The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Riverkeeper Seeking Clean Up Volunteers and Anglers

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Now that Spring is in full swing, are you and your family or friends thinking about what fun activities are worth your time? 

Riverkeeper.org could well be your resource since it sponsors Sweep, an annual volunteer event to clean up areas along the Hudson River and its tributaries, and the “Save a Million Bass” project that helps to protect the river’s striped bass. 

Ossining volunteer team displaying their trash load from the Sing Sing Kill.

What’s Down by the Riverside? 

Ketie Leung, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, is looking forward to this year’s Sweep on May 4.  She works hard to help make Sweep an engaging and exciting event, but its success lies with both the community volunteers and the site leaders: 

Leung said: “When volunteers get together at these cleanup sites, there is a sense of community building and partnership that drives them to pick and dig up every single piece of litter and debris that does not belong in the river or the tributaries. They want to do a good job at their sites and leave them better than when they found them.” 

Volunteer rolling a discarded tire out of the River Glen Cove in Hastings. Photo by Haven Colgate
Kayak clean-up at the Piermont Marsh Shoreline in Sparkill. Photo by Brian DeGasperis

The dedication of people caromg for the Hudson River was clearly shown in the 2023 Riverkeeper Sweep, which had over 2500 volunteers –more than double from the year before –and gathered an incredible 31 tons of trash. 

Leung referred to the fact that these volunteers “came out to give back to the Hudson and its tributaries. Many volunteers expressed how great their stewardship project sites went.”  

As important as the volunteers are, the site leaders add their special touch in helping volunteers navigate the clean-up experience. 

Leung said, “Our Sweep site leaders are very dedicated in organizing their individual cleanups along the Hudson as successfully as they can. They make sure their volunteer groups are safe while having fun.” 

Ellen Roth, a Sweep Leader from the Athens area, put it beautifully when she said she’s involved in Sweep “because the Hudson River is beautiful, ancient, sacred, the lifeblood of so many wonderful creatures, and a huge part of my life.  The Sweep is an incredible way to make a difference, set an example for others, and raise awareness of our big, beautiful, mighty, life-sustaining Hudson.” 

Adult and child carrying off bagged trash and recyclables at Annsville Creek Park in Peekskill. Photo by Leah Rae

This year’s Sweep event will be held on Saturday, May 4. Registration opened on March 29th on Eventbrite, and more information can be found at www.riverkeeper.org/sweep.

There are few things better than working for a worthy cause and having fun in the process. 

But if clean-up isn’t quite what you’re looking for in an outdoor activity, Riverkeeper.org also works with anglers, aka people who catch (and sometimes) release fish. 

Calling All Anglers

Riverkeeper has a number of projects devoted to the fish population, such as the “iconic” Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, and river herring, which reside in the Hudson River. 

Leung describes one of them, Save A Million Bass (SAMB), as “groundbreaking” in that it “uses the latest technology to educate anglers about new rules and regulations and the best catch and release techniques.”  

Basically, anglers that want to participate in the project can use striped bass stickers with a QR code, which can be scanned with smart devices and reach a special page on the Riverkeeper website.  There they will find “ten ways to help save a million bass” along with tips on catching and releasing striped bass. 

It’s an exciting project that members of fishing clubs might want to participate in as well.  They can order the SAMB stickers and have the name of their club printed on the stickers. 

“While many of these fish, including striped bass, have been impacted by environmental stressors, striped bass are unique in that the recreational fishery has a huge impact on their populations,” Leung said. 

The original idea behind SAMB came from the disastrous mortality rate for striped bass that were the casualties of what Leung called “recreational catch and release fishing.” In fact, it was estimated in a 2017 study that “3.4 million stripers did not survive catch and release. This was based on the standard 9% mortality rate applied to catch and release.” 

So, if the SAMB project is able to reduce the mortality rate by even a third, it could save a million bass or more a year.  That is truly a worthy goal. 

But, according to Leung, “proper catch and release techniques are only a start.” Better techniques are needed to reduce the mortality of released fish.  

The SAMB project also updates the fishing community on the current regulations and conservation techniques.  So far, it has attracted 150 supporters who subscribe to SAMB newsletters that come out before the striped bass begin their migration. 

Leung pointed out another noteworthy aspect of SAMB: “We have also partnered with three fishing tournaments to distribute custom stickers and de-hookers to anglers across the Northeast.” Now, that is very exciting since SAMB is making an impact beyond the shores of the Hudson. 

If you want to spend time by the water, Riverkeeper Sweep and Save a Million Bass offer two ways to help you both enjoy the outdoors and give back to the mighty Hudson. For more information, visit: https://saveamillionbass.org/

At the Ten-Year Mark, Stayin’ Alive Keeps Thriving & Helping First Responders & the Wider Westchester Community

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Stayin’ Alive’s Michele Berliner
PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

A decade ago, Armonk residents Andrew Berliner and Doug Saltstein were critically injured in their Windmill neighborhood during Hurricane Sandy when they were both struck by a utility pole. Due to the tenacity and expertise of the local First Responders, Andrew and Doug survived and were able to be transported safely in an ambulance to the Westchester Medical Center despite fallen trees and live power lines.

As the men recovered at the hospital, their wives Michele Berliner and Christy Saltstein spent many hours thinking of a way to thank those courageous First Responders who performed such a daring rescue. At first, they hosted thank you dinners and lunches for the men and women who worked at the local highway, police and fire departments. They soon learned after talking to them that raising funds for First Responders was crucial especially for equipment that isn’t normally covered by their budgets. “We soon realized, we had the means to help them,” even though neither women had any previous experience running a charity.

Establishing Stayin’ Alive

First Responders in Armonk receiving
a grant

Just one-year post-Sandy, the two women who were both avid runners put a team together of local North Castle runners for the Westchester Running Festival. That initial race helped raise $20,000 which was directly donated to the Armonk Fire Department for the purchase of new EMS jumpsuits. Spurred by that success and seeing a greater need for funds, the inaugural Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run took place in May 2014 in the Windmill Community and they incorporated their charity later that summer.

Since that inaugural run, the charity has seen “incredible growth” over the past decade, says Stayin’ Alive co-founder Michele Berliner. Initially, they thought they would just do one fundraising event but when they saw the impact that the charity had on the lives of both the First Responders and the residents that they serve, Berliner and Saltstein decided to continue with their mission.

A Charity Blossoms & Expands Its Reach

This past December, Berliner and the Stayin’ Alive Board of Directors distributed 16 grants to First Responder organizations. In their 10 years as a charity, they have given out 105 grants totaling $505,000. When Stayin’ Alive first began to gift grants in 2015, the recipients were mostly First Responder organizations such as the Armonk Independent Fire Company within North Castle and Thornwood. Now, in their tenth cycle of grants they are covering a large swath of Northern Westchester First Responder organizations based in other towns such as Buchanan, Bedford Hills, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Pleasantville, Millwood, and Valhalla. “We are starting to reach the depths of Northern Westchester and it is really exciting. You don’t know how far what we give out in grants will give back to the communities. These grants make a real difference and save lives,” said Berliner.

Unexpected Loss of Co-Founder Christy Saltstein Challenges the Charity

Michele Berliner and Christy Saltstein

At a somber moment during the interview, Berliner discussed losing her co-founder Christy who unexpectedly passed away during the summer of 2020 at the age of 46. “Her death was unbelievably tragic in so many ways. I lost my best friend and my business partner in the charity. We had met as neighbors in the Windmill community and when the accident happened during Hurricane Sandy, we became like family,” Berliner said.

During COVID, they had postponed the annual Stayin’ Alive race and decided to instead hold it virtually for safety reasons. “We typically have 350-450 runners but instead we had 600 virtual runners that year,” commented Berliner who was touched by the community’s outpouring of support. That year’s race was dedicated in memory of Christy. Berliner who used to work at her kitchen island with Saltstein, now works independently on the charity at home while working part-time as a Physical Therapist in Armonk. “Stayin’ Alive has blossomed into this full charity and now it is a part-time volunteer job for me,” comments Berliner. “It has been so difficult since Christy passed away, but it is still going strong and I’m thankful for the many people in our community pitching in and helping out.”

First Responder Grantees

This year, the Town of North Castle’s Police Department (NCPD) received a generous grant to install two additional License Plate Reader cameras that provide real time feedback to the Real Time Crime Center in Westchester which serves the entire county. “As the landscape of policing changes by the day, we are seeing that the most effective way to combat crime is through the use of technology, and thankfully through this generous donation from Stayin’ Alive, these license plate cameras will enable us to do just that. These cameras relay real time information to officers on the road, such as stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and missing persons. Officers can use this information gathered to immediately intervene and potentially prevent a crime in our community before it happens. The support and devotion of the Stayin’ Alive Charity provides us with technology and equipment beyond what our regular budget can,” remarked Peter J. Simonsen, the Chief of the NCPD. The cameras are part of more than 600 license plate reader cameras installed throughout the county.

Former Chief Carlos Cano of the Armonk Fire Department was also especially grateful for two of the equipment grants the Department received for ice rescue rope reels and the Lucas machine. “There are a lot of lakes, ponds and different bodies of water in Armonk. Every year we have our annual ice rescue drill. At one end of the rope there are two carabiners attached. One goes to the rescuer and the other is attached to a rescue ring that in the event that someone falls through the ice, this ring will go around the victim’s torso (under the arms) and the rescuer and victim will get pulled to shore with one rope,” Cano explained.

Another piece of equipment received through Stayin’ Alive grant funding is the Lucas machine. “When someone is in cardiac arrest, early and proper CPR increases the chance of survival,” explained Firefighter Cano. Manual compressions may not be as effective, as they can be irregular, or not enough pressure is applied to pump blood and get oxygenated blood to the brain. “The Lucas machine is a great tool that delivers compressions at the proper rate and depth every time, even during transport. It also helps if we don’t have extra people to switch off during manual compressions, greatly increasing the chance of survival. We are lucky to have two Lucas machines thanks to the generosity of Stayin’ Alive,” said Cano.

Reaching Out

Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run

The charity has expanded greatly to neighboring communities since its inception ten years ago. One such group that has benefitted from the grants is the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC). “CVAC has been very fortunate to have received numerous grants from Stayin’ Alive that helped us purchase Lucas machines that automate CPR, vital signs monitors and other life-saving equipment. Without the grants from Stayin’ Alive, it would have been very challenging for CVAC to purchase this equipment. Stayin’ Alive’s grants have literally helped our patients to stay alive,” noted CVAC Captain Marc Hirschfield.

Towards the Future

As Berliner prepares for the next Stayin’ Alive Annual Run slated for October 5, 2024, she is also buoyed up by the many younger volunteers the organization has. She’s seen a large growth within the younger generation of families, neighbors and friends who want to give back. “Many of the youth volunteers are bringing exciting, new ideas to the table,” she said. With the strong support of individuals and local businesses in the community, it’s clear that Stayin’ Alive will keep thriving beyond its 10th anniversary.

For more information or to donate, please visit stayinalive.org

How Relay For Life Proves that Cancer isn’t Stronger than the Strength of Our Community

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The Relay For Life event, first created by The American Cancer Society in 1985, has evolved into the world’s largest volunteer fundraiser. The American Cancer Society supports fundraisers and donates all money raised to cancer patients and their caregivers, thereby assisting patients facing the heavy financial burden of treatment. Every year, hundreds of people gather at the Horace Greeley High School field to support the Relay For Life Fundraising event run by students and teacher organizers.

This year, on May 18, Horace Greeley will again host the Relay for Life event and will welcome students and local residents to a lively atmosphere with food trucks, live music, all-night activities, and carnival themed booths created by the Chappaqua high school students. Who wouldn’t want to attend? Local food trucks such as Kona Ice and Three Little Pigs Barbeque will be on hand to provide delicious food that attendees can purchase. Part of their revenue is donated to the cause.

A Light that Brings Hope

The highlight of the Relay For Life event is the Luminaria ceremony where glowing paper bags circle the track and spell out “HOPE” on the bleachers. This seemingly simple act holds a symbolic meaning for the family and friends of individuals who lost their battle to this horrible disease. When participants walk around the track, they share a vision of a world where cancer no longer threatens their loved ones. Luminaria bags are available to purchase for $10 allowing you to make a donation and have a meaningful impact on the event.

During a recent interview with Sarah Payes, one of the event co-chairs, stated that “Each year I get chills when the field lights go out and the purple glow sticks start to brighten.”

The event’s main stars are the survivors, honored each year by walking a lap around the track with their loved ones while the crowd cheers in support. Additionally, the Relay For Life Sponsors go the extra mile to try to make cancer survivors have an extra special night. Food and other goodies are catered for the survivors.

Survivors Share Stories

Many of the survivors choose to speak to share their cancer journey and story. On this night, the saying cancer never sleeps rings true as events and activities are held until sunrise. Its many poignant moments symbolize resilience and unity.

Seniors Olivia Bialek and Sarah Payes, co-chairs for the Relay For Life Club, raised an impressive $53,000 last year and are aiming for $65,000 this year. “This year we decided to raise our goal over $10,000 dollars more because we know our community can do it! Every club member is more invested than ever before and we are sure that our community will step up as well.” said Bialek. Both Payes and Bialek stressed the importance of turnout to the event. “The higher the attendance the more likely our goal will be achieved,” said Payes.

Both Olivia and Sarah have been involved with the club since their freshman year of high school. Their participation is rooted in personally experiencing the loss of loved ones to cancer. “I knew I wanted to join the relay when my grandma passed away from lung cancer when I was 10.” Bialek explained. “My sisters had belonged in the club, and I was eager to make a difference, but I was too young to make my mark. When it was my turn to be a Greeley student, I jumped at the first opportunity I saw to help with a cause that was so dear to me.”

Sarah Payes (left) and Olivia Bialek, co-chairs

“A Chance to Step Up and Fight”

Similarly, Sarah lost her grandmother and uncle to cancer but that just enforced her eagerness and determination to volunteer for this cause. “As someone who has been affected by the loss of loved ones due to cancer, making the decision to join Relay For Life was easy. My grandmother passed away from cancer a few years ago and my great uncle passed away last December after a long battle with cancer. Relay has given me a chance to step up and fight for my loved ones, along with the millions of people who have been affected by this disease. I want to do all I can towards cancer prevention and to help support people who are currently battling, and their families.”

For those eager to contribute to the event, there are many ways to make an impact. If you can’t attend the event, donations and volunteering may be explored by contacting livbialek@gmail.com; anyone may run their own carnival-themed booth at the event.

In the months leading up to the event, the local high school chapter hopes to raise over $10,000 dollars and works tirelessly to ensure that the event is a success. To the club members, this event is the highlight of their year.

“To me, Relay For Life is more than a fundraiser, a one night event, or an extracurricular activity, it is a community. Club members quickly became close friends which is incredibly special to me,” said Payes. “I’ve met so many great people through Relay that I may not have gotten a chance to know otherwise.

“Our club is a naturally supportive group of people that show up because they care about the cause and want to do something meaningful. We all take turns inspiring each other with our ideas, hard work, and commitment.”

As the event unfolds on the Greeley campus, people of all ages demonstrate their reliance towards this terrible disease, affirming that we will prevail against cancer. The horrifying fact that 10 million people die from cancer each year provides urgency in finding a cure while honoring those tragically lost in the Chappaqua community.

This Kid is on Fire… Marco Lamberti!

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Marco Lamberti
Photo by Donna Mueller

If you like live music and classic rock – especially the Rolling Stones – you must check out an upcoming show of the band Crossfire Hurricane. This local group plays with a fiery passion (no pun intended) and really gets the audience going. Oh, and did I mention its drummer Marco Lamberti is only ten years old?

I recently had the chance to speak with Marco and his dad Mike about how the band came to be, musical influences and what the future holds for the band and this rock star-in-training.

Mike Lamberti had been playing keyboards in the band Whoz Ya Daddy for some time now and one day during the 2022 holidays, Whoz Ya Daddy’s lead vocalist Chuck St. Troy came to their house to jam with Marco, who had just received a Ludwig drum kit for Christmas. Chuck was so impressed with Marco’s skill, jamming to songs by the Beatles, Stones and The Who, that he suggested playing a gig.

With Mike on guitar, and adding Matt Rocchio on bass guitar and Rick Agosta on guitar, the band headed to an open mic night at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford. The audience loved them, and Crossfire Hurricane was born as a Rolling Stones tribute act. The band describes itself as a “high energy performance tribute band”, performing the music of The Rolling Stones from the 60s to the current period.

Since then, the band, along with Marco’s talents, have really taken off. Crossfire Hurricane has played gigs all across Westchester and the surrounding area at venues including Pete’s Saloon, Carmine’s Deli (Elmsford) and Lucy’s (Pleasantville). Some of his favorite songs to perform live are Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Gimmie Shelter and asked who were his dream musicians to jam with, the answer is Pete Townshend, John Lennon or Keith Richards.

Father/Son Bond as Fellow Musicians

When asked what it was like being able to play with his young son, Mike replies,”Playing in a band with my son Marco has been a wonderful experience and I cherish every moment of it. As time goes by, I am truly amazed by his progress as a musician and his maturity for such a young person. All the band members look forward to playing with him and feel this project is something very special.”

As for working with his dad, Marco shared many of the same sentiments. “Performing with my dad is a lot of fun. He and I went to see the Rolling Stones when I was five years old which was an amazing experience. My dad has been a musician for many years and is always willing to help me.” It’s the mutual respect and shared passion of music that has become an amazing bonding experience for the father-son duo.

Marco has been interested in making music for a while now, despite his young age. “As far as I can remember – I loved drumming. I used to go to my dad’s gigs and watch his band perform. Every Christmas I would ask for a toy drum set which would be destroyed by the end of the year after hours of hitting it.”

When he was gifted his Ludwig kit in 2022, Marco’s playing became more serious and his talent could really be developed. It was at this time that he knew he wanted to perform just like his dad. “After complaining to my father that he gigged and I didn’t, Chuck came to our house one evening to jam. My dad played guitar, Chuck sang and played Sax and me, on drums. He was amazed how many classic rock songs I knew and could play on drums.” Both father and son share a love of classic rock, some of their musical influences being the Beatles, The Who, and of course the Rolling Stones.

Music is in Marco’s blood, as Mike has also been playing guitar and keyboards for many years. His own musical journey helped to solidify Marco’s as well. Mike says, “One evening I decided not to perform a gig on Long Island and headed down to the Thirsty Turtle in White Plains to hang out. There was a band on stage which announced their keyboard player was leaving.

A ‘Life-Altering Moment’

The Lamberti Family

After the show, I approached the drummer (Mike DeBartolo) and asked if I could audition. I landed the spot as the keyboardist and spent many years with the band. It was one of the most life-altering decisions I ever made. I joined the band and met my wife Carla shortly afterwards, got married and had kids. Marco, and my daughters would attend the summer concerts and from a young age they loved hearing music. Marco, from day one, was mesmerized by Mike DeBartolo and in many ways contributed to his love of drumming.”

It’s a real treasure for father and son to perform together while helping to bring the joy of music to their audiences. As Marco says, “When the audience claps and gets excited about the music there is nothing better than that.” But as a current fifth grade student, there are other things that sometimes take precedent over performing. “My parents have stressed the importance of school and the shows are always scheduled on the weekend. I also enjoy playing soccer, baseball and hanging with my friends.”

As for the future of Crossfire Hurricane, it certainly seems like a bright one. The band has lots of gigs booked for Spring 2024 and beyond (more info can be found at crossfirehurricanestonestribute.com).

When asked where they see the band in years to come, the answer is simple, “Our goal is to be the number one Rolling Stones Tribute Band on the East Coast.”

Reflections on the Historic Inauguration of Victoria Bayard Tipp, First BIPOC Town Supervisor of New Castle

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Town of New Castle
January 11 Inauguration Ceremony
Photo by Mia Brown 

To be given a life lesson as a young child is to be handed an envelope entailing the answers to life within it. For Victoria Bayard Tipp, her childhood is imperative in understanding how she came to be the well-respected elected official that the Town of New Castle prides itself on being governed by. An immigrant from Haiti, Tipp became the Supervisor of the Town of New Castle in a moving ceremony on January 11th, 2024. She came from humble beginnings and worked hard to be the compassionate leader she is today.

After her father got a job at the Barclays Bank and her mother started working for the United Nations, Tipp was enrolled at the United Nations International School, where from the age of six, she was exposed to a diverse group of peers. Even as a young individual, Tipp was aware of the many experiences made available to her remarking, “My parents had the privilege of a good education back then and that’s why education has always been so important to me. It does level the playing field, and that’s why I spent so much time on equitable funding for education when I was on the school board. I just want to say how incredible it is that this country did afford me these opportunities.”

Road to Local Government

President Clinton swearing in Victoria Bayard Tipp as New Castle Town Supervisor  Inside Press Photo

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and her J.D. from Harvard Law School, Tipp worked as a lawyer before embarking on her public service career. She served her community in a multitude of capacities, including Chappaqua PTA Vice President and President, President of the CCSD BOE, President of the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association, and Deputy Town Supervisor of the Town of New Castle. Her most esteemed title is a culmination of the work she has done to get to this point; The first BIPOC Town Supervisor of New Castle.

The experiences that shaped Tipp’s civic career were on full display at the prestigious inauguration where a packed room of town residents congregated at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center to witness the event. Among the many esteemed attendees, the most prominent were President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton! They performed the swearing in ceremony of Town Board Members Alexandra L. Chemtob, Jennifer Naparstek Klein, Town Justice, Douglas M. Kraus, Westchester County Legislator & Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Vedat Gashi, and New Castle Town Supervisor, Victoria Bayard Tipp.

This inauguration was a poignant moment in the affirmation of our country’s democracy, with attendees such as Senator Peter Harckham stressing how important it is to “affirm the will of the voters.” Each speech echoed the importance of local government, local officials, and their connection to the people they represent and serve. Former NYS Senator Stephen M. Saland, who participated in swearing in his son, Deputy Town Supervisor, Jeremy Saland, stated, “There’s really nothing more significant in our system than local government. It’s the building block of the foundation of our democracy.” Assembly Member Chris Burdick reinforced these words, remarking “It’s a new group, it’s a new government, and it’s reflecting the will of the people. The will of what you, in New Castle, want from your government, and that truly is a mark of American democracy.”

Public Praise for Tipp

At the outset, heartfelt speeches from members of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC) powerfully attested to the strength of Tipp’s leadership. Subomi Macaulay, President of the WBWPC, spoke to Ms. Tipp’s “quiet disposition and class,” stating, “She is the best person to be the Town Supervisor for New Castle.” Macaulay shared in her speech that Victoria Tipp has long worked to continue to implement DEI in our community. While on the CCSD School Board, she was the liaison to the committee on anti-racism, equity, and social justice.Tipp is adamant on advocating for communities of color in our town, expressing how her early childhood shaped her outlook and perspective.

Every individual who spoke about Victoria Tipp had the kindest words to say about her. Members of the WBWPC all shared a similar message, namely that it is a new day for their members, “as we come together to celebrate a Black woman becoming the Town Supervisor for New Castle, and we know that the town will be well managed under her direction.”

Victoria Tipp is part of something bigger than the community or positions held in New Castle. Through her work, she has helped pave the way for future women of color. Cynthia Ryan, Vice President of the WBWPC, described Tipp’s influence in broadening representation in government. “Tonight was really exciting to see Victoria sworn in by President Clinton. It was a proud moment for the WBWPC as we just created the Greater Bedford Chapter and Victoria was a part of that. The point is to help support and create representation in our community and in Northern Westchester – that’s important.”

Meaning to the Community

As a BIPOC high school student who has seen Ms. Tipp serve my community on the School Board and the Town Board, I felt a deep sense of pride attending the inauguration. To witness a woman of color being sworn into the highest rank afforded in our town is a win for our entire community. Years of movements, reforms, and change have led us to the moment where we have a seat at the highest table. Tipp’s voice will echo the cries of young BIPOC children who have ever felt marginalized in school and BIPOC individuals who have ever felt a sense of estrangement. Hearing Tipp’s upbringing and all that she endured, it is a given that she has worked incredibly hard to earn these opportunities.Tipp has shown immense dedication through her work in overcoming shortfalls while meeting the citizens’ expectations.

A woman of humble beginnings, Victoria Bayard Tipp emulates the standard of government that the citizens and voters of New Castle expect from their elected officials. She gets the job done while considering the demographics of her people. Tipp closed her speech by saying, “We hope for good people to help heal the world.” I believe that Victoria Bayard Tipp will use her platform to be a beacon – one that will lead us to a true democracy, representative of each and every individual who calls New Castle their home.

I believe that Victoria Bayard Tipp opened that envelope she received – and works each and every day to present her constituents with the lessons she keeps unfolding.

54th Anniversary & Still Just as In Love

Town Justice Douglas Kraus Ode to his wife Alice

Throughout New Castle’s historic Inauguration, words of affirmation for family members and loved ones were echoed by each public figure. One individual shared a particularly sweet sentiment about the person he holds dearest to his heart. Town Justice Douglas M. Kraus charmed the audience with poignant words he recited to his wife of almost 54 years. He describes that, “the minute I met her, I absolutely knew she was the one. I didn’t have to do any research, I just knew. But you know, Alice, those of you who know her, she’s a very tough grader, and well she was not so sure. She took a lot of convincing, and this was before I went to law school, so I wasn’t as persuasive then as I was now.” For Kraus, it was fate that he and Alice ended up together, as she was “the only person I’ve ever met who loved diagramming sentences as much as I did in the 6th grade.”

Having known each other for so long, Kraus adores Alice, sharing “I kid you not, this is Wonder Woman, and she is totally the best thing that ever happened to me,” going on to say that Alice is his “very best friend ever.” That sweet love story was on full display at the January inauguration, and for the audience, hearing these words was a tender and joyous moment. Alice and Douglas’ 54th anniversary is in the upcoming weeks, and we wish them many more “amazing and incredible” years right by each other’s side. – Zoya Nabeel