VOL. 6 NO. 37 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 19 CLASSIFIEDS 18 LEISURE 17 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 14 Wolves Tip Off pg 14 BASKETBALL Visit News.HalsonMedia.com for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 The community gathered with the Katonah Chamber of Commerce and the Katonah Village Improvement Society on Nov. 26 for the annual tree and menorah lighting! The Chamber is still trying to reach their $20,000 goal, with money raised going toward lighting the medians in town and illuminating the largest living Holiday Tree in New York State. To make a donation, visit www. KatonahChamber.org Oh, Christmas tree! PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY SCHWARK BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bypassing both state tax-cap limits and Supervisor Tony Goncalves’ opposition, the Lewisboro Town Board adopted a $15 million budget last week that maintains current spending for badly needed road repairs. The action, at the board’s Nov. 27 meeting, pushed next year’s property-tax levy 1.6 percent above what Albany allows. In the 4-1 vote, lawmakers increased the spending in a cap-compliant preliminary budget by $134,000, most of it for road resurfacing and all of it now breaking the tax-cap. Their revised budget hiked the 2024 property-tax levy by $345,443 to $8,568,952—a jump of 4.2 percent over this year’s levy, not the 2.57 percent limit the state had imposed for next year. Tax rates under the adopted $15,131,273 budget will rise by 75 cents to $26.36 for each $1,000 of assessed value. Describing the eleventh-hour budget machinations as “sort of a compromise,” Goncalves said he preferred to borrow the $450,000 needed to maintain the highway department’s spending for overall road rescue. The repaving line, which totals $180,000 in the current budget, had been chopped down to $50,000 in the preliminary budget. But the board voted to reinstate $130,000 in paving money through the levy hike and borrow $320,000 to finance additional road maintenance. “I’m not thrilled [with the 1.6 percent levy hike],” Goncalves said, “because I don’t like breaking the tax cap.” The preliminary spending plan’s $50,000 allocation for paving in the new year had been deemed a necessary economy to achieve tax-cap compliance. In July, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli brushed aside his office’s prediction of 6.26 percent inflation next year and capped Lewisboro’s levy increases at the 2.57 percent ceiling. “Although the rate of inflation has begun to decrease,” DiNapoli acknowledged then, “it still poses a challenge for local governments and their budgets. As local governments spend down their one-time federal pandemic assistance, officials will need to carefully develop and balance their budgets for the coming year.” The decade-old tax cap limits annual levy increases to a nominal 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. Growth factors can increase a municipality’s allowable levy hike—that’s how Lewisboro was permitted the additional 0.57 percent rise—and the Town Board can exceed the cap with three votes, the same number needed to adopt a cap-compliant budget. In a roll-call budget vote, Goncalves uttered the lone “no” while the board’s other four members Lewisboro budget exceeds tax cap SEE BUDGET PAGE 7 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 Sunday, December 10 & December 17 • 12-3 pm Join Us for some Holiday Ch r Come Tour this newly completed Modern Sanctuary. Set on 4 private acres, this 7,000 sf of gracious space showcases truly special fi nishes and a dramatic, beautiful retreat. Other showings by appointment $3,818,000 16 Hollow Ridge Road, Bedford Corners SCAN TO VISIT PROPERTY
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Katonah-Lewisboro Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BY TOM BARTLEY & TOM WALOGORSKY HALSTON MEDIA STAFF After declaring her candidacy for a seat in New York’s 17th Congressional District in April, Katonah’s Liz Whitmer Gereghty announced the suspension of her campaign last week. Gereghty had announced her intentions to challenge Rep. Mike Lawler earlier this year at an event celebrating the opening of the Greater Bedford chapter of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus. “When we started this journey, we had one goal: to ensure the Hudson Valley was no longer represented by an anti-choice, shape-shifting extremist out of step with our values,” Gereghty said in a media release. “That remains the most important goal. However, as of today, I will suspend my campaign for this seat.” Gereghty is the younger sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A veteran member of the Katonah-Lewisboro school board, Gereghty had been re-elected to a three-year term in 2022, so she still had two years remaining when she stepped down in June. Trustee William Rifkin, who had been planning to leave the board after nine years’ service, was asked to fill Gereghty’s seat until next May, when an election will decide who serves the final year of her term. Gereghty, who could run again for a board seat next year or even relieve Rifkin right now, did not immediately respond to questions about her future KLSD plans, if any. With the suspension of her campaign for the seat in the 17th Congressional District, Gereghty has now given her endorsement to Mondaire Jones. “I remain committed to doing everything possible to elect Democrats across the board in 2024, especially here in NY-17,” Gereghty’s statement continued. “Uniting our party and focusing our resources on taking back the House is critical to fighting back against the radical extremism plaguing our politics. In that spirit, I endorse Mondaire Jones’ campaign for Congress. To my family, our volunteers, my fantastic campaign staff, and all the organizations who dedicated their efforts to this campaign – thank you. I have a tremendous sense of gratitude for your help, advice, talents, and hard work.” Liz Whitmer Gereghty suspends congressional campaign Liz Whitmer Gereghty Bedford Chanukah Celebration Thursday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. Celebrate the first night of Chanukah on the Bedford Village Green! Featuring crafts and music in the Historical Hall, latkes and doughnuts, festive music, and dreidel games, followed by the menorah lighting at 5 p.m. To be held at 608 Old Post Road in Bedford. Vista Volunteer Fire Department 377 Smith Ridge Rd. in South Salem Candy Cane Run Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Vista Volunteer Fire Department will bring Santa Claus around the community on their fire engine to the stops listed below! Kids will receive a candy cane and an opportunity to take a picture with Santa and the fire truck. Officials ask that you please arrive at your chosen location 10 minutes prior to their arrival. 9 a.m. - Oakridge Shopping Center 9:15 a.m. - West Road at Upland Court 9:30 a.m. - East Street at Soundview Loop 9:45 a.m. - Silver Spring Road at Hastings Court 10 a.m. - Lockwood Road at Reservoir Road 10:15 a.m. - Glen Drive at TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 6 DECEMBER SERVICES Saturday Dec 9 - 5:00PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Sunday Dec 10 - 9:30AM • St. John’s Church Advent 2 Eucharist Service Saturday Dec 16 - 4:00PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Christmas Carol Sing Along Saturday Dec 16 - 5:00PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Advent 3 Eucharist Service with the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York Sunday Dec 17 - 9:30AM • St. John’s Church Advent 3 Eucharist Service & Children retelling the Christmas story in the Christmas Pageant Saturday Dec 23 - 5:00PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Advent 4 Eucharist Service Sunday Dec 24 - 9:30AM • St. John’s Church Morning Prayer & Advent 4 Sunday Dec 24 - 3:30PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Christmas Eve Service Sunday Dec 24 - 5:30PM • St. John’s Church Christmas Eve Service Saturday Dec 30 – 5:00PM • St. Paul’s Chapel Sunday Dec 31 – 9:30AM • St. John’s Church Eucharist Service Sunday Dec 31 – 5:00PM • St. John’s Church New Year’s Eve Evening Prayer & Outside Firepit Service Come Join Us At SHARING OUR VISION AND VALUES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com & James 180 Katonah Ave. A Wonderful Selection of Clothing & Gifts for Babies to Tweens! & James 180 Katonah Ave. A Wonderful Selection of Clothing & Gifts for Babies to Tweens! BY JESSICA JAFET CONTRIBUTING WRITER It has been long believed that horses have an innate ability to bond with humans. Seemingly, the highly perceptive animals can sense human emotions and appear to communicate non-verbally, therefore making them ideal companions for those in need of emotional support, empathy and unconditional acceptance. To foster these types of healing connections, The Endeavor Vet Program was established in 2016 at Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship and takes place at its Santomero Family Foundation Veteran Center on Croton Lake Road in Bedford. The non-for-profit organization has a mission “to empower individuals through the healing potential of the horse,” and offers its equine-assisted activities and therapies to active service members and veterans, free of charge. John Bengis, a 71-year-old United States Navy veteran who has struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, was connected to the weekly program at Endeavor through mental health professionals at Veteran Affairs in Montrose, NY, where he receives treatment. He said he first came to the farm over a year ago during a low period in his life when he was really suffering; he felt unable to interact with people and had difficulty functioning in daily life. “I had to make a decision to just remain silent or step up and face the facts—and the staff at Endeavor are the most compassionate and knowledgeable people you will ever meet,” Bengis said. “You are in an environment where you are on a farm, not a hospital; it is a calm place, and the focus is on nature and the horses—you are hugging a horse and his head is on top of you, and you can feel the horse saying that you’re okay.” Helping to facilitate those magic moments for veterans during therapy visits is what Laurie Ciavardini calls her “purpose on this earth.” As manager of Endeavor’s veteran program, the Bedford-based clinical social worker explained that the sessions are overseen by a team of certified military counselors and equine specialists. “We are the most accredited in the country,” Ciavardini said. “There is a mental health provider present for every single session on the property.” Using horses to help veterans explore and process their emotions is just one of the therapeutic goals at the farm. In addition, they work with children and adults with special needs, at-risk youth and others who could benefit from the highly effective psychotherapy methods. The program’s customized approach, for individuals or in a group therapy setting (and virtually as well), has been offered to roughly 1,500 veterans and their families thus far, and the staff ’s credentials are unique among equine caregivers in the state, according to Ciavardini. “We have a premier accreditation through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) and also hold a military designation for the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).” It is the power of the relationship between the veterans and their horses that is incredibly effective at building trust, she added. “The horses are magnificent and can reflect back what they sense in their presence because they are prey animals—and are constantly reading the environment, looking for peace and safety.” For Bengis, the time he has spent over the past year with Pelusa, a 30-year-old ex-Polo horse, has touched him profoundly. “I brush her, I hug her and give her a little massage; we just look at each other and when I am doing that, I am living outside my thoughts and nurturing somebody else,” he said. “As I am always being told to do in therapy, my horse forces me to stay in the moment: I am right there with Pelusa and Pelusa is right there with me, because horses are always in the present—they are very calm and very alert.” Veterans find peace and strength through therapeutic horsemanship Amazing things are happening at the Santomero Family Foundation Veteran Center in Bedford. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENDEAVOR/KRISTEN VALLEJO PHOTOGRAPHY The Endeavor Vet Program was established in 2016. Horses help veterans to explore and process their emotions.
PAGE 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Lewisboro councilman Dan Welsh was the focus of the public comment portion at a recent Town Board meeting, as residents reacted to a widely shared social media post. On Nov. 17, Welsh took to Facebook to voice his views on government officials’ reactions to the ongoing conflict in Israel. The post, made on Welsh’s personal profile, read as follows: “All through the past month plus of slaughter and destruction of Gaza, the almost unanimous refrain from government officials from top to bottom has been “we stand with Israel”. Very few senior leaders have had the courage to point out that these are war crimes, and that while the Hamas attack was horrific, supporting Israel in this way is actually not supporting Israel. Israel, and the US, lose any moral standing they may have had, and it looks like inevitably will be engaged in a wider war. The citizens of Israel have been led down this path by an extremist government that has made explicit their goal of removing all Palestinians from Greater Israel, and they now feel completely unrestrained. Neighboring governments will have to respond to their citizens call for action, and Israelis will of course be far less secure as a consequence. Global political analysis aside, mass murder of defenseless citizens is a high crime, and I’m thankful that Jamal Bowman has not minced words about this, despite the intense attacks and lack of support from colleagues. He joined us tonight in White Plains in a local rally to call for a ceasefire. A majority of Americans now favor a ceasefire. While public opinion does not seem to translate to policy these days, let’s hope other leaders follow Congressman Bowman’s lead and pressure the administration to cut off the torrent of bombs and arms fueling Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine and the West Bank.” During the public comment portion of the Nov. 27 Town Board meeting, a number of residents made their voices heard. Some called for Welsh’s resignation over the remarks, while others came to the defense of the recently re-elected councilman’s character. First to speak was Lewisboro resident Daniela Goldman. “I stand before you today with a heavy heart addressing a matter that goes beyond politics and policy and that strikes at the very core of our values as a community that is concerning with those entrusted with representing us express views that sowed the seeds of division and intolerance,” said Goldman. “Recently, Dan Welsh has made Facebook posts with not just differing opinions, but have crossed the line into the realm of antisemitism. As a community that values diversity, inclusion and mutual respect, we cannot turn a blind eye to such sentiments. Antisemitism has no place in our town or a community.” Goldman would go on to read excerpts from Welsh’s posts on the Facebook thread, which received 50 replies. “For the sake of maintaining the trust and harmony that our community deserves, it is my sincere belief that this board member should consider resigning from his position,” she continued. “Public servants should be exemplars of the values we hold dear, fostering an environment where everybody feels welcome. We must demonstrate both to ourselves and to the broader world that we stand united against discrimination and prejudice. In times like this, we must rise above partisan lines and reaffirm our commitment to their fair share values that make our community stronger and send a clear message that antisemitism has no place in our town, and that we will not tolerate any form of bigotry from those who represent us. Dan Welsh, I ask you to resign.” Goldman was followed by Elizabeth Amerling, a 20-year resident of Lewisboro who identified herself as an active member of the Jewish community. “Dan Welsh is not right for Lewisboro, and I am here to say that publicly,” she said. “Dan is a sitting board member and the Deputy Town Supervisor. He is the face of the town when Tony is unavailable. His views and beliefs matter. Dan’s views on the Israeli/Hamas war are disturbing, ignorant, and hurtful. While he’s entitled to his own personal opinion, guaranteed by this great country’s constitution, he should not be in the position of representing me or my family. He should not represent anyone who stands for humanity. He should not intentionally offend the townspeople, which he represents. Dan, I request that you step down from your elected position immediately.” Goldman and Amerling’s sentiments were reiterated by several others afterwards. Not all of the residents who took the floor during public comment condemned Welsh, including Peter Gross of South Salem. “I am the father of a son who was shot by a terrorist from Gaza. I have a lot of stake in this conversation,” said Gross. “I know Dan well. He’s an outspoken person. He’s a very principled person and he is no antisemite. Dan’s plea is to look at the humanity on the other side.” Support also came from resident Sybil Patri, who stated “the most consistent ethical position is to always speak out Outrage...and support for councilman’s comments on Israel SEE WELSH PAGE 6 The Best Selection of Live & Cut Christmas Trees in the Area! 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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 5 Independently family built, owned & operated Proudly serving Westchester since 1964 Your Favorite Neighborhood Pizzeria - Eatery Bronx brick oven pizza, generous portions, authentic Italian comfort food — great family value. Thank you very much for your patronage & support! FAST DELIVERY! 914.232.1001 Open 7 Days! ORDER ONLINE TODAY! amorekatonah.com AMORE PIZZERIA • 914-232-1001 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Expires 1/30/24. $ 5OFF any order $35 or More AMORE PIZZERIA - LOGO CONCEPT // 2020 I TAL IA N KITCHEN est 1993 PIZZERIA OPEN IN KATONAH VILLAGE lunch | dinner | carry-out | catering Free Parking In Rear Of Pizzeria 22 Edgemont Road Katonah, NY 10536
PAGE 6 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 Lorraine Road 10:30 a.m. - Elmwood Road at Wakeman Road 10:45 a.m. - Elmwood Road at Onatru Farm 11 a.m. - West Lane at Stonewall Court 11:15 a.m. - Meadow Pond Elementary School 11:30 a.m. - Kitchawan Club House 11:45 a.m. - Vista Fire Department For any questions, please email CandyCaneRun@ VistaFD.org The Lewisboro Seniors Tag Sale & Holiday Sale Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Lewisboro Seniors are having a tag sale/holiday sale with new and gently used items, and are looking forward to seeing you! Bring your neighbors and friends, there is something for everyone. To be held at the South Salem Fire House on Rt. 35. Chronic Pain Support Group Research tells us that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, or pain that lasts most days or every day for three months or more. Of this group, 20 million experience high-impact chronic pain, or pain that interferes with basic functioning and activities of daily living. Pain is the number one reason that Americans access the health care system, and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. Support groups provide a forum for those with pain to gain support and learn about ways to manage pain and progress from patient to person. This group takes place over Zoom every other week. For more information, please call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281 or email him at tednbloch@ gmail.com. All conversations are kept strictly confidential. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam Monthly Meeting Please join us for our monthly discussion as we work to advance cross-racial and crosscultural amity to impact the public discourse on race. Our monthly meetings feature speakers, screenings, and presentations where discussions are aimed at educating one another on who we really are. Visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/138495877899 to register for this online event. Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 Please register for programs by visiting www.lewisborolibrary.org It’s a Wonderful Life Friday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. The library is hosting a production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a live radio play! The beloved holiday classic, immortalized on film by James Stewart and Donna Reed, is brought to life in a whole new way by Apple Tree Productions.The stage play is a one-hour adaptation by Joe Landry, written to replicate a live radio show circa 1946, with the cast gathered around microphones and live sound effects. This production is suitable for all ages. In lieu of an admission fee, the library requests that attendees bring an item to donate to their collection box for the Community Center of Northern Westchester’s “Share the Warmth” Drive. The Community Center is seeking donations of new hats, gloves, socks and warm cozy blankets for children ages infant through 18 years. Let’s rally our community like the residents of Bedford Falls rally around George Bailey! Please register via the library website. St. Paul’s Chapel 313 Smith Ridge Road in Vista Community Sing Along Saturday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m. Join in for a sing along at St. Paul’s Chapel. All are welcome! Bedford Fire Department www.bedfordfire.com Candy Cane Run Sunday, Dec. 17 11 a.m. - The Farms @ East Way 11:15 a.m. - Bedford Village Park 11:30 a.m. - Millertown Rd. @ Brook Farm Rd. 11:45 a.m. - Bedford Village Library/Old Bedford Fire Department 12 p.m. - Bedford Fire Department @ 550 Old Post Road Katonah Village Library Amanda Godsoe Exhibition Thru Jan. 27 Painter and Katonah resident Amanda Godsoe will show her collection of landscapes at the Katonah Village Library until Jan. 27, 2024. The paintings will be available for purchase. No registration is required, and the event will take place upstairs in the library’s main level. against mass murder, especially of children and innocent civilians, and that’s exactly what Dan is doing.” Later, during the Polling of the Board portion of the meeting, Welsh reacted to the statements made during public comment. He identified himself as a long time anti-war activist, and expressed his gratitude for those in attendance. “I’m glad everyone had a chance to speak,” said Welsh. “I want to hear them. I also think it’s important that someone speaks out for the Palestinians. I’m trying to do that. Perhaps not as artfully as I might, but silence is not an acceptable option for me.” WELSH FROM PAGE 4 CROSSING FROM PAGE 2 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com • [email protected] DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor • BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director • RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad Station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 • Cremations and Burials 914-277-4424 • 440 Rt 22 North Salem, NY • www.theblazerpub.com CELEBRA CELEBRATING 521 YEARS! 52 From our home to yours, have a wonderful holiday season! Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 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 Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced a bill in Congress last Friday that would make it more affordable for veterans seeking healthcare. The Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act, or HEAL, will offer Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and local Veterans Service Agencies (VSAs) that provide rides to veterans for medical services the same travel reimbursements that veterans and caregivers receive. The HEAL Act also removes the deductible for beneficiary travel, which serves as a barrier to care. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the current deductible is $3 per one-way and $6 for a round trip, up to a maximum of $18 per month. The HEAL Act would also raise the mileage reimbursement rate for travel to approved health care appointments to 65.5 cents, equivalent to the mileage reimbursement rate for privately owned vehicles if no government-furnished automobile is available. The current mileage reimbursement rate is 41.5 cents. “The HEAL Act is a major step forward in improving access to healthcare for veterans in the Hudson Valley and across the country,” Lawler said. “Raising mileage reimbursement rates, getting rid of the deductible, and allowing VSOs and VSAs to qualify for reimbursement will help provide additional and affordable services to our heroes. “To those who have served our country selflessly, I say this - I will always have your backs, and this legislation is proof of that. By making access to healthcare easier and more affordable, our veterans can continue to get the quality care they deserve without breaking the bank getting there.” The bill’s introduction was well received locally. “The VA health care system is a lifeline that many of our country’s veterans rely on for their medical well-being, and our legislators need to continue to work diligently to ensure all our veterans can obtain affordable, reliable and effective healthcare through our VA system,” said Jonathan Schneider, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Mahopac-based accountant who owns Schneider Financial Group. “Thank you Congressman Lawler for introducing this valuable and needed legislation for our veterans.” Karl Rohde, director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency, was also effusive in his praise for the introduced bill. “Congressman Lawler has worked tirelessly to interface with our agency and to help provide additional support to the veterans of Putnam County,” Rohde said. “The HEAL Act is a critical piece of legislation that will make access to healthcare easier and more affordable for veterans in Putnam and across the Hudson Valley, while freeing up additional dollars to provide more services to our nation’s heroes.” Mark Woods, the director of Veteran Services at BRIDGES in West Nyack, said, “I’m thankful that Congressman Lawler is following up on his promises to his Veterans Advisory Board by introducing this legislation. “His commitment to those who have served this country is exemplary, and I look forward to seeing what other legislation Congressman Lawler has in store to help our veterans.” Lawler bill seeks to ‘HEAL’ veterans Proposed legislation would make it more affordable for veterans to travel for medical care embraced the cap-busting increase. To take that step a unanimous board had earlier voted a local law authorizing an override— only if needed—of DiNapoli’s cap. In a required public hearing on its proposed action, the lone speaker, Simone Petromelis, specifically asked whether the board intended to bust the cap. “As it currently stands,” Goncalves said of the preliminary budget—the version with the smaller paving allocation— “we’re at the tax cap.” Still, minutes after closing the hearing, the board was discussing a hike in the highway department’s paving budget, back to its $180,000 level, by increasing next year’s planned expenditure by $130,000. That road money, as well as a $4,000 medical-insurance expense, would be financed by the cap-busting levy increase rather than borrowing. In the end, as Councilman Dan Welsh noted, taxpayers foot the bill for any town spending, contributing either directly through the property-tax levy or indirectly via taxes that retire the town’s bonded indebtedness. Other board members supported the higher paving allocation, with Councilman Richard Sklarin seeing a “consensus in the community” on the need for improved roads. “At least with this particular tax increase,” Councilwoman Andrea Rendo pointed out, “they get to see where their money’s going.” Councilwoman Mary Shah added, “It’s important that we make sure our roads are safe.” BUDGET FROM PAGE 1
Opinion PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 2 TRACKS BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] 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 Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC I didn’t know any Jews when I was growing up; at least not personally. Pawling didn’t have a large Jewish population—there was no congregation, and no synagogue in town. I knew we had two Jewish teachers—both science—in high school: Moe Rothberg and Judy Segal. My dad used to bowl in the same league as Mr. Rothberg. I knew these teachers were Jewish the same way I might know someone was Italian or someone was Irish. I never really thought about it much beyond that. I don’t have the demographic breakdown, but back then (and probably now) Pawling was a largely Catholic town. The St. John’s the Evangelist parish church was smack-dab at the center of the Village—it’s been there since the late 1800s, but nowadays, that’s right across from the CVS Pharmacy. There were/are plenty of Protestants around, too. The Methodist, Baptist and Episcopalian churches are all within a half-mile radius of St. John’s. But other than the aforementioned teachers, there were no Jews that I was aware of at the time. If someone in Pawling wanted to join a synagogue, they’d likely have to travel about 13 miles south to Brewster. After I received my two-year degree, at the age of 20, I transferred to the SUNY school up in Oswego. And apparently so did half the Jewish kids from western Long Island. They had something else in common—it seems just about all of them liked the Grateful Dead and played guitar... just like me! So, in about one week, I went from “I don’t know any Jewish people,” to “Just about everyone I know is Jewish.” I didn’t think of it like that at the time, only now as I look back. My senior year in college, I shared the top floor of a big old Victorian house with four other guys—all Jewish. I remember, just before the winter break, they bought me one of those cheesy pre-decorated tabletop Christmas trees and sang “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” with me as we sat around that dumb little thing. Later on, they told me they were going to make me an honorary Jew, even though I am pretty sure they didn’t have the authority to do that. I look back on those times as some of the best of my life. My first serious relationship was with a Jewish woman. It wasn’t planned or sought out; it was just serendipitous. We met through friends of friends—something like that. We liked each other a lot right away and began dating. We were aware of each other’s heritages, but with neither one of us being particularly religious, we didn’t talk about it all that much. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t absorb some stuff through osmosis over the time I was with her. I remember being invited to Passover Seder at her mom’s apartment. I have flashes of memories from that experience. I remember the centerpiece with the matza bread. I remember having a Cornish game hen at one point. (It was delicious.) I remember playing Hearts and being roundly criticized if I made a dumb play. And I remember meeting a small army of grey-headed relatives who grilled me like a sirloin. It felt like I was holding a press conference, and more than one question induced some serious eyebrow arching. And I also remember that as one of the best times of my life. When I moved to Los Angeles a few years later, my first serious relationship was with a former Jehovah’s Witness from Costa Rica. But my second one was with a Jewish woman—and that one has become one of the most significant and enduring relationships of my life. Again, the fact that she was Jewish (and from Long Island) was merely coincidental. She was my best friend’s sister. That is how I met her about 32 years ago. At first, she was just an acquaintance and then a friend and then it turned romantic. Then it quickly turned back to acquaintance and eventually back to friendship, and before long we were... well, you get the idea. Roller-coaster does not describe it. But here we are more than three decades later and 2,800 miles apart and we still speak on the phone at least once a week (some of these calls can last threeplus hours). We text a lot and will also drop the occasional meme or video to each other on Facebook IMs. She is 55 now, but told me she identifies as 39. Lately, she has expressed a bit of anxiety over what is happening in the Middle East, and, by causality, what has been happening in L.A. The city has seen an enormous uptick in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant antisemitism. Someone spray-painted a swastika on a car in her apartment building’s garage. I told her, “Don’t worry...how is anyone going to even know you’re Jewish?” She said, “Bob, everyone here thinks I look and sound like Fran Drescher.” Oh, yeah. Good point. An honorary Jew’s point of view BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEE DUMAS PAGE 9 Paul’s Pharmacy in Vista is a true ‘Mom & Pop’ that has gotten to know us Dear Editor, On Oct. 5, Marilyn Pellini wrote an article about the lack of “mom and pop” pharmacies in our area. I believe she was originally focusing on Katonah. The most interesting thing is that the conversation about “mom and pop” pharmacies has continued beyond The Katonah Lewisboro Times—online and in neighborhood conversations. Since the newspaper covers Lewisboro as well as Katonah, I very much want to point out that Paul’s Pharmacy in Oakridge Commons in Vista is the truest form of “mom and pop” pharmacy that I have experienced since I was a small child. I moved here from Florida two years ago, and after my first visit to Paul’s Pharmacy, they knew both me and my daughter by name and prescriptions! In addition, vaccinations are pleasantly administered, greeting cards are fun, the convenience of a UPS station exists, and all sorts of things interesting are there for the browsing and buying! It is a full service “mom and pop” pharmacy with plenty of parking in front (including handicap parking). The time and patience spent with us to go over every detail of each medication (if necessary) is greatly appreciated! Paul’s Pharmacy has made a difference for me in my new residence! P.S. I’d like to add—off topic—that The Katonah Lewisboro Times has also contributed to my delight with my new community. Thank you for keeping me informed about my unique and beautiful new town! -Sherry Beckman South Salem LETTERS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 DUMAS FROM PAGE 8 She used to like to go to the Matzo Ball, a big Jewish singles event held in major cities across the U.S. every Christmas Eve. She is not going this year. “I’m not going somewhere in a big city where there is a huge concentration of Jews all in one spot,” she told me with a nervous laugh. I hate that my friend must live her day-to-day life with anxiety and has had to change the way she makes decisions. And when I watch these college students and other Gen Zs march and protest “Israeli apartheid” and chant from the “river to the sea,” it makes me nauseous. Most of them couldn’t even name what river or what sea they were talking about. I am being told by some that it is my party—the Democrats— who are responsible for much of the anti-Israel sentiment we are seeing here these days. Well, I must have missed that meeting, but when you look at the polls it is hard to argue. But, as usual, it depends on what surveys you read. But saying no Democrats support Israel and are antisemitic is like saying all Republicans believe California forest fires are started by Jewish space lasers. Sometimes the fringe gets a little too much attention. Chuck Schumer, a Jewish Democratic senator from New York, recently led the proIsrael rally that drew 250,000 to the National Mall in Washington. So, there’s that. What I think is at the heart of the matter is not so much party affiliation, but age. These moronic college kids protesting on campus don’t affiliate so much with a party—they probably don’t even know what that is. But if they do, they probably don’t like either party because both represent the white patriarchy. So, now they are just spewing outrage that is based on years of misinformation they’ve been pummeled with. And that begs the larger question... what the hell are we teaching these kids in high school history class? Do they teach about the Holocaust? Do they teach about the history of that region and that land now known as Israel? Sure as hell doesn’t seem like it. My friend in L.A. sent me a video clip of a young white American woman, dressed in a scanty crop top and tight cut-off jean shorts holding a placard and calling for the condemnation of Israel for its “atrocities.” My friend pointed out that if this young lady walked into Gaza dressed like that, she would either be killed or arrested. If arrested, she would then learn what an atrocity truly is. As for those rainbow flags that these same protesters like to wave around occasionally, try doing that in Gaza and see what happens. (BTW... The Boston Globe recently called Tel Aviv “one of the gayest cities on earth,” and the government just swore in its record number of six openly gay legislators). Pretty sure you won’t see that in the Hamas regime. Recently, someone derisively wrote that Israel is the “last outpost of Western civilization in the Middle East” ... like that’s a bad thing. Here are a few things Western civ has given us: Individual liberty, scientific inquiry, rule of law, religious freedom, women’s rights, human rights, democracy, trial by jury, and freedom of speech. All marginalized people live better lives today because of Western ideals, not in spite of them. We could use more Israels in the Middle East. In the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip, there are no laws against sexual harassment, domestic violence, homophobia, honor killings and child marriage. This is who these college protesters want to stand with. The women in Gaza would be fortunate to be colonized by just about anyone from the West. And that leads me to those who think the Jews colonized Israel. The Jews are without question the region’s ancestral people, but the land has been occupied by dozens of conquerors over the centuries, including the Romans, the Arabs, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Israel was eventually created by a vote of the United Nations in 1947 with even Russia approving. Look at the countries around that region and ask how many Jews live there. Morocco? Egypt? Syria? At one point many of these countries had thriving Jewish communities. Today, it is close to zero. On the other hand, how many Arabs live in Israel? About 2 million, or about 20 percent of the population. Many are Muslim and some are Christian. And they are all allowed, by law, to run for public office if they wish. There may be some apartheid or ethnic cleansing going on over there, but it certainly isn’t Israel that’s doing it. And trust me when I say the Jews have never attempted to colonize anything. 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PAGE 10 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 With election day and Thanksgiving behind us and pumpkins giving way to Christmas wreaths, our local towns and villages are finalizing their budgets for next year. The whole process takes place without a lot of fanfare or public interest. After all, these increases aren’t much in the grand scheme of things – 2 or 3% usually. But small and consistent increases add up. Like my waistline, that last 20 pounds I gained didn’t happen overnight. It happened a couple of pounds at a time over the years. But more on fiscal restraint – and maybe dieting – in a future column. With the holiday season upon us, our town budget (I live in Bedford) was being announced with its $1.7 million spending increase on a $37 million dollar budget. At the same time, the annual fundraising emails start rolling in from the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations asking for donations for our Holiday Tree Lighting. Our tree lighting ceremony is really nice. The promotions point out that Katonah has the largest living holiday tree in New York State. I am not sure who keeps up with these things, but you can take it to the bank – it is a big, beautiful tree. But it seems that the cost of festive holiday lights in our downtown business district, the installation, service, overtime for municipal employees for the annual tree lighting, and even the electricity to light them, falls on local individuals and businesses to fund. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise the $20,000 needed to fund the program. But I wondered, shouldn’t town government be shouldering the lion’s share of the investment with the support of sponsors? Challenges from big-box stores and Amazon have rightly caused local government and other organizations in our region and across the country to ramp up their efforts to promote the small businesses that inhabit our towns, hamlets and villages. Supporting “hamlet vitality” is a frequent topic on the agendas of nearly every town board. It is a primary responsibility of town government to build, maintain and support the infrastructure necessary for a community to thrive. Parks, roads and sewers are obvious infrastructure, but supporting attractive and inviting public spaces is also important. Spreading the cheer...and keeping the lights on Welcome to “News & Notes,” where we look at the happenings here in Westchester County. Just finished the holiday decorating, our reindeer lost a few lights, our stockings by the chimney needed some care, the manger scene lost a few sheep, and one of the wise men needed a bit of Elmer’s glue, but otherwise good to go. Then I poured myself a hot cocoa and wrote this week’s “Ho! Ho! Ho!” edition of “News & Notes.” “Thumpity, thump, thump, thumpity, thump thump,” come meet Frosty the Snowman at the Bedford Hills Community House on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. for breakfast, and enjoy a special show with our winter friends. Holidays on the Hill Annual Train Show runs through December at Lasdon Park, offering a chance to visit and celebrate the season with iconic and immersive exhibits that will delight audiences of all ages. This year, visitors will be surrounded by the magic of the season as they stroll by colorful characters and enchanting holiday scenes. Growing up, we used to do gingerbread house decorating every Christmas, which can be filled with creativity and fun. On Friday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Bedford Hills Community House, get your friends together and come for a fun time. There will be seasonal crafts, playing games and dinner will also be served. There is more holiday fun with latkes, donuts and festive music at the Chanukah celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, with festivities set for Historical Hall at 4 p.m.; then at 5 p.m. there will be a menorah lighting Check out holiday happenings in and around town DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT MARK JEFFERS NEWS & NOTES SEE SCOTT PAGE 12 SEE JEFFERS PAGE 17 MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) GAMBLING PROBLEM? SCAN CODE OR CALL 877-8-HOPENY OR TEXT HOPENY (467369). MUST BE 21 OR OVER TO GAMBLE. *STANDARD MESSAGE RATES APPLY. Sign Up For A Genting Rewards Card Today! *Terms and conditions apply. FREE NIGHT* IN THECATSKILLS Catskills Hudson Valley New York City 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). 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PAGE 12 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 Somers Custom Framing & Gifts 253 Route 202, Somers • 914-276-3173 [email protected] • SomersFraming.com We are your gift headquarters! Clothing • Accessories • Gifts • Toys & Games • Gourmet Items • Custom Framing & More! Open 7 days/week until Xmas. Mon-Fri 9-5 • Sat 9-4 • Sun 11-3 Complimentary Gift Wrapping Always Available! Point B Planning, LLC d/b/a/ AtwoB (“AtwoB”) is a registered investment adviser. A copy of AtwoB’s current written disclosure statement discussing AtwoB’s business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC’s investment adviser public information website or from AtwoB upon written request. This article is for information only and should not be considered investment advice. Michael Tom CFP® CFA® • Jeff Wund • Todd Rebori, CFA® www.AtwoB.com • (914) 302-3233 23 Parkway, Second Floor • Katonah, NY 10536 Why AtwoB? • Boutique, Independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) • Owner-Operated, Your Money Matters to Us • Legally Obligated to Act in Your Best Interests 100% of the Time • Unbiased – Paid Only By Clients, No Commissions or Hidden Fees • High-Touch, Attentive Service You Can Depend On • Employer-Sponsored Retirement Solutions for Business Owners Financial Planning, Investment Management, Tax Preparation & Planning, Business Retirement Plan Services From the AtwoB Family to yours, Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a new year filled with health, fulfillment, and success. SCOTT FROM PAGE 10 I pride myself on being a fiscal conservative who believes that town budgets should not be on autopilot. So many programs find their way into a budget that are hard to control or remove once approved and are seldom reevaluated after they are approved. I have poked fun at politicians who don’t like to talk about tax increases and instead prefer to talk about “investments.” But in this case, the investment argument for supporting holiday decorations and lighting in public spaces resonates with me. The direct economic benefits are obvious. Attractive spaces bring more foot traffic, customers and visitors. The resulting increased economic activity not only helps maintain the value of commercial property and the tax base, it also increases tax revenue via sales tax collections. It is not hard to see that the relatively small investment pays dividends, not to mention boosting pride in the community by its residents. Maybe it is time to rethink the approach of towns not chipping in for these beautification efforts. I suspect that the decision not to contribute meaningfully to lighting and decorations is rooted in tradition. As the old joke goes, the last six words of every failing organization are, “we’ve always done it that way.” Maybe the time has come to do things differently. To reevaluate. In the meantime, I need to sign on to GoFundMe to keep the holiday lights on. My husband, Al, was asked to be the guest speaker at a packing industry convention in Ojai, Calif. I was invited to be their guest too, and following the meeting, Al and I planned to treat ourselves to a few days of rest and relaxation at the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego. The meeting went well, and we then started south to the Del. That time of year was considered a shoulder season, so Al requested a room on the top floor, facing the ocean. He was afraid we would not get much beach weather, so he felt at least a view of the water was essential. The person taking his call told him they do not guarantee room placement at this hotel. Al explained that perhaps it might be better if we came at a different time, but the woman on the other end of the line insisted on speaking with her manager, and soon our reservation was confirmed. We arrived at the hotel just at check-in time, 3 p.m., but were told our room was not ready yet. We went to the nearby beach bar to help us kill some time while having a cool refreshing drink. Soon, my husband went back to check again, but the room was still not ready. Next we rode the Del’s famous gilded elevator and explored different areas of the hotel until we were rather exhausted. Another check at the front desk yielded nothing. Now Al’s patience was ebbing. His voice was definitely a bit on the loud side when he asked to speak with the manager. This gentleman explained that the guests had not checked out of the room yet, and according to California law, they could not be put out. Al acquiesced and agreed to just take any room. That is when the manager revealed that there was not another single vacant room in the hotel. By this point, Al was grumbling about how to go about finding another place to stay so late in the day. The manager suddenly excused himself for a moment and then upon his return asked the two of us to follow him. We started across the Del’s parking lot and I whispered to my husband, “I hope he’s not going to put us up in the help’s quarters!” Now we were facing a tall wrought iron gate, and the manager pressed in a key code. We then went to a door on the side of this building, and he entered another code into the keypad. He swung the door open and gestured that we should enter. As he was closing the door, I gave Al a little kick and began shaking my head up and down, indicating that he needed to quickly say yes to these accommodations before this fellow changed his mind. This sumptuous, secluded, cottage was the Del’s celebrity accommodations, given to only a special few. Marilyn Monroe stayed in this cottage while filming “Some Like It Hot.” It consisted of three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge sunken living room, with grand windows facing the ocean, and it was completely encircled with the same decorative fencing as in the front of the house. It was dug directly into the sandy beach. The living room coffee table was as big as a picnic bench in the park and covered with colorful pots of varying sizes and shapes that contain many varieties of orchids. A chef would have loved the kitchen, and every bathroom had a large soaking tub. Whenever we sat out on the deck, people stopped and poked their cameras through the bars of the fence to take our picture. I guess they figured we must be celebrities, and although they didn’t recognize us, maybe someone back home would. We never left this spot in paradise for the entire weekend, knowing we could explore the sites of San Diego at any time, but would never again have an opportunity to stay in accommodations like this. The cottage back then rented for $2,300 a day. The cost to us, a regular room rate, and of course a charge for our food. We had all our meals delivered by room service, and whenever we called, the phone was answered on the first ring. The cuisine was just as amazing as the place and arrived piping hot, even though it had to traverse a huge parking lot. Our weekend was definitely befitting true royalty. I know I surely felt like a queen! A weekend of paradise and pleasure MARILYN A. PELLINI MUSINGS: PAST AND PRESENT
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Sports PAGE 14 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER With no starters returning from last year’s team, the boys basketball team completely turned the page against North Salem on Wednesday, Nov. 29. So being a little shaky at the start was not a surprise. A 41-35 lead with less than six minutes remaining was, though. Unfortunately, the game went to overtime, and momentum and a lack of experience didn’t bode well. But these new look Wolves missed the memo. “You feel like you had control and then you’re in overtime. So I’m proud of them” said Coach Tyler Sayre after his team gutted out a 59-50 road win. Nonetheless, John Jay was quickly off kilter with a couple of early traveling calls. Extra possessions for North Salem, Max Cotrone sank two jumpers and a put back by Luke Loftus yielded a 6-2 lead. The two for John Jay came on a steal and layup by Jacob Jones, who cracked the starting lineup after being a bench player last year. The forward then added a jumper and side stepped to the hoop to tie the score at six. 3:06 left in the first, John Jay’s first lead was on the way. Jared Weitman pulled down the defensive rebound, brought the ball up court and hit Sam Rickel in the corner. All alone, the guard buried the three for a 9-8 lead with 1:48 left in the quarter. Time called, the home team responded. Connor Meehan made two from the line, and after another John Jay travel, Cotrone hit a pull up jumper to close the quarter at 12-9. Trading turnovers after the break, Cotrone went coast to coast and finished the trek with a euro step to the rim. The lead then grew on a Meehan layup, and John Jay was chasing at 16-9. So Jones went Basketball 101 to get his team back in the game. “You got to attack,” said the senior, and his hard drive netted the old school three point play. 5:41 left in the half, Jones took a trip to the bank next. Connecting off glass from the key, he acknowledged that good fortune is part of the game. “You get lucky once in a while,” clarified Jones, who had a game high 21. Even so, Meehan answered true with his three, and the lead grew to six on the interior. Justin Major went to the line twice on drives and Meehan’s penetration freed up Nathan Baer for an easy layup. A 23-17 game, John Jay didn’t let the Tigers get away. A lane spotted, Ryan Valdes got to the rack for two, and again, Rickel made the most of his loneliness with a corner three. Conversely, Jones got plenty of New look Wolves open season with win over North Salem Ryan Valdes BOYS BASKETBALL The 2022-23 winter season for The Harvey School’s girls varsity basketball team will be a difficult act to follow as last year’s squad produced a record-setting season with a program-high 22 wins against only three losses, producing the school’s first league championship since 2016. This year’s team begins their campaign carrying the banner as the reigning champions of the Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL). They will defend their crown with four returning starters from the championship season. After taking a year off last year due to injury, head coach Mike Duignan returns for his third year at the helm of the varsity team. Assisting the head coach will be first-year coach Kailey Smith and Felicia Peterson, who returns for her third year. With Harvey’s girls basketball’s all-time leading scorer Kira Ortega lost to graduation last June, the coaches will go to battle this season with one of the team’s two top players from last year, Post University-commit McKensi Forde. The NEPSAC All–Star and HVAL All-League selection led last year’s team in scoring with an average of 15 points per game. Coach Duignan is excited to have Forde, one of the team’s two senior captains this year, return to lead the offense. “McKensi can be effective underneath the basket with solid lowpost offense, but this year we expect to see her excel on the perimeter,” Coach Duignan said, adding, “She has the skill set to score and create from anywhere on the court.” This year’s roster will also include the team’s second senior captain, Fernanda Alexandre, another 2022-23 HVAL All-League selection who averaged 10 points per game last season. Coach Duignan expects Alexandre to play forward and guard and help the team in several ways. “Fernanda is an excellent shooter, but more importantly she can create opportunities for others because she also has great court vision,” the coach said. “As a defender she can play any position effectively.” Also returning are sophomores Peyton Forde and Amani Carty. Forde, the starting guard, had a ppg. of 9,2 with 240 points scored while Carty, who will play both center and forward, finished with 129 points scored and a ppg.of 5.2. Newcomers will round out the rest of the squad. Sophomore Casey Kelly and Junior Sophie Peters will split time as a forward and guard. Sophomore Campbell French will play guard, ninth grader Sara Fisher, forward, and fellow ninth grader Lainey Hanson will also get minutes at guard. Coach Duignan can’t predict how the season will unfold, nor is he expecting the 2023-24 winter season to match what occurred last year, but after just a week or two of preseason practices, the coach likes what he sees. “We are a smart team with a high basketball IQ and feature a combination of experience and youth who are very athletic,” Coach Duignan concluded. “The only thing I can predict for sure is that the Cavaliers will put in the effort and try their best.” Article courtesy of The Harvey School. Harvey girls basketball ready to defend the crown McKensi Forde Amani Carty PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HARVEY SCHOOL SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 15 Colin Bishop PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI
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YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE* 15 +10 + 0 % % % OFF OFF Harvey’s boys varsity 2023-24 basketball team has some big shoes to fill … their own, as they begin the new winter season as reigning champions of both the Housatonic Valley Athletic League (HVAL) and the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Head coach Denis Arnautovic returns for his ninth season guiding the Cavaliers, and will once again be assisted by Connor Welles. The two coaches hope this season matches, or comes close to matching, last year’s squad that went 11-1 against HVAL rivals and 16-9 overall. Coach Arnautovic believes the greatest strength of the team is the fact that six players, two of them starters from last year’s championship season, will be returning. He also sees the team’s rebounding on both ends of the court and its ability to drive to the basket as two other strengths. The coach is excited to see what junior point guard Jonah Kass of Katonah can do as an encore to last season’s performance when the HVAL All-League, All-NEPSAC selection led the Cavaliers in points with 312 and a points-per-game average (ppg.) of 12.5 over 25 games. He was second in assists with 59. Kass sparked Harvey’s offense in the NEPSAC Tournament, averaging 16 points per game and was named the NEPSAC Class C Tournament MVP. Coach Arnautovic sees even bigger things for Kass this year. “I expect Jonah to step it up a notch and become even more of a threat,” the coach said. Also returning is Harvey’s big man, senior Olaf Gorski, who got better and better as the year progressed last year. Gorski, who led the team last year in rebounds and blocked shots, was another All-NEPSAC and HVAL AllLeague player. Coach Arnautovic looks forward to seeing Gorski ruling the paint. “With Olaf, we can play more aggressively on the defensive side and on offense get better looks,” Coach Arnautovic said. Another key returner is sophomore Cameron Powell-Spruils. Coach Arnautovic said Powell-Spruils developed a lot since last year. “Cameron’s a threat from the perimeter and sees the game well,” the coach said. Harvey’s two other starters are newcomers Daniel Bussey and Piotr Pajewski. Coach Arnautovic says Bussey will impact the game on both ends. “On defense Daniel anticipates well and reads the opponents intentions and on offense he’ll be difficult to guard,” the coach said, adding, “His first step is hard to guard.” Pajewski is expected to play forward, the three (small) and four (power) for the Cavs. “Piotr has a good pace to his game and sees the floor well,” the coach said. As he surveys the field of HVAL opponents, Coach Arnautovic believes Watkinson could be the team to beat. The coach says he’s excited to start another season but he knows the team needs to put last year’s history-making campaign behind them and focus on winning this season. “After last year’s success we will have to prove ourselves all over again, but I’m confident that this team can do something special and be very competitive,” Coach Arnautovic said. The new season tipped off at home on Nov. 29, against Hamden Hall, and last weekend Harvey took part in the annual Horace Mann Holiday Tournament in Riverdale. Article courtesy of The Harvey School. Harvey boys basketball tips off Double reigning champs set to defend Jonah Kass BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 14 attention to close the half. He took off from above the arc, and on another mission, he drew the foul. Going one for two, the 25-23 deficit had the Wolves ready to take the lead at the outset of the third. Both making a little juke into space, Brendan Corelli and Jones hit jumpers to give John Jay a 27-26 lead at 5:41. Rickel still didn’t get his propers, though. Open above the key this time, he drilled another three to open up a four point lead. The lead grew to five on another Jones three, but Cotrone switched continents again to keep the game in the same hemisphere. The guard got the steal, was fouled on the euro step and converted two at the line. A 33-31 game with 2:52 remaining, John Jay would get some separation again. After Corelli converted two from the line, Rickel showed he could catch Tigers coming and going. The defense up on him this time, he blew past for the layup and then muscled an offensive rebound to set Weitman up at the line. One for two, John Jay led 38-31 to start the fourth. Of course, Cotrone and the Tigers weren’t giving up their stripes just yet. Above the arc, the guard spotted Meehan cutting to the hoop, and two foul shots kept it in range. A Loftus put back made it 38-35, so Jones had his say again. He swung around the arc, Corelli dished him and Jones launched for a 41-35 lead with 5:38 remaining. But John Jay went cold, and the sizzle of Cotrone didn’t help. After forcing a turnover in the John Jay end, he received Justin Major’s long pass into the corner and quickly found Loftus to go glass on the layup. The duo wasn’t done either. Cotrone got another steal, went to the line on the fast break, and after missing the second free-throw, Loftus got the put back. A one point game, Jones went on the attack again. Fouled on his drive, two made free throws meant some breathing room. 3:15 to go, Cotrone didn’t care. Off a John Jay turnover, he went iso and made it a 43-42 game on a pull up jumper at 1:20. One more turn, he dropped a pass over the top into Loftus at 33 seconds, and one for two forced overtime. Two missed Reilly Denneen free throws to open proved a good sign, though. James Arefieg pulled down the rebound, and Jay went to the drawing board. A set play, said Corelli, “I came off the screen and right to the hoop for the layup,” said the junior point guard. Deja vu, Loftus missed two more free throws, and the Wolves were ready to make the Tigers pack it in. Ryan Valdes essentially doing the honors, he wasn’t shy about taking aim in the corner. “We needed a big shot. So I wasn’t hesitant to pull the trigger,” said the junior, and his three opened a 48-43 lead. 2:55 to go, Jones and Colin Bishop forced Cotrone into a travel, and Arefieg completed his team’s itinerary. Driving into the paint, he threaded a pass into Jones, and the easy layup made it 50-43. From there, North Salem put Arefieg on the line three times and three times he went one for two. “It was kind of fun,” he joked. So was winning, but the senior is already looking ahead. “When Horace Greeley comes to town on Dec. 5, we’re going to be ready,” Arefieg concluded.
Charlotte Omin PAGE 16 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER The last time John Jay faced Lakeland, the Wolves pulled out a 55-44 first round sectional one win. A year later, the team roster has almost completely turned over, but a 10-9 second quarter game looked like a pretty good start for the young Wolves. That is until inexperience caught up with the girls on Friday, December 1. Lakeland took the quarter 11-2 and easily cruised to a 41-30 victory. Even so, the road game began from a position of strength for John Jay. Sela Halaifonua put up a jumper, Jane Brennan boxed out the rebound and muscled the put back for a 2-0 lead. Unfazed, Lakeland started on the inside and out. Sarah Devane got to the line on her post up, Amanda Franco drained a three, and Ava Lugo made it 6-2 on her pull up jumper. Brennan and Halaifonua stayed engaged nonetheless. Brennan poked the ball away, Halaifonua corralled the loose ball and hit Brennan on the break to make it 6-4 at 5:24. Halaifonua then sliced the lead in half with the help of Jordan Kauftheil. Off Jaime Bartley-Cohen’s miss from the line, Kauftheil grabbed the rebound, hit an open Halaifonua, and she buried the three. An 8-7 game, the teams would end the quarter on the line. Lugo went one of two twice, and Amanda Riolo did the same after getting fouled on the offensive boards. The start of the second period also followed suit. Bartley-Cohen got a steal and went 50-50 at the line when she was fouled on the break. Unfortunately, the rest was down hill for the visitors. After Devane’s drive yielded another made free throw, Grace Hahn dropped a three from the corner, and then Lakeland pulled away by getting in close. Riley Waters would essentially do the honors She converted her steal into a fast break layup and twice drove to the rim to open a 21-11 halftime lead. The Hornets didn’t let up after the break either. Nichole ljuljic continued the overdrive with a layup to begin the third, and after Amanda Franco buried a triple, ljuljic drove another layup for a 28- 13 lead. John Jay did at least try to contain the buzz, and Halaifonua and Brennan again played a hand. First Halaifonua played give and go with Natalie Ellrodt for a well earned layup, and next, Brennan successfully drove the paint after grabbing a long rebound. 32-18 at this point, John Jay looked like they might inch even closer as the clock ran out. Charlotte Omin launched a three, but the clank off the back of the rim just rubbed it in. Grace Hahn posted up a layup to start the fourth, and then took a feed inside from ljuljic to blow the game open at 36-18. John Jay did make a statement before warming up the bus, though. Halaifonua knocked down a three, sunk two from the line, and Ellrodt hit a late three to finish a respectable 11 point defeat. Wolves fall to Lakeland 41-30 Jordan Kauftheil and Jaime Bartley-Cohen PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Sela Halaifonua Jane Brennan GIRLS BASKETBALL www.pleasantvillewellnessgroup.com CONTACT US 450 Manville Road, First Floor Pleasantville NY 10570 [email protected] 914-538-2438 PLEASANTVILLE WELLNESS GROUP offers compassionate and affordable care for whatever you or a loved one may be struggling with. Reach out today to find out how we can support you through your mental health journey. Services offered in person and online.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 17 LEISURE When I was growing up in Queens, our family received magazines in the mail each month including Reader’s Digest, McCall’s Magazine, TV Guide and National Geographic. I eagerly greeted our mailman, Herman, to look through the interesting letters, postcards and magazines he delivered to our front door. I remember leafing through Reader’s Digest to read “Humor in Uniform” and the medical articles like “I am Joe’s Spleen.” My mom liked looking through the recipes and articles in the monthly McCall’s Magazine. I loved turning to the back page to see a new Betsy McCall paper doll to cut out! Two or three new outfits were included on the page. I remember being very careful with the scissors in order to not cut off the paper tabs needed to affix the latest fashions to the Betsy McCall paper doll. For the holidays every year, Uncle Steve sent our family a new subscription to National Geographic magazine. He thought the publication was educational and that we might learn something about other countries and cultures around the world. I recall flipping through the pages and admiring the beautiful landscape photographs and colorful costumes from tiny villages in Lapland or Greenland or the Andes Mountains. Most families collected and saved their monthly National Geographic magazines, year upon year, in attics or basements. My mom let us cut up the issues if we needed images to glue onto the construction paper covers of our social studies reports on Finland or Peru or Greenland. TV Guide was a weekly subscription – 52 weeks each year! As a kid, I avidly read the articles about television stars and sometimes attempted the crossword puzzle. I also looked through all of the programs for the week to make sure I did not miss an episode of my favorite TV shows. These days, subscription gifts to give for the holidays are more exciting than magazines. The old stand-by used to be the Fruit of the Month Club subscription, delivering a box of apples or oranges or pears to the lucky recipient. I remember a funny episode of the TV sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” in which Ray gifted his parents with a Fruit of the Month subscription. His mother was horrified about the arrival of boxes of fruit in the mail. “So much fruit!” she wailed. Shopping online for subscription gift ideas offers something for everyone on your holiday gift list. Wine, candles, coffee, teas and dog treat subscription boxes are good choices, but you may want to branch out a bit. Try craft box or activity box subscriptions for adults and kids, which can include art supplies and pottery projects. Gardening enthusiasts may enjoy garden/ plant box kits, which arrive with pots and soil each month. The Universal Yum Yums Box delivers treats from different countries around the world. Each month a box arrives with 10-12 snacks plus a guidebook with trivia and games from one specific country like Spain, Greece or Indonesia. The Jiggy Puzzle Club delivers a new 500-piece jigsaw puzzle to solve each month. Puzzle glue is included so that you can frame the finished puzzle as wall art! For that hard to buy for person on your gift list, try Hunt a Killer Box. Each month a new box of clues to solve a murder mystery is delivered to the door of true-crime enthusiasts. Here’s one more suggestion for readers of fiction, fantasy and folk tales – send them a copy of my new anthology, “Whatever Happened to Hansel and Gretel?” Twenty-four possible sequels to the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale! Kim Kovach wishes everyone a fun holiday season! www.kimkovachwrites.com Subscriptions of fun! KIM KOVACH READING, WRITING & CHOCOLATE on the Green in Bedford. I think I made Santa’s “nice” list this year, so I promised my wife we would join the Holiday Stroll through downtown Katonah on Friday evening, Dec. 8, for some holiday cheer, shopping and community fellowship. Hope to see you all there. The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater has some merry events in December. Saturday, Dec. 9, John Tess hits the stage with “Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas.” Almost Queen returns to the Paramount for another New Year’s celebration. The shows start at 8 p.m. My fellow Lions from the Bedford Hills Lions Club are holding a “Warm Hearts, Warm Hands, Sock & Glove Drive” by collecting new socks and gloves for The Community Center of Northern Westchester. You may drop off the new socks/gloves at the Bedford Town Clerk’s Office. All donated items will be taken to the Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 16. Thank you in advance for your kindness. May you and your family find warmth and good fortune this holiday season. I will leave you with this: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; so, I wrote this column with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; and I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. JEFFERS FROM PAGE 10 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. Spiritual leaders 7. Salt 13. Fortified wine 14. Edible mollusk 16. It begins with them 17. A way to compare 19. Governmentt lawyer 20. Back parts 22. 8th month (abbr.) 23. Very willing 25. __ ex machina 26. Satisfies 28. Quebec river 29. A doctrine 30. Popular pickup truck 31. Dekagram 33. Naturally occurring solid material 34. Company officer 36. Villains 38. Cricket frogs 40. German founder of psychology 41. Endured 43. A female domestic 44. A “place” to avoid 45. Cigarette (slang) 47. Canadian politician Josephine 48. French ballet/acting dynasty 51. Employee stock ownership plan 53. Belonging to the bottom 55. Sound 56. Yankees’ slugger Judge 58. Dickens character 59. More wise 60. Flash memory card 61. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule 64. Atomic #79 65. Longtime Braves pitcher Julio 67. Humor 69. Shawl 70. Preliminary assessment of patients CLUES DOWN 1. Animal disease 2. Commercial 3. Craft supply 4. Storage units 5. Investment vehicle 6. Colorado Heisman winner 7. In a way, sank 8. Post-birth brain damage (abbr.) 9. Lay about 10. Intestinal 11. The opposite of yes 12. Caused to be loved 13. Messianic in Islamic eschatology 15. Showing since conviction 18. Not safe 21. The number above the line in a fraction 24. Yard invader 26. Pouch 27. Swedish krona 30. Start anew 32. While white or yellow flower 35. Fourteen 37. Graphical user interface 38. Up-to-date on the news 39. Campaigns 42. Touch softly 43. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Gretchen 46. Violent seizure of property 47. One who supports the Pope 49. Anxiety 50. Body fluid 52. Phony person 54. Title of respect 55. Chilean city 57. City in central Japan 59. Silk garment 62. Draw from 63. Automobile 66. Man 68. Legal bigwig (abbr.)
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 Scan Me! Now you can read all about Katonah-Lewisboro AND the region! As you save for retirement, you’ll want to take full advantage of the investment vehicles available to you — and one of the best is a Roth IRA. But what sets it apart from other accounts? Three key factors distinguish the Roth IRA: • Tax-free earnings – When you invest in a Roth IRA, your earnings can grow tax free, provided you don’t begin taking withdrawals until you’re 59-1/2 and you’ve had your account at least five years. If you don’t meet these criteria, withdrawals of earnings will be subject to taxes and a possible 10% penalty. • No penalties on withdrawals of contributions – You fund a Roth IRA with after-tax dollars, which means you can withdraw your contributions — not the earnings — at any time for any reason, without facing taxes or penalties. So, you could use some of your Roth IRA money for non-retirement purposes, such as helping pay for a child’s college education. • No required withdrawals at age 73 – With a traditional IRA or a 401(k), you must start taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — once you reach 73. But this rule doesn’t apply to a Roth IRA — you can keep it intact as long as you like. You may need to tap into it for some of your retirement income, but if you don’t use it all, the remainder could benefit your beneficiaries. A Roth IRA does share one similarity to a traditional IRA: It can be funded with virtually any type of investment, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and so on. However, unlike a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA does have income limits. For the 2023 tax year, if your modified adjusted gross income was less than $138,000 (for a single filer) or $218,000 (married filing jointly), you can put in the full amount of $6,500 and an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution if you’re 50 or older. The amounts you can contribute will gradually decline at higher income levels and are phased out entirely at $153,000 for single filers and $228,000 if you’re married and file jointly. These income ranges will likely change for the 2024 tax year, so you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor for details. Still, even if you’ve contributed to a traditional IRA or a 401(k) for many years, you may have a chance to eventually “convert” some, or all, of these funds to a Roth IRA and gain its benefits. It’s not hard to do this conversion — it involves minimal paperwork from your traditional IRA or 401(k) provider — but it does come with tax issues. Any money that’s converted from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA will be treated as ordinary taxable income. This can trigger a large tax bill, so, unless you have the money available from other accounts to pay the taxes, the conversion may or may not make sense for you. But you don’t have to convert all the funds at once. By spreading the conversion over several years, you could reduce the effect of a large tax hit in any single year. You may want to consult with your tax advisor before converting any funds to a Roth IRA. If you can find a way to contribute to a Roth IRA, either directly or through a conversion, consider it carefully — you’ll find a lot of upsides to this investment account. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Financial Advisor, Judi McAnaw, a resident of Katonah. She has an office at 200 Business Park Drive, Suite 107, in Armonk. Judi can be reached at 914-669-5329. Know the key benefits of Roth IRA When you invest in a Roth IRA, your earnings can grow tax free...’ -Judi McAnaw Edward Jones Financial Advisor JUDI MCANAW GUEST CORNER
PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2023 @2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 83 KATONAH AVENUE, KATONAH, NY 10536. 914.232.3700. *2023 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN ELLIE AWARDS. When it comes to selling real estate, local expertise has never been more important. An award-winning 20-year veteran and top-producing broker at Douglas Elliman, Melissa is raising her family in Katonah and has deep roots in the Northern Westchester community. Melissa has successfully leveraged Douglas Elliman's New York City reach by matching exceptional Westchester homes with the right buyers. If you’ve been considering a move, now is a great time to contact Melissa. It pays to work with a professional with local expertise and first-hand knowledge of the community. Contact Melissa today. 2023 Gold Award Winner - Top 12% of Agents Company Wide* 2023 #4 Agent - GCI & Transactions in Westchester* 2023 Top Real Estate Agent by Westchester Magazine Melissa Frank Lutz Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker M: 646.765.8691 [email protected] Real Estate market demand will increase in the coming months. Call Melissa today to get a head start this winter and prepare now for the spring market. Wishing You All A Wonderful Holiday Season!