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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Category: The Goods

Published: 27 May 2024

Sarah Bell and Omer WiczykHow can the Village keep a 120 year old organization vital and relevant? That was on the minds of the leadership of the Scarsdale Forum when they held their annual meeting on Thursday night May 23, 2024 to pass the leadership gavel from current President Sarah Bell to this year’s President Omer Wiczyk.

The Forum, originally called the TVCC, has seen its mission morph over the years. The TVCC formerly acted as unelected overseers of Scarsdale’s Non-Partisan Process, placing 11 selected members of the Procedure Committee that governed the election of Village Trustees. The Citizens Nominating Committee was chaired by two members of the TVCC rather than elected by the nominators who were elected in a general vote. All that changed and now the leadership of the Citizens Nominating Committee is voted on by the members, and the Procedure Committee is led by those who have completed three years of service on the CNC.

Now the Forum’s mission is to “provide a platform for meaningful community dialogue about municipal, school and related civic affairs. Forum activities and committee work afford members a variety of opportunities to be informed, to express personal views and to become involved in addressing the issues, choices and solutions that directly impact our community.” The group produces in-depth reports on issues such as education, downtown development and sustainability that are submitted to the Board of Education and Village Board for review.

At the May 23 meeting, departing President Sarah Bell described her efforts to “move the Forum into a new generation.” She said, “It wasn’t an easy year. It was hard. It seemed like we didn’t want to move into the future.” However, working to facilitate “inclusive engagement,” they recruited eight new board members and formed the Scarsdale Forum Youth Advisory Panel to engage youth in civic affairs. She recognized six high school students in the audience calling them, “interesting, interested and engaged.”

She also mentioned publication of their “mini focus” newsletter, saying it was the most opened publication in five years.

She welcomed incoming President Omer Wiczyk to the podium and said she was excited for the future.

Forum members and students with Amy Paulin and Shelley Mayer.

Wiczyk thanked Bell for her energy and laughed saying, “We are going to have an Instagram account!”

Taking the stage he said, “I have dedicated my life to public service – I believe that by volunteering you can make your community a better place. We are all on the same page. We may disagree about how – but we all want to move forward. One of my themes will be civility.
He invited Forum members to participate, saying “I want to hear ideas on what we should change – and should not change. Inclusivity is vital when change is afoot.”

He welcomed the evenings speakers, State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and State Senator Shelley Mayer who offered comments on what’s going on in NYS government and on their priorities this year.

Amy Paulin referred to the struggle to reach compromise in Albany saying, “We battle and we move forward.” She said that the COVID crisis had decreased contact between members and results in antagonism. Now she said, “civility has returned because we see one another.”Paulin addressed the group on a wide range of state and local issues.

She noted that our districts two representatives are responsible for 87% of the state budget, with Paulin chairing the Assembly’s health committee and Mayer, chairing the Senate’s education committee. She discussed the drawn out fight over redistricting, restoring funding for cuts in the health care budget and challenges to the CDPAP program which allows residents to receive benefits for caring for relatives at home.

Paulin brought up two bills she is sponsoring that she is working hard to get passed this session. One she calls the Harvey Weinstein bill as it was prompted when Weinstein’s rape conviction was overturned in New York. This bill would allow the court to admit evidence that a defendant has committed any prior sexual assaults in a criminal proceeding in which a defendant is accused of sexual assault.

Second, Paulin is championing a bill called “Aid in Dying,” to allow terminally ill patients to request pharmaceuticals for the purpose of speeding up their deaths and providing legal protections to the physicians who prescribe them.

Turning to local issues, Paulin is working with Mayer to pass legislation to allow the Village of Scarsdale to refund tax fees and penalties that were incurred due to a post office failure. She is also working on legislation to assist Scarsdale Village Ambulance Corps and on another bill to help non-profits collect funds.

She is working on getting funding to alleviate flooding on the Hutchinson River Parkway and to prevent Lake Isle in New Rochelle from overflowing and damaging property.

On a personal note, she choked back tears as she announced plans to move to New Rochelle after 44 years in Scarsdale. She said, “it is an understatement to say that I am devastated. I will never feel as connected to another community as I am now.” She said, “I will always say that this is my home.”

County Executive George LatimerState Senator Shelley Mayer explained that she represents a “big, complicated district.” In the Senate she said there are 42 Democrats where “everyone has their own opinion but they pull it all together.” She said, “with strong leaders we move in the right direction.”

Turning to the issues she is working on she discussed the following:

-We are re-visiting the state funding formula. School districts like Scarsdale receive very little funding. The formula is out of date. Districts in Long Island receive more. We need a fairer way for the state to pay out based on need.

She gave credit to Scarsdale for passing the school budget saying, “It is a sign of support for education when a district passes a budget above the state tax cap.”

She is in favor of a bill to have one ex-officio student on each school board.

Security : She said that some school districts have hired off duty police for school security and she is working with the Governor to get money for security for those schools.

About the state university system she vowed, “We will invest in SUNY and CUNY schools and increase the TAP awards.”

About dissent on college campuses, she said, “We have to do more at colleges to make sure students don’t feel afraid. We need to come up with effective solutions and better policies.

She discussed new legislation to increase the list of crimes that can be termed hate crimes.

She expressed concern about brazen retail theft and a feeling of lawlessness. They have proposed to make it a crime to assault a retail worker and to make it legal to aggregate the amount of items stolen to add up to $1,000 to go from petty to grand larceny. Last there is a proposal to offer a tax break for small businesses that have increases in costs due to security.

She expressed support for the passage of the ERA amendment and also proposed the creation of a senior cabinet officer for flood management, or a “flood czar,” to go to on the state level to address flooding.

County Executive George Latimer surprised the group by stopping in as well. He’s been working hard as an advocate for Westchester County while also campaigning to represent Congressional District 16 in Congress. The primary is on June 25, 2024.

The meeting offered a bird’s eye view on what’s going on in Scarsdale, the county and the state from some hardworking representatives.

Also elected to lead the Scarsdale Forum are the following:

1st VP/President-Elect: Jill Spielberg
2nd VP: Alexandra Vargo
Treasurer: Elaine Weir
Secretary: Jeanne-Marie Castiello

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Written by Eian Tsou

Category: The Goods

Published: 05 June 2024

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

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Written by Lisa VanGundy

Category: The Goods

Published: 20 May 2024

Megan Simon with her family.At a festive gala Thursday, May 16 at the Scarsdale Golf Club, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service (SFCS) lauded their staff, volunteers and community partners and awarded Megan Simon the 2024 Rising Star Award in recognition of her active history as a volunteer, leader and contributor to many Scarsdale organizations. The annual Rising Star Award recognizes leaders in the Scarsdale Community who have demonstrated dedicated, impactful and active community service.

Executive Director Jay Genova acknowledged SFCS’ 104 years of service to the individuals, families and communities of Scarsdale and Edgemont and thanked local, Executive Director Jay Genovacounty, state and school board officials for their dedication to SFCS partnerships and their dedication to the mission. Without community support, this work would not be possible. SFCS functions in a spirit of partnership for the benefit of the entire community with counseling services, parent support groups, vital aging in place initiatives, and has staffed the school district with mental health professionals. Through the new child services division, children are being cared for by using modalities of art to soothe stress, which requires space, materials and talented staff. Improving health, safety and wellness of families and children is in the organization’s DNA. Jay highlighted the importance of community support for these programs.

Amy Nadasdi thanked Jay, who she said runs the organization with integrity, kindness, patience and skill. She also lauded the extraordinary Gala committee, led by Wendy Gendel for the evening’s gathering. She said, “Organizing an event like this is a major challenge, and, to Wendy and your Gala committee, I know you’ve put your collective hearts and souls into this effort.” She also thanked the sponsors and vendors who contributed to the successful event.

Kathy Stahler introduced Megan Simon who she said has risen to leadership with drive and determination, and has contributed greatly to Scarsdale schools and the community at large.

Jordan and Lisa Copeland, the previous recipients of the Rising Star Award, presented this year’s award to Megan Simon.

Megan thanked the many people who helped pick up her kids so she could spend so much time volunteering. She’s had success in college and her professional career by virtue of living and growing up in Scarsdale. She also mentioned the importance of volunteering and giving back. She said, “students benefit when we all work together. Positive change is possible, and kids benefit from being in the school community. Our children deserve the best support possible. Volunteering is a passion. SFCS embodies the qualities of commitment, kindness and collaboration and gives back to the community. You get joy from helping others and being part of a wonderful organization.”

Megan thanked everyone in attendance and said, “none of this happens without a village, and this is the best village.”

About Megan Simon
Meg Simon (nee Wolters) grew up in Scarsdale, attending Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale Middle School, and Scarsdale High School. She moved back to Scarsdale in 2014 with her husband Chris Simon to raise their two children: Patrick (age 14) and Devon (age 12). Attracted by the excellent schools and her own experience growing up, Megan was eager to get involved in supporting community organizations.

Meg joined several Parent Teachers Association (PTA) committees at Greenacres School and at The Hitchcock School, then rising within just a few years to become Greenacres PTA President and the PTO President at The Hitchcock School. As Greenacres PTA President, she worked with Parent Teacher Council leadership, the District cabinet and Board of Education towards a successful $68M bond referendum. The majority of those funds were used for the renovation of Greenacres in addition to addressing health and safety issues at all seven Scarsdale schools. Her leadership, dedication and relationships within the school district then led her to be named PTC President in 2021-2022. As PTC President during part of the Covid Pandemic, Meg served on the District Restart Committee as well as on the Scarsdale Middle School Restart Committee. These committees helped plan and facilitate a smooth transition for both students and staff back to in-person classes.

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In addition to her leadership of the PTA and PTC, Meg was named co-president of the Scarsdale Schools Education Foundation (SSEF) in 2021, a role she continues to this day. Meg has overseen SSEF’s donations of the upgraded cameras and microphones used by teachers to enhance remote learning during the COVID pandemic. Recently, Meg has been involved with SSEF’s grants to Scarsdale Middle School for the library renovation and to Scarsdale High School for flexible furniture which can be moved and reconfigured in classrooms to create different learning environments that best meet teachers’ needs.

In 2023 when her son entered high school, Meg joined the board of Maroon & White, the athletic teams support organization. Meg currently serves on the journal committee, which is Maroon & White’s largest fundraiser.

Meg has also been on the board of Scarsdale Golf Club for the last five years, serving as the Head of Admissions, Secretary, Vice President and, now, President. She will continue to serve on this Board for the next two years.

Prior to her return to Scarsdale, Megan worked in advertising sales and marketing for CBS and A&E Networks. She is a graduate of Bucknell University.

Article and Photos By Lisa VanGundy