The Barn Blog

Larry Pregiato is a connoisseur of Scotch Whisky. He discussed its history and varieties, how scotch is made and how best to enjoy it. Larry taught us how to appreciate the complexities and intricacies of scotch and guided us through a tasting experience, with his favorite scotch, Ardbeg.

Gary McCready is an IT professional and travel enthusiast. He shared his passion for exploring the world and discussed his agency, Wandering Minds Travel, which specializes in curating unforgettable journeys and crafting bespoke itineraries for individuals and groups.

John Zingale, a seasoned entrepreneur and product design expert, presented his latest venture, Pava Defense Systems, a pioneer in non-lethal personal safety. During his presentation, he showcased pocket-sized devices capable of neutralizing threats from a distance. John emphasized the advantages of these devices compared to traditional methods like pepper spray and suggested their potential application in law enforcement.

Austin Pfaff is a U.S. Marine. This summer he completed the 13-week intensive training at Recruit Depot at Parris Island, culminating in a grueling 54-hour exercise known as the Crucible. Austin described the recruitment and training process and discussed what being a Marine entails as he awaits deployment.

Richard Forliano is the Eastchester Town Historian. His presentation focused on the significance of the history of the long-standing Ward House on Post Road. Dick discussed some of the prominent families in this region and described various events at the time of the Revolutionary War such as the reading of the Declaration of Independence. He has a wealth of historical knowledge and is working to preserve it.

Josh Gaccione is Director of Student Support Services and Adjunct Professor at Westchester Community College. Travis Melby is the Student Support Services Coordinator & VA Certifying Official at Westchester Community College. Both are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Josh and Travis shared their back stories and talked about their wartime experiences on and off the battlefield.

George Latimer, our Westchester County Executive, is also a lifelong avid baseball fan. He lead an interactive discussion on the topic of baseball. George covered its history, the ballparks, the business of baseball, and its rules. He asked whether baseball is still our national pastime or if it’s past time. A lively discussion ensued.