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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 28 February 2022

Created: 28 February 2022

Last Updated: 28 February 2022

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Noel Morrow Flagg Senior passed away on February 21, 2022 at the age of 92. Below please find an account of his life from his family, many who live in Scarsdale.

Noel Flagg was the life of the party, and as he always did, he pulled an Irish exit leaving the dance floor on his own terms last Monday. His dedication to family and to living every day to its fullest was unmatched, and he was humbled by the love and friendship he found everywhere. His ability to make everyone feel as if they were a part of his family was honed over 91 years of an extraordinary life.

The son of Dorothy Ritter and Dr. Paluel Joseph Flagg, former president of the New York Society of Anesthesiologists, Noel Morrow Flagg, Sr. was born in New York City on December 9, 1930. His middle name was chosen in honor of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Charles A. Lindbergh’s wife, a close friend of Dr. Flagg. The eleventh of twelve children, Noel lost his mother when 11-years old, leaving him and his younger brother Tommy under the care of their beloved sisters, Jane and Dorothy.

Noel grew up overlooking the Hudson River from 87 Alta Avenue in the Park Hill section of Yonkers. He attended St. Dennis Grammar School, Fordham Prep School, and Gorton High School before joining NYU. During his Freshman year, he started his career at B. Altman and Company. In 1951, he was drafted to the United States Marine Corp. His time in the service was instrumental to seeding his love for golf and honing his bridge skills.

In 1954, Noel met Barbara Wirsing, and in Camelot fashion, married her in October 1956 at St. Dennis church in Yonkers. They welcomed their sons Noel Jr. in 1957, Hans in 1959, Kevin in 1963, and Stuart in 1966. The Flaggs and Barbara’s parents and sister, Renate Wirsing, lived at 12 Withington in the Edgemont section of Scarsdale, New York, from 1963 to 2012.

Noel continued his career at B. Altman and Company as Vice President until 1990 when he launched his second career, consulting and appraising fine oriental rugs, never missing a day of work until this past Thursday, February the 10th. Through his years accumulating expertise on rare rugs, he traveled the world many times over, visiting China, India, Iran, Afghanistan, and all Persian territories.

A self admitted “avid, but a tad unbalanced golfer,” Noel was his happiest at Scarsdale Golf Club that he joined in 1968 and was President of in 1978. To gather his family – all 11 siblings, 52 nieces and nephews and their offspring – he created the Flagg Open in 1970 which celebrated its 50th just before the pandemic. Apart from routinely allowing carts to drive themselves into the lake, his proudest golfing moment came in 1992 when he registered his first and only “Hole in One” using a 3 wood on the 120 yard par 3.

His true journey and happy place was with his family. At the 2015 Flagg reunion in the island of Vinalhaven, Maine, he concluded his toast to the 250+ family attendees with: “Our (The Flagg 12 siblings) work is done.

I am so proud of you all. Enjoy the ride, it’s a beautiful one!” He loved and laughed. He danced and toasted with “Dewars and a pinch of dry vermouth only.” Football was his betting ground, never missing a game – and was rather put off by the NY Giants recent demise. He celebrated winning big on his last pool just a week ago. He delighted in bridge, endlessly played gin, and hated losing.

Noel would “go down” to Longboat Key, Florida every winter, spending the two-day drive with a long serenade of loud bluegrass and endless phone calls to family and friends. His inability to visit everyone who wanted to see him along the way often inspired elaborate, if distorted, explanations. He couldn't muster a proper lie without a smirk, usually got caught, and laughed it off with a shrug. Always quick with a smile and in constant contact with loved ones, Noel was the first his family called if they wanted any “news” leaked. He lived like a legend and made everyone he cared for feel like one. His magic touched many and will continue on as we honor his eternal “joie de vivre.”

With his four sons by his side, Noel died peacefully from sudden cardiac complications on February 21, 2022. Predeceased by his love of 52 years, Barbara Wirsing Flagg, and 10 of his 11 siblings, Noel is survived by his sister Mary Ann; his sons, Noel Jr, Hans, Kevin, and Stuart; three daughters-in-law, Elise, Eileen, and Sophie; seven grandchildren, Taylor, Lindsay, Griffin, Courtney, Elizabeth, Hans Jr., and Killian; and Max, his six-month old great grandson.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of his oldest sister, Sister Virginia Flagg, donations to the Maryknoll Sisters in Ossining, New York, are greatly appreciated.

We thank you for all you did for him, meant to him and for reaching out these past few days. It means the world to us.

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Written by Adam Katcher

Published: 07 March 2022

Created: 07 March 2022

Last Updated: 07 March 2022

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Now almost two years after Scarsdale Schools were suddenly shuttered, students can finally breathe again. On Wednesday March 2, the mask mandate was lifted and 750 days later students could do something that used to come naturally: inhale and exhale.

The lifting of the mask requirement in school signals a tremendous milestone in the community’s return to pre-Covid social norms. This milestone could be – and hopefully will be - the final stop of that journey. Of course, there will be debate amongst some parents as to whether their children should still be wearing masks and some students will continue to wear them, a no-judgment choice.

When it was undeniable that masks limited the spread of COVID-19, should all students have been required to be masked? The response was usually a resounding yes. But now, as determined by countless court cases, Governor Hochul and input from scientists, it’s safe to breathe again. Between the decline of Omicron and the advent of vaccinations and boosters, the benefits of wearing a mask have become minimal.

According to CNBC, when reviewing the new CDC masking guidance, well over 90% of the United States population live in areas where facemasks are no longer recommended indoors – with Scarsdale falling in the majority.

On February 27 the Governor announced that the mask mandate would be lifted in schools on March 2. On February 28 in an email from Scarsdale Schools Superintendent Thomas Hagerman he announced that starting March 2 masks would no longer be required, but that individual choice should be respected. In a subsequent email from the Superintendent on March 1 he provided new COVID-19 guidelines.:

-Masks are now completely optional
-Social distancing is not required except for special situations
-Students may not be removed from class or given special treatments based on masking preference.

However there are still some policies in place that aim to limit a relapse in the community's recovery.

-The current in-school cleaning protocols will remain the same.
-In the nurse's office, students may still be asked to wear a mask regardless of preference.
-For those who do contract the virus, the five-day isolation period remains the same. When returning to school, they must wear a well-fitting mask for another five days.

Almost all restrictions are lifted, but sufficient caution is still being maintained.

A graphic from the Scarsdale Schools

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to be lifted, Scarsdale High School will further strive to return back to the “old normal” – or what may be considered a “new, new normal.”

On March 2nd, Principal Bonamo stood at the Brewster entrance, unmasked, welcoming pupils in for the landmark day. The high school replaced socially-distant desks in the cafeteria with larger, community-conducive tables. Barring any catastrophic, unexpected setbacks, the Class of 2022 will have a traditional graduation with parents, students and guests assembled unmasked on Butler Field.

After two years of trying to circumvent the difficulties posed by the virus, and many students falling victim to the invisible enemy, nothing can ever be the entirely same. Between years of remote learning, disrupted plans and personal losses the pandemic has forever changed the course of these students’ lives. But, as the present students are set to benefit from the reprieve of the restrictions and the virus itself, the community will be able to resume life as we knew it while embracing some of the new practices and norms we learned during the past two years.

At long last, we may finally be out of the woods.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 14 February 2022

Created: 14 February 2022

Last Updated: 15 February 2022

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Governor Kathy Hochul, Public Service Commissioner Rory M. Christian and State Senators Andrea Stewart Cousins and Shelley Mayer all sounded the alarm about steep increases in energy bills that resulted in utility bills that were 58% higher for Westchester customers than the previous month.

In a letter to Con Edison sent on February 11, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul said, "The extreme utility bill increases we are seeing across the state come at a time when New Yorkers are already struggling financially following the COVID-19 pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Even though the spike we are seeing in electricity, natural gas and fuel prices were predicted and are due to severe winter weather, I am calling on Con Ed to review their billing practices because we must take unified action to provide relief for New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable residents."

Rory M. Christian, who is the Chair and CEO of the Public Service Commission also wrote to Con Edison. He urged the utility to change their billing practices. He said, “Total bills for full-service mass-market customers billed at the end of January were 49 and 58 percent higher for New York and Westchester customers, respectively, from their previous bill for the typical energy usage. Department Staff estimates that approximately 70 percent of the increase in supply rates between December and January was attributable to Con Edison’s forecasting hedge values being underestimated.”

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, who will be Scarsdale’s State Senator following re-districting, sent a joint letter to Consolidated Edison and the Public Service Commission demanding that recent rate increases be suspended and other measures be taken to mitigate the impact of the dramatic jump seen in Con Edison ratepayers’ bills.

“We have grave concerns about the financial shock these high costs will have for our constituents and others across New York State,” said the Senators in their letter. “The rise in charges will result in serious challenges for many New Yorkers, particularly those already struggling to make ends meet.”

Recent spikes in energy prices coinciding with a planned rate increase approved by the Public Service Commission have resulted in some ratepayers’ bills more than doubling between December 2021 and January 2022. Both Senators had opposed the planned rate increase.

In the letter, which is attached to this press release, the Senators said the “situation is unacceptable” and called on the Public Service Commission and Con Edison to take immediate action to provide relief to ratepayers.

“Both the Public Service Commission and Con Edison have a responsibility to ratepayers, and such dramatic and unexpected cost increases demand action on your part in order to fulfill that responsibility.”

What recourse do consumers have if they feel that they are being unfairly treated by the utility who has a monopoly here in Westchester? One reader recommended that users email the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and ask them to investigate on Con Edison.  Visit their website here -https://ferc.gov/ and email them at Hotline@ferc.gov.