Mahopac News 01.28.21

VOL. 11 NO. 51 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Study ranks Carmel fourth
safest mid-size city in NY

New chief hopes it’s something
department can build on

BY BOB DUMAS ‘Are we crime-free? No. But we have a very
EDITOR good record, and the bad guys know that.’

A recent study on the safest -Supervisor Ken Schmitt
communities in New York State
ranked the town of Carmel as cities was 14.3 per 1,000. were labeled based upon their PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK CASEY
the fourth-safest midsize city in
the state. AdvisorSmith conducted population. Cities with under Chief Jim Stasiak and Sparky the Fire Dog introduce themselves to Amaya.

e study was conducted the study using reported crime 10,000 residents were labeled A tribute to a little hero
by AdvisorSmith, a business-
insurance consulting and re- data provided by the Federal small cities. Midsize cities were Mahopac Fire Department rolled both nurses, tended to the youngster,
search rm that has been fea- out on a special call last week to a pri- Amaya dialed 911 and stayed on the
tured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Bureau of Investigation. e those with between 10,000 and vate residence on Kia Ora Boulevard. phone with the dispatcher, answering
Finance, and e Wall Street
Journal. study examined the reported 50,000 residents, and large cit- With the chief ’s car and a re questions and relaying updates from
truck pulling up in front of the home Mom.
e study revealed: crime levels in cities across the ies were those with over 50,000 of 11-year-old Amaya Lim, a fth When asked how she could do
• Carmel had a crime score grader at Lakeview Elementary what she did, Amaya said that it was
of 4, which was well below the state and assigned each city a residents. In total, there were School, the birthday girl thought it what she learned in re prevention
average of 32.6 for midsize cit- might be a “drive by” for her birthday. class starting in kindergarten. e re
ies between 10,000 and 50,000 crime score based upon the per 234 small cities, 119 midsize Once stopped, out came Sparky the department wanted to reinforce how
residents. (Carmel has a popu- Fire Dog and Chief Jim Stasiak, who important re prevention is to the
lation of 34,305.) capita levels of reported crimes cities, and 20 large cities in- presented Amaya with a certi cate for next generation and Amaya is a shin-
• Carmel’s violent crime rate going “Above and Beyond” when her ing star for her family and re depart-
was 0.7 per 1,000 residents, com- in each city. e composition of cluded in the study. 2-year-old brother stopped breath- ment alike.
pared with an average of 8.6 per ing in their home as she was getting
1,000 across all midsize cities. the crimes also in uenced the Supervisor Ken Schmitt was ready to ZOOM for school on Dec. Article provided by Mahopac Fire
• e city’s property crime 2. As her mom and grandmother, Department
rate was 2.2 per 1,000 resi- crime score, with more-severe excited by the news, saying the
dents. Statewide, the average
property crime rate in midsize crimes such as murder and rape No. 4 ranking was a “testament

receiving a higher weight com- to the outstanding job the men

pared with property crimes. and women of the Carmel Po-

e average crime score for cit- lice Department do day in and

ies in New York State was 28, day out, 24/7, protecting our

and scores ranged from as low residents and business owners.”

as 2 to as high as 405. “As supervisor, I am ex-

e study examined a to- tremely proud of the level of

tal of 373 small, midsize and SEE SAFE CITY PAGE 18
large cities in the state. Cities

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PAGE 3 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

The show must go on

Yorktown Stage adapts, but pandemic takes nancial toll

BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER “We ended up getting a de-
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
cently full summer,” Abatecola

said. “ e families in the greater

Can actors sing while wear- Yorktown area wanted this, they

ing masks? How do you show wanted the summer camp, they

intimacy between two socially wanted their kids to be able to do

distanced characters? What is a something.”

theater supposed to do without Since October,Yorktown Stage

an audience? has been able to mount two full-

Before the pandemic, nobody scale musicals with its younger

had ever thought to ask these performers. “Spring Awakening”

questions. But to survive, Yor- was performed by kids ages 13-

ktown Stage and other theater 18 and “Guys and Dolls” by kids

companies needed to answer ages 8-18.

them—or the curtains might Abatecola altered the script to

drop for good. ensure the characters were always

“It’s de nitely been one of the socially distanced.

most fascinating years of my life,” “If there was any kind of physi-

said August Abatecola, artistic cal contact in the show, I needed

director of Yorktown Stage. “Ev- to make sure the scene could

eryone’s business models have carry on without that physical

had to shift greatly in 2020, but contact,” he said.

the theater industry is so fragile.” e young actors rehearsed for

Broadway, for example, will about a month before putting on FILE PHOTO

remain dark until at least May. one performance, which was pro- Actors perform in “Guys and Dolls” at Yorktown Stage.
London’s West End brie y re- fessionally lmed. Cameras were

opened in December before clos- placed throughout the theater

ing again just nine days later. Lo- to obtain di erent angles. Like have not been pro table and the this week. and running again and seeing a

cally, the Westchester Broadway opening night, the actors had winter camp has been canceled. “ e Yorktown Stage has been live production with a huge or-

eatre closed for good in Octo- but one chance to perform it live; Unless something changes, he a cultural gem in our community chestra, I think people are going

ber after a 45-year run. there would be no re-shooting or said, Yorktown Stage faces an for years,” Slater said. “Like so to crave it.”

Yorktown Stage is a 549-seat cutting scenes. uphill battle to stay open. many other entities, the COVID ere are very few silver lin-

theater located on Commerce Once edited, virtual audi- “I don’t know how we’re going pandemic has had an extreme ings about this year, particularly

Street inside the town-owned ence members could buy tickets to survive,” Liebman said. “Who impact on their operations and for the theater industry, but

Albert A. Capellini Community ($49.95 per device) for a show- knows what’s going to happen?” programming but they have still Abatecola has been touched by

and Cultural Center. Abatecola ing. “Guys and Dolls,” for ex- Yorktown Stage has a lease found innovative ways to keep the outpouring of support for

and the venue’s president and ample, has streamed at 7 p.m. agreement with the town to rent theater alive in Yorktown. We all Yorktown Stage, which has be-

producing director, Barry Lieb- every Wednesday, Friday, Sat- space inside the community cen- look forward to a time when we come a “community theater.”

man, had to think outside the urday and Sunday since Nov. 22 ter, but that is only part of their can enjoy some local entertain- “It’s no longer me running a

box to keep the business a oat. (with 2 p.m. showings available overhead (insurance, costumes, ment right here in our commu- show,” Abatecola said. “ e par-

Heading into the summer, the on weekends). e show closed and payroll are other expendi- nity.” ent organization donated a set,

artistic director said he “pored on New Year’s Eve. tures). In April, the Town Board Liebman and Abatecola, Slat- the interns came in and painted

over” the guidelines coming from “It’s certainly not anywhere provided some relief to commu- er added, “have had a profound things, we had people donate

the governor’s o ce. near the capacity of what a live nity center tenants by temporar- impact on the youth of our com- costumes to us. Local artists, lo-

“I kind of re-thought the show would be,” Abatecola said ily suspending rent payments munity by introducing them to cal thespians, they came out of

process of what theater was,” of audiences. “We get every cast until they could reopen. York- the joys of theater, proving its the woodwork to say, ‘What can

Abatecola said. “I put dots down member purchasing and we get a town Stage resumed paying rent tremendous value to our com- we do?’”

on the stage that were 6 feet few other people in the commu- in July. munity.” Despite the outlook, Abatecola

apart. I coordinated masks with nity. For us, that’s huge. We ac- Liebman is hoping to get even If and when Yorktown Stage said he will never give up on Yor-

costumes. I sanitized everything.” tually ended up selling a decent more reprieve from the town reopens, Abatecola said, the ktown Stage.

Yorktown Stage was able to chunk for what this is.” and Yorktown Stage may begin public might still be hesitant “ e bottom line is, if it means

hold its summer camp, hosting Liebman, though, painted a fundraising e orts, which it has to attend a live show. Given doing a bake sale on the sidewalk

about 60 kids a week. Camp- more strained nancial picture never done, he said. enough time, he said, “I truly every day of the week to pay our

ers were kept socially distanced for his business, particularly with A meeting between Town Su- think the theater industry will rent, that’s what we’ll do,” he said.

and temperature checks/health COVID-19 cases on the rise re- pervisor Matt Slater and York- come back bigger than ever. “We’re not going anywhere. is

screenings were conducted daily. gionally. e streaming shows town Stage was scheduled for Once somebody sees it back up theater has become my life.”

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PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Reform of police policies nearly complete

Stakeholder input sought in upcoming public forums

BY BOB DUMAS At the Town Board’s Jan. such as Mahopac for Racial Jus- draft of the revised manual will ‘One that comes
EDITOR 20 meeting, Supervisor Ken tice—to provide feedback. e be available before the online to mind is the
Schmitt said the town and the meetings will be held Tuesday, feedback meetings are held. choke hold. It’s a
e town of Carmel and other county have been complying Feb. 9, and Tuesday, March 2, very old policy
municipalities in Putnam Coun- with the order and a panel of both 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on “A draft [of the revised man- but it is still in the
ty that have police departments representatives from throughout the Zoom platform. ual] will be made available to manual so that will
are coming down the home- Putnam has been meeting on a those who want it,” he said. be addressed—
stretch of rewriting their agen- weekly basis as part of a thor- “We will discuss the collabor- either modi ed or
cies’ policies, procedures and ough review and rewrite of law ative reform and reinvention of Schmitt said the town set up
practices as mandated by Gov. enforcement practices. the policies that will be adopted a special email address for stake- removed.’
Cuomo’s Executive Order 203. here,” Schmitt said. “ ey will holders to use to send in remarks
Schmitt said the panel has have the opportunity to speak and comments and noted that -Supervisor Ken
e governor issued the or- been meeting since last July and ask questions.” they have been “very proactive Scmitt
der last June in the wake of the and all municipalities must have so far.”
death of George Floyd while their plans in place and adopted Town attorney Greg Folchet- the details, including links to the
in the custody of Minneapolis by April 1. ti, who has also been involved “We are looking at the whole meetings, will be posted on the
police, which caused nation- in the project, noted that the manual and whichever [policies] town’s website, www.ci.carmel.
wide civil unrest. Cuomo’s order “A lot has been accomplished, town has hired the Daigle Law don’t adhere to this executive ny.us, as soon as they are available.
asked law enforcement agencies but one of the requirements is that Group, a consulting and legal order will be coming out,” the
to perform “a comprehensive re- we must solicit input from local supervisor said. “One that comes
view of policies, procedures and residents and stakeholders in the rm from Plantsville, Conn., to to mind is the choke hold. It’s a
practices and promote commu- community who wish to be in- help it through the process. very old policy but it is still in
nity engagement to foster trust volved in the plan,” Schmitt said. the manual, so that will be ad-
and fairness and address any ra- “We engaged a consultant for dressed—either modi ed or re-
cial bias.” e town of Carmel has slat- the redrafting of the policies and moved.”
ed two dates to allow residents procedures manual for the police
and other stakeholders—groups department back in Septem- More details about the Zoom
ber,” Folchetti said, noting that a meetings are forthcoming and

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 5

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PAGE 6 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Odell: Most vulnerable waiting too long for vax

Only 200 doses sent to county last week

It should be easier and faster to residents are eligible under state cinations only. We are waiting cinate. Still, it is worth checking Church, also on Chestnut Street
get COVID-19 vaccine, but the rules to receive a COVID-19 for data from the state to tell us the health department’s website in Cold Spring, and is expected
hard truth is that a lot of the most vaccine,” Odell said. “But this how many doses of vaccine have - www.putnamcountyny.com/ to hold vaccination clinics regu-
vulnerable residents are having to week, the state has allocated just been dispensed countywide since health - regularly, in case it is larly as supply allows. To check
wait too long to be vaccinated, 200 vaccines to our health de- the start of the program and how given the exibility to vaccinate a for an appointment, visit www.
County Executive MaryEllen partment to inoculate essential many vaccinations have been ad- broader scope of residents in the drugworld.com.
Odell said last week. workers and 200 vaccines to a ministered. future.
pharmacy to administer to se- e same shortage of supply
Putnam County has almost nior citizens. If you can’t get an e Putnam County Health “We are just trying to be fair is at work for those trying to get
18,000 residents aged 65 or older. appointment for a vaccine, that’s Department has run three vac- and work within the guidelines an appointment at one of the big
An estimated 2,600 residents why. We are working with the cine PODs (points of dispens- the state has given us,”said Kathy regional vaccine centers run by
work in law enforcement, re- state to try and get more vaccine.” ing), two in Carmel and one in Percacciolo, PCDOH supervis- the state, like the Westchester
Philipstown, and has vaccinated ing public health nurse. “We are County Center in White Plains.
ghting or other protective ser- Right now, there are only three nearly 1,000 people in the ve very experienced at organizing Appointments at those sites are
vice occupations. Another 6,200 options for vaccination in the weeks since the vaccines were and operating mass vaccination booked through the end of April,
or so residents work in education county: e Putnam County made available. PODs, and we hope the state will the websites say. To check their
and libraries, which the Census Department of Health, which is allow us to vaccinate more of our availability, visit https://am-i-
lumps together. en there are running clinics in Carmel and Because the health department residents when supplies increase.” eligible.covid19vaccine.health.
3,900 healthcare practitioners, Philipstown but only for eli- has been tasked by the state with ny.gov/
technologists, and technicians. gible essential workers; Putnam vaccinating only a very narrow Drug World, a pharmacy at 55
And don’t forget nursing home Hospital Center, which is only group of essential workers, it does Chestnut St. in Cold Spring, was “We recognize there is concern
and group home sta and resi- authorized to vaccinate health- not schedule appointments on- selected by the state to run CO- about the wait for vaccines,” said
dents. All of those residents and care professionals; and Drug line. Instead, the appointments VID-19 vaccine clinics for those Dr. Michael Nesheiwat, commis-
more are eligible for vaccination World in Cold Spring, which is are distributed equally among or- aged 65 and older. e pharmacy sioner of health. “One thing that
under state rules. authorized for senior citizen vac- ganizations whose members the vaccinated 140 seniors last week is important to realize is this was
department is required to vac- at St. Mary’s in-the-Highlands not completely unexpected. We
“More than 30,700 Putnam need to look at vaccine imple-
mentation as the long-term proj-
ect it is—more of a long-distance
race and not an all-out sprint. It
is an enormous undertaking and
not physically possible to roll out
large numbers of vaccines in an
instant.”

Despite the frustration at the
current scarcity of vaccine supply,
the good news is that more vac-
cines are expected to be approved
soon. ere will soon be enough
vaccine for everyone that wants
to get vaccinated.

St.
Patrick’s

Day
parade
canceled

In the interest of public
safety, the Northern West-
chester-Putnam Saint Pat-
rick’s Day Parade Commit-
tee has canceled its annual
St. Patrick’s Day Parade this
year due to the coronavirus
pandemic.

e group looks forward
to marching again and cel-
ebrating Irish Heritage next
year on Sunday, March 13,
2022.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 7

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PAGE 8 MAHOPAC NEWS Opinion THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Follow the lizard people I’m sure the timing
is a coincidence
OUT OF to be fair,” she countered. “Tell both
MY HEAD sides of the story. at’s fair.” LIFE, grant any kind of nancial relief to citi-
HEALTH, zens for months, because to do so would
BOB I shook my head. “You are thinking POLITICS help Trump in the election. Installed
DUMAS of the articles... the reporting—like in in her fancy house on Nob Hill in San
government stories or crime.” MARA Francisco, with her double $20,000
Back in the ’80s, when I was the SCHIFFREN fridges, what would Pelosi know about
managing editor for the paper up “No, I am thinking of newspapers,” the tribulations of working-class people?
in Pawling, the company had a she said. At last good news!
policy that we had to have editorials on Now that Joe Biden has been e kind of people who live paycheck
our opinion pages. I don’t mean columns I didn’t know what to do with this. installed as president, the CO- to paycheck and when the paycheck is
written by freelancers (though we had Her basic understanding of what a VID emergency that has consumed the cut o for weeks or months or for many
those, too)—I mean editorials, opinion newspaper was and how it worked was United States will very shortly be over! months in a row, there is no money for
treatises on local issues written by the Wait and see. rent or food.
editors. awed and I didn’t have the time or the
wherewithal to reeducate her. A week before the inauguration, Pelosi wasn’t even as generous as
I am kind of glad we don’t do it here. Gov. Cuomo noticed that the business Marie Antoinette in her famous ga e,
e weekly editorials were the hardest I blame our education system. While closures could not continue on in New “Let them eat cake.” She simply was
part of my job in Pawling. And it wasn’t teaching the fundamentals, such as read- York State or there would soon be noth- unconcerned about people she no doubt
just concern over who I might make an- ing, writing and arithmetic are crucial, ing left. regards as “not my class, dear.”
gry, it was mostly just coming up with an we need essential life skills taught as
idea in the rst place. Pawling and the well. How to balance a checkbook. It’s nice of him to realize he won’t When asked about this policy by Wolf
surrounding communities we covered How credit cards work. How to create a have any tax revenue, and so there is a Blitzer at CNN, Pelosi accused him of
were small. ere wasn’t always a lot of household budget. How to change a at need to open businesses back up, after being an apologist for Republicans. Wolf
juicy stu going on. Sure, sometimes tire. How to put out a kitchen grease re. Blitzer at CNN! Not someone from Fox
there was—especially in the school dis- rst putting in place terrible policies or Newsmax.
trict—but for the most part I struggled Good skills to have—all of them. in nursing homes, increasing the death
every week to come up with an idea. But we should also be teaching about toll astronomically, which jacked up the As they have proven over and over,
One of the things our bosses wanted newspapers—both paper ones and crisis to stratospheric heights. But who this is a governing class that cares only
us to include in the editorial column was online platforms. Teach students how to is he kidding with this pronouncement? for its own privileges. ey were will-
something called Orchids and Onions. be a reporter even if they don’t want to ing to trash the economy to help them
In it, we would hand out symbolic be one. It will help them understand, as is was always an obvious side e ect politically in 2020, and now they want to
orchids and onions for good deeds and an adult, the di erence between good re- of mass business closures. Obvious 10 restart the economy seeing that Biden is
bad acts: Orchids to the Village Garden porting, bad reporting and editorializing. months ago, back in March 2020. installed.
Club for creating the beautiful displays It will make them more savvy newspaper
around the war monument, or Onions to readers and more discernable ingesters en, on Jan. 14, Laurie Lightfoot, Finally, the World Health Organiza-
whoever stole some of the ornaments for of cable TV news. mayor of crime-ridden Chicago, called tion came out on Jan. 20, the date of
the community Christmas tree... what a to reopen restaurants “as quickly as pos- Biden’s inauguration, with new guidance
Grinch! During his tenure, Trump made it sible—to help those businesses survive.” on testing.
Stu like that. his mission to persuade Americans not
But those things were also hard to to trust the news, not to trust report- Not to be outdone, Washington D.C. ey stated that current testing was
come by... especially the onions (no one ers, calling me and my colleagues “the opened inside dining at 25 percent two oversensitive and often did not accord
wanted to get one of those!). So, I would enemy of the state.” Not only was it days after the inauguration. with the state of health of the individual
wind up writing something like, “Onions dangerous and wrong, but it was also being tested. In other words, as has
to Mother Nature for all this rain we’ve sad and hurtful. T-shirts calling for the ese are, of course, good develop- been known for many months already,
been having lately. How ’bout some sun?! lynching of journalists became all the ments. But the timing of it all should the PCR tests can pick up dead genetic
One time I got a phone call from rage, sporting the words, “Rope, Tree, make the discerning part of the Ameri- material that your immune system suc-
someone who didn’t like the editorials Journalist... Some assembly required.” can public even more cynical than they cessfully fought o and reads it as being
because they were “too opinionated.” Many online stores who sell tees took already are. ere was no reason major COVID-positive. ese are false posi-
“Well, they are supposed be opinion- them down, but you can still buy them Democrat politicians could not have tives. In those cases, you still must quar-
ated,” I said. “ ey’re opinions. It says so if you look around. I just googled it and seen these concerns earlier than the antine, causing enormous expense and
right at the top of the page... ‘Opinion.’” there are plenty of stores still happy to week before the inauguration. Many hassle to people who are not ill at all.
“I thought newspapers were supposed sell you one. other people not paid to do the job of
governing were quite forthcoming on Progress!
Is there bad reporting? Sure, just like these issues. ey also noticed the com- Except this too was known months
there is bad plumbing and bad cooking. plete lack of response by those elected to ago.
As for “fake news,” well it’s out there. It govern. You know what else was known
just might not be coming from where months ago? I predicted that if Joe
you think. What does this bring to mind? It’s Biden won the presidency, that corona-
exactly like Nancy Pelosi refusing to
But this is why we need to teach high SEE SCHIFFREN PAGE 12
schoolers about newspapers and what
their job is and how to read them. A

SEE DUMAS PAGE 12

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 9

LETTERS

White supremacist activity in these organizations. people su ering. son to remove her mask, indoors, munity organizer. A community
threats hit home It has now been revealed that at
least two people who lived and/or It is worse than simply politi- while not socially distancing. who has chosen to ll each of
To the editor, worked in Putnam were involved
On Jan. 18, Martin Luther in the Capitol riots, and investi- cizing the process. e streaming Was Neil Sullivan’s temperature their elected o cials’ seats with
gations are ongoing. We will not
King Jr. Day, a number of com- achieve MLK’s dream until we in of politicos endangered the taken at the door? It is clear that Democrats, was given a Repub-
munity members came together stop ignoring the white suprema-
to host a vigil and celebration of cist violence that persists in our population giving and receiv- the health of those working and lican-wannabe politician as their
MLK, which was meant to take neighborhoods and our nation.
place on the steps of the Putnam ing the rst dose of vaccines. receiving the inoculation was community organizer.
County Courthouse, where it was Eileen McDermott
held last year. However, due to Putnam for Black Lives It is not as if we are discussing put behind the self-interest and McConville has a desire to
FBI reports of white supremacist
organizations across the nation Putnam Pride the most careful people in the politicization. at self-interest be charged with the safety of
planning attacks on government Putnam Progressives
buildings, and because white na- rst place. We all know that the led to the appointment of Kevin SEE LETTERS PAGE 10
tionalist opposition and harass- Vaccine politicized county executive has found rea- McConville as some sort of com-
ment of racial justice activists has in Putnam
occurred in Putnam County sev- Don’t be a 50% OFF Ouibtreumsroshscteicnflavogesrisweovaniter!hery
eral times over the last year, the To the editor, Every Card,
service had to be moved to the I am disgusted by the politi- Heartbreaker
parking lot behind Drew United EBvaegr&ydBaowy!
Methodist Church. It was a won- cization of the vaccine distribu- We have
derful space and a great event, but tions here in Putnam. County chocolate hearts, Expires 3/1/20
what a sad commentary on our Executive O’Dell’s press release Valentine bears,
nation on a day that is supposed is an embarrassment to herself jewelry & balloons
to celebrate all the progress we’ve and the county. Instead of focus- for your sweetheart!
made since MLK’s time. ing on the successes of our health
department, Drug World, and CARD$MART
Putnam County leaders must the challenges ahead, the release
take decisive, public action to spends four paragraphs u ng & GIFTS
condemn the Capitol riots and her candidates and political al-
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PAGE 10 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

LETTERS that is causing folks, as she said,
to leave social media platforms en
FROM PAGE 9

masse, and not the “censoring of

the entire County. Prior to this conservative speech to an outra-

Gluten Free Cookies dreadful press release, Kevin geous degree,” as she’d prefer to
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookie Cakes McConville announced his believe. Rats do tend to ee sink-

Do ’ forge to orde you pecial treats non-announcement for a run ing ships, after all.

fo you Valentin ! at the Sheri ’s o ce. e non- Schi ren, in a blatant at-

THEY’VE ARRIVED! announcement reeked of hubris, tempt to convince us that a few
Saint Joseph Sfingi & Custard Zeppole
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didate would distract anybody Republicans, to Katie Couric’s

from the important informa- “social set” and, even more gen-

tion on the local inoculations to erally, simply to “people” in her

defeat a disease that has killed column, but fails to provide veri-

more than 400,000 Americans is able numbers for any of these

laughable. is level of dishon- groups. Should we expect any

esty is exactly the reason why less from a supporter of a presi-

we must reelect Sheri Langley. dent who is credited with tens of

We cannot a ord to have local thousands of spoken mistruths in

representation that focuses on the course of his single term in

themselves more than their con- o ce, and whose press secretary,

stituents. despite overwhelming evidence

Scott Reing to the contrary and even before

Mahopac his rst o cial press conference,

Chair, Putnam County angrily insisted that Trump had

Democratic Committee “the largest audience ever to wit-

ness an inauguration” (thereby

cafe_piccolo Schiffren column ushering in the four-year era of
reshapes reality “alternative facts”)?

Insurance can be complicated. As George Orwell is credited
Let us simplify it for you. with writing, “In our age there

We are able to write policies with multiple insurance carriers, To the editor, is no such thing as ‘keeping out
and our agents customize insurance policies that meet our clients’
Maria Schi ren, PhD, recent- of politics.’ All issues are politi-
personal, professional, and financial needs.
ly wrote a column titled “Liv- cal issues, and politics itself is a

ing in George Orwell’s world,” mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred

which appeared in the Jan. 21 is- and schizophrenia.” and “political

sue of your very ne newspaper, language is designed to make lies

less than 24 hours into the Biden sound truthful.” Our new presi-

administration. If there is any dent has promised to always be

validity to this title, it can best be truthful with us. Even though

attributed to the most recent ar- hers is an “opinion” column, it

chitects of this world - those in would be a refreshing change if

the Trump administration - who Schi ren would endeavor to do

endeavored to reshape reality for the same for her audience. Af-

the past four years. ter all, “...it is always wise to do

One would think that a Har- one’s duty, however unpleasant

vard PhD (Comparative Reli- that duty may seem to be.” (L.

gion/Judaism) would quote at Frank Baum)

least once from an Orwell work Steve Rock

to support her column’s unsub- Mahopac

stantiated title (I might suggest

“One does not establish a dic- Schiffren knows her
tatorship in order to safeguard a doublespeak
revolution; one makes the revo-

lution in order to establish the

dictatorship,” but, well...). Instead To the editor,

she states: “We’re not in Kansas I am so glad that Dr. Schi ren

anymore” (unattributed to author knows George Orwell’s world. I

L. Frank Baum’s “ e Wonderful have been reading her columns

Wizard of Oz”), and later quotes regularly and feeling exactly

a disreputable liar whose Face- that!

book page (she failed to mention) Dr. Schi ren has been an ex-

was shut down because it violates emplary user of doublespeak and

their terms of service that ban disinformation. I hope she will

the incitement of violence and look in the mirror when writ-

who, in a recent tweet, laughably ing her future columns that seek

blamed the previous day’s 4,300 to legitimize falsehoods as facts.

COVID-related deaths on the ere are no alternative facts, but

freshly minted Biden adminis- there is a huge gap in critical-

tration. Perhaps it is more from thinking skills to evaluate infor-

Contact us today for a quote! a desire to eradicate evidence of mation.

845.278.7070 | feehaninsurance.com a liation with insurrectionists Dr. Kathi Heiber
[email protected]
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 11

Learning about February’s special days

STRONG is a good example of that. It the time it all began. ey feel February 15, 1820? 15. What holiday was estab-
LEARNING seems that this tradition began safer, more con dent and more 8. February is the shortest lished to occur on the rst Fri-
in Germany in the 1800s with secure. day in February, so that it would
DR. LINDA a Pennsylvania Dutch supersti- month on our yearly calendar always occur on a school day?
SILBERT tion. If a groundhog saw its Here’s a quiz about dates of (28 days), but every four years
shadow after coming out of its note in the month of February. we add one day as a time cor- Answers: 1. George Wash-
Dear Dr. Linda, den on Feb. 2 (which meant Answers appear at the bottom rection. What do we call a year ington 2. Abraham Lincoln 3.
I’m the fourth-grade teacher it was a clear day), it would of the column. in which February 29 occurs? Valentine’s Day 4. February
go back to its den, knowing (Hint: 2016 was one.) 2 5. Frederick Douglass 6.
who puts up a calendar every there would be six more weeks From the descriptions, name Charles Lindbergh 7. Susan
month showing all the special of winter. If it didn’t see its the holiday, special day or per- 9. Who is the famous Ameri- B. Anthony 8. Leap Year 9.
days in the month. Would you shadow, which meant it was a son associated with February. can baseball player born on Henry “Hank” Aaron 10.
mind sending me last year’s cloudy day, spring would come February 5, 1934, who broke
column regarding special days early. Of course, there’s no 1. Which president’s birthday Babe Ruth’s home run record? omas Alva Edison 11. Jack
in February. I think it’s im- relationship at all between a is on February 22? Benny 12. George Washington
portant for kids to learn about groundhog’s experience and the 10. Who was the inventor of 13. Black History month 14.
people from the past and why arrival of spring. (What if the 2. Which president’s birthday the electric light bulb born on
certain holidays are celebrated. groundhog lives in the south- is on February 12? February 11, 1847? e Super Bowl 15. Bubble
Hopefully, parents can talk ern hemisphere where it’s hot Gum Day! It was established
about them with their children on Feb. 2? What if a ground- 3. Which popular holiday is 11. What American en- in 2006 by Ruth Spiro as a
at home. hog in Pennsylvania sees its celebrated on February 14? tertainer born on February day that children would bring
shadow, but one in Florida 14, 1894 started his career in 50 cents to school in order to
Denise doesn’t?) 4. On what date every year vaudeville and had a show in donate to a good cause. e
Dear Denise, does a groundhog come out of the early days of television? schools decide in advance what
e question is why intel- its cozy underground den to (Hint: His initials were J.B.) cause the donations will go to.
anks for your email. I ligent adults who understand make a weather prediction? In exchange for the donation,
agree that it’s extremely impor- the di erence between fact and 12. Which well-known the children can chew gum in
tant for children to learn about 5. What famous abolition- president is reported to have school on that day.
holidays, special days, and ction still fall back on ction- ist writer and orator, born on said, “Father, I cannot tell a lie”?
birthdays because it’s an oppor- al family traditions. Because, February 14, 1818, escaped George Washington or Abra- Happy February,
tunity to remember how dif- as children, the traditions gave from slavery, and taught himself ham Lincoln? Dr. Linda
ferent events and people have them a sense of security. Since to read and write?
had an impact on our country no one knows what will hap- 13. Since 1976, every U.S. Dr. Linda is co-author of “Why
and culture. Ground Hog Day pen in the future, continuing 6. Who was the rst Ameri- president has o cially desig- Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids”
these traditions brings back can aviator, born on February 4, nated the month of February as and director of Strong Learning
that warm feeling they felt at 1902, to y across the Atlantic ____ in order to celebrate and Tutoring and SAT/ACT Test
Ocean alone? learn about Black history. Prep. Send your questions to
[email protected].
7. Which famous Ameri- 14. Which large American
can woman appears on a coin, sporting event is usually held in
fought to give women the same February?
rights as men—including the
right to vote—and was born on

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PAGE 12 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Sing me a lullaby DUMAS critical skill these days and based
on recent events, it is clear that
“I don’t know. I was “ en why are you singing to FROM PAGE 8 we, as Americans, are not very
him?” good at it.
TRACY asleep.” little exercise in critical thinking.
“Well, what did it sound “I DON’T KNOW ANY- I remember I had a history Someone recently wrote on
BECKERMAN like when you woke up? Was ONE NAMED EARL!” my Facebook wall, “It’s easier
it gospel? Jazz? Pop? teacher who taught us how to to fool someone than to con-
“Unless you do.” read a paper. Physically read the vince someone that they’ve been
“No. None of those.” “Look, I’m really sorry I was paper. He would take a broad- fooled.”
singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to sheet (like the NY Times, not a
“Rock? Opera? Klezmer?” someone named Earl in my tabloid like the Post) and show Truer words were never
sleep, who I honestly don’t us how to fold it while having spoken, but to be honest, I don’t
“No.” know, and I woke you up.” breakfast. First folding it in half, even try to convince anyone
“OK.” then quarters. I remember think- they are being fooled anymore.
“Honey wake up,” “Country? Heavy Metal? “OK?” ing it was a weird thing to be I’m just gonna follow the lizard
said my husband “Yeah, but I have one ques- teaching a bunch of eighth grad- people secretly working in our
urgently. Show tunes?” tion.” ers. We read Cream and Tiger government and see what hap-
“No, it wasn’t any of those.” “What?” Beat, not the New York Times. pens. I mean, how bad can it
“ en what was it?!?” “Do you take requests?” be? at little fella in the Geiko
Anyway, di erentiating fan- commercials is kind of cute.
“What?” I said, sitting up in “I think it was ‘Happy Birth- Tracy Beckerman is embarking tasy from reality has become a
on a new adventure as an empty
bed. “What’s wrong.” day.’” nester! Now, instead of being
“Lost in Suburbia,” she is “Lost in
“You were singing in your “I was singing ‘Happy Birth- Midlife.” Life is just as funny…
but with a lot less laundry. For
sleep.” day?’” more midlife humor, you can
follow her on Facebook at facebook.
“What? You mean snoring?” “Yes. To someone named com/LostinsuburbiaFanPage.

“No. Singing. You woke me Earl.” SCHIFFREN

up.” “I was singing ‘Happy Birth- FROM PAGE 8 savior on COVID because of the
brilliance of his administration’s
“I don’t sing in my sleep. day’ in my sleep to someone virus would forthwith cease to be plans.
a crisis.
“Well, you were singing named Earl.” Here’s the thing. If you fall for
Just as the daily death toll of this kind of naked propaganda,
tonight.” “Yes. Who’s Earl?” soldiers in Iraq, reported at crisis you have only yourself to blame.
level every single day of George
“You mean talking?” “I don’t know anyone named W. Bush’s nal years, simply Do your own research and think
ceased as soon as Obama took for yourself. Don’t live and die by
“No, singing?” Earl.” o ce when it no longer served media and state-run narratives.
the media’s interests, so, too, will
“Seriously?” “Is there something you’re not the daily COVID death toll soon It’s getting more like the Soviet
cease. It’s already served its narra- Union here every day.
“Yes.” telling me?” tive purpose.
Mara Schi ren, PhD, is a writer,
“Well, what was I singing?” “NO!!” And the timing of all this is certi ed Functional Medicine Health
to preach to the masses—that’s coach, Certi ed integrative psychiatric
There’s never been a better us—that Joe Biden is the nation’s Educator and certi ed Peak
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 HEALTH & WELLNESS MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 21

Grocery/med deliveries e new dinner table
available for seniors
Feeding the diverse-food-choice family
Family Services of Westchester (FSW)’s RideConnect program
is ready to assist older adults 60 and up in Westchester and southern BY SANDRA MARINELLI sons, or veganism—a lifestyle choice in which
Putnam County who need shopping and delivery of groceries and/or GUEST WRITER one abstains from consuming products deriving
medication. from animals, such as meat, dairy, eggs, and oth-
It wasn’t too long ago when the standard er animal-based ingredients. Another may have
e program has hundreds of volunteers available to shop so that the American dinner featured a meat-based celiac disease, an immune reaction in which
vulnerable population can stay home and safeguard their health during dish, a “starchy” side, and a small plate of the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten,
the COVID-19 outbreak. vegetables or iceberg salad. Popular American leading to di culty in digesting food. One may
meals like roasted chicken and rice pilaf, meat- be dairy or nut-free based on allergies or health
RideConnect’s core mission is to provide transportation resources loaf or pork chops and mashed potatoes made restrictions. Another may choose to eat foods
for older adults 60 and over, and it has mobilized quickly to meet the their way onto our tables with bland vegetables from an omnivorous food selection, keeping
new demand for delivery services to seniors and those who are immu- such as boiled broccoli and green beans, to the carbohydrates at a minimum. Fortunately, our
nocompromised. e program also continues to provide seniors with horror of most young children. For most of us, options have increased, so these choices can
transportation to essential medical appointments like chemotherapy there weren’t many choices on what we ate; be accommodated. Nevertheless, this diverse
and dialysis. deciding what to make or buy for dinner was mixture of food lifestyles has resulted in a dis-
already tough enough for parents, so exposing connect or decline in family get-togethers and
Seniors and immunocompromised individuals can inquire about themselves or their families to alternatives was sit-downs, simply because everyone can’t share
receiving grocery or medication deliveries by calling 914-242-7433 an afterthought. the comforting experience of enjoying foods
or emailing Karen Ganis at [email protected]. Details are available at they need and foods they like at the same time.
www.fsw.org/seniors-grocery-delivery. ose looking to volunteer Chances are, you love certain foods because
can visit www.fsw.org/volunteer-grocery-delivery. you grew up eating them. Growing up in a ese diverse food choice families are strug-
family with Italian immigrants, my family gling to accommodate everyone’s needs and
LUBBE straight back, again hinging from dinners were usually a one-pot mix with all of requests. Parents are stressed about nourishing
the hips as you push you but- the necessary food groups being incorporated. their families properly while satisfying their
FROM PAGE 20 tocks backwards to sit down on When my mother— my family’s head cook— children’s dietary needs. e “new dinner table”
the chair. Repeat with the other was crunched for time, she would quickly make is consisting of three to four di erent meals,
about using the correct postural leg. Do this several times per day. pasta with some olive oil and garlic-sautéed usually pieced together at the last minute.
muscles to create an automatic broccoli and chicken or delicious, hearty lentil Ordering from a few di erent restaurants to
muscle response or habit again. • Progress to get up from sit to soup. When she had more time to feed the feed a family for the night is becoming the new
stand following the same guid- family, she would make a tomato-based chicken norm. On one hand, it’s wonderful to expose
A few simple exercises will ance, but now turn your trunk as or beef stew with rice, minestrone, or lasagna. the family to a variety of di erent foods each
strengthen your muscle memory you get up: stand and balance However, regardless of what the family setting day, but on the other, it can be costly and time-
to enhance and improve your on your right leg and twist your was, my family and I shared the same meal, and consuming. In addition, many restaurants do
physical balance. Perform these upper body towards the right, what we were eating together was non-negotia- not use the most balanced ingredients, leading
exercises close to a wall to have then to the left as you exhale ble. For my mother, if you weren’t interested in to other dietary issues that we are just begin-
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PAGE 22 MAHOPAC NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Put your How does a divorce
a ect my will?
ease...mind at
• Elder Law We make wills to protect
• Wills & Trusts our legacies and show our GUEST
• Estate Planning loved ones that their future CORNER
• Medicaid Planning is important to us. Ending a marriage
• Guardianships
• Probates not only marks the end of a family ALAN D.

unit, but it also alters the direction FELLER, ESQ.

of one’s legacy. Divorce has the legal

e ect of removing an ex-spouse

from a will as both an executrix and

bene ciary. Legally, the ex-spouse is treated as if they predeceased the

creator of the will.

Practically speaking, wills should have contingent bene ciaries

and alternate executors named in the document. Following a divorce,

simple wills that lack backups may trigger an estate plan that was

not wholly anticipated and allow for the appointment of an executor

that you did not want. In the absence of a clear residuary clause with

named contingent bene ciaries, simple wills that leave everything to

CALL US an ex-spouse may end up leaving estate assets to a class of your closest
TODAY!
We make home and hospital visits. living blood relatives as de ned under New York law. A sibling who

you no longer speak to may inherit a share of your estate.

(845) 621-8640 Even if the creator of the will was mindful about where the estate

assets go should their spouse predecease them, many forget to name

sloanandfeller.com • 625 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 alternate duciaries or name alternate duciaries that are older than

themselves. With the divorced spouse being legally removed from the

will and no viable alternative executor appointed, Surrogate’s Court

has the discretion to allow a distributee (close blood family member)

to assume the role of a duciary for your will and estate.

In partnership with Remember that sibling that you no longer speak to. If they petition

the court to become your estate’s duciary because your Will only

listed an ex-spouse as an Executrix, then that sibling may be in charge

of your estate and receive a commission out of your estate funds.

If there are minor children, then guardianship provisions would still

Family Support Navigators are here to remain in e ect because those provisions relate to both spouses having
help families struggling with addiction.
predeceased and the divorce would not impact this scenario.

ings get interesting when we review trusts, both under a will and

as a reference to a pour-over will. Special needs trusts for a disabled

child created under a will often name the other spouse as trustee.

A divorce would remove that ex-spouse as trustee and elevate the

alternate trustee. Special needs trusts or other irrevocable trusts cre-

ated outside a will would not have a divorced spouse automatically

removed from that trust. Pour-over wills directing all probate assets to

a separately created irrevocable trust may have an ex-spouse removed

from just the will itself and not the related trust.

To avoid confusion, divorced spouses may clear up inconsistencies

through properly drawn separation agreements that address estate

concerns. Making a new will is an intelligent decision in light of the

issues created following a divorce. Reach out to the professionals at

We are here to help Sloan and Feller to nd out more information on divorce and estate

planning.

Our Family Navigators are waiting to speak with you. Alan D. Feller is cofounder of Sloan & Feller in Mahopac, a multi-
disciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and
845.225.2700 x245 business advisement. He can be reached at 845-621-8640.

________________________________________________________________________________

Virtual support meetings also available.

We provide insight and direction for family members
struggling with the effects of a loved one’s substance misuse.

You are not alone!

Virtual Meetings:

Tuesdays at 6:30 pm & Wednesdays at 6:00 pm
Please call or text for a Zoom Invite

845-745-0896

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 Sports MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 23

BOWLING

Mahopac girls roll over
first three opponents

Boys top Roy C. Ketcham

BY SKIP PEARLMAN RCK, with Arzaga at 171, and Marino had PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER a high game of 213 against Carmel. Marina
Angrisani nished at 193, and Dietz at 177. Mahopac High School’s bowling team opened its 2020-2021 winter season with three
e Mahopac High School bowling matches last week.
team got o to a strong start to the 2020- “It was nice to see Gabby Marino have
2021 winter season last week, with the girls that high score,” Carroll said. “She’s in her “In our rst match, Arzaga had a 189 in “It looks like we’ll be competing virtual
winning their rst three matches, and the fourth year, and she bowled really well.
boys defeating Roy C. Ketcham, and falling Krista had a great three-day average; she three games, and that was pretty impressive matches throughout the season,“ Carroll
to Carmel and John Jay. bowled a 214 in her second match. at’s
one of the high scores we’ve had so far. And for his rst match for a seventh-grader,” said. “Because of the busing and COVID
“ e girls did a really nice job, consider- Arzaga and Angrisani also picked up right
ing we’ve only really bowled twice,” Indians where they left o . It was a nice start for Carroll said. “It looks like he could have a issues. I don’t think it’s a huge deal, the
coach James Carroll said. “We didn’t get in the girls.”
a lot of practice.” bright future. And Makena picked it up in kids are on board with whatever we need
e boys team picked up a 7-0 victory
Mahopac’s girls swept all three oppo- over RCK last Wednesday, but fell, 7-0, to the second match and bowled very well. to do to keep the season on track. Even
nents, winning 7-0 last Friday against John John Jay on Friday, and Carmel the prior
Jay, and beating RCK the prior Wednesday, Tuesday. e boys overall had a good week to start when we’re competing in person the other
and Carmel the prior Tuesday, by the same
score. Against John Jay, Kraus had the high the season.” team is a little bit removed, a few lanes
game (183). In the win over RCK, Kraus
Alyssa Arzaga (167 average) had the had the high game of 219, and in the loss to Mahopac was scheduled to bowl against away. But normally there is a lot of cheer-
high game of 190 vs. John Jay, Gabby Mari- Carmel, seventh-grader Austin Arzaga had
no came in at 194, and Krista Dietz bowled a high game of 203, and Kraus nished at Poughkeepsie on Friday ( Jan. 29), RCK on ing and enthusiasm. is year something
a 174. Dietz had the high game of 214 vs. 185.
Tuesday, and Arlington on Wednesday. All is missing in that regard. But they’re happy

three matches will be competed virtually. to be competing.”

WINTERTRACK

Mahopac opens season strong at Arlington

BY SKIP PEARLMAN said. “And we look forward to twins led that today.” “It’s been almost two years hanging with some of the top
CONTRIBUTING WRITER seeing him progress this season. Adam Montalvo won the since they’ve been able to com- Section 1 talent from Arling-
And Russo had dominant kicks pete together on the infamous ton.
Mahopac High School’s in both events to edge past the shot put, throwing a debut of Arlington track,” Posch said.
winter track and eld team top Arlington runners.” 40 feet. Joe Nikisher threw 31 “And they proved that they’re “She ran a gutsy last 200m to
opened its season last week at feet to earn second place. “Both ready to make up for that lost edge out two opponents to se-
Arlington, with several Indi- Senior Max Semegran had a are in their rst season, and we time.” cure second,” Posch said. “She
ans turning in impressive per- strong opening event, winning anticipate signi cant growth made a hard-fought e ort for
formances in the meet, which the mile in 4:58 with a deci- from these two after a great e 600m was led by return-
was held outdoors due to CO- sive last lap, and won the 600m, start,” Posch said of the duo. ing seniors Kiarra Condon, with rst place, but was matched
VID-19. leading with Russo, to seal the a deep eld of ‘Pac girls trailing by Arlington’s top runner. We
1-2 punch for Mahopac. On the girls’ side, the 55m right behind her. “Similar to look forward to watching these
e sprints were led by ju- was led by returning sophomore the boys, the depth of the dis- girls battle again this season.”
nior Ryan Rondeau (55m) and “Patrick McMahon ran a Grace Witt and rookie senior tance squad is exciting,” Posch
senior James Russo, who took quality race, he was close be- Mia Lanter. “ at was Lanter’s said. “We’re looking forward Returning sophomore Kyra
hind Russo in the 300, and debut race and her e orts show to watching them continue to Cropsey had a strong perfor-
rst and second in the 300 and sophomores Ryan and Dylan a lot of potential,” Posch noted. challenge one another.” mance in the shot put to place
600m, respectively. Tyberg in the mile,” Posch said. second. “She continues to show
“ ere’s a lot of depth in the Mia Klammer and Andréa Sophomore Piper Klammer growth, and we anticipate
“Rondeau had a smooth race,” distance group, and the Tyberg Jenkins nished rst and third, took a second in the 1,500m, more of that this season,” the
Indians coach Kelley Posch respectively, in the 300. coach said.

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PAGE 24 MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

State defers decision on high-risk sports
County governments will make the nal call

BY SKIP PEARLMAN What was more of a surprise ment is made, we will plan for

CONTRIBUTING WRITER was that the state left the ulti- them all,” Luciana said about

mate decision to local authori- various sports being ready to

Athletes who compete in ties. “I think it was a surprise to compete. “We have to be ready

high-risk sports like basketball, everyone,“ Luciana said. “Now for all sports.”

wrestling, ice hockey, football the [Putnam County] DOH will Most of those sports teams

and volleyball are keeping their be doing its due diligence, so we have been holding pre-season

ngers crossed that last week’s hope we can have sports as soon workouts, small group prepara-

announcement by Gov. Cuomo as possible.” tion, in hopes of getting the go

means their sports could get the e state decision mentioned ahead, and could be ready to

green light to go ahead with com- Feb. 2 as a date to move forward. compete at a moment’s notice.

petition this winter and spring. “I actually think Feb. 2 may be too e hope is also that o cials in

While low risk sports—skiing, di cult,” Luciana said. “It could Putnam, Dutchess, Westchester

bowling, gymnastics, swimming be a possibility, but it would be and Rockland can all be aligned,

and indoor track and eld—have di cult. We could potentially be so competitions between coun-

been proceeding with their sea- looking at early February. Our ties would not be a problem.

sons (some with virtual competi- coaches are in constant communi- “We’re hoping for collabora-

tions) since early January, the rest cation, and we are all excited. Now tion between the counties, hope- PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN
of the winter sports communities we’re just waiting for guidance.” fully we’re all on the same page Mia Klammer and the Mahopac High School girls basketball team
have been in limbo waiting for High-risk fall sports—football, with that,” Luciana said. “It hope last week’s announcement means good news for their sport.

guidance from the state. cheer, and volleyball—were al- would be hard for one part of the

And while last week’s decision is ready put on hold, with the hope section to be playing, and not an- winter (low risk) sports are all vaccine will start to make a dif-

good news,ultimately the decision of staging those sports in what has other.” doing well, and the coaches have ference, and we can return to

on when and whether to compete been dubbed “Fall Season 2,” be- Luciana said he felt the school all been good, I think they all un- some sort of normal. Regardless

has been left in the hands of local ginning in March. earned good marks for its CO- derstand the importance of it.” of protocols, the goal is to get the

departments of health. Luciana said last week’s an- VID-19 performance during the Spring athletes are currently kids back out there doing what

“It means the governor gave nouncement is important for completed fall season, and cur- keeping their ngers crossed that they like.

his authority, but left it in the those sports as well, which also rently still ongoing winter season. their seasons can proceed in some “Now we have some hope, the

hands of the local departments of need the approval of the local “I think the fall went extreme- kind of normal fashion, even if coaches and the athletes are ex-

health,“ Mahopac High Athletic DOH. Luciana added that po- ly well,” he said. “I’d say we had it’s with protocols in place. cited,” he added. “It’s been frus-

Director Steve Luciana said early tentially the DOH could OK minimum of game delays/inter- “Hopefully, we can make the trating, but everyone knows why.

this week. “It’s very good news, a certain sports and not others. ruptions, we got the majority spring as normal as possible,” So now they’re chomping at the

major hurdle we needed to clear.” “Until an o cial announce- of our games in. And so far the Luciana said. “Hopefully, the bit to get going.”

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