• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

Football

“Hometown” of Reader’s Digest Leaves Surprising, Lasting Impact

August 24, 2020 by Dietrich Gruen

Pleasantville-Coach K with a helmetless Dietrich at his side

It was a bright and sunny day–in the 70s–the 1970s. Not much else is memorable–except how we were greeted upon introducing ourselves to Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, being broadcast from St. Paul, MN. So we stood tall, saying: “We’re from Pleasantville, New York,” adding, “home of Reader’s Digest.”

To which the radio host quipped: “Funny,… you don’t look condensed.”

The whimsical Keillor knew that Reader’s Digest is renowned for hardcover anthologies of “condensed” books and other easy-to-digest articles, humor, and whimsical anecdotes about “Life in these United States.” Also well-known is that Reader’s Digest calls Pleasantville, NY, its hometown. Great made-up name, right? Almost as fiction-sounding as “Lake Wobegon” is for Garrison Keillor and his prairie home companions.

Pleasantville is a real place, but did you know that name is used by ten other towns in these United States? (DE, IN, IA, MD, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, and WI.) I learned that much when the coming-of-age movie, Pleasantville, debuted in 1998. I had insisted that movie featured my hometown but was told otherwise–that it was based on a composite fictional Pleasantville.

Nothing fictional about where I grew up–except for the fiction that Reader’s Digest is located there. While most Americans would connect the Reader’s Digest Association with the Pleasantville in NY, all their books and magazines were produced in the next town over, Chappaqua. But my Pleasantville won its USPS contract, which accounted for 96% of all mail passing through our post office.

I hasten to add: The Readers Digest Association did start in Pleasantville in DeWitt Wallace’s garage in 1922. Over the next 17 years, it occupied 14 overflowing office spaces throughout our little village. It moved to a 116-acre campus in Chappaqua in 1939, remaining there 71 years until declaring bankruptcy and reorganizing. At its peak in the 1980’s, Reader’s Digest reached 100 million readers in 163 countries, with 48 editions and 19 languages. Westchester County, NY, is still home to all U.S.-based Reader’s Digest editorial members.

An injured Dietrich cheers on his team

Because of its Pleasantville origins 98 years ago and the still-current USPS connection, the Reader’s Digest Association put my little hometown (circa 7000 pop) on the map. Otherwise, we are a tiny bedroom community of suburban NYC, my household blending with 25 million others within an hour’s drive.

I grew up as one piece in a 1000-piece puzzle, trying to figure out how to fit into the bigger picture. Little did I know then how much that little town in the shadow of

the Big Apple and its association with Reader’s Digest would influence my life and chosen livelihood.

I was raised by a stay-at-home mom and a commute-to-NYC dad who worked 55 years for one company, tackling enemy combatants in WWII and all manner of epidemics since, missing just two days of work. Companies facing today’s pandemic shut down and furlough workers–but not then, not to the Greatest Generation. They would mask-up and make sacrifices to combat COVID-19.

A village of parents sacrificed themselves to rescue me from a reckless life and ‘enemies’ that plagued me. A local pastor and his wife, John & Muriel, became my second parents, turning me to Christ and his church. I also grew up under Pleasantville’s Coach K, a Vince Lombardi-type football coach who always had us ready to tackle enemies within–and those across the scrimmage line. To this day, thanks to the influence of a small village, I am loyal, well-prepared, disciplined, passionate, and ready to tackle giant obstacles like COVID-19.

Pleasantville not only turned my life around, but shaped my livelihood, too. I am now a copywriter whose writing niche includes book summaries, people profiles, populist blogs, study notes and reflection questions with whimsy–all to bring meaning and life application out of good books and the Good Book. I used to collect, from garage sales, anthologies of Reader’s Digest book summaries. I was busy, lazy and a slow reader, so this was just compensation for my deficits. I later figured others like me could benefit from a digest of Christian resources to make the Bible and its truth more accessible.

Yet all this time, I had not subscribed to Reader’s Digest. After they tracked me down online, I yielded. What is more, I gifted a subscription to my brother in DC. As we move into retirement, we have more time to relish this timeless treasure.

Reader’s Digest–with its small hometown values and giant legacy–affirms the idiom that “what goes around comes around.”

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts Tagged With: Coach, DeWitt Wallace, Essay, Football, Garrison Keillor, Hometown, Lake Wobegon, Personal Essay, Pleasantville, Reader's Digest, Reflections, USPS

Greeley Youth Football Accepting Registration

August 31, 2015 by The Inside Press

Screenshot 2015-08-31 14.38.26

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Football, teams, youth, Youth sports

Dreams Come True for Chappaqua Football Players When They Team Up With Armonk

March 4, 2015 by The Inside Press

What dreams are made of…playing Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. #66 Jack Marinello, #5 Carter Salore, #26 Joe Weiner and #1 Ethan Schiekofer. Photo by Mark Salore
What dreams are made of…playing Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. #66 Jack Marinello, #5 Carter Salore, #26 Joe Weiner and #1 Ethan Schiekofer. Photo by Mark Salore

By Jim Schiekofer and Mark Salore

Most towns are bitter rivals when it comes to competitive youth sports, but this past football season four middle school Chappaqua boys dispelled that myth when they teamed up with the Armonk Warriors youth football program and played a season to remember! A season that ended at the Meadowlands in MetLife Stadium playing in front of thousands of fans before the Monday night game between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.

The lights burned bright that December 1st night as the boys entered the stadium in awe, but united as one team. They played neighboring Somers, another Westchester Football League team, for bragging rights in one of the greatest exhibition matches to come out of Westchester County.

It was a moment that brought chills to the many parents that witnessed the event. Every camera captured the boys as they followed their coach through the tunnel and onto the field. It was an amazing sight to see, one that will always be remembered by every boy that walked onto the field that night.

Carter Salore Quarterback #5, who started all 11 games at quarterback, helped lead the Armonk Warriors to the playoffs with an 8-3 record. Photo by Shari Fruhling
Carter Salore Quarterback #5, who started all 11 games at quarterback, helped lead the Armonk Warriors to the playoffs with an 8-3 record. Photo by Shari Fruhling

Chappaqua’s Carter Salore (QB #5), Ethan Schiekofer (WR #1), Joe Weiner (RB #26) and Jack Marinello (DE #66) began their journey with the Armonk Warriors in early August last summer with workouts three-days a week and games from August through November. The boys left Chappaqua’s youth football program last fall seeking more competitive play, more intensive instruction and a greater team spirit –something they were disappointed they could no longer find within their home community. On that December night, however, their season was complete as they’d found everything they were looking for in a youth football program.

On the very first drive, the Armonk Warriors marched down the field and found themselves with a 1st and goal on the eight-yard line. Salore, the starting QB, stepped up to the line, took the snap and handed it off to Schiekofer who came around from the right side on a fake reverse and sprinted down the left side for the game’s first touchdown! The Warriors would go on to win 21- 0! Salore would also throw a touchdown pass to Jack Tillinger from Armonk later in the game. These were special moments, now crystallized forever as memories, for all the boys.

Chappaqua does not participate in the Westchester Football League; it is one of the only towns that manage its own youth football program through an independent board. Unfortunately, the program’s participation has diminished to less than half the enrollment from 2010. This past season, the program only managed to field two teams that played each other every Friday night during the short season. Beginning in 2015, under Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein’s direction, Chappaqua’s recreation department will regain control over the program and start to rebuild a more exciting and safe program for that community’s kids and parents.

The versatile Joe Weiner #26 played a big role in the success of the Armonk Warriors as running back, tight end, defensive end and linebacker. Photo by Shari Fruhling
The versatile Joe Weiner #26 played a big role in the success of the Armonk Warriors as running back, tight end, defensive end and linebacker. Photo by Shari Fruhling

Head Coach Chris Tateo, and assistant coaches Matthew Franco and Jason Weiler led the Armonk Senior Warriors team to an 8-3 record and a spot in the Westchester Football League playoffs. Coach Chris, who has been the program director as well as the coach of the Armonk Warriors for the past 17 seasons, also works with USA Football and the NFL in promoting safe training. His love for the game and for coaching is exemplified on the field at every practice and every game.

Parents worried about a sport mired by concussion stories find peace of mind with Coach Chris and his program. Players from third grade to sixth grade looking to join the Armonk Warriors can expect: Instruction from professional coaches, complimentary Jet vs. Giant preseason tickets for players and their parents, team yearbooks, DVD of highlights from all the season’s games and an end of season award brunch featuring high profile guest speakers such as former NFL players and coaches. For more information, visit www.armonkwarriors.com or call Jason Weiler at: 347-992-2298

The 2014 Armonk Warriors Football team at MetLife Stadium.
The 2014 Armonk Warriors Football team at MetLife Stadium.

Jim Schiekofer is a New Castle resident, a certified USA football coach, plusboard member and certified coach of the New Castle Baseball and Softball Association. He’s a former Publisher at Reader’s Digest, and the founder of both Cornerstone Sports and Players4Player, a non-profit that uses professional and qualified college and high school athletes to promote the development of young athletes across the country. Jim was a wide receiver and outfielder/pitcher at Arizona State University.

Mark Salore, also a resident of New Castle, is a certified USA football coach and was a board member and head coach in the New Castle Youth Football program from 2010 to 2013. Mark was also an asst. youth football coach in the Westchester Football League with Dobbs Ferry’s Screaming Eagles from 2008 to 2009. He also coaches CYO basketball, town and travel baseball. Mark is also the front man and founder of “Tramps Like Us,” a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band.

#23 Matt Weiler in “Beast Mode” running over the defenders on his way to one of many touchdowns in 2014. When Matt was not running for touchdowns, he was equally adept at throwing for touchdowns with the running back option pass play. Photo by Shari Fruhling
#23 Matt Weiler in “Beast Mode” running over the defenders on his way to one of many touchdowns in 2014. When Matt was not running for touchdowns, he was equally adept at throwing for touchdowns with the running back option pass play. Photo by Shari Fruhling
Wide receiver Bobby Chicoine #16 on the receiving end of a 30 yard touchdown pass. Photo by Shari Fruhling
Wide receiver Bobby Chicoine #16 on the receiving end of a 30 yard touchdown pass. Photo by Shari Fruhling

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Football, Meadowlands, Westchester Football League, Youth sports

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Over 350 Students From 31 Schools Attend 21st Annual Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center High School Institute at Iona University
  • Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team Wins State Championship Title Second Year in a Row
  • Chabad Center Invitation to a Community Passover Seder: “Don’t Pass Over Passover!”
  • New Castle Fire District No. 1 Announces Bond Referendum to be Held April 25
  • Don’t Resist JUST DESSERTS at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center April 28-30
  • When There’s A Dog in Your Life

Please Visit

Chappaqua School Foundation
White Plains Hospital
William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Westchester Table Tennis
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Armonk Tennis Club
Raveis: Stacey Sporn
Compass: Natalia Wixom
The Tea Experience
Mathenasium
Play Nice Together
Temple Beth El
Arbonne: Jill Kay
Compass: Yona Stougo
Briarcliff Manor Dentist – Allan Miller
JRL Land Surveying

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in