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New Castle News

20 Years of Love at Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester

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Chappaqua residents (L to R) Jodi Falbaum, Heather Wohl, and Liz Fuerstman, whose children swim on the Marlins swim team, turned out to support the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester at the Club's 20th Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner held at Lexus of Mount Kisco on June 7, 2014. © 2014 Marianne A. Campolongo.
Chappaqua residents (L to R) Jodi Falbaum, Heather Wohl, and Liz Fuerstman, whose children swim on the Marlins swim team, turned out to support the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester at the Club’s 20th Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner held at Lexus of Mount Kisco on June 7, 2014. © 2014 Marianne A. Campolongo.

Nearly 450 members of the community, staff, and board members gathered in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) for its 20th annual Humanitarian Award Dinner Saturday, June 7.

The event – 

This year’s dinner raised nearly $500,000 which will benefit the Club’s scholarship initiative, educational programs, and provide services to more than 1,700 youth members. The Club’s signature fundraising event featured award presentations to the Humanitarian of the Year, the John Beach Award recipient, as well as to Club member Cristy Lopez-Duarte who received BGCNW’s 2014 Youth of the Year award.

The gala included a formal dinner following a cocktail reception, and a live and silent auction, featuring hot-ticket items like VIP concert tickets and a spectacular five-course tasting menu for 10 at Crabtree’s Kittle House. The gala was also accompanied by an online auction which ran the weeks leading to the June 7 event.

(L to R) Mount Kisco Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, of Mount Kisco, BGCNW board member Michael Wolfensohn, of Chappaqua, and NYS Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester), of White Plains. © 2014 Marianne A. Campolongo.
(L to R) Mount Kisco Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, of Mount Kisco, BGCNW board member Michael Wolfensohn, of Chappaqua, and NYS Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester), of White Plains. © 2014 Marianne A. Campolongo.

“I have been a member of the Club since 1958,” Marwell said. “I’ve been a part of it for more than two-thirds of its 75 years. I am immensely proud of this organization on its 75th anniversary. The Club is a tremendous source of pride, joy and satisfaction to me. It is a place that will always have an important place in my heart.”

Marwell, who described the Club as “family affair” – with ties dating back to his grandmother, who sat on the board of directors – joined the BGCNW board himself in 1987. Since then, he has acted as an unflagging supporter and advocate for the Club and the children it serves.

“This is a special evening to celebrate kids, and our 75th year in the business of saving kids: giving them a platform to be themselves, to be real, to excel, and to be productive responsible citizens,” said BGCNW President R. Todd Rockefeller. “We average  600 kids visiting daily;  we serve 250 hot meals per day, and serve some who may not get enough to eat at home; we also send food home weekends to families in need.  None of this happens without great financial and intellectual support from you and countless others over the years.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester is located at 351 Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY and can be reached at 914-666-8069 or by visiting www.bgcnw.com. For the latest news, photos and updates, please “like” the Club on www.facebook.com/BGCNW and follow on www.twitter.com/BGCNW

Photos for Inside Chappaqua by Marianne Campolongo, a Westchester photographer and freelance writer. You can view additional images from the dinner on her website: http://tinyurl.com/campyphotosBGCNW2

Reusable Bag Art Exposition

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ReusableBags-don'tforgetBy Meaghan Townsend

Looking for a great way to have fun, support the environment and get involved in the New Castle community? Come to the Chappaqua train station on Saturday, May 31st from 9a.m.-1p.m. for a morning of fun and eye-opening entertainment! For the first time, Horace Greeley’s environmental club, S.T.O.P. (Students and Teachers for Our Planet) will be hosting an exciting new art expo. This expo will not only be demonstrating the negative impact of single-use bags, but also supporting the movement to transition to more environmentally-friendly reusable ones.

At the expo, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and see firsthand the drastic impact plastic and paper bags continue to have on Chappaqua in a unique, interactive way with activities for the whole family. For example, did you know that Chappaqua alone uses 10,080 plastic bags every day? That’s seven bags a minute! These bags pollute our ecosystems and waste valuable resources. You might think that paper bags are a viable solution. But were you familiar with the fact that more than 60% of paper bags end up in landfills?

Because most single-use paper bags are non-biodegradable, they don’t decay for thousands of years–filling up our landfills just as much as plastic bags. And the small percentage of paper bags that are biodegradable release substantial amounts of methane gases, which contributes to global warming.

In addition, the extensive energy required to process the few paper bags that make it into the recycling bin makes the whole procedure overwhelmingly wasteful. Clearly, the longer we continue to use single-use bags, the more they will accumulate–and the harder it will be to get back on track.

The good news is that reusable bags are a simple and efficient solution to this problem. Stores have the opportunity to make extra revenue by selling reusable bags to customers. Customers can also receive special discounts for using their own bags. Evidently, the switch to reusable bags is the logical next step for New Castle.

Come show your support at the art expo! Held at the same time and location as the thriving Chappaqua Farmers Market, this event is a convenient, delicious way to support local businesses as well as the environment. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to contribute to our planet and community while sharing a fun day with your family. Let’s make New Castle a better place!

Board Member Elise Mottel to Assume Role in Chappaqua Crossing Discussion

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By Eileen Gallagher

During the joint planning and town board meeting this Tuesday, May 20, it was revealed that board member Elise Mottel will be an active participant in all matters regarding Chappaqua Crossing.

Having recused herself from all discussions back in March of 2010, Mottel explained that the law firm she works for no longer represents an affiliate of Greenfield Partners. According to Mottel, she “has been and will continue to take the time to familiarize [herself] with the entire record.”

Mottel went on to say, “I will be completely impartial and will exercise judgment without any self interest but on the basis of the best interest of the town.”

From there on, the meeting (about 75 attendees strong) was all about traffic…

Michael Galante, the traffic consultant contracted by the town, interpreted the results of the report that, it was learned, was produced by Summit Greenfield’s traffic expert in 2008.

The report involved a confusing and lengthy number of traffic totals taken during five different timed sessions at 17 intersections as well as the three access points at Bedford Road, Roaring Brook Road, and the entrance near the Saw Mill Parkway.

To the dismay of the New Castle town and planning board members, the individual responsible for the report was not present at the meeting. Board member Adam Brodsky remarked to Galante, “You are here to represent the town’s interest, how can you help us gear the conversation toward the applicant? They don’t have their traffic consultant here tonight. I’m a little displeased.”

As Galante explained, “There are a lot of numbers; they should be here to do that. I can do it, but it’s not my traffic report. It’s a little hard to interpret someone else’s report.”

Several questions from board members were applauded by concerned residents. Councilwoman Lisa Katz pointed out, “I’m not a traffic consultant, but I am observant. The difference between the analysis of an A&P versus Wholefoods is significant.  People would travel from all over Westchester to go to Wholefoods as opposed to an A&P.”

Councilman Jason Chapin asked, “Can you talk about truck traffic and non-car traffic?” Brodsky concurred. “I’m on Lisa’s team on this project. This is a regional center with bigger box stores, drawing from a larger geographical area.”

Katz continued. “Is there an inherent conflict of interest in relying on their traffic studies? Without our doing an independent traffic analysis, how can we rely on those numbers?”

In an attempt to break through the myriad of estimates, reports, and conclusions, Brodsky asked, “ What is the net [traffic] effect of the property at full occupation compared to today?”

Galante responded that, during the afternoon peak traffic time, the busiest time noted in the study, there were 1,091 vehicles reported, and an additional 1,100 trips would be generated after all the spaces were leased and occupied. “

Mottel commented, “To sum up, I don’t really understand the traffic. There have been questions about the truck traffic and the school… we are asking for information that would be helpful for us to understand.”

Though the public was invited to comment, Supervisor Rob Greenstein remarked, “We are going to welcome your comments, but this is not a public hearing. We are advocating for the best possible outcome for the town.”

Several members of the audience, largely residents of the neighboring area of Chappaqua Crossing, pointed out potential negative effects of the project, such as pedestrian safety, environmental impacts, and rezoning before the master plan completion.

The town board plans for a public hearing on June 10.

 

Hillary Clinton Responds to Girl Scouts’ Thank a First Responder Day

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By Eileen Gallagher

“I think this is a truly wonderful idea for the men and women of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Millwood Fire Departments are dedicated public servants who keep us safe every day.  They are worthy of our praise and support for their extraordinary service.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton

 

Grateful Girl Scouts from Chappaqua troop 1029 presented “Thank a First Responder Day” details at Town Hall this week. The girls’ goal? To engage the New Castle community in recognizing the dedication and hard work of the Chappaqua and Millwood Volunteer Fire departments and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Members of the town board and the supervisor applauded the girls for their efforts.

Per the excerpt above, the girls also proudly noted that Hillary Clinton had sent their troop a letter of support for the project.

Clinton continued with: “As you continue preparing for our community to come together and express our appreciation this coming May, please know that I am cheering you on. As a former Girl Scout myself,  I am proud to know that the spirit of service and community endures. Keep up the great work!”

Tuesday, May 27 (the Tuesday after Memorial Day) is the special day, and all residents are invited to stop in to say “thank you,” bring some cookies or snacks, and let first responders know how grateful the community is for their service.

The locations are: Chappaqua Fire Department (491 King Street), Millwood Fire Department (60 Millwood Road), and Chappaqua Ambulance Corps (233 North Greeley Avenue).

Antiques at the Farmer’s Market?

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By Eileen Gallagher

Ninette Silverman, an antiques dealer and Chappaqua resident, spoke before the board at Town Hall this week to state that she would like to run an antique show alongside the Farmers’ Market at the train station.  A “gate fee” would provide entry into the enclosed area she would arrange, with select dealers setting up in front of their vehicles. Proceeds would be donated to a charity for pediatric asthma.

Greenstein asked whether the dealers could be sprinkled throughout town rather than located exclusively at the station, as a way to bring more foot traffic to merchants. Another suggestion was to confine the show to lower King Street (the block from Starbucks to the railroad tracks), nearer to the restaurants, and possibly combining it with the annual Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Festival in October.

The Chappaqua Farmers’ Market returns to the Chappaqua Train Station this Saturday, May 17. In addition, Saturday will be the grand re-opening of Take It Or Leave It in it’s new home at the far end of the parking lot.