VOL. 14 NO. 7 THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 LEGAL NOTICES 24 LEISURE 20 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4 OPINION 8 SPORTS 16 MHS Lacrosse season preview pg 16 LAX TO THE MAX Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL With a nod of thanks for Mother Nature’s weatherman and a visit from the Easter Bunny, Mahopac kids turned out in droves for the town of Carmel’s annual Easter Egg hunt on Sunday. Read and see more more on page 14. Fun you can’t beat Mahopac kids scramble for Easter eggs BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR A potentially dangerous case of reckless driving came to a safe and somewhat ironic conclusion with the arrest of an 18-year-old Katonah resident in what the Carmel Police Department is calling karma. According to Public Information O cer Lt. Michael Bodo, the incident began on the evening of March 23, when the young man pulled up in a sports car and started taunting Carmel o cers Bambach and Kloskowski as they were on tra c detail in Mahopac. e o cers were helping pedestrians cross Route 6 for a crowded event when the driver approached the o cers and allegedly started daring them to chase his Blue Dodge Challenger. “Some may describe the young man’s behavior as arrogant,” Carmel PD said in a press Sportscar drama brings ‘karma’ Speeder who taunted cops busted after blowing his engine SEE SPEEDER PAGE 4 The Spring Market is Here and there is a Shortage of Homes for Sale. LAWRENCE ZACKS 3+ Decades Experience Over 3,000 Families Helped Business Person of the Year Let’s Meet — Don’t Wait! Call Zacks Today! 914-282-6440 Top 1% of Agents Worldwide 914-282-6440 [email protected] ZACKS RE/MAX Classic Realty Services Provided Property Evaluation | Home Staging High Definition Photography | 3D/Virtual Tours Custom Digital Marketing | Five-Star Service Call for a FREE CONSULTATION Now is the Time to Sell—What Are Your Waiting For? Let me help you... • Prep your current home for the market • Find your new home – anywhere in the world • Turn your real estate DREAMS INTO REALITY Scan here! Need More Info?
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YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to Mahopac News YES, I really enjoy Mahopac News and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please Include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times 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 Don’t Miss a Week of Mahopac News. Please Re-Subscribe Today! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 VOL. 13 NO. 39 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 24 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Our 15 Minutes of Fame Explained pg 10 PUBLISHER’S MEMO Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR Christina and Lee Vataj, former nance and pharmaceutical executives, opened Countryside Kitchen in Mahopac 14 years ago. During that time, the funky little diner has developed a loyal Hudson Valley-wide following for its unique selection of avoredpancake combinations and generous portions. e restaurant has now o - cially obtained long sought-after national attention. Earlier this year, the Cooking Channel came to Mahopac to lm an episode of its popular “Man vs. Food” show featuring the restaurant, and now the episode, which has already aired, will be reprised later this month. On the show, host Casey Webb samples popular menu items, including the restaurant’s famous “Holy Cannoli Pancake.” “Casey Webb’s food frenzy takes him to New York’s Hudson Valley for...an Italian dessert for breakfast,” the Cooking Channel said in a press release. Lee Vataj said the show’s producers were looking to feature eateries from the Hudson Valley and came across Countryside Kitchen via a typical Google search. “We repeatedly popped as No. 1 and they continually scouted us,” he said. “Sharp Productions (the show’s producers) called us to see if we wanted to do the show.” Vataj said they were thrilled to be invited on the show, especially in the wake of the pandemic, a time during which so many restaurants struggled. “It was great,” he said. “We have been open for 14 years and we have really busted our butts to get here and to be recognized on a national level is great. It’s very humbling.” Vataj said the producers were looking for a more “decadent breakfast” to feature on the show, and Countryside Kitchen’s Holy Cannoli Pancakes t the bill. He said lming took about eight or nine hours, but the restaurant didn’t have to close. e show wanted some regular customers there to interview. “ ey wanted to see the crowd and the ambience,” he said. Vataj said he wasn’t really nervous about being on TV and Webb really enjoyed the cannoli pancakes and other dishes he sampled. “We were just grateful,” he said. “We worked hard to get here with all the challenges we’ve been through.” You can watch the “Man v. Food” episode featuring Countryside Kitchen on the Cooking Channel on ursday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. Mahopac restaurant shines on national TV Countryside Kitchen featured on ‘Man v. Food’ Christina Vataj, left, Casey Webb, center, and Lee Vataj, along with the Countryside Kitchen crew PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNTRYSIDE KITCHEN Watch the episode Cooking Channel on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. Visit the restaurant 493 Route 6, Mahopac Host Casey Webb, second from left, interacts with owner Lee Vataj and staff. Remember, Mahopac News is a weekly paper and went to press before the election results were known. So, check out our website, TAPintoMahopac.net, for the most current developments. 914-282-6440 [email protected] ZACKS RE/MAX Classic Realty Services Provided Property Evaluation | Home Staging High Definition Photography | 3D/Virtual Tours Custom Digital Marketing | Five-Star Service LAWRENCE ZACKS, Winner of the 2021 Circle of Legends Award Questions? Call Lawrence Zacks Today! 914-282-6440 Looking to move? We can help you relocate anywhere in the world! Scan me! Call for a FREE CONSULTATION with the Hudson Valley’s top realtor! Amazing NEW 4 Bedroom Colonial — at the end of a Cul de Sac, part of a 4-Home Subdivision. Beautiful Covered Front Porch. Gorgeous Granite Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances (optional Center Island + Dry Bar w/Upper & Lower Cabinets). Stunning Hardwood Floors throughout. Lovely Large Windows. 9’ Foot Ceilings on Main Floor. Large Family Room with Slider to huge private Patio. Formal Dining Room. Terrific Primary Bedroom (His & Hers Closets, Full Bath + additional Walk-in Closet!). Full Basement. 2-Car Attached Garage... $769,900 NEW CONSTRUCTION IN SOMERS! VOL. 13 NO. 40 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 23 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OBITUARIES 28 OPINION 10 SPORTS 22 Welcome to the new Assemblyman. pg 4 SLATER WINS Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. Youngsters honor our These boys are all grandsons of past Mahopac Fire Department Commissioner George Jones: Spencer, 5; Owen, 4; Parker, 3; and Caden, 6. They all came out to honor our nation’s veterans on Nov. 11. PHOTOS: MAUREEN DALY VETERANS Check out our coverage of Veterans Day on Page 3. BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER Having run unopposed, Republican Assemblyman Kevin Byrne will become Putnam County’s next county executive. Byrne won with 28,190 votes, which was the equivalent of 99% of votes cast and 69% of ballots cast (30.3% left their ballots blank). “O cially winning this election, securing the support from over 28,000 Putnam voters, is a tremendous honor,” Byrne said. “I remain extremely grateful to the voters for once again placing their faith and trust in me. e amount of support I received has been overwhelming and I am truly honored and humbled to serve as our next Putnam County Executive.” In a speech to a packed room of supporters on election night, Byrne reiterated his commitment to Putnam. As a native son of the county, Byrne told the assembled he was “built and raised to work.” Byrne also rea rmed his campaign promises. “When I said to you we were Byrne pledges ‘bold’ vision for Putnam County Crowley, Jonke and Ellner win seats on the County Legislature BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER In a local race that garnered national attention, Assemblyman Mike Lawler beat Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Sean Patrick Maloney to become the next member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 17th Congressional District. A Rockland County resident, Lawler beat Maloney, 140,883 to 137,633, or 50.6% to 49.4%. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the next Congressman for the 17th Congressional District,” Lawler said at a Congressman-elect Lawler lays out agenda Assemblyman’s win receives national attention after beating DCCC chair SEE BYRNE PAGE 6 SEE LAWLER PAGE 8 (c)845.803.1241 debbiedemelis.com 338 Route 202 Somers NY 10589 From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET! ASSOCIATE BROKER Ha angiving! You Deserve the best! Wishing Everyone a From concept to completion, your home will be uniquely cared for and expertly marketed for a WIN in this STRONG MARKET! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 Youngsters honor our VETERANS Check out Youngsters our coverage of Veterans Day on Page 3. In a local race that garnered national attention, Assemblyman Mike Lawler beat Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Chair Sean Patrick Maloney to become the next member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 17th Congressional District. A Rockland County resident, Lawler beat Maloney, 140,883 to 137,633, or 50.6% to 49.4%. “I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the next Congressman for the 17th Congressional District,” Lawler said at a Congressman-elect Lawler lays out agenda Assemblyman’s win receives national attention after beating DCCC chair SEE LAWLER PAGE 8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEGAL NOTICES 28 LEISURE 22 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4 OPINION 10 SPORTS 20 Fire ghters save Chamber event. pg 16 SANTA! Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY EMILE MENASCHÉ STAFF REPORTER Mahopac has been known as “Indian Country” for as long as anyone can remember. But the school district’s arrowhead logo, “Indians” nickname and other Native American symbols may become relics of the past before the start of the 2023-2024 school year after a recent directive from the New York State Department of Education. In a memo to districts across the state, Senior Deputy Commissioner Jim Baldwin said schools have until the end of this school year to comply with longstanding rules prohibiting the use of Native American mascots--or face nancial penalties and sta removals. “We are working with our attorney for guidance and waiting State threatens Mahopac schools over ‘Indians’ nickname School board to discuss directive at Dec. 20 work session For people unfamiliar with QR codes, simply use your cell phone camera to scan the QR code, and your cell phone will take you to the survey. Help choose a new team name & mascot Scan the QR code to take our survey • This is Massive Government Overreach and the District Should Ignore the State: 37.5% (48) • There is Nothing O ensive with Use of the Term “Indians,” but We Shouldn’t Risk Losing State Aid: 28.91% (37) • Use of the Term “Indians” is O ensive and it’s About Time the State Issued this Directive: 21.88% (28) • None of the above: • It’s Time to Get With The Times, but this is 7.03% (9) Government Overreach: 4.69% (6) Graph 1: We Asked Our Online Readers Their Thoughts 128 People Responded • This is Massive Government Overreach and the District Should Ignore the State: 37.5% (48) • There is Nothing O ensive with Use of the Term "Indians," but We Shouldn't Risk Losing State Aid: 28.91% (37) • Use of the Term "Indians" is O ensive and it's About Time the State Issued this Directive: 21.88% (28) • None of the above: 7.03% (9) • It's Time to Get With The Times, but this is Government Overreach: 4.69% (6) 37.5% 28.91% 21.88% 7.03% 4.69% VOL. 13 NO. 42 SEE NICKNAME PAGE 7 We Asked Our Online Readers Their Thoughts 128 People Responded 914-282-6440 [email protected] ZACKS RE/MAX Classic Realty Services Provided Property Evaluation | Home Staging High Definition Photography | 3D/Virtual Tours Custom Digital Marketing | Five-Star Service Questions? Call Lawrence Zacks Today! 914-282-6440 Call for a with the Hudson Valley’s top realtor! FREE CONSULTATION Privately Set Colonial in the Mahopac School District! (4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths.) Spacious rooms throughout. Well maintained w/ Gorgeous Entry & Private Deck. Open Granite Kitchen w/ Counter Seating, Door Out to Deck & Breakfast Area leading to spacious Family Room w/Wood-burning Fireplace. Hardwood Floors throughout. Formal Living Room & Dining Room. Primary Bedroom Suite w/Walk-In Closet + Full Bath complete w/Tub & Separate Shower. Freshly Painted Interior. New Front Door & Shutters. 2-Car Attached Garage... $649,900 LAWRENCE ZACKS, Winner of the 2021 Circle of Legends Award Door Out to Deck & Breakfast Area leading to spacious Family Room w/Wood-burning Fireplace. Hardwood Floors throughout. BEAUTIFUL CENTER HALL COLONIAL! Looking to move? We can help you relocate anywhere in the world! Scan me!
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER What are the odds? A diabetic, John Fiscella, 54, was in end-stage renal failure. The popular guitar teacher from Somers had been on dialysis for more than a year and was on a waitlist for a kidney transplant. He was sleeping 15 hours a day and no longer had much energy for lessons, much less the performances he used to give at local venues such as the WrightReis Homestead in Somers. Things had gotten so bad health-wise that the family feared this past Christmas might be his “last,” Fiscella said, goodnaturedly joking that he got so many presents – including a race car set – that he felt “like a kid again.” INTRODUCING VINCENT LUGO A lifelong asthma sufferer, Vincent Lugo, 22, had collapsed at home after a severe attack late on March 10. He was rushed to the hospital and had to be placed on life support. On March 12, his parents got the heart-wrenching news that the damage to their beloved son’s brain – due to lack of oxygen – was irreversible. He was declared legally dead the following day. They instinctively knew that their son – who was described as selfless, kind, generous, and talented by those who knew him – would have wanted to give someone the precious gift of life through organ donation. And it would be a comfort to them, too, to feel that he was living on somehow. A VOICEMAIL TO THE FISCELLA FAMILY CHANGES IT ALL Within days of deciding to reach out to the public for help, the family of Fiscella received a life-changing voicemail. It came from Maryjean Lugo, the mother of Vincent, who had just died. She and her husband, Bill, were hoping to donate his vital organs to someone in the community. The Lugos had heard about the Fiscella family’s plight, were touched by the fact that he and their son had both graduated from Somers High School, and that they were both musicians, and wondered if they could do something. That was Tuesday morning, March 14. The message “came out of the blue,” said an awestruck Heide Fiscella, John’s wife. After calling the Lugos back – which she said was very “emotional” – Heide gave them her husband’s information and the number of the transplant team at Westchester Medical Center. (Directed organ requests have to originate from the donor’s family.) At that point, there was no way of knowing if the two men would be a match. Less than three hours later, the Fiscellas got a call from the Valhalla hospital. “Can you get down here, like now?” they were asked. “They didn’t give any names or information because they didn’t know how much we knew. They just said we have a kidney for you, but people wait for years on the list for something like that. So we knew that this was no coincidence. It had to be them,” Heide Fiscella said. Fiscella had to go through more screening to assess the risk of rejection. Tests were being conducted almost right up to the moment they wheeled him into the operating room. “We were very nervous about being disappointed,” his wife said. He passed with flying colors and underwent successful transplant surgery early Wednesday, March 15. The Lugos confirmed this week that they had donated Vincent’s kidneys, heart, and liver, which means their son saved Fiscella’s and three other lives. HOW DID THIS COME TO BE? So how did the two families come together so quickly? Heide had written a plea for help, which she passed to her mother-in-law, Rose, to distribute. (Neither Heide nor their son was a suitable donor. On the national transplant list for a year, they also had yet to be crossmatched.) Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time the Fiscella family has had to go through something like this. In 2018, John’s brother, Matt, was suffering from chronic kidney disease. The dad of three and a 1989 Somers High School grad was undergoing dialysis three times a week in order to stay alive. He put the word out via Facebook and a living donor emerged. The transplant was a success and the Fiscellas and that person’s family have kept in touch ever since. Rose Fiscella thought if a public plea worked once, it could work again. Rose then passed Heide’s email to a friend, Corinne Stanton, a Halston Media advertising executive (Halston Media is the publisher of this newspaper), who has lots of connections in the community. Stanton immediately sent it to Halston Media editor Tom Walogorsky on Friday, March 10. Maryjean Lugo works as a library aide at Somers Intermediate School. On Monday, March 13, she contacted SIS Acting Principal Linda Belger to see if she could get the word out that they were hoping to find community members in need of a transplant. Belger thought alerting the local newspaper would attract a wider audience. She reached out to the school district’s spokesperson, Amanda Bergen, who contacted Walogorsky. Putting two and two together, Walogorsky sent the Fiscellas’ note to Bergen, who passed it to Belger. Belger contacted Maryjean, who then left a voicemail with the Fiscellas. And a life-saving connection was made. Calling back was rough, John Fiscella recalled. “We didn’t know what to do. We were like, this is the person’s worst hour of need, their lowest point. How do you call somebody? What do you say? We were crying, but she held up pretty good,” he said of Lugo. THE ‘CAT WHISPERER’ Teacher Matt Ridgeway said on Facebook that it “was a privilege to have (had) the chance to teach and mentor Vin [Lugo] at Somers High School.” Calling him an “unforgettable kid who shared positivity, kindness, and his great smile with so many people,” Ridgeway said Lugo will “be sorely missed.” If his mother had to name that special something that made her son so memorable to so many, it would be “charisma.” And it wasn’t just people; animals were charmed too. His family jokingly called him the “cat whisperer.” One of their favorite photos shows the big tough-looking guy gently cradling his favorite feline, Lucky. Music was Lugo’s biggest thing. After getting his first drum kit at age 13, he went on to play guitar and bass, sing, and write songs. When a teenager, he went to the School of Rock in Bedford. While not currently in a band himself, Lugo was a great supporter of those who were and was known to perform with his favorite groups. Mother and son bonded over music. She introduced him to rock and roll and other genres of her generation. He grew up listening to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black A precious gift Two local families share a bittersweet connection Vincent Lugo John Fiscella SEE GIFT PAGE 20
The Sta EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines Mahopac News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing o ices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 (ISSN 2330-1627) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main O ice 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC release. “He began taunting the CPD o cers with derogatory statements.” Bodo later told Mahopac News that the o cers were trying to be friendly at rst and encouraged the driver to go away quietly. “O cer Bambach was even asking him about his Challenger because he’s a car guy,” Bodo said. “ ey gave him every chance to back down, but the driver started making really nasty comments.” e driver then allegedly offered the o cers $50 to chase him in his souped‐up Blue Dodge Challenger. “[He] made it very clear that he would never be caught,” the Carmel PD statement said. “O cers Bambach and Kloskowski repeatedly asked this young man to leave the area, as he was creating an unsafe condition by impeding both vehicular and pedestrian tra c.” According to police, the driver’s response was to do a burnout directly in front of the police car, pollute the area with the stench of burned rubber, and then take o down Route 6 at “a high rate of speed.” e Carmel police brie y pursued the car as it headed west toward Yorktown and allegedly “observed [it] swerving in and out of oncoming tra c, nearly causing several head-on collisions,” the statement said. For safety’s sake, Carmel police said they stopped chasing the Dodge and alerted Yorktown police, who also tried to stop the car, now travelling in excess of 100 miles per hour. “ e vehicle failed to comply with Yorktown PD o cers and continued to ee,” the statement said. As in Carmel, Yorktown of- cers considered a high-speed chase to be unsafe and ended their pursuit. e Dodge made it to the Taconic Parkway and sped south, where New York State Troopers allegedly clocked it at more than 140 miles per hour. at’s when what Bodo describes as karma intervened. By the time Troopers caught up to the vehicle, they no longer had to chase it. e Dodge was at standstill, sitting at the Taconic’s Pleasantville Road exit with a blown engine. “Evidently, the young man overestimated the performance of his fancy car and the vehicle’s engine had seized, leaving his car broken down and smoking on the shoulder of the road,” said the Carmel PD statement, which also thanked Yorktown and State police for “bringing this very dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.” e driver and his passenger were unharmed. e driver, whose name police have withheld due to his age and changes to state juvenile o ender laws, was arrested at the scene and held by State Police. He has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor DWI, 11 vehicle and tra c violations, reckless endangerment, and more. He also faces felony charges for criminal possession of a forged instrument. “He had fake license plates,” Bodo later told Mahopac News. “ e real plates were in the back seat. “ e fake plates on the car were vanity plates. ey said: ‘NOWIFE.’” SPEEDER FROM PAGE 1 MAHOPAC MUSINGS Spring art workshops and classes at PAC e Putnam Arts Council in Mahopac is o ering classes pottery/ceramics, watercolor, oils & acrylics, and pen and ink drawing. e six-week classes will be starting throughout April. e calendar includes a new Saturday evening studio art class, along with afterschool and evening classes for kids and teens. Other o erings include Sunday clay wheel throwing pottery classes, a small pod clay hand-building workshop for family and friends on Saturday afternoons, a Sunday printmaking class and a paint night workshop for kids and their chosen adult. To learn more, call 845.803.8622, email [email protected] or visit putnamartscouncil.com. Ludington Tour On April 26, 1777, 16-year-old Sybil Ludington rode 40 miles in the dark to rally local militia men as the British set re to Danbury. SEE MUSINGS PAGE 22 862 Route 6 Goodrow Building Mahopac NY 10541 (845) 208-0963 SOUTHEAST EXECUTIVE PARK 185 NY-312 • Suite 301B Brewster NY 10509 (845) 279-9288 MILL POND OFFICES 293 Route 100 • Suite 107 Somers, NY 10589 (914) 276-2520 www.aonpt.com The Road To Recovery Starts Here Tel: 914-245-3899 • 32 Triangle Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 www.genesisjewelers.com Watch Battery Special $4.61 Excludes watches with 4 or more screws. Limit 4 watches. With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Expires 4/29/23 April 1 – 8th 45% OFF all fine jewelry (in stock) 21st Anniversary Sale!
Mahopac public library has announced its April events calendar, and here’s a rundown of events for the first week of the month. Unless otherwise noted, attendees can register at mahopaclibrary.org, or by calling 845-628-2009, ext. 100. SATURDAY, APRIL 1 11:00 a.m.: Understanding Past Native American Cultures in the Hudson Valley. This presentation will examine indigenous Native American cultures and adaptations in the southeastern New York region, from the area’s earliest occupation by humans, at least 13,000 years ago, to the period of initial European exploration. Registration is requested. This talk is presented by ward-winning archeologist and Mahopac-resident Eugene Boesch, and co-sponsored by Sustainable Putnam. MONDAY, APRIL 3 1:00-3:00 p.m.: Spring Break Art Station. Calling all kids, grade K & up! Try a different art technique or use various materials to make your own creation! No registration required; dropin and have some fun. Call 845- 628-2009, ext. 139 to learn more. 6:30 p.m.: Monday Evening Book Group (hybrid program): This adult book group meets on the first Monday of each month; new members are always welcome. In April we will discuss “Silas Marner” by George Eliot. Pick up a copy of this book at the front desk or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100 to schedule a curbside pickup. This title is also available as an ebook on Overdrive. Attend in-person at the library or virtually via Zoom. Email ewier[email protected] to receive the Zoom link. TUESDAY, APRIL 4 2:00 p.m.: Grant Search Strategies for Nonprofits (hybrid). There are many ways to search for funders on Foundation Directory. Join us to get tips and strategies to identify the right funders for your non-profit organization. Meet in-person in the Learning Lab or virtually via Zoom (valid email address required). This class is intended for beginners and as a refresher for those who have previously used Foundation Directory. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 2:00 p.m.: A Whole New World Escape Room (Wednesday session). Calling all third to fifth graders: Escape Room is back at Mahopac Library! Come look for clues and solve puzzles and mysteries! Registration required. Register online at mahopaclibrary.org or call 845-628-2009, ext. 139. 4:00 p.m.: Teen Service Opportunity – Balloon Club Training. Learn how to make several types of balloon creations for upcoming balloon club activities! Get community service hours and have fun making balloon animals and more. For grades 6-12. Registration required; register online or call 845-628-2009 ext. 139. 4:00 p.m.: Teen Anime Club. Mahopac Library has an Anime Club! Join us after school on Wednesdays to watch anime, play board or card games, share your art, talk manga, and hang with friends! Teens are welcome to bring their own board/card games as well as food and beverages For teens ages 14+, walk-ins welcome. For more information, contact Youth Services at 845- 628-2009 ext. 139. THURSDAY APRIL 6 10:00 a.m.: Digital Skills for Everyday Tasks: Google Workspace Series (hybrid). Learn how to manage work and life tasks more effectively using Google tools. Whether you want to build a budget, create a meeting agenda or organize your priorities, these best practices will boost your productivity. In this session we’ll show you how to: use templates in Google Sheets to build a personalized to-do list, and use Google Docs templates to create a meeting agenda. Attend in-person in the Learning Lab or virtually via Zoom (a valid email address is required). 2:00 p.m.: A Whole New World Escape Room (Thursday session). Calling all 3rd-5th graders: Escape Room is back at Mahopac Library! Come look for clues and solve puzzles and mysteries! Registration is required. Register online at or call 845-628-2009, ext. 139. Informatvion provided by Mahopac Public Library THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 5 This week at Mahopac Library Find events from archeology to anime and more On Sunday, Carmel Police officer Vincent DeSantola and K9 Pietro conducted a demonstration for all the families at the Carmel Recreation and Parks Egg Hunt (see page 14). Later that same day, they were called into action for something more serious, helping Somers and New York State police locate a missing man in Somers. According to Carmel PD, the 60-year-old vulnerable adult had been missing for over one hour. “The man was in possession of a cell phone, but the battery had died, complicating the search,” Camel PD said. “Officer DeSantola began [to track the missing man] and K9 Pietro led him for nearly a mile - along roadways, through several backyards and finally into a wooded area where he located the missing individual at 3:53 p.m. The man was evaluated by EMS and then returned safely into the care of his family.” K9 Pietro finds missing man Officer Vincent DeSantola and K9 Pietro demonstrate tracking on Sunday, March 26 PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Call us at 914-245-5588 or visit anglebrookgc.com to learn more. 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PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A plan to build a 140-foot cell phone tower in the condo community of Maple Hill Estates in Mahopac has su ered a severe setback after the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted last month to deny the applicant three necessary variances, and the Planning Board indicated at last week’s meeting that it would deny the site plan at its meeting next month. Danbury, Conn.-based Homeland Towers, along with Verizon Wireless, have permission from Maple Hill Estates to construct the tower on the housing development’s land; however, the proposed site abuts Walton Drive and residents there say it puts the structure literally in their backyards. ey claim it could impact property values and that construction will disrupt their tranquil neighborhood. e project has been in and out of state and federal courts for nearly four years. e saga at Walton Drive began in 2018 when Verizon Wireless and Homeland Towers asked for site-plan approval to build cell towers on residential properties on Croton Falls Road and Dixon Road in Mahopac. In November 2019, the Planning Board denied those applications on several grounds, primarily saying it believed Homeland had not su ciently proven a need for the two towers. Homeland subsequently took the town to federal court, where a judge urged the parties to compromise and settle the matter themselves. Six months after the federal action was initiated, Homeland agreed to withdraw the application for a tower at the Croton Falls Road property, while the town agreed to allow a tower at a new location on the Dixon Road property. e agreement also called for a new tower at an entirely separate location on the other side of town in Maple Hill Estates. No Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals special use permit or variances would be undertaken for the Maple Hill plan, nor was any vote taken at that time by either board. But town o cials did not realize at the time they approved the deal that the Maple Hill Estates site butted up against the Walton Drive neighborhood, putting some homes in very close proximity to the tower. Neighbors complained that their road would be used as a thoroughfare for heavy construction equipment, disrupting daily life and potentially damaging lawns. Six Walton Drive residents—Jessica Gondolfo, Robert Cavallaro, Todd McCormack, Edward Wechsler, Joseph Armisto, and Gerard Hanrahan— led a lawsuit questioning the Town Board’s authority to enter into such an agreement considering that the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals never voted on the issue. State Supreme Court Justice omas R. Davis agreed, saying the Town Board usurped the authority of the ZBA and Planning Board by entering into the agreement to allow the Maple Hill Estate tower without the requisite approvals. Last November, a federal court asked the parties to restart the process, this time with Homeland going before the Planning Board for site plan approval and before the ZBA to obtain three variances. For the past several months, Homeland has been doing just that—pleading its case before the two boards by presenting data and case studies on topics ranging from cell tower impacts on real estate values to cell phone coverage gaps. Homeland was before the ZBA at its Feb. 23 meeting seeking three variances it needed for the project. It needed a 90-foot variance for the tower’s height. e town code stipulates a 50-foot maximum height, but the Maple Estate tower would be 140 feet. Homeland would also need a variance for the setback from the nearest resident variance. Town code allows a minimum of 280 feet, but Homeland’s plan would place it 174 feet away from the closest home. Finally, the company would need a height variance for the fence that would be built around the base of the tower. Code allows for a 4-foot fence, but Homeland’s plan calls for one that is 8 feet tall. e ZBA unanimously denied all three variances, saying that despite submitting a study showing coverage gaps in the area, Homeland failed to prove there was a need Walton Drive cell tower plan su ers setbacks ZBA denies variances, Planning Board to reject site plan FILE PHOTO Homeland attorney Robert Gaudioso SEE PLAN PAGE 22 Vote For Gerard Ahler CARMEL HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT I need your support and signature to get elected! Call OR Text me at: 914-447-4106 I will stop by to have you sign the Republican Designating Petition to assure that I will be on the ballot. IF YOU WANT IT DONE GERARD'S THE ONE! LEADERSHIP • INTEGRITY • ACCOUNTABILITY WANT FREE FIREWOOD & FREE LEAF PICK UP? Paid for by Gerard Ahler
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Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENACHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial O ice: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 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 Mahopac News or its a iliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 845-208-0774 PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Publisher’s Note: Tom Walogorsky is the editor of our Westchester newspapers. We wanted to share an amazing story with you. Our publisher once jokingly remarked that nobody gets rich working in the world of local journalism. Since I am not writing this from the comfort of my beach house, I tend to agree. I might not be watching the sunset over a white sand beach, but I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and plenty of bacon treats for my dog. Honestly, wanting more than that seems greedy. Some days the world of journalism can feel almost mundane. Board meetings, budgets and basketball scores. Occasionally, there are scandals and state championships. We do our best to support our communities and manage the expectations of our readers. And every so often, we have the opportunity to make an impact in the towns we serve. A few weeks ago, an unbelievable coincidence gave Halston Media the chance to truly make a di erence. MAIL BAG On any given day, I receive more than 100 emails. Some of them are spam, but the majority are a mixed bag of requests from readers, news tips, press releases, interdepartmental communications, compliments and (occasionally) complaints. I do my best to be responsive to our readers, because I believe that being accessible to the communities we serve is essential in the world of local journalism. While each communication is important in its own way, occasionally I get messages that lead to something bigger than any single news article. e chain of events that began last week was one of those instances. Just before signing o for the day on a Friday afternoon, I received an email from Corinne Stanton, one of Halston Media’s advertising executives. She had been contacted by a friend who explained a tragic situation. A longtime Somers resident, father and husband was in the midst of end-stage renal failure and in desperate need of a kidney transplant. I have always believed in the importance of using the reach and in uence of the local paper to help those within the community. At that point, I added the plea for a kidney donation to the list of stories to be assigned to one of our reporters the following week. CONNECTIONS Mondays are the busiest day of my work week, juggling nal content submissions, proofreading and layout alongside our design team for all of Halston Media’s Westchester papers. at evening, three days after receiving Corinne’s initial email, I was contacted by the communications coordinator from the Somers Central School District, Amanda Bergen. A situation had been brought to the district’s attention that was both tragic and unusual. A Somers High School alumnus was on life support, and the family was making arrangements to donate his organs upon his passing. ey contacted the district with the idea that those donations might be given to someone within the Somers community. Amanda contacted the paper in hopes that we might be able to somehow help them ful ll this request. Realizing that the solution to both issues would come by simply connecting the two parties, Corinne, Amanda and I got everyone talking early the next morning. Sadly, the donor had passed away. But the loss came with a nal act of sel ess kindness, and the person in need received their new kidney in time. Two separate families reaching out for help within three days. I don’t intend for this to become a theological discussion of faith, but considering the timeline of events, one has to wonder. Call it divine intervention, fate, or luck, but everyone was involved in what amounted to a bittersweet happy ending. Speaking with Corinne days later, we were still in a bit of disbelief at how quickly all of the events had transpired. When talking about the gratitude she was receiving for her part, she modestly said, “All I did was forward an email.” at may have been true, but the newspaper’s connections within the community are what allowed this to happen. AT YOUR SERVICE Our papers serve many roles within our communities. Halston Media’s reporters, salespeople, freelancers and editorial sta are all connected in the worlds of government, commerce, education and countless local organizations. ese connections are what allow us to truly serve our towns in as many ways as we do. We report on important issues, help celebrate achievements, and even o er support in the face of tragedy. In the case of the events that transpired that week, we were able to really make a di erence in someone’s life. When I think about my time in journalism, my fondest memories are of the stories that actually managed to help our readers. While having a small role in helping someone get a new kidney will certainly be added to that list, others are more simple. When I was the sports editor for North Salem News, I received a phone call from a parent. By his own admission, his daughter was not very athletic and didn’t see much playing time on her team. When her name and photo appeared in an issue of our paper, he took the time to thank me and say it was the happiest day of his daughter’s life. is might seem inconsequential to most people, but for that family, it was the opposite. You can’t put a price on getting a call like that, and knowing the impact that we can have on the communities we serve. When I explained the story of the Somers kidney donation to our publisher and the small but important part we played, I jokingly said I should be rewarded with a day o . He was happy to o er it, but I couldn’t have been more anxious to get back to work. Days like that are why we do this job. Tom Walogorsky believes in good karma, but never turns down free co ee. Contact him at [email protected] Why we do what we do An inexplicable series of events helped to save a local life TOM WALOGORSKY TOM’S TAKE I have always believed in the importance of using the reach and influence of the local paper to help those within the community.’
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 845-628-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ I have used the Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock for real estate and estate planning. Joe and his staff were professional, courteous, efficient, and they always returned my calls promptly when needed. I would never consider going to another law office for my legal needs. ~B.W. That hairy ru an, Homo erectus, must have gotten impatient with the slow pace of evolution and stood too soon. How else can you explain the imsy stack of vertebrae and disks that we call a spine. In the course of a lifetime, roughly four out of ve of us will experience signi - cant back pain. Maybe it’d been better if God managed human evolution, rather than apes. Backs are weird. A hulking linebacker slips a disk tying his shoe, while a 90-pound ballerina can be tossed unharmed like a frisbee. A weak back can be made stronger through exercise, but it will never be a strong back. You’re either born with a strong back or you end up like the many of us who can be felled just by leaning over and picking up a rice crispy. e last time my back went out, I was taking a lasagna out of the oven. I felt a slight wrench and then the spasm hit. I average one or two per year. A week’s rest and lots of icing usually get me back in ghting condition. I’m lucky. But last winter, for the rst time, I experienced the exquisite torment of sciatica. Of course, I prayed for relief and promised never to sin again. But God didn’t help and neither did three Advil. Sciatic attacks are worse at night, when the su erer lies prone. I’d been getting strange pin-like pricks in my thigh for a couple of weeks, usually while driving. And then one night I woke, and it felt as if someone was sticking the point of a redhot needle in the back of my thigh. I tried shifting positions and then jumped out of bed, as if I could run away from my misery. Save an operation or an epidural, there are no e ective treatments for sciatica. However, there’s evidence showing that cannabis helps as an analgesic. Advil was putting holes in my stomach. It didn’t take long to realize that treating sciatic pain with cannabis was going to be a lot more expensive than taking Advil. So, instead of buying what God put here for free and throwing out money on a medical card and a doctor visit, I grew my own. I ordered three feminized, auto- owering seeds from a seedbank in the Bronx. ey were engineered to ower in half the time. Instead of growing the usual perennials and leaf lettuce, I committed my basement garden to the devil’s lettuce. God forgive me. From the mightiest sequoia to the lowliest weed, the rst two leaves of every single plant look exactly the same. Embryo-like, they emerge from the seed itself. e second set of leaves reveal the plant’s identity in miniature. at’s when you begin to feel responsible and connected to what you’re growing. In a way, it’s like being a parent. I mean, when you grow indoors, you provide the sun, water, the company and the entertainment. One of the plants died of unknown causes, one thrived, one got sick because I overfertilized it. at one grew only 10-1/2 inches high, but owered nicely. e nest moment came when I took them outside for the rst time. I placed them in the morning light and watched as they trembled with delight. eir elegant leaves are fun to sketch because they’re so expressive. ey dance, they leap, they nally resemble outstretched wings. e plants were just beginning to lose their leaves. is allows them to use all their energy to produce owers. My two sel ess cannabis plants were in e ect sacri cing their lives for the next generation. Not wanting to smoke, I turned most of my harvest into an edible by grinding up the owers and baking them on a low heat. is releases the psychoactive and CBD chemicals that produce the high and medical bene ts. e only problem was that my sciatica had disappeared weeks before. Nevertheless, I found a way to make use. As an herb, edible cannabis in brownies makes no sense to me. I use the dried cannabis as a tincture (what amounts to a trace) and a avoring in tea. Tea drinking is a morning ritual for me. No TV, no newspaper, no me-me-me, just a steamy hot cup of tea. It starts with the rst soothing sip, and feeling it warm my insides like a pair of loving hands. It may be my imagination, the placebo e ect, but the ever-so-gentle infusion seems to help the calm, tea- lled consciousness of well-being and lightness linger throughout the day. I don’t worry over how it gets there. But my tea has never tasted better or warmed me more closely. Does the cannabis tincture do anything besides add avor? I will never know for sure. But if the sciatica ever does return, I’ll be drinking tea morning, noon and night. Lorenzo Garo is a resident of Mahopac. Celestial seasonings LORENZO GARO OF HUMAN INTEREST Dear Dr. Linda, I feel I need to share this with your readers. Last week my husband and I took our 7-year-old son to a psychologist to be tested. e school felt he was doing just ne, but my husband and I were concerned that he was not doing that ne. So, we decided to have him tested outside of the school. e results were interesting. e psychologist agreed with the school. He did not nd any learning issues. “ en what is wrong?” I asked the psychologist. “I know what’s wrong,” said Tyler. We all looked over at him. “Everybody keeps talking and they don’t let me say what I want to say.” e psychologist asked Tyler if his teacher listens to what he said, and our son said, “Yes, but Mommy and Daddy don’t.” At that point my husband and I looked at each other in shock and Tyler went back to playing with the toys. To make a long story short, we never took Tyler back to the psychologist, but we made an appointment for ourselves to meet with him. -Tyler’s Mom and Dad Dear Tyler’s Mom and Dad, ank you so much for sharing this with us! It’s a wonderful story, and I am thrilled that Tyler was able to communicate what was really happening to him. Parents need to listen to their children DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING SEEDR. LINDAPAGE 10
PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times ItalIan ContInental CuIsIne Now Taking Reservations For Easter Sunday & Mother’s Day (Serving Special Holiday Menu) Mamma Rosa Gift Certificates are the Perfect Present Year-Round! Every Week is Restaurant Week at Mamma Rosa! • Gluten Free Pasta and Menu Items Available • Private Party Rooms Available• Reservations Recommended 252 Route 100, Somers 10589 • 914.232.8080 • www.mammarosaristorante.com Open Tuesday-Sunday for Lunch and Dinner • Closed Monday Unfortunately, many more children su er without anyone noticing. In some cases, members of families are too busy doing their own thing that they never have time to just sit with a child and listen to what he or she has to say. ere are ways, however, that parents can ensure that they are aware of what’s happening to their children, especially when they’re young. I remember a mom telling me that every day since her children could talk, she’d sit on their bed with them before they fell asleep, and they’d talk about their day. She was a working mom and wasn’t home when they got home from school. She would share her day with them, and they’d share their days with her. She listened to them and they, in turn, learned to listen to her—and by default, others. Many children seem never to be heard when their parents are both talkers or they have siblings who are chatty. I once met with a little boy who had three older sisters. As with Tyler, this little boy had no learning issues. Yet, he was struggling in school. Even if his mom or dad asked him if he had homework, by the time he responded, someone else in the family started talking, so he never answered. He was overlooked continuously. In addition, since he was the youngest, often before he could say something, someone else answered for him. Recently I watched a grandmother with her 3-year-old grandson Isaac make a sand castle together. Everything seemed wonderful until a friend of the grandmother’s walked by, and the two women started talking. Suddenly another little boy ran by and knocked over the castle, and Isaac was stunned. But no amount of his trying to get his grandmother’s attention succeeded. Finally, when the two women nished their conversation, Isaac’s grandmother said, “It’s getting late and we have to have dinner.” Isaac, dejected, followed her out of the park. As they walked away, I was quite frustrated with what had just happened. I can’t imagine how Isaac felt. e point is that every child— and adult, for that matter— needs the opportunity to share the experiences they have— good or bad—with someone who cares about them. Children need to feel that their thoughts and experiences are important to their moms and dads. If you haven’t read the children’s classic, “Nobody Listens to Andrew,” by Elizabeth Guilfoile, read it. It’s been around since 1957. is isn’t a new issue. Please, take out time each day to listen to your children. -Dr. Linda Send your questions to Linda@ stronglearning.com. DR. LINDA FROM PAGE 9 You can be forgiven if you missed the national observance of Sunshine Week, which occurred the week of March 16. e movement was rst launched in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors to promote transparency and open government. e date was picked since it is the birthday of James Madison, considered by many to be the father of our Constitution. Over a half-dozen good government groups were present in Albany to press for reform in New York’s Freedom of Information (FOIL) and Open Meetings laws, but as in the past, little is expected in terms of legislation. Di erent bills were brought forward in the Assembly and state Senate, but without corresponding bills in the opposite chambers, it is certain that nothing will happen. A Daily News headline captured the moment: “Cloudy forecast for Sunshine Week.” It goes without saying that New York is a laggard compared to other states when it comes to transparency in government, even though they were one of the rst states to pass Freedom of Information legislation in the wake of Watergate. e original legislation said, “ e people’s right to know the process of governmental decision-making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society.” Although New York was rst to the party, the state legislature has shown no leadership in transparency when compared to their peers since the original legislation was signed. e laws need to catch up with the times, since nearly all information produced by the government at all levels is digital. One bright spot is Open Book New York, maintained by the comptroller, which provides a searchable database of some government contracts. All agencies should be required to participate. A lot of time and resources are consumed with the FOIL process of ling “mother may I” information requests, which must be worded carefully and speci cally or the requests will be denied. e system could be dramatically improved by proactively publishing more information rather than waiting for the requests to roll in. After all, the information is, theoretically at least, not a secret. Some have suggested creating an ombudsman’s o ce to help shepherd rst timers through the process of ling information requests. Town government should take the lead on sunshine laws DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEESCOTT PAGE 11
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 Gale Bauman TAX CONSULTATION with CPAs FREE TAX ASSOCIATES www.galebaumantax.com 6 Old Tomahawk St. Granite Springs NY Call or email to book your appointment [email protected] Individual: -minimizing tax liability & maximizing refund -communicating with IRS & State -navigating through complexities of 1040s -audit representation Business: -preparation of all business tax returns (1120, 1120S, 1065) -audit representation -preparation of trust, estate & gift tax returns -Trust, Estate & Retirement planning -Tax planning/project of income tax liability -setting up a new business entity Retirement Planning 20 EXPIRES 03/31/23 % OFF FOR NEW CLIENTS ACCEPTING DROP-OFFS AND APPOINTMENTS (914)248-7600 Years ago, I represented a company called Open Gov that provides economical software to publish government information to the web. I naïvely thought that it would be a no-brainer for most local governments, county and town. Everyone in government talks about improving transparency, but when the rubber hits the road, enthusiasm wanes. It wasn’t as popular an idea as I thought, at least from those in government. Florida and Texas are among a few innovative leaders in transparency and open government. Maybe more sunshine leads to better sunshine laws. Everyone jokes about internet stories that start with “Florida man.” Most of these crazy stories are mined by Google, since every police agency in Florida is required to le their arrest records within 24 hours. County real estate records in Florida are available through clickable maps linked to all of the property information. In Texas, state law requires that government entities must publish their checkbooks online. at rule saves millions for those who previously had to FOIL that information. You can’t get any more transparent than that. Many transparency reforms could be started now by local governments without waiting for new legislation from Albany. For starters, publish all non-con dential information to the web, including property information, checking transactions and public safety information. ose are not dif- cult steps and would go a long way towards improving transparency and providing better service to the public. SCOTT FROM PAGE 10 Aphorisms – pithy observations of general truths – are powerful. “Actions speak louder than words.” “ e early bird catches the worm.” As a marketer, my favorite is “Fish where the sh are.” As Google puts it, “Take your marketing message and your business to where your customers and potential customers already are.” I rst learned this lesson in business school. A class assignment sent four of us to Pittsburgh to tackle an analytic project for Heinz Pickles. We were to measure the brand’s return on marketing investment, marketby-market. We found consistently better returns on marketing investment in areas where the Heinz Pickles brand was already stronger, where its share of market and per capita sales were already higher. e marketing investment had caught more sh where the sh already were. I found that principle con rmed repeatedly over my career. How can you take advantage of this principle in your business? A helpful process to follow is Research > Plan > Implement > Evaluate. Let’s consider each step. In the “Research” step, determine where the sh are. e sh are your customers, especially your best customers. ey tend to be concentrated where your business is strongest. e sh are also your highest potential prospects, those with the greatest need for what you have to o er. at may lead you to particular geographic areas. For example, an investment advisor or estate attorney likely does better where there are more wealthy prospects. Sometimes there isn’t a clear geographic answer, but you may nd that your best customers are people with particular characteristics. For example, podiatrists may nd that more of their patients are people who do lots of physical work on their feet, versus people in sedentary occupations. So podiatrists may tailor their marketing message to appeal more to blue collar workers and craftsmen. e “Planning” step is when you decide how to apply your knowledge of where the sh are. For best results, target your e orts generously to your already-strong markets (where the sh have proven to be), since there are probably still lots more sh there ready to bite. If resources permit, extend e orts into additional areas with the same key characteristics. e investment advisor or estate attorney could broaden e orts toward other high income/high wealth areas. e podiatrist could broaden e orts to areas with greater numbers of workers who are on their feet more and have greater care needs. e “Implementation” stage is when you execute the plan. With rod and reel in-hand, you cast your bait into the water where there appear to be more sh. Finally, don’t forget the “Evaluation” stage, when you measure and analyze results. Are they what you expected? Where are you seeing greater or less market response? Can you gure out why? oughtful analysis will help you get smarter, to re ne future planning. e sh-where-the- sh-are principle also can be applied in other aspects of marketing beyond advertising. For example, in some categories, referrals may be powerful and worth incenting current customers to provide them. Wealthy clients of investment advisors and estate attorneys probably can help you reach other high potential prospects like themselves. Podiatrists’ patients who are on their feet at work can probably help you reach others with similar work and similar needs. You also might o er promotional incentives that are most motivating to your best customers and highest potential prospects. at too is shing where the sh are. For example, a liquor store may o er a discount on the purchase of a half-dozen or dozen bottles of wine. at investment should generate more incremental business Fish where the sh are SEEFREEMAN PAGE 13 WITH KEN FREEMAN
PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! 914.455.2158 10% OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! our 4th straight year! New Customers2023 BEST OF SOMERS AWARD awarded annually by THE SOMERS AWARD PROGRAM $ 20 OFF FIRST EXAM! (914)248.6220 268 ROUTE 202 / SOMERS,NY 10589 • Progressive-Vet.com After the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the Oscars, I decided it deserved another chance. I must confess, after the second and third viewing, I started to understand what I had originally found incomprehensible. at feeling reminded me very much of my experience with the writings of Franz Kafka. Kafka, a notably creative and brilliant bohemian writer, was born into a middle-class, German-speaking Jewish family on July 3, 1883, in Prague, Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Kafka’s works, including “ e Metamorphosis” and the novel “ e Trial,” magni cently reveal personal themes of alienation, existential anxiety and guilt. Like “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” his work also deals with absurdity. On that note, I remember being aghast when the main protagonist in “ e Metamorphosis” turns into an insect. In 1917, Kafka began to su er from tuberculosis, which at the time was almost always a fatal disease. Kafka’s condition required a convalescence during which he was supported by his family, most notably his sister. In 1923, Kafka brie y moved to Berlin in the hope of concentrating on writing while he convalesced. ere he met and lived with Dora Diamant, a 25-year-old kindergarten teacher from an Orthodox Jewish family, who became his signi cant other. She cared for Kafka for the remainder of his life. Despite her fastidious care, Kafka’s tuberculosis worsened. Eventually, he returned to Prague, ending up in a sanatorium for treatment, where he died on June 3, 1924. Kafka’s writings are no longer as popular as they once were, but oddly, they have enjoyed a recent revival, due primarily to a story which has circulated on the internet for the past few years. e piece revolves around an incident that allegedly occurred during Kafka’s stay in Berlin. If you haven’t run into it yet on the internet, here is a brief synopsis: One year before his death, Kafka was walking through Steglitz Park, in Berlin. Although he observed the same routine every day, on this day, he took a slightly di erent route. As fate would have it, he encountered a little girl crying heartbroken. She had lost her doll. To calm her down, Kafka helped look for the doll. When it became obvious that they would not nd it, Kafka told the little girl that the doll was probably away on a trip and that she should not worry, as he was a postman, and the doll would have sent her a letter. He arranged to meet her the next day, at the same spot, to deliver the letter. Being the creative writer he was, Kafka composed a letter purportedly from the doll and read it to the girl when they met the next day. He wrote: “Please do not mourn me. I have gone on a trip to see the world. I will write you of my adventures.” As the story goes, this was the beginning of many letters. When Kafka and the little girl met, he read from these carefully composed letters about the imagined adventures of the beloved doll. For three weeks, he focused exclusively on the doll’s letters and handed them to the girl every day. When the meetings came to an end, Kafka presented her with a doll. e little girl immediately noticed that the doll looked di erent from the original, but an attached letter that Kafka presented explained why: “My travels have changed me.” Later that year, Kafka passed away. It is believed that many years later, the then grown girl found a letter stu ed into a previously unnoticed crevice in the cherished replacement doll. In summary it said: “Everything that you love, you will eventually lose, but in the end, love will return in a di erent form.” Did this really happen? No one knows for sure. Kafka’s partner in his nal years, Dora Diamant, vouched for the story. However, to this day, the story remains unproven. All attempts to nd concrete supporting evidence, like the letters, the now grown little girl or the doll, have proven futile. at fact has not dampened enthusiasm for the fable. For instance, in his 2005 novel, “ e Brooklyn Follies,” author Paul Auster included a reference to the doll story. Even more directly, the story inspired the March 2021 graphic novel, “Kafka and the Doll,” by Larissa eule and Rebecca Green. It is interesting to note that, in 1984, the literary critic Anthony Rudolf published an edition of the tale slightly at odds with today’s popular internet version. Rudolf introduces the narrative by describing it as a “simple, perfect and true Kafka story.” In his version, there is no replacement doll, no reunion with the little girl, and no heartwarming discovery of a note a year later. Rather, after writing a letter every day “for at least three weeks,” Kafka eventually ended the episode by telling the little girl that she was to be married and begin a new life with her husband: “You yourself will understand, we must give up seeing each other.” Several prominent researchers have spent years trying to nd out the truth. But, as of the writing of this column, nothing de nitive has surfaced. Why? One obvious hypothesis (highly unlikely) is that Dora Diamant simply made up the entire thing. And what happened to the little girl and the doll letters? As is often the case with Kafka, there are multiple possibilities. But does it make a di erence if the story is somewhat inaccurate, embellished or even totally ctional? I think not. e fact is that the allegory of “Kafka and the Doll” provides comfort and encouragement to millions who have faced grief and loss. What can be more soothing than its lesson that love will always come back in another form? is is a powerful tale of kindness and compassion wrapped in poetic storytelling. Works like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Kafka and the Doll” enable us to examine our lives with new eyes. Like so many stories we have long adopted, the Kafka tale serves up a profound insight into what is truly important in our lives. As a result of the interaction between Kafka and the little girl, she no longer yearns for a material object, the doll. Kafka has given her something much better instead, and by the time those three weeks are up, his letters have cured the girl of her unhappiness. Her heart has replaced loss and mourning with hope and love. is is storytelling at its nest. Storytelling at its nest JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 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 and more pro t than chasing after people who just don’t drink much wine. e principle is simple. Target your marketing investment in areas and toward people who already buy more of what you have to o er, and pursue growth in similar areas and among similar prospects. Fish where the sh are. You’ll get more bites! Do you want to learn more? Visit www.halstonmedia.com, and ll out the “Get in Touch” form on the home page. Before helping his son found Halston Media, Kenneth Freeman led a global marketing research company. Freeman earned his MBA from Harvard University and has led the marketing departments at major Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 11 S ometimes, especially around tax season, you just need to disappear for a little while, somewhere not too far, someplace with just enough going on to keep you busy. A trip to one of the region’s many casinos seemed like the perfect weekend getaway. My goal was to let the trip pay for itself by winning $10,000 dollars or so and split the proceeds equally, 70-30, with my wife. I felt a little bad that she wasn’t getting 50 percent, so I told her we could split it 70-50. We went to Resorts World in the Catskills, nished in 2017 on the site of the old Concord Hotel. It’s one of four nonNative American casinos that were approved by the New York legislature in 2013. You won’t hear casinos use the word “gambling” anymore, because they don’t want to bring up the fact that you could lose your shirt, since there is a “no shirt, no service” policy. Instead, they refer to it as “gaming,” so they can remind you how much fun it is to lose your shirt. It’s all about good sportsmanship, because it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game, as long as you don’t mind that the games are stacked against you. ere are several to choose from, which require varying degrees of skill. Roulette is strictly a game of chance, where you bet that the little white ball will land on a certain number, red or black or various combinations of possibilities when the wheel stops spinning. In craps, you bet that a roll of the dice will turn up a certain number before another number appears. ere is a little more chance to use strategy in poker or blackjack, but in all the games you place your bet based upon your perception of the odds. I picture myself as a James Bond type, and I’m at the Baccarat table surrounded by three gorgeous blondes, a redhead and a greenhead (it happened to be St. Patrick’s Day). Baccarat is a card game along the lines of blackjack, and it appeals to me because you only need to be able to count to nine instead of twenty-one. Next to me is a stack of chips the likes of which I’ve never seen outside of a Pringles can. I knew that if I could “count the shoe,” my chances of winning were pretty good. It looked like there was just one shoe, so that was a time-saver. I could focus on my duties as a man of mystery. I looked over the rest of the players, trying to guess which one was the mole. I gured there may be some dirt on him and he might have to go back underground soon. I was jolted out of my reverie by the sound of my stomach growling, so I thought I might hit the slot machines before dinner. e blondes are gone and in their place is an old guy with no hair on his head, but a lot in his ears. I gure if I can win 50 percent more than I started with, I’d settle for that. I choose a machine that has a picture of an attractive harem girl who seems to be in possession of a lot of gold, and I can tell by her smile that she is looking for someone to share it with who knows how to re-write a will. It’s a penny slot, so all I have to do is win 1.5 cents, and I can walk away having achieved my objective. We took a break and ate at a very nice Chinese restaurant in the casino. So many choices, I had to narrow it down by the process of elimination. I steered clear of the “Semi Dry Squid” because I didn’t have time to wait around for it to dry completely. I also did not order the “Ho Fun,” a friendly sounding dish whose main ingredients are shrimp, bean sprouts and at least two varieties of misdemeanors. I settled on the Orange Chicken since I had never seen one that color before, and I was not disappointed. After dinner I returned to the same slot machine that I had made some charitable donations to before; I guess I felt sorry that it only had one arm. I knew that my luck had to change at some point. And my luck did change, when it went from bad to appalling. en all of a sudden a ashing, ringing, dinging banner lit up and said, “YOU BROKE THE BANK!!” And at last I was home free, and I was ecstatic, that is until I learned how much they were charging me to repair it. Join Rick and Trillium for some love and harmony at Argonne Rose at Mohegan Lake, Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m.! Say hello at: [email protected]. What are the odds? RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD
PAGE 14 MAHOPAC NEWS – THUR After a Saturday rainout, the su place on the practice eld betwee there,” said Mahopac News photo for more than a couple of minutes In addition to whisking away th Carmel K9 Pietro and his handle e event was organized by thresident children up to second gra Carmel Police Department, NY E Eggs-ce The O’Connell Family Brendan Smyth and Mackenzie, 3 Lake Mahopac Rotarians Helen Bellows help hand out free refre hunters. The Panzer-Wilson and Quinn NMLS #60828 Registered Mortgage Broker NY & CT Banking Depts. All Loans Arranged through Third Party Providers. Call Us Today! 800-771-1071 YOUR LOCAL HOME MORTGAGE PROFESSIONALS 1013 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 - www.putcap.com www.summertrailsdaycamp.com 914.245.1776 CURRENTLY HIRING STAFF!
RSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 PAGE 15 un was shining last Sunday for Mahopac’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, which took en the high school and middle school. “ ere were easily a few hundred people ographer Tabitha Pearson Marshall. “ ose candy- lled easter eggs didn’t survive s.” he eggs, the kids got to meet the Easter Bunny and hop to hip beats from DJ Ron. r, O cer Vincent DeSantola, were on hand to guard against poachers. he Town of Carmel Recreation and Parks Department and was free to Carmelade. e Parks Department o ered “a big thank you to the Lake Mahopac Rotary, Enchanted Events, and DJ Ron for helping us with another successful Egg Hunt!” ellent! Offi cer DeSantola and K9 Pietro say hello to the crowd. They performed a demonstration of K9 Pietro’s obedience and fi nding lost items skills. Gianna, 6, Enzo, 3, and Santino Saetta, 6 Kelly Ramos and Emma, 5, check for prize tickets in the eggs. The Viezzuto Family Bowers and Earle shmants to the egg Brian Kilkenny with Sean, 8 mos. n families PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL (845) 621-1000 Independent & Family Owned Since 1977 CALL ALBANO FOR AN QUOTE INSURANCE AUTO | HOME | BUSINESS AWARD WINNER 293 Rt 100 - Suite 207 Somers, NY 10589 OFFICE: 1-914-243-3050 CELL: 1-914-629-0236 [email protected] LIC. REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE BROKER Since 1985 Grace Vinciguerra Each office independently owned and operated •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Sports PAGE 16 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Mahopac girls’ lacrosse team has 17 players returning from a group that started last season with a school-record eight consecutive victories. But overshadowed by a disappointing sectional quarterfinal loss to Yorktown, the success is accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth of this spring’s team. The Indians are entering the season wanting more. “That quarterfinal loss was just not enough for the girls,” secondyear coach Christina D’Amore said this week. “They remember the feeling of the playoffs, they remember starting 8-0, and having the opportunity to play another day. They are all excited about this season, and ready to put the hard work in.” The Indians, who finished 13-4 last season, will miss the talents of graduated standouts Avery Przymylski, Ava Jennings, Audrey Colucci, Ally Savino, Nicole Panny, and Mia Del Bene. The team’s four captains are all returning starters, and include seniors Grace Witt (D/M), Katie Watts (M), Riley Massett (A/M), and junior Juliana Mangione (M). Other returning starters include seniors Hannah Harney (A) and Gianna Rispoli (D), junior Adriana Pranzo (M), and junior goalie Kayla Westcott, currently injured but hoping to join the team by mid-season. Stepping in for Westcott will be freshman Amanda Carey. “Our captains will give us leadership on and off the field,” D’Amore said. “They will set plays, settle the ball, and keep the non-starters in the loop. Rispoli will be huge for us on defense. She will make sure we communicate, especially with a young goalie. Katie Watts has an unbelievable powerful shot, and they all have speed, ability and heart. Most of them will be leaders on both ends of the field.” Carey and freshman Ashley Koch (M) have impressed the coach. “Carey has been stepping it up in goal. I just want her to be confident and have fun. And Koch has been making the transition smoothly, like she’s been with us all along.” “Erin Harney (returning sophomore) is also looking to be a bigger part of our offense,” the coach added. “And Giovanna Perillo, a defensive, two-year returning player, has been taking control of the defense. She’s stepping up her game, and she can be big for us.” Mahopac opened its season last Friday (3/24) at Scarsdale, dropping a 16-10 decision. Watts led the Indians with four goals and one assist, Massett had a hat-trick, Mangione had two goals and one assist, Koch had one goal and one assist, Hannah Harney had an assist, and Carey made 10 saves in net for Mahopac. “Scarsdale came out playing strong,” D’Amore said. “We have the talent, and the speed, they just outscored us. We have some kinks we need to work through to improve our attack, and we will work on the defensive end… We will continue to improve.” Mahopac was scheduled to host Ursuline Thursday (3/30) at 5:30 p.m., and visits Carmel Tuesday (4/4) at 11 a.m. ‘Pac aiming towards deep playoff run 2023 Mahopac Girls Lacrosse PHOTOS: SKIP PEARLMAN Front row captains (L to R): Katie Watts, Riley Massett, Grace Witt, Juliana Mangione; Standing (L to R): Hannah Harney, Gianna Rispoli, Shaylah Fennessy, Sascha Gagnon, Toni DiCioccio. GIRLS LACROSSE PREVIEW
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17 Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 2022 was a CRAZY YEAR! 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 We can help make your taxes less crazy. BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Last year’s Mahopac boys’ lacrosse team went 12–6, earned the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, and beat Somers, 11–5, in the playoff quarterfinals before losing to No. 1 seed Rye in the semifinals. The Indians lost All-Section and All-League players Mike Harney and Sean Massett, along with All-League selection Chris Evans, to graduation. However, Mahopac returns plenty of talent in senior attacker Jake Degnan, an All-League pick, and are also returning Gavin Viglucci, Mike Rettberg, Danny Koch, John Kearney, Ryan Geoghagen, Tommy Jacobellis, Liam Dodd, Jack Elliot, Chris Morris, Ryan Ahlers, Phil Colbrook, and Liam Scanlon. The Indians were scheduled to open their season on Wednesday (3/29), hosting Rye, and travel to Ridgefield Monday (4/3) for a 1 p.m. game. Indians looking for strong season PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN 2023 Mahopac Boys Lacrosse BOYS LACROSSE PREVIEW Sports Deadline The sports deadline for Mahopac News is the Sunday before the next publication date. Varsity coaches should submit results and information by e-mail to sports@ halstonmedia.com. All youth sports and recreational sports items should also be submitted to the same e-mail address by the Thursday before the next publication date. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com or mail it to Mahopac News, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned.
PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Section 1 Girls’ Flag Football is back and better than ever. Last Wednesday, Mar. 22, 15 local teams gathered at Somers High School to open the 2023 spring season with a jamboree featuring ve New York Giants players. S Xavier McKinney, WR Sterling Shepard, OL Matthew Peart, OLB Kayvon ibedeaux, and OLB Elerson Smith came out to train with the eager athletes, providing advice and plenty of smiles for all in attendance. In 2022, the Giants coordinated with the Bu alo Bills, the New York Jets, the Section 1 Kicko Jamboree returns to SHS 5 NY Giants inspire athletes Section 1 came together for productive training sessions at the kickoff jamboree. Sterling Shepard (right) working with the athletes. PHOTOS: WHIT ANDERSON Mahopac Flag Football is ready to hit the turf for their second season. FLAG FOOTBALL SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 NYSPHSAA, and Nike to provide ag football opportunities throughout six sections in NY. Since its inaugural season, Section 1 participation has doubled, as the growing movement throughout NY has led the NYSPHSAA approving ag football as an o cial state championship sport back in February. Amongst some of the local returning teams were Somers, Lakeland, Mahopac, and Panas. FOOTBALL FROM PAGE 18 Mahopac running drills. PHOTOS: WHIT ANDERSON Giants OL Matt Peart For today, retirement and every moment in between. Michael A. Bucci Financial Advisor Tier 4 Planning A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. 203.302.6744 41 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 [email protected] Tier4planning.com CA Insurance #0M83870 The Confident Retirement approach is not a guarantee of future financial results. The initial Confident Retirement conversation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., a registered investment adviser. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (05/19) Confident Retirement approach Tier 4 planning isn’t about getting a new 403(b) or buying financial products. It’s about becoming educated and empowered around the events and decisions in your personal financial life. It’s about being prepared. Maybe it’s time. Call me today for your initial Confident Retirement conversation.
PAGE 20 – MAHOPAC NEWS LEISURE THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 Sabbath, Styx and Journey. e rst live concert they attended together was put on by Jon Bon Jovi in Central Park. Vin was 7. At 9, he rocked out to KISS. As a teen, he discovered metalcore, a fusion of extreme metal and hardcore punk. While not all of that type of heavy music was her thing, Maryjean went along when she could. “I was supporting his passion,” she explained. Once Lugo learned to drive, he started taking himself “all over the place,” Maryjean said, noting that he “attended just about any show that he could.” And that’s what people remember most about him, how supportive he was of other musicians. “He was just a shining light in that community,” his mom said. When not at his day job as a postal carrier in South Salem, he would hang out with his girlfriend, Aviana, or go out with his dad to hit a few golf balls at the driving range or to catch a car show. Vin could be a little introspective. When in need of some alone time, he would drive over to Bear Mountain, a quiet spot where he could take in nature and relax. “He found that comforting, I think,” Maryjean added. Calling her late son “a good soul” and her “whole world,” she hopes that she, his loved ones, and friends nd some comfort in his last act of kindness. e fact that he has helped another musician seems like “it was meant to be,” Lugo said, adding: “Here is this 22-year-old kid and he was able to give the gift of life. It’s a testament to who he was.” THANKS AREN’T ENOUGH e fact that John’s donor was so close in age to their own son really hit home for the Fiscellas. “I can’t even imagine what they’re (the Lugos) going through. A thankyou doesn’t even seem to scratch the surface, but I’m thinking of them night and day for what they’ve done. For Maryjean to be so brave to make that phone call, right after losing her son, to reach out and call to see if there was something they could do, it’s just mind-blowing,” Heide said. John’s mother, Rose, said there aren’t words to adequately describe the Lugos’ “unbelievable” act of generosity. Asked to jump in, John wasn’t shy about expressing his gratitude. “First of all, anyone you know gets free guitar lessons for life. Second of all, just big hugs all around and if they need anything … I know you’re not supposed to give them money or anything like that … maybe a little gift box for Christmas,” he said. GIFT FROM PAGE 3 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LUGO FAMILY Vincent Lugo will be remembered as a kind and generous person with a passion for music. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FISCELLA FAMILY John Fiscella jamming with son Eddie. “This 22-year-old kid was able to give the gift of life. It’s a testament to who he was.” -Maryjean Lugo To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Millisecond 5. Narcotic drug 11. Accident 14. Formal submissions 15. Popular 70s rock band 18. Discourage from doing 19. More socially elite 21. Arid 23. A way to look 24. Heroes 28. A surfer rides it 29. Potato state 30. Insect repellent 32. Cool! 33. Have already done 35. Collegiate women’s fraternity 36. To the __ degree 39. Gasteyer and de Armas are two 41. Blood type 42. Looked over 44. Language of Cameroon and Chad 46. Species of armadillo 47. Touch softly 49. Part of your upper body 52. Large, stocky lizards 56. Lack of social or ethical standards 58. Congressman 60. Unofficial force 62. As a result of this utterance 63. A main branch of Islam CLUES DOWN 1. Woman (French) 2. Province of Pakistan 3. This (Spanish) 4. Transportation device 5. Greater in importance or priority 6. The human foot 7. Within 8. Consumed 9. Respectful Malaysian term 10. Therefore 12. Ceased to exist 13. Type of macaroni 16. English composer 17. Wooded tract 20. Tall, slenderleaved plant 22. 36 inches 25. Take too much (abbr.) 26. Allow 27. Individually 29. Journalist Tarbell 31. Bar bill 34. Hong Kong food stall:__ pai dong 36. Not messy 37. Species that includes reedmace 38. Former MLB catcher Ed 40. Northern U.S. state 43. Wilt 45. Commercial 48. Bolivian river 50. Nursemaid 51. A car needs four 53. Guns (slang) 54. American state 55. Clusters of fern fronds 57. Body part 58. A person’s brother or sister 59. Breed of sheep native to Sweden 61. Of I
THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 21 PICK-UP & DELIVERY AVAILABLE WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS OF PORTABLE GENERATORS 845-225-3503 * LAWN MOWERS * CHAIN SAWS * TRIMMERS * TRACTORS * GENERATORS * MOTORCYCLES * ATV’S * AND MORE! PICK-UP & DELIVERY FACTORY-TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST • CARMEL, NY www.EASTROADMOTORS.com EAST ROAD MOTORS © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Enjoy $25 o your fi rst month! Customers who sign up before April 15, 2023 get up to $25 o their fi rst invoice. This o er is for new and existing customers, and can be redeemed only at an account level, line levels excluded. This o er is good for $25 o the fi rst invoice, and any remaining credit from o er is forfeited if not used during this period. If account becomes inactive for any reason prior to receiving the full amount, any remaining credits will be forfeited. Customer must use a printed promo code to redeem o er. This o er is not stackable with other promotions, see website or store associate for details. O er not redeemable for cash, has no cash value and is not transferable or refundable. CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 877-427-0320 O First Month of New Service! USE PROMO CODE: GZ59O BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR e Mahopac school district is launching a “Seal of Civic Readiness” program, o ering students who complete a set of benchmarks recognition on their high school diplomas with a seal approved by New York State Education Department. e Civic Readiness initiative (curriculum-instruction/ civic-readiness-initiative) is part of a statewide e ort to encourage students to learn about government and become civically involved. At the school board’s March working meeting (held last ursday after the scheduled Tuesday meeting was snowed out) Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Michael Tromblee said the district has been developing the program since last spring and plans to o er the seal to graduating seniors this June. “We’re in a communication mode to students,” Tromblee said. “We are making them aware of the seal because it’s brand new.” Students will have until April 18 to submit an application, which would give them two time to complete the requirements and earn the seal for June of this school year. Tromblee said the application was similar to that for the National Honor Society and that up to 180 students may be eligible this year. Earlier in the meeting, Tromblee explained how the program works. “ e seal of civic readiness is a formal recognition of students who demonstrate an attainment of civic knowledge and civic participation,” he said. “It shows a student’s understanding or a commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility, and civic values. It demonstrates to universities, colleges, and future employers that the student has completed an action project in civics or social justice, and recognizes the value of civic engagement and scholarship.” To earn the seal, students must earn points by completing activities in two categories: civic knowledge and civic participation. Knowledge points can be earned academically by scoring well on Regents history and social studies exams, taking advanced study courses, and/or completing research projects. Participation points can be earned by a combination of elective classes, school civics projects, and eld study—for example, through work experience in local government. Students need a total of six points, with at least two from each category. “ e state gives us some very broad parameters to be able to o er the seal,” Tromblee said, adding that the school district has leeway in designing the benchmarks for its students. is is the rst year Mahopac is eligible to o er the Seal of Civic Readiness. Tromblee said the district studied pilot programs launched in a handful of districts last year before designing its own. “We want to eventually be at a point where every student will have a base of points where they only need to do one or two additional activities to earn the seal,” Tromblee said. “So through our coursework, any student going through a ‘typical pathway’ would [already] have a majority of the points needed. ey may have to do a few additional items rather than a full burden of trying to achieve the points.” In addition to leaning more about government, Tromblee the seal will be a useful credential when students apply for college and/or jobs: “You’re telling universities, you’re telling future employers that you went above and beyond to accomplish something,” he said. “ ink about [being able] to say, ‘I did this capstone project where I identi ed a need in my community. I addressed that need and I promoted the public policy to my town council.’ “ ink about the leadership skills that come with that, the presentation skills. ere are a lot of intangibles that are actually tangible when you think about student outcomes after high school.” Mahopac schools to o er Seal of Civic Readiness New program will recognize student achievement in civics and government studies On April 23, the Histoury team will retrace her famous route and explore the buildings and places connected to Sybil and her fellow Putnam County Patriots. Locations include the site of the Ludington home and mill, the house built by Revolutionary War spy Enoch Crosby, and a “George Washington Slept Here!” is is a one-time cultural experience. Spots are very limited! Histoury is an organization that brings to life architectural tours that are both entertaining and educational. Made up of experts in tourism and history preservation, our team creates one-time tours in the New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts areas that both inform and inspire! Learn more at histoury.org. Earth Day Cleanup e Mahopac Lions Club is organizing its annual Earth Day MUSING FROM PAGE 4 SEE MUSINGS PAGE 22
PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 for a tower in that part of town. ZBA members noted that Homeland said the coverage is necessary for rst responders in the area, but the board said no rst responders, police or re personnel have ever complained about coverage gaps there and none have testi ed on Homeland’s behalf. Last week, at its March 22 meeting, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the proposed site plan. Before the public comment portion of the hearing began, Homeland attorney Robert Gaudioso told the board that the company is willing to propose an alternative site on the Maple Hill property that would move the tower further away from Walton Drive residences and thus require fewer variances. “ e location would meet the 280-foot setback requirement,” he said. “It is in the wetland bu er, but we are willing to use the alternative site. We would have to get approval from the property owner and a positive recommendation for the wetland permits so we can go and seek them.” Some Planning Board members said the site plan presented “unique circumstances” because of its close proximity to homes, to which Gaudioso objected, saying there were at least seven other towers in town that were in similar proximity to residential neighborhoods. However, town o cials said those towers were constructed under an old code that has since been revised. Gaudioso said Homeland also led a study that shows cell towers do not create diminished property values. “If you look at the 16 facilities studied in the report, there is no diminution of property value based on actual data submitted by the municipalities,” he said. As far as the contention that Homeland failed to prove there were coverage gaps, Gaudioso said there is nothing in the code that says they must show a gap [in coverage]. “But we do. It is all in there,” he said. Walton Drive resident Robert Cavallaro said he and his neighbors have never had serious cell phone issues. “I believe we should have coverage where there is no coverage, but Homeland has it wrong on Walton Drive,” he said during the public hearing. “People do not want to live next to a cell tower—especially 150 feet.” Cavallaro accused Gaudioso and Homeland of being insensitive to the Walton Drive neighborhood. “[Gaudioso] knows what the town code is and continues to ignore it,” he contended. “ ey have zero compassion for people in these neighborhoods and think they can just steamroll through.” Planning Board Chair Craig Paeprer asked town attorneys to prepare a denial resolution to be voted on at the next meeting. Gaudioso asked on what grounds was the Planning Board denying the site plan, and Paeprer would only say that the reasons will be speci ed in the resolution. One town o cial, who asked not to be identi ed, told Mahopac News that the entire Planning Board public hearing was basically moot because the ZBA had already denied the variance weeks earlier. e o cial said the town moved forward with the process anyway because the court imposed a “shot clock” on the process which must be completed by early May, and the town wanted to make sure it did everything correctly. e o cial also said that this is not likely the end of the Walton Drive cell tower plan and that Homeland will likely take the town to federal court which is frequently more sympathetic to such plans. PLAN FROM PAGE 6 cleanup, which will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 10- 12:30 p.m. e goal is to beautify our neighborhood and o er double community service hours to all middle and high school student participants (minimum of 5 hours). Participants will meet at Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department - 741 Route 6 in Mahopac. Lunch will be served afterwards. Learn more at [email protected]. Holocaust Remembrance Day Please join Temple Beth Shalom in Mahopac for our Holocaust Remembrance Day Event on Sunday, April 16 at 4:00 p.m. We will be commemorating the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the heroism of survivors and rescuers. ere will be a speaker and Q&A discussion to follow as well as refreshments. For more information call 845-628-6133. Temple Beth Shalom is located at 760 Route 6 across from the rehouse. Lenten ‘Non-Food’ Drive for Putnam CAP e First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac is seeking donations of essential items during Lent in support of Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP). Requested items include toiletries and household products such as shampoo/conditioner, bar soap, deodorant, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes and toothpaste, baby wipes, diapers and pull-ups in sizes 4-5-6, laundry detergent and cleaning products, toilet paper, napkins, and paper towels. You can drop o donations during Co ee Hour Fellowship (Sundays, 11 a.m.) and enjoy a cup of co ee with members of the congregation, or come at 10 a.m. for church and stay for Co ee Hour. First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac is located at 411, Route 6N; donations can be dropped o at the church library on Secor Road (use the single door entrance on the left). For more information email: [email protected]. Tax Donation receipts available upon request. MUSINGS FROM PAGE 21 In our March 9 article, “Town approves smoke shop moratorium,” we misspelled the name of the Prevention Council of Putnam’s executive director. e correct spelling is Kristin McConnell. CORRECTION Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in the Mahopac News Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! 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PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 UPDATED Halston Media fillers 12/31/20 (new address) *NOTE: when putting these into place, please take hyphenation off as it can get very confusing for web and/or email addresses. thanks! Mahopac News To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email freeman@halstonmedia. com. Advertise With Us When you advertise with Mahopac News, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout Mahopac, Mahopac Falls and portions of Carmel. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a camera-ready PDF via email at [email protected]. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151. Contact Us Mahopac News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 845-208- 0774 or email mahopacnews@ halstonmedia.com. Editorial Submissions Press releases and photos should be submitted to Mahopac News by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissions can be emailed to mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com or mail it to Mahopac News, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Letters and Op-Ed Policy 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 Mahopac News 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 opeds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at mahopacnews@ halstonmedia.com. For more information, call the editor at 845-208-0774. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com or mail it to Mahopac News, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Photo Submissions Photos submitted to Mahopac News need to be a highresolution image. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos to Mahopac News by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissions can be emailed to mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com or mail it to Mahopac News, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com, or give us a call at 845- 208-0774. Sports Deadline The sports deadline for Mahopac News is the Sunday before the next publication date. Varsity coaches should submit results and information by e-mail to sports@ halstonmedia.com. All youth sports and recreational sports items should also be submitted to the same e-mail address by the Thursday before the next publication date. To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected]. Notice of Formation of LIME GLOW, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 03/01/2023. Office location: Putnam SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 7 MASON'S ISLAND ROAD, #1, MYSTIC, CT 06355. Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of LC Anderson International Consulting, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022- 03-11. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to L. C. Anderson: 9 Tamarack Rd Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of LOPEZ BRO'S AND PAWS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-07-01. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to MARIO LOPEZ: 2 ROGERS LANE CARMEL NY 10512. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of EW Fairview Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-01-02. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corperation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13 th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of 72BHH LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-02-19. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to The Limited Liability Company: 50 Fields Lane Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Road Is My Home Transport LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-03-13. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Secretary of State of NY: 141 E Lake Blvd K3 Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of The Holy Holder LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 02-15. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Charles Deluca: 73 Garrity Blvd Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Autumn Candles LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 01-30. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Autumn Martin: 9 Courtney Lane Brewster NY 10509. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Date: March 20, 2023 TAX MAP #65.-1-5 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A WETLAND PERMIT Pursuant to the Town of Carmel Wetland Ordinance, Chapter 89-5. Applicant: NYCDEP West Branch Reservoir Auxiliary Dam Address: 34 Drewville Road, Carmel, NY 10512 Has filed an application with the Clerk of the Town of Carmel where the application and associated documents and maps along with published rules and regulations are available for public inspection. The applicant requests that a permit be issued for: The proposed project will improve the stability of the downstream slope of the West Branch Auxiliary Dam, bringing the dam into conformance with current NYSDEC dam safety guidelines and reconstruct and widen Route 6 that passes over the Auxiliary Dam crest to better meet current NYSDOT standards. The property is located: West Branch Auxiliary Dam – 34 Drewville Road, Carmel, NY 10512 Situated within the periphery of a fresh water wetland and the “adjacent areas”. (100 feet of the wetlands associated with) West Branch Auxiliary Dam, Carmel, NY 10512 In the Town of Carmel, Putnam County, New York. Any person interested in this application who wishes to become a “party in interest” in this proceeding must file a statement of the precise grounds of support of, or opposition to, or interest in the application, with the undersigned no later than Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Any party in interest will be eligible to be heard if a public hearing is ultimately held in connection with application. Robert Laga, Chairman, Environmental Conservation Board Letters and Op-Ed Policy 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 Mahopac News 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 845-208-0774. 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If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. GA License Number: RBCO006004 LIMITED TIME OFFER 60%off TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 10% off YOUR INSTALLATION Install for Military, Health Workers and First Responders + Warranty- Limited Lifetime. Transferable to 1 subsequent owner from original purchaser. Terms and conditions apply. Hail up to 2.5”, Appearance of the surface coating beyond normal wear and tear. Limited time offer. Expires 3.31.23 Take advantage of the new 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) with PWRcell, Generac’s fully-integrated solar + battery storage system. PWRcell will help you save money on your electric bill and be prepared for utility power outages. Plus it’s compatible with most existing solar arrays. Now’s the Right Time SAVE 30% WITH THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT^ Call to request a free quote! (888) 871-0194 Purchase a PWRcell and Receive a Free Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced – valued at over $189!* *Scan the QR code for promo terms and conditions. ^Consult your tax or legal professional for information regarding eligibility requirements for tax credits. Solar panels sold separately. FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR New York State has issued an executive order to recognize March 30 as its official April Fools’ Day, according to sources. The decision ends a long tradition of celebrating fools on the first of April. It goes into effect immediately. “This change is long overdue,” Gov. Hochul said. “For too long, April 1 has let the privileged few perpetrate pranks and make mayhem at the expense of those left behind by the system. “April Fools’ has stigmatized both the month of April and people named April,” Hochul reportedly added. “We’re here to say that we hear you, will continue to hear you, and want you to hear about us hearing you.” The source said the new policy came after a $14.1 million, 30-year study by the New York State People’s Office of Humanity (NYSPOOH), which looked at the level and quality of practical joking, the targets of the jokes, and the reactions of both the perpetrators and victims of the pranks themselves across 10 New York State regions. The study began under the administration of Democrat Mario Cuomo and continued under Republican George Pataki and Democrats Eliot Spitzer, David Patterson, Andrew Cuomo and Hochul before concluding last year. Over a planned 10-year transition period, the Spring Fools’ Period will cover March 30 – April 1 “We know this is a big change,” Hochul admitted. “In 2033, Fools’ Day will begin and end on March 30.” The shift is expected to impact the Hudson Valley the most, with the Capital District almost unaffected as “few people know when anyone up there is being serious anyway,” a source said. Local officials opposed the move and said it was typical of a state administration that pushes down on ordinary New Yorkers. “This unfunded mandate is classic overreach by the nanny state woke wonkocracy,” said Carmel Town Supervisor Michael Cazzari. “Once again, the state is stepping on local control. County Executive Kevin Byrne called the policy “an impractical joke” and said it was unconstitutional. “Once again, the state is acting at the expense of the taxpayer,” said Byrne, who said he paid for his own whoopie cushions and planned to use them on April 1. “As a constitutional county, there’s no way we’re going to take this policy seriously.” NO DIRTY 30 Hochul’s announcement quickly generated a national reaction. Some advocates said New York’s move could be a vanguard for a federal mandate with rare bipartisan support for a more flexible Fool-recognition system. But other groups vowed to fight any attempt to change the Fools’ Day date. Speaking at a meeting for Conservatives Opposing Wokeness (COW), Republican Lee Zeldin, Hochul’s 2022 opponent for governor, called it “another failed policy…nothing but jokewokeness.” Zeldin said he would make a personal stand by taking absolutely everything seriously on March 30 and 31. The fight spilled into the national spotlight when Florida Governor and potential GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said he would stand up to any federal government mandate to change April Fools’ Day. If the Biden administration follows New York’s lead, Sunshine State calendars will immediately move April 1 two days earlier, making March only 29 days. “April 1 will be 72 hours long,” DeSantis said. “Nobody likes March anyway.” The Florida State Legislature is reportedly working on a bill dubbed “Dirty 30,” making it illegal for public officials to discuss anything funny on March 30. BY THE NUMBERS Despite the pushback, a growing number of experts see March 30 as a more sustainable solution for a Fools’ Day. For the NYS study, analysts fed data into a 1992 Amiga 4000 computer (the only machine that could run the software). The Foolster app compared joke delivery satisfaction (JDS) index figures with victim dismay (VD) responses for over 17 million New York-based April Fools’ incidents from 1992-2022. The data tracked such categories as practical jokes, puns, impersonations, satire, written spoofs and dad jokes (later renamed dud jokes to combat gender stereotypes). The developer of Foolster wished to remain anonymous, but allowed us to describe him as a 43-yearold bachelor living in his mother’s basement in Mahopac. “Bad jokes are up, and people feel rushed to get their jokes in on only one day,” he said. “A three-day grace period really helps everyone.” While most of the people interviewed for this piece said April Fools’ day was fine as it was, many said it didn’t matter when Fools’ Day happened as long as they knew it was Fools’ day. In a rare example of agreement, both the New York Times’ and the Wall Street Journal’s editorial pages said that the state needed to be clear about when it was being serious and when it was kidding. “We haven’t gotten a joke unless someone explained the punchline to us since 1986,” said the joint editorial, which ran in both publications. FOOLS RUSH IN While some praised Hochul’s courage in ordering the change, the move poses political risks from both sides of the aisle in a polarized state. In Mahopac, yard signs called for resistance against the change, with “Keep April 1 Fools’ Day” appearing all over town, while a social media campaign said these socalled “April Firsters” fools every day of the year. A Change.org petition called for the name of the holiday to be officially changed to March Mayhem because April is trending up as a girl’s name. (It was the 416th most popular girls name in 2022, according to babycenter.com, up more than 100 places from the previous year). But Hochul said the state would never be able to get local districts to go along with the name change and opted instead to move the day while recognizing that people could act like fools on April 1 if they wanted. Advocates for the humor-challenged said Hochul’s order would hurt them because it would bring uncertainty about when something that seems completely ridiculous is intended to be a joke or is actually serious. “Not everyone gets jokes,” said Hudson Barques of the organization Just Lines, which advocates against the use of the word punch in punchlines because of the violent connotation. “Sarcasm is especially hard for our members, but satire and wordplay are also problematic.” Meanwhile, the bipartisan group Practical called changing the date “a fools’ errand.” Practical President J. Oker said, “Moving April Fools’ Day is sure to confuse people who don’t have access to credible news. “First of all, people will do ridiculous things on March 30 and others may not realize they’re being subjected to some serious stupidity instead of an attempt at humor. “Then, on April 1, they might get pranked and think people are being serious. “Imagine what will happen then?” Reached for a final comment, state and local officials of both parties issued a rare joint statement: “This is fake news,” they said. NY April Fools’ Day moved to March 30 State mandate brings cries of overreach Advertise With Us When you advertise with Mahopac News, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout Mahopac, Mahopac Falls and portions of Carmel. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].
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THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? To AdverTise wiTh Us, CAll BreTT FreemAn AT (845) 208-8151 Yorktown Chamber of Commerce 2010 Organization of the Year November 29, 1987-March 21, 2003 MAY WE STAND AS TALL AS HE DID in memory of Our 20th Year Proudly Supporting Community Recreation and Education HARRISON APAR Standing three feet tall due to a rare dwarfism, as a featured speaker at his middle school graduation, Harrison told classmates... ‘Dreams Do Not Come Easily, But If You Stretch Enough, Nothing Is Out of Reach’ Facebook.com/HarrisonAparFoundation [email protected] • 914.275.6887 P.O. Box 1383, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit incorporated in the State of New York During your working years, you generally know how much money you’re bringing in, so you can budget accordingly. But once you’re retired, it’s a di erent story. However, with some diligence, you can put together a “paycheck” that can help you meet your income needs. Where will this paycheck come from? Social Security bene ts should replace about 40% of one’s pre-retirement earnings, according to the Social Security Administration, but this gure varies widely based on an individual’s circumstances. Typically, the higher your income before you retire, the lower the percentage will be replaced by Social Security. Private pensions have become much rarer in recent decades, though you might receive one if you worked for a government agency or a large company. But in any case, to ll out your retirement paycheck, you may need to draw heavily on your investment portfolio. Your portfolio can provide you with income in these ways: • Dividends – When you were working, and you didn’t have to depend on your portfolio for income to the extent you will when you’re retired, you may have reinvested the dividends you received from stocks and stockbased mutual funds, increasing the number of shares you own in these investments. And that was a good move, because increased share ownership is a great way to help build wealth. But once you’re retired, you may need to start accepting the dividends to boost your cash ow. • Interest payments – e interest payments from bonds and other xed-income investments, such as certi cates of deposit (CDs), can also add to your retirement income. In the years immediately preceding their retirement, some investors increase the presence of these interest-paying investments in their portfolio. (But even during retirement, you’ll need some growth potential in your investments to help keep you ahead of in ation.) • Proceeds from selling investments – While you will likely need to begin selling investments once you’re retired, you’ll need to be careful not to liquidate your portfolio too quickly. How much can you sell each year? e answer depends on several factors — your age, the size of your portfolio, the amount of income you receive from other sources, your spouse’s income, your retirement lifestyle, and so on. A nancial professional can help you determine the amount and type of investment sales that are appropriate for your needs while considering the needs of your portfolio over your lifetime. When tapping into your investments as part of your retirement paycheck, you’ll also want to pay special attention to the amount of cash in your portfolio. It’s a good idea to have enough cash available to cover a year’s worth of your living expenses, even after accounting for other sources of income, such as Social Security or pensions. In addition, you may want to set aside su cient cash for emergencies. Not only will these cash cushions help you with the cost of living and unexpected costs, but they might also enable you to avoid digging deeper into your long-term investments than you might like. You may be retired for a long time — so take the steps necessary to build a consistent retirement paycheck. is article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones nancial advisor (member SIPC). Tom Casey, CHFC, CEPA, CRPC, AAMS, CRPS, is a licensed securities adviser associated with Edward Jones, located at 163 Route 6 in Mahopac. He can be reached directly at 845-621-8647. What goes into a retirement ‘paycheck’? You may be retired for a long time — so take the steps necessary to build a consistent retirement paycheck.’ -Tom Casey Edward Jones Financial Advisor TOM CASEY GUEST CORNER
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