December Bulletin Board
Congratulations to Snedens Landing Tennis Association’s 2007 tournament winners. They are: Mary Ann Brown – women’s singles, Danny Leherecke - men’s singles, Mark Cohen and Cynthia Kling – mixed doubles.
Multi-talented Mikhail Baryshnikov has joined the ranks of children’s book authors with his charming new book, “Because…” Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers and illustrated by Vladimer Padunsky, it tells of a young boy who lives with his grandmother and is embarrassed by her but comes to realize that she has a good reason for her strange behavior.
Palisadian Luke Freeley was singled out by Rockland Magazine in its August issue as one of ten “A+” Rockland teachers who “motivate students with varied, lively approaches; who are accessible and enthusiastic; and who simply love going to work every day.” Luke teaches 4th and 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies in the South Orangetown School District.
Sam Patrick Busby Lawrence, the sixth grandchild of Mary Ann and Hannes Brueckner, entered the world on August 18th. His parents are Jacob Lawrence and Sue Busby.
Jeannie and Andy Boose are celebrating the birth of grandson Hudson Avery Boose who arrived on October 17th; he’s their third grandchild and the first child of John and Erin.
Leslie and Dennis Hayes have added another grandchild to bring their impressive total to eight. Bennett was born November 2nd to Jeff and Elan (Kaplan) Barish.
The Captain Larry Sneden House sold this month after having been owned by Bob and Stacy Schmetterer for the past 30 years. They considered themselves “caretakers” of this historic property and they were intent on selling to someone who valued the house, its history and its significance to the community. After rejecting offers from parties interested in expanding it, changing it and even tearing it down and building new on the magnificent site, they had the good fortune to find a buyer in our own community (the new owner asked not to be identified) who is known as an ardent preservationist and who plans to leave the house exactly as it is. The Schmetterers also sold their abutting property to the north to their son and daughter-in-law Tyler and Sharon Schmetterer who have now completed their own beautiful addition to the community.
Cynthia Fuller-Kling and husband Scott joined our community the end of June, renting a Highland Avenue house owned by Mickie Hahn. Scott is a sculptor; Cynthia has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. The couple has two daughters; Lucie is in 10th grade and Julia attends Hampshire College in Massachusetts.
Welcome to all the new homeowners on Heyhoe Woods Road. Paul and Lysette Georges are building a house on the lot at the end of the road where Maurice Ewing’s brother John used to live. Bob and Kim Seaman have moved into the house recently vacated by Patty and Eric Moser, who moved around the corner onto Oak Tree Road. Several other houses on the street are for sale or were recently sold; we look forward to meeting all our new neighbors.
Avi Barak (better known as BJ), son of Tuvia and Joanne Barak, is running his 6th Arizona marathon as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society team. If you would like to help sponsor him or just learn more about his impressive efforts click on his website: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnyc/tntnycABarak5
One to One Learning provides English classes for recent immigrants. This successful program, supported by numerous Palisadians, celebrated its 10th anniversary the end of September. It is run by Sister Cecilia La Pietra, O.P. and meets in the basement of St. John’s church in Piermont on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 8:30 pm. Palisadians who would like to participate in this very rewarding program as volunteer teachers should call Sr. Cecilia at 359-423
Palisades Route 9W
All the so-called desirable properties in Palisades on Route 9W are looking a bit shabby these days. The medical center has been a thorn on Route 9W since its construction. Few people understood how that project was approved and its purpose remained a mystery. Since the summer, the building has been on the market for sale or rent. In September, a call to JD Venture Capital revealed that a sale was in the process and that it will be used for offices, not medical purposes. The sale price was reported at, “very close to the asking price,” which was over $4 million. However, a more recent call revealed that the property has not been sold and they are still actively seeking a buyer.
Over the last three years, it’s been hard to keep track of who owns the golf course as it has passed through different owners and developers. In 2005-06, MWD Star Group developed plans and received building approvals from the various Town Boards and agencies. Then Lennar Homes purchased the property in March of 2006 and began developing it. By mid-summer 2006, they put it back on the market for $12 million. In February 2007, after no consumer interest, the price was dropped to $9 million. This past spring, a Lennar representative said that they were not representing the Palisades property and that it was in a title transfer. On the land records, however, there is no indication of any sale and the Lennar sign still remains on the property. Recent calls of inquiry were not returned. On Lennar’s voice-mail menu of their five “new home communities,” the Reserve at Palisades has been removed as an option.
Across the street, the gas station owned by the Kennell family for seventy years, sits over-grown and abandoned with its windows broken, dirt and garbage piled up and graffiti spray painted on its historic walls. The small Kennel brick home across the street has been abandoned for years.
Carol Baxter
How We Voted
Palisades Vote, November 6th. It was a good turnout in Palisades for an off-year election with approximately one half of registered voters voting – 329 in District #12 and 205 in District # 50. The Palisades vote was in synch with the total vote in Orangetown where Democrats won in all contested races except Rockland Sheriff.
Palisades Districts # 12 and #50 Town Supervisor and Town Council: Kleiner – 238 & 112 vs. DelPizzo – 84 & 70 Low-Hogan – 212 & 101 vs. Morr – 94 & 75 Maturo – 215 & 108 vs. O’Donnell – 68 & 77
Legislature District 17: Coker – 219 vs. Valentine - 100 (in Palisades district #12)
Town Clerk:
Madigan – 235 & 124 vs. Murphy – 68 & 57
District Attorney:
Zugibe – 204 & 103 vs. Bongiorno – 109 & 85
State Supreme Court: Slobod – 225 & 81 vs. Krahulik – 74 & 67 Nicolai – 200 & 85 vs. Bellantoni – 99 & 76 Berliner – 209 & 83 vs. Sherwood – 97 & 74
Rockland Sheriff:
O’Neill – 227 & 100 vs. Kralik – 89 & 88
Ed. Note: All Palisades registered voters are in Districts #12 and #50; a few adjoining Sparkill streets are included in these districts. The total votes in Orangeown and Rockland County can be found on the internet.
Last chance to be in the new Palisades Comunity directory. Send your name, address, phone number and E-mail (optional) along with $7 to Lynne Sandhaus, 201 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964. Make checks payable to the Palisades Community Directory.