Supervisor

Supervisor's Update – Friday, June 4, 2021

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Last Updated: 04 June 2021 04 June 2021

It’s gonna be a hot time in the ole Town tomorrow night, with heat rising to near 90 degrees according to the weather predictors. We know everyone is starting to think about summer fun! Last year, pandemic restrictions forced us to cancel many of our favorite events. I am excited to share that our annual Summer Concert Series and Food Truck Fridays will return starting Friday, July 2^nd. In an effort to support local businesses, we are working with the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and Sing Sing Kill Brewery to feature local restaurants and New York craft beverages each week. Mike and Miriam Risko have once again carefully selected the lineup of wonderful local musicians. We will be sharing more details about these events very soon!

 

Our regular fireworks display will be a bit different this year. Our show is usually scheduled to coincide with Independence Day celebrations, but we are pushing it a little further for 2021 so our community has more time to get vaccinated before such a large gathering. The fireworks can attract crowds between four and six thousand people. To fully enjoy the benefit of this great chance for the community to gather, please mark your calendars for the Friday of Labor Day weekend (September 3^rd)! The end of summer date will give us a bit more time for residents to get vaccinated, including teens who only recently became eligible, and younger children who will hopefully be eligible by September. And it will certainly be an opportunity to recognize our workers who have been on the front lines, including teachers, as they prepare to go back for what we all hope to be a much more “normal” looking school year.

 

The Town of Ossining hosted its very first Compost Give Back Day today. If you missed out, you have another chance to pick up compost tomorrow! From 9am to noon at Cedar Lane Park, participants in our Food Scrap Recycling program can fill a bucket (up to 6 gallons) with compost. Sustainable Materials Management, Inc. in Cortlandt Manor, is supplying the compost – created from food scraps collected from our program and those of neighboring municipalities. Learn more about Food Scrap Recycling and the Ossining Composts program here.

 

 

This morning I joined the Ossining LGBTQ Alliance to raise the Pride flag at Market Square. June is Pride Month, a chance to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. The event was shared here.

 

 

Later today, I visited Dale Cemetery to celebrate restoration of the Superintendent’s Cottage. Work on this planned project was overseen by a local architecture firm and contractor, Stephen Tilly, Architect and Clemco Construction, Inc. Dale Cemetery is a non-denominational, non-sectarian public cemetery established in 1851 and still in use today. The Ossining Historic Cemeteries Conservancy (OHCC) joined us for today’s ribbon cutting.

 

 

On Tuesday this week the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) opened to receive applications. This program was created by New York State to support households that are behind on their rent, have experienced financial hardship, are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and that earn at or below 80 percent of area median income. Once approved, eligible households will receive up to 12 months of past due rent. Those eligible could also receive up to 3 months of additional rental assistance, if the household spends 30 percent or more of its gross monthly income on rent. The program also will provide up to 12 months of utility arrears for eligible applicants. Apply through the NYS website.

 

On Wednesday, the Juneteenth Council of Ossining led a flag raising at Market Square with Town and Village officials. This is the first time in our history that this flag will fly in Ossining in an official capacity. The Juneteenth holiday celebrates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers reached Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. This was nearly two years after the document was signed, but the Civil War delayed freedom for thousands of Black Americans. Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19^th around the country and it was declared an official State holiday in New York last year. 

 

 

Ossining has been recognized by Sustainable Westchester for our commitment to clean energy as part of our participation in the Westchester Power Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program. Sustainable Westchester is a nonprofit consortium of Westchester County local governments that connects residents with renewable energy options. CCA is a community-based energy purchasing program intended to control costs and increase the use of renewable energy across Westchester County. Through Ossining’s participation in this exciting program, 775,000 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide were added to our atmosphere.

With sustainability in mind, we directed our Parks Department to use low-carbon concrete for two projects this week. This concrete is more durable and requires less energy to create than traditional Portland cement. Thanks to Parks Foreman, Mario Velardo’s creativity, the concrete was poured and then stamped (by our Parks and Highway crews) to appear as wooden planks and slate tiles. These are the first Town projects to incorporate this material, and the first stamped concrete projects as well (but probably not the last, as they look so great and they are not even quite done!) You can see sustainability in action at Engel Park at the base for the new kayak pad (on the left) and at Dale Cemetery’s Superintendent’s Cottage walkway (right).

 

 

Permits are required for launching watercraft from the Bryan Johnson Boat Ramp at Louis Engel Park. Daily and seasonal passes are available for purchase online at www.buymypermit.com/ossining/. With a seasonal pass, you will be mailed a sticker for your trailer and your license plate will be permitted for parking in the trailer parking spaces near where you can launch your boat. Please note daily permit holders are not allowed to park in the trailer spaces. We are working on getting updated signage installed at Louis Engel Park, so save yourself time by getting your pass now.

 

 

The Briarcliff’s Dog Park Committee is curating a list of residents’ requests related to creating a dog park – everything from location to potential amenities. If you have ideas to share, reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. While on the subject of dogs, here is a reminder that all our furry friends over 4 months old need to be licensed with the Briarcliff or Ossining Clerk’s Office.

 

 

Looking for summer work? Playland is hiring! Check out their online job board for retail, office, custodial, and specialized jobs. Candidates are encouraged to apply to their top three job choices and interviews begin as early as tomorrow. The park will open to the public on Saturday, June 26.

 

 

Wildflower Island is a two-acre refuge within the greater Teatown preserve, home to roughly 280 species of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and rushes. Join experienced guides on weekends in June to explore this natural paradise. New dates have been added! Sign up on the Teatown website.

 

 

Ossining Innovates and WEDC are launching Cohort 3 of their Inclusive Entrepreneurship Accelerator. This program is designed for residents considering opening their own business or non-profit. The free, year-long program includes 20 weeks of entrepreneurship training (Thursday evenings 6-9pm) as well as coaching, mentoring, and community support. Seats are limited, so fill out an application sooner rather than later. Learn more at ossininginnovates.com

The inaugural Hudson Valley New Voices (HVNV) Festival continues at the Westchester Collaborative Theater. This weekend, HVNV will showcase Vintage Voices, featuring dramatic works by seniors. The festival concludes June 18 – 20 with Voices of Color, featuring original plays by writers who identify as People of Color. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (914) 263-4953.

 

 

The Ossining Fire Department Venturing Crew 467 will be hosting Propane Tank Drop-Off Day this Sunday, June 6^th, from noon to 3. If you have some old empty propane tanks sitting around that cannot be refilled or exchanged, here’s your chance to safely get rid of them.

 

 

The AMD PTA is holding a Food Truck Friday Fundraiser on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 6-8 pm. Featured food trucks include Wanna Empanada, Gyro Uno, SDF Café, and Mister Softee Ice Cream (the El Patio truck on the poster is no longer available to participate). All of the food trucks will be giving a portion of the evening's proceeds to AMD PTA. You can sign up for the event here.

 

 

The Ossining Arts Council 2021 Members’ Exhibit is now on display at the Ossining Public Library. The show will run until June 27^th. The OAC Virtual Reception will be held on Zoom this year, on June 18.

 

 

The Westchester Pollinator Garden Tour is looking to add Ossining yards to celebrate. Gardens do not need to be fancy or elaborate. Gardens with (some) native species, grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers are welcome to join. These properties will be featured in the Westchester-wide pollinator garden tour on June 13. Learn more on the Healthy Yards website.

 

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce holds Chamber Chats once a month. These one-hour open forums are a chance for small business owners to connect and share ideas. The next meeting is June 17th. Hear from other owners and employees about the challenges and successes small businesses are facing. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

Stop by OVAC on June 18 for a blood drive. Our area is facing a blood shortage, a critical resource for hospitals. You can schedule your donation appointment here.

 

 

The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater will host its first live performance in over a year on June 18^th and then again on the 20^th. Classical/rock violinist Daisy Jopling teams up with award-winning director and visual maestro Daniel Flannery (creator of legendary Olympic Ceremonies, World Stages, TV, Film, Expo & Theme Parks), and acclaimed writer, Ossining resident Sarah Bracey White in the world premiere of their show Transcendence. Tickets are available now.

 

 

Our own Mind, Body, Spirit – Ossining program brings free wellness classes to our parks and open spaces. A Trauma Conscious Yoga Class will be held on the stage at the waterfront on June 19 at 9am. After the year we have had, I think we can all use some trauma-conscious healing. Mark your calendars now! This class will be taught by Crossover Yoga Project, register through Community Pass. If your small business is interested in hosting an outdoor class, please contact my office at 914-762-6001 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Artis Senior Living of Briarcliff Manor is holding Shred it Day on June 19th, a chance for residents to protect sensitive, printed information from ending up in the wrong hands. There is a suggested $10 donation to participate with proceeds supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. RSVP online or by calling 914-223-7195.

 

 

The Ossining Public Library is leading a book discussion group that focuses on the literary works of African-American, African, and Afro-Caribbean authors. All discussions will take place virtually. If you are interested in being a part of this book club, email facilitator Barbara Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the zoom details.

 

 

The Juneteenth Council of Ossining will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 19 at Louis Engel Park at the Ossining waterfront. More details will be available soon!

 

 

The next Historic Sparta Walking Tour is scheduled for June 20 at 1pm. Join Dr. Alan M. Stahl, Sparta historian, resident, and vice-president of The Jug Tavern of Sparta, Inc., for the fascinating 200 year history of The Jug Tavern as well as Sparta's homes and residents. The tours are outdoors, masked, and socially distanced. Sign up for the June tour here.

 

 

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Legislative Session on Tuesday, June 8 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 897 6573 3973 and passcode 244499. Read the Meeting Agenda here.  We will have Departmental Reports from our Recreation Superintendent Bill Garrison and Assessor Fernando Gonzalez at our meeting this Tuesday.  Property owners should have received change of assessment notices in the mail last week, as our Assessor filed the Tentative Roll for 2021.  I know these notices have prompted questions among some property owners, so please join our meeting on Tuesday to learn more about the assessment process from our Assessor and how to grieve your assessment if you feel the value is inaccurate.  Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

 

Stay cool this weekend, and enjoy!

 

--Dana

 

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!

Supervisor's Update – Friday, May 28, 2021

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Last Updated: 28 May 2021 28 May 2021

This weekend is Memorial Day, a chance to honor those servicemen and women who died in service to our country. Usually, Ossining and Briarcliff observe the holiday with a parade, but leading organizations have decided to err on the safe side while COVID is still a risk. The Ossining Centralized Committee of Organized War Veterans will hold a ceremony at Nelson Park on Memorial Day, starting at 10:45am. The Briarcliff Manor American Legion Post 1054 will hold a ceremony at Law Park at 11:30. Shout outs are in order for Boy Scout Troop 49 of Ossining and 36 of Montrose for helping put out flags on veterans’ graves in our cemeteries, and to the Ossining Girl Scouts for once again making wreaths for the Ossining ceremony.

 

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer. In celebration, our Spray Park at Louis Engel Park will reopen tomorrow! The Spray Park will be open from noon to 7pm, every day until the end of the summer season. Since kids cannot be vaccinated, we ask that masks be worn around the playground and Spray Pad area. Masks do not need to be worn while in the Spray Pad area itself. Kids should not visit the Spray Park if they are feeling sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.

 

 

Summer also means boating season is here, and the Town recently adopted new regulations regarding the Bryan Johnson Boat Ramp at Louis Engel Park. Permits are required for launching, and daily and seasonal passes are now available for purchase online at www.buymypermit.com/ossining/. Please note that with our new electronic permits, you need to be prepared to show proof of your paid permit to members of the Ossining Boat & Canoe Club or Ossining Police upon inspection. The most seamless option is to plan ahead, and buy a seasonal pass. With a seasonal pass, you will be mailed a sticker for your trailer and your license plate will be permitted for parking in the trailer parking spaces near where you can launch your boat. Please note daily permit holders are not allowed to park in the trailer spaces. It may take a couple of days to get all this functionality processed and in place, but you will be ready to go boating on the Hudson for the rest of the summer with ease. Plus, the fee for a seasonal pass is just two times the price of a daily pass for a resident, so even if you only end up launching your boat twice this summer, it pays off. We are working on getting updated signage at Louis Engel Park as we just recently finalize our new local law, so in the meantime, we appreciate your patience and please spread the word to the rest of your boating friends!

 

 

As our summertime activities are getting into gear, I know a lot of people have favorite events on the mind like our annual Independence Day Fireworks, Summer Concert Series, and Food Truck Fridays, all of which we had to skip in person last year due to the pandemic. This year we are happy to announce we will be hosting our annual Summer Concert Series and Food Truck Fridays, starting Friday, July 2^nd. However, due to the large crowds (usually between four to six thousand people) we expect for our Fireworks display, we opted not to host that event in July this year. While we are making great progress on the COVID-19 front, given the nature of the event and the number of people, including many, many children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, we thought it would be much more responsible to wait a little longer for a more festive celebration, and have therefore scheduled the fireworks celebration instead for the end of summer Friday, September 3 of Labor Day weekend. We hope by then more people will be vaccinated, and COVID-19 numbers will be much reduced. Please stay tuned – more details will be coming! In the meantime, please mark your calendars for our Friday night events. These weekly concerts bring out a much smaller crowds than fireworks, and we hope they will be a welcome respite for the community as we start to return to some sort of normalcy. We are also working again with the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and Sing Sing Kill Brewery to feature local restaurants and New York craft beverage purveyors to help support our local businesses, and are grateful for the help the Riskos provided in curating our bands for the concerts as well as helping get the word out. We will be sharing more information very soon via social media, so get your lawn chairs ready!

 

Memorial Day will affect the sanitation schedule for Town residents. Regular Monday pick-ups will shift to Tuesday, and regular Tuesday pick-ups will shift to Wednesday. You can always review your schedule with the ReCollect widget on our website. You can also have service alerts sent to you directly using the Recycle Right Westchester app. This is specifically for those living in Unincorporated Ossining.

 

 

This week we received reports of damage at Sparta Cemetery, which is owned by the Town. The Ossining Police Department coordinated with the Sleepy Hollow Police Department, who were investigating damage sustained at their historic Old Dutch Church Cemetery. Police have concluded that an out-of-state visitor used a type of modeling clay to create casts of the stone in order to recreate ornamental portions of the gravestones, leaving a residue on the stones themselves. The visitor’s actions do not appear to have been malicious and do not rise to the level of a crime. However, this is another reminder that we should always take extra care in historic sites and around landmarks. Sparta Cemetery has historic gravestones that are over 200 years old and even accidental damage can indeed be irreparable.

 

 

The Ossining Community Equity Task Force held a press conference at Engel Park yesterday to discuss efforts to close the Digital Divide, which is the gap created by unequal access to the internet and digital services. The Task Force invited NYS Senator Shelley Mayer to discuss her E-LEARN legislation. Thank you to all the wonderful speakers and Task Force members working to make internet access and technology more accessible. For more information about the Digital Divide, please see our Press Release. To watch a recording of our livestreamed Press Conference, visit our Facebook page.

 

 

The best way to take advantage of great summer events is to get vaccinated. Luckily, there are a lot of convenient places to get the vaccine! The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps (OVAC) is administering Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at its headquarters on 8 Croton Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome but scheduled appointments are preferred. Get an appointment here. The Ossining Briarcliff Vaccine Angels are wrapping up their efforts, and shifting to a county-centric group. If you need help filling out the OVAC scheduling form, please contact 914-989-1540.

 

 

Starting on June 1^st at 9am, residents can apply to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program was created by New York State to support households which are behind on their rent, have experienced financial hardship, are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and that earn at or below 80 percent of area median income. Once approved, eligible households will receive up to 12 months of past due rent. Those eligible could also receive up to 3 months of additional rental assistance, if the household spends 30 percent or more of its gross monthly income on rent. The program also will provide up to 12 months of utility arrears for eligible applicants. Read the eligibility requirements and prepare to apply here.

 

The Town of Ossining partners with Sustainable Westchester to connect residents with information on how to save money and go green. If you are interested in solar energy, but cannot put panels on your home, the Community Solar program is perfect for you. Community Solar lets resident use electricity generated by nearby solar farms. The program can reduce your electric bill by up to 10%. Sustainable Westchester can help you sign up or answer any questions you might have. Visit the Sustainable Westchester website or call Sustainable Westchester's Claire Kokoska at 914-242-4725 ext. 112.

 

 

With the summer quickly approaching, the Town is preparing for summer events. One favorite that is returning is the Mind, Body, Spirit – Ossining program, which brings free wellness classes to our parks and open spaces. In the past the program has hosted yoga, belly dancing, tai chi, meditation, kickboxing, and much more. If your small business is interested in hosting an outdoor class, please contact my office at 914-762-6001 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

May is National Biking Month and TravelStorys is ready to help you combine cycling with history. With help from local partners, Historic Hudson RiverTowns created historic audio tours for drivers, walkers, and cyclists. Use the free TravelStorys app to learn about Ossining, Briarcliff, the Bear Mountain Bridge, or more than 15 other local sites. Bike lanes have been added to a number of local roads and we are happy to see residents explore this eco-friendly hobby.

 

 

You may have noticed a new ship docked in Ossining this week. Currently at Shattemuc Yacht Club, the Apollonia is a carbon-neutral merchant vessel powered by wind. The Schooner is delivering 12,000 pounds of grain to breweries and distilleries, in waterfront towns including our very own Sing Sing Kill Brewery. Transportation of goods is a major contributor to the release of greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere. It’s exciting to see local businesses embrace this green effort.

 

 

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps is seeking another EMT. OVAC gets about 4,000 ambulance calls a year in the Ossining area and neighboring municipalities. You can apply to be part of this amazing team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Earlier this week we learned that Mike Risko Music was named a Top 100 Music School and Store in the world for the 8th year in a row by NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants). This is quite prestigious and we are all so proud that one of “our own” continues to gain international recognition! Please join me in congratulating them on this achievement.

 

 

This Saturday, May 29^th Gullotta House will host its 5th Annual Charity Duck Race from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Dale Avenue Park! There will be a top prize of $1,500, a second prize of $250, and $100 gift cards for the third, fourth, and fifth prizes. For more information about this year's event or to purchase a duckie for the race, please click here.

 

 

Bethany Arts Center is hosting a nature walk tomorrow as its closing event for its exhibit (s)mother 2.0 care in (a time of) crisis. The exhibit was launched on Mother’s Day as an exploration of mothering and motherhood. The nature walk will begin at 2pm but you can catch the exhibit beforehand too. Visit the Bethany Arts Center website to learn more.

 

 

Wildflower Island is a two-acre refuge within the greater Teatown preserve, home to roughly 280 species of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and rushes. Join experienced guides on weekends in May and June to explore this natural paradise. Sign up on the Teatown website.

 

 

Juneteenth is celebrated across the country every June 19th in honor of the day Union soldiers reached Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free enslaved peoples. The day has taken on different names over the years (Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) and was only formally recognized by New York State for the first time last year. I will join the Juneteenth Council of Ossining on June 2 as we raise the Juneteenth Flag at Market Square. A separate Juneteenth celebration will take place on Juneteenth itself, Saturday, June 19 at Louis Engel Park at the Ossining waterfront.

 

 

On Wednesday, June 2 you can join Amanda Bayley to learn about native plants in your backyard. The Jug Tavern is hosting the event on Zoom, starting at 7:30. Pop in and for helpful information on gardening, our eco-region, and how to “rewild” your backyard.

 

 

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef will host a virtual Town Hall on June 3^rd to discuss Ranked Choice Voting. This method of voting was recently adopted in New York City and is quickly growing in popularity. Join the Assemblywoman and her panelists in a Zoom webinar using Meeting ID 829 9730 5054.

 

 

On June 4^th, I will join the Ossining LGBTQ Alliance as we raise the Pride flag at Market Square. June is Pride Month, a chance to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ community. The event will be livestreamed here starting at 9am.

 

 

Ossining Innovates and WEDC are launching Cohort 3 of their Inclusive Entrepreneurship Accelerator. This program is designed for residents considering opening their own business or non-profit. The free, year-long program includes 20 weeks of entrepreneurship training (Thursday evenings 6-9pm) as well as coaching, mentoring, and community support. Seats are limited, so fill out an application sooner rather than later. Learn more at ossininginnovates.com

The Town of Ossining is hosting its very first Compost Give Back Days on June 4^th and 5^th. Our Food Scrap Recycling program used to haul full toters to Ulster County to be converted to compost, but now they only have to travel to Sustainable Materials Management, Inc. in Cortlandt Manor, which is even better news for the environment. We are excited to be illustrating the full circle of food scrap recycling by providing compost from this facility. So, yes, the compost at this event really will be from Ossining’s food scraps and from other neighboring Westchester municipalities as well! Pick up some local compost and bring healthy nutrients back to your garden. We ask that people sign up in advance so we can be sure we have enough compost to go around. Learn more about Food Scrap Recycling and the Ossining Composts program here.

 

 

The Ossining Fire Department Venturing Crew 467 will be hosting Propane Tank Drop-Off Day on Sunday, June 6 from noon to 3. If you have some old empty propane tanks sitting around that cannot be refilled or exchanged, here’s your chance to safely get rid of them.

 

 

The AMD PTA is holding a Food Truck Friday Fundraiser on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 6-8 pm. Featured food trucks include Wanna Empanada, Gyro Uno, El Patio, and Mister Softee Ice Cream. All of the food trucks will be giving a portion of the evening's proceeds to AMD PTA. You can sign up for the event here.

 

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce held a Chamber Chats virtual meeting this week. These one-hour open forums are a chance for small business owners to connect and share ideas. The next meeting is June 17th. Hear from other owners and employees about the challenges and successes small businesses are facing. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

Stop by OVAC on June 18 for a blood drive. Our area is facing a blood shortage, a critical resource for hospitals. You can schedule your donation appointment here.

 

 

Artis Senior Living of Briarcliff Manor is holding Shred it Day, a chance for residents to protect sensitive information from ending up in the wrong hands. There is a suggested $10 donation to participate and proceeds will support the Alzheimer’s Association. RSVP online or by calling 914-223-7195.

 

 

The Ossining Public Library is leading a book discussion group that focuses on the literary works of African-American, African, and Afro-Caribbean authors. All discussions will take place virtually. If you are interested in being a part of this book club, email facilitator Barbara Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the zoom details.

 

 

The next Historic Sparta Walking Tour is scheduled for June 20 at 1pm. Join Dr. Alan M. Stahl, Sparta historian, resident, and vice-president of Jug Tavern of Sparta, Inc., for the fascinating 200 year history of The Jug Tavern as well as Sparta's homes and residents. The tours are outdoors, masked, and socially distanced. Sign up for the June tour here.

 

 

The inaugural Hudson Valley New Voices (HVNV) Festival continues at the Westchester Collaborative Theater next weekend. From June 4-6 HVNV will showcase Vintage Voices, featuring dramatic works by seniors. The festival concludes June 18 – 20 with Voices of Color, featuring original plays by writers who identify as People of Color. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (914) 263-4953.

 

 

May is Small Business Month. You may have seen this Bingo Board on our social media pages as a reminder of some of the easy ways to support our great businesses. Ossining and Briarcliff are full of amazing mom and pop shops. Please take the opportunity to think about buying locally first, whenever you have the urge to purchase!

 

 

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Work Session with a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 1st at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 837 5189 3782 and passcode 778627. Read the Meeting Agenda here. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

 

Wishing everyone a restful, enjoyable weekend as remember those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

 

--Dana

 

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!

Supervisor's Update – Friday, May 21, 2021

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Last Updated: 21 May 2021 21 May 2021

We received some sad news a few weeks ago. Ossining lost a dear friend to COVID-19: Albert Rivera, who worked for the Town for over 30 years, and retired as the foreman of our parks department in 2014. In retirement, Albert was able to spend time with his family, including his several grandchildren, who we know he treasured greatly. He was also a member of Cataract Hose Co. #2 on Waller Ave in the Village. Albert’s wife, Teri, and children Amanda, Danny, and Ryan will celebrate his life tomorrow with a low-key drop in event at the Ryder Park Pavilion from 11am-8pm. For anyone who knew what a sweetheart Albert was, you will surely want to stop by.

 

Residents went to the polls this past Tuesday to weigh in on school and library boards, budgets, bonds, and other issues. Briarcliff School District voters elected Michael Haberman and Swaroop Reddy to their Board of Education, and approved the school district budget and bond referendum. Ossining School District voters approved their school budget, and referendum to purchase the church property adjacent to Ossining High School, the Ossining Public Library budget, Shandi Speller and Alice Joselow for reelection to the Library Board, and Katherin Crossling and Roger Battacharia for the Ossining School Board. Congratulations to the winners, thank you to all the candidates and to everyone who came out to vote.

 

The Town is revving up for the summer. The Spray Park at Louis Engel Park will reopen on Saturday, May 29 (weather permitting). A summer favorite, the Spray Park will be open from noon to 7pm until the end of the summer season.

 

 

The best way to take advantage of great summer events is to get vaccinated. Luckily, there are a lot of convenient places to get the vaccine! Grand Central Station is hosting a pop-up vaccine clinic tomorrow from 8am to 1pm, if you are also looking for a quick day trip to NYC. Many of our local pharmacies also have the vaccine in stock, if you prefer to stay close to home.

 

 

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps (OVAC) is administering Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at its headquarters on 8 Croton Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome but scheduled appointments are preferred. Get an appointment here. Speaking of OVAC, this week is National EMS week. Chief Nick Franzoso and his team have gone above and beyond this past year. We are so thankful for their service and we are excited to extend special congratulations this week to OVAC on their purchase of a new ambulance! OVAC responds to about 4000 ambulance calls each year in Ossining and neighboring communities. Not to mention their presence at fairs and firework shows, to make sure help is nearby in case of an emergency.

 

 

Town Offices will be increasing our office hours to 9am to 4:30pm starting June 1st. Visitors and employees are still required to wear masks in shared spaces like hallways, restrooms, and counters. CDC and NYS Department of Health guidance recommend that in settings where vaccination status cannot be confirmed, like a public municipal building, mask wearing for all individuals is still recommended. As a reminder, kids and the immunocompromised cannot get vaccinated yet. By law, you must continue to wear a mask and social distance if you are not vaccinated. While it is exciting to venture out again without masks, it is important that we respect the health and safety needs of our friends, family, and neighbors. Businesses may require patrons to wear masks and events may also have this requirement. Be kind, it feels like we are finally rounding a corner on this virus.

 

The early phases of McCarthy Drive Road Rehabilitation project are underway, and this week the Town’s contractor, Montesano Bros., Inc. began to prep the area for construction. Residents in this area are encouraged to join our mailing list for information and updates. To be added to the mailing list, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Summer heat made an early appearance this week. As we crank up the air conditioning in our cars and offices, our electricity usage is going up. You can use the GridRewards app to lower your carbon footprint by using electricity during off-peak hours. One benefit of all this sunny weather: local solar farms are soaking up the sunlight to convert into electricity. You can use clean electricity generated by the sun without putting solar panels on your home. Sign up for Community Solar, a guaranteed savings program that can reduce your electric bill by up to 10%. Sustainable Westchester can help you sign up or answer any questions you might have. Visit the Sustainable Westchester website or call Sustainable Westchester's Claire Kokoska at 914-242-4725 ext. 112.

 

 

With the summer quickly approaching, the Town is preparing for summer events. One favorite that is returning is the Mind, Body, Spirit – Ossining program, which brings free wellness classes to our parks and open spaces. In the past the program has hosted yoga, belly dancing, tai chi, meditation, kickboxing, and much more. If your small business is interested in hosting an outdoor class, please contact my office at 914-762-6001 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

May is National Biking Month and TravelStorys is ready to help you combine cycling with history. With help from local partners, Historic Hudson RiverTowns created historic audio tours for drivers, walkers, and cyclists. Use the free TravelStorys app to learn about Ossining, Briarcliff, the Bear Mountain Bridge, or more than 15 other local sites. Bike lanes have been added to a number of local roads and we are happy to see residents explore this eco-friendly hobby.

 

 

The Ossining pre-kindergarten program has openings for 2021-2022. Learn about the process and register on the Ossining Union Free School District website. The Ossining Basics program is hosting a series of Countdown to Pre-K workshops with virtual lessons for families on how to kickstart their child’s early literacy learning before starting pre-K in the fall. Incoming pre-K families have been divided into groups for these virtual lessons, featuring educators and community members like Jessica Irons of Theater O and Ossining Public Library children’s librarian Ignayra Lopez. It is so important that our youngest learners start school with the “basics” to enhance early literacy and the Ossining schools community always steps up to help all our children start school on the right foot. Learn more about the Ossining Basics program here.

 

 

Earlier in this update I mentioned some of the amazing work done by OVAC. The team is currently seeking a new EMT. OVAC gets about 4,000 ambulance calls a year in the Ossining area and neighboring municipalities. You can apply to be part of this amazing team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

The Ossining Public Library is leading a book discussion group that focuses on the literary works of African-American, African, and Afro-Caribbean authors. All discussions will take place virtually. If you are interested in being a part of this book club, email facilitator Barbara Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the zoom details.

 

 

Wildflower Island is a two-acre refuge within the greater Teatown preserve, home to roughly 280 species of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, sedges, and rushes. Join experienced guides on weekends in May and June to explore this natural paradise. Sign up on the Teatown website.

 

 

ConnexRX Texter is designed to help residents access behavioral health care, medical care and other social supports such as housing, employment, education, childcare, and transportation. The “Texter” asks an individual a short series of questions that will assist with identifying challenges they may be experiencing due to the impact COVID-19 has had on their lives. Based on the texts received, CBHS Care Coordinators will contact individuals to connect them with services and supports.

 

 

Ossining Innovates and WEDC are launching Cohort 3 of their Inclusive Entrepreneurship Accelerator. This program is designed for residents considering opening their own business or non-profit. The free, year-long program includes 20 weeks of entrepreneurship training (Thursday evenings 6-9pm) as well as coaching, mentoring, and community support. Seats are limited, so fill out an application sooner rather than later. Learn more at ossininginnovates.com

Westchester Collaborative Theater is presenting Gen Z Outloud, until June 20. These virtual readings of plays written by young playwrights (ages 13 – 20) are the first part of WCT’s inaugural Hudson Valley New Voices (HVNV) Festival. HVNV continues June 4-6 with Vintage Voices, featuring dramatic works by seniors. The festival concludes June 18 – 20 with Voices of Color, featuring original plays by writers who identify as People of Color. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (914) 263-4953.

 

 

Artis Senior Living of Briarcliff Manor is hosting a free educational webinar to help people navigate this newest phase of the pandemic. Project Hope is a great resource and I encourage anyone who needs some support to reach out. Registration for this event is requested by Monday. Sign up here.

 

 

Gullotta House’s 5th Annual Charity Duck Race will take place next Saturday from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Dale Avenue Park! There will be a top prize of $1,500, a second prize of $250, and $100 gift cards for the third, fourth, and fifth prizes. For more information about this year's event or to purchase a duckie for the race, please click here.

Bethany Arts Center is hosting a nature walk as its closing event for its exhibit (s)mother 2.0 care in (a time of) crisis. The exhibit launched on Mother’s Day as an exploration of mothering and motherhood. The nature walk will begin at 2pm on Saturday, May 29 but you can catch the exhibit beforehand too. Visit the Bethany Arts Center website to learn more.

 

 

On Wednesday, June 2 you can join Amanda Bayley to learn about native plants in your backyard. The Jug Tavern is hosting the event on Zoom, starting at 7:30. Pop in and for helpful information on gardening, our eco-region, and how to “rewild” your backyard.

 

 

The Town of Ossining is hosting its very first Compost Give Back Days on June 4^th and 5^th. Our Food Scrap Recycling program used to haul full toters to Ulster County to be converted to compost, but now they only have to travel to Sustainable Materials Management, Inc. in Cortlandt Manor, which is even better news for the environment. We are excited to be illustrating the full circle of food scrap recycling by providing compost from this facility. So, yes, the compost at this event really will be from Ossining’s food scraps and from other neighboring Westchester municipalities as well! Pick up some local compost and bring healthy nutrients back to your garden. We ask that people sign up in advance so we can be sure we have enough compost to go around. Learn more about Food Scrap Recycling and the Ossining Composts program here.

 

 

The Ossining Fire Department Venturing Crew 467 will be hosting Propane Tank Drop-Off Day on Sunday, June 6 from noon to 3. If you have some old empty propane tanks sitting around that cannot be refilled or exchanged, here’s your chance to safely get rid of them.

 

 

The next Historic Sparta Walking Tour is scheduled for June 20 at 1pm. Join Dr. Alan M. Stahl, Sparta historian, resident, and vice-president of Jug Tavern of Sparta, Inc., for the fascinating 200 year history of The Jug Tavern as well as Sparta's homes and residents. The tours are outdoors, masked, and socially distanced. Sign up for the June tour here.

 

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce held a Chamber Chats virtual meeting this week. These one-hour open forums are a chance for small business owners to connect and share ideas. The next meeting is June 17th. Hear from other owners and employees about the challenges and successes small businesses are facing. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

Juneteenth is celebrated across the country every June 19th in honor of the day Union soldiers reached Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free enslaved peoples. The day has taken on different names over the years (Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) and was only formally recognized by New York State for the first time last year. I am excited New York State recognizes the importance of this event in US History, and even more excited that for the second year, we will be celebrating it here in Ossining. We will raise the Juneteenth flag at Market Square on June 2^nd, and then the Juneteenth Council of Ossining will host a separate Juneteenth celebration on Juneteenth itself, Saturday, June 19 at Louis Engel Park at the Ossining waterfront.

 

 

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 850 4012 8639 and passcode 558579. Read the Meeting Agenda here. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

 

Next week, there will actually be two Town Board meetings to attend, we are partnering with our friends on the Village of Ossining Board of Trustees to hold a joint meeting for non-profit organizations to present their CDBG grant requests. Under the CDBG, or Community Development Block Grant program, non-profits are required to satisfy public engagement requirements by presenting their proposed grant requests at a public meeting of the municipal board of the community in which they operate. We want the collective Ossining community to be as successful as possible obtaining grants through this program, so we are very excited to be jointly holding this meeting to help our non-profits further their grant requests.

 

I hope everyone enjoys the summer-like weather this weekend – stay cool!

--Dana

 

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!

Supervisor's Update – Friday, May 14, 2021

Details

Last Updated: 14 May 2021 14 May 2021

National elections always get a lot of attention, but local ballot measures should be viewed as equally important. On Tuesday, May 18, Ossining and Briarcliff residents head to the polls to vote on their School District Budgets, School Board candidates, and propositions. Ossining voters will have additional items on their ballots, including the Public Library Budget and Library Board candidates. Have you reviewed the candidates? Do you know if you are eligible to vote in this election? Don’t wait until Tuesday to do your research. More information about the elections in Briarcliff and Ossining is available online.

 

 

Mind Body Spirit Ossining continues this weekend with yoga at the waterfront. Elisha Simpson from Crossover Yoga Project will lead a trauma conscious yoga class tomorrow at 9am on the Engel Park stage. Bring your own mat and water, and remember to dress for movement. Weather permitting, these MBSO and CYP collaborations will take place every 3^rd Saturday this summer (June 19, July 17, and August 21).

 

 

We are getting closer and closer to life looking like it did before COVID, but even though the CDC announced we could drop mask wearing for most indoor settings for those who are fully vaccinated, NYS has not yet authorized that at this time. Current mask wearing protocols remain in effect.

 

On the upside, the COVID-19 vaccine shortage is over so you can easily get vaccinated and be ready for when those protocols are in effect for New Yorkers! Local pharmacies and state sites are taking regular appointments. All United States residents 12 and over are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers can report vaccine-related fraud by calling 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

A pop-up vaccine clinic with J&J vaccines opened this past Wednesday at the Ossining Train Station and will be in place from 3pm to 8pm until Sunday (5/16). No appointments are necessary, you must be 18 or older to be eligible for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

 

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps is administering the Moderna & Pfizer vaccines to anyone 12 and older. 12-17 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. At-home appointments are available or you can schedule to get the vaccine at 8 Clinton Avenue (OVAC headquarters). Walk-ins are welcome but you can also schedule an appointment here. If you are having trouble with the online sign-up form, the Ossining Briarcliff Vaccine Angels can help. Call 914-236-4567 and leave a message with your name and number.

 

 

On Wednesday, May 12 Sustainable Westchester hosted a Spanish language event about ways to save money, raise the value of your home, and lower your carbon footprint. You can view a recording of the livestreamed event here.

 

 

With the summer quickly approaching, the Town is preparing for summer events. One returning favorite is the Mind, Body, Spirit – Ossining program, which brings free wellness classes to our parks and open spaces. In the past the program has hosted yoga, belly dancing, tai chi, meditation, kickboxing, and much more. If your small business is interested in hosting an outdoor class, please contact my office at 914-762-6001 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

The Mario Cuomo Bridge will light up in teal tomorrow to raise awareness for National Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month. The bridge spans over three and half miles, making it a great way to get some exercise. Check out the free TravelStorys app to learn about the bridge and continue your learning with driving tours of Ossining and Briarcliff Manor. Historic Hudson River Towns created the audio tours, with help from local partners.

 

 

The early phases of McCarthy Drive Road Rehabilitation project are underway, and the Town’s contractor, Montesano Bros., Inc. will be on site starting Monday, May 17 to prep the area for construction. The Town’s project team, including our engineer from Dolph Rotfeld, led an update on Zoom this week for residents who live on/near this street. If you are a resident of McCarthy Drive or the surrounding area, and missed the Zoom meeting, our office can provide you access to a recording. Residents in this area are encouraged to join our mailing list for information and updates. To be added to the mailing list or access the Zoom recording of last night’s meeting, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Spring programming from the Recreation Department continues to impress, whether you are interested in stained glass painting or pickle ball! How about ball hockey with the New York Rangers or sculpting classes? Check out the full catalogue on the Community Pass page.

 

 

Signs of spring continue! The Parks Department added fresh clay to the ballfields at Ryder Park this week. They also repaved the multi-use gaming area at Gerlach, planted grass at Sparta Cemetery, and began building a new kayak pad at Engel Park. Signs were added at Ryder to remind residents that their furry friends should always be leashed in our parks. We spoke to the police department about this issue following some concerns from residents. If your dog is looking to get some off-leash exercise, consider the Cedar Lane Dog Park or the Ryder Park Dog Run. Make sure your dog is licensed through the Clerk’s office, and when you do, you will receive an annual pass to the dog park and dog run that is good for this year.

 

 

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act is offering relief to small businesses and hard-hit industries through a variety of programs. Regular applications for the Paycheck Protection Program closed last week, though distribution of this relief money through certain third parties is still available. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is accepting applications. Assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund is still also available. For more information, business owners can contact U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s local office at (914) 734-1532. Office staff can help walk you through the process to get the aid you need. You may have seen that the Town is anticipating funding from the American Rescue Plan as well. The Treasury Department will be issuing guidance for municipalities with populations under 50,000 next week, and we look forward to sharing with the community how the Town plans on spending these much needed funds to assist in our COVID-19 recovery.

 

The Ossining School District announced this week that Ossining MATTERS has launched a Building Equity in Learning (BELL) Fund. This fund represents a conscious effort to “advance equity of access and opportunities and eliminate barriers to success for children and youth.” The district has been a leader in addressing issues of inequity. To learn more or donate to this fund, visit the Ossining MATTERS website.

 

The Ossining Public Library is leading a book discussion group that focuses on the literary works of African-American, African, and Afro-Caribbean authors. All discussions will take place virtually. If you are interested in being a part of this book club, email facilitator Barbara Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the zoom details.

 

 

Westchester Craft Crawl will return this weekend. The 2021 spring Crawl features 56 regional professional craft artists from Westchester, NYC and the Hudson Valley region, with several stops in Ossining. Check out the full list of artists and stops along the crawl here.

 

 Wildflower Island is a two-acre refuge within the greater Teatown preserve, home to roughly 280 species of wildflowers, trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and rushes. Join experienced guides on weekends in May and June to explore this natural paradise. Sign up on the Teatown website.

 

 

Monthly Historic Sparta Walking Tours are back! Starting Sunday, join Dr. Alan M. Stahl, Sparta historian, resident, and vice-president of Jug Tavern of Sparta, Inc., who details the history of The Jug Tavern as well as Sparta's homes and residents over the past 200 years. The tours are outdoors, masked, and socially distanced. Sign up for the 1pm tour here.

 

 

ConnexRX Texter is designed to help residents access behavioral health care, medical care and other social supports such as housing, employment, education, childcare, and transportation. The “Texter” asks an individual a short series of questions that will assist with identifying challenges they may be experiencing due to the impact COVID-19 has had on their lives. Based on the texts received, CBHS Care Coordinators will contact individuals to connect them with services and supports.

 

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is offering Chamber Chats for local businesses to connect and share ideas. The next meeting is May 20th. Hear from other owners and employees about the challenges and successes small businesses are facing. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

 

Ossining Innovates and WEDC are launching Cohort 3 of their Inclusive Entrepreneurship Accelerator. This program is designed for residents considering opening their own business or non-profit. The free, year-long program includes 20 weeks of entrepreneurship training (Thursday evenings 6-9pm) as well as coaching, mentoring, and community support. Seats are limited, so fill out an application sooner rather than later. Join the group for an information session of May 20 at 7pm via Zoom (Meeting ID: 833 6479 4880, Passcode: 240631). Learn more at ossininginnovates.com.

From May 20 to June 20, Westchester Collaborative Theater will present Gen Z Outloud, virtual readings of plays written by young playwrights (ages 13 – 20), the first part of their inaugural Hudson Valley New Voices (HVNV) Festival. HVNV continues June 4-6 with Vintage Voices, featuring dramatic works by seniors. The festival concludes June 18 – 20 with Voices of Color, featuring original plays by writers who identify as People of Color. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (914) 263-4953.

 

 

Mark your calendars and save the date for Gullotta House’s 5th Annual Charity Duck Race on Saturday, May 29th from 10am - noon at Dale Avenue Park! There will be a top prize of $1,500, a second prize of $250, and $100 gift cards for the third, fourth, and fifth prizes. For more information about this year's event or to purchase a duckie for the race, please click here. Gullotta House has continued to provide free prepared meals to local families, and has even stepped in and delivered food to our seniors when we needed some help! Thank you for your support and we hope to see many of you and your ducks there!

 

The Town of Ossining is planning for its very first Compost Give Back Day! The Food Scraps Recycling program has been a great success and this special event will bring those healthy nutrients nearly full circle. The event is being planned for June, the perfect time for late gardeners. I will keep you updated about this event. Learn more about Food Scrap Recycling and the Ossining Composts program here.

 

 

On Wednesday, June 2 you can join Amanda Bayley to learn about native plants in your backyard. The Jug Tavern is hosting the event on Zoom, starting at 7:30. Pop in and for helpful information on gardening, our eco-region, and how to “rewild” your backyard.

 

 

The Ossining Fire Department Venturing Crew 467 will be hosting Propane Tank Drop-Off Day on Sunday, June 6 from noon to 3. If you have some old empty propane tanks sitting around that cannot be refilled or exchanged, here’s your chance to safely get rid of them.

 

 

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Work Session on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 844 7649 7214 and passcode 232916. Read the Meeting Agenda here. Our primary agenda item for the evening will be to discuss recommendations made to the Town Board from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee regarding how the Town can ensure that the goals and recommendations developed during this process are clearly communicated and considered by our Land Use Boards while the plan is still in development. At Work Sessions, members of the public are not invited to comment, but please join us to see the Town Board discuss this important topic. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

 

This week, Muslims around the world celebrated Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. For those who celebrate, I hope you and your family had an opportunity to mark this blessed holiday with joyous and happy celebrations, which are certainly welcome after this incredibly challenging year! Eid Mubarak!

 

 --Dana

 

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!