The award winning Hopp Garden Club of Bedford will have their show “It’s Written in The Stars” at The Katonah Village Library on Friday, July 23 from 2-4 pm and Saturday, July 24 from noon until 5.

With a zodiac theme, the members have undoubtedly planned very original pieces representing the signs of the zodiac with the use of both fresh and dried flowers.

There will be classes offered and other activities.

It is open to the public and admission is free!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Save the dates and plan to visit the charming historic town of Katonah NY, Saturday/Sunday, July 31 and August 1 for their Sidewalk Sale Days. It’s a great time to stroll through the town, meet the merchants and find great back-to-school bargains as well as great food. The town starts to buzz around 10:00 am and continues until 5 pm. While you’re here be sure to stop by Houlihan Lawrence and pick up the new map created by the Katonah Chamber with a list of all the merchants and points of interest in the surrounding area.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

Have a child or teenager that is tired of waiting for the next big movie to open or the latest game to come out? Reintroduce them to the Library! Besides the joy of walking out with an armload of books, programs include:

• Summer Pre-School Story Times: Splish Splash Book Bash, Baby Lap Time, Mother Goose, Toddler Time, Stories and crafts
• Water, Water Everywhere - A Photo Contest for ages 11-18 in age appropriate groups
• Poetry Writing Workshop for ages 7-10
• Book, Snack & Chat - 10-12 years
• Watercolor Painting for Teens
• Iced Tea & A Book - a Teen Time Program

You also may have a chance to still join a Chess Class!

If you want to learn more ways that we “keep our cool” in the Town of Bedford feel free to contact me. There are some homes on the Market within walking distance to the Library and the Parks and pool! Enjoy your Summer!

The Katonah Library - 914-232-3508 www.katonahlibrary.org

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

When you hear the first strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” your heart quickens and there is an instant lump in your throat. For several of the local high schools such as John Jay, Fox Lane and North Salem High Schools, the venue is Caramoor. When I saw the John Jay purple and white robes beginning to descend the stairs, I welled up.

I have “graduated” both of my children now and once again I am full of thought. I hope that these graduates realize that although they are leaving for colleges across the country, they may feel that they are headed for a better place, that their home base has had so very much to offer them. As I wrote to my daughter in her graduation card - “do not forget all of the wonderful things in your life that brought you to this moment.”

On July 4, my newly graduated daughter Allison and I attended the “Pops, Patriots and Fireworks” concert at Caramoor. It featured The Orchestra of St. Luke’s with Michael Barrett as Conductor. We enjoyed the traditional Star Spangled Banner, for which we all stood and sang along and a piece from Danbury, CT native, composer Charles Ives.

A new addition was Rob Schwimmer on the Theremin. The Theremin is a very Caramoor instrument. It was the first electronic instrument which was invented by Leonid Theremin. Lucie Rosen, wife of Walter Rosen, owners of Caramoor and founders of the Music Festival, met him and Lucie was mesmerized by the Theremin. She learned to play it with such proficiency that she performed worldwide with symphony orchestras. There are two on display in the Music Room of the home and is a part of the docent tours. It deals with sound waves and it also produced what was known as ether music.

Rob Schwimmer played the Scene d’Amour from the Hitchcock film “Vertigo.” I had known before that Hitchcock enjoyed the voice, the eeriness of the theremin and I include that mention in my tours. (it was also included in “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys!) When the string section started up you knew the moment of the film in which the obsessed Scottie Ferguson (Jimmy Stewart) is enthralled by the duplicitous Madeleine (Kim Novak). It was perfection due to the use of the theremin. The theremin then added the female voice to the two Gershwin classics : “The Man I Love” and “Summertime.”

The fireworks were over the top wonderful but my true happiness came when upon our return home, Allison went through my classic movie collection and found “Vertigo” to enjoy with her friends. She had seen it before but now the theremin was “new” to her.

That is how life is here on Museum Mile. On the same day at the John Jay Homestead they had fife and drum groups and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Alan Weinreb, the curator and director added that the resolution to become the 13th state to endorse the Declaration was written by John Jay and the document was then signed in White Plains since New York City, the then Capitol of the state was under siege by 10,000 British soldiers. Spectators were then invited to sign a copy to perhaps sense the importance, the feeling of signing it.

The Katonah Museum now has me deep into the book of their first exhibit-related Book Club. The Exhibit is “Cuba Avant - Garde, Contemporary Cuban Art from The Farber Collection” and the book is “Telex from Cuba” by Rachel Kushner. I actually did not go to a Second Saturday Cocktail Party since I had just been to another Open to the Public lecture there. So much a girl can do!

To live your life, grow up or to raise a family in this environment, along with the happenings in town, the Schools and the wonderful Libraries is to live a very enhanced life.

If you would like to further explore your options to live in this area, please contact me: 

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Last Thursday evening at the KMA there was the lecture “Utopia/Dystopia: The Politics of Art in Cuba” by Dr. Damien Fernandez, Provost of SUNY Purchase. Dr. Fernandez who is Cuba-born was also the Director of The Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University.

Dr. Fernandez gave his talk appropriately against the backdrop of Tonel’s “Self Portrait of a Ship (Four Pyramids)” - a sinking ship bearing both the likeness of Tonel and Mother Cuba. The four pyramids on the bottom of the sea upon which the ship rests allude to the ancient lost Atlantis and perhaps the hope that it will also be discovered once again.

Cuba was discovered by Cristobal Colon/Christopher Columbus in 1492. Therefore it has the same “start time” as the U.S. The people of Cuba always had the firm belief that they were always the greatest island in the Caribbean. They were “simply the best.” They were the biggest island with the biggest dreams. Even the talk was big. Think of Castro and his speeches. Their National Identity was the search for a Cuban Utopia. The lofty goals were to achieve The New Man & The New Woman living in Heaven on Earth. It is always a case of Utopian Dreams not fulfilled, therefore the Dystopia.

Cuba had a very lively artistic community involved with art, music and poetry. Their Conservatory was held in high regard worldwide. Cuba hit the wall economically with both their sugar and tobacco trade. There was little room for growth and expansion. This dissatisfaction was strong also among the many university educated young people. This dissatisfaction and the corruption of the Battista Regime led to the Revolution in 1959. The artistic community backed the Revolution at the time.

What they did not see coming in 1961 was Fidel Castro’s turn to Marxist/Leninist Ideals.

Then the U.S. blockade came….which is still in place today. State Control was enforced then on every aspect of Cuban life. Once the Soviet Union fell in the early 90s and they lost their subsidies it became known as “the Special Period” - a time of great scarcity and decay. Artists were known to use scavenged cardboard for their canvases. The Farbers found pieces of art not matted and framed and on display but rolled up and in someone’s attic. Their culture became duplicitous. There was a dual morality. There was one thing they could express in public and another they would share in only the privacy of their homes. It was the politics of location. Artists were by then out of the political game. The State did not approve of any depiction of sex, homosexuality, religiosity or Afro Cubanism. This was against their goal of everyone being Cuban, the same. The hero was dead.

Dissident artists were put in the sugar cane fields, were not allowed to produce records or display their art in galleries. They became personas non gratis. They were eliminated from lists of organizations and curriculums in schools and colleges.

The country is in ruins from their former Paradise. There are several pieces in the exhibit that depict that decay plus the effects of the blockade. The blockade is felt internally as well as externally - down to the core of the Cuban people. These works would not be shown in The Cuban Museum.  Over time, Museum heads and Librarians have begun to aid artists. Many have expatriated to other countries. The Farbers, among others have had to devise ways even if through the Ministry of Culture with their requisite seal to procure these pieces of art.

The question now - where do we find redemption for this Nation? Are there new Possibilities? This show at the Katonah Museum is therefore a very brave show and something indeed very special. The exhibit will be in place until September 19, 2010. Go to www.KatonahMuseum.org for more information and the many activities linked to this exhibit - including a new exhibit-based Book Club!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

At long last, thanks to the efforts of the Westchester Land Trust, the property located west of 41 Ridge Road in Katonah, New York will remain open space and be preserved in perpetuity! The O’Donnell estate had originally wanted the property to remain undisturbed but the tax burden on the land portion of the estate was just too great. The property adjoins land owned by the Department of Environmental Protection and is next to the reservoir so it made a lot of sense to preserve it. Nevertheless, back in August of 2007 the O’Donnell estate placed the 13.5 acre parcel on the market for sale with Sonja Lovas at Houlihan Lawrence as a single building lot. There had been a lot of controversy surrounding the property the previous year (2006) with the family’s attempts to subdivide the track into three building lots but the town would only approve the division as one building lot.

The neighbors were still unhappy with the approval for the single building lot and that’s when the Westchester Land Trust came up with a plan to create a partnership between the Town of Bedford, Westchester Land Trust (on behalf of the neighbors) and the State of New York’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Land Trust submitted an offer on the property and after a full year of negotiating the contract, appraisals, Town of Bedford board approvals, and the NY DEP evaluation, a contract for sale was drafted and approved between the three parties. From the time of contract signing it took another 18 months before it closed and became reality on June 22, 2010. Although it took nearly three years, the property will now remain as open space and be preserved in perpetuity thanks to the efforts and funding by the neighbors, town, and New York State working together.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

Want the elegance of another era with the convenience and amenities of today? Then I have the home for you…..

This lovely Tudor, which I refer to as “The Queen of the Hill” is in the Indian Hill section of Katonah. Built in 1987, this stunning Tudor has over 4200 sq ft plus the finished playrooms and storage areas on the lower level. Great flow for a family and entertaining. Also a great downsizer for Jay Gatsby!

Sited on just about one acre, it has a very private setting. The bank of trees in the back is trimmed with beautiful stone walls. The close-to-the-ground decking is the full length of the home and enjoys full views of the very elegant pool with slate patio surround. There is also a separately fenced playground area. The outdoor elegance continues with the very spacious screened-in porch which is off the family room. The floor of this enclosed porch has been painstakingly hand painted to resemble inlaid terra cotta tiles. As one excited broker suggested - “This is where you dance!” Of course! This porch also has its own slate patio. The exterior is then graced by landscape lighting come nightfall.

The formal rooms of the home start at the elegant entrance with gently winding staircase to the gracious Master and Bath plus three family bedrooms with hall bath. The landing on the second floor is large enough to have a desk at the window with a gorgeous view of the mature plantings and green space of the neighborhood. The Center Hall is flanked by a open living room and oversized dinng room. This all flows to the back of the house with an updated large kitchen and family dining area plus the Family Room.

The inviting family room with stone fireplace has sliders to the decking and pool. The screened-in porch is to the other side.

There is a seperate front entrance which opens into a large foyer (hard to call this the Mud Room!) with laundry and door out to the pool. There is also a suite of rooms which includes the 5th legal bedroom plus full bath. This can be ideal for an au pair/inlaw suite or a professional office and waiting room/secretarial space.

There is a three-car garage plus large utility room.

It is very close to Increase Miller Elementary School, Fox Valley Park and the local Lewisboro Town Park which offers pool, tennis and wonderful day camps. The Metro North Train Station and 684 are a couple of minutes away. For any further information or if you would like to see it please contact me!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

After the great success of last year, Caramoor is repeating their ”Pops, Patriots and Fireworks” on Sunday, The Fourth of July 2010.

Once again, Michael Barrett leads the Orchestra of St. Luke’s with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Grofe’s music from “The Grand Canyon Suite,” “Variations on America” by Ives and his rousing renditions of the Sousa Marches! There are also a few musical surprises as well - the playing of the Theremin - the first electronic instrument, which Lucie Rosen, owner of Caramoor and Foundress of the Music Festival performed worldwide.

The concert is at 8 pm but the grounds are open earlier for picnics. Picnic Fare will also be provided by Great Performances.

Once you have enjoyed your picnic - just the people watching and the picnic spreads are worth the price of entry - you have heard the music and then experienced the FIREWORKS immediately after the concert - one can return home fully sated with having enjoyed the perfect celebration of The Fourth of July! The Summer Season is planned and perhaps you may enjoy other concerts and festivals!

Go to www.caramoor.org

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

The warm humid days are a reminder it’s June and the end of school is around the corner. Local Westchester Day Camps sponsored by the Parks and Recreation departments will be starting soon so be sure to check out their programs. The camps offer a variety of special events and activities for the campers. Arts and crafts, athletics, science and nature, and music round out the camper’s day. In addition, daily swimming lessons complete the well-rounded day camp programs. Here are links for Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, Katonah and Pound Ridge day camps.

Pound Ridge Day Camp begins June 28 and Bedford Day Camps begin Tuesday, June 29. In addition to the camp activities there are optional trips planned that are age appropriate, for an additional fee.

You will find a handbook, camp certifications, information about the directors and counselors, and camp rules at each website. In addition there is a list of activities the campers will experience. Here are just a few:

• Red, White, and Blue Day
• Mario the Magician
• Tie Dye Day
• Crazy Hat Day
• Miss-Match Day
• Camp Olympics
• Jump rope contest
• Camp Carnival
• Share a Joke Day

Summer camps are another reason Northern Westchester is a great place to live.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

A celebratory fundraising cocktail party was held within the newly refurbished Sundial & Fountain Gardens of The John Jay Homestead in Katonah. An integral part of Museum Mile in Katonah, Town of Bedford, the homestead was the home of John Jay. One of the foremost Founding Fathers, his contributions through his life of dedication to the newly founded country included his role as negotiator with Benjamin Franklin of The Treaty of Paris which brought the Revolutionary War to a close, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, First Chief Justice, and the second Governor of New York State.

The restoration of The Gardens was greatly in part to the efforts of The Bedford Garden Club, The Herb Society of America, The Hopp Ground Garden Club and the Rusticus Garden Club. The event was made possible by a generous gift from Houlihan Lawrence.

The Peter Pratt Inn, known for their garden-to-table philosophy of food, was responsible for the catering. It was a delightful evening in an even more delightful setting.

Become a Friend of The Homestead -

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

The very popular entertainment “Summer Sunset Series” in the park is about to begin, so mark your calendars and plan to attend. There are six concerts held on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm and it’s free! The schedule is as follows:

June 30 - Katonah Memorial Park – “45 RPM Band”

July 7 - Bedford Village Memorial Park – “The Fairfield Counts Orchestra”

July 14 - Bedford Hills Memorial Park - “Reunion”

July 21 – Katonah Memorial Park – “John C. Magician and Ventriloquist”

July 28 - Bedford Village Memorial Park – Mad Science “Fire and Ice”

August 4 – Bedford Hills Memorial Park – “Goodwin’s Balloowins”

It is a wonderful opportunity to spend a warm summer night in the park so brings your blankets, pack a picnic dinner basket and head out to the park where you will be entertained. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people and reconnect with neighbors and friends and enjoy the summer evenings. For detailed information about the concerts including rain dates and locations, visit the Bedford Parks and Recreations Department website.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

On one of the most classic Bedford Roads, this Perennial Paradise of eight acres was designed by Penelope Maynard, who was trained by the staff at The New York Botanical Gardens. It has been noted as one of the most outstanding gardens in the Northeast.

In order to further delight in Nature, the outdoor pool is nestled into the landscaping making it a veritable Garden of Eden. If Bedford is known for its stone walls - these are the premier example. Terraced stone steps and pathways lead you through the gardens.

There is also a heated barn on the property. It is a house of light. This home of 4,000+ sq. ft. has views from each room that provide a breathtaking serenity. With beamed high ceilings, warm woods and walls of glass there is a very open California feel to this lovely home. The gazebo-like Master Bedroom Suite extension is a delight for all seasons with its surround of windows and doors out to the gardens. The second floor is more traditional in design with two bedrooms and bath plus an additional Master Suite.
The most surprising delight is the non chlorine indoor pool with a vaulted greenhouse glass structure which is also landscaped with vines and potted and planted greenery. It is almost a reflecting pool in nature. One would feel they are swimming at the most exclusive spa.

In the prime estate area of Bedford, it is a neighbor to The Caramoor Center of the Arts and the Rosen House where the International Music Festival is held each Summer and through the winter. It is also close to The John Jay Homestead and The Katonah Museum of Art which is known as “The Jewel in The Woods” as described by the Journal News May 6th, 2010. The area is known as Museum Mile which I had discussed in an earlier article. 
In between the hamlets of Bedford Village and Katonah, it is accessible to all plus the Metro North Train, the Saw Mill Parkway and 684. Plus great restaurants and the classic Bedford Movie Night at the Bedford Playhouse! 

If you would like more information or to arrange for a showing of this property please contact me at or 914-232-1212 x342.

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

It was a beautiful Memorial Day! On the way into Katonah that morning there were riders out enjoying the day and the 150 miles of trails of the Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA) whose yellow tags you will see on trees as markers throughout our area. It was the day of the BRLA Memorial Day Country Pace at John Jay Homestead.

Then in the village, people were testing the sound system and speakers for the speeches. Memorial Circle was trimmed with red, white and blue flowers. Then at 10 there came the sound of brass and drums. The first brass marching band came from my home town of Sleepy Hollow which was a thrill. Then there were Veterans from the American Legion that all garnered our applause. The Katonah Elementary Boy and Girl Scouts –Cub & Boy Scouts and for the Girls - Bluebirds, Brownies, Juniors & Seniors. It was very emotional for me since I remember the days when my children would march and were so proud to have carried the flags and banners. I enjoyed talking to Katonah Elementary parents that were lining the streets to see their Scouts march in this great American Tradition. I reminisced on those KES years and how they were the best years of MY life!

Then our local Katonah Firemen and Bedford Police came through all in their dress regalia. Perhaps this was a warm up for their upcoming event - the Annual Fireman’s Parade on June 9th that attracts Fire Companies from the greater New York Metropolitan Area.

After very moving speeches and the gun salute at the half raised flag at Memorial Circle, the parade participants and their following continued their march back to the Firehouse which offered Ice Cream for everyone! It is probably the only time we had ice cream at 11 in the morning. Perhaps the children were also dreaming of the upcoming parade and fair that is held on the firehouse grounds. The American Legion Outpost on Rt 22 - next to the Katonah Museum of Art - invited people to come to their outdoor barbecue. One year I took them up on it and we had a very nice time. It gave more meaning and depth to the day to spend time with war and service Veterans. Katonah is just this kinda place! Happy Memorial Day, enjoy the pictures!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Bedford Hills - Monday 9 a.m. at Babbitt & Glen Roads, down Church to Main Street then just North to The Memorial just past the Bedford Hills Fire House. County Legislator Ursula LaMotte, speaker.

Bedford Village - Monday 11 a.m. starting at Seminary Rd - off Rt 172 - ending at The Village Green. Lee Roberts, Town Supervisor, Chief Joanne Aquilino and other speakers will be present.

Katonah - Monday 10 a.m. starting at the Firehouse on Bedford Rd through the business area along Katonah Avenue. Parade will then continue along the shops towards tracks and up The Parkway to Lawrence Circle - named after Lawrence of Kellogg & Lawrence. Guests and Veterans Of American Legion Post on Rt 22 will speak. Then back to the Firehouse for Ice Cream!

Lewisboro - will have their Parade on the 31st at 12:15 starting at Lakeshore Drive & Spring and culminating at the Town Hall.

Mt. Kisco - will have their Memorial Day Parade on SUNDAY the 30th - at 2pm starting at Smith Avenue which is between Rt 117 and Lexington Avenue.

Pound Ridge - Noon on the 31st starting at The Pound Ridge Elementary School down to Westchester Avenue. The Parade will feature the Mt. Kisco Scottish Pipe and Drum Band. School children will recite their patriotic essays and Ruth Newell, a long time Pound Ridge Resident and Veteran of WWII will speak. There yoiu will notice those Famous Finger Pointing Signs!

Somers - The Lasdon Park Antique Show will be held - Lasdon Park Rt 35 Somers. For more information and for hours - call 273-4667

South Salem - will celebrate with a Fair on the 31st including a 5K and 10K race and a 4.3 mile walk around Lake Truesdale at 8:30 a.m. This will be followed by the Pee Wee Races. The Fair will be from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the grounds of the South Salem Presbyterian Church on Spring Street.

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

The antique lover will find this circa 1782 center hall colonial, built by Daniel Silkman, simple with an enduring charm. Nestled on almost 6 picturesque acres yet conveniently located in the heart of Bedford, horse country. It is surrounded by prestigious homes, but priced right at $950,000.

Just a little history to peak your curiosity: this home was purchased in 1955 by Slim Aarons, the celebrated photographer. It is still owned by the Aarons family and they have now decided to place it on the market. And it has additional bragging rights because it was mentioned in ”Katonah, the History of a New York Village and Its People” by Frances Duncombe. This home is full of unique detail from the dining room mural with its cornered cupboards, the antique living room mantle to the Dutch doors of an era gone by. Timeless yet perfect for today’s lifestyle, spacious with 4 family bedrooms and a separate guest wing. Did I mention the pool, just in time for summer? Enjoy everyday family living or maybe, “The Unhamptons Weekend Get-a-way.”

If you would like to visit this rare antique home please call me for an appointment (914) 450-6566 or e-mail with any questions you might have.

Posted by:  Renee Stengel

Still in the glow of the fun of the Katonah Museum’s ”Commute of the Species Procession” through Katonah on Saturday, I was able to get to the Katonah Museum at 1:30 on Sunday for the Hanne Tierney performance of “How Wang-Fo Was Saved.”

“This adaptation of an ancient Chinese legend, based on a story by Marguerite Yourcenar, celebrates the triumph of art over life, or the supremacy of art over everything. When the emperor forces the old painter Wang-Fo to finish painting one last canvas before his execution, Wang-Fo first paints a lake, then draws a rowboat, and as the waters rise and fill the throne room, he climbs into the boat and rows off.

The performers in this piece are bamboo fronds, silk panels, stiffened robes and glowing lanterns. They tell of the concubines melancholy, the wife’s loneliness, the disciple’s frustration with his lack of talent, and of Wang-Fo’s passion for art.” HanneTierney.com

What was amazing about the live performance was seeing Hanne Tierney pulling the strings woven through rings attached to wood grids both on the wall and on the ceiling. She was constantly busy manipulating robes, screens, reciting her script and taking on all of the voices. What she said in the following discussion time was that she preferred prose as a base for a tale since she could then imagine the dialog between the characters, and fill in the blanks. What I did hear during the 20 minute segment had a richness of text, and wit that I would love to find so that I could read and savor her words. There were only a few different disks to identify certain strings correlating with specific movements. The robes came to life, full of emotion, unexpected humor and deep sadness. She mastered death in its last quivering moments. She was accompanied by cellist, Jane Wang, who also used the wood of her instrument to drum and tap out additional sounds needed by the production. This form of puppetry was done sometimes because the artists could not afford to pay for live actors. Yet, as in radio performances of long ago, one can use their imagination.

I asked how many installations she has done over the years and the answer was 10 projects. There is one underway now and unlike her previous works, her new piece will have paper mache heads.

It was exciting to be privy to the performance since she is not planning to dramatize it for another two years. She has her works primarily at The Five Myles performance space in Brooklyn, New York.

Now I have to mark my calendar for the lectures for the next exhibit: “Cuba Avant-Garde: Contemporary Cuban Art from the Farber Collection”

It is the most Happening Place! How does that happen? The answer is the amazing leadership and staff of the Katonah Museum of Art. I volunteer in the office once a week and it is a very calm environment. When you think of all of the activities, educational programs that are available to adults as well as children, it is amazing. While we are enjoying one exhibit, the next exhibit is at the ready and the preparation of the slides and the detailed lectures are all underway. Just like a fine fashion house, the Katonah Museum of Art is always a few seasons ahead of the current one. With the experts under her roof they promise and never disappoint.

KatonahMuseum.org

Photo sources: parade picture - Audrey Lee

Others: “How Wang Fo Was Saved”, 2001 Photos by Margaret Fox. Katonah Museum of Art “The Art of Contemporary Puppet Theater” Feb 28th - June 13th

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

The streets were lined with people waiting for the train to arrive and as the whistle blew the excitement escalated. Everyone watched as the puppeteers descended the stairs from the Metro North Train Station in Katonah and joined in for the Spring Stroll through the Village. ”Commute of the Species” featured a variety of puppeteers and the waiting crowd joined them for a parade through town. A drum-roll got the event started at Jay Street and Katonah Ave. and everyone enjoyed the creativity of this event. The Katonah Museum of Art organized the parade and did a fabulous job that you can see for yourself.



For more information on other activities planned for Katonah, subscribe to this blog.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

You know (hope) the last vestiges of winter are behind us when the signs start to go up around town about the long anticipated annual Parade and Carnival in Katonah. This year the festivities start on June 9 with the Parade which starts at 7pm - but come earlier to get a good spot. Bring a picnic, buy an ice cream and enjoy the Katonah Victorians festooned along the parade route. There are many front porch parties along the Parade route.

The Carnival which is held behind the Katonah Firehouse is open through Sat. June 12 at 5pm. There are unlimited rides for one price on Thursday the 10th from 6-10 and Sat from 1-5 when it closes. There are very nice “kiddie rides” plus the thrillers! Might be a good time to see some local homes currently on the Market and then go to enjoy the Carnival and have the Fair food of hot dogs, burgers and more! , 914-232-1212 x342. See my previous article on this great local tradition.

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Save The Date - May 22 - The Town of Katonah is inviting all to join their party, “Spring Stroll.” Fun for all with a parade, raffles and sales sponsored by the Katonah Museum.

The Katonah Museum’s, ”Commute of the Species,” will be on the Metro North 12:48 PM, train begins at Grand Central Station and travels to the Village of Katonah on May 22. Along for the ride with the regular commuters will be puppeteers interacting among the crowd with handheld puppets and head-dressed puppets. They are this year’s addition to the outdoor fun and tag sales. The artistry of Alex Kahn and Sophia Michaahelles, will bring the same excitement to Katonah as they do to the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village with their puppet magic.

You just might find yourself falling in love with this village!

Posted by: Renee Stengel

Care for a Country Pied A Terre? Sleek, Stylish Townhouse in “The Meadows” in Cross River, New York. Town of Lewisboro.

Nestled between North Salem and Bedford, NY, Cross River is a small community that is close to 684, the Saw Mill River Parkway, Metro North, great restaurants, Katonah Lewisboro/John Jay Schools, and the Lewisboro Town Park complete with day camps/pool and tennis. Mount Kisco NY, Ridgefield, CT, and Danbury are major shopping areas. Northern Westchester Hospital in nearby Mt. Kisco is well known and the area boasts a roster of fine doctors of every specialty. You are also just minutes away from the hamlets of Bedford Village and Katonah.

The Meadows town homes have that New England aura about them with white clapboard exteriors and black shutters. There is a club house for a great Party venue complete with masonry fireplace and kitchen. There is an Exercise Room upstairs. There are also baths and showers for pool use plus a sauna. Outside there is a pool, playground, tennis and basketball courts.

Upon entering the condo there is a custom-tiled entry which makes you realize that there will be finishes of note throughout the home. You are then dazzled by the stunning natural cherry and granite eat-in Kitchen with stainless appliances. There are gleaming wood floors in the expansive living and dining area, plus custom mill work in the crown moldings and the wood burning fireplace mantle. The cathedral ceiling in the living room creates the perfect setting which then sets the tone for the dining area.

The condo has a large Master Bedroom plus bath and an additional room on that floor that can be used as a Den or Nursery. The two baths of the home are outfitted with Kohler fixtures and Cherry and Granite surrounds.

The lower level sports a large finished space with an entertaining area complete with wet bar, utilities, laundry and cedar closet.

Contact me: Karen Benvin Ransom, Licensed Associate Broker at KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com
Go to: HoulihanLawrence.com/2929465 for additional information, directions, plus 20 photos!

Enjoy my local website at KarenFromKatonah.com with many photos.

PLUS my Blog articles on local attractions: GuideMeHome2Westchester.com/Karen-Benvin-Ransom

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

I was in The Bedford Town House today checking records for clients (always have to check taxes, the square footage and bedroom count - plus those CO’s!) and found out that there are new email alerts that can be sent to you from the Town. Even if you are not currently a resident (I can take care of THAT for you) you can use this in order to see what is new and what is happening!

That is of course after you enjoy my articles on life in The Town of Bedford which is comprised of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, Katonah and Northern Westchester; plus my own website KarenFromKatonah.com.

That link for Bedford Info alerts to your email is BedfordNY.info. Once on the site click on “E-Mail Alerts” on the top right hand side of the home page and follow the steps to sign up! There is other wonderful information on the site which you can enjoy.

The items that will be covered are:

• Town Meetings
• Events in the Hamlets of Bedford Village, Katonah and Bedford Hills
• Camp Updates - the Town has wonderful camps for tots to teens (day trips 3x a week!) in each hamlet at each park/pool of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah
• Emergency Notices
• Weather Alerts

This weekend is the much anticipated celebration of The Centennial of Bedford Hills which I covered in an earlier article.

The outdoor fair will be from 1-6 on Saturday May 15. Houlihan Lawrence is a sponsor of the event. See you there!

Posted by: Karen Benvin Ransom

You found the perfect house, have an agreed deal and now the home inspection. The American Society of Home Inspections trains and informs their members of changes in individual state regulations. NACHI defines the home inspections as,

“a visual assessment of a home’s structure and systems.” And, it “should extend beyond the visual to the operations.”

A home inspection is an important part of the home buying process because it gives you an opportunity to get to know the systems of the home. And it also discloses problems that are not apparent or visible to you, the buyer. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) provides its Code of Ethics to the public.

Recommendations from your attorney or friends that had a good experience with an inspector should be pursued. Here in Westchester County, I give a service providers list to my clients that contains the names of New York State licensed inspectors but I do not recommend an individual inspector. The Inspection should cover the following: the structures and systems, exterior, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning, home interior, ventilation, appliances, fireplaces, additional systems (e.g. generator, etc.). Separate, but equally important, inspections for termites, radon, septic, oil tanks and water need to be added to complete a through process.

New York State requires that,

“any one to four family home, in New York State, for sale must submit a Property Condition Disclosure to the buyer prior to the signing of a binding contract of sale. The Disclosure will be attached to the contract. If the buyer does not receive the disclosure they are entitled to a $500 credit at closing. Whether the seller provides the disclosure or not, the seller is still liable for any undisclosed defects. The Disclosure form will be provided to you by your listing agent. You will be advised to consult your attorney in regards to the disclosure. Your agent can not give you advice as to whether to complete or ignore the disclosure.”

In today’s real estate market, homeowners may want to correct defects but are not obligated to do so.

Get what you pay for - be present during the home inspection and walk along with the inspector as he completes his work. Ask questions and take notes. Your inspector will issue a written report.

Of course, there will be things that are not up to par but prioritize the important issues. The homeowner is not obligated to correct conditions but they might want to do so if they want to sell their home.

Posted By: Renee Stengel

Larry Seegers, the very amiable proprietor of Jems in Katonah, has found the sweet spot of his life. A fixture in Katonah for many years, Larry Seegers has repositioned Jems on Katonah Avenue. He has also repositioned his jewelry lines as well. There is a freshness - a new start in a gallery of jewelry designers responding to today’s market. The new price point is the “gift price range” - 25.00-150.00 dollars.

He looks for other designers with vision and unusual abilities within the art of jewelry making that he has not seen before. He looks for handmade pieces with the use of beautiful materials. While he worked from home in order to enjoy his children while they were in school, he supplied boutiques nationwide. During this time he frequented craft fairs and met many fellow artists. He gives these artists a forum for their work in his store. He compared it to putting out a bird feeder. The birds depend on it, know the location and are nurtured by the continuing relationship. He looked for a variety of work, a unique skill, a talent and technique that would make you stop and wonder. The finish and technique must be polished. Clients do come back to certain artists to see additional pieces. There are many times a client will buy the same piece for several recipients. It was good to hear that his artists are still producing fresh work despite the economy. It is the sheer power of creativity that keeps their spirits in bloom despite any economy.

A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, Larry is a full service jeweler. He covers watch repair, watch battery replacements, jewelry design and redesign. He carries items from baby gifts to baubles. There is a silver baby rattle on display that although similar to the Tiffany rattle in design has the most mesmerizing gentle sound.

He conducts a jewelry making class at The Katonah Art Center - a topic of mine from a previous article.

Larry also has a unique eye for display and from his hand carved deer leg tables to the simple cones for ring and necklace display one can only leave feeling inspired. At this price point I saw several pieces that would be a welcome treat for myself! Not just for gifts! He is a few steps from the Katonah Metro North Train and a minute from either 684 or the Saw Mill. Plus he is adjacent to the other great shops and restaurants of Katonah!

Jems - 27 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, New York 10536 | (914) 232-2900

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

There were 84 homes on the Broker Open House tour Thursday, April 29th. Since it is impossible to see them all I pick and choose a few from each town and then scramble to get to as many as I can. After seeing what’s new, I pick my favorite based on price, condition, and location. My selection this week is 87 Harris Road, Katonah, New York. This wonderful ranch has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with a sunny, open floor plan. There is a spacious deck off the kitchen, which expands the living area in spring and summer by adding flexibility for entertaining. The eat-in kitchen has granite counters, a main floor family room and there are newly finished hardwood floors throughout the first floor. The Master Bedroom has a new bath and there are two additional bedrooms and a new hall bath. The upgraded Anderson windows and doors help to keep you warm in the winter and with central air, cool in the summer. The finished basement has an office, craft room, playroom, and laundry room. There is a lot of value packed into this house, which is why it is my Broker Open House pick of the week. Priced at $549,000 it won’t last long so call me today: www.guidemehome2westchester.com/sonja-lovas  

Posted by: Sonja Lovas

If you read the comments on the Leatherman’s Loop Facebook page you’ll get the feel and flavor of race day. The 2009 race was unusually warm, and 2010 will be remembered as unusually wet. The heavy spring rains created more mud flats than previous years and the rain at the start of the race deterred some registered contenders from participating, but for those that ran, it was wet and wild! A third river crossing was added this year much to the surprise of all the runners.

Anticipation for the race began in January with the registration. There was a snafu at the time of registration so the field was increased to accommodate those that had difficulty registering. The Leatherman’s Loop is not your typical 10K as noted by the Bedford-Katonah Patch days before the anticipated race.

My overall time wasn’t great, but decent. With extra runners on the trails, the increased mud flats and additional water crossing, minutes kept the race clock ticking longer than I had hoped. My husband decided to participate in the race this year rather than being a spectator and he took our two golden retrievers, which made it even more challenging. No complaints from the dogs in the mud flats or river crossings but they sure were tired at the end of the day. We’ll be back next year; rain or shine but we’ll each take a dog and stay together.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

This week The Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors released the first quarter statistics for home sales in Westchester and Putnam Counties. And just what does that mean to buyers right now?

The number of annual home sales for the first quarter of 2010 has ticked up 54% over a ten year low for first quarter of 2009. The rise in closings can be attributed to the The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, lower home prices and lower interest rates. This was the second consecutive quarter for increased sales.

I believe some homes are attractively priced right now. There are good deals to be made. So, just get out there and look! You just might find the home of your dreams to be affordable. Smart sellers should realize that we are back to 2003 - 2004 prices if they want to sell. And buyers have an opportunity right now.

Contact me at any time for more statistics and/or information on how your neighborhood did in the first quarter.

Posted By: Renee Stengel

You have been visiting real estate sites searching for properties, communities, perhaps schools, commutes and now that it is spring you may have some favorite houses that you want to see. There is a lot to know when trying to find the right home and that’s where an experienced real estate agent can help you. We can put the pieces of the puzzle together for you and even point some things out that you might not realize, especially if you are a first time buyer. I think it is great that so much information is available on the internet and that you can educate yourself before even venturing out to view properties, but that is only the beginning.

Finding the right real estate agent is not easy. So what are some of the things that you want to look for?

1. Not all real estate agents are Realtors. A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and is bound by the Realtor Code of Ethics. Some real estate agents are licensed in New York State but do not belong to the National Association of Realtors® and are therefore not bound by the ethics.
   Yes, I am a Realtor


2. You want an agent that belongs to the local multiple listing service (MLS). Again, not all agents belong to the MLS and don’t have access to comparables and other information that you will need when you move forward on a house. An agent who doesn’t belong to the MLS does not have a lockbox key and can’t gain access to properties easily.
   Yes, I belong to the MLS


3. The more experienced agent has more tools they can offer you in a negotiation. Experience is cumulative; the more the better. As in all professions, you want someone with experience to help you in your journey.
   Yes, I am an experienced agent. I have over 20 years of experience.

So, if you are considering the communities of Katonah, North Salem, Bedford (or whatever) I would be glad to show you some homes and/or answer whatever questions you may have.

I am the recipient of top producer awards from 2005 through 2010, so let’s work together to bring your real estate wishes to reality.

Contact me at any time: rstengel@houlihanlawrence.com or 914.450.6566. Please be confident that your information will not be shared or sold.

Posted By: Renee Stengel

After showing houses last Sunday, I was able to make the second showing of Dan Hurlin’s “Hiroshima Maiden.” As I always say - it is all about balance! It was the second live performance for the current exhibit “The Art of Contemporary Puppet Theater.”

The story is that of the 25 Hiroshima survivors - all women - that were horribly disfigured by the Hiroshima bomb in 1945 and then brought to the US in 1955 for intensive plastic surgery by a minister and then on to meet the pilot of the Enola Gay, Robert Lewis, on the television show “This is Your Life.” Quite another horror if you think about it.

The Bunraku performance was very moving. There were 6 puppeteers all dressed in black that controlled the two puppets of the story. They reverently moved them in time to the music and it was very life-like and fluid. Dan Hurlin who is a New Hampshire native and a graduate and Professor in the Theater Department at Sarah Lawrence College once said he went into puppet theater since he could not afford to pay actors.

So the question was - how often do they perform the piece - especially since it is with us for four months? Truth was that the six had just met that morning to practice and run through the seven minute piece. I guess they were all in the theater department and that is why their performance, timing and movement were so impeccable. Dan Hurlin and other puppet theater artists prefer the use of dancers to handle the puppets because they have the stamina and know how to move with the puppets. I was enthralled with that fact since it went so very perfectly. I was also impressed by how they depicted the passage of time - sheets of a calendar flying off the wall year by year from 1945 - 1955. We all insisted that they show us how that happened from behind the scenes!

There is one more live puppet theater performance left in the series - Hanne Tierney - “How Wang - Fo Was Saved” which will be on Sunday May 23rd at 1:30 & 3:30. No reservations are necessary. In between the two performances there is a free docent led tour of the entire exhibit including video monitors with additional performances. The docent tours are every day the Museum is open at 2:30.

Although this is not a performance for children due to the content, there are activities for children and the famous Hunt Sheets!

For my overview of the entire exhibit go to my article.

For more information go to KatonahMuseum.org

Photo by Richard Termine

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

I recently had the privilege to meet the Board of Directors of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum and The Official Historian of The Town of Bedford, Mr. John Stockbridge. They wanted to meet with me in order to thank me for my articles on the history of our area.

As a gift, Mr. Stockbridge gave me a copy of “Letters Home - Civil War Letters” which the Bedford Hills Historical Museum painstakingly transcribed in 2007 into book form.

Arnell Frost Dickinson, Founder of The Bedford Farmer’s Club which is still in existence today and Bedford Town Supervisor from 1849-1851, owned Cantitoe Farm that is now Martha Stewart’s property in Katonah, Town of Bedford.

Mr. Stockbridge gave me a timeline of the property:

“As to Ms. Stewart’s farm…Arnell Dickinson (father and then son) owned Cantitoe Farm through most of the 19th century, selling to Mr. H.G. Barbey (socialite) in the early 20th. Barbey owned the farm until around 1950 when it was sold to George and Ruth Sharp. The Sharp’s daughter Anne Sharp Nichols and her husband ‘Wally’ were the owners when it was sold to Martha. There are probably some errors in that rough property timeline…but it’s close. Anyway, it was Mrs. Sharp who had her ‘honor system’ egg stand that a lot of the locals fondly remember. The Sharps/Nichols were regular parishioners at St. Matthew’s Church, and there is a small plaque in the back left rear pew where they would regularly sit.”

In 1851 Arnell Frost Dickinson accepted the care of a young boy, aged seven, known as James Mullin from the Westchester County Poor House. I had mentioned the Poor House in a previous article for Patch.com. James Hoyt of 48 The Parkway in the New Katonah served as the Supervisor of the Westchester Poor House and also served as Town of Bedford Supervisor.

Dickinson was directed to train young James “in the Art & Business of Farming.” He also had to agree to provide him with “Boarding, Lodging, and Medical Attendance” plus the necessities for his “Health and Comfort,” with three month’s minimum of schooling until he was proficient in “Reading, Writing & Arithmetic.” James or “Jimmy” as he was called by Mr. Dickinson, was to serve the family until the age of twenty-one when he was to receive “one hundred dollars in money, one good suit of Holy Day Clothes, two suits for everyday wear and a new Bible.”

Jimmy Mullen did not stay long enough to enjoy these gifts, but at the age of just over seventeen, signed up with other young men from the Katonah area to enlist in the Union Army. They were part of the 38th Regiment, G Company of the New York State Volunteers. They were assembled and ordered by The War Department to proceed to Washington, D.C. in June 1861.

The book consists of the letters between the two over the course of his two years in the Army. Over these two years 570 men were killed, wounded or missing. James Mullin survived some minor wounds. There is mention of their sheer exhaustion, often sleeping in the rain without the benefit of tents. It also seems that Jimmy tried to send money home when he could and also sent money and begged for much needed boots and shirts in order to survive the winter. There is concern of politics in Washington interfering with their maneuvers to halt the movements of The Rebels. There then was a break until 1867 when he was employed in the Quartermasters Department in the War Department and there were three letters transcribed from that time. He served there and later in the Post Office of Lynchburg, Virginia only to succumb to tuberculosis at the age of twenty nine.

The letters are very touching. Mr. Dickinson continued to be his mentor until the end in 1867. He commended his improving penmanship, writing and a new sense of reflection in his writings. There is mention of local activity and the bustling businesses of the Hoyt Brothers in Katonah. There is news of Stephen Lyons and John Whitlock - today roads of Katonah are named after these families. He gave timeless advice, to be industrious, to save and to continue to read to acquire “useful knowledge and not light reading.”

A last letter read to him on his deathbed consoled him. “Whenever you feel like revisiting the home of your early youth, there friends will be ready ever to greet you with welcome.” As ever I remain, dear Jimmy, your friend, A.F. Dickinson

This book is still available at The Bedford Hills Historical Museum.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

It was a few summers ago when I decided to find a Comedy Class to take. Usually when my children went away to visit with their Dad for August, I would clean closets, redo a bathroom, even buy and train a puppy! This year I was going to do something for myself. I went to my friend, Mr. Google, and found that the people of Caroline’s Comedy Club offered a Summer Session. So I signed up, bought a Metro card and off I went!

I learned how to navigate the subway shuttle to Times Square and find the studio. The class was taught by Linda Smith, three time Emmy nominated writer for her work for the Rosie O’Donnell Show and is now Director of New Talent at Caroline’s.
I was the oldest person in the class - let that bother me? Never! To paraphrase Kathy Bates in "Fried Green Tomatoes"- I have more "experience"!

The class was very supportive and from all walks of life. It was a major writing endeavor and we had to edit, edit, edit to get to that kernel of truth wherein lies the humor. Plus we had to try to commit it to memory and give it a good delivery. Who knew comedy was so hard? Also that it is serious business and like any skill, be it the Olympics, an ice skating competition or "Dancing With The Stars", the pros make it seem effortless.

The weeks were flying by with the stress of the writing, the performing, the memorizing and then we had our Graduation - a Matinee show at Caroline’s! The emcee of Caroline’s loved it and the whole experience was a ball! Right after my graduation performance a local restaurant wanted me to start a Comedy Night. The time was not right.

Now that my youngest is heading off to college I am itching to give it another shot. I will write from time to time and save it on my computer. Then while doing an article on the Katonah Art Center I discovered they were about to offer their first Comedy Class! It will be taught by Peggy Boyce, performer, producer, publicist and comedy coach for 20 yrs. Her "Ladies of Laughter" was founded in 1999 in order to provide funny women opportunities. The series has been produced at Caesar’s, Resorts International, Madison Square Garden and numerous clubs and casinos. Her 2004 Winner was Jane Condon who went on to become a finalist at Last Comic Standing and the Audience Favorite. Peggy Boyce has opened for Joy Behar, Brett Butler and Ray Romano. Her website is: http://www.funniestfemales.com

They claim that even if you have no intention of ever appearing on stage, learning to turn the observations and foibles of life into comedy will give you a new perspective.
The class will study other well known comediennes’ styles and will coach you to find your own comic voice. I remember a young executive in my class in New York who took the class in order to feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group.

Come have Fun! Laughter IS the best medicine. The Katonah Art Center is across from the A&P in a restored Victorian. It is close enough to the Train Station to be able to walk and there are cabs. It is also close to the Saw Mill River Parkway and 684.

Classes are held on five Thursday Evenings at 7-8:30 pm
Spring Sessions - $215 for 5 classes - April 22-May 20th or May 27th-June 24th
Summer Session - $215 for 5 classes - June 28th - September 3rd

Katonah Art Center, 131 Bedford Road, Katonah NY.

914-232-4843 www.katonahartcenter.com

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Puppets simply bring stories to life. The word Puppet comes from the Latin “pupa” for doll and “pupula,” the pupil of the eye - our mirror of reflection. Puppets have reflected hopes, fears, dreams and the spiritual world. Puppets give form to the internal and the invisible. The scripts they follow are inspired by myths, legends, novels, poetry, history and philosophy. This exhibit takes us into the world of Puppet Theater. The installation is stunning and theatrical. One feels as though they are stepping into a black velvet shadow box.

This show is the world of Adult Puppet Theater. It is “Adult” in that the themes and intentions deal with such subjects as the nuclear attack of Hiroshima, marital abuse, suicide, the Holocaust, and sexuality. If you bring children just avoid the wonderful detailed docent tours and just enjoy the creativity on display in the galleries. The “Peter and Wendy” by Lee Breuer and “The Blue Fairy” from Sleeping Beauty are exhibits they can relate to easily. There are displays of puppets from around the world in the children’s wing, the famous hunt sheets and art projects for them to enjoy. Also check the website for Family Days and activities.

The 12 of the 13 artists are American with William Kentridge from South Africa. The others are Eric Bass/Sandglass Theater, Janie Geiser, Liz Goldberg, Chris Green, Dan Hurlin, Ralph Lee, Mabou Mines, Roman Paska, Brian Selznick, Julie Taymor and Hanne Tierney, with short films by Genevieve Anderson, Laura Heit and Scott Shoemaker. They are painters, sculptors, graphic, theater and film artists. They combine painting, sculpture, text, music, movement and live actors.

Why puppets and puppet theaters for these artists? As in the case of Brian Selznick, whose relative David O. Selznick created movie magic on the large screen, he simply did not have the space in his New York Apartment or the funds to hire actors! His toy theaters are encased in vintage suitcases. Other artists also claimed that it was more affordable and easier to manage than having to hire actors. I wonder how they managed these performances as perfectly as they did without getting tangled up!

Do come and get tangled up in the magic of Puppet Theater at the Katonah Museum of Art! For more information on puppetry and this exhibit, read my recent article on Bedford-KatonahPatch.com.

>www.KatonahMuseum.org

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

I’m not afraid of my shadow, but I am concerned with shadow inventory. Shadow inventory is the supply of repossessed and distressed mortgages going into foreclosure that haven’t reached the market yet. According to Standard & Poor’s rating, it could take up to three years to clear. While this study represents nationwide statistics it is important to understand the affect the release of REO (bank owned property) has on a local level.

For example, in my market area in New York which consists of: Bedford, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, Somers, Lewisboro and North Salem there are currently 20 single family houses and 2 condominiums identified as Short Sales among the 799 properties currently on the market and 5 single family houses, 1 condo that are REO properties (bank owned). Short Sales generally result in lower lender losses because the homes are left in better condition than those whose owners have vacated and left the property unoccupied reducing its value due to neglect and the elements. The Short Sale process can be difficult and time consuming but in the end is a better solution for everyone involved.

Shadow inventory is difficult to measure because it is not clear how many REO properties the lenders are holding onto, how many will soon fall into foreclosure, or when they will be released on the market. There could be a number of issues involved with the release of the foreclosed property causing the delay. The sooner the Banks put their inventory on the market so it can be cleared, the more stable the market will become. When searching for a home, it is important to understand how the Short Sale and REO affect the market values of the homes surrounding them.

Are you are interested in purchasing a Bank owned property or Short Sale when it comes on the market?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

The Metro North Harlem line is a commuter passenger rail system that runs north from New York City 82 miles to Dutchess County and has 38 stations. Access to the train and the time it takes to get to the City is often a major consideration when purchasing a home. If you don’t live close enough to walk to the train, then parking considerations are a required issue. Here’s what you need to know if you want to park in Katonah or Bedford Hills and take the train.

The town of Bedford has 9 parking lots and 3 are reserved for business only, the rest are available for business and Bedford residents. If you pay taxes to the Town of Bedford, you are guaranteed a parking space. You may not always get the desired lot when you apply for a permit, but for $350.00 you can get a permit to park in a designated lot. For example: If you live near the Village Green, you may not be assigned a space in Bedford Hills which is the closest station but will end up in Lot #3 which is located in Katonah. The permits are issued on a “date rank” basis, so as people move and/or don’t renew their permits the available slots become open and eventually you will move up to the closer lot and spots.

Individuals living in Somers even if they may have a Katonah Post Office address are not considered residents of Bedford because they pay their taxes to the town of Somers. The town of Somers receives 100 permits to park in Bedford’s lot #3 and the Town of Somers distributes those permits.

Non-residents are the unlucky ones. After the residents apply for and renew their permits the town tries to figure out how many non-resident slots will be available. That number changes every year. They are distributed on a lottery basis and you have to sign up for an email alert in order to be placed in the lottery. The cost for non-residents is $1,000.00 per year.

There are also 105 meters in lot #3 in Katonah and 35 in Bedford Hills. The cost for metered parking is $5.00 for 16 hours and $7.00 for 24 hours. My guess is, the early bird gets the meter.

Guaranteed parking makes the Hamlets of Bedford desirable, especially for people who work in the City.

Updated rates here as of 4/9/10

Check out my video of the parking locations in Katonah.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

For a new home buyer, there are so many alternatives to evaluate… And one of the most important is Location. In my 25 years of experience, I can share with you the many reasons people choose the Katonah Area. As an aside, our point of reference is Katonah, but there are many small towns and hamlets in Northern Westchester that meet these similar criteria: desirable schools, natural beauty, recreation, proximity to trains and highways and small town charm.

The first remark often heard is surprise in regard to the beauty of the area and its country feel, all while being less than an hour from the city. Horse farms dot the countryside, old growth trees line our roads, farmers’ stone walls from days gone by meander through neighborhoods of all sorts. We still even have a few dirt roads. There are horse trails, biking trails, miles and miles of hiking trails, lakes and nature preserves. New York City reservoirs provide stunning view sheds, and act as a draw for fisherman, year round. Westchester County offers over 5,000 acres of park lands just minutes from Katonah: from an early 20th century gentleman’s farm (Muscoot Farm embracing nearly 800 acres), to an arboretum (Lasdon Park) to the extensive offerings of Wards Pound Ridge Reservation and the Sportsman’s Center at Blue Mountain. And within each of our towns are local parks which have swimming pools, tennis courts, ball fields and soccer fields, that host a wide variety of activities, teams, classes and camps.

Not into the outdoors? There is Caramoor, a center for summer music festivals, Jacob Burns, a state of the art film center in Pleasantville, the Katonah Art Museum, and the John Jay Homestead and more. And then there are our many fine restaurants. Among my favorites are those that are found in historic buildings with lots of charm and the innovative, artisanal food to match such as John Pratt’s Inn, Crab Tree Kittle House and John Michaels.

While the large malls are less than a half hour away, our towns focus on locally owned and operated businesses. You won’t find a Starbucks in Katonah, but you will find us at Perks or NOKA (North Katonah Ave) Joes. We are small and personal and like it that way! Be assured you can get what you want at competitive prices and with a high level of service, whether it be gifts at Weinstein’s pharmacy or hardware at the 100 year old Kellogg’s and Lawrence. And don’t worry one only need go as far as Mt. Kisco to hit the GAP, Banana Republic and the like.

Why Katonah? Because it feels like living in the country, yet we are convenient to all. Some move here to raise families and to have more living space, both indoors and out while others enjoy having easy access to a quiet weekend retreat. The point is, houses are for sale everywhere… They can be redecorated and updated to our tastes. What are special HERE are the settings and amenities that one can enjoy whether our houses are modest starters or mansions.

Behold the stately Bedford Oak (pictured). Over 500 years old, it has come to symbolize the town. Not only that but is a tree with a trust fund.

This beautiful photo is courtesy of Chris Primavera (see more of his work on FLICKR).

Jacqueline Dzaluk

Ticks are back! With temperatures climbing out of the 30s it’s starting to feel like spring. While taking the dogs for a walk we decided to let them off the leash to run and romp. Of course they ran through the wetlands, splashed in the pond and had a great time getting wet and dirty. While giving them their outdoor bath I found two ticks, which means it is time to be on the alert once again and continue to apply tick repellent on outdoor pets.

Here are some handy tips for tick control for people:

1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants (tucked into socks) and hat when walking in the woods and fields. I prefer to wear white which makes them easier to see.
2. Use a tick repellent with DEET on your skin and permethrin on clothes. Make sure you read and follow the instructions on the labels.
3. Be sure to perform daily tick checks on yourself, children and pets and remove ticks properly and immediately.
4. While showering, use a washcloth, which will help to dislodge any unattached ticks.
5. If you notice any signs of an expanding solid patch often referred to as a “bulls-eye” it is an indication of a deer tick bite and you should seek immediate health care for treatment.

A guide for preventing Lyme disease and how to be tick free can be found here.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Katonah Art Center is in the same building as the Arts Caravan Performing Arts Studio that was covered in my last blog post titled ”After School Activities Part 1” at 131 Bedford Road in Katonah.

Katonah Art Center
As a Realtor I enjoy sharing the wonderful experiences I had with my children in their after school activities.

I have to admit that although I do not have personal experience with the Arts Center, I had heard rave reviews about it over the years . There is just so much a daughter and mother can do! She has friends that have taken classes there for years and now have worked as TA’s - Teacher’s Assistants! This is also an incredible institution in our area.

Loren Anderson, the Founder, started in our area 15 years ago. She has her BFA in Fine Arts from Syracuse University.

Their enrollment is half children and half adults - every day and every weekend! It can all begin with “Mommy & Me Classes” in Art & Music and go on from there.

Year Round classes include: Film & Music, Acting/Comedy, Photography/Darkroom, Clay (including Claymation!), Fine Art, Sculpture, Drawing: including Cartooning, Juggling, Illustration & Fashion Illustration, Painting, Digital Art, Sewing, Jewelry, Web Design, Pixel Art, Animation & Pottery

They have School Holiday & Winter Break Camps and Summer Vacation Camps. They even cover Birthday Parties - a real plus since I personally preferred just hauling the presents home - plus the Thank You notes of course! They have several themed parties that they will plan and run for you. They have people that will address the invitations, arrange for the food and fill the goodie bags! Why had they not been there for me?!

Summer Camp is comprised of 1 week sessions. Both a.m. and p.m. sessions are offered. Good News: The Summer Camps run from the end of the school year - May 31 for the 3 1/2 to 5 yr olds and June 28th for the older students though September 3rd!

For 3 1/2 - 5 yr olds: Art & Imagination Camp - Topics include : Jungle Safari, Castles & Dragons, A Bug’s Life, Tropical Treasures, Snugglebunnies, Dinosaurs & More, In a Little Garden, and Infinity & Beyond

For Grades 1-5: Kids Art Camp - Topics include : Sculpture. Jewelry Making, Candle Making, Nature Journals, Famous Artists, Repurposed Art, Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, World Crafts, Cartooning

For Teens: Grade 6 & Up - Fashion Illustration, Jewelry Making, Guitar, Drawing & Painting, Silkscreen/Batik & Outdoor Painting

Pottery & Photography is offered for all ages.

There are so many wonderful courses within each discipline that you really must call for a catalog or go online! I am signing up for one!

Visit the Katonah Art Center website at www.katonahartcenter.com or call 914-232-4843.

If you have any additional questions or interests in other after school activities feel free to contact me at KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

As a Parent, I am soon sending my youngest child off to college. I have had the benefit of not only the local schools but the variety and quality of local after school activities.

As a Realtor, I very happily share these experiences with my clients coming into our area.

The popular Hub for classes in the Arts for both children and adults right in Katonah is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian at 131 Bedford Road in Katonah - across from the A&P shopping center.

There you will find both the Arts Caravan Performing Arts Studio and the Katonah Art Center.

After School Activities Part I: Arts Caravan Performing Arts Studio in Katonah, New York

Since the age of two, my daughter Allison has danced. We had tried a couple of different venues at the start but 10 yrs ago we discovered The Arts Caravan with “Miss Dana” Merritt. It is a school that is noncompetitive and is taught by dance and theater professionals. They inspire and encourage confidence. The students learn to respect and to be respected for their efforts - very important for these young students as they navigate through the teen years. In the theater classes they all have equal parts and are taught all creative aspects. They also have the experience of a final show at the end of the year. Miss Dana also had the venue of The Tarrytown Music Hall for several years so the students could enjoy performing in an actual theater - the oldest in Westchester - complete with dressing rooms!

There is also onsite character formation! They have them break out of any possible cliques and engage in a new environment. It has been said - “It takes a Village” and I do feel that if anything would have been detected during these teen years it would have been brought to my attention. The administration and faculty are very beloved by the students. One teacher is also a mother of one of their peers! Parents enjoy viewing the classes while they are in session and it is a good way to keep in touch with fellow parents - of course until their children start to drive! The year end recitals are so uplifting that I enjoy each class presentation. The costumes are festive and age appropriate - not revealing or garish - as I had seen in other schools of dance. The year end recital is also topped off with the Awards Ceremony - based upon each year of participation and done class by class - everyone gets a prized memento for their years efforts. This year my daughter will choreograph her solo “Senior Dance” - the culmination of years of study and pure enjoyment, which she will perform at the end of the program. Tears will be shed….

They accommodate each family’s needs and working families have help in that they also have a bus stop arranged within the school bus routes for after school classes. They have payment plans and also now accept credit cards.

The age range is 2 1/2 - 70 years of age! The classes include Acting, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern Dance, Acting, Musical Theater Workshop plus yoga for teens on Saturday… For adults there are classes in Modern Dance, Tap, Hip Hop, Yoga, Nia and hopefully Adult Ballet (since I danced until the age of 35 and I will continue to make the drive to Arts Caravan - this time for myself!).

They also offer Summer Programs including Camp “Thank You Very Much” a Fun Class in Etiquette & Manners!

If you have any other questions about after school activities feel free to contact me at KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com.

Visit the Arts Caravan Performing Arts Center website for more information or call them at 914-232-0424.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

The Katonah Barber Shop located at 37 Katonah Ave. across from the train station is a really great place for men to get their hair cut. My son discovered this little shop two years ago when he went with one of his friends. After a few visits and great haircuts, my husband decided to check it out and now they are both regular customers. It’s not a styling salon and you don’t need an appointment, just show up and get your hair cut. There are four Barbers, and some extra chairs for clients who arrive at a busy time, but my husband has never had to wait more than 10 minutes. The best part about the haircut is they are fast, give a precision cut, and the cost is only $15.00 (plus a generous tip) So take a drive to Katonah and stop by the Katonah Barber Shop.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

In The Town of Bedford in the hamlet of Katonah there is an area known as Museum Mile. It starts with the Katonah Museum of Art at the Northern starting point on Jay Street (Rt 22) and continues south to the John Jay Homestead and on to Girdle Ridge Road where you will find Caramoor - the home of the famous International Summer Music Festival and The Rosen House Museum where concerts are given during the rest of the year. Along this path you will find some of the most special real estate of the area. The country estates of Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart and George Soros are here, among others. The zoning in the area is strictly residential and starts at 2 acres to 4+ acres per home.

The area I live in was the northern section of The John Jay Estate and it retains the name of the earliest use of the property - The Colt Pasture. I have made my home in this most bucolic area for almost 20 years and love the location on Museum Mile - yes, I am a hop, skip and jump away from my docent tours and a very short ride to either Bedford Village or Katonah. There you will find wonderful privately owned shops, restaurants and The Bedford Playhouse for movies. You are a few minutes away from the Metro North Train, 684 and the Saw Mill River Parkway. It has been a wonderful place to raise a family since everything you need is close at hand - including the fun family events at The John Jay Homestead and the child friendly Katonah Museum of Art with their children’s hunt sheet tours and activity wing. The best of all worlds!

If you would like to know when a property in this area becomes available feel free to contact me: KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

I recently attended the first of three lectures given by the “Friends of John Jay” in the Ballroom of The John Jay Homestead. The lecture was given by Barnet Schecter, a New York based writer and Historian who is also a Fellow at The New York Academy of History.

Just when you think the Civil War is over, due to the conclusion of the Katonah Museum’s “Walt Whitman and American Art of the Civil War Era,” there was yet one more memorable event. The topic was “The Devil’s Own Work: The Civil War Draft Riots and the Fight to Reconstruct America” based on his research and the name of his book on the subject. Introduced by Melissa Vail, Chairman of The Scholars Committee, Mr. Schecter illuminated the era in yet another way to increase my understanding of the time.

It was just nine days after The Battle of Gettysburg when the riots took place on July 13 - 16, 1863.

One has Currier & Ives and Winslow Homer visions of men marching off to war proudly in their Union uniforms, yet the draft - unpopular as in any other period of History - tore New York apart at the seams. When Lincoln called for an Army of 75,000 at the start of the war, 8,000 New Yorkers signed up in the first 10 days, yet they became very War weary as it lagged on and Lee had several Victories for the South.

It was six months after the Emancipation Proclamation. The poor whites of the city were afraid that should they leave for battle that upon their return they would have been replaced by the newly freed slaves in their jobs. There was also a Commutation Fee which wealthier New Yorkers could afford to pay - 300 dollars - a tidy sum at the time, in order to avoid the draft. It was a time of great corruption in New York. There even was talk of secession so they could corner the cotton processing and export market with the South. It was a conflict over Race and Class. John Jay II informed Lincoln of the riot and pleaded with him to send a militia to stop the riots which he did. There were 175 people killed and over 2000 wounded.

The upcoming Lectures of “The 2010 John Jay Lecture Series - Through the Eyes of Three Generations of Jays” are:

• Thursday, March 18 - Cliff Sloan: “The Great Decision: Jefferson, Adams, Marshall and the Battle for The Supreme Court.”


• Thursday, April 15 - Graham Russell Gao Hodges: “David Ruggles: A Radical Black Abolitionist and the Underground Railroad in New York City.”

The lectures are $25.00 for non members and $15.00 for members. The Ballroom opens at 6:30; there is time to meet and greet fellow attendees and neighbors and the lecture begins at 7. At the end there may be a book signing but there are refreshments and discussions to enjoy!

Plus, take the time before or after the lecture to enjoy the exhibit “From Oppression to Freedom: John Jay and His Huguenot Heritage.”

For further information go to: JohnJayHomestead.org

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Clients considering a move to Katonah-Lewisboro with young children always ask about the differences in the elementary schools. I strongly recommend a personal visit to the school to meet the principal, check the statistical reports (www.schoolmatters.com) and think it’s helpful to speak with parents whose children attend the school. I visited Increase Miller Elementary School and made a video of the school grounds and asked a client to share her experience as a parent with children attending Increase Miller Elementary. Here is what she said:

“With three children, the past 7 years at Increase Miller have been really great! The school has always been a welcoming place where the children can really enjoy the learning process and are encouraged to be their ‘best’ every step of the way. The kids and I have loved all of their teachers, and the administrative staff has always been especially supportive and helpful. As I see the children grow and mature I feel very confident that they are truly receiving a wonderful education. Their art and music programs are just fantastic and I am always amazed by their output. Overall, I’ve seen a very nurturing, caring environment where cooperation and mutual respect are what makes this a really special place!” – Susan McKeon

Be sure to check back for School Reports on other Katonah-Lewisboro and Bedford Central Elementary Schools! You can also connect with me on Facebook and meet other parents who have children in the district. If you have a student attending Increase Miller Elementary, please feel free to share your special experience.

Looking at a different school? Read my reports on Katonah Elementary School and Meadow Pond Elementary School. Stay tuned for more!

What do Real Estate and a crock-pot have in common? They are both on simmer. While preparing dinner in the morning for our evening meal, I couldn’t help but think of the current market as a crock-pot Real Estate market. Two years ago, when it was a hot market everything was quick and easy, just like 30-minute meals or less. It was definitely hurry-up Real Estate. Now it seems to be simmering. Buyers take longer to decide on a house to purchase, sellers have to wait longer for that right buyer, the mortgage company takes longer to process the loan and the sense of urgency has diminished. When the transaction finally closes, the process is the same, but everything just takes longer. My beef stew dinner simmered for more than 8 hours instead of a quick stir-fry. The meal was still delicious but took much longer. How do you like your Real Estate cooked?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Traditionally, the Spring Real Estate Market has not waited for the daffodils or tulips to bloom. It was the Monday after Super Bowl Weekend!

This year, with tax incentives and lower interest rates, Buyers may be back in force before the thaw. Sellers, if you are thinking of marketing your home to enjoy the new level of home prices in a new locale or a downsizing/upsizing situation - perhaps it is your time!

For access to professional services from start to finish feel free to contact me: KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Last week I gave my last tour of the current exhibit at The Katonah Museum of Art of the show: “Bold, Cautious, True: Walt Whitman and American Art of The Civil War Era.” I get sentimental at the end of each show since the Museum provides such an in-depth education on each subject through the time of the exhibit. The Galleries become a home away from home for me as I befriend the art work. Guess I have become a Museum Brat - being uprooted from one exhibit to another several times over the course of a year!

Yet, they always have something wonderful in store for us and I look forward to the educational lectures given in order to train us, the Docents. The next show is “The Art of Contemporary Puppet Theater” from Feb. 28th-June 13th 2010.

We have a wonderful break now in February with “Young Artists 2010” February 7-14th, 2010. The art is from High School Senior Art Classes from 34 schools in five counties. The work of over 300 students will be on display. How exciting is that! As a preview, the work I have featured with this article is by Julie Safferstein of Horace Greely High School in Chappaqua. It is wonderful for family and friends to celebrate the talents, efforts and vision of our students. It is also good for the community to enjoy the excellence of the Art Programs in our Schools.

In the Project Gallery will be a smaller exhibition from a program that the Katonah Museum did in conjunction with six local Elementary Schools “Thinking Through Art.”

I am proud to say that my daughter, Allison Ransom, will have a piece on display from her AP Art Class at John Jay High School under the tutelage of Julie Evans-Kaser. The work, “Affliction 2009,” has just returned from another high school showcase at Concordia College in Bronxville, where it won an award. It is the illustration to the right.

When you see what your children can create, you see them with new eyes. Once again, “Art Makes You See.”

For further information go to the Katonah Museum website KatonahMuseum.org.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

In December of 1680, twenty-two men from Stamford, Connecticut founded the town of Bedford. They met with Chief Katonah and purchased fur coats, blankets, and a tract of land that was three square miles. That area is known as “Hopp Ground” and is on the Mianus River. They then set out to settle, what is now known as Bedford, and built a grist mill, a cemetery, and a meeting house. There was a large area in the center known as the Village Green, which remains today, but 1/3 the size of the original Green. Many of the buildings around the Village Green are of historic value and have been preserved, adding to the Colonial charm of Bedford.

Most people are not aware that Bedford was part of Connecticut in 1697 and it wasn’t until England’s King William issued a royal degree in 1700, to settle a boundary dispute, that Bedford became part of New York.

The town continued to grow during the Colonial period and served as the Westchester County seat during the Revolutionary War. The county seat was shared with White Plains until Bedford was burned by the British on July 11, 1779. Not only were the town buildings burned, but all the surrounding houses. The Court House in Bedford Village, built in 1787 and renovated in the 1960s, is Westchester County’s oldest government building and is maintained by the Bedford Historical Society. The town of Bedford now consists of three separate and distinct hamlets, Katonah, Bedford Hills, and Bedford Village. Bedford Village is known for its elegant country estates, horse farms, community neighborhoods and weekend hideaways. It is a very desirable place to live because it has maintained its historic buildings and Colonial charm. Let me know if you would like to explore Bedford Village. SonjaLovas.HoulihanLawrence.com

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

As a Realtor, when listing a property, the list of amenities regarding a property includes items such as: close to schools, close to shopping, close to Railroad. Close is a very vague term so I decided to see for myself and let you decide. Take a look at my video where I measure the distance to the school using my Omron Pedometer and stopwatch. I walk the walk and talk on my way to Katonah Elementary.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

For years, I have been envisioning a glamorous makeover of my antique kitchen (actually the house is an antique, the kitchen just was very tired and dated). I pictured the Viking Range, the stone counter tops, the custom made cabinets, the farmhouse sink. But, it became apparent, I was waiting for a day that was not coming any time soon. The reality dawned that maybe I didn’t need all that to make the place cheerful and functional. A distant memory of my dad painting the kitchen cabinets came to mind. Maybe I could do something myself…It started with a visit to Katonah Paint and Hardware. I can always count on Marty for good advice. Yes, he said, it was a lot of labor to do the job, but not much money. In a few days, the kitchen was immediately transformed as the dark wood cabinets metamorphosed to a soft white finish.

Taking down the ceiling the week before Thanksgiving was a bold move, but everyone works better with a deadline. While it would have been genius to address the sagging ceiling first, it didn’t happen that way. As it turned out the “supports” holding the second floor up were shot. After we got the four new beams (which were milled by our neighbor), we added shiplap (which costs about a dollar a foot) to create a new ceiling. I did not realize how much better lighting would change the utility of the kitchen. New lights, costing $10 each, were strategically placed over work areas points of egress and the kitchen table!

You probably would not be surprised to know that while installing the new beams some of the walls came down. Not enough time to start from the beginning with new sheet rock. Up went tongue and groove pine paneling in a matter of hours, which I painted a cheerful yellow. A pitch for Benjamin Moore Aura paint required NO priming, even over bare wood. No taping, no sanding, no dust, and a much more interesting finish… Not to mention, I could get this done in time.

Wait for my next installment called “painting the kitchen floor.”

Jacqueline Dzaluk

According to Jaap Ketting in “Bedford Hills – a Brief History of Bedford Hills. Town of Bedford, NY” it took a train to make a Town.

Prior to the advent of the Train, Cherry Street was the hub of local activity in the area south of Katonah. There the needs of the residents were met by Squire Wood’s General Store. Squire Wood owned a mill, a saddling place and organized the local farmers to sell their produce to New York. He delivered it via two sloops on the Hudson from The Village of Singsing - now known as Ossining. He also served as Postmaster for many years. There was the Cherry Street School House and the older students went to Katonah for High School. School was part time so that the children could help on the family farms.

The arrival of the train in 1847 brought about the naming of the stop Bedford Station which was comprised of merely a platform for the waiting passengers and freight bound for New York City. Now farmers were able to ship produce directly from their local farms and include fresh milk. Eventually cattle cars were added to the freight trains en route to the New York City slaughter houses. The Post Office then moved to the Station in 1848. There was a stage coach that would run between Bedford Village and the Station to pick up and drop off passengers. The first station car?

The street was then known as New Street until after 1935 when it was renamed Adams Street after the “Adams Brothers General Store” the largest general store in the area. It stood along the tracks where we have the Post Office today. There also was a large Hotel run by Mrs. O’Brien where the large brick Depot Plaza Building now stands.

Bedford Station was renamed Bedford Hills in 1910.

The Bedford Hills Station area has had a renaissance over the past few years complete with stylish shops and restaurants.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

If you are looking for a condominium in Katonah, NY, then Wildwood is the place for you! It is the only complex in the Village and there are only 21 units in the complex. A mix of 2 and 3 bedrooms units with 2 ½ baths also offer views as they are built on a hillside. Units without a view have a small patio that backs on the green space. There is ample parking for the residents and guests and it’s a 16-minute walk to the Katonah Metro North Train Station. First time home buyers should hurry, at $339,000 this 2 bedroom, 2 ½ bath unit won’t last: HoulihanLawrence.com/3001374.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Katonah is a very desirable town to live in because of its historic charm and close proximity to the Katonah Metro North Train. People who live in the City always take into consideration how far it is to the train, how long the train ride is to NYC, and the cost to park. I just listed a condominium at Wildwood and checked the box for “close to train” as an amenity. I began to wonder what the definition of “close” was and decided the only way to determine that was to find out for myself and provide more information. That’s when I decided to walk the walk and talk.

Here’s what I discovered…

Time to walk from the platform to Wildwood Condominiums was: 16.38 minutes, total number of steps: 2,163, distance by car: 0.7 mile

What I’d like to know is how far would you walk to the train?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas