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Special Event Saturday Night – New Castle Historical Society

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Chappaqua Station is excited to present an evening with DJ Michael Cumella. Prepare to be impressed as Mr. Cumella’s DJ setup includes turntables from the early 20th century, as well as nonelectric antique phonographs. Mr. Cumella’s expansive collection of dance tunes from a variety of 1920’s jazz bands will pair perfectly with Chappaqua Station’s speakeasy vibe.

From the New York Times :

“I’m spreading the gospel of the gramophone,” said Mr. Cumella, 52, a record-spinner of a different sort than your average scratch-and-cut beatmaster or festival-rocking hipster fresh from Berlin.

Those types may rock the party, but Mr. Cumella rocks the parlor, with a fleet of nonelectric antique phonographs that spin 78 r.p.m. records and Edison-era cylinder recordings.

This Jazz Age D.J. has built a reputation among like-minded music lovers in New York City. This particular evening was his regular monthly gig at the Campbell Apartment, a nightspot located in Grand Central Terminal.

Using two turntables — a 1906 Victor and a 1905 Columbia — and a microphone and a modest P.A. system, he spun dance tunes from 1920s jazz bands.  “I want to replicate the listening experience from 100 years ago without filtering or equalizing the sound,” he said. “It’s a completely different sonic experience to stand in front of it and feel it. It’s a physical experience.”

Proceeds from the sale of tickets goes to support the New Castle Historical Society.  The New Castle Historical Society is an historical and educational non-profit organization that focuses on the preservation and interpretation of local history through educational activities and programming. The Society strives to discover, collect, preserve, and share the history of the Town of New Castle in the context of local, regional, and national historical narratives. The Society also maintains the Horace Greeley House Museum in downtown Chappaqua. Established in 1966, the New Castle Historical Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016.

If you have any questions please email info@chappaquastation.com or call 914.861.8001

World Cup Gymnasts are New York State Champions

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World Cup Gymnastics Level 8, Boys’ Team wins the New York State Championship

image002_gymnasticsCHAPPAQUA, New York, March 23, 2016 – World Cup Gymnastics boys’ team competed in the NY STATE GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS held March 19-20, 2016 at West Point, NY.
The Level 8 boys’ team with Mt. Vernon native Nolan McMahon; Mahopac native JT Basulto; Fishkill native, John Zakrewsky; Brewster native Curtis Bett; Katonah native Henry Weigel and Millwood native Landon Highbloom took home the first place trophy with a team score of 218.50.  McMahon had an incredible day winning the individual all-around with a score of 72.90.  He also won 1st place on Floor with a 13.00, 1st place on Rings with a 12.50, 1st place on Parallel Bars with a 12.55 and 1st place on the High Bar with a 12.050.  He added a 3rd place win on Vault and a 4th place win on Pommel Horse.  Balsuto was the individual all-around silver medalist who took home two silver medals on Floor and Rings in the age 11-12 competition and the bronze medal on the Parallel Bars and High Bar.  Bett took home silver medals in the age 13-14 competition for Floor and Pommel Horse and Bronze on the High Bar, while Highbloom took home silver on Rings in the same age group.

The Level 9 boys’ team was the silver medal champions with New Winsor native, Chase Cassisi gaining the highest scores and winning the individual all-around with a score of 76.  He swept the competition taking home gold in all events with scores of 13.15 on Floor, 12.30 on Pommel Horse, 12.40 on Rings, 12.15 on Vault, 13.30 on Parallel Bars and 12.700 on the High Bar.  Teammate Ettore Panzanaro who hails from Cortland Manor assisted earning a gold medal on Pommel Horse with a score of 12.60.

The Level 6 boys’ team was the silver medal champions in their competition with Eli Osuna from West Point taking home a gold medal on Vault with a 10.00, a silver medal on Floor with an 11.150 and a bronze medal on High Bar with a 10.70.

World Cup Gymnastics is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.

Inside the New WPH Medical and Wellness Center…

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Attentiveness and Care Merge with State of the Art Offerings

Back Row (L to R): White Plains Hospital (WPH) Board Member Bill Null; Angelo Monaco, President of GTL Construction; Town of North Castle Councilman Barry Reiter; and WPH Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Smith. Front row (L-R): Architect Phil Cerniglia of Lothrop Associates; Armonk Real Estate Developer Mi- chael Fareri; North Castle Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto; North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro; WPH President & CEO Susan Fox; Margaret Cunizo Legislator-Elect for District # 3; and North Castle Councilman Stephen D’Angelo
Back Row (L to R): White Plains Hospital (WPH) Board Member Bill Null; Angelo Monaco, President of GTL Construction; Town of North Castle Councilman Barry Reiter; and WPH Chairman of the Board of Directors Larry Smith. Front row (L-R): Architect Phil Cerniglia of Lothrop Associates; Armonk Real Estate Developer Mi- chael Fareri; North Castle Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto; North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro; WPH President & CEO Susan Fox; Margaret Cunizo Legislator-Elect for District # 3; and North Castle Councilman Stephen D’Angelo

By Matt Smith

“The quality care you have come to expect from White Plains Hospital is now even closer to home.” So says the advertisement announcing the opening of White Plains Hospital’s New Medical and Wellness Center, located in Armonk. By providing services for ailments not necessarily severe enough to require emergency room visits, the hospital staff hopes that the center will “fill a gap [in terms of health services] in Armonk and the surrounding communities,” states Rafael E. Torres, head of emergency medicine at WPH, and medical director at the new Center. And this past autumn, on Tuesday, November 17, they (officially) did just that.

“We have been a trusted provider of quality health services for residents of Northern Westchester for years,” states WPH President and CEO Susan Fox. “We are pleased to now make many of those exceptional services available closer to home for this community.”

At 99 Business Park Drive in Armonk: The new 24,000-square-foot facility–the first of its kind in Westchester–houses an urgent care center, open 3-11 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends; a diagnostic imaging center, open 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends; and several other medical offices.

Of special note, the urgent care center is the first and only one in the county, a feat in which the entire WPH staff takes great pride. “I’m sure others will follow,” says Frances Bordoni, vice president of business development. “But right now, we are the first.”

The facility is keeping in step with technological advancements. “We’re moving on to a system called EPIC,” explains Bordoni. “All of the information [regarding] your vitals, including your weight, will are input into the computer without a human person having to type it in.” Patients will have state of the art options such as a silent MRI, a 64-slice CT scan, sonohysterography, bone densitometry, and pediatric radiology.

Key Focus on Pediatrics

Of all the services offered by the Medical and Wellness center, Bordoni believes the community will benefit most from pediatrics. “We decided that pediatrics should be [its own separate entity], rather than [be] mixed in with the rest of the specialties here,” she explains. She adds that pediatric ward will feature two different waiting rooms, so that “well” visitors can be separated from those not feeling well, stating: “Most pediatric offices just separate it by chairs.”

Another exciting feature of the new Center is the 3D UltraSound–a service rare in other clinics and hospitals–and 3D Breast Mammography. “One of the things I always hear from colleagues and friends is how long it takes them to get a mammogram appointment,” notes Bordoni. Commenting on how “quick and easy” their process is, she adds that “I think this [service] will be a tremendous asset to our facility.” Another plus? Women who take the mammography exam will be able to get their results the same day.

In keeping with their mission of emphasizing wellness above all in regards to their approach to medicine, the hospital staff also plans to roll out a series of programs in conjunction with Equinox Health Center, also located within the complex. “Our plan is to develop a joint program whereby an exercise regimen and personal trainer would have an individual tailored approach for each patient based on their medical conditions, history and concerns,” explains Dr. Kay Lovig, a WPH endocrinologist, and co-proposer of the project.

Lovig notes that the programs will specifically focus on topics such as weight loss management, high blood pressure management, cholesterol intake, dealing with diabetes and other chronic conditions, and dieting, to name a few. “Overall, I think it will be great,” comments Bordoni, who joins Lovig as co-spearheader. “We’re really looking forward to collaborating [on the project].”

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Emergency Room Proximity

But, of course, while the proximity to the health club is indeed beneficial, the central location of the Wellness Center begets essential medical advantage–most notably and most importantly, for those patients who need it, the ER is roughly 15 minutes away. “Living in the community, I just found that [this type of center] wasn’t at my fingertips,” comments Bordoni, speaking on the center’s location, “and it’s very important to have [a center like] this at your fingertips.”

Adds Dr. Lovig: “I’m from the area [and] I think [such a center] is something that’s definitely been lacking. It will definitely be helpful [to area residents].”

But location aside, the Medical Center and the hospital alike–or really, any hospital for that matter–is only as good as the manner in which its run. Those interviewed stress WPH is committed to attentiveness and care, in the fullest sense of the words, placing a premium on quality over quantity, when it comes to addressing patients’ needs. “There really is the emphasis–from administration down–on not treating patients as numbers,” comments Dr. Lovig. “People care about their patients here. It’s a very connected environment.”

Additionally, “it [has] a totally different feel than any other medical space I’ve seen,” notes Bordoni. “It’s a one-stop shop, but in a very boutique-type way.” She credits that feel to the hospital staff. “It’s really about the physicians, both here [at the Medical Center] and at the hospital.” Bordoni goes on to explain how each physician is “really collaborative…in their [initial] decision-making, and [in deciding] next steps with a patient.”

Of course, she states, at the end of the day, “the main goal is really to keep patients out of the hospital, and living well and healthfully in their own communities.” But, if patients had to choose a hospital to spend their time while ill, Bordoni makes it clear that there is truly no better choice than White Plains Hospital.

“We really provide tertiary care,” she continues, citing such specialists as the “stellar” oncologists and those who run catheterization labs and clinical trials, in addition to various thoracic, spine, and vascular surgeons, among all the other “terrific” physicians. At White Plains Hospital, she says, “You really do get the whole team. Whether they’re in the hospital or whether they’re here [in the Medical Center] or in New Rochelle, [the physicians and specialists] are all part of the same team, so it is one seamless machine.” She pauses, then smiles, before she adds, proudly, “which makes us exceptional every day.”

Please visit wphospital.org/armonk.

Getting to Know Matt Marucci at New Castle Physical Therapy

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A Dedication to “An Utmost Attention to Quality of Care”

Matt and Laura Gavan Marucci and family
Matt and Laura Gavan Marucci and family

By Matt Smith

It’s the familiar adage we’ve heard time and again: “Change is good. Change makes the world go ‘round. Don’t be afraid of change.” While Matt Marucci, who opened New Castle Physical Therapy in March 2007, recognizes that change is indeed necessary for growing a business, he takes pride in knowing one very important element of his practice has remained constant since Day One: to “provide the highest level of care and service possible.” With a dedicated staff of six (four therapists and two receptionists) and rave reviews from clients throughout the county, we can undoubtedly agree that, although change is good in some cases, a successful strategy is better left untouched.

“Treating one patient per hour allows us to provide a level of individualized care that is rare in today’s health care environment,” Marucci explains, when asked what makes his clinic unique. “Whether it’s the front desk or the therapists, everyone here cares about the people who walk through our door. I think that sets a positive foundation for the experience patients have here.”

Patients come to NCPT with all types of injuries and conditions. Concerning the problems NCPT specifically treats, “We run the gamut,” says Marucci, adding that their practice has no age limitations: “We see everyone from adolescents to geriatrics.”

Citing patients with long-term conditions such as cerebral palsy or stroke recovery, but also those with every day “sprains and strains or aches and pains,” in the back, neck, knees, or shoulders, to name some major problem areas, he explains that the range of conditions is so extensive, it truly encompasses “anything under the realm of orthopedics.”

Through its affiliation with the Hospital for Special Surgery, and in consultation with experts from the Hospital, NCPT also helps patients with unique orthopedic conditions and post-operative rehabilitations.”

Marucci assures that no matter the extent of the patient’s condition, all issues are treated with the utmost attention to the quality of care.

With such a strong focus toward the well-being of his patients, it’s clear Marucci has a lot to be proud of; but there’s one aspect of the practice that he believes most significantly contributes to successful treatment: the company’s “one patient per hour” approach. He stresses the importance of the one-on-one relationship between patient and therapist, especially when dealing with long-term conditions.

He explains that by extending the length of therapist/patient sessions, therapists are able to complete a more thorough evaluation and treatment strategy. “It’s a matter of [staying with the patient] and helping them break it all down so they have a thorough understanding of what they can do to help themselves,” he says. “All of our therapists have or are working on advanced certifications, and [have] plenty of continuing education, but if we only have 15 minutes with a patient, there is only so much we can do.”

A full hour of treatment also means the patient can use that time to thoroughly understand his or her condition, and work with the therapist to improve it and alleviate any associated pain. With this in mind, Matt urges therapists to take full advantage of the time spent with their patients, stating, “The ability to empower people through their recovery is a wonderful opportunity,” and it’s not to be taken for granted.

Marucci certainly knows this to be true in the case of his practice, and he recognizes that providing excellent care means continuing hard work. Speaking specifically about which achievements make him most proud, he says, with a smile: “the community of people that has formed here.” He takes satisfaction in knowing that, by launching the practice, he has indirectly created a unique family environment, which grows wider and stronger each year, adding life and vibrancy to a place that literally had none before.

“When we first found this space, it was a very stale, generic office space,” Marucci explains. “To [look at it now and] see the community and camaraderie that has developed is very fulfilling.” In describing the rare connection between members of this group, he makes particular mention of the special bond longtime patients have, not only with the staff and therapists, but with other longtime patients.

Matt Marucci
Matt Marucci

“There’s just something about seeing that connection that makes me very happy,” he continues. “It makes it feel like home.” ncpt faciilty

What’s more? Not only is his family expanding at work, it’s also expanding at home: his second daughter, Nora, was born on May 9, 2015. And while adjusting to life with a new one has been somewhat hectic. “Last night was a rough night,” he admits. He gives full credit to wife, Laura, also a physical therapist at NCPT, for helping to make the transition between home and work (and back again) very smooth. “She’s my rock at home,” he says. “And she’s a great mother.” Ultimately, with the baby sleeping (mostly) through the night, and their three-year-old daughter, Clare, comfortable in her role as big sister, Marucci notes, rather contently, that “all in all, life at home is great.”

And considering the ongoing success of NCPT, one could also say the same is true of life at work. Of course, none of this is lost on Marucci, who also wishes to extend his thanks to the many patients–the “very vocal advocates”–who consistently recommend the facility to their friends. “[Word of mouth] is the lifeblood of a small business,” he comments. “It’s appreciated more than they’ll ever know.”

As for the success of the business itself? “It’s crazy,” he remarks. “You open up, hoping for the best, staring at the phone and hoping that it rings, and seeing it slowly build and build and build…” He throws his hands up in amazement. “We’ve been very fortunate. I’m extremely grateful.”

New Castle Physical Therapy is located at 16 Schuman Road in Millwood. For more information, please visit newcastlept.net 

Markets have you Down?

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By Scott Kahan

Scott Kahan
Scott Kahan

It’s been a rough start for the equity markets in 2016. It’s hard not to panic and want to sell everything waiting for the markets to settle down. Wouldn’t it be nice to get a steady 4% return every year rather than all these ups and downs? Consider this: Since 1950, the U.S. markets have experienced a decline of between 5% and 10% in 35% of all calendar years; 20% of the time a decline of 10-15%, and 17% of our last 56 stock market years have seen downturns, at some point in the year, of more than 20%.

The very fact that stock downturns scare people is one reason why stocks deliver a higher return than bonds. Economists call it the “risk premium;” which is a form of compensation for investors who tolerate the extra risk–compared to that of a risk-free asset. Over their history, stocks have delivered higher long-term returns than bonds and cash.

But you should view your investments through a financial planning filter. Before you make changes to your portfolio, you should review your goals and objectives. If they haven’t changed, then there is probably no reason to make major portfolio changes. It may be a good time though to rebalance your portfolio based on your overall goals and objectives.

Market downturns give an advantage to those who are willing to practice disciplined re-balancing among different asset classes. Basically, that means that when stocks go down, any new cash goes disproportionately into stocks to bring them back up to their former share of the overall portfolio. This approach takes the emotions out of investing.

If you’re accumulating for retirement by putting money in the market every month or quarter, each downturn means you can buy shares at a bargain price while many other investors are selling out at or near the bottom. Over time, as the market recovers, this can give a little extra kick to your overall return.

If you are in retirement, you should have 12-18 months of liquid funds available in a money market so you don’t have to sell when prices are low. As you rebalance during the year, you fill that cash “bucket” to maintain the needed liquidity.

If you are focused on your financial planning, then market downturns should not be a time to panic, but rather viewed as a normal occurrence and possibly an opportunity.

Scott M. Kahan, is a Certified Financial Planner® professional and President of Financial Asset Management Corporation, a fee-only wealth management firm located at 26 South Greeley Avenue in Chappaqua. Call 238-8900 or write to skahan@famcorporation.com.