Facts of Life

Happy first birthday to Johnny Ianello Melfa of Port Chester who will be one on Sept. 4. Your big smile brings us so much joy! Love, Grandma, Grandpop, Mommy, Daddy, Daniel, and Shadow.

Happy birthday to Paul J. Brezovsky, Sr. of Port Chester who celebrates Sept. 3.

Happy birthday to Hope Klein of Rye Brook who celebrates Sept. 3.

Happy birthday to Phillip Jenks of Port Chester who celebrates Sept. 4.

Happy birthday to former Westmore News reporter Casey Watts, now an SEO Specialist and Content Coordinator at Cornerstone Healing Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

Happy birthday to Wendy Del Monte of New Milford, Conn., formerly of Port Chester, who celebrates Sept. 8.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collections will be Sun., Sept. 1, 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.

The Village of Rye Brook began road resurfacing Mon., Aug. 26. It will go on for approximately three weeks depending upon weather conditions. Work will be completed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. During this time, road surfaces will be milled, drain inlets adjusted, roads prepared for a new surface, and striping added as appropriate. Road work will occur on the following roads (in no particular order):

*Hillcrest Ave.—Neuton to Woodland Ave.

*Maywood Ave.—Hillcrest to N. Ridge

*Irenhyl Ave.—N. Ridge to Hillcrest

If you have any concerns or questions, call the Public Works Department at 914/939-0753.

Jada Smith of Port Chester graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environment, Sustainability and Society from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. during the May 18 commencement ceremony.

The Westchester County Department of Health is offering free vaccines required for school attendance. Vaccines are available at their White Plains Clinic, 134 Court St., Mondays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 914/995-5800.

The Village of Port Chester is seeking to hire a new, part-time food service helper for the Senior Community Center. Examples of work: set tables, serve food from steam tables; clean tables, chairs, serving tables, and other equipment; wash and dry pots & pans; clear tables & refill condiments, sugar, shakers and related work as required. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resumé directly to the Village Manager at [email protected]. $17 per hour/ 17.5 hours per week.

Port Chester Council for the Arts, Inc. is seeking professional visual artists who would like to be considered for participation in their upcoming art show, ART10573, to be held Sun., Oct. 20 at the Crawford Mansion Community Center in Rye Brook. There are a limited number of spots available. Interested artists should email [email protected] for more information and an application which is due by Fri., Sept. 27. 

Congregation K.T.I. is participating again this school year in Food 2 Grown On to provide bags of groceries each weekend and during school vacations to alleviate hunger and food insecurity among elementary-aged children at Edison, Park Avenue and King Street school in Port Chester. Checks made payable to Food 2 Grow On are also welcome and should be mailed c/o the Rotary Club, P.O. Box 26, Port Chester, NY 10573. Food donations requested include healthy cereal, peanut butter (14-16 oz. jars), tuna fish, canned fruit (14-18 oz. size)—store brands are OK. Food donations can be dropped in the ox 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]

 Meals on Main Street has announced its new Executive Director is Jon Haseltine. Prior to joining Meals on Main Street, he held multiple leadership positions overseeing large-scale nonprofit operations throughout NYC. www.mealsonmainstreet.org

Rye Brook Recreation has announced that its Fall 2024 Brochure is now available for viewing. Registration for fall programs will open Wed., Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m. Programs with an early Sept.  starts day are already open on Community Pass (Grit Ninja, Snapology & Pickleball). Youth Basketball will begin with practices in Nov. and games on Dec. 7. The rating sessions will be in Oct. Please register early. To view the brochure and to register go to 2024-fall-book.pdf (storage.googleapis.com)

Playland Park in Rye has announced a first-time participation with The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester to offer live music and entertainment at Playland’s Main Stage every other weekend thru-Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. as follows: Aug. 31: Taylor’s Version—A Swiftie Dance Party. In addition, weekly Friday and Saturday night fireworks take place at 9 p.m. thru Aug. 31, launched from the end of the pier at Playland and viewable from the amusement park, the Playland Boardwalk and from Rye Town Park. On Sat. Aug. 31 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Playland will offer a special ferry experience departing from the Playland Pier. Join tour guide Barbara Davis, Co-Director of the Westchester County Historical Society on an hour-long voyage through the past, complete with local lore. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.playland.com

Playland and The Capitol Theatre are also presenting The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a family concert series, every other Sunday at 2 p.m. until Sept. 1. It translates some of music’s most recognizable anthems into age-appropriate sing-alongs suitable for listeners of all ages with classic titles from a variety of genres such as classic rock, new wave, pop, and pop-punk. Sept. 1: The Music of The Beatles and more for kids. For more information, go to https://playland.com

Gov. Kathy Hochul has designated three more Free Fishing Days in New York this year, the first date having just been added in the last week: Aug. 31, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11. During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters. The Free Fishing Days program provides a great opportunity for aspiring anglers to try freshwater fishing for the first time or former anglers to reconnect with one of America’s favorite pastimes.

Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark in Middlebury, CT has announced the launch of a new tradition—Hispanic Heritage Month—every weekend Sept. 7-29. This celebration highlights the rich Hispanic culture that has long been a vibrant park of the community. Guests can purchase All Day Ride Wristbands for $21.99 + tax when bought online at www.quassy.com

Rye Brook Recreation has announced that registration for the 2024-25 After-School Program is now open. Monthly fees: $275 for 2 days per week; $370 for 3 days per week; $435 for 4 days per week and $525 for 5 days per week. For information, call Rocky Furano at 914/438-2087 or [email protected]

Rye Brook Village offices and the Rye Brook Senior Center will close at 2 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 30.

SUNY Westchester Community College has been selected for another year of funding by All Within My Hands, the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica. SUNY WCC will continue to use the Metallica Scholars Initiative’s $5,000 funding to support students looking to enter or further their careers in Advanced Manufacturing. It will focus its efforts on programs that provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills increasingly needed in the regional job market. Students will take coursework in machine learning, CNC, and other National Institute of Metallurgy certified competencies that lead to high-skill, high-wage career pathways in advanced manufacturing. No prior knowledge of manufacturing is necessary.