Friendly Squares Dance Club announces two free square dancing fun nights on Monday, September 21st and Monday, September 28th from 7:30-9:30pm at Katonah Methodist Church Parish Hall, 44 Edgemont Rd, Katonah, NY. Square dancing is a lot of fun and great exercise for both the body and mind. It is an enjoyable activity for all ages and also an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. This event is open to singles, couples and families. The attire is casual and no experience is necessary. For more information, contact Tee at (914)433-2919.
Happenings
Mental Health Association of Westchester’s Fall Benefit 2015
Co-chairs Lili Lynton and Michael Lynton invite you to join us for an inspiring evening of cocktails, dinner, live music and silent auction.
Friday, October 23, 2015 at 7pm at CV Rich Mansion in White Plains, New York
Proceeds from this event directly support the recovery-driven services MHA provides in our region.
On this special night we will honor four extraordinary individuals who have advocated for mental health in our community and who have demonstrated dedicated and inspiring leadership:
Marion Lynton will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously) for her lifelong passion and advocacy for improved mental health programs and services. As a psychologist and an esteemed member of MHA Westchester’s Board of Directors for 26 years, her work helped to change the lives of tens of thousands of individuals and families affected by mental health issues.
Bernadette Kingham-Bez will be recognized with the MHA on the move Award. Executive Director of Saint Vincent’s Hospital Westchester and SVP of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Ms. Kingham-Bez has provided visionary and transformative leadership in both hospital and community-based behavioral healthcare.
Inside Chappaqua/Inside Armonk and Grace Bennett will receive the MHA Media Award. As Publisher and Editor, Ms. Bennett has spearheaded responsible and sensitive reporting of mental health related topics, helping to shatter myths and providing beneficial education to our community.
Yoga teacher and MHA Volunteer Nancy Kardon will receive the MHA Spirit Award for her years-long commitment to sharing her deep knowledge of yoga and its practical applications to the members of MHA’s Sterling Community Center.
As MHA begins its 69th year, we will be saying goodbye to the decade with a 60’s themed evening–the mood will be chill, the music groovy and the dress — Levi’s to St. Laurent!
Live Music by The A Band
To purchase tickets, please visit the website at mhawestchester.org
Contact Constance Moustakas at 914-265-7511 or development@mhawestchester.org for more information.
Fun for all at First Thursday
By Sarah Jane Weill
This summer, on the first Thursday of every month Armonk Square comes alive with fun, laughter, and dancing. These nights are appropriately called First Thursday, an event designed by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce to offer “art, music, in-store promotion, dining, wine tastings and more” for the Armonk community and its residents. A First Thursday night, lasting from 5-9 p.m., has occurred in June, July, and August so far. The last one will take place on September 3rd.
With the newly built Armonk Square, the town now has the opportunity to host even more exciting events. “The Chamber had been working to bring some distinctive events to town with the intent to bring more business to the businesses,” explains Armonk Chamber of Commerce President Neal Schwartz. Therefore, the creation of First Thursday seemed a great way to combine Armonk’s wide variety of restaurants with music and art for a whole evening of activity that would appeal to residents and benefit business. “First Thursday was a natural fit during the warmer summer months,” he adds when comparing it to some of the Chamber’s other popular events such as Frosty Day, a Cider and Donut Festival, and Citizen of the Year golf outing and dinners.
So far, it seems that First Thursday is working out great. “Overall the merchants are very happy with the launch of First Thursday this year,” says Schwartz. “All had customers that came in because of First Thursday.” This past First Thursday on Aug. 6th was no exception. “First Thursday was a gutsy move during the summer, when so many students and parents are literally out of town. But, to our delight, this past First Thursday had more attendees and a constant flow of families with strollers and dog walkers; crystal clear indicators that these [visits to the event] were planned in advance,” Schwartz reports.
Visiting the August First Thursday, there was no doubt as to the great success of this event. These are events for all. People can come and go as they please, enjoying the festivities in their own way. Indeed, there is a range of people in the square during the First Thursday: some people are milling about, circling the town, doing errands or going to dinner. Other people are sitting on benches, talking among themselves or just listening to the music, taking in the evening slowly. Waves of more and more people come throughout the night, assuring that the square was never empty during First Thursday.
“I think it’s a great community builder and great that the merchants buy into it. It’s something to do,” Armonk resident Barbara Reiter says as she describes how she thinks First Thursday has added to the community. “Look at all the little kids” she continues, nodding to a group of adorable kids dancing with pure delight in the middle of the square, “when my kids were little I wish they did this!”
Indeed, this is a perfect atmosphere for families. The whole center of the square is filled with thrilled young children: all running around, dancing up close and personal with the live musicians, their faces sticky with frozen yogurt. For them, it seems, this is a perfect opportunity to release that final bit of energy coursing through their veins after a day at camp or playing with friends. Also, this past First Thursday there was a juggling stilt-walker, who turned out to be great entertainment for children, and people, of all ages.
Just think–this great success has only been achieved in three nights of First Thursday. Looking forward, the possibilities to expand and strengthen the event are numerous. “We know it takes time to further develop First Thursday, but our start in 2015 has been great,” Schwartz concludes when addressing what the future might hold for First Thursday. “We plan on adding more Armonk talent to First Thursday and more art in 2016,” he added.
The effort to put on a successful event like this is enormous, and it shows. Those behind it: Robby Morris, Stacy Wilder, and plenty of others, truly worked hard to create an event that would draw people out of their homes to enjoy all that small town life has to offer while promoting local business. Indeed, all of the necessary ingredients came together in crafting this event. It’s a wonderful way to spend the waning hours of a hot summer’s Thursday, and we can’t wait for the next one.
Sarah Jane Weill attends Bowdoin College. She is a member of the Horace Greeley Class of 2014.
Congregation B’nai Yisrael Celebrates New Rabbi and Educator
Rabbi Josh Strom has joined Congregation B’nai Yisrael (CBY) of Armonk as its new permanent rabbi. Rabbi Strom previously served as an Associate Rabbi for Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2008.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Rabbi Strom to our congregation and local Jewish community,” said Lisa Broomer, president of CBY. She added, “Rabbi Strom brings just the right combination of new ideas and respect for tradition to our congregation with boundless amounts of enthusiasm and passion for our shared Jewish values and beliefs. We are looking forward to many years of fulfilling worship, meaningful learning and heartfelt outreach both within and beyond our community with Rabbi Strom, in partnership with our beloved Cantor, Hayley Kobilinsky, who just celebrated ten wonderful lyrical years with CBY.”
“I am both humbled and thrilled to be joining this strong congregation and local Jewish community,” said Rabbi Strom. “CBY has a rich history for upholding both cultural and social values rooted in Jewish beliefs and traditions. I am eager to help lead and build CBY’s congregation and presence as it embarks on the next great chapter of its future.”
Melissa Cohavi also joins CBY as the new education director after serving Temple Sinai of Stamford, CT for 10 years. Melissa’s extensive education includes a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work.
Lisa Broomer shared, “The Board of Trustees and congregation are very excited and inspired by the additions of Rabbi Strom and Melissa Cohavi.
Their dynamic personalities have already had a big positive impact in a short amount of time.”
Welcoming video interviews of Rabbi Strom and Melissa Cohavi are available through CBY’s website, www.CBYArmonk.org Founded in 1970, Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk is a Reform congregation with nearly 350 family members.
A Raveis Community Effort to Benefit The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
The William Raveis Real Estate office in Chappaqua has launched a community fundraising effort to benefit the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. This fundraising effort will tie-in with the William Raveis Ride & Walk event on Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8 a.m. at Jennings Beach, 880 S. Benson Road, Fairfield, CT.
Partner to Help Fund Research
William Raveis chose to partner with the Damon Runyon Cancer Research foundation because the organization “identifies new generations of cancer researchers who have the brilliance, creativity and drive to revolutionize cancer research, and provides them with funding to pursue their boldest ideas in search of new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat all forms of cancer.”
“William Raveis is headquartered in Shelton, CT, and the Ride & Walk events are being held in both MA and CT for now,” says Chappaqua Team Captain Elise Levine Cooper. “I have to say that just about everybody I know has dealt with cancer on some level and has felt the ravages of this disease. We need to find cures for these cancers and the best way to do this is to invest in the most brilliant minds. That is why we support the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.
“We want to reach out to our friends and family members in Chappaqua and beyond and ask for any kind of donation because Team Chappaqua is here to make an important difference in the fight against cancer! We are hoping to form a Westchester Ride & Walk in the near future.”
“We have been following the journey of Candy Raveis, William Raveis’s wife as she has shared her personal battle with leukemia with the entire Raveis company since her diagnosis in 2014,” says Susan Myers, Office Manager of the Raveis Chappaqua Office.
Candy Raveis: Official Spokes-woman
“Candy is a warrior. She has documented this most difficult chapter in her life and she has fought hard and is here to tell her story. Candy has taken her experience and translated it into her work as the official spokesperson for the partnership between the William Raveis Charitable Fund and the Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation.”
One hundred percent of the funds raised goes to cancer research. We welcome everyone to join us on Saturday, September 12 at the Ride & Walk Event.
Please stop by the office at 75 N. Greeley Avenue in Chappaqua to sign up. If you can’t participate, all donations are welcome!