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New Castle News

Meet Author Peter Sis at the CCBF

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PeterSis-BirdsCatching Up with Peter Sis

By Anna Maslakovic

It starts with a surprising discovery or a deeply felt emotion.  Lines and dots follow, a simple sketch on a piece of paper.  Over the ensuing months, dots grow by the hundreds.  A face might emerge from a snowflake, a wall, or the body of a fish.

Peter Sis, a MacArthur Fellow and Newberry Medal winner with films in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), is one of over 60 writers and artists attending the inaugural Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on October 5.  His pointillist, surrealist style graces over 20 books and is integral to an artistic quest that began behind the Iron Curtain and led to New York City and Westchester.

Born in 1949, Sis grew up in communist Prague and from an early age loved to draw.  He channeled his non-conformist art into animation because the field was under the radar of the regime’s censors.  In 1982, on a government-sponsored trip to the U.S., Sis decided not to return home.  A conversation with Maurice Sendak led him to children’s illustration.  The first book he illustrated, The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleishman, won the Newberry Medal.  Many more projects followed.  Sis has a studio in downtown Manhattan and lives with his family in Irvington.

PeterSisSubwayHe is attracted to subjects with deep personal meaning.  “For years, I watched my children grow and tried to create books that might interest them,” he says.  Madlenka was meant for his young daughter.  With Starry Messenger, the award-winning biography of Galileo Galilei, Sis hoped to instruct his son about the value of science.  The Wall casts their father’s history within a pictorial trajectory of the Cold War.  Since both children are grown now, Sis is learning to cope with the empty nest syndrome. “I have to think harder,” he says.

His books often involve travel.  In The Three Golden Keys, Sis makes a magical return to the labyrinthine and memory-laden Prague of his youth in the company of a black cat.  A Small Tall Tale From the Far North spins an arctic quest from fact and fiction. As in real life, there are journeys within journeys.  Drawing on layers of bedtime stories, diary entries, myths, and haunting imagery, Tibet Through Red Box juxtaposes a trek on the roof of the world with a poignant father-son reunion and a reassessment of one’s own beliefs and desires.

The book as journey idea, Sis says, “comes from a childhood and young adulthood in a place where it was impossible to go far. Perhaps also from the Jules Verne 19th century sentiment that travel is romantic.”

Peter-SisSis’ creative process is intuitive.  “Publishers give deadlines,” he says, “but I enjoys pictures so much that I could just do that.”  After an initial sketch or two, he watches what happens and experiments until things fall into place.  “Sometimes I’ll sketch a dream and then decide weeks later that it’s stupid.”

Sis has a new book coming out in Spring 2014 about Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, pilot and author of The Little Prince.  As a boy, he was taken with “this beautiful book about how life can be.”  Many decades later, he was surprised to discover that the Frenchman wrote The Little Prince in New York during a period of great personal hardship.  The book was published shortly before he flew his plane to South Africa on a mission to liberate France and was killed.  Sis’ book, The Pilot and the Little Prince, is a tribute to his childhood hero and to New York.

Sis remembers spending many hours in bed curled up with books as a boy.  He is worried that with Google and iPads reading habits and attention spans are changing. “Now, in one minute, you can find out about Komodo Dragon.  When everything is known, what’s left?”  He hopes to help make the world better by encouraging kids follow their instincts and “become explorers like Marco Polo, even in their own backyards.”

TIBET-RED-BOX-COV-WITH-MEDALSWhere will his artistic road take him next?  Sis says that he dreams about doing a book without words.  Visual language is “amazingly universal.”

Sis is looking forward to the book festival on October 5th.  “If Westchester can keep the reading tradition that would be awesome.  Chappaqua is a beautiful place.  It’s wonderful when a community can come together.”

Anna Maslakovic is the web designer and editor for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.  She is working on a memoir and lives in Chappaqua with her husband and two young sons. 

Rotary Club’s Community Day Plans in Progress!

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By Steven Bernstein

This year’s New Castle Community Day will be held on September 21st.  All those who attend will experience a lovely day of food and amazing attractions that people of all ages will enjoy.

“We’re going to have rides for the kids.  We’re going to have musical entertainment also, we’re going to have some singers and hopefully some local bands,” said Pam Thornton, President of the Chappaqua Rotary Club, and Director of Chappaqua Library.

Community Day is the perfect way for new comers to get to know the community, and for longtime residents to reacquaint themselves with all the great organizations that the town has to offer.

“It’s a day when local organizations get to exhibit what we do.  It tells people what we do for them, for the community.  That’s the best part of it.  The New Castle Historical Society, the Chappaqua Library, the Chappaqua Orchestra, and others… we all come out to show the community what we can do for them,” said Thornton.

All proceeds will be given to local charities.  Between 50-70 local organizations will be present.

“A lot of people come.  This is a terrific community event.  It’s a wonderful, wonderful community event. There’s good food and a wonderful sense of community.  Wonderful opportunity for people to get together and enjoy their community,” said Penny Paderewski, Town Administrator at Town Hall.

“It’s a great event for letting the residents see some of the organizations that are working on behalf of the community.  All the different organizations are given the chance to meet the residents and highlight what they’re doing for the community,” said Rob Greenstein, head of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

Community Day begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. So mark your calendars for September 21st, and enjoy a fun filled day that celebrates all the New Castle community has to offer.

 

Back to School Matters: Chappaqua School Board Convenes

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By Zarah Kavarana

The upcoming school year has brought on the need for much discussion within the Chappaqua community. Board members addressed all concerns during their meeting on August 7 in front of an audience of students, parents, and administrators.

The President’s Report was the first topic at hand.

When the board first approved a meeting schedule for the year, members had left out two days (May 21 and May 28 of 2014) for the last meeting in order to avoid a conflict.

It has now determined that the meeting will take place on May 28.

The board has decided to make a schedule change for the upcoming school year, shifting the start of the meetings from 8:15 p.m to 7:30 p.m.  The goal is not only to start early, but to end early as well.

The Supervisor’s Report was next on the agenda.

As of August 1, there are 58 more students than projected joining the Chappaqua school district. The Elementary School will have 39 more, Middle School will have 19 more, and the High School will stay the same.

In relation to the construction space in Greeley’s I Lab, or E Wing,and the surrounding professional development work, the original classroom space has been gutted and the asbestos abatement has been completed. The renovation and redesign of the space will soon begin. The project is expected to be finished in the fall with an outside date being the beginning of January.

There were four days of the professional development during the previous week with a group of teachers, who are self dubbed as the “Innovation Fellows.” With Chris Hazleton from FNI, the architectural educational firm working with the board on the project, they began creating interesting units of study – both long term and short term. Work in the new I lab will be scheduled as soon as it’s finished. The board has requested that all schools in the district put forth plans for the use of present space, which includes furniture and ideas within the next 18 months. The goal is to think of whole schools instead of “boxes called classrooms.”

The Innovation Fellows have helped cover a variety of projects all summer long. Teams have been working on word study and writing, restructuring the algebra courses, and even an instrumental music program. Some projects will continue until the end of summer.

The ELA and Math test scores for grades 3-8 have dropped across the state, including in Chappaqua. This is relative when compared to all other districts. Superintendant Lyn McKay stated that this should not be a point of concern because Chappaqua still remains on top among the districts it benchmarks. The board does not have access to individual reports. Once they are released at the end of August, the needs of each student can be handled appropriately, and trends and patterns can be detected with the potential of realigning programs, if necessary. Members agreed that this year’s exams were very different from those administered in previous years, and therefore should not be compared.

The school calendars have been printed, and can be found at the board of education offices, the Chappaqua Library, and the town hall. The calendars can also be printed online.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to comment on any matters of concern. Many spoke in regard to the potential replacement of Coach DeGregorio of the boy’s lacrosse team.

Richard Weissmann, resident, urged board members not to replace DeGregorio. He noted DeGregoio’s commitment to the Chappaqua community and his leadership as a mentor to students.

Greeley graduate, Joseph Hinderstein, had a similar take on the matter. He spoke of how he has been greatly impacted by DeGregorio through the years, and noted that the decision would effect not just Greeley students, but those of other students within the district as well–regardless of age.

Current Greeley student and this years captain of the Greeley varsity lacrosse team, Noah Weissman, spoke on behalf of the entire team. Among the words used to describe DeGregorio, Weissman used “genuine” and “caring.” He spoke of his encouragement to not only the whole team, but to players of all ages.

Lynn Scott, mother of two Greeley lacrosse players – one who has graduated and one still in high school–made a strong point. She said that by getting rid of DeGregorio, it would send a message that once a coach is brought in, no matter how great he or she may be, there’s a possibility that the coach may be replaced by people within the community.

Finally came approvals. Among the number of recommended actions approved by the board were the following:

  • A gift of $2,874.00 given by the Greeley PTA to Horace Greeley High School for the purchase of three Epson PowerLite LCD Projectors.
  • A contract in the amount of $219,477.51 with Chappaqua Transportation for summer transportation between July 1, 2013 and August 31, 2013.
  • A contract with the Pleasantville Union free School District for tow students who attended Summer School Services at the wage set by the New York State Education Department
  • An agreement with the Bedford Central School District for one student to be a part of the SAIL II Program at the most current special education non-resident tuition rate, which will be approved by New York State
  • A supplemental agreement with Public Relations Assistant, David Hayes
  • A resolution for the District Clerk to notify the Department of State about a Notice of Claim
  • A resolution for the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the learning commons at Horace Greeley High School. The project consists of a renovation of four classroom and a corridor area into an open learning commons.
  • A proposed school lunch budget for the 2013-2014 school year, which has increased by $51,390  since the previous year
  • A NYSED fire inspection for all district buildings between September 15 and October 31, 2013 by Facilities Inspection Services, LLC in the amount of $2,750.
  • A resolution to authorize the tax levy and confirm tax rolls. The budget for the 2013-2014 school year sum will not exceed $114,828,088 for district purposes and a total of $2,899,729 for library purposes. A presentation regarding this matter was made by John Chow, assistant superintendent, and is available on the board’s web page.

The next school board meeting will take place on August 29, 2013 at 10:30 A.M., and the following meeting will take place on September 25,2013 at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are held at Horace Greeley High School.

MHA of Westchester: “An Evening at Metropolis” and more

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Join The Mental Health Association of Westchester for our annual benefit celebration, An Evening at Metropolis! The festivities begin at 6:30 pm at the Metroplis Country Club in White Plains and include cocktails, dinner, silent auction, and award presentations to outstanding individuals and companies who have made a difference to MHA and the field of mental health. For more information, contact Constance Moustakas at 914-345-5900 ext. 7511 or development@mhawestchester.org or visit www.mhawestchester.org

2. The Mental Health Association of Westchester received a grant of $5000 from THE TD Charitable Foundation in support of community outreach for MHA’s new initiative OnTrackNY My Health, My Choices, My Future, which is an innovative treatmentprogram for adolescents and young adults between the ages of 16-30 who have had unusual thoughts and behaviors or who have started hearing or seeing things that others don’t. An important goal is to help individuals remain in their lives or quickly return to their lives. As a brand new program, TD Bank’s contribution will help MHA ensure that the message is received by those who need it most

3. New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at MHA Westchester is seeking volunteers. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, which serves residents in licensed long term care facilities in Westchester County, is recruiting volunteers who are interested in training to become Ombudsmen.  An Ombudsman helps to resolve complaints, monitors quality of life and helps to preserve the dignity of residents in long term care facilities.

A volunteer must be at least 21 years of age and complete a mandatory certification training program to become a New York State Certified ombudsman.  A commitment of 4 hours weekly for one year is required after the training.

LTCOP staff and a faculty of experts cover a wide range of subjects, such as the aging process, regulations, levels of care, and how-to skills of working and negotiating with staff for the protection of residents’ rights as prescribed by law. The training is free.

Please call for an application to be eligible for the FALL training starting on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Concerns Continue to be Raised Over Chappaqua Crossing

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Chappaqua resident Kimber Sanseverino speaking to the board.
Chappaqua resident Kimber Sanseverino speaking to the board.

This past Tuesday, while most residents attending the public hearing for zoning and Master Plan changes to Chappaqua Crossing, continued to express serious concerns over plans they described largely as flawed and unwelcome, a couple residents did speak out in its favor.

The plan has been in the works for a while, and has sparked much tension from merchants and residents. It calls to permit a grocery store and multiple chain retail stores at the Chappaqua Hamlet. 120,000 square feet will be devoted to retail space of which, 36,000 to 66,000 square feet is intended to house a grocery store.

Earlier on Tuesday, the board received a petition signed by many who live in close proximity to the site. It demanded the rezoning for the Chappaqua Crossing plan to be passed by a super majority, meaning that four out of five board members must vote either for or against the plan, instead of the typical three.

Before starting, councilman Jason Chapin made it clear to the public that the board had no intention of closing the public hearing that night, and that it would be adjourned until another date, later decided as September 3, 2013.

In regard to the first AKRF report, Chapin commented by mainly showing support for the overall project. He said that it would be beneficial to the town, both in terms of accesibility and finances. Chapin made note that the rumors of adding 15 chain stores to the plans are false.

He said, “The amount of leakage of retail dollars spent by the town totals millions of dollars. Adding a grocery store and other retail that complements the existing stores in the hamlet can address unmet consumer demand and increase out commercial tax base by as much as 60 percent.”

Chapin’s comments were followed by those of the public. Most were firmly against it, bringing up concerns of potentially devalued properties, increased traffic and pollution on streets that already have such concerns, as well as competition that would wipeout local downtown merchants.

Some, like Mary Helen Hendricks, agreed that something should be done for the benefit of the town’s sales tax income, but this plan is surely not it.

She said, “I do not doubt that this is important. We do need more revenue sources, but this should not happen at the expense of those who live on or use Roaring Brook Road… If you approve the zoning change, please protect all of us. Buffer the single family residents along Roaring Brook Road, the students of the high school, and the drivers of cars who use that particular East/West thoroughfare from the negative, unintended consequences of what I know are your own best intentions to increase tax revenues.”

Resident, candidate for town supervisor, and founder of the Chamber of Commerce, Rob Greenstein spoke on three occasions, he said, to defend the local businesses who have always supported him and the community. He said that by going with the existing plans, the existing Chappaqua shops will eventually go out of business. Many of these local favorites are members of the Chamber of Commerce, he noted. Without them, the Chamber of Commerce will not have the necessary sponsors for the Chappaqua events that take place year round.

“If you think that creating 15 box stores at Chappaqua Crossing is not going to kill our downtown Chappaqua, you’re living in a fantasy land,” he said. “What shop small means is that you support the mom and pop shops that make your community great. By building 15 chain box stores at Chappaqua Crossing, you are going to destroy them.”

Chapin was quick to react to Greenstein’s comment, noting that the number of stores he stated was false, and that the board definitely does have the merchants in mind. After many concerns were expressed, it has postponed a large-scale infrastructure upgrade for the downtown area until 2014.

A few residents, however, were very much in favor of the potential prosperity this plan brought forth. Philip Werbel was one of them.

He spoke for ten minutes, first reminiscing over the old Chappaqua shops and businesses and then calling opposers to the plan “NIMBYs” (Not In My Backyard) until he was called out for going over time, which the audience applauded.

In between, Werbel alluded to the Chappaqua Crossing plans as being part of an economic evolution.

“Buy local?,” he asked. “That’s a joke. Everyone’s looking to be economical.  Speaking for myself, if something costs 30 percent less or 25 percent less at a box store – Oh my god. I said it! It’s a sin! – or chain store, so be it.  This is America.  Things die and are reborn and things evolve and become alive that never existed before.  This is evolution.  The 2 percent cap.  What about the retired person who can’t afford the taxes?  Get out of the bubble and compete with everyone else.”

The hearing ended with the board going into a short executive session.

One thing to note: The public comment for Conifer’s Conditioned Negative Declaration is open until September 3, 2013. Those who would like to submit written comments can send an e-mail to chappaquastation@town.new-castle.ny.us.