<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As JFK students entered the auditorium, the excitement was real. As a school, students have been reading the book, “Juana and Lucas,” by Juana Medina. Today, they were visited by the author.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“That’s Juana!” said Jake Zhana.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I hope Lucas is here too,” said Sofia Reale.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The book is a story b</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">ased on author-illustrator Juana Medina’s own childhood in Colombia, about Juana and her best </span><em style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">amigo</em><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">, her dog Lucas. Medina spoke to JFK students about being from Botogta, which is in the Andes Mountains, how she learned to speak English with a little help from Mickey Mouse, and how she moved to the United States. She touched on dealing with difficult times and how to handle those moments by looking for something happy or beautiful. The presentation was interactive and included slides of Bogota and pictures she illustrated including one of a face with a speckled banana.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Because life isn’t perfect, but the freckles make the banana sweet,” she said.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">An improv section of her assembly was next with student collaboration. Students suggested animals and vehicles and Medina drew those animals–lion, cheetah, shark–riding those vehicles–bike, motorcycle, and Lamborghini. To the delight of the crowd, Medina created a coloring page for everyone to take home.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">After the assembly, Medina signed books, ate pizza and chatted with students–all of whom had clearly read the book and were excited to share their favorite parts.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“My favorite part was when Juana was learning English and she said it made her tongue tickle,” said Joey.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“My favorite part was Lucas,” said Isabel Rodriguez.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Medina is not only a wonderful writer and illustrator, but an inspirational person who encouraged JFK students to read and be creative. </span></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Calling All Park Stewards: Westchester Parks Foundation’s Pitch in For Parks</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Earth Day Clean Up Events Needs Your Help!&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Mt. Kisco, NY (March 2025) Westchester Parks Foundation</strong>&nbsp;is getting ready for its largest volunteer event of the year.&nbsp;Started in the late 90’s,&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC5R-2BWpaXEhRsFlX-2Fg0JNsUwhupX0vLc-2Fdhrjpgka8Hw2QX6azCyUwP8SycgrE-2BJbuFGy6qyXUTWzl44wxqkWoZI-3DpJ0Z_Ij1XgsWtWeAdz0mTEGIcEh6byeAwrCr1n-2Fdtm09E61q1gufQgi3uo3sO5-2BIoQsNjgf4iqXmt9uazDd1G1KzkN-2BFfEEtDmQ9DtcHiVLUzLek68fgmSKfHNYnfAO1s1l4dPiZj6g6rw1-2B8O-2B6mqTCUaQPGJnxDkjFQxtUhf7esYgDO7kuYTRr-2FJjl6JHCUh68cOxMKA69HM4VXR5OCdYVhVzbfl3ifIA3J58Z9GThdUHR4lNctP0VzxSn-2BQAfl32MzAZm-2BdGuXyp-2F2lq06FynsDnP-2BQczbxYQFmctlGO8G24CF98KGAlfbrMVXFSp60SMtDhcvfAKEvf1Oy-2FrM8DFeGw-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><strong><em><u>Pitch in for Parks</u></em></strong></a>&nbsp;is the largest multi-day volunteer event that helps get parks ready for peak season.&nbsp;The event kicks off on Earth Day April 22 at Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers and culminates Saturday, April 26 at several Westchester County Parks.&nbsp;The organization is seeking Park Stewards to help with projects this year including maintenance of biodiversity plantings, playground mulching, and beach cleanup along with trash cleanup, clearing trails, removing invasive vines from trees, and preparing and planting flower beds. Participating local businesses include returning Gold Sponsor, Triton International.&nbsp;</p><p>The annual event, held in partnership with the Westchester County Parks Department, will take place throughout Westchester County Parks.&nbsp;Projects for volunteers, working as individuals, families, corporations, local businesses, or groups, will be held at larger sites including the Bronx River Reservation at Westchester County Center, White Plains; Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson; Glen Island Park, New Rochelle; Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers along with smaller parks throughout the week.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Last year, over 500 volunteers clocked 1,437 hours at 16 parks throughout Westchester for clean-up efforts.&nbsp;They planted 984 flowers and 839 bulbs, removed 1,419 pounds of trash and managed 12,341 sq ft of invasive plants.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCzPPYWLR-2FQeOd3PQlsZ-2FTqyYp-2F5N3c2EpcVOuf7rjVZqUy-2BtwQ5z-2Bq0VqI8-2B-2F-2BrKkWlg-2B3z-2FbVWmQOWauFQTsaU-3DLv_4_Ij1XgsWtWeAdz0mTEGIcEh6byeAwrCr1n-2Fdtm09E61q1gufQgi3uo3sO5-2BIoQsNjgf4iqXmt9uazDd1G1KzkN-2BFfEEtDmQ9DtcHiVLUzLek68fgmSKfHNYnfAO1s1l4dPiZj6g6rw1-2B8O-2B6mqTCUaQPGJnxDkjFQxtUhf7esYgDO7kuYTRr-2FJjl6JHCUh68cctxD0MjkUQYtqldxL84OqC78ABZmagjpsUsfqBMob-2BWy1-2FSKj6NZeWnPrjA51sH-2FtVDaapg-2Bk5ZrUZ0Xs1nh-2FZMzNqeNMDWb-2BTTwDow0Zr0-2BHltofe24OVoNM4N4S-2FbW3mpia6ulo6WpLDkwRtRc1Q-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u>Pre-registration</u></a>&nbsp;is encouraged to participate. All tools will be provided, and volunteers should wear clothes that can get dirty and closed toe shoes. For more information on how to volunteer for Pitch in for Parks, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rCw5lbeYgMD9SZQY-2BrkYlhbjpCJpbRT-2FymUUyuySGOpwBHL3q_Ij1XgsWtWeAdz0mTEGIcEh6byeAwrCr1n-2Fdtm09E61q1gufQgi3uo3sO5-2BIoQsNjgf4iqXmt9uazDd1G1KzkN-2BFfEEtDmQ9DtcHiVLUzLek68fgmSKfHNYnfAO1s1l4dPiZj6g6rw1-2B8O-2B6mqTCUaQPGJnxDkjFQxtUhf7esYgDO7kuYTRr-2FJjl6JHCUh68cMJcOcLp9mUak2R3fI6Zx7DQhXs3Kdz6DkVw8HwwO0lkwRBrBiOCRSi9g4AI3m1nSBuivMk-2F3ipcXK84MlFPTvyAazqPYmZozQJzzXLCYPAAkEXh4PUmK7JGtf6yBnwn8iu8TprfZrPM35AAozM5Z4A-3D-3D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><u>https://www.thewpf.org/events</u></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">&nbsp;</span>and scroll down to the park in your neighborhood to sign up.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br></p><p>The Ridgefield Theater Barn, now halfway through its 60 th season, has two weekends</p><p>left of it’s wonderful An Evening of One Acts which I highly recommend you find a way</p><p>to attend. If you are in any way like me, in this Topsy Turvey uncertain world, one acts</p><p>are just what the Dr. ordered; just long enough to engage me, but not too long to lose</p><p>me back into the miasma spinning in my head. It’s a bit like getting lost in “Reels” on</p><p>Facebook, but in real life, with real people, with other people present, to validate what</p><p>I’m feeling while watching.</p><p>The difference from “Reels” or, dare I say it, “TikTok” is that real people curate this</p><p>evening, and have done so with a remarkable hand for guidance on a journey that does</p><p>helps us through these times, and lowers, at least for a few moments, the self-defenses</p><p>that the outside world demands these days.</p><p>This year’s ONE ACTS COMMITTEE, led by Chairperson Paulette Layton, working with</p><p>Mark Hankla, Timothy Huber, Nancy Ponturo, and Bill Warncke, has done a wonderful</p><p>job curating a selection of original, unpublished plays, striking just the right notes, at just</p><p>the right time.</p><p>Much like a gallery show, they take you, the audience, through various scenarios,</p><p>couched in laughter and smart dialogue, which in a one act, can be difficult since every</p><p>line and every movement and gesture cannot be wasted and must move the arc of the</p><p>story forward.</p><p>Overall, the one acts are well done, with great acting and direction, with many different</p><p>styles and subjects. If I were pressed to pull together a Log line or arching theme for the</p><p>evening, I think I would be most comfortable saying that-In times of change, our</p><p>authentic selves are stronger than we think, and to trust them and embrace the change.</p><p>But that, like most themes, is completely subjective, and has more to do with what I</p><p>bring to the table on any given evening. The magical elixir consists of the talent of the</p><p>ensemble, playwrights, directors, lighting designers, sound designers and stage</p><p>managers, creating the space for one to find the theme they need while sharing the</p><p>moment with others.</p><p>The evening kicks off with “Stay Golden” written by Jessica Moss, and directed by</p><p>Carin Zakes, featuring Bruce Apar as Gordon, Robin Browne as Cleo, Deborah Carlson</p><p>as Rosalie, Marcy Sansolo as Patricia and Denise Hubbard as Diane.</p><p>Ms. Moss’s absurdist comedy sets us up right out of the gate with the entire ensemble</p><p>working well together and moving the play forward with a solid arc of action, and yes,</p><p>I’m intentionally being vague here, because it’s not the gold you are thinking. Through</p><p>the laughter, a little bit of relevancy gets massaged regarding our increased ability to</p><p>extend life, and what that really means for those living it.</p><p><br></p><p>Now I’m going to jump around a bit, since the experience of the curated order is for you</p><p>to enjoy in person, but I will describe some of the stops along the way.</p><p>Two of the plays that hit very close to home, and made me want to stand up and cheer</p><p>when the lights went down, on the one hand, and also made me want to take them out</p><p>on the road immediately because I though everyone needs to see them yesterday, were</p><p>“Right Field of Dreams,” by Stephan Kaplan and “Sea Change” by Lucas Hasten.</p><p>In “Right Field of Dreams” director Danielle Roth, adroitly navigated the material with</p><p>actors Liam Gallary as Timmy, and Matt Donavan as Coach/Dad, which could have</p><p>been taken right out of the story of my life. It was spooky, but in a good way. Add to that</p><p>a ghost of a very famous female baseball star, played by Laurie Schaefer Fenton, and it</p><p>all is taking place in the outfield of a little league game and you have a great little play.</p><p>So well-acted by all three, hitting the beats just perfectly, without overdoing it, or rushing</p><p>it. Impressive. IF only my story had turned out as well as Timmy’s.</p><p>In “Sea Change”, directed by Marilyn Olsen, Craig David Rosen as Dan and Katie Kelly</p><p>as Bobbi, are hilarious as two clown fish. And just as anyone who watches fish in an</p><p>aquarium notice the dance, these two do a pas de deux with such depth and</p><p>understanding of flow of the script it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to watch. As</p><p>mentioned earlier, there is not a breath that is not in service to the script, and not a”y” or</p><p>an “i” that is left to chance.</p><p>Two more of the plays, “Improv” written by Kevin Curley and directed by Alexis</p><p>Vournazos starring Carri Ocean as Ann McKinley, Rob Mayette as Paul O’Malley and</p><p>Sheri Rak as Tina Bradley and then “A Flicker” Written by Guy R. Newsham, directed</p><p>by Brian DeToma with Michael Bud as Person A and Bill Warncke as Person B .</p><p>Loss is a big part of both plays. They are both very well-directed and written. I think they</p><p>both crave being longer than one act. I’m not sure if one act is long enough to give grief</p><p>the gravitas it needs to be able to laugh through it.</p><p>I do not in any way mean to disparage the production, I would just encourage both</p><p>playwrights to consider continuing what they have started</p><p>All the performances are spot on, with one of my fav moments in “Improv” being when</p><p>Mr. Mayotte and Ms. Ocean are speaking downstage Right, and Ms. Rak is</p><p>eavesdropping. Take a moment to look at Ms. Rak’s eyes, and you’ll see what I mean</p><p>about loss.</p><p>–In “A Flicker” Mr. Bud and Mr Warncke navigate the waters of male bonding of shared</p><p>loss and walk the TMI tightrope as they learn more about who they are. Each gives</p><p>heartfelt performances and leaves you wanting more. Maybe another act?</p><p>In “The Objection Seat” By Scott Mullen, beautifully directed by Pia Haas, we are</p><p>served</p><p><br></p><p>Laurie Schaefer Fenton As Mary, and Andela Armand As Kat in a different take on</p><p>bonding and self-discovery They are both hilarious, and have such well-defined</p><p>characters, Although the man they speak of is never seen, it does make you want to</p><p>meet him.</p><p>Then there is the glorious spoof of the New York Public Library called “One of the Great</p><p>Ones” written by Chris Widney, with direction by Matt Pagliaro. It stars Elayne Gordon</p><p>as Enid Stump, with Lucy Manos as Lee Katie Kelly as Jamie and David Michael Tate</p><p>as Hank.</p><p>This one act uses the inherent arc of a time deadline instigated by a “scavenger hunt”</p><p>against the closing of the library and the “greatest” Librarian of them all. What fun this</p><p>script is, while also reminding us that these people, these librarians, are human and</p><p>important, and committed. The whole cast make every laugh their own without a single</p><p>punch line missed or pause held incorrectly.</p><p>In “Juliet Wakes Up” written by Laura Neill and directed by Nancy Ponturo, Juliet,</p><p>played by Lucy Manos runs in with a bloody blade, herself covered in blood having</p><p>awakened, with Romeo purportedly dead beside her.</p><p>She runs into Rosaline, hilariously played by Danielle Fitzsimmons who draws out of her</p><p>why, if Romeo was already dead, she and the blade are covered in blood. Then enters</p><p>Willow played by Colleen White, who is yet another Capulet, trying to cover the tracks of</p><p>the potion that was used in the double suicide/not suicide.</p><p>Eventually, and as one might expect, against all odds, a dying Romeo, played by Matt</p><p>Donovan arrives.</p><p>I will not give away the whole plot, but I will say, that the Capulet ladies, are very much</p><p>post “Me-too” women in the hands of both Ms. Neill and Ms. Ponturo and I could not</p><p>stop giggling throughout the entire play. So smartly scripted and performed. Truly a joy</p><p>to watch. With the insight Shakespeare had of the soul of his time, were he here today,</p><p>He would completely approve of this interpretation</p><p>“Hornswaggle” the 8 th and final play to mention, starring Eric Novak as Cogs, Allison</p><p>Valentino as Scuzzy and Michael Ferrara as Bilges is a classic Pirate melodrama in one</p><p>act.</p><p>Written by James Nelson under the direction of David Fritsch the cast hits all the marks,</p><p>and does a Yeomans job with the script and direction. I will say I am not the biggest fan</p><p>of the pirate melodrama, but that has nothing to do with how this one was performed as</p><p>much as it has to do with having done so many of them in high school that as soon as I</p><p>see a scarf on a head, I have a bit of PTSD from my youth.</p><p>Kudos to the crew, Led by Production Manager – Paulette Layton, with Stage Manager</p><p>– Tina Morrissette, Assistant Stage Manager – Jean Mazzelli, Lighting Designer – Mark</p><p><br></p><p>Hankla and Sound Designer – Addis Engel. Without these folks, the magic of theater</p><p>could not exists.</p><p>Take the time, go spend an evening with these folks, and let go and laugh, and take the</p><p>ride. I can honestly say, you will feel better. And we all need to feel better right now.</p><p>The Ridgefield Theatre Barn is located at 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield CT 06877</p><p>203-431-9850,</p><p>Remaining shows are Friday March 14 at 8PM, Saturday, March 15 8PM, Sunday</p><p>March 16 th at 2PM Friday March 21 st -8PM, and Saturday March 22 nd -8PM</p><p>Tickets are $35. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Tickets can be purchased at</p><p><a href="ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.</a> Seating is cabaret style, and the audience is invited to</p><p>bring food and drinks (concessions are also available). Doors open one hour</p><p>prior to curtain. More information is available on their website,</p><p><a href="http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org</a></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Derrick Crivelli burst onto the ski scene at the age of three when he started skiing at Thunder Ridge in Patterson. He has climbed the ranks ever since.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Last weekend, as an eighth grader at Wells Middle School he represented Brewster Central School District at States in Giant Slalom and Slalom. At States, he helped his team, Section 1, to win gold and proved he has but one direction to go-up.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I worked so hard to train this season. Even though I knew based on my times during league races, I might make it to States,” he said, “it was still a shocker. Usually, kids make it when they are juniors and seniors in high school, so I was really happy to make it as an eighth grader.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Varsity Ski Coach Kirsten Rusinko, attended States with Crivelli said, </span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">"Derrick has worked extremely hard this season. Every practice Derrick would go above and beyond to better his skiing, yet always made time to assist his teammates. Qualifying for States as an 8th grader, on its own, is a challenging feat. Placing 14th in Giant Slalom and 21st in Slalom is beyond impressive. I am excited to see what Derrick's future holds."</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Crivelli not only finished in the top 30 at States but was a contender for skimeister or top overall skier.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Although his parents grew up in the city and did not grow up skiing, Crivelli and his two siblings are all top skiers.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“My brother made it to States as a ninth grader and my sister made it as a junior,” he said.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How was it being at States?&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“It was really exciting. We were on the bus by 6:30 am and spent the entire day on the mountain. I was on the chair lift and looked over at skiers I really respect. I competed against top skiers. I got a glimpse of what it’s going to be like in high school. And the neat thing was my dad, Paul Crivelli, who is the coach at John Jay High School, was our Section 1 coach, so he was my coach for States.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But Crivelli and his siblings could not have done it alone. It is their parents who drive three hours for the training they now do at West Mountain in Queensbury New York every weekend for ski school and intensive training.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“They are really the reason all this is possible. They drive me every week. I am really grateful to have such amazing parents.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What’s next for Crivelli?</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“I want to represent Brewster High School next year at States, follow my brother as a semi-professional, and see what happens next!”</span></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Butter churning and cider making; furniture graining and stenciling; candle making and creating whirly-gig toys are just a few of the hands-on learning experiences in which C.V. Starr 4th graders</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> became apprentices for the day to gain an appreciation for how challenging life was for Colonists.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The Colonial Fair began in 2001 with a generous grant from the Brewster Education Foundation and has been going strong ever since.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(5, 5, 5);">The day is the culmination of the fourth grade’s study of New York state history which started with a unit on Native Americans and ended with the Colonists.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Students learn that the Colonial era is a time in New York’s history when European explorers traveled in search of a new life and settled in and around Brewster and often worked with, and learned from, the Native Americans to build homes and use resources to survive.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Last week, 4th graders welcomed Deborah Oswald from the Southeast Museum to kick off the social studies unit. Oswald brought replicas of artifacts, such as clothing and games. She also discussed how different and difficult life was for African Americans during this period.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Today students dressed the part in Prairie dresses, Colonial soldiers’ uniforms, tricorn hats and wigs and learned typical trades.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Good day lads and lasses,” said Master Craftswoman Michelle Marzziotti, “welcome to our furniture shop where we will be making treasure boxes.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Down the hallway in Michelle Maselli’s classroom, students were apprentices and making candles.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Do you know what the Colonists would have used to make wicks?” asked Maselli.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Horse hair and tall reeds,” said Tatiana.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">In Danielle Recine’s classroom, students were meticulously dabbing paint onto stencils on wooden boards.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Colonists used stencils to make designs on the walls like wallpaper,” said Ben Berish,”When the Colonists came to the New World, they thought it was going to be easy, but life was hard. They had to make everything themselves. They had to make their own furniture, wallpaper, and candles. They did get help from the Native Americans who taught them how to harvest and make medications. But it was hard. There wasn’t a lot of free time.”</span></p>

<p><strong>PCDOH Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic - March 2025</strong></p><p>Attention Putnam residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 22nd&nbsp;from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the clinic is being held at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park (Upper Park), 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, and is open to all Putnam County residents.</p><p>Please bring a photo ID as proof of Putnam County residency, as well as proof of prior rabies vaccination. Tags are not acceptable. If you do not have proof of prior rabies vaccination, your pet will receive a one-year rabies vaccine. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old. All dogs must be leashed and controlled. Any dog that may become aggressive must be muzzled. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers, top-loading carriers preferred, no harnesses.&nbsp;<strong>All animals must be supervised by an adult. For the comfort and safety of the animals, social distancing and bringing a minimum number of people are suggested.</strong></p><p>For more information and directions, please call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43160.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>