Cover Stories

By Donna Abemayor

It was late in the afternoon in May 2008, the temperature was seasonably warm, and the sun was shining. As James Bentor* approached his house, he noticed smoke from the roof. Inside the house, his son was doing homework, his daughter was playing, and his wife was reading the newspaper; no one knew that a fire had started in their home. Upon seeing the smoke, the Bentors evacuated their house and called 911. By the time that call was placed, a neighbor had already noticed the fire and the Chappaqua Fire Company was on its way…

What happened in this home could seemingly happen to any of us. A company was hired to paint and repair gutters. In an effort to solder the gutters, the workers set an open flame. Bentor urges fellow homeowners to ask questions when companies perform work at your home. “Many companies sub-contract their work and you may get workers that are not qualified.”

This open flame became a blazing fire that went from the roof, to the attic, and then to the second floor of the house. The Bentors lost their home and many possessions. All that remained was a couple of paintings and their cars. The community quickly rallied and offered “whatever (support) was needed,” food and clothing (including sports uniforms and equipment!) and shelter for a month with one generous neighbor. After spending two years in temporary housing, the Bentors returned to their home that was re-built in August, 2010.

The Bentors learned a lot through this experience. The children came to understand that although material possessions were lost, what was most important is that they were all unharmed by the fire.

Sound Insurance Made a World of Difference
Fortunately enough, the Bentors did possess proper homeowners’ insurance. The coverage provided funds for temporary housing, furniture rentals, and the costs to rebuild his home. Mr. Bentor reports that having a local insurance professional in the Chappaqua community made a tremendous difference. Ken Fuirst, a Chappaqua resident for 17 years and President of Levitt-Fuirst Associates, LTD, arrived on the scene within ten minutes of the fire starting.

Fuirst contends that the better insurance companies have no cap and will pay whatever it takes to rebuild your home to replace what you had. “No cap” means polices that allow you to replace your possessions and re-build even if the costs significantly exceed the limit listed on your policy.

“For example, if a major storm destroys homes in Chappaqua, and construction costs escalate to get the right contractor to quickly rebuild your home, and if the town has new building code, new fire sprinkler system requirements, and new septic codes, there should be no issue covering these costs.”

Also, be sure your home is insured to the proper amount. “The average rebuilding cost for a Chappaqua home is $350 a square foot!,” says Fuirst. “Better insurance companies inspect their homes and know what it really costs to rebuild. Other companies just use national construction cost averages to estimate, which are not realistic here.

Fuirst reports that often consumers view insurance as a “commodity, rather than a product that can be tailored to the consumer’s individual needs.” Levitt- Fuirst often videotapes a consumer’s home including contents to insure a permanent record. This helps consumers alot in case they need to rebuild their lives after a disaster.

Better insurance companies will waive the deductible on claims over $50,000and do not require you to rebuild–and will let you take the settlement in cash. This works in case you do not want to rebuild at the same location, or do not even want to rebuild at all, points out Fuirst. He also advises that homeowners be wary of any cap on how much it costs to rent a temporary house while your house gets rebuilt. It is usually a two to three year process by the time you redesign, get approvals, bid out, and then build a new home. Finally, it’s critical that you read your policies to understand the exclusions and limitations of any coverage.

Levitt-Fuirst, whose offices are based in Yonkers, can be reached at 914 457-4200. After hours, the 24/7 emergency number is 1-866-504-8269. For more info, visit www.Levitt-Fuirst.com.

Donna Abemayor is a frequent contributor to Inside Chappaqua.

By Lori Sachare

“It sits on your heart,” says Chappaqua’s Susan Schrott, a mixed media artist and psychotherapist, flashing a soulful smile. She was displaying a silver pendant around her neck, which was reflecting the light in her sunny home studio. Not simply a piece of jewelry, the necklace represents the hope of fulfilling Schrott’s dream to assist those in need of therapy for eating disorders.

Schrott, who has worked as a psychotherapist treating patients with eating disorders since 1989, was concerned that the economic downturn had impacted the ability of many motivated people to pay for treatment, and was determined to do something about it. “I am a believer in doing mitzvot (the Hebrew word for good deeds) – giving back,” says Schrott.

One way Schrott gives back is by donating artwork to charitable causes. She began working with textiles after taking a quilting class while pregnant with her daughter, Rose, who is in her first year of college. Now, Schrott is an award-winning and nationally exhibited artist.
In a meeting with Judy Scheel, Executive Director at CEDAR Associates, where Schrott has worked since 2001, the answer was conceived. They decided to produce “Behold,” a pendant based on the design of a textile piece Schrott created, inspired by a photo of Rose. “It embodies that essence of beautiful woman, young or old. She is barefoot, connected to nature and on a path.” All money raised will go to CEDAR Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that educates people about all aspects of eating disorders, diet and the body, and will be used specifically to provide a scholarship for those who need eating disorders therapy.

This weaving of her two passions is something familiar to Schrott. “I’ve always had the beautiful balance between the creative aspects of artwork and the creative and intellectual aspects of psychotherapy. I have never seen them as separate,” she explains.

Once they decided on the project, Schrott said the next question was how to get the pendants made. The answer, she says, was the result of “the goodness in people’s hearts.” After an e-mail blast to the community, Rabbi David Greenberg, of Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, where she is a member, introduced her to Bridget Krowe, owner of Limited Unlimited Jewelers in Mt. Kisco. Krowe donated her time and effort to finding a jeweler to create the pendant and also donated boxes for the finished product.

In one year, Schrott hopes the Foundation will receive enough donations to pay for therapy for one year for one person–but she is hoping for much more. “It’s a big dream but I’m not giving up.”
Schrott’s creative talents extend to the theater. She studied with Martha Graham and the School of American Ballet.

In her 20s she performed extensively with the Jewish Repertory Theatre in NYC. Later on, Schrott performed eight shows a week to finish Hunter College and attend NYU graduate school, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Another dream of Schrott’s is to become a certified yoga instructor to help patients in her psychotherapy practice. In February, she was scheduled to attend a month-long intensive program at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Mass. She said this is the perfect time in her life to achieve this goal, as her older daughter Elizabeth, a junior at Tufts, is studying abroad in India, and her younger daughter, Rose, is a first year student at Johns Hopkins University.

She is appreciative that her husband, Jonathan, is extremely supportive of her efforts. Schrott says she is proud that both of her daughters are confident, like the woman on the pendant, and have “learned to ride the waves in life.”

Schrott’s shelves are lined with family photos; her favorite is the one of her daughters holding hands, walking on the beach. “All I wanted was for them to love and respect each other,” she says. Yet another dream has been fulfilled.

Lori Sachare is a freelance writer and public relations consultant living in Chappaqua.

The Unlikely Story of an Entrepreneur

Every group of girlfriends has one–the “go-to” gal. She’s the one that knows where to go, what to do and how to get anything done.

Even from the earliest age, Stacy Geisinger, was that girl. “I was always the social type,” says Geisinger. “And, I’ve been known to have an opinion.” What’s more, Geisinger, who hails from Bayside, Queens, has a fabulous sense of humor. Who wouldn’t want to hear what she has to say?

Although she’s been living in bucolic Bedford for more than 20 years, you can still hear that city energy in her voice. Yet, this grown woman, whose only son, Alexander, is in college, has surprisingly found herself at the helm of StacyKnows.com, the fast-growing blog that covers everything Stacy knows and then some. If you’d like a great tip or want to know what’s new in the world of beauty, fashion, shopping, music, travel, food, drink, charity or more, just ask Stacy. There’s usually no need for questions because Geisinger fuels her site regularly with everything you want to know and beyond.

Get Ready
How did a suburban mom turn into a savvy, social media entrepreneur? It took a few twists and turns of fate and a willing spirit. Geisenger wasn’t always the one to take risks. Although she wanted to study marketing in college, her father talked her into becoming an accountant. “Those were the days when being happy was not a priority; having a solid job was the goal,” she says. So Geisinger did what good girls from Queens do, she took the route to the solid job. “The goal was to have a job, even if it was a job you hated,” she jokes. Accounting led to marriage, the birth of her son, a move to the burbs and the “Kindergarten to Grade 12” lifestyle. “Life was about homework, projects and car pools,” she says. And, of course, exercise class.

Get Set
Being in the know, Geisinger was taking one of the hottest classes of the day–Power Groove kickboxing, twice a week.

“I don’t remember exactly how it started; the instructor was making a point about toning up our arms for the summer and in a fun way he started this little chant, “Stacy Knows… yes, Stacy Knows.”

Well, it just stuck. “Then my friends started telling me I should have a website because of all I knew, so I looked at some sites, but I didn’t know,” she says. On a trip out to the Hamptons, Geisinger started talking to a gentleman who just happened to be a ‘google guy.’ It was serendipity. “Two hours later, I had a website,” she says. She introduced her site to a mailing list she had of 500 addresses.

That was three years ago. “I am having so much fun,” she enthuses. “With this vehicle, you can make it as much as you want it to be.” She’s joined Facebook, opened a Twitter account, and became enthralled with things like search engine optimization and affiliate marketing.

Go!
So, has she found fame and fortune? “It might not be the best way to put food on the table, but I have some paying advertisers. They’re my favorite people, and I do a lot of barter. Food, books, soap and perfume presents just keep arriving at my door–how fun.” Even her husband, Edmund, thinks it’s cool. Geisinger says it took her a little while to find her niche. “I’m not that private a person, but I wasn’t looking to air dirty laundry and I wasn’t interested in venting,” she says. What she values is sharing new information that can help people in their lives. “I always ask myself–is it blog worthy?” she says. “Doing this is all for good–that’s the point.”

The only downside is that the web never shuts off. When asked if she thought the web is addicting, Geisinger replies, “I could use a good 12-step program!” In the end, Geisinger says she’s glad she’s started StacyKnows.com. “What else would I be doing? This is such a good outlet for me!”

Jean Sheff is a Chappaqua-based writer and editor who is glad someone knows.

by Laurie Fessler
It starts in the evening with the darkening sky. The winds get cold enough to slap your face. You can no longer remember what summer felt like. The seasons change quickly as does life. You see a friend in the distance who looks sallow and frail. You gasp inwardly and feel your stomach plummeting right down to your now-numb toes. You wish on the first star sparkling brightly in the too-black sky.

Not many of us know the details. People, friends, well-wishers talk, not out of gossip, but out of love and concern. There was an entire neighborhood on the watch for her. We followed her slow, measured walk. If I saw her walking alone, I would squish my feet into sneakers and run out the door to join her. She welcomed the company but would never ask for it. Whenever you asked her how she felt, she would flash her brilliant smile and always replied, “Fine.”

She was an extraordinary woman, loyal friend, devoted wife, nurturing and supportive mother. She was kind to everyone she met. To witness her determination and lightning-quick spirit was, to say the least, awe-inspiring. She was the stubborn warrior.
In the middle of the night, when things feel grossly exaggerated and emotions run high, we look for dawn, for the first glimmer of hope. We huddle beneath layered blankets thinking we will never be warm again all the while knowing she is saying in her most determined voice, “I will fight this.” She left an indelible mark on every person she met, and if you asked her if she knew this, she would tilt her head back, laugh heartily and deny it. Yet we know the truth. We all do.

I will never look at the winter light in the same way again. My friend, Dawn, passed away on February 11, 2011, after her long battle with cancer. The sky was blue and the sun shone through the wind-swept trees and beamed on the empty branches like golden necklaces. From my window, it looked way too pretty a day to lose a loved one. Dawn peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.

We pray, we love, we ask for blessings. Let the dawn come quickly erasing the troubled nights, replacing them with hope and a circle of love from near and far. We pray individually and collectively and in a thousand different ways because we know love has no religion. We pray in hushed whispers for Dawn and ask that her family be blessed with the same strength with which Dawn lived her life.

As time marches on, may we take with us our endearing memories of Dawn Re, everyone’s friend.

By Laurie Fessler, wife, mother & friend of Dawn’s. You can find her blogposts on: Hibernationnow.wordpress.com

By Donna Abemayor

As I entered the office of Isa Marrs, MA CCC-SLP, board certified speech language pathologist, I found her friendly waiting area decorated with primary color furniture and children’s toys and books a warm welcoming environment. Children played in the waiting area with their parents, while others were participating in children’ groups, and the sound of children’s laughter was heard throughout the office.

In the Beginning
Isa knew from the time she was a teenager that wanted to be a speech language pathologist. At age 15, she took a summer position at Jawanio in New City, New York, as a teacher’s aide for preschool children with special needs. Isa describes seeing a speech language pathologist with a preschool child at a picnic table.

She reports “at that moment” she decided she wanted to work with children with special needs and be a speech language pathologist. She obtained a Masters Degree in Communication Disorders from New Mexico State University and became a board certified speech pathologist.

In 1999, she began working with Etoile LeBlanc, world-renowned expert in the area of craniofacial speech disorders. In 2003, she opened her own practice, Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology in Valhalla and in 2007, her current office in Briarcliff.

Isa has in-depth experience treating children with a wide-variety of medical conditions and genetics syndromes, but not limited to Cleft Palate, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 18, Aperts Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Fragile X, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Autism.

The Balancing Act
Isa Marrs has been practicing speech language pathology for nearly 20 years. As a mother of
4 1/2 year old Maya and 18 month old Aaron, she manages to balance the demands of her growing practice and parenting. Isa, along with her husband Jason assume almost all of the caretaking of their two children. She often brings her children to work. Maya and Aaron can often be found playing in her office or participating in groups within her practice. When her children are not with her, they can be found with their dad, Jason, participating in an array of activities. Isa reports that “being a parent” helps you to truly relate to other parents and grandparents. “Understanding their struggles and appreciating their efforts” is an important part of her communication with parents and grandparents.

Innovative Programs
Isa has developed an array of programs for children with speech language disorders. Two of these programs are Where I Can Be Me and Jumpstart Talking. Where I Can Be Me is a social skills program that is facilitated by board certified speech pathologists and utilizes behavior techniques, social communication, music, art, and social skills training to improve a child’s play skills, social interaction and behavior. Isa describes “teachable moments” that emerge when working with children in groups that incorporate art, play, and other social activities. For further information about this program, go to www. WhereICanBeMe.com. Another creative program that Isa has developed is Jumpstart Talking. This program is designed for children who are late talkers and often get “lost in the shuffle in traditional preschool.” This engaging communication based program is designed to get children talking while preparing them for school. For further information, go to www.JumpstartTalking.com.

Practice made Perfect
Isa feels that the best ways to assess the effectiveness of speech language therapy are testimonials by families that have utilized her practice. Currently, she has seven board certified speech language pathologists and a special educator who is a reading therapist that are part of her practice. Isa’s philosophy is for the therapists to deliver “one-hundred and twenty percent” when working with children and families.

Isa feels this can be done by continuing to review and assess the engagement process; asking such questions as “ What can I do different with this child and family?”; and “ How, as a therapist, can I be more creative?” Isa’s goal is to deliver “quality care” which is evident from families that come from as far away as Putnam County., Connecticut, and New Jersey. Isa Marrs Speech Language Pathology is located at 127 Woodside Avenue, Suite 201 Briarcliff, New York. You can call her directly at 914-488-5282. Visit her on the web at www.SpeechLanguageFeeding.com.

Donna Abemayor is a frequent writer for Inside Chappaqua.