The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Winners of the Annual Harvey School’s WELLS Speech Contest

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The Harvey School has announced the winners of the 63rd annual Wells Speech Contest which featured several area residents as finalists.

Taking the top prize in the upper school was senior Maria Millette. The runner-up was fellow senior Elyse Rosman of Chappaqua. Other finalists were sophomore Grace Alpern, juniors Julian van den Tol and Jasmine Zhang, and four local residents, senior Greyson Cooper of Katonah, sophomore Kayla Lichtenstein of Armonk, and ninth graders Daniela Rynott of Mount Kisco and Ryan Byrne of Goldens Bridge.

The Harvey Middle School winner was seventh grader Anna Bogenschutz. Honorable mention was awarded to eighth grader Tory Janush of Briarcliff Manor. Among the other finalists were eighth grader Olivia Barsky and two local residents, seventh grader Stephen Millette of Mount Kisco and sixth grader Amity Doyle of Katonah.

Harvey’s school-wide speech contest tasks students in grades 6-12 with writing and delivering their own persuasive essays. The speeches judged the best from each English class advanced to the semifinal round where the finalists were selected.

Bedford Town Justice Jodi Kimmel and Tony-nominated actress Anne Twomey Lloyd of Katonah served as this year’s judges.

 

 

 

 

#CHAPP100 Chappaqua Library Turning 100

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“Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future”

The Chappaqua Library is recognizing a major milestone in 2022 as it reaches its 100th year of service. will include activities throughout the year with a Community Centennial celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2022. 

The Chappaqua Library is the heart of a vibrant community where people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures engage in lifelong learning and discovery while actively participating in the life of the community. Its mission: to provide exceptional resources, programs, and services that promote the joy of lifelong learning and discovery and to offer a welcoming place for people to gather and share experiences.

“Over the past 100 years, the Chappaqua Library has enriched the community in meaningful ways, and thrived thanks to the overwhelming enthusiasm and financial support of the community. The Board looks forward to our dedicated staff continuing to provide innovative programs and outstanding service into the next 100 years,” says Ronni Diamondstein, Chappaqua Library Board President. 

Andrew Farber, Library Director says, “The Library has changed dramatically over the last one hundred years. We have strived to respond to our patrons’ needs. Our warm and welcoming staff work is looking ahead to the future and will continue to engage the community with diversity, inclusivity and innovative programs.”

The library welcomes everyone through its doors located in the heart of the community on South Greeley Avenue. In 100 years, the library grew from a space in Lou Kopp’s Coal and Feed Store, located across the tracks on King Street and near the current northbound entrance to the Saw Mill River Parkway, to its current beautiful facility.  Starting with only 2,683 volumes in its collection, the library now offers over 134,000 materials and has added digital content, streaming services, programs for patrons of all ages, and provides space for the community to study, read, and enjoy.  

The upcoming programming  will honor the library’s history and look ahead with book discussions, oral histories, and exhibits. Partnering with many community groups, children’s and family programs will also reflect on the library’s history and commitment to service. Look for garden plantings and a time capsule that will preserve community submissions!  The Chappaqua Library is excited to share its own story as well as the community’s.

2022 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Friends of the Chappaqua Library. In addition to the very popular Annual Book Sale, which will return in April, they will work with the library to commemorate their anniversary. As Katherine Whymark, President of the Friends of the Chappaqua Library, likes to say, “According to my Star Wars friend Yoda, always in motion the future is, and we must move towards and with the future. Thanks to all that have supported the Friends in the past, and thanks in advance to those looking to support us in the future. Never give up, never surrender!”

To learn more about upcoming events, visit chappaqualibrary.org/centennial.

News and Photo Courtesy of The Chappaqua Library

At a May 12 Festival de Primavera, Neighbors Link to Honor Community Health Partners

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– Celebrating those helping to ensure health equity during the COVID-19 health crisis –

 On the evening of May 12 Neighbors Link, which provides vital services to the immigrant community in Westchester County, will host Festival de Primavera (Spring Festival), a gala event to honor community partners who have made a tangible impact in ensuring health equity during the COVID-19 health crisis. They will be honoring the Community Outreach Department of Northern Westchester Hospital and giving special recognition to the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Legend Pharmacy. There will also be a special presentation of the Gabby Rosenfeld award to Martha Palomino.

The Community Outreach Department of Northern Westchester Hospital will be honored for their work to ensure that all members of the community have access to lifesaving interventions and information during the global pandemic. The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Legend Pharmacy will receive special recognition for their efforts to provide healthcare services to the immigrant community during these times of heightened need.

The Gabby Rosenfeld “Be a Hero” award will be presented to Martha Palomino in recognition of her 12+ years of service to Neighbors Link as a dedicated board member and later a valued member of our staff. The recognition is named for the late Gabriel Rosenfeld, a WW II combat veteran and consummate volunteer who served on the board of directors of Neighbors Link and also supported many other community organizations throughout Westchester County.

The Festival de Primavera, an evening with “cocktails and strolling dinner under the stars,” is expected to bring together 300 supporters from the Neighbors Link community. The event will take place outdoors in a safe space where guests will be required to show proof of vaccination per current CDC guidelines. Funds raised at the event will be used to support Neighbors Link’s crucial work to build stronger communities through the integration and empowerment of immigrants.

For additional information please contact Adrienne Vogel at 914-666-3410 x114, avogel@neighborslink.org

 

 

 

Hollis Laidlaw & Simon Reflect on a 50th Anniversary

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David Simon (on left), Moira Laidlaw, and Dan Hollis

This year marks Hollis Laidlaw & Simon’s 50th anniversary. On this milestone, we reflect on our evolution, our proud history, and lasting success. When Stu Shamberg incorporated our firm in 1972, concentrating the practice in land use & zoning law, he couldn’t have imagined that 50 years later, the firm would grow to include a new generation of talented lawyers, robust practice areas like trusts & estates, expanded practices in land use & zoning, corporate, real estate, litigation & dispute resolution, guardianship, and employment, and hundreds of loyal clients from all over Westchester and neighboring counties, and Connecticut and New Jersey.

Today, Hollis Laidlaw & Simon has evolved into a thriving full-service firm, due in no small part to what our founders established those 50 years ago: a commitment to excellence.

“Stu had a tremendous reputation, which served as the foundation for us to grow and grow and be burnished by all the successful cases that we’ve had through the years,” said Partner Dan Hollis, who joined the firm in 1990 and bridges the gap between the days of Stu Shamberg and retired Partner John Marwell, and today’s other named partners Moira Laidlaw and David Simon. 

One of our most booming practice areas, trusts & estates, has certainly benefited from that foundation. Laidlaw, who heads the practice, said that when she joined in 2014, “We recognized pretty quickly what synergies there were between the firm’s phenomenal litigation and land use practice and my trusts & estates experience.”

Now the trusts & estates practice is nine lawyers and eight staff strong and helps over 300 families a year with estate planning and administration, high-net-worth tax planning, guardianship, and Medicaid asset protection. 

The firm further evolved in 2018 with the addition of Managing Partner Simon, who bolstered the firm’s corporate and litigation practice. Our clients benefit tremendously from David’s multidisciplinary experience in corporate governance, commercial litigation, real estate litigation, guardianship litigation, and employment law and his ability to evaluate complex issues where multiple practice areas intersect.  

While the firm has evolved in many ways, our long-standing relationships in the community have remained strong for 50 years. “The people we deal with know our reputation,” Simon said. “We’re known and respected in the courts and by the local planning and zoning boards, because Stu, John, and Dan set a very high standard that the firm remains committed to upholding.” 

Through all the uncertainties of the last half-century, one thing has remained constant: our dedication to finding solutions to our clients’ legal needs. “We built this firm on the foundation of excellence and on our devotion to our clients,” said Hollis. “That was our commitment 50 years ago and will remain our commitment long into the future.” We look forward to serving our clients for the next 50 years.

About Hollis Laidlaw & Simon

Hollis Laidlaw & Simon P.C. provides the high level service of a boutique firm with the breadth of a full service firm. For 50 years, we have served clients throughout Westchester County, New York City, and abroad, offering solutions to our clients’ needs in litigation and dispute resolution, trusts and estates, elder law, corporate, employment, real estate, and land use and zoning, the cornerstone on which we built our reputation. www.hollislaidlaw.com 

Westchester County Office of Economic Development Announces Return of Launch1000

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The Westchester County Office of Economic Development announced Launch1000, an innovative, fully remote, self-paced program designed to turn concepts and ideas into business plans and startups, will return in 2022. New to the Program this year is the addition of a dual language cohort (English/Spanish) with a minimum of 100 seats available. All Launch1000 programming will be available in both English and Spanish, and bilingual participants will be supported by bilingual coaches and mentors. There will be workshops for just for the dual language cohort, as well as workshops combining the English-only and the bilingual Launchers.

(L to R): County Executive George Latimer, Deborah Novick, Jose Hidalgo, Bridget Gibbons, Carola Bracco and Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Following the success of our inaugural Launch1000 program, we were inspired to give more residents the opportunity to get their ideas off the ground and turn them into de-risked businesses and nonprofits. We are excited to add a dual language cohort to the program and make this opportunity accessible to more residents.”

Born out of a global pandemic, Launch1000 offers Westchester County residents the opportunity to gain critical business knowledge, connect with mentors and help their idea gain traction. In 2021, 218 residents completed the program and launched a diverse range of small businesses and nonprofits. The program is led by entrepreneurial expert Pam Hoelzle, who has coached tens of thousands of early-stage entrepreneurs. Launch1000 requires a commitment of 10-hours per week and is designed for individuals who can commit to steadily working on their idea throughout the remainder of 2022. Launchers who successfully complete the program will receive a $1,000 grant to help defray startup costs.

Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “The Launch1000 program is an investment in growing and diversifying Westchester’s small business community. This program provides education, mentorship and a supportive community to help residents to take their ideas from concept to completion. And, it places a critical focus on de-risking to help participants bring viable and sustainable ventures to market.”

Westchester County Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Deborah Novick said: “In its first year, Launch1000 helped 218 business and nonprofits get off the ground. Sixty-five percent of these Launchers had no prior business experience. This program is proof that all it takes is an idea to start down the path to becoming your own boss and launching a new venture. We look forward to helping our 2022 Launch1000 participants become business owners and nonprofit leaders.”

Whether an individual is in the infancy of exploring an idea, hopes to create an avenue for working from home, aspires to create a business to support and improve their local community, or already has a concrete business concept, Launch1000 provides the tools to test ideas and move forward. As participants move through the phases of the program, they will receive feedback and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, as well as introductions to relevant organizations and individuals within the Westchester business community. The program is completely online, so it can be completed from the safety of home, and is open to residents anywhere in the County. To ensure that a lack of technology does not prevent anyone from applying to the program, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development will provide laptops to residents who need them.

Applications will open this spring and interested individuals are encouraged to apply early. Potential participants can learn more about Launch1000 by visiting: WestchesterCatalyst.com/Launch1000. Organizations who would like to host an infosession (virtual or in-person) about the program and individuals who are interested in supporting Launch1000 by mentoring participants or otherwise sharing their expertise should contact Deborah Novick at 914-995-2998.

In addition to Launch1000, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development offers a suite of programs and resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs including: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator, Element 46 Incubator, the RXR Volunteer Program, and other programs.

A full directory of businesses and nonprofits who have graduated from Launch1000 is available at: https://launch1000.orbelay.com/.

NEWS & Photo COURTESY OF  The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life.  This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/.