Cover Stories

How Sweet It Is!

August 16, 2024 by The Inside Press

BY JESSICA STERN & ANNABEL LEVIN

Blue raspberry Italian ice and mint chocolate chip at Village Creamery

As the summer heat continues, there is no sweeter way to beat the heat than with a nice scoop of ice cream. Westchester is home to a variety of ice cream parlors, each offering unique flavors and experiences. We found six different ice cream places around Westchester to indulge your sweet tooth for these last licks of summer!

The first stop was Longford’s in the heart of Armonk. Having opened just a week prior to our visit, we were excited to try this new spot! Right off the bat, Longford’s was appealing with its energetic interior and fun music. This definitely felt like an attraction for a young audience, which we appreciated. We began our tasting with Oreo Bomb, which featured vanilla ice cream with chunks of Oreo throughout. This super sweet and creamy dessert had the perfect ratio of crushed Oreo to ice cream and satisfied our taste buds.

Next, we explored some of the non-dairy options, specifically the Raspberry Sorbet. With chunks of fresh raspberry. We recommend you try some of the fruit sorbets from Longford’s – along with their other delicious flavors.

Then, we visited Village Creamery in Valhalla, NY where we tried mint chocolate chip ice cream. This spot was essentially a wall with flavors galore and a few people working to serve the ice cream. While this isn’t the place for sitting down with friends, the huge variety of flavors makes up for the lack of space. Even though we tried a simple flavor, we call it the ideal mint chip ice cream. It’s white color and perfect ice cream to chip ratio, was the highlight of our trip. They didn’t hold back on the mint flavor, so while it looked like simple vanilla with some chocolate chips, in reality it was a minty delight!

We also tried the Blue Raspberry Italian ice – which unlike the mint chocolate chip – seemed to lack some flavor. However, the texture of the Italian Ice was very smooth which we loved. We agreed that the Village Creamery is a great place as there is sure to be a flavor for everyone.

Stracciatella and Mango Sorbet at Venchi

Right in the heart of White Plains was Ice Cream Social, which was our favorite atmosphere. The room radiated with bright and happy energy, and the ice cream was unique and delicious. First, we tried the Cappuccino Kahlua, which was a coffee ice cream base filled with crispy coffee beans – a fabulous mix of creamy and crunchy.

We were excited to try the variety of dairy free ice creams that they offered. The Coffee Cookie Oat Milk ice cream was silky and decadent. The coffee flavor was strong yet not overpowering. Good dairy free ice cream is difficult to come across. Check out Ice Cream Social if you are a coffee lover like we are!

We then tried Frannie’s in Chappaqua. Our go to flavor is Tarte Original, occasionally with chocolate. Frannie’s offers a wide variety of yogurt flavors, along with a colorful array of toppings to load on top.

Though they are usually tasty, the dairy free options at Frannie’s often change. Frannie’s also serves traditional ice cream from Longford’s, which we know and love. The welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff make each visit enjoyable, whether you’re grabbing a quick treat or savoring your frozen yogurt in their cozy parlor.

Our next stop was King Kone in Katonah. For our first soft serve of the trip, we got a classic chocolate and vanilla swirl. Twisted to perfection, this treat is the definition of soft serve ice cream. It is creamy and delicious, and the chocolate and vanilla complement each other to a tee.

Next on the non-dairy ice cream was a classic vanilla flavor which was perfectly sweet and creamy. Oftentimes, dairy free ice cream can be watered down because of the different milk used, but this wasn’t the case at King Kone! We are typically topping lovers, but this flavor can stand alone. King Kone is definitely one of our go-to places as they also sell hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken fingers which makes dinner and dessert in one spot easy for a night out with friends or family!

Last but certainly not least, we arrived at Venchi in the Westchester Mall. Sticking with the classics, we first tried the Stracciatella. This dessert was velvety and rich with chocolate flakes, making it a masterpiece. The presentation of this ice cream deserves a shout out, as it was topped with a piece of chocolate.

After a long day of ice cream travels, we felt refreshed as we tried the Passion Fruit Mango Sorbet. Equally sour and sweet, this sorbet was a cold and creamy treat. It won the dairy free ice cream award in our book! Though a tad pricey, Venchi deserved every penny in our pockets.

These six ice cream shops are worthy of your “to try” list as this summer season nears its end. With locations and flavors for all, the end of summer will be sweeter with these cold treats.

Jessica Stern and Annabel Levin are rising seniors at Horace Greeley High School where both are also columnists for the Greeley Voice. In their spare time, Jessica swims for the Girls Varsity Swim team and Annabel enjoys traveling and spending time with friends.

914CARES: A Community Effort to Help Neighbors in Need

August 16, 2024 by Pamela Brown

A festive ribbon cutting to celebrate the new North Castle space

Caring, compassion, and empathy toward neighbors. That’s how Jessica Reinmann is making the world a better place. When someone needs help, 914Cares, Reinmann’s nonprofit, finds a solution. “I saw neighbors in my community living without the basic necessities of life and I wanted to change that. 914Cares is about caring for our neighbors who need it to the best of our ability. We’re one community, and we need to take care of each other,” said Reinmann, CEO and Chairman. “We’ve gone from me passing out coats from the trunk of my car to a 12,000-square foot, fully operational warehouse and an established reputation in the community.”

Established in 2014, 914Cares has positively impacted the community and its footprint continues to grow. “We work to ensure our neighbors in need are cared for by collaborating, supporting and providing resources to local organizations, educating the community about poverty and encouraging actionable generosity,” Reinmann explained. At its start, the nonprofit worked with over 80 Westchester County programs, but over the years it’s expanded its reach and now works with a roster of 117 community partners. These organizations provide services and assistance to the people they serve while 914Cares, a basic essentials distribution bank, distributes clothing, new sneakers, coats, diapers, wipes, baby gear, hygiene products, period products, and books.

In May, the nonprofit opened an expansive 12,000-square-foot warehouse and office space at 28 Kaysal Court in Armonk that has a loading dock for deliveries, ample storage space, and is easily accessible. “This new space has enabled us to increase our output significantly. We can accept larger deliveries, have space for more volunteers, and can work more efficiently,” said Reinmann. The site will employ eight employees, with a rotation of 150 volunteers, teenage and adult, to fulfill orders. “Our staff oversees our operations, programming, and development efforts. The volunteers do a lot of the heavy lifting, helping us sort through donations, pack clothing bags, pack hygiene and flow kits, and more.”

Since moving to Armonk, Reinmann and her team have been embraced by the community. “It’s been incredible. The Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club have been supportive, as have so many local businesses and local residents who have come out to volunteer and drop off donations. We’re happy to be here,” said Reinmann who worked with Rick Rakow of Rakow Commercial Realty to secure the new space. “Rick is a member of our Advisory Board who understands and participates in our mission with such care and generosity.”

Volunteerism is at the heart of 914Cares. “Our volunteers range in age from 14-92 (really!), and their dedication to our cause is truly unbelievable,” said Reinmann. “In addition to their hard work in our Caring Collective, our volunteers are out in their communities, hosting drives, educating their neighbors and friends, and proudly representing 914Cares at service fairs and other events. They are an integral part of our family.”

Engaging the next generation is a core component of 914Cares. “Through our Junior Advisory Board, we strive to nurture a culture of actionable generosity in our young people, positioning them to make change today, while preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders, donors, and social justice advocates. This is a unique opportunity for teens to get involved in the work that we do in a leadership capacity,” said Reinmann. Currently, the Board has 25 members from both public and private schools across the county. Freshman high school students can apply to join. It requires a four-year commitment running a “914Cares Club” at their high schools, organizing donation drives, participating in meetings, and attending volunteer events.

Some new programs 914Cares has put in motion include the county’s first “Sneaker Bank” in partnership with the nonprofit “Shoes That Fit” in which every child who receives a clothing bag from 914Cares will also receive a brand-new, name-brand pair of sneakers, and “Westchester Reads” that offers field trips to their offices for school districts. “I’m proud of our ability to grow and expand to meet the needs of our community partners over the past 10 years and to serve the entire county,” Reinmann said. “We have expanded based on feedback from our community partners, listening to their needs and collaborating to create programming that provides a solution.”

914Cares has continued to make a positive impact by creating responsive programming and working with the community throughout the county. “I’m humbled by the way the community has rallied around our mission, and the support we’ve received from elected officials, local foundations, and all of our volunteers and generous donors,” said Reinmann. “We strive to reach every pocket of Westchester. Until there is no longer a need, 914Cares will be here to serve those who can benefit from our services.”

To learn more about the Junior Advisory Board and other volunteer opportunities, students can contact Nichole Culotta, Chief Programming Officer, at: nichole@914cares.org

Survivors Walk the Runway to Fight Ovarian Cancer

June 14, 2024 by Velia La Garda

Kattia holding hands with her daughter Paloma.

Over $400K Raised for the Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research at the third annual Tina’s Wish Runway for Research

On a beautiful spring night in New York City, at the 18th Street Altman building, over 400 supporters came together to witness a unique fashion show empowering women fighting ovarian cancer.

The event on behalf of the Tina Brozman Foundation for Ovarian Cancer raised more than $400,000 to fund research for early detection of ovarian cancer.

Kattia Solano Sabatino who walked the runway with her ten-year-old daughter, Paloma, said, “I was one of those naive women who thought a pap smear would detect ovarian cancer, but as we know, that’s not the case at all. It wasn’t until I happened to have a sonogram that they discovered it at Stage 3.”

Two-time Grammy nominated violinist and composer Jannina Norpoth was another of the 20 survivors who walked the runway.

She said, “I feel very loved. My husband and my mom are here and we shared an experience with other models that is really life changing hearing each other’s stories of survival.”

Norpoth shares her journey of recovery with her mother who is a uterine cancer survivor and was originally diagnosed in 2002.

Unlike cervical cancer there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer. It remains the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. Tina’s Wish is a national not-for-profit dedicated to funding cutting-edge research for the early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer and providing education and awareness about gynecologic health.

Since 2008, Tina’s Wish has raised more than $24 million. The Foundation now funds $2.4 million of scientific research annually to develop innovative prevention and diagnostic strategies.

For more info, please visit: https://tinaswish.org/

A Tree Grows in White Plains

June 13, 2024 by Grace Bennett

A Young Girl’s Legacy of Hope, Courage and Resilience Honored in the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center Planting of a Sapling From Anne Frank’s Tree at the Garden of Remembrance

On June 13, 1944, Anne Frank wrote in The Diary of a Young Girl:

“It’s not just my imagination – looking at the sky, the clouds, the moon and the stars really does make me feel calm and hopeful…Nature makes me feel humble and ready to face every blow with courage!”

Imagine a teen finding solace and peace peering out at a majestic chestnut tree, and in her world famous diary expressing her love and admiration for the tree and for the many wonders of nature, and also her firm belief in the goodness of human beings and the world. And knowing Anne Frank’s ultimate fate, imagining that might break your heart.

But it also might give you reason for hope, perhaps the kind of hope Anne Frank so dearly held on to and with the utmost courage.

Anne Frank’s legacy has largely revolved around her firm faith in humankind. The focus on her love of nature may be less well known but it was always heartfelt and beautifully expressed.

To honor that legacy, The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) held a ceremony for the planting of a sapling from a tree located outside the window Anne Frank wrote about in her diary at the Garden of Remembrance in White Plains, where about 100 gathered to witness this historic event and to listen to a series of remarks surrounding the June 11 dedication.

HHREC was recently chosen as one of six organizations in the U.S. to receive a sapling by the Anne Frank Center USA.

“We are honored to be entrusted with the sapling, a living memorial symbolizing hope, courage and resilience. It is our hope that the tree stands strong for many years to come so that future generations understand its meaning and splendor,” said Millie Jasper, HHREC executive director.

In welcome remarks, the HHREC’s chairperson Michael Gyory shared that his mother was about the same age as Anne and survived Auschwitz at the same time Anne was captive there. He wondered if perhaps the two 15 year olds met… But regardless, “They’re certainly bonded together by the horrors of the Holocaust; both transported out of Auschwitz leaving behind their mothers who would die there…. “Although times were difficult and sometimes cruel, at least my mother had the opportunity to see the birth of three children and eight grandchildren. I like to think of myself as one of Anne’s children.”

Michael Gyory, chairperson, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said when he listens to the sound of children at play in the distance, he thinks of the innocence of children in that period… “and how they could not grasp what we in the adult world knew what was happening.”

“People who died in the concentration camps, Jewish and non Jewish alike, were cheated out of the joy of life–graduations, bar mitzvahs, holy communions and confirmations,” Latimer added. “By planting a tree, which will outlive the vast majority of us, we are making a statement of hope that there is a future in which that tree will grow and flourish in the same way that the children in the distance will grow and flourish… as a matter of faith and hope.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer Photo by Raya Cottrell Photography

While rescue didn’t come fast enough for Anne, “we do believe in the long run righteousness will prevail.”

Latimer recalled the allied armed forces who saved victims of the Holocaust. “Let that tree remind us as it grows the sacrifices made then… and rise above our own experience through the shared suffering of all of us to commit to the peace of all of us.”

Eva Wyner, Deputy Director of Jewish Affairs at the NYS Executive Chamber and a 3rd generation Holocaust survivor, shared her family’s harrowing story and offered that a sapling grown from the tree Anne Frank loved is a living memorial and a symbol of hope, resilience and the enduring human spirit. She said that she has “always s felt a visceral connection to Anne Frank due to her connection to Holland, and the parallel experiences in my own family history… I have a profound sense of gratitude to be alive today and share my grandmother’s story.”

Eva Wyner, Deputy Director Jewish Affairs at New York State Executive Chamber

In additional remarks, speakers recalled the madness and evil that overtook Holland and the impact on their families and communities. They expressed gratitude to the Anne Frank Center and to the HHREC for helping to keep Anne Frank’s legacy alive. These remarks were from Lauren Bairnsfather, CEO Anne Frank Center USA, and Fred Polak, descendant of Dutch Holocaust Survivors.

The dedication included Olivia Konteatis reading of passages pertaining to Anne Frank’s adoration of nature from The Diary of Anne Frank.

In Tales from the Secret Annex, on March 26, 1944, Anne wrote:

“How wonderful it is that no one has to wait but can start right now to gradually change the world! How wonderful it is that everyone, great and small, can immediately help bring about justice by giving of themselves!”

Following the remarks, many lined up for a chance to view and photograph the sapling and the accompanying memorial.

The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in White Plains New York that serves schools, synagogues, colleges, churches and civic centers in Westchester and the greater Hudson Valley area. The HHREC Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. HHREC works with teachers and students to help schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, the HHREC has brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations to more than 3,000 teachers, and through them to thousands of students. For more information visit www.hhrecny.org call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org

Millie Jasper, Executive Director, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center with Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, CEO, Anne Fank Center USA Photo by Raya Cottrell Photography

Assemblyman Chris Burdick and HHREC board member Daniel Weinreb

Fred Polak, child of Dutch Holocaust survivors

Reading from The Diary of Anne Frank by Olivia Konteatis

Sapling from the Anne Frank Chestnut Tree planted in a dedication from the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center at the Garden of Remembrance

Gathering for the HHREC dedication of an Anne Frank Sapling (L to R): NY State Senator Shelley Mayer, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, NY State Deputy Director of Jewish Affairs Eva Wyner, NY State Assemblyman Chris Burdick, Anne Frank Center USA CEO Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather, Anne Frank Center USA Actor Olivia Konteatis, HHREC Board Chairperson Michael Gyory, HHREC Executive Director Millie Jasper, Fred Polak, Office of the County Executive Director of Research Ellen Hendrickx, Tony Polak, Vedat Gashi, Chairman Westchester County Board of Legislators Photo by Raya Cottrell Photography

Anne Frank. Photo courtesy of the Anne Frank Center USA

Meet Joe LaPorta: Armonk’s Resident Two-Time Grammy Winner!

April 17, 2024 by Grace Bennett

It was a short message in my inbox with a pitch that Armonk resident Joe LaPorta won a Grammy for his ‘Mastering’ work on Miley Cyrus’s Grammy-winning Record of the Year, Flowers.

Would the Inside Press be interested in learning his story? Well, heck yeah! Like many millions, I have been obsessed with Miley’s song, and struck something of a chord myself in social media after solo on Valentine’s Day, I posted a pic of a big purple Iris in my drink at a local bar with a status, “I can buy my own drink with a flower inside it.”

So, yes, I’d be very interested in a story about any contribution to the story of Flowers. And a Grammy award winner to boot…

Soon thereafter, I began corresponding with LaPorta, who won his first Grammy for ‘Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical’ for his work on David Bowie’s Blackstar – at age 36, he became the youngest mastering engineer to ever win in this category!

Joe with Bon Jovi and producer John Shanks

LaPorta, who today is 44 years old, has been nominated seven times in total and for two Latin Grammys as well. In just the last year, his work spanned from mastering the biggest rap single of 2023, fukumean by Gunna, and the biggest rap album of 2023, Heroes and Villains by Metro Boomin – also nominated for Best Rap Album Grammy – to mastering Bewitched by Laufey, which won the 2023 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Additionally, Miley Cyrus’s Flowers was the best-selling and most streamed song globally last year.

LaPorta’s mastering successes also include the biggest UK rap single of 2023 – Sprinter by Dave and Central Cee. He also boasts mastering work for Jelly Roll – one of Country Music’s biggest new artists.

LaPorta has amassed a body of work that is incredibly wide ranging for a mastering engineer. Throughout the years, he has become an internationally trusted name in mastering music from everything from Pop, Rap, Country, Indie Rock etc.

On Breaking In

Joe with Keith Urban and mix engineer Sean Moffitt

LaPorta’s future had its seeds growing up in North Salem with a fire in the belly and raw talent needed to break into the music world. He and a friend started a record label called Freshchest Records and secured a deal through an independent distributor of EMI records.

“It was so cool to see our releases make it into record stores, both local and internationally,” he said. During this time, LaPorta had the opportunity to work with artists including 50 Cent, GZA, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Cunninlynguists, and licensed tracks to TV and film clients such as MTV, Showtime, and Fox Network. Joe also worked as a music consultant on forensic musicology/copyright infringement cases. He has consulted on cases for The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Prince, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Shakira, Guns N’ Roses, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Sting, Phil Collins, Diddy, Alicia Keys, and others.

It was during this inspiring period that LaPorta learned about mastering while producing hip hop and drum-n-bass records as well as attending NYU for music technology. He started mastering full time at a small New York City mastering house called ‘The Lodge’ and then joined Sterling Sound as a Senior Engineer in 2013.

The Art of Mastering

Joe with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme

Once a song is fully written, produced and mixed, LaPorta and his team will receive it for the final stage known as mastering. “To me, mastering is the art of finalizing a song while also maintaining the artist’s vision,” he said, explaining further that “it can be achieved with numerous tools (both analog and digital processing like Gain, EQ, Compression, Limiting, Imaging and many more) which help with the song’s dynamics, impact, clarity, and overall competitive level.

The use of these tools, he further explained, in combination with the instinct and taste of an experienced mastering engineer, can bring great final touches to a song before it is released to the world.

A Grammy can feel like an exceptional feat in that mastering engineers are only eligible to win a trophy in five of the 94 categories (Record of Year, Album of Year, Best Engineered Non-Classical, Best Historical and Best immersive/surround audio). “They limited our eligibility as we tend to work on so many albums each year, so they’re very difficult to get,” shared LaPorta proudly.

But whether LaPorta takes home ‘the prize’ or not, he has clearly enjoyed the opportunities to meet many artists over the years either during attended sessions or at shows and events. “For the most part,” he said, “everyone is super down to earth and humble, and it’s great to see how involved they can get with the intricate details of something like mastering.”

The LaPortas have also attended the Grammys several times.
“It’s amazing to watch the whole operation happen with their massive production crew doing everything live – cameras flying around the room, set changes, seat swap outs. It’s also fun to watch everyone decked out in their tuxes and gowns for the special night while enjoying stadium concessions like hot dogs and pretzels!”

But his “craziest, pinch-myself moment” was an invite by Dave Grohl for a Post Grammys Dinner after they won Best Rock Album in 2012. He booked a room in a small Italian restaurant and some of the guests were Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp, Elvis Costello, and Tony Hawk. “I was definitely not worthy of being there, and it was a pretty surreal experience,” LaPorta said, striking a humble note.

More ‘fun stuff’ is in the works, “but unfortunately, I can’t talk about everything,” said LaPorta, who recently worked on new albums on the way from Twenty One Pilots, Future & Metro Boomin, The Marias, Don Toliver, Willow, and more.

North Castle Living

Joe with Tara and their sons Jayden & Justin. The family was attending Jayden’s school band concert in the Byram Hills School District.

Joe and his wife, Tara, purchased their Armonk home 14 years ago “for the amazing school district, the overall vibe of the town and the central location and proximity to the city… I sometimes refer to it as the bat cave since it’s so easy to hop back and forth from the city!” LaPorta added with a chuckle. “It has been a great place to raise our children!”

For the best sense of LaPorta’s work and range, follow him on Instagram, @jlaportamasters and check out his playlist on Spotify or Apple Music with artists like Young Thug, David Bowie, FKA Twigs, Foo Fighters, Beach House, The Alchemist, Shawn Mendes, Lil Peep etc.

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https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/mastered-by-joe-laporta/pl.u-vxy69yxCqN6BZ