CITY

Peekskill Community Kitchen Returns

The Peekskill Community Kitchen is returning with an 8-week Food Service Training program for ages 18-24, beginning Tuesday, July 8. Sessions will take place at the Neighborhood Center’s Main Level Dining Room, located at 4 Nelson Avenue, and will run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Participants will gain hands-on culinary training from professional chefs, earn stipends, and receive a three-year Safe Food Handling Certificate upon completion.

Click here to register. For more information about the program, individuals are encouraged to contact Johnathan Zamora at (914) 734-4250 ext. 2, or email [email protected].

Peekskill Members of County Hibernians Sworn in as Officers

Members of the Westchester County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) were sworn into their two-year term of office recently by AOH New York State Vice President Thomas Beirne, assisted by National Board FFAI Deputy Bob Bollbach and Past New York State Historian Dr. Patrick Miller. The ceremony took place at the Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sleepy Hollow.

The Peekskill Division 18 members taking office are: Westchester County President Dan Dennehy; Cathal McGreal, County Treasurer; Bob Bollbach, National Freedom for All Ireland Deputy Chair; Brian Kelly, NYS Board Audit Chair; Brian O’Reilly, County Sentinel.

Dennehy (2019) and McGreal (2014) are former Grand Marshals of the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade and Brian Kelly served as an aide to the Grand Marshal.

Repairs Planned for Floating Docks at Fleischmann Pier

Peekskill has gone out for bids to repair and re-install two floating docks and the kayak dock at Fleischmann Pier.

Severe cold and freezing this past January caused damage to the docks, requiring that they be moved to Madeline Marine’s facility in Verplanck. The existing and damaged floating and kayak docks and existing gangways, connecting pins and transition plates are currently located at a barge-accessible floating platform at King Marine, Ltd in Verplanck.

According to the bid package, “… floating dock work can be performed while the floating docks are on the contractor’s work barge near Fleischmann Pier. Two floating docks after repair and hardware changes are completed would be launched, joined by the connecting pin and floated to their new position which with an installed gangway and transition plate would identify the locations for new pilings for both floating docks. The manufacturer of the kayak dock launch assembly has stated that the new kayak launch safety assembly can be installed with the kayak dock in the water.”

Bids are due by 2p.m. on July 7
 in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 840 Main St, Peekskill, New York 10566.

Bear Spotted by Elementary School in Peekskill

Several residents on social media this past week shared sightings of a bear wandering the City of Peekskill, on June 23 and June 26.

Alleged sightings in the area included Main Street, Highland Park, Ringgold Street, Pataki Farm Drive and Bear Mountain Parkway.

On Thursday, June 26, the Peekskill City School District informed families that a bear was spotted in the vicinity of Woodside Elementary School and was moving away from the school. The district said police were monitoring the area and that the scheduled early dismissal would take place as scheduled.

The district later updated that police pushed the bear into the Blue Mountain area.

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Levenberg Hosts Seniors Forum at Cortlandt Town Hall

State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg is hosting her third annual Senior Forum, “Sustaining our Seniors: Happy, Healthy Hobbies,” on Wednesday, July 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Cortlandt Town Hall.

New York Presbyterian-Hudson Valley Hospital and other community partners will present an informative and fun program about hobbies that can support healthy aging. The event will also feature a free breakfast and other giveaways. RSVP at this link.

COUNTY

Chuck Lesnick Suffers Heart Attack

Developer and Peekskill property owner Chuck Lesnick suffered a heart attack on Saturday, June 21.

Lesnick, who was running for Yonkers City Council President, was preparing to go canvassing that morning when he experienced the medical emergency. He shared the news in a statement to a news outlet shortly after polls closed on Tuesday night.

“The polls just closed in Yonkers,” his statement began. “No matter what happens with the outcome it is not the most important thing that happened to me this week. On Saturday morning I had a heart attack while getting ready to go canvassing,”

According to Lesnick, his running mate, Councilwoman Corazon Pineda Issac, quickly called 911, and his wife, Dr. Beth Schorr Lesnick – a gastroenterologist at Westchester Medical Center (WMC) – coordinated with hospital staff to ensure he received immediate care. Upon arriving at WMC, Lesnick underwent successful surgery to insert a stent in an artery to his heart.

“[I] have spent the past few days recuperating and thinking about my health, my family, my community and my country,” Lesnick said.

In the five-way primary for Yonkers City Council President, Lesnick finished third. Incumbent Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy comfortably secured victory, leading her nearest rival by more than 800 votes, according to a published report.

Beyond his political involvement, Lesnick is actively working to bring a 57-unit workforce housing project at the corner of Broad and Howard Streets in Peekskill, operating under the banner of Broad Howard LLC.
— Jeffrey Merchan

O’Hallorans Honored for 19 Years of Volunteer Service

Hugh and Bernadette O’Halloran of Cortlandt have received the E. Mario Cribari Voluntary Service Award: Individual from the Westchester Recreation and Parks Society (W.R.A.P.S.).

The Town of Cortlandt Recreation Department nominated the O’Hallorans for their invaluable volunteer work at the annual Family Fun Day and Winter Wonderland. In honoring the couple, the Rec department stated that “These events would not be the same without the generosity and dedication of individuals like Hugh and Bernadette, who consistently go above and beyond for their community, according to the Rec Department.

“For the past 19 years, Hugh and Bernadette have been an integral part of Family Fun Day. They are always the first to arrive and ensure everything is prepared before the event begins. When the Town of Cortlandt introduced the Winter Wonderland event in 2019, the O’Hallorans were there once again, volunteering their time and helping with anything required to ensure the event runs smoothly for over six years.

“Hugh and Bernadette demonstrate an unwavering love for their community through their endless hours of volunteering over the past 19 years. The Cortlandt community thanks them both for all they do and congratulations on receiving this awe-inspiring award.”