The Inside Press

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Westchester County

Spring Hiking At Easy to Reach and Popular Westchester County Park Locales

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Photo by Elena Wolfe for Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture

Looking for a fun new hike for this Spring? Look no further. We put together a short list of diverse trails to blaze as the weather turns warmer. After all, Spring in New York is that perfect sweet spot when it’s not too cold and not too hot. In other words, it’s the perfect time of year to put down those phones and go to the park!

WARD POUND RIDGE RESERVATION

This stunning park clocks in at over 4,300 total acres, and is located in Pound Ridge, NY. According to a spokesman for Westchester County Parks, Linda Lovallo, “The Reservation is a mecca for hikers from nearby, as well as communities throughout Westchester, as well as Connecticut, New York City and even Long Island.” Because of the sheer size of the park, hikers have many choices for planning their routes. There are more moderate routes like the Pound Ridge Marsh Loop, a 2.6 mile loop, and there are far more challenging paths more experienced hikers can traverse on their own. Camping is offered at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation as well.

For programming, the reservation has much to offer. A particularly interesting program is called, “Gallery In the Park,” where artists exhibit their work in the beautiful surroundings of the reservation. There are two shows scheduled this spring. The first is, “For Mother Nature,” a multi-artist mixed-medium show that will celebrate Mother Nature, and will coincide with the weekend after Earth Day. There will be an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, April 23, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and live acoustic music. “For Mother Nature” will run through Sunday, June 5. The second show is by renowned wildlife photographer, Dona Tracy. The show will open Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, from 1 to 4 p.m., and will feature live music on Saturday and a live Birds of Prey demonstration on Sunday. The show will run through August 14. 

STONE BARNS

While perhaps a bit of an unconventional choice for a hike, unconventional isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While many trails are flooded with hikers when the nicer weather comes around, the 80-acres Stone Barns (located in Pocantico Hills) has to offer will be all yours (and getting up close to the animals who live there is just a bonus).

Blue Hill is the famous restaurant that Stone Barns serves, but the grounds aren’t just limited to their customers. A parking pass is available for $10 on the weekends (parking is free on weekdays) so that everyone can enjoy its beauty. “In the Stone Barns Center fields, you will see our hard-working teams making the transition from winter cover to spring abundance. The fields are coming alive with new growth of diversified vegetables, grains, herbs and flowers,” said Stone Barns crop director Jason Grauer. 

You don’t have to just stay with the fields, either. Stone Barns offers guided tours of their facilities for $25 an adult, and $10 a kid over 5. “When visiting the Stone Barns Center Greenhouse this spring, one can see the propagation space, a warm nursery environment with tens of thousands of plants started from seed and plant tissue culture,” said Grauer. With Stone Barns, it’s not just a hike, it’s an entire agricultural experience.

The programs can get a little bit pricey, but they are top notch. They range from the relatively modest and children-friendly tour mentioned above, to a $75 tour led by a Stone Barns farmer and a Blue Hill chef, to a $95 sheep shearing demonstration. Stone Barns also features an upscale cafeteria that is open from Thursday to Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. The perfect place to end a hike!

CROTON POINT PARK

At 508 acres, it’s right in the middle of Pound Ridge and Stone Barns. Like Pound Ridge, Croton Point has many exciting amenities when you plan your visit. “This park offers year-round events and activities and has facilities for camping, hiking and swimming. Patrons come from Connecticut, all five boroughs of New York City, upstate New York, all parts of Westchester County, and from as far as Alaska and The Netherlands,” said Lovallo. You can go for a serious camping trip, or you can go for a quick three-minute walk or run. 

During the summer months, the park is an attraction for swimmers. In the spring, the beautiful river-side park may just be the perfect place for hikes and visits of all types. In addition to camping and swimming, Croton Point Park offers other compelling programming as well. “The Croton Point Nature Center houses exhibits on local flora and fauna including Hudson River specimens, local and Native American history and hands-on activities,” said Lovallo. The park is on land that belonged to Native Americans, and the director of the center tries to reflect that.

Another fun feature of Croton Point Park is the miniature air field that Croton Point Field becomes when members of the Miniature Aircraft Association of Westchester gather. You won’t notice them on your hike, but you’ll pass right by them when on your way to park. 

The 3.7 mile Croton Point Park trail is perfect for hikers of every skill level. It features a river view and, like all entries on this list, exemplifies the lush, beautiful greenery that the Hudson Valley is known for. At the end of the trail, you can even walk right up to the cliff overlooking the water (that is very safely protected with barricades). This trail is not to be missed in the spring. Bring the kids, bring the dog, bring the whole family!

Westchester County Office of Economic Development Announces Return of Launch1000

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The Westchester County Office of Economic Development announced Launch1000, an innovative, fully remote, self-paced program designed to turn concepts and ideas into business plans and startups, will return in 2022. New to the Program this year is the addition of a dual language cohort (English/Spanish) with a minimum of 100 seats available. All Launch1000 programming will be available in both English and Spanish, and bilingual participants will be supported by bilingual coaches and mentors. There will be workshops for just for the dual language cohort, as well as workshops combining the English-only and the bilingual Launchers.

(L to R): County Executive George Latimer, Deborah Novick, Jose Hidalgo, Bridget Gibbons, Carola Bracco and Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Following the success of our inaugural Launch1000 program, we were inspired to give more residents the opportunity to get their ideas off the ground and turn them into de-risked businesses and nonprofits. We are excited to add a dual language cohort to the program and make this opportunity accessible to more residents.”

Born out of a global pandemic, Launch1000 offers Westchester County residents the opportunity to gain critical business knowledge, connect with mentors and help their idea gain traction. In 2021, 218 residents completed the program and launched a diverse range of small businesses and nonprofits. The program is led by entrepreneurial expert Pam Hoelzle, who has coached tens of thousands of early-stage entrepreneurs. Launch1000 requires a commitment of 10-hours per week and is designed for individuals who can commit to steadily working on their idea throughout the remainder of 2022. Launchers who successfully complete the program will receive a $1,000 grant to help defray startup costs.

Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “The Launch1000 program is an investment in growing and diversifying Westchester’s small business community. This program provides education, mentorship and a supportive community to help residents to take their ideas from concept to completion. And, it places a critical focus on de-risking to help participants bring viable and sustainable ventures to market.”

Westchester County Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Deborah Novick said: “In its first year, Launch1000 helped 218 business and nonprofits get off the ground. Sixty-five percent of these Launchers had no prior business experience. This program is proof that all it takes is an idea to start down the path to becoming your own boss and launching a new venture. We look forward to helping our 2022 Launch1000 participants become business owners and nonprofit leaders.”

Whether an individual is in the infancy of exploring an idea, hopes to create an avenue for working from home, aspires to create a business to support and improve their local community, or already has a concrete business concept, Launch1000 provides the tools to test ideas and move forward. As participants move through the phases of the program, they will receive feedback and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, as well as introductions to relevant organizations and individuals within the Westchester business community. The program is completely online, so it can be completed from the safety of home, and is open to residents anywhere in the County. To ensure that a lack of technology does not prevent anyone from applying to the program, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development will provide laptops to residents who need them.

Applications will open this spring and interested individuals are encouraged to apply early. Potential participants can learn more about Launch1000 by visiting: WestchesterCatalyst.com/Launch1000. Organizations who would like to host an infosession (virtual or in-person) about the program and individuals who are interested in supporting Launch1000 by mentoring participants or otherwise sharing their expertise should contact Deborah Novick at 914-995-2998.

In addition to Launch1000, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development offers a suite of programs and resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs including: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator, Element 46 Incubator, the RXR Volunteer Program, and other programs.

A full directory of businesses and nonprofits who have graduated from Launch1000 is available at: https://launch1000.orbelay.com/.

NEWS & Photo COURTESY OF  The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life.  This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/.

Catholic Schools Week in Westchester: Local Second Grader with Special Needs Makes Valentines for Nursing Home Residents

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From January 30 to February 5, teachers and students will celebrate Catholic Schools Week in Westchester. The event spotlights Catholic elementary schools and high schools throughout the Archdiocese of New York.

Sophia Callaguazo, a second grade student at John Cardinal O’Connor School (JCOS) in Irvington, a Catholic School for children with learning disabilities, is embracing JCOS’ motto #choosekind during Catholic Schools Week.

Sophia Callaguazo, an Inner-City Scholarship Fund recipient, Sophia will be spreading love and kindness with her classmates by creating Valentine’s Day cards for residents of the St. Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry. to service during Catholic Schools Week in Westchester.

JCOS is dedicated to providing a Catholic education to children with learning disabilities while consistently participating in community service projects. Gladys Callaguazo, Sophia’s mother, credits Inner-City Scholarship Fund with enabling her daughter to attend JCOS, a school with a dedicated faculty that understands Sophia’s learning disability and helped her develop stronger skills in reading and writing, while supporting the community through service.

In 2021, Sophia received a scholarship from Inner-City Scholarship Fund (Inner-City), which provides tuition assistance to 11,000 students in Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese of New York. Since she started at JCOS in September, the scholarship gave Sophia access to highly specialized instruction in a small classroom to help her learn how to read. Thanks to the outstanding work that Sophia’s teacher, Mrs. Bollati, does with Sophia each day, she has made great strides in expanding her sight word vocabulary and her ability to read, write, and spell. Today, Sophia is more self-confident and often participates in class.

Over the next few weeks, Sophia will make Valentine’s Day cards for the residents of the St. Cabrini Nursing Home. By writing uplifting messages on the cards, Sophia is going to use the reading and writing skills that she is learning at JCOS to help make a difference in the lives of others.

A Trip to NYPD’s 32nd Precinct “to Stand in Solidarity and Grief”

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The Westchester County and Hudson Valley law enforcement community said that it traveled ‘as one’ on Sunday to the 32nd Precinct in Manhattan ‘to stand in solidarity and grief with the NYPD’ and to mourn one of its fallen officers.

The following statement which appeared in social media was sent to the Inside Press by the Westchester County Police: 

“We mourn the loss of life that has occurred and stand united with the men and woman of the NYPD.

Our officers brought wreaths, food, cards and a contribution to the fund that will assist the families impacted by this enormous tragedy.

Our collective message to the NYPD was: We Stand With You. Different patches, same police family.

Dozens of agencies gathered this morning at the Westchester County Police Academy to travel in a caravan to Manhattan. The WCPD and Port Chester PD organized this gathering and we are grateful to the following agencies for their participation and support:

Ardsley PD, Bedford PD, Bronxville PD, Clarkstown PD, Dobbs Ferry PD, DC 10-13 Foundation of Hudson Valley, Dutchess County SD, Eastchester PD, Greenburgh PD, Harrison PD, Kent PD, Larchmont PD, Mount Pleasant PD, Mount Vernon PD, MTA PD, New Castle PD, New Rochelle PD, New York SP, North Castle PD, Orangetown PD, Pelham PD, Pelham Manor PD, Port Chester PD, Putnam County SD, Rockland County DA’s Squad, Rockland County SD, Rye Brook PD, Rye PD, Scarsdale PD, Sleepy Hollow PD, Stamford Police Assoc., Tuckahoe PD, Westchester Blue Foundation, Westchester County PD, Westchester County PSEF, Westchester County DES, White Plains PD, Yonkers PD and Yorktown PD.

Many PBAs and police organizations provided generous support to the fund-raising effort.”

 

County Marks 20th Anniversary of 9/11 with Tribute & Unveiling of Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial

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Watch full ceremony on Facebook or YouTube.

(Valhalla, NY) – Overlooking both The Rising memorial and the newly unveiled Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial, Westchester County Executive George Latimer joined the County in mourning those lost due to the terrorist attack that day twenty years ago.

Latimer said: “Each year, this day is day of reflection for those who lived through it and a day to provide comfort to those who lost so much. Now, twenty years later, this day must also serve as a lesson to those too young to remember. I hope this ceremony can both provide comfort and a reminder to all what occurred on that seemingly normal September morning on which the world was changed forever.”

The County’s ceremony, emceed by ABC7 Journalist Marcus Solis, marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11, once again hosted at the breathtaking Kensico Dam Plaza was a service filled with powerful remarks, moving prayers by Reverend Erwin Lee Trollinger, Imam Shaffieq Chace, & Rabbi Howard Goldsmith, comforting music provided by SUNY Purchase, sadness, but also, hope.

Solis said: “As a reporter who covered the attacks on 9/11, the 20th anniversary has special meaning. I am truly honored to be taking part in the ceremony in Westchester where I live, and where so many families were impacted.”

The ceremony opened with a procession Westchester County Department of Public Safety Ceremonial Unit Color Guard, the Pipes and Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester County and representatives from the NYPD and FDNY. This moving tribute was followed by a rendition the Star Spangled Banner performed by New York Presbyterian Lawrence ICU nurse and Mount Vernon resident Carlo Jose “CJ” Zenarosa.

The solemn occasion was then marked by the laying of a wreath by Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Department of Emergency Services Commissioner Richard Wishnie, Lisabeta Vukaj – sister Of Simon Marash Dedvukaj who was killed in the north tower – and a member of the Westchester County Department of Safety Police Honor Guard.

The day prior to the ceremony, September 10, Latimer was joined by family members of those fallen for a private unveiling of the newly furnished Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial. This new monument, placed next The Rising at Kensico Dam Plaza, was designed by a committee made up of loved ones of those lost.

Committee Co- Chair and New York City Police Officer Matthew J. McCauley said: “Twenty years after our first responders rushed to the disaster areas that were created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, these selfless, courageous, brave and humble men and women continue to make the ultimate sacrifice from 9/11 related illnesses.  First responders from eleven different agencies, including six from the City of Yonkers Fire & Police Departments and four from the City of White Plains Fire Department are among the initial 41 names engraved on the memorial being unveiled today adjacent to “The Rising.”  We applaud Westchester County Executive George Latimer for recognizing that a memorial in the honor of those 9/11 first responders that resided and/or worked or volunteered for Westchester County Agencies and who lost their lives to 9/11 related illnesses was long overdue.  The collaboration between County Executive Latimer, his team and this Memorial Committee has had one goal from the beginning, to “Never Forget.”  Unfortunately, we expect the number of names here to at least double in size by next year once we capture all that have been lost who are associated with Westchester County.  Again, we thank County Executive Latimer for understanding the sobering truth and reality that this memorial will continue to grow in size for decades to come.  By supporting this Memorial Committee’s vision, he, along with the rest of the County, has ensured that 9/11 First Responders from Westchester County will never be forgotten.”  

The committee, and Westchester County, tragically lost co-chair Peter Woods to a 9/11 related illness earlier this year.

Following the public unveiling of the new memorial, an Eternal Light was lit. A light that will shine 24/7 over the memorial as a testament to the light shone over this County by the heroes this monument is dedicated to.

The ceremony continued on with the reading of the names of those Westchester residents killed on 9/11 and those Westchester residents who have died from 9/11 related illnesses by Westchester County Legislators, District Attorney Miriam Rocah, County Clerk Tim Idoni and family members of those lost.

Names of those lost on 9/11:

  • William Abrahamson
  • Peter Craig Alderman
  • Kazuhiro Anai
  • Sharon Balkcom
  • Yelena Belilovsky
  • Michael J. Berkeley
  • George Bishop
  • Michael A. Boccardi
  • Michelle Renee Bratton
  • Thomas M. Brennan
  • Jonathan Eric Briley
  • Mark Brisman
  • Lloyd Brown
  • Ronald Bucca
  • Tom Burke
  • Mary T. Caulfield
  • Alex Ciccone
  • Kevin Francis Cleary
  • Robert J. Coll
  • Helen Crossin-Kittle
  • Joan Cullinan
  • Patrick W. Danahy
  • Dwight Darcy
  • Marisa DiNardo
  • Simon A. Dhanani
  • John J. Doherty
  • Christopher Michael Duffy
  • Paul Fiori
  • Thomas Fitzpatrick
  • Simon Dedvukaj
  • Kevin Joseph Frawley
  • Alan W. Friedlander
  • John Patrick Gallagher
  • Charles Garbarini
  • Peter Gelinas
  • Kieran Joseph Gorman
  • Yugi Goya
  • Gary Haag
  • Richard B. Hall
  • Vincent Halloran
  • W. Ward Haynes
  • Nobuhiro Hayatsu
  • Katsuyuki Hirai
  • Thomas Warren Hohlweck, Jr.
  • Montgomery McCullogh Hord
  • Louis Steven Inghilterra
  • Ariel Louis Jacobs
  • Arthur Joseph Jones
  • Douglas G. Karpiloff
  • Satoshi Kikuchihara
  • Takashi Kinoshita
  • Glenn Kirwin
  • Richard J. Klares
  • Gary Koecheler
  • Vanessa Langer
  • Denis Lavelle
  • Joseph Leavey
  • Michael A. Lepore
  • Richard Lynch, Jr.
  • Michael J. Lyons
  • Katie Marie McCloskey
  • John T. McErlean, Jr.
  • Francis McGuinn
  • Michael McHugh, Jr.
  • Barry J. McKeon
  • Robert C. McLaughlin, Jr.
  • Christopher D. Mello
  • Yamel Merino
  • William Minardi
  • Krishna V. Moorthy
  • George Morell
  • Dennis Moroney
  • Takuya Nakamura
  • Soichi Numata
  • James A. Oakley
  • Diana J. O’Connor
  • Amy O’Doherty
  • Marni Pont O’Doherty
  • Samuel Oitice
  • Sean Gordon Corbett O’Neill
  • Chris Orgielewicz
  • Timothy F. O’Sullivan
  • Michael B. Packer
  • Thomas Palazzo
  • James Nicholas Pappageorge
  • William H. Pohlmann
  • Hemanth Kumar Puttur
  • Vincent A. Princiotta
  • Valsa Raju
  • Robert A. Rasmussen
  • John Reo
  • Joseph R. Riverso
  • Gregory E. Rodriguez
  • Edward Ryan
  • Tatiana Ryjova
  • Sam Salvo
  • Eric Sand
  • Robert Scandole
  • Marian Serva
  • Daniel Shea
  • Joseph Shea
  • Linda Sheehan
  • Thomas J. Shubert
  • Allan Shwartzstein
  • David Silver
  • Michael John Simon
  • Thomas E. Sinton III
  • Rochelle M. Snell
  • Robert Speisman
  • Joseph P. Spor, Jr.
  • Timothy C. Stout
  • John Swaine
  • Sean Patrick Tallon
  • Michael A. Tamuccio
  • Kenichiro Tanaka
  • Joanna Vidal
  • Jeffrey Walz
  • James Arthur Waring
  • Timothy Matthew Welty
  • William Wik
  • Marc Zeplin
  • Ivelin Ziminski
  • Joseph J. Zuccala

 

Names read of those lost to 9/11 Related Illnesses:

  • Firefighter – Gary S. Allo – White Plains Fire Department
  • Police Officer – Christopher M. Barry – NYPD
  • Sergeant – Patrick J. Boyle – NYPD
  • Sergeant – Patrick T. Coyne – NYPD
  • Battalion – Chief Kevin R. Byrnes – FDNY
  • John M. Cozza – Construction Industry
  • Emergency Medical Technician – Luis De Pena, Jr – FDNY
  • Police Officer Kenneth X. Domenech – NYPD
  • Police Officer Nicholas G. Finelli – NYPD
  • Lieutenant – Clark W. Douglass – White Plains Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Daniel R. Foley – FDNY
  • Detective – Mark S. Gado – New Rochelle Police Department
  • Richard A. Grace – Construction Industry
  • Commissioner Peter S. Guyett – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Herbert D. Harriott – Rye Fire Department
  • Police Officer – Joseph F. Heid – NYPD
  • Detective – Michael A. Houlahan – NYPD
  • John A. Lo Bianco – Construction Industry
  • Police Officer – Anthony Maggiore – Yonkers Police Department
  • Executive Director – Stephan Hittmann – FDNY
  • Fire Fighter – Gary S. Martin – White Plains Fire Department
  • Lieutenant – Roy D. McLaughlin – Yonkers Police Department
  • Firefighter – Robert A. Mentrasti – Fairview Fire Department
  • Detective – James W. Monahan – NYPD
  • Police Officer – Walter L. Mallinson – Harrison Police Department
  • Lieutenant – John W. Moran – FDNY
  • Firefighter – Kevin J. Nolan – FDNY
  • Police Officer – Kathleen O’Connor Funigello – New Rochelle Police Department
  • Firefighter – John V. Peteani Jr – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Michael R. O’Hanlon – FDNY
  • Firefighter – Eduardo A. Rivera – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Detective – Joseph E. Seabrook – NYPD
  • Captain – Robert J. Spatta – Croton on the Hudson Fire Department
  • Deputy Chief – Frank G. Strollo – New Rochelle Fire Department
  • Captain – Ronald G. Peifer SR – NYPD
  • Captain – Dennis P. Tortorella – Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Neill S. Tyndal JR – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Detective – Charles J. Wassil JR – Peekskill Police Department
  • Lieutenant – Marden C. Wolf – White Plains Fire Department
  • James P. Sullivan – New York City Transit Authority
  • Sergeant – Peter C. Woods – NYPD, Hartsdale Fire Commissioner & Co-Chair of this Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial

 

The tribute concluded with a moment of silence, flyover by County Police and a performance of Taps by Mount Pleasant Police Officer Peter Blume.

 

News courtesy of the office of the Westchester County Executive.