Facts of Life

Happy 30^th birthday to PCHS graduate Andrew Mutz who celebrates Dec. 13.

Congratulations to Valerie Ianello and John Melfa of Port Chester on the birth of their son Johnny, who was born on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 4, 2023, at Greenwich Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. Big brother Daniel and furry sister Shadow are very happy to welcome Johnny into their family. Merry first Christmas, Johnny!

Matthew Giuliano of Rye Brook has been named to the Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. He is a senior majoring in Biology and plays football.

Paula’s Pals 13th Annual Coat Drive, in memory of Paula Bertolacci, has been extended to Fri., Dec. 15. Collection boxes are located at the Rye Brook Recreation office, 938 King St., and at Posillipo Center, 32 Garibaldi Pl., Rye Brook. For additional information call 914/939-3235.

American Christmas, 30 Warren Pl., Mt. Vernon, the company that designs and installs most of Manhattan’s most famous displays for Christmas, will open its warehouse to the public Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 14-16 for an exclusive holiday décor sample sale. The public is invited to visit their warehouse from 12-6 p.m. on the 14th and 15th and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the 16th to view and purchase holiday décor from some of the most famous holiday displays in and around Manhattan in years past. There are decorations from iconic New York City late night television shows to some of the largest landmarks and retailers in New York City as well as many one-off pieces never used. There will also be open box items sold at 80% off wholesale pricing. In addition, American Christmas is bringing back “Fill a Bag of Ornaments” for $35 a bag.

Fitch Ratings has recognized Westchester County with a “AA” credit rating, the highest designation possible, which underscores the County’s commitment to maintaining a solid financial foundation.

The Village of Port Chester Recreation Dept. is once again sponsoring Letters to Santa. There is no need for a stamp, but please make sure your name and address are on your letter so Santa can reply. The deadline to receive a return letter is Dec. 9. Santa’s Mailbox is located at the Port Chester Village Hall main entrance, 222 Grace Church St., Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. thru Dec. 8. The mailbox will also be available at Port Chester Recreation’s Christmas event on Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collections will be Sun., Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Middle School parking lot on Bowman Avenue, Rye Brook. Collections generally take place on the first and third Sunday of each month. Call 914/200-1464 for updated information.

Clay Art Center in Port Chester has announced that their schedule of winter classes is available to view online at www.clayartcenter.org. Registration has begun,

The Village of Port Chester and the Port Chester Fire Department are partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves this season on Toys for Tots. There are four locations for residents to donate toys and gifts: Port Chester Fire Department Headquarters, 209 Westchester Ave., Port Chester Southend Fire House, 51-53 Grace Church St., Village Hall, 222 Grace Church St. and the Port Chester Senior Community Center, 220 Grace Church St. Toys and donations may be dropped off thru Fri., Dec. 8. A list of the types of donations broken down by age group is provided at www.portchesterny.gov

Westchester County’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive is taking place thru Dec. 14 to provide holiday gifts to around 1,000 children in Westchester in foster care, in homeless shelters and receiving preventive and protective services. New, unwrapped gifts appropriate for ages newborn to 21 (please no stuffed animals or violent toys) can be dropped off at the Department of Social Services, 112 E. Post Rd., White Plains, Westchester County Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains or White Plains District Office, 85 Court St., White Plains. Monetary donations are accepted in the form of gift cards, Zelle/cash or checks made payable to Westchester Child Welfare Holiday Fund mailed to Barbara Sabater, 112 E. Post Rd., Room 637, White Plains, NY 10601. Electronic donations: Zelle ID email: [email protected]

Hanukkah stamps can be purchased now at local post offices or online at www.usps.com. The holiday runs thru Dec. 14.

The County Clerk’s Office has received an increased number of certificates of honorable discharge from service in the U.S. Armed Forces (commonly referred to as a DD-214) being submitted for filing. Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni is asking residents to be aware that some companies may charge fees for filing the discharge certificate in his office or in obtaining certified copies of a previously filed certificate.

Clerk Idoni stated, “Honorably discharged veterans have a right to file the Certificate of Honorable Discharge or DD-214 and to obtain certified copies at any time from the Office of the Westchester County Clerk without retaining a private service or paying any fees.” He warned that one should not be persuaded by official-looking mailers or websites.

If a veteran has not yet filed their DD-214, they can simply bring the original (or a certified copy, pursuant to law) of the discharge document with valid identification to the Legal Division at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri., excluding holidays. The Clerk will record the document and provide certified copies at no cost. The original discharge document may also be returned to the veteran upon request. The filed honorable discharge is kept safely on record and not disclosed to the public to preserve confidentiality. Certified copies can always be obtained for no fee at any point in time by the veteran or those authorized by law to have access. For further questions, call the Clerk’s Legal Division at 914/995-3070 or visit the website, www.westchesterclerk.com.

Lifting Up Westchester, a non-profit agency committed to helping individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger achieve self-sufficiency, has announced its seventh annual high school student essay contest. It is open to all students attending school in Westchester in grades 7-12. This year’s contest is called “Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes,” because they are asking students to learn about the different programs offered by Lifting Up Westchester and to write a narrative about someone who accessed and benefited from one of these programs. The student’s story can be inspired by real events, such as someone they knew, have seen in school, in their community or in their travels or the story can be from the student’s imagination. First, second and third place cash prizes will be awarded in each of three grade groups—7th & 8th, 9th & 10th and 11th & 12th--$500 for first prize, $250 for second prize and $100 for third prize. Students can enter until Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. at www.liftingupwestchester.org. Winners will be announced in early March 2024 and an awards ceremony will be held Apr. 14, 2024.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the annual Create a Watershed Superhero Poster Contest for middle school students. The theme challenges students to create their own superhero to inspire environmental stewardship. Posters will be accepted thru Jan. 12. The winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA’s 2025 annual calendar. To participate in the 2023-24 school year contest, NYS teachers, schools and clubs are advised to visit the DEC’s website, dec.ny.gov

2024 Mah Jongg cards can be ordered now with payment by cash or check payable to Leslie Brandeis and mailed to her or dropped at her heme, 48 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook, or at the home of Allene Berman, 20 Mohegan Lane, Rye Brook. $14 for standard print; $15 for large print. Orders must be received by Feb. 5. For additional information email Leslie at [email protected] or Allene at [email protected]

ConEd is performing electric upgrade work in Rye Brook thru Dec. 29. During work times there may be limited street parking, noise and temporary closures. For information, go to [email protected]

Congregation K.T.I. is participating again this school year in Food 2 Grow On to provide bags of groceries each weekend and during school vacations to alleviate hunger and food insecurity among elementary-school aged children at Edison, Park Avenue and King Street schools in Port Chester. They also welcome checks made payable to Food 2 Grow On, mailed c/o the Rotary Club, P.O. Box. 26, Port Chester, NY 10573. Food donations needed include: healthy cereal, peanut butter (14-16 oz. jars), tuna fish, canned fruit (14-18 oz. cans)—store brands are OK. Food donations can be dropped in the bins at 48 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook. For questions or to arrange a pickup of donations call Leslie at 914/939-8659 or email her at [email protected]

The Westchester County Department of Health is reminding families to book back-to-school vaccine visits with their child’s healthcare provider or at the free back-to-school clinics. Families with no insurance, ChildHealthPlus or Medicaid should call the County Health Department to schedule an appointment for vaccines at no charge. Call 914/995-5800 to see if you qualify and to secure a spot at the Health Department Clinic, 134 Court St., White Plains. Appointments are Fridays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

At Congregation KTI it is a Mitzvah (good deed) moment for all to help feed those in the community who are needy. All food collected in KTI’s ongoing drive is being given to the Salvation Army in Port Chester. Food requested includes cans of tuna, chicken, vegetables, beans and fruit as well as pasta, 10-16-ounce bags/boxes of white rice, snacks, shelf-stable milk, healthy cereals, macaroni and cheese and canned meals like Chef-Boy-r-Dee, chili, etc. The food can be left in bins in Leslie Brandeis Novack's driveway at 48 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook.