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Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Always a Most Wonderful Time of the Year At the New Castle Historical Society

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A previous Gold in Your Attic booth from a past Chappaqua Expo
A previous Gold in Your Attic booth from a past Chappaqua Expo

By Matt Smith

The holiday season is in full swing, and nowhere in town is that more evident than the New Castle Historical Society. You may have, earlier this month, already participated in the annual Tree Lighting ceremony, or sang with the community at Bell Middle School. You may have also created some old-fashioned crafts, or admired the festive Victorian decorations that adorned the Greeley House mantles. No matter which holiday activity you’ve chosen to indulge in, we’re sure you can agree: this is truly a magical time of year.

At the helm of all of the “holly jolly” festivities is NCHS Executive Director Cassie Ward, who took the reins of the organization from the now-retired Betsy Towl in February 2015. “I’m a trained public historian,” she says, of how she expresses herself through her work. “I absolutely love history and working with history. Whenever I can find different ways to connect people with history, whether it’s through a special event, through an education program, or maybe even through a research request, that gives me what I call” (and she beams as she says this) “history happy-chills,” which she explains to be her version of euphoria. In regards to taking on this new role at NCHS, Ward adds, “I feel like I’m following my bliss. [It] feels really good to share history.” And she’ll continue to do just that, with the slew of events NCHS has planned in the coming winter months.

To that end, if by chance you did miss any of the Historical Society’s cheery early-December offerings, you may be relieved to know that one event is still ongoing… and it’s sure to make your spirits bright: it’s the “Gold in Your Attic” Special Holiday Sale!

Run by Nancy Hurwitz and Fran Osborne, the sale is a “spin-off” of the booth regularly featured at the annual Chappaqua Expo. Community members can peruse a variety of holiday-related collectibles; among them, china, jewelry and silverware, to name a few. “They [also] have a lot of artwork, different pieces for the home [as well as] antiques [and] a lot of unique treasures,” comments Ward. “It should be a great sale.” ‘Gold in Your Attic’ continues at Greeley House through December 19th.

Tree lighting
Tree lighting

Another exciting upcoming event is the NCHS 50th Anniversary celebration, commemorating a half-century of “collecting and preserving New Castle history.” NCHS kicked off the year-long celebration with a party last month, which included a unique “Last Man Standing” cash raffle, wherein every ticket entered was pulled, with several revealing either a cash prize or an item donated by a local merchant. The grand prize–awarded to the “Last Man Standing,” as the title suggests–was worth up to $2,000. Proceeds from the evening went to financing the organization’s future programs. And yes, this November 14th bash has indeed already passed, but rest assured that many more events commemorating this momentous occasion, including a celebratory gala, will continue into the New Year and beyond. (Of note, NCHS will officially mark its milestone birthday in June 2016).

Ward remarked, too, that she appreciates these events because they elicit “a nice, jolly feeling” within the community; in “bringing everyone together,” they bolster the holiday spirit in town. As she and the other NCHS employees begin planning for the future, she hopes that their “exciting and innovative” new activities will continue to evoke that positivity year-round. “We will be expanding all of our programming (educational, historical services, community outreach, and special events–and hope that these programs will appeal to everyone–from children to parents and grandparents,” she says, of the plans for 2016. “All of the new programs will encourage the local community to interact with history in engaging and unique ways.”

And why is it so important that NCHS keep doing what they’re doing, and receiving community support? The answer is simple. “Sometimes, people will come [in] and they’ll tell me that they’ve never been [to NCHS] before,” Ward explains. “So, the more community activities we can provide and really get people involved with such a great cultural resource right in the center of their town, the better it is for us, and the better it is for the people of New Castle.”

The New Castle Historical Society & Greeley House is located at 100 King Street in Chappaqua. For more information on the organization, please visit www.newcastlehs.org.

 

Arc Stages: An “Artistic Haven” and “Umbrella” for the Performing Arts!

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Adam David Cohen (Artistic Director) and Ann Shankman (Artistic Direc- tor of the Community Stage) with Audrey II of October/November 2015's Little Shop of Horrors.
Adam David Cohen (Artistic Director) and Ann Shankman (Artistic Direc- tor of the Community Stage) with Audrey II of October/November 2015’s Little Shop of Horrors.

Story and Photo By Matt Smith

“Curtain up! Light the lights! We’ve got nothing to hit but the heights!” Diehard theatre buffs will, of course, recognize this lyric as the mantra of the indefatigable Mama Rose in the 1959 musical Gypsy. However, it’s safe to say that this clear-cut, “reach-for-the-stars” advice could also perfectly describe the mission of Arc Stages, a not-for-profit theatre company located in Pleasantville.

Since June 2010, this “marriage” between former community theatre organization, Chappaqua Drama Group, and Little Village Playhouse, a former 15-year-old educational theatre program based in Pleasantville, has provided the community with an ensemble-based, collaborative environment–an “artistic haven,” if you will–which allows all participants, young and old, the chance to freely express themselves through the artistic process.

The “small, but fierce” staff of seven is steadfast in their goal of education and growth, and they take pride in their wide selection of offerings, which includes everything from classes to special workshops to amateur and even professional, productions. One glimpse at their work and you’re sure to see why there’s simply “no business like show business.”

“I think there are very few places that have what we have here,” says Ann Shankman, Artistic Director of the Community Stage, who describes the program as “an all-encompassing umbrella over the performing arts.” She says the company offers a little something for everyone, whether it be “for kids, for the everyday person who has a regular job but wants to do theatre, like they did it in college and could never do it again…[or for] professional actors who do [this] for a living.”

As President of the Executive Board of the company, Shankman says she gets joy out of knowing their work helps to raise a positive spirit in the community. “On both sides of the spectrum,” she adds, with a smile. “We’re helping people that come to us to be in our shows [by giving them a show to be in] and we’re helping people who come to be entertained [by giving them a show to see]…on whatever level that may be.”

Shankman and the rest of the Arc Stages staff also pride themselves on the company’s budding success as a business. “We are the people who started it, and we all have a death grip on its success,” she states. “And we wear many hats to make sure that what we’re putting out there matches our vision.”

A little over five years in, it certainly seems like that vision has been realized. And the key to their success may lie in the many ways in which they distinguish themselves from other theatre groups–one of which, most prominent in the Educational Stage, is their unique approach to the casting process. “Instead of shoehorning kids into a show that we’ve chosen before we know [them] and what their levels are….we pick shows that fit them,” explains Arc Stages’ Artistic Director Adam David Cohen.

In other words, shows aren’t necessarily, in all cases, chosen ahead of time. Based on what they see from a certain person or group during their audition, the staff may handpick a show to fit the needs of that group–even if that means changing a previous selection. And yes, Cohen acknowledges that this approach does “present marketing problems,” but he strongly believes the pros outweigh the cons, arguing that this process better supports the company’s aforementioned goal of education and artistic growth.

“It’s really about the art of what we’re doing…and less about someone in a star role,” Cohen explains. “We don’t like to do a big show and then stick thirty people in the background. We try to put on shows that are ensemble in nature,” so that, in the end, “everyone’s more hands-on and it feels like it’s their [own].”

Another way to promote the values of ensemble and not “shoehorn” actors into roles like Velma Kelly or Harold Hill? “We like to focus on newer work,” Cohen continues. “[Especially] in the Next Stage (the professional program), new writing is very important to us. [We] don’t want to re-paint the same painting over and over.” Additionally, by performing newer pieces–such as Love/Sick, by John Cariani–in favor of the old standards, “[the actors] get to originate roles. They don’t have a recording [of a performance] to fall back on. The role gets to be theirs.”

In keeping with their goals and supporting inclusiveness and education, and in an effort to get everyone involved, Arc Stages will kick off a series of classes for adults in 2016–“scene study classes, improv, voice, that type of thing.” And that’s not all. Another exciting event the staff plans to roll out in the New Year is a playwriting festival for younger students.

“We’re working with [students at] Bedford Road School,” Cohen explains. “We’re going to teach them the principles of playwriting. They’re going to come here, we’re going to go there… it’ll be a lot of fun.”

The year-long project will culminate with each student completing a short play, which may be chosen to be performed in the Arc Stages space. “They’ll be invited back [to Arc Stages] and [the event] will be open to the public, as a Playwriting Festival from local students.” Cohen stresses that if this initial run goes well, he hopes to extend Playwriting Festival submissions to the community at large.

Finally, they’ll be launching a Theatre for Young Audiences program, in which the professional Equity actors will perform an educational show exclusively for kids. The staff will also begin registration for their summer program, titled Summer Stage, open to all community kids aged 4-18. And of course, each stage within the company–Community, Educational and Next–will put on another show.

Physical Expansion Underway!

And, amidst all the expansion in programming, the company will also undergo a physical expansion as well. The current 74-seat auditorium will be split in two, “becoming part dressing rooms, and part flex classroom [space],” Cohen explains. In addition, their current storage closet/set building room will become the new entrance space for audience members.

The larger, 175-200 seat auditorium will be a proscenium theatre in which all of their main productions will be held. The building/construction project, which began in 2013, is expected to be completed within the next five years. Want to join in on the fun?

If so, the Community Stage is open–naturally–to all members of the community, regardless of age. The next set of auditions will be held in January, and the production for that program will be chosen in advance. So, if you’re intrigued, come out and show them what you’ve got! “There are a lot of talented people out there,” Cohen says, on the subject. “We’re happy to see them all.”

For those who may not be as performance-inclined, Arc Stages also has volunteer programs in costuming, set design, lights and sound, box office, publicity, and more.

“The only thing we keep in-house is we clean the bathrooms,” Cohen says with a laugh. But, seriously, as you can see from the wide variety of opportunities, Arc Stages really is a place where you can truly do it all. As Cohen states, “You can learn about theatre, you can be a part of theatre, [and] you can see good theatre.”

Arc Stages is located at 147 Wheeler Avenue in Pleasantville. For more information on the organization and/or how to audition, please visit www.arcstages.org.

Matt Smith, a proud graduate of Skidmore College, is a regular contributor to The Inside Press, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Chappaqua’s Jon Cobert on the Language of Music

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Jon endorses Nord and Casio keyboards.
Jon endorses Nord and Casio keyboards.

By Jon Cobert

Self-expression. What is it, exactly? There are billions of people on this planet, and every one is unique. We all have our own view of the world, and our own way of communicating our thoughts and feelings. There are ballerinas, artists, sculptors, orators, architects, and poets. People who express themselves in solitude, and others who perform in front of thousands.

I am a musician.
I have been for as far back as I can remember. There was always a piano in the house, so that’s what I gravitated towards for my own personal form of self-expression. Of course I can speak and write and draw and even paint a little (no dancing please!), but music has always been the most personal and effective way for me to express myself.

Jon and Bruce Springsteen
Jon and Bruce Springsteen

Playing an instrument is like learning a language; you have to practice and play for long enough that it becomes second nature. If you have to think about what your fingers are about to do, then you’re not really making music; you’re kind of painting by numbers. When I play, I feel like the music is already out there, and I’m collecting it and letting it be heard through the piano.

As a musician, I’m the sum of all the influences I’ve encountered over the years. It’s been quite an eclectic journey. I started taking piano lessons when I was 9. Ted Harris, my wonderful teacher, came to the house every Wednesday afternoon. He taught me how to read music, how to play scales, and also how to improvise, since he was a composer and a jazz pianist.

I learned Haydn, Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Bartok, and Schoenberg. Then Fats Waller, Scott Joplin, and Earl “Fatha” Hines. After that we went into popular music: Beatles, Bachrach, Beach Boys.

Mr. Harris showed me how to appreciate music, and how to communicate it my own way. He encouraged me to improvise, and I spent many hours at that piano, with the lights out, just experimenting and discovering new harmonies and melodies.

When I got into college, I had to decide if this ability and love of music could be my living, or just something to do after work. At NYU, I had two majors, Music and Biology, because I liked science and wanted to see if I could do that for a living. My passion was never in my schooling; I always had rehearsals with my band after school, and that’s where my heart was. I continued to study Bio and Music, waiting for a “sign” to help me decide.

In my Junior year, my band signed a management deal with Record Plant Studios, a famous recording studio where all the big names did their albums. John Lennon was recording his Wall and Bridges album there, and I soon began recording and playing with him.  So much for the Biology major. That was the sign I needed, and there was no turning back.

Today my musical life is rich and varied. I play many styles, and do various things. I write music for TV and radio, commercials and sports themes. I write songs, also in many styles, and I play lots of different types of engagements. I play in several bands in clubs around the area, doing rock and roll, soul, jazz, and blues (my own band is called Cobert Operations). I tour the country with Tom Chapin, playing music for families as well as folk music for grown-ups. I play in Churches and Synagogues and yes, even Carnegie Hall.

And I play and sing solo at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua every Thursday night. It’s the solo work that gives me the most freedom of self-expression. When I play with a band, arrangements have to be agreed upon, so the musicians are on the “same page”, and it sounds cohesive. While that is enjoyable, and carries its own set of skills like listening and collaborating, it does limit my freedom.

When I’m solo, I can interpret the songs however I feel, depending on my mood and the mood of the crowd. I can take a Beatle song and do it bluesy, or in the style of Leon Russell, just for fun. I am truly the luckiest man to be able to express myself freely, and earn a living at the same time.

Jon Cobert will be playing and singing in the Tap Room at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua every Thursday from 7 to 11. He’ll be the musical director for A Tribute to Lead Belly at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 7 and 8, with his band, Cobert Operations, at 12 Grapes in Peekskill on Dec 12, at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in White Plains on Dec. 23 and 30, starting at 6, and with Tom Chapin at the Turning Point in Piermont, Dec. 27 and 28. You can check his website at www.joncobert.com or his facebook page.

Jon, Bruce, Tom Chapin, Jackson Browne and Jen Chapin
Jon, Bruce, Tom Chapin, Jackson Browne and Jen Chapin
Jon and John Lennon, copyright 1975, Allan Tannenbaum
Jon and John Lennon, copyright 1975, Allan Tannenbaum

Fun Facts about Jon Cobert…

Jon Cobert is a New York-based composer/arranger/pianist/session keyboardist/vocalist. He got his Music Theory and Composition degree from N.Y.U., and began his career with a bang, recording and playing live with John Lennon (you can see him in the movie “Imagine”). Other recording and touring credits include John Denver, Klaus Nomi, Laura Branigan, Phyllis Hyman, Al Green, Henry Gross, Linder Eder, Leslie Uggams, Harry Chapin, and Dion, among others. He has played with Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, and many more. Since 1988, Jon has been working with Tom Chapin, recording, touring, producing, writing, and arranging. He has earned five Grammy nominations for his work as producer on Tom’s recordings. In addition to being a sought-after studio keyboard-player, Jon has also been writing and arranging music for TV and radio, and some of his work includes: The ESPN Baseball Tonight Theme, ESPN College Football Gameday Theme, Dr. Pepper, Pepperidge Farm, Rolling Rock, Budweiser, Arm and Hammer, Juicy Juice, Activia, Burger King, Wendy’s, Capital One, Dannon, and many others.

 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey and her Decades Long Fight for Gun Violence Prevention

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Congresswoman Nita Lowey
Congresswoman Nita Lowey

By Grace Bennett
Photo by Carolyn Simpson

Editor’s Note: We were immediately struck by the modest building on Mamaroneck Avenue housing our Congresswoman and her staff serving the 17th district. But that the offices were alive and buzzing with busy staff and interns came as no surprise at all. While we waited for Congresswoman Lowey–who has been serving our country since 1989– to meet with us in her office, it was fun to take note of various framed photos, the ones of her together with Hillary Clinton, in particular, as I’ve personally observed the warm relationship between the two at different local events over the years.

I also noted her graduation certificate from the Bronx High School of Science, which I attended as well. It was the first thing I mentioned, since us “Scienceites” do have a special bond. And indeed, she seemed tickled to learn that I attended Science too; a brief personal chat followed and also with photographer Carolyn Simpson about her own background and about her daughter’s photography pursuits, too! And then we dove right into a photo shoot, after which I sat down with Rep. Lowey for a 30-minute discussion about a range of issues she holds most dear…from her initiatives for improved rail crossing safety to an in depth discussion about her tireless efforts to prevent gun violence.

Community Day 2015: Rep. Lowey with our State Assemblyman David Buchwald
Community Day 2015: Rep. Lowey with our
State Assemblyman David Buchwald

Grace: Please comment about the specific upgrades and safety improvements for railroad crossings…What are the chances of that all happening and of money being appropriated for that, and what are some of the solutions that would make a difference?

Rep. Lowey: I think it’s essential that we really look at every rail crossing and that we do a careful analysis of every crossing. And, this is what I discussed with Sara Feinberg, who is the acting commissioner in charge of this effort. I brought her up to Chappaqua because of the loss of life (following the Metro North tragedy). And, we have to be sure that the crossings are safe. If they are not in an appropriate place, we have to look at closing some down, opening others. But we can make them safe and therefore we need an accurate evaluation of every crossing…because we cannot lose another life. (*1)

Grace: Regarding your work with the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act; as a caregiver, many people would be affected by loss of income. Please explain why this issue so important to you.

Rep. Lowey: As I travel around the district, the caregiver initiative is one of the most important bills I have introduced. If you have an Alzheimer’s patient, and the daughter or son becomes the chief caregiver, and they have to leave their own job, they are making a huge sacrifice–not only their job, but to their future benefits from Social Security.

So what this would do, is create a credit that would be added to earnings to calculate future Social Security benefits. The credit is progressive and varies on an income-based sliding scale. (*2)

Now there are technicalities and that it won’t be more than a national average. What is most important, if you are taking care of a loved one and in most cases, with a lot of love and care and concern, you don’t have to sacrifice the money that you would get after you retire.

Many families have decided that a child, a grown adult, is the best caregiver, rather than hiring someone from the outside, and hiring someone from the outside would cost even more. And that’s why this is so important, whether it’s a patient with Alzheimer’s or other illnesses, I am very proud that this, I hope, will be able to help so many Westchester families.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey was awarded the Million Mom March "Apple Pie Award" at an event held to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Million Mom March. The award was given in appreciation of Rep. Lowey as an outstanding elected official committed to promoting sensible gun laws to keep families and communities safe. She was also honored, along with organizers Donna Dees-Thomases, Jill Brooke and Elise Richman, as a participant in the original Million Mom March. 750,000 people attended the march in D.C on Mother's Day of 2000, with over 150,000 people joining in events across the country. Pictured: Alex Dubroff (New Yorkers Against Gun Violence), Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Jessica Meller (Million Mom March Northern Westchester Chapter).
Congresswoman Nita Lowey was awarded the Million Mom March “Apple Pie Award” at an event held to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Million Mom March. The award was given in appreciation of Rep. Lowey as an outstanding elected official committed to promoting sensible gun laws to keep families and communities safe. She was also honored, along with organizers Donna Dees-Thomases, Jill Brooke and Elise Richman, as a participant in the original Million Mom March. 750,000 people attended the march in D.C on Mother’s Day of 2000, with over 150,000 people joining in events across the country. Pictured: Alex Dubroff (New Yorkers Against Gun Violence), Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Jessica Meller (Million Mom March Northern Westchester Chapter).

Grace: During the first Democrat debate, gun violence prevention came up as a key issue; as someone who is such a strong voice on this issue…how did this make you feel?

Rep. Lowey: I feel so proud not only to support Hillary as the next President, but her strong language on preventing gun violence is absolutely essential. We need real leadership. The fact that the NRA has such influence in Congress is an embarrassment to me.

With Newtown, and all those lives were lost, and now in Oregon, it’s unconscionable that Congress hasn’t taken action. There are thousands of lives that are lost every year as a result of guns. [33,000 gun deaths in 2013–the most recent available number and we lose 90 people per day to firearms.] And what’s amazing is on the Appropriations Committee, I introduced language to do research, so we can really determine why these lives were lost. (*3)

Was the person mentally ill, were they addicted? We have a lot to learn. The language I introduced would take the place of language that was offered 20 years ago in my same Committee and I wanted to reverse it, and the Republicans wouldn’t support me. It shows you the power of the NRA. We’ve got to do this research, it is essential.

Grace: How or why did you develop a passion to prevent gun violence?

Rep. Lowey: As a mother and a grandmother, and I would even say as a woman, it is astonishing to me that the NRA has such influence on so many colleagues of mine, men and women. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Grace: How does the NRA do that? Have they tried with you?

Rep. Lowey: The NRA would not even approach my office because I have been such a strong supporter of gun prevention violence my entire career. How can we not do accurate background checks? How can we not determine whether a person is mentally ill, or whether they are responsible enough to have a gun in the home. I don’t want a gun in my home. I don’t have a gun in my home. I don’t even want to lift a gun…You don’t need assault weapons, and you don’t need to be able to have repetition in the magazines that could just slaughter dozens of people at the same time.

I will continue to fight those who are trying to prevent us from doing even a simple amendment like allowing research to determine what we need to do to prevent this violence and what kind of laws we should have in place.

Grace: What’s the problem with holding a gun show in the County?

Rep. Lowey: I don’t like these gun shows where anybody can come up and exhibit their guns. I don’t think we need a gun show in Westchester County. And, it was disappointing to me to see the County Executive approve future gun shows. Is there an accurate check on those who are purchasing a gun? If you are selling a gun in just a few minutes or in an hour, you should be able to do an adequate background check so you know who is buying the gun. And again, I want to see background checks on the dealers and the sellers. Are they responsible people and will they comply with all the laws that are in place?

Grace: Can you please explain the ‘terror gap?’

Rep. Lowey: It is shocking to me that you can be on a terrorist watch list and prevented from getting on a plane, but you are allowed to go and buy a gun. This is totally inconsistent.

Grace: Can you address the rural to urban trafficking of guns?

Rep. Lowey: This is the problem. We have tough laws in New York State. However, you can have someone from a neighboring state without the tough laws come in to New York, come in to our crowded city and destroy a family’s future, by killing the mother, the father or a child. So you need Federal gun laws so you can’t travel with guns from a state with loose laws to one with tough laws.

Grace: Taxing ammunition – what is your view about that?

Rep. Lowey: I don’t think it should be easy for you to buy ammunition over the internet. I think there has to be a lot more work. If it were up to me, I would not allow the sale of ammunition over the internet. I want to see who is buying it. I want to know how much they bought. Certainly taxing may have some impact but I do not know what the studies are on that.
I think if someone wants to buy ammunition, they are going to buy it even if it is a little bit more. That is why I don’t like sales over the internet. I think you should be able to go to the store, use your identification, do an adequate background check; the dealer should have an adequate background check, and the purchaser.

Grace: Where do these differentiations come from; when does it become ever so more dangerous?

Rep. Lowey: I would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, possession of magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition because sometimes someone may have accuracy and shoot their targets with one round, but if you have repeated rounds, you could really destroy a group of people in a classroom.

Grace: What’s the chance of these bills coming up for a vote before the next election?

Rep. Lowey: I feel very confident that our task force in the House, which is composed primarily of Democrats, will present these bills to the Congress, but because of the power of the NRA, especially on the Republican side of the aisle, I don’t think they’ll get passed. But I know that we are going to work very, very hard, and we are introducing a package of bills that I think can make a difference.

We have been talking about preventing gun violence for so many years, and again after Newtown and Oregon, it’s hard for me to believe that even somebody who leans toward the position of the NRA would vote against simple background checks.

Grace: How do you reconcile the 2nd Amendment with gun advocate claims that all these initiatives violate it?

Rep. Lowey: Well, we just disagree. I don’t think these initiatives are in violation of the 2nd Amendment. And, we have a responsibility to protect the public good.

Grace: What is your biggest wish regarding gun violence prevention?

Rep. Lowey: It seems the most basic legislation is adequate background checks. It should go from three days to 14 days, but I would even compromise; we just have to make it stronger. The burden should not just be on the purchaser, but on the dealer too. We need to be sure there are responsible dealers selling those guns. And make sure that the purchaser has a background consistent with the law.

Grace: Tell me about your initiatives for youth and family. I’ve noted some wonderful work!

Rep. Lowey: In communities like Chappaqua and Armonk, most families provide so much enrichment to their children in the early years that you can compare the outcomes. Other communities are not so fortunate…but everyone should have the opportunity to have dreams, and to fulfill their dreams…Every youngster should be able to gain a head start in a Headstart program; every youngster should have preK and full day kindergarten because many studies have shown that that is the beginning of a person’s education. So I have pushed to increase dollars for Headstart and preK and most of the money for education does come from state and local.

Grace: Let’s talk about Planned Parenthood. Why did you take such a lead on that and please talk about the shutdown threat.

Rep. Lowey: It is hard to believe that 151 Republicans voted to shut down the government and we kept it open because of the combination of the Republican and Democratic votes. Planned Parenthood (PP) provides a whole range of essential health care services to a whole range of people across the country; it’s not about abortion. It’s about birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It’s about screening for STDs.

PP has become an absolutely essential factor in almost every district across the country and to try and shut down PP when in fact the bill that the Republicans said they wanted to attach closing off all funds to PP didn’t even have funds for PP in it because the competitive funds come later in the process. I was very pleased that we were able to keep the government open but it seems that the Republicans still want to have hearings on PP…

Grace: Please talk about the Algonquin pipeline which so many people are worried about and protesting. What is your view about its safety?

Rep. Lowey: I’ve been concerned that this pipeline runs too close to Indian Point. And, I’ve taken a strong position that Indian Point should be closed. We are working together with activists in the community to interact with the federal agencies that control this decision and I’m still hoping that we can get a consensus on what is safe, and the impact that that pipeline on the citizens.

Grace: Is it close enough to Northern Westchester to cause harm?

Rep. Lowey: If God forbid there was an accident at IP, it would affect everyone in a 50-mile radius that includes New York City.

Grace: What else do you wish to communicate to our readers as we come to the close now?

Rep. Lowey: It is such an honor and privilege for me to serve communities across Northern Westchester. The families care. They care about the environment; they care about the schools, they care about every factor that impacts their lives. For me, it’s a privilege to serve. I have many who come to my office, sometimes it’s a veteran who wants medals that he hasn’t been able to get, or needs assistance with health, education, or disability benefits. Sometimes it’s a senior who has not had adequate Medicare payments. Certainly the issue of rail crossings has been a major focus of my office since that tragic incident.

Grace: And a little personal information our readers would enjoy knowing about you?

Rep. Lowey: Well, I am married to Steve Lowey for 54 years. We have three children and eight grandchildren. It is such a joy for me to be involved with their lives. I feel very privileged that I have a warm, caring family, and that I can also help people in our community in need of service. Sometimes they are so desperate they don’t know where to go. We have an outstanding, very responsive staff and that makes my heart feel good. To wake up every day and know that you can just do good things and help people is a real honor and privilege.

For more info about Rep. Lowey, visit lowey.house.gov.

Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press, Inc. Special thanks to Kat McKee and to Debra Hand for, respectively, transcribing and editing assistance.

Footnotes (as supplied by Congresswoman Lowey’s office):
(1*): Congresswoman Lowey co-sponsored the Rail Crossings Safety Improvement Act (which passed the House on March 4 as part of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act–PRRIA) that would invest in state and local governments’ efforts to build bridges, tunnels or otherwise relocate roads in order to improve the safety of grade crossings for passengers, motorists and pedestrians. (This is awaiting a vote in the Senate.)

Congresswoman Lowey successfully included a provision in a House transportation spending bill that would increase the federal funds for grade crossing improvements from $220 to $350 million.

Congresswoman Lowey fought successfully to set aside $6.5 million for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a House transportation bill to develop a national media campaign on grade crossing safety.

After bringing FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg to the Roaring Brook Road crossing in Chappaqua, to demonstrate the pressing need for action on improving safety at grade crossings throughout our region, the DOT announced a new partnership on grade crossing safety–integrating DOT’s grade crossing data with Google Maps to alert drivers about grade crossings.

(*2): As an example, someone who is a full-time unpaid caregiver would receive a Social Security credit worth around $22,000 a year, while a caregiver who works part-time and earns $33,000 would receive a credit worth around $5,500. The Social Security Caregiver Credit would phase out when the caregiver makes more than the average national earnings.

(*3): There is a standing 20-year prohibition on federal funding on research related to gun violence. The 2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, reported on June 24th by the Appropriations Committee, continues a “general provision to prevent any funds from being spent on gun research,” including data collection, according to the Committee report.
Lowey offered an amendment during the Labor-HHS-Education markup to remove this mindless prohibition, which was defeated by a unanimous Republican majority.

Homegrown Heroes

by

The definitions of a hero according to Merriam-Webster are: “A person admired for his/her achievements” and “One who shows great courage.” Inside New Castle, we indeed have heroes among us. Some were born and raised in town, many are on active duty, several are veterans. These men and women are family, friends, neighbors. More importantly, they are people of great courage, sacrificing their comfort and safety for the safety and security of our country, and protecting the freedom that we have come to learn is not free. While by no means an all-inclusive list, the following profiles of six young men and one woman are a great point of departure. We take great pride in sharing their stories in these pages…

By Eileen Gallagher

Thomas Galvin
Thomas Galvin

Thomas Galvin, HGHS 2011

Galvin recently graduated from the Air Force Academy, and is on his way to pilot school.

His inspiration? “I don’t think I can attribute it to any one thing. I guess I’ve just never stopped thinking airplanes were cool. Seeing the Blue Angels at Jones Beach when I was young I thought, ‘that looks awesome, I want to do that.’ But as far as being in the Air Force, that’s probably just luck. I applied never thinking I’d get in, but I somehow did. Now I’m on my way to starting pilot training.” Galvin’s paternal grandfather served in the Army, and, but for vision issues, his father would have become a pilot with the Marines.

Family’s reaction? Galvin’s mother, Kathy, a Chappaqua resident, remembers learning about her son’s decision. “It seemed that the process was looking favorable. He asked me how I felt about it, and at that exact moment I remember thinking it was my worst nightmare and at that same moment thinking it was my greatest dream for him! The Academy teaches, ‘Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do’. I could not think of a better set of values to be taught!” Galvin’s father, also named Tom, said, “We are so proud and happy for him as it’s a dream come true. Ever since he was seven he wanted to fly for the Air Force. He has always been community-minded having logged in record hours at Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance, being an officer at Civil Air Patrol, and serving the Church of St. John and St. Mary as an altar server and on Midnight Runs.”

Community support? “My parents are the biggest reason I’ve made it to pilot training, but I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the help of a lot of people in the community. Between tutors, personal trainers and community leaders, they’re people I still keep in touch with and visit whenever I can, despite the Air Force taking me far from Chappaqua. My friends and family are an essential part of my support network, they definitely keep me sane, and are always there for me.”

Path going forward? “After I complete Initial Flight Training, I’ll begin a year-long Undergraduate Pilot Training. The first phase is one month of academics. In Phase 2, I’ll begin flying a small training aircraft. About halfway through is Phase 3; I will track into the training aircraft for fighter and bomber pilots, the trainer for cargo pilots or the trainer for helicopters. After I complete training in one of those aircrafts, I’ll learn which airplane I’ll fly for the next ten years. At some point over the next two years, I’ll also need to complete Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Training as well as a water survival class.”

Advice for others interested? “The Air Force Academy looks for well-rounded, service-oriented people. My extracurriculars and volunteer service made me competitive, and getting involved with Civil Air Patrol also gave me an advantage. ROTC is a great opportunity to get a commission. My advice is, even if you’re only the slightest bit interested, give it a shot.” Galvin’s dad added, “Entering the Air Force is hard enough, but staying in is even harder. In Thomas’ year, 55,000 students expressed an interest in attending, 12,000 were invited to apply, 1200 were accepted, and only 800 graduated. It’s that tough.”

Ariel Coreth
Ariel Coreth

Ariel Coreth, HGHS 2009

Coreth is a Naval DIVO (Division Officer) who manages a group of over 50 sailors. Deployed for six months over a year ago, she was flown to Hong Kong to meet her ship, sailed south, and “parked” in the Red Sea in support of Operation Inherent Resolve; a mission to be on standby for evacuating the Yemeni Embassy, if needed.

Her inspiration? Her brother Ian. As a high school freshman, she accompanied her father to visit him at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “Observing formation, observing people hard at work studying, people walking around in crisp white uniforms, and how excited and happy my brother was, it basically got me thinking, okay, what is this place about?” Coreth explained. She further shared that she did her research and felt she came to understand what to expect,”It’s regimented…there are rules. It’s more of a disciplined path for me to take. I met people who were so happy and felt so accomplished. There was just that innate drive in them, that dogged determination that sometimes you don’t find nowadays.”

Women in the military? “Things are changing. The Navy is approaching the 25% mark, and we do have the first four star Admiral. There were recently two (female) West Point graduates: a Second Lieutenant and a Captain who graduated ranger school.” Coreth pointed out other successful women in the service spotlight, specifically noting both Condoleeza Rice and Sonya Sotomayor and saying, “I’ve seen successful men and women. I’ve also seen men screw up and women screw up. (Ultimately) it’s all the same…it’s about giving back, but also about the highest echelon, the highest caliber of service. I love my country, and this is the way I want to serve my country.”

Ben Berkey, second from left, during Formal Parade outside of Bancroft Hall, United States Naval Academy
Ben Berkey, second from left, during Formal Parade outside of Bancroft Hall, United States Naval Academy

Advice for any interested students? “Chappaqua schools did a wonderful job in molding a very independent mind. Follow the beat of your own drum. Trust your gut and be open
and receptive to new things.”

Max Hamlin
Max Hamlin

Max Hamlin, HGHS 2007

Inspiration? “Both of my grandfathers served in World War II, but one was only a kid,” began Hamlin, describing how Bernie Goodkin, his maternal grandfather was 17 years old when he enlisted. He served on the S.S. Leopoldville, a Belgian passenger liner that was converted to a transport for soldiers. On December 24th, 1944, Goodkin was in his quarters below deck when, by happenstance, one of his fellow infantrymen gave his head a mischievous smack. A chase ensued, with both men ending up on the upper deck, neither knowing that a torpedo launched from a German submarine was about to strike.

“My grandfather was pulled out of the water,” continued Hamlin. Had Goodkin still been in the lower level, he would have perished with the more than 760 soldiers who died in what has come to be known as The Leopold Disaster. “Years later, he still got letters from other family members of those on that ship asking if he knew of anyone else surviving.”

Was Goodkin the inspiration for Hamlin to join the Army? Perhaps in part. “I always looked up to my grandfather–I wanted to emulate him.” Was 9/11 a factor? “I was a 7th grader during 9/11, and scared we would be in a war.” Hamlin pointed out the irony that, at 22 years of age, he was getting on a plane to serve in that very war he had feared. “I would have served regardless,” Hamlin said. “Growing up here, I felt like I had a debt, something to give back.” He served on the Pleasantville Ambulance Corps during high school, and was in ROTC while in college. “I loved being part of a team, doing something exciting,” Hamlin said. A self-proclaimed “adrenalin junkie”, he wanted adventure, and found it in the Army. Commissioned in 2011, he spent the following year in Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division (think TV series Band of Brothers). He was deployed to Afghanistan in the Nangarhar Province in one of the last big deployments from November 2012 to August 2013.

Just as meaningful to Hamlin is his deep appreciation for everything he has here in our country. He spoke of the civilians in Afghanistan working to feed their families while having to navigate roadside explosives, and observed, “You don’t understand how much you’ve been given until you see people who don’t have it. You learn to appreciate food and sleep, how nice it is to drive to school in safety. Basic necessities become treasured moments.” Even something as basic as a letter in the mail becomes ‘one of those things’.

Would he make the same choice again? Hamlin recalled that the last thing he did before he left for the Army was watch the Jets lose with his dad. And though his mother did not want him to join in the beginning, she was very proud as she came to see her son off. He conceded that the Army is not for everyone, “It’s a very big commitment. It’s hard to leave your family, your familiar town, hard to adjust to moving to an area where you don’t want to live. But it’s worth it as you get to meet people from all 50 states, and see some of the world. You learn how to make a new family. By the time you leave a base, you have made 20 new friends.” After a beat, he was unequivocal, “I would do it again.”

The single most important thing to come out of his experience was the opportunity to serve as an officer and lead soldiers. “Being honored with the responsibility of leading our nation’s sons and daughters is by far my greatest achievement. At 23 years old, I was leading 25 soldiers, and at 24, I was second in command of 180 troops. That’s not something I ever thought would happen as a small town kid from Chappaqua!” Hamlin concluded, “My service and my time in Afghanistan are just steps in my life’s journey, but the privilege of leadership in such a storied organization is what I am most proud of.”

David Levine
David Levine

David Levine, HGHS 2003

Army Medic Levine lives with his wife and two children in Virginia. He received his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification at 18, and, after two years of study at Suffolk University in Boston, he joined the Army.

Inspiration to serve? Levine recalled, “I was born in Bogota, Colombia, and was raised primarily in the streets in various foster homes and orphanages. I was adopted in 1991 at the age of 6, along with my brother Leonard, and was very fortunate to be saved from the life I had. I have always had a sense of obligation to repay my parents for the life that they allowed me to have–the Army was always something I felt I needed to do.”

Levine explained how he learned of his late brother Lawrence’s service with the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC). “When I was 7 years old, I found his bright yellow jacket in one of our closets. It belonged to my brother Lawrence who had died before we were adopted. (Lawrence was adopted at birth from Colombia.)  At 17, he passed away in an accident on a school trip in Europe. He was an avid volunteer at the Ambulance Corps, and I later learned there is a tree dedicated in his honor outside the CVAC station.” After his parents explained Lawrence’s role as an EMT, Levine was immediately interested. “At the time, I really just thought the lights, sirens and jackets were cool, but once I started, it solidified what I wanted to do in my life.”

He continued, “Military recruiters never came to Chappaqua, so I sought them out and told them there was no way I would sign up unless I was a Medic. My main goal was to help soldiers in a time of war. I wanted the trauma, I wanted the action; and I appreciated the feeling of being needed at one’s most vulnerable moments, knowing I was the one who could help. I was never very patriotic. In fact, growing up, I took more pride in being Colombian only because I didn’t want to lose that part of me. But once I joined, it was instantaneous. I was a part of something much bigger than myself or my desires.”

Helicopter Medevac training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Helicopter Medevac training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Family’s reaction? Despite his dad having served from 1958-1960, Levine felt his decision was “very new to all of them.” That being said, his “family slowly came around to accepting” his decision and became his biggest supporters. “I was finally able to make them proud, and achieve things I never thought I could,” he said.

Advice? Levine encourages high school students to “make sure it is something you really want to do. You have to love what you do, because it is not easy. The physical and mental demands that the Army requires is unlike anything most will experience. Even the most competitive athlete, or the best student, will have some sort of significant lifestyle change.”

Future Plans? “I’m still a Medic, but work in a clinic, which is a long way from the front lines. After 32 months in the Middle East, between Afghanistan twice, and a short tour at Kuwait /Iraq border, this is a nice change of pace. I intend to stay in the service until I retire, well past my 20 years. I hope to become an officer in the Army, but stay in the medical field either as a Nurse, or a Physician’s Assistant.”

Levine summed up his thoughts on serving in the military; “All of the benefits are at your disposal as long as you keep in mind what you really signed up for. You took an oath to defend the people of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic. That seems like just words, but understand that you are a Soldier, Marine, Airmen or Seaman 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of what you are wearing, you represent the United States. Once you are called to fight, you have a very valuable position. It’s not always about God and country, and, in most cases, that may be the last thing on your mind. But it is taking care of yourself, and also of those around you so your mission is completed and you all come home.”

Ben Berkey
Ben Berkey

Ben Berkey, HGHS 2010

Berkey excelled in school, both in the classroom and on the playing fields. He was one of two recipients of the Torrey D. Dodson award for Male Scholar Athlete of the year, active on the student council and a co-captain of the football team. A willingness and ability to lead played a part in his decision to serve, and Berkey went directly from Greeley to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and is currently in the submarine training pipeline.

Inspiration? The 9/11 attack tremendously impacted Berkey. His uncle, Douglas Irgang, worked in the South Tower, and was killed at the age of 32. Football coach Bill Tribou was also an inspirational figure; having served in the Marine Corps, Tribou recognized Berkey’s qualities and his potential, and put forward the idea of serving. Tribou said of Berkey, “Ben is a product of an outstanding upbringing. His parents created an environment for their children that was loving, caring and, at the same time, task oriented. Ben is a very special young man, a very rare individual. His first and foremost quality is his compassion and care for everybody else! I have never known him to be irresponsible, or put his own needs before others. His passion and attention to detail is incalculable!”

In 2010, just before graduating, Berkey gave a speech at the Memorial Day dedication of the Route 120 bridge to Staff Sergeant Kyu Hyuk Chay, who lost his life in service to our country. Though Berkey did not personally know Chay, the parade marshall at the time, Lt. Col. Bob Coulombe, knew Berkey and thought he was the right choice for the moving memorial ceremony. An excerpt from the end of his speech: “My desire to attend the United States Naval Academy began when I watched the Twin Towers fall, carrying my uncle to his grave and threatening all Americans’ safety. I have to believe that my uncle’s death, along with the other 3,000 innocent victims who perished that day, serves to remind me how very fragile freedom is. The events of 9/11 magnified my patriotism and inspired me to protect this country.”

David Levine (L) spares a moment for some “operative” fun in Afghanastan
David Levine (L) spares a moment for some “operative” fun in Afghanastan

Future plans? In his third year at the Academy, Berkey became a submarine officer, drawn to the people and “the most advanced technology in the military.” His contract is for five years of service; sometime in August of 2016 he will learn the location of his submarine assignment. In the meantime, Berkey is engaged to be married to his HGHS sweetheart, Christine Haggerty, whose parents, like his own, are residents of Chappaqua.

Ted Kenyon
Ted Kenyon

Ted Kenyon, HGHS 2007

Ted Kenyon’s last official day in the Army fast approaches. Deployed for one year to Jordan, he also served two three-week overseas assignments in the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, respectively. He recently finished his time as Platoon Leader for 41 months, well above the average one year assignment.

Inspiration? Although both of his grandfathers served in the Navy, Kenyon drew enlistment inspiration elsewhere. Like several of his peers, he pointed to 9/11 as one factor leading to his decision. “At the end of the day, I didn’t have a good excuse not to,” said Kenyon. He believes “everyone has a duty to serve their community in some capacity, and if you are physically and mentally capable to serve, you should.”

Family reaction? Kenyon’s family’s initial reaction was one of disbelief. His parents, Mark and Ann, attributed his interest in joining Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Wake Forest University to the “tough talk of a teenager.”

Ann recalled advising him, “Let’s not make a commitment right now. Go to Wake, join a fraternity, see how things play out.” Deep down, she knew her son was greatly affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center; she worked across the street from the Trade Center, but was away on business in the days leading up to that tragic day. Original plans called for a red-eye back to New York the night of September 10th.

She never took that flight, but her children didn’t know that and feared the worst. Kenyon would later tell her, “If I don’t defend our country, who else will?” With their son’s graduation in 2011, Ann and Mark’s feelings evolved into great pride combined with genuine concern. “I wouldn’t wish this on any mother’s child, but I need to be respectful–respectful for the sacrifice,” shared Ann, who also mentioned that Skyping and texting provide some measure of comfort.

For his mother’s birthday this year, Kenyon presented Ann with his framed separation orders, for which she was very grateful.

Plans going forward? While deployed, Kenyon would get up at 1 a.m. Jordanian time to take online courses out of the University of Maryland. Beginning January 2016, he will attend graduate school at Georgetown University for Security Policy Studies as part of their International Relations program, and plans to stay in government service.

Considering a similar path? “We’ve been given a leg up more than most people,” Kenyon said of growing up in Chappaqua. But he pointed out that serving in the military is one of the “great equalizers” where you are rewarded and promoted based on merit alone, regardless of your socioeconomic background. “You earn your own way.”

He further advised about life’s critical skills: “Do your homework–reach out and ask questions. Read voraciously about the conflicts that are going on throughout the world. Make a difference–be a leader.” Kenyon’s final advice comes in the form of a quote by Teddy Roosevelt, one that helped inform his decision to join, “If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.”

There are many more stories not yet told. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to share a service experience for inclusion in the online version of Inside Chappaqua.

And if you are moved to express your gratitude and appreciation for all that our military men and women do for us, please consider joining an organization such as Soldiersangels.org.

Eileen Gallagher is a Chappaqua resident, wife, mother of two sons, daughter of a Navy veteran, and a great supporter of our military. A member of Soldiers’ Angels for over three years, she currently volunteers with veterans at the Montrose VA and sends over 100 letters a year to troops serving overseas.