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celebrations

A Search for Joy in ‘Something New’

November 13, 2020 by Jennifer Sabin Poux

Contemplating the Holidays Without My Extended Family

One of my brothers-in-law recently noted that the lack of family gatherings over the last seven months has thrown off his internal calendar. We have a large extended family–and it’s the celebrations and gatherings with those relatives that help mark the passage of time and distinguish one week, one month, one season from another.

If ever there was a time that we could benefit from the rhythm and joy of family gatherings, it’s now. And yet, if ever there was a time that we could benefit from staying away from each other, it’s now.

In past years: The author’s extended family at Christmas

So, what to do with the holidays? In normal years, we would host anywhere from 20 to 30-something on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Our mid-century modern house isn’t huge, but its open floor plan allows everyone to be together in the same space whether cooking or engrossed in conversation. On Thanksgiving, we drag extra tables and chairs up from the garage, and each individual family contributes dishes and their labor to the effort. On Christmas, the base of the tree is smothered in gifts we exchange through Secret Santa and a hilarious Yankee Swap. I love watching the cousins of my children’s generation curl up together on our wraparound sofa like one long genetic sequence.

We are lucky: there is no embarrassing drunk uncle disrupting dinner. I am lucky: I never feel burdened by the toll of the work because there are so many hands offering help. If it sounds nauseatingly civilized, I suppose it is. I embrace the winter holidays with a passion that would provoke eye rolling among cynics, an association to which I belong the other ten months of the year.

This year with the pandemic still raging and travel fraught with peril, some of our family members are spread far enough away that they might as well live on another planet. My daughter, who just graduated from college in May, will be spending Thanksgiving in Alaska where she currently lives, returning for a week or two at Christmas. My son, a sophomore in college, is not allowed to come home for Thanksgiving unless he stays here through Christmas and winter break. So, we will be empty nesters for the first time ever at Thanksgiving. My sister recently moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to be with her daughter. I have two sisters-in-law who, with their families, live flights away, one in Europe. They haven’t seen any of their siblings (there are seven) or their ninety-three-year-old dad in nearly a year.

We’ve had a few conversations about the possibility of mini gatherings of six-ten. We’ve also considered the question, could Thanksgiving be held outdoors? We bought a restaurant-grade deck heater that could warm a handful of guests. But what if it rains or snows? We’re fortunate that our kids will be able to return home for Christmas. But because one will have been on a plane, the other on campus, we will likely stay clear of our extended family in December.

None of this is tragic of course–we are healthy, for now. More intimate versions of yearly traditions are hardly a disaster. The upside: a reasonable size turkey, one less tray of stuffing and more in-depth conversation.

I’ve noticed that my family and friends are careful not to complain too much about their pandemic malaise, acutely aware of the kind of emotional, physical and economic suffering that plagues so much of the country. There is guilt attached to wallowing when others have it worse. But perhaps one holiday gift we can give ourselves and those in our orbit is the freedom to acknowledge how much this has impacted us–changed us–left us without many simple joys, like connecting over a turkey and stuffing, around a tree, or to light candles.

As anyone who has had a birthday in this pandemic season understands, our celebrations this holiday season will be different–or at least they should be. And while they will be stunted, we may find in them something new, and some familiar comfort in their rhythms and joy.

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: celebrations, Christmas, Covid Times, Extended Family, Family, family gatherings, gatherings, Gratitude, Holidays, Home for the Holidays, Secret Santa, thanksgiving, traditions

Greeley Principal: A Preview of Plans to Celebrate a “Mature and Community Minded” Class of 2020

May 29, 2020 by Grace Bennett

Students conveyed a simple wish: to be together. 

Photo by Donna Mueller

Editor’s Note: Please scroll to the bottom of the story for the district’s graduation plans as they stand now as conveyed by HGHS’s Andrew Corsilia and Lauralyn Stewart in a letter to parents and students. Graduation Day is June 20th, and will be a car-based ceremony, site not yet confirmed, according to the letter which was forwarded to my attention just this morning after I posted the article below.– Grace Bennett 

In a class of 342 graduating seniors, all yearning for a meaningful and memorable graduation, one thing is for certain: there are many, many throughout the school district and community at large who care about the kids deeply and who are rooting for them to experience just that.

That was a primary message gleaned from an interview with Andrew Corsilia, principal of Horace Greeley High School, who commented on the HGHS Class of 2020 at large and the plans being discussed.

“We have essentially a small town,” said Corsilia. “The seniors have grown up with the same families, the same Main streets, with most in the same schools for 13 years, so what it means to be a Senior, what Senior year means to them: those are questions that have really loomed large in their imaginations, and in their expectations. Some of these events that we have planned for them are not just celebrations. They are milestones-with a ritualized way of getting to leave.”

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“The whole community is feeling for these students and wanting to celebrate them,” Corsilia emphasized. While no official plan has of yet been announced (SEE EDITOR’S NOTE ABOVE), a video message to the entire community, shared Corsilia, is planned for release next week. It will contain information about the multiple celebrations which typically place around the traditional ‘Senior Week’–a much celebrated time leading up to the actual graduation.

Corsilia said he had heard from many students and families and by and large, he said, “No one wants a virtual celebration; they made it clear that it would be anticlimactic to be sitting on your couch watching your own graduation; it’s not interactive.”

“They are clear that they want to be together,” he said. “It was a no to individual ceremonies.”

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Corsilia said HGHS was “holding out for a social distancing graduation similar to that held by the U.S. Air Force; we are scouting locations and coming up with back up plans.” 

Nothing is set in stone, given the coronavirus challenges. “We are grappling with a new set of circumstances every week,” as the schools receive news of any updates to rules and regulations from the County and State. “Our first choice if allowed by county and state would be to create something as close to the real thing as we can make it.”

The location of the Greeley graduation has traditionally been under the big white tent on the athletic fields.  “A tent is out this year because it compacts everyone into a very small area,” Corsilia explained, but the the fields and its vast space is the likely choice for any social distancing graduation for the class. (SEE EDITOR’S NOTE ABOVE)

Corsilia emphasized his and the district’s intention to “do right” on behalf of the seniors who he commended.

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“This class is incredibly mature.  They are community minded.  They are a pleasure to work with.  They give off a wonderful positive energy when they are together.  They distinguish themselves academically and creatively.”  He spoke of how they excel in science. He expressed his joy for them that they were able to produce a beloved senior production in the nick of time. This year, it was High School Musical, and “it was a ton of fun,” he said.

In the meantime, he has kept in touch with student progress since the pandemic took hold.  He shared his impressions of the 290 students who are participating in internships and independent projects.  Typically most of the students would be in internships from a workplace supervised in a traditional professional settings and 20-30 percent would be engaging in independent projects.

This year, those figures were ‘flipped,’ he said.

  “70 to 80 percent have had to abandon showing up at a workplace although some of the kids transitioned into a remote internship for these workplaces; the vast majority transitioned to engaging in independent projects, in which “their creativity has really come out!”

They have included: students creating a podcast as to how the pandemic has impacted small businesses in Chappaqua; students designing and producing fashionable masks being sold in Chappaqua; and those “diving into literature” whether by recent Pulitzer Prize winning authors, or classic literature. Others have worked on something deeply personal, whether learning to play guitar or building and creating cookbooks containing traditional family recipes by their parents and grandparents.

The support and warm feelings toward these seniors has been felt throughout the community. “I’ve had older people call me, those who have no students in this school, asking me what they can do for these seniors. They’ve seen the graduation signs around town that the PTA surprised parents with in the middle of the night. Everyone’s feeling for them… We’re just incredibly proud and want to do right by them.”

Is there anything else you would like the class to know, I asked. “They are really an amazing class,” said Corsilia. “We miss them.” 

 

May 28th Letter to the Class of 2020  

Dear Class of 2020,

We hope that you and your families are well.

As we head into June, we are happy to share our plans for a full schedule of senior-week activities, culminating in graduation. We want to thank your class leadership, PTA, administrators, and town, for planning and organizing these senior week events.

Video Message

June 10th – Senior Awards

We will hold a virtual awards ceremony, including a personalized presentation for each senior receiving an award. Those students receiving awards will receive an invitation to the ceremony.

June 11th – Post Greeley 101

Our PTA has organized a series of Zoom seminars about life after Greeley, hosted by returning graduates, parents, school staff, and community members. Historically, our seniors comment on how valuable this experience is, as they prepare to leave Greeley.

June 12th – Honk for Seniors Parade

Our PTA and New Castle Police have organized a driving parade (parent drivers), starting at the train station in the early evening and ending with a drive through the Greeley campus to celebrate the final day of classes for seniors. Expect a more detailed communication from our PTA.

June 15th – Color Wars

Your class leadership is sponsoring a digital version of our traditional color wars, where you will get to show your elementary school pride and compete against your classmates. Let’s see which elementary school wins!

June 15th – Athletic Awards

Mr. Semo and Greeley Sports Boosters have organized a virtual ceremony to honor our senior athletes. Students will receive commemorative booklets prior to the virtual event which will begin at 7:00 p.m.

June 17th – Cap and Gown Drop Off

We will deliver to your home, via school bus, a care package, including your cap and gown and Senior Beach Day towel.

June 18th – Senior Montage

Our PTA will release the senior montage video to commemorate your senior year.

Prom

Your class leadership and PTA have reserved Trump National Golf Course and are working to schedule your prom at a future date, when it is safe to do so.

Yearbooks

Your yearbooks are looking great, but due to printing delays, they will not be available until August, at which time, we will schedule a process for picking up your yearbook.

June 20th – Graduation

We have heard from our students and our community that you want to be together for graduation, and we know that your first choice would be to have an in-person, socially-distanced graduation on our fields. The New York State Executive Orders, at this time, do not permit such a ceremony. Unless these guidelines change, we will hold a car-based graduation on June 20th in Chappaqua. We are currently confirming the site, and you will hear additional details about location and logistics, as we move closer to the date. In this way, we can keep our original date, bring the class together, and send you off to an amazing summer.

As we move closer to these dates, you will receive additional communication, specific to each event.

Class of 2020, we look forward to celebrating you in style.

Best, Mr. Corsilia and Ms. Stewart

 

Filed Under: New Castle News, Surviving COVID-19 Tagged With: Andrew Corsilia, celebrations, ceremonies, Chappaqua, Circumstances, Class of 2020, community, Expectations, graduation, HGHS, Horace Greeley High School, Imaginations, independent projects, Internships, Plans, Senior Week

May all your Holidays be Bright!

November 29, 2014 by The Inside Press

Beth-Head-shot-th
Beth Besen, Executive Editor

Ahhhh, December. From fa la las to latkes and snow angels to Nutcracker soldiers, the sounds and sights of the holiday season are upon us. Our kids are counting down the days to their holiday vacations. And, let’s be honest, we’re excited too! Whether we’re anticipating a lengthy break or just looking forward to a long weekend amongst loved ones, the very fact that everything actually slows down and then stops for one full calendar day is truly wonderful!

Maybe you’re hosting friends and family this year? Make sure to take them into town and show off this pretty place we call home. After all, Chappaqua always looks especially lovely for the holidays, trimmed in twinkling lights, inviting shoppers and diners while beckoning neighbors and visitors to linger just a bit longer.

One magical event worth mentioning–the annual tree lighting, which took place this year on December 6th. Hope you got to town early; not just for the best view, but for the noteworthy special addition to the evening! Either way, be sure to enjoy our story about The Chappaqua Orchestra; we’re sure it’ll strike a chord of pleasure.

Indeed, our picture-perfect setting sets a tone of warmth and good cheer. But it’s not all showy surfaces. Another reason to be proud of our town is the safety we feel here. When our middle school students roam the town on Fridays, we worry and fret, but we also know that they are inherently safe. Our crossing guards do their best and, we, in the true spirit of community, do the rest! Eyes and ears keep kindly track of everyone and everything from kids and pets to coyotes and any other threats. And though we’ve had our share of severe winters (and been humbled by a handful of extreme storms), our infrastructure is stronger and sounder than ever. Local emergency response teams use systems like Code Red and Nixle to keep us informed and help us feel protected, connected and safe. We are the very definition of the Village that “it takes.” Read more about our town’s preparation for winter in Ready Set Winter.

Who are the neighbors we rub elbows with in town? Some, of course, we know well. Others are friendly faces we see so regularly that we develop a patterned acquaintanceship-relationship; we grab the same coffees, catch the same trains, join carpool lanes and walk pets on similar schedules. We know, and perhaps wonder about that which we don’t know. Sound like the start of a good mystery novel or thriller? I’m not the one to write it, but I know (or, case in point, know of) a couple of local guys who very well could! Yes, spoiler alert, there are authors among us. And, as books are presents we open again and again, I suggest you flip to A Literary Taste of Chappaqua for a couple of really great gift ideas.

Speaking of gifts, we’ve got a few more thoughtful suggestions inside, and they’re not necessarily the usual suspects. We know that you know that “all that glitters is not gold”, that “good things come in small packages”, that, as the infamous Grinch pondered, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store.” Still, we’ve asked some readers to share their favorite “unconventional” gifts, and added a few ideas of our own. We encourage you to use The Gift of Time as a point of departure to think outside the everyday gift box!

Even as we celebrate the many joyous moments the holiday season brings, it’s equally important to recognize that stress and tension often come along for the ride. Perfect family get-togethers are the hallmark, of, well, Hallmark. Movies, that is. Real life comes with ups and downs. For most of us, mood swings are managed and turbulence is tolerated. But, for others, life is exponentially harder. Mental illness, like its physical counterpart, can hurt. Intensely. Directly. And indirectly too. The holidays can be particularly hard. Visions of sugarplums simply don’t dance for everyone at this time of year. December days darken early, but the truth is, mental illness can darken any month and any family. To help shed some light and offer first-person insights, we bring you Time To Talk and When It’s Personal. Do make and take some time to read and enjoy these critically important articles.

A year ago, I wrote my first guest editorial for Inside Chappaqua. The theme was one of Healthy Holidays, and it was a labor of appreciation and pay-it-forward love. As is often the case, paying something forward comes back to you in kind. Since that holiday issue, I’ve had the good fortune to become acquainted with many new faces and places, explore issues known and new, and work with some truly inspiring, bright, funny and talented people. What a wonderful gift! Thank you, Grace; thank you, sponsors; thank you, readers!

Wishing everyone the very best this holiday and in the year ahead,

Beth Besen

Filed Under: The Inside Scoop Tagged With: celebrations, Holidays, winter

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