The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

In and Around Town

Amanda Kraus to Dance as Sugarplum Fairy

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Amanda Kraus

Amanda Kraus, a junior at Horace Greeley High School, will be dancing the coveted role of Sugarplum Fairy in the Greenwich Ballet Academy’s production of The Nutcracker, which in past years has been danced by Principal dancer Irina Dvorenko of American Ballet Theater.

“I am so honored to be given this opportunity–I really can’t believe it!” said Amanda. Amanda has danced in four different Nutcracker productions, in various roles, including ‘Polichinelle’ with the NYC Ballet, and ‘Clara’ with the SUNY Purchase Conservatory.

Amanda’s ballet training began at age 7, and at age 9, she was accepted into the School of American Ballet, where she danced every children’s role with the NYC Ballet. She danced competitively for four years at Westchester Dance Academy, winning a national title.

Greenwich Ballet Academy offers pre–professional training in Vaganova technique with small class sizes and Russian faculty.  Along with Amanda, first year GBA students,  Allison Chen, a 6th grader at Seven Bridges Middle School, will be dancing ‘Marzipan’, and 1st grader Meredith Lee will be a mouse.  The Nutcracker will take place December 7 and 8 in the Greenwich High School Auditorium.  Online ticket sales begin November 10. greenwichballetacademy.org

The No. Westchester Food Festival Raises Funds to Fight Hunger

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1402072_421586627943054_1581029987_oThe Northern Westchester Food Festival Raises Funds for Mazon* to Fight Hunger.

Over 400 people from the community came together to celebrate at Temple Beth El’s first “Northern Westchester Food Festival: We Feed the Hungry.”  Over 30 local restaurants offered their signature dishes and people savored samples from restaurants that they frequent but many were introduced to other restaurants from surrounding areas. “It was wonderful to see new and old faces participate in a community event for a good cause,”says Susan Pecker, a Vice President at Temple Beth El. “Due to popular demand, we will be having it again next year.” *Proceeds of the event were earmarked in a donation to Mazon, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

Fresh turkey helpings, compliments of Crabtree’s Kittle House
Fresh turkey helpings, compliments of Crabtree’s Kittle House
Ed Wechsler of La Mer Gourmet Seafood brought in fresh shrimp cocktail and scrumptious quesadillas.
Ed Wechsler of La Mer Gourmet Seafood brought in fresh shrimp cocktail and scrumptious quesadillas.
Jennifer and David Nable with their beautiful little girl bundle, Talia
Jennifer and David Nable with their beautiful new baby, Talia
Bistro 146 served delicious lobster risotto.
Bistro 146 served delicious lobster risotto.
Rachel Rosin, Julie Dickens of Beascakes and Ronni Diamondstein
Rachel Rosin, (left) Julie Dickens of Beascakes in Armonk and Ronni Diamondstein
Gail-Patricks
Soup’s on!

 

 

Remembering a very Special Chappaqua Fall

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Festivals Galore and a Stand Out “Making Strides Boutique”

By Grace Bennett

Winner for a delicious caramel crusted apple bundt cake was Emily Haft Bloom (middle), here with her spouse Don, and Grace.
Winner for a caramel crusted apple bundt cake was Emily Haft Bloom (middle), here with her spouse Don, and Grace.

I was feeling very proud of our town all through an especially spectacular fall with so many merchants and mom and resident volunteers too…working so hard to create a sense of vibrancy and excitement about this New Castle neighborhood we call home.

First, there was Community Day, an always fun event sponsored by the Rotary Club. Then, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, which was positively epic and reported on in our last few editions!

On the heels of that came the ICD Jewelry 2nd Annual Fall Festival on October 26 sponsored by the Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce–also drawing visitors to town from near and far. Being an apple cake and pie lover, I was thrilled to participate as a judge of the apple pie contest.

“Shop for a Cause”

As I strolled through town after, up and down Greeley and onto lower King Street, my ultimate goal was to make my way into the 5th annual Houlihan Lawrence, “Shop For A Cause-Making Strides Boutique.” The real estate office was transformed into a boutique atmosphere decorated in pink; vendors displayed their wares as Chappaqua residents shopped to support this important fundraising effort.

Brendan Preston and Chris Cordani serving cotton candy outside the boutique.
Brendan Preston and Chris Cordani serving
cotton candy outside the boutique.

Local area merchants generously donated raffle prizes. This year the raffle prizes included gift certificates, gift baskets, an Ipad Mini, 39” flat screen tv, jewelry, and this year’s grand prize:  a one-week vacation stay at Stonegate Cottage, Block Island.  “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It was our pleasure to help raise money for such an important cause” remarked Real Estate agent Wendy Nolan. She and husband Michael own the Block Island property. This year, over $7,600 was raised from the boutique. Social media also played an important role to help spread the word about the event. Agents reached out to their clients and friends via 
Facebook and Twitter. “When someone thanks you for the opportunity to support such a worthy cause, you know you are making a difference,” notes Jeanne Coon. If you would like to be a part of the Boutique next year, write to: jcoon@houlihanlawrence.com

Apple Pie Contest Winners

Cake/Tart:
1st: Emily Haft Bloom
2nd: Francis Baccay

Crumble:
1st: Stephanie Puszka
2nd: Hannah Rosenberg
3rd: Satchel Davidson

Traditional Pie:
1st: Grace Baccay
2nd: Teresa Shen
3rd: Gabby Resnick

Making Strides Boutique Grand Prize: A Block Island vacation week!
Making Strides Boutique Grand Prize: A Block Island
vacation week!

making-strides

pie-table

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Maria Otero’s Amazing Journey

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Maria Otero, right, with her sister Carola Bracco, executive director of Neighbor’s Link in Mount Kisco
Maria Otero, right, with her sister Carola Bracco, executive director of Neighbor’s Link in Mount Kisco

Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, who served under Secretary Hillary Clinton from 2009-2013, traveled to 53 countries: some, several times. She described her experience to a transfixed group of women–at a luncheon in November at the Glen Arbor Golf Club benefiting Neighbor’s Link.  She stated that Hillary Clinton “institutionalized” an agenda within the State Dept. to empower women and strengthen their futures around the planet.

She spoke of her efforts to fight human rights abuses such as honor killings and defending the rights of refugees too. Secretary Clinton, she said, “opened up the space to put these issues on the agenda and exact accountability.”  “My greatest accomplishment,” Otero said, “was being able to articulate issues and policies at the highest levels and see things through.”

She related that in Uganda, for example, the rights of the LGBT community are under fire.

Otero learned of one lesbian Ugandan woman whose very life was in danger; she and her staff arranged to bring her to the United States for a photo op with Secretary Clinton. “That photo protected her life.”

– Grace Bennett

Passionate Fundraisers in our Midst

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Hilary & Bruce Murray. Photo by Kristan Zimmer/ Serendipity Magazine
Hilary & Bruce Murray.
Photo by Kristan Zimmer/
Serendipity Magazine

By Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

The Fairfield/Westchester Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America is thriving thanks to the devotion of its volunteers, including those right here in our hamlet.  Hilary and Bruce Murray of Chappaqua were honored for their endeavors at the Chapter’s annual fundraising event at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester on February 9. Their motivation, like that of many volunteers, is the search for a cure for all those who are afflicted.

When Hilary met Bruce she learned that he had just had surgery and was living with Crohn’s.  In addition, her mother had recently been diagnosed with colitis.  When the Murrays moved to Chappaqua, a friend introduced Hilary to Jennifer Paley, Executive Director of the Chapter, who also resides in Chappaqua.  Hilary and Bruce had been very active in other chapters in Washington and Chicago and were eager to continue.  Each year, contributions have skyrocketed due to their efforts.  “We try to get the whole community involved,” Hilary said.  Neighbors Wendy Silverman and Lauren Baker have joined in to help.

As a board member, Hilary finds her work for the Chapter extremely gratifying.  “At the meetings, we hear about the progress being made in research.  It makes me feel good,” she related.  Dr. Tom Ullman of Chappaqua, a gastroenterologist who specializes in Crohn’s and colitis, also sits on the board.

One person who is especially appreciative of the volunteers’ efforts is Lisa Harding, Development Manager of the Chapter.  “We wouldn’t be able to raise nearly the amount of funds that we do an annual basis without our volunteers,” she noted.  The event in February raised over $300,000.  “They’ve been wonderful at helping with all of our initiatives and with the awareness part of our mission,” Harding added.  Future events include the Take Steps Walk on May 19.