The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

George Latimer

Two New 9/11 Memorials Unveiled to Remember Heroes Lost… ‘Humility & Sacrifice’ ‘Courage & Honor’

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Photos by Grace Bennett/Inside Press
Barbara Grace, widow of Richard Anthony Grace, who died of lung cancer: “Richard was the owner of Grace Industries; he was at Ground Zero every day.”

The Tortorella family honoring Captain Dennis P. Tortorella of the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department. Tortorella passed of cancer-related illnesses in May.

Each stone is etched with the names of the Westchester first responders lost to 9/11 related illnesses.

September 10, Valhalla–

Under a blue sky and perfect temperatures in Kensico Dam Plaza, at the foot of The Rising, also a 9/11 memorial,  family members and friends shed tears, exchanged stories… and also touched the names of lost loved ones, all recognized as heroes, names etched in white into two new granite stone memorials, unveiled by County officials, 20 years after 9/11.

Family members pointed to or ran fingers lovingly along a name, lingering sometimes… to reflect and remember.

Each family member also received a bouquet of flowers, and soon red and white flowers lay gently below the memorials in respect. The private unveiling preceded tomorrow’s public ceremony at 3:30.  Additional information from the County about these new Memorials, a million dollar effort long in the making, follows. –– Grace Bennett

Said County Executive George Latimer: “This memorial is the culmination of a promise this County government made to the families and loved ones of these true Westchester heroes. We will not ever take for granted the actions of these individuals and hope that each person who visits this memorial understands their lasting impact.”

The new memorial  is made up of granite stones set on a stone veneer wall. Each stone is etched with the names of the Westchester first responders lost to 9/11 related illnesses.  The Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial is designed to complement the stonework of the Dam and surround The Rising as an eternal watch.

The total length of each wall is 20’ and will hold up to 4 4’ long memorial stones each, for a total of 8 memorial stones. A light – which will be known as the Eternal Light – is centered between the two walls and directly across the entrance to the original memorial, The Rising.  This light will be on 24/7 to signify the light shone on the County by those this memorial intends to honor.

Construction of this solemn memorial was done by R. Pugni and Sons, Inc.  The design of the memorial was completed by a combination of the County’s dedicated Department of Planning. Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation and a committee made up of loved ones of those lost to 9/11 related illnesses. The committee, was co-chaired by New York City Police Officer Matthew J. McCauley and NYPD Sargent Peter Woods who lost his battle to a 9/11 related illness earlier this year.

McCauley said: “On the eve of the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks we are reminded of the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost that day, including those from Westchester County who are memorialized at “The Rising.”  Unfortunately, the toll of those lost continues to increase due to 9/11 related illnesses that have claimed so many of our 9/11 First Responders.  Again, Westchester County has seen far too many lost to 9/11 illnesses.  As the Co-Chair of a Committee made up widows, children, other family members, friends and first responders themselves, we applaud Westchester County Executive George Latimer and his team for supporting our vision and desire to have a memorial for those 9/11 First Responders that worked or resided in county, who have died of illnesses they developed as a result of their heroic actions in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks.  This permanent memorial alongside “The Rising” will ensure that the sacrifice of all lost that day and thereafter is never forgotten.” 

The committee, who the County owes a debt of gratitude to for their dedicated work, is made up of:

  • Peter Woods, Co-Chair
  • Matthew McCauley, Co-Chair
  • Georgia Asciutto
  • Valerie Sullivan
  • Anne Byrnes
  • Margaret O’Hanlon
  • Chelsea Wilson
  • Patricia Mallinson
  • Ellen Peifer
  • Sabrina Douglass
  • Chief Andrew Sandor, New Rochelle Fire Department
  • Firefighter Robert Barbella, White Plains Fire Department
  • Carol Ann Gleason
  • Andrew Mentrasti
  • Sara Trujillo
  • Kevin McGuire
  • Firefighter Sandra Bessels, Harrison Fire Department
  • Firefighter Robert Curtin, Mount Vernon Fire Department

 

This committee, through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, met regularly to plan this new memorial. The work done by them, to honor their loved ones, will be forever cherished by the people of Westchester County. Following this private unveiling for families, Latimer and first responders from the region, will fully unveil the memorial to the public during the County’s 9/11 ceremony the following day at 3:30p.m.

The full list of names included in this first round of engraving include:

  • Firefighter – Gary S. Allo – White Plains Fire Department
  • Police Officer – Christopher M. Barry – NYPD
  • Sergeant – Patrick J. Boyle – NYPD
  • Sergeant – Patrick T. Coyne – NYPD
  • Battalion – Chief Kevin R. Byrnes – FDNY
  • John M. Cozza – Construction Industry
  • Emergency Medical Technician – Luis De Pena, Jr – FDNY
  • Police Officer Kenneth X. Domenech – NYPD
  • Police Officer Nicholas G. Finelli – NYPD
  • Lieutenant – Clark W. Douglass – White Plains Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Daniel R. Foley – FDNY
  • Detective – Mark S. Gado – New Rochelle Police Department
  • Richard A. Grace – Construction Industry
  • Commissioner Peter S. Guyett – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Herbert D. Harriott – Rye Fire Department
  • Police Officer – Joseph F. Heid – NYPD
  • Detective – Michael A. Houlahan – NYPD
  • John A. Lo Bianco – Construction Industry
  • Police Officer – Anthony Maggiore – Yonkers Police Department
  • Executive Director – Stephan Hittmann – FDNY
  • Fire Fighter – Gary S. Martin – White Plains Fire Department
  • Lieutenant – Roy D. McLaughlin – Yonkers Police Department
  • Firefighter – Robert A. Mentrasti – Fairview Fire Department
  • Detective – James W. Monahan – NYPD
  • Police Officer – Walter L. Mallinson – Harrison Police Department
  • Lieutenant – John W. Moran – FDNY
  • Firefighter – Kevin J. Nolan – FDNY
  • Police Officer – Kathleen O’Connor Funigello – New Rochelle Police Department
  • Firefighter – John V. Peteani Jr – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Michael R. O’Hanlon – FDNY
  • Firefighter – Eduardo A. Rivera – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Detective – Joseph E. Seabrook – NYPD
  • Captain – Robert J. Spatta – Croton on the Hudson Fire Department
  • Deputy Chief – Frank G. Strollo – New Rochelle Fire Department
  • Captain – Ronald G. Peifer SR – FDNY
  • Captain – Dennis P. Tortorella – Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department
  • Firefighter – Neill S. Tyndal JR – Yonkers Fire Department
  • Detective – Charles J. Wassil JR – Peekskill Police Department
  • Lieutenant – Marden C. Wolf – White Plains Fire Department
  • James P. Sullivan – New York City Transit Authority
  • Sergeant – Peter C. Woods – NYPD, Hartsdale Fire Commissioner & Co-Chair Westchester County 9/11 First Responders Memorial

How the Armonk Chamber Helped Businesses Weather the Covid Crisis

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Neal Schwartz, President, Armonk Chamber of Commerce Photo by Chad Kraus

When COVID emerged as a crisis in March 2020, many local businesses were forced to close their doors while others saw their revenues dry up. But for the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, this time was as crucial as any since Neal Schwartz became president more than a decade ago.

The chamber has historically hosted a range of community events, held regular meetings, and published a directory of members. But most chamber members, Schwartz says, are generally passive participants that changed when business owners found themselves in uncharted waters as COVID hit. Suddenly, their businesses’ survival depended on navigating a host of new federal programs and incentives like Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and on finding ways to keep their business running through restrictions and panic over the virus. Some businesses, like dental offices, had help from their industry groups, but others turned to the chamber.

“We became a conduit for using information from the state, the county and the federal government,” Schwartz explains. “It was invaluable to those members who weren’t connected to some of those other associations.”

The chamber helped connect its members to Zoom calls and other events that helped members navigate the new terrain and explore their options. It also created an app to give residents up-to-date information about which businesses were open. 

When necessary, the chamber organized its own events, bringing in chamber-affiliated accountants who were well-versed on the available recourses to answer member questions. 

“A couple of chambers [elsewhere] almost stopped functioning [during Covid], because they had their set activities and those activities didn’t happen, and they were kind of at a loss,” County Executive George Latimer explains. “The Armonk chamber made the transition that you had to make once you realized that Covid was going to shut down the normal activities.”

Latimer continues, “What they did was they morphed into providing the information and to some extent material [such as] PPE that the businesses needed.”

Spotlighting the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, Top Row, L-R: Neal Schwartz, president; Bharti Gupta, board member; Ed Woodyard, member; Shari Ascher, Director of Policy & Programs, Westchester County; George Latimer, Westchester County Executive Second Row, L-R: Ken Sassano, board member; Catherine Censullo, board member; Tammi Ecker, board member    Photo by Chad Kraus

The county government had access to both information and resources to help businesses but did not have the manpower to connect with every business from Yonkers to North Salem. 

“Sitting at the county level looking at 45 communities, how do we reach the business communities and small businesses? We can’t do it on our own. We don’t have the bandwidth,” Latimer says. “But when we know that we’ve got a chamber of commerce that is working–that is having Zoom meetings and exchanging information–then we can channel through the chamber and the chamber has the relationships with the local businesses.”

The county, for example, had access to free masks and sanitizer to give to businesses. But walking up and down every street in every city, town and village in Westchester distributing it was not possible, Latimer says. 

Instead, the chamber determined the local needs and the county dropped off supplies at a central location. The chamber then worked to distribute these supplies throughout Armonk. 

When certain workers such as restaurant servers became eligible for the Covid vaccine before the general population, the county again worked through the Armonk chamber and other local chambers to inform businesses whose employees would qualify.

County Executive George Latimer / Photo by Chad Kraus

But perhaps the biggest role the chamber played was in working with business owners through the federal assistance available.

“The saving grace for a majority of businesses was how they navigated through the loan portion of the federal offerings that were there,” Schwartz says. “Depending where the numbers were for a business, they may have done reasonably okay if they took a PPP loan, which didn’t need to get paid back.”

Despite (or, in a sense, because of) their falling revenues and the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, the chamber saw new businesses joining to take advantage of these offerings.

“We picked up more members than you would expect in the middle of a pandemic,” he says. “There weren’t a ton of them, but there were people who began to appreciate that this chamber stuff has value.”

Haves and Have Nots

The pandemic and resulting shutdown did not hit all industries with the same force, Schwartz says. Some industries thrived even through the lockdowns, while in other fields businesses struggled to stay in business or were forced to close their doors. 

Home improvement was a sector that thrived, he notes. Trapped in their houses all day, local residents decided it was a good time to put in a pool, or redo their lawns, or make long-needed home improvements.

“The businesses that did well were the businesses that supported home life,” Schwartz says. “Some of them saw years that they haven’t seen before.” But many other businesses, particularly those that depended on traffic flow, struggled. It is hard to quantify exactly how many businesses went under, Schwartz says; he estimates some 10% of their members. 

Armonk is now well on its way to recovery, he says. 

“We are seeing these empty spaces get filled pretty quickly, considering everything,” he says. “It is not all doom and gloom at all.”

Latimer sees a similar picture on the county level, with sales tax receipts above where they were in 2019 pre-pandemic. Still, businesses face ongoing challenges.

One is the difficulty hiring workers, which Schwartz attributes in part to generous unemployment benefits distributed under the latest Covid relief bill.

“It went too far, so it was hard for restaurants to keep the staffing everywhere across the country,” Schwartz says. “People said, ‘Listen, I am getting more money to stay home and not go to work.’”

Latimer attributes the labor shortage to several factors, including the unemployment benefits, ongoing concerns about Covid, and an increasing preference for jobs with regular, stable hours. 

A Decade Leading the Chamber

Schwartz, who owns Armonk-based College Planning of Westchester, joined the chamber after opening his business in 2004, looking for the networking benefits the chamber would bring to his then-fledgling franchise. 

“I had bought all this equipment, furniture, systems, and I had no customers,” he remembers.

The chamber was helpful to him as he got his business, which specializes in tutoring, college counseling and ACT/SAT preparation, off the ground. But its activities at the time were limited to a sidewalk sale or two each year. In 2010, he stepped in as president and worked to build the chamber into a bigger player in the community.

Before he took over as president in 2010, he recalls, chamber activity was mostly limited to one or two sidewalk sales each year. When Schwartz stepped into leadership, he and his colleagues on the board scaled up the organization’s activity. 

In 2012, he launched cider and donut events. It’s grown from there, with 11 music events this summer, a “citizen of the year” award, a much larger Cider and Donut Festival, and regular chamber meetings. The chamber’s website has also been greatly improved, and now publishes the “Everything Armonk” community guide and business directory.

To learn more about the Armonk Chamber, please visit www.armonkchamberofcommerce.com

Westchester’s 11th Annual 9/11 Serve & Remember Events begin September 9

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In honor of those whose lives were lost or forever changed by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Volunteer New York! will join as hosts of the 11th annual “9/11: Serve + Remember” event taking place throughout our area from Thursday, Sept. 9–Sunday, Sept. 12.

“This year’s 20th anniversary serves a grim reminder of the nation’s darkest day, but it also reminds us of how thousands came together afterward, helping each other, comforting each other and rising through tragedy. We encourage everyone to participate to honor the lives lost and pay tribute to the first responders who saved lives and continue to battle illnesses acquired from that day,” said County Executive George Latimer.

Online registration is now open for individuals, groups, and families. To sign up or learn more visit volunteernewyork.org/service. Advanced registration is required for all 9/11 Day service opportunities.

“For over 10 years we’ve given thousands of community members a way to take part in the National 9/11 Day Movement. Each year built on the solemn legacy of the last,” said Jeanette Gisbert, Volunteer New York! Executive Director. “We encourage all past and potential volunteers to join us this September in the spirit of remembrance and resilience. If ever a time to show unity, the time is now.”

This year’s 20th Anniversary Day of Service events will include two special large-scale park cleanup projects on Saturday, September 11 at Tibbets Brook Park in Yonkers and Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson thanks to a partnership with Westchester Parks Foundation.

Erin Cordiner, Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement, Westchester Parks Foundation, said “Parks have the power to transform lives, shape lives, and preserve memories. We are proud to stand with Westchester County and Volunteer New York to mark the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and encourage residents to sign up to help us honor the anniversary and improve the quality of life in our community.”

All projects on Sunday, September 12 will take place at either a New Rochelle Volunteer Hub at IONA College or a Valhalla Volunteer Hub at Westchester Community College. Please review online opportunity description to find out if a project is family-friendly or has requirements, like wearing a mask.

 

2021 9/11: SERVE + REMEMBER EVENT SCHEDULE: www.serveandremember.org

Thursday, September 9 at 7 PM

  • Free Webinar: Volunteering with Equity in Mind (Virtual)
    • All volunteers are encouraged to participate in live event
    • The last 18 months have shined a light on the glaring inequalities between those that have and those that have not. Join Charles Curtis, Volunteer New York! Community Outreach Manager, for a live presentation of the original Volunteer New York! webinar, “Volunteering with Equity in Mind” where we will share volunteer tips on how best to advocate for those in our community and bridge the gap between those we serve and those who serve.

 

Saturday, September 11

  • Croton Point Park Cleanup Event (Croton-on-Hudson)
    • Coordinated in partnership with Westchester Parks Foundation
    • Shifts:  9 AM – 11 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM

 

  • Tibbets Brook Park Cleanup Event (Yonkers)
    • Coordinated in partnership with Westchester Parks Foundation
    • Shifts:  9 AM – 11 AM / 12 PM – 2 PM

 

Sunday, September 12

  • Westchester Community College (Valhalla Volunteer Hub)
    • Create Fleece Blankets for Children in Local Hospitals
      • Supports Westchester-Rockland Project Linus
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

    • Create Literacy Kits for Elementary Students
      • Supports Youth Literacy
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

    • Create Inspiring Cards for Deployed Service Members
      • Supports United for the Troops
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

  • IONA College (New Rochelle Volunteer Hub)
    • Create Fleece Blankets for Children in Local Hospitals
      • Supports Westchester-Rockland Project Linus
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

    • Create Literacy Kits for Elementary Students
      • Supports Youth Literacy
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

    • Create Inspiring Cards for Deployed Service Members
      • Supports United for the Troops
      • Shifts:  10 AM – 11:30 AM* / 12 PM – 2 PM*

 

*Denotes a project or volunteer shift where wearing a mask is mandatory or subject to latest CDC guidelines.

ABOUT NATIONAL 9/11 DAY OF SERVICE

9/11 Day was created in 2002 as a way to meaningfully honor the memories of those lost on September 11, 200 and to inspire Americans and others to do good deeds in support of creating a better and more peaceful world. It’s also a day that is meant to help rekindle the extraordinary spirit of togetherness, volunteerism, and compassion that arose in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy.

Since becoming a National Day of Service, 9/11 Day has grown incredibly into the United States’ largest day of charitable service. By volunteering on 9/11 Day each year, you help support their mission to transform the anniversary of September 11 into a worldwide day of good and a symbol of American resilience –helping to keep the spirit of all who were lost alive in our hearts and minds creating a positive legacy that can be passed down for generations upon generations to come.

Learn more about the #911DAY movement at 911day.org

EVENT SPONSORS

            The 2021 9/11: Serve + Remember community-wide day of service is presented by Volunteer New York! and Westchester County, and in partnership with Westchester Parks Foundation. With thanks to the generous support from major sponsor, Robison Oil. As well as additional support from event sponsors Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts and NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital. With special thanks to media sponsor 95.5 K-Love Radio and project sponsors Levitt Fuirst and Sterling National Bank. As well as to our Sunday volunteer hub host sites IONA College in New Rochelle and Westchester Community College in Valhalla.

ABOUT VOLUNTEER NEW YORK!

The core mission of Volunteer New York! (volunteernewyork.org) is to inspire, mobilize, and equip individuals and groups to take positive action to address pressing challenges, support non-profits and improve the quality of life in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. For over 70 years the organization has encouraged adults to serve, youth to build character, families to bond, young professionals to lead, mature adults to share their wisdom and businesses to engage through volunteerism.

Last year Volunteer New York! helped to inspire over 35,000 volunteers to take action and to coordinate over 360,000 hours of service that supported more than 500 nonprofits and local organizations, providing a value of $11.7 million back to our community.

 

New courtesy of the Westchester County Executive office.

Rotary Club of Chappaqua Honors Eileen Gallagher, Tuan Anh Dang at Annual Awards Luncheon

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Don Roane presenting Eileen Gallagher with the Rotary’s Paul Harris Service Award   Photos by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

June 30, 2021, Chappaqua, NY–Members of the Rotary Club of Chappaqua, gathered at Crabtree’s Kittle House for their annual awards presentations, honored outgoing president Eileen Gallagher with the Paul Harris Service Award and Horace Greeley High School Senior Tuan Anh Dang who received the Rotary’s Student Community Service Award. The in-person celebration brought Rotary members to the Kittle House, where the group has resumed meeting every Monday to honor community members and to plan their signature events, including Community Day, this year on September 18.

Long-time Rotarian Don Roane presented the prestigious Paul Harris service award to Gallagher, a two-term President of the Chappaqua Rotary, citing “her tremendous dedication and service to the community.” Gallagher is hardly leaving her Rotary efforts behind, however. She has been asked to work with a number of towns in northern Westchester, including Chappaqua, to create an ‘e-club’ which will meet via Zoom or in person, when desired.  “It’s an exciting chance to create a virtual club, which will fill a tremendous void in the area for those who wish to serve the community at large but whose schedule does not allow for in-person weekly meetings,” said Gallagher. “Covid has brought valuable insight into how we are able to connect over the internet, with the flexibility to meet in person when desired, and with the aim to “grow Rotary”, this will be a step in that direction.”

“There is a Wall Street e-club with members from other parts of the world, which had intrigued me,” explained Gallagher, “because of its innovative, inclusive and accessible meetings. This club will be able to fill that void in Northern Westchester.” For more information and to join, write to Gallagher, newestchesterrotary@gmail.com

Horace Greeley graduating senior (on the right) Tuan Anh Dang, here with his mom Huong Giang Nguyen, received the Rotary’s Student Community Service Award and Scholarship. Inside Press photo.

On behalf of Westchester County Executive George Latimer (a long time Rotarian), New Castle Town Council member Lori Gowen Morton presented Horace Greeley graduating senior Tuan Anh Dang with the Rotary Student Community Service Award; in addition, Gallagher presented Dang with a $1000 scholarship from the Rotary for his outstanding achievement and dedication to ‘service above self.’ 

In the opening to his “Service to the Community” essay to the Rotary, Dang relayed how vital the support of a young college student mentor/instructor had been to him when he was a child enrolled in an English as a Second Language course. It was taught, he recalled, by ‘a lanky 19-year-old’ named Eric volunteering from the University of California in Santa Barbara. Dang wrote of the friendships formed, and comradery that took shape between himself and his classmates during that time.

“Despite not having a single language in common (Spanish, Chinese, German, Vietnamese), Eric still managed to teach us all English,” Dang stated. “While trying to help us integrate into the broader community, he created one right within that class. Even after the course ended, we all became proficient; the people in that class became some of my closest friends after elementary school… I’m not sure Eric knew that he had just fostered a dozen children and made them all feel at home in this country for the first time.”

“I strive to pay the favor forward to other immigrant children by teaching ESL classes at Neighbors Link. In their confused eyes, I see my younger self who was equally perplexed by this odd world.”

In his sophomore year of high school, Dang was chosen as the Westchester county representative to the Youth to Youth International Conference, a youth leadership drug prevention program. That experience was instrumental to embarking on summer internship with the New Castle United for Youth, a local coalition for whom Dang helped organize events “with the goal of creating a support network that extends to all those who seek help in our town.”

With a new incoming president Marlene Canapi on board beginning July 1, Rotary members are planning the comeback date of Saturday, September 18, for Chappaqua’s annual Community Day, canceled last year due to Covid. To keep up with Community Day plans and all Rotary activities in Chappaqua, visit Chappaqua Rotary Club | Facebook

John Diaconis on…Togetherness, Reaching Out & Preserving History at the Miller House

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PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

When one thinks back on the past year, a few words stick out: family, friends, love and togetherness. These are the important things in life that have really come to the forefront in 2020 and beyond. Life as we know it has changed in many ways and people are learning how to live in this “new normal.” 

Armonk resident John Diaconis is one of those people. 

A partner at White Plains law firm Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, he is also a former New Castle Town Board member. Diaconis is now President of Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters, having been a longtime advocate for the North White Plains historical site. 

Diaconis moved to Chappaqua in 1990, when he says, the area was semi-rural and very quiet. He relocated to Armonk ten years ago, where he now lives with his wife Ann Dantzig and her 91-year-old mother, Janice Rabinowitz, whom he says “has more energy than all of us.” 

Diaconis served on the New Castle Town Board for five years and was the Town Prosecutor until moving to Armonk in 2010. He credits his time on the board with his eventual involvement with Miller House. 

“I moved to Armonk in 2010 and the first thing I became involved with was Miller House,” says Diaconis. He was asked to participate by Dorrie Watson, a founder of the North Castle Historical Society and town historian, whom he says was a legend in North Castle. The first order of business was to help work on getting the house refurbished and renovated, as it had been neglected for a number of years. 

“Credit goes to George Latimer: he spearheaded the renovation,” says Diaconis. The Miller House hopes to be back open to the public in the near future, but for now they will offer virtual programs.

As the world began to shut down last March, working from home became the norm for many, including Diaconis. As he says, no one was pressured to go into the office and that it is fortunate that most of the work he does can be done from home. Now, the firm is back up and running at 100% with all safety features, such as protective glass in place. Diaconis works in the office as much as he can now, but employees still have the option to stay home when what they are doing does not require them to be in the office. In many ways, it seems the work-life balance has greatly shifted for everyone over the past year.

Appreciating One Another

Diaconis definitely understands the vast importance of family, especially at this time in the world. Unfortunately like most of us, he has also experienced loss. Diaconis’ son Ari passed away three years ago at the age of 33. While he was sick, he spoke a lot about the importance of relationships. As Diaconis says, “He was a really smart kid. My family and I are very attuned to appreciate one another and our friendships. If anything, the social distancing and stay-at-home parts of the virus have reinforced the importance of connection with people.” Ari and his sister Alix both attended school in Chappaqua.  After graduating from Horace Greeley High School, Alix is now living in Brooklyn and working as a video editor. Ari went on to graduate from Cornell Law School and practiced law in New York City. 

Diaconis also has two step-daughters. Natasha graduated from Byram Hills High School while Lexi graduated from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry. Lexi lives in Providence and Natasha in San Francisco. The family does a lot of Zoom calls and speaks regularly on the phone. Alix comes up to visit after quarantining and Diaconis visits her in Brooklyn as well. 

PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

 

 

 

 

Everything that’s been happening this last year has made them all closer. The community has definitely come together during this time as well. Diaconis says, “Armonk is an interesting town: everyone is pulling together.” North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro always starts each board meeting with “Dorrie TIME”. These are good deeds that people in the local community have done inspired by Dorrie Watson. “A lot of people are involved in community efforts to help homeless people,” says Diaconis. 

Community Involvement

Local churches are doing outreach and are doing what they can to provide shelter as well as community members volunteering with food distribution and at soup kitchens. There is also a large effort to preserve local history: many in the community are actively involved with helping to fund the library and historical society. 

Diaconis really enjoys the sense of community Armonk provides as well as many of the local spots in town–La Mer Seafood, David Chen and DeCicco & Sons included. He spends a lot of time downtown, as it is so walkable and vibrant. As for his role in public service, it all comes down to one thing. “My mentor was Marion Sinek, former New Castle Town Supervisor. People are in public service to try and do good things for people. I try to follow that motto now, as do others in public service.” 

Opening Soon: The Landmark Miller House

Situated on a stretch of Virginia Road in North White Plains sits the Elijah J. Miller House. Once almost lost to disrepair, the historic home has undergone an extensive renovation thanks in part to Westchester County and Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters. The site was the home of Elijah and Ann Miller and it is where George Washington once stayed during the American Revolution. Unfortunately, it had spent more than 20 years with sustained structural damage and visitation was not allowed. 

In 2019, County Executive George Latimer led efforts to renovate the house so that visitors could once again come and learn about its historical significance. John Diaconis, President of Friends of Miller House says, “Credit goes to George Latimer, he spearheaded the renovation.” And Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation goes on to say, “We were thrilled that the restoration of the Miller House was a priority for the Latimer administration. We look forward to the day when we can begin programming again to educate children about this important landmark and history of their County.” 

John Diaconis, outside the Miller House with Philip Sieverding, a Greeley grad who is on the historic house’s board of directors.
Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Storied History

Originally situated on a 100-acre farm, the house is an 18th Century Rhode Island-style farmhouse, built in 1738 with an addition built in 1770. Miller House served as General Washington’s sleeping quarters and command post during the 1776 Battle of White Plains. Shortly before the battle, Elijah, along with his two sons, John and Elijah, Jr. were killed.

Ann then turned the house into a field hospital, and many soldiers were tended to by her and others in the house and on the grounds. Eventually Charles Lee, Washington’s second-in-command was court-marshaled and the last phase of his trial was held at Miller House. In 1976, Miller House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Local Historic Landmark by the Town of North Castle. 

Diaconis is looking forward to the day Miller House can re-open its doors to the public. “We would love to get school trips up and running again, it’s an important part of what we plan to do–to get things back to where they were.”

He has received emails from people all around the Northeast saying how they used to go to Miller House on field trips and that it was a highlight of their elementary school experience. 

Millennial Interest

The Friends of Miller House board includes some millennials, whom the group hopes to connect with younger kids to help expose them to the important local history right here in Westchester County. “Anyone can join the Friends; we always want input from people with suggestions about programs they’d like to see and more. We want to hear from the public.”

For now, Miller House is planning a variety of virtual events including its George Talk book club series, which will feature a book written about Charles Lee. As Diaconis says, “We are grateful for County Executive Latimer’s leadership in preserving this historic landmark. John Nonna, Sharon Tomback and many others also worked countless hours to save the house,” which incidentally also included the saving of a 300-year-old sycamore tree.

Latimer says, “While we may not be able to gather at the Miller House in person, the meaning behind the historic home should never be forgotten. This building tells us the story of the American Spirit.” And we will all look forward to the day when we can once again take in its vast history on its grounds and inside its walls.