The Somers Record 02.23.2023

VOL. 11 NO. 46 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS 30 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 HEALTH & WELLNESS 25 LEGAL NOTICES 30 LEISURE 24 OBITUARIES 9 OPINION 10 SPORTS 18 Tuskers Playo Action pg 18 BASKETBALL Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news.  e paint on each of the squares of paper is faded, but the signi cance of the mural outside the art room at Somers Middle School is very clear. “I think those might be the twin towers,” says art teacher Gary Wanderlingh, as he points to two, tall, gray rectangles in the upper right corner. “And that, obviously, is the Statue of Liberty and a Revolutionary War soldier.”  e mural was created by middle school students in the mid-1970s to commemorate the country’s 1776 bicentennial and has been on the wall near the art room since Wanderlingh himself was a student at Somers Middle School.  e piece is made up of 56 small, numbered squares of paper that, together, portray major landmarks and moments of U.S. history. “I took art from the teacher who was here when the mural was created,” says Wanderlingh, “I also remember very clearly the giant, wooden ‘1976’ that was on top of the main building during the bicentennial.”  e mural has been covered with plexiglass, so it has survived these many decades, but barely. Wanderlingh wants to restore the piece of SMS history with the help of students, and, he hopes, anyone who might have participated in its creation.  “It is a great tie-in to the community involvement aspect of our Middle Years Programme,” says Wanderlingh. “I would love to know more about this piece work - who worked on it, whether it was made by an art class or an art club, etc.  e students would be thrilled to work with a member of our community in restoring the mural.” If you know anything about the mural’s origins, or helped paint it in the 1970s, the Somers Middle School Art Department would like to hear from you. Please send an email to  pictures@somersschools.org with any information. Article provided by Somers Central School District.  A mural mystery at SMS Art teacher Gary Wanderlingh with the mural created to commemorate the 1776 bicentennial. BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Could a small multi-family housing project in the Somers hamlet of Lincolndale end up helping everything around it? Its prospective developer seems to think so. Dan Bsharat and his attorney, Linda Whitehead, presented  Lincolndale LLC’s concept for 10 rental apartments at a recent Town Board meeting.  e project’s one- and two-bedroom units would be split up into two townhouse-like buildings and situated on a 1.19-acre lot directly behind  Village Plaza, a small shopping center that sits at the intersection of Lovell and Mill streets. Bsharat  owns both properties.  e center is located in an NS, or Neighborhood Shopping, district but the undeveloped land is zoned R-40, which permits Developer proposes Lincolndale housing project SEE HOUSING PAGE 6 124 1 (c)845.803.1241 debbiedemelis.com From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET. You Deserve the Best! ASSOCIATE BROKER The #1 Coldwell Banker Agent in Somers for 2022! LET ME PUT MY EXPERTISE TO WORK FOR YOU! From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET. The #1 Coldwell Banker Agent in Somers LET ME PUT MY EXPERTISE TO WORK FOR YOU!

PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 The Sta EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing o ices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com 0 DOWN 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE! WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP? Heat pumps will help you find the perfect balance of comfort and savings all year round, while reducing your carbon footprint. These all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems optimize the temperature throughout your home to use less energy, and can save you up to 30% on your cooling and heating costs. $ 1,000 IN REBATES Heat Pump Hot Water Heater Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 UP TO Spring into Savings with BELL! EXP 4/30/23 Coupon must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 115 INSTANT REBATE Duct Cleaning $ 174 PLUS TAX Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 Preventative Maintenance Visit Starting at Only In the Varsity Roundup of the Feb.16 issue, it was incorrectly listed that Somers girls basketball was defeated by Brewster on Feb. 8.  e correct score should have read Somers 48, Brewster 28. We apologize for the error. CORRECTION In the Feb. 16 article “Hang Up and Drive,” it should be clari ed that the distracted driver program was presented by the SHS PTSA. We apologize for any confusion. CLARIFICATION John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School 41ST ANNUAL FUNDRAISING AUCTION Saturday, March 18, at 6 p.m.  e Shamrock Social will include both live and silent auctions, ra es, music, and food, wrapped up into an evening fun and fellowship!  is year’s auction will also include a Pot O’ Gold Ra e, a new addition to the event this year with a grand prize of $5,000. All proceeds from the auction and ra e will bene t the school and the building of Kennedy Catholic’s stateof-the-art  tness center,  e Sister Janet Meehan Student Fitness Center, scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2024.  e auction committee is still in need of appealing auction items. Any individuals are businesses looking to donate an item can call 914-232-5061, ext. 110. To learn more, purchase tickets to the event, purchase ra e tickets and bid on prizes, visit KennedyCatholic.org/Auction. The Somers Library Please register using the online calendar at www.somerslibrary.org to have access to online meetings. If virtual, you will receive an invitation prior to the start of the program. Programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through patrons’ generous contributions. (VIRTUAL) CLASSIC BOOK GROUP DISCUSSES GEORGE ELIOT’S “MIDDLEMARCH” Monday, Feb. 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Set in Middlemarch, a  ctional English Midland town, the story follows distinct, intersecting stories with many characters. Issues include the status of women, the nature of marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, political reform, and education... all issues of concern to modern life. Group meets on Monday nights, bimonthly. Meetings are via Zoom with plans to move to in-person/Zoom as desired by the group. Meetings are open to all interested Somers residents. Copies of the current title to be discussed are available at the circulation desk. (IN PERSON) LEARN TO PLAY MAHJONG Tuesdays, from March 7 through April 11, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. MahJong is the Chinese game of skill and luck! Have fun, learn the basics, and keep your mind nimble! Learn how to assemble tiles into speci c patterns and formulate your hand by picking and discarding tiles. Beginners and amateurs improve their ELEPHANT’S TRUNK SEE TRUNK PAGE 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Somers High School’s Allie Puerto knows how to make her voice heard. Gravitating to music at a young age, she has been performing in musical theater since third grade, including performances at Yorktown Stage. Allie’s resume also includes participating in the SHS choir, chamber choir, Drama Club, and Tri-M Music Honor Society, as well as performing with her band,  e Independence. As Allie prepares for her role in the upcoming SHS production of “ e Wedding Singer,” she took the time to elaborate on her musical style, plans for the future, and advice for younger singers looking to follow in her footsteps. When did you begin singing?  I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved singing and decided to pick up playing instruments in middle school. I started with the ukulele, the guitar, and the piano. I’ve been doing musical theater since the third grade when I performed in my local high school’s musical. I started the band I am a part of,  e Independence, in 2019. With the band, I could communicate with other musicians, some my age and others well-experienced in the music industry.  e Independence was my  rst opportunity to make stylistic choices to cater to me and my voice. Do you have a favorite type of music to perform?  I love singing jazz music because of the amount of freedom I have. When singing jazz tunes, I can use stylistic techniques in my voice to make the song my own. SHS senior belts it out PERFORMING ARTS SPOTLIGHT My favorite songs to sing with my band include “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin, “Unchain My Heart” by Ray Charles, and “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown. My favorite song to play on the piano is “Vienna” by Billy Joel and “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton on the guitar. I also love listening to Broadway/show tunes and analyzing the harmonies and dynamics. I am especially fascinated by “jukebox” musicals, where music from a given artist or band is arranged to be a show tune. My favorite musicals include Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and Spelling Bee. When you think of yourself as a musician, do you think of yourself as both an instrument player and a vocalist? I consider myself more of a vocalist. I am familiar with many instruments and know how to form chords, but I was never taught how to play “professionally.” I have been taking voice lessons for about eight years, practicing my vocal skills for auditions and performances. I am more comfortable singing than playing in front of people; therefore, I consider myself a vocalist over an instrument player. I don’t prefer one title over the other, but I sing more than I play. How much time do you devote to practicing? How do you balance that time with studying and other endeavors? I am constantly singing. Whether in the car, in class, or doing homework, I always sing. During choir, chamber choir, and when the Spring musical comes around (see the Wedding Singer on March 24 - 26!), I practice singing and vocal skills every day. Singing in school allows me to sing with other people, learn harmonies, and collaborate with other musicians. I practice music skills and theory in my IB Music class, where I must explore di erent types of music and their unique musical characteristics. I am investigating whether George Gershwin is considered a classical or jazz composer for my project. I am currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Program at SHS and will hopefully receive my IB Diploma this June. Being a senior in high school, I have an immense amount of homework and nightly studying. While working, I listen to di erent types of music to diversify my musical taste and explore certain styles. Have you been involved in any performances outside of school that you are particularly proud of? I am very proud of my achievements with my band and my previous theater experiences. I am grateful for Yorktown Stage, as it allowed me to explore musical theater and work with professionals at a young age. I am very proud of my past recording studio experiences, including Black Sheep Studios and Riverworks Recording.  e band I am a part of has given me many excellent opportunities, including singing all over the county, recording covers professionally, and working with experienced musicians. Are you involved in any other activities at SHS? I am the Co-President of the Drama Club and Musical Company at SHS, as well as the senior representative of SHS’s Culture Club. I am also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. What are your plans after high school? Do they include performing arts? After SHS, I plan to major in Communication Sciences & Disorders at a liberal institution. I am fascinated with how the mouth and throat work together. Because I have been taking voice lessons for so long, I already have a little knowledge of manipulating my voice to sound a certain way. I chose a career where I could learn more about sound and the science behind it. I plan to minor in Music, learning further about music theory, culture, and business. I plan to join an on-campus cappella group and perform at open mics around campus. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years? Do you plan to continue with your music? In 10 years, I hope to graduate, working in a school or a private practice as a speechlanguage pathologist helping children. I would love to teach voice lessons to children eager to learn more about their voice and how to sustain a speci c sound. I plan to continue my music by performing in local theater and continuing to sing at open mics. How has being a musician shaped your high school experience?  Being a musician has shaped my high school experience in many ways. First, I am grateful for my musical company and drama club family. Finding my people made me feel comfortable and happy during my high school career. I love the people I spend my time with, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Secondly, being a musician has helped me unlock my true passions, learning about music and teaching other people about music. I was given many opportunities because of my musicianship at school, including singing the National Anthem at Friday night football games, recording music for future school events, and working with other sides of the music industry. Over my four years in high school, I have learned much more about sound and light production and the necessary leadership skills that have shaped me into the student I am today. What is your favorite performance memory?  Singing the national anthem at the White Plains Court House. Having the opportunity to sing in front of signi cant political  gures in my community was a huge step into the right musical direction. Any and all music experiences that allow me to network with other musicians are meaningful and signi cant. As a senior at SHS, what advice would you give to younger students who want to be involved in the performing arts? My advice would be to go for it! Each performing arts teacher at the high school is well experienced and an excellent musician who in uences their students daily. SCSD is very lucky to have experienced musicians teaching its students. Please take advantage of the musical resources around you because you may not always have them. I also recommend doing the school musical, as you create tight bonds that will live throughout high school and beyond. I am so blessed to have a wonderful stage family, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 Allie Puerto’s vocal talents have seen her perform throughout the community. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLIE PUERTO HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Donate: CommunityCenterNW.org Give to the Food Pantry at the Community Center

PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Local elected o cials and law enforcement agents say that proposed cuts to veteran programs in the 2023-24 state budget would do irreparable harm to vets and, in some cases, could have chilling repercussions. State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R) was joined by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Putnam County Legislator Erin Crowley, and leaders from law enforcement and veterans’ organizations, to decry proposed cuts to veterans’ programs in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget. In a press conference at the Mahopac VFW on Friday, Slater called the cuts from the state’s $227 billion budget “egregious.” O cials pointed to a recent example in Kent that could have ended tragically when an Army Rangers veteran with PTSD was denied mental and physical health care despite the repeated e orts of those around him. Putnam County Sheri Kevin McConville said the situation “probably would’ve ended horribly” without intervention. “ is veteran was denied services and treatment at a number of facilities. He was declared  ne; however, he did not stop indicating that he was going to perform self-harm and harm to other individuals,” McConville said. Cazzari later told Mahopac News that the veteran—a 36-year-old with a “violent history [and] suicidal ideations—had been in distress for months and praised local law enforcement for helping avert tragedy. “Over the past six months, [he was] brought to Putnam Hospital for treatment for mental health substance abuse,” Cazzari said. “ is person was attacking sta , breaking property.  e VA refused to accept him. “Carmel PD has a peer support group, which was able to develop a relationship and calm him down on several occasions” Cazzari continued. “After being arrested and arraigned for his last attack on sta at the hospital, he was brought back to Putnam Hospital and eventually admitted to Westchester Medical for psychiatric evaluation.” O cials said that cutting veterans’ services also places additional strain on  rst responders. “Often the veterans in crisis  rst contact with services is our  rst responders,” added Carmel Police Chief Anthony Ho - mann. “Carmel PD, Putnam County Sheri ’s o ce, and Kent PD have been working on this for weeks and dedicated a lot of man-hours into this one case just this week alone.  With the cuts that the governor is proposing, we are essentially adding to the workload of our already strained police/ re/EMS services with no additional funding.” At the press conference, McConville said the case illustrated the ongoing need for veterans’ support. Slater, local leaders warn Gov not to cut vet funding Proposed state budget shaves $2.5 million from veterans’ programs PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF MATT SLATER Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) speaks on restoring Gov. Hochul’s cuts to veterans’ programs in this year’s budget. SEE VETERANS PAGE 7 489 E. MAIN STREET JEFFERSON VALLEY, NY 10535 (914-304-0700 / 929-614-3021) TheJeersonOnTheLake.com | theje[email protected] New Years Eve • 4 COURSE DINNER • OPEN BAR with PREMIUM LIQUOR • DJ/DANCING in our BALLROOM Special! CALL TODAY FOR RESERVATIONS! FINE ITALIAN DINING With the stunning views of Lake Osceola, we're here to provide excellent service and superb cuisine, whether for a nice night out for dinner, or a special event. NowOpen! Full Bar • HAPPY HOUR: Tuesday through Sunday 5PM-8PM DINNER: TUES/WED/THURS: 4-11 pm FRI-SUN: Noon - 11pm CLOSED MONDAY Ballroom Holds 80-250 489 E. MAIN STREET JEFFERSON VALLEY, NY 10535 (914-304-0700 / 929-614-3021) TheJeersonOnTheLake.com | theje[email protected] New Years Eve • 4 COURSE DINNER • OPEN BAR with PREMIUM LIQUOR • DJ/DANCING in our BALLROOM Special! Open! CALL TODAY FOR RESERVATIONS!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 Region 95 Region 95 QUESTIONS? CONTACT US: [email protected] WILL OLIVERA, NORA IVEZAJ, & THAIS CONLON @SomersAYSORegion95 Registration for the spring session of Somers AYSO Soccer is now open! Anybody who registers before February 28th gets a $10 OFF early bird special discount! Go to AYSO95.org to register! Season starts April 1st and ends June 10th! As an added bonus this year, anybody who volunteers to coach will be rewarded with your child playing for free this season! Once you register to volunteer, you must complete the background process next. We will refund your child’s registration fee at the end of the season. Go to AYSO95.org to volunteer today!

PAGE 6 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 single-family dwellings on lots of at least 40,000 square feet and two-family dwellings in transitional locations by special permit.  erefore,  Whitehead  pointed out on  ursday, Feb. 9, the project would require a zoning amendment. She also noted that a “non-conforming” multi-family residential development sits right next door. Councilman Anthony Cirieco asked about “price points.” Bsharat  responded that it was way too early to say. But it’s not going to be like amenity-laden  Avalon Somers, an apartment community in the hamlet of  Baldwin Place  where a one-bedroom starts at $3,015 a month and a two-bedroom at $3,198. “We’re not pitching it to the luxury end of the market,” he said, explaining that his company’s focus “has always been on middleincome housing because more people are middle-income.” Claiming that, as far as he could tell, there’s not a single rental on the market in Somers right now. “ ey go quickly,” Bsharat said.  eir target audience is “younger folks coming back from the city who didn’t want to move in with mom and dad” plus older people who are downsizing and members of the local workforce. In a Feb. 3 letter to town Supervisor Robert Scorrano  and board members, Whitehead wrote: “We believe that this proposal and improvements our client is undertaking at the commercial property could begin a revitalization of this intersection and area of town and provide bene ts to the town without any negative impact.” Bsharat told the board that he also plans to gussy up the shopping center with new lighting, signage, paint, and landscaping. Because the 1.19-acre parcel is zoned R-40, someone could have potentially built an 8,200-squarefoot, two-story single-family home there, he said. So why not just build a house?, Cirieco asked the pair. Whitehead  opined that even though the parcel is in a residential zone, it’s not an “ideal” location for a single-family home because it’s adjacent to a commercial area that fronts on a busy road. “ ere’s a reason nobody’s built one there in all these years,” she said. “It’s a more transitional location and we’re looking at this as a good transitional use.” Furthermore, a single-family home would have required a driveway on Lovell Street and a lot more environmentally unfriendly impervious surfaces. Under this proposal, renters would use the retail center’s existing access roads and rear parking area. Councilman Tom Garrity asked if there would be enough spaces to satisfy local codes. “I can tell you with certainty we never have anyone parking back there, but we could do the numbers,” Bsharat promised. Calling the undeveloped land an essential “dead zone,” he said the plan sticks to existing zoning “in every way except that it’s multifamily.”  e eight one-bedroom apartments and two duplexes would be built to look like a single-family home made of a mix of brick and other materials.  e front doors would be located on the shopping center side. SEWER/WATER  eir engineer had originally designed the proposed project’s water and septic systems to accommodate up to 20 units. “Now we’re down to 10, so we’ll have no problem,”  Bsharat  said, adding that those will be located behind the apartment buildings but “well within the (required) setback.”  e plan is to maintain a signi - cant wooded bu er between the site and homes on Dunhill Drive. Developers also claim that the building will be only “minimally visible” from Lovell Street. WHO IS HUDSON HILL? Bsharat  and his brother Tariq co-founded Hudson Hill Partners, a White Plains-based boutique owner/operator of multifamily and mixed-use assets in “downtown suburban markets.” (Joseph Bonner  is listed on their website as an advisory board member.)  e  siblings told media outlets that they aren’t focused on the high-end luxury market but instead are intent on revitalizing “Main Streets” and providing housing for middle-income folks. Now they have their sights set on tiny Lincolndale, which has a population of about 1,500 souls. Over the years, more than a dozen small businesses have gravitated to the Route 202 spot.  ey include a pizza joint, convenience store, deli, sit-down diner, nail salon, dog groomer, dry cleaners, liquor store, chiropractor’s of-  ce, spa, sports training facility, occupational therapist, and even a place that sells appliances, electronics, and mattresses. Nearby are single-family homes. A short distance away on Lovell Street is Lincolndale Plaza, which contains a post o ce, veterinary clinic, and a now-shuttered pub. Further up the road is  Lincoln Hall, a residential facility for vulnerable boys. One of the things that the hamlet doesn’t have, however, is sidewalks.  at’s why some say it feels so disjointed. Folks can’t safely walk from their homes to shop. Walkability and mixed-use development are catchphrases oft employed by on-trend developers nowadays. After the COVID-19 pandemic  struck, more and more people  eeing New York City still craved a relatively urban environment.  at meant being close to public transportation and having pedestrian access to grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and shops.  ere are no plans to build sidewalks or crosswalks at this time, but if the project is approved at least the  Bsharats’  future tenants will be able to stroll over to grab a slice of pizza or pick up their drycleaning at Village Plaza. According to a 2022 article in  westchestermagazine. com,  Hudson Hill’s  aim is to bridge the gap between low-income and luxury housing. At the time of publication, the  Bsharats  had a stable of 75 investors and a portfolio that included a dozen residential and commercial properties mostly in Hudson River communities where there are loads of “smaller, unappreciated buildings with historical charm that need a little help in realizing their worth,” the article read. One of those was an old warehouse in Tarrytown that they cleverly converted into three single-story condos,  westchestermagazine.com reported. WHAT’S NEXT? Right now the project’s purely in the conceptual stage. Bsharat  and  Whitehead  were trying to gauge board support for moving the proposal forward. If there was, the next step would be to work with the town’s planning consultant, David Smith, on a proposed zoning amendment and then return with a formal petition for a project review. Telling the pair that they’d HOUSING FROM PAGE 1 SEE HOUSING PAGE 7

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 7 Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! “piqued a lot of interest here,” Scorrano  nevertheless warned them that the town is currently in a holding pattern due to the state’s new strategy for addressing the housing crisis. Gov. Kathy Hochul  has proposed building 800,000 units of housing stock through a combination of zoning reforms, government subsidies, and tax incentives.  e big idea behind the socalled New York Housing Compact  is to encourage jurisdictions in the metropolitan area to grow housing by 3 percent every three years. Municipalities are laying low opinion-wise until they can ascertain the full impact of the initiative, which is part and parcel of the governor’s $227 billion executive budget.  e state’s  scal year is just around the corner and its budget has to be approved by April 1. “Once we have that solid number, that’s when we’re going to look at projects as a whole and see which direction we want to go,” Scorrano said, acknowledging that Westchester rental units seem to be going like hotcakes. “ e project has merit as I’ve said,” he added. Agreeing, Garrity told Bsharat and Whitehead: “On face value right now, it looks great, it looks nice, it looks well thought out.”  e councilman also liked the fact that  Lincolndale LLC  was o ering a 10-unit project when it was “originally thinking 20.” “You’ve crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s,” he said. In Cirieco’s mind, the Lincolndale  area has “needed investment for a long time.” But nothing’s going to happen until the proposed project jumps all procedural hurdles, including public hearings. While the presentation was “compelling,”  Cirieco  planned to reserve judgment until neighbors had a chance to put their two cents in. “I’m going to place a lot of weight on this from what I hear from people living around it, but I think you’re on the right track,” he said. Agreeing that the hamlet needs a boost,  Councilman Richard Clinchy  said: “Wow, this area could be something else! If you could be part of that solution, that’s good for the whole town.” PLANTING A SEED Bsharat is hopeful that his “lowscale, low-impact” apartment project will “create a little hub at this intersection.” “I think that slowly, organically, it (the area) will grow as other property owners see what’s happening,” he concluded. HOUSING FROM PAGE 6 “Let’s hope that upon his discharge, there are programs that he’s able to avail himself [of ],” he said. “Certainly, he continues seeking better health and better mental health.”  Slater said if you talk to a lot of veterans, they will tell you that the services in New York State are subpar. “We not only reject the governor’s proposal, but we also need to do more for our valiant veterans,” he said. According to Slater, the proposed budget removes $2.6 million for veterans that were added by the legislature last year, affecting 17 programs. Slater said objections to the cuts were being voiced on both sides of the aisle and that he supports the e ort by state Assembly Democrats Kimberly Jean-Pierre, chair of the Veterans’ A airs Committee, and Assemblyman Chris Burdick to restore funds currently on the governor’s chopping block. Slater’s predecessor, Kevin Byrne, who is now county executive, said the need for veteran support was especially acute in Putnam County. “Some of the programs Assemblyman  Slater  was talking about brings the ability to fund some of our non-pro t veterans’ organizations, like our VFWs or American Legions, with capital improvements,” Byrne said. “ ere are a number of examples in Putnam County where our local veterans’ organizations could have bene tted from these types of programs and these dollars. I’m thankful to Assemblyman  Slater  for leading the charge on this and working with a bipartisan coalition.”   O cials and advocates said it was especially important to fund mental health support for veterans. “I’ve been working on veterans’ issues since 1985 and, every year, we have to go to Albany and Washington and beg for funding when we shouldn’t have to,” said Karl Rhode, director of the Putnam County Veterans’ Service Agency. “We went and served our country. Why are we begging to be taken care of and helped? Some of us have regular wounds, and some of us have hidden wounds. We shouldn’t have to beg for help.  at has to change.” VETERANS FROM PAGE 4 PHOTO: EMILE MENASCHÉ Carmel Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari speaks about veterans programs at the Mahopac VFW.

PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY NANCY J. GERBINO  CONTRIBUTING WRITER Forgotten history rediscovered in Somers, is the silvertongued  ght lead by grist mill owner John Owen  to gain the freedom of a former resident of the town named Gilbert Horton. Owen discovered that Horton was being o ered for sale as a runaway slave in a Washington, D.C. newspaper of August 1826.  e sale price, the ad explained, would amount to “his jail fees and other expenses as the law directs.” Owen knew the minute he read the advertisement that a great injustice was being done to Horton. His father Joseph Owen, while serving as Supervisor of the town during its name change to Somers from Stephentown in 1808, had granted Gilbert Horton  his freedom after having completed several years of indenture which had been arranged by Horton’s father so his son could gain his freedom when he became of age. Also, by 1826 the population of Somers was 248 households with a population of 1,772, of whom 60 were listed as free African Americans, six of whom had their own homes. Meanwhile, John Owen reached out to prominent members of the Westchester community and helped form “a meeting of inhabitants” as noted in the New York City newspaper “Spectator” of September 5, 1826, that included William Jay and Oliver Green. Together the three men wrote a silver-tongued letter to the District of Columbia’s Marshall which stated in part: “Resolved, that by the fourth Article of the Constitution of the United States, the citizens of each State, are entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens of the several States; and that it is the duty of the State of New York, to protect its citizens in the enjoyment of this constitutional right without regard to their complexions. Resolved, that the law under which Horton has been imprisoned, and by which a free citizen, without evidence of crime, and without trial by jury, may be condemned to servitude for life, is repugnant to our republican institutions, and revolting to justice and humanity; and that the representatives from this State in Congress, are hereby requested to see their endeavors to procure its repeal. Resolved, That the Secretary, together with John Owen, Esq. be a Committee to prepare, and present to the citizens of this county for their signatures, a petition to Congress, for the immediate abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia.” Of course, they attached an a davit noting that “…Gilbert Horton was a free man; that he had been bound under indenture when 10 years old, by his father also a free man, to Joseph Owen of the Town of Somers, and that he had served under said indenture, till he was of age.” And, so a young man name Gilbert Horton gained, for the second time, his freedom due to an outraged group of people from Westchester lead by a man from Somers named John Owen. The Gilbert Horton Fight  SOMERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY BY KEN FREEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Have you been having problems with New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG), the electricity provider for much of Halston Media’s coverage area, or heard your neighbors complaining about the company? If so, you’re not alone.  e New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) has been conducting an investigation of NYSEG (and also of Rochester Gas & Electric) due to a deterioration in the company’s DPStracked customer service performance metrics, along with a signi cant increase in customer complaints. As part of their investigation, DPS conducted virtual public forums on Jan. 31 followed by two in-person public forums, in the afternoon and evening of Feb.  1 at the Heritage Hills Activities Center.  ese forums were held to receive public comments regarding alleged delayed or erroneous billing, delayed or inaccurate meter reading, and other customer service problems a ecting NYSEG customers.  e afternoon session was attended by approximately 50 customers residing both in and outside of Heritage Hills. A number of customers provided on-the-record comments. Many focused on irregularly timed bills, sometimes not receiving bills for two or three months, frequent billing based on estimated electric usage in the absence of meter readings, and then receipt of surprisingly large meter readingbased bills di cult for customers on  xed incomes.  is reporter was among those on-therecord customers. Since late 2021, the experiences I reported included twice not receiving a bill for three months or more and twice receiving multiple bills within days of each other, each providing di erent electric usage data and escalating costs. DPS has established channels to hear from additional customers who were unable to attend the virtual and in-person forums. Comments should refer to Matter 23-00068, NYSEG/RG&E Billing Investigation. DPS has launched a dedicated comment form available online at www.dps.ny.gov. Comments also may be submitted by phone 24 hours a day toll-free via the DPS Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120.  ese comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission. If you wish to  le a formal complaint about your utility service, you may contact DPS at www.dps.ny.gov/complaints, phone them at 1-800-342-3377 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), or write to the O ce of Consumer Services, 3 Empire State Plaza, 4th Floor, Albany, New York 12223. Please include as much information as possible with your complaint. Highly charged crowd meets with electric provider 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 When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 9 A C T I V E H O M E S F O R S A L E 2 1 5 % I N C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 S O M E R S M A R K E T U P D A T E J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 A V E R A G E S A L E P R I C E $ 9 1 5 , 9 0 9 H O M E S S O L D - Y T D 1 1 3 1 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 3 3 % I N C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 S I N G L E F A M I L Y A C T I V E H O M E S F O R S A L E 1 2 N O C H A N G E F R O M 2 0 2 2 A V E R A G E S A L E P R I C E $ 5 2 5 , 3 6 3 H O M E S S O L D - Y T D 1 1 2 1 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 5 % I N C R E A S E C F R O M 2 0 2 2 O N D O M I N I U M S Source: OKMLS, single family & condominium, active, sold & average sale price, 01/01/2023 - 1/31/2023 as compared to 01/01/2022 - 01/31/2022, Somers school district. T H I N K I N G A B O U T S E L L I N G YO U R H O M E O R C O N D O ? I T ' S T H E P E R F E C T T I M E T O B E O N T H E M A R K E T. W E H AV E L O W I N V E N T O R Y A N D M A N Y B U Y E R S . P L E A S E F E E L F R E E T O C O N TA C T M E A N Y T I M E . I ' M H E R E T O H E L P. D O N N A O ' C O N N E L L A s s o c i a t e R e a l E s t a t e B r o k e r S o m e r s B r o k e r a g e M 9 1 4 . 2 6 3 . 9 1 0 8 O 9 1 4 . 2 7 7. 8 0 4 0 Ext. 3 3 4 D o c o n n e l l @ h o u l i h a n l a w r e n c e . c o m d o n n a o c o n n e l l . h o u l i h a n l a w r e n c e . c o m MahJong skills: learning the basic rules, including passing tiles, indispensable strategies, and invaluable betting tactics. Master a social, competitive game that requires practice, strategy--and a little bit of luck! Participants: Maximum of 8 players with 2 alternates. Because of the high demand for this class, registrants must be prepared to attend ALL classes. Meeting dates: 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4 & 4/11. The Somers Library Foundation Needs You Are you a passionate supporter of the Somers Library and looking for a way to help improve the services and capabilities?  e Somers Library Foundation is looking for new board members.  ere are lots of opportunities to use your talents and build new skills. Send the foundation an email at somerslibraryfoun[email protected]. Watch the Somers LIbrary Foundation website (https://somerslibraryfoundation.org) for details on upcoming meet and greet events to learn more about the Foundation and what it means to be a board member of the board. William Clinton Sterling Jr. William Clinton Sterling, Jr. (Bill) of Somers, NY, and St. Croix, USVI passed away on February 1, 2023 at the age of 88. Born April 10, 1934, in New London, NH, his father, Bill Sr., was a teacher and consequently the small family moved frequently. Bill liked to rattle o the di erent towns in Vermont where he spent his early grade school years.  He also liked to tell how, while in  rst grade after Pearl Harbor, he was asked by his teacher to point it out on the map. He was very proud that he was able to do so.  e teacher, of course, was his father.  Bill married his high school sweetheart Mary-Jane Barnard on June 1, 1958, and together they raised four children: William Clinton III, Bruce Barnard and Douglas Dow and daughter Abigail-Mary Ellen Whitney,  rst in Brooklyn, NY and later in Baldwin, LI. Bill was a graduate of Hopkinton High School in Contoocook, NH, Tufts University and New York University School of Law. Always a high achiever, he was valedictorian at all three. A truly impressive trifecta. While at Tufts, he was manager of the debating society.  At NYU Law School he served as an editor of the law review and was proud to be a Root-Tilden Scholar, which helped fund his law school attendance. Following NYU Law School he became an associate at the NY  rm of Dewey Ballantine, where he worked for 10 years before moving to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz in 1968. Within a year and a half, he became partner in the  rm, specializing in corporate litigation, with an emphasis on corporate takeover work. While with the  rm he worked on several high-pro le cases involving corporations such as AT&T and United Technologies. He was licensed to practice in several federal courts, including the US Supreme Court. Imbued with boundless good humor, he was well respected and relied upon by his colleagues for his unique ability to boil an argument down to its essence. On his  rst case with his new  rm, he traveled to California for trial when his daughter Abbie was born. A proud father, he handed out cigars to the jury. As the story goes, opposing council objected, citing jury tampering.  e objection was denied.  ough devoting most of his time to his career and his  rm, he didn’t fail to indulge his passions: camping, extensive world travel (to 7 continents with Mary and often the children), reading, enjoying classical music and nights at the symphony and Broadway plays, cribbage games with the children, dinners with friends and solving crimes with the likes of Perry Mason, Rumpole of the Bailey, Ellery Queen, Columbo and Jessica Fletcher.  His early support of Adlai Stevenson for President led to a lifelong interest in politics and support for the Democratic Party. In 1981, Bill and Mary purchased a home and waterfront property in St Croix, long a dream of theirs. After destruction by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, it was extensively rebuilt with extra bedrooms and pool. Bill loved visiting the house as often as he could, and upon retirement in 1993 he and Mary spent most of the year there with their beloved dogs. He considered it home. Bill loved to laugh and kept his ability to see the humor in life until the end. His grandchildren grew up with phrases such as “solely for medicinal purposes” and “everything’s got to be somewhere”, and rousing renditions of the Hopkinton High and Tufts  ght songs.  Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Clinton and Doris (Watson) Sterling, brother, Carleton, sister-in-law Judy (Olson) and daughter-in-law Stacey (Gordon). He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, MaryJane Barnard, their children and spouses Elise (Manning), Wendy (Strohm) and Harold Olsen, and grandchildren Douglas, Dylan, Cody, Troy, Nellie, John Douglas, William and  omas, and recently welcomed great-granddaughter Hazel, passing on the tradition of “Ride a Horse to Boston” to the next generation. Donations in his memory can be made to the St. Croix Foundation (www.stxfoundation.org) or the BrightFocus Foundation (www.brightfocus.org). OBITUARIES TRUNK FROM PAGE 2

Opinion 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record or its a iliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial O ice: 914-302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 10 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 On Feb. 9, we ran side-byside opinion pieces about proposed environmental regulations. Halston Media’s regular columnist, Don Scott, expressed particular concern about the unintended consequences of central planners. Guest columnist, Anshul Gupta, made the case for allelectric vehicles, stoves and heating, and shared his concern that our world could be unrecognizable without taking immediate action to tame carbon pollution. On the same page, we asked our readers to  ll out a survey to select who they thought made a more compelling argument. Hands down, readers selected Gupta over Scott, 86.67% to 13.33%. But I was disappointed we received only 30 responses to our survey (we surveyed the communities covered by all  ve of our weekly community newspapers, with a total mailed circulation of 26,000). Anyone who has ever read my opinion pieces can guess where my sympathies lie. As someone who leans libertarian when it comes to the role of government in our lives, I rarely think regulation is the right response. But regardless of my opinion, I would feel a whole lot better about the survey if we received a couple hundred responses, even if the ratio of Scott vs. Gupta supporters remained the same. For perspective, we recently ran a survey — in just one of Halston Media’s papers, Mahopac News — asking for suggestions on renaming the school district’s mascot. We published that survey after the state Education Department issued a directive that threatened school funding due to the district’s current use of the term, “Indians.”  at survey, which ran in just one of our papers, yielded over 1,000 responses from readers. So, it’s not likely that we lost our audience overnight. It’s obvious that something else impacted the success of the two di erent surveys. Perhaps it was the topic? Maybe the environment isn’t a sexy topic, as the headline says. Or maybe it was how the two topics were presented. We published the mascot survey link and QR code on the front page of Mahopac News. In any case, we’re hoping to generate a more meaningful sample. So, stay tuned for our March 9th edition with updated results. To revisit the two columns published on Feb. 9th, visit halstonmedia.com, and press the “Newspaper archives” tab at the top of the screen on a computer (or look for the “Newspaper archives” page by pressing the three parallel lines at the top of the page on your cell phone). Survey says: environment isn’t a sexy topic Reader poll extended through Friday, March 3, due to low response Scan the QR code to take the survey. Read the columns again Visit halstonmedia.com, press the “Newspaper archives” tab, and go to the Opinion section in the Feb. 9th edition. Take the survey Visit halstonmedia.org/3YIegzp (the address is case sensitive) or scan the QR code. BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO BY KENNETH FREEMAN FOR HALSTON MEDIA Did those fun commercials on the Super Bowl get your creative juices  owing? Do you wish that your ads were so engaging that the audience couldn’t wait to see them? As a career marketer, I always put on my “management hat” and consider how e ective those fun ads really are. Do I think they’ll increase pro table sales? Some of them earn high marks, but others a failing grade because they leave me wondering what they’re selling, what’s di erent and special about them, and why I should care. Engaging your audience, like those fun Super Bowl ads do, is important, no question. But your ads need to sell too.  ey do that by communicating and reinforcing smart brand positioning. What do I mean by brand positioning? It starts with a clear understanding of your target customer. Who is your target and when do they want your brand?  e answers shouldn’t be “everybody” and “all the time.” Your target may have di erent needs and wants at di erent times.  e better you can de ne your target customer bullseye, the smarter you can be in Fun ads are... well... fun But you need to communicate your brand positioning to sell SEEFREEMAN PAGE 12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 11 One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home sends help fast, 24/7. with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging. Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ I have used the Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock for real estate and estate planning. Joe and his staff were professional, courteous, efficient, and they always returned my calls promptly when needed. I would never consider going to another law office for my legal needs. ~B.W. I n case you were living in a cave last week, there was a professional football game that was played right after a pre-game show, and it was a very nice game. But let’s get back to the stu before that, and I’ll run it back in slow motion for you. First, the NFL presented the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for Philanthropy and Community Impact, which once again I didn’t win.  ese days there are plenty of men who aren’t even technically a man for a whole year, and at least I accomplished that.  en they introduced an “American sign language performer,” and whatever words were being spoken or sung, she had to perform them. I don’t know how long she was on duty for, but near the end of the game there was a pass interference penalty called against the Eagles, and I noticed some distinctive sign language being performed by their fans. I’m guessing that she might have been able to help with an interpretation.  en Sheryl Lee Ralph sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which some consider to be the “Black National Anthem.” If that is true, it’s simply another case of a national anthem that is REALLY HARD to sing. If I was in charge of national anthems (and please remember this when you vote for next year’s Man of the Year Award), I would make it “Row Your Boat.” It’s easy to sing, and even if you don’t start or  nish when everyone else does, you can still sound like you know what you’re doing.  en the Kansas City Chiefs took the  eld and their fans made a motion similar to chopping a tomahawk designed to spill the beers of Eagles fans sitting in front of them.  en the Philadelphia Eagles took the  eld and their fans made a motion similar to turning over a police car (okay I made that part up, at least I hope I did).  en there was a taped segment of a hip-hop artist rapping about the various players on both teams, which was pretty much unintelligible to anyone over 37, and would have been easier to follow if performed in American sign language. It was  nally time for the national pre-nationalanthem-song, “America the Beautiful,” complete with two key changes, sung by Babyface and signed by a member of the Navajo Nation. I sometimes wonder if Babyface will stick with that name when he gets to be 90 or so, or if he will then switch to something more appropriate like Middleagedface.  en the Armed Forces Color Guard marched onto the  eld, preventing anybody from trying to walk o with any of the colors and saving us from having to watch the game in black and white.  en the guy who was going to sign “ e Star Spangled Banner” was introduced, and it dawned on me that the pre-game show had more signers than the Declaration of Independence. It also dawned on me that sign language performers probably don’t get to sign the word “spangled” very much, so I bet he was excited about that.  en Chris Stapleton sung a red, white and bluesy rendition of the National Anthem, which was followed by a Navy  y-over consisting only of women pilots.  ey shot down some balloons that were in the shape of a football out of an abundance of caution and an overabundance of ammunition (I’m just kidding about that, at least I hope I am).  en winners of the Pat Tillman Award for Service tossed a coin that was so large that if you tried to put it in a Coke machine, I doubt you’d get either the Coke or your coin back, and we’d never know who was supposed to kick o the Super Bowl, or to whom.  en the referees thanked everyone who wasn’t previously given an award, which was only a few people. All of this was presided over by an announcer who sounded like how God would sound like, and I bet if he said, “And anyone who doesn’t order a jalapeno cheddar sausage immediately is going to HELL right after the game,” at least 40,000 people would do it. Well, the game eventually did start, and it was great, and Rihanna sang at halftime and became pregnant, possibly not in that order, and this year I  nally won my own football pool since I bought all the boxes ahead of time. None of it was anywhere near as exhausting as the pre-game was. It seemed like there was a little something for everyone, and nobody felt left out. Well, almost nobody. I happen to be an American of Swedish descent who is bad at math, and I noticed that there wasn’t a national anthem for that. I hope they’ll remedy this in the next two years, which would make it 2027. I think. Join Rick and No Options at  e Back Nine in Cortlandt, Saturday, March 25, at 9 p.m.! Look for Rickster Melen on Facebook! Say hello at: rlife8@ hotmail.com. Pre-game postmortem RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD

PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Serving all Faiths since 1858 Cremations and Burials FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Railroad station. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars. • Monuments & inscriptions available. 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director MARISA A. GIULIANO ~ Director ADNER J. MONTENEGRO-LEE ~ Director CLARK ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME PURIM CARNIVAL! Purim Day - March 7, 5:00 PM Yorktown Community and Cultural Center 1974 Commerce St. - Entrance near Yorktown Stage $25/adult, $18/child Also join us for Megilla Reading and L'chaim Monday, March 6, 6:00 pm @ Chabad of Yorktown RSVP: www.ChabadYorktown.com Chabad of Yorktown, Somers, and Cortlandt proudly invites the entire community to a B"H Arcade Games! Fun for all ages! Cotton Candy! Megillah Reading! Balloon Sculpting! Face Painting! Dinner Served Clown! Optional: Come in costume! Hamentashen! crafting the best message. Let’s say you own a restaurant. Your target might be families with kids. Or maybe working people looking for a quick lunch bite. Perhaps low price is a must. Or maybe an over-worked, stressed couple is looking for a leisurely evening beginning with cocktails. And maybe gourmet food and ambiance are key too.  Why should the particular target pick your restaurant? What do you do differently or better than other nearby restaurants in meeting their needs? Does your menu offer a range of foods to satisfy everyone in their family? Or maybe you offer the fastest service when time is of the essence. Perhaps you offer a hearty meal at a surprisingly low price. Or maybe gourmet food and a wine and cocktail menu to match. Or an ambiance that makes any night as romantic as Valentine’s Day. How can you convey to your target that you really do provide that special difference? How can you convince them that your menu will satisfy everyone in their family? Or that they really can get in and out quickly? What can you show that shouts value? Or that convinces them that yours is the place to go for great food and drink? Or for that special romantic evening? This is what positioning is all about. You need to be able to answer these kinds of questions before putting your advertising pen to paper. Otherwise you risk wasting ad dollars with a diluted or disjointed message that doesn’t convince anybody. Then comes the challenge of communicating that positioning in a clear way that also engages your target. More in the weeks that follow to help you tackle that challenge.  Kenneth Freeman has his MBA from Harvard University and lead the marketing departments at major Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career, before helping his son found Halston Media. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 10 Acouple of months ago, I wrote a post about the overscheduled mama and how moms are always running all over the place, jumping from one thing to the next, usually with no down time. Honestly, I feel like being overstimulated is just as big of an issue as having too many things to do and too many places to go and these two topics definitely should go hand in hand.  Well, what exactly is being overstimulated? The easiest way for me to explain it is when there is too much going on, usually all at once, and your brain and body become overwhelmed. And usually as a mother, you’re constantly dealing with “mom brain” as it is, from trying to remember so much. Essentially, it’s the same as when people joke about having too many tabs open in their brain.  When I first became a mom, I didn’t really remember feeling overstimulated. I focused all of my energy on my one child and my job, and while I had a lot on my plate, my brain kept up for the most part. Add a second child in the mix, and I started to experience moments of overstimulation. My son Johnny was colic. He would scream everyday between the hours of 7-9 p.m. (perfectly called the witching hours) until he was around 8 months old. And even throughout the day, he was very fussy and uncomfortable. We didn’t find out until later on that he had fluid in his ears and hearing issues, but that’s a different story for a different day! I vividly remember that he would be screaming at the top of his lungs, all while I had the microwave fan going for white noise, which would sometimes soothe him if I was lucky. While the noise was sometimes calming for him, it just added to the sounds I was already overwhelmed hearing. Add in a 4-year-old sister asking non stop questions, two dogs barking, a loud TV, and an itchy sweater suddenly bothering my neck, and there you have it. I quickly learned that being overstimulated is a very real thing that moms, or anyone for that matter, can deal with on a daily basis, and it in fact can be a small inconvenience or downright debilitating for some. Not to mention, the way people handle their feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated can look very different.  After the birth of my third child, I felt the true impact of overstimulation. For example, I would be standing in the kitchen trying to make dinner and I’d have my two little ones running in and out of the kitchen screaming and chasing each other. I knew they were playing and I’d usually remind them to keep their games in the playroom because mommy was cooking and the oven was hot. At the same time, I would also have two dogs in between my legs because they knew it was dinner time and wanted to be fed. The Alexa assistant on Amazon Echo would also be playing music that the kids requested, usually a song about poop, or the new trending favorite, “It’s Corn.” If you haven’t heard of it, consider yourself lucky. The TV was also on for unnecessary background noise, there were toys everywhere squeaking and squawking, somebody was definitely whining, and I was constantly being touched. My kids have always been Velcro babies and have to be hanging on me and touching my The overstimulated mama NICOLE DOOLEY MAMA EXPLAINS SEEDOOLEY PAGE 15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 Take your plain vanilla ice cream to the next level using balsamic vinegar and cherries! Ingredients: • 4 cups of fresh or frozen cherries • 1 cinnamon stick • 3/4 cup of sugar • 2 tablespoons of cornstarch • 2 cups of dry red wine • 4 teaspoons of Phat Olive Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar • Vanilla or Vanilla Bean Ice cream Directions: In a large saucepan over medium heat cook cherries, cinnamon stick, sugar and corn starch - cook until sugar starts to melt - about 1 min. Add the wine and Dark Chocolate Balsamic, bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the wine & balsamic has reduced and is slightly thickened, about 4 min. Remove from the heat, remove the cinnamon stick. Scoop vanilla ice cream into bowls and top with the warm cherries, wine and chocolate balsamic sauce. phatoliveoil.com 87 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY SCAN TO VIEW MORE RECIPES Take your plain vanilla 4 cups of fresh or frozen cherries A RESPECTFUL APPROACH TO NAVIGATING FAMILY TRANSITIONS AND CONFLICT - Family, Elder and Divorce Mediation - Collaborative Divorce - Co-Parenting Plans - Pre-Nuptial and Marital Settlement Agreements ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION OFFERS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES - Privacy - A Voice in Decision Making - Preservation of Assets - Child Focused Options - Avoidance of Often Toxic and Costly Court Proceedings NEW LOCATION: 340 Route 202 • Suite M, Somers • 914-669-5224 www.margaretnicholson.com • [email protected] “I am honored to have been selected by my peers for Hudson Valley Magazine’s annual “Top Lawyers” publication. THE LAW & MEDIATION OFFICE OF Margaret A. Nicholson Free Half Hour Consultations Virtual Options Available Not only was our Dad a master mechanic in his day, but he was one of the top bowlers in Westchester County.  I vividly remember the small den in our home where Dad had put up shelves for all the trophies he’d won. It was like a shrine and it was a privilege to dust these trophies.   I remember when Dad’s team would travel to Manhattan to bowl in the Journal American Tournament.  is was a big deal for all of us. We were included in this special event. We’d watch the bowlers and root for our Dad’s team.  ey didn’t win, but usually placed pretty high up on the scoring list.  en it was o to an Italian restaurant for dinner. We looked forward to this event each year. Bowling is in our DNA. My brother, sister, three husbands and my sons are or were bowlers. My church had a team that bowled for fun once a month. We were known as the Holy Rollers! My son, Paul, would drive up from Yonkers and bowl with his Mom each month. It was our time together and we did pretty well. After bowling, it was o to a Chinese restaurant, usually joining up with other church bowlers. Over the years, family members would bowl on Dad’s team: Jack, Bud and my son, George Jr. Dad would proudly introduce his family to the other teams. I personally saw this because I was a member of a women’s league that bowled the same night/time as Dad’s. In fact, this is where I met Bud when he was on Dad’s team. We had so many laughs when scheduling brought our teams side by side. Told you bowling was in our DNA: it sure worked beautifully for Bud and me. To me, the best and most signi cant bowling memory took place a few months after Dad passed away. We were grieving and missing this wonderful man. What could we do to further honor him? A summer bowling league was in the works. Sister Roe, her husband, Joe, Bud and I put our heads together. We would form a team in Dad’s name and sign up. Mind you, Roe and Joe would drive up from New Jersey each week and  e Batchies would take to the lanes in Dad’s memory. It so happened that there was a team that constantly won  rst place. Not this year, folks. We bowled fast and furious and won the league.  e other team, I must say, was less than gracious with our win.  e Batchies were ecstatic: we were underdogs and beat this team, all in Dad’s name. At this stage of my life, I don’t think I could lift, much less roll a bowling ball down the lanes. But know this: my 14-pound ball, white leather bowling shoes and purple bowling bag are cherished and protected in the attic. ‘We’re gonna win this for Dad!’ For those of you interested, this is a picture of Ruthann Scheffer’s new cat, Nina, which she wrote about last week. RUTHANN SCHEFFER WHAT WAS I THINKING?

PAGE 14 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Contact Us The Somers Record is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. My car started making clicking noises a few months ago.  It really only happened when I veered left. As soon as I straightened up, the noise was gone, so I thought I had plenty of time to get it to my favorite repair shop right down the road from me, The Granite Springs Garage. I’ve dealt with a lot of mechanics during my 55 years of driving, and have never felt as confidant as I do with this garage. The owner, Frank, gets the job done and doesn’t put you in the poor house.  I admit that I haven’t driven my car much since we have been asked to “Stay Home,” and that caused me to forget that I had to take the car in to be repaired. When I needed to get to the bank the other day, I got into my car and I wasn’t on the road 10 seconds before I heard the familiar clicks, only worse. I headed back home and called The Granite Springs Garage. Frank said I could bring the car in the next morning. Bright and early the next day, Ken and I drove my car into the garage and then walked back to our home. I hadn’t walked along that road for many years. You can drive down a road a thousand times, but walking it shows you things you never noticed before.    I remembered when Kim was in junior high school, and I had a nail in my tire. I asked her to take a ride down the road with me so I could drop off the car at the garage and informed her that we would walk back home. Along the way, there was an open field with about 20 sheep grazing. The property has a cute farmhouse on it and each spring you can see the lady of the house planting her spring and summer garden around each of the beautiful trees along her driveway. That led me to remember that about 40 years ago, I would take my daughter’s little hand in mine and walk around our neighborhood in Amawalk. We would take turns pointing out the red flowers, then the yellow ones and so on. We made everything into a game. I realized that now, everything seems to prompt a memory from long ago.  Later that day, Frank called to inform me that I needed new brakes.   I laced up my sneakers and walked back to the garage, enjoying the trip back just as much.   Jo Ann Francella can be reached at [email protected]. Braking Bad JO ANN FRANCELLA JUST JO ANN Fun Facts by Jo Ann Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water on earth. On May 17, across New York, voters will head to the polls in 686 school districts to vote on their school budgets, as well as elect school board members. Which means, about now, hundreds of people are considering whether to throw their hats in the proverbial ring and run for office. If they are like me 20 years ago, they have no idea what they are getting into, and that’s not all bad since many of the surprises for those elected will be pleasant. My own descent into…I mean journey began innocently enough by attending my first school board meeting. The hot topic of the day was busing, not for racial balance, but rather for a sane schedule at school that wouldn’t have kids starting class at 7 a.m., lunch at 10 a.m. and home by 1:30 p.m. I was asked, along with several other dads, to attend a meeting and help pressure the school board to buy a few more buses, so kids could have a normal schedule and a more normal school life. The district was saving money by “triple tripping,” a practice which many parents wanted to end. A friend asked me to attend because she said, “it is just moms complaining; we need dads to jump in.” The campaign ended successfully, the buses were added, and the schools returned to a normal schedule. Then the phone rang. The same friend who asked me to attend the meeting wanted to know if I had ever considered running for the school board – she was very persuasive.  I went from no, to let me think about it, to well since you took the time to get the signatures on the petition, how can I say no? My wife told me I was nuts and she may have had a point. I ended up running with a lovely woman similarly recruited. We put up signs, walked ball fields shaking hands and kissing babies, and a few weeks later we defeated two longtime incumbents. Our brilliant My journey into school board politics DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEESCOTT PAGE 15 STRONG AS STEEL WITH THE ATTRACTIVE LOOK OF VARIOUS ROOF STYLES Upgrade Your Home with a NEW METAL ROOF Guaranteed to Last a Lifetime! From Dimensional Shingles to classic styles reminiscent of Cedar Shake and Spanish Tile, an architectural roo ng system by Erie Metal Roofs can enhance the beauty of your home while protecting your family and property for a lifetime. 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 15 Nestled in a lush green hideaway of Yorktown Heights amidst tall evergreens and nature’s beauty, sits The Country House, recently named a Best Assisted Living community by U.S. News & World Report. We invite you in to tour and learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one. Call 914-249-9144. Experience the Best THE Country House in westchester 2000 Baldwin Road · Yorktown Heights · www.thecountryhouseinwestchester.com LIC # 800-F-007 skin at all times. Add in that both of my boys were always super whiny, clingy boys and still are. No shade to my kids; I love them dearly, but I tell it how it is! Take all of this at least 10 times a day, every single day, without a second set of hands to help or tag in, and cue overstimulation to the max. It was also 100 times worse for me when I was nursing Tristan every three hours for a year straight. I had an overwhelming feeling of just wanting to be left alone. I wanted to hide in the shower and cry. I would have welcomed staring at a wall for hours on end just to have my brain quiet down, just to hear nothing but silence. I needed time to let my mind rest and I didn’t get it.  Now, back to how people handle this… for me, the minute I have had too much, I would immediately become anxious. I’d usually announce: “OK, guys, I can’t hear myself think, let’s take it down a level.” I would always try and calmly express myself, but let’s be honest, that doesn’t always work. After a few attempts at getting everyone to settle down and handle the noise, I’d start to breathe in and out to get my bearings. Unfortunately for me, my anxiety can sometimes manifest as rage. Sometimes, I’d  nd myself yelling out, “Enough!!! I need a minute!” It was just too much with everyone needing everything and always at the same exact time. Pair all the needs with not having enough sleep and with your to-do list looming over you, and it’s a perfect storm. I remember a speci c time when my youngest was playing with a really noisy toy and was putting it in my face all while I was trying to have an important conversation with an adult. I kept reminding him that mommy was talking and to please give me a moment and I’d be right with him. He’s 2, so he wasn’t fully understanding me and I can’t blame him. Next, my middle guy came galloping in the room asking me questions. Again, I tried to redirect to no avail. I legitimately felt like my brain would explode. I felt so overwhelmed in that moment and I just know most parents can relate.   e only thing I can say that has helped me work through these feelings is to stop, breathe and explain. I have seen a lot of parents try to ignore their children and to carry on what they are doing, but that just didn’t work for me. I now completely stop what I’m doing and look at my children in their eyes and tell them that mommy has explained what she needs to do and that they have to give her a moment. And no, of course this will not work with an infant and that is just a very hard time that most parents just have to get through. But now that my kids are a little bit older, I don’t let them get away with anything! I stop whatever I’m doing, even if it’s an important conversation, and explain to them that mommy is talking and interrupting is not acceptable. I am not afraid to be myself in front of other people. Long gone are the days where I feel like I have to put on the perfect parent act and be ridiculously sweet with my kids in front of other people. I am calm, but I am  rm and I feel like not letting things go is the way to do it. Now I am by no means a perfect parent, but this has been the only thing that has worked for me in regards to my sensory overload. I have to just stop it in its tracks. And of course,  nally getting to sit down on the couch, even if it’s not until 10 p.m., and watching some nonsense TV, or curling up with my favorite book and just letting out a deep breath at the end of the day isn’t a bad plan either. Find what makes you happy and try and grant yourself at least 10 or 20 minutes a day to do what brings you joy. Your body and brain deserve to rest. Self care is not just a shower!  And when that really annoying toy that you’ve always despised is staring and chirping at you, it’s not a crime to take out its batteries and throw it under all the other toys in the back of your child’s closet. Self care, my friends! Do it in the name of your sanity! Nicole Dooley is a Somers mom who enjoys writing for her parenting blog. If you enjoyed her column, you can read more of her entries at www.mamaexplains.com or follow her on Instagram at @mamaexplains for relatable parenting tips and stories. Also, feel free to send her a message or a question on Instagram! DOOLEY FROM PAGE 12 tagline, “Time for Change” was so good that Barack Obama grabbed it a few years later and rode it to victory. I am still waiting for that royalty check for our creative work. Next to serving on your condo board, school board service is the most local form of democracy. Many feel that a deep knowledge of education and a philosophy about learning, curriculum and pedagogy is a prerequisite. Not me. School boards should draw from all in the community – the butcher, baker and the candlestick maker.  e only requirement should be an interest in making schools better for kids.  e board does a lot. It sets goals, manages policy,  hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts budgets and negotiates labor contracts. A good school board member should have good communication skills and be able to work with others. Ultimately, all the decisions are group decisions, so it helps to be collaborative as well as persuasive. As a representative of the community, a good board member is a connector and is constantly rubbing elbows with neighbors to get and give feedback by attending ball games, concerts, plays, assemblies, and anyplace else where crowds gather.  I used to say beware of single issue candidates, but I’ve changed my mind. Nearly every board member that I have talked to got interested in school board service as a result of one issue, but the good ones were able to become generalists when they began their service and not get stuck on that one issue.  ey saw the big picture.  ey came to the job with fresh eyes and looked for creative ways to challenge the “we’ve always done it that way” mentality.  I found my six years on the Katonah-Lewisboro board challenging and deeply rewarding. It was a privilege to serve and I would recommend service to anyone with the energy and the inclination.  SCOTT FROM PAGE 14

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URSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 PAGE 17 140 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 www.arrowaytractor.com 914-232-3515 5-20% OFF IN-STOCK INVENTORY! 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 On Feb. 14, love was in the air at Van Tassel House. Somers seniors enjoyed a delicious lunch in the beautifully decorated estate, and guests were happy to share their own Valentine’s Day memories with each other. In addition, robotic cats and dogs were distributed to seniors looking for some companionship.  ese lifelike pets, (cats actually purr and dogs bark) help people combat loneliness and brought smiles to the seniors that received them.  e Town of Somers Senior Programs received the robotic pets from the Westchester County Department of Senior Services. Organizers were overjoyed to be able to give these wonderful pets to seniors in need.  For more information on Senior Services, please visit www. somersny.com/departments/seniorservices or contact Van Tassell House at 914-232-0807. Valentine’s Day at Van Tassel House eading  e love

Dan O’Brien provided the Tuskers with strong minutes off the bench. Andrew Violante (18 pts, 14 in the fi rst half) tore up the Indians’ defense for the fi rst-round win. PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ Sports PAGE 18 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Somers Basketball  nished a historic regular season (18- 2, 6-0 in league play), earning them a No. 1 seed and home court advantage for the Section 1 Class A playo s. So as the favorites against visiting Mahopac (No. 8) on Saturday, Feb. 18, the Tuskers wasted no time in showing why they are one of the teams to beat in their 73-48  rst-round win. “Coach (DiCintio) always refers to boxing, saying how some guys wait till the seventh round to make their punch,” revealed Andrew Violante (18 pts, 3 assts). “But we came right out in the  rst round and hit them right in the jaw.”  e fatal blow came in the form of a 16-2 lead with two minutes remaining in the  rst quarter.  at onslaught then continued in the second frame when Mac Sullivan (9 pts, 4 rebs) showed his range by swishing a three for a 32-10 lead with a few minutes before halftime. Up 36-15 at break, the lead was made all the more impressive by the fact that Matt Fitzsimons (21 pts, 5 stls, 6 rebs) picked up three fouls early and was forced to sit for a large portion of the contest. Violante (14 pts in the  rst half) knew the onus was on him to pick up the scoring load with the captain out, but also trusted he had a squad behind him. “I did (know I had to step up), but I always have kids around me that can play. Dylan Ingraham (5 pts, 5 assts), Brady Leitner, Nate Cohen (8 pts, 3 stls), they can all play. We play as a team, and nobody is sel sh.  en Fitz came in and did his thing like always. It was a good team win.” As stated, Fitzsimons did get back in the action to start the second half. Two steals on defense initiated fast-break scores for both him and Violante, and then Ingraham found the senior twice for three, expanding the lead to 46-15 with 5:18 to go in the third.  e game all but over at this point, the Indians showed some  ght, getting the lead down to 49-27, and then later to 58-34 with six minutes until the  nal buzzer. However, the lead was too big, and Somers quenched any serious momentum for a smooth sail towards the end. Now in the postseason, the level-headed Tuskers will maintain their approach that got them to this point. “It’s (the playo s are) a new beginning. We got the one seed. We just have to keep doing what we are doing. It’s really no di erent, it’s just a game. Nothing is too big for us,” said Violante. On to the Elite 8, Somers will host Rye on  ursday (2/23) at 6 p.m. in a rematch of an overtime classic that the Tuskers won earlier this season. “We played a tough game last time, but I believe that we can do anything and we can go all the way,” Violante declared. Tuskers stampede the ‘Pac Playoff run off to strong start Contested or not, Matt Fitzsimons was cash all day from the perimeter. Mac Sullivan (9 pts, 4 rebs) produced for the Tuskers. BOYS BASKETBALL Coach (DiCintio) always refers to boxing, saying how some guys wait till the seventh round to make their punch. But we came right out in the first round and hit them right in the jaw.’ Andrew Violante Somers Basketball Junior 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 4/30/23 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 4/30/23 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19 TRACK & FIELD Section 1 State Qualifi er Sunday, Feb. 19 Track & Field visited  e Armory one last time this winter season for the Section 1 State Quali er meet.  e last meet of the winter for most, three Tuskers performed well enough to move onto the state championship early next month. Starting with the boys, Andrew Fasone put on the wheels to  nish  rst in the 300M with a blazing time of 35.19.  e time has him ranked top 10 in New York. Also in the top 10 for his event, Jared Googel hit the state-qualifying mark with a 58-06.75 for  rst place in the Weight  row. Both he and Fasone have a real chance of earning medals at States. Googel, Donovan, Fasone heading to States BYSNS concludes season PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ Ty Wingfi eld made 40 saves in his fi nal game for BYSNS. Coach John Veteri (right) giving his player a pep-talk pregame. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE LACKO The NYSPHSAA State Track & Field State Qualifi ers (Left to Right): Andrew Fasone, Jared Googel, Haylie Donovan VARSITY ROUNDUP SEE ROUNDUP PAGE 23 Just Listed Sophisticated and stylish “Home Resort” For the car enthusiast, sports fan, extended family or grand entertainer - an absolutely special and spectacular compound with every possible amenity, is well-appointed and stylishly updated. Beautifully designed and meticulously maintained 5800 sf, 4 BR, 6 BA showplace offers the best for everyday living and seamless entertaining. Adirondack-style guest cottage, Gunite pool, fireplaces, expansive decking and so much more! Situated on a private, professionally landscaped, level 3.19 acre property close to shopping, transportation and moments to school! $1,950,000 #UGottaHaveHope  HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536

Yorktown junior Joseph Aoukar swimming the butterfl y. FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF JODY CALDERON PAGE 20 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023  e combined Yorktown-Somers Boys Swimming and Diving team went into the Section 1 Championships determined to end the season on a high note.  On  ursday, Feb. 9, team captain Jay Wilkinson set the tone with his thirdplace podium  nish at the diving championship held at Suny Purchase.  e Somers senior, who completed a total of 11 dives, earned 16 points for the team with a New York State Championship qualifying score of 492.75.  e All-League and AllSection athlete then joined his Yorktown teammates on Feb. 13 and 14 at Felix Fiesta Middle School in West Nyack for a two-day Section 1 Swimming Championship.  Brady McEnroe, Joseph Aoukar, Jason Muroski and Wilkinson formed a dynamic relay team to  nish among the top in all three relay events at the prelims on Monday and punched their ticket to the  nals.  e boys each broke their personal best time in the 200 Freestyle Relay and secured a surprising third-place  nish, defeating swim giants such as Clarkstown.  e relay placed  fth with a time of 1:32.02 in the prelims and shot to a thirdplace  nish in the  nals, clocking 1:30.44.  “We set a goal to break our personal best times at Sectionals, and we did,” Wilkinson said. “Coach Brittney (Pisano) thought we could do really well in the 200 Freestyle Relay given our individual 50- yard Freestyle time. We took it to heart and pushed hard.  e 200 Free Relay is a fast race where you are going full speed from start to  nish. All four of us did that, and it paid o .”   e intense relay came down to a nailbiting moment when Clarkstown’s anchor, Evan Robinovich, and Yorktown’s Aoukar were neck-and-neck for the  nish. Aoukar out-touched Robinovich by 0.01 seconds to secure the third-place podium  nish.  “I de nitely knew how close the Clarkstown swimmer was, but I didn’t think I would out-touch him,” said Aoukar, who is one of the top sprinters on the team. “I gave it all I had all the way to the end, and I was relieved to  nd out I did it!”   e boys also made the  nals in the 200 Medley Relay for a  fth-place  nish and placed seventh in the 400-yard Freestyle Relay.  “Building one another’s con dence that we could do it had a lot to do with our performance,” added Wilkinson, who has been with the team for the last four years. “We went into the championship with great team spirit, and it helped.”   e team improved their overall standing with an eighth-place  nish, scoring 98 points, compared to last season, where they  nished twelfth with 64 points.  Article contributed by the Halston Media staff . Swim & Dive success at Sectionals Among top 3 in Section 1 PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRITTNEY PISANO The Yorktown-Somers swimmers (left) made the podium for their 3rdplace fi nish in the 200 Freestyle Relay at Section 1 Championship. Somers senior, Jay Wilkinson (right) among top 3 divers in Section 1. BOYS SWIMMING We went into the championship with great team spirit, and it helped.’ Jay Wilkinson Yorktown-Somers Swim & Dive Captain Golf requires mastery of a wide array of skills. Many novice players focus on improving skills related to their swings. Yet they shouldn’t overlook the importance of improving their short games as well. In golf, short game refers to the golf shots golfers must make when they’re near or on the green. According to Golf Distillery, a golf play information and tips site, shots like bunker shots, chips and putts are part of the short game. Improving these skills can go a long way toward bettering one’s game.  1. Learn “green-reading” techniques. According to a Golf Magazine-sponsored study through Pinehurst Golf Academy, 65 percent of golfers under-read the break on a typical putt. Incorrect reads can add to many lost strokes. Reading the green involves determining the correct slope and distance. Golfers who take depthperception tests and continually practice their skills at reading both the distance and the slope can improve their putts.  2. Change perspective. Di erent putts require di erent perspectives in order to assess both distance and slope, according to Todd Sones Impact Golf Schools. If the putt is downhill, Sones suggests reading it from behind the hole. If the putt is uphill, read it from behind the ball. 3. Practice consistent putter travel distance. While the total length of a putt stroke depends on the length of the putt, many golf instructors recommend consistency with the distance the putter head travels. Keep the same distance on the back stroke as on the foward stroke.  is will help create a nice, even roll. Most beginners tend to short their back strokes and increase their forward strokes, resulting in less ball control. 4. Focus on an imaginary channel. When putting, imagine a three- or four-inch channel from the ball to the hole. Rather than staring at the ball, golfers can track their eyes down that imaginary line, suggests the experts at Golf Digest. Keeping a simpler focus rather than overthinking things can improve putting. 5. Keep a steady head. Instead of following the ball with one’s eyes, a golfer should hold the focus on the start of the putt to foster a more steady head. 6. Change ball placement. Try moving to position the ball just forward of the center of the stance.  is helps the putter make contact at the right moment to achieve the slight lift needed for a successful putt. Practicing at home or with a golf instructor is a good way to improve putting skills. A strong short game can be the key to improving your overall game. Article provided by Metro Creative. 6 ways to improve your putting skills GOLF

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 21 BY WHIT ANDERSON AND CHRIS SMAJLAJ SPORTS EDITOR/PHOTOGRAPHER A strong  rst-half e ort kept the Tuskers within striking distance against Mahopac on the road Saturday (2/18), but the  ght fell short as the Indians (No. 2) pulled away from Somers (No. 15), 42-29, in the  rst round of the Section 1 Class A Tournament.  “ e loss to Mahopac was tough,” said Coach Kevin Mallon. “It’s never easy when your season ends, but the girls battled the entire game. I was really proud of their e ort and determination.”  e Tuskers came out  ring to give a scare to the favorites. Ava Giudice (11 pts)  converted a three-point play to put her squad up 8-3 with 2:45 to go in the  rst quarter. ‘Pac then going on a run to make it  11–8 a minute later, the senior captain cashed a triple in the  nal seconds to end the  rst frame tied up. Lindsay McCullough (7 pts) made noise at 6:00 in  the second quarter with her own three to give Somers their  nal lead of the afternoon at 14-13.  en  Mahopac would start to take control, going up 17-14 at 3:30, and later 25-16 at halftime as turnovers and missed shots hurt the Tuskers. Somers landed a few   nal punches in the third, including a  Bailey Atkinson (6 pts) three that cut the lead to 30-19, a Sydney Ingraham (5 pts) long ball to make it  34-22 with three minutes left, and some Giudice free Tuskers go out fighting against ‘Pac Breeze past Roosevelt Bailey Atkinson hit a big three in the third quarter to keep the Tuskers alive against Mahopac. Sydney Ingraham pushes the ball up court. PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ GIRLS BASKETBALL SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 22 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. 2022 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.

But ultimately, the lead was insurmountable, and the ‘Pac will move onto the second round of the tournament on  ursday, Feb. 23.  Nothing to hang their head about, Somers’ strong  nish to the season gives a lot for new head coach Kevin Mallon and the program to look forward to next season and beyond.  “As for next season, I’m very excited,” Mallon revealed. “We are going to lose six seniors (Giudice, McCartin, Alexa Warycha, Aleksiana Rukaj, Atkinson, Maddie Lyle) which is never easy, but we are going to return a lot of key players. We also have a talented JV team coming up.” In the prior game on  ursday (2/16), the Tuskers coasted past No. 18 Roosevelt at home in the out-bracket game. Giudice (9 pts), McCullough (7 pts), Rukaj (7 pts), Chloe Gabriele (6 pts), McCartin (5 pts), and Maia Cassin (3 pts) all contributed to the team e ort. “ e Roosevelt win was great,” said Mallon. “ It’s always nice to have a sectional win during a season.  e girls played great team basketball.” PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Ava Giudice (11 pts) gave it her all against the Indians on Saturday. Left to Right: Ava Giudice, Alexa Warycha, Sydney Ingraham, and Bailey Atkinson. BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 21 PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ Lindsay McCullough showed major improvements in her junior campaign. It’s never easy when your season ends, but the girls battled the entire game.’ Kevin Mallon Somers Basketball Head Coach WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 “I like to support local businesses and over the years they have been, by far, the best way to cover the tight knit communities they serve. My ads are seen by thousands and are an integral part of my marketing efforts. The crew at Halston Media is a pleasure to work with.” ~Mike Trinchitella Re/Max Classic Realty Check out our Facebook & Twitter pages! Putnam Humane Society, 68 Old Rt. 6, Carmel 845-225-7777 www.puthumane.org Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Putnam Humane Society Lucas Lucas is seven years old. Abandoned at the shelter gates. He is the sweetest boy ever! Loves to play with tennis balls, run and play in our fenced in area and just be with people. He cannot stand other dogs! So, he will have to be your one and only. But with all the love he has to give, you only need one :-) Ralph is an easy-going, big boy. A little shy at first, but then he presses his head into your hand for affection. His family moved and left him behind. Please help Ralph get into a new Ralph home soon. This ad was generously donated by Halston Media.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 Team wise, the 4x200M relay of Matt Hirsh, Sam Parsons, Jaden Abreu, and Fasone took  fth overall in Section 1, and broke a school record by clocking 1:33.87. “I am so proud of these boys,” said Coach Mike Lacko. “I have been working with them all season long.  ey started this training back in the fall, so to see this all happen truly means a lot for myself and the boys.  is is special group and I am so happy for them!” Haylie Donovan matched the sprinting prowess of Fasone by getting second in her 300M  - nal with a 39.97, the tenth fastest time in Westchester history. She is also looking to make the podium at States. “I could not be happier for Haylie!” said Coach John Vegliante. “To qualify for the state meet and run that fast was truly remarkable. She’s reached another level this season - she’s elite.” While not qualifying, Kaeleigh Picco scored a huge PR in the 1500M with a 5:03, and her distance counterparts in Mia Sandolo and Julia Duzynski put on great performances in the 3000M with times of 11:13.11 and 11:46.31 respectively. Duzynski also got seventh in the Pole Vault with a 6-6. For the relays, the girls’ 4x200M team  nished third with a 1:47.33, just missing out on States. “It was a great race and I’m thrilled with how hard they all competed,” said Vegliante. “Just looking at the marks this year compared to last indoor season, it’s astonishing,” Vegliante added. “What this group of girls have been able to accomplish in a year’s time is something I have not seen before. It’s a special group.”  e NYSPHSAA Track & Field Championships will take place Mar. 4 at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island. BYSNS ICE HOCKEY Scarsdale 9, BYSNS 1 Friday, Feb. 17 (Edward J. Murray Memorial Skating Center, Yonkers) No. 4 Scarsdale scored three  rst-period goals, and led 8-0 after two, in a 9-1 victory against No. 13 BYSNS (Brewster/Yorktown/Somers/North Salem), in the opening round of the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament. Ty Wing eld (40 saves), Dylan Weber (3 saves), Patrick McDonagh ( rst varsity goal), Owen Cunningham (1A), and Bryan Kottmann (1A) led BYSNS. BYSNS section contributed by Mike Sabini. ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 19 PHOTO: CHRIS SMAJLAJ The BYSNS ended their season against Scarsdale on Friday. Brewster, NY and Bethel, CT Showrooms On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenandbath.com Celebrating 50 years 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 SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D.

PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD LEISURE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Sea grape 5. European public health group (abbr.) 9. A way to delight 11. Appetizers 13. Ancient heralds’ wands 15. Make a booking 16. ‘__ death do us part 17. Pearl Jam frontman 19. Spider genus 21. Fill with high spirits 22. A major division of geological time 23. Catch 25. An independent ruler or chieftain 26. Electronic music style (abbr.) 27. Influential Spanish cubist painter 29. Illegally persuades 31. A way to derive 33. British School 34. Appear alongside 36. Surely (archaic) 38. Harsh cry of a crow 39. A day in the middle 41. Kansas hoops coach Bill 43. The longest division of geological time 44. The first sign of the zodiac 46. Appetizer 48. Link together in a chain 52. A bacterium 53. In a way, forces apart 54. Cheese dish 56. Combines 57. In an inferior way 58. Colors clothes 59. Dried-up CLUES DOWN 1. Gastropods 2. Confusing 3. Romanian monetary unit 4. The rate at which something proceeds 5. A prosperous state of well-being 6. Asked for forgiveness 7. Makes less soft 8. Part of speech 9. Outside 10. Advice or counsel 11. Badness 12. Protein-rich liquids 14. Not moving 15. Call it a career 18. Poetry term 20. Not wide 24. Pastries 26. Turns away 28. Satisfies 30. Gift adornments 32. San Diego ballplayers 34. Manufacturing plant 35. Check or guide 37. Dogs do it 38. Chilled 40. Scorch 42. Unproductive of success 43. Electronic countercountermeasures 45. Attack with a knife 47. Feel bad for 49. Enclosure 50. Assert 51. Geological times 55. Midway between east and southeast February may be known as the shortest month of the year, but it also can be among the coldest. When cooking during this time of year, whether it’s a family meal or a romantic dinner for two, foods that take the cold weather into consideration are the best bets. Cottage pie is a meal traditionally served in areas of Great Britain and Ireland.  e name is sometimes used interchangeably with shepherd’s pie, but that’s a mistake. While shepherd’s pie uses lamb in the recipe, cottage pie contains beef. Cottage pie features a layer of meat and vegetables topped with potatoes. Some people opt for a mashed potato topping, others arrange thin slices of potatoes to look like “shingles” on the cottage.  is recipe for “Cottage Pies” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done” (Time Home Entertainment) from the editors of Real Simple prepares the pies into individual servings.  ey can be prepared up to two days in advance and then baked straight from the refrigerator as needed. This hearty meal chases away the chill Cottage Pies Serves 4 1-1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces Kosher salt and black pepper 1/2 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1-1/2 cups frozen peas and carrots Heat oven to 425 F. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and add 2 teaspoons salt. Reduce heat and simmer until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and mash to the desired consistency. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the peas and carrots. Transfer the beef mixture to 4 individual baking dishes and top with the mashed potatoes. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 25 Cognitive health is not something to take for granted. Although a certain level of memory loss can be expected as people age, when the ability to clearly think, learn and remember is compromised, those changes can a ect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and should serve as a cause for concern. Brain health should be a priority for everyone.  e National Institute on Aging says brain health is an umbrella term that encompasses a host of factors, including: • cognitive health, which is how well you think, learn and remember • motor function, or how you make and control movements • tactile function, which is how you feel sensations; and • emotional function, or how emotions are interpreted and responded to.  Individuals can safeguard brain health — particularly cognitive health — by taking these steps. BE MORE HEALTHCONSCIOUS Working with doctors, individuals can put their health  rst.  is includes getting routine screenings, managing chronic health problems, limiting or avoiding alcohol and nicotine products, and getting the recommended amount of sleep each night. MANAGE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE All chronic conditions cause long-term repercussions, but the NIA indicates that observational studies show having high blood pressure in mid-life increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk for mild cognitive impairment and possibly dementia. CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN Harvard Medical School says nurturing social contacts, engaging in stimulating mental activities like reading and doing puzzles, seeing new places, and learning new things can help keep the brain in top form. MANAGE STRESS Stress can take its toll on the body, and there is reason to believe that it may adversely a ect cognitive health as well. Make every stride to reduce stress, whether that involves taking vacations, meditating, laughing with friends and family, or engaging in relaxing activities that relieve stress. GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D Vitamin D is linked to a host health bene ts, including its potential to promote a healthy brain. Individuals can get more time outdoors to get vitamin D naturally from the sun and eat foods rich in vitamin D. If doctors  nd that vitamin D levels are exceptionally low, supplementation can help. PAY ATTENTION TO HEARING LOSS Certain hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, says Healthline. Researchers in Italy concluded that people with central hearing loss had a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment than those with no hearing loss or peripheral hearing loss. Individuals with central hearing loss are urged to speak to their physicians to determine if they can take preventive action to stave o further decline. Cognitive health should be a priority. Adults can employ various strategies to reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age.   is article is from Metro Creative Connection. How to protect long-term cognitive health Harvard Medical School says nurturing social contacts, engaging in stimulating mental activities like reading and doing puzzles, seeing new places, and learning new things can help keep the brain in top form.’

PAGE 26 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 We can help put the SPRING back in your STEP! (914) 556-6800 somerssportandspine.com 336 US-202, Suite B1N Somers, NY 10589 (next to Somers Pharmacy) SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY! Dr. Frank Turchioe 4 Chiropractic Care 4 Soft Tissue Therapy 4 Injury Rehabilitation 4 Movement Assessment 4 Personal Training 4 Sports Performance Training 4 Webster Technique 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults Men and women are well aware that minor aches and pains are part of aging. A balky knee that acts up on rainy days or an old sports injury that still triggers periodic discomfort may not be much to worry about, but a more serious condition such as chronic back pain can be so debilitating that it’s wise for individuals to do whatever they can to avoid it or delay its arrival. Millions of cases of chronic back pain undoubtedly go unreported.  at’s because many individuals accept back pain as a side e ect of aging, while others lack access to health care, making it di cult to pinpoint just how prevalent chronic back pain is. However, the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 estimated that around 577 million people across the globe experience lower back pain, or LBP.   at prevalence should not give the impression that chronic back pain is unavoidable. In fact, various strategies can be employed to prevent back pain and all the negative consequences that come with it. • Be active.  e O ce of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) notes that physical activity strengthens the back and lowers the risk for developing back pain.  e ODPHP recommends individuals engage in backstrengthening and stretching exercises at least two days per week. Chiropractors or personal trainers can recommend safe back-strengthening exercises, which the Mayo Clinic notes include the bridge exercise and shoulder blade squeeze. Stretches individuals can try include the knee-to-chest stretch, the lower back rotational stretch and the cat stretch. • Embrace new exercise routines. Individuals accustomed to strength training that involves dumbbells and circuit training machines should know that there are other ways to build strength and bene t the back at the same time. For example, studies have shown the value of Pilates in increasing the strength of core muscles, including those in the lower back. In addition, the ODPHP recommends yoga to individuals who want to make their backs stronger and lower their risk for back pain. Many  tness facilities have long since recognized the value of yoga and Pilates and now include each approach in their class schedules.  • Perfect your posture. Another way to prevent back pain is to make a concerted e ort to maintain good posture.  e ODPHP urges individuals to avoid slouching when standing and sitting and to stand tall with head up and shoulders back. When sitting, sit with back straight against the back of the chair and feet  at on the  oor. If possible, keep knees slightly higher than hips when sitting. Alternate between sitting and standing to avoid being in the same position for too long. • Lift correctly. Poor technique when lifting things, even items that are not excessively heavy, can contribute to back pain. When lifting items, do so with the legs and not the back.  e ODPHP urges individuals to keep their backs straight and bend at the knees or hips when lifting items. Avoid lifting especially heavy items without assistance. Despite its prevalence, back pain is not a given. Individuals can keep various strategies in mind to avoid joining the hundreds of millions of people across the globe who su er from back pain every day.   is article is from Metro Creative Connection. Strategies to prevent back pain Braces are used to correct any number of dental issues that affect both children and adults.  e Canadian Association of Orthodontists says more than four million Canadians and Americans wear braces and are in the care of orthodontic specialists.  e reward for wearing braces is straighter teeth that are less vulnerable to decay and injury. A beautiful smile also may boost self-esteem. While patients’ speci c needs will determine how long braces must be worn, the average time spent in braces is anywhere from 18 months to three years. During that time, patients must maintain optimal oral health.  Cleaning one’s teeth while braces are on can be tricky, but it’s highly necessary. Failure to clean teeth e ectively while braces are in place can cause white spot lesions, which are white stains around the brackets caused by decalci cation.  is is just one reason to stay on top of oral health. Here’s how to do it successfully. CONSULT WITH YOUR DENTIST Dental hygienists and dentists are experienced at cleaning teeth that have braces. Typical visits for routine cleanings will not be much di erent than visits without braces.  e sta will take X-rays and conduct a thorough examination of the teeth. Hygienists know how to manipulate cleaning tools around braces to clean e ectively. Very often, cavities can be  lled and even root canals performed with braces on teeth, so there’s no need to worry. Should braces be in the way, the dentist can work with the orthodontist and have a bracket temporarily removed and replaced to facilitate treatment. CLEAN AT HOME  e Baltimore-based Orthodontic Associates advises braces wearers to purchase a high-quality toothbrush. Ask the orthodontist for a recommendation. While brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth and braces, remembering to scrub around each bracket. Use the same angle to brush the backs of the teeth. Pay special attention to the molars and the gum line where tartar builds up. Special “pipe cleaner” brushes can get in between the wires and brackets, pushing out any food particles that are missed by larger toothbrushes. Floss can be snaked under wires to get in between teeth as well; it just requires some  nesse. Waxed  oss generally is easier to use, as it less likely to get stuck. Some orthodontists recommend brushing three times per day instead of two while wearing braces.  e extra time comes after eating lunch. A water  osser also may be a handy investment. Water  ossers are easier to use than traditional  oss while wearing braces and they can remove food particles and plaque e ectively. Individuals who wear braces should bring any cleaning or oral health concerns to their dentist’s or orthodontist’s attention.   is article is from Metro Creative Connection. What to know about dental cleanings while wearing braces

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 27 Our feet are the ground foundation of our bodies. We use our feet from the moment we are in the upright position: when we start walking as infants, run as toddlers, active as athletes in sport, and walk and run for fitness and health as we age. We rely on our feet, yet when it comes to self-care, our feet often get the least attention until we experience foot pain, injury, or dysfunction. UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX STRUCTURE OF OUR FEET AND OUR WALKING ACTION Our feet are of the most complex parts of our body. Each foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons. In addition, a foot has about 7,000 nerve endings which connect it to our brain to stabilize, balance and assist in our body proprioception (to know where our bodies are in space). A normal walking or gait pattern consists of two phases: the stance phase (close contact chain) and the swing phase (open chain). • The stance phase starts with the heel strike, full weight bearing on the midfoot and the push off through the front foot and occupies 60% of the gait cycle. • The swing phase is the push off, foot clearance in the air and swing through before heel-strike for a continuous alternating close contact and open-chain gait cycle. PRESSURE ON OUR FEET BIOMECHANICS As the rest of our bodies change when we age, so do our feet. Several factors affect our feet biomechanics (how the foot moves), such as weight gain, overuse as an athlete, wearing wrong footwear, being less active and getting weaker, any injury that causes a limp when we walk (antalgic gait). Changes in our feet biomechanics put extra stress on our ankle and foot ligaments, muscles, and joints. These result in pain and limitations in normal movement and compromise our balance. MOBILITY CHALLENGES DUE TO FEET PROBLEMS Our feet can be divided in three sections, each part with their own actions and problems: • The heel or hind foot • The midfoot or foot arch • The forefoot For a normal gait, the heel must contact the ground first. The heel attaches the lower leg calf muscle to the ankle and foot. Common problems causing pain to the 1. Heel: • Achilles Tendinitis - overuse of the calf muscle that connects to the heel causing an inflammation of the tendon • Heel spurs - bony outgrowth that causes severe pain with weightbearing and can lead to plantar fasciitis • Ankle fractures – sports related or from a fall • Arthritis – common disease that cause swelling, stiffness, and pain 2. Foot arch: • Plantar fasciitis – tightened and inflamed foot arch muscles from the heel into the arch of the foot • Stress fractures – tiny breaks in the small bones in the midfoot from repetitive movements • Flat feet (pronated feet) – fallen foot arches affecting wrong alignment of feet 3. Forefoot: • Metatarsalgia – inflammation and pain in the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the ball of the foot • Bunion – bony outgrowth at the base of the big toe causing the big toe to move towards the second toe, can result in hammer toes (second toe, third toe crawling over each other) • Neuroma – benign growth and thickening pressing on a nerve PREVENTING AND TREATING FOOT PAIN AND PROBLEMS Our feet work as an extension of our bodies, especially from the hips and legs. When foot problems arise, the whole leg should be addressed to get the foot in a balanced, supportive position again. As a start, ensure you wear proper footwear and do basic exercises to improve the strength of your feet and leg muscles, attain more flexibility and get up to move with good balance and proprioception. Toe/feet/leg exercises: Repeat both feet about one minute each. • Scrunch up a towel with your toes. Swoop the towel to the inside and to the outside, keeping your heel on the ground working the forefoot • Pick up scrunched-up pieces of paper with your toes. Turn your leg to your opposite knee and put the paper in your opposite hand. -Start sitting on a chair and progress to standing and balance on one leg • Trace the alphabet with your foot, making large letters. As you improve, add the whole leg for strengthening and balance, standing only on one leg tracing the alphabet from the hip to the knee to the ankle • Seated - progress to standing. Raise up on your toes then back on your heels. Rock back-and-forth and when you are standing. Squeeze your butt and thigh muscles to add strengthening. • Roll a tennis/golf ball under your foot, apply gentle pressure through the whole surface of your foot A gait dysfunction can change your normal gait pattern and affect your safety and daily activities. It requires more energy and causes stress on other body parts and needs more specialized attention. Please contact your health care provider of physical therapist for more detailed gait analysis, specialized treatment, and individualized exercises. LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER ADVERTORIAL Foot maintenance: We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing [email protected] or visiting www. lizelubbept.com. HEALTHY FEET PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR OUR MOBILITY

PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr. • Somers, NY 10589 914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com A new generation of family dentistry CALL US & make your appointment TODAY! $1,000 OFF ALL FULL COMPREHENSIVE INVISALIGN CASES* BEFORE *Promotion applies to first 10 cases STRAIGHTER healthier smile! Spring into a AFTER 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 I t was 10 o’clock in the morning.   e guy with the drill was an hour late.  ere are worse places to hang out than a bank in Rockland County, but I was getting antsy.  e point of this exercise was that a safe deposit box was thought to contain an original Will.   e box’s owner had died. No other person had access to this box. Our o ce had to obtain a court order from Surrogate’s Court to open the safe deposit box and search its contents. It was about 10:10 a.m. when the drill guy showed up. He performed his task e ciently.  e box was removed from the vault and placed on a conference room table so the bank employees and I could see what was inside.  No Will. A Sears credit card from the 1970s, some New York Telephone bills and a small marble collection rounded out the contents, which would remain with the bank until an Estate Administrator was appointed. After a few shrugs and some handshakes, I exited the bank a little wiser. Document storage should not be an afterthought. Physical storage of legal documents in a  re-proof box in one’s home is the preferred option for safeguarding Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Living Wills and other important papers. While many people store original deeds next to their Wills and Powers of Attorney, there are some important facts to keep in mind.  Recorded deeds are public records. Before any deed transfer is initiated, an online search of the most recent recorded deed is often necessary to ensure that proper title is being transmitted. I am not saying that you should expel the deed from your  re-proof box, but understand that your original deed is not in the same class as your Will. Cooperative Apartment documents are di erent. Original Co-op stock and lease documents should be kept safe, because they are usually not public records and replacement costs can be prohibitive. Digital storage of documents has evolved over the last two decades. Scanned PDFs saved on a desktop or to a thumb drive were reasonably reliable.  e primary fear was mechanical failure or accidental erasure.  e advent of cloud computing with redundant server systems changed how we store and interact with documents. Smartphone apps o er gateways to the Cloud, with the ability to scan, save and transmit a document on any device at any time. Add to this, there is greater institutional acceptance of digital legal document copies for the purposes of linking a Power of Attorney to an account, setting up a Trust account, or a range of other services. Dropbox, OneDrive and a host of online cloud storage providers allow you to organize and share your documents without worrying about device failure.  Financial companies and law  rms maintain their own encrypted client cloud portals, which store legal documents for easy access.  is new paradigm has reduced the reliance on original documents. Original Wills are still necessary for Probate, but scans and copies of advance directives are accepted with regularity.    ere will always be security concerns with cloud systems and hacking, but the ease of scanning and saving vital legal documents is a huge advantage over poorly executed physical storage options. Just ask the drill guy. Alan D. Feller is cofounder of Sloan & Feller in Mahopac, a multi-disciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and business advisement. He can be reached at 845-621-8640. Contact the professionals at Sloan and Feller today to go over long term care options. Locate and keep your documents safe Physical and digital storage options  e advent of cloud computing with redundant server systems changed how we store and interact with documents.’’ -Alan D. Feller Sloan & Feller ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 29 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board DSL Construction The Home Team! Floors • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms Complete Remodeling of Your Home OFFICE: 845-276-8608 LOU: 845-494-9857 Proudly Serving Heritage Hills Community The Home Team! Floors • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms FREE Consultation & Design Fully Insured to Meet Your Needs Scaffold Law/Labor Law, Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! MANHATTAN AVENUE APARTMENTS 44 NEWLY CONSTRUCTED 1 BEDROOM AFFORDABLE SENIOR APARTMENTS located at 52 Manhattan Avenue, Greenburgh, NY. All residents must be aged 62 or over. Rents ranging from $597 - $1,367. Tenant pays electricity, electric heat, electric water heating and electric cooking. Trash and sewer included in rent. INCOME LIMITS & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY. Maximum income limits ranging from $29,130 - $66,540 *minimum income limits also apply. Income limits subject to unit size, household size & set-aside requirements; please visit www.cgmrcompliance.com for details. To request an application by mail write to MANHATTAN AVENUE APARTMENTS, PO Box 440, Wading River, NY 11792, call (631) 910-6200, email [email protected] or in person at Greenburgh Housing Authority, 9 Maple St, White Plains, NY 10603. Visit www.NYHousingSearch.gov for additional information. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 9th, 2023. Late applications will not be considered. A Public Lottery to be held at Greenburgh Housing Authority on April 21st, 2023 starting at 12pm. CollarCityAuctionsOnline.com ONLINE AUCTION By Order of Rensselaer County, NY 518-895-8150 x 3003 Single Family Homes, Multi-Family Homes, Vacant Land and Commercial Properties. By Order of Rensselaer County, NY 92-TAX FORECLOSED PROPERTIES DSL Construction Inc. Windows, Doors, and Painting Full Service Window and Door Installations Call for Free Quote and Measure We deal with all the major window, door, and paint brand manufacturers Office: 845-276-8608 • Lou: 845-494-9857 Fully Licensed to meet your needs! Scaffold Law/Labor Law, Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Call to get your FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 Dental50Plus.com/nypress Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6208-0721 DENTAL Insurance © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. For promo details please call 844-919-1682 CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 O First Month of New Service! USE PROMO CODE: GZ59O EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! Promo Code: 285 FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING* SENIORS & YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY! PURCHASE* 20 + % % OFF 10 OFF *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate only. 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. Registration# 0366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Registration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-478-9473 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST Visit Our Display Center at 747 Pierce Road, Clifton Park, NY, 12065 Same Day Installation • Sales • Rentals • Service • Buybacks New and Reconditioned Lifts Locally Owned & Operated Regain Your Independence! $ 200 OFF the purchase of any stairlift 855.281.6439 I Free Quotes American Made Family Owned Award Winning Could your kitchen use a little magic?

PAGE 30 – THE SOMERS RECORD CLASSIFIEDS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755 Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish® Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: (877) 798-9474. Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org. COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required. ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. 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Call 888- 508-5313 Do you have boxes of old comic books lying around? Turn them into cash. Call, text or write George and I will come get them. 917-652- 9128; [email protected] DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595- 6967 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 02/16/2023 AUTO DONATIONS BUYING/SELLING Buying diamonds, gold, silver, all fine jewelry and watches, coins, paintings, better furs, complete estates. We simply pay more! Call Barry 914-260-8783 or e-mail [email protected] EDUATION/CAREER TRAINING FINANCE HEALTH HELP WANTED HOME IMPROVEMENT MISCELLANEOUS TV INTERNET PHONE Contact Us The Somers Record is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302- 5830 or email somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com. UPDATED Halston Media fillers 12/31/20 (new address) *NOTE: when putting these into place, please take hyphenation off as it can get very confusing for web and/or email addresses. thanks! Somers Record Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at somersrecord@halstonmedia. com, or give us a call at 914- 302-5830. Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Somers Record need to be high-resolution. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. 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 The Somers Record or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830. Editorial Submissions Press releases and photos should be submitted to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to The Somers Record, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Contact Us The Somers Record is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302- 5830 or email somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com. Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a cameraready PDF via email at [email protected]. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151. Advertise With Us When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout the Town of Somers, including all of its hamlets and Heritage Hills. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Sports Deadline The sports deadline for The Somers Record is the Sunday before the next publication date. Varsity coaches should submit results and information by e-mail to sports@ halstonmedia.com. All youth sports and recreational sports items should also be submitted to the same e-mail address by the Thursday before the next publication date. Somers Record News Fillers Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at somersrecord@halstonmedia. com, or give us a call at 914- 302-5830. Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Somers Record need to be high-resolution. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. Send a selfaddressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at somersrecord@halstonmedia. com or mail it to The Somers Record, Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. 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 The Somers Record or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830. Editorial Submissions Press releases and photos should be submitted to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to The Somers Record, Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Contact Us The Somers Record is located at Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. You can contact us at 914-302-5830 or email somersrecord@halstonmedia. com. Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a cameraready PDF via email at [email protected]. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151. Advertise With Us When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout the Town of Somers, including all of its hamlets and Heritage Hills. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email freeman@halstonmedia. com. Sports Deadline The sports deadline for The Somers Record is the Sunday before the next publication date. Varsity coaches should submit results and information by e-mail to sports@ halstonmedia.com. All youth sports and recreational sports items should also be submitted to the same e-mail address by the Thursday before the next publication date. header: Univers Bold 11pt/12leading body: Franklin Gothic Book reg10pt/11leading paragraph rule top Univers Bold 10pt/11 leading paragraph rule top Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. SR legals specs: STANDING HEAD: Gill Sans (TT), bold, 18pt, M100-Y100 HEADER-Univers 57 condensed regular 12/14, all caps, underline, centered BODY-Adobe Caslon pro 10/11 Left Justified, no hyphens LLC FORMATION NOTICE Notice of Formation of Rosslyn Farm LLC. Arts. of Org. filed w/ SSNY 2/23/18. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against LLC to 104 Delancey Road, North Salem, NY 10560. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of CNNJ L.L.C. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-01-16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Colin Jennings Jr.: 76 esplanade  Mount Vernon Mount Vernon NY 10553. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Caprio Ventures, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022- 12-13. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Caprio Ventures, LLC: 808 Route 35 Cross River NY 10518. Purpose: Any lawful purpose PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Somers will conduct a public hearing on March 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York on a proposed Local Law to amend §170-3 Definitions to add the following to the of the CODE of the Town of Somers: Transient Basis The rental of a room or rooms for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping by the Owner of a Lodging Business for a period of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less, count a portion of a day as a full calendar day. All persons having an interest in the proposed local law are invited to attend the public hearing and will be afforded an opportunity to be heard. A copy of the proposed local law will be available and may be examined in the Office of the Town Clerk during regular business hours. By Order of the Town Board of the Town of Somers Patricia Kalba Town Clerk Dated: February 23, 2023 NOTICE TO BIDDERS TOWN OF SOMERS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK             NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed Bids will be received by the Town of Somers until 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Somers, Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589, at which time and place said sealed Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud, on the following:             To provide Security for all Town Buildings.             Bid Documents may be obtained in the Town of Somers Town Clerk’s Office, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York 10589 beginning Wednesday, April 5, 2023 during regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.             A bank check in the amount of not less than 5% of the amount Bid or a Bid bond shall accompany the Bid. Bidders submitting a bank check as Bid security shall also submit a certificate of surety from a licensed surety bond company. Bidders submitting a Bid bond are not required to submit a certificate of surety.              The Bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope plainly marked "Town of Somers Security for all Town Buildings Bid.”             The Town of Somers reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Bids and to waive any informalities, in its discretion, and to award the contract in a manner deemed to be in the best interests of the Town of Somers. BY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD February 9, 2023 Patricia Kalba Town Clerk To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Health Infusion NY LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/3/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 32 Lakeview Ave., Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. General Purpose Behind The Wheel Mobile Detailing LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/3/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to William J Murphy, 155 Concord Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. LLC FORMATION NOTICES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 31 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board VIKING LYNX MONOGRAM SUBZERO SCOTSMAN BERTAZZONI BOSCH BEST DCS GE MARVEL MIELE MAYTAG ELECTROLUX WHIPSPERKOOL FRIDGIDAIRE Trusted Repair That Will Stand the Test of Time Grills | Washers | Dryers | Refrigerators | Ovens | Ranges | Wine Coolers Serving Westchester County PH: 914.864.1252 6 Mark Mead Road • Cross River, NY 10518 Email: [email protected] www.appliancegenie.com AUTHORIZED SERVICE FOR VIKING, LYNX, FRIGIDAIRE Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com ADULT SOFTBALL YSALEAGUES.COM [email protected] YORKTOWN PARKS & RECREATION BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 51 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! GOLD • SILVER • DIAMONDS WATCHES • COINS • FURS PAINTINGS • FULL ESTATES The Buying Service We simply pay more! Contact Barry 914-260-8783 [email protected] WE BUY Established 1979 Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer WESTCHESTER 914-277-4229 • PUTNAM 845-278-2575 AS FEATURED ON FREE ESTIMATES AND FREE INSTALLATION DISCOUNTED BLINDS & SHADES VERTICAL-MINI BLINDS-SILHOUETTE SHUTTERS-WOOD BLINDS-VIGNETTE LUMINETTES-ROMAN BLINDS-VALANCES Shades Above the Rest for Home & Office SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $25 PER BLIND! www.westrockwindowdesigns.com Somers Resident COUPON Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. 59 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 email: [email protected] 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com For All Your Plumbing, Heating, Hot Water Heater & Gas Needs

PAGE 32 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 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. to keep sending you The Somers Record for FREE. The post office charges us more without it. Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) 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YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Somers Record YES, I really enjoy The Somers Record and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) 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 Katonah-Lewisboro Times Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times Mahopac News 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 Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com Don’t Miss a Week of The Somers Record. Please Re-Subscribe Today! Thursday, November 3, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 30 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 32 CLASSIFIEDS 34 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 26 OBITUARIES 30 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Tuskers Batter Brewster pg 22 FOOTBALL Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Please note that the Nov. 10 edition of The Somers Record will go to press before the Nov. 8 election results are available. Please visit TapIntoSomers.net to view our full election coverage. BY BOB DUMAS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR When voters go to the polls this election season, they will have a choice between two candidates who are vying for the state’s 40th Senate District seat. Incumbent Democrat Pete Harckham of South Salem, seeking his third term as state senator, will be opposed by Republican Gina Arena, an administrative assistant from Somers. Here is a look at the two candidates, including their platforms, accomplishments and goals. PETE HARCKHAM Now nearing the end of his second term in oƒ ce, Pete Harckham is chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He worked to make the 2% property tax cap permanent; delivered record aid to education and addressed the opioid crisis by doubling minimum treatment times and reducing barriers to life-saving treatment. Harckham helped pass the toughest climate-protection legislation in the nation, and also introduced a measure, later enacted, requiring all new passenger-car and truck sales to be zero emission by 2035 and allowing municipalities to build solar canopies and jumpstart community renewable-energy projects. Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul placed Harckham’s wetlands legislation protecting Class C streams statewide, which will safeguard drinking water resources, into her proposed 2023 state budget. Harckham has been a leading voice to hold the utilities accountable in the wake of failed responses to natural disaster. To date, he has held 13 food drives to ” ght hunger, assisted thousands of residents with unemployment claims and delivered personal-protection equipment to ” rst responders and municipalities throughout the 40th Senate District. From 2008 to 2015 Harckham served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he was a leading voice for protecting the environment and maintaining vital services. In addition to his professional work, Harckham served on the President’s Council for the Northern Westchester Hospital, was a board member for the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Junior League of Northern Westchester Community Advisory Council and the Livable Communities Council. “I come from a labor family and have been endorsed three times by the Westchester Building Trades, Westchester-Putnam AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, a host of service and public unions, as well as nurses and teachers,” Harckham said. “I work very closely with my union partners around the issues of decommissioning Indian Point and passed a law to protect wages and local jobs, as well as created the Decommissioning Oversight Harckham, Arena face off for 40th Senate District seat Sen. Pete Harckham Gina Arena SEE SENATE PAGE 28 SellYour Home for TOP DOLLAR with Somers’ Real Estate Specialist Visit: SomersHouseValues.com or Email: [email protected] Michael Trinchitella Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker FREE Home Evaluation Anytime — No Cost or Obligation Call 914.243.3051 SomersHouseValues.com CLASSIC REALTY IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER! Vol. 11 No. 35 Thursday, December 8, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 21 OBITUARIES 9 OPINION 10 SPORTS 18 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Winning is always great. But making your way back to the top after a heartbreak is unmatched. Motivated by the crushing 32-31 defeat against CBASyracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Syracuse. Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. Ž e preparation was on point, we did everything we were supposed to do, weathered several storms, weathered injuries, and we got it done,” said the second-year head coach. Wasting no time on the big stage, Ravi Dass (3 Rec, 2 TDs) answered the call on the opening return, taking it all the way to the Tigers’ 39, then catching an 18-yard pass from Matt Fitzsimons for the — rst touchdown 22 seconds into the game. “Walking out as state champs, it’s awesome,” said the senior receiver. Ž e defense’s turn, George Forbes (6 Tk) began his Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Winning is always great. But making your way back to the top after a heartbreak is unmatched. Motivated by the crushing 32-31 defeat against CBASyracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Syracuse. Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. Ž e preparation was on point, we did everything we Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win Ravi Dass put his team ahead early with two huge touchdowns. SEE CHAMPIONS PAGE 18 The 2022 Tuskers cemented themselves in Somers history with the 58-21 win over Union-Endicott. PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536  Your House Could Be the #1 Item on a Homebuyer’s Wish List During the Holidays Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting until the new year to go back on the market. The truth is many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. Call me for a no-obligation consultation about selling your home and the 5 great reasons you shouldn't wait until Spring. #UGottaHaveHope Thursday, December 8, 2022 rier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. Ž e preparation was on point, we did everything we were supposed to do, weathered several storms, weathered injuries, and we got it done,” said the second-year head coach. Wasting no time on the big stage, Ravi Dass (3 Rec, 2 TDs) answered the call on the opening return, taking it all the way to the Tigers’ 39, then catching an 18-yard pass from Matt Fitzsimons for the — rst touchdown 22 seconds into the game. “Walking out as state champs, it’s awesome,” said the senior receiver. Ž e defense’s turn, George Forbes (6 Tk) began his Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win SEE CHAMPIONS PAGE 18 MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536  Thursday, December 15, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 36 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 37 CLASSIFIEDS 39 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 LEGAL NOTICES 37 LEISURE 31 OBITUARIES 9 OPINION 10 SPORTS 24 Toys for Tots pg 3 GIVING BACK Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER  e Somers Board of Education got its rst o cial peek last week at the scal fallout from the settlement of the old PepsiCo property’s tax certiorari case. Also cited for their potential impact on local pocketbooks were fuel and electricity costs, which are rising at an “alarming” rate, according to the school district’s assistant superintendent for business, Chris Platania. Platania presented trustees and the public with an initial overview of the 2023-24 school budget on Tuesday, Dec. 6.  ere won’t be preliminary numbers to share until after the governor’s rst budget comes out in January and the district gets a clue about what its state aid is going to be. TAXING CIRCUMSTANCES  e 206-acre PepsiCo property, along with its 540,000-squarefoot o ce, o‹ Route 35 was sold in 2015 to  Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim Helú for $87 million.  e new owners, listed as One P Way LLC,  went on to challenge their real estate tax assessment as well as that of the old IBM campus’  on Route 100, which Slim had acquired in 2017.  e former tax certiorari case was Board of Education begins budget process The Somers community got into the holiday spirit at the tree lighting ceremony outside The Elephant Hotel on Dec. 4. See more photos on page 22! Oh Christmas tr ee! SEE BUDGET PAGE 33 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536  “Hope is quite simply the best agent I’ve ever come across in all my years living in Westchester County. Her complete knowledge of the market in the area has impressed even a skeptic like me. Once you hire her, she will represent you at every step in your journey with enthusiasm, professionalism and candor. She is a woman with smarts and integrity and does so much to help others even when she stands to gain nothing for herself. Hope is a quality human being that you should have on your team. I can’t say enough about Hope other than #UGottaHaveHope!” — TI, Somers about Your Local Expert! Rave Reviews Rave Reviews