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Inside Press

Dave Bickler Cites Flood Sisters “Fantastic Work” at November Music Charity Event

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Supporting Kidney Donor Awareness on Behalf of the Flood Sisters Foundation

By Grace Bennett

At a music cocktail charity event at Lexington Square Cafe on November 18th, the Flood Sisters proudly stated that they were celebrating “saving nine lives thus far.” Here are a few highlights from a successful evening that brought together so many supporters and friends:

  • Former lead singer, Dave Bickler of the band, Survivor, performed.
  • Armonk resident, singer and guitarist Corinna Shapiro performed acoustic on her ukulele.
  • Former Sopranos Actor Anthony J Ribustello spoke about his need for a kidney. Anthony also brought actor/director of the new show, Orange is the New Black, Nick Sandow to the event.
  • General raising of awareness for living kidney donation o the public in Westchester through music!

    (L-R) Cynthia Flood, Mona Bickler, Dave Bickler, Jennifer Flood and Heather Flood Photo by Allegra Samsen
    (L-R) Cynthia Flood, Dave Bickler, Jennifer Flood and Heather Flood Photo by Allegra Samsen

The evening’s sponsors included VIP Taxi, Colchis Capital, The Spiegel Family Foundation and the Inside Press. Our silent auction included gifts from DeCiccos, Emmary Spa, Equinox and East Hampton Point.

“My sisters and I focus on spreading awareness to the public on living kidney donation and kidney disease, and basically, on how someone can save a life,” said Jennifer Flood. “We provide matching services to those in need nationwide. Our future plans include going into the nearby schools and spreading awareness for kidney health.”

Dave Bickler said that he performed to support the Flood Sisters who “are doing fantastic work to help others in need.”

For more information or to support the Flood Sisters Foundation, visit www.floodsisters.org

 

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Also joining the Flood Sisters at the November 18 fundraiser: Former Sopranos Actor, Anthony J Ribustello (R),  and director of Orange is the New Black, Nick Sandow  Photo by Allegra Samsen
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Chappaqua’s Dave Bickler performing to support the Flood Sisters Foundation’s work to raise kidney donor awareness. Photo by Leslie Regan

 

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Armonk resident and singer/guitarist: Corinna Shapiro. Photo by Leslie Regan
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 Chappaqua resident Katherine Whymark spoke about her experience as a living kidney donor. Photo by Allegra Samsen
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Jennifer Flood (right). Photo by Leslie Regan
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Grace Bennett, publisher/editor, Inside Press, shares a laugh with Dave Bickler and his wife, Mona. Photo by Leslie Regan

 

 

 

Thank You Cards to Hillary Clinton

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An Ongoing Courtesy from the King Street Salon

Article and Photo by Grace Bennett

 When the cards began to arrive for Hillary Clinton from all over the country—“from Washington State to Indiana to Pennsylvania”–Ann Styles Brochstein and Carolyn Filancia-Vento knew they had struck a chord with their post Election effort.  

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Ann Styles Brochstein (left) and Carolyn Filancia-Vento inside the King Street Salon in Chappaqua following a delivery of some 200 cards expressing gratitude to Hillary Clinton.

Ann had posted and tweeted from her popular local Hillary advocacy blog–Chappaqua 4 Clinton/Kaine(now called Left of Main Street on Facebook and on Twitter @Neighbors4Hill) and on the Facebook “Pantsuits Nation” page that a collection was underway for thank you cards to Hillary Clinton during the harrowing first few days after the election was called to Donald Trump.

“I felt so lost and devastated after the election; I wanted to do something,” said Ann, who together with Chappaqua’s Cynthia Metcalf produces Left of Main Street.  “I asked Carolyn if we could drop off at or mail to the King Street Salon, and she said yes.”   

“Until about eight months before the election,” Carolyn noted, “I was a Republican. I finally realized I could never vote for that man.”  She described Ann as ‘the catalyst’ for her change of heart during long conversations together. Ann is a regular customer.  “After those, I started to also love Hillary.”

 Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein cordially helped make arrangements for delivery, and to date, about 200 cards have been delivered to  the Clinton household. 

Collections for cards will continue until Christmas too. Anyone who wishes to send a card to Hillary Clinton in her hometown, may mail to or drop off at this location: King Street Salon, 229 King Street #2  Chappaqua, NY 10514 

Judy Collins Helps Break the Taboo at MHA of Westchester Fundraiser

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“Break the taboo, tell the story,” Judy Collins told attendees of “An Evening of Conversation and Song,” the October 13th fundraiser for the Mental Health Association of Westchester at the Emelin Theater.

Collins, or “Judy Blue Eyes,” –- the legendary singer/songwriter of now classic American songs including “Both Sides, Now” and “Send in the Clowns,” –- proceeded to do just that, as she shared stories of her struggles with alcohol … “I was safe in New York with my therapist and half gallons of vodka.”

With depression…”While the outer self is looking so terrific, the inner self is saying: help, help.”

And finally, the different circumstances surrounding the suicide of her son and her own suicide attempt recovery.  “The music saved me,” she shared. “It always has…Art makes it possible to survive on this planet.”

And so has the understanding that failure is ‘ok,’ she said.

“Scientists will tell you they learn the most from their failures,” Collins said. “There is no guilt in suicide…it is all about the process of getting from one point to the other.”

There are people who know that ‘truth,’ she added. And advised: “Be part of that clan” who offer “a bridge to life.” She commended the staff and volunteers of the MHA “for the miraculous work you do.” Following Judys’ talk, attendees enjoyed a reception and book signing.

For more information, please visit mhawestchester.org.

 Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press, was recipient of a 2015 Media Award from the MHA of Westchester and a media sponsor for this event.

Judy Collins with Armonk resident Shari Applebaum
Judy Collins with Armonk resident Shari Applebaum

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Expressions of Support

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Remembering Memorial Day 2006 PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO
Remembering Memorial Day 2006
PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO

By Grace Bennett

At this juncture, my heart and mind (as is true for the vast majority of her neighbors and friends) are squarely with Hillary Clinton in appreciation of her exemplary spirit and hard fought campaign and its unwavering message of ‘love trumps hate,’ and her conviction that we all indeed are ‘stronger together.’

For years now, as a small, hometown publisher, I have enthusiastically supported the voice and vision of our two-time Senator, Secretary of State, and neighbor. Over the last year, as time and resources permitted, I was so excited to follow her historical campaign to become the nation’s first woman president. Together with fine contributors, we proudly attended primary and post primary rallies on the East and West Coast, along with the Democratic National Convention, with the goal of being actively engaged in covering an extraordinarily qualified and experienced hometown candidate from a local vantage point — while still offering a variety of community features both in print and online.

Before a Katy Perry GOTV rally and concert in Philly: Photo op with Dawn Evans Greenberg (to my right), Robby Mook, Hillary for America campaign manager, and Dawn Dankner Rosen.
Before a Katy Perry GOTV rally and concert in Philly: Photo op with Dawn Evans Greenberg (to my right), Robby Mook, Hillary for America campaign manager, and Dawn Dankner Rosen.

By casting over 3 million more votes for Hillary Clinton than for Donald Trump, a far greater number of American citizens registered their collective voice as to the preferred candidate, so the outcome may remain a source of sadness and longing to many for some time to come, particularly as recount efforts are underway. But we also harbor hope for a better future. A very long chain of connected hearts unequivocally know that Hillary Clinton embodies all that a president is meant to be. She set the bar high for the next president, man or woman.

And here, for now, I will simply echo the voices from many corners–warm and loving expressions–conveying an immense gratitude to Hillary Clinton for her role as advocate and friend. I commend those in her corner, in our community and beyond who worked so hard on her behalf and who are continuing their work, whether through wise words or newly launched grassroots efforts.

Our election coverage stories and photos (special kudos to Chad Kraus’ enormous generosity) followed by many heartfelt messages from the merchant community and amazing local supporters.

Pretoria, August 2012
Pretoria, August 2012

I’m especially proud as well to include a couple millennial expressions of gratitude by Greeley grads and past Inside Press contributors: an essay by Cornell University Junior Lindsay Hand, and the “thank you” photo and artwork by my son, Ari Bennett, a third year art major at Union College.

Please also enjoy the entire issue with many articles that showcase our wonderful community, its residents and various sponsors. Wishing the greater New Castle community, and beyond, a happy and healthy holiday season. Here’s to Peace in the New Year too.

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Election Watch Party at Kittle House

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With hopes high for the best possible outcome: About 300 Hillary supporters attended an Election Watch party at Crabtree’s Kittle House organized by Chappaqua Friends of Hillary. The Kittle House is frequently the setting for Hillary Clinton’s TV interviews and where she appeared at the Democratic Convention via satellite to accept the party’s historic presidential nomination. “The Kittle House has been like a second home to Bill and Hillary Clinton–and many of their important and momentous occasions have been celebrated here since they first moved to Chappaqua,” said John Crabtree, owner.

(ABOVE): Melissa Cotto (left) with Virginia Shasha
(ABOVE): Melissa Cotto (left) with Virginia Shasha
(L-R) Angelo Grasso, Hilary Steuer Grasso, Kelly Leonard, Dylan O’Keefe
(L-R) Angelo Grasso, Hilary Steuer Grasso, Kelly Leonard, Dylan O’Keefe

State Assemblyman David Buchwald (left), Town Board Member Hala Makowska, and Michael Weinberg

PHOTOS BY GRACE BENNETT