RyeCity REVIEW THE
March 15, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 11 | www.ryecityreview.com
County plans for War Dog Memorial at Lasdon
Laugh, cry, etc. The Westchester Broadway Theatre is showing “Menopause, the Musical” which is running through March 24. For more, see page 6.
Rye Y to highlight environmental initiatives in schools The Rye YMCA, in partnership with Jay Heritage Center, will hold a half-day conference on environmental initiatives in schools as part of its three-pronged focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Titled “Green Schools, Green Futures,” the con-
ference will be held on Thursday, March 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jay Heritage Center Carriage House. The agenda will include panel discussions on gardens, zero waste and teaching sustainability with presenters coming from
schools districts, municipalities and organizations across southern Westchester and western Connecticut. Mamaroneck Avenue School fifth-graders Ella Apfaltrer and Nola Coady will open the conference with remarks about their work to reduce and recycle waste
in their school. The conference is free and open to all. Registration is required; anyone interested in attending may register at ryeymca.org. For additional information, contact Denise Woodin at denise@ryeymca.org or 967-6363, ext. 101. (Submitted)
Opening Remarks Gregg Howells: Executive Director, Rye YMCA Suzanne Clary: President, Jay Heritage Center Ella Apfaltrer and Nola Coady: Student activists, Mamaroneck Avenue School Special Projects, Greenburgh Nature Center Gardens Allison Silverman Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Port Chester Middle School Betty Comerford Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Hommocks Middle School, Mamaroneck Lucy Berkoff Parent volunteer, Midland Elementary School, Rye Carolyn Ramsey* (To be confirmed) Master Gardener, volunteer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Moderator: Amy Benerofe Founder and President, Our New Way Garden, White Plains
Zero Waste Tammy Thornton Chairperson, Zero Waste Schools Coalition/Board member, Wilton Go Green (CT) Anna McDonald Student activist, Mamaroneck High School Kerry Linderoth Director of Sustainability, science teacher, Rye Country Day School Karen Khor Parent volunteer, Hommocks Middle School Sustainability Committee/member, town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative Moderator: Melissa Grieco Chairperson, Rye Sustainability Committee
Teaching Sustainability Amanda Sackey Science teacher, Rye Country Day School Jeanne-Marie Castiello Social Studies teacher, Scarsdale Middle School/member, Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council AJ Johnson Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rye Nature Center John Borchert Science teacher, Rye Middle School Moderator: Pam Miner Special Projects, Greenburgh Nature Center
On “National K-9 Veterans Day,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced that more than $30,000 has been raised by Friends of Lasdon Park & Arboretum, to erect a memorial statue dedicated to hero dogs in the military. The statue, a life-sized sculpture based on a World War II War Dog named “Chips,” is planned for the Trail of Honor at Lasdon Park. The sculpture will pay tribute to the thousands of service dogs who have fought to protect our nation’s soldiers in violent war zones. Nero, an impressive German Shepard who served in Iraq, was present for the announcement along with his owner John Conley, a Vietnam and Afghanistan War veteran. “There are thousands of service dogs who have risked it all to protect our military personnel, while they are fighting to protect us,” Latimer said. “Many of these dogs continue to serve long after they’ve returned home, helping our disabled veterans. The statue of Chips is a small way that we all can pay tribute to our military dogs, and honor the bond that exists between our soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors, and their K-9 companions.” The money for the statue has been raised by Friends of Lasdon Park & Arboretum to honor the family of Edward J. Wren of Pleasantville, who brought Chips home after the war. Chips was a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix who trained for the U.S. Army, and is reputedly the most decorated war dog from World War II.
Military service dogs are tasked with detecting bombs, drugs and weaponry, and bring life-saving capability to fight against terrorism. “Wherever we are, dogs have been with us. And in the military, they play a key role,” said Jim Maisano, director of the county Department of Consumer Protection. “I think this statue is going to be wonderful, and I’m so excited that it is going to be here at our beautiful Lasdon Park. This statue will be something that every single Westchester County resident will enjoy, and be proud of.” Commissioner of the Westchester County Parks Department Kathy O’Connor added, “This statue is a wonderful addition to our parks system that will be placed on our Trail of Honor on June 22. I want to thank the Friends of Lasdon for falling in love with this facility, and supporting us when we weren’t able to do certain things that we wanted to do. This is a wonderful day.” John Conley, a Vietnam and Afghanistan War Veteran, who adopted his service dog Nero when he was in Afghanistan and attended the event in Katonah, said, “It’s a privilege to be here to honor these K9 warriors who give so much.” The statue is being created by artist Lena Toritch, a sculptor whose stunning pieces have been placed throughout the country for military and police personnel. An unveiling date of June 22 is planned at Lasdon Park. (Submitted)
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