The first four issues of The Recorder have now been published. We’re thrilled to share with you the tangible results of a vision we had just six months ago to fill the void in local news by launching a weekly print newspaper and website connecting residents, businesses and civic organizations in the towns of Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. We celebrate this milestone, made possible by our volunteers, donors, subscribers, advertisers and editorial contributors. It’s a tremendous step. We are grateful for the enthusiastic response and financial support we have received to date. Most importantly, we hope you like what you’ve been reading during the four-issue free trial, and subscribe. Because at the end of the day, community support is key to this venture’s success. The Recorder is dependent on three principal sources of revenue to cover the costs of producing quality, independent journalism. The first is subscriptions. Already, we’ve processed over 1,000 subscription orders and we know more are on the way. Paid advertisement is the second component of our nonprofit business model. You can see the diverse variety of businesses and organizations that already are participating, counting on The Recorder to connect each of them with our readers. The third source is donations. Over 100 people have already stepped forward to contribute additional financial support, a clear sign that many in our community share our belief in the essential role of independent local journalism.  As we’ve mentioned before, in recent years over 2,600 newspapers across the country have closed due to the harsh economics of the news business. In January, our community suffered the same loss with the abrupt closing of our longtime weekly newspaper.  If you value quality local news, you can help ensure The Recorder’s continued publication by subscribing today at therecorder.org/subscribe .  When you make a purchase from a local store or business that advertises with us, please mention you saw their ad in The Recorder (and if they’re not advertising yet, we’d appreciate your suggesting they do). Additional donations are always welcome, too; please visit therecorder.org/make-a-donation . We’re committed to earning your trust as a reliable, timely source of local news and information. With these four free issues, we hope we’ve started to do just that. We’re always happy to hear your feedback or answer any questions. Feel free to email us at info@therecorder.org . Thanks for helping launch The Recorder and for giving our fledgling local news enterprise a shot at a bright future.  Ed Baum, Karen Sabath and Lloyd Trufelman Board members and co-founders The Recorder News Inc.

Collections of photos from community events and happenings in October taking place in Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. This page will be updated throughout the month as new photo galleries are added. Wooffstock Photos by Ellen Best Wooffstock a rock'n success Families and friends of all animals furry attended the first Wooffstock animal adoption event on Sunday afternoon at the Pound Ridge Community Church. The free event also featured live music, food, a silent auction, a raffle and a blessing of the animals. The event benefited area animal adoption shelters ROAR, Adopt-a-Dog, the SPCA, New York Pet Rescue, PawSafe and Animal Nation. Pictured: 1. The Rev. Steve (Young Dong) Kim blessing two rabbits with the Martin family from Ridgefield and Greenwich.  2. Pound Ridger Dave Long built this dog house to be auctioned off. 3. Child played with pups offered for adoption. 4. Jacob, Delilah and parents Justin and Alexa Young of Katonah just adopted “Trixie” yesterday from Paw Safe. They came to the event today to look for a second pup to adopt. 5. Elida Sanabria (of Ela Flowers in Pound Ridge) with her family and dog Shayla. 6. The Rev. Steve (Young Dong) Kim with family. 7. P ound Ridge resident Mark Lieto’s dog, Flag, was blessed by Rev. Steve. Bedford Riding Lanes Association Fall 10K Photos by Greg Kaplowitz Running of the trails  On Sunday, Sept. 29, the private Bedford Riding Lanes trails, six or so miles through the farms, woods and pastures of Bedford, were trotted not by horses but by people in a 10K walk/run. The private trails, formerly equestrian-only, criss-cross 400-plus parcels of private property throughout Bedford, Pound Ridge, Bedford Hills and Katonah. Participants enjoyed the countryside, rustic bridges and scenery. Pictured left to right in each row: 1. Herbie Calves and Ellen Calves - Supervisor for The Town of Bedford. Participants in the annual Fall 10K BRLA run of the trails begin their cross Bedford adventure. 2. The faithful BRLA pickup truck at rest. Lindsay Hearon, and 1st place competitor Hannes Fernqvist , who completed the course in 45:52. 3. Spectator Amiel,  Particpants Clemence Brugler and Mark Weigel (back turned). Father and son team Adam Kaufman and Jaron Kaufman in the final leg of the run of the trails. 4. Mabel Hearon and Lindsay Hearon raise the spirits of the competitors prior to the start of the run. Matt Kmetz and Todd Rebori visit after the run.

Pizza Night Open House at Vista Volunteer FD The Vista Volunteer Fire Department will hold a Pizza Night and Open House on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the firehouse, located at 377 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem. Organizers said the family-friendly community event is a chance to support local first responders “and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of others.” The event will include firetruck rides on Engine 141, firefighting demonstrations, firetruck tours with firefighters, ambulance tours with EMTs and EMS demonstrations. Service dogs are welcome, and encouraged, to familiarize them with ambulances. The cost is $15 per meal, which includes one pizza (cheese or pepperoni), salad bar and two soft drinks. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at vistafd.org County Willow is now Willow Furniture & Design Country Willow, the renowned furniture and lifestyle store, has announced its official rebranding as Willow Furniture & Design. The company said the name change “marks a new chapter in our journey to offer an even more comprehensive and personalized shopping experience, reflecting our commitment to style, quality, and exceptional service.” The transition is accompanied by the grand reopening of a remodeled and remerchandised showroom, with the latest arrivals in furniture, mattresses and décor. “From contemporary to classic, each piece has been carefully curated to meet the diverse tastes of our clientele,” a statement said. “From furnishing an entire home to selecting that perfect accent piece, Willow Furniture and Design offers style, selection, and personalized services.” “Our showroom remodel was the perfect time to align our brand name with the full scope of services and products we offer,” CEO Mike Leibowitz said. “We have more furnishing options than ever before, and we will continue to be the destination for creating beautiful, t functional living spaces for all styles and budgets.” Willow Furniture & Design is located at 230 Route 117 Bypass Road, Bedford Hills. For more information, visit willowfurnitureanddesign.com . Pierce appointed to leadership role at National Association of Counties Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce has been appointed vice chair of the Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee for the National Association of Counties. Her appointment was recently announced at NACo’s annual conference in Hillsborough County, Florida. Pierce’s Westchester district includes the towns of Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. She currently serves as chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Public Works and Transportation Committee Chair, and vice chair of its Parks and Environment Committee. In a statement, she said, “Addressing environmental and energy challenges is crucial for our communities, and I am committed to advancing sustainable policies.” In addition to Pierce’s appointment, Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins was appointed vice chair of NACo’s Transit/Rail Subcommittee. In total, 13 New York State County Legislators were appointed to NACo leadership positions. NACo, established in 1935, represents nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. The organization advocates for county priorities in federal policymaking, promotes exemplary county policies and practices, optimizes county and taxpayer resources, and enhances public understanding of county government.  The New York State Association of Counties, founded in 1925, is an affiliate of NACo and collaborates closely with the organization to advance the priorities of New York’s counties at both the state and federal levels. Former chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Benjamin Boykin, currently serves as NYSAC president-elect and will become the NYSAC president in September. Northern Westchester Hospital earns highest CMS rating Northern Westchester Hospital has received five stars, the highest rating, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in its 2024 five-star quality rating system. The results include 2,267 participating hospitals, and place NWH among a small number across the country to earn five stars for superior quality of care, according to hospital officials. In addition to achieving the top rating for the first time, NWH also attained high scores forinpatient safety and clinical outcomes, which are based on patient experience surveys. “This achievement underscores our pledge to provide the highest quality of care and ensure our patients have the best possible outcomes,” Derek Anderson, NWH executive director, said in a statement. CMS, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, created the rating system toevaluate hospitals on several key metrics to help consumers make decisions when choosing a health care facility. The data considered in the quality rating system is based on 49 different metrics, including mortality, safety of care, rate of readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care. According to CMS, 381 hospitals, or 13.4%, out of 2847 hospitals that met the reporting criteria received five-stars. Northwell, New York state’s largest health system and private employer, has been participating in the rating system since its inception in 2007. Eat. Shop. Explore Bedford A handy new guide is available showcasing the town of Bedford’s many destinations of interest. Designed for visitors, residents and businesses, EAT. SHOP. EXPLORE BEDFORD offers information about art, culture, history, dining, recreation, parks, shopping and entertainment options, packaged in a compact, map-based format. Copies of the brochure have been mailed to residents and also are available at town pools, libraries, John Jay Homestead Farm Market, and other sites.  The printed guide is augmented by an  online site  offering additional information and search functionality. Dozens of local sponsoring businesses and  Destination 39.3  collaborated on the first-of-its kind project.

Jim MacLean photos Fox Lane quarterback John Czernyk fights his way into the end zone for a touchdown. By JIM MACLEAN When you are facing the defending New York state champions on the road you can’t afford to fall behind, but that was exactly the scenario for the Fox Lane varsity football team as the Foxes faced rival Somers under the lights Friday night, Sept. 27. Somers put on a show for the home crowd as the Tuskers jumped out to a 35-0 lead at halftime. Fox Lane responded with a strong third quarter, but the Tuskers showed why they are two-time defending state champions as they closed out a 49-12 victory over the Foxes. “Not our best first half, but I was proud of how we responded,” said Fox Lane coach Drew Giuliano. “We tried to do too much in the first half. Once we did what we do well and played our normal stuff we seemed to be able to hang in there a little more.” Coming out at halftime, Fox Lane took the opening kickoff of the second half and took to the air to try and rally back. Quarterback John Czernyk connected on a pair of first down passes to Mac Keller and Will Rudolph to get the Foxes moving. That set up the Foxes best play of the night as Czernyk connected with Declan Connors, who took it down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown catch with 10 minutes left in the third quarter to make it 35-6. The Fox Lane defense then did its job, holding Somers on three straight plays to force a punt, and the Foxes took over on their own 14-yard line. Jim MacLean photos Left to right, Declan Connors hauls in a touchdown pass for the Foxes against Somers. Fox Lane’s Mac Keller tries to escape a tackle after a reception. Owen Baker carries after a catch for Fox Lane at Somers. Once again it was Czernyk taking to the air to move the Foxes down the field. Czernyk started the drive with a first down pass to Keller. A pass interference penalty gave the Foxes another first down, and then Czernyk connected with Rudolph to move the chains again. It was Czernyk to Keller for another first down, and then a pass to Rudolph moved the ball down to the Somers two-yard line. Czernyk carried it in on the keeper for the score to make it 35-12 with 3:14 left in the third quarter. However, Somers wasted no time answering to stop any thoughts of a comeback for Fox Lane as the Tuskers returned the ensuing kick off to the Fox Lane 20-yard line and Matt Kelly scored on the next play to make it 42-12. Fox Lane tried to respond as Czernyk completed a first down pass to Owen Baker. A run by Connors and a pass completed to Logan Mammola kept the drive going for the Foxes, but the Tuskers came up with an interception and capped off their ensuing drive with another touchdown to make the final score 49-12. Fox Lane piled up the yards on offense as Czernyk completed 18 passes to six different receivers for a total of 240 yards and the one touchdown pass to Connors. He also ran it in for a touchdown. Keller had six catches for 85 yards, while Rudolph also finished with six catches for 47 yards. Connors had the long touchdown catch, and Baker had three catches for 36 yards. On defense, Rudolph led the way for Fox Lane with nine tackles. Will Broghammer had eight tackles, including one for a loss. Luke Ryan made seven tackles for the Foxes. “When you find yourself in those lopsided first half games, the only real message you can deliver the team is that we have to finish,” Giuliano explained. “What’s done is done, there is no leaving or mercy rule in football, so we took that as a life lesson to bear down and finish. Somers no doubt is solid all around; I don’t think our guys up front did a bad job, but at the skill positions we were outmatched. It is what it is, and I continue to praise our coaching staff for doing a tremendous job getting our kids prepared every week and to get everything we can out of our kids. We just need to play cleaner games against the more established teams.” Fox Lane will face another tough test against an established team this weekend as the Foxes were set to host rival Yorktown on Saturday, Oct. 5. Yorktown comes to town with a 3-1 record, while Fox Lane stands at 1-2 overall.

Photos by Jim MacLean Clockwise from top left, Sofia Valente (left) and Zoe Stonecipher (right) celebrate with Samantha Reder (2) after her goal in the fourth quarter. Abby Locovare makes her move towards the goal for Fox Lane. Fox Lane’s Samantha Reder (2) and Zoe Stonecipher (7) start to celebrate after Reder scored the game-winning goal in overtime to top Ursuline. Fox Lane’s Riley Linehan, Maggie Grasso and Zoe Stonecipher apply the pressure in front of the goal. By JIM MACLEAN Both teams knew what was at stake, and the pressure was on as Fox Lane hosted Ursuline on Sept. 30, and the two teams went into overtime knotted up 2-2. Ursuline was seeded second with Fox Lane right behind in third in the rankings for the Section 1 Class A tournament, and senior captain Samantha Reder was determined to do her part to help the Foxes get the win. Reder ended up with a hat trick, scoring all three goals for Fox Lane including the game-winner in overtime for a 3-2 victory as the Foxes improved to 7-2-1 overall. “Once I saw it hit the backboard, I was like, finally, this game we had so many opportunities and once I heard that I was so excited, we didn’t want to lose this one,” Reder said of the overtime goal. “They’re a good team and they were ranked above us, so we really wanted to get this for seeding in sectionals. We really worked hard as a team and when we work as a team that’s when we have success.” Fox Lane was in control throughout the overtime period applying the pressure as the Foxes earned four corners and almost scored, but then Ursuline got a break and went down and earned a corner at the other end. The Foxes cleared it out for a fast break the other way and Reder blasted a shot home for the goal off an assist from Zoe Stonecipher with 2:51 left in the 7-versus-7 10-minute overtime period. That was the story for most of the game as Fox Lane controlled the action, but Ursuline kept answering back. This time the Foxes on defense with goalie Kayla Santos held them off and the result was the game-winner at the other end to close it out. “Great things happened all over the field, really great passing, we played as a team, as a whole, and ultimately that gets the job done,” said Fox Lane coach Kim Gigante. “Sam Reder, Abby Locovare, Zoe Stonecipher are three seniors and solid consistent players. Maggie Grasso, Sara Renz, Sofia Valente, Emily Kalarchian, all our starting lineup got the job done against a good team.” Fox Lane scored first on a goal from Reder to take a 1-0 lead, but Ursuline evened it up in the third period. That set up an action-packed fourth quarter as Fox Lane once again took the lead when Reder scored her second goal on a corner off an assist from Emily Kalarchian. The Foxes kept up the pressure, earning four more corner opportunities, but Ursuline went the other way and Kayla Wells scored to even it up at 2-2 with 2:50 left to play and force the game into overtime. And once again it was Reder with the answer as the captain and five-year varsity starter came through for the Foxes with the overtime winner. “She’s just incredible, having fun out there and that’s the main thing,” coach said of Reder. “A hat trick today, especially that winning goal in overtime, she’s hungry. She loves this sport, eats, sleeps and breathes field hockey, and when she puts her mind to it she gets the job done and she sure did that today.” The Foxes did not have much time to sit back and enjoy the win as Fox Lane had a big game the next day hosting rival Horace Greeley on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Quakers rolled to a 5-0 victory as the Foxes fell to 7-3-1 overall entering the final two weeks of the regular season heading to the playoffs. The Foxes will return to action with a pair of games back-to-back on the road at White Plains on Tuesday, Oct. 8, followed by a game at Carmel.

Greg Kaplowitz Photos Clockwise from left, John Jay field hockey players had a lot to celebrate last week, including this goal against Rye. Kaycie Keeley fires a shot for a goal. Finja Degl (left) and Kaycie Keeley (right) chase after loose ball in win over Rye. By JIM MACLEAN John Jay has had a very successful field hockey program under head coach Debbi Walsh, but the Wolves have always had one problem. No matter how good they are, their nemesis Lakeland has always stood in their way. That is no surprise; Lakeland field hockey has been the nemesis for many teams in Section 1 and all around New York state. Lakeland has won 15-straight Section 1 titles and 10 state titles. In fact, John Jay, like most teams in Section 1, had never beaten Lakeland. Until Saturday, as John Jay finally accomplished what no other John Jay team has been able to do, traveling to Lakeland on Sept. 28, and coming home with a 1-0 victory. With that victory, John Jay remained undefeated on the season improving to 8-0-1 overall as the Wolves also scored shutout wins over Rye and Somers for a perfect week. However, it was the historic win over Lakeland that stands out for John Jay. For the seniors on the roster like goalie Molly Gallagher, it was a long time coming as they finally got the chance to experience a win over Lakeland. Gallagher certainly did her part, coming up with 13 saves in goal for the shutout win. “Since kindergarten I’ve been playing field hockey watching the older girls at John Jay, so for me this was so amazing,” admitted Gallagher. “It means so much, we’ve been fighting to beat them for a long time and a lot of people for years before us. We’re just happy we were able to do it as a team for our program to say that we were finally able to beat them. It’s always fun to play teams like Lakeland, you try to go out there and have fun, do your best and leave it all out there. It’s stressful, but I live for those moments, and when that final whistle sounded I was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe we just did this’ — an amazing moment for our team and our program.” Senior captain Jane Brennan has been a four-year starter on varsity, and she knows how important that victory was for the program. The seniors were there when John Jay tied Lakeland in their freshman season, the first time the program had not lost to Lakeland, and now they have a historic win on the record. “We tied them my freshman year, so to be part of that moment and finally beat them was really special,” explained Brennan, one of the anchors on defense in front of Gallagher. “Our team is such a supportive unit and we all got back on defense. Especially the corners, they had 19 of them, that was tough, but we really stuck together as a unit. We were super excited, but we know we can’t celebrate because we’re playing them again in a week and hope to see them again in the playoffs, but it was definitely a confidence booster.” The Wolves got the job done on offense with sophomore Sophia Shaw scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal off an assist from senior captain Kaycie Keeley. After the goal it was up to Gallagher and the defense with Brennan and senior Kayla Magier leading the way as Lakeland applied the pressure, but the Wolves held on for the win. “Lakeland does not lie down, they were fighting to the last second and our defense came up big, Molly had an unbelievable game,” John Jay coach Debbie Walsh said. “Jojo Degl and Jane Brennan are our four-year starters and they are always there for us with leadership. An opportunity in the circle is rare against Lakeland, and Kaycie sent in a nice ball and Sophia was in the right place to tap it in, absolutely the biggest goal of her career so far. Not too many people can even score a goal against Lakeland. To win a game against them, you’ll always remember that moment, but we see them again in seven days and they’re going to come out with a vengeance.” John Jay followed up the win over Lakeland with an 8-0 win on the road at Somers Oct. 1. Logan Bueti had a big game with a hat trick, scoring three goals and assisting on another. Catherine Natko scored two goals. Jojo Degl scored a goal and had two assists. Shaw and Magier each scored a goal. Prior to the Lakeland game, John Jay had a big win over Rye at home as the Wolves shutout the Garnets 3-0. Bueti, Magier and Shaw each scored a goal, with Jane Brennan and Keeley each recording an assist. Gallagher made two saves in goal for the shutout. “We can be thrilled to cross this off the list to just once beat Lakeland, now the girls believe they can do it, but this is short-lived,” Walsh added. “We see them again and our schedule is packed, we have Greeley, Rye, Yorktown and Mamaroneck, all tough games, and we just hope our schedule is preparing us for the playoffs.”

Collections of photos from community events and happenings in September taking place in Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. This page will be updated throughout the month as new photo galleries are added. Lewisboro Library Fair Photos by Robert J. Cummings Blue skies smile on Lewisboro Library Fair The weather was a fairy tale in itself, a perfect last day of summer with blue skies, low humidity and temperatures in the low 70s. The crowd was bustling and the parking was hard to come by at Onatru Farm with so many visitors coming for the Lewisboro Library Fair. The heart of the fair was the book sales and the attic treasures, but there were plenty else going on. Food trucks, a silent auction, a beer garden, a kids zone, bouncy castles, live music, information tents for local groups, a vendor concourse showcase, a classic car show, a bake sale, scouting demonstrations, and the ever popular dunk tank. Many people volunteered as “dunkees” including Assemblyman Chris Burdick, Town Supervisor Tony Goncalves and County Legislator Erika Pierce. Bedford Tri-Festa Photos by Peter Michealis Tri-Festa triples down on Bedford pride Bedford’s largest community event of the year, Tri-Festa, again attracted a large crowd. The fun celebrating the town’s three hamlets was focused at Bedford Hills Memorial Park, with food trucks, live music, a beer and wine garden, children’s games, family entertainment, community organizations and more. Past events attracted more than 1,200 people, and Saturday’s event, with fair weather and blue skies, appeared the same. Drool in the Pool Photos by Robert J. Cummings Dogs have a ball at town pool — Town pools are closed for the season. In Lewisboro, that means it was dog season at the pool — if only for one glorious afternoon. The 8th annual “Drool in the Pool” was held at the Lewisboro Town Pool on Sept. 15. More than 50 dogs  splashed, raced and wrestled the hours away.  Annual John Jay Homestead Barn Dance Howdy partner! — The 26th annual Barn Dance at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah on Saturday featured pig races, a petting zoo, a pizza truck, an ice cream truck, music by School of Rock, and a campfire. Over 1,000 guests enjoyed the late summer tradition which was a fundraiser for the Friends of John Jay Homestead. Sponsors underwrote tickets for 50 Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester families. Event chairs: Ashley Allatt, Deanna Marano, Lauren Ritter, Sarah Webb, and Carolina White.  Photos courtesy of John Jay Homestead Photos by David Pogue High-fives and smiles at annual Katonah 5K Photos by Robert J. Cummings There were plenty of pumping elbows and knees, smiling faces and high-fives on Saturday as the Katonah 5K event, organized by the Katonah Village Improvement Society, dashed off with a 5K run for the mature crowd, and was followed by a 1-mile run for those 12 and under, and then a Kids’ Dash for the youngest runners. Saying 'so long' to Summer Parting words at the pool Labor Day delivered perfect late summer weather, drawing big crowds to the town pools. For adults and kids, the day was also bittersweet as it marked the end of the town pool season. Here are some scenes from the closing hours at the Katonah Memorial Park Pool. Photo credit: Recorder staff Artisan & Vintage Flea a sunny success Thumbs up for the Pound Ridge Business Association By all accounts the Pound Ridge Business Association Artisan & Vintage Flea Market was a success on Labor Day.  Westchester Avenue in Scotts Corners was lined with the tents of more than 80 artisans, and the weather was more than cooperative, with mild temperatures under sunny skies. The free event also included food trucks, a family-fun area and musical performances. It was the fifth year for the event.  “Well, yesterday turned out well,” Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan told those at Tuesday’s town board meeting.  “It was terrific. Lisa did a really nice job,” he said, referring to Lisa Miller, president of the PRBA. People noted the increase in vendors. “And people kept telling me the quality of vendors was quite good.”

A nine-day outing by Troop 301 at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico the first two weeks of August built leadership and teamwork, and was a life-changing adventure, troop leaders said. The young women experienced history and nature in ways that few other activities can provide, the troop said. The senior patrol leader, a rising Fox Lane High School junior, also was the outing’s crew leader. The trek started with a visit to a site that holds the world’s first confirmed T-Rex track, sparking curiosity and excitement as they discovered fossils and footprints from millions of years ago. They explored ancient petroglyphs left by Native Americans over 700 years ago and participated in an archaeological dig, getting hands-on experience with history. As they hiked through the North Ponil Canyon, they stepped into different time periods, starting with the early 1900s at Metcalf Station, where they worked on an old railroad and learned blacksmithing. They even got to enjoy a classic campfire program under the stars. At Ponil, the scouts got a taste of the Old West by learning to brand cattle and rope, and they celebrated their success with a cold root beer in a historic cantina. The scouts learned traditional logging techniques from the early 20th century, summited one of the highest peaks in the area, Baldy Mountain (12,441 feet), and stepped into the world of 1838 fur trappers, where they shot rifles, threw tomahawks, and heard stories from the past. For parents considering year activities for their children, this trek shows how the program offers much more than just outdoor activities. It’s a unique opportunity for young people to learn, grow, and create unforgettable memories. Whether it’s exploring ancient history, learning new skills, or simply making friends around a campfire, scouting opens doors to experiences that shape young lives in meaningful ways. Enlisting your child in scouting isn’t just signing them up for a program; it’s giving them the chance to embark on adventures like these, where they’ll develop lifelong skills, make lasting friendships, and build a love for the outdoors. For more information about Lewisboro/Katonah Troop 301 for girls, visit kl-troop301.org . For more information about Goldens Bridge Troop 154 for boys, visit troop154.org . Both troops are chartered by the Goldens Bridge Fire Department.

ROB DIANTONIO PHOTOS Left to right, Logan Mammola makes a leaping catch for the Foxes. Fox Lane’s Luke Ryan is congratulated by Declan Connors after his first half touchdown. Fox Lane’s Will Rudolph looks to shake a tackle. By ROB DIANTONIO Trailing by 15 points after Mahopac scored three times in the final five minutes of the first half, Fox Lane found itself facing an uphill second-half battle. The Foxes, however, nearly dug out of the hole but came up just short in their comeback attempt. Fox Lane dropped its season opener to host Mahopac, 24-19, Sept. 13. Set up by a 26-yard pass from Foxes quarterback John Czernyk to Logan Mammola, halfback Declan Connors rumbled into the end zone from 3 yards out to begin their second-half surge. The extra point was blocked as the Foxes cut the deficit to 21-12 with 4:38 left in the third quarter. “I’m very happy with the way our team responded,” Fox Lane coach Andrew Giuliano said of the second-half effort. “I’m not going to talk about the call at the end of the (first) half but that was tough. We thought we had it our way. We teach the guys to move on and they did. I’m really proud of the effort these guys put out.” Mahopac converted a 40-yard field goal to extend its lead to 24-12 with nine minutes to go in the game.  Czernyk found Mac Keller on a 10-yard slant for a touchdown. Owen Heilman sent the extra point through the uprights as the Foxes trailed 24-19 with 1:54 to go.  The onside kick was recovered by Mahopac but Fox Lane was able to get a 3-and-out for one final possession starting at its own 21 with 24 ticks left on the clock. The Foxes, however, were unable to cap off their comeback and came up just short in their season opener. “On defense we put a couple of different fronts in,” Giuliano said when asked about second-half adjustments. “[Mahopac] has some big guys up front. Our d-line and our backers played incredible.” Fox Lane gained an early 6-0 lead when Keller laid a big hit to cause a fumble, which was recovered by Luke Ryan. Ryan jetted 68 yards for the touchdown with 10:38 left in the second quarter. Mahopac responded with a pair of touchdowns to take the lead at 14-6 with 2:06 left in the half. The Wolf Pac got yet another chance with under a minute to go after Fox Lane went three-and-out. Mahopac completed a deep pass to get inside the 5-yard line. With one second left at the 1-yard line, Mahopac fumbled but recovered the ball in the end zone for a controversial touchdown that was questioned by the Fox Lane sideline. The Wolf Pac took a commanding 21-6 lead into the break. Fox Lane looks to rebound when it welcomes Eastchester for its home opener Friday, Sept. 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Eagles eliminated the Foxes from the postseason last year in the Class A quarterfinals. “Our schedule is tough up front but the season is not even close to over,” Giuliano said. “We know what’s ahead of us. They’re all tough games. With League A-North, I don’t think there’s a harder league. But just like last year, we think we can play tough with anybody.”

JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS Clockwise from top left, Captain Ava Shuster looks to make a pass. Natalie Mazzuca drills a long shot at Yorktown tournament. Elizabeth Fortune crosses the ball for Fox Lane. Michaela Kaltsas clears on defense for the Foxes. By JIM MACLEAN  The Fox Lane girls varsity soccer team was fired up and it showed on the field as the Foxes squared off against Arlington B in the consolation game of the Yorktown Tournament Sept. 14. After falling to Mamaroneck in the first round of the tournament, Fox Lane exploded for six goals and cruised to a 7-0 win in the consolation game. Fox Lane followed up that victory with another 7-0 win on the road at Ramapo on Monday as the Foxes improved to 3-2 overall on the season. “We were a little disappointed after Mamaroneck, so they wanted to come out strong today and they did,” Fox Lane coach Fabian Videla said after the win over Arlington B. “That was a good win for us. It’s early and we have a tough league playing three or four games a week. We’ll have some good games, some tough games, as long as we keep improving every week.” Everyone got involved and played a solid first half to take control of the game on Saturday, with Amanda Mazzuco leading the way with three quick goals, one of them assisted by her twin sister, Natalie. Lauren Spolansky had a goal and an assist. Elizabeth Fortune and Nora Dooley each scored a goal, while Amanda Griffin had two assists and Brynn Anthony also had an assist. Natalie Mazzuco finished off the scoring as she drilled a long shot for an unassisted goal in the second half to make it 7-0. Berit Rose made four saves in goal, and Amanda Mazzuco came in to record two saves and combine for the shutout victory. Videla credited his three senior captains (Rose, Griffin and Ava Shuster) for leading the way and firing up the team to bounce back after the loss to Mamaroneck. “Our captains are doing a great job. Our goalie, Berit Rose, is keeping us in the game on defense. Ava Shuster in the middle distributing the ball all over the field, and Amanda Griffin on the outside creating offense. A lot of our offense goes through the twins, Amanda and Natalie Mazzuco. Natalie starts it back on defense, and Amanda had three goals in the first 10 minutes today and we rested her after that. She’s a difference maker.” Fox Lane kept up the intensity into its next game as the Foxes went on the road to Rockland County and cruised to another 7-0 win, this time over host Ramapo. Once again, it was a fast start as the Foxes jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first half. Jillian Kurchack and Fortune each scored a pair of goals to lead the way. Amanda Mazzuco scored a goal off an assist from her sister Natalie. The captain duo combined for a goal as Griffin scored off an assist from Shuster. Michaela Kaltsas finished off the scoring with a second half goal off an assist from Kurchack. Fox Lane recorded its first win of the season earlier in the week, Sept. 9, at home with a 5-1 victory over Clarkstown South. Amanda Mazzuco scored three goals for the hat trick to lead the Foxes to the win. The Foxes hope to keep up their winning ways in the midst of a rough stretch in the schedule with eight-straight games on the road before they finally get to return home Monday, Sept. 30, to host rival Horace Greeley.

By NEAL RENTZ Pound Ridge voters reelected an incumbent Library Board of Trustees member, elected a former trustee and two new members Tuesday. Four seats with various terms were up for election. They begin their terms Oct. 1, with those who won full terms serving through Sept. 30, 2026. Former trustee Richard Levan finished on top with 43 votes; first-time candidate Bob Bellhouse received 41 votes; incumbent Jenna Wise was reelected with 38 votes and first-time candidate, Alexandra Gallo-Cook, won the fourth seat with 34 votes. Another former trustee, R ichard Esman, fell just short of winning a seat, receiving 3 1 votes.  The tallies included absentee ballots.   There was no public vote on the $774,297 2025 budget. “No vote is necessary if the budget is not increased,” Library Director Jennifer Coulter said earlier this week. It is the eighth year in a row with no budget increase, she noted.  “I’m honored to continue as a trustee in a second term,” Wise, who has been a trustee for two years, said Wednesday. “We will continue to elevate the library’s many offerings as a beacon of the Pound Ridge community for inspiration and learning. As a mom of two, I’m excited to represent the needs of young families as the library continues to modernize.” Bellhouse, who has lived in town for nearly 25 years, stated in the biography he submitted to the library, that in 2006 he established a management consulting company. In 2012 he co-founded MouthWatch LLC, which he stated is “the leading supplier of specialized camera equipment to the U.S. dental industry and the first nationwide ‘virtual-first’ dental care organization.” “Living in Pound Ridge continues to enrich,” Bellhouse wrote. “I would like to give something back by serving on the Board of Trustees of the Pound Ridge Library.” Esman stated in his biography he has lived in Pound Ridge for more than 33 years. He served on the Library Board  from 2016 to 2022 and was president from 2019 to 2022.  Gallo-Cook’s biography stated that she has been a town resident since 2021. Growing up, she “developed a lifelong love for libraries, spending much of her youth in nearby libraries in Putnam County.” In middle school she volunteered in a local tutoring program. Gallo-Cook worked in various library positions during her undergraduate and law school years. She “is thrilled to have such a vibrant and resourceful library in her community, with its diverse programming serving residents of all ages,” her biography stated. “She is committed to supporting and expanding these offerings as a member of the library Board of Trustees.” Professionally, Gallo-Cook Lexie is an attorney with Mintz Levin in Manhattan, where she specializes in complex commercial litigation matters. Outside of work, she is a volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, most recently serving on the executive committee for the annual Big Climb event.  Levan is an attorney and 11-year Pound Ridge resident.   “I previously had the pleasure and privilege of serving a three-year term on the Pound Ridge Library Board,” he stated in his biography.  “I developed a keen appreciation for the needs of the library and the community it serves, as well as a strong understanding of how to meet those needs. As a trustee, I will bring a community-centric approach to the post with particular emphasis on ensuring that our library continues to evolve as a library of and for the future.” Levan noted that he “has spent considerable time visiting libraries both locally and regionally to meet with librarians to discuss how best a library can evolve and adapt to changing times. I view this as a primary mission of the Library Board.” Levan said he wanted to provide a better parking situation for library patrons.  In her biography, Wise stated she was an award-winning marketer, works at Meta in product marketing, strategizing for small businesses’ growth. She also advises female-led brands. Wise has been on the library board for the past two years and “has closely partnered with the staff and board to reimagine the library’s digital presence and communication strategies,” her biography stated. She described herself as an avid reader and writer who studied creative writing at Hamilton College.  “The library has been a beacon of community and inspiration for Jenna since she moved to Pound Ridge” in 2021, she wrote.

By JEFF MORRIS   Supervisor Ellen Calves  led a discussion at  Tuesday’s town board meeting  about the remaining  $ 1.8 million in funding the town received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  “We have spent some of it,” she said of the pandemic recovery funds, “and our deadline is to allocate where we are going to be spending the rest of the money by the end of this year.” Under ARPA rules, the town has until Dec. 31, 2024, to commit the funds and until Dec. 31, 2026, to expend the funds, with all work performed and completed. Calves said they have been holding back, waiting to see if grants were obtained and they wanted to use the ARPA funding to enhance and support some things that went along with the grants — Bedford Village sewers being one of them.  “It’s our understanding now that we will not be notified, or have even a clue if we’re going to get that grant, until after December of this year, or probably January or February of next year,” she said.  That means they cannot in good faith apply the money to a project they are not sure they’ll even be able to do, she said. Referring to guidance the town received from accounting firm PKF O’Connor Davies in 2021, Calves said they are allowed to use the money for regular government expenses, as well as a number of special uses. There is a lot of paperwork and reporting required to provide funds to any outside organizations, according to the federal guidelines, she said. “It’s our understanding now that we will not be notified, or have even a clue if we’re going to get that grant, until after December of this year.” — Supervisor Ellen Calves Among the uses to which the town has put the money, Calves listed $200,000 toward road paving in 2022; hiring the Bedford  P romoter for two years for $35,000; $49,187 allocated to the Bedford Free Library for HVAC upgrades; map plan, report and legal services for the Bedford Village Sewer District at $40,000 ,  $5,451 for Bedford Village Sewer engineering, and $100,000 toward Bedford Village Sewer design and bidding, which has to move forward by the end of the year; $4,000 toward a grant writer to apply for a drug-free communities THRIVE grant in 2024; $50,000 that has been committed to, but not yet spent, by the Bedford Hills Free Library for a facilities assessment, which the library needs to verify it has a plan to spend or else will have to be reallocated; and $70,000 for a generator for Katonah Village Library, which has been put on hold while they do capital planning and which the library requested be reallocated toward their facilities master plan study.  At the board’s last meeting, she noted, they had approved $350,000 towards the affordable townhouses to be built on South Bedford Road, supplementing money Blue Mountain Housing Development Corp. is receiving from the county and other sources to help develop that project. Calves had invited Tom McGrath and Julie Stern of Blue Mountain to present details about a couple of other projects for which they would like funding. Stern highlighted 123 Valley Road ,  Katonah, saying it’s what she calls “naturally occurring affordable housing” — existing property, privately owned, where the rents have been kept affordable. It has primarily  one -bedroom units. She said the goal in Blue Mountain acquiring the property is to maintain and preserve affordable housing for the county and the town.  “It is very important in my mind to keep this from being developed as a high rent project,” Stern said, adding all they would be doing is acquiring it, slowly doing some rehab and repairs, and ensuring it meets all their standards for safety, energy efficiency, and standard business management practices.  She said they had run into some gaps in covering the soft costs during the acquisition process, and were requesting $104,500 to cover the additional expenses. McGrath said they are right at the end of the process and have gone back to the county to apply for additional flex funds, after having been the first project awarded such funds, but the county’s program is now oversubscribed. “If the opportunity presents itself for the town to help us out with this it would be a great help, and I think we’d be able to close this property within a week to two weeks.” Their second request was for Doyle House, four units in downtown Katonah, which Blue Mountain has owned for 30 years, and which Stern said has existed under the radar and has never had a vacancy. She said it is in need of revitalization, including updated kitchens and baths, and energy efficiency upgrades. They are requesting $250,000 for all the improvements, Stern said, and $60,000 as a reserve to keep Blue Mountain liquid. Calves suggested also using ARPA funding to continue the work of Laurie Hillyard as Bedford Promoter for two more years, saying she has made inroads with a lot of businesses and helped Bedford Hills come together, is planning to use DIG  g rant money for more activities, and gained collaboration among the three hamlets for the Art Crawl. Public Works  C ommissioner Kevin Winn noted they have spent about $6,000 on Bedford Village sewer design, to which they had allocated about $100,000.  “The intent was to move forward with some of the slower parts of the design in order to be more ready when and if we get grants, which we feel good about but there’s no guarantee,” he said. The point, Winn said, is that he doesn’t think they’re going to spend anywhere near the $100,000 they got. “I think we’ll be able to return about $80,000 of that money.” Calves said hopefully the grant will give them everything they need, if and when a sewer district is formed.  “So that’s good news, a little more money for us to figure out,” she said. “I think it leaves us with $600,000 or $700,000 if we move forward with some of these allocations.”  She said they had allocated some toward paving in the past, and that would be a good place to put a good chunk of the funds, since it is a constant need. Winn agreed, noting it would be a relatively quick way of spending the money not requiring a lot of design or implementation time, and would offset some capital borrowing they might otherwise incur.   As it was a work session, the board did not vote on any of the spending ideas.