Just Between Us Archives - Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk: The Magazines for New and North Castle

Imagining the Glorious Possibilities of ‘I Can’

August 29, 2018 by Grace Bennett

Can I do this? Yes I Can!

When you are Empty Nest and single, but still living in the suburbs, ‘Back to School’ feels more like an experience from the sidelines—I admit to being more observer, than participant. It’s also easy to fall into ‘missing my kids’ mode, and I so do. However, this year, I plan to celebrate their wings by approaching life with a hefty dose of joie de vivre.

Indeed, the possibilities are rather glorious. While I consider others’ September scramble for book supplies and finding out teacher assignments, and while I certainly wish our Chappaqua Schools a very happy 90th birthday at Greeley’s homecoming, in truth, my mind wanders a bit as I plot multiple ways to fill more ‘me time.’

Two words I’m saying more: ‘I can.’ I can get to the gym more. I can go to karaoke or a favorite musician’s gig (if I can take a nap first, that is). I can take more walks in our amazing ‘hoods and parks. I can sleep longer. I can meditate or schedule an occasional massage. I can write a novel or a movie, or start a new publication…yes, I think about that, if I can simply pull myself from social media a bit more! Or I can get over myself and accept however each day plays out! I can volunteer. I can get more politically involved, as fraught with ‘issues’ that sometimes feels. I can binge on a hot TV series, wrack up movies at the Burns, and I can cook more or I can treat myself to lovely meals. I can hop Metro North more to take advantage of the amazing city we live a stone’s throw from. I can make a bucket list travel wish come true. One certainty: I can keep soaking up precious time spent with my 96-year-old Poppy.

I can… I can…

Fortunately, anytime I feel like stepping up Community life, I can do that, too. I’m ultimately blessed to live in an area where, in truth, fun opportunities abound at any life stage–our ‘Happenings’ section makes that clear–whether its stopping by Community Day, the Chappaqua’s Children Book Festival or Armonk’s Outdoor Art Show and Cider and Donut Festival–these are all on my I Can calendar too. Ultimately, I plan to do it my way, in Can Do…the world is my oyster…mode.

Inside Press: 15 Years of Caring

May 23, 2018 by Grace Bennett

As we wrap up two more beautiful late spring/early summer editions, I proudly call your attention to a local publishing history that includes the following honors:

Westchester/Putnam Women in Communications ‘Superwoman of the Year’ Award
Media Award, Mental Health Association of Westchester
Bernard J. Rosenshein Courage to Care Award, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

We conceive and produce community and regional stories that keep in step with our times and a larger national picture sometimes too. Mostly, we like when our stories touch hearts and stir souls, or otherwise resonate with our readers. We aim, whenever we can, to make a difference to lives both inside and outside our area. Our editions, given that they spotlight your neighbors, are read cover to cover, and all our stories are linked online to theinsidepress.com.

I’ll be celebrating Father’s Day honoring my 96- year-old dad, of course… He’s my biggest fan and here he is enjoying recent Inside Press editions.

In my estimation, the call to ‘Shop Local’ means supporting local media too, whether you are an advertiser or a reader. After all, consider that social media could get a little dull without all the wonderfully reported stories to share, too! Still in 2018: September/October, November and Holiday edition advertising opportunities in print and/or online. To advertise and/or order a voluntary or gift subscription, drop a note to grace@insidepress.com

Thank you for all your support in spirit too. Buoyed as we head into (a hopefully warm!) June, celebrating dads and grads, I wish you and your families near and far a wonderful, and healthy summer of fun and exploration. — Grace

I can’t resist sharing some proud family news that my son Ari Bennett (HGHS ’14) is graduating Union College on June 17 too! He is seated here together with his fellow artist classmates during an Open House for a Senior Art Exhibit called Perspectives. Congrats to all!

Letter to the Editor

On behalf of Lagond Music School,The Mental Health Association of Westchester, and Music & Miles, Changing Minds, we thank you for attending our March 10 Living Proof event and writing an in depth piece that shines the light on the power of music, mental health awareness and education. We are so pleased we could raise enough monies for two high school music scholarships in Miles’ memory and mental health services. Your article brought the evening to life in a very meaningful way.

Shari and Ed Applebaum
Event Co-Chairs, Music & Miles: Changing Minds

Expressions of Support

December 1, 2016 by Inside Press

Remembering Memorial Day 2006 PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO — Remembering Memorial Day 2006
PHOTO BY MARIANNE CAMPOLONGO

By Grace Bennett

At this juncture, my heart and mind (as is true for the vast majority of her neighbors and friends) are squarely with Hillary Clinton in appreciation of her exemplary spirit and hard fought campaign and its unwavering message of ‘love trumps hate,’ and her conviction that we all indeed are ‘stronger together.’

For years now, as a small, hometown publisher, I have enthusiastically supported the voice and vision of our two-time Senator, Secretary of State, and neighbor. Over the last year, as time and resources permitted, I was so excited to follow her historical campaign to become the nation’s first woman president. Together with fine contributors, we proudly attended primary and post primary rallies on the East and West Coast, along with the Democratic National Convention, with the goal of being actively engaged in covering an extraordinarily qualified and experienced hometown candidate from a local vantage point — while still offering a variety of community features both in print and online.

Before a Katy Perry GOTV rally and concert in Philly: Photo op with Dawn Evans Greenberg (to my right), Robby Mook, Hillary for America campaign manager, and Dawn Dankner Rosen.

By casting well over 2.5 million more votes for Hillary Clinton than for Donald Trump, a far greater number of American citizens registered their collective voice as to the preferred candidate, so the outcome may remain a source of sadness and longing to many for some time to come, particularly as recount efforts are underway. But we also harbor hope for a better future. A very long chain of connected hearts unequivocally know that Hillary Clinton embodies all that a president is meant to be. She set the bar high for the next president, man or woman.

And here, for now, I will simply echo the voices from many corners–warm

and loving expressions–conveying an immense gratitude to Hillary Clinton for her role as advocate and friend. I commend those in her corner, in our community and beyond who worked so hard on her behalf and who are continuing their work, whether through wise words or newly launched grassroots efforts.

Our election coverage stories and photos (special kudos to Chad Kraus’ enormous generosity) followed by many heartfelt messages from the merchant community and amazing local supporters.

I’m especially proud as well to include a couple millennial expressions of gratitude by Greeley grads and past Inside Press contributors: an essay by Cornell University Junior Lindsay Hand, and the “thank you” photo and artwork by my son, Ari Bennett, a third year art major at Union College.

Please also enjoy the entire issue with many articles that showcase our wonderful community, its residents and various sponsors. Wishing the greater New Castle community, and beyond, a happy and healthy holiday season. Here’s to Peace in the New Year too.

My Get Fit Journey

October 21, 2016 by The Inside Press

In time for our ‘Gratitude’ edition, I’d like to mention a journey I’m on at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco. I announced on Facebook recently that I’d gained a lot of weight over the last year. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to work out twice a week with a wonderfully engaging and pro personal trainer, Sarah Eichorn. She’s making a huge difference in how I feel both physically and mentally in my still kind of new empty nest years.

The changes in how I look and feel are coming in little increments, and I’m embracing Sarah’s belief that a positive journey is as important to my well-being and long term success as any weight loss I experience. I’ll be writing more about this special journey in the next edition, too!

So, tell me. What are you grateful for? Maybe your experience could also be a story in a future edition of Inside Armonk! Please drop me a note any time: editor@insidearmonk.com

Real Life

March 6, 2016 by The Inside Press

I often wait last minute to write this column, as I’m busy getting the rest of this issue “just so.” As I was getting started yesterday, the phone rang, and it was my 93 year-old dad. “I feel burning in my chest.” A looming deadline be damned, I shot out to Queens. It turned out to be a false alarm within a half hour of my arrival. “I don’t know; I feel 100 percent now.” After some insisting on my part, Poppy has an appointment with his doc. The whole episode was a sure fire reminder to become more proactive about and insistent to him about his care. He has been so stubbornly (and successfully) independent (yes, a true blessing!), it can feel impossible to argue with him. My father has survived the unimaginable; maybe it’s time he allows others in to provide the care he so fully deserves.

So finally–back to finalizing our “Happy Homes and Building Memories” editions… Jodi Baretz’s “Chaotic is the New Happy” column resonates a lot for me. Jodi sets the record straight on what happy is and what happy is not. If only we could bottle happy, sprinkle it on our lives as needed, and poof, we’d be happy. But real life is never so neat. I suspect you are all nodding in agreement.

Chaotic is descriptive too of the last month or so juggling the real life demands of producing local magazines while trying to do ‘my part,’ and ‘living history’ too as I keep up with Hillary Clinton’s extraordinary campaign. I recognize, dear readers, some among you do not support Hillary Clinton. Following years of covering her here and abroad, I chose to be outspoken in my support for her, agreeing that she is the best choice for a “change-maker”…per Bill Clinton’s words, via an editorial that I posted in this space earlier.

The Clintons campaigning this winter in Hampton, New Hampshire.

I’m grateful I found precious time to visit New Hampshire, twice, and to feel so inspired while she and her staff and volunteers made their case there and in Iowa. The first time I also had a Mom hat on… I was simply picking up Ari from an extraordinary Union College program that gave Ari and a group of his peers a chance to follow all the candidates. Ari clued me in on where the Clintons would appear following one rally, and off I went. Later on, I followed Bill and Chelsea Clinton to New Hampshire towns.

A moment with President Clinton in Tilton, NH

Of course, being cursed me, I feel what I’m doing is “never enough.” So I was thrilled too to receive “Hillary NOW” co-founder Ann Styles Brachstein’s report from an important fundraiser for Hillary here in the county! As I was going to press, several efforts around town have been underway to support Hillary, and my hat is off to everyone working so hard on her behalf.

Now, if you are ‘not into politics’ at all, please, please enjoy a packed May edition highlighting among other things: our treasure of a music maker, Michael Shapiro; a community outreach effort from Temple Beth El, a visit by Barbara Winton, a ‘farm-to-table’ transformation, all our ‘spotlights,’ and as you know I’m fond of saying…so much more. Now, time and space are running short. Back to ‘real life.’ — Grace Bennett