CLASSIFIEDS 39 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 HEALTH & WELLNESS 22 LEGAL NOTICES 39 LEISURE 31 OBITUARIES 32 & 36 OPINION 10 SPORTS 26 VOL. 13 NO. 47 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. MAY 23 – JUNE 5, 2024 This issue went to press before the Somers Central School District budget vote and Board of Education election on May 21. For voting results, please visit news.halstonmedia.com BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Somers recently paid tribute to Grace Zimmermann -- a fount of local lore, legacies, and traditions -- for her tireless volunteerism and 20 years of service with the town’s Historical Society. “A town is only as great as the residents that comprise it. Residents whose efforts, contributions, and love of life continually contribute to enhance, beautify, and preserve their community,” said a proclamation presented to her on May 9 by Supervisor Robert Scorrano. Zimmermann and her husband, Jeff, moved to the Lake Purdys section of Somers in 1989. They have one daughter, Madeline. She joined the local Conservation Board in 1992 and served until 2000. In 2004, Zimmermann took her love of history and experience in public relations and marketing and applied it to the Historical Society, helping to develop the organization “into what it is today,” the proclamation said. She was its president from Amazing Grace Zimmermann honored for service to Somers BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE After researching whether it has the legal authority to declare a moratorium on the gridscale battery project proposed for Miller Road in Mahopac, the Carmel Town Board has scheduled a public hearing for June 19 to hear comments on enacting such a restriction. The move comes after the outcry against the so-called “battery farm” has dominated public discussion at recent town board meetings in Carmel as well as neighboring Somers, which directly borders the site of the proposed facility. For weeks, the board contended that it had no legal authority to rule on an application before the Planning Board, which is an independent body, claiming that any action or statement seen as influencing the Planning Board put the town in legal jeopardy. But after being criticized for initially trying to silence discussion of the project, the Town Board has pivoted to engage with residents over the issue and is now seeking a way to intervene. Board members said they’ve been receiving suggestions from area residents about a moratorium and are willing to consider such a move as they investigated whether they can legally apply such a moratorium to a project that is already well along the site-plan approval process. Councilman Frank Lombardi said one resident presented the board with an article from the Division for Local Government Services entitled “Land Use Moratoria” that illustrates how a municipality could establish such a moratorium. “The idea was discussed, and we did some research and found articles that said we could impose a moratorium on an existing application,” Lombardi said. “Our thought is we have Carmel Town Board considers ‘battery farm’ moratorium SEE GRACE PAGE 5 SEE BATTERY PAGE 6 INSIDE THIS WEEK’S PAPER! Grace Zimmermann with Anthony Cirieco, Ida Ucci, Elsie Guyot, Elizabeth Roylston, Jeff Zimmermann, De Whittmann, Charlie Maher, Carol Cirieco, Assemblyman Matt Slater, and Kate O’Keefe at the “Women of Distinction” ceremony on May 11 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com #UGottaHaveHope 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 EVAN MAZZOLA B.S Finance, Cum Laude University of Rhode Island Go get 'em Evan!
PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Live Bands HAPPY CRABS PORK CHOP EXPRESS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Reis Park Wednesday,July 3 5PM Until Fireworks TOWN OF SOMERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOMERS LIONS CLUB SOMERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Basketball Tournament Hot Dog Eating Contest Fun Activities for Kids & Adults Famous Somers Lions BBQ Reis Park Concession Stand Town Sponsored Axe Throwing Somers Volunteer Fire Department Somers Police Department Somers EMS Somers Parks and Recreation Somers Highway Department Shuttle bus between SHS and Reis Park For Somers Residents & Accompanying Guests - No Pets Allowed SPECIAL THANKS TO
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com The Burger Barn Locally Owned Family Focused BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR To say that Alina Aronoff has made the most of her time at Somers High School might be an understatement. Following in her father’s footsteps, she began her performing arts career in elementary school and eventually joined the ensemble for the SHS production of The Wedding Singer last year. Off the stage, Alina is a member of the National Art, Science, and Honor Society, and also serves her community as an EMT and volunteer at the Somers Volunteer Fire Department. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, working on art projects, and volunteers alongside her family at Phelps Hospital. Before she heads off to SUNY Binghamton in the fall, The Somers Record Caught up with Alina to learn more about her favorite performance memory, the best place to eat in Somers, and her advice for younger students looking to follow in her footsteps. When did you begin pursuing your interest in the arts? I first started participating in performing arts in elementary school. I took a break during middle school and the first half of high school, then joined the ensemble for The Wedding Singer in the Spring of 2023. What do you count as some of your biggest influences? I am heavily influenced by Broadway musicals and plays such as Mean Girls and Wicked. I also take influence from my father, Ethan Aronoff, who majored in theater at NYU and became an actor later in life. He also participated in many plays when I was younger which I would attend. What is your favorite memory of the arts in Somers schools? My favorite memory of the arts from my time in Somers would be the opening night of The Wedding Singer during our bows. I was overjoyed with our performance and felt very connected with my fellow actors. I am most proud of how we all worked so hard during tech week for the last two musicals to perfect the production. Where will you be attending college? Will you continue to pursue the arts? I will be pursuing Biology at SUNY Binghamton in the fall. I am going to try and participate in some of the musicals held at Binghamton, and maybe try some community theater. How do you prepare for a show? To prepare for a show, I make sure I have all my affairs, props, and costumes pieces in order so that I don’t lose anything backstage. I usually do vocal warmups with everyone and practice breathing exercises, so I don’t feel as stressed. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? In my free time, I like watching TV shows and movies with my family, drawing and painting, and going on adventures to different places nearby that I’ve never seen before. My family and I love the environment, so we like to go on hikes and walks on the local trails. Tell us something not many people know about you. Not many people know that I’m a certified EMT and took place in schooling during the Winter of 2022-2023. I use my certification to volunteer at different events that need possible medical attention, such as marathons or races. What is the go-to app on your phone? My go-to app on my phone is either TikTok or YouTube because there is a wide variety of content on both apps that match up with my interests. What is the best place to eat in Somers? The best place to eat in Somers would be either King Kone or Bobo’s Cafe since they both have a nice mix of foods and desserts to choose from. What advice would you give to younger students interested in pursuing the arts? If you’re thinking about pursuing the arts, you should totally do it! I had stage fright during my middle school years and was too afraid to participate in the musicals, and I regret it. I wish I had done more theater during my middle and high school career. It was truly a life-changing experience working with my classmates on these productions. Alina Aronoff Binghamton-bound senior takes a bow Alina plans to study biology at SUNY Binghamton next year. Aronoff as part of the ensemble for the SHS production of The Wedding Singer. PERFORMING ARTS SPOTLIGHT It was truly a lifechanging experience working with my classmates on these productions.’
PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [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] DESIGNERS Noah Elder Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 Halston Media, LLC MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 8th Annual Charity Car Show Sunday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In memory of Louis Demarco. To be held at Somers Intermediate School, 240 US-202. All proceeds donated to veterans. Featuring a DJ, food truck, trophies, and raffles! $20 for show vehicles, free admission for the public. Registration from 9 to 11 a.m. All vehicle welcome! For more information, contact Kenny at (914) 248-0883. Race Amity Day Festival Sunday, June 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam invites everyone to join the 7th annual Race Amity Day Festival to be held in Reis Park in Somers (rain or shine). The event will feature presentations, entertainment, information tables, and kids’ crafts. Please bring your special dish for a potluck picnic. For more information, contact [email protected] or Judyth Stavans at 914-588-0958. Somers Lions Charity Raffle Featuring a grand prize of $30,000 or a 2024 Bucking Bronco or 2024 Ford BM Maverick, provided by Park Ford of Mahopac! (2nd Prize: $2,5000, 3rd Prize: $1,000, 4th Prize: $500.) Donation of $100 per ticket, or purchase 3 tickets for $250. The winner will be drawn at the Somers Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 3. Proceeds from the raffle will be given to local families in need, Friends of Karen, Alliance for Safe Kids, scholarships for Somers High School graduates, and other local charities. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. somerslionsclub.org Chabad of Yorktown 2629 Old Yorktown Rd, Yorktown Heights Register for events by visiting www.ChabadYorktown.com Lag Ba’omer Jewish Unity Kosher BBQ Sunday, May 26, at 5 p.m. Featuring delicious Kosher food, fire pit with s’mores, and a bounce house and pony rides for the kids. Fun for the whole family! All are welcome! Ladies Garden Party Thursday, June 6, at 6 p.m. Celebrating friendship and faith. Create your own foccacia bread art. Easy, beautiful, and delicious! Somers Education Foundation www.sefny.org Annual Golf Outing Monday, June 10, at 12:30 p.m. The SEF’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the famed Anglebrook Golf Club in Somers! Funds raised will help support their mission of promoting community awareness and support for Somers schools by raising money for programs not funded by the school budget or other school groups. SEF’s objective is to support specific teacher and/or student initiatives and special projects which enrich the educational experience and achieves this mission only with the generous support from the community. To register or become a sponsor, visit www.givebutter.com/ sef2024golf Somers Memorial Day Parade & Commemoration Ceremony Monday, May 27 Parade to be led by the Somers Middle School Fife & Drum Corps, from Bailey Park to Ivandell Cemetery. Assemble by 9:30 a.m. in Bailey Park (Jct. of SEE TRUNK PAGE 35 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Installation to existing gas lines Safety check On-site tank requirement assessment New customer pricing Automatic delivery Budget payment plans Web portal and mobile app for easy account management 24/7/365 emergency service 1-800-PROPANE Mention Code: 3822 *Oer expires 6/30/24 Tank installation special applies to standard installation of above-ground tank. Oer applies to new residential customers with a fuel service agreement, subject to credit approval. 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MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 2004 to 2008 and its vice president from 2010 and 2023. During her term, the society received numerous Awards of Excellence from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network and also grants for many projects such as the oral history initiative “Voices of the Hudson Valley, Bringing New Technology to Old Stories for 21st-Century Audiences.” Zimmermann was a member of the Somers PTA, the Golden’s Bridge Hounds’ Pony Club, and Daughters of the American Revolution (Enoch Crosby Chapter), and is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America. Thanking Zimmermann “for the immeasurable time and service she has devoted in preserving and honoring the historical properties and artifacts in the town of Somers,” the Somers document proclaimed that she “will be sorely missed by all for her wealth of historic knowledge.” It wished her and her husband “a wonderfully happy and healthy retirement.” (The Zimmermanns are moving to the Midwest to be closer to family.) Scorrano then declared Friday, May 10, “Grace Zimmermann Day” in Somers. “Thank you, this was a huge honor. I’m really blown away; I didn’t know this was going to happen,” said Zimmerman before she and Town Historian Doris Jane Smith gave a presentation on historic preservation in Somers. (May is Historic Preservation Month.) Councilman Rich Clinchy told Zimmermann that she’d truly left her “mark” on Somers. “There are so many things that have gone on in this town because of you and your husband’s help. I mean, you’re always in the middle of it, along with Doris Jane. Planning these events from the elephant out in front to Sept. 11 to the opening up upstairs (the Museum of the American Circus) periodically, to the Wright-Reid Homestead.” “That’s a tough bill to fill for anybody, and Doris Jane, you’ve been working extra hours. We’re going to have to raise your pay ... maybe,” he joked, telling both that they’ve “been fantastic.” Councilman Bill Faulkner also thanked Zimmermann. “This town is great for a variety of reasons, but one of the top things is hometown pride. You just can’t have that without the respect and understanding of history that you bring to the table. So, greatly appreciated,” he said. “Well, thank you; it’s a mutual love,” the honoree modestly responded. Women of Distinction And that’s not all, folks. On Saturday, May 11, Zimmermann was presented with a “Women of Distinction” award from state Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-Yorktown) in Carmel and on Monday, May 20, she received a similar tribute from Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) at a ceremony Rockland County’s Sparkill. Among those attending ceremony at Carmel Town Hall were Somers Councilman Anthony Cirieco; past “Women of Distinction” recipient Kate O’Keefe of the Somers Lions Club, and Katonah resident De Wittmann, whose late mother, Barbara, initiated and funded the town’s new “Old Bet” monument project. Zimmermann, aka “Amazing Grace,” was praised for her ability to see through to completion any project she undertakes and for her well-earned reputation as “a go-to person.” “Whether the question is a small or great one, she shares all her skills in a very positive way,” said Slater, reading from a prepared statement. Holding a bouquet of flowers, Zimmermann made it short and sweet. “This is a big honor and I’m really humbled. I’m a doer, not a speaker, so … thank you very much,” she said to applause. Cirieco’s speech was a tad longer. “Somers is the cradle of the American Circus. History is what we’re all about; it defines us,” he said. Cirieco pointed out that Zimmermann and the historical society helped oversee historic sites and landmarks such as The Elephant Hotel (a former hotel – now Town Hall -- built by Old Bet’s owner, 19th-century farmer turned showman Hachaliah Bailey) and Bailey Park. (Not to mention Mount Zion Methodist Church, the Caroline Wright-Reis Homestead, and the Museum of the American Circus.) He urged folks to “come see” the new bronze of the town’s iconic elephant, made by a local sculptor and unveiled on World Circus Day in April. It stands atop a granite obelisk at the intersection of Routes 100 and 202. “It’s going to be here for the next 200 years,” Cirieco said. GRACE FROM PAGE 1 We have all Your Home Improvement Needs: Grills • Lawn Seed • Pool Chemicals Fertilizers & Treatments • Wheel Barrows Insect & Pest Control • AC filters Painting Supplies • DIY Supplies... and so much more! Fraser’s Hardware 153 Rt. 6, Mahopac, NY Mahopac Village Plaza (next to Acme) 845-628-0174 Mon-Saturday 8-5 • Sunday 8-3 Happy Memorial Day REMEMBER & HONOR Grace Zimmermann with Assemblyman Matt Slater in Carmel on Saturday, May 11
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MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 7 Join your neighbors and businesses across New York! Tell Senator Harckham: Will lead to fewer choices in products like cheese slices, burgers and hot dogs, and chips, by banning their packaging Will make everyday items, including groceries, more expensive Will hurt businesses that makeup the backbone of our communities RADICAL ACTIVISTS ARE ABOUT TO RUIN SUMMER BBQ SEASON.
PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Source: OKMLS, 1/1/23-12/31/23, total dollar volume of single family homes and condominiums sold by Agent, Somers school district AGENT IN SOMERS & HERITAGE HILLS DONNA O’CONNELL Associate Real Estate Broker M 914.263.9108 O 914.277.8040 Ext. 334 [email protected] donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com SOMERS BROKERAGE 104 VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY 10589 As we head into the spring market, it’s a great time to list your home or condo. I would be happy to provide you with a complimentary market analysis. With over twenty-five years of experience and an unmatched devotion to each client, I make the transaction process easy. Sellers are receiving multiple offers for their properties! Thinking about selling your home or condo? I can help! A number of Somers students have been recognized for their academic achievements at colleges and universities across the country! Lambda Epsilon Sigma Alexandra Trantos was recently inducted into the Lambda Epsilon Sigma academic honor society at Stonehill College. The organization recognizes outstanding juniors and seniors who have demonstrated an excitement for both learning and sharing their knowledge. Beta Gamma Sigma Sage Cheung was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society at SUNY Oneonta. As an international business honor society with over 830,000 members, entry is the highest recognition a student anywhere in the world can receive in an undergraduate program at a school accredited by AACSB-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Dean’s List Laura Shea and Lexi Staebler were recently named to the Dean’s List at Belmont University. Do you have a scholar that you would like to recognize in an upcoming issue? Let us know by emailing somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com Celebrating our scholars! After winning grand prize honors at WESEF in March, Somers Science Research students Angie Ayoubi and Maya Donnelly traveled to Los Angeles last week for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair! In addition to presenting their research, the students also took in the sights including visits to the Santa Monica Pier and Universal Studios Hollywood. California Dreamin’ Angie and Maya were able to meet Regeneron co-founder Dr. George Yancopoulos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOMERS SCIENCE RESEARCH Science research students Maya Donnelly at the unwinding at Universal Studios. ISEF wall. Angie Ayoubi finding her name on the ISEF wall. William Maelia with Maya and Angie outide the Los Angeles Convention Center.
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 9 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER “An elephant that watches over a redbud tree brings great joy to all those who pass between them in the town where they reside,” recited Somers Land Trust’s Gail Simpson from a list of wise sayings during a recent Arbor Day celebration. OK, so it wasn’t an ancient proverb; she just made it up. But it was very true – and pretty darn funny. To Simpson’s left in Bailey Park, Somers’s village green, was a freshly planted eastern redbud sapling. Overseeing the Friday, April 26, ceremony from its granite perch across the street was the town’s brand-new Old Bet, a bronze depiction of the elephant that was the star of local 19thcentury farmer-turned-entrepreneur Hachaliah Bailey’s traveling menagerie. Somers is known as the “Cradle of the American Circus.” The statue was unveiled to great fanfare the week before on World Circus Day. Redbuds, aka Cercis canadensis, are lovely, deciduous trees or shrubs. Known as harbingers of spring, their pink-purple blossoms and buds make for dramatic displays. But they’re more than just a pretty face, noted SLT’s Bob MacGregor, they, like other trees, are climate change fighting machines. As part of the photosynthesis process, they draw carbon dioxide out of the air, bind it up in sugar, and release oxygen. Redbuds are small. When mature, they are between 20 and 30 feet high and between 15 to 35 feet wide. And they are capable of sequestering about a pound of the stuff a year, he said on Friday, April 26. That’s teeny compared to the park’s towering maples that can each capture about 22 pounds of CO2 a year -- or between 2,200 and 3,000 pounds over their lifetimes. The redbud’s a small step, but it’s an important one, said MacGregor, struggling to talk over the idling engines of trucks and cars waiting at the light at the corner of Routes 100 and 202. (The fossil-fueled irony wasn’t lost on the gathering.) Someday, a second redbud may be planted on the other side of the park’s antique concrete horse trough. MacGregor estimated that there are about 250,000 trees located on town-owned property. That means they are keeping 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. “So, we really need to protect all the trees. “Hopefully folks will think about planting new ones if they’ve taken trees down,” he said, explaining that, if possible, it’s best to leave cut-down trees in one piece or in big chunks. If left intact, the carbon they stored won’t be freed for between 75 to 100 years. If chipped up, wood decays in only three to four years. SLT’s Jan Antonucci read from a town proclamation from 2022 that spoke of Arbor Day’s origins. (A similar proclamation was formally presented to SLT at the Town Board’s May 2 meeting. April 26 was officially declared Arbor Day in Somers, which is also been declared a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to “effective urban forest management.”) Trees combat climate change by “reducing the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life-giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife,” and are a “renewable resource,” giving humans “paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products.” They also increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, beautify communities and “are a source of joy and spiritual renewal,” it added. Simpson wrapped up the event with a reading of “some inspiring thoughts about trees.” Somers celebrates Arbor Day Kim DeLucia, Adam Cohen, Anita Krusko, Ed Dowdall, Rosey Van Bob MacGregor Wart, Bob MacGregor, Jan Antonucci, Jerry Whitmore, Dan Simpson, Supervisor Robert Scorrano, and Gail Simpson. PHOTOS: CAROL REIF Somers Veterans Poker Run & Hot Lunch Saturday May 25, 2024 @ Town House Veterans Only Event - Poker Run $5 Entry / Winner Takes All! Come for one or both events Start - Town House @ 9:30/10am - Ends @ 11am Veterans Courtesy Lunch @ 11:30 at the Town House Hot Food: Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Fixings & Desserts Military Tribute Banner Information @ Town House May 25, 2024 10:30 - 1pm Thank You Veterans - Somers Veterans Board Look for: Independence Day Celebration, West Point Football Outing, VA & Honor Flight Info & More! More upcoming info: www.facebook.com/Somersnyveterans Or Call - Kate O’Keefe 914-384-1612
Opinion 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 10 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Happily Ever After I used to be a felon. I’m not anymore. No need to move to the other side of the street when you see me walking your way. I don’t have a problem talking about it. I’ve been pretty candid— I’ve written about it here in this space and discussed it openly on the Hudson Valley Uncensored podcast. Have you ever had a police officer point a gun at you and tell you to put your hands in the air and not move? I have. And let me tell you, it’s not a lot of fun. You will definitely need new underwear. What these particular officers were concerned about was that I might be growing some plants in my garden of which they did not approve. So, as a punishment, I was made to go sit in a room for 10 weekends and think about what I’d done. Yes—that is a fancy way of saying I was cultivating cannabis sativa (aka marijuana, weed, pot, yadda yadda). Well... actually I wasn’t the one doing the cultivating. That was my entrepreneurial cousin. I was just living there. My full-time job was being a senior editor at a magazine on Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. But the police and the D.A. didn’t make that distinction. (This was 22 years ago, but it feels like yesterday.) So, I was sentenced to 30 days in jail but was allowed to do my time on weekends. You have to pay for that. Like a motel that comes with a psychotic roommate. It was surreal and ridiculous. But at least I was able to keep my job... and my cat. We menaces to society have feelings too, you know. Anyway, after all that was put behind me, I eventually moved back to New York. And as soon as I did that, California legalized recreational marijuana. What had gotten me in so much trouble just a few years prior was now perfectly legal as long as one had the right permits and licenses. (You have to laugh so as not to cry.) In October 2017, I received a letter from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. I still have it. It reads, in part, “We believe you may qualify for a reduction or expungement of your felony conviction(s) under Proposition 47.” Proposition 47 was created in the wake of California legalization in order to help folks such as me. So, I wrote to them and sure enough, I qualified. Two of my charges were eventually expunged, and one was reduced to a misdemeanor. However, all the money that I had to spend on things like lawyers, court costs, fines, weekend jail fees, and myriad other crap would not be reimbursed and I was pretty much financially devastated. Just so you know, getting arrested is really expensive. I’m not looking for sympathy, folks. I made my choices and I own up. However... The United States has the highest number of incarcerated people per capita on the planet. Not China. Not Russia. Not Vatican City. Many of them are there on drug charges and a significant number of those are cannabis related. According to The Last Prisoner Project, there were more than half a million cannabis arrests in 2017. It is hard to track exactly how many are in jail because some are in local lockups, others in state prisons, and still others in federal custody. Some are also in jail pre-trial, so do you count them too since they are in jail but not yet convicted? Anyway, Last Prisoner believes there are around 32,000 folks currently serving time for this sort of thing, which is, of course, 32,000 too many. Right now, 38 states allow medically prescribed cannabis, while 24 have legalized its recreational use. I am convinced more states will follow suit if only the federal government would remove it as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which contends that cannabis has a “high potential for abuse, no acceptable medical use...and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.” Well, as we all know now, NONE OF THAT is true. That’s a combination of wonky 1950s disproven science and good old-fashioned misinformation from lobbying groups that include the alcohol and forestry industries (hemp can do anything a tree can do, only better and without deforestation). Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Equating these drugs to cannabis is like comparing a firing squad to skeet shooting. Yes—they both go “bang,” but only one of them ain’t gonna kill you. Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) is leading the charge to reschedule cannabis with bipartisan support and President Biden said he would sign off on it, but it seems to have stalled and I am not sure why. When Albany legalized pot a couple of years ago, they gave municipalities the right to opt out and not allow dispensaries in their communities if they so chose. But if they did that, they would not get a slice of the substantial tax revenue. All of the towns in Halston Media’s coverage area opted out. In Mahopac, they are struggling to find money to fund the Swan Cove park project, they are facing a huge bill for having to revamp water treatment plants to meet new federal and state standards, and have to deal with water contamination at an old Super Fund site in downtown Mahopac that has reared its ugly head again. Also, the Parks and Rec Department would love to build a community center, something widely requested by the residents. Money is so tight in Mahopac that the Town Board actually cut funding to the library in an effort to barely stay under the state’s tax levy cap. Gee... if only we could figure out where to get some more tax revenue. I talked to a few local politicians after they opted out to see if they had done their due diligence and drove up to Massachusetts where the legal dispensaries were thriving and asked their government officials, their law enforcement, and business owners how it had been working for them. Halston Media did, and the answer is “spectacular,” by the way, and they told us they loved it when New Yorkers cross the border into Massachusetts and help them fill their tax treasuries. (By the way, there is a dispensary in Danbury on Mill Plain Road about a football field away from Trader Joe’s. Bet you never even noticed it was there. No unsavory characters are milling about the building. So, next time you are at Joe’s buying some hummus or garlic achaar sauce, also stop by The Botanist and pick up a jar of gummies. Your day will improve.) I see TikTok videos from time to time where someone with a mic goes out in the street and asks people the simplest of questions... Who fought in the Civil War? From whom did the U.S. gain its independence? What is 77 + 23? What are the four directions on a compass? And people struggle to answer. They have no clue. It’s supposed to be funny but it’s actually kind of sad. America is getting dumber by the second folks... so, please stop getting your info from old reruns of “Reefer Madness.” Instead, come over and hang out with me. I’ll get a bag of Doritos and put on some Pink Floyd. Peace. Up in smoke BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 11 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 CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 What steps have you taken to protect your life savings from the cost of long term care? Now Accepting New Patients We Are In-Network With MetLife, Delta Dental, United HealthCare, Cigna PPO, and Ameritas PPO, and We Accept Other Insurances 914.277.3518 380 Route 202 at Junction of 116 (across from Heritage Hills) PaulHarbottle.com Excellence in Dentistry In Somers Since 1990 Paul D. Harbottle, DDS VOTED TOP DENTIST 2009-2019 by his Peers as featured in I was discussing rules of etiquette with reader Maria a little while ago, and I asked her why a person would say “bless you” after a sneeze, when a cough seems much more serious? When I discourage people from blessing me when I sneeze, sometimes they ask “why?” After I stop 47 sneezes later, they say, “Oh, okay.” The human concept of manners demonstrates our dedication to civilization and separates us from the rest of the living beings on the Earth, who by the way are a bunch of animals. I thought my cat was different, because he waits near the door as I’m walking to the bedroom, as if to say, “You first, sir, since I see that you are balancing a sandwich, a crossword puzzle and a glass of apple juice.” I nod thank you, but then he darts in front of me and I almost trip over him, dropping the sandwich and spilling most of the apple juice. Even though the crossword puzzle is wet, at least now I know a fourletter word meaning “cat.” I saw a picture of Trump walking in the rain with his wife Melania, holding an umbrella over only himself, and I thought, WOW, this guy is the perfect rolemodel! If there’s only one umbrella, why should I hold half of it over someone else’s head, ensuring that both of us will be half soggy? If we’re both right-handed, one of us will be doing almost everything we do, wet. There are a lot of new rules about how you address people. You used to start a letter with “Dear Sir,” but then women learned the complicated secrets of how to open a letter, so we thought “Dear Sir or Madam” might be better, but there turned out folks falling through the cracks, so we said “To Whom it May Concern,” but when we found out it may not concern anybody, we went back to sirs and madams, but people who identified with other genders or inanimate objects complained, so now I just open my correspondence with “HEY YOU,” which seems both inclusive and nice. How did all this even start? There are some rules of etiquette that are based on common sense. “Save the women and children first” is based on the idea that, if all the boats in the world capsized at the same time, you’ll need women to bear children and carry on the human race. “YAY! We are saved! And there are no more men around to bully us about our use of hummus and unattractive sneakers! The first thing I’m going to do is binge-watch ‘The Good Witch.’ Then I’m going to purge-watch it! SO fun! And we can have children whenever WE want to have them! And carry on the human race! All we need is some... Hmmm. I’m not sure we thought this entirely through. But let’s see that remote control!!” Other rules I would guess are based on human nature. Why is it always “ladies first?” Well, I don’t know much about the history of etiquette, but I know a whole lot about dudes. Somewhere around the middle ages, a typical middleaged guy was probably out with his girlfriend and he wanted to keep an eye on her. If you knew her, you would agree. The rear-view mirror hadn’t been invented yet, so the only way to get the same view was to have her walk in front. Some were based on personal safety. I’ve read that the custom of clinking glasses during a toast originated with the practice of pouring a little wine into each others’ glasses, to prove that it was not poisoned. The bar for drinking buddies was much lower back then. Some rules are clearly outdated, such as the direction in an 1883 etiquette book that a man should be expected to choose the woman’s horse. I would not want the pressure of having to gauge both the woman’s and the horse’s personality. The chances of offending both run fairly high, leading to a disparaging phrase regarding me and also the horse I rode in on. Etiquette is more confusing now than it ever was, that’s for sure. I already covered gender Mr. Manners RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD SEE MELEN PAGE 13
PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 We see you here. The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too. Schedule your visit today and see for yourself. THE BRISTAL AT ARMONK | 914.306.8580 THE BRISTAL AT WHITE PLAINS | 914.594.5787 thebristal.com Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care S omeone I’ve known my entire life lives in the holy city of Jerusalem, which both Israelis and Palestinians consider their capital. I recently asked, “How are you and your family faring with the current situation?” What I received in return is not the perspective of, say, a 20-year-old on a United States college campus who most likely never has visited Israel, let alone lived there for any length of time. As my pen pal describes in some detail, the notion of Israel practicing apartheid is the furthest thing from their personal experience as an Israeli over many decades. Grasping on to oversimplified and perverse tropes of prejudice, as some protesters sadly have succumbed to, is low-hanging fruit. Conversely, wrapping your mind around the complexities of the world and your place in it is rigorous work that demands self-reflection and self-doubt. It’s easy to hate; it’s hard to understand. That’s not to say there aren’t matters of conscience worth protesting. No matter where you stand, it’s all too easy to wax judgmental in the current zeitgeist washing over us. That’s why I find value in absorbing the organic perspective of an ordinary Israeli citizen who lives peaceably alongside Palestinians absent the ethnic prejudice that many protesters on our shores – without benefit of first-hand knowledge – stubbornly want to believe exists unchecked. It’s understandable if U.S. student protesters cannot readily relate to the reality of life in Israel. While roughly six in 10 U.S. high school graduates go on to college, in Israel, 18-year-olds must serve in the military for two to three years before embarking on a college education. The following are excerpts from the letter I received in mid-May from my pen pal in Jerusalem: Things here are strange. The war continues in the north and the south. Every morning I turn on the news and hear the report of soldiers killed. Also, sometimes Al-Issawiya is mentioned. This is the hostile [Arab] village that is at the end of my street. (Once, a delivery kid turned left instead of right, entered the village and was beaten so badly he ended up in the hospital.) On the other hand, the people from Al-Issawiya patronize and work here in the supermarket, post office, coffee shops, and it’s fine. They call Hadassah Mount Scopus “Hadassah Issawiya.” Many patients, doctors, nurses, etc., they are Arabs. Most of the pharmacists in Jerusalem are Arabs. So are most taxi drivers, bus drivers, etc. So are many university students. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arabs were in the majority at Haifa University. Arab Knesset members, judges, etc. My next-door neighbor is a Muslim Arab Israeli policeman married to a Christian Arab lawyer who has a government job. So much for apartheid. When Israel left Gaza in 2005, all the infrastructure was left intact. Farms, hothouses, etc. Hamas was voted in and [changed all that]. It built tunnels with the money that the U.S. and Europe poured in. Not to mention [funds from] UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees]. The “Two State Solution” has been offered many times over the years and rejected by the Palestinians. I am upset, depressed, angry. Angry at our own government. October 7 was a direct result of a combination of Israeli arrogance and all the in-fighting that was going on. It should never have happened and we are to blame. What’s happening in the U.S. took me by surprise. Not the America that I knew. A combination of antisemitism and ignorance, I guess. I may be more worried about America than Israel. It will cost us but the war will end. However, how can all the hatred, combined with misinformation, be put back into the bottle? As for me, just glad to be able to go about my usual activities. I continue to give talks at an assisted living facility. Helped with a little cooking and knitting of hats for the soldiers just to feel I was contributing. Forgot to mention the hostages, but I guess that situation is just too terrible for words. Bruce Apar is a writer, community volunteer and actor. He is being honored on June 9 as “Volunteer of the Year” by the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce at its Stars Along the Hudson awards gala. For more information, visit business. hvgatewaychamber.com/events. Contact him at 914-275-6887 (text or voice) or email [email protected]. Letter from inside Jerusalem Seeing the conflict through the eyes of an ordinary Israeli citizen BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT ONE OF OUR SHOWROOMS TODAY! Your Bath. Your Kitchen. Your Home. 49 Route 138 Somers, NY 10589 M-Fr 9:00AM-4:30PM 914-232-2020 (Across from the BJ’s Shopping Center) BESTPLG.COM $100 off $1,000 Minimum Purchase when Shipped Complete. Eligible at Yorktown and Somers showrooms only Show this Coupon to Receive Discount. One per customer Expires 7/15/24 3372 Old Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 M-Sat 9:00AM-5:00PM 914-736-2468 MELEN FROM PAGE 11 Ten years ago, I joined the board of Allied Community Enterprises – ACE, which is an affordable housing advocacy group. In addition to providing education and raising awareness about affordable housing and the lack of it, the group also develops properties for qualified applicants. The experience has given me a greater appreciation for the challenges related to building more affordable housing options. During my decade on the board, we developed and sold two properties. One in Croton Falls and the other in Mount Vernon. The amount of effort and time, mostly by our executive director and president, was substantial. Clearly, for them, it was a labor of love with an emphasis on the labor. Navigating the maze of government regulations for grants as well as preparing the property for marketing to qualified buyers was overwhelming, not to mention local zoning issues and building code requirements to bring the properties “up to code.” The property that was developed in Mount Vernon was a lesson in “no good deed goes unpunished.” ACE bought a property off of the foreclosure rolls just before COVID struck. The ensuing three years were spent negotiating with contractors, the City of Mount Vernon’s building inspector and their affordable housing corporation. Bringing the property up to modern codes added tens of thousands to the cost. Ripping out the sheet rock and replacing four inches of insulation with six was just one example. The effort was rewarded with a bill for years of back taxes and penalties. There has to be a better way. There is affordable housing and then there is housing that is affordable. The former is housing that comes through the red tape and government system of grants, rules and subsidies; the latter occurs organically via the market, or as “naturally occuring.” Building naturally occurring affordable housing is where we could make the most progress. Interestingly, improving the availability of affordable housing is something that unites the left and right. The cost of housing has risen much faster than inflation and it is impacting family formation and fertility, since young people wait much longer to get married and have children, if they decide to have children at all. The economy takes a hit because of the loss of mobility. People can’t take that new job in a new place because they can’t find housing within an acceptable commuting distance. I recommend an entertaining and funny graphic novel, “Build, Baby, Build: The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulation” by Bryan Caplan, a George Mason economics professor and illustrated by Ady Branzei. The format is a great way to break down an otherwise dry topic and capture my short attention span. As the title implies, the only way to solve the housing crisis is by a dramatic increase in building fueled by deregulating housing. Local changes in approaches to zoning are more desirable than top down solutions coming from Albany, like last year’s failed attempt by Gov. Hochul to rezone large swaths of local communities to promote transit oriented development. Rezoning selected areas and changing non safetyrelated building codes to make them more attractive to affordable development will have to come locally. The big gains will naturally come from the more urban areas where large developments make more sense economically because of existing density and sewer and water infrastructure. But that doesn’t mean that opportunities don’t exist in semi rural areas like ours. Thoughtful mixed use development not only could provide more housing opportunities, it could have a positive impact on the vitality of downtown areas, which is a major challenge for many of our suburban towns. There is no time better than the present to act. Affordable housing: Challenges, solutions & a path forward DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT pronouns and their (they/them) use. I understand that I shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day, even though I don’t understand why. But on what date does after one Labor Day become before the next Labor Day? And what about civil disobedience? Is that good manners or not? An example of civil disobedience might be: “I only wanted to burn down the courthouse, but the fire spread because I was holding the door open for the ladies.” I don’t know all the rules but I do try to be nice to people on the off-chance that they might be nice back. It’s not good manners to get into an argument with me about manners. “Rick, you shouldn’t chew with your mouth open, especially if it is full of lies.” “Excuse me, but did I not hold the door for you?” “Yes you did, and it was a revolving door and I banged my knee pretty good.” Join Rick and No Options at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Back Nine in Cortlandt. Say hello at rlife8@ hotmail.com.
PAGE 14 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 HUDSON DERMATOLOGY Hudson Dermatology’s Somers office is ready to offer you the best possible care. Our board-certified dermatologists and expertly trained medical providers use state of the art treatments and the latest equipment to keep your skin healthy and looking its best. We provide important checkups for skin cancer that can catch cancerous growths early, avoiding serious problems later. We can relieve unsightly, annoying conditions like rosacea, rashes, eczema and psoriasis, and remove warts and moles. And we provide Mohs surgery to remove skin cancers with minimum visible impact. In addition, we provide a full range of cosmetic services including Botox, fillers, lasers and peels, skillfully administered to keep you looking fresh, not fake. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Harshitha Mannam to our Somers office. With seven offices, we’re the Hudson Valley’s largest independent dermatology practice, committed to providing you with personal, expert care in a pleasant and private setting. Please call us today or visit our website for more information. 336 U.S. Route 202 Behind Somers Pharmacy 914 617 8950 www.hudsondermatology.com Better Care for Your Skin. I n 1975, not long after I was admitted to the bar, I faced the prospect of my very first trial. I wasn’t nervous, but I was truly amped up. It was a judge trial (no jury) in the City Court of Yonkers. The judge turned out to be the Honorable Robert Cacace. The trial was one of my finest moments. Judge Cacace, for his part, was superlative, exemplifying all the qualities you want in a jurist. It was a true pleasure having my first trial experience in front of such a wonderful human being. From that day forward, we were friends. Over the ensuing years (49 and counting), I got to know his daughter, Susan. I watched her career evolve. She went from being a respected assistant district attorney to a defense attorney to almost 20 years as a county court judge. Through it all, I kept in touch. In every role, she displayed the traits that made her father so great: hardworking, compassionate with integrity and character beyond reproach. So, when Judge Cacace decided to leave the bench to run for Westchester District Attorney, I asked to sit down with her and talk about the race. The following are edited excerpts from my talk with Judge Cacace. The entire interview can be seen on YouTube under the title, “All About Town with Jim Martorano.” Or, if you get Optimum, it’s on the public access station Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. (Channel 74). The following is an abridged version, since space limitation would make printing the entire interview impracticable. Q: When you first started out (in your law career) what was your ambition? Cacace: I really loved criminal law. My father was a judge in Yonkers for many years…When I was 7 or 8 years old, I would go to court with him. And often for Saturday morning arraignments. I found it fascinating. In grammar school, we had these yearbooks where you would write your ambition. I always wanted to go into the law, even at that young age. Q: Tell me a little more about your dad. Cacace: He was a wonderful man. He became the chief judge in the Yonkers Court and worked very hard in the construction of the new courthouse. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1986 and then, in 1990 when it was finished, they named the building after him. Q: Let’s fast forward to you coming out of law school. What was your career goal then? Cacace: I always wanted to be a prosecutor. When I graduated, I applied to the Westchester District Attorney’s Office, was hired, and had a career there of almost 15 years…I was in Yorktown, Peekskill and Greenberg local courts, for example…. Back then, you stayed in local courts for five or six years. After that, I went to the Grand Jury Bureau, where you learn the nuts and bolts of what the elements are of each case, whether you can prove your charge or not, etc. After that, I was assigned to the Trial unit where I tried many felony cases… Q: Eventually you left the District Attorney’s office, and, for a brief time, you were a defense attorney. How did that feel? Cacace: It was eye opening. I would go to the jails and interview my clients… It really cemented my view that everyone is entitled to vigorous legal representation. I had two trials as a defense attorney in local courts and was successful on both… Q: After a couple of years on the defense bar, you ran for County Court? Cacace: Yes, I ran in 2005 for County Court and won and then ran for re-election in 2015 and won again…All told, I was on the bench for 19 years. Q: You gave up a lot to run for district attorney this year, namely your county court judgeship. What compelled you to give up so much to run for this office? Cacace: I thought about this position for many years. As far back as 2015, I had considered running for Westchester D.A., but back then it just wasn’t my time but, don’t get me wrong, I loved being a judge…but, given my varied experience, it puts me in the best position to be district attorney. Q: In my almost 50 years in criminal law, I have concluded that so many of my clients are in desperate need of drug or psychological counseling as opposed to incarceration. You have emphasized compassion in your campaign. Can you tell us more about your feelings? Cacace: …with respect to nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors, there are avenues today more than there were 20 years ago, alternatives to incarceration, to divert people away from crime and provide them treatment so they can learn how to not reoffend. I was at Mayor Spano’s State of the City address recently, and a gentleman came up to me and he thanked me for turning his life around. He now is married, and a pastor and he invited me to visit him in his church. I intend to take him up on his offer…. these are the things that inspire you to keep working at finding ways to help people get back on the right track… Q: Every office has blanket policies to handle cases uniformly but that, in my opinion, must be balanced against looking at the unique facts and circumstances presented. How do you feel about this dilemma? Cacace: …of course, each office has its policies, but you must be able to veer off Conversation with District Attorney candidate Susan Cacace JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 16
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 15 As Memorial Day weekend launches the onset of summer vacation and travel, families eagerly anticipate gatherings filled with flavorful barbecues and picnics. Amid the joyous celebrations, it’s paramount to prioritize safe food handling practices to keep you and your guests safe from potential foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella and E. coli. Implementing precautionary measures during food preparation and consumption helps to prevent the risk of illness, hospitalizations and even fatalities. What are some food safety guidelines to follow? Some helpful and easy tips include: wash your hands and surfaces often, keep raw meats, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from cooked and ready to eat food, cook to the right temperature (depending on the type of food a safe temperature is 145°F to 165°F), and refrigerate perishable food within two hours (one hour when temperatures are over 90°F degrees). What are the most common symptoms of food poisoning? Symptoms can range in severity as well as duration, depending on the germ ingested. The most common symptoms include: • Diarrhea • Stomach pain or cramps • Nausea • Vomiting • Fever When should I see a doctor for food poisoning? It is important to seek medical care when symptoms are severe or prolonged. According to the CDC these symptoms include: 1. Bloody diarrhea 2. Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days 3. High fever (temp. over 102°F) 4. Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquid down 5. Signs of dehydration 6. If you are pregnant and have a fever and other flu-like symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately Essential precautions for summer food festivities Scan the QR code or visit optum.com/medicalcare Optum Medical Care, P.C. (“Optum Medical Care”) is a physician owned and led practice having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through its physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its owned management organizations, provides non-clinical administrative services to support Optum Medical Care and its physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or health care provided by Optum Medical Care or by any of its licensed professionals. “Part of Optum” reflects that Optum Medical Care is part of Optum’s effort to support forward-thinking physician practices in helping their patients live healthier lives. Optum is a registered trademark of Optum, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other brand or product names are the property of their respective owners. Because we are continuously improving our products and services, Optum reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. Optum is an equal opportunity employer. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. 04/24 Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily Dear Dr. Linda, I was working with my son Colin on his homework. I became upset when I realized he had no idea what had been going on in class. I don’t know if it’s because he’s not listening or because the teacher is not explaining things well. Colin, a seventh-grader, had to fill in a worksheet on the branches of science. When I asked him about the worksheet, he said he thought they were learning about trees, but he wasn’t sure. I asked to see the homework sheet, knowing he couldn’t do an assignment about the branches of science if he didn’t know that’s what the worksheet was about. He had skipped most of the questions and told me the ones he’d filled in were what the teacher did with the class. I drew a tree for him and filled in biology, zoology, botany, chemistry, physics, etc. “Oh, that’s it!” he said to me. He’s not doing well in school, and I’m realizing he simply doesn’t know what’s going on. Now what do I do? -Leslie Dear Leslie, I don’t blame you for getting upset. It’s amazing how many children go to school but aren’t learning because they don’t know what’s going on. Unless teachers continually assess to see if students understand, they never know when students aren’t understanding. For example, I met with Landon, an eighth-grader, who didn’t know what he was studying in social studies. He was flunking. He explained that he never knew what tests were about, so he just slept through them. I started at the beginning. “Landon, what’s the name of your social studies class. “I don’t know. It’s social studies.” “Are you learning about American history or world history?” “I don’t know. Mr. Green never told us.” “Are you learning about the American Revolution, Civil War, immigration? Or about China, Japan, Egypt, France?” “I think we’re learning about a war.” Obviously, Landon had no clue what had been going on all year. Before you go through a year like this, contact Colin’s teacher. His teacher may tell you that Colin spends most of his time in class staring into space and is never on task. If this is something you’ve heard before, it could be that Colin has an attentional issue, an auditory processing issue, or even a hearing problem. Ask the school to have him tested or find a professional outside the school to do the testing. If Colin is usually on top of things, ask how lessons are taught. Colin may have a different learning style than the way the teacher is presenting the material. Or Colin may simply have connected the word “branch” with trees and couldn’t understand what was happening from then on. For most of us, not just kids, if we don’t get it at the beginning, what follows doesn’t make sense. By talking to the teacher, you’ll have a better understanding of why Colin missed what was being taught. Ask the teacher to e-mail you the topics and class outline ahead of time. Now you can help Colin become familiar with the terms and concepts before the teacher presents them in class. And you’ll get a better idea of how he learns best. Is it reading? Is it through a conversation? Is it listening to an explanation. Is it making a diagram or drawing a picture? Does your child need to be tested? DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING SEE DR. LINDA PAGE 16
PAGE 16 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 the set rules, given the facts and circumstances of an individual case, where appropriate… Q: District Attorney Rocah has instituted some wonderful programs to help first time offenders of nonviolent crimes, like Fresh Start. Will you continue or even enhance these programs? Cacace: Absolutely…There is a misdemeanor wellness court… If you have mental health issues and you are charged with a misdemeanor, you go into that court and seek treatment and, if you are accepted, you are redirected into a program…It is not in every jurisdiction. It services the whole county and is presently in White Plains. I think it is important to have one in the southern part of the county and one in the north… Q: You are involved in a rather contentious primary and people have tried to, I believe unfairly, label you as a person who will bring us back to the old days of “lock them up and throw away the key.” How do you respond to that? Cacace: I have been involved for 34 years in the criminal justice system but, during that time, my opinions were never relevant. Now, as candidate, I can express myself, and I am sincere when I say, the theme of my campaign is “justice with compassion.” Justice for violent criminals but also compassion for first time offenders, for the youth, for the mentally disabled, for the addicted. We need to divert them away from the criminal justice system but, first and foremost, they must be held accountable. That means if you get a program, you must successfully complete that program. If you commit a theft in a store and nothing happens to you, there is no accountability, you probably will reoffend. That simply won’t work. …I visited the youth court in New Rochelle recently. The youngsters make a commitment to go every week and the program can last from a year and a half to two years…The judge has such compassion for the Youth Court that he tries not only to be an inspiration for these youngsters but also to deal with housing issues, mental health issues and drug addiction. You can see how much the judge cares and his commitment has done wonderful things. I think we need to open a similar Youth Part in Yonkers next. As district attorney, I will work to enhance these types of court initiatives. Judge Cacace is running in the Democratic primary to be held on June 25. Since this interview, Judge Cacace’s race has become much more contentious. Some rather ugly, false charges have been pushed by her opponents against her. Based on decades of knowing her, I can attest that Judge Cacace is a person of integrity, character and compassion. She is, by far, the most qualified candidate running for the position of district attorney. I have no doubt that, if she is elected, she will serve our county extremely well. But who is elected is up to you, the voters. Regardless of who you support, please vote in the primary and the general election in November. MARTORANO FROM PAGE 14 DR. LINDA FROM PAGE 15 If you can, go on day trips to museums, observatories and historic sites. Or take vacations where Colin can see and experience things he’ll be learning about in school. For example, the child who has visited Washington, D.C. will learn more when the teacher talks about the capital than the child who just reads about it in a book. Because the student who visited the capital now has a life experience about the material, this student will be more engaged in school. Keep lines of communication open for a happy and successful school year. -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the authors of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids,” available on Amazon and at stronglearning.com. To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email freeman@ halstonmedia.com. Get This Newspaper’s App On Your Phone Always Stay Informed About News Involving YOUR Town & Schools Android Scan Here iPhone Scan Here Get Our App! JOIN A GREAT TEAM NOW HIRING! 3 Experience Required 3 A or B Tech 3 Top Pay in a Busy Shop 3 Good Working Conditions/Clean Atmosphere 3 Seeking Long Term Employee 3 OT/Benefits Available Full-Time Auto Mechanic! 914-962-3879
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 17 A health care proxy is a legal document where you can appoint another person (called an “agent”) to make medical decisions on your behalf, if you are incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions yourself. Anyone in your life can be appointed as your health care agent as long as they are over the age of 18 and have the capacity to act. You can also name successor agents, in the event the person you appoint pre-deceases you or is unable to act as your agent. Appointing someone is a fairly straightforward process and can be invaluable in the event of incapacity, as the appointment of an agent for medical decisionmaking can avoid the need for a Guardianship Proceeding or court intervention if you are unable to make medical decisions yourself. The form must be signed by the creator in front of two disinterested witnesses who are adults, over the age of 18 and have capacity to sign legal documents. When setting up a health care proxy, it is also important to consider the following: • Establish what you truly want by thoroughly deliberating your priorities and principles. Some people may find it challenging to think about these issues, but it could be essential if you are making end-of-life preparations. Being clear about what treatments you want to refuse and which you would be willing to receive can help your agent make swift decisions if you unexpectedly become unable to express them yourself. The health care proxy allows you to state specific wishes, treatments, medications you would or would not want, or alternatively, you can state in your health care proxy form that your agent shall have authority to make medical decisions “in accordance with my wishes as he/she knows.” This gives your agent flexibility to make decisions in accordance with your wishes as you have advised them. It is important to communicate with your agent what types of medical treatments and medications you would or would not want, as well as for your agent to have a basic understanding of your medical history and conditions. The more your agent knows and understands your medical history and current conditions, the better he or she will be able to advocate for you. • Share your preferences and other instructions with people you trust. Having this conversation could be difficult for your family members or friends, but these people might be the only ones who would uphold your wishes. Your agent can be the person to enforce your instructions, but informing other people can help support what you genuinely want. Your agent can also turn to these other trusted family members or friends for guidance and support in making decisions for you. • Speak to a health care provider who can enable the arrangement when necessary. In addition to choosing an agent, you should inform your physicians that you have signed a health care proxy and it even may be prudent to provide them with a copy. Your physician, your agent, and in some situations even other family members can keep a copy of your form, which can be helpful during emergencies. We also recommend keeping a copy of your health care proxy on your refrigerator or posted on the inside of your front door, in the event a paramedic and/or first responder needs to obtain contact information in the event of an emergency. End-of-life matters can be challenging to navigate, especially if you are incapacitated and your family members have no idea what you would want. In these scenarios, pre-planning and having documents such as a health care proxy are very practical. In the long run, planning and preparing these setups can benefit your welfare and help those you love navigate your care with ease. Lauren C. Enea, Esq. is an Associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. She concentrates her practice on Wills, Trusts and Estates, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning and Probate/Estate Administration. She believes that it is never too early or too late to start planning for your future and she enjoys working with individuals and families to ensure that their estate and long-term care plan best suits their needs. Ms. Enea is on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Elder Law and Special Needs Section and is also the CoEditor of the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section Journal. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida. She can be reached at 914-948-1500. How to relay your medical preferences in a health care proxy ‘ Your physician, your agent, and in some situations even other family members can keep a copy of your form, which can be helpful during emergencies.’ -Lauren C. Enea, Esq. Associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP LAUREN ENEA GUEST CORNER FOCUS ON ELDER LAW
PAGE 18 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Call for your FREE consultation today 293 Route 100 Suite 209 Somers, NY (914) 277-1111 www.BBOsmiles.com CONGRATS GRADS! PUT YOUR BEST SMILE FORWARD AS YOU STEP INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR JOURNEY (And don't forget to wear your retainers!) For the fourth consecutive year, Somers BSA Troop 376 gave back to our community by running a food drive in support of St. Luke’s Somers Food Pantry. Organized by Troop 376 Treasurer Sarah Munson and Assistant Scoutmaster Dontae Duran, the drive benefitted from the generous donations of numerous families, as well as Stop & Shop which donated bags for the collection effort. The Scouts were the stars of the show though, as they collected and delivered over 75 bags of donated food and supplies. “This is the fourth Spring Drive Troop 376 has done for the Pantry, and once again it was a very generous donation,” explained Food Pantry chair Lynda Magrath. “Thanks to the boys, their leaders and families, and all the donors they asked to contribute. We are blessed to have these Scouts and the many others who continue to support our efforts.” The Somers Food Pantry, located at St. Luke’s Church (331 Route 100) is supported by over 15 volunteers and distributes fresh and non-perishable food every Friday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to anyone in need from the larger Somers community Supporting St. Lukes! Scouts delivered more than 75 bags of donated food and supplies This is Troop 376’s fourth Spring Drive. Troop 376 is always looking for ways to give back to their community! PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADAM SCHILKRAUT YOUTH FOCUS Is your child’s Scout Troop working on a community service project? Did their team bring home a championship? Is there a youth program you would like to recognize or an upcoming event we should know about? We want to hear from you! In this special section we aim to highlight the youth of our community, including sports, Scouting, and any other programs or events affiliated with the school district. Please send photos and story ideas to [email protected]. Youth Focus is proudly sponsored by our friends at Bridgham Barr Orthodontics, located at 293 Route 100 in Somers. Learn more at www.bbosmiles.com We are blessed to have these Scouts and the many others who continue to support our efforts.’ Lynda Magrath Chair, St. Luke’s Somers Food Pantry YOUTH FOCUS
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19 As they count down to graduation, get to know more about members of the Somers High School Class of 2024! Celebrating SHS Seniors Nicole Mack What activities do you participate in, both in school and outside of school? Field hockey What is something that most people don’t know about you? I’m a picky eater. Favorite vacation spot? Aruba What do you hope to be doing in five years? What are some of your main life goals? I hope to me an elementary school teacher. Were your years at Somers High School what you expected them to be? Yes Robbie Donaldson What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Funny, unique, kind Favorite book? “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling Favorite vacation spot? Miami What three things would you take to a deserted island? Concert merch, my phone, and my DoorDash order. What is something that motivates you? Waking up every day to a fresh new start. Isabella Milojevic What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Hardworking, dedicated, and outgoing What is something that most people don’t know about you? I can solve a 1000-piece puzzle in a day. What do you hope to be doing in five years? What are some of your main life goals? I hope that I will be in my graduate program for my DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). I hope to be a physical therapist in the future. What is something that motivates you? Watching professional track athletes and runners is something that motivates me. As a runner, I aspire to gain knowledge on how they train and try to use that in my own training. What is your idea of a perfect day? My perfect day is spending time with friends and family. Chiara Ginty Favorite book? “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover What is something that most people don’t know about you? Outside of everything else, my biggest dream in life is to be a mom. Children have always brought me joy, and I’ve always wanted a big family for as long as I can remember. What do you hope to be doing in five years? What are some of your main life goals? I hope to be graduated from college and working for a business that I am interested in. I hope to be a lot like my mother in that way. Growing up with a mom who truly worked for everything she has always served as a huge inspiration to me. In five years, I hope to be thriving in the business world the same way my mom always has. What three things would you take to a deserted island? A knife, a lighter, and my brother. Were your years at Somers High School what you expected them to be? Yes and no. I think the good parts were definitely what I expected them to be and I learned a lot from them, but I learned the most from the curveballs that were thrown at me the last four years. You always learn the most when you are forced to adapt to a situation you didn’t expect to be in.
PAGE 20 THE SOMERS RECORD –BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On May 17, in the thick of the postseason, Somers stepped back and took a little down time courtesy of the Peer Leadership Program. “I’ve always felt this would be a fun idea, having a staff/student basketball game,” said Noah Volkman, the organizer of the event. And no doubt, the Somers senior was on the mark. But competition was definitely part of the lesson plan, and both sides did their share of schooling in the hard fought affair. A tight 36-33 game with 4 minutes remaining, the kids had the final say, and Matthew D’ippolito provided the summation. “We came here with a job to do,” the varsity basketball player joked after the 46-39 victory. The game began with John Fontana muscling a put back, and Vinny Difilippo hitting a fade away three. A 6-3 game, Phil Santore came off the bench and had more than the early deficit to fire him up. “They talked trash all week,” the junior revealed playfully, and a three, a tip in and a fast break basket gave the students the lead for good. Even so, the staff wasn’t going away, and Cailean Nolan made more than a basketball statement with her evasive drive to the hoop. “I got to show them that girls can play too,” said the former Panas basketball player. Still, Santore didn’t discriminate. He nailed another three to close the first, and properly inspired, Andrew Violante opened the second with a triple. A 16-10 game,Timmy Monahan added a jumper and age was looking pretty old. Not quite, Patrick May dribble-drove to the hoop for two, and the kids weren’t the only ones who were left double taking. “I don’t know how that happened,” said the physics teacher. At least, that’s what the high school claimed, because a classroom overlap was definitely a factor in his estimation. “In basketball, there’s projectile motion, energy transfer and the laws of momentum,” May went tongue and cheek. A joke that didn’t go over the heads of the students. Mass times acceleration was the force in which the kids responded. Both big bodies, Jacob Hauser and Nick Conti downshifted for a two and three respectively, and the lead grew to 25-14 at the half. Two could play at that game, though. Only Mr Fontana used his muscle on the inside. He scored six points in close, and it was quickly a 25-22 game. So a stop needed, the students got it and continued the teamwork on the other end. Giuseppe Gioffre made a slick no-look pass to Teddy McGrane, and the lead was back up to five. Of course, the football coach was not impressed. Anthony DeMatteo launched a three, and the drop caused a murmur in the crowd. So DeMatteo dialed it up again.. Not this time, the kids weren’t kind and answered back hard. Jacob Hauser dropped a jumper to close the quarter, and D’ippolito’s jumper and fast break transition to Tom Hauser made the teachers a captive audience. “He takes no prisoners,” Nick Crecco beamed. A 33-26 game, more girl power almost had the teachers breaking out. Nolan ducked under the rim, put the ball off the glass with plenty of spin, and the reverse lay up wowed the auditorium. Moments later, after Keith Cheatham answered from downtown, Nolan lined up from three and kept the game contained at 36-31. 4:34 left and the teachers weren’t done. Difilippo got underneath, and his putback summoned a will that no kid has. “Once you get older, you get what we like to call ‘dad strength’,” the soon to be Social Studies teacher joked. Not an isolated incident, the hard nosed play exemplified a game long, generational dominance under the boards. “These kids, these days don’t box out, explained AD Marc Hattem. “They don’t know the fundamentals like us old people.” The kids actually conceded the advantage, and Teddy Mitchell gladly tipped his cap. “They had more grit than us,” said the senior. “It’s kind of cool.” Unfortunately, for the teachers, Santore was still percolating. Off the bench again, another trey made it 39-33. 3:51 remaining, the teachers had one last gasp. Difilippo fed Fontana on the inside, and the four point difference looked to get closer when the teachers came up with a stop. On the inbound, though, a football player dashed the final hope. Crecco skied for the steal and his fast break layup left the gridiron behind. “I’m a basketball player at heart,” said the two time state champ. A three by Hauser sealed the deal, but the bottom line was there no matter the outcome. “The game shows a real collegiality,” said Hattem. “It’s a really cool senior class.” However, there was an inevitable downside. “We are already seeing an uptick in teacher absences for Monday morning,” Hattem deadpanned. So he hopes the already supportive Somers community might take it to the next level. “If you’d like to sub in the building, please call me a call,” said Hattem as he dropped the mic on a great day. Tip off! 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– MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 PAGE 21 Vinny Difilippo Cailean Nolan Angela Holder guards Matthew D’ippolito Anthony DeMatteo and Andrew Violante John Fontana PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI ‘The game shows a real collegiality. It’s a really cool senior class.’ Marc Hattem Somers Athletic Director G ONLY 8-0362 OME TO YOU! 53 YEARS! Silver ns nzes bles C. le? Call us! www.summertrailsdaycamp.com CURRENTLY HIRING STAFF! CALL FOR A TOUR! 914.245.1776 Come See Us At Our New Location! PUTNAM WINDOW TINT AUTO , COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WINDOW FILM Follow us on Instagram 1065 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • Paint protection film • Vehicle lettering • Full Service vehicle wraps • gift cards available Over 35 in Business Years
PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 WE’RE NOT YOUR ORDINARY DENTISTS. Affiliate of Astoria | Bay Shore | Garden City | Hoboken | Howard Beach Huntington | Lake Success | Long Island City | Mt. Kisco | Oceanside White Plains | Yonkers | Yorktown Heights Put Your Health Where Your Mouth Is™ and book an appointment today, call 914-770-8555 For more information: CareMount Dental is now ProHealth Dental. ProHEALTH Dental proudly announces a groundbreaking affiliation with Northwell Health. Northwell is New York State’s largest health care provider, with more than 900 locations. ProHEALTH Dental has a network of 16 state-of-the-art dental offices throughout the NY Metro Area. Together, we will treat patients holistically, focusing on how oral health improves overall health. phdental.com Oral Surgery General Pediatrics Orthodontics Endodontics Sleep Cosmetic Dentistry Periodontics Implants Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) earned a top ‘A’ rating for its patient safety, according to a report released last week by the Leapfrog Group for Spring 2024. The national distinction recognizes the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and achievements in promoting best outcomes. “Securing an ‘A’ hospital safety grade from The Leapfrog Group is no easy task,” said Derek Anderson, executive director for Northern Westchester Hospital. “It underscores our hospital’s steadfast dedication to both patient safety and person-centered care. The achievement highlights the tireless efforts of our remarkable staff, reaffirming our mission to deliver the highest standard of healthcare excellence while prioritizing the individual needs of every patient we serve.” The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization, assigns A, B, C, D or F grades to nearly 3,000 acute-care hospitals nationwide, which is based on 30 evidencebased patient safety performance measures, as well as federal data. The organization issues the report twice annually. NWH is nationally recognized for providing state-of-the-art medical expertise and world-class care. One of the many accolades the hospital has received is the MAGNET award, a prestigious designation granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in recognition of nursing excellence. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave NHW four of out of five stars for service quality in 2023. Earlier this year, Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) was the only hospital in Westchester County to receive Healthgrades 2024 America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award. Besides Northern Westchester, Leapfrog’s Hospital’s 2024 Spring Grade report showed that six other Northwell hospitals earned a top ‘A’ rating, including Glen Cove Hospital, Huntington Hospital, Mather Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Plainview Hospital and South Shore University Hospital. Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, is a full-service 245-bed acute care hospital in Mount Kisco. Hospital earns ‘A’ grade in Leapfrog safety report Andrew Krumerman, MD, a cardiovascular expert with more than 23 years of experience, has been appointed as director of cardiac electrophysiology at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH). In his new role, Dr. Krumerman, who specializes in treating patients with atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias, will lead the efforts in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, further enhancing the hospital’s reputation as a leading provider of cardiovascular care in the region. Dr. Krumerman joins NWH from the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care. He is the former director of cardiac electrophysiology at NYC HHC Jacobi Medical Center. Dr. Krumerman specializes in complex catheter ablation procedures to treat cardiac arrhythmias. He serves on the board of directors of the CMR Institute, a non-profit provider of educational solutions for pharmaceutical and medical device professionals. Dr. Krumerman is a professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has been instrumental in pioneering various research initiatives. As a founder of the Montefiore/Einstein ECG Research Group, he focused on disparities in health care and the use of artificial intelligence to improve cardiac health care delivery. Dr. Krumerman was also one of the developers of the Pacer ID application, which allows for rapid identification of an implanted device (defibrillator or pacemaker) manufacturer based on chest X-ray imaging. Dr. Krumerman’s achievements have been recognized through numerous awards, grants and funded projects, including the Albert Einstein Cardiology Program Director’s Faculty Award and the AECOM Cardiology Research Board Grant for the development of an ECG machine learning database. He is a fellow of several prestigious medical societies, including the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Krumerman to our team,” said Sherri Sandel, DO, medical director at Northern Westchester Hospital. “His wealth of experience and dedication to advancing cardiovascular care through his research, innovation New director of cardiac electrophysiology appointed PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH Andrew Krumerman, MD NORTHERN WESTCHESTER HOSPITAL SEE KRUMERMAN PAGE 24
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 ADVERTORIAL Five main areas of skills development are important in a child’s growth path: gross motor skills; fine motor skills; speech and language; cognitive/intellectual and social emotional skills. Participating in various sports can assist in their development to well-rounded persons, for example: 1.Physical activity enhances developing their gross motor skills in several ways: a.Impact on bone density - weight-bearing activities (such as jumping and running) help to stimulate bone density and growth. The mechanical stress put on bones promotes mineralization that strengthens bone structure; b.Variety of movement - playing multiple sports requires using different muscle groups strength, flexibility, muscle coordination and movement patterns. This promotes a more balanced physical development of their musculoskeletal system; c.Improved balance and agility - exposure to various sports not only helps children to develop stronger muscles but to use their muscles in coordination, agility, and balance. In turn, this enhances the overall athleticism and adaptability in a growing body; and d.Reduced risk of overuse injuries — an overuse injury is damage to bone, muscle, ligament, and tendons that occur over time from improper training and techniques with repetitive movements. 2. Cognitive and intellectual development — research shows that movement and physical activity a) contribute to healthy brain function by increasing blood flow, oxygen, and glucose to the brain; and b) release neurotransmitters and Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (or abrineurin) which help brain plasticity, memory, attention, and motivation. * 3. Social and emotional development — by a) helping children adapt to various peers, coaches, and different team demands; and b) reducing their risk of burnout. Focusing solely on one sport can lead to burnout due to the pressure, intensity, and repetitiveness of training. In contrast, playing multiple sports can keep children engaged and interested in physical activity without the risk of losing enthusiasm. THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWTH PLATE MATURITY A child goes through growth spurts as new active bone forms at the end of bones called a “growth plate”: • Growth plates at the end of long bones (such as thigh, lower legs, arms, hands, and feet) are soft and vulnerable during the growing years; and • Growth plates in joints consist of multiple cartilage cells that grow in length and then change into hard mineralized bone. For girls, bones start hardening at age 13 -15 and boys at age 15 -17. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments connect one bone to the next to form a joint and allow us to move, while muscles stretch and adapt as the bone grow in length. Physical activity before a child reaches puberty promotes the growth of healthy and stronger bones. Overuse of the musculoskeletal system in a growing bone affects and can damage the growth plate development. UPSIDE AND DOWNSIDE OF SINGLE VS. MULTIPLE SPORTS Specializing in a single sport usually entails an intense and year-round training in one sport to the exclusion of other sports. Many children’s lives revolve around playing their favorite sports, developing skills, forming friendships, belonging to a team, and learning the competitive spirit, but this may lead to an intense focus on just one sport at a young age. Peer pressure as well as pressure from parents and coaches to join multiple leagues in one sport could contribute to the risk of overuse injuries and burnout. Training intensely and competing while still growing and developing does not allow the body enough time to recover and make the young body more susceptible to overuse injuries. In contrast, participating in multiple sports allows a child’s body to rest between seasons before the next sport season starts. Different muscle groups and skills develop and form muscle memories that can be transferred and used in other sports and movement patterns. Research by the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics shows no evidence exists that children benefit from early sport specialization in most sports, and they are subject to overuse injury and burnout from concentrated activity. The experts propose multiple sport participation as an excellent alternative to reach athletic goals and increase lifetime enjoyment of physical activity. ** The physical and psychological LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER Playing multiple sports and the resulting benefits to the personal development of children benefits from playing various sports, where there is less intense training and pressure to perform, allow children to be active and simultaneously help them develop a healthier sense of their own identity. MULTI-SPORT PAST OF SUPER ATHLETES The chances of your child becoming a sport super star is slim, but many super sport stars played multiple sports growing up. NFL statistics show that 70% of the NFL players were multiple-sport athletes earlier in life, which includes Patrick Mahomes (baseball, football) and Deion Sanders (football, baseball). Other sport super stars who played multiple sports during their childhood include Michael Jordan (basketball, baseball); Johnny Gaudreau (baseball, hockey) and Bo Jackson (baseball, football). So, who knows, playing multiple sports might increase achieving your and your child’s dream of him/her becoming a super sport star. We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.lizelubbept.com. MAKING SPORT PART OF CHILDREN’S DAILY LIFE Encourage children to participate and sample different sports to grow not only in athleticism, but to have fun, interact with different groups and coaches, and develop as well-rounded persons. As an experienced physical therapist, I encourage parents to raise their children to love being active and move throughout their lives, and to make physical activity a part of their lives as they mature into adults. If your child experiences any signs of overuse injury or burnout playing sports, please contact their pediatrician or physical therapist for guidance. * See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC5919946/ ** See https://www.hss.edu/pediatricsintensive-participation-single-sport-goodbad-kids.asp and https://publications. aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/2/ e2023065129/196435/Overuse-InjuriesOvertraining-and-Burnout-in-Young?autol ogincheck=redirected
PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD HEALTH & WELLNESS MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 and mentorship align perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional healthcare services to our community.” Dr. Krumerman received his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology from the University of Michigan and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Tel Aviv University School of Medicine in Israel. His postgraduate training included residency at the Montefiore/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine in internal medicine and fellowships at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in cardiovascular medicine and at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University in cardiac electrophysiology. Northern Westchester Hospital has received many awards recognizing it as a center of excellence for cardiac care. In 2023, the hospital received a Coronary Intervention Excellence Award from Healthgrades, placing its coronary intervention program in the top 10 percent of the nation. The hospital also received five-star ratings from Healthgrades in 2023 for conditions and treatments in the areas of heart attack and coronary intervention. Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, is a full-service 245-bed acute care hospital in Mount Kisco. Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals, about 900 outpatient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. KRUMERMAN FROM PAGE 22 AS LOW AS $159/MO You thought braces were expensive? You couldn’t be further from the truth. With our pay-three-way flexible financing options, your new smile can get started with no down payment. Your first monthly payment starts your treatment. Offer applies to new patients only. Discover the braces or clear aligners plan that works for you and see exactly how much it will cost before you ever spend a penny. Offer applies to new patients only. Does NOT include Xrays or Optical Scans BRACES AND CLEAR ALIGNERS FREEEXAM & CONSULT $249 VALUE $199 DOWN $500 OFF • Top 1% Diamond Plus Clear Aligners Provider • Same Day Appointments • Braces Metal & Clear • Clear Aligners • Accepts Insurance • NO REFERRAL NECESSARY CALL TODAY 845-459-8500 PutnamOrthodontics.com SCAN HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT! comprehensive treatment over 18 months. Physical activity benefits people of all ages, including kids. Despite widespread recognition of the positive impact physical activity has on children, many kids are not getting enough exercise. In an analysis of data collected as part of the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that less than one in four children between the ages of 6 and 17 participates in 60 minutes of physical activity per day. When established in childhood and adolescence, good habits like exercising regularly can set young people up for a long, healthy life. Perhaps in recognition of that, parents often look for ways to promote physical activity to their youngsters. Setting fitness goals is one way to help young people exercise more, and the following are a handful of strategies parents can try as they seek to promote a love of physical activity in their children. • Include fun activities in a fitness plan. Adults recognize the importance of planning when aspiring to achieve certain goals, and a plan can be just as integral to getting kids to be more physically active. When devising a fitness plan, parents should be sure to include activities kids find fun. Just because Dad liked playing baseball doesn’t mean his children will. Identify activities that kids enjoy, whether it’s hiking or cycling or playing an organized sport, and include that in the fitness plan. • Involve kids’ friends. Parents often make exercising a family affair, but a 2015 study led by a researcher affiliated with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found that children who exercised with friends were far less likely to cite barriers such as lack of enjoyment or lack of energy as reasons for not exercising. In essence, kids are more inspired to exercise with friends than they are with family members. When establishing fitness goals for kids, parents can work with other parents so kids can pursue those goals together, increasing the chances that those pursuits will be successful. • Set aside time to exercise each day. Physical activity should be part of everyone’s daily routine, and kids are no exception. Such activity does not need to be a grueling workout, and indeed children’s bodies will need time to recover after especially strenuous exercise. But setting aside time each day to be physically active is a good way to ensure kids’ lifestyles are not predominantly sedentary. • Make the goals attainable. Parents may know before kids begin exercising or notice shortly after they start being more physically active how much kids can reasonably handle. The YMCA notes that’s an important factor to consider, as fitness goals should be attainable so anyone adjusting to a new regimen, even kids, stays motivated. A child’s pediatrician can advise on how much exercise youngsters should get each day, and parents can help kids gradually reach that point by setting challenging but attainable goals. Regular physical activity can benefit kids for the rest of their lives. Parents can pitch in by embracing various strategies to help kids establish attainable goals that make fitness fun. This article is from Metro Creative Connection. How to establish fitness goals for kids
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 25 Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates | Estate Planning | Probates Elder Law, Medicaid Coordination & Estate Planning Attorneys We Make Home & Hospital Visits Contact the Team Today! (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr. • Somers, NY 10589 914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com A new generation of family dentistry CALL US & make your appointment TODAY! Wishing you a meaningful Memorial Day During a crisis, my goal is to prioritize the basic steps that will create order out of chaos. This clear-headed approach usually follows several minutes of panic, disorderly behavior and exasperation at the universe’s casual disregard for my family’s well-being. With that out of the way, we can now focus on the three most important things to do when someone you love gets sick. The first thing to do is: Make sure that your loved one has created a well-drafted Power of Attorney. If they have not made one, get it done. A Power of Attorney’s benefits cannot be overstated. If a person cannot make financial decisions, a Power of Attorney authorizes an agent to make those decisions and gain access to financial records. For many families, tight-lipped loved ones may not have enlightened others as to their financial holdings. A Power of Attorney gives you legal authority to find out important financial information. Asset transfers, beneficiary designation changes, and trust planning for Medicaid are built in to well-drafted Powers of Attorney. Powers of Attorney found on the internet or drafted by non-elder care professionals may be missing important sections. A lousy Power of Attorney will screw up your planning. Without a Power of Attorney, your family members would have to seek an Article 81 Guardianship in New York State Supreme Court, which I can assure you, is not a piece of cake. The second thing to do is: Find out the Medicare situation. Does your loved one have straight Medicare with a supplemental insurance or do they have a Medicare Advantage Plan? This is important once the discharge from a hospital to a short-term rehabilitation facility is completed. Ideally, a short-term rehabilitation patient is allotted 100 days for their recovery. Recovery may include physical and occupational therapy, nutrition management and mental health management. The first 20 days are usually covered at 100% by straight Medicare, with the remaining 80 days covered at 80%. A decent supplemental insurance should cover the 20% co-pay. Medicare Advantage plans are more reasonably priced and fit better for healthier seniors, but they may not be the best option for someone in the midst of a major illness. Find out disenrollment and enrollment procedures to maximize health insurance coverage for a loved one. Please, reach out to the rehabilitation facility to find out when Medicare coverage will terminate. A lack of physical therapy progress may end coverage early, before the 100-day period concludes. Remember, once Medicare ends, private pay or Medicaid begins, potentially costing many thousands of dollars. The third thing to do is: contact an elder law professional to set-up a longterm care plan. The overwhelming impact of an illness on a family’s equilibrium is not something to minimize. Doing it yourself works until it doesn’t work. Skilled elder law professionals may be able to organize and protect assets, obtain Medicaid coverage and create legal documents which avoid Probate and limit capital gains taxes. Reducing anxiety and stress during difficult times is our profession’s lasting legacy. Contact the professionals at The Feller Group, P.C. today to review the three things to do when someone gets sick. They can be reached at 845-621-8640. The Feller Group is a multi-disciplinary law practice specializing in elder law, estate planning and business advisement. This article was written by Alan D. Feller, Esq. For more information, visit thefellergroup.com. Three things to do when somone you love gets sick A Power of Attorney’s benefits cannot be overstated. If a person cannot make financial decisions, a Power of Attorney authorizes an agent to make those decisions and gain access to financial records.’ -Alan D. Feller, Esq. The Feller Group, P.C. ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ. GUEST CORNER
Sports PAGE 26 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Somers flag football season began with injuries and a string of losses. So the team figured an attitude adjustment couldn’t hurt. Dinners and off-field get togethers, said Julia Schmidberger, “built our chemistry as a team.” And the results revealed with a berth in the sectionals on May 9 at home versus Panas. But the Tuskers did more than show up. The girls won a resounding 32-0 victory and moved on to face Lakeland in round two on Saturday. The Tuskers did stall in their first drive, though. Two completions and a run got Somers across midfield but they surrendered the possession on downs. No problem, the defense had Panas punting three plays later, and the stampede was ready to begin. Still, a third and 12 looked to say otherwise. Natalia Antonecchia dropped back and threw toward the sideline. Sailing a bit, Khloe Harris matched the throw in kind. The freshman leapt high, made the two handed grab and employed a little amore upon coming back down to earth. “I love to run,” she said, and the receiver cut through for a first down at the 33. A play later, Somers gave Panas some more pass and run. Only with a twist, Antonecchia quickly hit Julia Schmidberger on the right, and she flipped to Cara Persico. Razzle, dazzle, the running back hit the sideline, cut in, and Somers led 6-0 at 15:58. The conversion failing, the defense was not deterred. A sweep right going nowhere and two passes falling incomplete had Panas punting again. Tuskers pound Panas, end season against Lakeland FLAG FOOTBALL BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Wednesday, May 8, Somers faced Ursuline at SHS and hoped to end the regular season on a high note. A tone that was quickly set when Sydney Ingram opened the scoring and would ultimately do justice for the last time the seniors would take their home turf. “I’m really proud of this win,” said Ingraham, and the Tuskers will take a 9-7 record into the sectionals. She didn’t win the opening face. But Ella Lassen got the strip and the steal and Ingraham was back in business. On the left, she danced, juked and cut across the crease for an overhand that found the net at 10:36. The draw again to Ursuline, Ingraham righted the situation herself this time. She got the strip, but the Ursuline goalie denied Ingraham right out front. No problem, Ingraham and the defense got Ursuline in transition, and the ball went back the other way for Fink. She drew the penalty and scored at 7:11. A 2-0 game, Ingraham dug in and set up Somers ends regular season with win over Ursuline Sydney Ingraham PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Mia Parisi GIRLS LACROSSE SEE LACROSSE PAGE 29 SEE FLAG PAGE 27 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/24 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/24 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team
Taking over at the 20, Somers kept the weapons coming. Chloe Gabriele took the hand off, cut inside, burst to the outside and spun her way past midfield for the first down. Fourth down would come due nonetheless, and the Tuskers hit the rewind button. This time Schmidberger reached high for the first down, and she revealed that there was no problem passing on her previous quarterback duties. “I like the thrill of it,” she said. “I like catching the ball.” The junior also feels very comfortable ceding the role to Antonecchia. “She’s calmer than me and very composed,” said the receiver. Two plays later, the duo hooked up for the touchdown, and the starting QB revealed the decision-making process. Reasoning with the coaches, said Antonecchia, “The best possible position for Julia was receiver, and the possible position for me was quarterback.” Doubling down, the QB’s connected on the conversion too. 13-0 with 8:35 left in the half and the defensive tone was immediately set by Angela Roane. Cassidy Pisani attempted to hit the hole so Roane kept her eyes peeled. “I’m always looking at their hips to see where they are moving,” said the defender, and she had the flag pulled before the line of scrimmage was breached. A fumble and a short completion later would prime the Somers offense again. Not this time, the defense picked up the slack anyway. Pisani dropped back at the 40 with 38 seconds left in the half, and Gabriele stepped in front for the interception. A lot of real estate ahead, she almost bought it all. Her flag pulled at the three, Antonecchia delayed on the quarterback draw, and Somers led 19-0 at the half. 25 minutes to go and the teams each gave the ball up on downs to start the second. The ball back to Panas, the visitors threatened past midfield, but Panthers were about to be impaled by EvaMarie Mastrantoni She stepped in front for the pick at the 35 and then showed she had hands on offense too. The senior got open over the middle, pulled in the pass and didn’t get stopped until reaching the 18. Deja vu, Somers faced another fourth down. Sorry Panas, these Tuskers made it look easy. Antonecchia kept her focus left and Persico meandered right. All alone, the running back made the catch and with a strong Lakeland team to face on Saturday, Persico says her girls will simply stay the course. “Working together, concluded Mastrantoni, “we’re going to keep doing what we are doing.” Unfortunately, Somers ran into a tough Lakeland team on Saturday, ending their season with a 27-0 loss. MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 27 FLAG FROM PAGE 26 LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! YOUR FAMILY CAR CARE CENTER For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating relationships and building a remarkable company with an amazing team JOE FERONE, owner of employees! Cara Persico EvaMarie Mastrantoni PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI
PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR If you have had even a passing interest in Somers sports over the last four years, you have likely heard of Mac Sullivan. A triplethreat for the Tuskers, he was a driving force behind the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams throughout his tenure at SHS. In addition to being a two time state champion in football, Mac was also named as an All Section and All State quarterback, and excelled academically as an honor roll student throughout high school. Before he heads off to Towson University in the fall, The Somers Record had a chance to chat with Mac to learn more about his role as a team leader, his favorite Somers memories, and advice to younger Tuskers. As a senior, how much did you value your leadership role on the Tusker teams you played for? My role as a senior is very important to me because this is the last time we get to play together. I think I lead by example, I am vocal when it is necessary and nothing is beneath me. I do not want to be outworked by anyone, and it is important to show the underclassmen how to work hard. Who has been your biggest role model over the years? What have you learned from them? I think my biggest role model over the years has to be my father. My father has been around the sports world for all I can remember. I grew up on the sidelines of football games and practices all throughout my youth. Being around the team made it clear on what I wanted to do when I made it to high school like them. He has taught me so much over the years truly how to be a leader and carry myself as a human. What are your favorite memories from your athletic career at Somers? My favorite memory has to be winning the state championship this year as a senior. It was always a goal among our friends and we did it. Winning the state championship as a junior was amazing as well but to do it as a senior with the boys that I grew up playing with was very special. I am very fortunate as a football player to go to three state championships in a row and to be coached by the best staff in the state. My football coaches at Somers High School have been amazing, I am so lucky and privileged to be coached by Coach DeMatteo and his staff. I cannot fail to mention our trainer Mullen who has done so much for me and every team on our campus. Especially getting me through the state playoffs this year with a fracture on the collarbone and AC joint issue. I love lacrosse but there is no other sport like football and I will truly miss every aspect of the game. What is one thing about you that not many people may know? I love golf. How did it feel to commit to Towson to play Division 1 lacrosse? Are you excited for the fall? Committing to Towson just felt right. I could feel it right away with the coaching staff, they are intense and are committed to their players in every aspect. Of all of the schools during this recruitment journey, I was the most impressed by how Coach Nadelen and his staff approached things. Coach Nadelen has been coaching at Towson for almost 20 years and that was important to me because of the stability and the culture he has created. His culture is something that I can buy into and I can’t wait to play for them. For a young athlete growing up in Somers who wants to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give? Stay humble, give back to your community and don’t stop working or competing. Respect your coaches, your teammates, your teachers and the officials. It is important to get good grades because without that, it is really hard to do anything athletically. Don’t be afraid to do the dirty work. Mac Tusker standout readies for Towson Sullivan was part of two Somers state championship teams. PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN Mac was an integral part of the Tuskers basketball team. PHOTO: RICH MONETTI ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Sullivan
Fink for the scoop. On the ball, any good result that makes it Fink’s way never fails to be a special delight for the draw lady. “I always just want to play for Molly, because she’s my senior,” Ingraham assured endearingly. So the set up away, Lyla Mancini and Mia Parisi played a little give and go. Mancini passed back to Parisi behind the goal, and she hit Mancini cutting across the crease. A step ahead, Mancini swung over her left shoulder, and it was a 3-0 game at 6:22. Of course, one on one works too. Ingraham got the scoop on the draw, and from the top of the key, she put on a spin move to the goal. The defense beat, the goalie didn’t have a chance either. Now 4-0 with 5:11 left in the first, Ingraham sent the ball backwards but never gives up any ground, according to Fink. “She has one mission,” said Fink. “She goes for the ball, and she gets it.” The case here, Fink took the hand off and muscled her way through to put Somers on the set up. Taking the cue, Mancini now went solo, and in dancing from back to front for the goal, had Ingraham’s blessing. “She’s really grown in her dodging,” said Ingraham. “Her confidence has gone through the roof.” Caroline Nowak did answer for a 5-1 game at 2:31, but there was no questioning the Somers attack. Ingraham went sideways for the draw, picked up the bounce and then Fink employed the acrobatics. From the top, Mancini’s pass was a little behind a trailing Fink, and she reached back for the snare. Straightening up, she went around the pick and found the left top corner of the net with 1:27 left in the first. In control, Ingraham and Fink piled on. Dancing on the right, Ingraham waited for Fink to make the cut, and she sliced up the goalie again for a 7-1 advantage at 10:03. The lead would grow to 9-2, and so would a degree of tension. “It was definitely a physical game,” said Fink. But that only works to the Tusker advantage. “It just prepares us to play tougher teams and makes us stronger,” said the senior. Crunch time, Fink and her team feel they are peaking at the right time. “Ending the season with three wins, we are going to keep our momentum going into the sectionals, and I’m really confident,” she concluded. MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 SPORTS THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 29 The Vacation Therapists® We Plan You Relax Frank Bastone, Chief Vacation Therapist®️ [email protected] 845-669-6149 LACROSSE FROM PAGE 26 Ella Lassen PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Julia McCartin
PAGE 30 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Kennedy Catholic’s varsity baseball team captured the division championship after a thrilling 2-1 Senior Night victory over Regis on May 6. The Gaels faced competitive rivals in the final games of the regular season, defeating Iona Prep both at home and on the road. The team will continue to count on the leadership of seniors CJ Griggs of Mahopac, Eli Negron of Peekskill, Jack Williams of Katonah, Chris Echols of Hopewell Junction, Colin Spidal of Carmel, Omar Giret of New Fairfield, and Tyler Widman of Brewster as they look to make a run in the CHSAA Baseball Tournament. Information provided by Kennedy Catholic Prep. Kennedy baseball takes division title BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER After losing a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Somers got a runner on second with two outs in top of the seventh. Unfortunately, Ellie Walsh’s routine grounder to the right side looked like the Tuskers would have to face the Brewster hammer in the bottom of the inning. But while the Bears may have taken the out for granted, the batter didn’t. “You’ve got to keep your head down and run through,” Walsh said, and after Caitlin Fitts’ grounder was not handled at third, Somers had the lead run on the way to a 3-2 win. They also had the lead run before barely getting off the bus. Katie Cole singled up the middle, went to second on Walsh’s sacrifice bunt, and Katherine Papa doubled the run home. Walsh wasn’t done taking one for the team either. Emily Boyle was unable to start, and the lefty took the circle. “It’s been a while since I pitched but having my team behind me was a great booster,” said Walsh. A little shaky to start, Walsh found herself facing runners on second and third. Two walks putting her there, she countered with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to first. Nonetheless, both teams went quietly in the next three half innings. A walk to Walsh in the top of the third was the only base runner, but two more free passes got the Tusker in trouble again. No problem, Walsh got Carly Krebs on strikes, and Katie Cole ran down Natalie Hayes’ pop fly into shallow left. The side retired, Hayes took a walk on the wild side too. Boyle drew a one out base on balls, and then Kiera Griggs and Victoria Morel belted consecutive singles. Griggs was thrown out on Ava Medina’s strike to the plate, but Somers led 2-0. Back to the mound, Walsh didn’t let an infield error bother her. Two flies to center, and a 6-4 force by Cole retired the side. Top of the fifth, Cole led off - and as usual - took what they gave her. “I get pitched outside a lot,” she said, and a single to left looked like the start of things. A pair of ground balls said otherwise, and Brewster took the cue. Taylor Slavkin barely getting a piece had Walsh fielding above the circle, and the pitcher’s low throw put the lead off runner at second. A wild pitch and walk to Medina put runners on the corners, and Brewster opted to get on the board by putting the runners in motion. Medina was thrown out at second, but the throw home did not prevent Slavkin from scoring. The bases cleared, Brewster went nearly on rewind. Joni Slavkin walked, went to second on a wild pitch and then strayed off second. The throw down ended up the centerfield, and Brewster had a tie. So coach and team conferring in the circle, Theresa Ricci knew what she had anyway. “They are the grittiest team I have seen,” she said, and Walsh got the last two outs. A one, two, three sixth didn’t betray the words, though. Playing closer, Boyle only surrendered a weak infield single, and the bats took it from there. Alyssa Pirraglia stroked a one out single, and this time, Cole got one on the inside part of the plate. A scorched liner to right was the result. But even though Gabby Gileno was there, Boyle praised her teammate’s approach. “She has a great mentality going up to the plate,” said Boyle. “You just know she is going to hit the ball.” Of course, Somers wasn’t done yet, and Walsh provided the emphasis with hustle. First and second, this left it to Fitts to live up to her name. A grounder to third, the ball kicked and the freshman made no apologies. “Yeah, “I’ll take it,” Fitts assured. Three outs to go, and Brewster was obviously hoping to get the lead off runner on. So Krebs put the ball in play, and the left side grounder had Boyle knowing what she had too. “Ok, Katie is going to get it,” Boyle recounted. “We’re going to be good.” One out, Boyle took it from there. She got Hayes on strikes, and Lola LaLuna’s pop to first had Ricci whewing the win. “They always play together, and they never give up,” she concluded. Somers is now 9-4 on the season. Somers stays together in win over Brewster Ellie Walsh PHOTO: RICH MONETTI SOFTBALL NO NEWS... 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. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! # 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 Somers Record YES, I really enjoy The Somers Record and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. 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MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 LEISURE THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 31 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. Lunatic 7. Doctor of Education 10. Able to make amends 12. Tight-knit group 13. Gland 14. Intestinal pouches 15. Fungal spores 16. Erstwhile 17. Engine additive 18. Nasal mucus 19. Fit a horse with footwear 21. Consumed 22. Settle 27. Larry and Curly’s pal 28. Basketball’s GOAT 33. Exclamation of surprise 34. Made tight 36. Before 37. Actor Nicolas 38. Not hot 39. Talk 40. Pledge 41. Abandon a mission 44. Trims by cutting 45. Aspects of one’s character 48. Boxing GOAT’s former surname 49. Holy places 50. Body art (slang) 51. Attributes CLUES DOWN 1. How one feels 2. American Nat’l Standards Institute 3. Information 4. Licensed for Wall Street 5. Keyboard key 6. Born of 7. Choose to represent 8. Small European freshwater fish 9. Everyone has their own 10. Line from the center of a polygon 11. Lebanese city 12. Type of watercraft 14. A way to twist 17. Soviet Socialist Republic 18. Greek island 20. Medical practitioner 23. __ DeGaulle, French President 24. Partner to “oohed” 25. Atomic #52 26. Santa’s helper 29. Rapper __ Rule 30. Month 31. Word formed by rearranging letters 32. Nullifies 35. Young woman ready to enter society 36. Unemployment 38. Weight unit 40. Formal party 41. Computer language 42. Residue formula in math 43. Duty or responsibility 44. Part of (abbr.) 45. Time zone 46. Body part 47. Nucleic acid June 17, 2024 at Salem Country Club FRIENDS OF KAREN NEW ACURA - Provided by: Acura of Bedford Hills
PAGE 32 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 C Clark & Giordano | G Funeral Home Clark Funeral Home is now Under New Ownership Family Owned and Operated Joseph Giordano Jr., Owner/Yorktown Graduate and Resident Centrally Located in the Heart of Yorktown Oversized Chapel and Large Parking Lot We look forward to serving and giving back to the community that has been our home for so many years. 2104 Saw Mill River Road (Route 35, 118 & 202) • Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Additional Location: Curry & Giordano Funeral Home, Peekskill 914.962.3333 www.clarkfh.com 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! FACTORY-TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST • CARMEL, NY www.EASTROADMOTORS.com Carolyn Ann Diterichs On Saturday May 11, 2024, Carolyn passed away surrounded by her family. Born January 19, 1933, to Peter and Freida Waeger in the Bronx, NY. She was raised in the Bronx before moving to Mt. Kisco in high school. Carol was a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and was a teacher for over thirty years in the Somers school district spending most of her career at Primrose Elementary and Somers Intermediate School. She was happily married to Ilia (Neil) Diterichs, Jr. for over 67 years. Carol is survived by her loving husband and her two children her son Gregory (Theresa) Diterichs and her daughter Donna Genovesi. She also is survived by her 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren Matthew, Ryan (Jessica) and Tyler Diterichs. Nicole (Kevin) Rogers and Corey Genovesi. And five great grandchildren, Julian, Kai and Kiara Diterichs. Rhett and Beau Rogers. She was predeceased by her sister Madeline Tyndall. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial tribute to Hospice Visiting Nurse Association at RVNAHealth.org. Family and friends were invited to a Memorial Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mt. Kisco on Monday, May 20. Christopher P. Creamer Christopher P. Creamer, resident of Somers, passed away the morning of May 10, 2024, at the age of 79 surrounded by loved ones. Born on October 1, 1944, in the Bronx, NY, to the late Patrick and Brigid (Tague) Creamer. Chris led a life filled with love, laughter, a deep devotion to friends and family, along with enjoyment of his many hobbies. After graduating from St. Helena Business High School, Christopher enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged after completing his committed term of service. Chris joined Con Edison, after serving his country, and worked in Manhattan where he rose up the ranks to become a foreman, retiring after 38 years. On July 12, 1969, he married the love of his life, Mary Rice where they appropriately danced to “The Twelfth of Never”. Chris is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, and his three daughters along with their spouses, Eileen Geller and husband Phil, Bernadette Nanetti and husband Anthony, and Chrissy Fay and husband Tim. Chris deeply cherished being a grandfather and he leaves behind five grandchildren, Hannah and Brooke Geller, Tori Solano, Antonio Nanetti, and Seaghan Fay. He is also survived by his brother, Pat Creamer and his loving cousin Maureen Enright. Shortly after retirement, Chris, and his beloved wife Mary, decided to become snowbirds, buying a second winter residence in Margate, FL where many of their closest friends and family also purchased condos in Oriole Gardens III. Florida was Chris’ Happy Place, and he could often be found on the shores of Pompano Beach with metal detector in hand searching for hidden treasures. Chris loved the beach and while raising his daughters, ensured each summer vacation for them, had some time spent on the Jersey shore. Chris imparted to his daughters the beach routine of laying out in the sun, and when it became too hot, a run into the waves to cool off. He enjoyed fishing and for the past several years, would join his brother-in-law Stevie Rice for an annual fishing trip out of New Rochelle, NY extending the invite to his son-in-laws and grandchildren. Chris was also a passionate card player and often teamed up with Mary for Bridge tournaments, or during family gatherings would get out the canasta cards for a competitive game. To say Chris enjoyed collecting coins would be a vast understatement. Coin collecting was Chris’ passion and he loved to share that enjoyment with fellow collectors or anyone with a passing interest. He was even a guest speaker in his daughter Eileen’s classroom, sharing all there is to know about coin collecting and after the talk, each student left with a coin to start their very own collection. Beyond Chris’ enjoyment of hobbies and games, first in his heart, were the people that filled it. Being in Chris’ presence you knew this immediately, as he would always work to get a smile or better yet, a great big belly laugh through any means that would accomplish the goal. There was no task too big or small that he would help anyone OBITUARIES SEE OBITUARIES PAGE 33
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 33 Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ Joe has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Listens to what you say and follows through in a professional and timely manner. ~J.D. 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 with and could often be found at one of his daughter’s homes helping with some garden activities. Chris was proud of his Irish heritage, and as a child competed in Irish Step Dancing. Later in life, he would dance the Horn Pipe at his daughter’s weddings with partner and longtime friend, Bridgit Duffy. One of Chris’ proudest “Irish” moments was when he was the Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Margate, FL Although the world is a sadder place without Chris, there to tell a joke or mash up of a familiar phrase, friends and family will always carry a smile with them whenever they recall stories of their loved one Christopher P. Creamer. Visitation was held on Tuesday, May 14, at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc. in Mahopac. A Funeral Mass to honor and celebrate Christopher’s life took place on Wednesday, May 15, at St. Joseph’s Church in Somers. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in memory of Christopher Creamer to Hospice of Westchester by visiting www.hospiceofwestchester.org/ donate-today/ Jill D. Trotta Jill D. Trotta of Somers, formerly of Katonah, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at The Paramount in Somers. Jill was born on December 31, 1950 in Brooklyn and spent her childhood living in Freeport, Long Island where she met the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Vincent Trotta. Jill and Vincent married in September 1974 and spent the next 50 years in love and sharing a beautiful, well-lived life together. She dedicated her life as a homemaker, devoted mother of Matthew (Heather) and doting Nonna of Benjamin and Harry, both of whom were always her perfect angels and could do no wrong. In addition to her immediate family, Jill is survived by her older sister Helene DelMese. Jill always put others before herself and spent precious hours as a volunteer at Northern Westchester Hospital and later in life drove elderly clients with no family from the Country House to doctor’s appointments and errands. In recent years, her life revolved around Benjamin and Harry, where she rarely missed any sports game or music concert, managed to track down the most coveted Christmas gifts and sought out any and every opportunity to spend time with them. She shared her love of cooking with them and preparing Sunday night family dinners was the highlight of her week. She was most proud of spending weeks cooking elaborate and delicious Thanksgiving meals as having family around the table brought her joy beyond measure. The Mass of Christian Burial, which will be an opportunity for all who loved her to celebrate her life will be at St. Patrick’s Church, in Bedford, NY on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 11 a.m. Margaret M. Quartironi Margaret M. Quartironi, 82 of Naples, FL (former longtime resident of Somers) passed away peacefully on April 30, 2024 at home surrounded by her family. Margaret was born on September 17, 1941, in the Bronx, NY to the late John and Bridie Kelly. She graduated from Somers High School, where she met her husband to be Jack Quartironi. Margaret loved her community, working part time at the Somers School District and as a real estate agent before becoming the Town Clerk of Somers. Her dedication and service to the town was well-recognized by all throughout her 28 year tenure in the role. During this time, Margaret and Jack raised their three children, all of whom also attended Somers High School. After her retirement, Margaret traveled around the world with her sister, Sister Teresa (Matilda John) Kelly, often volunteering with the Catholic Missionaries of Charity to give back and support underserved communities. She embodied Catholic virtues and was very involved in the church, both in Somers and in Naples, where she resided in the later years of her life. Even in Florida, Margaret’s commitment to civil service continued, as she sat on the board for her local community. Margaret is survived by her two sons Peter (Ann Marie) and Daniel (Rochelle), and her daughter Teresa (Joe). A loving grandmother, she is also survived by Danielle (Chris), Corrinne (Jimmy), John (Ali), Marissa (Adam), Nick, Joe (Emma), Samantha, Jacob, and Emma, as well as her seven great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Jack, and sister, Teresa. Margaret will be dearly missed by her family and many friends throughout Naples and Somers. She will be remembered for her humor, community service, and commitment to living life to its fullest. Friends and family are invited to a memorial for Margaret which will be held at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woodbridge Rd. Katonah, NY 10536 from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Rd. Somers, NY 10589 at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024. OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 32
PAGE 34 – THE SOMERS RECORD AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 Same-Day Roll-Off Container Delivery Available 10-yard • 12-yard • 15-yard 20-yard • 30-yard CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE cironeconstruction.com Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily 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 Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com The Harlem Wizards basketball team, known for their “trick hoops and alley-oops,” visited Primrose Elementary School and Somers Intermediate School (SIS) to share the WizFit challenge with students. “We got to meet the players,” Mackenzie said. All students in both Primrose and SIS participated in the WizFit Challenge by watching six interactive WizFit videos over the course of two weeks on their own time. The challenge is designed to be high-energy, engaging, fitness-forward, and inclusive, providing activities that everyone can take part in. The Harlem Wizards held assemblies to kick off the challenge and get students excited to get fit. “You have to watch these WizFit videos,” Mackenzie said. “We got to learn new exercises.” Another set of assemblies was held again at the end of the challenge. During the culmination assemblies, the basketball players did tricks and had the students and staff participate in different physical activities such as jumping jacks, high knees, dancing, and reaching with their basketballs. All students received prizes for participating in the WizFit Challenge, regardless of their level of involvement. “We did the WizFit Shuffle,” said Cooper. “It’s a dance the Wizards do,” Mackenzie added. “You win prizes like a water bottle and a basketball.” Proceeds from the WizFit Challenge go directly to the Somers Education Foundation (SEF). SEF is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization that raises funds for student- and teacher-initiated projects that are not otherwise funded within Somers Central School District’s budget. This year, Primrose even raised enough funds to stick Coach Mallon to the wall! “The most challenging part was moving the ball around your back and trying to balance it on your finger,” Mackenzie said. “I would do WizFit again,” added James. Once the challenge was complete, the Harlem Wizards returned one last time to take on administrators, faculty, and staff known as the Somers Wiz Busters in a friendly head-to-head basketball game at Somers High School. Despite a valiant effort from the Somers Wiz Busters, the Harlem Wizards took the win. Article courtesy of Somers Central School District. Harlem Wizards return to Somers The Wizards helped students to get excited about getting fit. All students in SIS and Primrose participated in the WizFit Challenge. Proceeds from the WizFit Challenge go directly to the Somers Education Foundation. A team of faculty and staff took on the Wizards in a friendly game after the challenge was complete. MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Editorial Submissions Press releases and high-resolution photos should be submitted to The Somers Record by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected].
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 35 Our Fences Include: Chain Link Aluminum Wood Vinyl Deer Fencing Railings scrfence.com | 914-302-2552 GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS. -Robert Frost See Our Great Selection of Styles & Colors! Material Also Available for DIY. 2013 Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 [email protected] Westchester’s Leading Fence Installer Proud To Be Locally Owned Building Superior Fences at Competitive Prices Proudly Partnered With AFA (American Fence Association) Service... Integrity... Compassion 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. Anthony J. Guarino Family Owned & Operated 945 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, NY 10588 • (914) 962-0700 YorktownFuneralHome.com • [email protected] Elder Law & Estate Planning Wills, Trusts & Estates Small Business • Real Estate Matrimonial • Criminal Personal Injury • Commercial SOMERS • YONKERS Evening Appointments & Home Visits Tel: 914-964-6806 www.marralaw.com • [email protected] Rtes.#100 & 202 across from the Elephant Hotel). The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. following the parade at the Veterans Memorial in Ivandell Cemetery. Please bring your own chairs. For more information, email somershistoricalsoc@yahoo. com or call (914) 656-8569 or (914) 277-3637. Town of Somers Department of Parks & Recreation Spring Programs 2024 Registration now available online. For detailed program information, visit www.somersny. com, click on “Parks and Rec” and then “Program Registration Site.” For any questions call 914-232-8442 or email parks@ somersny.com Adult Cornhole League The Department of Parks and Recreation with A1 Athletics is looking to start an adult corn hole league. For more information and team entry forms, please contact 914-232-8442 or email parks@ somersny.com Day Camp Positions Now accepting applications for Arts & Crafts Specialist and Counselor. To be a camp counselor, applicants need to be at least 16 years old by the start of camp, 7/1. Preference is given to applicants who are available to work the entire 6 weeks, Monday-Friday, 7/1-8/9. To apply, go to www.somersny.com Somers Library Please register using the online calendar at www.somerslibrary. org to have access to online meetings. If virtual, you will receive an invitation prior to the start of the program. Programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through patrons’ generous contributions. Drop-In Crafts Thursday, May 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. Drop into the children’s library after school for a special craft! You can make your craft in the library or take it with you to build at home! We have a new craft every other Thursday. All materials will be provided, while supplies last. No registration required. Junior Snacks Around the World Thursday, May 23, from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. The very popular teen program, now for kids ages 7-11! In this program, you can sample the cookies, chips, crackers and candy that kids are eating in other countries. The library cannot take responsibility for any food allergies. Registration required. A Film Feast of Asian & Pacific Islander Cuisine Wednesday, May 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. A virtual program. In celebration of American Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, embark on a captivating exploration of Asian and Pacific Islander cuisine through the lens of cinema with William Costanzo, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Film. Join in on Zoom for an immersive experience featuring iconic films that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of the region. Three-Book Book Club - Ghost Roast Monday, June 3, from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Located in the Conference Room. For this middle school book club, the library will be reading three books culminating with a special Zoom on Monday, June 18, with the authors of these books. This is your chance to read a book and learn about what inspired the author and how they write! The three books are The Heartbreak Bakery, The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, and Ghost Roast. If you have already read the books and want to join in for any of the book discussions or the Zoom, sign up for the programs individually. Though this is geared to middle school students, the library welcomes any high school students who want to participate. Rock n’ Rescue Charity Golf Tournament Wednesday, June 12 South Salem’s Rock n’ Rescue will hold their annual golf tournament at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, Connecticut. Funds raised will go towards updating a new Rock n’ Rescue facility and the expansion of the organization’s animal adoption and therapy programs. Programs are entirely funded by donations, and the organization does not receive any government subsidies. The golf tournament serves as one of Rock n’ Rescue’s primary fundraisers for all of their programs. Fees are $200 per person, TRUNK FROM PAGE 4 SEE TRUNK PAGE 36 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
PAGE 36 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 Elaine (Maidnick) Taffler October 23, 1932 – May 9th, 2024, 91 years old Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1932 Elaine lived in and around New York City most of her life until moving to Berea, KY in 2016. Though small in stature she was mighty! Known as “Bubbie” to her husband, she met and married the love of her life Sy Taffler in 1954. They were both first generation Americans and were married for over 70 years. Together they built and fashioned a rich life of adventure, love, and friendship. Elaine put herself through Brooklyn college going at nights as a young mother. She eventually became a teacher. She was Mrs. Taffler to all the 4th grade students she taught for over 30 years. She loved teaching; it inspired her, and she inspired her students. Some have kept up with her until this day. Elaine was passionate about many things. She loved art and was a talented painter, she cooked fabulous meals and entertained often. There were pig roasts and lamb roasts on spits in open fire pits behind their house in Katonah, NY. A belly dancer even appeared in full dress dancing away at one gathering. She marveled at Julia Child and Craig Claiborne and taught herself how to cook and bake. Her almond cake and linzer tortes were renowned! Oh, and Elaine had style! Early on she worked for a fashion magazine – and small as she was, she sewed many of her own clothes. When she could afford to - she would buy cutting edge fashion. Elaine complained mightily about her small feet – she wore a size 4 shoe - finding “grown up shoes” was always a challenge. Elaine and Sy traveled the world when able (Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia). Owning things was not a priority for them but experiences counted high on their list. As first-generation Americans their childhoods were limited and marred by difficult circumstances. Undeterred, they were determined to give their children experiences that they never had. They were like big kids, enthralled, passionate and curious about everything. There was a family camping through Europe, and their first airplane trip was to Expo 67 in Montreal Canada. Elaine made every day exciting and wonderous, she danced, and listened to music, she always planted a garden and used its bounty. She included her children in all that she did. It was not unusual to take a Saturday outing – like going to LaGuardia airport in NYC to watch planes land and take off dreaming of where to go next. Or visiting the docks at Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn to watch ships being loaded and unloaded, and eating pickles from barrels, and delicious meatball sandwiches from the now long-gone Italian market Trinacria. Her last big adventure was a joyous trip to Alaska with family and friends. Elaine found joy in everything. Visiting museums, going to the theater, outings to parks, playing with her children, hiking, skiing, ice skating, baking, doing whatever. She felt fortunate to have so much in her life – which included a circle of very close friends. Elaine was one the kindest, most delightful, fun, funny, gracious, courageous, and loving friend, mother, and wife you ever wanted to know. She will be sorely missed. She is survived by her husband Sy Taffler, Her daughter Robin Taffler and husband Dick Dougherty, her grandson Casey Dougherty (Marin) and great grandson Cuan. She is also survived by the “Irish” side of the family. Dorran Dougherty and Janet Butler, Charles Dougherty, Jessica Dougherty, and Morgan Mae McClellan. She also leaves behind her nephew Gabriel Fox, (Tammi), and great nephews Zeke and Micah Fox, along with many many friends and relatives whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased in by her parents May Block, and Ruben Maidnick and her much adored son Jonathan Taffler. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. It will include desserts of course! OBITUARY 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com • [email protected] DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor • BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director • RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad Station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 • Cremations and Burials or $800 per foursome. Individual golfers and twosomes will be paired into foursomes. Guests may attend the dinner for $85 per person. The tournament includes driving range, golfer swag bag, and a dinner with silent and live auction/raffle festivities for golfers and guests following the tournament. Sign up is available by visiting https://bit.ly/49LmRXK Art by Daisy de Puthod May & June The community is invited to view the artwork of Daisy de Puthod, featuring representational oil paintings, prints and samples of house portraits at Somers Library. A June art show is also planned for Hayfields Café and Florist in North Salem, opening to be determined. To learn more, visit www.daisydeputhod.com The Schoolhouse Theater www.theschoolhousetheater.org What Keeps Us Going May 24 thru June 9 Performances to be held on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 & 7 p.m., and Sundays at 3 & 7 p.m. Marie is smart and knows it. Why not? She’s been a star all her life. Sophisticated, but not jaded, and comfortable in her “golden” years in Westchester. Now? Cody (that charmer) wants her for his famous theater’s A-list benefit? And omygosh something’s wrong with the plumbing? Maybe that handsome Hungarian with those flirty grey eyes and his irresistible dog Sanchez can brighten up the day? “What Keeps Us Going” is Barbara Dana’s hilarious and warm new comedy directed by the one and only Austin Pendleton, starring Tony Award winning Karen Ziemba (Contact), Tony-nominated Tim Jerome (Me and my Girl), Tony-nominated Amelia Campbell (Our Country’s Good), and “Tony” Anthony Arkin (Succession)! A world premiere, a powerhouse cast, and a real live dog! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.the schoolhousetheater.org Somers Independence Day Celebration Wednesday, July 3 In partnership with Somers Lions Club and Somers Chamber of Commerce. Featuring a basketball tournament, hot dog eating contest, fun activities for kids and adults, the famous Somers Lions BBQ, Reis Park concession stand, town-sponsored axe throwing, live music by Happy Crabs and Pork Chop Express, and fireworks! To be held in Reis Park beginning at 5 p.m. For Somers residents and accompanying guests (no pets allowed.) Shuttle bus between Somers High School and Reis Park. Muscoot Farm 51 Route 100 in Katonah Art Exhibit & Sale Muscoot Farm is hosting an art exhibit and sale by the Westchester Watercolor Collective every weekend in May. A wide variety of original paintings, prints, greeting cards and mugs will be on display. The WWC was established in 2021 by watercolor artist, Lori McQueeney. With past TRUNK FROM PAGE 35 SEE TRUNK PAGE 37 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 37 success in the fields of healthcare, education, marketing and small business ownership, members of the group - all women - found camaraderie through a shared love of the arts and a passion for watercolor painting. The public is welcome to enjoy the various painting styles, loose, realistic abstract and bold, of participating artists Amy Galinko, Julie Gherardi , Lori McQueeney, Carol Rapport-Sommer and Trude Ritz. Somers Lions Club In 1966, the Somers Lions Club was chartered and has grown exponentially with dedicated men and women who volunteer their time, skills, and energy to make a difference in people’s lives, both in our community and for the charities we support. Lions can be found working on “hands-on” projects, fundraising, and running numerous community events in and around Somers. If you are in need of assistance, there is a good chance that the Lions can help. Visit www.somerslionsclub.org for more information. Follow on social media @somerslions. The Somers Lions would like to welcome its newest members and are proud to serve alongside you. A Message from The Friends of the Somers Library The Friends of the Somers Library is dedicated to supporting and enriching the Somers Library. Over the years, the library has played an essential role in the Town of Somers by providing access to knowledge, fostering literacy, and serving as a gathering place for residents of all ages. Our organization has been working to fund the library’s resources and programs. We have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that the library has on our community, and we are committed to ensuring its continued success. To that end, we are reaching out to you to request your support in our mission. The financial support of town residents has played a pivotal role in the growth and improvement of the Somers Library over the years, and we are grateful for the continued dedication. Your generous donations have enabled us to: Enhance Educational Programs: Through your support, we’ve been able to offer engaging and educational programs for children, teens, and adults, including author talks, workshops, and live events. Improve Facilities: Your contributions have helped us make vital improvements to the library ensuring a comfortable and welcoming environment for all visitors. Promote Involvement: Your donations have enabled us to launch initiatives aimed at community involvement in our town, including summer reading programs for children and educational programs for adults. As we look ahead, we are eager to expand our offerings. To achieve these goals, we kindly ask for your continued financial support. To make on online donation, please visit the library’s website at www.somers library.org and click on the “support” tab in the menu. Follow the prompts to the Friends of the Somers Library. To donate in person, there are membership flyers available at the front desk of the library that you can fill out and leave with one of the librarians. If you received one of our mailings, you can send a check in the envelope provided. Your donation, will make a significant difference in helping us fulfill our mission. Donating to the Friends of the Somers Library is an investment in the future of our town. TEAM Tuskers Mentors Sought for Intermediate & Middle School Program TEAM Tuskers Mentoring is looking for adults interested in spending time with a 3rdthrough 8th-grade student at their school for the upcoming school year. The commitment is to spend 1 hour a week, every week with a student and make a difference in their life. You will develop a relationship and help open new lines of communication while playing games, doing puzzles, or just chatting. Please consider volunteering for this great program. A child will benefit from spending time with you! For more information, visit somersschools.org/Page/7356 or call 914-481-2716. Somers PTA Council Spirit Wear Sale The Somers PTA Council is selling Somers Spirit wear. The store is open year-round and items ship to your home. Promo codes are available on the website. Visit our store at teamlocker. squadlocker.com/#/lockers/ somers-pta-council-store TRUNK FROM PAGE 36 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! 845-278-7312 ALL FUEL CO. 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PAGE 38 – THE SOMERS RECORD MAY 23 - JUNE 5, 2024 MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 | Exit 36B I-87 | Exit 17 Earn Entries All Month Long! Saturday, May 25 • 10pm Win a Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback! *Actual model and color may vary. FORD MUSTANG DRAWING MAY IS LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH!! RAISING AWARENESS, FUNDING RESEARCH, & SUPPORTING LUPUS WARRIORS! JOIN US AT OUR SPRING NETWORKING MIXER ON THE PATIO AT THE GRAMERCY THURSDAY, MAY 23 6-8PM Lupus is a complex, chronic autoimmune disease that has no cure For more info, scan the QR code or email [email protected] 345 KEAR ST, YORKTOWN HTS, NY BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Somers is getting ready to serve up six new tennis courts that are destined to become a big source of Tusker pride. Approved by school district voters two years ago, the $1.4 million capital project broke ground at the high school on Thursday, May 2, and is expected to be complete by this fall, according to Athletics Director Marc Hattem. Work on the school district’s new softball and baseball fields -- also located at the high school on Primrose Street (Route 139) -- will begin this summer. At present, students have to play on the public tennis courts at nearby Reis Park. Many decried the plastic mat surface on three courts there which, they said, was dangerously slippery when both wet and when dry and caused balls to bounce differently than a traditional concrete or clay one. The other three were made of astro turf and sand. Players complained that sand got in their shoes. Being bused back and forth from the school to the park interfered with practice times and kids had to change in the library’s bathrooms, which only had two stalls. Some were penalized for being late to their matches. Student athletes also felt that being located off campus had a negative impact on the number of people watching their games. And other teams ridiculed them for playing on non-traditional courts, they said. Tusker spirit suffered. The new courts can fit two dozen players at a time, which means they could play doubles. Next up – perhaps for the 2025-2026 school year – are modified tennis classes for middle-schoolers, Hattem said last week. There will be bleachers and an ADA-compliant path, too. No scoreboard, however. There is a good possibility that the courts may be accessible to the general public. One caveat -- there are no outdoor lights so night games are out of bounds. The boys’ and girls’ tennis teams are thrilled at the prospect of finally having a court of their own. “It’s that sense of ownership, to be able to just walk over there for practice. It’s definitely putting a smile on their faces,” Hattem said. Tennis, anyone? School district breaks ground on new courts Gabby Crecco, Kayla Rosetti, and Chloe Monachelli PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT The Somers High School Mock Trial team recently competed in the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA) Mock Trial Competition against schools throughout the county. The students worked hard all year, holding weekly meetings since September. Together they learn courtroom procedures including how to speak with the judge, how to present things into evidence, and how to impeach a witness. They also study legal terms, objections likely to be seen in a trial, and even what to wear to court. “There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for the competition outside of our meetings,” said Allie Lusthaus. “We write direct and cross-examinations as well as opening and closing statements.” In December, students were given the case for their mock trial in the competition, and they began working together twice a week for two hours each time to prepare. Students memorized questions and answers for different roles in the mock trial. They even worked closely with a real lawyer who helped them with many aspects of the mock trial. “Mr. Foley is a lawyer who helped us write cross-examination and direct examination questions,” said Jake Combs. “He also taught the student witnesses how to strategically help our side in the case when the opposing school is cross-examining them. Mr. Foley used his expertise to prepare us for the trial.” After months of careful preparation and planning, the team competed in a real courtroom in front of a real judge at the WCBA in March. Every year, mock trial teams are given either a criminal or a civil case. This year’s trial was a criminal case. The team had to represent both the prosecution and the defense on different days during the competition. “The competition itself was a very energizing environment,” said Allie. “Everyone was nervous but excited to be there.” The Somers Mock Trial Team did a great job in the competition, but eventually lost to the top overall seed in the knockout stages. Once a team is eliminated from the competition, they are done for the year. The winners of the Westchester County Finals will move on to compete again in Albany for the state competition, and then advance beyond that to the national competition. Article courtesy of Somers Central School District. SHS mock trial team makes a case for preparation The team recently took part in the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA) Mock Trial Competition.
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Buying Books Old & Rare Call Carol: 914-533-2569 or 914-482-3971(Cell) BENEVOLENT BIBLIOPHILE To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Notice of Formation of Tri County Home Watch, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/04/2024. Office Location: 41 Grandview Road, South Salem, New York, Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Tri County Home Watch, LLC, 41 Grandview Road, South Salem, New York, 10590. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice Of Formation of NY & BEYOND LLC. Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/27/2024. OFFICE location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to NY & Beyond LLC 14 Locust Hill Ave #4N Yonkers NY 10701. Purpose: Any legal purpose. LEGAL NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. Name: Broadstreet Insurance Agency, LLC. Application for Authority was filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on: March 7, 2024. Office location: 9 Annarock Drive, Somers, New York 10589. County: Westchester County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to the limited liability company at: Broadstreet Insurance Agency, LLC, 9 Annarock Drive, Somers, New York 10589. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF 2024 TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE TOWN OF SOMERS WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK Pursuant to §506 & §526 of the Real Property Tax Law Information on Filing of the Tentative Roll; & Pursuant to RPTL §508 & §525 on Grievance Day: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2024 Tentative Assessment Roll for the Town of Somers, County of Westchester, will be completed and will be available for inspection online at www.somersny.com beginning June 1. The Assessor will be in attendance with the Town of Somers 2024 tentative assessment roll on the following days and times; appointments are required: Tuesday, June 4th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Thursday, June 6th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday, June 10th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, by phone appointment only Saturday, June 15th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, by phone appointment only Call (914)277-3504. For phone appointments, call by 4 pm on June 10th. 1. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Somers, Westchester County, will meet to hear and examine all properly filed grievance complaints on real property assessments on Grievance Day, Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Somers Town Hall Meeting Room. The completed grievance complaint application, RP-524, and supporting documentation must be received by the Board of Assessment Review prior to completion of the Grievance Day hearings. If mailing, please send to: Board of Assessment Review; C/O Town of Somers Assessor; 335 Route 202; Somers, NY 10589. Grievances may also be dropped off at the Assessor’s Office during normal hours, or dropped in the mail slot of the Annex Building any time up until Grievance Day. For grievance hearing and scheduling information, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (914) 277-3504. Applications and general instructions for contesting your assessment are available online at: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/grievancebooklet.pdf 2. Judicial review of your assessment is available if you are dissatisfied with the determination made by the Board of Assessment Review. Dated this 23rd day of May, 2024 Teresa A. Stegner, IAO Assessor 3. Selling Something? Looking To Buy Something? Having An Event? Reach Thousands of our Readers at a Low Cost! [email protected] Email: BUCKINGHAM ESTATE SALE 32 Deep Gorge Road, Greenwich CT 06831 FRI, 5/31, SAT, 6/1 & SUN, 6/2 10am-4pm GORGEOUS CONTEMPORARY HOME FILLED WITH IMMACULATE FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Brown Leather Natuzzi Sectional, Eames-Style Lounge Chair w/Ottoman, Linden DR Table w/Chairs. Antique Mahogany DR Cabinet. MBR by Huppe, Crystal Rock Lamps, Leather Sofa Set, Coffee/End Tables, Hitchcock Rocker, Rosewood Oriental Tables, Murano Glass Lamp. 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