Katonah Village Improvement Society

KATONAH - A WALKING TOUR ..

FLYERS ARE AVAILABLE AT TRAIN STATION, LIBRARY AND IN PLACES OF BUSINESS AROUND THE HAMLET.. Download KVIS102_Brochure_1.12.09

Katonah Village Forum - Wednesday May 19 - Thank You!

The Katonah Village Forum was held Wednesday, May 19, at 7:30pm at the Katonah Village Library Garden Room.

Community members shared their vision to preserve and enhance Katonah, including a lively and productive discourse with our panelists, including:

Supervisor, Lee Roberts

Town Planner, Jeff Osterman

Dept. Public Works Director, Kevin Winn

Acting Police Chief, Ed Collins

Chamber of Commerce Co-President, Jennifer Cook

KVIS Chair of Govt. Affairs Committee, Sten Sandlund

KVIS extends heartfelt thanks to our panelists and neighbors for their support, candor, and community. 

Didn't make it?  Your thoughts, suggestions, and concerns for Katonah are always welcome:  INFO@KVIS.US

Cleanup Day - Saturday May 1, 2010

-- KVIS SPRING CLEAN-UP  --

Why is Katonah so special? Because we care.

The community turned out in force on a beautiful day May 1 and gave Katonah a good spring scrubbing.  Especially rewarding was the energetic and enthusiastic participation of children and teens throughout the village.

Prowling the nine routes throughout the downtown hamlet, and well beyond, the community collected dozens of bright orange bags full of refuse - - including perhaps the strangest item, a large wire snowman sculpture that had been discarded at the southern end of Bedford Road.

Thanks to all the participants and volunteers that made this event a success and keep our community special (and clean).

KVIS Annual Plant Sale - Saturday May 15, 2010

Beauty on a budget - and for a cause! Sat May 15 2010 is the date for KVIS' biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Downtown Plant Sale. Order a wide variety of plants ahead of time. For information and ordering forms: http://www.kvis.us

APRIL 10, 2010 Wine Tasting Toasts another Great Year for KVIS

The Annual KVIS Wine Tasting Fundraiser was another unqualified success, due to the tireless and creative efforts of KVIS member Bill "Tish" Tisherman, former editor of Wine Enthusiast and proprieter of Wine for All, and his corps of cheerful volunteers. 

The community turned out on a beautiful evening to enjoy the company of old and new friends and the treat of a five distinct well-balanced and artfully described flights of wines.  The familar lower level art gallery rooms of the Katonah Village Library were transformed into cozy sipping stations with locals as smartly-dressed waitstaff doling out appetizers to compliment the vintages.  See Dorothy Coletta's feature in the Katonah-Beford Patch:

http://bedford.patch.com/articles/what-katonah-grapes-and-jimmy-choo-have-in-common

Thanks to Tish and all the volunteers for another smashing success.

KVIS MINUTES FROM 2009 ANNUAL MEETING..

Katonah Village Improvement Society Annual Combined KVIS and Katonah Village Library Meeting Minutes January 26, 2009

IN ATTENDANCE Dorothy Coletta, Deb Shanley, Bill Tisherman, Gina Reid, Van Kozelka, Gail Ames, Pam Veith, Lisa Salzano, Al Widmer Jack Whalen, Ed Kozelka, Mary Tschorn, Susan Scofield, Peter Willman, Deirdre Courtney-Batson, Lynn Lovett, Lois Haibt, Peter Chryssos, Frank Veith, Boo Fumagalli, Charity Brotmann, Rima Marschke, Floyd Rappy, Susan Black, Nisa Geller, Betsy Fisher, John Mucciolo, Gerard Voege, Ken Roberts, Betsey Weir, Mike Berardino, Robin Jones-Tropiano, Nisa Gellar

KVIS President, Lydia Landesberg, started the meeting by welcoming all those in attendance. She then asked for a motion to approve the 2008 Annual Meeting minutes. Lisa Salzano motioned, Mike Berardino seconded and motion carried.

KVIS TREASURER’S REPORT Lisa Salzano circulated the annual treasurer report and noted that she was pleased to announce that KVIS spent more than was raised over the past year. A total of $72,000 had been raised over the past 7 years and only $47,000 had been spent in the past. Surplus funds were given in increased funding to the library, the Community Center of Northern Westchester, Halloween safety, Town Forum, increased community service and John Jay Homestead History Camp scholarships and Katonah Historical Walking Tour project. As of December 31, 2008 balance in all accounts was $38,638.97. Lisa then presented Van Kozelka, Katonah Village Library Director, with a $2,000 check for the annual KVIS donation.

KVIS NOMINATIONS

Nisa Gellar then read the nominations for the KVIS 2009, 2010 and 2011 classes and KVIS officers. Robin Jones-Tropiano motioned to accept the nominations; Lisa Salzano seconded and motion passed.

KVIS 2008 RECAP

Lydia Landesberg recapped the KVIS 2008 accomplishments, which included: • Completion of the Katonah Historical Walking Tour/brochure • Wine tasting • Spring and Fall clean up days • Plant sales • Town Forum • Increased Community Service and John Jay History Camp scholarship awards • Emergency Preparedness Presentation in conjunction with the Bedford Police

KVL BUSINESS Gina Reid reported on KVL 2008 accomplishments. Libraries across the country are thriving; our library is flourishing and circulation is up every year. Infrastructure repairs include replacing the roof and HVAC system. Surveys have shown that the community would like a more comfortable, usable and updated library environment. Renovations currently under way will reflect the last five years of planning, fundraising and community input.

KVL NOMINATIONS Gina Reid read the nominations for KVL officers and trustees. Motion was made to approve nominations, seconded and motion carried.

KVL TREASURER’S REPORT Gail Ames presented an update on the KVL finances. Did very well considering the economy. Leftover money being applied to renovations. Can tell by membership renewals that the economy is going to impact library in 2009. Town of Bedford will provide the same amount of funding to the library as last year. A $310,000 bequest was made to the library and over $100,000 was raised at the gala fundraiser. Very close to having renovations paid for completely. Applied for NYS grant to cover shortfall.

KVL 2008 RECAP Van Kozelka reported on the library’s busy and innovative 2008: • Baby Lap Time (Mother Goose, rhymes and songs) now offered 4 times per week. • Collaborated with Family University on three parenting workshops. • Family Fun Days. • Summer reading games. • Children photo contest. • Adult book discussions. • Grant from National Endowment for Humanities. • Teen offerings included comic drawing workshop, animated film series, college interview workshop and teenage volunteer programs. • As a result of community survey, library will be open on Sunday’s from 1-5 starting 3/1. • Library will continue to offer popular adult programs such as Great Decisions Group, book discussion groups and local author appearances. • An Open Mic poetry event was held. • Working on 2009 Concert Series. • Technology changes have allowed library visitors better access. • Two laptops from Vincent Liebell’s office as a result of NYS funded library grant • Working to improve communication with the community. • Library going ‘green’ in March and will no longer mail out newsletter.

GUEST SPEAKER Van introduced the guest speaker for the evening, KVL trustee and author Jude Blundell, who recently won the 2008 National Book Award for What I Saw and How I Lied.

Respectfully submitted by Dorothy Coletta.

2010 Annual Combined Meeting Agenda

Please Join Us! Annual Combined Meeting of KVIS and the Katonah Village Library

The annual meeting of the Katonah Village Improvement Society (KVIS) and the Katonah Village Library (KVL) will be held on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Road. KVIS members, who include all contributors to the library as well as KVIS, are entitled to vote on the nominees for KVIS Officers and Executive Committee members. Nominating Committee recommendations for these positions are included at the end of this notice.

The agenda for this meeting, which will include reports on 2009 activities for both KVIS and the Katonah Village Library, is as follows. Those who wish to review the minutes from our 2009 Annual Combined meeting can find them on the KVIS website at http://www.kvis.us.

7:00pm Refreshments

7:30pm Annual meeting of KVIS including election of Officers and Executive Committee members--KVIS Co-Presidents Dorothy Coletta and Susan Warsaw

7:45pm Annual meeting of the Katonah Village Library Corporation and election of library Officers and Trustees-Chair of the Board of Trustees Karen Sabath and Library Director Van Kozelka

8:00pm Guest Speaker: Author Michael Balkind

Michael Balkind combined his passion for sports, suspense and mystery genres, and fulfilled a lifelong desire to write a novel, by publishing his first novel series made up of; Sudden Death, a golf suspense novel; Dead Ball, a sports mystery and Stealing Gold, an Olympic ski mystery (in the works). Mr. Balkind also recently finished the first draft of The Fix, a college football gambling novel that he is co-authoring with ESPN anchor, Ryan Burr. He is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and has been a panelist at their meetings. Mr. Balkind lives in Katonah with his wife, three children and Maxie the wondermutt!

Thank you for your continuing support of KVIS and Katonah Village Library. We look forward to seeing you on January 25. Sincerely,

Dorothy Coletta and Susan Warsaw Co-Presidents, KVIS

KVIS Nominating Committee Recommendations: KVIS Officers for 2010 Co-President: Dorothy Coletta Co-President: Susan Warsaw Vice President: Lisa Salzano Secretary: Pam Veith Treasurer: Kim Latham

KVIS Executive Committee:

Class of 2010: Valerie Brown, Patricia Rogers, Charity Brotmann. Don Scott, Diane Lewis, Stacey Simensky, Debbie Oberlander, William Tisherman, Lydia Landesberg

Class of 2011: Rachel Asher, Laura Kaplan, Michaela Bartone, Rima Marshke, Betsy Fisher, Floyd Rappy, Nisa Geller, Larry Seegers, Alexia Jurschak, Jo Voege

Class of 2012: Mike Berardino, Maria Kronfeld, Susan Black, Sten Sandlund, Cathy Clare, Mary Tschorn, Gina Keir, Betsy Weir, Thom Hagen, Ricardo Pou

Katonah Village Library Board of Trustees Officers for 2010:President: Ed Baum Vice President: Susan Sandlund Treasurer: Missy Swan Secretary: Carroll Welch

Nominations for Class of 2010 Trustees: Doug McLoughlin, Robin Jones-Tropiano, Susan Scofield, Missy Swan

Board of Trustees: Jude Blundell, Nathalie Dwyer, Vivian Song, Mark Stafford, Frank Veith

Katonah Village Improvement Society P.O. Box 263 Katonah, New York 10536 www.kvis.us info@kvis.us

HALLOWEEN PARADE - Weather Can't Damper High Spirits

The event was great fun despite the weather. Costumes and crowds, community decorations, and of course the candy made this another great annual Katonah tradition.

KVIS IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

The Katonah Village Improvement Society is now accepting applications for its annual Community Service Scholarship of $1,500. This award recognizes the graduating Katonah student who has most exemplified an ongoing commitment to community service. In order to be considered, you must · Be a resident of Katonah, although you may attend school elsewhere · Be a graduating high school senior who is going on to college · Have demonstrated an on-going commitment to Community Service Interested students should send a resume detailing their involvement in Community Service, their plans for college, and any other relevant information to KVIS, Scholarship Committee, PO Box 263, Katonah, NY 10536. Please be sure to include your address, phone number, and the name of the school you currently attend. Applications are due by March 15. For further information, contact info@kvis.us.

Joint Statement Regarding "Katonah" Trademark

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., the Katonah Village Improvement Society, Katonah Paint and Hardware, Inc. and Katonah Architectural Hardware Ltd. have reached an amicable resolution to their trademark dispute.

As a result of the agreement, the Katonah Village Improvement Society, Katonah Paint and Hardware and Katonah Architectural Hardware, in recognition of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s legitimate need to protect its intellectual property and business interests, will drop their opposition to the company’s application to register “Katonah” as a trademark in connection with the line of furniture the company has developed using that name. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has agreed to pursue only one trademark application, for furniture, mirrors, pillows and chairpads, and to drop applications for additional goods such as hardware, paint, lighting and home textiles. The company currently produces a line of furniture named “Katonah” for which it will continue with the trademark registration process. The company believes its registration of the name “Katonah” as a trademark in association with its particular products in no way interferes with the rights of businesses like Katonah Paint and Hardware and Katonah Architectural Hardware to continue to use the name “Katonah” for their stores. The company has never challenged the right of Katonah-based businesses to use their town’s name in their company names and would only challenge a use of the name if a product (like furniture) were branded with the name “Katonah” in a way that infringed the company’s trademark rights, which could cause confusion for consumers.

All parties are pleased to have resolved any misunderstandings and to join in mutual appreciation of the Westchester County hamlet of Katonah.