The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Loving the Lake and So Much More About Windmill Farm

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The Windmill Farm section of Armonk has much to offer including unspoiled natural beauty, winding roads and wildlife. Windmill Farm, originally known as Windmill Manor, was the sprawling estate of Dr. Charles Paterno. His son Carlo developed the land into a residential community in the 1940’s. The neighborhood features the Windmill Club, historic windmills and a breathtaking landscape.

The Benerofe family has called Windmill Farm home for nine years. Jenni is a chef and owner of The Balaboosta Chef, offering private and group cooking classes, Jory is Vice President of Creative Strategy for Vineyard Vines, daughter Noa is 12 and son Levin is 10. One of the reasons the family moved to Armonk was to be close to family. “We were also attracted to the small town vibe, top-notch schools, larger plots of land and the built-in, lakeside social life that living in Windmill Farm allows,” says Jenni. 

Access to the Windmill Club has given the Benerofes opportunities to form lasting friendships with many neighbors. Jenni says, “Our entire family has made such special memories as well as lifelong friendships during summers spent at the lake at the Windmill Club.” The Windmill Club offers amenities such as lake swimming, tennis, basketball and a newly-renovated clubhouse. The Benerofes take advantage of the neighborhood’s outdoor spaces as well. “Living in a neighborhood where we can be physically active outdoors is really important to us. You’ll find us running through the streets of our neighborhood and taking our kids on hikes along the trails in Westmoreland Sanctuary,” says Jenni.

Windmill Farm neighbors love to socialize but especially come together in times of need. In addition to the many pot luck dinners, BBQ’s, holiday parties and more, neighbors are there for one another. As Jenni says, “I’m proud to live in a community that is infinitely helpful and compassionate in times of crisis. Our neighborhood always comes through with meal trains, carpools and donations when needed.” The family also participates in and donates services to the Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run, held each spring at the Windmill Club, raising grant money for the First Responders of Northern Westchester. Adding up everything the area has to offer Jenni states, “All of these things make living in Armonk so special!”

Yale Farms: Outdoor Living at Its Best

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Armonk’s Yale Farms sits on the border of Greenwich, CT and its historical roots lie in Connecticut as well. CT native and Yale graduate John W. Sterling once owned the land and upon his death in 1918, donated it to the university. Yale Farms is situated near Whippoorwill Ridge Park and Wampus Brook Park and residents can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as tennis, walking trails, picnicking and more at nearby North Castle Community Park.

The Milim family has lived in Yale Farms since 2013. Rachel, Director of Brant Lake Sports Academy for Girls and Matthew, a small business owner, live with their children Ryan, age 10.5, Samuel, age 8.5 and Jack, age 5. The family was originally looking for a small town community close to the city but with more of a country feel. “We were looking for a place we can raise our family and that included great schools, great activities and a town with true character,” says Rachel.

Living in Yale Farms has given the Milim family a real sense of community. “We love living here because the town has become our family. There is always a sense of support – people go above and beyond to help each other out. Whether it’s a fundraiser, meal trains or just driving carpool, the saying ‘it takes a village’ is very real and it works in this town,” states Rachel.

There are always fun events going on in the neighborhood or in town. As Rachel says, “Community events are BIG in Armonk.” Some of the family’s favorites include the Chamber of Commerce Frosty Day Parade, Byram Hills Preschool Association’s Carnival, various 5K fundraisers and the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.

One favorite holiday of the Milim family is Halloween. “Halloween is a big deal here. The entire town trick-or-treats on Glendale and Wampus Avenues. Homes are decorated to the nines and filled with candy. Police monitor the area to make sure it’s a fun-filled and safe Halloween for kids of all ages!”

Returning to Raise a Family in the Tree Streets of Briarcliff Manor

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Briarcliff natives and high school sweethearts, Cari DeRose, an auditor and Cesare DeRose, owner of Tegra, a building maintenance supply company, live in the Tree Streets section of Briarcliff Manor with daughters Sabrina, age 9 and Juliana, age 5. Having both grown up in the area, settling there with their young family was a no-brainer. “When we got married in 2008 we did not consider any other towns when looking for our first place together. The sense of community and positive experience we had growing up in Briarcliff is exactly what we wished for our own children,” said Cari.

The Tree Streets were named by Walter W. Law, who founded Briarcliff Manor in the 1890’s. He wanted to name the streets after the species of trees planted in the surrounding areas such as Elm, Pine, Oak and Linden. Cari grew up in the Tree Streets and her parents still live in her childhood home. The DeRoses purchased their home three years ago and love their neighborhood. The area is very safe for kids to go out and play. As Cari says, “Since there are only two access points into the Tree Streets (Ash and Larch), there is not a lot of “thru traffic.” This allows the kids to bike and walk around a little bit more freely.”

Living in the Tree Streets provides many opportunities for neighbors to gather. On Halloween, the DeRoses saw over 400 trick-or-treaters come to their home. There’s also an annual adults-only block party held each fall.

As Cari says, “We love being a part of the Briarcliff community.” The family enjoys many local events including Family Fun Night, Santa Express, which is hosted by the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, the Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series and the Halloween window painting, which takes place in town each year.

Pleasantville: A Close-Knit Community with Walkability

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It can be said that residents of Pleasantville “bleed green” (the school district’s official color). Many in the community don’t just consider themselves residents, but members of a tight-knit community that is always there to help one another. The Gorsuch family has called Pleasantville home since 2008. Abe, a private financial advisor for a large bank, Jenn, co-owner of Go Take a Hike Dog Walking with fellow Pleasantville mom, Beth D’Alessandro, Elizabeth, age 15 and Jack, age 12 love living in Pleasantville.

The family moved from the Upper West Side citing the great schools and quick city commute and soon embraced everything Pleasantville had to offer. It was hard to adjust with both parents working full-time in Manhattan, but as Jenn said, the community made it so much easier. “I met so many wonderful families just because we don’t have any buses. This is a walking community, we were forced to make new friends at school pick-up, the library, the playground. Lifelong friendships were made and I then knew we had the ideal community to raise a family in.”

The Pleasantville community comes together both in happy times and times of tragedy. After a recent loss in the community, Jack said to Jenn, “Mom, we did not have to know the family to be sad, this is Pleasantville, we are family.”  Jenn continues, “We don’t just support each other during a tragedy, we are there to celebrate each other, coach each other, parent together.” One event the family participates in each year is Break the Hold’s Into the Light Walk, which aims to break the stigma on mental illness and honor the memory of Pleasantville’s own Brian T. Halloran.

The Gorsuch family enjoys walking to most places in town. Some favorite spots include the farmers market, Jacob Burns Film Center, Arc Stages and countless restaurants such as Bistro 146. There are many community events throughout the year such as the Halloween Ragamuffin Parade, Pleasantville Day, and the fire department parade.

As Jenn says, “There is nothing like this village. I am truly blessed and so lucky to be part of it and my family is too. You can see as people come back to raise their own families here after growing up here. We are a special mix of people.”

Ossining: River Views Plus A Warm Welcome Make Newcomers Feel at Home

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In 1813 Ossining became the first incorporated village in Westchester to be state chartered. Originally named Sing Sing, the village changed its name to Ossining in 1901 for obvious reasons. Recent transplants to the area, the Stoever/Pfaff family has only lived there for six months but has already found plenty things to love about it. Alissa Stoever, Assistant Principal at Chappaqua’s Westorchard Elementary School, Nick Pfaff co-owner of Pro-Activity (a NJ-based Health and Wellness company) and Blair Pfaff, age 6 enjoy their new neighborhood.

The family moved from Glen Rock, NJ, a very close-knit community. After commuting for over ten years, they were eager to find someplace with the same feel yet closer to Alissa’s job. “We chose the area to be close to Westorchard and also have easy highway access for my husband for when he did need to go into the office. 9A, the Taconic, etc. are all less than ten minutes from our house,” says Alissa.

Their new neighborhood feels like a community within Ossining. It’s quiet and spaced-out but always with an opportunity to connect and socialize. As Alissa says, “The neighborhood is set on a hill and our house is at the very top. When we came for the Open House we were driving back down and noticed a spectacular view of the Hudson River. That was the “cherry on top!” We called our agent and put an offer in before we even made it back to Route 133!” The Stoever/Pfaffs love the waterfront and parks that line it. In summer, they are able to bike along the river and explore local trails. Another favorite is the Ossining Library. “My daughter and I visit weekly and take full advantage of the cozy spaces for reading,” says Alissa.

The neighborhood embraced the family when they moved in. “Within 24 hours every surrounding neighbor had come over to introduce themselves and to bring us gifts. We were so touched by their generosity and kindness but also struck by their genuine appreciation and pride in the neighborhood.” The family is also realizing what a big deal Halloween is there. A neighbor hosted a pre-trick-or-treating party and as Alissa said, “I far underestimated the candy purchasing for our own house and will definitely need to at least triple it next year!”