Welcome to Your Weekend+
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Reflecting on Black History Month; Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks right here; Exploring the Pickleball craze; What to do this weekend (and beyond); a look at the Underground Railroad in Westchester
Good morning! Today is Saturday, February 19. You’re reading the Examiner+ Weekend+ Edition — the complete digital issue for this week.
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🎵 PRELUDE: Harlem Renaissance
Reggie Harris is a musician, a student of history, and a civil rights activist. Born in Philadelphia and later New York State resident, he has been a 40-year pioneer as one of the few African-Americans in the folk music community.
As a Black male growing up in Philly during the 50s and 60s, Reggie Harris was pushed into integrating schools and neighborhoods. He has utilized folk music and storytelling as a bridge-builder in many communities spreading the message of joy, unity, tolerance, and peace.
Reggie Harris and fellow folk singer-songwriter Greg Greenway will be bringing their signature performance, “Deeper than Skin: Telling the Story of Race in America Through Song” to Voices Cafe in Westport, CT on Sunday, February 20. “Two friends, born three days apart, both musicians and storytellers…one Black, one White… one from the North… one from the South, who forged into one powerful friendship aimed at finding common ground and helping others to do the same.”
— ELISA ZUCKERBERG, Founder of HearItThere.com, an online resource for live music events in the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County.
📰 ICYMI: This Week’s Features
The Real Deal
Authentic Philly cheesesteaks can now be had right here in our own back yard.
Black History Month
A case of remembrance and resilience
Westchester Welcomes Pickleball
The racquet sport with the quirky name takes off in Westchester
What to Do This Weekend (and Beyond): Your Best Bets
A very cool winter carnival; cross country skiing; jazz in Ossining; celebrating Washington’s birthday; laughs with Marlon Wayans; and more
Hudson Valley Abolitionists
Along the Freedom Movement from Queens to Albany
📡 THE FEED: Curated News in Brief
Groups to Stand Against Racism Following Unruly Lakeland Meeting: Unruly behavior at last week’s Lakeland Board of Education meeting that involved police intervention and racial epithets directed at district officials is being widely denounced. (Examiner)
7 Hospitalized After School Bus Crash in Westchester: Five children and two adults were taken to the hospital after a school bus crash in Westchester County on Friday, officials said. (NY Post)
Woman Killed in Fire at Heritage Hills in Somers: A 70-year-old woman was reportedly killed in a fire that broke out in a condominium at Heritage Hills in Somers Wednesday afternoon. (Examiner)
16-year-old Indicted for Broad Daylight Murder of Teen in Westchester: A 16-year-old boy was arraigned Wednesday on a murder charge for the brazen broad daylight shooting of another teenager on a Westchester County street, authorities said. (NY Post)
World-Renowned Performer to Appear at White Plains Performing Arts Center: The White Plains Performing Arts Center will be presenting Tony® and Emmy® Award winner LILLIAS WHITE live in concert on Saturday, February 26 at 8 p.m. (Examiner)
Peloton To Close Westchester Facility, With 75 Losing Jobs: Peloton has announced plans to shut down some of its facilities and lay off thousands of employees, including some workers in the region. (Daily Voice)
📅 FLASHBACK: 1899
1800 photo (top) and 1899 photo (bottom) of the former Bedford Academy. Beginning in 1809, the Bedford Academy educated many familiar names, including William H. Vanderbilt and John Jay’s grandson, John Jay II. However, in 1903, a group of Bedford locals, led by Miss Eloise P. Luquer, rented a room in the Academy that would eventually grow into the Bedford Free Library as we know it today. Despite starting off with a small collection, after many donations and the accumulation of hundreds of books over the years, more space would become necessary. In 1912, the Academy officially closed and the library took over the entire building. Since then, there have been multiple extensions and the addition of numerous amenities that make the library what it is today. Presently, the Bedford Free Library is alive and well and the building is being preserved by the Bedford Historical Society.— MADDIE STONE
🔢 BY THE NUMBERS
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Robert Schork is Examiner Media’s Digital Editorial Director.
