The Armonk Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year–Judy Gilmartin-Willsey and the Armonk Independent Fire Department–will be honored at a Golf Outing and Dinner on May 15th at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk.
The Chamber described Judy, the owner of Framings for over 30 years, as “a vivacious and endearing presence,” who has also “committed herself to civic life here, as co-founder of the Chamber… Judy helped create the Armonk Winter Walk in 1991, which evolved into the wildly popular Frosty Day in 2008. She has lent her windows and expertise to the beautification and betterment of the town and its events, including support of the current Chamber of Commerce and the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.”
“The Armonk Independent Fire Department–its men and women volunteers–are town heroes who have given selflessly over the past 85 years. As such, they are the first organization to receive this honor by the Chamber. All firefighters and emergency responders undertake extensive training, with 140 hours needed to become a firefighter and 160 hours for an EMT. In addition to fighting fires and providing emergency medical care to area residents and businesses, the AIFD also teaches fire safety to community, school and youth groups. Members are required to participate in multi-agency drills in case of large scale emergencies, such as aircraft rescue and triage preparation for medical personnel.
Two veterans and ex-chiefs, John Heimerdinger and Mitch Sime, have more than 120 years of service between them. The department’s first and only female fire chief was Luci Labriola-Cuffe (she is not currently serving in that position). Long-time resident Tommy Cox has been an associate member of the department since elementary school. The current fire chief is Phil Goulet. To sponsor a firefighter’s dinner/tee hole or contribute to the local Stayin’ Alive Charity, register or find additional details, please visit: armonkchamberofcommerce.com.
On August 17th, the Armonk Chamber of Commerce will host its last Third Thursday of the season in downtown Armonk from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Westchester Circus Arts is the main event, bringing exciting, free hands-on workshops and performances. Watch mini aerial performances at 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7 & 7:30 p.m., with interactive workshops in between. Children can learn how to walk on the tight wire, juggle, spin plates and rings, hula hoops, walk on stilts and more!
Enjoy live music with School of Rock from 5-6:30 and with Vinyl Countdown from 6:30-8:30.
A host of additional merchant specials, activities and promotions will be posted on armonkchamberofcommerce.com beginning the week of August 7th.
Story and Photos by Grace Bennett
Anyone who came to take in Armonk’s Classic Cars Show–the highlight of Third Thursday festivities in and around Armonk Square–received a special treat.
From the corner of Bedford Road and Main Street, 35 Classic Cars could be found circling a bunch of times around the main thoroughfares; there was friendly waving and thumbs up from area spectators, and just as often, waves back from proud and friendly owners seated behind old time (although some new, too) fun and funky wheels. I imagined they were feeling pretty groovy with all the fanfare.
“It started out with ten cars and grew quickly,” noted Neal Schwartz, the Chamber’s president. All the while, other festivities were in progress on the toasty Square, including arts and crafts for the kids, live music by Gilbert, information and complimentary refreshments from member merchants, and more. For more info, please visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com
On Thursday, July 20, it was really all about the cars. “It’s just a hobby like anything else,” suggested George Drapeau, who together with Robby Morris, pulled together the show on behalf of the Chamber. “The older you get, the more you can afford to maintain it. You know: Bigger boys, Bigger toys?”
And it seemed definitely such for Andy Block and his own special toy: a 1960 Red Cadillac, a “series 62 convertible,” he noted. Block, a 23 year resident of Armonk, generously shares his car too: he annually rides it in the town’s early winter Frosty parade and has offered rides in it “to ladies at events for the North Castle Historical Society.” His two kids, 23 & 21, he said, are “used to their father’s hobby. They want me to get buried in it,” he quipped.
The Armonk Chamber of Commerce will kick off its Spring season on Tuesday, May 16th, with its annual Citizen of the Year golf outing and dinner at the Whippoorwill Club.
The 2017 honoree is Ed Woodyard, a 30-year Armonk resident and champion of many local causes and traditions.
A co-founder of the Armonk Chamber, Woodyard’s involvements include leadership positions on numerous town committees and boards. From the North Castle Public Library to the North Castle Historical Society, the town’s Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee to the Miller House/Washington Headquarters, he has helped nurture and preserve valuable town resources and guide future planning. Woodyard paved the way for the North Castle Citizen’s Corps Council, the town’s emergency services group. Additionally, as co-founder of the Winter Walk and Friends of Frosty, he helped create Frosty Day, now a holiday season tradition that welcomes thousands from near and far.
Woodyard also lends his assistance and passion to the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Cider and Donut Festival, Colonial Crafts Day, Halloween Haunt, Byram Hills School District, Boy Scouts and St. Stephen’s Church, just to name a few. Ed is also the owner of College Advice, a successful college admissions consulting service he founded in 1998, and is formerly a screenwriter and award-winning journalist.
All are welcome to attend this day of celebration and gratitude. For tickets and information, visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com or call 914-273-2353.
