Eda Newhouse, Scarsdale's Consummate Volunteer, Passes Away at 88
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Eda Loeb Newhouse, perhaps Scarsdale's most well-known volunteer, died on Monday, February 10, 2014 at age 88 after a short illness. She spent much of her life working for the enrichment and well-being of the community. She was recognized for her efforts in 2000 when she won the Scarsdale Bowl, the highest honor bestowed on a Scarsdale resident for public service in the community.
Though she was a resident of Scarsdale for 61 years, Newhouse retained the southern accent she picked up during her childhood in Montgomery, Alabama where her family was well known for founding the leading cotton merchant firm, Weil Brothers Cotton, Inc., established in 1878.
Mrs. Newhouse attended high school at the Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts and then attended Oberlin College, where she studied music. After graduating from college, Mrs. Newhouse moved to New York City and taught piano for several years at the Diller–Quaile School of Music.
In the winter of 1947, Eda Newhouse met the love of her life, the late Stanley Newhouse, Jr., of Kansas City, Missouri, at a party in New York City. They married in 1949 in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1952, the couple moved to Scarsdale where Eda continued her professional career as a piano teacher at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School up until her first child was born in December of 1953.
Like many new residents, Eda Newhouse initially became involved in community affairs by joining the Parent Teacher Associations and served on the boards of the Greenacres, Heathcote and Middle and High School PTAs and PT Council from 1959-1979. Within the schools she will be remembered for founding both the Scarsdale Recreation Program and the Scarsdale High School Recreation program for teens known as Asmodeus. Through her involvement with the PTA's she honed her organizational skills and worked with others to realize their objectives.
Eda Newhouse will best be known for her sustained commitment to historic preservation, and the Scarsdale Historical Society where she served as president for 28 years. Combining her passion for history, experience as an educator and seemingly unlimited amounts of energy, Eda Newhouse, and her Board of community leaders, helped steer the organization to a place of special prominence in the Scarsdale and broader Westchester County Communities.
Under Mrs. Newhouse's leadership the Scarsdale Historical Society restored and moved into the 1734 Cudner-Hyatt house and also acquired, moved and restored the 1828 Quaker Meeting House. However, she was most proud of the educational programs at the Society, which at their peak were serving almost 7,000 students annually. Her colonial fairs, tulip bulb sales, country stores, historic house tours and educational programs at the historical society were legendary.
In recent years, attendance and usage of the Scarsdale Historical Soceity's Cudner Hyatt House declined and the current Board of Directors applied to the Scarsdale Zoning Board of Appeals to remove a variance that requires it to operate as a museum so that they could find financially viable options for the building. Newhouse objected, calling the application "shocking and absurd." She told the zoning board that when she ran the Society there were 25 people on the Board of Directors as well as scores of others on the Advisory Board and that they "had a party every year and worked hard to find ways to keep the money coming in."
She served in a variety of leadership roles with the Town & Village Club, Friends of Scarsdale Parks, Scarsdale Community Center, Scarsdale Conservation Council, Scarsdale League of Women Voters, Citizens Nominating Committee, Scarsdale Women's Club and the Scarsdale Council for the Arts.
A few of the people she worked with in town shared their thoughts on Eda. Scarsdale Mayor Bob Steves said, "Eda is a prime example of what it means to give back to the community. She was a tireless worker on behalf of many Village programs and recruited numberless volunteers based on her example and sheer force of will. That her name is forever engraved on the Scarsdale Bowl is a fitting testament to her great contribution to the Village. She will be missed."
David Irwin, President of the Scarsdale Forum remembered Newhouse as well. "Eda Newhouse was a wonderful friend and a tireless contributor of her time and talents to the Scarsdale Forum over many years. She has played an important role on many of the Forum's committees and activities, including serving as a longstanding chair of its Program Committee where she has been responsible for many excellent Forum programs over the years. At the Forum as well as in her other activities, Eda always worked for the betterment of the community. She will be greatly missed."
BK Munguia, a former President of the Scarsdale Forum, had this to say about Newhouse: "Scarsdale has lost a committed advocate of its history, its green spaces and its gracious neighborhoods. She guided several generations of volunteers in the community on many projects. Eda never lost her Southern style of gracious entertaining even with her group of volunteers gathered at her kitchen table and she will be missed."
Lena Crandall, who served with Newhouse on the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, remembered her
love of flowers. "Eda and I first worked together on the Friends of Scarsdale Parks and the Village of Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council. We had many discussions about the pros and cons of annuals - those pretty seasonal flowers that often require extra work, water and fertilizer. The end result? Eda settled on planting daffodils - beautiful spring-flowering bulbs that are known to survive for years without much care. So, when you see daffodils in public places this spring, please remember that Eda orchestrated their planting."
Beyond Scarsdale, Eda Newhouse served on the boards of the Westchester Community Foundation, The Westchester Arts Council, the Council of Women's College Clubs of Westchester, the Oberlin College Club and the Women's Enterprise Development Committee. She was also committed to advancing Jewish causes and was the founding board member of the American Jewish Committee's Westchester Chapter. She was also on the women's board of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies.
Outside of community affairs, Eda Newhouse always loved music and was recognized by the New York Philharmonic as its oldest continual season ticket holder. She was a passionate bridge player and achieved the level of Silver Life Master through competitive tournament play. She was a consummate gardener and took great pride in showing her extensive gardens and in competing in various flower shows. A member of the Sunningdale Country Club for over fifty years, she was an avid golfer, and a member of the Club's bridge and bowling teams and enjoyed the club's social life.
Lastly, she was a fan, and with her husband, a long time season ticket holder of the New York Giants football team. She complained only days before her death that they had a disappointing and unsuccessful season in 2013, but she expected them to do better next year.
Eda Newhouse is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Newhouse, Jr., her parents, Helen Weil Loeb and Lucien S. Loeb, and her brother James Loeb. She is survived by her sister, Katherine Loeb Wiener of Jackson, Mississippi, her sister-in-law Joan Byck Loeb of Montgomery, Alabama, her son, Douglas L. Newhouse and his wife, Holly M. Bannister, M.D. of Weston, Connecticut, her son, James L. Newhouse and his wife, Stephanie Kelly Newhouse of Bedford, New York, and three grandchildren, Olivia Newhouse, Robert "Nick" Newhouse and Alexa Newhouse. Numerous nieces and nephews with whom she was very close also survive her.
Visitation will be at Congregation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY on Friday February 21 starting at 10:00 am. There will be a Memorial service beginning at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
The Fund for Westchester's Future
Westchester Community Foundation
200 North Central Park Avenue
Suite 310
Hartsdale, NY 10530
(Portions of this article were supplied by Eda's son James Newhouse)
Janet Jacobson: In Memoriam
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Janet Carol Jacobson, formerly of Scarsdale, passed away on January 23, 2014 at age 57 after a valiant fight with a rare form of cancer. She was born in Burlington, Vermont and raised in Scarsdale on Kensington Road and Brite Avenue in a family of five children. She was a College Scholar in the School of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and then went on to earn her law degree at Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Stone Fiske Scholar. She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York under Robert Morganthau and then moved on to the law firm of Frankfurt, Kurnit, Klein and Selz where she specialized in entertainment law. Ultimately she worked for Hallmark Entertainment structuring film financings and the production of films for television. Her work took her to Hungary and Berlin where she pioneered movie production deals.
Witty, bright, beautful and funny, Janet had the ability to get to the heart of an issue and see the irony in any situation. She moved fast and embraced life. An expert linguist she loved to travel, and used her Spanish, French, Italian and German to navigate her journeys. In New York, she was one of the first to move to DUMBO in Brooklyn where she enjoyed a panoramic view of lower Manhattan, the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge from her apartment. Janet was a voracious reader, an outspoken critic and observer of the political scene. She also enjoyed cooking and entertaining but above all loved to laugh.
She learned she had a rare form of cancer twelve years ago and through her research and determination 
outlived all the odds. Selecting her own course of treatment, she called the shots and became the master of her own destiny.
She is survived by her husband Jim Wildman, her father and stepmother Dr. Julius H. and Mrs. Jean Jacobson, her sisters Jeannie and Wendy and brother-in-law Andy Miller, her brother William, sister-in-law Beth, nieces Annalise and Sara, nephews Max and Jackson and James and Andrew Wildman and their families.
She was predeceased by her mother Beverly Jacobson in 2009 and her youngest brother David in 2003. She is mourned by her lifelong friends from Scarsdale including Margaret Cadoux, Joanne Marqusee, Mark Philips, and David Scheinberg, who all assisted her during her long fight against her disease, as well as Jennifer Conn, Bob Cadoux, Irving Gotbaum, Randy Hampton, Randy Ostrow, Sylvia Stein and Libby Rosenthal.
Janet's friends and family will gather Tuesday, February 4 from 3 to 8 pm at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue at 81st Street, to remember her. A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; mskcc.org/giving/giftintro.html or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; https://www.dfci.org/give.
If you would like to share a memory of Janet, please do so in the comments section below.
School Board Member Jonathan Lewis to Step Down
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Scarsdale School Board member Jonathan Lewis has informed the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) that, for personal and professional reasons, he will not be a candidate this year for re-election to the Scarsdale Board of Education. Mr. Lewis has served on the School Board since 2011 and, although eligible for re-nomination, has decided not to seek a second term.
John Clapp, Chair of the SBNC stated: "On behalf of the SBNC, I would like to thank Jonathan for his dedicated service to the school district and the community. While we would like to be considering him for re-nomination, we respect his decision to step down at the end of the current school year and wish him well in his future endeavors. We are encouraged that Jonathan will continue his work as the board's liaison to the New York State School Board Association through the end of his term."
Commenting on Lewis' decision, School Board President Suzanne Seiden said, "My Board colleagues and I would like to thank Jonathan Lewis for his service. He has been a valued contributor, and we will miss his passion for innovation and continuous advocacy for excellence in education. We respect his decision not to seek a second term, and we know that he will continue to serve the schools and the community in other ways."
We spoke to Lewis about his decision not to seek a second term and here is what he shared with Scarsdale10583:
(Q) What are the reasons you will not seek a second term on the School Board?
(A) I have decided not to seek a second term for personal and professional reasons. I intend to stay involved in civic matters, most especially in education reform, with an emphasis on finding ways to end the unfunded mandates and other ill-considered policies at the state level that undermine progressive education and the fiscal solvency of school districts across the state.
(Q) Did the rejection of the first school budget last May or contentious community members impact your decision?
(A) Not at all. Grass roots democracy is the bedrock of our community and nation. The no vote was important feedback to the board which led to a round of open community meetings and a better budget approved by the voters. In that context, I have always felt that Scarsdale Board of Education meetings, and the exchange of views among board members and with the community, are part of a tradition of local democracy stretching back to the New England town meeting system of government. Through public meetings, I have learned from my fellow board members and the community.
(Q) During your tenure on the Board, of which contributions are you most proud? What did you enjoy or find interesting?
(A) Proudest contributions: A focus on fiscal responsibility while marshaling resources for progressive education initiatives such as the Center for Innovation. Working to keep tax increases low, while supporting investments in research and development and professional development initiatives critical to moving the district closer to the goals of the Scarsdale Education for Tomorrow.
(Q) What advice would you offer to other community members who are considering serving on the School Board?
New board members should remember that they are part of an important tradition of community service. Our school district's reputation has been built over decades, and trustees must put individual viewpoints aside and remember our goal is to serve as good stewards. None the less, the board today operates within a unique environment. The tax cap, combined with a variety of ill-considered state mandates, largely unfunded, will continue to be a challenge in the years ahead for all school districts seeking to deliver a great education to their community. New board members need to think about how to navigate those challenges while keeping their vision focused on delivering on the promise of a Scarsdale education.
(Q) Anything else you would like to add?
(A) I would like to say thank you to the SBNC and the people of Scarsdale for giving me the opportunity to serve our community. Thanks to my fellow board members who will continue to serve, and volunteer countless hours on behalf of us all, as well as to the professional staff who makes the work of the board possible. I also want to thank the teachers who bring to life the promise and values of a Scarsdale education - they are the heart and soul of our school district. Most important, I want to thank my wife, Laura, and children, Steven and Hannah, who supported and encouraged me throughout my term, though I was away for long hours often arriving home from board meetings in the late hours of the night.
Scarsdale10583 also spoke to Florie Wachtenheim, who served on the Scarsdale School Board from 
2001-2006 and as Board Vice President and President in 2004 and 2005. We asked her what the impact of Lewis' decision might be on the current school board's sucession plans for selecting leadership. Here is her response:
"Each year the Board elects it leadership, meaning its President and Vice President. In any given year people are considered for their qualities and skill set, and the people best deemed suitable to lead the Board for the next school year are elected by their peers to do so. Yes, seniority has been appreciated as an important qualifier, but certainly not as the only one. I can think of several instances of trustees not completing six years on the Board of Education, in the years during my Board term and afterwards, and in each case it seems careful consideration was given to the issues of leadership and succession. The President and Vice-President of the BOE meet with the Superintendent of Schools approximately twice in every month. This forum plays an important role in leadership development."
She continued, "I think there is much value in having a school trustee serve for two three-year terms. The learning curve is pretty steep. Like many situations, trustees learn each time they go through a certain experience, such as a budget cycle. When the turnover is quicker, a Board will need to pay extra attention to mentoring newer members, and thoughtfully thinking through succession issues. I have been pleased to see that this has been the case, when necessary."
The SBNC will shortly be starting its work to identify candidates for nomination to the Board of Education. In 2014, the SBNC will nominate two candidates to the board. In addition to the vacancy created by Jonathan Lewis' decision not to seek re-nomination, an additional seat is available to fill the position currently held by Sunil Subbakrishna, who is completing his first term and is eligible for re-nomination.
The SBNC invites all residents to propose candidates for the Board of Education. A candidate must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a qualified voter, and a resident of the Scarsdale school district for at least one year prior to the May 20, 2014 school board election date. Candidates should complete a biographical information form and submit it via email to the SBNC Chair, John Clapp, at sbncchair@gmail.com as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 PM on February 25, 2014. Forms are available at www.scarsdalesbnc.com. For more information on the SBNC, including the governing Resolution, information on the non-partisan system, and a list of the current SBNC members, please visit the SBNC website or contact the SBNC Chair.
Greenacres Principal Gerry Young to Retire in June
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The Scarsdale Schools will lose another key player at the end of the school year. Along with Superintendent Michael McGill, we recently learned that Principal Gerry Young will step down in June after eleven years heading up Greenacres Elementary School. A note to the community indicates that he announced his retirement now to give the district time to search for his replacement. He also noted that the school will celebrate its 100th birthday in November, 2015.
Anne Lyons, a former PTA President at Greenacres who was on the search committee when Young was hired said this about Mr. Young: "Gerry Young is an innovative educator. He challenges the students, his staff and the parents of Greenacres to think outside the box. He is never satisfied with the status quo; even though change may be controversial, he confronts it head on. He has brightened the school with his bold color choices and his sense of humor. His energetic presence will be missed."
Commenting on his retirement, several Greenacres parents offered kind words: Diane Gurden said, ""Greenacres School has an exceptional teaching staff and provides a wonderfully stimulating learning environment for our children. Thank you to Gerry Young for all that he has done to make the school what it is today, and I wish him well in his retirement. It is a very exciting time to be welcoming a new principal, as we prepare to celebrate our 100 year milestone, while also defining our vision for the future of Greenacres School."
Amy Nasdasdi said, "Personally, when my daughter heard the news about Mr. Young leaving, her response was sadness - "Awww....He's so NICE!" In my opinion, Greenacres is an amazing community. We have an incredibly supportive and tight knit population, along with a great school - both teachers and admin. When any one component of that community changes there is always anxiety about what the future will bring. While we will miss Mr. Young, it is our hope that the parents, students and teachers will embrace this change and continue to build on the successes of the past 11 years while he was here."
Elizabeth Brew agreed, saying "I was saddened to receive news of Gerry's retirement at the end of the school year. In the 8 years I have been part of the GA school community under Gerry's leadership, I have appreciated the major role he has played in making the school academically strong while retaining the family atmosphere. Next year as I graduate one from GA and start 2 more on their journey at GA , I will miss seeing Gerry's smiling face."
Here is a letter Principal Gerry Young sent to the Greenacres community:
Dear Parents,
It is with a heavy heart that I take keyboard in hand to tell you that I have just submitted the paperwork required for my retirement at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. It was not an easy decision to come to.
This is my eleventh year as principal of Greenacres School. In truth, it all started on a whim. I was a principal of an elementary school in Canada and was happy with the progress we had made at that school over the time I was there. I was thinking about the possibility of a change and that coincided with a family visit to NYC and the random purchase of the Sunday Times. That edition contained an ad for an elementary school principal in Scarsdale. In truth, apart from the Diet, I had never heard of Scarsdale or its stellar school system, needless to say this later surprised some of the interviewers. After five rounds of interviews, I had a job offer. I jumped at the chance.
Looking back it seems a much bolder step than it did at the time. Sometimes it pays just to forge ahead and seize a good opportunity. It has been an interesting journey, tough at times and certainly rewarding at others. I don't in any way regret the adventure. I have had the privilege of working with very talented educators in a place that values education first. Your children have been delightful. As a parent body you have been focused, supportive, energetic, and fun to work with. I will miss the community immensely.
On a building level I have been extraordinarily pleased with the progress we have made over the last decade. My staff is hard working and dedicated. They are smart too, and make the right decisions for Greenacres students. We don't want to sound boastful, but Greenacres is in great shape! Our students do very well academically, they are good citizens and they continue to develop a wide range of talents. It has been interesting to watch the students grow over the years. Our grads come back to relive good times and to tell about their future plans. They are well on the way to making successful lives for themselves which is really the ultimate goal.
The school year is only half done. There is still much to do. There is a big role for parents in the selection of the next principal and plans need to be in place for the 100th anniversary of the opening of the school on November 29th, 2015. Take advantage of these opportunities to help shape the future of Greenacres School. And don't forget, I'll be looking for an invitation to return to celebrate the 100th.
Gerry Young
Architects Provide Update On Scarsdale Schools Master Plan
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Architects from Kaeyer, Parker & Garment, KG&D, have begun working on a master plan for the Scarsdale School District. The firm, who designed the Post Road Elementary School in White Plains, was retained to create a master plan and to propose solutions for updates at four of the district's seven schools.
Russ Davidson, President and Managing Partner of the firm appeared before the School Board on Monday night January 13 to provide an update on their progress. The firm's slogan is "listen, imagine, build" and they are doing just that. They have met with representatives from Heathcote, Edgewood and the Scarsdale Middle School and toured the schools to analyze existing spaces, identify needs and explore possible solutions.
The School Board has given the firm a proposed budget of $12 - $15 million which would be funded via a bond if it is approved by the community in December, 2014. The administration estimates that the debt service on this bond would not require a tax increase as it would coincide with the retirement of earlier bonds.
A "Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee" including residents, administrators, teachers, students and liaison from the Board of Ed has been designated to define district priorities. Simultaneously, KG&D has set to work on the master plan.
At the meeting on Monday night, Davidson showed some preliminary alternatives for an expanded library at Edgewood School, a new multipurpose room/cafeteria at Heathcote School and an Orchestra Room at the Scarsdale Middle School, where the stage of the auditorium now serves as the rehearsal space. For each school, Davidson presented three design options and provided a rough estimate of the cost.
Next steps will be a second meeting at Heathcote School and work at the high school where the firm will look at repurposing the auto shop, using the old gym as a mixed use space, providing space for science research and a wellness center and redesigning the Little Theatre.
In the question and answer period following the presentation, a Greenacres resident asked if anything was in the works for the Greenacres Elementary School that is now filled to capacity.
Superintendent McGill responded by saying, "Besides relocating the office, there is not a lot that we think that can be done to the building to address the issues. The classrooms are on the small size and there are problems with water infiltration in the walls. The issue for Greenacres will be, do we gut the school and begin again or do we move the building across the road and build and new building?" He continued, "No one has come up with good ideas about how to improve the quality without making significant changes. The building footprint cannot be extended and we looked at adding a second floor and that would not work. It is unlikely that there will be a new school within the next 5 years."
However he did suggest that parents come up with changes that could be made to improve the quality of life at the school that could be funded from the operating budget.
Assistant Superintendent Linda Purvis told the group that a $12-$15mm bond will not fund all of the projects on the district's wish list. The process now is to identify the needs of each building, gather information, make a plan and then figure out how to stage and finance the construction.
(Pictured at top: Davidson presents options for placement of a new multi-purpose room at Heathcote Elementary School)
