The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Shauna Levy

Cook is Her Name, the FoodieBus is Her Game

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Each morning climbing aboard her Ossining school bus, Jennifer Cook was playfully greeted with the question, “Hey Cook, what’s for dinner?” Years later, she’s still riding a school bus and still being asked what’s for dinner, but now she has an answer. Cook recently launched the FoodieBus, Inc., a farm-to-table culinary mobile experience that offers private, customized meals on a school bus, affectionately known as Loretta in honor of a “wonderful” benefactor, that’s been transformed into a restaurant. The concept is as fresh and original as the fare being served.

The Magic Properties of Food

Cook’s diverse resume boasts roles as owner of Chappaqua Wellness Center, volunteer firefighter with the New Castle Fire Department and private chef on movie sets for the likes of De Niro, Pacino and Pesci. Though seemingly unrelated, these experiences were cumulatively instrumental in inspiring the FoodieBus. Cook explains, “As a chef on movie sets, I catered to a wide range of palates from my food truck. I loved it and opened a wood fired brick oven pizza truck, which I made use of as a firefighter. When the Rockaways were devastated by Hurricane Sandy, I showed up with the pizza truck. By simply serving pizza, this community got the sense that they weren’t alone. I had an epiphany that food is magical. We all must eat and it’s therefore one of the true connectors we share. I’ve always strived to help others and wanted to foster this connection in a bigger, deeper and more meaningful scale.”

A Bespoke Dining Experience

To make this concept a reality, Cook had a very specific list of criteria. “I needed a dining area that functioned as a beautiful gathering space as well as a kitchen, storage space and bathroom,” she says, elaborating, “And, I’ve always had a thing for barns and find the farm-to-table movement so special, so I incorporated those elements as well.” Ultimately, Cook checked each of those boxes by making a few modifications to Loretta, a school bus she located in Wisconsin. Not only did she gut the bus, but she painted it mint green and removed its sides and roof, atop which she built a barn structure. The result is a dining experience that is anything but status quo. As she says, “The opportunities are endless. I’ve scoured Westchester and identified a host of idyllic locations. We can offer any type of food in any setting from Mexican on a beautiful lake to vegan on Fable farm to wine and cheese at the Rose Garden at Lyndhurst to dumplings in your own backyard. We host groups of friends as well as events meant to connect people who’ve never met in addition to offering culinary classes. It’s really been very exciting.”

The HELP Bus True to Cook’s passion for improving lives, the FoodieBus

transforms into a nonprofit, the HELP (Healing, Educating, Liberating People) Bus through a partnership with Feeding Westchester, an organization with the mission of ending hunger in Westchester County. Recipients waiting for Feeding Westchester’s food resources can queue for up to three hours. The HELP Bus is seizing this time as an opportunity to provide education in culinary and farming skills. Explaining her nonprofit’s mission, Cook says, “We’ll bring the bus to distribution points and offer demos and suggestions. Oftentimes, families are stretching these groceries for up to two weeks and we want to help them achieve that in a healthy way. We are also teaching culinary skills that can be leveraged so that people can have a background in handling food, empowering them to get work–there’s over 500 different culinary employment opportunities out there.”
As Cook provides culinary education, she is also gaining valuable lessons. She shares, “I’ll never complain waiting on line at a grocery store again. This experience completely debunks any stereotype of who these people are. People within our own communities are struggling. As someone who’s had my own struggles, I think it’s so important to take the opportunity to change someone’s life if you can, even if it’s for just one moment.”

Paving a New Path

Whether it’s called the FoodieBus, the HELP Bus or just Loretta, Cook is paving her own path with a roadmap that’s of her own design. She says, “I love creating dishes that aren’t textbook by taking everyday ingredients and pairing them in odd, yet delicious combinations. But, the excitement for me is not just in creating a unique dish. It’s in bringing different people with different passions and lifestyles together in peace and happiness at the table over food.” As Cook goes on, peppering the dialogue with phrases like sous-vide, portobello carpaccio, lemon-infused olive oil and microgreens, it’s clear that there will be no shortage of patrons eager to take a seat at her table.

Beach Bopping Around Westchester

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As temperatures warm, a migration of sorts occurs as northeasterners are instinctively drawn to the beach after months of deprivation. The need to insert ourselves into a Slim Aarons photograph is almost palpable as throngs of us load our cars with beach supplies for day trips to the waterfront. What many Westchester residents, however, may not realize is that this need can be satisfied in mere minutes by a number of hidden gems within the county lines.

Westchester County Parks Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia said, “With warmer weather here at last, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to the beaches when our pre-season begins on Memorial Day weekend. Croton Point Beach is attached to a 500-acre park with everything from a nature center to a full-service campground; Glen Island Beach offers beautiful views of Long Island Sound and of course Playland Beach is part of our iconic Playland Park amusement complex. So there is always a lot to do and see.”

Grab your beach bag, toss in your county park pass or proof of residency and get going! Be sure to go online in advance of your expedition to view specific hours and applicable fees for each location.

Croton Point Park Beach, Croton-on-Hudson

Situated on the Hudson River’s largest peninsula, this 508-acre park boasts stunning views of Haverstraw Bay as sailboats dot the water and low mountains line the horizon. Beachgoers will be thrilled to see that this location offers a wide expanse of sand suitable for spreading out a full service set-up. History buffs may be interested to learn that archeologists confirm that this land was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 7,000 years ago.

1A Croton Point Avenue Croton-on-Hudson
(914) 862-5290

Glen Island Park, New Rochelle

Among Westchester’s jewels, Glen Island was initially developed as a summer resort in the late 1800s. In the 1920s, Westchester County acquired the property and connected it to New Rochelle by a drawbridge. Today, this 130-acre property features a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with access to the Long Island Sound in addition to picnic pavilions, boat launching, pathways, a restaurant and more.

Weyman Avenue New Rochelle
(914) 813-6720 or 6721

Stephen E. Johnston Beach, Mamaroneck

Located on Harbor Island Park, known as the “jewel of Mamaroneck,” this lovely 700-foot beach flanks a wide range of amenities. There’s something for everyone including a playground, spray ground, pavilion, showers, marina, boat-launching area, docks, fishing floats, tennis club, ball fields and more!

123 Mamaroneck Avenue Mamaroneck
(914) 777-7784

Orchard Beach, Bronx

Orchard Beach, located in New York City’s largest park, Pelham Bay Park, is the Bronx’s sole public beach and can be reached by car in approximately 45 minutes. This artificial beach is 6,000 feet long and was created in the 1930s, when it was proclaimed “the Riviera of New York.” The property features a promenade, pavilion, snack bars, food and souvenir carts, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, a large parking lot, and 26 courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. Overlooking the Long Island Sound, this beach offers calm waters and has earned it’s designation as an NYC icon.

Bruckner Blvd. & Westchester Avenue Bronx
(718) 430-1890

Playland Beach, Rye

There is no other beach in Westchester where sun soakers can alternate between dipping their toes in the water and going on the rides at Rye’s Playland amusement park. This stretch of sand offers general-public access to the Long Island Sound and convenient access to Playland’s park and pool and a range of restaurants overlooking the water. And, animal lovers can rejoice – it’s also dog friendly!

100 Playland Parkway Rye
(914) 813-7010

Meet a Local Alopecia Awareness Advocate

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Photo by Carolyn Simpson courtesy of Ali Lambert Voron

Ali Lambert Voron on How to Celebrate the Beauty of What Differentiates Us

Ali Lambert Voron of Briarcliff Manor is many things. She is a voiceover actress, motivational speaker, blogger, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a mother. She also happens to be bald. Yet, instead of allowing that single attribute to define her, Voron flipped the narrative and is redefining society’s views of “normal.” Through optimism, humor and a steadfast decision to be happy, she harnesses every challenge life presents, transforming them into opportunities.

Lean and long, with bright eyes and a warm smile, Voron’s captivating presence radiates both inner and outer beauty. From a young age, she found joy in spreading happiness and light, saying, “My mom always strived to make others smile, especially if she sensed they were in a bad mood. I inherited that. I had an amazing childhood. Then, I lost my hair.”

Redefining Normal

At the age of 16, Voron began noticing bald patches in her head. Those discoveries prompted a confusing journey of misdiagnoses including hair-pulling disorders, depression and the potential of lupus. Voron recalls, “I felt happy and didn’t think I was stressed, but then I began second guessing myself. When a dermatologist finally diagnosed me with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss everywhere on the body, it was almost a relief.”

With the support of her family, Voron met the diagnosis with what would become her trademark optimism. A variety of treatments including serums and topical injections were used that produced hair regrowth, but only temporarily. “The most insecure part for me,” she says, “was that I never actually imagined being bald. I thought I’d have patches, but that it would come back. I never foresaw what actually happened and over a period of a year, my hair got thinner and thinner until it eventually all fell out.”

Initially, Voron bought a wig, but that didn’t last long and she emerged from the experience stronger than she thought possible. She explains, “Wearing a wig just wasn’t me and it didn’t take long before I whipped it off for good. I realized that I wanted to be myself regardless of whether that broke social norms. Strangely, I almost viewed myself as lucky for having learned this valuable lesson early on.”

A Sense of Humor Helps

Losing her hair at such a formative time was not without challenges. The headmaster of the private school Voron attended encouraged her to run for president of the school, a recommendation Voron credits as a “true gift.” With guidance from her “very funny” parents, she launched into campaign mode and put together a slideshow of bald leaders who she hoped to emulate including Mahatma Gandhi, President Eisenhower and Mr. Clean since he is the “leader of household cleaning products.” She won the election and gained a valuable platform to prove that although she was different, she remained the same, explaining, “As president, you make speeches in front of existing and prospective students, alumni and parents regularly. I got to show my community and myself that I was okay–different, but normal and even a leader–and, I got that opportunity over and over again.”

A Cycle of Kindness

Her story gained traction and Jennifer Saltiel, a family friend and aspiring writer (coincidentally, also a current Chappaqua resident) reached out. The resulting article, No-Hair Day, was published in “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul” as well as “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.” Voron began receiving letters in droves from people undergoing cancer treatment who were inspired to forgo their wigs to teenagers who were encouraged to look past their own insecurities. Voron says, “Those letters inspired me to realize how much we can help one another. I helped them and their outreach helped me. It was an amazing cycle.”

Years later, a chance meeting at the New Orleans’ Jazz Fest, introduced Voron to her husband. A fellow Philadelphia native, they had been orbiting one another for years, as his mother was even Voron’s second grade Hebrew school teacher. The first years of marriage would also show that they shared a strong sense of resilience. Voron explains, “I got very sick with ulcerative colitis in the beginning of our marriage. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia and colitis are closely genetically linked. I ultimately had my colon removed. Though I have no recollection, my parents reported that when I left the operating room, I raised my fist in the air and said, ‘the monster is out!’ At that same time, my husband’s mom died of brain cancer. Like my alopecia, these traumatic experiences made us stronger and taught us that we will emerge from the bad days to see the good ones.”

The Vorons have extended that philosophy to how they parent their children, ages three and six. Voron explains, “I love that my kids have a mom who looks different because it sends the message that it’s not just okay to be different–it’s cool. If you’re not different, you’re the same and that’s not exciting or special.” So, when Voron learned that a bald Bratz Doll hit the market, she naturally seized the opportunity.

The couple launched a grassroots effort, “Bald Dolls 4 Bald Kids.”

“I understand firsthand how having this doll would be so impactful, so it became my mission to get enough dolls to the National Alopecia Conference, a place where going wigless is the norm,” explained Voron. With only three weeks until the conference, armed with sheer will and energy, the Vorons raised $14K, enough money to provide dolls for every child in attendance at the event. The family maintains a small inventory of the dolls, which they distribute at intervals to children with cancer and alopecia.

A Path of Inspiration

Voron’s experiences have laid the foundation for living a life with a focus on kindness and empathy. “Initially, it bothered me that at least one person would approach me to ask about my hair daily, until my husband pointed that each of these people had their own story to tell. It literally changed my whole perspective. By simply giving them ten minutes, I was giving them an important gift. Now, I go through my day wondering how I can help that random stranger. You can let something destroy you and crumble into a ball or you can make the decision to not allow that. That’s an empowering concept and it’s my privilege to share it.” And, Voron spreads that message, proudly embracing her differences as what makes her special as she inspires everyone in her path to do the same.

A Fresh Take on Spring Fashion with Stile

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With candor, impeccable taste and a ready smile, Julie Root is adept at helping customers put the “I” in style. Nestled in the heart of Armonk’s Main Street, her shop, Stile, is a lifestyle boutique that offers “fun, delicious” items for everyone. Having opened only three years ago, the shop quickly found its niche in the Armonk fashion scene and cultivated a strong following. Describing Stile as a shop that has something for everyone, Root says, “My customers don’t just come to us for one thing. They come for the fabulous bags, chunky knits, beautiful candles and diffusers, wardrobe staples and trendy pieces. Everything we offer has a special twist and our inventory is ever-changing.”

Stile offers a dazzling array of swoon-worthy products including accessories, home goods, women’s apparel and J. Hillburn menswear. From the stunning Baobab diffuser to the one-of-a-kind Rolling Stones sweatshirt to the custom costume jewelry adorned with vintage Chanel buttons, the selection challenges clients to narrow down to just a few purchases. It’s no surprise that the boutique was the winner of the “Best of Westchester 2017” in the category of “Place to Find a Hostess Gift.” Stile specializes in exclusive, one-of-a-kind items and under the radar designers. Root says, “I have cultivated strong relationships in the industry over the past decades that provide me with access to items that no one else has–our lines are hard to get. You simply won’t find many of them on Amazon or in the major department stores.”

The fashion veteran is excited about spring as the new season’s inventory begins arriving. Here’s the forecast as Root sees it:

Pinks & Patterns

Root predicts that a specific color scheme will take over spring wardrobes, saying, “There will be a lot of color. I expect hues of pink like blush, coral and rose to be huge. We are also seeing patterns like camo, animal print and florals injected into designs. Take part of the trends by adding it in pops with a soft sweater, yummy wrap or a fun handbag.”

Luxurious Materials

“Luxury is back,” Root proclaims, adding, “Materials like cashmere, lace, fur, silk, velvet and leather are so in. Layer a little shearling vest or a lace cami into your outfit to infuse this trend.”

The Feminine Persuasion

Femininity will influence the spring looks. Dresses will be big, but the good news is that every length is acceptable. She says, “It’s high/low with maxis, midis and minis–anything goes this season! We’re also seeing designers do fun things with sleeves–big sleeves, off-the-shoulder, one shoulder, cut-outs, etc. And, don’t forget those cute rompers, which are still having their moment!”

Bag Lady

As Root talks about handbags, she becomes animated, saying, “I am bag-obsessed. There are so many fun bags coming to Stile this spring! I do a lot of smaller brands made in NY and California. We’re doing metallic, fringes, bouclé that’s reminiscent of Chanel, fur accents, sumptuous Italian leather and more. And, there are so many options from knapsacks to cross-body to clutches. The cross-body iPhone cases are so functional and popular right now!”

Denim

Denim continues to have its moment in the sunshine. Stile features an assortment of all styles at all price points including pull-on bell bottoms, striping up the sides and uneven rough-hewn hemlines.

Custom Creations

Stile truly thrives in the one-of-a-kind arena. As Root says, “Everyone wants what no one else has. I offer denim jackets with custom messaging and embellishments, the cutest, fun rock-n-roll t-shirts and unique vintage and custom jewelry.  Shirts with messages of female empowerment are huge–I have them specially made for the store.” Sweatpants, sweatshirts and tees can also be customized according to personal tastes, featuring specific colleges, sports teams and favorite branded logos like Louis Vuitton or Chanel.

Regardless of trends and evolving fashions, there is one constant at Stile. High-end customer service is paramount as Root says, “I know what my customers are looking for and I always provide approachable, honest feedback with a smile. I will tell you if that dress looks awful and the pants don’t fit. I’d rather have the customer return because they love what they bought than buy something they regret and not return to us. And, I have the most wonderful style team who each share the same sensibilities and have their own loyal base of clients. It’s that personal touch that makes shopping local such a joyful experience. It’s something that internet shopping can never replicate.”

A Bucolic Westchester Jewel that’s Fit for a Rockefeller

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Tucked away in Sleepy Hollow, only 30 miles north of New York City, the beloved jewel known as the Rockefeller State Park Preserve is resplendent in the natural beauty for which Westchester is renowned. It is, however, distinguished by a storied history and the meticulous support of the Rockefeller family.

The property, formerly the Pocantico Hills and Rockwood Hall country estates of the John D. Rockefeller family and William Rockefeller, dates back to 1886. In 1983, the Rockefeller Family generously donated over 1425 acres to the State of New York to safeguard these lands for future generations.

Today, the Preserve is home to forests, fields, streams, and wetlands that support a high diversity of native species of resident and migratory birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish and aquatic species. Managed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, the Preserve is open to the public year-round, sunrise to sunset.

Friends Who Are Family

In 1996, to provide additional support to protect the Preserve, George Gumina, established the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Serving as president and founder, Gumina is also a Rockefeller family member as his wife is the granddaughter of Nelson Rockefeller.

PHOTO BY JOE GOLDEN

Preserving the land is personal for him as he explains, “Since Uncle John donated the land to the state, Aunt Peggy acted as a steward of the land. It was her primary residence and she loved the land. When she passed, with the family’s support, I began the ‘Friends’ group in her honor.” The organization actively supports educational programs, major exhibits and maintaining the preserve’s unique system of its lovely carriage roads.

Those funds are instrumental in the upkeep of the extensive network of carriage roads that characterize the park. The well-engineered 16-foot-wide, crushed-stone, network of 65-mile carriage roads were designed by John D. Rockefeller Sr. and his son, John D. Jr., over a 40-plus year period from 1910 into the 1950s. The winding roads overlook stunning vistas and serve as the signature feature of the preserve.

Gumina adds, “The carriage roads are what bring everyone here. From Day One, these roads were built for the public to enjoy–they were never just for the family. They are ideal for runners, pedestrians, horseback and carriage riding. You could walk on wide, manicured roads for miles and bring your dogs without worrying about ticks.” Over 400,000 visitors concur and visit the roads from all around the world each year.

PHOTO BY JESSIKA CREEDON

Noble Endeavors

The Friends group hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, but the Peony Celebration, an annual cocktail event held in May, is one of the largest fundraisers. The peony garden was donated by a town in Shimane Prefecture, Japan following the tragedy of September 11th to express a gesture of healing and solidarity towards the United States. They sent a gift of 500 peonies, considered to be Japan’s “most noble of flowers.”

Planting this garden was a culmination of true partnership. The Friends initiated a major landscaping project around the park’s gateway to provide a worthy site for this generous gift, while gardeners from Japan came to plant the flowers and teach the preserve staff how to care for them. Each year, it serves as the stunning backdrop to raise funds for the Friends’ ongoing initiatives.

Gumina explains the importance of such events saying, “The state has an $8M endowment donated by the family that many parks do not enjoy that supplements budgetary needs, but maintaining the intricate details of this special property is costly. That’s why the family remains present to provide as much support as we can with four family members actively on the board. This year, we hope to raise enough funds to refurbish Brother’s Path, named for Uncle David and Uncle Laurance, which circles Swan Lake.”

PHOTO BY JESSIKA CREEDON

Preserving Beauty for Generations

Rockefeller State Park Preserve recently celebrated a major milestone! The New York State Historic Review Board unanimously designated it as a State National Registry of Historic Places listed in Washington D.C., in recognition of the unique beauty and character of the carriage roads.

According to Gumina, the accolade is well-earned, “I call it the Central Park of Westchester, although I think it’s much nicer than Central Park–I’ve been there. From the carriage roads to Swan Lake to the wonder of its natural setting, it’s just absolutely stunning. It’s a beautiful backdrop for being active as well as those who simply wish to sit and meditate. It’s quite magnificent.”