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holiday season

When Cabin Fever Strikes: Three Fun Family Excursions!

November 13, 2020 by Anna Young

With so much uncertainty happening this year most might be seeking some semblance of normalcy at a time when families would be gathering to ring in the holidays together.

With New York’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 significantly lower compared to March, some restrictions have lifted enough over the months allowing for folks to get out and enjoy themselves. Businesses and destinations across the state have also implemented health protocols to ensure safety for all.

Whether it’s eating out, visiting your favorite museum, going skiing or cutting down a Christmas tree at the local farm, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still advises those to wear a mask and social distance by avoiding large gatherings and keeping a six-foot distance.

Health officials further warn to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth, avoiding sick people and staying inside if exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus.

Here are some places you can enjoy safely with your family or friends this holiday season.

Photo by Jessica Norman

Untermyer Gardens Conservancy

According to the CDC, taking care of your mental health is imperative during times of increased stress and uncertainty.

Whether taking a break from work, eating healthy or exercising, there’s no better place to take a much-needed deep breath than Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers. With multiple gardens and paths spanning nearly 50-acres overlooking the Hudson River, a walk around the historic park is guaranteed to provide more relief than a stroll around the neighborhood or the grocery store.

Untermyer Gardens, located at 945 North Broadway, is open Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to COVID-19, admission is accepted through a free timed-entry reservation system which allows visitors to sign up for a 30-minute entry window and visit the garden for up to 90 minutes. Admission is free.

Along with guided tours every Sunday and areas specialized for professional photography sessions, the Conservancy will also host its annual Grand Holiday Illumination from Dec. 12 to Jan. 3. The event will run from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

“For the Illumination, only the Walled Garden will be open to visitors,” Jessica Norman, Outreach Officer for Untermyer Gardens, said. “It can be visited by those who cannot go up or down stairs, but the amphitheater and loggias are not accessible to those who can’t do stairs.”

She added heavy snowfall or significant ice will close the event until walkways are cleared and safe for visitors.

Reservations are required and can be made at untermyergardens.org.

Visitors must wear masks and exercise safe social distancing, with monitors stationed throughout the park ensuring rules are followed. Those refusing to follow guidelines will not be permitted to enter or remain in the gardens. Visitors must also follow the one-way routes indicated on the map and signage and not enter blocked off areas.

Photo By Douglas Camberis

The Museum of Ice Cream

While traveling to New York City may elicit some skepticism, there’s no confusion when it comes to ice cream.

Whether you’re diving feet first into the Sprinkle Pool, embracing a tribute to the history of gay pride in the Rainbow Tunnel, riding on the three-story slide, or admiring the dessert feast suspended by floating balloons, The Museum of Ice Cream has 13 exhibitions for ice cream lovers of all ages.

In-person and virtual ice cream making classes are also provided, along with ice cream crafted with true English toffee, 1950s inspired malted milk balls and ripe bananas, according to the website.

In accordance with the CDC, the facility will be deep cleaned before opening, throughout the day and before closing, with team members training to disinfect all touch points immediately after contact with guests. Spaces will also be sanitized after each viewing, the website states, with sanitizer stations in specific areas.

Masks are required and must be worn at all times. Those without one will be denied entry.  Refunds will not be offered to those who are removed from the building for not adhering to the guidelines, but will be given to those who become ill and cancel a reservation.

Groups larger than 10 will be prohibited. There will also be markers on the floor to ensure that a safe distance is met, the website states.

Tickets can be bought online and are $39 for adults and free for kids under two.

The museum, located at 558 Broadway in New York City, is open Thursday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

www.museumoficecream.com.

Photo by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

The annual Holiday Lights event at the Bronx Zoo will return this year on Nov. 20, with select dates available through January 10.

The event will encompass a larger area of the zoo and will accommodate social distancing procedures to avoid bottleneck areas. This year’s event will feature nearly 50 more animal lanterns than last year and will create five geographically representative lantern safaris that include species from different regions of the world.

People of all ages can indulge in holiday-themed music, ice carving demonstrations, costumed characters, stilt walkers, souvenirs, and seasonal treat like hot chocolate and s’mores. With s’mores a popular attraction, the zoo will also increase its fire pits from four to 12 this year.

A tree will also be erected to ring in the holiday spirit.

“2020 has been a trying year for all of us and has once again shown the resiliency of New York City and New Yorkers,” said Jim Breheny, Bronx Zoo Director and WCS Executive Vice President for Zoos & Aquarium “The city has always been the center of the holiday universe, and The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights will help bring a sense of normalcy to the city.”

Tickets must be purchased online, with adult tickets $34.95 and $32.95 for seniors. Children 3-12 will cost $22.95. WCS members will receive a 40% discount, with members at the Conservation Supporter level receiving free admission.

If unable to attend the event, the zoo’s 265 acres and 8,000 animals are open for viewing. Visitors must purchase tickets in advance and reserve a specific date prior to arrival. The zoo, located at 2300 Southern Blvd in The Bronx, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.bronxzoo.com.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Cabin Fever, Excursions, Family Fun, Family Outings, Holiday Lights, holiday season, Museum of Ice Cream, safe distance, social distancing, The Bronx Zoo, Untermyer Gardens Conservancy

Cozy at Home

November 11, 2020 by Grace Bennett

PHOTO by Erica Berger

If you are reading this cozying up to our ‘Home for the Holidays’ editions of the Inside Press, or taking in some of the stories right here, then mission accomplished! My simple goal is that you might find the basic joy of ‘the season,’ and to make your days just that much brighter. I hope too that you will love an Inside Chappaqua cover story spotlighting nine inspiring women who have set out to build bridges in town in a multitude of ways in our schools and in our neighborhoods.

As we continue to ‘share the heart of the community,’ you will find welcoming spotlights, including a ‘Gotta Have Arts’ cover story in Inside Armonk of resident artist Evan Lorberbaum whose work can often be found at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.  In Inside Chappaqua & Millwood, ‘meet’ the new Chappaqua library director Andrew Farber, and new resident Térron Richardson and learn more of his delightful candle line. If your heart has been broken, know you are not alone this holiday season, as you will see when you read about “Lonely Hearts,” a special support group formed by Chappaqua social worker Lexi Joondeph-Breidbart, who describes her own heartbreak.

If you like most have been lamenting 2020, do take a moment to remember and cherish a positive memory or two, whether something little or something ‘big’–such as a child’s wedding, as was true for everyone’s favorite neighbor and prolific blogger Marlene Fischer (“Thoughts from Aisle 4”) who turned her experience into a book; please turn to the spotlight on Marlene and a book excerpt. More stories/essays in these issues touch on love for our moms and dads in assisted living, sisterly love, ‘blanketing’ many deserving residents with love, and on missing the love of extended family at Thanksgiving. So, enjoy!

With seasonal time off from iLearning and work challenges, I also felt certain readers might appreciate a few ideas for fun and safe excursions, so we present three stellar suggestions. Follow new guidelines, but please also visit or otherwise support a favorite restaurant or two this holiday season with home delivery or curbside pickup options; area proprietors are working harder than ever to make the experience as safe and inviting as possible. Speaking of safety, you will also find advice here from area fire chiefs that will help protect your home from fire.

In the child-care arena, uplifting end-of-year news is the long awaited for opening of a modern and inviting new building for the Ossining Children’s Center (highlighted on a ‘Happenings’ page). I also commend a generous tribute from the Mount Kisco Child Care Center to their teachers and staff. A campaign is underway honoring their courage and dedication.

Wishing you peace and blessings.

Filed Under: Just Between Us Tagged With: Cozy, Excursions, grace, holiday season, Home for the Holidays, Inside Armonk, inside chappaqua, Just Between Us, Spotlights

Goodbye to 2018; Why, Hello ‘Beautiful’

November 24, 2018 by Grace Bennett

Ok, I’m trying to stay positive. Still, it feels good to say ‘so long’ to what has been downright ugly. We have seen the impact of hate mongering and a gun epidemic across America, from the spike in hate and lethal crimes across the board, as was the case with the terror directed toward so many prominent individuals via U.S. mail, and immediately thereafter, the horrific tragedies via gunfire at the Tree of Life Synagogue and at the Thousand Oaks nightclub. Then disaster struck, as we sat back helpless taking in the massive wildfire in California and its accompanying death toll of nearly 90 people with hundreds still missing, And in our backyard, as we went to press, The Inside Press team was saddened to learn that a passionate community campaign to bring Armando Rojas back home, had not succeeded. A saving feeling prevails, however: There is great comfort when we all come together as a community to mourn tragedies and put our heads together on how to make our future brighter for all of us and future generations.

As the publisher of a magazine for communities that are off the charts charitable, I also know that behind all the bad news, there is much that’s positive and promising and beautiful on the landscape for our future, and so we will be keeping our eyes peeled for all that. As we head into 2019, via our team, we’re going to keep bringing what’s ‘beautiful’ in our lives to you, from the ‘Inside’ out, for certain. For our first edition in 16 years of publishing, a March/April 2019 book, please look for our ‘Beautiful’ theme throughout, and get in touch early to ask how you can support us. Please write to grace@insidepress.com.

Beautiful Gedney Park playground on a Winter’s Day. Photo by Grace Bennett

In the meantime, thank you to all the residents here ‘and beyond’ who read and share stories we work hard to produce. Thank you to all the generous sponsors who support  community print and online coverage. Wishing you and our families much warmth and joy and all things beautiful through the holiday season.

Filed Under: Just Between Us Tagged With: 2018, 2019, Armando Rojas, Comfort, community, future generations, Goodbye, Hello, holiday season, Inside, Moving Forward, new year, reflection, tragedies, Tree of Life, warmth, winter

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