The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Adventures In Armonk: Walks And Hikes Right In Our Backyard

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Moss-carpeted ground at the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve
Moss-carpeted ground at the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve

Article & Photos By Liz Susman Karp

Let the phrase “take a hike” take on a different, and far more positive meaning this fall by heading outdoors on one of the many noteworthy local hikes and walks in and around Armonk. The nearly 350 acres of parkland in North Castle feature trails for walking and hiking at all different levels and various lengths.

The Betsy Sluder Preserve offers a beautiful, easy walk in shady, leafy environs off of Old Route 22. Cat Rocks Park (Bedford), designated a nature conservancy by North Castle, is a similar spot; note parking can be difficult on the narrow roads. North Castle Superintendent of Recreation & Parks, Matt Trainor, recommends the Johnson Tract, a wooded area off of North Greenwich Road, as “a wonderful quiet hiking area.”

In the heart of downtown Armonk, meander through the paths of bucolic Wampus Brook Park for a lovely, leisurely walk. Looking for more of a challenge? Resident Jane Ellen Gertz comments, “Since the 16 years I have lived in the Whippoorwill Hills neighborhood, close to town, I have run or jogged with and without a baby jogger or walked, depending on my level of fitness, a 3-5 mile loop that takes me through town and back home again. There are various turns to make each day’s exercise a little different, including Old Mount Kisco Road, Lombardi Park, Rainbow Bridge over Interstate 684, H.C. Crittenden fields, Wampus School fields and connecting paths to Lombardi Park and Wampus Brook Park.” Trainor agrees, saying that those fields and parks “sort of interconnect, which in itself would make for a great circuit. Just a thought: If you are taking a dog–please remember to clean up!”

A well-trodden trail at the Betsy Sluder Preserve beckons to be walked.
A well-trodden trail at the Betsy Sluder Preserve beckons to be walked.

Two superb spaces in which to walk or hike are the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve and the Herbert L. Nichols Preserve, both owned by the Nature Conservancy. The 247-acre Meyer Preserve, primarily donated by the former owners of The Washington Post who once lived at the nearby Seven Springs estate now owned by Donald Trump, encompasses vernal pools, rare flora and fauna and over 6.5 miles of wooded trails and fields. Enter on Bretton Ridge Rd for the western parcel or on Oregon Road for the eastern parcel. Near the Greenwich border off of Riversville Road, the 87-acre Nichols Preserve offers walking trails and several ponds and streams.

For those who prefer walking on a track, there are two available, at Byram Hills High School (Tripp Lane) when school is not in session, and at North Castle Community Park (Business Park Drive) which Trainor says, “is desirable for runners and athletes with knee issues because of its cinder base…it’s better on the joints and muscles.” The high school also has a network of paths used in season by the cross country team, and the park has a long asphalt path that runs the length of the playing fields, providing a nice walk and community atmosphere for spectators and residents.

Wide pathways run alongside the water at picturesque Wampus Brook Park.
Wide pathways run alongside the water at picturesque Wampus Brook Park.

The Bronx River Greenway, a series of disconnected paths that run parallel to the Bronx River Parkway beginning in Yonkers and ending at the Kensico Dam “to me,” says Trainor, ”unofficially connects North White Plains to the Kensico Dam Complex,” where he often takes his family. “It’s a great all-around facility and you can’t beat the view from the top of the dam.” The wide pathway at the top of this Westchester County symbol opened in May 2012. He suggests taking that trail along with the Greenway and heading south on Route 22 towards North White Plains. “The great thing here is that you can get super creative with the routes and length of walks you take, even in the more ‘urban’ settings,” enthuses Trainor.

Another popular destination close by is Cranberry Lake Preserve, a Westchester County Park in North White Plains. Trails range from 1-2.4 miles in length and include cliffs and a history trail past remnants of an early 20th century stone mining operation.

Heading farther afield, the exceptional Rockefeller State Park Preserve offers over 30 miles of specially-designed wide interconnected carriage roads past rolling hills and picturesque scenery for easy to moderate walks. Trail maps are available online and at the Preserve office, entrance on Phelps Way in Pleasantville.

North Castle Seniors Nellie Palamarczuk (left) and Faye Barresi (right) walk with Liz Thomas (center), North Castle Senior Recrea- tion Leader, in Wampus Brook Park. Senior walks are regularly scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
North Castle Seniors Nellie Palamarczuk (left) and Faye Barresi (right) walk with Liz Thomas (center), North Castle Senior Recrea- tion Leader, in Wampus Brook Park. Senior walks are regularly scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

A recent thread on Facebook’s Armonk Moms page discussed additional prime spots frequented by locals, including Westmoreland and Butler Sanctuaries (Mount Kisco), the Mianus River Gorge Preserve (Bedford), Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, the county’s largest park (Pound Ridge), and Audobon Greenwich. The Zofnass Family Preserve, also in Pound Ridge, offers a family Westchester Wilderness Walk. The Westchester County Parks website (parks.westchestergov.com) and numerous books, such as Walkable Westchester, are excellent resources.

To join organized hikes in the county and surrounding areas, local groups available include Westchester Trails Association (www.westhike.org), New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (www.nynjtc.org), The Westchester Hiking Meetup Group (www.meetup.com/Westchester-Hiking-Group) and the Facebook group, Bedford Castle Baby Trails, which plans monthly family hikes.

Remember to wear proper footgear, use bug spray, bring water and check for ticks! Whether your preference is for a walk or a hike, living in Armonk provides abundant opportunities for a pleasant pastime or invigorating exercise while enjoying the natural beauty of our area.

Liz Susman Karp is a freelance writer and public relations practitioner. She, her husband and their two teenage boys live in Briarcliff Manor. They all look forward to trying some new walks and hikes.

The Eyes Have It!

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Dr. Janet Woo, an optometrist for more than 18 years and with Eye Designs of Armonk since 2011.
Dr. Janet Woo, an optometrist for more than 18 years and with Eye Designs of Armonk since 2011.

By Miriam Longobardi

If you thought vision screening for your child was only for accuracy, think again. What we see is determined by our brain’s interpretation and processing of information and there are a number of connections between learning and vision. Dr. Janet Woo, an optometrist with Eye Designs of Armonk, and Dr. Carolyn Lederman, an ophthalmologist with Lederman and Lederman, LLP in Purchase, shared some of the impact visual processing and other issues can have on learning, as well as some common warning signs your child may well be experiencing vision problems.

According to Dr. Woo, “As young children acquire language, they tend to visualize images associated with people, colors and objects. Visual memory helps them recall something that they have been asked to retrieve or, as in reading, parts of a story. Children with poor visual memory tend to struggle with recall and multistep directions.” As an elementary teacher I see this type of behavior often. For example, if students are directed to go and take out their homework planner, a highlighter and red notebook, they may only remember one or two of those directions. Another common processing issue is visual closure. In other words, if an adult is shown a picture with parts missing or a word with letters missing, the brain takes over and fills in these gaps. Children who struggle with closure need to be taught other strategies to do this.

Other common visual processing issues I have seen amongst students are reversals of letters and numbers, color blindness and difficulty tracking without using a finger while reading. Some children skip entire words or lines of a book which leads to gaps in reading comprehension. Dr. Woo noted that many children experience double-vision when their eye muscles are fatigued but think that is normal so do not report it. They may abandon books or stop watching a movie and claim they are bored or tired when in fact eye fatigue is the cause.

Carolyn Lederman, M.D., is a pediatric opthalmologist in practice for 18 years with Lederman and Lederman, LLP, with offices in Purchase and Stamford. She is also assistant attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Carolyn Lederman, M.D., is a pediatric opthalmologist in practice for 18 years with Lederman and Lederman, LLP, with offices in Purchase and Stamford. She is also assistant attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Dr. Lederman agrees that vision issues may go undetected in children. “A child does not complain because he or she does not know what normal vision is. Good vision is essential for proper learning in school. Children who cannot see well may not be able to participate in class and may be distracted or withdrawn. Children, parents and teachers are often unaware of a child’s visual difficulties. Parents and teachers are frustrated by a child’s lack of progress which may resolve after a comprehensive eye exam uncovers a problem and treatment is initiated.” Lederman notes that while vision problems are not the cause of primary dyslexia or other learning disabilities, any child who isn’t reading at grade level or is suspected to have or has been diagnosed with a learning disability should have a comprehensive ocular exam.

Another concern Dr. Woo reports is that eye strain due to screen exposure is hazardous. “I recommend no more than 30 minutes at a time of looking at a screen, whether phone, computer or video game,” she said.

Dr. Lederman cautions parents and teachers to note warning signs in children. “Squinting, blinking or face turning may indicate a vision problem, as can holding books close or moving closer to the board or television. If the eyes don’t seem aligned (both eyes looking at the same thing at the same time), a child should be examined immediately. Normal ocular alignment is critical. If a child closes one eye when reading or comments on double vision, he or she should be examined.”
Headaches may also be an indicator.

Early detection of vision problems is a key part of treatment. Tracy M., a Mount Kisco mother of three, was told by her pediatrician that her youngest daughter, Maggie, may have amblyopia, commonly termed, “lazy eye,” and was referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. This was at Maggie’s 18-month-old well check-up. The ophthalmologist confirmed the diagnosis, and prescribed a patch to be worn three hours a day on the dominant eye as well as glasses. The patch was used for another five years. Tracy herself was diagnosed with the same condition (but not until she was age five), and recalls wearing an eye patch. “Nowadays they have patches with all sorts of cute designs on them for kids. Maggie would even decorate her own patches.” Maggie continues to wear corrective lenses and her eyes are now able to work together.

So what tests and screenings should typical children have? According to Dr. Lederman, “The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have designed a screening schedule for all children from birth through school years. Children as young as three years old should have their vision checked at their annual well visit examination; newer devices assess visual development even in pre-verbal children. School nurses assess vision and ocular alignment when students are entering kindergarten and periodically during a child’s years in school. Some test color vision and depth perception. If any abnormalities are suspected as well, a child should have a comprehensive ocular examination.”

Miriam Longobardi is a freelance writer, fourth grade teacher and single mother of two daughters living in Westchester.  A breast cancer survivor, she volunteers for the American Cancer Society, has completed four marathons and travels the world. Follow her on Twitter@writerMimiLong.com.

A Community that Shines

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dawn and ben
Dawn with Ben, 9, on a family vacation in Ogunquit, Maine

By Dawn Greenberg

When my kids were toddlers, I felt pure relief as summer came to an end–finally a bit of respite from tantrums, diapers and long, long days. My boys would soon fall back into the welcoming arms of their preschool teachers.

These days when September looms, I feel quite sad at the speed with which our summers fly by and wish we could have just…one…more….week….please!

I feel not a little anxious about what the new school year brings: the familiar knot in my belly worrying about different classmates and new routines to conquer. Particularly with kids who struggle a bit, my anxieties are multiplied but also eased by the support of other friends and parents and by the knowledge that our teachers are warm and welcoming–and ready for anything!

Luckily, we all soon fall back into our roles and routines (with the occasional backward glance at beach days, leisurely dinners on the deck and fireworks). I’ve always felt that our town is at its best during September/October: a slight coolness in the breeze, the leaves just beginning to turn, then an acceleration of activities like Community Day, fall festivals and Halloween. This is why we chose this time of year for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. Down in the hollow of St. Mary the Virgin’s lawn, you can imagine you’re in a quintessential New England town with yellow tips just starting to appear on trees on nearly hills. The morning of the CCBF, I’m at Bell school by 5 a.m., so excited and anxious for our 85+ authors to soon populate our big tent. Even more exciting is 10 a.m., when the eager readers pour in…and keep coming!

Our “little engine that could” book festival, has grown from a modest dream (maybe we’ll draw 1,000 kids!) to becoming the biggest children’s book festival in the metropolitan area, in only three years. It would be impossible to pull off without the year-round work of our core group of volunteers, plus hundreds more who magically appear on book festival day. Our sponsors are pivotal to helping us be the best we can be for the thousands of visitors who arrive. It’s a day for our community to shine!

We also knew that Chappaqua was a welcoming place for readers; after all, we are all about our good schools and teaching our kids about the wide world outside of our borders. What could be better than encouraging a love of books to remind us of our place in the universe and to expose kids to every corner of the globe? I’ve always known that an early love of reading puts you in good stead for life and it’s something I’m eager to encourage in every kid I meet. In interviewing Dr. Lyn McKay for this issue, I was thrilled to hear her amplification on the vital role of reading in kids’ academic and emotional development.

It has also been so uplifting and exciting to be involved in founding Chappaqua Cares with my partner Jessica Reinmann. Whether gathering food for the many food pantries with exploding need in our area, helping out a resident who finds herself in a painful situation or even gathering dolls to contribute to a parenting class for immigrant parents at Neighbor’s Link, we find our days to be intensely rewarding with a new challenge around every corner.

Our biggest production, building on the wonderful original Empty Bowls program begun in Chappaqua by Penny Vane, will be an amazing celebration in November called Empty Bowls Westchester (see Jessica’s article in this issue). We have high aims to provide funding not only for the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry but for many other pantries in our area. In fact, my amazing artistic neighbor Mindy Kombert and her friends in the Northern Westchester Artists’ Guild have worked tirelessly to help local folks find their inner artist to create gorgeous bowls to be given away at the event. So far we have created close to 100 bowls, with approximately 50 more needed–each a work of art and passion.

Whatever your fall brings–and I hope your expectations are high–I wish you an easy back-to-school transition with time still set aside to play…and read! We hope you’ll find some time to volunteer, too, and get involved in our wonderful, vibrant, giving community.

I’m very proud to call Chappaqua home.

-Dawn

 

 

Chappaqua Cares to Raise Funds for Empty Bowls Westchester

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Bowl Painting Party Photos provided courtesy of Mindy Kombert of the NWAG
Bowl Painting Party Photos provided courtesy of Mindy Kombert of the NWAG

By Jessica Reinmann

Chappaqua Cares is hosting “Empty Bowls Westchester,” its first Fundraising Event, on Sunday, November 15, at The Whippoorwill Club in Armonk.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. The basic premise is simple: the community works together to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The Empty Bowls movement has taken off in many cities around the country and the world.

The money raised at Empty Bowls Westchester will be donated to the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, The Community Center of Northern Westchester and other food pantries around Northern Westchester. The Chappaqua Artists Guild is helping to paint and glaze 150 bowls. Chappaqua Cares has been hosting painting parties at local venues including Quaker Hill Tavern, Sherry B, Lange’s Little Store, and the Chappaqua Library to encourage community members to get involved in and excited about the event. Additionally, Chappauqa Cares is hoping that others in the community, both artists and families, will make their own bowls to donate.

There will also be a “Celebrity Bowls” silent auction where event attendees can bid on bowls signed and/or painted by celebrities in the sports, music, movie, television and political world.  There will even be some very special bowls painted by some very recognizable “local celebrities”.

Event tickets are $125 and can be purchased through the Chappaqua Cares website at www.chappaquacares.org. To sponsor the event or donate a “Celebrity Bowl,” please contact me at reinmann31@gmail.com.

Fall into Fashion this Season: Stylish in Town Offerings Abound

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Nicole’s Look: From Squires-Nally & Millie long sleeve, Fillmore rain coat, Christopher Blue stretch cords, and Frye motorcycle boots. Chrisu scarf and all jewelry from House of 29. Tom Ford sunglasses from Eye Gallery. Hair by Salon 228 and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room
Nicole’s Look: From Squires-Nally & Millie long sleeve, Fillmore rain coat, Christopher Blue stretch cords, and Frye motorcycle boots. Chrisu scarf and all jewelry from House of 29. Tom Ford sunglasses from Eye Gallery.
Hair by Salon 228 and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room
Trent’s Squires Look: Arc’teryx vest, Vineyard Vines button down, Tommy Bahama cords, and Ugg Boots
Trent’s Squires Look: Arc’teryx vest, Vineyard Vines button down, Tommy Bahama cords, and Ugg Boots

By Lauren Levin

Fall is an amazing season. The fashion is especially fun:  structured blazers, thick boots, and boyfriend jeans.  It’s a beautiful one in Chappaqua–and the busiest! School starts! Work gets crazy; you may have been working the entire summer but the Tuesday after Labor Day is always a bit more hectic?  You may well find yourself/entire family completely booked in September/October/November:  driving kids to soccer practice/playdates/birthday parties/Dunkin Donuts (they seem to all get hungry), and picking up a blueberry pie at the Farmer’s Market (it’s just that good!). If you’re feeling ambitious, you make a stop at Community Day, this year on September 26th, so your two-year-old can hit that bouncy castle.

Bottom line: You are always running short on time; also, you just moved here; all you own are your “city” clothes (you know the ones you wore before you had kids?). Maybe you have too many work clothes? Or you’ve been meaning to buy a new wardrobe, but who has time to drive to and from the mall (and who wants to pay for parking anyway)?

Here’s our solution…check out our stores in town! You’ll save time.  You’ll receive impeccable service. And you might even find something to wear that’s a trade up from that old uniform.  Take a moment to check out what this town has to offer this fall season–I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Touted as the store for the entire family, Squires Family Clothing and Footwear has great brands and an amazing selection year round.

You can find a Patagonia fleece for chilly summer nights and it’s the go to store for busy, casual, days. In Nicole’s case, she’s got three kids (ages 3 to 10); she’s constantly on the move. Comfort and function is essential. Grey stretch pants, an Army green rain coat with hidden hood, and motorcycle boots serve her well. She popped on a few accessories to enhance her look. For the weekend, Trent swapped his track pants and sneakers for grey corduroys, comfortable walking boots, and, the Arc’teryx vest, a best seller at Squires. Trent bought it unprompted right after the photo shoot–enough said!

Cheryl’s House of 29 Look (left to right): Chrisu scarf, Madeworn Rock vintage tee, all jewelry by Kismet, Mavi jeans
Cheryl’s House of 29 Look (left to right): Chrisu scarf, Madeworn Rock vintage tee, all jewelry by Kismet, Mavi jeans
Alex’s Family Britches Look with a Jocelyn rab- bit infinity scarf. Hair and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room.
Alex’s Family Britches Look with a Jocelyn rab- bit infinity scarf. Hair and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room.

A new addition to the hamlet, House of 29 showcases up and coming designers, looks from day to evening.  Sarah, the owner, grew up in Chappaqua. Her goal: Find you an entire outfit to suit your lifestyle. With a structured blazer over a vintage Billy Joel tee (does anyone not like Billy Joel?), and boyfriend skinny jeans, Cheryl looks casual but sharp. Discovering a good pair of jeans is like discovering Shangri-La. These Mavi ones fit her like a dream. Utilizing the scarf as a head band, Cheryl’s crystal blue eyes just popped. To complete the look, she added delicate pieces of jewelry.

 

Cheryl’s House of 29 Look: Veda blazer and Carolina Bucci bracelets. Hair and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room.
Cheryl’s House of 29 Look: Veda blazer and Carolina Bucci bracelets. Hair and makeup by Victoria Hair from Cathy’s Hair Room.
Alex’s Look (L-R): Reed Krakoff Bag from Couture Dossier; Marika rings and Legi Emerald Earrings from ICD Contemporary Jewelry; Allude cashmere sweater and Repeat leather leggings from Family Britches. Trent’s Family Britches Look (L-R): Top coat, button down, and cashmere sweater by Zegna, Martin Ding- man belt, Incotex pants, and Allen Edmonds shoes.
Alex’s Look (L-R): Reed Krakoff Bag from Couture Dossier; Marika rings and Legi Emerald Earrings from ICD Contemporary Jewelry; Allude cashmere sweater and Repeat leather leggings from Family Britches. Trent’s Family Britches Look (L-R): Top coat, button down, and cashmere sweater by Zegna, Martin Ding- man belt, Incotex pants, and Allen Edmonds shoes.

Perhaps Friday night you’ll meet your spouse at Le Jardin du roi, our always popular and reliable French Bistro. For Trent, he’s hopping off the train wearing a reversible Zegna overcoat–wool on one side, waterproof on the other, cashmere sweater over a button down, and blue slacks–pow! Family Britches assembled this entire look together because this is what they do best. They artfully curate wardrobes for their clientele. Plus they will accommodate your schedule by meeting you at your home or office, delivering to your house, and providing alterations free of charge on purchased merchandise. For the women’s look, Alex is wearing slim leather pants, a cashmere sweater, and rabbit infinity scarf. If you look good in black stretchy pants, logic says that you’ll look even better in leather, black, stretchy pants. Colorful bling from ICD Contemporary Jewelry and a handbag from Couture Dossier elevate her look.

Trent’s Family Britches look. Hair done by Salon 228
Trent’s Family Britches look. Hair done by Salon 228

With this breadth of merchandise, you’ll find something that suits your lifestyle right here in Chappaqua.  Fall is such a great time in this town.  Enjoy it. And enjoy looking good.

Lauren Levin is a former Buyer and full-time mom. She serves on the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and loves to shop local.