THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 VOL. 14 NO. 6 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 LEGAL NOTICES 24 LEISURE 21 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 6 OBITUARIES 22 OPINION 8 SPORTS 18 Mahopac seniors lunch with Fox meteorologist Janice Dean pg 4 WEATHER’S FARE Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. K-9 units from the area came to Lakeview Elementary school to show Mahopac Boy and Cub Scouts how dogs are used in police work, from nabbing suspects to nding guns and drugs to tracking down missing people. As part of the demonstration, Yorktown Police O cer Tommy Beyrer acted as the bad guy as K-9 Spar, handled by O cer Mike Campion, was commanded to grab and hold the suspect (above left). Later in the evening, Putnam County Sheri ’s Department Senior Investigator Randall Hill and bloodhound K-9 Flash (right) tracked down a “missing” scout. See more pictures and other K-9s on page 14. A happy tail! Lakeview Elementary hosts K-9 demonstration BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Mahopac parents want more vocational training and support for programs outside of sports, according to data gathered by the Mahopac Central School District. e data is expected to be included in the district’s thinking as administrators design a new ve-year strategic plan. Addressing the school board at its March working meeting last week, Superintendent Christine Tona said the district had used an online survey/comment gathering application called ought Exchange to sound out community members on things the district is doing well, ways it can improve, and how it should set priorities. Survey helps shape school strategic plan Parents want more vocational training, and balance with sports SEE PLAN PAGE 5 PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL I need your support and signature to get elected! Call OR Text me at: 914-447-4106 I will stop by to have you sign the Republican Designating Petition to assure that I will be on the ballot. IF YOU WANT IT DONE GERARD'S THE ONE! LEADERSHIP • INTEGRITY • ACCOUNTABILITY WANT FREE FIREWOOD & FREE LEAF PICK UP? Vote For Gerard Ahler CARMEL HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Your Neighbor THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You hear about it all the time—that rare find at a garage sale, that box of baseball cards in your uncle’s attic. They were headed to the trash when someone discovered they were worth hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars and saved them. For Theo Darringer, it all started when he received a text from his grandfather saying he was doing some cleaning and discovered a box of comic books, most of them from the 1950s. They had been his as a child but now they were just in the way. They were Theo’s if he wanted them. Otherwise, they were off to the landfill. Darringer is a high school sophomore who lives in Manhattan. His grandfather John Darringer is a longtime resident of Mahopac, where the comics were discovered. The 15-year-old wasn’t sure that he wanted his grandfather’s old comic books, but then wondered if he might be able to sell them on eBay for a few bucks. There were 59 in all, including editions by Marvel and DC Comics, as well as other publishers. A lot of them featured superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Mighty Mouse. So, the teen decided to take them off his grandfather’s hands. And he was right—he could sell them on eBay. In fact, he sold them all... for more than $4,000. “He doesn’t like clutter; he is always cleaning,” Darringer said of his grandfather. “He didn’t know the value of them. I think he thought I would read them.” At first, the younger Darringer didn’t know that the comic books had value. He doesn’t read modern comics and—aside from the iconic superhero characters who have lived on through television and movies—was even less familiar with characters and titles nearly 70 years old. The one thing Darringer did know was that the comics were in excellent condition. They had been stored in the attic decades ago and hadn’t been moved. “[My grandfather] is very good at taking care of his things and for the most part these were in pristine condition,” he said. “I did have to give a $50 partial refund to one customer because the cover had a small tear in it that I hadn’t noticed, but other than that there were no problems.” Darringer started by looking around eBay to study the market for his grandfather’s comics. He was seeing a lot of examples from the ’90s selling for around $10-$15 apiece, but couldn’t find many listings of ’50s vintage. “I never realized [how much they were worth] until I sold them,” he said. “I learned that way. I am glad I put them up for auction [instead of fixing a price] because I had underestimated their value.” Darringer said he was astonished as he watched bidding soar on certain issues. One went for $700, giving him a one-night total of $1,000. Besides condition, Darringer said other factors determining value are the title and the series number. “The big names seem to sell best,” he said. “I had a ‘Superboy’ go for a couple of hundred bucks.” The comics are all gone now. Darringer sold the last one a few months ago. He said his grandfather was happy with the outcome and doesn’t want a cut of the proceeds. “He doesn’t care about that. He is just happy they are worth something,” he said, noting his grandfather is always making donations to favored causes. “He recently donated a bunch of Lionel trains to a museum,” he said. As for his windfall, Darringer said he still has to decide what to do with it. “I haven’t spent any of it. I’m saving for the future,” said Darringer, who already owns a bubble gum machine business and an exotic shrimp enterprise. “I might invest in another business venture.” Darringer said that college is in his future and currently takes AP and honors classes. He would like to work in finance so he may major in economics and minor in computer science, which is the path his father took. And as far as comic books go, well, Darringer says they now have a new place closer to his heart. “I think you could say that I now enjoy comic books—that is the outcome of all this,” he said with a laugh. Mahopac attic yields comic book treasure Titles from the ’50s sell for thousands Some of the comic books Theo Darringer sold on eBay. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THEO DARRINGER Theo Darringer
The Sta EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [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 Mahopac News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing o ices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 (ISSN 2330-1627) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main O ice 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Fox News meteorologist and author Janice Dean made a special appearance at the March 15 Putnam County O ce for Senior Resources’ (OSR) Saint Patrick’s Day Senior Luncheon, held at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac. She was invited by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. Dean is a senior meteorologist at Fox News and wellknown seniors’ advocate. Having lost her motherin-law and father-in-law who were residing in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dean became an outspoken critic of New York State’s policies that failed to protect senior citizens during the height of the pandemic. Most recently, she published a book called “I Am the Storm,” which shares her personal journey and the lessons she’s learned from everyday heroes taking on long odds. “I’m so happy to have been invited to visit with all of you. is is an absolutely beautiful community,” Dean told the crowd of over 100 residents from all over Putnam. “Whenever I have an opportunity to speak with seniors, I cherish it. ey are a wealth of knowledge and experience.” “Janice is a true champion for seniors and I’m so grateful she was able to take time to come visit Putnam County, especially after she had an extremely busy week in her day job covering the nor’easter that hit New York this week,” said County Executive Byrne. “I know our seniors and our sta at OSR loved hearing from Janice and appreciated her visit.” Dean also took the opportunity to sign copies of her book as well as visit and speak with sta at OSR’s of- ce in Carmel. All copies of her book that were given out came at no expense to those in attendance, nor at the expense of the taxpayers of Putnam County. Article provided by the Putnam County Executive’s O ce Janice Dean comes to Mahopac Fox News meteorologist and seniors’ advocate appears at OSR luncheon COURTESY PUTNAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE Bagpipe-playing Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne jams with Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean on the bodhrán at the Putnam County Offi ce of Senior Resources’ St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com Hop with BELL! into $avings 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. Don’t miss your chance to lock in rebates and incentives today— VALUED UP TO 50% of your Heat Pump project while program funding lasts… CALL NOW TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY! $ 1,000 IN REBATES Heat Pump Hot Water Heater Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 UP TO $ 174 PLUS TAX Call Us TODAY! 845-600-8004 Preventative Maintenance Visit Starting at Only
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 5 Tona said around 600 people took part in the anonymous survey, 57 percent of them identifying as parents/guardians of current and future students. Other participants included teachers and non-teaching sta (around 37 percent), with about 6 percent of respondents coming from the community at large. ‘THOUGHT’ PROCESS Unlike a conventional questionnaire, oughtExchange works by letting respondents post ideas (or “thoughts” in oughtExchange parlance). ese thoughts can then receive comments and star ratings, with the thoughts ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. oughts receiving the highest scores become “top thoughts,” re ecting either community agreement or priority. Tona said that while not everyone posted a “thought,” the district received hundreds of thoughts and comments—and more than 14,000 ratings. e school district did not identify the people who posted the thoughts by name. According to a PowerPoint shared with the board (available by clicking the March 16 link at go.boarddocs.com/ny/mahopac/ Board.nsf/Public), top thoughts included adding more trade and vocational training to the curriculum, making special education more inclusive, and supporting the arts, trades, sciences and engineering with the same fervor as the athletics programs. More than 120 of the thoughts focused on academics, with student behavior policies eliciting about 50. Other categories included sta information, communication, special education services, college preparation, diversity, and health, safety and security, and communication. “ ere’s quite a bit of overlap in those responses,” Tona said. “So as we develop the strategic plan, these thoughts [can help] guide our direction.” Tona said she worked with ToughtExchange reps to categorize the data based on the responses. e categories included academics, student behavior and policies, sta information, mental health and social-emotional learning, community and social connections, communication, special education services, college and career readiness, diversity, equity, and accessibility, and health, safety and security. While “the academics category had the most thoughts, there was a substantial number—at least 15—in each of these categories,” Tona said. While every category received a generally positive score, Tona noted that sta information was rated highest. “We got a lot of compliments about our sta as a whole [and] the majority of people who responded are happy with our sta . ey feel that our sta cares about the students— and I feel that as well.” e presentation showed three top thoughts in each category. For college and career readiness, the top thought was giving students the opportunity to learn trade and vocational skills. “We support student athletes well!” it said. “We need more opportunities for kids who are interested in science, engineering, electronics, the arts. “Students who are not athletes feel as though they’re not as valued in this community. Let’s celebrate and inspire well rounded students.” In the mental and emotional health category, the top thought was a call for help. “We’re facing a mental health crisis and need more clinical support to help our students. Mental health is essential and closely tied to achievement. Our clinical sta is overwhelmed with the amount of need and can only do so much.” For special education, the top thought centered on providing “a truly dynamic, inclusive” program. “We value the providers and sta ’s tireless e orts,” the respondent said. “Our children need the valuable resources to thrive and be accepted into their own community, adaptive sports and extracurricular experiences with peers.” Other highly rated responses focused on holding students accountable for their behavior and teaching kids to embrace diversity. Tona said parents want more direct engagement with sta and teachers—including a return to inperson parent teacher night—and want students to know how to take advantage of school resources. Another high-rated response lamented the many changes of direction and policy within the district. Tona said she and the administrative team expect to include these responses as it designs a new veyear strategic plan for Mahopac schools. “We’re going to start identifying the main pillars for the strategic plan based on the input that we received from the community,” she explained. “And then once we have a framework, [we can] bring in people from the community, parents, sta members to work with us to review what we’ve put together, provide feedback and help us make any necessary changes to the strategic plan. “We’ll ultimately present the strategic plan in the summer to the entire board of education for adoption, so that we can move forward for the next ve years.” PLAN FROM PAGE 1 RED MILLS Convenience Center 575 Route 6N, Mahopac Falls • 845-628-9745 Mahopac Teachers, Students, School & Bus Garage Employees Buy One Egg Sandwich, Get 2nd HALF OFF Buy Lunch Sandwich, Get a Soda or Coffee FREE Happy Hour Coffee Check out our Coffee of the Month! 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PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Police post traumatic stress disorder—or police PTSD—is not a new issue. But it received some much needed attention recently when the Carmel Police Department hosted an all-day seminar presented by Cattaraugus County Sheri Timothy Whitcomb, a nationally recognized speaker on the subject. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 15 percent of o cers in the U.S. experience PTSD symptoms, with other estimates as high as 24 percent. “Unfortunately, it is not de nitively known what the true scope of this problem is among police,” the DOJ says. Some national estimates indicate that around 40 percent of o cers who may be su ering from PTSD do not receive treatment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, PTSD isn’t restricted to police. “Post traumatic stress is impacting rst responders of every type all across the United States and around the world. Fire ghters, police of- cers, emergency medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers have record cases of PTSD diagnosis, and many are afraid of the very real threat of losing their job if they ask for help.” In contrast, the Carmel PTSD seminar was designed to show of- cers who may be su ering from PTSD how to seek help—and let them know they will be supported when they do so. Held at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services Training and Operations (TOPS) Center in Carmel, the seminar highlighted the causes of PTSD in law enforcement and explained how o cers can take steps to protect their own mental and emotional health and that of their families. According to Police1.com, causes of police PTSD include “hostage situations, dangerous drug busts, responding to fatal accidents, and working other cases that include serious injury or death. But there are many less traumatic situations that can still be extremely stressful for an o cer.” PTSD among law enforcement of- cers is a major contributor to police suicide on a national level. “Annual numbers unfortunately are exceeding police o cers killed in the line of duty in recent years,” the Carmel PD said. In this, his fourth term as Sheri of Cattaraugus County near Bu alo, Whitcomb’s “very engaging, highly personal presentation” found an eager audience, the Carmel PD said in a press release. In addition to the Carmel police, more than 50 law enforcement o cers from Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, and Westchester counties attended the seminar, including members of local, state, and county law enforcement organizations. “Our o cers cannot help the public if they are injured themselves, and PTSD is no di erent than any physical injury our men and women face on the street,” said Carmel Police Chief Anthony Ho mann, who thanked Whitcomb and the o cers who attended the seminar. Ho mann said the Carmel Police Department’s recently introduced Peer Support Team had been deployed twice recently—once to o er aid to a nearby police agency and a second time to assist a member of the public experiencing a psychiatric crisis. Whitcomb said the presentation and units like the Peer Support Team share the same goal: “To protect and serve those who protect and serve.” Protecting those who protect and serve Carmel hosts seminar on police PTSD Spring Rummage Sale e First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac is holding a spring rummage sale it the CE basement on Friday, March 24 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), with $5 Bag Day on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. e First Presbyterian Church is at 411 Route 6N (at Secor Road) in Mahopac. Beauty and the Beast e Mahopac Middle School theatre company will present Disney’s musical “Beauty and the Beast” at the Middle School stage on Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door while supplies last. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Homemade Wine Tasting e Italian American Club of Mahopac proudly announces its 7th Annual Home Made Wine Tasting Festival & Competition on Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club of Mahopac on 141 Buckshollow Road in Mahopac. Admission is $25 and includes a full dinner. Children under 10 are free. e top three scorers will be declared winners and the top wine maker will be crowned “Mastro del Vino”. In addition to the o cial judging, guests will select their favorite wines for the Taster’s Choice Award. Only IAC members can submit wines for the competition but everyone is invited to the event and welcome to enjoy a fabulous Italian dinner and taste the wines. RSVP is required. For information contact MAHOPAC MUSINGS SEE MUSINGS PAGE 22 489 E. MAIN STREET JEFFERSON VALLEY, NY 10535 (914-304-0700 / 929-614-3021) TheJe ersonOnTheLake.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) TheJe ersonOnTheLake.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, MARCH 23, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 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 Mahopac News 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 Mahopac News YES, I really enjoy Mahopac News and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (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 Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro Times 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 Mahopac News. Please Re-Subscribe Today! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 VOL. 13 NO. 39 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 24 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Our 15 Minutes of Fame Explained pg 10 PUBLISHER’S MEMO Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR Christina and Lee Vataj, former nance and pharmaceutical executives, opened Countryside Kitchen in Mahopac 14 years ago. During that time, the funky little diner has developed a loyal Hudson Valley-wide following for its unique selection of avoredpancake combinations and generous portions. e restaurant has now o - cially obtained long sought-after national attention. Earlier this year, the Cooking Channel came to Mahopac to lm an episode of its popular “Man vs. Food” show featuring the restaurant, and now the episode, which has already aired, will be reprised later this month. On the show, host Casey Webb samples popular menu items, including the restaurant’s famous “Holy Cannoli Pancake.” “Casey Webb’s food frenzy takes him to New York’s Hudson Valley for...an Italian dessert for breakfast,” the Cooking Channel said in a press release. Lee Vataj said the show’s producers were looking to feature eateries from the Hudson Valley and came across Countryside Kitchen via a typical Google search. “We repeatedly popped as No. 1 and they continually scouted us,” he said. “Sharp Productions (the show’s producers) called us to see if we wanted to do the show.” Vataj said they were thrilled to be invited on the show, especially in the wake of the pandemic, a time during which so many restaurants struggled. “It was great,” he said. “We have been open for 14 years and we have really busted our butts to get here and to be recognized on a national level is great. It’s very humbling.” Vataj said the producers were looking for a more “decadent breakfast” to feature on the show, and Countryside Kitchen’s Holy Cannoli Pancakes t the bill. He said lming took about eight or nine hours, but the restaurant didn’t have to close. e show wanted some regular customers there to interview. “ ey wanted to see the crowd and the ambience,” he said. Vataj said he wasn’t really nervous about being on TV and Webb really enjoyed the cannoli pancakes and other dishes he sampled. “We were just grateful,” he said. “We worked hard to get here with all the challenges we’ve been through.” You can watch the “Man v. Food” episode featuring Countryside Kitchen on the Cooking Channel on ursday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. Mahopac restaurant shines on national TV Countryside Kitchen featured on ‘Man v. Food’ Christina Vataj, left, Casey Webb, center, and Lee Vataj, along with the Countryside Kitchen crew PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNTRYSIDE KITCHEN Watch the episode Cooking Channel on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. Visit the restaurant 493 Route 6, Mahopac Host Casey Webb, second from left, interacts with owner Lee Vataj and staff. Remember, Mahopac News is a weekly paper and went to press before the election results were known. So, check out our website, TAPintoMahopac.net, for the most current developments. 914-282-6440 [email protected] ZACKS RE/MAX Classic Realty Services Provided Property Evaluation | Home Staging High Definition Photography | 3D/Virtual Tours Custom Digital Marketing | Five-Star Service LAWRENCE ZACKS, Winner of the 2021 Circle of Legends Award Questions? Call Lawrence Zacks Today! 914-282-6440 Looking to move? We can help you relocate anywhere in the world! Scan me! Call for a FREE CONSULTATION with the Hudson Valley’s top realtor! Amazing NEW 4 Bedroom Colonial — at the end of a Cul de Sac, part of a 4-Home Subdivision. Beautiful Covered Front Porch. Gorgeous Granite Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances (optional Center Island + Dry Bar w/Upper & Lower Cabinets). Stunning Hardwood Floors throughout. Lovely Large Windows. 9’ Foot Ceilings on Main Floor. Large Family Room with Slider to huge private Patio. Formal Dining Room. Terrific Primary Bedroom (His & Hers Closets, Full Bath + additional Walk-in Closet!). Full Basement. 2-Car Attached Garage... $769,900 NEW CONSTRUCTION IN SOMERS! VOL. 13 NO. 40 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 23 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OBITUARIES 28 OPINION 10 SPORTS 22 Welcome to the new Assemblyman. pg 4 SLATER WINS Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. Youngsters honor our These boys are all grandsons of past Mahopac Fire Department Commissioner George Jones: Spencer, 5; Owen, 4; Parker, 3; and Caden, 6. They all came out to honor our nation’s veterans on Nov. 11. PHOTOS: MAUREEN DALY VETERANS Check out our coverage of Veterans Day on Page 3. BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER Having run unopposed, Republican Assemblyman Kevin Byrne will become Putnam County’s next county executive. Byrne won with 28,190 votes, which was the equivalent of 99% of votes cast and 69% of ballots cast (30.3% left their ballots blank). “O cially winning this election, securing the support from over 28,000 Putnam voters, is a tremendous honor,” Byrne said. “I remain extremely grateful to the voters for once again placing their faith and trust in me. e amount of support I received has been overwhelming and I am truly honored and humbled to serve as our next Putnam County Executive.” In a speech to a packed room of supporters on election night, Byrne reiterated his commitment to Putnam. As a native son of the county, Byrne told the assembled he was “built and raised to work.” Byrne also rea rmed his campaign promises. “When I said to you we were Byrne pledges ‘bold’ vision for Putnam County Crowley, Jonke and Ellner win seats on the County Legislature BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER In a local race that garnered national attention, Assemblyman Mike Lawler beat Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Sean Patrick Maloney to become the next member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 17th Congressional District. A Rockland County resident, Lawler beat Maloney, 140,883 to 137,633, or 50.6% to 49.4%. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the next Congressman for the 17th Congressional District,” Lawler said at a Congressman-elect Lawler lays out agenda Assemblyman’s win receives national attention after beating DCCC chair SEE BYRNE PAGE 6 SEE LAWLER PAGE 8 (c)845.803.1241 debbiedemelis.com 338 Route 202 Somers NY 10589 From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET! ASSOCIATE BROKER Ha angiving! You Deserve the best! Wishing Everyone a From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 Youngsters honor our VETERANS Check out Youngsters our coverage of Veterans Day on Page 3. In a local race that garnered national attention, Assemblyman Mike Lawler beat Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Sean Patrick Maloney to become the next member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 17th Congressional District. A Rockland County resident, Lawler beat Maloney, 140,883 to 137,633, or 50.6% to 49.4%. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the next Congressman for the 17th Congressional District,” Lawler said at a Congressman-elect Lawler lays out agenda Assemblyman’s win receives national attention after beating DCCC chair SEE LAWLER PAGE 8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 22 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Fire ghters save Chamber event. pg 16 SANTA! Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY EMILE MENASCHÉ STAFF REPORTER Mahopac has been known as “Indian Country” for as long as anyone can remember. But the school district’s arrowhead logo, “Indians” nickname and other Native American symbols may become relics of the past before the start of the 2023-2024 school year after a recent directive from the New York State Department of Education. In a memo to districts across the state, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jim Baldwin said schools have until the end of this school year to comply with longstanding rules prohibiting the use of Native American mascots--or face nancial penalties and sta removals. “We are working with our attorney for guidance and waiting State threatens Mahopac schools over ‘Indians’ nickname School board to discuss directive at Dec. 20 work session For people unfamiliar with QR codes, simply use your cell phone camera to scan the QR code, and your cell phone will take you to the survey. Help choose a new team name & mascot Scan the QR code to take our survey • This is Massive Government Overreach and the District Should Ignore the State: 37.5% (48) • There is Nothing O ensive with Use of the Term “Indians,” but We Shouldn’t Risk Losing State Aid: 28.91% (37) • Use of the Term “Indians” is O ensive and it’s About Time the State Issued this Directive: 21.88% (28) • None of the above: • It’s Time to Get With The Times, but this is 7.03% (9) Government Overreach: 4.69% (6) Graph 1: We Asked Our Online Readers Their Thoughts 128 People Responded • This is Massive Government Overreach and the District Should Ignore the State: 37.5% (48) • There is Nothing O ensive with Use of the Term "Indians," but We Shouldn't Risk Losing State Aid: 28.91% (37) • Use of the Term "Indians" is O ensive and it's About Time the State Issued this Directive: 21.88% (28) • None of the above: 7.03% (9) • It's Time to Get With The Times, but this is Government Overreach: 4.69% (6) 37.5% 28.91% 21.88% 7.03% 4.69% VOL. 13 NO. 42 SEE NICKNAME PAGE 7 We Asked Our Online Readers Their Thoughts 128 People Responded 914-282-6440 [email protected] ZACKS RE/MAX Classic Realty Services Provided Property Evaluation | Home Staging High Definition Photography | 3D/Virtual Tours Custom Digital Marketing | Five-Star Service Questions? Call Lawrence Zacks Today! 914-282-6440 Call for a with the Hudson Valley’s top realtor! FREE CONSULTATION Privately Set Colonial in the Mahopac School District! (4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths.) Spacious rooms throughout. Well maintained w/ Gorgeous Entry & Private Deck. Open Granite Kitchen w/ Counter Seating, Door Out to Deck & Breakfast Area leading to spacious Family Room w/Wood-burning Fireplace. Hardwood Floors throughout. Formal Living Room & Dining Room. Primary Bedroom Suite w/Walk-In Closet + Full Bath complete w/Tub & Separate Shower. Freshly Painted Interior. New Front Door & Shutters. 2-Car Attached Garage... $649,900 LAWRENCE ZACKS, Winner of the 2021 Circle of Legends Award Door Out to Deck & Breakfast Area leading to spacious Family Room w/Wood-burning Fireplace. Hardwood Floors throughout. BEAUTIFUL CENTER HALL COLONIAL! Looking to move? We can help you relocate anywhere in the world! Scan me!
Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENACHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial O ice: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 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 Mahopac News 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 845-208-0774 PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 I n June 2021, our former editor, Brian Marschhauser, moderated a Q&A with Yorktown resident Mark Levine at the Bedford Playhouse after the re-release of Levine’s book, “ e Trial of the Chicago 7,” which he co-edited with two other editors in 1970. e book was re-released on the 50th anniversary of its publication and coincided with the release of the Net ix lm of the same name, written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. e book is an edited transcript of the trial of seven prominent anti-Vietnam War activists accused of conspiring to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. e defendants included prominent countercultural gures such as Abbie Ho man, Jerry Rubin and Tom Hayden. As the son of Baby Boomers, I know many people of that generation proudly proclaim their a liation with the counterculture, forever associating politics with their position on the Vietnam War. e phrase, “Never trust anyone over 30,” became a common refrain during the 1960s. Yet some of these same people today (certainly not all) seem o ended by anyone questioning society’s prevailing narratives. In other words, some have become what they once hated. During the Q&A at the Bedford Playhouse, after stating clearly that he was opposed to the Jan. 6 protesters, and that he believed it was an imperfect analogy, Levine made a tangential comparison to them and the Chicago 7. Again, Levine was very careful in his wording and was clear that he opposed what took place on Jan. 6. But for the mere suggestion of a tangential analogy, he was roundly criticized by a person in the audience. Despite this audience member’s obvious a nity for and commitment to the cause espoused by Levine, who exposed the outrageous actions of the judge presiding over the Chicago 7 case, the irony was lost on him. e irony is that despite that audience member’s sympathizing with the counterculture of that era, those who are now enraged by sincere inquiry, open dialogue and debate no longer hold those same values. e counterculture participants of the 1960s generation were the “classical liberals,” who supported questioning and skepticism. Members of the counterculture in 2023 are today’s classical liberals. ey don’t seek to censor people on social media. ey are not o ended by questioning the status quo. ere are no sacred cows. ose who are o ended by questioning the status quo are not classical liberals – they are in fact illiberal. To be clear, the term “classical liberal” has nothing to do with a person’s political party or who they voted for, or how they feel about a host of issues. is is because classical liberals hold all sorts of diverse opinions on the issues of the day. e one thing uniting them is a commitment to sincere inquiry, open dialogue and debate. I use the term “counterculture” and “classical liberal” interchangeably because I believe those who set the agenda of the mainstream culture (those in charge of Hollywood, Wall Street, Silicon Valley and both political parties in Washington) are more protective of their sacred cows than they are about sincere inquiry, open dialogue and debate. Anyone questioning the “accepted” prevailing narrative on any given topic is squarely on the side of the counterculture. Because of such diverse viewpoints, the counterculture creates strange bedfellows. It always has. e shift of many from liberalism to illiberalism is why stand-up comedians, particularly Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, have been excoriated for their Some have become what they once hated BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO SEEFREEMAN PAGE 11 I t is weird and frustrating not being able to drive. When you do something every day for nearly 50 years and then suddenly you just can’t do it anymore, it is an odd feeling. I have written in this space before about my recent health challenges, which culminated late last year with a below-theknee amputation of my left leg. I struggled with driving before that, but now it is out of the question. I don’t even have a driver’s license anymore. I have one of those state IDs with my picture on it that looks like a driver’s license, but is not. On the plus side, I no longer have to worry about those monthly insurance payments. ere is no regular maintenance schedule to be concerned with—no oil changes. And no one is going to say to me, “Bob, can I have a ride to the airport?” But in exchange, I have lost my freedom and that is not a fair deal. Forget about planned trips, I can no longer do things on a whim—and I used to whim a lot of stu . I can no longer decide at the last moment to go see a movie. I can’t run to the store for a single, muchneeded item. On a warm summer afternoon, I can no longer head o to my favorite watering hole for a cold adult beverage. And if I have a doctor’s appointment (which I have a lot of these days), I have to seek out a kind soul who will assist me. Being the ercely independent type, I hate having to rely on others and feel bad for putting them out, but I am just so grateful there are those who are willing to do it. Bless your collective hearts. And stop rolling your eyes when you see my number come up on your phone when I call! Unlike some guys, I’ve never been much of a car person. Oh, I can appreciate a sexy hot rod with its sleek lines, shining chrome, and the throaty A detour on the freeway of life BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEEDUMAS PAGE 9
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 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 What steps have you taken to protect your life savings from the cost of long term care? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 rumble of its powerful engine (and a strategically designed cup holder). But other than that, I kind of just look at them as a way to get from point A to point B. I learned to drive on my parents’ Chevy Bel Air. Now, before you get too excited, it was not the cool Bel Air circa 1958 with its iconic ns and grill. No, it was a 1975 Bel Air—huge and boxy with all the charm of a lanced boil. It was a strange maroon color— look like dried blood. e good thing about learning to drive on a vehicle the size of a city bus is that once you transition to a smaller, compact car, driving, and especially parking, becomes a breeze. If you can three-point park a ’75 Chevy Bel Air, doing the same thing with a Honda Civic is like dropping a ping-pong ball into a 55-gallon drum. My rst car—one that was o cially mine and registered in my name—was a two-door ’72 Chevy Vega. It was copper-colored (as ugly as it sounds) and the front fenders and rocker panels were rotted out with rust. It had a three-speed manual transmission and had an 8-track player, the latter being the main reason I laid down 300 bills to buy it. I used to tell people I got 30 miles to the gallon. But I was talking about oil. I kept a case of 10W-30 in the trunk and would have to pop a quart into the engine every two or three days. I don’t remember what I did with that Vega (if I had set it on re in an abandoned lot, I probably would remember), but my next car was a 1965 Plymouth Valiant—one of my all-time favorite vehicles. It had a slant-6 engine. Now, I am not sure what that means other than there are six cylinders, so it is not a V-8. I was told back then by people who know such things that the V-6 was a sturdy motor and you would have to blow it up with dynamite to stop it. ey were right. e engine was powerful and sturdy and only needed oil every 20,000 miles instead of every 20. It was the body that was the problem. Like the Vega, it was plagued by rust. e oorboards were so rotted out, you could see the yellow stripes on the road passing beneath you. I jokingly called it my Fred Flintstone car because you could use your feet for brakes, just like Fred did. I used the Vega and Valiant to go to community college in Poughkeepsie and when I transferred to SUNY Oswego, I sold the Valiant to my best friend and neighbor for a hundred bucks. He would tell me later that sometimes he would be driving down the road and suddenly the interior dome light would come on and it would freak him out. He thought it was my ghost coming back to haunt him. I explained to him that I was in college, not dead. erefore, I had no ghost. But, please, if I were a ghost, I wouldn’t do something boring like turn on a light. I’d turn up the radio. My friend went on to have a very successful career working in nance in Manhattan. So, you can never tell. e rst car I bought brand new straight o a dealership lot was a 1982 Toyota Tercel. I did it without a cosigner, which is pretty cool other than the fact they were charging me like 20 percent interest or something. It wasn’t that I had bad credit; I had no credit. at’s how they get you. ey don’t make the Tercel anymore. It was the size of a microwave oven and the model I purchased was the stripped-down entry-level model: no power windows or seats, no A/C, it had a manual transmission and just an AM radio. I wasn’t worried about the radio. I had plans. Back then, having a kick-ass car stereo was a sign of success, virility and coolness. Car stereo installation businesses were in every strip mall. ey were like Starbucks. As soon as I drove o the lot, I went directly to an installer and had a $300 system mounted. at is three hundred 1985 dollars. So... I was all in. Alpine radio/cassette player, Bose speakers in both front and back. ose were good times. In a way, it’s a good thing I am not buying new cars anymore. e technology has exceeded my grasp. I still play CDs, so the music systems in new cars boggle me. e keyless ignitions where you start the car with your nger also freak me out. As for those back-up cameras—it is not that I don’t understand the technology, it is just I think it takes some of the challenge out of backing up and/or parking. Driving and parking are skills you earn. ose cameras make you a cheater. Oh, I have to go. I am looking out my window now and I see my Instacart grocery delivery is here. I don’t know what kind of car that is she’s driving. Today’s cars all look the same to me. Sheesh, I better go out there... seems like she is having trouble parking. DUMAS FROM PAGE 8 Advertise With Us When you advertise with Mahopac News, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout Mahopac, Mahopac Falls and portions of Carmel. To advertise or to place a classifi ed, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].
PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 HOME BUYER SEMINAR A Guide to the Home Buying Process Wednesday, March 29th 6pm – 7:30pm �a���ac P���ic �i�rary ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJZŽŽŵ͕dŚŝƌĚ&ůŽŽƌ ϲϲϴh^Ͳϲ DĂŚŽƉĂĐ͕EzϭϬϱϰϭ Z^sWƚŽϳϭϴ͘ϲϲϮ͘ϴϱϳϮŽƌ ũŬŝůŝĂŶΛĂƌůŝŶŐƚŽŶĨŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů͘ĐŽŵ ďLJDĂƌĐŚϮϳ͕ϮϬϮϯ ���tin �i�ian ^ĞŶŝŽƌ>ŽĂŶKĨĨŝĐĞƌ͕ ED>^ηϭϲϴϴϮϳϬ �r�ingt�n �inancia�� ���� � ���� Patricia “Patty” Wagner >ŝĐĞŶƐĞĚZĞĂů ƐƚĂƚĞ ^ĂůĞƐƉĞƌƐŽŶ͕Ezͬd ��e ��P �ea� �����a�� FOOD REFRESHMENTS RAFFLES GIVEAWAYS ➢ �arc �nt��ny� ,ŽŵĞ/ŶƐƉĞĐƚŽƌ Pr� ���e �n��ect�r� ��� ➢ ���n �errin�� WƌŝŶĐŝƉĂů ��� �n��rance �gency ➢ ���an �a��i���ic�� ^sW͕ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ Pr� �ati�na� �it�e �gency ➢ �rin ���en͕ ƐƋ͘ ���en �a� H ���� ��� ��P���� We Carry A Complete Line of BioGuard Pool Treatments Dear Dr. Linda, I’m a grandmother of two very bright children. But their vocabularies are dreadful. Yesterday I was with my grandchildren and said that I was only being facetious. ey looked at me as if I had two heads. “You were being what?” asked my 12-year-old grandson. “Yeah, what does that mean?” asked his 9-year-old sister. “It means I’m joking, only being ippant,” I said. “What’s ippant?” asked my grandson. As a retired English teacher, I’m shocked. ese are words they should know. How will they learn anything if they don’t have a good vocabulary? -Grandma Miriam Dear Grandma Miriam, I happen to agree with you. Students’ vocabularies seem more limited than they were when I rst started teaching—and not just for students with learning challenges. A bright 10th-grade student I was working with thought the word “optimistic” had something to do with eyes. When an 11th-grade girl walked in wearing a huge amount of jewelry and asked if I liked it, I remarked that it was a bit “ostentatious.” Confused, she asked if that was good or bad. We’re nding that the “vocabulary” gap we worry about is occurring at both ends of the K-12 systems. When many students graduate from high school and go on to college, the complexity of texts they’re required to read and understand as college freshmen is much higher than the skill level they’ve acquired in high school. Why is that? Many believe that vocabulary is built from reading and the reason for the trend is that more and more students don’t read well. For those older kids, I agree. e students I see seem to be reading many of the old classics as assignments and are exposed to a rich vocabulary. Kids in the schools I work with still have to memorize lists of vocabulary words. But their vocabularies continue to remain static. I think that we may have the cart before the horse, especially with younger children struggling to learn to read. e phonics decoding skills we explicitly teach those children are necessary, but it is clear that if you decode even a word like “c-a-t” and can pronounce it correctly, the connection between the letters and the animal is meaningless unless you’ve seen one before. No association can be made between the letters “c-a-t” and the animal that goes “Meow.” In other words, unless we understand the meanings of words, even if we can pronounce them, the capacity for reading comprehension is negatively a ected and that’s what a large vocabulary is most good for. Vocabulary development begins at birth and continues throughout our lives. e rst vocabulary development is auditory and involves naming things. We say “Show me your nose,” and the 2-year-old points to it. Later, when he’s ready, he encounters the letters “n-o-s-e.” When he successfully applies his phonics-decoding skills and pronounces the word, the letters connect to far more than just the sounds. His “reading” vocabulary now has another word. But the word “nose” has been in his general vocabulary since he was 2. e television shows, movies and digital entertainment today don’t usually use words that expand vocabulary. When parents talk with their children, they’re not using a rich vocabulary. Spending “quality time” with children today often means going to soccer games, gymnastics, dance, etc. It’s “time,” but it isn’t necessarily “quality” time, spent just in talking. e dinner table used to spawn discussions about politics, science, books being read—where not only did children hear new words, but had an opportunity to have “higher order” discussions about them and learn what those words meant. Instead, kids seem to have their own lives and parents have their lives, and the twain don’t meet in meaningful ways. Your grandchildren will be OK. e discussion you had isn’t a bad thing— in fact, it’s a good thing. at’s exactly how we build our vocabularies. Keep talking to your grandchildren and using your own rich vocabulary with them. Send this column along and encourage your son and daughter-inlaw to do the same. By the way, did you know that “facetious” is one of the few words in the English language in which the ve major vowels appear in their alphabetic order? Have fun, -Dr. Linda If you want to learn more, contact Dr. Linda Silbert by visiting her at www. StrongLearning.com. Can you de ne that? DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 Brewster, NY and Bethel, CT Design Centers Design Centers On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenandbath.com Celebrating 50 years 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt MKT-5894N-A > edwardjones.com Tom Casey, ChFC®, CEPA®, AAMS™ Financial Advisor 163 Route 6 Mahopac, NY 10541 845-621-8647 Life doesn’t stop changing. Let’s partner so you can enjoy all of it. indoor dog parK day care • hourly play • grooming • swimming training and more [email protected] www.backyardbonesny.com 845.200.7939 114 old route 6, carmel, ny 10512 your pup’s favorite backyard! franklin & rosie pandora jokes. Humor has no sacred cows. It is the last vestige of a free society. When humor disappears, be afraid. e shift of many from liberalism to illiberalism is also why award-winning Hollywood director Oliver Stone said in an interview in 2020 that he wouldn’t have been able to establish a career if he was just starting out today. It’s why famous liberal comedian and political commentator Bill Maher is now considered by many to be right wing. It’s also why Robert Kennedy Jr., prominent feminist author Naomi Wolf, famous liberal investigative journalist Glenn Greenwald and former Congresswoman and Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee Tulsi Gabbard have all found themselves on the outs among “progressives.” All of the above people have dared to question the o cial mainstream narrative on various topics. Getting into speci cs, Stone’s powerful and nuanced lms clearly sympathize with the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 1960s, but his commentary today about the war in Ukraine remains outside acceptable cultural dialogue. is is the same for Gabbard, who ran for president in the 2020 Democrat primaries. Meanwhile, Maher, in his HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher,” is an outspoken Democrat, but he has been making headlines recently for his critique of cancel culture in his own party. And of course, Kennedy, who is the scion of Democrat Party royalty, holds the party line about everything except for the topic of vaccines, and for that, the rst sentence on his Wikipedia page as of press time states that he promotes propaganda and conspiracy theories. Similarly, Wolf, a hero of liberal feminist political thought with her book, “ e Beauty Myth,” and who advised the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1996, has also been excoriated for her views on vaccine mandates. Finally, Greenwald was a hero on the left for writing about violations of American civil liberties following the 9/11 attacks. He continues to write about the violation of American civil liberties in 2023, and for that, he is roundly criticized by some of the same people who applauded his journalism during the George W. Bush Administration. To be fair, some of those people who criticized Greenwald during the Bush Administration are now applauding him. Despite the fact that my biggest critics think of my columns as being too conservative, my commitment to classical liberal values remains the overarching theme of my political commentary. at irony is lost on those readers who have sent me nasty notes over the years, as those critics falsely believe they are the ones who harbor liberal values. Far from it. True classical liberals aren’t dogmatic followers of anything except their commitment to open dialogue and debate. Wearing my journalist hat, a couple of years ago, I joined a secret private Facebook group, the name of which I shall not reveal, consisting of members strongly skeptical of the COVID vaccine’s e cacy. To be clear, I received multiple doses of the COVID vaccine, as did my wife and two children. All of us still came down with the virus. My wife has been infected three times, and is still su ering from long-COVID following her rst bout in August 2021. It left her with debilitating asthma. So, does the vaccine really work? e published data suggests that the vaccine does indeed moderate severity and it reduces incidences of hospitalizations and death. While I accept that data-based observation, as a journalist, I am inherently sympathetic to people who are skeptical, ask questions, and even arrive at di erent conclusions. at is journalists’ sacred obligation. e Facebook group I joined — as an observer — used secret terminology in lieu of the word “vaccine,” as they were vulnerable to censorship, and group members didn’t want their page taken down. As a person committed to classical liberal values, I was curious and wanted to hear from all sides on such important issues. I know some of our readers are now shaking their heads in disapproval and are angry with me for being so irresponsible as to listen to conspiracy theorists, but please hear me out. Forget about COVID for one second. If I was the head research scientist for a great vaccine to prevent the next scary virus, and I was in possession of compelling evidence that the vaccine I invented was harmless and would save countless lives, the LAST thing I would do would be to create a culture where those who questioned it had to use secretive terminology on social media. ere is no greater way to harm your own cause than to exacerbate people’s paranoia through censorship. To be clear to those frequent letter writers who believe I’m always creating a “straw man” in my arguments, I’m far less animated by or motivated by the topic of vaccines (or any of the other topics touched upon in this column). I am, however, outraged by anyone’s e orts to sti e debate and open dialogue. My commitment to classical liberal values is why I’m writing this piece. Such questioning of the of- cial narrative has led to many important twists and turns in American history. For example, some media outlets were initially ridiculed for spreading “misinformation” when they reported about the Wuhan lab leak theory, but now even the FBI is saying it was the likely cause of the pandemic. Going back to Levine, regardless of the criticism leveled against the imperfect analogy he made during the Q&A at the Bedford Playhouse, Levine seems to be a man unwilling to be forced into any speci c political categories. “I put up a lawn sign saying, ‘ ank You Yorktown Police,’ and right next to it is a ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign,” Levine said in a December 2020 interview with Halston Media. “What gets the most attention are the extremists on the right and the extremists on the left. But there are a lot of us in the middle who believe in doing things the right way.” My own sincere hope as an American is that we return to our nation’s historical commitment to open dialogue. at is what drives progress. My sincere hope as a journalist is that freedom of the press and journalists’ obligation to question and search for the truth, wherever that may lead us, prevail. I’m way too young to hold any political positions about a war in the 1960s, but I think my commitment to open dialogue and debate puts me squarely on the side of the 1960s counterculture and the classical liberals, and I’m proud of that. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 8
PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 CoveCare Center Join us for a fun night of trivia and laughs to support the local community programs of CoveCare Center Thursday, March 30th - 6:30 PM $25 per person Counseling that empowers change **Teams of up to 10 compete through 4 rounds of trivia** HOST A TRIVIA PARTY! Get your friends/family together for some laughs and a good cause! Prizes awarded to the 1st Place Team & Best Team Name We are in need of EVENT & ROUND SPONSORS To sponsor or register, scan the QR code a bove or visit: https://covecarecenter.org/covecare-virtual-trivia-night-2023/ Thank you to our Sponsors! For details contact: [email protected] I must confess, I was not a huge fan of Jimmy Carter when he was President from 1977-1981. I bought into the narrative that he was weak and ine ective. I wasn’t the only one at the time who doubted President Carter. Within his own party, his administration was viewed as such a disappointment that Sen. Ted Kennedy challenged his reelection bid. I was long an admirer of the Kennedys. I joined the Massachusetts senator’s campaign to wrestle the 1980 Democratic nomination away from President Carter. When I informed my friend Allison Manning of my decision, she strongly scolded me, “you have totally misunderstood Jimmy Carter.” She was right. roughout American history, it has been highly unusual for a sitting President to be denied their party’s nomination. However, I thought at the time, if it will ever happen, it will happen in 1980. Ted Kennedy, after all, had inherited the Kennedy legacy. He was wildly popular within the Democratic party. Kennedy did win some primaries, but it soon became clear that Carter would be victorious. Many pundits attribute the demise of Kennedy’s e orts to an ill-fated exchange with CBS News reporter Roger Mudd during a boat ride in 1979. Mudd had long standing credibility as a correspondent. After all, he was the last person to interview Ted’s brother Robert before he was assassinated in 1968. During what was supposed to be an amiable boat ride in 1979, Mudd asked Kennedy a simple question, “why do you want to be President?” Kennedy’s halting, awkward and stumbling response turned out to be as shocking as it was lethal. If anyone reading this ever wants to run for any o ce, be prepared to answer the simple question, why are you running? But Kennedy’s ineptitude with Roger Mudd was not the whole story. e truth is, many of us underestimated Jimmy Carter as a President and as a candidate. Carter was, contrary to his public image, one tough hombre. roughout his presidency, he worked 12-hour days, which regularly included reading 200 pages of brie ngs. Everyone working in the Carter White House reported that he was decisive and relentless, often displaying a willingness to make tough decisions despite negative political fallout. In the end, his achievements were many. He brokered a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, established an arms agreement with the Soviet Union, normalized trade relations with China, initiated immigration reform, made human rights a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, deregulated the airline industry, paving the way for middle class Americans to y in large numbers for the rst time, and deregulated natural gas, laying the groundwork for our country to have greater energy independence. But two major setbacks marred his presidency. When American hostages were taken by the Iranian government, and we were not able to get them released, the United States appeared weak and defeated. A failed military rescue attempt by the Carter administration did not help. And when Carter told the country, in a nationally televised address, that we needed to sacri ce to solve our problems, the country responded by disliking the messenger, rather than heeding the message. Given these liabilities, it became clear that disposing of Kennedy’s bid to do the impossible (unseat a sitting president of the same party) would be a lot easier than surviving the general election. Carter’s Republican challenger, Ronald Reagan, was an extremely gifted communicator whose upbeat message to “make America great again” was in sharp contrast with Carter’s call that America needed serious healing. Not surprisingly, Reagan trounced Carter at the ballot box. Anyone who has run for reelection and been defeated knows what a tough gut punch that result can be. I speak from experience, having been soundly defeated in 2011 when I sought my sixth term as a Yorktown councilperson. I venture to say that losing the presidency must be a thousand times worse than anything I endured. So, in 1980, when Jimmy Carter lost to Ronald Reagan, he understandably drifted into severe depression. en one night in 1982, he shocked his wife by suddenly sitting up in bed. She asked him if he was feeling ill. He replied, “I know what we can do. We can develop a place to help people who want to resolve disputes.” is was the beginning of the Carter Center, an organization devoted to con ict resolution, public health programs and election monitoring around the world. How e ective has e Carter Center been? In 2002, the peanut farmer from Plains, Ga., Jimmy Carter, won a Nobel Peace Prize for the Center’s work. e Prize celebrated Carter’s extensive travel to conduct peace negotiations, monitor elections and further My heartfelt apology to Jimmy Carter SEEMARTORANO PAGE 13 JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 the eradication of infectious diseases. Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn were also key gures in Habitat for Humanity. To push the cause of human rights, Carter continued to comment on global a airs and penned numerous books, including two about the Israeli–Palestinian con ict. As a result of their e orts, he and Rosalynn received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999. For anyone who has been knocked down, Carter’s resurgence demonstrates that you can get up. His rejuvenated dedication to making the world a better place o ers us a profound lesson about the power of the human spirit. Somehow, he was able, through sheer will, to demonstrate that, in a world where hate seems to dominate the headlines, acting out of love for your fellow human beings can o er life redeeming purpose. Carter’s e orts have made him more popular today than he was when he was president. His boundless commitment to helping people after he was out of o ce led many, of all political stripes, to award him the uno cial title of best ex-president ever. Some even say, somewhat humorously, that Carter’s presidency was a steppingstone to greater things. I acknowledge that in 1980, I didn’t appreciate the depth of Jimmy Carter’s character. But I do now. Whether in o ce or out, he was always trying to solve problems, like the engineer he was, by paying attention to the details of a complicated world. His willingness to tell America uncomfortable truths was both heroic and ill fated. For me, his life is a lesson in resilience, perseverance and redemption. No matter how defeated you may feel in life, you have the power to get back up and make a di erence. Jimmy Carter did. I t seems as if the presidential campaign is neverending. e latest developments of who’s in and who’s out dominate the national news and it’s over a year and a half until election day. Candidates started signaling their intentions shortly after the last inauguration. It’s exhausting and exasperating. I’m envious of the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom where the entire election cycle is conducted in six weeks from soup to nuts. at leaves a lot more time for governing and actually getting things done. It is well chronicled that the country may be more divided now than at any time since the Civil War. Both national parties and their elected leaders seem to be controlled by the extreme elements in their ranks. Congress, regardless of which party is in power, attempts to legislate to extremes as well. Legislation is mostly about grabbing eyeballs and headlines rather than getting things done. It’s been said that there are two kinds of legislators in Washington, show horses and work horses. Most of the accomplishments, since they involve compromise and cooperation from both sides, usually come from the work horses because the work horses govern from the middle and that’s where the work gets done. But it is the show horses that grab the media’s interest. e most likely presidential election for 2024 will be a rematch between Biden and Trump. Yet it is fascinating that clear majorities of both parties would like someone else to be representing them on the ballot. More than 60% do not want a rematch. Needless to say, a lot can happen between now and November of 24, but it’s hard to ignore the current polling and where things are heading. Let’s hope something else happens. If it doesn’t, what’s the alternative? A group I have written about before, No Labels, is investing tens of millions of dollars to provide an alternative. ey announced this week that they have earned ballot access in four states on the way to their goal of having a place on the ballot in all 50 states. ey are creating this option, according to a recent press release, as “an insurance policy in the event both major parties nominate presidential candidates that the vast majority of Americans don’t want. If this happens, No Labels itself will not run a candidate, but we will have the launching pad, speci cally in the form of ballot access across the country…for an independent candidate.” ey have promised that they will not launch a campaign unless there is a clear path to victory; they have no interest in being associated with a spoiler candidate. No Labels national co-chairs are civil rights icon Benjamin Chavis, former Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. I nd a fusion ticket with accomplished moderates from both parties has a lot of appeal, especially if the alternative is a rematch of 2020 candidates. As rancorous and uncivil as that campaign was, it is hard to imagine what the rematch would look like and what it would do to the country. We can hope for the best, but it’s prudent to prepare for something else. Only 590 days until election day 2024. Moving to the middle DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT MARTORANO FROM PAGE 12 Gale Bauman TAX CONSULTATION with CPAs FREE TAX ASSOCIATES www.galebaumantax.com 6 Old Tomahawk St. Granite Springs NY Call or email to book your appointment [email protected] Individual: -minimizing tax liability & maximizing refund -communicating with IRS & State -navigating through complexities of 1040s -audit representation Business: -preparation of all business tax returns (1120, 1120S, 1065) -audit representation -preparation of trust, estate & gift tax returns -Trust, Estate & Retirement planning -Tax planning/project of income tax liability -setting up a new business entity Retirement Planning 20 EXPIRES 03/31/23 % OFF FOR NEW CLIENTS ACCEPTING DROP-OFFS AND APPOINTMENTS (914)248-7600 1060 Oregon Road | Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 (914) 734-1500 | [email protected] GolfHollowBrook.com There’s Something for Everyone at Hollow Brook... World-class golf on one of Westchester’s most spectacular golf courses. 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PAGE 14 MAHOPAC NEWS – THUR Mahopac Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts got to see some pretty ruff operations last week when K-9 units from the Kent Police Department, Westchester County Police, the Putnam County Sheriff’s office and the Yorktown PD showed how dogs help police officers fight crime and save lives. Demonstrations included a tracking bloodhound, bomb, drugs and gun detection, obedience, and more. Former Mahopac Falls VFD Chief Kevin Neary organized t School for B and Cub Scou instill in the enforcement and risking t “I want to Lakeview El enforcement Offi cer Ryan Piekarsky, from Kent, with Saber, who gets to play as a reward for locating drugs. O S tra Offi cer Ca Dutch for K-9 Acorn hunts for the accelerant. K-9 Dallas, with Det. Tommy Beyrer from Yorktown PD, specializes in drug, bomb, gun and computer detection. Acorn sits when he detects the accelerant, then waits for his meal as his reward for a job well done. Detective John Peters, of the Westchester County Police Dept., places a drop of gasoline on scout Dayton Leone’s shoe so K-9 Acorn, an arson dog, can detect the accelerant. Offi cer Corey Ashe, from Kent, with Maverick, a patrol dog who demonstrated obedience. Offi cer Ryan Piekarsky, from Kent, with Saber, who Take advantage of the new 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) with PWRcell, Generac’s fully-integrated solar + battery storage system. PWRcell will help you save money on your electric bill and be prepared for utility power outages. Plus it’s compatible with most existing solar arrays. Now’s the Right Time SAVE 30% WITH THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT^ Call to request a free quote! (888) 871-0194 Purchase a PWRcell and Receive a Free Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced – valued at over $189!* *Scan the QR code for promo terms and conditions. ^Consult your tax or legal professional for information regarding eligibility requirements for tax credits. Solar panels sold separately. Service... Integrity... Compassion www.YorktownFuneralhome.com • (914) 962-0700 • [email protected] 945 East Main Street, Yorktown, NY 10588 Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences.
RSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 PAGE 15 the event at Lakeview Elementary oy Scouts from Troop 1 and Troop 371, uts from 71, 271 and 371. “We wanted to boys the respect for the job that law t officers do, helping the community their lives to save people,” Neary said. thank the scouts and their leaders, lementary School, and all the law t officers who took part.” Yorktown Police Offi cer Tommy Beyrer acts as the bad guy with a special training sleeve as Offi cer Campion tells Spar to “grab and hold” the suspect. Yorktown Police Offi cer Mike Campion with K-9 Spar, a dual purpose acking and patrol dog. ampion speaks to Spar in his commands. Bloodhound Flash was all about the love after he located the volunteer “missing” scout at the K-9 demonstration. “Found you!” Flash and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Senior Investigator Randall Hill locate the volunteer lost scout Victor Levine. PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Neal L Sullivan, CPA Joanne Cerbino Edy Schupp 421 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 845-628-9604 • www.callsullivan.com BUSINESS • UMBRELLA HOME • AUTO Call Us Anytime for Multiple Quotes 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 16 – MAHOPAC NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 e Somers Chamber Of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Luz MediSpa last month after owner Eileen Quinones-Rosado moved to a larger location at 340 Route 202 (in Bailey Court). Eileen is a family nurse practitioner with over 13 years of training and experience in New York City. e focus of Luz MediSpa is to accentuate natural beauty by providing a range of services, including injectables, complementary treatments, wellness vitamin injections and IV drips. ese treatments can help boost energy levels, improve immune function, and enhance overall wellbeing. e team at Luz MediSpa believes that everyone deserves to feel con dent and beautiful, and they are committed to helping their clients achieve their aesthetic goals. At Luz MediSpa, the team uses the latest techniques and products to ensure safe and e ective results. Whether you are looking to reduce the appearance of ne lines and wrinkles, enhance your lips, or improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, the team at Luz MediSpa can help. For more information, visit luzmedispa.glossgenius.com or call 866-589-3110. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOMERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Somers Chamber of Commerce celebrating the grand opening of the new location for Luz MediSpa, which is owned by Eileen QuinonesRosado. Grand opening of Luz MediSpa Cancers of the mouth can a ect anyone. e National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research says oral cancer makes up an estimated 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses made in the United States each year, which equates to roughly 54,000 new cases. Because the mouth is comprised of many di erent types of cells, there are various forms of oral cancer. Each type depends on which cells are a ected. Here’s a closer look at the di erent types of oral cancer. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says squamous cell carcinomas account for 90 percent of all oral cancers. Squamous cells are thin and at and make up the tissues that form the surface of the skin. ey’re also found in the lining of hollow body organs and the respiratory and digestive tracts. VERRUCOUS CARCINOMA is is a slow-growing cancer that is made up of squamous cells. It is a rare subtype of squamous cell carcinoma that only accounts for about 5 percent of oral cavity tumors, according to the City of Hope cancer center. ORAL MELANOMA Melanomas develop in melanin, which are the pigment-producing cells that color the skin. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin, including inside the nose or mouth. LYMPHOMA Oral cancers also can a ect lymph tissue. In terms of mouth cancer, lymphoid tissue can be found in the base of the tongue and in the tonsils. While most mouth cancers are squamous cells, the cancer will be further classi ed depending on the exact location where it begins. • Buccal mucosa: e buccal mucosa is the inner cheek tissue. Lumps in this area should be checked out by a doctor. • Gum cancer: Gum cancer may be mistaken for gingivitis, but the two are not one and the same. • Mouth oor: Cancer in the oor of the mouth occurs in the horseshoe-shaped area under the tongue. • Hard palate: e hard palate is the roof of the mouth. is cancer often starts as an ulcer, according to MSKCC. Oral cancers also can a ect the lips, tongue and jaw. Quite often dentists, who should inspect the mouth twice per year, are the ideal health professionals to detect oral cancers early on. Any abnormality in the mouth should be examined and addressed by a doctor. Risk factors for developing mouth cancers include smoking, drinking alcohol, using other tobacco products like chewing tobacco, and exposure to sunlight. Individuals should be cognizant of oral cancers. ough oral cancers may not be as prevalent as other forms of the disease, they still pose a threat, especially when they are not detected in their earliest stages. is article is from Metro Creative Connection. What to know about cancers of the mouth Visit Our Display Center at 747 Pierce Road, Clifton Park, NY, 12065 • Sales • Rentals • Service • Buybacks Same Day Installation New and Reconditioned Lifts Locally Owned & Operated Regain Your Independence! $ 200 OFF the purchase of any stairlift 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. FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 Allergy season is a risky time of year for asthma patients Allergies can mean discomfort for asthma su erers, both during seasonal allergy season and whenever allergens are encountered. For people who already have complications due to asthma, allergies can be especially problematic — even triggering asthmatic episodes. Allergies and asthma happen to share a lot of traits. Unfortunately, they also happen to occur together frequently, says the Mayo Clinic. e same substances that cause allergies, such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander, also may cause asthma to rear its dangerous head. e American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says people who have allergies also often have asthma. People who seemingly think that wheezing is a product of pollen may actually have asthma and are advised to see an allergist to get to the root of the problem. Allergic asthma, where allergies trigger asthma symptoms, is the most common type of asthma, advises ACAAI. Children who have allergies and also have asthma SEE ALLERGIES PAGE 17
make up 80 percent of those a ected. e rates are 75 percent of young adults (age 20-40) and 65 percent of those aged 55 and older who have at least one allergy and asthma. Allergy season can be particularly scary for those with asthma because the chances of having an attack can be ramped up and may be more severe. erefore, anyone who is experiencing allergic reactions and/or asthma symptoms should heed this advice. • Speak with an allergist. He or she can check out symptoms and prescribe the right treatments. Drugs such as montelukast, which is a leukotriene modi er, can help control immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction. It also may help alleviate asthma symptoms. • Consider immunotherapy. Immunotherapy involves allergy shots that can reduce sensitivity to the allergens over time. It might even help prevent the development of asthma in some people with seasonal allergies, states ACAAI. • Avoid allergy triggers. Knowing pollen counts, cleaning a home and preventing dust mites and pet dander from accumulating, and avoiding going outside or having the windows open when counts are high can help. Showering and laundering clothing after being outside can limit allergens brought into the house. • Try anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) therapy. e Mayo Clinic says with an allergy, the body’s immune system mistakenly identi es a speci c substance as something harmful and releases IgE antibodies to ght the allergen. e next time the IgE antibodies sense an allergen, they will release a chemical called histamine into the bloodstream. IgE-targeted medications block these reactions and interfere with IgE. Allergies and asthma often go handin-hand. Treating symptoms and avoiding triggers can help immensely. is article is from Metro Creative Connection. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17 My parents had a knack for planning fun outings. Who could forget that April afternoon in 1980 when I accompanied them to three banks to sit with a banker and go over 12-month CD rates. In ationary cycles and bank visits went together like peanut butter and jelly in my family. High-interest rates were like warm hugs from the government. As an added perk, banks even threw in a toaster, vacuum cleaner or small black and white TV when you opened a new account. Being teachers during that era, my parents’ salaries were e ectively locked in place. Shopping around to locate higher interest rates for their savings was the intelligent way to combat their earnings limitations. However, for estate planning purposes, more accounts made recordkeeping more complicated. Estates can take a long time to administer because heirs and executors have to track down old bank accounts, storage lockers and property records. Separating junk from valuable antiques is not always simple. Executors often must educate themselves as to the decedent’s collectibles – their value, their marketplaces and the best sale options. Hoarder homes present additional obstacles as important records blend in with thousands of bags and envelopes. Finding hidden cash and jewelry is not uncommon and that too can slow an estate down as executors search every drawer and box. Besides drafting fundamental planning documents such as a Will or Trust, we encourage clients to create a “Letter to my Executor.” is instruction letter contains a list of assets, passwords, tangible personal property, collectibles and other important facts necessary to help organize one’s estate. How is an adult child otherwise supposed to piece together 50 years of accumulations and nancial activity without some guidance? Relying on database searches of unclaimed funds is ine cient. Make life easier for your family. One solution is consolidation. Work with a nancial advisor to bring order to a haphazard collection of nancial accounts. Merging numerous small accounts into one or two accounts is a basic consolidation step. As a bonus, updating bene ciary forms for these consolidated accounts will simplify the estate process. Bene ciary designations direct assets to the exact individual without going through the Probate process. For tangible personal property, tag sales o er an excuse to comb through personal belongings and identify items that have value, but take up space and are no longer needed. Sometimes, aging parents may not realize how valuable some of their personal e ects or artwork has become. Taking photos and making spreadsheets are smart ways to organize heirlooms. is information can be forwarded to reputable auction houses and dealers who will schedule home visits if it is warranted. Romping through a backyard to snatch plastic eggs with candy inside is way more fun than opening up 60-year-old sewing boxes to nd that Emigrant Savings Bank Passbook from 1975. e lesson is, as always, make life simpler for the people you care about. Contact the professionals at e Feller Group, P.C. today for more tips on organizing your estate. e Feller Group is a multidisciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and business advisement. Alan D. Feller can be reached at 845-621-8640, or visit thefellergroup.com. Is your estate plan like an Easter egg hunt? ALLERGIES FROM PAGE 16 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults 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 ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER
Sports PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 Lia Graap PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Lia Dimase Lexi Castrataro Riley Hughes PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Kaitlyn Palange Kelsie Thimm GYMNASTICS Following a successful season that saw Mahopac take third at the Section 1 Championships, then send three to the NYSPHSAA Gymnastics Championships to help their section take fourth, six Indians earned end-of-season honors to recognize their amazing feats this winter. Lexi Castrataro, Lia Dimase, Lia Graap, Riley Hughes, Katilyn Palange, and Kelsie Thimm took home the triple crown, receiving All-Section, All-League, and High School All-American honors. Graap, who nailed a 9.5 on Bars at States, also took home All-State and the Section One Scholar Gymnast awards. ‘Pac girls bring home season awards 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, MARCH 23, 2023 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 PHOTOS COURTESY OF THERESA WATERS St. John’s CYO left to right: Alexa DeGiorgio, Delaney Parent, Emma Mazzella, Caleigh Looby, Karissa Ziegelhofer, Charlie Holguin, Olivia Penta, Gabby Iannuzzo, Lili Mazzarulli, Allie Waters. The girls defeated Holy Name of Mary, 23-18, in the championship. Call us at 914-245-5588 or visit anglebrookgc.com to learn more. Non-Equity—No Assessments • Flexible Membership Options—Corporate, Individual, Couples, Families, Junior Executive and Weekday-Plus • Expanded Patio Terrace Outings, Receptions & Banquets • Liberal Guest Policies MGA’S MODERN DREAM 18 (2017) ROBERT TRENT JONES SR’S FINAL DESIGN A MODERN CLASSIC Join Anglebrook today NEW SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP On Sunday, Mar. 5, the St. John’s CYO fifth grade girls team won the Westchester/Putnam County Championship by a score of 23-18 against second-place Holy Name of Mary from New Rochelle. The game was held at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, New York. “The girls had an incredible season,” said mother Theresa Waters. St. John’s CYO takes home the championship YOUTH BASKETBALL
PAGE 20 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 Aydin Aivazians (right) PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAHOPAC ATHLETICS/DONALD MARKHOE 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. Despite facing multiple obstacles this winter, Mahopac Ski still managed to prevail and find individual and team success throughout this past winter season. “We had an overall great season given the challenges we faced weather wise,” said Coach Donald Markhoe. “As the season began, we held ‘dry’ land practices, in which we worked on agility, strength, and overall conditioning. The team had a very dedicated, committed, and enthusiastic attitude.” The lack of snow presented some issues, but eventually the Indians were able to practice at Putnam County’s Thunder Ridge to prepare for four meets on the season. For Sectionals, held at Hunter Mountain on Feb. 14, Jack Edwards Noah Bonder, James Biolchini, and Victoria Hrnic represented the ‘Pac for a seventh-place overall finish, and third in their league. Indians finish successful season on the slopes Send four to Sectionals Left to right: Aydin Aivazians, Kiera Hammond, and Andrew Baker SKI REVIEW Contact Us Yorktown News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302- 5628 or email yorktownnews@ halstonmedia.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 21 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. Influential American political family 5. __ Chantilly, __ de Menthe 11. Within 12. Pleasure seekers 16. Computer manufacturer 17. Home to college sports’ Flyers 18. Fungal disease 19. Sleepwalk 24. Spielberg sci-fi film 25. Seasonable 26. Taxis 27. Radio direction finder (abbr.) 28. Thin, narrow piece of wood 29. ‘Mystic River’ actor Sean 30. Ingenuous 31. Musical composition 33. Turkish surname 34. High or hilly area 38. Wilco frontman 39. Pour it on pasta 40. Electric car company 43. Sea eagle 44. Walk with difficulty 45. Sign of healing 49. Boy 50. Protein-rich liquid 51. Washington city 53. Individual portion of TV series (abbr.) 54. Thought over 56. Scads 58. News agency 59. Standard 60. Deadlock 63. Pre-Columbian empire 64. Removed 65. French commune CLUES DOWN 1. Large, dangerous animals 2. Straighten out 3. Family tree 4. Large stinging paper wasp 5. European river fish 6. Cut down in size 7. Denotes past 8. Larry and Curly’s partner 9. Samoyedic ethnic group 10. Male parent 13. Specific gravity 14. Demeaned oneself to 15. Rigidly 20. Yankovic is a “weird” one 21. Belonging to me 22. Path 23. Airborne (abbr.) 27. Level 29. Atomic #94 30. Born of 31. Midway between northeast and east 32. Northeastern bank 33. Defunct airline 34. Having no purpose 35. A low wall 36. Swedish city 37. Earn a perfect score 38. Atomic #81 40. Beginner 41. Give off 42. Incorrect letters 44. Telecommunication service provider (abbr.) 45. Idyllic 46. Popular beer 47. A way to fine 48. Evildoer 50. More withered 51. Seventh note of a major scale 52. Commercial 54. Abnormal breathing 55. Moved more quickly 57. City of Angels 61. Partner to Pa 62. Equally 6 medium russet potatoes 2 tablespoons white vinegar Water Oil for frying (vegetable, canola or peanut oil) Salt Everyone has his or her own idea of comfort food. For some, it is biting into a piping-hot slice of pepperoni pizza. Others can’t get enough of a hearty bowl of beef stew. Snack foods also can be categorized as comfort foods — and potato chips (or “crisps” as they’re known across the pond) are no exception. Potato chips come in di erent avors and cuts, including crinkle and kettle chips. While it’s easy to pick up a bag at the store, why not whip up a fresh batch right at home? You will have complete control over the ingredients and enjoy the freshest chips around. Try this recipe for “Homemade Potato Chips” courtesy of home cook, and country living blogger Kathy from “Beyond the Chicken Coop.” Fresh potato chips can’t be beat Homemade Potato Chips 1. Peel potatoes and place potato in a bowl fi lled with water. 2. Slice potatoes to 1/16 inch thick. Use a mandoline to get an even, consistent size. Immediately place sliced potatoes in another bowl fi lled with cold water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Allow potatoes to soak for at least 1 hour. 3. Drain potatoes and rinse with cold water. Leave potatoes in colander and allow all water to drain. 4. Place drained potatoes on a clean, dry kitchen towel. Pat lightly to remove any remaining water. 5. Fill pot with 2 inches of oil. Preheat oil to 380 F. Use a thermometer to test temperature of oil. 6. Test oil temperature. Ideal temperature will vary from 370 to 380 F. Fry one or two slices in the oil and cook until they are nicely browned. If the potatoes brown quicker than 3 minutes, lower the temperature by 5 degrees. 7. Place one handful of sliced potatoes in the oil. Stir gently to prevent potatoes from sticking to each other. Cook until golden; 3 minutes. 8. Scoop out and place on a baking sheet lined with a baking rack. 9. Sprinkle with salt immediately and repeat until all potatoes are cooked. Tips: Soaking the potatoes helps remove excess starch and prevents the potatoes from sticking together. It also helps them fry up more crispy. Chips are best eaten the day they are made. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Kathy Frattarola Katherine (Kathy) Frattarola (May 23, 1932- March 2, 2023) lived a beautiful, digni ed life. Best known for her friendly and welcoming disposition, she provided comfort and solace while asking little in return. Her husband, Bill (now deceased), adored her and together they raised ve wonderful children; Gayle, Joanne, Billy, Steven and Tommy, who were taught the life lesson of perseverance and hard work that has served them well. She had two brothers: John and Tom (both deceased) who both loved and admired her. She also had a cousin MaryAnn Brigante (deceased), who was like a sister to her; their families remain close to this day. Kathy was born in Mamaroneck after her parents, Marie (Moo) and John Crillo (Pop), moved there from Canton, Ohio. She graduated from Mamaroneck High School before enrolling in Cazenovia College in upstate New York. She married Bill and moved to Rye, and then Mamaroneck. en came the big move “way up” north to Mahopac, where they bought a house with a pool in 1968 and spent the formative years raising their children with their dog, Minky. Each of their children graduated from Mahopac High School and have gone on to live robust lives. Gayle moved out to California where she continues to march to the beat of her own drummer and always stayed close to Kathy remotely. Joanne married Doug Hunt and they gave Kathy three grandchildren whom she cherished: Dan, Kristine and Tom. Dan and his wife Claire gave Kathy three greatgrandchildren; Caitlin, Tara and James. Kristine and her husband Spencer King gave Kathy another great grandchild; Elise. Billy married Andrea, who has been a godsend in taking such good care of Kathy in her later years. eir daughter, Isabella, became Kathy’s fourth grandchild who she adored. Kathy was very proud of Billy’s successful real estate career, and his contribution to society as a Police Of- cer. Once his father passed away, Billy assumed the family leadership role. Steven moved back to New York after working in Dallas, Los Angeles and Denver as a radio DJ, and now works with his brother Billy in real estate. Steven always cherished his time with his mom and was very devoted to her. Kathy was so entertained by his big personality and enthusiasm. Tommy was Kathy’s baby and she enjoyed spoiling him with the rest of the family in his youth. She was very proud of his successful career in technology and his entrepreneurial spirit, including his unique ability to pick early stage technology start-ups. While raising her family, Kathy took a part time job at Mahopac High School. She enjoyed working and later had a successful career at Reader’s Digest as an executive administrative assistant when Reader’s Digest was in its heyday. She took the Reader’s Digest bus every day back and forth from Mahopac to Chappaqua, and enjoyed shopping in the company store, where she regularly brought home fascinating gifts from all over the world. Kathy learned to cook from her mother Moo and became quite an accomplished Italian chef. Her cooking had the e ect of bringing the family together from far and wide on a regular basis. She absolutely loved that togetherness – it meant the world to her. She enjoyed playing Mahjong with her friends at Je erson Village, where she lived the last 37 years of her life. Kathy loved music – her favorite singer was Johnny Mathis, and believed strongly in the American Dream. To her entire family she leaves behind her kindness, work ethic and her undying love. Services have concluded. PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 For today, retirement and every moment in between. Michael A. Bucci Financial Advisor Tier 4 Planning A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. 203.302.6744 41 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 [email protected] Tier4planning.com CA Insurance #0M83870 The Confident Retirement approach is not a guarantee of future financial results. The initial Confident Retirement conversation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., a registered investment adviser. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (05/19) Confident Retirement approach Tier 4 planning isn’t about getting a new 403(b) or buying financial products. It’s about becoming educated and empowered around the events and decisions in your personal financial life. It’s about being prepared. Maybe it’s time. Call me today for your initial Confident Retirement conversation. WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 “Advertising in Halston Media’s publications is one of the best investments the Anglebrook Golf Club has ever made. The response far exceeded our expectations, and most of the inquiries resulted in booking banquets, private parties, golf outings and even enlisting new members.” Matt Sullivan, General Manager, Anglebrook Golf Club Linda Cefaloni (914) 582-4373 or Sandra Cefaloni Henderson (845) 745-0762 or visit itali anamericanclubofmahopac.org. Earth Day Cleanup e Mahopac Lions Club is organizing its annual Earth Day cleanup, which will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 10-12:30 p.m. e goal is to beautify our neighborhood and o er double community service hours to all middle and high school student participants (minimum of 5 hours). Participants will meet at Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department - 741 Route 6 in Mahopac. Lunch will be served afterwards. Learn more at ma [email protected]. Earth Day T-Shirt Design With the Mahopac Lions Club Earth Day cleanup event approaching in April, Mahopac Leos student leads Ross Silver, Adam Geller and Alex Wanner are coordinating with MHS students to create a Mahopac OBITUARY SEE MUSINGS PAGE 24 MUSINGS FROM PAGE 6
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PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 Earth Day t-shirt design. Each student will receive community service for artwork submitted. Artwork is due March 24. There is a $50 gift card prize for the winner. We also looking for donations towards t-shirt expenses. Please email artwork to ma[email protected] or [email protected]. Book Barn Special March Offer Until the end of March, buy 10 books at the Book Barn and receive one free book (excluding collectibles) or one free Book Barn tote bag. Hours are Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, 4 to 6:45 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book donations are by appointment only. Please call 845- 628-2009 x143 to schedule your donation. Lake Mahopac Garden Club The monthly meeting of the Lake Mahopac Garden Club will be held on Tuesday, April 4, at Airport Park. The Meeting begins at 11:30 a.m., and the demonstration will be creating a naturalistic botanical plaque. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and a glue gun to participate in creating a plaque. For further information contact Anne Gagliardi at [email protected]. MUSINGS FROM PAGE 22 NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS: YOU MAY *QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS! HELP IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY CASH Qualify Today: 800-944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to see if you *qualify Do you need a New Roof and Help paying for it? Do you need Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? Approved applications will have the work completed by a quality repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. Contractor License: NY: #2719-h14 *Enrollment is only open during a limited time. Programs, appointments, and installations are on a first come, first serve basis in your area. Any leaking, visible damage, or roof age, may *qualify you! Drafty windows, energy cost too high, you may *qualify! 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Expires 3.31.23 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (877) 516-1160 Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* – A $695 Value! To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Notice of Formation of LIME GLOW, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 03/01/2023. Office location: Putnam SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 7 MASON'S ISLAND ROAD, #1, MYSTIC, CT 06355. Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of LOPEZ BRO'S AND PAWS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-07-01. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to MARIO LOPEZ: 2 ROGERS LANE CARMEL NY 10512. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of EW Fairview Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-01-02. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corperation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13 th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of 72BHH LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-02-19. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to The Limited Liability Company: 50 Fields Lane Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of The Holy Holder LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 02-15. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Charles Deluca: 73 Garrity Blvd Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Autumn Candles LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 01-30. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Autumn Martin: 9 Courtney Lane Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Road Is My Home Transport LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-03-13. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Secretary of State of NY: 141 E Lake Blvd K3 Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of LC Anderson International Consulting, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022- 03-11. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to L. C. Anderson: 9 Tamarack Rd Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of Carmel, Putnam County, New York, at a regularly scheduled meeting held on the 15th day of March 2023 duly adopted the following resolution subject to permissive referendum: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GRANT OF TEMPORARY PARKING AND ACCESS EASEMENT TO COUNTY OF PUTNAM RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Carmel hereby authorizes the conveyance of a temporary parking and access easement over the Town road/right of way known as DeColores Drive to the County of Putnam, said easement to be for a maximum period of two (2) years and in form and content as attached hereto* and made a part hereof; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Putnam shall be responsible for all recording fees incurred in connection therewith; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is subject to permissive referendum. 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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25 PICK-UP & DELIVERY AVAILABLE WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS OF PORTABLE GENERATORS 845-225-3503 * LAWN MOWERS * CHAIN SAWS * TRIMMERS * TRACTORS * GENERATORS * MOTORCYCLES * ATV’S * AND MORE! PICK-UP & DELIVERY FACTORY-TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST • CARMEL, NY www.EASTROADMOTORS.com EAST ROAD MOTORS Freelance Writer, Editor, and Content Producer Bill Bongiorno | (914) 533-7065 | [email protected] For All Your Writing Needs BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE For Mount Kisco resident Greg Renza, a perfect day is one spent in his backyard on a chilly February afternoon, standing around the re, and drinking beer with family and friends. e re, in this case, is what one uses to boil maple tree sap and change it into maple syrup. It’s a hobby he’s indulged in for than two decades. When Renza rst visited the site of his future home in 2001, he noticed an abundance of trees on the one-acre property and knew dealing with mounds of fallen leaves would become an annual fall challenge. “I would spend years battling the autumn leaves with landscapers and alone with rakes, tarps, and various leaf blowers,” said Renza, an IT computer professional for a top 10 global law rm. “We had a tree service remove and trim many of the trees on the overgrown property and they informed us that most of our trees were sugar maples or what he called ‘rock’ maple. I didn’t think much of it at the time. “I understood that the huge canopy of leaves that prevented sunlight from getting in and grass from growing, could also keep me quite dry when it rained,” he continued. “After one March storm, I needed to trim a bunch of broken branches. So, with pole saw in hand I began my work, and what I rst thought was water raining down on me, I realized was maple sap. When most people think of sap, they think of thick and sticky pine sap, but maple sap is mostly water. ere is only a small amount of sugar, which you can hardly even taste.” Renza was intrigued. He began researching how to make syrup and learned the best time to tap trees was in February and March and how much sap he could expect, and how long it might take to do the job. “Making syrup is labor intensive because you have to condense it by boiling o the water,” he said. “ e ratio is about 40 to 1, meaning it would take about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. Even after learning all that, I still decided to go ahead with it.” Renza said he started with a fairly primitive set-up to distill the sap but made improvements over the years. “I started with a pot and a re and was out there from sunup to past sundown and it yielded about a quart,” he said with a laugh. “I realized that I needed to do it more e ciently, so I created a classic backyard maple sugaring rig out of cement blocks and stainless-steel catering pans... basic supplies. I made mine for under 100 bucks.” Renza said he got better at making it with each passing year. “It’s just one ingredient and you re ne it. It’s all process,” he said. “You tap a tree, boil o the water. It’s really about endurance.” Renza said the weather is always a factor during tapping season, with warm days and cold nights being the best scenario for making the sap ow. e nights have been warmer than normal for this time of year, he said, which has slowed production. “ e sap hasn’t been owing,” he said. “And around here you are done by midMarch because the chemistry of the sap changes.” Renza doesn’t sell what he produces—it’s not a business—but he now understands why good maple syrup is expensive. He taps about 25 trees which nets about ve gallons of what he’s dubbed Mount Kisco Maple Syrup. He breaks that down into 8 oz. bottles. “I like to invite friends to come watch the boiling. e key ingredient is beer,” he said with a laugh. “I can give away more of those [8 oz. bottles of] precious liquid gold. I don’t have enough to sell so I just give it away.” Renza said his wife and two teenage boys humor him. “ e boys come out to see what I’m doing but otherwise leave me alone and my wife likes me being outside,” he said, “ but she helps with the bottling process.” Now Renza said he’s looking to take the hobby to another level. “It’s like candy making— you continue to nd new things, like granulated maple sugar, which can be used as a baking ingredient, or maple candies, boiled to higher temps so it can be shaped. And there’s maple cream, whip it up into a spreadable frosting. It is just another form of sugar, so anyway you would want to use that, you can.” But Renza says the biggest thrill he gets out of syrup making is the DIY aspect of it. “To me, what is most rewarding is you can do it in your own backyard,” he said. “Sometimes you forget you can do things yourself and that is the kick I get out of it: I can make maple syrup right in my own backyard.” Renza, who’s also a musician and puzzle designer, says anyone willing to put in the time can make maple syrup if they know how to nd the trees. “ e best way to identify a maple tree is by its leaves,” Renza said. Sugar maples have dark gray bark with furrowed ridges and ve-lobed leaves, which are wider at the base, dark yellow-green on top and lighter on the underside. ey turn yellow, orange, or red in autumn. “Unfortunately, the leaves are o the trees when it’s time to tap, so identifying them is best done ahead of time,” Renza said. “New York is the is second to Vermont in U.S. maple syrup production,” he added. “Maple trees are native to and abundant in Putnam and Westchester counties. “Once you know, you see them everywhere. ey might even be in your own backyard like mine.” How sweet it is Greg Renza perfects the art of backyard syrup-making COURTESY GREG RENZA Greg Renza tapping trees with dog Coco
PAGE 26 – MAHOPAC NEWS CLASSIFIEDS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 ORDER ON OUR ONLINE STORE AND PICKUP LOCALLY! BEST PRICES IN THE AREA! PICKUP HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! www.american-arms.com [email protected] 1928 Commerce St, Suite C Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 NRA Basic Pistol/Personal Protection UTAH Concealed Firearms Course Private Lessons Permit Assistance Refuse To Be A Victim™ Group and Private Classes Gun Sales & Ammunition Gun Accessories FFL Services & Transfers 914-455-4210 Check out our Facebook & Twitter pages! 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 Pitsy Pitsy is a beautiful 15 year old girl. Sadly, her owner passed away. A family member tried to adopt her, but unfortunately Pitsy will not tolerate other cats. We need to find this beautiful girl a home with no other pets. Ernie is an adorable three year old lab mix. Playful and so sweet! Ernie 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. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) Arborvitae 6-foot Reduced to $125/each Free Installation, Free Delivery. Fast growing, Highquality Beautiful & Bushy! Order now to reserve for spring delivery. Lowcosttreefarm.com 518-536-1367 VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! A ordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636 Do you need a Roof or Energy E icient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not a iliated with State or Gov Programs. Don’t Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526 Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918 BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! 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 03/16/2023 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 FOR SALE HOME IMPROVEMENT MISCELLANEOUS TV INTERNET PHONE HELP WANTED FOR DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE Mature couple looking for household assistant. $30/hr Errands, organizing, kitchen prep. 6-12 hrs/wk flexible schedule. 646-820-5130 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 mahopacnews@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to Mahopac News, 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. Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how.
BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Some of the biggest names in New York sports helped welcome BG Entertainment to Yorktown on Sunday, March 5. e sports memorabilia store, which celebrated its grand opening on the second oor of the Je erson Valley Mall, hosted an autograph signing that brought out hundreds of avid fans and autograph seekers. Attending the event were: · Dwight “Doc” Gooden, a pitcher who won a Cy Young Award with the New York Mets (1985) and won World Series titles with both the Mets (1986) and New York Yankees (1996). · Mike Richter, a goalie who helped lead the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994. · Ahmad Bradshaw, a running back who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants (2008 and 2012). · Wayne Chrebet, a wide receiver who amassed over 7,300 yards during an 11- year career with the New York Jets (1995-2005). BG Entertainment, owned by Bill Gilbert, features a wall-to-wall selection of memorabilia that has been autographed by the biggest names in the sports, from Tom Brady to Derek Jeter. e all-star lineup of collectibles has been personally curated over a decade by Gilbert, who once ran the business out of his Lagrangeville home. However, as Gilbert’s inventory grew, so did his need for space. at brought BG Entertainment to the Je erson Valley Mall in 2022. “I just love the reaction I’ve been getting from the customers,” Gilbert said. “When people say it’s the coolest store they’ve ever seen, it means a lot. It’s been a 10-year journey. Every item in here I acquire is from an experience. To see it all in one spot, I get a lot of enjoyment from that.” e mall storefront features memorabilia signed by active and retired athletes from baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and combat sports (boxing/ MMA). e Je erson Valley Mall location has also hosted several public autograph signings with professional athletes and wrestlers. Gilbert said the mall storefront is the “pinnacle” of his business, but BG Entertainment provides many other services. Since 2006, the company has specialized in weddings and special occasions, children’s parties and rentals, and sporting events and memorabilia. BG Entertainment started its autograph business “accidentally” in 2010, Gilbert said. A New York Giants fan, Gilbert decided to link up with wide receiver Steve Smith for an autograph signing. Smith then introduced Gilbert to other Giants players, which led to him working with New York Yankees players, and the rest is history. “I brought in [Steve Smith] and it kind of created an idea that the market needed it,” Gilbert said. “People responded well.” BG Entertainment is happy to call the Je erson Valley Mall home, so much so that Gilbert recently opened up another store on the rst oor. is additional space will serve as a gathering space for autograph signings, comedy shows, open mic nights, and more. On March 5, it served as a Q&A space for the four New York sports legends. BG Entertainment is located on the rst and second oors of the Je erson Valley Mall (650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights). More information about the store’s autograph business and event services can be found online at www.BGAutographs. com and www. BGEntertainment845.com. Dream team BG Entertainment holds star-studded grand opening PHOTOS: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Doc Gooden with Halston Media’s own Jay Gussak Wayne Chrebet signs his No. 80 New York Jets jersey. Former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter meets with a fan. Hundreds came out to the autograph signing event organized by BG Entertainment. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27
PAGE 28 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023