The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Family Fun

Pleasantville Day: An Annual Celebration of Fun, Friendship, and Community

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Story and Photos by Charlotte Harter

The town of Pleasantville was awash with smiles and laughter, the sounds of live music, and the unmistakable scent of funnel cake and popcorn as the community celebrated yet another successful Pleasantville Day festival on Saturday, May 18th. A tradition lasting over thirty years, Pleasantville Day is not only a day of fun and games for the children, but also an important reminder to their parents of the joys of living in a small, close-knit community.

The Pleasantville Day fair is an annual celebration of the wonderful and lively town and its people as school winds down and the weather finally begins to warm up. Filled with colorful booths, carnival rides, dance showcases, and an impressive selection of food, there truly is something for everyone. This year, the festival boasted a juggling stilt-walker, human statue, and giant inflatable slide in addition to its usual activities to keep it feeling new and exciting despite its long run in the town.

Upon arriving at Memorial Plaza at the festival’s beginning around ten o’clock on Saturday morning, children of all ages were gleefully laughing and clutching onto their cotton candy as they played games and won prizes. But Pleasantville Day isn’t just a day for the children- it wasn’t difficult to spot parents enjoying themselves equally as much, chatting, enjoying the live jazz music, and entering raffles to win gifts provided by local businesses. Even the pets of Pleasantville seemed to be having a good time, as there was no shortage of furry faces wagging their tails and enjoying the attention of excited children and adults alike. Besides the expected endless stands filled with games and crafts, Pleasantville Day also hosted a diverse number of tables this year, including a sports equipment swap, town conservation awareness booth, and a variety of fundraising tables for Pleasantville High School clubs.

Pleasantville Day is truly a cherished day in the community which provides a unique opportunity for townspeople of all ages to come together and enjoy a day of fun and celebration. This event has become somewhat of an institution in the village, a powerful reminder of the beauty of living in a tight-knit, small town in which every face is a familiar and friendly one. In essence, Pleasantville Day is an embodiment of all the values Pleasantville aims to encapsulate: friendship, fun, and most importantly, community.

 

Charlotte Harter is a high school senior interested in writing and journalism. She plans to continue her studies next year at Vassar College in the fall and hopes to eventually gain a career in the writing and publishing world.

Three Best Picks for Local Turkey Trots

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Runners participate in last year’s New Rochelle Turkey Trot”
PHOTO BY JOY MALONE, JOY MALONE PHOTOGRAPHY

According to the Calorie Control Council, Americans can consume as much as 4,500 calories for Thanksgiving dinner. If you are feeling rather portly after eating your fair share of stuffing and sweet potatoes, lace up your running shoes and participate in one of these Westchester-based Turkey Trots to ward off the holiday weight gain.

52nd Annual Mamaroneck Turkey Trot and Gobbler Race

Sunday, November 18

Harbor Island Park

www.active.com

If you hate running hills or are newbie, be sure to check out this race dubbed the flattest certified course in Westchester. The race includes a one-mile run for kids 12 and under. Adults can partake in a 5K and every participant gets a turkey medal. Best of all, you get bragging rights for completing the race prior to the holiday as all of your friends and relatives complain about holiday weight gain during the Thanksgiving meal.

New Rochelle Turkey Trot

November 22, 2018

New Rochelle City Hall

www.newroturkeytrot.com

This race is the perfect 5K if you want to run with your pup or have ‘wee ones stuck in a jogging stroller. The family-friendly event features a free 200-meter tot trot for kids under five, a kids mile for children ten and under and then a 5K run or walk for adults. Students under the age of 18 receive a discount. A live DJ, face painting for the kids and local fare is available after the race. Plus there are several award categories including first dog finisher and first finisher pushing a stroller.

14th Annual Bedford Turkey Trot

Saturday, November 24

Course begins at Bedford Elementary School

www.bedfordturkeytrot.org

If you prefer a picturesque run, this race is the one for you in the quaint historic village of Bedford. You’ll pass some sprawling horse farms and take in some lovely vistas while running a challenging course. This race is not for the faint of heart but after running it, you’ll feel exhilarated and possibly exhausted. They usually cap the number of runners at 475 so be sure to register early online as there is no on-site registration.

Walk & Family Fun Day at the Ronald McDonald House

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Hoffman Family at start of 2017 Walk

Sunday, September 30, 2018:  4th Annual Dylan J. Hoffman Memorial Walk & Family Fun Day

VALHALLA, NY– Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley will host the 4th Annual Dylan J. Hoffman Memorial Walk & Family Fun Day on Sunday, September 30, 2018. The event will benefit critically ill children and their families in the Hudson Valley.

Dylan lived a short life, but his memory and spirit are alive and well. This event hosted by the House in conjunction with the Hoffman Family of Wilton, CT, will celebrate his life and the thousands of families who have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House since 2011 when it was opened.

The Walk will be led by 6-year old Grand Marshall Liam Flanagan of Wingdale, NY in Dutchess County and Ronald McDonald. Participants will leisurely stroll around the campus of the Westchester Medical Center – approximately a 1.2 mile lap. After the walk, families and friends can enjoy activities including Wacky Inflatables Bounce Houses, the Bubble Bus, Teatown Lake Reservation’s Birds of Prey, BASF Slime Tent, music by DJ Johnny G and a BBQ by the Yonkers Fire Department.

What: 4th Annual Dylan J. Hoffman Memorial Walk & Family Fun Day
When: Sunday, September 30, 2018
Where: Ronald McDonald House, 80 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY 10595 on the campus of the Westchester Medical Center
Time: Registration and Warm-Up: 11 a.m.; Walk: 11:30 a.m.
Donation: $30/family

Sponsor: Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley

Liam Flanagan of Wingdale, NY

Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley gives families with critically ill and traumatically injured children the gift of togetherness and keeps them close to the care and resources they need. The House has 12 bedrooms that are filled to capacity almost every night and we provide meals, laundry and respite services for our families. Located on the campus of the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, the House is just steps away from the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. Since it opened in 2011, more than 1,500 families have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley.

For more information about individual, corporate and foundation support, registration or to create a team, visit rmh-ghv.org or call 914 493-6455.

 

3rd Annual Spring Festival Fundraiser Plans at Church of St. John & St. Mary, June 1-3

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Chappaqua, NY— Starting this Friday night and lasting through Sunday, June 1-3, the Church of Saint John and Saint Mary at 15 St Johns Place, will be holding their third annual Spring Festival Fundraiser. This family fun occasion offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including 10 carnival games (with prizes), three huge inflatable rides, favorite ‘New York City eats and treats’ such as fried Oreos and funnel cakes, a beer/wine garden, music and more. Everybody is welcome and admission is free, providing a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, have fun and support a great cause.

All money raised from the event goes towards the church and helps fund their many community outreach programs, which assist those in need and makes Chappaqua a better place for all of its residents. As Fortune Aurora, organizer of the event, states: “Fundraising and helping the community go hand in hand, they’re equally important.” Many, many volunteers are donating their time to help the cause and make this sizable event run smoothly, rain or shine.

The hours of the event are as follows: Friday 6-10 p.m. Saturday 2-10 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m. Two professional bands will be playing the fundraiser, “The 495’s” from 7 to 8:30 p.m on Friday, and the “Station Agents” from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, as well as a local band made up of middle schoolers called “Alien Paradox” from 2 to 2:30 on Sunday. At the end of the day, “Seeing everybody have fun makes it worthwhile,” states Aurora, so if you’re looking for something to do this weekend take a stop at the Spring Festival!   — Derek Rosen

Family Fun Plans for Armonk Lion’s Club Fol-de-Rol and Country Fair

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Feeling nostalgic for the good old days? Come to the 44th annual Armonk Lion’s Club Fol-de-Rol and Country Fair, June 7-10, and give your family an experience to remember!  Enjoy a pie eating contest, face painting, pig races, carnival rides and midway games! Visit food and craft vendors and check out musical entertainment. The fair is held in Wampus Brook Park, Armonk and starts Thursday night, June 7th with a DJ, rides and food from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.   Rides continue Friday night from 6 pm to 10 pm. On the weekend, there will be craft vendors in addition to rides, live music and lots of other entertainment for the whole family.

The Armonk Lions Club is a volunteer service organization that runs the fair as its only fundraiser. All money raised is used to support local community organizations and projects, and to help people in need by donating to organizations like Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Meals on Wheels. The club also sponsors a scholarship for two deserving seniors from Byram Hills High School.  This year we are also sponsoring Puppies Behind Bars, training service dogs as companions for returning US Veterans.

Admission is free!  Tickets or a bracelet are sold for the rides. We also sell raffle tickets to support our service work, with prizes of cash, a TV, sports tickets, etc.  Raffles may be purchased through our website or in person at the fair.

Come for the food, come for the fun and come to support the Armonk Lions Club.  Hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., June 7th and June 8th; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 9th (rides open at Noon), and Noon to 5  p.m. on June 10th. The Fol de Rol is located in Wampus Brook Park, at Maple Avenue and Bedford Road in Armonk, NY. Visit ww.armonklions.org  or go the Armonk Lions Fol de Rol and crafts festival facebook page for more information.