Supervisor's Update- October 19th, 2018

Details

Last Updated: 19 October 2018 19 October 2018

The Town and Village were having some computer issues this week, so it's a good thing we had a lot to do outdoors! 

 

Our Parks Department has been hard at work over at Cedar Lane Park preparing for the 2018 Forest O' Fears Haunted Hayride. In years past, the event has mainly consisted of a Halloween Village and the hayride trail itself, but this year, we are adding something I think you're really going to like-- the garage building near the Pavilion has been transformed into a two-story haunted house (and yes, I have done a walk through, it is super spooky in there.) However, the building hasn't been used for this purpose before, and has mostly served as one big storage locker for miscellaneous parks equipment, so it was no easy task to get it cleaned out and cleaned up. However, between the hard work of our staff and the Hayride volunteers, the building looks (almost) as good as new!

They even took the opportunity to clean up the back of the garage. WIthout a "Before" picture, it's hard to do this job justice, but trust me when I say, there was some stuff being stored back there and now, you'd never know it!

 

They also got the path all ready to be traveled during the Hayride-- everything looks nice and clean and ready for next weekend.

Executive Director of the Hayride, our very own Fern Quezada, gave us a quick walkthrough yesterday to show how much progress had been made and I have to hand it to her-- it's impressive. This new element in the Hayride is going to add a whole new scary dimension to the experience, and I am so excited for you to join us. Look, look how scared and excited!

Tickets for Friday (October 26th) and Saturday (October 27th) can still be purchased by visiting the Forest O' Fears website-- tickets will cost more at the gate, so plan ahead to save a few bucks and also to get the ride time of your choice (they start at 6:45 and end around 10PM). If the Hayride trail and the haunted house are too intense for your liking, never fear-- the Halloween Village is a cheerier way to spend your evening. 6 Degrees of Separation will be on hand selling snacks and beer (owner Scott Ryan has pinkie promised to bring a special pumpkin variety for the occasion), there will be games for the little guys, live music by local band Strange Hours and our friend DJ Johnny G, a fire show by Flaming Barrel of Monkeys Entertainment, and the Unhaunted Hayride and the Homespun Merry-Go-Round will make sure that everyone gets a ride at their own speed. No matter what your threshold for terror, you're going to have a great time with us at Cedar Lane Park next weekend! 

 

 

Very important note here-- please do not forget that from today through October 29th, the Cedar Lane Dog Park will be closed-- this area is a vital part of the Hayride and the decorating is beginning now. Please apologize to your pups on our behalf.

 

 

After our walkthrough with Fern, we also got to check out the reconstruction of the staircase at the other end of the park. You may remember that a few months back, Eagle Scout Ryan Salyer of Troop 49 came to ask if he could work on this project, and we were thrilled to say yes. The steps, which had been installed many years ago by Ossining resident and former Eagle Scout Anthony Pili, were looking a little worse for wear and we contacted Anthony to ask him about it. Anthony got in touch with the local troop and got us hooked up with Ryan, and the rest is history!

 

(Well, it's been better than that-- Anthony's employer, Greater Hudson Bank, was kind enough to make a donation to Ryan for his materials!)

And check out the great job they did.

The upper steps, which were made of railroad ties, had started to crumble away-- with some input from our Parks Foreman, Ryan decided to dig out the old steps and replace them with Versa-Lok, which makes for a safer footing for park visitors and it is unarguably more aesthetically pleasing. Thanks to Ryan and his fellow scouts for doing such an outstanding job and improving our park! Generations of Ossining families will be forever in your debt.

 

It's going to be a great weekend to get caught up on your reading, and I know just how to do it. The Ossining Public Library will be holding the Friends of the OPL Annual Book Sale tomorrow (Saturday the 20th) between 9AM and 5PM, and Sunday the 21st between 1PM and 4PM. You can find the Friends book sale in the Main Gallery on the ground floor of the Library, 53 Croton Avenue, and all proceeds help the Friends to fund special library events and programs.

 

 

Bethany Arts Community will host the Northeast Etsy Artists Collective Fall Artisan Market on Saturday, October 20th (10AM-4PM) and Sunday, October 21st (12PM- 5PM). Come get a head start on your holiday shopping while you explore beautiful artisanal art, jewelry, home decor, pottery and so much more. A percentage of sales will go towards supporting Bethany's mission to support artists create new work and develop programming for the Ossining community. BAC is located at 40 Somerstown Road (Route 133) in Ossining.

 

 

Tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for-- get your day started on a good "foot" and support the Ossining PBA. Their 2nd Annual “Foot Pursuit 5K" starts at 9AM sharp in our very own Cedar Lane Park before heading on to the local roads, and the weather forecast is looking great! If you are one of the first 3 finishers, you could win a 3 month membership to Club Fit and lots of other prizes. All proceeds go to help children from our community to attend Ossining Recreation Day Camp who otherwise would not be able to attend, so get your sweat on for a good cause tomorrow morning! If you are not planning to run, be forewarned that Cedar Lane will be closed from Stormytown Rd. to the entrance to Cedar Lane Park from just before 9AM to about 10AM, and will open sooner if the runners get through faster than that.  But heck, if you can’t beat em, join em! It’s supposed to be a beautiful day, so be there or be stuck in traffic!

 

 

As long as you're sweaty, might as well get dusty too! The Ossining Historic Cemeteries Conservancy will be hosting a gravestone cleaning at Historic Sparta Cemetery beginning tomorow (aain, 10/20) at 9AM and going until 12 Noon.

 

Then, go home and nap, you've earned it.

 

Just kidding! Head down to the Jug Tavern of Sparta for a night of banjo and fiddle music with Tim Rowell and Ambrose Verdibello. There are 2 seatings, one at 3 and one at 7, with a $5 suggested donation at the door. If you plean to attend, be sure to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your seats as soon as possible, there may be a few seats left, but it's going to be tight. And if you didn't know-- Tim Rowell is the brother of Ossining resident, and former Ossining Town Historian, Martha Mesiti! Tim and Martha both grew up here in Ossining, which makes these shows even more special.

 

 

If you go see Tim and Ambrose at 3PM, you could ALSO head to the Steamer Firehouse for the soulful tunes of The Vibe Theory, who will be playing that night at 8PM (get your tickets at www.ossiningartscouncil.org), or to see Rhythm Rising perform some Latin Jazz at the Elks Lodge (118 Croton Avenue) starting at 7:30PM. Alexis Cole's show at Westchester Collaborative Theater is, sadly, sold out. Check back at wctheater.org to learn what is coming up next!

 

 

Finally, the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department will be holding their Inspection tomorrow night beginning at 6PM. Come out to the Central Headquarters and see the officers and the trucks looking their finest!

 

We are a mere three weeks out from election day, and there are several local races to learn about before you get out the vote on November 6th. The Ossining Public Library will host a Candidate's Forum in the Budarz Theater beginning at 7PM on Thursday, October 25th-- come out to hear from the sitting, and hopeful, candidates and learn more about their platforms. Thanks to the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters for organizing this informative session.

 

 

 

 

Halloween is right around the corner, so if you don't have your costume ready, now is the time to get creative. Next Saturday, October 27^th, the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce Uptwon Alliance will host the 3rd Annual Ossining Howl-o-Ween Kids & Pet Parade on Upper Croton Avenue. The parade kicks off at 11AM outside the Elks Lodge at 118 Croton Avenue and heads up to the Mike Risko Music School at 44 Croton Avenue, but the fun doesn’t stop when the marching does! Stay for music, games, and prizes! I can't wait to see all of the great costumers out there-- does anyone have a dog I can borrow for the occasion? I have some costume ideas but no willing canines.

 

The Village of Briarcliff Manor will be holding their Ragamuffin Parade that morning as well-- co-sponsored by the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, this march kicks off ourside the Operating Engineers building on Pleasantville Road at 9:30AM. After you march, stay for goody bags and and a magic show starting at 10AM.

 

 

Costumes not your thing? That's ok too-- the Ossining Public Library will hold an Adult Pumpkin Painting Workshop at 12PM-- kids can come too, but pre-registration is required for everyone. Call James Trapasso at 941-2416 ext. 327 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up for this free activity.

 

 

Later that weekend, though no Halloween related, Teatown has an excellent program scheduled for the animal lovers in our midst. On Sunday, October 28th, head on over for "Animals Nobody Likes," a program where you will get to know some of our local animals who get a bad rap, but are an imporant and exciting part of our ecosystem! You will even get to reach out and touch some of these misunderstood creatures-- I am sure you will change your mind! Make sure to pre-register for this one.

 

 

 

 

I hope you will join the Town Board at our meeting this coming Tuesday evening (October 23rd, 7:30PM) at the Birdsall-Fagan Police/ Court Facility. We will be re-opening three public hearings on proposed local laws regarding leaf blowers, accessory apartments, and solar codes, so be sure to come down to the Courthouse and give us your thoughts or live stream the meeting through the Town's website. If you are one of our residents who has been following the leaf blower conversation, consider visiting the Chappaqua Farmer's Market tomorrow (Saturday, October 20th) to check out a demo of electric leaf blowers-- between 8:30AM and 1:30PM, learn about the great benefits of mulching your leaves ("Leave Leaves Alone"!) and how you can save time, money and energy while helping the environment.

 

Wishing everyone a great weekend-- stay warm out there, these nights have been a little chilly!

 

--Dana