September 1, 2017 by The Rye City Review

RyeCity REVIEW THE

September 1, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 35 | www.ryecityreview.com

City to restore mile marker without landmarks input By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

Gone

but not forgotten Eugene Warrington, owner of Walter’s Hot Dogs, died on Saturday, Aug. 27, but leaves behind a lasting legacy. For more, see page 9. Photo courtesy Gene-Christian Baca

Rye police investigate local fraud incident The Rye Police Department is investigating a credit card fraud scheme, after a resident reported a suspicious online transaction that led to an encounter with an unidentified man. According to Rye Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran, an unnamed resident reported receiving an alert on Aug. 20 for a purchase that was made with her credit card. After cancelling the transaction, a $1,700 purse was still delivered to the resident’s home on Aug. 22 at approximately 5 p.m. On that same day, at approx-

imately 6 p.m., the resident noticed an unknown male peering in her window. The unidentified man, an African-American observed to be about 5’11” and wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, proceeded to ring the doorbell. Police said the resident answered the door and the male suspect explained that he ordered a gift for his girlfriend and that the package was mistakenly delivered to that address. When the resident challenged the authenticity of the story, the unidentified suspect

fled to a red Toyota 4Runner that was parked at the corner of the block. Shortly after, another resident reported observing a red Toyota 4Runner, occupied by two African-American males, making a U-turn on Old Post Road near North Street. The vehicle backed up into a stone wall, shattering the rear tinted window of the car, and then sped off southward toward Interstate 95. Witnesses in the area claimed the vehicle had a partial Connecticut plate of “DBS.”

As of press time, the department is actively investigating the incident with help from law enforcement officials throughout Westchester County. There are no further details in the investigation. Corcoran said residents should contact the police immediately if they feel their credit cards have been compromised in any way. “It’s a good idea to ensure that you have fraud protection on all of your credit cards and to monitor your accounts on a regular basis,” he said. -Reporting by Franco Fino

The Rye City Council is once again exploring the idea of restoring one of its Benjamin Franklin mile markers, this time without the help of the city Landmarks Advisory Committee. Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat and liaison to the landmarks committee, said both the Rye Historical Society and City Council are aiming to deliver on an upcoming proposal to restore one of Rye’s three milestones, known as the 25th, which is currently embedded in a stone wall running along Boston Post Road. The plan involves commissioning the A.M. Art Conservation Company, which was responsible for restoring mile markers in the town/village of Scarsdale, to preserve the landmark in its current position within a protective mold. However, according to Maurio Sax, a member of the landmarks committee, the City Council has kept the committee in the dark about this new proposal. In April, the landmarks committee rescinded a proposal of its own before the City Council to relocate the milestone to where it was believed to be its original location on Old Post Road near the Osborn retirement community property. But leaders from both the Jay Heritage Center and the Rye Historical Society spoke out against the move. At the time, Suzanne Clary, the president of the Jay Heritage Center, and Sheri Jordan of the Rye Historical Society questioned whether the milestone was originally located near the Osborn property.

Initially, members of the City Council supported moving the milestone, which has suffered significantly through years of weathering and vandalism; however, with additional information surfacing about the mile marker’s history, city lawmakers pulled back their endorsement. “I’m taken back about all of this,” Sax told the Review, adding that it’s so far been a “turf battle” between the city historical society and the landmarks committee over what to do with the milestone. “There’s a lot of controversy over the way this is being handled and it’s just disturbing.” The historical mile markers were first established to create postal rates. In 1763, Benjamin Franklin, who was the deputy postmaster general at the time, constructed 230 milestones at 1-mile intervals for regulating postal rates and aiding mail delivery between New York City and Boston. After an alteration in the route between the two cities in the early 1800s to make the traverse shorter, the Westchester Turnpike Authority placed a second set of milestones along the road. That set of milestones, which includes the 24th, 25th and 26th, were repositioned again along the current Boston Post Road by former Rye Mayor John Motley Morehead almost 100 years ago in an effort to preserve them. The Jay Heritage Center is the location of another one of the city’s three mile markers, locally known as the 24th. As of press time, there is no further information on the upcoming proposal. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

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September 2017

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Blood Cancer Awareness Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Summerfest 3 p.m., Rye Recreation Park

Labor Day, schools and government offices closed

Grandparent’s Day

Patriot Day

National Suicide Prevention Week start

9/11 ceremony 5:30 p.m., Locast Ave. Firehouse Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Boat Basin Commission 7 p.m., Damiano Center

All schools open

Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., City Hall

International Literacy Day

ACT test

Rye Neck school board 7 p.m., RNMS/HS Community Room

Rye Sustainability Committee 9 a.m., City Hall

City Council meeting 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall

Board of Appeals meeting 7 p.m., City Hall

National Suicide Prevention Week ends

Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Committee 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Conservation Commission 7 p.m., City Hall

Master Plan Steering Committee 7 p.m., City Hall

Jay Day 11 a.m., Jay Heritage Center

Planning Commission 7 p.m., City Hall

Rye Golf Club Commission 7 p.m. Rosh Hashanah begins

World Alzheimer’s Day

Autumnal Equinox

Rye Senior Advocacy Committee 8:30 a.m., City Hall

All schools closed

Rosh Hashanah ends

All schools closed

Master Plan public workshop 7 p.m. Rye school board 8 p.m., RMS Multipurpose Room

Human Rights Commission 7:30 p.m., City Hall

World Heart Day

Yom Kippur begins

Yom Kippur ends

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3

Rosenblum yet to raise money in county race By JAMES PERO Staff Writer As political hopefuls across the county clamor for donations to fill their respective campaigns’ war chests, Norman Rosenblum, a candidate for Westchester County legislator, has taken a hands-off approach. With Election Day quickly approaching, Rosenblum, the village of Mamaroneck’s outspoken Republican mayor, who is hoping to unseat incumbent county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, said he has yet to raise a single dime for his campaign. Rosenblum also told the Review that he has yet to even formalize a campaign committee capable of accepting donations or spending money. Though unorthodox, Rosenblum’s decision not to create a committee for filing expenditures or contributions still falls within proper campaign finance guidelines. According to a representative for the New York state Board of Elections, BOE, a committee only has to be formed if a candidate accepts or spends $1,000 or more on a campaign. Jake Dilemani, a political consultant working on Parker’s campaign, said Rosenblum’s decision not to move forward with fundraising stands as an outlier amongst other races. “It’s certainly unusual for someone running for office in the general election to not yet have complied with the basic task of opening the appropriate committee,” he said. “Generally speaking, it’s late in the game to be starting from square one.” According to filings with the

In a race for most of the Sound Shore, challenger village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum has yet to raise any money for his campaign against incumbent county Legislator Catherine Parker. The longtime mayor, however, said he isn’t worried. File photos

state BOE, Parker, a two-term incumbent representing the county’s 7th District, has managed to raise more than $27,000 for her re-election campaign, and has already spent a little more than $11,000 of that money. Parker said she’s pleased with her efforts so far but declined to comment on her opponent’s lack of fundraising. “I feel like we’re in a good place going forward,” she said. “We had one fundraiser in April and people have been supportive all the way through.” Rosenblum, who likened summer campaigning this early to putting Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving, said although he plans to start asking for donations after Labor Day, he’s unfazed by the financial disparity with Parker. “I have no worries whatsoever,” he said. “You can’t buy an election; hopefully.” While he plans to use money for billboard ads and mailers, Rosenblum said, he’ll be taking most of his campaigning cues from the likes of President Barack Obama, who in 2008 and 2012 heavily leveraged the use of social media. “[Money] is a tool that helps, but all that I need to do is get my message out,” he said. During his tenure as mayor, Rosenblum has fostered a loyal

constituency in a primarily Democratic village, and has proven a stalwart in Mamaroneck where—despite consistent Democratic challenges—he has remained seated at the dais for four consecutive terms. Regardless, for Rosenblum, toppling Parker on a county stage is his biggest political challenge to date. In similar county races in the area, relatively unknown challengers have been effective in fundraising so far. Damon Maher, a New Rochelle Democrat, has raised more than $12,000 in his candidacy to defeat incumbent county Legislator Sheila Marcotte, an Eastchester Republican. And Nancy Barr, a Rye Brook Democrat, has raised $15,000 in her race against county Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican. The county’s 7th District encompasses the city of Rye, the town and village of Mamaroneck, the village of Larchmont, and portions of the city of New Rochelle and the town/village of Harrison. County legislators are elected to serve two-year terms. Tony Sayegh, a political strategist with Fox News and News12, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Rye City’s

Official Newspaper Rye Schools

4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017

What’s going on... Rye Free Reading Room

For more information on hours and programs, visit ryelibrary.org. The library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4 for Labor Day.

Rye Library Writers On Saturday, Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Share work and brainstorm with fellow writers and be encouraged in a welcoming and supportive environment. Discuss works in progress, writing topics, the writing process and individual writing joys and challenges. Open to novice and experienced writers.

Spin-A-Yarn On Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Open to the public. This is an informational needlework and fabric arts get-together. Bring your own project and supplies, and work and chat.

Wiggle, Giggle Time On Wednesdays, there are three sessions: 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. or 11 a.m. For toddlers and preschoolers. Children will wiggle to music, giggle to funny rhymes and pretend to be wild and wonderful animals in this lively interactive program with “Dawny Dew” Halasz. Music is a natural connection tool. It brings people together and helps them

interact with one another. Children are engaged with the use of puppets, felt board activities, nursery rhymes, and songs. Active participation by parents and other caregivers is encouraged. This 20-minute weekly musical program promotes early language skills and socialization. Since space is limited, you may attend only one session per day. Please note that doors close five minutes after the program begins to prevent interruptions and help focus audience attention on the presenter. Please be prepared to enjoy the Children’s Room while waiting for the next session to begin. For more information, call the Children’s Reference Desk at 231-3162.

Tunes for Tots On Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room. For infants and toddlers. Nurture your child’s love of books through music, movement and instruments while helping to develop their language, motor and social skills. Join Miss Deborah as she incorporates stories, music, dancing, rhythm activities, puppets and more at this special music program. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate.

Thursday Afternoon Book Group On Thursday, Sept. 7 from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Meet with a friendly group of people who read and discuss interesting fiction titles (mostly) as suggested by fellow book group members.

English as a Second Language Starting Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. The class is for adults with a working knowledge of English. Please come to class for an evaluation. Led

by Val Polikoff, who is an experienced ESL teacher. The objective of this program is to help students build their speaking fluency through various classroom activities, promoting students’ communication and writing skills. Depending on students’ level, classes will consist of reading, discussions, developing short stories, introducing guided conversations, addressing the grammar, and writing assignments.

Teen STEM: Suspension Bridge On Thursday, Sept. 14 from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Curious about bridges? Let’s make a suspension bridge (like the Tapen Zee Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge) and learn about the design features that make it so cool. Irum Khan will lead the way. Register at ryelibrary.org by going to the calendar of events.

Rye Youth Soccer Fall 2017 registration Online registration is open at ryeyouthsoccer.org for fall intramural soccer for boys and girls grades K–5. The season will begin Saturday, Sept. 16 and end Saturday, Nov. 4, with no games on Sept. 30. Complete details on dates and times of the program can be found on the website. Questions? Contact Patti Adimari, registrar, at pattirys@optonline.net or 967-5273. Scholarships are available upon request. Please note: coaches should also register to coach in their online account.

Rye Playland

Creating Yourself in Retirement: The Emotional Aspect On Thursday, Sept. 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For retirees and soon-tobe-retirees, this program showcases various options for enhancing the quality of life in retirement. Retirement is a time of enormous change that promises emotional rewards but also has the potential for emotional dangers such as boredom, depression and addiction. Learn what to expect in transitioning retirement and how to successfully navigate this life change. Registration is required by visiting ryelibrary.org.

Rye Arts Center The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. For more information or to register for a program, call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org.

Fall classes Fall classes begin Monday, Sept. 25. Registration is now open. Explore an array of classes ranging from painting and ceramics, to robotics, computer coding, private and group music classes. The Rye Arts Center’s award-winning programs offer enriching and enjoyable opportunities for people of all ages. Hone your skills, feed your hobbies, and fill your schedules with fun and creativity.

Plein-Air Painting Workshop On Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rye Playland Beach. Join Larry D’Amico for a morning of plein-air painting at the beach. Please call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org for a supply list. The exact meeting point will be announced ahead of the workshop.

Labor Day weekend Celebrate Labor Day weekend through Monday, Sept. 4 at Playland Park in Rye. Special events and pricing this weekend include: • Through Monday, Sept. 4: Beach and pool open until 6:30 p.m. • Friday, Sept. 1 and Monday, Sept. 4: Spectacular fireworks displays choreographed to music. • Monday, Sept. 4: $15 rides admission all day and includes unlimited rides until closing at 10 p.m. and $15 parking. The final weekend of the Playland season concludes with a special thank you to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel with the First Responders Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10, from noon to 7 p.m. Playland is located at the end of Playland Parkway in Rye. For public bus transportation, go to westchestergov.com/beelinebus. 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.

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5

Letters to the Editor

Soundlink proposal would ruin communities To the Editor, You report in the Aug. 18 article,“Soundlink tunnel being studied; details sparse,” that Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports the idea of building a bridge or tunnel across Long Island Sound, connecting Westchester and Long Island, because it would be “economic.” Gov. Cuomo’s argument is that “cars and trucks would save hours, literally, with that one modification.” He sounds more like the CEO of a trucking company than the elected representative of the people of New York. Is everything to be judged by what’s economic? What about the environment—specifically, the future of the fragile ecosystem of which Long Island Sound is the protector and host? What about the impact of such a cross-sound project on the quality of life, on noise and air pollution and, yes, on home values in the communities at either end of the proposed structure? Earlier recommendations for a cross-sound link were defeated by popular resistance; not because they wouldn’t potentially move traffic more efficiently, but because they would destroy what makes living here special. Apparently, it’s not too early to start rebuilding the coalitions that, once again, might be needed to “Stop the Soundlink.” John E. Stafford, Rye

Wegmans proposal granted final approval A proposal to construct a Wegmans Food Market at an unoccupied office building in the town/ village of Harrison has received its final approvals Demolition of a vacated office complex at 106-110 Corporate Park Drive will begin in three months, bringing Harrison a step closer to introducing the private chain’s first location in the Lower Hudson Valley region, according to Harrison Councilwoman Marlane Amelio, a Republican. “It’s going to be a wonderful project that most people are going to enjoy shopping at the facility,” she said. Wegmans, a supermarket, is headquartered in Gates, New York, near the city of Rochester, where it was founded in 1916. The privately owned regional chain, which owns 93 stores across the mid-Atlantic and New England regions, is known for selling locally sourced food. Introduced at the end of last year, the proposal calls for constructing a 125,000-square-foot, 2-story grocery store, which includes a café area. Kim Goergen, a representative for Wegmans, said building the

The Harrison Town Council has approved construction of a Wegmans Food Market at 106-110 Corporate Park Drive, the company’s first location in the Lower Hudson Valley region. Construction is expected to kick off in three months. File photo

supermarket will create 180 fulltime and 250 part-time positions with the company, which is planning to open a second location in the New York metropolitan area along Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Admiral’s Row, located along the East River, in 2018.

Normandy Real Estate Partners has partnered with Wegmans to open its first location in Westchester County. Currently, Harrison officials estimate the supermarket opening midway through 2019. -Reporting by Franco Fino

About Letters to the Editor Publication is not guaranteed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content or space, at our discretion, without notification from the company. We reserve the right to reject submissions at our discretion without notice to the author. Sorry, but we are unable to notify authors in advance if and when a letter will be printed. Deadline for submission is Friday before publication. The maximum length of letters that appear in our pages is 625 words, but letters are usually significantly shorter to accommodate space needs. The letter should be signed and include the

writer’s address and phone number for verification purposes. We will not publish letters that cannot be verified. Publication by frequent letter writers will be limited to one per month. The opinions of letter writers do not reflect those of this newspaper. Please submit via fax to (914) 653-5000 or email to chris@hometwn.com or via post to Home Town Media Group, C/O Letters to the Editor, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601. We do not accept unsolicited Op-Ed submissions, film reviews, or food reviews.

6 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017

RyeCity REVIEW THE

170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

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 | James Pero ext. 20, james@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 | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Photographer Jen Parente Columnists John Carey, Rye City Council, Joe Murphy

Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes.

LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS

BATTLE FOR TITLE By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter The first annual Lohud Food Truck Mash-Up is bringing food trucks and families together for an afternoon of food, entertainment and healthy competition. On Sunday, Sept. 10, more than 20 food trucks from New Jersey and New York will battle it out for the title of “Best Food Truck” at the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. The winner is chosen based on votes by Mash-Up attendees who can vote online at lohud.com/vote. T.H. Waldman, organizer of the Mash-Up, explained that after hosting mashups with New Jersey and Philadelphia food trucks, she wanted to bring it to New York. “Everyone loves food trucks,” she said. “What makes our event different is that we can attract food trucks that don’t normally operate in our area.” As of press time, Waldman has chosen more than 20 food trucks to participate in the event. “I select trucks that I’ve worked

with in the past, who can handle the fast pace [environment] of this type of event,” she said. “I also reach out to locals who have great reviews and a following.” At the Mash-Up, attendees will be able to munch on hot dogs from Walter’s Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza from The Cookery’s DoughNation in Dobbs Ferry and barbecue dishes from Three Little Pigs BBQ in Hawthorne. Gene-Christian Baca, head of business and product development for Walter’s, explained that they were excited to have their food truck involved in the event. “It’s just a way to have people [become] a little more educated in food trucks and the quality [of the] food, and the innovation behind it,” he said. Baca said that he also hopes for this event to make people aware of “these great concepts and these great businesses that most people don’t know about.” Tatiana Diaz, sales and catering manager for Empire City Casino, said that participating in the Mash-

Up was a “no-brainer.” “We knew it would be something fun and new for our guests to check out,” she said. “The Mash-Up is a great way to bring the food truck experience to our community.” Along with delicious foods, visitors can enjoy the wine and beer garden, carnival games and live music. “It’ll be a lot of fun for the whole family,” Diaz said. The afternoon event will take place on the infield of the raceway track. Waldman said that early access tickets, which are $20 tickets that allow attendees to enter the event two hours early, and gives them $5 in Food Truck Mash-Up cash, which can be used at any of the food trucks, have been selling well. “We love doing events like this,” Baca said. “We love to collaborate, we love to compete, [and] at the end of the day, it’s a great cause.” To purchase your tickets visit lohud.com/events.

The Cookery’s DoughNation food truck in Dobbs Ferry serves wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. Photo courtesy WeeWestchester.com

CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.

Hawthorne’s Three Little Pigs BBQ sells a variety of barbecued meats including chicken, pork and fish. Photo courtesy Twitter.com/ ThreePigsBBQ

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Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is home to the first annual Lohud Food Truck Mash-Up. Photo courtesy Siny.org

Mamaroneck’s Walter’s Hot Dogs is bringing their world-famous hot dogs to compete in the first annual Lohud Food Truck Mash-Up. Photo courtesy Twitter.com/WaltersHotDogs

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7

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1942: A pivotal, memorial year in Rye’s history A RYE OLDTIMER Judge John Carey

This column was written with Douglas Carey, Judge John Carey’s son. Staring at the microfilm machine’s screen, I was struck by the juxtaposition of the article, from Friday, Jan. 2, 1942, on the top fold of Section A1 on “Neighboring Communities Honoring Old Rye As It Becomes a City,” with the lead headline of “Manila Lost, U.S. Fights On.” As we observe and celebrate the city of Rye’s 75th anniversary this weekend at the Summerfest Field Day, we must remember that there were more pressing issues following the previous month’s attacks perpetrated by the Empire of Japan on American and Allied territories in the Pacific. Rye’s incorporation, eliminating the village of Rye and divorcing itself from the town of Rye, was several years in the making. The bill, which passed both houses of the New York state Legislature, to create the city of Rye was signed into law almost two years earlier in 1940 by Gov. Lehman. It would have been impossible for the village leaders to mount a campaign to secede from the town of Rye during this time period of uncertainty and war around the world. In fact, in the early afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, while my father and his sibling, heard the news from a neighbor running down Little Harbor Road in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Mayor Livingston Platt, visiting friends and family in North Carolina, made haste and rapidly returned to the village of Rye sometime the next day. As the ultimate commander of the Rye Defense Department, the mayor held a meeting of all wardens, firemen and police. His instructions were carefully written and proscribed to provide immediate safety to all of the residents of the soon-to-be city of Rye, as well as being published verbatim the next day in The Daily Item. We must remember that the village and the city of Rye in the 1940s was governed by a form of government in which the mayor was the CEO, COO and the de facto CFO of the municipality. Mayor Platt was up to the task. Raised in a family in which the rule of law and public service flowed through the veins of generations of family members, the mayor’s edict included step-by-

step actions to take if one heard “4-4-4” on the fire siren. That sequence of blasts meant that all members of the Rye Defense Department had to “report to their respective posts.” If the Milton and Locust Avenue station sirens announced “1-1-1,” it was a German or Japanese air raid. Among the immediate steps to take were to stay inside, and if you were outside to enter the nearest building, fill all sinks and bathtubs with water (since the water supply might have to be shut off), “black out all windows,” disconnect all electric fuses and turn off any gas lines. The mayor’s statement finished with “clearing the attic” as any incendiary device dropped from a plane could hit the roof and then any old papers and clothing in the attic would fuel a larger fire. This was the Rye of late 1941 and 1942, more than 75 years ago. Just a few weeks earlier, the Rye Garnets, in first place in the old Southern Westchester Interscholastic Athletic Conference, had held their Alumni Day welcoming back former cheerleaders Arlene Sisca and Marion Kirby. It was their big game against Harrison, and for lifelong Rye resident Bernie Ball, it would be his last scholastic game as he would enlist and participate in nearly 100 bombing missions. Years later he would return to the gridiron, lacing up his spikes for the Auburn Tigers in the state of Alabama. On that early November afternoon as Mr. Donald T. Brennan, speech arts instructor at Rye High School, announced the starting lineups, fans were more concerned and focused on the two high school bands and the long line by “Hot Dog Joe’s” cart than any imminent attack on the territory of Hawaii. Yet thousands of miles away, one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor, at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, far from the caddy shack at Apawamis Country Club where he had worked, was Purchase Street resident Rocco Romano, whose younger brother Anthony was a Garnet in the fall of 1941. That game and day ultimately belonged to Harrison as they upset the Ryeites who were missing their star halfback Charlie Weeks, who was injured and out for the season. Charlie had next year though, or so he thought at the time. Mr. Weeks, as I knew him, would leave high school along with teammate Charles Wurzburger, and trading their football season and breakfast at the Sweet Shoppe and lunch at Al’s Diner for basic training with the Unit-

ed States Marine Corps at Parris Island. The Daily Item reported in November of 1942, “Coach Walsh’s charges haven’t been hit too badly by injuries, but by… gridders who have left high school and football to play a far more important game.” Besides Weeks and Wurzburger, teammates Bob Heyman and Artie Callahan left high school and “joined the services of Uncle Sam.” Yes, 1942 was a pivotal and memorable year in the history of Rye and of our nation for many reasons. A resident could walk into the A & P Market at 67 Purchase St. and pick up a dozen fresh Long Island oysters for 18 cents, large shrimp for 25 cents a pound, or Halibut fillets for 33 cents a pound. Then head down to a couple of doors to Moroney’s Market and pick up a dozen fresh oranges for 25 cents, then stop in at McCullough’s Pharmacy for a milkshake or other hand-mixed soda. Some homes in Rye were for sale for less than $5,000, and 2 acres near the Sackett Estate were advertised for $600 a piece. Actually the entire waterfront property of the Sackett Estate was on sale and the realtor boasted (in stark contrast to the state of preservation and sustainability of existing housing stock in Rye), “House can easily be cut in size.” Plans for Victory Gardens were formalized and weekly lectures on canning, seed collection and crop rotation were held on Saturdays after the twelve o’clock whistle at The Square House. Many of those graduating Rye High in June of ’42 wasted little time in serving our nation in a variety of ways, their names and their impact on Rye is still felt today: Orial Banks (Redd), John Basset, Audrey Billington, George Graham Jr., Frank Henefield, Allie Hobby, Vic Iorillo, Sally Olmstead (Weeks), Anthony Pasquale, Florence Riccio, Mary Schindo, Frank Sloat, as well as brothers Leonard and Michael Vecchiola. Others had already graduated and enlisted in 1942 including Richard Gedney, Rye’s own Private Ryan. Mr. Gedney, who would later be taken prisoner by the Germans in North Africa, was not forgotten. Several Rye enlistees led by Capt. John “Bud” Kelley would spend years looking for him, never giving up. By years end when the new pastor of Resurrection Church, the Rev. John D. McGowan, delivered the benediction during the dedication of Rye’s first Honor Roll since the Great War, more

than 600 residents had enlisted. The Reverend stated, “We bow our heads in prayer for these boys and young women who have gone forth to fight for this country. We implore the Father to keep them and shelter them from danger and return them to us.” However, not all would come home including recent dad, Rye High School graduate and employee at the Lifesaver factory, Samuel Gagliardo, whose former home in which he was born is now the area around home plate on the Rye baseball field and park that honors his sacrifice. Battles raged in the Pacific 75 years ago, from Manila to Luzon to Guadalcanal. It was difficult to try to continue living a normal life in this new city of Rye, yet many felt that at least for the youngest children, it was imperative. Louis “Pa” Cope vowed that Camp Mohican would continue for its 11th consecutive season, providing Rye boys a place to learn and grow into young men along the “shores of Lake George at the foot of Black Mountain.” Cope announced that 185 members and former members of the Rye Y were now serving our nation overseas. Pa Cope, along with the Rye Lions Club, would write to every one of those young men. The Rye Community Bowling League continued its league play in the basement of the Y. Team Shuman led the league with 26 victories and only 2 losses, outpacing the Poningos, the Bankers, the Haberdashers, the Hook and Ladder team, the Blind Brook Bowlers, the Servicemen, and the cellar dwellers, the Kiwanis Club team.

The Y even hosted a special basketball tournament featuring a JV game of area prep school players against our local schoolboy standouts and a “varsity” game pitting college students home for the holidays. In the first game, one of the players, who had tried to enlist on Dec. 8, 1941, but was told to come back in June when he would turn 18, was not a Rye resident. That young man from Andover Prep School, George H. W. Bush, was a teammate that night of a Taft School student, James Pierce, who would later become his brother-in-law, in January 1945. The Rye Recreation Commission, which in effect was the Recreation Department, ran a summer camp called the Rye Playground, a day camp without charge for Rye residents. The program tried to provide a respite for the youngsters who would leave the comfort of adolescence in very short order. In an effort to help promote the war effort on the home front, the Rye Playground held a War Savings Stamp Scavenger Hunt. The winners, who would be forced to take on adult responsibilities sooner than most, included Charles Ebetino, Nick Calo, Joe Inglis, and Katherine Coughlin. Many of the Rye residents who served in the WAVES, the WAACS and other organizations willingly gave up certain liberties and privileges to serve our nation, and might not have understood the immediate implications of Rye’s incorporation as a city of the Empire State of New

York. We salute their efforts and sacrifices, just as we thank that first City Council of Rye for their contributions. Led by Mayor Platt, the original council included William H. Graham, Frederick K. Lister, Robert P. Hughes, Julian B. Beaty, George M. Langleoh and Greenville S. Seward. So we invite all to come down to Rye Recreation Park on Sunday, Sept. 3, which was in part acquired in 1942, including part of the “old Episcopal Church” which forms part of 51 Milton Road, home of the Rye Arts Center. It will be a fun couple of hours outside from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and then two hours of live big band music with the Reddy Valentino Orchestra in the Damiano Community Center. Whether you are new to Rye or remember eating sandwiches at Larry’s Market, George’s Market, ate at Woolworths, bought your fresh chickens at Gristede Brothers or your meat at Fremd’s Market, we welcome you all. On behalf of my father, John Carey, I bid you adieu, as I need to go over to Donen’s Music Shop to pick up my radio (broken tube), and I think I will stop Goldberg’s Stationary Store to pick up a box of envelopes; and if I can’t get a pizza at The Beachcomber, maybe if I’m lucky the line at Little Joe’s Hot Dog Cart won’t be too long. See you on Sunday when we celebrate Rye’s 75th and congratulate this year’s Summerfest honoree, Mr. Ralph Vellone, for his service to our community. CONTACT: j_pcarey@verizon.net; dougiecarey@yahoo.com

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9

Longtime Walters’s owner dies at 95

Playland hosts first responders weekend

Eugene Warrington, owner of Walter’s Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck. Photos courtesy Walter’s Hot Dogs

Eugene “Uncle Gene” Warrington, owner of Walter’s Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck, died on Saturday, Aug. 26. He was 95. Warrington worked as the owner of Walter’s for more than 65 years, after taking over the business from his father and founder of Walter’s, Walter Warrington. “[Eugene Warrington] made the business what it is today,” said Gene-Christian Baca, head of business and product development for Walter’s and Eugene Warrington’s grandson. Baca explained that Eugene Warrington was 3 years old when his father founded Walter’s, and that he grew up working in the business. Baca said that his grandfather was always looking to enhance Walter’s, explaining that Eugene Warrington even learned how to make his own ice cream and Italian ice, something that he would later add to the menu.

Along with the desserts, Baca remembers Eugene Warrington making Walter’s signature mustard and jar the batches by himself. “One thing about our customer base is that they’re so loyal,” Baca said. “They’re so dedicated, and a lot of that has to do with identifying my grandfather [with] Walter’s.” Eugene Warrington was also alive to see the birth of the Walter’s food truck and planned storefront expansions in White Plains and Stamford, Connecticut this year. When he wasn’t working at the Mamaroneck location, Eugene Warrington was heavily involved in the Mamaroneck community, where he lived all his life. He was the oldest current member of the Knights of Columbus Mamaroneck, a Catholic service organization; he was also a part of the Mamaroneck

Historical Society, which works to preserve the village’s history; and he served as a volunteer firefighter for 71 years. “He’s just an all-around great guy,” said village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum. Warrington was a father to two daughters, Christine Warrington and Jeanne Fellows, and a grandfather to Elisabeth, Christine, Gene-Christian, Sabrina, Katherine and Natalie, and great-grandfather to Ashley Grace. Baca explained that family was important to Eugene Warrington and his wife of 69 years, Gloria. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Eugene’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Indian School. “While it’s sad he died, he did live to 95, and I can tell you it was a life well lived,” Rosenblum said. -Reporting by Taylor Brown

A memorial is set up in front of Walter’s Hot Dogs to honor Eugene Warrington, owner of Walter’s.

In honor of Westchester County’s first responders, Playland is offering one free ride wristband and one guest wrist band for first responders on Sept. 9 through Sept. 10 from noon to 7 p.m. File photo

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino invites everyone to celebrate the final weekend of the Playland season with a special thank you to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel with the First Responders Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, from noon to 7 p.m. “It seems fitting as we approach the anniversary of 9/11 that we honor the people who instinctively run toward an emergency rather than away from it,” Astorino said. “These are the folks who are trained in emergency procedures and are prepared to move quickly to the

scene of an accident or disaster. As we return to school and work routines, let’s take some time to enjoy a little extra bit of sunshine while we thank these brave individuals for their selflessness and heroism.” Each first responder will receive one ride wristband plus an additional wristband for one guest. First responders must present proof of service at time of entry. Ride admission bands will be $15 per person per day. Parking is $10 per day. First responders can also book a barbecue either day from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for only $15 per person. The barbecue is available to first responders and

their immediate family members only. For booking and information call 813-7016. Reserve your spot by Sept. 1. Limited on site sales will be available. Spectator admission (no rides) is free for Westchester County residents and $10 for non-residents. Acceptable proof of Westchester residency is a Westchester County Park Pass; New York State driver’s license or non-driver I.D.; or a photo I.D. or report card from a Westchester County school. Playland is located at the end of Playland Parkway in Rye. For public bus transportation, go to WestchesterGov.com/beelinebus. (Submitted)

10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11

Astorino announces ‘Take Your Child to Work’ Mosquitoes with West Nile found in Westchester

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino encourages fathers to take their children to work with them on Sept. 19 as part of “Dads Take Your Child to Work Day.” Photo courtesy WestchesterGov.com

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is taking place on Sept. 19, and and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino encourages all dads and school leaders to join in the movement. “Dads Take Your Child to School Day is a great way to get the school year started off right— and to keep it going strong,” said Astorino, a father of three young children. “Please join us and show our children we care about their education and will be there for them all year long. We understand that not all families are the same, though, so by all means any father figure, mom or caregiver is encouraged to participate, too.” If you are a school leader, please visit the statewide cam-

paign site to register your school at DadsTakeYourChildtoSchoolDay.com. It only takes a minute to sign up, and there are some great activity ideas to explore while you’re there. You can also learn more by contacting Joseph D. Kenner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services at JKenner@westchestergov.com or 995-3287. Now in its third year, Westchester’s Dads Take Your Child to School Day is part of a statewide campaign that promotes fatherhood by encouraging fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, godfathers, and other significant male caregivers to be involved in their child’s education. Research shows

that students with involved fathers do better in school and stay in school longer. Astorino’s #DadBeThere fatherhood initiative is an ongoing effort to support the full spectrum of fathers—from those who are active in the home to those who are absent. Programs range from career counseling and job placement assistance to simply creating more opportunities for dads and families to spend time together. Visit WestchesterGov.com/dadbethere to learn more. All dads and families are encouraged to share their proud fathering moments using #DadBeThere and #DadsTakeYourChildtoSchoolDay. (Submitted)

As of July, 163 batches of mosquitoes in Westchester County have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Photo courtesy Westchester County

This season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Westchester has been confirmed by the Westchester County Department of Health. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batch in Mount Vernon has been inspected by the health department, which has treated nearby catch basins that to protect against further mosquito breeding nearby. “West Nile virus has been present in the Hudson Valley for many years, so this season’s first positive should remind residents to protect themselves and their families by removing standing water around their homes every week and by using repellents daily when spending significant time outdoors,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “As a county, our proactive and comprehensive strategy to combat mosquito-borne illnesses has proven effective, and includes advice and resources for our residents.” As of July 20, when the first positive batch was confirmed in Westchester, 163 batches of mosquitoes from Westchester were tested for West Nile virus by the New York State Department of

Health. The state health department has identified 99 positive mosquito pools throughout New York so far this year. Symptoms of West Nile encephalitis, a severe infection, usually occur from three to 14 days following the bite and include high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches and weakness, seizures, or paralysis. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. People over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for a severe disease. West Nile virus is not to be confused with Zika. To date, no mosquitoes in New York State have tested positive for Zika and there have been no locally-acquired cases. “We will continue to monitor mosquito activity,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. “We recommend that residents take personal protection measures and remain vigilant in removing standing water on their property where mosquitoes can breed.” Amler said that favorite mosquito breeding sites include buckets, plant pot saucers, clogged gutters, pet bowls, old

tires, as well as children’s pools and toys. Residents should also minimize spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk, and apply insect repellents according to the label directions when enjoying activities outside. In addition to larviciding, the county also gave away free fathead minnows and mosquito dunks to residents this spring. The minnows help to curtail the mosquito population in ponds and water by feeding on mosquito larvae and pupae before they develop into adult mosquitoes. The mosquito dunks serve the same purpose in birdbaths, rain barrels and unused pools. Free mosquito dunks are still available, and residents can make arrangements to pick them up by calling 813-5000. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report it to the health department by calling 813-5000 or emailing hweb@ westchestergov.com. For more information about preventing West Nile virus, visit health. westchestergov.com/west-nilevirus. (Submitted)

12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017

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14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017

Fantasy vs. reality LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Fantasy football drafts are a lot like Thanksgiving; they come once a year, you chow down on some good food, reconnect with close friends and family, and by the time it’s over, you’re generally fed up with everyone around you and just want to get some darn sleep. My long-running fantasy league—populated with 13 of my closest friends from high school—held its annual draft day extravaganza this past Saturday, and between the draft itself, which took about six hours, and the Mayweather-McGregor fight afterwards, it was an awful long time to be cramped together with a dozen people in a living room. But just like Thanksgiving, it was enjoyable—at least for a time. The initial merriment that ensues at Thanksgiving is certainly a genuine one. Family coming together after varying absences, hugs offered, drinks shared; I’ve

never seen a Thanksgiving meal start off on the wrong foot. And just like Thanksgiving, our fantasy drafts always begin the same way. Although I may speak frequently with my buddies over email, our relative distances almost ensure that we’re never all in one place at one time, save once a year just before football season starts. We fired up the grill, selected our keepers from the 2016 season, played a few games of cornhole and generally reveled in the chance to rewind the clock back to our childhood. Of course, that all soon wears off. Just like nearly all Thanksgiving dinners, which are plagued by at least one conversation that veers into uncomfortable territory, things soon went off the rails at our draft. It will generally start innocuously enough; on Saturday, it was our friend Jones who primed the pump by selecting not one, but two previously taken wide receivers despite having only the eighth pick in the draft. And while that led to some good-natured jab-

SPORTS

bing, at least initially, things soon started to go south. Thanksgiving is historically a place for the airing of old family grievances, and in a lot of ways, so are drafts. One guy got on another for not paying last year’s league fees yet, two brothers were screaming bloody murder at each other over Skype about a bad internet connection and who wanted Landon Collins worse, and my insistence on taking Giovani Bernard every year led to groans and semi-serious questions about whether or not I do enough pre-draft research to be invited back to the league next year (Spoiler: they’re right, I probably don’t). By the time we got to the 20th round, around 7 p.m., it was clear that most guys just wanted to get the heck out of there. When we eventually left, however, at around 1:30 a.m., I couldn’t wait until next year. Because that’s the thing about reunions, family and otherwise; the grudges and resentments that we manage to hide away always find a way of bubbling to the surface

On Aug. 26, Sports Editor Mike Smith and his friends held their annual fantasy football draft. Like every other time this group gets together, the reunion soon devolved into a stressful affair. Photo/Mike Smith

when proximity, stress and drinks are added into the equation. But even those resentments are born from a place of love.

I’ll keep that in mind next year, when we all get together again. But I’ll still need someone to remind me to let

the Giovani Bernard thing go.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

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

SPORTS

September 1, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15

Stars take field for charity game By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Aug. 24, Flowers Park in New Rochelle played host to a number of stars, as a collection of local athletes took on a celebrity-laden crew helmed by radio host Craig Carton for the sixth annual Boomer & Carton Celebrity Softball Game. For more than half a decade, WFAN personality Carton, a New Rochelle native, has teamed up with co-host and former New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason to field a squad consisting of current and retired professional athletes to take on a team of New Rochelle softball superstars in a charity game benefiting the New Rochelle Parks and Recreation Gift Fund. Retired Yankee closer Mariano Rivera suited up to play first base for the New Rochelle team, while the WFAN club featured notable names including former New York Islander goalie Rick DiPietro, Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms, Yankee outfielder Jim Leyritz and current Toronto Maple Leaf right winger Matt Martin. Also joining the Boomer and Carton team once again was 2017 New Rochelle Hall of Fame inductee Ray Rice. Rice, who was a two-sport high school standout for the Huguenots and went on to a Pro Bowl career with the Baltimore Ravens, said he looks forward to lacing up his cleats for charity every year. “[Carton] has known me since I was in high school, we got very close a few years ago when he asked me to come out, and I’ve been coming to the game ever since,” Rice said. “It’s always a great

time to do this.” The chance to raise money for his hometown, Rice said, is what keeps him coming back. “This is home and home is special,” he added. “This is the place where I grew up, so it’s always important to be able to give back.” The running back’s history in the Queen City of the Sound made him one of the game’s most popular attractions, and Rice said that once again hearing the cheers of the New Rochelle community was a welcome experience. “I’m just so appreciative to be able to come back here and receive that genuine love,” he said. “This is a place with so many different people and it’s great that we can all get along for one cause.” Turning his attention to the grid-

iron, Rice also offered some advice and well wishes for the New Rochelle High School football team—a squad that will enter the 2017 school year with massively high expectations. “They have a lot of talent, but talent will only go so far,” he said. “They need to be mentally tough, and I know that coach [Lou DiRienzo] is going to have the guys prepared for what they are going to need to do to reach their full potential.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

New Rochelle great Ray Rice waves to the crowd during pregame introductions.

Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera smacks a single in the first inning of the sixth annual Boomer and Carton Celebrity Softball Game in New Rochelle on Aug. 24. Rivera has played for the New Rochelle Super Star team for the past several years.

Two New Rochelle players go for a ball in the hole last Thursday.

Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, left, shares a laugh with New Rochelle native Craig Carton during last week’s charity softball game. Photos/Mike Smith

16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • September 1, 2017