PUTNAM COUNTY PRESS/TIMES
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
Putnam County Community Events
as (part of) a bank. We need to be aware of that issue from a traffic generating standpoint.” Jamie LoGiudice, senior as- sociate with Insite Engineering, Surveying & Landscape Archi- tecture of Carmel, said the project has undergone review by the state Department of Transportation and will necessitate ongoing review during its development. Additional- ly, the Town of Southeast’s highway department will need to conduct its own review of the portion of the project that abuts Starr Ridge Road. “We are going to be proposing providing two lanes at Starr Ridge (for turning onto Route 6),” said LoGiudice, noting that this would improve safety and traffic move - ment. She also said the property owner has thus far not secured a specific bank to occupy the building with the drive-through – and that while zoning regulations would permit a restaurant to operate at the complex, ones with drive-throughs are prohibited. Board member James King Concerns Raised Over Proposed Starr Ridge Complex Continued from Page 1 Celebrate local author Bruce Alter - man at Reed Memorial Library in Carmel on Jan. 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. After the Genre Jumpers Book Club’s discussion of his novel “Murder in Mount Vernon,” meet Alterman and learn about Senior Center Art Class Seniors may paint and draw with peers at the Koehler Senior Center on Route 6 in Mahopac, or the Putnam Valley Friendship Center, 117 Town Park Road, on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. Whether you are a beginner or just want to brush up on your skills. Bring your own supplies or use provided materials. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Garden Club Luncheon The Lake Mahopac Garden Club will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27 (snow date Feb. 3) at Airport Park. The annual luncheon and business meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. The program will include yearly reports from committee chairper- sons, induction of new officers, and a list of activities planned for this year. All members are asked to bring something for the luncheon. Ice Explorers Workshop Children age 4 to 6 may investigate ice through hands-on experiments using droppers, spoons, salt, and more, Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m., at Brewster Public Library. Young scientists will make predictions about what will melt ice the fast- est and observe how ice changes from solid to liquid. Registration is required. Meet the Author The Putnam Valley Library is launching a new “Meet the Au - thor” series, with local author and publisher Tad Crawford headlining the first of these encounters to discuss his book “A Woman in the Wild” on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m., at 30 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley. Register at https:// bit.ly/PVLMeetTC.
be renting a bank,” he said. Grossman also pointed out that extensive development has taken place over the Connecticut state line, and the state has proposed wid- ening the Interstate 84/684 junction bridge this year or next. Both will increase traffic in the area, he said. Resident Diane Wolpert said there have been many times when it has been extremely difficult to turn out of her neighborhood and travel down Starr Ridge Road. “I travel that road to and from work every day,” she said, noting that cars exiting from Dunkin Donuts are especially hazardous. “Dunkin Donuts was supposed to be an office… and it turned into a Dunkin Donuts.” Wolpert said a previous pro- posal to build a movie theater was squashed by the board because of traffic concerns. “I would like everybody to consider the safety of our residents,” she said. Paige Banfield, who also lives on Seven Oaks Lane, was also crit - ical of the traffic that would result from the project. “Just from an economic development perspective, this is a tremendous undertaking with no end-users identified yet,” she said. “I would also encourage you to keep the public comment segment open.” The board voted to keep the hearing open, and will revisit the topic at its Feb. 23 meeting. Veterans’ Town Hall The Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet Pro- gram of Putnam County will host the Putnam County 2026 Veterans’ Benefits Town Hall on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 4 to 6:45 p.m., at the Mahopac Public Library. The event is open to all veterans, active-duty service members, guard and re- serve members, and their families. Seating is limited, and advance registration is required. For infor- mation, contact dwyerputnam@ guardianrevival.org. ‘Unfriendly to Liberty’ Putnam History Museum will pres - ent a virtual lecture “Unfriendly to Liberty: Loyalist Networks and the Coming of the American Revolu- tion in New York City” with author Christopher Minty on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Drawn largely from his recent book, Minty’s talk addresses the complicated relation- ships between loyalists and patriots in NYC. Register at putnamhistor- ymuseum.org. Saturday, Jan. 31 Job Fair ShopRite of Carmel is inviting job-seekers to explore career op - portunities during a walk-in hiring fair Saturday, Jan. 31 (snow date is Saturday, Feb. 7), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In-store recruitment events for full-time, part-time, and man- agement positions will take place. For more information, visit www. wakefern.com. ‘Who is Hallie Flanagan?’ Arts on the Lake plans to recre - ate the historic hearing of Hallie Flanagan, director of the Federal Theatre Project, who was called to testify before the newly established House Un-American Activities Committee to answer questions on how funds were being spent on the Federal Theatre Project, with two performances: Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m., at 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes. Tickets are $15 for general
District.” Board Trustee Tanner Mc - Cracken said that calling for an elected school board member’s removal because he enforces federal law is reckless. “Chris Harrigan’s work with ICE is lawful, ethical, and entire - ly separate from his volunteer service to our schools,” said McCracken. “Chris is a man of character who serves both our nation and our school commu- nity. His job is difficult and dan - gerous, and our neighborhoods are safer because of it. I support individual rights in the context of the law. But these protests are not about rights. They are about opposing the lawful removal of violent criminals from our com- munities.” Still, some residents said his role presents a conflict with the district’s interests to protect all students in an environment where they should feel safe. “How can you ensure safety when one of your own is working for an organization that is ter- rorizing children and families?” asked Mahopac resident Laura Ferrelli. Kate Bellantoni, also of Mahopac, disagreed. “A trustee’s career, outside district duties, should not be weaponized against them,” she said. Mahopac Public Library will host a PowerPoint series beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 2 to 3 p.m. Go from getting started to creating polished presentations. This class meets Tuesdays for four weeks. Register at www.mahopaclibrary. org or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100. Wednesday, Feb. 4 Ramen Day The Umami Otakus Anime Club at Mahopac Public Library will cel - ebrate Ramen Day on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. Watch anime, eat snacks, do some crafts, and hang out. Teens will vote on which ra- men flavor to try as they watch the month’s anime. Register at www. mahopaclibrary.org or call 845- 628-2009, ext. 153. ing, 4.5-mile hike will take about three hours to complete. Bring snacks and plenty of fluids. Email Ken Luhman at frogspaddle22@ gmail.com if you plan to attend. There is a suggested $5 donation that can be made at https://friends- of-the-great-swamp.square.site. Monday, Feb. 2 Square Dancing The Friendly Squares Dance Club will host two free square dancing fun nights Mondays, Feb. 2 and 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Katonah Methodist Church Parish Hall, 44 Edgemont Road. The attire is casu- al and no experience is necessary. Open to singles, couples and fam- ilies. www.friendlysquares.org. The Kent Town Board will meet at Kent Town Hall at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on: Feb. 3 and 17, March 3 and 17, April 14 and 21, May 5 and 19, June 2 and 16, July 7 and 21, Aug. 4 and 18, Sept. 8 and 15, Oct. 6 and 20, Nov. 10 and 17, and Dec. 1 and 15. PowerPoint Series Tuesday, Feb. 3 Kent Town Board
said that when the project was initially proposed it had been dis- cussed as a medical complex and asked why the focus had changed. “As we’ve gone through test- ing and realized the amount of usage for water and septic that we have permissible on the site, medical (usage) is not something that we’d be able to entertain,” explained LoGiudice. The traffic analysis was con - ducted by the White Plains engi- neering firm Creighton Manning and took place over two weekdays and one weekend day. “They analyzed it based on there being a bank,” said LoGi - udice. “If that use were ever to change to a more intense use, they would have to come back to the Planning Board and do another traffic study.” Victor Grossman, who lives on Seven Oaks Lane, said the traffic study data is flawed. For compar - ison, he conducted his own count of vehicles traveling a 1.5-mile stretch of Starr Ridge Road for an hour during morning and evening commuting times, and counted 972 cars heading south in the morning and 1,172 cars going north in the evening. He called for the board to eliminate the drive-through from the plans to prevent the project from being reconsidered for food uses in several years. “Nobody is going to his writing journey. Light refresh- ments will be served. Register at carmellibrary.org. ‘World’s Fastest Indian’ Patterson Library will screen “The World’s Fastest Indian” on Tues - day, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. The inspiring true story of New Zealander Burt Munro, a passionate motorcycle enthusiast who dedicated decades to perfecting his 1920 Indian Scout. Adults age 18 and older. To register, call 845-878-6121 or go to www.pattersonlibrary.org. Wednesday, Jan. 28 Music & Movement Youngsters age 18 months to 4 years and their caregivers may Brewster Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 9:15 a.m., for a morning of songs and stories. Sing, move, shake instruments, and enjoy stories that encourage early literacy, coordination, and social skills. Registration required. Paws to Read Sunny Boy, a volunteer from Ther - apy Dogs International, will visit Kent Public Library on Wednes - days, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m., to give chil- dren age 5 to 11 the opportunity to gain confidence, improve reading skills, and/or relieve anxiety by reading aloud to a therapy dog. Registration is required. Thursday, Jan. 29 Yoga Patterson Library will host a yoga class for all levels with Julia Calabrese-Harrer of Yoga in the Trees, on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. Experience meditation and movement in a fresh way with this ancient practice. Caregivers with children registered for Tiny Tots Art and Play are welcome to join as the programs run concurrently. Bring a mat or blanket, and water. Adults 18 and older. Register at 845-878-6121 or www.patterson - library.org.
ster-Carmel area called on the board to demand Harrigan resign for serving as an Immigration & Customs Enforcement agent. A spokesperson for the group charged that Harrigan has been captured on video multiple times since August, and most recently last week, arresting indi - viduals in Brewster and Carmel. “This violation of human and constitutional rights is in direct conflict with the school board’s mission to ensure the safety and education of all stu- dents,” stated the group, who encouraged parents and com- munity members to show up at last week’s meeting to speak out. As a result, security was amped up for the meeting. However, it was mostly supporters of Harrigan who showed up. “Trustee Harrigan was dual- ly elected by the board and the community,” said one resident. “He has worked tirelessly to do the best for the Mahopac School Mahopac Schools Refuse Removal Of Trustee Who Works for ICE Continued from Page 1 Friends of the Great Swamp will host a hike at the Gordon Douglas Reserve-West on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Park in the lot at the Met - ro-North Appalachian Trail station, just south of Native Landscaping on Route 22 in Pawling. This challeng- admission, $12 for members, and $5 for students, and can be reserved at www.artsonthelake.org. Yoga for Adults Join Jennifer Nikischer at Kent Public Library for a 45-minute session of yoga Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. This class is for all abilities. Registration is required at kentpl. librarycalendar.com. The Patterson VFW Auxiliary will hold a “Soup Up” fundraiser Sunday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m., at 4 Fairfield Drive, Patterson (while supplies last). $12 for adults, $5 for kids. Many homemade soups with trimmings. All food must be consumed on premises. To-go containers available for purchase at $5 each. 845-279-3376. Sunday, Feb. 1 Soup Fundraiser Copland House Ensemble The Copland House Ensemble will present its 2025-26 mainstage concert series at Bluestone Farm, 100 Federal Hill Road, Brewster, at 3 p.m. on the following dates. Each includes a post-concert meet- the-artist reception. Tickets are free, and reservations are required at bit.ly/CHBF2025-26. “Theater in Disguise” is Sunday, Feb. 1; “Waters … Fractured” is Tuesday, April 21; and “Cultivate 2026” is The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Lakes Council 6318 in Carmel will hold a rescheduled blood drive Sunday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 32 Gleneida Ave. Make an appointment at donate. nybc.org. Hike Sunday, June 7. Blood Drive
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