Mahopac News 11.04.21

VOL. 12 NO. 39 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

Pandemic housing market reviving old projects

In ux of new buyers increases need for more housing

BY BOB DUMAS gins date to 2004, came back e Fairways would o er project would come back to Je Contelmo, senior prin-
EDITOR before the Planning Board last 114 non-age-restrictive homes us for site plan approval, so we cipal engineer for Insite Engi-
week. (some cottages, some townhous- created something called en- neering, which is designing the
e exodus from New York es) and 36 non-age-restrictive vironmental threshold assess- project, made the presentation
City to points northward in e project, located o Route homes (all townhouses). e ments for the principal areas of before the Planning Board at
the midst of the pandemic has 6 in the Carmel Hamlet, be- 150 units planned for Gateway concern,” he said. “When they its Oct. 27 meeting. Contelmo
wreaked havoc on the local real tween Mahopac and Brewster, Summit would be entirely non- said he is ultimately looking for
estate market and in turn has calls for 300 units of housing— age-restrictive townhouses. le a site plan and are below amended site-plan approval, but
revitalized some dormant devel- mostly townhomes—on two the threshold, they are good to
opment projects. parcels of land. Town planning consultant Pat go. If they exceed, we have to go rst needs the green light to go
Cleary said that when town of- back and revisit things. ere is before the Zoning Board of Ap-
e demand for new hous- e rst parcel, known as e a series of those thresholds that peals for two variances.
ing has not only resurrected Fairways, would feature senior cials rst looked at the project we’ve now used a couple of times
old projects, but with more and housing (age-restricted), as well they produced a “generic envi- for revisions to the plan. It has e variances being sought
more people working from home as some non-age-restrictive ronmental impact statement” for been a very useful tool. ere for the Gateway Summit would
it has changed the way they are housing, while the neighboring the full development. are some issues that need to be change the setback from 100 to
being designed. parcel, known as Gateway Sum- cleaned up a bit but nothing of 40 feet and reduce the distance
mit, would be entirely non-age- “We did something unusual signi cance.”
One such project, whose ori- restrictive. when adopting the ndings in SEE HOUSING PAGE 6
that we knew each individual

Trick-or-treat at
Sycamore Park

e Parks and Rec Department held its an- the robot family, Lola, “Little” Lola, 4, “Little”
nual Harvest Fest at Sycamore Park on Hallow- Jevan, 1, and Jevan take time to reboot before
een and drew a huge crowd as families came out trick-or-treating. For more pictures, see the cen-
dressed in their scary best for the holiday. Here, terspread on pages xx and xx.

SellYour Home forTOP DOLLAR BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
CLASSIFIEDS
with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist LEGAL NOTICES 31
LEISURE 30
FREE MAHOPAC MUSINGS 30
OPINION 26
Home Evaluation SPORTS
2 FOOTBALL
Anytime — No Cost or Obligation
10 Indians advance in
Call 845.628.4189 22 playo s

MahopacHomeValues.com pg 22

CLASSIC REALTY Michael Trinchitella
LicensedAssociate Real Estate Broker

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

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

The Staff Mahopac Library a copy by calling 845-628-2009, child! For ages 18 and up. Ma- upright bass. Enjoy a mix of stan-
Events ext. 100, or via email: askus@ma- terials will be provided. Drop-in dard swing repertoire as well as
EDITORIAL TEAM hopaclibrary.org. “October 1964” program; no registration needed. Hawaiian “Hapa Haole” swing.
BOB DUMAS
is also available as an eBook on Registration is required; register
EDITOR: 845-208-0774
[email protected] FLO BRANDON BOOK GROUP hoopla. THE EDUKATED FLEAS IN online at www.mahopaclibrary.

ADVERTISING TEAM Friday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. is CONCERT org, or call 845-628-2009, ext.
PAUL FORHAN
month the group will discuss COLORING FOR ADULTS Saturday, Nov. 6, 1 p.m. e 100.
(914) 806-3951
[email protected] “October 1964” by David Hal- Friday, Nov. 5, 3p.m. Join Edukated Fleas, a ukulele duo,

BRUCE HELLER berstam. is meeting is held us this month on the rst and live in concert at Mahopac Pub- MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK
(914) 486-7608
[email protected] in the Community Room (3rd third Friday of November, from lic Library. Featuring Wendy GROUP

LISA KAIN oor); new members welcome. 3-4:30 p.m., for an afternoon of Matthews and Greg Doyle on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m. For
(201) 317-1139
[email protected] Pick up a copy of the book at the relaxation, stress relief, focus, and ukulele, Art Labriola on steel grades 5-8. is group will read
CORINNE STANTON
(914) 760-7009 Library’s main desk, or request fun. Re-connect with your inner guitar, and Niles Spaulding on “Anything But Typical” by Nora
[email protected]
Come have lunch on us! Raleigh Baskin. Pick up a copy
JAY GUSSAK at the main desk at the Library,
(914) 299-4541 read the book, and join us for dis-
[email protected] cussion and light refreshments.
SHELLEY KILCOYNE Registration is required; register
(914) 924-9122
[email protected] online at www.mahopaclibrary.

PRODUCTION TEAM org, or call 845-628-2009, ext.
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
139.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHER We’re bringing celebrated local food truck SOCIAL SECURITY
EXPLAINED
[email protected] www.robcookfood.com
GABRIELLE BILIK to our Shrub Oak location to provide lunch Tuesday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m. e
DESIGNER Putnam County Libraries have
for builders and customers! teamed up to bring you a series
[email protected] on Financial Awareness. You
are sure to enjoy Mark Lange, a
EXECUTIVE TEAM knowledgeable and entertain-
BRETT FREEMAN ing speaker from the Society for
CEO & PUBLISHER Financial Awareness (SOFA).
845-208-8151 Please join us with questions
you may already have! e rst
[email protected] four workshops are the core cur-
riculum; this rst workshop will
Deadlines focus on the following: when
did Social Security start, what is
MAHOPAC NEWS DEADLINE OASDI, how it is nanced, who’s
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS eligible to receive retirement ben-
e ts, what is Full Retirement Age
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR and why is this so important, how
your bene t amount is calculat-
MAHOPAC NEWS IS THE THURSDAY ed, reduced bene ts and delayed
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE.
SEE MUSINGS PAGE 27
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CALL BOB DUMAS AT Tuesday, Winter parking
November 9th regulations
845-208-0774 OR EMAIL from 11am - 1pm
[email protected]. e Carmel Police Depart-
1248 E Main St, ment reminds residents that the
Subscribe Shrub Oak winter all-night parking regula-
tions (Town Code 147-17) states
TO REQUEST MAHOPAC NEWS S our Design Center that no person shall park a vehi-
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503 OR and a the great products cle upon any highway within the
EMAIL [email protected]. Sie a Pacific has to o er! Town of Carmel starting
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN. INTERSTATE + LAKELAND LUMBER on Nov. 15 through April
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE 15 between the hours of 6 p.m.
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL. What Dream Homes are Made of through 9 a.m.

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT 1248 East Main Street •Shrub Oak NY 10588 • 914- 245- 5050 • www.interstatelumber.com e purpose of this regulation
MAHOPAC, NY AND AT is to facilitate the safe and e ec-
tive removal of snow during the
ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. winter season. e Town of Car-
POSTMASTER: mel Police Department asks that
residents be aware of the park-
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO ing restrictions and comply with
MAHOPAC NEWS AT them.
824 ROUTE 6, SUITE 4
MAHOPAC, NY 10541 For more information about
the Carmel Town Code and al-
NMeawhsopac ternate side of the street parking;
please visit the town website at
(ISSN 2330-1627) http://www.ci.carmel.ny.us .
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3

Trunk or treat at Lakeview Elementary!

Lakeview Elementary School held a trunk or treat event last Friday as parents set up their vehicles in the parking lot and opened the trunks, which were festooned in
Halloween-themed decorations. Costumed kids made their way trick or treating from car to car to get their holiday goodies. ough the skies threatened, the rain held o
and allowed the event to provide some scary fun for the kids and their families.

Scarlett Freehill, 8, Fiona O’Halloran, 8, Bella Dilapi, 5 and her sister Juliette, 7, with Holly Freehill in the back Andrew Mekeel, 10 and brother Sammy, 7, in their
Sponge Bob Square Pants attire

Jenn Borst and Lisa Ettlinger with the Hungry Hungry Frank and Jasmine Maiolini with their son Frankie The “Frozen” crew
Caterpiullar car

The Yellow Brick Road car PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL

Abby Chmielewski, 2, reaches for a treat.

PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

‘Kindness Rocks’ Mahopac Middle School

Math teacher Marie DeNicola and “I am not the same as everybody else,” people have their own struggles.” it in their hearts, these middle schoolers

English teacher Karen Haito started the Angelica wrote. “No one is the same, but After the students chose a quote, know that the quote Noelle chose, “Kind-

school year with an exercise in compassion having kindness in my life reminds me that DeNicola, who teaches math but has a ness is giving hope to those who think

for their 8th-grade students. you don’t have to be perfect or t in. Hav- passion for art, had the students paint it they are all alone in this world,” is impor-

DeNicola and Haito , loop teachers ing kindness in your life can show you that on a rock. tant every day.

who stay with the same class of Mahopac being di erent is ok!” “As a math teacher, I usually only get to “ ere are children who have no friends

middle schoolers for two years, have their Damian wrote that the quote “Kind- see one side of the kids,” DeNicola said. and feel lonely at school,” Noelle wrote.

students working on the Kindness Rocks ness begins with understanding that we all “ is allows me to see their artistic side, “ ere are adults who only focus on work

project. struggle’” by Charles Glassman resonated and to get to know them a little better.” instead of their friends and family. ere

Started in Cape Cod in 2015 by author with him because you cannot always tell When the project is nished, the stu- are old people who are alone in nursing

Megan Murphy, the project aims to make from the outside how others are feeling. dents will have the option of placing the homes. By being nice, saying hello, a quick

the world a little happier by painting inspir- “Everybody goes through di erent rock out in nature where it can brighten chat, a warm smile, can give these people

ing messages on rocks that are then left on struggles every single day,” Damian wrote. a stranger’s day or keeping it and nding hope and happiness.”

roadsides, hiking trails, playgrounds or any- “It’s always a good thing to be kind, but their own inspiration every day.

where else that strangers might nd them. especially when you understand that other Whether they nd it on a rock or carry Article courtesy of Mahopac School District

“ ese kids are resilient and wonderful,

but they have been through a lot this last

year and there is still a lot of recovery going

on,” Haito said. “ is gives them a chance

to express that.”

First the students research quotes and

pick three that inspire them. en they

write a paragraph about what the quotes

mean to them.

“It adds depth to the exercise,” Haito

said. “It forces them to think about inspi-

ration and how you take that out into the

world.”

Not to mention that it sneaks in an op-

portunity for the students to read some

great writers.

Eighth-grader Angelica picked a quote

from Mark Twain, “Kindness is a language

which the deaf can hear and the blind can A student puts the finishing touches Eighth graders show off their kindness rocks. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MHOPAC SCHOOL DITRRICT
on her rock.
see.”

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

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 5

My Cousin’s brings ‘elevated
American’ cuisine to Mahopac

e town’s newest destination restaurant

BY VIM WILKINSON
BUSINESS EDITOR

My Cousin’s is an upscale restaurant with a catchy PHOTO: CAITLYN BARRICK PHOTO: CHRIS HEMICK
name, a touching back story and, most of all, a casual
twist just right for our local communities—a place that David Gallo, owner of My Cousin’s $2 o all cocktails, and an awesome discounted happy
has great food but is not a slave to the demands of pre- hour menu. e bar gets full by around 4 or 5 so get
tention. hope to bring that to the community where I grew up. there early even though happy hour is accepted at the
My grandmother used to tell me, “Dorothy had to go tables in the restaurant, too.
Opened in September, My Cousin’s has been getting all the way to Oz and back to realize there was no place
excellent reviews for its food, service and atmosphere. like home.” Give us five absolutely must tries at My Cousin’s.
So, what sets My Cousin’s apart? Who better to enlight- Grandma’s cauli ower patties, candied bacon, smoth-
en us than the owner himself, David Gallo, who was My Cousin’s has been getting great reviews. Tell us ered pork chop, shrimp farfalle and artichoke dip.
born and raised locally? about the menu.
From tasty morsels like candied bacon, charcuterie
What’s the story behind the name, My Cousin’s? I kind of knew what kind of place I wanted it to be, board, burrata salad to decadent entrees, like the smoth-
e name was created in memory of my friend, Ja- and my background is in steakhouses, so I knew what ered pork chop to lobster tails and immensely satisfying
kind of proteins I wanted to serve, but the details re- pasta dishes, it’s no wonder My Cousin’s has become the
son Shenkman, who passed away. Our families are very mained elusive for a while. Over the summer I started talk of the town. Complemented by craft beers, delicious
close. Growing up, we always took family vacations and cooking with my fantastic chef Ronni Palacios Reyes cocktails, an extensive wine list and impeccable service,
spent holidays with each other. We weren’t related but and started building a menu. We had ve or six tasting My Cousin’s is getting some serious buzz as the next
always considered each other family, so we called each nights with my friends and family to see which dishes dining destination. e beautifully designed restaurant
other “my cousin.” When we worked together behind everyone enjoyed the most. ere are a couple of old that boasts ample parking is open Tuesdays to Saturdays
the bar, we would often talk about one day opening a family recipes on the menu like my grandma’s cauli ow- 3-10 p.m. and Sundays noon-9 p.m.
bar called My Cousin’s. When I nally decided to open er patties and my Aunt Chrissy’s meatballs, which have
the restaurant, it could only be one name, My Cousin’s. really been a hit. Call ahead at 845-648-2600 or make reservations
online (mycousinsmahopac.com) for a great dining
Tell us about the journey and how you started this I wanted to make the menu simple but have some- experience.
restaurant. thing for everyone. My sister Alyssa, who works at the
restaurant, is a vegetarian, so she made sure that I was PHOTOS: VIM WILKINSON
As long as I’ve been working, even if it was part-time, thoughtful in the construction of the menu for all types
I was working in the hospitality business. I started like of eaters.
most, in the kitchen washing dishes. I eventually became
a line cook, and then made it to the front of the house, What is elevated American cuisine?
bussing, waiting tables, and eventually really nding my I’ve been telling people that the res-
passion in bartending. I cut my teeth in restaurant opera- taurant is upscale/casual. Good food, at
tions when I helped open e Chophouse Grille in 2012. reasonable prices in a comfortable atmo-
sphere with impeccable service. It’s a white
After selling my share of the restaurant in 2015, I tablecloth restaurant, so it’s nice enough to
moved to the city to do a little soul searching. I really bring a date to or celebrate your anniver-
got a masterclass in food and service when I was waiting sary and have a beautiful bottle of wine but
tables at Del Posto, a Michelin star ne-dining restau- relaxed enough to sit at the bar and have a
rant in Chelsea. Service was like a ballet and the food burger and a beer.
was a symphony, and it really opened my eyes to what My Cousin’s happy hour. Tell us more.
dining could be. It’s 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Two for
When my cousin Amanda told me over the holidays one beers, and two for one glasses of wine.
that the old Ramiro’s building, literally across the street
from the old Chophouse, was available, I called the
owner to see it after the new year. As soon as I saw the
space, I saw the potential and knew this was it.

So, I got to work. I put a business plan together, ap-
proached a handful of my close childhood friends from
Yorktown to invest in me, raised the money I needed
to pull the trigger, and signed the lease in the spring. It
took me until September to throw everything together,
and now I get to do what I love.

I’ve always loved entertaining people, whether at
home or at the bar or restaurant. Holidays and events at
the Gallo’s were always a spirited a air lled with great
food, good drinks, and a lot of laughs. My grandmother
and aunt were both career waitresses for over 50 years,
and when they hosted, they were always sure to show ev-
ery person in the building a good time. I have taken that
with me throughout my hospitality career, and certainly,

My Cousin’s

954 Route 6 • Mahopac • 845-648-2600 • mycousinsmahopac.com

ADVERTORIAL

PAGE 6 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

HOUSING and the market that is out there mental Impact Statement took the subdivision remain stalled property owner has been talking
today.” place between 2004 and 2007. It except the housing for lots 6 and to several builders who are very
FROM PAGE 1 yielded a couple of books about 7. excited about coming to Car-
Contelmo said his rm rst this thick with a lot of stud- mel.”
between homes from 50 to 20 got involved with the project ies and with what everybody “In 2009, we completed the
feet. in 2004. Originally, there were thought was a good plan,” he environmental review and pro- Contelmo said the project for
early master plans for what was a said. “We were all proud of that cured all the necessary permits lots 6 and 7 remains essentially
“We feel strongly that the seven-lot subdivision. Lot 1 was plan and the town was proud of for all the entities involved,” the same, but the unit types and
arrangement of this plan as it to contain a hotel, which fronted it too. Contelmo said. “Unfortunately, the arrangement of how those
was originally developed back in on Route 6. Lot 2 was a restau- we were a year late in that the types are set up have changed.
2005 to 2009 established a great rant; lot 3 was a pharmacy; lot “ ings have changed, and the bottom dropped out of the real Lot 6 is still primarily senior
project,” Contelmo said. “What 4, a small o ce building; lot 5, developer of the hotel has not estate market in 2008. What housing but with some non-age-
we are trying to do now is keep a YMCA; and lots 6 and 7 were seen the market to pull the trig- happened between 2009 and restrictive housing sprinkled in;
that project in its same form senior housing. ger on that project,” he added. 2016 was a lot of nothing. We lot 7 is now all non-age-restric-
but make it work as best we can continued to renew our approv- tive housing—eliminating the
within the [town building] code “ e comprehensive Environ- In fact, all the projects within als and wait for the market to senior housing that was called
come back. Unfortunately, the for in the original plan.
WINTER IS COMING... ARE YOU PREPARED? market came back slowly, espe-
cially for senior housing devel- “ ese buildings are now en-
WE SERVICE ALL TYPES opment in the town of Carmel. visioned with bonus rooms to
& BRANDS OF COMMERCIAL AND accommodate the new way of
HOMEOWNER POWER EQUIPMENT “But now the pandemic has working from home,” Contelmo
FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS changed the housing needs re- noted. “ e age-restrictive (se-
gionally for us,” he continued, nior) is 100 percent conform-
Visit: www.EastRoadMotors.com “with the in ux of people from ing to zoning [on lot 6]. If we
the city who’ve decided they get variances we need [for lot 7]
PICK-UP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE want their own little piece of we will then go into the details
ground and live in a house with about the tweaks and revisions.”
maybe a couple of di erent
rooms to work at home and do e homes are for-sale units,
the things that these new ideas not rentals, and are currently
are driving. is has created [re- projected to generate about $3.5
vived] attention to the property million in taxes.
to put together a nanceable
project that can be built.” “More detailed review will be
needed for the future for water
In addition to that, Contelmo and wastewater ows, stormwa-
explained, the town found that ter management, and tra c im-
its multifamily code could be ap- pact,” said town engineer Rich
plied to properties in an R resi- Franzetti.
dential zone.
“However, we have no objec-
“A portion of our property is tion referring this to the zoning
in the R residential zone, which board at this time to get the nec-
allows us to take some of those essary variances and then get the
300 units and make them non- details afterward.”
age-restricted, thereby opening
up the market and putting us in e Planning Board voted
a better position,” he said. “ e unanimously to send the project
on to the ZBA for variance ap-
proval.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 7

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PAGE 8 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

Mahopac children’s author finds unexpected audience

Memory rehab patients entertained by impromptu reading

BY DONNA trying times and care for each eryone can relate to them,” excited about something the
other even when they’re apart. Ortolani said. “A lot of books
CHRISTOPHER out there about the environ- other people are going to be
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Her reading seemed to ment are about don’ts and
entertain her older audience, how something will destroy excited.”
Mahopac author Cristina Ortolani said, attributing that the earth. I don’t talk down to
Ortolani ‘s book release coin- to her ability to create unique kids. We are both naturalists. Ortolani said she hopes her
cided with her two-week re- and interesting voices to esh My book is going to stretch
habilitation from surgery at a out her characters. She also kids.” audience of young readers be-
Connecticut health center, so credits having practiced by
the rst-time children’s book “reading my book before we e book is intended to be comes excited about the ani-
writer wanted to share her ex- published a million times” to read aloud to young children
citement. other authors in the Mahopac and ones in the middle of el- mals that live in their back-
Writers’ Workshop “a group ementary school can read it
“I was super excited and we are blessed to have” that themselves. It has a glossary yard, enough so they want to
told a member of the recre- she regularly attends. Her and is supported by a website
ation sta ,” Ortolani said a read-aloud skills were devel- for kids and teachers. create a safe space for them to
day after her discharge from oped from a long career as
Bethel Nursing and Reha- both an early childhood edu- “At rst one or two people live.
bilitation Center. e thera- cator and director. looked like they were think-
pist suggested Ortolani share ing ‘What is this? en I Orotolani said she planned
the story with patients in the e narrative is geared to started reading with my
Memory Care Unit. help children of all ages un- voices for the turtle and the to return to Bethel to volun-
derstand the importance of bird. After, some seemed
Ortolani’s book,“Turtle and the environment and friend- mesmerize,” Ortolani said of teer as a reader again.
Bird: Spring,” with illustrator ship through the eyes of a her reading performance at
Christina Baal, is about how common bird, Ortolani ex- Bethel Nursing and Rehabili- Her career includes 15
a box turtle and song sparrow plained. tation Center. “ ey enjoyed
meet on a compost pile in a the story and the pictures be- years at Country Children’s
backyard and become friends. e themes are universal cause I read it in an entertain-
and appeal to all ages of chil- ing way. It felt good to share Center in Katonah as director
e read-aloud book for chil- dren and were enjoyed by the my book and see their smiling
dren follows the two as the older audience. faces. I know from working of Before and After School
friendship grows and so does with kids and adults of dif-
their understanding of each “Sparrows are found ferent abilities that if you are Care and teacher of pre-K
other’s di erences. ey learn throughout the planet. ey
how to stick by one another in have a pretty song, and ev- to elementary-age school

children. Ortolani also was a

naturalist at Rye Nature Cen-

ter. Her Bachelor of Applied

Science degree is in human

development and family stud-

ies from Cornell University

and she has an Associate of

Arts degree in social sciences PHOTO COURTESY OF CRISTINA ORTOLANI

from John Cabot University, Mahopac author Christina Ortolani, right,
Rome, Italy. shown with illustrator Christina Baal. Ortolani
read from her book “Turtle and Bird: Spring” to
e self-published is avail- patients in the memory ward while recovering
able at www.amazon.com/

Turtle-Bird-Spring-Cristina- from her surgery at Bethel Nursing and
Ortolani/dp/B09HG2JYW6. Rehabilitation Center.

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