The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Fall Fashion Fun: Layers, Textiles, & Scholarly Chic

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The Fall 2024 fashion landscape is a tapestry woven with a harmonious blend of scholastic inspiration and professional elegance. At its core lies the concept of the elevated every day, where layering is an art form enriched by a diverse palette of textures, fabrics, and materials.

On the Autumn/Winter 2024 (A/W’ 24) runway, designers are seen revitalizing traditional staples with modern twists, focusing on timeless pieces and playful textiles that breathe new life into everyday basics. Think cashmere with leather, tweeds with velvet, wool with fur, and cotton with sequins or feathers. Each textile adds depth and complexity, keeping you warm while enhancing the sophistication of any outfit. As designers focus on layering, they encourage experimentation, inviting us to blend various elements to create dynamic and trendy wardrobes.

Statement Collars: The Spotlight Stealers

Leave them up or let them out; statement collars stole the spotlight during the A/W ’24 runway. Collared shirts, integral to the prep aesthetic, are staple pieces for any wardrobe. This fall, designers are seen playing with collars, offering various options from oversized to pointed and embellished designs on sweaters to those adorned with soft ruffles and matching cuff ruffles. Whether you opt for a collar in trend or keep it traditional, collars are an easy and essential garment for layering.

Fun with collars didn’t stop there

Blazers were showcased in various silhouettes, from oversized to relaxed fits, and materials ranging from leather to tweed and herringbone patterns and pinstripes. Blazers are effortlessly sophisticated while keeping simple and comfortable. This season, there’s a nod to the 80’s with a profound emphasis on shoulders. While these may be less practical for everyday wear, a vintage 80’s blazer could be perfect for a night out, elevating your outfit while keeping you warm and on-trend.

The Coveted Pattern of Fall: Plaid

Plaid was overwhelmingly displayed throughout the A/W ’24 runways. Designers have integrated this pattern, providing a vintage-esque vibe. Plaid maxi skirts, trench coats, scarves, and wraps were heavily featured, making it fun to up the antics and get creative. Herringbone, check, and tartan are predominantly showcased on overcoats and maxi skirts, with designers enjoying these beloved, traditional patterns.

Texture, Fabrics, and Materials: Oh My!

Stepping onto the scene to rescue the fashion world, the cape is one of the most exciting features of A/W ’24. The runway was a spectacle draped in layers of luxurious fabrics, evoking a heroic spirit. Designers are placing a modern take on this traditional garment, showcased in an array of shapes, sizes, and fabrics. Long wool capes cascading elegantly, high-low capes in sleek leather, or short cashmere capes add a touch of sophistication over a mini dress.

Capes & Cardigans: The Key to Chic Layering

Captivating the runway and social media, the ever effortless and essential cardigan. Crafted from cashmere, cotton, or wool, cardigans offer an opportunity to play with different textures and fabrics, cuts, and hems. Knits, from cable to chunky oversized, were seen on the runway. Stay in the neutral palette to maximize your possibilities. Lightweight yet warm, relaxed yet refined, cashmere is an investment piece that you will turn to year after year.

Materials: Sequins

Tis the season to sparkle! Sequins are just about everywhere, perfect for a special occasion or a fun night out! Sequins, both large and small, shown in various fun colors, adorn everything from skirts to two-piece sets, adding a playful shimmer to any outfit. Let your style fly with the luxurious feel of feathers. Flutter into this trend and stand out from the crowd with a little plumage.

Enjoy the effortless nature of fashion this season. There are no boundaries–remain comfortable and warm while incorporating textiles. Embrace the elevated every day with personal style and have fun with it!

Let’s Play Platform Tennis

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If you haven’t yet heard about the newfound popularity of Platform Tennis, or Paddle as it’s affectionately known, then you’re missing out on a fantastic workout and very social sport. I recently spoke with Charles Mingoia, who plays in the Westchester Platform Tennis League (WPTL) about everything paddle and got an inside look into the game and how people can join in on the fun locally right here in Briarcliff Manor.

Platform Tennis was created almost a century ago in Scarsdale when in 1928 James Cogswell and Fessenden Blanchard, two tennis enthusiasts, wanted to find a way to enjoy racquet sports during the colder weather months. They built a raised platform, slightly smaller than a regulation tennis court and bought some balls and wooden paddles. They enclosed the platform with chicken wire to prevent the balls from landing in the snow and a new sport was born. Paddle is particularly popular in the Chicago area but is now seeing a resurgence in the place in which it was born.

These days, the game, which has similar rules to tennis, is still played on a raised decking – now made of aluminum and with a sandpaper-like grit to it, surrounded by the screens. If the ball hits within the court and bounces off the screen, you can still play it. The great thing about paddle is that even if you’re not very skilled in tennis you can still play with those who are – the screens help to equalize things a bit.

The game is known for being a very social one as well as one that can be played year-round, even in the cold weather. And one of the main reasons for that is the warming hut. Sounds cozy right? After games, many of the players can be found in the warming hut to relax, have drinks and just hang out and chat. “Our courts here in Briarcliff are public courts (located in Law Memorial Park). We have two courts and a warming hut that we built through private funds and donated to the Village. The social aspect of the game is much better with the hut.”

The WPTL is comprised of 10 divisions of 7-8 teams each and is part of the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA). The Briarcliff home courts have 4 teams in the league, in different divisions. Games are typically played on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Briarcliff teams mostly play those from various country clubs around Westchester. There’s a women’s league that typically plays during the daytime with some women also playing in the evening division matchups. Mingoia got started with the sport in 2016 and was quickly hooked on it. “It’s something fun to do. It had been a while since I had played in competitive matches before this, but I learned pretty quickly. There’s a lot of strategy to the game but at the same time, the screens help as an equalizer. At the time I started playing there were 19 permit holders in town and now there are almost 100.”

The Briarcliff courts are dedicated to Ernie Pacchiana who passed away in 2022 and who in the 1970’s introduced paddle tennis to Northern Westchester. He also founded the Briarcliff Rotary Club chapter – sensing a need for something new and then creating it. The courts have become a place of not only friendly competition but also lots of social interaction. In addition to the weeknight matches through the WPTL, people can go on the weekends to play pick-up matches. “Once we got the hut, we would start hosting special events like Friday night couples paddle. It’s a great thing for the town – it’s very social,” says Mingoia.

As for how those new to the sport can get involved. “It’s mostly word of mouth. We’re always looking for new players. Maybe you’re new in town, or you played tennis in college.” And you don’t need to be the best athlete out there to play. “You don’t need to be super strong or super fit. We have an 81-year-old playing who loves it and we have college kids too.” The group found a big uptick in popularity during Covid, because it was something active and social that people could enjoy outdoors. And now they’ll scout for new players or just garner interest from curious onlookers at the courts. The group hosts an end-of-year paddle party as well as special tournaments throughout the year.

As for the warming hut, Mingoia views it as the best public one in the county. “We have a TV, fridge, refreshments. etc. People are always in the hut and hanging out.” And even if you’re not the most skilled paddle player, everyone’s an equal when it comes to enjoying some post-game fun.

The Record-Breaking Strides of Team GAGA

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2022 Co-Presidents Emily Stangel (left) and Ashley Stangel (right) at the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s

In 2024 alone, an estimated 6.9 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s. Meaning millions of families are being affected, and millions of precious memories are being lost. Battling such a horrible disease, takes not only a village, but a strong team to come together and work towards a cure.

Unfortunately, I have experienced this illness firsthand. Eight years ago, my grandfather, a prominent reproductive specialist, began to show symptoms. He was curious, and always looking for new hobbies and topics to explore. Then it progressed. He confused names, locations and as an eight-year-old, I knew something did not feel right.

When I was told he had Alzheimer’s, I was shocked. This was my Papa. The man who dedicated his career to bringing life into the world. He was indestructible, so why was his memory fading.

Through a great deal of research, my family discovered that the best thing to do when dealing with a family member with Alzheimer’s was to surround yourself with support – people who understand the disease. This is when my sister Emily, a rising sophomore at Northeastern University, got involved in the Byram Hills High School’s Growth and Awareness group for Alzheimer’s.

Max Levy, Byram Hills class of 2014, founded the Growth and Awareness Group for Alzheimer’s in 2011, more commonly known as GAGA, to introduce Byram Hills high school students to raising funds and to create awareness for the disease. Affiliated with the National Alzheimer’s Association, the club takes part in county and country-wide events.

Being a part of this club in 2021 and 2022 with my sister was extremely therapeutic and fulfilling. We were doing real work to drive the world closer to a cure. We participated in fundraisers, helped patients, and were supported by peers. As my sister’s presidency came to an end in 2023, our grandfather took a turn for the worse. After eight painful years fighting the disease, we lost Dr. John Stangel on April 24, 2023. It was surreal. He was always there for milestones – school events, birthdays, holidays – anything we saw as important, he was first in line, until he wasn’t.

Going back to the club seemed impossible for me. Being surrounded by patients who resembled my grandfather and exposed to something that had haunted our lives for eight years was tough. I felt I could not handle the task as president.

The summer before the 2023-2024 school year, the GAGA club Advisor, Ally Dellacioppa, sent me an email with condolences, and a positive message for the upcoming year. She spoke about the amazing things we were going to accomplish and the many people we could help. This burst of motivation showed me that I could not walk away and hide in my sadness. I was inspired to help others so hopefully fewer people would lose loved ones to this dreadful disease.

2023 GAGA Team Captains at The Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s. (L-R): Vice President Spencer Wilk, Co-President Inaara Lalani, Co-President Ashley Stangel, and Vice President Charlie Zimmerman

I began that year with a mission: my co-president, Inaara Lalani, and our vice presidents, Charlie Zimmerman and Spencer Wilk, would make history. Though the club has always been one of Byram Hills’ most successful charity-driven extracurriculars, the 2023-2024 school year was one for the books. The club had excelled in fundraising, community engagement, and had even gained official recognition.

Though GAGA has several events a year, The National Alzheimer’s Association’s,
Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the crown jewel. The GAGA club and its 80-plus members organized several bake sales in town as well as in school and accepted donations before the walk, which would take place on October 1st, 2023.

Every Alzheimer’s Association-affiliated team must fundraise before the walk. These teams can be anything from school-run clubs to families and even corporate offices. Our GAGA team did an amazing job fundraising and broke a record by raising $32,082. We also had our own tent at the walk, and individual members like Inaara and I were honored at a donor’s dinner for achieving Elite Grand Champion Status for raising over $2,500 each.

Later in January, it was announced by the Alzheimer’s Association that the Byram Hills GAGA team was the #1 highest fundraising team in all of the Hudson Valley. Coming in higher than businesses and banks. Our team was honored at the Grand Champion Dinner with major community donors for their work. Inaara and I went from being volunteers/vice presidents to leaders and instituting real change as captains – a big moment!

Esther McCarthy, the Westchester Walk Director, has always been such a valuable supporter of our team and was immensely grateful for our contribution this year.
I was extremely lucky to work very closely with Esther this year to find new ways to raise money and awareness for the walk and other opportunities. Esther noted, “Over the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ashley as part of the GAGA team. During this time, she has gone from a dedicated team member to the Co-captain. Her creativity and energy have been invaluable.”

Though we achieved all of this by January, we felt there was more to be done. I remembered a common question we were asked, “Are you guys a GAGA team?”, referring to the elementary school sport of “GAGA.” This inspired us to come up with a new and exciting community-wide event: a GAGA Tournament. GAGA is a sport played with a dodgeball in an octagon court which is very popular with younger children.

To get this event done efficiently, we split up duties to create the most entertaining event possible! Inaara and I took on tasks such as reaching out to vendors and organizing sport supplies while Vice Presidents Charlie Zimmerman and Spencer Wilk secured the court.

We collaborated with Wampus Elementary School, which provided tables, chairs, GAGA courts, and outdoor space for the event. The Byram Hills Athletics Department also got involved by helping to secure a date and providing the necessary equipment. Mr. Saunders, the Assistant Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics, and Mrs. Palmer, the assistant principal of Wampus Elementary, were instrumental in the creation of the event. I am so grateful for their unconditional kindness and interest in the event.

This was a very special experience for me because Mrs. Palmer was my Kindergarten teacher. Our relationship went from that of learning colors and letters to discussing insurance and professional event planning. Mrs. Palmer commented, “I met Ashley Stangel as a bright and powerful kindergarten student twelve years ago. She was hardworking and strong-willed. Ashley was destined to accomplish what was in her head and her heart.”

I was so lucky to get to work with Mrs. Palmer again in a new role and my respect for her never ends. Mrs. Palmer said, “Fast forward a decade later, Ashley is putting into practice the good work – she is led to lead. The event was a success that brought meaningful fun for all.”

The Inaugural GAGA Tournament took place on May 4, 2024, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and had over 100 guests throughout the day. The students played several rounds of GAGA, and trophies were awarded to the participants. The day also included lawn games, face painting, done by freshman member Adley Aronsky, a snack bar, an ice cream truck and more. The community was very pleased by this event, and it was a hugely successful fundraiser. There was also a raffle in which donors could win a variety of summer prizes. Due to its incredible success and public demand, the GAGA Tournament will return next May.

For me, the GAGA Tournament had always been something I wanted to create, and I know that all the hard work would not only help thousands of families but would make my grandfather proud. We had a full-circle moment when founder Max Levy and his mother, Cindy Shmerler, attended the event. Both were able to see the evolution of the club and the good it brings to the community. It was even recognized by Westchester News 12. The segment featured footage of children having fun and a community coming together for the greater good.

Our club and its members did an incredible job with the event, and once again, the Alzheimer’s Association was pleased. In reference to the creation of the GAGA tournament, Esther McCarthy, the Westchester Walk Director, said “Ashley is not only incredibly reliable, but also resourceful and thoughtful in her approach. She has been instrumental in bringing in new ideas and has helped students from other high schools get involved. Her commitment to our mission is inspiring.”

Though GAGA has made some excellent strides, our hard work does not end here. As established leaders of the club, we have begun training new leaders, as they begin their high school journey, which gives all of us hope for the future.

As I reflect back on my journey with GAGA, I cannot help but feel extremely fortunate. I essentially had my own support group of loyal students trying to make a difference. We are and have always been a mosaic of experiences touched by the disease and a collection of memories that patients who are ill can no longer pass on.

Though I miss my grandfather, I know he would be incredibly proud of everything we have done. He would have loved the walks to end Alzheimer’s and would have been fascinated with the clowns and other entertainers that encourage the participants. He would have loved our GAGA tournament because it is an unusual/nontraditional sport. But overall, he would have loved our club not just for the silly name GAGA, but for our initiative and resilience, and for fighting what we believe in. GAGA is an astonishing organization that deserves to go down in history.

For all those interested in making a difference, the Westchester Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Sunday, October 6th, at Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, New York. https://act.alz.org/

“I Went a Little Crazy When My Son Applied to College.”

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Anna Esaki-Smith

Full disclosure: When my older son was applying to university, I went a little crazy. We were living in Hong Kong at the time, which was the mothership of Tiger Moms and their high-achieving cubs. In a high school chock full of academic superstars with near-perfect GPAs and parents who could afford private college counselors and draconian SAT boot camps, I was flooded with worry that I wasn’t doing enough.

My son wanted to go to New York University, so through my contacts as an education researcher, I secured a meeting with then-NYU president John Sexton. Mic drop, boom!
I was researching international student decision-making, so had booked the appointment under the pretense that I was conducting a related study. The world-renowned legal scholar was kind and generous, welcoming me into an NYU office as homey as a living room, decorated with photos of his wife and family. But I could tell the man accustomed to greeting dignitaries from universities around the world was a little puzzled as to why I, the anxious mom of a high school junior, was talking to him.

To be honest, I wasn’t even sure about what I was doing, either. Could the president of NYU – or of any university – want to help a random student in their efforts to get in? During the polite conversation with Dr. Sexton that ensued, I felt both the futility of my quest to get my son an edge as well as the urgency to seize even the slightest opportunity.

Finally, as I was leaving, I turned to the president and said, “hey, my son will be applying to NYU this fall!” Dr. Sexton smiled warmly and nodded, wishing us luck. In retrospect, that was all he could possibly do.

I’m unearthing this memory to convey my compassion for parents of high schoolers that are on the cusp of applying to college. I know the mere mention of the college application process makes you want to curl up beneath your dining room table. You feel helpless, maybe even overwhelmed. Getting your child into college can feel like you’re competing in a chess tournament against Garry Kasparov, but you only know how to play checkers.

But there is information out there to alleviate the stress, for both you and your child.
There’s no better time to be a student. That might sound counterintuitive, considering all that’s going on in the world today. But due to the tech-disrupted economy, employers increasingly value the knowledge and skills a university graduate brings to the table rather than the pedigree of the degree.
First off, the average acceptance rate across all U.S. universities and colleges is a stunning 70 percent, and 37 schools accept everyone who applies.

One of the hallmarks of the US higher education system is there are excellent faculty at colleges and universities across the country. If your child is serious, they can get a solid education anywhere. So, the application process is as competitive as you make it, and a great education is available for the taking.

In my book, Make College Your Superpower: It’s Not Where You Go, It’s What You Know, I challenge the notion that attending a prestigious university is the only sure path to success. I advocate for a more holistic approach to picking a school, one that considers a student’s individual strengths, interests, and goals.

So, as your child embarks on the college application journey, here are a few things to keep in mind:

The value of brand is diminishing.

Sure, there’s still rampant interest in the Ivy League and other highly-ranked schools. But there’s an ongoing shift away from brand. Economic and technological changes have transformed the workforce, placing greater emphasis on skills and competencies over institutional prestige. We live in an era of ideas and innovation. When you’re using Venmo, Instacart or Uber, do you care where the founder went to school? The people hiring at these companies don’t either. So, give your child a break and lessen your emphasis on famous universities.

There’s more data on which to base decisions.

Today, students can readily see the projected salaries for various majors and have a wider variety of ways to get an education. For example, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce ranks 4,500 colleges based on ROI, or the return on investment, and even offers that rating through the lens of low-income students. They examine the economic value of business, journalism and communications programs, too. So, students have a better idea of whether it’s worth paying top dollar for a pricey private university if what they might do when they graduate won’t pay down their debt.

In the age of tech, the humanities matter.

Certainly, eight out of the ten top-earning majors are in engineering. And considering the influence wielded by Microsoft, Apple and other big tech companies, many students feel that studying STEM and related subjects is the way to secure their future. But what they might not know is that in the age of artificial intelligence, human-centric qualities will be valued more than ever. Thinking creatively, being innovative, working collaboratively on a team – these skills and abilities are transferable from industry to industry, even when a generation of tech becomes outdated. And there’s no better way to acquire those skills than by studying the humanities.

The future looks bright!

Ultimately, your goal should be to empower your high schooler to make informed decisions about their future. Help give them agency over the process, rather than let the process control them. Whether they choose to pursue a traditional four-year degree, vocational training, or an alternative pathway, encourage them to approach their education with confidence and purpose. While a university’s brand and global ranking are still a powerful draw, elite institutions are no longer the sole gatekeepers to a graduate’s success. There’s room for many at the top!

The Eagle is Back

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PHOTO BY ELISE TRAINOR

On a perfect June day, NY State and Westchester officials, North Castle town officials, town residents, and other guests gathered at the base of the majestic new Eagle that stands at the corner of Route 22 and Route 128 to celebrate the rededication of the beloved landmark.

Why an Eagle? Susan Shimer former Judge of the Town of North Castle said, “An Eagle represents truth, honesty, wisdom, majesty, strength, power, and freedom.”

Why this location? Shimer spoke about the original inspiration of the Eagle which came from several residents who developed the concept and brought it to fruition. “The perfect location required a community effort and on July 4, 1976, with a perfect spot finally chosen, the Eagle soared,” Shimer shared.

Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio, from North Castle shared that her entire life the Eagle was standing. “The Eagle represents so much; it was the way I gave directions to visitors, and it means home for me!” she said.

North Castle Town Supervisor, Joseph Rende spoke about members of the community coming forward when they heard the Eagle was down. “Individuals contacted me and said they’d take care of it, and they did,” Rende said. Michael Ferrari, John Oronzio, and Giulio Monaco all received certificates for donating their time, energy and services to repair the damage.

This was a special day for North Castle residents made brighter with the addition of a brass band that took us back in time perhaps to when the original Eagle was erected.

To quote the wonderfully articulate Former North Castle Town Judge Susan Shimer “The Eagle represents searching for a better future and a better tomorrow.” Everyone that attended the event felt the pride of the community and the hope for a brighter future.