Second Annual Fortissimo Gala Hits a High Note for Margaretville Music Department

Grace Hull, Garth Kravits. Olivia Wells, and Callum Fairbairn

Joan Lawrence-Bauer was honored for her contributions to the program

Photo of Julia Rugg and Sadie Smith.

Some of the performers. Photos by Kimberly Smith

By Dede Shelton

MARGARETVILLE — The Margaretville Central School (MCS) gymnasium was transformed into a vibrant celebration of music, community, and student talent for the second annual Fortissimo Gala, the primary fundraiser for the school’s music department. The event, which takes its name from the musical term meaning “to be performed very loudly,” offered an evening of powerful performances and heartfelt collaboration that underscored the importance of supporting music education in small schools.

The gala brought together students, educators, professional musicians, parents, and community leaders with one shared goal: to raise at least $10,000 in support of the MCS music program. Funds raised will be used to purchase and repair instruments including a much-needed drum kit and timpani—acquire new band uniforms and choir robes, fund field trips and festival fees, and even provide scholarships for aspiring music students.

An Evening of Student Talent and Community Support

The gala was orchestrated by Jenna Tucker, the school’s PreK–12 music teacher, in partnership with Garth Kravits and Julia Rugg of the Margaretville Arts Center and Delaware County School of Performing Arts. Kravits, a long-term substitute teacher at MCS and a key organizer, also conducted students in the evening’s opening number.

“We wanted to create an event that could fund the entire wish list for our music students for the year,” Tucker said. “Last year’s gala raised over $8,000 and earned a $5,000 matching grant from the O’Connor Foundation. This year, we hope to go even further.”

From kindergartners to high school seniors, every student who wanted to perform was given the opportunity to take the stage. Many featured acts included solos and ensembles prepared for the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) competition—a cornerstone of the MCS music program. This year, students achieved the highest scores in school history, with several earning near-perfect evaluations.

Bridging Students and Professionals

The evening’s performances included collaborations between students and professional musicians, offering students a chance to experience the rigor and joy of working with seasoned artists.

One such collaboration featured LilliAnn Van Benschoten, student flutist and president of the MCS Music Council, performing an original composition with renowned multi-instrumentalist Stephan Said. The piece, Another World Is Possible, was arranged especially for the gala and featured four student vocalists alongside Said and a student flutist.

“These kids are getting real-world experience,” said Rugg. “The professionals aren’t just performing—they’re mentoring. It’s a symbiotic relationship that’s so inspiring to watch.” 

Said, who is also a parent at MCS, emphasized the broader impact of the evening. “Music brings communities together. In a world that often feels divided, events like this remind us of what we can build when we come together.”

A Showcase of Student Leadership and Dedication

Student involvement extended far beyond the stage. Many volunteered as servers, decorators, and stage crew. “They really took ownership,” Tucker said. “From brainstorming how to make the night special, to greeting guests, their enthusiasm carried this event.”

Van Benschoten echoed this sentiment. “We need to replace old instruments. Some are barely holding together. This fundraiser supports not just what we do now, but what we can do in the future—like scholarships for kids who want to pursue music professionally.”

Looking Ahead

With eyes on the future, the music department hopes to fund trips to Broadway for the varsity chorus, more adjudicated performances at Six Flags, and, eventually, scholarship programs. As Julia Rugg put it, “It’s a Herculean effort. But instead of asking families to sell wrapping paper or cookie dough all year, we go all out one night and make it count.”

Chris Hensley, co-founder of sponsor Catskills Air, summed it up best: “It’s exciting to see young talent flourish. Events like this give them the spotlight and the tools to shine brighter.”

As the final notes rang out and the applause echoed across the gym, one thing was clear: Fortissimo isn’t just a dynamic musical direction—it’s a fitting symbol of a school and a community coming together, loudly and proudly, to support the future of music. 

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For more information or to support the MCS music program, contact the school or visit the Margaretville Arts Center’s website.

 

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Race Proceeds Will Establish Billy Sprague Scholarship Fund

 

Bill Sprague served more than 25 years in the Town of Roxbury Highway Department. He was Superintendent of Highways from January 2020 until his unexpected death last January. Proceeds from this year’s 12th annual Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk will help establish the William “Billy” Sprague Scholarship Fund as a means of honoring Bill’s community service.

 

Roxbury Superintendent of Highways is proudly shown with one of his fleet at the town highway garage.

HALCOTTSVILLE — Proceeds from the 12th annual Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk will help establish the William “Billy” Sprague Scholarship Fund.

Bill was a beloved community member and was the Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Roxbury until his death last January at age 50, following a short illness.

The longtime public servant began his tenure with the Roxbury Highway Department in October 1999. He was named Deputy Superintendent of Highways in January 2008 and held that position until taking over as Superintendent of Highways in January 2020. He also served as treasurer of the Delaware County Highway Superintendent Association. 

A lifelong resident of the Town of Roxbury, Bill was well-known for his strong work ethic and kind nature. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Amy, two adult children and three grandchildren. Survivors also include three sisters and a brother.

Proceeds from the Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk are donated to a nonprofit each year. Organizers decided that establishing the William “Billy” Sprague Scholarship Fund with donations to this year’s event would be a fitting tribute to someone who dedicated his life to public service. Details are being finalized that will provide scholarship awards to a senior graduating Roxbury Central School and/or someone graduating with high honors from the Equipment Operation and Repair program at NCOC BOCES. It is the hope of the Wawaka Lake 5K sponsors that donations will allow this to be an annual award. Anyone who isn’t able to participate in the 5K and wants to donate to the scholarship fund should send a check to: HFD (Memo: Billy Sprague Scholarship Fund), PO Box 97, Halcottsville, NY 12438.

This year’s race around the scenic Wawaka Lake in Halcottsville is set for Saturday, Aug. 23 starting at 9 a.m. Pre-race registration is $25 for adults ($30 on race day) and $15 for ages 8-12 ($20 on race day. Participants ages seven participate for free in the Kids’ Dash. 

Everyone registering for the run/walk by August 1 is guaranteed to receive a commemorative event T-shirt. The entry fee also entitles race entrants to a post-event breakfast. The annual meal at the Halcottsville Fire Department is open to the public with a freewill donation added to the race proceeds.

To register online, visit raceroster.com and search for Wawaka Lake 5K. For additional information, please contact Kathy Johnson at 845 586-2605 or Christy Goodell at 845 594-3486.

 

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Shandaken Democratic Candidates Take Part in Forum - Housing Costs, Emergency Services Key Topics

By Matthew Avitabile

SHANDAKEN — Democratic Party hopefuls in the Town of Shandaken took part in a public forum on June 6th. Prior to the beginning of the events, several ground rules were set: that questions would be addressed to both candidates and that the public should ask questions but not general statements. Each candidate received three minutes for a closing remark.

The event at the Shandaken Town Hall was hosted by The Mid-Hudson League of Women Voters and included incumbent Supervisor Peter DiSclafani and Barbara "Babs" Mansfield, who are each seeking the party's nomination in the June 24th primary election. 

DiSclafani was selected to speak first by lot and discussed coming to the area 37 years ago and running an inn with his wife. He said that he became involved in the Democratic Party locally 25 years ago before running for councilman in 2006, being elected Supervisor in 2008 and serving two years, rejoining as councilman in 2016 until 2022 before becoming the Supervisor again. He cited the Conservation Advisory Council and the new Short Term Rental Law. 

He argued that the town board worked together and were "moving the town forward in a good way." 

The supervisor said that he has accounting training and had taken business classes in California, which helped him in business and the town. He cited the $2.5 million town budget, including $750,000 for the ambulance service and about 75 employees. He called it a significant responsibility and that he kept the budget "in line." 

Mansfield spoke next and described moving to the area in 2006 and cited volunteers in the crowd. 

The candidate said that she had "witnessed a lot of really impressive volunteer and committee members." She cited helping raise $425,000 for Glenbrook Park and that she has been working toward grants for the Phoenicia Water System. She spent more than 30 years in non-profit management and argued that some of the budgets were the size of the town's. 

This included "running a very efficient meeting." 

"I really really look forward to working this town forward on the volunteer steam that it’s running on right now,” she said. The candidate said that she hoped to offer a “snapshot” of finances and “communication” for volunteers.

The first question was whether or not the losing candidate would run on another party line. Mansfield said no and that she had been a Democrat since she was 18.

“The answer is no,” she said.

DiScalafani said that he’s on the Working Families Line.

“I’m not sure,” he said. He was once on the Independence line “years ago” and separately has run as an independent in the past.

When asked about keeping young people in the area, DiSclafani argued that housing should be “made more affordable.”

He argued that zoning reform could be a portion of the answer.

Mansfield agreed that housing should be made more affordable, especially for emergency responders. She said this could be accomplished by “community-driven efforts.” She cited the town master plan and sought to make the town “an encouraging place to live and work for young people.” The candidate cited limited internet and cell service. She lauded Margaretville Telephone Company as a “fabulous company” expanding internet access in the area. Mansfield cited the need for expanded business to help draw and retain local people.

When asked about keeping quality emergency services, Mansfield argued that the area needed a younger population, including having less expensive housing. She cited the hope to grow hamlets through “smart growth” while keeping the scenic byway and viewshed.

DiSclafani said that Mansfield’s statement was “very true” and that he was working with Ulster County to expand the local ambulance service. He cited “so much thought and planning” being utilized to expand emergency services. 

The supervisor said that manpower was a major issue, seeking young people to becoming involved in EMT services and nursing. He cited an effort in the county to expand services throughout the town. He also cited county efforts to offer up to $5 million for expanded services for “better equipment” and raising salaries to “be even across the board” to prevent larger towns from poaching employees.

When asked about the Short Term Rental Law, the supervisor said that the town was “up against the wall” due to exponential growth of these types of lodging.

The town put a cap on how many could open, then lowered it. He stated that the cap could be lowered further.

Mansfield said that she “knew a lot of residents need this income to survive” and believed that the existing rules were “pretty good.” She further said that there could be incentives for STR owners to rent longer to increase housing inventory.

There were other topics discussed during the roughly hour-long event. Mansfield endorsed a sidewalk district in Phoenicia and better drainage in Pine Hill to make it easier to walk. DiSclafani endorsed an expansion of public transit, including into Delaware County.

On the topic of beautification of Phoenicia, DiSclafani said that he would love to bury the power lines and put trees on sidewalks. However, this would be “very costly.” Mansfield said that she was “already in contact with state officials about burying the power lines” and cited placing trash cans on Main Street. The candidate also said that the arts could allow for beautification and cited members of the Ulster County Arts Committee. She was “really excited” about efforts to “make our town stand out to make other people say ‘wow.’”

When asked why the candidates were seeking the office, Mansfield said that she was hoping to serve her neighbors in Pine Hill and Phoenicia. “There are so many people who put so many hours” and intelligence into committees, she said. She cited building a budget snapshot.

“I feel like we have a lot of emergency and first responding volunteers wondering how do we get the equipment we need?” she asked.

DiSclafani said that it was a “challenge and honor to serve.” He added that there was a “satisfaction” as projects came together.

“It’s not the money,” he said.

 

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Shift To Sole Assessor & Moratorium On Solar Projects In Middletown

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MIDDLETOWN - Middletown board members met for their regular monthly meeting on June 11, where they discussed transitioning to a sole assessor and adopting legislation for solar farms.

Sole Assess or Elect

Currently, the town has three elected town assessors - MegAnne Balcom, Kenneth Taylor, and Joseph Todd. However, Todd resigned from the position in April.

Supervisor Glen Faulkner said the desire to consolidate the department came after the development of a committee tasked with reviewing the assessors' needs. After several discussions over the past year, Faulkner stated that it was determined that, along with a reevaluation and software updates, it would be best to transition to a sole assessor.

Neighboring towns, including Walton and Roxbury, no longer have elected assessors. With one vacancy and little interest in the position, the board is increasingly in favor of appointing a sole assessor.

A public hearing regarding assessor transition took place just before the meeting, where Town Attorney Nicholas Cortese of Caughlin & Gerhart presented the facts. New York State began advocating for towns to consolidate their assessment functions in the 1970s. If the town adopts this model, the position will be officially created in June 2026 and will be effective as of January 2027. The delay provides some time to transition away from elected assessors, said Cortese. An appointed assessor will have a term of six years, as mandated by State law.

A transition would allow for more control over the assessment office by seeking a professional, noted Cortese. Elected officials do not need experience and instead take required training once in office.

The town also has the option to switch to one elected assessor. "If you are going to switch," said Cortese, "I would suggest just moving to an appointed one." He added that elected assessors are a relic of the past.

In favor of a sole assessor, Councilmember Robbin Williams noted that the position is one that really "impacts people and their livelihoods," and should be operated by someone with the appropriate skill set.

The board is expected to pass a local law transitioning to an appointed assessor at the next regular meeting on Wednesday, July 9, at 6 p.m.

Solar Legislation

In another discussion, Faulkner asked Cortese if the town should develop a solar farm law regulating the permitting process. The question was evoked after the planning board received an application from Abundant Solar for a project along Route 28 near Oakley's Wood-Fired Pizza & Grill. While this application is in its final stages of approval, Faulkner felt a moratorium for future applications would be necessary as a law is developed. He noted that Abundant Solar has worked well with the town in developing a PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) agreement.

The significant issues with large solar projects, which should be addressed through legislation, explained Cortese, include requirements for aesthetic appeal and the need for decommissioning funds. Solar projects typically have a lifespan of approximately 20 to 30 years. Decommissioning regulations would require builders to set aside funds to dismantle the project when it becomes obsolete. Cortese provided the board with an 18-page solar law he developed for Laurens in Otsego County for review.

In State real property tax law, there is a provision that makes all solar projects tax-exempt. The town can opt out of that provision, making them no longer eligible for a PILOT agreement. However, the State social assessment model, which helps municipalities tax solar projects, is currently being challenged in the courts, explained Cortese. If the town were to tax these projects, he said, they should expect to be sued immediately. Cortese advised the board to refrain from opting out of this provision until the court has made a decision. He added that the PILOT agreement allows the town to gain non-monetary benefits.

The board unanimously approved the moratorium on any future applications pending the development of solar legislation. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m., immediately preceding the regular monthly meeting on July 9.

In other business

The board commented on the safety issues related to Oakley's parking lot in connection with their pending liquor license application. Faulkner explained that the parking lot size requires visitors to back their cars onto Route 28. Town officials later noted that at least one accident has been reported annually at Oakley's, with one being fatal. The application, with town comments, will be sent to the New York State Liquor Authority.

The council adopted a Community Rating System (CRS) for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The program recognizes involvement in flood improvement plans and public outreach. By participating, the town is eligible for a lower rating, which provides higher savings for individuals with flood insurance through NFIP. Middletown is working to achieve a Level 6 designation, offering 20% savings. For more information, visit fema.gov/floodplain-management/community-rating-system. Margaretville is currently a level 8, and Fleischmanns is a level 9.

A motion was approved to continue shared code enforcement services with Margaretville for another month.

All bids received for mowing of the town cemeteries were rejected as incomplete. The town will hire on a case-by-case basis to mow.

The Highway Department received an additional $40,000 in CHIPS funds this year.

Following an executive session, the board motioned to hire a deputy code enforcement officer at $35 per hour, pending the availability of Code Officer Hiram Davis.

 

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Speeding In A School Zone, Signs Not Up To Code

By Mary A. Crisafulli

MARGARETVILLE - With increasing concerns about speeding, the Margaretville Central School District, located on Main Street, has requested that the village lower the speed limit.

The initial request was for a school zone speed limit of 20 miles per hour, Mayor John Hubbell said. For this request, they would be required to have several crossing guards on staff before and after the school day. After informing the district of the regulations for such a low speed, he explained, officials changed the request to 25 miles per hour.

Hubbell reported that the issue had been previously addressed by posting signage that indicated a speed limit of 25 miles per hour near the school. This worked for roughly three years, he said; however, State police will not enforce it as the signs are not in line with state regulations.

Trustees questioned police enforcement, stating the speed limit within the village is 30 miles per hour, and this could be regulated by the school. They were further concerned that if they moved forward with changing or adding signs, the police would continue not to enforce the speed limit.

One resident attending the meeting, a retired sergeant, said, "If we don't enforce laws no one is ever going to follow them."

Another attendee agreed with the statement but noted that perhaps if posted correctly, the police would enforce the speed zone. "Psychologically, there is a difference between 30 and 20-something," she added.

"Personally I don't think signs are going to do anything," said Trustee Jeff Warren. He echoed the issue of lack of enforcement and added that it would be a waste of time and money.

Trustee Sarah Hubbell noted that other traffic issues are not well-enforced in the village.

The board ultimately tabled the discussion, hoping that someone from the district would attend a future meeting to discuss the issue further.

In other business

The village became a part of the Climate Smart Communities initiative. The program supports the New York State Climate Act of 2019 by helping local municipalities achieve sustainability and climate resilience goals through incentives. Southern Tier 8 Director of Sustainability Ashley Seyfried said the village has already completed actions that likely total around 70 points, bringing them over halfway to achieving a Bronze certification. Certification and participation in the program are required to be eligible for many state grants.

The Village is expected to present a food truck permit law at the next regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15. They will be required to hold a public hearing before adopting legislation. The proposed law is expected to mimic legislation from Deposit and include a fee schedule.

Margaretville has achieved a Community Rating System rating of 7, which offers a 10% savings on flood insurance to village residents participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Trustees agreed to comply with new regulations issued by the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) despite being under the population requirements. Regulations include switching to a .gov website, adjusting emails, and making certain information available online, such as agendas, privacy policies, laws, and other relevant documents. Trustees noted the village is mostly in compliance and will be required to do so at some point in the future.

Contribution to health insurance for village employees was lowered from 10% to 7%.

The Delaware County Mayor's Coalition will meet on Wednesday, July 9, at 6:00 p.m. at the Delhi Firehouse. They have invited all village trustees and town supervisors with villages. An overview of the Coalition's goals and progress will be presented. Topics include sales tax revenue sharing, foreclosures, code enforcement, shared services, and short-term rentals.

FEMA has given the okay to proceed with repairs on the west end of Main Street, where the road meets County Route 3. Culvert repairs will still require a permit. The work is scheduled for this week, weather permitting. Drivers should expect closures.

The Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to assist with the annual Cauliflower Festival.

A noncritical water leak has been identified on Academy Street and will be repaired once school is out.

The next regular meeting is scheduled Wednesday, July 15 at 5 p.m.

 

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Tapestry Weaving at Roxbury Library June 25

ROXBURY — Tabitha Gilmore-Barnes, owner and artist of the Tabitha Gilmore-Barnes Studio, will be at the Roxbury Library on Wednesday, June 25, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  Please join us for this free program!  

Tabitha will demonstrate tapestry weaving as well as showing some of her work.  Her tapestries fall into two series:  “Bring Home the Colors of the Catskills”, inspired by the open skies, seasonal colors, and local steams;  and “ Fall from Grace-Fall Into Grace,” with Scripture words and images. 

 Tabitha handles her own dyeing (with Jacquard Acid Dyes) and her own spinning using locally accessed Shetland wools. 

 In the mid-1970’s, Tabitha attended SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology in the Textile and Surface Design Program.  She also took a tapestry workshop in the 1990s at Ruth Scheuer’s Tapestry Center in New York City, and completed her BS Art Education at SUNY New Paltz in 1995.  Upon joining the American Tapestry Alliance in 2017, Tabitha expanded her tapestry weaving skills through ATA’s Mentor Program with Margaret Jones, as well as with online- classes with Rebecca Mezoff and other ATA weavers. 

 Tabitha is a member of the AMR Artists, Inc. and participates in their Open Studio Tours annually.  In 2025, this Tour will be July 25-27.  Other memberships include American Tapestry Alliance, Catskilled Crafters, and the East Branch Delaware River Plein Air Painters.

For more information, please contact the library at 607-326-7901. 

For more information, please visit https://www.tabithagilmore-barnesstudio.com or email info@tabithagilmore-barnesstudio.com.

 

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MUSINGS OF A LOCAL By Iris Mead - THE COMMUNITY CHORALE, A PLEASURE FOR THE EARS

In December of 1974, a new musical performance group began their long history of bringing quality and wide-ranging music to the Catskills.  The Community Chorale, led by Richard Tucker for 49 years, until his untimely death in 2023, just four days after their winter concert, was started at the request of the Interfaith Council originally as a Christmas concert.  That concert led to a second concert in 1975 at one of the area churches, and in 1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial, the group decided to continue and add an additional yearly concert.   Through the years, they have presented all kinds of music to generations of residents in the area.  From the beginning, the music has been a mix of jazz, opera, inspirational, Broadway show music, and tributes to known composers.  A small committee of the Chorale selects most of the music for the concerts, always mixing in more serious music with fun music.  He was also the accompanist at each concert and could play the piano!  Now the conducting is shared by Rebecca Maeder Chien, South Kortright Central School choral director, and Carol Ann Dykstra, retired Roxbury Central School choral director, with Dan Chien as accompanist.

Dick Tucker’s mission for the Chorale’s concerts was to bring music to the people without a ticket charge.  There is always a donation box or basket by the door for those who want to help support the Chorale as there is new music to buy, advertising and paying guest musicians who may appear from time to time.  Long time member and musician, Dan Chien, was the natural choice to take on the very hard-to-fill shoes of accompanying the Chorale and will at times do some conducting as well.  An accomplished musician in his own right, Dan serves as the organist/choir director at Jay Gould Reformed Church and is a guest artist/director for many groups in the Oneonta area.

This year’s Chorale is comprised of 30 singers; 11 sopranos, 10 altos, 4 tenors and 5 basses.  Blended together, these 30 voices merge melody and harmony together for the enjoyment of the audience as well as for themselves.  Two of the performers, Agnes Laub and Pat Tucker, Dick’s wife, have been singing with the group since its inception.  Members of the Chorale travel to Roxbury or Margaretville for weekly practice from many towns in the area.  There is no audition required to join, just a love of music and to enjoy the experience and the uplift one gets from singing.  Through the years, the Chorale has performed at the Belleayre Music Festival, Belleayre Opera productions, and the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice.   They now perform a spring and a holiday concert, one in Margaretville and one in Roxbury.

On this coming Saturday evening, June 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoon, June 22 at 2:30 p.m., this year’s Spring Concert 2025 will feature The Best of Bond, (James Bond) with music from Bond movies, a medley of familiar songs from MGM movies and a special song called Sing Gently that was done virtually by a choir during Covid.  If you have never attended one of the Community Chorale concerts or are a fan of the Community Chorale, they invite you to get out and enjoy the performance.  It makes all their many nights of practice worthwhile.

Saturday 7:30 at the Margaretville United Methodist Church, Church Street next to the fire house    Sunday 2:30 at the Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church, Roxbury.

 

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Westchester Medical Center Earns Elite Heart Valve Treatment Certification - Setting the Pace with 1,000+ Procedures - Westchester Medical Center One of Just Six New York State Hospitals with Distinction

VALHALLA, NY ― In a landmark achievement for cardiovascular care in the Hudson Valley, Westchester Medical Center once again earned national recognition for its cutting-edge, life-saving heart valve treatments. The hospital has received recertification from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its premier transcatheter valve therapies program, affirming its status as a regional and statewide leader in minimally invasive heart care.

With more than 1,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures performed – more than any hospital in the Hudson Valley – Westchester Medical Center’s expertise is not only unmatched in the region, it’s also reshaping the future of heart care for the most complex patients.

This certification places Westchester Medical Center in exclusive company as one of just six hospitals in New York State to earn this prestigious distinction.

“This recertification reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence as a beacon of hope for those patients in need of heart valve intervention,” said Julio A. Panza, MD, Director of the Department of Cardiology. “These procedures, as an alternative to traditional valve surgery in properly selected patients, are nothing short of miraculous.”

This certification acknowledges Westchester Medical Center's excellence in transcatheter valve therapies, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral and tricuspid valves, and advanced mitral and tricuspid valve replacements (TMVR/TTVR).  

For community members with heart valve disease, this means life-changing care close to home, faster recovery times, and greater hope for high-risk patients. It also means peace of mind for families as Westchester Medical Center has unparalleled experience in performing the procedure.  

What this Means for Patients 

TAVR, one of the cornerstone procedures of the program, replaces faulty aortic heart valves through a minimally invasive catheter approach rather than open-heart surgery. Since this technology's FDA approval in 2011, more than 300,000 TAVR procedures have been performed nationwide, with Westchester Medical Center leading the region in experience and volume. 

Similarly, TEER mitral and tricuspid therapies allow for repair of leaking heart valves through a catheter inserted through the femoral vein, bringing valve leaflets together to reduce leakage. These interventions help patients feel better with fewer heart failure symptoms and hospital admissions, while avoiding the risks of open-heart surgery. 

The transcatheter valve program is one of many cardiac care surgical solutions offered by WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute. The institute recently expanded its services with the addition of a Robotic Mitral Valve Surgical Program led by Makoto Hibino, MD, who is also part of the transcatheter valve team. Physicians or families seeking consultations with WMCHealth's Heart and Vascular Institute should call 914.493.8793, option number 4, to schedule an appointment or visit WMCHealth.org. The transcatheter team sees patients in Valhalla, Kingston, and New Windsor.

 

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BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE - Summer Concert Series in Windham

Windham Chamber of Commerce hosted the first in its summer series of concerts, last Friday night, drawing a crowd of hundreds to C.D. Lane Park, listening to the country music sounds of Hillbilly Parade. Among those on hand for the festivities were Chamber members (left to right) Elisa Schieren, Jon Licurse, president Lisa Jaeger, Evan Schieren, events coordinator Stephanie Briggs, Stephen Bendernagle and the band. “Oh man, we are still in the afterglow,” Jaeger said, in a phone interview three days later. “It went better than we thought and we thank everybody for coming out.” The next concert, the second of four, is slated for July 11, featuring Macrame Mode. There is no charge for admission. Donations are welcome and channeled toward future Chamber events.

Boot Scootin’ Boogie was in full form at C.D.Lane Park, last Friday night, as concertgoers enjoyed country-style line dancing. The popular song Boot Scootin’ Boogie was first released by Asleep at the Wheel, later becoming a Top 50 hit for Brooks and Dunn.

Mountaintop Little League was on hand, serving up hot dogs and hamburgers, helping raise funds to keep the kids playing ball along with their longtime sponsors the Knights of the Road.

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