The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Beecher Flooks Funeral Home: One of Six Businesses Inducted into Westchester’s New “Business Hall of Fame”

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From left, Anthony Justic, chairman of The BCW Board of Directors; William Flooks Jr., funeral director at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The BCW.
From left, Anthony Justic, chairman of The BCW Board of Directors; William Flooks Jr., funeral director at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The BCW.

Westchester resembled the Great White Way earlier this week as The Business Council of Westchester held its version of the TONY Awards at its annual dinner event honoring some of the region’s most successful enterprises.

More than 600 people turned out to Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle on April 21 for The Business Council’s Business Hall of Fame Awards, which included a Broadway-themed celebration complete with a Playbill styled red-carpet, a Liza Minnelli look-a-like and performances by singers from the Westchester Broadway Theater – all overlooking the scenic Long Island Sound.

As part of the main act, The Business Council inducted a world-renowned technology developer, a leading holiday decorator, one of the nation’s oldest medical colleges, an affordable housing developer, a full-service insurance company and a family-owned funeral home that has operated for three generations.

From left, Amanda Volper, Hillary Volper, Brian Patrick Fontana, Eric Volper and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council.
From left, Amanda Volper, Hillary Volper, Brian Patrick Fontana, Eric Volper and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council.

New to the Business Hall of Fame this year was the addition of Chairman’s Recognition Award as well as announcing the winner of the Ron Volper Family Scholarship Fund for Business Excellence, which was given to Brian Patrick Fontana, who is pursuing an MBA at Pace University. The Business Hall of Fame, which is in its 14th year, has inducted more than 70 Westchester businesses.

“These winners represent all that is great in Westchester’s business community, its economy and its future,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “We have it all here — large corporations, family-owned businesses and leading technology companies. We are pleased to induct these companies into the 2015 Business Hall of Fame, and we’re so happy to help our future business leaders gain the tools they’ll need to succeed.”

County Executive Robert P. Astorino congratulated the winners for joining an exceptional roster of inductees and for their great achievements. He also thanked them for their contributions to Westchester’s economy and its communities. The master of ceremonies was News12 anchor Scott McGee. The event co-chairs were Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson of Thompson and Bender and Thomas Lalla of Pernod Ricard.

The winners in their respective categories are:

Corporate Citizenship: New York Medical College in Valhalla. Dr. Robert Amler, vice president for government affairs and professor of public health, accepted the award.

Entrepreneurial Success: Mindspark in Yonkers. Erik Esterlis, co-president, accepted the award.

Small Business Success: York International Agency, LLC in Harrison. Robert Kestenbaum, CEO, accepted the award.

Women in Business Success: Rella Fogliano, president of MacQuesten Development in Pelham. Fogliano accepted the award.

Family Owned Business: American Christmas in Mount Vernon. Fred Schwam, CEO, accepted the award.

Chairman’s Recognition Award: Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville. William Flooks Jr., funeral director, accepted award.

About The Business Council of Westchester

The county’s largest and most influential business membership organization, The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate and grow. In addition, The Business Council of Westchester is actively involved in reviewing federal, state and county legislation and regulations in order to assess the potential impact on the business community and to influence the outcomes through advocacy when the business community’s interests may be affected. It also acts as an information resource for the business community and government leaders at all levels.

ART UNDER the BRIDGE: Making Connections through ART

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May 16th kicks off the Northern Westchester Artists Guild’s  “Art Under the Bridge” series running every third Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.. May through October by the Chappaqua train station  under the bridge.

Local fine artists, painters, printmakers, ceramists,  photographers, fiber artists, sculptors, and  jewelry designers all will exhibit their work under the bridge that links the   Farmers Market and the Flea Market to the shops at lower King Street.

Shop for fresh locally grown farm goods, shop at the flea market; then stroll under the bridge and see the amazing art work also locally produced!

All work is available for purchase.

NWAG is a non profit organization, and a proud member of the Chappaqua/Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

The Northern Westchester Artisits Guild supports and encourages artists in their endeavors.

We see all forms of art as a vital expression of our voice in the community.

If you would like more information about this event, contact Peg Sackler:

914-715-0575, pegsackler@optonline.net or visit: www.nwartisitsguild.org

nwag_art around town

“Peter Pan” and “High School Musical” Coming to Chappaqua Crossing Theater

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Tickets on Sale for the Late May and June Productions of the Light House Youth Theater/Standing Ovation Studios

Peter Pan JrArmonk, NY — Lighthouse Youth Theatre/Standing Ovation Studios will be performing Peter Pan and High School Musical at the at Chappaqua Crossing Theater. The Chappaqua Crossing Theater is a beautiful venue, where Peter Pan will be presented during the weekends of May 30th and June 6th. High School Musical will be performed during the weekends of June 12th and 19th.

The opportunity for Lighthouse Youth Theater to perform at Chappaqua Crossing Theater could not have happened without the support and efforts of Chappaqua Crossing, Summit Development, Greenfield Partners and the Town Board of Chappaqua. New Castle Town Supervisor, Rob Greenstein, was also instrumental in working with Lighthouse Youth Theatre Artistic Director, John Fanelli, to help facilitate the approval of these performances at the Chappaqua Crossing Theater.

Lighthouse Youth Theatre’s home base is at Standing Ovation Studios in Armonk, New York, and produces shows with young people ranging in age from 4 – 18. Dancing, Singing, and Acting classes and lessons are also available on a daily basis, as well as Rock-n-Roll and music lessons.

Lighthouse Youth Theater is so excited to bring these two live fun-filled, family-friendly shows to the Chappaqua Crossing Theater this Spring. All are welcome and tickets can be purchased through our website or by phone.

For more information, contact John Fanelli at (914) 741- 4205 or e-mail Office@Lytshows.org.

Lighthouse Youth Theater is a Not for Profit organization. Changing Lives One Show at a Time!

Armonk Resident Joins fifth Annual Lustgarten Foundation NYC Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk

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Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn to join annual walk on Sunday April 26th to raise awareness and funds for the Lustgarten Foundation funding pancreatic cancer research.
Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn to join annual walk on Sunday April 26th to raise awareness and funds for the Lustgarten Foundation funding pancreatic cancer research.

Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn will join fellow New York and tri-state area residents in honor of her father by participating in The Lustgarten Foundation’s fifth annual New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk. The walk will be held on Sunday, April 26, at Pier 84 in Manhattan’s Hudson River Park.

The Lustgarten Foundation is the nation’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Due to Cablevision’s support of The Lustgarten Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar that Debbie and her fellow walkers raise will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.

In 2007, Debbie and her family were shocked to discover that her 84-year-old father Sidney had pancreatic cancer. A routine scan for his heart condition had revealed a shadow on his pancreas. Despite being caught at the earliest stages, they struggled to find a doctor willing to treat his condition due to his age, but eventually a successful pancreatectomy gave her father eight more years of life. To celebrate, Debbie wanted to find a way to give back, and once she found out about The Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Walk in 2013, she immediately joined with her family as Team “Big Sid.” Sadly, her father passed away in October 2014. But Debbie and her family are passionate about returning to the walk this year to help advance research for an early detection test.

Debbie believes that participating in the walk is an uplifting way to honor her father’s memory. And for Debbie, it is also fulfilling to know that 100 percent of all money she raises goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.

“Debbie’s incredible determination is shared by the many participants who join with the Foundation to walk each year in support of raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research,” said Lustgarten Foundation Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Kerri Kaplan. “We’re all walking together in the spirit of unity and hope that with more research, we will find a cure.”

The Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk at Pier 84 in Manhattan’s Hudson River Park (between 43th & 44th Street and the West Side Highway) will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. For more information about the walk and to register, please visit www.curePC.org.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it’s too late. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is seven percent and most with advanced cancer die within a year. There are no early detection tests, no effective long-term treatments and, unless the cancer is surgically removed in its earliest stages, no cure. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. For more information about pancreatic cancer, please visit: www.curepc.org/infographic.

About The Lustgarten Foundation

The Lustgarten Foundation is America’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. Due to the support of Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and telecommunications company, 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision are also partners in the curePC public awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer.For additional information, please visit www.curePC.org.

Two Westchester Families Recognized by the UJA for “Making a Difference”

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Via a UJA Federation of New York Release:

(From left) Tina Price, Caryl Orlando, and Nina Ross, all of Scarsdale
(From left) Tina Price, Caryl Orlando, and Nina Ross, all of Scarsdale

More than 350 guests joined UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Region as it honored the Beckman family of Scarsdale and the Rieger family of Bedford. At this Westchester Celebration, Yoav Cohen of White Plains was recognized for his contributions as Westchester’s first shaliach, or Israeli emissary, who serves as a cultural bridge between the local community and Israel.

The event took place on April 14 at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, where guests came together as a community to applaud the achievements of the honorees for their committed leadership in the Westchester Jewish community and to support UJA-Federation and its network of nearly 100 local and global nonprofits.

The evening’s theme focused on the families’ legacy of transmitting values — including commitment to their Jewish heritage, philanthropy, caring for those in need, and collective responsibility — and recognized the honorees for their dedication to making a difference through their actions.

“In the rich narrative of Jewish history, the Beckmans and Riegers continued the chain by passing these meaningful values to their children,” said UJA-Federation’s Westchester Regional Chair Martine Fleishman of Purchase. She encouraged guests to view an exhibit at the event, a colorful timeline that showcased UJA-Federation’s response to the events that have shaped the Jewish community around the world.

“You’ll see that UJA-Federation’s history may very well mirror your family history in many ways,” she continued. “For nearly 100 years, we’ve responded in times of challenge — during the Great Depression, the darkness of the Holocaust, and the Six-Day War — and in times of joy and opportunity, such as the establishment of the State of Israel and the opening of the Iron Curtain to Soviet Jews.”

An interactive drumming experience kicked off the program and enlivened the evening.

(From left) Honorees Richard and Heidi Rieger of Bedford, Yoav Cohen of White Plains, and Shari and Joel Beckman of Scarsdale
(From left) Honorees Richard and Heidi Rieger of Bedford, Yoav Cohen of White Plains, and Shari and Joel Beckman of Scarsdale

Shari and Joel Beckman, who were honored with their sons, Steven and Jacob, have embraced the values of UJA-Federation for the past 30 years. Shari has served the organization in many capacities, including as Scarsdale area chair and as a member of both the Board of Directors and the Westchester Program Services Cabinet, which provides funding to programs that further the Westchester Jewish community’s efforts to address needs and support new approaches to successful models. Shari’s professional career as a college advisor to high school students has extended to volunteer opportunities, such as working with the Off the Street program, which is run by UJA-Federation beneficiary agency Westchester Jewish Community Services.

Co-founder of Greenbriar Equity Group, a private equity firm in Rye, Joel serves on the Board of Directors for UJA-Federation and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. A past board member of theJewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester, he is vice-chairman of the Chordoma Foundation and active in other philanthropic organizations.

Recognized with their daughters, Rebecca, Hillary, and Abigail, Heidi and Richard Rieger have devoted much of their lives to supporting the Jewish people. A member of UJA-Federation’s Board of Directors, Heidi is a founding member of The Neshamot Fund – Westchester Women’s Venture Philanthropy of UJA-Federation. A certified social worker with a part-time practice in Northern Westchester, shecurrently sits on the boards of the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, Facing History and Ourselves, Clal, The Jewish Education Project, and The Blue Card. Richard serves as a senior advisor to Kingdon Capital. He serves on the board of the University Settlement House, the Photography Committee at MoMA, and the board of trustees at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

As shaliach, Yoav Cohen has built bridges and fostered understanding between the community and Israel. Born in Johannesburg, Yoav lived in South Africa until the age of 12, when he moved to Israel. He served in the IDF as a platoon commander and fitness trainer. Following his service, he worked in Israel’s high-tech sector at software giant SAP and then in the academic world at IDC Herzliya. He also co-founded friendasoldier.com, an innovative dialogue website connecting former IDF soldiers with the rest of the world.

(From left) Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale, Tracey Bilski of Chappaqua, and Anita Greenwald of Armonk
(From left) Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale, Tracey Bilski of Chappaqua, and Anita Greenwald of Armonk

The gathering also heard from Eric S. Goldstein, UJA-Federation’s CEO. “Westchester is an extraordinary philanthropic community,” he told the gathering. Speaking to the honorees, he added, “You represent the best of this community, and we’re grateful to you.”

Mindy and Andrew Feldman of Harrison, Janie and Adam Frieman of New Rochelle, Anita and Richard Greenwald of Armonk, Michele and Judah Kraushaar of Chappaqua, Randi and Dan Kreisler of Pleasantville, and Nancy and Robert Rieger of Rye served as event chairs.

About UJA-Federation of New York

For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world’s largest local philanthropy; our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.