VOL. 13 NO. 50 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. JULY 3 – JULY 24, 2024 CLASSIFIEDS 39 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 2 LEGAL NOTICES 39 LEISURE 25 OPINION 10 SPORTS 24 Storms Hit Somers pg 6 WILD WEATHER Graduation Day! PHOTO: EMRIN LECLAIR On June 24, friends and family gathered at the commencement ceremony for the Somers High School Class of 2024. See complete graduation coverage in the special section inside this issue! BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER The Somers Board of Education faced criticism last week after not acting to renew longtime schools Superintendent Dr. Ray Blanch’s contract. During an emotionally charged special meeting last week, representatives of the district’s faculty, staff, and community heaped words of praise on the departing leader, calling him the epitome of honesty, integrity, respect, and trust. “We are better educators and people because of your guidance and support,” former Somers Middle School principal Jeffrey Getman told Blanch. Getman is now a counselor at Primrose Elementary School. Blanch had sought an extension of his five-year contract back in the spring. But, at the last minute, the item was pulled from the board’s agenda without explanation. It was never voted on. He subsequently announced that he had taken the superintendent’s position with the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. Acting as interim Somers superintendent until a permanent replacement is found is Harry LeFevre, current interim director of human resources and student services. Getman said it was a “sad day for Somers” not only because it was losing its leader of 14 years but also its director of secondary learning, Claire Comerford, who resigned and is moving on to the Pelham Union Free School District as its assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Dr. Blanch bids farewell to Somers District officials praise efforts of longtime superintendent SEE BLANCH PAGE 26 Inventory got you down? Don’t wait for it to hit the market... Find out what properties are available and selling before they get listed. Sign up here for Off Market Listings: Find Out What Your Home Might Be Worth. Scan QR for instant value HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 Just Sold #UGottaHaveHope
PAGE 2 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] DESIGNERS Noah Elder Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Somers Record The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for The Somers Record is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request The Somers Record weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Somers Record at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2330-1597) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 Halston Media, LLC The Heart of New York Pizza and Italian-American Cuisine Lives On $ 3 OFF Any Large Pizza Additional toppings extra. Must present coupon in order to receive discount. Offers cannot be combined. La Familia Katonah 914-232-8027 - Limited time offer. Expires: July 31, 2024. Taste La Familia Katonah wherever you are— we deliver! Est. 2004 278 Katonah Avenue, Katonah • 914-232-8027 LaFamiliaKatonah.com DINE IN TAKE OUT CATERING Farmer’s Market at Honeybee Grove 265 Route 202, Somers Sundays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locally grown products straight from the heart, offering fresh local produce and food products to visitors. Running every Sunday through October 13. For more information, visit www.honey beegrove.com/farmers-market Somers Independence Day Celebration Wednesday, July 3 In partnership with Somers Lions Club and Somers Chamber of Commerce. Featuring a basketball tournament, hot dog eating contest, fun activities for kids and adults, the famous Somers Lions BBQ, Reis Park concession stand, townsponsored axe throwing, live music by Happy Crabs and Pork Chop Express, and fireworks! To be held in Reis Park beginning at 5 p.m. For Somers residents and accompanying guests (no pets allowed.) Shuttle bus between Somers High School and Reis Park. 10th Annual Run for Recovery 5K Walk/Run Run 4 Recovery, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Search for Change and the Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) proudly announces the kickoff of the 10th Annual Run for Recovery to celebrate National Recovery Month this September. This year’s event will support individuals on their journey toward recovery while providing a fun-filled day for all members of the community. The in-person 5K will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at FDR State Park, with the option to participate virtually throughout the month. This year’s Run for Recovery will feature an on-site Save A Life Wellness Fair, providing attendees with access to crucial resources and information. Additionally, a virtual tool will debut on race day, connecting the public to essential resources year-round. In a unique opportunity for local businesses and groups to sponsor a meaningful initiative, the Run for Recovery invites participation and sponsorship from all sectors of the community. By joining forces, Run 4 Recovery, Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, Search for Change and the Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK), sponsors contribute to fostering community well-being and supporting individuals in need. Now is the time to come together as a community to support individuals in reclaiming their lives. You can participate in the Run for Recovery by visiting the event’s fundraising page via text at RUN4RECOVERY to 71-777 or by going to https://bit.ly/RunforRecovery to Register, Sponsor, or Donate. For further information about this event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Philomena Rivalsi at (914) 428-5600 ext. 9226 or via email at privalsi@ searchforchange.org. Somers Parks & Recreation Golden Sunset Series Somers Annual 4th of July Celebration Wednesday, July 3 Featuring performances by Happy Crabs (5:30-7:30 p.m.), Pork Chop Express (8-10 p.m.) on the Reis Park stage, with fireworks to follow! Concert: The Thornwood’s Wednesday, July 10, at 7 p.m. A pop and rock cover band on the Reis Park stage. Woody Guthrie Birthday Hootenanny with Scott Urgola & Friends Saturday, July 13, at 5 p.m. An evening of folk music, in conjunction with Somers Historical Society. To be held at Mt. Zion Church. ELEPHANT’S TRUNK SEE TRUNK PAGE 9
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 3 On Saturday, June 1, family, friends, and faculty gathered for the John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School Class of 2024 commencement ceremony at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Somers. The following Gaels graduated and took the next step into their futures: Christopher Abbamont Milaniya Acevedo Matthew Achim Adrianna Antenucci Anthony Antenucci Michael Aquino Joseph Bally Nicole Banka Joseph Beisswenger Andrew Bentivenga Gabriela Beyrer Michael Bisaillon Jesse Bleakley Ralph Bonavita Thomas Briody Ashley Browne Sofia Bruno Anthony Bucello Carmine Calandrello Adam Cannistra Nicholas Cardarelli Olina Carley Gianna Carlo Madison Carlo Massimo Chiulli Kalea Crawford Joseph Crispino Robert Cross Gianna Del Vecchio Michael Demasi Tara Devaney James Dever Joseph Di Graci Davina Dineen Matthew Dolan Valeria Dominguez Avery Doran Alexandra Dushaj Chris Echols Riley Evers Casey Feierstein Gabriella Flory Brigid Foley Lauren Fox Anthony Galati Giselle Garcia Henry Gerold Mary Gilmore Omar Giret Jemarose Gonzales Camila Gonzalez Rodriguez Maggie Gordineer Emilio Granados Connor Griggs Liam Hackert Aiden Hall Keenan Harrison Keira Hogan Mackenzie Hubert Lucas Hung Ryan Jockimo Nicole Johnson Antonia Kakavas Mason Kauffman Brendan Kelly Olivia Kelly Megan Kraus Ava Kristoferson Jamie Kyriazis Kassandra Lara Annalise Lasher Junhui Liao Zhuorui Liu Madison Lopez Gianna LoPresti Madeline LoPriore Matthew Lorusso Caroline Majano Kayleigh Maloney Francesca Marques Julia Marsich Joseph Maskiell Finian McConnell Charlie McDonald Ava Minch Natally Mora Mia Morocho Erin Murphy Andrew Myers Elijah Negron Charles Netto Adriana Nieto Hannah Noreika Erin O’Mara Edoh Ogbue Josephine Olivieri Joseph Onate Kimberlee Outhouse Nicole Pena Amira Pesantez Christina Phillips Alexandra Pichasaca John Pollack Richard Ponzini Alyssa Porricelli Liam Powers Brianna Quinde Gabriella Rado Matteo Ramos Llogan Raynor Brianna Reyes Amanda Rial Sophia Rivera Alessandro Rondon Faith Rosado Isabella Ruiz Emily Ruvolo Evelyn Saguay Jhohana Santos Sophiamarie Scarangella Deonna Shapley Rebecca Skelton Colin Spidal Evangeline Spiliotis Camille Stackhouse Luke Stephan Olivia Temple Neil Thumma Ruth Torres Leah Torzilli Julianna Traver Reilly Tuck John Umezaki Sury Valdez-Gomez Alejandro Velez Gianna Verrier Kelly Walsh Amoy Watt Tyler Widman Jack Williams Sanai Williamson Haiden Wolf Information courtesy of Kennedy Catholic. Congratulations to the Kennedy Catholic Class of 2024 Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July! HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com
PAGE 4 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Children who have positive relationships with non-parent adults are more likely to succeed in school and become happy, healthy members of their community. The T.E.A.M. Tuskers mentoring program in Somers Central School District pairs students in grades 3 through 8 with caring adults within the community. These students meet with their mentors for one hour per week during the school year. All meetings take place on school grounds, either at Somers Intermediate School or Somers Middle School. SOMERS Central School District Forward in Exceence Contact (914) 481-2716 [email protected] Be a Mentor - Make a Difference! A number of Somers students have been recognized for their academic achievements at colleges and universities across the country! Graduation Marywood University Julia Caico Rochester Institute of Technology Surayyah Mitchell University of Rhode Island Valerie Bevilacqua Dean’s List College of Charleston Brendan Mcsweeney Georgia Nekos Delaware Valley University Kelsey Collura Hudson Valley Community College Alexander Zoubok Penn State Alex Kuchinsky Rochester Institute of Technology Hannah Roth Surayyah Mitchell Emma Sledzik SUNY Cortland Edward Baranowski Melanie Cotrone Megan Spencer SUNY New Paltz Kaitlyn Cristello Eliana Cromling Andrew Friscia Kaya Mannis Julian Morales Caitlin Norbutt Emily Press Isabella Rios Taylor Setterstrom Sara Vala SUNY Oneonta Sage Cheung Anthony Foglia Emily Meehan Kirsten Noboa UMass Amherst Jessica Caico University of Scranton Krista Gallagher Jillian MacDonald Michael McKearney President’s List College of Charleston Lauren D’agostino Provost’s List SUNY Oneonta Sydney Kahn Do you have a scholar that you would like to recognize in an upcoming issue? Let us know by emailing somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com Celebrating Somers scholars! Somers’ Hannah Noreika, a member of the Kennedy Catholic Class of 2024, was recently awarded a $44,000 merit scholarship from Clemson University! Hannah was a two-year participant in varsity cheerleading and the captain of Gaels softball during her senior year. She plans to major in Architecture and minor in Community Development at Clemson. Great Gael! PHOTO COURTESY OF KENNEDY CATHOLIC
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 5 EXPERT CARE FOR WESTCHESTER POWERED BY NY’S MOST AWARDED HEALTH SYSTEM Northwell is proud to deliver exceptional, innovative care right in your community. Get easy access to primary and urgent care, specialty services like OB/GYN, cardiac and neurosurgery, and everything in between. It’s all here—and it’s all for you. Learn more at Northwell.edu/Westchester. To speak to a care navigator, call (914) 418-CARE 2341754a_2024 Westchester_Local_Campaign_North Salem News_Somers Record_Yorktown News_Mount Kisco Bedford Times_KatonahLewisboroTimes95x1225FP
PAGE 6 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 AS LOW AS $159/MO You thought braces were expensive? You couldn’t be further from the truth. With our pay-three-way flexible financing options, your new smile can get started with no down payment. Your first monthly payment starts your treatment. Offer applies to new patients only. Discover the braces or clear aligners plan that works for you and see exactly how much it will cost before you ever spend a penny. Offer applies to new patients only. Does NOT include Xrays or Optical Scans BRACES AND CLEAR ALIGNERS FREEEXAM & CONSULT $249 VALUE $199 DOWN $500 OFF • Top 1% Diamond Plus Clear Aligners Provider • Same Day Appointments • Braces Metal & Clear • Clear Aligners • Accepts Insurance • NO REFERRAL NECESSARY CALL TODAY 845-459-8500 PutnamOrthodontics.com SCAN HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT! comprehensive treatment over 18 months. Members of the Somers Highway Department and Somers Volunteer Fire Department ran the gauntlet last week as a pair of storms ripped through the area. Many residents lost power and roadways were blocked, but fortunately no injuries were reported. On the evening of Sunday, June 23, the first storm descended on the region, leaving numerous area roadways blocked and some residents stranded. The following morning, there were still multiple roads in the Shenorock, Lincolndale, and Purdys areas blocked by fallen trees and power lines. Residents were trapped on Ross Drive, Old Mill, and Carolyn Way. Schools were closed on Monday, but the Somers High School graduation ceremony was still held that evening. Final exams were rescheduled and the 5th grade moving up ceremony was postponed. Everything north of Route 202 got slammed, including the Route 118 corridor in Shenorock and Lincolndale. Trees reportedly fell on at least one home in Shenorock and cars were also damaged. No deaths or injuries were reported. Supervisor Robert Scorrano was driving around town assessing the damage. “It was pretty bad,” he said, adding: “Thank God no one got hurt.” The Somers Volunteer Fire Department reported that they responded to more than 40 calls related to the storm. The department was assisted throughout the night be members of the State Department of Transportation, NYSEG, and the Yorktown and Katonah Fire Departments. There were close to 10,000 people without power during the height of the storm. As of 1 p.m. Monday, that was down to about 1,700. Some people didn’t expect to get power back until Wednesday. Road crews and responders worked around the clock to restore power and clear the roads. “I’m very proud of all the organizations acting as quickly as they did to bring relief to our residents,” Scorrano said. Highway Superintendent Nick DeVito praised his team for their efforts, saying “I couldn’t be more proud of them.” With residents still cleaning up from the Sunday storm, Somers was hit again on the evening of Wednesday, June 26. Multiple branches and wires were reported down throughout town, with Route 100, Plumbrook Road, and Orchard Hill Road among the routes closed due to fallen trees. The following morning, Supervisor Scorrano revealed that nearly 800 residents were without power following the second storm. All power was restored just before 8 p.m. that evening. “Once again, an awesome job by Somers Highway Department, NYSEG and all first responders,” Scorrano said in an update on social media. Carol Reif and Tom Walogorsky contributed to this report. Pair of storms batter Somers Highway Department, SVFD spring into action Numerous trees and wires were down throughout the area following two severe storms. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOMERS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT The first storm hit Somers on the evening of Sunday, June 23.
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 7 • We perform all maintenance and services for your vehicle on premesis Gas - Cash or Credit - SAME PRICE We will continue to maintain the integrity of our services 914-232-1418 • 253 Route 100 Somers www.ariesautomotiveofsomers.com Serving Somers & Surrounding Area For Over 30 Years Spring Into Action— Have Your Car Tuned Up Right For The Season! BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Somers’ loss is Pelham’s gain. Claire Comerford has held several positions over the eight years she’s been with the Somers Central School District, most recently as its director of learning at the secondary level. (She’s also been assistant director of learning K-12 and assistant principal at Somers High School.) Comerford confirmed recently that she’s moving on to the Pelham Union Free School District in southern Westchester where she will be its assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. In announcing her hiring, Pelham schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Champ said she was confident that Comerford’s “impressive career as an educator, experience designing and implementing programs with direct relevance to ours, and reputation as communicator and collaborator will make her a strong leader for our curriculum team.” She assumes her new role on Aug. 1, succeeding Dr. Alice Bowman, who resigned to take a similar position in a Long Island school district. Comerford earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in education at Fordham University. She also holds a certification of advanced study in educational leadership from SUNY New Paltz and is pursuing her doctorate at Manhattanville University. Comerford was praised by Somers school trustees last week and told that she was leaving big shoes to fill and would be very much missed. She sent The Somers Record the following statement: “It is difficult to leave the Somers Central School District and the incredibly talented students, faculty, and staff with whom I have worked for the past eight years. It has been a pleasure working with such amazing educators towards the common goal of providing an exceptional education for all Somers students. I am proud of our work that has enriched, enhanced, and aligned teaching and learning in SCSD for the benefit of the students. Although I am sad to leave Somers, I am excited for my new role in Pelham, which will provide new challenges and opportunities for me to grow as an educational leader.” Comerford leaves SCSD Director of learning heads for Pelham schools Claire Comerford PHOTO COURTESY OF PELHAM UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT The Justin Veatch Fund recently awarded six new $1,200 music scholarships to graduating high school seniors at an awards program at Yorktown Town Hall. The six, chosen among 19 applicants from 11 high schools, included Noah Volkman of Granite Springs. This is the 16th year The Fund has awarded scholarships to students who live within a 40-mile radius of Yorktown. The scholarships honor the legacy of Justin Veatch, a Yorktown High School senior who died from an accidental drug overdose in 2008. Veatch was a talented musician who had been on the verge of releasing an album of his original songs. The album, titled “Permagrin,” was later released with the help of cover recordings from other artists. Noah Volkman, graduating from Somers High School, plans to attend Syracuse University in the fall. Volkman’s involvement in music is allencompassing, often combining his piano performances with other music production. In addition, he’s been involved as a stage crew sound technician and engineer, and created over a thousand original beats. He’s released three full-length albums along with several EPs and singles and collaborates with other musicians across the country. His songs have now been streamed over 400-thousand times across channels like Spotify and YouTube. Volkman says he wants to fully explore the developing nuances of the music industry with the goal of being involved in music business and marketing. One of his teachers says none of his students has ever demonstrated more clearly that music is in his veins. He says Volkman is a fantastic role model for aspiring fellow students, yet very humble in his approach to others. Article courtesy of the Justin Veatch Fund Volkman earns Justin Veatch Fund music scholarship Noah Volkman PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JUSTIN VEATCH FUND
PAGE 8 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 The Harvey School in Katonah has announced the names of the area students who have earned academic honors for the spring term. The following have been awarded a Cavalier Scholar certificate (GPA of 4.0 or higher) or have earned places on the Head’s List (3.7 or higher) or Honor Roll (at least 3.3): Logan Alexander (grade 11, Goldens Bridge, Cavalier Scholar), Sunflower Burk (grade 7, Granite Springs, head’s list), Benji Cutler (grade 11, Somers, Cavalier Scholar), Olivia Farkas (grade 6, Somers, head’s list), Brandon Hall (grade 10, Goldens Bridge, Cavalier Scholar), Martina Nicora (grade 11, Somers, honor roll), Addison Silva (grade 11, Baldwin Place, honor roll), Sofia Solares (grade 9, Somers, honor roll), and Mollie Weisberger (grade 10, Somers, Cavalier Scholar). Information courtesy of The Harvey School. Local students earn academic honors at The Harvey School The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association recently announced that Christina Locurto of the Somers High School Class of 2015 has earned three Keystone Media Awards for excellence in journalism. Locurto, a General Assignment Reporter with The York Dispatch, a Gannett newspaper located in York, Pennsylvania, won first, second and third place in the following categories for writing and video production: First Place, News Multimedia Category: A video timeline and history of the Central York School book ban Second Place, Business/Consumer Category: A feature story which investigated the world of ghost kitchens in York County, Pennsylvania Third Place, Feature Story Multimedia category: A video that revealed the elaborate transformation of a popular local drag queen known as Madam D’s Ms. Locurto, who graduated from Penn State University in May 2019 with a Journalism degree, has been a General Assignment Reporter with The York Dispatch since May 2019. Ms. Locurto said: “I owe much of my writing and storytelling skills to my teachers in the Somers Central School District and participation in the Tusker Times student newspaper.” The Keystone Media Awards are a prominent series of awards presented to journalists whose work displays “relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers, and furthers First Amendment values.” Presented annually, the awards are distributed among seven circulation size classifications. The York Dispatch earned 19 awards this year, securing its place as the Divisional IV winner for Outstanding News Operation. In November 2023, Ms. Locurto won two first place awards during the Keystone Media Awards ceremony in the categories of Personality Profiles and Lifestyle/Entertainment and an honorable mention award in the Feature Story Category. The 2024 Keystone Media Awards will be presented to all the honorees during an awards luncheon on October 17, in Harrisburg. Article courtesy of Group Corporate Communications. SHS alum wins journalism awards Christina Locurto took home three Keystone Media Awards. ‘I owe much of my writing and storytelling skills to my teachers in the Somers Central School District.’ Christina Locurto
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 9 Having some fun in the sun can be good for you, but it is important to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure to UV rays can cause irreversible damage to your skin, as well as increase your risk of skin cancer and certain eye conditions. Helpful Tips for UV Ray Protection Enjoy the sun safely and protect yourself from UV rays. For a full list of Optum providers, please scan the QR code visit our website at optum.com/medicalcare • Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. • Seek shade whenever possible, especially between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. • Don’t go tanning, either in the sun or in a tanning bed. Instead, ask your provider about safe topical tanning agents. • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, long pants and sunglasses that block UV rays. • Use a lip balm with sunscreen. Talk with your provider or dermatologist if you notice any moles or changes to your skin. Early detection is key to successfully treating skin cancer. Here are some important tips to shield your skin and eyes from UV Rays: 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. 06/24 Now Accepting New Patients We Are In-Network With Delta Dental, United HealthCare, Cigna PPO, and We Accept Other Insurances 914.277.3518 380 Route 202 at Junction of 116 (across from Heritage Hills) PaulHarbottle.com Excellence in Dentistry In Somers Since 1990 Paul D. Harbottle, DDS VOTED TOP DENTIST 2009-2024 by his Peers as featured in Concert: Loose Wheel Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. The country band takes the Reis Park stage. Concert: Red, White and Brews Wednesday, July 31, at 7 p.m. A mix of rock, country, and Reggae on the Reis Park stage. Children’s Concert with Flor Bromley Wednesday, August 7, at 6 p.m. Presented in Conjunction with Somers Library at Reis Park. Chamber of Commerce Family Movie Night Wednesday, August 14, at 8 pm. Movie TBD, to be held in Lower Reis Park. (Rain date August 21.) Chabad of Yorktown 2629 Old Yorktown Rd, Yorktown Heights RSVP for events by visiting www.ChabadYorktown.com or calling 914-962-1111 Ladies Torah and Tea Summer Series Wednesdays, July 3, 10, 17, & 24 at 6 p.m. Join a welcoming group of women for roundtable Torah discussions that speak to our everyday lives. Outdoor Jewish Summer Movie Night Tuesday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. Featuring an animated family film portraying the Biblical years of Abraham. (Run time: 49 minutes.) All are welcome. No Charge. Rain date Thursday, July 18. Bedford Bears Hockey Registration Now Open Come be a part of the Bears Family! Players are invited to join the 6U or 8U Mites today. The Bedford Katonah Hockey Association is a non-profit organization that competes at Tier III youth hockey level. The teams play their home games on the Harvey School campus in Evarts Rink. For more information, visit www.bedfordbears hockey.com Somers Library Please register using the online calendar at www.somerslibrary.org to have access to online meetings. If virtual, you will receive an invitation prior to the start of the program. Programs are supported by the Friends of the Somers Library through patrons’ generous contributions. Miss Stacy’s Song & Dance Tuesdays, July 9, 23 & 30, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Join in for some tot time! For ages 0 - 5 and their caregivers. Come and enjoy songs, rhymes and books with Miss Stacy. No registration required. Earring Workshop for Adults & Teens Tuesday, July 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Joan Lloyd is back with the earring workshop where you can make a pair for yourself and match it with a pair for a local homeless shelter. Don’t wear earrings? Then come along and make them for loved ones or just for the shelter. Registration Required. A Taste of History for Teens - Eton Mess Thursday, July 11, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. An adventure into recipes from the past! Teens will try their hand at making food items from different centuries and countries starting with an English dessert from 1898 called Eton Mess. Sign up for classes individually and if you have a food allergy please call the library and we can go over the ingredients to see if they can eat our finished product. There will be five classes altogether. Registration Required. Read to Sunny Boy the Therapy Dog! Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m. The library is welcoming Sunny Boy from Therapy Dogs International! Each child will get to read with our special friend for 15-minutes. Best for beginning readers (age 5 & up). The library has multiple time slots available to register with with online calendar. A Taste of History for Teens - Johnny Cakes Thursday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. An adventure into recipes from the past! Teens will try their hand at making food items from different centuries and countries. This week you will adventure back in time and make Johnny Cakes. Made of cornmeal and often thought of as colonial fare, TRUNK FROM PAGE 2 SEE TRUNK PAGE 28 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
PAGE 10 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Opinion 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 The Somers Record or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Happily Ever After Suburban communities have been under assault by New York State and the federal government for several years now, and some of our Democrat legislators have outright embraced the effort. From 2008-2017, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) worked to dissolve local zoning in seven Westchester communities, which they outrageously labeled “racist” for having single-family zoning, much of it a quarter acre. The feds, and the local elected leaders who bowed down to them, refused to acknowledge that local zoning determines where projects can be built in towns and villages, not who can live there. (It’s worth noting that Westchester is the most diverse county in New York State outside the five boroughs of New York City, something we can be proud of.) Then, in 2022, State Sen. Peter Harckham, one of HUD’s kowtowers, tried to pull another fast one on his constituents. Harckham sponsored legislation to effectively erase local zoning laws in Westchester and Putnam communities near train stations. Under Harckham’s bill, multi-family buildings could be erected as-of-right in quiet residential neighborhoods in Putnam and Westchester, threatening their resources, character and traffic patterns. Extraordinary organic blowback convinced Harckham to pull his measure. Now, Harckham is at it again, this time by working to give New York State authority over local communities in placing massive energy facilities. Harckham seems to believe that progressives in Albany, like him, know what’s better for our communities than we do. We only live here. I mention Harckham by name because he refused to use mine in an attack on me recently published in these pages. The subject was the proposal to build the largest battery farm in America in the Mahopac-SomersCarmel area, which I and thousands of my neighbors adamantly oppose. That opposition caused Harckham to take a step back, this time saying he’s supporting a “temporary” moratorium on the project. We all know what “temporary” means in New York. Harckham and his progressive allies in Albany are making a habit of advancing projects against the will of everyday New Yorkers. The disastrous $15 Congestion Pricing Tax proposal, for example, which Harckham supports, just wasted more than half a billion dollars in taxpayer funds for license plate readers that will likely never be used. Gov. Hochul, with Harckham’s full support, buried congestion pricing in a budget bill to avoid public debate. Once again, they knew better, and it cost us. It doesn’t stop there: Also in 2022, Harckham threatened to cut off all state Home rule protects us from Albany GINA ARENA GUEST COLUMNIST SEE ARENA PAGE 12 I f you live long enough (I guess I have), you can look back at the people who have flowed in and out of your life and divide those friendships into three categories: High school/college, work/professional, and, most importantly... habits. Sometimes you don’t realize what a profound impact a person has had on your life until you engage in a little solemn introspection, look back, and realize, hey, they weren’t that nuts after all. I met Jon in the summer before seventh grade, so I guess he falls under the high school category. He had a brother named Thom and always joked that Thom stole his “h.” My best friend, George, invited Jon to the neighborhood to hang out. (I’ve written about George before. As kids, we ran a lemonade stand together; as an adult he escaped the Twin Towers on 9/11.) Anyway, I wasn’t sure how I felt about this invitation. Who was this interloper? Well, let me tell you who he was. His dad had been named executive director of YMCA Holiday Hills Conference Center. The place was about 100 yards from my house. It featured a huge lake for swimming, fishing, boating and canoeing. It had six tennis courts and a couple of basketball courts. It had horses for riding and trails for hiking. In the winter, there were toboggan runs. Could a kid ask for a better place to grow up? Jon arrived for his visit and told us he and his family moved here from Potosi, Mo. Never heard of it? That’s OK. No one has. We thought the best way to invite Jon officially into the fold was to play a game of Wiffle ball. We went over the ground rules with him (hit it over the telephone wires that ran from the pole to the house and it’s a home run) and handed Jon the bat. He held it like it was some type of deadly viper poised to attack. He grabbed it by the handle but with his hands flip-flopped in the wrong places. I showed him the correct way and then he put the bat on his shoulder and stood directly on home plate (a Frisbee). I sighed. The telephone lines were in no danger that day. But Jon turned out to be an affable guy and smart as a whip, which I liked. We became fast friends and suddenly Holiday Hills with all its perks and amenities became my backyard. In the summer, I joined the tennis league, and in the winter, we went ice fishing on the lake using homemade rigs. What Jon lacked in athleticism and sports knowledge, he made up for with music. He was an accomplished piano player by ninth grade and played in the orchestra pit for most of the school’s musicals. While we were all rockin’ How granola and Volvos changed my life BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD SEE DUMAS PAGE 11
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Route 202 Suite #3 Somers, NY 10589 914.265.4299 Dementia Care In-Home Evaluations Companion Care Respite Care Nursing Care 24 Hour Care Overwhelmed Caring For Your Loved One? Call us today! to Zeppelin, Floyd, and Tull, Jon was practicing Mozart and Chopin. This instantly made him more interesting. Up to that point, I’d never given much thought to politics. I was in eighth grade. I had no idea how any of it worked and didn’t really care. (Sometimes I miss those days.) But Jon did. And he was about to indoctrinate me. This was the early ’70s when the Vietnam War was raging pointlessly on. The battles for both civil rights and women’s rights were at the fore. People had been assassinated. Woodstock was happening. I didn’t know it then, but Jon’s parents were intellectual liberals and embodied every cliché conservatives hate about them (often referring to them pejoratively as the “elites”). Jon’s mom made granola from scratch. I had never seen the stuff before— homemade or otherwise—and it looked appalling to me. It looked like bird food. She also taught yoga classes... in the ’70s! She didn’t use goats though. Back then it was just the mat and the downward dog. Jon’s dad wore sports coats with leather patches on the elbows and smoked a pipe! (the perfect portrait of an elitist academic). And they even drove a Volvo! Damn hippies! The list of indignities goes on and on. Jon was the first one to clue me in on Nixon and his shenanigans. It led me to discover Woodward and Bernstein, the two Washington Post reporters who blew open the Watergate case, and inspired me to seek a career in journalism. Jon got me all hopped up about George McGovern, who was the Democrat running against Nixon in 1972. Our class held a mock presidential election. Nixon won 78-4. Jon, me, and our mutual friend Jennifer voted for McGovern. We never figured out who the fourth vote was from, but I like to think they are still out there fighting the good fight. Our little mock vote was emblematic of the actual election in which Nixon won in the greatest landslide in presidential history. McGovern only took one state— Massachusetts—and the District of Columbia. However, we (and probably that fourth voter too) took smug solace two years later when Nixon resigned in disgrace in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Jon wanted to get T-shirts made up that said, “Told You So!” Eventually, we graduated high school, and all went off to college. A few years later we reunited, and Jon told me he had some news to share. His news was that he had figured out he was gay. I wasn’t sure how to react at first. Growing up in a tiny town, he was the first gay guy I was actually aware of. (A few years later, that changed!) But the way I looked at it was like this: This was the same guy I’d known for 10 years. He was still smart, funny and engaging. Nothing had really changed. This new piece of information didn’t mean a damn thing. And why should it? And then it all kind of made sense to me. Jon was a very goodlooking guy. In high school, he had girls hanging all over him and never took advantage. He explained to me how difficult and confusing his journey of self-discovery had been. He wavered back and forth over his sexuality and what it should be, and it took a while for him to become comfortable with himself. His story moved me, and all these years later it continues to inform my position of LGBT rights and inclusivity. Jon was able to find a life partner and they’ve been together for nearly 40 years. He became an urban planner and did a lot of key work on Battery Park in New York City. (He loved/loves Manhattan!) We don’t stay in touch like we used to, but we do occasionally contact each other via Facebook. Now and then he will post a picture of a building because, I assume, he admires the architecture. He also, for some reason, likes to post pictures of birds. Things like herons and cranes. There is never any explanation. Just a picture of some random bird. Sometimes I will comment, “Nice bird.” He ignores me. Jon never preached to me, saying believe in this, believe in that. He just talked and I absorbed. All these years later I still embrace many of those same values, those same political points of view. Though I never owned one, I still kind of like Volvos. But as for granola? Oh, that’s a whole other story. Bob Dumas is editor at large for Halston Media. He has long grown weary of presidential politics but recently heard that organic granola could help with digestive issues. So, there’s that. You can write him at [email protected]. DUMAS FROM PAGE 10
PAGE 12 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 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 steps you can take to avoid your estate going to probate? funding for local public schools with mascots he deemed offensive. He walked that one back, too. He also supported the natural gas ban on new residential construction in large swaths of the state. Albany knows better than new homeowners, it seems. Harckham knows better than car owners as well. Under a law he backed, all new vehicles in New York have to be electric by 2035, regardless of whether people want or can afford them. I won’t even go into his plan to bring socialized medicine to New York, other than to note that Harckham’s legislation would abolish private health insurance in the state and increase personal income tax rates from 6.65 percent to 18.3 percent for those earning $150,000 per year or more. Pete knows best, just as he did in legalizing marijuana without adequate safeguards in place. The result is thousands of illegal pot shops across the region selling completely unregulated products. I’m running for State Senate to represent the everyday, common-sense residents of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland who actually know a thing or two about their hometowns. Gina Arena is running for State Senate in New York’s 40th District, which includes parts of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. ARENA FROM PAGE 10 I t was above 90 degrees for three days in a row last week, and that’s the definition of a heat wave. If I could not keep from crying and it was tearing me apart, that’s the definition of a heat wave burning in my heart, and luckily it didn’t come to that. But it was really hot. The city opened over 500 cooling centers so that people who didn’t have air conditioning could get a little cooler. I tried one of these centers, and when I emerged I was into Radiohead, I now never wear Crocs for any reason, I lasered off my tattoo that said “I heart my poodle” and I no longer own a sweater-vest, so it worked. What are the rules at the cooling center? How long can I stay? If I’m visiting New York and I’m too cheap to get a hotel room, can I go to the cooling center for a couple days? Can I bring a date even if her apartment has air conditioning? If I bring a girl who’s super hot, what’s she going to look like when she comes out? I still can’t believe that when we moved into our house, the previous owners had not installed central air conditioning, and were relying on a hodgepodge of window units of varying effectiveness. I guess they were counting on the pool to lower their body temperatures. That pool in our backyard, oblivious to the hazards of global warming, maintains an average summer temperature of about 40 degrees. I thought it would be warmer if I measured it in Celsius, but it’s even worse. “Rick Melén was hospitalized yesterday for hypothermia, and is expected to fully recover, but only to his previous state.” So we did what anyone with a questionable understanding of geography would do, and that’s go south, where it was cooler. Just traveling down the Garden State Parkway is always an experience. My Android Auto GPS map informed me that 10 miles away was a 20 minute slowdown. To me that’s not a transportation problem, it’s a math problem. How fast do I need to go NOW to make up for the time that the slowdown is going to slow me down? I calculated that If I got to the slowdown in two minutes, I could make up the time. I will need to go 300 miles per hour. Let me know if you’ve seen this: Sometimes the GPS will offer an alternate route: “17 minutes slower, tolls.” Are there other fine qualities of the route that they’re not telling me? OMG it’s SO WORTH IT! Everyone is in such a hurry I feel like the entire parkway is a race track. People are jockeying for position and even old ladies are cutting me off when I try to enter the fast lane. It’s as if there was ONE parking space at the end of the parkway and no one can stand the thought of anyone else getting there first. I have to go 78 miles per hour just to gain access into the left lane and immediately people behind me are flashing their lights for me to pull over into the right lane because I’m too slow for them. But doing so would be to aid and abet the crime of going 79 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone, and I would have to place myself under citizen’s arrest. I’m bouncing these ideas off my wife, but she’s sound asleep, so I’m bouncing them off parts of her body that I know won’t wake up. Should I pivot to the New Jersey Turnpike? Might be faster but there are so many trucks. I feel safer if I get behind one that has a sign that says “How’s My Driving?” and a phone number I can call. I dial it. “I’m behind one of your drivers and he’s making a face in the mirror like he’s going to cut me off. Could you ask him if that’s his regular face?” We finally get to the shore, and I have a few minutes to relax and unwind before I have to start thinking about how bad Beating the heat RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD SEE MELEN PAGE 14
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 13 Live Bands HAPPY CRABS PORK CHOP EXPRESS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Reis Park Wednesday,July 3 5PM Until Fireworks TOWN OF SOMERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOMERS LIONS CLUB SOMERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Basketball Tournament Hot Dog Eating Contest Fun Activities for Kids & Adults Famous Somers Lions BBQ Reis Park Concession Stand Town Sponsored Axe Throwing Somers Volunteer Fire Department Somers Police Department Somers EMS Somers Parks and Recreation Somers Highway Department Shuttle bus between SHS and Reis Park For Somers Residents & Accompanying Guests - No Pets Allowed SPECIAL THANKS TO
PAGE 14 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT ONE OF OUR SHOWROOMS TODAY! Your Bath. Your Kitchen. Your Home. 49 Route 138 Somers, NY 10589 M-Fr 9:00AM-4:30PM 914-232-2020 BESTPLG.COM $100 off $1,000 Minimum Purchase when Shipped Complete. Eligible at Yorktown and Somers showrooms only Show this Coupon to Receive Discount. One per customer Expires 8/15/24 (Across from the BJ’s Shopping Center) 3372 Old Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 M-Sat 9:00AM-5:00PM 914-736-2468 the traffic’s going to be on the way back. We stroll the boardwalk. An offer of an ice cream is readily accepted. Heroically I only order a kid-sized ice cream cone, but I tell them to picture a fat kid. We pass an escape room place with a line out front. If it takes that long to get in, I can’t imagine how long it will take to get out. It’s Father’s Day weekend, and dads ride free at the amusement park. It’s also Pride Month and Juneteenth. If I was a gay, black Dad, I bet they would pay ME to ride the rides. There are only a couple I can go on that won’t make me sick. There’s one with helicopters that roll around slowly on a track with small hills on it. I think I could go on that, but my wife won’t let me because she thinks it’s for babies. Then why do the helicopters say “POLICE,” “RESCUE” and “MARINES” on them? I’m an elite team member in that chopper, in service to my country. Plus there are other dads riding in it. “They’re holding their kids in,” my wife points out, so I look around to see if anyone might let me borrow their kid for a few minutes. I tell myself that the Garden State Parkway is much more fun than any old ride here, and I can keep telling myself that until Juneteenth fades into Julynth. Say hello at [email protected]. MELEN FROM PAGE 12 Dear Dr. Linda, Many years ago I was handed this fun quiz, “Matching Patriotic Song Lyrics to the Song.” I thought your readers would enjoy it as we approach the Fourth of July. It’s a great activity for the young and old. -Marlene H. Dear Marlene H., Thanks so much for sending me this great list of songs and lyrics. I’m not so sure how the young will do, but some middle agers and definitely seniors will have fun seeing how many songs they can match with their lyrics. Lyrics 1. “Stand beside her and guide her thru the night with a light from above.” 2. “Ev’ry heart beats true ‘neath the red, white and blue, where there’s never a boast or brag.” 3. “He has sounded from the trumpet that shall never call retreat, he is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat” 4. “O’er the ramparts we watched, Were so gallantly streaming.” 5. “Sweet land of liberty” 6. “From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters. This land was made for you and me.” 7. “Father and I went down to camp, Along with Captain Gooding…” 8. “Where the deer and the antelope play…” 9. “For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties…” 10. “The red and white and starry blue Is freedom’s shield and hope.” Songs • “The Star-Bangled Banner” ____ • “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” ____ • “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” ____ • “America the Beautiful” ____ • “God Bless America” ____ • “Stars and Stripes Forever” ____ • “Yankee Doodle” ____ • “This Land is Your Land” ____ • “You’re a Grand Old Flag” ____ • “Home on the Range” ____ Answers: “The StarBangled Banner” (4), “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” (5), “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” (3), “America the Beautiful” (9), “God Bless America” (1), “Stars and Stripes Forever” (10), “Yankee Doodle” (7), “This Land is Your Land” (6), “You’re a Grand Old Flag” (2), “Home on the Range” (8) Happy Birthday America! -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. Take this patriotic quiz DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING Letters and Op-Ed Policy Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Somers Record 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 email your submissions to [email protected].
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 FOCUS ON ELDER LAW For many years my clients would tell me that they regretted not having purchased longterm-care insurance (“LTCI”) when they were younger, could afford it and were insurable. While it is true that hindsight is 20-20, having LTCI does not guarantee you will have a need for it as you age. For example, you could pay the premium for a LTCI policy for 25-30 years and pass away in your 90s without ever having received the benefits from the LTCI policy. Unless one has purchased a hybrid LTCI policy (one which has both a death benefit and a longterm-care benefit), LTCI is a lot like having auto insurance. It is only useful if an individual goes into a nursing home, needs home health-aide assistance and is unable to perform two out of five activities of daily living. There is certainly a population of individuals that have this need and use their LTCI to its full extent, but there is also a large portion of LTCI policies purchased but never utilized. I can personally attest to this as both of my parents, with my encouragement, purchased LTCI over 20 years ago and religiously (but not happily) paid the premiums. My father is now 92 years of age and needs some limited assistance with activities of daily living. He is using his policy to assist with his care costs, but if the coverage is not used in full, which it likely will not be, the remaining benefits are lost. If you don’t use it, you lose it! Alternatively, if one purchases a hybrid policy (which combines the benefits of long-term care and life insurance into a single policy with a single monthly premium), if long term care benefits are needed, the death benefit can be used during the insured’s life to pay for same. Then, upon the insured’s passing, whatever amount of the death benefit remains is available to go to the beneficiaries named on the policy, like a traditional insurance policy. Far from a use it or lose it planning tool! Unfortunately, these hybrid policies were not an option when I assisted my parents in purchasing LTCI over 20 years ago and may be more expensive than traditional policies depending on the applicant’s age, health and insurability. In this day and age, I see the real value of a traditional LTCI policy when used as a buffer against the five-year look back created by a nonexempt transfer of assets for Medicaid eligibility purposes: also known as a gift. Consider this scenario: husband and wife transfer their home and/or non-retirement liquid assets to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT), thus creating the five-year lookback period for nursing home Medicaid eligibility, and at or about the same time they purchase LTCI policies that will provide them with significant coverage during the five-year lookback period they created. Once the lookback period has expired and the assets in the MAPT are protected for Medicaid purposes, the husband and wife can (if they wish) stop paying the premiums on the LTCI and let the policy lapse. Since the assets transferred into the MAPT are now protected for Medicaid purposes, the husband and wife have now limited their exposure to the cost of long-term care and have also provided themselves with insurance coverage if they had become in need of nursing home coverage during the five-year look back period. Additionally, it should be noted that if one has a large IRA/401k and/ or Qualified Annuity, the face value of the retirement account is protected and not counted for Medicaid eligibility purposes. Medicaid will, however, count the required minimum distribution (RMD) as available income for eligibility purposes. As such, funding qualified retirement funds is another way of sheltering assets from the cost of care, as they are exempt for Medicaid purposes and the income they generate can be used to pay for the cost of care. The cost of long-term care is on the rise. The average cost of 24/7 home care and nursing home care is between $180,000 to $220,000 per year in Westchester and surrounding counties. As such, preparing for these future costs is imperative and requires one to be proactive and consider all options, including long-term-care insurance and transfer of assets for Medicaid purposes, in advance of one needing the care. As with many challenges in life, advance planning is critical! Anthony J. Enea is the managing attorney 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 at a.enea@ esslawfirm.com. Long-term-care insurance is not the only way to pay for the cost of long-term care! IMAGE: ADOBE STOCK ‘The average cost of 24/7 home care and nursing home care is between $180,000 to $220,000 per year in Westchester and surrounding counties.’ -Anthony J. Enea Managing Attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 15
PAGE 16 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 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) Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com What’s more American on the Fourth of July than flag-waving, fireworks, barbecue, and … movies! In that spirit of ‘76, I thought it would be appropriate to suggest some movies about our nation’s history and movies not about our history but take place on the Fourth of July. These 10 selections serve as a sampler of what’s out there, to whet your appetite. [Credit to Wikipedia, funboy.com and today.com for helping with my research.] Born on the Fourth of July (1989) A sprawling anti-war drama starring Tom Cruise that is adapted from the autobiography of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran and wounded warrior who was paralyzed in battle becomes an outspoken and eloquent critic of the war after his exasperation in dealing with an unresponsive Veterans Administration. Harriet (2019) Featuring an Oscarnominated title performance by Cynthia Erivo, this bio-pic of the abolitionist Harriet Tubman tracks her escape from slavery to her heroic liberation of hundreds of slaves via the Underground Railroad. Revolution (1985) If this British historical drama set in New York during the Revolutionary War is unfamiliar to you, it’s likely because it did a belly flop. Still, it’s included here for sentimental reasons – as a respectful tip of the hat to recently deceased Donald Sutherland and because it also stars Al Pacino, who’s always interesting to watch even when not much else around him is. National Treasure (2004) Watch Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew (Nicolas Cage) steal the Declaration of Independence in a “treasure hunt through American history that’s as educational as it is exhilarating.” [Funboy.com] Independence Day (1996) Starring amateur prizefighter Will Smith, this disaster movie about “aliens attacking Earth and humanity bandin together” is “the ultimate 4th of July barbecue but with spaceships and a much bigger budget.” [Funboy.com] Hamilton (2020) Yes, the Broadway phenomenon from LinManuel Miranda that features Alexander Hamilton and other founding fathers rapping also is a film on Disney +. Jaws (1975) This landmark summer blockbuster is directed by a 26-year-old prodigy named Steven Spielberg. The screen adaptation of Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel, which takes place on the Fourth of July, terrorized real-life beachgoers for years beyond its theatrical release. John Williams’s bonechilling score features what is arguably the most recognizable main theme in Hollywood history. Even the iconic tagline struck fear in sunbathers: “Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water.” Lincoln (2012) Steven Spielberg’s film, which follows the final four months of The Great Emancipator’s life, picked up a dozen Oscar nominations. Its heart and soul is the acting genius of Daniel Day-Lewis, whose uncanny portrayal of the 16th president earned the British thespian his third Best Actor triumph. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) James Cagney’s unique stature in the pantheon of movie greats can be summed Get in the spirit of ‘76 with a viewing party BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG SEE APAR PAGE 19
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 17 SUMMER OPEN HOUSE Maplewood at Danbury is excited to share our beautiful community with you. Come experience our boutique style living. We offer on-site nursing, seasonally inspired dining, a robust engagement calendar, and much more. Stop by for a guided tour and take home a taste of Maplewood. Enjoy a delicious take-home light lunch/dinner of soup, salad or sandwich. BEST OF SENIOR LIVING 2024 22 Hospital Avenue | Danbury, Connecticut | 203.744.8444 | MaplewoodAtDanbury.com RSVP By July 5th by scanning the QR code. If any questions, contact Diana Lopes at [email protected] or 203.744.8444. SUNDAY, JULY 7TH | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
PAGE 18 – THE SOMERS RECORD OPINION JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com WE ARE MOVING. As of July 1, 2024, come visit us at OUR NEW LOCATION 253 ROUTE 202 SOMERS, NY 10589 AFFORDABLE 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 We follow strict CDC guidelines. We pledge to keep everyone safe! •Precision Cuts • Sets • High-End Color • Highlights • Perms • Blow-Dry • Facial Waxing (914) 232-7070 Hours: Tues • Wed • Fri 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Thurs 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Time for Summer Fun! Enjoy the Summer Season and Look your Best! At the start of his first year in private school, Pete Cormier, a skinny low man on the totem pole freshman, took a stand, closer to a leap of faith, for what he believed was right. His stand began at the Cormier dinner table in 1968. Pete complained to his father, the writer Robert Cormier, about being tasked to sell chocolates for a school fundraiser. His father, no lover of authority, gave him permission not to participate. For the next few years, in his spare time while working as a newspaper editor and columnist, the senior Cormier stayed up late turning his son’s unheralded act of defiance into a best seller, “The Chocolate War.” The book follows a smalltown high school freshman who refuses to sell candy for his school’s fundraiser. The aggrieved school headmaster then sets loose the hounds. By the end of the book, its idealistic hero is beaten, ostracized and left just as alone as ever. Published in 1974, the book found a wide audience with young people who were already disenchanted with the Vietnam War and the way their elders were running the country. Many battles were being fought. Reproductive rights, civil and gay rights, but the most important battle, arguably the battle from which all human rights proceed from, was the one fought by Pete Cormier and the character in his father’s book: the right to question authority. “The Chocolate War” spurred book-ban challenges across the country. The book was condemned for its “locker room” language (I have heard far worse from soccer moms) and “depressing” tone. A teen stands up to authority and gets beat-up and chased out of school. The people who are supposed to protect him and be his friends attempt to destroy him. It is a depressing story and who knows how it ends? The Declaration of Independence does nothing but question and restrain authority. Its radical proposition, “all men are created equal,” is easily the most antiauthoritarian proclamation ever made and, of course, the bane of authoritarians large and small. In most cases, the book was reinstated. Cormier spent months responding to challenges. He invited interviews with educators and corresponded with critics on both sides. But in the late 1980s, a parent from Panama City, Fla., whose child attended Mowat Middle School, objected to the book’s “morbid” and “depressing” tone. The book was immediately pulled. This in return prompted a group of English teachers, who had spent years getting rid of outdated textbooks and were trying to find titles that would get their students interested in reading, to take a stand against book banning at their school. Then things got scary. A reporter covering the story found the front door to his house set ablaze, after publicly revealing that there were invalid signatures on the petition supporting the ban. The teachers all received death threats. After a class action lawsuit was filed, Mowat school officials slowly began restoring the banned titles. Book bans are only meaningful as symbols, especially today, when any 12-year-old can read a banned book just by pressing a few buttons. For me, in view of the polarized country we live in today, the most striking aspect of the Panama City story is the way threats of violence against public school educators, small town clerks, and many more, have become the norm. Silence only justifies the threats. Does it take that much courage for our leaders to speak out against political terrorism? Today, we celebrate freedom. We do it with armed guards, bomb-sniffing police dogs, and Pete Cormier’s lonely stand for freedom SEE GARO PAGE 19 LORENZO GARO OF HUMAN INTEREST
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 OPINION THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 19 the vigilance required to live in a nation that, for all its freedoms, feels less safe than it ever has been. We once believed that nuclear weapons might end war once and for all, the consequences too devastating to even think about. Yet the entire world, every person in it, is being held hostage by them. Why can’t we learn that no amount of weaponry can keep us safe unless we first agree not to shoot each other? I know that makes no sense. It is like putting the cart before the horse. Or destroying ourselves before giving peace a try. Freedom means different things to different people. One person’s freedom is another’s prison. On the Fourth of July, I think of the Mayflower, not the ship, the pilgrims. Just as Pete Cormier, the schoolteachers at Mowat, county clerks, and many others, they were standing up to oppression, too. They must have had some boat ride, crossing the ocean with little more to guide them than the stars and their faith. It’s not a stockpile of nukes or the mightiest military in the world that keeps America free. It’s a ninthgrader questioning authority, public educators refusing to be stifled by politics, election officials risking their lives to preserve the vote. If they don’t disappear, neither will freedom. GARO FROM PAGE 18 up by noting that the actor whose fame was built playing tough-asnails gangsters won the Best Actor Oscar as legendary song–and-dance man George M. Cohan (composer of numerous patriotic standards, such as “Your’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Over There”), who was born on the Fourth of July. 1776 (1972) It helps to be a Broadway musical fan to appreciate this light-hearted and quite tuneful take on the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but it also makes a serviceable American history lesson. Spoiler (not): the birth of our nation was fraught with political factions lurching at each other’s throats. Ah, yes. The more things change … APAR FROM PAGE 16 Source: OKMLS, 1/1/23-12/31/23, total dollar volume of single family homes and condominiums sold by Agent, Somers school district AGENT IN SOMERS & HERITAGE HILLS DONNA O’CONNELL Associate Real Estate Broker M 914.263.9108 O 914.277.8040 Ext. 334 [email protected] donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com SOMERS BROKERAGE 104 VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY 10589 It’s a great time to list your home or condo. I would be happy to provide you with a complimentary market analysis. With over twenty-five years of experience and an unmatched devotion to each client, I make the transaction process easy. Sellers are receiving multiple offers for their properties! Thinking about selling your home or condo? I can help! Photo Submissions Photos submitted to The Somers Record need to be a high-resolution image. Images that are submitted at a low resolution cannot be published. Submit photos by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissions can be emailed to somersrecord@ halstonmedia.com.
PAGE 20 THE SOMERS RECORD –SMS students hard at work at the Tusker Tribune! Students and staff getting in the Halloween spirit! An ecology lesson with ‘Dumpster Doug’ at SIS. SHS students paAngie Ayoubi and Maya Donnelly each won a grand prize at WESEF. PES students at Mustcoot FarmSchool’s out for summWe're so proud of you and everything you've accomplished. Wishing you the best in high school and beyond. Keep following your dreams, we know you can do great things. WE LOVE YOU TOÑITO Dad, Mom and Joseph Anthony Melillo Congratulations on your 8th-grade graduation! Progressive Animal Hospital What is the most common mismanaged condition that you see? THE ITCHY DOG! Is your pet... scratching • licking • chewing feet or having chronic skin infections? Stop treating the symptoms and find out the underlying cause with a simple blood test. Get your pet feeling better and stop the frequent trips to the vet. INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 route 202 l somers, ny 10589 914.248.6220 l progressive-vet.com Voted “Best of Somers” 2020-2023 Come See Us At Our New LPUTNAM WIAUTO , COMMRESIDENTIAL W1065 Route 6, Ma• Paint protection film • Vehicle lettering • Full Service vehicle wraps • gift cards available
– JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 PAGE 21 The Destination Imagination winners from Somers Middle School. SIS students making blankets for Project Linus. 15 World Language students from Somers High School completed the requirements of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. aid a visit to Primrose Elementary. m. Primrose Elementary’s Olivia Ponzio got to be a junior reporter for the NY Giants . Students throughout the Somers Central School District had another eventful year of learning and having fun! Everyone at The Somers Record hopes that all of our students, parents, faculty and staff have a safe and enjoyable summer! mer! Come indulge in scenic Lake Mahopac • New & Pre-owned Boats • Service & Repairs • Docking & Storage • Boating Accessories 1 Marina Dr. • Mahopac, NY • 845-628-2333 57 macdonaldmarineny.net MacDonaldMarineNY Location! INDOW TINT MERCIAL AND WINDOW FILM Follow us on Instagram ahopac, NY 10541 Over 35 in Business Years Elder Law & Estate Planning Wills, Trusts & Estates Small Business • Real Estate Matrimonial • Criminal Personal Injury • Commercial SOMERS • YONKERS Evening Appointments & Home Visits Tel: 914-964-6806 www.marralaw.com • [email protected]
PAGE 22 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Call for your FREE consultation today 293 Route 100 Suite 209 Somers, NY (914) 277-1111 www.BBOsmiles.com FREE ICE CREAM WITH YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION JULY IS NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH AND TO CELEBRATE WE ARE GIVING ALL NEW PATIENTS A FREE KING KONE ICE CREAM VOUCHER AT YOUR FIRST VISIT Escargot are family, not food. Eighth-grade students studying French at Somers Middle School adopted “snails” as part of their year-end review. The snails were actually shells provided by their teacher that students could then decorate to make their own. Some chose to paint their shells, while others glued on googly eyes. Each snail turned out as unique as the student who adopted it. “My snail’s name is Lucy and she lives in my mug,” said Niamh O’Connor. Each student filled out an adoption form in French, answering questions about themselves, how they would care for their new snail, and what kind of snail they were hoping to adopt. Once their adoption paperwork was approved, all students took an Oath of Adoption and promised to care for their snails. “We also had to answer questions about things that make us responsible owners, such as what will they eat and what will they do,” Lily Lassen said. Another part of the assignment was to build a new home for their snail. Students were able to express their creativity by using a variety of objects and containers. Some students opted for simple plastic containers outfitted with natural materials such as rocks and grass, while others picked more elaborate containers like a large coffee mug, a shoe box, and a lunch box. Many students added personalized decorations to make their snails feel welcome. “Her name is Collette,” said Hazel Sledzik. “There was a question about what my snail would like to do. I said she’d like to listen to music. I decorated my snail house with pictures of albums I like.” Finally, students created baby books of places where they took their snails. Snails were taken home, around the school, to different classes, the park, restaurants, and even on vacation. Along the way, students took pictures of their snails to add to their baby book and then included captions in French about the picture. “On Memorial Day I was in a beach community in Connecticut,” said Hazel, “and I brought my snail. It was fun finding spots to take pictures with her on vacation.” Applying to adopt an escargot and creating a baby book helped students review content they learned this year in a new and engaging way and helped them prepare for their FLACS exams. “It helped us review a lot of older words from earlier in the year because we had to answer questions on the adoption papers which were all in French,” Madison Kaplan said. Article courtesy of Somers Central School District. Snail pals! YOUTH FOCUS Is your child’s Scout Troop working on a community service project? Did their team bring home a championship? Is there a youth program you would like to recognize or an upcoming event we should know about? We want to hear from you! In this special section we aim to highlight the youth of our community, including sports, Scouting, and any other programs or events affiliated with the school district. Please send photos and story ideas to [email protected]. Youth Focus is proudly sponsored by our friends at Bridgham Barr Orthodontics, located at 293 Route 100 in Somers. Learn more at www.bbosmiles.com
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 23 Alexis Herbert What interests you most? Going to the gym after school. Favorite comfort food? Chicken or steak What is something that most people don’t know about you? I adopted my own cat at 16! What is something that motivates you? My cat! Were your years at Somers High School what you expected them to be? No, not at all! I thought they would be better and worse at times, but they ended up making me who I am so I can’t complain! Get to know more about members of the Somers High School Class of 2024! Celebrating SHS Seniors Max Pirone What interests you most? Weightlifting Favorite vacation spot? Never been on vacation. What do you hope to be doing in five years? Be a plumber. What is something that motivates you? Being rich. Were your years at Somers High School what you expected them to be? No Parker Stoecker What is something that most people don’t know about you? I got my boat license when I was 10 years old. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night owl, but I wish I was a morning person. Are you a coffee or tea person? Tea What do you hope to be doing in five years? I hope to be teaching special education kids. Were your years at Somers High School what you expected them to be? Because of Covid, my freshman and sophomore year were a little different than I had expected them to be, but junior and senior year were normal (by Covid standards) and were so much fun! Connor Meyers What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Funny, loud and energetic Favorite book? “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath What is something that most people don’t know about you? I’m interested in forensics. What is something that motivates you? My mom Were your years at SHS what you expected them to be? Yeah, I guess so. I thought it was going to be fun and stressful and it was. Micaela Hartman What three words would your friends use to describe you and your personality? Creative, friendly, ginger What interests you most? Baking, theatre, art, and animals! What is something that most people don’t know about you? I’m a child actress. What do you hope to be doing in five years? Having an animal shelter bakery What is something that motivates you? My nephew, little brother and my pets
BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Wednesday June 19, the Highway Hammers took on Prime Pub in Men’s Softball, and by the 5th inning, the game was decidedly going in the favor of the highwaymen. Even so, Tommy Deagan took his time in the box and methodically leveled the dirt. Not going unnoticed by Al Tiso on the rubber, the Prime Pub pitcher responded in kind. “Will you get in the box already,” Tiso couldn’t hold back. So was the terse little exchange some B-League gamesmanship at Reis Park on a sweltering summer night. No way, said Tiso after his team’s 17-5 loss, “Me and Tommy are friends. We like to have some fun out there.” Still, Deagan wasn’t in complete agreement. “There’s nothing better than beating Al Tiso,” he joked. The game didn’t start that way, though, and despite being down a few players, Prime Pub loaded the bases. Dave Kossow reached on an error, Kevin Murray singled, and Bob Considine’s one out walk completed the traffic jam. Jackson Kossow then kept it in the family with a sacrifice fly and Tiso reloaded the bases when his grounder wasn’t handled at second. A pair of singles later by PJ Rossetti and Nick Uva and it was a 4-0 game. Undeterred, the Hammers started swinging, and their weapon of choice was singles. Deagan, Steve Danko, and Erik Carnazza loaded the bases, and after Anthony Maestri grounded out to short, Scott Pires, Mikey Pires, Matt Lancia, Eric Carpaneto and Gio Fierro did it with two outs. The top half of the inning erased, the Hammers led 5-4, and the second inning only had Prime putting up a single by Murray. The Hammers weren’t waiting around for Prime to catch up either. Mike Factor reached on an error, Danko singled to the opposite filed, and Carnazza drove in Factor with another single. 6-4 now, the Hammers continued to keep the ball in play. A grounder to short by Scott Pires produced another error, and Mikey Pires was looking pretty smart when he blooped a two out double to the right field line. But the 1st baseman didn’t chalk the hit up to bat control and taking what the pitcher gives. “It just happens. It will be inside and the ball still goes that way,” he admitted Good for three more runs, he wasn’t giving the RBIs back, and in the top of the third, the Prime bats remained rare. One, two, three went the visitors, and the home half was pretty quiet too. Two hits and no runs for the Highway, and Prime was positioned to make a game of it in the fourth. Uva and Mike Cooney singled with one out, and Barry Cash dropped what appeared to be a third straight single to short center. But the force was thrown in from the outfield, and now runners were on the corners with two outs. A bad break, Dave Kossow grounded to short, and the home team took out the sledge. Danko led off with a homer, Carnazza singled, and Scott Pires’ shot to deep center resulted in an inside the park home run. The lead now eight, a single up the middle produced some more amusing commentary by the two elder statesmen. “That’s the third one you guys have hit back at me,” Tiso directed toward Deagan. The Prime pitcher was referring to an unwritten rule among the players. Meant mostly for old guys, batters should try to avoid hitting up the middle. Nope, Deagan was strictly by the book. “Aim head high,” he instructed his team. A pitcher himself, Deagan knows the peril, and obviously kidding, he enjoyed a chuckle with his counterpart. Even better, a grounder to second ended the inning, and Kossow did get a little revenge. He led off the fifth with a home, and a 12-5 game was still in reach. But the bottom proved the end of the road, and Danko did major damage again. “It’s always good to hit a couple of homers,” said the centerfielder. His mom agreed. “Awesome,” said Marie Danko, and she loves that her son has added another memory to a long list. Three more hits, and Mikey Pires found right field again for the mercy victory. A 17-5 final, all that remained was giving credit where due. Not a chance, said Tiso, “Tommy Deagan is not a good pitcher.” More fun banter, Tiso summed another fun night up at the park with his friend. “Tommy doesn’t really care anymore, and I don’t really care anymore either,” he concluded. PAGE 24 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Sports 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/24 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/24 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team Highway Hammers live up to namesake in win over Prime Pub Steve Danko Scott Pires PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI MEN’S SOFTBALL Members of the Tuskers track team during the Somers High School graduation on June 24. PHOTO COURTESY OF TONI ANNE HIRSCH Racing toward the future!
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 LEISURE THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 25 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. Six (Spanish) 5. Invests in little enterprises 9. Large dung beetle 11. Gored 13. Partially paralyzed 15. Still a little wet 16. Legal field media company 17. Not working 19. 500 sheets of paper 21. Church structure 22. Sheep disease 23. Small drink of whiskey 25. Weaving tradition 26. Pestilence 27. Body part 29. Nabs 31. Places to stay 33. Witnesses 34. Looked for 36. Arranges 38. Political action committee 39. Middle eastern nation (alt. sp.) 41. Hair-like structure 43. Parts producer 44. Greek city 46. Subway dwellers 48. Norm from “Cheers” 52. Clean a floor 53. Vied for 54. Canned fish 56. Inspire with love 57. Sent down moisture 58. Wrest 59. Partner to carrots CLUES DOWN 1. Mounted 2. Assign 3. Wrath 4. Self-immolation by fire ritual 5. Parts of an organism 6. Person from England 7. Tropical plants of the pea family 8. Body part 9. Practice boxing 10. Containers 11. Contrary beliefs 12. Bleached 14. Pre-Islamic Egyptian 15. A group of similar things ordered one after another 18. Innermost spinal cord membranes 20. Cassava 24. A restaurant’s list of offerings 26. Annoy constantly 28. Orchestrate 30. Z Z Z 32. Astute 34. Highly decorated tea urn 35. Teach to behave 37. Endurance 38. Urinating 40. Barbie friend dolls 42. Repents 43. Man-eating giant 45. Jewish calendar month 47. Accelerated 49. Husband of Sita in Hindu 50. Lump of semiliquid substance 51. Lying in wait 55. Cease to exist 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 The Somers Record YES, I really enjoy The Somers Record 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 Mahopac News Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times
It also was Trustee Heidi Cambareri’s last meeting. She declined to run for reelection after serving on the board for six years. According to Getman, among Blanch’s many accomplishments to ensure that all students grades 6 through 12 received personal learning devices such as iPads. It was the first such initiative in the area, he said. Blanch made the district a “model for safety” by making updates to its facilities, including placing SROs at each of its four buildings. He “increased student voice” by adding them to school and hiring committees. Making reference to the heat wave, Getman noted that Blanch had the “foresight” to install air conditioning in most classrooms, which allowed Somers to remain open while other district’s were forced to close early. Moreover, Blanch “kept all students, kindergarten through sixth grade, all day every day, in school throughout the pandemic,” he said, adding that “we were the only schools in the area to do so.” Before making any changes, Blanch consistently asked for feedback “from every group imaginable,” said Getman, proudly pointing out that Somers’ students “go off to great colleges and find success after high school.” “They feel connected and are proud of their school. This connection begins with a leader,” he said. Blanch has been supportive of students and their parents during the toughest of times, such as when they’ve made “a major mistake and are facing discipline or when they’ve suffered a loss.” “He’s our students’ biggest cheerleader at sporting and academic events, art shows, concerts, musicals and graduations,” Getman said, adding: “He is everywhere.” Folks who worked with Blanch each day were lucky to “see this dedication firsthand.” “He does not get nearly enough recognition for all the good he’s done for us,” Getman said. It’s also sad, he said, that Blanch had been “the target of unwarranted criticism, criticism that was delivered in person, in public meetings, and online in ways no person should be subjected to, especially someone who works so hard and cares so much about the success of our district.” “Adults have acted in ways that we would never tolerate from even our youngest students. All the while, he remained professional,” he said. Thanking Blanch for all he’s done “for our students, our community, for me and many of us in this room,” Getman said he hoped “your new community appreciates all that you bring to the table and that you find the support that you deserve. Mark Bayer, who just retired as Somers High School principal, lauded Blanch as someone who “leads with both his heart and his head” and who has “carefully and quite successfully stewarded this district for well over a decade. “Doing what’s right for students is always his North Star” and he has instilled the same values in all educators who call Somers their professional home.” “While some might disagree with decisions that have been made from time to time, no one can doubt that his heart has always been in the right place,” Bayer said. For instance, in a time of declining enrollment when many other superintendents simply would have cut staff or programs to close the budgetary gap, Blanch led faculty, staff, students, and families on visioning and goal-setting exercises. Not only did this strategy avoid cuts, it kept Somers a “desirable” place to work and also led to programs that “added value to the educational experience,” Bayer said. PAGE 26 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com Happy 4th of July! RED WHITE & BLUE SAVINGS! TAKE $100 OFF ANY WATER HEATER/WATER SOFTENER INSTALLATION. 1964-2024 60 Years of Excellence Dr. Blanch offering words of wisdom for the Somers High School Class of 2023. PHOTO: EMRIN LECLAIR ‘We are better educators and people because of your guidance and support.’ Jeffrey Getman Former Somers Middle School principal BLANCH FROM PAGE 1 SEE BLANCH PAGE 27
“Why? Because he cares deeply about all those who call our schools home and call each other family,” he said, calling Blanch caring, fair, level-headed, and hard working. Not all of Blanch’s decisions had been “universally supported by the many different constituents that exist in a district like ours,” said Bayer, adding: “Unfortunately that just come with the territory of the position that he holds.” While telling board members that he had “tremendous respect” for the work they do and that he recognized the “often complex nature” of their roles, Bayer also found fault with the way Blanch’s contract situation was handled. “Some of you have failed the district, and most importantly, our students by choosing to fail to renew a contract when you had the chance to and that’s losing one of the best superintendents out there,” he said. Telling Blanch he’ll be “sorely missed by so many of us,” Bayer said: “Our loss is undoubtedly Katonah-Lewisboro’s gain.” Somers Intermediate School PTA president Mimi Freeman scolded board members who did not support Blanch’s contract extension. Although “sorely disappointed” over his pending departure, Freeman wasn’t surprised considering “the way he was treated by some of you over this past year.” “No district is perfect but considering all of the challenges we have faced over the past few years, we have successfully navigated through them under his leadership,” she said. Had Blanch had the BOE’s full support, he could have “focused on leading us to further successes,” she said, adding: “Instead we faced further division, more fear mongering and more disinformation.” Asking how anyone could be expected to persevere under those conditions, Freeman said she hoped that all board members were “ready to do the work to get us through this.” Thanking Blanch for helping her family “feel accepted, heard, and supported,” Freeman said she hoped that “Katonah appreciates how lucky they are that our BOE failed to keep you happy here.” When it came time for the board to approve a “separation agreement,” Cambareri abstained, pointing out that it was the first time in her six years on the board that she hadn’t voted. The resolution identified the person as “Employee No. 2088” but it was clear from what she said later that it was Blanch. People in other districts have told Cambareri that they’re envious of Somers having a long-term superintendent. Knowing that the district was losing him was especially “painful” to Cambareri, who said her “heart sunk” when she learned the Katonah-Lewisboro” superintendent was retiring because she knew “what torture” Blanch “been put through here” and the amount of “disrespect” he’d suffered. “I knew you deserved to go someplace where you could be respected and trusted and have a community that deserves to have you,” she said, adding that she knew Blanch will have the same “great impact” on his new school district that he had in Somers. Thanking Blanch for laying the groundwork, Cambareri said she hoped that the district “can find a new superintendent that will help us continue to do that good work.” She told Comerford that she would also be missed and is leaving behind big shoes to fill. Cambareri also had some parting words of wisdom for fellow trustees. “So my challenge is for our board now, and our new board members, please do your work. I implore you to do the professional learning, to learn how to be the best board member you can be, to keep the district moving forward,” she said, pausing for emphasis. JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 27 HAPPY HOUR DAILY: 2 PM - 6PM •Happy Hour Cocktail Specials ~ S7 From the Daily Blackboard List • Premium Wines By The Glass - $7 Select from 10 Varietals •HALF OFF ~ Menu Appetizers Selection of 20 Items • BEER ~ Draft & Bottles - $5 * Bar seating only * Not available for take out or on holidays 914-277-7575 • ilfornosomers.com 343 US-202, SOMERS, NY 10589 ‘Wine’ not try our Happy Hour! 4 Heritage Hills Plaza, 202 Ctr. • Somers, NY 10589 914-277-4222 • www.somerssmiles.com A new generation of family dentistry CALL US & make your appointment TODAY! Wishing you a safe 4th of July BLANCH FROM PAGE 26 Dr. Blanch was instrumental in providing learning technology for students. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCSD Blanch with Town Supervisor Rob Scorrano at the “Somers Soars” event earlier this year. SEE BLANCH PAGE 28
PAGE 28 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Your One-Stop Shop for Deck Building Materials Mahopac Railroad Tie Experts in Deck Lumber 911 Route 6, Mahopac, NY • 845-628-8111 • www.decklumber.com DECKING & RAILING 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com • [email protected] DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor • BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director • RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad Station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 • Cremations and Burials “Get out of this cycle of butting heads and stopping progress, because that’s really where we are right now.” Urging a return to “respectful discourse,” Cambareri asked: “I mean, who do we want to be? Who you get as your next superintendent is going to depend on this town and this community and this board.” Wishing Blanch the best, Trustee Chadwick Olsen admired the way he’d handled himself as superintendent. And that was “with honesty, integrity, caring, and teamwork.” Speaking to administration, he said the collaboration is “really impressive.” “I see what you do and I come away with such great energy and excitement,” said, adding that teachers are also inspired. Hoping that the momentum would be maintained, Olsen said that it “wasn’t going to be easy,” but “we can do it and we can do it together.” He also expressed appreciation for Cambareri’s hard work and dedication, which set a “real standard that we need to keep here on the board.” Trustee Ifay Chang said Blanch had done a “tremendous amount of work for us and kept our schools in good, good shape.” Noting that Blanch won’t be far away, Chang said he’d be welcome to “come back from time to time.” “We’d like to visit you as well,” he added. “I’m also sorry to see Heidi leave because she would be a good force to keep a lot of us working hard,” Change said. Trustee Dominick DeMartino thanked Cambareri for her service. “This is not an easy job. It’s a lot of work and I know you put a lot of effort into it,” he told her. DeMartino also wished Blanch and Comerford “good luck.” Trustee Patrick Varbero agreed that Cambareri was “very dedicated” to her role as trustee. “You have intense feelings about it and you did a pretty good job,” he said, thanking her to showing him and DeMartino “how to get things done.” Varbero wished Blanch “all the best of luck in his new endeavor.” Trustee Amanda Kandel told Cambareri not to think she was off the hook because she intended to continue to “pick her brains.” As a PTA member, she’d worked with Blanch and found that he “always had an open door” and that if there were any concerns, he was always willing to work through the problems together. Saying Comerford had done an “outstanding” job, Kandel admitted she was going to miss her “terribly” as well. Finding someone to fill Blanch’s shoes is going to be tough work but she thought she was up for “this challenge” and didn’t “intend to settle.” Board president Nick Mancini was absent. Taking up his usual task of closing out the meeting, Blanch was visibly moved as he read American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “To Laugh Often and Much.” “To laugh often and much: To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” Blanch also snuck in a Walt Disney saying: “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” “Thank you for all the moments, thank you,” he concluded as someone in the audience shouted “We love you Ray!” The board gave him a standing ovation. BLANCH FROM PAGE 27 these hearty cakes have a much older history in this country. Sign up for classes individually and if you have a food allergy please call the library and they can go over the ingredients to see if you can eat our finished product. This is one of five classes available this summer. Registration required. Read to Hank the Therapy Dog! Saturday, July 20, at 10:30 a.m. The library is welcoming Hank from Paws for a Cause! Each child will get to read with our special friend for 15-minutes. Best for beginning readers (age 5 & up). Timeslots available to register on the library’s online calendar. Somers Library Classic Book Group Monday, July 22, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Available to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom, First published in 1852, “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens is the complex story of a notorious law-suit in which love and inheritance are set against the classic urban background of 19th century London, where fog on the river, seeping into the very bones of the characters, symbolizes the corruption of the legal system and the society that supports it. Build a S’mores Solar Oven for Grades 4 - 7 Tuesday, July 23, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Using a pizza box, everyone will build a solar oven to cook s’mores or anything else you might want to try at home! The library will provide you the materials for this project. Teen Snacks Around the World – Thailand Tuesday, July 30 at 5 p.m. Not traveling this summer? Then why not come to a program that lets you try chips, candy, chocolate and more from all over the world? This month we will be trying snacks from exotic Thailand. Come along and bring a friend. Registration required. TRUNK FROM PAGE 9 SEE TRUNK PAGE 34
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 29 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER A look at Gigi Vincentz’s work says one thing loud and clear. The young artist really knows what she’s doing, and about to enter high school, her start ties to a singular moment. “The second I picked up a pencil,” said the Somers student. From there, she moved onto watercolors and has mostly settled on acrylics and graphite pencils. “I’ve always liked to create stuff,” said Vincentz. So the strokes are set in motion by her interests. Music among them, she feels pretty good about her recent creation of Paul McCartney. “I love the Beatles,” she said. Not actually getting the icon to sit, she uses photographs as her guide and does the same even when the subject is really close to home. Sadie, her dog, is a favorite subject, and the canine doesn’t mind being a stand in of sorts. “She has really curly hair and curly hair is very hard to do with all the different shades and details,” said Vincentz. “So sometimes I do her for practice.” Either way, she goes back to the beginning for whatever her latest inspiration is. “I do a (pencil) sketch on a canvas and then add in more details,” Vincentz said. A strategy that has actually put her work at the right angle (or angles). “It was cool to see my stuff in frames,” the freshman said of her work displayed at Coldwell Banker in Somers. A school exhibit, she was pretty proud and she wasn’t alone. “When I make my parents proud, I feel very confident,” Vincentz explained. More so probably with her mom because she is an artist herself. On the other hand, the daughter is selective about getting such an up close and personal opinion. “If I ask her to be a critic, she is a critic, but most of the time, she’s just a mom,” joked Vincentz. The artist doesn’t shy away from the chance to improve, though. “Criticism is important,” she said. “If I mess up, tell me I messed up.” That sets her up going forward. “Then I can usually take it and apply to more pieces, and if it’s good advice, it will stick with me,” Vincentz said. Conversely in the event that the criticism doesn’t measure up or doesn’t provide the opportunity for improvement, the creative is impervious. “As long as I like it,” Vincentz assured. “That’s all that matters.” Her right brain in agreement, she probably doesn’t appreciate veering left when the digits start to add up in class. “I’m pretty good in math,” she revealed. “I want to put that to use.” And her possible career interest has a crossover. “Math and art can relate a lot in architecture, because a lot of the design ideas have to be measured and precise,” she said. So where does the criss-cross leave her passion for art in the future? “It will probably be a hobby for me,” Vincentz said. The nonprofit nature of her choice doesn’t mean any less value, though. “When I talk and then I act, that’s how I am on the outside. But my inner mind is expressed through art,” she concluded. Somers artist has a criss-cross of talent Gigi’s artwork featuring John Lennon and Paul McCartney Gigi earned a NYS PTA Award of Merit PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATHRYN VINCENTZ Gigi Vincentz The Vacation Therapists® We Plan You Relax Frank Bastone, Chief Vacation Therapist®️ [email protected] 845-669-6149 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! 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults
PAGE 30 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Duane Joseph Taylor, a lifelong resident of Shenorock, NY, passed away Monday, June 3, 2024, at the age of 47. Duane was born April 4th, 1977, in Mt. Kisco, NY, the son of Janice Hill Taylor of Shenorock, NY, and the late Joseph Taylor. He graduated from Somers High School in 1995, Somers, NY. From a young age, Duane was known for his generosity and kindness. He had a heart of gold, and his family would often joke that he would give any person in need the shirt off his back, or his mother and sister’s, which he did indeed do, several times. During his time as a licensed stockbroker, Duane shared his success with others, constantly giving thoughtful gifts to family and friends. On one occasion, Duane enthusiastically sent his Grandmother to see the Yankees in the World Series, behind home plate, even though he was an avid Mets fan. Duane also possessed the rare quality of leading with compassion and empathy. After every interaction with him, one would leave knowing Duane cared deeply about them. Those closest to him fondly remember the nicknames he lovingly bestowed upon them; especially his sister, who, for whatever reason, was always called “Loogie,” despite her early protests and his “Gamoos,” Danielle Valle. Gamoos was his unwavering best friend, a true “BFF”, the kind of friend you can only hope to find in a lifetime. She never left his side no matter how tough things got, and Duane’s family is grateful for her love and support. Duane was affectionately referred to as Uncle DD by his nieces and nephew, Taylor, Britton, and Easton, and they will miss him dearly. He truly had the kindest soul and this could be further seen by the outpouring of love showed on social media. In his later years, Duane suffered from schizophrenia and even though he didn’t have much to give monetarily, he constantly found ways to help those in his neighborhood. He loved music, particularly Bob Marley, and the message of love and unity he spread. He also loved walking his dogs, spending time with his son, Parker, and playing video games with his nephew, Easton. Most of all, he loved his mother, who tirelessly fought alongside him, advocating for him when he couldn’t for himself. He will be deeply missed by those his “light in the darkness” touched. He truly knew what was important in life and even as it became increasingly difficult for him, he showed up and spread the “Peace, Love, and Light” he so desperately looked for in the world. Duane is survived by his adored son, Parker Thomas Taylor, who is stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California, and his mother, Alison Wheeler. Duane is also survived by his mother Janice, his sister, Candace Taylor-Bassi of Somers; nieces, Taylor and Britton Bassi and his nephew Easton Bassi; his maternal grandmother, Alicia Hill of Pawling, NY; and his stepfather, Keith Pousada. Services were held on June 8th, 2024 at Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster, NY. Donations may be made in Duane’s name to the National Alliance of Mental Illness https://naminys.org Or: Somers Partners in Prevention 335 Route 202, Somers NY 10589 STAND UP TO STIGMA - NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH Duane Taylor 1977-2024 OBITUARY Residents lost power, roads were blocked, and homes were damaged, but fortunately no serious injuries were reported during a storm that swept through the area on the evening of Sunday, June 23. North Salem Highway Superintendent Ward Hanaburgh was out and about when he said “all hell broke loose.” It was the “hardest blowing rain” he had ever seen and “trees started falling everywhere.” Three giant oak trees were snapped in half at Peach Pond Cemetery and a cottage in Vails Grove, a cooperative on Peach Lake, was crushed by a falling tree. The occupant was uninjured except for some scratches. The deck of a home in Pietsch Garden Co-op was damaged by a falling tree. About 2,500 North Salem resident lost power during the height of the storm. As of 1 p.m. Monday, June 24, that number was down to 390. The northeast corner of town seemed to be hit the hardest. Vail’s Grove resident John Goff, a former reporter for News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley, was attempting to drive home Sunday when the storm hit. Finding the road blocked, he wisely decided to pull over and ride things out. The trees and the rain were both “going sideways,” he said. The worst of it was over in about 10 minutes. A c c o r d i n g to Goff, friends and neighbors rushed to the aid of the woman whose home was destroyed, Joan Visbal, mother in law of North Salem police Officer Anthony Spennicchia. She was uninjured except for minor scratches. Whenever disaster strikes, Vail’s Grove folks “pull together as a community,” he said. Despite the damage, things “could have been a lot worse,” Hanaburgh said. North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas echoed that sentiment, adding “We were thankful that no one was seriously hurt.” Carol Reif and Tom Walogorsky contributed to this report. ‘All hell broke loose’ Storm wreaks havoc in North Salem A home in nearby Vails Grove was destroyed in the storm. The interior of the cottage. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN GOFF REGIONAL ‘We were thankful that no one was seriously hurt.’ Warren Lucas North Salem Town Supervisor
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 31 Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates | Estate Planning | Probates Elder Law, Medicaid Coordination & Estate Planning Attorneys We Make Home & Hospital Visits Contact the Team Today! (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 C Clark & Giordano | G Funeral Home Clark Funeral Home is now Under New Ownership Family Owned and Operated Joseph Giordano Jr., Owner/Yorktown Graduate and Resident Centrally Located in the Heart of Yorktown Oversized Chapel and Large Parking Lot We look forward to serving and giving back to the community that has been our home for so many years. 2104 Saw Mill River Road (Route 35, 118 & 202) • Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Additional Location: Curry & Giordano Funeral Home, Peekskill 914.962.3333 www.clarkfh.com ‘Fore’ a good cause! SEF trustee Steve Sledzik with Peggy Schweizer, Christopher Stanwich, and Christian Zebicoff Jeff Feldman, Jon Cortell, and Neil Falcone SEF trustees Jason Klatsky, Jeremy Newman, Peter Dawson, Nick Chakmakian and Glenn Hintze PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLENN HINTZE Chris, Rob, Lou, and Zack Logozio The 23rd Annual Somers Education Foundation Golf Outing was held on June 10 at Anglebrook Golf Club! More than 60 golfers participated and raised over $16,000 for SEF, which provides grants and scholarships to the Somers Central School District. In its nearly 30-year history, the organization has awarded more than $1.9 million across 480 grants and scholarships to the district.
PAGE 32 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 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, July 27 • 10pm *Actual model and color may vary. WIN A 2024 HONDA ACCORD 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SUMMER SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 8/31/24 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! Congratulations to the Class of 2024! Somers High School Graduation - June 24, 2024 PHOTOS: EMRIN LECLAIR
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 33 We see you here. The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too. Schedule your visit today and see for yourself. THE BRISTAL AT ARMONK | 914.306.8580 THE BRISTAL AT WHITE PLAINS | 914.594.5787 thebristal.com Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care
PAGE 34 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 Rugby Camp July 22 - 25 Improve your rugby skills and have serious fun! Harvey School in Katonah is proud to offer a 4-day (5th optional day), non-contact rugby camp, catering to prospective and experienced rugby players aged 8 years through 14 years. Located on the beautiful Harvey School campus, the camp will focus on building the skills and knowledge required to play rugby at all levels. The camp, led by Nic Denyer and Lisa Lake, will offer training and instruction from USA Rugby coaches and seasoned college and high school coaches. The staff will follow basic principles of rugby and will execute a small-group approach, allowing each camper to directly interact with coaches and instructors throughout the week.For more information emailmbonelli@harveyschool. org or visit www.harveyschool. org/ athletics/summer-athleticprograms Blood Drives New York Blood Center: Jefferson Valley Mall, Old Virtual Reality Space: Mondays, July 1, and July 15 noon-6 p.m.; Crystal Hall Somers Community Center, 34 Hillandale Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 nybc. org/donate-blood. Hilltop Farmstand Hilltop Hanover Farm’s Farmstand will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., every Thursday to Sunday through November. The farmstand offers a diversity of the farm’s high-quality produce (along with other items for local vendors) and accepts cash, checks, Apple Pay, major credit cards, and WIC, SNAP, FMNP, with a 50 percent discount to those paying with SNAP and FMNP benefits. Hilltop Hanover Farm is located at 1271 Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights. For questions, call (914) 862-5050 or visit hilltophanover farm.org. Car Shows at Jefferson Valley Mall Join the Trans Ams and Camaros of the Hudson Valley every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Jefferson Valley Mall (600 Lee Blvd.). Showcase your American muscle cars while checking out others from throughout the lower Hudson Valley. 4-H Fair Vendors Wanted The annual Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase will be held on Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel. This event attracts thousands of individuals and families from the Hudson Valley and the tri-state area. Putnam County and Cornell Cooperative Extension are seeking crafters and food trucks to showcase their offerings. They are looking for vendors who offer high-quality, unique, and engaging products and services that align with the values of the Fair and 4-H Showcase. Vendors who are passionate about their craft or food are encouraged to apply. For more information, call the Putnam County Parks Office at 845-808- 1994, or email parks@putnam countyny.gov. Al-Anon Family Groups Has your life been affected by someone else’s drinking? 1 in 5 adults has been! Alanon is a support group for families and friends of alcoholics. For a list of meetings and more information about the program, go to www. westchesterputnamalanon.org, email info@westchesterputnam alanon.org or call 914-946-1748. A Message from The Friends of the Somers Library The Friends of the Somers Library is dedicated to supporting and enriching the Somers Library. Over the years, the library has played an essential role in the Town of Somers by providing access to knowledge, fostering literacy, and serving as a gathering place for residents of all ages. Our organization has been working to fund the library’s resources and programs. We have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that the library has on our community, and we are committed to ensuring its continued success. To that end, we are reaching out to you to request your support in our mission. The financial support of town residents has played a pivotal role in the growth and improvement of the Somers Library over the years, and we are TRUNK FROM PAGE 28 SEE TRUNK PAGE 35 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Neal L Sullivan, CPA Joanne Cerbino Edy Schupp 421 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 845-628-9604 • www.callsullivan.com BUSINESS • UMBRELLA HOME • AUTO Call Us Anytime for Multiple Quotes 1-800-PROPANE *Offler expires 6/30/24 Tank installation special applies to standard installation of above-ground tank. Offler 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 offler or discount. Other restrictions may apply. 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JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 35 Selling Something? Looking To Buy Something? Having An Event? Reach Thousands of our Readers at a Low Cost! [email protected] Email: 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! grateful for the continued dedication. Your generous donations have enabled us to: Enhance Educational Programs: Through your support, we’ve been able to offer engaging and educational programs for children, teens, and adults, including author talks, workshops, and live events. Improve Facilities: Your contributions have helped us make vital improvements to the library ensuring a comfortable and welcoming environment for all visitors. Promote Involvement: Your donations have enabled us to launch initiatives aimed at community involvement in our town, including summer reading programs for children and educational programs for adults. As we look ahead, we are eager to expand our offerings. To achieve these goals, we kindly ask for your continued financial support. To make on online donation, please visit the library’s website at www.somerslibrary.org and click on the “support” tab in the menu. Follow the prompts to the Friends of the Somers Library. To donate in person, there are membership flyers available at the front desk of the library that you can fill out and leave with one of the librarians. If you received one of our mailings, you can send a check in the envelope provided. Your donation, will make a significant difference in helping us fulfill our mission. Donating to the Friends of the Somers Library is an investment in the future of our town. RideConnect RideConnect has volunteers ready to help drive seniors to their medical appointments and assist with shopping. Services are free to seniors residing in Westchester and southern Putnam Counties. To request assistance call 914-242-7433. Anyone wishing to volunteer for Rideconnect may do so by emailing Marietta Manoni at [email protected] Somers BSA Troop 376 WEEKLY MEETING Most Tuesdays, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Somers Middle School Cafeteria. Embark on a journey that your son will remember and benefit from for a lifetime! There is no youth program quite like Scouts BSA, which offers leadership development, teaches citizenship and responsibility, embeds useful outdoor survival skills, can spark career interests, and boasts exciting activities that few outside of Scouting have the opportunity to experience. Celebrating 30 years in Somers, Troop 376 is sponsored by the Somers Lions Club and proudly offers a well-balanced “Adult-Guided, Youth-Led” program that includes activities for all skill levels and interests. As a slightly smaller Troop, Scouts enjoy ample opportunities for direct involvement and leadership, as well as a significant voice in suggesting future troop activities. Camping trips, day hikes, familyfriendly activities like bowling nights and ropes courses, community service projects, annual “high adventure” excursions, and visits to historic destinations like Gettysburg are just some of the activities you can look forward to with Troop 376. To learn more, email SomersTroop376@ gmail.com and visit www.Somers Troop376.org. Somers BSA Troop 228 Weekly meeting Mondays, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Amawalk Firehouse Give your son the tools to develop his confidence, leadership skills, and interest in community service while experiencing the outdoor adventures of Scouting. Discover the natural wonders of New York State, whether canoeing in the Adirondacks, hiking the Appalachian trail, or camping at one of our State Parks. Excursions for all ages and levels of experience. Scouts explore their personal interests through over 135 merit badges. Troop 228 is sponsored by the Somers Volunteer Fire Department. We are proud citizens and actively give back to Somers through community service and environmental conservation projects. To find out more, email us at somerstroop228@gmail. com or visit our website at Troop 228somers.com. Somers Library Foundation Needs You Are you a passionate supporter of the Somers Library and looking TRUNK FROM PAGE 34 SEE TRUNK PAGE 36 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK
PAGE 36 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 for a way to help improve the services and capabilities? The Somers Library Foundation is looking for new board members. There are lots of opportunities to use your talents and build new skills. Send the foundation an email at [email protected]. Watch the Somers Library Foundation website (https://somers libraryfoundation.org) for details on upcoming meet and greet events to learn more about the Foundation and what it means to be a board member of the board. Somers Lions Club In 1966, the Somers Lions Club was chartered and has grown exponentially with dedicated men and women who volunteer their time, skills, and energy to make a difference in people’s lives, both in our community and for the charities we support. Lions can be found working on “hands-on” projects, fundraising, and running numerous community events in and around Somers. If you are in need of assistance, there is a good chance that the Lions can help. Visit www.somerslionsclub.org for more information. Follow on social media @somerslions. The Somers Lions would like to welcome its newest members and are proud to serve alongside you. TEAM Tuskers Mentors Sought for Intermediate & Middle School Program TEAM Tuskers Mentoring is looking for adults interested in spending time with a 3rdthrough 8th-grade student at their school for the upcoming school year. The commitment is to spend 1 hour a week, every week with a student and make a difference in their life. You will develop a relationship and help open new lines of communication while playing games, doing puzzles, or just chatting. Please consider volunteering for this great program. A child will benefit from spending time with you! For more information, visit somersschools.org/Page/7356 or call 914-481-2716. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam We welcome you to join us for monthly discussions as we work to advance cross-racial and crosscultural amity. Monthly events feature speakers, screenings, and presentations, followed by discussions. Many meetings are hybrid (in person and on Zoom). Find us on Facebook or contact [email protected]. Virtual Support Groups Support groups for women with breast and ovarian cancers have been transitioned to virtual platforms. Virtual groups are accessible to women from the comfort of their homes, regardless of where they live. All groups are open to new members as well as past participants. Advance registration is required by calling 914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290. Support Connection’s Peer Counselors are also available for individual counseling and assistance via phone and email. Call 800-532-4290, or submit an online request at support connection.org RideConnect RideConnect has volunteers ready to help drive seniors to their medical appointments and assist with shopping. Services are free to seniors residing in Westchester and southern Putnam Counties. To request assistance call 914-242-7433. Anyone wishing to volunteer for Rideconnect may do so by emailing Marietta Manoni at [email protected] Support groups for women with breast and ovarian cancers Support groups for women with breast and ovarian cancers have been transitioned to virtual platforms. Virtual groups are accessible to women from the comfort of their homes, regardless of where they live. All groups are open to new members as well as past participants. Advance registration is required by calling 914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290. Support Connection’s peer counselors are also available for individual counseling and assistance via phone and email. Call 800- 532-4290, or submit an online request at supportconnection.org. Somers PTA Council Spirit Wear Sale The Somers PTA Council is selling Somers Spirit wear. The store is open year-round and items ship to your home. Promo codes are available on the website. Visit our store at teamlocker. squadlocker.com/#/lockers/ somers-pta-council-store TRUNK FROM PAGE 35 ELEPHANT’S TRUNK 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! Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only $1 OFF BUY ONE, GET $1 OFF ANOTHER ritasofyorktown ritasofyorktown.com Discount applied to lowest priced item. Not valid on take home treats, catering, or novelty items. Not valid with any other offer. Limit one offer per guest per visit. Not valid at cart or theme park venues. Not for resale. ©2020 RITA’S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VALID AT PARTICIPATING RITA’S LOCATIONS. Exp. 7/24/24 RITA’S OF YORKTOWN 1881A COMMERCE STREET YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 914.302.7711 Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah NY www.caramoor.org Pops, Patriots, & Fireworks Thursday, July 4, at 8 p.m. Caramoor’s Independence Day fireworks show returns this summer! The Westchester Symphonic Winds, joined by alumni soloists from the Schwab Vocal Rising Stars program, perform a selection of works that pay tribute to America’s independence including rousing renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. This evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks display on the Caramoor grounds. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held as planned on Thursday, July 4 and the fireworks will take place at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5. Calidore String Quartet with Bridget Kibbey Friday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. Delight in the harp’s dramatic entrance to the concert stage via masterworks from 19th-century France … the French Belle Époque! With virtuosic sweeps, opulent arpeggiations, and the most intimate sonorities, Bridget Kibbey and the Calidore String Quartet team up to share tales of love, death, and the macabre, via masters of color Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Ravel and André Caplet. SEE TRUNK PAGE 38
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 37 Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ The collective background Joe & his team bring forth is that of expertise, dedication and compassion. ~C.K. 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 Pride in the Park Returns to Lewisboro Drag Queen Story Time with Cicatrix PHOTOS: TOM WALOGORSKY REGIONAL On Saturday, June 22, Lewisboro Town Park was the site of the fourth “Pride in the Park” event. As part of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, the annual celebration included Drag Queen Story Time with Cicatrix, presented in collaboration with the Lewisboro Library, a Pet Pride Parade, and capped off with a drag show. Si and Luke Taylor-Marple Mimi Ellin, Elena Dunn, and Alyssa Cohen
PAGE 38 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 On Thursday, June 20, members of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department were on the move in response to reports of a vehicle fire. Just before 11 p.m., the SVFD was on the scene at Juniper Drive and Daisy Drive to find a car completely engulfed in flames. Units were able to quickly extinguish the flames, and operated for an hour before handing the scene over to the State Police. SVFD races to extinguish vehicle blaze The scene at Juniper Drive and Daisy Drive on June 20. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SVFD Units operated at the scene for an hour. TRUNK FROM PAGE 36 Music & Meditation in the Garden Saturday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Time to ghost your meditation app and be professionally guided into your most peaceful state in an utterly serene setting. The experience continues with live music performed by Duo Kayo, a unique violist-cellist team comprised of Edwin Kaplan and Titilayo Ayangade, on a mission to be a vessel for new and exciting music and to challenge traditional thinking about the genre. You’ll see why they are fast becoming well-known for their vibrant energy and joyous musical expression. Concert on the Lawn Saturday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. Son Cubano is a musical genre that originated in the mountains of eastern Cuba and rose in popularity throughout the 20th century. With its Spanish and African origins, call-and-response format, and infectious percussion beats, Son Cubano was a major influence on many other styles, from mambo and salsa to jazz and cha-cha-chá. But you can’t talk about Son Cubano without talking about Kiki Valera. Born the oldest son in the famous multigenerational musical family, Valera quite literally grew up living and breathing the deep-rooted musical traditions of eastern Cuba and is known as one of the world’s greatest players of the Cuban cuatro, a midsize, eight-stringed guitar. My Community Bulletin Board Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Somers Record Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! Established 1979 Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer WESTCHESTER 914-277-4229 • PUTNAM 845-278-2575 AS FEATURED ON FREE ESTIMATES AND FREE INSTALLATION DISCOUNTED BLINDS & SHADES VERTICAL-MINI BLINDS-SILHOUETTE SHUTTERS-WOOD BLINDS-VIGNETTE LUMINETTES-ROMAN BLINDS-VALANCES Shades Above the Rest for Home & Office SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $25 PER BLIND! www.westrockwindowdesigns.com Somers Resident COUPON DSL Construction The Home Team! Floors • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! FREE Consultation and Design Fully Insured to Meet Your Needs Complete Remodeling of Your Home OFFICE: 845-276-8608 LOU: 845-494-9857 Proudly Serving Heritage Hills Community DSL Construction Inc. Windows, Doors, and Painting Full Service Window and Door Installations Call for Free Quote and Measure We deal with all the major window, door, and paint brand manufacturers Office: 845-276-8608 • Lou: 845-494-9857 Fully Licensed to meet your needs! Workman's Comp, Liability • No Job Too Small! (845) 309-9214 LISCENSED & FULLY INSURED COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL [email protected] Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how.
JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024 THE SOMERS RECORD – PAGE 39 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 6/20/24 ACED FTC M O B S H I E S A H A C A R E L I R A S SEN A R A D C A F E S T O N N A N A A ME R I C A S P RE MA T URE L Y ENEM I E S M Y M C A G E R B E NNE BAN C L A R I F Y U N AVAI L ABL E R ESO N A T E M O A B D K M SABER ELBA YEP A I L E D N EBN N E E R ABI A D A I E N D SEN D Hiring Stylist/Colorist with a following and a Master Barber with a following. Generous commissions. Also offering monthly chair rental. [email protected] ATTORNEY DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. 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Call: 877 988 7277 PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Eric Maurer and Michele Mazzaro for a Special Exception Use Permit. The property included in this application is located in an R-80 Residential District at 70 Route 138, Somers and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 28.15, Block: 1, Lot: 6. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. For questions, email [email protected]. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary June 20, 2024 PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Somers, Westchester County, New York will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 7:30 P.M. at the Somers Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York, 10589 on the application of Patrick Connolly and Dana Mastrangelo for three Area Variances. The property included in this application is located in an R-10 Residential District at 25 Larch Drive, Mahopac and is known and shown on the Town Tax Map as Section: 5.19, Block: 1, Lot: 14. All persons having any interest in the application are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. For questions, email [email protected]. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VICTOR CANNISTRA CHAIRMAN Denise Schirmer, Secretary June 20, 2024 CASH PAID FOR ALL JEWELRY! Estate Jewelry Costume Jewelry Handbags Watches Perfumes Vintage Clothing Books Furs Religious Medals CAROL: 914-261-6464 Looking To Hire? Help Wanted? Reach Thousands of our Readers at a Low Cost! [email protected] or Call: 914-302-5628 Email: Notice of Formation of 7 Picos LLC, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 4/9/24 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:4 Elmer Galloway Road, Katonah, NY 10536. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Little Tiger Pictures, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/30/2024. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Little Tiger Pictures, LLC, 10 Ryder Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of 67 Norman Avenue, LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) On 4/22/2024. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom Process may be served and shall mail copy of Process against LLC to 17 Purchase Hills Drive Purchase, NY 10577. Purpose: any lawful act. Notice of Formation of FG Cleaning Solutions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/29/24. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process PO Box 535 29 Chase Road Scarsdale NY 10583 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of Tri County Home Watch, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/04/2024. Office Location: 41 Grandview Road, South Salem, New York, Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Tri County Home Watch, LLC, 41 Grandview Road, South Salem, New York, 10590. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice Of Formation of NY & BEYOND LLC. Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/27/2024. OFFICE location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to NY & Beyond LLC 14 Locust Hill Ave #4N Yonkers NY 10701. Purpose: Any legal purpose. PLUMBING SERVICE MECHANICS NEEDED 914-276-1493 LBR Mechanical Corp is Seeking Service Mechanics. Must be Experienced in All Aspects of Plumbing and Heating. Journeyman License a Plus. Driver's License Required. MARCO B CONTRACTING CORP. Interior/Exterior Construction & Remodeling Siding, Roofing, Decks, Kitchens, Painting Carpentry Work Junk Removal with Our Containers! 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PAGE 40 – THE SOMERS RECORD JULY 3 - JULY 24, 2024