New Castle News

Chappaqua Garden Club, Sophie Odrich and Ann Herrero Honored by Rotary

March 7, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

The gifts of beautifying through gardening, and of community sharing, were celebrated during a warm and lively Rotary Club of Chappaqua Awards dinner and ceremony. The event took place this past Saturday at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

The Chappaqua Garden Club and Horace Greeley High School Senior Sophie Odrich received the Rotary’s Community Service Awards. Chappaqua’s Ann Herrero received the Rotary’s Paul Harris Award for “Service Above Self.”

Rotary president Don Roane, and Rotarians Edward Melvin, Eileen Gallagher and Executive Secretary Peter Davidson presented the awards, after which each of the award recipients received separate honors from: Westchester County Board of Legislators chair Mike Kaplowitz; State Assemblyman David Buchwald; and Robert Greenstein, Town of New Castle supervisor. State Senator Terence Murphy, who was not able to attend, sent his commendations as well.

In explaining the Rotary’s choice of the Chappaqua Garden Club, Melvin spoke to the Club’s Margaret Federici and Melanie Smith Klein, who had stepped up to accept the award on behalf of the club’s membership: “The idea of a garden, has always been important in the imagination, as a metaphor for human activity and as the cradle for creation, going all the way back to the original garden, the Garden of Eden.” The Chappaqua Garden Club’s members volunteer year round to beautify green spaces throughout New Castle; annual projects includes work at the 9/11 Memorial in Gedney Park and at the intersection of Route 120 and Hunts Lane. The Club received the County Legislators proclamation declaring March 6th, Chappaqua Garden Club Day.

Community Service Award Honorees: Chappaqua Garden Club members

State Assemblyman David Buchwald (right) with the Chappaqua Garden Club's Club President Margaret Federici and Melanie Smith Klein — State Assemblyman David Buchwald (right) with the Chappaqua Garden Club’s Margaret Federici (left) and Melanie Smith Klein

Next, Eileen Gallagher explained the honor to Sophie Odrich for ‘Kittle Kares,’ a weekly effort packaging and delivering food from the Kittle House (following a Sunday brunch) to Neighbors Link Community Center in Mount Kisco. “It was started by Sophie’s sister, Natalie, approximately two and a half years ago. Sophie started helping her about one and a half years ago and has been doing it solo or with friends since then,”said Gallagher.

“The individuals at Neighbors Link look forward to an excellent Sunday dinner every week, as a result. Chef Jay and Mr. Crabtree have been enthusiastic helpers since the day of its inception. Jay estimates that nearly 2000 pounds of food have been donated since it started,” she added.

Kaplowitz proclaimed March 10th, Sophie Odrich Day in Westchester.

Sophie Odrich (right) with her parents Karen and Steven Sidel and friend Shail Highbloom who helped along with another friend, Gianina, with 'Kittle Kare' efforts. — Sophie Odrich (right) with her parents Karen and Steven Sidel and friend Shail Highbloom who helped along with another friend, Gianina, with ‘Kittle Kare’ efforts.

Sophie Odrich with New Castle Supervisor Robert Greenstein

Finally, Peter Davidson, bestowed the Paul Harris Award on Ann Herrero, a 22 year Chappaqua resident and director of Financial Planning at Hudson Peak Wealth Advisors in Pleasantville. He cited her long time service to the Rotary in various roles, including vice president and president of the Club. “The Club wants to recognize her in appreciation of that and the outstanding job she has done in addition to her many other achievements in our community.” Those include service on the League of Women Voters, Chappaqua PTA and on the board for 16 years for the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program. And finally too, March 17th was proclaimed Ann Herrero Day by the County Legislators.

Ann Herrero (middle), Paul Harris Award recipient, with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (right) and his wife Jane, and friends. — Ann Herrero (middle), Paul Harris Award recipient, with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (right) and his wife Jane. To left of Ann, friends Nancy and Barrett Silver

Ann Herrero with Rotarian Peter Davidson — Ann Herrero with Rotarians Executive Secretary Peter Davidson (left) and President Don Roane

Ann Herrero with Eileen and Michael Gallagher

Rotarian Edward Melvin presenting the award to the Chappaqua Garden Club

(L-R): Robert Greenstein, Majid Eshghi, Rosemary Eshghi, and David Buchwald.

Theresa and Sandy Bueti and their daughter.

Patti and Eric Nicolaysen with the Chappaqua Garden Club's Melanie Smith Klein (right) — Patti and Eric Nicolaysen with the Chappaqua Garden Club’s Melanie Smith Klein (right)

Chat with the Chamber of Commerce: You Asked, They Answered!

March 4, 2016 by Inside Press

A Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce “Ask me Anything” event at Crabtree’s Kittle House gave 14 business owners and consultants a chance to share their business acumen with New Castle residents. The casual gathering drew visitors who were invited to rotate from table to table in ten minute segments following introductions of each presenter at the podium.

Good humor was in abundance. “I’ll try to be brief,” said Vinnie Milazzo, owner of the Chappaqua Village Market, “but I do have four years of stories to tell.” Local healer Benadette Bloom described herself as a “medical intuitive.” “I’ll also teach you to do what I do.”

L-R: Jennifer Bancroft, Chamber Manager with Dawn Dankner Rosen, Chamber President.

Discussing the first time offering, Dawn Dankner Rosen, who heads the Chamber, said she “thought it would be fun to have an event where you can meet up with experts in different fields for no fee, and ask them anything that comes to mind.” She said the board aimed to feature a “cross section” of owners and is considering regular “Ask me Anything” gatherings. — Grace Bennett

(L-R) Bernadette Bloom, Nicole Hair and Melysa Diament

Beth Rordham, Joan Bigg and Frank Bastone

(L-R): John Grimes, Ted Holmes and Rand Mark Manasse

L-R: Johanna Kline, Wendy Nolan, Deena Bochier

Ray Pahini and Rita Ross — Ray Rahni and Rita Ross

Chappaqua Crossing Groundbreaking: “‘Super’ for Us”

March 2, 2016 by Inside Press

By Matt Smith

“It takes a village,” Summit Development President Felix Charney began his speech on the morning of Super Tuesday, to kick off the official Groundbreaking ceremony for the new retail complex at Chappaqua Crossing Headquarters. “Given your presence here in this room, this is a village. And given the contribution that each of you in this room has made in one form or another, over the course of [the review of] this project, we all now have something today we can celebrate, and hopefully be very proud of… It’s Super Tuesday [in the political world], but it’s super for us, ‘cause it’s been a hell of a long ride, and we finally made it through.”

The groundbreaking official first dig. (L-R) Westchester Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett; Summit Development President Felix Charney; New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein; Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz; Jeff Melby, Senior Vice President Life Time Real Estate and Development; Jake Grossman, co-President Grossman Companies. Photo by Matt Smith. — The groundbreaking official first dig.
(L-R) Westchester Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett;
Summit Development President Felix Charney; New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein; Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz;
Jeff Melby, Senior Vice President Life Time Real Estate and Development;
Jake Grossman, co-President Grossman Companies. Photo by Matt Smith.

The plan, which Charney noted was 11 years in review and spanned the terms of four different town supervisors — Janet Wells, Barbara Gerrard, Susan Carpenter, and Rob Greenstein, all of whom were in attendance — will add a Whole Foods Market, LifeTime Fitness, and 28 affordable housing units to the former Reader’s Digest campus off Bedford and Roaring Brook Roads.

“This is a unique project — there is nothing like it in Westchester,” Charney continues. “The fact is, this is a magnificent town with phenomenal schools — it deserves amenities [whose standards are held] at the same bar.”

To that end, the development also includes plans for 91 luxury townhomes, a completely decked-out 500,000-square-foot cultural center, and a shuttle connecting to the Metro-North train station in the center of town, all of which are underway.

To say the 75 community members in attendance were in high spirits during the ceremony would be an understatement. “The truth is, a lot of people didn’t know if they would ever see it happen, and it’s happening,” says New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein. Despite the arduous process, he notes that “together, we made sure we ended up with a project that would benefit our entire community. We ensured the residents of New Castle the best possible outcome, amenities and aesthetics, as well as the commercial tax dollars we desperately need.” In short, as he states, “What started out as the longest and most controversial land use application in our town’s history, ended up as the perfect example of the benefits of working together.”

During the ceremony, representatives from both of the “retail village” companies expanded upon how their respective companies would specifically contribute to the well-being of the community.

“To be able to be part of a project that brings Whole Foods Market to Northern Westchester County and the great town of Chappaqua is something we’re so excited about,” says Whole Foods representative Michael Sinatra, adding that the opening of the store will satisfy customers who, through social media, expressed a need for such a venue in Northern Westchester. “One thing we really hang our hat on is our ability to partner with local non-profits, our local schools, [and] local food banks, and that’s also something we’ll look to extend when we open this property next year.”

Comments Brian Smith, area director of LifeTime Fitness, of their specific plans: “This [facility] destination will be unique [as opposed to others in Westchester]. It will have a broad array of highly personalized programs and services, that will allow our members to really go after the things they are most passionate about. If we can do [here] what we’ve done in our other facilities in Westchester, which is [to] really create a third home for folks in the community, I think we’ll have succeeded. We are honored and privileged to be here with you all today, and we are so excited about bringing this thing to life next year.”

The morning was capped off by an official groundbreaking, complete with a first dig and initial bulldozing — “‘Cause who doesn’t want to toss some dirt?” jokes Charney — and a lunch, catered (quite appropriately) by Whole Foods.

Overview of the Village. Photo by John Vecchiolla.

Despite the grueling process and the long road ahead to completion, Greenstein, who, in fact, was once opposed to the project, now admits he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. “I personally think when this project is completed — maybe… four to five years down the road — there’s going to be some people that are going to say, “I can’t even believe that there was ever opposition to it,” because that’s how great I think the project is going to end up.”

Echoes Deputy Westchester County Executive Kevin Plunkett: “It shows that if we all work together, even over a long period of time, good things [can] happen and we can make a difference in Westchester County.” That we can, Mr. Plunkett, and we look forward to seeing what you, Charney, and Greenstein, can create with the rest of your team, and see how “this iconic piece of Westchester” can be repurposed for the next generation.

Chappaqua Crossing is located at 480 Bedford Road, just off of RT-117. CNB Builders will be in charge of construction. Whole Foods Market, the first building within the retail village to be constructed, is currently set to open in January 2017. For more information, please visit www.chappaquacrossing.com.

Music Conservatory Students Meet a Master

February 3, 2016 by Inside Press

Photo credit: Kate Koenig

Music Conservatory of Westchester students were thrilled to meet internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman following his performance at the Westchester County Center on Jan. 30. Pictured behind Mr. Perlman (left to right): cello student Kaseme Leckie, viola student Cen Chen, Executive Director Jean Newton, and adult violin student Harry Bright. The Conservatory, a not-for-profit community music school, is located across the street from the County Center at 216 Central Ave. in White Plains.

Northern Westchester Hospital Kicks Off its Centennial Celebration

January 24, 2016 by Inside Press

Two Honorary Proclamations, Reminiscing, a Ribbon Cutting and More!

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

Mount Kisco–A packed and festive Centennial Kick off Celebration at Northern Westchester Hospital brought together physicians, board members, employees, volunteers, elected officials, supporters, artists and many others who gathered for a proud CEO’s remarks, refreshments galore, the unveiling of an interactive history timeline and a ribbon cutting ceremony; they were also treated to stories of health care delivery in the early 1900s. In his remarks, President and CEO (for 15 years) Joel Seligman reminisced about days gone by and just how far we’ve come.

“Surgery was often done on your living room table,” said Joel Seligman, NWH president and CEO for the last 15 years. “Surgery was done on your dining room table—yes, house calls were common then—because the nearest hospital was in New York City. And you got there via a bumpy, horse-drawn wagon driving down the pot-hole ridden Albany Post Road, now known as Route 9…

“Once you got to New York City, an ambulance met you and took you to the hospital. And this only happened for the fortunate few who had the financial means for this type of care.”

Seligman recounted that it took “a handful of forward-thinking community members” to begin fundraising; after 10 years, “this group of visionaries raised $12,500, and opened the 15-bed Mount Kisco Hospital on August 20, 1916, which served the 14 villages in the surrounding area.”

100 years later, Seligman said the mission is still “to provide the highest quality, patient-centered care close to home for all members of our community–regardless of their ability to pay.”

“Of course, so much has happened between our humble beginnings in 1916 and today: advancements in technology, our enhanced clinical capabilities, the growth and modernization of our campus, and most importantly, the positive impact we continue to have on the people who live in our community.

Before others spoke, Seligman acknowledged certain individuals attending that he explained had a unique connection to the hospital.
— Joan Stewart, one of the first preemie babies born at NWH in 1935, and who stayed here for four long months before going home to her family
— Joan’s sister, Pat Reilly, former Mayor of Mount Kisco, born at NHW in 1932
— Henry Schriever, NWH’s first pastoral care chaplain
— Sue Moga, whose grandfather, Roberts Richie, was a founding physician of the original Mount Kisco Hospital on Stewart Place
— Babs Johnson, whose father, Philips Lounsbery was a Hospital trustee for many years
— Retired physician Hal Federman who began NWH’s Palliative Care program
— Dr. Herb Kaufman, who performed the first flexible endoscopy at NWH
— Dr. Scott Hayworth President & CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group and Dr. Peter Mercurio President & CEO Westchester Health

Nancy Karch, chair of the Northern Westchester Hospital Board of Trustees offered more kudos to the hospital’s role in the community–“whether it’s the dad coming to NWH via ambulance with chest pains…the grandfather who needs a new hip…or the mom who is going through radiation therapy for breast cancer…” She also took the opportunity to note that NWH is now a member of the Northwell Health network of 21 hospitals, “including facilities that specialize in pediatric and psychiatric care.
“It has a pioneering research facility, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and a visionary approach to medical education at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies,” said Karch. “We are very excited about this new Chapter in our history.”

“It has a pioneering research facility, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and a visionary approach to medical education at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. We are very excited about this new Chapter in our history.”
Karch recognized the following attendees as well:

— Susan Spear, Regional Director for the Hudson Valley, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office

— George Oros, County Executive Rob Astorino’s Chief of Staff.

— County Legislator Francis Corcoran

— Chief of Staff Gary Friedman of Chairman Mike Kaplowitz’s office

— Marianne Oros, Community Relations Specialist, NY State Senator Terrance Murphy

— Mount Kisco Mayor, Michael Cindrich

— Her fellow Board of Trustees, Alumni Trustees, Foundation Board members and President’s Council Members.

She offered “a very special welcome” to Northwell’s Dr. Lawrence Smith, Physician in Chief and Dean of the Hofstra Northwell school of Medicine and Gene Tangney, Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer..

Astorino’s office and the County Legislators’ office both offered proclamations announcing January 21, 2016 as Northern Westchester Hospital Day in Westchester County.

Seligman returned to the mic after a host of remarks from elected officials and others and invited guests to view the historical timeline, He thanked “two long-term community partners, GG Kopilak and the Katonah Museum Artists Association (KMAA) and Lois Barker and the Westchester Photographic Society. And added: “KMAA provides the artwork you see in the hallway and WPS provides the photographs that adorn our Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. Thank you both for providing the gift of art to our patients and families.”