New Jersey women nabbed for using counterfeit bills at DeCicco stores Two women, both from New Jersey, were arrested July 19 at 6:16 p.m. by Bedford police at the North Castle police headquarters in Armonk, charged with petty larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Police said the women, one 35, from Patterson, NJ, the other 42, from Elizabeth, NJ, made multiple visits to DeCicco grocery stores in the tri-state area where they used counterfeit $100 bills to make minor purchases, receiving legal currency in return. Police said store management put out an alert for the pair, who were first nabbed in Armonk. Multiple law enforcement agencies from around the region were notified of their arrest. Bedford police said the pair employed their scheme at the DeCicco & Sons store on Old Post Road in Bedford on July 12. The women were scheduled to appear in Bedford court July 24.   Monday. July 15 10:45 a.m. — A head-on collision was reported on Old Post Road in the vicinity of the Fox Lane campus area after one driver drifted into an oncoming car’s lane. That driver told police he had just finished a workout and felt disoriented, causing his car to veer. Both drivers reported minor injuries to their arms and were transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Bedford firefighters. Both cars were towed. No citations were issued.   12:21 p.m. — A woman, 38, from Brewster who was in an emotional state was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance from Katonah Avenue in Katonah. 4:06 p.m. — A house was reported struck by lightning in Bedford on Rock Gate Farm Road. Bedford firefighters on the scene determined the incident resulted from a malfunction of an electrical box, not a lightning strike. 7:38 p.m. — A Washington Avenue, Bedford resident reported a possible burglary at their home. Two officers responded. A neighbor came outside to say they thought the caller’s home security system might have been activated by a bear observed wandering in the neighborhood. Police found an unsecured door. The interior of the home was checked, but nothing appeared to have been disturbed.     Tuesday, July 16 2:34 p.m. — A man, 27, from Bedford Hills was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance after his parents came to the police station to report their son, who was in the car parked out front, was having an emotional breakdown. Police spoke to the man, who appeared agitated and said his parents had upset him.  10:35 p.m. — A caller on Harris Road, Bedford Hills, notified police their vehicle had run out of gas. Police located a Jeep on the side of the road. A tow company was contacted and said they would bring gas to the stranded driver.  Wednesday, July 17 8:16 p.m. — A caller in the Jay Street commuter parking lot in Katonah requested assistance with a leaking propane gas tank used for camping. Katonah firefighters arrived and sealed the tank. No further assistance was required.   Thursday, July 18 6:30 a.m. — A Rome Avenue, Bedford Hills caller reported a possibly sick raccoon in their yard. They said it was hiding in the bushes. Police arrived but didn’t see the animal. The caller was told to call back if it returned. They did so at 10:33 a.m. and the police returned. The animal was visible and observed growling and stumbling. The officer used their service pistol to dispatch it with two rounds.   6:57 p.m. — A deer reported possibly injured and on the sidewalk on Cherry Street in Bedford Hills was gone before police arrived.   Friday, July 19 9:46 a.m. — A man, 56, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance from Depot Plaza in Bedford Hills after a caller reported a heavily intoxicated man in the area. The man was said to be agitated and was briefly restrained by two officers for his and their safety.  Saturday, July 20 9:27 a.m. — Police went to a residence in Katonah on Old Cross River Road after a welfare check was requested by a male caller. At the residence police spoke with a woman who said the former owner of the home—the original caller—had come by the house unannounced, asking if he could still use the address as his legal residence in order to maintain his driver’s license. His request was denied and the current residents were advised to notify police if the person returned.  1:44 p.m. — A caller on Greenwich Road, Bedford, reported two propane tanks were missing from their family member’s unoccupied house, which is for sale. Police advised the caller that the propane company might have removed the tanks from the home. No further action was taken.  4:47 p.m. — A small fire was reported in the woods in Katonah in the vicinity of Mount Holly Road. On police arrival, Katonah firefighters were on scene along with a utility company official and extinguished the blaze. The caller said they had lost power when they saw the smoke. No further police action was needed.   Sunday, July 21 12:52 p.m. — A woman, 36, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance after she was reported on foot in the vicinity of Huntville Road and Bedford Road, Katonah, appearing to need assistance. Police located her quickly; she appeared intoxicated and initially was uncooperative. They made contact with her husband, who said she was having personal difficulties and went for a walk. He said he tried to get her to return home, but she resisted.   3:59 p.m. — Two female complainants on Millertown Road in Bedford reported receiving unwanted texts and contact on social media from a former friend and co-worker. Police said the texts and comments in question were not threatening. The complainants were unable to provide the police with sufficient information for follow-up. Police are still investigating.   7:30 p.m. — A caller on Cartway Lane West in Bedford reported a suspicious incident in their neighborhood; they said their car alarm went off and, when they went outside to check, they heard a neighbor’s home alarm activated. Police spoke with the neighbor who said their security system regularly emits sounds, but they discovered their front door was wide open. Neither party reported anything missing from their homes or cars.   —Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer. This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

More than 100 people toured “healthy yards” around Northern Westchester on July 21 to observe landscaping practices that benefit both nature and the climate. The event, organized by Healthy Yards and Bedford 2030, featured approximately 30 gardens, 24 in Bedford and Pound Ridge, showcasing landscaping practices that have a positive impact on the environment.   These practices support biodiversity, sequester carbon and minimize emissions, according to the event organizers. They include reducing lawn areas; planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; use of electric, rather than gas-powered tools; and implementing methods such as composting and mulch-mowing leaves.   “We had many visitors who were completely new to this concept of landscaping and were excited to learn about it,” said Stone Barns horticulturalist Laura Perkins.   “This is the second year we joined the Healthy Yards Westchester Pollinator Garden Tour, and we were not disappointed,” said Jan Linskey, one of the hosts. “The native plant garden plot was full of pollinators. This idea doesn't need acreage; it's something we can do in our small suburban backyard.”   The July 21 program was the fifth Healthy Yards Garden Tour, which is scheduled at different times throughout the year to illustrate how a natural garden changes over the seasons.

Eleanor Rita Caucci, 102, of Katonah, died July 13 with her family by her side. She was born in the Bronx on Jan. 22, 1922, to Louis and Fannie Bozzone (Pastore). Family members said she loved dancing and was a talented singer. She was married to Anthony Thomas Caucci, who predeceased her. Survivors include her daughters, Michele Lockwood and Tina Bellino, and three grandchildren. She also was predeceased by a son, Peter Louis Caucci, and a grandson. A graveside service was held July 17 at Beechwoods Cemetery in New Rochelle.

Bedford Garden Club helps restore decades-old garden By JOYCE CORRIGAN // “A bit rough around the edges” is how Taro Ietaka delicately described what the Native Wildflower Garden at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation looked like two years ago before its extensive renovation and re-imagining. The historic plot was first established at the Trailside Museum in 1955 as the Luquer-Marble Memorial Wildflower Garden. As Ietaka, the Ward Pound Ridge supervisor, explained, many original sun-loving species had sadly disappeared; death by natural causes, Ietaka concluded, because overgrown trees had shaded them out. “There were also some aggressive, non-native species we were contending with,” he said, “We’ve managed to remove periwinkle, goutweed, Japanese primrose and lungwort, but the lesser celandine (an invasive poppy) continues to be a challenge.” First to the rescue was the Bedford Garden Club, whose early members established the original garden and named it after two founding members, conservationists and wildflower warriors, Eloise Payne Luquer and Delia West Marble. Luquer (1862-1947) also had a brilliant career painting them. It could be said that she was to wildflowers what Beatrix Potter, her contemporary, was to rabbits. “The Garden Club jumped in wholeheartedly — sometimes right into poison ivy,” recounted Ietaka. “They weeded, designed, planted, watered — and helped fund. Varner Redmon, Elizabeth Sachs, Jayni Chase, Betsy Mitchell, Susan Burke, and so many other members have pitched in.” With two very generous matching gifts — a five-figure grant from the BGC and another bountiful grant from the Garden Club of America — BGC member Burke brought “seed money” to a whole new level. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a biodiversity reserve area with miles of trails, active research projects and award-winning educational programs that hosts close to 100,000 visitors each year. The Trailside Nature Museum was founded in 1937 and is one of the nation’s oldest of its kind. “Native wildflowers are part of our dwindling natural heritage,” said Redmon, chair of the BGC’s Civic Improvement Committee, who has spearheaded the BGC’s initiative. “They provide food and shelter for wildlife, stabilize the climate, and attract and feed pollinators which are essential for our own food supply.” The proliferation of non-native plants has led to the alarming decline of pollinators which in turn is a threat to crop productivity. By contrast, according to the World Wildlife Fund, a single-acre wildflower meadow with 3 million flowers would produce 1kg of nectar sugar, enough to support nearly 96,000 honeybees per day. Environmentally supportive in every way, not only are native wildflowers the basis of the food web, but they also benefit biodiversity by improving soil health, reducing water runoff, improving air quality, and decreasing pollution as they eliminate the need for mowers, fertilizer and pesticides. In fact, wildflowers are all-natural pesticides, attracting the carnivorous insects that prey on common garden pests such as hoverflies, parasitic wasps and ground beetles. Compared with gardens of predominantly cultivated plants, a hearty and self-reproducing native wildflower garden needs less pruning and watering — in other words, very little human intervention. In addition to planting hundreds of new native perennials and eradicating invasives, the Native Wildflower Garden team has doubled the footprint to include a new sunny meadow, installed an invisible deer fence, rebuilt the wooden bridge with Adirondack railings, and installed two free-form rustic benches. Members are designing a new website with plant identification and cultivation in development using QR codes. “There are also two access points to the stream that passes through the garden, so that visitors can see aquatic plants, crayfish, water striders and other stream life,” added Ietaka. “We’ve had two wonderful growing seasons, and the dozens of native perennials and shrubs we planted are thriving,” said Redmon. “Last summer we had volunteers in the park twice a month and this year plan to be there almost every week.” “Our collaboration with the gardening community has been beyond our expectations,” she continued, “from the enthusiastic staff of the Trailside Museum, curator Danniela Ciatto and naturalists Hayley Lewis and Brendan Wallace, to the Friends of the Trailside who paid for tree work to cable our wonderful old maples and to thin trees to lighten the canopy.” Another collaborator Redmon cited was Trees for Tribs, a New York Department of Environmental Conservation program, which donated and helped plant 40 native shrubs along the fence line. Westchester Parks Foundation sent a large group of corporate volunteers to help move hundreds of plants, while Hilltop Hanover Farm’s native plant experts, Emily Rauch and Lindsey Feinberg, donated countless native plants grown from seeds collected in Ward Pound Ridge. Garden Club member, Betsy Mitchell, corralled some environmental studies students from Fox Lane High School to pitch in. “Whether professional or backyard grower, we’re all being encouraged to embrace indigenous plants,” – BGC President Heather Langham National leaders in the American horticultural firmament have been taking notice. “This year the Garden Club of America has been working to establish a Native Plant Month in all 50 states,” noted current BGC President Heather Langham. This followed the game-changing Senate resolution designating April 2024 as National Native Plant Month. “Whether professional or backyard grower, we’re all being encouraged to embrace indigenous plants,” Langham explained. “It’s learning to view your landscape through the lens of ecological well-being. So, what to say to the generations of gardeners who’ve only ever grown cultivated plants, and quite happily? “It’s not an either/or choice,” countered Langham. “Gardening with natives and wildflowers doesn’t sacrifice beauty — it’s an additive. Transitioning an existing garden or landscape to a native plant palette is just that — a process that can happen over time, and one that can include non-native plants when used responsibly.” Redmon rhapsodized over the wildflower garden’s natural allure. “The dappled light, the different shades of green, the only sounds being running water, insects and the wind. Our little oasis will change through the seasons and be alive with insects and more resilient to changes in rainfall and temperatures,” she said. “We are working on lesson plans, activity kits, signage, and other ways to communicate the wonders of the Wildflower Garden,” Ietaka said, adding, “But even without those, just taking a seat on one of the new benches, listening to the stream, and watching hummingbirds and butterflies feeding on the cardinal flower is wondrous!” Perhaps that was what Romantic poet William Blake meant when he described innocence and true bliss as being able to recognize “Heaven in a Wild Flower.” Native Wildflower Garden at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Photo credit: Varner Redmon.

DWI arrest for driver released to hospital care A resident of Elmsford, male, 37, was arrested Monday, July 8, at 5:27 p.m., on Fox Lane, Bedford, charged with DWI. Police received a report of someone blocking a driveway with their car. Police responding saw the described vehicle moving and swerving in and out of traffic lanes. A traffic stop was initiated and the operator was observed to have slurred speech and other signs of intoxication. An open bottle of tequila was visible on the car seat. The driver told police he had consumed two drinks. There was a language barrier and a Spanish-speaking officer was requested. The subject was unable to complete field sobriety tests, claiming he had a leg injury, and was transported to headquarters for processing. His car was towed. Due to his suspected level of intoxication, an ambulance was requested and he was transported to Northern Westchester hospital by Mount Kisco Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He was issued three summonses and is scheduled to appear in court July 24. Binghamton man reported missing found at local deli A resident of Binghamton, male, 85, reported missing a day earlier by his wife, was found by an employee at Paulie’s Deli Woods Bridge Road , Katonah, at 11:26 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9. An employee of the deli said an elderly man entered the deli shoeless and disoriented. The employee asked to see his identification and recognized the man had been reported missing a day earlier. Police arrived and contacted the man’s wife; she said she had reported him missing after he failed to return home from a trip to a local store. Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps arrived and transported the man to Northern Westchester Hospital. Police notified the sheriff’s office in Binghamton. The man’s wife was advised of his whereabouts and said she and her daughter were on their way to meet him at the hospital. Monday, July 8 12:38 a.m.— Police went to a residence on Harris Road, Bedford Hills, for a reported disturbance between a father and adult son. The parties had to be separated by police on their arrival. The father explained he occasionally has a friend stay over and the son harasses her, entering her room, messing with her belongings. The son claims the guest is a thief and has stolen his property. Both men agreed to stay apart for the rest of the night and a New York state domestic incident report was completed. 3:02 p.m. — A resident of Tucker Road, Bedford Hills, said a neighbor’s dog that had been reported missing had entered her home and cause damage. She was alerted to the dog’s presence by her house cleaner who recognized the dog from signage in the Penwood complex. The dog’s owner was contacted and retrieved their dog. Later, the house cleaner found urine and excrement on the carpets. The homeowner contacted the dog’s owner to discuss the matter, but the dog owner did not return phone calls or texts. The homeowner’s insurance company became involved regarding the property damage and suggested the homeowner obtain a police report as this could become a civil matter. 4:39 p.m. — A motorcycle and car collided on Old Post Road, Bedford. The operator of the motorcycle said he was traveling south on Route 121 in the vicinity of The Farms when a car making a turn on the road struck them. The driver told police they never saw the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist sustained a minor arm injury but declined hospital transport. Their motorcycle was towed. The operator of the car was uninjured and their car did not require a tow. No citations  were given. 6:10 p.m. — A resident of Jefferson Lane, Bedford, reported their dog was struck by a car a day earlier. The resident did not provide details of the dog’s condition. A report was made for documentation. Tuesday, July 9 3:33 a.m. — A female caller on Byram Lake Road, Bedford Hills, reported a possible intruder inside the house. Police spoke to the woman’s son who said his mother was on medication, which affected her perception. He said there was no intruder in the home and asked police not to come to the residence. 5:06 a.m. — A resident of Meadow Lane, Katonah, reported a possible attempted crime. She said when her daughter left the house early that morning, she saw a man who seemed about to break into her mother’s car which was parked next to the home. The man ran off when spotted, getting into a minivan. The daughter was unable to describe the man or the van. Nothing was missing from the mother’s car. Officers checked the area with negative results. Wednesday, July 10 2:00 a.m. — Police went to a residence on Harris Road, Bedford Hills, for an argument between a son, 46, and his mother, 78, over money. In front of the police, the son said he would repay his mother. A New York state domestic incident report was completed. 7:39 a.m. — A man was reported sleeping on the ground on Cherry Street, Katonah, in the vicinity of Route 35. He told police he was homeless and traveling north from Florida and declined all offers of assistance. He was last seen walking west on Route 35. Thursday, July 10 11:07 a.m. — Police interacted with an unhoused couple often reported as needing assistance in Bedford Hills. The two individuals were located on Bedford Center Road near Stone Bridge Lane. The man said he lost medication on the roadway and would seek a refill at Northern Westchester Hospital. The couple continued on their way and no further action was taken. 12:32 p.m. — At a home on Bulls Head Road, Bedford, a mother and adult daughter argued over her plans to go to New York City. Police advised the mother that her adult daughter was free to go where she wanted. The daughter left the home in an Uber. A New York state domestic incident report was completed. 5:36 p.m. — A caller on Lakeside Drive, Katonah, reported they found a pet pigeon with a yellow tag on its leg. Police arrived and soon after a passerby remarked that a neighbor on an adjacent street keeps pet pigeons. That person was notified and they came to retrieve their bird. Friday, July 11 3:38 a.m. — Two people were reported walking on North Salem Road, Katonah. When police located them, they said they had just moved into the area and were unaware of the lack of taxis at this hour. They told police they were trying to get to Ridgefield, Connecticut. The officer gave them a courtesy ride to the Katonah train station where they waited for other transportation. Saturday, July 12 10:41 a.m. — An intoxicated man was reported on Katonah Avenue, Katonah, asking for money. Police located him near Chase Bank. He said he was originally from New York City and currently homeless. He denied asking anyone for money, declined assistance from the police and set off walking. 11:32 a.m. — A horse was reported stuck in mud at an equine facility on Succabone Road, Bedford Hills. Other departments were contacted for mutual aid, but none had the proper equipment to assist with extricating the horse. Police had to leave the scene for a priority call. The condition of the horse is unknown. Sunday, July 13 5:40 p.m. — Police officers provided security at an outdoor music event held at Bedford Village Memorial Park on Greenwich Road, Bedford. No incidents were reported. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

Monday, July 8 10:38 a.m. — Police and Lewisboro ambulance crew members went to a residence in Katonah after an elderly man lost consciousness. On arrival, he was in the care of Westchester EMS. The man said he fainted and hit his head on the oven door. He was transported to Westchester Medical Center by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 1:14 p.m. — Police went to a home in Katonah in the vicinity of Cheyenne and Comanche Court after a resident reported someone knocked on their door, turned the door knob and then drove away in a white truck. The truck was soon located and the operator said he was at the caller’s home for scheduled pest control maintenance. This information was relayed to the caller who expressed displeasure the company hadn’t notified them of the maintenance visit. Tuesday, July 9 9:45 a.m. — Police went to a home in South Salem for a resident who needed assistance standing up. The code provided to enter the home didn’t work; the door was forced open and police and Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps members assisted her back into her chair. She reported no medical issues and no further action was taken. 11:30 a.m. — An officer patrolling Route 35 in Cross River near Debbie Lane pulled over a 2008 Jeep they suspected was traveling with a fraudulent Texas license plate. The operator was unable to produce a valid Texas license or registration. The Jeep was impounded and the driver was issued a mandatory date to appear in court July 22. Wednesday, July 10 8:30 a.m. — While traveling on Route 35 in the vicinity of Buck Run, police observed a blue Dodge pickup with an illegible license plate. A traffic stop was conducted on Adams Hill Road and the driver provided a Connecticut learner’s permit. He said he purchased the temporary plates from someone in Bridgeport. Police said the license plate looked homemade. The truck was impounded and the operator was transported to headquarters for processing. 11:45 a.m. — A car was impounded on Todd Road, Goldens Bridge, after the operator failed to produce insurance or a valid registration after being pulled over for a traffic violation. The driver left the scene on a scooter he had inside in the vehicle. Thursday, July 11 4:59 p.m. — A resident of South Salem handed over a wallet to the police which they found while walking on Salem Lane. They said they found it on the side of the roadway. 5:30 p.m. — A juvenile resident of a group home in South Salem was transported by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital after making threats to self-harm. Friday, July 12 5:00 p.m. — An employee at a liquor store in South Salem was reported in a physical altercation with a customer during an encounter in the store. The customer, who contacted police, said his cellphone was damaged when it flew out of his hand. Store video showed the caller refusing to leave the store when asked. Both parties declined to pursue the matter. 9:16 p.m. — The operator of a speeding motorcycle on Route 35 was observed traveling over the double yellow line. The driver was pulled over and failed to display a license for the class of vehicle he was operating. His motorcycle was impounded and he was issued multiple tickets for disobeying traffic control devices, speeding, and operating with an  improper license. Saturday, July 13 9:15 p.m. — A dispute over ducks was reported by a South Salem caller who spoke with police about a Pound Ridge resident who is the co-owner of the caller’s property. The caller, a female, said the male co-owner moved out a decade ago but stops by every week. The caller identified herself as a wildlife rehabilitator who has cared for 10 wild ducks on the property for eight years. She said the property co-owner wants to relocate the ducks to his Pound Ridge property without her permission. Police told her to call them if the man continues to try to move the ducks. They also directed her to call the state conservation department for guidance. Sunday, July 14 6:30 p.m. — An elderly female was given a courtesy ride to her daughter’s home in South Salem after she was seen walking alone on Route 123 in the vicinity of Elmwood Road. There was a language barrier, but she provided police with her son’s cell number; he was contacted and said his mom had argued with a family member and decided to walk to her home in Yorktown. He said his sister would pick her up and drive her to her destination. 9:42 p.m. — Police assisted a man they found walking on Spring Street near the Horse and Hound Inn. He was reported by a caller who saw him on the property of the state police barracks. The man said he was trying to reach the Buddhist monastery in Carmel and was upset over the news of an assassination attempt the previous day on former President Donald Trump. He said his feet ached from walking a long distance and that he wanted to speak to a state trooper. After a brief conversation with Lewisboro police, he agreed to go to a hospital and was transported there by state police. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

Wednesday, July 10 9:15 a.m. — A resident of Upper Shad Road was transported to Stamford Hospital in Connecticut by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps for unknown reasons. 11:15 a.m. — A Trinity Pass Road caller reported a disabled car on the roadway. Police searched for the described car with negative results.. 1:55 p.m. — A resident of White Birch Road was reported by a neighbor for being in violation of the town gas leaf blower noise ordinance. Police spoke with the offending party who said they would alert their landscaper. 10:35 p.m. — A suspicious vehicle was reported on Upper Shad Road. Police spoke with the operator who was legally parked. No further action was taken.  Thursday, July 11 6:25 a.m. — A caller on Long Ridge Road reported a tree down and blocking the roadway. Firefighters cleared the tree from the road and police stayed on scene to direct traffic until the road was cleared. 8:50 a.m. — An officer went to Bender Way after it was reported someone was using a gas leaf blower in violation of the town ordinance. No landscapers were found to be working in the area. Friday, July 12 10:50 a.m. — A London Road caller reported a loose dog wandering in the area. Police found the dog, leashed it and returned it to its owner. 9:35 p.m. — A female reported in need of medical assistance was transported from her home to Northern Westchester Hospital by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps members. Saturday, July 13 12:00 a.m. — A male was transported from his home to Stamford Hospital in Connecticut by Pound Ridge ambulance personnel. A paramedic accompanied him. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police Department.

New York state Sen. Pete Harckham delivered $200,000 in Senate grant funding to the town of Lewisboro for improvement projects at Onatru Farm Park and Fox Valley Town Park, the legislator’s office has announced.  The Senate grant funding consists of two $100,000 grants, one for each park project. The Onatru Farm Park project entails major improvements to the parking lot, including widening the entrance and inside of the parking circle, all complete with new asphalt paving. The park, which hosts numerous arts and athletic events, as well as town festivities, also houses the town’s parks office, the town historian’s office and the facilities maintenance office. The entire project cost is estimated at $124,278. The grant comes from the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology Program.  “Sen. Harckham has been a true partner to Lewisboro and very supportive of our desire to update our parks and recreational facilities,” – Lewisboro Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves. For Fox Valley Town Park, the town of Lewisboro will be modernizing the bathroom facility by including ADA access via the adjacent parking and pavilion area, plus installation of a new water disinfection system. A new heating unit will be placed in the facility as well, so it can be used year-round. This project will cost $115,400. The grant comes from the State and Municipal Facilities Program.   “Sen. Harckham has been a true partner to Lewisboro and very supportive of our desire to update our parks and recreational facilities,” said Lewisboro Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves. “We are very appreciative of these two grants because our parks receive a great deal of use by residents, and it is vital that the infrastructure of our facilities is safe, ADA compliant and accessible throughout the year.”   “At both Onatru Farm Park and Fox Valley Park, two well-loved destinations for Lewisboro residents, this state funding will go toward necessary improvements and also help lessen the tax burden,” said Harckham, adding, “I will continue to help support our municipalities as they transform their parks and playgrounds so that residents have recreational spaces to create meaningful memories without barriers.” Both the CREST and SAM grants were approved by the Senate and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to support community and economic development.  Harckham’s office said the legislator has delivered more than $30 million of state grant funding to municipalities and nonprofits in the 40th Senate District since taking office in 2019.

By JEFF MORRIS // Town regulations regarding the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers are being revised once again, two years after the town board voted to adopt a compromise amendment to the noise ordinance to limit the use of such equipment. The law that was passed in April 2022 permitted the operation of internal combustion leaf blowers during cleanup seasons, defined for 2024 and thereafter as April 15 to April 30 and Nov. 7 to Nov. 21. At the June 4 town board meeting, Supervisor Ellen Calves stated that the proposal in draft form was to change the cleanup dates to allow a longer period in the fall, from Oct. 21 to Dec. 15. She said the proposed change was the result of information from the parks department. The department relayed that workers are mulch-mowing town properties and using as much electric equipment as possible, but still have found it necessary to use some gas-powered blowers during fall cleanup. “However, we have learned that if cleanup is done in the fall, when the leaves have fallen, there really does not need to be a window in the spring,” said Calves. Calves explained that when town officials passed the original law, they were very optimistic, thinking that by 2024 two weeks would be enough because of the anticipated advances in electric equipment. The technology has not progressed as much as was hoped, she said, and officials still expect to be able to move entirely to electric power in the future. Even with the proposed change, the regulation would ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers 10 monthsout of the year, which is “better than almost anywhere else,” the supervisor commented. A public hearing on the proposal resulted in multiple speakers. Many had been instrumental in promoting the original regulations and criticized the changes as a step backwards. Some speakers expressed frustration with restricting usage on larger properties and with the environmental impact of the fall dates. Town board members had a variety of opinions. Andrés Castillo said he would be willing to compromise on larger properties; Stephanie McCaine was happy the spring period was being eliminated, but wished there was a fewer number of weeks when use of the equipment was allowed; Tom Catoliato was in agreement with making adjustments in accord with the latest information available; and Bobbi Bittker did not think the proposal was moving the town backward, since she and many others had changed their personal habits as a result of increased education, and expressed support for continued educational efforts. Castillo wished for a futurecommitment to reduce the allowable time for use, and suggested incentives to encourageeducational courses for violators in lieu of fines. Town attorney Eric Gordon said he would have to research whether the town court could mandate taking a course to reduce fines, but suspected the town justices could suggest such solutions. Parks Superintendent Chris Soi opined that this fall’s season would provide an opportunity for further study and will be used to assess whether the allowable use period could be further reduced. Board members reached consensus that they would like the overall cleanup period in the revised ordinance when internal combustion leaf blowers are allowed to be reduced to six weeks instead of seven. At the June 25 town board meeting, Calves announced that the hearing will be reopened July 16 “for a proposed amendment that would authorize use of gas-powered leaf blowers between Oct. 26 and Dec. 7.” On the town attorney’s advice, the board kept open the public hearing until July 16, at whichtime the board will present a new draft of the revised ordinance.

By JEFF MORRIS // The reorganizational meeting of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District Board of Education, held July 2, lasted about 12 minutes — including the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting came as the district prepared to welcome a new superintendent; embarked ona capital improvement project; and while the board itself experienced more turnover intrustees than it has in a number of years. At the July 2 meeting, District Clerk Kimberly Monzon asked for nominations for boardpresident. Trustee Bill Swertfager nominated the incumbent president, Julia Hadlock; therewere no additional nominations, and the board then voted unanimously in favor ofHadlock. The next order of business was a call for nominations for board vice president. Hadlocknominated trustee Lorraine Gallagher. Again there were no other nominations, and therewas a unanimous vote in favor. While Hadlock had served as board president for the 2023-24 school year, during that year the vice presidency was held by Elana Shneyer, who chose not to run for another term as trustee. In the KLSD Board of Ed elections held May 21, Barbara Williams received the mostvotes out of five candidates, with incumbent trustee Marjorie Schiff — who had served asboard president prior to Hadlock — receiving the second most votes. Williams and Schiff will now serve full three-year terms, through June 30, 2027. Meanwhile, Jon Poffenberger, who received the third most votes, was elected to fill theremaining year of a trustee position that had been vacated when Elizabeth Gereghty resigned from the board last year. That position had been filled temporarily by veteran former trustee William Rifkin. Poffenberger is already serving on the board, having been sworn inon May 22 to fill the existing vacancy; his term runs only through June 30, 2025. Schiff has served on the board since 2012, Hadlock since 2016. Rory Burke, whose tenurebegan in 2019, is in his second term and is now the third-longest serving board member. Gallagher and Swertfager were both elected in 2023. The $124,318,762 2024-25 budget that was also up for a vote on May 21. That budget, which included a 3.4% increase to the tax levy, was passed by a 2-to-1 margin. At the Increase Miller recent ceremonial groundbreaking were Owen Danelewich, Jim Danelewich, a member of the Board of Education’s Facilities Committee, Gavin Danelewich, and Increase Miller’s Head Custodian Rich Wilson, Jr., an IMES grad. They stood at the edge of what would be the school’s new wing, part of the district's capital improvement project. Photo credit: Katonah-Lewisboro Schools After Hadlock was sworn in as president, Monzon turned the meeting over to her. She spoke appreciatively of the groundbreaking ceremony held June 28 at Increase MillerElementary School, marking the start of the district’s Capital Improvement Project. A bondto finance that project had been approved by voters Oct. 18, 2022, and one of the propositions passed by voters May 21 will allow the district to apply for up to $4.5million in grant funding available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act to cover unanticipated increases in the cost of the project. Burke offered a final tribute to superintendent of schools, Andrew Selesnick, who officially retires Sunday, July 14. No other business was conducted at the reorganizational meeting. On July 15, Raymond Blanch will begin his tenure as the new superintendent of schools. The board voted to hire Blanch on May 16 following a months-long search and interview process, and he was officially appointed by the board at its June 20 meeting. He had been serving as superintendent of the neighboring Somers Central School District. On the day Blanch was appointed, Selesnick said, “The board has made an excellent choice. Ray and I have worked closely for nine years at our local Chief School Administratorsmeetings. I know he will take the work we have done here and move it forward.”

Fox Lane and John Jay graduating seniors closed the books on high school to a chorus of resounding cheers and hugs from family members and classmates. Enjoys these scenes from the ceremonies held June 18 at Caramoor (John Jay) and June 20 (Fox Lane Campus).  Photos by Jim MacLean Fox Lane High School Click to expand for larger view. John Jay High School Click to expand for larger view.

By Joyce Corrigan // “Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world.” Few things sum-up summer escapism — ocean breezes, coconut oil, and nada-on-the-agenda — like a Beach Boys song. A close second, though, is a thrilling, chilling, thoroughly-addictive beach read. Hang on to your sun hat because the groundswell of this summer’s page-turner, probable bestseller-cum-inevitable Hollywood adaptation is off to a tsunamic start.  On Memorial Day, John Grisham dropped “Camino Ghosts,” the third in his series of crime mysteries set on Camino Island. The next week welcomed “Eruption,” a thriller started by the late, great (and Bedford resident) Michael Crichton (“Jurassic Park”) and completed by best-selling author James Patterson. The gist: A volcano on Hawaii’s Mauna Loa erupts, endangering a hidden cache of potentially world-destroying chemical weapons. Together, Crichton and Patterson have sold an estimated 675 million copies. “Godzilla’s head grafted onto King Kong’s body ” is how The Washington Post described the collaboration . Oscar-winning directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi have already signed on to direct “Eruption.”   While Grisham has authored 47 consecutive No. 1 bestsellers, selling over 300 million copies and enjoyed more than a few star-studded movie versions of his crime dramas — “The Firm” with Tom Cruise and “Pelican Brief” with Denzel Washington — with his Camino series he freely admitted he set out to write a “beach read.”  Then there’s the serial beach read bestseller Elin Hilderbrand, whose newest title, “Swan Song,” is the conclusion of her romance series set in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Hilderbrand recently revealed she slips into a bikini whenever she sits down to write. And streaming this summer on Netflix is a sexy series based on her bestselling “Perfect Couple,” also set in Nantucket, starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.  Pound Ridge resident, David Gernert, a literary agent and former editor in chief of Doubleday, represents Grisham and is currently negotiating a deal with a Hollywood studio to make the Camino novels into an ongoing television series, thinks the Hollywood connection has been a godsend for publishing. “Particularly with the streaming services like Netflix, Apple, Hulu, always needing new content, it’s a really good time for new books,” he said. “Hollywood tends to prefer branded IP, so big names and bestsellers will have an advantage.”  How can “Camino Ghosts” miss? A Grisham beach thriller set on a gorgeous island with a cursed past! “It works both ways,” Gernert said. “If a title is a big hit as a TV series, it will sell more at the bookstore.” In Gernert’s seasoned view, in recent years the biggest driver of fiction sales (and summer beach reads are no exception) are Oprah’s Book Club, Reese’s Book Club, Jenna Bush Hager’s Book Club and the Good Morning America Book Club .  And then there’s TikTok. Using viral videos and reviews by influencers, the platform has radically changed book marketing and sales into something 100% reader-driven. Bestselling author Emily Henry (“Beach Read” and “People We Meet on Vacation”) almost always publishes her books in May to capture the summer bibliophile; her followers have repaid the favor by posting more than 21 million video reviews about her books.  Meanwhile, back at the local bookstore, Gretchen Menzies, owner of The Reading Room in Katonah, commented that while some of her clients will by asking for the Grisham and Crichton/Patterson titles, splashy blockbusters are, by design, not her niche. “We tend to sell more interesting off-list books rather than bestsellers that people can buy online,” she said. Her avid customers definitely read lighter fare in summer months, she observed, “but they will ask for a beach read and then make clear they don’t want brainless,” she said. “Just something to give their brain a break, take them away somewhere.”  Menzies says Reading Room’s top-selling vacation book so far is Ruth Reichl’s “The Paris Novel ,” set at the crossroads of the food, art and fashion scene of 1980s Paris. (Excerpt: “Stella reached for an oyster, tipped her head, and tossed it back. It was cool and slippery, the flavor so briny it was like diving into the ocean.”) Remarked Menzies, “It really makes you want to sit in a café with a cold glass of wine and a croissant.”  Susan Williamson, owner of Booksy Galore in Pound Ridge, reports that she already has “plenty of requests” for the new Grisham, Crichton/Patterson and Reichl titles. Certainly, big names and fast-moving books always get attention “but when it comes to beach reads, well, let it be light,” she believes. “Summer often means traveling and time spent back and forth from pool and beach time, so for one, a book has to fit in your bag. But most important is that a beach read be something a person can pick up and put down without losing the flow of the story.” Libraries are also bracing for the impact of summer book demands. Silvia Ohler at the Bedford Free Library is happy to report that there are already 150 holds for “Camino Ghosts.” “It’s an excellent summer read,” she acknowledged, “with distinctive characters and a propulsive plot that keeps one turning the page.” But Ohler is quick to contrast this with Irish author Colm Toibin’s new novel, “Long Island.” The latest book is a sequel to his 2009 bestseller “Brooklyn,” which was nominated for the prestigious Booker Award. Perhaps with the precedent of an Oscar-nominated movie having been made out of Toibin’s earlier novel, “Long Island” already has rocketed in popularity among library readers with 420 holds. “The Toibin is gorgeous and moving, and will only become more popular,” predicted Ohler.  By Labor Day, we will all know which proved to be the biggest books of the summer of 2024. Soon, though, you’ll start seeing them at the town pools in Bedford and elsewhere, the beach in Bridgehampton or a seaside bar in St. Tropez. And you’ll hear people comparing notes — so, if you resist them, you might feel like a fish out of water.  We asked local independent booksellers and library staff to share a few titles that they think should be at the top of everyone’s summer reading list: Bedford Free Library  “ Lies and Weddings,” Kevin Kwan.“Swan Song,” Elin Hilderbrand.  “You Are Here,” David Nicholls. “Funny Story,” Emily Henry.“Wives Like Us,” Plum Sykes.“The Paradise Problem,” Christina Lauren. “Storm Child,” Michael Robotham.“Hunted,” Abir Mukherjee. The Reading Room  “The Paris Novel,” Ruth Reichl. 'After Annie,” Anna Quindlen. “Fourth Wing,” Rebecca Yarros. “The Armor of Light,” Ken Follett. “None of This is True,” Lisa Jewell. Booksy Galore “The Vacation Rental,” Katie Sise. “The Paris Novel,” Ruth Reichl. “The Women,” Kristen Hannah. “Table for Two,” Amor Towles.  “Before the Coffee Gets Cold,” Toshikazu Kawaguchi.