Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
Community Day in September brought a warm sense of family to downtown Chappaqua, thanks to the Rotary Club of Chappaqua and all the participating sponsors and volunteers, While exceptional and lively piano was played in the background, children and adults had the chance to meet, catch up, and have some fun. Whether you were interested in jumping castles, food, or meeting the tooth fairy, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Photos by Leslie Regan
By Matt Smith
On any given Monday, when the clock strikes 12 p.m., a select group of community members gathers at the Kittle House. Sure, that’s nothing unusual; the famed restaurant sees many patrons pass through their doors at that prime lunch hour, be they friends catching up, colleagues meeting to discuss business, or local merchants, seeking a respite from their busy day. But while this group is indeed dining, swapping stories, and enjoying each other’s company, there’s another inherent purpose behind their meeting: they’re addressing and discussing important local and global issues, as a means to come together and create positive, lasting change within our community.
This group is, of course, the Rotary Club of Chappaqua, and since 1983, they’ve upheld this noontime routine. At each of their weekly meetings, the club will typically host a guest speaker from a given organization, who will speak to that organization’s cause–one to which Rotarians could consider donating at the end of the year. Past organizations to which the Rotary Club has donated include, but are not limited to, the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, the Food Bank of Westchester, Shelter Box, Hope’s Door, and more. To pursue the goal of community service, emphasized by the Rotary motto “Service Above Self,” the club organizes several community events each year, the proceeds of which are donated to the above organizations.
These events include the annual Pancake Breakfast & Blood Drive, held in the Spring at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin; and Charter Night, held around February or March, wherein club members honor both a Rotarian and a community member, each of whom have fully demonstrated the “Service Above Self” motto through their commitment to volunteer work in the neighborhood. The Rotarian receives the Paul Harris award, named for the original founder of the Rotary Club International, while the community member is given, aptly, the Community Service Award. The club also holds an annual Holiday Concert, featuring the Greeley Madrigal Choir, at the Kittle House in early December.
But their biggest and most buzzed-about event is, without question, Community Day. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17th, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The festive fall bash, held each year at Chappaqua’s Metro-North Train Station, aims to strengthen the communal bond between friends and neighbors new and old; it’s a golden opportunity each year to familiarize residents with all our local merchants and community-based organizations.
“It’s a nice way to get to know the town,” says current Rotary President David Shields, adding the event was one of the first he attended upon moving to Chappaqua in the early ’80s. “Back then, it was in the parking lot of Bell [Middle School],” he continues. “[It’s] a nice tradition, and a great way to celebrate all the town has to offer.”
Over 70-80 booths will showcase a wide array of organizations, local merchants, and civic-minded groups, including everything from Chappaqua Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the PTA to Chappaqua Garden Club and New Castle Recreation and Parks Department, to Greeley student clubs and the New Castle Historical Society, and much, much more.
Additionally, given that it’s an election year, “There’ll [also] be a lot of political booths,” notes Past President and current Rotary member Don Roane. “Perhaps more so than other years.” Indeed, the local Democrats, Republicans and the League of Women Voters will all have booths at the event. As they’ve done in years past, Roane adds, “We’ll also provide rides, bouncing castles and face painting for the kids…[And] a hot dog and soda stand for [lunch].” Rotary Past President John Ehrlich will return to run the Blood Drive in the Plaza.
Shields, meanwhile, announces the Westchester County Clerk Community Outreach Service will return, “which consists of a van with a portable office where folks can get help applying for a passport.” Furthermore, this year’s program will include live performances from Chappaqua’s student musicians. Spearheaded by Dr. Michael Rudolph, now a Chappaqua orthodontist, but formerly a professional musician, the live music “[will] add another level to the event,” says Shields, with a smile.
“And [it will] give them [the musicians] some exposure as well, so that’ll be nice.” Students from Dance Emotions, the Chappaqua-based dance company, and Amadeus Conservatory of Music, will also be on hand to perform. And if all that weren’t enough, this year, Community Day will happen concurrently with both the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market and the Greeley Homecoming Celebration. So, there’ll certainly be no shortage of fun happening at the Train Station then! As for the club itself? They’ll continue to hold their weekly Kittle House meetings, promoting “leadership development, professional networking, local and international awareness, and above all, community service opportunities,” in keeping with Harris’ original mission.
The club is always looking to add to their roster…and you don’t necessarily need to join full-time to attend meetings. So stop in for a visit, and if you’re inclined, become a member!
Need further reason to join? The club itself is steeped in town history! As Shields explains, whereas “most people…are commuters or moved here as adults,” four current Rotary members (Harold Campbell, Peter Davidson, Erik Nicolaysen, and Sandy Bueti) “actually grew up in this town….going back to the ’30’s and ’40’s. They went to Bell when it was the high school,” he explains. “They have lifelong ties to [Chappaqua]…this really is their hometown.”
But regardless of any past or prior connections, it’s clear all Chappaqua Rotarians fully acknowledge and appreciate how “the town is very accommodating in helping [their events] progress” and ultimately, occur. On a larger scale, club members also recognize that in addition to the local Rotary work, “Rotary International [the main Rotary service organization, also] has a worldwide impact.”
No doubt these two elements have an effect on the community at large. “Even as a small organization, we do a lot of good,” comments Roane, upon reflection. And really… at the end of the day, isn’t that what the meaning of “community” is all about?
The 2016 Community Day will be held on September 17th from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Chappaqua Metro-North Train Station. For more information, please visit the Chappaqua Rotary Club Facebook page.
Matt Smith is a regular contributor to the Inside Press and has attended many Community Day events while growing up in Chappaqua.
Promoting the idea of “service above self,” the Rotary Club consists of neighbors, friends and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our community. As one of their many ways of carrying out this mantra, Rotarians raise money to fund various charitable organizations and causes, including the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, the Food Bank of Westchester, the Open Door Foundation, and End Polio Now. The club typically hosts a guest speaker at each of their weekly luncheon meetings, associated with a given organization, who will elaborate on their cause, to which the club could consider for a donation at the end of the year.
Additionally, the club sponsors charitable events including the annual Pancake Breakfast & Blood Drive, held each Spring at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin; and Charter Night, held around February or March, wherein club members honor both a Rotarian and a community member, each of whom have fully demonstrated the “service above self” motto through their commitment to volunteer work in New Castle neighborhoods. The honorees receive the Paul Harris award, named for the original founder of the Rotary Club International, and the Community Service Award, respectively.
The biggest and most buzzed-about Rotary Club-sponsored event, however, comes in the form of Community Day. Held annually each September at the Chappaqua Metro-North train station, the event serves not only as a fundraiser for various not-for-profits, but also acts as a means to bring people to the center of the community, make them aware of the particular organizations, and strengthen the neighborhood bond. Fusing booths that advertise worthy causes and town merchants with bouncy castles, music, face painting, rides, and cotton candy, Chappaqua Community Day is always a huge hit for residents of all ages. The 2015 Community Day is set for September 26th.
If this all seems exciting to you, the good news is that applying for membership is easier than ever! Rates are offered at four different fixed stages (full, active, friend, and guest), so if it looks like your busy schedule won’t allow you to attend every meeting, you can still be considered as a Rotary Club member! Note: While any New Castle community member may become a Rotarian, all must be approved by members of the current Rotary group.
“Friendship, involvement, and community service probably sums it up,” says Rotary Co-President Peter Davidson. “And learning [about charitable organizations] through our speakers program.”
Keep in mind, he adds, whether you are a community member contemplating applying to Rotary, or a current Rotarian carrying out your club duties, “in addition to what we do locally, Rotary International [the main Rotary service organization] has a world-wide impact.” And it’s for that reason why they do what they do, and why their service work is so crucial to the function of our community.
Festivals Galore and a Stand Out “Making Strides Boutique”
By Grace Bennett
I was feeling very proud of our town all through an especially spectacular fall with so many merchants and mom and resident volunteers too…working so hard to create a sense of vibrancy and excitement about this New Castle neighborhood we call home.
First, there was Community Day, an always fun event sponsored by the Rotary Club. Then, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, which was positively epic and reported on in our last few editions!
On the heels of that came the ICD Jewelry 2nd Annual Fall Festival on October 26 sponsored by the Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce–also drawing visitors to town from near and far. Being an apple cake and pie lover, I was thrilled to participate as a judge of the apple pie contest.
“Shop for a Cause”
As I strolled through town after, up and down Greeley and onto lower King Street, my ultimate goal was to make my way into the 5th annual Houlihan Lawrence, “Shop For A Cause-Making Strides Boutique.” The real estate office was transformed into a boutique atmosphere decorated in pink; vendors displayed their wares as Chappaqua residents shopped to support this important fundraising effort.
Local area merchants generously donated raffle prizes. This year the raffle prizes included gift certificates, gift baskets, an Ipad Mini, 39” flat screen tv, jewelry, and this year’s grand prize: a one-week vacation stay at Stonegate Cottage, Block Island. “We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. It was our pleasure to help raise money for such an important cause” remarked Real Estate agent Wendy Nolan. She and husband Michael own the Block Island property. This year, over $7,600 was raised from the boutique. Social media also played an important role to help spread the word about the event. Agents reached out to their clients and friends via Facebook and Twitter. “When someone thanks you for the opportunity to support such a worthy cause, you know you are making a difference,” notes Jeanne Coon. If you would like to be a part of the Boutique next year, write to: jcoon@houlihanlawrence.com
Apple Pie Contest Winners
Cake/Tart:
1st: Emily Haft Bloom
2nd: Francis BaccayCrumble:
1st: Stephanie Puszka
2nd: Hannah Rosenberg
3rd: Satchel DavidsonTraditional Pie:
1st: Grace Baccay
2nd: Teresa Shen
3rd: Gabby Resnick
