Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
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Byram Hills Advances to Section Finals With 44-34 Win Over Somers
Wednesday night at the County Center, Byram Hills Boys Basketball Team advanced to the Section One, Class A Final with a 44-34 victory over the Somers Tuskers. But the ten point margin does not reflect how the Somers’ defense frustrated the well established Bobcat offense.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Unbalanced
'Star Trek: Generations' Gave Us the Captain's Showdown that We Were All Waiting For
Star Trek Generations probably belongs below middle ground among the franchise’s movies. Chatter on Facebook groups seem to agree, but I’m shocked when some level total disdain on The Next Generation's first big screen appearance. As for me, I see the flaws. Nonetheless, I like Generations, and as in any Star Trek film that didn't quite live up, it has more than enough to make me watch.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Futurism
The Hebrew Congregation of Somers Hold Bark Mitzvah to Bless the Companionship of Dogs
On Sunday, the Hebrew Congregation of Somers held its third annual Bark Mitzvah to bless and honor the animals its members hold so dear. Attended by about 30 pets and their owners, the serene setting next to Shenorock Lake mirrored the relaxed demeanor of the bipeds. But the dogs were another matter at the outset of this day. A lot of barking and sniping at each other, having a leg over Mother’s Day may have been a little unsettling. But a calm definitely emerged at a distinct moment of the proceedings.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Petlife
Judge Harold L. Wood of Somers Has Made a Life of Making a Difference
I often go into an interview with a preconception of where the story will go. I’m usually wrong. In the case of 93-year-old Judge Harold Wood, who was the first African American Supervisor in Westchester, I was once again right about being wrong. I thought I would learn of insurmountable obstacles overcome in receiving his law degree, tales of harrowing racial discrimination, and a detailed accounting of his professional life. Admitting up front that his memory has “dimmed” in recent years derailed the in depth look I was hoping for. But that doesn’t mean his sketchy outline of the past prevents him from processing. The same goes for his ability to inspire. So while he’s self-assured of his extraordinary historical accomplishments, it is the manner in which Judge Wood perceives himself as ordinary that really makes him stand out.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in The Swamp
Horace Greeley Swim Team Is Nothing Short of a Dynasty
We take our sports seriously. The professional baseball, basketball, and football fanaticism that returns such passion from above certainly filters down in high school athletics. So it's only natural that a sport like swimming sometimes only qualifies for second class citizenry in terms of the attention it receives among the student body, in the community, and the local media. Nonetheless, with a long string of unparalleled success in Chappaqua, the Horace Greeley Swimming and Diving team prefers to defer on the so-called green card. Instead, they simply go about the business of winning.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Unbalanced
'Sports Roundup' Covers Horace Greeley Sports Independently
For several years now, Horace Greeley High School has been putting out a school newspaper called Sports Roundup. The homespun magazine allows students to merge their passions for professional sports, its varsity teams and their writing acumen. Prior to last June, a staff of ten would collect and word process their stories before running a few hundred copies through the Xerox machine. As it turned out, advanced technology that belonged to the editor in chief's father. That procedure—even after adding the staples—just didn't sound right to Josh Rosen when he joined the publication as a freshman contributor.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Unbalanced
After 30 Years, Dottie Jordan Retires as Executive Director of Mt. Kisco Childcare
In my working career, whenever a boss has appeared in my proximity outright fear overtakes me. On the other hand, Executive Director Dottie Jordan of Mt. Kisco Childcare Center inspires something altogether different in me. I want—even though I don't always succeed—to live up to the progressive vision she has put forth in over 30 years of service. But on December 24, Dottie Jordan's tenure will come to an end. And while there'll be plenty of inspiration left to ensure that it will never do among this staff to "just look busy," MKCCC will still carry a void that can never be completely filled.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Education
The Screen Going Black Was 'The Sopranos' Only Option
I didn’t have HBO when TheSoprano’s ended, but I certainly heard about the outcome. So I wasn’t that jarred by the screen going black and was pretty accepting of the climax. Now binge-watching the series, I’ve been contemplating a more conventional ending and realize that there might not have been one.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Geeks
Andrew Zaccagnino Wins Heart of a Giant Award
A sport like football hinges on teamwork, dedication, and sacrifice. So if a head coach cannot get this message across, the Xs and Os will never jump off the page. 22 football players will be left adrift and going through the motions. That’s why Andrew Zaccagnino is a dream for Byram Hills Head Football Coach, Scott Saunders.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Unbalanced
Jordan Peele Makes Sure We Take the Cue in 'Get Out'
Black people finally got themselves in a horror movie as the center of attention. In 2017's Get Out, they match previous wits with their whiters in this mix of social commentary, comedy and suspense by Jordan Peele. Peele also reminds us that good horror isn’t solely a function of blood, violence and excessive gore.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Geeks
Somers High School Physics Teacher Left the Challenge up to Us
By late June 1982, my immediate future was in place. I was going to Plattsburgh State and computer science would be my major. But I still had some unfinished business, and as I tentatively wondered down the hall to get my physics regents results, much was at stake. I knew I did well. But there was no way that a passing grade could compute against the quarterly grades I had received. Still, I knew passing was in play. The real question was whether "Merv" was going to give in or declare himself the winner of the game we were playing since September.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Education
Amanda Gisonni Strikes Out but Will Always Be a Hit with Me
Me and my brother-in-law got into the car in Monmouth, New Jersey last week, and it took about an hour for either of us to utter a word. My niece had just made her first start for the University of Penn. Amanda Gisonni only lasted two innings and gave up four runs. Sigh.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Unbalanced
