Merchant Profiles

SERVICES: Breezemont rests on 18 acres in Armonk, NY, complete with a natural spring-fed lake and Adirondack-style camp buildings and cabins, sports fields, pools, tennis, platform and basketball courts. Swim instruction, sports, arts and crafts, archery, science and nature, to boating, canoeing, fishing, and more are offered. The Junior Camp, for ages 3 to Pre-kindergarten, offers an Abreezeiated program for 3 and 4 year olds. A “Club” in the Upper Camp affords Kindergarteners and older kids the opportunity to select activities of their choice.

GREATEST STRENGTHS: Each individual group is supervised by a mature, responsible Group Leader who is with the group throughout the day’s activities, as are the other group counselors. Rapport and trust are established from the beginning.

SPECIAL PLANS: “Continue doing what we do best–offer each camper ‘the experience that lasts a lifetime’ in a safe, comfortable environment,” says JR.

Breezemont Day Camp
For Children 3-13
PROPRIETOR:
John R. Tesone, better known as JR
IN BUSINESS SINCE: 1936
www.breezemont.com

SERVICES: New Castle Physical Therapy and Personal Training provides orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, pre or post-orthopedic surgical care, manual therapy and neck/back pain therapy. In addition, look to them for comprehensive fitness assessments, sport specific training and osteoporosis and injury prevention programs. Therapy and training sessions are all one-on-one and they last a full hour.

BACKGROUND: Licensed Physical Therapists Adam Pliskow and Matthew Marucci founded New Castle Physical Therapy and Personal Training in 2007 with the mission to deliver the highest quality rehabilitation and fitness conditioning to their clients.

GREATEST STRENGTHS: “We are network providers for the Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation Network since 2008. As a physical therapist owned facility, our personal approach allows us to cater to our clients’ needs,” says Adam Pliskow. “To ensure superior service and optimal results we only schedule one client per hour.” The spacious clinic has a warm and therapeutic atmosphere that accommodates all levels of injury. It includes a full gym with strength training and cardiovascular equipment where both experienced athletes and those new to fitness and rehabilitation will feel comfortable. They also offer private treatment rooms and are fully handicapped accessible.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 
As one recent client said, “I have never come across a place as professional and compassionate as New Castle Physical Therapy and Personal Training. From the moment you walk in the door, you know you are in a place of caring and
healing.”

SPECIAL PLANS: New Castle Physical Therapy is thrilled to again be a sponsor of the 25th Annual New Castle 10K Road Race on May 20th, 2012. As New Castle Physical Therapy partner, Adam Pliskow notes “one of the goals at New Castle Physical Therapy is to contribute to the community in a positive manner. This is a wonderful community event and we look forward to being associated with it for years to come”. For further information and to register to participate please contact the Town Recreation and Parks Department at (914)238-3909 or e-mail at recnpark@town.new-castle.ny.us. Growing Personnel at New Castle Physical Therapy:  We’d like to introduce our new therapist, Sarah Layton PT, DPT.  She is from Pelham, NY, and received her training at Simmons College in Boston, MA.  She is a competitive platform tennis player in her free time. We are thrilled to have Sarah as the new member of our staff!

New Castle Physical Therapy and Personal Training
PROPRIETOR:
Adam Pliskow PT, MSPT and
Matthew Marucci, PT, MSPT, OCS, CSCS
IN BUSINESS SINCE:
July 2007
www.newcastlept.net

Products: Fair trade goods from all over the world: Jewelry from Guatemala and India, crafts from Zimbabwe, clothing from Nepal and scarves and silver from Cambodia  are among hundreds of items sourced and certified through the Fair Trade Federation. “We also enjoy working with local artists for handmade jewelry as well as eco-friendly goods such as textiles from Engage Green, SoapRocks from TSPink and glassware from the Green Glass Company.

Background: Dawn spent 15 years in international publishing rights, first with United Feature Syndicate (Peanuts and Garfield), then with Warner Bros. (DC Comics and MAD Magazine).  She states: “I stopped working for eight years to raise my children and happily did (and still do) lots of PTA volunteering at Roaring Brook. The earthquake in Haiti hit me particularly hard and I started looking for ways to give back. We sponsor a child in Guatemala (where my youngest son is from) and I saw the tremendous difference that a few dollars can make. I made a decision to find a way to do more.”
Strengths: Aurora carries unique, high quality items and has wonderful suppliers who do heroic work in areas of the world that need it most. “We try to provide warm, very personalized service that can help customers find just the right item for themselves or as a gift.”

Customer Service:  I always say that our goal isn’t customer satisfaction, it’s customer joy, so we try to go above and beyond to make people happy. The same goes for a custom piece of jewelry. We sell a lot of pieces from Laurie Berg, especially her Buddha pendants.  She is always willing to work with a customer to get the piece just the way they want.  She has a great eye!

Special Plans: Valentine’s and Mother’s Day are important.  After all, fair trade is (largely) by and for women and moms,” says Dawn. Additionally, we’ll be celebrating World Fair Trade Day on May 12th with free coffee and treats.

Aurora
PROPRIETORS:
Dawn and Paul Greenberg
IN BUSINESS SINCE:
May 2011
www.aurorafair.com

By David Bennett, CPA, CFF, CITP

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
-Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Ironically, maximizing one’s wealth involves proper planning for both of these. As a firm focusing on analyzing and improving our client’s financial matters, the greatest compliment is a referral from a satisfied client. When I look at numbers and documents, I see the client; I see the client’s needs, hear the client’s concerns and internalize all of it together. Tax return preparation and planning is critical, and it is one of the many services that our firm provides to individuals, small companies and large companies.

Being a CPA, CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics) and a trained mediator is a unique combination that provides the ability to benefit clients, and it goes far beyond the tax preparation and tax planning. An astonishing number of people in this country do not even have a Will or a legal directive with regards to their affairs. Often this is a result of divorce. Sure, they may have had Wills and Trusts when they were married, but updating them when the marriage ends often takes a back seat to other factors, especially the day-to-day care of the children. Many studies have shown that when divorce occurs, money is the primary concern, but often the least amount of time is spent planning from an objective financial perspective.

For instance, developing a budget is a key task, but often multiple budgets are needed – immediate term, interim budget, and post-settlement budget. The greater concern, however, is from an emotional place–fear, anger, hurt, overwhelm; and regardless of the circumstances, all family members feel it and are impacted by it. Our role, and our goal, is to assist you in lightening that burden and even remove it…giving you the room you need to breathe, and the ability to focus on your daily requirements, and on your future. www.raaservices.net

David Bennett, CPA, CFF, CITP founded RAA Services, LLC in 2007. He has more than 25 years of expertise in tax accounting, financial planning, divorce mediation and collaboration, corporate finance and operations, and financial systems. David is also on the Board of Directors of Rock Asylum, a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for elementary age students to engage in learning the Common Core Standards through original music, both recorded and live. These songs are written to target specific academic areas for children. Concerts are donated to schools with the intention of inspiring students to learn these educational songs and stimulate performance in other school subjects. Visit the website at
  www.rockasylum.com   

Products:  Whether it’s jeans or a casual outfit or something special for a night out on the town, Ruthie’Z is the one-stop destination for all your fashion needs. Stop by and browse through Ruthie’Z’s racks of casual contemporary clothing. The boutique also features an extensive collection of belts and unique jewelry to complete your outfit. All at prices that won’t break the bank.

Background: Ruthie’Z started out designing and selling leather and sheepskin coats.  She was a wholesaler and had four retail outlets in New York metro area. Her interest soon turned to woman’s fashion.

Greatest Strengths: Ruthie’Z is like having your own personal shopper on staff. She will not only help you choose the right outfit for your body but also find the right look for any occasion. It is the personal service you get at Ruthie’Z that separates her from other boutiques. She regularly shops from new vendors and acquires the latest fashions to give her merchandise a fresh and unique look that’s different from what you might typically find in department stores. Ruthie’Z customers are loyal because of her fun and energetic personality. Her vast knowledge of fashion and her ability to find just the right outfit will help make you look and feel great! Ruthie and her staff are here to serve you the customer, and not just show you “stuff.”

Highlights: Ruthie’s motto then and now remains the same “Ruthie’Z–a fun place to shop.” She utilizes innovative displays to create a warm and fun ambiance. Her mission is to serve the community by helping her clients feel and look their best. She always provides value and quality in the garments she carries.

Ruthie’Z in Armonk
PROPRIETOR:
Ruthie Zeide
IN BUSINESS SINCE:
1986 to 1996 and
2007 to Present
www.ruthiez.com