Maria C. Fitzgerald

Hawthorne is a hamlet within the town of Mt. Pleasant, which is centrally located in Westchester. Therefore, it is situated at practically the bulls-eye of the county, allowing for a simple commute anywhere within as well as into the city. The commute to Grand Central is under 50 minutes on the Harlem Line from the Hawthorne Metro North railway station. Check out the Station Café and Grille before hopping on the train.
It consists mainly of single family homes and is serviced by small businesses. There are a few corporate parks. If you are looking for a condo, there are one-, two-, and three-bedroom units at Chateau on the Hill.
Hawthorne has a great family feel, the kind where people are born and grow up there and then get married and raise their own families just a few blocks away. Within the zip code of 10532, you will find mom and pop shops that have loyally served the community. But that’s not all … some of the reasons to visit include the Saw Mill Multiplex movie theater, The Cliffs (an indoor rock-climbing center ), the Bloomingdales Furniture Outlet store, and the Westchester Gymnastics Center. Hawthorne is also home to Bradhurst Park, Sam’s Club and the highly regarded Discovery Summer Camp.
Speaking of summer .. the Mount Pleasant Recreation Center & Pool is a wonderful amenity for residents. There is a wide range of activities and entertainment for members of every age. The Rec Center offers educational classes, exercise classes, etc.
Hawthorne is serviced by the Mt. Pleasant Central School District which consists of four schools: Hawthorne Elementary (grades K thru 2nd); Columbus Elementary (grades 3rd thru 5th); Westlake Middle (grades 6 thru 8) and Westlake High (grades 9 thru 12). The middle and high schools share a campus. Westlake High School was recently named a 'Reward School" — those that have made the most progress or have the highest achievement in the state without gaps in student achievement.

If you drive through the neighborhood during the holidays, you will see blocks and blocks of lights, decorated houses and lawns, depicting the wonderful spirit of family and tradition that runs through these streets.

Tree-lined streets, rocking chair front porches, little red wagons and the occasional lemonade stand ... Pleasantville seems to come from a Normal Rockwell brushstroke. Children can be seen walking to school or playing ball in any of the grassy fields. There is a lovely little town brimming with shops, cafes and boutiques. There still exists that sense of "local" ... the local bookstore, the local pharmacy, the local bakery and you get to know each other on a first name basis. Step off the train and into a world with clean streets, village parades, and a weekly farmers market.
And yet, she can still offer you any of the modern conveniences of contemporary society .. sports bar, wine bar, salons, a movie theatre, and my own personal version of utopia .. within a two-block radius there runs a river of lattes and cappucinos, espressos and americanos, ... Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Jean-Jacques, The Black Cow and, a worthy contender, The Pleasantville Diner.