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Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Spa Bliss, Times Two!

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Girlfriend Bonding at the new “Three Stories” at Saybrook Point Inn and Spa

By Sherry Amatenstein and Grace Bennett

And there we were–dancing on a gently rocking private yacht under the most amaze balls sunset ever witnessed (seriously!), cups of Pinot Grigio in our hands. Does this sound like the most romantic evening ever? It was, but of the platonic kind. We are old friends who had yearned for a time to reconnect.

Dining at “Fresh Salt” outside the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa
Dining at “Fresh Salt” outside the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa

Lucky for us, we were invited to sample a Girlfriends Getaway Package at Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, www.saybrook.com, the 25-year-old lush haven located at the mouth of the Connecticut River in historic Old Saybrook. In a prior incarnation, the 82-room Inn was a large hotel and entertainment complex with helipad hosting the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ted Kennedy. These days it’s a genteel, award-winning cushy yet cozy spot where the major stargazing is accomplished by looking skyward.

Our ‘home’ for two precious nights was Saybrook’s regal and spanking new “Three Stories,” located across the street from the Inn. This summer, after a three-year, $250 million renovation, the 19th-century Victorian Italianate estate turned Bazooka Joe bubble gum colored, eight-room guesthouse opened. There was a new paint smell and cozy patio furniture on the rooftop fire patio where one of us kept traipsing out to read, instead being lulled into a snooze.

The rooms (each with a private balcony) at Three Stories are named for prominent Old Saybrook residents such as Katherine Houghton Hepburn–the famed actress’ mother and a suffragette–and Anna Louise James, the first female African-American pharmacist in Connecticut.

Three Stories felt like much more than your typical outpost of  any main resort inn. It was a retreat unto itself, a place we could easily have whiled away all our hours if there wasn’t so much we wanted to see and do. We played pool in the lower level Yale Room (one of us whupped the other!), and drank cocktails over a game of chess by the fireplace in the first floor living room. We couldn’t resist munching on fresh fruit or the delicious homemade muffins that mysteriously kept appearing on a large wooden table by the kitchen.

The amazing “Kate” suite at the spectacular Three Stories, a new accommodation, which opened in July.
The amazing “Kate” suite at the spectacular Three Stories, a new accommodation, which opened in July.

After one too many muffins, we found the motivation to walk across the street to the Inn proper to hit the fitness center. More accurately, to indulge at the newly renovated, state of the art Sanno Spa. The spa has 11 treatment rooms, a Swiss shower, and indulgent treatments that feel like an orgy of muffins for your face and body.

We luxuriated, respectively, in the marine-based treatment “Ocean Memory” and “The Kate”–the spa’s relaxing signature ritual so named as an ironic salute to La Hepburn who was an intimidating presence for decades in the nearby beach hamlet Fenwick.

After our spa debauchery, there seemed no other option than more licentiousness–yup, we made our way to the hot tub and let the water luxuriously massage away whatever sentient thoughts we still possessed.

Eventually, we climbed out, showered and prepared ourselves for being on top of the water–bobbing to the beat of the gentle waves on the 56’ luxury yacht Real Escape, www.chartermotoryacht.com, to enjoy a wild pink and purple striped sunset that left us, well, spiritually spent!

The next morning we resolved to rouse every inch of our mutual willpower to get off-property and sightsee the environs. This could only be accomplished after a (insert your own superlative) Sunday Brunch at the Inn’s four-diamond star restaurant Fresh Salt. Brunch included everything from crepe and omelet making stations to a raw bar, entrees and fresh carved roasts and dips. Even pre-indulging in a decadent desert spread, we grabbed some to-die-for croissants that gave Three Stories’ muffins a run for their money!

Shockingly still able to button our shorts we headed to the car to explore the historic towns along Connecticut’s storied shoreline.  Indeed, the Connecticut River has been referred to as the backbone of New England. We could have rented bikes but one of us can’t ride one sans training wheels. Don’t ask us who.

Old Saybrook, circa 1635, boasts more than 100 historic homes, such as the General William Hart House, which offers tours (860-395-1635).  Other highlights include Harvey’s Beach, the shallow water town beach, www.oldsaybrookrec.com, replete with bathhouse and showers and the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, www.katharinehepburntheater.org, aka The Kate, chosen as the Best Small Theater in New England. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Kate offers tours as well as an eclectic mix of entertainment–Neil Simon, chamber music, the Nitty Grity Dirt Band. The 250 theater sets here are red, the indomitable actress’ favorite color.

Sunset over the Long Island Sound on a Real Escape Yacht Cruise
Sunset over the Long Island Sound on a Real Escape Yacht Cruise

North of Old Saybrook is ‘younger sister’ Essex, settled in 1648. There are nearly 15 miles of sidewalks dotted with impeccably-preserved Colonial era homes, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat www.essexsteamtrain.com (toot, toot!), The Connecticut River Museum, www.ctrivermuseum.org, which hosts many events along the water, including a Fall Gala September 20th, and the iconic Griswold Inn, www.griswoldinn.com, opened in 1776 where we succumbed–sigh!–to eating  and imbibing once again.

Another must-visit seaside town is Guilford, settled in 1639, home to The Guilford Fairgrounds, www.guilfordfair.org, a hub for summer activities such as the annual fair to be held September 19th to 21st, and Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery, www.bishopsorchards.com, a family-run business since 1871.

For us though, ultimately, there was no place like home, Three Stories, where we ended our idyll as it began–on the front porch with steaming coffee, and yes, a muffin for the road during which serious girl talk ensued. The short drive to and from Westchester made reaching and returning from girlfriend bonding nirvana a snap. While it felt tragic to leave, please don’t despair for us–we will be back!

Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW, is an author, therapist, journalist, writing professor and lover of travel and, of course, friendship! Her website is www.marriedfaq.com Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines.

The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale Celebrates its 5th Year

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Great-Chappaqua-Bake-SaleHaving raised more than $50,000 for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale (GCBS) is celebrating its 5th anniversary raising money to fight childhood hunger on Saturday, September 27, at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. In honor of Year Five, the GCBS will kick off a week-long promotion, ‘Share Our Fight with Five’ with local business partners that have supported the bake sale since it began in 2010.

The new ‘Share Our Fight with 5’ promotion will spotlight several devoted business partners that will offer customers a special GCBS promotional item and donate 5% of the proceeds from the sale of that item to GCBS. The promotion will begin on Saturday, September 20.

The GCBS and raffle “have been a huge success thanks to the generous support of the local business community, which donates baked goods, products and services year after year to support this cause,” says Holly Blum, Jessica Reinmann and Allison Spiegel, the GCBS co-chairs. The GCBS Bake Sale Raffle and tickets will be available for purchase online beginning in early September and at the children’s book festival on September 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bell School. This year’s raffle includes prize packages donated by 75 businesses and counting and is valued currently at more than $15,000.

Money raised from the GCBS funds meals programs in New York State. In New York, 22% of kids struggle with hunger. Since 2011, the No Kid Hungry network has helped bring more than 34 million additional meals to kids who need them–including 1.1 million additional meals in New York. The campaign is focused on expanding access to school breakfast and free summer meals and has also empowered more than 10,000 New York families with the skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy, affordable meals through the Cooking Matters program.

Safe at Home!

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Beth-Head-shot-thBy Beth Besen

Safe zone. Safety-sealed. Safe place. Better safe than sorry. Safe and sound. Have a safe trip. To be on the safe side. Safe at home! These are just a few of the phrases we blithely scatter in conversation with regards to keeping ourselves and our loved ones out of harm’s way. We use them as heartfelt good wishes, but usually without any real expectation that anything will go awry.

What if such weren’t the case? What if we literally had to hold our breath until we heard that loved ones had arrived somewhere “safe and sound”? Such is the unfortunate reality that confronts too many people in too many places in today’s world. I shudder when reading and listening to headline news, and give thanks for my many freedoms and my safety. And so, as I sit staring at my laptop, hoping to find the perfect turn of phrase that will provoke thought and discussion about this topic, I realize that my blank screen and quiet home office speak volumes. Outside, the summer birds chirp and the bees buzz; inside, my fan hums and my dear old dog snores softly nearby. My children are squared away with local summer jobs, my husband is ever-hopeful he’ll be home in time for a round of late golf. Are there complaints? Of course there are. We worry about the weather and gripe our way through the hassles of everyday living. From traffic and train delays to cancelled appointments and interrupted vacations, curve balls inevitably come our way. But we recognize, even as we kvetch and moan, that these are “first-world” problems.

And yet! And yet even in our first world “Chappaqua Bubble,” all curve balls are not created equal… Some of us have suffered rural paradise losses when beloved pets succumbed to wild animals. Others have felt the sting of an unexpected anti-Semitic slur. Though many of us move here for the renowned Chappaqua schools, sometimes the fit is far from ideal and our kids become a target for bullies. And, speaking of kids, what about the serious consequences and ramifications regarding underage drinking? One could argue that, while this is an ongoing cross-demographics issue, it is nonetheless made worse in our suburban car-culture. Add to that the undisputed uptick in distracted driving (by adults and kids alike) and our roads are, without a doubt, more dangerous than ever.

These topics, and a variety of other safety concerns and well-being articles, are the focus of this issue. I hope they give you pause. I hope they spark a conversation between family and friends. I hope they both inspire you to be more aware, and also give you a few new tools to reassure your family’s comfort and safety.

Peace, Beth

Come Join the Chappaqua Neighbors Club

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By Lowen McKay

The WOCAS walking group gathering at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station Exhibit in Upper Manhattan.
The WOCAS walking group gathering at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station Exhibit in Upper Manhattan.

The Chappaqua Neighbors Club has been a vibrant part of the community for a very long time. Anyone can join the club that has almost 140 members and welcomes women of all ages.

The club has several special interest groups that meet frequently and new groups are added as interest is raised. Each member can attend any activity or meet with any group on a regular basis or as often as their schedule permits. If you are a games enthusiast, come play Bridge, Canasta or Mah-Jongg. Monthly cultural outings include museums, walking tours, or visits to historic sites. For baseball fans, see a game at Yankee stadium. The Book Group discusses a diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction books. Our bird watching group is guided by an Ornithologist from the Saw Mill River Audubon Society. See a movie on a Tuesday afternoon. Sewing, needlepoint, and other hand goods are made at cozy gatherings. Enjoy lunch at a different nearby restaurant each month. Also, WOCAS is an enthusiastic group whose mission is to walk every street in Manhattan.

The Chappaqua Neighbors Twig is one of the service arms whose members volunteer at the Thriftree Shop for the benefit of the Northern Westchester Hospital. The Quilting group makes quilts for veterans and Blythedale Children’s Hospital. And, Helpline is there to help any member who is going through a difficult time.

Our friendships run deep.

Twice a year, we all meet together for a fine dining luncheon experience. Our monthly Club newsletter lets us know about important upcoming dates. Membership dues are only $25 a year and help cover different expenses.

The Chappaqua Neighbors Club has a special feeling of friendship and an unending sense of fun. It’s a club that offers a variety of both different and interesting things to do. And the best part is that you get to do them with a group of women who have a zest for life and who are there when you need some kind thoughts or deeds.

Lowen McKay, a longtime local resident and IBM retiree, is honored to be President of the Chappaqua Neighbors Club and can be contacted at: 
lowenmckay@optonline.net

Excitement Soars for the 2014 Chappaqua 
Children’s 
Book Festival

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book-authorsBy Dori Busell

The second annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on September 27 at Bell promises to build on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event; about 80 popular children and young adult authors are scheduled to meet and mingle with their fans, sign books and read excerpts. A special promotion with Hall of Scoops will create a CCBF special flavor to be sold during September with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the event.

“We took a short break to catch our breath following last year’s event but fairly quickly began all the planning to make the 2014 festival an event that can’t be topped,” said Dawn Greenberg, CCBF’s executive tireless director.

Just some of the new authors attending to keep an eye out for at the 2014 Festival:

Diane deGroat: Diane deGroat is the illustrator of more than 120 children’s books and the author-illustrator of bestselling books about Gilbert, including Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants! (Gilbert Goes Green); Last One in Is a Rotten Egg!; and the New York Times bestseller Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink. Notably, deGroat is a former Chappaqua resident and spent many years volunteering at Roaring Brook;s library, which helped mold her stories and illustrations.

“Being surrounded by thousands of children’s books was like Christmas in a candy shop!” offered Diane deGroat. “I shelved and checked out books, but I also worked as “a spy” as I observed current gestures, attire and conversation among the elementary population.”

Christopher Healy: There’s a lot you don’t know about Prince Charming, at least according to Christopher Healy, author of the Hero’s Guide trilogy: The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle, and The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw. Each book, targeted to grades 3-7, follows four different Prince Charmings after their well-known fairy tales end and the comedic adventures that occur after the happily ever after.

Peter Lerangis:Peter Lerangis is the author of more than 160 children’s and young adult fiction books, which have sold more than five million copies and been translated into 30 different languages. He is best known for the Seven Wonder series and author of two books in The 39 Clues series. His novel Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am, a collaboration with Harry Mazer, won the 2013 Schneider Award, presented by the American Library Association “for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for adolescent audiences,” and it was selected for the 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults list.

Janet Taylor Lisle: Janet Taylor Lisle has published 16 novels for children and young adults, including Afternoon of the Elves, a Newbery Honor book and The Art of Keeping Cool, which won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Lisle turned to adult non-fiction in 2010, publishing a history of her early New England town, Little Compton: First Light Sakonnet, 1660-1820. A second volume, A Home By the Sea, 1820-1950, appeared in 2012.She lives with her husband in Little Compton, Rhode Island.

book-coversDoreen Rappaport:Doreen Rappaport is an award-winning author of 48 fiction and non-fiction children’s books that celebrate multiculturalism, the retelling of folktales and myths, history, the lives of world leaders and the stories of those she calls ‘not-yet-celebrated.’ Her books have received critical acclaim and awards for her unique ability to combine historical facts with intimate storytelling, and for finding ‘new ways to present the lives of well-known heroes‚’ like Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller and the Statue of Liberty.

Steve Sheinkin:Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of several exciting books on American history for young adults. His 2012 title BOMB: The Race to Build and Steal the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, was awarded a Newbery Honor, won the Sibert Medal, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His book The Notorious Benedict Arnold won both the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for nonfiction.

Robin Wasserman:Robin Wasserman is a young adult author of the Seven Deadly Sins, Cold Awakenings and Chasing Yesterday series. She also authored the Candy Apple series about surviving middle school. Robin lives in Brooklyn.

Dori Busell provides strategic communications counsel and media relations support to Fortune 1000 companies through her co., DK Strategic Communications. Dori lives in Chappaqua with her husband and two young children.