Kensico Community Green Dedicated to Congresswoman Nita Lowey
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Westchester leaders, friends, family and President Bill Clinton gathered at Kensico Dam Plaza on September 9 to honor Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey and to name the large lawn in front of the dam as the “United States Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey Community Green at Kensico Dam Plaza.” Lowey served sixteen terms in the United States House of Representatives and passed away in March, 2025.
The ceremony was led by Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins who said, “Congresswoman Nita Lowey spent more than three decades serving the state and the people of Westchester.” He said, “Today is about remembrance but it’s almost about something more, it’s about legacy. When we speak of Congresswoman Nita Lowey there’s no shortage of accomplishments to point to. For more than three decades she represented the people with strength, intelligence and a commitment to public service.” …she stood up for families and children….. she highlighted her opposition to proposed cuts in the public broadcasting service with Bert and Ernie hand puppets.… One of the most important parts of Nita’s legacy cannot be measured in legislation, funding or years in office. It can be seen in people. Nita understood that leadership was not supposed to end with you. It means opening doors to those who are not usually invited into the room.” “… She developed the next generation of leaders.”
In the audience were many people who she helped to get on their way.
He continued, “…A community green is not something simply to be looked at. It’s a place where people gather, it’s where conversations happen, where children play, where communities celebrate their heritage.”
President Bill Clinton took the mic and joked, “I knew her (Nita) way before I thought I would be taking orders from her…. She understood how democracy really works.”
He said when he was President and Lowey was serving as the first woman to co-chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, she was on the “just say Yes list.,” among the people who got their way virtually 100% of the time. He told aides, “Why waste your time? We are going to cave anyway.” He remembered, “Her smile concealed a will of steel. She beat you to death but always smiled.” He called, her, “Miss Efficient Government.”
He remembered that unlike some politicians, Nita did not play fast and loose with the facts, but “99% of the time, she actually knew what she was talking about.”
Remarking on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this week he remembered that he was in Australia at the time of the attack where all along the great barrier reef signs were posted that read, “Our Hearts Are With You America.”
He said, “Do you think we would get that kind of response today?”
He continued, “I’m here today because we have been through a series of challenges which should make you wonder if we can preserve our constitutional democracy.”
“Earlier this year Trump committed an act of candor. He said, “I do not consider myself bound by the constitution or bound by my oath of office. At least he fessed up about it.… “ The former President said, “No one is right all the time. No one has the right to be a dictator. We need a system that is self-correcting because we all make mistakes.”
He thanked Nita for making America work – and showing that we can reach across the lines that divide us. He said she taught us to “Talk to your neighbors whether they agree with you or not. And keep showing up.”
Congressman George Latimer took the stage, and said, “What an honor to be at the podium where William Jeffreson Clinton spoke. He said, “The legacy of Nita Lowey is not forgotten. She brought Bert and Ernie into Congress to make the case for National Public Radio. She was a warm person who was always there for us.”
Latimer said, “I didn’t really understand her until these last 19 months in Congress. She did good things all across the country with her position in Congress. She had very small feet, and very big shoes to fill.”
He continued, “I wish I could hit that button (on his phone) and ask Nita how I can get something through Congress. I want to be like Nita Lowey. She took the authority and used it well.”
State Senator Shelley Mayer knew Lowey well calling her “my mentor and friend. She was the consummate leader – what we should aspire to be.” "She was the daughter of Jewish immigrants, the President of her class at Bronx Science and the first women to chair the House Appropriations Committee. She understood that money was to make people’s lives better.”
Mayer said, “She will be remembered for how she treated people. I commuted to Albany with Nita. We talked about how to make government better…. She could really listen – and made people feel heard. She wanted to hear what you were saying, what mattered to you and how she could make that happen.” She believed “that government should leave peoples’ lives better than what they found it.” Mayer said, “May this beautiful place remain a gathering place for the future.” – and make the legacy of Nita Lowey be what a leader can be.”
Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Vedat Gashi noted that Lowey believed in him and supported his own path to public service. He remembered her coming to one of his earliest campaign events and joining an Albanian dance with his mother. He said ,“She was warm, down to earth and genuinely interested.”
Nita’s husband Stephen Lowey asked the group, “How old was she when she was first elected to Congress?” The answer was 51 years old. She was born Nita Melnikoff in the Bronx and went on to Mt. Holyoke College. After graduation she worked at Young and Rubican taking surveys around the country, and me her husband in Nantucket when she was 23 years old. They had three children within five years and she was elected to head the PTA. After she campaigned for Mario Cuomo he invited her to work for him and she eventually rose to become the Assistant Secretary to the State of New York. Then she ran for Congress … and he said, “the rest is history.”
Pat Keegan served as District Director to Congresswoman Nita Lowey for more than 26 years. She said, “Members of Congress have two full time jobs – one in Washington and one in their home district. While in Washington Nita saved public broadcasting, chaired the House Appropriations Committee and set up an EPA office for LI Sound. Back at home she helped solve constituents’ problems and partnered with communties to make them better places. She helped with 2000 cases a year and rarely took a day off. Keegan said, “Nita was a doer,” who secured the funding for The Rising, which is the 9/11 memorial at Kensico Dam.
Following the speeches, the plaque naming the community green was unveiled.
Watch the ceremony here:
Scarsdale HS QB Preps for 2026 Season
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Trainer Lamont Wallace and Patrick SimonWant to be successful on the high-school football field this fall or any fall?
Then, pay attention here to Scarsdale High School’s elected football team captain and senior starting QB Patrick Simon’s advice, and you just might be successful almost immediately in future games this fall that count in the record book, home or away.
For openers, to get really ready for the season Captain Patrick, 17, 6 feet and 180 pounds, called for some unofficial sessions with fellow teammates and without coaches in attendance during the summer, as well as continuing his own personal physical training sessions with Physical Trainer Lamont Wallace, Director of the Fitness Center at the Scarsdale Golf Club (SGC) in Hartsdale.
Believe it or not, Patrick even sacrificed a cushy summer family vacation to practice informally with his teammates in the summer months. He is convinced those early training sessions will pay off in more wins in the fall.
An improved showing for Simon and the team’s record this fall season would be to better last year’s Raiders’ team record of 5 wins and 4 loses. “Better, for sure,” the captain says.
Last season, Simon, then a junior, shared the QB slot. This year he will be the starting QB, and no doubt will see plenty of minutes under center. As this year’s elected captain, Simon boldly predicts the team will improve on last year’s record. First game is at home on Butler Field, September 10, against the Yonkers Guardians.
Fortunately for Captain Patrick, he comes from an athletic family that is also most serious about academics, and he plans to continue his education pursuits in college. When at Eastchester High School, Dad, Chris, a television executive now, was the starting QB. Mom, Meg, a past president of SGC, is a regular at the Club’s Fitness Center. Patrick’s sister, Devon, 15, is involved in girls’ sports at SHS. 
Simon chats with Bill Doescher
Like most seniors at Scarsdale High School, Patrick is most serious about attending college after SHS. At this juncture, he prefers not to discuss his favorites. But he hopes football is in his college future.
As football captain, Patrick is a superb role model for his teammates. “Every night after practice,” he says, “I watch film about the opposing team of that week, do stretches and eat properly. On the day of the game, I eat clean, hydrate, watch film again, and stretch. It’s important I don’t get distracted. I conserve energy and listen to music.”
Go Raiders.
(Photo Credits: Lamont Wallace and Bill Doescher)
Matthew Fisher Completes Volunteer Firefighter Training
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Left to Right: Scarsdale Volunteer Firefighter Captain Lou Mancini - Volunteer Firefighter Matthew Fisher - Scarsdale Fire Chief Christopher Mytych
Matthew Fisher, a Scarsdale Volunteer Firefighter serving as a member of Fire Company #2, completed the interior and exterior firefighter training at the Westchester Firefighters Academy earlier this year. On August 12, 2026 at the Firefighter 1 Graduation Ceremony, Matthew Fisher (Company #2), received the Firefighter 1 certificate recognizing his successful completion of the training. Fire Chief Christopher Mytych and Volunteer Firefighter Captain Lou Mancini represented the Scarsdale Fire Department at the graduation ceremony and honored Firefighter Fisher with their presence at the graduation ceremony.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Levin
Scarsdale Sidewalk Sale: A Village Tradition, Rain or Shine🛍️
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Last week, rainy weather couldn't dampen enthusiasm for the three-day Scarsdale Sidewalk Sale, hosted annually by the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA), as shoppers arrived early and ready to find bargains. Parking in the Village was hard to come by and at Pamela Robbins, customers began lining up outside in the drizzle, 45 minutes before the doors opened at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning, eager to be among the first to shop the annual event. Many of the Village's retailers participated in the sale, which ran from 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, through the close of business on Saturday, August 1. Undeterred by the rain, shoppers happily browsed racks, tables, and bins filled with discounted merchandise throughout the Village.
Customers lined up in the rain early for first dibs at Pamela Robbins.
Each store put its own spin on the sale. Rothmans drew shoppers with tents lining the sidewalk, where racks and tables were filled with discounted menswear. Great Stuff displayed merchandise with large display signs using original price scales with corresponding sale prices making it easy for shoppers to see their savings. Holsten Jewelers offered a storewide percentage discount, while I Am More and Mixology invited bargain hunters to dig through bins and racks of specially marked sale items. Some retailers took their sales outdoors, while others, despite the event's name, chose to keep most of their merchandise inside. Whether shoppers browsed under tents on the sidewalk or inside the stores, they found plenty of deals throughout the Village.
Ken Giddon and Samantha Reemer
By the second and third days, the rain had given way to sunshine, and shopper turnout remained strong, proving that enthusiasm for the annual sale wasn't dependent on the weather.
For many Scarsdale residents, the annual Sidewalk Sale has become a midsummer tradition and much more than just a shopping event. Shoppers plan for the event weeks in advance, marking it on their calendars long before it begins. The dates are promoted through outdoor signage, social media, and coverage on Scarsdale10583.com, while details of the sale also spread through word of mouth as friends encourage friends to shop together and make a day of the event. The combination of familiar retailers, longtime traditions, and community enthusiasm has helped make the Scarsdale Sidewalk Sale a much anticipated Village event each summer.
Ken Giddon, owner of Rothmans and President of the Scarsdale Business Alliance, wasn't sure exactly when the first Scarsdale Sidewalk Sale was held, but he is certain the tradition dates back decades.
"The Sidewalk Sale was a great success once again," Giddon said. "We love to see the commerce, but also the community. It is a great way for the businesses to connect with each other and residents. So much fun. Shout out to the efforts of Village Manager Alex Marshall, Steve Shallo, and SBA Executive Director Sam Reemer for their tireless work on this."
Samantha Reemer, Executive Director of the Scarsdale Business Alliance and one of the organizers of the event, was pleased with the turnout. Throughout the three-day event, she made the rounds, checking in with participating merchants and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
"The Sidewalk Sale was a tremendous success and a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support the local merchants who contribute so much to Scarsdale throughout the year," Reemer said. "Seeing so many people shopping, connecting, and enjoying the Village was a wonderful reminder of how deeply our community values its local businesses."
Scarsdale Democrats Rally in Support of Cait Conley for CD-17
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Alissa Baum and Myra Saul, Co-Chairs of the Scarsdale DemocratsOne of the hottest Congressional races to watch is happening north of Scarsdale, where Democrats are determined to win back Congressional District 17, now represented by Republican Mike Lawler. Though Scarsdale residents cannot vote in that race, many local Democrats have focused their energy on supporting Democratic candidate Cait Conley who won the Democratic primary.
Conley is ready for the fight. She is a decorated combat veteran and national security expert who attended West Point and served 16 years as an active duty Army officer, deployed six times to keep Americans safe and later led counterterrorism efforts on the White House National Security Council and at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
On Thursday July 23, Scarsdale Democrats gathered for the Scarsdale Democrats annual fundraiser at the home of Joy Brownstein and David Chalfin in Sherbrooke Park. State Assemblymember Amy Paulin led off the event, urging the group to “help the Scarsdale Democrats to help the greater community.”
Congressman George Latimer, who represents Congressional District 16, came directly to the meeting from Amtrak. He said, “Being in Congress is not a nice place now. Usually you say “send in the Marines”- now why don’t we say, “Send in the Army.” He urged the crowd to turn the tables by “Giving us Cait Conley and a few more Democrats.”
Myra Saul, Co-Chair of the Scarsdale Democrats commented on the dire state of our democracy, saying, “It is safe to say that things have not gotten better since our last summer fundraiser. The Trump presidency is in free fall –from a disastrous war of choice, an economy that does not work for too many Americans, cuts to 
Michelle Lichtenberg, Amy Paulin and Susan RossMedicaid and SNAP benefits, corruption, incompetence and tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. All that and his attacks on immigrants, science, the arts and the rule of law have made him so destructive to our democracy. Throughout it all, the Republican Congress has shrunk from its responsibilities of oversight and has been his unquestioning partner. And, in the wake of so many failures and seeing his approval rating plummet, Trump’s latest strategy is to sow doubt in the sanctity of our elections and threaten federal interference in them. “
Saul continued, “We cannot be distracted or intimidated. Tonight, we turn to the midterm elections because this is our opportunity to start a new dialogue between the executive and the legislative branches of government. That dialogue that can only start with a Democratic Congress.”
Alissa Baum introduced Conley, saying “And this is where our featured speaker, CD-17 Candidate Cait Conley, comes in. She is in THE key race to help Democrats get the House back by defeating Republican Congressman Mike Lawler.
Conley is a compelling speaker, who clearly honed her skills in the military. She gave a rallying cry for support, saying this election is about “The values that define us as a nation… we are talking about the future of American democracy and the future of America itself.”
“We are fighting against greed corruption, racist and cruel ideology. In Rockland, Haitians who are here legally and pay taxes … who work in our hospitals and as caregivers are having their TPS status revoked.”
Cait Conley“I did six tours of duty and I am here to fight for an America where people live in hope, not fear… where the rule of law applies to the President.”
“Mike Lawler votes Donald Trump’s way. The war is costing us American service members and we are paying the price at the pump.”
About Lawler she said, “While he got paid, we got screwed.”
“America’s best day as a nation are still ahead of us but we have to do the work.”
“When I was in an airborne unit where we jumped out of an airplane, the most senior paratrooper was the first one out the door – because courage is contagious. When it comes to sacrifice, risk and even harm, that is courage. Ordinary people have met the moment and prevailed. Because America was worth fighting for. This country is up to us. When we choose courage, we prevail.
We’ve got one heck of a fight on our hands. It’s a fight I can win – but I cannot win on my own. Please choose courage.”
Co-chair Myra Saul said, “Let’s turn back to the election. “Wanting” a return to democracy and the rule of law isn’t sufficient. Nor is ‘wishing’. Democratic candidates need your money —yes—but they also need your energy. Volunteer for a candidate. Get involved. Do something. This is the way to bring about change and get our country back!!! Our email is scarsdaledems@gmail.com.
Joy Brownstein, Ira Schuman and Dave Chalfin
Also in attendance were Democrats from throughout the county including, “State Senator Shelley Mayer, County Legislator Jenn Puja, County Legislator Judah Holstein, White Plains Mayor Justin Brasch, Former County Legislator Ben Boykin, Former Scarsdale Mayor Jon Mark, Scarsdale Village Trustee Tim Foley, and former Scarsdale Village Trustee Seth Ross.
Ben Boykin with George and Robin LatimerCandidates for State Supreme Court included: Justice Maria Rosa, a current Supreme Court Justice seeking re-election; County Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice George Fufidio; Alden Wolfe, current majority leader in the Rockland County Legislature; Bill Gianaris; Sara Beaty; Natasha Ginzburg; Josephine Trovini; and Rye Town Judge Jane Lippman.
Judicial aspirants included: Michelle Calvi for Westchester County Court and Judith Berger Efaro for Westchester Family Court.
