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

The clock was ticking as I contemplated taking advantage of the “Cash for Clunkers Appliance Program.” My washing machine was 15 years old and showing signs of exhaustion. The New York State funded rebate program was set to expire on February 21, 2010 but now has been extended due to its success and money still available.

Like the Cash for Clunkers auto industry rebate the goal is to get old and less energy efficient appliances off the nation’s energy grid and have new and dramatically more efficient household machines in their place. Prisco Appliance & Electronics store in White Plains was my store of choice for my purchase. Having dealt with Prisco in the past I knew I would be given great service and advice along the way.

Mo is the seasoned and friendly salesman who explained every step of how to be eligible for the State refund after the purchase is complete. It is essential to print off a computer the necessary form stating your old equipment will be picked up and recycled. Important to note, clothes dryers are not included in rebate as they do not carry the “Energy Star Seal” required to be energy efficient.

This appliance swap out program will provide the economy a much needed boost as demand for new appliances will stimulate manufacturing and jobs. This win-win combination is not to be missed.

There are many great deals at stores throughout Westchester where consumers can buy, save money with store discounts, state rebate and more importantly, help the environment with energy conservation at the same time.

For additional resource information check out NYApplianceSwapOut.com or call 877-NY-SMART.

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

Since the creation of Earth Day in 1965, the care and respect for our planet has been the message environmentalists and concerned individuals have been educating and trying to impress on the world’s population.

Now over 50 years later, the Green Revolution of the 21st century is here with an even more dire plea. Magazines, books and even movies like Avatar deal with themes of saving the earth and the horrific effects if we do not. We cannot afford to ignore our surroundings through needless waste, ignorance or greed.

As a real estate agent, my husband Mark has become an Eco-Broker so he can better advise and work with people as they make decisions regarding their homes. “Cents and sensibilities” is the approach to housing as more buyers see the value of concepts and materials that reflect Green thinking. Pricing, energy efficiency and the homes ability to adapt to technology are the driving forces for buyers. Neighbors throughout Westchester compare their large utility bills and look for ways to reduce their costs. Experts will say, “The cheapest energy is energy never used.” Therefore, conserve and start new programs at home that enhance the health and well being of the residents.

As buyers search properties they look for houses with better insulation, newer duct systems and windows which will offer them a cozier and healthier home. It is our hope that everyone takes the interest to explore products and systems for being more energy efficient in all ways when they find a home of their own. There are also financial incentives for homeowners to update their present houses and gain more control of costs. dsireUSA.org is a site to check out. Please contact Mark and I for specific recommendations and guidance as there is no time like the present to Go Green.

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

Meadow Pond Elementary School is located on Route 123 in the Hamlet of South Salem and in the town of Lewisboro. Take a tour of the school grounds and pay particular attention to their garden area. I will be visiting this elementary school again in the spring to see “how does your garden grow?” As always, I recommended my client to visit the school and I am thrilled they did and found it helpful. I requested the inside scoop and information about the school from a client I helped find a home who has a child attending the school. Here is what she said:

“When my husband and I began our search for our home, we put school quality at the top of the list. Of course, we also desired a community and physical environment that suited us. We found several towns in Northern Westchester that had the community and physical characteristics that we desired. Since real estate agents in New York are not permitted to discuss the quality of the schools with their clients, I began to do the research myself. I used the popular websites and methods of looking at test scores, percentage of college bound students, etc. The school districts we had selected were all at the “top of the class” so to speak. Next step was to visit the schools. I went to several elementary schools in the towns we had narrowed down to looking in – all of which were good schools. I was looking for something a little better – something special. After visiting a few nice schools in the area, I visited Meadow Pond Elementary School at 185 Smith Ridge Rd in South Salem. I felt the warmth of the school immediately. First, the principal, now retired, had agreed to sit with me and discuss the school and my concerns. Immediately upon entering the school, there were photographs of students, news about the school, artwork, colorful display boards, warm brick walls and posters suggesting positive behavior. The principal talked with me for some time about the philosophy of the school, the class sizes, the parent involvement as well as the “academics.” No other school felt quite so warm and inviting. We bought the house we had been looking for and my son started kindergarten at Meadow Pond. He is now in second grade. We have had the pleasure of knowing three of the best teachers a parent could ask for. Each one of them, and others that I have observed, are dedicated to our children’s elementary education. Many of them are helping us to create good citizens as well as academic achievers. The new principal, now in her third year, has been extremely receptive to parents and works with the PTA to accomplish mutually beneficial programs for the students. When school first started for my son two and a half years ago, I contacted the PTA and was warmly welcomed by the President. She offered me ideas of how to get involved and was always receptive and warm when we saw each other at meetings. The PTA is strong and creative at Meadow Pond. Parent involvement is positive and supportive. The PTA offers many opportunities to the parents to get involved in their children’s school. As I walk the corridors (and I do often as I volunteer as much as time allows), I see artwork on the walls and well behaved happy students all around. I see colorful happy expressions everywhere I look. The library is amazing and run by one of the smartest women I have ever met. She organizes the daily newscast (by students of course) as well – Meadow Pond Live. Meadow Pond has been a truly positive experience for my son as well as for our family. We are very happy that we made the right decision for us. We take family walks to the playground often on weekends at the request of our son and when we drive by in the car, he says “Hello beautiful school.” What better words could a mother want to hear?” – Sonta Giamber-Frindt

You can connect with me on Facebook: Facebook.com/SonjaLovas to meet other parents who have children in the school district. If you have a student of Meadow Pond Elementary and would like to share a special experience you have had at the school, please feel free to comment here.

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

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

School districts are often the driving force for parents of school aged children in determining which house to buy. To narrow the search, an examination of Elementary Schools also comes into play. As outlined in a previous post, I recommend visiting the school prior to making a decision to purchase a home. To provide you with a head start in the process, here is my Katonah Elementary School Report. I have made a video of the school grounds, and comments from a parent whose child attends the school:

“One of my favorite things: The After-School Activities and language programs that the KES PTO run. My kindergartner loved the ‘Astronomy Delight’ and ‘Loony Life Labs’ classes he took this fall ($115 each, once a week for an hour). Sign-up for the Spring semester is on the PTO website right now. He is signed up for an introduction to chess, a class called Kool Kreations that uses group Lego projects to teach teamwork and presentation skills, and another science class. One of the things we love about these activities is that they are not single age groups. He was the only kindergarten kid in Astronomy. The PTO is very careful to list the appropriate ages, so not all offerings are for all ages. Thus, the classes allow the children to engage in their interests, making school a better experience, and to work at their own level. My only complaint is that I want to take some of the classes! I wish they offered them for adults. We haven’t tried the language classes yet, but I want to sign my son up for Chinese so he can teach it to me.

I also love the feeling of community. Not only does the PTO send out emails about upcoming family events (beyond school activities–and there are plenty of those), but everyone at the school and the PTO is completely accessible. Principal Jonathan Kaplan and Assistant Principal Terrance Costin live in town, answer the phone, return emails, etc. Jonathan is out at community events with his family, so you can grab a hot cocoa with him at the town Christmas Tree Lighting. When there was a fire in Jonathan’s house recently, the PTO sent out an email asking for ties for him. And he sent every family an email expressing his thanks.

In the classroom, I’ve been very impressed with curriculum creativity. For example, this fall the kids harvested vegetables in the school garden (teamwork, following directions, etc.), then made them into soup (math, fine motor skills, etc.), learned about the nutritional value, and tasted the soup. The recipe was sent home, and many kids raved about it.” – Elena Strothenke

If you would like to meet other parents whose children attend schools in the district, connect with me on Facebook. Do you have a special experience about Katonah Elementary School? Please share it here.

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

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Having just returned from the Whistler 2010 Olympic Games to watch my son AJ Rosen compete in men’s luge for Great Britain, I am so excited about the trip, that I feel compelled to write! AJ, 25 years old, lives in New Rochelle and this was his second Olympics - having competed in Turino 2006 with a 16th place finish. He had high hopes for Whistler 2010, was training hard, and after finishing in 6th Place last February in Calgary on a borrowed sled confirmed to him that he had the ability, but needed better sliding equipment. The German luge program has a 40 Million Euros per year budget whereas Great Britain’s luge program has very limited funding; meaning mom and dad pay!

AJ crashed at Whistler in October 2009, days before learning that he had received a generous donation for a new sled from Russ Malkin, a British Film Producer and sports enthusiast. Talk about poor timing. It had been the 7th run of the day, and he was trying to make up for lost sliding time (due to lack of funding). He was tired, made an error, and crashed. It should be noted that due to the tremendous exertion required to slide down the track just once (utilizing all of one’s core muscles) athletes usually only slide 2-3 times a DAY, and so those 7 times was just one too many. He dislocated his hip, tore some rectal muscles and damaged the nerves in his leg and foot. He was told by doctors to forget the Olympics, but he is a fighter, and persevered, trained very hard (receiving wonderful physical therapy at Bisham Abbey in England)…and while he still has a limp, lost 1/3 of the luge season, he qualified for the Olympics and had every intention in trying to bring home a medal for GB. AJ’s forte is in driving. He is an excellent driver/slider, and the new track at Whistler would have allowed someone like AJ a sort of even playing field allowing them to show how well they can slide down a demanding track. After Nodar’s death in his training run, they shortened the track, and changed the start ramp to the Ladies start, both of which worked against AJ. His starts have not been as good since the injury but he made up the time during the length of the course…. in fact, he was just .300 of a second behind the Germans in training which could have placed him in the top 10. But when the start was changed to Ladies it then became a start competition…meaning the stronger the start the better the finish…. However, for AJ to have competed was something to admire, for AJ to have finished in 16th place is also something to admire…his courage, his perseverance, his DEDICATION is simply smashing.

Proud of you AJ.

New Rochelle is a great place to live and a great place for athletes! New Rochelle is great!

Posted By: Gay Rosen

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

Twitter, also known as, “My Sweet Tweet” was found dead in a pile of lint next to the living room couch on February 13, 2010. My Sweet Tweet was a spring peeper (small tree frog) that hitched a ride inside by hiding in a plant on the deck that was moved indoors for the winter.

I miss his sweet tweets as they always made me smile.

Listen to my old friend tweet

I really hoped he would have made it two more months when I’d be setting the plants outdoors for him to join the chorus of spring peepers when they will announce in a loud chorus, "it’s spring!"

I never saw this little frog alive even though I looked for him each time I watered the plants. I'm glad I found him because now I know why he stopped singing. I think he went in search of food, my husband thinks he left the plants in search of love, either way, it proved fatal. They say, “Silence is golden” but not for me, still missing the sound of Twitter. So, My Sweet Tweet, rest in peace.

I’m still tweeting on Twitter and you can follow me there: Twitter.com/SonjaLovas. Here are links to my other posts about my friend the Spring Peeper: Sweet Tweets, It’s Spring?, Help! My House is Tweeting!, Anonymous Twitter, I Found My Twitter!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Fortunately for real estate agents in Westchester, we are experiencing a rise in activity in the past 3 months. Propelled by Wall Street bonuses, the government buyer’s incentive, and the yearly deadline and dilemma of do you use a private school or move to the suburbs.

Now what I am seeing is young families singing the familiar Broadway tune “Matchmaker - Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof, or so it seems…

Instead of looking for a mate, they are looking for the “perfect deal.” Matchmaker make me a deal, find me a steal, find me the perfect match!

As with all matchmaking challenges, first impressions are paramount, but it is also important to have a return visit or second look. Houses, like people, have their own personalities and characteristics which either attract or alienate buyers. As the matchmaker, and foremost the realtor trying to facilitate a transaction the hardest job I have is negotiating price. Every buyer wants the property for the least amount of money and likewise every seller wants to realize the highest purchase price.

However, like an ending to a wonderful musical production, a willing buyer and seller eventually find romance, come together and our “match is struck.”

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

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!

Last week I traveled to Paris to join dear friends, Philippe & Marina Madelin, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Philippe is a veteran investigative journalist (decades on TV plus more than a dozen books) and novelist (two, with one in the works) whom I met more than 20 years ago, when he interviewed me on camera for a report he was doing for TF1, France’s TV Channel 1, on the hunt for money stolen from Haiti by Baby Doc Duvalier. At the time, I was leading the worldwide search for Duvalier’s hidden assets on behalf of Haiti’s new government. A fast friendship developed that soon included our wives, Marina and Connie, and regular traded visits as each other’s house guests. Philippe is one of those unforgettable characters – fearless in his work (where he specialized in terrorism, organized crime, political corruption, drug trafficking, and the like), tenacious and tireless, voraciously curious, and yet warm and generous, with a wonderful sense of humor. On Tuesday, February 9, one week after he and I enjoyed dinner together in a little bistro in St. Germain des Prés, and mercifully after his anniversary party, Philippe died suddenly from an apparent heart attack, at the young age of 74. I say young because Philippe successfully defended his doctoral thesis at age 70 and, besides his novel-in-progress and consulting and teaching stints, he kept at least two blogs going, one of them top-rated. His last entry was posted the day he died. Adieu, old friend.

For more on Philippe Madelin, you can Google his name and the first selection is usually his French Wikipedia entry (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Madelin). Google offers it with a translation into English when you select it. Google will also take you to his Web site, his blogs, his books and, now, his obituaries, though all in French.

Posted By: Bruce Dollar

1. I love - People
   In my mind this is the most important factor in me doing my best job. Everyday for over 20 years I find the relationships I develop with buyers and sellers to be enjoyable and lasting ones. The variety of occupations, personalities and situations I am exposed to adds to my education and growth as a person.


2. I love - Houses
   I grew up in a family of home builders, and the business of residential real estate fills my soul! Every aspect of showcasing a house and walking buyers through the house explaining the origin or purpose of its style gives me pleasure.


3. I love - Neighborhoods
   Growing up in Westchester County I have had the privilage of living in some of the most beautiful towns in the North East. The geography and sophistication of the landscape are pure joy as I tour clients through the towns we represent. As an ambassador for Harrison, my hometown, I take extra pride in showing off my area.


4. I love - the Art of the Deal
   The process of buying and selling a property is complicated and filled with hurdles along the way at best. However I thrive on the excitement and negotiation process. It brings out all the important qualities an agent must have in order to bring about the meeting of the minds.


5. I Love - The Brokerage Community
   As one would expect for a successful career in real estate this is a 24-hour and 7 days a week business. I go back 25 years with agents, who are my competitors but are also my friends. We have shared heartbreaks and successes both personally and professionally. I have great respect for the unique lives we all lead and feel this career has made me a more worldly and sensitive person.

While it is Valentine’s Day that got me to thinking of these 5 top reasons that I love the Real Estate business, it is every day that I carry these sentiments with me.

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

This lovely Somers home has had the white glove treatment for many years and is pin perfect. Updated and energy efficient, this home is a value with an acre plus of land backing up to a preserve and over 3000 square feet of living space. All for only $579,000!

Great Family house for the way we live today! This home is ready for your color palette. Gleaming wood floors. All freshly painted. Skylights (treated not to fade fabrics) drench the home with sunlight and warmth. Gracious dining area off the kitchen and large family room within view. Easy living on one level with three bedrooms and two new baths. Separate entrance into family room which can be used for home office. Lower level has two above ground finished rooms perfect for a home office or family room/game room/guest overflow plus laundry and utilities.

Level property with a circular driveway. Oversized two car garage. Views galore. In-ground pool, new patio and deck for outdoor enjoyment.

On over one acre of park-like privacy and views bordered by stone walls and protected watershed property. Gardeners Paradise: forsythia, lilac, mock orange, iris (abundant in rock gardens too), rhododendron, Rose of Sharon, and a magnolia that blooms year round. Met with approval from Botanical Garden Tour and Judges.

Stone House Road is a traditional family neighborhood and not a development. It has a 3/4 mile loop, with its own fitness track. Stone House Road has a lake, still perfect for hiking, or sitting on a beach to get away from it all. We are minutes to the Croton Falls train (one can walk there) and close to the Somers Town Center.

If you would like to view this home and learn more about Historic Somers feel free to contact me: KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com

View the full listing: HoulihanLawrence.com/3003141
Town Information: http://www.houlihanlawrence.com/TownGuideDetail.aspx?n_k=45

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Ever since I ran the Leatherman’s Loop race in 2007, I’ve been curious about legend. When I learned there was a lecture on “The Old Leatherman” at the South Salem Library, January 31st, by author Dan Deluca, I knew I had to be there. Dan Deluca is a genealogist and Connecticut historian who has been researching the Old Leatherman for 22 years. He recently published a book documenting his discoveries and he spoke about his experiences in collecting information and details about the legendary “Old Leatherman.” It was fascinating!

I loved hearing details about the legend and the person they call the Old Leatherman. The account of his mysterious life has been pieced together through news clippings and stories passed down from generation to generation. One of the most interesting facts about the Leatherman is that in 1883 he started walking a 365-mile loop between Connecticut and the Hudson River and repeated it every 34 days like clockwork. He was seen in at least 41 towns and would sleep in caves and would only accept food from certain people in town. He never spoke, just uttered a few grunts and used gestures to communicate. He always wore his coat, pants, hat, and shoes all made of leather from discarded boots.

The book documents what is known about his life through several photographs, newspaper articles written about him, piecing together the legend and mystery surrounding this man dressed in leather. New information about The Old Leatherman continues to surface and so the mystery continues to grow and live on. The question I had for the author on a very cold January afternoon, (19 degrees and snow on the ground) was, what do you think the Old Leatherman would do on a day like today? His answer, “walk.”

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Early in the last century – the Twentieth, that is – Croton-on-Hudson became a Mecca for New York’s artsy, leftist crowd. Easy access from the City via the new electric trains (which switched back to steam at Harmon, now Croton-Harmon station) enticed both leading lights and fellow travelers – actors, writers, poets, painters and left-wing intellectuals – to build or buy summer or year-round cottages in the hills above the village. By the 1920s there was a thriving bohemian community centered in Croton, which became known as ”Greenwich Village on the Hudson.”

The focal point for this community became Mount Airy Road, which starts in the village downtown and climbs up what old timers still call “Red Hill” for the political leanings of these very particular settlers. A few years ago, long-time Croton resident Cornelia Cotton, artistic and political scion and chronicler of the history of this group, gave a lecture and slide show on historical Mount Airy houses to a standing-room-only audience at the Croton Free Library. She had to stop after 2½ hours and two full carousels of slides, not half-way through her program.

As a realtor with family roots in Croton, I’ve always been fascinated by this history, and if I drive by these noteworthy houses with clients in the car, they’ll probably get the full guided-tour treatment, even when we’re on our way somewhere else. I take special pleasure in showing and selling these homes, and I’ve sold more than my share.

Joseph Freeman, a writer and frequent visitor in the post-World War I period, described the radical colony in his 1936 memoir, An American Testament:

“At this time, Croton-on-Hudson was a kind of literary and political shrine. The sacred grove was a stretch of brown hilly earth known as Mount Airy Road, on both sides of which, separated by an acre or two of land, stood the houses of John Reed, Boardman Robinson, Lydia Gibson, Floyd Dell and Stuart Chase… . It was some time before I realized that Croton was only a suburb of Washington Square.”

Freeman usually stayed with Floyd Dell, who bought the 1892 farmhouse at 75 Mount Airy Rd. in 1919. Dell was an influential editor, novelist and literary critic who held virtual salons at his house for visiting radical artists and intellectuals. Freeman recalls a memorable weekend there with Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, the muckraking novel about the U.S. meatpacking industry that had led to passage of the Pure Food & Drug Act in 1909. Last year I sold this house to a charming young couple who have been restoring it.

Across the street at no. 66 lived Boardman Robinson, artist and political cartoonist, in a classic center-hall colonial perched high on a bluff with views of the Hudson River. The poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, another frequenter of the Croton colony, was married in this house in 1923.

Next door and up the hill at no. 70 is the 200 year-old house that belonged to Max Eastman and his sister Crystal. Max was the dashing literary and social critic who was a leader in the radical Greenwich Village community. He was also editor of The Masses, a magazine combining socialist philosophy with the arts. His sister was a journalist and a prominent feminist who co-wrote the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923 and was a founding member and lawyer of the ACLU. Their home was the main crossroads for visiting luminaries, and their house guests included Charlie Chaplin and Max’s great friend Leon Trotsky. As a realtor, I was fascinated to discover that when Eastman bought this house, his down payment was twenty dollars and the purchase price was $1,500. In 2005, it sold for well over the asking price of $799,000.

Around the bend at the top of the hill, at no. 106, stands the 1840 house that John Reed bought in 1916. Reed is best known as the radical journalist who, with his wife Louise Bryant, participated in the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and wrote about it in his famous book, Ten Days That Shook the World. Warren Beatty based his great Oscar-winning movie Reds on “Jack” Reed’s story, and part of the film is set in Croton (though it was filmed in England), at the house where Reed wrote his book. Beatty took the role of Reed, of course, Diane Keaton played Bryant, and Floyd Dell was also featured in the screenplay. The Reed house was recently listed for sale.

History might have been different if Mabel Dodge hadn’t turned down Jack Reed’s proposal of marriage early in 1916, the same year he later married Louise Bryant. Dodge was the formidable heiress and patron of the arts who had established a weekly salon at her Fifth Avenue apartment in Greenwich Village. In 1913, she and Reed ran off to Paris, where they became lovers. In Paris and in Mabel’s palatial Tuscan villa outside Florence, they hobnobbed with the likes of Picasso, Gertrude Stein & Alice B. Toklas, Artur Rubenstein and Andre Gide. Back in the U.S., Dodge lived in a house on Mount Airy, but when she rebuffed Reed’s marriage proposal, she moved to Finney Farm, not far away in the village. There, in a rambling farmhouse built in 1870, she offered Reed the use of the third floor as a writing studio. He tried it for a time, but it didn’t work out. He then bought her Mount Airy house and, that same year, Mabel married painter Maurice Sterne, her third husband. (1916 must have been quite a year.) Finney Farm already had a rich history when Dodge bought it. Horace (“Go West, young man”) Greeley was just one of the prominent visitors there in the mid-19th century. When I sold this house two years ago it was full of documents and other lore evoking this colorful past.

The stories and the history go on and on. Farther along Mount Airy, at no. 131, is another landmark of the time, Longue Vue Farm, the grand estate where Gloria Swanson lived and entertained in the late 1920s, and where Isadora Duncan loved to dance on the terrace of the castle. I sold this property too, but that’s a topic for another time. Croton’s history is too rich to be covered in other than small, manageable bites.

Posted By: Bruce Dollar

“I need a 3 to 5 bedroom summer rental for about 1 month from mid July to mid August…Does anyone know of anything?” But it is February! However, my colleague is right. The time to look for a place for the summer has started!

Two years ago, I was able to rent the most fantastic summer rental to a young couple that had just come over from Europe. She was expecting their first child and insisted that the time before (and after) giving birth should be spent in the beautiful countryside around Pound Ridge, New York. And the house was perfect! It was located on a cul-de-sac, had three fireplaces and came with a baby grand piano. The floors were hand pegged wide plank antique pine. The living room had a two story fieldstone fireplace and double French doors leading to terrace. And what is more, it had a heated 20 x 40 gunite pool with pergola and a stream with an antique stone bridge.

What more does one want for such a special summer?

Right now I have friends who are in the process of selling their weekend place in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Even with traffic one should be able to make it from New York City within two hours. This house is special year around. Beautifully located on two acres, it has three bedrooms, one and a half baths and features a light and airy eat-in-kitchen.

This is not “any” house. It is a superb antique updated colonial house built in 1739!! It has wide chestnut floors throughout the house. A large living room with a cast iron wood stove inserted into the fireplace. The lovely dining room has a crystal chandelier. There are wonderful long and wide porches overlooking the back lawn that reaches down to the ever flowing brook. The downstairs porch is great for parties in the summer or relaxing with a good book on the swing couch. Upstairs, French doors open to the other porch.

A little red building behind the house once was a general store and can be renovated and used as a guest house or studio. As old as the building is, it has all modern amenities: new gas stove, new dishwasher, new fridge and new butcher block counters in the kitchen. In addition, there is a large pantry with washer and dryer, lots of shelves and a mud room off the kitchen. One has the choice of oil or electric heat (electric baseboards were installed in every room last year in preparation for future solar panels on the roof) and a detached garage that could fit four cars that was once a barn. It is five minutes to Lake Zoar for swimming and boating. Thirty minutes to the Fairfield train station and thirty-five minutes to New Haven’s theaters, restaurants, and, of course, Yale University. Sounds interesting? Send me a note or give me a call and I’ll put you in touch with the owners.

Posted By: Juergen Hess

Valentine’s Day holds a special place in my heart because that’s the day my husband asked me to be his valentine for life. To celebrate the day he has always sent me a dozen red roses. The first couple years after we were married and I worked in an office the flowers would arrive on time and always before 5 pm. However, when I was home with my children, the deliveries were later and later every year. He always placed his orders a month in advance from the same florist but the deliveries were still late. After a 9 pm delivery one year he was determined to guarantee on-time delivery in the future so my roses now arrive on February 13th! Would you like to really surprise your sweetheart this year? Order your roses to arrive on February 13th for an on-time delivery, your sweetheart will love it and so will your florist.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

In 1947 the construction of The Bedford Playhouse in Bedford Village, N.Y. was monumental in many ways. It was considered to be a new country style “shopping center.” Still today it is home to several shops and businesses. It also has a floor above it full of apartments which was seen as a boon to the returning Vets from World War II. Of course those of us that have enjoyed it over the years know it is a far cry from a shopping center in a strip mall! It currently is home to that favorite “The Meetinghouse” restaurant which at that time was “The Carousel” confectionary and lunch room. The beloved Stewart’s Market was a new tenant as well.

The editorial board of the local paper then reminded and fortified their readership that as Bedford Villagers they could withstand the onslaught of others from other districts encroaching on their village. It was planned and built by a local design company, a local investor and a Bedford construction company. To top it off, a mural which graced what is today’s snack bar wall was painted by a Bedford artist, Tom Johnson. I wonder if they were to tear out the snack bar if they would still find the mural. They brought in the talent of a company that excelled in incorporating the new technology of surround sound and distortion free projection. It had only one large screen with a stage. It was managed by a company that had opened a Playhouse in nearby Ridgefield, CT prior to their expansion into New York State.

It had an opening night of April 30th, 1947. It was an invitation only event. The first film was “Boomerang” - a “Factual Film” shot in Stamford CT, and the Court House of White Plains. Elia Kazan was the Director. It starred Lee J. Cobb, Dana Andrews and Jane Wyatt. It was a factual film in that it told of an actual murder and subsequent trial in nearby Bridgeport, CT.

The top ticket price was in the evening in the loge - where smoking was permitted due to “scientific air conditioning” - for the premium price of 80 cents - 25 cents more than the regular adult ticket price of 55 cents.

It is still a favorite of movie goers in the area. My parents used to come over from “The River Towns” to enjoy Bedford Village for dinner and a movie when I was young. The character and charm of the area still remain. Bedford Playhouse will be getting a make over during the next few weeks and I look forward to the rebirth!

If you would like to have more information that I have not included in this article, contact me @ KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

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

The Bedford Historical Society is actually located in “The Bedford Store” on Route 22 in Bedford, New York and faces the Village Green. I stopped in the other day after going to the library because I wanted to know when the courthouse was open. I was disappointed to learn the courthouse doesn’t open until April.

While I was there I enjoyed talking with the Executive Director of the Bedford Historical Society, Evelyne Ryan. We discovered our children graduated the same year from Fox Lane High School, and knew our paths had crossed but not connected until my visit. The current exhibit on display is very interesting; it is: Back to School. There are workbooks from children who attended school there in 1800 and old storybooks that date back to 1700. My favorite part of the exhibit is the collection of games children played that includes jacks, a wooden yo-yo, and a spelling board.

Since my husband has always been curious about the Village Green and wondered if anyone was ever hung there, I had to ask. The answer is no, and in fact the jail didn’t have many prisoners and court was only held three times a year.

The Historical Society has preserved and maintains 10 properties in the area, each with their own stories and roles they played during the early settlement. The efforts in preservation of these historic places are what give Bedford its Colonial charm and rich history. The Bedford Store is open to the public and has a small gift shop filled with Bedford memorabilia. How much do you think they sell penny candy for?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

My husband and I just returned from a week in Florida visiting family and friends. The weather was sunny and made everyday seem like a bright tomorrow. It is understandable how many people take vacations and then return home only to second guess their long term-plans for staying put up north!

The family homestead gets mighty empty as children and good friends move in all directions and the utility bills and taxes occupy more space in one’s mind.

Mark and I specialize in guiding and consulting the baby boomer generation in all aspects of real estate options and lifestyle changes. Our experience is in dealing with the concerns of sellers looking to ready their houses for sale as well as advising them throughout the process no matter what their destination is.

In 2010 the variety of housing and lifestyle choices has never been greater or suited the many interests and activities “boomers crave.” Recreational, cultural and social communities are within reach of geography and budgets. We look forward to meeting and working with anyone who is contemplating a change…

CHANGE IS GOOD!

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

Some people have never heard of a short sale. A short sale is “a situation in which the seller owes more money on the loan than what the house is worth in the current market.” The owner is not yet in foreclosure so there is opportunity to sell the property the traditional way, through local MLS, and satisfy some of the loan.

How do you know if you are eligible to sell your house in a short sale?

• If you have valid hardship (i.e. lost job, going through divorce, long term illness/medical bills)
• If you have sufficient time to go through the short sale process, which could take up to a year or more
• If you have a solid assessment of what you owe on the loan plus any liens
• If you are willing to contact finance and legal professionals who specialize in short sales, foreclosures and bankruptcies

If you qualify as a seller in a short sale, a great benefit is that your credit score could be reduced much less than in a foreclosure, depending on how the bank reports and also depending on how much you’ve defaulted. But the biggest advantage for a short sale vs. a foreclosure is that you have the ability to purchase another home in two years vs. five to seven.

How do you know if you are an ideal buyer for a short sale property?

• If you have very few or no contingencies
• If you do not have a house to sell before purchasing
• If you have time to wait as it can take up to a year, possibly longer

Purchasing a short sale property offers the buyer great opportunity to purchase a house for under market value and/or afford the American dream that may otherwise have been difficult to achieve.

Although a short sale is a lengthy process and a very emotional time for the seller, in the end the seller is off the hook, the bank is satisfied and the buyer gets a great deal.

Posted By: Suzette Kraus

New to the market in Tarrytown, NY is a one bedroom condo at Tappan Manour. This corner unit now available features a sunny kitchen, hardwood floors, new crown moldings, a new bathroom, and new California Closets. Asking price is $212,000. The Tappan Manor Condominiums are centrally located and minutes to the Tappan Zee Bridge, I-287, and Metro North Train station. Tarrytown’s vibrate business district offers shopping, restaurants, art galleries, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and is at the heart of it all.

For a virtual tour of this home, follow this link: http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?id=465397.

Posted By: Carol Dorado

While at the Shop Rite Shopping Center in Bedford Hills I spoke to a store owner about all the renovations and new face-lift that is currently taking place. He told me, rumor had it that Marshall Shoes and Panera Bread have signed leases and will be joining the other merchants in the Shop Rite Shopping Center.

Just to make sure, I called the leasing office to confirm, and it’s affirmative. In addition, there are a couple other vendors lurking and are expected to jump in once Marshal Shoes and Panera Bread move in. I can’t wait for the construction to end and see the final design and shopping center come to life!

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