Lisa Katz Archives - Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk: The Magazines for New and North Castle

By Grace Bennett

Frank Shiner tells his audiences that “Love,” in all its permutations (the agony and the ecstasy), serves as the theme for his musical selections. By every indication last night: love and a palpable excitement permeated the air as the audience rose for a standing ovation for Shiner–cheering for the exuberant and talented singer but also for the future of the all new Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

Frank Shiner PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson, Doublevision Photographers

It was just emotion taking him over at first when Shiner took the stage, looking out into the packed room, and a little choked up, he said, “Thank you, Chappaqua.”

And then he proceeded to engage a hometown audience with a thoughtful selection of blues/soul songs including stirring titles from Amy Winehouse (“Love is a Losing Game”): and The Young Rascals (“How Can I be Sure?”), backed up by a group of mega talented musicians who have worked with celebrity performers. They were:

Jon Cobert, keyboard – Lennon, Springstein

Sherrod Barnes, guitar- Whitney, Roberta Flack, Earth Wind Fire

Jay Rodriguez sax,flute- Prince, Patty Labelle, Elvis Cost Miles Davis

Chris Anderson Bass, toured with A Great Big Wold and Rachel Platten and has a band with his wife.

Dan Weiner drummer – Amer. Got talent house, Woo Tang Clan

(L-R) Joining Frank Shiner on stage with stellar performances of their own too: (L-R) Jon Cobert, Sherrod Barnes, Dan Weiner, Chris Anderson and Jay Rodriguez PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson, Doublevision Photographers

Frank Shiner with cast members from Greeley’s production of Grease. PHOTO BY Grace Bennett, Inside Press

Shiner and his daughter Lindsay PHOTO BY Carolyn Simpson

Frank also announced the debut of his daughter Lindsay Shiner, a Greeley senior who was just accepted to the BFA Program at Baldwin Wallace University, singing as backup and in a duet with her father (“When Something is Wrong with my Baby” with the lyrics changed slightly to reflect a father/daughter relationship!). Toward the end of the show, members of Greeley’s cast of Grease, the senior musical, joined Frank on stage as well to perform “We Go Together.”

David Restivo, executive director of the Chappaqua Orchestra and on the Town’s Arts and Culture committee, volunteered with sound, together with John Flanagan, who ran the lights too. Area restaurants including Le Jardin du roi and Quaker Hill Tavern in Chappaqua offered donations before and after the show with tie ins on their menus. Shiner himself donated $5K in proceeds from the show to the newly formed Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Shiner’s upcoming album, Lonely Town, Lonely Street will be available May 19th on RED/SONY with his single On a Rainy Night in Georgia.

Most of all, it was a warm and enthusiastic community gathering signifying the continuing aspirations for the evolving venue. Prior to Frank taking the stage, the audience heard Town Councilwoman Lisa Katz, who conceived the Center working with the town’s Arts and Culture committee, describe an array of plans by the Town of New Castle–including a town theater camp for kids this summer and a special art show in September–to ultimately position the site of the old Readers Digest Wallace Auditorium as a key cultural destination in Northern Westchester, and for the county, as well.

John Fanelli, director of the Lighthouse Youth Theater in Armonk, with a years-long track record of directing shows in the county, has been brought in as theater manager to help produce an array of musicals and shows to the venue. He expressed his enthusiasm about the venue and told the audience that he is open to receiving ideas for productions from the community, too.

Chappaqua’s Michele Gregson and Tracy Stein are heading the new Friends of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center and have plans to raise an initial $50,000 for program development at the Center.

A website is under construction and a calendar of events is being created soon too.

Next up: an all new Storybook Family Concert by the Chappaqua Orchestra on April 29th directed by Maestro Michael Shapiro. Shiner graciously encouraged everyone attending to purchase tickets for the show which he described as a high caliber event and “not just for kids.” Visit www.chappaquaorchestra.org for tickets and more information.

No doubt about it… Chappaqua’s Got Arts.

Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press, is excited about the future of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton swearing in Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein. Photo by Carolyn Simpson, www.doublevisionphotographers.com

By Grace Bennett

Take a former Secretary of State and two time Senator who happens to be a long time, community minded resident of this town. Add three new inductees to town government and a town justice, who has already served six years. Pack in persons, Democrats and Republicans alike, from in and around town. And what do you get? A swearing in ceremony for the history books!

Tonight, about 5:30 p.m.: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Town Hall swore in Robert Greenstein as Town Supervisor, Lisa Katz as Deputy Supervisor, Adam Brodsky as Town Councilman and Noah Sorkin as Town Justice. The ceremony was also presided over by Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Susan Spear, a representative for Senator Kristin Gillebrand.

Town Justice Doug Kraus opened the ceremony introducing Congresswoman Nita Lowey as one of the “hardest working and nicest people in U.S. Congress.” Nita Lowey offered, in turn, “I don’t live in Chappaqua but I love Chappaqua…and “coordinate with local officials so resources are utilized and opportunities seized to improve the quality of life of New Castle residents.” Lowey went on to note Clinton’s worldwide popularity. She noted in particular a trip in which she “tagged along” to Kenya: “All anyone wanted to do was see the rock star. She is beloved and respected every place in the world.”

Pre Swearing In: A photo op for the entire town board: Secretary Clinton with Team New Castle , Councilwoman Elise Mottel and Councilman Jason Chapin. Photo: Carolyn Simpson, doublevisionphotographers.com

And then it was Clinton’s turn. She commended Nita Lowey for her ability “to get along with anyone” and she thanked Town Council members Elise Mottel and Jason Chapin for their continuity and service. She noted how proud she “and Bill are to be your neighbors and support the excellent schools here” …and paid tribute to the police, fire and ambulance services here too. “They are the real backbone of the community…and very grateful to them.”

Clinton related that a common question she was asked in one of her first missions as Secretary of State—to countries in the Pacific coast–was “how could you work with Obama after losing to him?” “I realized that for much of the world, you can get exiled, killed after losing…not be asked to serve in the same cabinet!” Their wonderment, she said, made her appreciate “how we govern ourselves” and the “rule of law” here.

First to be sworn in was Town Justice Noah Sorkin, who has already served six years in New Castle as a prosecutor or judge. He said he would continue his service toward “lawful, fair resolution” of cases and that he emulates former town justice David Zuckerman and long time fellow town justice Kraus.

Town councilman Adam Brodsky came next. “I am humbled by the faith the community has placed in me,” he said, “and I will use it to help New Castle grow and prosper.”

Deputy supervisor Lisa Katz, after being sworn in, expressed her “humility, pride and excitement…we came together through a shared vision.”

And last to be sworn in, Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein lightened the occasion, turning to Clinton, and stating: “Since I know that fairness is so important to Secretary Clinton, I’m confident that if the occasion should arise when Secretary Clinton is sworn into office in the next few years–she should know that we would happily return the favor by attending her inauguration. Fair is fair.”

He also thanked Nita Lowey, Susan Spear and Alex Rothmayer (who was representing Assemblyman David Buchwald’s office).”

He noted County Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz could not attend. “He happens to be in Little Rock, Arkansas–which is very fitting. Mike texted me today. He asked me to send your regards, and mention that he went to the Little Rock High School, the Clinton Museum and Doe’s Eats.”

Finally, Greenstein said: “It is so appropriate that Secretary Clinton joins us today. At the Democratic Convention in 1996, she spoke about how we are part of one family–each of us has a value.

He concluded his remarks as follows:

“Secretary Clinton often speaks about community. Our town’s last election demonstrated that our community is united – not so much in politics – but in ideas.

Lisa, Adam and I ran as a slate expressing a new perspective, one that encompasses the wishes of all residents, regardless of their political affiliation. Our perspective is to hear all of the voices. Every voice has a value in improving our town. Every resident, every neighbor counts. Community, not partisanship, is our motto.

And that is what this swearing-in is about. It’s about community. And as a community, we are so fortunate to have the Clintons as our neighbors.

I am honored and humbled to serve as Supervisor of New Castle. And I will do my best to live up to the expectations of our great community.”