Zagajeski elected to collaborative board
Mary J. Zagajeski, president and CEO of Dominican Sisters Family Health Service in Ossining, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Collaborative for Children and Families, a New York state nonprofit composed of 33 member agencies that serve children and families throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
It offers comprehensive services to children and families in a more coordinated manner than could be achieved individually. Founded in early 2014, it was formed in anticipation of changes in the delivery of health care services to children eligible for New York state’s Medicaid program.
“The health needs of children and their families in New York are very important and I’m glad that I can offer my expertise in an effort to help improve the quality of health care children receive throughout the state.” Zagajeski said.
Taco Hombre moves to new spot
Taco Hombre first opened its restaurant in 2011 in Warwick and earlier this month moved its location to 93 Main St., which is located between Warwick Thai Restaurant and Craft Beer Cellar in what has become a restaurant plaza at the north end of the village. Taco Hombre now has almost double the space of its previous location and free parking. Co-owner Chad Wieber and his partner, Bo Kennedy, have been longtime friends and lifelong residents of Warwick. During and after their college years they both spent time in the western part of the United States and traveled to Mexico, mainly the northern Baja region, where they discovered the tastes of Mexican food.
The extensive menu at Taco Hombre, now displayed on surf boards above the counter, features tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads and more.
New salesperson at ERA Insite Realty
Sonia Tito, a licensed real estate salesperson, has joined ERA Insite Realty’s Bronxville office.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Sonia Tito to ERA Insite Realty,” said Lou Budetti, principal broker. “Sonia is deeply involved in the Bronxville and Yonkers communities and will make a great addition to our elite team.”
A former mortgage finance professional and housing specialist, Tito is fluent in both English and Spanish and specializes in the diverse and unique neighborhoods of southern Westchester County.
Prior to joining ERA Insite Realty, Tito was a sales agent at Prudential Centennial Realty in Scarsdale. Previously, she was a housing locator for the Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs where she worked with landlords to provide housing opportunities for dozens of clients. She also worked as a loan officer on Long Island. Tito is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals as well as the national, state and local Realtor associations.
ORMC promotes Heins
Deborah Heins has joined the leadership team of Orange Regional Medical Center’s medical surgical unit in Middletown as a nursing unit director.
Heins joined the hospital in September 2003 as a staff nurse for the bone and joint center. She previously had worked as director for pediatric services at The Center for Discovery in Harris. She holds board certifications in both medical/surgical and orthopedic nursing.
From left, Melissa McCoy, Abilities First chief advancement officer; Courtney Haydock Buckley, assistant vice president, foundation and community relations manager, M&T Bank; and Michael J. Flynn, vice president commercial banking, M&T Bank.
Summer guide to arts available
With support from the Westchester County government, ArtsWestchester has launched this year’s Music in the Air guide with hundreds of free and affordable (under $20) events in Westchester. The calendar is available on ArtsWestchester’s website at artsw.org/musicintheair and will be printed as part of the July and August issues of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s free monthly newspaper.
ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam said, “Although Westchester has a vibrant cultural scene throughout the entire year, summertime offers a unique opportunity to experience live music performances in the open air at many of the county’s most picturesque spots. It’s a wonderful time to enjoy the warm weather and performing arts while relaxing on your favorite blanket with friends and family.”
M&T Bank gives $30,000 to Abilities First
M&T Bank has made a $30,000 leadership gift in support of the Abilities First Future Steps Education Campaign, which supports the needs of a new school under renovation in LaGrange.
“We are extremely grateful that M&T Bank has chosen to honor our students with this gift. It will allow us to construct a state-of-the-art sensory gym, where children with special needs will grow essential skills needed to succeed in life. We owe these opportunities to our students and would not have been able to provide them at this level without this support from M&T Bank,” Abilities First CEO Jeffery Fox said.
“We understand how important it is to provide the right access and resources for all of the members of our community to succeed and are happy to support Abilities First in this project to install a new gym that will help children needing sensory integration therapy,” said Michael T. Keegan, president of M&T Bank Albany and Hudson Valley region.
The $1.2 million construction project is funded by the New York State Education Department and the New York State Division of Budget.
Boys & Girls Club elects president
The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester in Mount Kisco has elected Erik Kaeyer as board president for a two-year term commencing July 1. The club also hired a director of development, added five board members and extended 10 board members’ terms.
Kaeyer is vice president and a design principal at KG&D Architects, a Mount Kisco-based architectural firm, where he leads the design team involving award-winning projects like Seven Bridges Middle School in Chappaqua. He lives in Wilton, Conn., with his wife and three children.
Kaeyer said he is especially proud of his involvement with the creation of the Kids Café at the Club. “Since the café opened in 2008, it has provided over a half million meals, many of which have been served to children who would otherwise have limited access to a nutritious dinner,” Kaeyer said.
Solveig McShea is the organization’s new director of development. Previously, McShea served as executive director of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce supporting the development of the chamber through educational programming, community events and member services. She lives in Chappaqua with her husband and two children.
In addition, two new board members were approved: Jordan Brooks and James Garten. Brooks is an attorney in the litigation department at Cuddy & Feder LLP. Garten is an independent lease and structured finance adviser.
Residency program honors grads
The first six doctors to graduate from the New York Medical College Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program were honored at graduation ceremonies at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow.
Three years ago, these first residents arrived at Phelps to begin their training as family medicine physicians with the hope that they would stay locally after completing their residency.
Of the six graduates, Anesh Badiwala will be practicing family medicine on the staff of Phelps Medical Associates; Jorge M. Espana has joined the staff at Port Chester Open Door Family Medical Centers; and London Muse has accepted a teaching position on the faculty of the NYMC Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program. Sara Marie Paul will be continuing her education nearby in the obstetrics fellowship program at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx.
Batel Isenstein and George Elkomos had not yet announced their plans.
Rey Insurance wins awards
Rey Insurance Agency in Sleepy Hollow, a family owned, independent and bilingual company, recently won two awards from Pennsylvania-based Erie Insurance Co., which honored its outstanding community service and exceptional performance as an agency.
The 2015 Erie Insurance Giving Network Agency of the Year Award recognizes independent agencies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community through volunteerism. Sisters Linda Rey and Laura Rey Iannarelli, the owners of Rey Insurance, have been involved with various charitable organizations, including the American Heart Association, Rotary International and United Way, as well as their local chamber of commerce in Sleepy Hollow.
“Getting involved in the community wasn’t a strategic consideration,” Rey said. “It was just how we were raised. But it is a way to build a solid, reliable and valuable network. It takes a lot of connections to run a business – you need that support or you’ll never be successful.”
In honor of the agency’s efforts, Erie Insurance donated $2,500 to the charity of the sisters’ choice, United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
The sisters were presented with the award by Sherri Silver, Erie Insurance senior vice president of strategic marketing.
The Rey Insurance Agency is also one of a select group of agencies honored by Erie Insurance with the Founders’ Award, which measures the quality of agency performance in auto and property production and service to customers.
Children’s Association hires project manager
Elizabeth Almonte has joined Westchester Children’s Association in White Plains to advance the organization’s new Gathering Policy Solutions for Kids (GPS4Kids) initiative. A White Plains resident and New York City native, she has more than 20 years of management, marketing and consulting experience. She has led strategic initiatives to maximize the financial, social and environmental impact of the private, public and nonprofit sectors, including Goldman Sachs, Kraft Foods, the William Clinton Foundation, the New York City Department of Education, Cambridge Education and New York Needs You. Her advisory experiences span seven countries and include public-private partnerships to help raise student achievement across the U.S.
Gift shop opens in Greenwood Lake
After running a successful storefront in West Haverstraw for 41 years and then continuing in West Milford, N.J., for 12 more years, Fitzula’s Gift Shop has recently made Greenwood Lake its new home and headquarters.
Greenwood Lake Mayor Jesse Dwyer, Village Trustee Tom Howley, Village Attorney John Buckheit and members of the Greenwood Lake and Warwick Valley chambers of commerce joined owners Bill Fitzula Sr. and Bill Fitzula Jr. for the grand opening at 140 Windermere Ave.
“We welcome the Fitzula family to Greenwood Lake,” said Kevin Sweeney, president of the Greenwood Lake Chamber of Commerce. “They have done an outstanding job completely renovating the building they purchased and we thank them for their investment in our downtown.”
Fitzula’s carries more than 15,000 fine gifts and collectibles – items in-stock that can be purchased at the store or online at fitzulas.com.
“We chose Greenwood Lake because it’s a vibrant community,” Bill Fitzula Jr. said. “There are people walking downtown, kids playing on the field across the street and a lot of events that bring people together here.”
ENTA names newest partner
Tarrytown-based ENT and Allergy Associates has appointed Lynelle Granady partner.
Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Granady became partnership eligible based on performance, tenure and patient satisfaction measures.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and her medical degree at Howard University College of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Manhattan Central Medical Society and the National Medical Association.
Happy 100th
Martha Clyman was treated to a special celebration at The Bristal at Armonk, an assisted living community where she resides. The party was attended by family, friends and residents and town of North Castle Deputy Supervisor Stephen D’Angelo.
“We are so excited to celebrate Martha’s 100th birthday today. What a remarkable milestone,” said Nichola Johnson, Bristal executive director. “She has a great memory. Her stories are enjoyed by her peers and she is such a delight to everyone in our residential community.”
Born in New York City on July 2, 1915, Clyman moved to Mount Vernon with her family as a child. She lived there for many years before retiring to Tampa, where she remained until she moved to The Bristal last June.
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