The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Alexa Troob

About Alexa Troob

Alexa Troob, a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School, lives in Chappaqua with her parents, two sisters, and two dogs. Her hobbies include soccer, tennis, running, traveling, painting, and of course, writing. She writes for the Greeley Tribune and now, Inside Press Magazines, in order to pursue her interest in journalism.

Let ROCKS Rock your Holidays

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‘Tis the season … to make your ‘to do’ list and shop at ROCKS! From fine and fashion jewelry to the very best in tabletop and home décor, Rocks Jewellery Gift Home has you covered. Whether you are shopping for him or her (or even better, YOURSELF!), they have an amazing selection of items for every price point, starting as low as $25. Bling it on!
Known for having fabulous, affordable, and unique jewelry, ROCKS has also become the perfect place to glitz up the house. Winner of Best of Westchester for 2021, ROCKS now carries dazzling home accessories, stocking stuffers, and ideal hostess gifts. Their home selection includes the very best designers, from Jonathan Adler to Missoni to Arteriors, just to name a few.
This year, they are also introducing Finishing Touches, a complimentary service that will truly make your house a home. One of their personal home stylists will visit your house and suggest an array of decorative items, ottomans, art, side tables and consoles that will, well, provide the finishing touch that will make your home uniquely yours.
So RUN to ROCKS for a fabulous holiday season!

The All Important Focus on Togetherness During the Holiday Season

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Gordon Josey, owner/director of Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk, NY, was asked to share parenting advice to guide us through the holidays. He focused on the social and emotional side of things and advised parents to make sure their kids “focus on togetherness and gratitude in addition to the material things”. After all, “like camp, the success of the holidays are the social interactions more than the material gifts- kindness, listening, understanding, and acceptance will make for a wonderful holiday for all of us,” said Gordon Josey. This includes taking the time to give to others by donating or volunteering. The all knowing camp director also emphasized the importance of active listening and remaining open to different points of view as we gather with our families throughout this holiday season. 
 

Celebrating the Chappaqua Library’s New Children’s and Teen Rooms

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On Saturday, November 6, members of the community gathered at the Chappaqua Library to celebrate the opening of the new Children’s and Teen rooms with a ribbon cutting.  The opening of these new establishments were made possible due to the “culmination of years of planning and hard work by the Chappaqua Board of Trustees, the Chappaqua Library, the Chappaqua Central School District, The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education, Library  Building Committee, library staff, and the Friends of the Chappaqua Library,” said Chappaqua Library Director Andrew Farber. 

Pamela Thornton, prior director of the library when the project was first started, shared the origins of constructing the Children’s and Teen rooms. In 2012, almost ten years ago, Chappaqua residents were surveyed regarding their hopes for the future of the library. The public agreed that they wished for more space for kids from all schools and ages in Chappaqua to come do work, connect, and most importantly, read. However, when the master plan for this project was developed in 2013, the cost was an overwhelming two million dollars.

While Thornton had aspirations for new children’s and teen spaces, it was too far out of reach. That is until they were granted a bond in 2016 that was soon after approved by the community. The construction began promptly in 2017 and took three years to finish. However, the completion came right in time, as the library turns 100 years old next year. “What a milestone to have this space that will take [us] into the next century,” she said. 

Katherine Whymark, President of the Friends of the Chappaqua Library, the fundraising arm of the library, then spoke about the furniture they were able to supply to the library including the teen room technology, courtyard chairs, children’s room custom desk, window bench, upholstery, built in benches, and more small items. She thanked the Chappaqua community, without which this project could not have been possible. 

Inside Press photos

This new space creates a safe environment for children and teens to take advantage of books and all they have to offer. “Our library is the heart and hub of our community; a gathering place for the exchange of ideas and lifelong learning. Instilling a love of books is so important for young people,” said Ronni Diamondstein, President of the Board of Trustees for the Chappaqua Library, “…so let’s cut this ribbon and open a whole new world of books and adventures for our young people, our future.”

More about the renovations previously reported by this press: https://www.theinsidepress.com/a-visit-inside-the-chappaqua-librarys-spacious-new-teen-childrens-rooms/

Forever on her Side: New Castle Renames and Dedicates a Park to Honor Jean Craighead George, Beloved Children’s Book Author

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Neighbors, friends-and even a dog’s well timed howl!-applauded & heralded New Castle’s renaming a local park to honor and remember Jean Craighead George.

At the dedication, Jean Craighead George’s children (left to right): Twig, Luke and Craig, were also presented with a gift–George’s 1971 drawing at Grafflin of the main character Sam for children’s book treasure, My Side of the Mountain.  Photo By Grace Bennett/Inside Press

On Sunday, October 10, Douglas Park was renamed Jean Craighead George Park to honor and remember Ms. George, an award winning author of 105 books, naturalist, and beloved and influential member of the Chappaqua community. The ceremony was filled with neighbors, friends, and those passionate about nature and conservation. The speakers told stories, reflected on George’s life, read excerpts of her work, and shared their accomplishments and hopes for the park. The speakers included Jen Bounds, Erin Spira, Sue Meany, Ronni Diamondstein, Gray Williams, Wendell Minor, Mercy Garland, and the George children.

Jean George wrote books for young people include the Newberry Medal winner, Julie of the Wolves, Newberry Honor Book, My Side of the Mountain. and the last picture book, Crowbar: The Smartest Bird in the World, that was revised by her children Luke and Twig George and illustrated by her longtime collaborator, Wendell Minor.

Jean Craighead George was one of the Inside Press’s earliest cover subjects! George was interviewed in 2004 by Lisa St. John. Photo in her storybook garden by Lynda Shenkman Curtis.

When a dog howled seemingly on cue in response to Ronni Diamondstein, President of the Chappaqua Library Board of Trustees, imitating a wolf’s howl, it felt as if Jean Craighead George was there as well, and virtually everyone laughed in appreciation.

This ceremony also acknowledged the work put into the park’s restoration. Many invasive species have already been removed allowing native plants to thrive. Jen Bounds, project organizer, shared that soon after clearing the area around the stream, kids were found playing there with buckets in hand. This highlights the goal of conserving the park- to teach children to value and enjoy nature, which is what George strived to do through her writing. “This park will now serve as a memorial that enables future generations of kids to connect, enjoy, and read through a shared community,” said Erin Spira, Board of Parks and Recreation. 

While at first glance, it was difficult to view this park as anything more than overgrown plants, the speakers helped to unveil the sentiment behind this special place hidden in nature. Whether it was stories of Craig George getting stuck while caving under Douglas Road, or Luke George falling off of his bike and heading straight into the stream- the audience was able to understand the value behind this park. “I think half of you grew up with us, knew mom, knew the animals, scamperd down these woods, climbed the trees probably a little too high… this was a really magical place,” said Twig George. 

Diamondstein read Maggie Mae’s adorable story of meeting Jean George from a past edition of Inside Chappaqua; in 2004, George had graced the magazine cover after an interview with Lisa St. John.

Gray Williams, Chappaqua’s town historian, also reminisced about times he spent at the park and his hope that it “can be restored to the way it was when [he] was growing up.” With all of the progress the park has made, hopefully children in the neighborhood can escape to this wild space the same way Gray Williams and the George children used to do, and the same way Jean Craighead George encouraged through her writing.  

Ms. George passed away in 2012, but it is clear that her influence on the community as well as on future generations of children lives on. Jen Bounds shared that after reaching out to Ms. George’s children to garner support for the park dedication to present to the Recreation and Parks Commission, approximately 200 emails and letters appeared seemingly overnight.

Craig George spoke about how he had the honor of “being raised by the most interesting mom in America, in one of the most interesting houses… It was an open house, and a lot of people here I think were touched by that place.” This house can be seen from the park, and Twig said that they raised 173 wild animals there. Considering George’s love for wildlife and value of community, this park is the perfect tribute to her life. In fact, even at this one hour ceremony, a strong sense of connectedness was already felt. “Jean taught generations of children to value and conserve the wild spaces that are entrusted to us,” said Jen Bounds. “For that we dedicate this park as Jean Craighead George Park.”

 

 

 

PHOTOS BY Grace Bennett/Inside Press