The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Chappaqua

Diversity: A Key Focus at the 2018 Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

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The sixth annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival comes to town on Saturday, September 29th with more of everything–new authors, food trucks, activities and special attractions like the Bubble Bus.

Food trucks will include Mobile Pie, Walter’s Hot Dogs, The Melt Mobile and Three Little Pigs. Dessert will be available at the Great Chappaqua Bake Sale and also at Penny Lick Ice Cream’s cart which will feature a custom CCBF flavor in homage to author Bernard Most: If the Dinosaurs Came Back for Ice Cream. The Mike Risko Band and the Random Farms Kids’ Theater will provide entertainment.

Ninety-four authors including favorites like Victoria Kann, Rosemary Wells, Nick Bruel, Jane Yolen and Mark Teague will sign books and chat with their fans. Books are available through Best Book Fairs (cash or credit cards accepted). The festival, an all-volunteer effort, will also feature 18 new authors. A focus for the festival’s organizers was bringing books to a more diverse audience in 2018.

Dawn Greenberg, founder and executive director of the festival, noted: “Each year the author selection committee attempts to find books that will offer our visiting families the opportunity to be transported by our authors to different and diverse worlds, giving them a window on all kinds of characters and experiences–real and fictional.  We are thrilled to bring in a wide selection of authors and genres this year who are getting great buzz in the children’s publishing world for their riveting stories and fresh voices.”

Snapshots from 2017

Tony Abbott with kids
PHOTO BY BO ZAUNDERS

PHOTO BY JOANNA SEGAL

Greeley Grad Raises Money for Women in Kore, Ethiopia on Cross-Country Bike Trip

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On a sweltering Thursday in July, Horace Greeley ’10 grad James Rosenberg missed a phone call from a reporter.

“I ended yesterday in Hell’s Canyon,” he explained later. “They say it’s named that due to the heat but I suspect it’s due to lack of cell signal.” Ultimately though, Rosenberg proved pretty reachable for a guy on the last two weeks of a cross-country bike trip.

Rosenberg was close to achieving his goals: the completion of a ride from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR and his fundraising aim of $20,000 to benefit Ethiopian women in the community of Kore, Ethiopia, through a charity called ‘I Pour Life.’ Kore is a community located on a garbage dump on the outskirts of Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa and has 100,000 residents. Many of these marginalized residents are widows, orphans and HIV/AIDS victims.

A Novice Biker

After attending Emory University in Georgia and working in corporate strategy first for Dollar Tree and then, back in New York, for JP Morgan, Rosenberg decided to get his MBA. “About two to two-and-a-half years ago I started the process of applying to business school and to keep myself sane, I planned a big trip,” Rosenberg said. He cast about for ideas and just kept coming back to consider a bike trip. “I was not a bike rider–I had to buy the bike to do this,” he added.

So Rosenberg began talking to friends about it and was put in touch with a friend’s cousin who had done an earlier ride to benefit the women of Kore. The idea felt right. “To me, it made a lot of sense to do the Ride for Kore,” Rosenberg said. ‘The Ride for Kore’ helps set up individual Ethiopian women with the security, training and financing they need to start small businesses and be self-supporting. The business-training aspect particularly resonated with Rosenberg as he headed toward business school. “It was such a perfect parallel for me I knew I had to do it,” he said.

The Training Process

In March of 2017 Rosenberg bought the bike and began to train in his New York City apartment for an hour each morning. “I was more or less sitting on my bike watching Netflix,” he said.

His upbringing in Chappaqua had prepared him to take on a long ride. “Chappaqua is definitely a town where endurance sports are big–at least they were in my life,” Rosenberg said. “I was a cross-country runner in high school so I definitely thought it’s not how fast you go as much as how long you go.”

On April 29 of this year Rosenberg began his journey. Unlike most road bikers in our area, his bike is laden with four panniers (“they’re basically saddlebags like a motorcyclist or a horseback rider would have,” he said), a sleeping mat, a tent and a place to view maps up front. That’s how he navigates–with maps provided by the Adventure Cycling Association. He pitches his tent in parks where allowed, or in other more rustic locations, and occasionally sleeps in the basements of certain churches that are open to all.

Enjoying the Ride

Rosenberg generally rides six to seven hours a day. “It sounds a bit boring but it’s incredible. You are powering yourself so every inch you go is up to you. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy each ride,” he said. “I thought that what would get me through would be music or podcasts but mostly I just listen to the sounds of nature.” When he does turn to technology for a little entertainment, Rosenberg’s favorites include NPR, classic rock and Jack Reacher novels.

Besides the ride, Rosenberg also said he enjoyed meeting so many friendly people from all across the land. “I have become such a big fan of this country, not that I wasn’t before,” he said. “Once you get out here everyone is incredibly friendly and so many people have gone out of their way to help me” with advice, dinners and even places to stay. “I’m very thankful,” Rosenberg added.

But while he’s enjoyed seeing the country, Rosenberg is clear about the main benefit of his voyage. “This ride is for Kore,” he said. “That’s the stated mission.” Rosenberg will be accepting donations at rideforkore.com for a while following the completion of his journey, which is scheduled to end on or around July 27. At press time, he had raised more than $15,000 toward his goal.

A Jazz Era Picnic in the Park!

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New Castle Historical Society in Chappaqua to Host a Jazz-Era Picnic in the Park:
Featuring NYC’s “Jazz-Age Lawn Party” Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra

The New Castle Historical Society has announced a Jazz-Era Picnic in the Park fundraiser at the Chappaqua Station lawn and circle on Sunday, September 16th, 2018. Slip on your dancing shoes and join the New Castle Historical Society for an evening of music and fun celebrating the Roaring 1920’s! The Chappaqua Station lawn will open to guests at 4 pm, and attendees are encouraged, but not required, to dress in their finest 1920s-inspired outfits, dresses, and sun hats.

The event will feature Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, the world’s premiere Jazz-Age dance orchestra, under the canopy of trees in front of Chappaqua Station. Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, well-known for their infectious and electrifying performances at the “Jazz Age Lawn Party” on NYC’s Governors Island, are sure to have guests dancing the night away and trying their hand at the Charleston or the Lindy Hop. As stated on the band’s website, “The Dreamland Orchestra’s mission is to mine the forgotten yet vital beauty of the past and bring it into the light of today — to be danced and romanced to by a new generation of flappers and sheiks.”

“I have had the good fortune to work with Michael Arenella over the past decade.  I am excited to welcome Michael and his orchestra and all of the magic that surrounds it, to what we hope, will be the first of many collaborative years in support of the New Castle Historical Society,” said Event Chair Peter Chase. NCHS Executive Director Cassie Ward continued, “Guests will find this new event invigorating and memorable–it will truly be a special evening for our local and surrounding communities.” She continued, “Proceeds from this event, and others that we host throughout the year, help us to maintain the preservation of the Horace Greeley House museum, as well as to fund many of our educational and historical programs.”

Guests are invited to bring their own picnics, though some light fare and refreshments will be available for purchase (first come basis). Guests may also choose to pre-purchase picnic baskets from the Chappaqua Station Café and Store: www.chappaquastation.com.

Tickets for the Jazz-Era Picnic in the Park are required, and are $30 for NCHS members, $35 for not-yet-members, and $50 for event supporters. Table Sponsorships ($1,500-$5,000) are also available and they include: family-style gourmet picnics by Crabtree’s Kittle House, wine, commemorative Jazz-Era Picnic in the Park tote bags, and premium orchestra views. All ticket information is available on the historical society’s website at www.newcastlehs.org or on www.eventbrite.com.

For more information, please visit www.newcastlehs.org, call 914-238-4666, or email Cassie Ward at director@newcastlehs.org.

 

Event information provided by the Inside Press via a release from the New Castle Historical Society.

Save the Date for Northern Westchester Hospital 2018 Gala: November 3 Honorees Noted Here!

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Ellen and Kamran Hakim

 Ellen and Kamran Hakim were Named Community Honorees and Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller Named Physician Honorees

Mt. Kisco, New York— Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) will honor philanthropists Ellen and Kamran Hakim, and physicians Drs. Adina and Jeffrey Keller at the hospital’s annual gala on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 333 North Bedford Road at 6:30 p.m. The event is co-chaired by Jennifer and Jon Klein, and Luba and Steve Seidman. The announcement was made by Keeva Young-Wright, President of the NWH Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at NWH.

“We are delighted to honor the Hakims for their long-term, generous support of Northern Westchester Hospital and the Kellers for their clinical excellence and leadership roles at NWH,” she said.

“These couples exemplify the community support, commitment and dedication that enables NWH to provide high quality, patient-centered care to all members of our community.”

Mr. Hakim, a New York-based real estate investor and one of the city’s largest private landlords, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1956 at the age of 14. Mrs. Hakim, born Ellen Manocherian, is in partnership with her sister Joan Cohen in the family’s real estate business.

Longtime supporters of NWH, the Hakims hosted two fundraising galas for the hospital at their Old Salem Farm. Their grandson Andrew was born at NWH, and Mr. Hakim, who has been a patient at NWH credits the hospital for saving his life. The couple are married for 53 years and have lived in Westchester for just as long. They have four children, 12 grandchildren, and reside in Chappaqua.

Adina Keller, M.D., FACOG

Adina Keller, MD, FACOG, is a community-based physician who has dedicated her professional life to women’s health and cancer prevention. As a board certified OB/GYN with CareMount Medical Group and associate chief of OB/GYN at NWH, Dr. Keller is a champion of cancer prevention. In addition to her practice, which includes minimally invasive robotic surgery, Dr. Keller has made it a mission to educate the community about health, wellness and cancer prevention.

She is on the Board of Trustees at NWH, and is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (AGOG) Cervical Cancer Prevention Task Force and served as section chair of its Hudson Valley District. She also served as Medical Director of the American Cancer Society, Westchester Branch, and was on its Board of Advisors from 2007-2015. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including The American Cancer Society Leadership and Humanitarian award, US News and World Report Top Doctor; New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2017); and has received Top Doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018) and Westchester Magazine (2013, 2015 and 2017).

Jeffrey Keller, M.D., FACS, FAAP

Jeffrey Keller, MD, FACS, FAAP, is board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and a Pediatric Otolaryngologist who has devoted his career to taking care of children. Dr. Keller began working at Northern Westchester Hospital in 2005 and is currently the Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology for the Mount Sinai Health System at CareMount Medical. Dr. Keller practices at CareMount Medical’s Mount Kisco and Carmel offices, and has privileges at Northern Westchester Hospital, the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Westchester and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Keller has authored numerous chapters on Pediatric Otolaryngology, and has received many awards. He is the recipient of New York Magazine’s Best Doctor Award (2006-2008 & 2014-2016); Best Doctors in America (2013 and 2015); and top doctor awards from Castle Connolly (2013-2018), Westchester Magazine (2013-2017), Hudson Valley Magazine (2017), and Hudson Valley Parent Favorite Docs (2016 and 2017).

Dr. Adina Keller and Dr. Jeffrey Keller live in Chappaqua with their two teenage sons.

The NWH Gala begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., a program and dinner at 8 p.m., and dancing at 9:30 p.m. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.nwhconnect.org/2018gala.  

This news: courtesy of Northwell and Northern Westchester Hospital

An Invite to the Blum Sisters’ Lemonade Stand: June 9!

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 On Saturday, June 9th, the Blum Sisters’ Lemonade Stand will be at the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market, providing a great chance to indulge in a thirst quenching summer beverage. This is the fifth year that founders Rebecca (age 13) and her sister Jenna (age 10) are operating the stand, continuing their quest to raise money for childhood cancer research. This year the girls are once again squeezing hundreds of lemons in order to meet their goal of raising $2,000, which will go straight to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is an organization that was founded by Alex Scott, a four year old cancer patient who began a series of successful lemonade stands to help other kids with cancer. She managed to raise over one million dollars prior to her death at age eight and created a movement that continues to this day. Following Alex’s successful Formula, the Blum sister’s decided to create a stand in which they placed no set price on a cup of lemonade, rather accepting any amount that each person was able and willing to donate.

Recently, the girls dedicated the stand to their Grandfather (Papa Neil), who passed away due to brain cancer in 2016. Holly Blum, mother of the two sisters, states that their Papa “would be really proud of the girls,” especially since they have managed to raise over $6,000 over the past five years. So come support the Blum Sister’s this Saturday, and help these two kids make a big difference!

Derek Rosen (HGHS Class of ’17) is an intern for the Inside Press this summer. In September, Derek will be entering his sophomore year at Syracuse University, where he is majoring in communications.