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A Literary Event Like No Other: The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

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By Sarah Jane Weill   

little-girlBooklovers, rejoice! On October 5, 2013, the Bell Middle School parking lot will be filled with more than 70 children’s book authors all armed and ready to meet their readers. It will be an event never before seen here in Chappaqua, and is definitely something to get excited about!

The idea for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (or CCBF) stemmed from Tarrytown’s Sunnyside Book Day, an annual event lasting 15 years during which 50 to 60 children’s book authors and illustrators gathered at Washington Irving’s house to meet their fans. The beloved event was a great opportunity for writers and young readers to mingle in a unique environment. However, this past year Sunnyside announced that it would no longer be continuing the event. This unfortunate announcement had one positive effect: it led to the inspiration to bring about something similar to New Castle.

Come One, Come All

The premise of the CCBF is to create an event that will attract a wide spectrum of readers throughout Chappaqua as well as surrounding towns. With an impressive goal of around 3,000 attendees, the CCBF will be a strong community event. “We want this to be an event when everyone comes out,” commented Dawn Greenberg, one of the event’s volunteer organizers who helped bring this idea to life. The event will be a great place to meet people and a chance for the long-time Chappaqua families and the newer families to meet.

The schedule for the event is casual, flexible and accessible to all. Authors and illustrators will have their own tables and be available for book signings and conversations with fans, along with having books for sale. Some authors will be partaking in readings that are open to everyone; there will also be arts and crafts activities to enjoy. Local restaurants and food trucks will provide the food; in addition, all desserts will be literary-themed and sold by the Great American Bake Sale. Admission is free, so families are encouraged to come and go as they please, enjoying as much as they want in the fashion they want to.

Coming Together

The most exciting part about this event is the list of authors and illustrators expected to be in attendance; to name just a couple, Tony Abbott, author of the Secrets of Droon series, and Victoria Kann, author and illustrator of Pinkalicious, will both be there. With 70 authors already signed up and more on a waiting list, a wide range of books from all genres will be represented. All of the authors on the list are from around the area; a great number of fantastic children’s and Young Adult authors who live in Chappaqua are attending the event.

Many of the authors were originally a part of the Sunnyside Book Day; other authors have either been recruited by friends already planning on attending or by relatives living in the area who heard about the event. Most of these authors work from home, and are therefore thrilled to get the opportunity to interact with their fans. Their enthusiasm, coupled with the excitement of young readers, will make the CCBF that much more thrilling and rewarding.

A Group Effort 

Getting an event like this up and running is no easy task. The entire preparation for the CCBF has been run completely through no-pay volunteer efforts, as the CCBF is run by a non-profit organization. All of the money needed for the event has been acquired through various fundraisers such as a special tea with some of the authors and an art auction that sold off pieces created by some of the illustrators.

People from all parts of the town have come together to help out with the preparations; Greenberg recalled that once she got the idea for the festival, she called her friends and immediately got positive responses. “This job is only possible because of the enthusiasm,” she remarked. The organization of the CCBF has largely been a group effort; the community’s excitement over this upcoming event clearly shows how hard people have worked to make the event a success.

Adding to the event’s remarkableness is its great efforts to give back to the literary community in the area. Three charities that work to promote literacy and encourage reading and writing–LitWorld, Behind the Book, and Pace Literary Center–will have their own spaces at the event. These charities are all crucial in the literary community, and the mutual support between them and the CBFF will come to benefit everyone.

Looking forward, if all is successful, those responsible for the CCBF are hoping to make this an annual event. This would not only make our town stronger, but it would also connect Chappaqua to the outside literary world; it could become a huge aspect of the fall festivities in town.

“October is the perfect time of the year, as it’s the lull between back to school and Christmas,” added Greenberg. It is an event that is very much needed in our community; it can be something that readers, writers, and people from all throughout Westchester can look forward to. So, book lover or not, mark your calendars and get ready for a new, exciting event here in Chappaqua!

mouse cookie bookSarah Jane Weill is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. 

Catching up with Children’s Book Author Barbara Dee

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By Rachel Neuburger

Barbara-Dee-2Chappaqua resident and author of children’s and young adult literature Barbara Dee is thrilled to be participating in the inaugural Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival this October. Dee’s four published works include Solving Zoe–a 2010 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year–and Just Another Day in my Insanely Real Life, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

How did you start writing books for children and young adults?

I’ve always written for kids–in fact, on my website you can see the “book” I wrote when I was five! After teaching, practicing law, and being a stay-at-home mom, I decided to see if I could get published. I knew it would be hard, but I also knew I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least try. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else!

What’s your writing process?

A: I like to swim laps at Club Fit in Briarcliff or go on the treadmill in the early morning, then sit down at my computer and focus on nothing but writing. I try not to break my concentration by running errands or chatting on the phone during writing time–I need a few uninterrupted hours to get into the “zone.”

zoe bookWhat authors and works inspire you?

I’m always inspired by books with humor, complex characters, and great dialogue. Hilary McKay’s Casson family series is a big inspiration, because every character is so surprising. Recently I’ve loved Wonder by R. J. Palacio, which manages to be both heartbreaking and funny.

If  you could be any one of your characters, which would you choose?

I’m pretty introverted and tend to over-think before I act, so I’d love to be a fearless, uninhibited character like Francesca in This is Me From Now On, or the performance artist mom in Trauma Queen. In my newest book (which doesn’t have a title yet, but will be published by Simon & Schuster in September 2014), the character Maya Lopez would be my choice, because she stands up to bullies and is fiercely loyal to her best friend.

Trauma-QueenAre you looking forward to the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival?

Can’t wait! I always love the chance to chat with readers, parents, teachers and librarians (not to mention other authors).

insane bookHelping to put together the CCBF has been a special thrill, because it’s all about promoting literacy and the love of books–right here in Chappaqua.

Making A Difference

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The Many Ways in which Greeley Students Help Our Community

By Rachel Schelling

Executive Leaders from Horace Greeley High School’s SADD Club.
Executive Leaders from Horace Greeley High School’s SADD Club.

You are standing in a crowd. Pushing and shoving, kids of various ages rush past you; there is an overwhelming noise, the noise of people advertising and friends chatting and officials planning. You are surrounded by organized chaos. Where are you? A circus, a carnival, a street fair? No – you are at the Greeley activity fair! The Greeley activity fair is a tradition at the high school that features one of the school’s most prominent features: clubs. At the fair, each club is assigned a booth; club members bring signs, flyers and candy to attract new members, who can sign up and get more information regarding club activities and events.

While some people just come for the sweets, clubs do gain new members this way, and it demonstrates just how important clubs are to the Greeley community; so many students get involved in this event because they genuinely care. An incredible variety of clubs, from the engineering club to Make a Wish to the opera club, can be found at Greeley. If a club does not exist, students can apply to form a new one. With such a broad range of clubs, it is easy to see why almost all Greeley students are involved in some way. The largest percent of students are members of SADD or SHARE, two of the most popular clubs at Greeley.

Don’t Be Sad, Be SADD

SADD, or Students Against Drunk Driving, is a national organization that Greeley has become a part of. The Greeley chapter aims to “raise awareness within Greeley about the dangers of drinking and driving, texting while driving, and driving high,” explained one of its presidents, Evan Baitch. This past year, SADD organized a drunk driving simulation to show the student body what happens during a drunk driving accident. SADD helped students to not only actually see what happens at an accident itself, but also to understand the ramifications of such an event.

Other events include D’s Day, where 30 or more volunteers dress up in all black and remain silent to represent the tragedies due to drunk driving every day, and the pledge campaign, when SADD gets hundreds of teachers and students to sign pledges that state that they will drive safe over the holidays; the pledges are then displayed around school to remind students of their promise. The difference between SADD and so many others clubs is that students actually pay attention to the various events SADD holds throughout the year; the Greeley chapter has really spread understanding of the many dangers of driving while under the influence or distracted, which has hopefully made a difference out on the roads here in Chappaqua.

SHARE-ing is Caring

SHARE is the largest community service club at Greeley. It includes 11 ‘projects’: the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, Casa de Lengua, the Pinwheel Project, Boys & Girls Club, Midnight Run, Bunches of Lunches, AFYA, Blood Drive, Food Bank, Blythedale, and Think Fit for Kids. These all center around hands-on involvement in helping the community. Most students involved in SHARE have a hand in many different projects. Lizzy Pott, one of the club’s presidents, said, “To me, the appeal of SHARE is its incredibly wide scope of service and the amount of involvement it influences. Countless students– including me–have joined SHARE with the intention of participating in only one project and have ended up being an active participant in multiple organizations due to the excitement and inspiration the club exudes.”

Since SHARE is so far reaching, it organizes many different events throughout the year that attract a variety of students. Some of these events include two blood drives, the Scholarship Fund’s annual spelling bee, and a night of ice cream scooping at Ben & Jerry’s to benefit Think Fit for Kids. SHARE strives not only to get students involved but also but the entire community, so keep an eye out for upcoming events!

Many clubs at Greeley are either headed by or founded by the Class of 2014.  The students of this class are involved in clubs as far reaching as Students for Social Justice and Global Schoolhouse and as close to home as the Tribune and the Quake, two of the school publications. All students in clubs have chosen to get involved in this way because they are passionate about what the clubs stand for. For those in positions of power in these clubs, there is the added benefit of leadership experience and an increased role in the actions, organization, and event planning of the clubs.

The popularity of clubs at Greeley is due to the incredible things they have to offer. Clubs give students the opportunity to explore and find their passions while making friends, learning new skills, and getting involved in something they believe in. Greeley is fortunate to be home to so many successful clubs that, year by year, work tirelessly and truly make a difference in our community here in Chappaqua as well as in the world beyond.

harold bookRachel Schelling is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Inch By Inch, Row By Row

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How A Garden is Helping the Community Grow, One Plant at a Time

By Julia Desmarais

Volunteers hard at work in the Chappaqua Community Garden
Volunteers hard at work in the Chappaqua Community Garden

It’s a warm summer day, and you’re strolling through town. You pass Starbucks, popping in for a quick Frappuccino to keep the heat away. You continue on your walk, crossing the street, passing Susan Lawrence, and sipping your drink. It is a gorgeous and lazy day–you have nowhere to be, so you are letting your feet lead the way. Across the street you see the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and then something else catches your eye–right next to the Ambulance Corps (on its land, in fact) is a fenced-in area buzzing with busy men, women, and children. Curiosity gets the better of you, and you cross the road–beautiful flowers, rich green lettuce, and lovely little herbs fill your vision; the smells of fresh water, dirt, and plants fill your nose. Plant beds made of wood or surrounded by stones are lined up throughout the space, each with small paths cut through for walking, kneeling and growing; nets are hung up for cultivating beans, and there are signs staked in to give the plots a “homey” feel.

Everyone is busy. Some are bringing piles of plant matter over to compost bins, some are digging out the pathways, some are weeding, and everyone is helping in some way. You are at the Chappaqua Community (emphasis on “community”) Garden on one of their work days–when everyone who has a plot stops by to help out with general garden maintenance for an hour or two. Started by Suzi Novak and InterGenerate in the Spring of 2011 when she noticed that some Ambulance Corps workers were growing tomatoes in the space, this garden has been a wonderful addition to the Chappaqua community.

Now in its third year, the garden is home to 22 beds, all of which are filled with various plants. There are relatively few rules that govern each plot, as everyone builds theirs differently and grows different things. There is one very important rule: everything must be organic. In addition to these beds, there are four special beds known as the “Giving Garden.” Everyone who has a plot in the Community Garden volunteers time here, and the food gets donated to people in need.

Dr. Susan Rubin Photos by Alina Wang
Dr. Susan Rubin
Photos by Alina Wang

While organically grown vegetables are good for everyone, they are especially important for growing kids. If you want your kids to eat healthfully, get them out to the garden. It’s organic, it’s fresh and delicious, and it’s something that they’ll want to eat. As Dr. Susan Rubin, co-chair of the Chappaqua Community Garden, health professional, food and garden educator, environmental activist and local mother said, “When kids grow food, they eat food.” The great thing about this garden is they can grow the food. There are gardeners here of every skill level, and others who are always willing and ready to help.

The community feeling at the garden is a special one and is truthfully the real draw for gardening experts and novices alike; advice sharing, potluck dinners, and seed swaps at Local are only some of the many activities to participate in. Cameron Kelly, a long-time gardener, gardens at home but also has a plot at the Chappaqua Community Garden. She loves the opportunity the town garden gives her to meet neighbors, learn from them, and be a part of the community that has been created there. “The most important message,” she shared, “is that everyone can do this.” Yes, gardening is a skill, but it is a skill that anyone can learn, green thumb or not. Susan’s advice coincides with this–start small, she suggests, and grow herbs. They are very easy to grow, and great to have!

The Ambulance Corps and Chappaqua Paint and Hardware understand the value of the Chappaqua Community Garden, and both have been very generous with their help. The Ambulance Corps has given land and a water supply, while Chappaqua Paint and Hardware has supplied hoses and put in a shed to hold the gardening tools. It has really become a huge, welcoming community affair in which the whole town is involved.

Rubin is very happy with how far the garden has come, and she hopes that in the future it will expand as more residents discover the benefits and excitement of the garden. Her dream is to move it onto the Chappaqua Crossing property someday, where it can be bigger and better. With enough support, there is no doubt that this would be a successful endeavor and an extraordinary benefit to the Chappaqua community, as seen in what the garden has achieved already.

If you would like to get involved with this amazing venture, you can contact Susan Rubin through her website, www.drsusanrubin.com, or Suzi Novak through her email, suzin@jsgnovak.com.

junie bookJulia Desmarais is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, she loved the Junie B. Jones books.

The Great Unknown, One Year to Go

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By Lindsay Hand

One more year.

lindsay-blue-dressI have been waiting for this moment. The moment when I can say “one more year until I go to college, until I am an adult, until my life really begins.” From the Friday night fro-yo runs to the seemingly endless piles of work each year to the fun times spent with friends, Chappaqua is filled with memories upon memories. I have spent my entire life so far here, and though I have had some experiences living on my own away from home, I don’t think anything can prepare me for leaving completely.

It’s weird to think about the future. Sure, it’s exciting, but it’s also big and scary. It’s like part of me is Nemo –daring, adventurous, anxious to explore –and the other part is Marlin, holding that unruly part of me back, worried about what might happen if I let myself go. This final year here at home is important not only for obvious reasons–academics, family, and friends –but because it is my last chance to ready myself for immersion in the outside world, to come to terms with the fact that while I know my family will always be there for me, once I leave, I’m essentially on my own.

I know that I have lived a sheltered life here in Chappaqua, with many advantages not enjoyed by so many others. I have been so fortunate; I grew up with loving family, amazing friends and fantastic education. I have had so many opportunities to expand my horizons, challenge myself and test my abilities. The real test, however, will come next year, when I am living on my own in college, away from everything that I always just took for granted. As excited as I am for this new experience, I am admittedly nervous for my future endeavors and know I will miss almost everything about home.

There are the little things: brownies from the Farmer’s Market every Saturday, bumping into that person I knew five years ago in Starbucks, and that community feel at the homecoming game every Fall and Relay For Life each Spring. While we all might have complaints or pet peeves about one thing or another, I recognize that Chappaqua is a unique place in which I have been very lucky to have grown up, and it will most definitely be a culture shock when I’m no longer in this familiar environment.

lindsay-readingThere’s No Crystal Ball

It is one thing to think about the future from the comfort and familiarity of one’s house, but it is something else entirely to go out there and live it. Going to college and having to actually live life without parents (laundry doesn’t just clean itself) is an experience unlike anything any of us have ever been through before, other than, possibly, in small doses each summer; there are so many more responsibilities to manage, decisions to make. All of the studying and working hard over the years has not necessarily answered the question that plagues everyone from childhood through adolescence: “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

A decade ago, our answers would have ranged from astronauts to Disney princesses to firefighters. Now, the answer doesn’t come so easily, and I’m pretty sure there’s no college major called Being a Disney Princess. In many ways, this is probably what scares us all the most; at 17-years-old, how can we possibly know for sure what we want to do for the entirety of our lives? I, personally, have no idea where life will lead me. All I can do is pursue my passions, go with the flow and make my life as full and happy as 
I can. Hopefully the rest will all fall into place.

lindsay-age-2As I stand at the precipice of my senior year of high school, ready to jump into my future, I am held back by the sudden shock that after this year, I may never again see many of the people with whom I have grown up. We’ll all move on, finding our niches whatever and wherever they may be, and going our separate ways. The future is arriving, and we have to make the most of this last year together.

“Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something–your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” – Steve Jobs

treehoue bookTwo-time Inside Chappaqua Guest Editor Lindsay Hand is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, she loved the Magic Treehouse books.