IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 39 LEISURE 29 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OPINION 12 SPORTS 22 Wolf Pac pitcher dominates. pg 22 NO-HITTER VOL. 14 NO. 50 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. APRIL 11 – APRIL 24, 2024 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE In a sharply worded letter to Carmel planning officials, as well as county, state, and federal representatives, Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano said his town, as well as the Somers Fire Department, are “strongly opposed” to a Somers supervisor ‘strongly opposed’ to Mahopac battery farm Letter to Carmel planning officials lays out concerns For those lucky enough to see it, the near total eclipse of the sun on Monday was an enlightening experience, including Carol Girven, Catherine Zagami and Mahopac News’ own Tabitha Pearson Marshall looking sporty in their eclipse glasses. The eclipse created a cool 360 degree “sunset” high in the sky. The actual progress of the eclipse is shown in the refraction at the bottom of this photo. Sun-sational! PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL PHOTO COURTESY CHARLIE GIRVEN SEE BATTERY PAGE 8 Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily RE/MAX Classic Realty 914-282-6440 [email protected] CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION HOMES ARE SELLING AT RECORD PRICES. Spectacular water views of Lake Mahopac from this amazing split level home, complete w/private lakefront strip — just in time for summer! Entertain on large front deck w/ year-round lake views. Lovely hardwood floors. Living room w/stone fireplace & stunning windows overlooking the lake. Custom granite center island kitchen w/ stainless appliances, skylight & door to patio. Private balcony off upstairs BRs. Primary BR boasts beautiful updated bath w/large walk-in shower. Slider to back patio from family room. Heated workshop has door out…$849,000 AMAZING RENOVATED HOME ON LAKE MAHOPAC Are you wondering what your home is worth? Should you add on, or remodel? Buy smaller or larger? Please allow me to answer your questions. Call Today!
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [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] DESIGN Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder Noah Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines 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 circulation@halstonmedia. com. 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 offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS (ISSN 2330-1627) Published by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Fire Dept. Recruitment Event Carmel’s volunteer first responder units need members. To raise awareness, the Mahopac and Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Departments, along with Carmel FD, will hold a collaborative recruitment day on Saturday, April 13 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Mahopac Volunteer FD’s headquarters at 741 Route 6 in Mahopac. Representatives from all three organizations will be on hand to discuss the requirements, answer questions, and explain how to get involved, the kind of training to expect, and the benefits of serving the community as a volunteer. Kid’s Clothing & Toy Sale On April 20 and 21, Team Red Wings will be selling gently used children’s items to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the Lake Casse Clubhouse, 193 Shear Hill Road in Mahopac. Items include baby, kids, and maternity clothing, toys of all kinds for all ages, books, games and puzzles, shoes, outerwear, baby gear, strollers and much more. Many items are just $1. Fill a bag with gently used children’s clothing for only $20. This is a cash-only event; 100 percent of proceeds will go to Relay for Life of Mahopac. Earth Day Cleanup The Mahopac Lions Clubs youth Leos division is conducting an Earth Day cleanup on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. starting from Mahopac Firehouse at 741 Route 6 at the corner of Croton Falls Road. Students taking part can earn double community service (5 hours for the day). There will be free t-shirts (limited quantity) and more. Blood Drive The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department and Relay For Life of Mahopac will host their 4th annual blood drive in memory of their dear friend, Ellen Pryzmylski, on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Mahopac firehouse at 741 Route 6. Help celebrate Ellen’s life and help the New York Blood Center by donating blood, you will truly be giving the gift of life. Call 800- 933-2566 to sign up. Book Barn Drop-in Donation Day On Saturday, April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, April 21, 1-4:30 p.m.), the Friends of the Library invite you to donate your gently used books at the Library’s Adult Garden. No appointment will be required. At all other times, donations must be scheduled by calling 845-628-2009 x143. Book Barn Special Offers Buy 10 or more books and receive one free book (excluding collectibles) or one free Book Barn tote bag. Need a gift for an avid reader? The Book Barn has $10 gift cards for sale, redeemable for books in the lobby and the Book Barn. Hours are Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. - noon., Thursday, 4 - 6:45 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. IAC Homemade Winetasting Festival The Italian American Club of Mahopac will hold its 8th Annual Homemade Winetasting Festival & Competition on Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m. at the Italian American Club of Mahopac on 141 Buckshollow Road. Admission is $40 and includes a fourcourse dinner, music, and Italian hospitality. The top three scorers will be declared winners and the top winemaker will be crowned MAHOPAC MUSINGS SEE MUSINGS PAGE 10
Your Neighbor APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR On Saturday evening, Kevin Heinzinger and his family gathered at the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department for a very special birthday party. Kevin—a much-loved altar server at Mahopac’s Saint John the Evangelist Church—turned 35 on March 28. Doubling the fun, his brother Michael turned 28 a few days later. There was music, cake, and karaoke, along with more than 100 family, friends, and neighbors on hand to share the moment. But while two birthdays were the occasion on the invitation, the real reason for the party was to commemorate something that happened just over a year ago. That’s when Michael donated a kidney to his older brother. For their mom Marian, the event was more than a celebration; it was also an effort to demonstrate the critical need for organ donors and encourage people to become donors. “The goal is awareness,” Marian Heinzinger said. “It truly saved Kevin’s life, and we owe it to people to tell them about this little miracle.” According to the organization Donate Life New York State (donatelifenys.org), more than 8,000 patients are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in New York State alone; more than 1,000 have been waiting for at least five years. Anyone over 16 can register to donate. Kevin’s story Kevin Heinzinger has Down syndrome, a condition that has led to a number of health issues. Marian said that like many people born with Down’s, Kevin’s internal organs were underdeveloped at birth. “The development of a person with Down syndrome is delayed from the moment they’re conceived and throughout,” she said. “The middle of Kevin’s heart didn’t develop, even though he was in utero for nine months. His kidneys didn’t develop, just like he has little fingers. But it is part of what makes Kevin who he is. He had open heart surgery when he was 5 because of his heart not being fully developed. “When Kevin was about 9, we Brotherly love, a small miracle and a critical need When Kevin Heinzinger needed a kidney, brother Michael stepped up Michael and Kevin Heinzinger Michael Heinzinger (seated) gets a standing ovation from family and friends for his kidney donation to his big brother. PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Kevin sings karaoke while his friend Mike Nuccio plays karaoke-style guitar. The cakes celebrating a birthday and a special donation. Kevin blows out the candles on his cake. SEE KIDNEY PAGE 36 Everyone was encouraged to sign up
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [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] DESIGN Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder Noah Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines 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 circulation@halstonmedia. com. 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 offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS (ISSN 2330-1627) Published by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 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 Strongly recommend TOCKLAW. They set expectations and deliver the desired outcome. ~P.C. ‘ On Saturday April 6, several Scouts from BSA Scout Troop 1 in Mahopac, sponsored by the Lake Mahopac Rotary, attended Scout Safety Day hosted by WMC Health at their Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital Campus. The boys learned about heart attack symptoms and practiced CPR, were instructed in Stop the Bleed and justification for tourniquet use, and were thrilled to have a Q&A opportunity with the Life Net Air 2 Emergency Staff and emergency responders from Fairview Fire District. Article courtesy of the Greater Hudson Valley BSA Council Scouts learn about safety Troy Garcia, Tim Kennedy and Liam Mortimer were thoroughly engaged during their interaction with members of the Fairview Fire District Emergency Responders. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOAN KENNEDY The New York State Young Republicans have named Carmel Councilman Robert Kearns as the recipient of the New York State Young Republican Rising Star Award. Hailing originally from the Bronx and later, Lake George, Kearns has been “a steadfast commitment to service and an enduring love for his community,” according to a statement released by the Young Republicans. Kearns earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay University and served an eight-year tenure with the United States Navy, where was awarded the prestigious NavyMarine Corps Achievement Medal for his service in the Middle East. In 2017, Kearns attained the highest recognition within the Navy, being honored as the Navy’s Sailor of the Year, a “testament to his leadership, professionalism, and invaluable contributions to the military community.” Transitioning to civilian life, Kearns is employed as a project manager for a prominent construction firm. “His adept oversight of projects from conception to fruition underscores his innate leadership abilities and meticulous organizational skills,” the statement reads. Kearns and his wife Francesca live in Mahopac and have three children. In January, Kearns made history by becoming the youngest councilman in Carmel history, according to the press release, securing the most votes ever recorded in the race. “We are thrilled to recognize Robert Kearns as the next New York State Young Republican Rising Star,” said Peter Giunta, president of the New York State Young Republicans. “Robert’s dedication to service, leadership qualities, and commitment to his community make him a shining example for young Republicans statewide. We eagerly anticipate his continued contributions and success.” Article courtesy of NYS Young Republicans Kearns named New York Young Republican Rising Star Robert Kearns Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at [email protected], or give us a call at 845-208-0774.
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BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Carmel police are ramping up efforts to stop reckless and dangerous driving, especially along a section of Route 6 near Mahopac Village Center that has become notorious for fast and loud cars speeding in traffic. A March crackdown led to 16 summonses and one arrest in just four hours, according to a Carmel PD press release. The Friday, March 22, operation was part of what Carmel PD calls “one of many targeted traffic enforcement campaigns slated for the upcoming months.” Police said the crackdown came after “numerous complaints from residents and business owners” about reckless driving—something Mahopac News staff members have witnessed on multiple occasions, with cars speeding up and down Route 6 in the area of Baldwin Place Road. Mahopac News has also received calls from residents complaining about speeding on Baldwin Place Road. “The four-hour detail resulted in 20 traffic stops, 16 traffic summonses, and one arrest,” the CPD’s release said. “CPD will continue to focus its efforts on vehicles operating in an unsafe manner, with more initiatives planned for the upcoming months.” Carmel PD spokesperson Lt. Michael Bodo said Carmel PD plans to repeat its effort to stem reckless driving in the area and is also conducting regular speeding checks in and around Baldwin Place Road, Route 6, and the Village Center. The department is also participating in other high-visibility traffic initiatives sponsored by the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Earlier this month, Carmel police began targeting distracted drivers in the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign. From May 19 to June 20, seatbelt violators will be the focus during the annual “Click it or Ticket” initiative. “Carmel PD, along with police departments from around the state, will be using these state and federally-sponsored traffic enforcement campaigns to promote safe driving on our roadways,” the press release said. Carmel PD targets reckless drivers BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR A Mahopac man is facing multiple child pornography charges after Putnam County Sheriff’s Department investigators allegedly found images of child sexual abuse during a search of his home. In a press release, Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville reported that the Sheriff’s Office’s Bureau of Investigation (BCI) began investigating Mahopac resident John Towers in February after receiving a tip that the 53-year-old “was in possession of images of child sexual abuse material.” The Sheriff said the BCI executed multiple search warrants and employed the Sheriff’s Office electronics storage detection K9 Hannah in the searches before arresting Towers on March 29. Towers has been charged with two counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, three counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child (both felonies), and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned in the Town of Carmel Court and was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. A Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said Towers posted bail on April 1. “The investigation is ongoing,” the Sheriff’s Office statement concluded. “The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have information relevant to the investigation or Towers to contact the Sheriff’s Office tipline at 845- 808-4377.” Mahopac man charged with possessing child pornography PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Get This Newspaper’s App On Your Phone Always Stay Informed About News Involving YOUR Town & Schools Android Scan Here iPhone Scan Here Get Our App! Our Fences Include: Chain Link Aluminum Wood Vinyl Deer Fencing Railings scrfence.com | 914-302-2552 GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS. -Robert Frost See Our Great Selection of Styles & Colors! Material Also Available for DIY. 2013 Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 [email protected] Westchester’s Leading Fence Installer Proud To Be Locally Owned Building Superior Fences at Competitive Prices Proudly Partnered With AFA (American Fence Association)
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 We asked our students: “Why did you choose KCPS?” “Strong academics, build my faith and opportunity for a fresh start and make new friends” - Georgia ‘27 Bedford “More structure and discipline” - Justin ‘27 Putnam Valley “Outstanding reputation for its education and sports” - Caroline ‘25 Carmel “Learned at Open House that Kennedy would academically & mentally prepare me for college better than my public high school” - Joel ‘25 Brewster Why Choose Kennedy Catholic Prep? Why Choose Kennedy Catholic Prep? SPRING OPEN HOUSE SPRING OPEN HOUSE Scan this code or visit kennedycatholic.org/admissions and select “INQUIRE TODAY” to register! see for yourself at see for yourself at Tuesday April 23rd 6pm - 8pm Tuesday April 23rd 6pm - 8pm all grades all grades welcome! welcome! “Kennedy provided me both the opportunity to play for a top Baseball program and get a top education” - John ‘26 Carmel
proposed grid-scale battery project currently before the Carmel Planning Board seeking site plan approval. A grid-scale battery project, or “battery farm,” is an energy storage system connected directly to an electric utility—in this case, NYSEG. The project would enable the utility to store electricity during off-peak hours and discharge the stored power during peak demand hours. The goal is to make the grid cleaner, more reliable, resilient, and affordable. The project was first unveiled back in September when Charlottesville, Va.-based East Point Energy came before the Carmel Planning Board seeking site plan approval for a battery farm that would be situated on 95 acres of land at 24 Miller Road in Mahopac. While the project is indeed situated on 95 acres of land, much of which is woods and wetlands, the location of the battery farm itself is about 200 feet from a Somers neighborhood that includes young families, seniors, and a preschool. Last month, the residents of that neighborhood, Lounsbury Drive in Baldwin Place, began to organize. They held meetings, did research, made flyers, gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition, and started a Facebook group. Opposition to the project began to grow rapidly on both sides of the border, as Mahopac residents began to express concerns as well. Tensions about the project erupted at the April 3 Carmel Town Board meeting, with residents of both towns coming to the podium to raise concerns about the project only to be barred from doing so. “The project has sparked significant opposition and apprehension among the residents of Somers and Carmel, and my office has been inundated with countless calls from both towns in the past few weeks,” Scorrano wrote in the letter, which was addressed specifically to Craig Paeprer, chairman of the Planning Board, as well as the Planning Board members. “As the neighboring town’s supervisor, the safety and well-being of the residents of Somers and Carmel must take precedence. The people’s questions, fears, and concerns must be addressed, and transparency must be provided to those seeking an understanding of why this project makes sense for the area.” Scorrano noted that such energy storage systems have the potential to make a “significant contribution to New York’s transition to a greener future,” but added that it’s essential to carefully evaluate the suitability of the location for the project, especially since it’s near a residential area and the Muscoot Reservoir Basin. “The proposed facility is an enormous 116-megawatt battery storage system that will be one of the largest in the area if approved,” Scorrano said. “The project site is situated in the Muscoot Reservoir drainage basin of New York City’s water supply, which means that any water quality impacts resulting from pollutantladen runoff must be prevented or mitigated. Before granting approval, the Carmel Planning Board must ensure that the facility meets industry standards and significantly minimizes the risk of spills or leaks.” Scorrano called for the project to have a secondary containment system and an emergency response plan to handle fire incidents and hazardous material releases, and that it comply with all environmental regulations and up-to-date current industry standards. “The town of Carmel lacks the recommended regulatory framework for facilities of this kind,” the supervisor wrote. “Therefore, Carmel must proactively establish the appropriate regulatory tools before permitting this use.” Scorrano noted that the Somers Bureau of Fire Prevention opposes the plan. He wrote that the main issue is the uncertainty about who will bear the necessary training and equipment costs, which could burden taxpayers. “One of the most significant concerns is the need for more adequate training available to firefighters when dealing with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fires,” he said. “The current approach is to let the fire burn while keeping the other units cool with water, as seen in the Warwick, N.Y., incident in 2023. This approach led to the fire smoldering for weeks, a worrying prospect for any community. In case of an emergency at the proposed facility, the fire department would need a massive water supply to control the fire effectively. However, it is unclear where this water supply would come from and if it has been discussed or planned.” PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 While spring brings on warmer temperatures, longer days, and blooming foliage, it can also bring on seasonal allergies. With preventative measures and treatment, people can find ways to lessen bothersome allergy symptoms. What causes seasonal allergies? When the body’s immune system reacts to something in the environment, seasonal allergies can develop. They usually occur during spring/summer due to the presence of specific types of vegetation (e.g., trees, flowers, grass). What are some of the common symptoms of seasonal allergies? Common symptoms of allergies include itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Asthma attacks may also occur in people who suffer from asthma and in those who are triggered by pollen. How can you prevent/lessen your allergy symptoms? Some common treatments for allergies include taking oral antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Reducing exposure to allergens/avoiding allergen triggers can also greatly reduce allergy symptoms. The CDC recommends: • Avoid touching your eyes while outside • Wash your hands when you go back inside • Keep windows closed during pollen season • Use high-efficiency filters in your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system Changing seasons brings woes for those suffering from allergies Scan the QR code or visit east.optum.com Optum Medical Care, P.C. (“Optum Medical Care”) is a physician owned and led practice having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through its physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its owned management organizations, provides non-clinical administrative services to support Optum Medical Care and its physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or health care provided by Optum Medical Care or by any of its licensed professionals. “Part of Optum” reflects that Optum Medical Care is part of Optum’s effort to support forward-thinking physician practices in helping their patients live healthier lives. Optum is a registered trademark of Optum, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other brand or product names are the property of their respective owners. Because we are continuously improving our products and services, Optum reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. Optum is an equal opportunity employer. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. 04/24 This image from documents included in the Carmel Planning Board’s Feb. 28 agenda shows the proposed location of battery storage units. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF CARMEL BATTERY FROM PAGE 1 SEE BATTERY PAGE9
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 Scorrano pointed out that area fire departments are volunteerbased, and wondered where the workforce required to fight a fire for days would come from. He said coordinating efforts would be a crucial aspect that must be considered. He noted that at a September 2023 Planning Board meeting it was stated that the project would not be approved until the fire department has signed off on it. “However, the fire department they are referring to needs to be clarified. Somers does not favor the proposal, [due to] concerns regarding its safety,” he wrote. “The New York Inter-Agency Fire Safety Working Group issued recommendations for updates to the Fire Code and Uniform Code that were issued earlier this year, with public comments due this month. This facility should comply with the recommended code changes.” At a Carmel Planning Board meeting held last month, East Point Energy officials said they would indeed comply with the new code changes when they are made known Scorrano also noted that the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has recommended that the Carmel Planning Board call for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to address concerns it raised in a letter. Scorrano urged the Planning Board to do its due diligence and before making a decision. “Rushing this decision could negatively affect residents and business owners. Therefore, it is crucial that the Planning Board comprehensively and transparently addresses these concerns, taking into account the potential risks and benefits of the project,” he wrote. “I strongly urge [you] to carefully consider the concerns of the Somers and Carmel communities and conduct a thorough environmental impact assessment before approving or denying this project.” Scorrano insisted that the public be thoroughly engaged in the project review process and that everything is transparently disclosed. “While we appreciate the DEP’s recommendation for a DEIS, it should only be conducted once all local laws and land use permitting processes are in place,” he concluded. Also receiving copies of the letter were Congressman Mike Lawler; state Sen. Pete Harckham; state Assemblyman Matt Slater; Westchester County Executive George Latimer; Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne; Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi; Carmel Town Supervisor Michael Cazzari; the Somers Town Board; and Ariye Zohar, chairman of the Somers Board of Fire Commissioners. BATTERY FROM PAGE 8 The April 3 Carmel Town Board meeting got off to a loud and rocky start as a packed house of attendees—some from Somers—tried to bring up the proposed battery farm project during the public discussion period. Before the public comment period began, Supervisor Mike Cazzari read a statement saying that discussing the grid-scale battery storage project, which is under consideration for a 95-acre undeveloped property off of Miller Road, would be prohibited at this and future Town Board meetings. Cazzari said he was acting on the advice of the town attorney and was barring the discussion because allowing it would leave the town open to lawsuits for exercising undue influence over a project currently before the Planning Board, which is an independent body. However, speaker after speaker came to the podium to air their concerns about the battery farm, only to be asked to speak about something else or sit down. All of the speakers appeared to be opposed to the project, and many accused the Town Board of trying to silence them. People questioned Cazzari’s authority to bar the discussion, the Planning Board’s power to approve projects, and the process of overseeing development in the town. “We’re here tonight because we’ve been informed that we’re not allowed to make comments at the Planning Board meeting,” said Lauren Rosiland. “It’s [about the safety of my family and [local] residents.” Several speakers came to the podium multiple times. Those from Somers were told that the public comment was open only to residents of the Town of Carmel. While one Somers resident implied this wasn’t the case, the “town resident only” rule has long been the policy at Town Board meetings. At one point, police officers approached the podium when a man refused to leave. He did, however, step away without intervention. Shouting from the crowd, voices could be heard calling the ban on discussing the battery farm unconstitutional and unAmerican. Many of the Town Board’s fiercest critics drew loud applause from the audience. Cazzari repeatedly told the crowd that the Town Board was powerless to influence the Planning Board and had no oversight over that board, the Zoning Board, or the Environmental Conservation Board. He repeatedly referred to the danger of a lawsuit and its cost to taxpayers. When asked who would sue the Town, Cazzari said either side of a ruling that didn’t get their way could sue and that it “happens all the time.” “When somebody doesn’t get what they want, they sue,” Cazzari said. “That’s what we do in America now.” The last speaker, Sal Cognetta Battery farm sparks anger at Town Board meeting Attendees barred from talking about project during public comment period SEE BOARD PAGE 33 UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Same Great Staff & Teachers NEW GROUP CLASSES Chamber Orchestra Rock Band Music Theory Art Classes INTRODUCING Kindermusik 18 MONTHS - 5 YEARS RETAIL - LESSONS REPAIRS - RENTALS 609 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • www.PutnamMusic.com SCAN FOR MORE INFO Get Started Today Call 845-621-2626 Monday - Thursday 10 - 8 Friday - 10 - 7 Saturday 9 - 5
“Mastro del Vino.”.In addition to the official judging, guests will select their favorite wines for the Taster’s Choice Award. Only IAC members can submit wines for the competition but everyone is invited to sip and enjoy the wines and enjoy a fabulous Italian dinner. RSVP required. For information, contact Linda Cefaloni at 914-582-4373 or Sandra Cefaloni Henderson at 845-745-0762 or visit italianamericanclubofmahopac.org or Facebook page. IAC Monday Night Dinner Fundraiser Join the Italian American Club of Mahopac for a Monday Night Dinner Extravaganza Fundraiser for Relay for Life. Savor a mouthwatering, authentic, four-course meal, music, laughter, and the warmth of Italian hospitality. Monday, April 29, from 5-9 p.m. and Monday, May 20, from 5-9 p.m. at Italian American Club of Mahopac on 141 Buckshollow Road. Admission is $40 for nonmembers, $30 for members and seniors, and $20 for kids 15 and under. Each adult reservation includes a complimentary glass of wine. A cash donation bar will be available. Payment and reservation are due no later than April 23. Payment options: 1) Freight House Café/ 609 US 6 Mahopac, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Ask for Donna. 2) Italian American Club of Mahopac PO Box 931 Mahopac, NY 10541 (mail checks) 3) Contact Linda Cefaloni 914-582-4373 or Donna Massaro at 845-628-1872 Come hungry, leave happy knowing you are helping find a cure for cancer. For more info call or visit italianamericanclubofmahopac.org or the Facebook page. Youth Police Academy Has your child shown interest in becoming a police officer? The Carmel Police Department is running its second annual Youth Academy this summer for town residents entering grades 6-8 in the 2024-2025 school year. This six-day introduction to policing will take place from July 15-19 and July 22 and includes physical training, team-building exercises, and presentations by specialized units within the police department. Space is limited; students will be chosen based on a short essay: “Why I Want to Join the Police Academy.” Cost is $150. For more information, visit the Town of Carmel website and select the Youth Academy tab. Reed Library Events Reed Memorial Library will host Empowering Students with Disabilities for Postsecondary Success on Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. Led by education consultant Dustin Horvath from PCH Consulting, this program aims to give high school students and their parents a basic overview of the transition process from high school to post-secondary education. Reed will also host the in-person IRL Book Club on Tuesday, April 30, at 6 p.m and is offering an adult coloring program every Thursday this month at 1 p.m. Registration is required PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Erik (formerly of Yorktown) and Stephanie (White) Holden (formerly of Mahopac) currently of Poughquag, N.Y. are the proud parents of baby number four, Leif John Holden, born on March 12. Leif weighed in at 7.13 pounds and 20 inches. His brother Hunter and sisters Savannah and Ivy are excited to have a new sibling in the family! Grandparents Mary and Wayne White of Mahopac and Suzanne Holden of Lagrangeville are also overjoyed. Leif John Holden PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOLDEN FAMILY MUSINGS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM PAGE 2 We Carry A Complete Line of BioGuard Pool Treatments SEE MUSINGS PAGE 11
for all three programs at carmellibrary.org/calendar. Spelling Bee Cover Care Centers Annual Team Spelling Bee fundraiser is set for Wednesday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Centennial Golf Club in Carmel. The entry fee of $50/player for this “fun fundraiser” helps support the community-based mental health and substance use services of CoveCare Center. Three team trophies will be awarded. To sponsor or register, visit the link covecarecenter. org/2024-spelling-bee. PAC Spring Classes Putnam Arts Council, 521 Kennicut Hill Road, Mahopac, is currently accepting registration for spring classes in the arts including six-week and one-day workshops; classes and workshops are offered throughout April. Offerings include watercolor, oils and acrylics, pottery, and mixed media. Classes are offered afternoons, evenings, and weekends. One weekend option for adults - treat yourself to a Saturday night out and try your hand at hand-building (clay) in our Sip and Spin Workshop; an evening of fun in the pottery studio where you will create a project or two from a slab of clay while enjoying light refreshments and beverages. Groups are most welcome; a maximum of eight. Affordable classes for kids, teens, and adults. Small classes offer individual attention in a relaxed atmosphere where creativity is the goal. Visit www.putnamartscouncil.com for details on fees, and instructors, and to register. Library Events Free Yoga for Adults: Classes started April 1. Learn about these programs and more at mahopaclibrary.org. Help for the Library is in the Bag This March, make your Mahopac Library lucky by purchasing a Community Bag at Shop & Stop, Lake Plaza, 1001 US-6, Mahopac. For every $2.50 reusable bag purchased, Shop & Stop will give $1 to the Friends of the Library. Book Barn Special Offers The Book Barn is currently running a buy-one-get-one-free offer on Tom Clancy novels. Or buy 10 or more books and receive one free book (excluding collectibles) or one free Book Barn tote bag. Need a gift for an avid reader? The Book Barn has $10 gift cards for sale, redeemable for books in the lobby and the Book Barn. Hours are Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. - noon., Thursday, 4 - 6:45 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Putnam CAP Luncheon/ Silent Auction Putnam CAP will host its 38th annual Luncheon & Silent Auction fundraiser on Thursday, April 11, at noon at St. James the Apostle Church, Doherty Hall in Carmel. Join us as we honor former Putnam CAP Advisory Board member Michael Ingber, posthumously, and Stop & Shop’s Mahopac store for its contributions to the organization. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.putnamcap. org. Call the CAP office at 845- 278-8021 for information on sponsorship opportunities for this event. New Parents Support Group Mahopac Library will host its weekly virtual (Zoom) support group meeting for new parents every Friday from 11 a.m. to noon. The New Parents Support Group provides no-cost, professionally-facilitated support for all who seek professional advice, peer companionship, and kind support. This warm and welcoming group is co-facilitated by Katherine Whiteside (CPD: CBI) and Dr. Rachel Lemonik (PsyD) and is open to all residents of Putnam County. To join this weekly group, email [email protected] to request a Zoom invitation. Wiggles and Giggles Mahopac Library’s Wiggles and Giggles with Ms. Cindy is an active program for toddlers ages 13-24 months who are walking independently and their caregivers. Each session features songs, rhymes, movement, fingerplays, and book-sharing designed to build early literacy skills. Children can attend one of two Friday sessions per week, from 10 - 10:30 a.m., and 11- 11:30 a.m. The last session will be on March 8. Learn more at mahopaclibrary.org Food Pantry The food pantry at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Parish Social Hall, 221 East Lake Blvd. in Mahopac. Call 845-628-2006 or visit sjtemahopac.org/events/ food-pantry/20231110 for more information. Library Resource Help Looking for a job, working on a research project, or getting started with social media, email, or a new device? Have questions about Libby, Hoopla, or one of the Mahopac Library’s other digital platforms? Book a help appointment to meet one-on-one with a library staff member. They can help library patrons find and use information resources or address basic technology questions. Registration is required: Register online at mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100. (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in December from open to close.) APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 MUSINGS FROM PAGE 10 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 CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 Do you know what the cost of your long-term care will be if you are not eligible for Medicaid?
Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENASCHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 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 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 PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 A few short weeks ago, we told you about the newly-formed Empire State Local News Coalition. Halston Media Group is proud to be a member of this fast-growing group of over 150 New York local news outlets that have joined forces to protect local journalism across the state. The work of our coalition has raised awareness of the importance of local journalism as well as the challenges facing the local news industry. (New York has lost half of its newsrooms since 2004!) We are grateful to communities across the state who have united behind us. In just the past month, we rallied in Westchester, where locals were stunned by the abrupt closure of three community newspapers. We went directly to Albany to appeal to lawmakers and where we also rallied with elected officials from both the senate and assembly. Numerous localities have adopted resolutions expressing their support for legislation that would support local journalism, and more municipal resolutions are in the pipeline. Even unconventional allies like Microsoft have joined our calls to save local news. Thanks to these collective efforts, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act – which would provide tax credits to local news organizations for retaining and creating newsroom jobs – was included in the State Senate’s recent budget proposal for fiscal year 2025. This is a key step for inclusion in the state’s final budget, which is currently being negotiated by the Senate, Assembly and Governor Hochul. However, there is a lot of work to be done over the next few days, when the final budget will likely be announced, to ensure the bill is actually included in the state’s final budget. It is crucial that the Local Journalism Sustainability Act is included; otherwise, communities throughout the state risk thousands of newsroom jobs being lost and even more important stories going untold. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act is sponsored by NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal with the bipartisan support of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and more than 70 co-sponsors. As newspapers shutter and layoffs roil the industry, the bill is a necessary measure for incentivizing job creation, returning reporters to many of the state’s emptying newsrooms. The bill is content-neutral and designed to ensure that truly local news outlets will receive this assistance. The leadership of the Legislature’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus has also endorsed our bill, which is a major testament to the fact that this bill will improve access to news for all communities. New Yorkers are standing with local news, and now lawmakers must answer the people’s call to save community journalism. To get the Local Journalism Sustainability Act across the finish line, lawmakers must hear from you about why our newspaper matters (and why our friendly competitors also matter) and why this bill is meaningful to you and your family. So, if keeping local news alive in our state is important to you, please reach out to Governor Hochul and your local representatives to let them know you stand with local news. Budget negotiations are wrapping up imminently – the time to act is now! Time to act is now Support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act Support the New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act Contact Governor Kathy Hochul: 518-474-8390 Contact Senator Pete Harckham: 518-455-2340 Assemblyman Matt Slater: 518-455-5783 Our newspaper is a proud member of the Empire State Local News Coalition: support the coalition at SaveNYLocalNews.com. EDITORIAL I remember my father telling me once that someday we would have to pay to watch television. Now, my adolescent mind could not yet conceive of the concept of “cable television,” so instead what I pictured was a TV with a coin-drop box, like a candy machine or washers at a laundromat. You would just slide some coins in and, presto, it would unlock it and you could then watch TV for a certain number of hours before it would shut off and you had to add more coins. Actually, I like the idea of a coin box better than cable, which, of course, is what Dad was talking about. First of all, I like the idea of a TV bill that could be paid off by just using a few quarters instead of the $150 a month I pay now. Second, I like the idea of not having to deal with a cable company at all. Everyone I have dealt with over the years at companies such as Comcast or Optimum has been sketchy and rude. Cable TV employees make DMV workers seem like Peace Corps volunteers. All that begs a question for another day, but where do the DMV and the cable companies find these people to work for them? Do they monitor parole board hearings to see if a potential employee is about to be released? Do they gather police reports to look for drivers accused of road rage and then offer them a job? Maybe they watch TikTok videos of “Karens” in action and then offer them managerial positions. When cable first came to my hometown of Pawling in the early 1980s, it Signed, sealed, and delivered BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEE DUMAS PAGE 13
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 Hole 8 Pool Hole 18 Hole 11 Hole 12 1060 Oregon Road | Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 (914) 734-1500 | [email protected] GolfHollowBrook.com There’s Something for Everyone at Hollow Brook Golf Club. World-class golf on one of Westchester’s most spectacular golf courses with tournaments and season-long competitions. Family activities including Couples Golf, Junior Golf, Summer Camps and Kids Golf Clinics, Pool and Social Events. For even more value, your children aged 10 or under can play golf with you FOR FREE! From the moment you arrive at Hollow Brook, you’ll know you’re in for something special. Contact us today to learn about our New Member Program. Join Now for 2024 and Pay No Initiation! DUMAS FROM PAGE 12 was a game changer. First of all, we no longer had to go up on the roof to jiggle the antennae to get a clearer picture. We also got a lot more channels than the traditional over-the-air 2 through 13 (of which about half were viewable without static). Now, we had all this new programming on the Learning Channel, the History Channel, TBS, TNT, MTV and so much more. It was a beautiful thing. I think our bill back then was something like $7.99 a month and you could throw in HBO or Showtime for a couple extra bucks. Nonetheless, my father was outraged and constantly groused about the cost of cable TV, always threatening to get rid of it. If he was alive today and saw my cable bill, he would roll over in his grave. One of the things that came along with all those new cable stations was the advent of the home shopping networks. Probably the most famous one is actually known as Home Shopping Network or HSN. Then there is QVC, which in case you didn’t know, stands for Quality Value Convenience. I’ve ordered from QVC. While the quality and value can vary, the convenience is breathtaking. One night, in my old apartment, I somehow managed to knock my TV off its stand and break the screen. I remembered seeing QVC advertising a TV similar to the one I’d just destroyed. They were offering payment plans—it was like a credit card, only without the interest. So, I quickly hopped online and went to the QVC website to see if they were still offering the deal. They were. I ordered one using the installment plan and paid a little extra for overnight shipping. I had a new television in less than 16 hours after I broke the first one and I never left my house. That’s convenient. But going back to cable TV in the ’80s, I was so impressed by what these shopping channels were doing, that I wrote a column about it. I was the managing editor of the Pawling News-Chronicle and part of my job responsibilities was to write a weekly column. Mine was called Terminal Wit and it was similar to this one in that it was a satirical slice-of-life piece with plenty of self-deprecating humor. I wrote how amazing these channels were—I called them “talking catalogs.” I noted how they sold just about everything from jewelry to kitchen appliances, from food to clothing and electronics and cheekily noted that we were getting to the point where we wouldn’t need to leave the house anymore. Since this was about 10 years before the proliferation of home computers and the advent of the World Wide Web, I was sort of prophetic when you think about it. Although those cable shopping networks aren’t a big part of the picture anymore, between food-delivery apps, grocery shopping/delivery services, home laundry services, and Amazon Prime, you truly don’t have to leave your house anymore, especially if you work from home. I am living proof. Due to my health misadventures, I haven’t been able to drive for nearly two years. These services have kept me alive. Unless, of course, you feel as though you need to just get outside for some of the sun’s vitamin D. And even then, you can always take supplements for that. More pharmacies have prescription delivery services now (I use one) and they will be happy to toss in a jar of vitamins for you.) Most of these delivery apps have been around for a while, but they really made their bones during the pandemic when no one was going out to restaurants. But even with the end of the pandemic, people still are turning to companies like Grub Hub, Door Dash, and Uber Eats for dinner. Friday night is Grub Hub night in the Dumas household. Since I live right on the Mahopac/Yorktown border, I can choose between eateries in both towns, including everything from fast food (Chipotle!) to small-town pub food like Mahopac Inn. They even get it right most of the time despite Grub Hub’s faulty GPS that they burden their drivers with. For some reason, it just doesn’t seem to work on the road I live on. You can follow the path of the driver on an online map and inevitably I will watch the little cartoon car swoosh by my driveway, causing me to scream at my monitor, “Nooooo!” At that point, I have to call them and hope they speak English. But usually, I can talk them through it. And no matter what happens, no matter how frustrated I get, I try to praise them, tip well, and leave a good review. Most of these folks work hard and really need the money. It is not an easy job and I am just thankful they exist. I am particularly fond of Instacart— the company that does my grocery shopping and delivery. Would I rather be there in person so I could select my own cuts of meat, my own produce, and direct the deli person how I want my cold cuts sliced? Of course, I would. But I don’t live in that world anymore. Without Instacart, I don’t know if I could live independently. I’ve been using Instacart for about three years now and have to admit they get it right about 95 percent of the time. And, again, I always tip well and leave a five-star review. The only time I didn’t was more out of concern for my shopper’s health and whether he should even be doing this job. It was a very hot, muggy day last August when this happened. I saw the car pull into the driveway and then went about doing something else. About 10 minutes later, I realized no one had come to the door yet, so I looked out the window and gasped at what I saw. The delivery guy was about 5-foot-7 and probably close to 400 pounds. I am not kidding; that’s not hyperbole. His skin was an angry pink. His crop of dirty blonde hair was flat, wet, and lifeless, his giant rugby shirt was soaked through, top SEE DUMAS PAGE 14
PAGE 14 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 85 Myrtle Avenue, Mahopac, NY 10541 845-628-7500 • www.pineg rovecou ntrydayscho ol .com Certified by NYS Department of Education/NYS Department of Social Service • Infant (6weeks - 12 months) • Wobbler/Toddler (12-36 months) • Preschool (3-5 yrs) • Pre-K (older 4’s) • Before & After School (5-12 yrs) Now accepting CAMP REGISTRATION for Summer 2024! Now accepting CAMP REGISTRATION for Summer 2024! to bottom, with perspiration. He stood in the middle of the sidewalk tightly gripping two paper grocery bags to his chest. One of the bags had broken open and a few nonfood items had fallen out. The second bag was close to doing the same. He finally made it inside and sort of just plunked the bags on the floor. He was wheezing like a punctured truck tire as he bent over and put his hands on his knees. “Oh, my God! Are you all right?” I gasped. I’m not used to being the healthiest person in the room. He waved me off and then proceeded to make two more trips to his car gasping for air the entire time and turning redder by the minute. I was sure a 911 call was in my future. Fortunately, he survived, and I was glad for that. But my heart went out to him and while I’ve never had him as a shopper again, I think about that day sometimes and I hope he’s found his path. That being said, I still wasn’t fond of having a bunch of my groceries strewn about the front lawn. The other day, I broke the carafe from my coffeemaker. I was immediately traumatized. If you know me at all, you know it’s not a good idea to leave me uncaffinated for any extended period of time. I logged onto Amazon and found the carafe I was looking for and ordered it through my Prime account. They said I would have it by 4 the next day. So, the next morning, I used Grub Hub to get breakfast from McDonald’s, including a couple of cups of coffee to bridge the gap. The carafe showed up a few hours later. There used to be an app called Drizely that would deliver alcohol from local liquor stores, but it went out of business. So, I still have no way to get a nice bottle of wine if I spontaneously need one. It’s an American tragedy. Does anyone have any ideas? As you ponder, remember what I said several times earlier. I’m a good tipper. Bob Dumas is editor at large for Halston Media. He enjoys a good cabernet and occasionally a little tequila. If you would like to yell at him or praise him, you can reach him at [email protected]. DUMAS FROM PAGE 13 Dear Dr. Linda, I’m in my second year of teaching, and I teach the second grade. Teaching vowels is one of the most challenging parts of my job. I’ve had many courses on the history of education and educational theories, but I never had a course simply on how to teach vowels. My master’s degree is in teaching math, so that’s not helping. I don’t think I ever had a course on any of this. What do you recommend I do? -Elissa Dear Elissa, I’m going to give you a quick course on vowels. Hopefully, this will help you get started. Then, go online and find a more detailed book on vowels. Vowels in a Nutshell • Every word in the English language is made up of the 26 letters in the alphabet. 21 of the 26 letters are called consonants. The five (5) letters, a, e, i, o, u, are called vowels. Sometimes, Y and rarely W act as vowels. • Every word and every syllable in the English language must have at least one vowel. • The vowels’ sounds depend on where they appear in letter patterns. Sometimes vowels make a short sound, a long sound, and sometimes a different sound. • Short vowels are usually followed by consonants, which shorten their sound. For example, cat, egg, pig, hot, nut. • The sound of short vowels are as they sound in the above words. • Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) pattern is the most common pattern. It is formed when a vowel appears between two consonants. • Vowel-Consonant-E Pattern (VCE) is a common pattern in which a vowel is followed by a consonant and consonant is followed by a final e. In this pattern, the vowel sound is long (it sounds like its name) and the e is silent. For example, cake, Pete, time, hope, cube. • Vowel digraphs are two vowels together. The first vowel is long and the second is silent. This jingle is often used to remember the rule. “When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.” • In R-Controlled vowels, the vowel is followed by an “r” and the sound of the vowel is changed. For example, car, flower, bird, corn, turtle. • Diphthong patterns is when two vowels blend together to form a totally new single sound. For example, “oi” as in coin, “oy” as in boy, “oo” as in goose, “aw” as in aw/ful, “ew” as in chew. • The letters “y” and “w” are usually consonants, but sometimes they act as vowels. For example, by, hap/py, myth, claw. Hope this gets you started. -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the authors of “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids,” available on Amazon and at stronglearning.com. Vexed by vowels? DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 15 I n recent years many major banks have become more restrictive on how they will allow accounts to be opened and the title of said accounts. For example, many clients have advised that some large banks will not allow accounts for a trust to be opened where there are two or more CoTrustees. They also have decided not to honor a Power of Attorney that requires the agents to act together even though it is explicitly permitted by law. I recently personally experienced a major bank not being able to title an account in trust for three children in each of their names … “in equal shares per stirpes.” Thus, allowing that if a child did not survive the owner of the account that the child’s share would be distributed to their surviving “issue,” being, children and/or grandchildren, outright, in equal shares. I was advised by the bank officer that their computer system did not permit the designation… “in equal share per stirpes” to be entered. When I explained to the bank officer that without such a designation being made, if a child did not survive the account owner, their share may not go to their children, but to their “estate” or to their surviving siblings, I was advised that on the death of the account owner, the issue of account beneficiaries would be handled by the bank’s… “decedent processing team.” This did not give me a great deal of comfort, especially since the client wanted the account to pass to her bloodline and not to the spouses of her children. She was concerned that if the account only went to her surviving children, there was no guarantee they would give a pre-deceased child’s share to his or her children surviving. Interestingly, I have not encountered these issues with the smaller regional banks that we work with or brokerage firms. They regularly open the accounts titled the way the client wishes, if legally permissible. In conclusion, as I have said many times, the details are very important and clearly when opening an “in trust for” or “payable on death” account at a large bank, the details are critical. Anthony J. Enea is the managing partner of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, N.Y. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He is also fluent in Italian. He can be reached at 914-948-1500 or a.enea@ esslawfirm.com. Titling of an ‘In Trust for’ account at a large bank may pose a challenge! FOCUS ON ELDER LAW ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER Interestingly, I have not encountered these issues with the smaller regional banks that we work with or brokerage firms.’ -Anthony J. Enea, managing partner Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP
PAGE 16 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 The Creationby Joseph Haydn ADULTS $25 STUDENTS/SENIORS $20 Children under 12 FREE TICKETS: putnamchorale.org or at the door featuring the Putnam Chorale, orchestra, and soloists: MARIA BREA • SOPRANO VALERIAN RUMINSKI • BASS BLAKE FREIDMAN • TENOR jason tramm music director 845.520.7574 Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Planning Medicaid Applications Guardianships Probates Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 We make home & hospital visits Contact the team today! (845) 621-8640 I f you weren’t aware there was a Presidential primary in New York last week, you were in good company. April 2 was Presidential primary day in New York. I arose at 4:30 a.m. that morning to serve as an election inspector in my hometown of Bedford. The work day started at 5 a.m. to prepare for a 6 a.m. opening. If I told you there was a steady trickle of voters, I would be exaggerating. The polls closed 15 hours later at 9 p.m. During that time, my election coworker and I assisted nearly 20 voters, or about 2% of those eligible to vote. Many of those intrepid voters were shaking their heads at the futility of the exercise while at the same time feeling a civic duty to participate. The two presidential candidates’ competitors had all folded their tents weeks or months ago, waving the white flag. The nearly nonexistent turnout gave me a lot of time to wonder if this was the best use of time and resources. Although it was a long day, I enjoyed my time as an election inspector. In addition to doing my civic duty, it gave me a better appreciation for the democratic process and the security of the election process. But why do we need to have a Presidential primary when the outcome is already a foregone conclusion? Sources in the know told me that upwards of $4 million of Westchester taxpayer money was spent to conduct the primary on behalf of two political parties that bear none of the expense. Nearly a third of Westchester taxpayers are not enrolled in a political party, yet their tax dollars go towards a primary that they can’t even participate in. Shouldn’t the parties themselves pay for the cost of conducting a partisan primary rather than taxpayers? If they had to foot the bill, the process would undoubtedly be different. For this primary, approximately 25 early voting locations were open for 10 days leading up to election day. On election day, over 300 polling places were staffed by nearly 1,000 election workers. All of this to collect ballots from less than 3% of the parties’ registered voters. Remember, independents don’t get to vote in primaries. That’s a discussion for another day. But why do we need so many locations to collect so few votes? A couple of thoughts to save significant money. First, limit the number of polling places. Just use the 25 early voting locations on election day too, rather than opening hundreds of polling sites. It’s not like there’s going to be a traffic jam at any of them. Early voting in New York, by the way, has not demonstrated any increase in voter turnout. Second, as an alternative, have the vote on a Saturday or over a weekend like they do in Virginia. In Virginia, they conduct what are known as “firehouse” primaries. They are not actually conducted at firehouses, but they are conducted at a limited number of locations. Primaries in Virginia are paid for and administered by the parties. Makes sense. While we are reforming things, let’s take a look at the entire Presidential primary process. What is the point of the charade of zombie primaries in the vast majority of states after the winners have already been decided? The zombie primaries elect the only candidate standing in each party who will in turn pick their own delegates to represent them at a convention. Those delegates are bound by law to vote for the candidate that picked them at a party convention to be held in the summer. The vast majority of primary voters across the country will have no say in who their candidate is for president. What is the point of a summer convention when the outcome is already decided? As an alternative, why don’t we elect unbound delegates and send them to a convention to listen to speeches, attend meetings with potential candidates and eventually select the best candidate. That was the way the party conventions used to work. Instead of the candidates themselves, the delegates on the ballot would be respected party members like elected officials, town and county chairs, involved individuals, etc. With the two current presidential nominees, there is a significant risk that something happens between now and the summer, which would dramatically change the electability of the respective candidates. Yet the parties are stuck with them under the current system. A true political convention is a much better alternative than the current system that depends on three states, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, to select a presidential candidate. This year’s process has been a shining example of a broken system. We can do better. We have to do better. A look at New York’s zombie Presidential primary DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT To advertise in Mahopac News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17 I n what world do neighbors both help each other and take potshots at each other? In the wacky, weird, wild world of social media, that’s where. Let’s take a trip next door and listen in on what our friends Mom + Pop Culture are saying about how social media world brings out the best – and the not so best – in people. Mom + Pop Culture are a couple of real characters. They could be you, or me, or your in-laws, or the people next door you stopped talking to around the same time social media became the preferred means of miscommunication and misinformation and antagonizing each other at the slightest provocation. POP (pointing in no particular direction): Mom, what is that thing they’re doing over there? MOM: Over where, Pop? POP: You know, that thing they’re doing on the road into town, on that empty lot with the earth movers. MOM: Can you be any less specific? POP: You don’t know what’s going on there, what’s going up? You’re usually Miss Know-It-All. I’m disappointed. MOM: Why don’t you try asking the gossip mavens who hang around that Picket Fence virtual community? I bet they know. POP: You think so? MOM: Even if they don’t know, they’ll speculate away till the cows come home. POP: That’s what Picket Fence is for – speculation! MOM: Otherwise known as idle gossip. POP: That’s OK by me. MOM: You know the dictionary definition of “speculation,” Pop? POP: I’m sure I’m about to find out. MOM: “The forming of a theory without firm evidence.” First cousin to fake news. POP: Don’t be such a buzzkill. Speculation is the new national pastime. You’re just not curious enough is your problem. I want to know what’s happening in my backyard, thank you very much. MOM: So do I, but I don’t see the need to run to Picket Fence to question everything I drive by in my daily travels. When I need to know, I’ll know. POP: Well, that’s you, but not everybody is you. Besides, what else are you so busy doing that you can’t take time to stay informed? MOM: Reading. Volunteering. Making myself useful. And I think you meant to say “to stay misinformed.” Why do people think they’ll get accurate information on Picket Fence when they’re asking something that is best addressed by an authority on whatever you are trying to find out. Some people who respond to your question may have good information. Others who respond may not. But that doesn’t stop the people who don’t know from offering an opinion. POP: Who’s an authority? MOM: Contact local law enforcement if you’re curious about police activity you’ve seen that concerns you. Someone on Picket Fence who apparently received a police alert about nearby activity went to Picket Fence to ask for details instead of asking the police. It’s as if they were purposely avoiding getting information from the source. POP: Go figure. MOM: Or try contacting a business directly to ask about their discount coupon policy instead of expecting the “wisdom of the crowd” to give you a 100% correct answer. POP: What you’re conveniently overlooking, dearest, is all the wonderful ways people on Picket Fence help each other rate and find valuable services, seek advice, and offer peer recommendations to each other. MOM: Yes, that’s true, although you have to admit it’s fascinating how even the most innocuous request for advice on any given topic can quickly devolve into people shaming and insulting and sniping at each other. POP: Some people are born troublemakers. Nothing new there. MOM: And it definitely helps to have a healthy skepticism about those peer reviews of restaurants and other places where the reviewer seems intent on bashing someone’s hard-earned livelihood. POP: For instance…? MOM: A person’s bad experience in a restaurant, or wherever, isn’t always cause for a scorchedearth diatribe using inflammatory words like “disgusting” or “dishonest” or other words people casually toss around to vent frustration as they bang away at a keyboard that seems powered by high-grade vitriol. Odds are the actual experience was not as awful or intolerable as they make it sound. POP: Or maybe it was. MOM: OK, and what about the passersby on Picket Fence who see the post and can’t resist piling on to the complainer’s The wonderful world of social media Mom + Pop Culture talk about the people next door SEE APAR PAGE 18 BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG “A Hidden Gem…” –Westchester Magazine 100 Route 202 • Lincolndale, NY 10540 • (914) 245-5588 www.anglebrookgc.com • [email protected] Be a Member for a Day, Book Your Event Today! For All Your Catering Needs Banquets, Receptions & Golf Outings Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Graduations Small & Large Conference Rooms Spectacular Setting with Fine & Casual Dining Options Reduced Membership Rates Private club available for non-member functions
PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 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. 2023 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. I n the brilliant Netflix documentary “Turning Point,” there is a bone chilling account of a late-night phone call in 1979 to President Carter’s National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski. Brzezinski is informed that 200 Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles are headed to the United States. Moments later, a second call corrects the first, suggesting the number is in the thousands. Understanding the significance of what is about to happen, Brzezinski decides to not wake his wife but, rather, to let her die in her sleep. But no one dies; soon after those phone calls, it is discovered that a 49-cent chip malfunction was to blame for this false alarm. Tragedy is averted. In the years since, three similar false alarms on our side and at least one on the Soviet side have been revealed. We came close to the annihilation of the planet, all because of fluke malfunctions. Had we been plunged into World War III, would it have been because of chance (a fluke malfunction) or because it was our destiny? Some would argue that either way it would be due to fate, not chance. I am sure you have heard the expression, “it was his time” when someone passed away unexpectedly. Humans have long comforted themselves against the emotional impact of sad events by suggesting that it was a product of forces way beyond our control. No sense fretting about it, it was fate. On the other side of the ledger are those who believe that things regularly happen without rhyme or reason. Fate and chance are conflicting views that have been debated for centuries. Fate suggests that our lives are predetermined and that everything happens for a reason. Chance argues that life is predominantly random and unpredictable. Both perspectives have roots in ancient philosophical and religious beliefs, and each has implications for how we understand the world and our place in it. The concept of fate can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology, where the gods were believed to control the destinies of mortals. The idea of a predetermined fate has persisted throughout history. Many cultures have believed in some form of divine intervention or cosmic plan that guides the course of our lives. In this view, events unfold according to a predetermined script, and free will is merely an illusion. Proponents of the fate concept argue that there is a higher purpose or plan behind even the seemingly most random occurrences. On the other hand, the notion of a chaotic universe challenges the idea of a predetermined fate and emphasizes the role of randomness and unpredictability in our lives. This theory suggests that often events occur without any inherent purpose or design, and that the outcome of any given situation is simply the result of a series of random variables. This view rejects the notion of a grand plan or divine intervention and, instead, emphasizes the role of probability and statistical likelihood in shaping our experiences. The debate between fate and chance raises fundamental questions about the nature of reality and the extent of human agency. If fate is real, our lives are essentially predetermined, and our Fate versus chance The age-old debate continues original post with comments like, “Oh, that is so wrong!” or “I’ve never eaten there and now never will.” POP: Do you blame them for reacting that way? MOM: Yeah, I do, if they are not familiar with either the flame-thrower who started the thread or with the business that is being torched. There needs to be sensible moderation. POP: And who is the Moderator, you? MOM: The Moderator is Rationality. Empathy. Exercising sober restraint from getting sucked up into someone else’s psychodrama, and rushing to judgment when you were not even there to witness first-hand whatever happened. You’re getting a totally one-sided story, and every picket fence has two sides. Without having all the facts at our disposal before casting knee-jerk aspersions on others, we too easily can become like the bloodthirsty lynch mob in The Ox-Bow Incident. POP: I didn’t hear about that. Was it on the news? MOM: You can look it up for yourself. Until then, I’ll leave you hanging. Bruce Apar is a writer, community volunteer and actor. He will appear in the Ariane One-Act Festival April 12-14 at Philipstown Depot Theatre in Garrison in “The Beauty of Numbers.” For more information, contact him at 914-275-6887 (text or voice) or [email protected]. APAR FROM PAGE 17 JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 19
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 MARTORANO FROM PAGE 18 choices and actions are merely illusions playing out according to a predetermined script. If chance is the prevailing force in the universe, then our lives are the product of random occurrences, and our destinies are shaped by the roll of dice. One of the key principles at play is the matter of moral and legal responsibility. If our actions are predetermined by fate, is it fair to hold individuals accountable for their actions? Conversely, if life is governed by chance, how can we make sense of concepts like justice and fairness in a world where random accidents and coincidences shape our lives? Another ripple effect of the fate versus chance debate is its impact on our sense of identity and purpose. If our lives are predetermined by fate, then what is the significance of individual agency and personal growth? On the other hand, if chance rules the universe, then how can we find meaning and purpose in a world that seems chaotic and devoid of meaning? Ultimately, the conflict between these two philosophical points of view is one between order and chaos, determinism and indeterminism, and control and surrender. Each perspective offers a different way of understanding (and accepting) the complexities of existence and the mysteries of the universe. While fate provides a sense of comfort and security in the belief that everything happens for a reason, chance offers what many consider a more liberating and unpredictable view of life. In the final analysis, I find flaws in both views. I suggest that, at its best, the proposition that chance (chaos) rules the universe can teach us to approach important events in our lives with a sense of curiosity and openness, rather than fear and resignation. And, by embracing the inherent complexity and unpredictability of existence, we can learn to appreciate the richness and diversity of the universe, as well as the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our current understanding. But it must be stated that, at its worst, the idea of chance being the sole arbiter in the direction of our lives is profoundly defective. The theory overlooks the role of human agency and decision-making in shaping events. While chaos may exist in certain systems, our ability to make choices and influence outcomes suggests a level of control and order not accounted for solely by focusing on chance. Let me provide an example. During the earlier period of the Cold War, as referenced at the beginning of this essay, we indeed lived during perilous times. In the 1970s and 80s, due to freak malfunctions on at least four occasions, the world came perilously close to destroying itself. Some would claim it was because of fate, others would say it was due to the vagaries of chance that we found ourselves on the brink of a catastrophic end of civilization. One of the most instructive cases occurred on Sept. 26, 1983. Soviet Col. Stanislav Petrov was stationed at Serpukhov-15, the secret command center of the Soviet Union’s early warning system, located just outside of Moscow. His role was to monitor the system for incoming missile threats and report any detection to his superiors. On that day, the early warning system indicated the United States had launched an attack on the Soviet Union. The alarms sounded loudly, and the computers confirmed an imminent attack. The protocol was to report this to superiors so they could immediately order a retaliatory strike, which would involve thousands of missiles being deployed with an all but certain result. But, given his experience, instinct and intelligence, Petrov decided that this alarm was a mistake. He was correct. The false alarm had been triggered by a rare alignment of sunlight on highaltitude clouds and the satellites’ orbits, a combination that the system interpreted falsely as a missile launch. It wasn’t fate or chance but Petrov’s human agency, involving intuition, intelligence and decisive action, that saved the planet. While the debate between fate versus chance invites us to explore the balance between order and chaos, control and surrender, and the interconnectedness of all things in the unfolding journey of our personal narrative, we must always be reminded that there are other forces at play, most notably our ability to make choices. We are not chained to a future dictated by a predetermined plan or powerless, adrift in a sea of chaos. We can and do make a difference. Certainly Col. Stanislav Petrov did. 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PAGE 20 MAHOPAC NEWS – APGet This NewsOn YourAlways Stay InforInvolving YOUR iPhone Scan Here Get OuAFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 Same-Day Roll-Off Container Delivery Available 10-yard • 12-yard • 15-yard 20-yard • 30-yard CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE cironeconstruction.com The Mahopac Middle School Theater Company put on a headline-grabbing show last month with “Newsies Jr.” a Disney musical inspired by New York City’s newsboy strike of 1899. With a big and talented cast, amazing sets, and an incredible crew behind the scenes, they told the story underdog kids who stood up to the powers that be. The Newsies Jack Kelly: Alana Ziegelhofer, Crutchie: Mikaela Polanco Cartmill, Davey: Katie Natoli, Les: Ryan Davis, Spot Colon: Diana Tsantakis, Albert: Rylee Kroell, Pigtails: Kiley Mower, Race: Alyssa Pace, Hazel: Olivia Tani, Jo Jo: Silvia Mota, Romeo: Giuliana Melendez, Nancy: Camryn Healey, Muriel: Alexa DeGiorgio, Buttons: Katie Conelli, Tommy Boy: Maddy Bucci, Spees: Emma Aquilino, Scab 1: Milena Stepinac, Scab 2: Emma Conelli, Scab 3: Meghan Crowe, Others: Autumn Arias, Jack Blauer, Giavonna Calauti, Isabella Campos, Abigail Cooper, Brynlee Davis, Sofia Delfino, Daniela Flores, Juliette Gojcaj, Ava Guzzo, Madison Kehayas, Cameron Mahoney, Leila Marano, Sophia Marston, Teagan McEnaney, Kaijana MeLean, Giuliana Meyerson, Bridget Morione, Sabrina Servedio, Laura Svreek Citizens of New York Katherine Plumber: Anabella Mota, Joseph Pulitzer: Matthew Frissora, Medda Larkin: Elizabeth Hernandez, Wiesel: Cait Fenster, Oscar Delancey: Emma Shmulewitz, Morris Delancey: Timothy Theanthong, Darcy: Trista Leone, Bunsen: Thomas Theanthong, Hannah: Olivia Martinez, Seitz: Charlotte Travis, Snyder: Donovan Mosely, Police Chief/Bill: Annica Razukiewiez, Ada: Brynlee Davis, Ethel: Kaijana McLean, Olive: Giavonna Calauti, Bowery Brigade: Autumn Arias, Bowery Brigade: Sabrina Servedio, Pat: Sofia Delfino, Teddy Roosevelt: Jack Blauer, Dorothy: Isabella Campos, Woman: Giuliana Meyerson Police: Matthew Frissora, Elizabeth Hernandez, Olivia Martinez, Thomas Theanthong, Charlotte Travis Working Children: Cait Fenster, Juliette Gojeaj, Ava Guzzo, Madison Kehayas, Donovan Mosely Crew and more Dance Captains: Ava Guzzo and Silvia Mota Set Painting: Mikayla Bermeo, Mareline Canahui Javiel, Dominick DiBattista, Emily lelpi, Emma Mazzella, Hanna Misiag. Lily Torres, Liliana Torsiello Stage Crew: Ethan Aryeh, Ellen Caraher, Sara DiNardi, Audrey Hanlon, Lyndsey Knapp, Zoe Leviner, Marin Ljumic, Ashley Pearsall, Amanda Sanchez, Jaylee Tenenpaguay, Aiden Vettoretti Tech Crew: Brianna Arturo, Luke Langtry, Devin Loby, Allion Thoma, Sean Wynter ‘Newsies’ makes headlines at MMS
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BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Two games: one hit, one walk, no runs, two wins. Wolf Pac pitcher Ava Lichtenberger’s senior campaign has gotten off to a dominant start as Mahopac tallied two shutout wins to begin its 2024 campaign. On Monday, Lichtenberger’s no-hitter eclipsed a huge day at the plate for the Wolf Pac, who pounded Horace Greeley 14-0 in their home opener. Lichtenberger didn’t allow a walk and struck out 11 over five innings. One Greeley runner reached on an error to prevent the perfect game. “Ava Lichtenberger was on fire,” said coach Julia Walpole. “She has a few pitches in her repertoire, and her curveball has been working very well. Her control with all her pitches is keeping hitters off balance.” At the plate, Mahopac started fast and never looked back, scoring seven runs in the first, four in the second, one in the third, and two in the fourth inning. The team pounded out 16 hits in just four innings. “The offense was balanced up and down the lineup,” Walpole said. “Sam Ereditario had a single and triple for 2 RBIs, Bella Genovese had a single and double and an RBI, and Alex Weiss had an RBI double—but everybody played well. Before taking the field, the team got together to watch the eclipse. “The energy was high and everybody had fun,” Walpole said. “It was a good day.” While the numbers against Greeley were staggering, Mahopac’s opening win on the road against Fox Lane showed the team could grind out a result. The 3-0 shutout over the Foxes was powered by Lichtenberger— who carried a no-hitter into the seventh and threw a complete game one-hitter with 16 Ks and one walk—and her batterymate Lafaro, who drove in a run and made a key pickoff throw to erase an early threat. Lichtenberger—who personally outhit Fox Lane with a single and a double at the plate—spent most of the game protecting a slender lead. After leadoff hitter Ereditario scored in the top of the first, Mahopac clung to a 1-0 advantage before adding single runs in the sixth and seventh. “As a leader on the field, Ava was able to remain focused and secure the win against the Foxes,” Walpole said. Mahopac scattered nine hits, two for extra bases. Ereditario went 2-4 with a double and 1 run scored; Camdyn Wilson (1-3 with a run and a walk), Genovese (1-4 with a run scored), Alenah Gomes (2-3, RBI), and Lafaro (1-2 with an RBI and a walk) also contributed to the scoring. The tight scoreline made Lafaro’s second-inning pickoff throw, which erased a threat after Foxes third baseman V. Bodine drew a walk with the game still at 1-0, all the more crucial. “Gianna made a great throw to pick off a runner to end a late-inning threat,” Walpole said. The senior captain said the play was about awareness and teamwork. “The throw down made me feel amazing. I saw an opportunity and knew I needed to take it,” Lafaro said. “That runner was the first out of the inning and I feel that that excitement carried throughout the rest of the game. Shout-out to (second baseman) Emma Behun for being heads up and helping make the play.” The Foxes wouldn’t have another baserunner until the seventh when J. Kerwar bunted for Fox Lane’s only hit. “It was great to watch Goose come out so strong to start the season,” Lafaro said of Lichtenberger’s near no-no. “Catching her for three years, this was her best performance. [I’m] only hoping for better games in the future.” Lichtenberger—who threw 66 of her 96 pitches for strikes— said she was happy to start her senior campaign with a victory. “Coming off of a tough end to last season it was a great feeling to come out strong and get a win for our first game,” she said. “It felt really good to have a strong day on the mound as well as at the plate to help my team.” Winning close games on the road is never easy; for a new coach and a team coming off a 7-12 record in 2023, was both a milestone and a potential sign of good things to come. Then came Monday’s dominance. “I’m very proud of these girls for our first two showings,” Walpole said. “I am very excited to see how we progress throughout the rest of the season.” Sports PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Lichtenberger no-hits Greeley as Pac go to 2-0 Mahopac explodes for 14 runs in home opener Catcher Gianna Lafaro had a big game at the plate. PHOTO: AMY MENASCHÉ SOFTBALL 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 5/31/24 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 5/31/24 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team Mahopac pitcher Ava Lichtenberger (2-0) has allowed just one hit in two games so far this season. PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIELLE FLEMING Mahopac picher Ava Lichtenberger, seen in earlier action, threw a no-hitter on Monday against Horace Greeley. PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA WALPOLE
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 23 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! ENJOY 0 DOWN, 0% FINANCING! ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! LIMITED TIME OFFER 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com Heat pumps are a cleaner and healthier alternative to traditional heating AND cooling systems. This all in one system will eliminate your need for fossil fuel and help you save thousands. Learn more about rebates & financing options! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT • EXP 4/30/24 Coupon must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES CALL US TODAY! Keep COOL with REBATES from BELL! SAVE THOUSANDS in Federal, State and Local Incentives on your new HEATPUMP PROJECT BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR After being delayed by bad weather, Mahopac’s baseball season got off to a solid start with a pair of decisive wins and one hardfought loss that came with its share of positives. The campaign started on March 26 with a 6-0 blanking at home against Clarkstown North, with Tyler Castrataro (4 innings pitched, 2 hits, 3 hits, 9 Ks) and Jovani Segarra (3 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 6 Ks) combining for 15 strikeouts in the shutout. Offensively, Castrataro, Vince Cataldo, Drew Lichtenberger, DJ DeMatteo, Robert Dusovic, and Nate Mascoll each scored a run, with 2 RBIs apiece coming from Casey Brandstetter, Cataldo, and Lichtenberger (who homered). The Wolf Pac followed that up with a strong 6-2 road win last Friday (April 5) at Hendrick Hudson. Starter Robert Keller did the business on the mound and at the plate, driving in three runs while allowing just one hit over 6 innings of scoreless 11-strikeout ball. “Robert Keller was the man today,” coach Anthony Nappi said after the game. “Six innings, 9 Ks, 1 hit and he also had 2 hits and 3 RBIs.” Keller said he felt confident going to the mound, especially throwing to battery mate DJ DeMatteo. “When I was warming up in the bullpen all my pitches were working and they all felt really good,” Keller said. “I could tell before the game that I would need to get ahead with my fastball and then use my secondary pitches later in the count, but I also felt confident enough to start off batters with my off-speed pitches.” Me and DJ have a very strong relationship,” Keller added. “He has caught me many times and knows how I like to attack batters and what pitches I like to throw in certain counts.” As for staying focused when going from the mound to the batter’s box, Keller said his approach is the same for both. “When I’m pitching and when I’m hitting, I like to attack early and I don’t wait for the other team to make a move first,” he said. “It’s kinda easy for me to change my focus either when I’m hitting or pitching because it lets me focus on one thing at a time. It helps me to not worry about pitching when I’m hitting and [not worry about] hitting when I’m pitching.” The first half of the game was a pitcher’s duel as Hen Hud’s hurlers kept the Wolf Pac’s bats quiet. Mahopac eventually opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the fourth, adding two more in the fifth and another two in the seventh. With Keller done after six, Chris Sapienza closed out the game in relief notching 3 Ks despite allowing 2 runs. At the plate, DeBrocky (3-4), Lichtenberger, Keller, and Brandstetter had extra-base hits, with Castrataro, Brandstetter, and Mascoll adding an RBI apiece. Anthony Eppolito and Dusovic both scored twice, with Owne Ryan and Nick Tardio adding a run each. “Offensively I think we could’ve been a little better,” Nappi said. “The first half of the game we were a little quiet and didn’t execute in some two-out spots.” Nappi said things started to improve as the hitters became more selective at the plate. “I think our pitch selection initially in the game was uncharacteristically poor,” he explained. “We have been preaching that our lineup is deep and getting 21 outs against us is not going to be easy for anyone, so I think it was Wolf Pac off to strong start Wins over North and Henn Hud followed by tough loss to Foxes Drew Lichtenberger gets ready to lay some lumber on the ball. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTHONY NAPPI BASEBALL SEE BASEBALL PAGE 26
PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Mahopac HS boys lacrosse team got a pair of late goals to send last Wednesday’s game into overtime, but the Pac couldn’t hold the Rebels down in the extra session in a 5-4 loss to Lakeland/Panas at Walter Panas High School. Down two in the fourth, Mahopac got a lift from seniors Danny Koch and Liam Scanlon to send the game into OT. Koch skipped a pass to Scanlon, who scored to cut the deficit to one, before Koch unleashed an underhand shot low that tied the score, with an assist going to Derrick Lorusso. Overtime didn’t go Mahopac’s way. “In overtime, we had a critical mistake that ended up in a turnover going the other way for Lakeland,” coach Jon Bota said. “And they eventually scored the gamewinner. “As a team, we need to make more of a habit of making the right decisions every time,” Bota added. “That way in crunch time it’s all about executing the designed look.” Koch finished with a goal and an assist, and Scanlon, Bryan Margolis, and Cam Hart each had a goal. Lorusso and Liam Jones each had an assist, while keeper Lucas Lambertson stopped nine shots on goal for the Wolf Pac (0-3). Mahopac was set to travel to Somers Friday for a 6 p.m. faceoff and hosts Ridgefield Tuesday (April 16) at 4:30 p.m. Wolf Pac boys fall to Lakeland/Panas in OT Strong comeback forces extra session Danny Bosio (22) battles Lakeland/Panas’ Thomas Kuney. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO Danny Koch (33) chases down a Rebel. LACROSSE NO NEWS... 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! # Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to 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 for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) 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 or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 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
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25 BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER Mahopac HS’s girls lacrosse team picked up its first win of the season last Thursday at home, rolling, 16-6, over Clarkstown North. The Wolf Pac opened their season two days earlier at Albertus Magnus, falling, 14-9. Thursday against North, sophomore midfielder Ashley Koch led the Pac with five goals and two assists, senior Juliana Mangione scored four times and added one assist, and sophomore Gianna Cirelli delivered two goals to go with one assist. Gianna DeVito had a hat-trick and an assist, and Ashley Foran and Brooke Plath each had a goal. Amanda Carey had six saves in net. Two days earlier at Albertus Magnus, Mangione led Mahopac with a hat-trick, and Erin Harney and DeVito each added two goals. Cirelli and Foran each scored one goal, and Carey had nine saves in the cage. “We all showed up, but we were not really ready to go,” coach Amanda Frederick said of the season opener. “Thursday we regrouped, and settled in, and the girls came out with a vengeance—had lost to them by one goal last season in overtime—and I think that was the best I’ve seen us play yet. We capitalized on our opportunities, our defense was solid, and the draws were going our way. We stuck to our skills, and what we know. “And we couldn’t have asked for much more from Ashley,” the coach said of Koch’s seven-point performance. “And Carey had a lot of saves in Tuesday’s loss. She’s a huge part of our defense right now.” Mahopac was scheduled to host Nanuet on April 4 at 11 a.m., and travels to Hen Hud on April 8 for a 4:30 p.m. game. Mahopac girls roll past North Pac rebounds after opening day loss LACROSSE The girls came out with a vengeance —Coach Amanda Frederick Ashley Koch, seen in action last year, had 5 goals and 2 assists against Clarkstown North. PHOTOS: SKIP PEARLMAN Amanda Carey, seen in 2023 action, had a big game in net aginst North. AFC Carmel (next to Starbucks) 1874B US 6, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512 914.380.8588 afcurgentcare.com/carmel M-F: 8am-8pm, S-S: 8am-5pm Don’t let allergies slow you down. We’re open seven days a week with short wait times and flexible hours, ready to provide you and your family with quality seasonal allergy treatment. We can help you spend less time sniffling, and more time doing what you love. FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 60 Years of Excellence 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $50 OFF ANY DEWINTERIZATION— HOSEBIBS, POOL HOUSES AND OUTDOOR SHOWERS INTO ACTION! Spring
PAGE 26 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults www.summertrailsdaycamp.com CURRENTLY HIRING STAFF! CALL FOR A TOUR! 914.245.1776 Robert Keller dominated on the mound and at the plate against Hen Hud in Mahopac’s win last Friday. Tyler Castrataro (1) congratulates Nate Mascoll PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTHONY NAPPI Tyler DeBrocky had a big day at the plate in the Wolf Pac’s win at Hen Hud. just staying in that mindset that we know at any moment we can have a huge inning if we stay disciplined. “I think situationally we could have been a little better where we look to move some runners over in a two-strike count,” he continued. “That’s all mindset, at the end of the day, we have a very tough group of kids and I know they’re going to work their butts off to get that done.” Mahopac was back on the road the following day (April 6) at Fox Lane and built a 3-0 lead before falling 4-3 on a walk-off sacrifice fly. Despite the loss, Nappi saw a lot of positives in the effort. “We went up against what I think is one of the top teams in our class and the best pitcher in our class,” he said. “We had a really good approach against him. We put together some good at-bats and ultimately fell a little short losing on that walk-off sac fly.” DeBrockey and Keller had two hits apiece, while Cataldo went 1-3 with an RBI. Castrataro went 2-2 with a homer, 3 runs, a walk and an RBI and pitched three scoreless innings before allowing 3 runs over 6. Segarra suffered the loss in relief. “This was an extremely well-played game, and ultimately when two good teams play each other, it’s going to come down to a play or two that decides the game,” Nappi said. “We were on the losing end this time, but we aren’t going to hang our heads; we’re ready to get back to work and improve.” BASEBALL FROM PAGE 23 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 [email protected].
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Mahopac’s flag football season is off to a promising start, with the Wolf Pac rolling to a 36-6 win on April 2 over Clarkstown to improve to 3-1. Coach Matt Deiana said his squad has depth and experience with a roster that includes seven seniors, six juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. “We return five starters on offense and five on defense and have a very talented senior class who I expected to make huge strides in their second season playing flag football,” he said. “Our two captains are Faith Poniros and Frankie Bellanco”. Poniros had a huge game against Clarkstown with four touchdowns, a schoolrecord 202 yards rushing on just 10 carries, and a 31-yard punting average. She also made a solid contribution on the defensive side of the ball. “Faith is one of our two returning AllLeague players who has made the change from wide receiver to quarterback as well as is our starting middle linebacker and punter,” Deiana said. “Last year she led our team in receiving yards (550) as well as total tackles (65). She also finished with four interceptions, over 700 total yards, six touchdowns, and averaged 30 yards per punt.” Bellanco, who starts at tight end and outside linebacker, also stepped up against Clarkstown, with four tackles for losses (TFLs) and a rushing touchdown. “Bellanco is tenacious on both offense and defense and gives 110 percent effort at all times,” said Deiana, who noted that even some of the younger members of the squad are coming into 2024 with experience. “Our other returning All-League player is sophomore Gianna Dolan. As a freshman, Gianna finished with 350 receiving yards, 55 total tackles, five Interceptions, and 4 TDs. She has tremendous catching ability and flaggrabbing ability and looks to be an extreme force this season.” Other returning starters include seniors Gianna Fava (running back/cornerback), Isabella Fava (cornerback), Jules Greco (wide receiver/outside linebacker), and Emma DeMuro (center). Gianna Fava had a 60-yard interception return for a TD to go with three tackles. Jules Greco had six tackles (five TFLs) and 78 total yards against Clarkstown. In addition to those established stars, the Wolf Pac has depth with freshman Savannah Preikschat (WR/CB), returning sophomores Anastasia Villani (C/LB), Sophia Camastro (RB/CB) and Maria Garofalo (WR/QB/S), returning junior Andriana DiVincenzo (WR/LB), junior newcomers Caitlin Bell (C/LB), Sydney Hughes (WR/S), Lilah Greco (TE/LB), Aine McGregor (WR/CB) and Nicole Martin (TE/LB) and returning senior Julia Vitello (WR/S). While the strong start is setting a positive tone, Deiana said the team is hoping to maintain that success over the long haul. “Our goal is to improve upon last season, win our league, and contend for a sectional championship,” the coach said. The Wolf Pac was scheduled to host Yonkers (Wednesday, April 10, 4:30 p.m.), Hen Hud (Friday, April 12, 6:30 p.m.), Poughkeepsie (Wednesday, April 13, 4:30 p.m.), and John Jay CR (Wednesday, April 24, 4:30 p.m.). Upcoming road games include Horace Greeley (Monday, April 15, 4:30 p.m.), North Rockland (Friday, April 19, 4:30 p.m.), and Carmel (Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.). Mahopac off to a strong start FLAG FOOTBALL 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SPRING SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 5/31/24 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK! WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 “By promoting our business in Halston’s local newspapers, we have attracted many new customers and it has helped us stay connected to our existing clients. Readers love our monthly specials, and Halston’s staff is always there when we need them.” ~Mary & Ted Kugler Bee & Jay Plumbing & Heating Mahopac Flag Football seniors Isabella Fava, Jules Greco, Frankie Bellanco, Emma DeMuro, Faith Poniros, Julia Vitello, and Gianna Fava. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT DEINIA
PAGE 28 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 On March 13, Mahopac High School put on the 2024 Pops Concert, opening with a performance of “The Mandalorian” by Ludwig Göransson by several Mahopac CSD orchestral groups. Both curricular and extracurricular ensembles performed songs from all across the popular culture spectrum, from “In Sleep He Sang to Me” from The Phantom of the Opera to a medley of songs by Bruno Mars. There was even an appearance by a giant puppet of Mars created by Sean Flanagan’s art class with the guidance of local giant puppet building expert and Austin Road Art Teacher Chris Williams. To check out this incredible performance, which was made possible by student musicians, music staff, and volunteers, visit the Mahopac Central School District’s YouTube page. Article courtesy of Mahopac Central School District Student musicians impress at 2024 Pops Concert PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MAHOPAC CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT www.aonpt.com GOODROW BUILDING 862 Route 6 Mahopac NY 10541 (845) 208-0963 MILL POND OFFICES 293 Route 100 • Suite 107 Somers, NY 10589 (914) 276-2520 BREWSTER 3 Starr Ridge Road Brewster, NY 10509 (845) 279-9288 The Road To Recovery Starts Here
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 29 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. Island nation 7. Platforms 13. Project plan 14. French fishing port 16. South Dakota 17. Oakland’s baseball team 19. Military policeman 20. Ornamental stone 22. Garland 23. Process that produces ammonia 25. Mousses 26. Music notation ‘dal __’ 28. Fail to win 29. Peyton’s little brother 30. Not near 31. Some cars still need it 33. Lizard genus 34. An idiot (Brit.) 36. Postponed 38. African country 40. Gazes unpleasantly 41. In a way, traveled 43. UkraineÕs capital 44. Appropriate 45. Dash 47. Twitch 48. Swiss river 51. Data file with computer animations 53. City in S. Korea 55. Particular region 56. They have eyes and noses 58. Tear 59. Large Madagascan lemur 60. Not out 61. Ornamental saddle covering 64. A driver’s license is one 65. Latin term for charity 67. Rechristens 69. Objects from an earlier time 70. Hindu male religious teachers CLUES DOWN 1. Used as a weapon 2. Yukon Territory 3. Makes a map of 4. An established ceremony prescribed by a religion 5. Unnilhexium 6. Merchant 7. Playing the field 8. Folk singer DiFranco 9. Something to scratch 10. Mexican agave 11. Equal to one quintillion bytes 12. Session 13. North American people 15. Ranches 18. Electroencephalograph 21. A type of compound 24. Avenue 26. High schoolersÕ test 27. A type of meal 30. Gradually disappeared 32. Ancient Frankish law code 35. Popular pickup truck 37. Buzzing insect 38. Deal illegally 39. Lying in the same plane 42. Obstruct 43. Related 46. Challenge aggressively 47. Nocturnal hoofed animals 49. BirdÕs nests 50. Forays 52. __ B. de Mille, filmmaker 54. Title of respect 55. One-time name of Vietnam 57. Self-immolation by fire ritual 59. Private school in New York 62. Political action committee 63. A way to fashion 66. Email reply 68. The Great Lake State PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 03/28/24 Tofu Cauliflower Fried Rice Makes 4 servings 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or ginger paste, divided 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon rice vinegar 1 package (14 to 16 ounces) firm tofu, drained 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 1 yellow or sweet onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1/2 cup frozen peas 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 package (12 oz) frozen cauliflower rice 1 green onion, thinly sliced 1. Whisk soy sauce, 1 tablespoon ginger, sesame oil, brown sugar, and vinegar in small bowl. Place tofu in quart-size resealable food storage bag. Pour marinade over tofu. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Turn to coat tofu with marinade. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. 2. Drain tofu, reserving marinade. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in large skillet over high heat. Add tofu, stir-fry 3 to 5 minutes or until edges are browned. Transfer to bowl. 3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in same skillet. Add yellow onion and carrot; stir-fry 2 minutes or until softened. Add peas, garlic and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger; cook 2 minutes or until peas are hot. Add frozen cauliflower rice and 1Ú4 cup reserved marinade; stir-fry 5 minutes or until heated through. Return tofu to skillet; stir-fry until heated through. Top with green onion. Celebrate the versatility of soy Soyfoods are versatile ingredients in everyday cooking. Soyfoods are enjoyed by those who follow vegetarian and vegan diets, as soy is an excellent non-animal protein source. The different consistencies and textures of soyfoods mean they can replace other ingredients with ease. They also readily take on the flavors of other ingredients. Many Asian-inspired meals rely on soyfoods, including this dish for ‘Tofu Cauliflower Fried Rice’ from ‘Vegan Cooking for Beginners’ (Publications International, Ltd.) by the PIL editors.
PAGE 30 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 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! FACTORY-TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST • CARMEL, NY www.EASTROADMOTORS.com FUN for the Whole Family! FOOD • VENDORS ENTERTAINMENT CARMEL Spring FAIR Has partnered with: The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce brings you the annual Gleneida Ave. between Fair St. & Vink Dr. Sat. May 18th (Raindate Sun. May 19th) 12–4pm VENDORS WANTED! To sign up go to www.mahopaccarmelchamber.com or call 845-628-5553 Theresa L. Wissell Theresa L. Wissell, (a/k/a “Bunny”) 86, of Carmel, N.Y., passed away peacefully at home on March 31, 2024, with her family by her side. Together we said goodbye to this special “Bunny.” She couldn’t have planned her entry into the Lord’s workforce any better than on Easter Sunday. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she was born in the City of New York to Edward and Loretto (McAllister) Ramelkamp on January 2, 1938. She was a graduate of St. Barnabas High School in Bronx, N.Y. Theresa was employed by the Bowery Savings Bank in Manhattan until she married the love of her life, Walter, upon his return from the Navy in 1959. Married for 64 years, Theresa and Walter began their journey of raising seven children: Walter Wissell, Christine Misuraca ( Joe), Kathy Maguire, Theresa Krepil (Keith), Ed Wissell (Alisa), Tom Wissell (Lisa McSpedon) and Jennifer Nygard. Theresa also leaves behind her much loved, cherished, and spoiled 16 grandchildren, Hunter, Joseph, Jenna, Kallen, Michael, Daniel, Dylan, Alexa, Kevin, Ryan, John, Eliana, Emma, Olivia, Hannah, and Ameliah, all of whom she treasured. Theresa is survived by her youngest sister, Anne Marie Reap, several brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, and nieces and nephews who have cherished memories with Theresa. Theresa was predeceased by her parents, sister Joan Greco and sister Mary Coleman. Theresa will be remembered for her devotion to her family and others. She was a devout Catholic with a great devotion to St. Therese and an altruistic person at heart. If she wasn’t caring for her children and grandchildren or volunteering, she was spending her time at either St. John’s the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, or St. James the Apostle in Carmel. Theresa was a Eucharistic Minister and an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She held many offices on both the state and local level for the Catholic Daughters of America for over 40 years. Theresa also enjoyed spending several nights a week volunteering in the gift shop for Putnam Hospital Center. Once her children were grown and she was not running around town, Theresa enjoyed her days decorating the house for every season and holiday and caring for her gardens at the family home. Theresa was always willing to go out of her way to lend a hand, whether babysitting her grandchildren, ironing for the church, baking for a bake sale, shopping and making sandwiches for the homeless, and literally tending to anyone who needed her. Her constant willingness to go the extra mile and her endless love and affection will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in her name to the St. John’s Food Pantry, 221 East Lake Blvd, Mahopac, N.Y. 10541. Services have concluded. Dorothy B. Gornie Dorothy B. Gornie of Shrub Oak, N.Y. passed away on March 26, 2024. She was born on January 31, 1926, to Louis and Matilda Ippolito in Bronx, N.Y. Over her long life, Dorothy worked as a teacher’s aide and bus driver for the Yorktown School District, as well as teaching children about nature and maple sugaring at the B.O.C.E.S Outdoor Education Center. Dorothy loved being Grandma to her many grandchildren, and hosted many Thanksgiving feasts and Fourth of July barbeques complete with her famous potato salad and giant whirlpools in the pool that were legendary. She had a great sense of humor, loved history, and was talented on the sewing machine, repairing countless family garments. Dorothy was a devoted Catholic and was very proud of being one of the founding members of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shrub Oak in 1963, where she served as a member of the Altar and Rosary Society for over 50 years, was a Eucharistic minister, and served on many committees. Dorothy is survived by her loving children: Valerie A. White, Paul J. Gornie III (Theresa), Gwendolyn Briggs (William), John L. Gornie, and Mary Ellen DeRosa, cherished grandchildren William J. Corsa Jr, Jennifer Gama, Kristina Frost, Jon White, Melissa Gornie, Danielle Castaldo, Dorathea Gornie, William, John, and Paul Briggs, Kristie Simmonds, Jessica Sinapi, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Paul J. Gornie Jr, as well as her daughter Linda J. Corsa, sons-in-law William D. Corsa, Gary R. White, and grandson Gary R. White Jr. Services have concluded. OBITUARIES SEE OBITUARIES PAGE 34
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 31 GOLD SPONSORS: PCSB Community Foundation • SILVER SPONSORS: Tompkins Bank • Burke Energy BRONZE SPONSORS: Perrone Family Chiropractic • George Hartshorn Paving • Mahopac Teachers Association Joseph J. Smith Funeral Home • Arthur Avenue Deli • Oldies 98.9 FM - WGNY • d’Berto’s Pizzeria • Mahopac News For more information: visit lakemahopacrotary.org e-mail [email protected] • or call (914) 588-0394 Tickets $40 in advance • $45 at the door Purchase tickets at PCSB Bank (Mahopac), d’Berto’s Pizzeria, Arthur Avenue Deli & Rt 6 Deli Featuring FRIDAY MAY 10TH Mahopac High School 421 Baldwin Place Rd, Mahopac 7PM “Mr. Entertainment” Bobby Brooks Wilson A Rock & Soul The Lake Mahopac Rotary Club presents Spectacular! The Trammps Disco Inferno Hold Back The Night Zing Went The Strings of My Heart The Chiclettes A Tribute to Female Artists Through the Decades Elvis Tribute Artist Richie Santa BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND... A TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER — JACKIE WILSON Higher and Higher Lonely Teardrops To Be Loved That’s Why Show Host Dave Hunter from Oldies WGNY GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! online tickets available on eventbrite.com Search for Lake Mahopac Rotary
PAGE 32 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 53 WE BUY: YEARS! Gold • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Coins Paintings • Bronzes Clocks • Collectibles Antiques • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! Service... Integrity... Compassion Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences. Anthony J. Guarino Family Owned & Operated 945 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, NY 10588 • (914) 962-0700 YorktownFuneralHome.com • [email protected] The honors keep coming in for Mahopac college students. John Hannan was named to the Champlain College dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester, which requires a grade point average of 3.5. Riley Massett of Widener University made the fall 2023 dean’s list, which recognizes students with a GPA of 3.5 and above. Sophia Sciarabba, a freshman, made the Villanova University dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester, which requires a 3.6 grade point average or higher. Does your favorite college student merit recognition? Email their name, school, and honor to MahopacNews@ HalstonMedia.com with “Honor Roll” in the subject line and we will consider them future publication. Honor Roll Young writers from all over the region gathered at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES recently for the Young Authors Middle Level Colloquium. Teachers from districts such as Mount Pleasant, White Plains, and Mahopac led workshops where students refined their writing skills through narrative exercises, poetry activities, and more. Out of 48 middle school students from six different districts, eight were from Mahopac Middle School. The students had all demonstrated a passion for writing. They were able to sign up for two workshops that appealed to them and had a chance to share their writing with the group at the end of the program. “We host a high school-level program as well,” said PNW BOCES Director of Curriculum and Instruction Fred Ende. “It provides a similar structure of workshops and immersive writing experiences. It’s really special for students with a passion for writing to get the chance to connect with other students who share their interests. Giving students a chance to engage like this at the middle school level is rare, and it’s been wonderful to see them explore their passion.” In the Ekphrastic Flash Fiction workshop, run by White Plains Schools’ Coordinator of English 7-12, Douglas Cronk, students were challenged to create vivid descriptions and original stories inspired by visual art. Meanwhile, at the Spontaneous Stories workshop, Mahopac Middle School’s English Language Arts Teacher Karen Haitoff guided students through an exercise in adaptability, allowing their writing to be influenced by random elements printed on comically large custom dice. “There are often only one or two students in a classroom who are really passionate about writing,” Haitoff said. “This gives those students a chance to see that there are others like them. They get to go into an environment full of people who share their passion, they get to see firsthand that they aren’t alone.” During the graphic novels workshop, students like Mahopac Middle School eighth-grader Sofia Dinardi were asked to think about the flow of a story through the lens of comic panels. Along with the other workshop attendees, she was asked to recreate or invent a scene and present it in comic book-style panels. “I decided to recreate a scene from ‘The Fault in Our Stars,’” said Dinardi. “I chose the scene where the main characters are sitting on the bench but I’m going to change it to make a different ending.” At the end of the workshop, students shared a piece of their writing with the other attendees. This brave step is something that many adults might struggle with, but the students took the final challenge in stride, reading narrative pieces, poetry, and stories they had written that day, as well as some writing samples they had brought from home. Mahopac Middle School students invited to writing colloquium PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAHOPAC CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 33 of Buckhollow Road, drew loud applause for chastising the Town Board, “I’ve been to a lot of Town Board meetings with a lot of problems,” he said, pointing at the Town Board. “Never, ever treated like this [by] any Town Board member or any supervisor. It’s disgusting.” After the meeting, Cazzari told Mahopac News he empathized with the people who came to the meeting but maintained that the threat of a lawsuit is real. “I really respect the people who came out in terrible weather and that it is frustrating when we’re unable to openly discuss certain matters,” he said. “I want to express my empathy regarding that. I understand wanting to have their voices heard. The reason we stopped the talk about the battery project is that it could open the town’s taxpayers to costly lawsuits. Let us say that the process goes on and the Planning Board rejects it, the people who are doing the project will sue us. If the process goes through, the people against it will sue us. “I’ve seen it happen,” Cazzari added. “It’s happened with the cell tower, the gun club, and going back to my days in the police department. We recently settled a lawsuit on an arson conviction, in my opinion, because there was a discrepancy in the fire investigator’s report. One wrong word can get you in a lot of trouble... This has nothing to do with how we feel about the project.” Cazzari said it’s important to understand that the Planning Board is independent of the Town Board “There is a process, and the process goes through the Planning Board,” he said. “They’re the ones who make the decision. It’s going to take time; it might take two years to go through the entire approval process, and then it’s up to the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Environmental Board to make a decision. “The approval process is extremely well regulated via Article VII, Chapter 156-61 of the Town Code. Everything is being updated in the master plan that was started before COVID.” BOARD FROM PAGE X9 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! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present This Ad. New Customers Only. Keep the lights on. • GENERATORS • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com Lauren Rosiland attempts to address the Town Board about the the proposed Miller Road battery farm project. Sal Cognetta chastises the Town Board over policy blocking comments on the Battery Farm. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOWN OF CARMEL/YOUTUBE
PAGE 34 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Thomas J. Comins Thomas J. Comins, 79 of Carmel, N.Y., died peacefully on Monday, March 25, 2024. He was born on June 12, 1944, in Newark, N.J., to the late Robert and Ruth Comins. He was raised in Cedar Grove, N.J., and graduated from Newark College of Engineering with a B.S. in electrical engineering. Tom was the beloved husband of Marion and the loving father of Jennifer of Brewster, NY, and Lindsay of Wheat Ridge, Co. Tom is the brother of Bonnie Riviere of NJ and Robert Comins of Ma. The Episcopal service will be held on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at St Luke’s Church, 331 Rte. 100, Somers, N.Y. 10589. Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, Va., 22116-7023 OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 30 Parents have until the end of this week to apply for a chance to enter their children in the Mahopac Central School District’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program. The school board voted to approve the program on March 26 after a contentious debate about its rollout. The district says it’s able to provide free UPK “through State Aid that can only be used for this purpose, which results in no cost to taxpayers.” Information can be found at https://www.mahopac.org/ page/universal-pre-k-upk. Mahopac will provide UPK— free full-day pre-kindergarten—to 148 children selected through a random lottery system; the lottery is necessary because the number of Universal Pre-Kindergarten seats is limited. Children are eligible for UPK if their parent/guardian resides in the Mahopac school district and if the child will turn 4 years of age on or before December 1, 2024 (i.e., eligible for kindergarten in 2025-26). Parents interested in entering the UPK lottery must complete the form available on above webpage. The application process runs through April 12. The district will accept only one form per child and will delete duplicates. On April 15, 9 a.m.,a drawing will be conducted at Mahopac Falls School in the auditorium and will be live-streamed on the district website. Parents are welcome to attend the drawing on this date. All applicants will be notified of whether their child is selected through the lottery or placed on a waitlist. The deadline for UPK Registration for those selected in the lottery. is May 3. UPK will be housed at Mahopac Falls School (100 Myrtle Avenue) and provided by Country Knolls, Healthy Kids Extended Day Program, and the YMCA for the 2024-25 school year. The program runs Monday - Friday from September to June. For more information, visit mahopac.org/page/universalpre-k-upk. There’s still time for Mahopac UPK lottery Application period ends Friday Installation to existing gas lines Safety check On-site tank requirement assessment New customer pricing Automatic delivery Budget payment plans Web portal and mobile app for easy account management 24/7/365 emergency service 1-800-PROPANE Mention Code: 3822 *Offer expires 4/30/2024. Tank installation special applies to standard installation of above-ground tank. Offer applies to new residential customers with a fuel service agreement, subject to credit approval. Customer is responsible for the removal of competitor’s tank. Not to be combined with any other offer or discount. Other restrictions may apply. Valid at participating location only. Call for details. LIMITED TIME OFFER 1-800-776-7263 SWITCH & SAVE! New Suburban Propane automatic delivery customers receive*: FREE PLUS CoveCare Center Please come out to support the community-based mental health and substance use services of CoveCare Center! 2024 Annual Team Spelling Bee May 15th, 5:30 PM Centennial Golf Club, Carmel NY $50 per player dinner included Counseling that Empowers Change Our Bee is the perfect networking and team-building event where groups work together to come up with the correct spelling of words, advancing through more challenging rounds as the night progresses. It's just fun and fundraising for a great cause. 3 Team trophies awarded! To SPONSOR or REGISTER, visit the link below or scan the QR code: covecarecenter.org/2024-spelling-bee/ Special Thanks to Our Amazing Sponsors Sponsors Needed! Your ad could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. Make it to Musings Mahopac Musings is always on the lookout for community events, and we often find them by accident. If you have a fundraiser, drive for donations, non-profit class or performance, meet-up, or anything you think your neighbors would like to know about, submit it to us at [email protected] with “musings” in the subject line. We can’t guarantee that every submission will get in but we’ll do our best.
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 35 LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! YOUR FAMILY CAR CARE CENTER For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating relationships and building a remarkable company with an amazing team JOE FERONE, owner of employees! Visit us at: 128 Route 52, Carmel Shari Zimmerman 845-621-2557 [email protected] Call for a FREE Quote today! RATES GOING UP? New York State has awarded $535,000 to artists and arts organizations in the 40th Senate District with $25,000 going to the Mahopac-based Putnam Arts Council. In a press announcement, New York State Senator Pete Harckham said the $535,000 in state grants will help support 15 different arts organizations in the district he represents. The grants are part of a record level of state funding through the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support over 1,600 organizations and 426 artists statewide. “Funding for the arts enriches the quality of life in our communities in so many ways, and it is also a proven economic multiplier in terms of an investment,” said Harckham. “I truly appreciate and thank the New York Council on the Arts for its strong and steady support of artistic endeavors and the continuous development of local arts groups and artists.” The NYSCA funding is separated into three categories: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, and Special Opportunities—which helps to support apprentices, rehearsal spaces at venues, and performing arts residencies. Here are the recipients in the 40th Senate District Support for Organizations Awards ·Bedford Playhouse: $25,000 ·Bethany Arts Community: $25,000 ·Brewster Theater Company: $15,000 ·Center for Law and Human Values: $40,000 ·Hammond Museum: $30,000 ·Katonah Classic Stage: $15,000 ·Katonah Museum of Art: $40,000 ·KinoSaito Arts Center: $40,000 ·Putnam Arts Council: $25,000 ·Spaces on the Farm: $40,000 ·Taconic Opera: $40,000 ·Westchester Collaborative Theater: $25,000 Support for Artists Awards ·Center for Law and Human Values: $10,000 apiece to visual artists Aisha Bell, Sara Devic and Jaclyn Mendez; $10,000 to filmmaker Carrie Hawks, $10,000 apiece to interdisciplinary artists Alicia Grullon and Nicolás Estévez; $10,000 apiece to composers Logan Figgis-Vizueta and Mobéy Irizarry ·Copland House: $10,000 to support composer Eve Beglarian ·Lewisboro Land Trust: $10,000 to support visual artist Ron Mineo Special Opportunities Awards ·Bethany Arts Community: $35,000 for rehearsal and studio spaces NYSCA preserves and advances the arts and culture while upholding the right of all New Yorkers to experience the vital contributions the arts make to our communities, education, economic development, and quality of life. Created in 1960, NYSCA is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch with a budget approved by the State Legislature. Alan Lutwin, executive director of the Westchester Collaborative Theater (WCT), said, “The members of the Westchester Collaborative Theater, a performing arts company in Ossining, N.Y., wish to express our appreciation to State Senator Pete Harckham and other public officials who were instrumental in helping us secure a New York State Council on the Arts grant this year. Like many non-profit arts organizations throughout the State, WCT struggles to remain solvent in these challenging economic times. The grant funds will go a long way to assuring we can maintain a vibrant artistic footprint in our community.” Pete Harckham represents the 40th Senate District, which includes the towns of Carmel, Kent, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; the town of Stony Point in Rockland County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Bedford, Cortlandt, Lewisboro, New Castle, North Salem, Ossining, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson and Ossining in Westchester County. Article courtesy of State Sen. Pete Harckham’s Office Putnam Arts Council gets $25,000 state grant Award part of $535,000 funding for local arts orgs
PAGE 36 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 realized that his kidneys were not functioning equally or functioning well,” she added. As he grew older, Kevin’s kidneys began to fail. “We ended up seeing a nephrologist in December 2021 and then we tracked his kidney decline until Dec. 8, 2022, which is the day we were told he had crossed the threshold and would either need dialysis, and quickly, or a kidney transplant” Enter younger brother Michael, who volunteered to help when he learned of Kevin’s need. “Donating to Kevin meant that I was able to be to Kevin what he is to so many other people,” Michael said. “Obviously, he’s my brother and I would imagine that anyone would do the same for their siblings. But even if we set aside our relationship, although I was and still am proud to donate to my brother Kevin, I was even happier to have donated to the Kevin that everyone else knows and loves.” Marian said that affection goes both ways. “I do think that Kevin feels closer to Michael since the surgery,” she explained, adding they’ve always been close. “Michael is always ‘my brother Michael’ to Kevin.”. For Michael, the experience— which began when he was 26 and Kevin was 33—has only enhanced their bond. “I think it brought us as close together as a 34 (now 35) and 27 (now 28) year old pair of brothers could be,” Michael said. “We still annoy each other, and now I get to hold this over his head.” Michael, who works in accounting and administration, reports no ill effects of being down one kidney. “I actually feel phenomenal,” he said. “I have had zero negative consequences from the surgery. I even get to have a new joke in my repertoire by asking if certain foods have ibuprofen in them. So that’s just an added bonus.” As for Kevin, while it hasn’t been an easy road and many challenges remain, Marian said his health has vastly improved to the point where he can resume many of his old activities. Kevin is back to serving as an altar server at Saint John’s, where he was treated to a chorus of “Happy Birthday” and a standing ovation on Sunday. “Prior to surgery, he was on meds for high blood pressure caused by poor kidney function,” Marian said. “Those meds stopped that day [of the transplant]. Kevin has gout, and those symptoms have lessened since surgery. The constant fear is a urinary tract infection. Kevin takes anti-rejection meds so his body doesn’t reject [or] fight the kidney, but they also decrease his defense against illness, particularly a UTI. Kevin was in the hospital three times over the past year because of infections. Of course, the goal is that he can maintain on the anti-rejection meds and head off UTIs via frequent urination and hand washing with soap.” While her sons are both doing well since the transplant, Marian Heinzinger is hoping that their story inspires others to become organ donors or support organ donation in other ways. “I mean you throw in the fact that a brother donated to a brother, that’s beautiful,” she said. “And then Kevin is wellknown in the community too; he has touched a lot of people. I think our story lends itself to sharing and telling. There are so few organs available—it’s a critical need.” Learn more at donatelifenys. org. KIDNEY FROM PAGE 3 Kevin Heinzinger and his mom Marian stand in front of Taylor Adams, Kevin’s brother and donor, Michael, their father Ed, sister Dr. Katie Heinzinger Fratino, and her husband Chris Fratin. PHOTO COURTESY HEINZINGER FAMILY 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) Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 | Exit 36B I-87 | Exit 17 Earn Entries All Month Long! Saturday, April 27 • 10pm Win A 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Sport S! *Actual models and colors may vary. JEEP WRANGLER GIVEAWAY LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS CRAFT BEERS INFLATABLES FOR KIDS BASKET BALL CHALLENGE Commerce Street Proceeds to benefit local youth sports and community service organizations. yorktownfamjam.com 1/4 AD 4.61” x 6.05” LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS + BEER INFLATABLE CHALLENGE COURSE YOUTH SPORTS EVENTS BYO CHAIR Commerce Street Saturday April 30 4-10 pm FUN FOR ALL Proceeds to benefit local Yorktown sports and community service organizations. RAIN DATE: Sunday, MAY 1 yorktownfamjam.com FLYER 8.5x11 FamJam_07.indd 1 4/6/22 1:02 PM 12-8 pm Saturday April 27
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 37 Over 12 Food Trucks! Vendors Kids Rides Beer Garden Celebrity Athletes Farmers Market Music & Dance Troops DIY Flower Bar Westchester Chorus 120+ Car Show participants Spring Spring Spring Festival & Festival & Festival & Car Show Car Show Car Show GET READY FOR... WHERE: JEFFERSON VALLEY MALL WHEN: SUNDAY APRIL 28TH 11-4 PM Rain or Shine!! Rain or Shine!! Rain or Shine!!
PAGE 38 – MAHOPAC NEWS APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 Upcoming events from Mahopac Public Library include a Feast of Films, computer help, KDramas, and more. April 12 @ 5 p.m.: Feast of Films for grades 8-12. Teens in grades 8-12 will meet in the Community Room on the 3rd floor to watch JoJo Rabbit. Pizza will be served. A short discussion will follow the movie. Teens must arrange transportation home from the library at 7 p.m.. Registration required. Food will be ordered based on headcount. Please email [email protected] for food preferences/ allergies. Register online at www. mahopaclibrary.org, or call (845) 628-2009 ext.139 April 17 @ 12:30 p.m.: Computer Keyboard Shortcuts. Looking for a faster way to copy, paste, find and get things done on the computer? Join us for this class where we will talk about what keyboard shortcuts are, practice using a few common ones, and learn how to find more! Register online at www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call (845)628- 2009 ext.100 April 20 @ 9:30 a.m.: Friends of Mahopac Public Library Book Barn Drop-In Donation Day. If your winter organizing or your spring cleaning has left you with gently used books to donate to the Book Barn, we invite you to bring them to The Library Adult Garden on Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 PM. (Rain date: Sunday, April 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) For this special April 20 donation day only, you are not required to make an appointment. To donate at other times, please call (845)628-2009 x143 to schedule your donation. April 29 @ 6 p.m.: K-Dramas Over Flowers Discussion Group. Calling all K-drama enthusiasts! Join us as we chat about the 2023 Korean Drama, Destined with You. This adult discussion group meets on the last Monday of the month at 6 p.m., no registration necessary, new members welcome! Participants must have a Netflix account in order to watch and participate in discussions. Article courtesy of Mahopac Public Library April is active at Mahopac Library rals 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! My Community Bulletin Board ncrease 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! My Community Bulletin Board 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! Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller Putnam/Westchester/Orange/Dutchess and more Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! 914-245-2060 YorktownGardenSupply.com Topsoil Stone Mulch Sand 3311 Gomer Street Yorktown, NY 10598 GREAT BEAR SEPTIC SERVICE We’re there when you need us. 845-621-0250 Give Us A Call Today! Come See Us At Our New Location! PUTNAM WINDOW TINT AUTO , COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WINDOW FILM Follow us on Instagram 1065 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • Paint protection film • Vehicle lettering • Full Service vehicle wraps • gift cards available Over 35 in Business Years Spring is in the air – and that means it’s brush fire season, cautions a local fire official. The lack of snowfall over the winter, last fall’s dried leaves and other brush debris blanketing the ground, minimal green vegetation, and springtime’s warmer temperatures and often gusty wind conditions all add up to the perfect storm for brush fires, according to Fire Chief Albert Melillo of the nearby Golden’s Bridge Fire Department. “Spring is one of the most dangerous – if not the most dangerous – times of the year for brush fires in the Northeast, especially in communities with wooded landscapes, like Somers, Lewisboro, North Salem, Croton Falls, Pound Ridge and other surrounding areas,” said Melillo. The GBFD Chief said that an understanding of the science helps to explain how the potential for brush and other wildfires increases dramatically during springtime. According to conservation experts, explained Melillo, warming temperatures and the sun heats up dried grass, leaves and other brush – think of it as kindling, he says – from the previous year’s autumn season and serve as fuel for brush fires. When combined with other elements, such as wind currents, lightning, and the absence of green vegetation, brush fires can easily ignite and spread quickly. They can also start as a result of human carelessness. “Think twice before you toss a lit cigarette from your vehicle window and use extra care when you’re filling your lawn mower or weed trimmer with gasoline – and even when you are cooking on your charcoal and gas barbecue grill. It just takes a single spark to cause a brush fire,” said Melillo, who added, “And, certainly, don’t burn leaves and debris in your backyard. It’s dangerous, illegal, and could have catastrophic results.” New York enforces an annual statewide springtime residential “burn ban” to help reduce the risk of brush fires and wildfires, and to protect lives and property during heightened conditions for these fire events. The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEC) 2024 seasonal burn ban, part of the open burning regulations established by the state in 2009, is in effect until May 14 – although burning leaves and garbage is prohibited year-round in New York State, including Westchester County. “With the increased potential for brush fires during springtime, vigilance and caution are the best defense against these outbreaks – complying with open burn laws, and immediately calling 911 to report smoke or fire along a roadside or in the brush of a wooded area,” said Melillo. Tips on how to minimize and prevent the occurrence of brush fires can be found on the websites of agencies, such as the state’s DEC and the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission. Article courtesy of Golden’s Bridge Fire Department. Sounding the alarm on brush fires 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 [email protected].
APRIL 11 - APRIL 24, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 39 In Case You Missed It The stories below were published on our website in-between print editions. Never miss another local story again by visiting News.HalstonMedia.com. Scan the QR codes in the summaries below to read the full story. Scan Here To Get The Top Local News Delivered To Your Inbox Daily. PHOTO COURTESY WIKICOMMONS.ORG Angela Sforza PHOTO COURTESY OF CAREERS SUPPORT SOLUTIONS Rober Cuomo PHOTO COURTESY OF PUTNAM COUNTY Sounds fishy... What’s behind April 1 reports of aggressive rainbow trout attacking anglers on opening day? CAREERS success Shining Star Award-winner Angela Sforza is one of many CAREERS Support Solutions success stories. Putnam gets a New EMS director Bob Cuomo began his second stretch as director of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Putnam County. Cuomo returns to the role with plenty of experience.
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