The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

inside chappaqua

Hillary Rodham Clinton on Inside Chappaqua

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I’ve been known to say, “It takes a village,” and I still believe that’s true. In a world where negative forces are everywhere, nothing gives me more cause for optimism and hope than Americans coming together with their neighbors to celebrate joyful moments and care for each other in hard ones. That’s why Inside Chappaqua’s mission to “share the heart of the community,” is so urgent and so meaningful.

Local news is an increasingly rare resource. Since 2005, about 25 percent of America’s newspapers have shuttered. Today, nearly 70 million Americans live in communities without a local news source – also known as “local news deserts.” Our communities and country suffer for it.

When Bill and I first moved to Chappaqua 22 years ago, the only local media outlets were school and town newsletters. Grace Bennett, a longtime Chappaqua resident and graduate of Columbia University’s journalism school, knew that a community as remarkable as ours needed more local coverage. So she did what all gutsy women do when they identify a problem: she came up with a solution. That solution was Inside Chappaqua.

I’ve been fortunate to be interviewed by Grace, and to read her coverage of everything from extraordinary Chappaqua residents to forgotten local histories to the Democratic National Convention. She even came with me to Africa when I was Secretary of State. She and her talented freelance staff make sure that no Chappaqua story, small or large, goes unnoticed. Since 2003, Grace has maintained and expanded readership through huge changes and difficult times in the world, by keeping our communities connected and informed.

The events reported in local press may seem small, but these happenings are the stuff of our lives. Memorials, performances, local traditions and histories: these are the things that bring us together and remind us of our shared humanity. And local reporting has a measurable impact on how we relate to and care for each other. Research shows that places with less access to local news have lower voter turnout and greater polarization.

For 20 years, Inside Chappaqua has been one of the positive forces that help keep our town vibrant and big-hearted. Under Grace’s leadership, this mighty news magazine helps us stay connected to our neighbors, our community, and to the world outside our village. Here’s to the next 20 years!

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Chappaqua, NY

Following a 2006 interview inside Lange’s Deli in Chappaqua and shortly before marching in that year’s Memorial Day Parade in Chappaqua: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton (then U.S. Senator Clinton running for a second term which she won) with Inside Press Publisher and Editor Grace Bennett.
Photo by Marianne Campolongo for the Inside Press

Big Laughs, Big Hearts and an Ultimate Triumph for ‘Joke Man’

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I had the good fortune to watch an advance screening of Joke Man, Ian Karr’s heartfelt documentary about comic genius Jackie Martling.

Directed by Ian Karr (a long time Chappaqua resident), produced by Jonathan Jacobson and edited by Ronni Thomas, the filmmakers describe the film to a T: “Jackie Martling just may be America’s last great joke teller…

“His savant-like ability to remember every joke he’s heard since he was eight years old, combined with his lightning fast wit and infectious laugh, helped establish him as a comedy icon. Famous for being the head writer of the Howard Stern show for 15 years, and infamous for leaving that position, Jackie’s story is fascinating, funny and surprising, In an age of political correctness, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling helps us belly laugh at ourselves with a kindness and sincerity that defuses his unfiltered punch lines.”

Aside from Karr and Jackie Martling, of course, the cast boasts ‘big names’ in their own right–all passionate Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling fans extolling Jackie including Artie Lange, Willie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Billy West, Sean Young, Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette, Stuttering John Melendez, Steve Grillo and many other familiar faces. Those closest to Jackie, including his ex-wife Nancy and his present-day girlfriend Barbara (the two, as noted in the movie, are friends) weigh in too about Jackie’s person and career with considerable affection. If it’s a Jackie love fest, the movie also makes clear that he has earned it.

There’s priceless footage of Jackie chumming it up with Rodney Dangerfield, and of the two horsing around in Vegas. 

The film delves as much into ‘what happened’ as it does the impact that leaving as head writer of Stern’s show for 15 years had on Jackie’s life. Jackie stands plenty proud in recollecting not only the break from Stern but his contributions to Stern and the show. Footage of Jackie diving into the ocean (at the craziest hours!) for his regular swims presumably speak to at least one secret behind his resilience and continued energy and focus.

Just Between Us: I had met Jackie on several occasions, the first time as a guest to one of his stand-up gigs in the city. 70 something now according to the net (that’s all I could get out of Karr!), Jackie still widely tours and has an intensely devoted following. Some say ‘cult like,’ but you’d be surprised by his more mainstream fans, too.  So hey, there’s a side to me that you never knew, as Adele sings, and yes, I like raunchy humor, remembered Jackie’s antics from the Howard Stern show, and even teased him after his gig, too.  A lighthearted flirtation ensued, so lo and behold I was invited to appear as a guest on Jackie’s Joke Hunt at Sirius. Then finally, during a photo shoot at the Kittle House for a Father’s Day cover of Inside Chappaqua Magazine.  I included Jackie on a cover photograph with Ian and four other mega accomplished Chappaqua dads. How Jackie, who lives on Long Island, landed on that cover too, I can’t fully explain. But he did!

Me with Ian Karr and Jackie Martling on Jackie’s Joke Hunt
Inside Chappaqua cover, June 2014. Photo by Todd Shapera

I caught up with Chappaqua’s Ian Karr, director of the IKA Collective, a NYC and LA creative agency, to talk about the film and about Martling’s resilience despite the break from Stern, and of his ultimate triumphs, too. Ian has known Jackie since 2001 when he first met him at the Friar’s Club and in 2006 produced Jackie’s Joke Hunt, an important comeback show for Jackie.  “I have always been fascinated by how unique he is,” he said. “Anyone who has ever known him knows he is a one of a kind person–especially people who have listened to him.”

As Karr set out to tell the story of Jackie’s life from his earliest days to get to the heart of what shaped him, he expressed a fascination with the Stern split too:  “It’s amazing that people still talk about it 20 years later. Jackie was willing to walk away from all the money. Psychologically speaking, I wanted to know how he did that,” he said.

But Karr, I extrapolated in watching the film, had a larger goal: he also wanted to convey Jackie Martling’s essence in a way that would surpass the Stern era, and emphasize the triumphs in his life: “We’d bring people on the show and then go have epic lunches or dinners at Carnegie’s after where people could see the light in Jackie, and how much they enjoyed being in Jackie’s company.”

Joke Man, running at one hour and 14 minutes, is a chronological account of Jackie Martling’s life. It tells the story of his childhood, the trials and tribulations of becoming a comedian, and all the twists and turns that got him on the Stern show. The film visits with key people in his life who speak openly and warmly about Jackie. The film also includes an array of personal photos from the Stern show and interviews with cast members from his inner circle.

The goal is to portray a man who many call ‘the last American joke teller,’ to help preserve his unique style, related Karr.

 Mission accomplished, as I agree that it’s a touching movie with lots of laughs–a combo that Jackie, being Jackie, will surely appreciate.

 

Cozy at Home

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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.

The Inside Scoop on Discovering Chappaqua

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After living in Chappaqua for 23 years, it’s hard to imagine calling anywhere else home. Between raising my two wonderful kids here and running (since 2003) the Inside Press, a print and online publishing company – its flagship pub, Inside Chappaqua & Millwood regularly highlights the fun and fabulous options here – I can honestly tell you that I’m filled with joy and gratitude every single day. I am also always ‘discovering’ something new here, too, whether it is the opening of an exciting new arts venue like the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, a new hiking trail or new shopping or dining option. It is with these sentiments that I’m pleased to present to you the Discover New Castle guide. I hope it will prove useful and handy to long-time residents and also to any visitor considering calling New Castle home too. The guide has been produced in collaboration with Town Hall and all its articles can be found on a Town Hall website called Discover Chappaqua. Discoverchappaqua.com intends to continue to support, advocate for and promote our beautiful town, and I applaud those efforts.

Choosing a Necessary Focus

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Photo by Andrew Bordeaux

I was planning a personal reminisce about 15 years of publishing for this 15-year anniversary edition.* Instead, my mind has been squarely focused on the massacre that took 17 precious lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day. I’ll save going down memory lane for some other day.

In the week that followed, I visited a rally in White Plains quickly organized by Indivisible Westchester, Up2Us and Million Mom March, northern Westchester chapter. Erin Fuller, a 30-year-old survivor of the Oct. 1, 2017 Las Vegas massacre which killed 58 people, and injured nearly 500 more, spoke to hundreds gathered. Our story about the rally can be found online here.

More recently, I attended a roundtable of local teens (including ones from Greeley, Pleasantville, White Plains, among others) who joined several police officers to meet with Congresswoman Nita Lowey. To hear our kids grappling over what can be done was both heartening and heartbreaking.

 

Rep. Nita Lowey with a group of Westchester students and several law enforcement officers following a February roundtable.  https://www.theinsidepress.com/westchester-students-voice-their-ideas-to-tackle-the-challenge-of-gun-violence/

Heartening–in that we are giving our kids a platform to voice their concerns and ideas.

Heartbreaking–in that it was a poignant reminder that it is KIDS who are on the front-lines, and too often, the victims of these shootings.

I asked a reporter to contact a group of area Superintendents for statements about campus safety and to speak with some of our students too; our story will be here at theinsidepress.com too as I try to stay current and share info into social media. 

On March 14, high school students throughout the County will have an opportunity to express themselves–for 17 minutes to honor 17 lives. On March 24, many more will be advocating for overdue change too all around the county. Please visit marchforourlives.org for more info.

15 years ago, before Sandy Hook, before Las Vegas–before the reportedly 18 school shootings just this year–I was not, I must confess, preoccupied with these issues. I am now, however. So many are, including many who have not ‘stepped up’ before. A dear friend noted recently, “The winds are changing.” I believe that’s true, too.

The weather is turning soon. With more sun, comes more brightness and reason for optimism, too. Enjoy the edition! So much hard work went into it, and always appreciative of that.


P.S. A special congrats to our newly sworn-in town officials! At a historic and packed ceremony at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, President Bill Clinton presided, speaking of ‘A New Beginning,’ and the positive aspects of that.

*Fortunately, we have a terrific compilation of 15 major milestones in the community since 2003 on page 24 of this edition already, so do take a glance! The story is on our home page, and you can always download the entire magazine edition from there too.