The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Caramoor In Full Bloom This Season

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PHOTO BY GABE PALACIO

Caramoor’s spectacular open-air venues, intimate indoor spaces, and world-renowned artists make it the perfect destination in Katonah for gathering outdoors with friends and family to celebrate and be renewed by the dynamic power of music and the arts. The 2024 summer season kicks off with a performance by longtime Caramoor friend Wynton Marsalis with his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra followed by Caramoor’s annual gala (June 22). The season continues with the return of dance to Caramoor with two large-scale movement-centered events: a new street-dance infused production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen from Les Arts Florissants led by William Christie and choreographed by Mourad Merzouki on July 20th, and the Caramoor debut of the Mark Morris Dance Group on August 1st.

Other summer highlights include The Knights and Aaron Diehl giving their first complete live performance of Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite following their recent lauded recording; two concerts with Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the first featuring guitarist Miloš and the second with pianist Jeremy Denk; and Cleveland period ensemble Apollo’s Fire performing a program of Vivaldi and Handel led by Jeannette Sorrell.

Caramoor is also excited to host the Sphinx Virtuosi for the first time on July 7th. Comprised of some of the nation’s top young Black and LatinX professional musicians, this self-conducted orchestra is the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization, the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The Sphinx Virtuosi will present music by a vital group of contemporary Black and Latinx composers, much of it written for them. Later in the season, “Our Song, Our Story: The New Generation of Black Voices” with music director Damien Sneed, honors the legacies of Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman.

Chamber performances include the Calidore String Quartet with harpist Bridget Kibbey, the Abeo Quartet, and Owls, plus solo recitals from violinist Kevin Zhu, and pianists Richard Goode, Joyce Yang, and Clayton Stephenson.

In addition, Caramoor is bringing back the fireworks on July 4th along with an annual performance by the Westchester Symphonic Winds, and a Pride event in collaboration with the LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center on June 13th featuring Jasmine Rice LaBeija and a DJ-energized after-party.

Free events include Soundscapes (6/9), Juneteenth with Charles Turner and Uptown Swing (6/16), and THE JUMP UP! with Sandbox Percussion (7/21) including volunteer percussionists from the local community who can sign up on the Caramoor website.

Popular all-day and evening festivals are also back: the American Roots Music Festival with headliner Madison Cunningham (6/29) and the Jazz Festival with headliner Matthew Whitaker (7/27). Roots events later in the summer showcase the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Ollabelle, and Rhiannon Giddens. The casual Concerts on the Lawn series returns as well featuring Grammy winners Roomful of Teeth and Time for Three, Cuban cuatro sensation Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano, and Zimbabwean Afrofusion band Mokoomba. Bring a blanket or chair, purchase a picnic, or bring your own and relax (or get up and dance!).

You can also book one of the ever-popular Afternoon Teas, bring the kids to a family program, come for Music & Meditation on a Saturday morning, and much more. Don’t forget to enjoy Caramoor’s 80 acres of gardens and grounds and discover the Sonic Innovations sound art installation throughout which includes the debut of Stephan Moore’s Promenade and Senem Pirler’s Seismic Grief, along with seven returning pieces.

Edward J. Lewis III, Caramoor’s President and Chief Executive Officer, elaborates: “Over the course of its storied 79-year history, which has seen periods of seismic societal shifts and upheavals, the Caramoor experience is timeless, remaining constant in its delivery of transformative live music performances that resonate with audiences and artists of the day. You can always count on Caramoor to be your artistic summer sanctuary.”

Kathy Schuman, Caramoor’s Artistic Director, adds: “The unique Caramoor setting continues to inspire and inform our programs, from world-class celebrated artists to rising stars, in a multitude of genres. As these genres continue to expand, I’m particularly excited about two dance-centered performances: Mark Morris Dance Group and Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. We pride ourselves on the breadth and diversity of the musical experiences we bring to our community over the summer season.”

You can check out the full summer season and buy tickets now at caramoor.org.

Advancing Stroke Care in Our Community

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Saving brainpower in stroke patients demands medical insight and quick thinking. At White Plains Hospital, the standard of care includes the most advanced technology and services.

Dr. Paul Lleva, Director of Stroke Services, White Plains Hospital

Each year, approximately 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer strokes – 17% of which are fatal. With one of the most comprehensive stroke programs in the region, providing immediate and lifesaving stroke care is an area where White Plains Hospital and its newly appointed Director of Stroke Services, Dr. Paul Lleva, is proud to excel.

Board-certified in neurology, vascular neurology, neurosonology (or brain imaging), and internal medicine, Dr. Lleva currently sees patients at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Somers and is working to further enhance the Hospital’s robust stroke care program. “White Plains Hospital has been building a world-class stroke program, bringing in top specialists and the latest technology and treatments,” Dr. Lleva says. “As we look to the future, our program aims to be the top advanced stroke care provider in our region and beyond.”

Recent notable advances in stroke care at the Hospital include:

Quicker Clot Busters. “For every minute elapsed after a stroke, a patient may lose 1.9 million neurons,” or nerve cells in the brain, says Dr. Lleva. The team at White Plains Hospital relies on the newest medicine, called Tenecteplase, to rapidly dissolve the clots obstructing blood flow. “This drug works very specifically against the clot, destroying it more quickly and more effectively than previous medications,” he says.

The Gold Standard Of Care. The highest-quality acute care currently available for strokes, a procedure called a mechanical thrombectomy, is currently being performed at White Plains Hospital. During this minimally invasive procedure, specially designed instruments are inserted into a large blood vessel in the groin through a small port and threaded through thin catheters to reach – and remove – blood clots in the brain within 24 hours from symptom onset.

To assist in these procedures, the Stroke Team at the Hospital also uses advanced imaging, called perfusion imaging, to differentiate salvageable brain tissue from irreversibly damaged brain tissue to pinpoint cases where mechanical thrombectomies will be most effective.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Software. This modern technology guides radiologists and neurologists toward the correct intervention within seconds. “Our team uses software that will detect the amount and location of salvageable brain tissue, as well as damaged tissue,” Dr. Lleva says. “As a tool for our care team, it provides a more uniform and consistent diagnosis in rapid time.”

24/7 Emergency Consultations. At White Plains Hospital, a neurologist is always available for an emergency consultation at the bedside, either in-person or remotely. “With telestroke services, a vascular neurologist can expeditiously see the patients within minutes of arrival, allowing us to quickly diagnose patients and get them appropriate care immediately,” Dr. Lleva says.

World-Class Team. The increasing complexity of stroke cases seen at White Plains Hospital has driven the recruitment of experts in neurocritical care and neuroendovascular surgery with decades of experience in treating and managing advanced stroke cases.

Smoother Recovery. After stroke, some patients will develop arm and leg spasticity, language difficulty, pain, inability to walk, and limited ability to care for themselves. These complications are addressed in our outpatient stroke center in collaboration with Burke Rehabilitation to improve patients’ mobility, lessen discomfort, and restore quality of life.

To make an appointment with Dr. Lleva at 325 Route 100, Somers, NY, call 914-849-5300.

This article originally appeared in Health Matters, a White Plains Hospital publication.

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester 2024 ‘Youth of the Year’ Awards

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A grand evening event at Crabtree’s Kittle House, attended by 165 supporters and friends of BGCNW, featured five extraordinary teens. After deliberations by a panel of judges, three winners were announced to rounds of applause.

Grace Gerosa, a junior at Pleasantville High School, won the Youth of the Year Award. Grace, a Club member for 10 years and a competitive swimmer for 12 years, is a social media manager for her high school Varsity swim team, the Vice President for Sources of Strength, and a member of the Youth Leadership Task Force. She volunteers at Fox Hill Farms.

Zayaan Hussain, a senior at Horace Greeley High School, Zayaan received the Chris Curti Memorial Scholarship Award. A Club member for 10 years, on the Marlins swim team for 9 years, he swam in the National Level Paralympics competition, and volunteers at interfaith events, peer leadership and executive roles in school clubs.

Xio Nieves, a senior at Fox Lane High School and Club member of six years, received the Wilfred E. Jennings Leadership Award. Xio is a Junior Staff member and 2-time Youth of the Year finalist.

All winners travel to Albany with Club leadership to advocate on behalf of critical programming impacting NYS youth and families.

The other finalists were:

Katie O’Donnell, a sophomore at John Jay High School. She has been a Club member for 11 years and is part of the Marlins swim team.

Paige Fagan, a senior at Lakeland High School, and Club member for 10 years, works for the Club as a water safety instructor teaching younger members of the Club how to swim.

The judges for the finalist competition included WABC reporter, Marcus Solis; Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair Aleida Frederico; Robert Martin Company Managing Director Lawrence Gottlieb; Pro Bono Partnership Senior Staff Attorney Judy Siegel, and Examiner News Publisher Adam Stone.

The winner of the BGCNW Youth of the Year advances to a state-level event. The winner is tasked with participating in events, public speaking, and serving as a thought leader and advocate for their Club and community. They receive the benefit of a generous college scholarship, mentorship, and networking opportunities. For more information, visit bgcnw.com

Pleasantville High School Principal Offers Optimism & Foresight to Prepare Students for the Future

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By Miriam Gold and Michael Gold
PHS Principal Joe Palumbo
Photo by Donna Mueller

Joe Palumbo has shown that it is possible to be a high school principal, a sunny optimist, and a vigilant leader who’s up to date on fundamental economic and social trends and has prepared his students for the best future they can get – all combined in one person.

The principal of Pleasantville High School (PHS) for the last 10 years, Palumbo possesses a ready smile that could light up a moonless midnight at a deserted train station.

To help provide the students with the necessary skills to succeed after high school, Palumbo has introduced various programs to allow them to “chase their dreams,” he said.

PHS’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program offers four years of computer science courses, including advanced computer science principles, advanced placement computer science and cybersecurity, in addition to computer science essentials.

The high school is collaborating with Syracuse University on teaching a science research elective course. Students in their sophomore year get to choose the topic they wish to study independently over a three-year period, from the subject areas of biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, mathematics, and the social sciences.

They work with research scientists and industry professionals specializing in the student’s chosen field of research. The students are required to make use of existing online research in the field. They must maintain a portfolio of their work, for evaluation by an assigned mentor. Students can earn up to 12 college credits and three Regents credits.

In terms of the humanities, Syracuse is partnering with PHS to teach African American studies, and Women and Gender Studies. Called Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA), PHS educators who wish to teach the courses must complete a summer training institute at Syracuse to comply with SUPA’s instructional standards and become university adjunct professors in the process. PHS currently has three teachers who have obtained SUPA certification. Students completing SUPA courses can get college credit.

PHS also works with Mercy University and Westchester Community College (WCC) to provide students a plethora of math classes, from pre-Calculus to AP Statistics, which earn them college credits at WCC.

Students who want to pursue a vocational career can enroll in the career and technical education programs at the Southern Westchester BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services) Career Services in Valhalla. They attend academic classes for half the day at PHS, then go to Valhalla to obtain training in their chosen field of study, including everything from automotive technology, interior design, computer information systems, and commercial art to construction, plumbing, nursing, cosmetology, and culinary arts.

Photo by Donna Mueller

To help aid seniors make the transition from PHS to college or a vocational career, the school has set up an internship program that runs from mid-May to mid-June. Students can elect to work for a business, or corporation, or local government, such as doing clerical work at a law office, assist at an auto body shop, or even go on an overseas business trip with their parents. Or, they can choose to pursue an independent study project, such as learning a second language.

“One student restored a boat, with an expert,” Palumbo said. Another student organized a fund-raising event for the performing arts. A third helped renovate the locker rooms at Parkway Field.

“Our top priority is making sure they (the students) have access to all the opportunities,” Palumbo said, explaining his educational philosophy.

“I always encourage them to remain life-long learners. This allows you to remain current. Students will have many different jobs over their 30-year careers. If you don’t remain curious, you’ll fall behind. We don’t want kids to be stuck in one mindset as the world evolves.”

Palumbo also emphasizes that students need to “take stock of what’s important to them and pursue that relentlessly. Think about what gets you the most excited and follow that.”

Palumbo, an educator for more than 20 years, with stints as an assistant principal in Connecticut and a social studies teacher in Brewster, said he tells students to remember the words carved in stone at the school’s entrance, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve.” Also, he advised: “Take real pride in what you do, carve out the time to give back and light up the world with kindness.”

Miriam Gold is a Pleasantville High School senior. Michael Gold is a Pleasantville-based writer.

The Chocolate Lady of Chappaqua

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As many college students do, Chrissie Moses took a job to help college costs and began working in a quaint shop named Chocolate’s Plus in Chappaqua, New York. She was trained in a variety of chocolate making techniques that she would use daily. To this day, she still considers this job to be one of her favorites. Who would have known that over 30 years later, she would take her passion for chocolate and share it with thousands of children.

The same year she received her first teaching position in the Lakeland School District, she was invited to join their after-school program. Creating a club about her passion for chocolate was a no-brainer, and so The Chocolate Club was born. It was a hit with children and parents almost immediately. Those children who participated spent an hour after school making a wide variety of chocolate treats. From chocolate covered pretzels to chocolate lollipops, the sky was the limit, and the children loved every confectionary they brought home to their families. Of course, being a teacher, she also built in knowledge of how chocolate changes its states, and how chocolate is made from bean to bar.

Chrissie’s teaching path changed when she received an elementary teaching position in Pleasantville. In her first year at Bedford Road School, she brought The Chocolate Club to the school’s community. It did not take long before the club’s popularity yielded waiting lists. The club’s offerings expanded from sweet treats to delicious desserts.

In the fall of 2023, Chrissie took her chocolate club private, The Chocolate Club Plus LLC. She expanded her offerings to chocolate clubs, private parties, and full-day chocolate camps. Her philosophy is to give the participants an amazing chocolate experience while also providing parents a place for their kids to go when school is out. The greatest compliment she could ever receive from her families is that going to Chocolate Club Plus is like going to grandma’s house but with lots of chocolate!