Article and Photos By Grace Bennett and Beth Besen
A hot morning sun could not deter hundreds upon hundreds from lining up at the Chappaqua Library on Sunday for a chance to shake hands and receive a signed copy of Hard Choices by Secretary (and Chappaqua neighbor) Hillary Clinton.
A vast majority of the some 1200 books for today’s signing were purchased from the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville (before they ran out earlier in the week); otherwise, those lining up were still able to purchase books Sunday at the library and exchange their wristband for a signed book later in the afternoon.
The first to arrive was Ira Siegel…at 4:30 a.m.! “I felt I had to be there first, but I didn’t think I would be. I set up shop and have been waiting,” he told Inside Chappaqua. His patience paid off when he indeed got his book signed first. Inside Chappaqua spoke with a proud Ira before and after and, as he puts it, “it was worth it.”
Most everyone else came later in the morning, including Chappaqua Mom Dee Ashraf who is also director of client relations at LifeWorx in Chappaqua. She arrived with her two boys, “so that my kids can join me in witnessing such a momentous occasion.”
Anna Thaxton of Greenburgh told us: “I absolutely love Hillary.” Thaxton had volunteered during her first Senate run stuffing envelopes. At one point, Thaxton said she was surprised to receive a message from Hillary Clinton to accompany her to a speech she was giving in a church in Harlem, which she gladly did. “She is always fighting for a good cause.”
Xiao Ju Lu of Millwood was waiting on line, he said, on behalf of his daughter Margaret who just finished her freshman year majoring in International Relations (with a focus on economics) at Wellesley College. “Seems the whole college is rooting for Hillary,” he said.
Paige Schoenberg, who graduated this June from Horace Greeley high school, was also on line for a signed book. She is planning on majoring in International Relations at George Washington University in the fall. “I just missed Hillary’s speaking engagement there a week ago,” said Paige, “so I’m glad I will get to see her today.”
Aside from those lining up, dozens of volunteers both on behalf of Hillary Clinton and the Chappaqua Library, Secret Service agents and an active crew of Ready for Hillary supporters dominated the scene. Another day on a whirlwind book tour passed peacefully and successfully.
Rachel Rosin says
Great event! So glad I was there and had a chance to shake her hand….