Mount-Kisco Bedford Times 07.13.2023

FOX TRACKS 4 HEALTH & WELLNESS 16 OBITUARIES 7 OPINION 8 Fox Lane Prom pg 12 CELEBRATION! VOL. 2 NO. 4 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION JULY 13 – AUGUST 10, 2023 PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO Graduation Day! BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Lisa Abzun will be moving on to Mount Kisco’s general elections after prevailing in the recent Democratic primary. The deputy mayor vied with Tom Luzio, a lawyer and former prosecutor, for a spot on the ballot in the village’s mayoral race this November. A lifelong Mount Kisco resident, Abzun was appointed to the Village Board in 2021 to fulfill a vacancy and then made deputy mayor. She ran unopposed for trustee in 2022. According to unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections, the vote was 396 (54 percent) for Abzun and 333 (46 percent) for Luzio. Luzio was endorsed by the Mount Kisco Democratic Committee; Abzun wasn’t. Mount Kisco Democratic Committee chair William Serratore issued the following statement on Thursday, July 6. “The Mount Kisco Democratic Committee congratulates Lisa Cerbone-Abzun on her victory in the primary. She is now the official nominee of the Democratic Party and we wish her well and we look forward to working with her in the future.” “As the Democratic candidate for mayor in November’s general election, I look forward to a new vitality of the Mount Kisco Democratic Committee, inclusive of the Abzun tops Luzio in Democratic primary Deputy mayor to face Cindrich in November election SEE PRIMARYPAGE 21 On June 21, the Fox Lane High School Class of 2023 took the next step into their future. See our complete graduation coverage in the special commemorative insert inside today’s paper! Westchester’s Diamond Store This is where you want to buy your diamond JEWELR Y D’Errico 914-722-1940 914-864-2688

PAGE 2 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 A True Historic Dining Experience SERVING NORTHERN WESTCHESTER SINCE 1926! AMERICAN CUISINE OUTDOOR DINING AVAILABLE • DINE IN • TAKE-OUT • PRIVATE EVENTS • CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 914-962-4090 • 673 Croton Heights Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 • www.peterprattsinn.com Wednesday – Sunday • Serving Dinner 5PM-9:30PM Local leaders are pushing back on a recently passed election law bill that would move most town and county elections to even-numbered years. Ellen Calves of Bedford, Kevin Hansan of Pound Ridge, Gina Picinich of Mount Kisco, Warren Lucas of North Salem, Robert Scorrano of Somers, Tom Diana of Yorktown, Tony  Gonçalves  of Lewisboro, and Michael Cazzari  of Carmel were among 20 members of the Westchester Putnam Association of Supervisors (WPATS) who signed a letter urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto the legislation. She has until Dec. 31 to make a decision. If it gets the governor’s final stamp of approval, the law would go into effect in January 2025. Elected officials who are in office in January will be allowed to finish out their time in office. However, elections held after 2026 will be cut short by one or two years so that they can be moved to even-numbered years. The change includes certain town positions, county legislators, and county executives but does not impact city elections. According to the bills (A4282B/ S3505B), exempt are district attorneys, sheriffs, county clerks, family court, county court, and surrogate court judges, or any county offices with a three-year term prior to Jan. 1, 2025. That’s because changes in those specific elected offices are protected by the state Constitution. According to spectrumlocalnews.com, lawmakers are weighing adding city elections to the list in their next session. That would require that a constitutional amendment be passed by two consecutive legislatures before voters get ahold of it, the media outlet said. Any town that’s “completely coterminous” with a village will continue to elect its officers, including town justices, in odd-numbered years if both the village and town held such elections in an oddnumbered year prior to that date. The bill’s sponsors, state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Cornwall, 42nd  District) and state Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale, 88th District), say that the move will increase turnout by aligning those elections with state and national ones, such as those for governor or president, which normally bring far more voters to the polls than local elections do in odd-numbered years. The two lawmakers also argue that holding local elections at the same time as state and national ones “will make the process less confusing for voters” and save money. Assemblyman Chris Burdick (D-Bedford), a former Bedford town supervisor, voted against the bill. “I voted against the bill as I am very concerned that national issues will drown out local ones. My vote was also based on feedback from chief elected officials in my district, who expressed strong opposition,” he explained Thursday, June 29. State Sen. Pete Harckham (D-Lewisboro) voted for it, citing its potential for increasing voter participation. “To me it’s clear in that, in a representative democracy, participation matters. And this will increase turnout, which is essential for democracy,” he said Thursday. Any changes made to the election schedules for judges and the other exempted posts mentioned above have to be made constitutionally, Harckham added. Asked to comment on reports that some Republican lawmakers are questioning Democrats’ political motives for supporting the change, Harckham said: “This is not a partisan thing. There are areas where Republicans will do better with a bigger turnout.” “The only people complaining are the political class, the people who have benefited from low voter turnout for decades,” he claimed, adding: “We just have to work hard to get our message out there.” Assemblyman Matt Slater (R, C-Yorktown) issued the following statement last week. “As a former town supervisor I know firsthand that local elections are about local issues. The proposed change will silence important debates that are at the core of these elections for local offices. This is why every single town supervisor, Democrat and Republican, in Putnam and Westchester Counties have signed a letter calling on Governor Hochul to veto this bad piece of legislation. I am joining my colleagues to call on Governor Hochul to veto this horrible measure and leave our local elections alone.” In its letter, WPATS members agreed while increased voter turnout could result from the alignment of local elections with national cycles, “it is essential to carefully consider the potential negative impacts on local representation, voter engagement, and the democratic process.” They argued that local elections are often driven by local concerns and those would be “overshadowed” by state and national issues such as inflation, health care, and migration over which local officials have no direct control. The signers also pointed out that the legislation changes the terms of those who would normally be elected to two-year terms in 2025 town and county elections to one-year terms and would require “an additional election one year later.” They especially objected to the process by which the legislation was enacted. “Local officials were never consulted and our state representatives only learned about it days before the vote. It was brought to rules, through committee, and to a vote in only a few days,” they wrote, Officials push back against election law changes SEE ELECTION LAW PAGE 21

BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A couple of times each week, Mount Kisco resident Audrey Schading heads out the door and walks to nearby Club Pilates for her workout. Schading is 70 years old. But that’s not what makes this story so extraordinary. Schading is also blind. Her guide dog, a German shepherd named Keith, helps her find her way to the gym and then dutifully stands by as she goes through her routines. For those unfamiliar, Pilates is performed on specially designed apparatus, including a bed-like structure called a reformer, or more simply on a mat or blanket. Pilates focuses more on improving muscle tone than building muscles, but the result is similar: greater stability and endurance. It’s a favored workout for amateur and professional athletes because it can reduce the likelihood of injury.  “I had done Pilates before, but many years ago,” Schading said. “I wanted to get back and didn’t know where or how.” Schading said not every gym is willing to take on a blind client. “I made a phone call and put it on the table,” she said. “Sometimes they’re welcoming, sometimes nervous. But [Club Pilates] called me back and said they had an instructor. It was the perfect synergy.” Trainer Trish Formisano said the manager of the club approached her about taking Schading on as a client. “She said she had the perfect client for me,” Formisano said. “She told me she is blind and wants to take Pilates, and the owner was fine with it. We did a test where I closed my eyes to see how it would work. It sounds silly, but I jumped right in and said let’s do it. I like challenges.” Schading said she was familiar with how Pilates works, having done it before, but was worried if she’d still be able to pull it off. “I was concerned with how it would work,” she said. “But I was familiar with it and all the memories came back and we were able to start right away. It took a few minutes to get acclimated. When something new was involved, Trish was super helpful with it. She would say, this is how we are going to do it and she would walk me through it. She would explain what it would feel like. She gradually built the whole thing.” Schading’s sessions started doing her workouts once a week and then increased the frequency to twice a week. “We’ve been in sync since,” Schading said. “[Formisano] knows what I can do and what I am ready to do.” Formisano said she and Schading “have very good chemistry and became fast friends.” “We enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “We came up with our own language to work through this. People with sight have trouble with [Pilates] but Audrey does it and I push her because I know she can do it. I have to find ways to explain to her what to do. She knows now where the machine is located and how to get to it.” Schading, who’s been blind since birth, is a retired teacher, though she still teaches brail and adaptive technology parttime to impaired adults. She also teaches English as a second language. “I love the work,” she said. Schading has two grown children and six grandchildren. She has been with her “significant partner,” Rich Laine, for 13 years. She said they’ve all been supportive of her Pilates endeavors. “They’re proud and Rich is always encouraging,” she said. “My daughter is an enthusiastic person, and she has done Pilates. Now, she’s a Peloton girl.” Formisano said she is impressed with what Schading has been able to accomplish thus far. “I don’t know if it would be for everyone. You need a certain type of personality,” she said. “You have to be calm and patient and interested. I was intrigued and wanted to make it work, so maybe there was a little vanity. But I got a lovely person, so it was a win/win for me.” Schading said she wanted to tell her story in hopes of inspiring visually impaired people that they can not only survive with their disability, but they can thrive as well. “It can be a challenge for some to even get out the door,” she said. “People are afraid of blindness, even today it is true. But Pilates is very doable. It is such a good means of self-care and if you have a way of doing it, you need to try and see how beneficial it is. You need the right person and the right circumstances. Everyone has to gauge it for themselves.” JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 3 Audrey Schading Blind Mount Kisco woman says Pilates is perfect for self-care PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRISH FORMISANO Audrey Schading Schading works out on the reformer. Schading’s guide dog Keith gives her some encouragement. ‘People with sight have trouble with [Pilates] but Audrey does it...’ -Trish Formisano Trainer Audrey Schading, right, with her trainer Trish Formisano PHOTO COURTESY OF MONICA MCSWEENEY

PAGE 4 – MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky (845) 661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Wednesday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 Published Monthly by Halston Media, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP? Heat pumps will help you find the perfect balance of comfort and savings all year round, while reducing your carbon footprint. These all-in-one heating and air conditioning systems optimize the temperature throughout your home to use less energy, and can save you up to 30% on your cooling and heating costs. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE to lock-in these incentive savings! FEDERAL INCENTIVE: 30% of the total cost STATE INCENTIVE: $5,000 UTILITY COMPANY INCENTIVE: Up to $20,000 HYBRID HOT WATER HEATER: $1000 Rebate SUPER SAVINGS on your Heat Pump project while program funding lasts... CALL NOW TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT EXP 8/31/23 Coupon must present at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $ 50 OFF ANY OF OUR RELAX! SERVICES we’ve got you covered with our $ummer $AVINGS! Free Naloxone Training Thursday, July 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. New York State Senators Pete Harckham and Shelley Mayer and Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce will host a free community naloxone training in partnership with the Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps to educate participants on how to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Over the course of the training, participants will learn to identify the signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer naloxone, a nasal spray medication and opioid antagonist often known by its brand name, Narcan®. By the end of the training, all participants will leave with a two-year naloxone certification and a free emergency kit with two doses of naloxone and other safety equipment. To be held at Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps at 89 Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge. To RSVP or if you have any questions about the training, visit tinyurl.com/PRNarcanTraining or call Sen. Harckham’s District office at (914) 241-4600. Town of Bedford Veterans Committee 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills [email protected] VETERANS DAY It’s a long way off, but the committee has reserved the newly refurbished  Bedford Hills Community House for a celebration on Saturday, Nov. 11. Planning is underway. Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce www.mtkiscochamber.com SEPTEMBERFEST 2023 September 8 - 10 The Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Village of Mount Kisco, presents SeptemberFest 2023! The event will once again be featuring favorites such as a full-sized carnival, food & beer court, live music, a Street Fair, plus a few surprises!  Mark your calendars and be ready to enjoy the weekend. Fun for the whole family! For Street Fair vendor information, contact mkseptemberfest@ gmail.com Town of Bedford Recreation Department For more information, visit www.bedfordny.gov/departments/ recreation-parks FRIDAY NIGHT FOOD TRUCKS Friday, July 14 Featuring food trucks from 6 to 9 p.m. and live music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., along with games and activities. Come enjoy an evening with friends, food, and entertainment! To be held in Bedford Hills Memorial Park. Bedford Hills Free Library 26 Main St, Bedford Hills. 914-666-6472 For more information or to register for programs, visit www. bedfordhillsfreelibrary.org DIVE INTO READING AT THE POOL Tuesday, July 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. Grab your lunch or a snack and join in for delightful summer stories in the shade near the kiddie pool at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park. A perfect way to dry off and refresh after Little Dolphin swim lessons. BOOKS AND BOW WOWS Saturday, July 22, from 12 to 1 p.m. Children learning to read are invited to read a few pages from a favorite book or show their favorite illustrations to Trixie SEE TRACKSPAGE 7 FOX TRACKS

JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 5 HOME FURNISHINGS • MATTRESSES • KIDS’ ROOMS • HOME OFFICE • LIGHTING • WINDOW TREATMENTS • RUGS • ART • DECOR VISIT OUR SPACIOUS BEDFORD HILLS SHOWROOM: 230 RTE 117 BYPASS ROAD COUNTRYWILLOW.COM COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN SERVICES *DISCOUNT OFF RETAIL PRICE TAKEN ON ITEM OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. *Offer not valid on the purchase of gift cards, previously purchased merchandise, clearance items, balances, special discounts, delivery charges, furniture protection, Ekornes, Hunter Douglas, American Leather, Gat Creek, BDI and Bedgear. Other limitations may apply. See store for details. BUY ONE GET ONE 50% OFF* SUMMER 2023 JULY 14TH THRU JULY 23RD Last month, Fox Lane High School’s Maria Estefani Chinchilla Lemus was proudly awarded the inaugural Tony Tripodi Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was created in honor of 1966 FLHS graduate Tony Tripodi to continue his legacy of fostering education and the love of language and world travel. Super Scholar! PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBORAH STELLIO Rocco Tripodi, Angela Tripodi Gioffrè, Vicky Buzzetto and scholarship winner Maria Chinchilla The Harvey School in Katonah has announced the names of the area students who have earned academic honors for the final marking period of the 2022- 23 school year. The following have been awarded a Cavalier Scholar certificate (GPA of 4.0 or higher) or have earned places on the Head’s List (3.7 or higher) or Honor Roll (at least 3.3): Harrison Acrish, 12, Bedford Corners, Cavalier Scholar; Lily Acrish, 10, Bedford Corners, Cavalier Scholar; Logan Alexander, 10, Goldens Bridge, Cavalier Scholar; Dylan Bazaar, 11, Katonah, Head’s List; Emily Bigman, 7, Katonah, Head’s List; Ryan Byrne, 10, Goldens Bridge, Head’s List; Aislinn Carnes Swingle, 12, Pound Ridge, Head’s List; Amity Doyle, 7, Katonah, Head’s List; Lucinda Durkin, 12, Katonah, Head’s List; Jordan Falk, 9, Bedford, Cavalier Scholar; Sophie Frankel, 7, Katonah, Head’s List; Emma Galgano, 12, South Salem, Cavalier Scholar; Lilah Groff, 7, Waccabuc, Head’s List; Brandon Hall, 9, Goldens Bridge, Head’s List; Iliana Hellinger, 11, Katonah, Cavalier Scholar; Maximillian Hernandez, 10, Cross River, Head’s List: Perri Hines, 8, Pound Ridge, Head’s List; Anna Hodgson, 10, Mount Kisco, Honor Roll; Liz Hurley, 12, Mount Kisco, Honor Roll: Jonah Kass, 10, Katonah, Honor Roll; Casey Kelly, 9, South Salem, Head’s List; Sophia Kimmel, 8, Bedford, Head’s List; Eli Klagsbrun, 9, Katonah, Head’s List; Theo Klagsbrun, 11, Katonah, Cavalier Scholar; Ari Klein, 12, Bedford Corners, Cavalier Scholar; Emiliana Knauer, 12, Katonah, Cavalier Scholar; Aoife Lazzaro, 6, Katonah, Head’s List; Maeve Lazzaro, 9, Katonah, Cavalier Scholar; Senna Lieber, 6, Goldens Bridge, Head’s List; Luca Marano, 10, Bedford, Honor Roll; Shelby McCaine, 11, Katonah, Honor Roll: Stephen Millette, 8, Mount Kisco, Head’s List; Jason Nelson, 11, Pound Ridge, Head’s List; Jacob Pinney, 8, Katonah, Honor Roll; Daniela Rynott, 10, Mount Kisco, Cavalier Scholar; Chloe Siddons, 9, Bedford, Honor Roll: Lila Silpe, 9, Bedford, Honor Roll; Emily Sorio, 10, Mount Kisco, Honor Roll; Michael Sorio, 11, Mount Kisco, Cavalier Scholar; Peter Sorio, 11, Mount Kisco, Cavalier Scholar; Eve Tambor, 10, South Salem, Honor Roll; Charles Treseler, 12, Bedford, Cavalier Scholar; Tinsley Valenti, 10, Bedford, Head’s List; Riannah Wallach, 11, Pound Ridge, Head’s List; Spencer Whitman, 12, Katonah, Honor Roll.   Information provided by The Harvey School. Local students shine at The Harvey School

PAGE 6 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 295 E MAIN STREET | MOUNT KISCO 914-666-7792 (O) [email protected] www.TheCafeResidentialTeam.com ☑ Full-Service Brokerage ☑ Personal Touch ☑ Advanced Marketing ☑ Local & Independent SCAN HERE FOR SELLER & BUYER RESOURCES Check out our social channels BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER A Mount Kisco man has been charged with firstdegree manslaughter in the stabbing death of another village resident, Westchester County Police said. The suspect, 41-year-old Oscar Morales, and the victim, whose name was being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, knew each other. The incident took place at 305 Lexington Ave., where both men lived, police said. Witnesses told police that the two were arguing when Morales “allegedly used a knife to stab the victim,” according to WCPD spokesman Kiernan O’Leary. Police got a 911 call about an assault around 11:12 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. They found the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds and rendered first aid. He was taken to nearby Northern Westchester where he was pronounced dead at 12:18 a.m. Morales was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. Arraigned before Village Justice Mark Farrell, he was sent to Westchester County Jail without bail. Village officials sought to calm residents’ fears about the stabbing by posting on Facebook that police had classified it as an isolated incident that had posed no risk or danger to the public. They also extended condolences to the victim’s family and friends and asked that they “be afforded privacy to grieve this tragic loss.” Stabbing leads to manslaughter charges in Mount Kisco BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER In the early afternoon of June 29, first responders were notified of the crash of a single manned aircraft at the Shrub Oak International School. The first call regarding the incident was made to the Yorktown Police Department at 12:09 p.m., according to Chief Robert Noble. The notification came from a member of the public who reported that the “small plane had crashed.” The pilot, the plane’s sole occupant, is a 66-year-old resident of Tuckahoe, NY who was flying from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains to the Orange County Airport in Montgomery, NY. The crash has been attributed to mechanical difficulties which affected the plane’s ability  to maintain or gain altitude. The pilot was attempting to fly the single engine Cessna back to Westchester County Airport when the mechanical issues began, making it necessary to find a safe place to make a hard landing. He was conscious, alert, and suffered only minor injuries, according to police. The pilot’s identity has been withheld by officials at this time. Members of the Yorktown Police Department responded within minutes and recommended placing the school on lockout. A fuel leak coming from the plane resulted in Mohegan Lake Professional and Volunteer Fire Department being dispatched.  Mohegan Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Empress Paramedics were also dispatched to treat the pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)  and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were both notified of the plane crash. Investigators of the Yorktown Police Department verified with the Westchester County Airport and the FAA that the flight was scheduled. Investigators determined that there was “no criminality or anything suspicious” associated with the hard landing. The scene was turned over to Chief Eade and the Lake Mohegan Professional Firefighters for the overall removal of the aircraft and the overseeing of the fuel leak remediation efforts. The Westchester Department of Emergency Services, Westchester County Department of Public Safety and New York State Troopers also assisted at the scene. Lifting the school lockout was suggested to the staff at the Shrub Oak International School. “It was a decent ending to what could’ve been a tragic situation,” said Town Supervisor Tom Diana. “It was a small single engine plane experiencing problems in the air and the pilot notified tower control that he was having difficulties with the aircraft and was looking for a large field to land. That field became the front field of the International School. I want to thank and acknowledge all of our first responders who arrived immediately on scene.” The pilot was transported to Westchester Medical Center for observation and treatment for his injuries. According to police, further investigation into this incident will be turned over to the NTSB and FAA. Plane makes rough landing in Westchester Mechanical issues forced the Cessna to make a hard landing on June 29. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS The plane had been headed for Orange County Airport. REGIONAL

THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 7 JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 Offering the Unique Flavors of Asian Cuisine MAKE A RESERVATION TODAY! 914-232-3900 tengdakatonah.com 286 Katonah Ave, Katonah Cool cuisine, cool vibe, for a cool summer meal the Labrador Retriever, a Pet Partners certified therapy dog accompanied by her owner. Pound Ridge Library Located at 271 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576. For more information, email info@poundridgelibrary. org or call 914-764-5085. To register for these events, visit the calendar at www.poundridge library.org. MUSICAL FRIDAYS AT THE MARKET SQUARE Friday, July 14, at 4 p.m. Join in for singing, clapping, dancing, fun instruments and more! You will have a wonderful time ! Program appropriate for children ages 6 months – 6 years old. Program run by teachers from The Bedford Academy of Music. This event will be held in the courtyard outside The Market at Pound Ridge Square, 55 Westchester Ave in Pound Ridge. MINI GOLF IN THE LIBRARY Saturday, July 22, at 1 p.m. Enjoy mini-golf? Then join in for a nine-hole coure set up in the Children’s Room! You will have a blast! Program to be held at Library. Registration required. A limit of 20 children for the program. Please register only your child and not the caregivers on the library website. Bedford Free Library Located at 32 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506. For more information or to register for events, visit www.bedfordfree library.org STORYTIME AT ROCHAMBEAU FARM Friday, July 14, at 11 a.m. Join Mrs. Crummy for “Day at the Farm” storytime and craft at Rochambeau Farm, located at 214 W Patent Road in Mt. Kisco. Pizza is available for purchase (cash only) Bring a blanket, space is limited. Rain or shine Registration is required by visiting bedfordfreelibrary.org Eugene L. Hammer III Eugene L. “Bud” Hammer III of Katonah, NY, passed away on June 13, 2023, after a short but courageous battle with Leukemia. His beloved wife Lisa and brother David were at his side. He was 58. Bud was a giving and thoughtful soul and will be missed and remembered by the many lives he touched. Always kind and quick with a grin, Bud was the consummate cheerleader who loved to talk and engage in deep conversations on any topic that piqued his curiosity. Forthright and honest, he was deeply passionate and focused on lifting others up and helping them be the best version of themselves. A lifelong resident of Westchester County, Bud was born in White Plains, NY on September 14, 1964, to Eugene and Madeline Hammer. He graduated from Pace University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing where he met his future wife and business partner Lisa (Fiorenza). Bud was the President and General Manager of Atlantic Westchester, Inc., an award-winning commercial and industrial HVAC business located in Bedford Hills, NY. With his partner Lisa, Bud successfully grew Atlantic Westchester from the small “mom and pop” operation started by his parents to a multi-faceted enterprise offering intelligent, energy-efficient building management systems. Under his leadership, Atlantic Westchester earned several prestigious awards, and was recognized as a pioneer in environmentally friendly HVAC solutions. Bud was a strong believer in giving back to the community. In 2020, he was selected as Board Chair of United Way of Westchester and Putnam after joining the Board in 2017 and co-chairing the resource development committee and annual golf event.  Bud also had a deep love for the New York Rangers, fast cars, classic rock and the blues, and the game of golf. He was rarely without his signature baseball cap, quick wit, willing attitude, and infectious smile. Bud will be greatly missed by his wife of 33 years Lisa and their pets as well as his brother David Hammer and family, his sister-in-law Laura Fiorenza and family, his brother-in-law Frank Fiorenza and family, and his many beloved friends and colleagues. Bud was predeceased by his father Eugene L. Hammer Jr., who died June 4, 2012 and mother Madeline Hammer, who died July 11, 2002. Visiting hours were held at Clark Associates Funeral Home in Katonah on Saturday, June 24, followed by a short memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Way of Westchester and Putnam at www.uwwp. org/give OBITUARIES TRACKS FROM PAGE 4

PAGE 8 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES 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 Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky , Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected]. JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 Editor’s Note: Don Scott is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to opinion@halstonmedia. com. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit.   I haven’t written a whiskey column before, so why not start now since this is too good a story not to share. I recently attended a social event on a beautiful evening where I met Lily and Kevin Crowell, along with their adorable nine-month-old son Addison in tow. They were manning a rather interesting looking tasting station, providing samples of a bourbon called American Brick. You may know, I am never bashful about leaning on my Kentucky heritage when it suits my purposes. This evening was no exception. In addition to basketball and horse racing, Kentucky is famous for bourbon. I ignorantly thought the only “real” bourbon comes from Kentucky. I may have been a victim of propaganda. Kevin straightened me out on that front. Gently of course. In order to be a bourbon, whiskey must be made from a grain mixture that contains at least 51% corn. Other ingredients typically used in the mash are rye, barley and hops. The mash that ferments into the mixture that is distilled into the base alcohol that is turned into bourbon, ironically, is called beer. Are you listening, Katonah Beer Man, a.k.a. John Bart? This could be your springboard into expanding your column into whiskey.  The second requirement to be a bourbon is that spirits must be aged in pristine, new charred oak barrels. Third, that this distillate can’t exceed 160 proof -- 80% alcohol -- and must be bottled at no less than 80 proof. Fourth, it must be made in the United States. And finally, it can’t contain any additives working the organic angle. After Kevin explained the rules, it was time for a taste. Although I am a single-maltScotch man by training, my Kentucky upbringing has given me a palate that can quickly adjust to conditions on the ground, in this case a bourbon tasting. I have tried a few different bourbons over the years and American Brick was as smooth as silk. You can taste the oak notes and it has a creamy texture, almost like butterscotch. It’s no wonder that Brick has won multiple competitions, most recently receiving a 96 at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits competition, taking the gold medal. As good as the bourbon is, the story of the company is better. The Crowell family has been in Ulster County, NY, for five generations before Kevin’s parents, Wendy and Brian, moved to Bedford Hills. 5x granddaddy Crowell bought a piece of property in Wallkill on the banks of the Dwaar Kill, and built a factory that manufactured brick molds. That would explain why they were serving bourbon samples in things that look like ice trays, but were actually used for fabricating bricks.  Kevin and Brian had the brainstorm for Brick Bourbon when they were pouring through -- was that a pun -- the history of the family factory. There had been rumors of a still beneath the factory floorboards, according to the family’s website. It seems earlier generations had been engaged in a prohibition-era whiskey business that served the factory’s employees as well as their clients and neighboring farmers. Starting a bourbon business made perfect sense. And making it a family business made perfect sense too. In addition to Kevin’s parents, his sisters Casey and Christina are active in the business. All three are Fox Lane graduates. Their brand launched in May in partnership with Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits.  If you are a golfer, you may recognize Brian’s name. He is a golf pro who often appears on CBS Sports as an analyst. He is frequently mistaken for Jim Nance, or as Brian is quick to tell you, Jim is frequently mistaken for him. Like Kentucky, Ulster County is famous for its water, which bubbles up through limestone aquifers. A good story and great ingredients are what you need for a successful product. Brick Bourbon has both. I’m looking forward to raising my next glass.  The Bourbon Family of Bedford Hills PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CROWELL FAMILY The Crowell family of Bedford Hills are owners of awardwinning bourbon, American Brick DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 9 JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 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 When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 I ’m half-Irish. My mother’s maiden name was Cunningham. I think my Irish heritage is where my stoicism comes from. Oh, I can get irate and animated under certain circumstances, but most times I roll with the changes with a shoulder shrug. Maybe I borrowed a little of that from the AA “Serenity Prayer” ... Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Sometimes my stoicism is mistaken for indifference. But it shouldn’t be. Those who mistake it aren’t privy to the roiling mess that sometimes goes on inside me when things go wrong. They don’t know that when I am by myself, things are different. I am like that boiling pot of water you forgot was on the stove. When the Giants fail to punch the ball into the end zone on fourth and goal; when a Mets hitter strikes out with two outs and the bases loaded, when some talking head on Fox News says something deliberately false, stupid and reckless, no one sees me throw my shoe at the television. While I was going through my health crisis that wound up with me losing my left leg due to diabetes, folks praised me for my strength, sense of humor and positive attitude. But that was just my Irish fortitude shining through. And while I appreciated the kudos, they weren’t invited to my pity party and didn’t see me crying myself to sleep every night. Grandpa Cunningham was a bit like that. He didn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve. He was a curmudgeon with a heart of gold, only without the heartof-gold part. I guess that is my way of saying that he was perpetually grumpy. He was a World War I veteran. He never talked about it all that much, but I know he saw combat. He actually brought back souvenirs, and this is pretty crazy. They included a German helmet (with a dent where a bullet grazed off it), a German infantry rifle, one of those weird German army hats with the spikey thing on top, and a German machine gun. Yup... a machine gun. I am not talking about the kind you held in your hand like an Uzi. This was a big, heavy metal model that sat on a tripod. Soldiers would feed bullets into it that were on a cloth belt. He still had the belt, but no bullets. It came with a big metal box that held the ammo. Sometimes he would let me play with it. He would set it up on its tripod in the living room and I would put on the metal helmet (which was really uncomfortable and made me look like Darth Vader) and sit behind the gun and pretend to fire it. Dat! Dat! Dat! Dat! Dat! There was no danger. The gun was inoperable and, as I said, there were no bullets. But it was a unique way for a 10-year-old to spend a Saturday afternoon. Grandpa was also a great baseball player and he contributed to my love for the game. I never saw him play, but he was a catcher and still had his old mitt and chest protector. (I played with them, too.) He played in a semi-pro league and was later inducted into the Dutchess County Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a war hero and a baseball star, so why was he so grumpy all the time? I can never say for sure, but when I was younger, there was talk around the family—aunts and older cousins—that he was still bitter about the racism he suffered from when he got out of the service and began looking for a job. Racism? Grandpa Cunningham was the pastiest white guy you’d ever want to meet. How could he be the victim of prejudice? Well, we’ve all heard about those “Irish Need Not Apply” signs often found in storefront windows so long ago. The sentiment could also be found in the help wanted classified ads. From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, Irish immigrants were not well-liked. Why? In the wake of the Irish Potato Famine (aka The Great Famine, aka The Great Hunger), which lasted from 1846 to 1851, more than a million Irish emigrated to North America, and they were all looking for jobs. I don’t know if there were any protest marches back then with people chanting, “The Irish will not replace us!” but it was clear Americans thought these inferior lowlife immigrants wanted to steal their jobs. By the 1920s, the anti-Irish sentiment was less transparent, but it still festered in more subtle forms. Family lore says Grandpa had trouble finding employment, which in the wake of his military valor, made him bitter... and grumpy. He took a job as an iceman, using a team of horses pulling a giant blade to slice blocks of ice from Green Mountain Lake in Pawling, then loading it onto a wagon and delivering the ice to local households for their “ice boxes.” It was hard work. Eventually, he found a job as a typewriter repairman for IBM (well before they had anything to do with computers) and stayed with them until his retirement. Now, as Fox News enthusiasts are well aware, we’ve had some issues with immigration again, particularly at our southern border. Hundreds of thousands of asylum-seekers have traveled countless miles in search of a better life and have overwhelmed our border patrol agents Welcome to the melting pot... sort of BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEE DUMASPAGE 10

PAGE 10 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SUMMER SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 8/30/23 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK! and tapped our resources to the limit. If the same problem was happening at our Northern border with Canadian refugees, or if it was Norwegians teaming our shores, I doubt there would be as much handwringing. Those folks are so white, they are practically transparent. Now, our former president would have you believe that most of these asylum-seekers are rapists, murderers, drug dealers, and liberal arts professors who are coming here to take our jobs and lower property values, but in reality, many are just single moms with their kids attempting to escape suppressive authoritarian regimes and create a better life for their families. It was recently reported in the New York Post and Fox News that several motels (in Newburgh and Wallkill) have kicked out disabled vets to make room for these “illegals.” Turns out, none of that was true (surprise, surprise). The Mid-Hudson News, which had joined the feeding frenzy and reported the veteran eviction story, has since repudiated it. They were given receipts that allegedly proved that veterans had indeed been removed, but it turns out those receipts were doctored. The motels’ management also denied it ever happened—some saying they never even had vets in the first place—so the MidHudson News retracted the story. The Post and Fox News did not. But I agree there is a problem here. It is not the color of the immigrants’ skin or the language they speak. It is simply a matter of resources. Where do we house them; how do we feed them; how do we provide medical services? It’s overwhelming and it costs a lot of money! There are no easy solutions. But we are America, dammit. We can figure it out. We sent a man to the moon. We cured polio. We do big stuff. We just need the wherewithal. Just remember... times change. Today, every March we have a big parade celebrating the Irish and we all wear green in their honor. When you apply for a job, no one cares anymore if you are Irish. Then again, the Irish are mostly white. DUMAS FROM PAGE 9 “Summertime is always the best of what might be.” -Charles Bowden I love and agree with the optimism and anticipation of that quote. Summertime is a fave for me and, you guessed it, I have a beer style that I recommend to go along with those hazy days that will soon be upon us. I’ve also got a few cool places for you to check out as well. Read on. Italian Pilsners! This is a terrific, refreshing, and easy drinking style starting to make its way into the aisles of your favorite Beer Mart… wait… Bart Beer Mart™? According to Lowercase Brewing, this style was first created 25 years ago and utilized a brewing process called Double Dry Hopping (DDH) that was common in England and has become more prevalent with U.S. breweries these days. It is a process to highlight the myriad aromas and tastes of today’s hop offerings. Recall we also discussed dry-hopping a few columns ago, and learned this is a technique to reduce the amount of raw bitterness in a beer and enhance the non-bitter hop aroma and taste within the final product. The allure of Italian Pilsners for me is that they’re a break from the pack of delicious but common craft beers like IPAs and plain Lagers.  Italian Pilsners are crisp, clean, and dry tasting with a delish, but not overwhelming hop profile that can include floral, herbal and grassy tones. Typical ABVs fall in a very session-y range of 4-5.5%, allowing you to fully enjoy the summer BBQ or day at the beach with no lampshades on your head at the end of the evening. Recommendations for you to check out and report back: Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Pivo Pils; Talea Beer Co.’s Al Dente, Oxbow Brewing Company’s Luppolo.  FIELD TRIP - QUIRK WORKS AT 78 TRIANGLE ST., SUITE 2, DANBURY, CONN.; QUIRKWORKSBREWING.COM; 203- 826-7026 Not sure how the Quirk Works Brewing got on my radar, but it is likely because I trend quirky and felt a gravitational kinship to pay them a visit. So that’s exactly what my crafty crew and I did recently on a nice sunny Sunday afternoon. Quirk Works and its founder Rick Cipriani just celebrated their one-year anniversary, so they’re still newish, but I can attest that their beer and food game were on lock, as if they were several years in. Vibe-wise, Quirk Works is located in an industrial section of Danbury housed within a factory. It has a very cool industrial interior with tall ceilings and funky artwork (see pic on website) in full view of the shiny beer vats holding the next releases. They bring in live music and have trivia nights.   That day, the luxurious sun shone on us as we set up shop in their spacious outdoor courtyard Summer hoppenings! JOHN BART THE KATONAH BEER MAN SEE BART PAGE 11

OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 11 JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 Celebrating 50 years Brewster, NY and Bethel, CT Design Centers On your project everyday until completion...GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenandbath.com with plenty of seating and a few sets of corn hole games (Team KBM got trounced by Team Artsy). A few families with young kids scattered about as the space is pretty self-contained to keep an eye on the young-ins. The geographically diverse food menu is represented by: Buffalo Wontons, Bavarian Pretzels, Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, & Mexican (awkwardly named but excellent) “Hand Spanked” Guacamole, and some veggie options as well - all delish. Hugh was our bartender that day and did an excellent job walking us through all the beers and expected flavor notes. Here’s a sampling of what we enjoyed (many beer names are oxymorons) • Impractical Logic Pils 5.5% - unfiltered German Pilsner brewed with 10% Cheerios, that, unsurprisingly, gave light bready as well as heart-healthy tones. • Interchangeable Fate Irish Red IPA 6.5% - amber hue, malt forward body utilizing a unique hop combo (Ray, Amarillo, Falconer’s flight – check website version to get geeky on what profiles those bring to the table). • Cracked Perfection Hazy NEIPA 6% - super drinkable, mellow finish. • Golden Ingot Belgium Triple 8.5% - strong golden ale conditioned on Trappist yeast for three months. They try to keep 10-12 unique rotating beers on tap in the tasting room. Please check them out and let me know what you liked. HOPPENINGS Who has the best beer selection? You do. Especially when you can curate your own according to your palette. And how about packing them along with some appropriate food pairings in your picnic basket and bringing them both to Caramoor’s annual American Roots Music Festival on June 24? Picnicing is encouraged at this beautiful Katonah gem that we’re fortunate to have close by. Check it out. Please visit our friends at Vista Beverage for excellent rotating beer selections. vistabeerandbeverage.com; 204 Oakridge Commons, South Salem; 914-533-7512; Email [email protected]; Instagram - TheKatonahBeerMan; visit thekatonahbeerman.wordpress.com. BART FROM PAGE 10 Dear Dr. Linda, My daughter is going into the sixth grade. She hates to read, and has been labeled dumb and lazy by many of her teachers, even though they don’t say that in their own words. In fact, I feel they have given up on her. I don’t think she applies herself well, and I think she’s finally gotten to a point where she doesn’t even care anymore. What can I do over the summer to help her so the next school year isn’t so emotional for her? I’m afraid she’s becoming depressed. She really is very smart. -Mary Dear Mary, Every child, teen and adult wants to get an A+. Everyone wants a gold star. When it doesn’t happen, they may become depressed, sad, discouraged and give up trying. Some people react in just the opposite way. They become belligerent, angry, rude or even physically aggressive from frustration. To do well in school and get that A+ requires work. I agree with you that getting a head start over summer vacation is a good idea. THESE SUGGESTIONS FOR SUMMER SHOULD HELP YOUR DAUGHTER IMPROVE IN SIXTH GRADE: 1. See your pediatrician. Be sure that your daughter is physically healthy. Many times kids do poorly in school because they physically don’t feel well. Some kids simply need glasses. Many others are tired because they’re not sleeping enough or eating right. Your pediatrician can help you start unraveling the mystery as to why your daughter did poorly in fifth grade. 2. Look for someone such as a teacher, psychologist, counselor or tutor who can help you learn how your child learns so that she’ll be ready for sixth grade. Your pediatrician might be able to suggest someone. A professional will be able to pinpoint the reasons your daughter is struggling in school. For example, your daughter’s depression, poor grades and dislike for reading might be caused by a Time to explore what may be going wrong DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING SEE DR. LINDA PAGE 14

PAGE 12 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIME Fox Lane students got dressed to the nines and dan away at prom on June 9! The festivities also include photo shoot at GlenArbor Golf Club, hosted by Dan an Prom N

ES – JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 PAGE 13 nced the night ed a pre-prom d Vicki Weisse. Night! PHOTOS COURTESY OF VICKI WEISSE

PAGE 14 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 Contact Us The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302- 5830 or email [email protected]. DR. LINDA FROM PAGE 11 reading disability or an attentional issue. Your daughter may not be able to process language, understand numbers or write a paper. All of these issues make learning difficult. Spend the time over the summer trying to unravel the causes of your daughter’s struggle with school. 3. Find out some of the topics that your daughter will be learning in sixth grade and go over them. Preview them before she enters school. Introduce some of the vocabulary and concepts that she’ll encounter. For example, if your daughter is going to be learning about the American Revolution, talk about the difference between the Patriots and the Loyalists. Talk about the Patriot’s football team and how it got its name. When she hears these terms in class, she’ll be more engaged and feel good that she knows something about the topic. If you have time, visit Sturbridge in Massachusetts or, even better, Williamsburg in Virginia. In fact, any vacation in the U.S. is a lesson in American history. 4. Read a book together. Find out if her school has a summer reading list. If not, ask the librarian to recommend a book your daughter would enjoy. Each day read it together. If you and she don’t work well together, ask the librarian about summer reading programs she might enjoy. Many teachers could help her gain a love of reading and help her with reading difficulties she may have. They would love to work with her over the summer. Look around. 5. Be sure your daughter has plenty of off time to enjoy what she loves to do and can relax. If the depression or sadness doesn’t improve over the summer, talk to your pediatrician about it. The doctor will be able to help you find someone who can help your daughter not only do better in school, but feel better too. -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the originators of SuperDeck Learning Games available at www.stronglearning.com.   Editor’s Note: Don Scott is a candidate for Bedford Town Board. All candidates on the ballot for Town Board are invited to send columns to this newspaper. Send them to opinion@halstonmedia. com. Please keep to a 1,000-word limit.   Rarely does a good story come along that involves so many of my hot button issues (bipartisan cooperation, civics education, political polarization, and improving civil discourse). It started with a phone call last September out of the blue, which I first thought was a wrong number. The woman on the other end thought she was calling the local Republican party. My number apparently was on an old web page from a decade ago when I was the local chair. Her name was Dr. Jennifer Ladon, and she was a social studies teacher and the chair of the department at Byram Hills High School. She was looking for a few people involved with politics or advocacy to participate in a discussion with her class about voter participation, which was one segment of a three-year Global Scholars program. I told her that, although she had dialed a wrong number, she may have the right guy. I was a former and perhaps future elected official and had experience running campaigns. As an added bonus, I am Byram Hills alumni, having graduated there just after the stone age, so it gave me an opportunity to visit the school again for the first time since graduation. The class was fun. Each participant was interviewed by three separate panels of students who had clearly done their homework. They asked good questions. I must admit I was a little nervous, but they went easy on me. In December, I got a follow-up The ‘Pleasant Politics’ party DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE SCOTT PAGE 15 The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 • Gravel • Topsoil • Mulches • Sweet Peet • Unilock Pavers BEDFORD GRAVEL & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY 27 Norm Ave., Mt. 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JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 15 AUTO BODY COLLISION SPECIALIST | EXPERT FRAME STRAIGHTENING | PROFESSIONAL COLOR MATCHING | ALL WORK GUARANTEED 24 Hour Lock-Out Service & Towing Available Phone: 845-628-0069 | Phone/Text Now: 914-727-9497 | Fax: 845-628-3745 | 381 US 6 • Mahopac NY | proshopautobodynorth.com PROSHOPAUTOBODYNORTH AND WHEN THEY DO, PRO SHOP NORTH HAS GOT YOU COVERED ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Car accidents happen when you least expect them, and they can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Driving your vehicle after can be incredibly dangerous, especially if there is damage to the frame. Pro Shop North can assess the damage for you and work with your insurance company to complete any necessary repairs. Customers always come first at Pro Shop North, so we’ll help you make the most of your insurance claim and get you back on the road safely. AUTO BODY COLLISION SPECIALIST | EXPERT FRAME STRAIGHTENING | PROFESSIONAL COLOR MATCHING | ALL WORK GUARANTEED 24 Hour Lock-Out Service & Towing Available Phone: 845-628-0069 | Phone/Text Now: 914-727-9497 | Fax: 845-628-3745 | 381 Route 6 • Mahopac NY | proshopautobodynorth.com PROSHOPAUTOBODYNORTH SCOTT FROM PAGE 14 SUBMITTED The future looks bright with Allie Waxman, Anastasia Byrnes and Sophie Dockswell email from Sophie Dockswell letting me know that she and two classmates, Allie Waxman, and Anastasia Byrnes, were doing a Changemaker project on political polarization, partly because of my comments on the topic in my September interview. They wanted to conduct another thorough interview as part of their project, and I accepted their invitation to participate in a Zoom call about their initiative. Last week, Sophie followed up with an email update on the project and a thank you along with her partners. They had created a pitch deck and videos about their work, built a website, designed lesson plans and taught a class to middle schoolers. Along the way, they persuaded a panel of judges and donors to contribute funds to the project so they could do outreach to build interest in their work.  Their approach to teaching a class about civil discourse and polarization was clever. They asked general questions like, “is social media a very negative platform that increases teen anxiety and depression?” Or, “do girls face more peer pressure than boys?” Or, “is math the most important subject in school?” By keeping it out of the realm of politics, since most eighth-graders aren’t politically engaged, they could focus on how to have a meaningful discussion civilly with give and take from all participants. Only at the end of the class did they talk about some of the causes of political polarization and how to combat it and why it is important to develop norms to combat it. One of the participants said, “They kept the conversation in control and helped us understand each other. I really liked the one about taking winning off the table. A debate/discussion should be about understanding, not winning.” Their “Pleasant Politics Party” was selected as one of 10 finalists from across the country and after participating in a meeting with all the other finalists, donors and judges, they were selected the winner. Deservedly so.  With the sometimes-negative chatter about the next generation, it was heartening to get a glimpse of what the future holds. If these three young women are representative of the level of engagement, empathy and thoughtfulness of their generation, our future is bright and filled with hope. 

PAGE 16 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 ADVERTORIAL The summer season invites us to fun in the sun, whether you’re lying on the beach, picnicking on the grass, or getting your hands dirty in the garden. It all sounds relaxing until we realize that getting down and up off the ground becomes an increasing challenge as we get older. While little kids fall and get right back up with ease, over time as we mature and age, we lose strength and mobility in large muscle groups (such as the legs and thighs), which makes the seemly simple activity of sitting on the floor and getting back up a struggle. Luckily, with some guidance and understanding, adults can regain their floor-friendly confidence. THE ART OF STANDING UP FROM A SEATED POSITIONS Let’s take a look into the art of standing up from a seated position on the floor to ensure a smooth, safe, and stable transition. Step 1: Getting seated • Check your surroundings – to prevent any trips or falls, ensure that the area is clear of any obstacles like dogs or children • Identify a flat surface – to minimize any wobbling or imbalance during your descent, find the most level surface before taking a seat • Lower yourself down – squat with legs wide apart or bend at the knees with your hands resting right above your knees for assistance, engage your core and buttocks to help maintain a straight neutral spine to protect your back while squatting down. You can also ask a friend for assistance by stabilizing yourself with the helping hand (or forearm) of your friend • Take your seat – once you have squatted close enough to the ground, place your hands on the floor in front of you and lower your buttocks onto the ground Step 2: Sitting comfortably Once you’ve successfully reached the floor, it’s essential to keep proper posture in mind to prevent straining your back and causing discomfort. • Sitting with your legs crossed – if you are flexible enough to do so -- sit cross-legged with a straight back. You can check and correct your posture by imagining a string pulling you from the top of your head while seated. • If you are uncomfortable sitting cross-legged – place a bolster or rolledup towel underneath your tailbone to elevate your buttocks slightly above your legs. You can then cross and bend your legs to your comfort level. • For further back support (if possible), sit with your back against a “wall” such as a tree or even a cooler. You can also place a cushion or rolled-up towel behind your lower back to help maintain the natural curvature of your spine and reduce muscle sprains. • Prevent stiffness – keep your blood circulation healthy by regularly changing your seated position, if you are sitting cross legged you can stretch your legs by extending them in front of you and placing your palms on the floor behind you for support • Prevent discomfort – avoid sitting with your legs beneath you as it can lead to cramps and numbness, and try to avoid sitting for too long with your legs folded to your sides as it can lead to misalignment in your back Step 3: Standing back up • Check your surroundings – similar to sitting down, make sure there are no obstacles that could get in the way of your upward movement. • If comfortably sitting crossed legged – position your feet in front of you on the ground shoulder-width apart while keeping your knees bent. Next slowly shift your weight onto one knee by engaging your glutes, core, and thighs and coming into a half kneeling position, for stability place your hands on your thighs/above your knees and push yourself up to a balanced upright position • For a more stable option – position yourself on your hands and knees while keeping your knees and feet comfortably apart, then walk your hands towards your feet while keeping your knees bent and raising your seat until you are able to slowly place your hands on your thighs/above your knees and push yourself up to a balanced upright position. STAY ACTIVE TO SIT AND STAND UP WITHOUT COMPLICATIONS Additional tips to enjoy an active summer and life: • Walk on a regular basis – take advantage of the warm weather and go for regular walks outside to help build endurance and strength in your legs. • Incorporate dynamic exercises – LIZE LUBBE GUEST CORNER EMBRACE THE FLOOR: exercises like squats and lunges, or even just practicing sitting and standing from a chair without the use of your hands are essential in maintaining mobility in daily life. When practiced safely, getting seated, sitting, and standing back up off the ground can help ensure pain free summer activities. As we age, it becomes increasingly necessary to our health to understand the importance of the day to day mobility that we often took for granted as children. Remember to always listen to your body, pace yourself, and adapt these steps to suit your individual needs. If you experience any unusual pain or discomfort when sitting or standing, or need more personal guidance, please contact you physician or physical therapist. We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing contact@ lizelubbept.com or visiting www.lizelubbept.com. How to Safely Get Seated, Sit, and Rise with Ease

JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 17 Unfortunately, it has become more common for a child, grandchild or other loved ones to be diagnosed with autism, ADHD, bi-polar, schizophrenia, or for them to suffer from a variety of other diagnosed physical and/or mental disabilities that are severe and chronic. Because of this, the use of a Special Needs Trust (SNT) as a planning tool has become increasingly important and often necessary. When a parent, grandparent or other family member or friend wishes to provide for the needs of a disabled person in either his or her Last Will and Testament or in a Trust within a Last Will, or as a separate document, the vehicle that is most often prepared is a third party SNT. Use of the third party SNT allows the disabled person to continue to receive any federal or state aid and government benefits without the aid or benefits being impacted by the assets and/or income generated by the SNT. Additionally, because a third party SNT (unlike a self-settled SNT) is not funded with the assets of the disabled person (savings/recovery from a suit), but with the assets of a third party (parents/grandparents or others), the Estates Powers & Trusts Law provides that upon the death of the trust beneficiary, the trust assets can be distributed to anyone without the necessity of the trust assets being utilized to pay back the state or federal government for the dollar value of benefits provided to the disabled person. This rule does not apply to a trust funded with the assets of a disabled person (a first party SNT), which must provide for the payback of the benefits paid to the government entity. The assets of, or received by, a disabled person should never be used to fund a third party SNT. Additionally, the spouse of a disabled beneficiary or the parent of a minor disabled beneficiary cannot create and fund an intervivos SNT trust (one created during their lifetime) and get the protections provided by the Estates Powers & Trusts Law. This is because there are spousal and parental obligations of support to their spouse and/or minor child. However, the spouse or parent can fund and create a testamentary trust (one created in their Last Will and Testament) or an inter-vivos SNT, which is not funded until they are deceased. For example, their Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable or Irrevocable Trust provides for a distribution to the SNT upon their demise. A third party SNT can be testamentary, inter-vivos (created during life with the exceptions stated above), revocable and/or irrevocable. There is great flexibility in how the SNT can be drafted. The funds and income generated by the third party SNT can be used on behalf of the disabled individual to supplement and not supplant government benefits such as Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income). In essence, the trust assets can be used to cover expenses that are not intended to be provided for by Medicaid and/or SSI. For example, they can be used to purchase a home for the beneficiary, provide for special therapies, wheelchairs, handicap accessible vans, recreational and cultural experiences (vacations, etc.). Payments made in the form of in-kind distributions for food or shelter will reduce SSI payments as they are considered unearned income. However, payments for goods and services other than food and shelter will not reduce SSI income. There is no limit to the amount that can be used to fund the SNT. Additionally, in spite of the restrictions imposed by statute and SSI regulations, third party SNTs generally give the Trustee(s) the power to make distributions to meet even the basic needs of the beneficiary (food, clothing, and shelter), even if it will diminish the receipt of government benefits. When considering an SNT for a loved one, it is important to thoroughly review the present and potential future needs of the disabled beneficiary. A thorough analysis by a qualified and experienced attorney who is familiar with the array of federal and state benefits that may be available is advisable. Anthony J. Enea is a member of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He can be reached at 914- 948-1500 or at www.esslawfirm.com. Importance of a third-party SNT Benefit a disabled loved one without impacting government aid September 27 LLCs: The Pros, Cons and Estate Planning: For some, an LLC can be a useful tool to pass assets down to loved ones while avoiding or minimizing estate taxes. Discover if an LLC may be right for your estate planning needs as well as how they are used to reduce the risk of personal liability with rental properties. Presentation by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. & Michael P. Enea, Esq. October 25 Understanding the Implications of Gray Divorce: A divorce later in life often adds a level of complexity to the estate and tax plan process. Understand what potential complications may arise and how to address them – from division of assets and tax issues to estate and long-term care planning. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq. November 29 Special Needs Planning for Children and Grandchildren with Disabilities: Ensure the future care and well-being of your child or grandchild with special needs using these estate planning strategies. This program will cover the three basic types of special needs trusts (also known as supplemental needs trusts), general drafting considerations and the newest type of special needs trust – the sole benefits trust. Presented by Sara E. Meyers, Esq. & Lauren C. Enea, Esq. ANTHONY J. ENEA FOCUS ON ELDER LAW FOCUS ON ELDER LAW Lunch & Learn Series Held on the last Wednesday of each month, Lunch & Learn programs at Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP, shed light on a variety of important elder law and estate planning topics. The free educational program, held at the firm’s White Plains location, is open to the public – though space is limited. Those interested are encouraged to register early by calling 914-948-1500 to reserve their spot. A light lunch and refreshments are included. Future programs include:

PAGE 18 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 Discover The Greens at Greenwich The Greens provides safety, comfort, and a loving home filled with laughter and joy. We are a small intimate assisted living community for your loved one with memory impairment. Home is a Feeling Awarded the Best Practice for Resident Care by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association [email protected] • thegreensatgreenwich.com Schedule a Tour 203.531.5500 EXCELLENCE IN COSMETIC AND GENERAL DENTAL CARE SINCE 1972 Dr. John J. Browne Dr. Eugene Goetz Dr. Ben Miraglia Dr. Alexandria Rivera Dr. Luke Charms Please welcome Dr. Rivera & Dr. Charms: Now Accepting New Patients! • General Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants • Invisalign® Treatment • TMJ Treatment • Smile Makeover 280 N. BEDFORD RD, SUITE 201, MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 BGMDENTAL.COM Schedule Today: 914-200-1018 2009-2023 BY MARIA SCAROS GUEST COLUMNIST My past, present and future can be seen in the objects carefully arranged in my home. My belongings and my longings are all here. Along the way, home balances the sacred part of my story. The bits and pieces of who I was, who I am and who I am becoming are rooted in my first home and have evolved in the homes I’ve made along the way. I am not unique in this. Home is a feeling for most of us. We know how hard it is at times to move on. How could we when we’ve heard that “home is where the heart is,” “home is where your mom is,” “home is where you hang your hat,” “home is where your story begins,” “there’s no place like home” and on and on? It was moving day over a year after my father died. My brother and I were moving mom out of the apartment where she raised all her children. My brother and I stood in what was our living room. It was stark, cold and echoed as we spoke as if the memories were floating all away. We were brokenhearted standing in the empty space. I felt I was abandoning all the people who came and went throughout the years I lived there. Once again, these are common feelings. They are feelings that ground us. These are the feelings many of us have when we move on. When someone has a memory impairment, those feelings remain. They are feelings of balance, safety, love, comfort and reassurance. These feelings are sought when home feels lost. The need to center oneself is never more important than when you feel so much is slipping away. One needs to find sacred ground; a place where there is no judgment and kindness prevails. When residents move into The Greens at Greenwich, they carry much of their home within them. They seek the essence of a safe space to “hang their hat,” feel their story can continue, and be embraced by people who will love them unconditionally. At The Greens at Greenwich, we know that there is no place like home and that more than anything else, home is a feeling. Maria Scaros is Executive Director at The Greens at Greenwich. For more information, visit www. thegreensatgreenwich.com, or call 203-531-5500. Home is the place I belong Residents of The Greens at Greenwich display the items that turn their new house into a home. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GREENS AT GREENWICH

JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 HEALTH & WELLNESS THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 19 Pleasantville Wellness Group is your community haven, providing compassionate care and support to patients of all ages and walks of life. Our team of licensed clinicians have a wide range of specialties to help you find the peace of mind and comfort that is eluding you. Whether you are struggling with an immediate challenge, working through past trauma, or trying to answer the larger questions of life, we are here to support you through the journey. We offer individual, group, and couples counseling so that you can find the therapeutic environment best suited for your unique needs. Our Team SERVICES CURRENTLY OFFERED: INDIVIDUAL, GROUP & FAMILY THERAPY www.pleasantvillewellnessgroup.com CONTACT US 450 Manville Road, First Floor Pleasantville NY 10570 [email protected] (call) 914-769-1586 (text) 845-260-2797 WE ALSO OFFER: Neuropsychological and Our Team Psychoeducational Testing Services Leaders of Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco recently unveiled the Hayworth Family Maternity Center signage. In 2021, Scott D. Hayworth, MD, FACOG, and The Honorable Nan Hayworth, MD -- two of Westchester’s most prominent physicians – announced they would donate $2.5 million to transform the hospital’s Maternal Child Health Unit. Development of the unit is set to begin in the summer of 2024. Upon completion, the Hayworth Family Maternity Center’s physical environment will offer a modernized, highcaliber unit designed for women and families during every stage of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Development of Hayworth unit set to begin in 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH From left, Scott D. Hayworth, MD, FACOG and The Honorable Nan Hayworth, MD, Kevin Beiner, senior vice president and regional executive director of the Northwell Health western region and Derek Anderson, executive director, Northern Westchester Hospital. Few foods align more perfectly with a particular time of year than ice cream and summertime. As anyone who has ever excitedly eaten ice cream a little too fast knows, it’s not always pleasurable to sit down and indulge in a scoop or two. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the sensation widely known as “brain freeze” can be quite painful. Technically known as cold neuralgia or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, ice cream headache likely occurs because eating something very cold can cause the temperature of the palate to drop substantially. That drop initially causes blood vessels to constrict before they ultimately open up. It’s during that expansion when the painful feelings associated with brain freeze present. Taking small bites of ice cream can help prevent ice cream headache and ensure those summertime scoops are pain-free. This article is from Metro Creative Connection. Why it sometimes hurts to eat ice cream

PAGE 20 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 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. 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.) 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. 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 https://bit.ly/HalstonSubscribe OR Visit https://bit.ly/ HalstonSubscribe 2 TRACKS We need you to subscribe. is NOT necessarily good news! It’s FREE & it’s Easy! 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 Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times YES, I really enjoy The Mt. Kisco-Bedford 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.) 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: Mahopac News The Somers Record Yorktown News North Salem News The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com OR Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com BY BILL BONGIORNO CONTRIBUTING WRITER St. John’s Episcopal and St. Paul’s Chapel in Lewisboro have a new priest-in-charge, Father Frank Hakoola. He comes by way of Zambia, Africa, with a stint at Trinity Church on Wall Street and most recently as assistant priest at St. Michael’s in Manhattan. His mission is to revive the church after it went without a full-time priest for two years.  Hakoola had been a supply  priest previously since 2021, performing services every two months when someone was needed to fill in once the previous reverend retired. “That’s when my love affair began with St. John’s. I guess it was mutual,” Hakoola said. He is now fulfilling the same role as a rector, overseeing the management and growth of the community.  He opted for a short-term contract for one year, with an option for another two. He still lives in New York City with his wife Monica and three sons, Lushomo, 13, Asher, 11, and Kephas, 8. He makes the commute on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends. The Vestry and Father Hakoola held a strategic retreat on May 13 to create a mission statement and a vision to show where the church is heading in the future and to make plans. “The community here is very flexible and open to new ideas.  People are excited about what is possible,” he said. “This is really critical to come to terms of the reality of today.  There are so many challenges today—social, economic, spiritual, and cultural. This is a real defining moment of the church,” said Hakoola, who holds a degree in theology from The Church of Uganda and has been a priest for 16 years. “We have the gift of faith and space, as well as the gift of people and community,” he said. “It’s more than just religion. It’s about the difference we make in people’s lives,” he says with passion and experience in mobilizing communities around the world. “The church should be a resource to the community and that’s what makes me very positive about the fact that the church is surrounded by a lively and active community,” he added. “There are younger families, it’s not just older people.  That gives a lot of hope for the future.” Part of the revival is financial as well, as the church sold  28 acres of its 32 acres of land behind St. Paul’s Chapel on Route 123 in April for $625,000 to Shelby White, the widow of Leon Levy, for which one of the town preserves is named.  It’s not clear what her plans are for the property. “It’s great to see people again at church I haven’t seen in a couple of years,” said long-time parishioner Matt Worner. “Father Frank brings a new energy and is working with the vestry and has a great willingness to reach out to the community,” Hakoola officiates at Eucharist services each Saturday at St. Paul’s Chapel at 5 p.m. and Sundays at St. John’s at 9:30 a.m.   New priest-in-charge comes to St. John’s Episcopal Church revives as it sells 28 acres to Shelby White PHOTOS: BILL BONGIORNO St. Paul’s Chapel in South Salem Father Frank Hakoola

JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 21 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! VIKING LYNX MONOGRAM SUBZERO SCOTSMAN BERTAZZONI BOSCH BEST DCS GE MARVEL MIELE MAYTAG ELECTROLUX WHIPSPERKOOL FRIDGIDAIRE Trusted Repair That Will Stand the Test of Time Grills | Washers | Dryers | Refrigerators | Ovens | Ranges | Wine Coolers Serving Westchester County PH: 914.864.1252 6 Mark Mead Road • Cross River, NY 10518 Email: [email protected] www.appliancegenie.com AUTHORIZED SERVICE FOR VIKING, LYNX, FRIGIDAIRE NSB neil s berman mount kisco gold & silver inc 139 East Main Street We Buy: Coins/Currency Gold & Silver Jewelry diamonds Watches Coin expert Gold & Silver Bullion Dealer Appraiser 914-244-9500 bermanbuyscollectables.com BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 52 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! claiming that “the lack of transparency of the legislative process and discourse among the public and local elected leaders disregarded basic tenets of good government.” The supervisors questioned the stated goal of increased voter turnout, noting that elections involving judicial positions as well as those in contiguous town/villages, cities, and school, fire, and library districts were “exempted.” “Why? Because it would be more difficult politically to alter the election cycles of these entities? Good government should be about doing the right thing, not necessarily the easy thing,” they wrote. They also didn’t buy the cost-saving argument. “If saving money through fewer elections and increasing voter turnout were truly the goals, why still allow judicial elections in odd years when Town judges will be running on the ballot by themselves? Why allow village elections in March and school district elections in May in odd numbered years? Because turnout in those elections is so high? We think not. Why leave cities out altogether? Why not have all elections in November in odd numbered years?” the supervisors asked. “Good government is listening to people, their concerns and needs and making the best decisions. This legislation did not do that.” The state shouldn’t mandate changes without giving local municipalities the right to opt in or out, just like it did for marijuana legalization, they asserted. Claiming that many townships are “still unaware that this legislation has been enacted,” the supervisors noted that “a discussion about altering election terms is better done when discussed by everyone in the open.” They called on Hochul to veto the legislation, a move they said “would preserve the ability of the residents all across the state to have a meaningful voice in local issues and government accountability.” Lucas, who is WPATS president, shared with Halston Media that the group, after discussing the legislation with elected officials all over the state, found that more than “95 percent” of them agree with its position. “However, many knew little about the legislation,” he noted in a letter sent out on June 26. Among concerns brought to WPATS attention was that it’s going to make it tougher for candidates to raise campaign funds if they have to run for a one-year term in 2025 and then again the following year. Lucas also said he’d been told by a judge that the law is “poorly written” when it comes to defining when judges are supposed to run for office. “‘It simply provides that such elections are not to be held ‘on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.’  The phrase ‘odd-numbered year’ no longer will appear in the statute.  Therefore, it cannot be said that the statute continues odd-numbered year elections for town justices.’   In their words “the statute, having been rushed through, is incomplete,’” he wrote. Scorrano was also outraged that town officials weren’t notified about the legislation until a day before the vote. This left many of them “disheartened that their voice was silenced,” he said, calling it “embarrassing” that state lawmakers appear to “have little to no respect for their local elected officials.” “It’s a perfect example of what is wrong with the current system of government and the lack of transparency and communication. This type of gamesmanship and subjected leadership is terrible for democracy,” Scorrano declared. “Local elections are about local matters, and national politics should have no weight or bearing on those elections,” he said, explaining that local officials like himself are “only concerned with the day-to-day operations of a town as we are only trying to do what’s in the best interest of the community we serve.” ELECTION LAW FROM PAGE 2 broad and diverse community that is Mount Kisco which resonates with a renewal of integrity, accountability, and healthy and civil dialogue that is firmly rooted in fact,” said Abzun. “This primary election created a growing interest with local democrats to recreate a committee that better represents values which make our community stronger and more resilient. I welcome dialogue with all members of the Mount Kisco community as we move forward to November.” A painter and printmaker, Abzun is the co-founder and chair of the Mount Kisco Arts Council. She is an attorney, but gave up her law practice to raise her family. Abzun threw her hat in the ring after the current mayor, Gina Picinich, announced in February that she would not be seeking a fourth term. She will face Michael Cindrich, who served as mayor for 14 years and was ousted by Picinich in 2017, in November. (Picinich ran then as an independent but was backed by the Dems in later campaigns.) He is running on an independent line along with first-time hopefuls Theresa Flora and Angie GarciaGuerra, who are seeking trustee spots. Flora is a retired nurse and Garcia-Guerra is a former teacher who is currently homeschooling her son. Running for trustee as Democrats are incumbent Karine P. Patiño, an attorney who made history by being elected as the board’s first Hispanic trustee in 2021, and Jean Farber, a former trustee and deputy mayor. Patiño, Picinich, and Farber were among those helping Abzun celebrate the win at Monarca Restaurant & Bar on Tuesday, June 27. County Legislator Erika Pierce and state Sen. Peter Harckham also joined the party. State Assemblyman Chris Burdick was invited, but was unable to attend. PRIMARY FROM PAGE 1 SEE PRIMARYPAGE 22

PAGE 22 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES JULY 13 - AUGUST 10, 2023 The guest that seemed to thrill Abzun the most was her 91-year-old aunt, Lucy Cerbone, who had to stand on her tip toes to give her niece a congratulatory hug. The mood, tense when early numbers showed Luzio was ahead, turned joyous after it was learned that Abzun had won. There was cheering, speeches delivered from table tops, champagne toasts, and chants of “Lisa! Lisa!,” as well as hugs and a bouquet of flowers for the beaming winner. “Let’s do it again, but bigger and better this time!,” urged Abzun campaign manager Tony Marino, drawing supporters’ attention to the upcoming general elections. Temporarily tearing herself away from the festivities, Abzun told the Mount Kisco - Bedford Times  that she was “really excited to now focus again on the work that I’ve already been doing.” Citing key issues such as pedestrian safety, she pointed to Mount Kisco’s plan to hire a planning and engineering firm to conduct a traffic study. While it has $100,000 set aside for the study, the village would need outside funding, such as a federal grant, to implement any recommendations it would produce. Think signs, signals, warning lights, and lower speed limits. The study is, she said, “very, very important to our benchmarks and to how we created a better community for everybody.” Abzun was also looking forward to further addressing infrastructure needs, which, she said, are not just about roads or water and sewer systems. “Cellular infrastructure is just as important. It’s a way we survive, a way we make things work in our community,” she said, noting that she and Patiño will continue “to work on that.” Saying her win that night was just the beginning of her campaign for mayor, Abzun promised that her team was “really going to take a very high road.” “We really want to deal in civility and truth and just being thoughtful people because we know that we live in a small community and we need to treat one another civilly,” she said. Calling Abzun “the right choice for this community,” Picinich told the paper:  “We’ve made so much progress over the past five and a half years and it’s vital that we keep moving forward. It’s vital that we recognize the changes that are happening in the world around us and that we continue to plan for them and respond to them.” “We don’t want to go backwards and that’s why it is so important that folks are voting for Lisa come November,” she asserted. LUZIO, SUPPORTERS REFLECT Later that Tuesday, a somber Luzio and a gathering of stalwart supporters remained camped out at Mario’s Pizza & Pasta a short distance away. Saddened by the news of his apparent loss, District 6 leader of the Mount Kisco Democratic Committee Judith Sage called Luzio her “hero.” “He took on a fight against unjust, completely inaccurate slanderous allegations and he just kept fighting. I’ve never seen anybody knock on so many doors and work so hard and he was doing it all for us,” she said, adding: “He has no property other than his house. He has nothing to gain by development. That’s the first time we’ve had a candidate like that in a long time. So, he is my hero.” (In April, Abzun’s camp challenged the validity of about 35 signatures on nominating petitions that had been collected by Serratore and his son, Carmelo, on behalf of Luzio. Luzio himself has never been accused of any wrongdoing. Serratore could not be reached for comment on the investigation before press time. After the BOE dismissed the Abzun camp’s challenge on procedural grounds, her lawyer asked Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah to investigate the possibility of election fraud. Luzio had been one of Rocah’s campaign advisors in 2020 and was a member of her transition team. She recused herself from the case, citing the desire “to avoid any appearance of impropriety or any prospective conflict of interest.” It was then taken up by Rockland DA Thomas Walsh. As of press time, the investigation was still ongoing. Said District 3 leader John Rhodes on primary night: “I’m really sorry that Tom lost. I think he lost because he was too ethical in the way that he’s running the campaign, but I’m proud of him for that and I think we could do a lot worse than have somebody like Tom Luzio working for us in the government of Mount Kisco.” Trustee Karen Schleimer was also there. Luzio, who said he was encouraged by the number of votes he got, issued a formal statement later that week. Here it is in its entirety. “I believe we won five of seven districts and thank all the voters here who supported us. I call on Ms. Abzun to listen to the voices of the folks in all of our neighborhoods. We must unite Mount Kisco. I stand by our call for better communication with our residents, progress in the area of public safety and most importantly, a stronger, 21st-century code of ethics that includes full financial disclosure and penalties for violations. Ms. CerboneAbzun has publicly opposed this since the very beginning of her campaign. Our residents must be made aware of any of our decision-makers’ potential conflicts. We ran a campaign that called out her poor record on the environment, her conflicts of interest and support of unreasonable rezoning and selective ADU legislation, her inactivity regarding our street safety, her vote against the Jewish heritage festival, her flip-flop on the Leonard Park cell tower, her opposition to a park ranger and trail expansion and her upcoming use of the recently trumpeted downtown grant to resuscitate the mayor’s dubious plans for Kirby Plaza. That is not negativity, those are facts. While disappointed in the result, I am proud of our team and look forward to remaining involved in Mount Kisco on all of those issues, as well as in protecting our shrinking green space. Once that is gone, it is gone forever.” Luzio told The Mount KiscoBedford Times that he intended to remain involved in any public discourse on these and other subjects. He also did not rule out the possibility of another run in the future. Abzun, who does not use the surname Cerbone-Abzun, responded. “I thank the Mount Kisco community for their faith in me for their recent choice as Democratic candidate for mayor. I am extremely grateful to my campaign team for their support, organization, and outreach.  As deputy mayor, I remain highly focused and strongly committed to spreading the people’s message of progress through responsible dialogue, clear communication, and creative solutions to real challenges. These values contribute to Mount Kisco being a comfortable and safe place to create lifelong connections. I am excited to move forward to November with Village Trustee Karine Patiño and former Trustee Jean Farber. We are truly listening to residents, small business  owners and organizational  stakeholders as we draw on our collective professional acumen, years of institutional knowledge and ongoing service to the community. As for Mr. Luzio, I wish him well.” CINDRICH WEIGHS IN According to Cindrich, 729 voters was a pretty good turnout. He can remember general elections that only drew about 800 folks to the polls. “The primary demonstrated that the Democrats are split on how they want the village to move forward,” he said, noting that local issues include pedestrian safety, traffic, property taxes, crime, and the business district’s “stability.” In addition to having been a trustee and mayor, the retired police officer has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He also coached local Little League and youth football teams. Speaking of his opponent, Cindrich noted: “Obviously, we share some of the same concerns, but we may have a different approach. That’s where the voters will have to decide.” He’s especially worried about the financial burdens being placed on senior citizens who “want to age in place” and small businesses with tight profit margins that are in danger of getting taxed out of the community. Being the “son of Depression Era parents, I know the way you survive is you stop spending, you watch every nickel,” he said. As for getting back into the political fray, Cindrich, who is in his seventies, admitted that “every election if you’re a candidate is a challenge.” “There will be a lot of rhetoric out there that makes sense and a lot that doesn’t. There will be things brought up that are relevant and those that are not. It’s up to the candidates to keep it on point, on topic.” PRIMARY FROM PAGE 21 Abzun sharing the victory with aunt Lucy Cerbone. PHOTOS: CAROL REIF It was all smiles in Abzun’s camp following the primary win.

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