A Holiday Carol in Six Languages
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- Written by Bill Doescher
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LIA Students and Teachers Singing Silent Night in their Own Languages SimultaneouslyIt could have been held at the United Nations on the eastside of Manhattan.
But it wasn’t.
It actually happened in the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale. During the singing of the classical Silent Night Christmas Carol at the church’s Living in America (LIA) 2024 Christmas event last Thursday morning, December 19, the students and the teachers sang in their native tongues during the second time around after all had sung the first verse only in English.
Remarkable: All at the same time in English, Chinese, Farsi, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian. Some exciting sight to behold and hear.
Confusing, no.
Spectacular? Unusual? Amazing? Only in America?
LIA Students Accompanying O Little Town of Bethlehem on the Handchimes.
For sure, yes, all of the above, and certainly something to write home about to the students’ relatives in their home countries.
LIA at Hitchcock is indeed one of the best-kept secrets in Scarsdale. It has been highly successful for more than 49 years, filing a bunch of rooms at the church on Thursday mornings for very professional give-and-take classes during the school year.
According to Church Member Diane Gismond, the LIA lead coordinator at Hitchcock, “Many of the students describe Thursday mornings as the highlight of their week and are extremely sad to leave us when they move back to their home countries.” Gismond also is one of the 13 volunteer teachers in the program.
Students Singing Gift Wrapped.
Hitchcock offers LIA as a courteous and warm place for the students to learn about American culture, make friends, and study English as a second language. There are currently 80 students from China, Colombia, Georgia, Iran, Japan, Peru, Russia, Spain and Taiwan. Fifty-six percent of those students have attended the program for at least two program years and several for many more.
Watching the classes in action and viewing the smiles all around, it is obvious that there’s no question LIA is a win-win for everybody.
Photos by Diane Gismond.
Drones Abuzz Over Scarsdale: What Do You Think?
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Reports of drones buzzing overhead in Quaker Ridge and Greenacres on Thursday and Friday nights have residents on edge. The drones are loud enough to notice and well lit. They are flying over residential neighborhoods in the dark. The question is, why?
A Sage Terrace resident told us she was walking her dog around 6:30 pm on Thursday night December 12 when she heard and then saw a drone circulating above her home. She said it was loud, and lit up and flying lower than a helicoptor. She grabbed her camera and took a video.
And Scarsdale is not alone. There have been reports of drones sited in New Jersey, New York City, Northern Westchester, New Rochelle and Mamaroneck too. The situation was strange enough to cause the Scarsdale Police to issue this notification on Everbridge at 10:40 pm on Friday night December 13:
“The Scarsdale Police Department has received reports of potential drone sightings in the area. The matter is currently being investigated in collaboration with other state and federal law enforcement agencies. There is no evidence of any threat to public safety. If you observe any drone activity and if you have any relevant photos or videos, please contact the Scarsdale Police Department at 914-722-1200. Information obtained will be shared with the New York State Intelligence Center.
We reached out to Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest on December 14 and he too was perplexed.
He said, “I’ve communicated directly with County Executive George Latimer, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Senator Shelley Mayer as well as Senator Gillibrand’s office. We are all working on it. The Scarsdale Police Department is compiling data from residents on potential sightings and we will share that information with our state and federal law enforcement counterparts. We need answers and will keep pushing until we get them.”
Governor Kathy Hochul is also seeking answers. On Saturday December 14 she said that an airport in Orange County had to be shut down for an hour on Friday night due to the drones. She said, “"Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace.” She said, “This has gone too far.”
Did you spot the drones? What do you think is going on? Share your thoughts in the comment section below:
Dr. King Talks About Handel’s Messiah
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- Written by Bill Doescher
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He was in the wrong place.
It wasn’t the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale where for decades he has directed the Chancel Choir and other church choirs as well as for “over-the-top” performances of the New Choral Society as artistic director and conductor.
But there was Dr. John T. King anyway on Wednesday evening, November 20th in The Clark Room in his full-time Minister of Music role for the church’s third “Kairos” gathering lecturing, not directing, about Handel’s Messiah, “often thought of as one of the greatest musical expressions of Christian faith ever composed.”
Prior to the event, Dr. King, a Ph.D. with multiple years of experience as a guest conductor for several American Guild of Organists workshops and choral festivals, as well as performing at other concerts throughout the United States and Europe, had said he planned to “discuss reasons why this music has become so popular and why it is loved from both a sacred and profane point of view. My hope is that this (the discussion) will bring (to you) an even greater understanding and appreciation during your listening of this annual classic.”
With the piano repositioned in the room for the event, and Church Member Steve Taylor, a bass of long-standing in the Chancel Choir and among the New Choral Society singers at the ready as his multi-media consultant, Dr. King didn’t disappoint the packed crowd in The Clark Room and many more from across the Village and around the U.S. on Zoom.
As the crowd, made-up of Hitchcock members, choir singers, visitors and Zoom attendees soon learned, Dr. King, with a bachelor of music degree from the University of Louisville, master of music degree from Yale University and a doctor of musical arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, all in organ, is no stranger to the speaking circuit.
He has taught at Concordia College, lectured at the Scarsdale Adult School and often talked at the Scarsdale Woman’s Club, as well as a long list of out-of-town places about a plethora of music subjects.
He's a pro’s pro just as he will show once again with baton in hand directing the New Choral Society’s Messiah, Part of the First, on Friday, December 6 at 8 p.m., and again on Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m., already a sell-out.
During Dr. King’s impressive and detailed 60-minute stand-up presentation without notes on Wednesday November 20, he explored the great work of the Messiah’s musical expression and biblical prophecy.
In addition, he discussed “Handel’s use of the sacred texts, how they were chosen, and some of the musical devices of the time, and how he used these to create what is often considered one of the greatest sacred compositions ever composed and the most performed worldwide at this time of year.”
Dr. King, literally a walking music encyclopedia in his particular area of expertise, also noted that Handel’s Messiah during the upcoming holiday season will be performed no less than 300 times in New York State alone.
Georg Friedrich Handel, who was born in 1685 and died in 1759, would have been more than pleased with Dr. King’s recent lecture and the magnificent versions of the Messiah performed at Hitchcock by the New Choral Society over the years during the holiday seasons.
For some it has always launched the holiday season. And always will.
Non-Profit Secures Long-Term Contract To Operate Greenburgh Nature Center Until 2050
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The Town of Greenburgh and Nunataks Ltd., the non-profit organization behind the Greenburgh Nature Center, are thrilled to announce the signing of a new long-term agreement ensuring the Nature Center will continue to thrive under Nunataks’ leadership through December 2050. This renewed commitment marks an exciting new chapter for the cherished 33-acre landscape and its vital role in the community.
Since 1975, Nunataks Ltd. has been the driving force behind the public-private partnership with the Town of Greenburgh, overseeing the care of more than 100 animals that call the Nature Center home, maintaining its picturesque grounds, and delivering environmental education programs that inspire thousands each year. Thanks to a groundswell of community support, the agreement was renewed and underscores the importance of protecting this unique resource for generations to come.
“This long-term contract allows us to focus on what we do best — offering innovative educational programming, protecting wildlife, and preserving the natural beauty of the Greenburgh Nature Center,” says Tracey Kurzweil, president of the Board of Directors of Nunataks Ltd. “We are deeply grateful to the Town of Greenburgh and our supporters for recognizing the importance of environmental education and conservation.”
“The members of the Greenburgh Town Board are thrilled to renew our valuable partnership with Nunataks Ltd.,” states Paul Feiner, Town of Greenburgh supervisor. “The new contract will enable the Nature Center, a wonderful, inviting oasis in the heart of Greenburgh, to make unparalleled contributions to our entire community.”
The Greenburgh Nature Center is not just a haven for wildlife; it’s a resource for everyone. Its trails, demonstration gardens, and exhibits provide visitors of all ages with opportunities to connect with nature and learn about the world around them. The Nature Center’s educational programs play a crucial role in fostering environmental stewardship, offering hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire action.
“This is a place where families can gather, students can learn, and individuals can recharge in nature,” says Alix Dunn, executive director. “As we look to the future, we are committed to ensuring that the Nature Center remains an accessible and enriching resource for all.”
With the contract secured, Nunataks Ltd. is gearing up for an extraordinary celebration of the Nature Center’s 50th anniversary in 2025. Plans are already underway to expand programming for all age groups and make significant upgrades to the grounds and exhibits, further enhancing the visitor experience and the Nature Center’s environmental impact.
“A Nature Center is more than a destination. It’s a living classroom, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a hub for community connection,” adds Ms. Dunn. “This long-term agreement allows us to dream bigger and do more for our community.”
For nearly half a century, the Greenburgh Nature Center has been a cornerstone of environmental education in the region, inspiring countless visitors to appreciate and protect the natural world. With this renewed partnership, the Nature Center’s future is brighter than ever.
About Greenburgh Nature Center
Greenburgh Nature Center is a 33-acre preserve in Greenburgh, NY, operated by Nunataks Ltd. in partnership with the Town of Greenburgh. Home to over 100 animals and an array of gardens, trails, and exhibits, the Nature Center offers engaging environmental education programs for people of all ages. The Nature Center is committed to inspiring environmental stewardship, promoting biodiversity, and providing a space where the community can connect with nature.
For more information about the Greenburgh Nature Center visit: www.greenburghnaturecenter.org
Mayor Responds to Questions About the Closing of DeCicco's in Scarsdale
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(Updated 11/9 at 3:20 PM)
This letter was written by Alison Rose:
Dear Mayor Arest,
There is an opportunity for you to serve Scarsdale creatively.
As you may know, DeCicco's in Scarsdale is going to be closing its doors next Friday, November 15. It is the only grocery store in Scarsdale where there are many elderly people who do need it and who may or may not be able to drive. There are also apartment dwellers on Garth Road who I see walk to DeCiccos regularly.
The landlord, Rush Wilson, has been approached by the Scarsdale DeCicco family trying to negotiate the large size of the rent, to no avail. Mr. Wilson is local, with an office at 14 Harwood Court.
There is another DeCicco family who have a large number of stores throughout Westchester, and I spoke to one of its Eastchester managers about this opportunity in Scarsdale. Perhaps you could bring the different parties, Rush Wilson and DeCicco Eastchester, together to try to reinstate a fundamental need of the Village - a grocery store.
There are times when serving the absolute needs of the people should inspire some generosity, or at least flexibility, on the part of the landlord. The rents in Scarsdale should not be so excessive that stores close a few years after they open, which commonly happens. Scarsdale should aspire to be a caring community.
Sincerely yours,
Alison Rose
Walbrooke Road
Mayor Justin Arest responded:
Good afternoon, Ms. Rose.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts. I deeply appreciate your recognition of the vital role that the diverse offerings in our Village Center play in enriching the lives of our residents.
I want to assure you that I have been in regular communication with Mr. Wilson and his grandsons. They are diligently working toward a long-term solution that will benefit our community, and the Village remains committed to supporting our merchant community.
While I’m unable to share specific details at this time, I am optimistic that Scarsdale Improvement Corp. will have positive updates to share in the coming days.
Thank you again for your engagement and concern for our Village.
Best,
Justin
Justin Arest
Mayor
Editor's note: Calls to Scarsdale Improvement Corp., who owns the property, were not returned.
