Eastchester REVIEW THE
October 13, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 39 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Students take part in anti-opioid summit
SCORE! Three teams from Rye Racquet Club made up of women 40 years and over will be going to the United States Tennis Association’s national championship this month. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Corinna Ausfahl
Lil Chameleon hosts ribbon cutting ceremony The public is invited to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by Lil Chameleon on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 at 11 a.m. at 29 Elm Street in Tuckahoe. Mayor Steve Ecklond will be welcoming and performing the ribbon cutting ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, guests will enjoy light refreshments, free face painting from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45p.m., and a free beading class for kids from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Lil Chameleon opened its doors to the public on Oct. 4, 2017. Not only is it a premier kid’s resale boutique, but also has a self-serve cashless cafe, party space rental with party packages available and enrichment opportunities for the whole family. Lil Chameleon sells gently used clothes, toys and books for children ages newborn to 12 years old. The store also accepts donations for cash or in-store
credit. The store’s café sells locally sourced, organic snacks, refreshing beverages and family-friendly activity areas. For more information about Lil Chameleon visit LilChameleon.com. Since moving from Brooklyn three and a half years ago, CC Benitez, founder of Lil Chameleon, longed for a fair and transparent place to sell her sons outgrown clothes, toys, and gear in Westchester. She also wanted a space where she could meet oth-
er moms and grab a cup of coffee where her son could play. She founded Lil Chameleon to take the hard work out of buying and selling kids items, provide a safe space for families, offer healthy snacks and give back to the community by partnering with local social service organizations. Benitez embraces style-wise, quality-conscious, earth-considerate, family-centric and community-minded values in all she does. (Submitted)
On Oct. 16, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino urged more than 400 students from across Westchester to become part of the solution in the lifeand-death fight against opioid addiction. Joined by BMX Olympic coach and recovering addict Tony Hoffman, Astorino led a Youth Summit at the Westchester County Center aimed at fighting a drug epidemic that has caused a 200 percent increase in fatalities in the county from 2010-2015. Students from 37 schools took part in the day-long summit that was part of the county’s Project WORTHY (Westchester County Opioid Response Teams Helping You) program launched earlier this year. The program mobilizes a full array of available resources and expertise to combat the growing opioid and heroin epidemic that affects all communities and people of all ages. “Young people are dying,” Astorino said in his remarks. “This is not a show; this is not just a day-long assembly. This is serious business, and we need your help. Young people are on the front lines of this epidemic. You are eyewitnesses to what’s happening in schools, at parties, at the mall and on the bus. You come from all walks of life, and all kinds of neighborhoods. That’s the kind of real-life experience we need if we are ever going to wrap our arms around this deadly situation.” The goal of the Youth Summit was to bring together students and have them come up with ideas on how to fight the epidemic in their own schools and neighborhoods. Hoffman, the keynote speaker, spoke of his personal experiences, notably how poor choices and a bad attitude led to his addiction. Hoffman’s drug addiction caused him to lose friends
and family and he eventually became homeless. He was so desperate for drugs at one point in his life that he committed an armed robbery and other drug related crimes that landed him in prison for several years. “When I was 18, I had no idea I was about to become a heroin addict,” Hoffman said. “I had every single thing that you would need to be successful in life … There are no short-cuts in life; every short cut you take will end up being the long road.” While in prison, Hoffman had a “spiritual awakening” and started to turn his life around. He set goals and embarked on a path that resulted in him becoming a BMX Elite pro who placed second in the 2016 World Championships and coached in the Rio Olympic Games that same year. He is currently the founder and director of The Freewheel Project, a not-for-profit that mentors young people through sports and teaches them leadership skills and to make healthy life choices. He is currently writing his first book, titled “Coming Clean.” But even now and sober for more than 10 years, Hoffman said there are reminders of his past all around him. “Every single day, the doorway wants to tempt me,” he said. “If you don’t walk through that door, you don’t have to worry about this.” Monday’s Youth Summit was part of ongoing events that operate from Project WORTHY’s four foundational blocks – education, integration, prevention and action – all of which bring together the resources necessary for each of those areas. In addition to the keynote speaker at the Youth Summit, there was a panel of young adults who have been affected by opioid and heroin addiction, and two interactive workshops where students discussed ways they can stop or prevent abuse, and take back their schools. (Submitted)
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Students discuss ways to keep digital lives safe Bronxville Middle School students, who have been learning about digital citizenship in their classes, welcomed Bronxville Police Department Sergeant William Carroll and Officer Michael Lewis to their school to discuss the importance of keeping their digital lives safe. Carroll and Lewis spoke with the students about the dangers they might encounter online or while using social media and discussed the effects of their digital footprint in a digital world. They urged them to be careful about what they post online and not give out personal information or pictures to strangers. “Everything you put online is always going to be there,” Carroll told the students. “Think about what you’re sending before you send it.” Instructional technology teacher Kimberly Persaud, who encourages her students to think critically about how they shape their digital identities, said it’s crucial to teach students not only how to use technology, but how to do so safely. As part of the digital citizenship curriculum, which covers a variety of issues, students learn how to shape their online identity, guard their privacy, evaluate information
Students welcome Bronxville Police Department Sergeant William Carroll and Officer Michael Lewis to discuss internet safety.
Over the course of the semester, students have been learning about digital citizenship.
they find online, combat cyberbullying and avoid violating the rights of others. “Growing up in a digital world allows us to access news, connect with new people and share information more than ever before,” Persaud said. “In order to thrive
in such a technology-dominated society, there are precautions that we all need to take.” Persaud said it was a powerful lesson for students to hear from the police officers about the effect of their actions online and understand the repercussions that people who
misuse technology might face. “I always say to my students that just as we have rights, follow rules and make contributions to the community we live in, we have similar obligations as digital citizens in an ever-evolving digital world,” she said. (Submitted)
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What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org.
Robert the Guitar Guy On Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join the library for a singalong music show with Robert the Guitar Guy. For ages 6 months and up, no registration required.
Chat & Color Book Club On Monday, Oct. 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join the Chat & Color Book Club to discuss this month’s book. Copies of the books will be available at the Circulation Desk. Pictures and colored pencils are provided. Light refreshments will be served. Online registration suggested. Open to adults. For more information, contact Amelia Buccarelli at abuccarelli@wlsmail.org.
which distributes handmade blankets to critically ill children that were made from squares created by patrons. Teens and adults alike came together to learn basic knitting, new techniques and to put the blankets together. Don’t know how to knit? No problem. Beginners through advanced knitters are welcome. Eastchester’s resident knitting expert Dottie is happy to teach you. Each session will be an opportunity to work on your square, learn to knit, share techniques, ask questions and begin to put together our blankets. Yarn will be provided at each session, but feel free to bring or use your own as well. There will be a few sets of No. 5 knitting needles, but if you have your own, please bring those along. If you start a square, but don’t have time to finish it, that is still a huge help, as long as you drop it off before a session, so we can finish it. You do not need to attend all three sessions to participate. Online registration is suggested. For more information, contact Amelia Buccarelli at abuccarelli@wlsmail.org. Want to help make our blankets but can’t attend? The library welcomes donations of knitted squares (7 inches by 7 inches), ideally knitted with a No. 5 needle, by Friday, Dec. 15. Just drop them off at the Circulation Desk.
Bronxville Public Library
Video Games on Stage interest meeting On Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Children’s Room. For grades 3–5. Is your child hooked on video games, and gaming fan fiction like “Diary of a Minecraft Zombie”? The plan here is to channel that love of video games into an acting program, with small plays based on the worlds of these video games. Online pre-registration for the meeting is suggested. Once details are ironed out and a schedule is made, there will then be mandatory sign-up for the Video Games on Stage program that will be first come, first serve, with limited space. Anyone who attends the interest meeting will be notified via email when this registration opens. Attending the interest meeting does not guarantee a spot in the program. For more information, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@wlsmail.org.
Knitting for a Cause On Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Last holiday season the Eastchester Public Library donated multiple blankets to Project Linus,
Chris Conte Quartet On Sunday, Oct. 22 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of classics from The Great American Songbook with singer and bassist Chris Conte. Conte will be joined by Jay Azzolina (guitar), Darren Litzie (piano), and Andrew Swift (drums). The Chris Conte Quartet presents time-honored favorites in a way that satisfies audiences of all types with classic love songs, hard swinging jazz, tender ballads and beautiful bossa nova. Conte’s debut album “Our Love Will Last” will be available for purchase.
Hiking for Beginners On Monday, Oct. 23 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Hiking can bring both exhilaration and tranquility, peaceful solitude and pleasant camaraderie. If you are new to hiking or are looking to experience it for the first time, join this one-hour presentation including a question and answer period designed to provide useful information and make your initial foray into the woods safe and enjoyable. Topics will include: where to hike and different terrains; preparation; and trail maps. Presented by Westchester Trails Association.
Science Time! On Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. A quick, hands-on science activity for little ones. This Halloween-themed program is geared for children ages 4 and up. Registration is required. Include child’s name and age when registering in the comment box provided.
Dentist Visit Storytime & Craft For more information on hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.
College planning online webinar On Saturday, Oct. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is an online webinar. The link to register and connect to the webinar will follow at bronxvillelibrary.org. Join internationally recognized and published educator Dr. Tony Di Giacomo for a presentation focused on parents of students in grades 8–12. Topics include: studying habits; course selection; identifying which standardized tests to take and how to prepare; how to plan for college; how to balance the college process with schooling while reducing stress; how to engage universities to optimize networking; what universities seek in their applicants; and essential tactics and skills to plan for and apply to college.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For ages 3 and up. Join Ms. Joann of Main Street Pediatric Dentistry for stories about visiting the dentist. Special treats will be available for all attendees.
Basics of Book Collecting On Thursday, Oct. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join this general introduction to the world of books, the keys to examining and understanding rarity and value, and tips on how to think like a seasoned collector. Valuation of books will be available at the end of the lecture if time allows (one book per guest). Presenter Tom Lecky is the proprietor of Riverrun Books and Manuscripts located in Hastings-on-Hudson. Registration is required by contacting the library at 337-7680.
Polka/Oktoberfest musical performance On Saturday, Oct. 28 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Florian Schantz Jazz Combo presents this educational and musical program featuring Central European and American waltzes, polkas and marches. You will hear favorites such as the “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Under the Double Eagle.” The leader of the band is a 14-year-old professional trumpet player named Florian Schantz, who has been leading the band since he was 9 years old with around 230 public performances since 2013. The rest of the band consists of adult professional musicians.
Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library.
Teen SAT/ACT Math Prep On Saturdays, Oct. 21 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. These are two of three exam prep workshops. Don’t remain clueless. Let licensed math instructor Barbara Files help you develop strategies
for improving your math scores on the SAT/ACT exams. She’ll help you understand and master the typical and less typical problems asked on the exams by reviewing a broad array of practice questions. Space is limited. Please register by calling the library at 961-2121. Teen Halloween Cupcake Decorating On Monday, Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m. For grades six and up. Learn how to decorate cupcakes in fun Halloween style. Take home what you make. Space is limited. Please register by calling the library at 9612121.
Halloween BabyTime StoryTime On Thursday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. For infants to age 2 years old. This is a Halloween costume storytime and sing-along. Space is limited. Please register by calling the library at 961-2121.
The Sugar Blues Workshop On Thursday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. Peggy Belles, a certified health/life coach and yoga instructor, will present a power-packed 60-minute talk. Participants will receive information to transform their diet and overall health, including: at least five ways to reduce sugar consumption; how to identify and recognize the many names and faces of sugar; sugar addiction and how it impacts your health, hormones and gut; how to become your own nutrition detective; recipes to try at home; smart snacking; and a demo and samples of power foods. Please register by calling the library at 961-2121.
Kids’ Book Club On Friday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. For grades four and five only. The Kids’ Book Club kicks off fall by celebrating the 20th anniversary of J. K. Rowling’s first book in the Harry Potter series. Children are assigned chapter readings they can comment on and participate in related activities at monthly meet-ups through December. Please register by calling the library at 961-2121.
How to Spot Fake News in a Real World On Monday, Oct. 39 at 6:30 p.m. For ages 13 and up. To round out Information Literacy Month, librarians Rebecca Fitzgerald, Elaine Provenzano and Elizabeth Siracusa will share research tips and guidelines that can help you determine accuracy in print and digital reporting. Please register by calling the library at 961-2121.
Eastchester news Rag-A-Muffin Parade On Sunday, Oct. 29, starting at 2 p.m. at Eastchester Middle School. The parade is open to all preschoolers through sixth-graders. The town of Eastchester Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to join in a fun-filled walk from EMS to Town Hall, where participants will enjoy snacks provided by the Eastchester Little League. Once at Town Hall, there will be a Spooktacular Dance Party. A DJ will play Halloween favorites and dance songs for all to enjoy. All participants will receive a goodie bag. Sponsored by Comizio Orthodontics. 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.
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Tuckahoe award in Annual Traffic Safety Program
From left, John Corlett, Director of Public Government Affairs & Traffic Safety for AAA Northeast, Lt. Lawrence Rotta, and Lt. Andrew Zirolnik during AAA’s 53rd annual Traffic Safety Awards luncheon. Photo courtesy Marquee Photography
The Village of Tuckahoe has won a Gold Award in AAA Northeast’s Community Traffic Safety Awards Program, announced John Corlett, director of Public / Government Affairs & Traffic Safety. The gold award is given to a community that has implemented programs and projects that have had varying degrees of success from superior to substantial in all scoring categories. The village was cited for its many traffic safety efforts including utilizing motorcycle patrols to monitor the high volume
of commuter traffic during rush hours. The village also conducts child car seat checks and education to the public about distracted driving and DWI. Tuckahoe also maintains engineering initiatives to promote a safer traffic flow. The village also received a special commendation for having 43 consecutive years with zero pedestrian fatalities. All award winners in the New York metropolitan area were honored during a luncheon ceremony held Oct. 5 at the Garden City Hotel. AAA Northeast, the local
AAA affiliate, presented a total of 58 awards. AAA has long recognized communities that make outstanding efforts to make the region’s roads safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. AAA Northeast is a not-forprofit auto club with 62 offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, providing more than 5.2 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services. (Submitted)
6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • October 13, 2017
Eastchester REVIEW THE
170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000
Rye racquet teams
prepare for nationals By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter
Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com
The 3.5 team of women 40 and over celebrate their win at the sectionals championship with a bottle of champagne. Photo courtesy Paula Lapkin
After securing their wins at the United States Tennis Association’s sectional championship, three teams from the Rye Racquet Club are moving on to nationals. During the weekend of Aug. 25, the Rye Racquet Club, RRC, had three of their United States Tennis Association, USTA, competitive teams, made up of women 40 years and over, competing at sectionals in Schenectady. “It was amazing that all three teams were there, it just added to the excitement,” said Wendy Hyer, co-captain of the 4.0 team. “The fact that all three teams won is amazing.” RRC is based in Harrison and offers competitive and noncom-
petitive junior and adult tennis programs. This year will be Hyer’s and her co-captain, Gena Pettinato’s, second time going to nationals. Hyer, of Rye, explained that ever since her first time at nationals, she’s wanted to go back, saying it’s part of the “addictive nature” of winning. Pettinato, of Rye, said that having already experienced nationals once, she and Hyer feel like they know what to expect from the tournament. In preparation for the national championship, Pettinato said their team is trying to practice on outdoor hard courts in order to mimic the conditions they’ll be playing in. “Outdoors you have all the elements, there are so many distractions when you’re playing outside,” she said. Corinna Ausfahl, captain of the 4.5+ team, said that their team’s approach has included studying their competition and figuring out which pairings of players on their team work best together.
Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographer Jen Parente Columnists Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano
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Three teams from Rye Racquet Club made up of women 40 years and over will be going to the United States Tennis Association’s national championship this month. Photo courtesy Corinna Ausfahl
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The Rye Racquet Club’s 3.5 team of women 40 years and over. Photo courtesy Wendy Hyer
“We’ve been working very hard,” said Ausfahl, of Rye. “... It’s a wonderful opportunity to represent New York at nationals.” This strategic preparation is only one factor in their journey. Pettinato believes that her team’s unique dynamic is what makes them such a force to be reckoned with. “We put together this team of women who we thought shared a passion for the game,” she said. Pettinato went on to say that the women all bring something different to their team. “We’re mothers, college students, we have full time jobs,” she said. “We have a nice profile of women and yet we come together, enjoy the game, and support each other.” Paula Lapkin, co-captain of the 3.5 team, described a similar dynamic in her team. “Everyone just kind of supports each other, [and] really roots for the other one… which I think is what’s taking us to the next level,” said Lapkin, of Harrison. Pettinato said that having these teams of older women allows for them to have a way to step away from their families for a little while, and do something for themselves. “There are very rare moments when we can do it, and we really enjoy it when we’re out [on the court],” she said. The teams will each be taking a weekend away for themselves in October to travel to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida to compete in the USTA national championships. “It’s truly been a great season for the women’s team tennis here at Rye Racquet,” Hyer said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
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Chapel students visit children’s museum On Friday, Sept. 29, third graders at The Chapel School visited The Stepping Stones Museum for Children, in Norwalk, Connecticut. In addition to exploring hands-on activities in various exhibit galleries, the children enhanced their trip with a Water Cycle workshop. The students developed an understanding of
weather by experiencing the water cycle and exploring when and where they see the steps of the water cycle in everyday life. The students discovered the essential role that water plays in our lives by exploring the water cycle. They experimented with evaporation and condensation and learned how water affects
the world in which we live. The students observed where and in which forms water can be found. They also organized data that they collected and analyzed a poem to review each part of the cycle. They experimented with evaporation and condensation, and learned how water affects their world. (Submitted)
Students from The Chapel School visit The Stepping Stones Museum for Children on Sept. 29. Contributed photo
Like us on facebook The museum’s Energy Lab teaches the students about the science behind how energy works. Photo courtesy SteppingStonesMuseum.org
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8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • October 13, 2017
Much ado about leaves and reminders BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
It is that time of year again; crisp air, pumpkins, freshly picked apples and falling leaves. Our leaf collecting begins midmonth continuing until early December. Almost incredulous, our annual leaf removal costs regularly top $100,000 per season and this does not include the additional cost of repairing clogged drains as rainstorms routinely send the leaves directly into our storm sewer system. Drains clogged with leaves also vastly increase the risk of localized flooding. We continue to ask you to embrace the LELE “Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em” program of mulching in place that so many of our neighboring communities have adopted. The program, initiated in the of Irvington, is an effort to change habits and realize that our fall ritual of disposing leaves curbside is actually wasteful, expensive and unnecessary. There are multiple advantages to simply mowing the leaves back into the lawn. There is a significant cost savings to the village for fall leaf collection and disposal. As example, Irvington has calculated their costs associated with leaf removal and Bronxville’s expenditures are much the same. They spend $30,000 in dumping fees alone for vacuuming up and carting leaves away upstate. Combined with labor costs, equipment maintenance and gas, hence the seasonal cost of $100,000. Mulching in place will also greatly eliminate the need for leaf blowers which may be used again in the village starting on Oct. 1. Leaf blowers not only generate significant noise and particulate matter, but the power of the engine at 150 mph to 200 mph is akin to a jet plane and will systematically remove layers of soil, leaving yards pristine but extremely unhealthy. Mulched leaves are a low-
cost way to naturally fertilize one’s lawn and landscape beds. Mulched leaves increase the water retention capacity of soil, especially useful for absorbing rainwater run-off. Mulch increases the nutrients in the soil as well as the biological activity of earthworms, microbes and other beneficial organisms. Leaf mulch is more nutritious and safer than commercial products. Most commercial mulch is actually the by-product of dead trees which have often died from diseases. Mulch as a natural fertilizer eliminates the need for commercial products which can prove dangerous to pets and the purity of our water systems. When the piles of leaves on the streets begin to decay, harmful phosphates and nitrogen are released eventually ending up in our sewer system and ultimately the Bronx River. These same leaf piles are also a significant traffic hazard as they are often placed in narrow roadways creating a slippery road surface. Gardening companies already own the low cost mulching blade and can retrofit mowers quite easily. Most new residential grade mowers also now come with a mulching blade for home gardeners at a nominal cost. If you choose not to participate in the mulch in place initiative, leaves must remain at curb’s edge but on private property so our vacuum track can easily collect them. Yard waste such as branches and shrub trimmings cannot be comingled with the leaves as they will clog the leaf truck. They should be placed curbside in biodegradable bags. This is also the time of year to discuss any changes in the care of your property with your landscape professional. We urge you, like the village, to opt for organic lawn care products. They are not more costly and most area landscapers have the capability, if they are given enough lead time, to order the proper materials. If each homeowner committed to the or-
ganic approach, we could greatly decrease the airborne carcinogens and limit the contaminants in our water run-off that go directly into our drainage systems. The fall also signals the return of all the children to our village for school and play. In order to increase the safety of all those now walking about the village, our villagewide speed limit is 30 mph, the lowest allowed by New York state. The only exemption is the 20 mph permitted in marked school zones. Any further speed reduction requires New York state legislation which must be predicated on documented evidence of accident rates, speeding data and traffic volume, something the village cannot demonstrate. In spite of repeated requests from residents, the village cannot install “Children at Play” or “Slow Children” signs because state and federal standards reject their use as they openly suggest that playing in the street is acceptable and give children a false sense of security. On the other hand, signs that alert drivers to playgrounds are encouraged because the parks are often located in places where a reasonable driver would not expect a large group of children. Sagamore Park is a prime example. Finally, it is also election season with important local positions contested included that of county executive, county legislator and town supervisor. If you are unsure of your polling place, please visit citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/find-polling-place for more details. There are four polling locations in Bronxville: • Concordia College, Districts 16 and17 • The Reformed Church, Districts 18, 19 and 21 (formerly at Bronxville School) • Christ Church, District 20 • NYP Lawrence Hospital, District 22 This is a county-run election and any questions regarding the election should be directed to the county Board of Elections at 995-5285.
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Presentations on the impact of WWI at home HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano
America’s involvement in World War I a century ago still raises questions that have not been fully answered. Did this war forever change methods of warfare? If so, how? To what extent were new techniques of propaganda utilized to gain support for the war effort? Were the harsh restrictions on human rights and free speech demanded by President Wilson necessary to win the war? By resorting to such extreme methods, did the president alienate himself from the base who elected him and inadvertently sabotage his plans to win a lasting peace? In the forthcoming articles, the reader will be informed how this war showed both the best and worst that the country was capable of. The war sparked an ongoing debate on how involved America should be in the world. At the conclusion of the war, the maps of Europe and the Middle East were completely redrawn. To what extent did the decisions that followed World War I contribute to the start of World War II and later to fighting the war on terror? A number of presentations are available to learn about how America’s entry into World War I impacted America and municipalities in lower Westchester. A local exhibit, a cable TV presentation, and a series of local talks, open to the public, are available to grasp a deeper understanding of what 100 years ago was referred to as “The Great War.” St. Paul’s National Historic Site, located on Route 22 at 897 Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon, has an excellent exhibit entitled “Over Here, Over There: America and World War.” The exhibit will be on display through November 1918. The exhibit consists of seven panels put together brilliantly by site director David Osborn. The panels focus on preparedness, financing the war, promoting, supporting, and protecting the war effort, mobilizing for war, and fighting the war. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit nps. gov/sapa or call 667-4116 to get more information. Both the Eastchester Historical Society and the Crestwood Historical Society will have presentations focusing on the impact of the war on the home front in lower Westchester. These programs will combine an interesting narra-
St. Paul’s National Historic Site located on Route 22 at 897 Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon. Photo courtesy Richard Forliano
tive with pictures and images that bring to life both what was happening on the home front and the country at large. Specifically, the program will refer to how local citizens along with their fellow Americans were recruited to fight and specific ways public opinion was mobilized. Other topics will be how the war was financed, voluntary limitations to help provide food for soldiers, and the role of the Red Cross. Special attention will be placed on how World War I transformed the roles of women and the war’s connection with women’s suffrage. The concluding focus of the presentations will center on how this outburst of patriotism was accompanied by a draconian suppression of human rights. On Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m., a presentation will be made at the Eastchester Historical Society focusing on specific ways that World War I impacted the local Eastchester, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville communities. The Eastchester Historical Society is located at the intersection of New Rochelle and California roads near Chester Heights in southern Eastchester. There will also be programs on local access cable. For the last year and a half, municipal historians, curators, and leaders in historical societies from Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Crestwood, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle have put together an excellent Ken Burn’s production entitled “On the Home Front, World War I: Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Crestwood, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle.” The show will consist of rarely scene images and pictures based on
the most up-to-date scholarship presented in an interesting and understandable manner. Please check the local listings of cable TV stations in the fall to see when the presentation will be available. It is said that World War I is the most important event that most Americans know very little about. It is the hope of fellow local historians and archivists that the general public will learn more about how and why this war changed our lives at home and in American and world history. Those attending these events through the prism of the people, places, and events of 100 years ago will experience what is tantamount to a virtual tour of where we have been and possibly where we are headed. Many thanks to the lower Westchester Historians Roundtable for their pioneering research that made this article possible: Eloise Morgan, former Bronxville Village historian; Ray Gelebracht, Bronxville Village historian; Phil White, Tuckahoe Village historian, Gigi Carnes, president of the Crestwood Historical Society; Lissa Halen, curator for Eastchester Historical Society; David Osborn, site manager of St. Paul’s National Historic Site; and especially Barbara Davis, New Rochelle City historian. Please contact us historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org with any comments or questions you have about this column. For more information on the Eastchester Historical Society and its numerous programs, visit eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org.
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Gardening program launches for female inmates For several years, inmates and staff from the Westchester County Department of Correction have been teaming up with partners from not-for-profit agencies to help feed the hungry with food grown right at the jail in Valhalla. New this year is the expansion of the ‘farm-to-table’ gardening program to include its first female-specific program, with organic produce grown inside of the secure confines of the women’s unit. Working in partnership with farmers from the Food Bank for Westchester and staff from Family Services of Westchester’s (FSW) EMERGE Program, the female inmates raised a wide variety of organic produce in raised garden beds that were built by staff members inside a recreation area of the correctional complex. The woman’s program is designed for younger female offenders, some of whom are minors (under 18) and many of whom arrive at the jail because of drug-related crimes. Inmate participation in all the programs is strictly voluntary, and applicants are screened for participation by jail administrators and partner agencies. Produce includes lettuce, cabbage, kale, collard greens, beets, string beans and a variety of herbs and then hand-harvested the vegetables to supplement other inmates’ evening meals.
County Executive Rob Astorino said the gardening program has been a success on multiple levels. “From a rehabilitative perspective, we believe that it is important for all inmates to participate in positive activities while in jail,” Astorino said. “This program teaches the importance and benefits of hard work. In the case of our younger female population, these women have daily responsibility for the care of their gardens and are learning firsthand how planting a seed in April can feed a hungry person in September.” In 2016, inmates at the jail’s farm grew over 1,600 pounds of fruits, vegetables and herbs, which was used to supplement thousands of meals served by the Food Bank in the county. Doug DeCandia, an organic farmer, was recognized for his work at a Fall Harvest ‘give back’ program at the jail on Friday. “Having worked with offenders for many years, I have been in close contact with people with a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges,” DeCandia said. “The opportunity to cultivate soil, to add a little sunshine and water and then feed your neighbor—in jail or otherwise —is definitely something that instills a sense of community in all of us.” The EMERGE Program also program helps women improve
their economic situations after they leave jail by teaching them responsible parenting skills, financial literacy, and employment readiness skills. “The gardening program adds a practical component to an already successful program.” said Janet Donat, EMERGE’s program coordinator. “Participants discover that nurturing another living thing takes patience, perseverance, and a supportive community. By gardening together, participants also learn social skills—cooperation, communication, responsibility, and more—that can help them succeed after they leave jail. The same skills that they use to nurture a plant can be applied to their life beyond bars, ultimately helping them become more connected to their community.” Once participants leave jail, FSW helps them reconnect with the community by providing a range of services designed to improve mental health and strengthen families. “We are constantly looking to improve our operations and collaborate with many different community partners,” said Commissioner of Correction Kevin M. Cheverko. “Reinforcing and rewarding positive behavior by inmates has directly resulted in a safer working environment for our staff members and – as importantly – prepares these inmates for their eventual return to local communities.” (Submitted)
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Astorino re-issues ‘Ace’ Challenge With the new school year underway, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino re-issued his challenge to all Westchester County students in grades six through 12: Win a free season pass to Playland by earning high achievement in the classroom.
Now in its sixth year, the Astorino Challenge in Education, ACE, has grown in participation each year of its existence. The three ways to win the ACE challenge are one of the following: Final GPA of at least 3.8, 95 percent, or A-average, or better
(depending on school’s grading system). Perfect attendance for the entire school year. Improve grades a full grade point, letter or 10 percentage point improvement from the previous year’s final report card (Fi-
nal 2nd year GPA must be at least a 2.0, 75 percent, or C-average). “I’m so proud that the ACE challenge is in its sixth year. The fact that it has grown every year is testament to the drive and commitment that so many of our young people have to succeed in the classroom which we all know is so important to opening up a lifetime of opportunities,” Astorino said. “The ACE challenge simply serves as a little
extra motivation for our students and to let them know we’re behind them and want them to do their very best in the classroom.” Interested students who want to take the challenge can go to WestchesterGov.com/Ace and register. To win the challenge, students will need to provide validation of their achievement from their school at the end of the school year. Children under the age of 18 must have permis-
sion from their parents to participate. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 31. The free season pass to Playland will be good from the date of issue in June 2018 until the end of the season in September 2018 and includes free admission to the park and unlimited rides. The passes are made available through the Westchester County Youth Bureau. (Submitted)
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