BY RONNI DIAMONDSTEIN AND ILLUSTRATED BY NAAVA KATZ
Nick Bruel
“Mid October: Haul tree out of basement because we’re bored and forgot to make plans for Columbus Day weekend. Next, spend afternoon looking for decorations in a box labeled ‘Xmas,’ but it’s behind another box labeled ‘broken lamp.’ Swear to family that the lights were not this tangled when I put them in the box last April. Go to CVS to buy new lights. Buy Batmobile ornament that hangs in office because it’s too good to share with the family. Go back to CVS because I forgot to buy lights. Plug in tree. Switch to outlet that works. That’s how we do it every year. And we like it just fine.”
Nick Bruel lives in Pleasantville and is the creator of the NY Times bestselling Bad Kitty series.
Ellen Byck
“Given being born on Thanksgiving, it has always been the most special holiday for me. The tradition of making everyone’s favorite dishes, setting a beautiful table and the scent of roasting turkey creates a warm and welcoming environment. As a child, we spent Thanksgiving at my aunt’s home, and she always had a birthday cake for me with sparklers. Music and singing after dinner was a given and my dad and uncle Sam would dance across the living room which brought lots of laughs from everyone.”
Ellen Byck lives in Chappaqua and works as a medical device sales representative for Abbott.
Rita Madonna Santelia
“Christmas Eve continues to bring my family together for an evening of family time, laughter, and Nonna Rosaria’s original, fresh seafood recipes. I remember, as a child, setting the huge Christmas table in the basement of our Brownstone in the Arthur Avenue section of the Bronx. Decades later, we resume our traditions, now alternating host houses yearly to accommodate 60! Mom continues to make seafood salad, bacala, and stuffed lobster to name a few of ‘the 7 fishes.’ Since moving to Chappaqua, we never miss St. John and Mary’s children’s mass with its pageant and beautifully simulated story about the birth of Jesus.”
Rita Madonna Santelia lives in Chappaqua. She is the mom of 5 and forever a teacher. She works at Grafflin Elementary School.
Cheryl Lynch
“The house feels warm and cozy, filled with love – 
my family, my sons, my cats, dogs, animals, and chickens in the barn. The trees are lit, cats lying underneath. The room is filled with beautifully decorated gifts and warmth. On Christmas morning we pick leftover herbs from the garden and start cooking. My mom is setting up the cookies. Ryan’s chopping in the kitchen, Jeffrey and my husband Jeff take care of the animals. Aromas fill the air, and the Lord is in our hearts as we await the family.”
Cheryl Lynch is a long-time resident of Armonk and owner of Cherylynn Salon.
Ronni Diamondstein is a journalist, photographer, retired school librarian and the author of Jackie and the Books She Loved. She lives in Chappaqua with her dog Maggie Mae. ronnidiamondstein.com
Naava Katz is an illustrator who lives with her family in Chappaqua. naavakatz.com
“Hatchet by Gary Paulsen had a strong impact on my life. This was one of the first books that gave me that feeling of wanting to read non-stop to find out what happened in the end. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. It jump-started my love of reading for the sense of adventure. The book delivered a great lesson on perseverance and the will to survive. It spoke to my spirit of being a problem solver and determination to succeed in the face of adversity.”
“When I was four, my older sister Alyssa taught me to read my first book, Kangaroo Stew. My sister infused within me the belief that I was limitless, even when I was diagnosed with an ocular condition that left me legally blind in one eye. My first book opened me to a world where I would regularly escape. I eventually became an English teacher. Now it was my turn – I opened up worlds through literature for hundreds of students. I have always thought that books are an imagination gateway.”
“I was never much of a reader even though I was really good at it. My mom was a kindergarten teacher, and I was surrounded by books. But I loved reading the encyclopedia. I loved the little snippets of information and distinctly recall reading about this stuff called ‘gold leaf.’ So apropos as I am a professional picture framer who deals in gilded gold leaf frames every single day. So, there you have it. Catcher in the Rye. Nope. How to Win Friends and Influence People. Nope. Funk and Wagnalls. You bet.”
“During these difficult times, I find it important to focus on myself. I hope that doesn’t sound selfish, but I think taking care of my physical and emotional wellbeing is a necessity these days. I try to set aside time to do just that, whether it is working out, taking a walk, or just having a cup of tea.”
“When at Miller House, imagining the embattled colonial soldiers recovering under the shade of the sycamore tree, I feel it’s my duty to honor their sacrifices by choosing peace of mind and happiness in the present moment.”
“Peace isn’t the absence of conflict but rather the presence of grace.
“There are things that I can control and things that I can’t. Rather than force a solution, I try to allow myself enough time to determine what I can control and then on to what action I can take.”
“In spring, I love walking through town to see the magnificent array of flowering trees. April is National Poetry Month and I draw inspiration from a book of Richard Wright’s haiku poems illustrated by photographer Nina Crews, called Seeing Into Tomorrow. While walking around, I take photos of the clear blue skies and newly vibrant trees to pair with poems from the book.”
“As temperatures moderate and days grow longer, I love seeing nature’s awakening as the trees grow their leaves, flowers bloom and birds return and begin to chirp. Going for walks with my wife, Madeline, and my dog, Carmella, are a family favorite to soak in the natural beauty that surrounds us in Chappaqua. And, there is no better way to mark the end of spring than marching with CVAC at Chappaqua’s Memorial Day Parade.”
“The thing I enjoy most about spring in Chappaqua is participating in Community Clean Up Day. It gives me a sense of pride to help beautify the community.”
