obligation to act in accordance with any instructions from the principal and, where there are no instructions, in the best interest of the principal. Thus, the principal can request that the agent provide the information and records to the principal’s children and other family members. Additionally, the agent must at all times keep their personal finances separate and apart from those of the principal. The agent must not comingle the principal’s finances with the agent’s own personal finances. It is advisable that the agent keep records of all bank and investment accounts of the principal and a spreadsheet showing all transactions (bills paid, checks issued, deposits and withdrawals made, as well as all credit card charges and payments) so as to document all of their actions as agent. If the principal has investment accounts in addition to real property, the agent’s retention of a financial advisor, as well as a CPA and attorney, should be strongly considered provided that it is permitted by the POA. Acting under the advice and counsel of a professional can be invaluable. Furthermore, it should be noted that authorizations given to the agent to make gifts of the principal’s assets and income to such agent and others must be specifically stated in the POA. The agent may not make gifts of the principal’s assets to him or herself or others without express authorization in the POA. To this end, the gifting of assets must also be in the best interest of the principal. Although the agent is not required to provide an accounting to all who ask, their failure to do so often results in the principal’s children or other family members with concerns taking steps such as seeking the appointment of a Guardian for the principal under Article 81 of the New York Mental Hygiene Law (MHL). In this proceeding, the Court has the authority to appoint a Court Evaluator to review the financial records of the alleged incapacitated person (AIP) to determine whether or not the agent has betrayed their fiduciary duty to the principal and engaged in any behavior that calls for their removal as agent under the POA. Because an Article 81 Guardianship is a special proceeding, it is an expedited proceeding wherein the hearing for the appointment of a Guardian is to be scheduled within 28 days of the Court signing the Order to Show Cause. The failure of the agent to make the records available to an individual or entity entitled to receive them can also result in the commencement of a special proceeding against such agent pursuant to Section 5-1510 of the GOL–for example, if the agent has failed to make available a copy of the POA and records of all receipts, disbursements and transactions to those authorized to make the request under Section 5-1505 of the GOL. A proceeding in accordance with Section 5-1510 of the GOL can delve into the validity of the POA, the capacity of the principal at the time the POA was executed, and whether the POA is the product of undue influence, duress or fraud. The agent can be forced to account. The Court can review the accounting and any objections thereto, and determine whether it should be approved. The Court can also remove the agent. Unfortunately, this proceeding does not address who is to be appointed as agent under the POA if the acting agent is removed, no successor agent is named in the POA, and the principal lacks capacity to appoint another agent. In my opinion, a proceeding under Section 5-1510 of the GOL fails to meet the comprehensive needs of an incapacitated principal, as does the commencement of an Article 81 Guardianship proceeding. In conclusion, if the agent has been acting in accordance with their fiduciary duties, they would be well served by regularly keeping the principal’s family informed of their doings. It is not worth the ramifications of family members becoming suspicious about the agent’s activities, which can result in possible litigation against the agent and potentially the agent’s removal as agent under the POA. Anthony J. Enea is the managing attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, New York. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He can be reached at 914-948- 1500 or at www.esslawfirm.com. Important to keep family members in the loop Why regular reporting by the Agent under a Power of Attorney is the best practice ‘It is not worth the ramifications of family members becoming suspicious about the agent’s activities.’ -Anthony J. Enea Managing Attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER FOCUS ON ELDER LAW

PAGE 16 MAHOPAC NEWS – JANUARGabriel Rivera was named chief of the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department at the agency’s installation dinner earlier this month. Riviera takes over from Andrew Roberto, who was honored for his years of service leading the department. Former firefighter and country emergency dispatcher Ed Scott, who passed away last year, was remembered in a moving presentation of his helmet to his wife Erin. MVFD dinner celebrates new officers Top 10 responders: Tom Beatty, Dawn Stasiak, Bill Nikisher, Jenna Magliari, Robert Kick, John Nikisher, Tim Stasiak, Jim Stasiak Firematic installation: Brian Smith, John Nickisher, John Deagan, DJ Fiorio, Billy Bahr, Tim Stasiak, WilliKelly, Dawn Stasiak, Jenna Magliari Brian Smith and John Nikisher present ex-Chief Andrew Roberto (left) a gift from his Engine 1 company for his service as chief of MVFD. Carmel Highway Superintendent Mike Stern, Town Councilman Robert Kearns, Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Congressman Mike Lawler, County Legislator Erin Crowley, Chief Gabriel Rivera, Assemblyman Matt Slater, Senator Pete Harckham, and Judge Joseph Spofford PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHAFire Commission Board Vice President Laura Whitten and President Ray Hamill present ex-President Lou Scagnelli a plaque as appreciation for his service. Visit us at: 128 Route 52, Carmel Shari Zimmerman 845-621-2557 [email protected] Call for a FREE Quote today! RATES GOING UP? AWARD WINNER LIC. REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE BROKER Grace Vinciguerra BUYING845-62WE WILL COWE BUY: Gold • Sterling SJewelry • CoinPaintings • BronClocks • CollectiAntiques • ETItems for sa

RY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 PAGE 17 Administrative officers installation: Craig Machado, Tom Beatty, Jack Zencheck, Johnny Ortiz, Bill Nikisher, Laura Whitten Judge Joseph Spofford congratulates newly sworn-in MVFD Chief Gabriel Rivera Vice President Michael Gray is sworn in by Supervisor Mike Cazzari. am President Ron Goodrow is sworn in by Supervisor Mike Cazzari. ALL Erin Scott receives her late husband Ed’s helmet from Chief Gabriel Rivera, as the members of the fire department remember his service and friendship. Come See Us At Our New Location! PUTNAM WINDOW TINT AUTO , COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WINDOW FILM Follow us on Instagram 1065 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • Paint protection film • Vehicle lettering • Full Service vehicle wraps • gift cards available Over 35 in Business Years 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 G ONLY 8-0362 OME TO YOU! 53 YEARS! Silver ns nzes bles C. le? Call us!

PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults Perrone Family CHIROPRACTIC 925 Route 6 • Mahopac, NY 10541 • Tel: (845)628-3805 Serving the Mahopac Community for Over 25 Years We will take care of you like family. FOR A LIMITED TIME CALL US TODAY FOR DETAILS GET 10% OFF UP LOSE TO 40lbs IN 42 DAYS! AND OUR PROGRAM IF YOU WANT: Less Pain, to Feel Great, and Better Health... CALL US TODAY! We utilize many different types of therapy and treatment to get you feeling your best. Chiropractic • Massage Therapy • Acupuncture Spinal Decompression • Neurofeedback • Weight Loss There are various steps athletes can take to reduce their injury risk. Athletes engage in intense training with the goal of performing at their peak when competition begins. Exercise is very important for the body, but at times athletes may be in jeopardy of overdoing it in their pursuit of excellence. Johns Hopkins Medicine states many sports injuries can be prevented with proper precautions. In fact, there are various steps athletes can take to reduce their risk of injury. Wear the right gear Using the right equipment or gear and wearing supportive shoes/cleats can help prevent injury, as can using safety items like helmets and protective pads. Ensure that all equipment is properly fitted and replace items if they become damaged or worn out. Warm up, stretch and strengthen The experts at Mount Sinai say it is extremely important to perform dynamic stretches before starting a physical activity, as cold muscles are more vulnerable to injury.  Before stretching, athletes should always warm up muscles and tissues to prepare for exercise. Also, exercises that strengthen the muscles used for your specific sport are beneficial, particularly those that target the core. Core-strengthening exercises improve balance and stability, and help protect the spine. Use the right technique Athletes should learn the proper techniques for playing a sport or engaging in a physical activity like strength training. Poor form on the field or in the gym can put athletes at risk for injury, says the University of Rochester Medical Center. Rest and recover UConn Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine says rest is a critical component of avoiding injury. One to two rest days should be built into your weekly exercise regimen. One option is to make a rest day a “recovery” day, instead. This means engaging in gentle exercise like walking, swimming or yoga. Listen to your body Aches and pains in joints or muscles that do not improve in a day or two could be signs that a more serious condition is developing. Do not attempt to power through pain, which can cause serious issues and significant, long-term injuries. Get evaluated by your Chiropractor, Physical Therapist or Orthopedist as soon as possible. Athletes can reduce their injury risk by following some tried and true techniques.  Dr. Chris Perrone DC has been in practice for 29 years and has extensive experience in treating sports, spinal and muscle injuries. He is presently practicing at Perrone Family Chiropractic at 925 Route 6 in Mahopac. For more information, call 845-628-3805 or visit perronechiro.com. Strategies to prevent sports injuries  DR. CHRIS PERRONE GUEST CORNER The dawn of a new year marks a great time to turn over a new leaf. Many people begin a new year by making resolutions, and aspiring to eat healthier is annually among the most popular pledges health-conscious individuals make. A recent Statista survey of hundreds of people across the globe found that eating healthier was the second most popular New Year’s resolution of 2023. In fact, 50 percent of respondents indicated they set goals to eat healthier in the year ahead. Though each year is different, it’s fair to assume a similarly large percentage of resolution-minded individuals will aspire to eat healthier over the next 12 months. As people begin their journeys to a healthier lifestyle, they can consider these strategies to stay the course with a new diet. • Do not eat too close to bedtime. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that eating more of a day’s total energy intake in the evening is associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese. The researchers behind the study concluded that eating more of the day’s energy intake at midday can lower the risk of being overweight or obese. Individuals are more likely to stay the course when they see positive results, so try to eat dinner several hours before bedtime and resist the urge to snack after dinnertime. • Treat yourself, but only periodically. It’s unreasonable and potentially counterproductive to completely avoid foods seen as treats. Cutting out indulgent foods may seem appropriate, but such an approach could make you miserable, and a diet that sparks feelings of misery will prove harder to commit to than one that allows for the occasional indulgence. Moderation is the name of the game, and that should be a rule of thumb for both healthy foods and indulgences. Don’t make indulgences part of your daily routine, even if you eat them in moderation. Rather, save treats for special occasions, and even then only eat them in moderation. • Consider eating less, but more frequently. Data is conflicting in regard to eating smaller but more frequent meals. A 2015 study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that individuals who had six or more eating occasions in 24 hours had a lower mean body mass index than people who had four or fewer eating occasions in 24 hours. The researchers behind the study concluded that eating a larger number of small meals throughout the day may be associated with improved diet quality and lower BMI. This approach is commonly referred to as “grazing,” and some research has indicated it has no metabolic advantage over other approaches to eating. So what to make of the mixed results? Dieters can decide for themselves and eat more frequent but smaller, healthier meals to combat hunger pangs that can arise when switching to a new diet. If hunger is no longer posing a threat that can derail your diet, then this approach might increase the chances you stay committed to eating right. Millions of people will begin 2024 on a quest to eat healthier in the year ahead. Some simple strategies can help them stay the course as they adjust to a new diet.  This article is from Metro Creative Connection. Tips to stay the course with a new diet

I owe a big-time apology to the officials of Ellis Island.  In all of our lives, there are little myths that masquerade as facts. Names. Your name. My name. Our ancestors came to this country with little more than their names and even those could be screwy. Whenever a name spelling issue came up in conversation, the throwaway line I would utter was, “Well, it was probably changed at Ellis Island.”  That assumption had reached certainty status in my brain a long time ago. Not true. It turns out that Ellis Island staff relied on the ship manifests for name entries. Any name discrepancies were most likely created in a European shipping office or other foreign governmental office in charge of issuing identification documents. Wow.    That is what we call a “reevaluation.” A set of facts, newly in existence or freshly discovered may cause us to change our thinking. In estate planning, reevaluations pop up after a marriage, birth of a child, death, divorce, illness, career change, financial change, move or an estrangement. Your fundamental personal relationships may have shifted, causing you to rethink named executors, agents and Trustees. On the positive side, loved ones who were facing difficulties may have rallied or shown progress worthy of a reconsideration.   Old documents reflect old realities. It is good practice to read your estate planning documents and advance directives at least once a year. Laws change. That means that some of your best laid plans may no longer make sense. Medicaid rules that were in place in 2002 bear little resemblance to today’s long-term care planning. Estate tax planning with Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts has been recalibrated due to the rise in the Estate Tax exemption. The New York Power of Attorney form has undergone numerous changes since I have been in practice.  Individual estate planning documents may not require wholesale changes, but an overall estate plan may need to be updated to complement new life goals. A simple Will is not the best option if your retirement goal is to own a vacation home in a different state. Conversely, a large binder holding an antiquated revocable trust which was never funded deserves a second look and a second opinion.   Frequently, people forget what documents they actually have. “I thought we drafted a Power of Attorney when we did our Will?” Nope. “Health Care Proxy?” Not really. There is an unsigned form in the folder. This happens too often. Annual readings will ensure that you know what you have and what the documents say. If you are missing necessary documents or have experienced family upheaval, then 2024 will be the year that your estate planning turns out alright... at least for a little while.  Contact the professionals at The Feller Group, P.C. for more insight on Estate Planning reevaluations. The Feller Group is a multidisciplinary 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.  The great reevaluation Why you should reevaluate your estate plan in 2024 JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 HEALTH & WELLNESS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 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 Annual readings will ensure that you know what you have and what the documents say.’ -Alan D. Feller, Esq. The Feller Group, P.C. ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER

PAGE 20 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Sports SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER The unbeaten Mahopac HS boys basketball team visited a struggling Brewster squad last Friday night and put a damper on the Bears’ Senior Night celebration with a convincing, 54-32, victory in non-league action. Brewster (3-9) was unable to slow the Wolf Pac offense down, with the visitor jumping to leads of 16-6 after one, and 29- 11 at the half. The lead swelled to 41-20 by the end of three. Mahopac got big contributions from senior forward Jalen Jones (12 points), and sophomore forward Matt Reilly (10 points), as well as seniors Liam Scanlon and Danny Koch, both with nine points, while the Wolf Pac defense limited Brewster to single digits in each of the first three quarters. “After a week off, I was happy with way we approached the game,” coach Matt Calabro said. “Danny set the tone early for us, and our defense allowed us to settle in and control the game. Pac stays perfect, spoils Brewster Senior Night behind strong games from Jones, Reilly Senior Jalen Jones (11) led the Pac with 12 points vs. the Bears. PHOTOS: SKIP PEARLMAN Pac senior Daniel Dedvukaj (23) glides to the basket vs. Brewster. Sophomore Matt Reilly (30) gets to the rim vs. Brewster. Connor Ferrieri (1) shoots from the corner vs Brewster. 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 3/31/24 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 3/31/24 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 21

“We got great contributions from Jalen Jones and Matt Reilly off the bench,” Calabro added. “Jalen brought great energy, and Matt really stepped us when Liam (Scanlon) got in foul trouble. And he did a nice job on Matt Thompson [holding Thompson to seven points], who is a hell of a player.” This week, Mahopac gets perhaps its biggest test of the season so far: The Wolf Pac (11- 0) was set to host 11-2 Yorktown Tuesday night ( Jan. 23) at 6:30 p.m. Mahopac also travels to Clarkstown North Jan. 26 for a 5 p.m. tip. JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 21 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @MAHOPACSOCCER FOR THE LATEST NEWS! For More info visit mahopacsoccer.com KINDERGARTEN SOCCER...$60* IN-HOUSE 1ST-9TH GRADE...$100* STARTING APRIL 13th Coaches and volunteers needed at all levels Season set to start on April 13 for K-9th Grades Registration for Pre-K, Summer Camp & Travel Tryouts Coming Soon! MAHOPAC SOCCER SPRING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! MAHOPAC SOCCER SPRING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! *early bird pricing ends 2/2, registration closes 3/23 SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Mahopac High School’s girls basketball team hit the road last Wednesday (Jan. 17), visiting crosstown rival Carmel, and dropped a 58-31 loss on the Rams in league action. Sophomore guard Madysen Ford led the Wolf Pac (8-5) with 11 points; senior Fiona O’Boyle and soph Ashley Koch each added 10. “That was a good win against a rival,” Mahopac coach Mairead Hynes said. “Our sophomores really played well. Mady Ford and Ashley Koch really stepped up on both ends of the court. “It was also nice because now we have a winning record in our league,” Hynes added. “We hope to hold on to this momentum to help finish our season strong.” Mahopac’s game scheduled for last Friday against Poughkeepsie was postponed due to weather. The Wolf Pac was set to visit Greeley on Wednesday ( Jan. 24) and RCK on Jan. 31.  Mahopac girls roll over Rams, 58-31 BASKETBALL Coach Mairead Hynes and the Wolf Pac girls pounded Carmel last week, 58-31. PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 20 Senior Danny Koch (3) and the Wolf Pac blitzed past Brewster last Friday night for their 11th consecutive win. PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN

PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Mahopac set a team record on the balance beam and scored a season-high 172.950 points in a home meet versus Edgemont, Tappan Zee, and Wappingers on Jan. 20 at Eclipse Gymnastics. “A big night tonight,” said coach Vin Collins after the meet. “We had a season-high in team points, a new school team record on balance beam, and every gymnast tied or achieved a season-high score as well!” Collins praised a long list of Mahopac gymnasts for outstanding performances. “Kaitlyn [Palange], Lexie[Castrataro], Lia [Dimase], Kelsie [Thimm], and Riley [Hughes] all achieved season highs in the allaround,” Collins said. “Alessia [Gristina], Sophia [Lombardi], and Anna [Carinci] had season highs on balance beam, Keira [Callahan] and Elia [Lombardi] had season highs on floor exercise, Lara [Dimase] had a season-high on the uneven bars and Kayla [Contreras] on vault.” The highlight of the night, however, came on the balance beam, which saw Mahopac score a combined 70.45 led Recordbreaking performance leaves Mahopac coach beaming Anna Carinci Kaitlyn Palange GYMNASTICS Elia Lombardi Lexi Castrataro PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Lia DiMase SEE GYMNASTICS PAGE 23

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 23 FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS OF COMMERCIAL & HOMEOWNER POWER EQUIPMENT EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST CARMEL, NY 10512 www.EASTROADMOTORS.com 845-225-3503 PICK-UP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE email: [email protected] * LEAF BLOWERS * LAWN MOWERS * STRING TRIMMERS * CHAIN SAWS * SNOWBLOWERS * GENERATORS * QUADS * SNOWMOBILES SERVICE & REPAIR FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 60 Years of Excellence 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $25 OFF YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL! VALID ON CALLS OVER 1 HOUR. Happy Valentine’s Day! by Castrataro’s 9.35. Carinci (9.25), Hughes (9.2), and Palange (9.15) also scored above 9, with Thimm posting an 8.9 to lock out the top five for Mahopac. Lia Dimase and Gristina each scored 8.6, with Sophia Lombardi’s 7.4 completing the record-setting tally. Collins said breaking the previous balance beam mark was especially meaningful because it had stood for decades. “Congratulations to Anna, Lexie, Riley, Kaitlyn, and Kelsie for setting a new team record on the balance beam, breaking the previous record set 25 years ago! Another great team effort!” GYMNASTICS FROM PAGE 22 Kaitlyn Palange Alessia Gristina Kayla Contreras PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL

PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 After winning a national title last year in a coed division, Mahopac’s varsity cheer squad returned to Dallas to face a tougher challenge by competing in the larger all-female division at the 76th annual National Cheerleading Association High School Nationals. The Wolf Pac finished sixth in intermediate small varsity crowd performance, beating more teams than they overcame when they took last year’s national crown. The winner was 11-time national champion from Texas, Grapevine High School. “The competition went really well,” said MHS varsity head coach Jasmine DeCosmo. “The girls set a goal to not let any skills fall and achieved that goal on both days! We are super proud of their hard work as we had one of the most difficult routines in the division. We are looking forward to the rest of the season, getting right back into it for a competition next week.” Mahopac cheerleaders impress at Nationals CHEERLEADING Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 2023 was a CRAZY YEAR! 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 We can help make your taxes less crazy. The MHS varsity Cheerleaders pose for photos at the NCA nationals in Dallas. PHOTOS COURTESY OF COACH JASMINE DECOSMO

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25 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. Defensive nuclear weapon 4. Moved back and forth 9. One-time coach of the Cowboys 14. Last letter 15. Cause to become less intense 16. Genus of tree bugs 17. Body art 18. Romance novelist 20. Be filled with love for 22. City 23. Make vivid 24. Horses 28. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano 29. Atomic #18 30. Shortly 31. A type of prejudice 33. Whirls 37. Six 38. Old world, new 39. __ Hess, oil company 41. Talk 42. Not off 43. Begets 44. Cars need them 46. Computing architecture (abbr.) 49. Of I 50. Journalist, activist Wells 51. Takes apart 55. Lists 58. Positively charged electrode 59. Hard, colorless compound 60. Inflammation of the peritoneum 64. Trent Reznor’s band 65. Simply dry fruit 66. “Ivanhoe” author 67. Google certification 68. French commune 69. Medieval circuit courts 70. Soviet Socialist Republic CLUES DOWN 1. Indigenous people of Mexico 2. Dietary supplement 3. Having a particular sheen or luster 4. Views 5. Academic Bill of Rights 6. Automobile 7. When you anticipate arriving 8. Beef or chicken intestine 9. Conspiracy 10. Blood disorder 11. Long-time NBAer Shawn 12. Time zone 13. US, Latin America, Canada belong to 19. Upton Sinclair novel 21. What a cow does 24. Cavalry-sword 25. Ancient Greek war galley 26. Stars 27. Rebukes 31. Billion year periods 32. Some are in a bottle 34. Tears down 35. Lethal dose 36. Humorists 40. Midwestern US state (abbr.) 41. Frameworks 45. Rocker Billy 47. More thin 48. Dog 52. Habitual repetitions 53. State of fuss 54. Uneasy 56. Chemical compounds 57. More cognizant of reality 59. A place to build 60. Exclamation that denotes disgust 61. Supplement with difficulty 62. Very slick 63. Hill or rocky peak Soup is a staple anytime the weather is chilly or when a person feels like they are coming down with a cold. The warm, therapeutic effects of a delicious bowl of soup are hard to dismiss, and may sometimes work as well as the best medicines available. While zucchini may be known as a summer vegetable, this popular squash is at home in a tasty soup any time of year. Top with giant, cheesy croutons for a filling and scrumptious crowd-pleaser. This recipe for “Zucchini Soup with Cheddar Rusks” from “The Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups” (Lebhar-Friedman Books) by The Culinary Institute of America makes for a warming winter meal. Zucchini Soup with Cheddar Rusks Makes 8 servings • 4 bacon strips, minced • 2 onions, diced (about 2-1/2 cups) • 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons) • 4 medium zucchini, diced (7 to 8 cups) • 6 cups chicken broth • 4 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped, (about 1 cup) • 1/2 cup tomato puree • 4 tablespoons tarragon or cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste • 8 cheddar rusks (see below) Cook the bacon in a soup pot over medium heat until the fat is released and the bacon bits are crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are a light golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the zucchini, cover the pot and cook until the zucchini starts to become translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, tomatoes, tomato puree, and vinegar. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are very tender and the soup has developed a good flavor, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the basil to the soup, and season with salt and pepper. Serve in heated bowls, garnished with cheddar rusks. Cheddar Rusks Makes 8 • 8 slices French or Italian bread (1Ú2-inch thick) • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese Toast the bread until golden brown on both sides. Preheat the broiler. Scatter the cheese evenly over the toasted bread and broil until the cheese bubbles and begins to brown.  Chase away chills (and sniffles) with soup PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 01/11/24

PAGE 26 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 pretext is not accurate,” Hoffmann said. “We have been advised that as long as our officers are operating within the scope of their duties, as ERT members who are SWAT certified by New York State would be, they are covered under insurance.” One potential obstacle, however, is funding. Carmel’s ERT budget was funded by a grant from the county Bureau of Emergency Services, which in turn was funded by a federal grant from a DHS Homeland Security Grant Program (fema.gov/grants/preparedness/homeland-security) administered by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). “It’s a federal grant administered by the state to the county,” Hoffmann said. “County Emergency Services turns funds over to the sheriff, and his department distributed ERT funds to Kent and us.” Hoffmann said it still may be possible to get funding from the county’s Bureau of Emergency Services and emphasized that both town police departments have a strong relationship with that bureau. “As a multi-agency team still serving a large portion of the county’s population, Carmel and Kent feel we have a strong argument with the county to continue ERT funding as we have received it in the past,” Hoffmann said. “The goal is to have the team as close to as it was by the end of this year. We’re constrained by logistical challenges like when the state offers SWAT courses. They’re held a couple of times a year in different locations. But we’re operational now and plan on getting back to full operational status as soon as possible.” With two emergency response units theoretically operational at the same time in the same jurisdiction, does Hoffman worry about them both showing up at the same scene? “It could happen,” the chief acknowledged. However, “Kent and Carmel haven’t been notified of the Sheriff ’s Response Team’s capabilities. The sheriff won’t say who they are and if they have SWAT certification from New York State. But we’re not going get into a power struggle. We’ll coordinate with them. It’s not ideal, but it will be a game-time decision by the incident commander.” Hoffmann noted that the remaining officers on the Carmel/Kent ERT team will only respond within the two towns unless they are requested by an outside agency, in which case, Carmel police would be able to respond in a mutual-aid capacity. “As it was stated in the [Dec. 18] County Legislature Protective Services Meeting, our officers and the county deputies have and continue to work very well together at incidents,” Hoffmann said. “Besides, the members of ERT and SRT were teammates on ERT before this took place. Above all, they are professionals, and I do not doubt that they will work together to resolve whatever incident they respond to.” Is there a way back?  At the Dec. 18 meeting, McConville at times seemed open to restoring Carmel and Kent to a countywide team. However, it’s unclear how, or under whose command, this restored unit would operate. “The sheriff contradicts himself [at the meeting],” Hoffmann said. “Initially, he states that Carmel and Kent officers may join SRT in the future under his sole command, but later in the meeting he states that he has been open to restoring the oversight of the team between the three agencies.” Hoffmann said the old team had Tier 2 SWAT capabilities (Tier 1 required hazmat capability, which has never been part of the county’s toolkit) but questions whether the Sheriff’s Response Team has the personnel to qualify for Tier 2 or is limited to containment due to lack of SWAT trained officers. “As I said at the Protective Services Committee meeting, we don’t know how many of his team are hostage negotiators without the SWAT training because he won’t reveal who’s on the team,” Hoffmann said. Hoffmann said he and Owens both hope to see the team return to being a multi-agency team with members from Carmel, Kent, and the Sheriff’s Office “We see the need to work together and realize the limited resources we have as such a small county,” Hoffmann said. “If the sheriff truly wanted to work together Kent and Carmel would have gladly helped him address and overcome his stated legislative and legal issues. We have offered suggestions and alternatives to move past these challenges but they continue to be ignored by the sheriff. This is why we feel he is being disingenuous over this whole episode.” ERT FROM PAGE 9 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? “Bruce & the team at Halston Media were a great asset to us during the opening of our new business. As we come up on our 3rd month of advertising for Somers General Store, they continue to bring us new suggestions for ways to help us optimize our business. As a local small business, we are very thankful for the local papers & their readers!” Dawn Deluca and Craig Flynn Owners of Somers General Store 914-556-6006 • Somersgeneral.com Progressive Animal Hospital What is the most common mismanaged condition that you see? THE ITCHY DOG! Is your pet... scratching • licking • chewing feet or having chronic skin infections? Stop treating the symptoms and find out the underlying cause with a simple blood test. Get your pet feeling better and stop the frequent trips to the vet. INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 route 202 l somers, ny 10589 914.248.6220 l progressive-vet.com Voted “Best of Somers” 2020-2023 Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com Two Carmel residents were sent to the hospital after a head-on collision on Crane Road on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 19. The Mahopac Fire Department, Carmel police, and Carmel Ambulance Corp. responded to the area of 185 Crane Road at around 2:45 p.m. for the two-car accident involving a male and female driver, who were both alone in their cars at the time of the collision. Carmel PD Chief Anthony Hoffmann said it was one of several accidents that day, but while most were weather-related, investigators believe the male driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel and veered into the path of the other vehicle. Both drivers, whose names have been withheld, were transported to Putnam Hospital with minor injuries. The accident remains under investigation. Drivers hurt in Crane Road head-on PHOTO COURTESY MAHOPAC VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT./ FACEBOOK

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27 Service... Integrity... Compassion Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences. Anthony J. Guarino Family Owned & Operated 945 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, NY 10588 • (914) 962-0700 YorktownFuneralHome.com • [email protected] 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 A few days before Christmas, Mahopac Scout Troop 1 collected and delivered children’s gift items to the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality and eliminating  violence against women and children. Front Row: Fredrick James, Michael Lara, Dylan Fumusa, Emma Schoen, Johnny Nikolopoulos, Killian Flanagan, Hudson Ferrando, Peter Schoen, Matthew Sciarrino, Troy Garcia, Logan Buehl, Joshua Valentin, Timothy Kennedy Back Row: Veronika Bachleda, Samuel Grimm, Liam Mortimer, Cooper Grimm, Jozef Bachleda, Aiden Buehl, Daniel Azzinaro Troop 1 delivers for Women’s Resource Center PHOTO COURTESY SCOUT TROOP 1 Don’t mind freezin’ for a great cause? Then you will definitely want to come out to “Operation Ice Splash,” a fun-filled fundraiser where all the proceeds will go to benefit Mahopac’s VFW Post 4591. Slated for Saturday, Jan. 27, from noon to 4 p.m., the highlight of the day will be the Polar Plunge at 2 p.m. with registration beginning at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes a t-shirt. Operation Ice Splash will be held along East Lake Boulevard off Route 6, which will be closed off for the event. Other highlights will include: · Music from DJ Ryan Dwyer · Food Trucks from Mike and Joe’s, The Steak Truck, and Chef Rob · Raffles for prizes from Golf on 6, Spins, Mahopac Marine boat rental, and more. · Free kids activities, including a bubble machine, winter inflatables from Funtime Amusements Inc., balloon artist The Twisted Gecko, s’mores, and a snowball fight. · Vendors: Explore unique products from vendors including Tara’s Treasure, The Freight House Café, and others. · Afterparty: Continue the fun all night long at the VFW with Live music from Wilbur Flatts. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces. The VFW has programs and services that work to support veterans, service members, and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Operation Ice Splash to benefit VFW Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a camera-ready PDF via email at freeman@ halstonmedia.com. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208- 8151.

Mahopac’s Ryan Allen, Jack Maguire, and Lanna Plateroti have been named to the fall 2023 dean’s list at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher qualify. Jonathan McCormack was named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2023 dean’s list. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.5- 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Springfield College has named education major Emily Pontillo to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the 2023 fall semester. Grace Fischer, a SUNY Canton funeral services administration major, was honored for academic achievement during the fall 2023 semester. The college created part-time honors to recognize students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in six to 11 credit hours of coursework. Four Mahopac students were named to SUNY Cortland’s fallsemester president’s list: Isabella Bocchino (majoring in inclusive education childhood), Isabella DiPippo (exercise science), Isabella Ferreira (psychology), and Matthew Mormile (physical education, K-12) qualified by earning an A- or better in each of their classes while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more. SUNY New Paltz has named Mariano Alvarez, Kristen Annabi, Anthony Conforti, Thomas Conforti, Daisy DeRaco, Molly Decker, Victor Fiscella, Josephine Frissora, Davis Grimm, Bethany Itzla, Michael Manzi, Julia Nardecchia, Madison Orsini, Vincenzo Pascarella, Emma Sheeran, Lauren Sullo, and Melissa Topf to the school’s dean’s list, which recognizes students who earn at least a 3.3 grade-point average in a semester with a full-time course load. Mahopac’s Jayme Revenson was one of 19 SUNY Oneonta students who designed a collaborative anthropology art exhibit titled “Winter Waste Land” under the guidance of Professor of Material Culture Cynthia Falk last fall. The exhibition was on display at the Open Space Gallery from Nov. 19 to Dec. 16. Mahopac’s John Bernardi, Madeline Boyar, Carlos Miguel, Sophia Palminteri, and Jayme Revenson were named to Oneonta’s dean’s list, which requires a GPA of 3.5 or higher while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more. National Guardsman Promoted Mahopac’s Miguel Lopez, assigned to the New York Army National Guard’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Information provided by Merit Pages News PAGE 28 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 HONORS FROM PAGE 3 OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 7 Add Value to Your Home We specialize in targeted home improvements — both big and small — to maximize your home’s value,comfort and beauty. • Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen Remodeling • Durable Vinyl Siding • Room Additions • Add-a-Levels • • Replacement Windows • General Carpentry • Basement Finishing • Painting • Interior Trim • Handy Man • Sero’s Contracting When we’re done, there is nothing left to do. Licensed & Insured • Local References • Brewster, NY • 845-216-1955 • 845-279-6977 • [email protected] mother” Rita Seychell. Her grandchildren Billy Kenney along with his wife Laura, Danny Kenney, Katelynn Riley, Faith and Daryl Davis, Aiden and Ryan Kiley, and great-grandchildren Mathew, Dereck, Logan Riley, Shiloh and Walker Kenney as well as many nieces and nephews. Her aide, Gutty Wiesner who provided unwavering love, comfort, and support in her later years. She was predeceased by her husband William Kenney in 1977, and her beloved brothers and sister, Patricia Gauthier, Jim, John and Joe Vallely, brother-in-law Ed Kenney, and son Bobby Kiley. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 20 at St. Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Rd., Somers. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Putnam Valley. Should you wish, please consider a donation in memory of Lois to Ronald McDonald House. John F. ‘Jack’ Hughes Sr. John F. “Jack” Hughes, a longtime resident of Carmel, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the age of 93. He was born in Yonkers, on Feb. 16, 1930, the son of Jeremiah and Catherine (Byrne) Hughes. Jack was the former owner of Glen View Tavern in Yonkers. From there he went on to be the locker room manager at Mt. Kisco Country Club in Mt. Kisco, where he retired in 2006. Jack was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac and volunteered at their food pantry before his health no longer enabled him to volunteer. On June 25, 1955, he married Simone Rossios at St. Joseph’s Church in Yonkers. Simone predeceased him on Oct. 24, 1994. He is survived by his son, William, and his sister, Joan Stasiak, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to Simone, he was predeceased by his son, John Jr., his daughter Patricia, his brothers, Larry, Jeremiah, Albert “Bud” and Gerald, and his sisters, Carol Couto, Mary “Maisie Staruch, and Dorothy Hughes. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Jan. 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Mahopac with interment at Raymond Hill Cemetery in Carmel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Jack to St. John’s Food Pantry, 221 East Lake Blvd., Mahopac, NY 10541 Nicholas J. Bunyea Nicholas J. Bunyea, a lifelong Putnam County resident passed away on Dec. 25, 2023, at the age of 24. He was born in Carmel, on July 8, 1999, the son of Jeffrey and Rosemarie (Annattone) Bunyea. Nicholas attended Mahopac Schools and was self-employed in the construction field in the local area. He enjoyed riding his motorcycles and dirt bikes and liked working on cars in his spare time. In addition to his father, he is survived by his sisters, Alyssa and Jessica Bunyea; his paternal grandparents, Clifford, and Margaret Bunyea; his maternal grandfather, Emil Annattone; step-grandfather Butch Gauthier and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Rosemarie, on Jan. 20, 2012014, as well as his maternal grandmother, Rosemarie Annattone. A memorial service will be announced at a later date at the convenience of the family. Private cremation services took place earlier. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Nicholas to the American Cancer Society https://cancer.org.

JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 29 Scan Me! Read your local news online now!

PAGE 30 – MAHOPAC NEWS JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 In December of 2023, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) announced grant awards to two organizations in Assemblyman Matt Slater’s 94th district: the Brewster Theatre Company and Putnam Arts Council. Matt Slater, being a champion for the arts, was able to successfully reel in $25,000 for the Mahopac-based Putnam Arts Council, along with n $15,000 for Brewster Theater Company. This round of NYSCA funding supports a wide range of opportunities for artists and organizations, including operating and programmatic expenses, creative commissions, support for rehearsal and studio space, and support for regional regrant partners. The Brewster Theater Company and Putnam Arts Council are non-profit groups that have provided the community with diverse theatrical productions of the highest quality. They are committed to promoting and encouraging the community’s participation in the arts in a number of ways. “I am so pleased to announce our art institutions have been awarded this well-deserved state funding,” Slater said. “They are pillars in the community that help our residents of all ages explore and perfect their creativity and talent. They serve as a hub of support for employment, local businesses and in attracting tourists; these are all things that keep our community thriving.” Slater is no stranger to the local arts scene. As Yorktown supervisor, he helped start the town’s Arts and Culture Committee, and as assemblyman, he partnered with the Putnam Arts Council to host a regional Earth Day Poster Contest, which will take place again this Spring. “The Putnam Arts Council is grateful for public funding from New York State through NYSCA,” said Joyce Picone, PAC president and executive director. “This funding is essential to the Putnam Arts Council’s continued ability to foster the arts throughout Putnam County while offering quality arts programs, in the visual, performing, and literary arts for People of all ages and abilities, at the Belle Levine Art Center in Mahopac, our home for 60- plus years.” Article provided by the office of Assemblyman Matt Slater Slater helps Arts Council land $25K state grant Assemblyman Matt Slater with Joyce Picone of the Putnam Arts Council, County Executive Kevin Byrne, and the winners of last year’s Earth Day poster contest. PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMAN MATT SLATER ORDER ON OUR ONLINE STORE AND PICKUP LOCALLY! BEST PRICES IN THE AREA! PICKUP HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! www.american-arms.com [email protected] 1928 Commerce St, Suite C Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 NRA Basic Pistol/Personal Protection UTAH Concealed Firearms Course Private Lessons Permit Assistance Refuse To Be A Victim™ Group and Private Classes Gun Sales & Ammunition Gun Accessories FFL Services & Transfers 914-455-4210 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. Atlas This almost 3 y/o bundle of energy is ready to bring some sunshine into your life. He’s the perfect size for snuggling and can't get enough of chasing balls and hiking. You’ll love his wide, open, smiling face and velvety, slightly floppy ears. The adults in his former family, which included a child and another dog, thought it wasn’t a good fit, but he doesn’t let that get him down. He’s eager to become your affectionate sidekick. 3 y/o, this handsome tuxedo guy was found outdoors, but the vet thinks he’s lived with people, and staff’s experience with Kevin bears that out. He enjoys petting andis calm and quiet. The black smudge on his nose is just darling. kids Kevin THIS AD WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY HALSTON MEDIA. 68 Old Rt. 6, Carmel an be a very hocke that o one NO OPTIONS LAST SHOW TILL SPRING! AT MOHANSIC GRILL Saturday, January 27th- 7:30PM 1500 Baldwin Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY (914) 962-9300 Letters and Op-Ed Policy Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Mahopac News 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 845-208-0774. To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845- 208-8151 or email [email protected].

Halston Media News, with its innovative approach to digital journalism, and Halston Digital Agency, a pioneer in video advertising, have embarked on separate yet complementary missions to transform how local businesses connect with their audiences. A prime example of this synergy is the recent collaboration with Appliance Sales Plus in Somers, an established local business with a rich history in appliance sales and service. Halston Media News: A New Platform for Local Businesses Halston Media News has launched a new website, becoming a digital beacon for local news and business stories. This platform, which features a premium video spot at the top of the page, offers an invaluable opportunity for businesses like Appliance Sales Plus to share their narratives, reaching an audience that values community-centric news. The story of Appliance Sales Plus, from its inception in the 1970s to its present status as a trusted appliance and mattress retailer, while also providing excellent customer service, is a testament to the enduring strength of local businesses. Halston Digital Agency: Streaming TV as the New Advertising Frontier In a separate but equally impactful initiative, Halston Digital Agency has taken the lead in placing local business advertisements on streaming TV platforms. This innovative strategy has placed the commercial of Appliance Sales Plus on high-profile platforms such as Amazon, Samsung, Apple and Roku. Moreover, the agency has succeeded in featuring these ads on renowned TV channels including Fox News, CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1 and AMC among others. This approach not only diversifies the reach of advertising campaigns, but also aligns with the evolving media consumption habits of the public. Appliance Sales Plus: A Symbol of Quality and Trust Appliance Sales Plus, under the leadership of Karl Thimm, his brother-in-law Len Losito and Karl’s wife Janis, has grown from a humble parts supplier to a revered name in the appliance and mattress industry. Their journey, fueled by expertise and customer trust, is a shining example of the impact local businesses have in their communities. From Roots to Success: The Journey of Appliance Sales Plus The business began by addressing the appliance and mattress needs of residents in Northern Westchester County, Dutchess County, and Putnam County. Recognizing the potential in appliance and mattress sales, Thimm, now with the help of his nephew Kevin Losito and Thimm’s daughter Dena Gruppuso, has been able to expand their offerings, thereby establishing Appliance Sales Plus as a household name and a retail leader in the community. Competitive Edge through Strategic Partnerships Their membership in large buying groups such as Intercounty Appliance Corp. and NECO, and their affiliation with Nationwide, positions Appliance Sales Plus uniquely in the market. This alliance ensures competitive pricing, a diverse range of products, and significant cost advantages over larger chain competitors. Why Choose Appliance Sales Plus? • Community Commitment: As a veteran-owned family business, it represents the spirit of local entrepreneurship. • Unbeatable Prices: Leveraging substantial buying power to offer customer-friendly pricing. • Wide Product Range: A diverse selection of appliances from top brands caters to every need. • Knowledgeable Team: Expert staff provide tailored advice and insights. • Focused on Customer Satisfaction: Commitment to exceptional service, including after-sales support and installation. • Serving a Wide Area: Catering to multiple counties in NY and CT, widening their customer base. The collaboration between Halston Media News, Halston Digital Agency and Appliance Sales Plus illustrates the power of combining traditional business values with innovative advertising techniques. This partnership not only elevates the profile of Appliance Sales Plus, but also sets a precedent for how local businesses can effectively engage with modern audiences through diverse media channels. Appliance Sales Plus is located at 3 Lovell St., in Somers. Call them at 914-248-5810 or visit ApplianceSalesPlus.com. Find out more about digital and streaming TV advertising by visiting HalstonMedia.com or call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151. Halston Digital Agency partners with Appliance Sales Plus Revolutionizing local business advertising through streaming TV JANUARY 25 – FEBRUARY 7, 2024 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 31

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