This Week in Clarkstown

By Matt Veronesi

I don’t like to brag, but I’m something of a seasoned actor. Okay—maybe not seasoned. But I have appeared in two movies. Well, not exactly starring roles…more like supporting roles. Actually, if we’re being honest, I was an extra. Twice.

My first “big break” came while I was serving as Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of New Windsor. A movie studio requested use of one of our parks to film a Halloween festival scene, complete with a hayride. Naturally, I stepped into a key role—the guy helping people on and off the hayride. The film was Return (2011), a drama starring Linda Cardellini as a soldier adjusting to life back home after deployment. Unfortunately, the entire Halloween festival scene was cut before the film’s release. So you’ll just have to take my word for it when I say my performance as “Hayride Guy” was nothing short of award-worthy. I’m confident an Academy Award nomination was within reach, had the scene made the final cut.

My second appearance came in 2016 in Undrafted, a baseball film written and directed by Joe Mazzello—who many may remember as Timmy from the original Jurassic Park. I actually coached Joe and his brother John in baseball when they were kids, so when he returned to New York from California for re-shoots, he invited friends and family to be extras.

This time, my role had a little more depth. I was mowing the lawn while a bench-clearing brawl erupted during a neighborhood baseball game. I stop mowing, look up, and run toward the field to see what’s happening—gripping stuff. Sadly, in the editing process, that scene was also cut. Once again, my breakthrough performance ended up on the cutting room floor. You’ll just have to believe me when I say no one has ever looked better mowing a lawn. To this day, whenever I see Joe, I remind him—half-jokingly—that cutting my scene may have derailed what could have been a blockbuster acting career.

While my Hollywood dreams may not have panned out, my career in Parks and Recreation has given me something far more meaningful: the opportunity to witness incredible performances right here in our community.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Town of Clarkstown’s annual Senior Showcase at Clarkstown South High School, an event that has been bringing joy to the community for 50 years. Originally the passion project of former Town Councilman the late John Maloney, the showcase continues to highlight the remarkable talents of our senior residents.

This year’s show, themed like an Academy Awards celebration, featured seniors singing, dancing, and performing skits set to music from across the decades. Their energy, enthusiasm, and stage presence lit up the auditorium. Adding to the magic, students from Clarkstown South’s Drama and Music Departments joined the seniors on stage, creating a truly special intergenerational performance.

The show was directed by Helen Conrad and featured an outstanding cast, including Burt Arbitman, Mike Byrne, Frank Cappadona, Jean Destaso, Tom Gilbert, Betty Kiernan, Michelle Mazza, Margie Pavarini, Dominick Riolo, Stephanie Rosen, Jack Rosen, and Gerry Termini.

A special thank you goes out to the dedicated behind-the-scenes crew who worked tirelessly to make the show a success. Thank you as well to Kip Bonsignore and the talented students of Clarkstown South High School for their incredible performances. And, of course, thank you to Town Supervisor George Hoehmann and the Town Board for their continued support of Parks and Recreation and for helping sustain this wonderful tradition.

Watching these seniors perform almost makes me want to come out of “retirement” and give acting another shot. After all, I’ll be eligible to join the showcase myself when I turn 55!

Have an idea for a future column or an event in Clarkstown you’d like me to highlight? Feel free to reach out at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov.

Have a great week!