DNC

DNC: A Magic Kingdom in the Heart of Philadelphia

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

By Susan Youngwood

Attending the Democratic National Convention reminded me of my trips to Disney World.

The choices were dizzying. Instead of deciding among different amusement rides, I had to choose which events to attend. The Women’s Caucus or the New York state delegation breakfast? LGBT karaoke, the Working Families Party or the Climate Hawks party (or sleep). It seemed that every hour there were multiple choices.

Both locations had long lines and shuttle busses. Instead of crying babies and toddlers having tantrums, the DNC had protestors decrying fracking and proclaiming “Bernie or Bust!”

Goofy shirts and Mickey Mouse ears are popular all over Disney world; the DNC featured a panoply of Hillary buttons, flag costumes and patriotic headgear (although these parallel universes merged when I saw a striking blonde lady dressed in a pale blue ball gown who looked remarkably like Elsa from Frozen).

Both the DNC and Disney are sheltered bubbles. The outside world fades away; at the DNC, everyone around you is a Democrat with similar beliefs.

Patriotism was palpable in Philadelphia. Speakers told us again and again that America is great, that the Democratic Party holds the key to the nation’s future success.

For years, Democrats have been the party of negativity, cataloguing the countries’ woes from income inequality to racism to global warming. All these issues were mentioned, but sotto voce. The main message conveyed optimism in what Americans can achieve–just like Disney is the happiest place on earth. The crowds loved it. Their enthusiasm was electric.

And then, there are the leading ladies. Disney has Belle and Ariel and Cinderella and Snow White. The DNC had Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama, Katy Perry and Meryl Streep, and the headliner: the presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. Of course, Clinton defies the stereotype of a Disney princess. She doesn’t wear a sparkly dress or a tiara. She’s certainly not waiting around for a prince to save her.

After all the balloons and confetti falls, reality awaits. After a Disney vacation, dirty streets and unpleasant service providers are jolting. After the thrill of a convention, the crassness of everyday politics is just as shocking. Not everyone is a Democrat anymore.

As much as the convention was stagecraft, at its heart it is carrying out the promise of our Constitution, written 229 years ago. The peaceful change of power in a democracy. Our nation’s first black president passing the mantle of power to what could be our first woman president. That was historic.

I shared that history with some Chappaqua residents who traveled to the convention–their stories are on these pages.

Susan Youngwood is a writer, editor and graphic designer who has been watching political conventions on television since 1972.

Keeping it Fun

August 25, 2016 by The Inside Press

By Grace Bennett

I’m so dizzy, my head is spinning–with all the fun stuff we’ve packed into this edition. First and foremost, I’m super proud of having covered the Democratic National Convention together with reporter Susan Youngwood. A four-page glimpse of our experience begins on page 28. We are also delighted to deliver a “back to fun” theme–to chase away any end of summer, back to school doldrums. Matt Smith’s cover feature is a celebration of the Rotary Club members who faithfully meet every Monday at Kittle House to discuss plans–including New Castle’s much anticipated Community Day–host guest speakers and otherwise focus on “Service above Self.”

We also set out to spotlight exciting plans and esteemed authors for another amazing day of celebrating books and reading and children at the 4th annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF); there’s Save the Date info and a fun memory from New Castle’s much beloved Ragamuffin Parade, the Shop for a Cause Boutique, the 2016 Dewey Election Edition at the Chappaqua Library, and this year, please save the date for and learn about “The Concert for America to End Gun Violence.”

New York Senator Chuck Schumer being most gracious at the Democratic National Convention

For your absolute reading pleasure, enjoy a variety of thoughtful essays–one, in the nick of time, “Mindfulness in a Crazy World,” by Jodi Baretz; a painful recollection of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing by Dana Y. Wu (who wrote the CCBF story too!); the magic of playing field hockey by Greeley student Lauren Neff; and finally, a personal journey buoyed by the power of unconditional love by the Reverend Dr. Martha R. Jacobs.

Yet more articles: the shift soon to reusable bags in New Castle, the DeCicco’s supermarket coming to Millwood, the town’s Exceptional People Committee, Northern Westchester Hospital’s Junior Leadership Council and a profile of ‘Ms. Carol’ and ‘Ms. Dina’ at the much loved Dance Emotions.

Finally, we have two special reports: a story about Evan’s Law, written by our wonderful summer intern Justin Ellick; and an in-depth look at affordable housing efforts as they have played out (very, very differently) in both Chappaqua and Armonk–true community journalism prepared by Andrew Vitelli, our editor for Inside Armonk.

Due to this embarrassment of riches, we had to save other wonderful submissions, so as not to ‘break up’ an amazing compilation of essays produced by a group of local teens exclusive to Inside Chappaqua. So, stay tuned for more great reading in your next, November 2016 edition too!

DNC: The Capacity to Love

August 24, 2016 by The Inside Press

By Grace Bennett

As the publisher of a hometown magazine for Hillary Clinton, and a life-long Democrat, I was proud to attend the Democratic National Convention as press. I was as excited as any friend, family or delegate visitor to Philly’s Wells Fargo Arena to witness first the all-star line-up of our nation’s Democrat Superstars throw their full weight squarely, and often, ever so eloquently into our hometown candidate’s corner. And then, of course, etched in my mind forever…witnessing Hillary Clinton make her way to the mic, waving to the crowds in every which direction, and fully embracing her historical nomination.

Midway through her speech, it was no surprise to me that Hillary extended her accomplishment from family to, well, everyone else: “Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come. I’m happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between. I’m happy for boys and men–because when any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”

I remember too: the abundance of heartfelt hugs–Hillary hugs. To me, they symbolize Hillary’s ubiquitous “Love Trumps Hate” campaign slogan…hugs for Bill, for Chelsea, for her running mate Tim Kaine, and on the night before, for and from President Obama. And countless other ones for those closest to her and seemingly always plenty to spare for her fans too. When hate gets thrown at her, Hillary Clinton doubles down on her capacity to tap into a bottomless reservoir of love–and hugs!

And daily, inside the Philadelphia Convention Center: dozens of public service organizations promoted their missions via buttons, literature and animated conversation; at a daily breakfast briefing, caucuses and roundtables, open primarily to press and delegates, speakers delved into issues near and dear to their hearts. The general public attended rallies or packed “PoliticalFest,” a fun, interactive festival related to American history and politics.

Hillary Clinton’s official nomination represents a huge historical milestone for Chappaqua too. I learned at one point that Hillary Clinton really appreciates the nights on the campaign trail when she can sleep in her own bed. So learning of a surprise celebration for her at the Kittle House on the very night following Roll Call in the arena was very touching; Chappaqua really is home, sweet home to Hillary.

I was also glad to head to Philly with my long-time friend and former classmate at Columbia’s ‘J-school,’ Susan Youngwood, a self-described ‘political junkie.’ We were both first time press covering a political convention for either party. We independently mapped our days, posting in social media, writing, taking pictures and editing. We stayed in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, about 15 miles away in the lovely home of Joan and Barry Swirsky, old friends of Susan’s, gracious, helpful and excited-for-us hosts.

I was happy for the chance to ask Governor Martin O’Malley for his reaction immediately following Michelle Obama’s much lauded endorsement of Hillary Clinton. He said the First Lady’s words “summed up in a beautiful way why our country is already great.”

Next, Susan reflects on her experience. From the outset, we agreed that we would focus much less on national-style coverage of the major speeches which our readers would turn to national media for. Instead, we set out to capture an eclectic array of stories that you might not see in other press, particularly anything that could qualify as having a local angle.

With that goal in mind, Susan captured such stories, and in particular the activities of two groups founded by long time Chappaqua residents who are collaborating more and more, too: Chappaqua Friends of Hill and Tim (CFOH) and Executive Women for Hillary, and those are the stories I chose to reprint from the net in part in our print edition to call your attention to them. The CFOH’s Hillapalooza barbeque party that took place shortly after the convention was a wonderful way to bring together many more residents to celebrate too. — Grace