The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Paws and Reflect Choosing, and Keeping, the Gift that Keeps on Giving

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With everyone in agreement, the Frasch family recently welcomed their newest addition–Buster.
With everyone in agreement, the Frasch family recently welcomed their newest addition–Buster.

By Eileen Gallagher

All across the country, parents hear the same refrain from their children– “Can’t we get a [dog/cat/rabbit/hamster/bird]?” As the holidays approach, the requests get more urgent, and increasingly difficult to resist. Who wouldn’t want to see a child’s eyes light up at the sight of a cuddly ball of fur in a festive box? And it’s not just children that receive pets as gifts for special occasions. Parents are surprised with a gift that keeps on giving, as well as spouses, significant others, siblings, and roommates.

Is it wise to bring a pet home for the holidays? According to Stephanie Petruccelli, an long time assistant at Mt Kisco Veterinary Clinic, it’s all in the planning. “As long as the whole family is on board, especially the parents,” she advised. “It’s a whole family responsibility.”

“Avoid impulse buys,” continued Petruccelli. Taking the time to visit shelters or breeders is important in finding the right fit for your home situation. For example, some families have a more active lifestyle than others, and might do well with an energetic dog. Others might be more suited to have a calmer, more sedentary pet.

Charmaine McCleave, owner of Charmaine’s Dog Salon in Somers, stressed taking the age of the children into account. Her “pet peeve” is hearing people say that their dog is matted because their children didn’t keep up with the brushing and grooming. Parents are the ones who will ultimately be responsible for the care of any pet, reminded McCleave, herself the mother of three boys. “Children are children, and often forget to brush their own hair.”

McCleave brought up another point –cats and dogs are a 10 to 15 year or longer commitment. Your child might be going off to college and leaving you as the sole caregiver. Knowing this ahead of time makes the adjustment less jarring.

If you are unsure about surprising your family with the right pet, Petruccelli offered a creative suggestion. “Make up a gift basket with a picture of a dog or cat and some toys and supplies to put under the tree, and then go as a family after the holiday to pick out your new companion.”

Asked if she has seen many cases of returned pets after the holidays are over, Petruccelli said not really in this area. “People are making educated as opposed to snap decisions.” She stressed that the two most important factors in getting a pet for the holidays, or at any time for that matter, are to be prepared, and to avoid impulse decisions.

The Frasch family decided to take the plunge and recently brought home their golden-doodle puppy, Buster. Georgia Frasch, who happens to be one of the moderators of the Facebook group “Chappaqua Moms,” shared their story.

“We believe our children should grow up with animal love, compassion, responsibility, and empathy,” said Frasch, herself a longtime dog rescuer. For 30 years, she had either fostered or permanently adopted dogs she found abandoned in the streets of her neighborhood in Manhattan. She would have loved to rescue a dog for her family, but one of her daughters, seven year old Gracie Bea, is very allergic. “We needed to be really careful about the breed,” Frasch explained. After watching their friends’ puppy (a sibling of Buster) for 12 hours with no breathing issues for her daughter, Frasch felt comfortable having Buster join their family.

Was everyone in the Frasch family in on the decision? “This will be a member of our family,” Frasch had said to her husband. “If you’re not on board with this, I don’t want to do it.” Frasch’s three children, Honor, Christian, and Gracie Bea, had all wanted a dog for years, but their parents were waiting until the time was right.

Buster, named for the special nickname Frasch’s father Joseph had for 10 year old Christian, is very much loved and appreciated. Frasch told of the close relationship between her father and son before her father passed away, and how Christian always said that he would love to have a boy dog so he could name him Buster in honor of his grandfather. When Buster became available, with his sibling Bella living right down the street, the Frasch’s knew the time was right.

If you do decide to make a happy addition, keep it fun but do your homework first. It is best to have food, an appropriately sized crate, bedding, toys, a collar, and a leash on hand before Fluffy or Fido comes to stay. Arrange an appointment with a veterinarian and, if this is a first pet, a trainer as well. “Baby-proof” your home which might have such holiday hazards as small toys, ribbons, and wrapping paper. And enjoy the new member of your family!

Eileen Gallagher is an 11- year resident of Chappaqua and the mother of four boys, two of the canine variety. An avid dog lover, she recently joined the organization “Puppy Rescue Mission,” an organization which assists in bringing dogs home from war to their military companions.

A Literary Taste Of Chappaqua

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By Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Gift giving isn’t always easy. Instead of lamenting the fact that Uncle Iggy has everything, why not rejoice in the knowledge that there is a universal present which is sure to please? Books! This season, as always, there are many standouts. The following are noteworthy not only as great reads, but because each is recounted by one of your neighbors and includes a reference–oblique or otherwise–to the very place we call home.

Ben Lieberman’s 
“The Carnage Account”

When Chappaqua resident Ben Lieberman worked on Wall Street, his morning routine was a bit unusual for the profession. Sure, he would head to the city very early in the morning. However, his early start wasn’t driven by his firm’s buy and sell list. Although that was certainly part of his objective for the day, his first stop was actually the coffee shop across the street from the office where he would write for an hour and a half before going into the office at 7:30. His investment in diligent determination led to the release of his first book, Odd Jobs, in 2010.

Ben Lieberman. Frank Farina 2010 Photo
Ben Lieberman. Frank Farina 2010 Photo

The inspiration for The Carnage Account, his latest crime thriller, came during a meeting at Lehman Brothers. The discussion centered on a new product: life settlements. These instruments result from the purchase of life insurance policies (held by third parties) in which the buyer continues to pay the premiums and collects at death. The seller is banking on receiving an amount greater than the cash surrender value of the policy.

Lieberman began asking questions: “Is it regulated? Is it confidential?” The intrigue led to a subsequent thought: “Abuse on Wall Street is a recurring problem…what will happen when the inevitable exploitation occurs from the moral hazard of a product wagering on human expiration?” The Carnage Account, published this past October, is the result of his musing.

The story centers on hedge fund manager Rory Cage, a particularly devious protagonist, who sets out to adapt life settlements to his own nefarious end. “He has the desire to expedite the process,” Lieberman hints.

In the first chapter, appropriately titled Triathlon Terror, the plot thickens right away: “There was the usual gridlock at the turn, and Rory used the opportunity to take a deep breath, go underwater, and hum the theme song to Jaws.” The triathlon, described in vivid detail, is based on Lieberman’s first-hand experience. To sate curiosity, pick up a copy of The Carnage Account.

Jeff Altabef’s “Shatter Point”

Storytelling has always been an integral part of Jeff Altabef’s life. Bedtime stories for his children spawned not only his own avocation as a writer, but that of one of his daughters as well. A voracious reader of three genres – young adult, thrillers and historical fiction–Altebef turned to storytelling full-time after living the life of an investment banker.

When his first book, the political thriller Fourteenth Colony, was released, readers clamored for more. “That was the impetus for doing Shatter Point,” Altabef says. Shatter Point, his new psychological thriller, is a stand-alone sequel to Fourteenth Colony.

Jeff Altabef. Donna Allan Photo
Jeff Altabef. Donna Allan Photo

Altabef’s story lines are character-driven. After creating a storyboard he takes his cues from the characters he has created. “It often goes in directions that I never would have imagined,” he relates. His story frequently takes “unpredictable” turns based on where the characters take it, and the surprises keep the action moving rapidly.

To further create suspense, Altabef employs a time-tested technique:  “It’s making sure you end the chapter at the place where the reader says I have to see what happens next.” His techniques are key to sustaining readers’ interest and his work embodies the definition of a compelling read.

From Shatter Point:  “Without extraordinary vines, truly superior wine cannot flourish. The same is true with humans. Only those with the proper genetic code can be truly exceptional.” These words are uttered during a supposed picnic in the park by Cooper, a man who has long tormented Maggie, the woman he has kidnapped. When Maggie hears these words, her fear is palpable. She senses her aggressor’s intention and attempts to break free of his hold but hears, “Struggling won’t help you. The restraints are electrified. If you struggle against them you will only feel pain.” Maggie’s only hope at this point is rescue. Her devoted sons Tom and Jack set out determined to find and free their mother.

For his next work, Altabef created a soon to be 16-year-old female protagonist. To insure the veracity of the character’s voice, he enlisted a co-writer the same age as his protagonist, his daughter Erynn. Together, they are crafting a Native American-themed trilogy of young adult novels. Wind Catcher (the first volume) will be published in March of 2015. On collaborating with his youngest, this Chappaqua dad says, “Working with Erynn is awesome!”

Sarah Ellen Rindsberg, the quintessential bibliophile, hopes you have as much fun giving and reading these books as she did writing this piece.

 

Ready… Set… Chappaqua Winter!

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Judy McGrath’s photo of a tree that fell on Hardscrabble Road near Douglas Road; the area was without power for many days.
Judy McGrath’s photo of a tree that fell on Hardscrabble Road near Douglas Road; the area was without power for many days.

By Eileen Gallagher

For some, winter is a time to embrace the cold and all the activities it brings. Skiing, skating, and sitting by a crackling fire are big draws for those that are more “snowbird” than “sun worshiper.” Though seasonal tufts of snow can be fun, many residents recall winters that were a significant challenge (Superstorm Sandy is still quite fresh in everyone’s memory).

During the first real storm of the season, on Sunday, November 2nd of this year, fallen trees left several homes without power for much of the day. Communication was steady as Supervisor Rob Greenstein updated residents via Facebook on the current status of ConEd service calls and road closures. Though the storm was unusual due to the sudden but predicted high winds, it was a sobering reminder of seasons past.

Several residents were kind enough to share their winter woes, and ways to prevent a repeat of past misfortunes. Joyce Wong will never forget the blizzard of 2011. As a matter of fact, people often ask her if she is expecting visitors during the winter before making their own plans, because there is usually a travesty with the weather for Wong and her guests.

“I saw the power line snap,” recalled Wong, describing the tree limb that fell on the ConEd line to her home from the street. It was the year that 10 inches of snow fell very quickly, and the resulting loss of power prevented her from pumping water from her flooded basement. Six days without power left Wong cooking meals on an outdoor grill. Her husband was able to purchase one of two remaining portable generators from a hardware store, which enabled the use of either a toaster or a television. Visitors from Washington, D.C. had to stay with the Wongs while Amtrak and Metro North remained out of service.

The Wong family front yard was blanketed with Sandy’s October snow.
The Wong family front yard was blanketed with Sandy’s October snow.

“People had lived here for years and never lost power,” said Wong.

Hurricane Irene was very challenging for Judy McGrath. No power for three days kept her sump pump from operating, leaving a flood in her basement. Coupled with Sandy, which left her home with no power for four days, the storms were the reason the McGrath’s purchased a whole-house generator for their home.

One of McGrath’s neighbors had a generator during Irene, and was kind enough to allow other families to hook into it. “Three basements were kept pumped by one generator,” said McGrath. When she decided to install one, between the paperwork, variances, and fees, the process took much longer than expected, and was quite onerous.

Sandy caused problems for many, but some experienced much longer outages than others due to blocked roads. Shiyang Paskowitz had no electricity for two weeks in 2012, and her family was stranded in their home for the first few days with no ability to even phone or text. Neighbors worked together to cut downed trees into movable pieces and clear the road for accessibility. After that, the Paskowitz family was able to drive to Washington D.C. to stay with family.

Erin Ringham had just moved from one house in New Castle to another when Sandy struck. Unfortunately, her new home did not yet have a generator. The home she had sold was the only one in the neighborhood with power, however, and she heard from friends that the new owners were providing neighbors with hot cocoa and coffee during the outage. It wasn’t long before Ringham’s new home was equipped with a generator.

What do all of these women recommend others do to prepare for winter?

In addition to a generator, McGrath suggests roof heating cables, which are low-current electrical cables that can be turned on during a snowstorm to prevent ice from forming. This would allow homeowners to avoid frozen gutters and the dreaded ice damming many experienced with the snow of 2014. Wong urges people to fill gas cans at the first mention of a major storm, using an additive such as “Sta-Bil” to keep the gas in good condition for longer storage. Paskowitz recommends having insulation installed in the attic, as well as a tall ladder to allow for immediate removal of snow and ice from the roof.

Joyce and Stanley Wong captured this striking image of Sandy’s large tree destruction.
Joyce and Stanley Wong captured this striking image of Sandy’s large tree destruction.

What is New Castle doing to prepare for winter? According to Greenstein, the town is in good shape as far as salt supplies, with enough on hand to handle up to four storm events with more on the way. The town has added to the DPW plowing staff for a primary crew of 17 with five more as back-up, all having received the Cornell University operations and safety training. Two new salt spreaders are being added to the fleet, as well as rented sidewalk-clearing Bobcat. Most importantly, the town has established an Emergency Preparedness Committee. Per Greenstein, “There are many emergencies that can impact New Castle. The most common are severe weather, power outages and flooding. Although these emergencies cannot be eliminated, we can reduce the risk of injuries, property damage and economic impact through individual and community preparedness.” The purpose of the committee is to assist in planning and preparation for emergency operations.

“Be Prepared,” the famous Boy Scout motto, has its merit. Preparing ahead of a storm or blizzard benefits everyone. For instance, gathering necessary supplies before conditions get hazardous keeps people off the roads. Powering up phones and devices before a potential outage provides access to town and police updates. Keeping trees trimmed and monitored make falling limbs less likely to take down power lines or gutters.

Finally, Paskowitz summed up the best way to stay safe during winter storms; “When the weather is bad, STAY HOME!”

Eileen Gallagher, her husband, two sons, and two dogs have been happily living in Chappaqua for over 11 years. Previously an accountant and elementary school teacher, she is now a freelance writer and enthusiastic volunteer both in town and beyond. 

Standing next to the exposed roots of an uprooted tree, the Paskowitz children (Anna, Lyle and Kate) show, by comparison, the size of the loss of many mature trees, this one on Marcourt Drive.
Standing next to the exposed roots of an uprooted tree, the Paskowitz children (Anna, Lyle and Kate) show, by comparison, the size of the loss of many mature trees, this one on Marcourt Drive.

The Chappaqua Orchestra – Beautifully Note Worthy

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By Leslie B. Weissman

Chappaqua has a long history of supporting the arts and nurturing its creative residents. Along those lines, The Chappaqua Orchestra (TCO), a New Castle community treasure and cultural icon since 1959, continues to evolve and stay relevant in a time of revolving musical tastes and digital downloads. Preserving its past as a prominent social and musical event while maintaining its intimate community format, TCO proves the tradition of enjoying live orchestral music is as happening as ever.

Michael Shapiro conducts Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony in the Chappaqua Gazebo with The Chappaqua Orchestra.
Michael Shapiro conducts Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony in the Chappaqua Gazebo with The Chappaqua Orchestra.

Once written about in the society columns, The Chappaqua Orchestra was attended by executives from Readers Digest, amongst others, as an après-dinner activity. Today’s Orchestra responds to mixed musical tastes as varied as the members of our community by performing a wide variety of musical genres; classical, jazz, Broadway, Hollywood, TV, pop and childrens’ themes. Over the years, the Orchestra has been a musical haven for those whose avocation is music yet whose professional careers encompass law, medicine, teaching, banking and technology. In fact, a unique combination of full time, professional musicians and individuals of distinguished musical talent bring their collective passion for performing these genres.

With a history of tutelage by many talented Music Directors and Conductors, TCO is now led by noted American composer Michael Shapiro. Shapiro, who has conducted orchestras from New Orleans to Dallas and Virginia Beach to Birmingham, England, has been at the helm of TCO since 2001. He won critical acclaim for his score of the 1931 silent film Frankenstein, which debuted at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. As the conductor and musical director, Shapiro is cognizant of the need to stay on the cutting edge of musical innovation, as demonstrated in his own orchestral work, Roller Coaster which premiered in 2010. He looks to create an inspiring lineup of performances each season. The Orchestra’s 2014-2015 season, which runs from September to July, includes a variety of performances; Chamber concert series, The New Castle Community Sing at Bell School and a final indoor performance at Horace Greeley High School. The season also includes the summer concerts in the park at the gazebo. The full schedule and description of all The Chappaqua Orchestra concerts is available at www.chappaquaorchestra.org.

The Chamber series includes four concerts performed at the Chappaqua Library. They are organized by Pianist Cynthia Peterson, Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director. Cynthia brings a breadth of experience in chamber music, having performed at venues ranging from The Brooklyn Museum to the Garden State Center for the Arts. The chamber series is performed at the Chappaqua Public Library (see website to purchase tickets to this series or individual concerts.)

The celebratory Community Sing, which took place in conjunction with the Tree Lighting at the Historical Society in downtown Chappaqua, certainly delighted all. Performed this year on December 6th at 3:30 p.m. followed by the Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m., this annual tradition was packed with new delights: There was an anticipated performance by the Orchestra along with Broadway star Jeanne Lehman, the debut of a new Christmas song by Director and Conductor Michael Shapiro, and music by composer Brad Ross, son of the late Morton Ross, a past leader of TCO. Fundraising is an important lifeline for the Orchestra. Aside from straight donations and enhanced ticket price options, the annual fundraising event for this season will be an evening that pairs music and community at a private home in Chappaqua. David Restivo, Co-Executive Director and violinist, anticipates a festive night including music, drinks, appetizers, and a silent auction. Tickets for this January 10th 2015 event are available on the website.

Restivo, a Chappaqua resident who toured throughout Europe playing with his college orchestra and performed with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble in Manhattan, along with Shapiro and Peterson, is focused on bringing new and engaging musical outreach to our community. Some of the outreach programs in the works are: involvement with the inmates and concert at the Taconic Correctional Facility; a concert competition open to local students with winners awarded prize money and a chance to play with the Orchestra; a week long children’s enrichment event focused on presenting instruments and background on orchestral music and culminating in a concert at the participating schools.

TCO’s indoor season culminates this year with a performance of excerpts from Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. Unique again in their approach to bridging culture and community, The Chappaqua Orchestra will include local high school choruses from Horace Greeley and Briarcliff. The concert will take place on May 17th 2015 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for students and $25 for adults.

The Chappaqua community and Orchestra share a cultural chord of strong and enduring artistic pride and support. The gift of music is something truly special, and TCO’s talented musicians are a treasure it is our privilege to enjoy.

Leslie Weissman is a local artist and business owner of Presents For Purpose. You can see her work at www.leslieweissman.com and consider purchasing a gift or gifts that give back to charity at www.presentsforpurpose.com

At Taconic Correctional Facility: “Transported” by Music

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PianoKeysMusicHC1409_X_300_C_YBy Eileen Gallagher

On the first cold day of the season, members of the Chappaqua Orchestra turned up the heat and had their audience tapping their toes and snapping their fingers. For one mesmerizing hour, the women detained at the medium-security Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills delightedly soaked in the tones and melodies of the octet led by Cynthia Peterson.

“Tone color is like a painting,” Peterson shared with the attentive audience between performances. “The colors are created by individual instruments and combinations.”

“When I play [the bassoon], I feel like I am going back in time,” mused Diane Fedora of her instrument, whose origin dates back to the 1500’s. Many of the women were curious about the bassoon, as well as Recreation Director Michael Lynch, who arranged the afternoon’s performance.

“I heard through the grapevine that [the orchestra] did a fantastic job,” said Lynch. The Chappaqua Orchestra had performed in 2013 in a maximum-security prison upstate, and word got around. “Being a musician myself, I was looking forward to hearing them, too.”

The atmosphere went from serene to lively as bassist Lou Pappas got heads bopping with his version of the jazzy “Sister Sadie.” After demonstrating a typical bass beat, he excitedly went into a melody. Andy Stein, 
a violinist, joked that Pappas would be a “tough act to follow” before joining him in the duet “Back Home Again in Indiana.”

Violinist Chie Yoshinaka gave a breathtaking solo performance of Piazzolla’s Tengo Etude #3. Mozart’s “Larghetto” for quintet featured clarinetist Erik Drucker. All eight musicians, including Jules Lai on viola, cellist Seth Jacobs, and Adam Schommer on French horn, performed Beethoven’s Symphony #2, and many in the audience closed their eyes, seemingly transported by the sounds of the strings and reeds.

As the performance came to a close, the audience was given the opportunity to ask a few questions. What did they ask? “Do you have time for more jazz?” Happy to oblige, Stein and Pappas gave an encore performance of the jazz standard “Body and Soul” for the grateful crowd.

Lynch, thanking the musicians, added, “This is a professional orchestra, and I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.” As the women filed out happily, a smiling Lynch said, “Hopefully we can make this an annual event.”

This inspiring performance was made possible by generous donor funds earmarked for this project, according to Peterson. Anyone potentially interested in helping to sponsor a prison performance, an important part of the orchestra’s outreach, should contact Cynthia Peterson at info@chappaquaorchestra.org.