VOL. 13 NO. 7 THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 CLASSIFIEDS 27 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 LEGAL NOTICES 27 LEISURE 23 OPINION 10 SPORTS 18 King Kone Opens pg 14 ICE CREAM! Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Please note that the May 18 edition of e Somers Record went to press before the May 16 budget vote and Board of Education election. For full results, please visit TapintoSomers.net With only 726 projects accepted from 31 states and 63 countries around the world, the competition was sti . However, with countless of hours of planning and research, nine Somers High School students rose to the top. Led by Dr. William E. Maeliathe, the school’s Science Research Program has produced nine nalists for this year’s International GENIUS Olympiad. e event is scheduled for June 12-17 at the Rochester Institute of Technology and will host approximately 1,100 students. “I think Maelia has done a really good job of pushing us to try our best and make sure our projects are up to standard,” said junior Conner Entenberg, one of the program’s nine nalists. “I think it also says something about the students. All the people here are really dedicated to science and willing to put in the work and e ort to go that extra mile.” Entenberg was also one of just 15 students to receive a grand prize last month at the 22nd annual Regeneron Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). Somers High School hosted the event for the rst time and welcomed more than 550 students from 40 high schools in Westchester and Putnam counties. Olympiad Heroes! SHS students named International GENIUS finalists Nine SHS Science Research students are headed to the Rochester Institute of Technology in June. SEE OLYMPIAD PAGE 24 The most exciting equestrian experience. 740 acres of pure perfection is on the market. The epitome of luxury for horses and their owners. Scan for Video & Property Details
PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 The Stafi EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing o ices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Sponsored by Info.KeystoneSenior.com/WH-MayEvent or (203) 443-8445 SCAN ME! INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY INFORMATION SESSION EVALUATING RETIREMENT LIVING OPTIONS How To Increase Your Income During Retirement Years SPACE IS LIMITED Info.KeystoneSenior.com/WH-MayEvent (203) 443-8445 REGISTER FOR YOURSELF AND A GUEST TODAY RSVP REQUIRED 66 Wooster Heights Rd • Danbury, CT 06810 Topics to be covered: ✔ Understanding the difference between independent living, assisted living and specialized memory care assisted living ✔ The cost of living at home vs. moving to an independent living community ✔ Why where you live can have a significant impact on your overall health and quality of life ✔ Little-known ways to pay for your retirement living situation Tues, May 23rd 12:00 noon Lunch will be served Wed, May 24th 5:30 pm Dinner will be served LOCATION Mamma Rosa Ristorante 252 Route 100 • Somers, NY 10589 Featured Speaker: Joe Roche, MA Community Organization and Planning Nationally recognized retirement living expert by the Consumer Federation and Senior Housing Business Are you or a loved one considering a retirement community, but uncertain about the various alternatives? Our information sessions are designed to answer your questions. DATES & TIMES CHOOSE FROM ONE OF TWO SESSIONS! Somers Lions Club Carnival Until May 21 To be held at Fireman’s Field on Rt. 202. Featuring rides, games, food, and fun! Pay one price ride special every day! The Fabric of Our Community Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Through June 30 Hosted by Coldwell Banker Realty, featuring an exhibit by local artists. Free admission. Located at e Bailey House, 338 Route 202 in Somers. Somers Education Foundation www.sefny.org GOLF OUTING Monday, June 12, at 11 a.m. Returning for the 22nd time! To be held at Anglebrook Golf Club Somers Recreation Department 914-232-8441 [email protected] SPRING PROGRAMS Registration now open! Visit www.somersny.com, then click on “Parks & Recreation” and scroll down to “Program Registration Site.” Available programs are in the green tab. DAY CAMP REGISTRATION O ering a variety of fun lled activities, sports, group games, arts and crafts, performers and special theme days. ere is also a NEW on-site in atable waterslide! e camp fee includes all programs, themed days and entertainment. Grades: Entering Kindergarten - 8th in Sept. 2023 Camp Dates: 6/26 - 8/4 No Camp 7/3 & 7/4 Camp Fee: $850.00 For the entire 6 weeks DAY CAMP POSITIONS AVAILABLE First Aid Supervisor, Counselor. To be a camp counselor applicants need to be at least 16 years old by the start of camp, 6/26. Applicants available to work the entire 6 weeks of camp, Mon.-Fri. 6/26-8/4, will be given preference. To apply, visit www. somersny.com. If you have any questions, please call the Recreation Department at (914) 232-8442 Westchester Female Flag Football Registration is open for Summer Female Flag Football under the lights! Westchester Female Flag Football, powered by Gridiron Partners, o ers a summer league for adults ( ursday evenings) and youth (Tuesday evenings) from late June through early August at the Somers High main football turf eld. Please visit their website to learn more and register https:/ clubs.bluesombrero.com/gridiron. Visit them on Instagram and Facebook @gridiron partnersinc Rochambeau Festival at Rochambeau Park Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. e Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission / Yorktown 250 in partnership with the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association (W3R) and the Yorktown Grange will commemorate the role that French General Count de Rochambeau and the French army played in aiding General Washington and the Continental Army in the ght for freedom from British rule. Visitors to Rochambeau Park will join local, county and state o« cials in welcoming our French allies, be able to discuss the French army’s role in winning our independence with a Rochambeau national scholar, ELEPHANT’S TRUNK SEE TRUNK PAGE 24
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Caitlyn Stellwagen began performing at age 6 and has never looked back. Since appearing in a Yorktown Stage production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” she has since amassed an impressive performing arts resume, with her talents taking her far beyond the borders of Somers. In addition to being a part of the theater scene at SHS, she has also appeared in a national tour of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: e Musical,” and performed at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Before she heads o to American University in the fall, we caught up with Caitlyn to learn more about her favorite traditions at SHS, her newfound spot in a rock band, and her advice for younger performers who want to achieve her level of success. When did you begin pursuing your interest in the arts? I began pursuing my interest in the arts at 3 years old with dance. I have always been a theatrical person. I could often be found singing in my living room for relatives, making music videos with my friends, or sketching a comedy routine with my cousins. By 6 years old, I was in my rst ever musical theater production: “Bye Bye Birdie” at Yorktown Stage. What do you count as some of your biggest infi uences? Auditioning frequently as a child taught me lessons that I will use for the Somers senior refl ects on storied high school career Caitlyn Stellwagen rocking out with Cavemen. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAITLYN STELLWAGEN Stellwagen began her career with a performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” at Yorktown Stage. PERFORMING ARTS SPOTLIGHT ‘In the performing arts, you have to get used to taking risks.’ Caitlyn Stellwagen HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Somers Smiles and Dr. Giaa Ferranti Quality Dentistry from Professionals Who Care. 4 Heritage Hills 202 Center rest of my life. Constant exposure to a professional environment obligated me to mature at an early age to appease and befriend my grown-up coworkers. I had conquered public speaking before I could tie my own shoes. I became familiar with rejection, and it sincerely did not get to me. I credit my work ethic and character today to my unique childhood. What is your favorite memory of the arts in Somers schools? What moment are you most proud of? After the Sunday performance of each musical here at Somers High School, the juniors of the cast put together an informal ceremony called “Senior Flowers.” Each junior is assigned to a senior, gets them a ower, and says a few words to congratulate them. As a senior this year, it was an incredibly bittersweet moment. I have made such incredible friends and memories with SHS Musical Co., and this year’s Senior Flowers was a perfect ending to an unforgettable experience. Where will you be attending college? Will you continue to pursue the arts? I’m attending American University in the fall! While I am not majoring or minoring in theater, I will absolutely still be involved in performing arts. ere’s a record label and radio station on campus, which I hope to be a part of. I’m majoring in Communications with a minor in Business and Entertainment. With that, I hope SEE SWELLWAGEN PAGE 5
PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD Logan Ticker understands pets have needs. After all, he owns six of them — all dogs. So when two fthgrade classes at SIS joined forces to solicit donations, Ticker knew exactly what he would contribute. “We bought stu that our dogs like,” Ticker said of he and his family. “I brought in food and toys — and treats also.” Ticker and other fth-grade students gathered much more than their own supplies. anks to their school-wide promotion, the SIS students raised piles of donations that will be delivered to the Putnam Humane Society and the New Fair eld-Sherman Animal Welfare Society. “I donated mostly toys with catnip,” said fth-grader Samantha Du y, who has a cat and a dog at home. “My cat really likes them.” eir teachers will deliver the goods, but it was the students’ e orts that helped compile them. Du y was one of the students who spoke over the school’s loudspeaker during morning announcements last month to remind students and sta about the ongoing donations. e students also formed groups to create posters to hang around school. e donations included items beyond just toys and treats. Some students donated pricey medicines while others provided gift cards that can be used for other pertinent items. e students were clearly proud, beaming at the thought of helping animals in need. “We were happy to get food and other items for animals who live in shelters,” Du y said. “ ey might not have everything our pets have.” Article courtesy of Somers Central School District. Fifth-graders solicit donations for pets in need SOMERS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ‘We were happy to get food and other items for animals who live in shelters. They might not have everything our pets have.’ Samantha Dufi y THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 A C T I V E H O M E S F O R S A L E 2 5 3 4 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 S O M E R S M A R K E T U P D A T E A P R I L 2 0 2 3 A V E R A G E S A L E P R I C E $ 7 4 0 , 0 9 6 H O M E S S O L D - Y T D 3 1 3 7 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 2 % I N C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 S I N G L E F A M I L Y A C T I V E H O M E S F O R S A L E 1 7 1 9 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 A V E R A G E S A L E P R I C E $ 5 8 2 , 5 3 7 H O M E S S O L D - Y T D 3 2 3 9 % D E C R E A S E F R O M 2 0 2 2 1 5 % I N C R E A S E C F R O M 2 0 2 2 O N D O M I N I U M S Source: OKMLS, single family & condominium, active, sold & average sale price, 01/01/2023 - 04/30/2023 as compared to 01/01/2022 - 04/30/2022, Somers school district. T H I N K I N G A B O U T S E L L I N G YO U R H O M E O R C O N D O ? I T ' S T H E P E R F E C T T I M E T O B E O N T H E M A R K E T. W E H AV E L O W I N V E N T O R Y A N D M A N Y B U Y E R S . P L E A S E F E E L F R E E T O C O N TA C T M E A N Y T I M E . I ' M H E R E T O H E L P. D O N N A O ' C O N N E L L A s s o c i a t e R e a l E s t a t e B r o k e r S o m e r s B r o k e r a g e M 9 1 4 . 2 6 3 . 9 1 0 8 O 9 1 4 . 2 7 7. 8 0 4 0 Ext. 3 3 4 D o c o n n e l l @ h o u l i h a n l a w r e n c e . c o m d o n n a o c o n n e l l . h o u l i h a n l a w r e n c e . c o m
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 to intern in something related to the performing arts. How do you prepare for a show? ere is a lot of time spent rehearsing before a show. I spend countless hours at the theater rehearsing dances, vocals, and scenes, but just as much time is put into rehearsing at home. After rehearsals is when most of the memorization is done. As for an opening night, I spend a lot of time with my friends in the cast to prepare. Showing up early at the theater before an opening to get ready with friends is a huge part of creating that energy. Feeding o each other’s excitement is what makes opening night so special. And for physical preparation, I owe a lot of credit to my Dyson Air Wrap. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? Spend time with friends! I love going out to dinner with friends or just hanging out at each other’s houses. I also absolutely love driving, so I am always willing to go for a drive and explore. Tell us something not many people know about you. I recently started singing with the band Cavemen, and absolutely love it. Rock and Roll has always been my favorite music to listen to, so getting to sing it live for people has been an amazing experience. To shamelessly plug, Cavemen will be performing at the Fireman’s Field Carnival on Friday, May 19, and at Doghaus Biergarten on Saturday, May 20! Additionally, one of my bigger theater credits is a national tour of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: e Musical.” I lived in Nashville, TN, for two months, performing at the Grand Ole Opry! What is the go-to app on your phone? Pinterest is my go-to app on my phone. I’m obsessed with fashion, so I love scrolling on my feed to nd inspiration and see what new ways people style di erent pieces. Pinterest is also where I nd nail art inspiration, new hairstyles, and more recently, dorm room decor! If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? I would love to stop time. My years at high school feel like they have gone by so fast, especially with losing freshman year. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I feel so grateful to have something that is so hard to say goodbye to, but I wish I could stop time to be this age for just a little longer. What is the best place to eat in Somers? Muscoot Tavern is my favorite place for dinner in Somers. ey serve this amazing bread with a side of pesto to dip it in, it’s so delicious. My go-to meal there is pasta with broccoli rabe. I love how close it is too, it’s a great meeting spot for me and my friends. A great bonus is that it’s right next to King Kone, you can walk over for ice cream after dinner! What advice would you give to younger students interested in pursuing the arts? Take risks! In the performing arts, you have to get used to taking risks. ere are many times where I have considered not doing a show, not taking that class, not auditioning, etc., and I end up having the time of my life after doing it! You truly never know until you try. Along the way, I have met some of my best friends and made life-long connections with directors and peers. STELLWAGEN FROM PAGE 3 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAITLYN STELLWAGEN Caitlyn has performed with a national tour of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical.” Caitlyn will be headed to American University in the fall. Your Family Car Care Center! LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Visit us at www.ProperService.com For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating releationships, and building a remarkable company with an amazing team of employees! Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center!
PAGE 6 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 Members of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department recently honed their skills opening inward and outward swinging doors on the department’s new forcible entry prop. e device allows members of the SVFD to train under more realistic conditions. SVFD stays sharp! PHOTOS COURTESY OF SVFD A single-vehicle accident sent three people to the hospital on Saturday, May 13, after the car left the road and crashed into a wooded area. At approximately 10:50 a.m., Mahopac Falls Fire Department and EMS, along with Carmel police and Putnam County EMS, were dispatched to Baldwin Place Road in the area of Spring Drive for an accident with reported entrapment. Upon the arrival of Carmel PD, police advised that there was no entrapment but there were three occupants who required medical attention. e occupants were evaluated and transported to Westchester Medical Center by Mahopac Falls EMS and Putnam County EMS. Mahopac Falls Fire Police closed the roads while the patients were being evaluated, and Valley Towing arrived on the scene to remove the vehicle from the wooded area. Article courtesy of Mahopac Falls Fire Dept. Car crash sends three to the hospital PHOTOS COURTESY OF MFVFD A fi rst responder checks out the vehicle, which crashed into the woods after the victims were removed. We Carry A Complete Line of BioGuard Pool Treatments
Executive Director Katherine Quinn is surprised with a Lifetime Achievement Award named for her. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 7 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 Do you know what steps you can take to avoid your estate going to probate? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Support Connection hosted its 2023 Spring Bene t on April 28 at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac. e Yorktown-based charity o ers support to women who have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or gynecological cancer, and its peer counselors are survivors themselves. e event was a celebration of hope, inspiration, and dedication to the cause. e awards ceremony recognized individuals who have Support Connection honors supporters at Spring Benefit PHOTOS: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER David Tartaglia accepts the Maria Rubino Jennings Spirit of Caring Award. Julia Haney Spirit of Giving Award recipient Christina Rae, center, with Executive Director Katherine Quinn and Administrative and Development Coordinator Arianna Goggin Clockwise from top left: Audra Paganelli (Andrea Karl Amazing Grace Award recipient), Julia Paganelli, Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli (member of the Support Connection Board of Directors), and Nancy Paganelli REGIONAL SEE BENEFIT PAGE 8
Julia Karl talks about her mom, Andrea, who was a Support Connection peer counselor for more than 10 years. Andrea died in 2021 and an award was created in her memory. PHOTOS: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Joann DeGregorio accepts the Julia Haney Spirit of Giving Award. PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 fifffffflffiflffflffiff THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Community Service hours are available [email protected] for this event! KEEP SOMERS BEAUTIFUL elephant hotel Sat & Sun MAY 20th & 21st 9-12 Supplies at Town Hall SOMERS NEEDS YOU to KEEP SOMERS BEAUTIFUL! shown devotion and passion to Support Connection. e inaugural Andrea Karl Amazing Grace Award was presented to Audra Paganelli. David Tartaglia received the Maria Rubino Jennings Spirit of Caring Award, Christine Rowley was awarded the Dolly & Mike Acocella Spirit of Giving Award, while Joanna DeGregorio and Christina Rae were honored with the Julia Haney Spirit of Hope Award. In a surprise announcement, Katherine Quinn, the long-time executive director of Support Connection, received the Katherine Quinn Lifetime Achievement Award. Quinn has been associated with the charity since its inaugural Support-a-Walk almost 30 years ago, and is the only executive director the organization has ever known. While Support Connection is locally based, its toll-free hotline allows it to o er its services to people worldwide. BENEFIT FROM PAGE 7 Christine Rowley receives the Dolly & Mike Acocella Spirit of Giving Award.
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 9 As the Class of 2023 at John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School counts down to graduation, get to know some of the Gaels who call Somers home! Ava McKearney What interests you most? What activities do you participate in, both in school and outside of school? Spending time with my family and friends and sports de nitely interest me the most. I play eld hockey, lacrosse and ag football at Kennedy. Favorite TV show? Friends What do you hope to be doing in ve years? What are some of your main life goals? In ve years I would hope to be in med school, some of my main goals in life include working in the medical eld. Favorite sports team? e New York Mets. My dad and my brother have always been fans and I love going to games with them. Were your years at Kennedy Catholic what you expected them to be? How would you describe your high school experience in one word? My years at Kennedy were not what I expected them to be, especially because of COVID. Most of all I did not expect to make such close friendships throughout the years. My high school experience described in one word would be “memorable.” I’ve made so many great memories with my friends in and out of school that I will never forget. It really has been the best four years of my life so far. Andrew Gentile What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Honest, tenacious, and loyal What is something that most people don’t know about you? Something that most people do not know about me is that my father left me in the car at my own baptism. What interests you most? What activities do you participate in, both in school and outside of school? e economy of the USA and how interconnected various aspects of life and politics are with regards to economic development and changes. Inside of school I participate in the investment club that felt needed to be resurrected for the sake of students with aspirations to be educated in nance and how to trade on the stock market when of age. I also play football and lacrosse for my school’s team. Favorite comfort food? Whatever my mom is making for dinner. Were your years at Kennedy Catholic what you expected them to be? How would you describe your high school experience in one word? My years at Kennedy were not really what I expected when I rst came in as a freshman and knew nobody, but when I met my group of friends that all changed and I would not trade my years at Kennedy for anything. If I could describe my high school years in one word it would be “transformative.” Naima Walsh What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Outgoing, courageous, and strong. Favorite vacation spot? Disney World in Florida. What do you hope to be doing in ve years? What are some of your main life goals? In ve years I hope to be changing peoples’ lives. I hope to have an internship in the eld of social work. One of my goals is to make a change, whether it’s in my life or someone else’s life. What is something that motivates you? ere is a quote: “To be Young, Gifted, and Black.” is quote has motivated me a lot to embrace who I am and accomplish the things I want to accomplish. Were your years at Kennedy Catholic what you expected them to be? My years at Kennedy Catholic were years that I am thankful for. Kennedy Catholic took me in and really helped me thrive to be successful. My years at Kennedy were motivational and empowering. I don’t think I would be where I am today without Kennedy Catholic. Kennedy Catholic Featured Seniors Advertise With Us When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout the Town of Somers, including all of its hamlets and Heritage Hills. To advertise or to place a classifi ed, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! 914.455.2158 10% OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! NMLS #60828 Registered Mortgage Broker NY & CT Banking Depts. All Loans Arranged through Third Party Providers. Call Us Today! 800-771-1071 YOUR LOCAL HOME MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS 1013 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 - www.putcap.com
Opinion 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record or its a iliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial O ice: 914-302-5830 [email protected] PAGE 10 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” is one of my favorite lms. It has so many iconic scenes. One that sticks out for me is between John Travolta’s character Vincent and Uma urman’s character Mia. Mia asks Vincent, “When you’re in conversation, do you listen, or do you just wait for your turn to talk?” Vincent responds, “I have to admit that I wait to talk, but I’m trying harder to listen.” I’m with Vincent. I’m trying harder to listen, but it’s not easy. I always worry that when there’s an opening in the conversation, I won’t be ready if I’m absorbed in listening. I suspect many of you are a work in progress on this front as well. Our opinions are well formed and sometimes open-mindedness seems to be in short supply. Many of us yearn to be understood rather than to understand others. But to be understood, you must rst understand where your conversational partner is coming from. It’s necessary to, as the metaphor goes, walk in another’s shoes. With a seemingly never-ending stream of political rhetoric coming from a 24/7 news cycle, our listening skills are probably getting worse, not better, which may account for increasingly vitriolic political discourse. Each tribe knows they are right, so what’s the point listening to the other side’s knuckleheads. Better to talk amongst ourselves. Con rmation bias is the term which describes the phenomenon of looking for the data, anecdotes and evidence that supports our view. It is that tendency or bias that could explain a good bit of why we are so divided on the tough issues of the day. I recently heard that we don’t form opinions; they are given to us. e concept is that with all we read and listen to, we will nd an opinion that seems to t our approach and adopt it as our own. en our quest is to nd everything we can that reinforces and supports that opinion. As I have mentioned in the past, I love Jonathan Haidt’s book “ e Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion.” He is a social psychologist who has written and lectured extensively about polarization and political dysfunction. He believes that con rmation bias is a major contributor to both problems. Con rmation bias is a big challenge in scienti c research as well. I went down an internet rabbit hole looking at some of those articles that examine how to avoid it. Most of the guidance is common sense, but as we know, common sense isn’t always so common. Some suggestions shine through. First and foremost, admit to yourself that you are subject to it. en the assignment is to seek our others with di erent views and listen and engage–that listening thing again– with an open mind. Luckily for me, I don’t have to travel very far to nd folks with di erent perspectives. On the reading and media front, expose yourself to the full range of news and commentary. You will nd that they are talking about di erent things on MSNBC than they are on Fox, and each is con rming some biases for their respective audiences. I would grade myself at C plus moving to B minus on my own journey wrestling with my biases. I’m a work in progress. Do you have someone in mind you can talk with to start your own outreach? ey will be £ attered that you asked them what they thought and why. Understanding is the key to being understood DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Recently I received a card in the mail congratulating me on my upcoming birthday, which isn’t until Christmas. To celebrate, I was invited to a local restaurant along with several of my close friends whom I have not met yet, for the purpose of discussing Medicare, for which I am not yet eligible. But since the invitation happened to arrive before dinner, I hungrily accepted. If you should you ever need to limit your food intake for any reason, the best way to ruin your appetite is to talk about health insurance. Further, just about everything I might order at a restaurant has been proven to exacerbate one medical malady or another, so I had to weigh my dinner order against my insurance deductible. ank goodness we were not eating at a gastropub, which sounds like it might cause something I’d need an out-of-network specialist to cure. You’ve seen commercials like this a million times on TV: a really annoying wife is beleaguering her husband to decide on a Medicare plan, and she won’t shut up until he makes that call to the insurance agent. In my dreams, the husband nally hits her over the head with a “Terms of Agreement” clause and commits Medicide, but he can’t collect any insurance because of her pre-existing condition: she was ALWAYS annoying. For some reason, it’s always the woman who is super-irritating, but statistically the annoying gene is evenly distributed among genders. I entered the restaurant thinking that we would be talking about how FINALLY the Federal Government would be picking up the tab for once, but it became abundantly clear that nothing was abundantly clear. Once we started hearing about the di erent factors that a ect your coverage, I realized that the Federal Government’s plan was much di erent from mine. fi e best-laid plans RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD SEE MELEN PAGE 11
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It was a sobering conversation, so thank goodness alcohol was available. HERE ARE SOME THINGS I LEARNED: 1. You should sign up for Medicare Part A when you become eligible, to avoid penalties, especially if you are a hockey player prone to penalties. 2. For most people, Part A is free if they have worked for the last 10 years, even if they haven’t worked that hard. Part A covers hospital-related costs. 3. If you have insurance through your employer, you should sign up for Part B within eight months of whenever you lose that coverage. Part B is doctor’s care and medical equipment. 4. Part D pays for prescriptions, but you need not enroll if your job gives you coverage that Medicare deems comparable to its own, even if you nd it ironic that you are engaged in a conversation with your employer about who will buy your drugs. As we gured out which letter of the alphabet was responsible for what, I realized that no important decisions should be made while dessert was being served. I imagined that my rst post-Medicare injury might go something like this: I’m in my car following a big truck that has a sign that says, “How’s My Driving?” and lists a phone number that I can’t read because I don’t have my glasses on. I think he’s driving great and I’d like to let the company know and also complain about some of the drivers behind me, so I pull up to within six inches of his bumper so I can read the number, but the truck driver thinks I’m tailgating him and oors it, which I think is reckless, and now I want to call to report that, so I pull up again to see the phone number, and just then a squirrel starts to cross the road in front of the truck, then stops because he forgot something, starts back where he came from, then realizes he doesn’t need whatever he forgot and proceeds to run back across the street, and the truck stops short and I ram into it. fi e truck driver for some reason is angry at ME, when it’s the squirrel who caused the accident. What could a squirrel forget that’s so important, his keys? Once I get the Medicare guy on the phone asking him if this is a Plan A, B, C or D situation, he tells me he has to check the alphabet to see if any new letters have been added. All things considered, I learned a lot from the presentation, had a great meal, and found out that because everyone’s situation is slightly di erent, there is no single great solution. Another important take-away is that when you are discussing both health insurance AND the Federal Government at the same time, it’s not a good idea to supply everyone with knives. Say hello at [email protected]. MELEN FROM PAGE 10 LETTER Dumas showed courage with his commonsense Dear Editor, Kudos to Bob Dumas for his column, “Leave presentism in the past” (May 11, Page 12). And kudos to the editor for running it. In this era of over-the-top sensitivities, both of you showed courage in communicating some commonsense. If everyone’s past behavior (at least those of us above a certain age), especially their humorous antics, were judged by today’s standards, we’d all be under attack. fi at is NOT to say that we’re proud today of those antics or that we’d consider repeating them in spite of today’s sensitivities. Most people recognize that societal standards have changed. fi ank goodness. We are today a society that is more accepting of diversity and more aware of others’ justi ed sensitivities. But that doesn’t mean that we’re bad people for past behavior, then accepted in good humor or aligned with societal norms, like those Dumas referred to in thinking back with love for his brother. Nor does it mean the names of historic icons such as Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or fi omas Je erson should be erased from our schools and other public places. Times change, values change, and societal norms change, hopefully all for the better. We should celebrate societal progress, not use it as a cudgel against people who meant no harm. -Ken Freeman Heritage Hills I thought I would be clever and begin this column with the de nition of “laundry day,” and this is what I found: • Laundry day lotto is when you nd money in articles of clothing while preparing to do laundry. • Laundry day attire is what you wear when you are down to your last set of clean clothes. • Laundry day is an adjectival phrase describing an out t that is random or mismatched to the point of absurdity. If I had to make up my own de nition, it would be: Laundry day is when most of your clothes, towels and sheets have Laundry day JO ANN FRANCELLA JUST JO ANN SEE FRANCELLA PAGE 12
PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 become too soiled to utilize in a healthy, sanitary way. Laundry day can occur between one to two times per week. I’ve always been proud of the fact that my family and I have enough underwear and towels to last at least two weeks. Not once have I ever had to do an emergency load of laundry in order to have clean clothes for school or work. Ken and I both worked while Kim was in school and we did ne with the laundry being done several times a week. But during the last 10 to 12 years, Ken has become fanatical about our laundry. As a reminder, my daughter, Kim, has not lived with us for at least 20 years, so it is just me and Ken in our home. Every single day, and at times two to three times a day, Ken does laundry. It took me a while to realize that if he used a bathroom towel to dry his hands, he would then throw it into the hamper. Also, he uses three clean towels each time he showers: One to step on (even though we have a bath mat), one to dry himself with and one to dry his hair, and after he uses them, he tosses them into the hamper. “No wonder we have laundry FRANCELLA FROM PAGE 11 SEE FRANCELLA PAGE 16 Following my recent column critically evaluating Bud Light’s attempt at broadening brand appeal through endorsement advertising, let’s look at the potential positives of association with speci c individuals. First, remember the objective – to strengthen brand image and appeal. Starbucks founder and long-time CEO Howard Schultz put it well: “Customers must recognize that you stand for something.” Brand marketing consultant Scott Talgo dug deeper: “A brand that captures your mind gains behavior. A brand that captures your heart gains commitment.” So if you’re thinking about endorsement advertising, be sure your endorser is relevant to the brand, with real or implied credibility. at’s why you often see doctors, both real ones and actors, delivering drug product pitches. ose old enough to remember actor Robert Young in the role of kindly old doctor Marcus Welby, MD, may recall his e ectiveness presenting Sanka deca einated instant co ee as a healthy alternative to too much ca eine. Endorsement advertising for pain relief products often features endorsements by old athletes whose earlier athletic pursuits along with advancing age make relevant and credible their need for and knowledge regarding e ective pain relief. Two notable examples are Blue-Emu ads featuring baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench and ads for Relief Factor featuring Olympic gold medal swimmer Mark Spitz. In contrast to Bud Light’s collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney, think back to earlier advertising for Miller Lite. Miller understood its masculine brand image and customer following. Addressing older beer drinkers’ concern with weight gain along with their desire to keep drinking beer, while also recognizing the concern that reduced alcohol and calories might sound too feminine, early ads featured famous sportscasters and ex-athletes. e parent brand further protected its image through the reassuring selling proposition “tastes great, less lling.” ere are excellent examples of local endorsement advertising right here in the pages of Halston Media’s newspapers. For example, Forbes Insurance masterfully highlights local business owner clients. e implications are clear: (1) Forbes Insurance understands local businesses’ insurance needs and it supports local businesses. (2) Local business owners trust Forbes’ expertise. (3) If savvy local business owners choose Forbes, shouldn’t you? Halston Media itself makes powerful use of its own endorsement advertising. Its ads show satis ed clients recognized by readers and by other business owners along with the clients’ own relevant and credible words about why they choose Halston to carry their advertising messages. So, in summary: If you are considering endorsement advertising, ask yourself if the endorser’s image aligns with your brand’s image and is relevant and credible to the message. And avoid endorsers that do not align with the brand image you are trying to strengthen. Misalignment smacks with lack of credibility, which could hurt the brand. Strengthening a brand through endorsements WITH KEN FREEMAN Nestled in a lush green hideaway of Yorktown Heights amidst tall evergreens and nature’s beauty, sits The Country House, recently named a Best Assisted Living community by U.S. News & World Report. We invite you to tour and learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one. 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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 Winner will be drawn Saturday, June 24, 2023 • Rain Date June 25 $1000 Early Bird Drawing: May 29, 2023
happ PAGE 14 It’s not offi cially springtime in o ice cream at King Kone! Folks fl o day last month, ready to enjoy Two PHOTOS: CORIN THE SOMERS RECORD – T
piness! our community until you can grab an ocked to the local favorite on opening another season of delicious treats! o scoops of NNE STANTON THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 PAGE 15
OPINION enough to do multiple times a day,” I said to Ken. “You realize that you can use those towels at least one more time, right?” I soon realized I was talking to the wind. I’ve also noticed that sometimes he changes his entire out t one or two times a day and deposits his lightly worn clothes into the hamper. I’ve tried to gure out where this behavior stems from. Ken grew up with three other brothers, a sister and his mom and dad. I simply can’t imagine that his mom would allow them the luxury of a fresh towel every time they washed their hands. When I was a child and into my teens, I was taught to hang my bath towel to dry and use it again. I was also told to fold my pajamas each morning and place them under my pillow so they would be ready to wear again that night. Last week our washer died. When Ken loaded it with our “dirty” clothes and the motor began to moan, I thought he was going to faint. “Okay Ken, take some deep breaths and we’ll go to Appliance Sales Plus and buy a new one,” I said. Our washer had de nitely seen better days and Ken’s thrice daily use of the machine didn’t help. We jumped into our car and headed to the store, but neither one of us remembered that it was Sunday. ey were closed. When we returned home, I gave Ken a Benadryl after I noticed that he was as white as a sheet and had hives on his arms and neck. By the next morning, our laundry room was piled half way to the ceiling with clothes, towels and sheets. We were the rst customers when the doors opened on Monday morning. e good news is that we purchased the rst machine we saw; the bad news is that it couldn’t be delivered until Wednesday. Ken didn’t want to wait and o ered to take the display washer right there and then, but that was not possible. I knew it would be a long two days before we received our new washer, so on our way home I began researching if there were any “Laundry Anonymous” meetings in our area. Jo Ann can be reached at [email protected]. PAGE 16 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 Cremations and Burials DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 • 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. Get the most out of your lawn this summer. 50 Your First Application % OFF* Save now with *Requires purchase of annual plan. Special price is for first Lawn application only. Requires purchase of annual plan, for new residential EasyPay or PrePay customers only. Valid at participating TruGreen locations. Availability of services may vary by geography. Not to be combined with or used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Additional restrictions may apply. Consumer responsible for all sales tax. †Purchase of annual lawn plan required forTruGreen Lawn Assessment, which is performed at the first visit. ◆Guarantee applies to annual plan customers only. BBB accredited since 07/01/2012. ©2023 TruGreen Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. In Connecticut, B-0153, B-1380, B-0127, B-0200, B-0151. SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! 1-866-868-3284 FRANCELLA FROM PAGE 12 Fun Facts by Jo Ann Astronauts on the International Space Station don’t do laundry. They eject their dirty garments into the atmosphere where they are incinerated into dust. Dear Dr. Linda, I’m not a retired English teacher, nor do I profess to speak perfect English, but I can’t help noticing how so many kids, and adults as well, speak and write incorrectly, even the most highly educated. I remember spending hours in school diagramming sentences. I learned and still know when to use “I” as opposed to “me,” when to use “can” as opposed to “may,” when to use “good” as opposed to “well.” ese are just three of the grammar mistakes that I hear daily at work and at home, even from my own kids. I don’t know why, but it really bothers me. Is it just me or do others notice this? -Karen Dear Karen, Yes, I notice it, too. In fact, I was watching the movie “Baby Boom” not long ago when Dianne Keaton’s character, a Harvard graduate, is asked how she is doing after living for a year in a small town in Vermont. She answers, “Good. I’m doing good.” (She may have been doing good in that small town, but in answer to the question, “How are you?” her answer technically should have been, “Well. I’m doing well.”) It’s happening all over and not just in the movies. In today’s world, if you ask most people how they feel, they’ll answer, “Good.” If they said, “I’m feeling well, thank you,” some would think they were speaking old English. Even so, we don’t send “Get Good” cards to people who are ill, do we? Why is this happening? e amount of information and knowledge students are faced with learning has exploded, and things like grammar and music have taken a back seat. Is it still taught? Yes, but not with the same attention. To meet increasing demands on their time, teachers don’t have the luxury of dwelling on when to say “good” vs. “well” or “I” vs. “me.” Or “can” vs. “may.” HERE’S A QUICK QUIZ: 1. Please tell Jane and ________ (I or me) when you leave. 2. (Can or May) __________ I have a glass of water? 3. I feel ___________? (good or well) e answer to number one is “me.” e key to which is correct is technically whether the pronoun refers to the subject (I) or object (me) of the sentence. Are students doing ‘well’? DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING SEE DR. LINDA PAGE 17
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In normal speech, nobody would say, “She’s going to spend the night with I,” or “Me is going to the store.” When in doubt, a good rule of thumb for a sentence like this one is to drop “Jane” and then ll in the blank, e.g., “Please tell _____ (I or me) when you leave.” e rule for “can” and “may” is also pretty straightforward, but you have to stop and think about the meaning of the words. “Can” means you are capable of doing something, whereas “may” in this context means you’re asking permission. In No. 2 above, if you’re asking if it’s OK for you to have a glass of water, you should have answered, “May I have a glass of water?” whereas if you aren’t sure you are capable of swallowing it, you might ask, “Can I have a glass of water?” e rule for the use of “good” and “well” can be more confusing because the two get used interchangeably a lot. However, “good” is an adjective, usually describing a noun or following a linking verb like “am” or “were” or other forms of the verb “be.” Ex: He is a good person. She was good to me. “Well” is almost always an adverb that modies a verb, except for…when it describes a person’s health. en, it’s an adjective. Ex: I did well on my math test, not poorly. She was sick last week, but she feels well today. Having said all of the above, remember that the English language, especially American English, isn’t set in cement. If it were, we’d still be saying words such as “thou” and “shall” in everyday conversation. New words appear in our dictionaries every day and dierent forms become acceptable over time. Like it or not, our language is dynamic and ever-evolving. As long as you understand what your kids are saying, no matter which words they choose, correct them if you like, but for the most part, sometimes we have to just relax and go with it. Be well, Dr. Linda If you want to learn more, contact Dr. Linda Silbert by visiting her website at StrongLearning.com. DR. LINDA FROM PAGE 16 “Say Goodbye to Writer’s Block!” reads the online ad from Constant Contact for a virtual seminar, which continues, “Let AI Be Your New Wingman.” “Craft the perfect message in seconds” is another lofty promise. My favorite value proposition in the bulleted benets is “See how AI can save time & eort in creating marketing content.” After all, who the heck wants to put good, ol’-fashioned human eort into their work? OK, so I’m being a bit churlish here. It does say AI will help you “save” eort, not eliminate it. But I’m not using AI right now, so I had to come up with that less-than-perfect introductory paragraph all on my own, relying solely on soon-to-be-superuous native intelligence. Here’s another example of AI fallout: I got a pitch from a publicist inviting me to interview his client, who heads a study prep service for law school students. I was told the founder could discuss such topics as “How students are cheating, writing essays, and completing assignments with AI” and “Ways to combat it.” at presumes parents are well aware to begin with that their kids are using AI bots – namely heavily hyped ChatGPT. WHAT PARENTS DON’T KNOW Uh-huh. Not so fast, says Impact Research, which surveyed parents of K-12 students and directly polled students 12-18 years old, for Common Sense Media. Half of the 12-18-year-olds surveyed have used Chat GPT for school work, yet 26% of parents of students in that age range said they were aware their child used ChatGPT in school. It’s 2023. Do you know where in the metaverse your child is? e survey says “38% of students said they have used ChatGPT for a school assignment without their teacher’s permission.” Boys are twice as likely to use ChatGPT without a teacher’s permission (48%) as are girls (24%). ere’s not-so-good news in the survey for Google. More than half of the students who’ve used ChatGPT reported that they are more likely to use it than Google. (Google is deep into engineering its search-by-AI iteration, so no need to take a collection for it just yet.) SHARED CONCERNS While many more students said they have used ChatGPT (58%) than parents who’ve used it (30%), both groups agree in nearly equal measure (84% and 82%, respectively) that “ChatGPT has potential to greatly benet the world or cause great harm.” Parents and students alike expressed AI in the family SEE APAR PAGE 26 BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG
Sports PAGE 18 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Before Counties, Sectionals, state quali ers, and the NYSPHSAA Championship, Somers Track & Field and many other regional programs take their talents to White Plains High School for the historic Glenn D. Loucks Games. But more than just a tune-up meet, Coach John Vegliante argues that the games are the true test. “I actually say that it’s harder than the NY state meet,” he declared. “You got teams coming from all over the Northeast, you got teams from Canada, and it’s right here in Westchester. So it’s kind of like a big home meet where Section 1 all comes together. To have this big of a meet in our backyard is awesome.” With an event of this magnitude comes big stakes, but Somers showed they were ready for the moment last weekend. Starting on ursday (5/11), the open DMR team of Mike Maguire (1200M), Arjun Ojha (400M), Connor Phillips (800M), and Christian Wissa (1600M) got the Tuskers on the right track with a season-best 11:23.67. ey were rivaled by the SMR team of Samuel Parsons (200M), Jaden Arbeu (200M), Andrew Fasone (400M), and Aiden Meza (800M) with their 3:34.24. en the following evening (5/12) was the girls’ turn, as the star sprinters (Keira Cleary, Chelsea Lewitt, Isabella Milojevic, Haylie Donovan) came together to make history once again in the 4x400M relay by breaking the school record at the Loucks Games and getting second overall with a 4:01.03. Tuskers compete at Loucks Games Aiden Meza running the mile. Lindsay Gill ahead of the fi eld in the 400M. PHOTOS: WHIT ANDERSON Haylie Donovan had herself quite a meet both individually and team-wise. TRACK & FIELD Donovan 400M record SEE TRACK PAGE 19 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/23 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/23 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 “We come here to run fast,” said Vegliante. “You have this kind of competition, you hope that the kids step up, and that’s what they are doing.” e same occurred with the 4x800M girls squad (Lewitt, Cleary, Mia Sandolo, Kaeleigh Picco) the very next morning (5/13) as their 9:56.67 got them fth overall and rst place for all of Section 1. Back to the boys, Meza (4:43.24) ran his season best in the one mile race and clocked in an equally impressive time (4:23.86) in the 1500M, holding his own against some of the best distance runners in the area. Meanwhile, over by the mat, Matt Hirsch sprung to a 123- 9 for the pole vault. To cap o a successful meet for Coach Mike Lacko’s team, Andrew Fasone gave it his all for a 50.54 nish in the 400M. Right after, Donovan, the former soccer player turned sprinting star, continued her eye-popping ascension in the sport. “I started (sprinting) last year, my freshman year, just to get better at soccer, but I ended up quitting for it,” she explained. “Last year, I was fast but I needed work on my form. So I started training harder towards my goals.” e hard work more than paying o, Donovan saw a Loucks record shattered with a 57.90 for second place in her heat in to 400M. “Going into it, all my coaches knew my potential. And even if I didn’t run to it, they would still be proud of me. So with a good mindset and a change in the race plan, I pushed a little bit earlier for the kick and it worked out.” Coach Vegliante also sees the results from the hours put in from Donovan and the rest of the Tuskers. “It’s been incredible. Since last year, they have been working nonstop. Over the summer, fall, and just heading into indoor season they ran well. But now they are really just turning it on.” Getting into gear as the last meets of the season approach, Coach and the Tuskers will be putting on the nal touches to nish strong. “We have Counties, then Sectionals, then state qualiers. Now the tness is there, so now it’s about staying healthy and tightening the screws a little bit.” e Westchester County Championships will take place at SHS on the Tuskers’ Senior Night ursday, May 18, starting at 4:30 p.m. PHOTOS: WHIT ANDERSON The girls’ 4x400M team (L to R: Chelsea Lewitt, Keira Cleary, Haylie Donovan, Isabella Milojevic) set a Loucks Games record with a 4:01.03. Luke Armstrong with a high jump attempt. Andrew Fasone down the final stretch in the 400M. SPORTS TRACK FROM PAGE 18 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19
PAGE 20 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 BASEBALL John Jay-Cross River 6, Somers 5 Tuesday, May 9 fi e Tuskers found themselves on the wrong end of a close contest in their loss at Cross River. Brewster 2, Somers 0 Wednesday, May 10 Trever Ottly pitched a complete game shut out to silence the Tuskers in Brewster. Somers 15, Yonkers 0 Saturday, May 13 An eight-run rst inning for Somers (No. 14) put the contest out of reach early as the Tuskers advanced passed their outbracket matchup against visiting Yonkers (No. 19) in the Class A Sectionals. fi e repower of Evan Carway, Andrew Capica, George Creighton, John Robinson, Stefan Swee, and Ravi Dass led the way as they each had RBIs. Creighton (2 IP, 6 Ks) started the game for Somers, Tommy Tan got the win in his inning of relief, followed by Dass and Nolan Considine who closed it out. Swee (All-Section), Kapica (All-Section Honorable Mention), Carway (All-Section Honorable Mention), Jay Creighton (All-League Honorable Mention), and Tan (All-League Honorable Mention) all received season awards for their e orts. Harrison 9, Somers 1 Monday, May 15 Visiting No. 3 Harrison in the rst round of Sectionals, Luke Burden’s six-inning shut out combined with an explosive Huskey o ense put an end to Somers season. SOFTBALL Somers 14, John Jay-Cross River 2 (Senior Night) Wednesday, May 10 fi e Tuskers’ Senior Night could not have gone much better in an onslaught against the Wolves to end a losing skid. Seniors Krista Gallgher (2-4, 2 RBI) Kiera Go , Julia Rossi (1-3, RBI), Halle Conti, and Tuskers begin playofi s Luke Kennedy Miguel Iglesias PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ Molly Fink (left) and Lauren McCartin defend in their win over Hen Hud. Mia Paulmeno VARSITY ROUNDUP Baseball falls in round 1 SEE ROUNDUP PAGE 22 fifffflfflffiflffiffffi www.summertrailsdaycamp.com 914.245.1776 ffiffi CURRENTLY HIRING STAFF! ffi ffifi ffiffi Stefan Swee pitching against Harrison. SPORTS
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 21 Mahopac News Mahopac News 2 TRACKS 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MT. KISCO, NY 10549 • PH: 914.202.0575 $60 for a 1/8 page ad to participate. 10% of all revenue earned from this section will be donated to your school's PTA as a parting gift to the organization. Ad booking deadline: JUNE 21 Ad approval deadline: JUNE 22 fifffflffiflflffiflffffffifflffi fifffflffiflfflfflflfffiffifflff fifffflffiffiflffffffifflffi fifffflffifl ffi fflflfffiffifflff ffifl Graduate! fififffiffl fflfifflffffifl fflff flffifffiffi fifffflffiflflfiffi fl fifififflfifflfi Movin' On Up! ffi ffffffiflfifl ffiflffifflfflffifi fifffi fflfflflfifi fififfiffi fflffiffi fiffffiffl fiffifflflfffifflfiffiffl flfflfiffifl fifflffiflflflfflffl fflffffffl ffi ffi ffi ffi ffififlffi ffiffifflflffiffifflflffiflfiffi fififi fifflffi fiflffiffififfl flffiffiffifififi ffl fi fififififfifflfffifflfi flfiffiflffifflflfflfflfffiffififffifflfifi fffifflfiffiffifffifffflffiflfififififl fi fi fi fi fiflfiflfi fifl fi fi fi fifi fi fififfifi fifl fififififlfi flflfiflfi flflfi fifi fi fifflffffiflflfiffififflfflfiffifflfi fflfififfiffl fflfl fiffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi ffi Parents!
PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD SPORTS THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 We’ve advertised with Halston newspapers since the beginning because we know they connect us to the communities we serve. We view our ads as an extension of word-of- mouth advertising; they have definitely played a role in our continued success with both new and returning families. -Jamie Sirkin Summer Trails Day Camp & Baseball Camp 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 Emily Julius were honored before the game, and Katie Cole (4-5, 3 RBI), Ellie Walsh (2-5), Katherine Papa (3-2, 3 RBI), Emily Boyle (1-3, RBI, 7 Ks), Kaleigh Conti (1-2, 2 RBI), Alyssa Pirraglia (RBI), and Kiera Griggs (1-3, RBI) assisted. Somers 7, Brewster 3 Friday, May 12 Now back on the right track, the Tuskers continued the momentum over at Brewster. Cole (2 RBI), Walsh (2 RBI), Papa (HR, 2 RBI), Rossi (double), Boyle (single, 7 Ks), and Griggs (single, RBI) paced Somers. Somers 6, Panas 0 Saturday, May 13 Boyle (3 Ks) led the way for Somers and recorded her 100th career varsity strikeout in the process. Walsh (8 Ks, 2 RBI) also helped to shut Panas’ o ense down in a combined no-hitter, and Cole (2 RBI), Papa (RBI), Gallgher (single, triple), Rossi (2 RBI), and Pirraglia (2 singles) helped out at the plate. BOYS LACROSSE Somers 10, Greenwich 5 Wednesday, May 10 e Tuskers picked up one of their best wins of the season on the road against an uber-talented Greenwich team. Landon Pepe (13 saves) led the charge, followed by Mac Sullivan (G, 5A), Luke Kennedy (3G), Grayden Carr (G, 2A), Mason Kelly (G, 2A), Ryan Brush (2G), Miguel Iglesias (2G), and Michael Keane (A). Somers 12, Fox Lane 7 Friday, May 12 A Friday-night homestand was a success for Somers against the visiting Foxes. Matthew May eld (12/23 face-o s) held his own at the draw as Luca Ploger (2CTO, 3GB), Nate Traver (3GB), and James Balancia (2CTO, 2GB) led the defense. Brush (4G, 3A), Carr (3G), Iglesias (2G, A), Kelly (2G, A), Sullivan (3A), and Jackson Forsberg (G) provided the scoring. GIRLS LACROSSE Somers 12, Yorktown 11 Tuesday, May 9 Somers took the close dub against their rival on Yorktown turf last Tuesday. Somers 12, Hendrick Hudson 7 Thursday, May 11 Teagan Ryan’s seven goals kept the winning going in the Tusker’s nal regular season matchup that saw them take down the visiting Sailors. TENNIS Section 1 Tennis Championships Saturday, May 13 e Tuskers took to the Section 1 Championships at Harrison High School last Saturday for one last meet this spring against the best of the best in the area. Max Yates (6/0, 6/1) saw success in his rst-round matchup against Rob Holstine of Clarkstown North, but then fell (1/6, 0/6) to White Plains’ Callum Markowitz in the next match. In the other singles, Landon Bleasdale’s took the dub (4/1) against Michael Chitu of Yorktown, but saw his luck run out in a defeat to Rye Neck (0/6, 0/6). For doubles, Harrison Mellor & Alexander Wissa could not get past Blind Brook (2/6, 2/6), and Seth Cheung & John Raducanu also saw their season end vs. Rye Brook (0/6, 1/6). FLAG FOOTBALL Lakeland 20, Somers 0 Wednesday, May 10 Ella Ponterio (56 YDs, TK), Julia Schmidberger (8 Rec, 10 YDs, 7 TK), Cara Persico (19 YDs, 7 TK), Chloe Gabriele (45 YDs, 4 TK), Abby Abatecola (4 TK), and Oliva Wiegand (4 TK) gave their all against a topranked Lakeland squad, holding them scoreless for nearly the whole rst half in the home loss. ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 20 PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO Kaleigh Conti hustles down the fi rst-base line. Somers’ Emily Boyle delivers a pitch against visiting Brewster.
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 LEISURE THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 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. Midway between south and southeast 4. Fathers 9. Wine grape 14. Al Bundy’s wife 15. Organic compound 16. Venezuelan state 17. Interest term 18. Experts 20. Central cores of stems 22. Smooth and glossy 23. One-time S. Korean city 24. One from Damascus 28. Short message at the end of an email 29. It cools your home 30. Oh, God! 31. Intestinal pouches 33. Men 37. Popular English soccer team (abbr.) 38. Former CIA 39. Arrange in steps 41. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 42. The Great Lake State 43. Dog-__: to mark a page 44. Stop moving 46. Ancient Dead Sea region 49. Of I 50. Clerical vestment 51. Songs sung to a lover 55. Charges 58. Popular design program manufacturer 59. Where to park a boat 60. One who values reason 64. Slang for cigarette 65. Sailboats 66. Actress Zellweger 67. Screen material 68. Country music legend Haggard 69. Puts together in time 70. When you hope to arrive CLUES DOWN 1. An involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction 2. Philly’s rail service 3. Leaves a place 4. No longer be a part in 5. Guitar players use them 6. Cease to exist 7. General’s assistant (abbr.) 8. Shaking of the earth 9. Strong winds 10. For each one 11. A bog 12. The creation of beautiful or significant things 13. Airmative 19. Pie _ __ mode 21. Nonclerical 24. Inspirational football player Hamlin 25. Learning environment 26. Khoikhoi peoples 27. Bring out or develop 31. Shows up 32. Theatrical device 34. Loads 35. Popular Hollywood alien 36. Distinguishes 40. College dorm worker 41. Secondary or explanatory title 45. Resembling wings 47. One who delivers a speech 48. In the middle 52. Loop with a running knot 53. Airborne (abbr.) 54. Beloveds 56. Ordain 57. Breed of small cattle 59. Very small period of time (abbr.) 60. Revolutions per minute 61. They __ 62. Longtime ESPN anchor Bob 63. A place to stay fi e phrase “as American as apple pie” may lead one to believe that this classic dessert originated somewhere in the Americas. But this beloved dessert actually traces its origins to Europe. In fact, apples aren’t even native to North America, according to experts. Apple pie is categorized alongside baseball and Coca-Cola as truly American, but even though it was brought over to the colonies with settlers, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the treat was established as a symbol of national pride. By then, this apple- lled pastry had cemented itself in popular cuisine, and has since been replicated and reimagined in more ways than one might imagine. Most families have an apple pie recipe that they love. fi is recipe for “Grandma’s Apple Pie,” courtesy of the Vancouver-based food recipe blog, “Spend with Pennies,” by Holly Nilsson, is one to add to your culinary repertoire. Dessert is as easy as apple pie Grandma’s Apple Pie Servings: 8 slices Double Crust Pie Pastry (see note below) 1 large egg, beaten 6 to 7 cups apples, peeled and sliced, about 2 pounds 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons fl our 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Peel apples and cut in quarters. Remove the core and slice apples into 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch thick. 3. In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice, sugar, fl our, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss well to combine and set aside. 4. Roll half of the dough into a 12- inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the pastry dough. Fill with apple fi lling. 5. Roll the remaining crust and gently place it over the apple mixture. Seal the edges by gently pinching the top and bottom crusts together. You can fold or decorate the edges by crimping or pressing with a fork. Remove any excess dough. 6. Beat the egg and 2 teaspoons of water or milk. Cut 4 to 5 slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with sugar (optional). 7. Place the pie plate on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. This is optional, but will catch any drips or spills. 8. Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 375 F, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes or until the crust is golden and the apples are tender. 9. Cool at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce if desired. Note: You can use a premade refrigerated pie crust for this pie, or try making a homemade pastry with the recipe below. Flaky Homemade Pie Crust Makes a double pie crust 3 cups all-purpose fl our 1 teaspoon salt 7 tablespoons cold butter, cubed 7 tablespoons shortening, cubed 1/3 to 2/3 cups ice cold water 1. Combine fl our and salt in a large bowl with a whisk. 2. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles the size of peas. 3. Add ice cold water a tablespoon at a time to one area of the dough and mix with a fork. Move to one side of the bowl and continue adding water just until dough is moistened (you don’t want it to be sticky). 4. Once mixed, use your hands to quickly and gently fold over the dough a couple of times. Divide into two balls. 5. Roll each of the balls into a 12- inch circle on a lightly fl oured surface. Use as needed in your recipe, or wrap and refrigerate to use later.
PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 Entenberg’s honor earned him a trip to the GENIUS Olympiad, although he was also granted entry on the strength of his application, which requires the students to submit a college-level scienti c research paper on the specifics of their project. Seniors Zoe Gutherman and Kiera Go were accepted for the second straight year and were joined by newcomers Corryn Watt, Taylor Bassi, So- a DiMella, Charles Heese, Lauren McCartin and Mary Grace Mahoney. Gutherman, the class valedictorian, began her project two years ago amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After nding a professional mentor, she learned software programs that allowed her to collect land surface temperature, population density and tree coverage percentage data and calculated trends. An example of the type of ambitious research the students in the program have conducted, it has also taught them additional skills, like how to pursue professional mentors or how to present their ndings in a public setting. “I think the main thing for me was getting better at public speaking and gaining con dence within that realm,” Gutherman said. “Especially with COVID, there was just less human interaction. I feel like this course and the program really helped with that sort of con dence.” Bassi, a junior, wrote her paper on biomaterials at the conclusion of an eight-week internship last summer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Cambridge, Mass. She said the experience of nding a topic and a mentor, living away from home, working at the hospital, then summarizing her ndings was invaluable. “Getting hands-on research this early on is really valuable, especially because I want to do research in college,” Bassi said. “I feel prepared. We gain a lot of other skills from the competitions as well, like public speaking, and writing emails to potential mentors. ese are skills that you really need to be a strong student in college that you would not necessarily get in other classes.” Article courtesy of Somers Central School District. OLYMPIAD FROM PAGE 1 TRUNK FROM PAGE 2 ‘Getting hands-on research this early on is really valuable, especially because I want to do research in college.’ Taylor Bassi International GENIUS Olympiad nalist French dignitaries, and living history teachers. Guests will interact with members of the French, Continental, and British forces in uniform and observe drills and ring of muskets. Adults and kids will participate in an encampment setup and drill with model muskets under the leadership of a sergeant. Exhibitors attired in period dress will share stories about Rochambeau and the French troops while in Yorktown; visitors are invited to wander the spacious grounds, enjoy the food and beverage and greet animals from the day. 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 di erence 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. e Somers Lions would like to welcome their newest members, and are proud to serve alongside you. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 68 Bedford Road, Katonah BENEFIT CONCERT Saturday, May 20, at 3 p.m. Featuring world-renowned guitarist Jim Skinner and friends. Hear exotic rhythms from Brazil and favorites from the American song book. Tickets are $20 and $10 for students at the door. Proceeds will help fund the Cashew Tree Project of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika in Dodoma, Tanzania. Little Orphan Animals GIANT PENNY SOCIAL Saturday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m. To be held at Cortlandt Community Center, 29 West Brook Dr. in Cortlandt Manor. 100’s of prizes! Penny, bonus & super bonus tables, 50/50, baskets of cheer & refreshments. Fun for the whole family! Come out for a night of fun and support animal rescue. For more informastion, call 914-734-2989. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam MONTHLY MEETING Please join us for our monthly discussion as we work to advance cross-racial and crosscultural amity to impact the public discourse on race. Our monthly meetings feature speakers, screenings, and presentations where discussions are aimed at educating one another on who we really are. Visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/138495877899 to register for this online event. Somers BSA Troop 228 WEEKLY MEETING Mondays, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Amawalk Firehouse Give your son the tools to develop his con dence, leadership skills, and interest in community SEE TRUNK PAGE 26 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! © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. For promo details please call 844-919-1682 CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 O First Month of New Service! 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CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 high concern about students relying too much on AI for school, on using it to cheat, and on it generating inappropriate content. e parent and student cohorts surveyed also shared similar sentiments about wanting schools to establish rules for the use of arti cial intelligence in school work. One-fourth of parents said they believe their child’s school has such rules in place. More than 6 in 10 parents and 5 in 10 students surveyed said schools should limit AI programs like ChatGPT until o cial school rules for usage are enacted. Among the rules encouraged by three-quarters of the parents and students are disallowing ChatGPT to be used during tests and setting a minimum age limit on the use of ChatGPT for school. As the very proud father of an elementary school teacher (Elissa Apar) whose extraordinary empathy and energy are central to the quality of her work (and which account for the high regard in which she’s held by students, parents, and supervisors), one thing I’m not worried about is AI replacing any time soon the irreplaceable educator at the head of the class. Bruce Apar is a journalist, community volunteer and actor, who can be seen in the title role of Tuesdays with Morrie on June 2 and 4 in Armonk. Admission is free. Info at armonkplayers. org. He can be reached at bruce@ aparpr.co or 914-275-6887. APAR FROM PAGE 17
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YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not a iliated with State or Gov Programs. Don’t Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967 DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918 AUTO DONATIONS BUYING/SELLING Buying diamonds, gold, silver, all fine jewelry and watches, coins, paintings, better furs, complete estates. We simply pay more! Call Barry 914-260-8783 or e-mail [email protected] EDUATION/CAREER TRAINING HEALTH HELP WANTED HOME IMPROVEMENT TV INTERNET PHONE PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 05/11/2023 FINANCE Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. To advertise in The Somers Record, call Brett Freeman at 8 45-208-8151 or email [email protected]. fifffffflffiflfflfflfl ffl fifffffflffffiflffifflfflflffl The Fallsburg CSD is looking for a Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal to provide instructional leadership to students, staff and, comunity members. He/she will lead innovative programs that result in the attainment of the district’s vision, achievement of school/district goals and improve student achievement. Salary up to $98,000 commensurate w/exp. NYS SBA or SBL Certifi cation Required Please forward resume & Fallsburg’s application (located at fallsburgcsd.net) by May 26th To [email protected] Attn: Fallsburg - HS AP Search fifffi 113027 fifffflffifl ffifflfl ffl ffl 845-225-7777 • www.puthumane.org Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Surf fifffflffiflflflflflfl fflfl fl fl ffflflfl ffl flflflflfl flflflffflflfl fl ffflflfflflflflfl flflflflflffifl ffifflfl ffiflffl flflfl flffflfl flflfl flflflffflfl fl fl fl fl ffi flflflffffiff flffl fl flflfflfl flffl flfifl flfffflfflfflflflfflfl fflflfl fflflflfflflffifl ffl flfiflflflflfl fflflflffflfl flfflfl flflflflflfl 845-225-7777 • www.puthumane.org Katia fifffflffiflfififlfiflfifffififflflfffiffi 68 Old Rt. 6, Carmel Notice of Formation of HuckleXueen PMD. Articles of Organiaation filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 03-27. 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 Jami Schulta: 18 Parkway Dri Cortlandt Manor NY 10567. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of SSND Reality LLC. Articles of Organiaation filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 03-23. 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 Neha Desai-Jimenea: 65 Route 116 Purdys NY 10578. Purpose: Any lawful purpose 220-230 S Fulton LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/29/2022. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to C/O Joseph Briody, 716 S Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550. General Purpose 4388 Park LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/14/2022. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Alan Merovitch, 3 Elm Ave., Somers, NY 10589. General Purpose 153 Valentine LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 10/13/2022. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 5600A Broadway, Bronx, NY 10463. General Purpose Clinical Case Management Solution LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/13/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 57 Bank St., apt. PHA, White Plains, NY 10606. General Purpose Odessa 18 Realty LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/11/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 57 Bank St., apt. PHA, White Plains, NY 10606. General Purpose 44 New Ave, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/8/2022. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Kastriot Pepaj, 90 Colonial Pkwy. North, Yonkers, NY 10710. General Purpose Washington Street Garage, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/11/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to David A. Nigrelli, PLLC, 115 E Stevens Ave., Ste. 102, Valhalla, NY 10595. General Purpose Downtown Rye LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/6/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Jonathan D. Kraut & Michael K. Petrillo, C/O Harfenist Kraut & Perlstein LLP, 2975 Westchester Ave., Ste. 415, Purchase, NY 10577. General Purpose
PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. to keep sending you The Somers Record for FREE. The post oice charges us more without it. Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) 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YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Somers Record YES, I really enjoy The Somers Record and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please Include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times Mahopac News Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other OR Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com OR Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com Don’t Miss a Week of The Somers Record. Please Re-Subscribe Today! Thursday, November 3, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 30 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 32 CLASSIFIEDS 34 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 26 OBITUARIES 30 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Tuskers Batter Brewster pg 22 FOOTBALL Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Please note that the Nov. 10 edition of The Somers Record will go to press before the Nov. 8 election results are available. Please visit TapIntoSomers.net to view our full election coverage. BY BOB DUMAS CONTRIBUTING EDITOR When voters go to the polls this election season, they will have a choice between two candidates who are vying for the state’s 40th Senate District seat. Incumbent Democrat Pete Harckham of South Salem, seeking his third term as state senator, will be opposed by Republican Gina Arena, an administrative assistant from Somers. Here is a look at the two candidates, including their platforms, accomplishments and goals. PETE HARCKHAM Now nearing the end of his second term in o ce, Pete Harckham is chair of the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He worked to make the 2% property tax cap permanent; delivered record aid to education and addressed the opioid crisis by doubling minimum treatment times and reducing barriers to life-saving treatment. Harckham helped pass the toughest climate-protection legislation in the nation, and also introduced a measure, later enacted, requiring all new passenger-car and truck sales to be zero emission by 2035 and allowing municipalities to build solar canopies and jumpstart community renewable-energy projects. Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul placed Harckham’s wetlands legislation protecting Class C streams statewide, which will safeguard drinking water resources, into her proposed 2023 state budget. Harckham has been a leading voice to hold the utilities accountable in the wake of failed responses to natural disaster. To date, he has held 13 food drives to ght hunger, assisted thousands of residents with unemployment claims and delivered personal-protection equipment to rst responders and municipalities throughout the 40th Senate District. From 2008 to 2015 Harckham served on the Westchester County Board of Legislators, where he was a leading voice for protecting the environment and maintaining vital services. In addition to his professional work, Harckham served on the President’s Council for the Northern Westchester Hospital, was a board member for the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, the Junior League of Northern Westchester Community Advisory Council and the Livable Communities Council. “I come from a labor family and have been endorsed three times by the Westchester Building Trades, Westchester-Putnam AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, a host of service and public unions, as well as nurses and teachers,” Harckham said. “I work very closely with my union partners around the issues of decommissioning Indian Point and passed a law to protect wages and local jobs, as well as created the Decommissioning Oversight Harckham, Arena face off for 40th Senate District seat Sen. Pete Harckham Gina Arena SEE SENATE PAGE 28 SellYour Home for TOP DOLLAR with Somers’ Real Estate Specialist Visit: SomersHouseValues.com or Email: [email protected] Michael Trinchitella Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker FREE Home Evaluation Anytime — No Cost or Obligation Call 914.243.3051 SomersHouseValues.com CLASSIC REALTY IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER! Vol. 11 No. 35 Thursday, December 8, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 4 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 21 OBITUARIES 9 OPINION 10 SPORTS 18 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Winning is always great. But making your way back to the top after a heartbreak is unmatched. Motivated by the crushing 32-31 defeat against CBASyracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Syracuse. Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. e preparation was on point, we did everything we were supposed to do, weathered several storms, weathered injuries, and we got it done,” said the second-year head coach. Wasting no time on the big stage, Ravi Dass (3 Rec, 2 TDs) answered the call on the opening return, taking it all the way to the Tigers’ 39, then catching an 18-yard pass from Matt Fitzsimons for the rst touchdown 22 seconds into the game. “Walking out as state champs, it’s awesome,” said the senior receiver. e defense’s turn, George Forbes (6 Tk) began his Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Winning is always great. But making your way back to the top after a heartbreak is unmatched. Motivated by the crushing 32-31 defeat against CBASyracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome (Carrier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Syracuse. Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. e preparation was on point, we did everything we Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win Ravi Dass put his team ahead early with two huge touchdowns. SEE CHAMPIONS PAGE 18 The 2022 Tuskers cemented themselves in Somers history with the 58-21 win over Union-Endicott. PHOTOS: CHRIS SMAJLAJ HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi Your House Could Be the #1 Item on a Homebuyer’s Wish List During the Holidays Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting until the new year to go back on the market. The truth is many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. Call me for a no-obligation consultation about selling your home and the 5 great reasons you shouldn't wait until Spring. #UGottaHaveHope Thursday, December 8, 2022 rier Dome) last fall, Somers Football (13-0) avenged their one loss in the last three seasons with a dominating 58-21 win over Union-Endicott for the NYSPHSAA Class A Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, Coach Anthony DeMatteo, carrying on the winning legacy of his father, Tony, at Somers, knew what he and his team set out to do when workouts began last summer. “Even though we said publicly we wanted to win the section, in house we said states, and we were angry all year. e preparation was on point, we did everything we were supposed to do, weathered several storms, weathered injuries, and we got it done,” said the second-year head coach. Wasting no time on the big stage, Ravi Dass (3 Rec, 2 TDs) answered the call on the opening return, taking it all the way to the Tigers’ 39, then catching an 18-yard pass from Matt Fitzsimons for the rst touchdown 22 seconds into the game. “Walking out as state champs, it’s awesome,” said the senior receiver. e defense’s turn, George Forbes (6 Tk) began his Tuskers avenge last season with 58-21 state championship win SEE CHAMPIONS PAGE 18 MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi Thursday, December 15, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 36 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 37 CLASSIFIEDS 39 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 LEGAL NOTICES 37 LEISURE 31 OBITUARIES 9 OPINION 10 SPORTS 24 Toys for Tots pg 3 GIVING BACK Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. PHOTO: ROB DISTASIO BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER e Somers Board of Education got its rst o cial peek last week at the scal fallout from the settlement of the old PepsiCo property’s tax certiorari case. Also cited for their potential impact on local pocketbooks were fuel and electricity costs, which are rising at an “alarming” rate, according to the school district’s assistant superintendent for business, Chris Platania. Platania presented trustees and the public with an initial overview of the 2023-24 school budget on Tuesday, Dec. 6. ere won’t be preliminary numbers to share until after the governor’s rst budget comes out in January and the district gets a clue about what its state aid is going to be. TAXING CIRCUMSTANCES e 206-acre PepsiCo property, along with its 540,000-squarefoot o ce, o Route 35 was sold in 2015 to Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim Helú for $87 million. e new owners, listed as One P Way LLC, went on to challenge their real estate tax assessment as well as that of the old IBM campus’ on Route 100, which Slim had acquired in 2017. e former tax certiorari case was Board of Education begins budget process The Somers community got into the holiday spirit at the tree lighting ceremony outside The Elephant Hotel on Dec. 4. See more photos on page 22! Oh Christmas tr ee! SEE BUDGET PAGE 33 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 fi “Hope is quite simply the best agent I’ve ever come across in all my years living in Westchester County. Her complete knowledge of the market in the area has impressed even a skeptic like me. Once you hire her, she will represent you at every step in your journey with enthusiasm, professionalism and candor. She is a woman with smarts and integrity and does so much to help others even when she stands to gain nothing for herself. Hope is a quality human being that you should have on your team. I can’t say enough about Hope other than #UGottaHaveHope!” — TI, Somers about Your Local Expert! Rave Reviews Rave Reviews