CLASSIFIEDS 39 GOVERNMENT AT WORK XX LEISURE 33 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OPINION 10 SPORTS 25 pg 3 RELAY FOR LIFE VOL. 15 NO. 2 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. JUNE 6 – JUNE 19, 2024 PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL WWII veteran Jim Dipelesiand Navy veteran and Mahopac Councilman Robert Kearns stand and salute at Memorial Circle to honor the fallen during the playing of Taps as part of Mahopac’s Memorial Day Parade ceremony on Monday, May 27. See more photos from the event on page 20. BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE State Sen. Pete Harckham says he would support a moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS) such as the one being considered by the Camel Town Board. The board is contemplating establishing a moratorium on such systems in the wake of a proposed 116-megawatt “battery farm” at 24 Miller Road in Mahopac which has prompted angry protests from both Mahopac and Somers residents who contend such lithium-ion battery systems are a danger to both humans and the environment. Harckham sent a letter to Carmel Supervisor Michael Cazzari this week declaring his “full support” for the moratorium. Town officials have said they are researching how they could enact a moratorium on a project that is already before the Planning Board seeking site plan approval. The board will hold a public hearing on the matter on June 19. Harckham said he will be introducing new state legislation to ensure proper siting and BESS safety while also guaranteeing that all local stakeholders are included in the development process. Harckham said his office has fielded numerous Harckham throws support behind battery farm moratorium SEE MORATORIUM PAGE 34 Saluting the ultimate sacrifice RE/MAX Classic Realty 914-282-6440 [emailprotected] CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION HOMES ARE SELLING AT RECORD PRICES. Beautiful three bedroom raised ranch in southern Mahopac. Quiet side street, lovely lot. Two baths, family room, deck, bright living room, big eat-in kitchen. Private back yard. Large 2-car garage. Excellent commute. This one won’t last! $539,000 HURRY — TERRIFIC HOME — WON’T LAST, CALL TODAY! Are you wondering what your home is worth? Should you add on, or remodel? Buy smaller or larger? Please allow me to answer your questions. Call Today!
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [emailprotected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [emailprotected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [emailprotected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [emailprotected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [emailprotected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [emailprotected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [emailprotected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [emailprotected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [emailprotected] DESIGN Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder Noah Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [emailprotected] Deadlines The deadline for advertisem*nts and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [emailprotected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email circulation@halstonmedia. com. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS (ISSN 2330-1627) Published by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 Town Board Wednesdays, June 12, 19, 7 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Planning Board Thursday, June 13, 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Environmental Conservation Board Thursday, June 20, 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Thursday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave. Board of Education Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m. MMS Auditorium 421 Baldwin Place Road Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 845-628-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE Strongly recommend TOCKLAW. They set expectations and deliver the desired outcome. ~P.C. ‘ IAC Columbus Parade Fundraiser The Italian American Club of Mahopac is seeking to bring back the Columbus Day parade to Mahopac and celebrate Italian heritage at the Evening in the Piazza.As a fundraiser, it is selling raffle tickets for a boat ride and tour of Petra Island on Lake Mahopac and the Frank Lloyd Wright design house, a $300-valuedprize for the winner and their guest.Seven winnerswill be drawn onAug. 17, the night of The Evening in the Piazza, in Chamber Park. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Freight House Cafe, 609 Route 6, Mahopac, at every Italian American Club event, 141 Buckshollow Road, or by callingGiulioCefaloni at 845- 745-2655 or Donna Massaroat 845-628-1872. Visit our website or Facebook page for more information. For band sponsorships and tax-deductible parade donations, call Giulio at 845- 745-2655. Blood Drive State Sen. Pete Harckham, in partnership with the New York Blood Center, will host a blood drive on Wednesday, June 12, from 1-7 p.m., at the Mahopac firehouse at 741 Route 6. “Donating blood can help save lives,” Harckham said. “Someone needs blood every two seconds and one pint of blood can save up to three lives.” To schedule an appointment, visithttps://tinyurl.com/sf3wxp5f, or call 800-933-2566. Putnam Land Trust Seeks Board Trustees the Putnam County Land Trust is seeking board members. Candidates are not required to be experts in the field but rather have an interest in the environment and a dedication to the mission of the land trust to “The protection of forests and wetlands, wildlife habitats and important water resources in and around Putnam County.” The trust envisions a healthy future for all, including access to safe drinking water, clean air, and opportunities to engage with nature and one another. In addition to preparing for and attending board meetings, trustees are encouraged to serve on one of the board committees. Currently, there are twoand three-year terms available. Those interested can email info@putnamcountylandtrust. org or call 845 743 3187. Applications should be completed applications by June 15..Consideration will be given to applications after that date if seats are available. Farmers Market The Carmel Farmers Market at Lake Mahopac is now open every Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through Oct. 20 at the Chamber Park, 953 S. Lake Blvd. Fresh produce and crafts - supporting local and regional farmers and artisans. Call 845- 628-7888 for more info. IAC to Sponsor Italian Mass The Italian American Club of Mahopac will sponsor a mass in Italian and English celebrating The Feast of the Three Franciscans: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Pio of Pietrelcina on Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s the Evangelist Church, 221 East Lake Blvd., Mahopac. The celebrant will be Father Philip Caruso. All are welcome! Refreshments will be served in the Social Hall after mass. For info, contact Linda Cefaloni at 914 582-4373. Lifeguard Classes The Carmel Recreation and Parks Department is offering American Red Cross lifeguard classes. Lifeguard employment with the Rec Department is guaranteed upon passing the ARC course. Summer camp counselor and CIT positions are also available. Visit carmelny.org/recreationor call the recreation office at 845-628-7888 for more information. MAHOPAC MUSINGS SEE MUSINGS PAGE 9
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 The Mahopac High School track was packed for the American Cancer Society’s 2024 Relay for Life on Saturday, the annual event that raises funds and awareness for the ongoing fight against the disease in all its forms. Survivors marched in a show of strength and determination, supported by family and friends. After darkness fell, those who lost their lives to the disease were recognized by candlelight at the luminaria ceremony. The Mahopac Relay for Life is considered one of the American Cancer Society’s most successful fundraisers. Over 20 years it has raised more than $5 million. The charity said it is the greatest Relay in the entire New York-New Jersey area and one of the top 10 across the eastern United States. While the relay itself has ended, its mission continues. “At Relay For Life, no donation is too small; each and every dollar counts,” the organization’s website says. “Your donations help fund groundbreaking cancer research, and patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities like ours. With every donation, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives.” For more on how to support the cause, visit relayforlife.org or google “Mahopac relay for life.” In 2018, the local relay was one of the greatest fundraisers for the American Cancer Society i —Emile Menasché Relay for Life celebrates hope Johanna O’Brien addresses the crowd at the Relay for Life. Survivor Stephanie Bellofatto shares the story of her and her family’s battle with cancer. The Survivors Lap was joined by families and their teams. PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN Alice Bauer and Frances Igna were on hand representing the Bauer Bosom Buddies. Eileen Danna, Brian McCormack, and Maureen Zadorozny of the Mary’s Angels team stand up for the fight. The Muldoon and O’Connor families of Team Fighting Back stand for hope. Trusts • Wills • Estate Litigation • Probate • Elder Law Guardianships • Real Estate Law LAW OFFICE OF ANDRES D. GIL, PLLC 845.940.1110 973 Route 22, Suite 3, Brewster | Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Business HONOR, INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, AND DIGNITY • EST.2018 Timely Professional Service Scan Here to Visit My Website
PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE The campaign for the state’s 94th Assembly District has kicked off with Republican incumbent Matt Slater taking on Democratic challenger Zack Couzens. Slater, who served as supervisor for Yorktown from 2020 to 2022, has been endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties. He collected more than 2,000 signatures on his petitions, which is more than four times the required amount. In 2023, Slater was named one of Albany’s 40 Under 40 and was recently featured as one of the founding members of the bipartisan Future’s Caucus, which has more than 40 legislators under the age of 45. Slater said he is leading the fight to tackle New York’s affordability crisis, improve public safety and end New York state’s sanctuary status that he believes continues to incentivize illegal immigration. Slater also rallied opposition to Gov. Hochul’s proposed housing compact and successfully prevented her effort to supersede local zoning and build high-density housing in Hudson Valley communities. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished during my first term and honored to represent the 94th Assembly District,” Slater said. “In my first term I have stood toe to toe with Gov. Hochul to stop her cuts to public schools, veterans’ services, clean water funding, local road investments and our libraries. Hardworking taxpayers continue to be taken advantage of by a bloated, out-of-touch state government that is making it more expensive and less safe to call New York home.” Legislatively, Slater said he has tackled a wide range of topics during his inaugural term. He authored legislation that would provide tax breaks for seniors; force utility companies to hold public hearings when proposing a rate hike; charge drug dealers who cause another’s death with murder; eliminate parole for murdering a police officer or first responder; require a valid ID to vote in elections; and require all migrants, refuges, and asylum seekers to register with the state and submit to background checks. Slater’s re-election has been endorsed by the Affiliated Police Association of Westchester, Westchester COBA and the New York League of Conservation Voters. “It takes a special kind of person to serve in Albany and be effective these days,” Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said. “Matt Slater has repeatedly demonstrated he is not afraid to stand up and speak out on behalf of our hard-working residents. He and his office are always accessible, working with whoever it takes, regardless of political party, to get the job done. He has already delivered real tangible results that have assisted us in Putnam County. Matt’s been successful in securing increased funding for desperately needed improvements to our state roads like Routes 22 and 52 and has been effective in advocating for more clean water infrastructure support for our lake communities.” Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lactherman said Slater is the type of representative needed in Albany. “He is a champion in the fight for law enforcement, helped deliver millions of dollars for the paving of Route 202, and is focused on making New York state more affordable for everyone,” he said. Somers Supervisor Rob Scorrano said that Slater is a man of “conviction, integrity and trustworthiness.” Slater also serves as an officer in the United States Navy Reserves. Slater will take on Democratic challenger and political neophyte Zack Couzens, a resident of Mahopac. Couzens said he “represents a new generation of leaders who are stepping up to tackle issues like affordability and climate change that are shaping the future for Gen Z in very significant ways.” “Zack is the future of the Democratic Party, and we couldn’t be more impressed with his commitment to use public service to serve the public good,” said Jen Colamonico, chair of the county Democratic Party. Slater to take on newcomer Couzens in state assembly race Matt Slater Zack Couzens SEE ASSEMBLY PAGE 36 AS LOW AS $159/MO You thought braces were expensive? You couldn’t be further from the truth. With our pay-three-way flexible financing options, your new smile can get started with no down payment. Your first monthly payment starts your treatment. Offer applies to new patients only. Discover the braces or clear aligners plan that works for you and see exactly how much it will cost before you ever spend a penny. Offer applies to new patients only. Does NOT include Xrays or Optical Scans BRACES AND CLEAR ALIGNERS FREEEXAM & CONSULT $249 VALUE $199 DOWN $500 OFF • Top 1% Diamond Plus Clear Aligners Provider • Same Day Appointments • Braces Metal & Clear • Clear Aligners • Accepts Insurance • NO REFERRAL NECESSARY CALL TODAY 845-459-8500 PutnamOrthodontics.com SCAN HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT! comprehensive treatment over 18 months.
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PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 RED MILLS Convenience Center 575 Route 6N, Mahopac Falls • 845-628-9745 We have your grab and go items! OUR COOLERS ARE STOCKED! Your Favorite Cold Beverages & Poland Spring Cases of Water! Happy Spring! We are here if you need anything! Come see our vintage candy shop Mahopac Teachers, Students, School & Bus Garage Employees Buy One Egg Sandwich, Get 2nd HALF OFF Buy Lunch Sandwich, Get a Soda or Coffee FREE Happy Hour Coffee Ask About our coffee club Your 10th Cup is FREE! Any Size 3-7pm Purchase your box of Coffee to go! Buy 10, Get 1 FREE! Try our Coffee Flavors of the Season! Milkshakes & Smoothies $ 399 $ 1 00 OFF Sandwiches 3pm to 7pm We have over 100 helium balloon choices! 99¢ The Town Board meeting on Wednesday, May 10, had a full house as town officials, residents, and fellow officers paused to recognize Carmel Police Department officers for acts of heroism and outstanding police duty over the past two years. At the ceremony, which took place just before National Police Week (May 14-20), Carmel PD officers received letters of recommendation and awards of Meritorious Police Duty, Excellent Police Duty, and Lifesaving. The related incidents included the rescue of three submerged fishermen from the Croton Falls Reservoir last November, pulling a driver out of a burning vehicle on Route 301, and multiple large-scale investigations that led to arrests for burglary, weapons possession, narcotics sales, and sexual assault. Among the cases cited was the action that helped save a young Mahopac gymnast and the successful search for a vulnerable man who went missing in Mahopac last summer. Also receiving an Excellent Police Duty award was CPD’s K9 Pietro, for his role in finding an endangered adult in the woods between the towns of Somers and Carmel. Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann thanked the Town Board for its support of the police department and for providing the opportunity to showcase the great work done by the men and women, both civilian and sworn, of the Carmel police. Supervisor (and former Carmel police chief) Mike Cazzari added that he was happy to see these officers that he worked with as chief receive these awards. “It’s just another example of showing how great our police department is, and how proud our town can be of our officers and the excellent work they do,” Cazzari said. Article courtesy of Carmel PD Carmel PD officers honored for heroism Carmel police officer awardees stand with Town Board members PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL The Carmel police officers get a standing ovation after the list is read.
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE A Mahopac man faces several misdemeanor charges and racked up more than 60 moving violation tickets after he led police on a long chase throughout town on his motorcycle after failing to pull over when cops attempted to conduct a traffic stop. According to Carmel police, on Saturday, May 11, at around 10 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of Mahopac Village Center saw a motorcycle with an obscured rear license plate. Police say the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop to verify the motorcycle was valid, but the driver ignored the officer and fled down Route 6 and into a residential neighborhood. The officer then followed the motorcycle for more than 10 minutes, police said, terminating the chase when necessary due to the safety hazards. Police said the officer kept the motorcycle in sight, following at a safe distance, and noted the dangerous traffic infractions the driver allegedly committed along the way. The chase took them down Route 6, through the Mahopac Shopping Center parking lot, and the side roads of Mahopac neighborhoods. Eventually, the bike malfunctioned and was rendered inoperable, allowing officers to take the driver into custody and the bike was impounded. Police did not disclose the name of the driver, but said he was a 28-year-old male from Mahopac. He was arrested and charged with several counts of reckless driving and fleeing a police officer. In addition, he was issued more than 60 traffic tickets for violations and misdemeanors accrued during the pursuit. The result could total thousands of dollars in fines, police said. Carmel police said that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in 2022. “Reckless operation greatly increases the risk of injury to the operator, other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.,” Carmel PD said in a statement. “ The Carmel police are greatly dedicated to keeping our roads safe and will continue to enforce vehicle and traffic laws to the best of our ability.” Motorcyclist issued 60 tickets, faces misdemeanor charges BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Mahopac voters have elected three new members to the Board of Education and approved the school district’s $142.5 million budget. In the May 21 vote, the budget passed 1,161-921 (56 percent approved), with voters also approving two other propositions: one a bond funding updates to the district’s transportation system (1,232-844), the other authorizing the district to access money in a reserve fund(1,233-846). With six candidates running for three open seats, the school board election went to the top three votegetters: Jennifer Travis (1,050),Lisa Carway (1,038), and Christopher Harrigan (976). They will begin their three-year terms on July 1. The election’s lone incumbentLucy Massafra finished fourth with 946 votes, followed by Sharae Nix (932) and Noelle Harrison 816. Three elected to school board, budget passes Christopher Harrigan Jennifer Travis Lisa Carway Come See Us At Our New Location! PUTNAM WINDOW TINT AUTO , COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL WINDOW FILM Follow us on Instagram 1065 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • Paint protection film • Vehicle lettering • Full Service vehicle wraps • gift cards available Over 35 in Business Years Scan here for our menu! GRADS & DADS... Your proud of him, he’s proud of you. HAPPY HOUR MONDAY TO FRIDAY 4-7 PM OPEN: SUN - THURS 4 PM - 12 AM, FRI & SAT 4PM - 2 AM 925 Rt 6 | Mahopac NY Call us for reservations! 845-603-6386 Celebrate! Come enjoy Margaritas • Mojitos • Sangrias
First place went to Lois Chanofsky for the Tinker Bell Petite Category. PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN Faith Kuck earned top honors for Horticultural Excellence and the Award of Merit PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Flower power was on display on May 31 and June 1 during the Lake Mahopac Garden Club’s Disney’s Magical Movies Flower Show at Mahopac Library. Cochaired by Garden Club President Lynne Carney and VicePresident Marie Braun, the free event set out to fulfill the organization’s mission to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and to foster the artistic use of plant material. “We had nearly 100 guests view our horticulture and floral designs on Friday and Saturday,” Carney said. Faith Kuck won the Award of Merit and Award of Horticulture Excellence for her allium. The Award of Design Excellence went to Marie Braun, who took top honors in the Table Artistry and Designer’s Choice. Over 125 awards were given to club members along with“Best inSection” awards listed below: The Petite Award went to Lois Chanofsky, who also won for artistic crafts. Virginia Callahan Petals to the medals Green thumbs recognized at Garden Club Flower Show Cheryl Comitto received an honorable mention, Mary Kristensen won first place and Lois Chanofsky earned second place in the “It’s a Small World” section in the Petite category. SEE FLOWER PAGE 9 Homeowner Fair Sat. June 22nd 61 LUDINGTON COURT, CARMEL NY • 845.225.7766 • KentCountryside.com 4,000 SQUARE FOOT GREENHOUSE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION VISIT OUR GIFT SHOP! Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates | Estate Planning | Probates Elder Law, Medicaid Coordination & Estate Planning Attorneys We Make Home & Hospital Visits Contact the Team Today! (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 took the Photography Award, while Loraine Stern won the Award of Merit for her horticulture. In addition to the above National Garden Club recognized awards, the club also recognized members’ excellence with several local awards. Marie Braun won both the Jean McMurray Memorial Tray and Helen Dodge Memorial Tray for design. In the horticulture category, Loraine Stern was awarded the Alice Collins Memorial Tray and Jean Gregory Bowl. FLOWER SHOW FROM PAGE 8 Marie Braun won the Award of Design Excellence and Designers’ Choice categories, while Lois Chanofsky earned top honors in the Petite Award. Rosetta Runco stands in for Mary Ragonesi, who won first place in the Table Designs category for her “Table For Two.” Sycamore Park Summer Jobs The Carmel Recreation and Parks Department is hiring at Sycamore Park’s summer camp. Positions available include lifeguards (must pass training course for certification), camp maintenance (must be at least 18), leaders and counselors (must be 16 by June 30), and CIT— counselors in training, (must be 15 by June 30), CITs will earn community service credit. Visit carmelny.org/recreationor call the recreation office at 845-628-7888 for more information. 4-H Fair Vendors Wanted The annual Putnam County Fair and 4-H Showcase will be held on Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel. This event attracts thousands of individuals and families from the Hudson Valley and the tri-state area. Putnam County and Cornell Cooperative Extension are seeking crafters and food trucks to showcase their offerings. They are looking for vendors who offer high-quality, unique, and engaging products and services that align with the values of the Fair and 4-H Showcase. Vendors who are passionate about their craft or food are encouraged to apply. For more information, call the Putnam County Parks Office at 845- 808-1994, or email [emailprotected]. Relay for Life Shoe Donations All shoes, new or in good used condition, are wanted for a Relay for Life fundraiser.Men’s, women’s, and children’s, or sports shoes and boots can be left at the First Presbyterian Church’s garage at 411 Route 6N (and Secor Road), Mahopac, anytime, or brought to the Relay for Life event at Mahopac High School on June 1, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shoes will be picked up at the end of June by Funds2Org, they will donate to Relay for Life and then the shoes will be used to supply micro-businesses in developing countries. For more information, e-mail Johanna at [emailprotected]. Youth Police Academy Has your child shown interest in becoming a police officer? The Carmel Police Department is running its second annual Youth Academy this summer for town residents entering grades 6-8 in the 2024-25 school year. This six-day introduction to policing will take place from July 15-19 and July 22 and includes physical training, team-building exercises, and presentations by specialized units within the police department. Space is limited; students will be chosen based on a short essay: “Why I Want to Join the Police Academy.” The cost is $150. For more information, visit the town of Carmel website and select the Youth Academy tab. PAC Kids/Teens Summer Classes The Putnam Arts Council has announced its summer clay SEE MUSINGS PAGE 34 MUSINGS FROM PAGE 2 Men’s Health Month underscores the importance of proactive health management. If you or the men in your life have been neglecting health concerns, seize this opportunity to initiate positive changes. Here are some healthy lifestyle tips: Men’s Health Matters: Taking Charge of Wellness For more health and wellness tips, scan the QR code or visit optum.com/medicalcare • Get fit: According to the CDC, adults aged 18-64 should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises of all major muscle groups at least twice a week. For those 65 and older, balance-improving activities are also recommended. Before ramping up your activity level, consult your doctor for personalized advice on the best types and amounts of exercise for you. • Eat healthy: For a healthy diet, prioritize fruits and veggies, aiming to fill half your plate with them. • Have regular check-ups: These are crucial for early problem detection, as recommended by the CDC. Discuss with your doctor about necessary screenings and vaccine updates. • Seek help: Men may be less likely to seek help for mental health issues. Addressing mental health is essential for encouraging men to seek support. Coping with stress: • Prioritize self-care • Ensure sufficient sleep • Exercise regularly • Avoid tobacco and illegal substances • Maintain a balanced diet Reach out for support: • Discuss your concerns and feelings with trusted individuals. • Engage with your community or faith-based groups. • Confide in a friend, or community leader, or seek professional assistance from your doctor for additional support and resources to regain joy in life. Remember, prioritizing health isn’t just an act of self-care—it’s a gift to oneself and loved ones, ensuring a healthier and happier tomorrow. Optum Medical Care, P.C. (“Optum Medical Care”) is a physician owned and led practice having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through its physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its owned management organizations, provides non-clinical administrative services to support Optum Medical Care and its physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or health care provided by Optum Medical Care or by any of its licensed professionals. “Part of Optum” reflects that Optum Medical Care is part of Optum’s effort to support forward-thinking physician practices in helping their patients live healthier lives. Optum is a registered trademark of Optum, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other brand or product names are the property of their respective owners. Because we are continuously improving our products and services, Optum reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. Optum is an equal opportunity employer. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. 06/24
Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENASCHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 845-208-0774 [emailprotected] 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Mahopac News or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail at [emailprotected]. For more information, call the editor at 845-208-0774 PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 Happily Ever After “Every dog dies. Not every dog really lives.” -Possibly said by William Wallace if he had a dog There are a ton of posts memorializing dogs on social media. While I often reply with my condolences, I sometimes quickly skip over them when I want to avoid contemplating the mortality of my own pup. On May 30, my dog’s inevitable mortality caught up with him. That night, my brother Jonathan, also an animal lover, shared his spiritual reaction to my dog’s passing. We both discussed the uncomplicated relationships that we have with our furry family members and the simple symbiotic connections as evidence of some sort of spiritual reality. Our dogs don’t judge us. They don’t care about our finances or our appearances, and funny enough, I’m convinced that they probably prefer imperfect hygiene. Dogs aren’t passive-aggressive and they don’t play family politics. If a dog is jealous, he won’t beat around the bush; he’ll immediately tell you. All a dog wants is food, a game of fetch and a pat on his head and belly. The love that a dog will show you in return is immeasurable. Dogs also live in the moment. They don’t spend their time worrying about the future or obsessing about the past. While I’m convinced that they indeed have some sort of spiritual awareness of the finite nature of their lives, they surely don’t spend their time thinking about it. All of these are fantastic traits lacking in humans, but when we spend time with our dogs, they certainly teach us a lot about how to live. In short, our K-9 friends are surely a gift from God. What else could explain such a strong, natural and uncomplicated bond between species? I grew up with dogs, and in December 2016, I convinced my wife, Lauren, who only had a chinchilla growing up, that a dog would be a great addition to our family. On Dec. 22, the four of us, including our then-6-1/2-yearold daughter, Jenna, and our 3-year-old son, Jared, visited a rescue shelter in Patterson. We went seeking out a puppy that we saw posted on their website, but when we arrived, the puppy was already adopted. So, we walked through the shelter to see if there were any other matches that worked for our family. While most of the dogs were jumping up and down with excitement, almost as if they were yelling, “Pick me, pick me,” Justin had a quiet, polite and dignified demeanor. We went inside his cage to say hello and he immediately showed a calm affection. When we took him to a separate room to have more interaction with him, he apparently followed me to the door and stared at me through the window when I went to speak to the shelter staff. There was an instant bond. While Lauren hoped for a medium-sized dog, she acquiesced to Justin, who was big. But Lauren was so visibly anxious about our decision that the staff made us go home to sleep on it. Remember, his name was Justin, and our kids are Jenna and Jared, so it was serendipity. On Dec. 23 (Christmas Eve Eve), I brought Justin home after getting his check-up at the veterinarian. We took quite a leap of faith with him, as he was so emaciated that you could see his rib cage. Either he was malnourished or perhaps he was diseased - maybe cancer. In hindsight, that was a real possibility. Thank God, he quickly gained weight after several days and weeks of regular meals. Why was he malnourished? Was he abused? The shelter said he was transferred from Alabama. Was he always homeless? Did he have a family that lost him? I always wanted to know his story. Regardless, we always imagined that if he could speak English, it would have been with a southern drawl. Justin had resting-sad-face, so we also kind of imagined him as Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. The shelter claimed that he was 1 year old, but the vet said that his worn teeth indicated that he may have been a bit older. To this day, we had no clue exactly how old he was. The shelter also claimed that he was good with other animals. “Oh goodie,” we thought. “He’ll get along with our cats.” The very limited initial interactions that Justin had with our cats made us incredibly nervous, so our house became like West Germany and East Germany, with the basem*nt door serving as the Berlin Wall. Our finished basem*nt (East Germany) was relatively large with a TV, comfortable couch and a sliding glass door, which offered plenty of sunlight. In hindsight, it was an unfortunate situation, but we fell in love. Our cats had each other, and we spent plenty of time with them in front of the TV. The other complication was the fact that we had been living in a town house development, with strict rules about leashes and walking your dog. When it was empty, we would bring him to the fenced-in basketball court and play fetch, but a couple of times he busted through the flimsy gate and chased after smaller dogs. While he never bit another dog, I think we were partly responsible for his aggressive demeanor when walking him on his leash throughout our development. Justin was always friendly towards humans, but we tightened our grip on the leash anytime a dog passed him, which mistakenly reinforced his aggressive posture against his own species. Our best bet was taking him on a walk in RIP, Justin Freeman Dec. 23, 2016 (Gotcha Day) - May 30, 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF SOPHIE FREEMAN Justin Freeman BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO SEE FREEMAN PAGE 13
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [emailprotected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only I n Lake Mahopac’s earliest days as a world class resort, horse driven carriages arrived at the railway station, now the American Legion on Buckshollow Road, to ferry guests along the country boulevards that led to three, colossal five-star hotels that adorned the lake. Many came for the waters, which they believed had healing powers. Many were wealthy, resided in New York and Jewish. Mahopac Point and Ferry Island eventually became Jewish enclaves. When my family moved here in the late 1950s, the town bustled with traffic during the summer and many of the cars were Cadillacs driven by well-heeled Jewish vacationers and part-time residents. I once heard it said, and believe it’s true, that Jewish people, because of their impact on Mahopac’s economy, built the original Mahopac High School, now the majestic Lakeview Middle School. In its early years, Mahopac Golf Club was known as a “Gentile” club. That was a polite way of saying “No Jews.” I caddied at the club in the late 1960s and had no idea of the club’s heinous policy until I caddied for its first Jewish member: Duke Hirsh. Duke owned a car dealership in Mahopac and played with his wife and another couple every Sunday afternoon. I caddied for him and his wife. I also caddied in the morning. Many of the golfers I caddied for owned businesses in Mahopac. My esteem for them must have been evident to Duke. One day he said, I quote exactly, “Some of the people around here are not as good as you think they are.” That Duke Hirsh was Jewish barely registered with me. I found his comment strange and had no idea what he meant until later. To gain admission, Duke had threatened a lawsuit against the club. It is important to note that he could have easily joined Putnam Golf Club, at the time a private club open to Jews. But Duke Hirsh instead chose to break the Jewish barrier at Mahopac. My father used to say that to understand bigotry toward Jews and the tragedy of the Middle East, one had to start at Exodus. I see the same story at the borders, the real ones and those we build in our own minds. We have the tools and the desire to communicate. But instead of removing the barriers, we waste time and energy justifying them. We exist in competition, yet cannot survive unless we cooperate.The world doesn’t need borders. It needs a psychiatrist. Devious politicians and pundits find it useful to brand the most extreme elements of the opposition party as mainstream. By some false accounts, conservatives are heartless racists, positively evil. By other false accounts, liberals are socialists in disguise, coming for your wealth, positively evil. Both depictions are outright lies that do untold damage to the body politic. My view is that in every good-faith conservative, there is a liberal, and in every goodfaith liberal, there is a conservative. We are more alike than we think! My father, a conservative, unknowingly used a liberal thought experiment on his own two sons, my brother Philip and me. We are identical twins and went through a period of hyper competitiveness. We fought like wolverines and as we got bigger, I think my father was afraid that we might hurt each other.One day, we were ready to kill each other over a last piece of birthday cake. My father had me cut the piece of cake in half, then had my brother choose the first piece. It was a version, I would discover later, of a thought experiment designed by the political theorist, John Rawls. The theory was premised on the idea that individuals would design a just society if they couldn’t know whether they would be rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight, and so on. Each would be motivated to realize a fair society based on the fact of their own vulnerability. It was the same as me cutting the cake and trying to make sure that my brother would not receive even one extra crumb. It is liberalism based on reciprocity. That my conservative father could somehow channel a thought experiment meant to demonstrate a foundational principle of liberalism meant that he was a lot more liberal than he thought he was. That liberalism can be based on a healthy self-interest means liberals are a lot more conservative than they think. Naturally, my father and I argued a lot about politics. He used to call me a “bleeding heart liberal,” and even once, because of what he perceived as my over-generosity towards the poor, threatened to stop feeding me. When the fighting got really bad, my mother took us both by the hand, as if we were two misbehaving children, and made us hug. Sometimes she had to use force. Even a father and a son can forget how much they love each other. Thinking without borders LORENZO GARO OF HUMAN INTEREST Promote Your Charity Email your press release to [emailprotected], or give us a call at 845-208-0774
PAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 85 Myrtle Avenue, Mahopac, NY 10541 845-628-7500 • www.pineg rovecou ntrydayscho ol .com Certified by NYS Department of Education/NYS Department of Social Service • Infant (6weeks - 12 months) • Wobbler/Toddler (12-36 months) • Preschool (3-5 yrs) • Pre-K (older 4’s) • Before & After School (5-12 yrs) Now accepting CAMP REGISTRATION for Summer 2024! Now accepting CAMP REGISTRATION for Summer 2024! 1-800-PROPANE *Offler expires 6/30/24 Tank installation special applies to standard installation of above-ground tank. Offler applies to new residential customers with a fuel service agreement, subject to credit approval. Customer is responsible for the removal of competitor’s tank. Not to be combined with any other offler or discount. Other restrictions may apply. Valid at participating location only. Call for details. LIMITED TIME OFFER 1-800-776-7263 FIRST FILL SPECIAL ONLY $1.899* Installation to existing gas lines Safety check On-site tank requirement assessment New customer pricing Automatic delivery Budget payment plans Web portal and mobile app for easy account management 24/7/365 emergency service FREE PLUS SWITCH & SAVE! New Suburban Propane automatic delivery customers receive*: Disappointed in school board election results and diminishing voter turnout Dear Editor, I was very disappointed with the results of the recent school board elections in Mahopac. I was pleased that Christopher Harrigan was elected, as he is a law enforcement officer, a person looking for longterm solutions to rising school budgets, and someone who appreciates BOCES program opportunities and is concerned about appropriate school library books.Congratulations to him! On the other hand, the fact that four-term trustee Lucy Massafra was not re-elected goes to show how the Mahopac Teachers Association (MTA) doubled down to support their three candidates (only two won) by mailing eye-catching postcards, running a full-page ad in Mahopac News, and sending text messages to members. Going forward, Mahopac residents concerned about the school budget and how their money is spent cannot just sit back and put out a few signs.In the future, we need to aggressively campaign and fundraise for our candidates who bring to the table our concerns.The MTA did not support outstanding trustee Lucy Massafra, who is a 40-year resident and who “worked tirelessly to ensure our students can thrive.” Perhaps this is because she asked too many questions of administrators and believed strongly that the budget increase be kept lower than 2%. This was to the distress of the assistant superintendent for Finance & Operations, who opposed this limitation because she thinks it would morph into losing hundreds of thousands of dollars going forward and this would never be recouped.But the reality is this is your money, not theirs to spend unnecessarily. I constantly hear complaints from residents that their taxes are too high and they know that school taxes comprise the vast majority of that number.However, voter turnout for the last three elections for the budget vote tell a different story: 2024/25 budget, 2,082; 2023/24 budget, 2,399; re-vote 2022/23 budget, 2,867.That is a 27% decrease in voters since 2022/23, and only about 10% of active voters in the Mahopac Central School District. That is abysmal. Why are residents not voting? As one of very few who ever attend and speak at school budget meetings, I can tell you complacency will not help reduce your taxes.The district needs to know your concerns as they are building their budget throughout the year, whether it is because your children couldn’t go to classes during COVID and have learning losses, or may be negatively impacted by DEI and other agendas. The school board needs to hear from you on particular issues or they are not going to reduce anything or take your concerns into account. I hope this last school board election results in a wake-up call to residents to encourage them to make their voices heard. -Marie Frenkel Mahopac LETTER Being raised in an Italian Catholic family in Providence, RI, Sundays were sacrosanct. Each week we went to the 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Mass. The 9 was the kid’s Mass, which was not my parents’ favorite with all the screaming babies. After the service was over, it was off to the bakery to buy pizza strips, some hot out-of-the-oven Italian bread, and pastry for dessert after our Sunday meal. The pizza strips are not what you would think of today. They were about 4 inches wide and 10 inches long, covered with gravy (same as red spaghetti sauce), no cheese on top and eaten cold. Hard to believe, but they were delicious. We were usually famished upon exiting church. One tiny “host” did not stave off those hunger pangs. We ate the pizza strips in the car, or maybe even standing on the sidewalk outside the bakery, if you just could not wait. We would then return home and Mom would turn the gravy back on to finish cooking. Sunday was always macaroni day (never called pasta back then), as were Wednesdays. We kids begged to tear off the heel of the fresh Italian bread and dunk it into the gravy as a little snack before dinner. Yum! Was that ever good. Then the family headed for the living room with the Sunday paper, while Mom continued dinner preparations. My brother and I fought over the comics, and Dad insisted we share. Without tearing the paper to pieces, I somehow got Little Orphan Annie and he got Tarzan. We read while lying on the living room carpet until at precisely 1 o’clock Mom would announce that dinner was ready, and dinner it was, served in the dining room with many courses. Wine or beer was the adult’s drink and water with a few drops of wine for us kids. We felt so grown-up drinking wine. Dessert was the fresh Italian pastry we had picked out at the bakery, with a Sunday excursions MARILYN A. PELLINI MUSINGS: PAST AND PRESENT SEE PELLINI PAGE 15
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 13 FREEMAN FROM PAGE 10 Justin Freeman with sister, Jenna, brother, Jared, and Mom & Dad, Lauren and Brett PHOTO COURTESY OF KEN FREEMAN FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 60 Years of Excellence 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $25 OFF YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL Happy Father’s Day! the woods adjacent to our development. But nevertheless, it was not an ideal situation for him. Lucky enough, Justin got to be the newspaper office dog when we had our office in Somers before the pandemic. Believe me when I tell you that he was everyone’s favorite colleague. Justin’s preferred spot was next to Bob Dumas, our editor-at-large, who would keep dog biscuits at his desk. After his passing, our ad sales colleague Paul Forhan remembered that Justin would often calm him down when he had a particularly stressful day. Fast forward 3-1/2 years, and we were able to move to a single-family home with a large yard off of a quiet side street. I know some people are critical of electric fences, but the bottom line is that the alternative (running away and getting hit by a car) is far worse. So, we installed an electric fence and Justin quickly learned his boundary. I couldn’t recommend it more, as it gave Justin a ton of freedom to roam our large yard and the boundary even extended into part of the woods. It gave us tremendous peace of mind. At our new house, my favorite activities with Justin involved being outside (even during the winter time). Justin loved playing fetch with tennis balls and had amazing mouth-eye coordination. Had we ever taken Justin to Hibachi dinner, he could have beaten anyone at the game where the chef throws vegetables in a patron’s mouth. Up until about six months ago, Justin could have played fetch for hours without a break. He would often catch the ball mid-air after taking a huge leap, as if he was a baseball player diving for the ball, with his mouth serving as a catcher’s mitt. I would often play fetch with him whenever we had a visitor. Being the proud dad I was, I wanted to show off his athletic prowess. While he was afraid of the water, Justin loved hanging out with us by our pool, and would often patrol the perimeter and bark at the swimmers, as if he was a lifeguard blowing his whistle to scold any horseplay. When I sat in the hot-tub, he would come over every few minutes to lick my bald head (Was I salty or was it affection? I think a little of both). I also loved sitting on the front porch with Justin. Late at night, often when the rest of my family was asleep, I would sit in my rocking chair, sipping a Scotch and listening to the crickets, while Justin would lie down a few feet away at the top of the stairs, often on alert as if guarding me from would-be intruders, including whatever wild animals were lurking in the woods. He wasn’t just a good boy. He was the best boy. Given that he was emaciated when we found him, Justin understandably loved food. At first, he wasn’t so discerning, as we spent hundreds of dollars at the emergency vet to force him to regurgitate the socks he swallowed. But his palate extended beyond laundry. He loved everything from peanut butter to pup cups, and he even enjoyed eating cucumbers. His favorite thing in the world was pig ears. The only thing he disliked was spinach. About 1-1/2 months ago, Justin received a clean bill of health. But a tumor on his heart went undetected, so May 20 was my last game of fetch with him. The last few months, he would play fetch for about five minutes, but he would be the one to end the game, as he was a bit more tired than usual. On the evening of May 21, he declined to eat, which led to his diagnosis - a rare heart condition where fluid was pooling around his heart. A procedure that drained the fluid gave us an additional nine days with Justin. He recovered so well (and appeared so free of symptoms) that I began to feel a bit of false hope. He woke up acting fine on May 30, but by that evening, he struggled to breathe, and he declined additional food – a tell tale sign that this was our goodbye. Our entire family is heartbroken. Justin was a loving son, brother and grand-dog, but most of all, he was a loving friend. As I said, Lauren had a chinchilla growing up and wanted a medium-size dog. But she was as broken up by his passing as me. She told me that Justin taught her that there was perfection in imperfection. Rest in peace my furry friend, until we meet again. Our love for you was uncomplicated and unlimited, and you will hold a significant place in our hearts forever.
PAGE 14 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! YOUR FAMILY CAR CARE CENTER For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating relationships and building a remarkable company with an amazing team JOE FERONE, owner of employees! Get This Newspaper’s App On Your Phone Always Stay Informed About News Involving YOUR Town & Schools Android Scan Here iPhone Scan Here Get Our App! As I write this, there are 159 days left until election day. Although most media will focus on a closely contested presidential election, which will be decided in a handful of battleground states, control of the Senate and the House of Representatives is up for grabs as well. It is anyone’s guess which party will control Congress. New York is not one of those presidential battleground states. However, our congressional district, according to the Cook Political Report, is one of 82 “swing” districts where either party has a reasonable chance of winning. That leaves 363 congressional districts solidly in the hands of one party or the other. In 1999, by contrast, there were 164 swing districts. Several factors conspire to dramatically increase political divide. Increasingly, the Democratic Party has become the party of the suburbs and the cities, and the Republicans have become the rural party. Political gerrymandering also plays a role in certain areas with parties attempting to consolidate power to create more safe seats. The result is more polarization as incentives to work with the other side disappear. Marjorie Taylor Green and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez come to mind. MTG and AOC respectively have no incentive to work across the aisle. In fact, the incentive structure is for them to play to the most strident elements of their respective parties. It’s good for fundraising and brand building but not for governing. As they say about congressional representatives, some of them are show horses, others are work horses. Our district, the 17th congressional district, is currently represented by Representative Mike Lawler, first elected two years ago in a photo finish. In the 36 years I have lived in the district, we have been represented by three Republicans and three Democrats. We are a deep purple district. In addition to making the congressional races competitive and interesting, it ensures that we get a representative that, if they want to get reelected, works across the aisle. In fact, in Mike Lawler’s case, his voting record indicates he crosses the aisle more than any other Republican. Rep. Lawler is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress, which is composed of 62 members evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. They sit down together weekly to get to know each other, exchange ideas and work to find common ground. Their concept is a throwback to the old days of the friendship between Tip O’Neil and Ronald Reagan. Although they had their differences, they frequently met for a drink or dinner and showed a tremendous capacity to work together. Sadly, these days, party politics discourage developing these personal relationships. Since only 45 million people live in these purple districts, we can consider ourselves lucky. The other 295 million people live in districts which are not only uncompetitive, but they are represented by congressmen and women who have no real incentive to talk to the other side. No wonder not much gets done in Congress. Representing a district like ours provides insights about how to reach consensus on important issues in a collegial way. It’s almost like running an electoral focus group to determine where the consensus lies. We need more of that. As a country, we agree on much more than we disagree on. Forging a consensus and making progress is the problem we need to solve. The purple people may provide the solution and at least we can count on them to model good behavior. Maybe it will rub off on their colleagues. I remain optimistic. The power of purple DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 15 little demitasse cup of espresso for the parents, and a tall, cold, glass of milk for my brother and me. After the table was cleared by all of us, Mom retreated to the kitchen to clean up while Dad snoozed a bit in his favorite chair. My brother then had a chance at the sports section, and I had the whole comic section to myself. Sometimes Dad’s eyes would flutter open and he would yell in to Mom, “Why don’t we take the kids for a ride when you finish up?” There was always an audible groan from the peanut gallery because we usually went to the same few places: • Purgatory Rock up on Route 146 somewhere • Stump Pond (after a fire only stumps were left in the small body of water) • The Mt. Hope Bridge These were the most boring places on earth, and I could not believe that even Mom and Dad enjoyed them. We did not get out of the car, just sat there for 20 to 30 minutes and looked. In winter we even had to keep the engine running to keep warm. It was an outing though, and special, as we never got driven anywhere as kids.If you couldn’t walk, you couldn’t go. Besides, Mom did not even know how to drive, and Dad had the car at work all day. So groans and all, we really enjoyed our Sunday excursions. The car always seems to smell like new, and the back windows rolled all the way down. It’s a wonder lots of kids were not lost out those windows. The Mt. Hope Bridge was our least favorite destination. If we went to either of the other two spots, there was a chance Dad would stop at the Milk Jug for ice cream. (Yes, it was in that shape, and it still stands, shuttered, and weather worn out on Route 146). Such a treat – a second dessert. As we drove happily home at the end of the most special day of the week— Sunday, we embraced the importance of family dinner, family time, and family fun. PELLINI FROM PAGE 12 I n the recent delightfully entertaining movie, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” a narrative is presented in which apes and humans have essentially traded places. The intellectually superior apes have the power and, in all ways, possess the upper hand. Humans, like many of the animals of our world, are hunted, often just for sport. This premise, preposterous as it may sound, raised in my mind the age-old ethical question: Do intellectually superior beings possess, because of their status and strength, the moral right to take the life of all other life forms? In addition to the movie, the recent revelation by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem that she shot her dog because she found it unruly speaks of a mindset all too prevalent in today’s world.And, in case we had any doubt of Noem’s power and authority to rule over defenseless animals, she immediately proceeded from the murder of her dog to killing a goat. For me, Noem’s actions reflect a lack of respect for other living things, not to mention a complete absence of empathy for their suffering. They reminded me of unfortunate incidents I witnessed as a child, when older boys gleefully set stray cats on fire. Studies have shown that that type of individual, as he grows older, is more likely to display violence against humans as well. This can perpetuate a cycle of violence that extends far beyond the initial act of cruelty, impacting the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. But why do humans act with such cruelty? One of the main reasons for this lack of empathy towards animals is the disconnect that exists between humans and the natural world. In today’s modern society, people are increasingly detached from nature, leading to a desensitization toward the suffering of animals. Many do not even consider the impact of their actions on animals and fail to recognize an animal’s inherent value and their right to live a life free from harm. I, like many, grew up with an assumption that we can do what we like with other life forms without raising the specter of an ethical dilemma. But the times are changing. Recent advances in scientific research have underscored the evolution of our understanding of consciousness. It has become clear that many forms of life possess some level of awareness and ability to experience the world around them. From animals to fish to trees, research has shown that these living beings are not simply mindless objects but, rather, complex organisms capable of feeling pain, pleasure and of forming relationships with others. As sentient beings, it is our moral obligation to treat other living things with respect and compassion. The reality is that animals are, as in the cases cited above, often subjected to extreme suffering and brutality at the hands of humans for various purposes, such as food, clothing, entertainment, research or just for the exercise of dominance. If we accept the fact that these beings have the capacity to suffer and experience joy, then it follows that it is immoral to cause harm to them unnecessarily. Just as we recognize the right of humans to live A lack of empathy JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANO PAGE 17 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. 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PAGE 16 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SUMMER SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 7/31/24 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK! MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 | Exit 36B I-87 | Exit 17 Earn Entries All Month Long! Saturday, June 29 • 10pm Win a 2024 Chevy Camaro! *Actual model and colors may vary. CHEVY CAMARO DRAWING Part of my services as a respected journalist is to report on experiences I think my readers might themselves enjoy, while trying not to misuse phrases like, “respected journalist.” I’ve had Portugal on my short list of vacation destinations for some time now, so maybe the list was longer than I thought. Lisbon is a great choice for any world traveler. It’s clean and safe and there’s plenty to do, see and eat. We rented an e-bike on 24-hour hire so we could spend an evening in the Alfama district, which is the soul of Lisbon. Its narrow cobblestone streets and cafes have a strictly European character. They eventually all start to look alike, but we navigated things deftly with only the use of a compass, knowledge of the movement of the stars, our raw courage and of course a Google Map GPS. I always recommend seeing a European city by bicycle, as long as you feel like you can find your way around. Once you’re on it, you don’t have to deal with fares, and you can go door-to-door without having to walk to a subway or bus station, or the site itself. All that will turn you into a stature before you see your first statue. First we visited the castle of St. George, impenetrable by any force that does not possess 15 euros. It is a formidable Moorish structure whose oldest occupancy dates back to the 2nd century. It has since been used by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, Portuguese and now, tourists. Those who scoff at us for not riding a conventional bicycle have not seen the hills you have to go up to get there. If you do conquer them, the views are amazing, and you can climb up and around the parapets to see the entire city below from several vantage points. The place is also home to an ostentation of peaco*cks, which you can hear a mile away, because one sounds like a Siamese cat in heat on steroids that just lost its best friend, amplified through a public address system. We also got to Portuguese explorers RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD SEE MELEN PAGE 17
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17 www.jaiporeny.com OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 280 ROUTE 22 | BREWSTER, NY | 845-277-3549 FATHER’S DAY BUFFET JUNE 16 • $30 • 12 - 3 PM • 4:30 - 9 PM 575 Rt 6N • Mahopac, NY • 845-628-9879 Come hang out where your friends are! Father’s day is Sunday, June 16 Dad deserves a beer and a burger! Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com meet some cute baby pea-chicks. A miradouro is a Portuguese lookout point, and there are several in the hills of Lisbon. We found the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, a scenic overlook not to be overlooked. Good views of the castle, the Tagus River and the sea of orange-tiled roofs below make it a selfie wonderland. Our dinner reservation was at a famous Fado spot in Alfama. It was worth the wait, and the passionate crooning of the various singers accompanied by the expert picking of the 10-string Portuguese guitarra, bass and guitar were melodic and easy to like. Fado (“fate”) music is a traditional genre, with serious themes of melancholy, love, the plight of the poor and the draw of the sea. I pictured myself as a Fado singer, singing sad songs lamenting the loss of the Choco Taco and the cancelling of “Blue Bloods.” I might have made a career of it if more things rhymed with “Choco Taco.” The next day we rode around the city and visited the world-famous tile museum. My favorite exhibit was a large wraparound mural of the city made entirely of tile. It was imposing and beautiful, and showed exactly how we would get lost on the way back to our hotel. We ended up back at the waterfront area of the Tagus River to return our bikes. A ride on the Bica funicular is a colorful way to get you up into the Bairro Alto district, the heart of nightlife in Lisbon. Daylife wasn’t bad either, and we stopped for coffee at the historic Luís de Camões plaza to peoplewatch. It’s worth mentioning that you wouldn’t stop JUST for the coffee, which is an abstraction they don’t understand too well in Portugal, and Europe in general. I don’t know what people do to wake up in Portugal, but whatever it is does not involve a decent breakfast or coffee. If you want a perfect fried egg, you may have to wait until somebody sticks it on top of your steak for dinner. French toast, English muffins and Belgian waffles are almost unheard of in France, England and Belgium. I remember that when we ordered coffee in Greece that wasn’t espresso, we were treated to a muddy solution that looked and tasted like it came from the bottom of the crankcase of a 1968 Ford Fairlane. Anyway, back to the hotel we took the subway, which was clean and easy to navigate, and takes an ordinary credit card, a concept that deserves some credit. There was so much more to see, but we had to limit our itinerary to two days before continuing our journey. Fly on with me next time to the scenic islands of Portugal. Join Rick and No Options at Back Nine in Cortlandt, Saturday, June 22 at 9 p.m. Say hello at [emailprotected]. MELEN FROM PAGE 16 free from harm and exploitation, so should we extend those considerations to other living things. The lack of empathy and the immorality of human cruelty in killing animals is further exacerbated by societal norms and cultural beliefs that justify and normalize violence towards animals. Many people, like the superior apes in the Kingdon of the Planet of the Apes, view less intelligent life forms as inferior beings that exist solely for their consumption and entertainment. This anthropocentric mindset perpetuates a cycle of exploitation and abuse that harms not only animals but also the environment and, ultimately, us. It is imperative that we challenge these beliefs and practices and adopt a more compassionate and ethical approach towards animals. By promoting empathy, respect, and kindness toward all living things, we can create a more just and sustainable world where animals are treated with compassion and respect. This can be done by advocating for stronger animal welfare laws, supporting cruelty free products and practices, and encouraging education and awareness about the plight of animals in various industries. Only when animals are treated with respect can we truly live in harmony with the natural world and ensure a future where all creatures can flourish and thrive. MARTORANO FROM PAGE 15 Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary or other special occasion. Send a photo and announcement to [emailprotected]. You can also upload the announcement using the “Submit Content” button on the top right of our website, News.HalstonMedia.com. There is no charge for this announcement.
PAGE 18 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE The key and time signature may be changing, but the song remains the same. After 25 years as owner of the iconic Mahopac business, Putnam Music Center, Gus Wieland is retiring and has sold the store. But not to worry music fans. The business remains in good hands. It will still offer an array of new and second-hand instruments and accessories, a wide range of music classes, repair services, and more. Wieland passes the baton to Elizabeth Tedesco, who has taught violin and viola at Putnam Music since 2016. She says that while the business will continue to offer the same services, she also has some new things in store. Tedesco moved to Mahopac 11 years ago. She grew up in New Rochelle where she began playing the violin when she was just 5 years old. “I saw someone playing in church and I wanted to learn,” she said. “I really took to it, and I loved it. I played throughout high school and was in the [school] orchestra and played in the Westchester Youth Symphony.” Tedesco studied with Sylvia Medford, a renowned violinist who had an eclectic career playing with the American Symphony, on Broadway, and with James Brown’s band. She passed away recently at the age of 101. Tedesco earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Concordia Conservatory in Bronxville, N.Y., and recently completed her master’s degree at Campbellsville University. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I started teaching at a Catholic school and went on to teach at a variety of schools. Music programs don’t always last, and you have to find the next one to go to.” Tedesco said Wieland had been hinting for some time that he was mulling retirement and was looking for a buyer for the store. After finally completing her master’s, she thought the time was right. She said Putnam Music will continue to offer an eclectic array of music classes, including violin, viola, cello, guitar, drums, trumpet, ukulele, flute, sax, clarinet, voice, piano, and electric and upright bass. Tedesco said that if someone is looking for lessons for an instrument currently not on Putnam Music’s menu, “we will gladly find them a teacher.” Tedesco has even put together a student chamber orchestra with players from sixth grade and up. They recently played at the store’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the new ownership. While most of the store remains the same, the backroom, which under Wieland featured used CDs as well as music and sports memorabilia, has undergone a complete transformation. It is now where Tedesco holds Kindermusik classes, a certified music program for kids up to 7 years old. “It is one of my passions,” Tedesco said. “I have three sons who went through it with me, and it definitely works.” But, Tedesco says, her main goal is to carry on Wieland’s legacy. “I want to keep it flourishing,” she said. “There is not a lot here for kids to do. Maybe we’ll start a rock band, or singer/songwriter classes or music theory—stuff that the schools don’t offer.” Tedesco said she would love to have some of her students perform at local venues, such as the concert series sponsored by the town’s Recreation and Parks Department in Chamber Park. “That’s why I joined the Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “I want my kids to play at local events.” Tedesco still performs with the Putnam Symphony Orchestra and the World Civic Orchestra, which is made up of musicians from 20 different countries. “We meet for one week and [perform] a concert every year,” she said. “It’s really fun and always exciting.” Tedesco said the biggest challenge for her taking over Putnam Music is not actually music-related, noting that class enrollment has actually gone up since she became the owner. “The biggest challenge is I am learning how to order [inventory],” she said with a laugh. “It is kind of shocking how much stuff costs.” As for Wieland, who moved to Mahopac in 1996 and opened the store in 1999, he’s confident that he has left Putnam Music in good hands. “I just ran out of gas a couple of years ago,” said Wieland, a guitarist whose own career saw him tour with Chubby Checker and The Turtles. “I didn’t want the business to suffer. I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t do what [Tedesco] is doing now. I don’t Putnam Music Center gets an encore After 25 years, iconic Mahopac business has a new owner The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked Putnam Music’s change of ownership. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIZABETH TEDESCO Elizabeth Tedesco SEE MUSIC PAGE 36 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eileen Kuck, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who left us on Saturday, May 4, at the remarkable age of 90. She is survived by her children, Kathleen Kuck, Jill Scariati Turen (Steve), Beth Kuck Hundgen (Kurt), Bradley Kuck (Jeanmarie) and Meg Edwards (John); Danny Scariati; her grandchildren, Stetson (Natalia) & Sage Hundgen, Lindsay Scariati, and Jonathan (Janice) & Michael Edwards and her great grandson, Brody Edwards. On November 14, 1954 Eileen married John G. Kuck at St. Joseph’s Church in Croton Falls, NY. Sadly, John passed away on April 29, 2003. Born in Manhattan on March 3, 1934, Eileen grew up with a passion for helping others. She attended Somers High School and later pursued her dream of becoming a dietitian at Canton College. Her dedication and expertise led her to a fulfilling career at Northern Westchester Hospital, where she worked for many years. After her time at the hospital, Eileen joined the family business, Whispering Pines Garden Center, where she brought joy and beauty to countless lives. Outside of work, Eileen was a social butterfly, with a wide circle of friends who adored her. She delighted in hosting gatherings and celebrations, filling the lives of those around her with laughter and love. Each year Eileen and her husband would escape to Florida during the winter months where they had a home in Manasota Key, Florida. Here they would reunite with their friends who had become like family to them. These winter months in Florida were a highlight of their year filled with special moments that forged unforgettable memories that will live on with their children and grandchildren. Eileen will be remembered, perhaps most of all, for her unwavering love and support for her family. She was loved by all because she never cast the first, the second, or even last stone upon others. She is survived by her five children, who will deeply miss her guidance and warmth. As a grandmother, she was cherished by her grandchildren, who will always treasure her kindness and wisdom. Eileen leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and devotion. As a mother to five children and a grandmother to her beloved grandkids, she spent her days putting the needs of others before her own. Her commitment to her family was inspiring, and her sacrifices will never be forgotten. She was always there for her family. Her unconditional love, patience, and kindness shaped the lives of those around her, and her influence will continue to be felt for generations to come. She will be deeply missed, but her selfless spirit will live on through the countless lives she touched. Her legacy will be remembered by all who knew her. We take comfort in the memories we shared with her and the knowledge that her love and spirit will continue to inspire us. To our beloved Grandma Pink, our G-MA Softcheeks, and our Mommy - your love and light will never fade… rest in peace.. Eileen Kuck 1934-2024 OBITUARY
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNRs) are often confused with a different advance directive known as a Health Care Proxy (HCP). A HCP allows you to select someone to make health care decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so yourself. You can either give the agent you select specific written instructions as to your health care wishes and end-of-life wishes within the HCP, or you can give them to your agent verbally. The HCP is generally prepared as part of one’s estate plan by an attorney, or it is often given to a patient at the time of admission to the hospital if the patient is competent. A HCP must be signed and dated by the person making the appointment of an agent, and must be witnessed by two disinterested individuals over the age of 18. Unlike the HCP, a DNR is a medical order written by the patient’s doctor or a health care provider. It advises all health care providers that the patient does not want Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if their breathing has stopped. Patients that sign DNRs are generally those that have chronic illnesses (for example, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder or COPD) and are prone to pneumonias and respiratory failure, thus requiring resuscitation. Additionally, a patient that signs a DNR is often one that has already experienced the need to be resuscitated and no longer wishes to be kept alive by CPR. This also often occurs when one believes they are at the end of life and have given up the will to live. The health care provider/doctor will only write the do not resuscitate order after a discussion with the patient (if mentally competent). If the patient is not competent, the discussion would be held with the patient’s health care agent or the family of the patient, depending on the circ*mstance. From my own personal experience, I can assure you that the decision to sign a DNR on behalf of a loved one is daunting and traumatic. It is also important to understand that a fully executed DNR will instruct all health care providers not to (a) perform mouth to mouth resuscitation on the patient; (b) utilize electronic shock to restart the heart (a defibrillator); and (c) insert breathing tubes into the patient (use a ventilator) and offer to administer any medications to the patient that will restart breathing. The patient’s decision to sign a DNR should be made with full knowledge of one’s medical condition and of the patient’s medical diagnosis and prognosis. It is clearly a document that requires significant consideration and should be discussed with one’s family members and named agent and contingent agent in the HCP. The DNR can be printed in wallet size or can be part of a medical bracelet. It also should be prominently displayed in one’s home so that any emergency medical personnel/EMT can see it upon entering the patient’s home. In a hospital setting, the DNR will be part of the patient’s medical records. A document that works well with the DNR is a Living Will. It allows the patient to state that they do not want to be kept alive by extraordinary circ*mstances if they are brain dead or comatose with no hope of recovery. Finally, while your attorney can prepare many advanced directives for you, such as a HCP, Living Will, Power of Attorney or HIPPA form, they can not prepare a DNR for you. Anthony J. Enea is the managing attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, New York. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law.Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA.He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He is also fluent in Italian. He can be reached at 914-948-1500 or at [emailprotected]. The ABCs of a DNR It is clearly a document that requires significant consideration and should be discussed with one’s family members and named agent and contingent agent in the HCP [Health Care Proxy].’ -Anthony J. Enea Managing attorney of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER FOCUS ON ELDER LAW
PAGE 20 MAHOPAC NEWS – JU“Poppy girl” Hannah Backman, 4 Mahopac High School color guard and marching band perform for the crowd. The children in attendance were called up to sing “God Bless America.” Come indulge in scenic Lake Mahopac • New & Pre-owned Boats • Service & Repairs • Docking & Storage • Boating Accessories 1 Marina Dr. • Mahopac, NY • 845-628-2333 57 macdonaldmarineny.net MacDonaldMarineNY AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 Same-Day Roll-Off Container Delivery Available 10-yard • 12-yard • 15-yard 20-yard • 30-yard CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE cironeconstruction.com BUYING845-62WE WILL COWE BUY: Gold • Sterling SJewelry • CoinPaintings • BronClocks • CollectiAntiques • ETItems for saThis wreath from United for the Troops was among the many placed at Memorial Circle in tribute to those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.. Leanna DellaRipa, 4, marches in the Memorial Day Parade with her grandmother Barbara Reitz close behind.
UNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 PAGE 21 The American Legion Post 1080 Color Guard leads the Memorial Day parade in downtown Mahopac. Cub Scout Pack 71on the march PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL www.summertrailsdaycamp.com CURRENTLY HIRING STAFF! CALL FOR A TOUR! 914.245.1776 AWARD WINNER LIC. REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATE BROKER Grace Vinciguerra G ONLY 8-0362 OME TO YOU! 53 YEARS! Silver ns nzes bles C. le? Call us! Despite threatening skies, Mahopac residents turned out in force to mark Memorial Day, an occasion made more solemn this year by the recent loss of community fixture, veteran, and the inspiration for United for the Troops, Luke Rathschmidt. The ceremony included a moment of silence for Rathschmidt, who passed away on May 18. World War IIveteran Jim Dipelesi was honored as the area’s oldest surviving serviceman of the conflict. Judge Tom Jacobelis, Assemblyman and Navy reservist Matt Slater, Navy veteran and town councilmen Robert Kearns andFrank Lombardi, and County Legislator Amy Sayegh were among the public officials at the march, which went from Clark Place to the Memorial Circle on East Lake Boulevard. Scout troops 71 and 371 came to show their support, along withMahopac VFW Post 5491and American Legion 1080. Mahopac marks Memorial Day
PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 BY BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER This newspaper recently sat down with Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) Executive Director Derek Anderson to discuss positive changes happening at the facility and in the community. NWH, a member of Northwell Health, is a full-service 245- bed acute care hospital in Mount Kisco. Hospital officials have plans to expand their maternity ward, which is expected to break ground later in the year or early 2025, after the state gives its approval. They also plan to modernize their emergency room, again with a potential start date of early 2025. And for the first time ever, Northern Westchester Hospital has launched a residency program, taking in 16 recent medical school graduates, who will further their education in Mount Kisco. The program officially launches on June 24. Anderson also discussed the hospital’s leadership in the areas of mental health and in artificial intelligence (AI) programs designed to increase efficiency and accuracy. The following interview has been slightly edited for brevity and clarity. Q: Based on our conversation right beforehand, let’s discuss the hospital’s new focus on behavioral health. Anderson: This is a great place to start for us. Core to our mission, if you look at behavioral health at a national scale, it’s underrepresented, underfunded and typically, especially in Western society, a lot of stigma is associated with it. The goal of an organization like ours, like Northwell, Northern Westchester Hospital, is really to educate, destigmatize and provide access in the community. Q: Now when you’re referring to behavioral health, are you referring to psychology, or are you talking about physical outcomes based on people’s behavior? Anderson: Yeah, good, distinction. Thank you for that. We’re talking about the investments that we’re making as Northwell in our communities, focused on adolescent mental health. So think of a teen in depression, a teen or non-teen 8-year-old who’s struggling with severe anxiety. Even youth who potentially get to the point of depression or anxiety where they seek suicide or something extreme. We’ve seen across the region the need for mental health services rise tremendously. It existed before COVID. COVID certainly amplified some of the issues with isolation, especially in the school systems. Getting kids back into the schools and that socialization has helped. We have a president’s council at the hospital where we come together every quarter as a community with the school superintendents of the eight major districts in the area, the town supervisors, local business owners and some religious leaders. One of the things that they continue to ask is what we are doing as a community on mental health? And they find teachers looking for support on how to identify and how to help calm kids down. And then we’ve identified these kids who need help. Where do we send them? Looking at the landscape of providers in the area, just like a lot of subspecialties in medicine, there are not a lot of doctors out there and those who are out there typically have very long appointment times. You could be waiting six to eight months for an appointment. Imagine a child or an adolescent teen in crisis. They can’t wait six months to get in to see somebody. What happens is they end up in an emergency department or ER, which we’ve seen an increase in over the last several years. So the plan, which we’re excited about, and this is not just here, it’s happening across all of Northwell. Northwell announced a nearly $500 million investment across the region in mental health. Keep in mind mental health nationally with CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services], with private insurers, it’s not well compensated. It’s core to our mission as a not-for-profit, even though it loses a lot of money, we still very much want to provide services in the community because we see what the need is and it’s heartbreaking. Q: Has the need increased or have we identified it more? Anderson: A combination of a few things, I think, and just to be clear, I’m not a mental health provider. In my role with the hospital and with the system with Northwell, we’ve seen additional visits within our emergency department. We’ve seen an increase in our schools seeking us as a partner to try and solve some of these problems. Our community has spoken up pretty loudly that they’re seeing it and they’re reading about it and what are we doing as a community to solve this? And so I think it’s a combination of a lot of voices telling us we need to do something. When we’re looking to place patients out of the ER for follow-up care, it’s really, really difficult. So it takes a tremendous amount of coordination to get that patient set up with an appointment because — simply, there’s just not enough providers in the area. So the goal is to build that infrastructure. So over the next couple of years, and we’ve already started this year, Northern Westchester, Northwell, we’re investing about $10 million here locally in a fourpart program. And the first step is education-based, working with the schools to train and give the teachers and those frontline educators resources and skills to identify and then de-escalate. That’s Part 1 that’s happening; that’s starting to happen right now. The second piece is physically building an urgent care center for the sole purpose of adolescent mental health. So think of going to an urgent care center for anything; the flu, COVID, a broken arm; this will be an urgent care dedicated to teen mental health. That way, the teachers or the educators or really anybody in the community, they have somewhere at least to immediately go instead of going to an ER. Which is tough. It’s expensive. It’s built for those really extreme physical emergencies. So that’s Step 2. Step 3 is then OK, you’ve stabilized the crisis in an urgent care center, just like you would an urgent care or doctor’s visit. But this is an urgent care staffed by psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, mental health providers. Step 3 is OK, we’ve stabilized. How do they get ongoing care? And that’s where we’re setting up an outpatient practice so they can then have those routine visits with the provider. Step 4 is what we call a partial hospitalization program. It’s also known as a day program where teens coming out of that urgent care, coming out of an ER, if you’re OK having every so often visits with a psychiatrist or a counsellor, that’s OK. For some patients or teens, that’s going to work great. Some teens need more intensive care, not to the level they need to be admitted to the hospital, but they need a little bit more intensive care. So they come say 8, 9-o’clock in the morning, they’re there most of the day and then they’ll sleep in their beds at home, they’ll go home at night and then they’ll come back the next day. So it’s a very intensive day-based program to get them through and some are there short term, some need it more long term; it’s somewhere between seeing your doctor once a week to being admitted to a hospital. And so those four components, none of them live in the hospital, all of them live outside in the community. And so we’re working towards it. The cost to build some of these sites is just under $10 million. Q: Where would these facilities be located? Anderson: We’re still working on location. Our hope is to really serve all aspects of the population, not just those who can afford to access it. So we’re looking at locations near train stations, buses. We really want this to be accessible to the underserved as well. Bold initiatives unveiled for local healthcare Plans to revolutionize maternity, ER, mental health services and AI Northern Westchester Hospital is a full-service 245-bed acute care hospital in Mount Kisco. It is part of the Northwell Health system. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD DEZEN NORTHERN WESTCHESTER HOSPITAL Northern Westchester Hospital Executive Director Derek Anderson SEE HEALTHCARE PAGE 23
Statistically over 50% of all adult mental health that we face as a society starts at the age of 14. So that’s why we’re trying to focus upstream as far as we can, so we can prevent or help them learn how to cope or manage early on. And then the other piece of this, we’re excited. We’re building a residency program. Because then you say, well, there’s not enough providers. How are you going to staff with physicians and nurses for this specialized mental health? Part of the residency program that we’re building will have a residency spot for behavioral health. So the idea is we’re going to train our own providers that then we hope we’ll establish a practice in the community. We’ve always been a teaching hospital in the sense that we train nurses, techs, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, dieticians. This is the first time in the history of this hospital that we are becoming a true academic physician training location. We had just over 3,000 applications. We interviewed 300 people. And then you rank your candidates, they rank us and their other sites that they interviewed at. And then there’s an algorithm nationally that then matches the students. It’s exciting. For us this is a game changer because it raises the level of evidence-based care. It infuses more of the education culture, which is what we are, in Northwell, across many sites. We’re starting with internal medicine. It’s a little more intensive than primary care. That’s the base. We have 16 and we matched all 16 spots, which is great news as a first time program, that will grow to 32 within internal medicine. And then over the next five years, once you have internal medicine as the base, you can then do specialties, psychiatry, mental health. And then we’re looking at obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, pulmonary medicine and a few others. As a not-for-profit, access to fundraising and capital is vital for us to survive and we deeply appreciate a lot of our community who came together to help us fund what will be our maternity expansion. We’ve grown our deliveries at Northern Westchester statistically by almost 40% over the past five years when the birth rate in the area continues to decline. So as more families are transitioning out of the city, moving up, certainly that was the case during COVID, we’ve just in the last five years seen a pretty steady rise in births here, going from 1,600 deliveries in 2019 to this past year, when we delivered about 2,200 babies. [We have] the highest level NICU that you can have outside of a big trauma center. It’s called a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. It has all the services that support that NICU as well. So we have a pediatric general surgeon full-time on staff. We have five pediatric anesthesiologists in this hospital. So any surgery happening here is happening by a pediatric board certified anesthesiologist. We have a full time 24/7 hospitalist pediatrician here in the hospital; there’s always a pediatrician trained in hospital level care here, all the time, year-round. So, it’s all those services together that make it a good maternity department. We have a high-risk obstetrician. We always 24/7, 365, have two attending level obstetricians physically in the hospital, right around the corner every day of the week. Every night too. I think patients appreciate the fact that should something happen, we have the right team here to take care of you. The nursing team of Northern Westchester Hospital is second to none. This is a remarkable team. Evidence based, professional practice. Caring, compassionate. It’s amazing. So that makes a big difference. What’s lacking is the physical space from 1972. So this is where we’re excited this year and this is where we’ve had the donor community help accelerate, especially Scott and Nan Hayworth, gave us a pretty significant gift to jump start this initiative. This is a full renovation of all of our obstetrical units. So the third floor of this hospital, once it receives state approval later this year, we’ll start construction; it’s a two year project. Q: Is it an addition? Anderson: it is an expansion and modernization. So existing rooms get larger, delivery rooms get larger, we add an entire unit focused on antepartum, which are high risk mothers. You won’t notice it from the outside per se; it’s kind of tucked away back there. But you will see on the third floor, the physical envelope of the building expands to accommodate that growth. New operating rooms, new recovery room. It’s a big project. Once [the New York State Health Department] gives us approval, which we’re anticipating should be later this year, and it’s gone through that state regulatory approval, and then the local towns, we’ll be ready to start construction. Q: And then you mentioned Rapid Access ER? Anderson: So when it comes to emergency medicine here, and many ERs across the country have seen an increase in emergency room visits. Part of that may be due to the community unable to access their provider or see a doctor quickly or not having enough urgent care centers. We’ve seen a 17% increase here at Northern Westchester in the past four years or so. And a lot of that is related to the opening of our 24/7 heart center here. So that’s… all full heart services 24/7, 365 days a year. Because of that, you have patients that normally would have to travel for care end up in the ER. So there’s a part of it related to that. All of these factors combined, our typical emergency department is only built to handle so many visits. We’ve now exceeded that. Patients may remember five years ago always having a private room, very fast, very efficient, and this has turned into the physical constraints of double rooms. So this year that is being reviewed by the state health department. We have a great project to expand the ER, not the square footage, but a very big internal transformation that allows us to add a number of beds and a rapid access area. So often if patients come in and they just need something minor or relatively quick, why go through the same arduous process as somebody who’s here for something more complex. Q: So improve the triage basically? Anderson: Yes, your initial triage is relatively the same, but then you go down this fast track or you go down what needs more time and imaging and things like that. So it’s a model that’s been explored and deployed throughout Northwell throughout the country. We had a version of this right before COVID. This is now just an expansion of that. The hope is that we’ll start construction summertime and finish before the end of the year. Q: So I have to ask you about the parking because there was literally one space available for me to park. Anderson: My father used to say you’d rather go to a restaurant that’s busy and packed than a restaurant that’s completely empty. Here, no different. So there are many times during the week, typically come 9, 10 o’clock in the morning until late afternoon, we’re out of parking. To address this, we have valet services all over the campus. So in the garage, one level down is a free valet service. Our north lot has a free valet service. And then our cancer center at that end of the campus has a free valet service. And then we’re grateful for the Lutheran Church across the street that helps us. We ask employees to park across the street. CVS has been a great partner; we have a number of spots in the back of CVS. We have staff members, including myself, that park across the street, and then that gives a little more capacity for visitors and patients. As we continue to grow, there will be a need to look at an additional structure. And we’ll work very closely with the village of Mount Kisco. For those who live kind of down in this region, accessing physicians has been a challenge. As providers have retired, moved on from medicine, pre-COVID post-COVID, continues to just drive a national physician shortage in some specialties and even primary care. That’s one of the reasons we’re building a residency program so that every year eight to 12 residents will graduate and we hope for them to establish a practice here so that we have a talent pipeline. So looking at the landscape for us here, if we go back even just a few years, there were not a lot of Northwell employed doctors. Today, we have over 260 employed physicians practicing out in the communities of Westchester. Employees of Northwell Health. I would say in the last five years that number has more than doubled. These are Northwell Health practices. Any community that Northwell looks to add value in, they’re making investments locally. So we’ve done this time and time again across communities of the city, across Long Island and up here with our communities in Westchester and Rockland County. We continue to bring care close to home. Travel is a burden. The cost of going to Manhattan for care, it’s expensive, it’s time consuming, often requires somebody to take an entire day off of work and those are for those who can afford it. You have a number of the community we serve working two to three jobs, how do they JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 HEALTH & WELLNESS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 23 Drs. Scott and Nan Hayworth recently gave a significant gift to Northern Westchester Hospital to help jump start the expansion of their maternity department. A NICU isoloation unit at Northern Westchester Hospital, which has the highest level NICU outside of a big trauma center. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TODD DEZEN HEALTHCARE FROM PAGE 22 SEE HEALTHCARE PAGE 37
PAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 Get great service & great rates. Get great service & great rates. You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Tim Beyrer, Agent 710 Route 6 Mahopac, NY 10541 Bus: 845-628-9100 ibdfh@fGet great service & great rates. You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor servBut I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for eCall me for a quote to see how much you can saveYou might be surprised. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirTim Beyrer, Agent 710 Route 6 Mahopac, NY 10541 Bus: 845-628-9100 [emailprotected] State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001877 Get great service & great rates. You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Tim Beyrer, Agent 710 Route 6 Mahopac, NY 10541 Bus: 845-628-9100 [emailprotected] State Farm Bloomington, IL 2001877 Get great service & great rates. You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. Tim Beyrer, Agent 710 Route 6 Mahopac, NY 10541 Bus: 845-628-9100 [emailprotected] You know I’m always here with Good Neighbor service. But I’m also here with surprisingly great rates for everyone. Call me for a quote to see how much you can save. You might be surprised. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Individual premiums will vary by customer. All applicants subject to State Farm® underwriting requirements. A New York State physical education organization recently recognized 25 Mahopac elementary school students for demonstrating leadership, hard work, and sportsmanship. The recognition came last month at the Southeastern Zone New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s 59th Annual Elementary/Middle School Awards ceremony. The Mahopac students were nominated by their physical education teachers for the association’s Leadership Award for showing “good sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, personal effort, cooperation, tolerance, compassion, respect for self, teammates, and opponents, fair play and proper conduct as a fan as well as a player.” Thirteen Lakeview students and 12 Austin Road students received the awards. The Austin Road students honored were Alex Garcia, Ian Schultz, Griffin Barr, Owen Schultz, Jackson Tardio, Kaylee Carinci, Katie Safieh, Leah Rasulo, Christopher Lombardi, Joshua Valentin, Erin Barry, and Cole Carroll. They were accompanied by PE teacher William Huestis Lakeview award winners were Taylor Guam, Brendan Reilly, Conor Hartnett, Mary Kate LaRue, Taylor Spedaliere, Kristina Laskody, Rosemary McGourty, Sarah O’Hanlon, Scarlett Freehill, Gabriella Norris, Angelina Santos, Mia Ljuljduraj, and Monique Rufo. They were joined by PE teachers KatrinaKlammer and Greg Fitts. Article courtesy of Mahopac School District Mahopac elementary students win leadership awards Lakeview Elementary students and their gym teachers at the New York State AHPERD ceremony Gym teacher NAME and Austin Road students at the NYS AHPERD awards PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAHOPAC CSD YOUTH FOCUS YOUTH FOCUS
Sports JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR One pitch, one swing, one run, and one heartbreaking defeat. Eastchester’s Aidan Schultz’s sixth-inning solo homer provided the game’s only score as Mahopac’s strong 2024 campaign came to an end with a disappointing home loss. Wolf Pac starter Tyler DeBrocky suffered the loss despite pitching seven innings of two-hit ball, striking out 13 with four walks. Despite having one more hit than the Eagles, the Wolf Pac batters couldn’t solve Eastchester hurler Jake Warnock, who also went the distance, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out 16– pinning at least one K on every Mahopac hitter except Nate Mascol (1-2, SB). Drew Lichtenberger (1-3, double) Vince Cataldo (1-3, SB), and Robert Dusovic (BB, SB) provided the rest of Mahopac’s offense. The Wolf Pac earned the No. 1 seed and a bye going into the playoffs and finished the season 14-7-1. Coach Anthony Nappi said his team showed character and grit throughout the season to earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. “This group worked so hard to change the culture of the program and they certainly succeeded,” Nappi said. “The work they put in during the fall and winter—which included getting up at 6 a.m. on Sunday mornings—was unmatched. It’s no surprise to me that they did something that hasn’t been done in Mahopac since the early 2000s by earning the No. 1 seed.” Nappi said the seniors on the team showed real leadership to set the foundation for a strong future. “Our seniors really set the tone and made this program a family,” Nappi said. “They worked with younger guys, held them and each other accountable. Any success we have moving forward I would attribute to them, setting a high expectation to be a part of this. “Tyler Castrataro, DJ DeMatteo, Tyler DeBrocky, and Robert Dusovic led the way as captains,” the coach added. “It was not just captains that were leaders in this charge though; Casey Brandstetter, Ryan Tissier, Chris Sapienza, Jason Gardineer, Phil Scuderi, Ethan Giorgianni, Owen Ryan, and Robert Keller played major roles on the field and off. “I am so proud of these guys and so excited for their futures,” Nappi said. “I am going to miss them and they left this program in great shape.” Eastchester ends Mahopac’s season in pitcher’s duel DeBrocky goes the distance in 1-0 playoff loss Vince Cataldo gets off the ground to make a throw against Eastchester. PHOTOS: GALILEO SPIONE Tyler DeBrocky pitched a complete game two-hitter in Mahopac’s playoff loss to Eastchester. Nate Mascoll slides into second against Eastchester. BASEBALL 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/24 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 7/31/24 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team
PAGE 26 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR The Mahopac Golf and Beach Club played host to the Putnam County High School Golf Championship on Tuesday, May 28. Teams from Mahopac, Carmel, Kennedy Catholic, Brewster, and Yorktown High Schools faced off in the nine-hole competition run by the club’s head golf pro Terence Hughes and assistant pro Shawn Baker. (Somers and Punam Valley were invited but unable to attend.) Yorktown’s Kurt Carey shot a 36 to help the Huskers win the tournament with an overall team score of 158, topping second-place Mahopac’s 175. With the four lowest scores counting toward the team total, Liam O’Connell led the Wolf Pac with a 41, followed by Jacob Weiss (42), Kurt Ebinger (45), Vincent Margiotta (46), Noah Bonder (48), and Matt Silkowski (50). Brewster (192), Carmel (194), and Kennedy (197) rounded out the team scoring. Putnam County HS golf tourney comes to Mahopac Wolf Pac edged by Yorktown to finish second Jacob Weiss from Mahopac sends his ball down the fairway. PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN GOLF John Carlo (Yorktown), Carmine Calandrello (Kennedy), Matthew Silkowski (Mahopac), Michael Sciarabba (Mahopac) and Nathan Krinsky (Carmel). INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 ROUTE 202 SOMERS, NY 10589 progressive-vet.com Rooted in the Community with Excellence & Love 914•248•6220 Perrone Family CHIROPRACTIC 925 Route 6 • Mahopac, NY 10541 • Tel: (845)628-3805 Serving the Mahopac Community for Over 25 Years We will take care of you like family. FOR A LIMITED TIME CALL US TODAY FOR DETAILS GET 10% OFF UP LOSE TO 40lbs IN 42 DAYS! AND OUR PROGRAM IF YOU WANT: Less Pain, to Feel Great, and Better Health... CALL US TODAY! We utilize many different types of therapy and treatment to get you feeling your best. Chiropractic • Massage Therapy • Acupuncture Spinal Decompression • Neurofeedback • Weight Loss Liam O’Connell from Mahopac gets ready to finish a putt.
MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 27 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MT. KISCO, NY 10549 • PH: 914.202.0575 2 TRACKS $60 for a 1/8 page ad to participate. 10% of all revenue earned from this section will be donated to your school's PTA as a parting gift to the organization. Ad booking deadline: JUNE 24 Ad approval deadline: JUNE 26 FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADS, email [emailprotected] FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADS, email [emailprotected] Honor Your High School Graduate! You nurtured them for 18 years. Share your family's accomplishment in our Special High School Graduation Pullout on JULY 3RD. Let's Not Forget the 8th Graders are Movin' On Up! Moving up from middle school to high school is an achievement that also deserves recognition. Your baby is growing up! Honor them with a special message in a Middle School Graduation Section inside the regular paper JULY 3RD. In the email, send us: • A high resolution photo (original digital file is preferred over scanning) • Let us know your school district so we can publish it in the correct newspaper. • One to two sentences in a message. Include your child's first and last name in the message. End the message with who it's from. (Example: Joe Smith, We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. We wish you the best over the next four years. Love, Mom & Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Brother & Sister). • Our team will design the ads and send it back to the parent for their approval. For any questions, call Jay Gussak at 914-299-4541. Parents! JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024
PAGE 28 – MAHOPAC NEWS SPORTS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 www.aonpt.com GOODROW BUILDING 862 Route 6 Mahopac NY 10541 (845) 208-0963 MILL POND OFFICES 293 Route 100 • Suite 107 Somers, NY 10589 (914) 276-2520 BREWSTER 3 Starr Ridge Road Brewster, NY 10509 (845) 279-9288 The Road To Recovery Starts Here BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Former Mahopac wide receiver Andrew Cohen is embarking on a new chapter in his athletic career in what many would call an unexpected twist—he’s earned a spot on the roster of the vaunted NCAA Division I University of Miami Hurricanes football team. Making the roster of the five-time national title holders—ranked 14th by Athletic/New York Times writer Stewart Mandel earlier this week—is an achievement for any athlete. But for Cohen, who graduated from Mahopac in 2021 and was thinking more about grad school than the gridiron until a few months ago, it’s a testament to perseverance and seizing an opportunity when it’s presented. In fact, Cohen has already earned his bachelor’s degree, graduating cum laude last month with a BSBA in business technology and a minor in economics. While he’s playing football, he will continue at U Miami studying for his master’s in business analytics. Despite finishing his undergrad studies in three years, Cohen found time for club/ extracurricular sports taking up rugby and lacrosse for the first time. The two new disciplines would eventually lead him back to the football field “Rugby for sure shaped me physically and mentally for football,” Cohen said. “Playing both sides of offense and defense keeps you fit and having no pads tests your confidence every second of the match.” Cohen, who says he got bigger, faster, and stronger while in college, credited White Plains Rugby and training with Fijian players in 2023 “for pushing me harder than ever and changing my mentality.” “Going to tournaments with athletes who were the biggest and fastest I’ve ever seen humbled me and made me grind even harder,” Cohen explained. “U Miami rugby holds a special place in my heart as we built the program back up from the ground my freshman year.” He started playing lacrosse during his sophom*ore year. “The friends I made along the way were the most important,” he said. “Traveling all over the South making memories and picking up the sport I used to love most was awesome.” Cohen—who played on Mahopac’s varsity during his junior and senior years— credits head coach Dominick DeMatteo and (former freshman coach) Tom Donahoe, (JV coach) Vin Collins, and (assistant JV coach) Rob D’Alessandro for playing a huge role in his development. Still, Division I football wasn’t on his radar when he entered college. “Freshman year of college I was 6-foot, 175 pounds,” he said. “I grew another inch that year but gained no weight, didn’t utilize the dining hall enough, and was more into calisthenic workouts outdoors. “Sophom*ore year is when the changes came,” Cohen continued. “I moved into an apartment with my roommate Allan and was still growing a bit. Me and Allan loved to cook and I committed myself to gaining weight. It was a priority and I thought about it all day. Along with this, I got back into the actual gym and started following my old workout plan.” Cohen says he found the discipline to fully commit to his plan to build strength and size. “Consistency is key with diet and the gym and I was locked in,” he said. “In both semesters of sophom*ore year, I put on 15 pounds to get up to 205 and just under 6-foot-2 by the end of it.” It was the combination of the gym workouts, diet, and on-field action that took him over the line. “Going to practice five days a week with rugby and lacrosse and competing on the weekends kept me fit and lean,” Cohen said. “I maintained the mindset throughout the summer training with White Plains Rugby Football Club and went into junior year in the best shape of my life.” It gave him the confidence to try out for the Miami spring football team this season, a decision that would end up earning him a spot on the fall roster. Did he Miami nice! How former Mahopac WR Andrew Cohen earned a spot on the Hurricanes Cohen (left) poses in his Miami uniform. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW COHEN ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT SEE COHEN PAGE 29
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 29 AFC Carmel (next to Starbucks) 1874B US 6, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512 914.380.8588 afcurgentcare.com/carmel M-F: 8am-8pm, S-S: 8am-5pm Some bugs do more than bite. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, don’t delay getting tested for tick-borne illness! AFC offers removal, testing and treatment for infection. With convenient extended hours seven days a week and the option to “save your spot” to be seen, getting the care you need when you need it has never been easier. consider it a long shot? “I went in pretty confident in my abilities but I was worried about the commitment to a D1 varsity football program,” Cohen said. “I knew I wanted it but I was questioning giving up my old college lifestyle. “Having not played football in three years I was nervous about my football skills, but I never stopped competing thanks to rugby and lacrosse,” he added. “The feeling of performing under pressure never left me as I was doing it every week. I went out there with nothing to lose and gave it everything I had.” The three-year gap between strapping on his helmet in anger was just one of the challenges of returning to the gridiron at such a high level. “Commitment, organization, and competing in everything,” Cohen said of the differences between high school and college football. “Everyone is locked in, not only your coaches are holding you accountable but everyone around you. When you’re at practice, there’s no time wasted, and you’re constantly on the move. When you’re in between the lines, the dude across from you isn’t your friend anymore...you’re out there for blood. It’s cutthroat but that’s what it takes to be great.” DeMatteo said Cohen’s competitive nature and intelligence made him an interesting player to coach. “I always felt he was a lights-out prospect with his combination of intelligence and athletic ability, and his understanding of the game of football was there from the beginning,” DeMatteo said of Cohen as a high school student. “You had to challenge him mentally. He’s also a fierce competitor. The fact that he played rugby and lacrosse on the college level doesn’t surprise me, but the training he then embarked on to make the football team at a school like Miami really shows his character.” As for what he’s learned from the whole experience, Cohen cites persistence, commitment, and the selfbelief to keep going. “No matter what happens throughout your athletic career the only person you need to believe in you… is yourself,” Cohen said. “Don’t give up on your dreams and keep grinding and opportunities will present themselves. “I thank my family for always believing I was destined for great things,” he added. “I thank my coaches throughout my career for teaching me life lessons that I carry with me to this day. I thank my friends and teammates for supporting me and always having my back on and off the field. Thank you to UMiami for being the best school and giving me all the amazing experiences, friends, and of course the opportunity to put the pads and helmet back on.” COHEN FROM PAGE 28 Andrew Cohen credits rugby with helping him develop into a Div. I football player. Cohen hauls in a pass while playing for Mahopac. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDREW COHEN
PAGE 30 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 The Mahopac Unified basketball team won its final game of the season in a three-team tournament with a buzzer-beater to defeat Brewster 44-42 as part of a round-robin tournament that also included North Salem. Mahopac’s unified sports program is growing. The basketball team played six games this season, with many of the players competing in two sports. “This is the first year where we added bowling to the unified program, and the majority of our athletes did both,” said Mahopac Athletic Director Steve Luciana, who has championed the growth of the program since joining the district. “Our student helpers from the general student population were amazing with Mahopac wins season finale Seniors Joseph Vaughn, Haley Francise, James Miglio, and Shane Waring get recognition. PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN Aydin Alvazians celebrates a score. UNIFIED BASKETBALL SPORTS SEE UNIFIED PAGE 31 Nick Rogan and Brandon Pagan high-fives after scoring a basket. Brooke Berlingon takes on Brewster defenders Christian Pinel and Haley Riolo. Our Fences Include: Chain Link Aluminum Wood Vinyl Deer Fencing Railings scrfence.com | 914-302-2552 GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS. -Robert Frost See Our Great Selection of Styles & Colors! Material Also Available for DIY. 2013 Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 [emailprotected] Westchester’s Leading Fence Installer Proud To Be Locally Owned Building Superior Fences at Competitive Prices Proudly Partnered With AFA (American Fence Association) 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 31 Service... Integrity... Compassion Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences. Anthony J. Guarino Family Owned & Operated 945 East Main Street • Shrub Oak, NY 10588 • (914) 962-0700 YorktownFuneralHome.com • [emailprotected] STORMVILLE AIRPORT’S ULTIMATE FAMILY YARD SALE A BARGAIN HUNTER’S PARADISE Saturday, June 15, 2024 & Saturday, September 14, 2024 428 Route 216, Stormville, NY Visit www.stormvilleairportfleamarket.com 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Rain or Shine BOOTH SPACE AND TABLE RENTAL AVAILABLE Call 845-226-1660 Free Admission & Parking • Food Concessions COME SEE WHAT OVER 300 FAMILIES Have to Sell NO PETS ALLOWED Clothing • Books • Toys • Bikes • Tools • Baby Items • Household Items • Sporting Goods • Exercise Equipment And Much More our unified team, and our coaches really enjoy what they do to make it a great experience for all the athletes involved. And we couldn’t make it happen without the support of the parents; they’re amazing.” When the winning basket went in, the high school gym erupted. “You would have thought we won a Section 1 Championship,” Luciana said. “There’s tremendous support for this team.” UNIFIED FROM PAGE 30 Will Smith speaks, it is his first MHS Unified Basketball event. Brianna DelVecchio sets up to pass the ball. Joey Miceli and Brianna DelVecchio with excellent teamwork! PHOTOS: JENNA WALDMAN Kira Waring leads the offense down the court. Justin Beberman takes the ball down the court with Aiden Flemming beside him. Nick Rogan steals the ball from the Brewster Bears, four times in a row!
PAGE 32 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 The county will host the inaugural Putnam County Youth Business Market on Sunday, June 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at Tilly Foster Farm (100 Route 312, Brewster). This event seeks to empower the younger generation with business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. All are welcome and encouraged to shop at the Market, which will feature more than just traditional lemonade stands, offering a diverse array of youth-run businesses showcasing their creativity and skills. The Youth Business Market is designed for young entrepreneurs aged 5 to 17, providing them with a venue to learn about selling a product, the value of money, and the joy of offering products and services to the public. Currently, just over 70 young vendors are signed up to sell at the Market. “We are thrilled to host the first Putnam County Youth Business Market,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for our youth to gain hands-on experience in running a business, understanding the value of hard work, and learning the importance of financial literacy. It’s a wonderful way for them to engage with the community and build confidence in their abilities.” Byrne initially announced the concept at his State of the County address earlier this year, having learned about similar operations while attending a local government conference in November 2023. Participants will sell their own products and services, with parents present solely for support and chaperoning purposes – not to sell on behalf of their children. This approach ensures that young entrepreneurs truly experience the responsibilities and rewards of running their own businesses. In order to run the event, the Youth Bureau is teaming up with local Putnam County resident Ed Santalone, owner of Promenade on 6, as the community sponsor and business advisor. His extensive experience and dedication to community development make him an invaluable asset to the Youth Business Market. “I am honored to support the Putnam County Youth Business Market,” Santalone said. “This event aligns perfectly with my belief in empowering the next generation. I look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit that these young individuals will bring to the table.” Janeen Cunningham, director of the Putnam County Youth Bureau, expressed her enthusiasm: “We believe in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. The Youth Business Market provides a safe and supportive environment for our youth to explore their interests, develop skills, and understand the fundamentals of selling something. It’s about fostering a sense of independence and achievement.” The community is invited to come out, support the young entrepreneurs, and enjoy a day filled with creativity, learning, and fun. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Putnam County Child Advocacy Center, supporting its critical work in aiding children and families in need. For more information about the event, visit putnamcountyny.com/ ybm. Article courtesy of the County Executive’s Office Inaugural county Youth Business Market set This Ad is Donated By Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Attorneys at Law | 914-948-1500 corpangelnetwork.org Cancer Patients Fly Free Filling Seats with Hope Corporate Angel Network (CAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide cancer patients with free transportation to treatment centers throughout the United States. CAN works closely with over 500 of America’s top corporations, including half of the Fortune 100, to match empty seats with patient flights. Thanks to the generous support of these companies, CAN has coordinated more than 68,000 flights since its founding in 1981. Contact CAN to learn more about registering a cancer patient or to donate to support their mission today. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PUTNAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 LEISURE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 33 To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Baby’s dining accessory 4. Something free 8. Ancient Egyptian deity 10. Set-like mathematical categories 11. Top-quality 12. Expansive 13. Seizure 15. People with congenital absence of pigment 16. Gains 17. Mocked online 18. Clint’s son 21. Body part 22. Humor 23. Code number 24. Your physique 25. Family of regulator genes 26. LA football player (abbr.) 27. “The Blonde Bombshell” 34. Charity 35. Bluish greens 36. Examined closely 37. A type of equation 38. Stretched uncomfortably 39. Indian religious god 40. Clocks 41. Slowly leak through 42. Witnesses 43. Midway between south and southeast CLUES DOWN 1. Nestlings 2. Induces vomiting 3. A place to eat 4. Partner in the air 5. Offered one’s take 6. Nobel-winning French biologist 7. Farm animals 9. Prevent from growing 10. Sensationalist periodical 12. Soft-bodied beetle 14. Very fast airplane 15. Imaginative creation 17. Recipe measurement (abbr.) 19. Evoked a response 20. French river 23. Shiny yellow minerals 24. Make illegal 25. U.S. military branch 26. River in France and Belgium 27. A woman of refinement 28. Male child 29. Type of medication 30. German city 31. Animal disease 32. Mediterranean dietary staple 33. Sneak out 34. Radioactivity unit 36. Performs on stage Travel opens people up to new experiences. Among those experiences are myriad opportunities to try new foods and styles of cuisine. After all, what would a trip to Italy be without some indulgence in the various culinary specialities each part of the country is known for? But one need not stray from home to enjoy regional fare. For instance, f o o d i e s who enjoy foods typically associated with the southeastern United States can indulge that passion in the comforts of their own kitchens. This recipe for “SouthernStyle Buttermilk Fried Chicken” from AllRecipes.com is sure to satisfy anyone’s craving for southern cuisine. Serve up some southern cooking from the comforts of home Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken Makes 8 servings • 2 cups buttermilk • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 5 cups vegetable oil for frying Whisk together buttermilk, mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. Pour buttermilk marinade into a resealable plastic bag. Add chicken pieces, coat with marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for two to eight hours. Combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and onion powder in another resealable plastic bag; shake to mix thoroughly. Working with one piece at a time, transfer marinated chicken to the dry ingredient bag, seal the bag, and shake well to coat. After all chicken pieces are coated, repeat the process by dipping them in buttermilk marinade and shaking in the dry coating again. Then heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Place chicken on the pan. Fry chicken in batches in hot oil, turning chicken occasionally, until golden brown and juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat should read at least 165 F.
calls and emails over the past several weeks from constituents regarding the proposed “Union Energy Center” being developed by East Point Energy, a firm based in Charlottesville, Va., which would be built on a 94- acre parcel of land off Miller Road in Mahopac, adjacent to the Somers border. The senator said that many of the calls to his office are from Somers residents who have voiced concerns that they do not have any say in Carmel’s decision-making, thus the need for a more comprehensive approach in future energy storage system proposals. In his letter to Cazzari, Harckham applauded the Carmel Town Board for planning to hold a public hearing on a possible moratorium. In April, Harckham sent a letter to the Carmel Planning Board and asked that there be a “robust public engagement process” regarding the grid-scale energy storage system project. “The Town Board has my full support in pursuing a temporary moratorium until it has had the opportunity to consider more comprehensive local regulations,” Harckham wrote in the letter dated May 28. “I appreciate and respect the independence of the town of Carmel as it relates to land use matters. The proximity of the Miller Road site to homes and properties in the adjoining municipality makes this proposed project particularly sensitive.” The energy storage system project is meant to reduce some of the strain on the regional electric grid, which would be helpful during blackouts; it would also alleviate some costs to both the electric utility and consumers. The system would be connected directly to the electricity grid in Mahopac, where it is under the auspices of NYSEG. Harckham stated that the new legislation he will be introducing will support local governments as they contend with other proposals for energy storage systems or “battery farms.” A proposed 100-megawatt battery storage facility located in Queens, slightly smaller in size to what is planned for Mahopac, would be 130,680 square feet, according to a Public Service Commission document—about three acres in size and larger than a city block in Manhattan. The new legislation, Harckham states, would “ensure sound siting, best standards for energy storage system safety and guarantee all stakeholders are heard.” An earlier bill was called back recently after new regulatory language in the 2024-25 state budget made it unworkable. Cazzari said he welcomed the senator’s support. “It is nice to see that he is engaged,” he said. Cazzari said he was particularly concerned about a bill making its way through Albany that, if passed, would allow the state to supersede local zoning ordinances for things such as affordable housing, battery storage facilities, and solar arrays. He said he was happy to see that Harckham has withdrawn support for the measure. “The whole point is there should be home rule and it’s nice that [Harckham] is standing up for it,” he said. “[Assemblyman] Matt Slater has been supporting it all along.” Town officials hope to enact a moratorium long enough until the long-awaited master plan is in place, which would limit the size and scope of grid-scale battery facilities. But, the supervisor added, the town also needs to address things such as solar arrays before something like that comes before the Planning Board. “We need to make sure we think ahead,” Cazzari said. “Something like that could be the next thing.” PAGE 34 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 Sen. Pete Harckham. FILE PHOTO MORATORIUM FROM PAGE 1 Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [emailprotected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 from other accountants and tax preparers is our ability to work with you not just on taxes, but on financials, college planning, divorce, retirement planning, changes in life planning... We don’t just process tax forms, we advise on how to handle your income and expenses in the future with personalized recommendations. We help you navigate the tax code, and in the end, help you set sound financial goals. What separates us arts and visual arts programs for kids and teens.Register early as classes are limited to 12 students and fill early. Register at www. putnamartscouncil.com Student memberships are $15 for 12 months. Clay Arts Program for kids 6-10 with Melissa Rossow Each Clay Arts Program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-noon for two weeks Four days: July 9, 11, 16, 18 - $140/$135 PAC member Four days: July 30, August 1, 6 and 8 - $140/$135 PAC member Four days: Aug. 20, 22, 27, and 29 - $140/$135 PAC member Pre-teen Thursdays for kids 8-10 Drawing and Painting for Kids with Rosalie Marcus This is a class for young children about learning how to use the basic tools for drawing and painting and having a fun time while they’re doing it! Four Thursdays, 5:30-7 p.m. July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1 $95/$90 PAC members Teen Fridays for ages 11-18 Clay Arts with Melissa Rossow Build sculptures, decorative and functional pieces. Open to teens of all levels. Four Fridays 6-8 p.m. Session 1:July 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2 (four weeks) Session 2: Aug., 16, 23, 30 (four weeks) $110/$105 PAC members per session SEE MUSINGS PAGE 36 MUSINGS FROM PAGE 9
JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 35 The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com WE ARE MOVING. As of July 1, 2024, come visit us at OUR NEW LOCATION 253 ROUTE 202 SOMERS, NY 10589 Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily Visit us at: 128 Route 52, Carmel Shari Zimmerman 845-621-2557 [emailprotected] Call for a FREE Quote today! RATES GOING UP? June events at Mahopac Library include movie nights for kids and gown-ups, a defensive driving class, tech help, live music, book clubs, crafts, gardening advice, and much more. Register online at mahopaclibrary.org, or call (845)628-2009 ext.100 unless otherwise noted. June 6,13,20,27, 10 a.m.: Microsoft Excel Series Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a high-demand skill in the job market. This series will take you from getting to know the layout of Excel to creating PivotTables! This is a hybrid class with an option to participate virtually or in person. June 6, 6 p.m.: “Wings of Victory” Aircraft Production in N.Y. during WWII: In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, join Historian Patrick Chaisson as he offers a look into the production of over 60,000 warplanes manufactured in New York State during WWII. June 7, 6 p.m.: Friday Night Films for Adults: “After the Wedding” Once a month, Mahopac Library screens a more grown-up, sophisticated film selection. This month’s screening is “After the Wedding.” June 8, 9:30 a.m.: Defensive Driving: The Defensive Driving Insurance Reduction Program is a course consisting of a series of films and discussions about driving attitudes and behaviors. It is designed for licensed drivers, but those with permits may attend. $45/person; $35 for seniors 65+. Payment will be taken on the day of the class. Cash or check payable to Jack Coxen; charge cards will not be accepted. June 10, 4:30 p.m.: High School Battle of the Books Team Meeting: Join the Mahopac Public Library High School Battle of the Books team! The current book is “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn. Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk for team members. For more information, contact Coach Paul at (845)628-2009 ext.153. June 12, 12:30 p.m.: Reading on the Go! In this mini-class, you will learn how to access eBooks, magazines, and audiobooks with Libby and hoopla for free. June 12, 5 p.m.: Anime Movie Night: “Revolutionary Girl Utena” Celebrate Pride Month with this anime classic that has inspired many modern anime titles such as Gundam and Revue Starlight. Ages 18+ or with parental consent. No registration is required. June 13, 1 p.m.: Container Gardening: Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardner Volunteer Chris Bonura as he discusses container types, watering, fertilizing, size considerations, design, and favorite combinations that will have your container garden thriving and looking great! June 15, 1 p.m.: Summer Concert Featuring the Kenn Morr Band: Kenn Morr is described as a ‘masterful writer and soulful singer’. His songs have an elemental quality like the great songwriters who inspired him such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and especially Gordon Lightfoot. June 17, 5 p.m.: Special Film Screening: “Booksmart”: Celebrate Pride Month with “Booksmart”, a fresh, modern, coming-of-age comedy! The film stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, two best friends who plan a wild adventure on the eve of their high school graduation. Rated R. No registration is required. June 19, 5 p.m.: Teen Macramé Rainbow Craft: Relax after school and make your own Macramé Rainbow. Register online at mahopaclibrary.org, or call (845)628-2009, ext. 139 June 26, 3 p.m.: Summer Kickoff with Flor Bromley: Celebrate the start of summer with a rollicking concert by award-winning performer Flor Bromley! Flor is a 2023 Latin GRa.m.MY® nominee, a bilingual singer/songwriter originally from Peru. Flor’s mission is to share the Latin-American experience through her music with a new generation. Register online at mahopaclibrary.org, or call (845) 628-2009 ext.139 Article courtesy of Mahopac Library Mahopac Library Lowdown Is a Correction Needed? We strive for excellence, but we’re human. Email corrections to [emailprotected].
Drawing/Painting/Anime with Rosalie Marcus This class will be anopen studiowhere each student works on their own art projects, whether it is anime or traditional drawing and painting. July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2 $110/$105 PAC members Call 845.803.8622 for more info. Food Pantry The food pantry at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Parish Social Hall, 221 East Lake Blvd. in Mahopac. Call 845-628-2006 or visit sjtemahopac.org/events/ food-pantry/20231110 for more information. Library Resource Help Looking for a job, working on a research project, or getting started with social media, email, or a new device? Have questions about Libby, Hoopla, or one of the Mahopac Library’s other digital platforms? Book a help appointment to meet one-on-one with a library staff member. They can help library patrons find and use information resources or address basic technology questions. Registration is required: Register online at mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100. (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and PAGE 36 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 “Zack’s campaign hopes to inspire more of his generation to come to the table, unafraid to ask tough questions and find new solutions. Couzens’ Eagle Scout project was in service to Northern Westchester Hospital, where he was born and where his parents were cared for and ultimately saved when they were hit hard with COVID. He said this taught him the value of bringing together friends, family, and community members to help contribute to the project that benefits the hospital and community. Couzens said he built his leadership style based on the examples of the public servants and judges who have been his mentors. He said he views public service as a way to resolve issues and make progress on the things that matter, not just things that represent political values. Working for state Sen. Pete Harckham, Couzens said he saw firsthand the importance of constituent service. “Sen. Harckham is the best example of someone using their position to make government work better for the people,” he said. “He worked with constituents on issues such as unemployment during COVID, funding for our libraries and hospitals, and day-to-day constituent work that goes far beyond politics to help people with real human needs.” Couzens said he is running on four issues that are meaningful to voters across the district: (1) Fund our schools, students, and teachers to best prepare the next generation; (2) Improve affordability so that young people can buy houses where they grew up and seniors can stay in their homes; (3) Build resilient infrastructure that is secure against environmental threats; and (4) Protect our environment and open spaces to be sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable to all. Couzens said his opponent, Matt Slater, is a Republican in a Democratic majority state and can do little more than complain. “Voters should know that Slater has voted against funding for schools, healthcare, and resources to protect our local environment, choosing partisan statements over real progress,” he said. “I would work with state leaders to ensure that the 94th Assembly District gets their full attention.” Couzens is working on earning a degree from Boston College. He currently lives in Mahopac with his parents and brother Jake. He attended the Hackley School as well as Mahopac public schools. He has been endorsed by Putnam County and Westchester County Democratic Committees. The 94th Assembly District includes five Putnam towns, including Carmel/Mahopac, plus Somers and parts of Yorktown. ASSEMBLY FROM PAGE 4 MUSIC FROM PAGE 18 have the energy in my brain or in my body to do what Liz does. I had to choose the right person and thought, ‘Who is the right fit?’She was.” The store was something of a second act for Wieland. After spending a big chunk of his life as “just a musician trying to make a living,” he came off the road but still wanted to be connected to music somehow. “There was a music store on Route 6 that was closing, and I thought, ‘Why not me?’” he said. “I figured I would do it for a few years and here I am 25 years later.” Wieland said he didn’t want to retire until he found the right person to take over. Now that he has, he plans to remain in Mahopac and just enjoy his grandchildren and tend to his garden. He has no plans to perform. “I am just so happy that the store is going to continue,” he said. “Serving the community is important, and by handing the store over to Liz I hope they do another 25 years and keep music in Mahopac.” A Kindermusik class gets underway at Putnam Music Center. WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? “People recognize us all over town and compliment us on our advertising. Our ability to reach patients and inform the community about different aspects of our practice has allowed us to grow.” - Drs. Richard Bridgham and Anita Barr Get This Newspaper’s App On Your Phone Always Stay Informed About News Involving YOUR Town & Schools Android Scan Here iPhone Scan Here Get Our App! Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily MUSINGS FROM PAGE 34 SEE MUSINGS PAGE 38
have access to care? So these are the things we struggle and think about and frankly try to solve how to bring care close to home. So that’s why you’ve seen nearly a doubling of the number of providers of Northwell in this area. A, because the need is there. B, so that patients can stay close to home. Q: And this is a good segue to the merger with Nuvance. I’m curious when that approval is expected. Anderson: I don’t have a timeline, I don’t know if anyone does, but they’re working through the regulatory process and in this period of time really nothing changes. There’s an intent and an agreement to merge pending regulatory approval. For now, operations remain the same. They are still a competitor of ours. At some future date, if the merge goes through, which we hope it will, we look forward to future partnerships and growing in these communities. And so with any luck or hope, in the next year or so, we’ll start to see the Northwell team and brand and working very closely with local communities to figure out what the needs are. Q: So part of the strategy is to become an all-encompassing healthcare provider, not just a hospital, but really out in the community with these practices and serving all your needs within Northwell Health? Anderson: Yeah, absolutely. Over 50% of our revenue of Northwell is not in a hospital. We have close to 900 ambulatory or doctors’ offices, imaging centers, urgent care centers. We do have 21 hospitals, 900 ambulatory sites, a number of GO Health urgent care centers, which separate from the Nuvance discussion, there is a joint venture that Northwell has ownership in. It is called Go Health, which is an urgent care chain. And they just opened three locations in Dutchess and Ulster County this past summer and they have many locations planned into Connecticut, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Fairfield County, over the next 1-1/2 to two years. Many of those sites have been identified and are soon going to start to come up. So the goal of that is to bring urgent care and physician practices closer to home. Q: How does Northwell Health avoid certain pitfalls seen by other medical practices as it grows? Anderson: It’s a great question. The mission of Northwell is fundamentally pure. We’re here to take care of our communities. Whether it’s in mental health that loses money, doesn’t matter. We’re excited for it because it’s going to fill a gap or a need in the community. We provide as a hospital and as a region, just this hospital, $34- $35 million a year in community benefit, which statistically is by far higher than the national average of any other hospital in the U.S. So that is in the form of what we call charity care, patients coming in who can’t afford the care. We have a very, very liberal policy, arguably the most liberal open policy around charity care of any institution in New York. That allows more patients to get care and not have that burden. It’s in the form of being out in the community with vaccines and flu shots. We gave over 10,000 flu shots free in the community this past year. It’s in the form of our staff volunteering time. We have a group of 30 or so nurses that go out and volunteer in schools and communities at food pantries, donating time to help these local community benefit organizations. So you kind of put all that together in the amount of stuff we do in education and resources provided to the community. If you quantify all of that, they call that community benefit. There was a study in 2021, nationally, the average notfor-profit hospital in the U.S. contributes about 2.3% of their expenses to community benefit. In this hospital, we’re at 7.8% of our expenses. At Northwell, overall, it’s greater than $2 billion a year. Northwell subsidizes care, goes out in the community, provides free blood pressure medications, free screenings, free flu shots, tremendous amount of energy put into it. So I think when it comes to the question of how do we avoid the pitfalls, fundamentally our mission is different. Fundamentally, we’re here to focus on, forget the cost, how can we do this the right way with the right patients in the right community? So if we can do that and then at some point through philanthropy we can figure out how to continue to reinvest in the hospital like paying for our maternity unit expansion, we will continue to do that. But it requires us to be out and connected in the community. I mentioned to you the President’s Council, where we’re bringing these community stakeholders together every three to four months. They’re telling us live, real time, in text messages, they’re emailing us, hey, I heard this, what can we do? And we’re we’re trying to be as nimble and adaptive as possible to tackle some of these challenges. I will say lastly, if I may, some of the challenges [in some medical groups], there are simply not enough providers in the U.S. Unless the individual has means to pay or travel or get on an airplane to go see a doctor, which most of us cannot, then there are going to be challenges with access. And it’s really not just any local medical group; this is a national issue. So the goal is though, how do we continue to invest in the right ways in the community. So at least patients in the community know that it’s not perfect, but we’re going do our best to get you in. Q: How has Northwell embraced AI (artificial intelligence)? Anderson: This is a fun topic. Northwell has an AI technology committee that governs how we use AI in Northwell. That’s very important because we talk about JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 37 HEALTHCARE FROM PAGE 23 SEE HEALTHCARE PAGE 38 My Community Bulletin Board My Community Bulletin Board (845) 309-9214 LISCENSED & FULLY INSURED COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL [emailprotected] Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in the Mahopac News Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller Putnam/Westchester/Orange/Dutchess and more Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [emailprotected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! GREAT BEAR SEPTIC SERVICE We’re there when you need us. 845-621-0250 Give Us A Call Today! 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PAGE 38 – MAHOPAC NEWS JUNE 6 - JUNE 19, 2024 the potential of AI. It does need to be managed and governed. With that being said, there is tremendous opportunity for efficiency. Today in a hospital in an ambulatory setting, after a doctor sees a patient, depending on how complex the patient is, you could be there for 30 minutes typing up and writing all of your notes. There is AI technology that we’re working on and it’s starting to be piloted and demoed within Northwell, where just like this, you’re with a patient, you get the patient’s permission, you put a recorder like this on the table. It then takes and translates that into a narrative that you as the physician can then approve. Of course, it would never post something without your approval. You make sure it’s accurate. That just saved you 30 minutes. It gives you more time with the patient. Another example is radiology and this requires a lot of thought. Today in Northwell, we’re trialing, in pockets, AI technology on radiology. So you think of a system like Northwell, 85,000 employees, we serve millions of patients a year. Think about how many imaging studies are generated, that’s a lot of data. Being able to harness that and work with a company that can help us then get as accurate as possible, maybe even more accurate than a really welltrained radiologist. The radiologist would still confirm it, of course. …You’re waiting four hours for a radiology study. We’d love at some point to cut that in half. So you’re not waiting as long. It might be a more accurate read, quicker. I think that’s where we’re going. And so that’s where AI is more of an enabling technology, we’re not viewing it as a substitute. It’s more an enabler. It’s a tool. And the good governance around it. A lot of exciting stuff. Just like we talked about, we’re not a hospital system, we’re a healthcare system, and the goal is to take care of the patient from cradle to grave. The more that we can coordinate internally, this is more seamless for the patient. In Northwell, AI is going to disrupt us in a good way. We are replacing our electronic medical record, which is, for us, big news. It’s just over a $1 billion investment in Northwell. Across all of Northwell, we’re moving to what’s known as EPIC. It’s a national electronic medical record. In the United States, 60% of patients in the U.S. have an EPIC record. They have an entire AI division on how to really make that interaction of the provider, the nurse, the tech at the computer easier and better so they can spend more time with the patient. In the conversation of AI, there are many elements of that medical record that are foundationally based on AI to make it better, safer, higher quality for the provider, which translates to the patient. 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For more information and directions, call 845-808-4000. Volunteer Drivers Needed Can you spare a little time to make a difference in the life of an older adult? RideConnect, a program of Family Services of Westchester, is an information, referral, and volunteer transportation program for adults ages 60-plus who can no longer drive. They seek volunteer drivers who are willing to provide occasional rides to older adult neighbors. These rides enable clients to remain active in their communities and to continue to lead fulfilling lives. Rides are typically to medical and dental appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands. Give the gift of mobility and independence. No minimum commitment. Match trips to your schedule. Rides can be set up by phone or online. Your family members, young and old, can ride along. For more information, go to ride connectwestchester.org, call 914-242-7433, or email [emailprotected]. Make it to Musings Mahopac Musings is always on the lookout for community events, and we often find them by accident. If you have a fundraiser, drive for donations, non-profit class or performance, meet-up, or anything you think your neighbors would like to know about, submit it to us at mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com with “musings” in the subject line. We can’t guarantee that every submission will get in but we’ll do our best. MUSINGS FROM PAGE 36
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