Mahopac News 03.11.21

VOL. 12 NO. 5 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021

Mahopac readies for fulltime
in-person learning
District rolls out plan to restart in stages

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAHOPAC SCHOOL DISTRICT BY BOB DUMAS DiCarlo noted that the reason the school buildings.
EDITOR bulk of the re-entry plan won’t get Also,as part of the reopening,“grab
The show must underway for a least another month
go on! One year after the coronavirus is that the district must accomplish and go” free lunches will be provided
pandemic struck, all Mahopac stu- an array of tasks to prepare the sta for all students.
In spite of social distancing guidelines and not dents will be returning to school full and buildings. ey need time for
being able to have an in-person audience, Mahopac time for in-person learning begin- more faculty and sta to get vaccinat- DiCarlo warned that the greater
High School’s Drama Company’s production of ning later this month. ed.Additionally,furniture must be re- density of students in classrooms and
“Charlotte’s Web” cannot be stopped. Under the di- moved from storage and placed back on buses could lead to more students
rection of MHS theater advisors Sonya Velez and School administrators rolled out in classrooms. ey are also awaiting being quarantined.
Chris Purr, the cast and crew have been practicing the re-entry plan at a special Board of the arrival of face shields (to be worn
and the “public” performance will be taped at the Education meeting last Wednesday by the middle and high school stu- “A low positivity rate within the
Falls School Auditorium. e production will be (March 3). dents) and need time to install pro- district will enable us to stay open,”
available on the district and high school websites, the tective polycarbonate shields on all he said. “We need to remain diligent
district YouTube channel on the district’s cable chan- e re-entry schedule applies to the elementary school desks. with all safety protocols within our
nels Comcast 21 and Verizon 46 later this month— all students in grades K-12 but it will community.
the exact dates are still being worked out. be implemented in stages. Students e reopening will include several
with Individualized education plans safety protocols that will be employed “ ese [start dates] are not etched
Pictured here during a recent rehearsal are, from (IEPs—a document that’s developed throughout the remainder of the in stone,” he continued. “We have to
left, Kaitlyn Pearsall, Molly Decker, Brooke Berlin- for students eligible for special educa- school year, including: have time to get desks out of storage
go, Mary McElroy, Jessica Caputo (the spider), and tion) will return Wednesday,March 17. and circle back with teachers. We are
Ariana Inzano. • Face masks will be worn at all anticipating this is what we will do if
e rest of the students will return times except at lunch; everything falls in line.”
on the following schedule:
• Social distancing will be modi ed Informational videos conducted by
• Grades 6-12, the week of April 5 to the range of 3 to 6 feet depending each building principal will be made
• Grades K-1, April 8, 9 on the particular room; available via email shortly before stu-
• Grades 2-3, April 12, 13 dents return.
• Grades 4-5, April 14, 15 • Polycarbonate desk barriers will
Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo be used in grades K-5; Dr. Gregory Stowell, the assistant
noted that these are target dates and superintendent for pupil personnel
are subject to change. • Face shields will be used in grades and educational services, will conduct
“Remember these are anticipated 6-12; informational sessions for all special
timelines and can change as a result education students. Details of the
of circumstances beyond our control,” • Continued ezSCRN (an app re-entry plans for safety, social/emo-
he said. that is used to verify basic COVID tional well-being and instruction will
screening questions) and tem-
perature checks upon entry of SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 19

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27
CLASSIFIEDS
LEGAL NOTICES 26
LEISURE
MAHOPAC MUSINGS 27
OPINION
SCHOOLS & CAMPS 25
SPORTS
2 YOUR NEIGHBOR
8

18 MHS alum brings
20 musical to theater festival.

pg 3

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021

The Staff Free Rabies Vax Clinic nam County residency, as well as must be followed including social/ on Zoom, on Wednesday, March
proof of prior rabies vaccination. physical distancing and face cov- 24, from 7-8 p.m. State Sen. Pete
EDITORIAL TEAM
BOB DUMAS Attention Putnam residents! Tags are not acceptable. If you erings are required. Harckham will be the keynote

EDITOR: 845-208-0774 Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets do not have proof of prior rabies For more information and di- guest speaker. We will also hear
[email protected]
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER to a free rabies vaccination clinic vaccination, your pet will receive a rections, please call the Putnam from Eric Toth, CEO of Cove
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] on Saturday, March 20, from 10 one-year rabies vaccine. All dogs County Department of Health at Care Center, who will speak about

ADVERTISING TEAM a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the must be leashed and controlled. 845-808-1390 ext. 43160. the e ect COVID-19 has on the
PAUL FORHAN
Putnam County Department of Any dog that may become ag- Rotary Community mental health of our residents.
(914) 806-3951 Health, the clinic is being held at gressive must be muzzled. Cats Forum Rotarian Joseph DeMarzo will
[email protected] Putnam County Veterans Memo- and ferrets must be in carriers, moderate the program. Questions
rial Park (Upper Park), 201 Gipsy no harnesses. All animals must can be submitted on Zoom dur-
BRUCE HELLER
(914) 486-7608 Trail Road, Carmel, and is open be supervised by an adult with e Rotary Club of Lake Ma- ing the program.
[email protected]
to all Putnam County residents. the minimum number of people hopac invites the public to join its e Zoom information can be
LISA KAIN
(201) 317-1139 Bring photo ID as proof of Put- necessary. COVID-19 guidance Community Forum, to be held obtained on the Rotary website at
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON Put your Lakemahopacrotary.org.
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] ease...mind at Drive-Thru Food
Drive
JAY GUSSAK
(914) 299-4541 Help stop hunger in our com-
[email protected] munity. Bring non-perishable
JENNIFER CONNELLY
(917) 446-7757 • Elder Law items (pasta, canned beans, tuna,
[email protected] • Wills & Trusts peanut butter, canned veggies,
SHELLEY KILCOYNE crackers, cereal, tomato sauce,
(914) 924-9122 cookies, canned fruit) to St. John’s
[email protected]
GABRIELLE BILIK • Estate Planning Church, 221 E. Lake Blvd., Ma-
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER • Medicaid Planning hopac, on Saturday, March 20, 10
[email protected] • Guardianships a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info, con-
tact Frank Lombardi or Marianne
PRODUCTION TEAM Chalusian on Facebook.
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL
• Probates Mahopac Library
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Events
PHOTOGRAPHER
CALL US We make home and hospital visits. Coursera for New York Job
[email protected] TODAY! Seekers
CHRISTINA ROSE
ART DIRECTOR/ (845) 621-8640 Tuesday, March 16, 6 p.m. e
sloanandfeller.com • 625 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 New York State Department of
DIGITAL PRODUCTION MANAGER Labor is o ering free Coursera
[email protected] access for out-of-work New York-
ers who would like to learn new
EXECUTIVE TEAM marketable skills for high-growth
BRETT FREEMAN industries such as data science,
CEO & PUBLISHER business, and technology. Join us
845-208-8151 for this virtual presentation to
learn: who is eligible and how to
[email protected] sign up, what to expect when you
sign into your account, how to
Deadlines browse, search for and enroll in
courses, how to access resources
MAHOPAC NEWS DEADLINE that can help you determine what
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS skills you need to learn. is pre-
sentation is part of a series of Em-
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR ployment Counseling Workshops
hosted by Desmond-Fish Library,
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BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. son Library, Kent Public Library,
Putnam Valley Library, Butter-
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CALL BOB DUMAS AT eld Library, Brewster Library,
and e Field Library. Registra-
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[email protected] required; register online at www.
mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-
Subscribe 628-2009, ext. 100.

TO REQUEST MAHOPAC NEWS Light Bite Book Group
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503 OR Wednesday, March 17, 1 p.m.
EMAIL [email protected] e Light Bite Book Group, led
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR by Cindy Green, will meet via
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN. Zoom to discuss “AWell-Behaved
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE Woman: a novel of the Vander-
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL. bilts” by erese Fowler. You can
request a copy of the book by
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT calling Mahopac Library at 845-
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THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 Your Neighbor MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3

Holly Block is ‘Safe and Sound’

MHS alum brings her original musical to theater festival

BY BOB DUMAS doing is bringing lm and the-

EDITOR ater together,” she said. “All our

rehearsals have been over Zoom

Mahopac alum Holly Block using props and costumes. It is

(Class of ’17) has something to weird but de nitely interesting to

sing about. direct. e challenge is to make it

After graduating four years feel like all the actors are in the

ago, the aspiring actress/singer/ same place.”

writer enrolled in Manhattan’s Block said the performers

prestigious Circle in the Square sing to prerecorded music tracks,

eater School. Now, an original written by Jerjian and performed

musical she co-wrote with her by Jacob Foy, who helped put the

writing partner, Elizabeth Jer- festival together.

jian, has been chosen to be part “Jacob can play everything,”

of the Front Row Fringe Festival. Block said. “We have the vocals

e Festival was created online recorded separately and then sync

to provide performing artists an it up. Everything is prerecorded.

avenue to continue creating art, We try to keep the theater [feel]

and for art lovers from all over and keep the live aspect of it. We

the world to continue loving art, want to keep the rst or second

during the pandemic. takes and not make it overly slick.

e festival features 15 di er- It was really important to create

ent shows and is the rst Broad- that—live theater in your living

way festival to be held virtually. room.”

Block, who came up with the Block said she originally want-

story idea for the musical, “Safe ed to perform the show live via

and Sound,”also directs and stars. Zoom, but after several meetings PHOTO COURTESY OF KGRACE

Jerjian wrote the songs. the producers convinced her it Holly Block, left, and her writing partner, Elizabeth Jerjian.

Putting the show together so was safer this way, in case there

it could be broadcast online has were technical glitches. Block describes “Safe and special. myself. is character I created is

been somewhat of a challenge “So, that is what we are doing, Sound” as a musical about “how “As the script developed, we inspired by the emcee in ‘Cabaret’

for Block, but she is excited with but doing it the best way that we love guides three characters to- got the idea for the other songs,” and the lead in ‘Pippin,’ which

what they have accomplished. can to keep the live performance ward rediscovering who they tru- Block said. “[ Jerjian] was bang- were written for men. ere’s not

“Basically, what we’ve been aspect intact,” she said. ly are by reconnecting them with ing them out like no one’s busi- a part like that that’s written for a

their inner child.” ness. We inspired each other so woman. Now it’s a character I can

It was a story that had been much.” really relate to.”

banging around in her head for Block said her favorite song Block held a casting call in

some time, inspired by the sui- from the show is called “Time,” early January and the nal se-

cide of a high school friend. en which actually began as a poem lections include actors she has

she met Jerjian, a pop songwriter she wrote. worked with in the past. e cast

who had some songs she wasn’t “ at song is almost a charac- also includes several youngsters

sure how to use. ter in the show,” Block said. between the ages of 6 and 12.

“When I met her, she had Block said she wrote the fe- “I love working with kids,” she

about ve songs she didn’t know male lead in the show for herself said.

what to do with,” Block recalled. after growing frustrated with the “Safe and Sound” has been

“I had this story I wanted to tell audition process as producers slotted to appear in the festival

so bad and those songs t the found it di cult to gure out just on Saturday (March 13) at 10

plotline perfectly.” how to cast her. p.m. After the festival, there may

Now there are 17 tracks in “I was going on auditions after a showing in London’s West End

the show, including “I’m Not high school and they would tell as well.

Ashamed”—a song that was me, ‘We don’t know where to put “It’s very similar to the typical

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLY BLOCK licensed by NBC last year for you, but we love your energy,’” SEE BLOCK PAGE 7
The “Safe and Sound” cast at the first read-through.
possible inclusion in a television she said. “I know where to put

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PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021

County wants more leeway to American Heart
vaccinate ‘essential’ workers Association Heart
Walk goes digital
Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell has of 500 doses. Of those, 200 will be used for those

called on the state to give the county more leeway to who were due for second doses on Feb. 18 and those

vaccinate those residents who county o cials deem scheduled for second doses on Feb. 25; 100 will be

essential. administered to those with developmental disabilities, With the coronavirus pandemic • Create an at home circuit

Odell is demanding the state add highway de- as required by the state; and the remaining 200 will go still keeping many Americans at workout.

partment workers to the list of essential workers to essential workers and those with certain underlying home, the American Heart As- “ is year, we will walk together

eligible for COVID-19 vaccines and is advocating medical conditions. sociation (AHA) remains com- as ONE because so much is at

for a teacher-only vaccination site in an e ort to get Residents who received their rst vaccine from the mitted to funding groundbreaking stake,” said Klein. “COVID-19

schools fully open and students back in classrooms, Putnam County Department of Health on Jan. 21 or research and helping people live has only strengthened our resolve

where they belong. Jan. 28, should continue to check their email for in- healthier lives through walking because 40 percent of those hos-

“Parents are not only overworked and over- structions on scheduling a second dose appointment. together. e AHA’s iconic West- pitalized due to COVID-19 are

whelmed, but they are also worried sick about their A POD for rst doses of vaccine is being planned chester & Putnam Heart Walks stroke survivors or people with

children falling behind and not succeeding,” Odell for certain essential workers and those with underly- are being transformed into a new heart disease. With our help the

said. “We need to get children back in school, and to ing medical conditions on ursday, Feb. 25, at the Heart Walk Experience, providing American Heart Association is in-

do so, we need more vaccine, speci cally for teachers. Philipstown Recreation Center. A limited number of a way for people to get active, cel- vesting in new research and train-

Our county health department could set up a vaccine doses are available at this time, however, we anticipate ebrate heart and stroke survivors, ing front line workers, while they

POD just for teachers and we could have every edu- receiving more vaccine and will continue to schedule and raise life-saving funds. continue the ght against heart

cator inoculated in no time,if the state would just give appointments as vaccine arrives. “Now, more than ever, we’re all disease and stroke.”

us the vaccine and the go-ahead to set up a teachers- e registration link will be shared on the health looking for ways to connect with To register for the Westchester

only site.” department website at putnamcountyny.com/health others, stay active and stay encour- Heart Walk visit www.westches-

Because of inclement weather throughout the na- and health department social media channels once aged,” said Howard Klein, CPA, terheartwalk.org or to register

tion, Putnam County did not receive its shipment of clinic details are con rmed. MST, chair of the American Heart for the Putnam Heart Walk visit

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for the week of Feb.15. Association’s Westchester Board of www.putnamheartwalk.org – from

On Monday Feb. 22, the county received a shipment Article courtesy of County Executive’s O ce Directors and Tax Partner at Ci- there participants can stay up to

trin Cooperman. “Our week-long date by downloading the Heart

digital experience allows everyone Walk mobile app and encourage

to continue to have fun and sup- friends and family to join in via e-

port our lifesaving mission, while mail or on social media. Everyone

spending more time at home. We is encouraged to wear red and post

are grateful for the support from pictures on our Facebook event

our community and can’t wait to page at http://spr.ly/wpheartwalk.

see how everyone makes the Heart And check out the Heart Walk

Walk their own.” Experience Flipbook for the full

We prioritize your case, On Friday,March 26 and urs- Heart Walk Experience!
investigate thoroughly,
and help you make day, April 1 Westchester & Put- e Heart Walk is sponsored by
sound decisions.
nam Heart Walk participants and FujiFilm, Phelps Hospital North-

teams will not physically meet but well Health, PSCB Bank, Dr. Pat-

are invited to get moving at home rick and Mrs. Johanna omas,

or around their neighborhood. Burke Rehabilitation Hospital,

Here are a few activities to consider New York Medical College, Nu-

choosing from: vance Health,Tompkins Mahopac

• Take a walk outside (while fol- Bank, Paraco Gas, Park Ford of

lowing current social distancing Mahopac, Marshall & Sterling

guidelines). and Volz Auto.

• Get the whole family involved For more information visit www.

and have an indoor dance party. westchesterheartwalk.org; www.

• Try out a few strengthening putnamheartwalk.org or contact

exercises like push-ups, lunges and Megan Lucas at [email protected]

squats. heart.org

We are open and Grocery/med deliveries
ready to assist you. available for seniors

LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH J. TOCK Family Services of Westchester meet the new demand for delivery

963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 (FSW)’s RideConnect program is services to seniors and those who

TOCKLAW.COM • 845-628-8080 ready to assist older adults 60 and are immunocompromised. e

up in Westchester and southern program also continues to provide

Putnam County who need seniors with transportation to es-

shopping and delivery of groceries sential medical appointments like

and/or medication. chemotherapy and dialysis.

e program has hundreds of Seniors and immunocompro-

volunteers available to shop so mised individuals can inquire

that the vulnerable population about receiving grocery or medi-

can stay home and safeguard their cation deliveries by calling 914-

health during the COVID-19 242-7433 or emailing Karen Ga-

outbreak. nis at [email protected] Details are

RideConnect’s core mission is available at www.fsw.org/seniors-

to provide transportation resourc- grocery-delivery. ose looking to

es for older adults 60 and over, volunteer can visit www.fsw.org/

and it has mobilized quickly to volunteer-grocery-delivery.