The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Montauk Magic

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seagullArticle and Photo by Sherry Amatenstein

Montauk is a state of mind. Even in the late spring rain and blow-your-hat-off-wind, huddled in a jacket and wearing boots, it’s better to shiver here than just about anywhere on the planet.

True, this 7-mile long slice of heaven located on the tip of Long Island’s South Fork peninsula was battered by Hurricane Sandy. For instance, the Beach Barge restaurant at the iconic Gurney’s Inn fell on its side and partially washed away. However, Montauk sustained minimal damage compared for instance to East End sibling Fire Island, which was breached in two places yet nonetheless is open for business.

From the balcony of my suite at Gurney’s overlooking the hotel’s pristine private beach, the “tip” looks uber-ready for its close-up. Even the Beach Barge has been rebuilt and is once again dispensing drinks and nibbles.

In the decades since my first visit to Montauk at age 17 (don’t ask how many decades), it has morphed from a sleepy fishing village into a chic enclave dotted with exquisite restaurants and fashion-forward boutiques. Happily, Montauk retains the casual (i.e., not Hampton-esque) air that means Lee jeans and tees won’t be met with scorn.

A major reason Montauk has not been consumed by gentrification is that nearly 40 percent is state or county parkland–thus can’t be developed. For instance Hither Hills State Park offers hiking and biking trails, naturalist-led walks, open air dancing, Montauk’s only public campgrounds and miles and miles of white sandy beach.

There’s a strong surfing community at Hither and at some of Montauk’s gorgeous though increasingly-crowded-in-summer beaches like Edison Beach, Gin Beach and Ditch Plains Beach. The latter features spectacular cliffs and rock formations.

The focal point of the village’s storied deep-sea fishing is at Montauk Harbor, which hosts many marinas, hundreds of party, charter and boat rentals. Though the owners at Gosman’s Dock Restaurant, a Montauk landmark since 1943, have begun to rest on their laurels, it’s fun to walk around the surrounding shops or stop at Gosman’s

Clam bar or fish market.

But don’t thumb your nose at paying respects to Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1792.  Hiking the 137 claustrophobic iron steps to the top of this still active lighthouse rewards you with an extraordinary view that extends to the Rhode Island coastline.

Back on land, simple pleasures can be found in the town center – really a circle! – which features a pagoda. Hopefully you’ll happen by while music is being performed as townies and tourists munch slices from Pizza Village.

The wholesome pleasures of the 18-hole Puff ‘n’ Puff still attract miniature golf enthusiasts. However the “war” between the ‘purist’ and the ‘progressive’ locals can become heated over symbols of the new Montauk exemplified by tony hotels like The Surf Lodge (which recently featured Willie Nelson) Ruschmeyer’s, and the raucous nightclub Sloppy Tuna.

There is room for both as long as Montauk retains its essential low-key character that allows all types to feel welcome. Hear that, East Hampton?

The Montauk that keeps me returning year after year is the one that showcases sunsets hand-dipped by God. I have learned to bypass heated arguments about exactly where to find the uber-best view, but to enjoy the moment from wherever I wind up – though I recommend a sunset cruise or countdown to sunset at Montauket Restaurant overlooking Fort Pond Bay.

More must-dos  – an invigorating class at the graffiti-covered studio inhabited by Love Yoga (http://loveyogamontauk.com/site.html), a dip in the sea water pool at Gurney’s Spa and Thalasso Center, lobster rolls at Cyril’s Fish House (preferable to my palate than those at the nearby, much-publicized Lunch) and most reverently, when the weather cooperates –  reveling in the perfection of a star-kissed bonfire on the beach.

Utopia, thy name is Montauk.

To arrange your trip, check out www.montaukchamber.com.

A Report from Town Hall’s June 11 Meeting

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meetingBy Zarah Kavarana

  • Documents regarding the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan have been published in the Environmental News Bulletin on June 12. Written public comments will be accepted through July 12, 2013. The documents can be viewed through the town website, library, and Department of Planning.
  • All train station parking permits will expire on Saturday, June 15. Any resident who desires a permit is advised to submit an application immediately, before the June 14 deadline. Permits will not be issued to those with an unresolved parking ticket. All tickets should be cleared before applications are submitted.
  • Camp registration for New Castle Day Camps is ongoing. For more information, contact the Recreation and parks Department at (914) 238-3909.
  • The Summer Concert Series, co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce begins on July 10 at the Recreation Field. The schedule is as follows: Tramps Like Us on July 10; Chappaqua Orchestra on July 17; One Hot Night on July 24; Hollaback on July 31. All concerts begin at 7 P.M. Admission is free.
  • A movie will be presented every Friday night in June in Millwood Park, weather permitting. Movies include: Here Comes the Boom, E.T., and Despicable Me. Admission is free, and start time is at 8:30 P.M.
  • There will be a Farmer’s Market every Saturday between 8:30 A.M. and 1 P.M. at the train station.
  • A free Bed Bug elimination event will take place on Saturday, June 15 between 11 A.M. and 12 P.M. in the Town Hall Parking lot after a bed bug was found in a discarded book after the recent library book sale. While the library states it is free of bed bugs and all necessary precautions have been taken, it is uncertain whether books containing bed bugs went home with consumers.
  • The Board discussed the concerns expressed by businesses and residents in a petition signed by 826 people opposing the Chappaqua Crossing Retail proposal. The proposal consisted of a 140,000 square feet strip mall that had applications from WalMart and McDonald’s. Board members affirmed that the proposal was being closely reviewed by the town advisory board, county and state agencies, and consultants. Until the reviews are complete, no board member will vote. A similar review and approval process will apply to the Chappaqua Station proposal before each board member votes.
  • The Chappaqua Fire Department inducted new volunteers last week. The department and its volunteers were thanked for providing vital services to the town, especially during last weeks’ terrible fire that destroyed a Chappaqua home.
  • The Board commenced the public hearing with the Chappaqua Station apartments proposal. The issue was unanimously adjourned for June 25, 2013 because the applicant did not show up for the presentation.
  • A proposal to amend the speed limit of a number of Chappaqua streets to 25 miles per hour was read. With no request to comment from the public, the board unanimously voted on the motion to close the hearing.

The board also authorized the following proposals:

  • Set a public hearing to make a house on South Bedford Road a New Castle Landmark on July 9, 2013
  • The position and post of Secretary to the Architectural Review Board with a salary of $45,000 per year
  • Post the position of Heavy Machine Equipment Operator for the Highway Department
  • Re-Appoint Assessor
  • Appoint a student member of the Sustainability Advisory Board
  • Set water rates for Highridge Road and Croton Avenue water district for all water bills on or after July 1, 2013 at $77 per thousand cubic feet
  • Report standard work days for elected and appointed officials to New York State and the local employee’s retirement system. Officials must maintain and submit a record of activities to the Town Clerk.
  • Create a capital fund and award bid for Inningwood Pump Station upgrade to increase the budget from $1 million allocated from the 2012 budget to $1.6 million for improvements
  • Sign the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund contract, which provides dental and vision coverage for town employees
  • Refund a $500 Street Opening Permit to Arena Contracting for satisfactory work
  • Hang a banner across South Greely Avenue from October 21 – November 3, 2013, announcing the New Castle Historical Society’s Antique Show on November 2 and 3
  • The economic consulting services of AKRF Inc. relating to the environmental review of the impacts of the retail development at Chappaqua Crossing
  • Monthly reports, including: Town Clerk, Count Clerk, Receiver of Taxes, and Building and Engineering
  • Minutes from a town board work meeting and work session from April 23, 2013

The meeting adjourned after the board accepted audited vouchers from May 2013.

Greeley Kid Wins Springtime Photo Contest

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The Annual Daffodils" by Caroline Wolfe, Winner of the 2013 "Capture Springtime in Westchester!" Photo Contest
The Annual Daffodils” by Caroline Wolfe, Winner of the 2013 “Capture Springtime in Westchester!” Photo Contest

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) congratulated Caroline Wolfe on winning his “Capture Springtime in Westchester” Photo Contest, which was open to all middle school and high school aged students in the 93rd Assembly District. Caroline, who is a sophomore attending Horace Greeley High School, won the contest with her photo titled, “The Annual Daffodils.”

“Every student who participated in the contest did an outstanding job,” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “We’re fortunate to live in an area with so much beautiful scenery right in our own backyard, as well as a whole lot of artistic talent. Caroline and all of the students who participated have certainly set a high standard for next year’s contest.”

“We are proud of Caroline’s achievement and creativity in capturing the winning photograph for Assemblyman Buchwald’s Springtime Photo Contest,” Horace Greeley Principal Robert Rhodes said. “Community events like these give students and families all the more reason to focus on a creative endeavor while enjoying all that nature has to offer. I want to thank Assemblyman Buchwald for sponsoring the event, and we look forward to participating again next year.”

Assemblyman Buchwald (right) visited Horace Greeley High School this month to personally congratulate Caroline Wolfe, Art Department Chair Louise Brady, and Principal Robert Rhodes.
Assemblyman Buchwald (right) visited Horace Greeley High School this month to personally congratulate Caroline Wolfe, Art Department Chair Louise Brady, and Principal Robert Rhodes.

Buchwald opened the photo contest to all students in grades 6-12 and asked that they capture the beauty around our local communities. As part of the prize for winning, Caroline will join Assemblyman Buchwald in Albany to experience the day-to-day events in the capitol. The winning photo will be displayed prominently in Assemblyman Buchwald’s office and will be featured on his website.

Finding Comic Relief on Jackie’s Joke Hunt

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By Grace Bennett

Jenna Axelrod, Ian Karr, Me, John DeBellis and Jackie Martling!

Jena Axelrod, Ian Karr, Me, John DeBellis and Jackie Martling!

So when a friend said she had VIP tickets via party planner Adam Sands to attend Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling’s one man show at NYC’s Cutting Room in the fall, I jumped at the chance. Comic relief is critical to my basic happiness, and am hugely drawn to anyone with a quick wit and a comic edge. My boyfriend falls in that category and it’s a key reason I adore him. I also have my share of guilty pleasures and over the years that has included…shhh… listening to Howard Stern. So I was familiar with Jackie from his days on Stern and with his brand of humor.

At the end of the show, I met Jackie, and shocking even myself, I said something to him that made him laugh out loud. I’ll never tell what, but he said:  “You made me laugh. That’s not easy to do. I want you to come on my show.” That was in the fall.  Jackie  sent me a CD of his show, and told me to contact him with a Tuesday date that I could attend.  However, in my world of producing back-to-back nearly monthly hometown magazine editions (in the winter and spring), that got back burnered to the point of being forgotten. I also guess given the blatantly sex jokes content, I must admit  there was a touch of “Is this going to get me into trouble in Chappaqua?”

Fast forward to last week and a bit of serendipity. I had a coffee date at Le Jardin du Roi in town with a neighbor, Ian Karr, who I “met” on Facebook.  Always on the search for intriguing local content, I had contacted him in hopes of learning more about “Chappaqua Dads,” a page for the guys that he formed after a “Chappaqua Moms” page soared in local popularity.  (Maybe I will start “Chappaqua Parents,” and confuse everyone? 😉  Shortly into the conversation, Ian mentioned that he had a career long sideline he loved (along with his pretty impressive day job as the owner of a production company) as a radio talk show host. I asked with who these days. And when he mentioned Jackie, well, I nearly choked on a bite of the crepe of the day. I told Ian that Jackie  had invited me on the show but that I had never followed up! He asked if I was available this past Tuesday.  There happened to be an opening.  I followed my gut, and with my schedule a little slow after closing a June issue, I said, “Let’s do it.”  We had a little fun texting Jackie with “Guess who’s coming on the show Tuesday?”  It was a done deal.

Jackie and Grace
Jackie and Grace

I was excited Tuesday morning when I arrived at Sirius on Avenue of the Americas. After being cleared by security, I waited in a comfy area with black couches and lots of glass walls everywhere, plus plenty of pics of Stern and countless famous folks.  I was certainly in good company. I was delighted to see Jackie again and also meet other talent in the studio.   A great surprise was meeting Jena Axelrod, an accomplished stand up who the guys bring on regularly due to popular demand and ok, for some sexy female presence.  She was very encouraging and supportive during some impromptu girl talk in the ladies’ room, and that was much appreciated! Things happened quickly then. Prior to air time, Jackie hands everyone their jokes to read (included in mine was a “Chappaqua Ladies Toast” script and, together with Ian, well over a dozen jokes are read over the course of the hour. Listeners seem pretty familiar with the format and call in with their own funny answers–more often wrong than right. But when they are right enough times, there’s apparently an opportunity to “win” and come on the show as guests themselves.  In between the jokes, there’s old fashioned kibitzing with the guest. In my case, I appreciated the opportunity to introduce some 100,000 or more listeners to the existence of Inside Chappaqua, the magazine and this site, and also about my upcoming talk at the Chappaqua Library. I’m not going to share Jackie’s jokes with you here…you will have to tune in yourself. They’re not for everyone, as he explained to one caller–an old childhood friend befuddled by my guest appearance.  But as Jackie says, “Turn the channel if you don’t like it.” You can choose to listen or not.  I wholeheartedly agree with him!  Let’s just say it was a lot of fun, and I’d be happy to do it again schedule permitting.

After the show, Jackie and Ian have a tradition of treating their guest to dinner at the world famous Carnegie Deli.  Jackie charmed me with a surprise guest who joined us: John DeBellis, author of “Stand Up Guys: A Generation of Laughs. John wrote an article “Trade Secrets of Stand Up Comics” for my March ten-year anniversary edition which is also my “Top Ten Anything” edition. It was a pleasure to meet my writer in the flesh. All that before digging into cole slaw, perfect sour pickles, a tongue sandwich (everyone got a kick out of that for some reason!)–and continued comic relief!