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Centennial

Ten Reasons Libraries Have a Bright Future

June 1, 2022 by Ronni Diamondstein

Enjoying ‘Our Family of Readers’, a 1993 work by Penelope Jencks donated to the Chappaqua Library by the Reader’s Digest Association. PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT/INSIDEPRESS

“The only thing you absolutely need to know is the location of your library,” said Albert Einstein. Since 7th Century BC in Ancient Syria, libraries have been an integral part of communities around the world. Even in the digital age libraries continue to be important fixtures in communities across the United States. Here are ten reasons why the library is the most important place in town.

1. Libraries are community centers and the heart of the community. As libraries evolve with the times in their offerings, they are often the first place a new family in town visits.  In 2019 a Gallup Poll found that visiting the library was the most common activity among Americans even more than movie theaters.

2. Everyone is welcome. From tiny toddlers to our most senior citizens there is something for everyone at the library. Libraries are spaces where everyone can continue lifelong learning.

3. Libraries are the gateway to the world’s knowledge. Libraries are a beacon of learning and hub of information. Librarians make sure that all information is kept for the future.

4. Libraries are places where people come to know themselves and their communities New mothers connect with other moms at infant story-times. Senior citizens attend events and take classes and make new friends. Non-English speakers find resources. Community building connections happen all the time.

5. Libraries are great places for teens. The library is a safe space for teens after school. Teens attend programs and many find volunteer opportunities at the library.

6. Libraries are nurturing places for children and important partners in child development. From story hours to craft programs and reader advisory, children learn how to share and to be engaged in their community. As Laura Bush says, “Once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”

7. Librarians have been the staunchest defenders of intellectual freedom and libraries are transparent with all the services they provide. Librarians are watchdogs on topics like free speech, copyright, and privacy. Their organization, the American Library Association, lobbies for these rights. They also protect patron rights by not revealing reading history or programs attended.

8. Librarians are the original search engine. In the age of fake news and viral video remixes, librarians show the way to news literacy and facts. Neil Gaiman says, “Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.”

9. Libraries are important partners in sustainability and economically efficient. Their model of sharing, inter-library loan, for example, allows them to serve many people with fewer resources. Also, they purchase a limited number of resources that many people can use. Patrons can borrow books and DVDs rather than purchase them. And patrons can use shared computers, printers, and photo copiers.

10. Libraries provide information and educational opportunities free for all people. Every resource is free of charge including books, internet access and educational and training programs.  Remote access to all these resources is available and they offer 24/7 free WiFi.

Even during the Pandemic, when the world was locked down, libraries served their communities through their website, virtually, by phone and provided curbside pickup. Libraries are here to stay!

Fun Facts about the Chappaqua Library as the library celebrates its Centennial Anniversary this year: Celebrating the Past. Inspiring the Future.

Chappaqua Library INSIDE PRESS PHOTO

• In 1922, a group of women found space and organized a library in Lou Kopp’s Coal and Feed Store located across the tracks on King Street near the current northbound entrance to the Saw Mill River Parkway. 

• In 1930, with over 5,300 volumes a new library opened on Senter Street, now the home of the Community Center. The community had raised $20,000 in subscriptions to build the library.  The plans were drawn by Alfred Bussell and believed to have been executed by Samuel Horsfall, neither of whom would accept payment for their work.

• In 1970, the community voted to change from a Free Association Library to a School District Library, which would allow the approval of a bond issue to pay for a new library.

• The current building designed by Chappaqua resident Philip M. Chu opened in December 1978.

• A children’s program room was added in 1986 and the front of the library was expanded in 2006.

• In 2021, the library celebrated the completion of the expansion of the children’s and teen rooms and two other new spaces. 

• In 2022, there are over 254,000 volumes in the print and digital collections available to the public plus all that they have access to through the library system and beyond. The Board of Trustees adopted a new logo moving into the next century.  

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Centennial, Chappaqua library, Chappaqua Library Centennial, Gateway, Librarians, Libraries, Lifelong Learning

Save the Dates! Chappaqua Library to Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary with Variety of Centennial-Themed Programs

April 20, 2022 by The Inside Press

The Chappaqua Library recognizes a significant milestone in 2022 as it reaches its one-hundredth anniversary. Partnering with community groups, the library has planned a series of programs and activities including a Centennial Ceremony on Saturday, June 4, 2022, with community guests and burying a time capsule.

A complete list of programs centered around “Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future” will be available by mail and provided below. Activities have been developed for all ages, including in-person and outdoor programs.

The library has worked closely with the Chappaqua Garden Club, the New Castle Historical Society, the Town of New Castle, and the Friends of the Chappaqua Library to create programs that will showcase the library’s history and provide interactive ways for the community to contribute towards the library’s sustainable future.

CENTENNIAL CEREMONY 

Centennial Ceremony: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future

June 4, 2022 | 11:00 AM 

Join us for a community ceremony to honor the library’s 100 years of service. A time capsule will be buried in the library’s courtyard to memorialize our history for future generations. Stay tuned as we announce special guests and activities.

CENTENNIAL PROGRAMS

Embroidery Class for Teens

April 4, 18, 25. May 2, 9, 16, 23 | 3:30-5:00 PM

In this 7-week series, teens will learn embroidery’s ancient and rich art; embellish your clothing with designs–Grades 5 & up. Please register

Teen Garden Club: Planting Heirloom Seeds

May 2, 2022, kickoff through summer | Thursday at 3:30 PM

The Teen Garden Club highlights heritage seeds this season as we honor the beautiful and unique varieties of vegetables and flowers from the past century. The Teen Garden Club meets every Thursday at 3:30 pm. 

Sponsored by the Friends, with a gift from the Linda Zhang Foundation.

Library for a Day: Revisiting Senter Street

May 7, 2022 | 2:00-5:00

The Chappaqua Library revisits our first home on Senter Street as we turn the New Castle Community Center back into a library for the day! Drop by the Community Center for some family fun. Learn about the library circa 1922, try your hand date-stamping a book, and play with some traditional wooden toys. Then, travel through the town center and a century of history with a family scavenger hunt starting at Senter Street! 

Storyteller Carol Birch Presents: “Our Storied Lives”

May 10, 2022 | 7:00 PM 

From the Roaring Twenties until today, family lives weave hiccuping hilarity and drenching sorrows in and out of numberless “ordinary days.” Those ordinary days shimmer in memory’s flickering light. Join Carol Birch for one family’s journey through our storied Centennial year. Carol’s conversational style is fiercely honest as she reminds us how wonderfully strange and strangely wonderful families are! 

Author Talk: “Almost Happy”

May 12, 2022 | 7:00 PM | Online

At the center of the library in the community. Community connects us, and so does laughter. The authors of Almost Happy invite you to “find your buttons, laugh at your inner joke, and be warmly provoked to change for the better.” 

Planting 100 for 100 Years

May 13, 2022 | 4:00-5:00 PM

May 14, 2022 | 11:00-12:00 PM

Kids and families are invited to leave a lasting mark for future library visitors in this plant-one, take-one home program with the help of the Chappaqua Garden Club. Families will be able to bring a tiny part of the library home with them! Learn about native landscape plugs, hear a story and enjoy activities.

Sponsored by the Friends; in partnership with the Chappaqua Garden Club. 

Jr. Garden Club: Milkweed for Monarchs

June 8, 2022 | 4:00-5:00 PM

Kids and families are invited to help with a permanent landscape planting of young milkweed plants to support migrating monarch butterflies at the library. Learn about butterflies, hear a story, and enjoy activities. Grades K-6. Please register.

Sponsored by the Friends; in partnership with the Chappaqua Garden Club. 

Bubbles Bus & Birthday Party

June 22, 2022 | 5:00-7:00 PM 

Kick-off summer reading with a library birthday blowout and treats! The Bubble Bus brings the party to us with music, dancing, and tons of bubbles

The Chappaqua Library is located at 195 S. Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, New York.

More information about the library can be found here:

www.chappaqualibrary.org

Filed Under: Happenings, New Castle News Tagged With: 100 years, Centennial, Centennial Celebration, Centennial Ceremony, Chappaqua library

Northern Westchester Hospital Kicks Off its Centennial Celebration

January 24, 2016 by Inside Press

Two Honorary Proclamations, Reminiscing, a Ribbon Cutting and More!

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

Mount Kisco–A packed and festive Centennial Kick off Celebration at Northern Westchester Hospital brought together physicians, board members, employees, volunteers, elected officials, supporters, artists and many others who gathered for a proud CEO’s remarks, refreshments galore, the unveiling of an interactive history timeline and a ribbon cutting ceremony; they were also treated to stories of health care delivery in the early 1900s. In his remarks, President and CEO (for 15 years) Joel Seligman reminisced about days gone by and just how far we’ve come.

nwh lobby 100
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nwh table

“Surgery was often done on your living room table,” said Joel Seligman, NWH president and CEO for the last 15 years. “Surgery was done on your dining room table—yes, house calls were common then—because the nearest hospital was in New York City. And you got there via a bumpy, horse-drawn wagon driving down the pot-hole ridden Albany Post Road, now known as Route 9…

“Once you got to New York City, an ambulance met you and took you to the hospital. And this only happened for the fortunate few who had the financial means for this type of care.”

Seligman recounted that it took “a handful of forward-thinking community members” to begin fundraising; after 10 years, “this group of visionaries raised $12,500, and opened the 15-bed Mount Kisco Hospital on August 20, 1916, which served the 14 villages in the surrounding area.”

100 years later, Seligman said the mission is still “to provide the highest quality, patient-centered care close to home for all members of our community–regardless of their ability to pay.”

“Of course, so much has happened between our humble beginnings in 1916 and today: advancements in technology, our enhanced clinical capabilities, the growth and modernization of our campus, and most importantly, the positive impact we continue to have on the people who live in our community.

Before others spoke, Seligman acknowledged certain individuals attending that he explained had a unique connection to the hospital.
— Joan Stewart, one of the first preemie babies born at NWH in 1935, and who stayed here for four long months before going home to her family
— Joan’s sister, Pat Reilly, former Mayor of Mount Kisco, born at NHW in 1932
— Henry Schriever, NWH’s first pastoral care chaplain
— Sue Moga, whose grandfather, Roberts Richie, was a founding physician of the original Mount Kisco Hospital on Stewart Place
— Babs Johnson, whose father, Philips Lounsbery was a Hospital trustee for many years
— Retired physician Hal Federman who began NWH’s Palliative Care program
— Dr. Herb Kaufman, who performed the first flexible endoscopy at NWH
— Dr. Scott Hayworth President & CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group and Dr. Peter Mercurio President & CEO Westchester Health

Nancy Karch, chair of the Northern Westchester Hospital Board of Trustees offered more kudos to the hospital’s role in the community–“whether it’s the dad coming to NWH via ambulance with chest pains…the grandfather who needs a new hip…or the mom who is going through radiation therapy for breast cancer…” She also took the opportunity to note that NWH is now a member of the Northwell Health network of 21 hospitals, “including facilities that specialize in pediatric and psychiatric care.
“It has a pioneering research facility, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and a visionary approach to medical education at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies,” said Karch. “We are very excited about this new Chapter in our history.”

“It has a pioneering research facility, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and a visionary approach to medical education at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. We are very excited about this new Chapter in our history.”
Karch recognized the following attendees as well:

— Susan Spear, Regional Director for the Hudson Valley, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office

— George Oros, County Executive Rob Astorino’s Chief of Staff.

— County Legislator Francis Corcoran

— Chief of Staff Gary Friedman of Chairman Mike Kaplowitz’s office

— Marianne Oros, Community Relations Specialist, NY State Senator Terrance Murphy

— Mount Kisco Mayor, Michael Cindrich

— Her fellow Board of Trustees, Alumni Trustees, Foundation Board members and President’s Council Members.

She offered “a very special welcome” to Northwell’s Dr. Lawrence Smith, Physician in Chief and Dean of the Hofstra Northwell school of Medicine and Gene Tangney, Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer..

Astorino’s office and the County Legislators’ office both offered proclamations announcing January 21, 2016 as Northern Westchester Hospital Day in Westchester County.

Seligman returned to the mic after a host of remarks from elected officials and others and invited guests to view the historical timeline, He thanked “two long-term community partners, GG Kopilak and the Katonah Museum Artists Association (KMAA) and Lois Barker and the Westchester Photographic Society. And added: “KMAA provides the artwork you see in the hallway and WPS provides the photographs that adorn our Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. Thank you both for providing the gift of art to our patients and families.”

From left: Joel Seligman and Nancy Karch lead a ribbon cutting ceremony with Pat Reilly and Joan Stewart in front of the interactive historical timeline.
From left: Joel Seligman and Nancy Karch lead a ribbon cutting ceremony with Pat Reilly and Joan Stewart in front of the interactive historical timeline.
A first proclamation from the County Executive's office: January 21, 2016 as Northern Westchester Hospital Day
A first proclamation from the County Executive’s office: January 21, 2016 as Northern Westchester Hospital Day
A second proclamation to NWH for its Centennial came from the County Legislators' office.
A second proclamation to NWH for its Centennial came from the County Legislators’ office.
Joel Seligman with Eric Rosenfeld and Sally Rosenfeld. Seligman related the story of how Eric's mom, the late Louise Rosenfeld of Chappaqua, had suffered from a burn injury while Louise and her husband Gabby, `were abroad. She was pregnant with Eric and physicians at a hospital in Holland advised terminating the pregnancy to heal with the burn treatments. She refused, went home and received treatment in New York while continuing to battle the burn injury; eventually Eric was born at Northern Westchester Hospital where he and Louise received optimal care. Eric is now a member of the Hospital Foundation's board.
Joel Seligman with Eric Rosenfeld and Sally Rosenfeld. Seligman related the story of how Eric’s mom, the late Louise Rosenfeld of Chappaqua, had suffered from a burn injury while Louise and her husband Gabby, `were abroad. She was pregnant with Eric and physicians at a hospital in Holland advised terminating the pregnancy to heal with the burn treatments. She refused, went home and received treatment in New York while continuing to battle the burn injury; eventually Eric was born at Northern Westchester Hospital where he and Louise received optimal care. Eric is now a member of the Hospital Foundation’s board.

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Century ago artifacts
Century ago artifacts

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Lewisboro Town Superintendant Peter Parsons with Susan Spear, regional director for Senator Gillibrand. On the right: George Oros, chief of staff for the County Executive office.
Lewisboro Town Superintendant Peter Parsons with Susan Spear, regional director for Senator Gillibrand. On the right: George Oros, chief of staff for the County Executive office.
Mike Cindrich, Mayor, Mount Kisco; Frances Corcoran, Westchester County Legislator for the 2nd District and Gary Friedman, chief of staff, County Legislators.
Mike Cindrich, Mayor, Mount Kisco; Frances Corcoran, Westchester County Legislator for the 2nd District and Gary Friedman, chief of staff, County Legislators.
on left: Dr. Lawrence Smith, Physician in Chief and Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. On right: Dr. Scott Hayworth, President and CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group
on left: Dr. Lawrence Smith, Physician in Chief and Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. On right: Dr. Scott Hayworth, President and CEO of Mount Kisco Medical Group
l-r: Nancy Kearin, coding manager, Northwell Health at Phelps and Linda McCarthy, administrator, NWH Breast Institute
l-r: Nancy Kearin, coding manager, Northwell Health at Phelps and Linda McCarthy, administrator, NWH Breast Institute
Dr. Peter Richel, chief of pediatrics, and Dr. David Palaia, M.D., reconstructive surgery, The Breast Institute
Dr. Peter Richel, chief of pediatrics, and Dr. David Palaia, M.D., reconstructive surgery, The Breast Institute
(l-r) Chappaqua's Jennifer Rosar Gefsky with Whitney Wasserman, NWH development manager, Capital Campaign
(l-r) Chappaqua’s Jennifer Rosar Gefsky with Whitney Wasserman, NWH development manager, Capital Campaign

nwh group

Chappaqua's Michael Kaufman and Judy McGrath
Chappaqua’s Michael Kaufman and Judy McGrath

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: celebration, Centennial, community, Inside Press, Joel Seligman, medical care, Northern Westchester Hospital, NWH, theinsidepress.com, Westchester

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