Facts of Life

Happy birthday to Charles Nielsen of Port Chester who celebrates May 4.

Happy anniversary to Josephine and Dan Colangelo of Port Chester who celebrate May 5.

Mikayla Tucci of Rye Brook was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Mikayla was initiated at Sacred Heart University in Baton Rouge, La.

Gwen Dominguez of Port Chester has received the University at Albany's Spellman Award for Highest Academic Achievement. The Spellman Awards program was established in 1986 as a way to recognize and acknowledge the academic achievements of UAlbany students of African, Asian, Latino and Native American heritage. It is presented annually to scholars who are full-time undergraduates with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above and have been matriculated at the University for a minimum of two consecutive semesters. Top Academic Achievement Award honorees are the highest-ranking male and female recipients of African, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino and Native American heritage in their class.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collection will be Sun., May 5, 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.

Tennessee Gas will be doing work on their gas lines at their location near the Blind Brook Middle School/High School campus. The work will start on Sunday evening, May 5, and will run through Tuesday. There is no danger, but there may be a gas odor in the area while they are performing this work.

The MI Toastmasters Club #1322088 will hold an in-person Open House Wed., May 8, 6:15-7:45 p.m. at Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Ave., Yonkers, and online via Zoom. Toastmasters is a safe place to grow your confidence in public speaking. Their bi-monthly meetings on the 2^nd & 4^th Wednesday each month are composed of a diverse community of adults to help hone speaking abilities in a supportive and inclusive environment. From refining prepared speeches to mastering impromptu talks, they will help you become an effective communicator while nurturing leadership skills.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced the debut of the new Westchester Craft Beverage Trail and free online passport. The trail includes more than 24 distilleries, craft breweries and cideries throughout the region. A free, online passport for users age 21 and older allows them to easily sip and savor their way across the County while earning rewards for fun items reflecting Westchester’s craft culture. Learn more at www.visitwestchestercounty.com/things-to-do/dining/craft-beverage/trail/

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that the application period is now open for the 2024 Carey Gabay Fellowship Program that honors his legacy of service to his fellow New Yorkers, especially those living in the disadvantaged communities he sought to uplift. The Fellowship is a paid two-year legal program that appoints an attorney every two years to a placement in the Governor’s office. The Fellow works directly with the Counsel to the Governor and their staff on issues such as violence prevention, economic equality and community development. Applications will be accepted thru May 15 at www.ny.gov/new-york-state-fellowship-programs/empire-state-fellows-program#carey-gabay-fellowship

Jay Heritage Center in Rye has won the 2024 $40,000 Garden Club of America Founders Fund Award. The winning grant was awarded to JHC for the purpose of replanting Indigenous and historic Northeastern species to create an edible plant learning center. www.jayheritagecenter.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced four additional designated Free Fishing Days in New York: June 29 & 30, 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.

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]

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 oz. 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.