Celebrating Arbor Day - in the Rain
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Why were the School Superintendent, President of the Board of Education, Village Manager, Village Mayor, former Village Mayor, Village Trustees, Friends of the Scarsdale Parks and Assemblywoman Paulin huddled under a small tent, ankle-deep in mud on Friday April 26? No it’s not the beginning of a mystery based in Scarsdale; but a gathering for a very rainy celebration of Arbor Day -- and the fact that Scarsdale was named a “Tree City” for the 36th year in a row and received it’s first ever Tree City USA Growth Award.
The Scarsdale schools and village cooperated to plant three new trees along the watercourse at Harcourt Woods – an oak, a maple and a fringe tree. The watercourse extends from George Field in Greenacres down through the high school, eventually emptying into the Bronx River. It has helped to alleviate flooding in the high school parking lots. The Friends of the Scarsdale Parks has planted over 1000 trees and shrubs in Harcourt Woods and cleared miles of invasive knotweed.
School Board President noted the collaboration between the Village and the Schools to eradicate the knotweed and congratulated the Village on its designation as tree city.
SMS Students to Donate Hair
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The Scarsdale Middle School Gym will be transformed into a hair salon on Friday afternoon April 26 at 2:45 pm when 12 students and their teacher will cut their hair to donate to others who have lost their own hair due to medical challenges.
The event, “Covering Young Heads To Heal Young Hearts,” is the brainchild of SMS Health teacher Alyssa Saltzman who explained, “I’ve had long hair my entire life and this is something I’ve wanted to do for many years. I thought it would be a great way to connect with students by inviting them to join me in this endeavor.”
“In caring for a sick family member, I was inspired to think about small ways we could all help people who may be experiencing hardships. I’m always looking for ways to remind my students that small actions of kindness can have a tremendous impact on others. This is a tangible opportunity for students to give a piece of themselves to benefit another child’s well-being.”
“As a health teacher, I try to instill within my students an element of gratitude for their own health. Reaching out to others in this way can benefit students by serving as a reminder that health can be fragile and something we must be grateful for and work to preserve.”
On Friday, those with at least eight inches of hair below a ponytail holder are invited to donate their hair. A hairdresser will measure and cut, though participants will need to schedule their own haircut later for styling.
The hair will be donated to Children With Hair Loss”, a non- profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young-adults facing medically related hair loss. http://childrenwithhairloss.us/
Saltzman says, “All are welcome to come watch and support us. Perhaps this may inspire people to donate in the future or reach out to others with acts of kindness in other ways.”
Plant Native Trees on Tree Planting Day in Harwood Park
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On April 27, 2019 from 10AM to 4PM, the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks, in a collaboration with the Parks, Recreation and Conservation department, will hold Scarsdale’s 5th annual Trees for Tribs Community Planting Day at Harwood Park. The public is invited to sign up on the PRC’s portal on the Village website or just show up with garden gloves, sturdy waterproof footwear, and trowels. Children accompanied by adults are welcomed to participate and learn about nature. A small number of shovels and pitchforks will be provided. If you plan to stay for a while, bring your own filled water bottle, lunch and snacks.
Over the past four years, hundreds of volunteers have planted over 1,000 native, bare root trees and shrubs provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under a grant written by FOSP. A slide show of the project area during our 2018 Community Planting Day event is available on the village website here:
The restoration of Harwood Park would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of village staff and community volunteers. FOSP is grateful to all for their commitment to open space preservation throughout the Village.
For residents interested in planting native species on their property, the following is a list of trees planted by FOSP project volunteers:
Red, Silver and Sugar Maple
Speckled Alder
Serviceberry
River Birch
E. Red Cedar
Black Gum
Red Oak
White Oak
Gray Birch
Toringo Crabapple
Poplar
Swamp White Oak
Blue Beech
Black Chokeberry
Buttonbush
Sweet Pepperbush
Silky and Grey Dogwood
Red osier and red twig Dogwood
Witch Hazel
Winterberry
Swamp Rose
Sandbar Willow
Elderberry
Arrowwood
Cranberry Viburnum
Bayberry
Nannyberry
Larry Smith of Scarsdale Apppointed to Board of Heathcare Trustees of NYS
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White Plains Hospital (WPH) Board of Directors Chairman Laurence Smith has been appointed to serve on the Board of the Healthcare Trustees of New York State (HTNYS), an affiliate of the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS).
Mr. Smith will serve as one of 25 trustees of HTNYS representing different types of hospitals, continuing care organizations, and health systems from all regions across the state. He and his fellow Board members will be responsible for providing guidance and oversight for the activities and programs of HTNYS that aim to strengthen the voluntary healthcare system through improved leadership and increased involvement by healthcare trustees.
“We’re thrilled that Larry is joining the HTNYS board. His knowledge of complex policy issues and his extraordinary leadership skills will be invaluable as we deal with major challenges to the healthcare system now and in the years ahead,” said Sue Ellen Wagner, Executive Director of HTNYS and Vice President of Community Health for HANYS.
The mission of HTNYS is to assist voluntary healthcare trustees through education, communications, and advocacy to promote the delivery of quality healthcare to all communities in a cost-effective manner. You can read more about the organization on their website.
Mr. Smith, of Scarsdale, New York, had a long and successful career in the investment management industry, serving as Head of Fixed Income and then Head of Asset Allocation for J.P. Morgan Investment Management, then Global Chief Investment Officer and US CEO of Credit Suisse Asset Management, followed by Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Third Wave Global, a global macro hedge fund advisory firm. He recently came out of retirement to join Horton Point as their Chief Investment Officer, and is an active investor for his family office.
He first joined the Hospital’s Board of Directors in 2004 and has served as a member of numerous committees, as well as Chair of the Finance Committee and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2015. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.
“Larry will bring a sincere passion for serving the community and a unique perspective of the healthcare environment to this role, said Susan Fox, President and CEO of White Plains Hospital. “He will quickly have a meaningful impact on healthcare leaders across New York,” she continued.
Scarsdale Cub Scouts Pack 440 Revs Up Engines at this year’s Pinewood Derby
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First graders Dylan and Ayden (with mom Suzanne) experienced their first Pinewood Derby. Photo courtesy of Midori Im.One of the highlights of the year for Cub Scouts is the Pinewood Derby, a tradition in scouting that dates back to the fifties. Scouts are tasked with cutting original designs out of a block of wood, while at the same time making it race-worthy on the track. The scouts have a chance to showcase their imagination, and this year was no exception.
On March 24th Pack 440’s boys and one female scout (you can guess below which car is hers) raced their cool designs by den (grade level group). Each scout that finished first in their den will then be eligible to participate in the race at the district level, to be held next Saturday in Crestwood. The most successful racers will end up at the national race.
More information about the Pinewood Derby and other scouting events hosted by Pack 440 can be obtained by contacting [email protected].
Ben with dad Noah. Ben was the fastest kindergartener this year. Photo courtesy of Midori Im.
9 year old Charlie took home the grand prize for the fastest vehicle in the pack, as well as having the best time in his den. Photo courtesy of Midori Im.
Sleek cars designed by experienced third graders at the gate.
Scouts and parents alike watch to see who crosses the finish line first. Photo courtesy of Midori Im.
