Lets Talk Turkey!!!!

As a Somers resident for the last 14 years, I have had the opportunity to encounter some pretty interesting wildlife. For instance, my back yard in West Somers Park has been crossed many times by raccoons, cayote, snapping turtles, frogs and of course, deer. However, one day I stepped outside to see the invasion of turkeys. They stayed for a few hours and left as suddenly as they arrived.

The USS Somers - A Clemson Class Destroyer

USS Somers (Destroyer # 301, later DD-301), 1920-1931
USS Somers, a 1190-ton Clemson class destroyer, was built at San Francisco, California. Commissioned in June 1920, a few weeks later she was given the hull number DD-301. Following a brief period of active service that ended in October 1920, she was in reserve status. In March 1922 Somers resumed fleet duties, undertaking a steady program of exercises and training that lasted for the rest of the decade. During a transit from San Francisco to San Diego on 8 September 1923, she was lightly damaged when seven of her companion destroyers were wrecked in the Honda Point disaster.

Somers mainly served along the West Coast for the rest of her career, but several times went to the East Coast, Caribbean, Hawaii and Panama areas for major U.S. Fleet maneuvers. In July-September 1925, during the inter-war Battle Fleet's longest cruise, she crossed the Pacific to visit Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa. USS Somers was decommissioned in April 1930 and scrapped at the Mare Island Navy Yard in 1930-31.

This Article Courtesy of the Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center

SOMERS AYSO SOCCER GOING TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT!

Three teams from our Somers AYSO Soccer league have been invited to compete in the AYSO National Tournament. It will take place this coming July in Florida. Somers AYSO participated in this tournament in July 2007 when it took place in Hawaii.

There will be many upcoming fund raising events that are run by the teams themselves and is strickly volunteer driven.

On Friday November 13th from 7:30 to 9:00pm there is a Wine Tasting Event taking place at Somers Discount Wines which is located in the Somerstown Center, Route 202/100. Somers Discount Wines will be donating 20% of all wines sales to the team. A generous gesture indeed. Tickets are $10.00 per person and are raffle tickets for a $300.00 prize.

This is a perfect opportunity to purchase your Holiday wine, etc. and to help a wonderful organization, which by the way is run by wonderful people who work very hard and volunteer so much of their own time for these kids (my 14 year old son being one of them). It makes me proud to live in Somers, NY.

Donations are tax deductible.

For more information about this years AYSO Fundraising efforts please email fwright@nwhc.net

Destination Imagination - Somers Students Compete Globally

I recently attended the Somers AYSO Soccer end of year barbeque and found out that 2 groups of students from the Somers Middle School and Somers Intermediate School had competed in the Global Destination Imagination competition held in Knoxville, Tennessee back in May. This event includes students from just about everywhere. Using imagination these students prepare a presentation and are graded on content and performance. The students from the Somers Middle School won the Project Outreach - Take Charge competition, besting all comers. The Somers Intermediate students placed 16th in a group of about 70. Congratulations to both squads for a job well done. You have made our Town of Somers, New York proud! One of the really fun things the students were able to participate in was PIN TRADING. I had the pleasure of seeing Lauren Chirabogas' awesome pin collection. There must have been 100 of them from everywhere. Naturally the one I liked the best was the Somers "CUTIE PI" (Get It?). For more information please go to http://globalfinals.org/about_knoxville.htm to view results and all of the other happenings at Global Destination Imagination.

The North County Trailway - Now our Bicycle Trail

The North County Trailway on the right-of-way of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The "OLD PUT" provided service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx in New York City and Brewster in Putnam County. In the Town of Somers, the railroad traversed the western part of the town through Amawalk, Granite Springs and Baldwin Place, just over the Putnam County line.

The Granite Springs Old Put depot brought new life to a Hamlet, originally known as West Somers that had been in existence since the Revolutionary War. A hotel and two stores were build next to the depot. The post office was moved from its original location a mile east to take advantage of the improved mail service the railroad ushered in. The Hamlet had its own district school (the schoolhouse is now a private residence)for the education of its elementary school students. The older students commuted to Yorktown on the Old Put. In 1904 the Episcopal Church was erected on land opposite the depot. The Church of the Good Shepherd is still an active congregation woprshipping in its second building located on Granite Springs Road, about a quarter mile south of the former church.

This excerpt is taken from the North County Trail sign that is at it's Mahopac Avenue intersection near the post office.

Somers Sustainable Food Meeting Set

As promised there is a meeting scheduled for the Green Somers Sustainable Food Sub-Committee on Tuesday, June 9 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Somers Library. This is an open meeting to come up with ideas for a GREENER SOMERS. Gardening, Farmers Markets, Eat Local Promotion, Community Suported Agriculture.

Presentations from the first green event "Build a Green Community in Somers" are now available online at (http://www.somersny.com/energyadvisorypanel/default.htm).

Somers: Sustainable Foods Sub-Committee

As you might already know, Somers has gone "GREEN" and "Green Week" was a huge success. Many folks showed interest in becoming involved. Green Week also brought awareness to many of us who maybe never really considered the monetary benefit of saving the environment and our energy resources.

The Somers Energy Advisory Panel which held an event called, "Build a Green Community in Somers" at the Somers Middle School during Green Week, has formed the Sustainable Food sub-committee headed by Helen Brady.

The purpose of this sub-committee will be to identify local growers and farmers markets in the Somers area. They will be exploring home and school gardens, establishing a garden club, running garden workshops, creating a community garden and urging local restaurants to purchase local. Many other ideas are being considered and this certainly seems to be an opportunity to get involved with the community.

If you are interested or would like more information please contact Helen Brady at helenalan@prodigy.net . There are plans for an initial meeting May/June 2009.

The Angle Fly Preserve - Beautiful Nature In Somers

The Angle Fly Preserve in Somers, New York, nestled in Northeastern Westchester County, is a 654 acre santuary for the local wildlife.

Visitors are treated to some of the most beautiful landscape in the country and can hike, fish, cross-country ski, bird watch, snoe-shoe and nature study. Naturally, photographers will find many opportunities to capture amazing scenery. The last natural Brook Trout spawning stream is located there as well.

To learn more please go to www.somerslandtrust.org/angleflypreserve

Green Tips - Saves Cost - Saves Energy

Green Tips

Somers "Green Week" was a huge success. I attended a really informative presentation at the Somers Middle School. It was both interesting and informative. The guests were from various industries and occupations ranging from Contractors in the energy field to local farmers. Each had something important to impart. Each season I will share with you what I have learned.
May brings us warmer weather and some energy savings tips that can help the environment and save you some money.

These tips are brought to you by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. 1-877-NY-SMART or www.GetEnergysmart.org

LAUNDRY

Did you know that 90% of the energy used for washing clothes goes to heating the water? Try to use cold water for washing needs.
Always wash and dry full loads and don’t overdry.
Whenever possible, hang your laundry outdoors to dry.
Set your hot water heater to 115 degrees F. Turn off the water heater when you are away on vacation. Use a water heater blanket to insulate the tank.

KITCHEN

Set your refrigerator at 36-38 degrees F. and your freezer to 0 degrees F.
Did you know that Energy Star dishwashers are at least 13% more efficient that standard models? They also save water as well, 1200 gallons a year - that’s six times the amount of water the average person drinks in a year.
Only run your dishwasher when full. Use the energy saver switch or air dry your dishes.

HOME OFFICE

1. If you have Energy Star labeled office equipment (computer, fax, printer, scanner), remember to activate the sleep function. In a small office, ENERGY STAR equipment can save about $470.00 a year.

2. Install motion detectors so that lights are on only when you need them.

3. Use desk or table lamps instead of overhead lights.

4. Change furnace filters according to manufacturer's recommendations.

GO to www.GetEnergySmart.org for more great energy saving tips.

Somers is Going Green!

Somers now has an Energy Advisory Panel. They have declared April 20-24, 2009 Green Week! Learn more about Somers Green Week at http://www.somersny.com/Calendar/events/greenweeklaunchletter.pdf

So Many Sports in Somers

Somers is a small northern Westchester County town with a population of about 21,000. However, sports of all kinds are well represented. Somers boast a vibrant Little League Baseball program and a Softball program. Adult Softball League play is also available.

Soccer Anyone? Somers offers kids ages up to 16 an opportunity to play soccer. There is a town team and travel team availability. Both Boys and Girls Leagues. In July 2008, two teams from the Somers AYSO Soccer League were invited to and competed in the AYSO National Soccer Tournament which was held in Hawaii. The team that my son John plays with was one of the invited teams. I can tell you that the whole town got behind the effort to get these teams to Hawaii and it stands as a strong tribute to the people in the Town of Somers.

There are travel Football Leagues and the Middle and High Schools have football teams and Lacrosse Teams. The High School Team is named, The Tuskers, a reference to Old Bet of Elephant Hotel fame. The schools also have baseball and soccer programs.

As you can see, Somers is a great place to live and play.

Please feel free to post any Somers sports information that you may have, it would be most appreciated!

Stephentown to Somerstown to Somers

The town was established as Stephentown in 1788. Another New York town was named Stephentown. The town decided to change its name to Somerstown. In 1808, the name was changed to Somers in honor of Richard Somers, who was a naval captain from New Jersey. He died in combat during the Tripolitan War. Somers grew during the 1980s and 1990s, after IBM and Pepsi built corporate facilities here.

Old Bet put the Elephant in Elephant Hotel

Often called the "cradle of the American circus"[1], Somers gained its' notoriety after Hachaliah Bailey bought an African Elephant, which he named "Old Bet". He wanted to use the elephant for farm work but because it attracted so many people, Bailey decided to take her throughout the northeast on tour. During the 1830s Bailey and others with exotic animals merged to form what we know as the modern circus. Old Bet died on tour in 1827. Bailey afterwards built the Elephant Hotel in Somers to honor Old Bet, and it was subsequently purchased by the town in 1927. It is a town landmark and was recently dedicated a National Historic Landmark. The elephant continues to be a symbol of the town to this day, with the High School sports teams nicknamed "Tuskers". The Elephant Hotel is currently the Somers Town Hall.