96th Annual July 4th Celebration in Arthur Manor
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On a slightly hazy and overcast morning, the Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association held its 96th Annual 4th of July parade and picnic in Arthur Manor. This annual neighborhood association celebration first started in 1928!
The parade participants and marchers gathered at the corner of Bell and Sprague Roads at 9:15 am on Thursday morning to compete in the various categories of parade and float participants. The judges diligently reviewed and ranked the individual and group marchers in categories such as most patriotic costumes, strollers, tricycles, pets, and of course the floats.
At 9:45 am, a special Scarsdale Police Department escort led the parade, accompanied first by the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 (founded on Sprague Road in 1893) together with all of the July 4th marchers, including Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest and Village Trustees Dara Gruenberg and Jeremy Wise, starting first from Bell and Sprague Roads, down Sprague Road to Lyons Road, turning onto Grand Boulevard and then marching into Davis Park. Volunteer Fireman Micheal Keating was also on hand for the parade and drove his antique fire truck in the parade.
Once all the marchers and parade watchers reached Davis Park, the traditional 4th of July ceremony was held before the flag pole at the North end of the park.
The ceremony began with the raising of our nation’s flag by the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1’s color guard. The crowd then observed a moment of silence to remember all of the men and women in the U.S. military who sacrificed so much for liberty and democracy in the United States and abroad. Long time Arthur Manor resident Richard Gast then beautifully sang the National Anthem which was immediately followed by the crowd reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest then addressed the crowd gathered in Davis Park on the significance of the July 4th holiday and the connection of this important holiday to the Scarsdale community at large. Also in attendance in the crowd was Arthur Manor’s favorite son and Uncle Sam (played, as always, with perfection by Teegan Lee).
Shortly after Mayor Arest spoke, former Arthur Manor President Al Stuart conducted the awards ceremony for the day’s marchers and other parade participants in the various categories such as patriotic costumes, floats, bicycles, tricycles, and most patriotically dressed pets. A separate list of the winners follows below.
Also in attendance yesterday was Matthew Goldstein of the Conservation Advisory Council who had a table in Davis Park to promote the Village’s food scrap and composting system. The Arthur Manor association encourages all of its residents to participate in the Village’s food scrap program.
The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association’s July 4th parade and picnic was sponsored by its own members and the awards for the 2024 parade and field events were provided by local merchants such as Amore Pizza and Big Top Toys on Weaver Street, Bouno Amici on Scarsdale Avenue, Carvel on Mill Road, Gianonni’s Deli and Jackie B’s on Garth Road, Happy Days Pizza and Mona Lisa Salumeria on Post Road, Funky Monkey, Italian Village Pizza, Scoop and Seven Woks at the Golden Horseshoe, Bango Bowls, Bronx River Books, Popojito’s, Learning Express, Starbucks and Martine’s in the Village Center, Pizzarelli’s on Depot Place in the Village, Scarsdale Bagels on Garth Road, Via Forno on Garth Road and Scarsdale Pastry on Weaver Street. Trader Joes in Eastchester donated the large amount of eggs for the association’s final field event, the egg toss - first appearing at Arthur Manor’s July 4th picnic in 1944. The Arthur Manor association always encourages all of its residents to buy local where possible.
At the conclusion of the 4th of July ceremony, the crowd walked to the other end of Davis Park for the annual field events including the three-legged race, parent-child relay race, potato sack and wheel-barrow races, and Arthur Manor’s all-time favorite, the annual “egg toss” - first appearing at Arthur Manor’s July 4th picnic in 1944. The field games were again skillfully managed by Arthur Manor’s own Andrew Krause. (A list of the winning field event participants also follows below).
This year’s egg-toss was won by Kiely and Chris Piekarski! Second place egg-toss winners were Amoreo and Kai Benevento with 3rd place winners Amanda Gallace and Charlie Kaplan. Congratulations to all those who participated in the 2024 egg toss event!
Lots of laughter could be heard and many good memories were made by all of those attending the July 4th celebration in Davis Park this year. It was also a chance for neighbors who have not seen each other in some time to reconnect with each other and for new residents to make new friends in Arthur Manor.
Hosting the event was Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association President, Matt Martin.
The Arthur Manor July 4th parade and celebration is made possible only through the collective efforts of the many Arthur Manor volunteer residents including especially the Mancini, Marcus, Roche, Porco, Krause, Bonanno, Bongiorno, Cover, Salazar and Stuart families, and all of the other Arthur Manor volunteers too numerous to list here. A tremendous THANK YOU to all those residents who helped make the special day happen!
The Arthur Manor association wishes to thank the staff at the Village Hall including the Manager’s office, the Highway department, and the police and fire departments for helping to make this annual event a reality.
The Arthur Manor association also encourages all of its residents to start practicing now for the July 4th, 2025 egg toss.
Arthur Manor 4th of July Celebration Parade Winners, July 4, 2024
Marchers in Patriotic Costumes
1st place: Olivia and Sophia Elliott
2nd place: Charlotte Dietz
3rd place: Shelby
Honorable Mention: Mila
Scooters
1st place: Lily Bandsma
2nd place: Reagan Bandsma
3rd place: Abby Garvey
Honorable Mention: Margo Bandsma and Leah Stone
Bicycles
1st place: Leila Capossela
2nd place: Penny Stuart
3rd place: Ally Cole
Honorable Mention: Owen Stelzer
Tricycles
1st place: Ryder Tarantino
Carriages and Strollers
1st place: Josh and Myles Koppel
2nd Place: Everett and Ellie Beok
3rd Place: Joshua Elliott
Honorable Mention: Eli Stone
Floats:
1st place: Hazel and Izzy Colin and Anna Shrinp, “Happy Birthday America”
2nd place: Jack, Amelia Harzner and Jack, Sloan, Ezra and Emmy Callaghan, “Arthur Manor Olympians are Made Here”
3rd place: Chris, Jeanie, and Grace Horne Family, “A League of Their Own”
Arthur Manor 4th of July Celebration Field Events, July 4, 2024
Dash
1st Heat: 5 yrs. Old and under, boys and girls together
1st- Austin
2nd- Aiden
3rd- Christopher
2nd Heat: 6 and 7 old, boys and girls together
1st- Noah
2nd- James
3rd – Elizabeth
3rd Heat: 8,9,10 year old, girls
1st- Lillian Peterson
3rd- Emme and Aubry
4th Heat: 8,9,10 year old, boys
1st- Johan Schuerlein
2nd- Ben
3rd- Dylan
5th Heat: 11 yr old and older, girls
1st- Malu Gonzalez
2nd- Monica
3rd- Lily
6th Heat: 11 yr old and older, boys
1st- Sasha
2nd- David
3rd-xxxxxxxxxx
Wheelbarrow Race (Teams of two, boys and girls mixed)
1st Heat: 7 yrs old and under
1st- Shea and Natalie
2nd- James and Noah
3rd- Albert and Jack
2nd Heat: 8,9,10 yr olds
1st- Grace and Kiely
2nd- Ben and Luke
3rd – Aubrey and Minyi
3rd Heat: 11 yr old and older
1st- Lilly and Alisa
2nd- Vivian Hanawa and Sophia Elliott
3rd- Ella Peterson and Avony Mesola
Potato Sack Race/ Girls
1st Heat: Girls 6 and under
1st- Aden Fischesser
2nd- Sheila Piekarski
3rd- Natalie
2nd Heat: Girls, 7 and 8 yr olds
1st- Olivia Garvey
2nd- Lindsey Holdsez
3rd- Kiely Piekarski
3rd Heat: Girls, 9 and 10 yr olds
1st- Lillian Peterson
2nd- Grace Piekarski
3rd- Aubry Lin
4th Heat: Girls, 11yr old and older
1st-
2nd- Alisa Schulz
3rd- Ella Peterson
Potato Sack Race/Boys
1st Heat: Boys, 6 yrs and under
1st- James Rodriguez
2nd- Austin Carr
3rd- Leo Pollaro
2nd Heat: Boys, 7 and 8 yrs old
1st- Noah Hanawa
2nd- Albert Zhang
3rd- James Haggerty
3rd Heat: Boys, 9 and 10 yrs old
1st- Johan Schuerlein
2nd- Ben Maibrunn
3rd- Will Mehlich
Parent-Child Relay
1st Heat: Children 5 and Under
1st: Kieran Piekarski
2nd: Molly and Anne Marie Mostin
3rd: Leon and Doug Stone
2nd Heat: 6,7, 8 year olds
1st: Timothy Haggerty
2nd: Kiely Piekarski
3nd Heat: 9 and 10 Year Olds
1st- Grace and Chris Piekarski
2nd- Lillian and Marty Peterson
3rd- Johan and Shawn Schuerlein
4th Heat: 11 year olds and older
1st- Marty and Monica Peterson
2nd- Lily and Taishi Tamura
3rd- Mike and Theo Merola
Three Legged Race (Teams of Two, Boys and Girls Mixed)
1st Heat: 6 and under
1st- Elizabeth del Vaalle and Marie Kate Cococcia
2nd- Shea Piekarski and Natalie Schweitzer
3rd- James Rodriguez and Owen Stelzer
2nd Heat: 6 and Under
3nd Heat: 7 and 8 yr olds
1st – Lindsey Hojesz and Emma Dapp
2nd- Rebecca Stone and Olivia Garvey
3rd- Malula Schuerlein and Ally Cole
4th Heat: 9 and 10 yr olds
1st- Kiely and Grace Piekarski
2nd- Brooke Biondi and Lillian Peterson
3rd- Ben Maibrunn and Luke Schweitzer
5th Heat: 11 years old and older
1st: Vivian Hanawa and Grace Horne
2nd: Olivia Elliott and Sophia Elliott
3rd: Patrick Haggerty and Dylan Danahy
Egg Toss
1st- Kiely and Chris Piekarski
2nd- Amoreo and Kai Benevento
3rd – Amanda Gallace and Charlie Kaplan
Principal Ken Bonamo Tells Seniors To Face Challenges with Courage
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Here are remarks from Scarsdale High School Principal Kenneth Bonamo to the graduates of the Scarsdale High School Class of 2024 on Thursday June 20, 2024 at Butler Field.
Good evening President Schulhof, Superintendent Patrick, fellow members of the faculty, parents and friends, and most especially the members of the Class of 2024.
Today is a special day that marks the culmination of your childhood education and the beginning of college and adulthood for you.
Your families and your teachers are filled with a deep hope that we have given you all that you need to succeed in these next stages, and we are filled with anticipation at what the future holds for you.
The resources that the Scarsdale community devotes to education have allowed us to provide you with an enriching and engaging experience that has developed in you a depth of critical and creative thinking, an appreciation for global interdependence, and a genuine love of learning.
These goals have guided our work as a faculty in designing the courses and learning activities that you’ve enjoyed during the past four years. The vantage point of graduation allows you to appreciate the impact of your work in developing your academic skills and fostering your growth as individuals.
This accomplishment also represents the hard work you have put into getting here.
You have excelled in athletic and extracurricular activities, developing the habits of mind of the different disciplines while nurturing your interests and relationships outside of the classroom.
And so you have completed your coursework and your exams and your Senior Options and have earned a seat at this very ceremony.
This is not by accident but instead through commitment and dedication to your goals.
It is so wonderful to be together on such a beautiful occasion. It is so good to see all of you here to celebrate this moment that is filled with meaning, as it represents both the accomplishment of having graduated and the commencement of your adult lives. Let us pause here for a moment to appreciate the beauty and significance of this moment.
I ask you to pause because we are in this moment filled with energy, but at the same time we ask you to think about quite a daunting question:
What is a meaningful life, and how do I live one?
This is one of the most profound questions you will face, and this is a moment of high emotion to be thinking about it.
We as your elders think about ourselves at your age and what it was like to see the world without all of the experiences we have accumulated over time.
And we ask you, at the age of 17 or 18, to think about such an enormous question when you are filled with anticipation about what comes next.
As young people, you can only guess at how the experiences of the next few years will shape the years that follow.
As older people, we, your parents and teachers, can never really recapture the innocence of the moment of high school graduation that we celebrate today.
We can give you advice, sure, but we cannot really explain to you what is to come, because the world tomorrow will be quite different than the one we encountered when we were your age, and each of you is an individual with unique talents and interests.
Your educational journey will continue to allow you to find work that truly engages you, that motivates you to pursue it on its own merits, where you find yourself in a state of flow—where you lose a sense of time and space in answering a question or satisfying a curiosity.
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That is one of the true pleasures of learning, and I hope you use the privilege of being engaged in study as your primary occupation to search broadly and then deeply to find the subject that brings you the most intellectual satisfaction which ultimately leads you to the power of independent thought.
The philosopher Immauel Kant wrote that “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity.” He defined immaturity as “the inability to use one’s understanding without guidance from another.”
For most of your schooling, you have needed guidance from your teachers, though incrementally less and less as you progressed through the grades.
As you grow more confident in your ability to think independently, you will need courage to use your understanding. Dare to be wise.
As you confront the challenges of our world and of our society, armed with the knowledge and skills you have acquired here at Scarsdale, I hope you will endeavor to make the world a better place.
In order to make real change and bring about progress, you will need to add personal courage to the skills and knowledge you gain in school.
When you take stock of the news of our day, of domestic problems, international relations, income inequality, social justice, educational policy, and environmental challenges, it should be clear that regardless of what side of any one question you take, in order to advance the cause you will need courage.
As the energy of your youth matures into the wisdom of age, you will continue to find your voices and ways in which you can make your marks.
Given the magnitude of these social and global problems, we will need your fresh voices and new ideas and the courage to stand up even when it means you will stand out.
Your success will be measured not by how much you take for yourself but by how much you give of yourself.
Finally, I also urge you to build a legacy of love.
The key to your success in taking advantage of the many opportunities and meeting the many challenges that lie ahead will be to infuse love into your work, your relationships, and your self-regard.
Love is an active ingredient of our intelligence.
Knowledge is not acquired information like a computer stores data.
Rather, it involves an intentional engagement with whatever the information might be about.
Intelligence requires a dialogue with the world, and a state of flow is when we are fully immersed in the exchange.
Love is what invites us into that connection.
If you look around this field, you will see your family and friends who demonstrated love in supporting you.
You will see your teachers who loved teaching and guiding you.
And most importantly, you should look at yourselves and love what you see—an intelligent, curious, responsible person, poised to continue learning in order to take on the challenges of life and of our society.
I wish you all a wonderful graduation day and health and happiness in the future. Congratulations to you all!
Should Scarsdale Receive EPA Funding for EV School Buses?
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Should wealthier school districts receive federal subsidies? That was the question raise by a 1961 graduate of Scarsdale High School in a letter to Scarsdale10583. In his letter below, Frank Wilner of Fredericksburg VA question whether or not Scarsdale should receive an $800,000 subsidy from the EPA for new electric powered school buses.
Wilner writes,
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has earmarked $111 million to communities in New York State to provide, among other objectives, "clean, low- and zero-emission school buses." Earmarked for Scarsdale is $800,000. As EPA's sole funding source is the U.S. general treasury, the earmarks are taxpayer subsidies. As Scarsdale is among the wealthiest communities in America, the inequity is obvious -- the Village is "enjoying" a subsidy paid, in part, by federal income taxes of the working poor from communities struggling even to put conventional school buses on the road.
FRANK N. WILNER
Fredericksburg, VA
Scarsdale High School, 1961
fnw8@verizon.net
We reached out to Scarsdale’s School Board President Ron Schulhof for a response and here is what he said:
“Our district has a strong commitment to the health of our students as well as sustainability initiatives and EV buses will make huge impacts in both of these areas. Like other school districts, we apply for available grants when they make sense for our community. While we receive significantly less state and federal aid than other school districts, certain grants are important to support initiatives that would otherwise be challenging to fund. Upgrading to electric buses is required by recent NYS legislation and it is fiscally prudent for our District to seek grant funding when available. I am looking forward to watching our students get aboard an electric bus in the near future!”
Michelle Sterling, who heads Scarsdale’s Conservation Advisory Council agrees with Schulhof. She wrote, “I think that it’s fantastic that Scarsdale schools are going to be getting electric school buses! It’s better for our environment, better for our children’s health (better for everyone’s health), and represents positive modelling as the transportation sector represents one of the largest sources of pollution and going EV is a great way to address this.
Over the last several years we have seen NYC schools and other schools in Westchester getting EV buses as the public funding that has been released so far has only been for schools in economically disadvantaged areas. We have seen schools taking advantage of the funding and getting EV buses - and it is terrific.
Now that the funding has been released for all schools, our school district applied and is receiving funding. This funding is what is going to allow us to have EV buses. Without the funding, even in a wealthy area like ours, it would be nearly impossible to replace our fleet of buses - and definitely not in time to comply with the NYS EV bus mandate.
So in short, Im happy that for several years underserved communities have been able to apply and receive funding for EV buses, and even though I am a taxpayer and for many years was funding a program that my own children and my community did not benefit from, I was happy to do it. I’m also pleased that the funding has now been opened up to everyone as it will allow many other communities to upgrade their school bus fleet to EVs.”
Free Westchester Band Concerts Begin on Thursday June 27 in Chase Park
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2001. It was more than a Space Odyssey. It was the year that the Westchester Band's Music Director Alan Hollander took the reins and has led the band ever since into its now 54th year of Summer Concerts at Chase Park in downtown Scarsdale.
Established in 1969 the band would have enjoyed its “double nickle” 55 year status this concert year had Covid not forced the first (and hopefully only) break in its performance season in 2020.
Combining the talents of professional, amateur, and outstanding student musicians, and sponsored principally by the Scarsdale Department of Parks and Recreation, local merchants, and by donations from the concert-going public the band begins its Summer season this year on Thursday June 27, and continues every Thursday evening thereafter thru August 8th, at 8:00PM (except the July 4th holiday week when its annual fireworks concert will commence at 7:30 PM on the evening of July 2nd at the Scarsdale Pool Complex). See the full schedule here.
Maestro Hollander will conduct the Symphonic Band's varied repertoire of pieces featuring Classical works, marches, show tunes and soloists, for free, under the stars (rain location Scarsdale Middle School Auditorium.)
So bring a lawn chair or blanket and picnic dinner (and a friend!), “unplug,” and be transported away for a while from the events of the day.
And as with each of its performance seasons, making this huge undertaking not only possible, but free to the public comes with the help of band patrons and supporters of the arts alike. Donations made payable to “Friends of the Westchester Band” are greatly appreciated and tax deductible. You may mail your checks to 41 Van Etten Boulevard, New Rochelle, NY 10804.
See you under the stars!
Sounds of Scarsdale: The 4th Annual Scarsdale Music Festival
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Crowd grooves to the music: Photo credit Jacob SacconeOn Saturday, June 1st, thousands of people gathered with friends and family to soak in the sun, listen to riveting musical performances, and engage in fun carnival games at the 4th annual Scarsdale Music Festival (SMF).
Kicking off at noon, the festival transformed the Scarsdale Village into a bustling hub of entertainment. The usually tranquil streets grew alive with a collage of vibrant sights, sounds, and – undoubtedly – smells.
Indeed, a myriad of food trucks flooded the area. Festival-goers were treated to an impressive array of options for grub, catering to every palate and preference. Patrons could enjoy sweet, indulgent cookies sold by “Crumbl” and “Baked in Color” or savory, cheesy pizza served by “Pizza Vitale Truck” or cool off with a scoop of “Longford's Ice Cream” and a cup of Hawaiian shaved ice. “Poké Motion” was particularly popular, with dozens of people lining up for a bowl of “miso ginger salmon” or “peanut saté chicken."
Inside the tasting tent: Photo credit Jacob Saccone
For the adults, the SMF Grand Tasting Village featured a selection of elite wines and tastes from around the world from Scarsdale’s new wine store Amici dei Vini, beer from the Simple Motive Brewing Co. and more from Dobbs and Bishop Fine Cheese, Meritage, Micheline, Miles the Prince, M.S. Walk, and PopoJito allowing guests 21+ to indulge in a uniquely curated tasting event. Yet, while the food and drinks certainly played an important role in the whole experience, it can’t be the Scarsdale Music Festival without a little bit of music.
“That’s why I’m here,” commented Rhys Mulvey, a freshman at Scarsdale High School. “I’m in a band, so I really like music. You can come here and just hang out with friends – it’s a great environment… more events like this make Scarsdale an even greater place to be.”
Kids enjoyed a carnival for their own – including having their hands painted, navigating an inflatable obstacle course, playing arcade games, a giant Connect 4 and mini hoops.
The Del Bocas: Photo credit Jacob Saccone
This year’s musical lineup, after an extensive selection process from over 70 submitted applicants, featured a diverse range of genres from R&B to opera to acoustic music featured on the all-new acoustic stage. The live performances had the crowd dancing, singing along, and simply enjoying the spirited atmosphere.
In the beginning, bands like “Rennie Pincus & Friends” provided a lively start to the festival. As the afternoon progressed, “The Del Bocas” rocked the crowd with perennial favorites including the Monkees I'm a Believer, Carole King’s, I Feel the Earth Move, Say You Love Me from Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty’s American Girl. The music played throughout the afternoon by an impressive line-up of talent including another Westchester based band, Skyfactor.
Just Call Me By My Name with Marcy Berman Goldstein: Photo credit: Jacob Saccone
However, the stars of the show were the performers from the “Daniel’s Music Foundation” – a non-profit organization dedicated to providing music programs for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. “It feels amazing to be here,” said George Dennehy, who had been born without arms and played the guitar using his feet – while singing. “Music is such a universal language… people with disabilities deserve a chance to learn and express in that way… the crowd was so warm. So kind and so welcoming. I’m not from here, but I can tell that this is a great neighborhood.”
Face painting!Community spirit was at an all-time high, with local organizations like SPCA Westchester playing their part in the festival’s success. Numerous stalls offered arts and crafts, opportunities for teens, and more. This year’s event has already sparked excitement for the next festival, promising even more fun and entertainment for all ages.
Marcy Berman Goldstein, who produced the event, said, “We are incredibly proud of our exceptional, family-friendly event, which drew over 5,000 attendees. With 16 extraordinary bands performing on three live stages, delicious food options from over a dozen vendors, a VIP Grand Tasting Village, and expanded activities, there was something for everyone.
The success of the 2024 SMF would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our event sponsors, talented musicians, participating vendors, and community partners. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership and support from the Village of Scarsdale. We would also like to extend a special thanks to the Conservation Advisory Council for all of their efforts to ensure SMF continues to be a zero-waste event.
On behalf of the SBA and the entire SMF team, it is our honor to have chosen Daniel’s Music 
Festival bubbles: Photo credit: David SteinbergFoundation as this year’s charitable recipient, a non-profit empowering individuals with disabilities through music. We were thrilled to feature artists from DMF’s music label, 'Just Call Me By My Name,' whose spectacular and talented performances left a lasting impression on all attendees.
The SBA is thrilled to continue enhancing the vibrancy of our downtown center by bringing cultural arts and diversity and expanding our community’s connection to Westchester County and the greater Tri-State area. We look forward to next year's event!”
Writer Eian Tsou is a current junior at Scarsdale High School who loves the creative process of writing. Outside of writing, Eian loves to volunteer, play with his dogs, kick around a soccer ball, and eat tasty foods.
Kids got game: Photo credit: David Steinberg
