The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Chappaqua (Sept 2015)

The Little Pool That Could!

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Swim across America

By Isabella and Margaux Weiner

The best of Chappaqua was on display on Sunday morning’s Swim Across America fundraising event at Chappaqua Swim & Tennis, the picture-perfect sunny weather reflecting the optimism of this broad community effort. What started eight years ago as an off-site, four-person swim has grown to a home event involving more than 80 swimmers with ages ranging from six to nearly sixty. Each swimmer swam a half-mile or mile, and money pledged for the swim funds cancer research and treatment.

Swim for America Volunteer Committee
(Left to right): Maija Cekic, Stacey Sayer, Lori Shay, Carrie Dillon, Beth D’Alessandro, Dan Levy, Judy Simon, Katri and Bill Coster–all local volunteers for Swim Across America

The fundraising results of the Chappaqua swim have increased dramatically, with more than $60,000 in contributions so far this year! This puts the Chappaqua Swim & Tennis swim in the number one spot for fundraising among all the pool swims in Westchester and Long Island. This is an outstanding accomplishment for an event that held its first home swim only four years ago, thanks to our community! Olympic silver medalist Bobby Hackett of Katonah helped kickstart the Chappaqua swim, offering a swim clinic to participants.

Many local businesses contributed food and refreshments for the event, as well as wonderful prizes for raffle and high-end items for silent auction. Beneficiaries of SAA-LIS funds include the Cancer Support Team–Purchase, NY; Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at New York Presbyterian, New York; and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center-New York, supporting the Swim Across America Research Laboratory.

9 Don’ts and Do’s for your First Year at College. Real Advice From a Rising Sophomore

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Chappaqua-September-44

By Sarah Jane Weill

1. Don’t: Bring your whole closet

Don’t get me wrong, clothes are important. I love all my clothes, so I know how hard it is to choose your favorite clothing items. But when you go to college, you have to make hard decisions like this. Put it in perspective: there really isn’t space in your tiny dorm room to store your entire wardrobe. If you’d rather not have to store socks in your desk drawers and sweaters under your chair, remember to pack selectively.

2. Don’t: Skip over that obscure Art History class

Or whatever class’s course description makes you want to run in the other direction. It may sound weird, but take a chance and sign up for it. Sometimes the best classes are the ones that have nothing to do with your major. Maybe this class will open up your mind, maybe it’ll be a good conversation piece 20 years from now or maybe it’ll give you a good laugh; but either way, it’s an experience that might really be worth having. After all, college is about learning, isn’t it?

3. Don’t: Send emojis as a form of communication to your professor

We all know that texting wouldn’t be texting without the use of emojis. But emailing your professor is not the same thing. It is, in fact, a more serious task. This means using full words (text lingo can be confusing, TBH), proper grammar, capitalization and no emojis. If you’re worried about writing out your thoughts only in words, relax, it’s not as hard as you think. So, save the emojis for your BFFs who will think they are cute and funny, unlike your professors. (Got it? *winky face, *smiling face, *thumbs up)

4. Don’t: Make doing laundry harder than it has to be

Ok, I’m going to say this once and only once: detergent pods are your friends. Let’s be honest here, odds are doing your own laundry is not something you are particularly used to, and you might be a little bit hesitant before doing your first load. But after putting it off week after week, the only clean clothes you have left are two mismatched socks and a pair of jeans. Don’t freak out! Avoid the classic rookie mistake (putting in too much detergent) and simply use pods; all will be well!

5. Don’t: Overdo it when buying your school paraphernalia

You have four years to don your school colors, and just as many years to stock up on all the necessary spirit-wear items. So you don’t have to go buy up the whole store on the first day. Instead, limit yourself to one sweatshirt, maybe one t-shirt too. But that’s it. You don’t need a complete set of school logoed socks, so put them down! Remember this isn’t only about money: there’s that whole space issue again (see above on how many clothes will fit reasonably in your room). And at the end of the day, you really just don’t want to be that kid who is your school’s biggest fan.

6. Do: Wait to buy school supplies at the college bookstore

This one probably applies to your mom. She’s been taking you to Staples since you were in kindergarten for that perfect color-coded set of notebooks, folders and binders at the beginning of the year, and she’s reluctant to give up this tradition. But tell her it has to be done. You don’t need to do all that shopping at home because there’s a huge school bookstore with all the supplies you could ever want. If your mom is really distressed over this change, you can let her shop there with you! Crisis averted.

7. Do: Use textbooks as more than a giant paperweight

They’re heavy, they’re huge, and you might be thinking: “who cares?” But, believe it or not, textbooks hold a vast range of knowledge that most likely will be useful to you at some point. I’m not advocating carrying them everywhere you go; that’s just not realistic. Just make sure you open them every once in a while (cough, cough: exams!) If you’re feeling really ambitious, I’d advise skimming your weekly assignments so that you might understand your professors’ lectures.

8. Do: Take deep breaths when the wifi is slow and Netflix isn’t loading

It’s your worst fear, and, yes it happens. Sometimes it’s the weather, and other times it’s just the amount of people online, but sooner or later the wifi will be down. Of course you’ll be watching Netflix, because you’re “taking a break from work.” But without that almighty power connecting you to the worldwide web, that little loading wheel will just spin to your utter irritation. Don’t panic. This will end. Try, if you can, to look at the bright side: instead of watching another episode of Friends maybe you can catch up on some well-needed sleep. Or you can just keep waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And Waiting.

9. Do: Make sure you convince your parents that you miss them more than your dogs

This is crucial, for obvious reasons. No explanation necessary.

Sarah Jane Weill is a rising sophomore at Bowdoin College.

New Castle Seeks to Offer Empty Nesters More Good Reasons to Stay

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By Grace Bennett

And then one day, my kids both flew the coop, and I joined the ranks of the “Empty Nest.”

But here I am, going on 19 years of residency in my hometown of Chappaqua–just like a full 55 percent of the community who reside here without children in the School District. One long-time friend returned to the excitement and convenience of the city; saying goodbye was painful for me! Another conversely wishes to slow down, perhaps, and is exploring a warmer climate in a community where taxes are more manageable. Others have opted to stay; still others are on the fence.

Like many of my peers who continue to pay New Castle taxes, we are often asked and sometimes even ask ourselves: Why do we stay? Why should we stay? What incentive and resources does New Castle offer its empty nest and more senior resident community?

So it was with great personal interest that I thought I’d explore any available answers to these questions by attending and covering one of a recent series of “Roundtable Discussions,” hosted by Town Hall this summer at The Chappaqua Library. This one was called: “How to Keep Empty Nesters in the Community.”

Over the course of an animated 90-minute discussion and exchange of ideas, the nine member panel, led by Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein, addressed different questions ranging from whether a tax reduction for residency here beyond the school years is possible to the cultural and educational resources that provide the incentive to stay in the first place. “Our goal is to help make people whose kids are not in school here still feel like they are an important part of our community,” noted Greenstein, early in the forum. And later: “We want people to be happy to stay here past the 12 to 13 year plan.”

“We are more than just great schools and we have lots to offer residents at every stage of their lives. We must have services and activities for residents of all ages: multi-generational living enriches our community.”

“We are competing with 55 and over communities that offer many activities. We need to offer those same activities. Let’s face it: We pay a lot in taxes. That’s the price of world class schools. But, we also need to offer world class community activities. Our empty nesters should have calendars full of arts and cultural events and recreational activities right here in our community.”

To that end, Greenstein told panel attendees that the Wallace Auditorium at Chappaqua Crossing could be the venue for more Chappaqua Orchestra, theater and dance programs. A new Culture and Arts committee is forming to address the best use of that new town resource.

“55% of residents don’t have school age children,” stated panelist Jeffrey Mester, board member of the Chappaqua Central School District; Mester is recently divorced and a soon to be empty nester himself. “I have 18, 19 and 20 year olds,” he noted. The big draw to being here for Mester? “They (the kids) come back!” he noted wryly. And then, more seriously: “It’s truly my ties to the community. It’s not about the higher or lower taxes.”

Still, Greenstein offered: “I feel strongly that if you are going to stay here and continue to pay the taxes, then we need to provide activities that make it worth it.

One member of the audience asked Mester that the School District retain residents’ email addresses for correspondence after the kids leave too and not automatically end correspondence. “The school depends on everyone’s taxes to support it,” noted Chappaqua resident Judith McGrath. “The schools need to take additional responsibility to be more proactive.”

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Mester agreed that is a good idea and also encouraged those attending to contact the District Clerk for information on how to stay involved with the schools. “Participation with seniors is great,” he said, “such as through a pen pal program with fourth graders or simply coming in to discuss your experiences.” One audience member also noted that continuing educational offerings had become predictable and inquired why a language studies teacher at the high school, for example, couldn’t offer a course. Mester noted that action would require allocating funds to pay teachers (who are in contract) to also offer more vibrant continuing education.

One common theme that emerged during the evening: It’s impossible to pigeon hole empty nesters…their means and their expectations for the town can vary, considerably.

For example, not all empty nesters wish to downsize; some will even upsize, as long time Chappaqua residents Bonnie and Gerry Golub did to make their home an inviting place for their children and grandchildren to come visit and stay over. Panelist Bonnie Golub, a real estate agent with William Raveis, is a proponent of a gradual lowering of the tax base to make staying for many residents across the board more attractive too.

The question of taxation is for Albany, maintained Greenstein. “They give us a chance to provide certain exemptions as a local option: senior star exemptions, veterans, volunteer fire fighters, ambulance, etc. We take advantage of every tax exemption they offer to us,” he said. “As far as town charges for things like refuse, we can give discounts to seniors and we do. But, we cannot just give a tax reduction: this is Albany’s decision.”

A tax break notwithstanding, Golub also suggested that the school district actively encourage its students to provide voluntary community service to area seniors. Twenty hours of community service by young people to our seniors before graduation would be a wonderful way to give back, she noted.

Panelist and town Social Worker Carolyn Merkin reminded the audience of multiple efforts in New Castle to ease the burden for our seniors including home delivered meals programs and the volunteers who drive seniors every day whether to and from shopping and doctor appointments or offer to help at home for tasks ranging from help paying bills to arranging for at home care services.

One panelist, Steve Biren, who downsized to a home in Riverwoods, said the amenities of the sought after complex and his own active involvement there keeps him happy. He said that despite the attraction of a place for example, like Naples, Florida, for seniors, he stays here, because “it’s a cohesive community. That is a plus.”

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Pamela Thornton, director of the Chappaqua Library, and Cassie Ward, director of the New Castle Historical Society (NCHS), were on hand too to summarize the plethora of activities and packed calendars each of these local institutions have available for everyone from toddlers to empty nesters and seniors. (Many in attendance agreed that integrated activities, i.e. those involving many age groups, were highly desirable.) Hundreds of volunteer opportunities are available not only at the Library and the NCHS but at churches and synagogues and not for profits around town; Ward also said that a central database of all events and programming around town would be extremely helpful.

Ronni Diamondstein, a resident of the Chestnut Oak Ridge condominiums in Chappaqua, joined the panel to represent New Castle residents who have never had children in the schools here (nor necessarily plan to). She said she lives here because Chappaqua “is a beautiful town” and that her location at the end of North Greeley Avenue makes walking to the train, going shopping locally and getting involved in a variety of community organizations easy to do. She also mentioned a group (and programming) for empty nesters at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester.

brittneyAs for me, I’m totally psyched to hear if the new culture/arts committee might bring more adult programming to Chappaqua. I have found condo living (at Old Farm Lake, New Castle’s largest condo community) an absolutely reasonable option for single me with grown kids, and know how fortunate I am given the limits in downsize options. In general, I find the area teeming with work and creative opportunities and possibilities that with just a little more free time, I look forward to exploring more thoroughly. So, for now, and into the foreseeable future, New Castle, without question, remains my beloved home.

Greenstein acknowledges the shortage of homes to downsize to. “Many residents love their homes and their routines. They enjoy their lifestyle, cherish their friends and ties to the community. They have no desire to leave the community. However, it would be nice if we were able to offer them options to downsize in the community. This is an area where we can do a better job.”

The town-initiated Roundtable Discussions, which began with a forum on “What Prospective Home Buyers are Looking for” will continue through the fall–first with a September 10th panel addressing “Volunteer Opportunities for Young Adults.” An October panel will address: “Enhancing our Business Districts.”

Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press: Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines, and most recently produced a guide for the Town called Inside my New Castle:
Welcome to our Neighborhood.

How to Pay for College

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IMG_4590By Scott Kahan

Paying for college can be very complicated, especially if families haven’t saved enough. With many private colleges now costing close to $60,000 per year, parents can expect to spend over $250,000 for a four year degree. State schools can cost as much as $25,000 per year, or higher for out-of-state residents. How do families pay for all this? And what if parents have more than one child? Below, Scott M. Kahan, Certified Financial Planner professional and President of Chappaqua’s Financial Asset Management Corporation, offers suggestions for getting one’s financial planning under control and making the whole college process a little less stressful.

1. Consider your family’s overall financial situation. “College is one goal among many,” Kahan emphasizes to parents. “Retirement is [also] a major goal that should not be sacrificed. You can borrow for college, but you can’t borrow for retirement.” For that purpose, he suggests maximizing your savings into work retirement plans such as 401Ks.

2. For optimum savings, choose the 529 Plan. Available in all states, these plans provide tax-free growth on the money put in, as long as it is used for college. The money can also be used for any immediate family member’s college expenses, meaning, if needed, a parent can take money from one child’s account and use it for another. There is no limit to the number of plans one can set up.

Additionally, using the NYS plan (www.nysaves.org), parents can deduct their contribution on their NYS tax returns ($10,000 max for married couples; $5,000 max for single parents). Says Kahan, “Families can always fund more, but only that amount is deductible.” He also recommends parents use the direct savings plan, rather than the advisor plan, since there are no additional costs built in. Keep in mind, too, that when applying for financial aid, some schools (not all) will not count the 529 as a child’s asset in the calculations. Finally, Kahan suggests grandparents and other family members consider funding these accounts as well, in order to maximize savings.

3. If you have home equity available, consider borrowing from that. Kahan forewarns: “How you do this is important.” With interest rates still low, he suggests refinancing your mortgage rather than taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Why? “The reason is simple,” Kahan states. “A HELOC has a variable rate. When rates start rising, as they will before you know it, this rate will increase, and the college loan will become very expensive. By refinancing a mortgage and taking cash out, you can lock in today’s lower rates for the term of your mortgage. The cost to obtain a new mortgage may be higher, but in the long run, could save you money.”

4. Avoid borrowing from a 401K plan; again, keep retirement money separate from this process. “There could be some advantages to doing this,” says Kahan, “but if you leave your job with an outstanding loan, that loan then becomes taxable income and possibly subject to an additional 10% penalty.”

5. Beware the private student loans trap, as these loans have “low interest rates to start, but those rates can climb.” Also, considering that these are private loans, they do not necessarily provide the same flexibility with deferment and forgiveness of debt as some government loans.

6. Consider the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for your child. These forms should be completed in January of the year the child enters college. Even if a given family may not qualify for financial aid, this plan will allow a parent or child to borrow money using loans available through the school and government programs.

7. Look into Stafford loans and Parent Plus loan options. Stafford loans are student loans that can have lower interest rates, depending upon family finances. Parent Plus loans are parent loans, which allow parents to borrow up to the full cost of education each year.

8. Seek out a Certified Financial Planner professional. He or she can help you identify your goals and figure out how to best execute your plan. “By taking into account all your goals and family finances, they can put you on the right path to meeting those goals,” Kahan explains.

Additionally, Chappaqua residents/parents can benefit from the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, www.HGSF.org, which provides scholarships to students based on financial need.
Rest assured that all information provided is confidential.

Each year, with the help of a local college financial director, Mr. Kahan also presents a seminar on how to prepare and plan to pay for college at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. He can be reached at 914 238-8900 or email: skahan@famcorporation.com. FAM is located at 26 S. Greeley Avenue.