March 16, 2018

THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle March 16, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 6 | www.cityreviewnr.com

Westchester approves immigration bill

In the

Trenches

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

Soldiers of the 165th Infantry advance into position in March 1918. To learn more about New York state’s Irish soldiers in action on St. Patrick’s Day 1918 during World War I, see page 6. Photo courtesy New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

GOP to run Freeman for vacant county board seat Republican candidate James Freeman will look to fill a gap in the county Board of Legislators with longtime Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, transitioning to a position in the county executive’s administration after 21 years. Freeman, who works professionally as an attorney, will look to maintain a dwindling Republican minority on the county Board of Legislators, which pivoted even further toward complete Democratic control in November. Partly fueled by national politics—in particular negative sentiments toward President Donald Trump—voters helped secure a Democratic Board of Legislators supermajority, increasing the lead

New Rochelle resident James Freeman will look to win a special election triggered by the transition of longtime Westchester County legislator and Republican stalwart, Jim Maisano. Photo courtesy James Freeman

from nine seats to 12, and propelling former state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, to the county executive’s seat. Freeman told the Review that

even despite Republicans being in the distinct minority, the seat— which encompasses parts of New Rochelle and Pelham—is as important as ever. “Even in the minority, if you work with both sides, you’re able to pass meaningful legislation,” he said. “But, it’s more important to be a strong advocated in your district.” So far, Freeman has been the only Republican candidate to step forward in the upcoming special election for the county’s 11th legislative district. Because of the special election, candidates will work on an expedited timeframe with votes being cast on April 24; the same day as a state Senate election for Latimer’s vacated seat.

The Republican’s official nomination process will take place on March 7 at GOP headquarters in White Plains. Among Freeman’s platform, he listed responsible development, protecting the Long Island Sound and “holding the line on taxes.” Freeman has never held public office, but has worked as Westchester’s prosecuting attorney between 1995 and 2000 and also ran for New Rochelle City Council last year. County legislators earn an annual salary of $49,200, and the winner of the race will serve out the remainder of Maisano’s twoyear term. -Reporting by James Pero

In an 11-3 vote on March 12, Westchester lawmakers passed a bill to set a policy on immigration enforcement that will limit the county’s ability to cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies. Known as the Immigration Protection Act, the policy will limit what information the county Public Safety and Corrections departments can share with agencies like the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and will prevent county authorities from aiding federal law enforcement in investigations based on race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin. The bill was supported by the county Democratic Caucus, in addition to one Republican, Legislator David Tubiolo, of Yonkers. Two Democrats, legislators Mike Kaplowitz, of Yorktown, and Lyndon Williams, of Mount Vernon, were not present for the vote. County Legislator Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, said, “We have made history tonight by passing the Immigration Protection Act, which enhances safety in Westchester County by increasing trust and cooperation between county employees, particularly law enforcement and all residents.” According to the legislation, the county will not honor federal detainer requests made by ICE agents and Customs and Border

Protection unless accompanied by a judicial warrant. The law will also prohibit law enforcement from interviewing undocumented immigrants housed in the county’s jail for the purpose of immigration-based offenses without a warrant. In a joint statement, Legislator Margaret Cunzio, of Mount Pleasant, and Minority Leader John Testa, of Peekskill, both Republicans who voted against the bill, said the law would make Westchester a “sanctuary county,” as it would “protect undocumented criminals sitting in the county jail, and eliminate the distinction between legal and illegal immigration.” They also took issue with a provision that was omitted from the final bill that would have allowed count law enforcement to communicate with federal immigration authorities if the person in question was a known gang member. This is a reasonable exception since we know of MS13’s growing presence… it was removed and when we asked for it to remain in the law, it was denied, the statement read. A similar immigration bill was passed by the county Legislature last year in a 9-8 party line vote; however, it was vetoed by former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. The new legislation must now be signed into law by County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, who has already pledged to approve the bill. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

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2 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018

Lowey addresses ongoing mail crisis in district U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey was recently joined by Lower Hudson Valley elected officials and residents to demand long-term solutions to the systemic issues plaguing the post office branches in Westchester and Rockland coun-

ties, including lost checks, missing bills and undelivered medications. Joining Lowey were village of Ossining Mayor Victoria Gearity; Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner; Cynthia Ferguson, an Ossining resident who

has been subjected to significant breaks in delivery and late and missing mail, including bills; and Els van den Bosch, a Port Chester resident who had to pay a replacement fee for her green card that was lost in the mail.

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, center, speaks on the challenges the USPS has experienced in recent months in communities in Westchester and Rockland counties. Contributed photo

“When the postal service is not working efficiently, families and businesses can face serious consequences,” Lowey said. “Unfortunately, that’s the case for too many area residents. During the past five months, I’ve received dozens of postal service complaints which indicate a wide range of structural problems. The shortcomings in our local postal service are not merely inconveniences; they are threatening the livelihood and well-being of some of our highest need constituents. It is unacceptable that New Yorkers would have to worry about missing a bill, not receiving a payment, or not having access to important documents or medication they need. I am committed to working with the community and the entire postal service team to find long-term solutions and rebuild trust in an institution that plays a pivotal role in this nation.” “Delivery failures directly impact the lives of people in our community,” Gearity said. “It is troubling that even after months of attempts, the postal service our residents rely on is still not fixed. We are grateful to Congresswoman Lowey for her efforts to address this ongoing issue.” “I am very pleased that Congresswoman Lowey is giving this her priority attention,” Feiner said. “The lack of reliable and dependable mail service is a crisis for our residents. I have received hundreds of complaints

from residents and many of these complaints are very serious. Not receiving medication. Not getting checks they expect or bills. Mail being sent to the wrong addresses. No mail deliveries for days at a time. We need to find a solution to the problem. I hope that the postmaster general of the United States will consider our invitation to visit Westchester, to meet with postal customers and local postal employees. We need results.” At the press conference, Lowey described the pervasiveness of mail service problems in Rockland and Westchester which affect communities throughout the 17th Congressional District, and highlighted a number of cases her office has received in recent months, including: A constituent from White Plains, who relies on the mail for her heart medication, only received her medication when her husband personally waited for the carrier and asked him to check a spot in the delivery vehicle the carrier had overlooked. A constituent from Nyack had her address changed without her consent. A credit card was opened in her name, and she was the victim of identity theft. A constituent from White Plains had to fight multiple battles because his nebulizer medication was lost in the mail. He and other seniors in his building consistently face missing mail and poor service.

Lowey has been in frequent contact with USPS to resolve issues facing residents and to put pressure on the postal service to address these ongoing failures. In September 2017, Lowey met with United States Postal Service Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman to discuss the postal issues in Westchester and Rockland, bringing to his attention dozens of specific cases and demanding action. At the meeting, Lowey asked for a report detailing the steps the post office has taken to fix these issues, and later sent a letter to Stroman to follow up on the report, which was vague and did not include a detailed plan. Since then, the postal office has yet to address every case brought to their attention by Lowey. At the beginning of March, Lowey sent a letter to Stroman describing the “wide range of structural issues” that continue to plague local mail delivery and urging him to use his upcoming briefing session in White Plains not just as an opportunity to hear concerns, but as a platform “to announce solutions to the challenges we have repeatedly brought to your attention over the past five months.” Lowey will continue to bring cases directly to the post office officials in Washington, D.C., because the Westchester district postal service does not have an efficient way to work directly with Lower Hudson Valley residents. (Submitted)

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3

Change your clocks, check your batteries The days are getting longer, the temperature is warming, and daylight saving time is here. The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, FASNY, urges all New Yorkers to take this opportunity check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure their homes are properly protected. If alarms have removable batteries, those batteries should be replaced. Alarms equipped with sealed-in batteries should be tested to ensure they are in proper working condition. Alarms that are more than 10 years old should be replaced. At the end of 2015, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will require all smoke alarms sold in New York state to be equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that last for at least 10 years. The new law will take effect in 2019 and marks an important step in improving New York’s fire safety. According to research from the National Fire Protection Association, three of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, and the vast majority of smoke alarm failures are due to dead or missing batteries. Ten-year smoke alarms require little maintenance, and unlike alarms with removable batteries, they are nearly impossible to deactivate. Regardless of the type of alarm in one’s home, FASNY urges everybody to take some time and ensure their alarms are in proper working order. “Smoke alarms are the single most importance appliance found in every home,” said FASNY President Ken Pienkowski. “FASNY urges all New Yorkers to conduct routine, simple main-

HOUSE AD The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York reminds you to check your smoke alarms now that daylight saving time is here. Photo courtesy pixabay.com

tenance to ensure these lifesaving devices are in proper order. We strongly encourage New Yorkers to install 10-year smoke alarms, which cannot be easily deactivated. Equally important is installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms, which are also critical in protecting life.” FASNY smoke and carbon monoxide, CO, alarm tips: Test alarms at least once a month by using the test button. If you have an alarm with a removable battery, be sure to check the batteries every six months, and change the batteries every year. If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit will usually chirp to warn you. Do NOT disable the unit. Vacuum or blow out any dust that might have accumulated in the unit.

NEVER borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else. NEVER paint a smoke or CO alarm. Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement, and in, or near each sleeping area. Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window because drafts could interfere with their operation. Families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries. For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit fasny.com and nfpa.org. (Submitted)

4 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018

What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library

For more information on hours and programs, visit nrpl.org.

One-on-One Assistance On Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Handleman Business Opportunity Center on the second floor of the main library. A trained staff member provides assistance with online applications for jobs, schools, social services, TASC preparation, and more; help finding eviction information and housing referrals, food stamps, services for mental health and substance abuse drug addictions; and support for computer needs such as setting up an email account, creating a PowerPoint presentation, and fine-tuning a resume or other document. Drop-in.

Steps to Success: Homework Help On Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. until 10 minutes to closing time in the Children’s Room and Teen Room. College students and volunteers are on hand to offer homework help to assist elementary school students and middle school students (up to grade eight) in organizing homework needs, locating appropriate resources, and strengthening reading skills. The free homework help service is offered September through May, except during school vacation weeks. The Steps to Success program is offered in conjunction with the Youth Bureau of the City of New Rochelle, Monroe College, and Westchester Library System.

Free AARP Tax Help On Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free tax assistance through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, TCE, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, VITA, will be offered at the New Rochelle Public Library. Trained AARP volunteer counselors will be available. These sessions will be held in the library’s Meeting Room and on the stage of the Ossie Davis Theater, except during school vacation weeks, when they will be held in the Community Gallery. Tax filers are advised to arrive early, as they will meet with a tax advisor on a drop-in, first-come, first-served basis. The library opens at 9 a.m. on these days. The TCE tax assistance program is free. Tax preparers have all the necessary forms to complete e-filing. Participants must bring with them last year’s return and supporting documentation, as well as an official photo identification and a social security card, or other comparable documentation. When applicable, the following should also be brought to the session: W-2 and W-2P forms from each employer, if a salary was earned; unemployment compensation statements; SSA-1099 form if Social Security benefits were received; all 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-misc., etc.) showing interest and/or dividends and original purchase price of sold assets; 1099R form from the payer of your pension or annuity; all forms indicating federal income tax paid; childcare provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number); and Social Security numbers for all dependents.

Friends Book Store On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Friends Bookstore, located in the main library’s lobby. The Friends of the NRPL Book Store is where you’ll find bargains from popular novels, mysteries and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, to children’s books, CDs, and DVDs. Proceeds from these sales allow the Friends to provide funding for quality children and adult programming, as well as assisting the library by contributing to various projects and improving service to the community.

Job Search Coach On Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the main library second floor Conference Room. A trained job search coach assists individuals looking for a new or improved job by helping with writing resumes and cover letters, identifying suitable jobs, completing online job applications, searching for jobs on the Internet, networking, honing interview skills and completing follow-ups. Drop-in. Free.

Health Care Navigators On Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the main library’s Conference Room on the second floor Receive one-on-one assistance with open enrollment to purchase, change or renew coverage in a qualified health plan; enroll or renew coverage in Medicaid and Child Health plus; and enroll in the new Essential Plan for lower-income New Yorkers from a health navigator from the Westchester County Department of Health

Free Programs For Infants and Preschoolers The New Rochelle Public Library and the Huguenot Children’s Library, HCL, are offering a great array of free programs for infants, toddlers and preschool children this winter-spring season. Participation is drop-in, on a first-come, first-served basis. The free programs are made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library. Most do not take place on days the New Rochelle public schools are closed for vacations. Nursery Rhyme Time, for children ages 6 months old to 2 years old, is a joyful blend of stories, songs and finger plays. It is held at the main library on Fridays through May 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., and at HCL on Mondays through May 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Toddler Time, for children aged 2 years old, are lively sessions that engage children and their parent or caregiver in music and games. It is held at the main library on Fridays through May 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at HCL on Wednesdays through May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 3, 4, 5’s - Stories & Crafts, for ages 3 to 5 years old, are sessions of stories, songs, and a take-home craft inspired by seasons and picture book themes. A bilingual (English and Spanish) session takes place at the main library on Mondays through May 21 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Another session in English takes place at the main library on Thursdays through May 24 from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sessions at HCL take place on Tuesdays through May 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and on Thursdays through May 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Preschool Fun & Fitness, a program for children ages 2 to 5 years old and their parent or grandparent, is a fun-filled hour of movement, games and healthy eating and lifestyle tips, conducted by the health and fitness team from Montefiore New Rochelle Hos-

pital’s Women, Infants & Children, WIC, Services. Registration is required. Please call the WIC office at 365-3677. The sessions will be held in the main library’s Meeting Room and stage on Mondays through June 18. Baby Steps, for children ages newborn to 3 years old, are half-hour sessions of fun and early socialization through music, movement and finger games with Nora Maher. They will take place on Saturdays through March 31 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at HCL. Yoga Tots, for children ages 2 and 3 years old, is taught by Budding Buddhas kids yoga instructors. Toddlers have fun “playing yoga” with puppets, props, songs, and games. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays through March 27 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the main library, and from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at HCL.

Free Creative Writing Classes for Children A free creative writing class for children, Kids Tales, will be offered at the New Rochelle Public Library on Saturdays, March 24 through April 21 from 1:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. The five-session class for children ages 8 to 12 years old is led by trained, talented high school volunteers, through the national Kids Tales nonprofit organization. Through organized exercises and group projects, participants brainstorm, write, and edit their own short stories over the five sessions. At the end of the class, the stories are assembled in a collection and published as a bound anthology that is made available on Amazon.com. Registration is required and participants need to attend all five sessions. To register, please call 8133706 or email communityrelations@nrpl.org. Space is limited to 25 students, so early registration is recommended.

New Rochelle news Alternate side parking restrictions suspended for winter months Parking regulations are suspended due to street sweeping operations during the winter months from through March 31. A complete listing of streets is located in the City Code Article X Schedule 312-84.

Reminder: Parking regulations exist throughout the city for other reasons than just street sweeping. Please carefully review the posted parking restrictions against the list as non-street sweeping related parking regulations will be enforced.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester LEGO City Builder Enjoy building city scenes with LEGO bricks at home? Let your creativity loose with LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester’s newest play space: LEGO City Builder. This is an interactive city that visitors can add their own elements and designs right into the display. The new play area includes skyscrapers, police and fire stations, cafes, suburban streets, beaches, a LEGO Friends section and more. Celebrate the grand opening of this exciting new space with photo opportunities and custom builds created by Master Model Builder Anthony Maddaloni. Admission starts at $16.95; children under age 2 are free. Opening hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, call 844-740-9223 or visit westchester.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

County news Golf course closings The six county-owned golf courses closed for the season after play on Sunday, Dec. 31. The courses are Dunwoodie, 231-3490, and Sprain Lake, 2313481, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor, 995-9200, in White Plains; Mohansic, 862-5283, in Yorktown Heights; Saxon Woods, 231-3461, in Scarsdale; and Hudson Hills, 864-3000, in Ossining. The courses are expected to reopen in March, weather and conditions permitting. The exact date will be announced. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 5

County to offer free Narcan training Would you know what to do if someone overdosed? The Westchester County health department offers free life-saving Naloxone (Narcan) training for residents. When administered correctly, the nasal spray Narcan restores breathing that has been dangerously slowed by an overdose of heroin or prescription painkillers. Narcan works within a minute or two and gives emergency responders time to get the person to a hospital. Residents who participate in the free trainings learn how to administer Narcan, and are given a free Narcan kit. Residents 18 years of age or older who want to be trained to administer Naloxone (Narcan) should register online at westchestergov. com/health for the training dates listed below. Register early as space is limited. The next scheduled Narcan trainings are: Thursday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at The Warner Library, 121 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Friday, April 20 at 10 a.m. at the Port Chester - Rye Brook Public Library, 1 Haseco Ave., Port Chester, NY 10573 What is Naloxone (Narcan)? Naloxone is a life-saving drug that can revive overdose victims. Its brand name is Narcan. Naloxone (Narcan) helps restore breathing to a person who is overdosing from opioid drugs such as heroin and prescription drugs such as oxycontin, oxycodone and fentanyl. It also is used to reverse the effects of narcotic drugs used during surgery and to treat pain. How is Naloxone (Narcan) administered? Westchester County Department of Health offers trainings on how to administer Narcan through a nasal spray. In a clinical setting, Narcan can be injected intravenously. How do I find out more about Naloxone (Narcan) trainings for law enforcement and first responders? Local police departments and first responders interested in arranging a training can contact the Westchester County Department of Health at 864-7298. How do I find out more about Naloxone (Narcan) trainings for residents? The Westchester County Department of Health offers free community opioid overdose trainings. Trainings are comprised of a PowerPoint presentation, as well as a hands-on demonstration to ensure that participants are able to administer Narcan. Those who complete the training will receive

The Westchester County Department of Health will offer free training for the public on how to respond to an opioid overdose using Narcan. Photo courtesy Westchester County

a free Narcan kit and will be certified to administer Narcan for two years in New York state. Can I request training for my organization or agency? If your organization or agency is interested in arranging a training for your group, please call the Division of Health Promotion at 995-6584. How do I find out about other Naloxone (Narcan) trainings available in the community? Residents can learn about additional trainings held in the Lower/Mid-Hudson Region by visiting the NYS Department of Health’s community calendar of opioid overdose trainings at health.ny.gov. Will I get in trouble if I report an overdose? Many overdose deaths can be prevented if emergency medical responders are notified. However, people using drugs illegally often fear police involvement and arrest if they call 911. To protect people from arrest and prosecution, New York state provides limited immunity from arrest or prosecution for minor drug and alcohol law violations for people who seek help at the scene of an overdose. For more information on the Good Samaritan Law, also known as the Fatal Overdose Prevention Law, see the 911 Good Samaritan informational brief at drugpolicy.org. What should I do if suspect an overdose? Call 911 if you suspect an overdose, and seek medical attention even if Naloxone (Narcan) has been used. The effects of Naloxone (Narcan) can wear off and the effects of the overdose drug can return in 30 to 90 minutes. How can I safely get rid of prescription drugs that I have at home? Unwanted or expired medica-

tions can be disposed of safely, conveniently and confidentially at lockboxes located at many police departments throughout the county. Medications, in both liquid and pill form, can be brought to participating police departments. Westchester residents can also bring medications in their original container or a sealed plastic bag to the county Household Materials Recovery Facility in Valhalla. All prescription and over-the-counter medications are accepted once a month, and residents simply drive and drop them off without having to leave their car. For more information, call 813-5425. Can I get Naloxone (Narcan) at a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription? Naloxone is now available without a prescription at many pharmacies throughout New York state. In August 2017, New York state launched a new Naloxone Co-Payment Assistance Program, N-CAP. This pharmacy benefit program is available to all New Yorkers who have prescription coverage through their health insurance plans. The N-CAP program covers co-payments for naloxone in an amount up to $40 for each Naloxone prescription dispensed. For a list of pharmacies participating in the N-CAP program, download the New York State Department of Health’s directory of pharmacies dispensing naloxone with standing orders at health.gov.ny. For individuals who would like to purchase Naloxone without using their health insurance, it may be purchased for full price at many pharmacies. If you do not have insurance, free Narcan kits can be obtained through a community training with the Westchester County Department of Health. (Submitted)

6 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018 THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographer Jen Parente

Letters The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com. Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to: The City Review New Rochelle c/o HomeTown Media Group, P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Visit us online www.cityreviewnr.com

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New York’s Irish soldiers battle-tested in WWI trenches

This was written by Col. Richard Goldenberg of the New York National Guard. March 7, 1918 was the day the New York National Guardsmen of the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York City’s “Fighting 69th,” experienced their first major combat loss. A German artillery barrage landed directly on a dugout position of the regiment’s 2nd Battalion, killing 21 soldiers and launching a frantic rescue effort to recover survivors buried 40 feet below ground. As part of the Army’s 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division in World War I, the troops, redesignated for wartime service as the 165th Infantry, the regiment’s first combat duties in March 1918 marked their first casualties and combat actions for the troops in the Lunneville sector of the Western Front in a woods known as the Rouge Bouquet. Those first weeks of combat service provided cause for both celebration and sorrow for the regiment’s Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day in 1918. The Irish regiment, along with other infantry forces of the Rainbow Division, were serving in the line alongside French divisions of the French VII Corps throughout March 1918 in order to gain practical experience before the division would take command of its own sector later in the spring. The 165th Infantry had been in the trenches of Lunneville since Feb. 28. After more than a week of missions, the regiment’s 1st Battalion, led by Maj. William Donovan, rotated to the rear and the 2nd Battalion, commanded by Maj. William Stacom, entered the line March 7. The initial week had been a tremendous experience for the New York soldiers, recalled regimental chaplain Father Francis Duffy in his 1919 autobiography “Father Duffy’s Story.” “The trenches at last!” he recorded in his diary on March 1, 1918. “We have all read descriptions of them and so had our preconceived notions. The novelty is that we are in a thick woods.” Duffy was referring to the Rouge Bouquet, where the battalions would rotate forces to conduct raids, patrols and master the tactics and techniques of trench warfare on the Western Front. “Their main sport is going out

An entrance to a typical WWI dugout. Some had timbers to protect the soldiers and numerous turns down a stairwell to the entrance. Photo courtesy NYS Division of Military & Naval Affairs

on patrols by night or day to scout through “No Man’s Land,” to cut wires, and stir things up generally,” Duffy wrote of the tactical operations. “With our artillery throwing over shells from the rear and our impatient infantry prodding the enemy, the sector will not be long a quiet one.” Father Duffy’s concern was prescient. German forces provided a violent welcome for the 2nd Battalion once they entered the trenches on March 7. “At about 3:20 p.m. the enemy launched a barrage of shells in the 2nd Battalion’s position for about an hour,” wrote Richard Demeter in his 2002 history of “The Fighting 69th.” With the majority of troops below ground in hardened dugouts for protection, tragedy struck when a German shell land-

ed on and collapsed the dugout for 1st Lt. John Norman, a regular Army officer and his two dozen soldiers of 1st Platoon. The dugout was some 40 feet below ground, with timbers to protect the soldiers and numerous turns down a stairwell to the entrance. “Tons of earth and stone cascaded,” recalled Pvt. Alf Helmer, a native of Norway and one of the few survivors of the barrage, explained in the 2008 Stephen Harris book “Duffy’s War.” “I remember only the crash. Thoughts ceased. I only know that I found myself in the doorway of the forward entrance, hands extended over my head.” Maj. William Donovan, commander of the regiment’s 1st Battalion, was visiting the 2nd

Battalion command post after the relief in place when the barrage struck. Allowing Stacom to continue his defensive preparations in case of a German attack, Donovan volunteered to make an assessment and assist in the rescue efforts of the imperiled 1st Platoon. Initial efforts were able to recover seven soldiers, two alive and five dead. Donovan and a rescue team could still hear other survivors, including Lt. Norman, from the crater of earth and timber. Not all of the New York soldiers perished in the initial blast that collapsed the dugout, Helmer would later recall in the Harris book account. Half the platoon had survived, but with little space for air and tons of earth and debris, Helmer expected everyone to die, using his own helmet to scoop away dirt and create space to breath. “Choking dust and gas stench filled the suffocating darkness,” Helmer’s son recalled for an interview for the Harris book. “I gave myself to prayer and making my peace with God, I was no longer afraid.” Under intense German artillery fire, including a gas attack, the frantic efforts to dig into the crater and save their fellow soldiers continued, assisted by the regiment’s engineers of the pioneer platoon. Led by one of the estimated 60 to 80 Jewish soldiers serving in the Irish regiment, Sgt. Abram Blaustein continued rescue efforts. “The pioneers were called out to try to rescue these men,” recalled Al Ettinger in his account to his son in the 1992 book “A Doughboy with the Fighting 69th.” “All night long we labored. Two lieutenants have general direction but it was Abe Blaustein who really took charge and led by example. The men worked in relays, but Blaustein always took the most dangerous position,” Ettinger said. For his heroic actions, Sgt. Blaustein received the French Croix de Guerre and the moniker “Blaustein of the Irish.” Donovan also received the Croix de Guerre for his actions in leading rescue efforts under fire. The trauma of the loss and the determination to act even touched the survivors. Pvt. Helmer, once rescued, moved on to the medical aid station and the battalion command post to report on the tragedy. Then, according to Harris in “Duffy’s War,” he requested permission to return to the site to assist with rescue efforts. “I knew that unless I was the thing through,” Helmer said, “I would never again be able to look

my comrades in the face.” As rescue efforts the following morning became too dangerous under the German artillery barrage, and no further sounds coming from the dugout, it was decided to halt work and leave the remaining 14 soldiers and 1st Lt. Norman where they were buried. The regiment placed a marker and moved on. Sgt. Joyce Kilmer, present at the scene and a famous poet assigned to the regimental Intelligence Section, penned an account of loss for the 21 soldiers in a poem simply titled “Rouge Bouquet.” “On St. Patrick’s Day that year (1918),” Demeter wrote, “The 165th Infantry celebrated as the Old 69th had always done. Father Duffy said mass for each of the three battalions, the afternoon was given over to sport and the evening to music and entertainment.” But mass for the Irish in 1918 was a special observance as Father Duffy read the Kilmer poem to the assembled troops to honor their recently fallen friends. Three days later, March 20, 1918, the Irish launched a surprise attack against the German trenches, with a green banner marked with a golden harp and the Irish motto, “Erin Go Bragh,” roughly Ireland Forever, attached to a soldier’s bayonet as he went over the top. It would be further embroidered with the name Rouge Bouquet and carried into battle for the remainder of the war. The Irish regiment, like the rest of the 42nd Rainbow Division, had learned its combat lessons and would carry them through their battles ahead, notes New York state military history director Courtney Burns. Soldiers learned the skills to survive and succeed at Lunneville, mourn their losses of the Rouge Bouquet and move forward to their mission. The entire division would form and take its full place in the line in its own sector in Baccarat, France on April 1 and confront the final German offensive of the war. In the summer of 1918, the Rainbow would go on the offensive, with the 165th Infantry often in the lead. “Thrown into the trenches in late February 1918, the 165th (Old 69th) successfully held the line at Rouge Bouquet, Baccarat and Champagne against the great German Spring Offensive,” Burns said. “In the Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne Allied offensives of the summer and fall, the 165th excelled at small unit tactics and movement, often leading the advance to seize and control German-held territory and positions.” (Submitted)

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7

Boy Scouts host Blue and Gold banquet

Members of Cerebral Palsy of Westchester’s Boy Scout Pack 535 celebrate its annual Blue and Gold Luncheon.

On Feb. 9, Cerebral Palsy of Westchester’s Boy Scout Pack 535 had their annual Blue and Gold Luncheon. Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week in February with a “birthday party” called the Blue and Gold banquet. In nearly all packs, the Blue and Gold banquet is the highlight of the year. Pack 535 celebrated with pizza, cake and smiles. The scouts also enjoyed a special presentation from JoJo the Clown from JoJo’s Party Pals. Cerebral Palsy of Westchester’s Boy Scouts are currently in the process of obtaining the Bear Patch. This will be a great success for the nonprofit’s Boy Scouts. The Boy Scout Pack 535 along with CPW’s Girl Scout Troop 1902 picked out their Pinewood Derby race cars. For the sixth year in a row, the Pinewood Derby will be held at Cerebral Palsy of Westchester on April 13 courtesy of the Mid-Westchester Elks and Boy Scouts of America. This is the Girl Scouts fourth year par-

Cuomo stumps for Mayer in Larchmont Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, made a pit stop in the village of Larchmont over the weekend to stump for state Senate candidate and current state Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, in her pivotal upcoming special election. On March 11, in the village’s VFW Post, Cuomo, accompanied by County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, endorsed Mayer in her race against Julie Killian, a Republican from Rye. The two candidates are competing for the Senate’s 37th District seat which was vacated by Latimer at the outset of the calendar year after winning the county executive race in November 2017. The special election is scheduled for April 24. During the rally, Cuomo impressed upon the audience the importance of the Senate seat— which will help decide the fate of a slim, one-seat majority by Senate Republicans—and its national implications.

“In the face of the concerted federal assault from Washington, it is more important than ever that we have strong, progressive leaders in office fighting for our shared values like Shelley Mayer,” Cuomo said. In April, Democrats will look to capitalize on Democratic resentment toward President Donald Trump which helped propel Democrats throughout Westchester County and nationally into office. Killian responded to the event with a statement. “I hope the governor is here to assess the damage from the storms and provide a real plan of action to help local families who are still suffering without power,” she said referring to two significant storms that caused chaos on the county in the span of eight] days. “In Westchester County, politics should be the furthest thing from the governor’s mind right now.” Democrats are banking on another large turnout for this election to follow on the heels of Election Day last November,

which saw Democrats win almost every seat in play locally due to myriad of factors, including discontent with Republican control of the White House. For her part, Killian will be tasked with ameliorating a distinct Democratic edge in Senate District 37, which encompasses parts of Yonkers and much of the Sound Shore region. According to the county Board of Elections, 37th Senate District’s enrollment numbers in 2017 favor Democrats by 28,000 registered voters—a figure the mirrors the nearly 2-1 advantage Democrats enjoy countywide. -Reporting by James Pero

County Dems proposing to raise smoking age to 21

The Boy Scouts enjoy a special presentation from JoJo the Clown. Contributed photos

ticipating in the race. The Boy and Girl Scouts will spend time over the next two months building their cars and decorating them for the big race. For more than 69 years, Cerebral Palsy of Westchester has been the leading nonprofit organization in Westchester County, providing essential services to children and adults with all developmental disabilities includ-

ing autism, neurological impairments, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. It has always been its purpose to help people realize their goals, build brighter futures, and lead more independent lives as members of their community. For more information about Cerebral Palsy of Westchester and its programs, visit cpwestchester.org. (Submitted)

Westchester Democrats are proposing to raise the minimum age to be able to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco-related products to 21. Photo courtesy Ken Hawkins

The party poses for a photo at the Boy Scouts annual luncheon last month.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Democratic caucus is aiming to tighten regulations on smoking with a bill that proposes to raise the age for those allowed to purchase tobacco products. The bill would restrict any person under 21 yearsof age from buying tobacco orrelated products, like e-cigarettes, rolling papers, or pipes. The bill would not be immediately voted on. It will have to

make it through committee and discussed during a public hearing before being brought to a vote by the legislature. Democrats proposed to raise the smoking age last April, but the legislation failed to gain any support. As of press time, the Democratic caucus holds a 12-4 supermajority on the BOL. If approved this time, the legislation would follow what other counties have passed in their respective municipalities.

New York City and ten other counties in the state, such as Suffolk, have already outlawed the sale of cigarettes to those less than 21 years of age. Nassau County restricts the sale of tobacco products to those less than 19 years of age. According to the state Department of Health, smoking kills about 28,000 New Yorkers each year and there are roughly 750,000 in the state living with a serious smoking-related illness. -Reporting by Franco Fino

8 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018

Sponsored by

rator Bartholomew Bland about the preparation of the exhibition from concept to completion (March 14), a performance of songs by Gilbert and Sullivan (March 18), and guided tours and talks by artists and the museum’s curatorial staff. For more information, visit hrm.org.

The Review, in collaboration with ArtsWestchester, offers a rundown of art-related events throughout Westchester County. You can find our Arts in the Area page each month.

Pop-up shopping in downtown White Plains

this month in ArtsWestchester’s downtown White Plains gallery. The “Teen Tuesdays” initiative is designed to engage teenagers in the arts through interaction and discussion. On March 20, students will work with a professional artist to learn basic illustration techniques as they draw a clothed model. Additional workshops will be held on April 10 and 24, May 8 and June 5. For more information, visit artsw.org/teentuesdays.

redefining traditional posters with women’s faces instead of men’s. Artist Baseera Khan combines symbols that represent Islam with those referenced by gay activists during the AIDS epidemic. These and other exhibiting artists embrace and reject traditions, adapting them into an engagement with issues of modern relevance. While the exhibition is on view through June 17, the museum will present various programs that respond to topics referenced in the exhibited works. On March 10, a teen workshop includes an exhibition tour and hands-on arts activities with a master calligrapher. On March 25, “Family Day” celebrates the Persian New Year, which marks the beginning of spring. Families will view performances of classical Persian dance and music, as well as artistic demonstrations of Iranian calligraphy, miniature painting and mosaic crafting. For more information, visit katonahmuseum.org.

ArtsWestchester announces the launch of its Shop & Sip Third Wednesdays event series. The happy hour pop-up shopping experience will take place in the organization’s gallery in downtown White Plains from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. Guests will enjoy a drink and discover local artists and designers, whose handcrafted items will be on display and for sale. The series became permanent after the success of a Shop & Sip event earlier this winter. The March 21 event will celebrate Women’s History Month with a selection of female artists and designers. Proceeds benefit ArtsWestchester’s vibrant exhibition programming. For more information, visit artsw.org/shopsip.

JBFC presents annual Jewish Film Festival

Hudson River Museum modernizes Gilded Age Through May 13, the Hudson River Museum presents more than 20 artists whose works are inspired by aesthetics of the 19th century Victorian era but also comment on contemporary social issues. “The Neo-Victorians: Contemporary Artists Revive Gilded-Age Glamour” is largely referential of the Gilded Age, masking reflections of today’s concerns with overt beauty and ornate design sensibilities. For instance, the museum’s teaching artist-in-residence Ebony Bolt introduces modern illustrations of homeless people that were drawn on the subway into digitally rendered patterns inspired by designer William Morris. Artist Troy Abbott inserts a digital screen depicting an animated bird inside a Victorian-style birdcage. The Hudson River Museum embraces the theme of its exhibition by fully immersing it with the museum’s resources. Several “Neo-Victorians” installations are incorporated into Glenview, the museum’s Gilded Age home; its planetarium presents “Victorian’s Guide to the Galaxy,” a new show that relates to the overall exhibition theme. An array of programs incorporate Victorian themes as well. Those events include a talk by cu-

The Jacob Burns Film Center, JBFC, presents the 17th annual Westchester Jewish Film Festival, which will take place from March 13 through March 29. During these two and a half weeks, the center will screen 41 documentaries, narratives and television episodes, from Israel, Morocco, Hungary and more. The films collectively explore the diversity of the Jewish experience. The festival opens with “Itzak,” a documentary about the life of violinist Itzak Perlman, which will be followed by a reception and Q&A with filmmaker Alison Chernick. Additional screenings range from sobering documentaries to depictions of heartwarming relationships. “An Israeli Love Story” tells of the real-life love affair between a Palestinian actress and the son of Israel’s second president (March 15). In “The Last Laugh,” director Ferne Pearlstein asks top comedians and prominent Jewish figures, including Mel Brooks and Sarah Silverman, whether a traumatizing event can be used as a framing device for a joke (March 16). “Persona Non Grata” is based on the true story of a Japanese diplomat who saved thousands of Jews from the Nazis (March 27). One of this year’s features will be a showcase of work by actor Alan Arkin, who will participate in Skype Q&As after several of the screenings. Special Q&As with filmmakers will also take place after select screenings. For more information, visit burnsfilmcenter.org.

Tuesday workshops engage teens in arts Two “Teen Tuesdays” programs will take place

A celebration of Classical, Romantic works

Museum explores visual traditions of Islam In the Katonah Museum of Art’s current exhibition, 31 artists of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent draw from centuries-old forms, such as calligraphy and geometric patterning, to examine contemporary subjects of religion, politics and identity. More than 50 works showcased in “Long, Winding Journeys: Contemporary Art and the Islamic Tradition” demonstrate that history does not sit in the past. Instead, it informs the present and is inherited by future generations. These visual traditions of Islam provide contemporary artists with a way in which to address their current experiences. On using traditional forms in her work, artist Shahzia Sikander said in the exhibition’s catalogue: “I recognized it as a path to expanding the medium [of miniature painting] from within… in order to open up possibilities for dialogue.” Artist Shoja Azari redefines the historical definitions of the political and religious hero by

The Hoff-Barthelson Music School, HBMS, will hold its “Spanning the Centuries” festival from March 10 through March 19. The festival is part of HBMS’s “Festivals in Style” series, which introduces students to music from specific time periods. This weeklong celebration will feature music composed between 1750 and 1900—the Classical and Romantic periods—and will spotlight music of Germanic composers like Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert. An HB Cello Virtuosi event on March 14 features members of the school’s cello faculty, accompanied by pianists, who will perform a program of works by Brahms and Schumann. On March 16, pianist and artistic director at Copland House Michael Boriskin, pictured above, will present “Ludwig van Beethoven: Madman? Genius? Both?” during which he will speak about the life and works of Beethoven. “Spanning the Centuries” also includes instrumental and choral concerts from the HBMS’s ensembles—Suzuki strings, chamber choir, festival orchestra and more—as well as nine student recitals. Locations vary in White Plains. For more information, visit hbms.org.

These articles appear in the March 2018 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy of the full issue is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9

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SPORTS

10 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018

A bracketless tourney LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

With the start of March Madness season finally upon us, I’m deciding to do something I haven’t done for about as long as I can remember. For the first time in 20 years or so, I will not be filling out a bracket. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with picking the NCAA Tourney for quite some time now. I can even remember the first time that the brackets—and my inability to choose a winner—broke my heart. When I was a freshman in high school, one of the upperclassmen football players put together a schoolwide competition. I don’t remember how much I paid to enter, but I remember the pot was a sizeable one, especially to 13-year-old me. And despite never having entered a bracket of this size, I did well. So well, in fact, that I came in second place.

But here’s what got my goat; the guy who won the whole thing—our JV quarterback, in fact—didn’t keep the prize money. Instead, citing religious reasons, he donated the entirety of the jackpot to charity. Sure, looking back on it now, I realize it was a noble gesture and a commendable action. But all I could think of at the time was just how many video games I could’ve bought with that cash. To some degree, almost all of my bracket experiences have followed the same pattern as that first one. More often than not, I don’t do all that well, and when I do get lucky with my picks, it’s generally at the expense of the team that I root for, the Villanova Wildcats. I’ve never been able to have my cake and eat it too. So this year, I’m just going to tune in as an unbiased fan— except for cheering on Nova, of course—and I think it might be even more enjoyable because I’ll get to follow the storylines

of the tourney without thinking about how the twists and turns of each game effect my bracket. I’ll be able to watch a 15seed take a No. 2 down to the wire in the opening round without worrying that I’ve picked Purdue to make it to the Elite 8; I’ll be able to appreciate the performances of players making the most of their college basketball experience without wondering if they’re going lead their team to a bracket-busting run. But most importantly, I’ll be able to root wildly against Duke from the beginning without having to compromise my bracket’s integrity by picking them for an unlikely early upset. It doesn’t matter how much money I stand to win from a bracket; there are some things— like watching Grayson Allen lose—that you just can’t put a price tag on.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

This year, for the first time in a while, Sports Editor Mike Smith won’t be filling out a March Madness bracket. He’s hoping the lack of money involved will allow him to truly enjoy a fun tournament. Photo courtesy NCAA.com

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LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @cityreviewnr for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

INSIDE

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11

Lifestyles of Westchester County/MARCH 2018 VOL. 6 NO.2

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

ALL ABOUT

campS

Why camp is great for children

Best summer ever at RYE Y camps The case for camps:

Why kids need it now more than ever Top ten things you never knew about camp

12 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 16, 2018

WHY CAMP IS GREAT FOR CHILDREN If you’ve been to summer camp, you’re not surprised to hear about the benefits of it. Experiencing life at camp yourself as a child, you know the profound positive effects that still matter to you as an adult, and you also know that you want something just as great for your own kids. But if you didn’t go to camp as a child, you may not realize just how good the experience is for children. You may not know why so many parents are committed to sending their kids to camp. So while we have talked about most of these before, here is a list of the most important reasons to send your kids to camp. At camp, children: 10. Spend their day being physically active—As children spend so much time these days inside and mostly sitting down, camp provides a wonderful opportunity to move. Running, swimming, jumping, hiking, climbing! Camp is action! 9. Experience success and become more confident—Camp helps children build self-con-

fidence and self-esteem by removing the kind of academic, athletic and social competition that shapes their lives at school. With its non-competitive activities and diverse opportunities to succeed, camp life is a real boost for young people. There’s accomplishment every day. Camp teaches kids that they can. 8. Gain resiliency—The kind of encouragement and nurture kids receive at camp makes it a great environment to endure setbacks, try new (and thereby maybe a little frightening) things, and see that improvement comes when you give something another try. Camp helps conquer fears. 7. Unplug from technology—When kids take a break from TV, cell phones and the Internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world—real people, real activities and real emotions. They realize that there’s always plenty to do. Camp is real! 6. Develop life-long skills— Camps provide the right instruction, equipment and facilities for kids to enhance their sports abilities, their artistic talents and

their adventure skills. The sheer variety of activities offered at camp makes it easy for kids to discover and develop what they like to do. Camp expands every child’s abilities. 5. Grow more independent— Camp is the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding every move. Managing their daily choices in the safe, caring environment of camp, children welcome this as a freedom to blossom in new directions. Camp helps kids develop who they are. 4. Have free time for unstructured play—Free from the overly-structured, overly-scheduled routines of home and school, life at camp gives children much needed free time to just play. Camp is a slice of carefree living where kids can relax, laugh and be silly all day long. At camp we play! 3. Learn social skills—Coming to camp means joining a close-knit community where everyone must agree to cooperate and respect each other. When they live in a cabin with others, kids share chores, resolve

disagreements and see firsthand the importance of sincere communication. Camp builds teamwork. 2. Reconnect with nature— Camp is a wonderful antidote to “nature deficit disorder,” to the narrow experience of modern indoor life. Outdoor

experience enriches kid’s perception of the world and supports healthy child development. Camp gets kids back outside. 1. Make true friends—Camp is the place where kids make their very best friends. Free from the social expectations

pressuring them at school, camp encourages kids to relax and make friends easily. All the fun at camp draws everyone together— singing, laughing, talking, playing, doing almost everything together. Everyday, camp creates friendships. See? Camp is great.

March 16, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13 Questions to ask yourself and your

child about camp expectations: What/who is driving the camp search? Unparalleled fun and learning? New experiences, skills and friends? Need for child care? Family tradition? Encouragement from friends? What are your leading camp search criteria? Which are “non-negotiable” and which are “preferences”? What type of camp are you looking for? Which of your family’s values should be reflected in the camp philosophy? How religious? How competitive? How diverse? How much camper choice? Camps are intentional communities. What they do and why is reflected in the staff members they hire, the schedules they follow, the activities they offer and their materials. What activities/programs interest you and your child? What level of intensity are you looking for? Are you looking for opportunities to try new activities, to play, to advance current skills, to practice, to compete or to specialize? What kind of facilities will your camper consider? Discuss electricity, bathrooms and dining. What session length, from 8 weeks to a few days, is comfortable for you, for your child and for your family’s summer schedule? The most common session lengths are: full season (7-8 weeks), half season (3-4 weeks), two weeks and one week. Remaining flexible about session length can increase your camp options. What camp clientele do you want to consider? There are camps for boys only, girls only, coed, brother/sister, religious groups, under-served populations and children with special needs. What is your budget for camp tuition? Camp remains an affordable option for nearly everyone. Some camps offer financial assistance. Financial aid procedures vary from camp to camp, so be sure to ask and to read brochures and websites carefully. Questions to ask all camps under consideration: Is your camp accredited by the ACA? What other regulations does your camp follow? What training does the staff receive on safety, supervision, counseling, problem solving and other issues unique to working with children? Is the price all-inclusive or are there extra charges for regis-

Best summer ever at Rye Y camp Rye Y camps, for youth ages 3 to 14, are led by a team of fulltime professional directors and committed summer staff who serve as role models to campers and reinforce the Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The camps are accredited by the American Camp Association with low counselor-to-camper ratios. Campers choose from a variety of camps and can attend from one week to eight weeks. Camps are held at the Rye Y and the Osborn School in Rye. Kinder Camp, for children ages 3 to 6, introduces young ones to the camp experience in a warm, supportive environment. Activities include swim lessons, crafts, music, sports and more. Half or full day options. Discovery Camp, for ages 4 to 11, is a full-day camp packed with swim lessons, STEM, crafts, music, performing arts, sports, field trips and special guests to keep our campers engaged and excited every day. Campers gain new abilities, challenge themselves with the unexplored and

tration? Uniforms? Horseback riding? T-shirts? Waterskiing? Group photos? Field trips? Is transportation available and what are the specifics? Is there an additional cost? How will the camp meet my child’s special dietary or physical needs? In what way may I communicate with my child while he or she is at camp? With the staff? How does bad weather affect the daily schedule?

Are there family visiting days? What is unique about your camp? Day camp questions: Is before/after camp care available? If so, who cares for the children, and what activities are offered? What is the additional cost? Are meals provided? At what cost? How and where do I drop off or pick up my child?

learn to work with others as a team! Sports Camp, for ages 5 to 12, has both full- and half-day options and is designed for sports enthusiasts who want to develop both their individual and team skills. A different sport is focused on each week and campers can choose from half- or full-day options. STEAM Camp, for ages 6-11, challenges campers to question, explore, plan, discover, analyze and understand the world through the lenses of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Gymnastics Camp, for ages 6 to 14. Beginner and advanced gymnasts are welcome! Drills, games and teamwork are utilized to build gymnastics skills. Fulland half-day options available. Teen Adventure Camp, for teens completing grades 6-9, is designed for campers who like to be on the go! Campers travel to a different great summer destination every day, including water parks, camp-outs, amusement

parks, baseball games and more. Teen Fitness Camp, for ages 11 to 14, is a fun way to get fit over the summer. Participants work indoors and out with Certified Personal Trainers to achieve individual goals. Activities include swimming, sports, games, strength training, spinning, pilates, agility training and more. Campers choose from a 3-day or 5-day option. Leaders in Training is for youth who have completed grades 6 -8. Youth develop as leaders through coaching in activity planning, camper supervision and more, while earning community service hours. Counselors in Training Program, for teens who have completed grades 9 and 10, is designed to challenge participants to grow as leaders both at camp and within the community while earning community service hours. For more information, or to register for any of the above camps, visit ryeycamp.org, call 914-967-6363 or email camp@ ryeymca.org. The Rye Y offers financial assistance for families who qualify.

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six summer camp benefits For generations, children have spent their summers at day and sleepaway camps, trying new activities such as swimming, hiking and various sports. But what many families may not

realize is that camp provides children with different opportunities to develop important life skills that are difficult to achieve in any other environment. Below are just a few of

the many benefits your children will gain from the summer camp experience. 1. Campers obtain the life skills needed to become successful adults.

At camp, children gain valuable life skills. In fact, an organization called The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (comprising a group of businesses, education leaders and policymakers) has found there is a large gap between the knowledge students learn in school and the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century. After extensive research, the organization determined that some of the skills necessary to become successful adults are communication, collaboration, creativity, leadership, socialization and problem solving. All of these areas are fostered in the camp environment. Campers are always communicating with each other, either on the field or in the bunk, learning to work together as a team and as part of the camp community. They also get to be leaders at camp, whether through guiding a first-time younger camper or managing their camp Olympics team. Campers learn to navigate on their own and solve problems by themselves. They engage in many creative outlets, too. 2. Camp educates the whole child. There is more to learning than test taking and achieving good grades. Camp offers one of the most powerful learning environments and can be a place where

a child’s social education takes place. It provides children with the opportunity to try new activities. When children succeed at these activities, they build self-esteem. Children also build social skills and problem-solving skills by being part of a supportive community and partaking in activities together. Campers are challenged and encouraged to grow every day. 3. Camp allows kids to unplug from technology. Today’s children spend more than 7.5 hours a day engaged with technology, which often takes the place of vital hands-on activities and socialization opportunities. The majority of summer camps ban most technology, including TV, smartphones, tablets and personal computers. Taking a break from technology over the summer allows children to communicate face to face. 4. At camp, there’s plenty of time for play, which helps children with social and emotional development. Balancing school schedules, homework and extracurricular activities doesn’t leave much room for play. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that free and unstructured play is healthy and essential for helping children to reach important social, emotional and cognitive developmental

milestones. It also helps kids manage stress. Traditional summer camps give children plenty of play time, which leads to healthy emotional and social development. 5. Children can reinvent themselves at camp. Students often attend school year after year with the same peers, which can lead to labeling and being “stuck” with a particular perception. A child may become known as studious, quiet, etc., when, really, he or she can be boisterous in another setting. Children who go to day or sleepaway camps meet a whole other group of people in a different environment. Oftentimes, a child will break out of his supposed categorization if given the chance. Children get to reinvent themselves at camp and be who they truly want to be, which helps them to build confidence. 6. Camp promotes independence. When children go to camp, they are given the opportunity to grow more independent. Whether for a day or an entire summer, separation from one’s parents means a camper has to learn to rely on himself and other trusted adults and peers. Separation from parents gives a child the ability to think independently, which builds self-esteem.

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The case for camp:

—why kids need it now more than ever

Change is a part of life. It is often directly related to survival and can enrich one’s life in ways unexpected. Childhood is in essence a time of profound change and development. It is exciting and disquieting at the same time. When it comes to our children, we need to be sure that change is made for the better. We’ve been so concentrated on the brain, we forget about the rest of our bodies. This change in focus has led to an obesity rate that is unacceptable. Our kids are not as healthy as the generation before. Families used to live in a community. We’ve lost that, keeping kids inside and losing a sense of neighborhood. Add to that, the fact that our kids stand to inherit all the economic, social and environmental challenges we’ve created, and the legacy we have left our children and youth begins to look bleak. So, how do we prepare our children with the skills and more importantly, the competencies they will need to tackle changes in our world? We could start with a positive camp experience. A quality camp experience provides our children with the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development and healthy living—a meaningful, engaged and participatory environment. Camp promotes community. It creates this great space that shows kids how to live together and care for one another. There are norms and negotiation of boundaries; there are rules. Camp

a close-up look at compassionate leadership through the camp director, counselors, resident nutritionist and other camp personnel. And kids get loads of opportunities to practice being a leader themselves—song leader, lunch table leader, team captain, the list goes on and on. Camp is an equal opportunity life changer. It addresses universal childhood needs not specific to a particular racial, ethnic or socioeconomic group. Nobody is left out. It’s all about childhood development. Camp has a lasting impact.

is a place where kids can “practice” growing up stretching their social, emotional, physical and cognitive muscles outside the context of their immediate family. This is what childhood is supposed to provide. Camp teaches critical thinking. We need to remember how important it is to be actively involved in the learning process, and camp affords that. We’re going to need really strong problem solvers in the next century. We need the science, math and biology, but without the ability to relate, connect, empathize or inspire innovation, how will our kids be able to make a difference in the challenges now facing us? The camp experience em-

braces the natural environment. While children have fewer and fewer opportunities to be outdoors, the camp experience advances the outdoor learning environment. As we become more concerned about saving the planet, we run out and make DVDs and videos about it. But the environment needs to be experienced to be appreciated. Kids need to catch tadpoles in the creek, wander among the trees, and feel the sun on their faces to understand the importance of those things. What happens to a generation that may grow up not seeing stars in the dark of the night? Camp creates future leaders. The camp experience offers kids

One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a sense of success and achievement. Camp teaches kids how to be active participants, ask questions, ask for help, and try new things. They leave understanding that it’s okay to feel a little uncomfortable sometimes, because that’s generally what happens when you’re getting ready to learn something. The camp experience translates back in real-world experience — in an “I can” attitude. We need to advocate for our young people. We should promote opportunities for kids —

give them camp experiences that serve as an antidote for the world’s challenges. We need to recognize this is not a series of frivolous activities. We often think if it looks like fun it must be unimportant, but “fun” is a young person’s “work”—to learn, to grow, to be productive, creative and happy. If they don’t do that work, they won’t turn into healthy adults. Now more than ever, kids need camp. Visit ACAcamps.org to find out how you can change a life by helping make it possible for every child to have a camp experience.

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TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT CAMP Camp has become a staple of the summer season. Each year, millions of children, youth, and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys, and parks to participate in the time-honored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience. Here are ten things you may not have known about the camp experience. 10. Camp is older than dirt, almost literally. Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. The secret behind the longevity? “Camps are adapting to meet the needs of today’s campers,” says Tom Rosenberg, president/CEO of the American Camp Association. “At the same time, the impact camp has on campers, the life-changing experience, has remained after all these years.” 9. Camp is worth its weight in gold, and then some! The camp experience is life-changing – developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And, there is a camp for literally every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some camp experiences qualify for tax credits or for payment with pre-tax dollars. Visit ACA’s Affording Camp page for more information. 8. Green is “zen.” Research shows that first-hand experience with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle stress in the future. In addition to teaching children how to be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and feel the nature, which ultimately teaches

them how to de-stress the natural way.

physical activity was an important or very important issue.

7. Mommies and Daddies do it too. Camp is not just for children and youth. There are family camp experiences, and camps for single adults, senior adults, and any adult that wants to relax and enjoy all camp has to offer. Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships, and self-discovery that children do. Camp is an excellent vacation option, allowing adults to try a variety of new activities in a safe and fun environment.

3. If everyone else went to camp, maybe there’s something to it! Camp has played an important role in the lives of some of the most talented people in history. ACA’s family resource site offers a list of notable campers – including business professionals, celebrities, artists, and great thinkers.

6. Try this on for size! Camp is a great place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that their child continued new activities from camp after returning home. 5. Manners matter, and often linger. The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say “Please” and “Thank You.” 4. Veggies taste better with friends. Hollywood and fictional novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but in truth, camps are constantly exploring healthy food options, and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snack options, and vegetarian meals. According to ACA’s 2011 Emerging Issues survey, 90.7 percent of responding camps indicated that healthy eating and

2. Camp gets those neurons pumping! Education reform debate and concern over summer learning loss have pushed academic achievement into the spotlight. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, during summer months helps stem summer learning loss. In addition, camp provides ample opportunity for developmental growth, which is a precursor to academic achievement. And, because of the “hands-on” nature of camp, often children who struggle in traditional education settings do well at camp. 1. Camp builds leaders for the 21st century and beyond! Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to relate to other people — these are the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need, and the skills camp has been adept at building for 150 years. For more information on preparing your child for an independent, fun-filled summer, visit ACAcamps.org. Or, follow ACA on Facebook and Twitter for helpful hints and camp information. Contact Public Relations at 765.346.3391 or pr@ACAcamps. org to interview an ACA spokesperson or for more information about preparing for camp. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Press Room.