halloween

A Look Back at Fabulous Fall Events PLUS, Next Year’s Dates!

November 12, 2021 by The Inside Press

COMMUNITY DAY

“The Rotary Club of Chappaqua, in collaboration with the Town of New Castle, hosted a successful 2021 New Castle CommunityDay. Success was due to generous sponsors, participating exhibitors, and the New Castle community. Funds raised will benefit local and global charities. We are thrilled we have a great opportunity to help those in need. On Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Community Day will once again blend community, personal enjoyment and giving service to others.” Marlene Canapi, president, Rotary Club of Chappaqua

FEED ME FRESH: AN EDIBLE EVENING

FEED ME FRESH PHOTOS by: (c)Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

“Mount Kisco Child Care Center’s 17th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening was spectacular on September 25 thanks to all the amazing sponsors and volunteers. Over $220,000 was raised for MKCCC’s Scholarship Program toward high quality, affordable care, and early education to a diverse group of children in a safe, healthy environment through innovative and developmentally appropriate programming. Next year’s date: September 17, 2022!” Helen Bock, Director of Development, mkccc.org

CHAPPAQUA CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

“The eighth Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on October 2 was a celebration of coming back together as a community of readers. Our 70 plus authors signed thousands of books and loved talking to area families. We will return on October 15, 2022, at our full capacity of 120 plus authors. We are so grateful to the Town of New Castle, our sponsors, volunteers, partners and friends.” Dawn Greenberg, founder, ccbfestival.org

First Congregational Church COMMUNITY YARD SALE & BOUTIQUE

(L-R): Kathy Thorsberg, Olga Seham, Bill Spade, Jon Russell, Carl Thorsberg, Chrissy Chapin, Jason Chapin, Rev. Martha Jacobs and Bill Swenson. Inside Press Photo

A Community Yard Sale and Boutique on September 25 brought together nearly a dozen boutique vendors and over 30 yard-sellers to the First Congregational Church of Chappaqua. Due to its success, a spring-time sale is anticipated too. “It was a beautiful day, and everyone had a great time … people got to see people they hadn’t seen in a long time.” Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, fcc-chappaqua.org/

THE ARMONK OUTDOOR ART SHOW

Photos Courtesy of the Armonk Outdoor Art Festival

“The Armonk Outdoor Art Show on September 25 & 26 was a huge success featuring 160 amazing exhibitors. The show had record high attendance, wonderful support from sponsors and volunteers, strong sales for our amazing artists and lots of positive energy. We’re grateful to all who contributed to a truly wonderful show. Hope to see you next year, October 1 & 2, 2022, for our 60th Anniversary!” Anne Curran, director, armonkoutdoorartshow.org

OKTOBERFEST

Pleasantville Oktoberfest on October 2nd was sponsored by the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce and the Village to support our local businesses. The event was an incredible success as it brought together families and friends who have not been together since the Covid-19 pandemic started. We thank the Pleasantville Police Department, Department of Public Works, the Village Department, and the Chamber for a joint effort to provide a spectacular event to our great residents. We plan on hosting this event again next year in the first weekend of October 2022.” -W. Paul Alvarez, Pleasantville Village Trustee. pleasantville.com

A wheel of fortune at a booth for the Jacob Burns Film Center during Pleasantville’s first Oktoberfest Inside Press photo

ARMONK CIDER & DONUT FESTIVAL AND 2021 RUN FOR LOVE

Sponsors, volunteers, The Byram Hills Preschool Association, The Love family, and the Town of North Castle all came together to create this year’s Armonk Cider & Donut Festival, the BHPA Fall Carnival and the 2021 Run for LOVE. “What makes the festival unique is the breadth of activities from the Run for Love road races, a kids’ carnival, and our distinctive donut making right in the Park. This year the Food trucks were a big hit. Save the date for next year: September 18th 2022!“ Neal Schwartz, Chamber President armonkchamberofcommerce.com

A happy participant at the Armonk Cider & Donut Festival. Resident photo courtesy to the Inside Press

Byram preteens and teens–all contestants in the 2021 Run for Love Resident photo courtesy to the Inside Press

AND MORE…

Batgirl at an all day family fun festival preceding the New Castle Halloween Ragamuffin Parade Inside Press photo

A craft activity during the New Castle Historical Society’s 1860s themed Family Fun Day Inside Press photo

‘Halloweekend’ Event at the Irvington Theater Promises a Livestream of Spooky Surprises

October 13, 2020 by Inside Press

It started on Halloween six years ago…

That’s when Douglas McClure, John Malone, and a few of their friends dressed up as the Ramones and performed on North Dutcher Street where they live. Since then, the ritual has joyfully multiplied into a treasured Irvington tradition: community bands providing their neighbors with a rock and roll soundtrack (and the accompanying light show) while trick-or-treaters and their families crowd the Village side streets to sing and dance along.

“We’ve got architects, psychologists, veterinarians, teachers, and technology professionals,” said McClure of the musicians who comprise each act. “It runs the gamut.”

Half Halloween concert finale at Irvington Theater on April 26, 2019, featuring local bands Wild Thyme, Lennon + Friends, Evil Eckar with special guest the Dirty Irv Horns, and the North Dutcher All Stars.

“The Cure” performing on North Dutcher Street, Halloween 2018.

The audience was captivated by “Tom Tom Club” and “Talking Heads” at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.

“Devo” (fronted by Doug McClure) at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.

Downtown Irvington, just before Halloween’s musical magic begins.

The Halloween Bands (as they’ve been collectively dubbed) don’t let their moniker dictate their performance schedule; last spring, they came together for “Half Halloween,” a spectacular concert fundraiser on the Irvington Theater stage that thoroughly enchanted audience members of all ages. For the first time, four beloved bands were all in one place: Lennon + Friends, Wild Thyme, Evil Eckar, and the North Dutcher All-Stars. Local resident Rich Lobel made a wildly entertaining Master of Ceremonies, and the whole evening was replete with uncanny impersonations, impromptu aisle dancing, spooky surprises, and a karaoke contest that brought down the house. The Village of Irvington was abuzz for weeks, basking in the afterglow of such palpable community spiritedness and intergenerational celebration.

“Ever since that magical night, people always ask us if we made a movie of the show,” said participating musician Miyuki Furtado, who also serves on the Irvington Theater Commission. “Folks who missed it were so disappointed, and anyone who was there wishes they could see it again.”

That wish is about to come true. For the first time ever, Irvington Theater will stream this legendary concert for a one-night-only Halloweekend event – from their stoops to our stage, and now directly to you! Costumes, candy, and household watch parties are strongly encouraged.

Furtado says it’s the perfect time to revisit such a cathartic, live event: “Especially now, with so much uncertainty in the air, that night takes us back to a feeling not so long ago… when we could all gather together and share an incredible, creative community bond that made everyone on the stage and in the audience feel so welcomed, close, and inspired.”

This world premiere concert film will stream at 7:30pm on Friday, October 30. Purchase your ticket ($12 per household) to receive the viewing link and password at irvingtontheater.com/irvingtonanywhere.

Irvington Theater is home to a diverse range of innovative programming that entertains, enlightens, and inspires, establishing itself over its 118-year history as the cultural heart of the Rivertowns. The theater continues its tradition with unprecedented reach with “Irvington Anywhere,” their entirely virtual fall season of short films, lively concerts, and classic celebrations. Irvington Anywhere is made possible thanks to the generous support of Eric Bernstein of Compass, Dobbs Ferry.

PHOTOS BY Paula Romanow Etzel

Halloween in Chappaqua, Then and Now… with Covid Safety Measures Planned

October 6, 2020 by Megan Klein

October 30th update: Erring on the side of caution, merchant trick or treat plans reported here earlier in the month have been cancelled in New Castle due to concerns with an uptick of cases being reported throughout the county.

Our author reminisces…

Oh, Halloween. What a concept. It’s the one day out of the year where it is acceptable to knock on a stranger’s door and willingly accept whatever they give us, with no questions asked. Hey, I was all for it when I was younger. Whether I was dressed as a puzzle piece, a hotdog, or sat home in my mustard costume on the couch all sad and mopey because I was sick, it was definitely never a bore.

Now that I’m older, I will say that I am over the whole scene. I can drive to go get candy whenever I want and I don’t need to be dressed up as barbequed meat to do it! Crazy what money can buy you.

I do, however, have great memories (and photos) from Halloween when I was a kid. My mom was a huge advocate of the Ragamuffin parade and some of my earliest trick-or-treating memories are from going around to each store after school. I was Minnie Mouse one year, and a cute one at that. Oh, and we can’t forget the time I was a clown. I had the clown shoes, the wig, the nose, the whole sha-bang. My mom still talks about it to this day. We will literally be watching TV, and she will be like, “Remember when you were a clown? Best. Costume. Ever.”

Unfortunately, what with the pandemic and all, Halloween is going to look a little different this year. It’s likely that a lot of people won’t be doing their normal Halloween traditions due to the pandemic and its safety concerns. While the parade is no longer on the schedule, there are other things in the works to make up for it!

For starters, thanks to Tara Mikolay of Desires by Mikolay, who spoke with board members of the town, PTA and others to make this a safe event, there WILL in fact be a merchant trick or treat this year. It will be over the span of three days, from 2-5 pm on Oct. 28, 29 and 30, with preschoolers first, followed by elementary school and middle school kids.

There will be tables outside of the stores with individually wrapped, grab-and-go candies along with a police presence aimed at preventing any traffic jam of little vampires and princesses, or whatever the kids dress up as these days. And of course, masks will be required.

In terms of other Halloween activities, the PTA approved the annual window painting that happens around town every year, where students get to decorate a store-front window with season designs. And don’t worry, even though there won’t be a Ragamuffin parade this year, you will still have the chance to strut your stuff in town while being represented by your very own…scarecrow! Families will be able to make their own spooky, straw friend and place it around town to contribute to the Scarecrow Fest that is taking the parade’s place.

Although the spookiest season of the year will look a little different this fall, the town is doing their very best to put on a Halloween that will definitely be one for the books…

Editor’s Note: With the town plans underway, Westchester County in general is taking steps to help make residents and guests feel safe and secure as they venture into various communities to celebrate fall and Halloween via an initiative called ‘Westchester with Care’. An initiative of Westchester County Tourism & Film, “it is enlisting area businesses and nonprofits to help fight COVID-19 and safeguard the health and wellbeing of all who live, work and play in our beautiful destination just north of New York City. All participating organizations are required to take an online pledge. You can learn more and take the pledge at https://www.visitwestchesterny.com/westchesterwithcare

Returning to Raise a Family in the Tree Streets of Briarcliff Manor

February 21, 2020 by Christine Pasqueralle

Briarcliff natives and high school sweethearts, Cari DeRose, an auditor and Cesare DeRose, owner of Tegra, a building maintenance supply company, live in the Tree Streets section of Briarcliff Manor with daughters Sabrina, age 9 and Juliana, age 5. Having both grown up in the area, settling there with their young family was a no-brainer. “When we got married in 2008 we did not consider any other towns when looking for our first place together. The sense of community and positive experience we had growing up in Briarcliff is exactly what we wished for our own children,” said Cari.

The Tree Streets were named by Walter W. Law, who founded Briarcliff Manor in the 1890’s. He wanted to name the streets after the species of trees planted in the surrounding areas such as Elm, Pine, Oak and Linden. Cari grew up in the Tree Streets and her parents still live in her childhood home. The DeRoses purchased their home three years ago and love their neighborhood. The area is very safe for kids to go out and play. As Cari says, “Since there are only two access points into the Tree Streets (Ash and Larch), there is not a lot of “thru traffic.” This allows the kids to bike and walk around a little bit more freely.”

Living in the Tree Streets provides many opportunities for neighbors to gather. On Halloween, the DeRoses saw over 400 trick-or-treaters come to their home. There’s also an annual adults-only block party held each fall.

As Cari says, “We love being a part of the Briarcliff community.” The family enjoys many local events including Family Fun Night, Santa Express, which is hosted by the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department, the Chamber of Commerce Summer Concert Series and the Halloween window painting, which takes place in town each year.

Halloween Haunt at Smith’s Tavern

October 26, 2019 by The Inside Press

Ghouls, goblins and ghosts just might make an appearance at the fifth annual Halloween Haunt sponsored by the North Castle Historical Society. The two-day event features a haunted house, pumpkin painting, games, face painting and more.