The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Armonk Community

3rd Thursday: A Community Celebration

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The name may have changed but the Armonk Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursday event promises the same lively spring/summer fun as First Thursday’s of years’ past.  Beginning Thursday, May 18th and each Third Thursday of the month through August, downtown Armonk will come alive with music, art, activities, wine tastings and merchant/restaurant specials. Armonk Square will host student and adult bands, while visitors dance and stroll through downtown and beyond to avail themselves of dining and shopping promotions. A promotional list will be available on armonkchamberofcommerce.com and at participating merchants. Event dates are May 18th, June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, all from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Byram Hills High School Theater Program Celebrates its Golden Anniversary with New ‘Theater Honors Wall’

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The entire cast of Les Misérables at Byram Hills High School
PRESTIGE PORTRAITS BY LIFETOUCH

 

For the past five decades, Byram Hills Theater Program has been churning out an impressive array of students who have eventually pursued successful careers in movies, television and stage productions.

Alumni of the program were honored this past March and were invited to partake in an unveiling ceremony of a new Theater Honors Wall displayed outside the high school’s theater.

The ceremony took place before the current theater group’s matinee production of Les Misérables which several of the honorees attended.

Faculty and current members of the theater group recognized 26 honorees–24 alumni plus two former directors of the program and included actor Eddie Cahill of the shows CSI: NY and Friends; Bryce Dallas Howard, one of the leads in the 2015 blockbuster Jurassic World; and David Harbour, who played Police Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix hit Stranger Things.

They also include producers, lighting designers, composers, arts educators and people involved in regional theater across the U.S. Each year the wall will have additional alumni added to it.

Many of the alumni credit the strong theater program with helping propel them towards a career in the arts. Grant Sturiale (Class of 1975) who attended the ceremony and is now a Broadway conductor and composer reminisced about how he participated in Byram Hills productions every year while in high school under the direction of theater teacher Gene Bissell. Commented Sturiale: “Bissell was a life force in the theater. He directed shows like we were opening at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway. It imbued on all of us this tremendous sense of responsibility. He was a dynamic man and teacher.”

Byram Hills Theater Honorees stand by the new ‘Theater Honors Walls.’ Alumni (L-R): Grant Sturiale, Christopher Cummings, Michael Cummings, Sobha Kavanakudiyil and Stephanie Failing Saletan with her son
PHOTO BY PUTNAM-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER BOCES

 

Another alumni Christopher Cummings (Class of 1995) who is now an exhibit designer for museums, visitor centers and aquariums loved working under the tutelage of director Joy Varley. “Byram Hills had such strong theater productions and all the shows were top-notch. That feeling of the show must go on and the stress and anticipation of everyone working together left an impression on me.”

Stellar theater productions continue to live on at Byram Hills. The latest show, Les Misérables, under the direction of John Lopez, received thunderous applause and a nightly standing ovation by the audience including, the alumni honorees in attendance.

Inside Press Editor Grace Bennett, who attended opening night, stated effusively, “I’ve seen Les Misérables on Brodaway, and believe it or not, I found this production every bit as enjoyable. Kudos to all the kids, Mr. Lopez and all involved in bringing Les Misérables to Byram Hills.”

She added that “the high caliber show showcases incredible high school acting and singing talent that is so obviously being nurtured at Byram Hills. It was a thoroughly professional, impressive and ultimately, moving evening of theater! I think there were not too many dry eyes. Also, the joy at the cast party immediately following the production was palpable!”

At an opening night party (L-R): ‘Marius’ (Michael Ramsey, ‘17) Eponine (Dominique Karanfilian, ‘18) Javert’ (Shae Gordon, ‘19) Valjean’ (Charles Winston, ‘17)
PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT

Charlie Winston, a senior who played lead Jean Valjean and who plans to study acting in college noted that “one day he hopes to be on the honor wall like the alumni.” With a little luck and successes like this one, that just might happen.

Comic Relief Plus Support for Planned Parenthood of Hudson Peconic

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Comedy Night Event Chair Susan Chatzky during her keynote talk which also featured clips from the work of her grandmother, comedian Jean Carroll

Story and Photos by Grace Bennett

An all evening January fundraiser featured a line up of wonderful women comedians and a male emcee who took no prisoners during a time when unique Planned Parenthood faces dire challenges. Headlined “Dirty Mouths Dirty Martinis Comedy Night,” the packed event in Irvington raised much needed funds for Planned Parenthood of Hudson Peconic, and was chaired by Susan Chatzky of Briarcliff Manor. I caught up with Chatzky post-even to ask her about the eve’s purpose and goals:

1. Why a Comedy Night as a theme during a time when Planned Parenthood is under attack?

SUSAN: I love stand-up comedy. It’s probably in my blood. My grandmother was a comedienne and my grandfather was Dean of The Friars Club in NYC. To me, it’s the most honest art form. I wanted to start a tradition of comedy fundraisers for Planned Parenthood. Last year we hosted a reading of The Vagina Monologues and people loved it. This year I waited until the anniversary of my Grandmother’s birth (and death 1/7/1911-1/1/2010) and had a stand up night in her honor. We’re going to make it an annual event…People who support Planned Parenthood already know what we do and the challenges we’re facing. I just want to show them a good time in exchange for their support.

2. Tell us more about why you opened the evening featuring your grandmother. Not hard to see why; I thought she was awesome, but do tell.

SUSAN: Thank you! I think she was awesome too! My grandmother was born in Paris 1/7/1911. Her family emigrated to the US in 1913. She started working in vaudeville when she was 13 as a dancer. When she would mess up or get lost, she would tell a joke. Then it became a thing. She and my grandfather, Buddy Howe, had an act together, when he went into the Army she kept it going on her own. When he got back, they realized she was better as a one-woman show.

Buddy became her manager and agent and went on to become CEO of ICM in the 1970’s. Jean was the first woman to earn $10,000 for an appearance on Sullivan!Jean was a progressive, liberal, Democrat. She spent her time and her money contributing to causes she believed in. She taught me to do the same.

3. Can you clarify what is at stake right now and why fundraisers for Planned Parenthood are critical at this juncture.

SUSAN: With Republicans in all three branches of our Executive Government, there’s little doubt that Medicaid will no longer cover Planned Parenthood health centers. This is what they mean by “defunding” us; we don’t get a blank check; we get paid by Medicaid for the services we provide. Roughly one third of our patients are on Medicaid.

Even with those Medicaid payments, we need to fundraise, because Medicaid payments do not fully cover the cost of the services. We also turn away no one. People should know that Medicaid doesn’t cover abortion services. Every abortion is paid for by the patient, or if she’s unable, Planned Parenthood will use donated funds.

4. What are your goals for the funds raised for the immediate future?

SUSAN: The comedy event was to raise funds for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, the healthcare provider, and help women and men access high quality healthcare whenever they need it. The 10 Planned Parenthood centers in our affiliate. It is a C3 and has no political ties.

We are also beefing up security in light of the current political climate. Since the 2015 shooting (at a Planned Parenthood Center) in Colorado Springs, we’ve become very sensitive to the need to protect our patients and staff.

President Trump et al have also promised to defund us, meaning we’d no longer have access to title 10 funding or Medicaid reimbursement. Planned Parenthood would then have to fundraise to continue to provide care for people who would otherwise not be able to afford it.

On the political side, but having nothing to do with our C3, we hope to strengthen and update New York State law and bring it in line with Roe V Wade. The Reproductive Health Act affirms that NYS law recognizes a fundamental right of privacy and equality which will protect New Yorkers from hostile laws aimed at severely limiting abortion access providers.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/pg/InsideChappaquaMagazine/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154891703608669

 

 

Triumph for Byram Hills Varsity Hockey

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Byram Hills’ 5th Annual Pink the Rink fundraiser against breast cancer was a great night for BH Varsity Hockey, as the team won for the 4th consecutive year against their Route 22 rivals Fox Lane 11-1. The bigger victory was that the team achieved their goal and raised over $10,500 toward breast cancer research. The Bobcats sported pink hockey sweaters and socks, and Fox Lane got into the spirit with bright pink skate laces.

“We are so proud of our boys and girls,” said Charity Lunder, whose daughter is the goalie, the only girl on the team. “With four sets of siblings on the team, it’s a school record. My son Robert (a senior) and my daughter Grace (a junior) are wrapping up three years of playing on the same team, a dream come true for parents!”

The game took place before an enthusiastic crowd at Brewster Ice Arena, with Bobcats Ethan Behar and Robert Lunder scoring hat tricks. The Bobcats record is 7-4, and they expect to notch more wins in the weeks ahead. The team extends thanks to all in the Byram Hills Community, as well as Fox Lane, who contributed to the success of this campaign.

Westchester Teens Step Up to Aid Syrian Refugees

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Over 200 local teens from across Westchester County participated in a day of community service in honor of MLK Day in January. Thanks in part to a generous grant from UJA-Federation of New York in connection with the launch of its Time for Good volunteerism initiative, J-Teen Leadership spearheaded the Westchester-wide interfaith teen volunteer event to aid Syrian Refugees with the AFYA Foundation and Westchester County Youth Council. The teens’ work and the day, hosted by the the Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, took on even greater significance in the weeks that followed after the new U.S. president signed an Executive Order banning entry to the United States of refugees and immigrants from seven Middle Eastern countries including Syria.

In opening remarks on the day of service, Pam Wexler from the UJA noted, “It’s hard to know how to help in this situation and hard to get direct help when they’re so far away. Today there are 35 service projects going on throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Westchester. These times demand action.”

Danielle Butin, founder of AFYA, asked the students to think about what it would be like to be living the life of refugee, never going back home and what they would take. Butin shared that she had gone to Lesbos, Greece and saw refugees coming in, boat after boat, and asked them what they needed. One refugee answered, “We fled ISIS, we crossed the sea, no one in our family died, we need nothing.”

Butin emphasized to the volunteers, “Yours will be the last pair of hands to touch these supplies before they go to where they’re needed.” Butin also commented that participants “have to be a special kind of person to volunteer and not see the end point” of the goods and supplies going to those in need.

Teen volunteers spent the morning sorting and packing items delivered from collection sites around Westchester organized by teen collection ambassadors. Twelve pallets of donated goods included diapers, baby blankets and hats, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandages, Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, Bacitracin, Neosporin soap, feminine hygiene products, rain boots, office and school supplies.

The boxed supplies were scheduled to be air shipped to Syrian Refugees in Northern Iraq by the AFYA Foundation in partnership with the US Department of Defense. Community Service Certificates were provided for participating teens.

The J-Teen Leadership Planning Committee led by Co-Chairs Ethan Afran, Scarsdale High School junior, Jordyn Glantz, Horace Greeley High School senior, Aaron Hersch, Scarsdale High School senior and Hannah Malter, Byram Hills High School senior, ran the event. Together the four Co-Chairs realized the importance of taking initiative and didn’t want to just stand by and watch. In addition to sorting and packing supplies, the large group of teen volunteers made cards and wrote letters to the refugees.

Greeley senior Jordyn Glantz noted that while J-Teen holds an MLK Service Day every year this was the first time they were doing an event to help the Syrian Refugees. She was heartened by the large turn out of volunteers who were from all faiths throughout Westchester.

Byram Hills senior Hannah Malter emphasized that “advocating for those who don’t have a voice unites us all and makes our work that much more important.”

Carla Harding, a teen volunteer from the Westchester County Youth Council, noted in opening comments, “If MLK were here today, he’d be very, very happy to see the efforts you’re making.”

Dr. Georgette F. Bennett, from the Tanenbaum Center and Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, brought a spiritual aspect to the occasion quoting Leviticus 19:16, “Thou shalt not stand by idly while the blood of your brother cries out from the Earth” and added, “If we don’t help, we’re enabling the effect we fear the most and that is radicalizing. Public opinion is the only thing that’s going to change policy and that’s why it’s so important you young people are here especially because of your use of social media–get the message out, push back against anti-refugee rhetoric.”

This is the 11th year that teens from J-Teen Leadership turned out in force in an interfaith volunteer effort to encourage community building and connections across religious and societal lines in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Susie Stern, founder of Time for Good, encouraged the teen volunteers to “talk about this experience when you go home because you’re changing lives that have so little.”

For more info, visit www.ujafedny.org

Kelly Leonard is the founder and principal consultant of KLO Associates, LLC, a digital marketing boutique specializing in custom content strategy and influencer engagement for authors, publishers, local businesses and nonprofits. Previously she held senior management positions at Time Warner Book Group and Hachette Book Group.