May 6, 2016

RyeCity REVIEW THE

May 6, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 19 | www.ryecityreview.com

County board votes to cede control of Rye Playland

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

TheÊ $ MÊ Question

3

With $3 million set aside thanks to a New York state grant, the city of Rye is moving forward on a list of flood mitigation projects with the hope that the work will help combat occurrences like Tropical Storm Irene, pictured.

For story, see page 10.

File photo

Internet utility co. looks to bolster Verizon cell service

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Verizon Wireless cellular service in Rye may see a major boost as the wireless infrastructure company Crown Castle looks to ramp up its presence from nine to 82 poles across the city.

The proposed amendment to Crown Castle’s agreement with the city, which was introduced on Monday, April 13, would install nodes—points that connect cellular users to the Internet—in an additional 73 poles across the city.

An increased number of nodes, according to Joseph Klem, a government relations representative for Crown Castle, would have a drastic impact for cellular users in the city of Rye who wield their phones for an increasingly wider array of data-intensive uses.

“Cell service is not what it was five years ago,” Klem said at a recent City Council meeting. “You used to get text messages… now you are watching [high-definition] videos and soon enough 4K [ultra HD] videos.”

Because of the shift in us-

age, Klem said, it’s necessary for wireless providers to bolster their infrastructure to accommodate increased strain on their towers.

Unfortunately for those using a cellular carrier other than Verizon, however, improvements to such infrastructure won’t have any effect.

According to Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, additions by Crown Castle are being contracted by Verizon and would only affect those users who use the Verizon network.

That means residents who use a comparable network like

AT&T—including Hurd, who characterizes her house on Milton Point as a “dead zone”— would not benefit from Crown Castle’s installations.

“There are certain areas that don’t have great coverage,” Hurd said. “I think that’s a universal truth in Rye.” According to Klem, additions to the company’s equipment would also have an impact in a more critical setting, like a natural disaster.

“If you need to call for an emergency, everyone would be VERIZON continued on page 9

A roller coaster ride between the management company Standard Amusements and Westchester County came to a close on Monday night after the county Board of Legislators voted overwhelmingly to move forward with a 30-year agreement transferring control of Rye Playland.

“I cannot be more thankful to County Executive [Rob] Astorino and the Westchester Board of Legislators for their vote of confidence,” said cofounder of Standard Amusements Nicholas Singer, who sat in the audience as the votes were cast. “This is a wonderful day for Westchester.”

On May 2, the Board of Legislators approved the agreement—which has undergone several transformations since its introduction in June 2015—committing the county and its taxpayers to $32 million in capital improvements for the ailing amusement park.

The final vote passed by a margin of 13-4.

While many legislators from both sides of the political aisle accepted the agreement, touting its pragmatism, Democratic legislators Catherine Parker of Rye, Ken Jenkins of Yonkers, Catherine Borgia of Ossining and Alfreda Williams of White Plains outright rejected it.

“When you have a partner,

INSIDE

that means you’re sharing in the risk, and sharing in the reward,” Jenkins said at Monday’s meeting. “But if we want to sit here and try to suggest this is a partnership arrangement; our partner is putting up $5 million in four months, we’re putting up $32 million, tonight… I don’t know what you call that.”

The ratified agreement will see Standard expand on its initial investment of $5 million, which will go toward new rides, and eventually invest another $27 million of its own money into the park over the course of a 5-year period.

For now, the county will continue to co-manage the park with Standard, and according to county administration officials, the company will take over full control of the park’s management after 50 percent of the county’s agreed to capital investments have been made.

Tentatively, the administration has set a date for transition for Nov. 1, 2018.

According to the agreement, when the county has expended 50 percent of the $32 million in proposed capital projects, they will also begin sharing 8 percent of Standard’s profits; a number that will incrementally rise to 12 percent by the deal’s end.

Projects outlined in the deal include rehabilitation of the park’s shoreline, infrastructure PLAYLAND continued on page 5

Killian touches upon drug issue in Rye Column on page 10.

2 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 3

City copes with latest drug-related death

A candlelight vigil to honor members of the Rye community who have died from drug and alcohol-related incidents within the past two years was held at Rye Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 2. The Rye-ACT coalition is working to facilitate programs and discussions to prevent these tragedies from happening again.

File photo

By SUZY BERKOwITZ Editoral Assistant Rye Presbyterian Church hosted a community candlelight vigil on Monday, May 2 to remember young adults who have recently died from separate drug-related incidents.

Lisa Chen, the Rye Youth Council vice president of promoting positive behavior, said the vigil provided the community with an opportunity to reflect on these recent deaths and support one another. The event, which was organized by the Rev. Rachael Huntley of Rye Presbyterian Church, welcomed those of all ages and faiths, and was attended by approximately 200 people, including parents, children, community leaders and local clergy members.

Although Chen is the Rye Youth Council representative on Rye-ACT, Action for Children and Teens—a drug and alcohol coalition founded in the winter of 2015 to address drug and alcohol abuse—she attended the vigil primarily as a parent who wanted to pay tribute to the recent passing of young community members.

“This vigil really gave the community a chance to remind

ourselves that whether or not we knew the people who passed, we need to come together and reflect about what’s happening,” Chen said.

The names of six members of the Rye community who have died of drug or alcohol use, within the last two years, were read aloud during the vigil.

Most recently, Elliot Meister, 20, a sophomore in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, April 27 of what a representative from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said was a drug-related overdose.

Meister, who graduated from Rye High School in 2014, was found in a third floor dorm room of his school at 1:45 a.m., and could not be revived via CPR once paramedics arrived at the scene, according to Nashville police. Included in Meister’s online obituary is the request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to the Addiction Recovery Center at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut.

Rye Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who is closely involved with Rye-ACT, said that although the Rye City Po-

lice Department takes matters of drug and alcohol prevention seriously, their role is only one of many necessary to combat this problem.

“Dealing with the problem of young people involved in drugs and alcohol requires a multifaceted approach, and enforcement is only a small part of the equation,” Corcoran told the Review.

“You can arrest people all day long, but you have to look at the root causes of the problem.”

Corcoran said combating the issue of drug and alcohol use that has resulted in several recent deaths in the community requires the assistance of multiple branches of the community, including teachers, parents, clergy and medical professionals. Corcoran also said the Rye-ACT, in conjunction with the Police Department, will be launching an anonymous tip hotline that will allow those concerned about particular drugrelated problems to seek assistance.

“It’s a tragedy every time we lose a young person, and there needs to be a unified effort in combating this problem,” the police commissioner said. cONTAcT: suzy@hometwn.com

have a news tip? ContaCt james pero james@hometwn.com

4 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

What’s going on...

Rye Free Reading Room

Visit ryelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.

Holistic Moms presents: How to Read Food Labels On Tuesday, May 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Meeting Room. Holistic Moms Network presents certified health coach Eileen Iorio, who will clarify terms such as “non-GMO,” “organic” and “natural,” and offer cutting-edge advice on how busy families can convert from processed food to a wholesome pantry. Iorio has worked with inspirational doctors and practitioners who healed her son’s health and behavior issues with food and nutrition.

Art of Improv teen workshop On Thursday, May 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Presented by comedian/actress Kaitlyn Murphy. For ages 11 to 18. This workshop was held in March and the attendees demanded an encore presentation. Learn about improvisation comedy, the creative and intelligent art that gave many famous entertainers their start in showbiz. The workshop will cover the beginning steps in creating an improv scene, explanations of the “rules” and plenty of time for participants to get up off their seats and improvise.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

Go to the event description at ryelibrary.org and click on the Register button.

Rye YMCA Youth summer camps Rye Y camps, for youth ages 3 to 14, are led by a team of full-time professional directors and committed summer staff who serve as professional role models to campers.

The camps are accredited by the American Camp Association with low counselor-to-camper ratios.

Campers choose from a variety of camps and can attend from one week to eight weeks. Camps are held at the Rye Y and the Osborn School in Rye. Kinder Camp, for children ages 3 to 6, introduces young ones to the camp experience in a warm, supportive environment. Activities include swim lessons, crafts, music, sports and more. Half- or full-day options available.

Discovery Camp, for ages 4 to 11, is a full-day camp packed with swim lessons, STEM, crafts, music, performing arts, sports, field trips and special guests to keep our campers engaged and excited every day. Campers gain new abilities, challenge themselves with the unexplored and learn to work with others as a team.

Sports Camp, for ages 5 to 12, has both full- and half-day options and is designed for sports enthusiasts who want to develop both their individual and team skills.

STEAM Camp, for children in grades two to five, is new this year. Campers will be challenged to question, explore, plan, discover, analyze and understand the world through the lenses of science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Gymnastics Camp is for ages 6 to 14. Beginner and advanced gymnasts are welcome. Drills, games and teamwork are utilized to build gymnastics skills. Full- and half-day options available.

Adventure Camp, for teens completing grades six to nine, is designed for campers who like to be on the go. Campers travel to a different great summer destination every day, including water parks, campouts, amusement parks, baseball games and more.

Teen Fitness Camp, for ages 11 to 14, is a fun way to get fit over the summer. Participants work indoors and out with certified personal trainers to achieve individual goals. Activities include swimming, sports, games, strength training, spinning, Pilates, agility training and more.

C.I.T Program, for teens who have completed grades nine and 10, is designed to challenge participants to grow as leaders both at camp and within the community.

For more information, or to register for any of the above camps, visit ryeycamp.org or call 9676363. The Rye Y offers financial assistance for families who qualify.

Active Older Adults Month May is Active Older Adults Month and the Rye

YMCA is offering a full schedule of activities to inspire older adults to get motivated. Throughout the month, the Y will celebrate healthy aging, with a focus on nutrition and meal planning, physical activity and social interaction. The Rye Y welcomes older adults to join our community and will waive the $100 Joiner’s Fee for adults age 62 and older through May 20.

The following activities and programs are free of charge. Some are open to all community members, others are limited to Rye Y members. For more information, please contact Penny Cozza at 967-6363 ext. 201 or penny@ryeymca.org, or visit ryeymca.org. The Y is located at 21 Locust Ave. in Rye. The Wednesday Brown Bag Lunch Series is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On May 11, “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body” will be presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. On May 18, “Aging in Place” will be presented by SPRYE. Senior Wellness Day will take place on Friday, May 13 from11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the community. There will be blood pressure monitoring, a light lunch and speaker, several exercise classes and giveaways. Registration is required, please email diana@ryeymca.org or penny@ryeymca.org.

Park activities Rye Playland Playland is located off Playland Parkway in Rye. For more information, call 813-7010 or visit ryeplayland.org.

On Saturday, May 7, Playland will celebrate its opening day. A parade will start at Fountain Plaza at 11 a.m. and park gates will open at noon. $15 wristbands for unlimited rides all day, parking is $7.

On Sunday, May 8, celebrate Mother’s Day at Playland, open from noon to 7 p.m. Moms ride free all day, family members pay $15. Parking is $7.

Marshlands Conservancy The Marshlands Conservancy is located on Route 1 (Boston Post Road) in Rye. Call 835-4466 for more information.

On Saturday, May 7, take part in a volunteer work project from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bring work gloves and help beautify the hiking trails for spring. Hand tools will be provided.

Rye Town Park Park season permits

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The ryecityreview.com is under construction Stay tuned for updates on the release of our new and improved website

Discounted season permits are available for Rye City, Port Chester, Rye Brook, Rye Neck and Rye Town residents and non-residents alike. Season permits allow people to take full advantage of

the beautiful Rye Town Park and Oakland Beach.

Permit holders get “high tide” benefits for a “low tide” cost.

The permits will be on sale Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Permit Office in the Administration Building, Rye Town Park, 95 Dearborn Ave. in Rye. Permits for residents: Senior: (62+) $20 and free parking; Individual: $110 and $4 parking; Family: $150 and $4 parking; Platinum family permits: $300 and free parking.

Resident seniors who have permits dated on and before 2010 do not have to renew their permits.

Permits for non-residents: Senior: $60 and $5 parking; Individual: $250 and $5 parking; Family: $350 and $5 parking.

Parking-only permits are $150. Beach access is free for all permit holders. The more permit holders go to the beach, the more they save. Rye Town Park is a “stay-cation” bargain.

MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards will be accepted for season permits. New resident permit holders will have to provide a proof of residence. For more information, call the park at 9670965 or visit ryetownpark.org.

Community Conversations The Rye Town Park Commission is holding its seventh Community Conversations meeting on Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m. in The Pavilion at Rye Town Park, located at 95 Dearborn Ave. in Rye. The meeting will allow the public to share their thoughts on Rye Town Park and how it can be improved within the year. The public will also be able to discuss the submissions to the Commission’s recent Request for Proposals. For more information about the conversation, contact Debbie Reisner at 939-3075 ext. 101.

Jay Heritage Center Honoree dinner Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis and environmental advocate and law professor Nicholas A. Robinson will be honored with the John Jay Medal of Service during a dinner held on Saturday, May 14. The dinner will be cochaired by Samuel W. Croll III, Professor Shelby D. Green, Charlene Laughlin and Thomas R. Mercein. For more information or to purchase tickets to the dinner in advance, call 698-9275 or email jayheritagecenter@gmail.com.

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 5 PLAYLAND from page 1

and new rides.

Some members of the Democratic caucus have repeatedly warned against the agreement’s lack of profit sharing throughout deliberations, however.

“If Standard wants to have a good public-private partnership with the county, they should go back and think about what they could offer,” Parker told the Review last week.

A former, more expensive iteration of the agreement, which was introduced in March, would have put taxpayers on the line for $58 million in proposed capital projects, with the inclusion of costly projects for the park’s colonnades and tower, totaling $20 million.

Critical renovations to the park’s historic pool were also removed from the current agreement after costs to improve the structure soared to an estimated $10 million.

The agreement struck between the county and Standard comes after years of negotiations between the administration of Republican County Executive Rob Astorino and various private partners. As one of

Co-founder of the management company Standard Amusements, Nick Singer, left, spent time at Playland as a child, and will now help direct the future of the park. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat who has been vocal about her disapproval of the agreement, was one of four Democrats to vote against the 30-year deal on Monday night in White Plains.

his goals upon taking elected office in 2010, Astorino set out to alter the future of Playland, sending out a request for proposals to reinvent the park for the 21st century that same year.

Previously, in 2014, a proposed agreement between the

house in the park’s parking lot which abutted a residential neighborhood.

Now, however, Astorino’s administration is confident that the newest deal will benefit both taxpayers and the 88-yearold amusement park’s future.

county administration and Rye-based nonprofit Sustainable Playland Inc., Astorino’s preferred choice, was shot down after pushback from Rye residents who decried the agreement’s addition of an 82,000-square-foot field

“We started with a blank piece of paper for how to save Playland six years ago,” Astorino, a Republican, said in a released statement following ratification of the agreement with Standard. “Now we are taking a historic step forward. The capi-

tal, the operator and the vision are in place to protect both taxpayers and the Dragon Coaster for years to come.”

Playland will open for the season on Saturday, May 7. cONTAcT: james@hometwn.com

6 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

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Community Events

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Mamaroneck hits the

wine trail

By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer

Patrons of the village of Mamaroneck hit the dusty trail on Sunday, May 1 for the 10th annual Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, an event held by the Chamber of Commerce to promote local businesses. The trail included 19 stops along and around Mamaroneck Avenue, where participants sampled different wines and signature dishes. According to the chamber’s administrator, Pam Moran, despite the day’s cool and rainy weather, the event brought out approximately 300 people.

“Considering the weather, it was very well-attended and we did not have bad reviews of any of the trolley stops,” Moran said.

She added that approximately 200 people preregistered for the event, while another 100 or so showed up at Harbor Island Park to register the day of.

A large crowd gathered near the park’s entrance at 12:30 p.m. to wait for the trolley to take them along the trail, where the Chamber of Commerce passed out wristbands and complimentary

Smoked brisket served atop a cheddar cornbread and garnished with pickled jalapeño was one of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill’s featured dishes during the 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail.

umbrellas to the half-soaked patrons standing in the rain. Once on the trolley, people shook out their umbrellas and got warm as they headed toward the wine trail. Clare Santora, of Pelham, told the Review that this was her fifth time attending the wine trail.

“There are all different types of food, and you get to try many different types of things,” she said. Santora added that normally, she and her friends walk from stop to stop, but because of the rain, they decided to take the trolley for the first time. Although the event is a great way to spend a day with friends, it

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Tony Cables, center, a server at Smokehouse Tailgate Grill on Mamaroneck Avenue, serves wine and jokes with patrons at last week’s 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail event.

also benefits restaurateurs in Mamaroneck.

Richie Becker, owner of 360 American Grille on Mamaroneck Avenue, said that his restaurant has been participating in the wine trail since the restaurant’s opening four years ago.

“We get some of our best customers from [the wine trail] every year,” said Becker, adding that he loves the event. For the day’s event, his restaurant showcased dishes of Brussels sprouts with gorgonzola, smoked brisket and a southwestern salad: a mix of lettuce, black beans, roasted corn, cheese, peppers, onions and cranberries with a cranberry blush vinaigrette. “[The event] brings people in to see the friendly village of Mamaroneck,” Becker said. He added that hopefully, the event introduces people to the many restaurants on Mamaroneck Avenue, and brings them back again in the future.

Jim Mulcahy, of Larchmont, said that this kind of event is exactly how merchants get more customers.

“They’re displaying their wares for us, obviously so that we will come back again,” he said. Mulcahy has been a professional in the produce business for more than 40 years, and has been attending the wine trail for the last five years with a large group of friends whom he has known for nearly 50 years.

“We’re still hanging tough,” he laughed. His crew of people was the liveliest of the bunch, filling the small entryway of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill, a

The Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, which took place on Sunday, May 1, allowed participants to try wine and food at 19 different restaurants and shops in the village. Photos/Kiley Stevens

new restaurant on Mamaroneck Avenue.

The Smokehouse, as it is known colloquially, made its debut on the wine trail this year.

Co-owner of the restaurant, Mike Hofer, told the Review that in New Rochelle, where

their other storefront is located, there aren’t as many community events like the wine trail.

“Events like these are one of the reasons we wanted to open in Mamaroneck,” Hofer said. cONTAcT: kiley@hometwn.com

A look inside the trolley, which bused patrons from Harbor Island Park to 19 different stops along the trail.

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 7

Milton students pitch in for Earth Week On Thursday, April 21, Taro Ietaka, director of conservation and land stewardship at the Rye Nature Center, gave a presentation to Milton students in grades one through five during recess. His focus was on the effects of daily activities on the watershed and the Long Island Sound. Using a play

village with toy cars and sheep, he demonstrated how rain can help cause erosion. He explained that “grass is good [for fighting erosion] but it doesn’t soak up as much water as trees and shrubs.”

The Earth Week activities were overseen by Julie BarnettHanlon, head of the Milton En-

vironmental Committee. The children also viewed a short documentary produced by musicians Ben Harper and Jack Johnson, among others. In addition, all of the students received signed copies of the book “All the Way to the Ocean” written

by Harper.

-Reporting by Sarah Varney

Milton third-graders make a banner to mark a space for Taro Ietaka, director of conservation and land stewardship at the Rye Nature Center, for his April 21 visit to the school. Photos/Sarah Varney

Tipping the board toward the Long Island Sound, Taro Ietaka shows how sheep waste, gobstobber dust from the pretend candy factory and runoff from streets can harm a watershed. Ietaka used a spray bottle filled with water to demonstrate the effect of rain on the pretend landscape.

8 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

Carver Center Annual Appeal campaign nearly final Stephanie Barrett, of Greenwich, Connecticut, and Tom Murphy, of Rye, are hard at work this spring as they put the finishing touches on the Carver Center’s Annual Appeal campaign. With a “close the gap” goal of $300,000 to reach by June 30, the campaign co-chairs discussed the impact of Carver’s work and its new after-school program conducted at Port Chester’s five elementary schools.

“As funding becomes tighter across school districts, Carver helps to meet growing need by providing college prep classes for high schoolers, after-school homework help, and daily hot meals for 1,300 children. I want to be sure that the annual appeal goal is met so that these programs can continue,” explains Barrett, a public school teacher in Greenwich.

Murphy adds, “Port Chester has a 16 percent poverty rate, so it’s critically important for Carver to continue offering a fully stocked food pantry as a way to

How to replenish your ice box A RYE OLDTIMER Judge John Carey

Stephanie Barrett

Tom Murphy

minimize food insecurity. Also, Carver provides the only community swimming pool in the area. Everyone should have access to water safety lessons, no matter the cost.”

With a total fundraising goal of $3.7 million almost complete for fiscal year 20152016, funds raised through the annual appeal support critical needs such as the pool, food pantry, and maintenance of the increasingly well used facility.

Both Barrett and Murphy also

serve on the Carver Board of Directors.

Carver’s mission is to build brighter futures through programs that serve, educate, and empower. Each year, more than 10,000 children, adults, seniors, and families are served through the community center. Annual appeal contributions can be sent to Ariana Aguilar, Carver Center, 400 Westchester Ave., Port Chester, NY, or made online at carvercenter.org. (Submitted)

Ice man, milk man, bread man, garbage man: each of them came down our street once a week.

Each one had a horse-drawn wagon, giving the city a post-delivery clean-up responsibility.

There was no corner grocery store, let alone a supermarket, from which to buy these staples.

There was probably no electric refrigerator in which to preserve food, so you had to depend on ice, contained in an insulated box called the “ice box.” Some of us still use the expression “ice box” when we mean the refrigerator or “fridge.”

The ice man’s cart would have large blocks, pre-cut by saw to be all a strong man could shoulder. He would wrestle them to your ice box and shove them

inside. Melting would promptly begin, but food could still be kept edible for several days. The essential ingredient was ice several inches thick. Where was that to be found?

Winters were cold back then, and a few weeks below zero would provide the needed thickness. Then it was a matter of harvesting and preserving the product. One body of water where a harvest could be gathered every year was Pocono Lake, northeast of Philadelphia. A body of still water had been created by damming the Tobyhanna River. Somehow a dam was successfully constructed out of wooden planks.

It lasted some 50 years before giving way during a torrential autumn downpour. The blocks of ice would be loaded onto special railroad cars for the journey to population centers.

Another byproduct of the

lake’s existence was creation of lakefront land with choice views and access to swimming and boating. Lots were laid out by a group of canny Philadelphia Quakers, including my mother’s brother. Summer homes, known as “camps” were built along the lakefront and further back. My family got a piece of a former pasture, open and sunny. We built an unheated “camp” for summer use and a heated cabin for colder times.

The area around Pocono Lake was heavily forested, with abundant wild life. Deer were abundant and easily photographed by my father’s “camera trap” activated with a wire attached to a bit of bait. Even the occasional bear could be detected, not by the camera but by scary scratch marks on our cabin’s front door. cONTAcT: j_pcarey@verizon.net

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices opens in Rye Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties recently announced the opening of its Rye office, located at 22 Purchase St. in the heart of downtown Rye. This gives the company a total of 53 offices and nearly 1,800 agents, increasing their market presence in Westchester County.

Heading the office is Harrison resident Margaret Grasso. “Our Rye outpost provides us with a centralized location for our clients and agents,” Grasso said.

“It is the perfect place to serve Rye, Harrison, Rye Brook and residents of the surrounding communities.”

Grasso currently represents Grasso Development Corp., one of the most respected home builders in Westchester County. For more than 80 years, the Grasso family’s honest, hands-on project management and construction has created incredible homes throughout the county. With her husband, Jeffrey, Grasso will continue to oversee the sales of Grasso Development Corp. projects while leading the Rye office.

“Margaret brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Westchester County market,” said New England and

Margaret Grasso, of Harrison, is the head of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ new Rye location. Grasso and her husband Jeffrey will continue to oversee the sales of Grasso Development Corp. while leading the Rye office. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Westchester Properties President and CEO Candace Adams. “Our company’s values are aligned with Grasso Development Corp.

We are thrilled to have her on our team and leading our Rye office.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties became one of the network’s first affiliates when it transitioned from Prudential Real Estate in September 2013.

Since then, the brokerage has become the network’s sixthlargest affiliate for volume and expanded into Westchester County in July 2015, opening offices in Eastchester, Scarsdale and Larchmont.

Grasso can be reached at the Rye office of Berkshire Ha-

thaway HomeServices Westchester Properties at 967-1300 or MargaretGrasso@bhhswestchester.com.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties is a leading real estate brokerage firm with over 1,800 realtors in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Westchester County. Selectively chosen by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and HomeServices of America, the global reach, financial strength and fresh brand make Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties the premiere real estate firm in the Northeast. For more information, visit bhhsNEproperties.com. (Submitted)

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 9 VERIZON from page 1

able to get through,” Klem said.

“It won’t be a bottleneck. Incidents in the past—I don’t know what your service was like during Sandy, but people weren’t able to get through because cell towers were overloaded.”

While the addition of nodes throughout the city would mark an increase in the connectivity for residents, in many ways, according to Esme Lombard, another Crown Castle government relations representative, the greater number would actually be a return to the level of service being provided before users started using significantly more data.

“Wireless devices today consume more and more data, due in large part to the capabilities and usefulness of the smartphone,” Lombard said. “[We’re] increasing the bandwidth needed for current and future services and improving the experience for the smartphone user.”

Though many residents, according to Hurd, would accept the addition of more broadcast points as a welcome change— she said a lack of service in Rye is a common refrain—the council’s decision to allow Crown Castle to install more equipment is anything but a no-brainer.

“My perspective on this, as a

Wireless communications for Verizon Wireless customers in Rye could get a boost, as the Internet utility company Crown Castle looks to expand the breadth of its infrastructure across the city.

Renderings courtesy Crown Castle

City Council member, is to understand exactly what we have and why it’s necessary,” she said. “There are a lot of questions. This isn’t just a softball.”

Among the chief concerns, according to Hurd, is not just the volume of the equipment proposed to be installed, but also the size.

According to Lombard, the proposed additions, which would add box-like structures that house equipment, to poles across the city are larger than

their current counterparts. The new boxes would be 7 inches taller and 8 inches wider, she said at a public meeting.

For now, the amended agreement will be assessed by the city Board of Architectural Review, while the council also discusses the proposal with City Attorney Kirsten Wilson. Crown Castle indicated that they hope to begin their installations over the summer. cONTAcT: james@hometwn.com

For the Rye City Council, the decision to allow Crown Castle to expand its equipment to 82 poles across the city isn’t a no-brainer. Among the concerns are the appearance and the expansion’s efficacy.

Rye City

Official Newspaper Rye Schools

10 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

‘Tomorrow is ours to win or lose’ ThE cOuncIL cORnER Councilwoman Julie Killian

Former President Lyndon B. Johnson said, “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” It seems appropriate for this week as I think about how I heal and how we all heal going forward.

After the recent candlelight vigil to remember the children lost to drug abuse, my heart is broken. The depth of sadness is so great it is hard to think of anything else. But we have so many broken hearts in Rye. Every child we have lost in our community takes a little piece out of us, but when you know the child, it leaves a larger hole.

And when the children have lost one of their own, it is almost unbearable.

Dozens of recent Rye High School grads are back home to mourn another one of their classmates. Watching them laugh, cry, hug and talk has been hard but also comforting.

It seems that some good may come from this sadness—old friendships strengthened, new connections forged, more open lines of communications between adults and kids, and honest conversations had.

There are many conversations going on and that is good, as long as they stay constructive.

We have lost too many children, and our community needs to look at what we are doing, what

we are not doing and what we could be doing better. We often talk about the good things, our kids, our Rye traditions, our real estate values, our highly ranked schools, but we cannot avoid the difficult conversations.

This past week, I have received dozens of emails and calls about the new Rye-ACT substance abuse coalition. Most of them were positive, encouraging us to keep moving ahead, but some of them were from people who feel frustrated that we haven’t done enough. Some want the schools to do more; some want the police to do more; some want us, parents, to do more; some don’t want any attention on this at all.

When it comes to almost any community issue, especially those relating to our kids, we are never going to all agree on the specifics of the problem or the solutions, but we should make every effort. The purpose of Rye-ACT is to bring different sectors of our community together. If our schools, city, parents, kids, Rye Youth Council, Rye Y, police, substance abuse professionals, media, doctors and clergy can approach our problems together, we can forge a variety of different initiatives.

Education is a big piece of it, and we all need to be better educated about drugs and their dangers. How do we help our kids who might try something new “just for fun” understand that just one time could be deadly?

How do we help our kids that

are struggling, before they think drugs are the solution? How do we help them understand that struggling for whatever reason is normal, that it happens to everybody, and that it is how you deal with it that matters? How do we reach out to our kids and adults, so they understand people care about them and are willing to help? No one person or group has all the answers but let’s all talk: parents, students, former students, teachers, coaches, health professionals, or any community member who cares.

We can continue the conversation with two upcoming events. On Saturday, May 21, Rye City Council will have a second Council Coffee from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Rye Free Reading Room with our new police commissioner. Commissioner Michael Corcoran will tell us about his ideas for programs in our schools and new department initiatives developed with RyeACT coalition partners.

On Tuesday, May 24, RyeACT will have a town hall at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Church Auditorium at the old Methodist Church at 88 Milton Road.

There will be a short presentation about Rye-ACT and the results of the student survey done in 2014. Following, there will be small breakout groups for further discussion led by local professionals. The town hall will be taped so if you can’t make it, you can watch on Rye TV. Be part of the conversation.

Downtown contractor bids coming next month Contractor bids for the proposed central business district improvements in Rye are expected to be finalized in about a month, according to Rye Assistant City Manager Eleanor Militana.

Militana reported at the latest Rye City Council meeting that bid specifications are being completed by Rye City Engineer Ryan Coyne, and the bid award will likely go to the City Council for approval sometime in June.

The project is going to take place primarily on Purchase,

Elm and Smith streets, and is meant to remedy some of the deteriorated infrastructure of this section of the city and improve and facilitate pedestrian safety.

The idea was initially proposed in 2002, but in 2012, $880,000 were put aside in a voter-approved bond referendum to fund the project.

This past February, Coyne and Rye City Planner Christian Miller gave a presentation to the City Council about the details of the plan, which includes making the sidewalks ADA compliant, im-

proving drainage and adding new trees and streetlights to the area.

While the project was originally predicted to begin in May and be completed in July, Militana said that they are now anticipating that work will begin in June or early July, which means the city can hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on its original route along Purchase Street and won’t have to be detoured away from construction.

Coyne could not be reached for comment as of press time.

-Reporting by Angela Jordan

$3M in city flood funds to be spent soon

Flooding caused by Blind Brook after Hurricane Irene in 2011. The city of Rye has accepted $3 million in funds from the NY Rising program to spend on flood mitigation efforts to aid in preventing incidents like this.

File photo

By ANgELA JORDAN Staff Writer After accepting the $3 million granted to the city by the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Plan, the city of Rye is looking into its first potential flood mitigation project.

The first priority project proposed by the Rye NY Rising Community Reconstruction Committee to move forward is the modification of the sluice gate, which is a movable barrier that controls how much upstream water can pass under the Bowman Avenue Dam and was installed in 2013 to help mitigate flooding caused by Blind Brook. Offsite gauges take readings of water levels from the brook, and then send signals back to the sluice gate which then lowers or rises depending on the water levels.

The preferred proposal is to relocate the offsite gauges downstream to provide better water level readings, and the predicted cost for the modification ranges anywhere from $150,000 to $250,000.

The detailed list of projects came as a result of Rye being awarded $3 million in state funds through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Plan, a $700 million state program that was formed in April 2013 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, in response to the needs of various communities throughout New York who required assistance and resources for reconstruction after Tropical Storms Irene and

Lee in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

According to one of the cochairs of the Rye committee, Bernie Althoff, flooding has been an issue in Rye for much longer than that.

“Since I’ve moved here in 1973, floods have been a serious problem,” he said.

The funding, which was offered up in January 2014, was accepted by the city on Oct. 7, 2015.

There are 123 other localities in New York that are part of this program in addition to Rye, and the Rye committee consists of 11 residents who were appointed by the state.

Althoff said there were five flood mitigation proposals out of a lengthy list that were deemed priorities by the committee.

Those proposals include modifying the sluice gate, silt removal from the Bowman Avenue Dam Upper Pond, two retention basins at SUNY Purchase College and the Westchester County Airport, and improving the drainage at Milton Harbor.

The Bowman Avenue Dam recently made national headlines when it was publicly revealed that in late August through September of 2013, an Iranian national was able to hack into and access information from the sluice gate.

However, Althoff said that as far as he is aware, none of the committee’s proposed modifications to the sluice gate is related to the hacking or any kind of se-

curity concerns.

The priciest project that the group has prioritized is the removal of silt from the Upper Pond Area of the Bowman Avenue Dam. According to Rye Assistant City Manager Eleanor Militana—who said the committee was originally looking to remove 104,000 cubic yards of debris and silt for $6.6 million— based on the $3 million budget, the committee is now looking into whether or not removing less for a significantly lower price would still be practical.

The proposed retention basin at the Westchester County Airport is reportedly going to cost $500,000, and the proposed retention basin at SUNY Purchase was projected to cost between $750,000 and $1 million.

However, Militana said that the school won’t allow the land proposed for the project to be developed, and therefore those funds could potentially be put to other projects on the committee’s list.

The final project prioritized by the group, to improve the drainage at Milton Harbor, is expected to cost $250,000.

Althoff said that while the process to move these projects forward has been lengthy, progress is being made and that the funds should be put to use soon.

“Modifying the sluice gate came ahead of everything else, and we’ll likely have a better idea of what to do [about that project] in the fall,” Althoff said. cONTAcT: angela@hometwn.com

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 11

Annual arts dinner works shine The Rye High School Arts Recognition Dinner at Coveleigh Club on Wednesday, April 20 featured a display of artwork from various students from the 2016 class. In addition to the art display, the Coveleigh Club dinner included drama, vocal and string and flute performances. Rye High School Principal Patricia Taylor presented the annual recognition awards while Anthony Campbell handed out the Achievement Award for the Fine Arts category.

-Reporting by Sarah Varney

A painting by Julia Stern.

A painting by Sophia Perez-Segnini.

Follow us on Twitter @ ryecityreview

A photograph by Ali Iman. Photos/Sarah Varney

A photograph by Ellie O’Callaghan.

A portrait by Mikayel Harutyunyan.

12 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

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May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 13

A step into the shoebox philosopher’s shoes RhYMEs YMEs WITh cRAZY RAZY Lenore Skenazy

Most people moving to the Upper West Side in New York City neither expect to live in a mansion with a pool in the back, nor are looking to live in an apartment the size of a 2001 Honda Accord.

However, that’s exactly what Felice Cohen did for four years.

Although she recently moved two avenues away into the relative luxury of a 490-square-foot studio—“There’s tons of space!”— she squeezed everything she learned about appreciating the small things into a new book, “90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (...or More).”

“I wanted to leave my fulltime crazy busy job,” says Cohen, now 45, explaining her micro-housing decision. “And I wanted to finish writing my first book, ‘What Papa Told Me.’ It’s about my grandfather, a Holocaust survivor.” She also wanted enough time to travel, ride her bike and play tennis.

(Who doesn’t?) The catch was: She didn’t want to leave the city to do it. She didn’t even want to leave Manhattan.

That’s exactly the kind of creative soul former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was thinking of when he announced a complex of mini-apartments ranging from 260 to 360 square feet to be built in the East 20s. He proudly touted the fact that these would let regular folks find affordable homes for a mere $2,000 to $3,000 a month.

That’s a billionaire for you.

Cohen’s apartment measured just 12 feet by 7.5 feet, but the tab for her prime location between Lincoln Center and Central Park was $700 a month, which meant she didn’t have to work full time to afford it.

“My father was a bankruptcy attorney,” Cohen said in a phone interview. She grew up knowing not to spend what she didn’t have. She also took note of her grandmother’s trajectory, going from a 13-room house, to a twobedroom condo, to a nursing home room. “When she died, all her possessions fit into one cardboard box,” said Cohen. Surely there was a lesson there on how little we truly need.

But it took even Cohen a little

while to absorb that lesson. Before she moved into the Hondasized space, she packed up 77 boxes and put them into storage.

So what was her tiny place like? It’s possible you’ve actually seen it. A video “tour” of Cohen’s apartment has garnered more than 11 million views on YouTube. In it, you see that she doesn’t have a kitchen, but she does have a fridge, a hot pot and a toaster oven. She’s got a loft bed, of course—in New York, when you need space, the only place to go is up. And she’s got a desk, a comfy reading chair, and a bathroom that looks completely normal (to a New Yorker).

Come to think of it, my husband and I lived in about 400 square feet for a few years and it didn’t seem nutty either.

Which is precisely Cohen’s point: “We can all live without half of what we own. We have closets full of clothes we barely wear. We save something for ‘just in case,’ and just in case never comes. People will say, ‘I want to save this in case I lose weight.’

I say by the time that fits again, it’s going to be out of style.” The solution? Edit, edit, edit.

It should come as no surprise that Cohen’s other job is a professional organizer. If you can’t

afford her $150 an hour services, she’s got a couple of great suggestions: Go through just one section at a time—your kitchen cabinets, sock collection, whatever. Set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. And remember, you don’t have to toss the things you love. Give them to a friend or a charity. What you’re getting rid of may end up helping someone else.

In the end, Cohen got rid of her tiny apartment only because she was evicted. It doesn’t get more Manhattan than that. That’s when her grandfather stepped in.

“He said, ‘Enough already!

Buy a place! You lived in a shoebox to write about my life. Now make sure you buy some good furniture and enjoy your life.’”

He gave her a down payment for the new studio.

By the time Cohen moved in, she had gotten rid of those 77 boxes in storage. It’s likely most of us could get rid of whatever we’re storing, too. “It’s about living large on your own terms,” summed up Cohen. “Not being stressed to pay bills for stuff you don’t even use.”

Maybe freedom’s just another word for nothing left to store. cONTAcT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Steps to prevent heart disease Want to prevent a heart attack? Take a walk and eat an apple.

According to the American Heart Association, AHA, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes, like walking and eating healthier. The AHA is encouraging Americans to focus on seven simple lifestyle changes to lower risk for heart disease and improve overall health.

More than one in three adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 80 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American men and women.

Even children are at a higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes because of poor lifestyle habits.

“While treatment and research advances in cardiac care can save a great many lives, significant movement on the needle has to come on the prevention side,” said Dr. Patrick Thomas, chief of cardiology at Hudson Valley Hospital Center and AHA board president in Putnam County.

“There are simple things everyone can do to lower their risk of the No. 1 and No. 5 killers— heart disease and stroke.”

Get active.

“Exercise is the single most important thing you can do to improve your overall health.

The goal is at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise daily,” said Thomas, who gets up early to run on the treadmill before work.

“Along with gaining strength and stamina, exercising regularly can lower blood pressure, keep body weight and blood sugar under control and increase your HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol.”

You don’t have to join a gym or run in a 5K. Start small by incorporating physical activity into your daily routine like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the farthest end of the parking lot or using half of your lunch break to take a brisk walk.

Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check.

High levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart

attack and stroke. HDL helps clean out that bad cholesterol from the arteries. Improve your cholesterol by exercising regularly and limiting saturated fat and cholesterol.

One in three Americans have high blood pressure, which can increase risk for stroke, the No. 5 killer. Get your blood pressure checked routinely since it has no outward symptoms. Reducing sodium, losing weight and exercising can help manage blood pressure, as well as blood pressure-lowering medicines.

Eat healthier.

“For most meals, half your plate should be fruits and vegetables,” Thomas said. “Limit empty-calorie foods like soft drinks and junk food.”

The AHA also recommends consuming fish twice a week, like salmon, and eating more whole grains. Enjoy low-fat yogurt for breakfast and fruit for dessert or snacks.

Lose weight.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. The AHA recommends starting by knowing your healthy weight range and daily calorie goals, and aim to get there in small increments. You can shed 24 pounds a year by dropping just 2 pounds a month, and losing as few as 10 pounds decreases your heart disease risk.

Use an online calorie calculator to know how many calories you should consume to maintain a healthy weight. Then start enjoying plenty of fiber and nutri-

ent rich fruits and vegetables, adding lean proteins and whole grains. Add in exercise while reducing the calories you take in for sensible weight loss.

Reduce blood sugar.

Diabetes can quadruple your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Manage or prevent diabetes by eating healthy foods, controlling your weight, exercising and taking medication prescribed your doctor.

Stop smoking.

With one in five deaths caused by smoking, going smoke-free can help prevent not only heart disease and stroke, but also cancer and chronic lung disease.

Visit nysmokefree.com for resources.

Visit mylifecheck.org for more information and a free heart health action plan and visit heart.org for more lifesaving information, recipes and tips to live a longer, stronger, healthier life.

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke— America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. AHA team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases.

The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of its offices around the country. (Submitted)

14 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016

Pinstripe panic LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Look, I get it. It’s still early.

But for you Yankee fans out there, if the panic bells aren’t going off yet, I imagine the alarm is primed and poised to erupt sooner rather than later.

Over the weekend, the hapless Yanks traveled up to Boston to take on the surging Red Sox, and suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Sox swept the Bombers in three straight games, culminating in a Sunday night slugfest that saw New York’s inability to protect a lead to an 8-7 Red Sox victory.

But as giddy as I am about the Red Sox’s play this early in the season—at 15-10 they are in first place in the American League East—I’m far more excited about the Yankees’ struggles throughout the first month of the season.

Right now, the cellar-dwelling

Yankees are 8-15, and for the first time in a long time, they have the chance to be a legitimately miserable ballclub all season long. And I couldn’t be happier.

Since I’ve been following baseball, bad Yankee teams have been few and far between. Sure, fans have had their complaints about the club over the last few years, but 85-win seasons are more a mark of mediocrity than anything else. I’m talking about bad, here. The kind of label reserved for those early 1990s Stump Merril-led teams that featured historic players such as Kevin Maas and Matt Nokes.

Since the Yanks started winning championships again in the mid-90s, lack of success has been a relative term. Of course the team would suffer through a down year here and there, but the situation never felt dire. When things went south, they’d simply outspend everyone else to bring in top free agents in an attempt to turn things around.

SPORTS

But now, it appears as though the organization is taking a different approach. They seem content to simply wait out the bad contracts, like the ones they gave to Mark Texiera, CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez (who, coincidentally, is one of the few guys in pinstripes who is actually producing), get a little bit younger and rebuild for the future.

It’s a solid plan, but not one that many fans—who are forced to pay exorbitant prices to see a game at the sterile mall they call Yankee Stadium—have the patience for. Monday saw incensed fans calling in to WFAN to call for the various heads of Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and much-maligned third baseman Chase Headley.

If George was still around, they say, changes would be coming and heads would roll.

But here’s the thing; in the long run, it makes sense for the Yankees’ brass to play it safe.

The paradigm of success in the

The New York Yankees are off to a dreadful start this year, and nobody is happier than Sports Editor Mike Smith. But could a terrible year actually be the best thing for the Bombers? Photo courtesy Google Images

MLB is shifting. Teams like the Royals—who have long been the laughingstock of the AL Central—are suddenly the darlings of the baseball cognoscenti, whereas the Yankee model of overpaying for aging homerun hitters now seems antiquated.

So while I may be enjoying what looks like a terrible year for the Yankees, a 70-win season might ultimately be the best thing for the ballclub. It would serve to reinforce the idea that the Yankees need to rethink their general philosophy and catch up

with the rest of baseball.

And I bet they’ll do it too—at least until they offer Bryce Harper $1.5 billion in 2017.

Old habits die hard.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

Rye Athlete of the Week James McHugh

By LIAM BRENNAN Contributor This week’s Athlete of the Week is James McHugh, a junior captain of the boys’ golf team and the reigning Section I champion. This year, he has led the golf team to an impressive 10-1 start, by consistently shooting sub-40 rounds.

Head coach Pat Romano has long been impressed with McHugh’s ability. Throughout his 20 years of coaching, Romano said the junior is one of the most gifted golfers he’s coached. However, Romano sees more than just talent and ability in McHugh. “[He is] always working hard,” Romano said. “[He is a]

great role model for the younger guys on the team.”

Co-captain Matt Shainberg not only sees McHugh as a great leader of the team, but as a member that always pushes him to perform at his best.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve beat James in a match,” Shainberg said. “He is an animal.”

Although Shainberg may not win as often as he’d like, he is always eager to challenge McHugh to a friendly competition because of the improvements to his game that come from it.

When McHugh is not on the golf course working on his game, he can be found studying. He is not only a top-notch

athlete, but an Honor Roll student as well.

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SPORTS

May 6, 2016 • ThE RYE cITY REVIEw • 15

Rye Neck Panthers stay hot SOFTBALL

league

RYE NECk EDgEMONT RYE NECK HS

11 1 4/28/16

Game Notes: • Olivia Dunne had 16 strikeouts against Edgemont and now has more than 100 strikeouts on the season

• The Panthers are currently 10-1 on the year

• Rye Neck will host a round robin-style tournament on Saturday, May 7

By MIKE SMITh Sports Editor Despite graduating a handful of key players last spring, it appears as though the Rye Neck softball team hasn’t lost a step in 2016. Over the course of their first 11 games, the Panthers are off to a blistering start, posting a 10-1 record and establishing themselves as the top team in Class B. Last week, Rye Neck was able to outlast reigning Class C champion Tuckahoe in a thrilling 10-inning contest before rolling over Edgemont and Irvington to keep their winning streak alive.

The Panthers came away with a 2-1 win against the Tucka-

hoe Tigers on Tuesday, April 26, thanks to a walk-off hit by Jackie DeCicco, as Rye Neck ace Olivia Dunne and Tuckahoe hurler Cassie McGrath squared off in an epic pitchers’ duel that ended with a combined 34 strikeouts (Dunne had 20) compiled by the two standouts.

According to Rye Neck coach Joan Spedafino, the win against Tuckahoe helped to reinvigorate the squad, which went on to win its next two games 11-1 and 6-0.

The Panthers have now won five straight games since their 19-4 loss to Ardsley on April 18.

“We didn’t play our best in the Ardsley game, but the Tuckahoe game was great,” Spedafino said. “That’s the kind of game that you really want to reflect on at the end of the season.”

Much of Rye Neck’s success this season has been due in large part to the emergence of Dunne,

Mary Cintron makes a backhanded stab on April 28.

who fanned 16 Edgemont batters on Thursday, April 28 to eclipse the 100-strikeout mark this year. Spedafino said that Dunne was eager to step into the role this year and showed promise as soon as the team began winter workouts.

“She worked all fall, she didn’t play volleyball, and the first time we got together in January, I was amazed at her strength,” the coach said.

“I knew she worked really

hard and she’s done a great job for us.”

When she isn’t recording strikeouts, Dunne has been able to rely upon a young infield group that has gelled nicely thus far.

“I’m pleased with the way we’ve adjusted,” Spedafino said.

“We lost five seniors from last year, we’ve got a brand new infield and they’ve really come together.”

The Panthers will look to

continue their winning streak this week, but will face a good test from Class A Mamaroneck on Friday, May 6, after press time, before hosting Pelham and Saunders in a round-robin tournament the following day.

“We’re just going to try to do what we’ve been doing all year,” Spedafino said. “That means playing good defense and getting good pitching.” cONTAcT: sports@hometwn.com

A Rye Neck batter hits the ball against Edgemont at Rye Neck High School. The Panthers topped the visitors 11-1.

Rye Neck’s first baseman covers the bag on a bunt.

Olivia Dunne throws a pitch against Edgemont on April 28. Dunne has already racked up more than 100 strikeouts in 2016. Photos/Mike Smith

16 • The rye city review • May 6, 2016