The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Don’t Despair – New Innovative Parking Options at the Chappaqua Train Station

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Train trips to the city are often preceded by a frantic search for a parking space.  Whether it’s the 6:46, 7:46 or 9:10, the concerns are the same. With a minimal amount of advance planning and study, travelers will achieve a reduced stress level.

For occasional trips to the city, there are several parking options.  For those with resident meter permits, there are many spaces available in the lot on the right when entering the station.  There are also some spots in the area closest to Dunkin’ Donuts which do not require a permit.  After taking note of the number posted at the spot, payment is required at the machines to the left of the taxi stand.  Payment is required from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m on weekdays.

Bonnie Gartner had secured a parking space and was waiting patiently for an off-peak train before heading to the city for a dentist appointment.  She mentioned that she “had heard there was another spot in the back where [she] could park.”  The option she was referring to is the new innovative plan championed by Town Clerk Jill Shapiro.  In addition to parking in the numbered stalls, train travelers are now also allowed to park in any available spot in Lot B – the large lot on the left accessed via Woodburn Avenue after 9 a.m.  Payment is accepted at the machines after entering the license plate number.

According to Shapiro, the new procedure replaces the former “do not ticket orders” which were issued for frantic train travelers who were rushing to catch a train for an appointment in the city and couldn’t find a spot.  This new choice also evolved from an analysis of trends in the issuance of permits. “People commute differently now,”  Shapiro observed.  “We noticed a slight downturn in the number of annual permits issued and a slight uptick in metered permits.  It’s more and more common that people only commute a few days a week,” she continued.

Meet Greeley’s New Assistant Principal – Andrew Corsilia

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When students return to Greeley this fall they will see a familiar face in a new role.  Former English teacher and department chair Andrew Corsilia will greet students as interim assistant principal.

Corsilia, who has been in the district for 14 and a half years, assumed his new position formally on July 1.  He will be working with the class of 2015 and half of the incoming freshman; helping with event planning and discipline issues.  Corsilia’s other duties include supervising teachers and addressing concerns in the science, math, counseling, and art and life skills departments, serving as the Regents’ coordinator for the district, scheduling mid-term and final exams and overseeing clubs.

After completing his masters at Teacher’s College, Corsilia began his career at Greeley teaching “Ethics and Existence.”  This particular course and the breadth of electives were key elements in his decision to come to the district.  He had read “The Mysterious Stranger” by Mark Twain, one of the books covered in the class, in his junior year and remembered it “with great fondness.”  Another factor which figured prominently in his decision to come to Greeley has been his colleagues.  “I had such excellent models in teaching and scholarship within the English department,” he noted.  His mentor, Andrew Selesnick, worked with him in the department before becoming school principal.

Andrew Corsilia

Although Corsilia was on the job for most of the summer learning about state regulations and getting to know the staff, he did manage to schedule time for a canoeing and fishing vacation in Maine with his three children.  While his son was devouring books in the Wimpy Kid series, Corsilia focused on “Empire Falls” which takes place in Maine.

Emily Burack, a member of the class of 2013, cites Corsilia as being “the most influential teacher,” she has studied under at Greeley.  After he noticed her passion for reading, they began meeting once a cycle to discuss literature and subsequently developed an independent study course.  Burack predicts that Corsilia’s virtues as a teacher will render him an excellent assistant principal.  “He’s very, very accessible,” she observed.

Walk and Shop for a Cause

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Preparations for Houlihan Lawrence’s fund drive for the American Cancer Society are in full swing in Chappaqua. Enthusiasm pervades every aspect of the endeavor which begins by enlisting participation from local merchants and businesses and culminates in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on October 21 at Manhattanville College.

Marie Herrero is one of the key organizers of the entire fund raising endeavor. Herrero, a mortgage banker with Thoroughbred Mortgage works in conjunction with the Chappaqaua branch of Houlihan Lawrence. Her main effort is devoted to the boutique, a unique component of Houlihan’s Chappaqua office involvement in the company’s fundraising efforts. Last year, over $6,000 was raised at the boutique alone. This year the boutique will be held on October 13 at the office and the goal is even higher. Raffle tickets for many exciting prizes will be on sale on that day as well as at community day. Prizes are donated by a multitude of merchants in the hamlet, Mount Kisco and Pleasantville.

The Chappaqua community appreciates the opportunity to shop for a cause. Attendees have said that they would “love to see a future for our children without cancer,” Herrero related.

Real estate agent Jeanne Coon will be one of the vendors at the fourth annual boutique. She will be showcasing the wares of her venture entitled
Jewels by Jeanne. Coon’s gems are all hand crafted and designed. Her line includes bracelets, necklaces and earrings for women and girls. “Everyone knows someone who’s a survivor,” Coon mentioned. She finds the community’s involvement “very touching.” “It makes you want to do more,” she continued.

Presents for Purpose, a business founded by several cancer survivors will also be on hand. This vendor will offer gifts, clothing, jewelry and accessories. Realtor Nancy Zucker is another one of organizers of the fundraising effort. She enjoys joining in the walk and is inspired by seeing everyone clad in pink hats and shirts. Many agents are accompanied by family members and friends.

The festive mood of the day is enhanced by live music and radio station broadcasts during the walk. The Making Strides walk is always held rain or shine. “It’s a tremendous amount of work for a tremendous cause,” Zucker noted. She is extremely motivated by the chance to “contribute to a cause” that she truly believes in. All agents are members of various groups in town including the garden club and are charged with spreading the word about the event. Clients are encouraged to attend the walk and patronize the boutique. “We build community involvement, “Zucker observed.

Sarah Ellen Berman appreciates the value of altruistic shopping and walking.

[stextbox id=”info” caption=”Step in Style Aids the Breast Cancer Foundation”]

On May 18th balloons soared above Step in Style, Chappaqua’s ladies shoe boutique. A day long event was hosted by proprietor Licia Mikulicic to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.Ten percent of all proceeds were donated to the Foundation.

Friends and neighbors who stopped by to support the opening of Step in Style—and to support Licia.

The idea for the occasion was a natural for Mikulicic who has worked extensively in retail and seen many successful fundraisers held at different stores. She chose the Foundation as the beneficiary of her first charity event. “I’ve had friends and colleagues that have had breast cancer and have survived, some have not. They [the Foundation] do wonderful work,” she noted. To accommodate mothers with young children, Mikulicic chose to devote the entire day to the cause. In the evening, patrons sat outside and enjoyed prosecco, tea and light fare. “It was very festive,” Mikulicic said.

–Sarah Ellen Berman

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Hope’s Door: Empowering Victims of Domestic Violence

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By Sarah Ellen Berman

When domestic violence strikes, a victim’s world is upended. Safety becomes a primary concern. Seemingly insurmountable problems loom large. Solace, care and compassion await at Hope’s Door.

The main mission of Hope’s Door is to end domestic violence and facilitate the transition to a safe environment for all victims.

This private nonprofit organization, formerly known as the Northern Westchester Shelter, has a facility in Pleasantville, and will be opening a new location in Ossining in the fall; in addition, it has a residential shelter in Westchester.

At the 13th Annual Hope’s Door Teen Symposium in October of 2011, teens around Westchester County gathered to hear, among others, Lisa Regina (second from right) actress, writer and founder of A Write to Heal present her personal—and very public—story about relationship abuse. Gathered around her are, from left, Patricia Butler, Elizabeth G. Butler Angel Foundation; Andrea Naso Nord, Director of Development, Hope’s Door; and Diane DeFilippis, Teen Program Coordinator, Hope’s Door.

“The most important thing we could do for victims of domestic violence is to offer hope,” explained executive director Carla Horton. Many clients have told her that Hope’s Door is “a place where I could be hopeful about the future.” The organization provides a vast array of services including a hotline, shelter, safety planning, counseling, support groups, legal referrals, teen dating abuse prevention and community education.

The initial point of contact for many victims with Hope’s Door is the hotline, answered by an expertly trained staff twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. All calls are completely confidential. In 2011, a total of 1,027 calls were fielded by the hotline.

In addition, twelve residents of the town of New Castle received assistance from Hope’s Door. “It doesn’t matter what your socioeconomic status or race is,” Horton noted, “Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence.”

Board member and secretary Carey Vames is one of the many dedicated volunteers at Hope’s Door. She relishes her role as “ambassador” at many events including community days in Chappaqua and Ossining. In October she attends the Annual Teen Symposium at Pace and leads a small discussion group.

“I’m very passionate about it,” she said. This forum focuses on teaching adolescents about the occurrence of abuse in teen dating and ways to prevent it. In addition, Vames, who is also an EMT on the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp has developed a program for children in the shelter to demonstrate the positive side of an ambulance. These youngsters fear the siren’s wail because it reminds them of tragic events in their lives. “When you hear the siren it means you’re important. Other people have to get out of the way,” Vames explains.

Elizabeth Grant is a survivor of domestic violence, thanks to the care and guidance provided by Hope’s Door. The staff helped her secure funding for an alarm system for her home.

“It made me feel safe,” Grant recalled. “I could go to bed at night without fear.” When she had to appear in court and face her ex-husband, Director Horton accompanied her. “She was an advocate for me,” Grant noted.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. For more info and to support Hope’s Door and/or to attend their annual luncheon on October 11, go to hopesdoorny.org.

Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program

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Seniors

Chappaqua is a community comprised of like-minded individuals who value education highly.  Another facet of the community is its desire to provide some of the resources available to its students to those who might otherwise not have access.  In 1968 the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program – CSSP was created to serve this need.  Every year, a group of students from two high schools in the Bronx is invited to attend a college preparatory program for the summers following ninth, tenth and eleventh grades.

Participants reside in a Chappaqua household from Sunday night through Friday morning.  Classes are held in one of the school district’s buildings in the morning on Monday through Thursday.  This year’s curriculum included a writing class, Shakespeare and robotics.  In the afternoons, swimming and tennis are on the agenda.  On Fridays, students work on a project at the Burns Film Center.  There are also frequent excursions to museums and colleges.

When Chappaqua resident Diane Albert first heard about CSSP from longtime member Diane Quandt, her interest was piqued. She joined the ranks and is currently serving as chair for her fifth year.  Albert attributes the success of the program to the community.     “The Board of Ed has always been very supportive,” she noted.  Counselors at Greeley donate their time to advise the students and members of the community speak about their careers.  “We feel it’s one of the best parts of Chappaqua,” Albert said.  “It broadens our idea of the world.”

Diane Quandt has housed students for 25 years and is one of the 33 families who housed students during the month of July.  She highlighted the fact that, “It’s a relatively small commitment on the part of host families.”  Each family provides meals, a room and transportation in the afternoons for two weeks.

For further information consult http://www.chappaquasummerscholarship.org/cssp/ or send an email to dianealbert@gmail.com.