Boys Scouts Announces Troop for Girls
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- Written by Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez
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Scarsdale’s Troop 4 is pleased to announce that this fall, it will have a girls’ linked troop for the first time.
Nationwide, in 2019, Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, opened membership to girls ages 11 - 17. Scouting develops character, civic mindedness, leadership and physical fitness. Middle and high school-aged Scouts, with guidance from adult leaders, create and lead activities such as hikes, outdoor games, community service, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities.
Any interested girl from Westchester is encouraged to join the troop. Girls in Troop 4 will design and lead their own activities. Additionally, they will participate in some events with the boys in the troop. Troop 4’s regular meetings are on Monday evenings. Troop 4 embodies the values of inclusion, tolerance, and mutual respect for all people.
A diverse set of parent leaders support Scouts in their goal to achieve the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout. Each year, less than 7% of eligible Scouts have attained the rank of Eagle, since its inception in 1911. Due to its rigor, earning the Eagle Scout rank can offer lifelong academic, social, and professional networking benefits. Troop 4 is committed to supporting any youth wanting to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The first cohort of female Eagle Scouts was recognized in 2020. In 2021, Rebecca Gilder, of White Plains, became the first female Eagle Scout in Westchester County.
Amongst other requirements, to attain the level of Eagle Scout, Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges. All Eagle Scouts earn badges in 14 required topics touching on issues of citizenship, the outdoors, personal responsibility and leadership. Other merit badges are electives. There are over 100, such as American Business, Animation, Archery, Art, Bird Study, Chemistry, Chess, Crime Prevention, Disability Awareness, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Fingerprinting, Game Design, Gardening, Journalism, Kayaking, Moviemaking, Music, Sports, and Theater.
Together with Scarsdale’s Cub Scout Pack 440, Troop 4 will host two recruiting events on Sept. 18 (outdoor games and sports) and Oct. 23 (pumpkin carving). Any rising sixth through 11th graders interested in joining Scarsdale’s Troop 4 may contact Scoutmaster Ted Mazza. Please visit Troop 4’s website and Facebook page.
Explaining why a troop for girls was needed, Mayra Kirkendall Rodriguez said, "Scouts started accepting girls nationwide in 2019, and one division has had girls since the 1970s.
In Scarsdale, Cub Scout Pack 440 started accepting girls in 2019. Some of those girls have now aged out of cub scouts and want to be in a Scout troop locally. Otherwise, girls who want to be in an integrated troop would have to go to Tuckahoe, for example, or White Plains to be in such a troop.
Being in Troop 4 allows girls to create and lead some activities just for themselves, and they can also have some meetings and events with the boys. Also, there are girls who want to achieve Eagle Scout, which has numerous, rigorous requirements involving community service, civic education, hiking, sports, the arts, and STEM."
Letter to the Editor: There is No Shortage of Baseball Fields in Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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This Letter to the Editor was written by Gerald Antell Alan Garfunkel and John Lofaso, Co-Chairs: Crossway Lights Committee--- West QR Neighborhood Assoc.
Scarsdale does not have a baseball field shortage.
We read Mayor Veron's comments in the minutes from the June 14, 2022 Village Board meeting. In the Little League Lights and Fields section, Mayor Veron notes: “There is often a shortage of playable fields, and we struggle to meet the demand.”
We have attached the Baseball Field Use Summary that we compiled on May 23, 2022.
Please note that all information in the Summary was obtained from the Master Schedules for Scarsdale Little League (SSL), Girl's Rec. Softball and Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club (SYSC). Girl's Travel Softball does not post a Master Schedule on the web; field use information for this ISO came from Rich Massaroni of the Rec. Dept.
As the Summary shows, there were a total of 1,144 UN-USED, EMPTY baseball fields for the Spring, 2022 season during normal, play-time hours.
In fact, Scarsdale has a rather large baseball field surplus.
There are MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY EMPTY, UN-USED baseball fields each week during normal play-time hours than the total weekly games played by SSL.
Nevertheless, the SLL continues to publicly state that there is a field shortage and has proposed a lighted field to alleviate it. SLL further states that they are “turning away kids” from little league due to this “shortage”.
These statements from SSL are untrue, as clearly shown on the attached summary. This is simple arithmetic. SLL has made a choice to not use the fields that are available RIGHT NOW.
There is ZERO NEED for more baseball fields and ZERO NEED for a lighted baseball field.
Sincerely,
Gerald Antell Alan Garfunkel John Lofaso
Co-Chairs: Crossway Lights Committee--- West QR Neighborhood Assoc.
Responding to the letter above, David Krembs said:
"What about bad weather? What about wet fields?
What about availability of coaches and players?
What about the constraint that certain types of games (like 60/90 baseball) can only be played on certain fields (like Crossway and Hyatt)?
What about time constraints like playoff games that must be completed by a certain date, or makeup games that need to be squeezed back into an existing schedule in order to qualify for the playoffs?
Is it possible that the field schedule has empty space for those valid reasons? And is it possible that even with empty space on the schedule, it's still difficult to schedule games for those (and perhaps other) valid reasons? Which brings me to...
Have you asked the coaches and coordinators who actually schedule games (and who actually deal with real-world constraints) to explain what challenges they face and how lights would help?
I have read your analysis of field usage (it's a quick read), and I don't see how you can conclude that "There is No Shortage of Baseball Fields in Scarsdale" until you can show that you've accounted for all of that."
Arthur Manor 94th Annual July 4th Parade and Ceremony
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association will hold its 94th Annual July 4th parade and ceremony on Monday, July 4th. The lineup for the parade will begin at 9:15 am at the corner of Bell and Sprague Roads and the parade will start promptly at 9:45 am. The parade will then march down Sprague Road, turn left at Lyons Road, and then proceed to Davis Park. Children interested in participating in the parade can dress in patriotic costume or decorate their bicycles, tricycles, wagons or strollers. Pets are also encouraged to dress in patriotic costumes. The celebration continues at Davis Park with a ceremony, comments from Village officials, and awards for parade participants in all of the traditional parade categories. Following the ceremony, the Association will hold the annual field games – including the egg toss at the end! Hot dogs, bottled water and other food and refreshments will be available for purchase. The Association encourages everyone to come out this year and celebrate the 4th of July by showing your patriotic colors! Please contact Matt Martin at matthew.martin@pattoneakins.com or (917) 697-2747 if you would like to help out with this year’s festivities.
Greenacres July 4th Celebration Returns After a Two Year Hiatus
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Over 300 people attended the Greenacres 4th of July Celebration that returned after a two year hiatus, led by a reinvigorated Greenacres Neighborhood Association. There were sack, 3-legged and spoon races, foul shot contests, running races and a candy hunt for the youngest in the neighborhood. The fire department arrived with their truck to spray everyone down and all the fun was followed by a patriotic program with remarks from Scarsdale Mayor Jane Veron. Here is what she said:
Greenacres, thank you so much for the invitation to join you today at your wonderfully warm, inclusive, and joyous Fourth of July celebration. I am beyond thrilled that we can all be back together to commemorate this important day, the day when America gained independence from British rule. Today, you are doing exactly what our founding fathers had hoped - John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail in July 1776 that we should celebrate with "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports".
Greenacres, you lead with your traditional fanfare that bridges generations and strengthens our community. You certainly know how to put on a party! I am incredibly impressed by your volunteer spirit. It is no small feat to pull off this fabulous event. I would like to recognize your leadership with a big round of applause. I would also like to honor the children and families of Greenacres. Your spirit and enthusiasm are palpable. I am inspired by your festivities and have been a big fan of the fire hose highlight! Greenacres, your neighborhood association is a model for us all.
As many of you know, Scarsdale played a role at the very beginning. Not so different from today, in 1776, Westchester citizens had divergent opinions. Some preferred to keep the status quo, wishing to remain loyal to the King. Others sought change, becoming Patriots to demand independence. As reported in the book Of Colonists and Commuters by Diane Reische, most Scarsdalians kept quiet about their preferences. However, two Scarsdale residents Samuel Crawford (a cooper and militia captain) and Michael Varian (perhaps the namesake of your Greenacres street), bravely spoke up. They had a strong desire for independence and were determined to make their mark.
Down the street at the White Plains Court house, Crawford and Varian made history by seconding the motion that the Declaration of Independence be endorsed by the New York Provincial Congress. At that time, it was too dangerous to meet in NYC since the harbor was packed with 120 ships and 10,000 soldiers. The unanimous vote set the course for our Village, and we benefit today from the risks these patriots took hundreds of years ago.
This is a glorious day for celebration and reflection. We are proud of our country’s ideals: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, our country still remains a work in progress - while we have made significant strides since our earliest days, we still have a ways to go. We are on a continued quest to afford equality and freedoms for all Americans, for all genders, races and ethnicities, for our underserved and underrepresented populations, for people with disabilities, and for our heroic veterans who have devoted their lives to serve our country. As citizens, we strive for security and safety, dignity and independence. Democracies are ever evolving, and what is most exciting is that each of us here has a voice. We must listen to one another and learn, no matter where we sit on the political spectrum. Let’s open our hearts and minds, and together carve a path for a better future. Happy July 4th!
Two Earn Arrow of Light Rank at Scarsdale Pack 440
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Robert Yang receiving the Arrow of Light RankScarsdale Pack 440 Cub Scouts Delfina Kirkendall-Rodríguez and Robert Yang completed the requirements needed to earn the Arrow of Light rank, the highest rank in Cub Scouts, at the Blue and Gold rank advancement ceremony held Thursday at The Hitchcock Church in Scarsdale.
To attain the Arrow of Light rank, Kirkendall-Rodríguez and Yang had to complete requirements in these four areas:
Building a Better World, which covers citizenship, flag etiquette, laws, governments, budgets and stewardship.
Outdoor Adventurer, which is all about outdoor adventures, like camping and learning outdoor skills safely and with fun.
Duty to God in Action, which in Pack 440 is an at-home activity because faith beliefs in Scouting are determined by the family and everyone's duty is different.
Scouting Adventure, which covers basic Scouting knowledge, plus an opportunity to visit with and participate in an outdoor activity with a local BSA Troop.
Kirkendall-Rodríguez and Laia Moya will now be foundational members of an all-female linked Troop with Scarsdale’s Scout Troop 4. Kirkendall- Rodríguez was the first girl in Scarsdale to join the cub scouts when they first started accepting girls. She and Moya will now be the first girls in Scarsdale to join Troop 4.
During the Blue and Gold ceremony, Pack 440 Cub Scout Master Brice Kirkendall-Rodriguez announced that Pack 44 Committee Chair Heather Kolb was awarded the District Commissioners Award of Excellence by the BSA’s Algonquin District.
Any rising sixth – eleventh graders interested in joining Scarsdale’s Troop 4 may contact Ted Mazza at scoutmaster@scarsdale4.mytroop.us. Troop 4 will have a girl’s Troop, and girls will participate in a number of the events and activities with the boys in the Troop.
Any rising kindergarteners - fifth graders interested in joining Cub Scouts may contact 
Delfina Kirkendall-Rodríguez and Laia Moya Heather Kolb at scarsdalecubs@gmail.com.
Heather Kolb and Brice Kirkendall-Rodriguez
