The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Just Between Us

How ‘Bout That?

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Photo by Mia Brown

Age may be just a number, but the shelf life of a print publication these days is most decidedly not. It speaks volumes, and I am owning that! When I published a first edition in 2003, I was fully prepared for it to be a one-hit wonder. I let go of my fear and gave it the old college try. And then, lo and behold, it took hold, and I had more than enough sponsors to keep it going. And going, and going it positively did… and here I am, with a 20th year commemorative edition in print and online. Well, how ‘bout that?

Throughout the Inside Press journey, I have navigated and published (always delivering on time… a point of pride!) through different personal crises, and in these most recent years, a world crisis. I write this in fact with some long Covid symptoms unfortunately still plaguing me. Nothing too dire. Hopefully, that all clears up soon. I have my May/June issues to work on next after all!

Being a tad insecure, as well, I have always thought that any issue could be my last. Chalk that up to my being a child of Holocaust survivors. Maybe it’s hard for us to trust the universe entirely.

It didn’t matter that those closest to me would roll their eyes at all my angst. No one close to me ever believed me, not for a Chappaqua minute. I’m hand wringing less these days, I’m glad to report.

Fortunately, I’ve reached an age that if I went belly up, or bottom down, you know what? I’d be ok, too. More than ok. It might even be ‘a choice’ I make one day. A ‘Next Act’ could have its very own silver linings.  I expect I’ll be as excited for that one day as I was about launching a hyperlocal publishing company.

It’s a ‘good head space’ to be in, and a ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” ‘tude is a terrific confidence builder (ask any Gone with the Wind fan). I would not have shared these most inner thoughts at the 10-year mark, but at my 20th, I do feel more free. I have earned that privilege, thank you very much.

No man or woman is an island, and that couldn’t be more true in publishing either. It’s fairly obvious that the real estate community is an enthusiastic supporter of the Inside Press, and I’m of course indebted to their collective generosity! A group of eminently kind testimonials from an interesting cross section of other businesses are also going to my head!  I’m hoping their words, occasionally shared, are an enticement for past advertisers to collaborate with me again, or for new ones to come knocking.

Finally, I couldn’t publish successfully without a group of contributor pros (their faces and bios are in each edition!).   https://www.theinsidepress.com/meet-the-inside-press-contributing-team/If my 20th year stands for anything, it’s for the considerable talent of our past, present and future creative ensemble!

For the Armonk edition, which turns 10 next year, (how ’bout that, too!) I engaged a great local talent, Illeana Baquero, to put her own spin on Spring.

In the Pleasantville & Briarcliff edition,  now in its third year, I chose to cover spotlight a prominent local author, Ben Cheever. After all, I’m celebrating the power of writing in many ways right now with these editions, too.

I hope you enjoy all the new ‘content’ online including some first time Advertiser Testimonials. https://www.theinsidepress.com/20-years-of-inside-press-what-makes-us-stand-out/I’m eternally grateful for the sponsor support, as without it, I couldn’t gather all the wonderful stories! Or pay my bills, but I digress. Aside from the 20th year drum roll, we’ve included compelling artist profiles, Maggie Mae love, sweet essays, spring-themed pieces (get your planters and hiking shoes ready!), an artists’ residency, and more. I would love your feedback too and your story ideas. If I’m known for anything, I hope it has been for my openness to you, dear reader, here, and beyond.

Send Me A Sign

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Judging time. PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

The privilege of judging a community’s apple pies evokes a deep sense of responsibility! Over 30 were entered into the annual contest at the Pleasantville Farmer’s Market, a town treasure and foodie destination in the county. As one of 11 judges (I joined a good number with ‘real’ culinary experience), I ditched my feelings of inadequacy, drew all my still functioning senses into sharp focus, so that I too could weigh in on which pies stood out the most, both in terms of appearance, basic baking features, and the all-important, TASTE. More info on the winners in the picture captions but the whole community ‘won’ that day for sure, both the contestants and all who purchased and enjoyed apple pie slices for the fundraiser. I was grateful as well to Pleasantville Farmer’s Market Chairman Peter Rogovin for a private tour of the Market, prior to the contest, and look forward to sharing more of what I learned in a future edition.

Pleasantville Farmers Market #ApplePieContest Winners! Best Double Crust pie award to (on right) Jules Putterman from Millwood, NY. Best Single Crust (tart, crumb or crisp) award to Jessica Schlesinger from Norwalk Ct. Junior Chef award to Violet Coppola from Pleasantville! The Friends and Family (board members, interns, employees and their immediate family) pie award went to Eli Neilson-Papish, Pleasantville Farmers Market Intern, also from Pleasantville.  Inside Press Photo

A week earlier, I covered, for a second time, Pleasantville’s now annual ‘Block Party,’ a fun and festive occasion which brought the whole community together for a day of terrific entertainment, tasty treats, a car show, raffles, and more, ever more smiles, that is.

Speaking of smiles… as we headed into press, Briarcliff Manor was also busy planning to hold its first ever Portraits in the Park event by Ann Charles Photography–including a November 20th session in the brilliant fall backdrop near the Low Library, which promised a perfect solution for creating keeper holiday cards and momentos.

Meanwhile, with deadlines looming, I asked God to “Send me a Sign,” so that I could still carve out the time I needed to produce my issues. ‘She’ answered! Because what I got were also multiple ones from Irene Unger who produced the story and gathered pictures about Briarcliff’s eclectic, community bonding and healing collection of signs regularly shared by the Briarcliff Congregational Church and ‘The Sign Lady’ there, Joan Austin.

With PFM Chairman Peter Rogovin
PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

Our holiday spotlights this year is a strong nod to anyone struggling this holiday season and to the people who have your back. To that end, we have included in depth features on the Hoarce Greeley Scholarship Fund, 914Cares, Hope’s Door and even the battle to prevent Homelessness in Westchester–in some rare good news, that’s a battle the County, partnering with Westhab, says is being won. We are also grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester for their work, and have helped sponsor their support of our holiday editions, too.

Please note that we won’t be publishing print again until editions mailing in late February when we move to a quarterly schedule.

In the meantime, wishing you and yours a peaceful, love-filled holiday season.

A Briarcliff Manor first time event–Portraits in the Park–has added a session at Low Library on November 20.
ANNCHARLESPHOTO.COM/NOW-BOOKING
Peter Rogovin, PFM’s chairperson instructing 11 judges before the contest evaluating and tasting 31 pies began!  Inside Press Photo

So Much that’s Amazing

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As we head into ‘back to school/fabulous fall’, I’ve compiled a 10-point snapshot of so much that’s AMAZING and crazy fun ‘round here. See if you agree. Warning: this ‘quickie’ list is by no means ‘complete’. Let me know what ‘should’ have been on here or might make the cut next time: grace@insidepress.com That said, here goes (more on some of these ‘inside’):

1. The Jacob Burns Film Center, now celebrating 20, may just be everyone’s favorite theatre/cultural center, mine included.  October brings us the ever popular Jewish Film Festival and more than 20 movies to choose from!

2. The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, in its 9th year, draws a gazillion residents & visitors to town to meet favorite childhood authors and discover new ones. Surprises, galore and memories waiting to be made on October 15.

3. The Armonk Outdoor Art Show, turning 60!, boasts phenomenal artists’ exhibits with such creative family fun activities. Save the dates: October 1 & 2.

4. Neighborhood Theme Days. Whether it’s Community Day (9/17) in Chappaqua or a Block Party (10/1) in Pleasantville, gotta love days that encourage us to mingle with neighbors, embrace where we live AND to #ShopLocal.

5. Arts Splendor Close to Home. I love keeping up with the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, Arc Stages and Armonk Players. This fall, I plan on taking in one of the spectacular shows lined up at the Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack. And after a summer of enjoying glorious Caramoor productions in Katonah, I’m staying tuned into what they’re planning next.

6. Metro North to New York City. The Big Apple will always beckon. Broadway! Lincoln Center! Central Park! My son! And, don’t get me started on all the boro gems.

7. Charitable Westchester. Way too much to report for this short space, but for a pull my heartstrings fix, I’m psyched for a tour of the 914 Cares facility soon. Stay tuned to learn about the essentials they distribute to those in need.

8. The Music Scene is back with a vengeance after a Covid pause so if you haven’t visited your favorite musician/band of late, well, please do! Karaoke lovers, take note too. Bring a wipe and grab a mic. Chamber and orchestra music lovers have it MADE with the 914 Orchestra and Friends of Music concert offerings.

9. Dining Meccas. Some new ones on the scene will leave you hungry for more.

10. Nature! Parks, hiking trails, bodies of water. We’ve reported on them all, or nearly all. So much makes the county home, sweet home.

Interns Rocking the Inside Press

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Illeana Baquero
Alexa Troob

If I had to pick my favorite part of running a hyperlocal press, it has been working with brilliant young people at different junctures, mostly during the spring and summer, but not exclusively, either. Over the years, many teenagers or young adults both at local high schools, or later, home from college, have approached the Inside Press for an opportunity to learn about magazine journalism and to gather their own body of work for a future career–whether that career takes them into journalism or not.

Adrianna Cmiel-Walsh
Irene Byrne

I love the energy and enthusiasm and their sense of hopefulness and am also often startled by the sheer level of talent too, as both reporters, and writers. This past year has been an especially productive ‘intern year’ for the Inside Press.

Across the three Inside Press Magazines, and at insidepress.com, you’ll find work from a half dozen high school and college aged youth. During this publishing cycle alone, Alexa Troob helped (a too busy) me shape the Derek Anderson profile as we went to press. Illeana Baquero went above and beyond contacting every fire chief in the towns we cover, to produce her “call to volunteers” package. And Adrianna Cmiel-Walsh picked up the story about Jared Saiontz, a food allergy awareness advocate. Over at Inside Armonk, I appointed Abigail Glickman editor of the entire edition and she lined up former classmate Johnny Cozza, Ella Manners and Irene Byrne, former Byram Hills classmates to contribute to the issue.

Johnny Cozza
Abigail Glickman
Ella Manners

Journalism has changed drastically over the last ten years or so, so trust me when I tell you that I learn from younger voices, too. So, highlighting their faces and names here to convey a sense of who they are. I hope you enjoy all their work and you can learn more about each of them in their story bios too!

Peace & Kindness…

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I have a little announcement to make. After 25 years of Chappaqua living, I’m downsizing and moving this month to Pleasantville! I look forward to discovering the joy of a Mount Pleasant residency and all its treasures, to meeting new neighbors, and making new friends. I’m also viewing it as a boon to getting more fit as I’ll be just that much closer to two favorite walking destinations, the Rockefeller Preserve and Rockwood, and also to Club Fit in Briarcliff (where, note to self, I really MUST start reserving class time). I’ll also be closer to the upper West Side where my son lives, not to mention dear friends. Life is good.

It’s a demanding transition while producing magazines. In fact, it’s downright stressful! Nonetheless, I feel confident that once I get on the other side of it, a move here will have been worth all the angst.

And since I have ever more paper to shred, drawers to empty and boxes to pack, I’ll try to be brief!

In our June/Summer 2022 editions, I believe you’ll find a nod to the peace and kindness the Arts promote. The upcoming Pleasantville Music Festival is a local giant, and I’m glad we can provide an update on what’s planned in my new hometown. We are also so lucky to live a stone’s throw from some true splendor. I hope you feel enticed by our coverage to set aside time to enjoy the beautiful Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, a Katonah-based, Hudson Valley destination. In Katonah too, there is a gem of a museum to visit and revisit: The Katonah Museum of Art.  And in September, it’s a short trip to the celebrated Phoenix Festival: Live Arts in Nyack; please do check out our spotlight on this intriguing festival, too.

Of course, right here at home, there’s never really any excuse to feel bored. Especially with a world class table tennis center in our backyard! So if you haven’t visited the Westchester Table Tennis Center recently, summer is a great time to grab a partner, and hone your ping pong skills. Please do say hello to owner Will Shortz if you spot him there. If he’s not too busy playing or perhaps writing a crossword puzzle, let him know you saw him on the cover of a magazine!

Of special note in Inside Armonk: During an extraordinary week of Yom Hashoah remembrance programming, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, hhrecny.org,  honored Jennifer Laden, Social Studies Department Chair 6-12 of Byram Hills Central School District in Armonk at the 20th annual Susan J. Goldberg Memorial Teacher Award. https://hhrecny.org/susan-j-goldberg-memorial-teacher-award/ The award, presented at the annual William H. Donat Shoah Commemoration Event at Iona College on  April 27, preceded a lecture and Q&A with historian Dan McMillan, the acclaimed author of How Could This Have Happened? Explaining the Holocaust. 

As the HHREC related: “… Jennifer Laden has promoted global understanding through her development and teaching AP Human Geography and AP World History courses. As one of the developers of the three-year Global Scholars program at Byram Hills, she spearheaded the design of curricular units to help students understand important human rights issues, teaching them about the Uighur Muslims in China, the Rohingya in Myanmar, and the refugee crises in Syria and Yemen. Laden has also encouraged student partnerships with the HHREC, welcoming survivors of the Holocaust to the high school to accompany students to the annual High School Human Rights Institute.

This year, three BHHS students were recognized at the Institute for their commitment to human rights, community service, and racial equity, a testament to the profound impact Jen’s work has had. Byram Hills School Superintendent Jen Lamia thanked the HHREC Board of Directors “for recognizing Jen Laden for her work teaching about human rights and the violations that perpetuate adversity….”

In your Inside Chappaqua & Millwood edition, I note there’s a timeless sense of peace & contentment one feels at a local library, so delighted to read Ronni Diamondstein’s 10 reasons the future of libraries is bright, and of creative Chappaqua Library Centennial festivities.

I am intensely proud to feature Jean Sheff’s beautiful story about Danielle Leventhal’s life and legacy, of her family’s efforts to help realize ‘Danielle’s Dreams,’ and how you can help, too.

There’s always so much ‘good stuff’ happening around town, including Frank Shiner’s and the 914 Orchestra’s rollicking ‘Swingin’ into Spring’ eve introducing “the San Miguel Miracles” at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. All that, on the heels of the 2022 Rotary Citizen of the Year Awards to Frank and Suzanne Shiner, the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Eric Nicolaysen, and the Student of the Year Award to Kyra Chung-Olagbaiye.

In another arena, last month too, Town Supervisor Lisa Katz and the town of New Castle kindly introduced 10 food allergy awareness signs in our playgrounds. Local advocates Stacey Saiontz, Jared Saiontz and Heather Brown appeared with Katz and Council member Vicki Tipp to proudly share the news.

 I also learned that the New Castle Democratic Committee extended honors to Nichelle Maynard Elliott and Zabeen Mirza, New Castle Council on Race and Equity co-chairs, and to Vedat Gashi, 4th District Legislator. Congrats!

We were well into press when Grease rehearsals kicked off, but anticipating another amazing Greeley Senior Musical. Wishing all the 2022 graduates a grand future, and all the Dads, heaps of kindness and special attention on Father’s Day!  Peace out, 

 

Jared Saiontz, a student in Chappaqua and a food allergy awareness advocate, points out one of 10 food allergy awareness signs now appearing in New Castle playgrounds. PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT
Horace Greeley High School Senior Musical, lead cast of Grease, with background setting of competition field. As we were going to press, we learned that, for the first time, the Senior Musical will be performed outside on June 2-4. PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON
During a May Open House at Caramoor: Inside Press spring and summer intern Adrianna Cmiel-Walsh, a 2022 graduate of Westlake High School in Thornwood, with Ed Lewis, the executive director of the Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts.
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center honored Byram Hills’ Jennifer Laden during a Yom Hashoah Remembrance event at Iona College
PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT
Nichelle Maynard Elliott (left) and Zabeen Mirza, New Castle Council on Race and Equity co-chairs, were honored by the New Castle Democratic Committee this spring. Legislator Vedat Gashi was also honored.