Monday, Dec 23rd

countyaerialThe County Tennis Club on the Bronx River Parkway will celebrate their 100th anniversary next year. They are looking back on their illustrious history and looking forward to continuing to be a vital venue for Westchester’s racket enthusiasts. According to Harry Phillips, who has been a member of the club since 1955 the County Tennis Club of Westchester was built in 1912 to encourage people to buy homes in a new development called Greenacres, and was run as a private membership club until 1980. Since then, membership has been open to residents of Westchester and beyond who enjoy the club which is devoted exclusively to tennis.

To mark the occasion, two longtime club members have provided highlights of the club’s history. county3

Here are Phillips recollections:

In the 1920s, the Club was acquired by what became the Bronx River Parkway Commission, part of Westchester County government. The County leased the property to County, which continued to run it as a private club.

When I joined County in 1955, one had to be a “good tennis player” (or know somebody) to be admitted. Truth be told, I knew the Club treasurer and the team captain, so I got in. Back then, County had the best tennis in the entire Metropolitan area, a 10-year waiting list, and everyone wore traditional tennis whites.

In the 1980s, a court case involving a hangar at Westchester Airport led to a decision that public lands could not be used for private purposes. Westchester County told the Club it would continue the lease but on new conditions: all members had to reside in Westchester, and people would have to be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. A few years later, as membership declined, the County agreed that members from outside Westchester could again be admitted.

county5When I joined, all the courts were red clay. Six courts were soon converted to Har-Tru, although some members wanted all to be converted. Bill Greenawalt, whose father Kenneth was Club president 1953-54, told me that as a boy he played barefoot on the clay, and that he remembers linesmen and ball boys at championship matches. Bill, who followed in his father’s footsteps by serving as president 1979-80, also recalls a piano in the clubhouse and a working paddlewheel in the river.

The Club’s one tragedy was the arson of the historic two-story clubhouse in 1985, the same night nearby Hitchcock Church was set afire. With the help of member/architect Sy Breines, the clubhouse was rebuilt.

County has been fortunate to have great members and the stability of long-serving pros including Frank Brennan, county6who went on to legendary status as the architect of the women’s tennis program at Stanford University and the coach of Billie Jean King, and since 1963, Bob Frey, now in his 38th year with us.

All in all, our historic club, built 15 years before the oldest parkway in America would run past its courts, is looking very good indeed as its nears its centennial.

Herb Haber, a member since 1965 also provided his reflections:

Because the Club was on County land, there could be no discrimination as to religion, race or color. From its origin, County was the only club in the area with an “open membership” policy.

county4My late wife Faith and I moved to the Fox Meadow area in the fall of 1952, as did many of the World War II era. We first made tennis friends at the Brite Avenue courts, and grew those friendships at County.

In 1953, I played in the State clay court singles tournament at County, advancing to the second round (after a default) where I lost in three sets on Court 1. The tournament winner, as I recall, was a top ten U.S. player from New Jersey. Other tournaments were held at County back then: Bobby Riggs won an event, and players often came to practice on our red clay before leaving for Paris and Roland Garros. Later, when I was president and for some years afterward, regional senior events were held at the Club.

Back then, we were very social, with parties and dances, often with live music. We had fun on and off the courts with our County friends with special events on Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day, and a well-attended mid-winter dinner at a local restaurant.

We also had a strong junior program run by Lois Steckler, wife of Phil Steckler, who with Bill Adolph formed a highly ranked senior doubles teams in the 1960’s. My son Ed came through that program and went on to captain the Scarsdale High team and then play for the University of Michigan.

In 1985, the last year of my presidency, the clubhouse burned to its foundation, leaving only the fireplace standing as a lasting memorial to those who have played at County for nearly 100 years. When that tragedy struck we asked fellow member and noted architect Sy Breines to design a new Clubhouse. Donating his time and talents, Sy was on-site virtually every day to direct rebuilding activities.

We were under-insured faced with difficult decisions about rebuilding. In a very important Board meeting, former Club President Max Kahn made an impassioned plea, and the necessary funds were raised by assessment to build the “new” Clubhouse more than 25 years ago. If not for Sy and Max, who knows if County would still be around and be the great Club it is today."

Today the club hosts informal play, competitive tournaments and special events on nine well-maintained soft courts, three red clay and six Har-tru. They have both intra and interclub teams for men and woman and hold round robins, twilight tennis, a monthly social barbeque and member-guest days.

countyProudianCounty Tennis Director Doug Proudian recently became the club’s head pro, filling the shoes of Bob Frey who served for 38 years and retired at the end of the 2010 season. Proudian played college varsity tennis, coached the University of North Carolina team and competed on the international pro satellite circuit. He is available for individual lessons, group clinics and runs a tennis academy for kids and teens. In addition breakfast, lunch and snacks catered by Lange’s of Scarsdale are available in the Club’s café.

The club is now welcoming new members. To learn more about joining, contact [email protected] or call 917-414-2179. Members can join for this season and fees will be pro-rated depending on the enrollment date. Rates are competitive with other tennis only clubs and full and limited memberships for individuals of various ages as well as family memberships are available. The club can be accessed from Greenacres Avenue and Brook Lane in Greenacres or from the Bronx River Parkway.

gradhatsStudents who graduated from Scarsdale High School and/or live in Scarsdale and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance.

Applications should be submitted online on the Scarsdale Foundation’s website, scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2011. Late applications will not be accepted. Inquiries regarding scholarship applications should be directed to Susie Rush, [email protected] or 472-7797.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, $76,000 was awarded to 24 students attending private and state-supported colleges in their second, third, and fourth years.

The Scarsdale Foundation is the presenter of the Scarsdale Bowl award, given annually to a citizen(s) who has contributed outstanding voluntary service. Emily Sherwood, former president of the Board of Education and exemplary community volunteer, received this year’s award.

The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may also be donated to a specially earmarked scholarship fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, with monies to be used for 2011-2012 recipients. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website, scarsdalefoundation.org , or mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

For students entering their freshman year, one-year grants for graduating SHS seniors are available from the SHS PTA Scholarship Fund.  The application form and the dean’s evaluation form may be downloaded from the Scarsdale High School PTA website, http://www.scarsdaleschools.org/shspta or may be obtained from the deans’ offices at the High School. Completed applications must be submitted by May 8.

For additional information regarding the Scholarship Fund, or to make a donation in honor of a teacher or a graduate, visit the PTA website or contact Sarah Wolf at [email protected] .

 


 

dogwalkerIf you’re looking for part-time help at home or for your business, Y.E.S. is a community resource for you. Y.E.S. is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers to bring together bright, responsible Scarsdale students, 14 years and older, with employers in homes and businesses in Scarsdale.

Some of the most popular jobs are for tutor, baby-sitter, front desk receptionist, data entry, computer help, dance instructor, dog walker, snow shoveler, and yardworker. In addition, students are hired by the Scarsdale Recreation Department to staff the community's annual 15K/4M race. Each year hundreds of jobs are listed and FILLED!

Students can register and search for jobs online, and employers can register and list jobs online as well. For more information, visit our website. Y.E.S. also maintains an office at Scarsdale High School. During the school year, the office is open to students Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 1:30pm, and during the summer, with more limited hours.

The services of Y.E.S., now in its 40th year, are provided to students and employers at no charge.

Youth Employment Service of Scarsdale
Call 723-7343 (accepts messages 24/7) or
E-Mail: [email protected]

 

 

golfclubsWhere’s the Bread? The owner of the Dairy Dell at 1 South Central Avenue in Hartsdale arrived at the store at 5:20 am on 4/18 and found that some of the bagels, rolls, croissants and heroes from his bread delivery were missing. The delivery man reported bringing the full order so the store owner checked the security camera and saw a woman driving a dark colored car drive up and take the bags of bread and a box of croissants. The woman was described as white and had a blond pony tail.

Tires Slashed at Scarsdale Golf Club: The chef at the Scarsdale Golf Club on Clubway in Hartsdale, reported that the tires of his 1999 Infiniti were slashed when it was parked in the club parking lot on Sunday April 10th. It appeared that there were knife holes in the tires. The chef suspects that a member of the serving staff may be responsible.

Cocaine: On the night of April 14, police stopped Howard Gordon, age 59 of Edgewood Road, Hartsdale for driving erratically in the parking lot of Planet Fitness at 1001 South Central Avenue. They found that Gordon possessed cocaine. He was taken to police headquarters, given a court appearance date and released.

Theft: A 20 year-old Tarrytown woman was arrested for stealing DVD’s from Best Buy on 4/14. A Best Buy employee saw her take five DVD’s into the bathroom and then leave the store. He found the DVD’s in her book bag. She was arrested and given a court date.

On the night of 4/15 an unlocked car parked at 355 North Central was entered and the owner’s purse was taken. The Louis Vuitton purse contained a camera, an iPod, make up bag and keys, together valued at more than $1,000. The victim was a 25 year-old woman from Old Tappan, N.J.

Vandals: At 5 Woods Place in Hartsdale, the resident found a broken rear window on the house and a broken window on the back door on the afternoon of 4/12. As the door had a dead bolt, no one had entered the house.

A woman who lives on Castle Walk in Scarsdale called police on the afternoon of 4/13 when she saw a man run through her backyard at the same time the burglar alarm went off at 6 Penny Lane. She said the man was wearing a white track suit with black pants. Police checked the house on Penny Lane and it was secure.

Harassed: A 19 year-old woman from Theresa Lane in Scarsdale reported that she received four phone calls from someone who has been ordered not to contact her. She has an order of protection against the 20 year-old Tuckahoe man. Since he violated the order of protection he was arrested for Criminal Contempt on 4/14.

A 66 year-old East Hartsdale Avenue man threw a chair when he didn’t like the dinner prepared by his 75 year-old wife on the evening of April 17th. He left the apartment and returned five or six hours later and threatened to move out. The wife complained of verbal abuse but she was not injured.

Traffic Violations: At 1:25 am on 4/11, Anthony Altieri, age 37 of Livingston Road, Scarsdale was stopped for a traffic violation on South Central Avenue. He was found to be driving with a suspended license, due to his failure to answer a summons from New Rochelle.

Annemarie Atkinson, age 42 of the Bronx was stopped by police for speeding while driving on Central Avenue on the afternoon of 4/12. She was found to have a suspended driver’s license due to her failure pay for parking violations.

Willie Boyd, age 58 of White Plains was stopped on Central Avenue at 4:18 am on 4/14 for making an illegal u-turn. Police found that the man’s license had been suspended twice, once for a DWI. He was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

At 1:15 am on 4/16, Kevin Sutton, Jr., age 23 of Tarrytown was stopped when he was driving on South Central Avenue. He was found to have a suspended license and an expired registration.

Jospeh Ditroia age 32 of Yonkers was stopped by police at 3:20 am on 4/16 for failing to stay within his lane. He was found to have a suspended license and also had brass knuckles in his glove compartment. He was issued a traffic violation and also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

 

 

carnival11aThe 2011 SHS Carnival was held on Friday April 8th and Saturday April 9th – and a beautiful warm day on Saturday – one of the first of the season – helped to make the event a big success. Rides, games, food and fundraising for international causes brought out a wide swath of the community. Thanks to SHS School Government advisor Neil Ginsberg who runs the show each year, as well as all the students who pitched in to make it happen. Check out our photos:
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Michelle Kurzban and girls
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Serge Azor and Oren Iosepovici
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Kelly Rainer and friends
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Sixth Grade Girls
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Helping Families Cope with Grief
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Aid for Japan
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Model U.N.
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Aid for Autism and Art Therapy
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Neil Ginsberg