Regional Quilt Show at Kennedy Catholic

More than 250 quilts will be on display this weekend at World of Quilts XXXII  presented by the Northern Star Quilters’ Guild of Somers, NY.  The event takes place at Kennedy Catholic High School on April 30 and May 1.  Contemporary quilt maker Rosalie Dace from Durban, South Africa  will speak both days.  The public is invited.  More information is at the web site of the Northern Star Quilters’ Guild

LINKS:

http://northernstarquilters.com/quiltshow/quilt-show-2011-info/

Somers Lions Club Carnival at Fireman's Field - Until Sunday

Yorktownie Charged With Driving While Impaired On Overhill Road

From LoHud.com:  Michael J. Almeida, 21, of Yorktown was charged with first-degree operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, misdemeanors, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday on Overhill Road in Somers, NY, police said. He was released on an appearance ticket.


See LoHud.com story, Yorktown, Conn. men drove under the influence in Somers, on I-87, troopers say.



LINKS:
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110428/NEWS02/104280444/1315/EXPRESSRSS?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Town Solicits Fireworks Donations

The Town of Somers, NY is holding its Fireworks Spectacular on June 25 and is seeking donations to cover the cost.  In 2010, contributions covered all the costs.  For more information, see the letter reproduced below from Supervisor Murphy.  To track the progress of donations, see this link. 

LINKS:
http://www.somersny.com/Pages/SomersNY_News/016F8BE1-000F8513
http://www.somersny.com/Pages/SomersNY_News/016F8BE1-000F8513.0/4152011_32748_0.png

Turkey Hunting Season Begins Sunday At Angle Fly Preserve

For bearded wild turkeys, this is not good news.  The Spring Turkey Season begins on Sunday, May 1st and runs through Tuesday, May 31st, according to the Somers Land Trust web site.


The hunting hours are one half-hour before sunrise to noon.  All hunters must pass a proficiency test conducted at Angle Fly Preserve and follow all applicable hunting regulations.

Angle Fly Preserve patrons should exercise caution during the turkey season hours of hunting. Don’t make turkey or animal sounds. Our hunters will be in camouflaged ground blinds, off the main trails. Park patrons should stay on the main trails during the turkey season, and not wander or explore during the turkey season hours of hunting.



For more information, see this link or telephone Hunting Coordinator, Bob Mendoza at 914-830-6817.


LINKS:
http://www.somerslandtrust.org/2011/04/spring-turkey-season-starts-sunday-may-1st

Photo Op: Frank Harris, Food Director

Before he retired in 2006, Frank Harris, now 88 and a resident of Somers, NY, was the director of the food services program for Norwalk public school system for 39 years.  His service is profiled in Saturday's edition of the Norwalk Hour. Along with groundbreaking innovations, the story also notes his efforts to feed all kids in school:
He is best known, however -- among local officials, industry professionals and legislators -- as the foremost proponent of universal school meals. Even in his retirement, Harris travels to Washington, D.C., every year to lobby for the cause. "My argument has always been, 'Kids have to go to school. Let's feed them," he said. "If a student is well-fed, there are fewer drop-outs, less crime, less drugs. It is less expensive in the long run. This is the future of our country."  For those efforts, Harris has received a handful of awards. 

Read the complete story by Danielle Capalboin posted on April 23, 2011 in the Hour [registration required but free], Former director recalls food services.          . 

LINKS:
http://storage.thehour.com/photos/large/31354.jpg?width=450&height=450
http://www.thehour.com/story/503431

Photo Op: Lauretta Jones, Botanical Art And Illustration Teacher

Botanical Art and Illustration teacher Lauretta Jones of Somers, N.Y., teaches about rendering detail in flowers during her class at the Greenwich Art Society on Greenwich Avenue Tuesday afternoon, March 29, 2011. Listening at right is student Sharon Poole of Milford.
Photo: Bob Luckey / Greenwich Time 

Link to photo posted on April 22, 2011 at GreenwichTime.com.
See the related story, Artists bloom in Greenwich Art Society class.


LINKS:
http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Artists-bloom-in-Greenwich-Art-Society-class-1349261.php#photo-8

Police Activity

Shoplifting

Police charged Rosa Smajlaj, 40, from Somers with petit larceny, a misdemeanor. On April 15 police responded to a call from BJ's store about a larceny. Investigation revealed the woman had allegedly selected $29.37 worth of merchandise from a display and exited the store without paying. She was taken into custody, processed at police headquarters and released without bail. Smajlaj is due in court on May 17. 
From an April 22, 2011 story in the Yorktown Patch


Vandalism

Troopers at the Somers barracks received a complaint Tuesday about damage done to the landscaping at a Somers residence and damage done to a car. The initial complaint came from a Larch Drive residence in the Lincolndale section of Somers.  

After an investigation, police arrested a Lincolndale man and a Mahopac man about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday in connection with the vandalism. 

Kyle R. Garvin, 20, of Lincolndale was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, in the landscaping damage, police said.

From an April 21, 2011 story in LoHud.com.

No License

8:20 p.m. - Arla Sheinwald, 47, of Somers, was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and driving without a license, both misdemeanors after a motor vehicle stop at Route 6 and Croton Falls Road. Sheinwald was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in town court May 24.

From an April 19, 2011 story in NCNLocal.com.



LINKS:
http://yorktown.patch.com/articles/police-blotter-worker-charged-with-burglary-drunk-driver-hits-guard-rail-dash-and-dine
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110421/NEWS01/104210447/Mahopac-Lincolndale-20-year-olds-charged-Somers-vandalism?obref=obinsite
http://ncnlocal.com/police/article_e7f0c8b2-6a9b-11e0-a079-001cc4c03286.html

Photo Op: Matt Carroll, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

Matt Carroll of Somers, NY and other volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Putnam County build a house on Kendal Drive in Putnam Lake April 16, 2011. ( Frank Becerra Jr / The Journal News )

Photo from LoHud.com.

















Related story in LoHud.com, Putnam Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise new house.

Link to photo: http://jukebox.lohud.com/photos/popup/index.php?town=Somers&section=daily&offset=0

Somers Firefighters Battle Brush Fire

From LoHud.com:  Somers firefighters are responding to a report of a large brush fire this afternoon at Lovell Street and Lake Shore Drive South in the Lake Lincolndale section of town, not far from the Carmel town line.  The fire was reported about 3:15 p.m.  Somers firefighters were calling for mutual aid from neighboring fire departments.



LINKS:
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110421/NEWS01/104210450/1018/NEWS02/Somers-firefighters-battle-Lovell-Street-brush-fire

Army Honors Middle School Student Eric Fiocco For Living History

Screenshot of Melissa Elian Video

Every school day, twelve-year old Eric Fiocco of Somers, NY arrives early, dons Revolutionary War garb and raises the flag at Somers Middle School.  For his dedication and inspiring participation in the school’s Living History Color Guard, Fiocco received a special commendation at a recent school assembly from Army Lt. Colonel Philip J. Ryan, who has served about a dozen tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Ryan spoke at the assembly, praising the Living History Program. 


According to a recent LoHud.com story, the  Somers' Middle School Living History Program has about 60 students participants and is led by teacher William Wienecke. At the assembly, students wearing Civil War and Revolutionary War uniforms marched and the Star Fife and Drum Corp, led by music teacher Steve Chetcuti, performed.  "It is impressive what (these) students have done to honor our history and our flag," the soldier told the assembly of middle schoolers according to the news report.    The Living History Program presented a quilt to Ryan, who plans to display it at his battalion’s operations center in Afghanistan.

 Presentation of Quilt to Lt. Col Ryan.
Screenshot of Melissa Elian Video

See a wonderful three-minute video of assembly highlights by Melissa Elian of LoHud.com, Soldier salutes a school's patriotism. 


Read the complete April 7 LoHud.com story  by Barbara Livingston Nackman,  Somers students dedicated to history welcome decorated soldier. 

LINKS:
http://www.lohud.com/videonetwork/871081278001/Soldier-salutes-a-school-s-patriotism
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110407/NEWS02/104070311/Somers-students-dedicated-history-welcome-decorated-soldier

Town Board: No To Shenorock Park District

The Town Board for Somers, NY has heard enough.  At the meeting on April 14, Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy said the Town would no longer facilitate efforts to create a park district -- a special tax district -- to clean up Lake Shenorock.  This is a turnabout from early March when the Town Board established procedures for the Town Clerk to oversee the signing of the petition.  [See March 17 post, Town Board Meeting Recap: Shenorock, Dog Park and Heritage Hills Water District.] There was no formal vote and the statement came during public comment, but the Supervisor expressed what is in all likelihood the unanimous view of the Town Board.
Town Board meetings in each of March and April featured two hours of rancorous debate by residents who favored and opposed the idea of cleaning Lake Shenorock and building a swimming beach at a cost of over $1.4 million, with the funds coming from an additional tax on those living in Shenorock district.  But the parties could not even agree on the geographic area of Shenorock, as some with pedestrian access to or views of the Lake were excluded but homes a half-mile away were included.
For several months, Supervisor Murphy and others on the Town Board encouraged compromise and "baby steps", including volunteer efforts to clean up the Lake.  Proponents of the Park District said over 400 owners out of about 800 owners in the hamlet were solid supporters of the idea and that the petition deserved an opportunity to be presented to the entire community.   The first petition submitted by the proponents was deemed flawed by the Town Board.  [see December 22 post, Back To Square One For Shenorock Lake.]  Opponents questioned the level of support, saying modest support had eroded amidst concerns about costs and benefits. Both sides accused the other of spreading misinformation.  Even if enough owners signed the petition, the Town Board had discretion to reject it, if the owners were not all benefited. To meet that subjective standard probably required overwhelming support by land owners in Shenorock.  In an email Supervisor Murphy said: "Given all the comments we have received I cannot envision a proposed district where, at least I, could make the requisite finding that everyone who is benefited is in the district and that everyone in the district is benefited."


The Town cannot prevent the submission of a petition.  But the Town Board is no longer interested in spending time on the issue and has no interest in owning the Lake and shoreline, even though taxes are four years in arrears.  Proponents say they have no immediate plans to submit a petition.  What seemed like a good idea with broad support when the engineers were retained by the Town in 2008, has dissolved into a civil war, nay an uncivil war among the residents.  Lake Shenorock was the center of the comnmunity up through the mid-70s.  Without collective community action, it may become a swampy eye sore.

Links
http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2011/03/town-board-meeting-recap-shenorock-dog.html
http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2010/12/back-to-square-one-for-shenorock-lake.html

Somers Spectator Continues Tinkering With Its Web Design

Tell us what you think, please.  somersspectator[at]gmail.com.  Thanks.

Somers Girls Use Facebook To Claim Prom Dresses

High school girls from Somers, NY are on the cutting edge of the use of social media, according to an Associated Press story reported in such varied media online outlets as the Washington Post, Forbes, and the San Jose Mercury News.   To avoid wearing the same dress on prom night, girls use Facebook to call dibs on their prom dresses.  The practice is not just in Somers but our Town and Ashley McGowan are the lead example in the story:

To ensure their uniqueness - after they've shopped in faraway malls and tapped into store registries - girls are using social media to claim dibs on their dresses.  A photo of Ashley McGowan's floor-length black gown is on the prom Facebook page for her school in suburban Somers, N.Y. She's relieved that only one other classmate has posted a black frock.  "There's an unwritten rule: the moment you buy it, you post it so it's `your dress,'" explains McGowan.


Read the Forbes story, Got prom dibs? Girls use Facebook to claim dress. 


LINKS:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/14/lifestyle-us-fea-fashion-prom-dress-dibs_8408839.html

Somers Spectator - 7000 Page Views -- Double Booyah!!

The Somers Spectator is delighted to report that it has passed 7000 page views.  About a month ago, we crossed the 5000 page views threshold.


THANK YOU READERS!

ShredMobile In Somers Saturday April 23

More info is here or call the Town at 914-277-3637

LINKS:

 http://somersny.com/Pages/SomersNY_Events/shredmobile2011.pdf

Town Board Meets Thursday, April 14

The Town Board of Somers, NY meets Thursday April 14 for a regular meeting.
See the complete agenda here. A portion is below.
B. TOWN BOARD:  

 1.  Herb Oringel – update of Somers Energy.   

 2.  Library Roof Bids – award to the lowest bidder.  

*  *  * 

H.  CONSENSUS AGENDA:  

 1.  Planning Board request for proposal for professional services for cell   

  tower application review – Councilmen Bolton & Thomas Garrity to meet  

  with members of the Planning Board for further discussion and   

  recommendation. 

  

 2.  Town Board accepts invitation to co-sponsor Library Day with the Somers  

  League of Women Voters on September 10, 2011.   

 3.  Acknowledge retirement of Mr. Conrad (Chip) Rahe from the Somers   

  Highway Department effective April 15, 2011.   

4.  Terminate Mr. Kerry MacNeal from the Energy Advisory Panel effective  

  immediately.   

5.  Appoint the following:  

 Architectural Review Board:  

 a.  Bruce Prince to a 3 year term ending March 31, 2014 and Joe   

   Paiva  to the unexpired term ending March 31, 2012. 

 b.  Reappoint John Alfonzetti and Marc Brown to a three year term  

   ending  March 31, 2014. 

 c.  Appoint John Alfonzetti as Chairman to a term ending    

   December 31, 2011.   

 Conservation Board:  

 a.  Reappoint Edward Merker, Gary Meixner and James Moriarty   

   to a 2 year term ending March 15, 2013. 

 b.  Appoint Gary Meixner as Chairman to a term ending December  

   31, 2011. 

 Parks & Recreation Board: 

 a.  Reappoint  Don Penzine, John Zattola and Michele Sanz to a 3 year  

   term ending March 9, 2014. 

 b.  Appoint Steven Krug to a 3year term ending March 9, 2014. 

 6.  Appoint Pam Guerrerios as follows: 

  1.  To a three year term ending December 31, 2013 on the Substance  

   Abuse Council (SAC). 

  2.  Chairman to the SAC for a term ending December 31, 2011. 

 7.  Authorize high school senior to go on patrol with the Somers Police   

  Department per March 24, 2011 memo from Chief Driscol

*  *  * 

LINKS:

http://somersny.com/Pages/SomersNY_TownBoardAgendas/tbagenda4-14-11.pdf

Somers House of Trash

from NCNLocal.com: A letter of thanks

Thank You to News12,  BRIA Carting and the Lions Club of Somers.

Many thanks go out to the News12 reporter who rapidly responded to our plea for help to save Cypress Lane in Somers from the "House of Trash." He said they cover stories like this one to try to get help. Luckily, help arrived in the form of BRIA Carting! They saw the story on News12 and offered the resident free dumpsters to help clean the property. The Somers Lions Club generously provided manpower and the clean up began. After five 30-yard dumpsters were filled, an optimistic individual with a vision, who had also seen the News12 story, purchased the property and is now working on the 8th dumpster! We can see the ground again, and it is beautiful. We are very grateful to all those who helped, and encourage everyone to support the above organizations that truly serve our community so well.

Angela Buckley

Yorktown Heights

This letter appeared on April 6 in NCNLocal.com, Letters to the Editor-April 6, 2011.  

Watch a News 12 video from December, Neighbors willing to pitch in to clean messy Somers home .

LINKS:

http://ncnlocal.com/ncnlocal_opinions/article_c1b502a8-6113-11e0-8870-001cc4c002e0.html

http://news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=268279&position=1&news_type=news

Somers Spectator Tinkering With Its Web Design

Tell us what you think, please.  somersspectator[at]gmail.com

Three Charged With DWI

Over the weekend, three people driving on roads in Somers, NY were charged with DWI, according to news reports.  State police arrested Alex Sartakov, 23, of Ossining, after being stopped Routes 118 and 6 in Somers about 3:20 a.m. on Sunday for an inadequate muffler.  Police say Sartakov was driving with a revoked license and had three prior felony DWI convictions within the last 10 years.  Jane C. Engel, 55, of Briarcliff Manor, was arrested on Saturday at 7:50 p.m. and charged with DWI, after police stopped her for erratic operation on Route 35.  Last but not least, Rye resident Amber Lynn Gikis, 26, of Rye was stopped and arrested around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday on Interstate 684 south in Somers after she was seen driving erratically.

Read more about these arrests and see photos of those charged in the in the Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor Patch, Briarcliff, Ossining Residents Picked Up on DWI Over Weekend and in LoHud.com, 10 charged with drunken driving on I-84, I-684, Routes 6, 9, 35.



LINKS:
http://pleasantville.patch.com/articles/briarcliff-ossining-residents-picked-up-on-dwi-over-weekend
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110411/NEWS01/104110349/10-charged-drunken-driving-84-684-Routes-6-9-35?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFrontpage%7Cs

Somers Man Charged With Felony DWI

From LoHud.com:  Troopers charged a town man with felony driving while intoxicated after stopping him on Route 139, state police said today.  Gordon Mackie, 44, of Somers was stopped for speeding, an infraction, about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.


Read the complete March 31 LoHud.com story, Somers man charged with felony DWI on Route 139. 



LINKS:
http://www.lohud.com/article/20110331/NEWS02/103310446/1018/News02

Mom In The Stands: Jane Washington Of Somers

Check out the "Mom In The Stands" feature in LoHud.com about long time Somers, NY resident Jane Washington.  Her son Taylor Washington plays soccer for Rye Country Day School.  

Read the complete LoHud.com story,  Mom in the stands: Rye Country Day's Jane Washington of Somers.

LINKS:

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110407/SPORTS02/104070350/1241/NEWS0222/Mom-stands-Rye-Country-Day-s-Jane-Washington-Somers

Photo Op: SHS Cast Photo - The Drowsy Chaperone

Cast photo of Somers High School Students From Production Of The Drowsy Chaperone In March 2011

Photo courtesy of 4 Son's Photography & Digital Imaging.  See 60 more photos from the production at the 4 Son's Photography web site.

LINKS:

http://www.4sonsphotography.com

Trumpeting SHS Students

The Somers High School PTA recognized six students for their achievements in the April edition of its newsletter, the Trumpeter.

NMSC Scholars

Ariana Levi is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and Brandon Williams is a National Achievement Scholarship Finalist. Only one percent of high school students achieve finalist status in these academic competitions sponsored by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is the qualifying test for entry to both programs. Finalists compete for scholarships offered by NMSC, colleges and corporations.

League of Women Voters Conference

Erika Panzarino is one of the 50 high school students in New York State selected to attend a four day conference called Students Inside Albany, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York. The LWV’s web site says the conference is “designed to immerse students in the process by which public policy is proposed, enacted and changed in the New York State.” In addition, “students are afforded the opportunity to observe Assembly and Senate sessions and to shadow both their Assembly members and Senators.”

Artists

Lori Lombardo placed second in the 7th Annual High School Photo Competition for 11th & 12th graders. The competition is run by the Professional Women Photographers with works displayed at Calumet Gallery in NYC. The Trumpeter reports that her work was selected from entries "spanning the entire metropolitan NYC schools, Southern NY counties, as well as downstate counties.”

Paul Friedman and Mikhail Klimentov, two SHS juniors, both earned Awards of Merit in Visual Arts at the State level in the National PTA Reflections Program. Their submissions will be exhibited at the National Reflections Convention. The program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. The theme for this school year is “Together We Can”. See our February blog post about the Regional competition.

Read the April 2011 Trumpeter here or at at the SHS PTA web site.

LINKS:

http://www.somersptacouncil.org/SHS/Newsletters/SHSApr11pdf.pdf

http://nationalmerit.org/index.php

http://lwvny.org/youth.html

http://www.pwponline.org/

http://www.pta.org/2032.asp

http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2011/02/shs-students-3-win-arts-regionals.html

http://www.somersptacouncil.org/SHS/HOME.htm

Digital Newspaper Coming To Somers

When it rains, it pours. Another media company plans on bringing local news to Somers, NY. Main Street Connect says it will publish the Daily Somers, starting June 1. This is part of a rollout of 31 news sites covering Westchester County on that date, according to the press release published in Editor & Publisher on March 3, 2011.

As reported in the Somers Spectator on March 21 and March 24, a print newspaper the Somers Record will begin publishing in a number of weeks and that the Yorktown Examiner has expanded coverage to include Somers.

The the press release in Editor & Publisher also says:

Main Street Connect launched its first site, TheDailyNorwalk.com, in March 2010. Nine other sites, all located in Fairfield County, Conn., soon followed. The latest site, TheDailyStamford.com, went live in June 2010.

The 31 sites will cover all of Westchester County, from New Rochelle to North Salem, excluding only two towns.

* * *

The news organization has future plans for national expansion, and intends on having a news site in 6,000 towns and villages by 2014.

Read the complete story in Editor & Publisher, Main Street Connect Announces 31 New Sites in Westchester County, N.Y.

The web address of the Daily Somers is www.thedailysomers.com

LINKS:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Departments/Online/main-street-connect-announces-31-new-sites-in-westchester-county-ny-64407-.aspx

http://www.thedailysomers.com/

Town Board Meets Thursday; Shenorock Park District Boundaries To Be Discussed

The Town Board of Somers, NY meets Thursday April 7 for a work session. On the agenda is a discussion about the Shenorock Park District Boundaries. At the last meeting some residents complained about the proposed boundaries, saying homes with easy pedestrian access to the proposed swimming beach were excluded but houses three-fourths of mile away were included within the proposed special tax district.

Also on tap are appointments and reappointments of various residents to important volunteer boards, which are listed below.

See the complete agenda here. A portion is below.

B. TOWN BOARD:

1. Shenorock Park – discuss borders of proposed district and scope of project to

provide direction to engineer for finalizing report.

2. Alexan Somers Woods – DEIS completeness – discussion.

3. Discuss Planning Board request for proposal for professional services for cell

tower application review and local code review of cell tower legislation.

4. Improvement Bond – Highway and Major Repairs.

5. Discuss Town Sponsorship of League of Women Voters Library day,

September 12, 2011.

* * *

E. PERSONNEL:

3. Acknowledge retirement of Mr. Conrad (Chip) Rahe from the Somers Highway

Department effective April 15, 2011.

4. Terminate Mr. Kerry MacNeal from the Energy Advisory Panel effective

immediately.

5. Appoint the following:

Architectural Review Board:

a. Bruce Prince to a 3 year term ending March 31, 2014 and Joe

Paiva to the unexpired term ending March 31, 2012.

b. Reappoint John Alfonzetti and Marc Brown to a three year term

ending March 31, 2014.

c. Appoint John Alfonzetti as Chairman to a term ending

December 31, 2011.

Conservation Board:

a. Reappoint Edward Merker, Gary Meixner and James Moriarty to

a 2 year term ending March 15, 2013.

b. Appoint Gary Meixner as Chairman to a term ending December

31, 2011.

Parks & Recreation Board:

a. Reappoint Don Penzine, John Zattola and Michele Sanz to a 3

year term ending March 9, 2014.

b. Appoint Steven Krug to a 3year term ending March 9, 2014.

LINKS:

http://www.somersny.com/Pages/SomersNY_TownBoardAgendas/tbagenda4-7-11.pdf

Obituary: Hanna Monte

After an extended battle with cancer, 2008 Somers High School graduate and Lake Purdy's resident Hanna Monte passed away on Monday, March 28, according to the Somers Track and Field Blog. The Monte family has asked for privacy and plans to hold a celebration of her life later this month. For more information about the celebration or to leave or read tributes, go to Hanna Monte at CaringBridge.org.

Here is a letter from the Monte family in the journal section of that web site:

MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011 4:48 PM, CDT

Dear friends and family,

This morning, our beloved Hanna passed away. She was asleep in her bed at home with her family around her. We must not grieve her passing for the body is just a shell and her spirit continues to live on. She was so strong for the past year, struggling through tremendous pain to stay with us for just a little while longer. She gave us such joy, endless love and happiness, and she will continue to be with us, forever in our hearts. She is free from her suffering now, and finally comfortable and peaceful.

We would like to thank you all for the wonderful support you have given us over the last year. We are blessed to have such a kind and caring community surrounding us. Hanna had the amazing ability to touch the lives of people around her. She has inspired us all to find happiness in our lives. We must honor her by living lives full of compassion and joy.

We would like to especially thank Dr. Mark Brauning, Dr. Michael Rosen and Dr. Jonathan Goldberg of Mount Kisco Medical Group as well as Linda Fraser of the visiting nurse service and CORAM healthcare for their continued care of Hanna. Your friendship and unwavering attention are cherished.

Please respect our need for some privacy at this time. We will be preparing a celebration for Hanna that will be held in a month or so. We will post more information as the time approaches. In lieu of sending flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the organization Friends of Karen, who have been invaluable over the last year. You may visit their website at http://www.friendsofkaren.org/make-a-donation

Love,

the Montes

Read our blog post from October, Somers rallies again for cancer-stricken college student.

LINKS:

http://somerstrackxc.blogspot.com/2011/03/hanna-monte-has-passed-away.html

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannamonte

http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2010/10/somers-rallies-again-for-cancer.html

Somers Man Arrested In Greenwich

From the Greenwich Patch: [Greenwich, CT] Police arrested Stephen Corvalan, 21, of 674 Whitetail Drive, Somers, NY, at 1 p.m. on April 3 and charged him with first-degree criminal trespass, interfering with a 911 call and disorderly conduct.

After entering a home uninvited, he prevented a house-sitter in Greenwich from using a personal cellphone or landlines to call 911, according to a police report.

Corvalan’s bond was set at $1,000 and he’s scheduled to appear April 4 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

LINKS:

http://greenwich.patch.com/articles/greenwich-contractor-arrested-during-sloppy-home-renovation

School Superintendent's Contract Extended

When Raymond Blanch was appointed superintendent last August, he was something of an unknown quantity, having spent most of his career as an educator in Colorado. After seven month’s at the helm, the Board of Education is impressed with his performance. At last month’s meeting, the Board of Eduction for the Somers Central School District in Somers, NY extended his contract for five more years, the maximum allowed by state law. "We're just thrilled with the job he's doing here," said Board President Lucia (Missy) Vece said at the meeting. The new contract begins on July 1, 2011 and runs through June 30, 2016. Blanche’s salary this year is $225,000. According to the March 31 NCNLocal.com story by Art Cusano, the School Board would not provide further salary information.

For information about Dr. Blanch, see the September 4 post, Introducing Raymond Blanch, New School Superintendent.

The video of the March 22 School Board meeting is available at the School Districts web site, with the discussion about the extension beginning at approximately 201500.

LINKS:

http://ncnlocal.com/ncnlocal_news/article_b80228b6-5b92-11e0-a2ac-001cc4c03286.html

http://somersspectator.blogspot.com/2010/09/introducing-raymond-blanch-new-school.html

http://board-of-education.somersschools.org/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=2118090&sessionid=74d8bb8c77ea006b45bb8bf319657604#

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Call For Volunteers: Trail Blazing At Angle Fly Preserve On April 3rd

Trail blazers wanted. Last month, scores of volunteers built a bridge over the Angle Fly Brook in Angle Fly Preserve in Somers, NY. The effort was both impressive and festive. The bridge is complete but trails work needs to be done. Volunteer this Sunday, April 3, starting from 10am until mid-afternoon.

Details about Angle Fly trail blazing day is here and at the Somers Land Trust Web Site.

For more information about this work day, send email to: David Gotz, Volunteer Coordinator, at gotz@somerslandtrust.org.

LINKS:

http://www.facebook.com/SomersLandTrust

http://www.somerslandtrust.org/upcomingevents

Traditions 118 Restaurant

Restaurant blogger Toni Addonizio reports on her dining experience at Traditions 118 Restaurant at 11 Old Tomahawk Road in the hamlet of Granite Springs in Somers, NY. This restaurant is known for a contemporary American cuisine with a touch of Italian. Read her take on the Restaurant Week menu at the March 30 post of the Small Bites blog in LoHud.com, Traditions 118 in Granite Springs: Hudson Valley Restaurant Week 2011.

LINKS:

http://food.lohudblogs.com/2011/03/30/traditions-118-in-granite-springs-hudson-valley-restaurant-week-2011/