The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Armonk

Adventures In Armonk: Walks And Hikes Right In Our Backyard

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Moss-carpeted ground at the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve
Moss-carpeted ground at the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve

Article & Photos By Liz Susman Karp

Let the phrase “take a hike” take on a different, and far more positive meaning this fall by heading outdoors on one of the many noteworthy local hikes and walks in and around Armonk. The nearly 350 acres of parkland in North Castle feature trails for walking and hiking at all different levels and various lengths.

The Betsy Sluder Preserve offers a beautiful, easy walk in shady, leafy environs off of Old Route 22. Cat Rocks Park (Bedford), designated a nature conservancy by North Castle, is a similar spot; note parking can be difficult on the narrow roads. North Castle Superintendent of Recreation & Parks, Matt Trainor, recommends the Johnson Tract, a wooded area off of North Greenwich Road, as “a wonderful quiet hiking area.”

In the heart of downtown Armonk, meander through the paths of bucolic Wampus Brook Park for a lovely, leisurely walk. Looking for more of a challenge? Resident Jane Ellen Gertz comments, “Since the 16 years I have lived in the Whippoorwill Hills neighborhood, close to town, I have run or jogged with and without a baby jogger or walked, depending on my level of fitness, a 3-5 mile loop that takes me through town and back home again. There are various turns to make each day’s exercise a little different, including Old Mount Kisco Road, Lombardi Park, Rainbow Bridge over Interstate 684, H.C. Crittenden fields, Wampus School fields and connecting paths to Lombardi Park and Wampus Brook Park.” Trainor agrees, saying that those fields and parks “sort of interconnect, which in itself would make for a great circuit. Just a thought: If you are taking a dog–please remember to clean up!”

A well-trodden trail at the Betsy Sluder Preserve beckons to be walked.
A well-trodden trail at the Betsy Sluder Preserve beckons to be walked.

Two superb spaces in which to walk or hike are the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve and the Herbert L. Nichols Preserve, both owned by the Nature Conservancy. The 247-acre Meyer Preserve, primarily donated by the former owners of The Washington Post who once lived at the nearby Seven Springs estate now owned by Donald Trump, encompasses vernal pools, rare flora and fauna and over 6.5 miles of wooded trails and fields. Enter on Bretton Ridge Rd for the western parcel or on Oregon Road for the eastern parcel. Near the Greenwich border off of Riversville Road, the 87-acre Nichols Preserve offers walking trails and several ponds and streams.

For those who prefer walking on a track, there are two available, at Byram Hills High School (Tripp Lane) when school is not in session, and at North Castle Community Park (Business Park Drive) which Trainor says, “is desirable for runners and athletes with knee issues because of its cinder base…it’s better on the joints and muscles.” The high school also has a network of paths used in season by the cross country team, and the park has a long asphalt path that runs the length of the playing fields, providing a nice walk and community atmosphere for spectators and residents.

Wide pathways run alongside the water at picturesque Wampus Brook Park.
Wide pathways run alongside the water at picturesque Wampus Brook Park.

The Bronx River Greenway, a series of disconnected paths that run parallel to the Bronx River Parkway beginning in Yonkers and ending at the Kensico Dam “to me,” says Trainor, ”unofficially connects North White Plains to the Kensico Dam Complex,” where he often takes his family. “It’s a great all-around facility and you can’t beat the view from the top of the dam.” The wide pathway at the top of this Westchester County symbol opened in May 2012. He suggests taking that trail along with the Greenway and heading south on Route 22 towards North White Plains. “The great thing here is that you can get super creative with the routes and length of walks you take, even in the more ‘urban’ settings,” enthuses Trainor.

Another popular destination close by is Cranberry Lake Preserve, a Westchester County Park in North White Plains. Trails range from 1-2.4 miles in length and include cliffs and a history trail past remnants of an early 20th century stone mining operation.

Heading farther afield, the exceptional Rockefeller State Park Preserve offers over 30 miles of specially-designed wide interconnected carriage roads past rolling hills and picturesque scenery for easy to moderate walks. Trail maps are available online and at the Preserve office, entrance on Phelps Way in Pleasantville.

North Castle Seniors Nellie Palamarczuk (left) and Faye Barresi (right) walk with Liz Thomas (center), North Castle Senior Recrea- tion Leader, in Wampus Brook Park. Senior walks are regularly scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
North Castle Seniors Nellie Palamarczuk (left) and Faye Barresi (right) walk with Liz Thomas (center), North Castle Senior Recrea- tion Leader, in Wampus Brook Park. Senior walks are regularly scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.

A recent thread on Facebook’s Armonk Moms page discussed additional prime spots frequented by locals, including Westmoreland and Butler Sanctuaries (Mount Kisco), the Mianus River Gorge Preserve (Bedford), Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, the county’s largest park (Pound Ridge), and Audobon Greenwich. The Zofnass Family Preserve, also in Pound Ridge, offers a family Westchester Wilderness Walk. The Westchester County Parks website (parks.westchestergov.com) and numerous books, such as Walkable Westchester, are excellent resources.

To join organized hikes in the county and surrounding areas, local groups available include Westchester Trails Association (www.westhike.org), New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (www.nynjtc.org), The Westchester Hiking Meetup Group (www.meetup.com/Westchester-Hiking-Group) and the Facebook group, Bedford Castle Baby Trails, which plans monthly family hikes.

Remember to wear proper footgear, use bug spray, bring water and check for ticks! Whether your preference is for a walk or a hike, living in Armonk provides abundant opportunities for a pleasant pastime or invigorating exercise while enjoying the natural beauty of our area.

Liz Susman Karp is a freelance writer and public relations practitioner. She, her husband and their two teenage boys live in Briarcliff Manor. They all look forward to trying some new walks and hikes.

The 54th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show: “A Fresh and Diverse Tradition”

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Benefitting the North Castle Public Library
Sat. & Sun., September 26th and September 27th
10 a.m.–5 p.m., rain or shine.

Named one of “The Elite 100” Fine Art and Fine Craft Fairs in the US by Art Fair Sourcebook and among the top “Fine Art and Design Shows” in the New York Metro Area by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the 54th annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show will continue its long tradition of showcasing a fresh and diverse array of art. Over 185 juried artists from 31 states, Israel and Canada, will be featured—42 new to this year’s show. A broad spectrum of media to suit every taste and budget will be on display, including painting, mixed media, printmaking/drawing/pastels, sculpture, photography/digital art, wearable art, and fine crafts.

Sovjani Andrew photo
Sovjani Andrew photo

This year’s show will feature free guided tours, emerging artists, and fun-filled, kid-friendly activities. We will once again offer personal shoppers, who will be available to help visitors find and select art that best fits their taste and decor. There is ample free parking on site, as well as a diverse food court.

Robert Glebe metal
Robert Glebe metal

On Friday, September 25th at 7 pm, the North Castle Public Library will show a free documentary entitled “Tim’s Vermeer”. On Saturday, September 26th at 8 pm in the library’s Whippoorwill Hall, Jazz legend Charlie Lagond & Friends will perform “Soulful Serenade…Memphis to Motown to Neo-Soul,” also free to guests.

The Art Show is sponsored by Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc., and net proceeds benefit the town’s libraries. Admission price: $10.00, $8.00 for seniors or with coupon, children under 18 free. Sorry, no dogs allowed. For further information, as well as discount coupons, visit www.armonkoutdoorartshow.org. Day of show call: 914-806-6307

New this year for New York City Art Show visitors, Castle Cab Corp. is offering deeply discounted rides ($10 flat rate) to and from the North White Plains train station, with priority drop off at the Show entrance. Cabs will be waiting at the station and the Show, or can be contacted in advance through their app (Castle Cab) or by phone 914-273-2535. Additionally, during Show hours, Castle Cab is offering half price rides anywhere local to and from the Show.

205 Business Park Drive, Armonk, N.Y. (Exits 3/3S off Route I-684). Ten miles north of I-287 and I-95, 5 miles from Merritt and Hutchinson Parkways, 20 minutes from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk Elects New Permanent Rabbi

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rabbi_josh_stromCongregation B’nai Yisrael (CBY) of Armonk announced today that its congregation elected Rabbi Joshua Strom as its new permanent Rabbi, effective July 1, 2015.

Rabbi Strom is currently serving as an Associate Rabbi for Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University and was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2008.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Rabbi Strom to our congregation and local Jewish community,” said Lisa Broomer, president of CBY. She added, “we think that Rabbi Strom will bring just the right combination of new ideas and respect for tradition to our congregation with boundless amounts of enthusiasm and passion for our shared Jewish values and beliefs. We are looking forward to many years of fulfilling worship, meaningful learning and heartfelt outreach both within and beyond our community with Rabbi Strom, in partnership with our beloved Cantor, Hayley Kobilinsky, who just celebrated ten wonderful lyrical years with CBY.”

“I am both humbled and thrilled to be joining this strong congregation and local Jewish community,” said Rabbi Strom. “CBY has a rich history for upholding both cultural and social values rooted in Jewish beliefs and traditions. I am eager to help lead and build CBY’s congregation and presence as it embarks on the next great chapter of its future.”

Rabbi Strom replaces Rabbi David Katz, who has been serving as CBY’s Interim Rabbi while the temple conducted its search for a permanent Senior Rabbi.

Founded in 1970, Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk is a Reform congregation with nearly 350 family members.

Armonk Chamber of Commerce Honors 
“A Pillar in the Community”

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IMG_3893Article and Photo by Matt Smith

Friends, family, and Chamber members gathered at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk, NY on the evening of May 12 to celebrate longtime Armonk resident Sam Morell, and his achievement of being named 2015 Citizen of the Year by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

The award is bestowed – as it has been twice before, first to Dr. Evan Powderly of Crittenden Middle School in 2013, and second, last October, to Hickory & Tweed proprietor Skip Beitzel – to an individual who has made a significant long-term contribution to the North Castle/Armonk community. A “natural choice” for the honor, Mr. Morell more than fit the bill.

“He’s been a real pillar of the community,” says Jason Rosenzweig, a member of the Chamber and coordinator of the evening. “He has been instrumental not only in the town’s cultural advancement, but the growth of the business community as well. He’s so supportive of everyone.”

But why shouldn’t he be? asks the grateful Morell himself. “After all,” he theorizes, “the town we live in is simply an extension of our house and there are many ways one can add value to make this very large house appealing.” To that end, he states, with a smile, “I strongly believe in patronizing our [local] services.”

His seven-year involvement in the Chamber of Commerce has certainly impacted how he carries out that belief. “The more you learn about fellow members the more you develop the kind of relationship and trust to transact with them,” he explains. “I now use many chamber members for my personal and business matters.” These members include Steve D’Angelo, from Stephen D’Angelo CPA PC, as his accountant; Robbi Morris, from The Morris Group, as his health care insurance provider; the aforementioned Jason Rosenzweig, from Castle Cabs, as his car service provider; and Julie Dickens, from Beascakes Bakery, from whom he buys all his holiday cookies. Adds Morell, “The joy for me is developing new and interesting personal friends from all walks of life, as well as knowing that I can be of assistance to their goals.”

His support of the community doesn’t end there. He found a way to combine his overwhelming love for the town of Armonk with his undying love of the performing arts, and began his own not-for-profit company, the Small Town Theatre Company, in 2008. 
Co-founded with Katonah resident Donna Garr, the organization produces plays, summer concerts, theatre festivals, and film festivals in Armonk and Katonah.

Morell also says he leverages his enjoyment of photography and videography to support other local organizations, such as the North Castle 
Historical Society, the North Castle Communications Committee, and other Westchester-based not-for-profits.

Preceding the dinner was an afternoon-long golf outing, attended by Morell, Rosenzweig, and a mix of Chamber members, guests of Chamber members, and Morell’s personal friends, that was anything but a bogey. “We enjoyed it very much,” comments the honoree. And what of his score? 
“It was touch-and-go at first, but I broke even,” he says with a laugh.

To discourage any self-doubt among each players’ golf abilities, the outing was run as a scramble; each player hit their own shot from the tee, but everyone played from the spot of the best shot. In the end, “it worked out for everyone,” says Rosenzweig. “It was a lot of fun.”

And as for the recognition itself? “I’m overwhelmed and honored,” Morell says quite simply. “It’s a real tribute.” Humble as ever, Morell added: “Everyone in this town does such tremendous work, and we should recognize that.”

The entire celebration was presented by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. The evening’s cocktail hour, which followed the golf outing and preceded the dinner, was sponsored by Breezemont Day Camp and the Castle Cab Corps. Throughout the evening, volunteers sold tickets for a raffle, a new addition to this year’s festivities; all prizes and rewards were complete donations from local Armonk businesses, including Certa Pro Painters, Eye Designs of Armonk, Susan Blake, and Peachwave Frozen Yogurt. For more information on the chamber, visit www.armonkchamberofcommerce.org.

Matt Smith, a graduate of Skidmore College, is a regular contributor to The Inside Press, Inc.

Jason Rosenzweig Has Armonk’s Answer to UBER

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Castle Cab Corp–yes, there’s an App for that!
Castle Cab Corp–yes, there’s an App for that!

by Deborah Notis

Jason Rosenzweig, owner of Castle Cabs, grew up on Long Island and worked in his family’s New York City-based taxicab business since he was a young child. So when he moved to Armonk ten years ago, his parents asked why he wanted to move “upstate.”

For Rosenzweig, the answer was simple. He wanted his family to live in a community that had a neighborhood feel, a town in which you could walk into any store and see a friendly and familiar face. For his family, Armonk is the perfect tight-knit, nurturing, small town community in which he and his wife can happily raise their two daughters. His daughters, now 11 and 13 years old, attend Byram Hills schools and spend their non-school hours dancing and playing the occasional game of golf with their father.

But there was one thing that Rosenzweig felt Armonk was missing. “This town has grown tremendously since we moved here. With the restaurant scene in Armonk becoming more vibrant, and the town growing and becoming a destination for Westchester residents, I saw a need for a safe, convenient, and reliable mode of transportation in our area,” states Rosenzweig. So he leveraged his years of experience in his family’s business to create Castle Cabs, North Castle’s answer to UBER.

Rosenzweig created an app that lets customers reserve a cab for a future appointment or call a cab for an immediate pickup. Customers create an account with Castle Cabs, and they can securely pay for their ride and track the ride via the app. Rosenzweig priced rides competitively, giving a flat rate for certain, more popular destinations like the North White Plains train station and Westchester County Airport. All rides include tax and tip in the price of the trip.

Launched in October 2014, Castle Cabs is Armonk’s answer to limo service in a taxicab package. The drivers, who are all TLC licensed, fingerprinted, and drug-tested, are required to wear khaki pants, a blue hat, and a blue shirt with a Castle Cabs logo. Rosenzweig employs 12 drivers, each of whom drives one of his new hybrid four-seater vehicles or new seven-seater minivans.

Jason Rosenzweig
Jason Rosenzweig

“Castle Cabs provides our town 
with the next level of service. We go the extra mile for our customers. 
They are part of our family,” according to Rosenzweig. He proudly states that his drivers don’t just leave you at the door; they make sure you safely and happily reach your destination. Even if it means getting out of the car to walk a senior into a doctor’s appointment or waiting until a group of kids give the driver a “thumbs up,” telling him that he can leave them at the movie theater. On any given day, Castle Cabs accommodates 65 to 80 trips, servicing many residents who have become regular customers. These trips include taking seniors to appointments, commuters to local train stations, couples to and from dinners, travelers to 
the airports, and children to afterschool activities, Bar Mitzvahs, and 
the movies.

Rosenzweig says that residents feel safe putting children in his cars because so many of them know him from town. To add to their security, the Castle Cab app enables people to track the rides. When it comes to the kids, Rosenzweig tries to send the same driver to the same family all the time, giving families an added level of comfort. “I have kids, so I understand. My daughters and their friends use the cabs all the time. I want to feel secure when children are in a car.”

As his business flourishes, Rosenzweig is becoming involved in the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. The community-based organization enabled him to get to know other local business owners and to become further entrenched in Armonk’s thriving business district. This year, he co-chaired the Chamber’s May 12th Citizen of the Year golf event honoring Sam Morell, the co-founder of Armonk’s Smalltown Theater.

Rosenzweig is pleasantly surprised by the positive response that he’s received from his community. “I knew I was going to put us out there, but I didn’t know where this would take us. Now I see that North Castle residents really trust us.” He plans to leverage that trust to promote his “Get Home Safely” program, suggesting that his neighbors should leave their keys at home, enjoy their night out, and rely on Castle Cabs to get them to and from their destinations safely.

In the future, Rosenzweig hopes to earn the trust of residents in nearby towns. Long-term, he is contemplating potential partnerships with other local taxicab companies as he expands to service Armonk’s neighboring towns. Right now, Rosenzweig is happy to be serving the North Castle community. It looks like Rosenzweig made the right decision when he decided to move “upstate” to Armonk.

Deborah Notis, a writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC, is looking forward to Castle Cabs expanding to Pleasantville to help transport her four boys to their sporting events.