Letter to the Editor: The BAR Should Preserve and Promote Neighborhood Character
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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August 21, 2024
To the Editor
When we moved to Scarsdale in 1971, 53 years ago, we bought a beautiful Georgian Colonial house surrounded by inspired landscaping, with beautiful shrubs and trees. The other houses on the street were all of different styles in addition to Georgian Colonial, for example: Tudor, French Revival, Spanish Colonial and American Craftsmen. There were no commonplace or standard issue houses. This kind of setting was half the reason or more that people bought homes in Scarsdale. The homes were varied, often stately, and many were elegant. Very few could be called “ordinary”. In areas of less expensive homes they were also of distinctive styles, still charming but smaller. No one would ever have dreamed of ruining or distorting the appearance of these homes with unnecessary and/or unattractive add-ons.
Then, suddenly came the era of take down any house if you like, or add anything you like, and to hell with the neighborhood character. Opulence has replaced elegance or charm. To hell with beauty. Let her rip.
So now, we live with tear downs or renovations to original houses, regardless of how totally unattractive the new houses and/or the add-ons might be. It is both disheartening and depressing.
The same attitude holds for large stately trees. The idea that these trees are very beautiful seems to be totally irrelevant. The idea seems to be, “let’s build what we think we can sell for the most money, no matter the aesthetic impact.” In the case of 21 Autenrieth Road, the idea of possibly endangering an historic tree in order to add a garage to the front of this elegant Georgian Revival house-despite the fact that it already has two separate garages-seems both absurd and obscene, to say nothing of destroying the appearance of this elegant home.
To think that the BAR, whose stated responsibility is to preserve and promote the character of buildings within the Village of Scarsdale and to ensure that the buildings are designed in harmony with the neighboring community, would even CONSIDER approving such a request is outrageous, unimaginable and unconscionable.
P.S. The BAR approved all the add-ons the developer requested for the house which will ruin the house’s elegant appearance and endanger the valued tree.
Ronee I. Bank, M.D.
Local Charity Swim Event Brings in $10,000
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- Written by Bill Doescher
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In the afternoon of Thursday, July 25th, approximately 30 dedicated adult and children swimmers came from all over Westchester County and the Tri-State area, including Scarsdale, to support Swim Across America’s (SAA) two-hour swim fund-raiser at the Scarsdale Golf Club (SGC) in Hartsdale.
According to Bonnie Gould of Scarsdale, a member of the Cancer Support Team’s (CST) board of directors and a past president, and one of the administrators for the charity event, the money raised totaled about $10,000 for SAA with donations still coming in.
Swims were held in communities from Boston Harbor to the Golden Gate Bridge.
SAA is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment through swimming-related events. Since its founding in 1987, the organization has raised $100 million in its quest to fighting cancer by supporting cancer research, clinical trials, and patient-care services.
Everyone participating in the SGC swim event received a SAA tee shirt and towel for their swimming efforts and contributions.
Scarsdale’s Joe Zakierski, a member of the Board of Governors at SGC, and one of the swimmers at the event with his son, Joe IV, said, “It was exciting for the two of us to swim together for a good cause in what we called our ‘Father-Son Swim Event for 2024.’”
Gianna Timpone, a Purchase resident who will graduate from Manhattanville University with a dual major of dance and business next year, is in her third year as a summer intern for CST and a volunteer for the swim event at SGC for the third year in a row, said, “Being part of CST and SAA has afforded me the opportunity to meet so many nice people. I have enjoyed being part of such an amazing event.”
Julie Byrne, a kindergarten school teacher and a resident in Manhattan, plus a SGC swim team coach, made the trek to Scarsdale to swim in the event. She said, “Swim Across America is a great organization that brings awareness to an important cause and does so in a fun way. I enjoyed seeing the children get excited to swim and challenge themselves. Annie Browning (former aquatics and fitness director at SGC) connected me to SGC, and I could not be more grateful to be part of such an amazing community.”
Also in attendance was New Rochelle’s Carolyn Sabatina, a fourth-grade teacher in the New Rochelle School System, who has been a fundraiser devotee and a sponsor of the Sabatina Swim team for the SAA events for about 30 years. She said, “I have done all of it in honor of my late father, Bill.”
All in all, the swim charity event at SGC was a big success with a capital S, thanks to the swimmers, contributors and a team effort from the volunteers associated with SAA, CST, and SGC.
(Photo Credit: Gianna Timpone)
Young Philanthropists Raise Funds for the Friends of the Scarsdale Library
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- Written by Wendy MacMillan
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Local boys held a “sweet” Fundraiser for the Friends of the Scarsdale Library! On Saturday, July 13th, brothers Costas (7) and Philip Konstantoulakis (5) sold lemonade and books to raise money for the FOSL’s Landscaping Project.
Mom Julia Park explained, “Costas and Philip love going to the Scarsdale Library. One day Costas noticed the FOSL poster about the Landscaping project and said that he wanted to help their cause. He was so motivated, that night he started brainstorming ideas and came up with the idea of donating his used books and selling lemonade.”
On the hot, steamy day the boys will offer cold, refreshing lemonade, snacks, stickers and an assortment of gently used books for sale. All proceeds were donated to the Friends of the Scarsdale Library.
Presidents of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library said, “Scarsdale has a deep history of philanthropic residents, and we are delighted to see and encourage it in our youngest residents. It is so gratifying to see our community members engaged in the plans to transform the library’s campus into a parklike destination for all our residents to enjoy. We are confident Costas and his peers will enjoy the changes for years to come."
Library Director, Beth Bermel, was also delighted to hear that the library had such an impact on Costas and his brother Philip. “It is truly heartwarming to see young people so invested in their community library. The Friends are lucky to have these enterprising youth supporting their efforts, and we are grateful for such a supportive community, including the inspiring Konstantoulakis family.”The Friends work in partnership with the SPL team to bring relevant and inspired content to Scarsdale by sponsoring book discussions with popular authors, underwriting art shows and purchasing the latest technology. Donations are accepted year-round, and funds are used for a variety of programs throughout the year, including the chess programs Costas and Philip enjoy attending.
The Library in the Park Campaign - the inspiration for the fundraiser - will make more outdoor space available for open-air programming, for reading and study, for Scarsdale children and adults alike. The Campaign has nearly achieved its fundraising goal and will be wrapping up and unveiling detailed drawings this Fall.
To make a donation to the Friends, reach out to foslpresident@gmail.com.
Long Island Sound Swim This Saturday to Raise Funds for Cancer Research
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Swim Across America - Long Island Sound is holding its 32nd annual open water swim on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Larchmont, New York, with more than 800 swimmers and volunteers all making waves to fight cancer. One of the top fundraising teams is Team John, made up of a number of swimmers from the Scarsdale Town Pool who are again swimming in honor of their friend and fellow swimmer John Needham, who lost his battle with cancer in June 2023, just shy of his 70th birthday. Team John has over 15 swimmers and kayakers and again will raise over $100,000 in contributions to fight cancer.
A long-time Scarsdale resident, John Needham was an All-American swimmer at Hamilton College in upstate New York. After attending Boston University Law School he found his true calling and joined the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan and, ultimately, in the Bronx, working tirelessly to defend the underprivileged and marginalized. John’s greatest joy was his family, including his wife Leanne, sister Sarah, daughter Caitlin and son Dan, an award-winning swimmer who will be part of Team John and participating in the Swim Across America event at the 10K distance.
“For so many years John was with us every morning during the summertime at the Scarsdale Town Pool and his absence 
John Needhamcontinues to be felt deeply,” said Josh Glantz, co-captain of Team John. “We are all honored to be able to swim again this year in his memory. Over the 20 years that members of the Scarsdale Town Pool have come together to participate as a team in the Swim Across America event, we have been able to raise close to $1 million to help fund crucial research in the batter against cancer.”
Swim Across America - Long Island Sound held its first swim in 1992. Since that time, the swim has raised more than $25 million for its local beneficiaries, which have grown to include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Cancer Center, Cancer Support Team and Weill Cornell Medical Center. Through the funds raised at the annual swim, a network of doctors, researchers and caregivers continue to make breakthroughs in treating this deadly disease.
Swim Across America is a national nonprofit organization and offers open water and pool swims in 24 communities, from Boston to under the Golden Gate Bridge, to raise funds for cancer research. While its events are across America, its roots are firmly anchored along the shores of Long Island Sound. Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $100 million in the fight against cancer. More than 150 Olympians support Swim Across America.
Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials on a national level - and specifically with the funds raised by the Long Island Sound swim - has helped contribute to four FDA approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Keytruda. Recently, the very exciting news about a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America - Long Island Sound.
To learn more about Swim Across America - Long Island Sound or to register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/longislandsound. For those who would like to support Team Gina or any of the other swimmers at the June 27 Swim Across America - Long Island Sound open water event, or the eight pool swims this summer, donations can be made here.
Letters Regarding the Duck Pond and Idling Cars
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Duck Pond in Heathcote is covered in algae.We received two letters this week. One regarding the Heathcote Duck Pond and another about idling cars.
Here they are:
Dear Sirs:
I and my family have lived in the Heathcote section of Scarsdale for over 60 years. I would prefer to submit this letter anonymously but the facts discussed below should be obvious to all Scarsdale residents:
My family and neighbors have all noted the condition of the Heathcote Duck Pond has seriously deteriorated since the COVID pandemic in 202. The water is now covered with a film of algae, with a foul order and is no longer an attractive destination for residents. For decades there were 2 or 3 water fountains that every spring, summer and fall sprayed and circulated water and were illuminated at sunset. This little park was a beautiful setting for locals to walk or drive to oin the evening and weekends and was often a backdrop for pictures of wedding parties, etc. We would also see many ducks and other birds in the park. This is not possible today because of its swamp-like decayed and deteriorating condition.
I was astonished to learn this property is privately owned and the Village has no authority to maintain it in the dignified and appropriate manner so appropriate as the center of our “Village in a Park.” The Village advised the pond and surrounding land are owned by The Heathcote Association, a private entity.
I request that the appropriate Scarsdale government officials inspect this pond and land and please have the lawful owner immediately clean and restore if and maintain it, in perpetuity, to its pre-pandemic condition, consistent with our community’s values.
With much appreciation,
A Heathcote Resident
(Note: Scarsdale10583 received a similar communication in July 2022. At the time, we reached out to the President of the Heathcote Association who said the following.)
“Yes, the Heathcote Association does own the pond and maintained it for years. But now there is considerable sediment on the bottom and it needs to be dredged. If not, the sediment will clog the fountains (bubblers) and break them."
He explained that the Association has been looking into doing the dredging but during COVID it was difficult to get people out to do the work. Furthermore, he said that the primary cause of the sediment is that the Village waterways empty into the pond. Therefore, they have been working with the Village Engineering Department and believe that the Village has an obligation to help the Association with the project and the costs. They don’t believe it is only the Association's responsibility as the Village has been using the pond as part of their water system and people from all over Scarsdale use the pond.
So for now, the fountains will remain off until the dredging can be done.”
From Susan Levine regarding cars:
Today was a lovely day in Scarsdale...75 degrees and breezy. Despite that I saw several cars disobeying the “No Idling for Over Three Minutes Westchester County Law,” including a huge black Lincoln Navigator with the occupant just sitting inside on her phone for more than 20 minutes creating huge amounts or air pollution right in front of Bagel Power. Scarsdale residents need to help to fight air pollution by obeying the law and turning off their car engines when they are parked and not driving.
