Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
Due to the weather forecast, the Armonk Car Show will be held Friday, July 19, in downtown Armonk starting at 5pm. Tomorrow’s concert, 1 Stop Pony Band, will still be on Thursday, July 18, but will be held at the North Castle Library’s Whippoorwill Hall.
SCHEDULE
By Grace Bennett
June 12, 2019, Armonk, NY–Colorful accolades and honorary plaques were presented to four exemplary community firefighters by fellow firefighters and by Elks leader James Comstock of the Mid-Westchester Elks Lodge #535. Last year the Elks honored police officers; this year the focus was on recognizing the contributions of outstanding firefighters.
Dozens of Elks members together with family and friends gathered to honor the recipients and enjoy the lovely ceremony and a delicious home cooked dinner–all of which took place during the 2019 First Responders Appreciation Awards Dinner at the Armonk American Legion Post 1097.
The honorees were called up in the order of most years of service. Ex Chief Mitch Sime, for 62 years of service with the Armonk Fire Department, received the honor for his immense dedication to the department and for his guidance and leadership to numerous firefighters spanning decades of his professional and big-hearted service.
Next, Armonk Fire Department’s firefighter Buddy Schultz, was honored for 52 years of service and called “another staple in our community, a huge asset to the firehouse, a top daytime ambulance driver who ensures people receive life-saving care in a timely manner. Not only is he a firefighter but also serves as a commissioner too to make sure the firehouse runs smoothly.” Firefighter Schultz was also described as one of the department’s top drivers and trainers. “He makes sure everyone stays safe in the process.”
A decorated Marine and 3rd generation firefighter, 1st Lt. William Sullivan, Jr., of the Portchester Fire Department, was honored for his 50 years of service, and also for his many public service and educational accomplishments–including being a nationally certified fire instructor and investigator. After fighting the North Vietnamese army in the Marine unit, Delta Company one Battalion Five, for 10 months and nine days, Sullivan was wounded three times in combat. Following honorable discharges, he became the recipient of two Purple Hearts. His public service includes being the last founding member of the Westchester Fire Emerald Society Pipe & Drum, which escorted the recipients into the lodge (and who later performed Amazing Grace).
A fourth honoree, Richard Constantino, a firefighter for the City of White Plains, “currently oversees medical equipment inventory and deployment as well as communicating EMS protocols,” related a fellow firefighter who said the award was forthcoming after Constantino “was instrumental in two life-saving actions” including ones involving stabilizing a young adult following a drug overdose and another, saving the life of a 4-year-old child with CPR following a food choking incident. “He is a positive role model and mentor for his children as well as for the firefighters he works with.”
Prior to the awards, Elks leader Anthony Gilberti explained the role the Elks play in U.S. history. These honors took place just two days before June 14, the formal, national observation of Flag Day. The Elks is the nation’s only fraternal body to formally observe Flag Day, he said. After explaining the evolution of the U.S. Flag, Gilberti read that “upon its scrolls is written the story of Americans, the epic, the mightiest, and noblest of all history.”
Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Inside Press, Inc.
Byram Hills Central School District Superintendent Jen Lamia shared a few details about today’s walkout of over 200 Byram Hills High School students. She described the walkout as being “in response to the Parkland tragedy.”
“Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tim Kaltenecker informed me the kids released 17 balloons when they said the names of the victims,” said Lamia.
She relayed that the students at the high school organized the event with the building principal Chris Walsh. “The students gathered outside the front doors of the school and were reflective, quiet, and respectful,” she said.
“Some students spoke the names of the students from Parkland. A few others spoke about supporting safety in schools. Overall, our students care about making a difference in the world and are very thoughtful about how they hope to do it!”
Lamia was on a board visitation to the H.C. Crittenden Middle School at the time of the Walkout; Deputy Superintendent Dr. Kaltenecker was at the high school.
At the middle school, students had organized a sit-in and spent their time writing acts of kindness on index cards. “The event at the middle school was also run by students—completely–and they were fantastic,” Lamia added. “Our kids are a gift.”
While not a student-organized event, per se (“Developmentally, the kids are too young,” said Lamia), at Wampus Elementary School, the teachers engaged the children in acts of kindness activities.
By Molly Alexander
On Business Park Drive, the sun shone brightly and visitors either strolled or boarded a complimentary shuttle bus all eager to arrive at the North Castle Community Park for the 56th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show (AOAS) on September 23 and 24. With over 300 volunteers, more than 185 artists and excited attendees from near and far, this award-winning fine art and fine crafts show served as a warm and welcoming family attraction.
Corporate sponsors including Equinox, Houlihan Lawrence, Northern Westchester Hospital, and White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness offered info and demonstrations. Family Activities sponsors included the Harvey School, First Five Learn and Play and the Neuberger Museum of Art provided wonderful activities for children of all ages. Silver corporate sponsors included William Raveis, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Framings. For a full listing of sponsors, visit armonkoutdoorartshow.org.
Show-goers meandered through rows and rows of art ranging from crafts, sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, handbags and clothing. Each tent had a unique artistic treasure inside. “It’s very interesting how all the artists are from everywhere; all around the country,” an attendee commented. “Every piece of art is different.”
Awards were also presented to artists in seven categories and there were two additional special awards with $1000 prizes. The Alan C. Solomon Best of Show Prize went to honor the artist who “exemplifies creativity, artistic talent and mastery in his/her artwork across all artistic categories.” It was awarded to Bounkhong Signavong, the founder of Lao Design. The Sylvia Rogers Best New Artist Prize “to attract new artists to the AOAS and recognize the talent and imagination of up and coming artists,” was awarded to Cuban born Enrique Miralles, who exhibited a powerful collection of dry point etchings.
The weather on both days was absolutely gorgeous, if a bit toasty and kept guests sipping on iced drinks to keep cool and partaking in delicious foods from area vendors. It offered a day of exploration for all with many visitors picking up original pieces of art wear, paintings, and sculptures created in a variety of mediums to treasure for many years to come. If you missed this event, come next year when the 57th annual AOAS will be held on September 29 and 30.
Story & Top Photos By Molly Alexander
The final Third Thursday on August 17 in Armonk was the first of its kind: a unique circus extravaganza featuring immensely talented and expertly trained performers. Armonk Square was the setting for an event with a distinct town fair feeling as cheerful, hard working Westchester Circus Arts staff spent hours engaging hundreds of residents and visitors alike–bringing to the Square magicians, performers on stilts, and most mesmerizing of all, the main event: the company’s highly elegant and sometimes gasp-producing aerial performances.
Attendees also enjoyed a tightrope walking workshop, a chance to watch jugglers and generally to experience pure magic as kids and grown-ups eutger danced near Main Street too at the front of the Square while humming or singing along to a festive lineup of 80s, 90s and contemporary favorites by the three-member band, Vinyl Countdown.
From their Tarrytown, N.Y. location, Westchester Circus Arts has five awesome instructors and teaches classes to the general public. Inside the Square, WCA staff used a hoop, trapeze, silks, and more to capture their audience’s imagination and attention! With the trapeze hanging from four sturdy posts, attendees applauded and cheered as Westchester Circus Arts’ best performers and instructors quite simply, wowed the crowd.
The intricate moves were flawless and had some viewers staying on or returning back to the Square to catch additional performances. Each performer showed off her best routines for about five minutes, with shows starting at 5:30 and continuing every half hour or so.
Each Third Thursday has been a true success each with its own unique charms and offerings, according to Robby Morris, one of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce’s organizers of the event. “It’s really amazing how much the whole community gets involved, and how there’s a dedicated community working within the community.”
Indeed, walking into the small Square in downtown Armonk on a Third Thursday has started to feel like entering a circus tent, as live music carries cheerful vibes into the air and the sounds of laughter and a community coming together is heard and celebrated.
Families have ventured out for a chalk art contest, a chili cook-off and a classic car show through the streets of Armonk, all hosted by the Chamber. Stacy Wilder, the Director of Communications, said Third Thursday is a town favorite and attendance peaked thanks to the wonderful street performers adding to an impressive grand finale on a ‘final Third Thursday’ night in Armonk.
The reviews for Third Thursday attendees have been uniformly positive. Offered Armonk resident Michelle Savage, who has attended several of the events: “From the live music, to the balloons and to the face painting, this is why we love living here.” Get excited for the coming events this fall and winter! To 
keep up with what’s planned, visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com
Molly Alexander, a rising Senior in the LIFE School at Horace Greeley High School, is an intern for Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines.
Additional Photos to the left and below by Grace Bennett/Inside Press
