EverythingCroton

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

REMINDER 3/21 CORTLANDT CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Welcome to Everything Croton, (while the New One is down) a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

The Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra will present a concert at Holy Name of Mary on Saturday, March 21st at 7:30pm. The program will include Haydn's Symphony No.93 in D Major, and two works by Mozart– The Overture from Il Re Pastore, and the Oboe Concerto in C Major, featuring oboe soloist, Cece Olivier. This performance is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, see www.cortlandtmusic.org

IN THE NEWS---HERE'S WHO'S REALLY LEADING IRAN WITH SUPREME LEADER MIA AND TOP LEADERS KILLED

Here’s who’s really leading Iran with supreme leader MIA and top commanders killed in strikes

By Ronny Reyes and Isabel Vincent--Published March 18, 2026, 5:30 a.m. ET--Ali Larijani just became the de facto head of the oppressive Islamic regime after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by Israeli missiles from space on Feb. 28,Larijani was killed Tuesday in targeted strikes that also took out the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ brutal Basij militia. They are just the latest hardline leaders killed since the start of the war. Others include the head of Iran’s National Defense Council, the commander of the IRGC, the defense minister and the intelligence chief. MORE AT Here's who's really leading Iran with Supreme Leader MIA and top leaders killed

ICYMII---MR. JAFFERY, IT’S TIME TO STEP DOWN--JOEL GINGOLD

MR. JAFFERY, IT’S TIME TO STEP DOWN--JOEL GINGOLD

In all of our lives, there often comes a juncture at which we realize that we were wrong and, as difficult as that may be, we must take action to rectify the situation we have created. To Ali Jaffery, that time is now. And the correct, decent—and intelligent—thing for him to do is to abandon his quest to become Croton Village Justice, step down from the campaign, and leave the field to Sam Watkins.

Sam has distinguished himself as our Village Justice through decades of service, and has created a court that the overwhelming majority of Croton residents wish to keep and who enthusiastically oppose its transfer to the Town of Cortlandt—a stance adopted, at last, by the Croton Village Board. Many of the comments made by citizens of our village at the recent Board meeting considering the closure of the Croton court included praise for Sam, his fairness, and the outstanding court he has created for our village over those many years of service.

It would be one thing if Sam had announced his retirement. But he has strongly expressed his desire for another term as our Justice and his willingness to place his name before the electorate once again. And there is nothing in his recent actions that would even suggest that he might be slowing down.

Yet, despite Sam’s profession of his availability, the Croton Democratic Committee, in its infinite wisdom, unceremoniously dumped him from the ticket and designated Mr. Jaffery as the Democratic candidate for Village Justice in November. It was a procedure mimicking the medieval Star Chamber, shrouded in secrecy and devoid of the participation of or input from the thousands of registered Democrats in Croton. It was never made clear exactly what grievous sin Sam Watkins had committed or why Mr. Jaffery was considered the superior candidate. Could it have been Sam’s vocal support for maintaining the court in Croton, a position, until recently, opposed by most members of our Village Board? I don’t know, but the whole process was highly suspicious.

But Sam demonstrated his vitality by refusing to accept the Committee’s edict and simply slinking quietly away. He immediately sought another ballot line for his candidacy for Village Justice and was rapidly rewarded by the endorsement of the Voice of Croton, the principal opposition in Croton, which recognized his sterling qualities and the experience he brings to the position. So Mr. Jaffrey and the Croton Democratic Committee notwithstanding, Sam Watkins will appear on the November ballot as a candidate for Croton Village Justice.

This alone should be adequate reason for Mr. Jaffrey to step down. While I am certainly not a professional pollster, informal discussions with a large number of Croton residents suggest that Sam will win the position in a landslide. Mr. Jaffrey will likely suffer an ignominious and humiliating defeat in his first run for public office.

And what are Mr. Jaffery’s qualifications for this office? He is an attorney with a relatively brief residence in our village. One of many, many lawyers in Croton, and not yet a particularly distinguished one. He is known by relatively few outside of the Croton Dems. In his only public action of which I am aware, he proved himself to be offensively partisan by publishing a letter in the Gazette in which he promulgated disparaging—and erroneous—comments about a candidate for the Village Board who dared—dared—to run against the Democratic establishment in our village. So perhaps that makes him qualified for a position in the Democratic party, but is this the character of an individual we want on the bench, making judgments about us and our neighbors? Is this the action of one who would be pledged to be evenhanded and unbiased for or against anyone who appears before him? I think not.

There is no question whatsoever that Sam Watkins is the superior candidate for Village Justice and he should be returned to office for another term, regardless of which party line he runs on.

While it may be none of my business, but, as one who has been involved in village affairs for more than six decades, I would advise Mr. Jaffrey, “Step down now. Do not pursue this position this year. Over the next four years, become active in the affairs of our village, not the party. And do something beneficial for your fellow Crotonites, rather than simply disparaging them.” If you follow this route, and you can actually make a contribution to our village, perhaps at that time, your fellow citizens might just find you qualified and worthy of an elected position in Croton.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES, PALM SUNDAY, GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday 2026 is April 3rd. Palm Sunday is March 29th.

SOME CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS & FUNDRAISERS, CROTON & BEYOND

For your consideration---as always, please do your own due diligence:

***Easter Candy drive, St. Augustine School; click here

***300 CLUB Fundraiser, HOLY NAME OF MARY; CLICK HERE

***TEMPLE ISRAEL BROTHERHOOD PASSOVER WINE, VAN WYCK WINES; CLICK HERE, THRU 4/15

***Recent Holy Name and St. Augustine bulletins listed those currently in our armed forces; here's an opportunity to give back from the late Father Brennan; go to EverythingCroton: HAPPIER DAYS, FATHER BRENNAN, UNITED FOR THE TROOPS 2012

***FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DONATE--GOFUNDME FOR DECLAN COADY, fallen soldier, go to EverythingCroton: FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DONATE--GOFUNDME FOR DECLAN COADY

***Fundraiser for Judie Doyle by Peggy S Imm-Anesi : Support Judie Doyle After Tragic Loss of daughter Stephanie

***EverythingCroton: WILD THINGS SANCTUARY: SMALL VICTORIES, THE BATS AT WILD THINGS SANCTUARY

***PEEKSKILL, LITTLE ORPHAN ANIMALS; GO TO EverythingCroton: DONATING TO LITTLE ORPHAN ANIMALS--HELPING CATS IN NEED

***EverythingCroton: REMINDER--ST. AUGUSTINE'S YOUTH GROUP'S ANNUAL PLANT SALE 3/21 AND 3/22

VIA GOOGLE AI--THE JENNIFER SEY DOCUMENTARY "GENERATION COVID"

Jennifer Sey has directed and produced a feature-length documentary titled " Generation Covid".

The film examines the long-term consequences of COVID-19 pandemic policies, specifically focusing on the impact of prolonged school closures on children. Key themes of the documentary include:

Highlighting learning loss and the "learning gap" that students are now fighting to close.

Mental Health: Delving into the devastating effects of isolation and the recovery process for children's social and psychological well-being.

Personal Stories: Following adolescents and families across the United States to give a voice to those whose perspectives were largely absent from policy discussions.

Sey, a former USA Gymnastics National Champion and former Global Brand President of Levi Strauss & Co., became a prominent advocate for keeping schools open during the pandemic, a stance that eventually led to her departure from the company. She co-directed the film with Andrew James.

You can find more information and view the trailer on the official Generation Covid film website.

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 C

And the Croton Crafts and Commerce page has news about The Blue Pig (RE-OPENED!) 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, ShopRite, The Tavern at Croton Landing, MONDAYS GIFTS, Raga, Matters, and more.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY GOLF COURSES --2026 SEASON

SOME QUICK NEWS BITES FROM YOUR LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP

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

Our weekly Wednesday feature----and now some QUICK news bites from your local houses of worship and more:

FIRST, A SCHEDULE OF "STATIONS OF THE CROSS" EVENTS AT ASSORTED CHURCHES; CLICK HERE

AND

FROM THE ST. AUGUSTINE BULLETIN--The 10th annual Gift of Life Walk NYC takes place, as it normally does, on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25. We gather at Foley Square at 11am and then, after some inspiring speeches from several Pro-Life advocates, we march down Broadway, the “Canyon of Heroes”, with members of the TFP marching band, an end just north of the Battery (the entire length is about 1 mile). There is a large police presence, but we mostly encounter peaceful, supportive people waving us on. It is truly a memorable experience, and pleases Our Lord immensely. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Peter Marengo (914) 629-9507.