Msgr. William O'Brien Remembered for Pioneering Work in Drug Rehabilitation
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- Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig
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Monsignor William B. O'Brien died on October 19, at St. Pius X Rectory in Scarsdale. He was 90. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Pius X Church on Saturday Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m.
Monsignor O'Brien leaves behind an impactful legacy. He was a seminal figure in residential drug treatment, and his pioneering work earned him worldwide recognition and appreciation. In 1963, he founded a drug rehabilitation program, Daytop (Drug Addicts Yield to Persuasion), on Staten Island. Daytop was extremely influential as it changed the way addiction was viewed and treated.
Monsignor O'Brien was also co-founder of the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities. Under his guidance, this global movement established groundbreaking treatment programs worldwide. Furthermore, as a trusted adviser to heads of state, as well as to His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Monsignor O'Brien helped shape policies that have radically improved treatment programs around the world. He was the author of the highly acclaimed book, "You Can't Do It Alone: The Daytop Way to Make Your Child Drug Free." He also published numerous papers in national and international journals, and these have inspired generations of treatment professionals.
Nevertheless, Monsignor O'Brien remained a simple parish priest at heart. He was as deeply devoted to his parishioners at St. Brendan's in the Bronx as he was to residents in treatment and their families.
According to an obituary prepared by Saint Pius X Church, "Monsignor O'Brien will be remembered as a truly extraordinary man of staggering faith, integrity, warmth and loyalty. His impact on drug treatment has been – and will continue to be – profound and lasting. Monsignor O'Brien's enduring legacy will be his selfless dedication to saving young lives and his unswerving devotion to his church and God."
Monsignor O'Brien's commitment to helping individuals affected by drugs began early in his career. As a young priest stationed at St. Patrick's Cathedral, people would frequently drop by at all hours asking for help and wanting to speak with a priest. Monsignor O'Brien always made himself available, and during this time, he met with many concerned parents who were worried about their children and drug abuse. It was 1957 and the opening chapter in America's modern age of drug abuse.
As a priest, Monsignor O'Brien knew he had a responsibility to act. So he began a journey in search of a solution. Six years later, he created this solution through the founding of Daytop. Since 1963, Daytop has helped tens of thousands of young people reclaim their lives – changing despair into hope and destruction into productivity.
The influence of the program has been far-reaching. Monsignor O'Brien established a relationship with the US State Department in which Daytop receives funding to provide training and to develop treatment programs in countries prioritized by the State Department. Monsignor O'Brien also secured coveted Consultative Status (Category II) with the United Nations and worked with that world body in developing treatment programs on a global scale.
As president of Daytop, Monsignor O'Brien was recognized as a great and charismatic leader. According to people familiar with him, "He never just entered a room; he took possession of it. He never assigned a task or project that he didn't pursue with equal fervor. And he inspired. We wanted to work as Monsignor worked. And he was famous for sending personal letters of commendation to staff for a job well done. Staff treasured these letters and many would frame them and proudly and prominently hang them on their office walls."
Despite the demands of being president of Daytop, Monsignor O'Brien never lost his close connection with his parishioners. He never introduced himself to people as "Monsignor O'Brien;" rather, he was simply "Father O'Brien." Without fail, he would always celebrate the 6:45 a.m. Mass (which he always began at 6:30 a.m.) at St. Brendan's, where he was stationed before heading to his office at Daytop.
According to words shared by Father Sebastian, pastor of St. Pius X: "I believe I am not alone when I say that up until a relatively short time ago, when Monsignor was well into his eighties, we never thought he would die. We thought he was indestructible. While we all grew older, he seemed to remain constant. And that's why hearing of his death is so shocking to so many of us. We just wanted a little more of the great one for ourselves. Monsignor has provided an example of what one determined, courageous and caring individual can do for mankind. And he did it all with a really great sense of humor. He could match wits with anyone with his sharp, good-natured humor. He loved a good joke. And when he heard one there would first be a knowing glint in his eyes before he would throw back his head and laugh uproariously, which was always totally infectious."
Donations in the memory of Monsignor O'Brien may be made to St. Pius X Church, at 91 Secor Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
Scarsdale Yoga Studios Closes Suddenly
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale Yoga Studios at 7 Popham Road closed their doors without offering any warning to customers on Sunday October 19th. Surprised yogis received an email from General Manager Sue Kelly on Sunday night advising them that after two years, the elegant studio was shutting its doors.
She said, "After two wonderful years since opening, it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that the owner has decided to close Scarsdale Yoga Studios ("SYS"). She no longer wants to operate a yoga business from a distance. We both thank you for your commitment to the studio. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors on your next yoga mat."
"On a personal note, I am saddened by the closing, but understand and respect the owners decision. SYS made great progress this year. We expanded our customer base significantly and created the best yoga community in greater Scarsdale. I sincerely enjoyed working and sharing my practice with all of you. I firmly believe that when one door closes, another will open."
The closing of Scarsdale Yoga Studios will be effective at the close of business Sunday, October 19th. Please contact me at [email protected] or if you have any questions.
A Scarsdale resident who frequented the studio and had just purchased a monthly class package for $139 and had no inkling the studio was on the verge of shutting down. She reported that it was "pretty crowded on the weekends with 8-10 people per class and many classes going on simultaneously." She also noted that the instructors found out about the closing at the same time as the students and were "just as stunned as the rest of us."
The studio was founded by Irena Sinyavin in 2012 and was beautifully appointed with 
airy light studios, tile showers and a pleasant juice bar. Located across from Soul Cycle it offered a convenient location with parking.
However, there are a host of yoga studios in Scarsdale, Hartsdale and Eastchester and perhaps there is too much capacity in one area. No one knows. If you have information about the sudden close-up, share it below.
Enterovirus D68: What You Need to Know
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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The news that children in Michigan, Rhode Island and New Jersey have died from the Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has struck fear in many local parents and experts warn the Enteroviruses and flu pose a greater risk to residents here than another health threat, the Ebola virus, which is spreading rapidly in West Africa.
EV-D68 is an upper respiratory virus that is usually mild and common cold-like in presentation but can also be serious in some cases, requiring hospitalization. Since Enteroviruses are most common in the summer and fall months their incidence should decline as fall becomes winter but in the interim parents should be vigilant in monitoring their children.
Here are some questions and answers about the virus:
Who is at risk for contracting EV-D68?
Children are at higher risk than adults for becoming infected since they have not often developed immunity to it as adults have. Children with asthma seem to be at higher risk for serious complications from the virus.
How can you prevent your kids from coming down with the virus?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends regular hand washing, avoiding contact with people who are sick and staying home if you're sick, covering coughs and sneezes and disinfecting home and school surfaces well and regularly. Washing hands or using an alcohol hand sanitizer is especially important before eating and after coughing or sneezing and before touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Dan Weiser, M.D., is a pediatric oncologist and medical director of the intra-abdominal solid tumor service at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. His patients who have cancer are more susceptible to bugs and viruses, as treatment for their disease makes them immune-compromised. "I tell the parents of my patients to follow standard hand hygiene recommendations as well as other routine infection-prevention techniques such as sneezing and coughing into the elbow. To protect healthy individuals, children with a presumed contagious illness should stay away from other people and not share cups or eating utensils."
What are the signs and symptoms of EV-D68?
EV-D68 is a non-polio virus that causes a fever (although not always), runny nose, sneezing, coughing, muscle and body aches, and possibly temporary muscle paralysis in some patients. Symptoms are very similar to the common cold and somewhat similar to the flu. A few children who tested positive for EV-D68 this summer developed a polio-like virus, but it's not clear if this was caused by the virus or not.
Extra precautions should be taken for asthmatic children. According to the CDC, EV-D68 is transmitted through contact with infected persons who cough, sneeze, or touch a surface that is then touched by others who are susceptible to the virus. Sue Ugliarolo, Director of Scarsdale Friends Nursery School, said, "I will send children home if multiple symptoms exist. A child with a runny nose who is happy, running, and eating is different from a child with a runny nose who is lethargic, cries easily, and has no appetite." She added, "We do take temperatures at school with an ear thermometer. Children who are not well are miserable at school." Mrs. Ugliarolo stresses to preschool parents that they need to be partners in helping to keep the school environment healthy. The guidelines of the school outline how parents can determine if a child is well enough to attend school. "It's important that parents feel like they can be open and honest with us in regards to their children's health," she continued. "I've seen kids at school who say they vomited their breakfast that morning and here they are in school, only to be sent home and be out over the next several days."
When should you worry (or when should you call the doctor)?
Occasionally, children develop wheezing and become very short of breath. If either of these symptoms occur, you should have your child promptly examined. If your child has asthma, be sure they take their medicines regularly and have their inhalers handy.
Can a doctor test for the virus?
According to the CDC, as of October 10, 2014, there have been 691 confirmed cases of the virus across the nation. Most doctors offices and laboratories don't have the ability to test for and diagnose specific enteroviruses. There are likely many more than 691 cases of EV-D68, but only severe cases that have required hospitalization have been laboratory-confirmed. Mild cases of the virus subside on their own and are not laboratory-tested.
Is there treatment?
Treatment consists of supportive care at home in mild cases or in a hospital in more severe cases if there are breathing problems. Anti-viral medications have not been shown to be effective in fighting EV-D68.
What about the flu? Should children still get the vaccine?
Though parents are focused on this new virus, it is important to remember that influenza sickens more children every year than enteroviruses, including D68. The CDC ranks influenza as one of the top ten causes of death in children. If you haven't scheduled a flu vaccine appointment yet, consider doing so as cases have started being reported. It's very important to vaccinate your children against measles and other common, avoidable diseases. Dr. Judy Stone, an Infectious Disease physician and blogger with the Scientific American Blog Network, emphasized, "It's important to keep the risk of Enterovirus in perspective--influenza, whooping cough, and measles are far more worrisome, and are preventable with immunizations." In fact, once virtually eradicated in this country, there were 592 cases of measles in the U.S. as of August 1st; measles can be fatal in children.
Are you concerned about EV-D68? Is your school doing anything different in terms of hand washing or sending kids home even if they "only" have colds? Please share in the comments below.
Announcing the 2015 Spelling Bee
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Friends of the Scarsdale Library are gearing up for the fifth annual Adult and Teen Spelling Bee, to be held on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium.
The Spelling Bee, a Scarsdale institution in the making, is an important fund raising event for the Scarsdale Library. Over the past four years, monies raised through the Spelling Bee have been used to make significant technology upgrades to the Library's community room, to enhance the children's room with improved lighting and carpeting, to plan a business center for the community, and to upgrade the entrance and lobby. Proceeds from this year's Bee will be used to fund a high-level speaker series, bringing quality programming to Scarsdale and making the library the intellectual hub of the community.
The event provides a great evening of entertainment to the community during the winter doldrums. Trivia games, music, a silent auction, and emcee Ed Coleman, the radio voice of the New York Mets, will keep audience members regaled between rounds of the Spelling Bee. Audience members can play along silently with the contestants and cheer for their friends and neighbors participating in the Bee.
Participants in the Spelling Bee compete as teams of up to three people. Anyone of high-school age and above may participate, and the entrance fee is $150 per team. Two rounds, the first written, and the second oral, winnow the field of teams down to the finalists and ultimate champions. As four-time contestant Janice Starr notes, "My team-mates and I will be back because this is such a fun event, and there is so much community spirit that evening."
Besides participating on a spelling team, sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses and individuals. Contact Spelling Bee co-chairs Renu Lalwani at (914) 472-4310 or Carolyn Mehta at (914) 584-5903 to discuss sponsorship levels.
The deadline to enter as a team is December 15, 2014. Only 20 teams will compete, so get your application in soon in order to avoid being shut out of this fun event. Application forms are available at the Library or online at http://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/friends. For more information, contact Renu Lalwani or Carolyn Mehta.
Vintage Cars On Display in Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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For the second time in just two weeks Scarsdale Village was the setting for a major event on Sunday October 5th. Following the Southern Westchester Food and Wine Festival on September 21, the Scarsdale Concours d'Elegance returned for their 11th annual auto show on the streets of downtown Scarsdale. I am not a car buff, but I couldn't help but be impressed with the amazing array of vintage cars on display. There were some that dated back to the era of Henry Ford, convertibles with big wings, plus a Cadillac Eldorado, Fiats, Porsches and corvettes that reminded me of just how old I am.
The cars aren't only beautiful ... they are valuable. I asked the owner of this 1911 Packard what it's 
worth and he told me the last offer he turned down was for $1.2 million. Pretty good considering that he found the car in a barn in January 2007 in good condition and restored it.
Check out this 1958 Chevy Impala, 1963 Corvette, and this 1948 Tucker that looks like it belongs on a movie set.
Cars aside, with the Del Bocas playing good old-fashioned rock 'n roll and Lange's grilling outside the event had all the makings of a wonderful street party.
Proceeds will be donated to Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Service, The Warrior and Family Assistance Fund and the Scarsdale Foundation.
Here's a list of the winning cars:
Best in Show – 1911 Packard Model 30 – Michael DeAngelis
Best Italian Car – 1968 Maserati Mexico – Walter Eisenstark
Best American – 1954 Chevrolet 3600 Pickup – David Marinelli
Best German – 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing – Bob Kerekes
Best Competition Car – 1954 Jaguar XK120M Bradley Farrell
Best Muscle Car – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS - Frank Chicherchia
Most Exciting Car – 1963 Jaguar XKE Lightweight – Robert Torre
Most Outstanding Coachwork – 1939 Cadillac Series 75 Conv – Jim Barnes
Founder's Choice – 1959 Porsche 356A Barnett Black
Oldest Car – 1911 Packard Model 30
Best Hot Rod – 1948 Tucker – Bob Kerekes
Miller Motorcars Award – 1960 Aston Martin - - Mike Odierna
Chubb Collector Car Insurance Award – 1961 Jaguar MK9 Saloon – Greg Arnold
BlackRock Award – 1958 Jaguar SK 150s – Dave Porter
Best Porsche – 1967 912 Softwindow Targa – Lee Farhadian
Best Ferrari – 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 – Francesco Spadaro
Monticello Motor Club – 1984 Porsche 959 Prototype - Jim Freeman
Judge's Award – 1969 Ford F250 Ice Cream Truck
Maroon & White Community award – 1960 Chevrolet Corvette – Marlo Moss
