The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

inside chappaqua

Ode to Grace

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A poem written by Nancy Huehnergarth and shared with about 175 attendees celebrating with Grace on March 14 at Crabtree’s Kittle House.

 

New Castle is small
Just a spit of a place
But larger than life
Is one resident named Grace

She had a great vision
For a town magazine
So she launched Inside Chappaqua
And became our news queen

Soon the residents noticed
That amidst their junk mail
Was an upstart new journal
That told quite a tale

Who’d have thought that so many
From Green Lane to Whipporwill
Had such interesting stories
And they weren’t Bill or Hill

Grace canvassed New Castle
And the town’s cul-de-sacs
She broke trailblazing stories
Like the best place to wax

Her in-depth interviews
With notable residents
Reminded town citizens
We boast more than Presidents

As a loyal town booster
She embodied “Shop Local”
To support her advertisers
She became very vocal

Soon her friends were afraid
To go shop at the malls
Cause if Grace learned you went
She would roll her eyeballs

Before IC was started
If you wanted town news
You could hear it from friends
But it was colored by their views
To have a real magazine
Covering the good and the solemn
Is a blessing for Chappaqua
As is Grace’s monthly column

After 10 years in Chappaqua
Covering every good story
Grace is famous in town
And enjoys all the glory

But fame has its price
Lack of privacy’s loony
Grace would have to move to Rye
If she dated George Clooney

Speaking of celebrities
We all were agape
When Grace traveled to Africa
With the Secretary of State

But she almost didn’t make it
This chronic overachiever
When she passed out stone cold
From her shot for Yellow Fever

The journalists she traveled with
Had superior gloats
But a few days into Africa
They asked Grace for her notes!

Inside Chappaqua’s journey
Into the hyper-local scene
Is a lesson in tenacity
And how to start a magazine

Since IC was launched
And began to ascend
Local journals have proliferated
But Grace started the trend!

Grace, we all want to thank you
For thinking outside the box
You’re the best thing in New Castle
Inside Chappaqua rocks!

Off to Africa: With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

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Grace/ Photo by Jim D’Angelo/Ruby Media Group

Penned July 28, 2012:  “On July 21, I received word from the U.S. State Department that I was invited to join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her staff and a group of 12 journalists, on a multiple country, 10-day trip to Africa, from July 31-August 10. At this writing, my staff and I have been working vigorously not only to close this issue a week early (without revealing why!), but to also follow State Department instructions on getting vaccinated and completing visa and press credential applications. Soon I will also receive the Secretary’s itinerary to gain a clear sense of her overall mission across that continent and specific goals for each destination.

Wondering how this incredible opportunity came about? At the start of covering the Memorial Day parade, in a precious two minute exchange with Secretary Clinton, and on a whim, I told her that I dream of the chance to fly with her–anytime, anywhere–on one of her missions.

She appeared interested and suggested I follow up with her director of operations, which I did. He, in turn, forwarded my eventual proposal to key staff at the State Department. I had written that I’d bring news of her travels home to her neighbors in a fun and engaging way. That is now my intent in the upcoming November issue.
As excited as I am by this honor, part of me knows that I will be relieved to come home to Chappaqua to my family and friends. In the meantime, welcome home to all of you too from your summer travels!

Please enjoy this issue which highlights our incredible local firefighters and features stories about the new and growing Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and the people behind it, including Rob Greenstein and executive director Linda Degelsmith. Check out too a story about Chuck Napoli’s “Bell Area Plan” intended to transform our town. I hope it happens. For now, I gotta go pack for Africa.”

Below: a quick preview of pics from Africa!

The publisher’s new photo was shot at a “Go Red” event early this summer on behalf of the American Heart Association.

August 5: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton accepting a gift from 17-year-old Triza Lapari: the traditional “chitenje” skirt wrap during a festive visit to Camp GLOW for girls in Malawi—a highlight in her nine country tour throughout the continent. In her remarks, Clinton commended efforts at the camp “to imbue young women with an understanding of their own internal talents and opportunities and aspirations, and then to develop your own God-given potential and make a contribution not only to your families and communities but indeed to your country.” She also commended and met with Peace Corps volunteers at the Camp “to give young people in the world today a chance to come together and to learn skills that will last you a lifetime.”
Photo by Grace Bennett ©2012
Photo by Grace Bennett ©2012

Extensive coverage coming inside the November 2012 edition!