Teacher Gets ‘Pied’ for a Good Cause In Brewster School


It was a sight to behold when 5-year-old Gunnar Maguire walked up to his physical education teacher Eric Buzzetto and smooshed a pie into the veteran teacher’s face. The gym at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Brewster filled with laughter and, when Buzzetto pulled off the tin, another round of giggles was heard as the children observed the […]

Two Medical Giants Serving Greater Putnam Merge


Health networks providing medical care to residents of Putnam County and vicinity have merged, forming a $2.4 billion medical system serving more than 1.5 million people. Health Quest, parent company of Putnam Hospital Center, and the Western Connecticut Health Network announced the forming of the non-profit health system last week to be known as Nuvance Health. It will bring together […]

Putnam Divided Over Reproductive Health Act; Huge Crowd Swamps Legislature


Emotions ran wild last Tuesday evening when the Putnam Legislature voted 8-1 to call on Albany lawmakers to repeal the Reproductive Health Act signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in January. Some 200 people were on hand outside the historic Putnam Courthouse with Pro- Choice groups outnumbered by Right-to-Life supporters by 3-1. Prior to the start of the meeting, […]

Cancer Fundraiser by Youth Has Special Meaning


ZACC – or Zach Attacks Childhood Cancer – has raised $1,000 for cancer research thanks to a bowling outing organized by 13-year-old Zachary Schwartz of Brewster, who last year was diagnosed with leukemia. While undergoing treatments the middle school student decided to start a fundraiser to assist other youngsters identified with the cancer. With the assistance of family and friends […]

Dale And Lorie Bettcher Honored As Champions For Children


Dale and Lorie Bettcher have opened their hearts and home to more than 60 foster children during the past 32 years. It’s little wonder the Southeast couple was recognized last Wednesday as the Putnam County Child Advocacy Center’s Champions for Children. The Bettchers were lauded at a breakfast Wednesday in Mahopac for their humanitarian efforts. Marla Behler, program coordinator of […]

Brother Firefighters And Friends Aid Firefighter In Need


Dozens of volunteers were up early Saturday to assist members of the Mike Ercole family with a spring clean-up of their property in Putnam Lake. The Putnam Lake FD Deputy Chief, a past president of the fire department, suffered a medical emergency in February, resulting in his hospitalization at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. Ercole is now undergoing extensive […]

Clearing the Record: Corrections & Clarifications

Three matters require correction or clarification in the story published last week, “Councilman, à la Checkers, Tells His Side of Swan Cove.” First, regarding Jean Hopper, a candidate for the Carmel Town Board, a quotation at the end of the story (“At no point did we hear the councilmen talk about the needs of our town ….”) was incorrectly attributed […]

Things to Do

Going From 70 Degrees Outside to 30 Isn’t Okay

2019-On Select Tues.-6:45- 8pm Drug Crisis in our Backyard Spotlight Family Support Group at Mahopac Library. More info: MahopacLibrary.org April- Liliana Washburn art show at Kent Library Feb 1-April 12 (Fridays) free AARP Tax Help for Seniors and other qualifying individuals at Patterson lib. More info/Appointments: 211, 845-878-6121 x15, pattersonlibrary.org Through April 11 (Thursdays) Free tax help will be available […]

Boyhood Friends Open Brewster Hot Bagels

Mike Kienle and Greg Scavelli have been boyhood friends since second grade. The 2003 graduates of Lakeland High School, owners of the Jefferson Valley Bagel Shop, have opened their second bagel bakery in Brewster at 2505 Carmel Avenue. During a recent grand opening celebration, the partners proudly displayed their 20 varieties of bagels ranging from egg, wheat, sesame, poppy and […]

Carmel Businessman Charged With Animal Neglect of Beagle


A Carmel businessman is facing charges of animal neglect following his arrest by the SPCA Police. Chief Ken Ross reported the apprehension Monday of Nuno Afonso-Gouveia of Yonkers after a dog belonging to the businessman was found wandering along Route 6 in Carmel last Saturday in the vicinity of the Meadowland Auto Dealers. Chief Ross said a Good Samaritan observed […]