Native American history, 6 million oysters, a candy showdown, and more!
The November Little Dispatch is on newsstands and in libraries now, and our young reporters covered a lot of ground this month: from an ancient shell midden in Dobbs Ferry to a candy shop line in Sleepy Hollow.
Our lead story comes straight from this fall’s field trip. Leon, age 8, with additional reporting and illustrations by Grey, age 11, takes readers to the Wickers Creek Archaeological Site, tucked behind Mercy University near the train tracks. People have lived near Wickers Creek for at least 10,000 years, and Leon explains why the Weckquaesgeek chose this spot, where a freshwater creek meets the Hudson. He also explains what archaeologists found in the shell midden (oyster shells and projectile tips, now on display at the Dobbs Ferry Public Library). This article is a culmination of this semester’s group project — the Little Dispatch team interviewed Alan Harris of the Friends of the Wickers Creek Archaeological Site, who described how Dobbs Ferry residents petitioned, marched, and went to court so the public could visit the site today.
Staying on the river, Luiza, age 6, reports on the comeback of Hudson River oysters. After pollution and over-harvesting, scientists stepped in, and today at least six million oysters live near the Tappan Zee Bridge, helping keep the river clean.
Riley, age 7, rounds up five great places to bike in or near the Rivertowns, from the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail (“because it’s closest to us”) to the Walkway Over the Hudson. Helmets on!
Stella, age 7, teaches us how to make tacos, with clear step-by-step instructions (step six: eat it).
And our reporters ventured into Sleepy Hollow for The Candy Report: Halloween Edition. They asked customers in line at The Village Confectionery to name their favorite Halloween candy. The final score: a tie between candy corn and Team Reese’s, with two votes each.
Pick up a copy of the Rivertowns Dispatch this week!
Behind the Story: The candy report
October in Sleepy Hollow is HAPPENING, with visitors coming from all over to walk in the footsteps of Washington Irving’s legend. 🎃
Clipboards in hand, the Little Dispatch team set up at The Village Confectionery to ask locals and visitors the hard-hitting questions. It was their very first time reporting live on camera, and they were naturals. 🍭
Thank you to The Village Confectionery for the warmest (and sweetest) welcome, and to Rivertowns Dispatch or giving young voices a place to be heard. 🗞️
Calling all Young artists! (Tell your kids!)
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