Inside Press

Article and Photos by Matt Smith

It’s been said that if opportunity doesn’t knock, you should build a door. And bright and early on May 17 in the rear parking lot of Chappaqua Train Station (Allen Place), that’s, in a matter of speaking, exactly what Chappaqua residents and car enthusiasts Sam Matluck and Sam Birenbaum did.

After years of regularly attending car shows in other towns, like the famed “Concours d’Elegance” in Greenwich, Connecticut, and New Caanan’s “Caffeine and Cabureators,” the two Greeley students decided the time had come for such an event to occur in Chappaqua.

“We did some research, we called the Town Board,” and the First Annual “Bevs and Revs” Chappaqua Car Show was born, explains Matluck, 16. “We then went on Facebook, Instagram, put flyers around town, sent e-mails, and just said ‘spread the word.’”

The boys explained that there was no specific, town-associated reason fueling the idea for a car show; it was simply something they wanted to do. “We just thought of it!” said Birenbaum, 17. “We grew up here, we live here, we’ve been around these cars….we said, ‘Let’s do a car show!’” Nodding in agreement, Matluck stressed the importance behind the necessity of the event: “There hasn’t been a car show here… we needed a car show.”

Scott Belkin, uncle to Birenbaum, on the other hand, speculated that the impetus for their planning the event stemmed purely from their enthusiasm about the subject. “Not only does it come from their aptitude and desire to own these cars, but it’s simply pure passion,” he said. Supplements Birenbaum, with a smile, “[We’re doing this] not because [the cars] are expensive or anything like that, it’s just because we love them! These are our babies.”

Both boys expressed how their families have been supportive of their passion and their eagerness to develop this community event, and have provided much assistance in developing the idea from a paper proposal to a reality in the train station parking lot. But make no mistake — despite the help, the event was entirely conceived, spearheaded, and brought to life by the two young men. “Their idea, their work, I just made it legitimate,” clarifies Robert Matluck, father of Sam. “We planned this whole thing ourselves,” reiterates the younger Matluck. “I met Sam in December, and we’ve been planning [it] ever since.”

The event itself was certainly exciting. Attendees could grab a cup of coffee and a donut, compliments of Chappaqua Dunkin’ Donuts, before perusing the lot, which boasted a variety of classic Corvettes, Mercedes, Dodges, and military Jeeps, in addition to a vintage Ford Mustang, a Thunderbird Convertible Roadster, a classic Carrera, a 1968 Porsche, and a modern motorcycle.

A few car owners brought vehicles with special value; Frank Madonna of Pleasantville, NY, proudly displaying his 1969 Yenko Chevelle, shared, “It’s the same car [model] I had when I was in high school.” Some cars were for sale, others just for show; regardless, it was an enjoyable morning for all, that met the goals the boys had set: “We wanted to create a place where people can show their own automobiles, but also meet others who share the passion for all things cars,” says Matluck.

Though the Sams explain that some participants pre-registered their cars — “they e-mailed us with their name and their cars” — about “25% of these cars are [here because of] word of mouth,” meaning they just drove in that morning and parked their car for display. As a result, the lot was, much to their surprise, more or less filled within half an hour. “I wasn’t expecting this much [of a turnout],” says Birenbaum in response. “It’s pretty cool.” Comments Matluck, “Next year, we’re gonna have to get a bigger lot. [We hope] it’s gonna grow and grow and grow.” At the end of the day, it’s certainly a good problem to have, and certainly works in favor of their proposal to make the car show an annual affair.

Belkin adds, on the thought of improving or embellishing the event for future years, that if it is indeed greenlit to be held annually, “it’ll probably turn into a charity event.” To that end, in support of that idea, while admission to this year’s event was free to all involved, donations were accepted throughout the morning for the “Hands Off the Phone — On the Wheel” campaign, which advocates for driving without distraction.

The elder Matluck is also very much in support of making the event an annual affair. Praising the boys for all their hard work, he articulates a similar feeling toward returning to the train station parking lot: “We hope to do it again. Maybe even [later] this year.” And why not? “I thought it was [a] fantastic [idea],” Robert concludes. “And the weather’s great… everything worked out. I think it’s a win for everyone.” After witnessing the jolt of energy the event brought to the community that morning — not to mention the impressive array of vintage and classic cars among neighborhood residents — we think so, too. Well done, boys. Hope to see you starting your engines for another event sometime soon.

Skidmore grad and longtime Chappaqua resident Matt Smith is a regular contributor to The Inside Press.

By Grace Bennett, Photos by Kat McKee

Emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity, Nethmi DeSilva, a sophomore at Fox Lane High School, accepted a Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester “Youth of the Year Award” during a warm and festive reception at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

DeSilva, who has been coming to BGCNW since preschool (when her mom worked there as a nursery school teacher), described her early years as feeling easily frightened and overwhelmed. “Being comfortable in my own skin was a struggle for me. At school I was quiet and I never talked much unless I was with my friends. I would always want to participate in class, but feel too nervous.”

The Club, Nethmi related, “helped me realize my full potential, and embrace my leadership skills.”

At the Teen Center program at the Club, Nethmi said she learned public speaking skills with the help of the teen center staff. “I gained confidence in myself and stepped out my comfort zone…I found myself doing things that I never thought I was capable of. I was voicing my opinion, leading community projects, and taking on leadership roles in my club, but also in school. I now, can confidently take a stand on issues that are important to me–one of which being tolerance and respect among all diversities.

“We are fortunate to live in a multicultural nation, and still, discrimination exists. It’s important for our youth to tolerate and respect the differences of others. As Boys and Girls Club members we are privileged to have a program such as “Youth for Unity,” which teaches us how to deal with diversity. I hope that programs like this will keep being reinforced in young people’s lives whether at organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club or even in schools. In the words of Helen Keller “the highest result of education is tolerance.”

In other awards, Cameron Rosen, a senior at Fox Lane, received the “Chris Cutri award,” “which recognizes positive attitude, perseverance, strength, kindness, integrity and sportsmanship.

The Youth of the Year Finalists were Cristy Lopez-Duarte, a Fox Lane senior too, and Lillian Chang, a Fox Lane Junior.

Boys and Girls Club staff and board members and family and friends all gathered April 30th offering a hefty dose of love and support for all the honorees. Area VIPs were in attendance too! Pictured below are Joel Seligman, president and CEO of Northern Westchester Hospital, and his wife, Joyce. Martha Stewart, a long time supporter of BGCNW, took time out for photo ops, including the one below with Nethmi and Muffin Dowdle, a long time, beloved Boys and Girls Club board member.

Participants are chosen on local and state levels, “culminating with the regional winners meeting in Washington D.C., to compete for the National Youth of the Year honor. Since the program’s inception in 1947, each National Youth of the Year has met with the President of the United States to formally accept the award and begin a one-year term as the teen spokesperson for all Boys and Girls Club members.