Scarsdale Teen Organizes '"Save The Tiger" Weekend at the Bronx Zoo
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Scarsdale Senior Girl Scout Samantha Lawless is partnering with Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo to present a "Save The Tiger" weekend. On April 18 and 19, visitors will learn why the wild tiger is endangered and find out what they can do to help stop it from disappearing in our lifetime. Activities will include talks and video presentations about the tiger and its habitat. Children will make tiger masks and visit real tigers at the zoo's Tiger Mountain exhibit.
This "Save The Tiger" weekend is part of Samantha's Girl Scout Gold Award Project which is the highest award a girl scout can earn by working more than 80 hours on a community service project to improve the world and be sustainable beyond her involvement. Samantha is also talking with the zoo's guest programming and education departments about helping them create a Tiger Conservation Patch Program for scout troops to earn at the zoo.
Samantha, who feels strongly about helping protect wildlife, held several successful events in Scarsdale two years ago while earning her Girl Scout Silver Award. Her most dramatic event was a tiger-themed fashion show held at The Center @862, which raised awareness in her community about the endangered tiger as well as over $1000. She used the money to purchase GPS equipment for Panthera, a conservation group working in the forests of Asia to protect the tiger from extinction.
Through Panthera, Samantha was introduced to a National Geographic author who is writing a book to encourage kids to get involved in wild animal conservation. The book will be published this summer and will include information about Samantha's tiger projects.
"I'm hoping that my new project at the Bronx Zoo will reach even more people than the event to raise awareness in Scarsdale. I want to inspire others to take action to prevent the loss of this beautiful animal," says Samantha. "I especially want to teach other kids and teens about the issues of wildlife trafficking and deforestation. There are only about 3,200 wild tigers left on earth today. Young people hold the future of this planet in their hands and will make the right choices if they know what is at stake."
Samantha's "Save The Tiger" activities will be included with admission to the Bronx Zoo on April 18 and 19.
Elliot Rose and Peggy Garfunkel Honored by the Westchester Jewish Council
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Elliot Rose and Peggy Garfunkel of Scarsdale were among 19 community volunteers honored at the Westchester Jewish Council (WJC) 2015 Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards (JYBDSA) Ceremony on Wednesday, March 11th at the JCC of Harrison. The event attracted over 350 attendees.
The 2015 recipients and their nominating organizations were:
- Scarsdale residents Elliot Rose (AJC Westchester/Fairfield) and Peggy Garfunkel (Jewish Women's Foundation of New York)
- New Rochelle residents Gregg Mashberg (Anti-Defamation League) and David Simhon (Congregation Anshe Shalom)
- White Plains resident Susan Hope Davis (Congregation Kol Ami)
- Armonk residents Richard Koh (Hillels of Westchester) and Jessica Morganthal (Rosenthal JCC)
- Dobbs Ferry resident Michael Maron (JCC on the Hudson)
- Rye resident Robert Miller (Jewish Community Center of Harrison)
- Mamaroneck residents Sarene Shanus (Jewish Education Project) and Richard Alter (Temple Israel of New Rochelle)
- Brewster resident Michael Salpeter (Jewish Family Congregation)
- Bedford Hills resident Vivian Cohn (Temple Shaaray Tefila)
- Bronx resident Trudy Cummings (The Mollie and Jack Zicklin Jewish Hospice Residence of MJHS)
- Larchmont resident Susan Miller (Westchester Jewish Center)
- Harrison resident Robert Mensch (Westchester Jewish Community Services)
- Carmel resident Ruth Greenfield (Temple Beth Elohim)
- New York City resident Lisa Rosenshein Todes (Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center)
- Lanesborough, MA resident David Rolle (Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester)
The Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Award is named after Julian Y. Bernstein a former Westchester Jewish Council board member, who was a visionary communal leader.
Prior to the awards ceremony, Paul Warhit, President, Westchester Jewish Council, Rabbi Eytan Hammerman, Senior Rabbi, JCC of Harrison, Congressman Sean Maloney, Michael Kaplowitz, Chairman, Westchester Board of Legislators, Kevin Plunkett, Deputy County Executive and Michael Bernstein, son of Julian Y. Bernstein, shared remarks, followed by a performance by HaZamir Westchester, The International High School Choir.
Honorees received the award for their service from members of the JYBDSA Committee. A dessert reception followed.
The Westchester Jewish Council connects Westchester's Jewish communities and strengthens relationships among Jewish organizations and other ethnic and faith based groups, elected officials, Israel, and the community at large. For more information, click here.
A Stellar Season for the Raiders Boys Swim Team
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The fact that Scarsdale High School has no pool has not hampered the success of the school's stellar boys swimming team. This year they won the conference, the section and placed second at the state meet in Ithaca on February 28-29.
It doesn't get much better than this. Coach Tim Callahan, who has been coaching the team for more than 20 years explained that it "all has to do with the kids." Callahan said that 15 of the swimmers and divers on the team train year-round and said, "the kids are getting faster."
The team trains at the pool at Westchester Community College five days per week during the season and they got off to a winning start at the annual Relay Carnival which was held at White Plains in December. Ten teams participated and Scarsdale broke some records and excelled.
For their dual meets, the team's record was an impressive 8-0 and they have been undefeated in dual meets for five years in a row.
At the Conference meet in December, Scarsdale won for the fifth year in a row.
The medley relay team of Ryan Lee, Charlie McFarland, his brother Tanner Mcfarland, and Thomas Cook took first place. Senior Josh Hendell came in second in the 200 freestyle, and David Bravo won the individual medley where one swimmer swims all four strokes. Evan Moretti won the conference diving championship for the second year in a row.
Until this year, Scarsdale has never won the Section 1 swimming and diving tournament, placing third last year and second two years ago. So Callahan was especially proud to share the results from this year's tournament where Scarsdale placed first for the first time. The meet was exciting as Scarsdale and rival Horace Greeley were vying for the top spot, and the pendulum swung with each race. Graham Novich helped clinch the title when he competed in the consolation finals in the 100 yard butterfly against three Horace Greely students who were all seeded ahead of him. He won the race bringing six points to Scarsdale.
Also at the sections, the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Josh Hendell, David Bravo, Haofeng Liu and Charlie McFarland broke a school record, placed third and helped to win the title.
Diver Evan Moretti took home first place in the diving championship for the second year in a row.
The team was then onto the states at Ithaca College on February 28 and 29, where they brought nine teammates, the most that Scarsdale has ever sent to the state championship.
The boys excelled:
- Diver Evan Moretti took the silver medal in the NYS diving championship
- Josh Hendell came in fourth in the 500 yard freestyle,
- Charle McFarland broke a school record in the 50 yard freestyle and placed 7th overall in the state and also came in 3rd in the 100 yard breast stroke, breaking his own school record.
Commenting on the season, brothers Charlie and Tanner McFarland said, "The season could not have been any better. The team accomplished all the goals we set at the beginning of the season. We were undefeated for the 5th year in a row, won our 5th consecutive divisional title, and capped off the season with Scarsdale's first Section 1 Swimming title. Evan Moretti set a new Section 1 record with his victory in diving and Charlie 
set a new Section 1 record when he won the 100 breast. Everyone contributed and swam personal bests. We sent a record number of swimmers to the state championships in Ithaca (9). It was an exciting and fast meet, and we were very competitive. We finished 6th overall. Some team highlights - Evan Moretti took 2nd in the diving, Charlie was 3rd in the 100 breast, setting a new school record. His time puts him up for All American consideration. He was 7th in the 50 freestyle, Josh Hendell was 4th in 500 free and 13th in the 200 free and the medley relay team of Ryan Lee, Charlie and Tanner McFarland and Tom Cooke placed 13th, setting a new school record and the 400 free relay team of Josh Hendell, David Bravo, Haofeng Liu and Charlie McFarland placed 12th.
Feel Good Shopping
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What could be better than supporting a group of talented artisans and craftspeople while also discovering some wonderful gift items? You can do this and more at the Scarsdale Village Woman's Exchange Store located right on Harwood Court.
If you haven't been into this charming little store, give yourself a treat and you'll find a treasure of baby gifts as well as a variety of other household items. The beautiful smocked dresses are among my favorites (they can be made to order) and have been a hit with many a contemporary new Mom. You'll also find hand knitted sweaters and blankets, hand crafted toys as well as other baby items. In addition, The Exchange carries wonderful manufactured goods such as serving pieces, frames, pillows, quilts and more; all at very reasonable prices. It's a wonderful spot for house gifts; I've purchased many items including trays and pottery that sell for much more elsewhere.
Founded in 1931 (during the Depression) to help women supplement the family income by selling handiwork and baked items, our Scarsdale Exchange is one of the oldest of 23 similar establishments. The shop is staffed by volunteers and in addition to supporting the consignor artisans, any profits go to My Sisters' Place. Items come from all over the country. Wooden alphabet trains are made in Polk County, Illinois by a retired Air Force officer who supplements his social security income; Brenda of Greenwich makes music boxes and Rita of Fenton, Missouri has done embroidery and smocking for the Exchange since 2010.
Be sure to stop in, even just to admire the homemade items you won't see anywhere else.
The Scarsdale Women's Exchange is open Monday – Friday 10AM - 4:30PM and Saturday 10AM-4PM.
Local Teens Host Hoops for Hope 3 v 3 Basketball Tournament
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Scarsdale High School students David Love and Matthew Gates hosted a 3 on 3 charity basketball tournament at Hooperstown last Sunday. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Double H Ranch, which provides specialized camps and year round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses, free of charge. David, a 7 year veteran of Camp Greylock and Matthew, a 7 year veteran of Camp Indian Head, organized this tournament so that kids with life-threatening illnesses could enjoy the summer sleepaway camp experience the way they have, without having to worry about their health.
Due to the tournament's inaugural status, participation was limited to 4th grade boys. Players came from across Westchester, Manhattan and New Jersey to participate. Quaker Ridge 4th graders (pictured above) Jody Alter, Asher Krohn, Nicky Rapaport and Nate Seslowe took home the 1st place trophies. Also pictured is Freddy Kushnick, the team manager. Edgemont boys Milan Gialleonardo, Will Shah, Ethan Sommers and Liyam Yaghoobzadeh were the runners up.
SHS students Max Bunzel, Nash Goldman, Leo Katz, Evan Maroney and Jack Solodar volunteered as referees for the games. To date, the tournament has raised over two thousand dollars.
Click here to see more photos from the tournament.
