Defending Democracy in the Dale
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- Written by: Alissa Baum and Myra Saul
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On a beautiful, sunny afternoon on May 3 in Chase Park, Scarsdale residents and elected officials gathered to speak out at a rally against the Trump administration’s multiple and varied actions which pose a threat to our democracy and American principles of expertise, public health, education, and prosperity. The rally was organized by the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, Indivisible Scarsdale, and community members.
With a crowd of about 200 people, attendees waved American flags and raised homemade signs with messages such as “Hate Has No Home Here,” “Hands off Our Rights,” “Science Saves Lives,” and “Stop Fascism.” The event attracted concerned neighbors from Eastchester, Greenwich, Mount Pleasant, and New Rochelle, in addition to those from the local Scarsdale community.
Tim Foley, a Scarsdale resident running this year to represent Scarsdale, a portion of White Plains and West Harrison in the County Legislature, was the master of ceremonies and began the rally by asserting that what is at stake in the current crisis are not Democratic or Republican values, but American values. He also rejected the idea that public officials should only speak about kitchen table issues and not emphasize issues related to democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law. Foley, asserting that, “It was clear to our founders and our forebears that our government, with its checks and balances and its commitment to the rule not by a king but by the people is how we produce economic prosperity and the American dream,” received cheers from the crowd.
Speakers included our own Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who explained the effect of Medicaid cuts on affluent communities, like Scarsdale. Among other things, these cuts will put financial pressure on hospitals, such as Sloan Kettering, Columbia Presbyterian, and White Plains, which could lead to a decrease in care.
Other speakers, all Scarsdale residents, included: 1) Dara Kass, physician and former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director, who spoke of the effects of NIH cuts to critical research into disease, emergency response to public health crises, and threats to jobs and the local economy; 2) Jeannie Rosenthal, a Scarsdale High School alumna, Harvard graduate, and founder of the nonprofit Let’s Get Ready, who spoke of the impact of President Trump’s attacks on higher education and academic freedom; and 3) David Zhang, a global macro economist, local realtor and naturalized citizen, who spoke of the importance of valuing the immigrant community and recognizing its rightful place in American society.
Scarsdale High School Seniors Jessica Katz and Arya Goyal made impassioned speeches about scientific research and immigration, respectively, which drew the loudest applause of the day and gave the attendees all hope that the next generation will fulfill our nation’s promise.
Congressman George Latimer and State Senator Shelley Mayer also addressed the crowd.
Here is a link to some video footage:
Letter: Scarsdale Bowl Dinner Captured the Best of the Village
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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(This letter was sent by Cynthia and Marc Samwick, Co-Chairs of the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner)
To the Scarsdale Community,
It was a joy and an honor to celebrate the 2025 Scarsdale Bowl Dinner with so many of you — a night that truly captured the very best of our village.
As Chairs of this year’s Scarsdale Bowl Dinner, we had the privilege of honoring two outstanding recipients: Andrew Sereysky, the recipient of the prestigious Scarsdale Bowl Award, and the Scarsdale Adult School, which received the Spotlight Award for its extraordinary commitment to lifelong learning.
Andrew has been a constant source of support and inspiration within our community, offering his time, energy, and care in ways both large and small. His dedication has made Scarsdale a better place for all of us, and it was a true honor to recognize him with the Scarsdale Bowl. As a neighbor, friend, and leader, Andrew embodies the spirit of service that defines Scarsdale.
The Scarsdale Adult School, led by Executive Director Jill Serling, has been enriching our community for nearly 90 years. It was wonderful to celebrate this organization’s deep and lasting impact — everyone in our community benefits from the lifelong learning opportunities it fosters. Jill’s leadership has helped grow the Adult School into a true pillar of our community, and we are grateful for the joy, connection, and knowledge it continues to bring to Scarsdale.
The evening was a true celebration of Scarsdale, and that spirit was made possible by the extraordinary team behind the scenes — our Bowl Committee. Their hard work, creativity, and tireless efforts made the night a resounding success, blending elegance with the warmth and heart that make Scarsdale so special.
2025 Scarsdale Bowl Committee:
Penny Bauersfeld
Amy Cooper
Randi Culang
Isabel Finegold
Elise Flagg
Lori Kaplan
Tracy Lazarus
Daniela Retelny
Toby Milstein Schulman
Alli Seiden
Stephanie Stern
Ryan Spicer
Claudia Uribe-Galeano
Julie Zhu
Each member of the Bowl Committee brought their unique talents to ensure the evening was a reflection of Scarsdale at its very best — a vibrant, caring, and dedicated community. We could not be more grateful to them for their commitment and enthusiasm.
We also extend our deepest thanks to Anne Lyons, President of the Scarsdale Foundation, for her leadership and dedication to our village. The Scarsdale Foundation, under Anne’s thoughtful stewardship, does incredible work to support students, nonprofits, and community initiatives throughout Scarsdale. Anne’s passion and commitment were crucial in making the Bowl Dinner, and so many other vital efforts, possible. We are deeply appreciative of all that she and the Foundation do to strengthen and uplift our community.
As we shared that evening, we are a village in a park — but more importantly, we are a village of people who show up, care for one another, and make this place extraordinary. Thank you for being part of that spirit and for helping make Scarsdale such a remarkable place to live, work, and raise a family.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Cynthia and Marc Samwick
Chairs, 2025 Scarsdale Bowl Dinner
Free Food Scrap Compost
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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As part of its Food Scrap Recycling program, Scarsdale is giving away FREE high quality compost to Scarsdale residents on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Recycling Center, 110 Secor Road, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM – it’s first come, first served, so bring a pail, bucket, or other receptacle, and take home some compost! Prior events have been well attended, so plan to be there early.
The food scrap compost can be used in one’s vegetable garden, flower beds, or to enrich turf in place of chemical fertilizers.
Residents are strongly encouraged to join the Scarsdale Food Scrap Recycling Program – it’s easy and results in a meaningful reduction to the waste stream, which results in less trash incineration. On April 26, volunteers will be available to answer questions, help you get started, and food scrap recycling starter kits and rolls of compostable bags will be available for purchase.
The high-quality food scrap compost being given away in celebration of Earth Week is provided pursuant to the successful Village of Scarsdale residential Food Scrap Recycling program. Over 3.5 million pounds of food scraps have been recycled since the beginning of the program in January 2017!
For any questions about the April 26th compost giveaway, food scrap recycling or to sign up for the food scrap recycling program, please email [email protected].
Where’s Lawler? Hundreds Attend in-Person Town Hall in Peekskill to Demand Answers of Absentee Congressman
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Hundreds of constituents filed into Dramatic Hall in Peekskill, N.Y. on Saturday, March 22 to demand answers of Republican Representative Mike Lawler. Hundreds more, unable to fit inside the packed-to-capacity venue, lined the street and snaked around the block. After they were turned away from the indoor town hall, the overflow crowd spontaneously held a rally in the street. Congressman Lawler was a no-show.
The town hall was organized by two women who describe themselves as “two ordinary women who are pissed off.” One of the organizers commented, “Lawler's actions affect us all. He was the deciding vote on the budget bill (which, among other things , decimates Medicaid). In addition to the fact that the proposed budget hurts the most marginalized among us, it threatens the rest of us. For example, if Medicaid is decimated, services at hospitals will be impacted (curtailed), premiums for all of us will go up, and rural hospitals may well be forced to close. Lawler is co-sponsoring the SAVE Act, which the League of Women Voters characterizes as a voter suppression bill. And it is no secret that Lawler hopes to run for governor. (He's been out of the district a lot lately, e.g., on Saturday, he was at a parade in Yonkers, making sure that voters around the State know him.) “
Anticipating that Lawler – who has carefully tried to avoid the mounting outrage and alarm being expressed throughout the district for his support of the MAGA Republican agenda – would fail to attend the in-person town hall, organizers mounted a dummy Mike Lawler on the stage.
In addition to posing questions to the dummy, the organizers crafted responses based on the Congressman’s record. (See one example.)
“Dummy Mike” was asked questions about women’s healthcare decisions and his anti-abortion stance, immigration, the SAVE Act (which he is co-sponsoring and is widely regarded as a voter suppression bill), the dismantling of the Board of Education, and his false and misleading claims that he is a moderate and bipartisan.
Members of the audience addressed these as well as other issues, including Veterans’ services, the budget resolution (in support of which Lawler cast the deciding vote and which necessarily guts Medicaid), crime, safety and security. (Here is the voice of one community member, Melitta Corselli.)
At the conclusion of the town hall, participants wrote messages to Mr. Lawler on neon-colored index cards, which they scattered on and around “Dummy Mike.” These messages will be delivered to Lawler’s Pearl River office on Wednesday, March 26 at 11 am. The details are posted here.
Voters had repeatedly asked Congressman Mike Lawler to hold an in-person town hall during the current congressional recess (March 13 through March 23). He declined to do so. After organizers arranged for this town hall and invited Congressman Lawler to attend, he promptly announced that he was holding a tele-town hall last Wednesday, March 19. There, participants were muted, and Lawler seemingly hand-picked constituents to ask a mere eleven, mostly friendly questions. He avoided answering any challenging questions by simply pivoting to a different answer, and those questioning him were prevented from pressing further.
St. James in the 1920s-40s: Growth, War, and the Battle for Belief
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Saint James the Less Church, Scarsdale Public Library - New York Heritage Digital CollectionsSt. James the Less, Episcopal Church, in Scarsdale is celebrating its 175th anniversary. As part of that celebration, the parish has undertaken a lecture series that examines the Church's role and evolution during that period. Here, in a lecture delivered on Sunday March 9, we learn about St. James from 1920-1940, when it was the largest church in Westchester with 800 families and over 2,000 children in Sunday School. With the arrival of the train station, Scarsdale boomed and so did St. James.
Here is the history as told by Russell Grant:
A Church on the Hill in Scarsdale 1920s–1940s
St. James the Less, Episcopal Church, is the oldest church in Scarsdale, celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. As the village of Scarsdale grew and transformed over the 20s, 30s, and 40s, so too did St. James, expanding its congregation, its physical footprint, and influence.
Growth and Development in the 1920s
The town’s population surged from approximately 3,500 in 1920 to over 13,000 by 1950, reflecting its rapid transformation into a thriving suburban community. St. James’ membership increased from 190 families in 1920, to nearly 900 families by the early 40s, making it among the largest churches in Westchester County. Under the leadership of its two rectors during these three decades, Alan Chalmers and Harry Price, the church played a significant role in the social and political life of the village.
St. James expanded its physical presence under the architectural design of the eminent architect, Hobart Upjohn, who also designed the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church.
1940s and World War II
The 1940s brought new challenges as World War II reshaped both Scarsdale and St. James. During World War II, many of the church’s members played remarkable roles in the war--380 members of St. James served in the armed forces. Among them were the four siblings of the Compton family. William Compton served on a torpedo boat in the South Pacific, James Compton led a platoon onto Iwo Jima, while Ann Compton was stationed with the Red Cross in Europe. John Parker Compton, was a member of the elite 10th Mountain Division who died in combat in mountains of Italy. Another WW II veteran ‘Scarsdale Jack,’ was a celebrated fighter ace who perished in Thailand. Their valor and sacrifices stand out as extraordinary, though they were typical of a generation where all levels of society leaned into the war effort.
St. James Post-War
St. James was deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Clergy and parishioners were engaged in the ideological battles of the time. Following the war, Assistant Rector William Kernan emerged as a member of the ‘Committee of Ten,’ a part of the ‘Scarsdale Citizens Committee’, which sought to ban books they deemed subversive or sympathetic towards communism, such as works by Howard Fast, the author of Spartacus, as well as Langston Hughes. Their actions reflected the era’s heightened anxieties about Marxist influence in the school curriculum.
In 1948, the Rector, Harry Price and several parishioners protested to the State Department’s decision to grant a travel visa to Hewlett Johnson, the ‘Red Dean of Canterbury,’ a British clergyman known for his pro-Soviet views.
In the early fifties, both Harry Price and William Kernan made national news, including in Time, when they abruptly left the episcopal clergy to convert to Roman Catholicism.
