Local Farmland Protected

The Yorktown Patch reports that Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Westchester County have joined forces to ensure that Hemlock Hill Farm remains protected from development. The owners of the 118-acre farm, located in the towns of Cortlandt and Yorktown, sold the conservation easement for the land to the county. The purchase of the $2.7 million easement will ensure the continuation of the family-owned farm well into the future. Check out the farm's store for dairy products, meat, poultry, eggs, and more.

On the Set

Croton Gorge Park was taken over for a few days last week by the filming of Gods Behaving Badly, the movie based on Marie Phillips' novel starring Christopher Walken, Sharon Stone, Edie Falco, and other notables as Greek Gods. The movie is set—and mostly filming—in Manhattan, but the park is standing in for Zeus' mansion (note the faux doors erected along the dam's wall). The film is set to release in 2012.

On the Forum

"I am looking for a place to have a 40th Birthday party for my wife. I am either thinking a sit down dinner or brunch for about 40 people. I would like to find somewhere reasonably priced in the area. Any ideas?"

"I am looking for a veterinarian in the area for general/primary care. Could be in any of the towns covered by this blog..."

Plus: Recommend a Realtor? Best summer camps? And more, on the NW Home Forum.

Touring a Town's History

Ah, Spring. The flowers are blooming and the house tours are happening. This weekend I enjoyed a tour of historic homes in Yorktown, many dating from the 1700's and with a juicy role in the Revolutionary War. In between ogling at wide floor boards and beehive ovens, we stopped at Peter Pratt's Inn for a delightful lunch on the patio and a chat with a real revolutionary soldier (okay, it might have been a local history teacher). It was a great way to spend the afternoon—and to get to know the area even better.

A Rising Rental Market

"The uncertain economy, combined with a depressed housing market and tight credit standards, has fostered an increase in residential leasing in Westchester and nearby counties — a trend so pronounced that at least one agency, Better Homes and Gardens Rand, recently introduced a rentals-only Web site for its clients. 'In some ways, renters have become the new buyers,' said Joseph Rand."

—The New York Times, from "In a Slow Economy, Rentals Zoom," an article on the growing strength of the Westchester rental market. To reflect this trend, I am going to start featuring noteworthy rental listings next week. Can't wait.

Sounds of Spring

Ah, the snow has melted and spring is in the air. (Which doesn't mean that it won't snow again!) Check out the video posted on Westmoreland Sanctuary's Nature Notes of the Wood Frogs who like to hang out in woodland pools— and make quite a racket!

On the Forum

"Looking for a summer camp in the area with full day programs. Ideally looking for a mix of activities (not just sports, not just arts). We've always done the town camp, but we need something with longer hours. Any suggestions?"

Got an answer? Check out the Forum.

Discovering a Suburban Sport: Ice Fishing

I always love seeing people out on the Croton Reservoir ice fishing. It's one of the more rural joys of living in Northern Westchester, and the sight reminds me that I'm not in Kansas anymore. So I was pleased to see last week's New York Times article on ice fishing in the local reservoirs. It was a good read—I learned that the ice on the reservoirs has been over 10 inches thick— and a pleasant change from the Times' usual disdain for all things burbia.

On the Forum

Where to rent sports equipment—or buy used items?
Find the answer, or add your own, on the NW Home Forum.

On the Forum

What are the best spots for sledding?
Musicians, want to have a jam session?
Where can I walk in the snow? 

Got an answer? Got another question? Check out the Forum and share.

The Times Tours a Usonian

Check out the New York Times' House Tour of an enlarged and updated Usonian in Pleasantville. Built in 1950 by a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, the house is on the market for $1,260,000 through modern house realtor Tom Goddard. Image: The New York Times

Check Out the Forum

Take a look at the new NW Home Forum, a place to ask questions and share information. You don't need to register to participate, and you can use any name you wish. Reply to an existing thread, or click "New Topic" to add your own.

Introducing the NW Home Forum

Need advice from locals? Got a great handyman or a favorite place to bike? Here's a new place to share ideas and tips, ask questions, and seek advice. Just click on the link above—and start posting!

A Peaceful New Year

Here's wishing you a fun and joyful holiday season. I'm taking off for a bit to chill.

Protecting Our Trees

After overcoming a good deal of OOMBY (out-of-my-backyard) opposition, Yorktown just passed a new tree ordinance. The new regs will require people to seek a permit if they are cutting down protected trees, trees of significance, or more than 30% of the trees on their property. Way to go, Yorktown!

An Uptick in the High-End Market

"There were 22 sales over $3 million between January and the end of November in northern Westchester, versus 9 for the corresponding 11 months of 2009, according to Daniel H. Ginnel, the president of Ginnel Real Estate in Bedford Hills. High-end sales have picked up throughout Westchester, but nowhere is it being felt as intensely as in those northern towns, villages and hamlets, where there is a backlog of estates for sale."

–The New York Times, "A Moment for Mansions," reporting on the winter surge in activity for high-end properties in Northern Westchester.

Teatown Adds 59 Acres and a Lake

Last week the Teatown Lake Reservation finalized the long-planned purchase of the Croft Estate, adding 59 adjacent acres to the reservation's 834 acres. The property, which Tetaown purchased for $3 Million, includes 9 acre Vernay Lake and over 1.5 miles of existing trails. The estate was originally created in the early 1900s by Arthur Vernay, an antiques dealer, and was purchased in 1922 by Gerard Swope, the president of General Electric. His heirs gave most of the estate, including the stable complex, to create the Teatown Lake Reservation, which was founded in 1963. The 72 acres on the east of Spring Valley Road that included the Swope residence and a farmhouse were sold to Phil E. Gilbert, Jr., who lived there until his death in 2008. Mr. Gilbert’s heirs had wanted to ensure the conservation of the property as part of Teatown. (An independent property, which includes the residences, is being sold separately.) The acquisition of the Croft estate connects Teatown with the County-owned Shadow Lake Preserve, a 50-acre tract on the north side of Route 134 which is already managed by Teatown. Teatown said that it would be working with the County and with the Town of Yorktown to ensure that the Croft property is integrated with both the town's and the county's existing trail systems, as well as with the rest of the reservation.

Save Hilltop Hanover Farm!

We just got this plea from Hilltop Hanover Farm. Please let the County know that the farm is an invaluable resource that must be saved. Help save the farm!

Dear friends,
Today Westchester County released the 2011 budget and slashed the Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center's to just $200,000, resulting in the elimination of half the permanent workforce (two of the four), the entirety of the seasonal staff, and 100 percent of our operating budget. As supporters of Hilltop Hanover Farm, tell the County that this is unacceptable. The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm, Inc. has been working with the County on this year's budget to find creative solutions and to ensure the Farm's long-term sustainability over a period of five years. Yet, the County has actually crippled our efforts in this clear move to close the gates of the Farm forever. But you can help keep the gates open in three ways:

1. Email County Executive Astorino here or call him at 914.995.2900. Tell him that Hilltop Hanover Farm is an important to you as a County resident, and provides vital services to Westchester County residents and beyond. Tell him to reinstate funding for Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center.

2. Email and call your Legislator (find them here). Tell him or her that Hilltop Hanover Farm is an important to you as a County resident, and provides vital services to Westchester County residents and beyond. Tell him or her to reinstate funding for Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center.

3. Share this email with friends and ask them to join with us in calling for a reinstatement of Hilltop Hanover Farm's funding. Please call and email your elected officials in Westchester County today and tell them to reinstate Hilltop Hanover Farm's funding, which represents just 0.00022% of the County's overall $1.786 billion dollar budget. If you would like to join the Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm to help save this county treasure, you can email us here. 

We need your help!

Helen Brady
President, Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm

More (Better) Bike Racks

The Yorktown Patch reported last week that new bike racks have been installed in a number of Yorktown locales to make it easier for residents to get around on two wheels. The bike racks were created by students at the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Tech Center at the request of the Yorktown Energy Advisory Committee. The new racks include Alexa Picone's sculptural "Chain Reaction."
Image: Yorktown Patch

Coming Back Soon: Adding New Links Now

So, I lived with the idea of ending the blog for a few days. And it made me very sad. Truth is, I love the blog. I really enjoy finding and sharing fun things to do in the area and the coolest houses for sale. I'll probably reduce the number of posts, but I'll do my best to keep them coming. However, I haven't written any yet. But I did update the links—you'll find lots of new links in the right-hand column, especially in the Local Blogs section. Enjoy.