The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Grace Bennett

On August 4th: Opportunity for a Second, First Dose, On-Campus Monkeypox Vaccination Clinic

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Responding to what was cited as “an overwhelming demand,” The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health announced that it will host a second, first-dose, on-campus Monkeypox Vaccination Clinic, on Thursday, August 4th, 2022.

To make an appointment for the August 4th Clinic at The LOFT, click here.

Getting to The LOFT: The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Services Center, 252 Bryant Ave, White Plains, NY

The following is information received from the County’s Department of Health and The Loft:

“Appointments can be made from the hours of 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for adults 18 years of age and up. Information on the second dose will be given to each vaccinated person after their first dose. The LOFT strongly encourages any and all members of the community who believe they are at risk to get vaccinated, immediately. The vaccination is free of charge.”

The LOFT announced its first monkeypox clinic for Thursday, July 28, and all appointments were filled within hours of the announcement being made. According to Jeffrey Guard, responding on behalf of The LOFT to the Inside Press, noted that 80 people were vaccinated at the first-dose clinic. “Roughly the same amount are expected to be offered at the second clinic,” said Guard.

“The LOFT in partnership with Westchester County clearly sees that there is an urgent demand for monkeypox vaccines which is why we are opening a second clinic for first-dose monkeypox vaccinations.  We are proud to partner with the County of Westchester and are truly grateful for their rapid, well-organized response to our community’s needs,” stated The Loft Executive Director, Judy Troilo, in a release about the clinic.

Additional info:

“The World Health Organization, The CDC, and the New York Department of Health have all emphasized the importance of having people who are at risk be vaccinated. Monkeypox can be transmitted through simple skin contact when someone’s skin rubs/brushes against an infected person’s skin. Infection can also occur by touching infected clothing.  Please note, that it can also be transmitted via genital contact but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Condoms, dental dams, PrEP, birth control, microbicide lubricants, and antibiotics typically used to treat STI’s will not protect a person from infection. To learn more about Monkeypox, click here.

If you are unsure whether you need the vaccine or have questions related to your health, please consult with your physician or medical practitioner.

To learn more about how the vaccine works, click here.”

 

Peace & Kindness…

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I have a little announcement to make. After 25 years of Chappaqua living, I’m downsizing and moving this month to Pleasantville! I look forward to discovering the joy of a Mount Pleasant residency and all its treasures, to meeting new neighbors, and making new friends. I’m also viewing it as a boon to getting more fit as I’ll be just that much closer to two favorite walking destinations, the Rockefeller Preserve and Rockwood, and also to Club Fit in Briarcliff (where, note to self, I really MUST start reserving class time). I’ll also be closer to the upper West Side where my son lives, not to mention dear friends. Life is good.

It’s a demanding transition while producing magazines. In fact, it’s downright stressful! Nonetheless, I feel confident that once I get on the other side of it, a move here will have been worth all the angst.

And since I have ever more paper to shred, drawers to empty and boxes to pack, I’ll try to be brief!

In our June/Summer 2022 editions, I believe you’ll find a nod to the peace and kindness the Arts promote. The upcoming Pleasantville Music Festival is a local giant, and I’m glad we can provide an update on what’s planned in my new hometown. We are also so lucky to live a stone’s throw from some true splendor. I hope you feel enticed by our coverage to set aside time to enjoy the beautiful Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, a Katonah-based, Hudson Valley destination. In Katonah too, there is a gem of a museum to visit and revisit: The Katonah Museum of Art.  And in September, it’s a short trip to the celebrated Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack; please do check out our spotlight on this intriguing festival, too.

Of course, right here at home, there’s never really any excuse to feel bored. Especially with a world class table tennis center in our backyard! So if you haven’t visited the Westchester Table Tennis Center recently, summer is a great time to grab a partner, and hone your ping pong skills. Please do say hello to owner Will Shortz if you spot him there. If he’s not too busy playing or perhaps writing a crossword puzzle, let him know you saw him on the cover of a magazine!

Of special note in Inside Armonk: During an extraordinary week of Yom Hashoah remembrance programming, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, hhrecny.org,  honored Jennifer Laden, Social Studies Department Chair 6-12 of Byram Hills Central School District in Armonk at the 20th annual Susan J. Goldberg Memorial Teacher Award. https://hhrecny.org/susan-j-goldberg-memorial-teacher-award/ The award, presented at the annual William H. Donat Shoah Commemoration Event at Iona College on  April 27, preceded a lecture and Q&A with historian Dan McMillan, the acclaimed author of How Could This Have Happened? Explaining the Holocaust. 

As the HHREC related: “… Jennifer Laden has promoted global understanding through her development and teaching AP Human Geography and AP World History courses. As one of the developers of the three-year Global Scholars program at Byram Hills, she spearheaded the design of curricular units to help students understand important human rights issues, teaching them about the Uighur Muslims in China, the Rohingya in Myanmar, and the refugee crises in Syria and Yemen. Laden has also encouraged student partnerships with the HHREC, welcoming survivors of the Holocaust to the high school to accompany students to the annual High School Human Rights Institute.

This year, three BHHS students were recognized at the Institute for their commitment to human rights, community service, and racial equity, a testament to the profound impact Jen’s work has had. Byram Hills School Superintendent Jen Lamia thanked the HHREC Board of Directors “for recognizing Jen Laden for her work teaching about human rights and the violations that perpetuate adversity….”

In your Inside Chappaqua & Millwood edition, I note there’s a timeless sense of peace & contentment one feels at a local library, so delighted to read Ronni Diamondstein’s 10 reasons the future of libraries is bright, and of creative Chappaqua Library Centennial festivities.

I am intensely proud to feature Jean Sheff’s beautiful story about Danielle Leventhal’s life and legacy, of her family’s efforts to help realize ‘Danielle’s Dreams,’ and how you can help, too.

There’s always so much ‘good stuff’ happening around town, including Frank Shiner’s and the 914 Orchestra’s rollicking ‘Swingin’ into Spring’ eve introducing “the San Miguel Miracles” at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. All that, on the heels of the 2022 Rotary Citizen of the Year Awards to Frank and Suzanne Shiner, the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Eric Nicolaysen, and the Student of the Year Award to Kyra Chung-Olagbaiye.

In another arena, last month too, Town Supervisor Lisa Katz and the town of New Castle kindly introduced 10 food allergy awareness signs in our playgrounds. Local advocates Stacey Saiontz, Jared Saiontz and Heather Brown appeared with Katz and Council member Vicki Tipp to proudly share the news.

 I also learned that the New Castle Democratic Committee extended honors to Nichelle Maynard Elliott and Zabeen Mirza, New Castle Council on Race and Equity co-chairs, and to Vedat Gashi, 4th District Legislator. Congrats!

We were well into press when Grease rehearsals kicked off, but anticipating another amazing Greeley Senior Musical. Wishing all the 2022 graduates a grand future, and all the Dads, heaps of kindness and special attention on Father’s Day!  Peace out, 

 

Jared Saiontz, a student in Chappaqua and a food allergy awareness advocate, points out one of 10 food allergy awareness signs now appearing in New Castle playgrounds. PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT
Horace Greeley High School Senior Musical, lead cast of Grease, with background setting of competition field. As we were going to press, we learned that, for the first time, the Senior Musical will be performed outside on June 2-4. PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON
During a May Open House at Caramoor: Inside Press spring and summer intern Adrianna Cmiel-Walsh, a 2022 graduate of Westlake High School in Thornwood, with Ed Lewis, the executive director of the Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center honored Byram Hills’ Jennifer Laden during a Yom Hashoah Remembrance event at Iona College
PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT
Nichelle Maynard Elliott (left) and Zabeen Mirza, New Castle Council on Race and Equity co-chairs, were honored by the New Castle Democratic Committee this spring. Legislator Vedat Gashi was also honored.

Why NOT to Avoid a Colonoscopy

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Dr. Christopher Martin

In the interest of public service, here’s a confession: Through my 50s, I avoided getting a colonoscopy (I even share my silly reason in this interview). I finally had the procedure recently, at age 61, and fortunately for me, no polyps were found. I’ve since learned more about the unnecessary risk I took but also that I’ve hardly been alone with my neglect. With this story, I hope to encourage others via an interview with my gastroenterologist, Dr. Christopher Martin at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow.

Grace: As somebody who has performed so many of this recommended cancer screening, what are the reasons you hear as to why somebody may put off colonoscopies? 

Dr. Martin: It’s usually something along the lines of, ‘well I have no symptoms and I have no family history.’ I’ve also heard ‘I don’t want to know if it’s there’ or someone may think it involves more than it does. So, any one of those things, or a combination. 

Grace: How big a problem is colonoscopy avoidance?

Dr. Martin: Now that the screening age has been lowered to 45, easily fewer than half of people of screening age are getting screened for colon cancer. The bottom line is we really shouldn’t be seeing colon cancer. It’s a highly preventable cancer, but unfortunately, we still have more than half of people who are at risk who are not being screened.  

Grace: So, when you say that less than half the people of screening age, can you clarify a bit? 

Dr. Martin: The recommended age was 50 but it has recently been bumped down to 45. For most people with a family history or inflammatory bowel disease, screenings have their own set of guidelines because those patients are at increased risk. For the general population, the first recommended screening is now at 45 years old.

Grace: How often should you have this screening if you are going with the program?

Dr. Martin: With no family history, we recommend every 10 years.  But again, that time span may be shortened when we require closer follow up, primarily in people with a personal or family history of colon polyps or cancer, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.

Grace: Ok, so if you do have some other condition then you may end up going every two years or even every year? 

Dr. Martin: There are some conditions where you go every 1 to 2 years, yes. But that’s for very special cases.

Grace: Would you say that both men and women are equally at risk in avoiding this screening? 

Dr. Martin: Yes, I don’t see a gender difference. Very often too it’s a spouse who brings the more reluctant spouse in. 

Grace: One male friend told me that he has a very healthy diet, no family history, and he works out, so he’s just not doing it. What’s your response to him? 

Dr. Martin: Well, it is a common cancer. It is a preventable cancer, so it is very much a shame when it does happen. More than half of the cancer that we see is in people with no family history. It’s also an asymptomatic cancer in its early stages. There’s really nothing to protect you 100% from it. Factors associated with less colon cancer are things like a more active lifestyle and a high-fiber diet. But these are very mild, minor associations; we have seen marathon runners who have never smoked a day in their life get colon cancer. It’s really important that everybody get screened at the appropriate age. 

Grace: I mentioned to you that I have a gag reflex at the dentist. I was sure I couldn’t get through the prep and that became my own ‘reason.’ Can you tell readers a little more about the prep and how to make it less stressful?

Dr. Martin: I tell people that if there is any nausea or anything during the prep, they should slow it down. I’d rather someone get through more of the prep than try to rush it down and get sick and maybe not finish it. It is extremely important that the preparation be good enough for a quality exam so we can detect even the smallest polyp. And then you don’t have to do it again for 10 years.  

There are some situations in which people don’t do as well with the stimulant laxative component, especially if they have a history with constipation. For those patients, I will sometimes tailor the preparation a little differently. The goal is that you are eventually having diarrhea until it turns into water. That way we can assure that we will get a quality exam the next day. Most people have very little difficulty with the prep; it’s just not something they would choose to do on a regular day. 

Grace: Many of us are hearing about Cologuard. Can you discuss how adequate an alternative it is to a colonoscopy? 

Dr. Martin: In the big picture, I think having multiple screening options is a good thing. However, Cologuard is not appropriate for people at a higher risk for colon cancer. That would include people with a history of a colon polyp in the past, a personal or family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. That’s the first thing I would say. Secondly, it is very good at detecting colon cancer; it’s about 92% sensitive for colon cancer. However, it will still miss more than half of significant pre-cancerous polyps. By missing more than half of the pre-cancerous polyps, we are losing opportunities to intervene and prevent colon cancer. So that’s why a colonoscopy really has the advantage as a preventive measure. 

Grace: Some people are concerned about injury during the exam and internal injury. Is that a significant risk factor and how do you lower the odds of that happening? 

Dr. Martin: There’s a risk with any procedure physicians do, colonoscopy among them, and the risk increases as removal of polyps becomes necessary. For example, the risk of a tear and bleeding is higher when you are taking out a large polyp. Unfortunately, the option of allowing them to develop into cancer isn’t a good option either – that would at best require surgery or possibly chemotherapy instead. The risk of complication does increase with age, but then again, so does the risk of colon cancer. We consider the whole patient and make sure the whole test is appropriate. 

Generally speaking: if people are in good medical health and they have more than a 10-year life expectancy, a colon screening is appropriate. There are certain anesthesia risks as well which increase in patients who are obese or who suffer from sleep apnea, but anesthesiologists are attuned to these issues and well equipped to address anything that comes up during these procedures. 

Grace: As far as choosing the right doctor, I imagine that is key? 

Dr. Martin: I would start with consulting your primary care doctor. Most probably have a long-standing working relationship with their specialty gastroenterologist(s) – someone who has an established track record of not having any bad outcomes with people they refer to and that’s how referral patterns develop – because there’s a sense of trust. There are also metrics to consider – a key one would be the number of polyps detected. Some 20-25% of colonoscopies should result in a detection of a colon polyp and that would suggest that the given gastroenterologist is doing an adequate exam. Likewise, you can ask how quickly someone does an exam; the current standard is a minimum of 6-minute scope withdrawal time during the exam which should be sufficient for inspecting the colon. A gastroenterologist’s volume in procedures also can be a good predictor in terms of complication rates. Over 300 procedures a year seems to be the threshold for someone with fewer complications.

Grace: When you are talking about looking for polyps, are they certain kinds of polyps? Is there such a thing as a healthy polyp or is there just an unhealthy polyp? 

Dr. Martin: There is no such thing as a healthy polyp. When people are told they had a benign polyp removed, the polyp can either be pre-cancerous or not pre-cancerous; both are ‘benign’. Most of them are pre-cancerous but all polyps are removed. Colon cancers start off as one of these pre-cancerous polyps that can look quite bland but are generally visible during a colonoscopy when there is adequate preparation. 

Grace: Please tell us more about the beauty of this early detection.

Dr. Martin: Well, let’s say you find a colon cancer: Early-stage colon cancer survival is upwards of 90%. Late stage is more like 14%. That’s a huge difference and a treatment of an early stage can involve something relatively speaking less dire: the laparoscopic partial removal of the colon without any real change in lifestyle afterwards. While that involves a surgical recovery period, it won’t cause much of a change in bowel habits. Some chemotherapy may be necessary for some time afterwards, and that will also enhance the cure rate. It’s really in its late stage when colon cancer becomes symptomatic. It can spread to other organs which really brings survival down dramatically. 

The essence to this conversation is to just get screened. If you ask anyone who has developed colon cancer, they really wish that they could go back in time and be screened a little bit sooner. It’s a shame when you hear their ordeal and you know that it was essentially preventable.

Grace: A final question: have you and your fellow physicians and staff and at Phelps… are you all getting your colonoscopies?  

Dr. Martin: Yes, we are following our own advice here. I’ve had a couple myself, and everyone in my family who is supposed to be screened has been screened. It’s just one area of fighting cancer where we truly can make a difference in terms of outcomes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF Phelps Memorial Hospital

A Boost to Food Allergy Awareness in New Castle with New Playground Signs

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Following the unveiling of a Town of New Castle sign promoting food allergy awareness: (L-R) Vicki Tipp, Stacey Saiontz, Jared Saiontz, Lisa Katz, and Heather Orenstein Brown  PHOTOS by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Chappaqua, NY–Food allergy awareness received a welcome boost in New Castle last week with the unveiling of a sign–offering key reminders to visitors. Ten are now in place in playgrounds throughout the area. In addition, a proclamation  designating May 8-14 Food Allergy Awareness Week in New Castle was announced by Town Supervisor Lisa Katz. See below for the full text of the proclamation.

To announce the development, Katz appeared at the playground outside Town Hall together with town board member Vicky Tipp along with three community food allergy awareness advocates–Stacey Saiontz, her son Jared, 14, and Heather Orenstein Brown–to unveil the sign and offer comments that convey the importance of these measures.

The board and citizen gathering conveyed that 1 in 13 children are being diagnosed with food allergies, and that with the numbers increasing,  it’s vital that every community take simple steps to help keep kids with food allergies safe.

“This is exactly what the Town of New Castle is doing,” said Saiontz.

Thanks to advocacy by 14 year old Jared Saiontz, the Town of New Castle decided to put up signs in all ten town parks advising our community on how to keep food allergic children safe–wash your hands before going on the playground equipment and don’t eat while on the playground equipment.

From Town Supervisor Lisa Katz writing in the Town of New Castle Supervisor’s Report:

“These signs provide education and awareness about allergies and teach community members how they can help play a part to help food allergic children.  They are also helpful as many who do not live with food allergies may not understand that food residue can lead to a reaction. There is no cure for food allergies.  Allergic reactions to food can range from mild symptoms to anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that can occur rapidly and is potentially life-threatening. We are proud to help educate the citizens of New Castle on the serious nature of food allergies.  Thank you to Jared Saiontz for bring this to the attention of the Town Board, and to our Recreation and Parks Department, Recreation Commission, and our Town Administrator for helping us to get it done!”

TOWN OF NEW CASTLE FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Food Allergy Awareness Week was established as a national week of encouraging food allergy awareness and supporting those who are impacted by food allergies and anaphylaxis; and

WHEREAS, a food allergy is an immune system response to a food the body mistakenly believes is harmful. When a person with food allergy eats the food, his or her immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, that trigger a cascade of symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, and/or the cardiovascular system; and

WHEREAS, food allergies affect approximately 32 million Americans, including 6 million children; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of food allergies is significantly increasing among children under the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, nine foods account for 90 percent of all food allergy reactions: Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Milk, Egg, Wheat, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, and Sesame; and

WHEREAS, there is no cure for food allergies, strict avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction; and

WHEREAS, anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that comes on quickly and has the potential to become life-threatening; and

WHEREAS, each year an estimated 3.3 million Americans require emergency room treatment for symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to food. Reactions typically occur when an individual unknowingly eats a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic; and

WHEREAS, emergency medical treatment for severe allergic reactions to food has increased by 377 percent in only a decade; and

WHEREAS, managing a food allergy on a daily basis involves constant vigilance and even trace amounts of an allergen can trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lisa Katz, Supervisor for the Town of New Castle, do hereby proclaim May 8-14, 2022, as Food Allergy Awareness Week in the Town of New Castle, New York, and encourage the residents of New Castle to increase their understanding and awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Moms of the World

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A ‘selfie’ before the Chappaqua Library author talk. I was ‘hair ready’ too thanks to Carolyn Vento and Miranda at the King Street Salon!

A picture of strollers left on the Poland/Ukraine border to greet the massive influx of refugees pulled heartstrings internationally. So many good moms of the world, parents & non-parents alike, are reeling from what has befallen Ukraine especially knowing that children have been killed and in harm’s way. One child victim is one too many. As I wrote this column while closing editions on March 19th, I hoped by the time you read this, a peace, however imperfect, would have arrived. But here in my update, I’m sad to state this brutal war goes on. However, no surprise to me, local moms and non-moms alike are stepping up to do what they can.

I was especially grateful to hear about an effort by two area humanitarians–Ivana Denniston (an aesthetician formerly of the Chappaqua Wellness Center) and Kristen Salomon–who were with an on the ground team working furiously at press time to help Ukrainian refugees into Slovakia. I shared their efforts online in case you missed it.

Meanwhile, strolling along Armonk’s Main Street one day, I came upon two young ladies, both freshmen at Byram Hills High School, selling baked goods on behalf of the Ukranian Crisis Mission Relief. Adrianna Zawojek had asked her friend Ariana Foreman to join her in baking some 200 items to sell. Adult friends also dropped off coffee & cake to their table. They raised close to $3000!!!, including what was donated to their Venmo, @helpingukraine914

The girls offered this statement: “When you have no political power (for example, high school freshmen), and the world is in dire need, you often feel helpless. You think, ‘Oh, I’m not a politician, I’m not a huge business owner, what influence can I have to make this better?’ It is humanity’s obligation to help each other when the time calls for it. When we heard the appalling & terrible news of what was happening in Ukraine, we knew that we had to do something!”

‘Mom’s World’ happened to be a theme developed months ago before this war began. Of all the issues published each year in the last 19 years, preparing Mother’s Day editions is always my favorite. After all, nothing has brought me more joy in my own life than being a mom, even with its challenges sometimes. I loved gathering the heartfelt essays and stories you’ll find in the current editions and here online from talented contributors who I count as dear friends now too.

For our Mother’s Day coverage, I was thrilled to include a touching cover love story about two Chappaqua Rotary Citizens of the Year, the indomitable Frank and Suzanne Shiner! Plus, please check out our more up close and personal interview with New Castle’s dynamic new Town Supervisor Lisa Katz. Please also don’t miss the spotlight on the Chappaqua School Foundation and consider supporting their efforts for innovation in education at the upcoming Tacos & Tequila night on April 29! It’s sounding like a rollicking great time is in store. In Armonk, we were struck by the enthusiastic response to the Armonk Fire Department’s CPR education offered free to local residents, thanks to the department’s awesome Julie Gallagher, assisted by Rich Greenwald. We were also delighted to learn about the return of the Fol-de-Rol!

A side note: while producing these editions, I thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from my interview with author Dorothy Wickenden during a Chappaqua Library Author Talk: Dorothy Wickenden Sheds Light on the Strength & Perseverance of Three Women Who Fought for Abolition & Women’s Rights (theinsidepress.com)  For  the next edition, I’m looking forward to sharing future events the library has planned to celebrate 100 years of serving the New Castle community; indeed, we plan to explore the future of libraries in general!

All three editions offer a substantial nod to the considerable gardening and beautification efforts around town–a maternal endeavor if ever there was one considering the many moms involved. Their efforts are spotlighted in each edition, and the upcoming Mother’s Day Plant Sales, but we also ‘packaged’ them altogether for a special Mother’s Day floral celebration of sorts in Inside Pleasantville & Briarcliff Manor. In that edition, you’ll also find info about the upcoming Pleasantville Day, an animated conversation with two key community leaders about all things spring and summer in Briarcliff Manor, plus a colorful ‘mom profile,’ Stacey Winnick, a compassionate local volunteer and businesswoman.

We have additional articles for your reading pleasure as always. We have also been actively promoting the idea of subscriptions in print and/or online if you’d like to support our efforts! Finally, the balmy weather arrived early, so we spotlight three fabulous locales for spring strolling on Mother’s Day, or any day! Enjoy!