FROM THE MAILBOX...

The blog gets a lot of questions and requests---we try to handle them when we can but have been busy with life and such lately--these are some older ones that inadvertently fell by the wayside--with apologies for the delay:

1)TO THE READER LOOKING FOR THE "GREENSTEP" ARTICLE, THIS IS THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE--FROM 2020; THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING MORE RECENT but honestly, stopped following the issue---there's enough NY corruption to keep us all busy: Suburb Poised to be First to Withdraw From Controversial GreenStep Program...WE JUST CHECKED AND THE LINK IS STILL GOOD AS OF THIS DATE--SEE MORE AT https://alphanewsmn.com/suburb-poised-to-be-first-to-withdraw-from-controversial-greenstep-program/

2) A reader is looking for 2016 Field Hockey Croton championship photos.  

A: Might you mean 2015? In any case, this is all we have; go to 

EverythingCroton: CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GIRLS' FIELD HOCKEY TEAM, CROTON-HARMON HIGH SCHOOL

CHECK WITH THE BOOSTER CLUB FOR POSSIBLY MORE; HERE IS THEIR WEBSITE:  Croton-Harmon Booster Club (Croton Booster Club)

3) A READER IS LOOKING FOR A VINTAGE CROTON ROTARY article and FROM the description provided, it is PROBABLY the one dated 1955 from this post; go to EverythingCroton: SOME MISCELLANEOUS VINTAGE CROTON ROTARY CLUB - 1955, 1958, 1968 AND 1973

4) A reader has fond memories of Bill Foley. Got Anything?

WILLIAM FOLEY, 1955, GO TO EverythingCroton: CROTON DUCK POND, JAN. 1955

CROTON GIRLS LAX AND CROTON SOFTBALL--MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH---TWO EVENTS THIS WEEK

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

FROM THE CROTON HARMON BOOSTER CLUB FB PAGE

This week, Croton-Harmon Athletics will be honoring Mental Health Awareness Month at all home games.

Girls Lax is playing for Morgan’s Message on
Thursday, 5/14 @5:30pm @Spencer Field

Softball is hosting the Game of Hope on
Friday, 5/15 @6:00 pm @ Fireman’s Field

Together, we can help break the stigma and support mental wellness in our school community!

Croton- Harmon H.S. Athletics
Croton Harmon High School PTSA
Croton-Harmon Schools
#crotonharmonboosterclub #ch_boosterclub @crotonathletics @crotonharmonptsa @crotonschools @chhsgvl @chhsgvl @chhsgvl @crotongvlax @chhsvsoftball

80's BINGO NGHT FUNDRAISER AT ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

80's BINGO NGHT FUNDRAISER AT ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL

5/29

FOR MORE INFO, GO TO 80's Music Bingo Night - St. Augustine School - Ossining, NY

THANK YOU AND A REMNDER FROM BETSY LAIRD

Hi everyone,

I wanted to send a huge thank you to everyone who came out to CHHS on Tuesday for the candidate forum. Seeing so many familiar faces in the audience was really energy giving and reminded me why I am so passionate about serving this community.

I am so proud of the vision I shared: a vision centered on accountability, transparency, and strong outcomes for students. Whether we are discussing school technology, nurturing resilience, or foundational curriculum, it is vital that our Board of Education makes decisions grounded in facts, data, and proven results.

For those who couldn’t make it or want to watch the discussion again, here’s the League of Women Voters forum recording.

With Election Day less than one week away on May 19th, we need to keep this energy high and make sure people are making plans to vote!

Here is how you can help:

Keep Volunteering: We need help door knocking, delivering lawn signs and speaking to neighbors over these final few days.

Spread the Word: Share my vision and platform with your neighbors and friends! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook and share our content on your own accounts.

Make a Plan to Vote:

Early voting: If you'll be out of town on May 19th, you can vote this week! If you have questions about early voting, feel free to reach out to Denise Bisaccia at the District Clerk’s Office (denise.bisaccia@chufsd.org). Between now and May 18th, you can apply for an early mail ballot using the attached application. Simply complete the form and visit the District Clerk’s Office at 10 Gerstein St. (right next to CET) on weekdays between 8 AM–4 PM. If your application is valid and you are picking up in person, you can receive, complete, and submit your ballot during the same visit.

Election day: I'll see you at the polls on Tuesday, May 19th, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at CHHS!

Thank you for your support and for your passion for our school system!

With gratitude,

Betsy

https://lairdforboe.com/

1961 MOTHER'S DAY---CORNINGWARE---REAGAN & OTTAVIANO

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

1961 MOTHER'S DAY---CORNINGWARE---REAGAN & OTTAVIANO!

And it looks like it may be ubiquitous "Cornflower" pattern  

Click on the image.

You may also enjoy these additional vintage ads with a Croton connection at 

EverythingCroton: 1990 LEONORE DOSKOW, BRUCE BOLIND GIFTS

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR...

The latest Croton Crafts and Commerce news (with a smattering of other local events too), then visit the CROTON CRAFTS AND COMMERCE FB PAGE.It's a public page and you needn't be on FB to view the content. Often updated in real time too! Go to Croton Crafts and Commerce | Facebook

And the Croton Crafts and Commerce page has news about The Blue Pig (RE-OPENS IN MARCH) Melita's, MEXTOGO, Devotion Studio, Croton River Artisans Gallery, YUKA'S LATIN FUSION, Feed the Birds, 105-Twenty, Franki's, THE CROTON GRILLE, LA CATRINA, Robbin's, Apple Farm, BAKED BY SUSAN, MEXTOGO, Croton Mini Deli, Deprez, The Tavern at Croton Landing, MONDAYS GIFTS, Raga, Barre-on-Hudson, Cloth & Curate, and more.

SOME RECENT POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED...

Because life gets busy and HOPEFULLY warmer every day!

*A PODCAST FROM ADRIANA AND COMPANY YOU SHOULDN'T MISS; GO TO EverythingCroton: PODCAST! ADRIANA AND COMPANY---ADAPTIVE SCUBA DIVING WITH MS--MY MS MERMAID LIFE STORY

*CLOTH & CURATE IN THE NEWS; GO HERE

*VIDEO AVAILABLE; LEAGUE CANDIDATES FORUM---CROTON HARMON SCHOOL DISTRICT---NOW AVAILABLE---5/12--SEE IT AT CHUFSD Board of Education Candidate Forum 5/12/26

*GAME OF HOPE 5/15; GO TO  EverythingCroton: ANOTHER REMINDER--GAME OF HOPE--VARSITY SOFTBALL CHARITY EVENT 5/15

*WORTH WATCHING AGAIN; THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS; GO TO EverythingCroton: WORTH WATCHING AGAIN--1966--THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS

*THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER; ITS DAY OF RECKONING HAS COME; GO TO EverythingCroton: AYAAN HIRSI ALI--THE SPLC TARGETED ME--NOW ITS RECKONING HAS COME

AND

*THE FULL INDICTMENT IS AVAILABLE TO READ ONLINE; CLICK HERE

*Letter, JOEL GINGOLD, ADDRESSING AMONG OTHER ISSUES, SOME PAST GUIDO COMMENTARY; CLICK HERE

*Letter, JESSICA DIECKMAN, THANK YOU NYPD OFFICERS EDWARDS AND NAVARRO; CLICK HERE

*5/17 CAR WASH TO BENEFIT BOYS LACROSSE; GO TO EverythingCroton: CAR WASH TO BENEFIT CHHS BOYS LACROSSE

*BERENSON WINS! GOVT, SETTLES; GO TO EverythingCroton: CONGRATULATIONS---GOVT SETTLES BERENSON V. BIDEN --SIX FIGURE PAYMENT AND STATEMENT

*CROTON LIONS 50-50 RAFFLE; GO TO EverythingCroton: 50/50 RAFFLE CROTON LIONS - THAT TIME OF YEAR!

ANNUAL BERTOIA SPRING AUCTION!

Be still my beating heart! It's the Bertoia Annual spring auction---- Featuring the second half of the Maloy Collection along with choice Toys & Banks, high-quality Trains & Robots, Pre-War Japanese toys from the Bill Gallagher collection & a great assortment of German wind-ups, a private Fernand Martin collection, Pressed steel toys & more surprises! (Your editor's note: Lots of putzing inspiration for the artisans and train folks too) Download the catalog at Annual Spring | May 2026 – Bertoia Auctions | Antique Toys & Collectables

Please note; Some of the items being auctioned are a product of their times. If that gives you the vapors, go no further. Woke commentary incinerated on sight!

EDUCATION: KIDS ARE IN A "READING RECESSION" AS TEST SCORES CONTINUE TO DECLINE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Researchers are still debating the reading recession’s causes.

One possible factor, researchers say, is the rise of social media on smartphones and corresponding declines in kids’ recreational reading. States have also backed off on strict consequences for schools whose students fail to make progress on standardized tests, Kane said.

But the states that improved reading scores — notably Louisiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana — all had one thing in common: They ordered schools to teach with a phonics-based approach known as the “ science of reading.”

For years, schools taught reading using approaches that de-emphasized phonics and encouraged strategies such as guessing words based on context clues. As reading scores tumbled over the past decade, parents, scholars and literacy advocates pushed for teaching methods that align with decades of research about how kids learn to read — largely by sounding out words. MORE AT https://apnews.com/article/reading-math-test-scores-education-scorecard-7fa4111ad0de934f664ebb984e830d13

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE NUMBERS FOR SCIENCE, ENGLISH LANGUAGE, AND MATH---GO TO EverythingCroton: SCARSDALE AGAIN----SEE NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS RANKED 1 TO 599 BASED ON 2025 SCIENCE TEST RESULTS---AND CROTON IS...

IT'S NO SECRET...

Finding the latest Croton crafts and commerce news is easy! Just head on over to the CROTON CRAFTS AND COMMERCE FB PAGE. It's a public page and you needn't be on FB to view the content. Often updated in real time too! Go to Croton Crafts and Commerce | Facebook

FROM THE NEW CROTON NEWS SITE---CANDIDATES CLASH OVER ACCOUNTABILITY, TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMIC RIGOR AT CROTON-HARMON BOARD FORUM

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

FROM THE NEW CROTON NEWS SITE---CANDIDATES CLASH OVER ACCOUNTABILITY, TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMIC RIGOR AT CROTON-HARMON BOARD FORUM

Five candidates vying for three seats on the Croton-Harmon Board of Education sparred over the use of technology in classrooms, the need for a clearer definition of academic success, and how to better communicate with families during a League of Women Voters forum on May 12. This article has not yet been verified against the official meeting minutes. Details may contain errors. See our corrections log for more information. READ MORE AT Candidates Clash Over Accountability, Technology, and Academic Rigor at Croton-Harmon Board Forum — Croton-on-Hudson, NY

SCARSDALE AGAIN----SEE NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS RANKED 1 TO 599 BASED ON 2025 SCIENCE TEST RESULTS---AND CROTON IS...

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.



One school district in New York saw more than 90% of its students test proficient on state science assessments during the 2024-2025 school year.

The district was Scarsdale in Westchester County, which had a science proficiency level of 92% last year, according to state Education Department data. That was the highest in the state.

HERE'S CROTON---CLICK ON THE IMAGE below

Results for districts on state English language arts and math tests are also available.

MID-WEEK TRENDING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Many of us are not on social media, but we often get to hear about it and are sometimes sent screenshots--and now in no particular order:

***Citizen complaints and police calls--over some sort of very loud night-time drumming event---after ten pm---on the community page---and additional fb pages--plus commentary that people a.k.a. the "complainers who called the police" essentially need to "get a grip" because the "drummers will be back", "tough cookies," etc. etc. etc. Whatever.............Croton PD non-emergency number was posted: The non-emergency phone number for the Croton Police Department is (914) 271-5177.

***STILL A LOT OF CHATTER LOCALLY: Bots, blocking, and banning....POT SHOP, 100 UNIT "AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX" "goes good with the new business".....Yada yada yada..... Again, not much new to add here.....

***LOTs OF CHATTER STILL---ABOUT THE CROTON LIBRARY OVERRIDING THE TAX CAP---AND SUBSEQUENT PLEAS TO VOTE NO

***CHATTER COMING IN ABOUT THE 5/12 LEAGUE CROTON BOE CANDIDATES FORUM; again lots of positive commentary about Laird, Day and Haber. Minor complaints that it was a little too "orchestrated" and did not seem as enthusiastically supported as the first event but that some posters disagreed.

***We've come full circle---Hantavirus, Bird flu and measles, yada yada yada....not going to wallow in the muck.....

CLOTH & CURATE OFFERS EXPERT FASHION CURATION IN CROTON-ON-HUDSON

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton-on-Hudson: our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship -- in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Kristen Abbatiello spent six years styling clients out of her home before a chance glance on the school run changed everything.

May 13, 2026 |By Amber Katz

Kristen Abbatiello didn’t go looking for a storefront. She was just dropping her kids at school.

“I looked to my left, and the store was going out of business,” she says, laughing. That moment, spotted in passing on a familiar Croton-on-Hudson street, set off a chain of events that would transform her thriving home-based styling business into one of Westchester’s most intimate shopping experiences. Cloth & Curate, now celebrating its seventh year in business and its first full year in a proper brick-and-mortar space, is the kind of boutique that’s genuinely difficult to find: deeply personal, expertly curated, and rooted in real community.  MORE AT Cloth & Curate Offers Fashion Curation in Croton-on-Hudson