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Frosty Day

Making Holiday Memories: Inspiring Ideas for Families

December 1, 2019 by Amy Kelley

The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to shop, plan celebrations and also enjoy all our communities have to offer at this special time. Here are a few ideas to help celebrate and enjoy the season all while having fun locally:

1. From Friday, Dec. 13, to Sunday, Dec. 15, in Chappaqua, shop artists’ special pop-ups between the King Street Studio and The Art Closet Gallery in the loft at Family Britches. The kickoff will take place in conjunction with the downtown Chappaqua Wine Around Town event on Dec. 13 from 5-8 p.m.

2. For a break from all the preparations the holidays entail, check out the Jane Condon Holiday Comedy Show at Armonk’s Whippoorwill Theater on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Josh Strom of Congregation B’nai Yisrael will emcee the evening, which will also include a performance by Boston-based comic Kathe Farris. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

3. Westchester’s Winter Wonderland returns this year to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Hours and days vary now through Jan. 4, winterwonderland.com for more info. There’s a circus, ice skating, rides and more. Tickets are $20 for ages 3 and up.

4. While the menorah lighting as well as a tree lighting already took place in Armonk on Frosty Day, before this issue went to press, the details of Chappaqua’s menorah lighting ceremony had not yet been firmed up. Ike Kuzio, superintendent of New Castle Recreation and Parks, said residents can keep abreast of this important annual event at Chappaqua’s community center by checking in on the town’s website.

5. Enjoy a screening of a Big Band Holiday program from Jazz at Lincoln Center in the New Castle Town Hall Assembly Room. The program runs from 6:30-9, p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 starting with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Chappaqua Library and will feature songs both “sacred and secular.”

6. Or attend The Movies’ Greatest Christmas Songs on Sunday Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the New Castle Community Center on Senter Street. Jon Reichman will use film clips, photos and piano performance to explore the history of famous holiday tunes White Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Silver Bells.

7. Have yourself a historic Christmas. Visit the Horace Greeley House on Saturday Dec. 7, where a crafts workshop will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. and a tree lighting at 5 p.m. will be accompanied by the Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir leading carols, and a visit from Santa.

8. Why not spend some time in early December learning about the traditions of various cultures, communities and religions? Besides boasting many resources for learning about Christmas and Chanukah, the North Castle Public Library has several books about Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1) and a CD of Kwanzaa music for loan. The Chappaqua Library also offers a book about the Hindu festival of Diwali (this year, celebrated already in October), titles about Chinese New Year, and more.

9. To offset the effects of kugel and cookies, give snowshoeing a try. Skip Beitzel, owner of Hickory & Tweed in Armonk, said “Snowshoeing is great. My adage for snowshoeing is, ‘snow and they will go.’” Beitzel, whose shop sells snowshoes for all ages, said his customers snowshoe on local golf courses or on the bike path that runs through Millwood. Those seeking a more arduous experience may even take their snowshoes to ski areas to use them when climbing uphill. “Why not snowshoe as a family?” Beitzel said, since after all many families ski together, and snowshoeing can be done easily and locally–providing there’s snow.

10. Or plan a family hike to The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve, a 247-acre spot with more than six miles of color-coded trails. Spanning New Castle and North Castle, the preserve has kiosks at each entrance to help visitors plan their hikes. For more outdoor appreciation, make the Christmas Bird Count a part of your family’s December traditions (find dates and locations on audubon.org) – or even closer to home, join Cornell’s Project Feeder Watch (join.birds.cornell.edu) and find out how families can contribute meaningfully to important statistics on birds and migration patterns. It’s not too late to join this information-collecting effort, which will get you through the winter and into spring.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Big Band Holiday Program, Chappaqua library, Christmas songs, Comedy Show, Diwali, Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve, Family Britches, Frosty Day, Hickory and Tweed, Holiday Concert, Horace Greeley House, Inspiring, Kensico Dam, Kwanzaa, memories, Menorah Lighting, New Castle, North Castle, Pop Up, Wine Around Town, Winter Wonderland

Down to the Village for the Annual Frosty Day Parade

October 21, 2016 by Matt Smith

photo-1

For the residents of Armonk, the cool weather can only mean one thing: Frosty Day is right around the corner.

Now in its seventh year, the winter spectacle has become an annual town staple, ushering in the holiday season with style and flair. Originally conceived by North Castle Historical Society Vice President Ed Woodyard as a Winter Walk and Tree Lighting in the Park, it morphed into Frosty Day in 2010, when the NCHS decided to recognize the contributions of New Castle resident Steve Edward Nelson. Nelson, who penned the lyrics to the snowman’s iconic anthem while he lived in White Plains, was a frequent visitor to Armonk and Nelson’s love for the hamlet is said to have provided inspiration for certain moments within the song. The “Village Square”–which Frosty “runs all around… with a broomstick in his hand”–is supposedly referencing the Bedford Road Historic District, while the town’s first police chief, John Hergenhan, inspired “traffic cop [who] hollered, ‘Stop!’”

“Because of these connections, [we thought], ‘Why not ramp this thing up?’” explains Robby Morris, President of Friends of Frosty, Inc., the not-for-profit organization in charge of planning the day’s events.

“We took it from a small little winter walk, into a full-out Disney production of ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ with costumes and activities galore.”

That they did–and this year promises to be no different. The day-long extravaganza kicks off with a host of activities throughout the downtown area, including train rides, face painting, a hot chocolate tasting, and the return of “Build-A-Frosty.” “From decorating a cupcake to creating an ornament from scratch, we’ve got something for everyone,” says Morris, with a smile. He also notes that Frosty himself will, of course, be visible throughout the day, spreading holiday cheer by posing for photos and giving warm hugs.

photo-2

photo-3 photo-4He’ll also anchor the main parade event, which commences on Old Route 22 and continues along Main Street toward Maple Avenue, before finishing up at Wampus Brook Park. As Frosty passes, he’ll invite all spectators to join the parade to its final destination. “We get almost 40 participants each year, from cars and floats to marching bands and other groups,” Morris continues. “They all come together, and It’s a lot of fun.” From there, the day culminates in the park with the original Tree Lighting ceremony, wherein Frosty will pull switch and set the park aglow.

As one would probably imagine, it’s a huge undertaking for all involved. “We probably work six months on this one-day event,” Still, Morris acknowledges the payoff simply can’t be beat. “It brings out the best in our community,” he says, noting that local businesses take in upwards of 300 visitors throughout the day. The fact that around 60 percent of them are coming in from out of town is another plus, as it not only boosts town vibrancy, but provides out-of-towners “good exposure to what Armonk has to offer” and may hopefully entice them to return in the future.

“The whole thing is at no cost to anyone,” explains Morris, adding that all expenses are covered through local sponsors, including Breezemont Day Camp, White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Hickory and Tweed, and The Bristal Assisted Living.

There’s indeed no “official” cost of admission, but the event does act, in part, as a fundraiser. As part of their Winter Warmth project, “Help Frosty Help Others,” members of Friends of Frosty, Inc., encourage attendees to donate winter clothing (jackets, hats, mittens), which will be distributed to a local charity following the parade. Bins will also be available prior to the event, at area schools, restaurants, and the North Castle Public Library. “People can drop items in as they walk through,” says Morris. “Anything is appreciated.”

While the lights and razzle-dazzle are indeed alluring–especially with the added bonus of the hamlet’s connection to the famed lyricist–Morris is quick to stress the true importance and meaning behind all the flash. “It’s a great event for that time of year where you’re giving back,” he says, with a broad smile.

He’s happy to report that year after year, the Armonk community never fails to deliver, and “when you’re watching everyone come together and get involved,” he says. “It’s a wonderful thing.”

The seventh annual Frosty Day Parade will be held November 27 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Armonk Town Plaza. For more information, including schedules and sign-up sheets, please visit www.armonkfrosty.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBBY MORRIS

Matt Smith is a writer and regular contributor to The Inside Press. For further information or inquiry, please visit www.mattsmiththeatre.com.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, Frosty Day, Frosty Day Parade, Holiday, Parade

Annual Frosty Day Parade Brings the Festive Holiday Spirit to Armonk

November 29, 2015 by Inside Press

Article and Photos by Stacey Pfeffer

Armonk was abuzz with activity this past Saturday as the annual Frosty Day kicked off the holiday season. Despite drizzly weather, Armonk locals and other tri-state area residents turned out in droves to experience a fun-filled afternoon with holiday train rides around town, face painting, Frosty-themed art projects, yummy holiday treats and of course several photo ops with Frosty the Snowman, who turns 65 this year. The day culminated with more than 30 local groups and organizations marching in a parade to welcome Frosty the Snowman back to his hometown.The parade concluded with a holiday lighting ceremony and sing-along at the gazebo in Wampus Brook Park.

Cookie decorating at DeCicco's photo
The “Village Square” mentioned in the famous “Frosty the Snowman” song is actually Armonk’s Historic District. The Frosty Parade is the only non-denominational holiday parade in the tri-state area noted Robby Morris, a local businessman and President of Friends of Frosty, Inc. the non-profit group that organizes the day’s events.

“Just about every local group is involved somehow in Frosty Day from the Town of North Castle to the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, from the religious institutions to the schools, from the sports and youth groups to volunteer organizations. It is a great time for everyone to come together and have some fun,” said Morris.

Each year the Friends of Frosty expands the day’s events with new activities. A horse-drawn carriage around Wampus Brook Park and a holiday-themed mural designed by Westlake High School students by DeCicco’s were added. “The Clydesdale horses were very cool. A friend told us that Frosty Day was a fun way to kick off the holiday season, so we decided to come out for this, even in the rain,” noted Teresa Hough, a New Rochelle resident who came with her family. Clowns, magicians, carolers and marching bands rounded out the day’s festive spirit.

The Friends of Frosty also has a charitable component with its Winter Warmth project “Help Frosty Help Others.”

Starting in the fall, the organization starts collecting gently used winter clothing, such as hats and mittens for those in need at several locations around town. Area restaurants and shops will be accepting donations and contributions throughout the holiday season.

Stacey Pfeffer Of New Castle attended this year’s parade for the first time, and hopes to make it an annual tradition with her family.

Face painting at Peachwave photoDonation jar photoDaisy Troop photoHorse drawn carriage ride photoHoliday train by Town Hall photo

Filed Under: North Castle News Tagged With: Armonk, Frosty Day, Holidays, Inside Press, spirit, theinsidepress.com

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