The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle News

How to Save A Life: Opportunity to Learn via CVAC

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By Steven Bernstein

savelifeThis past Saturday, I had the privilege to learn CPR from Joe Gentilesco, an EMT with the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  The CVAC is a volunteer ambulance service that has provided free emergency care to Chappaqua and New Castle residents for over 75 years.

The class consisted of a detail oriented video, with hands on practice observed and directed by EMT Joe Gentilesco.  Joe has been a member of the CVAC for four years.

Joe feels it is good for everyone to know how to perform CPR:  “A person with knowledge of CPR doubles a person’s chance between life and death.”

The course highlighted key points for when to administer CPR, and the steps to perform it properly.  After seeing the video display when and where to perform CPR, the participants were given dummies to practice with.

Along with the rest of the class, I learned the proper rate to administer chest compressions to stimulate a steady heartbeat.  This simple technique can keep the person stable until help arrives to provide further treatment.

The class also covered how to properly assist adults and infants who are choking.  The dummies clearly highlighted the proper places to administer pressure so that the person choking will be able to regain the ability to breathe.  Joe instructed others on the amount of pressure to administer on a person based on their age and size.

The class was enlightening to all who attended it:  “Now I know what to do when someone is choking, and now I’ll be prepared,” said Maddy Bergstron.  Maddy decided to take the course after witnessing someone perform CPR on a child who was choking at a summer camp she had worked at the previous year.

The Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps offers CPR and other medical courses throughout the year.  CVAC can arrange classes for those who wish to learn proper CPR techniques. For those interested in learning more, email cvaccpr@gmail.com, to arrange for a class that can teach the skills that can double the chances of saving the life of a loved one.

Steven Bernstein graduated from Western New England University with a degree in Creative Writing.  He’s written and edited articles for Western New England University’s alumni magazine, “The Communicator.”  He taught creative writing at Duggan Middle School, and is currently a freelance writer for Inside Chappaqua.

New Castle Cares

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The skate park, bandapalooza, concerts at the train station.   All are hallmarks of the Coalition for Awareness, Responsibility, Education and Safety, commonly referred to as New Castle Cares.

In the 1990s, many towns in the nation were wrestling with a burgeoning issue – the need to create engaging activities for teens.  Recently retired middle school social worker Lyndall Boal recalled the birth of NC Cares in 1997:  “The town wanted to form a committee to provide alternatives for kids in New Castle to drugs and alcohol and to help the police department by providing opportunities for community service.”

Boal noted that there were many beneficial byproducts of the organization due to the equal participation of students and adults.  When students raised the idea of building a skate park, they designed and presented extensive blueprints to demonstrate its viability.  “They were treated with such deference and respect,” Boal said.  She also mentioned that a rise in self-esteem and grades was a frequent occurrence among the teens.

The group also provided a forum for kids who wanted to contribute to the community.  Jason Chapin, a current Town Board member and former liaison to NC Cares, related the story of one youth who started a computer bank.  Donations of computers were solicited, refurbished and given to fellow students.

Several factors contributed to the current dormant state of NC Cares:  Pleasantville’s decision to eliminate funding for the skatepark and the existence of other groups standing in the wings, ready to carry on its mission.  Teen Alliance, a very popular group in town, has seen its numbers rise dramatically in recent years.  There are also many viable clubs in the middle and high schools.  Chapin remains hopeful that NC Cares will undergo a renaissance.  He mentioned that although the skatepark is currently closed, it could conceivably be reopened in the future.

Hope’s Door Statement Regarding Local Domestic Violence Case

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hopesdoorThe story concerning the strangulation and subsequent death of Theresa Gorski of Sleepy Hollow is sad and tragic. Her husband, who had been charged with attempted murder, now faces a homicide charge. Justice in the courts may prevail for Theresa Gorski, but that will be small comfort to those who loved her – most importantly, her two young daughters, ages 5 and 8, who have lost their mother forever.

The advocates at Hope’s Door worked with 765 domestic violence victims and their children last year at our centers in Pleasantville, White Plains, and Ossining. Horrifically, 45% of the adult female victims we served had been strangled and an equal percentage had been sexually assaulted or coerced in their homes.

Home is where you should feel safe and protected. Hope’s Door is where you can go if you’re not. We strongly encourage your readers living with abuse to reach out to Hope’s Door or their local domestic violence agency for help in navigating a path to safety. There is little that we can do now for Theresa Gorski, but we can work together to keep other victims safe. Hope’s Door’s services are available 24-hours a day, free and confidentially, at 888-438-8700.

Senior Experience at Horace Greeley High School

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The final year of high school has not always been infused with a huge surge in engagement and scholarship.  Now, internships and projects facilitated by the Senior Experience at Greeley provide an exciting alternative for the final five weeks of the year.

The idea for this concept arose from the results of a survey conducted among the faculty.  Answers to the first question demonstrated that teachers were in favor of instituting a program which would maximize learning opportunities at the end of the year.  Over 30% of the respondents said they would volunteer to work on the idea.  Co-leader and Assistant Principal Andrew Corsilia noted that there was significant enthusiasm in the move to “operationalize the impulse to change.”   A pilot program was held in the spring of 2011.  27 students elected to participate in 2012 and 43 have applied for 2013.

An outstanding array of opportunities are available.  In 2011, Adam Ehrlich indicated that he was interested in a career in law enforcement.  A call to Youth Officer Corrado revealed the existence of the perfect program:  The Westchester Youth Academy.  Ehrlich participated in physical training and took courses in criminal justice.

Independent projects are another component of the Senior Experience.  Corsilia said that these are a viable option for “very responsible” students who demonstrate “a passion and expertise.”  In the class of 2012, Emma Pile expressed her interest in becoming a writer.  In preparation for composing her short story, she conducted extensive research, speaking with an expert in the field and visiting a school for children with autism.  An editor at the “New Yorker” suggested techniques for polishing the story.

Bruna Paranhos chose an internship at WSP Sells, a transportation engineering firm.  In her studies at Greeley, Paranhos recalled being intrigued by “the practical aspects of math and science.”  She found her stint at WSP Sells to be invaluable.  “It helped me to confirm my desire to be an engineer,” she said.

With an eye toward the future, Corisilia mentioned plans to expand the program.  “Ideally, we’d love to have 80% or more of the senior class doing it,” he said.  Corsilia also encouraged community members to offer internships to contribute to the education of students in the district.

 

Westchester Mothers Host a “26 Acts of Kindness” Dinner

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On Wednesday, December 19, Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester and Westchester Blogger StacyKnows hosted the #26 Acts of Kindness Dinner to commemorate the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Stacy Geisinger of StacyKnows.com invited 26 Westchester Mothers to a vigil and candle lighting ceremony held at Benjamin Steakhouse. Each of the 26 female attendees wrote down an act of kindness they were dedicated to and read them aloud during the vigil.

The dinner was inspired by Reporter Ann Curry’s social media campaign #26Acts. Ann Curry recently tweeted, “Imagine if all of us committed to 20 mitzvahs/acts of kindness to honor each child lost in Newtown. I’m in. If you are RT #20Acts.”

“I wanted to bring the #26Acts Social Media Campaign to life that Ann Curry started on Twitter,” said event organizer Kris Ruby of Ruby Media Group.

“I am thankful that we could come together as women and as mothers to commemorate such a terrible loss. When I heard about Ann Curry’s social media campaign #26 Acts of Kindness, I knew this was a great opportunity to pay it forward and keep the campaign moving to help others and raise money for the victims,” said blogger Stacy Geisinger.

Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester donated 26 meals to the family members of the victims lost. All proceeds from the evening were donated to The Sandy Hook School Support Fund. $1,828 was raised in donations for The Sandy Hook School Support Fund at the dinner. The donations were presented to honorary guest Robert Merola, Legislative Council Member of Newtown, CT.

“Our sympathies go out to the victims families and the entire Newtown community,” said Benjamin Steakhouse owner Benjamin Sinanaj.

On Wednesday, December 19, 2012, Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester and Westchester Blogger StacyKnows hosted the #26 Acts of Kindness Dinner to commemorate the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy. News correspondent Ann Curry joins #26 Acts of Kindness Vigil at Benjamin Steakhouse.