Mahopac News 12.17.20

VOL. 11 NO. 45 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

DiCarlo defends decision to
pause in-person learning

Says there’s not enough sta to
cover all school buildings

BY BOB DUMAS up buildings because there is just not PHOTO: SARAH BUSSINGER
EDITOR enough sta .”
Celebrating Hanukkah
Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo DiCarlo said most who follow the
defended his decision last week to pause pandemic numbers, from health depart- To celebrate Hanukkah, Chabad of Putnam held a community Menorah
in-school instruction for two weeks due ment o cials to school administrators, Lighting along the shores of Lake Gleneida in Carmel on Sunday, Dec. 13.
to a dramatic increase in COVID-19 saw this coming.
cases, saying the situation became un- e event was live streamed to keep the crowd size to a minimum. Here,
tenable when the district began to have “One of the things we knew was this Rabbi Avi Korer lights one of the candles on the menorah. Town Supervisor
trouble sta ng the schools. was going to happen—it was predict- Ken Schmitt was also on hand to light a candle.
ed—this surge,” he said. “We are seeing
In his weekly online show, “Spotlight the numbers go up to the point where is year, Hanukkah took place Dec. 10-18. Known as the Festival of Lights,
on Mahopac Schools,” DiCarlo said it’s unsustainable. I know there’s a lot of Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem dur-
the post- anksgiving surge in positive resentment and anger because you are ing the second century B.C. e event occurred when Jews rose up against
cases (there were 600 new cases county- hearing that the safest place [for kids] Greek-Syrian rulers in the Maccabean Revolt and drove them out of Jerusalem.
wide the rst week in December) left to be is school. Yes, if we could sta our
the school district without enough sta buildings.”
to maintain in-person classes.
DiCarlo explained that once there is
“ e Tuesday before we went out on a positive test, which is followed by con-
anksgiving break until Dec. 7, the tact tracing, “it just takes out a myriad of
number of quarantines and isolations individuals.”
for students was 387 and the number
of sta members is 150,” he said. “ e “We had two elementary schools last
numbers are right there—it’s unsustain- week go [to remote learning] because
able. We can’t sta our buildings. When we just didn’t have enough sta ,” he said.
I talk about sta , that includes teach- “For the most part, this is going to con-
ers, administrators, custodians, moni- tinue after the Christmas holiday. Even
tors, teacher assistants. ere is a whole though we are telling people to stay in
cadre of di erent people who have been small groups, I can’t police everyone.”
a ected. ere have been many situa-
tions recently where we can’t even open Again, DiCarlo expressed frustration
with the o ce of Gov. Andrew Cuomo

SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 4

SellYour Home forTOP DOLLAR BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 35
CLASSIFIEDS 34
with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist LEGAL NOTICES 35
LEISURE 33
FREE MAHOPAC MUSINGS
OBITUARIES 2 TREE LIGHTING
Home Evaluation OPINION
SPORTS 23
Anytime — No Cost or Obligation
10 MFVFD holds annual
Call 845.628.4189 30 holiday event.

MahopacHomeValues.com pg 3

CLASSIC REALTY Michael Trinchitella
LicensedAssociate Real Estate Broker

Visit: MahopacRealEstate.com
or Email: [email protected]

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

The Staff Mahopac Library paper stained-glass star.You can p.m.Christmas in the Colonies is Protestants detested the entire
Events pick up your craft kit (while sup- a virtual talk presented by Velya celebration, and likened it to “pa-
EDITORIAL TEAM plies last) at the Youth Services Janez-Urban and Ehris Urban: gan rituals.” But some colonists
BOB DUMAS
Holiday Story Time desk to join in the fun. is is a e Grounded Goodwife. Join enjoyed an array of festivities
EDITOR: 845-208-0774
[email protected] Monday, Dec. 21 (all day) Holi- pre-recorded story time and can Velya and Ehris as they share such as singing carols, decorating
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628 day Story time for ages 3 and up be viewed on the Mahopac Li- these seasonal activities: a DIY their homes, and hosting feasts.
[email protected]
- “ e Shortest Day: Celebrating brary YouTube channel. (You Apple Cinnamon Sugar Scrub, is event is held on Zoom; reg-
ADVERTISING TEAM
PAUL FORHAN the Winter Solstice” by Wendy do not need to be a YouTube apple peel throwing (to deter- istration with a valid email ad-

(914) 806-3951 Pfe er (virtual). Join us for this subscriber or have an account to mine your spouse), apple see dress is required. Register online
[email protected]
story time class from the com- view this program). For informa- prophecies, a group wassail carol. at www.mahopaclibrary.org, or
BRUCE HELLER
(914) 486-7608 fort of your own home. Watch tion, call 845-628-2009, ext. 139. Christmas in the New England 845-628-2009, ext. 100.
[email protected]
Mahopac Library Youth Services Christmas in the Colonies colonies was, for the most part, Library Holiday Hours
LISA KAIN
(201) 317-1139 sta members read and make a Tuesday, Dec. 22, 6:30 just another day. Puritans and Dec. 24: Mahopac Public Li-
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON brary will close at 1 p.m.
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] t Dec. 25-27: Library will be
PRICES VALID WITH AD ONLY closed in recognition of the
JAY GUSSAK Christmas holiday.
(914) 299-4541 Dec.31: Library will close at 1
[email protected] Me y Christmas & Ha y H liday p.m.
JENNIFER CONNELLY
(917) 446-7757 Reads at Reed
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE Open til 6 pm Christmas Eve and New Years Eve e Reads at Reed Book Club
(914) 924-9122 will meet Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 4
[email protected] p.m. to discuss the book “Hidden
GABRIELLE BILIK Figures” by Margaret Lee Sh-
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER eterly. e meeting will be held
[email protected] via Zoom. Contact email pro-
[email protected] with
PRODUCTION TEAM any questions.
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
MHS Track Hours
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHER TWISTED OPEN TIL 6PM SAM Due to the need to maintain
TEA ADAMS social distance during both the
[email protected] CHRISTMAS EVE school day and after school ath-
CHRISTINA ROSE $15.99ALL VARIETIES letic team practices, the MHS
ART DIRECTOR/ & NEW YEARS EVE 12 Pack track will be open to the public
on weeknights from 8 p.m. to
DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER $16.99 CLOSED 9:30 p.m., mornings from 5:30
[email protected] CHRISTMAS DAY a.m. to 7 a.m. and on weekends.
12 Pack & NEW YEARS DAY
EXECUTIVE TEAM e track will be closed during
BRETT FREEMAN FIZZ & $ all school athletic events.
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MAHOPAC NEWS IS THE THURSDAY Wildlife Sanctuary. ese walk-
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. YUENGLING BUD & BUD & ing trails are right in the heart
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3
Arriving on
one of the MFVFD,
department’s Santa,
pumper trucks, light tree
Santa was in virtual
honored to throw ceremony
the switch for
this year’s tree- A little rain was not going to deter the mem-
lighting. bers of the Mahopac Falls Fire Department from
carrying on a tradition that is held close to the
MFVFD member Stan Zalensky, On Friday, Dec. 4, the department marked the
left, with his grandson. Every year, holiday season in a way that it never saw coming.
Social distancing and masks were evident and
Zalensky designs and, with the practiced by all who entered the grounds but did
help of department elves, sets up not dampen the sense of family enjoyed by the
members of the department.
the Christmas display.
At a little past 7 p.m., Mahopac Falls re base
From left, department President Hans Schweizer, was noti ed that their special guest was aboard
Past Chief Ann Link and Chief Jeff Boyle, welcome one of the pumper trucks and on the way to
everyone to the virtual tree-lighting. headquarters for the annual tree-lighting.

is year would be di erent. e community
was asked to respect the department’s wishes
and enjoy the evening virtually. Cameras were
set up and the arrival of Santa to light the tree
was broadcast live. After answering some ques-
tions sent in by children in the community,
Santa stepped over to the corner wonderland
and began the countdown before throwing the
switch, bringing days of hard work by Stan Za-
lesny and his band of elves (MFVFD re ghters
and EMTs) to life.

The firehouse grounds were decorated in anticipation of the virtual tree-lighting ceremony. PHOTOS COUTESY OF JACK CASEY

Santa sends holiday greetings to all who were watching.

PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Library issues call for SCHOOLS

FROM PAGE 1

entries for new exhibit for repeatedly changing guide- ‘ e numbers are right there—
lines and protocols for dealing it’s unsustainable.

with pandemic issues. We can’t sta our buildings.’

“At Home in America” is mixed media, and collage, as “ e governor originally -Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo
the theme of a new call for well three-dimensional work spoke about zones–orange, yel-

artwork for a virtual show co- in any medium. e work will low and red (based on percent-

ordinated by Mahopac Public be included in a video pro- age of positive cases). e gov-

Library. duced by the Library and will ernor has now said we are going

People are experiencing vir- be available on the Library’s to base it on hospitalizations,” percentage of students we have the cost. Such is not the case this

tual fatigue, fear, uncertainty, YouTube channel, as well as DiCarlo explained. “Here, we to test. We are not there yet.” time around.

widening inequality, and vio- on its website and social media have Putnam Hospital Center, DiCarlo noted that Mahopac “One of the things we have to

lence. It may be a time of in- platforms. but they don’t keep the COVID schools were the rst in the be very cognitive of is the same

tense creativity for some, chal- Artists may submit a maxi- patients. ey are going to Vas- county to pause in-person learn- rules don’t apply now that ap-

lenging for others. “At Home mum of two high-quality digi- sar [Brothers Medical Center in ing, but others eventually did the plied back in March,” he said.

in America” seeks to solicit tal images: 300 dpi, (jpg or ti Poughkeepsie] and to Danbury same. “We have certain workers—our

a response from artists: how format) to mplgallerycommit- [Hospital]. e issue the county “Carmel and Brewster fol- bus drivers, our monitors—

does the word “home” resonate [email protected]. Include your is struggling with is we should lowed suit. ey are going where if we don’t have kids, there

with you? What does it mean name, phone number, title of be in a red zone. We are in a very through the exact same thing,” is nothing for them to do. So, we

to be living in America right each piece, medium, and price precarious situation here in Put- he said. “ ey can’t keep their did kind of a pause with them,

now, and can we nd hope and (or NFS) in the email submis- nam County. We are hoping that schools open because of the a furlough, for those 13 days we

beauty in our home, our town, sion. Deadline is Jan. 10 at 5 by the Jan. 11 date (when Ma- number of sta members who are going to be out. Hopefully,

our country? p.m. e virtual exhibit will air hopac schools are supposed to are quarantined and isolated. we will be back on the 11th.”

Mahopac Library invites from Jan. 20 through Feb. 2. revert to some in-person learn- at is the issue in a nutshell.” Ed Caparna, president of the

artists 18 and up to submit a For more information, call ing via the hybrid model) things DiCarlo spoke of the emo- United School Workers of Ma-

maximum of two artworks in 845-628-2009, ext. 108, or will calm down— [and see if ] tional toll the rollercoaster sched- hopac (USWOM), the union

the following media: painting, email mplgallerycommittee@ we are given a zone classi cation uling is taking on both sta and that represents the bus drivers

photography, prints, book art, gmail.com. or not. at will let us know the students. and monitors, said that part-

“ is start/stop, start/stop, time drivers make up about two-

start/stop is not healthy for the thirds of the driving sta .

kids. It’s emotionally draining for “[ e district has] commit-

the teachers,” he said. “And for ted, however, to maintaining the

our administrative team, these health bene ts of this group dur-

poor people had no anksgiv- ing the pause and deferring the

There’s never been a better ing break. ey are working 24/7 employee portion of the health
on contact tracing. And that’s premium until the employees are

time to plan for your future. another upsetting thing. We were returned to work,” he said. “For
lied to. We were told, don’t worry that we are certainly grateful.”

2020 has been a year of about it, the state is going to take Caparna said a furlough dur-
care of it. at was all nonsense. ing the holiday season is par-

many twists and turns, It is all falling on the school dis- ticularly stressful but hopes it
trict and we just don’t have the will keep people safe and put a

but your Estate Plan is capacity.” limit on any potential layo s in

DiCarlo noted that many kids the future.

one thing you can control. relied on their lunches coming “ en we can all return to
from the school before COVID doing what we do best—safely

Contact us to update your struck. He said the district hopes transporting our community’s
to nd a way to continue serving most important asset, our stu-

Will, Trust, Health Care meals while the pause is in e ect. dents—as soon as possible,” he
“We hope to continue to pro- said.

Proxy & Power of Attorney. vide meals during the pause at the DiCarlo said the district has
high school and possibly Lakev- been forced to make decisions

iew Elementary, so we have both that are di cult and not always

sides of town covered,” he said. popular.

“We will have more information “None of us have been trained

coming up, but we want to make in this. We are all trying our

sure our students have the proper hardest,” he said. “I know these

nutrition and are able to be fed.” situations are not easy. In mak-

ing these decisions, we spend a

BUS DRIVERS, MONITORS lot of time talking about what is

We are open and FURLOUGHED best for all. Some decisions are

Last week, the school board not easy to make but we have

ready to assist you. voted to furlough the part-time to make them based on the in-
bus drivers and monitors for the formation and the data that we

two-week pause, something it have in front us. Mahopac has

didn’t do last spring when the always been resilient, and we will

pandemic rst hit because state continue to be resilient.”

aid was still available to cover

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The advertising deadline for Mahopac News is the Thursday
963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 before the next publication date. Advertisements can be
submitted by you as a camera-ready PDF via email at freeman@
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 13

LETTERS that a virus cannot remove. e egregious is the neglect of the
FROM PAGE 11
innate goodness of humankind Hill/Agor farmhouse. An histor-

triumphs over all. ic preservationist claimed it was

about life and how we take those Elisa Bruno-Midili the best example of Greek revival

lemons and make lemonade now Café Realty architecture in the Hudson Val-

a routine. Adapting was a daily Mount Kisco ley. It no longer is and needs im- DESIGN • BUILD • REMODEL • SINCE 1973

practice, and it was di cult…we mediate restoration.

are always in school! Airport project hurts A large part of the problem is
e lemonade is where we historic sites that there is no Putnam County
historian and there has been no
found the joy. We have never ex- one in that position for over two
perienced anything like this be-

fore, so we had to adapt. Zoom To the editor, years. A county historian is re-

is now a household word and we Your recent article speaks of quired by New York State law.

communicated as often as pos- the completion of the project at Even though this o ce can more

sible without having to drive. We the south end of the Mahopac than pay for itself from tourism,

saved time and money and sac- airport. Individual items are list- the lack of interest by our public

ri ced human contact for safety. ed, including the driveway. is is o cials is disturbing.

Social channels chatter ooded the farm road through the Hill/ Completion of the Mahopac

our day. Our reading and writing Agor historic farm site, which Airport project means that the

skills improved as we re ected has been extensively damaged town of Carmel will expect the

on what was happening. Perhaps during construction. free use of the Putnam County

this was a call for creativity, and Other pieces at the historic site facility, which is not fair to other

you found your inner writer, art- that have also been damaged or towns in the county. e Ma-

ist, gardener, or chef? destroyed include the main barn hopac Sports Association will

is was the year to discover and the tenant house, which were expect the same.

hidden talent, recognize vulner- demolished, archeological site Allan Warnecke

ability and unlock potential. We excavated, stonewalls removed, Former Carmel Town Historian On Your Job Everyday Until Completion — GUARANTEED

have so much to be grateful for and large trees cut. Particularly Former Putnam County Historian

SHOWROOMS
19 Old Doansburg Rd. 101 Greenwood Ave.
Letters and Op-Ed Policy
Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed Brewster, NY Bethel, CT
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 845.278.0070 203.748.9000
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PAGE 14 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

A winning personality

BRUCE DAD: You were up by 13 SON: His dad got lost. Went to be outed. I smell a conspiracy. We only win. And then win some
THE BLOG when I left at halftime. to the wrong eld. MOM: In Pop Warner foot- more. And when we don’t win, it’s
only because somebody cheated
BRUCE SON: Stu happens. DAD: OK. So ...? ball? us out of winning. at’s how
APAR DAD: I don’t want to hear that SON: He’s a monster, Dad. DAD: I wouldn’t put anything winners keep winning. By crying
crap! Really big and really good. foul!
“For when the One Great Scorer MOM: Please! DAD: How big? past those Hollywood types. Dis-
comes DAD: What? SON: I don’t know. Maybe has ney, Fox, Warner. ey’re all the MOM: I’m sure this new boy
MOM: Can’t win ‘em all. Isn’t four or ve inches on the rest of same. ey hate us Patriots. is a legitimate 13. Some kids
To write against your name, that what they say? us. Our guys couldn’t stop him shoot up at that age.
He marks not that you won or DAD: Not what I say. Ever. for nothin’. MOM: I don’t think it’s the
lost Never. DAD: Something stinks here. same, Warner. DAD: Some do, but not this
But how you played the game.” SON: Sorry, Dad. MOM: Stinks? one. I guarantee he’s a fraud.
–Grantland Rice DAD: What the hell hap- DAD: No way is this 6-foot DAD: at’s what they want
(Mom and Dad’s 13-year-old pened, Sport? e Patriots haven’t kid is only 13.Trust me. He could us to think. MOM: Don’t they require
son arrives home after his football lost in, what, three years? be 15 for all we know. some proof of birthdate when
game.) SON: Freddie twisted his ankle MOM: Why do you think MOM: OK. Good to know. you sign up?
DAD: Hey, Star, sorry I had to on a play-action. Left the game. that? DAD: You think it’s just a
leave early. Had to rush home to DAD: Did some jerk trip him? DAD: We lost, didn’t we? e coincidence that this overgrown DAD: It don’t mean squat. His
take care of job stu . SON: I don’t think so. Patriots never lose. Not with my 13-year-old shows up to humili- cutie pie parents probably doc-
SON: It’s OK, Dad. DAD: ose guys play dirty. son behind center. Right, Pal? ate the unbeatable Patriots right tored his birth certi cate. Oldest
DAD: You. Were. Great! As at’s the only way they could SON: Sure, Dad. after I leave? trick in the book.
always. beat us. DAD: at’s why in school MOM: (laughing) What do
SON: anks. SON: My best friend’s on that tomorrow the word “lost” won’t you have to do with it? MOM: You’d have to prove
DAD: So how bad did you team. come out of your mouth, ya hear DAD: ey know I don’t take that.
stick it to those losers? DAD: With friends like that… me? no crap from nobody. ey were
SON: Actually, we lost. How did the dirty losers come SON: Doesn’t matter. Every- afraid to play him while I was DAD: No problem. Just watch
DAD: Excuse me? You’re jok- back so strong? body knows the score. surveilling the area. I would have me have this game nulli ed. Like
ing, right? SON: ey put in this new kid DAD: Wrong! ey think they had him and his old man put in it never happened.
SON: No. ey came back at at QB. do. e score means nothing. cu s before that Kid Kong could
us in the second half. DAD: I didn’t notice any new MOM: What on earth are you say, “Hike!” MOM: Good luck with that.
kid. doing? MOM: Calm down, for good- SON: Can you really do that,
SON: ey said he just moved DAD: I’m protecting the ness’ sake. Cu s! No crime was Dad?
here, like two weeks ago. honor of our family and the hon- committed. You’re going to get DAD: Aren’t I a lawyer? I can
DAD: Where was he the esty of our football program. is an ulcer. do anything. I’ll le a lawsuit and
whole rst half? mystery kid from nowhere needs DAD: I don’t get ulcers. I give ask to have his fraudulent birth
them. certi cate exposed by a fraudulent
MOM: Just let it go. Our son forensics expert. We can a ord
needs to learn losing is part of life. one of the best to testify under
DAD: Not this family’s life. oath in our favor.

SEE APAR PAGE 15

Why It’s More Important Than
Ever to Get Your Flu Shot – Now.

Ask the Doctor While the start of flu season this year comes with a mask, social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene
heightened concerns about a potential double threat of and staying home while you’re sick – are crucial to reducing
Dr. Debra Spicehandler COVID-19 co-infection, Dr. Debra Spicehandler, Co-Chief your risk of a potential double whammy.
Co-Chief of Infectious Disease of Infectious Disease at Northern Westchester Hospital, Why you shouldn’t skip the u vaccine
Northern Westchester Hospital is hopeful for a more favorable reality – especially if you If you’re a fairly young and healthy person, you could get the
get your u vaccine as soon as possible.
For more information u and recover. But if you then become infected with the
about the u, visit the Similarities and key differences between coronavirus, your immune system will be weakened and the
CDC at cdc.gov/ u COVID and the Flu impact of both viruses could be devastating. A u vaccine adds
Both viruses are transmitted by respiratory droplets – when another layer of protection against serious complications
someone sneezes, coughs, or even talks; or if you touch that may result from having both viruses.
an object that someone with the virus has just handle. Is the u vaccine effective?
While COVID-19 is more aggressive, symptoms appear Each year, scientists monitor flu activity worldwide to
to be somewhat similar to the u – fever, cough, sore throat, determine which u strains are likely to cause illness, then
runny or stuffed nose, body aches, headache, fatigue and concoct a vaccine to match. Some years they get it right;
sometimes nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. With COVID, some years, not so right. But even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect
the key points of difference include loss of taste and match, If you do get the u, you get a much milder case.
difficulty breathing. It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to have full protection
against the u. So unless you have a life-threatening allergy to
Don’t self-diagnose! Here’s how you can eggs, or have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, get your u
protect yourself… vaccine now and encourage those you love to do the same.
Because the characteristics of these viruses are similar, I get my u shot every year in September and it carries
it’s important to speak to your doctor about testing. If you me through to May. Play it safe – protect yourself and
mistakenly attribute your symptoms to the u, you could those you love.
risk spreading the coronavirus, which is more easily
transmitted, to those around you. To learn more about what we’re
doing to continue to keep you safe,
Another way to protect yourself: Get your flu vaccine. visit northwell.edu/coronavirus
Getting your flu vaccine, coupled with the behavioral
changes you’ve likely already adopted – including wearing

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 15

Party games

READING, party games usually left one those annual holiday o ce a general grab-bag where you gift out of your arms (hence
WRITING & couple feeling bad while the parties. Does anyone really look have to buy a generic gift under the term grab-bag) and trade it
CHOCOLATE other guests gloated over their forward to those events? You $10 (a scented candle, bath for the dud gift he or she just
victories. see all of your co-workers every soap, lotto tickets). received.
KIM day and then you have to get
KOVACH In our thirties, we were all dressed up to return to the e grab-bag gifts are “Oh, Martha, what a lovely
invited to holiday parties with o ce at night to stand around randomly handed out. en, picture frame!” says Elvira as
As a teen, when we themes: Tree trimming parties, and make small talk. You always depending on the Grinch-factor she swoops across the room
gathered together in a ugly holiday sweater parties, end up talking with the co- of the o ce party organizers, and wrestles the lovely picture
group outside in warmer gingerbread house decorating workers you eat lunch with a sudden call to “Let’s make frame out of your arms and
weather, someone always turned parties, etc. My friend, Ellen, anyway. No one mingles. e this really fun!” turns the festive replaces it with the Old Spice
up a car radio. In the winter, we and I took turns hosting holiday administrative big-wigs stand in generous gift giving mood into Deodorant Gift Set she had
hung out in a friend’s bedroom tea parties for a few years when one clump and the employees a Lord of the Flies scenario. just unwrapped. Isn’t that fun?
or basement and listened to the we lived in Manhattan. Our stand across the room in twos I remember attending one of
latest hits on records or eight friends and co-workers were in- and threes. Known by several names, these holiday soirees as a young
track tapes. vited to climb up to our fourth this twisted version of a holiday teacher and was horri ed by
and fth oor walk-up apart- To make these holiday o ce grab-bag asks each person to the numb expressions on the
I recall one New Year’s Eve, ments on the promise of home- parties even more cringe- sit in a large circle of chairs, other guests faces as each one
when my brother and I invited baked pastries and convivial worthy is the addition of the unwrap your random gift, and was ceremoniously relieved of
our friends, siblings Noel and conversation. We didn’t have grab-bag gifts. It might be a Se- then sit by helplessly as one the presents they had just un-
Alexandra, over to our house. room to play games nor did we cret Santa grab bag where you person after the other decides if wrapped. Happy holidays!
We listened to records, watched need them to have an enjoyable have to buy a gift for someone they prefer the gift you received
a movie on TV and then played afternoon. whose name you pulled out of a over the one they are currently Kim Kovach hopes to never receive
a marathon game of Monopoly hat (oh, no, that curmudgeonly holding in their own laps. en, another scented candle. www.
in our adolescent quest to stay One bene t of the pandemic man who smells like onions!) or without warning, that person kimkovachwrites.com
awake the entire night until this year is the elimination of can swoop down and grab your
Noel and Alexandra left the
next morning. THERE’S A SMARTER WAY
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As twenty-somethings, when THIS WINTER.
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Bruce Apar is a writer, actor,
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at [email protected]; 914-275-
6887.

PAGE 16 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Singing to learn

STRONG During these hard times, I hormones associated with plea- your own songs with your own ngers), 30 (10 ngers). Again,
LEARNING just wanted to share these two sure are released in our brains. lyrics. Use words your child nd your own songs, your own
strategies with other parents. needs to remember for an jingles and use the numbers
DR. LINDA To help with writing, use the upcoming test. instead of the lyrics.
SILBERT Darlene melodies from di erent songs
Dear Darlene, and write new lyrics. Select Besides helping with e good news is that during
Dear Dr. Linda, songs you like. Go online and memory, singing can help COVID, you can go on Zoom,
Years ago, I contacted you at’s great. ank you for look up singing and learning. children learn to read. Sim- and participate in choral singing
letting me know. It’s amazing You’ll be surprised how many ply download lyrics to vari- whether you’re trying to learn
because my son was struggling to watch students’ grades go songs are already out there, ous songs and sing the lyrics a subject in school or you just
in middle school because of a up when they turn the mate- and you’ll be pleased at how together. You’ll be surprised want to calm down, be with
weak memory. Unfortunately, rial they need to learn into a focused students become. Just how your child will improve others and have fun! It’s cheap,
he inherited my memory. You game or a song. When they as playing games engages chil- in reading. Be sure to begin healthy and will always make
recommended that we not do that, they don’t realize that dren of all ages, so does sing- at their level. In other words, you feel good!
only practice and practice and they’re practicing, and the ing. And, as I’ve said before, don’t download songs they
practice, but also play games more they practice, the higher engaged children learn. can’t read—and make sure the Or, just nd a group and
and sing. their grades go. It’s the secret tunes are fun and repetitive. similarly set up a choir to sing
to success for students with ere is no better time than holiday songs together. What
I wanted to thank you be- weak memories. now to start singing with your To help with math, create a great time of the year to sing
cause between practicing, play- child. Together, select your jingles. For example, many together! And the good news
ing games and singing, he’s Research has also shown that favorite holiday songs, put children learn the times tables is that the goal is to have
become a high school honor not only do grades go up when other lyrics to it, and watch using songs. To learn the times fun—you don’t even need to
student. Studying for tests has you practice by singing, but your child sing his or her way table for 3s, using the melody be able to carry a tune.
actually become fun, if that’s anxiety and stress go down— to higher grades. for “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,”
possible. We select a song and which also helps in raising hold your hands in a st in front Dr. Linda
together change the words grades. e bene ts of singing ink about it. How did of you and beginning from your
to include the vocabulary or are enormous. Singing alone we all learn the alphabet so left thumb, raise each nger as Dr. Linda is co-author of
concept he needs to learn from and in groups (including other quickly? We sang the “ABC” you sing, “3 (one nger), 6 (two “Why Bad Grades Happen
a particular subject. members of the family) have song. en we sang “Twinkle, to Good Kids” and director of
proven to improve memory, Twinkle, Little Star.” Both ngers), 9 (three ngers), 12 Strong Learning Tutoring
lower stress and anxiety, and have the same melody, but the (four ngers), 15 ( ve ngers), and SAT/ACT Test Prep.
reduce feelings of depression lyrics are di erent. So, using 18 (six ngers), 21 (seven n- Send your questions to Linda@
and loneliness. When we sing, the same melody, make up gers), 24 (eight ngers), 27 (nine stronglearning.com.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 17

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PAGE 18 MAHOPAC NEWS THURS

MHS senior dedicates home
holiday display to grandfather

Has worked on ‘lights seen from heaven’ since March

Inspired by his grandfather, Louis Costa, a senior at and friends come and help whenever an extra hand

Mahopac High School, has become the creative direc- was needed.

tor of his home’s elaborate Christmas holiday display, “Louis has always been told he is an old soul, and

which is attracting visitors from all over the commu- I truly believe my father-in-law who was the heart

nity. of our home lives through him” said his mom, Nikki.

It all started the Christmas of 2014. e year be- “ e beautiful memorial Christmas house he made for

fore Louis had lost his grandfather. Once the holidays Grandfather with all of his original decorations from

came for 2014, Louis went to the Bronx to his grand- his home, is simply breathtaking and such a treasure”.

father’s house and took every Christmas light from his e Costas have already had some visitors who have

shed and brought them back home. He untangled all posted pictures or videos of their home.

the strands of lights and put them on the front of his “It makes our heart so happy to see everyone enjoy

house. He lit up the house saying that his grandfather it! It is so touching to see everyone in our community

could see the lights from heaven. and even other towns coming to visit and just come

As the years passed, he added more and more lights together to smile!”, said Nikki. “We look out and see

and decorations and became very creative. And every cars lined up and we love waving from our window

time he hangs the lights or nishes one of his designs, each night or going out on the front porch to talk with

he will always look up with a tear in his eye for his everyone”.

grandfather. e display is on daily from 3 p.m. to about 10/11

is year with the pandemic, Louis picked up his p.m. at the home at 92 Fairmont Road. ey have cre-

pencil, got a bunch of wood delivered and used his tal- ated a fence of lights across the front lawn so if folks

ent to create his most unique pieces yet. His dedica- don’t want to just drive by, they can get out and take

tion has grown more than just for his grandfather—he a look. And of course, holiday music will be playing.

wanted to make amazing pieces for all the children to e Costa family asks that everyone wears masks

drive by and see since so much has changed. He felt and social distance from other families. ere is also

since everyone was staying home, they could take a a special mailbox for the kiddos to put a letter to

drive and see a cheerful Christmas display. Santa (please make sure they include their name and

So, since March he has spent hours drawing, cutting address). Also, have the kids look for the Elf on the

wood, building, painting and even eating lunch and Shelf!

dinner in the garage to get it all done. Many times, “Our family wishes everyone a safe and healthy hol-

you could pass his house and hear the Christmas mu- iday season and a blessed New Year,” Nikki Costa said.

sic playing from the garage. He has recruited his par- “Because so much has changed for all of us, cherish

ents, Nikki and Joey Costa, and his 7-year-old brother, each moment and enjoy your blessings.”

Justin, to help out.

Louis enlisted a couple of friends and his cousin to Article provided by the Costa family

help with the painting. He also had some other family

x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 ptPHOTOS COURTESY OF NIKKI COSTA
33..55”” xx 22..55””||MMaaxximimuummFFoonnttSSizizee: :3300ppt t
Louis shows off a work in progress.
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OalnFFsiietnnr-aaaaonnntneccc-giiioaaaillenl ssestt.trrraaaadttteeveggigciiieeeess.s...Schedule a complimentary Rooney Orthodontics Louis Costa and his younge
Onee--oonn--oonnee aaddvviiccee..portfolio review. Children & Adults with some of his Christmas
-oOnneea-odnv-icoen.e advice.maRonopcCuiaaatcles,AeN6dyYv,i1As0oA5r4M1 S1TF8M6®4ioan,35hmaC1TFMTMF18-RFM18T66on4ii66ooRaann433ioopcan5C32hhmmaaP5uihmaaR-Rooa1nna-R6Cto-cnoolpp6cceCC8s2o,pc®uuCiiAaa2aea1,6Nuaaia6tt-cca1laldC4eey8t-ssc,,YlAAe8svee6,7,NNRA66e6ddiN4yy16AsYYPd04yvv7,,oYSvAii7,511AAssr00i®14AoosM0AA55orr1A544rSMM411M®SS1,S®®C,,®,CCRCRRPRPPCPCC®C,®®,,C®CC,RCRRPRPPSSSP®®®S®
-621-8647 845-621-8647 Cl

17 Miller Rd. Licen
Mahopac Each Office Independentl

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Cell:
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58M9M4KKJTT---A55889944JJ--AA

SDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 PAGE 19

The Costa
Christmas
display lights
up the night.

Louis puts the finishing touches on one of his projects.

er brother, Justin, Louis at work in his workshop.
s creations.

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PAGE 20 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

A chip o the old tooth

brush didn’t do it, I had to where far away, where a semi- Realizing this could be “I’m sure it’s harmless,” he
hysterical, 55-year old woman a distraction on my calls, I said. “But if it bothers you,
TRACY assume it was just one of wouldn’t bother him with a tried to think of some way don’t use it.”
chipped tooth emergency. to temporarily overcome the
those things that happens problem. I recalled that when “But I’m going to look really
e good news was that the my kids were younger and had funny on my video calls.”
BECKERMAN when you get into midlife chipped tooth wasn’t caus- braces, they would occasion-
ing me any pain. However, ally use a form of dental wax “Honey, I know it seems
that defy explanation... like the gaping void in my mouth to help with the discomfort. I like a big deal to you,” he said.
made me look like a witch or thought that if I got some of “But I didn’t even notice until
when you throw your back perhaps a pirate, or my Great this dental wax and molded you told me.”
Uncle Hymie from the old it into the shape of a tooth, I
out putting on socks, or country who did not believe could use it to ll the chip. It I looked in the mirror and
in climate change or dentists. was a good idea, in theory, but smiled. I looked like a hockey
sprain your earlobe getting While this look would have the problem was, when I stuck player.
been great for Halloween, it to my tooth, it wouldn’t stay
After making it through out of bed. it was not so great for my put and I kept swallowing it. “Are you sure?” I said.
the challenges of regular, post-Halloween, “Absolutely,” he said, star-
anksgiving, the tri- When you’re a kid and you work-related Zoom calls. It “I don’t know what to do,” ing straight at my mouth. “I
lose a tooth, it’s a cause for was my center front tooth, on I said to my husband. “I keep always tell you the tooth.”
celebration. Everybody cheers the bottom, where everyone swallowing my dental wax.”
could see that I had a chipped Tracy Beckerman is embarking
als of Black Friday, and the and the tooth fairy comes tooth when I talked. And if I “So, just use more,” he on a new adventure as an
didn’t talk, they might sus- replied. empty nester! Now, instead of
marathon of Cyber Week, I and stu s money under your pect something was up when being “Lost in Suburbia,” she
I smiled and they saw my “I don’t know,” I said. “I’ve is “Lost in Midlife.” Life is
chipped a tooth brushing my pillow, and if you’re lucky, and tongue escaping through a swallowed so much wax I just as funny… but with a lot
hole in my teeth. think I might be growing a less laundry. For more midlife
teeth. the missing tooth is in the candle in there. Or a box of humor, you can follow her on
crayons.” Facebook at facebook.com/
I’d have to say that typically front, you can spit milk out the LostinsuburbiaFanPage.

I am not an aggressive tooth hole at your sister. But when

brusher. I have an electric you’re an adult, nobody cheers

toothbrush which does most except the dentist who is going

of the brushing for me and to make some serious dough

it’s generally a pretty amicable xing your chipped tooth.

electric toothbrush (unlike my at is, of course, assuming

Roomba which seems to have your dentist is in town so he

anger management issues. But could x your chipped tooth.

that’s another column). Since But mine was not. Mine was

I didn’t do it and the tooth- on vacation all week, some-

Editorial Submissions
Press releases and photos should be submitted to Mahopac News by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to mahopacnews@
halstonmedia.com or mail it to Mahopac News, Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your
photo returned.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 21

The scouts sign their personal notes of thanks to the troops.

The scouts celebrated
with Santa.

Mahopac Girl Scouts are
United for the Troops

Mahopac Junior Girl Scout Troop 2479, under the auspices of troop leaders Stacy Brigante and PHOTOS COURTESY OF STACY BRIGANTE
Stephanie Zumpano, completed a special Take Action project recently. Each member donated several
items to the local organization United for the Troops. e items will be placed in care packages and The members of Troop 2479 pose with the packages they will be
sent to troops overseas to bring them a little comfort over the holidays. e scouts each wrote a letter donating to United for the Troops.
of thanks to the soldiers. ey celebrated their good deed by eating cookies and visiting Santa!

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PAGE 22 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Christmas tree sales support new beginnings

BY JESSICA JAFET have, they like the energy of the “One of the biggest things is PHOTO: BRIAN MARSHHAUSER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER guys working. ey go out of to learn to care about each other
their way to come support us.” and take something that you The Delancey Street Foundation sells Christmas trees on Route 6 in
e spirit of the holiday sea- know and help teach it to some- Mohegan Lake.
son is one full of gratitude, com- Established in San Fransisco one else,” Hill said. Hence the
passion, and hope. in 1971, and now with ve ad- program’s motto: “Each-one- Purchasing a Christmas tree a visit to the Delancey Street
ditional locations around the teach-one,” which is known as
At the Mohegan Lake tree country, the foundation was the cornerstone of the founda- or other items from the lot Holiday Trees Mohegan Lake,
lot on East Main Street (Route formed around the core belief tion’s rehabilitation philosophy.
6), these values guide those who that, through purposeful work, “Once you are in the door, you’re supports the foundation’s ex- to share in the joy and promise
sell trees, from anksgiving skill-building, and shared living, responsible for the next person
until Christmas, as they raise reform is possible for those who who comes in the door to help penses—from room and board, of a brighter future.
money for the Delancey Street have hit rock bottom. teach them the things you’ve
Foundation—a nationwide or- learned while you’ve been here.” to food, clothing, and programs, “All money that is earned is
ganization that has provided Taking no funding from the
housing, employment, and a government, the self-support- In the organization’s words, with all proceeds going directly going to an organization that is
new chance at life for thousands ing communities are sustained the average resident “has been
of ex-convicts, people with sub- through various businesses ven- a hard-core drug and alcohol to take care of these needs. helping people to turn their lives
stance-use disorders, and home- tures that include holiday tree abuser, has been in prison, is
less individuals. sales, decorated wreaths, Christ- unskilled, functionally illiter- With the holiday season un- around—people who have hit
mas decor, as well as through ate, and has a personal history
According to David Hill, an enterprises like restaurants and of violence and generations of derway, most would agree that rock bottom, but really want to
intake coordinator who is one of cafés, catering and event plan- poverty.” With a minimum stay
about 15 residents at Delancey ning, moving and trucking, of two years, intense time and there is no better gift than to make a change and did not have
Street Foundation’s Brewster landscaping, and o ce jobs, attention is given to address the
site, their sales team has devel- among others. Residents have residents’ challenges—with the help others. Hill encourages a way to do it otherwise.”
oped a strong relationship over opportunities for vocational goal that each person will lead
the years with customers in the training and educational ad- a crime-free,
Yorktown area, who appreciate vancement, in order to earn their
the holiday cheer that pops up high school equivalency degrees drug-free life with decency
in their neighborhood when the and beyond. eir model allows and self-respect.
Christmas trees arrive for sale. people to nd and develop their
own strengths, while being held “A lot of people who come
“People who used to go to our accountable for their actions, here just get caught in the cycle
Mahopac lot are now coming to rather than following a medical of going through rehab after re-
our Mohegan Lake lot because or therapeutic model to change hab or in and out of prison,” Hill
they want to support us,” Hill behavior. said. “We o er an opportunity to
said. “ ey like the products we learn how to change that cycle.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 23

OBITUARIES

Spiros Velezis his brother, James Velezis

Spiros Velezis, 79, of Mid- and his wife Patra of Water-

dlebury, Conn., passed away town; his sisters-in-law, Paula

peacefully at Waterbury Hos- Velezis and Yiannoula Velezis;

pital on Sunday, Dec.13, 2020. his brothers-in-law, Chris,

He was the loving husband for George, Billy, Peter, Nick, and

53 years to Lola (Stefanopou- their wives, as well as many

los) Velezis. nieces and nephews.

Spiros was born in Eptahori, He was a member of Holy

Greece on Nov. 11, 1941 son of Trinity Greek Orthodox

the late John and Athena (Vla- Church, the Eptahorion So-

hos) Velezis. He immigrated ciety, as well as a member of

to the United States with so AHEPA (American Hellenic

little, and ended up creating Educational Progressive Asso-

so much, including multiple ciation.) He enjoyed vacation-

restaurants and businesses. ing in Florida with his family.

Spiros, along with his wife and Due to the COVID-19 PHOTO COURTESY OF AMY SAYEGH

son, owned and operated the restrictions, all services were In recognition of...

Four Brothers Restaurant in private. Brookside Memo-

Mahopac. rial/ e Albini Family Funeral

He is survived by his chil- Home & Crematory, 200 Ben-

dren, Athena Capobianco and son Road, Middlebury was en-

her husband Valerio of Wa- trusted with the arrangements. Anthony Addonzio, owner have a parent dealing with tion to honor his sister’s battle
of A&A Carpet Service in cancer or other major medical with breast cancer and Sayegh
tertown; Elaine Oatmeyer and In lieu of owers, memorial Mahopac, poses with the illnesses throughout Putnam called it a “wonderful story of
plaque he received from County, Northern Westches- a local business giving to a lo-
her husband Daniel of Boca contributions may be made in Community Cares in recog- ter and Southern Dutchess. It cal charity during the down-
nition of the $1,600 donation was founded by County Leg- turn in the economy.”
Raton, Fla; John Velezis and Spiro’s memory to Holy Trin- he made to the charity. islator Amy Sayegh in 2007 as
a way to pay forward the help “Anthony is very commit-
his wife Gabi of Carmel; his ity Greek Orthodox Church, Community Cares is a not- she received while undergo- ted to donating to breast can-
for-pro t organization that ing cancer treatments and cer charities and this the rst
grandchildren that he adored, 937 Chase Parkway, Water- provides help in managing caring for her three children. time he’s donated to Com-
household tasks for families munity Cares,” Sayegh said.
eodora, Daniella and Yianni bury, CT 06708. For more info of school-aged children who Addonzio made the dona-

Oatmeyer, Valerio and Eli- or to send an on-line condo-

ana Capobianco, and Spiros, lence, please visit www.brook-

Silvio and eodore Velezis; sidememorial.com.

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PAGE 24 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Byrne set new record with election results County
student
BY BOB DUMAS “Since rst being elected in 2016, I have PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL internship
EDITOR dedicated myself to being an e ective rep- program
resentative who serves and is unafraid to opens
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne’s victory last lead, take action, and get results for the
month over Democratic challenger Steph- people of this district. We have a strong Putnam students may soon
anie Keegan set a record for most votes re- record with a list of real meaningful ac- apply for paid and unpaid sum-
ceived by a candidate running for the state complishments. is is in large part due mer internships in county gov-
Assembly in the 94th District. to our ability to work collaboratively with ernment through the Putnam
colleagues from across the political spec- Invests in Leaders of Tomorrow
Byrne received a total of 41,675 votes, trum, including Democrats. (PILOT) Program.
according to the New York State Board
of Elections, eclipsing Will Stephens Jr.’s “I sincerely thank all those who voted for Accepted students gain hands-
2004 count of 36,626 in an election where me and endorsed our campaign, including on professional experience in ar-
Stephens was running unopposed in a our amazing rst responders, healthcare eas including but not limited to
presidential election year. workers, labor unions, and small busi-
nesses. To those who decided not to vote nance, engineering, communi-
It is the rst time that a candidate topped for me this past election, I will continue to cations, information technology,
the 40,000-vote mark, according to Byrne. work to serve you and the health, social services, and law;
while contributing to their com-
Byrne won every town and village in Byrne was recognized by organizations munities.
the Assembly district. He garnered 24,207 like the National Federation of Indepen-
votes (62 percent) in Putnam County and dent Business (NFIB), which named him e concept of the PILOT
17,468 (53 percent) in Westchester, for the a 2020 Guardian of Small Business, as Program was rst introduced
41,675-vote total (58 percent). well as GoPAC, an organization that fo- by County Executive MaryEl-
cuses on building a roster of Republican len Odell in 2013, with support
Byrne thanked voters for entrusting leaders ready to run for higher o ce, who of the Putnam County Legisla-
him to serve a third two-year term. “I am listed him as one of their 2020 Emerging ture. Going into its eighth year
honored by the faith the people of Putnam Leaders. in 2020, amidst the coronavirus
and Westchester counties have placed pandemic, the PILOT program
in me,” he said in a prepared statement. continued, and 33 interns were
selected and a orded the op-
SCHNEIDER portunity to work within various
FINANCIAL county departments.
GROUP
Christina Giacomini of Ma-
friendly, hopac, a senior psychology stu-
professional, dent at Mount Saint Mary Col-
sound advice lege, masked up to work in the
Department of Social Services.
for your
business or personal “My PILOT experience made
me realize what my passion was
tax and financial and what I truly wanted to do.”
situation Giacomini said. “I have to say
that the program was very well
845-628-5400 | [email protected] developed, and they did every-
SFGtaxes.com thing they could to make sure
824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 their interns were safe and still
learning throughout this time.”
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 To be eligible, candidates must
be Putnam County residents, or
accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. attend school in the county. High
school juniors and seniors, and
college and graduate students,
with a GPA of at least a 3.0 will
be considered for a placement.

Applicants may submit ap-
plication materials online now
through Jan. 31, 2021. Filing
instructions are posted on the
Putnam County website at www.
putnamcountyny.com/internap-
ply.

For more information, contact
Virginia Redlon of the Putnam
County Personnel Department
at 845-808-1650 ext. 46129, or
email her at virginia.redlon@put-
namcountyny.gov.

Article courtesy of the County
Executive’s O ce

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 25

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PAGE 26 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

A fond farewell to Westchester Broadway eatre

BY BRUCE APAR opened the theater in July 1974. Westchester Broadway Theatre For proper perspective on the FACEBOOK PHOTO
CONTRIBUTING WRITER e rst (and only) performance theater’s applause-worthy longev-
lled rendition of the show’s clas- ity, consider that it came into be- by a couple of Manhattan ad
When I saw “All Shook of “All Shook Up,”the theater’s sic Streisand number,“People.” ing the same year that Watergate agency “Mad Men”of the era—
Up”at Westchester 217th production, would prove to felled President Nixon; that Hank Bill Stutler and Bob Funking—
Broadway eatre be its nale. You might say it was In a post on Facebook, Bedford Aaron broke the Babe’s career seemed simple enough: o er sub-
(WBT) on its opening night last a dubious honor to be there, as resident Matthews—who at one home run record; and that a new urbanites Broadway entertainment
March 12, who among us enjoy- I was, with my Yorktown friend time was in the Broadway company King of horror named Stephen at a fraction of the cost of the real
ing the jukebox musical about the Steve Schaefer, a talented song- of “Fiddler on the Roof ”and “An- appeared on the best-seller lists, thing. row in dinner, free park-
birth of rock ‘n’roll, would have writer and musician. nie”—channeled the passion and with his debut novel,“Carrie.”Oh, ing, and the relaxing convenience
imagined we were destined to be appreciation of the close-knit WBT yeah, and there were gas shortages of a short drive from home.
the last audience to see a show UNSCRIPTED SCORE community of local theater people, and a recession.
(or the succulent prime rib) at It turns out, though, that “All writing,“It is the last bastion of din- Of course, no bold new idea
the venerable venue known for ner theatre in New York State, and MAD MEN goes unpunished when brought
big-city entertainment without Shook Up’s”opening night was one of the last in the country.” e business formula for the before the self-appointed gad ies
big-city prices? not the last performance on the who frequent public forums, so it
WBT stage. Fittingly, there would Before being rebranded as new Elmsford theater, conceived took some doing for the theater
e Great White Way had just be an unscheduled encore. Westchester Broadway eatre in
announced it was going dark for 1991, it was known as An Evening SEE THEATRE PAGE 28
the duration, and the following e fates demanded that there Dinner eatre, opening July 1974.
day Broadway’s Westchester out- be one more performance, putting
post followed suit. WBT suspend- what actors call “a button”on the
ed all subsequent performances proud and eventful history of the
until further notice, hoping to theater.
strike up the band again by now.
At an informal gathering of the
Alas, it was not to be. Now WBT faithful on Nov. 21 quickly
never came. arranged for auld lang syne by the
theater’s longtime public relations
After eight agonizing months director, Pia Haas, stage veteran
of waiting in the wings for a return Chris Jamison Matthews reached
to the stage, the curtain has come back in time to momentarily
down for good. In late October, reprise her role as Fanny Brice in
the 46-year-old dinner theater in “Funny Girl”on that same stage
Elmsford was forced to post its decades earlier. Her poignant
permanent closing notice, a casu- gesture was a tting elegy, as
alty of the COVID calamity. she moistened many an eye and
brought back a ood of memories
Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” with an impromptu, emotion-

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PAGE 28 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

THEATRE approved by the town of Green- According to an unpublished theater’s distinctive thrust stage, the same actors who had been in
burgh, so construction could com- book by Gary Chattman, some surrounded by audience on three the Broadway production.
FROM PAGE 26 mence in the village of Elmsford’s residents with a vivid imagina- sides. Also notable was a turn-
Cross-Westchester Executive tion claimed the clean-cut theater table center stage that magically With 35 years under his belt
entrepreneurs to get their plans Park. concept was a Trojan Horse for levitated far above the audience at WBT, Calleran—who was the
past the negative nabobs and what instead would be undesirable for unfailingly dramatic e ect in ever-present MC appearing on
adult entertainment, also known almost every show. stage pre-curtain and at intermis-
Prepare for as a strip club. sion—has seen it all.
power outages Other recognizable names who
with a Generac During the hearing process, trace their beginnings to the house LIP SYNC OR SWIM
home standby among those who lent their fabled that Bob and Bill built are musical When Robert Cuccioli, who
generator names to the plan were relatives of theater stars John Lloyd Young, a
none other than the two and only Tony winner for his Frankie Valli was starring in Yeston and Kopit’s
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN HOME Rodgers and Hammerstein. role in Jersey Boys, and Robert (not Andrew Lloyd Webber’s)
ASSESSMENT TODAY! Cuccioli, who won several awards “Phantom,”broke his foot, local
e theater’s pedigreed prox- in the title roles of Jekyll and Hyde. actor and Broadway veteran James
877 516 1160 imity to show-business royalty Gerth stood in for him onstage,
came full circle, ironically, when HALL OF FAMERS miming the physical movements,
FREE a descendant of another pair of e proli c producers—in- while Cuccioli (miked in a box
musical giants, George and Ira overlooking the stage) did all
7-Year Extended Warranty* Gershwin, tried to acquire the cluding Von Ann Stutler, wife of the singing as Gerth—with the
A $695 Value! theater. Bill—had an amazing run, earning Phantom’s mask partly obscuring
O er valid March 16, 2020 June 30, 2020 them a place in the Westchester his mouth—lip-synced.
Todd Gershwin, though, was County Business Hall of Fame.
Special Financing Available rebu ed by property owner Robert Calleran calls it one of the “most
Martin Company, which instead ey estimated that their shows fabulous”theatrical experiences
Subject to Credit Approval has ipped the cavernous building have played to some 6 million he’s ever seen.
*Terms & Conditions Apply to a new tenant who will gut it for people in the past half-century.
use as a storage facility. ( ey at en there is the time that an
least could pay homage to WBT’s Clearly, even if it weren’t for elderly gentleman lost his way
legacy by calling it e Best Little COVID running roughshod over back to the audience from the
Warehouse in Westchester.) industries and business owners, lobby, as Act II was beginning of
times have changed for what “Promises, Promises.”
THE PRICE IS RIGHT might be termed throwback
In the 1970s, Broadway prices entertainment. e man took a wrong turn
in the dark that landed him
for top seats were well under $20, “It’s gotten harder today,”Bob backstage. He opened a door, not
about one-tenth of the 2020 cost Funking told Gary Chattman, knowing it was part of the set,
for comparable tickets. Dinner and whose working title for his book prompting the male actor in the
parking not included, of course. is “Only 25 Minutes from Broad- scene to ad lib to his female friend,
way: A Tribute to Westchester “Were you expecting somebody?”
By contrast, in the rst years of Broadway eatre.”“ e audience
the Elmsford dinner theater, you has so many outlets for entertain- e next unscripted line came
could see a musical with Broadway ment because of digital technol- from someone in the audience,
talent, eat dinner, and park for free, ogy.” shouting,“Harry, what are you
all for the tidy ticket price of $12.95 doing up there?”
weekends, $10.95 weekdays. As reported in e New York
Times, the theater’s owners faced IN MEMORIAM
e theater address was local, What’s not funny is that a re-
but the producers’ambitions nancial challenges prior to the
aimed at casting top talent. ey pandemic. gional institution of wide renown
vowed to showcase performers is no more, with the cascading loss
who belonged to professional Steve Calleran, longtime of income to hundreds of people
union Actors Equity Association, Evening Manager at WBT, and a and business owners, who relied
the industry’s gold standard. longtime Yorktown resident until on WBT as a major client and
moving to Dutchess County in opportunity for employment.
Giancarlo Esposito, the bad guy 2019, notes that “some people say
on TV’s “Breaking Bad”and “ e dinner theater has passed its hey- “We will speak about you
Mandalorian,”and Scott Bakula day. In the ’70s, there were more until the day we die,”wrote Chris
of “Quantum Leap”and “NCIS: professional dinner theaters in Jamison Matthews on the theatre’s
New Orleans,”could be seen Florida than in the whole coun- Facebook page. As news spread
early in their careers on the dinner try.”He recalls well WBT’s heyday, of what was unthinkable for those
when some of its shows featured whose lives were entwined with
the theater’s life, social media
Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES served as a necessary grieving
ground for in memoriam salutes
aloneI’m never such as hers.
Life Alert® is always
here for me. Matthews continued,“ ank
you, Bill and Bob, Lisa, Pia, Steve,
One touch of a button and everyone who ever worked
sends help fast, 24/7. there, for giving us a marvelous
place to watch theatre and per-
GwPiSth! form theatre and just be together
to love theater. ank you for
Help at Home Help On-the-Go everything.”

® Westchester Broadway eatre ticket
holders for shows after March 12,
Batteries Never Need Charging. 2020, can exchange them for vouchers
good for events through Dec. 31,
For a FREE brochure call:I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! 2022 at White Plains Performing
Arts Center. Full details: wppac.com/
1-800-404-9776 wbt. Contact: boxo [email protected].

Bruce Apar is a writer, actor,
consultant, and community
volunteer. He can be reached at
[email protected]; 914-275-6887.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 29

Getting a good night’s sleep in PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA MANGANELLI
troubled times
Troop 1139 wins
“Gaining’ an hour in the fall is while chronic insomnia quadruples ve hours of hitting the sack. Bronze Award
much easier for our bodies than the risk of stroke. Numerous stud- If you often wake up groggy,
losing an hour in the spring,” says ies have linked poor-quality sleep have trouble falling asleep or stay- Members of Mahopac Girl Scout Troop
Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, medical to weight gain.Ghrelin,a hormone ing asleep, feel sleepy all day long or 1139 shows o their Bronze Awards. ey
director of the Center for Sleep linked to hunger, increases when snore,you may need a sleep study to received the honor after completing a litter
Medicine at Northern Westches- people sleep poorly. assess the possibility of a sleep dis- clean-up project around Mahopac earlier this
ter Hospital. “For many, sleep has order. An at-home sleep study can month in which they removed eight large bags
become more elusive in these un- Dr. Rudraraju advises people to nd out if you do have a sleep issue, of trash from local roadways. Pictured, back
certain times. practice good sleep hygiene: but an in-hospital sleep study can row from left, are Vittoria Sedita, Hannah
diagnose whether it is caused by an Bischo , Layla Murphy, and Savannah Preik-
“Sleep specialists are seeing an • Do not drink ca einated bev- underlying medical condition. schat. Front row, from left, are Olivia Schoen,
unprecedented number of patients erages after noon and eat dinner at One of the most common dis- Sabrina Servedio, and Katie Kennedy.
su ering from insomnia and other least three to ve hours before bed- orders is sleep apnea, typically
sleep disturbances due to the pan- time to give your gut time to relax characterized by loud snoring and
demic, which presents a unique before you turn o the lights. feelings of constant tiredness. e
set of multiple stressors,” he adds. condition interrupts a person’s
“ ere’s no quick x for the anxiety • Limit alcohol to one drink breathing hundreds of
that’s keeping people awake as they with dinner. times a night, depriving the brain
worry about their jobs, income, the and heart of oxygen.Untreated sleep
health and safety of loved ones, • Eliminate all food and bever- apnea increases the risk of high
social isolation and an uncertain ages with ca eine, including soda blood pressure, heart attack, stroke,
future. ere is actually a hormonal and chocolate, before bedtime. obesity, diabetes, and mental illness.
basis for this kind of insomnia. It also puts people at increased risk
Anxiety triggers the production of • Bedrooms are for sleeping and of heart failure, arrhythmias or ir-
stimulating chemicals in the body intimacy.If possible,do not work in regular heartbeats, and increases the
that keep people awake.” your bedroom. risk of driving accidents.
For more information or to make
To get the most out of sleep, • Turn o devices, including the an appointment for a sleep cen-
Dr. Rudraraju says that both the computer, television and phone an ter study, visit nwh.northwell.edu/
quality and quantity are important. hour before bedtime because the sleep-center or call 914-666-1114.
Most adults need seven to eight bright light from the screen and
hours of sleep to feel refreshed and the brain activity these devices re- Article courtesy of Northern
alert. Sleeping less than ve hours quire prevent the body from wind- Westchester Hospital
a night can raise the risk of car- ing down for the evening and may
diovascular disease by 40 percent, delay sleep. Instead, relax by read-
ing or listening to quiet music.

• Regular workouts have been
linked to better sleep but avoid any
strenuous activity within four to

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PAGE 30 MAHOPAC NEWS Sports THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Lower risk winter teams keep hope

Higher risk sports placed on ‘inde nite hold’

BY SKIP PEARLMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

e New York State Public

High School Athletic Associa-

tion’s announcement late last week

regarding the cancelation of win-

ter state championships, and that

high-risk winter sports would be

put on inde nite hold, came as no

surprise to area coaches, athletes,

or administrators.

With COVID-19 numbers on

the rise throughout the region, the

possibility of seeing sports like ice

hockey, basketball, cheerleading

or wrestling—all considered “high

risk” by the state’s Department of

Health—seemed remote.

Sports considered “moderate”

or “lower risk”—including gym-

nastics, indoor track and eld,

swimming, bowling, and skiing—

are still hoping to begin their win-

ter seasons on January 4.

Mahopac wrestling coach Steve

Tornambe, his seniors, and the rest

of the squad understand the situ- FILE PHOTO/SKIP PEARLMAN

ation. Two-time All-State junior Angelo Centrone and the Indians know a wrestling season is unlikely.

“Of course we hold out hope,”

Tornambe said. “But realistically for the pandemic. Right now, the for the winter season, but we lower risk teams will be able to health, losing that would be hard.”

we understand the chances are kids are doing strength and con- can’t move forward until the compete in those sports that begin Luciana said the recently com-

slim to none. Wrestling is probably ditioning, working in home gyms. governor gives approval,” Luci- Jan. 4—if they get the green light. pleted fall season was a rousing

the most high-risk sport; no social We’ll stay ready.” ana said. “With the lower risk sports it’s success.

distancing. e kids are de nitely Steve Luciana, Mahopac’s ath- Luciana said it was unlikely all changing day by day,” he said. “ e fall couldn’t have gone

upset, but they understand.” letic director, said the hope is that the high-risk winter sports “ ere’s still a chance the gov- any better,” he said. “I was so im-

Youth sports and private club some of the winter season can be would be pushed to March— ernor could decide to cancel all pressed with the coaches, parents,

teams are still functioning in dif- salvaged. already dubbed the “Fall II” sports. student athletes… You could see

ferent capacities. “I know all the coaches are season, and to include football, “I feel awful for the athletes,” the joy it brought to them. Do-

“Some are doing club wrestling, frustrated, and so are the student volleyball and cheer—because of he added “Being in limbo makes ing what they love, I was so happy

and there are private clubs out athletes—at not knowing what’s player con icts. it worse. ere are so many ques- with the fall. e kids needed it,

there still competing,” Tornambe going on,” Luciana said. “We just “Moving them to March is pos- tions. Hopefully they can make and the parents needed it. And

said. have to prepare as if there will be sible, but I don’t see how,” he said. a decision soon so we can make our trainer, Brenna Lape, was re-

“It’s de nitely disappointing, a season, unless we are told oth- “Some of them play both sports. a plan and save a season. All of ally terri c and made it happen.

even for me as a coach,” he added. erwise.” We’re in a tough spot right now, I our student athletes have been She’s just the best.”

“Every winter since I was 7, I’ve In the lower-risk category, think anything is a possibility. It’s great from the beginning of this Some outside-the-box ideas

been involved with wrestling. It’s Mahopac does not have a swim almost like last March, being back thing. ey have stayed ready to discussed for winter sports have

the same for them, I know the team, but does have gymnastics, at the unknown. at’s the worst go, but they keep getting things included the possibility of outdoor

dedication and the time they put indoor track and eld, bowling part. But we’ll look at every pos- pulled out from under them. And (indoor) track and eld (weather

in. But the process is more impor- and a ski team. e school is sibility to keep sports.” it would be awful if we lose win- permitting) rather than large

tant than the product. Everything hoping those teams get to com- Luciana said that even with ter sports. e kids need an outlet, meets at the Armory in NYC, as

prepares us for the competition. pete. Mahopac in full remote mode un- extracurricular activities, sports. well as possible virtual meets for

Wrestlers are pretty much trained “We’re still holding out hope til mid-January, athletes on those ose are all great for their mental sports like swimming.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 31

Wierl to coach new girls’ varsity hockey team

Previously led John Jay lacrosse to two section titles

BY GERARD GAROFOLO special group of kids and just an the same time as leading such a
CONTRIBUTING WRITER absolutely awesome experience.
To be part of three years and two talented and gifted group of girls
In Section 1, girls have been teams that not only won the sec-
competing with the boys in var- tion but went onto a Final Four at the high school was, as any
sity ice hockey for decades, but appearance and in 2019 a state
now the girls are being given the good varsity coach knows, it’s a
chance to form their own team. nal, it was a part of my career I
will certainly never forget. And full-time job. So, it was time to
e regional governing body those kids are near and dear to
has created four merged varsity my heart. hand over the reins and I’m sure
teams in the Hudson Valley, each
representing a di erent county: It was during that time that we the new coaching sta was just
Westchester, Putnam, Rockland were making those state runs that
and Dutchess. I was working very closely with ready to continue the foundation
a group of athletic directors and
Coaching the new all-girls parents here in Section 1 to bring that we built.
squad from Westchester will be girls’ ice hockey to the status of
Stacey Wierl, former John Jay varsity within the section. In Regarding the other athletic
girls’ lacrosse coach. working closely over those really
three years, we were able to raise directors that you talked to,
After leading the John Jay enough money to provide a club
women’s lacrosse team to back experience for our players from where do you think you will
to back Section 1 champion- di erent high schools that chose
ships and state Final Four ap- to participate. And through our draw players from, and will
pearances, you decided to take two years of club, then we were
on a new challenge by starting a approved in February 2019 to be- you have a home rink like the
multi-school Section 1 women’s come varsity status.
ice hockey team. Can you tell us Brewster Ice Arena?
a little bit about what motivated And so that was really exciting,
you to take on this challenge? and that’s when I really needed Working cooperatively with
to make a decision. Taking on a
What an incredible experi- coaching role for women’s varsity the athletic directors here and
ence and opportunity it was to ice hockey here in Section 1 and
be part of the women’s lacrosse trying to develop that program at throughout all of Section 1,
program at John Jay. Incredibly
we’ve been able to draw 21 high

schools for this upcoming season

to participate, and that number FILE PHOTO/ROB DIANTONIO

SEE HOCKEY PAGE 32 Coach Stacey Wierl is moving on to girls’ ice hockey after a successful
run in lacrosse.

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PAGE 32 MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

HOCKEY At the 2019 NHL All-Star game, a tremendous amount of body contact. I take that same philosophy into coach

FROM PAGE 31 US Olympic gold medalist Kendall My daughters both play, and you know, girls’ ice hockey; that we will develop an

Coyne dazzled the crowd with her you watch a game and we may not be environment and a culture that is about

honestly keeps growing by the week. electrifying speed. Is speed a big part in a full-on body check shoulder to success, about supporting one another,

We’ve gotten a tremendous amount of of the women’s ice hockey game? Or is shoulder, but when we talk about mak- and certainly that concept of never let-

support from the families and we’re just there another facet that could be more ing body contact, we put body contact ting down.

very lucky to have these rinks that are important? to the hands in order to gain possession In closing, what would you say to a

willing to take us on. And we know that Speed is part of the men’s and women’s of the puck. Instead of just putting on parent that was considering ice hockey

di erent rinks, including Mamaroneck game now. e skating and the tness the big hits, we’re actually really focused for their daughter?

and even Scarsdale High School, will level of the players have become such on angling, making some body contact Don’t fear 5 a.m. ice slots, actually. Buy

become a host school for us, and we’ll be strong components to the game, that it’s to actually gain possession of the puck. a warm coat and don’t fear the 5 a.m. ice

able to utilize their ice that they have at really made it a lot of fun to watch. So, And so that’s the uniqueness, I think, of slot, because that 5 a.m. is actually some

Murray’s Ice Rink. So, we’ll be drawing in the women’s game as well as the men’s the girls’ game, for sure. of my fondest memories with my kids.

from lots of di erent resources to make game, you don’t see those big hits any- As I mentioned earlier, you were Hockey can be overwhelming. Hockey

sure our girls have places to skate. more. e game’s just become too fast. I super successful in coaching the John can be fearful. It can be 5 a.m. ice slots,

With the COVID-19 pandemic think that the women have followed suit. Jay women’s varsity lacrosse team. the rink’s cold, it’s expensive, but there

looming, the sport of ice hockey is Just recently, in a conversation with What are the similarities, if any, be- are ways around all of that.

currently listed as a Level 3 contact a student of mine, where I’m the coor- tween women’s lacrosse and women’s And so, I would encourage families

sport and the season may not occur. dinator of elementary health and physi- ice hockey? to reach out to other hockey families

What can you tell us about having a cal education down in Scardsdale, I was I think success really breeds from cul- to borrow equipment and gure out

season at this point? talking to a student and asked who their ture. When you develop a culture and an ways. We’re so fortunate right now that

We say our prayers and keep our n- favorite player was, and he said Kendall environment for your student-athletes the New York Rangers are hosting all

gers crossed daily to hopefully keep Coyne. We can see what she has done in to be successful in whatever sport you around, still safely with COVID, with

everybody safe and continue to be able that moment to electrify the fanbase for coach, whether it’s tennis, bowling, foot- limited numbers of girls on the ice with

to get healthier and to have the sports women’s hockey. ball, hockey, lacrosse, that culture and masks, they’re still getting our girls out

that we love. We’re hopeful, just like the So, yeah, speed is a major component environment that you establish is abso- there very inexpensively, and it’s a great

boys’ varsity program, right now listed and you can see it in both the men’s lutely critical to your team’s success. So, introduction to the sport with the New

throughout the state as Jan. 4 as a start. and the women’s game. But also nesse I think what our success was, certainly York Rangers. And certainly, Brewster

So, we’re hopeful that we’ll make it there and hockey IQ. I think in the women’s when you think back to those incredible Ice Arena right here in our area, they’re

and we’ll be able to get the girls on the game, we see the di erent moves and moments that we had, we just developed o ering clinics to get girls out there, too.

ice, in whatever form it looks like. If it’s the way that they think about moving a team that never let down, and that was So, reach out to me or anyone in the

practices, if it’s intrasquad scrimmages, the puck so quickly in the o ensive zone always our team motto, that we would hockey community. e hockey commu-

whatever we can do to allow these girls and through the neutral zone, it’s really not let down. at if mistakes were to nity is very tight knit, so reach out and

to continue to do what they l0ve. We’re a key component. We don’t have full- occur, if frustration were to set in, we we can help guide you. If certainly your

keeping our ngers crossed and we hope body checking, but when you watch the would work diligently to ensure that daughter’s interested, we’d love to con-

to get there. women’s game closely, there’s certainly we didn’t let down as a team. And so, tinue to grow the game.

To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].

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Help bring the All toys and
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 33

CLUES ACROSS 30. A type of gin sp.) 11. Eurasian ryegrass
1. Popular pickup truck 31. Temptress 58. Worker 12. Perform on stage
4. Profoundly wise men 33. Shuts in an enclosed 59. Chemical compound 13. Greek island
9. Camera company space 60. Disgraced newsman 19. 10th month of the year
14. Folk singer DiFranco 37. Milligram 64. Born of (abbr.)
15. Passerine birds 38. Actress Adams 65. Chemical substance 21. One point east of
16. Plum-shaped fruit used 39. Strive to equal or match 66. Supernatural powers southeast
for preserves 41. Health insurance 67. Clothes 24. Belgian city
17. Popular kids channel 42. A detective’s source 68. Indy footballers 25. Praise excessively
18. Dodgers’ skipper 43. Small American rails 69. Moves forward 26. River in France
20. Removes 44. Alfred __, Brit. poet 70. Midway between south 27. Edible lily bulbs
22. The Atlantic is one 46. Crest of a hill and southeast 31. Quarterbacks take them
23. Badgerlike mammal 49. Atomic #52 CLUES DOWN 32. Organic compound
24. Foulness 50. __ Caesar, comedian 1. Driver 34. Tears down (Brit.)
28. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 51. Breaks apart 2. Bone cavities 35. Beloved Hollywood
29. Commercial 55. Register formally (Brit. alien
3. Menacing 36. Unconscious
4. Where coaches 40. Missouri For puzzle solutions, please see
patrol 41. Firemen use them theparamountrehab.com
5. Greek mythological 45. Pig noise
figure 47. Greatly dismay
6. War-based board 48. Imitator
game 52. Moves by turning over
7. Midway between 53. Boxing’s GOAT
northeast and east 54. Swarms with
8. 18-year period in 56. Margarines
astronomy 57. Feudal superior
9. Mid-century term 59. As fast as can be done
used to describe 60. Reciprocal of a sine
Japanese-Americans 61. Chinese city
10. Large bodies of 62. Tell on
water 63. United

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 35

To gift or not to gift? Tis the question for the season

With the holidays fast dollars for federal estate and GUEST the trustee(s) the authority to outright gift may not be appro-
approaching, many gift taxes (available through CORNER continue the trust beyond the priate. In most other instances
parents and grand- Dec.31, 2025). If the donor is set termination date if doing the use of a trust to hold the
parents will be deciding wheth- married, their spouse can join ANTHONY J. so is in the best interest of the gift is a much wiser option.
er to make signi cant monetary in on the gift and then reduce ENEA bene ciary. e assets in the Even the three wise men would
and/or property gifts to their the taxable amount of the gift trust will also not be subject to have approved of it!
children, grandchildren, and to $70,000, and only $35,000 trust to or for the bene t of the equitable distribution claims in
other loved ones. Some issues would be subtracted from the trust bene ciary as delineated New York in the event the ben- Anthony J. Enea is a member of
often raised in connection with lifetime credit of each donor. It in the trust. e trust can also e ciary gets divorced. Further- Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano,
the decision to gift are whether should be noted that New York specify the age or the condition more, if the bene ciary develops LLP of White Plains. He is the
doing so will result in any taxes does not have a gift tax. that is a prerequisite for the any disabilities during the term past chair of Elder Law and
being paid by the person mak- trust bene ciary receiving the of the trust and the bene ciary Special Needs Section of the
ing the gift (the “donor”) and/or e existence of an $11.58 assets from the trust outright needs any federal and/or state New York State Bar Association
the person receiving it (the “do- million-dollar Federal estate and the trust can also have more aid, a properly drafted trust will (NYSBA). He is the chair-elect
nee”). Another issue that needs and gift tax exemption which than one bene ciary. allow the bene ciary(ies) share of the Senior Lawyer Section of
to be considered is whether the expires on Dec. 31, 2025 unless to be continued as a special the NYSBA. Mr. Enea is the past
gift should be made outright or made permanent by law, creates e assets transferred needs trust for the bene ciary, president and founding member
to a trust for the bene t of the a great opportunity for individ- to a trust will also be pro- which will not impact his or her of the New York Chapter of the
donee. uals to remove highly appreci- tected against any claims the eligibility for any federal and/or National Academy of Elder Law
ating assets from their taxable bene ciary(ies) creditors have state programs. Attorneys (NAELA). He is the
is year the decision is a estate. It is also a way of reduc- against them until the time the president of the Westchester Bar
bit more complicated by the ing the assets one owns which trust makes a distribution to In conclusion, unless one is Foundation and past president
presidential election and the is- may be subjected to one’s long- them. Additionally, one can give making a relatively small gift to of the Westchester County Bar
sue of whether a new president term care costs and future estate a donee and there are no con- Association. Mr. Enea can be
and Congress will reduce the taxes. Because the above stated cerns as to the donee squander- reached at 914-948-1500.
existing federal estate and gift exemption expires/sunsets as ing or wasting said money, an
tax exemption. As to the rst above stated and because there
question regarding taxation of is pending legislation to reduce +H[L! f fffffffffffffffffffffffffff f f f f ff ff f f f f ff f f f f ff:'> 3'6
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 36

Discover the Houlihan Lawrence
Difference.

CONSULT WITH THE BREWSTER OFFICE EXPERTS TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS.

8 Hollywood Place
Granite Springs

Granite Springs Home
This home is conveniently located in Somers
between the Scenic Stonewall Farms and the long
standing family owned Stuarts Farm on Granite
Springs Road. Scenic views and a level piece of
property for your enjoyment.

WEB# SN2789712 | $799,000

4 2.1 3,000 1.83

BEDROOMS B AT H R O O M S SQUARE FEET ACRES

338 Hardscrabble Road 4050 Route 52 ACRES 74 Union Valley Road

BEDS • BATHS • , SQ.FT • ACRES BEDS • . BATHS • , SQ.FT • . BEDS • . BATHS • , SQ.FT • . ACRE

North Salem | WEB# SN2779802 | $1,495,000 Holmes | WEB# SN2790502 | $840,000 Mahopac | WEB# SN2791962 | $634,000

597 Heritage Hills Unit#C 17 Overlook Road 2404 Kings Way ACRE

BEDS • BATHS • , SQ.FT BEDS • BATHS • , SQ.FT • . ACRE BEDS • . BATHS • , SQ.FT • .

Somers | WEB# SN2784862 | $539,000 Monroe | WEB# SN2796182 | $450,000 Carmel | WEB# SN2797922 | $325,000

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