The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle News

Town Planning in the Hamlet: Today and Yesterday

by

For a historical perspective on town planning, “Inside Chappaqua” invited Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter to tour the New Castle Historical Society’s exhibit:  A Stroll Downtown:  Then and Now.  This vision of the town; replete with historical and contemporary photos, provided the setting for a lively conversation.

The tour begins at Victory Corners, the intersection of Bedford Road and King Street and proceeds down the steep hill.  Along the way, changes and similarities with the town of yesterday abound.  A scene depicting the paving of lower King Street refers to the rural nature of the hamlet; still evident in the few remaining dirt roads.

A receipt from William A. Schley’s Chappaqua Hardware and Co. demonstrates the viability of this type of enterprise.  Today, Chappaqua Paint and Hardware fills this niche.  “It’s very convenient to have a local hardware store,” Carpenter observed.

The proliferation of factories on North Greeley came as quite a surprise.  Bishop’s Shoe factory (succeeded by the Acme Ball Bearing Company), a lumber yard, pickle factory and cooperage occupied this section until the 1920s.  Today, this area is occupied by Rite Aid and the shuttered home of Bistrot Maxime.

The photo of Hyatt’s Auditorium brought the idea of a cultural center to mind. “People would love to find a place for live theatre and musical presentations,” Carpenter related.  In yesteryear, this building housed the exchange for the town’s 150 telephones.  Movies were shown on the second floor.  This three-storied structure reflects another option being considered by the town.  Since most building sites are currently occupied, the addition of second and third floors are being considered as a method of expansion.

At the conclusion of the tour, Carpenter looked ahead to the future.  “It’s time to think about the next step,” she mused.

Music al Fresco

by

When the temperatures rise, it’s time to partake of a treasure in the hamlet:  concerts in the gazebo.  Grab a blanket, chairs and some sustenance and relax while listening to a roster of outstanding bands.

This year, instead of the usual array of cover bands, the town has assembled a line-up of several different kinds of groups.  Some will glorify the classics and others will showcase  original music.  Chris Soi, Assistant Superintendent of the Recreation and Parks Department of the Town of New Castle welcomes this new direction.  In addition, he is proud to say that “local talent” will be on stage.

First up this year on July 11 will be the Don DuPont Chappaqua Dance Band.  DuPont, Sr. is well known to residents as the leader of the Recreation and Parks Department jazz band.  Don Dupont, Jr. is the music teacher at Roaring Brook Elementary School.   They will regale the crowd with big band tunes.  “I think dancing will definitely be appropriate during their performance,” Soi noted.

On July 18th The Chappaqua Orchestra will grace the stage.  Their program will include suites from the five great musicals:  “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” and “The Sound of Music.”  Music Director and Conductor Michael Shapiro cited the “instant appeal” of this genre for all ages.  He described the “magic” of the music:   “It’s very basic but it gets under your skin.”

Norberto Goldberg and Amazonas will be appearing for the first time at the gazebo on July 25th.  This five piece band will deliver a rousing Latin jazz beat.  Goldberg has recorded several albums and has played on Broadway.

On 8/1 Chris Fox and Mojo Monde will take the stage.  Their program will focus on rock, folk, and the blues.

All concerts begin at 7 pm and the dates are rain or shine.  Check www.mynewcastle.org for further information and rain locations.

Income Tax Fraud

by

Imagine this:  It’s tax season and after sorting through a morass of paper and electronic files, you are ready to file.   Calculations show that you are entitled to a refund check.  With high hopes, you submit the tax returns online.  Unfortunately, word comes back from the IRS that someone else has assumed your identity and has not only already filed your taxes but has also pocketed the highly anticipated refund.  The internet savvy criminals requested that the check be mailed to a different address.

This unfortunate scenario played out for five households in town this year.  In each case, the victims notified the IRS as well as the New Castle Police Department.

This scam, in which criminals fabricate the necessary forms including W2s, is nationwide.  Detective Officer James Wilson of the New Castle Police Department related that this is another form of identity fraud, seen most recently in town in the form of scams targeted at seniors.  Wilson offered this advice:  “File your taxes early.”  In each of the five cases, the victims had tarried after receiving the requisite documentation.  During this time, criminals are on the prowl, looking for easy targets.

Wilson noted that the best way to thwart all types of identity theft is to avoid divulging personal information.  “People shouldn’t relate their social security number unless they absolutely have to,” he noted.

A Tale To Tell

by

There are many adorable bears in Chappaqua.  They are often sighted at children’s tea parties, bedrooms and toy stores.  Although this variety of bear is always welcome in the hamlet, when a real live bear meanders in, the reaction is quite different.  Residents call the police immediately and take precautions.

Last week the police received two calls regarding black bears in the vicinity of the Duck Pond and Douglas Road.  According to Detective Sergeant James Wilson of the New Castle Police Department, it is very likely that both residents saw the same bear, since they tend to travel.  He also mentioned that this is not an unusal occurence.  “At this time of year, we always get one or two calls,” he related.

To keep bears at bay, Wilson urged everyone to secure their garbage, dismantle bird feeders and pay particular attention to dogs.  Bears see diminutive canines as easy prey.  If bears persist and become a bonafide threat, the Department of Environmental Conservation will be notified.  They would shoot the bears with tranquilizer guns or trap them in a humane manner.

All sightings should be reported to the police and residents should keep their distance.   These bears may look adorable but their demeanor is not.