Dec. 22, 2011 Today marks Detective Frank Kolarik’s last day of active duty on the North Castle Police Force. “Officer Frank”, as he is so fondly referred, will officially retire in early February, after 16 years on the force.
His retirement will mean the departure of an integral member of our community and our youth education network. Officer Frank is the Department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Instructor and Youth Officer. He is the School Resource Officer at H.C. Crittenden Middle School and Byram Hills High School, and he organized and administrates the Westchester Youth Police Academy. Detective Frank Kolarik will be recognized for his accomplishments by the Byram Hills School Board at a meeting to be held January 10, 2012.
Officer Frank leads the youth division of the North Castle Police Department, which is responsible for both the investigation of juvenile crimes and the planning and implementation of prevention programs in the Town's schools. Byram Hills School Superintendent Dr. Jackie Taylor said, “Officer Frank Kolarik has been a wonderful resource to our schools as the leader of the D.A.R.E. Program, as well as a terrific resource in terms of our Emergency Planning Think Tank and providing information and problem-solving techniques for students in our District.” Dr. Taylor indicated that the Town of North Castle provides D.A.R.E. service to the schools. The leadership of the D.A.R.E. educational program will be taken over by North Castle Police Officer Wes Mojica.
Officer Frank has taught the D.A.R.E. Program to fifth grade students at Wampus Elementary School for the last 14 years. The program has been an important part of the Wampus curriculum for 17 years. According to the Byram Hills Handbook, “D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug-and violence-free lives.” D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and is taught in 75 percent of U.S. school districts, as well as more than 43 countries around the world.
Officer Frank also devotes a lot of time to H.C.Crittenden School and Byram Hills High School, in his role as School Resource Officer. The Westchester Youth Police Academy is an internship program offered to high school seniors in the final quarter of their senior year. Officer Frank launched this program in 2005. He said “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I put the program together from the ground up.” The program is modeled after the police academy and consists of 30 students from 11 different high schools. It offers them an opportunity to learn the intricacies of the criminal justice system. Students are exposed to all aspects of the criminal justice system, ranging from crime scene investigation to court proceedings to prisons. The students practice a police calisthenics program, visit correctional facilities and courtrooms, ride along with police officers during their rounds, participate in mock crime scenes and fire drills, and learn the basics of criminal laws. 2011 Youth Police Academy graduate Joseph Simon said the Academy was a great opportunity to learn how the system works, and gain an understanding of the many careers involved in the criminal justice system. Simon said, “Detective Frank has encouraged me and taught me how to be safe, ever since I moved here in 5th grade. Spending the spring of my senior year with him is an experience I will never forget. The Westchester Youth Police Academy was the best internship I could have participated in, because it was educationally and physically challenging. He will be missed!” The students were enamored with Officer Frank’s prowess at the shooting range, and they learned the intensity police officers confront on a daily basis, through the mock crime scenes.
Frank Kolarik began his career as a paratrooper in the United States Army and completed two combat deployments in Central America. He began his career as a police officer in Wappingers Falls. He worked there for two years, before coming to North Castle 16 years ago. He was a SWAT Team member, a member of the Department’s Scuba Unit and an FBI Certified Police Defensive Tactics Instructor. After two years on the force, he was asked to become the Department’s DARE Instructor and Youth Officer.
He is a certified police instructor and has taught at multiple police academies, including NYPD, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Onondaga, and Monroe Counties. Officer Frank helped to develop and implement statewide training programs. He was a New York State School Resource Officer (SRO) Instructor and a member of NY State's D.A.R.E. Officer Training Staff. He later became the lead trainer/facilitator. Officer Frank was appointed as the NY State D.A.R.E. Coordinator by D.A.R.E. America. He is also a former President of the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association and the Westchester County Youth Officers Association.
So what’s next for Officer Frank? He’ll be teaching at Duchess Community College, and he also created an educational resource, geared to middle and high school students, called Listen Up Safety Services, www.listenupss.com/bio.shtml. He will continue to speak at schools, covering topics such as drug use and cyber-bullying. Officer Frank said he will truly miss interacting with the kids in our community. And of course, they will miss him as well.
Grand Prix New York Strikes Against Cancer New Westchester County Bowling Alley Hosts Fundraising Event for Women’s Cancer Group Oct. 21, 2011
On Friday, November 18, Spins Bowl, a new
19-lane bowling alley will be hosting its “Strikes Against Cancer Bowl-A-Thon" fundraiser from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to Support Connection, a Yorktown Heights-based non-profit organization that has been offering free personalized support programs for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer since 1996.
The goal is to raise $5,000 for Support Connection by the end of the evening. Spins Bowl will be opening its doors inside the 118,000-square-foot Grand Prix New York (GPNY) racing and entertainment facility in Mount Kisco, NY just days before the event, making this Spins Bowl's first charitable fundraiser.
The festivities will include hors d'oeuvres and drinks provided by GPNY's award-winning catering service, 5-lane VIP bowling – which includes TVs and leather furniture, and other prizes.
“Helping those dealing with breast and ovarian cancer is, of course, a very a noble cause,” said Nat Mundy, Vice President, Marketing for Grand Prix New York. “So naturally, Spins Bowl is proud to be taking such an active part in furthering Support Connection's efforts. GPNY has a long, proud tradition in assisting local charities, and now Spins Bowl will carry on that tradition by providing people in the New York City-metro area with an expanded venue and a new form of entertainment in which to organize and attend philanthropic events.”
“We’re very grateful to Spins Bowl for supporting our mission and for hosting our event,” said Katherine Quinn, Executive Director of Support Connection. “The setting is unique and the nature of the event will attract many people. We’re very excited about the ‘Strikes Against Cancer Bowl-A-Thon’ and the support from Spins Bowl and GPNY…we hope they’ll meet and even exceed their $5,000 fundraising goal.”
Since its inception in 2008, GPNY has made 1,200 donations to charity each year in addition to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local non-profits by hosting fundraisers for groups such as The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, A-HOME, and The Chappaqua School Foundation, among many others.
Tickets for Spins Bowl Presents: "Strikes Against Cancer Bowl-A-Thon" are $25 when purchased in advance ($35 at the door) and $35 ($45 at the door) for VIP bowling access. Tickets can be purchased by e-mailing info@gpny.com or calling 914-358-3624.
Grand Prix New York is located at 333 North Bedford Road in Mount Kisco, New York.
Hometown Pool Oct. 27, 2011
The Anita Louise Ehrman (ALE) Board of Directors is made up of a volunteer board that has overseen the operations of the privately owned non-profit enterprise since 1965. The Board sent an email to its 230 members outlining the current financial distress of the Anita Louise Ehrman Recreation Center.
Due to the decline in membership, they cannot afford to repay the loans for the 2006 reconstruction of the pool complex.
The ALE board members said that to avoid having to close the pool, they have offered to sell it to the Town of North Castle for the current outstanding bank and bondholders’ debt. They feel this amount is significantly less than the property value of the 12 acres. The ALE Board claims the other option is to sell the pool on the open market, and they have hired a broker to do so.
At the Town Board's meeting on October 26, 2011, Supervisor Bill Weaver said they have been in discussions with the ALE Board for six months. The Financial Task Force is studying the cost analysis of operating the pool, and the Town Board will have an appraisal performed on the property's worth. Weaver said the information will be made available to the public.
Councilman Becky Kittredge said, "We are investigating how to keep the pool in our town without a referendum." Kittredge said the town camp at the Community Park could be moved to the pool; in addition, it could become a recreation place for our teens to go, instead of hanging out at the Kent Place parking lot at night.
If the Town is interested in owning the pool, and if a bond is required to cover the outstanding loans, a town referendum would be required; in this instance, North Castle residents would have the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Councilman Diane Roth said she and her family used the ALE, and she feels as though she should apologize for not stepping up sooner to save the pool. “The Town Board needs to realize that this is part of our community,” said Roth.
A group of residents that are ALE members, some for three generations, spoke out. Resident Shirley Kaiser's family has been a six-year member of the ALE. She said the potential for recreational programs for the town's use of the complex and the aquatic state-of-the-art ALE pools includes a summer camp, swimming and diving teams, basketball and tennis lessons, ping pong tournaments and aquatic programs for seniors. She added that the facility is a source of jobs for high school students and community members, as well as a host for special events; potentially, it could be partnered with corporate and local businesses.
Resident Cheryl Maselli summed it up well. “When I moved into Armonk, it was the greatest little town. We had the Cider Mill and now that’s gone. We've lost our hometown touch. If we don't have this pool and someone else, other than the town, buys it, he or she is not going to keep it as a pool. Instead, it will become another development. It's not just a place for play dates for kids; it's a play date for adults too. After joining another pool and then coming back to ALE after the rebuild, it was like coming home. We can't afford to lose another great thing in our town." Comment
Memorial Day 2011
Armonk resident Major General Vito J. Castellano spoke at the Memorial Day celebrations, reminding those present that “Memorial Day is the unofficial start of Summer but more importantly it is a time for us to pause and remember all those who over the last two centuries have paid the price to give us the freedom we enjoy today.” After all, there are still American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan—with casualties reaching 6,000—among other locations. Castellano’s speech urged that we pause to send our thoughts and prayers out to those still serving, as well as honor those who fell in duty.
Memorial Day is also about honoring our veterans, and there were several present for the festivities, including Colonel Jonnie Pantaneki. Colonel Pantaneki served in the Marine Corps from 1944-45. However, when the war ended, women Marines were asked to step down, and so Pantaneki joined civil air control where she has been working for sixty-seven years, “teaching young people about airplane flying and leadership and guidance” because “these are our leaders of tomorrow, and we have to help them and give them a little push and encourage them to be our leaders.”
Pantaneki says, "We meet Armonk’s American Legion on Wednesday nights, from seven to eight, and then from eight to nine thirty we’re over at St. Steven’s Church. Our little cadets are from twelve years up, and our adults are from eighteen and up.
Winter Coat Crive
By Melissa Fuerst
January 11, 2012
When cold weather rolled in, I realized how fortunate I am to own multiple coats, hats, and scarves. There are many people who live right here in Westchester who are not as fortunate. Even some Veterans, people who fought to keep us safe, are left without the basic necessity of a coat to wear through the winter. To help these Veterans and their families, I helped put together a coat drive, run through Pedigree Ski Shop, a family run business. Veteran Vito Pinto from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt VA Facility at Montrose kindly picked up the collected coats at the end of November. I plan to extend this coat drive until January 31, to continue helping the Veterans. Please join in my effort to help others stay warm through the winter. If you have any old coats please bring them to Pedigree Ski Shop:
355 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, NY;
532 North Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, NY or
350 Bedford St., Stamford, Ct.
A Day of Hope By Alice Levine
Dec. 2, 2011 Cheryl Lynch of Cherylyn Salon North of Armonk will host her 12th annual fundraiser and luncheon this year with Churchill's CMK to benefit the Children's Cancer Fund at the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Program at Westchester Medical Center. "Let's start the holiday season in a glamorous and giving way," said Cheryl. This year's luncheon will be held on Monday, December 5 from 11:30am to 2:30pm at the Brynwood Golf and Country Club at 568 Bedford Road in Armonk. The luncheon will include a 3-course meal, fashion show and holiday boutique.
The Children's Cancer Fund (CCF), founded by Dr. S. Jayabose, is an all volunteer-run organization. Its mission is to fund research to help find a cure for children's cancer. CCF also helps improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families. Cheryl has been an avid supporter and volunteer for 15 years. Over the years, she has hosted fashion shows, luncheons and other fundraisers for CCF. Cheryl explained, "Some of the money raised by the organization will be used for research, and some of it will go to small, but important things like buying Gameboys for children with cancer. Anything that helps make things easier for these brave kids and their families is beyond worthwhile."
The cost of the luncheon is $80, and all the proceeds go to CCF. Last year's event was held at Moderne Barn Restaurant in Armonk. The highlights of the luncheon were the words spoken by Susan Balsamo, whose 15-year-old son Carlo was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 14. Susan gave an emotional and inspiring account of Carlo's battle with cancer, which has included surgery and more than 30 radiation treatments. "No parent ever wants to hear the words from a doctor, 'Your son or daughter has cancer.' And that's just the beginning." She added that, unfortunately, there are few organizations to support fundraising efforts for children's cancer. Susan asked, "How many people know what a pink ribbon stands for?" After all the hands went up, she then asked, "How many people know what a gold ribbon stands for?" No one at the luncheon knew the significance of the gold ribbon, which represents children's cancer awareness.
But Susan's story was also one of hope and determination. Susan explained that along with all the suffering that cancer brings come the many blessings and rewards from friends, family and other people she has met. Carlo was visited by Make-A-Wish Foundation, and chose to make a rather unusual and selfless wish. "His wish was to have a fundraiser to help find a cure for Medulloblastoma, a type of children's brain cancer. The representative from Make-A-Wish tried to explain to him that his wish was supposed to be something special that he wanted, but a fundraiser to support this cause was really his wish," Susan explained.
During the lunch, Cheryl thanked her guests, as she said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you so much for coming and helping these amazing children."
To attend visit: http://new.evite.com/? To make a donation to CCR, please visit their website: childrenscancerfund.org or to donate please send a send check payable to The Children's Cancer Fund to Cherylyn Salon North, 430 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
Cheryl said, "We are looking forward to seeing you again this year for a truly worthy cause."
Click for Emergency Preparedness Info from NC4
Get a Kit of Emergency Supplies
Consider two kits: one with everything you will need to stay where you are and a second that is a lightweight smaller addition you can take with you. NC4's web site provides suggestions for items that could be included in your kits. In addition, North Castle's local Cable TV provides information on a Public Safety segment.
When Disaster Strikes, Being Prepared Counts
North Castle Citizen Corps Council (NC4)
NC4 is a group of North Castle citizens just like you who receive training by the American Red Cross to establish and operate an emergency shelter in North Castle should the need arise. They also provide community awareness programs so town residents can be prepared to protect their families in case of a large scale emergency.
