WCP_52126

The Westchester County Press Post Office Box 152, White Plains, NY 10602

97 YEARS

VOL. XCVII NO. 21

County Press The Westchester

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLANS, NY PERMIT # 5069

“Documenting Our History for the Future.”

ISSN 0043-3373

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2026

MEMBER OF NNPA

Coach Walter Brown and the Remington Flyers.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Revives Remington Flyers

Youths Benefit from Vital Lessons About Fitness and Sportsmanship NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- May 14, 2026 — The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has officially relaunched the Remington Flyers, its storied youth track and field program, bringing new energy to a legacy that has inspired generations of local athletes.

Led once again by longtime coach Walter Brown, the revived Flyers program is already generating strong enthusiasm among Club members and the broader

community. Children from first through eighth grade are eagerly signing up, with 20 participants drawn by a program that offers both competitive and recreational opportunities in events including running, hurdles, pole vault and javelin. The Remington Flyers have competed in the Colgate Women’s Games, USA Track & Field tournaments and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournaments.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Reming-

ton Flyers back to life,” said Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle CEO Becky Mazzanobile. “This program is about so much more than track and field — it’s about wellness, confidence and giving young people a healthy, supportive environment where they can grow. Seeing the excitement from our kids, alumni and supporters has been incredibly rewarding.”

For youths, being a Remington Flyer brings rewards and fun. “I really enjoy

REMINGTON FLYERS, Cont’d. on page 3

Digital Copy: www.westchestercountypress.com

2 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

Senator Shelley Mayer, State Lawmakers, Reproductive Freedom ​Advocates Urge Passage of Abortion Patient Privacy Legislation ALBANY, NY – State Senators Shelley Mayer, Erik Bottcher, and Jeremy Zellner were joined today by reproductive rights advocates including Reproductive Futures, National Council of Jewish Women - New York, Dr. Mary Applegate, Dr. Cheryl Frye, and Medical Students for Choice NYC Coalition to urge immediate passage of legislation protecting New York patients’ privacy in the wake of ongoing federal attacks on medication abortion access.

The legislators and advocates highlighted S.8656A (Mayer)/A.10428 (Reyes) and the urgent need for its passage in the Assembly. The legislation allows pharmacists and health care providers dispensing abortion medication to exclude the name and address of the patient, the prescriber, and the dispenser from the prescription label, offering additional privacy and safety for those providing and receiving care. The bill is a necessary and timely response to growing risks faced by patients accessing abortion medication, including risks from antiabortion state actors and abusive domestic partners.

Last Thursday, the Supreme Court sent Louisiana v.

FDA back to a lower court, preserving telemedicine abortion access using the preferred medication (mifepristone) temporarily while the case continues. With federal protections for mifepristone remaining uncertain, New York’s legislative action to protect patients and providers is urgent and necessary.

Mifepristone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000 after a rigorous, science-based re-

view, and has been safely used for medication abortion for more than two decades. Today, medication abortion accounts for over 65 percent of all abortions. Recent data has revealed no new safety concerns and reinforces the medication’s strong track record.

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud to stand with reproductive rights advocates, healthcare providers, and my colleagues as we reaffirm New York’s unwavering commitment to protecting women in our state and across the country from the aggressive and hostile attacks on their reproductive freedom. The Supreme Court made clear in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, when it overturned nearly fifty years of precedent under Roe v. Wade, that decisions regarding abortion access would be left to the states. Now, we are seeing Louisiana try to force their ideology on other states, among other coordinated and aggressive attacks on states that protect reproductive freedoms.

“I am proud to sponsor legislation, alongside Assemblymember Karines Reyes, to redouble our efforts and build on shield laws and protections to ensure women in New York, and across the country, can continue to access safe, legal, and essential healthcare in a post-Roe America. While the Supreme Court’s decision preserves access to medication abortion through telehealth while the case filed by Louisiana plays out in the lower courts, the fight is clearly far from over. We must act – as we have – to ensure our patients and providers are protected.”

SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER

Julie Kay, Founder and CEO of Reproductive Futures, said, “Last week was a reminder of what we already know: women are depending on New York lawmakers to make sure telemedicine abortion is protected within our state, and nationwide, as anti-

LEGISLATION, Cont’d. on page 11

Hudson Valley Residents, Nurses Rally to Save Good Samaritan Hospital from Medicaid Cuts WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK — Empire State Voices, alongside Protect Our Care New York, local residents, cancer survivors, nurses, and community activists, rallied outside Good Samaritan Hospital as it faces potential closure due to devastating Medicaid cuts in the 2025 Republican Tax Law—legislation supported by Rep. Mike Lawler.

Statewide, as many as 45 hospitals are now at risk of closure under these policies, underscoring the growing threat to New York’s health care system.

Good Samaritan is one of two hospitals in New York’s 17th Congressional District now at risk of

closure as a direct result of the Republican Tax Law, which cuts up to $128 billion from New York’s Medicaid program over the next 10 years.

These draconian cuts threaten care for the 211,500 NY-17 residents, roughly 27% of the district, who rely on Medicaid and the hospitals that provide it.

Tuesday’s event came as Protect Our Care New York releases a new report detailing the damage GOP Medicaid cuts are already causing in New York. Congressional Republicans representing New York supported the largest health care cuts in history, slashing an estimated $102

billion from the state’s Medicaid program over the next decade. In NY-17 alone, roughly 28,000 residents could lose health coverage.

Medicaid is the largest health insurance provider in the country, covering over 68 million Americans, including almost 6.5 million New Yorkers. Across New York, hospitals are already facing mounting financial pressure from federal policy changes that reduce coverage and increase uncompensated care, threatening the stability of community-based providers and the patients who rely on them.

The Rally to save Good Samaritan Hospital and protect local health

care access was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM, at 1 Indian Rock, Suffern, NY. Participants in the rally included Empire State Voices; local residents; nurses; community activists Speakers highlighted how Rep. Mike Lawler’s vote for the Republican Tax Law is putting local hospitals at risk and forcing communities to confront the possibility of losing essential care to fund tax breaks for billionaires and major corporations, and pulling the rug out from under New York’s children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families who rely on Medicaid. Advo-

NURSES RALLY, Cont’d. on page 11

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 3

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Revives Remington Flyers

The Lady Remington Flyers flex their muscles. competing in hurdles,” said Aayson. Jhova, another participant, said “Sportsmanship teaches you about not just winning, but teamwork and cheering for each other.”

The Remington Flyers – generously supported by the McCabe family, the Remington Women’s Auxiliary and the Remington Men’s Club – have deep roots in New Rochelle. Originally founded in the 1980s by Brown, the team quickly became known not only for developing athletic talent, but for building confidence, discipline and self-esteem in hundreds of young people. Over the years, the program has served as a positive outlet for youth, helping them stay active, focused and engaged.

The relaunched program (watch a video here: https://www.instagram. com/reels/DRSEsKvjhdi/) reflects both tradition and community support.

Flyers alumni are stepping forward to mentor and assist, while generous donors have contributed funding for uniforms and equipment, ensuring that every child can participate.

Participants train two to three times per week, learning the fundamentals of track and field while also developing teamwork and perseverance. The program is intentionally designed to serve young athletes at all levels — from those trying a sport for the first time to those seeking to compete more seriously.

Brown, who has dedicated decades to coaching youth in New Rochelle, said the return of the Flyers feels like a natural continuation of the Club’s mission.

“Track gave so many kids a sense of purpose and belonging,” Brown

said. “It’s exciting to see a new generation getting that same opportunity — to run, to compete and to believe in themselves.”

The program’s revival comes at a time when youth wellness and physical activity are more important than ever. By offering structured, engaging athletic programming, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle continues to provide safe spaces where young people can thrive.

With strong early participation and growing community backing, the future of the Remington Flyers looks bright — once again serving as a launching point for young athletes and leaders.

For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering

quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,100 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer of-

ferings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with

REMINGTON FLYERS, Cont’d. on page 11

The Remington Flyers.

4 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

OP-ED: Don’t Let Misinformation Undermine Proven Crime-Fighting Tools

By Chief John Dixon (Ret.), Past President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)

After decades of working in law enforcement and a lifetime of community engagement and empowerment, I’ve seen firsthand what works to keep our communities safe and secure. A key aspect to building a community safety plan that works is making sure our officers have the tools necessary to respond when the call comes.

Chief John Dixon (Ret.) Past President National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) As technology continues to develop at a rapid rate, criminal behavior becomes more advanced and more complicated – it is critical our officers are equipped with tools that can combat this crime.

License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology is one of these tools.

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PUBLISHER

1986-2009

M. Paul Tells All

By M. Paul Redd, Sr. August 11, 1928 - January 9, 2009

When Hate Crimes Reach Home

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper Chairman of the Board of Directors, NNPA

Chief John Dixon (Ret.)

It has a proven track record in real-time identification, which helps our officers solve crimes faster and protect our communities more effectively.

The real-time alerts from LPR cameras allow us access to critical, time-sensitive data, helping to recover stolen vehicles within hours, track suspects fleeing violent crimes, and generate leads on human trafficking and kidnapping cases far faster than what is achievable with only manpower. The success isn’t theoretical; it’s been proven in more than 5,000 communities nationwide.

Despite these key points, misinformation around privacy concerns and officer misuse continue to undermine the very tools we need to combat crime. These concerns, while important, have been discouraging to see. Modern criminals don’t operate in neat boxes. Their actions span throughout multiple jurisdictions and are constantly evolving, making it harder for traditional policing methods to keep up. Choosing to reject a proven tool like LPR cameras threatens our ability to respond quickly and means accepting that some crimes will go unsolved.

DR. JOHN E. WARREN

While we all grieve the loss of life and the attack on our local Islamic house of worship, we must not allow our condolences to become a band-aid on the manifestation of hate expressed in this violent attack. Freedom of Religion, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, means everyone has that right and not just a chosen few. The fact that two young men would have such a “learned” hatred is indicative of the growing problem in America, where a few peo-

ple assume that their rights override the lives and rights of others who do not either agree with them or worship as they do.

Once again, we have the deadly misuse of the right to keep and bear arms. Once again, we must remind the people of this state that while the attack was on members of our Muslim community, Blacks still have the highest incidents of hate crimes in the State of California.

The tragic attacks and loss of life at the Islamic Center of San Diego is a reminder that hate is a “Clear and Present Danger” right here at home, that the “Stop The Hate” Project that this newspaper conducted during the past two years is needed now more than ever, and that those who publicly mourn and express their outrage at times like this, must step up their support for all our anti hate efforts so that we fight this problem before we experience more such attacks and threats to all our safety, just because of how we worship.

Where do you stand? Let’s have your voice and response to such efforts.

While there are legitimate conversations to be had about privacy and accountability when using this tool, these concerns should not be used as a reason to abandon the tool altogether. The answer is not to eliminate the technology, but to ensure it is implemented responsibly with clear safeguards, local oversight, and adequate transparency.

Too much of the debate on this topic is driven by hypothetical fears rather than the real-world implications. While we continue to argue about what could happen, our officers are out responding to what is actually happening on the streets. The responsibility for public safety is not theoretical; it’s our sworn responsibility. Our community deserves to have every tool available to keep them safe.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 5

Students Explore Futures in STEM at My Sister Keeper STEM Day

OLD WESTBURY, NY -- Students recently participated in the My Sister Keeper STEM Day at SUNY Old Westbury on Monday, May 4, 2026, joining peers from across the region for a full day of learning, leadership, and inspiration centered around careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

participants to hear directly from college students, professors, and academic advisors about navigating higher education and preparing for future careers.

Students also enjoyed a guided campus tour of SUNY Old Westbury, giving them a closer look at college facilities, academic spaces, and student life. The experience helped students envision themThe immersive program pro- selves pursuing higher education vided students with an opportunity and future opportunities in STEMto experience college life firsthand related fields. while engaging in meaningful conversations about academic sucNetworking opportunities cess, career pathways, and personal throughout the day encouraged growth. The day began with a grab- students to build connections with and-go breakfast before students mentors and professionals while gathered for programming that of- gaining valuable insight into colficially started at 9:30 a.m. lege readiness and career planning.

Throughout the event, students Lunch was provided for all regisparticipated in a variety of STEM- tered student participants, helping focused presentations designed to to create a welcoming and commuintroduce emerging fields and en- nity-focused atmosphere. courage curiosity and innovation.

To promote unity and assist A featured College Experience and with identification during the event, Beyond panel discussion allowed each student received a commemo-

Dr. Alexandria Connally at SUNY Old Westbury.

rative event T-shirt and a goodie bag.

Dr. Connally, a member of the New York State My Sister Keeper Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities that expose students to

STEM education, mentorship, and college readiness experiences. The event reinforced the value of representation, leadership, and access in helping students pursue successful futures in STEM disciplines and beyond.

6 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

‘Whites Only’ Signs Were Haunting Reminders of America’s Racism

By Aaron Morrison, Contributing Writer | Los Angeles Wave

iStockphoto/NNPA

NEW YORK (AP) — “No dogs, no Negros, no Mexicans.” “Colored served in rear.”

“For whites only.”

It’s the type of signage that hung from the doors and windows of establishments across much of the American South for many years.

The words, like screaming headlines from Page One of a broadsheet newspaper, were the most visible, daily reminder of the subordinate status of Black people who lived life alongside and yet separate from people who, regardless of class, were considered white.

After the Civil War, and upon the collapse of Reconstruction, the Jim Crow system of public etiquette and laws regulated the free movement of both Black and white people for generations until the civil rights movement began chipping away at legalized racial discrimination.

The Jim Crow system was undergirded by beliefs that formerly enslaved Black people and their descendants were inferior to white people in fundamental ways, including intelligence, morality and behavior. Allowing white

and Black people to coexist as equals, the system’s supporters believed, might encourage interracial sexual relations and spur the rise of an abominable race that would destroy the racial purity of the nation’s superior white populace.

Spatial segregation first was culturally accepted, then enforced violently or through threat of re-enslavement via incarceration. After the 1896 Supreme Court decision Plessy v.

Ferguson established the “separate but equal” doctrine, Jim Crow segregation signs were more statutory than strongly worded warnings.

Ritualized humiliation became constitutional subjugation. Railway cars, buses, water fountains, restrooms, hotels, lunch counters and swimming pools were among a long list of the public facilities segregated by signage.

Black people were forced to use substandard facilities. Schools, churches and cemeteries had long been racially divided. By design, it kept many Black men away from white women and stripped Black people of their dignity,

sense of citizenship and social and political belonging.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended legalized racial separatism, although many in the American South resisted desegregation after signs were pulled down and placed into museums. Steven Reich, a history professor and author of an encyclopedia on the Jim Crow era, says one lasting impact of legalized segregation remains evident in the modern American workforce.

Segregation divided the working class and compelled white workers to identify more with their employers than with their Black coworkers, Reich says. That continues to stifle opportunities for Black and white workers to organize and work together on common issues, including diversity and inclusion.

Aaron Morrison writes for the Associated Press. This story was featured in the Los Angeles Wave, an NNPA member publisher, and is part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 7

Black Business Leader Honored

By Business Council of Westchester WHITE PLAINS, NY – May 2026 — The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) has awarded the prestigious Jim O’Toole Memorial Award to Wiley Harrison, President of Business of Your Business, LLC. The award was announced during the BCW Classic, held May 18 at the Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y., recognizing Harrison’s exceptional leadership, years of service, and unwavering dedication to the BCW’s Day of Golf, Day of Wellness, and the Classic.

The BCW created the Jim O’Toole Memorial Award in memory of O’Toole. O’Toole was a BCW Board Member Emeritus, past Chairman of the Board, a former Chairman of the BCW Day of Golf, and the driving force behind many Wiley Harrison, left, and BCW President & CEO Marsha Gordon, third from left, pictured with Jim O’Toole’s family members including, from left, daughter Katie, wife Sandy, daughter Sara and son Jamie at the award presentation held May 18 at initiatives.

“Jim’s fierce devotion to the Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the BCW, BCW and his unwavering belief in its role as the region’s leading his expertise at a large accounting • Westchester County Execu- most prestigious business membusiness growth, economic devel- firm and a Fortune 500 corpora- tive’s MWBE Task Force bership organization representing opment, and legislative advocacy tion before successfully launchmore than 1,000 members, includorganization helped shape the very ing his own firm, Business of Your • Westchester County Indus- ing multinational corporations, foundation upon which BCW has Business, in 1992. trial Development Agency hospitals, universities, biotech grown,” said BCW President and “I am truly honored and gratepioneers, not-for-profits, entrepreCEO Marsha Gordon. “Wiley’s ful to be recognized by the Busi• Westchester Putnam Work- neurs and companies of all sizes. contributions to the community ness Council of Westchester, es- force Investment Board As the most influential economic and business in Westchester, espe- pecially through an award that development and advocacy orgacially small business, defines the carries the name and legacy of Jim Harrison’s profound impact on nization in Westchester, The Busiincredible man we are recognizing O’Toole. Jim’s life of service re- the community is also reflected in ness Council of Westchester’s tonight. Just like Jim, Wiley’s hu- minds us that leadership is about his board leadership for numerous members enjoy unparalleled acmility, wisdom, positive outlook more than success—it’s about non-profit and civic organizations. cess to today’s top thought leadand love for the BCW has been commitment to community and He has served as the Vice-Chair of ers, diverse business development unwavering for so many years.” improving the lives of others. That the Small Business Development opportunities and lawmakers at all O’Toole’s family, including is a legacy we all strive to live up Council for the Business Coun- levels of government. The BCW his wife Sandy, son Jamie and to,” said Harrison. cil of Westchester, Chairperson Data Exchange provides the latdaughters Sara and Katie attended Beyond Harrison’s profession- of the Board for the Thomas H. est demographic research to help the celebration. al success, he has a distinguished Slater Community Center, and as guide smart business decisions.

Harrison, a highly respected record of public and civic service. a Board Member for the YMCA of The LEAP program, a one-of-afixture in Westchester County’s He has lent his financial acumen Central Westchester and Northern kind initiative, gives members business community, has provided to several high-profile economic Westchester. direct access to lobbying efforts expert bookkeeping and financial development boards, including at the county, state and national services to local businesses and appointments to: levels on issues that directly affect organizations for more than 30 About the Business Council of their businesses. Build, Connect years. After graduating from Co• Governor’s Mid-Hudson Re- Westchester and Win with The Business Counlumbia Business School in 1984 gional Economic Development The Business Council of West- cil of Westchester. Visit thebcw. with an MBA, Harrison honed Council chester is the county’s largest and org to connect today.

8 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

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Juneteenth Kick-Off Opening Program & Reception

Countywide Juneteenth Kick-Off

BUILT BY US:

THE BLACK BLUEPRINT OF AMERICAN BUSINESS May 28-31, 2026

Fri., May 29-Sun., May 31 | 12-5pm

ArtsWestchester 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY From engaging speakers and live entertainment to a vibrant business expo and fashion showcase, this celebration invites everyone to shop, connect, learn, and support the entrepreneurs building the future right here in Westchester.

Produced by Althema Goodson, Adrienne Michel, and the Countywide Juneteenth Coalition, with support from the Westchester County Government

Register today!

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Join us for an inspiring weekend that highlights the brilliance and resilience of Black-owned businesses, local talent, and community leadership.

Black Business Expo

COU NT Y

Celebrate the legacy, power, and promise of Black entrepreneurship at the sixth Annual Countywide Juneteenth Kick-Off, where culture, commerce, and community come together in one unforgettable celebration.

This year’s theme, “Built by Us: The Black Blueprint of American Business,” honors the generations of Black business owners who built opportunity, created pathways, and shaped the economic landscape of America.

Thurs., May 28 | 6-8pm

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10 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

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The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 11

LEGISLATION, Cont’d. from page 2

abortion forces in Louisiana and elsewhere try to curtail our rights. Next up, the FDA’s leadership could be moving toward putting anti-abortion politics ahead of science in seeking to curtail access to proven-safe medications like mifepristone. New York now has the opportunity to continue its historic leadership protecting reproductive rights. I urge the Governor to sign S8544/ A9217 into law, and for the Assembly to pass S8656A/A10428, so that every patient in New York can access the privacy protections they deserve now and for the future.”

“Jewish texts and teachings value the life and health of a pregnant person and support reproductive freedom and abortion access. National Council of Jewish Women New York urges passage of S.8656A/A.10428 because at a time when medication abortion and reproductive healthcare are under attack across the country, protecting patient privacy has never been more important,” said Andrea Salwen Kopel, Executive Director of NCJW NY. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for championing this important legislation and helping ensure that New York remains a leader and a haven for safe, confidential reproductive healthcare.”

“Patients seeking abortion care are facing intensely personal, difficult decisions. They risk harassment from abortion opponents and even life-threatening violence from intimate partners,” said Dr. Mary Applegate, a public health physician in Albany County. “This bill offers a practical safeguard.

Allowing the use of a pseudonym on prescription labels can be a matter of life and death.”

Nikita Kakkad, a representative of the Medical Students for Choice NYC Coalition, said, “As a medical student, I have the privilege of not only participating in abortion care, but working alongside incredible physicians who work to provide compassionate, thoughtful care to patients seeking to make decisions about their reproductive futures on their own terms. Allowing the use of a pseudonym on prescription labels ensures that the medications can reach the correct recipient safely but without exposing their information to legislators looking to criminalize abortion and harassment from members of their community or violent partners.”

Dr. Cheryl Anne Frye, PhD, said, “Patient privacy is deeply connected to health, safety, and the ability to seek care without fear or intimidation. When patients are concerned that sensitive reproductive health care information could be exposed, it can create enormous psychological stress and anxiety.

For some patients, especially those in abusive or controlling situations, that fear is very real and can place them at risk of emotional harm, coercion, or violence.”

“Protecting access to abortion means safeguarding patients’ privacy, safety, and ability to access care without fear,” said Robin Chappelle Golston, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. “We are proud to stand with the National Council of Jewish Women, Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblymember Karines Reyes, and our partners in support of this important legislation. As attacks on reproductive freedom escalate nationwide, New York must continue to lead by strengthening protections for patients and providers so that no one is put at risk.”

Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO, Reproductive Freedom for All, said, “As anti-abortion extremists escalate their attacks on medication abortion access, and patient data is increasingly being used to track and target people seeking care, New York is stepping up to protect its patients and providers.

Republican attorneys general across the country are continuing to test the limits of their reach into blue states—by expanding prescription labeling privacy protections, New York is firmly shutting its door on bad actors trying to reach in and interfere with lawful care. We applaud the state of New York for being at the forefront of innovative protections for reproductive freedom.”

REMINGTON FLYERS, Cont’d. from page 3

Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.

NURSES RALLY, Cont’d. from page 2

cates will call on Lawler and federal lawmakers to reverse course and protect Medicaid before more hospitals are pushed toward closure.

About Empire State Voices: Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers.

We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org About Protect Our Care New York: Protect Our Care New York is the state team for national advocacy nonprofit Protect Our Care, which is dedicated to making high-quality, affordable and equitable health care a right, and not a privilege, for everyone. Protect Our Care educates the public, influences policy, supports health care champions and holds politicians accountable. For more information, visit www.protectourcare.org.

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12 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

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The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 13

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14 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026

Community Calendar

CALENDAR SUBMISSION: Please use a brief paragraph to describe your event. The paragraph should include event name, date(s), time, location and contact information. Send calendar information via email to westchestercountypress@yahoo.com. Please type “CALENDAR EVENT” in the subject bar.

May 21 to Aug. 2

Exhibits on View at ArtsWestchester: May 16- Aug 2, 2026: Forever, Amen is an ongoing photographic study of the oldest Black churches in White Plains.

Despite widespread displacement and cultural erasure caused by urban renewal, some of these churches have existed for nearly two centuries. The series examines how these places of worship have anchored Black residents of the city and its surrounding communities.

May 21 to Aug. 2

Exhibit on View at ArtsWestchester: The LGBTQ+ Listening Library is an immersive celebration of queer music and the artists who shape it. What began as a homegrown collection has evolved into a growing archive of vinyl, CDs and cassettes that invites visitors to explore the sounds and stories that define LGBTQ+ culture.

to be held at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY, on Friday, May 22 at 2:30 PM, 2026. Now in its twentieth year, this meaningful ceremony will honor military personnel from Westchester County who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as all those who have served in the Global War on Terrorism.

Tuesday, May 26

Dept. of Public Safety Police Board will meet on Tuesday May 26, 3 p.m., at the Department of Public Safety Conf. Rm. 218, Saw Mill River Parkway, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Members of the public may view this meeting online at meetings.westchestercountyny. gov

Wednesday, May 27

Westchester County Advisory Council on People with Disabilities will meet on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 4PM in the Bleakley A, Conf. Rm A, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York Thursday, May 21 Westchester County Board of 10601.

Health Meeting will be held on- Saturday, May 30 Thursday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. at Mothers Out Front “Spring Cleanthe Westchester County Health ing Clothing Swap”: Saturday, Department Office, 11 Martine May 30. Mothers Out Front is Avenue, 12th Floor, White Plains, hosting a Spring Cleaning ClothNY 10606. Members of the pub- ing Swap: Bring adults’ and kids’ lic may view this meeting online winter gear, clothes and shoes, at: meetings.westchestercounty- and swap for new treasures! Texny.gov tile recycling by Helpsy will also be available. Saturday, May 30, Thursday, May 21 Westchester County Department 1 - 3 p.m. at Eastchester Public of Parks, Recreation & Conserva- Library, 11 Oakridge Place, Easttion Board Meeting will meet on chester.

Thursday, May 21 at 2 p.m. in the Tuesday, June 2 PRC Headquarters Conference Tuesday Talk at Dorry’s Home Room 2nd Floor, 450 Saw Mill Seeker: Help Searching for AfRiver Road, Ardsley, NY 10502 fordable Housing.

Featured Members of the public may view Speaker: Blanca Lopez, Comthis meeting online at: meetings. missioner, Westchester County westchestercountyny.gov Department of Planning Housing Specialist. Important Zoom InforFriday, May 22 Veterans Remembrance Service mation Zoom calls will open at

5:50 PM on the Tuesday the discussion is scheduled. This allows time to join, settle in, and address any technical issues before we begin.

Wednesday, June 3

Register now for a moderated candidate forum, hosted by LWV of Westchester and LWV of Rockland, in which all five Democratic primary candidates (listed alphabetically) in the race to serve Congressional District 17 in the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to participate: • John Cappello • Cait Conley • Beth Davidson •Effie Phillips-Staley • Mike Sacks. The candidate forum will offer an opportunity for candidate opening and closing statements, as well as a question and answer format with timed responses. An LWV of Westchestertrained moderator from outside of CD 17 will preside, and the forum will be conducted in a way that does not promote or advance any candidate over another. Questions to be posed at the forum will be finalized in advance but not made available to the candidates or any of their staff members.

bleeding. During Trauma Awareness Month, the Red Cross highlights this need by asking donors of all blood types and those giving platelets to give now to support all patients who count on transfusions for care.Book your time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now — To schedule, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Thursday, June 25

Westchester County Fair Housing Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 6 pm in the Human Rights Commission Conference Room, 112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601.Members of the public may view this meeting online at: meetings.westchestercountyny. gov

Thursday, June 25

Westchester County Human Rights Commission Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25 at 6:45 pm in the Human Rights Commission Conference Room, 112 East Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601.

Members of the public may view NOW Thru June 7 this meeting online at: meetings.

As we move toward Memorial westchestercounty.gov.

Day, the American Red Cross calls on people to schedule their blood If you or your family need food or platelet donation appointments today, help is available. Use Feednow to help medical centers stay ing Westchester’s pantry locator ready and respond quickly to to search by ZIP code and find a emergencies. Having blood prod- food pantry near you. Many sites ucts immediately available is a offer weekly food distribution, key part of summer safety. With and hours vary by location. All millions of Americans expected services are free, and no ID is reto hit the road around Memo- quired unless noted by a partner rial Day and spend time boating, site. Please call the location you swimming, camping and enjoying choose ahead of your visit to enthe outdoors, the risk of traumatic sure service availability. (FP = accidents rises. Blood and plate- Food Pantry; SK = Soup Kitchlets on hospital shelves help meet en.) If you need immediate assisthe demand when people experi- tance, call 914-923-1100. Meals ence critical injuries and massive On Main Street is another excel-

The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, ,2026 • 15

Village Historian to Present 250 Years of Health Care in Ossining

From Spiritual Care, Apothecaries and Remedies, to Community Health Care (Ossining, NY -- Noteworthy as the home of Sing Sing Prison, Ossining may also lay claim to being the county’s foremost monument to the shifting trends in health care.

It’s a story that will be brought alive in “From Spiritual Care to Modern Medicine: How Ossining Learned to Heal Itself,” an integrative storytelling experience that speaks to the dramatic changes in health care, as well as the struggles and successes that are unique to the village itself from the 1770s to today.

It will be presented to the public

by Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole and the Open Door Care Network on Thursday, June 11th beginning at 7 p.m. at Open Door’s newly-opened home at 2 Church Street.

The program is based on Cole’s extensive research and a live performance by local actors, telling a story that spans 250 years of health care and highlights the continuum of Ossining “caring for itself,” from the Revolutionary War, when many blacks in the village received spiritual care at local churches; through the advent of dispensaries, apothecaries and (in some cases, questionable) remedies; to the creation of the long-since closed Ossining Hospital; and, to the growth of Open Door, a federally qualified

health center, which today cares for nearly 60,000 people in Ossining and its other locations in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Included is a look at those individuals who helped shape that history, including Elijah Hunter, a double agent for the Continental Army who communicated directly with George Washington and later founded First Baptist Church, where enslaved people were able to worship and be baptized. Centuries later, the church basement became Open Door’s first home; Benjamin Brandreth, an English-born entrepreneur who successfully marketed and produced in his Ossining factory the Vegetable Universal Pill, a cure-anything remedy that, in fact, was nothing more than a laxative; Dr. George Hill, the village’s first black doctor, a revered figure who in 1935 integrated the staff at Ossining Hospital (which would close in the late 1950s) and yet as many as 40 years later still found it difficult whenever he left town to find a local doctor willing to treat the village’s blacks; to the two women who founded and grew Open Door (its founder and first president Marge Griesmer, and Lindsay Farrell, a volunteer at the organization in 1984 who has been its second president since 1998).

The program is the brainchild of Farrell, Cole, and Laura Mogil, a long-time board member of the Open Door Foundation. They both saw the significance of pairing Ossining’s 250th anniversary with that of Open Door, which recently celebrated its 50th year of service to the community.

“The Open Door is an important part of the history and fabric of the Ossining community, and this is a way to celebrate Open Door’s 50 years of service in the community as well as Ossining’s 250th anniversary,” said Mogil. One of their first moves was to get buy-in from Cole, a professional storyteller and Ossining’s Historian since 2020, who was familiar with parts of the story, but said “it’s never been put all together before. I knew pieces of this history, but I had never seen them woven together in this way before.

This program gives us a chance to tell Ossining’s story of healing as a continuous thread, from spiritual care and community support to the founding of Open Door.”

Community partners for the event are Bethany Arts Community, Briarcliff Ossining Ministerial Association, Congregations Sons of Israel, ENU Builds, IFCA, Gullotta House, JTC Experiences, Juneteenth Council, Kindle Com-

NEW ROCHELLE, NY -- The New Rochelle Public Library today expressed its gratitude to residents following voter approval of the Library’s budget and $55 million bond referendum.

The vote marks a major milestone in the Library’s effort to revitalize a building that has served generations of New Rochelleans since 1979.

“This is a meaningful moment for our Library and for our city,” said Eugenia Schatoff Executive Director of the New Rochelle Public Library.

“We are deeply grateful to the community for taking part in this process, for asking thoughtful questions, and ultimately for placing their trust in the future of this institution.”

The bond will support a comprehensive, multi-year revitalization of the Library, including critical infrastructure upgrades to heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as improvements to public spaces throughout the building. The project is designed to ensure the Library remains welcoming, accessible, and responsive to the needs of a growing and evolving community.

Over the course of the campaign, Library leadership, staff, trustees, and community supporters met with neighborhood associations, civic organizations, and residents throughout New Rochelle to discuss the proposal. The Library also hosted public

information sessions and a hearing at the Ossie Davis Theater to provide opportunities for residents to learn more about the project and ask questions.

We heard clearly throughout this process how much the Library means to people,” said Lucille Renwick, President of the Library Board of Trustees. “For many, this building represents opportunity, connection, culture, and community. Tuesday’s vote reflects a shared belief that this institution is worth investing in.”

The New Rochelle Public Library is the most active library in the Westchester Library System and serves residents of all ages and backgrounds through educational pro-

JOYCE SHARROCK COLE

munity Inc., Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, MVP Health Care, NAACP – Ossining Branch, Neighbors Link, Nonprofit Westchester, Ossining250, Ossining Chamber of Commerce, Ossining Children’s Center, Ossining Food Pantry, Ossining Padres Hispanos, Ossining Public Library, Ossining Riverworks, and Westchester Women’s Agenda.

There is no charge for the event. Seating is limited. To register, or for more information, contact foundation@odfmc.org or visit https://lp.constantcontactpages. com/ev/reg/fh4v736

New Rochelle Public Library Thanks Community Following Approval of Budget and Bond

gramming, cultural events, literacy services, workforce support, technology access, and community gathering spaces.

Planning for the revitalization project will continue in the months ahead. An important aspect of that planning includes listening sessions to ensure the public has a chance to express their vision for the Library.

Our Library. Our Future. was more than a campaign message,” Ms. Schatoff added. “It was a reminder that this Library belongs to all of us, and that its future will be shaped by the community it serves.”

For more information and future project updates, visit www.nrpl.org.

16 • The WESTCHESTER County Press • Thursday, MAY 21, 2026