The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Happy Holidays

Come On Down!

by

To Chappaqua.  The town will be hopping on the next two Saturdays, November 24 and December 1, when the merchants will be ushering in the holiday season with tunes, food and entertainment.

Note the banners adorning the bridge into town, emblazoned with the slogan “Shop Small”.  This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, and the merchants are embracing it in a big way.

This day “is about the residents showing their appreciation for the merchants that do so much for the community,” founder and acting president of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, Rob Greenstein said.  In the fall the merchants sponsored two widely attended events:  the taste of Chappaqua and fall festival; where free rides were offered to everyone.  This day – strategically positioned between Black Friday and Cyber Monday – is an extremely important one for local businesses.  Since shoppers do tend to work up an appetite, two food purveyors have stepped up to the plate  – Local will be serving a lunch special of soup and salad for $8 and a free ice cream or beverage to anyone presenting a receipt from a local store totally $25 or more and Le Jardin is offering 15% off lunch items.

On December 1, Desires by Mikolay will be sponsoring coffee and hot chocolate, right after the traditional concert by the Chappaqua Orchestra and the tree lighting at the New Castle Historical Society.  The community is then invited to stroll through the newly decorated town.  Candles will line the sidewalks and lighted snowflakes will soar.  An ice sculptor will be creating masterpieces in front of Desires, shops will stay open late and a singer will serenade.

Anticipation is high for both Saturday happenings.  “It’ll get people in the mood for the holiday spirit,” Alissa Harvey, proprietor of The King’s Scribe observed.  “I give a lot of credit to the chamber for making the town vibrant,” she continued.

Could You Be An Elf For A Sick Child?

by

Friends of Karen’s “Holiday Gifts for Kids” Puts Smiles on Sick Children’s Faces

“The most important thing that Friends of Karen provided for us was the warmest holiday of memories that our family experienced.  They sent us gifts from our children’s wish lists, allowing me to stay home with the family, baking cookies and enjoying more precious time together.”

Friends of Karen received this letter from the mother of a boy battling a brain tumor.  Every day, Friends of Karen is a lifeline for families caring for a child with cancer or another life-threatening illness, providing the emotional, financial and advocacy support (at no cost) that helps them cope with the most difficult experience imaginable.  With compassion, dedication and expertise, Friends of Karen meets the specific needs of each family – and each family member – to help free them of everyday concerns so they have more time to love.

This time of year, their “Adopt-A-Family” Holiday Gifts for Kids program provides gifts for each Friends of Karen sick child as well as his or her siblings.  “Watching the joyful expression of a child opening holiday gifts is unforgettable,” says Judith Factor, Friends of Karen’s Executive Director, “but these special moments can be so fleeting if your child is fighting for her or his life. With doctor visits, medical treatments and hospitalizations, parents don’t have the time or the mindset to shop for gifts and prepare for holiday festivities.”

The Adopt-A-Family program is a perfect opportunity to spread the holiday spirit. “Each of our children sends us their wish list,” says Factor. “Then we match each child with a kind-hearted ‘elf’ who purchases the items on their list. We send the gifts with ribbon, wrapping paper and all the trimmings to the child’s parents, to make a holiday of surprises and delight.”

“We love to put smiles on children’s faces, and our children often have little reason to smile,” says Factor. “Imagine being the reason for a child’s happiness.  What better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than by giving to a child?”

You can create those smiles: Friends of Karen needs your help to make sure there are gifts for every one of their sick children and their sisters and brothers. To help, contact Denise Tredwell at 914-617-4052 or DeniseTredwell@friendsofkaren.org  If you don’t have time to shop, you can make a donation: go to www.FriendsOfKaren.org and click on “Holiday Gifts for Children” on the right.

Friends of Karen is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and the only organization in the Tri-State area that provides a comprehensive range of services and programs to enable families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness to cope better.  Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Purdys, NY, with other offices on Long Island and in Manhattan, Friends of Karen has touched the lives of almost 12,000 children.  Charity Navigator, an independent organization that evaluates the financial responsibility and effectiveness of thousands of U.S. charities, gives Friends of Karen a 4-star rating, its highest award.  For more information about Friends of Karen, visit www.FriendsOfKaren.org or call 914-617-4040.

Small Business Saturday is November 24

by

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday sits Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to helping small businesses and their communities. Small Business Saturday is a day to shop at stores owned by our friend & neighbors.

Our local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, and are more invested in our community’s future. Our local businesses are more likely to donate to local nonprofit groups, support other local vendors and provide other services to their communities. Our local businesses often provide better service. They have a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. Our local businesses are more responsive to their customer’s needs. They select products based on the needs of their local customers.

On Saturday, Nov 24th let’s get out & Shop Small. Let’s do our part for the stores that do so much for us. Let’s make this the biggest day of the year for Small Business.