June 3, 2016 by The Eastchester Review

Eastchester REVIEW THE

June 3, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 23 | www.eastchesterreview.com

We remember

On Monday, May 30, Eastchester and Tuckahoe held a joint Memorial Day ceremony at Eastchester High School following a parade that was nearly lost to the threat of inclement weather. From left, twins Charlie and Owen Benedict, 8, enjoy patriotic songs while waving flags in the high schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auditorium. For coverage, see page 7. Photo/Bobby Begun

2 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

June 2016

Planning ahead... Sunday

Monday

TueSday

WedneSday LGBT Pride Month

Ramadan begins

Grs. 4 & 8 science written assessment EMS PTA meeting 7:30 p.m., EMS Tuckahoe village board meeting 8 p.m.

Shavuot

EHS Regents & final exams begin

Tuckahoe school board meeting 7:30 p.m., TMS/HS libray PTA Council meeting 7:45 p.m. Bronxville village board meeting 8 p.m.

Father’s Day

Summer Solstice

EMS & Greenvale dismissal 10:50 a.m. Anne Hutchinson & Waverly dismissal 11:15 a.m. TMS finals end

EHS ASR Science Symposium 7 p.m., EHS

Greenvale PTA meeting 7:30 p.m., Greenvale Eastchester town board meeting 8 p.m., Town Hall

Flag Day

EHS Prom 7 p.m., EHS

HS Algebra II Regents

Eastchester Architectural Review Board 7 p.m., Town Hall

THS 4th marking period ends EMS International Night 7 p.m., EMS

Bronxville Planning Board 7:30 p.m. Tuckahoe Zoning Board 7:30 p.m.

EMS dismissal 10:50 a.m.

TMS and BHS finals begin

THS finals begin

Waverly Principal’s Coffee 2 p.m., Waverly Waverly PTA meeting 7:30 p.m., Waverly EHS PTA meeting 7:45 p.m., EHS

US Open golf begins

Greenvale, Anne Hutchinson, Waverly & EMS early dismissals

Tuckahoe Planning Board 7:30 p.m. Eastchester school board meeting 8 p.m.

Bronxville Superintendent’s Conference Day

Eastchester Traffic & Parking Committee 7 p.m., Community/Court Room Bronxville Zoning Board 7:30 p.m.

SAT testing

Anne Hutchinson/ Greenvale Field Day

ACT testing

BMS/HS 4th quarter making period ends EMS Gr. 8 Dance 7 p.m., EMS

TMS Earth Science Regents

BHS Graduation 6:45 p.m.

EMS dismissal 10:50 a.m.

Eastchester Zoning Board of Appeals 7 p.m., Town Hall

Eastchester Environmental Committee 7:30 p.m., Community Room

TMS Algebra I Regents

EMS dismissal 10:50 a.m.

SaTurday

BHS graduation rehearsal 1 p.m.

Eastchester town board meeting 8 p.m., Town Hall

Bronxville Superintendent’s Conference Day

NBA Finals begin

Friday

EMS Gr. 8 science performance assessment

Lake Isle Advisory Board 7 p.m., Lake Isle

National Cancer Survivors Day

ThurSday

BHS finals end Greenvale Gr. 5 Party 6:30 p.m., Greenvale

Bronxville school board meeting 7 p.m.

Regents & final exams end EHS graduates breakfast and rehearsal 9 a.m. Greenvale, Anne Hutchinson, Waverly & EMS early dismissals Anne Hutchinson Gr. 5 Party 6 p.m.

Greenvale, Anne Hutchinson, Waverly, EMS & Tuckahoe schools early dismissals

Last day for all schools

EHS graduation rehearsal 1 p.m.

THS Graduation 5:45 p.m.

Eastchester Planning Board 7 p.m., Town Hall

County taxes due

EHS Commencement 10 a.m.

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 3

County planning ParaTransit shuttle hike By cOreY sTOcKTON Staff Writer Westchester County held a public hearing at the County Center on Tuesday, May 31 to discuss the proposed increase in Bee-Line ParaTransit fare. ParaTransit, a reservationbased curb-to-curb transportation service program for riders with disabilities, currently charges riders $4 per one-way trip, but is projecting a 25 percent increase, which would raise the fare to $5 per trip. The maximum amount the county can charge under Federal Transportation Administration guidelines is $5.50. Evan Latainer, director for the Westchester County Office for People with Disabilities, said the county’s expenses have increased for the nonprofit ParaTransit shuttle program over the last seven years. In 2009, the service made a total of about 213,000 trips. Last year, the trip total was more than 268,000. The county covers most of the expenses of the program;

Latainer said a one-way trip costs the county about $40, totaling to approximately $10.8 million in 2015. Melvyn Tanzman, executive director of Westchester Disabled on the Move, spoke against the fare increase. He said that supplemental security income and Social Security have each increased by less than 25 percent since 2008, urging the county to consider that this is the predominant form of income for many of ParaTransit’s 6,500 unique riders. Other speakers testified that a more marginalized fare increase, such as a 25 cent or 50 cent hike, or a discount for buying 10-trip ticket books, would be appropriate. During a county meeting last month, County Legislator Bernice Spreckman, a Yonkers Republican and chairwoman of the Seniors and Constituencies Committee, stressed that the proposed $1 trip increase would be detrimental to those who use the service. “All of them live on a fixed income or social security or some other means,” she said.

“They cannot afford to pay a 25 percent increase.” She said she fears that ParaTransit riders will begin limiting their trips to doctors’ offices to maintain their budget. Spreckman said a rate increase is justifiable, as the last fare-hike was in January 2009, but that 25 percent would be absurd. The last rate increase was at a rate of 33 percent, from $3 to $4. Margaret Assante, a resident of Yonkers who spoke at the meeting, said ParaTransit gives her independence. She said she relies on the service to volunteer and to attend government meetings; but the potential rate increase threatens her lifestyle and livelihood. “I’m not going to give up doing what I’m doing,” she said. “I’ll cut out something else.” The fare is scheduled to increase on June 20, unless the county Department of Transportation and the county Office for People with Disabilities find reason to adjust the plan. cONTacT: corey@hometwn.com

Westchester County residents with disabilities can reserve a Bee-Line ParaTransit bus to help them travel throughout the county, but their $4 one-way fare may soon increase by 25 percent. Photo/Corey Stockton

4 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library

at 721-8105 or jheifetz@wlsmail.org if your child is interested in being a part of this program.

Bronxville Public Library

Tuckahoe Public Library

the life, career and unique aesthetics of some of the greatest Italian artists from the Renaissance to the contemporary age. Advance registration is required. Cost: members $20, non-members $25. For more information or to register, call 771-8700.

Eastchester Recreation Department Bronco Hoops summer basketball camp Library Teen Group The library will host its teen advisory group, open to teens in sixth grade and up, on Monday, June 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the group’s final meeting of the school year. The meeting is open to the public and registration is not required. For more information about the meeting, contact Elizabeth Portillo at 793-5055 or by email at eportillo@wlsmail.org.

Battle of the Books meeting On Wednesday, June 8 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The 2016 Children’s Battle of the Books program is a team activity requiring a commitment to read five books, and attend practices up until the countywide battle on Saturday, October 15. This will be the first meeting for the children’s team, open to those who will be entering grades four to six in the fall. Those interested in participating in Battle of the Books are asked to read “Gods of Manhattan” by Scott Mebus in advance of the June 8 practice. Copies are available at the Circulation Desk. Please contact Jonathan Heifetz

Reclaiming Joy On Wednesday, June 8 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join local author Stephanie Filardi as she talks about meditation as a powerful way to relax the body and focus the mind. She will also discuss her new book, “Reclaiming Joy,” showing participants how to reduce stress and thrive in life. Filardi is the co-founder of Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary. As a shamanic energy healer, yoga teacher, spiritual counselor and teacher, she has dedicated her life to helping others find and follow their bliss in relationship, career and life purpose.

The New Westchester Symphony Orchestra The Friends of the Tuckahoe Public Library present a performance by The New Westchester Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, June 4 at 2 p.m. at the Tuckahoe Community Center, located at 71 Columbus Ave. in Tuckahoe. Doors open at 1 p.m. This fundraiser will include refreshments, a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle. The event is free and open to the public and all money raised will benefit the Tuckahoe Public Library. For more information or to register to attend the event, call 961-2121.

Superfood cooking demo

Babytime Storytime

On Tuesday, June 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come learn about brain-boosting superfoods. Join the Healthy Chef Lady, Angela Rivera, as she shows us how to make delicious recipes using five brain-boosting foods that are practical and easy to find in any supermarket. Space is limited. Please

On Thursdays through June 23 at 11 a.m. Join Miss Ellen for stories and songs for babies. Open to newborns to age 2. Registration is required by calling 961-2121.

Kids’ flower paper craft Kids ages 5 to 10 are invited to the library on Tuesday, June 7 at 4 p.m. for an art program. This program, which will celebrate summer, will teach children how to construct paper flowers. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Preschool Storytime On Fridays through June 24 at 11 a.m. Join Miss Ellen for stories and songs for preschoolers. Open to ages 2 to 6. Registration is required by calling 961-2121.

Puzzle time Kids age 3 to 6 are invited to join Miss Livia at the library on Friday, June 10 at 4 p.m. for puzzle time. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Westchester Italian Cultural Center

Caravaggio: The Radical and Dramatic Genius of The Baroque Master On Thursday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. Caravaggio’s works constitute some of the most stunning works in the entire history of Western painting. Observing the evolution of his style from his early works, “The Fortune Teller,” “Bacchus” and “Narcissus,” to his major successes, “The Calling of Saint Matthew” and “Doubting Thomas,” to his final paintings, “David with the Head of Goliath,” is like watching the tumultuous ups and downs of his life. Presented by Professor John Coppola, he will study and discuss

Bronco Hoops Basketball Camp is rooted in teaching the fundamental skills and strategy of basketball in a manner that is both fun and educational. Each day, athletes will participate in skill-based stations that focus on individual player development. Those skills will then be utilized in controlled game situations and scrimmages. Camp staff will work closely with each athlete to help them maximize their potential and ensure a positive experience. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14, and will run from June 27 to July 7 at Bronxville High School, located at 177 Pondfield Road. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and the fee is $199. For more information, visit eastchester.org/ departments/recreation/index.html or email broncohoops@gmail.com.

Bronxville Sports and Science Camp The mission of the Bronxville Sports and Science Camp is to provide children with experiences in a variety of sports, enrich them in the field of science exploration, and empower them with decision-making skills. Blending the disciplines found in sports and academics with this life lesson theme provides children with a camp experience that will be both valuable and memorable. The camp is specifically designed for boys and girls entering grades K–6 and is presented by the Eastchester Recreation Department. There are four sessions, all in July. The camps will run weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bronxville School, located at 177 Pondfield Road. For more information, visit eastchester.org/ departments/recreation/index.html or email bronxvillesportsandsciencecamp@gmail.com.

County happenings Outdoor arts festival The 54th annual White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival will take place on June 4 and 5 in Tibbits Park, located where North Broadway and Main Street meet, in White Plains from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This is a juried arts festival, with artists from near and far displaying their unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry, handicrafts, and art work. This free, family-friendly event also includes an exhibition of student art, an emerging artists display, a raffle of items donated by the artists, a variety of food vendors, and a children’s art workshop. All proceeds from the nonprofit event are used to provide scholarships to White Plains High School seniors who are pursuing a college degree in the fine arts. For more information, visit whiteplainsoutdoorartsfestival.com. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 5

Eastchester Relay For Life raises almost $27K At this year’s Relay For Life, more than 130 Eastchester High School students helped raise more than $26,500, with money still coming in. The top five fundraisers were Lindsey Moy ($6,050), Joanne Georgiou ($1,675), Zach Shearon ($1,630), Sedona Paykin ($740) and Ralph Medici ($620). Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries. The mission is to raise funds to improve cancer survival, decrease the incidence of cancer, and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their caretakers. The event brings the whole community together for a night of fun, entertainment, celebration and remembrance. EHS guidance counselor Heather Reilly said, “I have volunteered for several years and am constantly impressed by the compassion and dedication of EHS students. When I try to share the details of that night

with friends and family, tears immediately fill my eyes. The number of students who participated and the money they raised is truly astounding. Their dedi-

cation and leadership made the night possible.” Eastchester faculty members and the clubs or schools they represent include Lina Astarita

of Habitat for Humanity; Heather Reilly of Jazz Co.; Andrew Weiss of EMS NJHS; Josephine Logan and Adam Chertok of EMS Student Council; and Ellen Eldred of Waverly. Special thanks were also extended to the EHS Jazz Band and Don Olson

for their beautiful performance; Jesse Millman, former EHS student, for keeping the participants in shape with Zumba; Adele Lotto of EMS for donating delicious assortments of pasta; Olga Zeolla of EHSPTA for coordinating/ delivering the meat dishes; the

Catalano family for donating amazing wedges; the students’ captains who coordinated the efforts of their individual teams; and the Habitat for Humanity officers who worked tirelessly from the beginning on planning the event. (Submitted)

Eastchester High School students pose during this year’s Relay for Life held to raise funds For the American Cancer Society. Photo courtesy Eastchester school district

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East Eastch Ea stch st chester cheste ester RE EW REVI THE

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U.S. Marines

INVADE

Members of the Harrison Fire Department look up at the Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion as it hovers over Playland Lake.

Playland Throughout Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Marines conducted air and ground demonstrations for the public in New York City and the surrounding areas, including Westchester County, as part of Fleet Week 2016. Fleet Week is a U.S. Navy, Marine and Coast Guard tradition during which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. On Sunday, May 29, one of those demonstrations took place on the beach located behind Playland Amusement Park in Rye. This year’s event at Playland included a ceremony in honor of Memorial Day, followed by a demonstration on behalf of the U.S. Military Corps Aviation/ Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Military aircrafts performed overhead sweeps around the crowded park before landing

near an open field next to the Edith Reade Sanctuary. After landing, dozens of Marines disembarked and performed a live raid, securing a fictional landing zone and setting up a perimeter as they would during actual combat. Once the demonstration concluded, soldiers were greeted by the crowd that had gathered for the event. Those on hand were also allowed to tour the inside of the choppers, which included a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a joint service multirole combat aircraft that can cruise at nearly 290 mph. The aircrafts used in the demonstration were stationed on an open field next to the Reade Sanctuary. The city of Rye, town/village of Harrison and village of Mamaroneck fire departments provided standby support for the landing. -Reporting by Andrew Dapolite

A Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion takes off from a field behind Playland Amusement Park in Rye.

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U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Chris Battle, left, who also serves as the amusement park’s operations superintendent, with Frank Carrieri, the park’s assistant general superintendent. Photo courtesy Friends of Playland

Firefighters from the city of Rye, town/village of Harrison and village of Mamaroneck provide standby support for the landing. Photos courtesy Rye Fire Department

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 7

Eastchester, Tuckahoe honor their fallen heroes Gray skies weren’t enough to stop those in the communities of Eastchester and Tuckahoe from coming out in full force for the annual Memorial Day parade and observance. Patriotism was on display as the parade mobi-

lized through the streets of Eastchester; the parade kicked off at the Eastchester library before ending up indoors at Eastchester High School for the Presentation of Colors. -Eastchester Review staff

American Legion Post 979 and VFW Post 2285 War Veterans are being honored during the Memorial Day ceremony at Eastchester High School.

Cmdr. Foster of the VFW 2285 welcomes guests and participants to the Eastchester/Tuckahoe Memorial Day ceremony.

The McMahon Family wave their American flags during the ceremony.

Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond addresses the crowd.

The Eastchester Memorial Day parade grand marshal Alan Benedict discusses the honor of being a part of the day’s events.

Giacomo “Jack” DelVecchio, the recipient of The Distinguished Veterans Service Award at the Eastchester/Tuckahoe Memorial Day ceremony, expresses his gratitude.

Eastchester’s finest attend the Memorial Day ceremony to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Photos/Bobby Begun

8 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

Student Council makes placemats for seniors Bronxville School chess players make right moves Members of the Anne Hutchinson Student Council created reusable placemats for Eastchester senior citizens who participate in the Meals on Wheels program. The handmade mats were presented to Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita, Edith Cirrincione, Lake Isle nutrition program director, and Gilda Press, director of senior programs and services for the town. Felicia Maldari and Bobbi Iacovelli are the advisors for the student council. (Submitted)

The Anne Hutchinson Student Council pose with the placemats created for seniors in the Meals on Wheels program. Contributed photos

Bronxville Elementary School chess players placed sixth in the U.S. Chess Federation’s annual National Elementary Championship. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

Members of the Anne Hutchinson Student Council present reusable placemats for local senior citizens.

A group of 15 students from Bronxville Elementary School placed sixth in the U.S. Chess Federation’s annual National Elementary Championship, held May 6 to 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Bronxville’s K-6 championship team participated in nine sections and competed against more than 2,260 students from across the country. The students fought hard through seven rounds

of chess over the course of three days to bring home their sixthplace trophy. Sunil Weeramantry, executive director of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, said the students had an outstanding performance. “In the 20-plus years that the NSCF has been teaching the chess program in the Bronxville School, there has never been a better result,” he said.

Congratulations to first-grader Keith Chen; second-graders Rhys Brown, Teo Valdes and Olive Wilson; third-graders Natalie Beit and Liberty Wilson; fourthgraders Lorenzo Acharya, Harrison Brown, Charlie Hodulik and Madeline Lescott; fifth-graders Jamie Valdes and Eugene Yoo; and sixth-graders William Bornmann, Alexander Kupersmith and Tyler Tanaka-Wong. (Submitted)

Yoga for suicide prevention event returns On Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m., local business Yoga Haven in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, AFSP, will host the second annual outdoor yoga event, Mindfulness Matters, closing down the streets in downtown Tuckahoe near the Metro-North train station. If spring weather makes you crave a beautiful outdoor yoga experience, bring your friends and your yoga mat and raise money for a fantastic cause at the same time. More than 130 people attended last year’s inaugural event, and this year Yoga Haven expects more than 200. The event is the brainstorm of Gregg Loomis, who wants to share with others the impact of yoga and mindfulness on mental health. Loomis, a volunteer and board member for the AFSP, has suffered from depression and bipolar disorder and spent years in and out of hospitals until, with the guidance of a friend, he began yoga and his life changed. “Even five minutes spent in mindful silence will nurture

and revive your soul and spirit, as yoga does not begin with getting in a pose, it begins when you get out of it,” Loomis said. Registration for Mindfulness Matters is $25 and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the AFSP. On June 8, registration begins at 6:30 p.m., with yoga beginning at 7 p.m. Over the last 40 years, scientific studies have proven what has long been known about yoga’s positive impact on health, including mental health, and now yoga is utilized as a prevention, treatment and recovery modality worldwide. A specific list of yoga’s mental health benefits include reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, neurosis, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, impulse control, selfdestructive and self-harming behaviors; leading to enhanced mood, relationships, physical health and emotional stability. Yoga also improves conditions of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, insomnia, high blood pressure, hypertension, bone health and digestive diseases. Then

there are yoga’s more wellknown benefits of improving posture, increasing overall fitness, balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. In New York state, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 34 and the 12th leading cause of death for all ages. More than twice as many people die by suicide in New York annually than by homicide. More young people die by suicide than from cancer, homicide, heart disease, pneumonia or diabetes. On average, one person dies by suicide every five hours in the state of New York. Suicide costs New York a total of $1.8 billion of combined lifetime medical and work loss costs in 2010, or an average of $1.1 million per suicide death. The good news is suicide is preventable. Reaching out is the first step to safety. If you or anyone you know is suffering, call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information on the yoga event, visit afsp.org and yogahaven.com. (Submitted)

Announcement

Margaret Rose Guiffra Felix Guiffra III and wife Christine Guiffra have announced the birth of their daughter Margaret “Maggie” Rose Guiffra, born at 8:40 p.m. on April 15, 2016 at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. Maggie weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19 and 1/2 inches long at birth. Her paternal grandparents are Felix Guiffra Jr. and Eleanor Guiffra from Greenwich, Connecticut, and her maternal grandparents are Thomas Vinton and Maureen Vinton from Eastchester, New York. Maggie also has a great grandparent, Antoinette Longo, also from Greenwich, Connecticut. (Submitted)

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 9

Talking Business: With

Lenny Balidemaj By ira eLLeNThaL Executive Vice President It was early, before the dinner rush, on a recent rainy evening when I sat down to interview Lenny Balidemaj, a 42-yearold Albanian from Montenegro, who came to the U.S. in 1994 and, after prepping in other restaurants, set out to dramatically improve the fine dining landscape of lower Westchester County by opening Il Castello, a Mamaroneck institution featuring fine northern Italian cuisine. “Check out its reviews on the Internet and you’ll see how highly patrons rank us,” Lenny said with justifiable pride. “Better still, come in and taste for yourself just how special we are.” In 2002, The New York Times provided a big boost for Il Castello with a highly favorable review and, to hear Lenny tell it, things have only gotten better since. The venue for our interview was Lenny’s, which features ocean-fresh seafood, including mouthwatering, buttery lobster, combined with classic Italian fare and the finest USDA prime steak. Its owner liked describing

it as “a steakhouse with an Italian flair,” which, after extensive renovations, opened last August at the former home of La Scala on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Wisely, Lenny didn’t rush into expansion, a fatal mistake of so many entrepreneurs in the high-mortality restaurant field. “I was confident that I’d know when the right opportunity presented itself,” he said in typical understated fashion. “And, I think I’ll be able to spot the next winner, whenever and wherever that might be.” An Il Castello loyalist and pasta lover agreed with this estimate and added, “Lenny knows what he’s doing at all times and he prides himself on creating wonderful sauces for his wide selection of pasta dishes. I eat there regularly and I love the cozy atmosphere.” Another fan, this one a transplanted Brooklynite, paid Lenny’s the ultimate compliment when he said, “I’ve been there twice since it opened and I love the steaks, which were the equal of Peter Luger’s.

What’s more, the service was warm and friendly.” One of 10 children, Lenny came to the States without speaking a word of English, but the language barrier was offset by an all-out determination to become successful. “I can’t say I’m surprised by our success because we’ve worked our butts off and we’ll continue to do so,” he said, his words sounding more like a promise than a statement. Somehow, some way, he manages to find time for his family, including his wife and three sons, ages 16, 15 and 12. “I love spending time with them, getting away as a family whenever possible, mostly for two or three days at time.” Going where? “Especially to historic spots like Williamsburg, Virginia,” Lenny said. “Museums are also a favorite venue, as are places like Bear Mountain and the Jersey Shore. And this summer, we’re going back to Montenegro, which will be exciting for all of us.” He attributes his ability to escape from a grueling work schedule for more than a few

Friends since childhood, Lenny Balidemaj, left, owner of Lenny’s, and Marcello Rugova, his manager, enjoy working together. Photos/Bobby Begun

days to Marcello Rugova, his childhood friend in Montenegro who came to the U.S. a year after Lenny and, like his pal, went into the restaurant business. A great, big bear of a man who manages the new restaurant wearing a perpetual smile, Marcello prides himself on getting to know every patron on a first-name basis. As for Lenny, Marcello said this: “He makes it a pleasure to come to work and, believe it or not, we’ve actually gotten closer since I joined him in his business,” a statement he capped off by stating, “I trust him with my life.” A sense of good will seems to envelop the wait staff, in part because they are well paid, respected by management, and valued for their input on how to run the businesses more effectively. “We meet weekly to talk about what went wrong during the previous week and how we’re going to fix it,” Lenny says. A case in point: making sure every patron has been fed in a timely manner, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when all of the tables in both restau-

rants are filled. Noting that the pressure is enormous, Lenny asserts, “I don’t want anyone going away hungry and I won’t serve food that isn’t cooked properly, so we do our very best to do the impossible.” And as he made this assertion,

I looked around, an hour after we began the interview, and noticed that every table in Lenny’s, the less-than-a-year-old restaurant, was full. And it wasn’t even the weekend. cONTacT: irathal@hometwn.com

After extensive renovations to the former home of LaScala on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, Lenny’s opened amid much fanfare last August.

10 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano

Over the last four months, eight articles have been written that focus in one way or another on Eastchester’s most precious and ancient document, the Eastchester Covenant. The significance of the covenant is hidden deeply in America’s past. Its overall importance is still not fully understood by the general public. It is of the utmost importance that the intrinsic worth of the Eastchester Covenant be known to as many people as possible. Covenants are sacred agreements or compacts dating back to biblical times stating basic principles upon which their community would be based. The Mayflower Compact signed by the Pilgrims is the first example of a signed covenant in American history. Simply put, the Mayflower Compact said that all the people would be involved in making the law. These colonial covenants signed by small groups of Puritans founding towns governed relations with each other and outsiders. They were mission statements or blueprints describing what type of communities they pledged to God that they wanted to build. Who wrote, transcribed and signed the Eastchester Covenant? We do not know for sure who actually wrote our covenant. One guess, and it is only a guess, is that it was written by Phillip Pinckney, the first man to sign the covenant. He wrote the document most likely with the input of the 10 Puritan farm families who accompanied him when they moved to Eastchester from Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1664. At age 47, he signed the deed with Thomas Pell, acquiring the 7,000 acres of land that would become the historic town of Eastchester. The educated son of a prominent Puritan minister, Pinckney would serve prominent positions in the early government of the town. The document was transcribed by Richard Shute, the town’s first clerk. Many of the descendants of Shute still live in Eastchester and lower

Westchester today. The document was signed by 26 of the male heads of households between 1665 and 1682. By signing the covenant, they ascribed before God to adhere to the principles in the document. The Eastchester community would be based on sound moral and Christian principles. Put simply in 21st-century language, people in our community would be compassionate, kind, honest, cooperative and generous. Unlike many of the surrounding communities which were more like feudal manors, the town government was an early example of government by the people affirming the principle of consent of the governed. The individuals who founded Eastchester hoped to set up a society where everyone cared about everyone else, where decisions and disputes were settled by consensus, and a place where people were cognizant of human rights that had evolved over the centuries. How unique is the Eastchester Covenant? There are approximately 60 civil covenants remaining that were signed between 1620 and 1708 in the Northeast. The Eastchester Covenant is the only known surviving civil covenant in New York state. Other covenants were formulated in Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey, but the Eastchester Covenant is the only one that remains intact. The Eastchester Covenant is a document that ranks along with other early prominent documents in American history like the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. To what extent has the Eastchester Covenant had an impact on the future development of the town of Eastchester? A year after the last man signed the Eastchester Covenant, 1683, the first church was built in Westchester County, St. Paul’s, at the site near where Eastchester was founded. The builders of the church were following the directive in the covenant to “plainly deal with each other in Christian love.” That very same year a vote was taken to build a schoolhouse and to hire a school master. School masters were soon hired, and in 1726 the first schoolhouse was built.

Free public education was available in one-room schoolhouses that dotted the nearly 18th- and 19th-century landscape of the nearly 7,000 acres of historic Eastchester. As early as 1848, 19th-century local historians printed transcripts of the Eastchester Covenant. As far as we know, there are no direct references to the Eastchester Covenant as a guide to how the citizens of the town should behave. That is not to say that the educated citizens of the town were unaware of the intrinsic values implied in the covenant. That being said, it is up to the individual citizens of the town today to decide the extent that compassion honesty, generosity, cooperation, and kindness have been guiding principles that make our community unique. What are some suggestions that the citizens of Eastchester can pay tribute to our most precious document? There are many ways that the Eastchester community can pay tribute to the covenant. In our schools, houses of worship, service and civic organizations, and in the press, it is important to recognize the intrinsic qualities inherent in the document. In September 2015, the Eastchester Historical Society presented the first Eastchester Covenant award to a person who epitomized the qualities embodied in the document. The person selected was Virginia Hefti, who has dedicated her life to preserving the historical heritage of the town. The Heftis can trace their family roots back to a signer of the Eastchester Covenant, Henry Fowler. On Sept. 16 of this year, the Keeping the Covenant Award will be award will be presented at the annual dinner of the Eastchester Historical Society to Al and Maria Benedict for their decades of commitment in the community to the qualities extolled in the covenant. Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column. Also, any questions about sources of information will be addressed.

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Rye looks to drug education for minors By James PerO Staff Writer With the formation of a new educational program, Rye City Court, the Police Department and anti-drug coalitions will look to deescalate a growing drug problem through professional intervention. In tandem with Rye Action for Children and Teens, Rye-ACT, the police and court system have already kick started a trial run of a rehabilitative program meant to curb teens’ usage of marijuana and alcohol, which launched in mid-February. The program, according to Rye Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who has helped spearhead the initiative, could provide a second chance to Rye teens who are convicted of a marijuana or alcohol-related offense. For teens taken into custody on a drug or alcohol-related charge, Corcoran said the course would offer them a conditional discharge, contingent upon its completion. Since 2011, at least five former Rye High School students have died of drug-related causes, leading to the issue of drug intervention to rise to the surface. Aside from the educational benefits, the police commissioner added, the program would be a way to keep juveniles in the city from incurring a criminal record. “You wouldn’t have a record if you bring back satisfactory course completion,” Corcoran

said. “There’s not an easy answer to the drug problem, and enforcement is just a small part of the equation.” Currently, according to Rye City Court Judge Joe Latwin, minors who are convicted of a marijuana or alcohol-related offense are able to leave court without any mandatory rehabilitation or having to alert their parents. Since it’s not a crime, many of Rye’s minors can afford to pay the fines on their own and their parents never know, according to Latwin. “It’s a problem of [Rye’s] affluence,” he said. According to Lilly Neuman, the community outreach and education coordinator for St. Vincent’s Hosptial in Harrison, who has been responsible for conducting and spearheading the counseling assigned by Rye City Court, the initiative could help galvanize the community against drugs. According to Neuman, the counseling process not only incorporates her and the teens involved, but their parents and the officers who handled their enforcement. “I want to get us all on the same page,” said Neuman, who has worked with chemical dependency for more than 20 years. In the wake of several drugrelated overdoses among young adults in Rye over the past five years, the city has begun to coalesce around drug prevention to help save its youth. Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and co-founder

At a glance A new educational program being developed in Rye aims to give minors convicted of a marijuana or alcohol-related offense a second chance at avoiding a criminal record Instead of a misdemeanor, minors would be required to complete an educational course

of Rye-ACT—which is mostly made up of members of the Rye community—characterized the initiative as an important step forward in Rye’s fight against drugs. “It’s all about education and teaching the kids and the parents what are the dangers,” Killian said. “They don’t necessarily understand how dangerous this stuff can be.” Neuman, who said she will continue to help develop the program and take on additional juveniles assigned to her by the courts, explained that her job is to give Rye’s youth the tools necessary to make an informed decision. “I can’t stop [them] from using,” she said. “But I can give you information so when someone passes you a joint or gives you alcohol you can say, ‘Not today.’” cONTacT: james@hometwn.com

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June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 11

Getting ready for summer to-do list: RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

• Get new bathing suit. Come on, who am I kidding? Get out old bathing suit, and ignore the fact that it predates the Bush era. (The W. Bush era, that is. It’s not like I never get a new bathing suit. It would just be nice if someday they invented an elastic that stayed elastic instead of getting crunchy after a decade or two. Also, if someone made bathing suits that don’t go out of style every two seconds.) • Quit obsessing about age of bathing suit! • Quit obsessing about age! You are only as old as you feel. Or are you only as young as you feel? • Positive affirmation: I feel younger than springtime! (Of course, springtime has been with us for a while. Ever since the Earth started spinning on its axis, right? Or at least since the evolution of plants? I do feel younger than that, just not in my bathing suit.) • Anyway: Buy sunscreen, and choose between the white glop

no one in the family ever will use because it’s like slathering on blue cheese dressing or the clear spray-on stuff that costs more per ounce than Chanel No. 5? • Buy both. The mere presence of the gloppy white stuff in the medicine cabinet will protect the family from skin cancer by appeasing the angry Coppertone god, and it can stay there for years—in fact, it has. • Ignore the entire article you read yesterday that said a responsible family would go through a whole bottle of sunscreen in a day at the beach if they reapply after each swim. I suppose this is the same family that cleans the coils behind their refrigerator on a monthly basis, as the manufacturer suggests, to “boost cooling efficiency,” as if it is so easy to move a fridge every month—or ever, which could explain our electricity bills. • Quit thinking about things you didn’t do in the middle of writing a “to do” list! • To do: Get son’s health form. • Also to do: Stay on hold for 45 minutes, waiting for the pediatrician’s office to remember

you are alive, on the phone, and had cheerfully responded, “Sure!” to “Can you please hold?” hoping that your chipper sympathy for their “crazy day!” would get you better service. So much for that. You want a crazy day? Try calling the doctor and, after the first 10 minutes on hold, realizing you really have to go to the bathroom. • Quit drifting off topic! Summer! Coming! Soon! Start exercising! • Start exercising your Godgiven right to enjoy life without jogging, stretching, crunching. If I want crunch, I’ve got the elastic in my bathing suit. • Get ready for guests: paper plates, napkins, tablecloths. • Feel guilty about using too much paper. • Feel guilty about not inviting people who are not invited. (But at least you’ll be using less paper.) • Make guest list for festive (if small) barbecue and swim party! • Swim? (In what?) • Buy bathing suit. Or not. Happy summer! cONTacT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Abandoned by his human, Joey was lucky to have found a colony that one of our volunteers feeds daily. Not being able to trust humans, he kept his distance from the feeder for more than a year. Recently while trapping an injured cat, Joey’s foster mom noticed he was flirting and blinking at her and decided to give him a chance. She discovered quickly that Joey is a lover boy! Craving human contact and attention, he climbs up on his foster mom, places his paws on her shoulders and gives lots of hugs. This loving, gentle-natured boy also loves kittens. He’s an amazing beautiful soul and deserves to find a home where he’ll be king of the castle. Joey is neutered, up to date with all vaccinations and in good health. Why not donate $80 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Joey part of your home? To meet Joey, call 835-3332 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

Sprain Brook Academy welcomes students after jail

Photo courtesy Westchester County

The Westchester County Jail in Valhalla recently opened its doors to parents, school officials and others for a rare open house highlighting the high school education program operated there by Southern Westchester BOCES. Some 18 or so students of the Sprain Brook Academy were joined by family members for the event, which featured presentations by teachers and outside agencies that offer transition assistance to inmates after their release. Speakers included past and prospective graduates, as well as officials with the Westchester County Department of Correction and Southern Westchester BOCES. Westhab, OneStop and the Strive Program presented information to families about available services. Michael Lopez, an academy graduate and the keynote speaker, encouraged students not to give up on themselves. Lopez manages an automobile repair shop and said he counts correction officers he knew from his time in Valhalla among his customers. “Just because you messed up doesn’t mean you can’t stand up and keep going,” he said. “Just do it for yourself. Nobody can do it for you.” Assistant Warden Randy Watkins said an open house inside a jail is a new idea. He said that it shows families that their loved ones can receive the education they need. “We can only offer it,” he said. “They have to come.”

The academy serves students ages 16 to 21. Entitled to a high school education, they receive a curriculum centered on transition and transformation in their lives. The curriculum is aligned with state standards and Regents requirements and extends to English language literacy for nonreaders, high school academics, Equivalency Exam preparation, life skills and career development. Transition assistance upon release is also provided in relation to housing, employment, training and higher education. Durrell Glover, of Mount Vernon, has seen his sister, T., a prospective graduate, transformed during her time in the academy. He watched with their grandmother as T. stood at a podium and addressed the crowd of 60 or so students, family members and school and correction officials and staff. “I learned a lot in here about myself and not to give up,” T. said. “I learned that every day is the first day of the rest of your life.” “It just goes to show you,” her brother observed, “if that person wants to change they have to go out and get it.” The open house offered families a rare visit to the jail in an educational rather than strictly correctional setting. Westhab’s Strive Program provides job and life skills and other assistance to students after their release from the jail. “It’s not like they’re just cut

loose,” said Strive case manager Kyle James. “We provide a stable environment.” One mother in attendance said she was gratified to see that her son, B., would be able to continue his education and earn his high school diploma while here. “It makes me feel good,” she said. “He’s going to take this as a learning experience, and he’s looking forward. Life isn’t over for him.” Students have been working on their writing under the direction of English teachers Joe Perez and Joan Edwards Acuña. For the occasion, each student received a bound volume of their collective essays, reflections, poems and short stories. The open house is a good opportunity to “remember why we do what we do,” Perez said. He and Edwards Acuña, along with science teacher Keith Mattos and counselor Kevin McAllister, chatted with students and parents throughout the evening. Also on hand were Southern Westchester BOCES District Superintendent Harold Coles, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services James Gratto and BOCES board members Catherine Draper and Lynn Frazer-McBride. “This is a celebration of student achievement,” said Claudia Murphy, director of Adult and Community Services at Southern Westchester BOCES. “You are not defined by where you are but by the choices you make while you are here.” (Submitted)

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12 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

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SPORTS

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 13

Battle of the superstars LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

I think I’ve made it clear in my column that when it comes to my love for professional sports leagues, basketball places a distant fourth behind baseball, football and hockey. Whether it’s the Knicks’ alarming lack of success, the huge disparity between the way the game is played in the pros as opposed to in college, or the fact that, even in the most anticipated matchups of the year, you can simply tune in to the last 10 minutes of a game to get your fill of basketball drama, this sport isn’t exactly my number one pick. But man, am I excited for these NBA finals. On Monday, May 30, the Golden State Warriors put the finishing touches on a 3-1 series comeback, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals to advance to their

second straight Finals appearance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. And even for the most ambivalent of NBA fans, this is a championship series with tons of intrigue. For one thing, whenever you have two teams squaring off for the second year in a row with a championship trophy on the line, it makes for must-see television. The Warriors and Cavs have history now—albeit not a long one—and that’s not something that can be overlooked. That history comes with built-in storylines, which ups the ante tenfold. Can Cleveland, which was decimated by injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love last year, have a better showing against Golden State? With new Cavs’ coach Tyronn Lue, take note of how OKC’s bigger lineup fared against the Warriors in the conference finals. How much of a difference will Cleveland’s improved depth make this time around against a team that just set a new NBA record for regular season wins?

But the most compelling question that this series will answer— and of course, Andre Iguodala’s 2015 finals MVP proves that these storylines don’t always play out perfectly—is the one about which of these two team’s stars, LeBron James or Steph Curry, will emerge victorious? Over the last two years, there have been few sports debates as hotly contested—both in real media and on social media—as which player, LeBron, a two-time champ and four-time league MVP, or Curry, who is coming off two MVP awards of his own, is better. These sorts of debates have long been the lifeblood of professional sports. Bird vs. Magic, Brady vs. Manning, these seemingly singular conversations can dominate the landscape of a professional league for years, and we seem to be reaching a fever pitch with LeBron vs. Curry. One player, LeBron, was anointed the spiritual successor to Michael Jordan when he was about 15 years old and has gone

On Thursday, June 2, after press time, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors took the floor in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. As talented as both these teams are, the series might well be remembered as the ultimate showdown between LeBron James and Steph Curry. Photo courtesy aiziku.deviantart.com

on to physically dominate the NBA for 13 seasons. Curry, on the other hand, is an absolute marvel on the court, possibly the best pure shooter ever, and by virtue of his squeaky image—and LeBron’s ill-fated “Decision”—has quickly become the most popular player in today’s game. Will Curry-mania continue as Steph shoots his way to another championship? Will LeBron fi-

nally bring a title to Cleveland? What will the next two weeks mean for the legacies of these two superstars? That’s why the majority of us will be watching the finals. Sure basketball is a team sport, and the championship will likely be decided by which team’s supporting cast comes up bigger in the clutch spots (Matthew Dellavedova for finals MVP?),

but years from now, this series will likely be remembered as a pitched battle between the sports’ two biggest stars. Who will win? I’ve got no idea, and honestly, I don’t really care. I’m just looking forward to the ride.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

To CoVER loCal spoRTs, you nEEd a

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @eastchesterview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

14 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016

SPORTS

Tigers fall in finals BASEBALL

class c

FINALS

NORTH SALEM 9 TUCKAHOE 4 PALISADES CREDIT UNION PARK

5/28/16

Game Notes: • Danny Capra allowed just two Tuckahoe hits and struck out 13 batters to earn MVP honors • North Salem moved down from Class B prior to the start of the season • Tuckahoe finished the season with a 19-3 record By miKe smiTh Sports Editor On Saturday, May 28, Tuckahoe’s reign as the Class C champions came to an end when the Tigers fell to North Salem 9-4 in the Section I championship game at Palisades Credit Union Park. Despite finishing the season with a stellar 19-3 record, Tuckahoe simply came up short against right-hander Danny Capra and a deep North Salem lineup that moved down from Class B prior

to the start of the year. North Salem scored nine runs on 10 hits over the course of the day, making the most of some Tiger miscues and eventually chasing Tuckahoe ace Austin Pope in the fifth inning, after taking a commanding 6-2 lead. North Salem broke the game open with a three-run third inning in which they managed three triples against Pope, the Fairfield University-bound senior. According to Tuckahoe coach Jerry DeFabbia, the North Salem lineup presented unique problems for his starting pitcher. Jesse Flemming led the way for North Salem, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs. “They had five lefties in the lineup, and that made a difference,” DeFabbia said. “They had good at bats, they didn’t swing at a lot of bad pitches and they weren’t going to get themselves out.” Offensively, the Tigers were kept at bay by Capra, who allowed just two hits and struck out 13 batters to lead his team to its first Class C title. According to Tuckahoe shortstop Chris Corrado, Capra’s deceptive delivery caused problems for the Tigers. “He had a different release

Chris Corrado connects with a pitch. Tuckahoe scored four runs but managed only two hits on the day.

point and it wasn’t something we had seen this year,” Corrado said. “But to give credit to him, he did what he had to do and he got us out when he needed to get us out.” DeFabbia was also impressed with Capra’s work and his ability to find the plate with his assortment of off-speed pitches. “Capra was everything they said he was going to be,” the head coach said. “It doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at, if you can throw more than one pitch for a strike, you’re going to be effective, and he started a lot of our guys off with first pitch curveballs for strikes.” Despite Capra’s dominance, however, Corrado pointed out that Tuckahoe, which was tough to beat in close ballgames this year, never gave up hope until Anthony DeFabbia flew out to right field for the last out of the game. “We never count ourselves out, that’s Tuckahoe for you, we’re always fighting,” Corrado said. “We kept digging, and we had won three one-run games this year, so I think we had a pretty good season.” cONTacT: sports@hometwn.com

Austin Pope throws a pitch against North Salem in the Class C championship game at Palisades Credit Union Park on May 28. Pope allowed eight runs in five innings of work in a 9-4 loss.

Rob Kiernan throws the ball to first base at Palisades Credit Union Park. Photos/Mike Smith

SPORTS

June 3, 2016 • The easTchesTer review • 15

Broncos 3-peat in Section I GIRLS LACROSSE

class c

FINALS

BRONXVILLE 19 PEARL RIVER 8 MAHOPAC HS

5/26/16

Game Notes: • Bronxville’s win marks the third-straight section title for the Broncos • Lucy Hanrahan, Olivia Jensen and Lilly Grass all had hat tricks for Bronxville • The Broncos will play Section IX Millbrook in the first round of the state playoffs By miKe smiTh Sports Editor

ing Finley, who has played an integral role in the Broncos’ success this year, get carried off the field, delivered a blow to her team’s confidence. “[Finley’s] injury really shook us up; her speed is unmatched, she’s been such an important part of the team,” Robinson said. “But depth has been one of our strengths this year, so we had confidence in the rest of the girls.” A lot of that confidence stems from the success Bronxville has had over the last few years. The Broncos haven’t lost a game to a Section I Class C opponent since 2014, and reached the state semifinals last year, where they lost to Honeyoe Falls. According to Robinson, that kind of success manifests itself in a few different ways. “I think it certainly grooms

the younger girls for more positive results,” Robinson said. “But at the same time, it means that [we] have higher expectations coming into the year.” Bronxville’s first step toward a state title will take place on Wednesday, June 1, after press time, when they take on Section IX Millbrook at Dietz Stadium in Kingston, New York. As the team waits for word on the availability of Finley, they will work on fine-tuning their game to prepare for another title push. “We’re always looking to fine-tune our game, and I’m guessing that our shot percentage [against Pearl River] wasn’t great,” she said. “We just need to work on coming out and playing at full speed for an entire game.” cONTacT: sports@hometwn.com

On Thursday, May 26, the Bronxville Broncos continued their dominance of Class C, winning their third straight Section I title with a 19-8 win over Pearl River at Mahopac High School. Although it wasn’t the Broncos’ best showing of the season, they proved that, even on an off night, they are still head and shoulders Beth Finley drives towards the net on May 27. Finley left the game with an injury, but the Broncos were able to overcome the loss of the junior midfielder. above anyone trying to challenge them for the throne. Olivia Jensen did a bit of everything for Bronxville, notching three goals, five assists and Lilly Grass fires a shot on net against Pearl River. Grass had a hat trick seven draws. Lilly Grass and in Bronxville’s Class C championship win over the Pirates. Lucy Hanrahan also had hat tricks, and Ellie Walsh won eight draws and had four assists as the Broncos’ depth proved too much for the Pirates to handle. The Broncos rushed out to a six-goal lead, but the Pirates were able to cut the lead to four by the half, before a tremendous late-game surge clinched another title for the two-time defending champs. “We came out strong, but to Pearl River’s credit, they didn’t quit and they kept on playing hard,” Bronxville coach Sharon Robinson said. “We didn’t play our best game, and I think at times, we just weren’t playing at full speed.” Pearl River’s first-half run came on the heels of an injury to Bronco midfielder Beth Finley, which may have momentarily taken the wind out of Bronxville’s Ellie Walsh looks for an open teammate at Mahopac High School. Walsh won eight draws and dished out Lucy Hanrahan goes after a groundball. Hanrahan had three goals against Pearl River. Photos/Mike Smith sails. According to Robinson, see- four assists in Bronxville’s win.

16 • The easTchesTer review • June 3, 2016