Monday, October 5, 2026

REQUEST FOR INFO--THE ATTORNEYS HANDING THE DEFENDING EDUCATION V. CROTON HARMON SCHOOL DISTRICT

PLS. NOTE: Judge Cathy Seibel has not set the scheduling order yet for the Defending Education v. Croton-Harmon matter at least as of this morning. (For docket #s, milestones, etc., click here)

Many thanks to everyone for their research, and to the attorneys who have weighed in. HOWEVER, since some of this was obtained via AI, you are all encouraged to do your own due diligence. And let's face it, a lot of us are not in the business.

When possible, links are provided---BUT going directly to the district with your questions is best--of course, this is not always fruitful---and sometimes a freedom of information request is necessary.....and yes, transparency issues can also arise.  But you know the drill.....Here are the two law firms engaged in this matter below. 

FOR DEFENDING EDUCATION, 
THE LEGAL FIRM handling this is Consovoy McCarthy.

They specialize in handling complex trial and appellate matters across a broad spectrum of federal law, in matters involving the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, election law, and challenges to administrative agency overreach.  

Eliminating the "Chilling Effect" Through Anonymous Shielding---School districts often count on parents backing down from lawsuits to protect their children from public backlash or community ostracization---and some district parents here have been vocal in this regard. Consovoy McCarthy bypassed this obstacle by suing on behalf of the national membership group (PDE) rather than the local families themselves. By successfully convincing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to overturn its 50-year-old standing precedent (Aguayo v. Richardson) on September 15, 2026, the firm legally cemented the right of three local parents to challenge the school board while remaining completely anonymous.

FOR THE CROTON HARMON SCHOOL DISTRICT, 
the legal firm handling this is Sokoloff Stern LLP

The Croton-Harmon Union Free School District is being represented by Sokoloff Stern LLP, a prominent New York law firm that specializes in defending municipal governments, public officials, law enforcement agencies, and school districts. 

Based out of Carle Place, New York (Long Island), the firm is regarded for its defense of public entities facing complex federal constitutional challenges and civil rights lawsuits, etc. 

A reader recommends a deep dive into their cases and thinks that the one entitled SOKOLOFF STERN WINS SECOND CIRCUIT APPEAL OF IMPORTANT FIRST AMENDMENT CASE may prove of interest. 

MORE VIDEO FROM METRO NORTH CROTON-HARMON SHOPS OPENS HOUSE

Those of us who missed this event--or were unable to get tickets--are thankful to everyone who provided videos and photos.  Here's one from NEW HAVEN RAILS; GO TO MTA Metro North Railroad 2026 Croton-Harmon Shops Open House 

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN EverythingCroton: VIDEO FROM ON TRACK WITH ERIC--2026 CROTON HARMON SHOPS--METRO NORTH OPEN HOUSE


10/24 TOC DRUG TAKE BACK DAY AND CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

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.

10/24 TOC DRUG TAKE BACK DAY AND CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECKS

CLICK ON THE IMAGE.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Town of Cortlandt, NY News

WHITE HOUSE MONITORING SUSPECT PLAGUE OUTBREAK IN RUSSIA --ONE LAB WORKER DEAD, HUNDREDS QUARANTINED

The White House is “aware” of a suspected plague outbreak in Russia and is “monitoring the situation” after a young lab worker was killed and some 200 others reportedly forced into quarantine, an official said.

Daria Shipilova, a 28-year-old researcher at an anti-plague research institute in Russia’s eastern Irkutsk region, reportedly died after breaking a test tube containing the plague pathogen, although Russian officials have refused to say whether or not she contracted the disease.READ MORE AT White House 'monitoring' suspected plague outbreak in Russia after lab worker dead, hundreds quarantined

REMINDER--EARLY VOTING STARTS OCT. 24 THRU NOV. 1 PLUS SOME ADDL INFO

To find the early voting schedule, including the start date, daily hours, and a list of designated voting centers in Westchester County, check the official resources released by the Westchester County Board of Elections and the New York State Board of Elections. 


PHOTO FROM OUR LADY OF SHKODRA, CARDINAL, SIMONI, A LIVING MARTYR

Many thanks to Ed Riley for sharing--and Mary D'Cruz---for the photo and write-up. For those who do not know, Cardinal Ernest Simoni, is considered a living martyr---and was imprisoned in Communist Albania for 18 years.

This is from the recent Noon Mass at Our Lady of Shkodra in Hardsdale. (Sharing picture taken with Cardinal Simoni, living martyr.)



Cardinal Ernest Simoni turns 98 this month. When I heard @ 10 am today that he would celebrate noon Mass @ Our Lady of Shkodra Church (Good Counsel, ethnically Albanian parish), Hardsdale, I rushed & got there.

Cardinal Simoni walked up to the altar, ever so strong & steady, only needed slight help for the steps. The church was packed, all Albanians. Mass in Albanian. He recites 4 rosaries a day & encouraged us to do so. His homily was 30 mins. His voice was loud & clear. He has been traveling in the U.S. & Europe. He just returned from Berlin.

When asked how he remains so strong even physically, he pointed upward to God. His face is smooth. He looks radiant. He communicates in Albanian & Latin. After Mass, he blessed each one of us individually.

Our Lady of Shkodra Church is arranging birthday celebrations @ Misto restaurant, Bronx, on Oct 18. Cost $150 each. All proceeds go to the needy.

THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF NYSDEC DELIVERS IS ALL ABOUT THE INVASIVES! FIREWOOD AND INVASIVE PESTS

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.

AS MENTIONED, THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF NYSDEC DELIVERS IS ALL ABOUT THE INVASIVES! 






MAHOPAC'S 2026 COLUMBUS DAY PARADE! AND CONGRESSMAN LAWLER TOO

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.

Many thanks to the Mahopac Facebook folks for forwarding this---a great Columbus Day Parade!

And Croton folks were there too! 

CLICK ON THE IMAGE. You can find more at CONGRESSMAN LAWLER'S PAGE---GO TO Facebook

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN EverythingCroton: THAT TIME OF YEAR - OCTOBER IS ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE & CULTURE MONTH....& THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY TOO

2027 THE TASTE OF IRELAND TRIP, HOLY NAME OF MARY, OCT. 18TH PRESENTATION

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.

2027 THE TASTE OF IRELAND TRIP, HOLY NAME OF MARY, OCT. 18TH PRESENTATION--CLICK ON THE IMAGE.

WHAT's NEW AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CROTON (AND NON-CROTON) BLOGS

Happy Monday everyone....and now our regular weekly feature......

WHAT's NEW AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CROTON (AND NON-CROTON) BLOGS

You may not always agree but it's always interesting... click on the links below.

NINE FROM TOM FARANDA'S FOLLY--on a new platform:

***Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on AI safety
***Feast of the Angels; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael
***90 seconds of Pope Leo in Lourdes
***The Sheen beatification – his reliquary – wow
***Pope Leo got tremendous Paris welcome
***WSJ: “The One World Leader We Can All Look Up To”
***Friday cocktail – Maple Old Fashioned
***Grief and victory: Social influencer who spoke of her ALS disease has died.
***Friars of the Renewal – 87 seconds about St Francis


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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT --AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE FROM THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BLOG!  GO TO Alice Leighner Photo Archive Donated to the Croton Historical Society — Croton Historical Society

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TWO FROM BROTHER JACK'S PREACHING MINISTRY, HOLY NAME OF MARY:   ST. THERESE, THE LITTLE FLOWER; GO HERE

AND The Good Samaritan; GO HERE

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FOUR FROM ETHICS ALARMS: 
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TWO FROM EPHEMERAL NEW YORK: 

This jewel box of a building in New York’s “Ladies Mile” shopping district was built by an actual jeweler; CLICK HERE

AND

These salvaged relics in a Brooklyn subway station are the ghostly remains of old New York buildings; CLICK HERE

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NINE FROM GRANDMA'S VINTAGE RECIPES:
-- DIXIE PEACHY PRALINE PIE; GO TO Grandma's Vintage Recipes: DIXIE PEACHY PRALINE PIE
--CRANBERRY WALNUT STREUSEL MUFFINS; GO TO Grandma's Vintage Recipes: CRANBERRY WALNUT STREUSEL MUFFINS
--SOUR CREAM RAISIN DROPS WITH ORANGE FROSTING; GO HERE
--GERMAN ANISE DROPS; GO HERE
--WHITE FROSTING; GO HERE
--EASY HUSH PUPPIES; GO HERE
--BREAKFAST CASSEROLE; GO HERE
--MOM'S WASHDAY DINNER; CLICK HERE

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ELEVEN FROM EUROPEAN FILM STAR POSTCARDS:
---BARRY COE; CLICK HERE
---COLETTE MARCHAND; CLICK HERE
---L'arzigogolo (1924); CLICK HERE
---Directed by Marshall Neilan; CLICK HERE
---CLEO DE MERODE; CLICK HERE
---COLIN FIRTH; CLICK HERE
---TOM DRAKE; CLICK HERE
---POLA NEGRI, CLICK HERE
---JUNE ALLYSON; GO HERE
---MILA PARELY; CLICK HERE

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TWO FROM WESTERNS ALL'ITALIANA, MORE DIRECTORS, SCREENWRITERS, ETC., GO TO  .Westerns...All'Italiana!: Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

and FROM THE VAULT: JACK LONDON; GO HERE

Note: All content on this blog is Copyright (c) by Maria Cudequest and by the posters who have contributed specific content. All material is for your personal use only. No content or photos may be republished or sold, without prior written from your editor and the individual who contributed the content in question. For permissions or questions about this policy, please contact the editor.

YONKERS TIMES--YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS UP, 16 ARRESTS SINCE 2024? HE WAS DEPORTED IN 2018?

10/3 - From time to time, we stop in at The Yonkers Times; here's the latest:  Assemblyman Matt Slater said, “There is no excuse for this individual to be terrorizing our community. He should be held to the fullest extent of the law, including deportation.” MORE AT 16 Arrests Since 2024? After He was Deported in 2018? | Yonkers Times










VIDEO FROM ON TRACK WITH ERIC--2026 CROTON HARMON SHOPS--METRO NORTH OPEN HOUSE

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.

GO TO https://www.youtube.com/watch?is=Q8mEfCdbEQHCsFjY&v=-lJ4I3GlgsM&feature=youtu.be

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN EverythingCroton: PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 METRO NORTH OPEN HOUSE! CROTON-ON-HUDSON - WE LOVE OUR TRAINS!

COURTESY OF RAILFANNINGFORLIFE96--another Youtube video---go to (5668) Croton Harmon Open House 10/03/2026 (First Time) - YouTube















Note: All content on this blog is Copyright (c) by Maria Cudequest and by the posters who have contributed specific content. All material is for your personal use only. No content or photos may be republished or sold, without prior written from your editor and the individual who contributed the content in question. For permissions or questions about this policy, please contact the editor.

GOOD COUNSEL HONORS CHRISTOPHER RUDDY, NEWSMAX FOUNDER & CEO--ANNUAL FR. BENEDICT GROESCHEL AWARD GALA, ROB ASTORINO, MC - THE PENN CLUB OF NEW YORK---RESERVE BY OCT. 7TH

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.

GOOD COUNSEL has a special place with many local churches. And recently Holy Name's Respect For Life Ministry had an October collection for this organization as well as NO BABY BLISTERS.

And in NYC on October 15th: 

GOOD COUNSEL HONORS CHRISTOPHER RUDDY, NEWSMAX FOUNDER AND CEO--ANNUAL FR. BENEDICT GROESCHEL AWARD GALA, ROB ASTORINO, MASTER OF CEREMONIES---THE PENN CLUB OF NEW YORK---CLICK ON THE IMAGE. PLEASE RESERVE BY OCT. 7TH.