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Hillary Clinton

Remembrance and Celebration Encouraged During Keynote Speech of Chappaqua’s Memorial Day Parade

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Memorial Day is not a day of mourning, Captain Melkon told those gathered, but instead a day of celebration in which we honor those who fought and fell for the United States, championing their selflessness, loyalty, and courage.

By Gillian Hand

U.S. Army Captain John Malkon with a visitor following the conclusion of his keynote speech. PHOTO BY Grace Bennett/Inside Press

The Memorial Day Parade is among the most cherished of Chappaqua traditions. In honor and remembrance of those who have fought for our nation, residents line the streets of downtown Chappaqua, following the parade from its start at the top of King Street to the concluding Memorial Plaza Ceremony in front of the Chappaqua Train Station. Each year, the community comes together in this celebration of American servicemen and women.

Despite mediocre weather conditions, Chappaqua residents came out in full force for the 2017 Memorial Day Parade. Throughout the light rains most of the morning, supporters brandishing American flags cheered on the marchers and attended the moving closing ceremony. This year, the parade featured many familiar appearances, from AYSO soccer teams, to girl and boy scout troops, to school district bands, to Chappaqua and New Castle administrative board members. Also present were first responders from the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as well as members of the 5th New York Regiment Revolutionary War Squad, among many others.

Grand Marshal James McCauley and Girl Scouts in a Wreath Laying Ceremony PHOTO BY Grace Bennett/Inside Press

 

In a greatly anticipated appearance, Hillary and Bill Clinton as well as Governor Andrew Cuomo also marched in the parade together with Town of New Castle’s board and regional leaders as they have done in prior years. Although the rain made this Memorial Day different than it has been in the past, the parade still obtained the important attendance and spirit levels which make the tradition so important to Chappaqua historical identity. As marchers completed the parade route, attendees convened at the Memorial Plaza Ceremony.

Veterans present at the parade were recognized and honored by speakers, and the stories of local servicemen were conveyed to listeners. Among the presenters was keynote speaker, the Army’s U.S. Captain John Melkon of the Center for the Study of Civil Military Operations at West Point. After being introduced by Grand Marshal James McCauley,  Melkon discussed the men and women who have lost their lives in service to our nation. He remarked that Memorial Day is not a day of mourning, but instead a day of celebration in which we honor those who fought and fell for the United States, championing their selflessness, loyalty, and courage.

“Their lives are dedicated not to conflict or to death, but to compassion and to light,” said Melkon, tearing up in remembrance of fallen soldiers, including comrades of his own who gave their lives in the line of duty. Melkon’s words were passionate and deeply personal, urging attendees to commemorate the honorable service of those who have fought for the safety of the United States.

The Memorial Day Parade embodies the meaning of community, bringing together Chappaqua residents young and old. Each year, families, neighbors, and friends come out in celebration of servicemen and women and the sacrifices they have made for our nation. 

Inside Press intern Gillian Hand is a senior at Horace Greeley High School.

For a full gallery of our photos of the 2017 New Castle Memorial Day Parade, please visit us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/theinsidepress/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155358951498669

 

 

Excitement Builds for Chappaqua’s 2017 Memorial Day Parade: A Preview

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By Justin Ellick

At a prior Victory Corners Ceremony which immediately preceeds the town’s Memorial Day parade: Town of New Castle Grand Marshal Jim McCauley, with Temple Beth El’s Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, girls and Girl Scouts participating

Memorial Day weekend is commonly looked at as the official kick-off of summer. Things are no different in Chappaqua, as families across the township are already in the throes of another fun and activity-filled weekend.

But there is a uniqueness when it comes to Memorial Day weekend in New Castle as opposed to anywhere else. There is a distinct excitement we all feel about living in a community that holds an annual world class parade that in recent years has attracted key public officials like Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Assemblyman David Buchwald, County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, and, of course, Chappaqua’s most famous couple, Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Whatever the year or the turnout, the meaning of Memorial Day and why we celebrate it is always first and foremost in the hearts and minds of New Castle residents on this special weekend.

“Memorial Day is a day to pay tribute to all the military men and women who have died fighting for our freedom,” said New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein of the festivities.

“Those who gave their lives represent all different races, religions and backgrounds. Let’s honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting four our founding principles and use the opportunity to promote diversity, inclusion and love,” continued Greenstein. “I encourage all members of the community to bring signs that symbolize the diversity, inclusion and quest for peace that those soldiers America lost had fought so valiantly to preserve. And, because we will have our armed forces and veterans joining us, let’s show our honored guests what we stand for.”

The parade will commence at 10:30 a.m. on the corner of Bedford Road and King Street for the “Victory Corners” Ceremony, in which the Grand Marshal will call the parade to attention. At this moment the march will start, as the parade will move off Ridgewood Terrace and down into the heart of Chappaqua, eventually coming to a stop at the Chappaqua Train station at around 11:30 a.m. This is where the “Memorial Plaza” Ceremony will be held, in which the Marshal will again bring the parade to attention for Invocation, as well as for various recognitions, readings, speakers, performers, and eventually the dismissal of the parade entirely.

The line of March will consist of the middle and high school bands, town board members, youth sports organizations, volunteer groups, and of course the veterans we’re meant to honor, among other participants as well. Many attendees and visitors to town will also be on the lookout for Chappaqua’s celebrated neighbors, “the Clintons,” and perhaps in particular for 2016 Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton & Gov. Cuomo at the 2012 Memorial Day Parade in Chappaqua Photo Credit: Grace Bennett/Inside Press 

It’s not confirmed whether  Clinton, who is a resident of Chappaqua, will indeed make an appearance this year at the parade, but the fact that she hasn’t missed it in 11 years gives some hope to her followers in the area that might be trying to catch a glimpse of the former Secretary of State.  Regardless of who is marching, Monday promises to be a special day here in Chappaqua, as we celebrate the beginning of summer and the lives of those who paid the ultimate price so we can enjoy it in peace and freedom.

Greeley grad Justin Ellick, who has completed a junior year majoring in Media and Communications Major at Ursinus College in Philadelphia, joins Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines for a second internship this summer.

 

 

Strong Starts

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By Grace Bennett

For the March/April ’17 Spring edition, I focused on ‘strong starts’ in different community arenas—in particular with a special cover story on area libraries written by past Inside Press Editor Beth Besen and photographed by Gary Sapolin. I so admire how our libraries rose to the ‘virtual world’ challenge with a hyper-focus on programming to become safe, nurturing havens for human contact and lively exchanges.

Another strong start includes Habitat for Humanity’s amazing efforts in Chappaqua, so I’m grateful for Janine Crowley Haynes’ interview with the devoted Jim Killoran, too.

Spring cleaning efforts are always a strong start to the season; I think you’ll appreciate the E-tools Dana Wu suggests we consider toward that goal.

We even tackle the topic of marriage! After pondering her own experiences, Miriam Longobardi offers different experts’ advice on navigating a ‘marriage in limbo,’ while, on our final etcetera page, Danika Altman, Ph.D., shares sound marriage-saving advice. And, there’s the usual ‘more!’

Just Between Us again, as time permits, I keep up with political posts and assorted other stories ‘in between editions,’ at theinsidepress.com, and in social media on Facebook, primarily, at Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines (on both our ‘business’ or ‘group’ pages) which link to Twitter; you can follow my tweets on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheInsidePress . Many insiders also follow my general ‘Grace Bennett’ Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/InsidePress. These posts combined (a single one striking a chord can reach thousands upon thousands of ‘viewers,’) I hope portray many neighbors’ resolve for staying true to ourselves both at home and outside our community.

For such posts (and other news that doesn’t make it into print), please visit the New Castle News, Inside Thoughts and other links at our (I’m proud to say) newly re-designed Inside Press site which you’re in right now, of course!  🙂  Examples include stories on Up2Us sponsored events, including that of a meeting at New Castle Town Hall where several gun violence protection groups met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey to strategize. http://theinsidepress.com/gun-violence-prevention-groups-promote-coalition-building/I assigned the Habitat story to Janine following our social media coverage of a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser which was attended by both Hillary and Bill Clinton for a wonderful jazz night with Daniel Lauter, et al, performing at Chappaqua Station. See pics below!

Online too: my interview with Susan Chatzky who chaired a Planned Parenthood Comedy Night fundraiser; Kelly Leonard’s story about a teenage, interfaith effort on Martin Luther King Day–the teens packaged humanitarian aid to send to Syrian refugees; Up2Us Dawn Evans Greenberg’s profile of the Hudson Valley Justice Center which provides legal guidance to immigrants http://theinsidepress.com/hudson-valley-justice-center-describes-impact-of-trumps-policies-on-immigrant-communities/and a story about a Chappaqua graphic artist, Alex de Janosi, whose anti Trump ‘No’ logo has taken off. http://theinsidepress.com/chappaqua-artists-no-logo-graphic-strikes-a-chord/http://theinsidepress.com/chappaqua-artists-no-logo-graphic-strikes-a-chord/

There’s also nothing quite like the energy and conviction in young people voices, so particularly firing up our site recently were essays by Greeley sophomore Julia Bialek,  http://theinsidepress.com/thank-you-mr-president and Aemilia Phillips, HGHS, class of ‘12 and Harvard class of ’16 http://theinsidepress.com/greeley-grads-passionate-plea-to-reject-choice-of-trump-national-for-senior-prom/

Three New Castle young men and a young lady spoke eloquently at a late winter rally organized by the town’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee to protest the travel ban. Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein, Dr. Rev. Martha Jacobs of the First Congregational Church, and Temple Beth El’s Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, each addressed hundreds gathered around the Gazebo. Footage from that inspiring event can also be found on the aforementioned Facebook pages.

And of course, there will be much more appearing online from the time I’m writing this ‘for print.’  Chappaqua is my home, where I raised my children, so I’m proud to and love feeling its vibe and monitoring its pulse. 

Shortly before press time too, I was gearing up to moderate a panel of esteemed journalists on March 3 called “Separating Truth from Fiction in the Age of Trump” in a Left of Main Street sponsored forum at Town Hall. Coverage is online now!  http://theinsidepress.com/the-fourth-estate-covering-the-trump-administration/

Note too: a non-partisan forum, “Media and Politics: The Impact on our Democracy,” sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New Castle, will take place at the Chappaqua Library on April 6th, 7-9 p.m.

I will continue to embrace community activism and outreach in my heart and in my soul. On a most personal level, that’s a strong enough start for me.  -Grace

Bill Clinton and Jim Killoran

 

 

Photos by Grace Bennett

 

 

Local Clinton Supporters Plan to Join Marches in NYC and Washington, D.C.

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“This is just a general march to say, ‘We are all humans first, and we expect to be treated with the equality promised in our constitution.’” Katherine Siemionko, commenting about the NYC March planned too.

By Andrew Vitelli

Like many of Hillary Clinton’s neighbors in Chappaqua and the surrounding communities, Pleasantville resident Francesca Hagadus had hoped to travel to Washington D.C. next month to for the historic inauguration of her neighbor and hero.  Recount efforts and evidence of Russian interference (as confirmed by the CIA) notwithstanding: Assuming the Electors approve the results of the election on December 19th, Donald Trump will take the oath of office on January 20th. So Hagadus, like many of Clinton’s backers, will still be making the trip.penn-ave

Busses from Chappaqua and Armonk would be among those coming from across the country to bring marchers to Washington on Jan. 21, the day after President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, for the Women’s March on Washington. The march aims to mobilize Clinton’s supporters, and others concerned about the incoming administration, as Trump begins his term in the White House.

“The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights,” the march’s organizers write on their website. “We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.”

The march will convene at 10 a.m. near the U.S. Capitol Building, meaning those traveling to Washington from New York that day must leave before dawn. As of Monday, Dec. 12, 68 people had signed up for a bus from Chappaqua to the march, while a bus leaving from Armonk at around 4:15 a.m. had 26 riders signed up.

“I hope that it makes a statement. It shows people that we are not just going to wait out the next four years,” said Hagadus, a retired teacher in the Chappaqua school district. “We are a majority, and we want to make sure that our voices are heard.”

Hagadus may not go to Washington to make her voice heard. For locals who don’t plan on making the four-hour trip to the U.S. capital, there is an option closer to home. Katherine Siemionko, a Brooklyn resident and a professional project manager, has organized a sister march in Manhattan, with the march concluding outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

“[People] are afraid that their rights are at risk,” said Siemionko. “People want to come out and voice their opinion, and say that we support equality for everybody.”

Siemionko said she is planning for up to 100,000 people to attend the march, with marchers flying in from across the country and even from abroad to participate.

“This is just a general march to say, ‘We are all humans first, and we expect to be treated with the equality promised in our constitution,’” Siemionko said. “The goal of this is to bring the community together.”

Hagadus, who volunteered for Chappaqua Friends of Hillary and went to Pennsylvania to knock on doors for the Democratic nominee, said she plans to attend one of the two marches, though she hasn’t decided which one.

“Considering I live in Pleasantville, [the New York march] would be a lot more convenient for me,” said Hagadus. “The question is where we can have the most impact.”

For information on busses to the Women’s March on Washington, visit rallybus.net/womens-march-on-washington. To register a group for the Women’s March on NYC, e-mail volunteersmarchonnyc@gmail.com.  

Andrew Vitelli is the Editor of Inside Armonk Magazine.

 

Editor’s Note: We will add info on busses leaving to this article as more information becomes available.

 

 

Thank You Cards to Hillary Clinton

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An Ongoing Courtesy from the King Street Salon

Article and Photo by Grace Bennett

 When the cards began to arrive for Hillary Clinton from all over the country—“from Washington State to Indiana to Pennsylvania”–Ann Styles Brochstein and Carolyn Filancia-Vento knew they had struck a chord with their post Election effort.  

hill-cards-ann-carolyn
Ann Styles Brochstein (left) and Carolyn Filancia-Vento inside the King Street Salon in Chappaqua following a delivery of some 200 cards expressing gratitude to Hillary Clinton.

Ann had posted and tweeted from her popular local Hillary advocacy blog–Chappaqua 4 Clinton/Kaine(now called Left of Main Street on Facebook and on Twitter @Neighbors4Hill) and on the Facebook “Pantsuits Nation” page that a collection was underway for thank you cards to Hillary Clinton during the harrowing first few days after the election was called to Donald Trump.

“I felt so lost and devastated after the election; I wanted to do something,” said Ann, who together with Chappaqua’s Cynthia Metcalf produces Left of Main Street.  “I asked Carolyn if we could drop off at or mail to the King Street Salon, and she said yes.”   

“Until about eight months before the election,” Carolyn noted, “I was a Republican. I finally realized I could never vote for that man.”  She described Ann as ‘the catalyst’ for her change of heart during long conversations together. Ann is a regular customer.  “After those, I started to also love Hillary.”

 Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein cordially helped make arrangements for delivery, and to date, about 200 cards have been delivered to  the Clinton household. 

Collections for cards will continue until Christmas too. Anyone who wishes to send a card to Hillary Clinton in her hometown, may mail to or drop off at this location: King Street Salon, 229 King Street #2  Chappaqua, NY 10514