The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Dave Bickler

Dave Bickler Cites Flood Sisters “Fantastic Work” at November Music Charity Event

by

Supporting Kidney Donor Awareness on Behalf of the Flood Sisters Foundation

By Grace Bennett

At a music cocktail charity event at Lexington Square Cafe on November 18th, the Flood Sisters proudly stated that they were celebrating “saving nine lives thus far.” Here are a few highlights from a successful evening that brought together so many supporters and friends:

  • Former lead singer, Dave Bickler of the band, Survivor, performed.
  • Armonk resident, singer and guitarist Corinna Shapiro performed acoustic on her ukulele.
  • Former Sopranos Actor Anthony J Ribustello spoke about his need for a kidney. Anthony also brought actor/director of the new show, Orange is the New Black, Nick Sandow to the event.
  • General raising of awareness for living kidney donation o the public in Westchester through music!

    (L-R) Cynthia Flood, Mona Bickler, Dave Bickler, Jennifer Flood and Heather Flood Photo by Allegra Samsen
    (L-R) Cynthia Flood, Dave Bickler, Jennifer Flood and Heather Flood Photo by Allegra Samsen

The evening’s sponsors included VIP Taxi, Colchis Capital, The Spiegel Family Foundation and the Inside Press. Our silent auction included gifts from DeCiccos, Emmary Spa, Equinox and East Hampton Point.

“My sisters and I focus on spreading awareness to the public on living kidney donation and kidney disease, and basically, on how someone can save a life,” said Jennifer Flood. “We provide matching services to those in need nationwide. Our future plans include going into the nearby schools and spreading awareness for kidney health.”

Dave Bickler said that he performed to support the Flood Sisters who “are doing fantastic work to help others in need.”

For more information or to support the Flood Sisters Foundation, visit www.floodsisters.org

 

bickler-sopranos
Also joining the Flood Sisters at the November 18 fundraiser: Former Sopranos Actor, Anthony J Ribustello (R),  and director of Orange is the New Black, Nick Sandow  Photo by Allegra Samsen
dave-bickler3
Chappaqua’s Dave Bickler performing to support the Flood Sisters Foundation’s work to raise kidney donor awareness. Photo by Leslie Regan

 

bickler-brunettenewbest
Armonk resident and singer/guitarist: Corinna Shapiro. Photo by Leslie Regan
flood-sister-speaker
 Chappaqua resident Katherine Whymark spoke about her experience as a living kidney donor. Photo by Allegra Samsen
bickler-brunette-hugging-jennifer
Jennifer Flood (right). Photo by Leslie Regan
bickler-me-and
Grace Bennett, publisher/editor, Inside Press, shares a laugh with Dave Bickler and his wife, Mona. Photo by Leslie Regan

 

 

 

“Let there be Peace on Earth”: A Key Message during Chappaqua’s Concert to End Gun Violence

by

db_concert-kids

Gun violence has been on our minds for quite some time. On Sunday, September 25, the opportunity to come together as a nation, on the same day, to express frustration with America’s gun violence epidemic and “to rally support for policies that reduce death and injury from gunfire” was realized by The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence.

Hosted by the First Congregational Church in Chappaqua, the Concert mirrored several others which took place all over the United States. The Concert was in partnership with Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, the Town of New Castle, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council, the Upper Westchester Muslim Society, Chappaqua Cares, the Million Mom March Northern Westchester Chapter and with Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.

Chappaqua celebrity Dave Bickler, from the band Survivor, known for hits such as “Eye of the Tiger,” moved the audience with his renditions of “For What It’s Worth” and “Give Peace a Chance.”
Chappaqua celebrity Dave Bickler, from the band Survivor, known for hits such as “Eye of the Tiger,” moved the audience with his renditions of “For What It’s Worth” and “Give Peace a Chance.”

Local musicians of all ages performed moving instrumental and vocal pieces to underscore this theme. They included the HGHS Madrigal Choir, a trio from the Chappaqua Chamber Orchestra, the Chancel Choir, James Blasdell, Sam Blasdell, Alex Forni, Cantor Star Trompeter and Keith Robellard.

Musical performances were interspersed with secular and faith-based quotes and poems delivered by local dignitaries including Congresswoman Nita Lowey, State Assemblyman David Buchwald , Supervisor Robert Greenstein, Police Chief Charles Ferry and Poetess Shobha Vanchiswar.

Reverend Dr. Martha R. Jacobs led the audience in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The Concert echoed both sadness for all of us impacted by gun violence and hopefulness for change as the Town of New Castle came together to engage in this national movement.

Francesca Hagadus retired in 2015  after teaching French and Spanish in the Chappaqua Central School District for 32 years. She lives in Pleasantville with her two sons.

The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence

by

gun-violence-concert

From here in New Castle, to the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, to the Top of the Standard in Los Angeles, and to Lola’s Trailer Park in Fort Worth, Texas, musicians are banding together for The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence on Sunday, Sept. 25th.

  • At Chappaqua’s First Congregational Church, Dave Bickler will be singing, Keith Robellard, Minister of Music at FCC will be playing, and other special guests will be performing and speaking. The concert, which is being co-sponsored by the FCC and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society, is free and open to the public. It will take place at 4 p.m. at FCC, 210 Orchard Ridge Road.
  • Producers of the main event at the Beacon Theatre include: Live Nation New York; Jerry Foley, former director of “The Late Show with David Letterman”; John Rosenthal of SHV, and Donna Dees-Thomases, the founder of the Million Mom March, Mother’s Day 2000–still the largest protest against gun violence in U.S. history.
  • Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains will host a participatory “Sing-In” from 4 p.m.-6 pm. Folk and contemporary song will be led by Cantors Ellen Dreskin and Jonathan Gordon, and other favorite singers: Kenny Green, Adam Hart, Ira and Julia Levin, Jenny Murphy and more. Free and open to the public. RSVP to wct.org/concertacrossamerica.

“I’m inspired by the organizers for the Chappaqua concert, whose hard work has made the message from the Lower Hudson Valley loud and clear: we cannot wait one more day for commonsense gun safety measures that are supported by the vast majority of Americans. I will continue fighting in Congress to keep our families and communities safe. And together, we will win this fight.” –Congresswoman Nita Lowey

Spearheaded by Massachusetts-based Stop Handgun Violence (SHV), Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, and dozens of other organizations committed to reducing gun violence, the concerts will feature a diverse array of artists performing at venues ranging from churches and school gymnasiums to honky-tonks and hotel rooftops. Artists are asked to perform at least one song that gives voice to the more than five million Americans who’ve been murdered by a firearm since the mass shooting at the University of Texas on Aug. 1, 1966.

Artists with pre-existing commitments can still participate with a social media shout-out on their own Facebook fan pages and on their Twitter accounts using hashtags, #ConcertAcrossAmerica to #EndGunViolence.