Red Oak Planted in Aspen Park in Honor of John Auerbacher
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Members of the CAC gathered to honor John AuerbacherA red oak tree and plaque were installed in Aspen Park on October 7, 2021 in memory of Conservation Advisory Council member John Auerbacher who passed away last year. The tree and plaque were funded by a gift of $730.82 by the Conservation Advisory Council.
A Village resolution accepting the gift says, “In recognition of John’s durable conservation legacy, his tireless efforts to collaborate with others in support of the environmental, public health, and overall quality of life needs of current and future generations of Scarsdalians, a plaque will be placed at the base of the Red Oak, featuring the inscription, “In Memory of John Auerbacher, Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council Member, Nature’s advocate who led by example, showing us how to be kind to the Earth”
Jennet Auerbacher and the new red oak.It continues, “The Red Oak, Quercus rubra, is distinguished from other trees by its broad trunk, similar in many ways to John’s broad shoulders, which carried the weight of our obligations to future generations, its large branches, suggesting John’s collaborative spirt and efforts to reach out to others, and its impressive stature, reflecting the CAC’s admiration and respect for John as an individual, friend, and colleague.”
Michelle Sterling from the Conservation Advisory Council said, “John was a terrific CAC member, a great lover of nature, and just a remarkable person. Our hope is that this tree grows and provides shade and comfort to children and families in the park for generations. We feel John would be happy to know that he is still giving to the community in a positive and loving way. That was John.”
Raider Pride is Back
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- Written by Daniel Love
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After a break in 2020 due to the pandemic, Raider Pride Week was back at Scarsdale High School, during the week of September 27, stronger than ever. Maroon and White, the athletic booster organization, kicked off Raider Pride week by distributing black WE ARE SCARSDALE tee shirts to student organizations and teams to demonstrate support for the Friday night homecoming black out game vs. Mamaroneck.
Students dressed for Raider Pride week starting off with pajama day on Monday, September 27th. They continued to show their school spirit by wearing red, white, and blue on Tuesday. Maroon and White supplemented Wednesday’s white out with healthy snacks for students after school before teams’ practices. On Thursday students wore maroon and even more school spirit was visible with Raider Rooter magnet mania in the parking lots.
Raider Pride Week culminated on Friday with the first ever outdoor Pep Rally. SHS teams, clubs and teachers, dressed in black, demonstrated their skills and Raider pride on Butler Field while the band played on the track, and students assembled by grade in the bleachers, on chairs and on the turf. To make the pep rally safer and socially distant, the event was held outside rather than in the gym. Student Government Advisor Lauren Barton, “the major difference is that the pep rally will be outside and students will be spaced apart on the turf and bleachers. Masks are required for students, faculty and staff watching as well.”
When asked about how school spirit has been affected by the pandemic, Student Government President Claire Scarcella stated, “Ever since the start of the year student government has noticed a change in the school dynamic and community. The spirit levels have been way up and we knew that this was our opportunity to “redefine” our school spirit week! We are so happy with the outcome of our spirit days!”
Students and faculty agreed that the outdoor format for the pep rally was a welcome change that was not only safer but much more enjoyable and helped the entire high school community feel more connected.
Scarsdale Remembers 9-11
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Under clear blue skies reminiscent of the day of the attack, the Scarsdale Department of Public Safety held a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of 9-11-11 twenty years later on 9-11-21.
The ceremony remembered those who were killed on that fateful day and honored the sacrifices of the first responders and recovery workers.
Police, firemen and their families, the clergy, and Village Trustees were on hand to speak and memorialize the heroic efforts of public safety workers. The ceremony was orchestrated by fire captain Christopher Mytch who invited vocalists, clergy members, the Mayor, fire commissioner, the color guard and a bagpiper to perform and speak at this moving event.
The ceremony was a mix of remembrances, insights, reflections and honors for those who stepped up and for those who lost their lives.
The Scarsdale Colorguard
Sheila Gorham Noonan, wife of a Scarsdale firefighter struck the perfect note as she sang “The Bravest” by Tom Paxton, accompanied by her guitar. The song tells the story of a survivor from the attack on the World Trade Center with the refrain, “Now every time I try to sleep, I'm haunted by the sound of firemen pounding up the stairs, while we were running down.”
After a demonstration from Scarsdale’s Color Guard accompanies by bagpipes, Rabbi Jonathan Blake asked survivors to teach the next generation:
That love must prevail over hate
Courage over fear
Goodwill over meanness of spirit
Knowledge over ignorance
Unity over division
Sheila Gorham-NoonanSHS student Samantha Loeser gave an a cappella performance of the national anthem and Scarsdale Mayor Jane Veron lauded Scarsdale firefighters saying, “You, our first responders, unfailingly rise to action, paying little heed to personal risk or sacrifice. You are courageous and heroic, with dogged determination, unflagging stamina and commitment. This seems to be part of your DNA. No matter the circumstance, you answer the call of duty. You have our backs, and with gratitude, we salute you.”
Village Fire Commissioner Lena Crandall praised firefighters for their work to help residents during Hurricane Ida, saying “Eight inches of rain fell on our community. You worked tirelessly to help people you did not even know.” She urged listeners to fight back their reserve and to fight the darkness.
Samantha Loeser
Three Scarsdale residents perished in the attacks and they were remembered at the ceremony: Peter Alderman, 25 years old, Kazuhiro Anai, aged 42 and Glenn Kirwin, age 40.
Reverend Kelly Rogers from Scarsdale Congregational Church offered a prayer for those who were lost, saying “God we ask that your Spirit breath new breath into clouded lungs, new life into troubled minds and new warmth into broken hearts so that we all may feel wrapped in your loving embrace. May we move from suffering to hope, from brokenness to wholeness, from anxiety to courage, from death to life, from fear to love and from despair to joy.”
The ceremony concluded with retired Firefighter Grace playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and Samantha Moser singing God Bless America.
Chiefs Seymour and Matturro
Photos by Jon Thaler. See more here.
(Pictured at top: Rabbi Jonathan Blake, Police Chief Andrew Matturro, Fire Chief Jim Seymour, Reverend Kelly Rogers)
Fire Commissioner Lena Crandall
Scarsdale Mayor Jane Veron
Bridge Lighting To Honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
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- Written by Daniel Love
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On Tuesday evening September 14, 2021, the Mario Cuomo Bridge was lit in gold in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. According to Pediatric Cancer Foundation President, Pamela Strauss Peligri, “The bridge lighting symbolizes a light of hope that PCF carries, to embrace a future without pediatric cancer. We are deeply appreciative of NYS Senator Shelley Mayer of the 37th district, and her team for creating this promise of hope in “914” on 9-14, a date we will always remember.”
Since 1970 the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization has been on the front lines in the fight to eradicate childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14. Unfortunately, however, pediatric cancer research only receives 4% of all the cancer research funding that the government provides. PCF hopes that lighting the Mario Cuomo Bridge in gold sends a message to policy makers that 4% of federal funds for pediatric cancer research is not enough!
The Pediatric Cancer Foundation has several fundraising events during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month such as the September PCF Facebook Fundraiser, Gold Streaks, Beads for Proceeds and an upcoming Bake Sale at the Westchester Mall on Sunday September 26th from 11am to 1 pm. For more information on how to support pediatric cancer research please visit www.pcfcares.org.
(Photo Credit: Daniel Love)
A Prayer for the New Year 5782 By Rabbi Jonathan Blake
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A Prayer for the New Year 5782 written by Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple
The Hebrew word for Hope is tikvah.
We know it from Hatikvah,
The anthem of the Jewish State:
"Let not perish the hope of 2,000 years,
To be a free people in our land."
Tikvah is a profound and mysterious word.
It could come from the Hebrew m'kaveh,
Which means to wait.
Sometimes we just have to wait it out,
Patient and persevering until the pain passes.
Tikvah could come from the Hebrew word kav,
Which means a line,
Like you use in fishing,
Or that which connects two points.
We can't have hope without connection.
Or maybe it's a cousin of mikveh,
The immersive pool that purifies and restores,
A warm bath that, womblike, surrounds us
And out of which we are reborn to new possibilities.
Hope can definitely feel like that.
I don't know about you,
But amid all the talk of vaccines and boosters,
I've also been longing for an injection of tikvah,
A spiritual shot in the arm,
An inoculation against despair and isolation.
Rabbi Jonathan BlakeUntil some spiritual genius comes up
With a miracle cure for all that ails us,
We'll have to wait it out.
We'll have to be each other's lifelines.
We'll have to be for one another an ocean of hope and healing.
L'Shanah Tovah
