VOL. 8 NO. 21 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018 Smiles Iconic Mahopac Falls for everybody! business changes hands Red Mills Market sold as longtime owners retire BY BOB DUMAS Jedlicka’s parents rst opened he wanted to go into the family EDITOR the store in 1960 just down the business. road from where the business is “I enjoy people and that is After more than ve decades currently situated. At that time, what it is all about when you of service to the community, it was known as the Mahopac are in retail. You have to be a an iconic Mahopac business is Falls Store. people person,” he said. “In big changing hands. “We grew out of that and stores, you are treated terribly; Red Mills Market on South needed more space,” Jedlicka they don’t say hello or smile. My Lake Boulevard in Mahopac said. “In 1966, the opportunity employees were always taught Falls was sold on June 28. came up to buy the land and so to say ‘good morning’ and ‘have Its longtime owners, Ron we did and built the new store a great day.’ Just by being upbeat and Regina Jedlicka, decided to there.” like that, you are going to feel retire and sold the business to Jedlicka’s father got started better about yourself.” Alex Dabashi, and his brother, in the grocery industry work- Jedlicka said that is why his Tommy, and his dad, Musleh, ing for the now-defunct chain small mom-and-pop grocery who were the franchise own- known as Daniel Reeves Stores was able to thrive for more than ers of the Key Food store in the (it merged with Safeway). After 50 years while facing competi- Lake Plaza Shopping Center. the merger, the family moved to tion from area big chain mar- at store was torn down to Mahopac in 1950. kets. PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL make way for a Stop & Shop. “We had neighbors who had “We took care of the custom- “We have another Key Food the Mahopac Falls Store and er and maintained the quality of Jacob Torres, 8, can’t stop together. Mahopac mom Ni- store in Beacon, but after the loss they asked my dad to come help our products—the meat, bread,” smiling after delivering a base cole Burt, who helped create in Mahopac we were looking for out,” Jedlicka said. “ ey ended he said. “Quality was the big hit during the Smiles games the program, said the idea is to another location here,” said Alex up splitting up and so my dad thing. We made our own salads held recently at McDonough show we are all a little di erent Dabashi. “We like the area be- bought out the grocery part of and our own sausage. No one Park. e event was designed to somehow, but it doesn’t matter: cause we already know the cus- the [business].” makes sausages like we do.” pair up special needs kids with Just go out there and have fun. tomers and we were looking for Jedlicka was 16 when he Dabashi said he will maintain general education students to For more pictures of the Smiles a place to get back into it. It just started working in the store that tradition. play baseball and eat hotdogs game, see page 3. so happened that Ron wanted to after school and on weekends. retire and so it happened.” He said he knew early on that SEE RED MILLS PAGE 16 Sell Your Home for TOP DOLLAR with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist FREE Home Evaluation Anytime — No Cost or Obligation Michael Trinchitella Call 845.628.4189 Licensed Associate MahopacHomeValues.com MahopacRealEstate.com Real Estate Broker BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 26 CLASSIFIEDS 25 GOVERNMENT AT WORK 6 LEGAL NOTICES 24 LEISURE 23 VET FEST MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4 OPINION 8 Mahopac celebrates SPORTS 20 veterans. pg 14-15 PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018 THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3 Mahopac special needs kids are all ‘Smiles’ ere were smiles all around last month when special needs kids were paired up with general education students to play baseball and eat hotdogs together for what is known as the Smiles Program. e idea for the event came from Mahopac parent Nicole Burt about eight years ago when she and her children were in Sycamore Park and saw a child in a wheelchair. Her kids went over and played ball with him. “He felt like the king of the world when he left,” Burt recalled dur- ing an interview last season. “I thought, I want to make kids happy like that.” Burt’s son, Charlie, was a star football player for the MHS varsity. He was born without a left hand. “I know from my own personal experience [what it’s like to be an outsider] because of how people stare at my son,” she said. “And now look at how far he’s come. He was a star football player and now he’s going to college. “We came up with the idea of special needs students and the baseball players partnering up and doing a buddy system and learning base- ball,” she added. “Afterward, we have a barbecue. e main purpose is to show how special needs children are the same as general education children. ey nd a common ground—baseball and food.” Mahopac Sports Association supports the event by providing hats The "Smiles" team. and shirts for the players. “We are all human beings and we like the same things,” Burt said. “We are all a little di erent somehow, but it doesn’t matter. Just go out there and have fun.” Chris DiSilvio and Charlie Burt Kevin and Charlie run the bases. run to fi rst. John Johnson helps his son Zakk with his swing. Joe Palmiotto and little C.J. on the pitcher’s mound. PHOTOS: TABITHA PERSON MARSHALL Thomas Soehnlein runs to fi rst. Craig Browning coaches Jacob Torres, 8, on his batting stance. Michael Nuccio gets some baserunning instructions. PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018 The Staff Mahopac Family Movie Night Putnam County You can enjoy some music and Library Events Wednesday, July 25, 4 p.m. e 4-H Fair refreshments while signing up EDITORIAL TEAM library will screen “Peter Rab- ursday, July 19, at Mahopac BOB DUMAS Bilingual Workshop bit,” rated PG, running time 95 e 47th annual Putnam Chamber Park, 953 South Lake EDITOR: 845-208-0774 Friday, July 20, 10 a.m. Chi- minutes. You may bring snacks, a County Fair will be held Friday Blvd. in Mahopac. ere will be a [email protected] ca-Chica-Moo-Moo is a bi- pillow and your friends. No reg- (noon to 6 p.m.), Saturday (10 Walk to End Alzheimer’s table in ROB DIANTONIO lingual, multi-model jam ses- istration needed. For more in- a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 the park during the summer con- SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5236 [email protected] sion. Youngsters will read books formation about summer movies a.m. to 5 p.m.), July 27, 28 an 29, certs, 6-8 p.m. Registrants will that demonstrate percussive at Mahopac Library, visit www. at the Putnam County Veterans receive tickets they can redeem ADVERTISING TEAM rhythms and inspire the most mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845- Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail at Cacciatore Pizzeria for a slice CORINNE STANTON timid performer to transform 628-2009, ext. 100. Road in Carmel. ere is free of pizza or Uncle Louie G’s for a 845-621-4049 into rock stars. is workshop parking and admission. e fair free ice cream cone. e Walk is [email protected] provides an opportunity to play Sunset Concert is sponsored by the Cornell Co- slated for Sunday, Oct. 21 at 10 LISA KAIN 914-351-2424 a variety of instruments and ex- Series operative Extension of Putnam a.m. at Putnam Veterans Memo- [email protected] periment with percussion. For County and will feature ani- rial Park, 201 Gypsy Trail Road, PAUL FORHAN families with children 10 years e town of Carmel’s Recre- mals, games, exhibits, pig roast Carmel. Visit PutnamWalk.org. 914-202-2392 and younger; registration is re- ation and Parks Department pres- and chicken barbecue, Touch a For more information call Venesa [email protected] quired. Register online at www. ents the Sunset Concert Series at Truck, Country Living auction, Marcellin at 845.394.4952 or JENNIFER CONNELLY mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845- Chamber Park, South Lake Bou- shing contest and Master Gar- [email protected] 914-334-6335 628-2009, ext. 100. levard, Mahopac, ursday eve- dening plant sale. For more info, [email protected] Anime Mange Gaming Club nings at 7 p.m. All shows are free. visit putnam.cce.cornell.edu or Putnam Arts Council NANCY SORBELLA Summer Meeting Bring a blanket or a chair. call 845-278-6738. 914-205-4183 Monday, July 23, 2 p.m. For July 19 - Soulmates (music e Putnam Arts Council, [email protected] Alzheimer’s Walk BRUCE HELLER grades six and up. Kick o the from the heart and soul) 521 Kennicut Hill Road, Ma- 914-202-2941 summer with a cult classic; en- July 26 - Andrea and the Ar- Registration hopac, announces details regard- [email protected] joy the screening of the original menian Rug Riders (classic rock) ing its Kids Summer ARTS PRODUCTION TEAM 1995 anime lm “Akira.” For in- Aug. 2 - California Dreamin’ Are you interested in partici- Program for children ages 6-13.