Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
Rabbi David Greenberg
…Even as so many will mourn his passing throughout their lives, let us also be grateful for what Evan gave to so many; and for all that can never be taken from us. He was kind, caring, dedicated to worthy pursuits, a dear friend to so many [Read more…] about Remembering Evan Lieberman
By Rachel Schelling
Have you ever wanted to escape from this world into another? Have you ever wanted to solve mysteries, seek adventures, take on the bad guys? Reading is a way to do all these things and more. Each novel is its own reality, with its own rules and its own extraordinary aspect.
Reading has been around since the invention of cuneiform in ancient Mesopotamia, and possibly even earlier. The first book, The Tales of Genji by Lady Murasaki, marked a turning point that changed the world, as the number of books exponentially multiplied to the vast expanse we have today. If you find comfort, relaxation, joy, or any other reason you could possibly have for reading, there is a book out there for you. Besides all the genres from which to choose, we now have the choice between electronic books or real paper, ink and binding books.
What are people reading?
This is a difficult question, similar to asking what flavor of ice cream people are eating. There are simply too many choices, too many answers. Everyone has a different personality and therefore different book preferences. There are travelers who simply need short and sweet novels to get them through grueling plane rides. There is the avid crossword puzzle enthusiast who loves to solve a mystery. There is the stay at home mom who is passionate about historical fiction. Joy can be found in a plethora of places for any reader–that’s the beauty of reading.
Chappaqua Librarian Rebecca Rogan offered insight on today’s most popular genres: mystery is widely enjoyed, and is just one popular genre that is granted its own section in the Chappaqua Library. Certain age groups seem to gravitate towards particular genres, such as romance novels; mystery and science fiction can capture the imaginations of members of all generations. However, there are “renegades” in any group, age or otherwise, making it virtually impossible to pick just a few books to represent everyone’s choices.
To E-Read or Not to E-Read?
What we read on has become a 21st century choice. Besides our choices in novels, we can choose to read an electronic book or a paper book. E-readers are smaller, easier to carry and travel with, can hold thousands of books, and may offer more choices such as language, font size, and font type. However, many hard-core readers complain that e-readers lack a “real book” feel; reading simply isn’t the same when you press buttons instead of turning pages, and curling up with a Nook, iPad or Kindle doesn’t have the same feel as curling up with a paperback. It is also virtually impossible to share a beloved book with a friend.
Electronic readers, however, are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the younger generation and travelers. Some book lovers fear that electronic books may someday replace paper books. Ms. Rogan believes that online books won’t take away from real books, but will simply be an addition to the books already out there and the one that have yet to come. The most important thing is that people keep reading, in any and all forms.
Reading continues to be a huge part of our culture. No matter how many genres, forms and authors exist, there will always be a book for each and every person. So go, grab a book (or e-reader!), and prepare to get lost in a whole new and different world.
Rachel Schelling is now a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School.
The New York Times top fiction novels of 2010:
Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
The New Yorker Stories, by Ann Beattie
Room, by Emma Donoghue
Selected Stories, by William Trevor
A Visit From the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan.
New York Times top nonfiction:
Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet, by Jennifer Homans
Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, by Siddhartha Mukherjee,
Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) With Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes, by Stephen Sondheim
The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
By Grace Bennett
Inside Chappaqua is honored to dedicate this issue about growing up here to Evan Lieberman and to his happy and well lived life. Evan was home from his freshman year at the University of Connecticut and had been on his way to work with three other Chappaqua teens to a summer construction job in Brewster. Evan lost his life after a 32-day courageous struggle to survive. The three other teens all sustained different injuries from the car accident and are continuing to recover both physically and emotionally. Inside Chappaqua and the Liebermans, and the community at large, wish all these boys and their families much love, comfort and full recoveries.
On July 20, the community poured out in unprecedented numbers at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford to honor Evan and to share their love and support.
The service gave attendees a glimpse into a vibrant, fun, funny, kind, affectionate and talented young man. For this column, the Liebermans shared with me their gratitude to all the friends, family and neighbors who have lent a hand and a shoulder to cry on, to Rabbi David Greenberg and to their neighbors and best friends Bill and Jill Madden, both of whom who shared loving stories about Evan at the service. They are also deeply grateful and indebted to Dr. Francis Baccay and all the health care professionals at the Westchester Medical Center Trauma Intensive Care Unit and at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital who cared for Evan. The Liebermans themselves, by all accounts, have been a portrait in courage in the face of every parent’s worst nightmare.
IC was busy preparing a special issue produced by teens about teens when this tragedy struck and approached the Liebermans with the idea for this tribute. — Grace
P.S. A special thank you right back (and you’re welcome!) to my “freshmen dozen,” and in particular to my gracious and brilliant guest editor Lindsay Hand, all of whom jumped on board this past spring to produce a “Growing Up Here” back to school issue. Thank you too to Debra Hand, Lindsay’s mom, who acted as an advisor and consulting editor on the issue as well.
By Liora Fishman
“What do you want to be when you graduate college?” For many, combining their passion and their employer is not easy. For 2006 Horace Greeley High School graduate Jonathan Schwebel, this was not the case.
Throughout Bell Middle School and Greeley, Schwebel discovered a passion for history and politics; in seventh grade, a Social Studies assignment on contemporary history turned into an interview with Bill Clinton at the Clinton’s Chappaqua home.
“I had a school project in which I had to conduct an interview related to contemporary history. It was my idea to interview Bill Clinton. I walked a note over to his secret service people and then two days later I received a call that I could interview him.” Schwebel shared, “I was that kid who would talk to anyone about anything.” Of the resulting press coverage, “I learned how to communicate with people effectively at a young age.”
A 2010 graduate of Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Schwebel majored in History and Political Science, motivated by events of the past and present, and how they are shaped by external factors like religion, economics and geography. It seems natural that he took those interests to help Americans that have helped their country.
Disabled Vets Need Jobs
Schwebel is a Business Analyst with Hire Disability Solutions (“HDS”), an employment consulting company, promoting the inclusion of veterans with disabilities and disabled people in the work force. Created in 2004 in response to the staggering millions of unemployed disabled people, the company helps connect businesses to the disabled worker. With wars on three fronts and an economic crisis, there has never been a more important time for politics and business to come together for the benefit of military veterans returning to the civilian workforce.
According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 report, “the unemployment rate for veterans who served in the military at any time since September 2001was 11.5%,” of which about 25% reported having a service-connected disability. With 400,000 U.S. jobless claims per month, according to the Labor Department’s March report, the civilian job prospects for returning troops could not be worse.
After being in the military, though, how are these men and women to find a job? “We’re all about strategic partnerships.” Schwebel said. “Basically, our corporate goal is to empower individuals with disabilities to reach their personal goal. We present information and resources for individuals with disabilities to then connect with employers, employment opportunities, so they can succeed in building their skills professionally.” In an article for Politico, Senators Kay Hagan and Scott Brown explain: “When our heroes become veterans, we must ensure that their hard earned knowledge, skills, and dedication are translated into job opportunities in the civilian world.”
Career Expo for Veterans
On May 24th, HDS hosted “Be a Hero, Hire a Hero” Veterans’ Expo at the Hotel New Yorker. The event was expected to be the largest veteran’s career Expo ever, without accounting for the “virtual attendants” video-conferenced into interviews. The Joint Chiefs of Staff has supported the Expo by allowing it to be broadcast at every military base in the world. Companies were able to communicate with active military duty members within six months of their departure by using a live feed to conduct interviews.
If the importance of this event can be measured by press coverage, the anchor crews reporting spoke volumes. “The Expo went incredibly well,” said Schwebel. “Each of the 108 employers who participated said they were very impressed with how qualified the candidates were, and I would say at least 3,000 veterans attended the event. The next Expo will be in November, and will occur on the Intrepid.”
Preparing Vets for Employment
HDS offers additional programs for veterans, including job training, mentorship, financial counseling, and resume improvement. “The skills [veterans] learn in the military are desired in every company. Many times those skills such as leadership, loyalty, respect, and integrity are the skills which corporations seek.” Schwebel continued, “We assist the veterans in translating their experience to a resume, an interview, and a job.”
Passionate about his work and focused on how history shapes us, Schwebel is hopeful that the success of the Expo will brings success to our veterans. Attending meetings with political officials and large-scale corporations fighting for this important cause, Schwebel has found himself right where he belongs. As Schwebel said, “These people are giving us the life that we are allowed to live, so it’s our responsibility to make sure that they have every opportunity to succeed.”
For more information about Hire Disabilities Solution and the Expo, visit www.hireDS.com and www.beahero-hireahero.com
Liora Fishman is now a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School.
By Hannah Beilenson
When people think of Chappaqua, they think of our schools, sports, proximity to New York. Music, however, is also very important to many people in town, as evidenced by the bands and orchestras in all of the schools, Chappaqua Orchestra, and numerous opportunities for private instruction.
But music can be more than just about learning to read notes. Many Chappaqua students, of all ages, are also learning the importance of actually composing the music that they will play.
“Learning classical music is like studying physics at school,” says Danny Golub, a faculty member at Music in Chappaqua, as well as a private instructor of piano, drums, bass, guitar, and songwriting. Golub explained that learning music uses the logical side of your mind, and you have to play it exactly the way it’s written. It explains why many children taught classical music don’t like it; it’s similar to memorizing and studying schoolwork.
According to Golub, however, music composition is more analogous to art class. It acts as a “break” from harsh studying, yet you are still learning. By composing, you learn the theory behind what you are playing, and the rhythm relative to other music. This can actually help you play more naturally. “Writing music is a good form of psychology,” Golub added. It’s not only a way of expressing yourself, but also an outlet for pent up feelings that can keep a musician grounded. And what you write may mean one thing to you, and something completely different to somebody else.
Creative Solutions
The feeling of accomplishment upon a song’s completion is unparalleled. Creativity and success builds self-esteem, important in all facets of life. “Not everything in life is calculated, you need to be able to create solutions,” said Danny. Learning to read and perform music, particularly classical music, is still important; it is beautiful, sharpens the mind, and is expressive in its own right. A balance of both is ideal; classical theory provides tools that can be used to write lyrics and compose music.
“Being able to share a song is priceless,” concluded Golub, noting that there were more opportunities for songwriters in their 20s than those still in high school. Maybe what our town needs is a place for people of all ages to share their music.
So what do you say Chappaqua: ready for an open-mic night?
Hannah Beilenson is now a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School.
