Opinion

Harrison’s history and adult library programs

Harrison’s Historical Preservation Board has updated the display case in the lobby of Town Hall, with memorabilia highlighting our town’s sports and recreation events from long ago. Features include photos and articles on the Silver Lake Ski Jump, which started in 1929, and the Thunderbird Classic held at Westchester Country Club from 1963 to 1965. The display is also full of photos, articles and mementos on recreational and high school teams dating from 1908 to 2001.

When you’re in Town Hall, be sure to take a look. If you have any suggestions for the historical board on future displays, please send them an email to history@harrison-ny.gov.

I would like to take this time to congratulate Harrison High School senior Ryan Pertak. Ryan competed in his last dual swim meet with the Harrison Recreation Department’s Winter Swim Team. He started his swim career at the age of 7 and is planning to swim in college. Ryan comes from a family of swimmers as both of his sisters, Kaitlin and Brianna, swam for Harrison. On Feb. 28, Ryan will compete at the Westchester Fairfield Swim Leagues Championship meet. He also swam for Harrison High School’s swim team for all four years of high school and was captain for the past two years. He is an All Conference swimmer and made sectionals in the 100-meter breaststroke. Ryan currently competes on the YWCA Middies and has qualified for the Silvers, the Junior Olympics and the Senior Mets. Congratulations to a great athlete.

Please make note of the following February sanitation schedule change: Monday, Feb. 12 is a holiday. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Monday will be collected on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Garbage and/or recycling normally collected on Tuesday will be collected on Wednesday, Feb. 14. There will be no bulk trash collection on Feb. 14.

The Harrison Public Library is on the move with exciting, new adult programs. I encourage all residents to enjoy the following: on Monday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m., “Great Decisions: Turkey – A Partner in Crisis” will be held with guest speaker David Phillips. “Great Decisions” is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program involves reading articles, watching videos and meeting in a group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. On Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.: a book talk called “Memoir: Where the Past and Present Collide” will be held. Sarah Bracey White will be discussing her book, “Primary Lessons: A Memoir.” On Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m., “Kitty Yoga” will be held. Adoptable kittens are coming to the Harrison Public Library. Enjoy yoga in the company of cats with instructor Angela Brandt.

On Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m., “The Art of the Guqin” will be held at the library. Participants will celebrate Chinese New Year with musician Stephen Dydo who will discuss the ancient Chinese instrument known as the guqin and perform several pieces of music. On Friday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m., a lotus flower lantern craft workshop will be held. In honor of the Winter Olympics taking place in Pyeongchang County, South Korea, this month, members of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project will be showing patrons how to make their own lotus flower lantern.

The next “Lunch with the Mayor” is on Friday, Feb. 16. I will be at Aquario Restaurant, located at 141 E. Lake St. in West Harrison. I will be at this location from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and look forward to meeting with residents and talking about issues facing our community.