The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

High School Musical Comes to Chappaqua Crossing Theater!

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L-R: Grace Darlington and Violet Gautreau
L-R: Grace Darlington and Violet Gautreau
Back row, left to right: Jackson Gautreau, Hannah Cohen, Grace Darlington, Izzy Thomases, and Violet Gautreau Front Row, left to right: Julie Dalrymple, Livy Bergstein, and Abby Glassman
Back row, left to right:
Jackson Gautreau,
Hannah Cohen, Grace Darlington, Izzy Thomases, and Violet Gautreau
Front Row, left to right: Julie Dalrymple,
Livy Bergstein, and
Abby Glassman


Get ready to Bop to the Top at Lighthouse Youth Theater’s Main Stage Production of “High School Musical.”

Greeley freshman Violet Gautreau and sophomore Grace Darlington star as Sharpay and Gabriella in the Main Stage Blue Cast. Their performances are Saturday night, June 13th, at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on June 14th at 2 p.m. Also in the cast are Chappaqua’s Jackson Gautreau, Izzy Thomases , Abby Glassman, Hannah Cohen, Julie Dalrymple and Livy Bergstein.
Performances are at the Chappaqua Crossing Theater. Get your tickets today!

standingovationstudios.org

Drink Up! to New Castle’s “Second to None” Water Quality

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Treatment Plant Wide ShotA Tour of Millwood’s Water Treatment Plant Reveals the Vast Improvements Made

By Matt Smith

When you walk to your kitchen sink after a long, hot day and fill up a glass with water, do you ever think about where the water’s coming from? And the arduous process it took to clean and filter the water, to make it look the way it does as it gushes out of your faucet?

Well, If you’re a New Castle resident, your water comes from the Millwood Water Treatment Plant and Pumping Station, located just off of Route 100, on Campfire Road. The prime Millwood location was selected because of its close proximity to both New York City’s Catskill Aqueduct, the primary supplier of New Castle’s water, and the Croton Aqueduct, chosen as the standby water source.

These two sources have jointly supplied New Castle’s water since the late 1950’s (Catskill Aqueduct since the ’30’s), though prior to April 1992, the water, while disinfected, was unfiltered. The call for filtration came with the enacting of Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments in 1986.

Shortly after, in 1989, the US Environmental Protection Agency legalized the Surface Water Treatment Rule, requiring filtration on all surface supplies. With the help of Hazen and Sawyer, the town’s engineering consultant since 1950, the rigorous planning, construction, administration, and operator training began, and in August of 1993, the new filtered water pumping station officially began circulation.Filtration Pipes

Since that day, the facility has produced around 7.5 million gallons per day of excellent finished water, through a complex — though easy to understand — filtration process. First, the raw water is drawn by gravity from the Catskill Aqueduct into the treatment plant, through a syphon connection. It undergoes a process of “rapid mixing,” which disperses cleansing chemicals through the raw water.

After this process, machines called flocculators thoroughly mix the water in three stages, to separate out impurities, such as viruses and bacteria, into large masses known as floc. The next step involves the injection of ozone for disinfection. The application of ozone after clarification, but before filtration, reduces the chance of heavy chlorination, which can produce harmful byproducts.

And then, of course, we’re onto the main event, wherein remaining floc particles and matter still in the water are filtered out. Some water treatment plants use this filtration process alone, whereas this plant combines it with dissolved air filtration and ozonation. In fact, the treatment plant holds the distinction of being the first facility in the United States to incorporate dissolved air flotation for clarification and ozonation for primary disinfection. Because of this very distinction, the plant was, in 1994, awarded First Prize in the New York Association of Consulting Engineers Engineering Excellence Competition and named Project of the Year by the Westchester/Putnam Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers. Ozonation

The water leaving the filters at this stage is virtually free of turbidity, pollutants, and chemical residue. The filtered water is then treated with a low dose of chlorine to prevent the regrowth of any organisms in the water, before being pumped out to homes and businesses all throughout the New Castle area.

And that’s it. Sounds simple, no? Fortunately, the process is made easier with a state-of-the-art computer control system that monitors pumps, chemical feed systems, and water quality throughout the plant–“like a giant video game,” adds Gerry Moerschell, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works at the Town of New Castle. With this system, plant managers and employees can track the state of the plant and the distribution of the water at any New Castle location, at any time of day.

And it’s lucky for us that they do. With their hard work, the quality of New Castle’s water is “now second to none,” meeting or exceeding present US government standards, and anticipating those that should be in effect well into the next century.

Comments Senior Operator Paul Steier, with the switch to a filtered pumping station, “the water quality literally changed overnight.” The increased capacity of the new pumping station has also alleviated past water supply problems that had disturbed the town in the past — and it has not gone unnoticed!

“After 25 years of throwing away a solid, brown water filter every two weeks, it’s absolutely delightful to see the same filter now snow white after three months of clean, clear water flowing through it!” states an anonymous New Castle resident. Adds another, “I don’t know about you, but this [water now] is the kind of water I want in my home.”

And thanks to the accuracy and precision of everyone involved at the Millwood Water Treatment Plant and Pumping Station, that is the water we’re all enjoying in our homes.

For more information on the treatment plant, or to arrange your own plant tour, please contact the New Castle Department of Public Works at 914-238-4771.

Matt Smith, a graduate of Skidmore College, is a regular contributor to The Inside Press, Inc.

June 5 and June 6: “Spring Awakening” at Yorktown Stage

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The Armonk-based Lighthouse Youth Theater will perform the Tony Award-winning musical “Spring Awakening” on Friday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 6th, at the Yorktown Stage Theater.

Rehearsing for "Spring Awakenings"
Rehearsing for “Spring Awakenings”

The show is being performed by the very talented teens involved in LYT’s protege group. The show is directed by John Fanelli.

Elana Cantor, a freshman at Greeley and Michela Masotti, a senior at Greeley, each play the leading role of Wendla, the tragic heroine of the story (Elana on Friday, Michela on Saturday). The show also features Michaela Durr and Megan Warshofsky and Ellie Logan is involved behind the scenes.

The musical is based on a 1891 German play by Frank Windekind, having been updated by Duncan Sheik and Steven Slater in the late 1990s. Making its Broadway debut in 2006 with Glee’s Lea Michele in the leading female role, the musical took home eight Tonys in 2007.

While the story takes place in late-19th-century Germany, Sheik and Slater used alternative rock sounds to tell the story of teenagers struggling with their sexuality.

LYT director John Fanelli, who also directs “Awakening,” felt that open discussion during rehearsals about the musical’s subject matter would help performers.

“It’s a reflection of our society and brings value in that it can teach us not to make the same mistakes,” says Fanelli, who launched LYT in 2006 for children and teens in the Westchester area.
To that end, youth groups and high schools are invited to attend performances at discounted rates.
Both performances will begin at 7 each night.
Tickets for the performances are $20, $18 for students.
For tickets and information about LYT’s work, call 914-741-4205 or go online to lytshows.org.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the Fight for Gun Control: “If Only as Simple as Apple Pie…”

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By Grace Bennett

Congresswoman Nita Lowey expressed her frustration over the lack of progress in protecting children and teens from gun violence, as she accepted an “Apple Pie” Award during a private Bedford event celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Million Mom March and promoting the Brady Campaign, which advocates universal background checks, to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.

Million Mom Honorees L-R: Jill Brooke, Donna Dees-Thomases, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Elise Richman.
Million Mom Honorees Jill Brooke, Donna Dees-Thomases, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Elise Richman.
With Rep. Lowey: (L) Alex Dubroff, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Jessica Meller, volunteer for Million Moms March.
With Lowey here: (L) Alex Dubroff, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Jessica Meller, volunteer for Million Moms March.

“We are not seeing progress,” Lowey told those gathered. “It’s hard to believe we are celebrating 15 years.”

Lowey didn’t mince her words regarding mainly Republican legislators (“and the few Democrats who strayed”) voting down key gun control measures, at different points stating they are “fearful of the NRA.”

“After Newtown, we thought that battle was over, but there are members of Congress who are a little thickheaded,” she said.

Lowey also added that the fight was far from over and is the co-sponsor of ever more proposed legislation (see below). “As a mom, I know our voices are powerful,” she stated.

Lowey recalled that the founder of the Million Mom March, Donna Dees-Thomases, had originally imagined a turnout of 10,000.

The group swelled to a whopping 750,000 who assembled in a rally at the National Mall in Washington D.C. on Mother’s Day 2000. A release from Lowey’s office noted Secretary Clinton’s attendance that day too and former Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, and that approximately 200,000 additional activists in more than 70 cities across the country also participated.

Prior to the Congresswoman’s arrival, some 25-30 guests enjoyed tea and lemonade and treats under a tent sharing stories of their activism…or their horrific loss.

Moms honoring Congresswoman Lowey, remembering the Million Mom March...and keeping the heat ON.
Moms honoring Congresswoman Lowey, remembering the Million Mom March…and keeping the heat ON.

A volunteer with Moms Demand Action and Gun Sense in American, Natasha Natalie Christopher, related that her 14-year-old son Akeal Christopher was shot on June 27th, 2012, by indiscriminate gunfire on the streets of Bushwick, in Brooklyn. “He died in the hospital on July 10th, on his 15th birthday…

“No parent should ever know this kind of pain. While other people are planning their kids’ high school graduations, I am planning a June 26th vigil for my son.” She had arrived with her 8-year old son, Christopher, who has become a “Junior Amabassador” sharing his feelings about what it is like to lose a brother at age five.

Lowey with "Junior Ambassador," 8-year-old Christopher.
Lowey with “Junior Ambassador,” 8-year-old Christopher.

Congresswoman Lowey thanked Natasha for “turning your grief into activism,” and commended Christopher, too. “Your personal story maybe can convince some people.”

Po Murray, chairperson of the Newtown Action Alliance, raised four kids who attended Sandy Hook. She works to advocate for legislative changes, and to build awareness, including organizing an annual national vigil in December to remember all victims of gun violence.
“There’s been a total lack of action from Congressional and State Reps given 30,000 gun deaths a year and 700,000 injuries,” she stated. Some wondered what would be “the tipping point,” or wake up call for legislators while others advocated intiating lawsuits against gun manufacturers. “They are always creating little fires to thwart our efforts,” one attendee noted. “Maybe we need to create a few fires for them too.”

Colette Martin, a volunteer from Queens, described a “silent majority” of gun owners who want to see common sense measures passed. “I have more guns in my home than people,” she stated. “The NRA does not represent me. People leave loaded guns lying around like umbrellas. What the hell does that have to do with the Second Amendment?”

Along with Lowey, also honored during the Bedford event were three individuals central to the first Million Mom March in Washington, DC:

• Donna Dees-Thomases established the original Million Mom March in 2000 after she was deeply affected by coverage of the Los Angeles Jewish Community Center day camp shooting in Grenada Hills, CA, in which five people, including three small children, were killed.

• Jill Brooke, aauthor of “The Need to Say No” and the Editor in Chief of Premier Traveler.

• Elise Richman was an original organizer of the Million Mom March.

Gun violence prevention and gun control are important issues for the New York City area. Suspects on the terrorist watch list tried to buy guns from licensed dealers 2,233 times between 2004 and 2014, threatening national security. Gang members used Metro-North trains to engage in a gun-running scheme to bring weapons bought in Port Chester into New York City for resale. A four-year-old Westchester girl recently accidentally shot herself in the face with a handgun.

In the 114th Congress, Lowey is a cosponsor of:

• The Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act (H.R. 752) that would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition;

• The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act (H.R. 2283) that would require federally licensed dealers to confirm the identity of individuals who arrange to purchase ammunition over the internet by verifying a photo I.D.; and

• The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 (H.R. 1076) that would give the Attorney General the authority block suspects on the terror watch list from purchasing firearms.