CITY OF PEEKSKILL

Peekskill Resident Relates History of ‘Uncle Sam’ at July 4 Event to Honor Vets

The history of how Uncle Sam became Uncle Sam was the subject of an event to celebrate July 4 last week at the New York State Veterans Home in Montrose.

And who better to tell his story than “Uncle Sam” himself?

Lifelong Peekskill resident John Isabella Jr., a frequent visitor who has gotten to know many of the veteran residents, wore his red, white, and blue Uncle Sam outfit and presented a video history of Uncle Sam to the more than 100 veterans and other attendees who gathered on July 2. 

The video told the story how Troy, N.Y., meatpacker Samuel Wilson, who served as a 15-year-old in the American Revolution, went on to supply the U.S. Army with food during the War of 1812. Wilson’s many acts of patriotism and the “u.s.” stamp on his meat shipments turned him into a symbolic figure, eventually officially recognized by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1961.

Isabella told the story of his visit, along with Paul Burns, to Troy, dressed as Uncle Sam, on Sept. 13, Wilson’s birthday and “Uncle Sam” Day. Isabella marches in the Peekskill Fourth of July parade each year, a tradition passed down from the late Mike Greist, who played both Uncle Sam and Abe Lincoln for many years in Peekskill parades.

The veterans had all answered the nation’s call, shown in the famed World War I poster “Uncle Sam Wants You!” Isabella thanked those veterans for their service to the nation. “If it was not for all of you men and women, our brave veterans, who sacrificed so much for this country, we would not be able to do events like this. So let’s give it up for our veterans.” – Jim Roberts

Peekskill Debuts 2025 Summer Concert Series 

Peekskill’s Summer Concert Series takes place every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Peekskill Riverfront Green Park, until August 13. Each week spotlights a different band, offering a variety of genres, including country, soul, and rock. The lineup includes… 

• July 9: First Class Dance Band
• July 16: Marc Berger & Ride
• July 23: Half Step – Grateful Dead tribute band
• July 30: Billy Badd Base Camp
• August 6: Archives Band
• August 13: Hillbilly Parade

For more information, contact Peekskill Recreation at (914) 734-7275 or go to the city’s website. 

City’s First Mothapalooza Alights at Depew Park July 21

The City of Peekskill will be holding its first Mothapalooza at Depew Park in the parking lot near the Veterans Pool on Monday, July 21, at 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 22.

The project of the Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) encourages residents to come observe, identify, and learn about their local moths. It also will teach participants how they can preserve their park and its biodiversity.

In a release, the CAC stated, “During National Moth Week communities around the globe come together to celebrate the beauty, diversity, and ecological importance of moths. Join participants of all ages to contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand these fascinating insects.”

In the parking lot near Veterans Memorial Pool, the CAC will set up a viewing station to attract the moths. There will be identification guides and local moth enthusiasts to answer questions.

Participants are encouraged to upload their photos to the iNaturalist database so scientists can use the data for their research. Members of the CAC will train participants how to use the app to better document the species at this event and in the future.

Those with questions should email [email protected]

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Cortlandt Little Leaguers Head to Next Round July 12

The Cortlandt American Little League (CALL) All-Start team won the District 33 championship on June 26. The Cortlandt team was undefeated in tournament play going 4-0, and held their opponents to only six runs across all four games. 

The All-Stars start their journey for a sectional title on July 12 at Seaboldt Field in Montrose against the District 18 Champion. The state sectional tournaments start July 3 and continue through July 17 for some divisions. 

Regional tournaments begin around July 20 for some divisions. Winners of those tournaments proceed on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which runs from Aug. 13 to Aug. 24. 

The manager of the team is James Walsh. Coaches are Daniel Lindenbaum. Players include Fabian Coello, Marco DiRenzo, Luke Fialkovic, Dylan Lerman, Zachary Lindenbaum, James MacDonald, Joey Mayes, Fred Miller, Christian Pichardo, Nicholas Stazzone, Liam Vandenbosche, and Joseph Walsh. – Jim Roberts

Cortlandt Waterfront Park Music Series

The Town of Cortlandt is hosting a concert and movie series at the Cortlandt Waterfront Park, 77 Riverview Street, Verplanck, until August 7.

The lineup includes…

• July 10: Christine and Elliot Spero Duo at 6p.m. to 7 p.m. and Bob & Norm/Powderfinger  7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., 
• July 24: The Independence at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Blackstone 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• July 31: Hey Baby 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• August 1: 42nd Infantry Division Band from Camp Smith 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• August 7: Six String Country Band 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Movie screenings include The Wild Robot (2024) on July 24 at 8:30 p.m. and Moana 2 (2024) on August 7 at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact the Town of Cortlandt Supervisors Office at (914) 734-1002. 

Guacamole Restaurant in Montrose Files for Bankruptcy

A Mexican food restaurant on the Post Road in Montrose near Hendrick Hudson High School is shutting down after filing for bankruptcy.

The owner of Guacamole Restaurant Inc. at 2159 Albany Post Road filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court on June 20. In the filing, company president Leticia Hernandez states an estimate of $1 million to $10 million in assets and the same estimated range of liabilities, with an estimate of up to 49 creditors. A creditors’ meeting is scheduled for July 18 on Zoom.

In a Chapter 7 filing, the company determines that it will end operations and dissolve the business.  — Jim Roberts

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

DA Cacace Sworn in as Third Vice President of State Prosecutors Organization

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace was sworn in on Friday, June 27, as the Third Vice President of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY).

In a press release, Cacace said, “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Westchester County as their top law enforcement officer and, now, to extend that service to the people of the State of New York through a leadership position with this critical coalition of state prosecutors.”

She wrote that New York residents face numerous challenges, particularly those involving public safety and community welfare. She stated the DAASNY is well positioned to tackle those challenges head-on under the helm of President Mary Pat Donnelly, and guided by President-Elect James Ritts, First Vice President Raymond Tierney, and Second Vice President Anne Donnelly.

“Working with Gov. Hochul and our legislative partners, DAASNY was able to secure substantial improvements to our discovery laws in the most recent legislative session,” Cacace said. “With this new platform, I will continue to advocate for reforms to our criminal justice system that will make our streets and communities safer.”

A subsequent newsletter from Cacace on July 3 said DAASNY helped to usher through meaningful amendments to New York’s criminal discovery laws.  Cacace said discovery reforms enacted during the pandemic led to unwieldy paperwork burdens and case delays, often forcing judges to dismiss meritorious cases.

“This spring, the legislature updated New York’s discovery laws to take these concerns into account; a feat, in no small part, attributable to DAASNY’s committed advocacy,” Cacace said. — Eric Harvey

County Rent Board Approves 2 Percent Lease Hike

The Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) approved rent hikes of 2 percent for one-year leases and 3 percent for two-year leases on regulated apartments at a June 26 meeting.

The increased rents will go into effect Oct. 1, 2025, following formal approval of the increases at the September 2025 meeting. There are no apartments in Peekskill that fall under the guidelines of the board.

Data collected from 12,736 apartments in Westchester subject to rent regulation under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) showed rental incomes increased by 2.4 percent from 2023 to 2024. Expenses, including depreciation, increased by 1.8 percent in the same period. Fuel made up 9.6 percent of the expenses, aside from depreciation. Utilities were 5.4 percent, payroll 8.9 percent, real estate taxes 18 percent, insurance 8.3 percent, management costs 8 percent, repairs and maintenance 15.3 percent, interest 13.5 percent and miscellaneous 3 percent. The remaining percent is attributable to the soft cost of depreciation. 

Renter protections under ETPA can only be applied to buildings constructed prior to 1974 and with six or more units. But under the state’s Good Cause Eviction law, rents can be raised by 5 percent plus the region’s annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or 10 percent, whichever is lower. Last year, rent increases under Good Cause were allowed up to 8.82 percent.

– Jim Roberts