Eagle Sign Rededicated in the Town of North Castle
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
By Anna Carpinelli
To the tune of “Yankee Doodle” played by the Westchester-based Dixie Dandies, Ed Woodyard, president of the North Castle Historical Society, commenced a ceremony Sunday for the rededication of North Castle’s Eagle Sign.
“Welcome to the rededication of the Eagle,” he said.
The Eagle Sign has stood at the intersection of Route 22 and Main Street (Route 128) in Armonk since 1976, originally intending to only be a temporary display to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. Though it has been replaced since its original wooden rendition, the design of the North Castle Eagle Sign has remained consistent throughout its 48 years.
Last December, after the 40 ft. aluminum Eagle symbol had been found on the ground, investigators determined that the sign had been a victim of vandalism. Since then, a team of motivated contractors–Michael Ferrari (Fareri Companies), John T. and Michael Oronzio (J.T. Oronzio), and Giulio Monaco (The Verde Group), all of whom were awarded with Certificates of Appreciation from the Town of North Castle at the ceremony–have worked to reinstate the sign to its former glory.
Former North Castle Judge Susan Shimer also delivered a heartfelt speech on the significance of the Eagle Sign to the town. The ceremony for the sign’s reinstatement was a celebration of both the past and future, a future of people coming together in remembrance of the past, she said.
“The symbol chosen by our country’s founders was the eagle, a soaring eagle,” Shimer said. “An eagle represents honesty, truth, wisdom, majesty, strength, power, and freedom. It also represents searching: searching for a future, a better tomorrow for all.”
Shimer shared an original carving of the Eagle design done by Arthur Soka, a significant contributor to the first wooden sign. Gratitude was also extended to his son, Troy Soka, for donating his father’s initial illustrations to the North Castle Historical Society.
County Legislator Margaret Cunzio spoke on behalf of herself and County Executive George Latimer, who could not attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts. Cunzio revealed her love for the Eagle, as she considered it a guiding light for the area.
“This is home for me. The Eagle represents so much. It was the way I gave everyone directions here; it was, turn left at the Eagle, you’re on Main Street,” she said. “And that was the epitome of this town–everyone knew the Eagle.”
In his closing remarks, Joe Rende, North Castle’s Town Supervisor, shared future plans to establish the Eagle Sign and its surrounding landscape, which will be redone by Michael Fareri, as an official landmark of Armonk and the Town of North Castle.
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