VOL Honors Vandernoot at 100; Hears From Children's Library

Also: Four Generations of Fire Department Volunteers

by Judy Silberstein

(May 15, 2008) On May 12, at one of their shortest meetings in years, the Larchmont Village Board congratulated Larchmont’s oldest resident (100-year-old Joseph F. Vandernoot), acknowledged the Larchmont Fire Department’s youngest recruit (fourth-generation teen volunteer Paul Andersen), and received an update on the new Children’s Room planned for the community’s youngest readers at the Larchmont Public Library.

One Hundred Years – Many of them in Service to the Community

Joseph F. Vandernoot, with his daughter Mary Cox, listened to the board's proclamation in honor of his 100th birthday.

Joe Vandernoot was at the meeting accompanied by two of his children (he and his wife Alice had 7) and two (of 22) grandchildren to witness a proclamation from the board in honor of his birthday and his many contributions to the community, including his two terms as Supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck. Monday night’s honor will join “a flock” of proclamations he has received from other organizations and levels of government, including Mamaroneck Town, Westchester County and New York State. With characteristic humility he accepted the plaque, commented on his many memories of events in the courtroom and stated, “but of all of those memories, there is not one that surpasses this moment.”

Known for his gentle sense of humor and his religious commitment, Mr. Vandernoot related his last experience in the courtroom when he was “invited” to pay $100 for allegedly parking in a fire zone at St. Augustine’s church. Village Justice Thea Beaver “graciously” dismissed the ticket after Mr. Vandernoot’s claims of innocence were backed by a character and eye-witness - a priest from St. Augustine's.

For more on Joe Vandernoot's contributions, see: Former Town Supervisor Vandernoot Reaching Age 100.

Four Generations of Volunteering with the Larchmont Fire Department

Andersen Firefighters: Paul T. Andersen, now age 14 and a new member of the LFD Explorers, is shown as a young child with his grandfather (Paul), uncle (Donn) and father (Tom).

Now that he is 14, Paul Thomas Andersen, is following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father by joining the Larchmont Fire Department Explorers, a group of teens that train with adult firefighters and support them in assorted ways, including at active fires. The move is somewhat symbolic, Fire Chief Rich Heine reported to the board on Monday night. Paul has been living in North Carolina since last August, but he will be able to volunteer with the Larchmont Explorers during his summer vacation.

“It’s great,” said Paul’s father, LFD Captain Tom Andersen, after the meeting. “Paul is going to come up and visit this summer. He wanted to join so we could have a fourth generation member.” Captain Andersen has been commuting between Larchmont and Waxhaw, North Carolina, but will be retiring and moving south “real soon.” Nevertheless, there will be time for his son to catch up with his old Larchmont friends and participate in the LFD Explorers.

Captain (Thomas Paul) Andersen joined the Explorers when he was 14 and has been with the LFD for 31 years, first as a volunteeer and then as a professional firefighter. His brother, Donn Andersen, has been a career firefighter for almost 8 years. Their father, Paul Andersen, joined the Explorers at 14, later served as fire chief (and as a Village of Larchmont trustee), and died a few months short of receiving his 50-year membership pin. Paul Andersen’s father Svendt volunteered in the department but died at age 37. And Howard Carlson, Paul Andersen’s father-in-law and young Paul’s great grandfather, also volunteered with the department for over 40 years.

Captain Andersen said he had done some research and determined that the Andersens are the only three-generation – and now four-generation - LFD family. “That we believe – we haven’t found any others,” he said.

Children’s Library to Close July 7 for Renovations – Kid Fest is June 1

Planning and fundraising have not ended, but they have progressed enough to allow for a definite schedule to begin demolition for renovations to the Children’s Room and Village Center at the Larchmont Public Library, reported Miriam Curnin, president of the library board.

A side view of the Children's Room renovation shows the new glass entry (center) and one of the two-story window bays (at right). Plans from architect Richard F. Hein.

“We are indeed making progress,” she said as she outlined the project’s main facets. These include: expanded space and natural light courtesy of two large window bays; a new dramatic and welcoming two-story entry with stairs and elevator up to the Children’s Room; a computer area for older children; a gazebo inspired nook for toddlers; book bins (rather than shelves) for picture books; a craft room which can be used for after-hour community meetings. There will also be new energy efficient windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning for both floors of the 1960s-era annex that once housed classrooms for St. Augustine. The redesigned space removes a redundant and awkward entry and bathroom on one side of the room in order to add useful square feet and better sightlines for the supervising librarians. The improvements will extend to the first floor, which houses the Larchmont Village Center. (For more details, see: New Plan Adds Drama, Light & Space At Children's Library.)

A rear view of the library, shows the two large window bays, at right and left, and a span of updated windows in the center. Plans from architect Richard F. Hein.

The Children’s Room will close on July 7 to allow some of the messier demolition and asbestos removal to occur when the neighboring French American School is on summer break. Books will go into storage; old shelving will be donated or sold; windows will come out; and architectural drawings will be finalized so the project can go out for bids. The Library board is hoping that construction can begin in September.

“We are doing well on our fundraising,” Ms. Curnin reported. On a total budget of $2.7 million, “we need about $263,000,” she said. “If every family who hasn’t had time to make a contribution were to give us $100, we would be fine.”

She thanked the board, which along with the Mamaroneck Town Council contributed over $1 million for infrastructure upgrades. A major bequest from the estate of George and Margaret Burchell got the project off the ground and additional donations, both large and small, have allowed the fundraisers to attain over 90% of their goal.

Kid Fest on June 1 will celebrate the upcoming project and raise additional funds. (See: Kid Fest To Celebrate Redo of Children's Library: June 1.)

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