Mahopac News 03.03.22

VOL. 13 NO. 4 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

High school renovation project wrapping up

Phase 1 of $54 million bond faced supply-chain issues

BY BOB DUMAS PHOTO: BOB DUMAS “ at was a big conversation
EDITOR we had with the Music Depart-
The entrance to the high school has been remodeled to include safety measures including a security ment—that this was just as im-
Major renovations at Mahopac booth. portant as the actual learning
High School are nearly com- space,” he continued. “ e sta
plete, with just some nal details, about is making sure we had an more signi cant transformations DiCarlo said. “We actually have had a great vision and now the
slowed by supply chain issues, vision has come true.”
still to come. entrance so that when someone during the project. Gone are the temperature-controlled storage
DiCarlo said enthusiasm over
e renovations represent comes in, there is a checkpoint,” tiered steps; new is the tempera- where kids can put their instru- the changes is palpable.
Phase 1 of the $54 million bond
referendum voters approved in DiCarlo said.“We have a security ture-controlled storage area. ments, which is what we should “You hear [the excitement] in
2019. Phase 2 will begin later the kids’ conversations,” he said.
this year and focus primarily on booth where you have to check in “When we rst started dis- have for our kids—the best musi- “It is really us getting to where
the three elementary schools. we should be as a high school
before you actually get into the cussions about the bond, what cal environment for learning, for when it comes to music. It is re-
“Since the fall, we’ve done a ally a state-of-the-art room. It
bunch of punch-list items and foyer.” was presented to me by the high performing. But those violins, vi- has great aesthetics—it’s sound-
most of the stu is complete,” proofed and looks good. And not
said Superintendent Anthony school community was that there olas, and basses have to be stored only are the kids excited but so is
DiCarlo during a tour of the the sta , which has been waiting
school in his most recent online MUSIC ROOM were all kinds of things that so they will last, so we were able for this for many, many years.
program, “Spotlight on Mahopac
Schools.” “ ere are still a few e school’s music and cho- needed to be refurbished and the to create these temperature-con- “[Music programs] have been
areas that need cleaning up only recognized on a national level,”
because of COVID and supply rus rooms underwent one of the music room was one of them,” trolled cubicles. he added. “Our kids deserved to
chain [issues]. Whether it be fur- have the best spaces. is is one
niture or equipment, we’ve had to of the areas that was in such dire
wait longer than we wanted to. need. Nobody is on top of each
But we are getting there slowly other anymore. e steps are
but surely.” gone. It’s wonderful.”

VESTIBULE SCIENCE WING
e entranceway to the high DiCarlo said Mahopac stu-

school has a sleek, new modern dents stand out in the eld of sci-
look with added safety measures. ence and need the best facilities

“One of the things we talked SEE RENOVATIONS PAGE 4

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICES 26
LEISURE
MAHOPAC MUSINGS 24
OPINION
SPORTS 22

2 SPORTS

8 ‘Pac girls advance
18 in sectionals.

pg 18

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

The Staff St. Patrick’s Day For tickets and more informa- “Quarantine Quilts” can be new thinking about plants’ sur-

EDITORIAL TEAM Parade tion, go to secure.givelively.org/ view in the Gallery during regu- vival strategies: pioneers, stress
BOB DUMAS event/united-for-the-troops/ lar Library hours. For more in- tolerance, and competitors. is

EDITOR: 845-208-0774 Come out and celebrate your annual-gala-2022. formation visit www.mahopacli- event is hosted by Mahopac Li-
[email protected]
Irish heritage and being an To donate ra es items, contact brary.org, or call 845-628-2009, brary and held via Zoom; regis-
VIM WILKINSON
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR American at the St. Patrick’s [email protected] ext. 100. tration with a valid email address
[email protected]
Day Parade on Sunday, March or call Jim at 845-729-4239. Flo Brandon Book Group is required. Register online at
ADVERTISING TEAM
PAUL FORHAN 13 (rain or shine) on Route 6 in Mahopac Library Friday, March 4, 11 a.m. e www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call
Mahopac. Kick-o is 2 p.m. For Flo Brandon Book Group meets 845-628-2009, ext. 100. Support
(914) 806-3951
[email protected] more information email registra- Events on the rst Friday of each month. for this program is provided by
[email protected]. New members are always wel- the Friends of Mahopac Library.
BRUCE HELLER
(914) 486-7608 United for the ird Floor Gallery featuring come. is month the group will Monday Evening Book
[email protected] Mary McFerran’s ‘Quarantine discuss “Killers of the Flower Group

LISA KAIN Troops Annual Gala Quilts’ Moon” by David Grann. Pick up Monday, March 7, 2 p.m. (vir-
(201) 317-1139
[email protected] March 4-27 “Art is my way a copy of this item at the Library’s tual) is adult book group meets
CORINNE STANTON
(914) 760-7009 Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at to connect to the world,” states Circulation desk. is item is also on the rst Monday of each
[email protected]
Villa Barone Hilltop Manor. Join Mary McFerran, who resides in available as an eBook and eAu- month; new members are always
JAY GUSSAK
(914) 299-4541 us for an evening of dinner, danc- the Hudson Valley. Her work diobook on Overdrive. For in- welcome. We will meet via Zoom
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE ing and great company. Open bar, responds to her experiences and formation visit www.mahopacli- to discuss “Did You Ever Have
(914) 924-9122
[email protected] bu et dinner, ra e prizes, 50/50, communicates ideas about so- brary.org, or call 845-628-2009, a Family” by Bill Clegg. Pick up

PRODUCTION TEAM $10,000 ra e (online ra e tick- cial issues and nature. e quilts ext. 100. a copy of this book at Mahopac
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
ets available). Adults only; festive she created were not formally 21st Century Gardening Library’s main desk, or call 845-
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHER or business casual attire. As a 100 planned as she did not use his- Monday, March 7, 2 p.m. is 628-2009, ext. 100 to schedule

[email protected] percent volunteer-led nonpro t, toric patterns. She combined el- virtual talk is presented by Janice a curbside pickup. is book is
GABRIELLE BILIK
DESIGNER this annual event raises essential ements intuitively and relied on Butler, a Master Gardener volun- also available as an eAudiobook

[email protected] resources to bring a little comfort the haptic appeal of certain tex- teer.Topics in this talk include: on hoopla. Register with a valid

EXECUTIVE TEAM to our troops. Online tickets and tiles. McFerran found the process What are plant communities, the email address at www.mahopa-
BRETT FREEMAN
CEO & PUBLISHER sponsorships available through to be both freeing and comfort- new Perennial movement, Ma- clibrary.org, or call 845-628-
845-208-8151
March 10. ing. trix planting, NYC Highline, and 2009, ext. 100.
[email protected]
Alice’s Ordinary People
Deadlines
Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. Al-
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CALL BOB DUMAS AT
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Photos for illustrative purposes only. ©2017 Carpet One Floor & Home. All Rights Reserved SEE MUSINGS PAGE 25

THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3

Eighth-grade project makes history come alive

For as long as Lynn Gilchrist has Julie Fraser
been teaching social studies in Ma- and Gabriella
hopac Middle School, she has tried to Geiger came
turn abstract historical concepts into in first place in
something tangible that her students the Tipi Project
can touch. One of her most popular
projects – e Tipi (Teepee) Project – contest.
does exactly that.
Eric Harting and Christopher Holloway took second place in
“It visually represents the culture of the eighth grade Tipi Project.
the Plains Indians and the impact of Students on the middle school 8C Team worked in pairs
Manifest Destiny,” Gilchrist said. “ e on the Tipi Project and teachers and staff throughout the
unit touches on culture, Westward Ex- school voted for their favorites.
pansion, the Gold Rush, the Transcon-
tinental Railroad, cattle ranchers and
the Homestead Act.”

For weeks, the students in Team 8C
worked on researching, drawing and
cutting out the tipis, nding symbols
that carried meaning and adding visual
elements that represented the history
they were describing. Manifest Destiny
– the 19th century idea that American
settlers were destined to expand democ-
racy across the entire continent – may
be a di cult concept to explain, but it
was easier for students to show than tell.

e Tipi Project is so popular it has
become an annual middle school event,
with teachers and sta voting on the
winners.

e tipi Julie Fraser and Gabri-
ella Geiger made took rst place. Eric
Harting and Christopher Holloway’s
tipi came in second and Joshua Leviner
and Celina Wendler took third place.

“We put the bu alo in the middle
because that was the most important
animal to the Plains Indians,” Julie
Fraser said. “ ey made everything
from the bu alo, the food they ate, the
clothes they wore, their weapons, their
tipis, everything.”

In addition to the art, the students
created a key, which tells the story of the
symbols used and what they represent.

Joshua Leviner explained why train
tracks were an important symbol in his
Tipi.

“When they were building the train
tracks, they went through the Indians’
land so the Indians had to move to the
reservation,” Joshua said.

Christopher Holloway pointed out
that the Plains Indians had been no-
madic. He symbolized that by showing
an empty tipi next to a horse galloping
toward another tipi, where a warm re
was burning.

e Tipi Project also gave students
a chance to work together, which Gil-
christ said was important after all the
social distancing they have had to prac-
tice.

“ e Tipi Project was overall fun to
do,” said Celina Wendler. “I usually like
to work on my own when it comes to
projects, but working with a partner
was a fun experience. is project gave
me the opportunity to learn more about
their symbols and way of life, as well as
the history behind Westward Expan-
sion and the goal of achieving Manifest
Destiny.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAHOPAC SCHOOL DISTRICT Eighth grade social studies teacher Lynn Gilchrist runs the
Article courtesy of the Mahopac School Joshua Leviner with third place winning project that he and Celina
District Wendler created. annual Tipi Project at Mahopac Middle School.

PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

RENOVATIONS of-the-art. and sinks are in good working or- kids to be in the best spaces that space will help students achieve

FROM PAGE 1 “When they leave here and go der and the gas jets will be com- they can possibly be. It was time their career goals, the superinten-

to college and ultimately their ing on soon. It is a much easier for a refurbishment. Look at the dent suggested.

and equipment available. careers, they should be able to and safer atmosphere for them to furniture; you can move things “ is is the kind of space that

“Our kids perform in science participate in the best learning perform their labs in.” around and work together in they need with state-of-the-art

very well both inside the school environment possible,” the super- DiCarlo noted how worn groups and teams or individu- equipment and technology in

and outside with our science re- intendent added. down the old science facilities ally. And that’s what science is all front of them to do some of those

search programs,” DiCarlo said, Mike Revinson, a longtime had become. about. It is about exploration and great kinds of projects,” DiCarlo

standing in the hallway of the high school science teacher, said “Before we saw sinks that were these learning spaces allow them said

newly renovated science wing. the new environment is more archaic, rusted and peeling. Or- to explore.”

“Here we had desktops, equip- conducive to learning. ange countertops, cabinets that CAFETERIA

ment, cabinetry that was all orig- “ e students really appreciate were broken,” he said. “Science is LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER e renovated cafeteria pro-

inal. We owed it to the kids [to the new, cleaner working ambi- a big program here at Mahopac e renovated library is anoth- vides a relaxing atmosphere for

update it] and again, it is state- ance,” he said. “All the drawers High School and we want our er space that has undergone some students to take a break from a

of the most signi cant changes stressful day and enjoy a nutri-

and the district is still waiting on tious meal. Students will nd a

some nal touches before it is of- co ee bar, fresh sandwiches, pa-

cially complete. ninis, hot meals and more.

“ is has been a long work in “ e same way you want the

FORFFoMOrREmMReEIrRRISRIRSASAGAgGEeENnNTtT&&&33300++YYYEEeAAaRrRSsSEEXExPpXEePRrEiIEeRNnIECceNE CE progress, but it has been transfor- kids to be in [good] learning spac-

20% OFF FOR NEW CLIENTS202%0%OOFFFFFOORR NEWWCCLLIEIENNTSTS mational,” DiCarlo said. “ is is es, you want them in solid, emo-

OFFOOEFRfFfIeENrRGinINgIGNI-InPN&--EPPSReEerSRscSOouONnrNeOOOCrRRliVeVinrIRRttTuTPUaUoAlrALAtLaAplPApsPPoOPinIONtTmINMeTEnMNtTEsSNTS now a learning space. It’s for in- tional, social spaces with quality

CALL OR&ES&-EMSCEAUCURILREEFCCOLLIIREENATTPFPOORRRETTAELASELSSTIMATE dividuals, it’s for groups. ey can [food] selections,” DiCarlo said.

845-628-9300CALCLALOLRORE-EM-MAAILILFFOORR AA FFRREEEEEESTSITMIAMTAETE come in and do research projects. “We have all new equipment,
884455--662288--99330000
ere are individual cubicles with which is truly something that we
INFOI@NFINOFL@[email protected]
monitors that can be used with needed. You provide people with

their computers. It truly is a me- a new and fresh atmosphere, they

dia center and the hub of learn- are going to want to come, they

ing for the kids.” are going to want to eat.”

Unfortunately, problems with DiCarlo gave credit to the

the supply chain have slowed school sta and the community

down its completion. for allowing the project to move

“We are still getting some new forward and suggest the school

equipment, some has been on be more proactive in planning fu-

back order,” DiCarlo explained. ture renovations.

“ is [library renovations] will be “It’s a tribute to the educators

happening in all our schools–our here, the leadership team, and to

libraries will all be transformed the community for allowing it to

into spaces like this.” happen,”he said.“Once this bond

is [ nished], we should think

STEM LAB about a ve-year plan and about

DiCarlo noted how impor- projects that need to be done

tant the school’s STEM (sci- maybe every other year, so we

Route 6 Mahopac 2nd ence, technology, engineering are keeping up with things and
237 Route 6 Mahopac and math) curriculum is and how not having to wait an extended
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• By appt only • No mail received here—drop slot available it utilizes Project Lead the Way period of time to do a multimil-
to help students nd the path to lion-dollar project. You start an

careers in engineering, computer ongoing cycle of repair. We are

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