Briarcliff Manor

Sharing the Stories which Shaped Briarcliff Manor

October 26, 2019 by David Propper

The Briarcliff Manor Scarborough Historical Society Preserves Village Lore for all to Learn and Enjoy

At the Briarcliff Manor Scarborough Historical Society (L-R): Kathleen Zawacki, Arnold Feist, Carine Feist, George Behling, Karen Smith and Charles Trainor Photo by Donna Mueller

The stories about Briarcliff Manor seem unlimited. The documentation about the village that was incorporated in 1902 appears endless. And all those tales and eye-catching information can be found within the Briarcliff Manor Scarborough Historical Society.

“I love stories and that’s what this place is all about,” historical society executive director Karen Smith said. “It’s not so much the dates–it’s the stories.”

The BMSHS’s mission emphasizes local history, including promoting original research connected to Briarcliff Manor, gathering and preserving artifacts, books, manuscripts, papers, photos and materials related to the village and the greater region and marking local places of historic importance. It’s a wealth of knowledge for people that want to learn more about the community they live in.

The historical society started in 1974 on the heels of the United States bicentennial when longtime resident William Sharman decided he wanted to spearhead one. Sharman, who is now deceased, grew up in Briarcliff and had all kinds of stories about the village and how it evolved through the years, Smith said.

There were about 30 founding members of the society, including Smith, who was neighbors with Sharman. Now, the society has about 230 members with most living in Briarcliff. Others are scattered around the country, but with some connection to the village.

What’s in a Name

The name Briarcliff Manor comes from an Episcopal reverend whose summer estate was called Brier Cliff after his family home in Ireland, Smith said, citing the book A Changing Landscape by Mary Cheever. James Stillman, president of First National City Bank, named his property Briar Cliff Farm before Walter Law, the founder of the village, purchased 235 acres. Law’s friend, business magnate Andrew Carnegie, gave Law the title “Laird of the Manor,” which resulted in Briarcliff Manor, Smith said.

1906 Early business in Briarcliff corner North State Road

Smith, who previously worked in finance, got more heavily involved when she retired and wasn’t commuting to New York City daily. She became Board of Trustees secretary, then co-president and is currently the executive director, a title she earned this year.

Smith shared that before the historical society became situated in the basement of the newly renovated library, the organization never had a real home base. Storage of historical papers and artifacts were placed in the wet basements and hot attics of BMSHS members’ houses.

Occasionally, there were one or two places in the village where the historical society could make a display for a couple years, but it was only temporary, Smith said. Renting modest space in the library has been crucial for the historical society, she added. In fact, the BMSHS can be found on the bottom floor of the library.

Recognizing Heroes

Some of the work of the BMSHS has helped give recognition to people and places in the village that might have been forgotten or never discovered.

For instance, Smith inquired why a Korean War veteran, John Kelvin Koelsch, didn’t have his name donned on a street sign in the village like many fallen war heroes. After she was left with an unsatisfactory answer, Smith and the BMSHS worked to bring his story to light.

Koelsch, who attended Scarborough School (now Clear View School) in the 1930s, was the first helicopter pilot to earn the Medal of Honor. He was posthumously honored after he died of illness in a prisoner of war camp in 1951.

Eventually a bronze plaque honoring Koelsch and detailing his inspiring heroism was placed in the Walter Memorial Park in 2016 by the village and the BMSHS.

“To have such an exemplary person to have lived here shouldn’t be one that is missed,” Smith said. “And he is not.”

Efforts Toward a Permanent Charter

Pointing toward the future, the BMSHS wants to earn a charter from New York State, which it is currently lacking. There are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled, and while Briarcliff’s historical society is as active as its peer organizations in the region, they are still working toward attaining a permanent charter.

“We’ve been in business for 45 years with a provisional charter,” Smith said, adding in order to get that charter the state “really wants you to know where your stuff came from,” which is tough to do. Smith said the historical society is going to get itself organized, go to the state capitol and make its case to the appropriate officials with hopes of getting that elusive charter.

Board president George Behling said the BMSHS acts as a treasure trove for residents whether it is someone looking at an old photo of their house and looking up a friend that they knew in the village. The goal is to always find items and documents that would intrigue people, he said.

“It’s just a continuous thing as we try to educate the people as much as we can about the history of the village,” Behling, who grew up in Briarcliff, said.

By attaining a charter, the BMSHS would reap more benefits, like the ability to apply for grants, and would hopefully help the historical society grow, Behling said.

Board trustee Charlie Trainor, who has lived in the village for 37 years, said he never knew so many cool facts and stories about Briarcliff until he got involved with the BMSHS a few years ago.Trainor said without Smith and the historical society, “you wouldn’t understand how much went on here.”

As an indispensable resource, the BMSHS continues to collect facts, figures, photos and most importantly, stories, that continue to shape the past and future of Briarcliff.

Loving Briarcliff

October 26, 2019 by The Inside Press

BY PETER CHATZKY
Official Historian* of Briarcliff Manor

Briarcliff’s own: Peter Chatzky

For generations, my family has called Briarcliff Manor our home. It’s six square miles–Briarcliff’s, not our house’s–are nestled between the Hudson and the Pocantico, earning Briarcliff the historic title “a Village between Two Rivers.”

In 1902, my great grandfather on my mother’s side*, Walter Law, helped incorporate the Village. In exchange, residents named a park for him and put in a swimming pool, some tennis courts, and a Pavilion. Papa Wally famously concocted the original recipe for the grilled hamburger served at Squire’s restaurant*, repeatedly named the best burger by a competing glossy magazine and, to provide locals a dining alternative, oversaw* the conversion of the original Briarcliff Firehouse to the Patio Restaurant. The original fire bell still sits atop the building.

Ironically, two well-known Briarcliff landmarks–Club Fit and the Edith Macy’s Conference Center and Girl Scout Emporium–are not located in Briarcliff at all. (The first is in the Town of Ossining, and the latter in Mount Pleasant, or maybe Ossining–who can tell?) No one seems to know where the village actually starts or ends, or how you get here, partly because the Metro North station is called Scarborough instead of Briarcliff. For bragging rights, though, Briarcliff offers valet service for nearly unlimited train station parking and, on Friday evenings, fancily clad volunteers welcome home commuters with cocktails, mini crab cakes, and cheese straws.*

Speaking of volunteers, the Village runs on the benevolence of its residents. The impressive Briarcliff Manor Fire Department and Ambulance Department are both supported by generous residents who give their time and energy to keeping us safe. Elected government and appointed committees, the School Board, the Sustainability folks, and most of the coaches and referees of more than 172* sports programs are all local moms, dads, or near-adult children. Rotary International was first launched in Briarcliff,* and now holds weekly meetings at our Village Hall, a building that was the original headquarters for Ohio Art Company, the company that first sold the Etch A Sketch.*

Two major golf courses, Sleepy Hollow Country Club and a second one named for Melania Trump, provide members with exclusive access to facilities for golf, tennis, fine dining and the chance to hobnob with page one celebrities. Annual dues are waived for local seniors.* Call the clubs directly for details.

In keeping with Westchester tradition, the public schools are, of course, among the best in the country, according to both US News and World Report and most of the parents of all the school-aged children who live here.

Perhaps the Village’s best kept secrets are our miles of wooden trails and parklands, with a scenic picnic site abutting the Hudson River, and trails winding through Pocantico, and the Hudson reservoir. Hikers can choose the shortish Kate Kennard Trail, or follow the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, or wander the 70-acre Pocantico Park, the Village’s largest park abutting the Pocantico River. And, of course, the Westchester County Bike Trail runs through Briarcliff, with easy access behind the Village Library, which also provides complimentary refreshments and spa facilities for tired cyclists.*

Despite all these amenities, Briarcliff seems designed to deter visitors. Sure, we have plenty of nail salons and a Japanese restaurant that sells awesome French macaron (no asterisk), but the roads are purposefully windy and romantically lit, and we encourage deer and wildlife to dart out in front of speeding cars. As with many Westchester communities, drivers here know that the double yellow lines are more of a suggestion than a rule.*

Come visit us! We are open around the clock, and locals are eager to make new friends, or welcome weary travelers from far away places like Pleasantville, Chappaqua, or even Mount Kisco. Risk the trip down Pleasantville Road construction. You’ll be happy you did.

*Peter Chatzky is not actually the Official Historian of Briarcliff Manor, although he did somehow twice manage to hold elected positions on the Briarcliff Manor Board of Trustees, once as Mayor and once as Deputy Mayor. Some of his facts may be slightly exaggerated, and we have marked them with an asterisk.

Festive Stroll of Holiday Homes: November 22 and 23

October 26, 2019 by The Inside Press

The Ossining Children’s Center (OCC) will be the beneficiary of the Festive Stroll of Holiday Homes, Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23, 2019. The event is produced in partnership with Holbrook Cottage, a lifestyle shop located in Briarcliff Manor.

The Festive Stroll, founded 21 years ago by Sue Taub of Holbrook Cottage and of Briarcliff Manor, will feature decorating traditions from around the world that will be displayed in three Sleepy Hollow homes. In addition to the magnificent decorations, the Stroll will highlight the rich history of the Philipse Manor neighborhood.

Two of the classic homes, both built in the 1920’s, will whisk strollers away to countries around the world through creative table settings, unique floral displays, and Christmas trees decorated in styles representing various cultures. Guests will travel from the British Isles, to Scandinavia, to Latin America, experiencing a rich tapestry of global Christmas traditions.

Thanksgiving will also be celebrated along the Stroll in a home that will become the true expression of a harvest bounty. Abundant displays of flowers and gourds will give visitors wonderful ideas to take home for their very own Thanksgiving celebrations the following Thursday!

Guests will also experience Hanukkah through children’s eyes, in a whimsically decorated playroom featuring games and songs. The room will be punctuated with an eclectic display of menorahs, encompassing many styles and traditions.

On Friday, November 22, there will be a Festive Stroll Benefit Luncheon at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, located in Scarborough, NY. Throughout the weekend, small festive touches will entice guests into the holiday spirit. Victorian carolers and a jovial holiday display will greet shoppers as they enter Holbrook Cottage to browse through the distinctive decorative items available for purchase. “The Stroll is an immersive holiday experience attracting revelers from as far as Eastern Connecticut and Southern New Jersey,” said Festive Stroll committee chair Clorissa Gioscia of Briarcliff Manor. “This year promises to be bigger and better than ever.”

All Festive Stroll proceeds will go to the Ossining Children’s Center’s Tuition Assistance Fund. OCC’s tuition program provides quality educational child care to children here regardless of their families’ incomes. Each year the Center enables more than 100 low- and moderate-income parents to maintain steady employment and to model a positive work ethic for their children. During their time at OCC children gain the skills and tools they need to succeed in school and in life. OCC instills a strong foundation enabling every child to reach their full potential. For more information about tour times and destinations and ticket purchase options for the Festive Stroll of Holiday Homes call the Ossining Children’s Center at 941-0230, ext. 22. Also be sure to visit ossiningchildrenscenter.org

Cozy at Home

October 26, 2019 by Grace Bennett

I’m writing this on a grey, damp day in October, cozy in my loose ‘at home’ clothes. I guess the gloomier, chillier weather had to arrive sooner or later after one of the most spectacular Septembers on record. I was grateful for the extra stretch of summer, but equally so for the rains that help us transition through seasons, too. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing if we don’t mess with her too much! And as we head full full steam ahead into fall and winter temps, I do ponder the comforts of home, and feel ever grateful for my own. When it’s grey, there are fewer temptations. I get more of my ‘serious’ work done (like writing this column!). But I can also opt for lazy.

I might surf more, catch up on a grocery item list or other errands. If I’m feeling social, I’ll check movie listings at the Jacob Burns Film Center and inquire with a friend or two. But no matter what I do, I always feel that at home days maximizing your time solo or with family are every bit as precious as time out on the sunniest of days.

If you’re reading your second edition of Inside Biarcliff & Ossining on a grey day too, I have some good news. I promise it will give you plenty of reasons to smile, whether it’s Carine Feist’s ‘Friendsgiving Menu’ or Peter Chatzky’s ‘etcetera’ humor essay on ‘Loving Briarcliff.’

Please enjoy our second edition which celebrates two town histories-aside from our cover story on the fabulous historical society in Briarcliff Manor, don’t miss learning about the ambitious educational undertakings of the Sing Sing Prison Museum and also the inspiring vision of the Bethany Arts Community. We hope to continue trying to capture different slices of life and culture in the area… rain or shine. Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet a Local Alopecia Awareness Advocate

April 18, 2019 by Shauna Levy

Photo by Carolyn Simpson courtesy of Ali Lambert Voron

Ali Lambert Voron on How to Celebrate the Beauty of What Differentiates Us

Ali Lambert Voron of Briarcliff Manor is many things. She is a voiceover actress, motivational speaker, blogger, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a mother. She also happens to be bald. Yet, instead of allowing that single attribute to define her, Voron flipped the narrative and is redefining society’s views of “normal.” Through optimism, humor and a steadfast decision to be happy, she harnesses every challenge life presents, transforming them into opportunities.

Lean and long, with bright eyes and a warm smile, Voron’s captivating presence radiates both inner and outer beauty. From a young age, she found joy in spreading happiness and light, saying, “My mom always strived to make others smile, especially if she sensed they were in a bad mood. I inherited that. I had an amazing childhood. Then, I lost my hair.”

Redefining Normal

At the age of 16, Voron began noticing bald patches in her head. Those discoveries prompted a confusing journey of misdiagnoses including hair-pulling disorders, depression and the potential of lupus. Voron recalls, “I felt happy and didn’t think I was stressed, but then I began second guessing myself. When a dermatologist finally diagnosed me with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss everywhere on the body, it was almost a relief.”

With the support of her family, Voron met the diagnosis with what would become her trademark optimism. A variety of treatments including serums and topical injections were used that produced hair regrowth, but only temporarily. “The most insecure part for me,” she says, “was that I never actually imagined being bald. I thought I’d have patches, but that it would come back. I never foresaw what actually happened and over a period of a year, my hair got thinner and thinner until it eventually all fell out.”

Initially, Voron bought a wig, but that didn’t last long and she emerged from the experience stronger than she thought possible. She explains, “Wearing a wig just wasn’t me and it didn’t take long before I whipped it off for good. I realized that I wanted to be myself regardless of whether that broke social norms. Strangely, I almost viewed myself as lucky for having learned this valuable lesson early on.”

A Sense of Humor Helps

Losing her hair at such a formative time was not without challenges. The headmaster of the private school Voron attended encouraged her to run for president of the school, a recommendation Voron credits as a “true gift.” With guidance from her “very funny” parents, she launched into campaign mode and put together a slideshow of bald leaders who she hoped to emulate including Mahatma Gandhi, President Eisenhower and Mr. Clean since he is the “leader of household cleaning products.” She won the election and gained a valuable platform to prove that although she was different, she remained the same, explaining, “As president, you make speeches in front of existing and prospective students, alumni and parents regularly. I got to show my community and myself that I was okay–different, but normal and even a leader–and, I got that opportunity over and over again.”

A Cycle of Kindness

Her story gained traction and Jennifer Saltiel, a family friend and aspiring writer (coincidentally, also a current Chappaqua resident) reached out. The resulting article, No-Hair Day, was published in “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul” as well as “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.” Voron began receiving letters in droves from people undergoing cancer treatment who were inspired to forgo their wigs to teenagers who were encouraged to look past their own insecurities. Voron says, “Those letters inspired me to realize how much we can help one another. I helped them and their outreach helped me. It was an amazing cycle.”

Years later, a chance meeting at the New Orleans’ Jazz Fest, introduced Voron to her husband. A fellow Philadelphia native, they had been orbiting one another for years, as his mother was even Voron’s second grade Hebrew school teacher. The first years of marriage would also show that they shared a strong sense of resilience. Voron explains, “I got very sick with ulcerative colitis in the beginning of our marriage. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia and colitis are closely genetically linked. I ultimately had my colon removed. Though I have no recollection, my parents reported that when I left the operating room, I raised my fist in the air and said, ‘the monster is out!’ At that same time, my husband’s mom died of brain cancer. Like my alopecia, these traumatic experiences made us stronger and taught us that we will emerge from the bad days to see the good ones.”

The Vorons have extended that philosophy to how they parent their children, ages three and six. Voron explains, “I love that my kids have a mom who looks different because it sends the message that it’s not just okay to be different–it’s cool. If you’re not different, you’re the same and that’s not exciting or special.” So, when Voron learned that a bald Bratz Doll hit the market, she naturally seized the opportunity.

The couple launched a grassroots effort, “Bald Dolls 4 Bald Kids.”

“I understand firsthand how having this doll would be so impactful, so it became my mission to get enough dolls to the National Alopecia Conference, a place where going wigless is the norm,” explained Voron. With only three weeks until the conference, armed with sheer will and energy, the Vorons raised $14K, enough money to provide dolls for every child in attendance at the event. The family maintains a small inventory of the dolls, which they distribute at intervals to children with cancer and alopecia.

A Path of Inspiration

Voron’s experiences have laid the foundation for living a life with a focus on kindness and empathy. “Initially, it bothered me that at least one person would approach me to ask about my hair daily, until my husband pointed that each of these people had their own story to tell. It literally changed my whole perspective. By simply giving them ten minutes, I was giving them an important gift. Now, I go through my day wondering how I can help that random stranger. You can let something destroy you and crumble into a ball or you can make the decision to not allow that. That’s an empowering concept and it’s my privilege to share it.” And, Voron spreads that message, proudly embracing her differences as what makes her special as she inspires everyone in her path to do the same.