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The
Nyack Villager
®
February
2014
An independent monthly news magazine celebrating life and the arts in the Hudson River Villages
Vintage
Valentin
e collage
© Jan H
aber, Th
e Nyack
014
Villager
2
Vintage Valentines
WHITE PLAINS NY
5432
permit no.
The Nyack Villager is the only publication mailed to every residential address in all eight river villages—Upper Nyack, Nyack, Central Nyack,
South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont & Palisades NY, as well as many businesses and professionals in Rockland
and by subscription everywhere.
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2 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
REPORTER
at large
In this issue
Departments
3 REPORTER AT LARGE
• Richie Trimble’s Stoopid Taller Bike
• News From Riverkeeper
• Blue Water, White Water Update
• Do You Receive the STAR Exemption?
• $30K Raised to Help State Trooper Stricken by Cancer
• Celebrate 10th Annual Eaglefest
10th Annual Eaglefest
see page 4
6 FEBRUARY FROLIC Art & entertainment this month
7
COMMUNITY NOTES What else is happening in February
21 LETTERS to The Nyack Villager
22 CALENDAR Highlights in February
Some Valentine Legends
see page 5
23 OP-CALENDAR PAGE Useful local phone numbers
Columns
8 AT THE MOVIES Ric Pantale on Gay Hollywood
8
ok
edego ballyhoo
gobbl rubberneck
ing
RIC’S PICKS Ric Pantale on recent film releases
10 CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER CAMP
12 THE DOCTOR IS IN Charles O’Dowd on Primary Care
Richie Trimble’s Stoopid Taller Bike
12 THE AAP OF THE MONTH Vicky Schwaid on Computer Do’s & Dont’s
Words of the Year
see page 20
14 CARE WHEN THERE IS NO CURE by Jessica Downing DVM
16 THEY GOT WHAT?! Donna Cox on current trends in real estate
16 PLUMBING & HEATING TIPS ON THE MONTH by Ralph Spano
17 REMEMBER THE DAYS? Jim Leiner remembers PFC Henry W. Cook
18 WHAT’S THE BEST DIET FOR MY PET? part 2 by Tracy Cohen-Grady DVM
Dr. Cohen-Grady continues her advice on pet nutrition
19 THE LIFETIME GARDENER by Jon Feldman
What’s the best food
for my pet?
see page 18
Features
5
SOME VALENTINE LEGENDS by Shel Haber
13 NAMING AIRPORTS Where is Genghis Kahn International Airport?
15 200 YEARS OF BAD WEATHER
18 PETS FOR ADOPTION Cosmo & Muscles are waiting to meet you
20 WORD HOUND Jan Haber on a century of Words of the Year
On our February cover
Vintage Valentines
The Nyack Villager
The historic bike ride took place in Los
Angeles, California, accompanied by the
Los Angelopes, Richie’s bicycle gang,
known for their strange and wonderful
bikes. Richie is one of the founders of the
Los Angelopes.
Richie, a cinematographer by day, created
the StoopidTaller using parts of a Monster
Beach Cruiser and eight full-length bicycle
chains. The machine weighs 275 lbs and
was built in four days.
15 NAKED MOLE RAT: Vertebrate of the Year
collage by Jan Haber, © 2014 The Nyack Villager, Nyack, NY
“Nyack High School graduate, Richie
Thomasen-Trimble recently made the news
with the tallest bike on the planet. The
StoopidTaller did its maiden voyage at the
end of December. This bike has got to be
seen to be believed! It is 20’ 2.5” tall!” —
so wrote Helen Trimble, Richie’s mom in a
recent e-mail to The Nyack Villager.
Where is Ghengis Kahn’s
Airport?
see page 13
February, 2014 Vol. 20 No. 6
Mailed on or near the first of each month to every residential address in eight river villages—Upper Nyack,
Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont and Palisades NY.
On the Internet at www.nyackvillager.com
E-mail news releases to us at info@nyackvillager.com Deadline for our next issue, March 2014, is Feb 15.
Please include a contact name and telephone number
“If it wasn’t for the Los Angelopes making
a ring around me as we rode together, riding StoopidTaller wouldn’t be possible,”
says Richie, “It’s not a daily commuter. It’s
not a weekend bike. It’s a special event
bike and you need a support crew to work
with.”
We hope you’ll view the videos of Richie
riding his creations. It’s not every day you
get to pedal along with a man on a twocontinues on page 4
story tall bicycle.
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 3
REPORTER
at large
$30K Raised to Help State Trooper
Stricken by Cancer
by Bill Demarest
Richie Trimble’s StoopidTaller Bike story starts on
page 3; here’s how to access 2 great videos:
The Harbor Site Foundation and New York
State Troopers Marine Corps Association
together organized a fundraiser for Noller,
which was held at Legends NYC in Manhattan. At the end of the night, Noller was
presented with a check for $30,000 to help
him and his family.
• In this one, Richie takes one of his bikes for a
test spin in the parking lot—
vimeo.com/64653759
• In this video, Richie rides his super-tall bike
through traﬃc, under a bridge and along a
pier on Venice Beach—
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/stoopidtall-14-foot-tall-bike1851614.
News From the Riverkeeper
New York State has just announced a historic cleanup that will ﬁnally bring New
York’s state capital into compliance with the
federal Clean Water Act and New York
State water quality standards. The plan for
the Capital District targets swimmable, ﬁshable water quality for the ‘Albany Pool’ section of the Hudson by 2028, if not sooner.
This is very welcome news to this community which has the highest fecal contamination failure rate of all the areas we test in
our ongoing Hudson River Water Quality
Study.
A holiday season fundraiser has collected
$30,000 to help a New York State trooper
and Marine Corps veteran who is now
ﬁghting a battle against cancer.
“Blue Water, White Water” update
Celebrate 10th Annual Eaglefest
Trooper Timothy Noller of State Police
Troop F's Haverstraw barracks and a Rockland County resident returned from his second deployment to Afghanistan and was
diagnosed with testicular cancer, according
to the New York State Troopers Marine
Corps Association. In his ﬁght against cancer, the association said Noller has used up
For the past 10 years, Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining NY has celebrated the
return of the eagle to the lower Hudson
Valley with a festival known as Teatown’s
Sites oﬀering it—Amazon.com, Audible.com
Hudson River EagleFest.
and iTunes—let you hear a sample of the
10-hour version, beautifully read by distin- The event began in 2005 with a small but
guished actor, Alex Hyde-White. The book enthusiastic gathering of 300. Teatown’s
10th Annual Hudson River EagleFest, a facontinues to be available in hardcover and
vorite winter event in the region, will be
soft cover, as well as in the audible edition.
held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at CroThe New York Times said about it, “no one
ton Point Park, (Eagle Headquarters),
with even a passing interest in the experiwhich can accommodate the 5,000 attenence of illness should miss Robert C.
dees for a full day of activities to celebrate
Samuels’s “Blue Water, White Water”...
our national symbol.
If you like to download books to listen to,
you can now get "Blue Water, White Water,"
in that format.
Do You Receive the Star Exemption? Ten additional eagle viewing sites will be
If so, then you must register with the Tax
Department to continue receiving the exemption in 2014 and in future.
Submit Form RP-425 Application for
School Tax Relief (STAR) Exemption to
your assessor. Send it registered mail/return
receipt requested. If you hand-deliver it, request a receipt. In either case, retain a copy
of your application for your records.
In most communities, the due date is
March 1, 2014.
4 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
his sick days and his leave time and is on
half-pay status.
Noller additionally faces the challenge of
having a young daughter who was diagnosed with epilepsy and requires expensive
medication.
hosted by environmental organizations all
along the Hudson River.
Amazing live raptor shows are always a fan
favorite and will be held throughout the
day. Additional activities range from
guided and independent eagle viewing, bus
tours, storytelling, a tent brimming with
children’s programs and activities, bird
walks and displays from 30 area organizations. Entertaining and educational shows
take place all day long in The Eagle Theatre
and Eaglet Stage under heated tents. Food
Noller has been a member of the State Police for seven years and reached the rank of
gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Noller served one tour of duty in Iraq and
two tours in Afghanistan. He and his wife
have two young daughters.
Troop F in Haverstraw polices the Palisades
Interstate Parkway in Rockland County.
To support the fundraising eﬀort, checks
can be sent to:
NYST MCA (Put in memo/for section: Tpr.
Timothy Noller)
PO BOX 1348, Baldwin, NY 11510
OR visit the NYST MCA website at
www.nyst-marine.org and click on the PayPal
button located on upper right hand corner.
available for purchase will be provided by
the Wobble Café.
EAGLE THEATRE SCHEDULE:
All shows feature live birds of prey
• 10am and 11am: Skyhunters in Flight with
Brian Bradley
• 12pm and 1pm: Close Encounters with
Wintering Eagles and Owls with Bill
Streeter of Delaware Valley Raptor Center
• 2:pm: Threatened and Endangered with
Mary Beth Kaeser of Horizon Wings
• 3pm: Flight of the Raptor with Jennifer
Pena
TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
General Admission tickets allow you to
enter all of the tents and to take advantage
of all of the day’s activities for one price.
Reserved tickets: $10/adults (14+), $8/children (5-13) and free for children 4 and
under. Tickets sold at the venue on the day
of will be $15/adults (14+), $10/children
(5-13) and free for children 4 and under.
Arrive early for the bird shows in the Eagle
Theatre; seating is ﬁrst-come-ﬁrst-served.
For reserved tickets visit www.teatown.org
Info call 914.762.2912 ext110 or visit
www.teatown.org ✫
Some Valentine Legends
by Shel Haber
There are many explanations of
how and when Valentine’s Day
gift-giving began,
My own explanations is—‘way
back in the days when my ancestors lived in warm dry
caves, my great-great-greatgrandparents traded gifts as
tokens their aﬀection for each
other. Great-grandma gave
great-grandpa the ﬁrst succulent berries of the season, and
great-grandpa gave great-grandma
a bouquet of the ﬁrst ﬂowers
from the low meadow a long
walking distance away.
would gather at a sacred cave where, it was
believed, the she-wolf had
nurtured the infant twins.
The priests would make sacriﬁces to Lupa. Later in the
day, the young women of
Rome would place their
names in a big urn. The
city's bachelors, blindfolded,
would each choose a name
and become paired for the
year with his chosen woman.
These matches often led to
marriage.
THE MOTHER OF THE AMERICAN VALENTINE
Esther Howland (1828-1904) called “The Mother of the
American Valentine” was personally responsible for for making valentine cards popular in the United States. 1n 1848
when she was 19 years old, she received an ornate imported
English Valentine from a business associate of her father.
Back then, elaborate Valentine greeting cards were imported
from Europe and most Americans could not afford to buy
them. Fascinated by these cards, she decided to make them
herself at a price Americans could afford.
She recently graduated from Mount Holyoke college in
1847, when the college itself was just 10 years old. Encouraged by her father, who owned the largest stationery and
St. Valentine
book store in Worcester Massachusetts, she began her business by ordering paper flowers and paper lace from England.
Lupercalia survived early
Ms. Howland handmade a dozen samples, which her salesChristianity but was outman-brother showed to customers on his next sales trip
lawed as un-Christian at the around Massachusetts. Anticipating (at best) $200 worth of
end of the 5th century, when orders, she was overjoyed when he returned with $5,000 in
Pope Gelasius proclaimed
sales. One dollar today would be worth $28 in 1848. So
February 14 St. Valentine's
Some of the traditions of
her $5,000 would be worth $150,000. Her $5,000 was a
Day.
Valentine’s Day include the exmassive amount in those days.
changing of elaborate cards,
Over the years, legends por- Employing friends and neighbors, she developed a thriving
candy, ﬂowers and other gifts
trayed Valentine as a sympa- business in Worcester, Massachusetts using an assembly
between loved ones. The quesEsther A. Howland
thetic, heroic and romantic
line. She named her business the “New England Valentine
tion is, where did these tradiﬁgure. By 1400 Valentine became one of
Company.” An artist and businesswoman, she kept designtions come from and who is St. Valentine?
the most popular saints in England and
ing new Valentines which became renowned throughout the
France.
There are three diﬀerent saints named
United States. Her business eventually grossed over
Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were
The day became ﬁrmly associated with love $100,000 per year. She eventually sold the business in
martyred; all are recognized by the Catholic during the Middle Ages; it was commonly
1881 after many successful years. ✫
church.
believed that February 14 was the beginOne legend contends that Valentine was a
priest who lived during the third century in
Rome. Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men because he felt a single
man made a better soldier than one with a
wife and family. Valentine continued to
perform marriages of lovers in secret. When
Claudius found out about it, he had him
put to death.
ning of birds' mating season.
In another sad legend, St. Valentine sent the
ﬁrst Valentine greeting from death row.
Having fallen deeply in love with a girl who
visited him in prison, he wrote her a love
letter just before his execution. He signed
it, From your Valentine, an expression used
to this day.
Several years later, it is believed that King
Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate
to compose a Valentine note to Catherine of
Valois.
Some historians think the early Christian
church placed St. Valentine's feast day in
the middle of February in an eﬀort to
Christianize the popular Pagan celebration
of Lupercalia, a celebration of the Ides of
February, or February 15.
Lupercalia was a festival dedicated to the
she-wolf or Lupa, step-mother of the twin
brothers, Romulus and Remus, the founders
of Rome. To begin the festival, members
of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests,
Written Valentines didn't begin to appear
until after 1400. The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem written in
1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his
wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower
of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt in the Hundred Years’ War
(Saint Crispin's Day).
Valentine’s Day
cards by
Esther Howland
In the United States, handmade Valentines
were ﬁrst made and exchanged in the early
1700s. By the 1840s, Esther A. Howland
(see story at right) known as the Mother of
the Valentine, set the style in romantic greetings for all time when she began selling
elaborate Valentines she designed and created with real lace, ribbons, sentimental
verses and colorful pictures.
According to the Greeting Card Association, a staggering one billion Valentine’s
Day cards will be sent this year. Make that
one billion and one—I just mailed mine.
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 5
t
Ar
an
d En
en
t
F
lic
r uary Fro
eb
m
tertain
Rockland Center for the Arts
services solely on the monies raised through grants, memberships and donations from the community along with their
yearly fundraising gala.
In the tradition of the Oscars, it is fitting to honor the “40
Years of Giving” and their selfless commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the Nyacks on March
2, 2014 at Harbor Hill, 91 Main St., Nyack. Walk the Red
Carpet, enjoy cocktails, full dinner and the Oscars award ceremony in real time.
845.358.0877 on the web at www.rocklandartcenter.org
Info & tickets: p.ross, 89 Main St., Nyack, NY 10960 845.
348.1767.
• WINTER ART WORKSHOPS BEGIN
Edward Hopper House
Get creative this winter season at Rockland Center for the
Arts. This February and March, RoCA offers a variety of fun
and exciting one day workshops including,
• Lampworked Glass Bead Workshop,
• Releasing the Artist Within,
• Sculpture for Families,
• Mandalas,
• Make Your Own Valentines,
• Sound Circuit Building Workshop (ages 13-17).
Info or to register for a workshop, call (845) 358-0877 or
visit our website at www.rocklandartcenter.org
82 North Broadway, Nyack, NY. Gallery hours: Thurs-Sun, 12
(RoCA) 27 S Greenbush Road, West Nyack, NY.
• DIY POWER PLANT AGES 10 -15
Sunday Feb 23, 2014, 1pm to 4pm
Admission: Materials fee: $25 Tuition $80.
Participants work together to build low-voltage energy generating mechanisms & systems including solar cells, humanpower & plant power, pooling the energy to power LED lights
& small electronics.
• TINKERS, ARTISTS, INNOVATORS
Bricolage (French for ‘tinkering’), Jan 19 to Mar 20 at 2pm;
FREE. Artists work with unexpected materials creating participatory installations of sound, art and science.
Mark Your Calendar for
The Friends’ Red Carpet Oscar
Dinner/Fundraiser
“40 Years of Giving” is the theme of Friends of the Nyacks’
Red Carpet Oscar Dinner/Fundraiser to be held Sun, March 2.
Established in 1974, the Friends of the Nyacks has contributed to our community through the arts, history and community events. Continually adding new projects to their
yearly calendar, the all-volunteer 501C3 organization has
been producing the free Mostly Music Concert series, Art
Walk, Walking Tours, Apple Fest and the newly established
Plays In The Park.
Acting as startup sponsor, Friends has helped launch organizations such as the Rivertown Film Society and Arts Rock and
has co-sponsored many events, through the years, including
those of The Historical Society of the Nyacks, Nyack Chamber
of Commerce, The Art, Craft & Antiques Dealers (Acada), the
Nyack Marketing Association. They were instrumental in the
design and building of the Gazebo and the Jimmy Van
Heusen Playground in Memorial Park and the original Jefferson Street Playpark.
Friends of the Nyacks is able to continue their community
6 The Nyack Villager June, 2013
to 5pm; www.edwardhopperhouse.org Info 845.358.0774.
Adm: members free; $2 students; $4 seniors; $6 adults.
• EDWARD HOPPER CARICATURES
Thru April 13.
• ANNUAL MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION
Thru Feb 16.
• PAINTERS & PAINTINGS OF ROCKLAND CO
Feb 22 thru April 13.
• BILL BATSON: HOPPER COUNTRY
Feb 22 thru April 13.
• FIRST FRIDAY IN NYACK
Celebrating the rich artistic culture of Nyack, local shops
present monthly art shows with artists' receptions the First
Friday of each month from 5 to 8pm. At Hopper House:
• 7pm Feb 7—book talk and signing by Janet Hamlin, author of ‘Sketching Guantanamo’.
• 7pm Mar 7—film screening: ‘Edward Hopper and the
Blank Canvas’ (2012, 52 min)
• Artist Members of the Month in the Gift Shop.
In February: Nick Savides; in March: Maxine Nodel.
room bathed in images. Music has accompanied movies
since before sound was ever attached to film, but in the ’60s
and ’70s the art form was inverted and movies were added
to live performance. Tonight we pay homage to two great
albums in a performance that unites the art of music with
the art of the motion picture. One show only.
‘The Butler’ in Suffern
• SPECIAL SCREENING, ‘THE BUTLER’
In observance of African-American History Month, there will
be a special screening of ‘The Butler’ directed by Lee Daniels
at 7:30pm, Feb 6, at Layfayette Theatre-Suffern,co-sponsored by AAHS, Rivertown Film and St. Thomas Aquinas College; admission $8. Info: (845)398-4134.
Rockland County
Jazz & Blues Society
At the Carnegie Room, Nyack Library, 59 South Broadway. .
• MARK SOSKIN PERFORMS SONNY ROLLINS
The Rockland County Jazz & Blues Society, in partnership
with The Nyack Library, announces the Carnegie Concert Jazz
Series at 7:30pm Fri, Feb 21 when Pianist Mark Soskin performs the music of Sonny Rollins with Rich Perry, tenor sax,
Dean Johnson, bass and Anthony Pinciotti, drums.
These masters of modern jazz will perform Sonny’s originals
and present their interpretations of his classics.
Not to be missed! They will perform in the oak paneled,
acoustically ideal Carnegie-Farian Room, Nyack Library, 59
S. Broadway, Nyack, NY. Prices $25-$15. Tickets available
in advance at www.rcjbs.org or in person at the Nyack Library Circulation Desk.
Carnegie Concert Series
• Following the Ninth (film) Wed, February 5: $10
• Tragic Beethoven (concert) Sat, February 8
Unless otherwise noted, tickets are: $11 gen’l adm; $9 students • Beethoven Returns (concert) Sat, February 22
at The Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, 7:30 pm.
seniors & gen’l members; $8 student & senior members unless
otherwise noted. Purchase tickets at door, in advance from
Tickets available at circulation desk and online at
800.838.3006 or online at www.rivertownfilm.org Info:
www.carnegieconcerts.org Nyack Library card-holders re845.353.2568.
ceive member discount. At the door: $25 adult, $22 senior
& student, $18 member in advance: $20 adult, $18 senior
• IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?
& student, $15 member
8pm, Wed Feb 12 at Nyack Center, Broadway at Depew.
Rivertown Film Society
Documentary and animation, English language. This charmingly unpredictable animated documentary finds the French
director playing wide-eyed student to Noam Chomsky, the
Leftist linguist, philosopher and author. Gondry reveals the
filmmaking process that is usually hidden from the viewer.
His intellectual anxieties are laid bare as he gently questions
and prods Mr. Chomsky. This is a film that celebrates the
life of a great mind.
• DARK SIDE OF THE MOON and
• WISH YOU WERE HERE
NOTE: admission this event: $15 advance, $20 at door.
8pm Sat, Feb 22 at Nyack Center, Broadway at Depew.
Ten-piece band, ‘Dark Side of the Hudson’ performs Pink
Floyd’s groundbreaking 1973 album ‘Dark Side of the
Moon’ and 1975’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ exactly as you remember them, in front of Pink Floyd’s own projections, in a
The Art Students League
at Vytlacil - 241 Kings Highway, BOX 357, Sparkill NY
10976; info: 845.359.1263.
• CATHERINE REDMOND: PAINTING ON PAPER & CANVAS
Gallery hours Wed–Sat 10–4 and Sun 10–2. Exhibition on
view thru February 16, at the Elizabeth V. Sullivan Gallery.
• OPEN STUDIOS
Saturday, Feb 22, 2-4pm. Every month, meet our artists in
residence and enjoy wine, cheese and conversation about art
at Vyt’s free Open Studios.
Connect with us: facebook.com/VytAIR
Sculpture: Forged Steel, Repoussé, Saturdays 10am-1pm.
Sculptor James Garvey Monthly: $137.
February Frolic continues at right
Cooking Class a Benefit Event
20 Mountainview Ave., O’burg; Reservations: 845.365.2727
Del Arte's Cooking Class by Chef John Carollo, Tue, Feb 28 at
6:30pm, is a fundraiser to send two special needs youngsters
to the Lourdes Shrine in France during Easter Week. Read
the whole story online at www.lourdeskidsofrockland.org/
Dress code: casual. Contribution: $55 per person.
Pearl River Public Library
80 Franklin Avenue, Pearl River, NY 10965, 845.735.4084:
to submit artwork for consideration contact John Aiello.
• WORKS BY NYACK RESIDENT ON DISPLAY
Nyack resident and award-winning oil painter Victor Zaldivar
will show his still life paintings and charcoal portraiture at
Pearl River Library during February. He has exhibited work
at the Society of Illustrators, the Salmagundi Club of NY,
Knickerbocker Artists, the Hopper House and elsewhere. ✫
Community notes
Tell The Villager and we’ll tell the community.
E-mail brief news release to: info@nyackvillager.com
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT NYACK CENTER
58 Depew Avenue, Nyack, NY- Corner of Broadway and Depew.
Nyack Center’s Black History Month Committee invites the
community to attend a living expression of the roots of
African American history in our community.
Nyack Center’s 17th Annual Black History Month Celebration
and Third Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest
will recognize Hon.Toney and Idette Earl, Constance Frazier,
and MarQui Julien, and their contribution to the lives of
African Americans and our community. Join us for an
evening of music, rhythm, stories and joy as we celebrate the
stories of African Americans through song, dance and the
spoken word. Top oratory contest finalists will perform at
the event. Scholarships will be awarded. For more information about the oratory contest for college bound students call
845.358.2600.
This event is free and open to the community, beginning at
7pm, Sat evening, Feb 8, at Nyack Center, 58 Depew Avenue, corner of Broadway and Depew in Nyack, NY.
‘THE SOUK’ AT OUTSIDE IN
249 Ferdon Avenue Piermont NY. Info 845.398.0706
‘The Souk’ on Sparkill Creek is an indoor epicurean upmarket of selected local farm produce and prepared small craft
foods, evoking the lively communal spirit of exotic ancient
markets.
Come escape the winter's cold in a rich sensual oasis fragrant
with spices, rich oils and artisan cheeses mingling with the
irresistible aromas of steamy simmering soups, roasted
meats and fresh baked pies, prepared to eat here or to take
away. Spend a lazy Sunday wandering through the everchanging vendors in our greenhouse market space, or choose
to rest in conversation near the wood stove with something
warm, surrounded by OUTSIDE IN’s fine collection of original
art and craft.
‘The Souk’ is easy to find at OUTSIDE IN, just North of the
New Jersey border in Piermont, near the historic villages of
Tappan and Sparkill, nestled along the Sparkill Creek.
Hours: every Sunday in February, from 10am to 3pm. More
info online at www.theoutside.in.com
AT BIRCHWOOD CENTER
85 S. Broadway, Nyack; visit info@birchwoodcenter.com or call
845.358.6409
• VINYASA : TIPS, TRICKS & TRAPS
Sat, Feb 22, 2—4:30 pm, Admission: $40
Join Bill Rosenfeld exploring Sun Salutations and other
vinyasas and use breath, focus, and the body’s energetic
pathways to stoke the flames of your yoga practice. ,Designed for strong beginners & up.
• PARTNER MASSAGE & STRETCH TOGETHER
Sat, Feb 15, 2—6pm. Admission: $175
A Special Workshop for Couples. Connect through breath,
movement, and touch, learning how to stretch together and
give each other a really great foot, shoulder and neck massage. Materials included.
continues on page 9
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 7
At the Movies
by Ric Pantale
Behind the Hollywood Sign:
a short history of Gay Hollywood
The Gay Divorcee and The Gay Caballeros
had a diﬀerent meaning back in the day. If
they were made today you'd instantly think
it was about homosexuality, not jovial, light
hearted and happy people.
It's really no big secret that the Hollywood
ﬁlm industry always had very many gay and
lesbian employees—then as now drawn to
the theatrical life to express their inner creativity. Creative people of all life styles are
frequently more openminded than average
and have less diﬃculty accepting diﬀerences,
—but that didn’t apply to the audience.
Back in the 1920s, 30s, 40s and even today,
gays in Hollywood were expected to conceal
all evidence that they were gay. Hollywood
nurtured the gay and lesbian lifestyle but
tried to keep it hidden from the heterosexual public.
In the 1920s there was a high interest in
gender roles—stars went out of their way to
show the public how masculine or feminine
they were. Rudolph Valentino, an avowed
heterosexual, had to prove over and over he
was a virile hero. For some reason the press
at the time dubbed him. The Pink Powder
Puﬀ. Afraid it would ruin his career, he
scheduled boxing matches to prove how
manly he was. It's a surprise to many that
Valentino was an amateur boxer. He died
at 31 from a sport-related injury, not from
syphilis, as was widely reported.
There were so many big stars who were gay
or bisexual, that you'd truly be amazed.
Hollywood worked day and night to conceal the truth from the public. The purpose
of this column is not to out or in anyway to
destroy their privacy, so I will concentrate
on performers who are known for being
gay. James Dean had aﬀairs with men and
Joan Crawford had aﬀairs with women—
notably Marilyn Monroe.
In the early 1930s, before the Hays Code,
ﬁlms tended to be frisky, containing sly hidden meanings, double entendres and phallic
symbols. Many women's groups that came
to power in the 1930s strongly disapproved
of the way sexuality was portrayed in ﬁlm—
especially homosexuality. They warned
Hollywood to clean up its act. It's ironic
that the 1930s was the time of the star.
Hollywood was very protective of their important actors—and yet they were not
8 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
truthful with the
public. Each star’s
contract contained
clauses specifying
how they should
dress, behave and
above all, whom they
should date.
When we heard a star
was suspended, or traded to another producer, his studio went into damage control
mode, telling the press that the star was uncooperative, or was having a salary dispute.
Much of the time it was because the star
had been seen in public, canoodling with a
same-sex partner.
Movies in the 1940s started to hint more
about a character’s sexuality. Many times a
director would slip in a scene or a comment
that made the viewer think, Did I just see
that? Hollywood insiders often laughed at
the censors because of the material that was
slipped by them.
When the hit Broadway play, Tea & Sympathy was made into a movie, the character
who was plainly gay was changed to ultra
sensitive and misunderstood. Fred Zinneman, a great director, had a problem with
A Children's Hour, a frank story of two lesbians. Zinneman cast two very heterosexual
females, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley
Maclaine in the parts. The ﬁlm contained
hints that the characters were supposed to
be gay, though the script never once came
right out and said so.
In recent years, old taboos have grown less
important and big stars are increasingly unafraid to tackle gay roles. Paul Newman
played a gay character in Cat On a Hot Tin
Roof. Rod Steiger surprised everyone when
he appeared in The Sergeant, a military story
of a sergeant who has the hots for a young
private. Even Marlon Brando (who might
have been bi-sexual in real life) played a gay
Army Oﬃcer in Carson McCuller's steamy
Reﬂections in a Golden Eye.
The big breakthrough was probably the ﬁrst
openly gay movie, The Boys In The Band.
Hollywood had to notice that audiences
didn’t die of shock. Society and Hollywood
have, to some extent, grown up.
But sadly, not enough. When Pee Wee
Herman was busted at a porn movie for
“taking things in his own hands” his career
was all but over. Isn’t it ironic that when a
virile male star gets caught with a hooker
(as Hugh Grant did recently) it seems to
only solidify his male sexuality.
Sometimes, when a gay actor plays a heterosexual role, it doesn't seem to come oﬀ for
many movie goers. Anne Heche couldn't
pull oﬀ her love scenes with Harrison Ford
in Seven Days Seven Nights. It's no stretch
to say Ellen Degeneres or Rupert Everett
won’t get roles that stress their sexuality.
If you want irony, here it is: back in the old
days, Hollywood stars would shun homosexual roles for fear the audience would
want to stone them; now A-Listers go out
of their way to play gay characters, knowing
that they could be nominated for an Academy Award.
Like the rest of society, the culture in Hollywood is changing. Some day soon it will be
an unthinkable to denigrate gays as it is for
white actors to appear in blackface.
Ric Pantale writer and director, is an independent ﬁlm maker.
Ric’s Picks
February has always been a good month for new big releases.
ON DEMAND IN FEBRUARY
• 12 YEARS A SLAVE February 12 Rated (R)
Could very well win a bunch of Oscars. Hard to sit through
in the theater, but should be easier to take at home. After
seeing it, you just sit back and wonder, ‘how did this ever
happen?’ True, many lives were lost in the Civil War to
abolish slavery, but it somehow doesn't seem enough.
• GRAVITY
February 19
Unless you were out somewhere in space trying to grab Sandra, you probably know what this is about. It literally takes
your breath away—every second is excruciating. Great film;
it's what movies are all about.
• DALLAS BUYERS CLUB February 14 Rated (R)
After seeing this you will believe Matthew McConeghy is a
very underrated actor. Tough subject, but based on a true
story. Brings new awareness of HIV and Aids.
• ALL IS LOST
February 11
Old man of the sea Robert Redford in an excellent one- man
show. You think you'll be bored? Think again. Redford is
accidentally cut adrift to the open sea, with a boat as his
only means of surviving.
NETFLIX STREAMING
These are worthwhile films you never heard of or missed.
• A LONELY PLACE TO DIE Rated (R) English
Five Friends who are on a climbing Holiday in the Scottish
Highlands come across a kidnapping victim. The kidnappers
try anything and everything to get her back.
Ric’s Picks continues at right
• SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS Rated (R)
Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, and
Colin Farell ... need I say more? If you like your comedy very
dark, this is for you. Even if you don't this is for you. A hoot
from start to finish. Sam Rockwell rocks.
• RIGHT AT YOUR DOOR Rated (R)
When a dirty bomb is detonated in down town L. A. a distraught husband who is at home, is cut off from his wife and
imagines things that only make it worse. Great film, richly
acted.
• SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED not rated
Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Recreation shows she's not just
a pretty face. Reporters from a local newspaper are intrigued
by a want ad specifying a time travel trip. Could it be for real?
And who is this guy?
• HEADHUNTERS Rated R Norway
I loved this movie about a high-powered corporate recruiter
who sets himself up to steal valuable works of art to maintain
his opulent lifestyle. How it's done is clever and amazing. But
one time he steals a painting belonging to a psychopath. Oh my!
• SEAL TEAM SIX Rated R
In my opinion, a better movie than ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’ You get
to know the characters better and although you know the outcome for Bin Laden, you are with them every step of the way.
Excellent. ✫
Community notes start on page 7
PALISADES INDOOR WINTER FARM MARKET
At Palisades Community Center 675 Oak Tree Rd, Palisades, NY.
In its sixth year, the Palisades Indoor Winter Farmers' Market is
open every Saturday, 9am-1pm.
Housed in an historic schoolhouse, we have everything you need
to make delicious seasonal meals: fish, veggies, fruit, cheese,
Balthazar breads and much more. For market updates, join our
e-mail list at PCC@Palisadesny.com or visit us on the web:
www.palisadesfm.org
NAACP NYACK BRANCH
The NAACP Nyack Branch General Public Meeting will be held at
7pm, Wed, Feb 26 at Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave, Nyack, NY.
The highlight of the evening will be "My Experience with Segregation in the South," a Black History Presentation by Alan
Moskin, Esq.
Info: Frances Pratt 845.358.1497 or Janine Tracey, Press and
Publicity Chair. (Janine.Tracey@yahoo.com)
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE NYACKS
Suite L-2 of the Depew House, 50 Piermont Ave, Nyack, behind
Nyack library parking lot, Info: 845.418.4430.
• ‘GREAT GRANDMA’S KITCHEN: HOUSEHOLD IMPLEMENTS OF
LONG AGO,’
Fascinating display of antique implements from a typical 19th
century home. Open to the public from 1 to 4pm every Saturday in February, Suite L-2 of the Depew House, 50 Piermont
Avenue, Nyack, behind the library parking lot and across the
street from Nyack’s Memorial Park.
Community Notes continue on page 12
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 9
✷
SUMMER CAMPS 2014 ✷
February is the perfect time to think about warm days to come and to plan for your kids’ summer fun.
The summer camps listed are all local and oﬀer a wide variety of fun-ﬁlled activities for you to choose. (In alphabetical order.)
Amazing Grace Circus Summer Day Camp presents its 12th Annual Circus Summer Day Camp. It is Hudson Valley’s oldest
year-round youth circus organization, Amazing Grace Circus. There are two age groups: Big Top ages 7—14; Little Top: ages 5-7.
There are two sessions; the ﬁrst starts on June 30 the second August 8. Children and ‘teens learn juggling, clowning, acrobatics, trapeze, tight-wire, and aerial skills. Campers put on a real circus show with costumes, make-up, and choreography for acrobatic and
clown routines at the end of each 2-week session. To get in shape for the summer camp, enroll in School of Circus Arts in Nyack
now. Call Carlo Pellegrini, Circus & Camp Director at 845.348.8740 to sign up for Circus Summer Camp; website: www.amazinggracecircus.org
Blue Rock School Summer Play has an open house, on March 1 and March 15 at 2pm where you can meet the camps director,
learn about the camp program and take a tour of the 4-acre wooded grounds. Blue Rock is at 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack.
It is an enchanting place with a warm, caring and experienced staﬀ. Campers ages 3½ to 12 explore art, music, nature and science,
woodworking, drama, swimming, games and free play. The older groups can choose a once-a-week excursion option where they explore the great outdoors in local parks, hiking trails, and area rivers and lakes. CIT program available for ages 13 and older. Fiveweek program: July 1 to August 1, Mon—Thurs 9:30am—3pm. Register at: summerplaycamp@gmail.com or 845.627.0234
www.bluerockschool.org
Camp Montessori is pure fun for children ages 3—5. The summer session is four weeks long. Each week's activities revolve
around a diﬀerent theme. In the past, our weekly themes included: Carnival, Pirates, Circus, and Outdoor Art. Even Mickey Mouse
himself dropped in to visit our summer program! Plus splashing in the sprinkler, enjoying healthy summer snacks and plenty of free
play with new friends make the summer days ﬂy by! Summer camp runs from 9am—1pm daily, leaving plenty of time for families to
engage in their own summer activities after camp. “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the ﬁrst
one, the period from birth to the age of six.”—Dr.Maria Montessori. Call 845.358.9209 Marion Street, Nyack.
Rivertown Music and Arts Summer Camp oﬀers a creative and nurturing environment for children interested in music,
singing, theatre and art at the beautiful FOR mansion in Nyack. Through group and private music lessons, musical games, improvisation and movement, students not only develop their skills in the arts, but they have a blast doing it! Directed by Christopher Yates,
owner of Nyack’s Rivertown Music, the camp features professional actress Jill Lobo and professional musicians and guest artists who
are gifted, caring teachers. For a child interested in creative expression, this is an exuberant camp brimming with possibilities. July
7th to August 1st 10am—2pm. Ages 5—12. FOR Building. 521 North Broadway, Nyack. For info and to register: 845.405.3615
rivertownmusic.net
Rockland Center for the Arts Summer Camp (RoCA) For 54 seasons, the camp experience at RoCA has been turning summer
sun days into creative fun days for children ages 5 through 12. RoCA's ten wooded acres, spacious gallery and fully equipped, air conditioned, art studios are the site of our programs . Campers, under the supervision of professional adult instructors and caring counselors, learn in a hands-on, non-competitive environment where personal development, conﬁdence, creativity and group cooperation
are encouraged. An Open House will be held Sunday, March 16, 1—4pm. Meet the camp director and staﬀ and tour the grounds.
Camp instruction and recreation include: Swimming, Field Games, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics. 3D Art, Wearable Art, Cartooning,
Puppetry, Theater Arts, Dance & Movement, Music, Theme Days. Contact: Amy Alinkofsky, Camp Director, 845.358.0877 ext 18
amy@rocklandartcenter.org www.rocklandartcenter.org ✫
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10 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
Rockland Center for the Arts
Blue Rock School
Amazing Grace Circus
Rivertown Music
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 11
•
The Doctor is IN
by Charles O’Dowd, MD
that requires a trip to the hospital. They will
know your health history and habits, and can
more easily recognize signs that can indicate
a change in your health. They can refer you to
Newly Insured or in Need of a Physician? a specialist if needed, and help you sort
Why Everyone Should Have a through recommendations from diﬀerent
specialists if you see more than one. They
Primary Care Physician
provide a medical home for all of your treatIf you’re feeling healthy, not having a primary ment.
care physician may not seem like a big deal.
You may assume that if you are having a
But if you get sick, not having a primary care
health issue, you can go straight to a specialdoctor may land you in the emergency room.
ist. However, it’s not always obvious which
There are many other beneﬁts to establishing specialist you should see, and your insurance
a relationship with a doctor while you’re feel- company may require a trip to your primary
ing good. Primary care physicians provide care doctor ﬁrst. For instance, chest pain
preventive care and screen for illness. They might be related to your heart, your lungs, or
also treat acute illnesses and monitor ongoing your gastrointestinal system. If you start with
chronic illness. Having a primary care physi- a specialist and it turns out you’ve gone to the
cian now will beneﬁt you as you get older and wrong one, you’ve wasted time as well as
money. You likely will have gone through
need more regular medical care.
tests that you might have avoided, and your diPrimary care doctors provide what is known
agnosis could be delayed.
as continuity of care. They get to know you,
and are more likely to catch a problem early, If you do get sick, your primary care doctor
before a minor problem becomes a major one can evaluate your symptoms quickly, perform
The App of the Month
by Vicki Schwaid
Do’s and Don’ts
• Don’t leave liquids by a computer. Accidents happen, and no
computer likes a drink!
• Don’t open up a link from a
bank or company and ﬁll out the
information. Keep your information private.
• Don’t leave tablets near objects that can
fall on them. A cracked screen is never fun
or cheap to replace.
• Do make sure backup is running. Nice to
always have the security of saved memories
and hard work. In fact: use two backups,
one drive can fail.
• Don’t take iPads/iPhones and laptops into
the bathroom while a shower is running.
Moisture is bad.
• Do run your batteries all they way down till
battery is exhausted, then do a FULL charge.
This conditions and recalibrates the battery.
• Don't clutter the desktop with multiples
ﬁles and large folders. The operating system
doesn't like it! Make everything run slow.
far more time consuming and diﬃcult.
This includes your PHOTO library! Delete
those duplicates!
• Do a “print preview” before
printing. This way, you can see if
there is a mistake before printing.
Save the planet.
• Don’t put computers/table/phone
on rug or carpet. Not only is
static electricity a zapper, the airﬂow of a computer will suck in the dust
(with cat hair!) and cause issues.
• Don’t bend cables to a 90-degree angle.
Hurts the wire inside the sheathing.
• Do password-protect your network if you
have conﬁdential information on your computers.
• Do print those pictures and/or make a
book. It’s enjoyable to see those digital
memories not on a computer or electronic
device, but a wall or table. Your family,
friends and guests will enjoy seeing them.
• Do kiss your children on the head and see
where they are going on-line. Love and
safety come ﬁrst.
Vicki Schwaid is the owner of “The Mac
Shack” in Nyack. The Mac Shack does on-site
• Do delete your cookies in your browser(s) service and support for Mac Computers and
devices. She has been in the computing indusfrequently. Help keep your world a little
try for 25+ years with a ﬂuid understanding
more private.
of
networking, programming, video and
• Do housekeeping as you use your computer.
graphic
production. ✫
Cleaning ﬁles/documents years later can be
12 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
the necessary exam, and send you for the appropriate tests to diagnose and treat your illness. Your doctor will also work with you to
prevent future illnesses, by monitoring blood
pressure, blood sugar, weight, lipid levels,
stress and many other parameters of good
health.
By knowing you and your medical history,
your primary care physician can look at the
big picture, and help you stay healthy.
New York Internist, Charles O’Dowd, MD of
Clarkstown Medical Associates in New City, a
member of Highland Medical PC, shares why
you should have a Primary Care Physician.
About Highland Medical
Highland Medical P.C. is a network of medical practices staﬀed by some of the areas ﬁnest
physicians who oﬀer high quality, patient centered, cost-eﬀective care in the community. It
consists of ﬁve primary care groups, two
hematoglogy/oncology groups and a highly
rated surgical team. To learn more visit
www.highlandmedicalpc.com ✫
Community notes start on pg 7
MONTESSORI CENTER OF NYACK /
RIVER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Programs for children age 2 through kindergarten. What do
George Clooney, Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Anne
Frank, Julia Child, Katherine Graham, Yo Yo Ma and Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis all have in common? They attended
Montessori schools! Find out what we can do for your child
at our informational meeting and open house.
Sat., Mar. 8 at 10:00 AM or Thurs. Mar. 13 at 7:00 PM, 85
Marion Street, Nyack, NY (enter on 5th Ave) Info call 845358-9209
AT NYACK LIBRARY
Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway; info: 845.358.3370.
• DAYS OF KNIGHTS: CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR
for children in grades K-5, Wed, Feb 19, 11am-12:30pm
Dive right into a fun medieval fairy tale with Sir Kenneth,
the storytelling knight. Hands-on opportunities for children
to uncover tons of amazing facts about knights. Try on real
armor and much more. Free admission, please register.
• WHAT'S DRIVING POLITICAL POLARIZATION?
Thurs, Feb 13 at 7pm.
Join Nyack resident Francis Wilkinson, Editor at ‘Bloomberg
View’, for a lively presentation followed by Q & A on this
provocative and timely topic. In the Community Meeting
Room; free admission, register at 845.358.3370 ext 214.
CROPSEY COMMUNITY FARM OFFERS SHARES
Cropsey Community Farm (CCF), the first farm project of
Rockland Farm Alliance begins its fourth growing season
with the announcement that 250 shares of Community SupCommunity Notes continue on page 14
Naming
Airports
Most International
airports are named
after political people
like presidents or
kings: Washington
DC’s Ronald Reagan
and John Foster
Dulles Airports or
King Abdulaziz International Airport in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. c
hopi
But some of my fan
vorites are named
after musicians, artists and the like.
There is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Airport
of Salzburg, Austria, Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, Budapest’s international airport named
for composer Franz Liszt—and let us not forget John Lennon Airport, Liverpool, U.K.
Very occasionally an airport is named for an
artist; Rome has Leonardo da Vinci airport.
Not all the good names are in Europe. In
New Orleans, there is Louis Armstrong International Airport, Will Rogers Airport in
Oklahoma City, named for the vaudeville
rope twirler, movie actor and internationally
famous humorist. A Baltimore-Washington
International airport was named for Supreme
Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Some airports are named after historical people. At opposite ends of the world are Venice’s
Marco Polo airport and Mongolia's Genghis
Khan International Airport.
A few airports have been named for women;
there is Indira Gandhi International Airport,
Delhi, India, Amelia Earhart Airport, Atchison, Kansas and in Albania, the Tirana Airport, named for Mother Teresa.
My personal favorite is Charles M. Schulz
Sonoma County Airport, a very small ﬁeld in
Santa Rosa, CA, named for the creator of the
cartoon Peanuts. The airport's logo is Snoopy
in his pilot’s helmet. ✫
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 13
tion on the same day he is diagnosed and consider starting
him on this medication immediately, even if you do not think
by Jessica E. Downing, DVM
he is in pain.
Care When There is no Cure
2) Samson should never starve.
Cats, in particular, and some
Maybe you have noticed that your cat, Samson, has
dogs will stop eating when they
been looking more unkempt lately. Maybe he looks
are
not
feeling
well.
Encourage
them to eat by offering
thinner and has not emptied his food dish for the past
their
favorite
food.
Vitamin
supplements,
obtained from
few weeks. Deep down you are worried that he is very
your
veterinarian,
should
be
given
to
those
pets that are
sick. When you finally convince yourself that Samson is
not going to get better on his own, you take him to your eating homemade diets, so that they have complete nuveterinarian. You are dreading what he/she has to say. trition. Appetite stimulants are also available from your
Sadly, your worst fears come to life when the doctor tells veterinarian. These stimulants can turn an anorexic pet
you that there is an abnormal mass on the chest x-ray. into one that eats again.
3) Samson should not have stomach upset. Stomach
Samson, the cat you rescued as a tiny kitten twelve
and intestinal upset is never fun whether you are a
years ago, has cancer.
human, cat, or dog. The good news is that your pet
Is this the end of the road for Samson? Not necessarily. does not have to suffer from unnecessary gastrointestiSome types of cancer are curable with surgery or medi- nal upset. Speak to your veterinarian about keeping a
cine and other types are highly responsive to chemother- small supply of anti-nausea and diarrhea medication on
apy and can put a pet into remission for several months.
hand for you to give to your pet immediately if they
should
start to show signs of stomach upset.
However, what if you don’t want your elderly pet to undergo surgery or chemotherapy? What if these modali- No one wants to hear that their beloved companion has
ties are not economically feasible? What if this
a terminal illness. However, knowledge is power. As
particular cancer cannot be surgically or medically
pet owners, if we can eliminate or minimize our pet’s
treated? Is there anything else your veterinarian can do discomfort and prolong their contentedness, then
for Samson?
shouldn’t we? By following the guidelines above and by
From the Valley Cottage
Animal Hospital
Fortunately, the answer is yes. There is care beyond a
clinical cure for cancer patients. This type of care involves keeping your pet pain-free and minimizing the
symptoms of their disease so that he can enjoy life as
comfortably as possible.
working with your veterinarian, we can help to keep our
loved ones as comfortable and happy as possible. After
all, they deserve it. ✫
Dr. Jessica Downing grew up in upstate New
York. She completed her veterinary education at
the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell
As an owner of a pet with cancer or other terminal dis- University. Dr. Downing's professional interests
ease, the following guidelines should be adhered to:
include emergency medicine, ultrasonography
1) Samson should never hurt. Samson, being a cat,
and surgery. She has been a general practitioner
may never tell you if he is feeling uncomfortable or hurt- and emergency veterinarian at the Valley Cottage
Animal Hospital since 2005. As a co-owner of
ing. It is our responsibility to assume that any illness
generally has some degree of discomfort. For this rea- the hospital, Dr. Downing oversees the emergency
son, consult with your veterinarian about pain medica- side of the practice.
14 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
Community notes start on pg 7
ported Agriculture for 2014 will be available for sale. For
full details and registration: www.cropseyfarm.org
The 2014 growing season extends from June 3rd, through
Nov 22. Members visit the farm to pick up their weekly
share of the freshest-possible seasonal produce.
CCF grows vegetables using organic & biodynamic methods.
The cost for a share is $750. Members have the choice to
pay in full or in installments.
GATE HILL DAY CAMP WINTER OPEN HOUSE
750 Gate Hill Road, Stony Point NY. Info: 845.947.3223 or
Lisa Goldstein, info@gatehilldaycamp.com
• JOIN US FOR A DAY OF CAMP FUN, Arts & Crafts, Sports,
Refreshments & Private Tours Feb 8, from 11am to 3pm.
RSVP by calling 845.947.3223 or gatehilldaycamp.com
TAPPAN ZEE THRIFT SHOP
454 Piermont Avenue, Piermont NY. Hours: Tues, Thurs, Fri and
Sat from 10am to 4pm. Wed. and Sun 1 to 4pm.
Valentine gifts include jewelry, watches, jewelry boxes,
books and paintings.
ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN
• AAUW "Rockland Readers Book Club" meets Thurs, Feb
6, at 1pm at Barnes & Noble, 140 Rockland Plaza, Nanuet.
• AAUW “Rockland Branch Book Group” meets Wed, Feb
19 at 4pm at New City Library, 220 N. Main St, New City.
• Diversity Brunch Sat, Feb 22, at 10:30am. at the St.
Charles A.M.E. Zion Church, 432 Valentine Avenue, Sparkill,
hosted by AAUW & Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Details contact
Sylvia Miller 845.358.1680. ✫
If you represent a local, community-based not-for-profit, we
urge you to have a look at it. Find it on The Nyack Villager
website, at
info@nyackvillager.com
Click “Events” and choose “Submit an Event.” Fill in the
spaces on the little form, then click “Submit.” We will have
what you sent within a few seconds.
atures dropped as low as minus 90º F.
In Nyack on February 2, 1860, it was the
coldest day of the year. Recorded at minus
13º F., the Hudson River froze over. On
February 10, gale winds uprooted trees,
fences and chimneys and tore oﬀ several
roofs in Piermont.
On February 4, 1871 the frozen Hudson
river suddenly cracked open, and a huge ice
ﬂoe made oﬀ with 170 men who were ﬁsh200 Years of Bad Weather ..
ing through the ice in Haverstraw Bay.
... freezing, bitter, bleak, frigid, bad weather. Some swam to shore in the freezing water
and others stayed aﬂoat for six miles before
When we say small talk we’re usually talking being rescued in boats.
about bad weather, so here is some small
talk from the last 200 years All these events In 1903, local newspapers headlined these
events:
really happened; the reports were taken
from newspapers and magazines of the time. January12:
Icy pavement causes Mr. C.G.Coﬃn to fall
The Great Snow of 1717 was a series of
and
break his right ankle.
snowstorms in New England that left 4 feet
of snow and drifted up to 25 feet high.
Science Magazine Names Naked Mole Rat
VERTEBRATE OF THE YEAR
It’s a safe bet that the naked mole rat didn’t
get its exalted status as Vertebrate of the
Year on its good looks alone.
A small 3” to 4” long hairless ground
dwelling rodent native to Eastern Africa, its
eyesight is poor, as is its ability to regulate
its body temperature; it can only huddle
with other mole rats to get warm.
January 24:
Icy pavement causes Mrs. Abram Niﬀen to
fall and dislocate her hip in Haverstraw.
Perhaps to compensate for a face that only a
mother mole rat could love, naked mole rat
In the winter of 1741 the Hudson river
was given some spectacular gifts: a lifespan
froze so thick that people walked across the
of up to 31 years, compared to a maximum
January 17:
ice from Rockland to Westchester.
of
7 years for the common rat, inability to
Icy pavement causes Mrs William Eckroyd
Historians report in November, 1783 a terfeel
much pain and apparent immunity to
to fall and break her arm in Haverstraw.
rible snowstorm forced Gen. Washington
cancer. As they move through their under
February 8:
and eight oﬃcers on their way to West
ground tunnels, and can scurry backward as
Icy pavement causes Mary O’Connell to
Point to take shelter in Tappan for three
fast as they can move forward. When they
days, at the home of one Johannes De Witt. slip and fall on Prospect Avenue in Tomkins encounter another mole rat in a tunnel,
Cove and break her arm.
they bump teeth as a greeting.
On Feb. 22 1856 the Hudson River froze so
February
24:
solid that a seemingly endless parade of
Bizarre little creatures, mole rats are the
people walked across from Nyack to Tarry- An icy sidewalk causes Mrs. David Katon to only mammals yet discovered who organize
town. It was also reported that at least ﬁfty fall and break her leg in Haverstraw.
their colonies the way ants, bees and wasps
horse drawn sleighs crossed the ice.
So we had better stop complaining about
and termites dothat is, only one female
In 1857, on January 17, The Cold Storm set- the weather; the projected temperatures this the queen and a few males reproduce,
year for February run between a high of
while the rest of the population is sterile
tled over the area and lasted many days.
and function as workers.
There were blizzard conditions and temper- 45°F and a low of 22°F. ✫
6V % V
J
6V
The researchers who are looking into the
world of the naked mole rat plan to see if
mole rat’s longevity and cancer resistance
can be transferred to other animals. ✫
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 15
by Donna Cox
They got what?!
I am constantly evaluating how buyers
search for homes and how they found the home they ultimately bought.
The National Association of Realtors® released its 2013 Proﬁle of Home
Buyers and Sellers – a comprehensive survey evaluating demographics,
preferences and experiences of recent home buyers and sellers. Where do
buyers start their search? An overwhelming majority of buyers (92%) start
by searching online. When looking for homes online, buyers cite photos
and detailed property descriptions as the most important information followed by virtual tours and interactive neighborhood maps. Approximately 91% of buyers who start
their search online engage a Realtor to assist them with their home purchase. How did buyers ﬁnd
the home they ultimately purchased? Thirty-three percent of the buyers heard about the home from
their agent and 43% ﬁrst saw the home on the Internet – a percentage that has almost doubled over
the past 6 years. Other sources include yard signs (9%), friends, neighbors or relatives (6%), directly
from a builder (5%) and directly from the seller (2%). Less than 2% of the buyers found the home
they purchased though newspaper ads, home books or an open house. With that, here are the homes
that sold during December.
• THE HOMES LISTED BELOW WERE SOLD BY A VARIETY OF BROKERS PROUDLY SERVING THE RIVER VILLAGES.
STYLE
LOCATION
Colonial
Colonial
Colonial
Colonial
Colonial
Colonial
Ranch
Victorian
Co-op
Co-op
Condo
Contemporary
Colonial
Co-op
Co-op
Co-op
Cape Cod
Condo
Condo
Contemporary
Ranch
Summary
U. Nyack
U. Nyack
U. Nyack
U. Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
Nyack
S. Nyack
S. Nyack
S. Nyack
S. Nyack
S. Nyack
Piermont
Piermont
Piermont
Palisades
Palisades
ADDRESS
BEDROOMS BATHS
119 Birchwood Ave
23 Riverton Dr
207 Kuyper Dr
209 Lexow Ave
57 Fourth Ave
191 High Ave
46 Sickles Ave
71 Third Ave
103 Gedney #2G
38 Fourth #2D
2 Burd St #2102
123 Piermont Ave
126 Piermont Ave
3 Salisbury Pt #5B
3 Salisbury Pt #6D
4 Salisbury Pt #4C
234 Ferdon Ave
212 Harbor Cove
7-2 Lawrence Park
80 Ludlow Ln
164 Morningside Ave
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
4
1
2
0
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
3
3.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
3.1
2.1
1
1.1
1
1
1
3.1
1.1
1
1
1
1.1
1
1
3
4.1
LIST PRICE
SALE PRICE
$ 826,000
793,500
579,000
475,000
589,000
530,000
329,000
295,000
275,000
255,000
239,900
1,685,000
469,000
299,000
289,000
199,900
479,000
265,000
218,000
1,450,000
655,000
$ 792,500
773,669
576,000
450,000
555,000
510,000
316,000
406,500
275,000
239,000
225,000
1,500,000
452,000
265,000
282,500
180,000
420,000
232,500
200,000
1,370,000
595,000
Source: GHVMLS YTD Comparison Report
December 2013 YTD vs. December 2012 YTD - Single Family Homes
New inventory (the number of homes going on the market) increased 14% (261 YTD 2013 vs. 229 YTD
2012). The number of sales increased 17.9% (125 YTD 2013 vs. 109 YTD 2012). The average sales price
of homes that have sold decreased approximately 3.1% to $611,950. Overall, the average sales price for single family homes that have sold in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $424,479, up 1.9%
over the same period last year.
December 2013 YTD vs. December 2012 YTD - Condos
New inventory (the number of condos going on the market) increased 25% (95 YTD 2013 vs. 76 YTD
2012). The number of sales increased 65.6% (53 YTD 2013 vs. 32 YTD 2012). The average sales price of
condos that have sold decreased approximately 8.5% to $355,076. Overall, the average sales price for condos that have sold in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $231,667, up 1.5% over the
same period last year. ✫
Poets and Philosophers On Love I
♥ Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.
—Peter Ustinov (1921—2004)
♥ Real success is ﬁnding your lifework in the work that you love.
—David McCullough (1933—)
♥ Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none. All's Well That Ends Well Act 1 Scene 1
—William Shakespeare (1564—1616)
♥ He that falls in love with himself will have no rival.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706—1790)
♥ True love comes quietly, without banners or ﬂashing lights. If you hear bells, get your
ears checked.
—Erich Segal (1937—2010)
Plumbing &
heating tips
of the month
by Ralph Spano
BRRRR ... It’s Cold!
Now that we have endured one
of the coldest months in recorded history, we have discovered deficiencies in our heating systems; the venting is inadequate and so is the insulation on the water pipes. We
had our share of frozen water lines, drafty doors and windows, inefficient boilers and exceedingly high utility bills.
Whatever your budget, there is a range of affordable thermal solutions for your home. As Spring approaches in
eight short weeks, Bob and Allison brought in a construction team headed up by their licensed master plumber.
Together, they assessed their equipment, for example; replacing their old cast iron boiler with a high-energy efficient furnace with a rebate available from the local utility
company. This rebate also helps to offset the cost of the
installation which Bob was thrilled about. This also increased their budget to expand their work in progress.
Bob and Allison added more insulation and replaced inadequate storm doors on the rear of their home, added
radiant heat in the bathroom floors and replaced some
drafty old wooden windows with high-efficiency energy
saving thermal windows, eliminating the need for storm
windows.
Bob and Allison sat down with their plumber and electrician. Bob had sketched out some plans that he wanted
to implement: location of electrical outlets and switches.
He wanted to add high-hats in the bathrooms and over
the counter strip lighting in the kitchen with dimmer controls. With their plumber, Bob reviewed adding two fireplaces; one in the living room and the other in the master
bedroom. Bob doesn't want to cut and chop wood, as it
is too labor intense and involves removing the ash after
the wood burns. He wanted his plumber to install a gas
line; his plumber made a plan to install gas lines to two
different areas in their home. After the sketch and plans
were done, Bob and Allison had decided to wait ten days
in case they changed their minds. Once all final decisions
were made, they discussed with their plumber and electrician what a good time frame would be to begin these
projects. It was decided that August would be ideal as it
will take approximately three weeks to complete. In July
their plumber and electrician will apply for the necessary
permits, as they may take thirty days or longer to get approval. Bob and Allison look forward to lower heating
bills and new comforts for their home. They feel secure
and prepared for the winter of 2014—2015.
Ralph Spano is president/owner of Sunshine Plumbing &
Heating. He can be reached at any time at 845.548.3054.
Visit him online at sunshineplumbingandheating.com or by
e-mail at: onaps.r@gmail.com ✫
Remember the days?
by James F. Leiner
PFC Henry
W. Cook
I’m told the 440
race in track is the
hardest to run. It’s
not a distance race
where a runner can
pace himself; the
race is more of all-out sprint. It is a grueling
race run by some of the best athletes on the
team. One of the best 440 yard men in the
history of Nyack High School was Henry
“Cookie” Cook. Back in 1948, he ran the
440 in 53.0 seconds ﬂat; a Rockland
County record. At the Section Nine track
meet he bested that record with a time of
52.5 seconds for a new record. “Cookie” was
also the track team’s long jumper. His leap
in the Spring Track Season of 22 feet, 6 and
a quarter inches was also a country record
one he again beat at the Section 9 meet with
an incredible leap of 26 feet, 8 and ½
inches.
Henry was one of the outstanding athletes
in NHS’s class of 1948 lettering in Track,
Football, Boxing and Wrestling. Puggy, as
he was known to his friends, grew up in the
shadow of World War 2 living with his father and grandfather Reverend Moses Cook
at 80 Jackson Avenue. He was a good looking
kid with a smile that would melt many a
heart. Henry loved sports, and according to
the NHS yearbook he dreamed of being a
boxer. Soon after high school he found
himself in a diﬀerent ring. One he’d never
imagined.
Unable to aﬀord college, Henry Cook enlisted in the Army hoping to earn the beneﬁts of the GI Bill. After basic training at
Fort Dix, NJ he was assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment and sent to Gifu, Japan
where he joined Company C. On Sunday,
June 25, 1950, units of the North Korean
Army crossed the 38th parallel and invaded
the Republic of South Korea. The 24th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 25th Infantry Division of the US 8th Army, was
one of the ﬁrst units assigned to Korea after
the invasion. By July 18, the 24th Infantry
Regiment along with the entire 25th Division had been thrust into combat around
the South Korean port of Pusan. The 24th
experienced the same dismal performance
common among many US Army units in
the ﬁrst few months of the Korean War, as
they all fought for survival against the numerically superior North Koreans. The job
of the segregated
all-black regiment was to
delay the enemy
advance. The
soldiers fought
valiantly but
often without
much artillery,
heavy mortar or
air support.
Troops of the
North Korean People's Army (NKPA) easily
ﬂanked American units out of position
within hours of contact. Such was the case
on July 30, 1950 when the 24th fought for
Battle Mountain. Company C was reduced
to a shell and other portions of the regiment
suﬀered heavily with more than 180 casualties. PFC Henry W. Cook Jr. was wounded.
His wounds must not have been severe as
Army records show he returned to his unit
and combat on August 29, 1950. Fighting
in the mountains south of Haman in early
September, the enemy attacked through the
center of its position and the 2d Battalion
collapsed. Henry Cook was seriously
wounded and quickly evacuated to a hospital in Japan. Henry fought the battle of life
as best as he could. He was a special kid
who could run a quarter of a mile in less
than a minute. He knew when to pace himself and when to sprint, but try as he may
PFC Henry William Cook Jr. didn’t win his
most important race. He succumbed to his
injuries on September 6, 1950.
It was almost a year later before PFC Cook
returned to Nyack. This time he didn’t return to hear the cheers of the fans and students at Nyack High School, but to tears of
his father, grandparents and brothers and
sisters along with veterans of the AveryBrown American Legion and an honor
guard and ﬁring squad from West Point.
Henry William “Cookie” Cook was laid beneath the green, green grass of Mount Moor
Cemetery in West Nyack.
From my research into the Nyack men who
were Killed in Action ﬁghting in all of
America’s wars, Henry W. Cook is the only
man from our area I have discovered who is
listed as KIA in the Korean War. The Rockland Country Journal wrote he was the ﬁrst
from Rockland County to perish. He joins
the list of 100 men from Nyack who made
the ultimate sacriﬁce. They gave their lives
for the freedoms we Americans share today.
Henry Cook ran the race of his life giving
his winnings to all Americans.
The Nyack Villager thanks Jim Leiner for helping us
all ‘ Remember the Days.’ ✫
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 17
From the Valley Cottage
Animal Hospital
by Tracy Cohen-Grady, DVM
What’s the best diet for my pet?
(Part 2)
OMG! I’m so confused!
I should just cook for my
pet: I could go the Homemade Diet route; however it
has quite a few major
drawbacks:
• Despite how well we research and plan, almost all homemade diets are unbalanced. We see an improper balance of calcium and
phosphorus, excessive protein, and deficiencies in vitamins, calcium & micronutrients.
• Depending on the size of the pet, this diet can be very
expensive, and time-consuming.
• Dogs and cats have nutritional requirements that are
different from our. That means, if we feed our pets a
healthy human diet it would be an unhealthy pet diet.
• Most have not been food-trialed by an unbiased,
knowledgeable party.
• Table scraps do not make a balanced diet.
scribed for those pets whose
health is at risk. It is important
to discuss the amount to feed
your pet with your veterinarian.
PRESCRIPTION DIETS: These
are formulated for specific types
of diseases and conditions and
must be dispensed only through the prescription of a veterinarian.
TREATS: Unless you need some serious motivation for
training, treats are basically unnecessary. Now don’t get
me wrong. I’m not saying you shouldn’t give treats. I’m
just suggesting you keep them to a minimum.
When considering different foods use common sense: taking suggestions from people you know who have used
different foods is a good way to start, but if you want
facts you must go straight to the source. Call the company that makes the food and ask a few simple questions, such as, “Do you have a veterinary nutritionist on
staff? What are their credentials? Are they available for
questions? If you decide to switch your pet’s diet, do it
gradually, over 7 days. This will ensure that your pet
won’t develop diarrhea.
Let’s clear up some misconceptions:
• Cats are strict carnivores. This means they must have a
meat source daily.
The owner of a local pet store said the best diet is a raw • Dogs are omnivores, so they do not have to have meat
diet. Numerous health claims have been made for raw
daily. HOWEVER, they must have a good protein source
food diets; there is, however, no scientifically proven in- on a daily basis. It is preferable that it be an animal
formation on the benefits of raw food diets. Infectious
source.
agents and parasites, such as E coli, Clostidium, Toxoplas- • Some people use the wolf as a model for how their
mosis, and Salmonella, have all been isolated from raw dog should eat. Remember, that wolf isn’t cuddling up
meat. These agents have also been cultured from the
with your 8-year old kids while they sleep and licking
feces of clinically healthy animals eating a raw food diet. their faces to wake them up. That wolf also has a much
What does this mean? It means that your pet maybe
shorter life span than the average dog.
shedding these agents into their environment, thereby
BOTTOM LINE: A good pet food is one that your pet enputting the entire family at risk.
joys eating, while maintaining good health and weight.
If you’re convinced that you should feed a raw diet,
It must agree with your pet, causing no gastrointestinal
please keep in mind the following:
upset or excess gas. It must be readily available and, ob• Therapy dogs that are on raw diets are not allowed
viously, affordable. ✫
into most human hospitals.
Dr. Tracy Lynn Cohen-Grady was born in Queens, NY, grew
• Puppies and kittens should never be fed raw diets.
up in Rockland County, graduating from Clarkstown North
• Any home that is shared with a baby/child/ pregnant
woman/HIV/Aids patient/cancer patient/geriatric or any High School. She earned her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University.
other immune-suppressed person should not have a pet
on a raw diet.
• Freezing the food will not kill all agents of infection.
• Intestinal foreign bodies are a higher risk with these
diets.
OBESITY: 1 out of every 3 people in the USA is obese,
and our canine and feline counterparts are following suit.
Obesity has been associated with osteoarthritis, skin disease, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and liver disease,
decreasing life span, comfort level, and respiratory deficiency. Feeding guidelines on pet food bags do not show
accurate portion amounts. Prescription diets may be pre18 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
Pets for Adoption
Cosmo, the Adonis
Photo: Jane Zippilli
Cosmo is a neutered male, long-hair, gray
tuxedo cat. This gorgeous seven-year-old
could deﬁnitely win a beauty contest. With
his charming personality he will entertain
you all day. If you’re looking for someone
to greet you when you come home, this
vocal guy is the one for you. For more information, please call the Hi-Tor Animal
Care Center at or stop by to meet Cosmo.
Fee for adoption is $50.
Muscles. the Playful
Photo: Pauline Jarney
Muscles is a 4-year-old neutered male terrier mix who was surrendered because his
owner had to move. A strong boy, he is
very playful and has a real zest for life. He
likes people and is very polite when accepting treats. He would thrive in an active
family and would be delighted to join a
hike or jog. He will bring fun to your pack.
Come and meet this exuberant boy. You’ll
be glad you did. Adoption fee: $250.
Hi Tor Animal Care Center
65 Firemen’s Memorial Drive,
Pomona, New York 10970,
(845 354-7900).
The Lifetime Gardener
by Jon Feldman
With little inspiration coming
from the plants in my gardens this
winter month, a day is spent
watching the movements of the
fauna within.
The scene opens atop a majestic
tree, focused on a perched Red-tail Hawk
surveying the landscape in search of a meal.
A quick pan of the ground in front of my
window reveals a mouse, the unsuspecting,
soon-to-be victim of the bird of prey. The
rodent is chewing an acorn, the pasty nut
from a Pin Oak I planted when the property was ﬁrst developed. Seemingly safe in
its surroundings, it is about to experience
ﬁrst-hand, the reality of its place on our
food chain.
In an eﬀortless and frightening swoop from
on high, the hungry hunter snatches its
meal and boomerangs back to perch, completing its attack without a talon touching
the ground. Nearly instantly killed, no
struggle was involved. No plants were
harmed during the assault.
Prowling through my and neighbor’s gardens, a lone hungry coyote sniﬀs for its
lunch. A discernable bouquet of scents include a wood rat, squirrels, and a snake hiding somewhere within the groundcover. At
top speed, the canine can catch any of its
chosen prey. This day belonged to the rat.
Without the Hawk’s precision, a clear, audible struggle takes place before the rodent
succumbs. Not much, but enough to perk
the ears of a red Cardinal picking seeds from
an ornamental grass in the perennial bed.
A rabbit emerges at the edge of the Hydrangea bed, cautiously sniﬃng the air for
potential danger. Constantly aware of its
vulnerability, it negotiates a quick
path toward a favorite and reliable
food source; our vegetable garden.
It deftly negotiates a gap in the wire
fence and quickly enters in our
manicured land of plenty. Though
not as robust an oﬀering as in July,
the garden still has a choice of root
vegetables and hardy herbs.
Turnip appetizer, parsley and sage intermezzo and a leek main satisfy its hunger. A
successful day’s excursion for the bunny, but
its movements were noted by both coyote
and hawk and stored for future reference.
At the end of this day, I needed to get to the
local market for ingredients to cook my
family’s evening meal.
Passing bins overﬂowing with vegetables
and cheeses, I stop at the butcher counter,
which oﬀered nothing as exotic as Hawk or
interesting as Rabbit. Only the long-ago
mundane choices of cow, pig and fowl.
Identifying a piece of meat only by way of
label, I choose a piece of chicken, waiting
for me on a Styrofoam tray, wrapped in
plastic.
Recalling the required and cunning abilities
of the predators I watched earlier, I realized
that all I needed to bring home the bacon
was a single hand, to grab my wallet out of
my jeans pocket.
The trickiest part of my hunt was the getaway back to the nest. It absolutely rivaled
the others’ in skill. A death defying, adrenaline-pumping, white-knuckled ﬂight across
three lanes of rush hour traﬃc.
Jon Feldman is the owner of G. biloba Garden Environments. Reach him at www.gbiloba.com or at
353-3448. ✫
Poets and Philosophers On Love II
♥ Among those whom I like or admire, I can ﬁnd no common denominator, but among
those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.
—W. H. Auden (1907—1973)
♥ Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
—H. L. Mencken (1880—1956)
♥ Love is the diﬃcult realization that something other than oneself is real.
—Iris Murdoch (1919—1999)
♥ We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.
—Agnes Repplier (1855—1950)
♥ Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
—Bertrand Russell (1872—1970)
♥ That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
—William Wordsworth (1770—1850)
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 19
Words of the Year
by Jan Haber
For many years, the Oxford
Dictionary has been choosing
one word per year to add to
the vocabulary of Englishspeakers.
The word for 2013: selﬁe n. a photographic self-portrait taken with
a handheld gadget.
What word entered the language the year
you were born? If you’re having your 113th
birthday this year, you and natterer, one
who fusses or chatters, entered the world together; ballyhoo appeared in 1901. In
1902, the word nuanced made its appearance and in 1903, doozy was introduced.
In 1904, it was rubberbnecking. In 1905
hands-on came into the language, followed
by bootleg in 1906, (20 years earlier than we
would have expected it.)
Not every Word of the Year is destined for
linguistic greatness. Few of us ever use
1907’s word, laugh-o-meter or nutarian, the
word for 1909, deﬁned as one whose diet is
limited to nuts. In 1908, however, the
word airliner was introduced and quickly
became a household word. In 1910, meltin-the-mouth became a way to describe
something deliciously soft and light to eat
and outdoorsy hiked in for 1911.
The yes-man made his appearance in 1912,
followed by celeb in 1913, ice-skate in 1914
and back-to-nature in 1915. Headlinese, the
word for 1916 and chucklsome, 1917’s word,
never caught on but low-budget (1918) and
airmail (1919) sure did. Housesharing, the
word for 1920 is still a useful concept,
though howzat, the word for 1921 seems to
have gone away. Gramophile, the word for
1922 went the way of the gramophone,
though hitch-hike (1923) is still alive and well.
20 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
Radio-star (1924) is rarely heard
today but freebie (1925) is a part
of almost everybody’s daily vocabulary.
estimated 13.7 billion years ago). In 1951,
blast-oﬀ was added to describe a rocketlaunch and noshery (1952) for snack bar or
restaurant.
Can-do made its appearance in
1926. In 1927, air conditioned
was a new word and in 1928,
party-crasher made its appearance. In 1929, we started borrowing the Italian word, ciao to
say hello and good-bye and in
1930, we became acquainted with clone.
Photomontage was the Word of the Year in
1931 and EEK! (as when one is startled by a
mouse) was introduced in 1932.
Frenemy, the word for 1953, describes a
person who combines the characteristics of
both friend and enemy. Nowheresville (1954)
is used to dismiss an insigniﬁcant place.
Artiﬁcial Intelligence (1955) is the capacity
of machines to simulate intelligent behavior
and nitpicking, introduced in 1956, meant
petty-minded fault-ﬁnding. Oenophilic, in
1957, related to oenophiles, or wine-lovers.
In 1958 we added photocall, the summoning of performers to be photographed. In
1959, beat poetry got a lot of attention and
1933 brought us the made-up mathlete, for
its own dictionary entry; in 1960 with boufone who takes part in a mathematics comfant skirts and hairdos everywhere, we got
petition. In 1934, baddie was the new word
bouﬀy, a short-lived adjective. Chocoholic
for movie villain. Al dente described ﬁrm
joined the dictionary in 1961 to put a name
but tender pasta in 1935; do-gooding was
to those addicted to chocolate.
the word for 1936, and free-loading appeared
in 1937. A dance called the bunny hop was In 1962 we added blag, for a bluﬀ or pretense,
all the rage in 1938 as was the face-lift in
though it is rarely heard today. Cyberculture,
1939.
added in 1963, describes life on the Internet.
In 1964, the Beatles seemed important
Acronynm was Word of the Year in 1940;
enough to warrant the adjective, Beatlesque.
bad-mouth arrived in 1941 and ear-bending
In 1965, bada-bing made its appearance,
in 1942, deﬁned as lengthy, boring, or illsuggesting something happening suddenly
tempered diatribe (usually to one person).
or easily (like Presto!) In 1966 computernik
Beanie came in 1943 to describe the little
became the word for a computer enthusiast.
hat and gobbledegook in 1944 as a putNot everything translates well from British
down of pretentious jargon.
English; the word mockney was used (1967)
1945 saw the ﬁrst mobile phone; in 1946
to describe a phony Cockney accent and, in
things started going into orbit; in 1947, the 1968, you might have said, Gasp! to express
new word was queue-jumping, the practice
mock horror. The dictionary added megasof pushing into a queue in order to be
tar (1969). The phrase for 1970 was laughserved before one's turn. TV was a brandout-loud and in 1971 we learned to reboot
new term in 1948.
after a power shut-down.
In 1949, George Orwell’s dystopian novel,
Nineteen Eighty-Four, gave rise to newspeak,
euphemistic language as used in political
propaganda. In 1950 came big bang, the
cosmological theory of the rapid expansion
of the universe which marked its origin (an
How did we get along until 1972 without
guilt trip? Recyclist was the word for 1973,
once the nation began saving its waste
products to be used again. In 1974 the Internet was on everybody’s mind. Brainiac,
the word for 1975, means a very intelligent
person. In 1976, punkster was used to describe a punk rocker or fan of punk music.
In 1977, nip and tuck described minor cosmetic surgery and gazillion was added in
1978 for a large number of something. In
1979 the (chieﬂy British) bagsy was used to
demand one's due for being ﬁrst to claim.
In 1980, foodie was used for a person with
special interest in food. In 1981 you might
have told me to take a chill pill or, in other
words, to calm down. In 1982, downloadable appeared along with computer ﬁles to
download. The playful air guitar was a
popular pretend-instrument in 1983.
ing unauthorized access to computer ﬁles to
An open community forum.
propagate a social or political message.
Bling (1999) meant ostentatious jewelry or
conspicuous consumption. In 2000, a hairstyle called a fauxhawk resembled a Mohawk
except that the sides of the head remain un- Opinions expressed are those of each
letter writer, not necessarily
shaven. Bromance was coined in 2001 to
those of The Nyack Villager
mean the aﬀectionate friendship between
men and parkour (2002) was holistic training discipline using moves developed in
military obstacle-course training.
Flash mob, the Word of the Year 2003, is a
large group of people organized by means
of the Internet, who assemble in public to
perform a prearranged action together, then
If you had a compulsion to shop in 1984,
quickly disperse. Podcast, (2004) means to
you were a shopaholic. In 1985, gobsmacked
make a digital recording of a broadcast
meant that you were ﬂabbergasted, renavailable for downloading to computer or
dered incoherent with amazement. In
personal audio player. Sudoku the word
1986, channel surﬁng was to change televigame, entered the dictionary in 2005. In
sion channels frequently using a remote. In
2006, carbon neutral was added, followed
1987 a person of enormous wealth might
by carbon footprint in 2007. Your carbon
be called a bazillionaire. In 1988 we added
footprint is the amount of carbon (C02)
beatbox as a verb referring to vocal sounds
you, as an individual, emit in any one-year
in imitation of hip-hop. In 1988 crowd-surfperiod. Being carbon neutral means having a
ing was seen occasionally at rock concerts
net zero carbon footprint.
when somebody, lying ﬂat, would be passed
Credit crunch was added in 2008, defined as
over the heads of audience members. In
a
the tightening of the availability of loans
1990 e-mail emoticons appeared—representations of facial expressions formed by a se- or credit. Social media influenced the entry
for 2009, giving us unfriend, the removal of
quence of keystrokes to convey a sender’s
somebody from your list of Facebook friends.
intended tone.
In 2010, Sarah Palin’s famous gaffe refudiate
(refute+repudiate) became Word of the Year
Nu skool (1991) referred to newer styles of
and, in 2011, squeezed middle was added,
popular music esp. hip-hop and poptastic
defined as “bearing the brunt of government
(1992) was the way to describe a very good tax burdens whilst having the least with
pop music performance. Geeksville (1993)
which to relieve it.” In 2012, the word
was a place or state characterized by geekiadded was the verb Gif, to create a Gif file,
an image or video sequence. ✫
ness and dadrock (1994) was your father’s
rock music. Scratchini was graﬃti illegally
gouged or engraved in public places (1995),
gastropub meant a public house specializing The Word Hound welcomes readers’ questions,
comments, favorite words and suggestions for
in high quality food (1996).
future columns.
In 1997, we added Muggle, an inferior person with no magical powers, from the Harry
Potter series. In 1998 hacktivism was gain-
Letters
to the editor
More On Pomegranates
To The Nyack Villager—
Your article Consider the Pomegranate made
me want to share a recipe I made up the
other day—pomegranate seeds with sour
cream. Yogurt might be good too.
—Johanna Lo
Fire Hydrants for Clausland Mt.
To The Nyack Villager—
Just FYI, on the ﬁre hydrants around Clausland Park, Jen White and Bonnie Christian
are still active on this. They has arranged a
meeting with the new Fire Commissioner
to review possible hydrant locations, and
will be setting up a meeting with United
Water. Andy Stewart is also now involved.
Thanks!!
—name withheld at writer’s request
The Nyack Villager
welcomes letters on all
subjects from our readers.
The address
to which to e-mail your
letter appears opposite the
calendar on page 23 in this
issue
The Nyack Villager February, 2014 21
Birthstone:
AMETHYST
symbol of
sincerity
k February 2014
Flower:
VIOLET
symbol of
faithfulness
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is ﬁnally better than your dreams.” —Dr. Seuss
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1 At
Nyack Historical
NEXT MONTH: Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, March 2
MAR
CH
Friends of the Nyack’s Red Carpet Oscar Dinner/Fundraiser
see page 6
Great
Grandma’s
Kitchen
see page 9
2
The
SOUK
3
4
Epicurian Market
at Outside In
Sundays 10-3
see page 7
5
6 first quarterR 7
Carnegie special showing
Concerts at THE BUTLER
Nyack Library
Feb 5. 8. 22
see page 6
in Suffern
see page 6
9
10
11
12
RIVERTOWN
FILM SOCIETY
also Feb 22
see page 6
Westminster
Dog Show
16
17
Lincoln’s Birthday
18
19
13
7pm
also Feb 8
see page 14
20
see page 7
14 full moonS 15
MONTESSORI
OPEN
HOUSE
Black History
Month
Celebration at
NYACK
CENTER
Winter Olympics
Opening Ceremony
Groundhog Day
8
♥
Yoga Workshop
for partners at
BIRCHWOOD
see page 7
Valentine’s Day
21
Jazz &
Blues at
22last quarter R
Bill Batson
‘Hopper Country’
at HOPPER HOUSE
Nyack Library
see page 6
see page 6
Presidents’ Day
23
24
Power Plant
Workshop at
RoCA
see page 6
22 The Nyack Villager February, 2014
Washington’s
Birthday
25
26
27
28
The
Nyack Villager
Founded in 1994, The Nyack Villager is published monthly, mailed on or about the first of each month to every postal address in eight Hudson River
villages—Nyack, Upper Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont & Palisades (zipcodes 10960, 10964 & 10968).
Editor
Contributing Editor
Correspondent
Publishers
Community advisor
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SHEL HABER
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