SHS Senior Wins Chemistry Photography Contest and Eagle Scouts Honored
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SHS Senior Daniel Harris has won a Chemistry in Pictures contest from Chem13 Magazine for his photo of combustion. A student of chemistry teacher Elise Hilf Levine and art teacher Dina Hofstetter Daniel took his prize-winning photo of the igniting of butane gas with a high-speed camera.
Here's the background on the story from Daniel: "I have always loved science and a few years ago I began to start photography as a hobby. When my chemistry teacher Ms. Levine approached me and asked if I wanted to enter photos for a contest for Chem 13 Magazine, I was very excited to shoot some interesting scientific subjects. We agreed that I should try to get some pictures of water, fire and smoke, and I eventually had the idea to use a macro lens to capture a picture of a lighter just before the spark ignites the gas. It took me a couple of tries before I finally got the result that I was looking for. I think the reason this picture is so surreal is because it is something we never get to see because it usually happens in the blink of an eye. With the help of Ms. Levine and Ms. Hoffstetter, my photography teacher, I submitted several photographs to Chem 13 that focused on the combination of chemistry and photography."
Congratulations to Daniel and his teachers.
Eagle Scouts Honored
The Boy Scouts of America Troop 2 located at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale conferred the rank of Eagle Scout to three of its members February 2nd at a special Eagle Court of Honor ceremony held in the church basement.
The special event also coincided with Scout Sunday, a national day of honor for the organization, which is meant to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to scouting.
The newly conferred Eagle scouts, Keith and Kevin Hernandez of Eastchester along with Michael Siciliano, a Scarsdale native, received their Eagle badges and neckerchiefs, as is customary when a scout receives the highest of merit badges.
Eagle scouts must fulfill specific requirements before gaining the prestigious badge. That includes earning a total of 21 merit badges, completing an approved service project, taking on a number of leadership roles within their troop along with other requirements.
Both Hernandez brothers, freshmen at Westchester Community College, completed an outdoor cleanup project at the Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, and Siciliano, a student at the University of New Haven, participated in a similar project at the Weinberg Nature Center in Scarsdale.
(Pictured Above) Newly conferred Eagle scouts, from left: Keith Hernandez, Michael Siciliano and Kevin Hernandez.
WJCS to Honor Penny Goldsmith and Linda Plattus
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WJCS' 2014 Gala Honoring Penny Goldsmith and Linda Plattus:
Westchester Jewish Community Services is delighted to honor Penny Goldsmith and Linda Plattus at their annual gala to be held at the Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison on April 1, 2014 at 6:30 PM. These two outstanding leaders have helped shape WJCS and have brought energy, enthusiasm and support to programs that enable WJCS to serve 20,000 people in Westchester each year. For more information, please contact Susan Lewen, Director of Development, at slewen@wjcs.com or 914-761-0600 x 219 or visit wjcs.com.
Two Long Time Firefighters Earn White Hat Award
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Long time firefighters Joe Mongarella of fire company #3, left, and Jim Buck of fire company #2, right, were presented with the White Hat Award at company #3's annual dinner last Friday in recognition of their many years of service and leadership to the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Department.
Scarsdale Forum Celebrates 110 Years
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The Scarsdale Forum hosted its sixth annual membership party this Saturday, February 1 at the Scarsdale Woman's Club. Celebrating its 110th anniversary, over 100 members and guests tasted ten varieties of beer including the 110th Anniversary lager brewed for the occasion by Bruce Wells. Pianist Neil Klein tickled the ivories as guests enjoyed a buffet prepared by Jensina Olson. Carrie Fishman offered unique gifts for purchase at her boutique, Vintage Via Carrie. Delicious home baked desserts and goodies from local bakeries topped off the evening. To view the list of donors and sponsors of the event, visit the Forum's home page: www.scarsdaleforum.com.
Photos by Lisa Van Gundy
Scarsdale Seniors Celebrate the Year of the Horse
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Roughly 60 Scarsdale seniors celebrated the Chinese New Year with a potluck luncheon at the Girl Scouts House on Jan 12. The 30 Chinese seniors were joined by another 30 non-Asian seniors making it a record-breaking event for the newly-formed Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club.
"We wanted to celebrate the upcoming lunar New Year, which is the most important holiday for Chinese people. We thought it would definitely be fun to invite people from other ethnic backgrounds to share this joyful occasion. And we want to say Happy Year of Horse to all the Scarsdale seniors", said Professor ZhongJun Hao, president of the Scarsdale Chinese senior group.
Chinese seniors and volunteers decorated the Girl Scout House with traditional Chinese lanterns, spring scrolls, Chinese knots and flowers. Mr. Hao started the lunch with a quick introduction about how Chinese people typically celebrate lunar New Year (also called Spring Festival in China).
Many members brought homemade dishes of different styles of Chinese cuisine. These dishes are traditional to certain ethnic groups and are not found in Chinese restaurant around the area. One dish that attracted the interest of many non-Chinese seniors is called "Tang Yuan", which is glutinous rice with sweet sesame paste inside. In Chinese culture, this dish has a special meaning of happiness. "The variety of dishes was remarkable, representing the diversity of Chinese cuisine. The food was delicious and must have taken many hours of cutting, folding and cooking." said Mrs. Bridie Wetmur, a Scarsdale senior resident, who was impressed with the gathering.
Even though only a handful of Chinese seniors speak English, many people enjoyed the conversations. Andrey Wax, a playwriter/lyricist/composer from Scarsdale said "it was challenging, though exciting and stimulating (and rewarding when we were understood!) trying to learn and communicate in a language very different from English." She suggested that in the future, "it would be very helpful to have a large map of China so people can show us where they come from and we can gradually learn about the different areas. My husband and I haven't been there yet, and getting to know a place through its people is the best way, we think".
Kathy Hurwitz, director of the village senior program, said she could not believe how smoothly everything went with the lunch, "Today's lunch was a miracle. People will be talking about it for quite a while. I never saw a group of people work so efficiently and well. I think this was a wonderful way of sharing cultures and getting to know one another". Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Berman and Kathy Gray, President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library have supported the program and were also on hand to enjoy the luncheon.
Yulan Zhou, a Chinese senior resident of Heathcote, said "the senior club has been a very important part of the Chinese seniors' life here. Thanks to the Scarsdale village senior program and the library for their support. We would also like to do something to make our community a warm home for everyone."
Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club was founded in September 2013, and meets twice a week in the Girl Scout House and the library. The club is open to all Scarsdale seniors.