The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Past Happenings

Chappaqua Rallies Against Distracted Driving

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Ben Lieberman, co-founder of DORCs, moderates a panel on Police Protocol and crash investigation with Joseph A. McCormack, Esq., Chief of Vehicular Crimes Bureau; Bronx District Attorney’s Office; and Sergeant Anthony Mendez, Delaware State Police, Crash Investigation Unit.
Ben Lieberman, co-founder of DORCs, moderates a panel on Police Protocol and crash investigation with Joseph A. McCormack, Esq., Chief of Vehicular Crimes Bureau; Bronx District Attorney’s Office; and Sergeant Anthony Mendez, Delaware State Police, Crash Investigation Unit.

While the New York Distracted Driving Summit drew panelists and spectators from all over the country, Chappaqua was front and center. The event was held at the Westchester Medical Center and along with WMC, the summit was hosted by AT&T, DORCs (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) and Stop Distractions.

Ben Lieberman, a long time Chappaqua resident and co-founder of DORCs, said, “There have been conferences that warn of the dangers of distracted driving but we wanted to move toward the next level of how to solve the problem. In general, we all accept that this is dangerous behavior, but the problem is growing with our dependence on Smartphone technology and the need to stay connected.”

Lieberman was the moderator on a panel addressing Police Protocol and Crash Investigations.

Deborah Becker, the other co-founder of DORCs, who has also lived in Chappaqua for many years, presided over a panel on “How To Reach Teens.” Sasha Byck, a Horace Greeley High School senior, represented the students exceptionally well. When asked about her role at the conference Sasha said, “This is the first year where driving and texting related deaths have surpassed the amount of deaths due to drunk driving. It is imperative that we as students, parents, and adults crack down on this issue before it continues to grow.”

A simulator was on hand to grade drivers while they engaged in distractive behavior.
A simulator was on hand to grade drivers while they engaged in distractive behavior.

Other panels and experts included representatives from the media for a discussion on the media’s role in solving this problem. Speakers came from many areas such as Governor Cuomo’s office, National Highway Traffic Safety Authority and even a video message from Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Obama cabinet member.

The full day’s event can be seen on www.dorcs.org

 

 

(L-R): Ed Bergstraesser (external affairs director, AT&T) Sasha Byck, HGHS student and leader of S.A.D.D., Students Against Destructive Decisions) Beverly Pierce, MA, LCSW, CASAC, CPP, Program Administrator/Supervisor, Student Assistance Services, and Deborah Becker (Moderator and Co-founder DORCs)
(L-R): Ed Bergstraesser (external affairs director, AT&T) Sasha Byck, HGHS student and leader of S.A.D.D., Students Against Destructive Decisions) Beverly Pierce, MA, LCSW, CASAC, CPP, Program Administrator/Supervisor, Student Assistance Services, and Deborah Becker (Moderator and Co-founder DORCs)

New Castle… Yours, Mine, and Ours

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nc-meetingby Eileen Gallagher

THE place to be on Wednesday evening was Bell, as a large crowd of residents came together with at least one thing in common: their love of New Castle.  Likened to a traditional “town hall” gathering by one of the attendees, this public outreach event had both new and seasoned community members coming together with a united goal– to make New Castle the best town it can be.

“Why Do You Love New Castle,” set on a colorful display in the middle school’s auditorium, invited residents to brag about their town via “Post-it” note comments. “Great schools,” “small town feeling,” “friendly community,” and “involved citizenry” were among several observations conveying the pride and affection felt by many.

This first of four sessions officially kicked off the master plan undertaking, an 18-24 month process, and appeared well received by the 75 or so participants. As both new and seasoned residents checked in (no pre-registration required), they were given an agenda with one of five random group assignments.

Tiffany Zezula of the Pace Land Use Law Center opened the evening with a brief orientation, setting out the “ground rules” of group discussion. In order to accurately record everyone’s responses which will be compiled by Pace and submitted as a report to the town, Zezula encouraged creativity, courtesy, patience, and open mindedness. The groups gladly complied.

nc-meeting2Zezula, John Nolon, and three other Pace staff members each filled several easel pages with the attributes, negatives, and suggestions for improvement regarding the environment, housing, infrastructure, public service, and commercial development of New Castle. Residents across the board had both praise and criticism, and, as observed in one group, benefited a great deal from the experience of those living in town as long as 60 years. Sabrina Charney Hull, the town planner, and board members Adam Brodsky, Jason Chapin, Lisa Katz, and  Supervisor Rob Greenstein individually observed a sampling of each room’s discussions.

As the evening wound down, Maud Bailey of the steering committee remarked, “Tonight was about visions, not necessarily where the barriers are — it’s all about the big picture.”  Pleased with the success of the event, Greenstein observed the “incredible display of community engagement.” Praising the experience of Pace, he concluded, “they lived up to their reputation.”

A Fond “Look Back” at the Westchester Christmas Dinner

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Volunteers come from all over Westchester County.
Volunteers come from all over Westchester County.

By Anna Bennett

When we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget that not everyone has the resources to purchase gifts for multiple family members or to gather all the ingredients needed to prepare a hot, festive meal for the day. Such “givens” are so easily taken for granted. So it was heartening and enlightening to learn about and actually witness the “Westchester Christmas Dinner.”

This past Christmas day, as has been the tradition for 20 years, over 300 of our neighbors in need arrived via pre-arranged transportation to a welcoming St. Mary’s Parish in Katonah, to relax and enjoy a truly unique community-wide event. One of the event coordinators Licia Sandberg, said, “One of the main reasons I’m here is to teach my two sons what it means to give back.”

With team captains covering every aspect of the event from clothing and toy donations to volunteer coordination, this was a Christmas Dinner that had heart. Along with a delicious buffet meal, the venue was filled with entertainment, including DJ’s and various stations, like a “Rainbow Loom” activity for children, and a room filled with elves diligently wrapping gifts.

A colossal effort is needed to stage such an enormous production; the event requires hundreds of volunteers and hefty donations from both individuals and merchants. Perhaps one of the most charitable, intimate features of the dinner is that of gifting. Prior to the dinner, volunteer “elves” are designated a table, and take individual gift orders from the guests. After taking information about the guests’ needs, the elves proceed to a gift-wrapping room, where they select the best-fit presents. Adults are given assorted clothing items, and children are given both clothing and toys and other kinds of gifts. Thus, needy children can receive more than the bare minimum for survival, as would a more fortunate child.

The Blumenfelds of Chappaqua have made volunteering at this event an annual family tradition.
The Blumenfelds of Chappaqua have made volunteering at this event an annual family tradition.

The Blumenfeld family of Chappaqua was among the elves at work: “This is our sixth year volunteering,” said Susan Blumenfeld. “Ever since our first time, we decided that Christmas would be a day of giving back. It’s very rewarding.” Like the Blumenfelds, many families return year after year for that humbling and life affirming effect of giving back to those considerably less well off. As one might expect in its 20th year running, the event ran smoothly and radiant smiles were painted across the faces of hundreds of guests and volunteers alike.

According to multiple volunteers, Chappaqua’s Dawn Greenberg (owner of Aurora boutique) was to be commended for her valuable contributions and outstanding performance collecting food from an array of restaurants, not to mention her personal last-minute shopping for extra clothing.  Stated Dawn: “Crabtree’s Kittle House and Quaker Hill always give tremendous amounts of stuffing and sweet potatoes. Le Jardin du Roi and Susan Lawrence were new this year and equally generous. Altogether, we had food contributions from 70 restaurants in northern Westchester. Many thanks to all the callers and drivers who joined us from Chappaqua this year. And to folks who donated gifts and dollars for new clothing.”

Hope Mazzola, the joyful, hard-working “head elf,” confirmed that following the completion of this year’s dinner, planning for the next dinner will soon be underway. If you would like to get involved (or even just donate), the event’s website, westchesterchristmas.org, describes the many opportunities available and provides all of the information you might need.

A mom and her three boys enjoying the Westchester Christmas Dinner festivities
A mom and her three boys enjoying the Westchester
Christmas Dinner festivities

Anna Bennett, a long time contributor to Inside Chappaqua Magazine, is graduating in May from University of Massachusets in Amherst. She is also job hunting for a position maximizing her considerable writing, communications and social media skills. Write to her at annabennett13@gmail.com.

Stage and Screen Actor John Bedford Lloyd to Emcee Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCC) Benefi

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on Saturday, September 22 at 7 p.m Acclaimed film, television, and Broadway actor John Bedford Lloyd will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the MKCC’s 8th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening. The event will be held at Ivanna Farms in Bedford Corners . Proceeds from Feed Me Fresh will provide invaluable scholarship assistance to children enrolled at MKCCC.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Lloyd as our emcee for what we anticipate will be an extraordinary event,” said MKCCC Executive Director, Dottie Jordan. “This year’s Feed Me Fresh promises to be the most fun-packed evening of the year and we are pleased to share it with an esteemed actor and fellow Westchester resident.”

Katonah resident John Bedford Lloyd will serve as Master of Ceremonies at Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s 8th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening

Mr. Lloyd will join the Center in honoring Frances and Isidoro Albanese and Dr. Curtis Beusman for their continuous dedication to the community. The Albanese’s are the husband and wife team behind Mount Kisco eateries Bellizzi and Frannie’s Goodie Shop, while Dr. Beusman is the founder of both Curtis Instruments and Saw Mill Club.

“I’m delighted to join in celebrating those who have contributed so generously to one of the country’s premier child care and early education centers,” said Mr. Lloyd. “Child care is essential to families in our own backyard as well as to the community at large. MKCCC’s exceptional programs ensure children are receiving top-notch care and education, allowing families to maintain employment.”

Feed Me Fresh features gourmet food from a number of the best restaurants and farms in the area, an open bar, a wine tasting, live music, plenty of space to mingle and relax, as well as auctions and raffles.  The evening will end with dessert and dancing.

A longtime Katonah resident, John Bedford Lloyd has acted in a number of films including Bourne Supremacy, Philadelphia, The Manchurian Candidate, Crossing Delancey, Nixon, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. This fall, he will portray Supreme Court Justice Byron “Whizzer” White in Stephen Frears’ HBO film Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight alongside Christopher Plummer, Frank Langella, and Danny Glover.

Mr. Lloyd has appeared on Broadway in Some Americans Abroad, The Rainmaker, Tartuffe, and at Carnegie Hall in Showboat. His television credits includeJohn Adams, The Bronx is Burning, Blue Bloods, Suits, and PAN AM. He was nominated for a Screen Actor’s Guild Award for his role in Remember WENNand is currently in the USA Network miniseries Political Animals.

Mr. Lloyd also volunteers with Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), a theatre outreach program operating inside New York State prisons.

Mr. Lloyd has lived in Katonah for 25 years where he and his wife, Anne, raised their daughters, Hannah and Elizabeth.

For information about tickets, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.mkccc.org or contact Dottie Jordan at 914.241.2135.

About Mount Kisco Child Care Center:

MKCCC is located at 95 Radio Circle, Mount Kisco, NY and is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, NAEYC-accredited childcare facility that has served the working families of Northern Westchester and Putnam County since 1971. MKCCC provides exceptional and affordable, early-care and education to a diverse group of 160 children, three months to twelve years. The Center is distinguished by a world-class, custom-designed facility, loving, dedicated teachers, and unique and innovative programs.

Friends of Karen Takes a “Journey of the Heart”

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On September 21, 22 riders will mount their bikes and pedal off for a weekend in the late-summer countryside. But here’s the difference: each rider’s inspiration is a critically-ill child.  This is the 8th Annual Journey of the Heart, a three-day 150-mile bike tour that covers back roads of Orange and Dutchess counties as well as West Point and Storm King Art Center.  It’s organized by Friends of Karen, a charity that provides emotional, financial and advocacy support to families in the Metro New York region caring for a child with a life-threatening illness.

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but cancer has no calendar or age boundaries,” says Judith Factor, Executive Director of Friends of Karen. “Right now we are helping to sustain over 500 children and their families annually during the most difficult and frightening time of their lives.  No family should have to face cancer alone.”

Each Journey of the Heart rider commits to at least a $2,500 sponsorship and is assigned a Friends of Karen sick child, including a photo and some background information.  The child’s battle with cancer or another critical illness can motivate the rider to keep going when the going gets tough. Lawyer Alan Dubow explains why he participates: “The smiling faces of the children and their families which show their appreciation for the assistance they receive from Friends of Karen during life’s most harrowing experience.  With every ounce of energy expended and every dollar raised, I know our efforts are truly valuable.”

Last year’s Journey of the Heart raised over $150,000 for Friends of Karen children and their families.  Pedaling off on September 21, this year’s event has a few places left.  For information, contact Gwen Salmo 914-617-4051 or GwenSalmo@FriendsOfKaren.org   To find out more about Friends of Karen, visit www.FriendsOfKaren.org