WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By Oscar Smalls, The Helen Hayes Theatre Company. October 17, 2003: Evita, the long-waited-for production of the Broadway hit opens this evening at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack.
This musical masterpiece starring Broadway’s Felicia Finley premiers at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack from October 18 – November 2. Tickets are $32.50 to $47.50. For tickets or more information, call the Box Office at 845-358-6333 or visit their web site at http://www.hhtco.org.

What is the last week prior to opening night like? Here is Oscar Smalls’  Countdown to Opening Night Diary of what Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were like at the Helen Hayes.

Wednesday, October 15: The cast and crew are in the middle of “tech week”, which is getting the lights, music, costumes, sets, actors and crew all working seamlessly together.

Robert Levinstein (stage manger) was running things effortlessly even though he had actors, tech people and musicians all looking to him for answers on entrances and exits, light cues and position marks.  In between light cues, Stephen Purdy (musical director) was busy getting in extra rehearsal time on the number “The Lady’s Got Potential”. Although rehearsal came to a halt when Evita herself (actress Felicia Finley) could not locate a crucial costume piece, a marabou robe, the robe was found and Ms. Finley came onstage instantly back in character and on went the show. Everyone stopped for a moment to listen to her sing…wow…and then on with the tech rehearsal!

As the office staff of the Helen Hayes was winding up it’s day at 5:00, the cast and crew had only begun their lunch break, with a full evening of work (and play!) to go.

Thursday, October 16: Despite the fact that the lobby of the Helen Hayes is still littered with boxes of props and set pieces, lighting equipment and cords running all over the place, Meredyth Mindte, the Helen Hayes Production Manager, insisted that this is all quite normal. In fact, she said rehearsals were ahead of schedule and in her words, “just swell!”.

The cast was taking extra time to rehearse some of the musical numbers. For instance, the number Rainbow Tour takes place on chairs with wheels and there was problem with the chairs slipping out from underneath the actors while they moved around…not good. Today was the first day the actors got to work with the chairs they will be using in the show. So with several runs at it and some giggles in between everyone felt comfortable and safe!

The choreographer, Kim Jordan, was reworking some of the dance pieces on the number, And the Money Kept Rolling In.  Sometimes what looks great in a rehearsal studio doesn’t always fill a stage once you get there. With a few minor adjustments, Kim’s vision came alive to create one of the most exciting musical moments in the show.

Friday, October 17: The final rehearsal day! Will the light cues be seamless? Will the song transitions flow? Will the audience be blown away? We’ll find out tonight!

After weeks of planning and endless days of rehearsals, EVITA finally gets the last ingredient – an audience. Tonight’s invited dress rehearsal is reserved for the employees and colleagues on the show’s corporate sponsor – LeCroy Corporation.

With the final touches on costumes and lights, orchestrations and sets, the excitement is in the air is palpable. EVITA is ready to mesmerise and enchant!

The Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack, NY is within 30 minutes from most towns in Westchester and Bergen Counties and only 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge. “Evita” is sponsored by LeCroy Corporation.

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WPCNR Daily White Plains Worker. By John F. Bailey. October 17, 2003: Janice Marra, spokesperson for the Civil Service Employees Association told WPCNR today that the CSEA which represents approximately 400 City of White Plains employees is unhappy with the Common Council response towards CSEA demands for a new contract. “The White Plains City Council has not been too receptive to some of our requests,” she said.

 

 

George Gretsas, asked about street talk indicating to WPCNR that negotiations with the CSEA were not going well, said that an impass in negotiations had been declared and that a fact finder had come in to review the rationales of both the city and the union, who would make a recommendation that might lead to a settlement, but it was not binding. He said he expected that the fact finder would have their analysis ready within “a few weeks.”

Marra, spokesperson for the CSEA’s Southern Region Office in Beacon, New York, confirmed to WPCNR that the impasse and fact-finder being brought in was true, saying, “The Common Council has stalled things to date. The City Council hasn’t been too receptive to some of our suggestions. Efforts at mediation have been unsuccessful.”

Marra said 400 City of White Plains workers are CSEA members, and that there are 2,000 CSEA members living in White Plains. She said, “We’re looking at starting public outreach in the next few weeks, asking our members to reach out to Mayor Delfino and members of the Common Council to urge them to return to the bargaining table.”

Asked what the sticking points were, Marra said they were not over wages, but benefits, saying the city was asking to raise the cost of some benefits and reduce other benefits. WPCNR has learned privately from sources close to the Common Council that the union is seeking the same level of salary increase as the police and fire unions, 3.5%, and the council has said they are “not going to get it.”

Marra said it was not the union’s policy to negotiate through the media. Mr. Gretsas said it was not the city policy to comment on ongoing negotiations to the media, either.

“We’re looking for the city to be fair to working families,” Marra stated. “We want fair raises, affordable benefits. We urge the Common Council and the Mayor to come back to the bargaining table.”

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WPCNR MAIN STREET LINE. From Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office. October 15, 2003: Throughout the month of September, the residents of White Plains, NY took the advice of Mayor Joseph Delfino and Real Simple magazine by cleaning out their cluttered closets, overstuffed garages and messy basements in a unique community-wide fund raising effort to help get organized for their own good and to benefit a good cause – Family Services of Westchester.

 

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER on the streets of downtown White Plains to celebrate getting organized and shop for some bargains from among the nearly 10,000 items collected from the community.  And shop they did.  The campaign raised $50,000 to benefit Family Services of Westchester, a non-profit organization that has been serving the Westchester community for 50 years.  Specifically the funds will be used to renovate and modernize the client services waiting area of FSW’s White Plains office and turn waiting time into productive time. Official City of White Plains Photo By Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office.

 

HANDING “THE HANDLE” ON OVER: Grant Schneider of White Plains, Associate Publisher, Marketing, Real Simple Magazine presents a $50,000 check to Tom Sanders, President, Family Services of Westchester. L to right are Scott Hancock, Advertising Manager, Palm Inc.; Anne Martin, Marketing Director, Westpoint Stevens; Casey Preist, Vice President Marketing, The Container Store; Grant Schneider, Tom Sanders, President, Family Services, and “America’s Favorite Mayor,” Joseph Delfino. Official City of White Plains Photo by Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office.

“We appreciate the support of Mayor Delfino and are honored to be the beneficiary of Real Simple magazine’s Get Organized America,” said Tom Sanders, President of Family Services of Westchester.   “Just like Real Simple magazine and Mayor Delfino, our organization is dedicated to improving lives.  This contribution will go a long way to help a lot of people.”

Residents shop in one of the big tents on Main Street last weekend. Official City of White Plains Photo by Rick Ammirato of The Mayor’s Office.

Real Simple magazine’s Get Organized America made it easy for residents to donate their clutter.  The month-long donation drive offered house calls; drop boxes for small items and a manned donation center.  To give residents the tools and know-how, Real Simple and its sponsors, The Container Storeâ, MasterCardâ, Martexâ, Volkswagen and Palm Inc., distributed free organizing kits and hosted a series of free organizing seminars.

 

For more information visit WWW.GETORGANIZEDAMERICA.COM  or call 1-866-4-DECLUTTER (1-866-433-2588).

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. October 15, 2003: City Hall reports that a male deer with a full set of antlers was first spotted about  10:15 A.M. Tuesday morning, clip-clopping at a good clip down Martine Avenue having just cleared a wooden barrier. The deer was in a panic, George Gretsas, the Mayor’s Executive Officer reported, amd sought refuge by bolting into the Creations Plus beauty salon on Martine Avenue.

 

TASER GUN: Photographed at a recent WPPD News Conference on the Crime Rate. White Plains Police Officers carry this crowd control device which they used to immobilize the deer cornered in Creations Plus Tuesday Morning. WPCNR News File Foto.

 

Officers responding used a Taser dart to stun the animal. Gretsa said it was a tough situation for the police, reporting the deer to be a medium sized animal. “Obviously, they could not shoot it,” Gretsas explained given the number of persons in the area. He said an officer used a Taser gun which shoots a dart on an electric cord to shock and temporarily immobilize. While the dear was stunned, officers “hog-tied” the deer, in preparation for relocating it to the woods, but unfortunately, Gretsas reports, the animal expired. He was to be buried in the Gedney yard.

 

Gretsas described the police as very sad they could not save the deer, and said that perhaps the stress of the situation proved too much for the animal.

 

Jim Benerofe, of suburbanstreet.com, notes that deer have wandered into White Plains before. He recalls one jumping into the window of a jewelry store about a decade ago on the first floor of the Bar Building. Five years ago a black bear wandered into White Plains, along Mamaroneck Avenue near Bryant. Then the Police were able to tranquilize the bear with a sharpshooter’s tranquilizer dart and were greatly admired and praised for saving the bear’s life.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 13, 2003: White Plains reeled off its sixth consecutive victory of the season before reunion members of the Class of ’53 (another undefeated White Plains football team) in an admiring throng of about 500 fans at the old Parker bowl on a football-perfect Satuday. The Big Tiger Band was there playing “Mr. Touchdown.” The Grandstand Offensive Coordinators were there. The politicians were working the stands. The catlike White Plains defense worked Saunders.

 

CONVOY! Spencer Ridenhour (33), left, and Peter McGill(52) clear an alley for  # 32 Ryan Smalls’ 20 yard duking and jiving pickup to the Saunders’ 28 in Tigers’ first series Saturday afternoon, setting up the Tigers’ first score. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

They watched the tenacious big and quick Tigers defensive specialists stymie Saunders series after series, setting up the Tiger offense with three great opportunities. Spencer Ridenhour “the Rough Rider Tiger” converted three touchdowns (46 touchdowns in his career), leading White Plains to a 21-3 lead at the half. This was a close game until midway in the second quarter when a Sean McLaughlin interception set up the third TD.

 

6 Plays to go 48 yards.

 

Saunders, electing to receive, almost got a first down on their first series, by Gabe Robles trapped the halfback in the backfield on 3^rd and 2. Saunders punted into the 10 mile an hour southwesterly wind. Mike Lane caught it at the 50, and White Plains took over at the 48. After A Devere Missile overshot Sean McLaughlin at the 5, Devere handed to Ryan Smalls on a sweep to the left following a convoy of pulling blockers. Plenty of alley was ahead. Smalls faked two tacklers out of their cleats at the 35, picking up an extra 7 yards to the Saunders 28.

 

The coordinated charge of the White Plains “Blocking Tigers” of  John Corretti, Mike Della Posta, Peter McGill, Jason Indelicato and Gabe Robles cleared out the Saunders line to spring Spencer Ridenhour for 7 yards to the 19. Paul Scotman picked up the first down on the next play to the 18.

 

On the next play, Devere handed off to Ridenhour with his usual below the waist, concealing slip-it-to-them-sly style and Ridenhour burst off left tackle to daylight, hauling the freight to the 2 yard line for first and goal. Devere handed it again to Ridenhour for the touchdown, and Spencer had recorded his 44^th career White Plains touchdown, adding to his record as the White Plains leading touchdown maker of all time. He was to get two more in the first half. Pablo Siaba, “The New Toe” converted it was 7-0, Tigers with 8:30 to go in the first quarter.

 

A Field Goal.

 

Saunders, after being stopped, recovered a Tiger fumble at the WP 28, when Devere lost the handle and the ball came loose and was bobbled back to the 28. A penalty for a late on White Plains set up Saunders with a first down on the White Plains 10, and the Tigers stiffened. Saunders quarterback fumbled and fell on it for no gain. Jaon Indelicato caught the quarterback in the back field for a 4 yard loss. Gabriel Robles and Ryan Smalls hounded and hogtied the Saunders quarterback at the 16 on 3^rd down.

 

Then  Terrell Barner the Saudners QB attempted a field goal of about 25 yards. It was up, and it was good. This was a stunning thing to see. It was the first time in watching 45 years of high school football that this reporter has ever seen a field goal kicked. The score made it 7-3 with 3 minutes to go, first quarter. Saunders tried what appeared to be an onside squib kick and Peter McGill caught a line drive at his knees to fall on it at midfield It was a great play by a special teams member.

 

On first down, Ridenhour rushed to the 50. Devere got rid of a pass on the next play, and Spencer rushed for 4 years. It was 4^th and 2 at the Saunders 46, and White Plains went for it. Ridenhour again, off tackle DOWN to the Saunders 37, at which point the quarter ended.

 

FUMBOOL! Evan McGuire on turf wrestles the ball from the Saunders Quarter to recover a fumble at the Blue Devil 7 yard line in the second quarter. Aother Tiger signals first down. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

McGuire Paws and Mauls – FUMBOOOL!

 

At the opening minutes of the second quarter, Ridenhour carried the ball 7 times getting White Plains down to the Saunders 7, where Saunders stopped him and took over on downs with 8 minutes left in the half. So far it was still a close game at 7-3. That was about to change.

 

On second down and 7 from the Saunders 10, QB Barner attempted to pass. Saunders line was overwhelmed with “Mr. Tiger Paws,” Evan McGuire swooping in like Jim Katcavage. As Evan took Barner down, he stripped the ball and fell on it alongside Barner to set the Tigers up inside the Blue Devils’ 10.

 

Gleefully the Tigers took over and brutally punched it in. Ridenhour ploughed offtackle to the 2, and jammed it in on the next play for the touchdown. It was 14-3, White Plains with Siaba’s conversion with 6:30 to go in the half. It demoralized Saunders.

 

McLaughlin Up the Ladder for a Pick.

 

Saunders, desperate to get back into took over after the kickoff at their 20. They tried a pitch back which shifted the Tigers momentarily to the right, but Jason Indelicato in on the trailing back, kicked his gears into 5^th and caught the trailer from behind throwing him down for a loss to the 19, saving a big gain.

 

Then came the gamebreaker.

 

Barner dropped back, was pressured and whipped a pass on a line down the near sideline, on a throwaway attempt. Sean McLaughlin at cornerback launched himself in the air two hands high, snared it on a line with two hands for an electrifying interception.

 

Landing on his feet, McLaughlin eluded one tackler lit out for daylight and cruised to the Saunders 26 for a first down and 10, putting the offense in business.

 

 

DEVERE TO MCGUIRE ON A WIRE TO THE 7: On first and goal, Devere returned to his timing specialty, hitting Evan McGuire inbetween two defenders. McGuire, after getting the pass waist high has spun and been tackled at the 7. Mike took his two step drop and coolly hit Evan at the 7 yard line for a 19-yard gain. Devere has just followed-through with his on-a-line pass. “Mr. Quality” is just behind # 51, Peter McGill and Gabe Robles (72)/ Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

NUMBER 46: It is second and goal at the Saunders 2. Spencer Ridenhour “33” has just taken the handoff from Mike Devere (15), gotten a spring block from Number 27 Raeshone Foote, and he’s rumbling for Touchdown Number 46 of his career to make the score 20-3. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

A handoff to Spencer and Mr. Touchdown took it to the 2, then for a change of pace, Spencer eased around left end for the clinching 6. Pablo Siaba split the uprights to make it 21-3 White Plains at halftime. All was right in White Plains at halftime.

 

In the second half, White Plains added three more touchdowns. Kevin Avery auditioning for the future threw a 50 yard touchdown pass to Mike Lane – watch for that combination next year, they are both Juniors.  Ryan Smalls scored a touchdown, and Connor Lantier, another Junior intercepted a pass and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown.

 

“Mr. Elegance:” Devere Style: It’s not the speed, it’s the deception.

 

Mike Devere’s ability to execute handoffs with sleight-of-hand, keeping the defense from seeing the ball, is a terrific talent. With the White Plains line standing firm, Devere is given that extra second to set running plays up by freezing the defense. His low handoffs, delivered often at thigh level, hiding the ball with his body from the eyes of both the left and right sides of the defense, give Spencer Ridenhour, Ike Nduka, Ryan Smalls, and Paul Scotman that extra degree of stealth that springs them.

 

Devere is cool under pressure in the pocket that is rigorously set up and defended. The last two weeks his long passes have suffered because of windy conditions, but his ability to zip the ball in over the middle, as he did to Evan McGuire Saturday as well as go long make him a versatile threat ready to strike short or long. He is the complete package.

 

Mr. Quality

 

He addresses his position with a sense of responsibility, poise and leadership, always remaining calm in times of stress. Never showing emotion. He reminds me of Bobby Layne of the old Detroit Lions who handed off to a runner a lot like Spencer Ridenhour, (Howard Hopalong Cassidy, the Lions’ bread-and-butter halfback). Layne was always his most dangerous when a play had to be made. He stood in the pocket and would take a creaming. But, he never came out. He lead by always being there.  That’s what Devere does. His concentration is admirable. There are very few busted plays or missed assignments on the Tigers this season, and that is a tribute to the leadership in the huddle.

 

An effective running game is set up by deception which is practiced by the quarterback. It turns 3 yards into 5, 5 yards into 15. The execution and timing, coordination and camaraderie Devere and his backs have demonstrated this season has just been a great tribute to individual concentration and timing by the whole gang.

 

IN THE BOWL: Another White Plains Footbal Saturday Began with the White Plains High School Marching Band getting the big crowd in the mood with “Mr. Touchdown.” Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

William Ryan, County Legislator, was at the game Saturday afternoon, and took the time to offer his prediction from a former quarterback’s perspective. Ryan said that as a former quarterback for Peekskill High School, it was his feeling that White Plains would crush Saunders throughout the course of the afternoon. Various candidates for political office were working the stands, meeting voters.

 

 

MOMENTS TO REMEMBER: WPHS Alumbi from the Class of 1953 rememembered old times and savored memories in the old Parker Bowl. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

The highlight in the stands was the nostalgia and sense of White Plains tradition that emanated from the Class of 1953 alumni, some of them members of the undefeated 1953 White Plains High School football team. They mingled, swapped stories and greeted old friends. An atmosphere of great continuity was inspired by their presence. Wearing name tags showing their yearbook pictures, they all moved with confidence, and took what I observed to be a sense of great pleasure at being back at the old Parker bowl again. It was such a nice thing for the School to set up.

 

They reminisced a little about Coach Glenn Loucks’ team that year, and enjoyed the football action, the autumn tradition that makes football at this venue in this place a very special experience.

HAPPY DAYS FOR THE TIGER MASCOT! Photo by WPCNR Sports