Former Scarsdale Police Officer Offers Advice on Securing Your Home
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Former Sergeant Mike Martin served on the Scarsdale Police force for 20 years before retiring to Florida. But when he moved south he found that he missed the northern pace, and is now back in Scarsdale -- a town he knows well -- in a new role.
Here's his story:
How many years did you serve on the Scarsdale Police Force and what were your roles? What years were you here?
I worked in the Village of Scarsdale Police Department for 20 years; 1982-2002. During the first 7 years I was a patrol officer, the next 3 years in plain clothes in a burglary and larceny patrol unit, then 10 years a Patrol Sergeant.
Throughout my 20 years as a police officer in Scarsdale I responded and investigated many burglaries. To see how it affected the homeowners, the pain they felt, their concerns of safety, how losing sentimental family heirlooms, all the feelings and insecurities of having their homes burglarized, made it a very rewarding feeling arresting the perpetrators of those crimes. I was proud to be a member of the Scarsdale police having been part of arresting several burglars during my time at the Scarsdale Police department.
What did you like about working in Scarsdale?
I enjoyed my 20 years of service with the Scarsdale Police Department, but having my 20 years in and that I was eligible for retirement my wife and I decided to move to Florida where her family had relocated.
What are some of your most vivid memories of your service?
I like helping people and the Scarsdale Police department who puts community policing first. The department's focus is always about helping and interacting in a positive way with residents. Scarsdale is a great community and I enjoyed working with the residents.
What did you find when you moved to Florida?
Life in Florida is much different, but I was fortunate to have the opportunity do some things I probably would not have done in New York. I coached high school soccer at Melbourne Central Catholic high school and was an assistant coach at Florida Tech University and later at Eastern Florida State. Working with student athletes and helping them to believe in themselves and working together to achieve a goal was very rewarding.
There are so many memories, but the most important was that I established long term friendships with a great group of great guys that I still maintain a special relationship with today.
What did you miss about living up north?
I missed the people, the culture, the fast pace of life and most important my family. Our daughters Danielle and Ariana moved back to New York and my wife AnneMarie and I decided to move back to be close to them.
What is your role at Scarsdale Security?
I am now an account executive at Scarsdale Security Systems where the biggest part of my job is customer service. I feel it is important for customers to be comfortable in making security decisions, and trust that I can help them with that. I want to make sure our customers feel that we are responsive to their needs and will be treated like they are a family member.
What do you like about your new position?
I like to be busy, which I am at my job. I'm a people person and with my job I get to meet and interact with new people every day. I also enjoy learning. With security technology always changing, it is important for me to continue to learn and keep up with all of these changes.
What advice do you have for residents to keep their homes secure?
My advice to residents is to always keep your house well lit, make sure newspapers and mail are picked up while you are away and report any suspicious vehicles or people to the police. Make sure you use your security system at all times.
A New Playground at Scarsdale Synagogue
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After several years of fundraising and dreaming big, Scarsdale Synagogue is proud to announce the opening of a new playground. Contributions from people of all ages and in all amounts helped to make this playground a reality. The new play space has two climbing structures, various dramatic play areas, ride-on toys galore, rocks for climbing, stonewalls for sitting, a rain garden and spectacular life-sized playhouses. There is even a spongy safety surface under all the climbing equipment and around the center of activity- our Village Green. The Village Green features play houses and shops, a grassy town center and a variety of community helper vehicles.
This playground addresses the needs of children who like to climb, sit, pretend, appreciate nature, and enjoy a quiet space. It is an ideal environment to engage in social interactions. The playground is designed to capture children's interest and encourage their imagination.
Scarsdale Synagogue is located at 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. 914-725-5175. www.sstte.org.
Music to Your Ears
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Free Organ Concert at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church: Nathan Laube will be performing a FREE organ concert in the sanctuary at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 15th at 4 PM, on the J. W. Walker pipe organ. The FREE concert is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the installation of the instrument, considered one of the finest in the regional area. The 1 hour program will include some of the most famous music written for organ and is appropriate for the entire family. There will be a reception following the concert. All are welcome. Please reserve FREE tickets in advance by calling the office at (914) 723-3311.
A star among young classical musicians, concert organist Nathan Laube (age 27) has quickly earned a place among the organ world's elite performers. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Mr. Laube serves as Assistant Professor of Organ at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Recent and upcoming performances by Mr. Laube include major venues spanning four continents. These include 
the Vienna Konzerthaus (Austria); the Berlin Philharmonie and the Dortmund Konzerthaus (Germany); the Sejong Center, Seoul (Korea); in the USA at Washington National Cathedral (DC), Walt Disney Concert Hall (CA), Verizon Hall (PA), The Kauffman Center's Helzberg Hall (MO), and Spivey Hall (GA). During his time as a student at the Curtis Institute, Nathan also served as an Assistant Organist at the Wannamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's Department Store in downtown Philadelphia.
Westchester Symphonic Winds at Congregation Kol Ami
On Saturday, November 21st, at 8PM at Kol Ami the Westchester Symphonic Winds will be performing a concert to benefit the Kol Ami Music Fund. The concert will feature Cantor David Rosen and Musical Director Lenora Eve singing the songs of Irving Berlin and Trustee Rachel Eckhaus on the piccolo. The program will include works by Holst, Williams, Markowski, Porter and Sousa. Tickets are $36 for the concert and $50 for the concert and a dessert reception. Purchase tickets online or at the door. Visits www.nykolami.com for more information.
Local Theatre Production Stars Local Kids
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You don't have to go to Broadway to see quality theatre. There a quite a few upcoming professional and community productions that include local children in the casts. Here's a rundown of the best theater in Westchester you should try to catch before the end of the year starring none other than our very own.
Professional Productions
A Doll's House, the famous play by Henrik Ibsen, has been reworked by Axial Theater Company under the direction of Howard Meyer. Set in 1950s America instead the traditional 19th century Denmark, Meyer breathes life into this newly relevant, controversial drama. The performance space is extremely unique, (the theater is part of a 19th century historic church,) and creates the sensation that the audience is sitting inside the couple's home throughout the play. It's not to be missed! The play features local talent Carly Waldman as Emmy. Previews begin Friday, November 6th, opening night is November 7th, and the play runs through November 22nd.
Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford is a unique theater experience in Westchester because the price of your ticket includes a full meal. Show Boat follows the lives, loves, and losses of a troupe of riverboat performers on the mighty Mississippi while illuminating the racial and social changes that were shaping the country in 1890-1927. Its timeless score contains some of the most beautiful and emotionally charged songs ever written for a musical. Kim, a child, is played by Greenacres resident Alyssa Marvin (on an alternating schedule). The show runs now through November 29th and again from December 30th through January 31st.
Although not local productions, Although not local productions, two area kids are just leaving for their Broadway National Tours of Dr. Seuss' 
The Grinch who Stole Christmas. Caitlin Kops is playing Annie Who at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Rachel Katzke is performing as Cindy Lou Who and is traveling Massachusetts, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida this holiday season.
Community Productions
Westchester Sandbox Theater in Mamaroneck as two upcoming shows including Disney's Beauty and the Beast as well as Nutcracker! The Musical, described as "...the holiday classic like you've never seen it before." Under the direction of Jason Summers, WST shows often cater to families and can keep you and the kids busy most of November. Rebecca Gross and Abigail Underweiser can be see as Babette and Lefou respectively in Beauty and the Beast.
The White Plains Performing Arts Center Conservatory Theatre is excited to be presenting Little Shop of Horrors November 13-15. "Feed the need for musical hilarity with this delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant!" Scarsdale student Francesca Ricigliano plays Crystal, a doo-shopping urchin on Skid row. The songs are catchy and the story is hilarious.
Playgroup Theater in White Plains is performing Our Town the first two weekends in December. It is no longer read in high school, so this is the first time the cast is being exposed to Thornton Wilder's incredibly rich and wonderful characters, and timeless ideas about life and death and love which are speaking to this young cast as if they were written days ago rather than nearly a century ago. The cast is creating a contemporary musical score, using the theatre in a totally cool new way. They aren't changing a word of the text, but are absolutely making it clear that this play has stood the test of time and has so much to say about our town and our lives today, and that it speaks to this generation. The cast includes: Josh Ackerman, Josh Kirchner, Itai Rembaum, Dani Brinberg, Andrew Mitchell, Grayson Rosenberg, Maddie Glass, Anabel Calderon
Once on this Island is a vibrant, award-winning musical about the strength of love versus death and the perpetuity of life. The performances are being staged by The Edge, the teen program at the Random Farms Kids' Theater under the direction of Alexis Duermeyer. Alexandra Goldman is playing a storyteller/gossiper and Carly Waldman is playing Young Ti Moune and the Little Girl. The musical score is phenomenal. Performances take place at the Tarrytown Music Hall December 14th-17th at 7:00 PM each night.
Disney's Mulan JR at Random Farms Kids' Theatre is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor, and the fighting spirit. Come catch one or two (or five) of 24 Scarsdale kids in this production between November 11th and November 24th! Local cast members include: Ella Schneyer (Yao), Gali Brass (Captain Shang), Harry Brass (Fa Zhou), Ariana Koenig (Chi Fu), Leah Vinodh (Fa Li), Lily Falk (Magyar/Maiden), Alexandra Perl (Mulan), Rachel Schwartz (Mushu), Jolie Kantor (Yun), Rania Palaniappan (Lin), Avani Palaniappan (Laozi), Maya Katcher (Mulan), Kate Persily (Mushu), Maddie Marlowe (Magyar / Maiden), Aanya Schoetz (Shan-Yu / Maiden), Anjali Schoetz (Grandmother Fa), Raphael Cai (Hong), Bianca Ozdoba (Laozi), Elena Korman (Matchmaker), Chloe Liu (Lin), Ava Schneider (Na), Gabrielle Schneider (Ling), Ria Bedi (Shan-Yu / Maiden), and Lara Yellen (Yao).
Hansel and Gretel, the childhood classic, has been reconstructed into a junior version for kindergarten through second graders in this adorable production by the Random Farms Kids' Theater. The show will take place at the Yorktown Stage the first weekend of December. Every child has a speaking and singing solo and it will delight audiences of all ages. Local kids performing include: Ava Herman (sand fairy/cookie), Emma Poritzky (Frack), Nadia Ozdoba (Johanna/Cookie), Olivia Sorkin (Frick), Sophia Sorkin, (Heidi/cookie), Sabrina Zaken (Gretel), Jaden Waldman (Hansel), Maya Meyerson (Maria/cookie), Isabella Rabinovich (Frack), Maya Rabonovich (Father/cookie), Samantha Goldstein (Heidi/cookie), and Joyce Liu (sand fairy/cookie).
Photo Opps: Challah Make, Greenacres Memories and Cub Scouts
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In a spirited show of community, more than 200 Westchester residents came together at the JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale for the Great Big Challah Make, kicking off The Shabbat Project. The event took place on Thursday, October 22, 2015. The Shabbat Project is an international initiative through which Jews of all walks of life — religious, secular, and traditional; young and old; from all corners of the globe — unite to experience Shabbat.
"Today, we are 'Keeping it Together' — the tagline of the Shabbat Project — as we bake challah with thousands of Jewish people worldwide," said Nicky Ziman of Scarsdale, a native of Johannesburg, South Africa. "Connections are being made between Jewish people, not only in Westchester, but throughout the Jewish world."
Scarsdale was one of 550 cities worldwide to participate in this initiative, which was launched in South Africa in 2013 with remarkable success. Nearly 70 percent of the country's 75,000 Jews kept Shabbat in full, most for the first time in their lives.
"The JCC was privileged to host the Great Big Challah Make and to add Westchester to this unifying global movement," said Liat Altman, the JCC of Mid-Westchester's director of adult programs. "In times of global uncertainty, we must keep our focus on celebrating our communal strengths and reinforcing what inspires us as Jews."
All participants — from first-timers to experienced challah bakers — received a bowl with ingredients for the traditional Jewish bread. Live screens placed around the room displayed instructions about kneading and braiding by Rebbetzin Faygie Bienenfeld of Young Israel of Harrison, who spoke about the mystical, time-honored, and important role that challah plays in the Jewish tradition.
"There was definitely a sense of connection this morning," said Pam Goldstein, associate director of the Westchester Jewish Council. "There was a connection as we learned about our heritage, a connection to the importance of ritual, and a connection to each other. We felt we had succeeded in our goal of building bridges of all kinds."
Upon braiding their challah, a lively horah was played and participants, hand in hand, danced throughout the room.
Greenacres Centennial:
In preparation for the celebration surrounding the school's 100th anniversary, alumni of Greenacres Elementary have been invited to contribute photos, artifacts, and memories. Susan Olswang Strumer, SHS '55, shared photos and mementos with the PTA. She is pictured here with Scarsdale Superintendent Thomas Hagerman and Greenacres Principal Sharon Hill. The culmination of the yearlong celebration is the Greenacres Centennial Diamond Jubilee on November 20th at Mulino's at Lake Isle. This will be followed by a scavenger hunt for families and friends of all ages, to be held at the school on November 29th, the school's actual birthday. More information can be found at greenacrespta.com.
Cub Scouts Practice Camping:
Earlier this month (Oct. 3rd) Scarsdale Cub Scouts Pack 440 offered its members and others in the community the opportunity to learn the basics of camping. Among the activities were how to pitch a tent, cook over a fire, and what to pack when camping. The demonstration was held at Chase Park. Over the course of the year the pack will do tent camping, cabin camping, and even camping out on the Intrepid. So making sure scouts (and families) are comfortable with camping is important in a boy's journey with the pack. More information about Pack 440 can be found here.
