The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

inspiration

Making a Difference & How Words of Positivity Keep Stealing Hearts

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‘The Sign Lady’ at the Briarcliff Congregational Church

Joan Austin keeps the signs of inspiration coming to an appreciative community–and beyond.

Across from Briarcliff Manor’s Law Park–home of our town’s pool, tennis courts, pavilion, ball fields, and playground–is the Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC) Parish House. This small, unassuming building sits in one of the busiest intersections in Briarcliff. However, there is a constantly changing roadside sign in front of the building which makes getting stuck sitting at the light on the corner of Pleasantville and South State Roads a source of enjoyment and inspiration for many.

Personally, throughout my 12 years living in Briarcliff, the BCC sign has been a source of anticipation for me, as I never know what to expect as I drive by. Certain messages have made me laugh out loud like, “Procrastinators Unite! Let’s Have a Meeting. Maybe Next Year?” and “Gardening Is Cheaper Than Therapy And You Get Tomatoes.” Others have been a source of reflection on my own personal challenges such as, “Just Because Someone Carries It Well Doesn’t Mean It Isn’t Heavy” and “Life Is Too Short To Wear Uncomfortable Shoes.” Then there are the messages that lead to family discussions over dinner including, “Compassion May Help When Justice Fails” and “Banning Books? Not a Single Child Has Died From A Mass Reading.” Finally, there are the messages that make me feel proud to live in a town that celebrates acceptance. For example, “Juneteenth, America’s second Independence Day” and “Every Human Encounter Is A Meeting of Equals.”

For years, I often would let my imagination wander when I pictured how the messages are determined. Perhaps it is the Pastor, a custodian, or a committee of church members. However, I wondered if knowing more would take away the mysticism of this beloved sign. It was this reason I would always put finding out on the backburner. Only recently was I finally ready to see how the wider Briarcliff Community felt about the sign, and while both hesitant and excited, I also felt ready to identify the creator and how the messages were devised.

When I asked the Briarcliff Community for thoughts about this sign, the reaction was overwhelmingly helpful and encouraging. I received both public and private messages on social media about how much the sign and its messages mean to our residents. Community residents such as Mei Morris, shared, “I’m thrilled the author of these witty signs is finally being recognized! The humor, humanity, humility, and inclusivity that generally accompany the messaging are inspiring and uplifting.” Robyn Wild, Briarcliff resident, and member of the BCC, perfectly summed up the messages saying, “I love the quotes on the sign for their humor, history, Christian faith, subtle social commentary, and nuggets to ponder.” I learned quickly that many are just as obsessed with the changing messages as I am, and there are others just as interested to know more about the face behind the sign. Senajda Celaj captured this feeling when she said, “I always wondered who the witty individual was posting them for our community’s enjoyment.”

So, who exactly does create these messages and maintain the sign? The Briarcliff Community Church website states, various people have overseen the signs over the years, and each has done it in their own unique way, since 2011, Joan Austin is the sign lady.

I had the pleasure of spending an hour with “the sign lady” both interviewing, as well as heading to the church basement to see where the letters are kept, how she creates the weekly signs, and then finally watching her change the sign. The ubiquitous town curiosity is now solved.

Joan Austin has lived in Briarcliff since 1975 and while there was a time she was frequently recognized anywhere in town, as a school board member for 18 years, and wife of the village Mayor, she is now known by a smaller group and remains more mysterious. Joan is a historian with two degrees in history and an avid lifelong reader. She uses those passions as her springboard to inspire the weekly messages saying they come from, “something I think of, or see, something inspirational. I like to put up ones that are kind of funny, ones that have a spiritual aspect, but not specifically Christian, and I comment very carefully on current events, I don’t want this to be political.”

Joan changes the sign every Monday morning around 11:30 a.m. and maps out her plan weeks in advance. When I asked her if it was time consuming, she said, “from the time I leave home to the time I get back, it’s maybe 45 minutes.” In terms of planning what she is going to use, Joan explained her process of finding and saving ideas just about anywhere explaining: “When I come across something, I write it on a slip of paper, and then I put it on the computer. I have 68 pages of possible quotes, some of which will never be used!”

Joan also explained the times, “I will break that schedule to make sure the sign reflects a current event. For instance, in September, when Queen Elizabeth died.” Additionally, Joan will break her Monday schedule when tragedy occurs. Recently, she made sure to express the church and community were there with the people of Buffalo, and that we would stand by Ukraine. These sentiments are very powerful and have even spread around the world. Joan explained a very moving story sharing, “When the attack on the Muslim Community in New Zealand occurred, I posted a sign condemning it, and I later heard that a Muslim person in the area took a picture of it and sent it to the Middle East where it was seen by many.”

Joan remembers the message the historian in her posted after the attacks in Paris in the fall of 2015. She quoted Thomas Jefferson’s statement that “All men have two countries, their own and France.” She vividly remembers a community member stopping her and telling her “That it brought them to tears as they drove by.”

It seems that 2015 was quite a viral year for the roadside sign when during the 2015 World Series, the sign read, “God doesn’t take sides. The sign lady does. Let’s go Mets” was passed around from coast to coast and had an astounding 41,023 views on Facebook! Numerous Briarcliff residents shared memories of this specific message, including Bob Kilman who remembered, “it made me smile every time I passed.”

Finally, I asked Joan if she knows she is a local mysterious celebrity, she replied, “No, I didn’t. I wasn’t aware that the sign was so widely noticed or discussed. It’s gratifying to hear that the sign fosters community, something I so cherish about Briarcliff.” Additionally, community residents shared that the changing message is a source of personal reflection, or even better, driving discussions. Rebecca Bell, mother of Briarcliff High School sophomore, Abigail Bell shared how messages such as’ “Tweet others how you want to be tweeted” and “Before you judge someone make sure that your perfect” are examples of “thought-provoking conversation starters with my teenage daughter, as we are driving past.” A few residents remember telling their teenagers to look up from their phones to read and think about the message, “Discover a whole new world. Put down your phone.”

The overwhelming feelings of our town solidified how many people would appreciate knowing more, because as resident Erica Ben-Zvi so perfectly stated, “the signs make me feel proud to live in Briarcliff, they give such a strong sense of community and sometimes they’re so philosophical and they leave me on Pleasantville Road thinking profoundly.” Finally, Robin Rabinowe had the best idea saying, “We should get national coverage for this!” I couldn’t agree more, and now I am on to my next step in making sure Joan Austin’s story makes her more than just our community’s no longer a secret “local celebrity.”

Former NBA Player Chris Herren Brings Powerful Message About Drug Abuse to Byram Hills High School

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Byram Hills High School students watched a powerful and heart-wrenching video on the rise of former NBA player Chris Herren and his drug addiction and downfall. Then, as the lights came up, the high school theater fell silent as Mr. Herren, sober since 2008, began to speak. 

He told students he knows the feeling of thinking that you don’t need to hear words like his about drugs.

“Just like some of you, I wanted to skip this talk,” Mr. Herren said to the juniors and seniors in the theater and the ninth and tenth graders who watched via livestream on March 8. “Just like a couple of you, I tried to convince my mother to let me sleep in and get some rest because we don’t need this talk. And just like some of you, I’ve walked into this talk with the attitude, all I do is drink and smoke, drug assemblies are a joke. It’s wild that they think I would turn into that guy.”

“That attitude comes from what I believe is the way we’ve irresponsibly talked to kids about addiction,” added the straight-talking Mr. Herren. “I think we put way too much focus and energy on the worst day and we forget the first day.”

The video traced Mr. Herren’s start as a high school basketball legend in Fall River, Massachusetts, and his turns playing for Boston College and Fresno State. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and traded in 2000 to the Boston Celtics, a dream come true. But he was living a secret life. Interspersed with his basketball success was drug use, being arrested and multiple stints in rehab. 

Students learned of Mr. Herren having his first taste of beer as a young teenager, using cocaine at Boston College, taking Oxycontin, shooting heroin, and the desperate need to obtain drugs, including right before game time. 

“Everybody thinks this talk is about drugs and alcohol,” he said. “I think it’s about self-worth. I think it’s about confidence, self-esteem. I think it’s about family. It’s about the people that love you.”

His mom, he said, never believed her son, a McDonald’s All-American basketball star, would spend her money on drugs. “Let’s just be real,” Mr. Herren said. “I’m 16, spending my mommy’s money on drugs. I’m 16 years old, lying to everybody who loves me right now. I’m 17 years old and my family doesn’t even know me.”

“That’s the scariest thing about drug addiction,” he said at one point. “Nobody knows who has it yet.” He added: “Parents don’t ask, and kids are afraid to talk about it.”

Who in the audience, he asked, would want their adoring younger sibling doing what they are doing in high school, keeping secrets, pretending everything is great, feeling so insecure that they need to drink to have fun.

“When we can envision that, it doesn’t seem so right any more,” he said. “This is no longer my story, it’s your story. See, the goal is that you walk out of here and you think of the kid you’re becoming.”

“My goal is that one of you walk out of here and say to yourself, ‘I want to feel better. I want to talk to someone. I don’t want to pretend everything’s right.’”

Principal Christopher Walsh was hopeful that the presentation would help students and families feel supported, and he urged students in need to ask for assistance.

“Substance abuse and addiction touch every part of society and it has gotten worse for many people during the pandemic,” he said. “Many families are suffering in silence. I hope that Chris Herren’s message helps people realize that they are not alone.”   

Students found Mr. Herren’s presentation moving and inspiring.

“I thought it was really impactful to hear because I think it’s definitely very normalized, drug use and drinking on the weekends,” senior Sofia Cobos said. “It was a really great talk. It definitely needed to be heard. It was a very, very eye-opening experience.”

Ninth grader Brody Ceisler said he learned that “even though somebody might not look like something on the outside, you never know what’s happening on the inside of them.”

Mr. Herren has shared his story with nearly two million high school students, hoping to make a difference early in their lives. He runs the nonprofit Herren Project, which empowers schools to make healthy choices while guiding families through recovery, and Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps people live substance-free lives.

Story and Photo Courtesy of Bryam Hills School District

Represent Global: Nelson Mandela’s Hope to Inspire a Generation

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Nelson Mandela, Kweku Mandela, Chelsea Clinton, and Bill Clinton. Photo by Kweku Mandela

In a world with over seven billion people, it is easy to feel insignificant, like our personal footprints could not possibly be powerful enough to leave a lasting imprint. But Nelson Mandela is one of the notable individuals whose life has shattered this notion. By fighting against injustice and advocating for human rights, freedom, and equality, Nelson Mandela proved that one person does have the power to make a significant impact on our world. And with the fifth anniversary of his death on December 5th, it is important that we not only draw inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life, but also draw inspiration from the legacy he left behind.

Over this past summer, I had the privilege of being a Youth Fellow for Represent Global, a new global foundation and social empowerment platform. Founded by Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Kweku Mandela, Represent aims to activate, educate, and inspire youth all over the world to become changemakers, leaders, and social activists through making humanitarian issues (like opioid addiction and human trafficking) relevant and accessible to my generation. The idea for Represent was conceived out of the desire to transform Nelson Mandela’s legacy into an inspiration, a catalyst for change. Kweku Mandela explains, “My Grandfather did not want his legacy to be represented by an airport, a school, or a simple physical manifestation. Instead, he wanted his actions to act as a model for the next generation to use as a means to make humanity more just and equitable for all. He believed that all it takes is one generation –one generation to end poverty, one generation to end discrimination, and one generation to push the spirit of mankind. Represent’s purpose is to make sure this is that generation.”

Based on my experience this summer, that goal seems more feasible than ever. Through helping to plan Represent’s launch event this summer, which celebrated Nelson Mandela’s centenary with events around the world that raised money and awareness for local causes, I was introduced to the social justice facet of the nonprofit world. Above all, I was astounded by the passion, drive, and talent possessed by all of the young people I was working with, each of whom saw something he or she wanted to change about the world and did something about it, rather than waiting for someone else to act. They are fighting today to make tomorrow better, and it is utterly inspiring.

That experience makes me feel hopeful that we truly do have the potential to be the “one” generation of which Kweku Mandela speaks. Just look around. My generation is overwhelmingly dedicated to social justice, committed to finding issues we care about, learning the facts, and making our voices heard. Whether it is by posting on social media, walking out of school, or marching through the streets of our nation’s capital, my generation shows up and takes a stand against injustice. We are committed to shaping the world into a better place, and I am immensely proud of that. Working with Represent this summer highlighted to me how powerful young people can be when they find a passion, create a vision, and fight to make it a reality. And now more than ever, with this experience to guide me,  I feel empowered to do just that.

Even though it has been five years since Nelson Mandela’s death, his influence on our planet has not waned. We remember him as an anti-apartheid activist who stood up against inequality; we remember him as South Africa’s first black president, committed to strengthening the definition of freedom; but most importantly, we remember Nelson Mandela for what he taught us about fighting for our beliefs, and we use his life as a source of inspiration. Each day, if we can overcome apathy and find something to fight for, if we can raise our voices and make ourselves heard, if we can summon the courage to be the change, we can use Nelson Mandela’s legacy as a source of strength. Because the most important thing I took away from my experience this summer with Represent Global is the understanding that we all have the power to make a difference. And if we can transform that understanding into action, we can all live by Nelson Mandela’s legacy, and perhaps even create our own.

How Chelsea Clinton Inspires Kids to Make a Difference with New Book, It’s Your World

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Amanda with Chelsea Clinton at the Chappaqua Library book signing
Amanda with Chelsea Clinton
at the Chappaqua Library book signing

By Amanda H. Cronin

On Thursday September 24, I got the opportunity to speak with Chelsea Clinton about her new book, It’s Your World–Get Informed, Get Inspired, and Get Going! Chelsea is the Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, and is the daughter of our very own illustrious Bill and Hillary Clinton. Chelsea has traveled all over the world working on humanitarian projects where she met and was inspired by children of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. In this, her first book, she talks about the ways kids can make a difference in our world, and how they already are. Here’s the exchange I was fortunate to have with her prior to her Chappaqua Library book signing.

Amanda: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me!

Chelsea Clinton: Thank you for being interested in It’s Your World!

Amanda: What inspired you to write this book now?

Chelsea Clinton: I continue to be struck by the curiosity of young people. Adults should recognize that young people are taking charge and are en- gaged in making a difference. Knowing that I was going to become a mom lent a greater urgency to writing this book because I felt even more of a respon- sibility. I wanted to empower young people to make a difference across our country and across the world.

Amanda: In your book, you say that, “more than anything else, education is an area where adults should listen to kids,” and that you hope that students “will speak up and speak out about what we think education should mean in our schools.” Can you please explain more about this?

Chelsea Clinton: Yes! Oftentimes people say to me, “What do you think kids should care about?” And I say, “Well, just ask kids, they’ll tell you!”

It’s up to us as adults to support kids in engaging in making a difference. I certainly think that that’s true in schools. Kids spend more time in school than they do at home, so trying to listen–actually, not even trying–listening to kids about what they want to learn in school, and how they think they’ll best learn in school, is something that I believe every adult should do.

Amanda: Millions of kids are being held back from going to school because of their gender, their economic hardships, or because there is simply no school around. We are very lucky here in Chappaqua to have such an outstanding school system. How can we help girls and boys around the world who don’t have the same educational opportunities?

Chelsea Clinton: Since 1918, every kid in the U.S. has had the right to a free public education. In a lot of countries, kids don’t have that right, or there is that right but it is not put into practice because there just aren’t enough schools, or teachers, or materials. Organizations that build schools and provide funding to train teachers are so powerful because they are solving problems in places where communities clearly want their kids to go to school. At Horace Greeley, something that you can do is to sponsor the building of a school!

Amanda: You seem to be really hopeful and optimistic about the capability of today’s kids to tackle these huge issues. Why do you believe that
we can?

Chelsea Clinton: Because you already are! I hope that is apparent for anyone that reads It’s Your World. Kids are already profoundly impacting such things as the health of their families, saving iconic species like elephants, and helping school environments become safer. The strong answer to your question is all the stories that I am so grateful to be able to share about kids who are making real, tangible, meaningful impact across the world today.

Amanda: Now a hometown question… Do you like visiting your parents in Chappaqua?

Chelsea Clinton: It’s a beautiful place, and my parents love living in Chappaqua, even more than they thought they would. My husband and I love visiting; it feels very much like home. It’s really nice now that I am a mom to have a place to go where Charlotte [her daughter] can crawl around on the grass.

Amanda: Yes, I love it too! Thank you so much for talking with me today!

Chelsea Clinton: Thank you!

Amanda Cronin is a junior at Horace Greeley High School. She is news editor of The Greeley Tribune, a student of Writopia Lab, and a member of the iMatter Youth Council. She hopes to one day make a difference in our world.

Olympic Swimmer Inspires Local Youth

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Boys and Girls Club Marlins’ coaches Bobby Hackett (Distance Coach), left, and Dennis Munson (Head Coach/Aquatic Director), right, welcome Olympian Ariana Kukors.
Boys and Girls Club Marlins’ coaches Bobby Hackett (Distance Coach), left, and Dennis Munson (Head Coach/Aquatic Director), right, welcome Olympian Ariana Kukors.

By Susan Draper

Never underestimate an Olympian! When she retired from swimming in 2012, Ariana Kukors set out to use her experiences to inspire change in others. From kids’ clinics and corporate presentations, to her role as Director of Health Inspiration at LifeWise Health Plan of Washington & Oregon, Ariana has been able to engage, encourage, and motivate people from all walks of life. As she set out to work with over one hundred of our local athletes during the last weekend in September, I was in awe of just how much valuable information, pertinent to performance, could be included in a 2-2.5-hour workshop. I knew the workshops would be inspiring and insightful, but I didn’t realize that they had the potential to be life changing.

Ariana’s first Westchester workshop, graciously hosted by the Bristal in Armonk, was a Dream Clinic for teens looking for targeted ways to become better at their craft. The teens were everything from equestrians to soccer players, with obviously some swimmers in the mix. Ariana began by telling the story of how she was a member of the National Swim Team since age 13, and that her first crack at the Olympics was in 2008. She candidly described the details of finishing the semi-finals in first place, but sinking to third place in the final lap of the 200 IM. One doesn’t have to be a swimmer to know that coming in third by .09 seconds is a devastating experience. The ensuing night was rough, but beginning the next day–after dropping a full 9 seconds in the 200 breast–she began to develop a comeback plan. The clinic was an opportunity to explore one’s personal philosophy and vision with a suggestion to develop a vision board for life. The teens learned about positive self talk, mindfulness, and steps to calm the mind through meditation. She explained exactly what techniques she employed in order to break the world record, not once, but twice to win the gold medal at the World Championships in Rome in 2009, being named American Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine. The teens worked on their own personal ideas during the session and left with techniques to complete a comprehensive plan for success. One parent let me know that her daughter didn’t waste any time putting elements of the plan into practice, scoring points for her team in a competition the very next day.

Ariana gives tips and advice to a rapt group of competitive young swim- mers at the Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco.
Ariana gives tips and advice to a rapt group of competitive young swimmers at the Boys and Girls Club in Mount Kisco.

That Sunday, Ariana conducted swim clinics at the Boys and Girls Club in Mt. Kisco. Again, she began with her story, which every swimmer in the room could relate to as she spoke. “Who has had a bad race?” Again, she described that fateful race of 2008 where years of training kept her in first place for the first 150 meters. She described how panic set in as her mind strayed to the thought of being chased down by freestylers who at moments in the past had been flat out faster than her personal best time. Her honed technique fell apart as she panicked. Everyone in the room identified with her at that moment–including swimmers I had seen repeatedly take first place at Metropolitan Swimming championships. It was her absolute humanness that drew them in to her world. Every swimmer has had the race where they put themselves out there only to touch the wall and look back at the clock to see that they fell short of their goal. There were questions about strategy, mental preparation, opponents, and how to pick an element to develop to drop their times. There were moments of laughter and moments where she tugged at their heart strings. For much of the afternoon she was in the pool with them working their strokes in new sets and drills. In the end, all of them had their opportunity to race an Olympian while swimming their best stroke. As the session closed, I could see that they had fallen in love with Ariana as they all stayed for photographs, autographs and even more laughter.

The afternoon brought me back to thoughts when, as a family, we met Ariana at the Olympic Trials. She had realized her dream of becoming an Olympian in a race that we watched on the edge of our seats the evening before. Little did we know in that moment as she touched and placed second–erupting in tears of joy as she connected with her family–that she was destined to take a place in our hearts. I knew the kids at the workshops would love her too, but what I learned is that she is truly as amazing outside of the water as she is in the pool. She put her heart and soul into the preparation for these clinics and once again, it paid off as a true gift for everyone involved. We can’t wait to have her back again!

Susan Draper is currently pursuing her RN degree while teaching yoga and spinning in her spare time. She lives in Armonk with her husband, daughter, and competitive swimmer son who inspired the whole family to “dive” into the sport eight years ago.