Senior girls shout: “Honk 4 Seniors!
See Photo Gallery for more pictures of first days back
To relive Honk 4 Seniors experience, see YouTube snippet inside!
September 5, 2008
by Susie Pender
There is an irrepressible Greeley tradition that captures, for just a moment—well, for the half hour before the first bell sounds on the first day of school—the camaraderie, spirit and boisterous excitement of becoming a senior at Greeley. All those years of hard work, perhaps an entire lifetime spent in the Chappaqua Central School District, culminate in this day, the day the senior girls celebrate the coming of age of the Greeley class of 2009.
The build-up starts on Tuesday evening at the Senior Barbeque, hosted by the parents’ committee of the senior class and held under the canopy running from the front door of the school to the entrance to the cafeteria. New seniors decorate the windows of the senior section of the cafeteria with their names in orange and blue paint, while others head to the parking lot to decorate their car windows for their grand entrance into the seniors’ only parking lot the next day. Back windshields and side windows shout clever, sometimes nonsensical, slogans: “Yay Seniors; I Harry Potter; Kiss My Class!” to list a few.
Around 7:00 a.m. the next morning, under a brilliant rising sun and perfect blue sky, over 125 girls (at least half of the girls in the 2009 class) gathered on the medians of Roaring Brook Road and the sidewalks of the high school driveway, clad in shorts and shimmering blue and orange t-shirts with “SENIORS” emblazoned on the front, and their individual last names and “09” on the back. This team’s equipment bag was bare bones: posters, plastic megaphones and loud voices.
“Honk for seniors, honk for seniors,” they screamed as they held their posters aloft and jumped up and down. As parents, students and teachers drove into the entrance to Greeley every honk for the seniors was greeted with a new wave of appreciative screaming and leaping. A peek inside the cars revealed silly grins spread across the faces of many adults, who couldn’t help but be caught up in the excitement of this shared experience as well. Who can ever forget the thrill of making it to the top of the heap in high school?
As time moved inexorably toward the first bell, the girls started to glance at their watches, the decibel level declined somewhat and clumps of blue and orange shirts separated from the group and headed down the driveway to school. The moment was over. Time to start being seniors.
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NewCastleNOW.org introduces webcam coverage to New Castle
Visit our webcam page, click upper right hand corner
September 5, 2008
Are you one of those people who can’t help but stop at construction zones to watch the earthmovers and cranes and steam shovels as they remake the landscape with their big hooks and claws and yawning buckets? Starting today, NewCastleNOW.org will take you live, 24/7, to the construction zone at the Citibank parking lot in downtown Chappaqua. All day long, any day of the week, you can log onto NewCastleNOW.org and watch all the action from the comfort of home or work or Starbucks — it’s less dusty that way.
Courtesy of the Eric Nicolaysen Agency at 77 South Greeley Avenue, NewCastleNOW.org will provide you with your very own front-row seat as the steam shovels continue to scrape off multiple layers of blacktop and set them aside for the front loader to pile into a dump truck, which disappears from the screen and then reappears to accept another load.
When the demolition phase is over, you can watch the pocket park next to Citibank grow, plant by plant.
Today, click here to be connected to the webcam feed. But learn to use the webcam button on the top of the front page, to the right of “NewCastleNOW.org.”
We, the editors, welcome your reactions to this new exciting feature of our online newspaper. Please send your comments to .
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Varsity Home Game against Ossining Time Changed to 11:30 a.m.
The game has been moved from 1:30 p.m. to 11:30 a.m. instead. Come try out the new bleachers.
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Letter to the Editor
September 5, 2008
Praise for rerouting of Citibank parking lot traffic
Marian Williams
Dear Editor,
Wonderful! The former entrance to the parking lot behind Citibank has been a problem for years, especially for drivers entering South Greeley Avenue from the bridge. The plan as shown makes excellent sense, and even creates a few more parking spaces plus a pocket park.
As for leaving the Citibank parking lot through the train station parking lot, I don’t think that should be a problem. If one enters the lot at train time now, it’s almost impossible to leave via a left onto Woodburn Avenue. I would prefer the long way around. In fact, at really busy times, I choose to exit the station parking lot via Washington Avenue rather than Woodburn. A tablespoon more of gas, but usually faster and easier.
Marian Williams
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Tree attacks motorist on Route 117
More photos inside
September 5, 2008
by Christine Yeres
On Tuesday afternoon around 3:00 p.m., police and ambulance were called by a passing motorist to Bedford Road just south of the intersection with Roaring Brook Road.
There, on the shoulder of the northbound lane, a Honda Prius traveling north had come to a stop with a 40-foot leaf-covered tree trunk 20 inches in diameter lying lengthwise across its roof, its base pointed forward, its top trailing behind. Police said the tree had jumped onto the car 200 yards south of the car’s final resting place.
It occurred to one astounded passerby that if the tree were the healthy, living specimen it seemed, “then there’s a lot more to worry about having fall on you around these roadways.” But the tree and its trunk, were, in fact, dead. Its disguise of leaves the whole length of the tree belonged to a robust poison ivy vine two inches in diameter at its base, which had left its moorings along with the tree.
The driver of the car, a woman from Pleasantville, suffered abrasions and seemed more worried for her canine passenger, a small Dachshund in a tiny white baby diaper that seemed more disoriented than she did, according to a passing motorist. Traffic was passing at a trickle, directed by police who had called to notify the New York State Department of Transportation of the mishap since Bedford Road, a.k.a. Route 117, is a state highway, New Castle’s department of public works and a towing service.
Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps crew members put a collar on the patient to immobilize her neck and placed her in the ambulance. One crew member snapped a photo of the tree-bearing car to show hospital personnel the “mechanism of injury,” and the patient was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital, two miles straight north. One ambulance crew member remained behind with the dog, waiting for Animal Control to arrive and transport the pet to a vet.
A reader of NewCastleNOW.org who was dropping her son at the high school that afternoon wrote the next day, “At 2:55 p.m. yesterday I went by an incredible accident at the light by Greeley and 117. A huge tree had fallen and hit a car from the hood straight through to the back of the car and squashed it down to the window sills.” In fact, the tree landed slightly more toward the passenger side of the roof – which had been pounded lower—than the driver side. The slightly off-centered hit is what spared the driver greater injury.
A look back at the place from which the tree seemed to have hitched a ride showed wood and leaf debris, three pieces of a Prius mirror assembly and remaining trees lodged against one another at odd angles, but there was no evident stump or limb from which the attacker tree had leapt.
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Letter to the Editor
September 5, 2008
Purloined sign in bad taste
Mike Rotondo
Dear Editor,
Your yard sign, “ ‘08, Give a Sh*t” (with no asterisk) was in bad taste. (See “Letter to the Editor: Intolerance in Chappaqua, NewCastleNOW.org, August 29, 2008.)
You want people to be politically active; fine, but instead of being imaginative you stooped to public vulgarity. Did it ever dawn on you that there are small children in your neighborhood?
Just because your neighbor shows bad taste does not justify your own.
Mike Rotondo
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Town Board holds public hearing on moratorium Tuesday, September 9, 2008
September 5, 2008
by Christine Yeres
The Town Board wants six months to think over use of first floor spaces in downtown Chappaqua. In its regular, televised meeting next Tuesday, September 9th, the town board will hold a public hearing to decide whether to declare a six-month moratorium that would put a freeze on certain first floor uses in downtown Chappaqua.
“During the six months,” says Town Administrator Jerry Faiella, “a retail business such as a jewelry store, an ice cream parlor, a restaurant can come in. Retail uses are what we do want.” The purpose of the freeze, he continued, ”is to study the impacts of the uses we presently have and also to study some uses we haven’t included at the moment. The goal is to develop more of a vibrant downtown and to encourage those uses people have said are important to them.” Even uses that have been ruled out of first floors, such as financial instituions, will be looked at anew.
There is already a “mini-moratorium” in effect, freezing uses where they are, preventing businesses from slipping into place before a “real” moratorium begins. To read a draft of the proposed moratorium law click here. Although there is a mechanism for individuals to appeal for exceptions to moratorium conditions, generally during a moratorium the town would approve none of the following uses for first-floor space:
“telephone exchange building,
hospital or clinic for small animals,
barber, hair dresser, tailor, dressmaker, shoe repair or other personal services,
financial institutions,
fast food restaurant,
multi-family dwellings,
hand laundry, dry cleaning and dyeing,
gasoline filling station,
shops for repair and upholstering of furniture,
shops for electricians, plumbers, silversmiths,
bowling alley, billiard and pool room, and
wholesale trade.
The town board meeting begins at 7:45 p.m. For some idea of the timing, see the board’s agenda in “Schedules and Agendas.”
What uses do you think should be encouraged in the downtown’s first-floor spaces? Which discouraged? Write to tell us: .
At the same time, moving to make physical changes to the downtown
Since the last election, the town board has been focused on improvement of the downtown hamlet, mainly through the work of the Downtown Steering Committee, which has set engineers to work surveying the town’s infrastructure and hired landscape design architect Nick Pouder to develop a broad improvement plan for the downtown. Pouder is currently charged with the Citibank parking lot makeover, a separate project (see our webcam, trained on the lot between Citibank and the bridge). The Downtown Steering Committee means to implement some of the suggestions conceived of by Project for Public Spaces two years ago (see PPS’s maps of the town, below), including bump outs to calm traffic, added crosswalks and benches, improved lighting and plantings, perhaps some burying of utility wires. The Committee is on the point of hiring a lighting expert to execute its plans. Pouder will present his vision to the town board on September 22, and the plans will be unveiled – some in 3-D models—to the greater community on September 27, Community Day, at the train station.
Below are some renderings of downtown Chappaqua areas by Project for Public Spaces. The Downtown Steering Committee is trying to implement some of PPS’s suggested improvements. Any ideas to share? Perhaps you saw something on vacation that would work here in New Castle? Write to tell us about it. We’d like to hear from you.
Woodburn/Pizza Station intersection (PPS map)
Train station Memorial Plaza (PPS map)
Triangle at hamlet’s center (PPS map)
Starbucks corner King and Greeley (PPS map)
Library and town hall area (PPS map)
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Back for school, but while you were away . . .
September 5, 2008
Editor’s note: For those of our readers who have been away for all or part of the summer or too busy with summer fun to keep up with what’s happening in New Castle, we have created this listing of summer stories on major topics of interest to bring you up to speed. For the full text of any of the stories listed, just click on the title. If you prefer to use our search engine to find out what you missed, please remember to place quotation marks around your keywords, for example, “moratorium.”
Government Actions
July 4, 2008: Giant sycamore at duck pond marked for removal
July 18, 2008: Sycamore taken down, rotted at base
July 11, 2008: Jim Baynes appointed new chief of police
July 18, 2008: Discussion on amending dog leash law
July 25, 2008: Rise in New Castle tax delinquencies
July 25, 2008: Read the fine print: Verizon still hasn’t provided public access channels
July 25, 2008: New parking meter system for autumn
August 1, 2008: Zoning Board reviews Temple Beth El proposal to expand
August 1, 2008: Letter to the Editor: Consider stairway to train station
August 15, 2008: Police e-alert warns of series of burglaries
August 22, 2008: Rise in number of door-to-door solicitors: report suspicions to police
August 29, 2008: Police up enforcement against DWI
About Town
June 20, 2008: Wags & Whiskers window fixed
July 4, 2008: New Asian-fusion restaurant offers meal in a “Spoon”
July 11, 2008: Fuel truck crashes into utility pole on Route 117 at Reader’s Digest
July 11, 2008: YouTube of Duck Pond dam and photos of July 5th storm aftermath
August 8, 2008: Island hopping in New Castle, no passport required
August 15, 2008: Father Vigilante leaves St. John and St. Mary’s, heads to new post
August 29, 2008: First responders gather to remember their role in 9/11 disaster response
Downtown Developments
May 23, 2008: Chase Bank rents, but cannot inhabit, former Giona restaurant space
June 27, 2008: Town board amends law on first floor uses, considers moratorium
July 11, 2008: Town lets real estate back into first floor uses
July 18, 2008: Town sets September 9th date for hearing on moratorium on first-floor uses
August 1, 2008: Letter to the editor: How to improve vitality of downtown
Bridge Replacement
June 27, 2008: Department of Transportation presentation: unpleasant surprises
July 11, 2008: Ribbons demonstrate how many trees will be cut down for bridge project
July 18, 2008: No two ways about it: bridge construction will be a challenge
July 25, 2008: Back to the future: 80 years’ green growth gone
August 1, 2008: Letter to the editor: Support for new Route 120 bridge
August 8, 2008: A bridge gone berserk, an architect’s view
August 22, 2008: Trying to stop N.Y. State DOT in its tracks
Reader’s Digest
June 20, 2008: Summitt Greenfield asks for a tax reduction
June 27, 2008: Letter to the Editor – How the town can make use of Digest property
Millwood Matters
June 20, 2008: Needs study on proposed firehouse finally ready
June 27, 2008: Fire Commissioners wrangle over needs assessment
July 4, 2008: More discussion about needs study
July 4, 2008: Two views of Millwood firehouse controversy
July 4, 2008: Amsterdam property update: field not ready till spring
July 25, 2008: Pheasant Run assessment grievance, Gedney Park 9/11 Memorial
July 25, 2008: Finally, the final firehouse needs study
August 1, 2008: Fire commissioners’ reaction to needs study
Schools
July 25, 2008: Freaky 4th of July waterworks flood Greeley gyms
August 1, 2008: Mystery Photo: A big summer job
August 15, 2008: Waters Reign over Sports Rumor Mill
August 22, 2008: School board moves meat of meetings to top of menu
August 22, 2008: Photo Gallery : The quiet month, before the return
August 22, 2008: Sports Rumor Central
August 22, 2008: Sports Buzz – New seasion, new start, new stadium
August 29, 2008: Photo Gallery: The return to school
Artificial turf or no?
June 6, 2008: Letter to the Editor, Opposition to turf field proposal for Upper Gedney field
August 22, 2008: Turf topic raised again for Greeley competition field
Wildlife of New Castle
June 20, 2008: Baby deer trapped in Bell window well
June 27, 2008: Big-hearted Greeley secretary adopts orphaned bird
July 11, 2008: Dog bites New Castle Parks & Rec Supervisor Bob Snyder at Gedney
August 15, 2008: Alligator captured at nature sanctuary on Pinecliff Road
In the garden with Shobha Vanchiswar
Catch up with your garden now that you’re back
Medical
August 29,2008: So I was bitten by a tick, now what?
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Op-Ed: Dangerous trees: Whose responsibility?
At the corner of King and St. Johns Place
September 5, 2008
by Bill McGovern
Dead, diseased or overgrown trees and limbs hanging over the road way seem to be everywhere.
If a tree falls and causes damage, injury or death, assigning responsibility is very difficult because if the owner of the tree is not aware that it poses a hazard, then the owner cannot be reasonably expected to remove it.
David Rambo, deputy commissioner of public works for the town of New Castle, is very much aware and concerned about the damage a dead, diseased or overgrown tree can cause. He told me recently that the town of New Castle has a right-of-way and responsibility for 25 feet from the center of the roadway. If a dangerous tree known to pose a threat comes within this corridor, the town will take action to remove the tree.
He went on stress, however, that the town is only responsible for town-owned roads. As he explained, “Westchester County is responsible for county-owned roads such as Pinesbridge [Road]. Routes 9A and 120 are owned by the State of New York and are therefore the responsibility of the State Department of Transportation.” And, Rambo told me, the state can be very slow to respond.
For example, there are two dead trees on Route 120. The one at the corner of St. Johns Place and King Street has been dead since spring. Another, on Quaker Road just north of Spring Lane near the Duck Pond, has been dead much longer. Rambo has been urging the state for the last three years to remove it, but to no avail.
The important thing is to make proper notification so if the tree falls and causes damage, injury or death, responsibility can be assigned appropriately. If you notice a dead, diseased or overhanging tree that you believe constitutes a hazard, contact the New Castle Department of Public Works and report it. Try to be as specific as possible regarding the location. A public works representative will come out and inspect the tree. If it is deemed the responsibility of another governmental agency, the inspector will make proper notification. The New Castle Department of Public Works can be reached by phone at 238-3968 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by e-mail at .
Quaker and Spring, first reported three years ago
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When wild weather threatens, call the HOTLINE at 861-9400, press 5, then 1.
Memorize it. Use it. It’s a great way to learn the latest, same-day changes.
There is no more. Just remember the HOTLINE.
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September 11 memorial service at Millwood’s Gedney Park
September 5, 2008
by Christine Yeres
Next Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., New Castle residents will gather to remember the three men who lived here and died seven years ago in the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings, and to honor those first responders from New Castle who stepped up to help in the awful aftermath. Michael Wolfensohn, now a town board member, worked long and hard to make a 9/11 memorial in New Castle a reality and place in it two pieces of steel salvaged from the Trade Center rubble.
After failing to find a resting place in the center of Chappaqua, the memorial found a home in Millwood’s Gedney Park, set back a little from Route 133 but plainly visible from the road, in a space that slopes gently up and away from the parking area that separates it from the lively children’s playground. On paper, its design is a graceful, unwinding spiral. From an entryway, the pathway curves upward and curls inward, past plantings that will be added in stages, two reflecting pools – an upper and a lower with a waterfall between – and, in the center where the pathway coils more tightly, a pool that will have water lilies one day and benches for visitors. The steel pieces stand, mounted on granite bases, in this protected center.
The memorial will not be finished by next week, but its handsome spiral layout is already visible, and much of the surrounding vegetation has been preserved throughout the construction period. An old gnarled willow leans and weeps dramatically in the foreground, a preexisting wetland area that will be replanted appropriately.
Wolfensohn knew 25 people who died in the buildings’ collapse, three of them from New Castle: Louis Inghilterra, Allan Shwartzstein and George Morell. On Thursday, Inghilterra’s widow, Diane, will speak briefly. Her son, Sam, now nine, will be with her. Members of town government and Congresswoman Nita Lowey will attend. First responders from New Castle’s police department, the Millwood Ladies Auxiliary, the Millwood and Chappaqua fire departments and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps will form an honor guard around the memorial. The Horace Greeley High School chorus will sing and two Greeley trumpeters will play “echo taps,” one instrument trailing in a repeat of the notes of the first.
“I’m very excited about it,” said Wolfensohn of the memorial. “From the beginning, the memorial has been about unity and community. When people come, although they’ll think about that horrible day, they’ll be moved to also remember that feeling of community and how strong we became, the kindness and caring that followed afterwards, and they’ll take some of that home with them.”
The ceremony will last about an hour. Those who attend are invited to an informal reception afterwards at Millwood’s fire station.
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Millwood Matters
September 5, 2008
by Gene Nadel
Report on September 4th Millwood TaskForce meeting
Spirited discussions on a number of matters of local interest marked last night’s September meeting of the Millwood Task Force. Among fifteen guests were Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard and Town Administrator Jerry Faiella.
Apologies - Millwood Matters and NewCastleNOW.org constantly strive for total accuracy in presenting all reports to our readers. Inadvertently, our August 22 issue carried an erroneous figure for the estimated square footage of the proposed WENT alternative program. Subject to possible variations, that proposal is estimated at 15,000 to 15,500 sq.ft. For comparative purposes, the BOFC plan calls for 19,809 sq.ft., while JLN Associates, the consultant, originally proposed 17,258 sq.ft. which figure was subsequently revised to 18,382.
Proposed New Firehouse
Doubts were expressed about whether the Millwood Fire Commissioners’ DEIS submission to the New Castle Planning Board would contain details of all three pending proposals, (i.e. the commissioners’ basic plan, the revised recommendation of the consultant, JLN Associates, and the smaller WENT proposal). Residents attending the meeting were dissatisfied with the slow progress on the firehouse program, but of greater import was the serious concern shared by many that a bond issue of $13 million (or more) was destined for certain defeat when put to vote by already heavily taxed residents.
While some felt that further action by the Task Force was fruitless at this time and should be deferred until after the December fire board election (involving one seat on the five member board), the majority felt that a strong letter from MTF to the BOFC might be of some help and would certainly be a valuable item for the record.
Planning Board Action on Area Site Plan for Downtown Millwood -
Progress on this project appears to have fallen behind the initially proposed time line. Chair Diane Kleinmann’s attempts to reach the planning board’s F. P. Clark consultant, Joanne Meder, have not been successful. Supervisor Gerrard will follow up to determine when the plan will get back on track.
Devereux Millwood Learning Center
Request for Additional Parking - Planning Board action deferred for further review.
Route 133 - Repaving Project
Work nearing completion. Should be finished shortly.
Pinesbridge Road Repaving Project; Possible Inclusion of Bicycle or Walking Path
There was a heated discussion on the desirability of one or both of these suggested additional improvements. Westchester County, which is totally responsible for the cost of the basic repaving project, appears to have grossly overestimated the cost of these possible additional improvements and the extent to which they are desired by residents. Support for a bicycle path on Pinesbridge appears minimal, but the possibility of walking path at a reasonable cost was thought worthy of further discussion. The town is awaiting response from the County on more realistic cost estimate.
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Town Board Plans To Hold September 16th Work Session In Millwood/West End Area
In order to give West End residents a better opportunity to participate on matters affecting this area, Supervisor Gerrard announced that the New Castle Town Board is planning to hold its September 16th work session at this end of town, tentatively at the West Orchard School. Topics such as the Pinesbridge Road improvement (above) and tax Inequity (below) as well as other matters will be open for discussion. Watch next week’s NewCastleNOW.org, the Town’s website or NCCTV to confirm the time and location.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tax Inequity In The West End
Supervisor Gerrard indicated that a town-wide reassessment at full value was a possibility, certainly open for discussion. Mamaroneck is going through it and the increase of major building projects in White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle and other towns has increased support for a possible county wide program. While this would not completely solve the New Castle/Ossining School tax problem, it would be a step forward in providing partial relief.
Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Discussions continue with OVAC and the Town of Ossining with regard to the proposal to impose a nominal charge for those residents served by this group. Until now, OVAC has been supported by voluntary contributions and patient insurance billings, but expenses have exceeded the income and they are looking for additional funding sources. Progress on this question will be reported as there are still a number of problems yet to be resolved.
Proposed Upper Westchester Muslim Society Mosque
No new information available.
Commissioners call for special meeting Monday, September 15th.
Fire District Actions
The Millwood Board of Fire Commissioners has scheduled a special meeting for Monday, September 15th to discuss record retention. A representative of the New York State Archives Section of the State Education Department will make a presentation.
According to Board Chair Anthony Olenik, it is likely that the board will expand the agenda to include efforts to get the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to the New Castle Planning Board for review. Submission of the DEIS and the subsequent Planning Board hearing have been delayed several times for technical reasons. Commissioners, firefighters and residents are anxious to resolve any remaining complications and move forward without further delay.
The meeting will take place at firestation #2 on Route 134 and is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm. The public is invited to attend.
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The Sports Buzz
Nancy Becerra, Dennis O’Sullivan and Carol D’Agostino
September 5, 2008
by Jim Nottingham
Greeley’s fall sports athletes receive peak performance talk by former New York Jet
Greeley athletes from all fall teams gathered at the high school last Friday, August 29, to hear Dennis O’ Sullivan, vice president for professional and college development for the American Athletic Institute, speak on the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on athletic performance. O’Sullivan was familiar with Greeley having spoken here last year, but only to the football team.
Last year’s presentation, arranged with the aid of the PTA’s R2IK Committee and Carolyn D’Agostino, Greeley’s student assistance counselor, so impressed members of the Horace Greeley Gridiron Club that they worked with Greeley health teacher Nancy Becerra to put on this program for all athletes this fall..
Becerra, the program emcee, began the session by thanking the Gridiron Club for their sponsorship of the event and identified Carolyn D’Agostino as a resource for all students at Greeley. Then Becerra, a Gridiron Club member, introduced O’Sullivan to the nearly two hundred athletes, coaches and parents in attendance.
O’Sullivan knows of what he speaks
O’Sullivan, a former North Rockland High School, Tulane University and New York Jets football player, started his presentation with a brief run down of his credentials after his football career was cut short by injury. He was the director of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse before advancing to his current position at the American Athletic Institute. He described the extensive research that has been done by the institute in the area of alcohol and substance abuse and its work to help athletes and athletic programs understand the negative effects of drug and alcohol use on performance.
From this point the presentation, aided by excellent PowerPoint visuals that conveyed considerable information, became a lecture with periods of discussion with the student athletes present. O’Sullivan shared with his audience the fact that the years from 14 to 24 are the ten most dangerous years of life when an individual is most likely to die from unnatural causes. He added that an individual who refrains from drug and alcohol use until the age of 21 is likely to never develop a substance abuse problem.
O’Sullivan did not want to preach to the athletes but rather impart the cutting edge research that they might not be aware of regarding how alcohol and other drugs impact performance. His aim was to allow them to draw their own conclusions. Armed with statistical information and slides on brain development, reaction and recovery time, injuries, performance training and psychological impact, he talked less about using chemical substances and more about the increased performance levels that can be achieved by those who elect not to engage in these harmful activities.
O’Sullivan made clear that he felt he had cut his playing career short by drinking and not having access to this information about performance. Based on the information now available, he pointed out that it only takes a couple of beers, not being an alcoholic or even a heavy user, to negatively impact performance. He also talked about the off-field benefits of better performance in academics, accident prevention, focus and job performance.
Hard-nosed presenter holds the attention of the athletes
The predominant theme was to encourage athletes to make the choice to discover their true potential, and not engage in those activities that studies show clearly decrease performance levels. O’Sullivan was a commanding hard-nosed presenter, who held the attention of the athletes, at times by calling them out on their behavior and audience demeanor.
Although focused on drugs and alcohol, O’Sullivan wove in aspects of team leadership, commitment, dedication, heart, trust and faith into his presentation. These messages might have been lost in the sea of information presented, but they were there.
O’Sullivan concluded with a poignant point about Mickey Mantle’s regrets at the end of his life. Mantle requested that the song “Yesterday when I was young” be played at his funeral, an indication of his awareness that despite having been a great player with extraordinary achievements, he had missed opportunities, because of his alcohol use, to have performed better.
O’Sullivan left the athletes with this thought: “The mistake you make now may haunt you in sports and life, but the decision is yours. . . . At least now you have the facts to decide.” O’Sullivan took questions from the audience before leaving those present with much to ponder.
Coach Oliveto expands on O’Sullivan’s message
At the end of the formal presentation Coach Jim Oliveto asked the football players to stay. After the other athletes had left, Coach Oliveto spoke about peer pressure and how he belived that disregard of the very things O’Sullivan spoke about had had a tremendous impact on last season’s football team.
Referring to the entirety of O’Sullivan’s message about leadership, commitment, dedication, heart, trust and faith as well as abstention from drug and alcohol use, Oliveto recalled the two and seven win-loss record of last year and cautioned this year’s team to pay heed to what they had just heard, unless they wanted to win just two games like last year’s team.
In later discussions, Steffi Green, a member of the Gridiron Club, said, “I am glad that the Gridiron Club sponsored this presentation for all athletes, not just the football team. It is important for all the athletes to know this.” The parents present echoed her sentiments and were glad they had attended, many pointing out that they had learned much in the fifty minute presentation.
On a personal note – Thanks to the Gridiron Club!
I thought it was an excellent presentation, masterfully given. Even the toughest critic in the house, my son Jamie, thought it was well presented and full of powerful facts.
Too often we criticize athletes and teams for their on and off the field or court behavior, as well as point fingers at the parents of these athletes and remark on negative parental behavior. We don’t take the time, however, to acknowledge those who attempt to make a positive difference.
I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude that this was done for all the Greeley athletes and offer my thanks to the American Athletic Institute for compiling this useful and valuable information. In addition, I thank Dennis O’Sullivan for the fine job he did in conveying the information to the athletes present. The Gridiron Club and everyone at Greeley who worked to make this event possible should be commended. Kudos to all!
Preseason over, season begins with Ossining the “O”pponent!
Well, the preseason is over and after abbreviated scrimmages by the varsity on Monday and the junior varsity on Tuesday; the squads are setting their sights on this week’s opening games against Ossining. With perennial rival Fox Lane gone from the schedule, this game could be a new cross-town rivalry in the making. Future schedules will decide.
Freshman and middle school modified football practices begin
The Greeley freshman squad and both Robert E. Bell and Seven Bridges middle schools’ modified football programs had their first practice the first day of school. More news about them in the coming weeks. Work hard boys, the season comes fast and is short. Your commitment and dedication will make it a sweet one.
“Try It! You’ll like it!”
Calling all sports fans and writers - NewCastleNOW.org could use you!
I have written this column for a little under a year and although it adds to my already complicated and busy life, I have heard from quite few people how they appreciate being able to follow the sports scene via my column. I am glad that someone actually reads my work and that they find it useful and informative. Thank you to those who have said something, however, this brings me to my point.
I tend to write mainly about the football team because as a former player and admitted “football addict” I enjoy attending the games. On occasion I cover the sports scene in general, but football is my primary focus. As the only consistent writer on sports, I feel terrible that I don’t have the time to cover the other sports. The teams and players in the other sports deserve coverage.
So I plead with you, parents who have daughter and/or son athletes on the other sports teams, or friends, peers or anyone who just may follow a sport, to take up pen, pencil or keyboard and write an account or two from your perspective. The editors at NewCastleNOW.org will help you with your sentence structure, syntax, grammar and spelling. I couldn’t write this column without their help and assistance.
I am going to make attempts to broaden my beat, but I could use some cohorts. The editors of NewCastleNOW.org have not asked me to make this appeal, but something tells me they would be willing to take on the increased editorial workload, if you opt to write.
As Edith the Lunch Lady at my middle and high school alma mater Woodmere Academy said to me many times as I contemplated the lunch offerings: “Try it! You’ll like it!”
Contact the for more information.
Schedule information
Schedule information for all teams can be found at http://www.highschoolsports.net in addition to the booster and individual team sites, as well as at http://www.NewCastleNOW.org/spotlight on sports. The HighschoolSports.net site allows you to sign up for text messages regarding schedule changes. Greeley Athletic Director Steve Young is looking into a way to have an athletic department site with schedules and pertinent information linked to the school sites. Stay tuned.
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Chappaqua School Foundation’s new grants will enhance learning across the district
September 5, 2008
by Rachel Rader
New teachers, new bus routes, new backpacks. The beginning of a new school year always brings change, and this year is no exception. This September, district-wide, the projects that received funding from the Chappaqua School Foundation last spring will begin to impact our classrooms and our students.
Technology abounds at the elementary school level. Since 2004, the Chappaqua School Foundation has provided more than $125,000 towards the purchase of SMART boards for the district. Beginning in September, there will be an interactive whiteboard in every fourth grade classroom, which will prepare all students to use this technology when they arrive at Bell and Seven Bridges the following year.
“Introducing the whiteboard technology at the fourth grade level will be an educational, and, more importantly, fun experience for our students, as our teachers challenge themselves to use the technology in creative ways,” said Chappaqua School Foundation President Leslie Pechman Koch. “Being able to provide [a SMART board] in every fourth grade classroom is enormous and will give our children an extra level of comfort when they enter the middle schools, where SMART boards are used in so many classrooms.”
Westorchard’s digital recorders and Roaring Brooks’ videoconferencing
At Westorchard, fourth graders will also be able to take advantage of new digital recorders, which will enhance the oral histories they create as part of their important immigration unit. Roaring Brook’s students will benefit from still more new technology. Two years ago, the Chappaqua School Foundation funded a videoconferencing unit to be shared by all the elementary schools. Based on its success, live remote videoconferencing via computer will now have a permanent home at Roaring Brook. This technology will extend learning beyond the classroom by connecting students in kindergarten through fourth grade with schools and experts worldwide. They will also be able to take virtual “field trips” to planetariums, aquariums, rainforests, museums and other exciting and distant destinations.
The Robert E. Bell Learning and Growing Garden
Students at Bell will have a brand new experience right in their own front yard. The Robert E. Bell Learning and Growing Garden will teach students the seed-to-table connection that is critical to understanding the concepts of sustainability, health and wellness that have become so important to our district’s curriculum. Bell social studies teacher Mallory Chinn, who conceived of and wrote the grant proposal for the garden, explained: “The garden will provide an opportunity for students to plant, care for, harvest and eat their own food. As we pilot the New York sustainability curriculum this year, my hope is that the gardening experience at Bell will not just produce food but will also foster a greater sense of community and shared values.”
Printing press for Seven Bridges
At Seven Bridges, a new printing press will bridge the art and English curriculum, as students are taught printmaking techniques that they will ultimately use to create journals of their own prose and illustrations. At both middle schools and at Horace Greeley, portable document cameras will replace traditional overhead projectors in many classrooms. This next generation of visual presentation technology can capture, project, annotate and store text and graphics – even three dimensional objects and microscopic images – bringing learning to life in both the sciences and the humanities.
From the excitement of using cutting-edge technology to the satisfaction of eating something you have gotten your hands dirty growing, Chappaqua students have an eventful year ahead of them. Superintendent David Fleishman agreed: “We are thrilled with the grants from the Chappaqua School Foundation. They provide funding in three important areas for the district: technology, sustainability, and the arts. These grants will help ensure that the district continues to move forward in areas that are important for our students and our community.”
Rachel Rader has lived in Chappaqua since 1997 and has three children in the schools, two at Seven Bridges and one at Westorchard. Formerly in book publishing, she is currently in her second year as a member of the board of the Chappaqua School Foundation.
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Spotlight on Sports, Friday, Sept. 5 to Thursday, Sept. 11
Time change! First Varsity football game of the season Saturday, home, vs. Ossining 11:30 a.m.
But wild weather expected tomorrow!!!!! Call special hotline to confirm game times: 861-9400, press 5, then 1
September 5, 2008
Editor’s note: Starting with today’s edition, NewCastleNOW.org will resume its “Spotlight on Sports” weekly column listing all of Greeley’s sporting events upcoming in the next week. Check here for teams, times, locations and opponents.
Friday, Sept. 5
Girls varsity tennis plays Mamaroneck High School at home on the tennis courts at 4:15 p.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ tennis plays Mamaroneck High School at Mamaroneck High School at 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Girls varsity field hockey plays a play day at home on the Field Hockey and Soccer field at 8:30 a.m.
Boys JV football plays Ossining High School at Ossining High School at 9:30 a.m.
Girls varsity soccer plays John Jay High School at John Jay High School at 11:00 a.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ soccer plays John Jay High School at home at 11:00 a.m.
Boys varsity football plays Ossining High School at home on the Contest Field at 11:00 a.m.
Monday, Sept. 8
Girls varsity tennis plays Scarsdale High School at Scarsdale High School at 4:15 p.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ tennis plays Scarsdale High School at home at 4:15 p.m.
Girls varsity volleyball plays Ossining High School at Ossining High School at 4:30 p.m.
Boys varsity soccer plays Ossining High School at home on the Contest Field at 4:30 p.m.
Boys JV soccer plays Ossining High School at Ossining High School at 6:00 p.m.
Girls JV volleyball plays Ossining High School at home in the main gym at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Boys and girls varsity cross country run against Somers High School at Somers High School at 4:30 p.m.
Girls varsity soccer plays Ossining High School at home on the Contest Field at 4:30 p.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ soccer plays Ossining High School at Ossining High School at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Girls varsity tennis plays Bronxville at home on the tennis courts at 4:15 p.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ tennis plays Bronxville at Bronxville at 4:15 p.m
Girls varsity volleyball plays Yonkers High School at Yonkers High School at 4:30 p.m.
Boys varsity soccer plays Spring Valley High School at Spring Valley High School at 4:30 p.m.
Boys JV soccer plays Spring Valley High School at home on the Soccer and Lacrosse Field at 4:30 p.m.
Girls JV volleyball plays Yonkers High School at Yonkers High School at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Girls JV ‘B’ tennis plays Rye High School at Rye High School at 4:15 p.m.
Girls varsity soccer plays Harrison High School at Harrison High School at 4:30 p.m.
Girls JV ‘A’ soccer plays Harrison High School at home at 4:30 p.m.
Girls JV ‘B’ soccer plays Ossining High School at home at 4:30 p.m.
Girls varsity field hockey plays John Jay High School at home on the Field Hockey and Soccer Field at 4:30 p.m.
Girls JV field hockey plays John Jay High School at home on the Field Hockey and Soccer Field at 6:00 p.m.
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Historical Society Exhibition: The Cartoonist and the Candidate
Greeley humbly clasps hands with a grim-faced ghost across the grave of Lincoln
September 5, 2008
Thomas Nast, Horace Greeley, and the Campaign of 1872
by Gray Williams
At the Horace Greeley House, the New Castle Historical Society continues its serial exhibition of the cartoons that Thomas Nast created to mock and discredit Horace Greeley when Greeley ran against Ulysses S. Grant in the presidential campaign of 1872. Nast drew some 85 cartoons of Greeley that year, from January through November. They are being exhibited in installments, corresponding to the months in which they appeared in Harper’s Magazine.
Greeley had originally been the candidate of the Liberal Republicans, who were appalled by the scandals of the first Grant administration. But in July, the Democrats decided to form an alliance with the Liberals, and nominated Greeley as well. Grant supporters (such as Nast) were furious. They accused Greeley of pandering to the most unsavory elements of the Democratic Party – the unrepentant rebels of the South and the corrupt Tammany machine of New York in the North.
During September, most of Nast’s cartoons continued to ridicule the unlikely alliance between the Liberal Republicans and the Democrats. But a few, such as this one, descended to outright slander.
At the end of the Civil War, Greeley, like Abraham Lincoln, urged reconciliation with the defeated South: “Let us clasp hands over the bloody chasm.” In this scurrilous cartoon, Greeley humbly clasps hands with a grim-faced ghost across the grave of Lincoln, and the pamphlet in his coat pocket is titled What I Know about Wilkes Booth. The gravestone epitaph reads “A. Lincoln. The Manner of His Death Is Known to All.”
Gray Williams is the town historian for New Castle.
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Local swimmers brave the Hudson to raise awareness and funds for cancer research
September 5, 2008
by Susie Pender
This Sunday, Sept. 7, fifteen local swimmers, including seven girls from the Greeley girls’ varsity swim team, will plunge into the Hudson River and make their way stroke by stroke from Nyack, on the Hudson’s western shore, to Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. Depending on the currents, it is anticipated that the three mile swim will take about two hours.
The Hudson River Swim for Life event was created to raise awareness of the Hudson River, to promote swimming as a life long form of fitness and to raise funds for the ongoing work of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The opening ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow, after which the swimmers will be bussed to Nyack to begin their swim back to family, friends and supporters waiting on the eastern shore in Sleepy Hollow. There will be music, entertainment and family-friendly activities at Kingsland Point Park for the spectators as they wait for the swimmers to conquer the Hudson. Everyone is invited to cheer on the swimmers.
Fundraising efforts by local swimmers
Molly Simon, a senior at Greeley and a co-captain of the Horace Greeley High School “Swimmin Women” varsity team, has organized their participation and fund-raising efforts for this event. Besides Simon, Sycamore May, Emma Pile, Anne Pillbury, Tori (Victoria) Powell, Colleen Powers and Alexandra Rota from the girls’ varsity swim team will make the crossing accompanied by their coach, Mike Abulencia, who may swim or kayak the distance.
Initially, several members of the girls varsity swim team were participating in and fundraising for the Hudson swim as individuals. As interest by team members increased, they decided to coordinate their efforts and make it a team fundraiser. Swimmin Women who are not making the crossing will participate by cheering on their teammates and assisting in fundraising. A special fundraising page was created for the Greeley swimmers: http://www.active.com/donate/hudsonswim08/Swimminwomen. However, donations can be made through the individual students’ websites as well at http://www.active.com/donate/hudsonswim08.
The other New Castle swimmers taking the plunge are Lindsay Brosnan, Katie Duncalf, Henry Koster, Jared Krosser, Brent Lobien, Jake Rosenbloom, Zach Rosenbloom and Henry Simon
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Mystery solved: Chappaqua’s Loch Ness Monster
September 5, 2008
by Noah Bressman
So there’s an alligator in Chappaqua. That’s not the only strange creature lurking in the local waters.
I discovered another while giving a fishing lesson at the duck pond near the Chappaqua train station. I had hooked what I had thought was a big catfish, but, in fact, had caught a three-foot-long female eel!
The American eels residing in the Chappaqua train station pond are a species of freshwater eels. They live in freshwater streams, but migrate to the open ocean to spawn. When they are done spawning, the females return to freshwater, while the males remain in shallow estuaries.
I hypothesize that all of the eels in this pond are female, which would explain why the several eels that I caught this summer were about three feet long and approximately three to five pounds, the typical size for females of this species. When Greeley Brook was dammed, which created the pond, it blocked the traditional migratory route of the females from Greeley Brook to the Sawmill River, to the Hudson River, and finally out to the ocean, stranding them in our little pond. Even though they may have not been able to spawn for about ten years because of the dam, the eels continue to thrive because they can live for over 25 years. And these creatures have a bountiful food source, the dead fish at the bottom of the pond.
Eels and white suckers and rudds as neighbors! Who knew?
Using a variety of lures over the past months, I have discovered that there are several unusual fish in this pond. Besides common freshwater fish, like largemouth bass, common carp and sunfish, there are rarer species, like white suckers and a fish that I believe is a rudd. White suckers are long, slender fish that can reach a length of up to 24 inches. They have a mouth like a plecostomus, or algae eater, which is a common aquarium fish that comes in many different species and sizes.
A rudd is a silvery fish with large scales and translucent fins tipped with orange that can grow to a little over a foot long. They are native to the slow-flowing rivers of Europe. If the fish I caught is indeed a rudd, it must have been introduced into our ecosystem unnaturally. Without natural predators, the rudds have reproduced quickly. A large school of rudd can often be seen from the sidewalk next to the pond.
I give fishing lessons and take people on guided fishing tours around the perimeter of the duck pond. I teach my clients everything they need to know about fishing, from what knots to tie, to how to use certain lures, to locating the fish, to fly casting. Guided tours, where I take people fishing to find specific species, are more informal. We are so fortunate to have such diversified bodies of water so close.
Noah Bressman is a freshman at Horace Greeley High School and hopes to start a fishing club there. For the past two summers he has attended the Professional Fishing Academy off the west coast of Florida, where he co-hosted the radio show “Simply Bananas” and appeared on the television show “Addictive Fishing.”
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Dirty Ol’ Dawgs softball champions again
September 5, 2008
by Tom Lowell
Perhaps it would be a stretch to call this a dynasty, but one cannot argue the facts.
The Dirty Ol’ Dawgs of the Chappaqua Men’s ‘A’ Softball League repeated as league champions by defeating number one seed Quaker Hill Tavern 8 - 0 in the final game of the summer season. That makes an impressive five championships over the past nine years.
With a roster boasting the oldest squad in the league, these seasoned veterans went undefeated throughout the playoffs. While it did take a few late inning comebacks for the Dawgs to complete their playoff run, they won as a result of steady fielding and timely hitting. The Dawgs look forward to a three-peat in ‘09.
Pictured in the photo from left to right: Jim Shiekofer, Adam Turner, Harvey Offman, Mike Turner, Mike Brooks, Rick Birdoff, Bruce Salik, Billy McGuire (barely seen), Chris Topf, Vinnie Groppa, Matt Bingham, Tom Lowell, Bill Schur, Paul Padovani, Ben Lieberman (Ben Shapiro and Barry Rothberg not pictured).
Tom Lowell has lived in Chappaqua for 21 years and played softball in town for approximately 15 years.
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In the garden with Shobha Vanchiswar
September 5, 2008
Things to do in September
In the garden with Shobha Vanchiswar
Things to do in September
1. Keep up with the weeding.
2. Begin to ease up on the mowing. Cut less often and keep blade higher.
3. Collect ripe seeds for future plants. Poppies, aquilegias and lupines are examples. Spread seeds to dry and then store in labeled packets in a cool, dry place.
4. Sow cool weather greens – spinach, lettuce, etc.
5. Keep an eye on newly planted trees and shrubs. Water well.
6. Divide herbaceous perennials.
7. Trim hedges.
8. Deadhead roses, dahlias, etc. Cut back irises to about four inches.
9. Stake late flowering perennials like asters. Pinch back chrysanthemums to encourage fuller growth and blooms.
10. Check for pests and disease. Consider introducing lacewing chambers to tackle whitefly.
11. Cut back spent plants that look done and dried out.
12. If you have not thought about bulbs to be planted in the fall, do so now!
13. Keep harvesting vegetables. Enjoy the bounty.
14. Take cuttings for rooting.
15. Start thinking about where you will place your plants that need to be protected in winter. Pay attention to night temperatures. September can have occasional killing frosts.
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Update on Pam’s “sad” vegetable garden
September 5, 2008
by Shobha Vanchiswar
Pam’s garden has suffered while she was away. Lack of water has done in several plants.
The tomato and squash plants flowered but produced little fruit. Some tomato plants died completely due to lack of water or blight. The zucchini, eggplants and peppers have also done poorly. Neighboring trees have grown over the years and seem to be casting too much shade over the vegetable garden. So Pam has to see what can be done about that.
Leafy greens like Swiss chard and collards are thriving, as are the cabbages. And the basil has provided for several quarts of pesto. Unfortunately, the deer have discovered the vegetables amidst the foundation plantings, so those are gone.
Pam describes it all as “her sad garden.” I see it as a learning experience and besides, the garden does not look so bad. I do, however, understand her disappointment. But, as we gardeners say, “there is always next year.”
I want to take the opportunity to thank Pam for allowing us to follow her experiment with companion planting. I think we have all gained some insight. And Pam, good luck with all your future gardening endeavors!
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Spotlight on Activities
September 5, 2008
Friday, September 5
Movies: The Chappaqua Library presents a new series: “Reel Kids: Movies Look at Children and Teens.” The movies featured this week will be “The Kid” and “The Boat” starting at 7:30 p.m. All library-sponsored programs are free and open to the public.
Informational meeting: At 7:30 p.m. in conference rooms A-B at town hall, the Concerned Citizens of Chappaqua have arranged for their attorney, James Periconi of Periconi LLC in New York, to explain the legal basis for their lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and NYS Department of Transportation. All are welcome.
Saturday, September 6
Greeley football: Opening game of the Horace Greeley High School football season at home vs. Ossining at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 7
Charity event: Opening ceremonies for the Hudson River Swim For Life, a 3.1 mile charitable swim from Nyack to Sleepy Hollow, will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. After the ceremony, the swimmers will be bused to Nyack to enter the water to swim back to Sleepy Hollow. There will be music, entertainment and family-friendly activities at Kingsland Point Park for spectators as they wait for the swimmers to cross the Hudson. Depending upon the currents, the three mile swim will take about two hours. This charitable event was created to raise awareness of the Hudson River, promote swimming as a life long form of fitness and to raise funds for the ongoing work of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For additional information, go to http://www.active.com/donate/hudsonswim08. The girls varsity swimming team at Greeley has their own donation website: http://www.active.com/donate/hudsonswim08/SwimminWomen
Monday, September 8
Governmental Meeting: PPS Downtown Steering Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the assembly room of town hall. The first 20 minutes of the meeting are open to the public for questions and comments.
Tuesday, September 9
Books: The Chappaqua Library will present an open book discussion at 7:30 p.m. led by Christine Bobkoff of Westchester Community College of “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Chappaqua Library.
Governmental Meeting: New Castle Town Board meeting at 7:45 p.m. in the assembly room of town hall.
Thursday, September 11
Memorial Service: At 6:00 p.m., New Castle residents will gather at the 9/11 Memorial at Gedney Park for a service of remembrance and honor. Town board members as well as Congresswoman Nita Lowey will attend. Representatives of the Chappaqua and Millwood Fire Departments, the Police Department and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps will form an honor guard. The Horace Greeley High School chorus will perform. All are invited after the service to an informal reception at the Millwood Firehouse on Route 133.
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New Castle Police, Ambulance and Fire Blotters August 28- September 3, 2008
September 5, 2008
Editor’s Note: Each week NewCastleNOW.org provides highlights from the New Castle police blotter as well as a list of emergency calls to the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps and to the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Millwood Fire Department for the prior week.
New Castle Police Department Blotter August 28 – September 3, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
7:55 a.m. High Meadows – Suspicious person
9:34 a.m. Cowdin Lane – Illegal dumping
2:09 p.m. Morton Place – Animal complaint
3:46 p.m. South Greeley Avenue – Suspicious person
7:54 p.m. Saddle Ridge Road – Noise complaint
Friday, August 29, 2008
1:13 a.m. Florence Drive – Burglar alarm
3:56 p.m. Buttonhook Road – Accident with property damage
Saturday, August 30, 2008
12:09 a.m. Saw Mill River Road – Traffic stop – arrest
2:31 a.m. Random Farms Circle – Burglary
10:41 a.m. Kipp Street – Suspicious vehicle
Sunday, August 31, 2008
12:40 a.m. Pinesbridge Road – Noise complaint
4:24 a.m. Armonk Road – Noise complaint
1:21 p.m. Pinesbridge Road – Criminal mischief
11:57 p.m. Cowdin Circle - Disturbance
Monday, September 1, 2008
10:33a.m. Rambling Brook Road – Burglar alarm
5:24 p.m. Hollow Oak Road – Abandoned vehicle
11:37 p.m. Hemlock Hills – Criminal mischief
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
4:55 a.m. Annandale Drive – Noise complaint
2:48 p.m. Bedford Road – Property damage
10:51 p.m. Saw Mill River Road – Suspicious vehicle
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
9:11 a.m. Hemlock Hills – Larceny/stolen property
11:17 a.m. Allen Place – Noise complaint
12:09 p.m. King Street – Burglar alarm
Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps calls for August 26 – August 31, 2008
1 Hip Fracture
1 Fall
1 Bleeding
1 Back Pain
1 Abdominal Pain
1 Allergic Reaction
1 Dizziness
1 Unknown Medical Problem
Chappaqua Volunteer Fire Department calls for August 27 – September 2, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
9:52 p.m. South Greeley Avenue - Alarm system sounded due to malfunction
Thursday, August 28, 2008
5:46 p.m. Quaker Road - Cooking fire, confined to container
Friday, August 29, 2008
5:07 p.m. Hardscrabble Road - Detector activation, no fire
Monday, September 1, 2008
10:09 p.m. Hamilton Drive - Smoke detector activation due to malfunction
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Recent Real Estate Transfers
Each week NewCastleNOW.org provides a list of New Castle real property transfers filed with the Westchester County Clerk’s office.
Published week of September 5, 2008
Address................................. Price
88 Random Farms Cir cle...........$1,217,000
49 Kitchel Road........................$2,050,000
2 Whippoorwill Close.................$1,150,000
113 Random Farms Drive...........$1,550,000
765 King Street.........................$2,050,000
6 Crow Hill Road........................$899,000
41 North Way............................$1,452,500
52 Old Lyme Road.....................$1,315,000
Published week of August 29, 2008
Address................................. Price
417 Saw Mill River Road............$572,186
41 Indian Hill Road....................$1,040,000
150 N Bedford Rd., Unit 5B........$646,500
131 Ruxton Road......................$990,000
63 Tripp St reet.........................$1,500,000
5 Marian Place.........................$735,000
34 Bischoff Avenue....................$379,500
120 Marcourt Drive....................$3,000,000
24 Kathleen Lane......................$625,000
Published week of August 22, 2008
Address................................. Price
50 Seven Bridges Road.............$685,000
341 Whippoorwill Road..............$8,372,500
23 Derby Lane..........................$529,200
19 Gregory Lane.......................$1,270,500
24 Valley View..........................$1,275,000
78 Edgewood Road....................$588,510
Published week of August 15, 2008
Address................................. Price
2 Circle Dr ive.....................$600,000
43 Shingle House Road.......$930,000
10 Chappaqua Mtn. Road....$815,000
396 Saw Mill River Road......$370,000
309 N Greeley Avenue.........$360,000
20 Overbrook Drive...............$790,000
9 Derby Lnane....................$730,000
6 Ludlow Drive....................$1,185,000
36 Edgewood Road.............$587,000
Published week of August 8, 2008
Address................................. Price
24 Ludlow Drive.........................$1,999,000
25 Pheasant Run.......................$554,900
19 Lawrence Farms Crossway....$1,250,000
83 Indian Hilll Road....................$1,020,000
Published week of August 1, 2008
Address................................. Price
19 Williams Lane.................... $ 1,110,000
37 Marcourt Drive.....................$1,085,000
81 Tripp St reet.........................$1,875,000
3 Highpoint Circle.....................$1,170,000
31 Derby Lane..........................$ 550,000
65 Seven Bridges Road.............$ 769,000
16 Club Way............................$1,540,000
12 Glendale Road.....................$ 555,000
Published week of July 25, 2008
Address................................. Price
39 Rambling Brook Road............$625,000
101 Marcourt Drive.....................$765,500
133 Seven Bridges Road.............$650,000
95 Marcourt Drive.......................$939,250
19 Williams Lane.......................$1,110,000
37 Marcourt Drive.......................$1,085,000
Published week of July 18, 2008
Address................................. Price
343 N Greeley Avenue...............$435,000
12 Hemlock Hollow Road...........$1,157,000
22 Cross Ridge Road................$805,000
717 Washington Avenue............$560,000
7 Conte Lane...........................$909,729
Published week of July 11, 2008
Address................................. Price
778 Armonk Road.....................$905,000
29 Hilltop Drive.........................$903,350
3 Daly Cross Road...................$789,000
30 Hitching Post Lane...............$1,860,000
Published week of July 4, 2008
Address................................. Price
115 Castle Road.......................$585,000
25 Commodore Road.................$740,000
7 Iris Lane.................................$2,450,000
35 Garden Ridge........................$1,235,000
Published week of June 27, 2008
Address................................. Price
131 Douglas Road...................$ 1,239,000
25 Kerry Lane..........................$920,000
28 Waters Edge........................$204,000
681 King Street.........................$625,000
162 Byram Lake Road................$488,500
Published week of June 20, 2008
Address................................. Price
9 Peck Road..............................$615,000
51 Granite Court.........................$1,450,000
302 N Greeley Avenue................$441,500
Published week of June 13, 2008
Address................................. Price
162 N Bedford Road .................$725,000
10 Cross Ridge Road................$870,000
5 Stone Road...........................$1,700,000
Published week of June 6, 2008
Address................................. Price
17 Hammond Ridge Road...........$1,911,686
565 Millwood Road.....................$670,000
30 Fawn Ridge.......................... $539,000
52 Shingle House Road...............$750,000
Published week of May 30, 2008
Address................................. Price
21 Langeland Drive....................$499,900
19 Frog Rock Road...................$3,150,000
37 Pine Cliff Road.....................$750,000
Published week of May 23, 2008
Address................................. Price
23 Chatham Road....................$730,000
310 N Greeley Avenue..............$405,000
32 Taylor Road.........................$1,115,000
54 Dunbow Drive.......................$841,700
Published week of May 16, 2008
Address................................. Price
5 Cerf Lane............................$ 1,650,000
111 Castle Road.....................$ 707,500
48 North Way.........................$ 1,325,000
245 N Broadqay Road..............$ 875,000
Published week of May 9, 2008
Address................................. Price
127 Armonk Road.....................$ 577,500
40 Oak Hill Road......................$ 780,000
336 N Greeley Ave, Unit 18E.....$ 479,000
Published week of May 2, 2008
Address................................. Price
18 Kisco Park Drive.................$ 420,000
60 Sheather Road....................$ 1,555,196
178 Seven Bridges Road..........$ 799,000
30 Sand Street........................$ 385,000
Published week of April 25, 2008
Address................................. Price
112 Byram Lake Road.................$2,250,000
6 Derby Lane..............................$ 760,000
30 Old Mill Road..........................$ 609,000
Published week of April 18, 2008
Address................................. Price
13 Roseholm Place.................$ 1,060,000
50 Devoe Road........................$ 1,361,700
86 Random Farms Drive...........$ 1,750,000
22 Hollow Ridge Road..............$ 750,000
Published week of April 11, 2008
None reported
Published week of April 4, 2008
Address................................. Price
59 Pinecliff Road.......................$750,000
42 Fox Den Road......................$958,750
149 King Street.........................$672,500
Published week of March 28, 2008
Address................................. Price
1 Hammond Ridge Rd ...............$2,673,713
Sheather Rd.............................$2,900,000
97 Sheather Rd.........................$14,100,000
22 Random Farms Cir ................$1,825,000
Published week of March 21, 2008
Address................................. Price
28 Overbrook Drive....................$795,000
57 Random Farms Drive...........$1,562,695
650 Quaker Road....................$ 800,000
3 Hammond Ridge Road...........$652,600
Published week of March 14, 2008
Address................................. Price
28 Inningwood Road....................$750,000
2 Gray Rock Lane......................$1,597,000
205 Corton Lake Road............... $1,300,000
12 Haights Cross Road...............$2,250,000
142 Seven Bridges Road ............$818,500
2 Skywood Road........................$836,000
Published week