Scarsdale Steps Back in Time at Wayside Cottage Celebration
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- Written by: Sharon Higgins
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“Left face, march!”
“Yes, sir!” came the company’s response, occasionally followed by laughter as some volunteers, especially the younger ones, forgot the “sir” in the excitement of the drill.
The sharp command rang out across the grounds of historic Wayside Cottage on Sunday afternoon 6-14 as a colonial sergeant directed a patrol made up of both reenactment historians and community volunteers, many of them children, in a Revolutionary War era drill. The scene was one of many highlights at a community celebration marking both America’s 250th anniversary and Scarsdale’s 350th anniversary. Hosted at Wayside Cottage, the event brought history to life for residents of all ages and transformed a warm spring afternoon into an immersive journey back to the 1700s.
The celebration was a collaborative effort among the Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW), Scarsdale Village, the Scarsdale Historical Society, and Toast250, drawing families and history enthusiasts eager to experience colonial life firsthand.
JLCW President Mary McCormack was delighted by the turnout and community spirit. “The JLCW was so very proud to join Scarsdale Village, the Scarsdale Historical Society and Toast250 to put together this very special colonial celebration held at our beloved historic Wayside Cottage!” she said.
She added, “everyone was getting involved in all the various colonial activities from musket drills to watching demonstrations on a spinning wheel, local colonial trivia, tours of the original 1704 farmhouse room, colonial games and the ambiance complete with colonial band playing tunes from the 1700s.”
Among those enjoying the afternoon were Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, and Trustee Tim Foley, who joined residents in exploring the exhibits and activities throughout the grounds. Their presence reflected strong community support and added to the festive atmosphere as local leaders mingled with attendees.
Authenticity was everywhere. Reenactors in period dress interacted with visitors while colonial music filled the air, creating an immersive experience that transported attendees back more than three centuries.
Visitors learned about daily colonial life, early settlement challenges, slaves freed and Scarsdale’s role during the Revolutionary War. Representatives from the 2nd New York Regiment shared accounts of military life and the nearby Battle of White Plains, emphasizing the region’s strategic importance during the fight for independence.
The Revolutionary era came further to life as historians connected local history to broader narratives, including The Spy, the historical novel by Scarsdalian author James Fenimore Cooper, offering another link between Scarsdale and America’s founding story.
Inside the cottage, historians offered tours of the original 1704 farmhouse room, complete with authentic artifacts that illustrated early colonial life. Fun fact, this small room, approximately 15’x20’ , housed a family with seven children.
A highlight of the day was a lively trivia competition with one round led by local historian Jordan Copeland of the Scarsdale Historical Society. The main room of Wayside Cottage was filled with teams of attendees competing in friendly rounds of colonial and local history trivia, adding an interactive element to the celebration.
Nearby, guests watched a spinning demonstration showing how wool was transformed into thread using a bobbin spinning wheel, along with explanations of natural dyes used in colonial textiles. Hands-on activities, games, and storytelling kept visitors of all ages engaged throughout the afternoon.
More than just a history lesson, the event reflected Scarsdale’s rich heritage and the community’s connection to its past. For a few hours on a beautiful hot Sunday afternoon, residents stepped back in time to experience the early days of America’s founding, making for a memorable celebration of both America’s 250th and Scarsdale’s 350th anniversaries.
Ribbon Cuttings for Two New Playgrounds in Town
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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A new structure at Aspen ParkIt’s a lucky time to be a kid in Scarsdale. This week, after years of planning, the Village celebrated the opening of two new playgrounds – one at Aspen Park and another at Willow Park. Both are ambitious, colorful and sure to capture the imaginations of children and caregivers too.
In addition to the usual, such as slides and stairs, there are fun features including mirrors, sound boards, playhouses, tunnels, stepping stones, an abacus, bouncy chairs, things to drive and more. There is so much to explore.
What’s better, is the two playgrounds are completely different, in color, size, shapes and features – so we encourage you to venture out to both.
Aspen Park
Hundreds of children already enjoyed the new Aspen Park playground, which was officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday June 1, 2026.
The new park, produced by Playworld Systems, is expansive and includes two large play structures with climbing equipment and slides for younger and older kids. There are two sets of swings – one for babies and another for bigger kids – and plenty of room to run around between the two structures.
Ribbon cutting at Aspen Park
Before the ceremony on Monday, we came upon a birthday party with pizza and ice cream in the park. Mayor Justin Arest offered thanks to so many people who helped to realize the new $360,000 playground. On the list are Recreation Superintendent Brian Gray, Assistant Superintendent Bob Kaczmerack, the Village Managers office, the Village Board of Trustees and the Secor Farms Neighborhood Association headed by Jennifer Fischman and Alena Markley, Stephanie Laubert and Emily Sirotkin and neighbors who provided input about community needs for the playground’s design.
Go see it yourself – between Aspen Road, Springdale Road and Ridgedale Road in Scarsdale.
Climbing fun at Aspen Park
Willow Park
A new apparatus at Willow Park
On Tuesday afternoon June 2, 2026, many of the same players were on hand to cut the ribbon on the new playground at Willow Park, behind the Girl Scout House on Wayside Lane. As you can’t see the location from the street, it feels like a secret treasure, nestled in a shady 
Lots to see and do at Willow Parkgrove. This one features equipment in bright red and chartreuse – along with four adult size bouncing chairs, that will be a hit with visitors of all sizes.
Also with a budget of $360,000, it includes two large climbing structures and nice sets of swings for toddlers and bigger kids.
At the ceremony, the Mayor restated the Village’s commitment to updating the infrastructure and continuing on with a series of playground replacements … Next up is Davis Park.
In addition to the trustees, Village managers and recreation department staff, Claudia Freedman, Staci Greene, and Daniela Retelny from the Fox Meadow Neighborhood Association who played a big part in planning the new facility were also on hand.
A wide red slide was too tempting to resist – and some of the adults took a spin down it.
Whoosh - a ride down the slide
Grease: A Classic Musical Done Justice by the SHS Class of 2026
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- Written by: Stacey Liew
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The voices of dozens of Scarsdale High School seniors filled SHS’s auditorium for the annual senior show. From May 15-17, 2026, members of the Class of 2026 put on three stellar productions of the musical Grease.
Through 22 songs, many of which were accompanied by lively choreography, the cast told the story centered around ten teenagers navigating their lives at the fictional Rydell High School.
Playing the new student, Sophia Samios portrayed Sandy Dumbrowski who was often at odds with the gang the “Pink Ladies,” composed of Maria Roberts as Jan, Alexa Galante as Marty, Vanessa Karp as Betty Rizzo, and Julia Wu-Oswald as Frenchy.
Sandy and Danny.The “Burger Palace Boys” gang was made up of Sofia Corrigio as Doody, Theodore Bryson as Roger, Orson Hong as Kenickie, Derrick Kuo as Sonny Latierri, and Ben Dinkin as Danny Zuko.
Sandy (Sophia Samios) and Danny (Ben Dinkin) were the lead couple who rekindled their relationship after several disagreements. This reconciliation happened towards the end of the performance when Sandy underwent a transformation from a prim to a rambunctious character.
The other teens also had their own stories. Kenickie (Orson Hong) sang “Grease Lightning,“ about the upgrades his car needed. Marty (Alexa Galante) crooned about her long-distance relationship with a Marine and the gifts he sent in “Freddie My Love.”
Kenickie and the “Burger Palace Boys."Frenchy (Julia Wu-Oswald) struggled to figure out what she would do with her life after dropping out of beauty school. Doody (Sofia Corrigio) got a guitar and showed it off to the others, singing “Those Magic Changes.”
Every single performer captured the stage, whether it was in vocal solos or dances that featured the entire cast. Three members of the SHS faculty, Deans Oren Iosepovici and Michael Hiller and Senior Class Advisor Ms. Eileen Cagner, surprised the audience by joining the students on stage for the Rydell High School dance.
With apt spotlight decisions, immersive backgrounds, part of a movie within the musical, and a moveable car prop, the technical crew helped bring the show to life.
Even though they weren’t visible to the audience, the presence of the instrumentalists in the pit was vital as they played an energetic accompaniment to every song.
Marty, the “Pink Ladies,” and Sandy.Remarking on how the show went and a favorite moment, Co-Director and Technical Director Rune Coulson said, “I’m very proud of the cast and crew for pulling off such an amazing show! When sitting in the audience, I was laughing so hard during jokes and getting goosebumps during songs. It’s hard to pick a certain moment, but I loved watching the cast have fun onstage. Whether that was watching everyone’s smiles in We Go Together, the mini-dance off in Shaking at the High School Hop, or the greasers’ hyping up Doody before We Go Together.”
Regarding the process of creating all the dances, choreographer and cast member Victoria Roberts said, “I was brought into the choreographer role during the middle of the process, so I didn’t have much time to come up with all the choreography. However, with the support of my friends in the cast and crew, I was able to do it. I actually loved creating choreography and teaching it to the cast. It was amazing to see everyone dance in unison while having a lot of fun. I loved seeing my choreography during the shows, and overall I’m very happy with how it all turned out!”
View the program and credits here.
Elementary School Fair Fun
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Edgewood Fair.
On Mother’s Day weekend, three of the elementary schools held their fairs. Heathcote and Quaker Ridge held a combined fair at Camp Mohawk on Friday due to the forecasted rain.
Quaker Ridge students greeted the new student-selected mascot, the Quaker Coyote. This was his first appearance at the fair.
A pair of Kindergarteners enjoying all the QRS Fair activities.
QRS 5th Graders celebrating at their last fair as elementary school students.
Greenacres hosted their yearly 5th grade pie eating contest.
Greenacres booths inside their Learning Commons.
The Edgewood Eagle traded its nest for a surfboard for a day of beach and boardwalk fun and school spirit. Edgewood had game booths, food and refreshments, raffles and prizes, and community engagement from local organizations, including the volunteer fire department. The theme of the fair was WINGS Up, Surf's Up! Edgewood Beach Bash, which was part of the school’s overarching theme of WINGS:
- Wonder: Exploring the uncharted waters of curiosity.
- Independence: Steering their own boards.
- Neighborly: Paddling together and lifting others above the tide.
- Gratitude: Appreciating the steady tide of tradition and the community that keeps us afloat.
- Success: Sticking the landing on a great school year!
From the Track to the Diamond: Scarsdale Scores Huge Victories On Senior Night
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Rachel Rackower running the 400 meter hurdle event.On Tuesday May 5,, Scarsdale High School's track and field as well as the baseball team scored big victories on Senior Night.
Track & Field:
For the track team, Scarsdale hosted the second day of the league championships on May 5 after the first day at Ossining on Monday afternoon. The two-day event marked a huge accomplishment for the track and field team. It was the first time in school history that the track team took home a league championship; both in indoor and outdoor seasons.
The boys team took home 227 points over the day-two span bringing a 70+ victory over the second place team while on the girls side, a score of 199.66 brought them to a 35 point victory. The other schools competing in the league were Mamaroneck, Ossining and Port Chester.
Athletic Director Cynthia Parrot noted that the outdoor track and field team was the first Scarsdale team to win a league championship across any sport in each of the three seasons this year.
Senior Leia Patel running in a hurdle event. Photo Jabez Keh.
On top of Scarsdale's huge victory in the league championship– twenty seniors were honored on Senior Night. At this final meet of their high school careers, team members of the Class of 2026 walked away with an unforgettable memory.
The track and field team will look to keep their strong season going as they head into championship season.
Baseball:
If one big Senior Night win was not enough, the Scarsdale Raiders baseball team had a big 8-3 win against Ossining on Dean Field. The team honored eleven seniors with their second win over Ossining, defeating them 13-5 after a 11-3 victory on Friday May 1.
Senior pitcher Ethan Finger pitched well for the ‘Ders throwing five innings and pitching to eight strikeouts. Senior Matthew Zoland went 2/4 with a run batted in. Koji Hirata, who just recently committed to play baseball at the University of Toronto, went 2/3 with one RBI.
Seniors pose before the first pitch. Photoby Mike Zoland.
The seniors on this year's baseball team are a memorable group who helped the Raiders to their first playoff win since 2018 and their first league win since 2006. The group consisting of Henry Lamberg, Matthew Zoland, Koji Hirata, Javin Lewis, Max Gaslather, Bret Hole, Gil Krausz, Aidan Dunsky, Ethan Finger, Alejandro Azpiauz-Cabassa and Noah Kent will take the Raiders down the stretch and into playoff time.
Team managers Joey Pappalardo, Chase Timberger and Mikey Steuerman getting honored on senior day. Photo by Mike Zoland.
The Raiders will close out the regular season with a back-to-back against New Rochelle as they look to earn their second straight league championship.
