Holiday Cheer in Scarsdale
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Scarsdale got into the holiday spirit with shopping and feasting around town. Her are photos of a few holiday boutiques and the Scarsdale Seniors luncheon in Scarsdale:
Scarsdale Small Business residents and SHS Alumni celebrate the holiday season with a boutique at Micheline, hosted by restaurant owner Jonathan Aubrey and Ashley Badger of Julia B Fee Sotheby’s on Monday December 9, 2024.
Pictured above are Lauren Zinzi, Meredith Wing, MooMooi, Rachel Schmerin, Whigstock Studio, Jonathan Aubrey, Micheline, Lauren Goldman, byGoldGirl, Cinthia Boni Cordioli, Campo Collection, Ashley Badger, Julia B Fee Sothebys, Haley Jordan, Monarch Market, Nicole Vallario, Falena, Isabelle Alix, OffTrack, Lindsay Roth: Photo by Mark Jessamy
On Thursday December 19, Scarsdale Seniors gathered at the Girl Scout House for a international pot luck lunch. There was sumptious contributions of many holiday specialties. State Assemblymember Amy Paulin was on hand along with an interpreter.
The Women of Reform Judaism drew a crowd for their holiday boutique on Tuesday December 10 at Westchester Reform Temple. Holiday vendors brought stationary, sweaters, jewelry, hats, gloves, housewares, Judaica, baby clothes, cheeseboards, mah jongg and canasta accessories and lots more.
A wonderful prelude to Hanukkah and Christmas.
Who Was Catherine Romer, Formerly Catherine Heller of Scarsdale?
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The former Heathcote Inn on Popham Road. Catherine's former husband, Frank Heller, developed 50 Popham Road and 2 Overhill Road. Photo by Harold Haliday Costain in the Scarsdale Public Library collection.
(Updated December 4, 2024) By now you have all read about the discovery of a 1978 Lincoln Continental submerged in a Georgia Pond that is believed to contain the remains of Charles and Catherine Romer, formerly of Scarsdale. The story goes that the two retirees were driving from Florida to Scarsdale in April 1980 when they mysteriously disappeared after checking into the Brunswick Holiday Inn in Glynn County, Georgia. Catherine was said to be wearing $81,000 in jewelry at the time of her disappearance so foul play was suspected. Still missing in 1985 the couple was declared dead, The case remained unsolved for 44 years and continued to haunt the family. Now investigators surmise that they accidentally drove into a retention pond near the hotel.
Frank and Catherine Heller lived at 27Kensington Road.There is lots more online about the couple, but little about their life in Scarsdale. Who were Catherine Heller and Charles Romer?
It turns out that the two widowers had married a few years earlier after the deaths of their respective spouses. Catherine Blanchard Heller was formerly married to Frank Heller and they lived in Fox Meadow at 27 Kensington Road. Frank, a successful businessman played a pivotal role in the development of Scarsdale.
A postcard from the Heathcote Inn
A review of historic articles from the Scarsdale Inquirer shows that Frank Heller developed both the apartment building at 50 Popham Road and the office building at 2 Overhill Road. At the time of their death, the Romer’s lived at 50 Popham Road and Catherine was said to be the owner of the building.
Heller initially purchased the Heathcote Inn – pictured here, that stood where 50 Popham Road is now located. He got permission to build an apartment building there along with the office building at 2 Overhill Road in October 1952. At the time, he sold the Village a strip of property in order to accommodate the widening of Popham Road.
Here is what the articles say:
August 1952:
“The Village Board has received from Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Heller of Kensington Rd., owners of the old Heathcote Inn property, a price of $15,000 on the 10-foot strip which the village seeks to acquire for the widening of Popham Rd. at the side of the Heller property.”
And in October 1952:
With the ironing out of the last problems, a building permit was issued this week to Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Heller of Kensington Rd. for the erection of the apartment and office building on Popham and Overhill Rds. Trustee Arthur S. Meyer, together with Village Attorney Richard Tilden and Village Manager Reeves Newsom, met with Mr. Heller and Rene Leveille last Friday night for final negotiation on the price of the 10-foot strip which the village wished to purchase for the widening of Popham Rd. Original asking price was $15,000 and at a special Village Board meeting on Saturday morning the price agreed to was set at ($B5OO) ?. Also agreed upon was the straightening of the line on Overhill Rd. in front of the office building. The owners will pave the widened road, give an easement for sidewalks and install them at their own expense. The village will pay for the widening of Popham Rd., which is expected to be done some time next year.”
We also found this photo of the groundbreaking for the new apartment building, which includes Frank Heller Jr., representing his father.
Caption: At ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Heathcote Inn apartments and office building last week are from left to right: Leo Zamory, project engineer; Joseph Sibley, Jr„ architect; Mrs. Rene T Leveille S J Some Title Co. official; Peter W. Quinn, attorney for the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Heller Jr;. Mr. Leveille builder Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heller, Jr., and Lawrence Labriola in the bulldozer.
The article explains, "Mr. Quinn, who was the principal speaker, outlined the history of the old Heathcote Inn which was built after the close of the Civil War, and the plans for the new buildings which will rise in its place."
Tragedy Strikes
However, this is not the end of the story. During the construction of the office building at 2 Overhill Road in July 1953, a tragic accident occurred. Three workmen were killed and ten were hospitalized when the building collapsed. According to a report in the Scarsdale Inquirer, workers were pouring concrete on the fourth floor of the building when the timber props holding up the fourth floor collapsed. The concrete fall from the fourth floor brought down sections of the third, second and first floors and buried workers in the rubble. The article calls it, "the worst catastrophe in Scarsdale history."
Last, Heller’s obituary from May 10, 1965 notes his extensive involvement in the Village but does not detail the collapse of 2 Overhill Road. It says:
"Frank J. Heller of 50 Popham) Road died May 10, 1965 at Lawrence Hospital. Bronxville, at the age, of 72. He had been a Scarsdale* resident for 35 years. A former president of Raymond and Heller, importers in New) York, he was the owner of 2 Overhill Road, Scarsdale and had served as board chairman of several real estate firms. Mr. Heller was a member of the Knights of Malta and the [Knights of the Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, lie was a trustee of lona College, St. Vincent's Hospital and Marymount Junior College in Boca Raton. Fla., and a member of the Scarsdale Golf Club. A requiem mass was said this morning. Thursday, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where he was a parishioner. Surviving are his wife, the former Catherine Blanchfield, a son, Frank B. of Bedford, brother, two sisters and eight grandchildren."
Scarsdale Boys Soccer Team Advances to the AAA Finals
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Connor Meschewski (19) runs to the student section to celebrate his goal.The top-seeded Scarsdale High School Boys soccer team beat a tough Ossining team in an exciting semifinal match on 10-31 at Butler Field. They now move on to the Section 1 class AAA finals against 3rd-seeded Arlington. The finals take place at Lakeland High School on Sunday November 3.
The Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the first half with a goal by junior forward Connor Meschewski but Ossining tied it up and then Scarsdale went ahead for good after a break-away goal by senior midfielder Daniel Cisneros midway through the second half. Final scored: Scarsdale 2 Ossining 1.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
Senior captain midfielder Lev Stahl (14) battles with Ossining goalie on a corner kick.
Senior captain defender Zachary Grossberg (6) strikes a volley.
Senior captain forward Lorenzo Galeano (10) shields the defender to control the ball.
Senior defender Matias Garcia (5) makes a slide tackle to stop his opponent from dribbling.
Danniel Cisneros (11) calmly shoots and scores the go-ahead goal for Scarsdale.
Danniel Cisneros (11) calmly shoots and scores the go-ahead goal for Scarsdale.
Danniel Cisneros (11) calmly shoots and scores the go-ahead goal for Scarsdale.
Junior midfielder PJ Rosenthal (30) advances the ball downfield.
The Raiders celebrate their win with fans in the student section.
There's No Stopping the Raiders Boys Soccer Team
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The Scarsdale team poses with the Section 1 championship banner.The top-seeded Scarsdale High boys soccer team is moved on to the state championship playoffs. They won the Section 1 class AAA championship game on Sunday November 3 at Lakeland High School holding off a strong Arlington team by the score of 3-2. From there they moved on to their first playoff game in the state tournament on Wednesday November 6 where they met Elmira High School at Hendrick Hudson High School and beat Elmira 5-2.
Photos by Dave Taber of Shots of the Game.
To see more game photos and/or download photos, please visit https://www.shotsofthegame.com/
Senior captain forward Leo Khang (20) races past his defender.
Senior defender Matias Garcia (5) flies through the air as he eyes his kick.
Senior captain forward Lorenzo Galeano (10) scores on a free kick.
Sophomore defender Ethan Grossberg (23) makes a controlled pass.
Senior midfielder Danniel Cisneros (11) controls the ball.
Senior captain midfielder Lev Stahl (14) concentrates on his kick.
Lorenzo Galeano (10) goes up for a header on a corner kick.
Senior Goalie Logan Lim (1) stops an Arlington shot on goal.
Lorenzo Galeano (10) competes for the ball with his opponent.
Leo Khang (20) celebrates his goal.
Lev Stahl (14) barely beats his opponent to the ball.
The Raiders celebrate and raise their championship trophy.
New Choral Society Begins 31st Season
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The New Choral Society opens their 31st season with a sold-out performance of Mozart and Bach. (Photo credit: Tony Allen Photography)Complete Success! Those two words most accurately describe the performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ‘s Solemn Vespers, K. 339 and Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat, BWV 243 as the New Choral Society (NCS) of Scarsdale opened its 31st consecutive season on a beautiful fall afternoon last Sunday in the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue.
One could only imagine hearing the same well-coordinated and melodious music-making in Carnegie Hall or the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. But it wasn’t. It was Scarsdale after all.
It was indeed another special NCS event all around beginning with an introduction and warm welcome by Erica Westcott Kelly, executive director, who is also an alto among the NCS singers, and well-known local photographer Tony Allen quietly snapping photos behind every pillar in the sanctuary and on the balcony.
King the Maestro
As usual, the most energetic maestro, Dr. John T. King, artistic director and conductor, who founded NCS in 1994, was leading with his baton the all-auditioned, volunteer chorus of 48 singers from Westchester County and surrounding areas, 20 members of the orchestra in different configurations for the two pieces, and four youthful-looking and strong-performing soloists.
Three of them were appearing by permission of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera. All soloists had excellent and strong voices that could easily be heard throughout the sanctuary, including the balcony, as they performed in quartets, threesomes, twosomes and solo.
Attending and watching her three singers at the concert was Dr. Frayda Lindemann, who greeted them backstage following the concert. She is a trustee of Brown University, president emeritus of the Metropolitan Opera and a past chairman of Opera America. Together with her husband, the late George Lindemann, she established the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera.
Jazmine Saunders, soprano, seemed to draw a little more applause from the audience, but from the smiling faces in the audience, it was obvious that the three others were much appreciated and well received as well. They were Lindsay Martin, mezzo-soprano, Ben Reisinger, tenor, and Wm. Clay Thompson, bass.
The young lady and young man, children of one of the NCS singers, Soprano Emera LaSalle, who delivered the bouquet of flowers of appreciation to them at the end of the performance, didn’t discriminate. In a real family affair, husband John ushers for the concerts and their daughter Eleanora was the youth soloist in a previous concert.
Saunders, a soprano from Rochester, NY, currently is in her first year in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. During the Met’s 2024-25 season, she will make her company debut as Barbarina in Le Nozzle di Figaro. Martin, mezzo soprano, from California, also is currently in the Lindemann program, where she will make her Met debut as the Countess Ceprano in Bartlett Sher’s production of Rigoletto.
Reisinger, a tenor also from Rochester, NY, is the third soloist from Lindemann. During the Met’s 2024-25 season he will cover the Seatwarmer in the company premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s new opera Grounded. Thompson, bass, a native of Lexington, KY, has been praised by Opera News for his “mahogany timbred voice.” During his tenure as a Ryan Opera Center artist at Lyric Opera of Chicago, he sang the roles of Zuniga in Carmen and the King in Aida.
Dr. John T. King and Dr. Frayda Lindemann backstage with soloists Wm. Clay Thompson, Lindsay Martin, Jazmine Saunders, and Ben Reisinger.
Messiah Coming in December
As always, NCS, as part of its 2024-2025 season, will usher in the holiday season with its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, Part I on Friday, December 6 and Sunday, December 8. An evening of Chamber Music will showcase its orchestra and an all-instrumental program on Saturday, February 8, followed by the season finale of Handel’s Israel in Egypt on Sunday, May 4.
In her note to the music lovers in the event’s program, Betsy Hills Bush, the NCS President of the Board, made notice of the previously unannounced “Partners in Music” program NCS launched with a presentation at The Osborn (in Rye), when NCS screened the live HD recording of the organization’s 2022 performance of Mozart’s Requiem. She said, “’The Partners in Music’ program is our way of bringing our high-quality musical offerings to those in senior residential facilities. Anyone interested in bringing the New Choral Society’s ‘Partners in Music’ to their residential facility at no cost is encouraged to contact our office for more information.”
