The Dining Tent is Back in the Village!
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(See below for a note from the Scarsdale Business Alliance about the return on the dining tent in Scarsdale Village.)
Scarsdale diners, hunkered down at home for the winter, now have something to celebrate. Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA) is thrilled to announce the re-opening of its Dine the ‘Dale outdoor dining space, located in Scarsdale Village on Spencer Place between Harwood Court and East Parkway.
Are you ready to see friends and neighbors again, while dining on some of your favorite Scarsdale restaurants’ best dishes? Take a break from cooking and come dine in Scarsdale Village, either under the 2500 square foot tent located on Spencer Place or in the adjacent uncovered area.
Last year this initiative was a huge success, creating a safe destination for multi-generational community members to gather, dine and socialize, while bringing vitality to our downtown center and supporting local businesses.
Scarsdale restaurants are so excited to welcome their customers back to the Village. Scarsdale diners can take a seat at one of the safely-spaced picnic tables to enjoy table service from some establishments, delivery from others, or take-out from any of Scarsdale’s dining establishments. Alcohol table service in the tent area is available from Yeomiji, and alcohol delivery service is also available from Popojito, Scarsdale Metro and Westchester Burger Co. Just scan the QR codes located on signage throughout the tent to access menus and order food.
Enthusiasm for the large outdoor food space has been growing, as both restaurant owners and residents have anticipated its opening this week. Of course, to ensure everyone's safety, diners will have to follow social distancing and safety guidelines, including wearing a mask when not seated.
The Dine the ‘Dale tent adds to the outdoor dining areas already offered by some of Scarsdale’s favorite restaurants. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to eat out while supporting our Village center restaurants and local businesses. As Scarsdale continues to fully reopen, this initiative is just another step towards bringing our residents together while still staying safely apart.
The SBA is extremely grateful to Scarsdale Improvement Corp., the lead sponsor of this initiative. Presenting sponsors include Houlihan Lawrence, Morgan Stanley, Scarsdale Foundation and White Plains Hospital. Platinum sponsors include Advocate Brokerage Corp., Chubb, Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, Spencer East Realty and Wilson & Son Jewelers. Silver sponsors include Clean Design, Eye Gallery, I Am More Scarsdale, Korth & Shannahan, Partyline, Scarsdale Security, The Simon and Lerner Team at Houlihan Lawrence, Vintology Wine & Spirits and Zachys. The SBA is also grateful to all of the community members who have donated to the tent area.
The tent will remain up through August, with the possibility of being extended through November, similar to last year. In addition to being a safe place to gather and dine, the SBA hopes to offer programming during the late afternoon and evenings from local businesses, non-profit organizations and service providers.
The SBA is a non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting the Village of Scarsdale and its local businesses. The SBA works with local merchants, government, property owners, real estate corporations, community members and other local groups to help make Scarsdale a thriving village.
Please consider supporting the SBA as we continue to reimagine outdoor usage of space, making our Village center a destination and supporting our local merchants.
Limited Library Opening Begins Monday March 22
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At long last the Scarsdale Public Library will have a limited re-opening for library cardholders. The library was closed for over two years as it underwent an extensive renovation and expansion which was completed in the fall of 2020. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, it was too risky to welcome the public back inside though patrons could order books for pick-up and order food for takeout from the Apiary Café.
Now, the long awaited day has come where you can book half an hour browsing sessions by appointment only starting Monday March 22, 2021. The library will have a dedicated one hour time slot for seniors to book their half an hour sessions.
Others can reserve a browsing session at the following times:
Monday: 1 pm - 6 pm
1 pm - 2 pm: Seniors Only Hour (Senior citizens may be accompanied by an aide or companion);
2 pm - 6 pm: Half hour browsing sessions by appointment; ten person maximum.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 am - 3 pm
11 am -12 pm: Seniors Only Hour (Senior citizens may be accompanied by aide or companion);
12 pm - 3 pm: Half hour browsing sessions by appointment; ten person maximum;
Saturday: 11 am - 3pm
Half hour browsing sessions by appointment; ten person maximum;
Access will be limited to 10 patrons for half hour browsing sessions. They encourage visitors to reserve in advance. Click here to make your reservation.
At this time, only two people will be allowed per reservation party. Those that do not reserve a time slot in advance will be asked to wait until space is available.
A Welcome Back Video was created by Hazel Witch Productions, an award-winning student production company founded by Jake Lubin, Jordan Cascade, Sam Friedman, and Jeremy Suzman. The video introduces the space to everyone who is opting not to schedule in person visits at this time and can be viewed and shared on youtube here.
The librarians and staff are looking forward to finally welcoming the public back and (hopefully) continuing to open the library services as local infection rates decline and things get back to normal. “We are thankful for the community’s patience and support during this extraordinary time and are excited for the public to come and see this amazing new space.” Elizabeth Bermel, Director of the Scarsdale Public Library commented. “We are committed to reopening as safely as possible and continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, Village of Scarsdale, Westchester Library System and the Governor’s office.”
Margot Milberg, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, is similarly eager for the library to reopen as safely as possible: “The Scarsdale Public Library understands how eager the community is to enjoy our beautiful new building, and we were as sad and disappointed as any about our delayed ability to gather and learn together. The reopening plan is an exciting step in the direction of ultimately reopening our Library fully.”
Learn more about their COVID-19 visiting and safety protocols on the library website News & Updates Page and their Welcome Back Page. If there are any questions, patrons can call (914) 722-1300 or email scaref@wlsmail.org.
Apply Now for PTA Scholarships Plus Gilda's Club Announces a Teen Story Contest
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Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund for College:
SHS seniors may apply for a one-year grant from the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund. To learn more about the Scholarship Fund, who is eligible and how to apply, please refer to Fund Facts linked here.
Applications can be downloaded from Scholarship Fund Webpage. Applications are also available at the Counseling Office at the High School. Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, May 3rd.
For additional information regarding the Scholarship Fund, please contact Dana Matsushita at dmatsushi@gmail.com.
Gilda’s Club Westchester Presents: 2021 Teen Cancer Story Contest
Gilda’s Club Westchester is excited to announce the 2021 Teen Cancer Story Contest, open to teens (ages 13-17) in the Westchester, Rockland, and Fairfield County areas who want to share their story. We are looking for original, honest, detailed, and heartfelt multimedia submissions by local teens who have been impacted by cancer- whether it is their own diagnosis, a loved one’s diagnosis, or the loss of someone due to cancer. Submissions can be in the form of an essay, poetry, artwork, or video.
Cash prizes of $250 will be awarded to 1st place winners in each category. Runners-up will also be recognized for each category.
Submissions are due by 5pm on April 16, 2021.
For more information and how to submit pieces, click here.
For questions, please email Jaime Aker at jaker@gildasclubwestchester.org or call 914-644-8844
About Gilda’s Club Westchester: The mission of Gilda's Club Westchester is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. We create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens, children and families. Since 2001, Gilda’s Club Westchester has offered support for people whose lives have been touched by cancer… all types of cancer. It’s a warm, inviting place where everyone can come together to share their experiences.
Scarsdale's Reza Merchant Wins 2021 ACC Epee Fencing Tournament
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Reza Merchant, SHS Class of 2020 and freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill won the 2021 Men's epee fencing tournament at the ACC championship at UNC on February 27-28, 2021. The individual event was held on Saturday and the team event on Sunday. Reza went 8-3 in pool bouts and was seeded #1 in the semifinals. He went on to win the semis and the finals on Saturday. For the Sunday team competition, UNC lost a close playoff to Duke. Even though Reza and the UNC team did not win the men's tournament, Reza was awarded the ACC Men's fencing MVP. He went 6-1 in his team bouts.
There were no spectators allowed but this was shown on the ACC Network TV with ESPN.
Reza started fencing when he was nine years old and went on a playdate with a friend to the New Amsterdam Fencing Academy in Port Chester. He was hooked immediately. It took him a while to pick up the technique and begin to fence competitively. His club coach, Joe Fisher, and the veteran (adult) fencers at the club were a huge influence on him throughout his early development years from the age of 11 – 18. He returned the favor as he began helping the younger fencers at the club -- training them, preparing them for tournaments and setting them on their competitive journeys as well.
Scarsdale High School does not have a fencing program, so Reza fenced at New Amsterdam Fencing Academy under the guidance of coach Joe Fisher, who won the NCAAs himself when he was a collegiate fencer. Reza trained four to five times a week and went for weekly practice bouts at a club in lower Manhattan where he fenced college and aspiring Olympic fencers. He also attended regional and national tournaments two to three weekends a month.
He was an All-American fencer in 2017-18 and 2018-19 for epee. They weren't able to complete their 2019-2020 season. He was an "A" rated fencer and was on the US National rankings list as a Cadet (U17) and a Junior (U20). He turned 18 in August 2020. He qualified for the US Junior Olympics five times from 2016-2020.
Reza was recruited to fence for UNC-Chapel Hill, though during his recruiting year he was carrying an injury and under-performed relative to his potential and previous records. But the UNC-CH coach, Matt Jednak, saw his potential and Reza loves fencing at Chapel Hill and has flourished under Jednak’s direction.
Since March 2020 the entire USA fencing calendar was shut down significantly impacting elite fencers in the US. The typical college fencing program, which starts in November, was also disrupted. The UNC-CH team practiced as a "bubble" and could only practice in pods of twelve or less. In their first few weeks at school, someone tested positive for Covid-19 and the entire team was sent to solitary quarantine for two weeks, with their meals brought to them once a day. Since then they have all been negative. The season this year started in late January, instead of November. The fencing team had to head back to campus on January 3 to test, quarantine and then start team practices. They will have four tournaments this year compared to eight to ten events in a usual year, before heading into NCAA championships. A few teams, including #1 ranked Notre Dame, were unable to attend the tournament due to Covid-19 protocols. Notre Dame will show up to the NCAA finals which will be held end-March.
Scarsdale Foundation Offers Scholarship Aid: Apply Now!
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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School or lived in Scarsdale during their high school years and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the Foundation awarded need-based grants totaling $138,000 to 32 students attending private and state-supported colleges and universities.
Applications for the 2021-2022 academic year should be submitted online from the Scarsdale Foundation’s website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Questions should be directed to Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Anne Lyons or B. Kathleen Munguia at: scarsdalefoundationscholarship@gmail.com.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping students in need pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website or mailed to the Scarsdale Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
The Scarsdale Foundation also hosts the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner where Scarsdale individuals are recognized for their volunteer service to the community. The 2021 Scarsdale Bowl will be presented to Michelle Lichtenberg in a private ceremony in the spring due to current Covid restrictions on larger gatherings.
For more information regarding the work of the Scarsdale Foundation, please visit its website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org.
