The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Scoop

Spreading Holiday Cheer

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PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

As we embrace the holiday season, there’s no better time to celebrate the arts in all forms. The creative spirit that fills the air brings people together through music, theater, visual arts, and more – reminding us of the beauty and connection that art inspires.

Growing up the arts played a significant role in my life. Whether it was through film (my family loves the movies), art (my mother was a ceramic artist), or theater (my father was and still is a Broadway theater producer) we always appreciated the joy, beauty, and purpose of the arts.

As an adult, I can’t get enough live music, love a good comedy show, and I’ve turned my passion for the arts into a career – starting with a long run in television production and now in publishing – embracing photography, writing, magazine layout and design, and much more.

In these issues we dive into the arts full force!

We take a behind the scenes look at the world-famous Carnegie Hall with Ella Ilan where we meet the General Manager of Artistic Operations, Anna Weber. Anna is a long-time Armonk resident and has devoted herself to the service of music and musicians. She leads the planning and implementation of the 700 concerts and events that take place at Carnegie Hall.

Stacey Pfeffer gives us a look into what makes Westchester County such a draw for shooting films and television shows. There are many fabulous locations close to NYC, and it is a huge, viable revenue stream that maybe we’ll see more of our favorite shows shoot closer to home!

Briarcliff  local Bill Gorlin – Structural and theatrical engineer – has worked at every Broadway theatre in NYC using engineering principles to design and develop safe, functional, and creative sets over his 25+ successful year career.

Our own, Grace Bennett, shares her first-hand experience participating in a workshop at Arc Stages in Pleasantville. She has been embracing and enjoying the art of improvisational comedy and the focus, and fun that comes with performing live.

Pamela Brown introduces us to the co-owners of Chappaqua Creative Arts (CCA). Charley & Carmel Riggs offer a range of theatrical classes to both children and adults in a creative, warm and encouraging space for participants to feel free to express their passions.

We highlight local painter, Rich Hanlon from Pleasantville, sculptor Heather Maione and painter Amy Shaw both from Chappaqua and much more in these issues.

We are showcasing creativity in our towns, trying to spark dialogue, and share stories because art is the heartbeat of culture – it challenges, inspires, and brings us together in ways that nothing else can.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s a time of celebration and reflection. Take a moment to pause and appreciate the arts – go to a museum, take in a show, or catch a concert.

Or try something new. This one is a favorite of mine! Check-out 54below.org – An unforgettable cabaret-style, dinner theater, nightlife experience featuring legendary artists in an elegant living-room like setting.

Remember to shine a light on the arts this season and celebrate the power of creative expression.

Have a happy and safe holiday season!

Here’s to a wonderful 2025!

Elise

Autumn Vibes

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I hope you’re all embracing every last bit of summer – enjoying vacations, time with your family and creating unforgettable memories.

As the warm, sunny days of summer gradually give way to the crisp, cooler ones of fall, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new season. This time of year, brings a unique blend of excitement and nostalgia. The air is filled with the promise of change and for many it’s a season of renewed focus and a time to press the reset button.

Our back-to-school issue is brimming with inspiration and practical advice to help you, and your family navigate this season with confidence and enthusiasm. From tips on creating effective study routines to the importance of regular sleep habits to an essay written by Pleasantville’s beloved author Ben Cheever about how kids should get back to nature and spend less time on their screens.

A visit to the enchanting grounds of Caramoor this summer had me thinking what a special place this must be in the fall, as the leaves are changing. Ella Ilan takes us behind the scenes of this hidden gem with interviews from key players. Make sure to put it on your ‘to do’ list to catch an event or have a picnic and take a stroll. Also, Ronni Diamondstein shares a touching tribute about the beloved Richard Lange, a well-known pillar in the Chappaqua community.

Deborah Raider Notis shares a wonderful story about Pleasantville’s Superwoman and Mount Pleasant’s County Legislator, Margaret Cunzio. A nod to our back-to-school theme as Margaret graduated from Byram Hills and grew up in Armonk. She has remained local and wears more hats than you can imagine. Margaret is a firefighter in Thornwood, an animal activist, on the Westchester Board of Legislators, and this is the tip of the iceberg.

In the spirit of Back-to-School, I was fortunate enough to speak with Byram Hills alum and celebrity actor, David Harbour, of the Netflix series Stranger Things. He grew up right here in Armonk, and it was fascinating to learn about his journey to success.

Ella Ilan also shares the story of Byram Hills High School’s latest accolades as the number one ranked high school in Westchester County. First-time contributor Ashley Stangel brings us an informative and motivating story about the success of the Growth and Awareness Group for Alzheimer’s – commonly known as GAGA.

As we embark on this new chapter, let’s remember that each season brings its own set of opportunities and challenges. Fall invites us to reflect, to learn, and to grow. It’s a time to set new goals, rekindle old passions, and make cherished memories with friends and loved ones.
Thank you for joining The Inside Press on this journey. We hope this issue inspires you to welcome the season with open arms and an open heart.

Here’s to a fantastic fall and a successful start to the school year!


— Elise

Off The Record…

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PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

Here I am – writing my first The Inside Scoop for Inside Press. Elise Trainor is taking off the training wheels! Having spent many years in the media and advertising world, I’m excited to take these skills and enter the fast paced, creative, and ever-changing business of publishing.

My family and I have lived in Armonk for 23 years and I’m still learning more about our vibrant community and the surrounding towns every day. I intend to highlight as many extraordinary people and events as I can and will always be open to new ideas.

As I reflect on the past three months, I’d like to express my gratitude to the exceptionally gifted Grace Bennett. Grace has had tremendous patience while imparting her invaluable wisdom about the publishing business. It is an honor learning from someone who has inspired, informed, and entertained her readers for 21 years. So, a heartfelt thanks to Grace and to the entire talented Inside Press team – Lisa Samkoff, art director; Ryan Smith, host at insidepress.com; and Tara Madden, account manager. Here’s to our continued success together in the years to come.

To our many remarkable contributors: Your hard work, creativity, and dedication have made my start at The Inside Press exceptional. From thought-provoking articles to stunning visuals, your contributions enrich our publications and provide our readers with engaging content that goes beyond expectations. To our advertisers: We can’t do it without you, and I’m enjoying getting to know each of you personally.

To our moms, dads, & grads – this one is for you! Celebrate the season and be mindful to cherish, appreciate, and connect with your loved ones.

Family is everything!

A special shout out to my mom and dad, whose support knows no bounds. To my kids who make me a proud mom every day. And to my husband – who makes the journey of life full of laughs. Much love and many thanks to you all!

The Little Hamlet that Could

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Beth Besen
Beth Besen

What’s in a Name?

ChappaQUAlity. Seemingly, the overarching reason we all move here is built right into our town’s very name. Ask anyone what they cherish about Chappaqua and you’ll likely hear some version of the American dream. Outstanding schools, pastoral beauty, small town vibe and values within commuting distance of big city lights.

Certainly, that was my husband’s and my thinking when we moved here nearly 20 years ago. Having grown up in Westchester, he already knew it as a great place to be a kid. And so, the thinking followed, why not follow suit with our own? We looked at a handful of communities, but chose Chappaqua for its pretty woodsy vistas and CHArmingly QUAint village appeal. Little did we know then the many ways it would come to spell home.

Noteworthy Education

There are a great many ways to define and determine “quality.” At this time of year, it’s natural to think about it in terms of our esteemed schools and children’s education. June graduation means mortar boards tossed high and pomp-and-circumstance celebrations. But it stands for so much more. Students work extraordinarily hard in this town. Parents and teachers do too. And, while college may be the ultimate goal for most (HGHS graduates regularly gain entry to many of this nation’s finest universities), the years upon years of committed focus are also about the learning process, and the students’ ability to synthesize knowledge while moving it and themselves forward in the world.

Without doubt, there are many distinguished scholars among us, but a handful of local men and women take that distinction to the very highest level. Remarkably, given our town’s size and relatively small population, Chappaqua is home to no less than five Rhodes Scholars. We profile each, and invite you to feel proud by association as you read about them and their many fine accomplishments in Chappaqua’s Rhodes Scholars.

A Caring Community

Our cover story is another testament to quality; quality of character. The photo captures former President Bill Clinton at the Tina’s Wish Global Women’s Award evening. Guest-of-honor Clinton, recognized for his outstanding contributions to global healthcare through the Clinton Foundation, gave a passionate acceptance speech in which he praised founder Andy Brozman and all involved in Tina’s Wish for their tremendous efforts in the funding of, and research leading to, early detection of ovarian cancer. As a woman, as a cancer survivor myself and as the mother of a daughter, I am both moved by and appreciative of the vital importance of 
this work and the incredible people who are involved.

Also tremendously inspiring, the American Cancer Society’s emotional Relay for Life, held annually at Horace Greeley High School. The goal of the event is to raise funds for, and awareness of, the many ways this devastating disease invades lives regardless of gender, culture, age or other qualifiers. But it is the event itself, and the many ways the community comes together for it, that takes this particular fundraiser from ordinary to extraordinary. A celebration of survival and salute to hope, Relay is, as well, a memorial to beloved family members, friends and neighbors taken too soon. Ready, Set, Relay gives us an Inside look at the quality thinking, effort and goodwill that goes into the making this impactful event for a worthwhile cause.

YouthQUAkingly Awesome

When it comes to health, our physical well-being is but part of the equation. Mental and social health, too, are critically important to living a full and balanced life. Helping to make this possible for the ever-increasing number of children (and, by extension, their families) diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are five of the most engaging eighth-grade boys I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Collectively, they’re known as the Robobenders. And, together with their parent-mentors, they’ve developed an internationally recognized iPhone App that helps those on the spectrum to decode facial expressions and related underlying emotions. What’s My Face might very well help make the neuro-typical world become an easier place for ASD others.

Want more? How about a group of local teens who, instead of dreaming about making it big someday are already entrepreneurial forces to be reckoned with? Chappaqua Teens Start It Up shows us all how quality work and a can-do attitude translate to market-place success in today’s competitive work environment.

Good Things, Small Packages

When John Cougar Mellencamp sings Small Town, I always smile to myself and picture ours. I see the gazebo, where, speaking of music, we gather mid-week in summer to enjoy the al fresco Concert Series. I recall one of my first images of Chappaqua, the train station; an iconic part of downtown and soon the site of the much-anticipated new restaurant, Chappaqua Station Farm to Town. And I note our town merchants’ welcoming shop windows, like those of long-standing Family Britches, which add distinction to our downtown area and provide a pretty backdrop while we meet up with friends to grab a bite, share a moment and shop local.

We’ve all heard that ‘good things come in small packages.’ ChappaQUAlity over quantity. That’s us.

May Flowers

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Beth Besen
Beth Besen

May. It’s a month we all know and love for flowers (thank you, April Showers), and know and love too for that special day each year when many of us bring or send those flowers to Mom! Yes, May is famous for our celebration of flowers and women.

Maybe it all starts with celebratory flowers when baby is born. Before long, those babes are starfish-fingered pre-schoolers earnestly drawing flowers with fat crayons and all their love. Mommy is their world. A little older, a little more independent, elementary school-aged children and pre-teens still sign their cards with hearts and flowers. But they’re, perhaps, a little more careful when they color, trying hard to stay inside the lines on their construction paper while testing lines and boundaries elsewhere. Mom may be cool one day, annoying the next. Teen years are a challenge for most parents–forget flowers, moms are often just grateful to be given the time of day! But, come college and after, smiles return. And so do the flowers.

From my slightly clichéd meditations on motherhood, to others’ somewhat more provocative inferences regarding women and flowers, connections between the two abound. Christian Dior is quoted as saying After women, flowers are the most divine creations. And who has not blushed, even slightly, at 
Georgia O’Keeffe’s resplendently 
feminine floral paintings? Extending the metaphor, I suggest you think of this issue of Inside Chappaqua as a hothouse for exceptionally beautiful blooms! Yes, the women we highlight are each unique and special. They’re mothers, daughters, sisters, wives. They’re friends, they’re co-workers, they’re inspirational yet often very humble about all they’ve done and all they do.

In fact, speaking of Georgias, our cover girl is none other than Georgia Hobaica Frasch. Known to many as the behind-the-scenes face of the Chappaqua Moms facebook group, Georgia sits down in her beautifully restored, turn-of-the-last-century home with none other than our very own Grace Bennett. These two powerhouse women discuss and dish all, from Georgia’s humble childhood to her fashionista career to her busy life here in the ‘burbs. Talk about an Inside story!

As powerful women go, few can keep up with Robin Murphy! A wearer of many hats, she’s a whirlwind of activity; tending her children or her upstate home’s animals, supervising her cleaning industry staff and, lately, overseeing the busy weekly orders of the Wholeshare Group she founded. In fact, I barely caught Robin in time to make this issue’s deadline–she was busy as usual; this time, she explained with much joy, leaving for her first real vacation in over ten years!

The list continues with the incomparable Varda Singer. A longtime resident and business owner, Varda is as well-known for her distinctive personal beauty and style as she is for her stylish and beautiful jewelry designs and welcoming boutique. We share her story, photos and some mom wisdom too–A mom is a mom forever. Your children depend on you whether they’re three years old or forty years old.–in a profile piece you simply won’t want to miss.

We also meet New Castle’s new Historical Society Executive Director, Cassie Ward. Cassie comes to us from National Park Services in Washington DC and Virginia’s 400-acre Longbranch Plantation. What’s more, she comes with an engaging enthusiasm and passion to energize the NCHS with new and exciting ideas for community projects and involvement.

Often the most moving stories resonate because they come from a place we can all relate to–a need fulfilled. One such remarkable tale is that of Girl AGain, the brainstorm boutique born of Marjorie Madfis’s desire to help her autistic daughter find happiness, comfort and learning. Modeled on the American Girl Doll store in Manhattan, it’s a very special place for those with special needs.

What else? Plenty! Let’s not forget that May is also the month in which we honor the men and women who serve and have served our country. The stars and stripes fly high above marchers and wave proudly from sidelines during Chappaqua’s Memorial Day Parade. The annual event boasts famous names and service corps members, school bands, scout troops and others. It’s always a great day to come on down to town and show community support and spirit in addition to national patriotism.

Another highlight–Penny Vane, beloved by so many and from such wide and varied circles, is also remembered and celebrated with stories and photos that share her vibrant life with the rest of us here in town.

Speaking of memorial observances, I too pause and reflect as this holiday approaches. Two years ago, I lost my father right after Memorial Day. A veteran, as well as a man who fought a brilliant fight against the horribly debilitating disease Parkinson’s, dad was inspirational to the end.

One of my favorite songs as a young girl was the folksong Where Have All the Flowers Gone? On a loop in my head as I sign off this issue, I wish everyone a May filled with peace, love and flowers to every purpose.

Breathe and enjoy,