The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Just Between Us

Savor Each Page

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Photo by Andrew Bordeaux

Summer and the living is preparing residents and visitors alike for different fall downtown events and fundraisers both as official ‘media sponsor’ and/or as a community-friendly ‘hyperlocal’ and merchant supported/reader coveted pub. We’re ‘all over the net’ too at theinsidepress.com and largely on Facebook. Keeps us on our toes, especially while also gathering so many additional, equally compelling profiles around our back to school theme. Grateful to Stacey Pfeffer, our new editor for both editions for writing and producing several stories in both editions (all while getting her feet wet in her new role! Bravo!)  There are so many fundraisers we are promoting both in story and/or in a sponsor spot, so be sure to savor each page and ‘Save the Date’ for whatever strikes your fancy or piques your interest.
Readers, please feel free to let us know when you visit or call a sponsor or attend an event because of ‘what you saw’ in our pages. And sponsors, likewise, please do let us know about a happy customer or two, and we’ll happily publish your experience some time, and voila, more press for you. Drop a note at my new email: grace@insidepress.com. In the meantime, summer’s fading fast. Get outdoors (if you enjoy cycling, maybe first check out our Biking story?), and enjoy! I plan to.

Strong Starts

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By Grace Bennett

For the March/April ’17 Spring edition, I focused on ‘strong starts’ in different community arenas—in particular with a special cover story on area libraries written by past Inside Press Editor Beth Besen and photographed by Gary Sapolin. I so admire how our libraries rose to the ‘virtual world’ challenge with a hyper-focus on programming to become safe, nurturing havens for human contact and lively exchanges.

Another strong start includes Habitat for Humanity’s amazing efforts in Chappaqua, so I’m grateful for Janine Crowley Haynes’ interview with the devoted Jim Killoran, too.

Spring cleaning efforts are always a strong start to the season; I think you’ll appreciate the E-tools Dana Wu suggests we consider toward that goal.

We even tackle the topic of marriage! After pondering her own experiences, Miriam Longobardi offers different experts’ advice on navigating a ‘marriage in limbo,’ while, on our final etcetera page, Danika Altman, Ph.D., shares sound marriage-saving advice. And, there’s the usual ‘more!’

Just Between Us again, as time permits, I keep up with political posts and assorted other stories ‘in between editions,’ at theinsidepress.com, and in social media on Facebook, primarily, at Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines (on both our ‘business’ or ‘group’ pages) which link to Twitter; you can follow my tweets on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheInsidePress . Many insiders also follow my general ‘Grace Bennett’ Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/InsidePress. These posts combined (a single one striking a chord can reach thousands upon thousands of ‘viewers,’) I hope portray many neighbors’ resolve for staying true to ourselves both at home and outside our community.

For such posts (and other news that doesn’t make it into print), please visit the New Castle News, Inside Thoughts and other links at our (I’m proud to say) newly re-designed Inside Press site which you’re in right now, of course!  🙂  Examples include stories on Up2Us sponsored events, including that of a meeting at New Castle Town Hall where several gun violence protection groups met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey to strategize. http://theinsidepress.com/gun-violence-prevention-groups-promote-coalition-building/I assigned the Habitat story to Janine following our social media coverage of a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser which was attended by both Hillary and Bill Clinton for a wonderful jazz night with Daniel Lauter, et al, performing at Chappaqua Station. See pics below!

Online too: my interview with Susan Chatzky who chaired a Planned Parenthood Comedy Night fundraiser; Kelly Leonard’s story about a teenage, interfaith effort on Martin Luther King Day–the teens packaged humanitarian aid to send to Syrian refugees; Up2Us Dawn Evans Greenberg’s profile of the Hudson Valley Justice Center which provides legal guidance to immigrants http://theinsidepress.com/hudson-valley-justice-center-describes-impact-of-trumps-policies-on-immigrant-communities/and a story about a Chappaqua graphic artist, Alex de Janosi, whose anti Trump ‘No’ logo has taken off. http://theinsidepress.com/chappaqua-artists-no-logo-graphic-strikes-a-chord/http://theinsidepress.com/chappaqua-artists-no-logo-graphic-strikes-a-chord/

There’s also nothing quite like the energy and conviction in young people voices, so particularly firing up our site recently were essays by Greeley sophomore Julia Bialek,  http://theinsidepress.com/thank-you-mr-president and Aemilia Phillips, HGHS, class of ‘12 and Harvard class of ’16 http://theinsidepress.com/greeley-grads-passionate-plea-to-reject-choice-of-trump-national-for-senior-prom/

Three New Castle young men and a young lady spoke eloquently at a late winter rally organized by the town’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee to protest the travel ban. Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein, Dr. Rev. Martha Jacobs of the First Congregational Church, and Temple Beth El’s Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, each addressed hundreds gathered around the Gazebo. Footage from that inspiring event can also be found on the aforementioned Facebook pages.

And of course, there will be much more appearing online from the time I’m writing this ‘for print.’  Chappaqua is my home, where I raised my children, so I’m proud to and love feeling its vibe and monitoring its pulse. 

Shortly before press time too, I was gearing up to moderate a panel of esteemed journalists on March 3 called “Separating Truth from Fiction in the Age of Trump” in a Left of Main Street sponsored forum at Town Hall. Coverage is online now!  http://theinsidepress.com/the-fourth-estate-covering-the-trump-administration/

Note too: a non-partisan forum, “Media and Politics: The Impact on our Democracy,” sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New Castle, will take place at the Chappaqua Library on April 6th, 7-9 p.m.

I will continue to embrace community activism and outreach in my heart and in my soul. On a most personal level, that’s a strong enough start for me.  -Grace

Bill Clinton and Jim Killoran

 

 

Photos by Grace Bennett

 

 

Expressions of Support

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Remembering Memorial Day 2006 PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO
Remembering Memorial Day 2006
PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO

By Grace Bennett

At this juncture, my heart and mind (as is true for the vast majority of her neighbors and friends) are squarely with Hillary Clinton in appreciation of her exemplary spirit and hard fought campaign and its unwavering message of ‘love trumps hate,’ and her conviction that we all indeed are ‘stronger together.’

For years now, as a small, hometown publisher, I have enthusiastically supported the voice and vision of our two-time Senator, Secretary of State, and neighbor. Over the last year, as time and resources permitted, I was so excited to follow her historical campaign to become the nation’s first woman president. Together with fine contributors, we proudly attended primary and post primary rallies on the East and West Coast, along with the Democratic National Convention, with the goal of being actively engaged in covering an extraordinarily qualified and experienced hometown candidate from a local vantage point — while still offering a variety of community features both in print and online.

Before a Katy Perry GOTV rally and concert in Philly: Photo op with Dawn Evans Greenberg (to my right), Robby Mook, Hillary for America campaign manager, and Dawn Dankner Rosen.
Before a Katy Perry GOTV rally and concert in Philly: Photo op with Dawn Evans Greenberg (to my right), Robby Mook, Hillary for America campaign manager, and Dawn Dankner Rosen.

By casting over 3 million more votes for Hillary Clinton than for Donald Trump, a far greater number of American citizens registered their collective voice as to the preferred candidate, so the outcome may remain a source of sadness and longing to many for some time to come, particularly as recount efforts are underway. But we also harbor hope for a better future. A very long chain of connected hearts unequivocally know that Hillary Clinton embodies all that a president is meant to be. She set the bar high for the next president, man or woman.

And here, for now, I will simply echo the voices from many corners–warm and loving expressions–conveying an immense gratitude to Hillary Clinton for her role as advocate and friend. I commend those in her corner, in our community and beyond who worked so hard on her behalf and who are continuing their work, whether through wise words or newly launched grassroots efforts.

Our election coverage stories and photos (special kudos to Chad Kraus’ enormous generosity) followed by many heartfelt messages from the merchant community and amazing local supporters.

Pretoria, August 2012
Pretoria, August 2012

I’m especially proud as well to include a couple millennial expressions of gratitude by Greeley grads and past Inside Press contributors: an essay by Cornell University Junior Lindsay Hand, and the “thank you” photo and artwork by my son, Ari Bennett, a third year art major at Union College.

Please also enjoy the entire issue with many articles that showcase our wonderful community, its residents and various sponsors. Wishing the greater New Castle community, and beyond, a happy and healthy holiday season. Here’s to Peace in the New Year too.

ari_hillary_thankyou_insidepress

Graceful Gratitude

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By Grace Bennett

I recently started a “Mindfulness Boot Camp” with Jodi Baretz, whose etcetera column in this edition is an excellent reflection on gratitude. I’m not sure I can add more value on the subject than Jodi, but interesting to note: Jodi explained to our group that feeling grateful may not come naturally at all.

In fact, she said that us humans harbor a “negativity bias,” meaning we’re more likely to focus on the one negative aspect of say, a vacation, than on the many positive aspects of the experience. Similarly, in relationships, one negative experience can cast a shadow on an overall positive pairing, or one annoying personality trait might be your obsessive focus on an otherwise wonderful person.

As my mom might have put it, people like to kvetch…a lot. Seems we have to practice being more mindful about feeling grateful!  So I’m going to share just a few things I’m feeling grateful for today:

  • To fresh starts, professionally speaking. Like the redesign of this magazine. Chappaqua’s Lisa Samkoff came on board to give our Inside pubs a more contemporary look. We hope you agree that it has been a successful effort. Grateful for other key support from Caroline Rosengarden and Andrew Vitelli, and for all our contributors and of course, sponsors, to each edition.
  • The exciting new theatre productions underway at the Horace Greeley Theater Company. Rehearsals are underway for ‘Into the Woods,” directed by Jonathan Gellert. Tickets are on sale for the Nov. 17-19 performances. For more information, visit
    Cast members of "Into the Woods"
    Cast members of “Into the Woods”

    http://www.greeleytheater.tix.com

  • To the power of the written word. I’m thrilled that seven courageous girls took time out this summer to express to the community at large their smart and passionate thoughts about the election while pondering their neighbor’s incredible journey. I’m grateful to Dr. Keri Walsh, who brought her writing program at the Greeley House this past summer to my attention.
  • My ‘get fit’ journey at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco. I announced on Facebook recently that I’d gained too much weight over the last year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to train twice a week with a wonderfully engaging personal trainer, Sarah Eichorn. She’s making a huge difference in how I feel both physically and mentally in these empty nest years. The changes in how I look and feel are showing in little increments, and I’m embracing Sarah’s belief that a positive journey is as important to my well-being and long term success as any weight loss I experience. I’ll be writing more about this special experience in the next edition, too!

So, tell me. What are you grateful for? Maybe it too could be a story in a future edition of Inside Chappaqua. Write to editor@insidechappaqua.com.

Choosing on November 8: The Only Logical and GREAT Choice is Hillary Clinton

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By Grace Bennett

There has never been more at stake over who we grant power to over our futures, and whose words we allow to wield power over us, too.

Do we want to hand the world’s most critical mantel of power to as volatile an individual as Donald Trump?  In our hearts most of us know the honest answer at this point.

Trump has spewed so many hateful, demeaning words at minorities, at people with disabilities; they will have their own special place in the history books.  And of course, the now infamous ‘sex tapes’ and practically daily reports  (no need to rehash in this particular forum) have proved the final straw into a mindset that demeans women and offers a brutish high five, and wink, wink that it’s ok to sexually assault women. That’s what “real men” do, right?  It’s just too bad that at no point in his life, did anyone think to Grab him by his Gilded Collar and tell him–on behalf of his daughters, at least–to please, grow up.

Photo Grace Bennett/Inside Press
Photo Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Eventually, a candidate’s words will segue into an expectation that he or she take action that impact lives. If you haven’t yet, please do ponder the potential consequences of Donald Trump’s angry, impulsive finger resting anywhere near the nuclear code–as so many four star generals who emphatically support Hillary Clinton have done, along with the ever growing list of Republicans (of still sound mind) who are jumping off the runaway Trump Train.

Hillary Clinton–the historical and indomitable first woman candidate nominated by her party for POTUS–consistently projects a positive, inclusive outlook.

She offers intelligent, well researched ideas on how to address a multitude of issues affecting us, nationally and internationally. There isn’t a topic that she and her staff have shared with the Inside Press that hasn’t gone through considerable research with relevant experts. At a hyperlocal level, it has been overwhelming to manage the flow of information, and even at the national level, the press can barely keep up with her thoughts, ideas, vision, etc.

She is the only logical choice this November. And, in truth, a great choice. I have faith along with so many millions more that she will serve our nation well and persevere through the myriad of challenges we face here and abroad.  Hey, even Trump admits that she is a fighter who doesn’t quit, and I thank him for that, anyhow.

I endorsed her in the primary agreeing with Bill Clinton that she is the ultimate ‘changemaker,’ * and it will come as no surprise to anyone at this point to state that with unbridled enthusiasm, I endorse our fully deserving Chappaqua neighbor now, too.

— Grace

*http://theinsidepress.com/why-im-with-the-change-maker/