The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Maggie Mae Pup Reporter

Author Talk with Ronni Diamondstein

by

Why She Can’t Wait for you to Stop By the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival! 

By Maggie Mae Pup Reporter

I’m a dog–a very special dog. I’m a black-and-white, Toy Parti Poodle. My name is Maggie Mae, and I was the Inside Press Roving Pup Reporter for many years. With a nose for news, I gave the dog’s eye view of Chappaqua and beyond. I love to talk to authors so I’m excited to interview my mom Ronni Diamondstein about her debut picture book Jackie and the Books She Loved, and her experience at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.

This is your second year participating in the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival. What is it like?

As someone who was involved in the festival from the very beginning and having been a board member, it was a dream come true to be there last year with my first book and to be back again this year. Last September I was there with pre-pub copies of my book that debuted in November 2023. As a volunteer and board member in the past I knew how well the authors were treated and it was so great to experience it myself. I was thrilled to meet young readers and to see former students and colleagues, and friends come from far and near for a signed copy of the book. I’m looking forward to meeting more readers this year.

Why did you write Jackie and the Books She Loved and who is the audience?

I was always inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the former first lady of the United States and wanted to tell a new and different story about her for kids. While young children are the audience for this book, older children can use it as a resource in studying famous women. I am also finding that so many adults love this book. I’ve signed a lot of copies to grandparents who grew up knowing about both President Kennedy and Jackie. As they wrote in the book’s review in Kirkus magazine, “History fans and book lovers of all ages will adore this.”

What is the book about and are there any dogs in the book?

Jackie and the Books She Loved is about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and how her love of reading and writing were important in her life–from writing poems and stories as a child to her career as a journalist, and on to her work as a book editor having edited nearly 100 books for people of all ages. As for dogs, Jackie loved all animals, especially dogs and horses. As a child she wrote stories about her blasé black poodle General de Gaulle and George Woofty, Esq., a spirited terrier. You can read about them in the book.

Art by Bats Langley Copyright:Sky Pony Press

You’re a retired teacher and librarian. Any advice for kids, teachers, and parents on how to use the book?It’s great to read a book purely for pleasure, and I hope young people will feel that way when they read Jackie and the Books She Loved.  You can go to my website to find follow up interactive activities like BE A JOURNALIST LIKE JACKIE and BE AN INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER LIKE JACKIE. Teachers can use the book to launch Readers’ and Writers’ Workshops. All can be found in the EXTRAS section of ronnidiamondstein.com.

You can find Ronni signing copies of Jackie and the Books She Loved in the Courtyard of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, September 28, 10AM-4PM at the Chappaqua Train Station. She’ll be alongside Stephanie Calmenson, the author of lots of dog books including her latest Oodles of Poodles and Doodles and May I Pet Your Do? and beloved author Laura Numeroff of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie fame who also wrote a dog book, If You Give a Dog A Donut.

Ronni Diamondstein          Randi Childs Photography

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Mae Pup Reporter has lived in Chappaqua since 2008. For more about her go to ronnidiamondstein.com 

 

 

When There’s A Dog in Your Life

by

BY MAGGIE MAE with RONNI DIAMONDSTEIN

“I’m a dog – a very special dog. I’m a black-and-white, Toy Parti Poodle. My name is Maggie Mae, and I am the Inside Chappaqua Roving Pup Reporter. With a nose for news, I will give you the dog’s eye view of Chappaqua and beyond.” This is how it all began in May 2010 when I started my very first column for Inside Chappaqua magazine. I am honored to be back writing again for the 20th anniversary issue.

Dogs can make a difference in your life in so many ways. My owner tells people that I am the dog that changed her life, and that makes me very happy because I feel so lucky to live with her for the past fifteen years.

“Nobody will ever love you as much as your dog does.” Jean Craighead George

George wrote that in her book “How to Talk to Your Dog.” She was one of my favorite interviews. And truer words were never written. My unconditional love for my owner warms her heart. I am always happy to be around her, and I think she feels the same way. She often takes me with her in the car for company especially when the ride is long. I like to ride in the car. I’m a great travelling companion, and I love when she takes me to a hotel on vacation with her.

“My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.” Edith Wharton

I know that during the pandemic lockdown my owner appreciated my company a lot. We already were used to being together most of the time since she retired from teaching nine years ago and now works from home as a writer. I know that I have enhanced her life because she thinks about me more than she thinks about herself. And she talks to me all the time. She calls me a “lovebug” and I show her my love with cuddles and kisses.

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” Gilda Radner

And even though she’s lived alone most of her life and was never really lonely, I know that she never feels alone because I’m always here for her. I make my owner laugh a lot. She is more relaxed when she’s with me, especially when I stick my head under her hand so she will pat me or when I curl up next to her feet and give her my version of a hug.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” Rodger A. Caras

In our home there is a coffee mug with the saying, “dogs are the best people.” I know I am more than a pet to my owner. I am her family. She is my person. She takes good care of me–I even have pet medical insurance–and she cooks for me. And in return, I know when she needs me by her side. The more she loves me, the more I love her.

Ronni with Maggie Mae PHOTO BY RANDI CHILDS

“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” Emily Dickinson

She meets a lot of people because of me. The funniest thing is that when we take our walks–and we walk quite a bit–people often say, “Hi Maggie Mae,” to me, and she thinks they don’t know her name. She doesn’t really mind that at all. I’m her child after all, so this pleases her when I’m acknowledged.

“Dogs are our link to paradise.” Milan Kundera

I’ve become her muse of sorts. She has had more writing opportunities because of me. She started the Maggie Mae Pup Reporter blog and has written several stories with me as the main character that are posted on it. I also think she is amused that I act like her. She is very curious, and I am too. And we both like to know what’s going on in the neighborhood.

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them.” Thom Jones

My owner says we have a powerful connection, so I asked her to say a few words. “Life is so much better when there’s a dog in your life. One of my friends says that the chance to be loved by a dog is one of the true gifts of life. I couldn’t agree more,” she said. “Maggie Mae, you’re my girl and you bring out the very best in me!”

New Role for the Ever Versatile Ronni Diamondstein

by

Ronni Diamondstein and Maggie Mae  Photo by Carolyn Simpson

“It’s Cuomo time!” Ronni Diamondstein calls to her best friend and pet poodle. 

The sound of dog tags jingling signals the incoming arrival of Maggie Mae, the 13-year-old black and white parti toy poodle, who jumps up on the couch, snuggles up next to her mom and watches Governor Cuomo’s daily coronavirus briefings on the TV. 

The middle of March 2020 meant that quarantine was in full-swing and the only thing set in stone was Maggie Mae getting a treat at 11 a.m. right before Cuomo was about to start. 

If you know Diamondstein, then you know Maggie. The two of them have been inseparable ever since 2008, when the dynamic duo began. You’ve probably seen them in town on walks or maybe you’ve even seen Maggie painted on the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival mural. 

Although they were seemingly attached at the hip before, if this pandemic has done anything, it has brought the two of them even closer together. 

“We got into new routines…Having another living creature in the house is comforting,” 

Diamondstein said. “She’s good company, she’s funny and she has very good self-esteem. I like when she walks in town; she has a good sense of herself. She’s a lot like me in that she likes her alone time but she also likes to see people. And she’s also very curious.”

Maggie is basically a town celebrity. She loves walking around town and checking in on her favorite merchants, ensuring that everyone and everything is just the way it should be. She must’ve gotten that from her mom, for Diamondstein puts a lot of effort into making this town even greater than before.

The philosophy “make where you are  better because you’re there” is one that Diamondstein has tried to follow her whole life. Whether it be in Chappaqua, White Plains or the Netherlands, she has strived to make an impact wherever her time is spent. 

It’s safe to say that mission has been accomplished over and over and over, starting every single morning on Facebook. 

Social media these days can be a source of unwanted negative energy or controversial content, leaving many of us with the urge to drop our phones at the bottom of a lake and never see them ever again. But if you become friends with Diamondstein on Facebook…you might change your mind!

She starts each morning by posting an inspirational quote as a way of communicating her thoughts and getting her friends to think about certain things. You know what they say, a quote from Ronni a day keeps the doctors away! 

The quote that inspired her way of life? 

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”  – John F. Kennedy

And inspire her way of life it did, even early on, as Diamondstein won her high school senior award for excellence in service. But her passion for helping her community didn’t stop there. It just got started. 

After vacationing in the Netherlands, she ended up getting a job as a school librarian at an American international school where she started a gifted program. Working at one of those schools had always been a dream of hers. 

A few years later, she came back to the states and settled in Westchester, where she was a library media specialist in the White Plains schools for 20 years. Among other things, she has served as the Chairman of the Adult Education Committee at Temple Beth El, Board Member of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, League of Women Voters of New Castle and the New Castle Community Media Center, creative behind the Maggie Mae Pup Reporter Column, member of the New Castle Council for Race and Equity and the Katonah Museum Artists’ Association, provider of beautiful nature photos for local exhibits and more. 

“And now, the most amazing thing that I am doing, because libraries have been my life’s work…In 2017 I was elected to the Chappaqua Library Board and as of October, I’ve been the acting President…” Diamondstein said. 

Since January, Diamondstein has served as the President of the Chappaqua Library Board for the ‘21 year. 

“I’m very humbled to have this responsibility. I’ve worked very hard as a board member, in looking at really taking my responsibility seriously…I’m very optimistic about how things will go.” 

She pitched the idea of having MSNBC political analyst and author Rick Tyler speak at the library, offering to do the interview herself since she is a seasoned journalist. The idea was well-received and in January, she interviewed Tyler over Zoom about his new book. 

“I told Joan Kuhn, the program director, that she’s made one of my dreams come true. I always wanted to do what Barbara Walters did, interview people like that on television…I’m really excited about it.” 

Throughout the last year, the library has seen some major changes with their renovations and of course, the pandemic. With curbside pickup, new online book discussions and even a website feature that allows you to chat with a librarian, the library “has done a great job of connecting with the community.” 

Eventually, Diamondstein is hopeful that more kids and teenagers will gravitate toward coming back to the library due to a brand new teen area with new technology similar to the kind that is provided at school. 

Being in the book biz, her favorite one is a children’s book about a dog. It’s called Dominic by William Steig and it’s one she thinks every adult should read, saying “it’s just really a story about life.” She gives it as a gift often, even giving one to President Clinton at one point. 

Throughout the pandemic, while reading is probably an activity that was done to combat quarantine, Diamondstein has been keeping busy doing other things as well. Whether it’s baking her Amazing Double Chocolate Brownies, speaking to at least two friends daily or doing Facetime Pilates, she “just [took] one day at a time.” 

“Peonies”, one of Ronni’s favorite flowers that she photographed at the NYBG was an entry in the Katonah Museum of Art Artists Association Member Show in November 2019.
Photo by Ronni Diamondstein
© 2019 Ronni Diamondstein, All Rights Reserved

The way Diamondstein saw it was, “You had to find joy every day during this pandemic in the little things.” 

Perhaps the most important little thing to happen over these last months? 

Maggie Mae’s Bark Mitzvah! Mazel Tovs are in order in the Diamondstein household because Maggie Mae officially became a young lady in October during Temple Beth El’s Noah’s Bark service. People hopped onto the Zoom call with their pets and Maggie got to celebrate with her friends and family which hopefully made up for the fact that “she has noticed that people, nobody pets her when [she] goes for walks anymore…” 

While Diamondstein is lucky to be able to celebrate the little moments during these times, she also recognizes that there are others who are struggling. This past June for her birthday, she raised over $3,000 for Feeding Westchester to support her concern of food insecurity problems that only grew with the pandemic. In the past she has also helped fundraising efforts for the Amy Marie Crabtree Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Although there are currently no longer daily Cuomo briefings for Maggie Mae to watch, at least there are three things we can still rely on: Diamondstein gets flowers every week from Whispering Pines in town, which remind her of her time in Holland, she has switched out the Brownie Starmite camera for her iPhone 11Pro but is still taking photos of flowers and she is still doing everything she can to make a mark where she lives. 

Which makes us wonder…what will she do next?