The Inside Press

Jodi Levine of Chappaqua and owner of Jodi’s Gym in Mt. Kisco and Manhattan, firmly believes that gymnastics is a great way to help children with special needs or who are on the autism spectrum because it incorporates many of the skills with which these children have difficulty.

The benefits of gymnastics include increased balance, strength, self-confidence, motor skills and spatial awareness.

Jodi loves to see the way the kids’ eyes light up when they enter the gym and the joy the parents have by taking their children to a safe and fun gymnastics program. Her current class was inspired by the parent of a child who had visited the gym as a birthday party guest and simply loved it. Plans for the summer include a social skills class for 3-4 year-olds which will combine a half-hour of class time with a social worker and then time in the gym where the kids can apply the skills they learned. The program focuses on progress, not perfection, with the goal of developing skills such as sharing, positive interaction with other children, taking turns, making friends and even dealing with frustration. Consultations and a parenting discussion will be provided by the social worker. For more info, visit www.jodisgym.com
– Michael Kohn

Varda Singer, Owner, ICD Contemporary Jewelry

“I would like to wish the Chappaqua community the same enjoyment that I have had living and raising my children here in town. Both my children went to school in Chappaqua. They volunteered in the ambulance corps, they competed on the schools’ teams and played in the same fields and playgrounds behind my jewelry store that their children are now playing in. My hopes and dreams for all the residents in Chappaqua is that they will enjoy the community, camaraderie and greenery as I have over the past decades.”

Shawna Starr, Spa Manager, Bellava Spa    
I realized upon reflection, that I am a very superstitious person who is constantly throwing out to the universe, my innermost wishes and desires. Whether wishing on a shooting star, an eyelash that has fallen out, or the clock when it turns 11:11, I figure a little extra help can’t hurt! These wishes range daily from “hoping” my child does well on a test, to “hoping” I make it to the gas station before running out, to “dreaming” of one day living on the beach, preferably in Hawaii. However, as a single mother of three, the most meaningful of all, is my hope that my children feel and know that I love them unconditionally, forever, no matter what choices they make on their life’s journey, and that my wildest dreams were fulfilled the day each of them was born and I became their mother.
Yulia Omelich, Owner, COUTUREDossier    
It is with a great pleasure that I decided to bepart of this issue that celebrates a WOMAN, a Mother, a multi-tasker, afighter, a protector, and a true friend in every one of us. The “Mother”journey starts before a person is born but it NEVER ends. Each year is a new milestone that presents another challenge to overcome and learn from, either it is a loss, a sickness, a dull friend with ill intentions or a toxic relationship,Mothers will always be there trying to guide away from the wrong doing or helpduring a sudden misfortune. My wish today is for all of you to be reminded moreoften how beautiful you are, how much you matter for your loved ones and bethanked for being there for them.  Imet so many of you at COUTUREDossier. Youare amazing and wonderful people. Love yourselves and be happy. Happy Mother’sDay!”

Teri Tiberi, Office Manager, Riverside Memorial Chapel    
I have a dream that one day soon I will be able to live a simpler life, where I can spend more time embracing all the beauty that surrounds me.  To live the healthiest life possible so that I can still take long walks on the beach when I am in my senior years.  To be surrounded by people I love and spend more time with them.  I hope that I have learned from my yesterdays, am able to live my todays to the fullest and never lose sight of my hopes and dreams for tomorrow.

Beth Hundgen, Owner, Whispering Pines    
“So many of my own hopes and dreams have come true raising two incredible kids, my son Stetson and daughter Sage, and running Whispering Pines here in Chappaqua.  Besides dreaming that I will win the mega millions tonight, I hope and dream that my business continues to grow and be successful. I plan to expand my business in the near future by becoming a complete garden center. Ultimately, my job is to make people smile every day with beautiful floral designs and so much more!  What can be better than that?  I also have great hopes for New Castle!   I know that the hamlet of Chappaqua will continue to flourish.  I’ve seen so many positive changes since I first opened my store here and have been particularly excited by the opening of so many new stores around town.”

Dawn Greenberg, Owner, Aurora
“My hope is that my kids get to travel the world one day and have limitless options, while still finding a sense of satisfaction through work and their community.  The  day this photo was taken the future felt full of possibility and our family was complete–I hope we can always feel this happy.”

Lydia Evans, M.D., Board Certified DermatologistDr. Lydia Evans’ mom Lydia Evans (left) and her mother in law, Charlotte Toback. Writes Dr. Evans: “My hope is that I can live my life with the same compassion and integrity  as these two beautiful women.”

 

By Andrea Klausner

This is a tribute to motherhood, but it is not for the faint of heart.

I recently traveled to Haiti on a medical mission with a local not-for-profit organization called “Hands Up for Haiti.” It was a mission to bring eye care to the residents of Cap-Haitien, the second largest city in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. My team consisted of three ophthalmologists, one of whom was also an oculoplastic surgeon, an optometrist, her 17-year old son to assist her, and me–a lawyer and writer with no medical training other than the diagnostic skills I picked up as the mother of four children. I was asked to go along to document and photograph the mission. I ended up doing so much more–triaging the patients, assisting the doctors and even scrubbing in as a nurse in the operating room. When you are in Haiti on a humanitarian mission, there is no such thing as “not in the job description.” Sort of like the definition of a mother.

I went on this trip with some trepidation, knowing that I would see tremendous deprivation and disease. However, nothing could prepare me for the emotional toll of what was essentially “battlefield medicine.” Day after day, we greeted a parade of suffering but stoic people who had come to expect so little in their lives that they were tremendously grateful for whatever assistance they could get. But they are also a proud people, coming to see the doctors in their “Sunday best,” the women in hats and heels, the men with polished shoes, as if to let us know that their poverty did not define them. Many waited for hours to see a doctor, but we never heard a complaint. They thanked us politely whether we could help them or not. And more often than not, we could not help, although 90% of their conditions could have been prevented or corrected had they been able to receive timely medical intervention.

The most gut-wrenching part for me was seeing the children, with infected eyes, blindness and a wide range of conditions that even our well-trained doctors could not diagnose. Many were orphans from the local orphanage, found on the street and as young as 18 months.

I remember one young mother who brought in her young son because his eye had become severely infected when she accidentally swept wood chips into his eye. For 15 days that boy suffered because his parents had no money to make the trip to the hospital or to pay for a doctor. Had we not arrived at the free clinic and prescribed antibiotics for the child, who knows what would have become of him?

All I could think of was how helpless the mother must have felt, watching her child suffer for so many days, unable to get him medical attention at will. I put myself in her shoes, thinking of my own precious children, and felt my heart break. But when you are struggling just to obtain potable water and food, you have no choice but to prioritize. The stakes are nothing less than survival.

I watched another young couple receive the news that their beautiful three month old daughter was going blind and that there was nothing our doctors could do for her. When the mother was told, she collapsed on the floor in tears. Life for most children in Haiti is difficult, but the fate of a blind child is unfathomable. I could not even imagine what prospects in life she might have.

I returned home to my light-filled rooms overflowing with happy family photos. I took in my refrigerator filled with food, my faucets flowing with hot and cold water, my electric lights, my comfortable bed, my closets filled with clothes and my sanitary bathrooms. I called my children to let them know I arrived home safely and to ask how they were. There were the usual complaints about jobs and lack of jobs, about colds and minor workout injuries. But all were safe, sheltered, healthy, nourished and loved.

This Mother’s Day, I know I will be counting my blessings, merely for having the serendipitous good fortune to be born into a land of opportunity and a life of privilege, where I could shield my children from real deprivation, and not just their longings for the latest fashions, the newest technology or the coolest cars. It is because of my children and my motherhood that I know I must return to Haiti – for the mothers and for their children.

Andi Klausner has resided in Chappaqua for 26 years. She currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director for Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. (WRO), a 44-year old not-for-profit organization based in White Plains that is dedicated to enhancing housing opportunities for all Westchester residents.

Volunteers Welcome

Hands Up for Haiti is a medical humanitarian not-for-profit organization founded in 2010 and based in Mount Kisco. It is 
committed to improving the quality of health care in northern Haiti through community medical care, education and training programs.

Founded by a group of individuals from Northern Westchester who traveled to Haiti to provide assistance after the earthquake, Hands Up for Haiti welcomes volunteers who have a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences, including those with no medical background at all. For more information, or to volunteer for a mission, visit the agency’s website at
www.handsupforhaiti.org or email info@handsupforhaiti.org.

By Lindsay Hand

Mother’s Day is what it sounds like –a day to celebrate moms and shower them in extra love and gratitude. But it’s often hard to find that perfect gift, find the right way to spend the day. To help out with this, here are some unique, fun things to do with the family on May 13th and inexpensive gifts for mom, the one who somehow finds a way to do it all.

Take A Hike
What better way is there to spend Mother’s Day than in Mother Nature herself? Westchester is filled with beautiful nature. Wander around the pond at Gedney or explore the various paths, lakes, and historic sights at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve on the border of Pocantico Hills and Pleasantville. It’s fresh air, exercise, and fun for the whole family!

Learn Your History
Chappaqua and Westchester as a whole, as many know, are rich in fascinating historical sites. For a mom who is interested in the history of the town, a visit to the New Castle Historical Society is surely in order. In addition to this, other must-visits are the Greeley House and the library. Even the most profound history buff will be able to find something new to learn about.

Tweet Tweet
As the May flowers are blooming, wander over to the Pruyn Sanctuary in close by Millwood. Walk the numerous paths in the area and marvel at the butterflies and hummingbirds in the beautiful Butterfly Garden. Look at the wildflowers and enjoy a wonderful day in the fresh air with the family.

Have An Adventure
Art? Check. History? Also check. There are many museums in the Chappaqua area, and it is a fun way to spend Mother’s Day with the family. Go see the unbelievable works of art, learn something new, or be amazed by wonders elsewhere. And what’s the best part? The Chappaqua Library has museum passes for many museums on their website, www.chappaqualibrary.org.

Shop Till You Drop
For something even closer to home, venture into downtown Chappaqua and take advantage of the various local enterprises. Shopping our vibrant, wonderful downtown shops is an excellent way to spend time with the family and pick up something special for mom.

Bring It Home
Why go out when you can stay comfortably at home? For older kids who have long run out of ideas for gifts for mom, nothing is better than giving her a break and cooking dinner. There are plenty of simple but delicious recipes that even the most culinary–challenged can make into a yummy meal that will remind mom just how much you appreciate what she does every day.

From the Heart
As younger kids are not as capable with the oven, an equally as good gift for mom is a homemade card or gift. Putting time and effort into creating something special is touching and adorable, when coming from a child. Homemade gifts can range from drawings, to beaded or string bracelets, to something as simple as a card. And, of course, a bouquet of flowers will always brighten mom up!

Bring the Magic Home
Feel like staying in? No problem! Get together a few of mom’s favorite movies and have a fun “movie day” at home. Make some popcorn, relax on the couch, and enjoy spending time together and watching movies all day. It’s the perfect way to spend a rainy Mother’s Day and have a fun, bonding experience with the whole family.

Stay Local
Though sometimes forgotten, there’s always just taking mom out to dinner at one of Chappaqua’s fine food establishments. There are a number of different types of restaurants in downtown Chappaqua, ranging from casual pizza to a more classic sit-down at a restaurant. Have a nice dinner all together and remind mom how much you love her!

No matter what you do during the day, the primary focus is one single person: mom! She is the one that organizes everything; the one that makes sure everyone is where they need to be; the one that goes to no ends to do what needs to be done. So enjoy this Mother’s Day with something fun, and thank mom for all that she does!

Lindsay Hand is a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School, and has written numerous articles and served as September’s “Guest Editor” for Inside Chappaqua.

By Jean Sheff

Mommy & Me classes have inspired playdates, friendships and yes, even businesses. Unknown to each other, Chappaqua moms Marjorie Troob and Tanya Tochner signed up for a Mommy & Me class at Temple Beth El. Neither had any idea that they would find not only a pleasant gathering of mothers and babies, but a future business partner as well.

Something More
The conversation started as many do; two moms looking for something to complement their full-time job as a mom. Troob and Tochner, with business and marketing backgrounds, took the discussion one step further. “We were both looking for a business adventure,” says Troob. “And we realized we both had a passion for fine jewelry,” added Tochner.

They put their ambition and talent together and their jewelry line, Rocks by Jolie B. Ray was born.

The name of their business is a loose conglomeration of their children’s names. Tochner is mom to Joshua, 8, and Lindsay, 10 and Troob is mom to Ben, 10, and Rachel, 12. Take the beginning part of the children’s names and you have Jolie B. Ray.

First Steps
They started off modestly. “We had a “studio” in Chappaqua,” says Tochner. There, they designed their wares, held private appointments with clients and planned local trunk shows. “Owning a full retail operation wasn’t even on our radar,” says Troob. Yet, after five years, a vacant shop found them. “It was really a natural evolution,” says Tochner. Their new shop, Rocks by Jolie B. Ray is located at 378 Main Street in Armonk in the same shopping strip as Restaurant North and Tazza Café. Smack dab in the middle of town, they couldn’t ask for a better location.

New Headquarters
They’ve made the space their own through a rigorous and careful renovation. “We gutted and renovated the entire space,” says Tochner. “We didn’t want it to be a traditional jewelry store,” adds Troob. The result, a fresh, modern space with sleek lines decorated in shades of purple, grey and white puts the focus right where they wanted it–on the jewelry.

They opened their doors in October 2011 and have been putting in the hours and work it takes to run the business since. Hiring a shop manager and some retail assistants has helped them juggle their multiple roles as mom, wife, designer and business owner. The shop carries their line, Jolie B. Ray, as well as other designers such as Lika Behar, Suzy Landa, Megan Thorne and Anne Ruth Henrickson They frequent trade shows, not only to promote the Jolie B. Ray brand, but also to look for other designers that they’d like to feature in the shop.

Something for Everyone
They carry an inventory of several price points. You can find pieces from a modest $25 and up. There’s a sizable collection of gold and silver jewelry, some with semi-precious stones, as well as a stunning diamond collection. “All the jewelry we sell is made in the U.S.A.,” says Tochner. The shop is popular for bar/bat mitzvah and birthday gifts for the younger generation, for adults looking for a piece to finish off a special outfit or husbands looking to surprise a loving wife. “Men understand the value of diamonds,” says Tochner with a smile. They have also introduced a fine candle and scarf line and are planning to carry other designers, gift items and perhaps, even watches soon. The shop also offers monogramming service and can repair, remount or reset jewelry as well.

When asked how their families are reacting to their new roles as business owners, the women share a smile. “For the kids, it depends on the day,” says Tochner. “The girls have taken to it,” adds Troob. The husbands get a pat on the back for their on-going support and for being available for Saturday parenting duty as that’s a big day in the retail business. While they may be logging in plenty of hours, it also looks like they are having fun, maybe as much, if not more, than that Mommy & Me class offered years ago.

Rocks by Jolie B. Ray
378 Main St., Armonk
219-5808
www.rocksjoliebray.com
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