honor

Judy Gilmartin-Willsey of Framings Named Armonk Citizen of the Year

April 21, 2018 by Marlene Kern Fischer

The Armonk Chamber of Commerce has chosen Judy Gilmartin-Willsey as its 2018 Citizen of the Year. Judy will be honored at the annual Citizen of the Year golf outing and dinner at The Whippoorwill Club on Tuesday, May 15.

If Judy’s face looks familiar, it’s probably because you know her from Framings of Armonk. Judy and her husband Carter Willsey started the business 28 years ago after working in advertising; the timing was perfect because they wanted to be able to bring their young daughter to work with them. Framings was originally housed on Bedford Road, next to the old lumberyard, and moved to a building located on what is now the DeCicco’s parking lot. The business was then resituated to its current location on the corner of Main Street, where its creative and whimsical windows have been adding character and beauty to downtown Armonk for the past 22 years.

Judy, a graduate of Parsons School of Design, likes to be known as a “yes” person and said she feels it’s her “responsibility to do the best work and contribute to the community.” With a reputation for helping out in any way she can, Judy is involved in a myriad of activities. She is a member of the Grace Notes, an acappella group that performs at nursing homes and assisted living facilities (including the Bristol, located in Armonk), libraries, elementary schools and senior citizen centers throughout the area. Over the years, Judy has mentored the dozens of high school students she has hired to work at Framings. In addition, Judy has helped sponsor and promote the Friends of the North Castle Public Library’s annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show and is committed to helping Armonk businesses grow and thrive. She even leaves used frames and other objects outside her store free for the taking. Her energy and enthusiasm for everything she does is readily apparent to everyone she meets.

One of the things that strikes you when you talk to Judy is her wonderful sense of humor; she loves to laugh and make others laugh as well. It’s a little-known fact that Judy selected Framings’ phone number, 273-4242, because it’s also 273-HAHA. The store used to offer a five percent discount to anyone who came in and told a good joke. Judy said she is considering reinstating the practice despite the fact that customers occasionally tried to take advantage of the offer; she recounted with a chuckle the time someone asked if he could get a 20 percent discount if he told her four jokes.

A co-founder of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, which was started 15 years ago, Judy is also a co-founder of Friends of Frosty. Originally started as a holiday stroll to celebrate America’s favorite snowman, the Frosty parade has helped put Armonk on the map, with over three thousand people attending the parade this past year. The New York State Department of Tourism named it “one of the holiday events not to miss.”

On being named Citizen of the Year, the humble Judy says that she is “grateful on a lot of levels. I am grateful to be in a town that can support a creative business. At first, I was embarrassed when they told me I had won. But now I think it’s fantastic to be in such good company with the other people who’ve been honored. I will take Carter’s advice and accept [the award] graciously.”

Ed Woodyard, the Chamber’s 2017 Citizen of the Year, said, “Judy’s more than 25 years of dedicated service to the Armonk community make her more than worthy to receive the 2018 Citizen of the Year Award. She and her husband Carter exemplify the personal qualities and provide the outstanding service necessary to build strong customer loyalty and a successful business. Her upbeat energy, good works and positive attitude extend beyond the store itself and into the wider community. Whether it’s her riding her bicycle around town, stopping to chat or waving to friends, Judy’s big smile brings a smile to the lives of everyone who knows her. This award is so well-deserved. Honoring Judy honors all of us.” We couldn’t agree more.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the golf outing, cocktail party and events visit http://www.armonkchamberofcommerce.com/ or call 914-273-2353. All are invited to attend the day of celebration.

Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester Celebrates its Youth(s) of the Year

June 3, 2017 by Beth Besen

BGCNW Youth of the Year finalists (L to R): Isiash Pratt-Wade, Rolando Trinidad, Eric Lopez Duarte, Tatiana Restrepo, Stephanie Trejo and Adam Campbell. PHOTO BY Ana Slaviero Werner

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, founded over 150 years ago in Hartford, Connecticut, is stated as one which will “enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

Spend an afternoon with local Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) CEO Alyzza Ozer and Director of Teen Programming Athenia Lee, and you’ll see that mission in action. Arrive at 3 p.m. or so and witness area school buses rolling up to the BGCNW front door, and kids of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds jumping out, eager to take part in a myriad of the club’s after-school programs.

One such program, the prestigious High School Youth of the Year competition, recently concluded its local awards. From the six Club kids (see Finalist Group Photo here) chosen as High School finalists, Tatiana Restrepo was awarded Youth of the Year and Rolando Trinidad was named the Chris Cutri Memorial Award recipient. After this edition went to print, Tatiana competed in a state-level competition in Albany.

Alyzza Ozer, BGCNW CEO
PHOTO By James Poster

Historically, this state level sees approximately 45 competitors, each of whom has the chance to cap their previously submitted packages of background information with a prepared speech before a panel of judges. The winner of the state competition goes on to the Regional competition and the Regional finalists all get together to compete one more time in Washington DC. Ultimately, the winner in DC will begin a one-year term as teen spokesperson for all the Clubs’ members nation-wide.

How does a BGCNW member become eligible for High School Youth of Year? According to Ozer, the requirements (for any student in grades nine through twelve) are one year as a Club member plus 25 hours of community service for the year. However, Ozer is quick to point out that “most kids have much more.” She goes on to explain that the opportunities to give back to the community begin with preschool and continue on through the years, ultimately culminating in the youth leadership group known as the Keystone Club.

Keystone is a dynamic program invested in academic success and career exploration in addition to community service. With so much going on at the club at every level, it is no small surprise that Youth of the Year contenders have garnered many more years and greater hours than the basic eligibility requirements. In fact, says Ozer, “in many ways, Youth of the Year is the personification of the [BGCNW’s] club mission–academic strength, community commitment, civic responsibility.”

Adds Lee, a BGCNW Club kid herself and now, eight years into her position as Director of Teen Programming, sees herself as a mentor to all those following in her footsteps, “Some kids are eager to apply, others are reluctant and we need to encourage them. We largely let them self-select, but there’s a whole long application process and some need more encouragement than others.” She adds that, in some cases, the fear of public speaking gives pause to many a qualified student, so part of her mentoring goal is to help those students open up and trust that they have something worthwhile to share. Whether one-on-one or through some of the other Club programs, teens are empowered to find their voices.

Speaking of teen voices, I’m immediately struck by Tatiana’s poise and maturity when we are introduced. She has a firm handshake and a winning smile. Asked how she feels about her new Youth of the Year title, Tatiana thinks for a moment and then, with another bright smile, says “it’s a great honor.” She goes on to share that she’s been coming to the BGCNW for 14 years, and that the Club “shaped me as a person; taught me what to strive for, gave me confidence to reach my full potential and achieve my aspiration to go to college.”

Athenia Lee, BGCNW Director of Teen Programming
PHOTO BY Ana Slaviero Werner

In fact, Tatiana recently made her final college decision and will be attending Pace University come fall. She is proud that, like her older brother, she is part of her family’s first generation to attend college.

Cutri Award recipient Rolando is equal parts humble and proud of his honor too. A young man with a strong and confident demeanor and handshake, he too reflects upon his time with the BGCNW, saying “the Club has allowed me to show leadership and achieve my goals. In particular, Mr. Cutri has given me confidence to be strong and stand up for my beliefs.” Rolando plans to attend Manhattanville College where he will study sports business with the ultimate goal of becoming a sports agent.

National statistics have repeatedly shown that, from preschoolers on up through high school, children who participate in Boys & Girls Club programs perform better in school and make smarter life choices. Whether they are official Youth of the Year honorees or simply moving forward as more focused students, participatory community members and contributing citizens, BGCNW kids, without doubt, all deserve a round of heartfelt applause!

Check the Boys and Girls Club website, www.bgcnw.com, for the update about the state competition.

John Ehrlich, Ellie Loigman Chappaqua Interfaith Council Honored by Chappaqua Rotary Club

April 24, 2017 by Kelly Leonard

The Chappaqua Rotary gathered in March at its annual Charter Night Celebration at Crabtree’s Kittle House where outstanding community and student leaders were honored and recognized for their contributions in service. Three major awards were presented including the Paul Harris Fellow, named for the founder of the Rotary. This year’s Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to Rotary member and past president John Ehrlich, lauded for his tireless work on behalf of the New Castle community and the Rotary.

(L-R): Don Roane Past President; John Ehrlich receiving the Paul Harris Award/Recognition; and David Shields, President

Ehrlich has been a Chappaqua Rotary member for over 15 years and has worked on many of the Rotary events including leading two very successful blood drives. It was estimated Ehrlich’s efforts brought in in excess of over 1,000 units of blood. During his acceptance remarks Ehrlich noted, “If I can ask you to remember one thing, it’s not about me, it’s about we. It’s not what we have it’s what we can give. And what I love about this club, what I love about each of you is what we can all do together.”

Chappaqua Rotary presented its annual Community Service Award to the Chappaqua Interfaith Council. Club President Dave Shields said this year’s presentation was in recognition of the Council’s efforts to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance through faith based initiatives.

The members of the council are Baha’I, Chappaqua Friends Meeting, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Church of St. John and St. Mary, First Congregational Church, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, and the Upper Westchester Muslim Society.

Representatives of various faiths that participate in the Council, including Jewish, Christian and Muslim congregations were present to receive the Award.

Other dignitaries and community leaders including Westchester County Legislator/Board Chair Michael B. Kaplowitz and Town of New Castle Supervisor Robert J. Greenstein were also present to honor the Council in this particularly relevant and timely mission.

HGHS Senior Ellie Loigman with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz

Horace Greeley High School senior Ellie Loigman was honored with the Student Jill Goodman Community Service Award. Loigman is the current President of SHARE (Students Have a Responsibility Everywhere), Greeley’s oldest and largest community service organization involved in over a dozen charitable organizations. She also served as the Executive of the Horace

Greeley Scholarship Fund, Chairman of the Spelling Bee (which hosted over 200 participants and raised over $20,000), and as a member of Protégé Cares at Lighthouse Youth Theater that performs at local charity events.

Harvard bound in the fall, Loigman noted during her acceptance remarks, “I look forward to many more volunteer opportunities to come in college. I want to thank the Rotary Club for the award, Ms. Mullen and Ms. Devane the advisers of SHARE for making my experience so rewarding, and the other presidents and members of SHARE who bring so much to Greeley and to the town of Chappaqua.“

A Snow Day to Remember … with Distinguished author Barbara Winton

March 6, 2016 by The Inside Press

Barbara Winton enjoying the snow with the Saiontz boys.

By Stacey Saiontz

During the blizzard, my family was snowed in with our very special house guest, Barbara Winton. Barbara Winton is the daughter of humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton and Author of the book about his life titled If it is not Impossible. Ms. Winton was in New York, as she was one of the speakers at the United Nations Annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony.

Winton and I had been in touch a few years prior. As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I serve as the Co-Chair of the Museum of Jewish Heritage’s Annual Spring Ladies Luncheon. Each year we honor a female Holocaust Survivor. A couple years ago, the honoree, Hanna Slome, attributed her story of survival to being one of “Nicky’s children” and explained that she was saved from the Nazis by being put on the Kindertransport from Prague to England that was set up by Sir Nicholas Winton.

In 1938, Sir Nicholas Winton, a stock broker in London, England responded to a request from his friend Martin Blake to join him in Prague. Blake had gone to Prague to help the Jewish refugees who had fled to Prague after Germany annexed the Sudetenland. After viewing the situation in Prague, Winton decided he needed to find a way to help the children. At the time, Kindertransports were helping children leave Germany and Austria to travel to safety in England. However, no one had set up a way to help the Czech children. Winton convinced the Home Office in England to agree to allow Czech children to be evacuated to England. The Home Office required a foster family to look after the children and a monetary amount to assist with repatriation at the end of the war.

Winton successfully organized eight trainloads of children, saving 669 children. The last train, the largest yet, was cancelled right before its departure as Germany invaded Poland resulting in the Czech border being closed. Unfortunately the majority of these children are thought to have died in concentration camps.

Although, Winton knew about her father’s work to save the Czech refugees, the mass public found out about his deeds in 1988, when a TV presenter in England discussed Winton’s rescue and announced on live TV that most of the audience in the studio were saved by Sir Nicholas Winton. It is estimated that there are approximately 6,000 people in this world who owe their existence to Sir Nicholas Winton.

While staying at our home, we organized a dinner honoring Ms. Winton. Three of her father’s “children” along with several Ambassadors joined us. It was so moving to see the “children” interact with Ms. Winton. Winton explained that while her father decided to organize the rescue mission because it was the right thing to do, he did not realize at the time the impact he would have on the childrens’ lives. It was not until meeting the “children” as adults that he realized how important his actions were on the “children’s” lives. May we all be inspired by the Sir Nicholas Wintons of the world to act ethically and try to make a difference in the lives of others.

Stacey Saiontz, a lawyer living in Chappaqua with her husband and two sons, is the co-chair of the Associates Board of the Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust; a board member of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation; and a member of the Next Generation Board of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. She is also a Committee member of the Chappaqua Cure in our Lifetime and serves on the Advocacy board of FARE, the Food Allergy non-profit.

Beecher Flooks Funeral Home: One of Six Businesses Inducted into Westchester’s New “Business Hall of Fame”

April 25, 2015 by The Inside Press

From left, Anthony Justic, chairman of The BCW Board of Directors; William Flooks Jr., funeral director at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The BCW.

Westchester resembled the Great White Way earlier this week as The Business Council of Westchester held its version of the TONY Awards at its annual dinner event honoring some of the region’s most successful enterprises.

More than 600 people turned out to Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle on April 21 for The Business Council’s Business Hall of Fame Awards, which included a Broadway-themed celebration complete with a Playbill styled red-carpet, a Liza Minnelli look-a-like and performances by singers from the Westchester Broadway Theater – all overlooking the scenic Long Island Sound.

As part of the main act, The Business Council inducted a world-renowned technology developer, a leading holiday decorator, one of the nation’s oldest medical colleges, an affordable housing developer, a full-service insurance company and a family-owned funeral home that has operated for three generations.

From left, Amanda Volper, Hillary Volper, Brian Patrick Fontana, Eric Volper and Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of The Business Council.

New to the Business Hall of Fame this year was the addition of Chairman’s Recognition Award as well as announcing the winner of the Ron Volper Family Scholarship Fund for Business Excellence, which was given to Brian Patrick Fontana, who is pursuing an MBA at Pace University. The Business Hall of Fame, which is in its 14^th year, has inducted more than 70 Westchester businesses.

“These winners represent all that is great in Westchester’s business community, its economy and its future,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “We have it all here — large corporations, family-owned businesses and leading technology companies. We are pleased to induct these companies into the 2015 Business Hall of Fame, and we’re so happy to help our future business leaders gain the tools they’ll need to succeed.”

County Executive Robert P. Astorino congratulated the winners for joining an exceptional roster of inductees and for their great achievements. He also thanked them for their contributions to Westchester’s economy and its communities. The master of ceremonies was News12 anchor Scott McGee. The event co-chairs were Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson of Thompson and Bender and Thomas Lalla of Pernod Ricard.

The winners in their respective categories are:

Corporate Citizenship: New York Medical College in Valhalla. Dr. Robert Amler, vice president for government affairs and professor of public health, accepted the award.

Entrepreneurial Success: Mindspark in Yonkers. Erik Esterlis, co-president, accepted the award.

Small Business Success: York International Agency, LLC in Harrison. Robert Kestenbaum, CEO, accepted the award.

Women in Business Success: Rella Fogliano, president of MacQuesten Development in Pelham. Fogliano accepted the award.

Family Owned Business: American Christmas in Mount Vernon. Fred Schwam, CEO, accepted the award.

Chairman’s Recognition Award: Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville. William Flooks Jr., funeral director, accepted award.

About The Business Council of Westchester

The county’s largest and most influential business membership organization, The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate and grow. In addition, The Business Council of Westchester is actively involved in reviewing federal, state and county legislation and regulations in order to assess the potential impact on the business community and to influence the outcomes through advocacy when the business community’s interests may be affected. It also acts as an information resource for the business community and government leaders at all levels.