The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

50 Shades of Lipstick

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By Jo Rosenfeld

The book “50 Shades of Grey” by E.L. James has caught the attention of most women I know–with a wave as strong as that which moved most of their men to covet the Victoria’s Secret runway show via YouTube. My girlfriends seemed suddenly free to explore the sexuality equated with their youth; taking it from the privacy of their own Kindles to book groups and chat sessions…

“Men aren’t really complicated, Ana, honey. They are very simple, literal creatures. They usually mean what they say. And we spend hours trying to analyze what they’ve said when it’s really obvious.”*

Christian Grey, the leading man in the book, took intimacy to extremes by anyone’s standards. My own spin on the book’s message–and on having an engaging relationship– is that passion comes from liberating one’s self within one’s comfort zone. That is to say, blurring boundary lines enough to feel one is indulging in something slightly darker than the day’s typical coloring…to reclaim one’s sense of self and FUN!

“If I were you, I’d take him literally. That might help.”

Dating back to more innocent and less encumbered times, I recall a summery sunset dinner on the Upper East Side. Tab (now my husband), went on (and on) about his journey from circuit tennis to circuit court rooms. He had my undivided attention. He remarked as to what a good listener I was. Good? No, a great listener! My date’s message was as black and white as were the shorts I’d chosen to wear that night. I heard him assert that he liked his women smart, strong, sensitive, successful and sexy–short skirts and high heels. So the smart woman in me made a long-term mental note. I gave myself a challenge. In the name of relinquishing control to my man, I wore a dress or skirt for 365 days–with sexy silhouettes and a dazzling array of stilettos–to entice him to look at me the same way he had across the dinner table years passed. In 20 years we’ve grown up and closer.

“Laters, Baby.”

Private time for adult-like fun was a challenge–no argument from any woman I confided in. Work, school, docs, sports, community service, household obligations, including the inordinate amount of laundry from two tiny girls, perpetually threatened to blow the dating game out of the water. Once upon a time, I dared Tab to have dinner with me. We pinky swore that we would not discuss our kids, work or finances. I recall the most awkward silence for the longest ten minutes of our married lives. Then, we broke into laughter and more red wine. So, soon after two little girls were born; so was “Date Night.”

“Date Night” morphed over the years; from a planned night out hiring a babysitter to something which lingered over the course of an entire week. Loving messages and texts were sent no matter how demanding our schedules. Sometimes, he just played a game and left me clues as to his mysterious m.o. In response, I made sure to block out time for personal maintenance: Hair, nails, 50 shades of lipstick, the LBD (little black dress) or what to wear in lieu of it, perfume and deal-closing heels. Shallow woman? Feminist forgotten? No. Smart woman–as per his request. Excitement came as we escaped under the radar of all of our friends and neighbors. With Tab, I opened doors I’d not dared on my own. What happened in “Date Night” stayed in “Date Night.”

“My inner goddess has her sequins on and is warming up to do the rumba.”

In the interim, we’ve grown up and have become closer. Getting to the finish line took me a bit longer than it did for Tab. What was a man to do with the woman he loved when she needed to live with one foot in the world of “grown up” choices and one in that of “forever young?” My inner goddess child was given the gift of a very, very long leash. Caution to my readers and friends! This does not mean that I “stepped out” or had any desire to do so–quite the contrary.

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

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By Miriam Longobardi

The only thing better than great live music is great live music outdoors on a sunny day, relaxing in your lawn chair with a cold beverage in your hand looking forward to nonstop tunes for the entire day.

At the Pleasantville Music Festival, after I stake out a strategic spot near the main stage with easy access to the Beer & Wine Garden, I ease into the day by soaking up sun while I peruse the line-up of bands on the various stages. There is the main stage where the more well-known bands perform. The Beer & Wine Garden also has a stage and between acts on the main stage there is always a band playing there to keep the party rolling. Follow your nose and ears toward the Village Stage, located behind the bleachers conveniently flanked by local food and merchandise vendors. That stage features ongoing regional and local acts, many recognizable to anyone familiar with the Westchester music scene as well as talented newcomers.

Each stage has its own line-up of performers and I plan my day accordingly. As you tent-hop your way past the Village Stage through the vendor area you will find bouncy castles, kiddie rides, and fun for younger guests, and the festival air abounds. The music featured is an upbeat mixture of rock, blues, pop, and reggae and is representative of major national acts as well as the aforementioned regional and local talent. Each artist is hand selected from hundreds of submissions and is guaranteed to please. The Pleasantville Music Festival is sponsored by 107.1, the Peak radio station as well as many other local sponsors. The Festival culminates with headliners performing on the main stage after sunset and into the evening and my well-placed chair is perfectly positioned to enjoy the finale.

The only thing that tops one day of music and fun is two days and that’s exactly what you’ll get from the Clearwater Music Festival at Croton Point with the added benefit of knowing you’re supporting a worthy cause. This event raises money for the Clearwater Environmental Organization, founded in 1969 by folk music legend and environmental activist Pete Seeger, who will be at the festival. Seeger’s organization features the majestic sloop The Clearwater which people may ride during the festival as well The Mystic Whaler, small boats and tall ships that will also be available, a great way to enjoy the beautiful waterfront during all the weekend’s festivities. The environmentally conscious theme of The Clearwater Music Festival carries over to the powering of the seven stages, all of which are either solar powered or use biodiesel fuel. There is an activist area where people can learn how to get more involved and what they can do to help protect our local environment as well as a Green Living Expo that teaches about products, services and technologies that can inform lifestyle and business choices.

This year’s festival features over 100 bands performing on seven stages, including stages for kids, a dance stage, and many large stages with all types of music being performed, including international acts. Family oriented, in addition to the music choices there is a plethora of roving jugglers and artists, face painters, a shady storytelling area, and even a musical petting zoo! The Arm-of-the-Sea Theater, a contemporary mask and puppet theater will be performing along the waterfront throughout the weekend. In addition to an expanded Artisan and Farm Market with food supplied by local vendors and locally sourced farm products, there are artisan and craft expositions, demonstrations and workshops. All these things while you’re surrounded by musical talents too numerous to list but be sure to visit the website below for an up-to-date list of artists scheduled to perform.

Among the milestones being celebrated at this year’s festival is Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday and Arlo Guthrie and the Guthrie Family will be performing. Also celebrating milestones are The Preservation Hall Jazz Bands 50th Anniversary and the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus’ 25th Anniversary. And let’s not forget that Pete Seeger himself just turned ninety! You simply can’t miss out on all this celebrating in the company of legendary artists all the while supporting environmental education, advocacy and research to help protect and preserve our majestic Hudson River.

A Walk in the Park

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By Maggie Mae…with Ronni Diamondstein

I’m a town dog. I take a walk into the hamlet of Chappaqua daily. Once I saw my neighbor Riley get into the back of his owner’s SUV. When I asked where they were going they said they were off to Gedney Park for a run. I had been to Gedney on a leash a few times so I decided to find out more about it.

First, I spoke to Jill Shapiro the New Castle Town Clerk. She said that dogs are allowed in Gedney Park but only if they follow the rules on the Town website. Dogs can be off-leash on the trails as long as they stay in sight of their owners and obey their commands. I stayed on my leash as I walked along the paths there, because I’m so small. Because there’s no place fenced off for small dogs, 
I feel safest that way.

I decided to ask some of my canine friends about their visits to the park. My friend Rocky, a black Labrador Retriever, is a regular at Gedney. He and his owners follow the rules, and Rocky knows his place in the park. “I love to meet new people and dogs, but I’m so big that my overfriendliness can ruin
a picnic in a playground area.”

Maggie Mae gets the scoop on Gedney Park from her friend Rocky. Photo: Michelle Hecht

Rocky knows that he can’t go on ball fields, but he does enjoy it when his owner unhooks his leash so he can enjoy some freedom on the trails. He says his owners love to take a break from their busy days to walk the nature trails at Gedney. Rocky and his owners have made many new friends at the park and they feel lucky to have a place where they can “stop and smell the roses.”

My friend Harry, the Wire Hair Terrier, also goes to Gedney, where he runs the trails to his heart’s content. He told me that his owner uses the “doggy bags” which are a must for park etiquette. “At Gedney, dogs are friendly and get along with other dogs and people,” says my neighbor Belle, an eight-year-old Chocolate Lab. Belle, who is very mature, likes to do her own thing, so when she encounters other dogs she just sniffs “hello” and moves on exploring the trails.

While a lot of dogs I know head over to Gedney, some like go to the nearby Rockefeller State Park Preserve where dogs must stay on a leash when they walk along the trails and roads. There are other dog parks in Westchester County, but I haven’t visited them. The best advice on visiting a new dog park comes from the ASPCA, which suggests that owners check out the rules before they bring their dogs.

Dogs that go should be vaccinated and should get along well with other dogs. My friend Stella, a miniature dachshund, has had a few unpleasant experiences at dog parks. She recommends that small dogs only go to dog parks that have an area for dogs their size like the White Plains Bark Park or the Peekskill Dog Park.

Gedney Park is a great place for us canines and our owners. It’s a beautiful day today, so I’m on my way for a new adventure!

Contact Maggie Mae Pup Reporter at maggiemae10514@gmail.com

Maggie Mae lives in Chappaqua with her adoring owner Ronni Diamondstein, who, when she isn’t walking Maggie is a freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.

Humanizing Dogs

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By Rick Reynolds

Way back in the early days of RLL, 
I did a number of pet-related stories and finally decided enough was enough. There were too many stories in the media where people anthropomorphized their dogs, cats, and parrots–all too often giving them human characteristics which I frankly thought was unfair to the pets. Our pets are not us, no matter how much we spend on their health care.

For example, people speak to their pets on subjects the sorry animals couldn’t possibly relate to. Take my wife: Every time she leaves the house for the day, she tells our two dogs she’ll be right back–or that she’ll be back in an hour. One of our dogs doesn’t even have a watch and couldn’t tell time if he did. And neither have a sense of time. I would never want to confuse the poor mutts in that way. She’s being dishonest with them, knowing full well they’ll be asleep the whole time and not know any better.

Personally, I tell the dogs that I’ll be back in “three shakes of a lamb’s tail.” See; this plays to their sensibilities. My Cockapoo, Milo, who looks like a carnivorous sheep, has surprisingly large teeth and definitely picks up on the “lamb” references. Petey, a Yorkiepoo, while not as bright, gets the “lamb” vibe through Milo. But it doesn’t take an Australian Shepherd to know what “three shakes of a lamb’s tail” means.

Myself, I’m not entirely sure how long that time interval is, but I imagine a lamb wouldn’t take long twitching its tail a few times. However, this way, if I’m not back for 8 hours, I haven’t technically lied to the dogs. Credibility is everything in a pet relationship.

My daughter tells me that dogs don’t “speak” English, which is, of course, nonsense. Every time Milo, the cocker/poodle mix, chews my wife’s new boots, I admonish him NOT to tell her who left the gate to the mudroom shoe cubbies open, and he’s never betrayed me–even under my wife’s brutal interrogation. Except for a little drool and teeth chattering, his lips remain sealed.

And when I ask the dogs directly who chewed the fireplace wood and spread the splinters all over the rug, the guilty party always slinks away trembling. Of course they know English–as a second language, of course.

My dogs’ first language could be characterized as “yappy” and it can be ear piercing, so I often have to ask them to use indoor voices, or if that fails, to use words. Small dogs tend to whine more than large dogs, having trouble articulating their true feelings in non-pathetic, albeit wolf-like ways.

But contrary to public opinion, not all small, cute dogs are females. I can’t tell you how many passers-by assume my dogs are girls. Even if the names, “Petey,” and “Milo” didn’t hint at their gender, their lifting their legs on these folks’ shoes should speak volumes–if not fluid ounces. And big dog people have no problem letting you know that they only like big dogs–even when the combined weight of your two bruisers is just under 20 lbs. These big dog people don’t know it, but small dog people think big dog people are insecure and need big dogs as proxies for their latent inadequacies. I don’t go that far, but I do get amused when they fail to pick up on my dogs’ leg lifting and walk away with wet socks.

So, while many dog owners give their pets human characteristics, it is likely our dogs think of us as the more irrational and juvenile of mammals. We talk gibberish around them, and buy squeak toys that are no match for the real squeals of live prey.

Chappaqua alumnus and 35-year resident of Chappaqua, humorist Rick Reynolds resides in southern New Hampshire with his wife, daughter,
and two dogs.