Facts of Life

Happy birthday to Daniel Ianello Melfa of Port Chester who celebrates his 5th birthday on May 24. Love, Grandma, Grandpop, Mommy, Daddy, Johnny, and Shadow!

Happy birthday to Chrissy Colangelo Beadle of Port Chester who celebrates May 19.

Happy birthday to Carolee Brakewood of Port Chester who celebrates May 19.

Happy birthday to David Rednick, the son of Lois and Jeffrey Rednick of Rye Brook, who turns 23 May 24.

A very happy birthday to Westmore News Assistant Editor Sarah Wolpoff who celebrates May 20. Best wishes from the staff and your many friends in the community.

Happy birthday to former Rye Brook Trustee Randy Solomon of West Harrison who celebrates May 22.

Happy birthday to PCHS graduate and NYC Police Officer Billy Irwin who celebrates May 22.

Happy birthday to Naama Tillie Abel, daughter of the late Steven Abel and Yael Abel of Kibbutz Kfar Charuv, Golan Heights, Israel, who turns 28 May 21. Also, congratulations on your recent engagement. She is the niece of Richard and Jananne Abel of Port Chester.

David Ramos Flores of Port Chester earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Albright College in Reading, Pa. May 12. He is a graduate of Port Chester High School and majored in Accounting, Economics and Finance: Financial Analyst.

Ethan Reed of Rye Brook, a member of the class of 2024 majoring in Data Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., recently completed a senior thesis that is required of all graduating seniors as part of the university's distinctive project-based educational experience. The project, Implementing Radar Technology on Drones for Subsurface Soil, was Ethan's Major Qualifying Project, one that is usually team-based and often focuses on very specific issues or needs of an organization that has partnered with the university to sponsor the student's work.

Rachel Horn of Rye Brook, a student at Blind Brook High School, was among the students who were recognized recently for their musical accomplishments by State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and County Executive George Latimer. Rachel is a member of the All-State Symphonic Band. Members of the All-State Symphonic Orchestra, the All-State Mixed Chorus, the All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the Winter Conference Piano Showcase and the All-State Music Composers were also recognized.

Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated 228 new State Troopers as they graduated May 15 from the 214th Session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. The graduation increases the State Police ranks to 4,977 sworn members including Anthony T. Tiso of Rye Brook, a member of Group K.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collection will be Sun., May 19, 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 Westchester County Health Department is offering free mosquito dunks that residents can place in bird baths, rain barrels, unused pools and lined ornamental ponds that contain standing water Fri., May 17, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Department of Public Works, 198 Lake St., White Plains. 914/995-2925.

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by philanthropist and New York Mets owner Alex Cohen, has awarded a grant of $40,000 to Hillside Food Outreach to support the nonprofit’s efforts fighting food insecurity in New York and Connecticut communities, including Port Chester. The Foundation has provided over $1.2 billion in charitable support to nonprofit organizations since its inception in 2001, including some of the most impactful hunger-focused missions in New York and Connecticut such as City Harvest, God’s Love We Deliver, Person to Person, and River House Adult Day Center.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, located in the footprints of the Twin Towers in NYC, announced that beginning June 3 it will offer free admission exclusively to New Yorkers on the first Monday of each month. This program provides New Yorkers a special opportunity to see the Museum with one another and to reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed the city and nation in the wake of 9/11. The Memorial can be visited daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; the Museum is open Wed.-Mon., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

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 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 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.