December 23, 2025

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who gathered in Market Square last week for our annual Menorah lighting. Seeing so many families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate Hanukkah was a powerful reminder of what makes our community so special. thank you Rabbi Dovid and our local Chabad for reminding us that a little light can go a long way.

Congratulations to Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy on their grand opening at The Arcadian! I am thrilled to welcome such a dedicated team to Ossining and look forward to their success.

Thank you to everyone who joined our annual Candy Cane Run, where Santa Claus took center stage as he traveled through the Town and Village with the Ossining Police, Fire Department, and OVAC to spread holiday cheer to all the residents who proved they are definitely on the "nice" list this year!

It is with great pride that I share that the Ossining Village Youth Bureau has been officially selected as a recipient of the 2026–2028 "Invest in Kids" funding cycle. This county-wide investment, recently announced by County Executive Ken Jenkins, ensures that our local youth will continue to have access to vital opportunities that support their growth and well-being. Despite a record-breaking number of applicants this year, Ossining’s dedication to its young people stood out, securing the resources needed to provide innovative and culturally responsive programming. By investing in these services today, we are ensuring a brighter, more successful future for the next generation of our community.

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It’s so heartening to see how a chance encounter at the Ossining Recreation Center pool turned Vittorio and Bea Fantini into our town’s very own Santa and Mrs. Claus. After Vittorio was spotted by two residents who realized his natural beard was perfect for the role, the couple jumped into the tradition of bringing holiday cheer and goodie bags to our local children and seniors. Their story is a true testament to the spirit of Ossining, blending Vittorio’s background as a chef and Bea’s years as a dedicated local nurse and teacher. It is wonderful to see our community spaces, like the Rec Center, serve as the starting point for such meaningful local connections. Click here to read the River Journal article: Old Traditions, New Beginnings – A Recipe for Christmas Joy

The Westchester County Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol county parks next summer, with a deadline of February 22. These positions pay at least $17 hourly and offer aspiring law enforcement professionals valuable experience through park supervision and mandatory peace officer training. Applications are available online at the Department of Public Safety’s web pages: http://publicsafety.westchestergov.com.

On January 1, 2026, the Town of Ossining will host the 2026 Inauguration of Elected Officials.

By charter, elected officials begin their new term at noon on the first of the year. The ceremony will take place at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.

On behalf of the Village, I want to wish our entire community a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous Kwanzaa filled with peace and happiness. Please be advised that our municipal offices will close at noon on Christmas Eve and remain closed all day on Christmas Day so that our staff may celebrate with their families. We look forward to welcoming you back when we reopen for regular business hours on Friday, December 26th.

In observance of the holiday this week, the Village Board will not be meeting. Please join us on Wednesday, January 7^th @ 7:30 PM for our next meeting.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org