VOL. 5 NO. 48 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 21 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 2 SPORTS 17 Heading for States pg 17 GYMNASTICS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cardinal Timothy Dolan scored some big points with the clergy at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah with a blessing of a newly renovated gymnasium. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, led a Saturday night mass at the parish’s school building on Valley Road. Hundreds gathered on Feb. 11 to celebrate the new gym, which serves as a facility for various sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. “Let me say again how happy I am to be with you here at St. Mary’s Parish in Katonah,” Dolan said in his homily. “Of all the duties that I have as your archbishop, this one is what I relish the most, to be with you, God’s people, for the most important thing we do every week: o er the holy sacri ce of mass.” e e ort to renovate the Cardinal Dolan visits Katonah Archbishop praises St. Mary’s for investing in sports and spirituality Cardinal Dolan at St. Mary’s on Feb. 11. PHOTO: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER ‘You’ve got a good thing going here at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah.’ Cardinal Timothy Dolan Archbishop of New York BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Bedford’s Town Board, which last year improved the propertytax breaks it gives veterans and others, is looking now to add rst responders to that list. e board last week scheduled a public hearing for next month on a proposal that would cut the length of service time needed before volunteer re ghters and ambulance crew members could claim a 10 percent reduction on the assessed value of their homes. More than simply a “thank you” for the critical services these volunteers provide, the cut in qualifying time from ve years to two is seen as a potential recruiting enticement. Bedford’s emergency services are having “quite a challenge” bringing in new members, Supervisor Ellen Calves said in introducing the measure at the board’s Feb. 7 meeting. Similar proposals, all based on recent changes in state law, are under consideration by the Lewisboro Town Board and the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, the latter representing by far the biggest chunk of local homeowners’ property taxes. Exemptions would apply only to primary residences. All told, the breaks that have either been enacted or are under consideration in the three taxing jurisdictions would bene t veterans, rst responders, senior citizens and the disabled. e money they would save—expected to be a relatively small piece of their total tax bill— would have to be made up by the other town and school district residents, those not in one of the qualifying categories e tax bills of those other residents likely would not see signi cant increases, Bedford Assessor Harold Girdlestone said in proposing the expanded break last week. “ e ve-to-two-years [service requirement] wouldn’t be much of an impact,” he told the board, saying “to wait ve years is really a long time.” Saluting the volunteers who roll on myriad emergency calls 24/7, Girdlestone said, “ e service they provide is really unbelievable.” Bedford contemplates first responder tax break SEE DOLAN PAGE 3 SEE BEDFORD PAGE 4 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 What Dreams Are Made Of! Car Collectors - Landscapers - Contractors - Studio - whatever space you need or want to do, this 8-car garage will totally deliver. Add the 900 sf move-in ready ranch with gleaming wood floors, new kitchen appliances and a lovely 1/2 acre lot - all for one low price and with super low taxes. Garage has full heat, AC, hot water/drain and super high ceilings. The total package for living, rental or as a hangout. A rare bird for sure and not going to last so call me today! $499,000
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Katonah-Lewisboro Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY HALSTON MEDIA, LLC ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC PAGE 2 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 Freelance Writer, Editor, and Content Producer Bill Bongiorno | (914) 533-7065 | [email protected] For All Your Writing Needs Progressive Animal Hospital Voted “Best of Somers” 2020-2022 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 140 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 www.arrowaytractor.com 914-232-3515 5-20% OFF IN-STOCK INVENTORY! Katonah Village Library 26 Bedford Rd, Katonah, NY 10536 www.katonahlibrary.org AARP TAX AIDE Certi ed AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers provide FREE income tax preparation for people with low and moderate income with special attention to those age 60 and older. Sign up at the library (in-person or by phone), to have a tax packet emailed to you and make an appointment to meet your TaxAide volunteer. (Appointments are Tuesdays only from 10:30- 2:30). Tax returns - Federal and State - will be done on site (at the Katonah Library), signed by the taxpayer and submitted electronically. Expect to be at the library for an hour. SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP Did you take Spanish in high School or college and wish you could practice the language again? ere’s a group for you! Join on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 11:30 a.m. for Spanish Conversation Group. Register on the library’s website calendar. SIT AND KNIT AND OTHER HAND-CRAFTS Exchange pattern ideas, use your skills to help others - and most importantly - have fun! is group meets the rst two Mondays of every month. However, holidays may impact. Check the website for updated times. NEED SOME TECH HELP? Get help with iPhones/Androids, Ebooks, Kindles, tablets, Zoom, Skype and more. Sign up for free one-on-one 30 minute tech support sessions. Techhelper, Lucas, is a JJHS Junior, a volunteer for the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corp and an aspiring software engineer. Call to reserve a ursday or Saturday time. 914-232-3508. Lewisboro Library 15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 www.lewisborolibrary.org DASH AND DOT ROBOTICS CLASSES Friday, Feb. 17 For students in kindergarten through grade ve. e rst class is at 10:30 a.m., followed by the second class at 11:30 a.m.. Space is limited and children may only attend one class that day. At 4 p.m. on Feb. 17, there will be a “Girls Who Code” session for students in grades three through six. On Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m., students in grades three through ve are invited to attend “Ozobots Robotics,” a more advanced class than the “Dash & Dot Robotics.” IN THEIR OWN WORDS: LEWISBORO VOICES FROM THE PAST Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. History comes alive with the staged reading of “In eir Own Words: Lewisboro Voices from the Past.” Come “meet” residents of Lewisboro past, through readings taken from their letters, diaries, sermons and poems. Readings will be performed by residents of Lewisboro present-day, under the guidance of Town Historian Maureen Koehl. Space is limited, please register via the Library website. LEWISBORO COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER FAIR Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Give back to your Community! After two years of being virtual, this event will be in person at the Library this year. e Volunteer Fair matches would-be volunteers with local organizations in need of help. Local agencies will have tables at the Library with information on their services and volunteer needs. ere are volunteer opportunities for adults and teens. CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS TRAINING PROGRAM Wednesday, March 22, at 7 p.m. Led by members of the New York National Guard. Be prepared for emergencies and disasters. is one-hour program will go over the steps you need to take to prepare for an emergency. Attendees can enter a free ra e for a 3-Day Emergency Supply Kit, courtesy of co-sponsor, the Lewisboro Emergency Management Committee. Space is limited to 50 people and registration is required. Please register via the Library website. Lasdon Park and Arboretum 2610 Amawalk Road, Katonah AMAZING BUTTERFLIES EXHIBIT rough May 7 Amazing Butter ies invites you to shrink down into the undergrowth to become one of the most extraordinary creatures on earth. Dates, times and tickets are now available by visiting www.lasdonpark.org. Embark on a challenging journey teeming with friends and foes revealing the unusual relationship between caterpillars, butter ies and their natural surroundings. Adventure through the leaves, learn how to move like caterpillar, discover an ant that reaps the reward of an unusual friendship, then transform into a butter y and take ight! Together, families will explore this interactive experience and learn the surprising challenges butter ies face every day. Become a caterpillar and nd your way through a secret, wild world. As you navigate the terrain lled with challenges around every twist and turn, take on puzzles, games and TOWN CROSSING SEE CROSSING PAGE 4
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 3 HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Get your body work done right the first time! Steve Deiana Deiana’s Custom Collision 11 Wesley Street Bedford Hills 666-6412 [email protected] 1950s-era gymnasium, which was funded largely by the St. Mary’s parish community, started in the summer of 2022. Dolan said that “church is not equated to buildings.” However, he added, that expansions and renovations are a sign of the “con dence that you have in the church.” Dolan called St. Mary’s “a great parish” and acknowledged the e orts of the community in renovating the gym. “You’ve got a good thing going here at St. Mary of the Assumption in Katonah,” Dolan said. After the homily, Cardinal Dolan joined several youth sports players and coaches at center court for the dedication of the gym. He blessed the facility, saying “God therefore blesses our recreation sports, for the relaxation of the mind and the exercise of the body.” Also attending the Saturday night mass were the student council and student chorus of John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School. PHOTO: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Dolan arrives for mass. Hundreds of visitors gathered at St. Mary’s in Katonah on Feb. 11. BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER It may not look like much, but one big, at rock in Mount Kisco appears to have played a tiny, but charming, role in the Revolutionary War e ort. Local lore has it that General George Washington sat on it and ate his dinner while heading to his headquarters in Peekskill. It is a fact, however, that the commander-in-chief and his troops were passing through Mount Kisco on Nov. 10, 1776, after their defeat in the Battle of White Plains. Washington was traveling north to inspect defenses in the Highlands, including the construction of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton on the other side of the Hudson River. e other part of the legend is that little Mary Weeks encountered a company of Continental soldiers while coming home from school. One of them, she assumed, was a general based on his regal bearing and splendid uniform. e terri ed child was about to run away when Washington kindly told her: “Don’t be afraid my little girl. We will not hurt you.” According to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, legends about places Washington “stopped or spent the night are commonplace across the 13 original colonies.” “Mount Kisco has just such a place, one rock speci cally, that has become legendary for its service to the Revolutionary War hero,” it said. e Mount Kisco Recorder reported in 1886 that the rock was still to be seen in the “door yard” of the former home of Caleb Kirby, one of the village’s founding fathers. ( e area used to be known as Kirbyville.) One of the earliest maps of Mount Kisco was created by American cartographer Frederick William Beers. Published in 1867, it includes an insert depicting Kirby’s pond, mills along the Kisco River, and “Washington Rock.” Weeks may be buried in the (Quaker Church) Chappaqua Friends Meeting House Cemetery on Route 120. e Mount Kisco Historical Society has in its collection a photo from 1913 that was found in a box of postcards and came from the family of Dr. Leroy Heck. ( e foundation’s website lists the rock’s o cial address as 639 Main St., which is right across from Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop.) Volunteers cleaned up the overgrown site in 2015 and even old George made an appearance. (Actually, it was Keir Alexander, a former Pound Ridge resident and Fox Lane High School grad, who took on the costumed role.) Later, a local Eagle Scout candidate created a path. PLAQUE UNVEILING SET One of the Pomeroy Foundation’s chief missions is to help folks celebrate their community’s history. One of the ways it does that is to fund historic site markers, such as the one for the late 19th century home of Spencer Optical Works, also located on Route 117. One of the largest manufacturers of optical goods in the country at that time, it was forced to decamp to Newark, N.J., after the lake that supplied its turbines with water was drained. In 2021, the foundation indicated it was looking to put up more markers, but “instead of something that was historically accurate, they were calling it lore and legends,” society vice president Michael Kirsch told the Mount Kisco Village Board recently. “Maybe it happened; maybe it didn’t happen,” he said, adding that “one of the things that’s really been profound in Mount Kisco for a very, very long time is Washington Rock.” Kirsch pointed to the 1867 map, the old photo, and the fact that someone named Mary Weeks is buried in the Quaker Church cemetery in Chappaqua. Her stone has no birth date, but she died in January of 1838. Society president Ralph Vigliotti is doing some more research. “So there’s enough evidence to say, ‘Hey, maybe it did happen,’” Kirsch said on Monday, Jan. 23. e historical society subsequently applied for and was awarded a $1,800 grant to purchase and install the Washington Rock marker. Village trustees voted unanimously to give the society the goahead to hold a plaque unveiling at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. e rain date is Sunday, March 26. Washington Rock Honoring a piece of local Revolutionary War history PHOTO COURTESY OF KEIR ALEXANDER Fox Lane High School graduate Keir Alexander as George Washington in 2015 Washington and his troops passed through the area en route to their headquarters in nearby Peekskill. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL KIRSCH The rock where Gen. George Washington sat following the Battle of White Plains. REGIONAL DOLAN FROM PAGE 1
PAGE 4 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 exciting interactivities. The brave can even take to the air and soar down the butterfly zip slide. Bedford 2030 www.bedford2030.org THE POWER OF TREES: A BEDFORD 2030 COMMUNITY FORUM Mar. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Save the date! The Power of Trees Forum will celebrate the critical role of trees in combating climate change. Join experts, community members, and local organizations pledging to support healthy ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and protect our planet. To be held at Fox Lane High School. Chronic Pain Support Group Research tells us that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, or pain that lasts most days or every day for three months or more. Of this group, 20 million experience highimpact chronic pain, or pain that interferes with basic functioning and activities of daily living. Pain is the number one reason that Americans access the health care system, and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. Support groups provide a forum for those with pain to gain support and learn about ways to manage pain and progress from patient to person. This group takes place over Zoom every other week. For more information, please call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281 or email him at [email protected]. All conversations are kept strictly confidential. St John’s Episcopal Parish 82 Spring St., South Salem FOOD PANTRY Spread the word and get involved with the Food Pantry! Distribution is every Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. John’s. A food pantry box is available in the church parking lot 24/7 for nonperishable food donations. Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam MONTHLY MEETING Please join us for our monthly discussion as we work to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural amity to impact the public discourse on race. Our monthly meetings feature speakers, screenings, and presentations where discussions are aimed at educating one another on who we really are. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/138495877899 to register for this online event. To put the expanded exemption in place by next year, the assessor said, would require a board vote by April 1. Whether or not the lawmakers embrace the proposed reduction to two years, the board will have to act at some point, Girdlestone noted, simply to maintain the current five-year exemption. That benefit will expire in December 2025, the state legislature decided last year in allowing local jurisdictions the option to reduce first responders’ service requirement. Calves set March 7 for a public hearing on Bedford’s service-time change. The board is expected to discuss a draft local law embodying multiple exemption options at its next meeting, Feb. 21. Calves indicated her support for the reduced service-time. “We’re having quite a challenge with recruitment for our volunteer emergency services,” she told the board. “Anything that we can do to try to incentivize people to join and get involved with these agencies could help.” TRUCK PARKING PERMITS Permits to park commercial vehicles overnight in Katonah’s Woods Bridge Road commuter lot will range from $10 a day to $200 a year, the Town Board voted last week. The permits, which will also include a $25 monthly purchase, will allow commercial vehicles to use the town’s Lot 3 for overnight storage, 5 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. The same times and fees will apply to Lot 7 in Bedford Hills. In a vote last month, the Town Board banned or restricted the parking of commercial vehicles and their accessories in residential areas. Large trucks, those over 20 feet long, were outlawed and shorter vehicles were limited to one per home driveway. FLASHING SIGNS Bedford Hills firefighters should soon have flashing traffic signs to help them cross the street safely to their firehouse in an emergency. To reach their firefighting gear, volunteers now hurry from an Adams Street parking lot across four lanes of traffic, protected only by a stop sign. A new $44,327 package of safety enhancements, approved last week by the Town Board, will include firehouse signs and a stop sign that light up and flash during fire emergencies as well as rapid-flashbeacon pedestrian signs for nonemergency crosswalk use. BOARD MAJORITY IN PLAY Three of the Town Board’s five members will be up for re-election in November. Asked last week whether they planned to defend their seats in the fall, all the incumbents—Supervisor Ellen Calves, Councilwoman Bobbi M. Bittker and Councilman Tom Catoliato—said they will run. Supervisors run every two years while council members have four-year terms. But Catoliato, appointed a year ago to fill the council post Calves vacated when she became supervisor, was then elected in November to fill the remaining year of her council. He must run again this year for a full four-year term. Bedford Republicans have not announced their November electoral plans. BEDFORD FROM PAGE 1 CROSSING FROM PAGE 2 SPECIAL OFFER $50 OFF Call today! USE CODE MBSP50 A Better Way to Hear TV® Voice Clarifying Wireless TV Speaker™ Works better than a Soundbar! SPECIAL OFFER $50 OFF Voice Clarifying Wireless 888-992-9749 Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 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 What steps have you taken to protect your life savings from the cost of long term care? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family of a Putnam Valley girl who suffered a severe brain injury after in a September car accident that took the life of a Mahopac man and injured two other teens. Emily Quinn, 15, is on a long journey to recovery after the traumatic brain injury. A talented gymnast who represented Putnam Valley and the Lakeland/Panas combined team at the state championships last year, she was being trained by former Olympians at Dynamic Gymnastics in Mohegan Lake and competed at the National level. Friends have described her as a “bubbly, happy and hardworking girl.” On the GoFundMe page, her family writes that during her time in the hospital, Emily overcame several health scares. After months of hospitalization, she has transitioned from the ICU to a rehabilitation facility where she will have to relearn many daily tasks. “She is incredibly strong, a true ghter and continues to amaze us every day. She is truly a miracle in progress,” the family wrote. Emily was injured in a two-car accident on Sept. 27 on Wood Street near Meadow Crest Drive in Putnam Valley near the Mahopac Falls border. e driver of the rst vehicle, 23-year-old Bryan Tumolo of Mahopac, was pronounced deceased at the scene. e second car contained Emily, her older sister, Caitlin, 17, and Catlin’s boyfriend, Ethan Cruz, 18, of Lake Peekskill. Cruz was also seriously injured, and a GoFundMe page has been set up in his name as well. Police said that the preliminary investigation indicated that the rst vehicle was northbound on Wood Street when it crossed over into the path of Cruz’s vehicle, e Quinn family said that Caitlin experienced a brief setback from her injuries around late November and was readmitted for another surgery. She has since recovered and is o cially back in school. While she was hospitalized, she submitted her college applications. “We are also happy to announce [Caitlin] has been accepted into multiple colleges with merit scholarships. We are incredibly proud of how strong and resilient she is,” the family wrote. e link to the GoFundMe page for the Quinn family is gofund.me/d9dbc48e. Ethan Cruz’s page is at gofund.me/9462cdb3. You can also support the Quinn family by purchasing a leotard from Melody’s Leotards. e leotards say “She is Strong” on the front, and “Quinn Strong” on the back and are available in a variety of color o p t i o n s and back styles. Cost is $30. Find them at melodyleotards.com/product/quinnstrong-fundraising-leotard. “We are blessed to have such an extended community who has shown tremendous support during this di cult time,” the Quinn family wrote on their GoFundMe page. “We recognize we will not be able to individually thank everyone. We ask that you extend our gratitude to your friends, family, churches and communities who have continued to keep the girls in their thoughts and prayers.” GoFundMe page created to aid area gymnast Accident near Mahopac Falls left Emily Quinn with traumatic brain injury REGIONAL THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 7 into the path of Cruz’s vehicle, e Quinn family said that Caitlin experienced a brief setback from her injuries around late November and was readmitted for another surgery. She has since recovered and is o cially back in school. While she was hospitalized, she submitted her college applications. “We are also happy to announce [Caitlin] has been accepted into multiple colleges with merit scholarships. color o p t i o n s and back styles. Cost is $30. Find them at melodyleotards.com/product/quinnstrong-fundraising-leotard. GoFundMe page created to aid area gymnast Accident near Mahopac Falls left Emily Quinn with traumatic brain injury Emily Quinn performs her fl oor routine in last year’s divisionals for the LPPV varsity gymnastics team. a true fighter, and continues to amaze us every day. She is truly a miracle in progress.’ - e Quinn Family ‘She is incredibly a true fighter, STRONG, PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
Opinion PAGE 8 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 2 TRACKS BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Katonah-Lewisboro Times or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 Halston Media, LLC Happily Ever After Obfuscate and divide the electorate. This is clearly the strategy of the federal government. As of this writing, U.S. debt stood at $31.5 trillion, according to usdebtclock.org. And according to those in power, we have a binary choice sometime in the next four months: raise the debt ceiling and all will be well or fail to do so and our country faces economic catastrophe. Whether in fact we have a binary choice is a topic for another debate. But rest assured that front and center in that debate will be an effort to divide us as a nation. Of course, at the top of the list, we’ll hear about grandma and grandpa, and those who don’t care about deficit spending will falsely accuse others of a desire to defund Social Security and Medicare. It seems as if all our political debates and all our policies are intended to divide the electorate into “us” and “them.” I see this most clearly in my role as an employer. I’ll never forget when one of my valued colleagues asked me what they’d “really” be making in their paycheck that year. I prefer the term “colleague” instead of “employee,” as the employer/employee relationship emphasizes a hierarchy, whereas “colleague” is a reminder that both parties entered into a mutually beneficial and voluntary relationship. Of course, I don’t blame this colleague. He/she was inquiring what they’d be netting in their paycheck, a reasonable question. But from my perspective, I’m paying what I’m paying. What Uncle Sam chooses to tax is between that employee and Uncle Sam. But Uncle Sam wants employees to feel that they aren’t “really” making what they are making. It reduces the government’s complicity in its forced wage garnishment. It’s the same reason we never see what we’re “really” paying at the pump. Not all of that money is going to the gas companies, but nobody is cursing the government during that transaction. Just as the government wants to divide the electorate in all of our budget debates, the government has a compelling interest in emphasizing a hierarchy between employers and employees — again, to divide everyone between “us” and “them.” As a case in point, there are certain costs that employees never see. In reality, employers match an employee’s Medicare and Social Security payments (these employer payments are completely hidden and not reported on a pay-stub or the W-2 tax form), and employers must also pay into state and federal unemployment insurance funds through payroll, which are also never reported to the employee. Outside of payroll, employers must also pay disability insurance premiums for each employee. Again, employees never see this bill. It is much cheaper for a company to limit its payroll and classify as many people as possible as independent contractors, also known as freelancers. Putting an employee on payroll is not Government wants ‘us’ vs. ‘them’ BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO SEE FREEMAN PAGE 15 Local government is often referred to as the “closest to the people” level of government, and for good reason. Not only is it geographically closer to its constituents, but it is also more attuned to their needs and desires. This proximity and attentiveness is what makes local government the most effective level of government. First, local government is better equipped to address the unique needs of a particular community. Because they are closer to the people they serve, they are able to understand the issues and challenges facing the community on a deeper level. This allows them to tailor their policies and initiatives to the specific needs of the community, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, a city with a large elderly population may have different priorities than a city with a young, growing family demographic, and local government can respond accordingly. Second, local government is more responsive to the will of the people. Because they are closer to the community and more in tune with their needs, they are more likely to listen to the concerns and opinions of their constituents. This allows for a more democratic and inclusive decision-making process, as the people directly affected by government policies have a voice in shaping those policies. Additionally, because local officials are elected by the community, they are more accountable to their constituents and are more likely to take their concerns seriously. Third, local government is better able to promote efficiency and effectiveness. By focusing on local needs, local government can make decisions that are in the best interest of the community without being bogged down by bureaucracy and red tape. This allows for quick and decisive action on important issues, such as addressing infrastructure problems or responding to natural disasters. In addition, local government is more likely to have a better understanding of the resources available in the community, which allows them to allocate resources more effectively and efficiently. Finally, local government is better positioned to foster a sense of community and engagement. By working directly with local residents and businesses, local government can build relationships and partnerships that strengthen the community as a whole. This sense of community and engagement can lead to a more vibrant and thriving local economy, as well as A chat about local government... without the charm SEE SCOTT PAGE 15 DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 9 I am a fan of variety and certainly align with English poet William Cowper’s 1785 famous quote: “Variety is the spice of life, that gives it all its avor.” Along those lines, I submit to you this month’s column, which includes two very unique destinations that I humbly o er as suggestions for a eld trip of your own. Ecologically, I’d like to point out that both of these places are reachable directly from our Metro North Harlem train line. FIELD TRIP – HYGRADE MARKET, 10 FRONT ST., CROTON FALLS, HYGRADEMARKETNY.COM, 914-617-8235 One ne day, I arose with the sun to nd the Katonah Beer Man (KBM) hotline blinking. Did someone need a beer-food pairing ASAP? I opened up the alert to nd a request to journey to Croton Falls, and check out Hygrade Market on behalf of this article. A “lead” as we say in the journalism game… Hygrade’s website features food and drink as well as “artifacts” and “artisanal goods.” Mrs. KBM and I were quite intrigued. I will summarize it as “Wow!” We were blown away by the absolute uniqueness of the market and all its curated o erings — tangible, viewable, edible and qua able, and made even better by the kindness of the owner, Dawn, and her husband, Tom, whom we met that day. Dawn bought the building a few years back and commenced a 2-year renovation. One of the many happy surprises during the renovation was that when the drop ceiling was removed, they found beautiful exposed iron, which creates an industrial feel. What drove Dawn to create Hygrade Market? “We just wanted a good cup of co ee, some tacos, and of course great beer,” she said. Words to live by. A cool vibe abounds throughout the space that is divided into two large areas, each with its own charm and allure. On the left is the wide open food area adorned with funky art and plenty of tables and chairs for chilling and enjoying “Milton’s” fresh and delicious food: Tex-Mex and American classics paired of course with top-notch brews…or wine, hard cider and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. I think deeply about how di erent types of craft beer pair with food, but I never realized how well they pair with artifacts and artisanal goods! e other half of the space is dedicated to all three. “We have vintage industrial artifacts and cool new stu to buy,” Dawn said. “ ings like canvas bags with art, a 100-year-old gas pump, a barber pole, Route 66 pawn shop sign, pottery and jewelry from local artists, cool scarves, candles and beautiful soaps, all handmade, as are the new art items sourced from local artists. e collections are refreshed regularly.” Tom is from California, loves proper Mexican food and felt a local void. at inspiration drives Milton, Dawn’s head chef for 17 years, to prepare authentic Mexican and Tex Mex-themed fare: real tacos, burritos, enchiladas and taquitos. We can vouch for this rsthand, as we were treated to a variety of perfectly done tacos and special Variety is the spice of life PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KATONAH BEER MAN JOHN BART THE KATONAH BEER MAN SEEBART PAGE 10 204 Oakridge Common, South Salem NY 914.533.7512 MON 12-6 TUE-THUR 11-7 FRI-SAT 11:7:30 SUN 12-5 Hours vistabeer vista.beer vistabeerandbeverage.com For delivery or curbside orders please email [email protected] or call 914.533.7512 Bring in your Empties for Recycling! No limit on returns! YOUR LOCAL CRAFT BEER & BEVERAGE SOURCE Treat yourself to a huge selection of the finest craft beer, ciders, & soft drinks in the area. YOUR LOCAL Beer& Beverage For delivery or curbside orders please email [email protected] Treat yourself to a huge selection of the finest craft beer, ciders, Everything you’re looking for
PAGE 10 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BART FROM PAGE 9 Find the great beers mentioned in this column Vista Beer & Beverage vistabeerandbeverage.com 204 Oakridge Commons, South Salem 914-533-7512 Editorial Submissions Press releases and photos should be submitted to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can be emailed to KLT@ halstonmedia.com or mail it to Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned. sauces. You may be saying “perfectly done” is subjective and, objectively, I would agree. But here is my criteria: fresh ingredients, colorful and symbiotic accouterments, clean presentation, and… crisply textured and moist proteins. e last one is a must, as I am a food texture guy. Milton nailed it with the delectable carnitas (pork), shrimp and al pastore (pork & pineapple) tacos. ey also create delicious sandwiches, salads, breakfasts and excellent co ee ground fresh each pot! On to the Beer! Of special note is that their craft beer section centers around a 1940s bar (originally from the Blazer Pub) within an old converted freezer room. “We like beer…. Every small town in America needs beer... and it’s essential to be there to explain and introduce the great beer to customers…we carry smaller producers and vetted beers,” Dawn said. On-site excellent examples include: Grimm, Schilling, Talea, Lawsons, Frost, Equilibrium and Run & Hide. I asked Dawn and her husband if she has a favorite style of beer. “We love a lot of di erent beers, from pilsners, east coast IPAs to lagers,” Dawn said. “It’s amazing that there are so many stunningly good beers in each category. Kind of depends upon what you are having with it and the time of year.” Note: Keep an eye out for Hygrade KBM beer and food tasting events. FIELD TRIP – SIM COE BEER BAR, 11 BONIFACE CIRCLE, SCARSDALE, SIMCOEBEERBAR.COM, 914- 215-5399 Recently the local Hop Hedonists and I ventured south to Scarsdale to check out Sim Coe Beer Bar. According to the Scarsdale Historical Society, in 1701, Caleb (Charles’ II son) had become in uential in the provincial government and had these lands elevated into a royal manor. He named the area Scarsdale after his ancestral home. e English name meant “dale of scars or rocks.” So there’s that. Quick homage to my quirky funny mom… she always referred to the similar Bu alo institution as e Bu alo Hysterical Society. Simcoe is a type of hop that has become popular in the craft brewing industry, as it provides a medium level of bitterness and has the capability to provide a complex aroma of stone fruit, pine and citrus zest. Sim Coe Beer Bar is quite new, as it opened just this past August. It has a very cool space and vibes with tall ceilings and di erent areas for hanging out. e Sunday afternoon that we were there had small groups chilling with some good suds together with cool music in the background. Don’t be fooled though, as they have a regular lineup of trivia and music during the week that are quite popular and fun. Beer. Game. Is. Strong. It has a very active rotating list of curated taps and can selections. Owner Je and I are quite aligned on beer tastes: “De nitely change with my mood and the seasons,” Je said. “ ere aren’t a lot of styles I don’t like, but I’m on a big lager kick currently. I do tastings every Tuesday at 6 p.m. I like to pick beers that I think would go over well with a varied crowd that might not be the most popular among the average beer drinker, to expand people’s beer palette.” Some of the highlights that were on tap while we were there, all served by expert beertender and conversationalist Jill: • Wild East - Mental Gymnastics DDH IPA 6% - soft, hazy, awesome; • Swiftwater IPA 6.8% - Juicy with notes of melon and grapefruit; • Breckenridge Vanilla Porter 5.4% - silky, smooth, sessionable; and • Drowned Lands Rare Earth 4.8% - bright, clean Food o erings are snacky, in a good way, but please also check out Bango Bowl for quite delicious takes on poke bowls just about 76 feet away from Sim Coe. As the Czech Proverb says: “A ne beer may be judged with only one sip, but it’s better to be thoroughly sure.” Sim Coe Beer Bar is just the pace to put that wise proverb into action. ough not a small business owner, I am a patron of many and my collection of stylish hats go o to them for the courage to believe in their passion so much so that they buck the norm and open their own biz… I highly recommend you show the nice folks and small biz owners at Hygrade and Sim Coe some love and embark on a local adventure to visit them. Please mention you read it in the KBM chronicle! And also, please check out our friends at Vista Beer & Beverage for the great beers I’ve mentioned in this article. Find them at vistabeerandbeverage. com, 204 Oakridge Commons, South Salem, 914-533-7512 -Cheers! Contact e Katonah Beer Man at eKatonahBeerMan@gmail. com; eKatonahBeerMan on Instagram; or visit thekatonahbeerman.wordpress. com. Increase referrals and name recognition. 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 11 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Bulletin Board and reach over 3,500 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board VIKING LYNX MONOGRAM SUBZERO SCOTSMAN BERTAZZONI BOSCH BEST DCS GE MARVEL MIELE MAYTAG ELECTROLUX WHIPSPERKOOL FRIDGIDAIRE Trusted Repair That Will Stand the Test of Time Grills | Washers | Dryers | Refrigerators | Ovens | Ranges | Wine Coolers Serving Westchester County PH: 914.864.1252 6 Mark Mead Road • Cross River, NY 10518 Email: [email protected] www.appliancegenie.com AUTHORIZED SERVICE FOR VIKING, LYNX, FRIGIDAIRE Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 51 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! GOLD • SILVER • DIAMONDS WATCHES • COINS • FURS PAINTINGS • FULL ESTATES The Buying Service We simply pay more! Contact Barry 914-260-8783 [email protected] WE BUY Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. 855.281.6439 I Free Quotes American Made Family Owned Award Winning Could your kitchen use a little magic? Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC GENERATOR INSTALLATIONS LICENSED & INSURED NY & CT 914-763-5555 CHARLES GEORGE • POUND RIDGE, NY ADULT SOFTBALL YSALEAGUES.COM [email protected] YORKTOWN PARKS & RECREATION
BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Friday, Jan. 20, the Bedford Recreation and Parks Department held a reception for seniors who have been taking part in the Arts and Crafts Studio. With their art displayed on the walls of the Bedford Hills Community House, the gathering was low-key and commensurate with the basic curriculum. “Most of the seniors came for the simple pleasure and to just enjoy the class,” said Rosemary Vorel, who served as the class facilitator and is a local senior advocate. Rebecca Cuba, on the other hand, gave a big nod to the organizer for her e orts. “We keep coming back because Rosemary is so cool,” beamed Cuba. “She’s our inspiration.” Still, Cuba had her own personal push for making the grade. “I like to think, I’ve been an artist my whole life,” said the longtime Hawaii resident. Moving in with her daughter a few years ago, the Bedford Hills resident got out of the class what she put in. “I felt my goal was reached,” said Cuba. “I kept my creative juices going.” ere’s also another important element to the weekly get-together. “I was hoping to meet people,” Cuba revealed. Or in the case of Terry Chiola, the senior had no problem with the status quo and was primarily motivated to keep it in the family. “It’s fun to get out and do things with my daughter,” said Chiola, who de nitely doesn’t describe herself as an artist. In turn, Chiola was very appreciative of the town for providing people the opportunity to have their spirits picked up, and her daughter Laurie Chiola agreed on both counts. Another non-artist, Laurie was also happy to come across some fresh faces. “It’s nice to meet neighbors here that I’ve never actually met before,” she asserted. As for Gina Shea, she’s been on both ends of the classroom. A longtime teacher, she was de nitely cool with this school and participated as both student and a facilitator. Doing oil painting in her free time, lent her inspiration. “I encoura classmates to get at their crea side and lose themselves in the a Shea explained. “Because the more to the world than all the cular thinking we do. So we need jump from our left brain stagnat and move to right brain creativi Mike Berardino de nitely undstood and pared down the thou to suit the situation for himself others. “I’m older, you need to occupied, and you still need psions,” said the Katonah residen So kudos were in order for eryone who took part. “I cgratulate everyone who challen themselves and got themselves there,” Vorel extolled. In this, the advocate hopes more of the same. “We’re trying draw seniors to the Rec Depment,” said Vorel, and there are limits based on ability. One nal artist made it her p to deliver the overall message enjoyed the class and would j again - even though I was so b Helen Barrett of Bedford H concluded. Art ts Laurie and Terry Chiola Susan La Barbera among us! Bedford Rec Department holds Senior Art Exhibit PAGE 12 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES
she aged ative art,” ere’s cird to tion ty.” derught and o be pasnt. evconnged out for g to arte no part . “I join ad,” Hills Gigi Eggleton and Rebecca Cuba PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Mike Berardino Doris Krebster, Gina Shea, and Bobbi Bittker S – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 PAGE 13 2 TRACKS
PAGE 14 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 Contact Us The Katonah-Lewisboro Times is located at 118 N Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914- 302-5830 or email [email protected]. After exiting the Navy and his service commitment, my husband Al’s rst job was for a major can company in the U.S. His work included schmoozing, as he called it, since he often needed to entertain business customers after hours. at was certain to mean a pleasant dinner out (not too much of a chore), and to this day I exchange Christmas cards with a number of those lovely clients. Occasionally, one of the recipients of Al’s company’s largesse would want to reciprocate. So it was with a gentleman who held a lofty position with Narragansett Brewery in Rhode Island. He owned a large pleasure boat, which he moored in Osterville on Cape Cod. Arrangements were made for Al’s boss and his wife and the two of us to be at the dock one Saturday morning for an 8 a.m. take-o on a cruise over to Martha’s Vineyard for the day. at was to be followed by dinner once we were back in port. I had just learned that I was pregnant with my second child and was tired and feeling sick a great deal of the time, so this was no easy task for me. At the very least, that meant getting my son down to my parents so they could watch him overnight, packing clothes for every eventuality on our mini cruise and dinner out, and purchasing an appropriate hostess gift. We left my folks’ house at 6 a.m. so we could be sure to be there in plenty of time, but had di culty nding the boat because the harbor was completely socked in with a dense fog. When we nally boarded, we were presented with a glass of Champagne, as we could certainly not go anywhere until the fog lifted. I held my glass until I nally had “to spill the beans” about the upcoming delivery from the stork. e morning’s conversation became quite lively, especially since shortly before noon they switched to martinis. Fortunately, there was some cheese and crackers and dip to help us all along, and of course I was the only one not drinking, and the food helped a bit in settling my stomach. Just before noon, we were under way, with the guys up on the bridge and the women deciding to nap. Since I was much younger than the other two ladies, they each took a state room, and I got the couch in the main sitting area. I had just dozed o when there was a great commotion. It seems we had hit a squall and all the kitchen cabinets ew open and the plastic glasses and plates were raining down on me. I tried to get up the stairway to where Al was, but I was pushed from one side wall to the other (I had lots of black and blues a few days later). As fast as we headed into the turbulence, we were out, and proceeded to the island for a lovely lunch, explored the town by bicycle, and then returned to port to prepare for dinner at a famed seafood restaurant. Al had told me to buy a new dress for the occasion, and I chose a green linen with a cowl neck. We were all seated with a lovely water view, and had just ordered Narragansetts all around when the young waitress bobbled her tray, and one bottle of beer tipped o and nestled itself in the back standup collar of my dress. e ice cold beer began pouring down my back, and my dress immediately began crinkling and shrinking, since most linens back then were not the washable type. e waitress apologized profusely, and I assured her that accidents do happen. Unfortunately, I was so cold I had to wear a white tablecloth for the rest of the evening, obscuring my pretty new shrinking dress, but it did not in anyway dampen the delightful New England seafood dinner we had. Al’s boss even told me to buy a new dress and the company would cover the cost. I don’t think I ever got around to purchasing one though, since my size was now changing rapidly, but it was such a nice gesture. I have to conclude that it was certainly not the best day’s adventure, but then again, I would not have had this story to tell! Entertaining important customers MARILYN A. PELLINI MUSINGS: PAST AND PRESENT join Lauren, Colleen and Rick and bring a li� le harmony to your next event! musical vocal group playing an eclec� c mix of favorites, old and new [email protected] 914-248-5135 Take advantage of the new 30% Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) with PWRcell, Generac’s fully-integrated solar + battery storage system. PWRcell will help you save money on your electric bill and be prepared for utility power outages. Plus it’s compatible with most existing solar arrays. Now’s the Right Time SAVE 30% WITH THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT^ Call to request a free quote! 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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 OPINION THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 15 only more expensive; it’s also more complicated. To be clear, I don’t mind fulfilling all of my legal and financial obligations as an employer, but I do mind the fact that it’s so complicated that I need to pay an outside vendor to figure it all out for me. As the owner of Halston Media, I pay a lot of money to ADP, a Fortune 500 company, to figure out all this complicated minutia. It would be nearly impossible for me to fulfill all my legal obligations as an employer without a vendor like ADP to keep me compliant. And I do mind that the amounts I pay are purposely hidden by the government, which prefers it this way. The government forces employers to serve as a tax enforcement authority, of sorts, and it’s designed in a way that minimizes the employee from ever feeling as if they are parting with their own cash. Before I started Halston Media, I used to pride myself in doing my own personal tax returns, which were just a few pages long. It was pretty straightforward. I added up compensation from our W2 and 1099 forms. I reported any taxes already withheld and took all allowable deductions. Voila! I typically ended up with the IRS owing us a small refund. That small refund was designed to make me feel as if I was actually benefiting financially when filing my taxes. Ever since I started my own business, with a little over a dozen employees as well as dozens of vendors and independent contractors, my taxes are now bewildering. I couldn’t figure out my taxes if you paid me. Between my corporate and personal taxes, I submit a novel to the IRS and to New York State each year. Any politician that is serious about reducing the tax burden could accomplish their goal in one easy step. Stop turning employers into tax collectors. Let employers pay their employees the full amount, including the hidden expenses, and then let employees write that check to Uncle Sam and all the other taxing authorities. Employees wouldn’t be paying any more than they already do, but it would increase transparency. That would go a long way towards making us all feel like we’re part of the same team. FREEMAN FROM PAGE 9 increased civic participation and engagement. In conclusion, local government is the most effective level of government because of its proximity to the people, responsiveness to their needs, ability to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and ability to foster a sense of community and engagement. By focusing on the unique needs of a community, local government can make a real and positive impact on the lives of its residents. You probably noticed that the previous six paragraphs were not as witty and charming as you are used to with my columns. That’s because it was written by ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) site now available for free on the web. You can pose questions of any kind. I asked the app to give me a 400 word essay on why local government is the most effective level of government. The result above wasn’t earth shattering prose, but it wasn’t terrible either. College professors and high school teachers are dealing with how to spot AI-written work from their students, which is increasingly becoming a problem. A kid from Princeton has already written an app to check to see if a paper was written using AI. Not surprisingly, his app uses ChatGPT to do the checking. It is amazing technology, which will be a game changer. The impact on “knowledge work” like writing and research will be far reaching and hard to predict. Newsrooms like Associated Press are already using AI to write data driven stories. What makes human writers human? The human touch includes picking topics to write about and providing context and perspective when it comes to investigative reporting. But AI is already changing how we live. Expect that influence to grow. SCOTT FROM PAGE 9 Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 2022 was a CRAZY YEAR! 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 We can help make your taxes less crazy.
PAGE 16 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES OPINION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 People are always losing things: keys, eyeglasses, gloves, umbrellas. Since the earliest days of horse and carriage rides, people have been leaving behind their bonnets and glass slippers. In our current age of ride-share services, Uber maintains a system for returning missing property as well as compiling an annual lost-andfound report. Uber’s 2022 Lost-andFound index lists cellphones, wallets and keys as the most often left-behind items. e ride-share company also tracks the most forgetful cities with Austin, Texas in rst place followed by Charlotte, NC and Houston, Texas. ose riders must have a lot on their minds. I enjoyed reading about the “most unique lost items” on Uber’s annual list, including dentures, a bucket of slime, a brown tortoise and an Employee-of-the-Month plaque. Surprisingly, riders also left behind urns containing the ashes of loved ones. In my lost and found research, I learned that the hotel chain, Travelodge, has compiled a list of the most unusual items left behind in 2022. e hotel chain, which operates 580 locations throughout Britain, listed a pair of puppies named JLo and Ben left behind at its Bath Central location. A Liverpool Football Club soccer-themed wedding cake was left at the Liverpool Central Strand Travelodge where the wedding’s best man had been staying. Hotel guests left numerous smart watches in their Travelodge rooms in 2022, as well as keys to a powerboat, an oil painting of Queen Elizabeth II, a pair of Segway scooters and a four-foot tall gingerbread man. I have my own new lostand-found story to share. In my Dec. 29, 2022 column titled “Reach Out,” I encouraged readers to reach out to one person from the past as a good way to start the New Year. I heeded my own advice and decided to try to locate my good friend, Alexandra, who had lived up the street when we were teens. Alex and her family had moved to Greece when we were in 10th grade. We had corresponded faithfully for years, writing our newsy letters about school, family and friends on thin blue airmail stationery. Alexandra attended college in the U.S. and has lived back and forth in Illinois, Brooklyn and Athens, Greece over the years. e last time I saw Alexandra, she visited me in 1988 after I had moved to Cross River. She returned to Greece to attend medical school and we lost touch. I could not nd any trace of Alexandra online. But I did nd an address for her brother who is a medical doctor with an o ce in midtown Manhattan. I wrote a one page note inside of a Christmas card and mailed it to Dr. A, asking if he could put me in contact with his sister. On Jan. 3, I received a lovely email from Dr. A saying that he had forgotten to bring my card and contact information with him when he ew to Greece for the holidays. He said that when he told Alexandra that I was looking for her, she was “ecstatic!” e next day, I received an email from Alexandra! She is a dermatologist living and working in Athens, Greece. Reading Alex’s email letter written in her distinctive “voice” reminds me of our conversations and airmail letters from years ago! Once a week, we write emails back and forth talking about present day life and work, recalling events and people from the past and enjoying that special bond that can only be found in friends from long ago. Kim Kovach is thrilled to have found her good friend after 35 years apart! Visit her at kimkovachwrites.com. Lost and found KIM KOVACH READING, WRITING & CHOCOLATE Add Value to Your Home We specialize in targeted home improvements — both big and small — to maximize your home’s value,comfort and beauty. • Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen Remodeling • Durable Vinyl Siding • Room Additions • Add-a-Levels • • Replacement Windows • General Carpentry • Basement Finishing • Painting • Interior Trim • Handy Man • Sero’s Contracting When we’re done, there is nothing left to do. Licensed & Insured • Local References • Brewster, NY • 845-216-1955 • 845-279-6977 • [email protected]
Sports THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 17 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Last Monday and ursday , Somers/John Jay/Yorktown hit the bars and the beams for the postseason. Not missing a step, the performances continued to stick the landing, the lift and the scoresheet, according to Georgia Nekos of Somers. “We really put all our e ort forward into this season and worked together as a team,” she said, and the results spoke for themselves. e girls took Sectionals on Feb. 9 at Eclipse Gym in Mahopac and are sending six to States. Nekos, for her part, will be setting down in Bu alo to make her mark on the vault and did so by doing an extra number on the springs. “I put more power and energy into the routine because I really wanted them to count,” said the Tusker. e same goes for Amelia Carozza as she scored on the beams by employing a “less is more” strategy. “I took out my back tuck,” said the Husker. e sophomore felt there was nothing to gain by keeping the challenging move in her routine, and she was proven correct. “It bene ted my score,” said Carozza. Excitedly shu ing o , Carozza is about the journey and the destination. “I think the entire experience of being together at States and in the hotel will be great,” she predicted. Sharing the same itinerary, Kayla Cambareri credited a good week of practice for punching her ticket. “I just made sure to apply all the corrections I have been given over the past few weeks,” said the freshman. One more week to ne tune, she knows the focus for States. “I just have to make sure I stick the landings and keep my toes pointed,” Cambareri asserted. Regan Mooney had her GPS set to true north too and will not change things up either. “I didn’t do anything di erently in practice,” said the Husker. “I tried to do the same things I usually do.” But there was one more di erence in her performance on the beams. “I had a little bit more adrenaline,” she said. Joined on the combined team by Maggie Johannsen of Hen Hud and Nina Mori of Ossining, Mooney is proud 2023 has allowed them to rinse and repeat. “It feels really good because we won Sectionals last year and it’s nice to win senior year,” she concluded. John Jay takes Sectionals Sends six to States Sectional Champions: The Somers/ Yorktown/John Jay combined team. PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL GYMNASTICS Cambareri prepares for her vault. Kayla Cambareri e John Jay freshman basketball team nished an impressive season with a record of 12-3 after defeating Walter Panas 47-20 in their nal game last Wednesday, Feb. 9. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GABE PALACIO The 2022-2023 John Jay freshman basketball team. Jack Green brings the ball down the court vs. Walter Panas. FRESHMAN BASKETBALL The 2022-2023 John Jay freshman basketball team. Jack Green brings the ball down the court vs. Walter Panas. Wolves conclude successful season Promising future for John Jay program
PAGE 18 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER On Wednesday, Feb. 8, John Jay went on the road against Yorktown, and after scoring only eight points in the rst quarter, the girls seemed to have left their engines on the bus. So the Wolves, obviously needing a boost, had Jess Martin deliver the punch. “Tonight, we had a little bit of a slow start. So I know that when I’m called, I have to be ready to bring the energy,” said Martin, and the backup guard dropped an e ortless triple to build an 11-4 lead that sparked a 39-25 victory. After Yorktown opened with the scoring for a 2-0 lead, Mia Puccio hit a runner and John Jay looked to be on their way. Not quite, both teams followed with a series of turnovers and misses, leaving the score still at the status quo when a de ection gave John Jay the ball under their own basket with 4:35 left in the quarter. Mia Puccio took the inbound, and no secret to the home crowd, the point guard was on the sly for Annabel Brennan. Yorktown not privy, Puccio’s partner in crime made her cut and an open layup gave John Jay a 4-2 lead. Still, more tribulations followed and Brennan would close the quarter with another layup. An 8-4 game, and Martin entered the fray. O the inbound, she launched her three, and on the next possession, the guard made a perfect entry pass into her sister, Miranda, who had eight points and ve rebounds. Fouled on the play, Miranda only made one of two, but now John Jay was truly on their way. Brennan cut across the paint for two of her game-high nine points, and then Jess Martin was happy to share the spotlight with another friend o the bench. Aside from a short jumper on the baseline, Sela Halaifonua twice showed how to move without the ball. She took passes from Shannon Nolan and Ava Kelley for layups that gave the Wolves a 25-6 lead and had Coach Matt Gallagher gushing. “Sela reads the oor. She has such a sense for the game and it’s just natural,” he said. “She has knowledge of the game and just plays into it.” e lead grew to 30-9 in the third, and the rest was window dressing. But the game did get a bit chippy with the pushing and shoving boiling over at points. “Sometimes you just got to get a little scrappy in there,” Jess Martin justi ed. Another win was not the big news, though. Ava Kelley committed to Syracuse, and she was all smiles. “I’m so happy, it’s been a long journey to get here, and I’m so excited,” said the senior. At the same time, Kelley assured she could not have done it alone. “ is team and our coach have really been my family,” she concluded. “All four years throughout high school, they helped me become the student I am today.” Wolves dismantle Yorktown Overcome slow start Miranda Martin Ava Kelley Maya Nelsen Mia Puccio PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI GIRLS BASKETBALL BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER John Jay had an exciting week of hockey. ey were rst down 5-4 to Mt. Pleasant with less than two minutes remaining in the game on Sunday, Feb. 5. PJ DeNoia scored at 1:54 to tie it and Walter Oestreicher got the game winner with 32 seconds left. en on Friday (2/10), 17-2 Clarktown came in and exed their muscles by giving Dylan Rogers a workout. e Rams put 29 shots on the John Jay goalie, and the senior made the same number of saves. e offense eventually took the cue, and again it was DeNoia who delivered. e forward took the assist from Kenny Irving, and the home team took a 1-0 lead in the third. Unfortunately, a slash on Kyle Petschek opened the door, and Nicolas Romeo came storming in with the game-tying goal with 6:35 left. But John Jay was not letting this one get away, and Declan Whelan scored only 45 seconds later. e boys in an uproar, the pack killed a nal penalty, and DeNoia scored in the empty net for the 3-1 win. John Jay goes 2-0 for the week Goalie Dylan Rogers PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI PJ DeNoia HOCKEY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 SPORTS THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 19 BY WHIT ANDERSON SPORTS EDITOR Katonah made history with Team USA Hockey last January when one of its residents helped lead his team to its rst ever silver medal at the Lake Placid 2023 Winter World University Games. e FISU World University Games is the biggest international collegiate multi-sport event in the world, with its last event in 2019 taking place in Naples, Italy. Evan Ruschil, a senior goalie for Williams College, has dedicated his life to the sport of hockey since the moment he rst picked up the stick at the Bedford Ice Arena. “I have been playing hockey ever since I was six years old,” he said. “My dad was an inspiration for me. Ever since I was young, we would watch games on the TV, or he would take me to the Islander games. I just followed in his footsteps of being a goalie.” Ruschil went on to play his high school hockey at Trinity-Pawling and is wrapping up his nal season at Williams. He has recorded over 1,200 saves on a .934 save percentage for his college career. Ruschil and Team USA began their tournament in the preliminary rounds on Jan. 11 at SUNY Potsdam, in the Clarkson University Cheel Arena, beating England 18-0, South Korea 8-0, a tough Slovakia team 5-2, another challenge in Kazakhstan 4-1, and Hungary 9-1. ey then moved to the Olympic Center, in Lake Placid, edging out Japan 4-3 in the semi nals, before falling to the favorite, Canada, 7-2 on Jan. 22. e Olympic Center is the same location where Team USA upset the Soviet Union during the 1980 Olympics in a spectacle better known as the “Miracle on Ice.” “It was really cool to play against di erent teams,” said Ruschil, noting that Team USA had never medaled in the World University Games prior to this winter. “North American teams play a di erent way compared to European teams. We got to see how teams like Slovakia and Kazakhstan play. I would have never gotten the chance to do it unless for this tournament.” “ e fact that were able to beat Kazakhstan (Team USA had never beaten them or Slovakia), place rst in our division, and then also move onto the nals against Canada was amazing for USA Hockey,” he added. Complementing the action on the ice was the atmosphere, according to Ruschil. Staying in an Athlete’s Village with all the other hockey players before moving to a hotel by the Olympic Center for the nal rounds, Ruschil cited it all as an experience like no other. “It was an unforgettable experience. Almost every game that we played was sold out, with 4,000- 5,000 people. As a D3 hockey player, we don’t get that many people at our games. It was a really cool experience, especially when they were chanting ‘USA, USA!’... In the nals, I think it was a full house, around 8,000 people.” Currently planning to hang up the skates in competitive hockey once his Williams’ career concludes, Ruschil will leave the game with an everlasting memory. “It could have been anywhere in the world, but it was in Lake Placid with friends and family supporting me.” Ruschil takes silver at Lake Placid Games Katonah goalie represents USA Playing in front of thousands of fans, Team USA medaled for the fi rst time at The Winter Games. USA HOCKEY Goalie Evan Ruschil brought his college talents to the international rink to help Team USA take home the silver. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SYRACUSE NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Evan Ruschil dreamt of the international stage ever since he began playing hockey at six years old. Tour Your Future At The Tech Center at Yorktown For Middle and High School Students February 13th and 14th 8:00am-10:00am and 12:00pm-2:00pm • Visit over 40 programs within our career academies • Learn about opportunities to earn high school academic credits, college credits, and national technical certifications • Please see your home school counselor for further information and a permission slip. Information Contact: Samantha Vredenburgh at 914.248.2427 or [email protected]
PAGE 20 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES SPORTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BY RICH MONETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER John Jay/North Salem again took to the slopes at under Ridge on Wednesday, Feb. 7 for a league meet. Warmer and closer to the 4:30 p.m. starting time than the previous week, the resulting amenities were not quite commensurate. “ ere were ruts everywhere, basically holes around every turn,” said Luke Spieler. So the senior and his teammates simply dug in. Improving to 4-0 on the season, the boys had seven of the rst 15 and the girls had six. At 29.92, Spieler nished rst, and with the uncertainty abound, he de nitely was not on cruise control. “ ere was a lot of ‘on the y’ adjusting,” he said. One particular moment stood out. “ ere was a hole about six inches deep,” he said. “I just jumped over it and tried not to get stuck in the crevice.” North Salem’s Rosie Binette knew the feeling, and landed number one as well (22.72). Describing the course as “a little funky,” she did more than take all the airborne necessities in stride. “Yeah, kind of wild, it’s exhilarating. You never know what’s going to happen.” e same goes at the top of the mountain. “All the teams are together, and you make new friends,” said Binette. “Everyone cheers each other on, it’s a nice environment to be in.” e uneven course, on the other hand, is not universally accepted, but Elllie Sheridan had no problem settling the matter with her take. “It’s de nitely not the worst I have ever seen here, and it was very slick. But it’s super fun,” said the junior who clocked in at sixth place with a 25.04. e secret is to always remain on your toes. “You have to be ready to absorb the shock,” said Sheridan. e skiers also have to remember to stick with the program. “Make sure you are staying forward, not leaning too much, but when it’s rutty, that’s more challenging to maintain and causes you to lose your balance,” said Chris Marchini. He did so to the tune of second place (30.34) and just behind in third was Joshua Burkhart (31.15). He noticed the terrain too, and while shocked how fast the anomalies rushed at him, he knew what to do nonetheless. “I just had to hold my edges and get through,” said the junior. He wants to do the same in Sectionals, and hopefully, States await on the heals of his agenda. “I have to ski fast and hit the gates,” Burkhart assured. Conversely, Mia Bourla hopes to make States by keeping things in house. “I have to improve my mindset. Before, at the top of the course, my mind is racing. I have to learn to relax a little bit more. When I do relax, I end up doing better.” e sentiment on this tenuous surface was especially important in her tenth-place nish (28.33). “You need to stay low and keep your legs loose,” said Bourla. “ e more you tense up, the worse it’s going to be going down the course.” Given the lift skiing provides, nerves and tension are not a part of the equation for Jack Spinak. “Skiing is so much fun, it clears my head,” he said. He also made the most of the bumps in this road. “You have to quickly move your legs and mid-air hop into your turn.” As for the postseason, he intends to stay on the path. “I want to do solid in the races and have a good time skiing,” he concluded. Luke Spieler Chris Marchini PHOTOS: RICH MONETTI Isabella Dziedzic John Jay/North Salem Continue their Run Riding through Thunder Ridge and Section 1 Emma Klares SKIING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 21 LEISURE 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. River in Tuscany 5. A way to represent 8. Rocker’s guitar 12. Civil Rights group 14. Brew 15. Scratch 16. W. Asian country 18. The Eye Network 19. Clarified butter 20. Part of the Cascade Range 21. Downwind 22. A way to steer 23. Loop 26. Not ingested 30. Swampy coniferous forest 31. Musician 32. Signing 33. Containing iron 34. Part of a theorem or proof 39. Veterans battleground (slang) 42. Of enormous proportions 44. Italian city 46. Come before 47. Balm 49. Undergarments 50. Male parent 51. Ropes 56. Ear part 57. Investment vehicle 58. Dictator 59. Cain and __ 60. A type of code 61. Border river along India and Nepal 62. It’s what’s for dinner 63. Consume 64. Christian __, designer CLUES DOWN 1. Cuckoos 2. Skin issue 3. City in central Japan 4. Sorrels 5. Twinned diamond 6. Canadian province 7. Monetary units 8. Head honcho 9. Goddess of wisdom 10. Part of a play 11. Get rid of 13. Applicant 17. Bowling alleys have many 24. Explosive 25. “The Say Hey Kid” 26. Ultrahigh frequency 27. No (Scottish) 28. Make a mistake 29. Credit card term 35. Keyboard key 36. Woman (French) 37. In the middle of 38. Score perfectly 40. Coat a metal with an oxide coat 41. Deadly disease 42. A place to dock a boat (abbr.) 43. Belch 44. Member of U.S. Navy 45. “In __”: separate from others 47. Examine extensively 48. Adjust 49. Tattle 52. Actor Pitt 53. Gulls 54. Within 55. Exceptionally talented performer BY JO ANN HICKEY I’m writing this staring at a photo on my calendar of a spring ephemeral, it is 28 days until the spring equinox on March 20. Back in January we started the 51st year of the Lewisboro Garden Club and the club held our rst meeting of the year. We reviewed committee reports and our rst ever member survey. Like any good organization, we reached out to our members to see how we could improve. It’s good to check in to see what people would like from their garden club. We had some great ideas for new programs and improving old ones. In 2022 the Garden club added 22 new members, bringing us to a total of 95, wouldn’t it be nice to reach 100 members for our 51st year! Membership info is right here: lewisborogardenclub.org/join-us. One of our recurring events is a hardy group known as the Stewards of Onatru. ey will be working at Onatru every other Saturday, from 9 - 11 a.m. to cut and bundle mugwort and uncover more of the area by the wild ower meadow and community garden where last year’s e orts revealed a small pond, a cistern, a majestic white oak and maple. All are welcome to work with us. e Stewards were inspired after seeing the lm, “Uninvited: e spread of invasive species”, shown at the Lewisboro Library on Nov. 11, 2021. LGC members removed Burning Bush, Multi ora Rosa, Barberry and Bittersweet in several areas. ey also smothered a large area of mugwort with cardboard to stop its spread. Invasive plants are a real pest throughout Westchester, competing with and sometimes overpowering native plants. Native birds and insects depend on native plants for food and shelter. We all need to do our part to stop this encroachment. Please contact Mary Ann Lansdale at malansdale@gmail. com with any questions about the ongoing work of the Stewards of Onatru and how you can help and learn from our e orts. In 20223 we will continue to beautify 27 triangles and open spaces with volunteers designing, planting, and maintaining these spots. e very large triangle at Bouton Road and Post O ce Road, aka “MOAT” (or “Mother of All Triangles”), is a huge project. It contains 160 native plants supporting the pollinator pathway. Another big undertaking was a new planting bed at the town park. LGC members worked to make the entrance more welcoming in preparation for the new, inclusive playground. An Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) and two Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) were planted as part of a grant from One Tree Planted, along with several varieties of perennials. LGC members, also helped to clear an area in a grove of trees near the playground to make it safer for the children. We also love to cross-pollinate with other garden clubs and organizations. In that spirit I’d like to recommend the North Salem Library’s event “Conversation with Local Gardeners.” Details can be found on the library website: ruthkeelermemoriallibrary. org/calendar. For the third year the garden club is o ering Rooting for Lewisboro, which is made possible from a grant from One Tree Planted (onetreeplanted.org) for our town residents. ere are 22 varieties of native trees and shrubs for free. Seedlings may be ordered starting March 1. e order form and tree and shrub information are available at Lewisborogardenclub.org. ose who have ordered will be noti ed of the date and time to pick up the seedlings in late April. e goal of this yearly project is to familiarize residents with the huge variety of native plants available in our gardening zone, and to reinforce that native pollinator like birds and insects, need native plants to feed on. Once you get your native plant garden up and running you might want to consider adding it to the map of Home Grown National Park: homegrownnationalpark. org. ey claim to be the Largest cooperative conservation project ever conceived. From their website: “Homegrown National Park® is a grassroots call-toaction to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks.” e wild ower meadow at Onatru is on their map and your garden could be too. (Mine is.) Stay tuned for more announcements such as our annual spring clean-up at Onatru, plant sales and more. e weather of late with its hint of balmy days ahead makes it easy to think spring. Spring is coming COURTESY JO ANN HICKEY LEWISBORO GARDEN CLUB
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES – PAGE 23 APAR PUBLICITY WITH PERSONALITY PR Public Rela ons For... Businesses | Individuals | Organiza ons | Events Your Message Is Our Mission Leave Your Message Here... (914) 275-6887 | bruceaparpr@ gmail.com BRUCE APAR WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 Advertising in Halston Media is being part of a community. While walking through different towns, people recognized our picture and connected it to the services promoted. It was a great way to get new customers while validating our work with current clients. Dr. Deborah Hardy Student Support and Educational Consultant GuidED Consulting, LLC When you’re working, you may spend decades contributing to retirement accounts such as your 401(k) and IRA. Once you’re retired, though, you’ll likely need to begin withdrawing from these accounts to help pay for your living expenses. In fact, you’ll be required to take money from them at a certain age — but that age requirement is changing, and it could lead to changes in your nancial strategy. Let’s look at some background behind this development. You put in pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA and 401(k), so your contributions can lower your taxable income and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. Eventually, though, you must take withdrawals from these accounts or face tax penalties (A Roth IRA does not have the withdrawal requirement; you can essentially keep the money intact as long as you choose). As part of the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022, the age at which you must take these withdrawals — technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — has increased from 72 to 73. So, if you turn 72 in 2023, you now have another year before you’re required to take RMDs. e SECURE Act 2.0 also mandates that, in 2033, the RMD age will increase again — to 75 — so, depending on your current age, you may have even more time to plan for the e ects of RMDs. Of course, you may need to start taking withdrawals from your retirement accounts before you reach either RMD age — 73 or 75 — so the additional time may not mean much to you. But if you can a ord to wait until you must start taking RMDs, what issues should you consider? Perhaps the most important one is taxes. Your RMDs, which are based on your life expectancy and account balances, are considered taxable income in the year in which you accept the money. If you have sizable amounts in your traditional IRA and 401(k), these RMDs could be large enough to bump you into a higher tax bracket, leading to greater taxation of Social Security bene ts and a Medicare surcharge. So, the ability to delay taking RMDs can be bene cial from a tax standpoint, at least for a time. On the other hand, by delaying RMDs, you might eventually have to take bigger taxable withdrawals from your accounts that may have larger balances because they’ve had more time to potentially grow. You could address the issue of taxable withdrawals by converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA before you’re faced with RMDs — and now, you have more time to do so. Roth IRAs have no RMDs, and since a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, your withdrawals are tax free, provided you don’t begin taking them until you’re at least 59-1/2 and you’ve had your account at least ve years. Again, though, taxes are the issue — any pre-tax dollars you convert from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will be taxable in the year of the conversion. To reduce this tax hit, you could space out the conversion over several years. When thinking about delaying RMDs or doing a Roth IRA conversion to avoid RMDs, you’ll need to consult with your tax advisor. But the new RMD age limits do give you more exibility in these areas, so think carefully about how you might bene t from the added time. is article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Financial Advisor, Judi McAnaw, a resident of Katonah. She has an o ce at 332 Route 100, Suite 300, in Somers. Judi can be reached at 914-669-5329. Can you bene t from new RMD age limit? Your RMDs [Required Minimum Distributions], which are based on your life expectancy and account balances, are considered taxable income in the year in which you accept the money.’ -Judi McAnaw Edward Jones Financial Advisor JUDI MCANAW GUEST CORNER
PAGE 24 – THE KATONAH-LEWISBORO TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022 VOL. 5 NO. 32 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEISURE 21 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 18 Wolves Top Edgemont pg 20 GOAL! Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 A record-breaking crowd gathered on Oct. 22 for the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department’s annual “Community Day at the Firehouse” event. See more photos from this awesome afternoon on page 12! PHOTO COURTESY OF GBFD BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Construction is expected to begin next summer or fall on almost $50 million in school-building upgrades approved last week by voters in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District. In the district’s rst capitalconstruction referendum in 20 years, residents signed o on security improvements at all ve of their schools, a clean-energy HVAC alternative for Katonah Elementary and multiple other brick-and-mortar projects, including new classrooms at Increase Miller. Balloting took place Oct. 18 at KLSD’s three elementary schools. Despite a comfortable 893 to 565 overall margin in favor of the $49,458,200 bond, School Superintendent Andrew Selesnick later acknowledged the size of the vote against the proposed project. “I can’t imagine there’s ever been a bond vote that passed unanimously, in any school district,” he told the KLSD school board’s Oct. 20 meeting. “I say that because we also want to acknowledge that it [the bond] didn’t have unanimous support and we want to remain mindful of those who didn’t support the bond.” Opposition was clear at Meadow Pond Elementary School, where 53 percent of South Salemarea residents rejected the project, 199 to 174. But elsewhere, voters registered their support in numbers strong enough to overcome that de cit. At Katonah Elementary, “yes” votes prevailed, 311 to 124, as they did at Increase Miller, 408 to 122. “We can pledge to continue being mindful of our entire community in the ways we move forward,” Selesnick continued at the Oct. 20 board meeting. “We try very hard to be thoughtful about all the work that we do and all the projects we put forward with the entire community in mind.” As he did in the hours immediately after the balloting, Selesnick expressed his gratitude for the voter turnout. “We really do thank everybody who came out,” he said, “regardless of how you voted. We appreciate the participation in the democratic process.” District o¡ cials now move into the next phase of the project, including what Selesnick described, in a letter to the KLSD community, as “further design and re nement.” Final plans must then be submitted to the State Education Department for approval. “We anticipate this phase will take approximately one year,” Selesnick said. “Once approvals are received, construction is projected to last approximately two years. If all goes smoothly, all aspects of the project will be complete by the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.” KLSD Trustee Liz Gereghty chairs the two key school board committees, Finance and Facilities, as well as a resident-experts panel that helped guide development of bond speci cs. She had thanked her volunteers weeks before the vote and observed, “Public education is the most important investment a community makes.” Voters approve $49.5 million bond for Katonah-Lewisboro School District Fire away! 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 Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market? If you’re wondering what a potential recession could mean for the housing market, here’s a look at what history tells us. Questions? Let’s connect. #UGottaHaveHope VOL. 5 NO. 33 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27 CLASSIFIEDS 26 LEISURE 20 OPINION 8 TOWN CROSSING 4 SPORTS 16 Wolves Win Big pg 16 PLAYOFFS Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 Please note that the Nov. 10 edition of The Katonah-Lewisboro Times will go to press before the Nov. 8 election results are available. Please visit tapintoKLT.net to view our full election coverage. BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER e race for New York’s 17th Congressional District has gained national attention as polls show it’s a tossup between Democrat Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Republican Assemblyman Mike Lawler. Maloney, who is chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, currently represents the 18th district and was rst elected in 2012. He is running in this new district after redistricting took place in New York State. Congressman Maloney was raised in New Hampshire and earned his bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Virginia. Maloney served as a senior advisor in the Clinton Administration and after leaving the White House, he built a high-tech startup in New York and later worked for New York Governors Spitzer and Paterson. He and his husband, Randy Florke, have three children together and currently reside in Cold Spring. Meanwhile, Lawler represents New York’s Assembly District 97 in Rockland County. Assemblyman Lawler graduated from Suffern High School and went on to earn his degree in business administration from Manhattan College, where he graduated as the valedictorian. Lawler and his wife, Doina, live in Pearl River, and they have a baby girl. We asked the candidates a series of similar questions in separate interviews. You can Crime, infl ation and abortion at issue in Congressional race Both express support for Israel and Ukraine SEE CONGRESS PAGE 6 Assemblyman Mike Lawler Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney LOCAL REALTORS YOU CAN TRUST Ellen Schwartz and Devin McCrossan are Licensed Associate Real Estate Brokers affiliated with Compass. Kaitlyn ‘Katie’ D’Ambrosio and Catia Leon are Licensed Real Estate Salespersons. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity Laws. Lic. Assoc. Real Estate Broker M: 646.937.1897 • [email protected] 68-70 The Crossing, Chappaqua Lic. Assoc. Real Estate Broker [email protected] • M: 646.937.1897 387 Main Street, Armonk Ellen Schwartz Devin McCrossan THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022 VOL. 5 NO. 34 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31 CLASSIFIEDS 30 LEISURE 24 OPINION 10 TOWN CROSSING 7 SPORTS 20 Project Breaks Ground pg 16 PLAYGROUND Visit TapIntoKLT.net for the latest news. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER For more than 20 years, Coach Bill Swertfager has built John Jay High School’s wrestling program, from literally nothing to a perennial Section One contender. More signi cantly, he’s built a generation of young men and women who are now better adults thanks to the example he set and the life lessons he taught, scores of supporters told the Katonah-Lewisboro school board last week. Some 300 strong, a standingroom-only throng, they packed the board’s Nov. 3 meeting in the high school cafeteria to deliver full-throated support for Coach Bill. ey appealed to keep him at the wrestling program’s helm, beseeching school o cials in public a week ago after a complaint made in private more than a year ago put the coach’s job in jeopardy. In the spring of 2021, an unidenti ed person asserts, Swertfager slapped a player on the backside in a girls juniorvarsity softball game. Neither the KLSD administration nor the school board, bound by privacy regulations, is permitted to identify the complainant. One account making the rounds among the coach’s supporters insists that neither the player nor her parents have taken issue with his actions. Instead, this version holds, one of the girl’s teammates, “uncomfortable” with seeing the touch, complained about it. Swertfager, for his part, says he has no recollection of delivering what is the sports world’s longtime, spontaneous gesture of support or congratulations. “I have no idea who the player was that I supposedly did it to, or who the teammate was who was uncomfortable with it,” he said in an interview last weekend. “I simply don’t remember the incident. I am not saying it didn’t happen; I am just saying I don’t remember it.” ough he has been an integral part of John Jay’s athletic establishment for more than two decades, Swertfager is not a full-time KLSD employee. e owner of the Cross River-based marketing rm AIA Promotional Source, he draws only a token stipend from the school treasury. Whoever is varsity wrestling coach this winter will be paid $8,140 for the season. Still, the 63-year-old Swertfager noted in the interview, “I have dedicated my entire adult life, 40 years, to coaching boys and girls in seven sports, including softball, baseball, track and eld, boys and girls soccer, football, basketball and, of course, wrestling. ousands of young men and women without a single blemish on my record for anything.” e school board had been expected to appoint all coaches for winter sports at ursday’s meeting but ultimately put the matter over to the next meeting, Nov. 17, after a crescendo of voices insisted Coach Bill be retained. Swertfager had the rst word. Addressing the school board for Coach Bill Swertfager speaking before the Board of Education on Nov. 3. PHOTO: TOM BARTLEY Outpouring of support for John Jay coach following complaint SEE COACH PAGE 28 HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Sales Vice President cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Sales Vice President 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 UH, OH! THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT ‘ME’, AGAIN! "Hope pulled out all the stops during the purchase of our home. She reached out to her contacts, connected us with her invaluable resources, negotiated on our behalf, and got us the keys to our dream house in a timely manner. She made herself available to us at all times, had our best interest at heart, and did not stop working for us - even after the closing. I can't say enough good things about Hope; without her on our team, there is no way my husband and I would have gotten our house." — CS, Purdys NY Your Local Expert. #UGottaHaveHope Another great transaction with 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. 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 Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, 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.) 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