Dr. King Talks About Handel’s Messiah
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- Written by: Bill Doescher
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He was in the wrong place.
It wasn’t the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale where for decades he has directed the Chancel Choir and other church choirs as well as for “over-the-top” performances of the New Choral Society as artistic director and conductor.
But there was Dr. John T. King anyway on Wednesday evening, November 20th in The Clark Room in his full-time Minister of Music role for the church’s third “Kairos” gathering lecturing, not directing, about Handel’s Messiah, “often thought of as one of the greatest musical expressions of Christian faith ever composed.”
Prior to the event, Dr. King, a Ph.D. with multiple years of experience as a guest conductor for several American Guild of Organists workshops and choral festivals, as well as performing at other concerts throughout the United States and Europe, had said he planned to “discuss reasons why this music has become so popular and why it is loved from both a sacred and profane point of view. My hope is that this (the discussion) will bring (to you) an even greater understanding and appreciation during your listening of this annual classic.”
With the piano repositioned in the room for the event, and Church Member Steve Taylor, a bass of long-standing in the Chancel Choir and among the New Choral Society singers at the ready as his multi-media consultant, Dr. King didn’t disappoint the packed crowd in The Clark Room and many more from across the Village and around the U.S. on Zoom.
As the crowd, made-up of Hitchcock members, choir singers, visitors and Zoom attendees soon learned, Dr. King, with a bachelor of music degree from the University of Louisville, master of music degree from Yale University and a doctor of musical arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, all in organ, is no stranger to the speaking circuit.
He has taught at Concordia College, lectured at the Scarsdale Adult School and often talked at the Scarsdale Woman’s Club, as well as a long list of out-of-town places about a plethora of music subjects.
He's a pro’s pro just as he will show once again with baton in hand directing the New Choral Society’s Messiah, Part of the First, on Friday, December 6 at 8 p.m., and again on Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m., already a sell-out.
During Dr. King’s impressive and detailed 60-minute stand-up presentation without notes on Wednesday November 20, he explored the great work of the Messiah’s musical expression and biblical prophecy.
In addition, he discussed “Handel’s use of the sacred texts, how they were chosen, and some of the musical devices of the time, and how he used these to create what is often considered one of the greatest sacred compositions ever composed and the most performed worldwide at this time of year.”
Dr. King, literally a walking music encyclopedia in his particular area of expertise, also noted that Handel’s Messiah during the upcoming holiday season will be performed no less than 300 times in New York State alone.
Georg Friedrich Handel, who was born in 1685 and died in 1759, would have been more than pleased with Dr. King’s recent lecture and the magnificent versions of the Messiah performed at Hitchcock by the New Choral Society over the years during the holiday seasons.
For some it has always launched the holiday season. And always will.
Mayor Responds to Questions About the Closing of DeCicco's in Scarsdale
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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(Updated 11/9 at 3:20 PM)
This letter was written by Alison Rose:
Dear Mayor Arest,
There is an opportunity for you to serve Scarsdale creatively.
As you may know, DeCicco's in Scarsdale is going to be closing its doors next Friday, November 15. It is the only grocery store in Scarsdale where there are many elderly people who do need it and who may or may not be able to drive. There are also apartment dwellers on Garth Road who I see walk to DeCiccos regularly.
The landlord, Rush Wilson, has been approached by the Scarsdale DeCicco family trying to negotiate the large size of the rent, to no avail. Mr. Wilson is local, with an office at 14 Harwood Court.
There is another DeCicco family who have a large number of stores throughout Westchester, and I spoke to one of its Eastchester managers about this opportunity in Scarsdale. Perhaps you could bring the different parties, Rush Wilson and DeCicco Eastchester, together to try to reinstate a fundamental need of the Village - a grocery store.
There are times when serving the absolute needs of the people should inspire some generosity, or at least flexibility, on the part of the landlord. The rents in Scarsdale should not be so excessive that stores close a few years after they open, which commonly happens. Scarsdale should aspire to be a caring community.
Sincerely yours,
Alison Rose
Walbrooke Road
Mayor Justin Arest responded:
Good afternoon, Ms. Rose.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts. I deeply appreciate your recognition of the vital role that the diverse offerings in our Village Center play in enriching the lives of our residents.
I want to assure you that I have been in regular communication with Mr. Wilson and his grandsons. They are diligently working toward a long-term solution that will benefit our community, and the Village remains committed to supporting our merchant community.
While I’m unable to share specific details at this time, I am optimistic that Scarsdale Improvement Corp. will have positive updates to share in the coming days.
Thank you again for your engagement and concern for our Village.
Best,
Justin
Justin Arest
Mayor
Editor's note: Calls to Scarsdale Improvement Corp., who owns the property, were not returned.
Rocah Urges Victims of Eastchester Athletic Director to Come Forward
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Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah is urging any possible victims of the Eastchester school district athletic director, who was arrested and charged in connection with allegedly extorting a teenager to send sexually explicit images and videos, to contact the DA’s Office or police.
DA Rocah said: “Pressuring and threatening people for content that is sexual in nature, also known as ‘sextortion,’ is increasingly directed at our youth and is a crime. Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of this defendant should contact the DA’s Office at (914)995-TIPS (8546). My Office is on standby to offer support and assistance to victims and families while our investigation continues.”
The defendant, Thomas James Puccini, 28, employed by the Eastchester Union Free School District as the Interim Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, was arrested on Nov. 1 by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Judge Lynette Spaulding on the felony charge of grand larceny in the fourth degree in White Plains City Court.
As the charge is not bail eligible in New York, the defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due in Eastchester Town Court on Nov. 6.
According to the felony complaint, the defendant obtained images and videos of a sexual nature from a teen, starting when the victim was 17 years old, by threatening to expose confidential information about the victim. The communications allegedly occurred between November 2021 and November 2023 on the social media platform Snapchat and CashApp, a mobile payment service.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office’s Cyber Crimes Bureau and High Technology Crimes Squad conducted the investigation after the victim filed a report with the Eastchester Police Department, who referred the case to the DA‘s Office.
Anyone who may have been victimized or may have information about other possible victims of the defendant can contact the DA’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS (8477) - press no. 6. Language assistance is available.
The case is being prosecuted by Cyber Crimes Bureau Chief Laura Forbes.
The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Early Voting is On: Election Update from Westchester
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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The election is on in Westchester!
Early voting appears to be very popular this year. If you would like to vote before Tuesday November 5, here are the early voting hours and locations near Scarsdale.
You can see it all here: https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/early-voting-2024
Early Voting Counts
And thousands have already voted. Here are early voting counts for Saturday October 25 and Sunday October 26 in Westchester and other counties in NYS.
Totals Day 1 and Day 2
Westchester: 44,262
Erie: 33,195
Nassau: 59,694
Suffolk: 66,489
Bronx: 27,581
Brooklyn: 77,033
Manhattan: 71,321
Queens: 58,078
Richmond: 23,847
Tracking Donations
Wondering how your neighbors are feeling about the election? An app on the Washington Post website is tracking local online donations – and here is what they report for zip code 10583.
Rally for Reproductive Rights
Last, supporters for reproductive rights and Proposition 1 held a rally in White Plains on Saturday October 25. The Proposition is on the back of your ballot. Remember to turn it over when you vote.
Scarsdale Democrats Say Vote Row A All the Way and Yes on Proposition 1
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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This letter was submitted by Alissa Baum and Myra Saul, Co-Chairs of the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee
To the Editor: We won’t go back. Our country faces a challenge of immense proportions this election. Return Former President Donald Trump to the White House or elect Vice President Kamala Harris. The choice is clear: vote for Kamala Harris for President.
The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee also asks that you support all of our candidates by voting for them on Row A on your ballot! And, remember to flip over your ballot and vote "YES" on Prop 1, which protects all New Yorkers from discrimination and places abortion rights in our State Constitution.
As Vice President Harris has said, Donald Trump is not a serious man. But his politics are seriously consequential for this country. In fact, he proved in 2020 that he is not capable of leading during a crisis, costing Americans their lives and financial livelihoods. But to vote for him now, is to vote for Project 2025, a right-wing document that spells out in specific detail the ruin that he would make of this country in his own image. Let’s not forget that he has promised to be a dictator on ‘Day 1,’ including un-American threats to imprison his opponents. He has called January 6th a “Day of Love.” A significant number of Republican current and former office holders, who probably have little policy agreements with Kamala Harris, won’t even vote for him—he is such a danger to democracy—and have instead endorsed Kamala Harris.
A vote for Donald Trump (age 78) for president must be viewed as a vote for J.D. Vance as his replacement. Think carefully. A man of sterling educational credentials who has acknowledged that he has stated deliberate lies about legal immigrants eating household pets to put the problems with our immigration system before the American people? A man who has courted Christian nationalists? Some may think that Donald Trump is all bluster, but can the same be said of J.D. Vance?
Kamala Harris is the rational choice. As a Democrat, we can extol her virtues on policy any time (support of voting rights, protection of reproductive freedoms, addressing climate change), but what we are trying to convey in this letter is deeper than that. Trump wants to have his own plaything (our country) to rule, not govern. Harris wants us to work together, without the rancor, without the mistrust, without the craziness. She seeks to move us forward again as one country, to disagree amiably on the issues of the day in search of answers on the issues of the day.
Other offices that Scarsdale voters will elect this November are Senator, Congressman, District Attorney, State Senator, Assemblymember and various judges.
Senator Gillibrand is a reliable vote for the Democratic legislative agenda. She has been a strong voice in protecting women’s rights and ensuring access to healthcare. And, through her service on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, she has worked to keep our country safe.
George LatimerThe U.S. Congressional race presents Scarsdale with a familiar face running as our Democratic nominee—George Latimer. Latimer won the Democratic primary decisively in Scarsdale—10 to 1! Scarsdale Democrats clearly like his approach to politics and governance. Now, Scarsdale Democrats (and Republicans too!) can seal the deal—vote for George Latimer for Congress.
Scarsdale’s own Mimi Rocah decided not to run for re-election as District Attorney. Susan Cacace also won the ‘Scarsdale primary’ for District Attorney. She is a former County Court Judge who also worked for many years in the District Attorney’s office. She has said that she understands the need for Westchester communities to stay safe, but she also understands that there is a need to be compassionate when justice is better served by getting someone the help they need.
Shelley Mayer, as Chair of the Education Committee in the State Senate, has made sure that our schools receive the “foundation” funding that is their due under the state funding formula. She also sponsored the law that requires all schools to promote student voter registration and pre-registration during the school year. She has been a supporter of women’s reproductive rights, such as 
Shelley Mayersponsoring the law that authorizes and protects New York healthcare providers to offer telehealth services and prescribe medication abortion to women living outside New York. Also, of interest, Shelley has a strong record on addressing climate change, gun safety, flood mitigation, and workers’ rights.
Assemblymember Amy Paulin is our legislative champion, with the legislator with the most bills passed again last legislative session. She has made health care, reproductive health, domestic violence prevention, child welfare, the elimination of sex trafficking, government reform, sustainability and gun safety among her priorities.
The Democratic Ticket is on Row A. Vote Row A All the Way! And remember to flip your ballot to vote "YES" on Prop 1.
Amy Paulin
Alissa Baum and Myra Saul, Co-Chairs of the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee
