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Playwriting for Kids in Mount Kisco

<p></p> <h2>Join Let's Make a Play for <a href="https://wmnunite.org/classes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">playwriting for kids in Mount Kisco with Women Unite</a>.</h2> <p>Starting on October 3rd from 4:00pm - 5:30pm, kids in grades 3-6 will learn how to go from idea to a completed play in 9 weeks in a fun, engaging, and creative environment. Improv, shared readings, and a lot of writing!</p> <p>Located at the Tea House in Leonard Park, Mount Kisco. Come for one, a few, or all 9 classes. Sign up at <a href="https://wmnunite.org/classes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://wmnunite.org/classes/</a></p>

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Adult Playwriting Lab in Mount Kisco

<p></p> <p>Join Serena Norr of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.letsmakeaplay.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Let's Make a Play</a>&nbsp;for a 6-week playwriting lab where you will develop a short play or monologue,&nbsp;going from an idea to a finished play. Writers will be guided throughout the process in a&nbsp;collaborative environment as they learn about developing characters, dialogue, tone, setting, place, mood, and more! Readings and shared texts are also part of the course. The last class ends with a staged reading of your work.</p> <p>The class is for&nbsp;all adult creatives -- no experience needed. Reach out to <a href="mailto:serena@letsmakeaplay.com">serena@letsmakeaplay.com</a> with any questions.</p> <p>A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Mt. Kisco Arts Council.</p> <div> <div><strong>Class runs from Mon, Sep 12, 2022&nbsp;at&nbsp;6:00 PM - Monday, October 17th at 6:00pm</strong></div> </div> <address><strong>175 Main St, Mt Kisco, NY, 10549</strong></address> <p><strong>More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monday-playwriting-lab-tickets-393087173317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow norefferer">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monday-playwriting-lab-tickets-393087173317</a></strong></p>

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Watch Goosebumps 2 - Haunted Halloween at Kensico Dam Plaza on Friday!

<p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;Pumpkin spice season brings an expanded drive-in movie line up to Westchester County Parks as Screenings Under the Stars, sponsored by White Plains Hospital, continues at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla and Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Through the generosity of our partner, White Plains Hospital, we are delighted to extend the popular family-friendly, drive-in movie program into sweater weather. I am grateful for the support of our partners who make such programming a reality for the families of Westchester.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “There’s no better way to spend a crisp, fall night than watching a fun Halloween movie with family and friends on the big screen. Thank you to our dedicated staff for making this event possible.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All movies will be held on Friday night after dark:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">October 15 Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween PG (2018) at Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">October 22 Hocus Pocus PG (1993) at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gates open at 5:30 p.m., movies at dusk. Event is rain or shine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All movies will be ticketed-admission events, with purchase available by&nbsp;<strong>online pre-sale only</strong>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Tickets go on sale for Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween today, Wednesday, October 6, at 2 p.m. online </strong></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE6LQJU6a4mVtXJfFE9bXTmUz9Tvg">here</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Tickets go on sale for Hocus Pocus Wednesday, October 13, at 2 p.m. online at&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE6LQJU6a4mVtXJfFE9bXTmUz9Tvg">here</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tickets are $25 per car and there will be limited capacity following distancing protocols.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">White Plains Hospital’s Screenings under the Stars is presented by Westchester County Parks and Sharc Creative with Westchester Parks Foundation, and support from Westchester Talk Radio, 100.7 WHUD, 107.1 The Peak, Hamlethub, Iona College, Palisades Mazda/The Premier Collection, Robison, LLP, Tompkins Mahopac Bank, Holtec International, Inspiria Outdoor Advertising, and Westchester Magazine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ticket link will be listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://parks.westchestergov.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://parks.westchestergov.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFf-Nc3hlHUPpbASfmL6SE3sbJFEQ">parks.westchestergov.com</a>.</span></p>

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SCREENINGS UNDER THE STARS Drive -in screenings expanded

<p><img title="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.hamlethub.com/hh20mediafolder/4752/202110/wc-logo-1633553779.jpeg" alt=""></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;Pumpkin spice season brings an expanded drive-in movie line up to Westchester County Parks as Screenings Under the Stars, sponsored by White Plains Hospital, continues at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla and Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Through the generosity of our partner, White Plains Hospital, we are delighted to extend the popular family-friendly, drive-in movie program into sweater weather. I am grateful for the support of our partners who make such programming a reality for the families of Westchester.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Kathy O’Connor said: “There’s no better way to spend a crisp, fall night than watching a fun Halloween movie with family and friends on the big screen. Thank you to our dedicated staff for making this event possible.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All movies will be held on Friday night after dark:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">October 15 Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween PG (2018) at Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">October 22 Hocus Pocus PG (1993) at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gates open at 5:30 p.m., movies at dusk. Event is rain or shine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All movies will be ticketed-admission events, with purchase available by&nbsp;<strong>online pre-sale only</strong>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Tickets go on sale for Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween today, Wednesday, October 6, at 2 p.m. online at</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE6LQJU6a4mVtXJfFE9bXTmUz9Tvg">https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-202</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Tickets go on sale for Hocus Pocus today Wednesday, October 13, at 2 p.m. online at</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE6LQJU6a4mVtXJfFE9bXTmUz9Tvg">https://www.showclix.com/event/screenings-2021</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tickets are $25 per car and there will be limited capacity following distancing protocols.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">White Plains Hospital’s Screenings under the Stars is presented by Westchester County Parks and Sharc Creative with Westchester Parks Foundation, and support from Westchester Talk Radio, 100.7 WHUD, 107.1 The Peak, Hamlethub, Iona College, Palisades Mazda/The Premier Collection, Robison, LLP, Tompkins Mahopac Bank, Holtec International, Inspiria Outdoor Advertising, and Westchester Magazine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ticket link will be listed at&nbsp;<a href="http://parks.westchestergov.com/" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://parks.westchestergov.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1633636100861000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFf-Nc3hlHUPpbASfmL6SE3sbJFEQ">parks.westchestergov.com</a>.</span></p>

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Westchester to Kick Off Italian-American Heritage Month Tomorrow at Kensico Dam Plaza

<p><img title="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.hamlethub.com/hh20mediafolder/4752/202110/wc-logo-1633365608.jpeg" alt=""></p> <p>To commemorate Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, which is celebrated to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, a flag raising ceremony will be held on&nbsp;<strong>Tuesday, October 5 at 3:15 p.m. at Kensico Dam Plaza</strong>. The heritage month is in October to coincide with Columbus Day, the American national holiday traditionally celebrated on the second Monday in October.</p> <p>Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Many Italians-American residents live in Westchester County because this is where their ancestors chose to settle down and work hard to provide for their families, dating all the way back to the early 1900s at Kensico Dam as it was built by Italian immigrant masons with stone quarried from the adjacent Cranberry Lake Preserve. I feel especially close to this part of our history as my great-grandparents were part of that migrate wave, from Benevento, Italy. Raising the Italian flag at Kensico Dam Plaza is a reminder of the important role Italians had in making Westchester what it is today.”</p> <p>Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor said, “Kensico Dam Plaza is home to where we celebrate many of the cultures that make up Westchester County. Having the Italian flag here for October representing Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is just one way parks can help honor the diversity of Westchester.</p> <p>Italian-American Heritage Month celebrates the distinguished cultural contributions of Americans with Italian lineage.<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Tuesday, October 5</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>3:15 p.m.</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Kensico Dam Plaza</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>1 Bronx River Parkway</strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Valhalla, NY 10595</strong></p>

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Pediatric Offices are Returning to In-Person Visits, But Telehealth Will Continue to Play a Role

<p></p> <p>Over the last 18 months, telehealth provided a critical bridge for patients hoping to connect with their doctors and yet avoid in-person visits to their providers’ offices for fear of exposure to COVID-19.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Open Door Family Medical Center pediatricians like&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Andrew Swiderski</strong>&nbsp;found connecting by telephone, through video or the exchange of photos, helpful in engaging the parents of his young patients.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was effective for such things as displaying rashes, discussing the reasons for getting children vaccinated against the virus, and giving tips on toilet training.&nbsp;When telehealth did not suffice, he met patients in the parking lot next to his Ossining Open Door office or under the awning of nearby retailers, creating meaningful connections and ensuring consistent medical care.&nbsp;</p> <p>According to Dr. Swiderski, however, most parents now want to return to some degree of not only in-person schooling, but also in-person doctors’ visits.&nbsp;“While telehealth allows patients and their parents to connect with providers,” he says, “it does not replace regular screenings when vaccinations need to be given, milestones measured, or tests administered.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dr. Sharon Joseph</strong>, a pediatrician at Open Door’s Port Chester site, also believes that telehealth has a permanent place in patient care but cannot always take the place of face-to-face visits.&nbsp;“We can see on video if the belly button looks good or we can examine a rash,” she says.&nbsp;“But, when necessary, we tell people ‘you need to come in.’ ”</p> <p>Permanent changes have been made at Open Door’s offices to isolate acute patients and emphasize infection control awareness, including hand washing, mask wearing and separate entrances for sick and well patients.</p> <p>“Right now,” she adds, “pediatricians at Open Door and around the country are playing catch-up with patients. This means conducting a full court press in terms of going through our electronic medical records to identify and reach out to the many parents whose children, primarily&nbsp;preschoolers, fell behind schedule in seeing the doctor.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Along with their colleagues across the country, they are also finding themselves bolstering many parents who have been overwhelmed during the past 18 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re seeing an uptick of parents coming in after hearing from teachers that their children couldn’t focus or lost skills - all natural consequences of the past school year,” observes Dr. Joseph. “With some of our families, first grade students are learning in English with parents who don’t know enough English to help them do their homework. The school year was so topsy turvey and parents feel it.”</p> <p>Another major nationwide consequence of the pandemic has been the rise in childhood obesity, according to Dr. Joseph.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many of our kids sat at home, bored and eating, and not exercising,” she says. “By not having in-person visits, they missed out on the preventive care offered by Open Door in terms of services such as access to nutritionists who can provide them with information about healthy and culturally appropriate meals. Among some of our families, they can’t just say to their kids ‘go out to the backyard and burn off steam.’ They may not have that option and their only exercise was walking to school or being in gym class, neither of which, for the most part, existed.”&nbsp;</p> <p>The verdict is still out when it comes to deciding whether interventions such as talking with teens exhibiting high-risk behaviors can be solely done remotely.&nbsp;“A lot of people say it is too impersonal to do online,” says Dr. Swiderski, “but others say with a little more distance it can actually get people to open up more.”</p> <p>“Virtual visits have huge potential around the country in places where medical resources are limited,” says Dr. Swiderski. “It makes more sense, in some cases, than traveling or needing to take time off from school or work. There are things we can do that we didn’t know we could, like diagnosing a rash over the phone or listening to a child snoring.&nbsp;But it doesn’t work when you talk about checking joints, ears, eyes, heart, and lungs. There are limitations.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Pediatrics require more in-person visits than adult medicine. According to Dr. Swiderski, “You can’t weigh patients, measure vitals, do lab tests, or check their hearing remotely. Vaccinations, obviously, can only be given in-person. This all suffered during the height of the pandemic and many fell behind. I could do some annual checkups remotely, but patients would still have to come in at a later time.”&nbsp;</p> <p>In-person visits are essential from birth to 18 months, and at four, 11 and 16 years old. Certain sick visits can be discussed through telehealth, but some respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are better monitored in-person.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>In addition, virtual visits are challenging for many of his patients who lack the digital capabilities of more affluent families in terms of such things as bandwidth, internet access, screen size, and digital skills. “Some of our families don’t have laptops and it can be hard to send video from a 3 by 3-inch screen,” he says. To address these gaps, Open Door launched a digital literacy effort, including education to strengthen skills and access to laptops and Wi-Fi to increase access.&nbsp;</p> <p>“There is a whole new world and a lot of progress has been made. We’re getting back to normal, but it’s certainly not the same. Pediatricians have learned a great deal about how to accommodate patients and their families,” says Dr. Swiderski, who adds that incorporating different modalities of care offers a broader range of access to services.</p>

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Historic Merestead Mansion Enveloping Underway

<p></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Historic Merestead Mansion Enveloping Underway</em></strong></p> <p>The Merestead Main Dwelling, which dates back to 1906, is undergoing exterior work to protect the building.&nbsp;Merestead, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Properties, located in Mount Kisco, is an exquisite country mansion on 130-acres of land. It is the former estate of Mrs. Margaret Sloane Patterson, daughter of William Sloane, President of W and J Sloane, and her husband Dr. Robert Patterson, a prominent orthopedic surgeon in New York City. Merestead features a 28-room Georgian mansion with beautiful gardens built during the early 20th century. In 1982, the Pattersons deeded the property to Westchester County, and upon Mrs. Patterson’s death in August of 2000, Westchester took full possession of the property.</p> <p>Work on the Main Dwelling began January 6, 2020 and was shut down due to COVID. Since resuming, exterior work of the mansion that has been completed includes a repaired roof and restored chimneys, windows, doors, window dormers, balusters and railings and terra cotta patios; restored and repainted soffit; repointed brick façade as well as power washing, drainage improvements, new window wells, basement stairs and oil tank.</p> <p>The work on the Main Dwelling is part of a capital project in partnership with the Department of Public Works.</p> <p>Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Preserving the Merestead Main Dwelling is imperative in maintaining the County’s rich history. Making these improvements to the exterior are just the first steps to making sure the property remains a staple in our parks system for future generations to enjoy.”</p> <p>Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor said, “Merestead is one of our most historic properties and I’m thrilled to finally see the restoration come to life as its beauty and history is such an important principal for Westchester County.”</p> <p align="center"><strong><em>Watch a behind-the-scenes Video of Merestead:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrACeeOhZLw" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DDrACeeOhZLw&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1627475652731000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGdFtqVKE3nqohy3OY74zx_IBpSDw">Part One</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xl-S7J9sBg" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D2xl-S7J9sBg&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1627475652731000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE4f5NnbtW-POxREDWoJbSxPL-WDQ">Part Two</a></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

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