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More Locals with a Writing Flair: Kat Nemec

April 2, 2021 by Stacey Pfeffer

Graphic artist Kat Nemec didn’t originally intend to write a blog. A few years ago, she took her college age son on a cross country trip to the West Coast to help him relocate there. Along the way she chronicled their journey on Facebook with twice daily photos and posts. She posted frequently to keep her daughter updated on their journey as she felt mom guilt that her daughter was missing out on the experience. Facebook readers liked her posts so much that they encouraged her to keep writing and start a blog. One of her Facebook followers was writing coach Wendy Fried who owns Pleasantville-based Wordcraft. She strongly encouraged Nemec to start a blog and suggested the Swoon name as Nemec frequently used that word or signed off her posts with it.

Nemec describes herself as an over-sharer who uses a lot of adjectives and prefers stream of consciousness writing. Topics covered include childhood memories, her parents love affair and the joy of cooking. She is not afraid though to tackle more difficult subjects such as talking about sex with your kids, 9/11, and even her family’s experience with the Armenian genocide. 

“I’m not a writer,” claims Nemec but after reading her refreshingly honest posts you may feel differently. “People are savvy and they will respond to something that is truthful and comes from the heart.” Nemec isn’t interested in amassing a huge number of followers, monetizing her blog or cross-promoting products. She writes her blog as a creative pursuit. “I’m not doing this for fame or fortune. When you do something creative for yourself the need for approval goes away and the best stuff is going to come out.”

Before starting her blog in February 2020, she read books on the subject that suggested she had to write 2-3 posts per week with no dry spots. It didn’t work with her schedule initially. When COVID hit though the timing proved to be fortuitous as a lot of her workload decreased and she was able to write more frequently. “If I don’t feel it, I’m not writing it,” explains Nemec. For example, this past October and November she was depressed about the upcoming holidays and not being able to be with her son. “We are a big holiday family. Writing at that time just wasn’t in my bandwidth.” 

As someone who works in a creative field, Nemec encourages others who want to start a creative pursuit to do it for themselves. “If people respond and like it, then that is just the cherry on top,” she says.

From Kat’s Swooning: “T-Rex and Kong”

“Pleasantville is about 30 miles north of Manhattan. More suburb than vacation destination, people fleeing the city due to the pandemic drive right past our exit while heading upstate. We do have one new family since lockdown…a family of dinosaurs. First, it was just one lone T-Rex, checking things out for the rest of the clan, he* ran through the neighborhood feeling out his welcome. We did not tell him to go back to where he came from, we embraced his uniqueness. After a few weeks, the rest of the family showed up. They are a healthy group…some days they run together, other times they take a solitary stroll. Their presence brings joy and laughter during this time of ever growing fog and confusion. T-Rex sightings posted in real time on FB update us when they are out and about…they are on Romer Avenue, they just turned onto Bedford Road…quick go look! The family made an appearance at the farmers market and at the teacher appreciation day drive by at the elementary school. They remind me of one Halloween during elementary school…when I was kidnapped by the Son of Kong….

People who are willing to be ridiculous…are gifts to the universe. I would like to imagine, years from now, someone will be writing their memories of being a child during “The Pandemic of 2020”. There was no school, no parties, no trips to the pool, no playdates, and no grandparent hugs… but there was a T-Rex, who jogged through town, spreading so so so…very much joy.”

Read more from Kat at www.swooning.me

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Blogger, Blogging, Kat Nemec, Pleasantville, Swooning, T-Rex, writer

More Locals with a Writing Flair: Rich Monetti

April 2, 2021 by Grace Bennett

Rich has been a freelance journalist in Somers since 2003, and like anyone in the business knows, jobs come and go. He adds wryly that changes in the industry over the last few years has had more stuff go than come. Add in Covid-19, and “there has been almost a complete collapse,” he said. So, by default, Monetti found blogging an outlet with less certain returns.

That said, Rich said he earned a grand total of $400 writing stories for Vocal.Media last year, and “the paltry total,” as he phrases it, begs an obvious question. Why bother? Here, Rich’s answers to “why blog”…

“Well for one, I love to write, and some money is better than nothing. I’m a firm believer that work leads to work, and I have the proof. In 2016, the newspaper work was sparse, so I starting going up to Somers High School to cover the varsity football games. A half a cent per click netted me no more than $2 for any one game, but one particular view made all the difference. The sports editor from the local Somers paper saw my articles and brought me aboard as a sideline reporter. I’ve been with the paper ever since.

“The same perseverance/love of writing landed me my latest gig. One of my regular movie review readers heard that a site called Take 2 Indie Review was looking for writers, and he recommended me to the publisher. She liked my work, and a steady stream of reviews has me off to a great start.”

Rich reminds aspiring writers: “No matter what you do, and where you are in your career, don’t sulk. You need to turn the passion into something concrete and keep putting yourself out there.”

From Rich’s My Movie Reviews: “The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix Feels Pretty Good”

“My study of American History makes me no stranger to the 60s and the Vietnam War. That said, I know very few details about the Chicago 7. In fact, I didn’t even know that Abbie Hoffman was among those on trial. At the same time, I’ve also realized that learning history from the movies is a poor substitute for understanding. So I was reluctant to take my curriculum from the Netflix movie, but with some encouragement, I gave it a go.

I couldn’t help keep my laptop nearby, though. I wanted to fact-check every time I saw something suspect. But I mostly decided to let it go, and let the drama play out for enjoyment.

The set up reveals that the Chicago Seven are far from homogenous, and that “the man” isn’t the only source of conflict. Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, John Froines, Lee Weiner and David Dellinger divvy up the agendas, and the opening splice has the main characters marking their territory.

Literally completing each other’s sentences, the novice quickly sees the divergence. Foremost, the editing has Hayden and Davis play perfect contrast to Hoffman and Rubin. No nonsense, student activism to end the war versus opened ended visions of social revolution and a kinder, cooler nation.

In turn, the invasive deadpans of Sacha Baron Cohen continually deepens the chasm… ”

For more by Monetti, please visit his My Movie Reviews on Facebook.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Blogger, Blogs, My Movie Reviews, Rich Monetti, writer

More Locals with a Writing Flair: Deborah Raider Notis

April 2, 2021 by Grace Bennett

Deborah Raider Notis is the mother of four boys, ranging in age from 21 to 14. She and her husband, James, have lived in Pleasantville, New York for over 16 years. Nine years ago, Deborah, and her business partner, Marilyn Rifkin, started GAMECHANGER NOW, Westchester’s answer to academic match-making which offers the most personalized process for connecting families to academic, music, and art tutors, as well as certified college counselors, interview prep specialists, and resume building specialists. The company helps families from preschool through post-college, simplifying every step of their journey. In addition to connecting families to these hard-to-find resources. The website at www.gamechangernow.com has an informative, entertaining blog with information about family life, education, and navigating academia. Many of these blog posts were written by Deborah. 

Deborah has been writing for newspapers, magazines, and blogs since the early 1990’s on topics ranging from home golf courses and online dating to Rhodes Scholars and college campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently working with her agent, Barbara Rosenblatt at 22MediaWorks, to publish her children’s book, Shipwrecked on Fudgepop Island. This book, written with her 14-year-old son, is loosely based on a story that Deborah wrote in third grade with her father, Stanley Raider. Additionally, Deborah has kept her own writing journal since high school, jotting down thoughts, collecting quotes and articles, and writing her own short essays, poems, and stories. In 2017, she moved her thoughts, essays, and short stories online, creating her blog, The Purge Chick. The Purge Chick is a collection of essays on family, friendship, and funny, heartfelt perspectives on life. 

From Deborah’s Purge Chick: “In the Blink of an Eye”

There are days that I still think that I am 22. Really. Maybe it is the delusion of old age. Maybe it is emotional survival. Maybe it is that everything after 22 happened in the blink of an eye. And then there is today.

Today, my college roommates messaged me to reminisce about the olden days in our decrepit dorm. We talked about boys who are now men. Inside jokes that still make us chuckle. Familiar places that no longer exist. Parties at which we lingered until dawn. People whom we no longer know, some of whom are no longer with us. At the time, every moment seemed incredibly important, utterly vital to our everyday existence. Yet it was all so incredibly fleeting, and now these moments are simply memories. Mostly fond memories with people who will mostly hold a special place in our hearts.

And then it hit me. My child will be leaving my home in about a year. I will have a child who is around that age. I cannot be that age, because I will have a child who will be leaving our home and starting a new life without me, without his father, without his brothers. A life that will consume him, a life that could take priority over his life in our home.

And then it hit me. My child will move into a dorm room and meet people who will have some sort of, hopefully positive, imprint on his life. A child who will be meeting people with whom he will forever share the bond of college. He will visit new places, make new memories without us, and start his separate life.

And then it hit me. Twenty some odd years from now, he will communicate with his college roommates and reminisce about familiar ….

Read more from Notis at https://thepurgechick.wordpress.com/

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Blogger, Deborah Raider Notis, Gamechanger, In the Blink of an Eye, Purge Chick, writer

Getting to Know Marlene Fischer: Cherished Blogger, Now Celebrated Author

November 13, 2020 by Ella Ilan

The Wedding of Danielle and Eric

Armonk resident Marlene Fischer holds many titles. Besides being a mom, wife, lifelong writer, blogger, and a college essay editor, she jokingly adds “food shopper” and “stain removalist” to her list of roles. Raising three boys, it often seemed like food shopping and laundry were her main gigs. Book author, however, is Fischer’s newest title.

Never imagining that she would one day write a book, Fischer just successfully self-published her first book, Gained a Daughter But Nearly Lost My Mind: How I Planned a Backyard Wedding During A Pandemic. (Editor’s Note: Order on the net or inquire at your favorite local bookstore or gift store for availability.)

A new empty nester, with her youngest son away for his freshman year at college last year, Fischer was just acclimating to her new life and blogging about it when the pandemic began. She suddenly found herself with her husband working from home and the two of them sharing a very full house with all three sons and her oldest son’s fiancée at the start of the pandemic.

Navigating meals, everyone’s needs, a never-ending mess, and the challenges of a pandemic became the subject of Fischer’s hilarious and poignant musings on her Facebook page blog, which currently boasts about 12,000 followers.

The title of her Facebook page, “Thoughts From Aisle 4,” was suggested by her oldest son, and derived from her voicemail message on her phone for many years; “Sorry I missed your call. I’m probably in Aisle 4 at the grocery store. I will call you when I’m done.”

“A Source of Light”

Inspired by Erma Bombeck’s irreverent writing, Fischer is relatable and humorous. In addition to posting on topics such as handbag shopping, aging, politics, and random observations about life, many of her posts relay stories about the frustrations and joys of raising her three boys. For younger moms, it brings hope to see that no matter your worries, they all turn out just fine, just like Fischer’s bright young responsible sons. Judging by her followers’ comments, the page has been a source of light, humor and silver linings throughout many months of quarantine. It was easy for readers to feel emotionally invested in Fischer’s excitement over her oldest son’s impending nuptials and the trials and tribulations of planning a wedding during a pandemic. Many could relate to Fischer’s excitement over her relationship with her new daughter-in-law with stories such as being invited by the bride to help choose a wedding dress. Fischer believes the wedding planning was so captivating to her followers because “it was a good distraction for everybody” during the anxiety-ridden quarantine period.

Realizing that the couple’s planned wedding, a large fancy event originally planned in Washington D.C., the bride’s hometown, was no longer possible due to Covid, they decided to get married on their intended wedding date in the Fischer’s backyard with only close family members attending. “My goal was to make it so amazing that they wouldn’t want another wedding,” explains Fischer.

Fischer describes the backyard as having looked magical between the tiki torches, the tables, and the landscaping and plantings that Fischer’s husband had painstakingly tended to for weeks. The family incorporated beautiful and meaningful Jewish traditions throughout the wedding.

The wedding was an Armonk celebration in every way. There was a drive-by parade of local friends and neighbors and it felt like everyone in town was rooting for them to have a great day. Fischer was glad to be able to support local small businesses struggling through the pandemic by patronizing the town’s retailers for the food, attire, and décor.

The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Joshua Strom of Congregation B’nai Yisrael in Armonk who actually met the bride and groom at a Phish concert in Mexico. The couple’s shared bond with the Rabbi over Phish aligned perfectly with their wedding logo incorporating the Phish logo, Phish shirts for the guests, the bride and groom dancing their first dance on a trampoline to a Phish song, and everyone dancing the night away to a Phish cover band, Uncle Ebenezer.

Still glowing from the wedding, Fischer decided this story had to be a book. Rewriting her blogs and adding material to create a more cohesive story, she successfully wrote her first book, a labor of love, with the help of her long-time best friend and editor Helene Wingens.

The Wedding of Danielle and Eric

A Family Affair

Fischer credits her husband for always being supportive. “I call my husband Mr. Aisle 4 and he often proofs my stuff. It’s really a family affair. One of my boys likes to criticize while the other two like and share everything. We all have our different roles.”

In the meantime, Fischer has held several book signings in town at some of her frequent hangouts including outside the local market. A book signing inside Aisle 4 of the market was not possible due to Covid.

Excerpt from Gained a Daughter but Nearly Lost My Mind: How I Planned a Backyard Wedding During A Pandemic, by Marlene Fischer

“The Battle Royale”

We had a battle going on at my house. More specifically, outside my house. It was my husband vs. the woodland creatures.

My husband had wisely left all the wedding details to me, save one; the garden. He decided to use this opportunity to beautify our yard in advance of the kids’ BIG DAY.

He bought flowers and planted them in the front beds. And the back beds, amongst the rocks. And it was good. But it wasn’t good enough. So, I went with him to the nursery and bought more flowers to keep the other flowers company. I was happy to go because it wasn’t like I was getting out much.

And then he planted those flowers as well. Since our yard backs on the woods, creatures like deer and chipmunks like to nibble on our flowers. To combat this danger, he bought deer repellant. Which sort of smells like a combination of urine and vomit.

Every few days my husband, bless his heart, went outside and sprayed all the flowers. And then we all headed inside and closed all the windows because it smelled that bad. Good luck to any animal who wanted to eat our flowers after my husband had sprayed; all I can say is that they would have had to be really hungry.

Then my husband went back to the nursery a third time and purchased bushes. And he hired people to plant all those bushes because it was too big of a project for him to tackle alone.

He also planted his annual vegetable and herb garden and put a higher fence around it to keep chipmunks and rabbits from enjoying our basil and lettuce. I do enjoy the produce we pick from the garden; we’ve got a real farm to table thing going on. Nothing tastes better to my husband than food he grew with his own hands.

Did I mention the tiki torches? My husband felt we needed tiki torches to keep the bugs away. We were now the proud owners of about twenty tiki torches which he strategically placed around our backyard. He refilled the torches regularly and ordered extra fluid just in case we ran out.

I have to give him credit where credit is due. He transformed our backyard into a tropical paradise. I sort of felt like I was in Hawaii except then I remembered I was in my backyard during a pandemic and not Hawaii.

I really hoped that he would win his war against nature. Because if he didn’t, I feared it would break him.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: author, Blogger, book, Marlene Fischer, wedding

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