Greenacres July 4th Celebration Returns After a Two Year Hiatus
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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!
Arthur Manor 94th Annual July 4th Parade and Ceremony
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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.
Ruby Woosnam Honored at Scarsdale Congregational Church
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On May 24th, Ruby Woosnam was honored by Scarsdale Congregational Church Nursery School's students and staff at the dedication of “Miss Ruby’s Playground” mural overlooking the school. The mural recognizes Woosnam's career as a SCC Nursery School Teacher and Director that lasted over four decades and enhanced the lives of generations of children. At the ceremony, the beloved Miss Ruby spoke to today’s students who then serenaded her with a song.
Scarsdale Congregational Church is an open and affirming church at 1 Heathcote Road in Scarsdale.
Two Earn Arrow of Light Rank at Scarsdale Pack 440
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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
Four Named Eagle Scouts at Eagle Court of Honor
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Proud recipients of their Eagle Scout certificates (left to right) Alex Hwang, Daniel Hwang, Daniel Kolb, Wesley Coker. Mark Schivley (far right) presented these on behalf of Boy Scouts of America. Photo courtesy of Hyun Hwang.Hitchcock Church was the setting for the Scarsdale Boy Scout Troop 4’s Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday May 15, 2022. Emceed by Scoutmaster Emeritus Kevin McCarthy, the event celebrated the achievements culminating in the Eagle Scout rank of four young men: Daniel Hwang, Alexander Hwang, Wesley Coker and Daniel Kolb. Only about one in 10 scouts attain this rank, the highest in scouting. Furthermore, eighth grader Daniel Hwang, a student at Scarsdale Middle School, may well be the youngest Eagle Scout in Troop 4’s history.
In the presence of the scouts’ family and friends, Mark Schivley, Algonquin District Chairman of the BSA Greater Hudson Valley Council, formally welcomed the scouts to the ranks of Eagle Scout. County Executive George Latimer and New York Assemblymember Amy Paulin congratulated the scouts and their families and presented the young men with commendations. In addition formal citations were given from the Mayor of Scarsdale, Jane Veron. Reverend Katherine Pater of Hitchcock delivered the invocation and benediction.
The Eagle Scout project, a community service effort led, organized and executed by the Eagle candidate, is one of the most challenging requirements. The boys had received help from family friends and scouts to have their projects come to fruition. Daniel Hwang’s project centered around the repair and completion of a terraced garden at Hitchcock. There had been an unfinished, abandoned terraced garden in the rear of the church’s property which, with the expansion of the Bronx River Trailway, had gone from a dark corner with little pedestrian traffic to part of a busy walking and jogging route for the community. Daniel’s project resulted in a garden of flowers and plants for the church community and users of the Bronx River Trailway to enjoy.
While in the troop Daniel has served as Den Chief and Chaplain Aide, as well as being recently elected to the position of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Outside of scouting, Daniel’s passion is baseball. He competes year-round as an outfielder for HEAT baseball in Ardsley. Daniel also enjoys singing and was a NYSMAA All-County voice selection in 2020. Daniel regularly volunteers with Midnight Run and Westhab, which provide food, clothing, and other essential items to the homeless in New York City and Yonkers. A high adventure lover, Daniel canoed more than 114 kilometers in northern Ontario a few years ago and is looking forward to biking and camping along the Pacific Coast this coming summer. Daniel’s other hobbies include golf, squash, and skiing.
Keeping it all in the family, Daniel’s older brother Alex also was formally recognized as an Eagle Scout on the 15th. Alex, a junior at Scarsdale High School, similarly began his scouting journey with Pack 440. As a member of Troop 4 Scarsdale, Alex has served as Troop Historian and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Alex has a strong interest in scientific research and has co-authored an academic journal article on asymptomatic pediatric Covid-19 patients in the metro-NYC area. He is also studying genes and biological pathways for various neurological disorders as a research assistant in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai. Additionally, Alex is active in Model UN and volunteers with Midnight Run.
For his Eagle project Alexander built three outdoor benches for Hitchcock. Permanent outdoor seating was in short supply and was in particular need by the older congregants when attending outdoor events or awaiting transportation.
A Manhattan transplant, Wesley Coker also started scouting at a very tender age. When he moved to Westchester and joined Troop 4, he enjoyed the campouts, community service events and earning merit badges. Now at 15, Wesley plays varsity football and junior varsity basketball at Edgemont High School. He is also a budding entrepreneur with a flourishing sneaker reselling business.
Wesley’s eagle project was the rebuilding of a 40-yard segment of a severely eroded and unsafe trail in the woods at Edgemont High School that is used by students daily to get to and from school. The work included clearing an adjacent stream of debris and moving stones to assist with rerouting the water flow, re-grading the trail with dirt and gravel to build a turnpike and eliminate puddling, forming short barrier walls of stone, and removing existing degraded wood stairs and replacing them with rock steps. The project cost just under a thousand dollars and took approximately 110 man-hours of physical labor with the assistance of scouts, friends, and family.
Daniel Kolb, a senior at Scarsdale High School, also has been in scouting for most of his life. Daniel has held several positions in the troop, including Den Chief, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
Daniel participated in a BSA High Adventure camp with other Troop 4 members at SeaBase in Florida, where they learned about sailing and snorkeling. For his senior option, Daniel is taking an intensive training course to become a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Daniel is headed to Colby College in the fall where he plans to study biology, with an emphasis on genetics, and also history. His hobbies include scuba, skiing, travel, gaming and reading.
For his Eagle project, Daniel designed and built an 8’ x 8’ outdoor enclosure for the enrichment of the animals of the Scarsdale Weinberg Nature Center. Animals of the nature center are put in the enclosure during the day and put back indoors in cages at night. The project has been well received by humans and animals alike.
Three of the four Eagle Scouts began their scouting journey with Scarsdale Cub Scout Pack 440. Both Pack 440 and Troop 4 have Hitchcock as their chartering organization, and they are open to people of any faith. More information is available at scarsdalepack440.com and https://scarsdale4.mytroop.us/home.
