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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 25 February 2026

Created: 25 February 2026

Last Updated: 25 February 2026

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21 Cambridge RoadThe intervention of neighbors saved a 1924 Colonial Revival home at 21 Cambridge Road from demolition at a meeting of the Committee for Historic Preservation on February 24, 2026.

After a Pelham man purchased the home and filed an application to take it down, a group of neighbors rallied and did some research on the home to show that it met the Village’s criteria for preservation. After they presented their findings, the Committee voted 5-0 to deny the application to raze it.

In a detailed memo they argued that the home reflects the broad pattern of history and suburban development, it was designed by a recognized architect of the day and retains distinctive design characteristics and integrity.

Quoting from their memo they say, “Much of the immediate neighborhood was constructed in 1920’s, creating a recognizable period streetscape and a strong sense of place… 21 Cambridge Road is not an interchangeable structure: It is among the older homes in the area and remains a meaningful contributor to the neighborhood’s historic pattern of development.”

About its distinctive characteristics they write,

“21 Cambridge Road retains the key integrity that matters for a neighborhood of this era – its relationship to the street, its massing and scale relative to nearby 1920’s homes, and its contribution to the overall historic streetscape.”

They highlight the following:

-Dominant steep roof that establishes the home’s historic silhouette and scale
-Three aligned dormers, including two larger dormers with distinctive flared sides and Juliet-style railings.
-Balanced, symmetrical façade composition with historically consistent massing and lower flanking wings
-Prominent arched main entry surround that remains a focal element of the façade, consistent with 1920’s Colonia Revival design
-Wood shingles cladding o the street facing elevations
-Consistent multi-light window patterns with traditional shutters

Furthermore, they say, “Allowing full ldemolitio of a 1924 home in a predominantly 1920’s area accelerates loss of historic character and undermines the Village’s preservation objectives.

Finding that the home meets the criteria for preservation, the Committee voted 5-0 to deny the application.

Also on the agenda that evening were applications to raze 33 Garden Road, 69 Penn Boulevard and 3 Ridgecrest East.3 Ridgecrest East

The home at Ridgecrest East, designed by the same architect as 21 Cambridge Road, is sited in another historic area. When that application was adjourned, neighbors who turned up at the meeting left.

33 Garden Road is a beige brick home, built in 1963 with a pool and a tennis court. Ed Alisberg of Alisberg Parker Architects presented the application on behalf of the Cum Laude Group who plans to build a new home at the site.

The original application did not include the names of the architect/engineer which the committee only learned at the meeting. They therefore asked for the application to be adjourned for a month to allow for more research to be done on its provenance.

Last, an application to demolish a 5,768 square foot ranch style home on an acre on a corner lot at Penn Boulevard and Franklin Road was approved. Though some notable architects renovated it at different points in time, and there was even a hot tub in the living room, the committee did not find that it met the criteria for preservation.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 18 February 2026

Created: 18 February 2026

Last Updated: 18 February 2026

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Scarsdale’s Terri Simon has been named the winner of the 2026 Scarsdale Bowl and will be honored at the annual dinner on Thursday April 23, 2026 at Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club. Read below about her contributions to the PTA, the Board of Education, the Scarsdale Library, Bet Am Shalom and My Sister’s Place and see why she encourages you to get involved.

Tell us about your resume of volunteer positions. What has been most meaningful to you?

I started with a small PTA job when my kids were at Greenacres – and was then, to my surprise (because I was practicing law in the city three days a week), asked to be president! That led to roles with PT Council and on some school district-wide committees (legislative issues, the 2000 construction bond campaign) and two separate terms on the SBNC. I worked for six years on the Board of Education and five years on the Library Board, including a year as BOE president and two years as SPL President that contributed to the construction of the new library. Beyond Scarsdale, I served on the Board of My Sisters’ Place for fifteen years, with 6 years as chair or co-chair and now a role on the MSP Honorary Board, and I’ve been very active at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, including as president and board chair.

What are some of the highlights of your volunteer service?

I have really enjoyed working with volunteer boards to develop policies that reflect the core values of each institution, advocating for programs in a variety of settings, and collaborating closely with outstanding professional leaders and staff who translate the policies into realities. This work both sustains wonderful local organizations and services and builds the strong, lifelong relationships that form the fabric of our community.

How has Scarsdale fostered the tradition of volunteerism? Does it continue today?

A tradition of reaching out to engage newcomers, even with bite-sized roles, goes a long way to encourage their ongoing involvement. I totally understand the competing demands on people’s time – but I hope that we can continue to encourage younger residents to make room for volunteerism. If we but ask, they will likely also discover how very rewarding it can be to become even a little bit involved in their community -- truly life-changing!

Looking forward, what are some of your hopes for the Scarsdale community?

The tradition of “non sibi” – not for oneself alone, per our high school’s motto – is an excellent aspirational lodestar for all of us. Sustaining healthy civic society, caring with respect and compassion for others including those who are less fortunate than we, requires that every one of us step up and do our share.

Purchase your ticket to the annual Scarsdale Bowl Dinner here to celebrate Terri Simon and the Spotlight Award Winner, the Scarsdale Historical Society.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 11 February 2026

Created: 11 February 2026

Last Updated: 11 February 2026

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Frances Wills and Amy PaulinWhat do our local legislators think about ICE, universal Pre-K, Mayor Mamdani, curricular mandates and affordable housing?

These were just a few of the questions posed to a panel of local legislators at the annual legislative breakfast at Greenacres Elementary School on February 6, 2026, sponsored by the Scarsdale PTC Legislative Advocacy Committee, chaired by Jeanette Rosen and Juliane Farruggia.

Panelists included NYS Senator Shelley Mayer, NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, NYS Regent Frances Wills, County Legislator Jenn Puja, and Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest.

Questions were posed by a group of Scarsdale High School students.

Senator Mayer responded to a question about a bill proposed by NYS Governor Kathy Hochul to regulate ICE activityJustin Arest, Amy Paulin and Drew Patrick in New York. One provision of the bill prohibits federal officers from entering homes without a warrant. Mayer felt that the bill does not go far enough as it does not prevent ICE agents from entering schools or houses of worship without a warrant and does not prohibit them from wearing masks. Assemblymember Amy Paulin pointed out that Hochul’s bill was introduced before the second shooting in Minneapolis. Paulin said, “I think we will see more robust legislation as the final package.”

Asked about the potential impact of Mayor Mamdani’s policies, Paulin said, “When you become a new Mayor you make a lot of promises to get there. He was in the NYS Assembly – so I got to know him pretty well. I think he knows that he will not be able to achieve all his goals but he will get childcare and Pre-K. He will advocate for a tax increase on the top brackets. I will not support those increases – they are not good for suburbanites who use the city – but there might be a middle ground…. The public push on childcare and pre-K will make it mandatory for every district to have these programs. It has ignited a movement on broad based childcare. His victory has a transformative effect on the state – and his embrace of diversity and immigrants – has caused a public shift.”

Has the public rancor on the national scene filtered down to New York State?

Andrew Lennon, Drew Patrick and Amy PaulinPaulin explained, in the NYS Assembly, Democrats have 2/3 of the vote but we have a cordial relationship with the minority. “We work to resolve problems.”

Senator Mayor said, “On balance we have a cordial relationship. But given the intensity of this moment, and the fact that members want to bring federal issues into the debate –it can get heated.” She said, “This is a partisan moment. When we don’t see our colleagues condemn what’s wrong – there are issues that do require speaking out. I don’t think it’s a moment for peace. She called on Republicans to speak up about the racist video the President posted that portrayed the Obamas as monkeys.

On partisanship, Mayor Arest said, “We are unique in Scarsdale in that we have a non-partisan system. We don’t talk about political parties. We talk about how we can make Scarsdale better.”

County Legislator Jenn Puja responded: “When you are in local government, you are dealing with those issues. There’s so much we can do here just caring for our communities.”State Senator Shelley Mayer

What is the county doing to provide more affordable housing? Jenn Puja said, “We are collaborating with local municipalities, for housing for people of all ages and all stages of life. We are working on creative options.” She sited an “adaptive re-use of a college building to be turned into affordable condominiums for people who work in White Plains.”

Does the state endorse offering non-corps curriculum courses such as financial literacy, civic engagement and media literacy?

Regent Wills said, “They are all now on the list. There are ways to integrate this into courses – or taught as an elective course. There are opportunities for civic engagement and media literacy in the social studies curriculum.”

Senator Mayer explained, “The legislature does not always want to defer to local control. It is a delicate balance. Schools don’t want to be told what to do, but there is tension about allowing local control of some of these issues.”

Paulin added, “There is a reluctance to pass mandatory curricular bills because we know that political people come and go – and we don’t want their philosophies to be imposed on the school district. Think about immunizations, gun control or banning books that relate to a certain subject matter. We give these decisions to the SED to insulate schools from political change.

Amy Paulin with School Board Members Leah Dembitzer, Colleen Brown, Amber Yusuf and Laura LiuGetting local, a student asked, “With the addition of the pool and the school bond, how has the village communicated the impact to the population?”

The Mayor said, “We are separate governments. The pool decision was out of necessity. It is a resource that the vast community wants to continue and expand. If we could delay it, that would be great. We are all residents. It is out of our hands. We do look at shared services – like the buses, we will continue to do those things. We both have needs and we have to be responsible to our own budgets.”

Panelists

And what is the future of the A-School building and parking lot –since the alternative school moved into the high school?

The Mayor responded saying, “It’s a collaborative process. Parking is separate. There are certain limitations on parking spots in suburban neighborhoods. Should we open more residential streets for parking? The A-School building is underutilized. The school district doesn’t use it. If there is an opportunity to use it, we would be crazy not to use it. We have discussed it – but there is no specific plan right now. We welcome the school to use it if we do renovate it.”

SHS Students

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 06 February 2026

Created: 06 February 2026

Last Updated: 06 February 2026

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Jenn Puja, Jill Spielberg, Karen Brew, BK Munguia, Ben BoykinTo the Editor:

The Scarsdale Forum welcomed over 100 members and guests to Winterfest 2026, its fourteenth annual membership party at the Scarsdale Woman’s Club on Saturday, January 31st. Party goers were greeted at the door by Forum President Jill Spielberg and Forum Vice President Karen Brew as pianists Eli Mattioli and Jim Pullman set the mood in the beautifully decorated Music Room. Beer meister Bruce Wells held a beer tasting of his own home brews throughout the evening. Emmanuel Louros, MC Catering offered a delicious buffet dinner paired with several red and white wines from Vintology. As the dessert room opened, Scarsdale High School’s a cappella group For Good Measure entertained the guests with several tunes from their repertoire. The evening ended sweetly as guests enjoyed a variety of homemade goodies provided by Forum members and friends.

Jenn Puja, George Latimer, Amy Paulin, Jill Spielberg
Thank you to the Village, County and NYS elected officials who were able to attend Winterfest 2026 and visit with their Scarsdale constituents--Scarsdale School Board member Suzie Hahn, Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, Village Trustee Ken Mazer, Scarsdale Village Justice Michael Curti, Westchester County Legislator Jennifer Puja, former Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin and NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. Congressman George Latimer presented President Spielberg with a citation commemorating his recent reading into the Congressional Record highlighting the work of the Scarsdale Forum to engage its community in civic involvement and civil discourse.

Susan Douglass and Bruce Wells

The Scarsdale Forum is a 122-year-old charitable organization dedicated to improving life in Scarsdale through its educational programs and activities. Forum members study the issues affecting Scarsdale through its committee work and offer programs of interest to the community at membership meetings and separate speaker events. This year’s Winterfest 2026 was a zero-waste event thanks to the efforts of Scarsdale Forum’s Sustainability Committee. All Scarsdale Village and Mamaroneck Strip residents are welcome to become members and can join at: www.scarsdaleforum.org

A special thanks to Scarsdale10583 for its assistance in publicizing Winterfest 2026.

Sincerely,

Scarsdale Forum
Winterfest 2026 Committee

Co-chairs of Winterfest 2026 Lena Crandall and BK Munguia, at the end of the evening still smiling!

Lena Crandall welcoming guests into the dessert room.

Jim Pullman and Eli Mattioli