The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

“I Have a Dream”: In New Castle, a Poignant Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month

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A Welcoming Gathering, a Peace March of Hundreds, Bronx Bethany’s Chosen Choir and an Animated Panel of Esteemed Speakers Signify the Beginning of a Meaningful Conversation in New Castle and Beyond

On Sunday January 29th, residents of New Castle and neighboring communities joined for “I Have a Dream”: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month, a peace march and program at the Chappaqua Library organized by the Town of New Castle Committee on Race, Equity, and Inclusion (CREI) in partnership with the Chappaqua PTA, the PTA Diversity, Race, and Belonging committee, the Chappaqua Library, the Horace Greeley High School BIPOC Student Union (BSU), and New Castle United for Youth.

The peace march and gathering beforehand allowed participants an opportunity to demonstrate community solidarity and connect with neighbors. Chappaqua PTA President Tara Ramirez kicked off the event with her remarks in front of Scattered Books bookstore, by the peace pole which bears the message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ in several languages. Attendees of all ages also had the opportunity to share their messages of peace and hope on a peace board. High school students Mariam Cisse and Emma Ramirez joined to perform the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” before more than a hundred participants walked together, some linked arm-in-arm, to the town library.

The program at the library featured a panel discussion based on excerpts of Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, reckoning with our nation and community’s progress toward social justice in the intervening years since that speech was delivered. Panelists included local residents, students, and leaders. The discussion spanned the experience of discrimination by students of color at the high school, commentary on national and local political discourse around diversity and equity, and the importance of continuing to educate others on the realities and harm caused by racism in our own town.

Top photo:  CREI committee member Porfirio Gonzowitz at the lectern, and panelists (left to right): Joyce Chen, Horace Greeley Senior; Mariam Cisse, Horace Greeley Senior; Tonya Wilson, principal of Roaring Brook elementary school; Gavrie Elliott, graduate of Horace Greeley High School and current NYU Tisch School of the Arts student (’24); Ralph Carter, New Castle resident, parent, and lawyer; Mondaire Jones, CNN political commentator, a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and former congressman representing New Castle’s district. Bottom photos: Supurna Banerjee, CREI co-chair (in yellow) delivering opening remarks. CREI committee member Kimberly Carey introducing members of the Bronx Bethany’s Chosen choir.

The purpose was to bring a discussion that often exists on the sidelines, sometimes steeped in presumptive assumptions from all sides, into the open, for residents to hear firsthand about the experience of Black residents and leaders and their insights on how to move forward and make progress toward greater equity and inclusion as a community. The program also included joyful performances from the Bronx Bethany’s Chosen choir, led by New Castle resident and former Council on Race and Equity co-chair Nichelle Maynard-Elliott, and speeches from CREI committee members and town board liaison Victoria Bayard-Tipp. The CREI will organize this event annually in partnership with other community groups to keep this conversation going and to grow and maintain strong and meaningful connections across the entire New Castle community.

Appearing on the panel were commentators including: Mondaire Jones, CNN political commentator and former Congressman who served as our Representative from 2021 to 2023, and who was recently appointed a Commissioner on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Tonya Wilson, principal of Roaring Brook Elementary school since 2020, who has been an educator and administrator for 27 years; Ralph Carter, a New Castle resident, who is the parent of a multi-racial child in the Chappaqua Central School District. Ralph works as a lawyer, and advocates for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession as an active member of several bar organizations, including the National Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.; Gavrie Elliott, a Horace Greeley graduate who will complete his degree from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2024. BSU was founded in 2018 by Elliott as the Black Student Union. Around a year and a half ago, it was renamed as the BIPOC Student Union by then co-presidents Nailah Elliott and Kyra Chung-Olagbaiye to reflect club membership.; and Horace Greeley seniors Joyce Chen and Mariam Cisse, who together lead the Horace Greeley BIPOC Student Union as co-chairs.

Additional members of the BSU participated as readers of excerpts from Dr. King’s speech, they are: Ava Herman (10th grade, BSU Vice President), Cindy Chen (9th grade), Adam Kamal (9th grade), Riona Datta (10th grade, BSU Secretary), and Asha Kalathil (9th grade).

The event kicked off with hundreds of residents gathered in front of Scattered Books. Speaking: Tamara Ramirez, Chappaqua PTA President, along with members of the BIPOC Student Union and town residents. Two Horace Greeley students Emma Ramirez and Mariam Cisse, singing, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. Holding a sign: Kerry, 8, New Castle resident, Grafflin second-grader, son of co-chair Supurna Banerjee and resident Brendan Rudolph.

 

Inside Press Photos   News/Caption Info Courtesy of the New Castle Council for Race, Equity and Inclusion

 

 

 

 

Northern Westchester Hospital Dietitian offers Healthy Heart Tips for the Entire Family

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Eating fresh fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors is a good way to get all the vitamins and minerals we need for a healthy heart.

To highlight the importance of a healthy heart for February’s American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, dietitian Amy Rosenfeld, MS, RD, CDN, Community Outreach Program Manager at Northern Westchester Hospital, has some simple eating suggestions to get the whole family on a heart healthy track.

            “Getting healthy can be a family affair.” Ms. Rosenfeld said. “And by getting your entire family involved and making small, manageable changes, everyone in the family can enjoy better health.”

            Here are 10 small changes that can make a big difference:

  • Eat the rainbow every week: Eating fresh fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors is the best way to get all the vitamins and minerals we need. Make it a game to get all the colors of the rainbow every week. Create a sticker chart for all family members, and take note when everyone reaches their goal. Try doing this every day, and make it a contest to see who can get to the end of the rainbow first.
  • Try one new veggie per week: Take the challenge to try a new vegetable every week. Pick it out together at the grocery store or let the kids choose.
  • Give fish a try. If your family (or your kids) aren’t super into seafood, try introductory fish options. Try using firmer less fishy tasting options like tilapia or sea bass. Try preparing grilled fish tacos, or baked homemade breaded fish fillets for everyone to enjoy.
  • Cook meals together: Resolve to cook at least one meal a week instead of eating out or ordering in. Cooking together in the kitchen is a great way to eat healthier, learn new things and bond.
  • Try to be more plant-forward. Plant-forward is a style of eating that emphasizes plant-based foods as the focus of the meal, with animal products as a side dish, or not included at all. Aim for at least one plant-based meal per week to start, building to more.
  • Put down the devices at the dinner table: Enjoy a mindful meal together – one where you can relax and chat like the good old days. The connections you make at the dinner table, as well as the nutritional benefits of a distraction-free meal, are endless.
  • Exercise together as a family: Exercising together doesn’t have to mean a family trip to the gym. Go for a family hike or snow-shoe adventure. Go ice skating or do yoga together. Even a simple family walk is a great start.
  • Start an herb garden: Grow herbs indoors this winter to freshen up your meals and show your kids the wonder of healthy foods. Research shows that kids are more likely to try new foods when they are involved in gardening.
  • Start with a fresh pantry: Look through the pantry, and clean out the unhealthiest choices. The best food choices are items that contain whole foods as ingredients and as few additives as possible.
  • Pack up healthy snacks ahead of time: Healthy choices can be derailed by poor planning. On Sunday nights, pack individual bags of healthy snack choices and set them up in the fridge so they are ready to go for the busy week ahead. Some good choices are hummus cups with baby carrots, pre-portioned bags of trail mix, or whole-grain crackers and cheese. 
  • Cook extras at dinners for healthy lunches: After dinner, pack up leftovers in containers for healthy lunches the next day. Or, take the extra step and make meals just for lunch, such as a large pot of chili or a stir fry dish with the kids’ favorite veggies and protein. This will save money and get everyone eating fresher all day long.
  • Lighten up your restaurant order: Eat family style to lighten the portions. Choose options that are grilled, baked and roasted, rather than fried and creamy. Ask for modifications, such as extra veggies with Asian dishes and pizza, or whole-grain options when possible. 

To learn more about being heart healthy, join us for our upcoming community education programs:

Cooking for Reducing Disease Risk: High Blood Pressure

Reducing your risk for chronic disease starts in the kitchen. The foods we eat and prepare for our families can be nourishing, satisfying AND healthy. Join registered dietitian Amy Rosenfeld for an informative and demonstrative class all about cooking to reduce your risk for high blood pressure (hypertension). Amy will explain the DASH diet and realistic cooking methods to follow it (as recommended by the American Heart Association for high blood pressure). Amy will be joined by special guest, Dr. Alan Coffino, to explain the connection between blood pressure and kidney health. 

February 9, 12:00-1:00 pm, live over Zoom

Register at: https://nwhhighbp.eventbrite.com

The Relationship between Heart Disease and Stroke: Recognize to Help Prevent

Join the Katz Institute for Women’s Health’s Go Red Campaign and learn about the relationship between heart disease and stroke. FACT:  80% of strokes are preventable. Dr. Ramandeep Sahni, Stroke Director at Phelps Hospital, will discuss the silent symptoms of stroke and tips to lower one’s risk. She will be joined by registered dietitian, Amy Rosenfeld, who will present a live cooking demonstration and provide education on the foods that lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce inflammation (all risk factors for stroke).

February 18th 12PM-1PM

https://strokeandheartdisease.eventbrite.com

 

Kids in the Kitchen: February Break Family Heart Healthy Cooking Class

Looking to eat healthier as a family? Do you have a child who loves to cook and bake? Join Amy Rosenfeld, registered dietitian, for a family cooking program during February school break, in honor of American Heart Month. Participants will learn about nutrition through an interactive trivia game while practicing healthy cooking techniques and fundamentals. Recipes will be provided ahead of time so you can cook along together. This program is appropriate for children of all ages. Younger children will need parental supervision and assistance.

February 23, 11:00-12:00 pm, Live over Zoom

Register at: https://2022kidscooking.eventbrite.com

 

News and Photo Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

The Tremendous Impact of Stefanie May’s Brainchild–‘THE CAP CARES’ Volunteer Rewards Program

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Editor’s Note: Behind the scenes of the iconic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, impressive efforts to help the community in multiple arenas, are an ongoing pursuit, thanks to the efforts of Marketing Director Stefanie May and her small army of volunteers.  Here’s but a snapshot of #TheCapCares programming, and how you can make a difference too simply by supporting the amazing shows and artists performing throughout the year. Visit www.thecapitoltheatre.com 

When Stefanie May took on the role of Marketing Director at the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, she knew she wanted to make a difference. Beyond selling out shows with successful marketing campaigns from Tame Impala & Kacey Musgraves to Elvis Costello & Cheap Trick, Stef created “The Cap Cares” volunteer rewards program that has made a tremendous impact on the local community.

  • Stefanie hand-picked volunteer opportunities last September and October, from gardening to sorting medical supplies, that community members could pick from and receive free concert tickets for their hard work.
  • After seven weeks, Stefanie gathered 192 volunteers across 18 events from 11 non-profit organizations, with 475 hours of service (more stats below).
  • Stefanie is working to make the volunteer program part of a larger year-round program that will promote food drives, toy drives, and fundraising campaigns aimed at improving lives within the venue’s community.
  • She has worked with Westchester County companies like Afya Foundation, which “rescues unused medical supplies and equipment and humanitarian goods to help those in need around the world,” the non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization Our New Way Garden, which was created to educate the public about locally and naturally grown food, and the Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, which is dedicated to the development and advancement of sustainable agriculture.
  • Due to the devastating effect that COVID-19 has had on the live music industry, Stefanie also volunteered her time on the Social Media team for the National Independent Venue Association to pass the Save Our Stages Act in December 2020
  • About The Capitol Theatre: Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, The Capitol Theatre is located 30 miles from NYC. The 2,000-capacity theater, known as “the original rock palace,” showcased legends such as Traffic, The Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones. Jerry Garcia called it one of his two favorite venues in the USA. In 2012, the theatre underwent a major renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro. Since then, it has hosted major performers including Bob Dylan, Phil Lesh, Ringo Starr, Joan Baez, Skrillex, Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, The Strokes, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, and Willie Nelson, as well as comedians like Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. The New York Times raves: “A rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate.”

Everett Bradley’s Holidelic

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Dec 9-31 @ The Lucille Lortel Theatre

GRAMMY-nominated rock percussionist Everett Bradley has worked with everyone from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Bon Jovi, Hall & Oates and Carly Simon to David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Quincy Jones and Bobby McFerrin…He just announced the return of his beloved holiday funk revue Holidelic, where he plays the role of Papadelic, Funk’s Father Christmas — an amalgamation of George Clinton and Santa Claus — with holiday-themed funk songs. The show debuted in 2002 after Bradley released a holiday album called Toy: “After 9/11, I felt like we all needed to heal, and the way I was going to do that was by writing Christmas songs,” he explains.

A flashy, bass-heavy retro-futuristic take on the holidays” – The New Yorker

“Dance party, funk concert and comedy” – The New York Times

“A holiday funk-tacular” – Time Out New York

“Original songs that celebrate diversity” – OUT.com

HHREC Announces Summer 2022 Community Guided Tour of Holocaust Museums in Germany and Poland

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The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center  (HHREC) of White Plains, has announced a guided tour of Holocaust Museums in Germany and Poland from June  18-29, 2022. The HHREC Community Guided Tour and Trip is being offered to those interested in visiting these museums and to hear from experts in the field.

“This trip was created to expand the comprehension of this monumental event in human history.” said Steven Goldberg, Co-Director of Education at HHREC in White Plains, New York. “We are very excited to offer this guided tour, to help participants gain first-hand knowledge to help understand the meaning of the Holocaust and pass on lessons learned for the future.”

The Summer 2022 guided tour of Holocaust Museums in Germany and Poland is now open for applications, and trip highlights for 2022 HHREC Community Tour include:

  • Sightseeing Coach Tour of Berlin, including the Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, Bebelplatz
  • Holocaust Memorials in Berlin
  • Tours at the Berlin Jewish Museum, House of the Wannsee Conference, and Polin (Museum of the History of Polish Jews) in Warsaw
  • Tours at Sachsenhausen and Auschwitz-Birkenau camps
  • Tour of Warsaw Ghetto and other Holocaust sites
  • Tour of Kasimierz (historic Jewish section of Krakow)
  • Panel discussion on Jewish life and antisemitism in Germany today and visit to the Neue Synagogue in Berlin
  • Interactive workshop on the effects of the Nuremberg Laws of the 1930’s

Services provided as part of this trip and tour include Intercontinental roundtrip  flights from New York (Newark) to Berlin, Germany and  National and Intra-European transportation by public transportation, local, coach, taxi, local and long-distance trains. Accommodations include breakfasts in 4-star hotels (10 nights) in Berlin, Warsaw, and Krakow, along with group lunches and dinners, and tickets for the Chamäleon Theater in Berlin, and lectures,  discussions,  and  local guided  tours  in  English  or with  English  translation.

To register or for more information, visit hhrecny.org/educators-study-tours/summer-community-tour/  or contact Stephen Goldberg sgoldberg@hhrecny.org  or call 914.696.0738.

About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center is a not-for-profit organization based in White Plains New York that serves Westchester, Fairfield and neighboring counties. Their Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. We encourage students to speak up and act against all forms of bigotry and prejudice. Their work with students and teachers helps schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, they have brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide and human rights crimes to more than 1,500 teachers, and through them to thousands of middle and high school students. Through their volunteer Educators Program Committee, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center gives teachers the unique opportunity to develop programs for themselves and others. These programs not only enrich teachers’ knowledge about the Holocaust and related issues, but they   also provide the lens through which to view all other human rights violations. For more information call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org