An exterior view of the home known as the Simeon Brady mansion in Goldens Bridge. JIM BERGSTRASER PHOTOS The wine cellar in the mansion’s basement. By ROBERT BRUM The centuries-old yellow Greek Revival mansion in Goldens Bridge known as the Simeon Brady Estate has a storied past and an uncertain future. Built around 1825 by Simeon Brady II and surrounded by iron gates and fencing said to have come from Tammany Hall, the estate once commanded a sprawling farm and a saw mill churning out apple cider. Years of neglect were wiped away when Ed and Judy Cusati acquired the 5.42-acre property in 1975, lovingly restoring fireplaces, ceiling beams, chestnut flooring with handmade nails, and relics from the farm. The estate at 175 Waccabuc Road was subsequently lost through foreclosure and is up for sale. The latest in a series of weekly online auctions ended Feb. 25 with a high bid of $991,500 — below the minimum set by the seller and the listing price of $1,025,000. The asking price offers clues about the estate’s condition; it was on the market in 2011 for $4.5 million, according to an article in Westchester Magazine. Listing agent Jim Bergstraser of RE/MAX Classic Realty described the mansion as “dated and in need of interior and exterior improvements” after lying vacant for a period of time. He did not know when the Cusati family moved out.    The listing has generated interest among private buyers from the area who pass the prominent property.  “It’s a great opportunity to restore a historic home,” said Bergstraser. “To a lot of investors, the renovation is daunting for a fix and flip.” Overlooking Waccabuc Road near where it passes Increase Miller Road, the landmark is hard to miss. “Back in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, we passed that house hundreds of times,” said Bergstraser, who grew up in the area. The nearly 8,000-square-foot stone and wood mansion’s three levels hold 15 rooms, including six bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, plus a finished attic and basement with a wine cellar. The listing describes the estate retaining many of the period features such as granite and stone work and a root cellar.  The property holds the stone ruins of outbuildings, a pond and a mill that produced apple cider. The family’s applejack (hard cider) was well known as far away as New York City, writes Lewisboro Town Historian Maureen Koehl.  According to Koehl, the Brady family owned most of the farmland in Golden’s Bridge, their dairy and cattle business stretching across the highway from the homes. It comprised thousands of acres and was one of the largest farms in Westchester County. The estate dates back to pre-Revolutionary times, when Simeon’s father established an earlier home there. During the war, Simeon Brady I left his wife, Mary, to care for their 11 children while he fought in the Continental Army, according to the town of Lewisboro website’s history page. Both Patriots and British Tories stopped at the property, the latter driving off the family’s cattle and ransacking Simeon’s store.  A pair of manmade caves, as well as a secret cavity in one of the home’s walls, are said to have possibly hidden runaway slaves as part of the Underground Railroad. The Bradys eventually sold off their holdings, and over the years the mansion was left in disrepair until the Cusatis bought it and began their decades-long renovation. Ed Cusati hosted car shows on the sprawling front lawn; Judy Cusati died in 2019. When the couple bought the home, it had been inhabited basically by squatters, Koehl said.  “The Cusatis raised that house from the dead when they bought it and turned it into an incredible showplace and historic gem,” said Koehl. There was a movie theater on the third floor, she said. Ed Cusati was supportive of the town library, opening the home for tours and hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser in the cellar. “He loved that house,” Koehl said. “He and his wife went to great pains to furnish it with a feeling of history. You walked into it, it was like a museum.” She held out hope that the home’s next owner would respect its past. “It’s such an iconic part of the history of the town,” Koehl said. “I want to see it maintained. Everybody in the western part of town knows the Brady Mansion and the history of the Brady Mansion, so we need to keep that history alive.”

Coco Rault, left, Emily Kapelman and Olivia Reighley play mahjong at La Maison Fête in Bedford Corners. Tiles. Olivia Reighley of Bedford, left, Coco Rault of Greewich, Conn., and Emily Kapelman of Bedford Hills at play. Robert Cummings photos By MELISSA WHITWORTH Over the soothing sound of the click-clack of tiles and the gentle ebb and flow of conversation, a group of young mothers have met to play mahjong on a Thursday afternoon. Their hands move quickly as they place pink and white craks, bams, dots, dragons, winds and flowers — the proper names for the different suits — in a neatly formed line known as the wall. “Three crak,” “two bam,” “one dot” are called, as each takes it in turn to name their discarded tiles. The goal is to achieve “mahjong,” a winning hand before your other three players. Olivia Reighley, a local mom of two (and pregnant with her third) leads the group: she has been called “the Godmother of Mahj” by her friends and has taught many of them over the last year or so. She is part of a wave of new love for this game, which has made mahjong absolutely huge in communities and beyond. Games are being played in homes, at restaurants and cafés, and at each of the local libraries.  Reighley plays several times a week, either with friends or online. And mahjong is now beloved by all ages — having shed its reputation as something people remember their grandmothers playing. But, says Reighley, “I am all about the grandmother lifestyle. It conjures happy images of carefree living to me.” “I first learned a little over six years ago when I moved to Bedford,” she said. “The only person I really knew in town was my aunt and her friends, so I joined in their activities. The appeal is that it’s a mental challenge with a social component rolled into one.”  The rise in interest in mahjong is not only local — although the location for today’s game is the new games room called “The Parlor” at La Maison Fête in Bedford — it is experiencing a boom nationwide.  Ali Barbera of Pound Ridge has been playing for eight years.  She says that the recent craze is partly to do with the 2018 film “Crazy Rich Asians,” where the pivotal scene between a powerful matriarch and her son’s girlfriend is set over a game of mahjong. Then came COVID-19 and people picked up the game. Younger generations —  millennials and Gen Z — love it because the game’s complexity demands concentration, which means unplugging from phones and screens. “I first learned the game from my mom,” says Barbera, who now teaches it full time. “It’s so much more than a game and it’s really become a way that I’ve met people and have made friends.”  “We moved to the area in 2021 from New York City and it was COVID times,” she says. “There weren’t a lot of big events and ways to meet people, and the homes are so spread out. So I finally decided to text the few girls that I had a phone number for and said, ‘Do you guys want to learn how to play mahjong?’” They did and she still plays with the same group of women regularly alongside her teaching. “Those friends are still my closest friends in the area.” WIth its roots in ancient China, mahjong became fashionable in America in the 1920s. It was brought here by a Standard Oil employee named Joseph P. Babcock, who, legend has it, played his first game aboard a ship on the Yangtze River. In 1937 a group of Jewish women founded the National Mahjong League, which today still publishes the book of winning hands — a book of new winning hands is published annually — and oversees the correct rules. “Now it feels like social media has just lit a fire to it,” says Barbera. “And there are so many brands now. People have come out with different themes and colors and designs of tiles and mats and racks. There are entire tablescapes and parties … It has piqued people’s interest and they want to be a part of it.” Barbera taught at a recent party of about 16 women at a home in Pound Ridge, where the conversation and wine flowed. She explained that while mahjong is initially complex it can become highly addictive quickly. Emily Kapelman is a recent convert and was taught by two local friends (one of them Reighley). “The thing that the rise of mahjong really speaks to for me is a desire to get back, at least in part, to what our lives were like before smartphones,” she says. “That balance of connecting over a social activity that might be less intense conversationally, and is also less focused on drinking, and is not weather dependent, is super meaningful. “In order to win, you need to focus not only on your own hand, but on what the other players are calling for, and discarding,” she says. “You can’t be scrolling and zoned out. I feel like we are constantly bombarded with information about how much less happy people are living our modern lifestyle.”  Barbera agrees that mahjong is a complex game that demands a player unplug. “And my tip to all beginners is please be patient and practice,” she says. “I tell everyone, give it three tries: three two-hour lessons. As a beginner it can feel overwhelming, but once you’ve learned the names of the tiles and how to read the card, it’s that layered part of it that makes it so appealing.”

Ryan finished his career as a two-time Section 1 champion for the Foxes. Luke Ryan (second from left) with Fox Lane coaches Matt Grippi, Anthony Rodrigues and Jason Parker after Ryan received his medal at the N.Y. State championships. Piero DiNicola won a pair of matches at the state tournament for the Foxes. By JIM MACLEAN  Many wrestlers have tried, but only a select few get to compete on the mats at the New York state wrestling championships at MVP Arena in Albany, and even fewer experience the thrill of standing on the podium as an All-State place finisher. Fox Lane senior Luke Ryan was on a mission all season long. He won a Section 1 title last year and made it to Albany, and this year he was determined to get back and earn a spot on the podium. He accomplished that goal on Feb. 28, capping off the two-day tournament with a fourth-place finish in the Division 1, 167-pound weight class. “Being on the podium felt great, coming up through the Fox Lane wrestling room, all the banners on the wall, and it’s crazy to think my name will be added as a state place finisher,” Ryan said. “There was a little less pressure the second time, but I felt the stress the first day. After I won in the ‘blood round,’ I knew I had placed and now I could just go out there and wrestle and get as high as I could on the podium. Definitely a legacy at Fox Lane to keep up, and I was really happy to set an example to show the underclassmen who will be there to keep it going in the future.” Ryan was well aware of the Fox Lane history at the state tournament. Last year he made the trip to compete and watched teammate Alex Berisha win a state championship, this year he wanted to keep it going for the Foxes as the program has had a state place finish in 13 of the last 15 years. He started with a bye in the first round on Friday, and then he won his first match with a 6-2 decision before falling in the quarterfinal round. That meant he would have to bounce back on Saturday to earn a medal and a spot on the podium. He won his first wrestle back match by tech fall, and then he scored a 7-2 decision in the blood round to guarantee a place on the podium. He followed that up with a 6-5 victory to advance to the consolation finals where he suffered his second loss to finish fourth overall. “Saturday was the greatest I’ve seen him wrestle in his career, he was phenomenal,” Fox Lane coach Anthony Rodrigues said of Ryan. “In the blood round he dominated a kid from Long Island. Then his third match he was losing and he got a takedown with two seconds left to win that match. He was great and it was so exciting. When he was going for third it really hit me, we’ve had 13 kids place since I’ve been head coach, 27 kids place since I’ve been here, and it never gets old.” Ryan was not the only highlight on the mats for Fox Lane as senior Peiro DiNicola earned a trip to compete in his first state championship tournament. DiNicola was the 18th-seed in the 126-pound weight class, and he won two matches and went 2-2 overall. DiNicola opened with a victory in the first round by a score of 6-2 before falling in the second round to the second seed. He bounced back to pull out a 4-2 win in his next match before losing just one round away from a shot at placing. “This weekend, Piero wrestled really well, the best wrestling of his life,” Rodrigues said of DiNicola. “He didn’t let the moment get to him. Both Luke and Piero had great tournaments. I love them both, they’re great kids.” It was a great finish to cap another great season for the Fox Lane program. Rondrigues has now been part of more than 500 career dual-meet wins at Fox Lane, first as an assistant with Joe Amuso, and now 215 wins as the head coach. “It’s about the kids, and this comes from Amuso, the culture has been very strong,” Rodrigues said of the program. “This was one of the most fulfilling years since I’ve been at Fox Lane, knowing where this team started and what they did, and a lot of credit goes to the leadership of Luke, Piero and the seniors. This senior class when they started was not very good. They saw what other people did and now the freshman class this year saw what they did to get here. Our whole team was there to watch, and next season just started. Last night at the club it was packed, everyone is fired up the day after, but what will you do come summer when your friends are going to the beach. Wrestling, if you put the time in you can be good, and we’ll see who will buy in and do the work.” Ryan certainly bought in, and now he leaves as a two-time Section 1 champion and a state place finisher with his name on the wall. He knows what it took to get there. “It’s working hard every day, not just the days when you are motivated, but more about the days when you don’t want to be there. That’s what will set you apart.”

Renovated gymnasium at Pound Ridge Elementary School The renovated cupola at Mount Kisco Elementary School. By JEFF MORRIS  Proposed 2026-27 budgets for district facilities were presented at the Feb. 25 Board of Education meeting. Director of Facilities Tim Walsh said there are a total of 44 facilities personnel working on day shift, evening shift and maintenance and grounds.  As part of his presentation, Walsh showed photos of some of the improvements that have been made to buildings that are under his purview, including the renovated cupola at Mount Kisco Elementary School and renovated gymnasium at Pound Ridge Elementary School. Operation of Plant funding Walsh said the department is broken into two codes: Operation of Plant, and Maintenance of Plant. Under Operation of Plant, the 2025-26 budget was $3,386,970; the 2026-27 proposal is $3,870,605, an increase of $483,635, or 14.28%. Line items to which Walsh called attention were Contracted Services and Repair: Building & Grounds Equipment. There is a 46% decrease under Contracted Services, going from $389,900 to $210,000, while there is a 260% increase on the Repair line, going from $83,200 to $300,000. Walsh said this is an attempt to realign where the expenses should fall and shift them to a repair, where they more accurately fit. He said there is not a dollar-for-dollar shift because there are some cost of living increases included. Contracted Services had actually been much higher in the prior two years, at $681,225 in 2023-24 and $664,714 in 2024-25. Repair had been up and down, at $95,430 in 2023-24 and $79,416 in 2024-25. Utilities comprise the largest single portion of the Operations budget, at 58%. Walsh noted he was recommending keeping the heating oil line essentially flat. He said expenditures had dropped significantly during the previous two years, but this year it has been colder, and because their invoices lag, they do not know exactly how much has been spent over the past month or two. And, he said, the price changes on a weekly basis under their New York state contract, with there being a slight uptick in the price per gallon compared with the previous fiscal year.  The largest line in the Operations budget is for electricity. Walsh pointed out that electricity usage has remained essentially the same, and in fact decreased, since 2017, but the cost has increased significantly. While the amount budgeted has remained nearly flat, the actual expenditures have exceeded the budget. In 2023-24, the budget was $739,010 and the actual $800,052; in 2024-25, the budget was $758,700 and the actual $901,872. This year’s budgeted amount was again $758,700. “There is a significant increase requested this year,” said Walsh. “Really what we’re trying to do is just play catch up.” There is a 31.94% increase, from $242,300 to $1,001,000, this year; he said he does not anticipate there being the same increase next year, but “this is the right-sizing year for our electric line item.” Walsh noted that the district has two electric service providers, with different rate structures. Mount Kisco and West Patent Elementary have New York State Power Authority; the remainder of buildings are NYSEG. Maintenance of Plant The Maintenance of Plant budget is going from $1,110,430 to $1,332,000, a $221,570 or 19.95% increase. Again, there has been fluctuation: it had been $1,226,325 in 2023-24 and $2,115,760 in 2024-25. As with Operations, Walsh said some items were being shifted to other lines where they are more appropriate.  Walsh said there is one new contract he is asking to include, for grass field maintenance for two fields, which will mean an increase of about $24,000. “Especially provided that there are new fields here as part of the capital project, I’d recommend having an annual maintenance program for those fields,” he said. Another significant increase Walsh recommended is for emergency repairs, which had been budgeted for $240,000 over the past several fiscal years, though actual expenses had outstripped that amount. He said this year that money had already been spent on two projects: the water tanks at PRES, and the retaining wall at MKES. Walsh is requesting a $160,000 increase, to $400,000. Walsh also discussed the required five-year capital facilities plan, which is partly based on a building condition survey completed in 2023, and which he anticipates being completed in the spring. He presented a partial summary of some of the priority projects related to health and safety already determined by architects Fuller & D’Angelo, which also have done their own site visits and interviews in the district’s buildings. In order to facilitate the work to be done, Walsh is requesting an interfund transfer to capital projects of $500,000. Under questioning from the board, Walsh said the impact of air conditioning being added as part of the district’s capital bond had not been considered as part of the electricity budget line. But Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Jose Formoso said they could do a rough square footage and cost calculation based on the fact that MKES, which added a floor of air conditioning, is the only building where electrical usage has increased, and revise the line in the superintendent’s budget.

Here's a selection of area events, activities and programs of interest beginning March 6. Friday, March 6 The Art of Seasonal Wines. Westmoreland Sanctuary,   260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco; westmorelandsanctuary.org . An evening of conversation and wine tasting  with Charles Lundington. From 6 to 9 p.m. Ikebana Flower Arranging for Adults . Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . T he ancient art of Japanese flower arranging and one of the traditional arts of Japan. From 1 to 3 p.m. Teen Craft: Herbal Heating Pads.   Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . Kids in grades 6-12 will craft a DIY heating pad; 2 p.m. First Fridays: Adam Moezinia.  Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Road, Bedford; bedfordplayhouse.org . Moezinia will be performing with Alec Safy on bass; 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 Lewisboro Library Community Volunteer Fair. Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . The annual event pairs would-be volunteers of all ages with local agencies. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Footloose: The Musical.”  Fox Lane High School, Mary Lou Meese Theater, 632 South Bedford Road, Bedford; flms.bcsdny.org . Performed by over 60 Fox Lane Middle School students; 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 8 at 1 p.m. Sourdough Basic Workshop.   Bedford Hills Free Library, 26 Main St., Bedford Hills; bedfordhillsfreelibrary.org . Join a demo and discussion about sourdough; why it’s beneficial for gut health and how to mix and bake a loaf of sourdough bread. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “The Last Flapper.”  Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . A one woman show starring Tina D'Amato portraying Mrs. F. Scott Fitzgerald — the glamorous, fun loving and tragic Zelda. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Maple Munchies.  Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah; muscootfarm.org . Ages 8 and older can learn all the ways to use maple syrup in the kitchen while cooking up a maple-themed treat. From 1:30 to 2:30.  RevUp250: The Declaration of Independence.   Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org .   The KVL will livestream the Smithsonian’s The Declaration of Independence featuring Richard Bell, a professor of history at the University of Maryland and a specialist in the American Revolutionary era. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check website for specific times. “Frozen the Musical.”  A.C.T. of Connecticut, 36 Old Quarry Road, CT; actofct.org . Based on the film  that tells the story of sisters Elsa and Anna. Various showtimes through March 15. Sunday, March 8 Mount Kisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hosted by the  Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 16. The parade starts at Moore Avenue at 2 p.m. Schwab Vocal Rising Stars . Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah; caramoor.org . Performance at 3 p.m. Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt.  Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; thecapitoltheatre.com . The duo perform; 6 p.m. Author Talk: “The Bedroom Gap.”  The Reading Room, Dr. Maria Sophocles will discuss her book, a roadmap for anyone wanting to understand how we age sexually; 11 a.m. Monday, March 9 “One Battle After Another.”   Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . The Oscar nominated film. From 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 AARP Tax Help.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. National Noodle Month: Skillet Lasagna . Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Chef Ashley will present a skillet dinner cooking demo. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  An Evening with Jean Hanff Korelitz.   Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Road, Bedford; bedfordplayhouse.org . Author Korelitz discusses her work and career in conversation with fellow author Ann Leary; 7 p.m. Drew Barrymore in Conversation with Valerie Bertinelli . The 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., New York, NY; 92ny.org . Bertinelli will discuss her book “Getting Naked”; 7:30 p.m. Seth Meyers Comedy Fundraiser.  Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org . Meyers, cocktails, live and silent auctions; 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 The State of the Westchester Forest.  Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Pound Ridge Land Conservancy hosts this  presentation will offer a big-picture view of what’s happening in our local forests. From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 12 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration for 65+. Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills; bedfordny.gov . Corned beef, cabbage, Irish soda bread and all the traditional foods. From 4 to 6 p.m. Origami for Kids.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . The art of origami for K-5. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 13 “Bull.”   Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . Katonah Classic Stage presents a workplace “comedy” about three employees spar as they await a meeting with their boss to see who will be laid off. This is a benefit for the library; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14 Pound Ridge Historical Society.  Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Lecturer Maureen Costura will discuss how ice ages and geological events shaped the history of New York. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bedford Mobile Shredder . 343 Railroad Ave., Bedford Hills; bedfordny.gov . Residents of Bedford can bring their documents to the on-site shredder. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ashley Austin Morris.  Conant Hall, 257 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; townofpoundridge.gov . Actress, Comedian and writer Morris performs; 8 p.m. Slimefest Weekend.  Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye; discoverwcm.org . Play with slime made by the museum’s expert Slime Chef. From 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Also Sunday, March 15. Sunday, March 15 Sensory-Friendly “Hoppers.” The Prospector Theater, 25 Prospect St., Ridgefield, CT; prospectortheater.org . The new Pixar animated sci-fi comedy; 10 a.m. Ying Quartet.  Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125 Westchester Ave., Rye; westchesterchambermusicsociety.com . The quartet will perform selections by Haydn, Beethoven and more; 4 p.m.  Oscar Viewing Party.  Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Road, Bedford; bedfordplayhouse.org . Celebrate movies biggest night; 5:30 p.m. RevUp250: Revolutionary Women. The Memorial House, 71 Bedford Road, Katonah. The Women’s Civic Club of Katonah hosts author and professor Laura Chmielewski; 2 p.m. Patti Lupone. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org . Lupone performs dozens of songs ranging from Broadway favorites to contemporary; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 AARP Tax Help.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 John Scofield Trio.  Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org . Scofield on guitar, bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart perform jazz standards, rock and blues classics, and more; 7:30 p.m. Women in the American Revolution . Bedford Historical Society, 612 Old Post Road, Bedford; bedfordhistoricalsociety.org . Professor Holly A. Mayer explores the diverse and crucial roles women played in the Revolutionary War and examines how their experiences directly impacted the war's outcome; 6:30 p.m.  Thursday, March 19 Crafternoon: Quilt Squares . Bedford Hills Free Library, 26 Main St., Bedford Hills; bedfordhillsfreelibrary.org . Stitch, paint, glue or create a 5x5 square reflecting something that represents you to add to the community quilt. For adults and seniors. From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 20 Senior Social Afternoon at the Museum. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah; katonahmuseum.org . Art, conversation and refreshments. From 1 to 3 p.m. Pizza with Police.  Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills; bedfordny.gov . Take this opportunity to meet, talk, and share a slice with Bedford’s finest. From 5 to 7 p.m. “A Little Night Music.” Arc Stages, 147 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville; arc stages.org . Stephen Sondheim’s tangled web of affairs centered around an actress. Through March 28. Adult Game Night.   Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . An evening of board games and socializing. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21 Pancake Brunch. Teatown, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining; teatown.org .   Hotcakes, sausage, coffee, crafts, and more. Seating times 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Architecture of Today: Frank Gehry & Shigeru Ban. Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Architects Anthony Romeo   and Dale Laurin speak about works by contemporary designers and architects Frank Gehry and Shigeru Ban. From 3 to 4 p.m. Cold Reads & Coffee.   Arc Stages, 147 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville; arc stages.org . Monthly LGBTQ+ play reading circle; 11 a.m. Sunday, March 22 The Sanctuary Series.  South Salem Presbyterian Church, 111 Spring St., South Salem; thesanctuaryseries.org . A celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. Korean Music and Dance Performance.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . The Korean Traditional Music and Dance Center specializes in teaching and performing Korean traditional music and dance. From 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 23 Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein. Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, 1 East 65 St., NYC; streicker.nyc . Joined on stage by her closest friend and musical collaborator, Minnelli revisits defining moments from her life and career; 7:30 p.m.  Tuesday, March 24 Jewish Film Festival.  Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville; burnsfilmcenter. org . The fiction films and documentaries of this festival capture specific moments in history, but always through the lens of personal perspectives. Through April 6. AARP Tax Help.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 NY Blood Center Drive.  Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . Drop-ins welcome or visit the website to schedule a time. From 1 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 Katonah Museum of Art Gala and Auction.  Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Tarrytown; katonahmuseum.org . Join the KMA's Board of Trustees in a celebration of art, community, and inspired thinking; 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 ‘90s Dance Party.  Conant Hall, 257 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; townofpoundridge.gov . Enjoy music and dancing from the ‘90s. From 7 to 10 p.m. COMING SOON Wednesday, April 1 Community Passover Seder. Chabad of Bedford, 220 South Bedford Road, Bedford Corners; chabadbedford.com . A family-style interactive seder; 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4 Pound Ridge East Egg Hunt. Pound Ridge Town Park; townofpoundridge.gov . Egg hunts, food trucks, the Easter Bunny and more; 11 a.m. Friday, April 10 An Evening With David Sedaris.   Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; paramounthudsonvalley. com . A night with one of America’s most celebrated humorists, a master of satire and observational wit; 8 p.m.  Monday, April 13 Phishing Schemes.  Pound Ridge Library, 271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Avoid being scammed on your phone, email and text. From 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 Melissa Etheridge.  Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org . The Rise Tour; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 Westchester County Diverse Abilities Job & Resource Fair.  County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; countycenter.biz . Learn about opportunities for individuals of all levels of experience. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday,   April 17 Katonah Chili Cook-Off.  Katonah Chamber of Commerce; katonahchamber.org . From 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 19 The Sanctuary Series.  South Salem Presbyterian Church, 111 Spring St., South Salem; thesanctuaryseries.org . Flutist Elena Rubin and pianist Anthony Newman perform Bach, Beethoven and more. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26 Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival.  Bedford Village Memorial Park, 65 Greenwich Road, Bedford; bedford2030.org . Local food, craft beer, kids crafts and games, EV car show, sustainability experts and more. From noon to 4 p.m. LIBRARIES Bedford Free Library.  32 Village Green, Bedford; bedfordfreelibrary.org . Bedford Hills Free Library . 26 Main St., Bedford Hills; bedfordhillsfreelibrary.org . Katonah Village Library.  26 Bedford Road, Katonah; katonahlibrary.org . Lewisboro Library . Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem; lewisborolibrary.org . Pound Ridge Library.  271 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; poundridgelibrary.org . Mount Kisco Public Library.  100 East Main St., Mount Kisco; mountkiscolibrary.org . PARKS Croton Gorge Park.  35 Yorktown Road, Croton-on-Hudson; parks.westchestergov.com . The 97-acre park at the base of the New Croton Dam is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Croton Point Park.  1 Croton Point Ave., Croton-on-Hudson; parks.westchestergov.com . The 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. John Jay Homestead.  400 Jay St., Katonah; johnjayhomestead.org . Visitors may explore the 62-acre park and seven gardens. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Teatown Lake Reservation.  1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining; teatown.org . The trails on the 1,000-acre nature preserve and education center are open daily, dawn to dusk. Dogs on leash are allowed. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation . 6 Reservation Road, Cross River; friendsoftrailside.org . The 4,315-acre park has varied terrain with miles of wooded trails. The Trailside Nature Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays. Westmoreland Sanctuary . 260 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Kisco; westmorelandsanctuary.org . A 640-acre nature preserve with 7.5 miles of hiking trails. The preserve and Nature Center are free and open to the public seven days a week.

By NEAL RENTZ The Pound Ridge Town Board voted unanimously March 3 to approve two resolutions related to a potential new water district in the Scotts Corners hamlet.  The water district is being considered because Scotts Corners is contaminated with PFAS and other compounds, the resolution approving a “Water Supply Agreement Term Sheet” stated. The board approved a resolution to submit the worksheet, in response to the request from the New York State Comptroller’s Office.  Lewisboro is exploring a connection between Scotts Corners and the Aquarion Water Company in Connecticut for drinking water. The purpose of the term sheet is to provide a summary of terms for a future water supply agreement between the Town and AWC. “This Term Sheet is a summary only and is not comprehensive or definitive,” the sheet stated. Supervisor Kevin Hansan said he was recommending that the Town Board submit a signed work sheet to the comptroller’s office despite some concerns he had. “I do believe that there are a lot of questions still to be raised with this, considering first is the fact that I’m signing it without being a water district,” he said.” Hansan said he expected further negotiations with the comptroller’s office. Councilman Dan Paschkes said the term sheet is not binding and noted that a potential water district would need to be approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In a related matter, the Town Board agreed to submit funding requests to Congressman Mike Lawler and Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for federal aid for the potential water district. Hansan said federal funding would help the town “bridge that gap between the 70% that we’ve gotten from the state, who recognize that we have PFAS issues in the town that need to be remediated.”  Two applications with the federal government submitted last year were unsuccessful, Hansan said.  “We’ve got feedback to make it a stronger application,” Hansan said.  Earlier, during the public input portion of the meeting, John McCown ,who challenged Hansan in the last two supervisor elections, questioned why the document was brought forward. “The proposed water supply term sheet you have on tonight’s agenda would have raised more questions than it answered even if it was offered up 22 months ago,” he told the board. “But to have a virtually meaningless term sheet like this two years into a project being launched is baffling to me. It is clearly nonbinding on Aquarion. It is further subject to the approval of three Connecticut agencies.  That seems implausible with the current water shortages in the Stamford area.” “More to the point,” he continued, “that approval won’t even be sought until the New York Comptroller’s Office approves the formation of the water district. Unless we’re in Alice in Wonderland and ‘down is up,’ that isn’t going to happen because the Comptroller’s Office doesn’t do things in a backwards way.” Identity theft concerns Also at this week’s meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve legislation to protect the confidential information of individuals who have applications before various town agencies. Hansan said he and Town Attorney William Harrington were recently notified by the New York State Department of State’s Division of Local Government Services Training Program about increasing fraud due to municipalities publishing email addresses, cellphone numbers and other information from people with applications before planning, zoning and water control boards. With the information, those committing fraud create false invoices that state they are from municipalities and tell applicants they owe money, he said. “It’s a brave new world in terms of the internet,” Harrington said. “The state of New York is finally waking up to that reality.”  “The information that’s made available to the public should be sanitized so that it would prevent the type of activity that is rampant throughout the country, throughout the world,” Harrington said. “I think, unfortunately, it’s very timely and maybe even we’re behind the curve on it,” Paschkes said.  Federal Highlands boundary Also at the meeting, the board voted unanimously to be included in the federal Highlands boundary, which will allow the town to seek federal grants. Hansan said the Highlands includes 3.4 million acres in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.  The Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program provides funding to states and municipalities for the protection of water, habitat, and agricultural resources. Prior to the passage of the legislation, Lewisboro was not included in the area eligible for funding. Passed in 2004, the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program has provided funding to protect clean drinking water, healthy forests, thriving wildlife populations, productive agriculture, and abundant recreational opportunities. The act has brought in over $80 million in conservation funding to Highlands communities resulting in the permanent protection of over 16,000 acres. The grant program is administered by the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. The town’s Open Space Advisory Committee recently hosted a meeting of leaders of several conservation organizations in the Hudson Highlands region, and the federal grant program was one of the items discussed, Paschkes said.

By MARTIN WILBUR The Mount Kisco Village Board unanimously approved a resolution Monday evening to formally oppose any action by the state that would allow it to override home rule to site a battery energy storage system. Board members sought to send a message to Gov. Kathy Hochul, leadership in the state legislature and its own representatives that proposed legislation permitting the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission to approve applications for the facilities is wrong. Many communities across the state have had deep concerns about the safety of BESS after multiple reports of fires erupted in the units in New York and throughout the U.S., sometimes burning for days and have passed similar resolutions. “We want to make our thoughts known to our senator and our assemblyman, and all the assemblymen or persons, I should say, and also to the governor that this is a home rule state and the powers granted to this local government to adopt, amend local laws in addition to the powers granted by the state of New York are statutory and we don’t want them infringed upon, and we object any attempt to take local zoning away from our community in particular,” said Mayor J. Michael Cindrich. If the state legislation were to pass, it could make it easier to have the state seize control of the approval process on other issues. Mount Kisco passed its zoning in 1929. “Our opposition has less to do with battery storage, quite honestly, and more on the infringement on home rule, which is not to be violated, and which both of the member organizations that we are a part of, as a co-terminus village and town, in New York state, both the Association of Towns, has this as their top legislative priority every year, to preserve and protect home rule for all of the municipalities in New York state,” said Village Manager Ed Brancati. That is also true of the New York Conference of Mayors, to which the village also belongs, he said.  Last year, state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat, proposed legislation that would give the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission the power to approve or deny storage facility applications of at least 25 megawatts. There is a similar bill in the Assembly. Neither state Sen. Pete Harckham or Assemblymember Chris Burdick are co-sponsors of the bills. In 2024, Mount Kisco fought off an application from New Leaf Energy to place a BESS at the Diamond Properties complex at 333 North Bedford Road.

By THANE GRAUEL Local attorney John Nathan told the Pound Ridge Town Board on Tuesday that he has asked New York State’s Cannabis Control Board to revoke the license of the company running the Purple Plains recreational cannabis dispensary. Nathan had spoken at recent meetings, including a public comment session that allowed people to weigh in on the relicensing, and called into question whether the original application accurately detailed its ownership. “I went ahead last Friday and filed a formal request that the Cannabis Control Board institute proceedings to revoke the license or not renew it,” he told the Town Board on Tuesday, March 3. Purple Plains opened on Westchester Avenue in April 2024. Nathan said at a previous meeting its license was obtained under a program that gives priority to those who meet two conditions: having a prior conviction for a marijuana offense, and that person with the prior conviction owning 51% of the business. He said Tuesday that he has spent months trying to verify that the person involved in the business with a conviction is indeed the majority owner but could not.  Nathan said he presented the town attorney with all the evidence he had gathered on the question so “you will not be able to say ‘gee, we don’t know enough about this.’” “It’s up to you to decide whether it’s in the best interest of the residents of this town to take a position based on this evidence,” Nathan told the board. The Feb. 17 public input hearing was allowed by the state for people to weigh in on the topic. Town Clerk Erin Trostle said Wednesday that besides those who spoke at the meeting, no public comment was submitted to the town in writing. Whether anyone sent comments straight to the state board is not clear. An inquiry from The Recorder had not been answered by Thursday. Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan told The Recorder on Thursday he didn’t expect the Town Board to oppose the relicensing. “I don’t’ think we heard anything distressing,” he said of the hearing. He said the town has had “nothing but positive experiences” with the business since it opened. The dispensary has generated significant income for the town under a tax sharing program. Local officials estimated last year’s total around $150,000, and in 2024, the total exceeded $95,000. Nathan also has a court appeal pending after he sued the town, alleging it did not allow the public to weigh in several years ago when deciding if Pound Ridge should opt out of the state’s new rules allowing recreational retail dispensaries. The other neighboring municipalities held such hearings.

POUND RIDGE Wednesday, Feb. 25 7:28 a.m. — The operator of a disabled vehicle reported on High Ridge Road was assisted by police who got the vehicle free of the obstruction. The driver safely drove away.  10:47 a.m. — A parking summons was issued to a driver who illegally parked on Westchester Avenue, interfering with snow removal.  10:52 a.m. — A panic alarm was accidentally activated at a home on Lons Lane. There was no problem.  6:15 p.m. — A driver pulled over on Westchester Avenue was issued a ticket for going 50 mph in a 30-mph zone. The driver also didn’t have a valid license and was ticketed. Friday, Feb. 27 10:32 a.m. — A driver on Westchester Avenue was given a ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign.   5:10 p.m. — A driver pulled over on Salem Road received a ticket for having an invalid insurance card.  Saturday, Feb. 28 11:01 a.m. — A driver on Westchester Avenue got a ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign.  13:38 p.m. — A woman was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by the Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Westchester EMS.  5:47 p.m. — Broken glass was reported in the roadway on Dann Farm Road, creating a health and safety hazard. The highway department was notified to clear the glass.    Sunday, March 1 12:30 p.m. — A vehicle was reported in a ditch on Old Stone Road. Police searched for it but didn’t find it.  4:15 p.m. — A caller on Dann Farm Road reported finding a package of pills in a snowbank. Police checked the package and said writing on it was illegible. They disposed of the pills.  5:50 p.m. — A driver traveling on Westchester Avenue was pulled over and ticketed for no left headlight. BEDFORD Rolls Royce restoration goes awry On Thursday, Feb. 26, at 12:09 p.m., a resident of Great Neck, N.Y., came to headquarters to file a report regarding the restoration of a Rolls-Royce he brought to a shop in Bedford Hills four years earlier. Unhappy with how the restoration was going, he arranged to have the car moved to another restorer’s location upstate. He told police he’d been in contact with that person nearly every day but recently all communication stopped. He requested local police to check on the restorer and was told the man was dead. The dead man’s landlord said the vehicle was returned to the original bodyshop in Bedford Hills where the complainant said the car was disassembled. The vehicle owner told police he paid $350,000 to the deceased man. He was advised this is a civil matter. A report was made as a matter of record.    Man reported living in storage unit  On Friday, Feb. 27, a man, 44, from New Rochelle, was reported to be living in his storage unit in Bedford Hills when he was discovered due to snoring. Another customer heard him through the unit’s walls and reported it to the manager. The manager was unsuccessful in getting him to open the unit door; police were summoned. He was advised the unit was not a residence, plus he was being evicted. He agreed to remove his belongings and no further action was taken.  Monday, Feb. 23 11:23 a.m. — Police responded to a medical group on Bedford Road, Katonah, on a report of a man, 66, from Patterson, who couldn’t urinate. On their arrival, the man was already being loaded into an ambulance to be taken to Northern Westchester Hospital.   Tuesday, Feb. 24 3:12 p.m. — A caller reported a student riding an electric bike at a “high speed” on the Fox Lane campus. Police said both student and bike were gone prior to their arrival.   4:23 p.m. — A man, 26, from Bedford Hills, was issued two citations for no valid inspection sticker or driver’s license after being pulled over in Bedford Hills.  7:10 p.m. — A dog was reportedly struck by a car on Valley Road, Katonah, after it escaped its home through an open gate. The reporting party said the dog’s owner brought it to the animal hospital. Police contacted the dog’s owner for follow up; they said the dog died.  Wednesday, Feb. 25 11:14 a.m. — A woman wearing a green jacket was reported in Bedford Village going door-to-door with a laptop soliciting. Police located her in her car and asked if she had a permit; she said she was in the process. She was advised to leave and not come back until her permit was issued.   2:31 p.m. — A business owner on Adams Street, Bedford Hills, reported they’d accidentally wired money to a fraudulent account after receiving information from what they believed was their regular vendor requesting payment. They told police they only noticed the new information for a wire transfer came from a slightly different address after the actual vendor reported they weren’t paid. The bank was unwilling to cover the loss. A report was made for documentation. Detectives are investigating.   Thursday, Feb. 26 12:41 p.m. — Police assisted the driver of a vehicle reported disabled on South Bedford Road and Baldwin Road. The operator said his transmission died. Police assisted him moving the vehicle out of traffic and flares were set; the operator said he was fine waiting alone for his tow.    Friday, Feb. 27 11:51 a.m. — A Bedford Hills woman came to headquarters to report her husband behaving badly at their Adams Street home the night before. She said their granddaughter missed a virtual therapy appointment which caused the grandfather, inebriated, to become irate. When his wife told him to calm down, his response was to punch a wall. The grandmother called her daughter to pick up the child. A New York state domestic incident report was made and child protective services contacted. Resources for domestic violence were also provided to the grandmother.  Saturday, Feb. 28 10:43 a.m. —  A loose dog reported at the Katonah Memorial Park by the pool was gone on arrival.  5:34 p.m. — An intoxicated man, 73, was assisted at his home in Bedford Hills after he fell and was unable to get up. The Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps was on scene but the man refused medical attention after he was returned to his feet.  Sunday, March 1 9:06 a.m. — A Bedford Village caller reported three cars blocking his driveway. Police arrived and saw two cars illegally parked. Summonses were issued.  4:43 p.m. — A concerned caller reported a couple driving “very slowly” in the vicinity of Maple Avenue and Reservoir Road. The caller described the female behind the wheel as “looking scared.” Police found the car and spoke to the occupants who said there was no problem. LEWISBORO Monday, Feb. 23 11:36 a.m. — A caller on Knapp Road, South Salem, reported $4,000 in damages to a rock wall after an unknown driver struck it after losing control of their vehicle in deep snow. A report was made.  3:00 p.m. — A Cross River man, 57, suffered a severe laceration to his finger while operating a snow blower. Police say the tip was amputated. The man was taken by Westchester EMS to Northern Westchester Hospital. Medics on scene packed the man’s hand in ice prior to transport.  8:30 p.m. — Police went to Mark Mead Road for a neighbor dispute over snow plowing. There was also an issue about a floodlight and a piece of snow removal equipment. Police said the incident is closed and there will be no further investigation.  Tuesday, Feb. 24 3:09 p.m. — Police responded to Redcoat Lane, Waccabuc, for a report of a man injured by his tow truck. On arrival the operator said he was working outside the truck when it slipped on ice and he was dragged under the front tire. A witness said he was dragged between 20 and 30 feet on an icy driveway before the vehicle came to a stop, the man pinned in the left front tire area. He was taken to Westchester Medical Center by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps complaining of pain to his entire body.  Wednesday, Feb. 25 7:36 a.m. — A large Dunkin’ Donuts truck was reported disabled in the westbound lane of Route 35, Cross River. Police closed the lane of traffic until the truck could move again.   3:30 p.m. — Court papers to vacate the premises were attempted to be served to a resident on Kingswood Way, South Salem, but nobody was home. Police returned the next morning and the papers were served.  Thursday, Feb. 26 9:00 a.m. — A vehicle was impounded and towed after an officer patrolling Route 35 observed a Volkswagen with a temporary Oregon tag with heavily tinted windows. A traffic stop was initiated and the operator provided a New York driver’s license that was found suspended twice for failure to respond to a summons.  2:16 p.m. — Police responded to a request for a welfare check after someone was concerned about statements made by a relative. Friday, Feb. 27 Between 3:50 and 6 :25 p.m., multiple summonses were served for unlicensed dogs at four different addresses in South Salem and one in Waccabuc. All owners are to appear in court March 23.  6:37 p.m. — An injured owl was reported in the vicinity of routes 123 and 35, South Salem. An officer looked for the owl across state lines into Connecticut in the vicinity of Spring Street and Peaceable Street but were unable to locate it.  Saturday, Feb. 28 9:55 a.m. — Police went to Oak Ridge Plaza for a report of a person tripping over a curb and unable to walk. Vista ambulance transported them to Northern Westchester Hospital.  11:55 a.m. — A Beekman Lane, Goldens Bridge, resident told police “men were after her,” resulting in multiple units responding to her residence including New York State Police. It was later determined by Yorktown Police the reporting party has a history of mental illness. State police advised they would take over the scene.  7:45 p.m. — Police went to a home in Goldens Bridge after a 3-year-old was reported hit in the head with a TV remote. A woman who came to the door said her husband left the home when she called 911. Police looked for him and when he was finally located he was charged with child endangerment and placed under arrest. Due to his behavior with the officers, he was handcuffed inside the station to a bench. A New York state domestic incident report was completed for his wife and child protective services contacted. The father was seen by a judge and arraigned and released on his own recognizance. He requested a courtesy ride to Cameron’s Deli in Cross River and was driven there.  Sunday, March 1 9:54 a.m. — Police stood by at a residence on Falcon Ridge Drive, Goldens Bridge, while a man collected his property after being banished from the residence. The collection was completed and no further police action was requested.  11:10 a.m. — Illegal dumping was reported at the Leon Levy Preserve where police saw two large black bags, wood shelving and a wire rack. Police said the bags contained a small rug and an ironing board and what appeared to be an infant’s walker.  Mount Kisco Sunday, Feb. 22 2:15 a.m. — An officer responded to Sutton Drive on a report of a woman in her 90s having difficulty breathing. The woman became unresponsive while she was being aided by the officer and Westchester EMS. She was pronounced dead a short time later. 3:52 p.m. — A Grove Street man reported that the front windshield of his car had been shattered, apparently by a rock that he found in the street nearby. An officer canvassed neighbors and located security video showing the incident occurred about 4:30 a.m. In the video, two men are seen walking on Grove Street when rocks are thrown at them from the opposite side of the street. One of the rocks hit the windshield and broke it. After additional investigation, the officer identified and located the two men who said they had been followed from a local bar and then assaulted by several other men on East Hyatt Avenue before fighting them off. The suspects, who were not visible in the video, then threw rocks at the two men on Grove Street. An investigation is continuing.   Monday, Feb. 23 4:02 p.m. — An officer responded to Hotel MTK on Pat Reilly Way on a complaint from hotel management regarding a guest’s non-payment. Hotel staff reported that the guest had stayed the previous night with her children, had not checked out earlier as scheduled and was unable to provide payment for another night. Officers spoke with the guest, a woman with three young children, and determined that she had left her home in Yonkers due to a domestic violence concern and did not want to return. She additionally stated that the Westchester County Department of Social Services had offered lodging at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains but she did not want to go there. Officers took the family to a pizzeria to ensure the children had something to eat. After a friend of the woman said they could stay with her, an officer drove the woman and children to Yonkers to ensure their safe arrival due to weather conditions. Child Protective Services was notified and would follow up.  6:17 p.m. — An officer responded to Victoria Drive to assist a woman who slipped on ice and hit her head; EMS was requested. The woman was taken by ambulance to Northern Westchester Hospital for evaluation. 10:04 p.m. — An officer responded to Marion Avenue following a road rage incident that occurred a short time earlier on Route 133. A resident said the driver of a truck with a plow attached stopped suddenly in front of him and then began screaming at him as he drove past. He also said the other driver started to get out of his vehicle, making him concerned for his safety.   11 p.m. — Police received a noise complaint on Foxwood Circle. A man said his upstairs neighbor was deliberately stomping on the floor to annoy him and that it was an ongoing issue. The officer spoke with the upstairs neighbor but he denied the claim. Tuesday, Feb. 24 8:09 a.m. — A hit-and-run property damage accident was reported on Maple Avenue. The owner of a Subaru stated that his vehicle was struck by a beige Honda Civic or Accord, which then fled the scene.  3:17 p.m. — Officers responded to the Mount Kisco Public Library on a report of a man refusing to leave as requested by staff. The man also refused to leave when directed to do so by officers. He was taken into custody and booked for trespassing, a violation. While in custody at the Green Street precinct, the man’s statements made officers concerned for his mental health. The Mobile Crisis Response Team responded. The Mount Kisco Volunteer Ambulance Corps was also requested and took the man to the hospital for evaluation. 3:56 p.m. — Barker Street residents found an 8-year-old child in distress in the hallway of a building. The child told them her mom had locked herself in her room and she was unable to wake her up. Officers forced their way into the woman’s bedroom to awaken her and detected alcohol on her breath. After investigation, the mother, 44, was taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. She was booked at the Green Street precinct, arraigned in village court and released pending a future court appearance. The child stayed with officers at the precinct until her grandmother, her legal guardian, arrived to pick her up. 4:27 p.m. — An officer took a report at the Green Street precinct regarding a hit-and-run property damage accident. A woman reported that her front bumper was damaged while the car was parked in an East Main Street lot. A witness told the woman that another car backed into hers and then drove off. An investigation is continuing. 8:39 p.m. — Officers responded to a Lexington Avenue laundromat to address an unwanted person. Officers found a man sleeping in the rear of the laundry and determined he was highly intoxicated when they woke him up. An officer also was aware that the man had been previously issued a formal trespass warning barring him from the premises. The man was issued a summons for trespassing, a violation, and taken to the hospital by the Mount Kisco Volunteer Ambulance Corps for evaluation due to his intoxication. He was due in court March 5. Wednesday, Feb. 25 2:55 a.m. — A 36-year-old village resident was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony, after an officer observed his vehicle traveling erratically on Smith Avenue. The driver then crashed into a snowbank after turning into a driveway. After failing a field sobriety test, the man was taken into custody. He also was issued several summonses for traffic violations, including driving without a license.   10:31 a.m. — A complaint was received regarding a man sleeping in Starbucks on South Moger Avenue. The condition was corrected. 5:10 p.m. — A quality-of-life inspection was conducted in and around a Lexington Avenue laundromat. All was in order. 5:13 p.m. — An officer responded to the Green Street precinct after an intoxicated man used the callbox there. The man was unable to stand on his own. EMS was requested to transport the man to the hospital. Thursday, Feb. 26 7:26 a.m. — Report of an intoxicated man on the premises of a Lexington Avenue laundromat. EMS took the man to the hospital. 1 p.m. — Officers responded to Target on North Bedford Road on a report of a larceny in progress. Loss-prevention personnel reported that a woman they detained for shoplifting fled from the store and left in a white Acura SUV. A responding officer located the vehicle on North Bedford Road and made a traffic stop. A 29-year-old Pennsylvania woman was taken into custody and charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor. She is accused of trying to leave the store with $785 worth of merchandise she had not paid for. Her vehicle was impounded and she was arraigned in Mount Kisco Justice Court and released pending a March 12 appearance. 3:15 p.m. — A man at the Starbucks on South Moger Avenue called police to report that his children’s au pair was afraid to leave the store because of the way a man was staring at her. The officer, who was outside conducting a traffic stop, let the motorist go with a warning, went into the store and escorted the woman to her car. 3:29 p.m. — Officers responded to a Lexington Avenue laundromat on a report of an unwanted party. Officers found a man sleeping, woke him up and escorted him out. The officers were aware the 55-year-old man had previously been issued a trespass warning barring him from the business. He was issued a summons for trespassing, a violation, and taken into custody on a warrant issued by the Mount Kisco Justice Court for his failure to answer a previous summons charging him with public consumption of an alcoholic beverage. He was arraigned in court and released on his own recognizance. This report was made from official records provided by the Pound Ridge, Bedford, Lewisboro and county (Mount Kisco) police departments. Mount Kisco is compiled by Martin Wilbur, all others by Eve Marx.

Willow Lutz of John Jay finished in the top 25 as a freshman. Brynn Anthony, her mom and Fox Lane coach Jessica Anthony, and Chase Hamilton at Section 1 finals. (FLHS Photo); Fox Lane senior Brynn Anthony medaled in Giant Slalom at N.Y. state championships. Porter Bysshe of John Jay competed at states for the third straight year. Greg Kaplowitz photos By JIM MACLEAN  Four times she had earned a trip to the New York state ski championships; this was her last chance as a senior and Brynn Anthony of Fox Lane made the most of the opportunity, earning a medal and a place on the podium and All-State honors. It is never easy in ski racing — one mistake and you are out of the running, and it is even harder when the competition is the best in the state and you are pushing yourself to the edge. It was a difficult two days on the courses at Bristol Mountain for the New York state championships Feb. 23-24. Each skier gets two runs in both giant slalom and slalom, and you have to finish both in order to compete for a medal. Anthony is a veteran familiar with the pressure, and she knew what she had to do in order to finish her Fox Lane career on a happy note. She had to come out strong on the first day in her best event, the giant slalom. She finished her first run with a time of 1:07.05, and then she went all out on her second run to cross the line at 1:05.87 for a combined score of 2:12.92 to finish in eighth place to get her medal. Her Fox Lane coach Jessica Anthony is also her mother, and she knows what it meant to Brynn to get her medal. “She was very happy to finish her high school career that way,” Anthony said of Brynn. “This was her fourth time making states and her goal was to be top 10. GS is her favorite, and I was very happy she could pull out a top 10. She was also happy with her slalom. I’m happy when she’s happy.” Anthony followed up her medal-winning performance in GS with a good day on Tuesday in slalom as she finished her first run at 1:06.21 and her second was even better at 1:04.47 for a combined total of 2:10.68 to finish 13th overall. And with her performance at states, Anthony gets the chance to compete again as she qualified for the Eastern States championships March 7 at Attitash Mountain in New Hampshire. Fox Lane’s Chase Hamilton also earned a trip to the state championships and he finished all four runs in the boys’ competition. He didn’t let the nerves get to him, competing for the first time at states and finished 20th in GS and 22nd in slalom. “Chase was competing at states for the first time and it was definitely a difficult course and he did great to finish all four runs,” Anthony said of Hamilton. “Chase has been a joy to coach, the most polite kid, and I was very happy for him to ski like that his first time at states.” Hamilton made it through a tough course the first day in GS with a time of 1:10.11 on his first run, and he turned it up for the second run with a time of 1:06.92 to finish 20th. He had a great first run in slalom at 59.23 and had one mistake on his second run but was able to recover and finish with a time of 1:05.06 to finish 22nd. Just being able to finish all four runs was an accomplishment, especially in the boys competition as almost half of the skiers did not finish both runs. John Jay also had a pair of skiers qualify for the states in junior Porter Bysshe and freshman Willow Lutz. Bysshe was a perfect example of the course conditions. After finishing second at the Section 1 championships, he was hoping to place and earn a medal at states, but he was unable to finish two runs in either event. “Conditions at Bristol were challenging, especially as the day went on,” John Jay coach Paul Crivelli said. “When you combine the demanding conditions with athletes who are pushing themselves against the best competition in the state, you’re going to see some racers skiing right on the edge, no one is holding back, they’re attacking every gate, and sometimes that results in mistakes.” Competing at states for the third time, Bysshe finished his first run in GS with a time of 1:07.19, but he knew he had to be faster on his second run in order to medal and he pushed to the edge and was unable to finish. He hoped to bounce back in slalom, but once again he was unable to finish. He wasn’t alone, as only 35 of the 64 competitors entered in the boys race were able to finish both runs. “This was Porter’s third appearance at states and he came in comfortable with the atmosphere,” Crivelli said of Bysshe. “He didn’t get the finish he was hoping for, but qualifying and competing against the top racers in the state is an accomplishment in itself. I know he’ll use this experience as motivation to come back next season even more focused and determined.” While Bysshe was a veteran, Lutz is only a freshman and this was her first time heading up to states. She didn’t let the competition or conditions get to her as she was able to finish all four runs for an impressive performance on the state level. “Willow handled herself very well, especially for her first state championship,” Crivelli said of Lutz. “As a freshman, to finish all four runs at states is a tremendous accomplishment, and placing 16th and 21st shows she skied with poise and confidence. She did an excellent job managing the pressure. She stayed composed and represented the team very well.” Lutz started off in GS with a time of 1:11.5, and she really turned it up on her second run, cutting off six seconds on her time to finish at 1:05.74 to give her a 16th place finish overall. In slalom, she started off with a run of 1:09.34, and once again came on strong in her second run with a time of 1:04.98 to finish in 21st place.

Milk bottles from local farms dating to the 1800s.Names Lewisboro formerly was known as. A rocking chair believed to have been used by an enslaved individual traveling the Underground Railroad. Historical postcards and photos. Neal Rentz photos By NEAL RENTZ Long before there was a Citi Field, Enron Field, the Toyota Center and the American Airlines Center, there was the town of Lewisboro.  Town Historian Maureen Koehl said Sunday at Onatru Farm that like Citi Field and other venues, the town was named Lewisboro following a financial transaction.  Her office is located on the first floor of the farm building, and the annual Lewisboro History Display is being held through Sunday, March 8, at the farm. Koehl, a former elementary school teacher and journalist who has written for local newspapers, was appointed town historian in 1988 by the Town Board.  This year marks the 186th anniversary of the changing of the name of the town from South Salem to Lewisboro. Koehl said this week that since the U.S. is celebrating its 250 anniversary this year she wanted to recognize the town’s name change this year.  Koehl said that it was February 1840 when the town swapped its name after financier and New York City resident John Lewis approached the South Salem town fathers with a proposition.  “Lewis was deeply interested in the promotion of public education, hence his generous gift to his hometown provided the money was used for the betterment of the town’s schools and the town be renamed in his honor,” Koehl said of the man who was born in Vista in 1793. Lewis provided South Salem with $10,000 for public education if it agreed to change its name to Lewisboro, she noted. “A bill was passed in Albany on Feb. 13, 1840, stating, ‘The Town of South Salem, in the county of Westchester, shall hereafter be called and known by the name of Lewisboro. Nothing contained in this act shall in any way affect the rights of any inhabitant or officer of said town, or of any other person, or of the town itself. This act shall take effect immediately,” Koehl noted.  The display features items from the town historian’s office collection and new items and new arrivals from residents including items from a Cross River dairy farm, items from the Brady family of Goldens Bridge and letters from the Wakeman family in Vista from the 1840s, Koehl said. In addition, there is a rocking chair donated by the Bouton family of South Salem believed to have been used by an enslaved individual traveling the Underground Railroad. There are also maps, quilts, butter churns and vintage postcards on display. “There’s so much history here in Lewisboro,” Koehl said.  Kevin Catone of Goldens Bridge provided several historical objects to the exhibition, including milk bottles from local farms. Catone said the bottles date from the 1800s. Catone has also provided historical artifacts he found from the former Goldens Bridge train station. Catone noted that commuters would walk across the train tracks, but there were no electrified third rails. Micheal Brown of Goldens Bridge provided examples of his postcard collection to this year’s exhibit.  “I asked him if he would share a few with the annual winter history display and he was glad to help out,” Koehl said. “Everyone loves to look at historic postcards, and the postcards drew much interest.” The History Display is being held at Onatru Farm, located at 99 Elmwood Road, South Salem. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7; and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8. It is free and suitable for all ages.

The Preston Way bridge, which has been shut down since Dec. 3, when the New York State Department of Transportation deemed it to be unsafe. It is expected to be closed until at least the latter half of 2027. Martin Wilbur photo A line of traffic late in the afternoon on March 2 at Route 117 and Route 133. From that point to the Maple Avenue and Lexington Avenue intersection has seen the most congestion because of the Preston Way bridge closure in December. Martin Wilbur Photo By MARTIN WILBUR As long as Nick Bueti has been in business, he can more or less predict the sales of Mount Kisco Wines & Spirits, the shop that he co-owns on North Bedford Road. But the sudden closure of the Preston Way bridge on Dec. 3 — Bueti was notified only by robocall just before it happened — was something that he could not completely prepare for, even though it was known that at some point the bridge was going to be replaced. He estimated this week that in the three months since the New York State Department of Transportation’s shutdown order, business is off 15% to 20%.  “We’ve been here so long, we pretty much know our sales. It’s significant,” Bueti said of the dropoff in his store where one can see the bridge. “All I hear all day is complaints from the people how hard it is to get here.” Bueti, a proprietor for more than 30 years, is not alone. He, along with residents and other merchants, face the prospect of navigating the village until at least sometime late next year without having Preston Way open. Recently, Mayor J. Michael Cindrich received a letter from the Burger King franchise owner on North Bedford Road looking for relief. The fast-food restaurant has operated there since 1977. “It’s heartbreaking that people who are in business are losing 18% of their income because of that bridge,” Cindrich said. Village Manager Ed Brancati provided a progress report on the project this week, confirming that the Master Permit with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that was adopted by the board last month was executed on Feb. 18. The latest timeline estimates that the bidding period, which will soon go out, will be open for at least six weeks until about May 18, although Brancati hopes that can be accelerated. The Village Board would accept the winning bid at a subsequent meeting with construction starting by August. It is projected the work would take 12 to 14 months once started, he said. The village will soon send all the documents to the DOT so the agency can sign off on them and move the process forward. “They are looking to complete all of the paperwork and all of the approvals we send them and try to turn them around as quickly as possible,” Brancati said. Damage difficult to gauge While the bridge closure has certainly been an inconvenience to most around the village, how negatively it has affected business after three months is open to conjecture. Patrice Yvon, owner and chef of the bakery L’Anjou Patisserie Francaise on North Bedford Road, said it is hard to measure how much the loss of the Preston Way bridge has impacted his business.  “It’s not destructive for me, but it could help if the bridge was open,” Yvon said. He said the cold and snowy weather this winter also has had an impact on sales. Consistently warm weather might provide a better indication. Over on South Moger Avenue, Leigh Hodgson, owner of The Hamlet, a store with British products, said the heavier traffic the closure has caused her to change her own shopping habits as a village resident more than it has her business. Hodgson said she now avoids Target, also on North Bedford Road, and often has her groceries delivered. She acknowledged that having robust online sales likely blunts any negative effects from shoppers who may want to avoid Mount Kisco. “We have a very different kind of clientele here, so we’re a British shop and our customers are loyal and they’ll figure out a way to get their British goods,” Hodgson said. The leadership of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce has been working with their members in hopes of easing the impact. President Ed Reilly said the organization has advised of alternate routes into the village and suggested to merchants to encourage customers to visit at off-peak times when possible.  For example, if a shopper is used to coming south on the Saw Mill River Parkway, they can detour to Interstate 684; if they’re coming from the south, another option is getting off at Roaring Brook Road in Chappaqua and driving north. Reilly said he has noticed the southern portion of the village hasn’t been affected much, with the key chokepoint between the Route 117 and Route 133 intersection and the Maple Avenue-Kisco Avenue crossing. “That seems to be the bottleneck at certain times in the morning and again in the evening,” Reilly said. “I drive through Mount Kisco during the day all the time and any time between 10 and before school gets out, it’s normal.” Beth Vetare-Civitello, the chamber’s co-executive director, said because of the surprise shutdown with no warning those first weeks were difficult for everyone. There is typically a post-holiday lull in business activity during the winter where there are fewer shoppers. But once the detour signs were posted and drivers became more accustomed to the new driving pattern, people are slowly getting used to it. “There are definitely times of the day, still today, every day, that are very difficult,” Vetare-Civitello said. “Traffic gets backed up and people are getting anxious. I wish it was over, but how has it impacted the stores? I mean, people are not as excited about coming into town because they’re like ‘what am I dealing with?’” Looking for help The project’s full financial cost to the village won’t be known until the bid is awarded. The last estimate, from January 2024, stood at $8.6 million, and significant escalation is expected. Brancati announced that the MTA has committed $1.5 million toward the force labor account, which would pay for railroad personnel such as flagmen and inspectors to ensure the work is done safely. While Mount Kisco has already secured a state BRIDGE NY $5 million grant, it is now seeking another $2.5 million in funding in the state’s next fiscal year’s budget that state Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick plan to request, he said. It is also working with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office to apply for a $5 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant from the federal government and may seek more money through Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The BUILD grant is part of $1.5 billion available nationwide to help pay for complex surface transportation projects. However, Deputy Mayor Karen Schleimer continued to criticize her colleagues for failing to explore a prefabricated bridge rather than being wedded to the existing design. Schleimer said it could limit the work time and/or the expense. “The answer is to do it the right way so you don’t overextend and you don’t overwhelm your taxpayers and do it the right way,” she said. “Believe me, we’re all sensitive to the fact that people are hurting and traffic is a nightmare and businesses are being hurt.” For Bueti, he’s confident that Mount Kisco Wines & Spirit will survive this, but wants the village to communicate more effectively to merchants and residents about progress. Updates should be at the start of every meeting agenda, he said.  It’s difficult to imagine that it could be as long as two years before there’s a reopened bridge. “I would have to say everyone’s getting hurt to some degree,” Bueti said. “We’re probably the most because we’re at the foot of it.”