Eastchester REVIEW THE
June 16, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 24 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Court denies Marbledale Road cleanup injunction By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
BRONCOS FALL SHORT
Bronxville’s Beth Finley is swarmed by Skaneateles defenders in the Class D state championship game on June 10 at SUNY Cortland. The Lakers topped the Broncos 12-11 in double-overtime to win the state title. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Marcotte secures county Independence line By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor Westchester County Legislator Sheila Marcotte has secured the Independence line in her re-election efforts this year. Marcotte, a Republican who represents District 10, who is running for her fourth term as county legislator against Democrat Damon Maher, of New Rochelle, has also secured the Conservative line for the November election. According to Marcotte, the last time she received an endorsement from the Independence Party was way back when she ran in a special
election to fill the District 10 legislative seat in 2010, which she won. “The Independence Party has a history of endorsing candidates from different [parties],” said Marcotte, 51. “In my opinion, they don’t hold allegiance to one side or another.” The Independence Party has often been viewed as indicator of electoral success on the county level. For her last two re-election campaigns, however, Marcotte had to primary for the right to carry the Independence line in the general election. “They overwhelmingly endorsed me,” she told the Review
about the registered voters of the party. “I literally crushed my opponents.” In 2013 and 2015, Marcotte won MARCOTTE continued on page 8
A Westchester County Supreme Court judge struck down a motion to stop work on the site of a state-supervised remediation and planned hotel development on Marbledale Road in Tuckahoe months after the motion was filed. On May 26, Judge Larry Schwartz ruled that nine Tuckahoe residents did not provide enough evidence to justify the court to stop work on the site while considering a lawsuit those same residents filed last November. In February, the village Building Department issued a permit to begin work excavating a portion of the site; and a day later, the plaintiffs asked the court for an injunction, arguing that more research was necessary before digging began. That initial lawsuit, filed against the village of Tuckahoe Planning Board, the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, and the state Department of Health, DOH, argues that each of those agencies made premature decisions leading to the approval of a controversial property remediation and hotel development. Since 2014, the developer, Bilwin Development Affiliates, has intended to turn the site of a former dumping ground on Tuckahoe’s Marbledale Road corridor into a 5-story, 163-room Marriott Springhill Suites Hotel with an adjacent 6,400-square-foot restaurant. But the site, contaminated by decades of dumping, had to be remediated, and was entered by Bilwin into the DEC’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, which offers tax incentives to developers for cleaning up and re-developing contaminated properties. Last July, the DEC released its approved method for remediat-
ing the site, which—alongside the development of the hotel—was approved by the village Planning Board in October by a 3-2 vote without requiring a full environmental impact study. The plaintiffs, some of whom are members of the Marbledale Road Environmental Coalition, which has challenged the scope of the remediation plan for more than a year, claim that the Planning Board should have required such a study to be conducted. But in its ruling, the court said the residents, represented by attorney David Gordon, did not sufficiently show that continuing work on the site would cause irreparable harm, or that their larger case against the various village and state agencies would likely succeed in court. “It was rational for the Village, as part of its lead-agency State Environmental Quality Review, to rely on the expertise of the DEC in approving Bilwin’s project which included a monitoring and remediation plan,” Schwartz wrote. The ruling comes as Bilwin prepares to pour an asphaltcap over the site, completing the remediation process it started in February. The DEC’s remediation plan required Bilwin to dig up and cart off socalled “hotspots” of contaminated soil, backfill those areas with clean soil and then pour a concrete cap over them. When that is complete, hotel construction may begin. According to Village Administrator David Burke, the hot spot removal is about 95 percent complete, and the developer could begin pouring the cap in four to six weeks. Gordon and David Simpson, a spokesman for Bilwin, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
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June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3
Westchester County launches drug abuse response By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Westchester County has launched a new program aimed at integrating the response of several county agencies, local officials and community leaders to the growing drug abuse epidemic. On June 7, in the Westchester
County Center, County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, launched Project WORTHY: Westchester Opioid Response Teams Helping You, which he said was established to combine all of the county’s individual resources to combat a dramatic spike in opioid-related deaths over the last several years.
Heroin and opioid use has been recognized as a growing and widespread problem across Westchester County, New York state and the country; the rate of deaths caused by opioids in the county has quadrupled since 2010, according to Westchester officials. Several local communities have previously established their own
County Executive Rob Astorino speaks at the launch of Project WORTHY: Westchester Opioid Response Teams Helping You on June 7 to fight the opioid epidemic. Photo courtesy Westchester County
committees and task forces to combat drug abuse in those areas. But, according to Astorino, the goal of Project WORTHY is to transcend municipal and organizational barriers keeping key community leaders from working together to combat drug addiction. “In Westchester, we are blessed with an abundance of resources,” the county executive said. “But, their effectiveness can be limited if they remain in geographic and bureaucratic silos.” Project WORTHY is aimed to establish response teams made up of health professionals, law enforcement, first responders, parents, teachers, coaches, clergy, business leaders and youth to help those suffering from addiction and to educate communities about prevention, intervention and responses to addiction. To kick off the initiative, a panel of county commissioners addressed the County Center room full of community leaders, discussing the pervasiveness of opioid addiction and the problems in confronting it. And they discussed some initiatives the county has already undertaken to address those problems, including training and arming first responders with the opioid-countering drug, naloxone, establishing anonymous drug drop-boxes at local police stations, and participating in joint federal and local task
forces to take down illegal drug rings and doctors who over-prescribe opioids. Astorino said there are four prongs to Project WORTHY: education, prevention, integration and action. According to Ned McCormack, a spokesman for the administration, those four prongs become two separate rolls for members of the response teams. Community members in teams can be dispersed to give integrated advice, helping communities to confront individual problems. The teams will also be mobilized to give informational seminars and forums, helping communities recognize signs of abuse, and discussing how to talk about and address the issues locally. About 200 local officials and community leaders attended the program’s kickoff. “Today was all about bringing everybody together and building the response teams and getting the ball rolling,” McCormack said. While the program has no clear first action, county officials said getting all of those community leaders together to organize response teams was a necessary first step. Astorino said, “Opioid addiction can be stopped. We will continue to fight, and Project WORTHY can make us more effective. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
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What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
math—activities and programs, kids ages 3 to 8 will discover new ways of looking at the world around them. Additionally, children who log time spent reading this summer will earn a multitude of prizes. Registration is required online. Please provide child’s name and age in the comment box provided.
Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org.
Creating Yourself in Retirement: The Emotional Aspect On Monday, June 19 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For retirees and soon-to-be-retirees. This program showcases various options for enhancing the quality of your life in retirement. Learn what to expect in transitioning to retirement and how to successfully navigate this life change. Please register online or by calling the library at 793-5055, as space is limited. This program is free and open to all.
Bronxville Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.
Adult Reading Bingo This program runs through Aug. 31. Sign up at any time during these dates. Join the library for its annual Adult Summer Reading Program. The goal of this program is to broaden your horizons and read some books you would not normally choose to read on your own. For every book you read, you will gain an entry to win one of four grand prizes: a Bow Tie Cinemas gift certificate; a Kindle Fire tablet; Park Place Bagel & Topps Bakery gift cards; or a wine and cheese gift basket Complete a row of bingo and you will also receive a smaller prize. To participate, sign up at the Reference Desk to receive your bingo card and blank raffle tickets or register online.
Build a Better World: Summer Reading Program The library is the perfect place for children and families to become empowered to build a better world. Through books and STEAM— science, technology, engineering, art, and
For more information on library hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library.
Teen Summer Reading Kickoff On Monday, June 26 at 4 p.m. Have fun when Annette Zito, local cookbook author and chef, helps you make a delicious breakfast and dessert with little effort and a lot of flavor. Sample the dishes, too. Registration is requested by calling 961-2121. Sponsored by the Friends of the Tuckahoe Library.
NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital The NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital is located at 55 Palmer Road in Bronxville. For more information, visit nyp. org.
Weight loss surgery seminar On Tuesday, June 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the NYP Lawrence lobby Conference Room. The Columbia University Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital invites you to attend this free preoperative education seminar, led by clinical staff who will provide information regarding surgical options, expected weight loss, and lifestyle changes required after weight loss surgery. All patients considering weight loss surgery are required to attend a seminar prior to scheduling a first appointment. To register, call 787-4000.
The Latest on Men’s Health On Tuesday, June 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mulino’s at Lake Isle Country Club,
660 White Plains Road, Eastchester. Attention all men and those who love them: get the important health information you need. Join physicians from NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester and Columbia University Medical Center for a free multidisciplinary presentation on men’s health. Learn how your testosterone changes as you age and how it affects your health; get the latest prostate cancer screening guidelines; find out the best ways to stay fit; and discover strategies for optimizing your heart health. Light refreshments will be served. To register, call 787-5000.
Joint Replacement and Surgery Patient Education Every Wednesday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the NYP Lawrence lobby Conference Room. Are you tired of knee, hip or shoulder pain? Have you scheduled joint replacement surgery? All are welcome to attend this pre-operative joint replacement patient education class to learn about the surgical and rehabilitative experience, and meet the hospital’s multidisciplinary team who can answer your questions. To register, call 787-2119.
Westchester County news Register for swim classes at county pools Online registration is now open for swimming and aquatic fitness classes at Saxon Woods pool in White Plains, Tibbetts Brook pool in Yonkers and Playland pool in Rye. For children and for adults just getting started with swimming, Learn-to-Swim lessons are offered for all ages and ability levels, from toddlers age 3 to senior citizens. Classes begin Wednesday, July 5, and run through Friday, Aug. 11. Lessons for adults ages 18 and older will be held only at Saxon Woods pool. The schedule for classes at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 7–10: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children ages 11–17: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Adults (ages 18 and up): Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. (Saxon Woods only). Class schedule for Playland Pool is as follows: Children ages 3–6: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 7–10: Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Children ages 11–17: Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Only online registration is accepted. The registration fee is $80, which includes pool admission fees for the participant. Adults and teens participating in the Learn-to-Swim program at Tibbetts Brook and Saxon Woods pools must present a valid Westchester County resident Park Pass on the first day of class; children under 12 registering for the lessons must be accompanied by a Park Pass-holding parent or adult guardian. A Park Pass is not required at Playland. For swimmers who want a high-power, cardiovascular fitness workout, a six-session Aqua Zumba class will also be offered this summer. Classes will be held on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Saxon Woods Pool from July 7 through July 26; and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Tibbetts Brook Pool from July 8 through July 27. Fee is $75. A Park Pass is not required but participants must be Westchester County residents. Only online registration is accepted. For more information or to register for the programs, visit parks.westchestergov.com/ activities/swimming.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester Dads go free Treat dad to a special day by bringing him to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. In honor of Father’s Day, dads go free with the purchase of a kid’s ticket on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18. Dads are encouraged to come and have a great time building LEGO creations together and playing with their children. The offer is valid with advance and walk-up ticket purchases. Purchase tickets online with promotional code 171020. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. Starting at $15.95; children under 2 are free. Hours are Friday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 866-2430770 or visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ westchester. 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 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5
Reporters discuss fake news, media’s future By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter With the current national political climate placing the press under tremendous scrutiny, five reporters dedicated their evening to giving media consumers a look into the work journalists are doing, and discussing the positive outlook they see for the future of the press. This discussion included how news stories are frequently labeled as false when they paint someone in a bad light, the effect that President Donald Trump has had on the media. The paneled, labeled “Fake News, the First Amendment and Democracy,” was held on Wednesday, May 17 at the Rye Community Synagogue. We Persist, a liberal organization founded by women in Rye and Rye Brook shortly after the Women’s March in January 2017, hosted the event, and recorded the event’s attendance at 350 people. Andi Hessekiel, co-chair of the Freedom of the Press/First Amendment Action Team, which is one of the teams that make up We Persist, explained that the organization’s goal is to advocate for democracy. “[We Persist was] talking about what can we do about what seemed
to be an effort by the new president of the United States to develop distrust in the press and in some cases keep the press out of public events,” Hessekiel told the Review following the event. The evening’s panelists included Heather Cabot, a previous ABC News correspondent and anchorwoman; Taegan Goddard, who founded PoliticalWire.com; Chris Vlasto, an executive producer at “Good Morning America”; Diana Williams, a reporter and anchor for ABC7 “Eyewitness News”; and Andrea Canning, a correspondent at Dateline NBC. They were led in the discussion by Lee Woodruff, who is a contributing reporter for “CBS This Morning.” During the conversation on “fake news” Woodruff pointed out that prior to the current presidency, the term “fake news” was mostly reserved for websites like AbcNews. com.co and Cnn.com.de that create their own false news stories to spark a reaction from readers. But today, when one uses the term “fake news,” it is normally associated with attacks by Republican politicians on reporters. This can be seen by President Trump’s use of Twitter, where he frequently calls out publications and journalists that he believes are
painting him in a bad light through random, oftentimes early morning tweets. Trump, not surprisingly, turned out to be the primary focus of the discussion. But for one local resident, that was the reason why she had wanted to attend. “I was really interested in hearing what journalists had to say about Trump threatening the press, and calling respected news outlets fake news,” said Heather Stone, of Larchmont. Williams tried to explain the unprecedented difficulties as a journalist trying to cover this presidency, referring to Trump as a different kind of president. Williams said that because Trump is active “24/7,” especially on social media, news outlets need resources that are able to cover his activity, and reporters are being forced to adapt to this type of constant coverage. “It’s not that we aren’t doing the job [of reporting,] I think we’re doing the job as best as we can,” Williams said. “But it’s a different job now.” Hessekiel, who called the event an overall success, explained that part of the importance of the event was so that the public could get a
Chris Vlasto, executive producer at “Good Morning America,” and Diana Williams, reporter and anchor for ABC7 “Eyewitness News,” at a journalists’ panel discussing the rise of “fake news.” Photo/Andrew Dapolite
behind-the-scenes look at some of the issues that journalists now face. The panelists were eventually asked to discuss what they thought the future of journalism would look like and whether freedom of the press is under attack by the Trump administration. Vlasto said, “I think we’re more vibrant now than ever.” Vlasto added that when journalists are attacked by politicians, they should wear it as a badge of honor, and not be afraid of backlash. Canning shared a similar senti-
ment, saying that she wasn’t worried about the future of the press. She explained that under the new administration, reporters’ jobs might be more difficult, but they shouldn’t let this stop them from doing it. “That is why we put together this evening—to remind people that though the current president may be attacking the press, the press is crucial to holding politicians accountable for their actions,” Hessekiel said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
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Eastchester REVIEW THE
Bronxville farmers market
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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 Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Jen Parente Columnists Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano, Lenore Skenazy
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By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter After noticing the amount of food left over from weekly farmers markets, Natalie Rivera, a natural food chef, began collecting unsold inventory from local vendors that she uses to teach monthly cooking lessons. Rivera, market manager for the Bronxville farmers market, collects everything from seasonal vegetables and fruits, to breads, meats and pastries from the market. And after noticing the amount of unsold products she thought, “There has to be something we can do with it.” Rivera said that when collecting food, she tells the vendors, “Don’t give us anything you can sell the next day, or use immediately.” Even so, Rivera said that she would receive “boxes full” of inventory. This is her second year collecting from the Bronxville farmers market, and she works with volunteers that she’s met while taking nutritional and food science classes, to help collect donations. They package up the unused products that are then driven over to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Life Center in Sleepy Hollow, where Rivera teaches monthly
Ruby Frost and Red Delicious apples are in abundance at the Bronxville farmers market on Saturdays.
cooking classes that began in June. The classes are held on the last Monday of every month. She explained that the recipes she teaches vary based on the age group she’s working with, and the donations she receives. “I just try to be a little creative,” Rivera said, “and I just try to use
as many ingredients as people have donated.” Some of the past recipes she has taught include soups, salad dressings and desserts. Rivera, who has previously worked as a private chef, completed the Chef’s Training Program at The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. “I went back to school because I wanted to help people in the food system,” she said. During her classes, she tries to include an educational component, and discusses things like why it’s important to purchase produce that is in season. This is the second year that more than 20 of the vendors from the Bronxville farmers market will be participating in donating their inventory to Rivera’s cause. Pascale Le Draoulec, market director for the Bronxville farmers market, explained that there are a lot more organic options in the farmers market this year. “[Organic is] definitely the way more families are going,” she said. Le Draoulec explained that when choosing vendors, it’s important for her to consider the quality of the product over the quantity. “It’s less about what [vendors]
Natalie Rivera is a natural food chef and market manager for the Bronxville farmers market. Photo courtesy nutritiousandtasty. wordpress.com
sell and more about [vendors] being the best in their field,” she said. Rivera explained that she tries to collect a bit of everything from all of the vendors. “It’s all about balance,” she said. Some of the vendors at the market include old favorites like Custom Cold Brew, which sells tea and cold brew coffee, and Dr. Pickle whose products include pickles, peppers and olives. Along with these staples are some fresh faces, like Brooklyn Breads & Sweets, which sells breads and baked goods, and Miracle Springs Farm and its partner farm, Hawthorne Valley Farm, who offer a variety of cheeses, yogurts and produce. “I just go with it, and try to make it fun for [the class,]” Rivera said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
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Lovage is a medicinal herb that is supposed to help ease pain and calm swelling.
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Custom Cold Brew sells coffees and teas by the bag and the bottle.
Brooklyn Bread & Sweets sells all sorts of baked goods from pies and pastries to loaves of bread.
Morgiewicz Farm’s radishes were a top seller at Bronxville’s farmers market. Photos/Taylor Brown
June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7
Rye Golf Club restaurant loses tax-exempt status
The city of Rye assessor has placed the Lessing’s food and beverage operation at Rye Golf Club’s Whitby Castle on the city’s 2017 tentative assessment roll. File photo
The Lessing’s food and beverage operation at Rye Golf Club has been stripped of its tax-exempt status. Rye City Assessor Noreen Whitty told the Review she has revoked the operation’s tax-exempt status after completing a review of the enterprise that ended on June 1. The dining and catering operation is now responsible for paying up to $25,000 a year in property taxes. Prior to the determination, the city of Rye did not impose a real estate tax on Lessing’s, the Long Island-based company that took over food and beverage operations of Whitby Castle at the city-run Rye Golf Club in 2014.
The restaurant, which is open to the public, offers casual dining and outdoor patio tables, as well as a bar area and catering services for wedding, club member-only events and private events. In addition to now being asked to pay a real estate tax, the catering company will also be responsible for spending money on several other taxes and fees among what it already pays annually through its profit sharing agreement with the city. As part of the agreement, Lessing’s pays the city approximately $300,000 on a yearly basis, of which $200,000 of that revenue comes from an annual rent payment. -Reporting by Franco Fino
Students moderate college informational panel Bronxville High School students Katie Gordon, a junior, and Audrey Kim, a senior, recently moderated a college informational panel for college-bound seniors at Mount Vernon High School. Through the program, they answered questions from the audience and provided valuable information to more than 70 students. Gordon and Kim developed the panel discussion in collaboration with Destination: College, a not-for-profit organization that works with young men and women in underserved communities throughout Westchester County. They had been volunteering with the organization since early March as part of a community service project for Bill Meyer’s Humanities Research Seminar class. During their time, they each tutored Mount Vernon High School students in mathematics, English, history and science and helped them prepare for the Regents exams. “After volunteering at Destination: College, Audrey [Kim] and I decided that a college informational panel would be beneficial for the program,” Gordon said. At the panel, they asked participants to reflect on the college application process, discuss how they prepared for standardized
Two Bronxville High School students recently moderated a college informational panel for collegebound seniors at Mount Vernon High School. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district
tests, how they found scholarships, what factors they considered before choosing what colleges to apply to and how they decided which college is the right one for them. “We found that the panel was a great success, and look to continue it next year through the Destination: College program,” Gordon said. “Even though volunteering at Destination: College was through the course, I look to continue it as I go into my senior year next school year, and I plan to keep Audrey [Kim] updated on the panel next spring while she is at Brown University.” (Submitted)
8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 16, 2017
Defining Bronxville’s landscape BRONXVILLE TODAY
Mayor Mary Marvin
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, in collaboration with Peter Gisolfi Associates, recently published an impressive and informative book entitled “Defining the Landscape of Bronxville.” It resulted from a two-year-plus research effort spearheaded by former Mayor Nancy Hand. What began as an idea and then a document with a few maps has turned into a beautiful 83-page book which examines the landscape and visual character of the village, yielding valuable information for preserving and enhancing our environment. The conservancy expanded its initial concentration on projects centering around art and architecture to include “whole place preservation” as a way of safeguarding our village. The close relationship between the natural landscape and the man-made environment has given Bronxville its unique identity and the resulting need to exercise stewardship in preserving the whole for future generations. The overarching question became: Can we learn how to protect the best of Bronxville by understanding how the natural features influenced the shaping of the man-made landscape? The book is divided into four sections starting with an investigation of the natural features of Bronxville including geology, soil, sloped, vegetation, topography and physiography. Section two provides an analysis of the village’s cultural landscape and the man-made elements introduced over the years including patterns of development, neighborhood and building chronology, land use and zoning. This is followed by a focus on the four specific landscapes in the village: the valley, hillside, hilltop and the plateau. Finally, the concluding section suggests some concrete steps that can preserve the village for future generations. The appendix has an extensive description with photos of the specific trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses that are native to Bronxville, along with an equally important list of invasive vegetation, most of which is now banned in New York state. The book has already proved beneficial in the village’s planning process and would
be equally beneficial to landscape architects, gardeners and residents. As illustration, did you know that taking down one large canopy tree removes the daily oxygen supply of four people? Are you aware that the Norway maple is now banned in New York state? Would you like to learn about the four different natural landscapes in Bronxville and the unique characteristics of each one? Would you be interested in knowing what native species of trees, plants and shrubs would be best to plant on your property and also which ones are invasive or now prohibited in New York state? Would you like to see maps showing the type of soil in various neighborhoods of the village, or one that shows chronology of the development of those neighborhoods? If the answer to most of these questions is yes, then the natural resources study is a book you will want to own. As example, the village’s original forest had a canopy layer composed mostly of hardwoods; an understory layer of familiar smaller trees, such as birches, dogwoods and cherries; a shrub layer, and beneath that a ground cover or herbaceous layer, which maintained a pervious surface that absorbed rainwater into the soil and reduced runoff. It is possible to approximate again that original configuration in the residential portions of the village. The two biggest challenges to that occurring are the overuse of ornamental plantings such as Colorado blue spruce and the desire for green lawns surrounding our houses. Inspired by early British colonists, the lawn is not native to our environment and requires extraordinary maintenance to survive. If we were to reduce the areas of open lawn and replace portions of such with native groundcover and trees, the soil would be significantly more pervious. If we were to plant a native canopy tree when one is lost or taken down, we would help preserve the original character and beauty of the village as well as aid the environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and potentially harmful gasses, such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, and release oxygen into the air. In essence, this book offers a well-researched guide to planting and preservation in our village. It is available for sale at Village Hall and Womrath’s Bookstore at the publishing cost of $30. This is less than the cost of one mis-planted bush!
MARCOTTE from page 1
the Independence primary as a write-in candidate, which served as a precursor to defeating her opponents, Mary Jo Jacobs and Haina Just-Michael, respectively. This year, Marcotte told the Review that she went before the Independence Party committee to ask for the line. “They know I’m a hard worker,” she said. “We are in agreement on almost every issue we touched on during the interview process,” from the county budget to Playland. There are 1,315 registered Independence Party voters in District 10, according to recent numbers provided by the county Board of Elections. Looking ahead to November, Marcotte said that she feels confident about winning re-election. “I know that my message has remained unchanged since the first time I ran,” she said, saying that she will advocate for taxpayers and their families. Her platform includes having a smaller government, and making sure that there is no increase to the tax levy, which has been the case for the seven years that she has been in county office under Republican County Executive Rob Astorino. “It is a commitment that I have kept my word on,” she added. Marcotte previously served on the Eastchester Town Council from 2004 to 2010. She has been re-elected to the county Board of Legislators three times in hotly contested races. In each race, Marcotte has overcome a decided voter registration disadvantage of nearly 2-to-1 favoring her Democratic opponents.
Westchester County Legislator Sheila Marcotte has secured the Independence Party endorsement in this year’s election, and will be running for her fourth term on the county Board of Legislators. File photo
This year, Maher, an attorney who practices employment, has promised to run a progressive campaign against Marcotte, already labeling her and Astorino as allies of President Donald Trump. District 10 covers the village of Tuckahoe, the town of Eastchester and portions of the city of New Rochelle. Marcotte made $57,977 in 2016 as a county legislator. County legislators serve two-year terms. Election Day is Nov. 7. A spokesperson from the county Independence Party could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
Coby is the kind of dog you can’t help but fall in love with when you meet him. He is a Lab mix, about a year old and weighs 36 pounds. He is very sweet, friendly and loves playing with other dogs. Coby is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300. To meet Coby, call Pet Rescue in Harrison at 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9
Walter secures third-party support in county race
Gordon Burrows
Ruth Walter
Westchester County’s Independence Party has cosigned on the Democratic Party’s candidate for county legislative District 15, Ruth Walter. Walter, of Bronxville, who has also been endorsed by the Working Families Party, said she was confident to be backed by several parties. “I think it speaks to the desire for change,” she told the Review. “I think we’re not being represented well, currently.” Walter, 50, who owns Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese on Pondfield Road, will challenge incumbent County Legislator Gordon Burrows, a Yonkers Republican, in November for District 15, which encompasses all of Bronxville as well as the northern half of Yonkers. Burrows, who has also garnered the support of the Conservative Party, has held the seat, largely unopposed, since 2005 amid shifting voter demographics. Across the District 15 voter registration landscape, Democrats outnumber Republicans 14,500 to 10,600, according to recent figures from the county Board of Elections. The Independence Party, the third largest political party in all of Westchester, brings an additional 1,447 voters. In his last three elections, Burrows has only won the Independence endorsement once. “I think they have a voice for change and for cutting through some of the old, standard positions of both Republicans and Democrats,” Walter said of the Independence Party. “And I think they want reform. Appealing to different kinds of voters and different points
of view is good for the county.” Walter has highlighted a change in leadership as the core of her platform. Her campaign website points to environmental and diversity issues as key concerns. She said she wants to protect Westchester’s environmental assets from pollution, and promote more women for the county Board of Legislators. Walter told the Review that she was also seeking the endorsement of the Women’s Equality Party, but has not received it as of press time. All 17 seats on the Westchester County Board of Legislators are in play this year on Election Day, Nov. 7. County legislators are paid a salary of $49,200 per year and serve two-year terms. Burrows could not be reached for comment as of press time. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 16, 2017
Sponsored by
The Review, in collaboration with ArtsWestchester, offers a rundown of art-related events throughout Westchester County. You can find our Arts in the Area page each month.
their costumes and theatrical backgrounds recapture the energy and style of the legendary band. White Plains Performing Arts Center will present a performance by Almost Queen on Friday, June 23. All proceeds from the band’s concert merchandise are donated to Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity that was founded by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor, and manager Jim Beach, in memory of Mercury, who died from AIDS in 1991. Almost Queen bassist Randy Gregg, who plays the role of John Deacon, told ArtsNews that guests can expect to hear “the big hits,” with which the band enjoys seeing fans “ranging from 8 to 80 years old” sing along. Speaking about his admiration of Queen, he added: “They paved the road and we’re just walking on it.” For more information, visit wppac.com. -Mary Alice Franklin
SNDF’s Parkinson’s dance program takes place every Monday year-round (this session ends on June 18 and will resume on Aug. 21). According to Judith Ross, community relations director at SNDF, the classes serve a special need in the community and also fulfill SNDF’s mission to bring dance to everyone. Additional special needs classes include “Moving Wheels and Heels Dance Intensive,” a one-week dance experience for students with and without disabilities (June 19 to June 24). Both Parkinson’s programs integrate movement from modern, ballet, tap, folk and choreographic repertory and include an array of music. Megan Williams, choreographer and dance instructor at RAC, explains that the art of dancing inspires a transformation in participants and frees them from their daily routine: “When patients step into the dance room, they are no longer a person with Parkinson’s. They become beginner dancers on a fun artistic pursuit.” Both classes welcome walk-ins. For more information, visit ryeartscenter.org and steffinossen.org. -Rocio De La Roca
A bird’s-eye view at Bullseye Glass
Bill Burr performs at The Capitol Theatre Comedian Bill Burr will take the stage at The Capitol Theater with a set of three 18-and-over shows from Thursday, June 29 through Saturday, July 1. Burr is known for his direct comedy style that offers a cynical take on common experiences within our culture—whether he is complaining about his GPS device or about notions of religion. Often sparing no feelings, his anecdotal humor is cutting and honest, putting political correctness on the back-burner for the sake of his art. Named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 best stand-up comics of all time, Burr has had numerous stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, as well as his television roles on “Chappelle’s Show,” “Breaking Bad” and his animated Netflix series, “F is for Family.” His popular off-the-cuff, twice-weekly comedy podcast, “Monday Morning Podcast,” spurred “All Things Comedy,” a distribution network founded by Burr and fellow comedian Al Madrigal, which is owned and operated entirely by comedians. For more information, visit thecapitoltheatre.com. -Mary Alice Franklin
Queen, recreated in Westchester
Diehard Queen fans want to relive the band’s live concerts. New Queen fans who never got the chance to see them perform want to experience what it was like to see iconic singer Freddie Mercury command the stage. For all of the above, cover band Almost Queen is as close to the real thing as one can get. The four-piece band has a sound that is reminiscent of Queen’s harmonies, while
Local art orgs bring dance to Parkinson’s patients This June, the Rye Arts Center, RAC, and Steffi Nossen Dance Foundation, SNDF, each offer specialized dance classes in a creative group setting for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The programs are both based on The Mark Morris Dance Company’s internationally acclaimed Dance for PD program and are led by professionally trained dancers whose knowledge about movement benefits their participants. Parkinson’s causes the death of nerve cells in the brain that release dopamine, a chemical which facilitates movement in the body. Although dance is not a cure for the disease, according to the Dance for PD program’s resources, it does help patients to build a stronger connection to movement and also instills confidence. RAC, which launched its Dance for Parkinson’s program in 2011, offers free classes on Wednesdays and Fridays year-round (except August). Noah Opitz, director of Development at RAC, has noticed that the classes create a sense of community for the participants. “Depression is common among PD patients, and programs like these provide them with a support group,” Opitz explains.
The work of Montana glass artist Richard Parrish is on display in a solo exhibition that has traveled to Bullseye Glass Resource Center in Mamaroneck from the Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York. “Aerial Perspectives” draws from Parrish’s experiences as an architect, bringing shapes, patterns and vibrant washes of color to his landscape-based kiln-formed works. By mapping out fields, rivers and crop irrigation patterns, these pieces provide viewers with a look at the natural world from an aerial viewpoint. Kirsty Buchanan, curator of Collections at The Rockwell Museum, explains that “by manipulating the expected vantage point, Parrish controls our engagement with the subject matter and causes us to view the shifting topography of America from a different perspective.” The installations investigate this interaction, between the natural environment and human beings’ shifting involvement and imposition within that landscape. “Aerial Perspectives” is on view through Saturday, July 1. For more information, visit bullseyegallery.com. -Mary Alice Franklin
‘Burgers, Beers and B-flat Minor’ on Father’s Day
On Sunday, June 18, Westchester Philharmonic presents a full day Father’s Day
celebration: “Burgers, Beer and B-flat Minor.” This season finale places guest pianist Conrad Tao on stage with New York City Ballet’s Music Director, conductor Andrew Litton. The program will include Weber’s “Overture to Euryanthe” before Tao joins in Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” and Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Following the concert, the Philharmonic invites audiences to join Litton, Tao and members of the orchestra at a barbecue, complete with cold beer and live bluegrass music. Music lovers can start their day by attending an open, free-of-charge rehearsal at 11 a.m. They can also add to their musical experience with a pre-concert discussion between Litton and Tao with the Philharmonic’s artistic and executive director Joshua Worby one hour before the performance, at 2 p.m. The concert will take place at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. For more information, visit westchesterphil.org. -Mary Alice Franklin
PAC launches free arts access program
Pelham Art Center, PAC, has announced a public art program in conjunction with the grand opening of the newly renovated Wolf Lane Park in Pelham. This “Public Art in the Park” program aims to promote free arts access for the public. The inaugural exhibition in the sculpture garden area of the park is Anki King’s “Human Nature,” which will be on view at both the park and PAC’s courtyard through Saturday, Sept. 2. The Norwegian artist creates sculptural figures, composed of rebar, wood and natural materials, which explore the human connection to the natural world. “‘Human Nature’ speaks to humanity’s dependency on nature and the tension effected, as humanity… is at the same time capable of destroying [nature]—and thereby itself,” King said. For more information, visit pelhamartcenter.org. -Mary Alice Franklin
Group tours available in ArtsWestchester’s gallery
ArtsWestchester encourages groups, schools and organizations to book a private group tour of its current “From the Streets” exhibition. The show explores the evolution of graffiti and street artists, from vandals to cultural trendsetters. For more about the exhibition, visit artsw.org/fromthestreets. Docent-led tours are available by appointment on Tuesdays through Saturdays in ArtsWestchester’s gallery until Saturday, July 15. To schedule this art experience, contact Kim McKoy at 428-4220 or kmckoy@artswestchester.org.
These articles appear in the June 2017 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy of the full issue is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 11
Tuckahoe man convicted in murder attempt Moonshade and other summer surprises By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer A Tuckahoe resident who fired a shotgun at his former employer outside a deli in Chappaqua last August was convicted of three felony charges, including attempted murder. Hengjun Chao, who owns a home on Main Street in Tuckahoe, was found guilty on Tuesday, June 13, of firing a gun at Dr. Dennis Charney, the dean of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. According to the Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Chao, 50, had stalked Charney for days before shooting at him as he exited Lange’s Little Store and Delicatessen on King Street in Chappaqua. Chao took only one shot; Charney was hit in the shoulder and a bystander was also struck. Both were transported to Westchester Medical Center, while Chao was arrested on the scene. Chao had been a research assistant professor at the Icahn School from 2002 to 2009, but was fired by a committee which included Charney after being accused of fraud. Court records from 2010 show that Chao had been accused of intentionally misrepresenting research results and attempting to convince colleagues to do the same. In court this week, Chao’s attorney argued that his client had not intended to shoot Charney with the gun, which was loaded with buckshot. He also argued that Chao was trying to expose Charney, an esteemed research psychiatrist focused on treating depression, anxiety and mood disorders, of promoting certain anti-depressants which had a high rate of suicide. But Chao’s previous disputes with Charney discredited his case. Six years before he tried to kill the doc-
Tuckahoe resident Hengjun Chao was convicted of attempted murder this week after firing a shotgun at Dr. Dennis Charney in Chappaqua. Chao was arrested on Aug. 29, 2016. Contributed photo
tor, Chao had filed a lawsuit against him. The 2010 lawsuit claimed that his termination from the university was an act of defamation and was an instance of race-based discrimination. Prosecutors in this case argued that the lawsuit was clear evidence that Chao was motivated by revenge in attempting to kill his former employer. After about an hour of deliberation, a jury agreed. The jury convicted Chao of attempted murder in the second degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, and assault in the first degree, all felonies which carry a minimum sentence of five years and a potential maximum sentence of 25 years. Chao is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 16. He immigrated to the U.S. from China in 1997, and has lived in the village of Tuckahoe since at least 2004, according to Westchester County property records. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
On Aug. 21, the first total solar eclipse visible only in the U.S. since 1776 will take place. It will also be the first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire continental U.S. in 99 years. The U.S. Postal Service will release a stamp, pictured above, to celebrate, made with thermochromic ink, which changes color with heat and light. Photo courtesy Richard Ilse
By RICHARD ILSE Contributor Got a minute? How about 1,440 of them? May seem like a lot, but when you add them all up they equal a single day. This summer, there is a day that may have you questioning time itself. Imagine waking up in your backyard, or on the beach from a midday nap and it looks kind of dark out. You check the time; it’s midafternoon, and then you look to the sky. The sun is there, but yet it’s not! What on earth is happening? Welcome to the first total solar eclipse visible only in the U.S. since our nation’s founding in 1776. It will also be the first total solar eclipse to sweep across the entire continental U.S. in 99 years, according to NASA. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets in the way of the sun, turning day into an eerie twilight. The day is Monday, Aug. 21, and even the U.S. Postal Service is celebrating it by releasing a “Total Solar Eclipse” forever stamp on the summer solstice in June and it will have a high tech twist to it that’s never been done. It will use thermochromic ink, which changes color with heat and light. Use your finger and rub the eclipse image and it will reveal an underlying image of the moon. Remove your finger and the image reverts back to the eclipse once it cools. The back of the stamp will also provide a map of the eclipse path so it will tell you exactly how close you are to it. Best thing we’ve done to
the moon since we went there! As for other celestial celebrations this summer, our nighttime skies will offer up two distinct meteor showers. The first is called Alpha Capricornids and occurs from mid-July through early August, with the best night being on Saturday, July 29. Although only producing a few per hour, what’s best about this shower is the bright fireballs it produces. Then there is the Perseids meteor shower in August, peaking around Saturday, Aug. 12 with a rate of 50 to 75 per hour. The Perseids are particles released from comet Swift-Turtle during its numerous returns to the inner solar system. Turning from space to time, this summer sets up as an average summer length wise in terms of how many days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Fourth of July however comes on a Tuesday, so if you do not already have it, put in for Monday off. There are also other notable holidays you can put in for time off. I kid you not, you can look these up. Next is Sunglasses Day on Tuesday, June 27. In July, the third is Disobedience Day (use that to call in sick on that Monday if needed). July 5 is National Bikini Day, and then Relaxation Day is on the 15th. Then there is the most absurd one, Take Your Pants for a Walk Day on the 27th; now there’s an exercise in futility. In August, another good day to take off is Just Because Day on the 27th. So enjoy your summer, and remember on Aug. 21 you can wake to the sun twice.
12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 16, 2017
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June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13
14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 16, 2017
SPORTS
Let the mystery be LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
I don’t want to launch into another “get off my lawn”-type old fogey complaint about baseball stats here, but I feel like my hand is being forced. Now, I’ve made my peace with a lot of the new-fangled metrics like Ultimate Zone Rating and Win-Shares. Those stats, while not necessarily my cup of tea, at least serve a purpose in the game; they help front-office types evaluate players using advanced metrics to measure performance. So while I might not be running to my Baseball Encyclopedia to measure Rod Carew’s all-time Batting Average on Balls in Play numbers against Tony Gwynn’s, I’ll allow that it has a place in today’s game. But sometimes, I think numbers take away from the reasons we love the game. For me, baseball has always been as much about the numbers (755 home runs, 2,632 consecutive games played or 5,714 strikeouts) as it has been about the mythology
surrounding those marks. On Sunday afternoon, Yankee rookie Aaron Judge—a colossal human being even compared to most NFL stars—hit an absolute bomb at Yankee Stadium. I know it was a bomb because I saw it come off his bat, clear the left-centerfield wall, and hit a fan in the walkway beyond the outfield bleachers. Right away, watching that game on TV, I was convinced it was the hardest hit ball I had ever seen. I didn’t need numbers to tell me what my eyes had already seen. But of course, the numbers were coming. Judge’s ball traveled 496-feet— the furthest homer, the MLB claimed, since they starting tracking those stats in 2009. Further, the ball left the bat at a 28-degree launch angle with an exit speed of 119 miles per hour and reached an apex of 125 feet above the field’s surface. And I was told there would be no math on this exam. These numbers aren’t even all that illuminating in the first place. Stats like these are so new, there’s no real historical context in which to place them. But my biggest prob-
lem with the whole numbers game is that it’s going to change the way we talk about baseball. Just look at the way that people talked about ballplayers in the old days. Cool Papa Bell was so fast that he could “turn off the lights and hop into bed before the room got dark.” Walter Johnson threw the ball so hard that Ty Cobb once said it “looked about the size of a watermelon seed and it hissed at you as it passed.” Mickey Mantle, who once reportedly hit a ball 563 feet at Tiger Stadium—obviously before the Statcast era—once inspired a sportswriter to say, “There is no sound in baseball akin to the sound of Mantle hitting a home run, the crunchy sound of an axe biting into a tree, yet magnified a hundred times in the vast, cavernous echo-making hollows of a ball field.” As purple as the prose may have been, the poeticism that players from an older generation elicited from fans is one of the main reasons that baseball held such an important place in our nation’s dialogue for so long.
Sports Editor Mike Smith was certainly wowed by Yankee slugger Aaron Judge’s 496-foot home run on Sunday. But sometimes, he’d like to watch a game without being bombarded by numbers. Photo/Mike Smith
Obviously, that was always going to change. We no longer get our information about the game’s top players from newspaper stories— we get to watch them every night if we so choose. But even if we don’t regard their feats with the same mythical reverence that was a part
of sports fandom, I still don’t understand the rush to quantify everything we see on a ball field today. Sometimes, a little bit of mystery is a good thing.
Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
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LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @mamaroneckview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates
SPORTS
June 16, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15
Broncos fall in Class D finals GIRLS LACROSSE
class d
CHAMPIONSHIP
SKANEATELES 12 BRONXVILLE 11(2 OT) SUNY Cortland
6/10/17
Game Notes: • Skaneateles’ Kyla Sears scored the game-winner with 18 seconds left in double OT • This was Bronxville’s second-straight season-ending loss to the Lakers • Bronxville has won four consecutive Section I titles By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor As Bronxville’s players headed up to the Class D final four at SUNY Cortland last weekend, they had two thoughts on their minds. One was bringing home the first state title in the program’s history. The second—if possible—was avenging a 2016 overtime loss to Section III’s Skaneateles. But the outcome proved to be much the same for the Broncos, as the Lakers eventually hoisted the Class D trophy, topping Bronxville 12-11 in double overtime on June 10 to win the state title. Skaneateles standout Kyla Sears found the net for the game-winner
Olivia Jensen controls the ball on June 10. Jensen’s performance in the state semifinal game was a big reason for Bronxville’s appearance in the championship. Photos/Mike Smith Mason Warble streaks toward the net against Skaneateles on June 10. Warble had four goals in Bronxville’s heartbreaking 12-11 loss.
with just 18 seconds left to play in the second overtime period, sending Lakers fans and players into a wild frenzy and leaving Bronxville wondering just where things went wrong. The day started promisingly enough for the Section I champ Broncos, who jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. But the Lakers pressed on, making it a 9-6 game after one half of play. Skaneateles would eventually tie the game with 4:06 left in regulation. “We had the momentum early
Gianna DiMinno makes a save against Kyla Sears at SUNY Cortland.
on, we were up by quite a bit and we knew they were going to hack away at us,” Bronxville coach Sharon Robinson said. “But we weren’t controlling the draws and we weren’t doing a good job of clearing the ball, even though we had a couple of really good opportunities.” One of those opportunities looked like it was going to be the game-winner as a late Mason Warble goal was called off on a Skaneateles shooting space infraction. It was one of several calls which
Robinson believes helped swing the game in the Lakers’ favor. “It was a devastating loss because the girls played their hearts out and there were just a lot of small things that went against us,” Robinson said. “We knew it was going to be a hard game, a tight game, a fun game, but we just ended up on the bad side of it.” Sears was named the game’s most outstanding player, finishing with five goals and an assist for Skaneateles, while Warble’s four goals led the way for the Broncos. Allie Berkery also contributed three goals and two assists for Bronxville. Berkery will come into the 2018 season as Bronxville’s top returning offensive threat, and Robinson expects big things from a team that also returns the bulk of its defensive
unit. “I think this experience counts, they have a taste of it and they want to go back,” Robinson said. “But they know it’s not just going to happen, they need to stay the course and continue to work hard.” As for Bronxville’s graduating seniors, Robinson believes that that group has done as much to transform the Broncos—who have won four straight Section I titles—into a perennial powerhouse as any other in the program’s history. “This class is nothing short of outstanding; offensively, defensively, as leaders, as people and as human beings,” she said. “And they laid the foundation for success, so I don’t think that our success ends with them.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Ellie Walsh looks for an open teammate against the Lakers.
16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 16, 2017