breezly

Thanks Somers! Top notch bullpen. Terrific food, beverages and crowd

From ABC's website: Next Episode: Sunday, May 14, 8/7c "Arena Family" Extreme Makeover: Home Edition grants a new lease on life to the grieving parents of a gallant little boy whose life and death touched the hearts of everyone in their community.

Somers' 'Extreme' surprise: Take one By ROB RYSER THE JOURNAL NEWS Airdate "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," featuring the Arenas' rebuilt house, will be shown at 8 p.m. May 14 on ABC. • The Arena family reacts to its new home on LoHud.com/view (Original publication: April 27, 2006) SOMERS Gina Arena broke down when she saw the crowd. James Arena broke down when he saw the house. Seventeen-year-old Casey Arena, the oldest of the six Arena girls, dried tears from her eyes after hugging celebrity television host Ty Pennington. It was the quintessential Hollywood moment for the Arena family, who lost 6-year-old Jimmy in September to a brain tumor. And for 45 minutes yesterday afternoon, surrounded by a cheering crowd of hundreds in the otherwise quiet neighborhood of Lake Purdys, it was a highly public Hollywood moment — the climactic scene for an upcoming segment of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Here, before a family that went through a 20-month fight to save a child who had never been to kindergarten, stood a brand new Colonial home. Almost three times the size as the family's old ranch, it was outfitted with everything from pink sinks in the girls' bathroom to plasma televisions. "I love you," said the mother, Gina Arena, to the crowd, which was kept back by barricades in all directions, but still as loud as any crowd after seven hours of anticipation. Outside the spacious barn-red home was a fully landscaped yard with a memorial fountain, featuring a bronze firefighter's hose nozzle and a statue of a firefighter. Of all the community support that surrounded the Arena family throughout its ordeal, local fire fighters were perhaps the most central, organizing blood drives and honoring "Jimboy" as an honorary firefighter. His father is an ex-fire chief. "It will be a nice way for them to always remember Jimmy — they can take it as he is looking down on them, blessing them," said John Doyle, director of technology for Alure, the home improvement company that rebuilt the Arena home in seven days. "This is going to change their lives." And, judging by comments yesterday from the neighborhood, this extreme surprise for the Arenas has changed hundreds of other lives as well. "Everyone in this community has just bent over backwards to help make this happen," said Seth Selesnow, Alure's marketing director, who estimated that 80 Alure workers, 200 contractors and some 500 volunteers helped complete the new home on time. "It has been unlike anything we have ever seen." Other donations to the Arenas included $2,500 in groceries from ShopRite and summer camp scholarships worth $50,000 from Camp Kiwi. Who, asked neighbor Lisa Grosz, would want to miss this? The Arenas stepped out of a long white limousine. The youngest daughter, Emma, clutched a Mickey Mouse doll and her mother wore a hot pink top and an olive suit. Each seemed unprepared for the size and the sound of the crowd. Gina Arena lowered her head and cried even before the host goaded the crowd to shout "Move that bus" which was parked in front of the new home to block the Arenas' view. The producers allowed the Arenas to hug loved ones — including grandparents — before corralling the family back onto the set that Buenta Way had become. Although there were multiple takes before the bus rolled away and before the family walked for good up the stairs and into the house, there was still plenty of energy and surprise. Inside, two Arena girls who are New York Yankee fans found their rooms designed to resemble Yankee dugouts, with memorabilia that had been delivered by all-star catcher Jorge Posada. And Gina and James Arena were shown the nursery for the child they are expecting this summer. The family was not expected to sleep in its new house until tonight. Last night, the network planned to do taping at an undisclosed hotel with the Arenas. The show is scheduled to air on Mother's Day. "Yeah, there are certain things that are staged to create entertaining TV," said Alure president Sal Ferro. "But the love and the effort that my team put into this home is real."

I just got back from the Makeover. It was beautiful. The Arena's were clearly emotional and the crowd was very nice and big and very supportive. There were many FFs there. Look for footage tonight on News12, ABC News or RNN News.

I don't know how much we are supposed to leak out or whatever..but Northern Westchester Fire departments were very well represented this morning and last night. It is slated to air on May 14th.

LET'S GO METS!!

Coincedently, I spotted a coyote in my back yard two days ago. I talked to my friend who volunteers at the Wolf Conservancy up here. I asked if this was any kind of threat to my kids. She said they are not a threat to humans. You just have to make noise and flap your arms and they will run away. But they will eat small pets like cats or small dogs. We found a rabbit's tail and paw in our front yard this past week. Someone had clearly snacked on the rabbit. The joke between the kids and me was "that rabbit's foot wasn't very lucky for the rabbit"

The Candlelight probably has the highest regards in Westchester for wings. Foley's in Pleasantville used to have great wings as well. Sal's Birdland in Rochester, Syracuse,Oswego are my favorite upstate wings. Their Sassy Sauce is unmatched

Luckily this local sheriff is on the case: He was quoted as saying: "I'll have a Diablo sandwich and a Dr. Pepper, make it fast, I'm in a God D@mn hurry!"

In my former life: I was a member in Ossining circa 1979/1980 - My first call was a fire in a garage and I did interior attack and one of the members said to me "Isn't this great?" In my current life: We had a mutual aid call to Somers for a structure fire across the street from the Elephant Hotel. I didn't do much except set up lights from our rescue and carry some fans. Oh yeah..and eat some sandwiches

I am rooting for the Rolling Stones at halftime

Goldens Bridge had 244 calls. Fire and EMS.

I like the Blue as well. GREAT work on the site! I visit often and post occasionally.

May God bless your family now and always.

Goldens Bridge took home: Best Engine - See my avatar 2nd Best Non Reg 2nd Best Antique

Best Overall - Mahopac 2nd Best Overall - Golden's Bridge Best Antique - Golden's Bridge Thank you Brewster! We had a great time . I love your juke box in your rec room!

Wednesday Aug. 3rd

From Ossining.com Ossining Firefighter Dies in Line of Duty Ossining Fire Chief Mauro Santucci recently announced the line of duty death of Ossining Firefighter William McAnally. Firefighter McAnally died suddenly while marching in a fireman's parade in Yorktown on June 22, 2005. He was 64 years old. "Mac" was born in Tarrytown on October 28, 1940 to William & Bessie Johnson McAnally. He enlisted in the Air Force shortly after graduating and served proudly for 4 years. Mac married Jeanette McLean April 1, 1967. He worked at Reader's Digest for 32 years. Mac was a communicant of St. Ann's Church where he served as an usher and Finance Chairman of the Festival Committee for many years. Mac was very active in St. Ann's School. He was a longtime member of the Ossining Fire Department, Fire Police Rescue 14, for 41 years where he served in all ranks including Captain. He was also a Fire Commissioner and on the Building Committee for the new building. Mac is survived by his wife Jeanette, daughters Colleen, (Alan) Jones, Janet (Edward) White, grandchildren Tanner, Braden, Grayson, Liam, Ethan, Declan and sisters Mildred Gessler, Frances (Richard) Palmer, Norma & Jackie McAnally, brother-in-law William (Gail) McLean, sisters-in-law Joan McLean, Maureen Sutherland, Ethel Shelley and many nieces and nephews and all of his Fire Department family. Calling hours for the fire service will begin at 6:00 P .M. on Sunday June 26, 2005 at the Leach and Thomas Funeral Home, located at 32 State St. Ossining, N.Y. Fire Department Personnel are encouraged to park in the Spring and Main St. lots and walk over to the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 27, 2005 at the Saint Ann's Church located on Eastern Ave, Ossining, New York. All Fire Department Personnel are asked to assemble at the Ossining High School lot located on Wolden Road, Ossining, New York. The rite of committal with full fire service honors will be held via a procession from Saint Ann's Church to the Saint Augustine's Cemetary located on Hawkes Avenue, in Ossining. Firefighters and Police motorcycles from accross Westchester are expected to participate in the service. Chief Santucci also requested that all department's attending PLEASE attempt to car pool or use some means of mass transportation. Any department's attending are requested to reply with an estimate as to the number of members by calling (914) 941-0215 and leave a message. Members of the Ossining community can leave a condolence for Firefighter "MAC" McAnally on Leach & Thomas' website. Directions to Leach and Thomas: From the North: Go South on Route 9, at the split for Route 9A & Route 9, bear right onto Route 9. There will be a traffic light in front with the entrance to St. Augustine's Church, that is the first light, continue approximately 1 Y2 miles to the fifth light, that is Main St. Turn right onto Main St. and continue through the traffic light. Make the next left onto State St. just after the Post Office ), go two blocks and we are on the right. From the Southern end of Westchester: Sprain Brook Parkway North to the Taconic State Parkway. Continue North on the Taconic and exit onto Route 117 (Pleasantville ). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Route 117 and follow 2- 3 miles to Route 9. Turn right onto Route 9 which is Northbound. Go another 2 miles to Ossining. As you enter Ossining, there will be a large shopping center on your left called the Arcadian with a traffic light in front, that is the first light. Continue North to the fifth light which is Main St. Turn left onto Main St. Continue on Main St. through the traffic light. Make the next left onto State St. just after the Post Office ), we are two blocks up on the right. From Bedford, Mt. Kisco, Chappaqua area: Route 133 West into Ossining to the end which is Route 9. Turn left onto Route 9 which is Southbound. Make the next right onto Main St. Continue on Main St. through the traffic light. Make the next left onto State St. just after the Post Office ), we are two blocks up on the right.

Letterman!

Congrats to Jimmy Boy! See you all tonight

Date: 5/21/05 Time: 11:49 Location: 36 Green Hill Rd Frequency: 46.26 Units Operating: 2142, E140, E139, R24, R25, T-6, T-8 Writer: 2145 Description: Single family home fire in bedroom There were other units who responded including units from South Salem, Katonah, Croton Falls

Chief Dan Dreyer......................2141 1st Asst Chief Rob Melillo..........2142 2nd Asst Chief Walter Hughes...2143 Captain John Barrett................2144 Lt Brian Lynch ........................2145 (me) Lt Rob Fox..............................2146 Lt Lou Velazquez.....................2147 Rescue Captain Rich Barrett......2148 Rescue Lt Walter Mitchell...........2149 Andy Spano at our Installation Dinner 5/7/05: "Yes, Golden's Bridge IS in Westchester!"

Yes, GBFD's 1944 Willy's Jeep is Utility 38. I am told it was donated to us by people connected to the old TV show "The Rat Patrol"

Golden's Bridge has: Eng. 138 is a 1968 Mack which is still in service We also have a 1899 hose cart that we pull at Anniversary parades

I would just like to state that Sunday's drill was handled very professionally. They had multiple NYS instructors there. There were dedicated instructors for the first engine company to enter the building, one for the second engine company to enter (if necessary), one for the truck company detailed to do entry and a search. There was a safety line also charged with that crew ready to go at all times. All teams had a mandatory walk through of the building prior to doing their evolutions so all egress points were identified. When our team did the "first engine" evolution, our instructor was literally in my ear the entire time giving me tips as we worked. My hat is tipped to BHFD for running a great drill which gave many people a chance to train under these circumstances.