Millwood

Millwood and West End: Nature, Fitness and Great Shopping, too

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

By Marianne Campolongo

The hamlet of Millwood, which just celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018, boasts extensive shopping, many choices for both casual and fine dining, and New Castle’s largest and most popular year-round recreation area, the 126-acre Gedney Park, which offers fun and memory making opportunities for the entire family.

Every April, Gedney Pond is stocked with over 500 rainbow, brook and golden trout for fishing throughout the spring, summer and fall. There’s even an annual fishing derby, where anglers age six to 60+ can catch their own dinner and compete for prizes. Come winter, you will find the best sledding hill in town there, and if you don’t have a sled, you can buy one at the large sporting goods store just down the road. There is also a large playground and ballfields. A gazebo and picnic tables interspersed throughout the park are great for snack time or a picnic lunch.

North County Trailway Photo by Grace Bennett

Four miles of well-marked hiking trails meander through wetlands and woods, providing shade for spring and summer hikes, breathtaking colors when the leaves change in autumn, and a fun trek in snowy winter weather. A handicapped accessible paved path runs from the parking lot to a fishing pier on the pond. The path to the monument remembering those lost on 9/11 is also handicapped accessible. A ceremony to remember the three town residents as well as all the others lost that day is held there each year.

The park is also dog-friendly, allowing your furry friends to be off-leash along the trails and to even swim in the pond and streams during designated morning hours; they are permitted on-leash at all times.

The 22-mile North County Trailway runs through Millwood providing a safe and scenic paved path where you will often find friends biking, roller blading or strolling, and see New Castle’s bicycle cops making sure no stragglers need help. A portion of the path runs parallel to Millwood Plaza, a shopping center anchored by the new family-owned DeCicco & Sons grocery store. You can also do your banking, pick up prescriptions or sunscreen, toys and gifts, wine, stop for lunch, or get your nails done there. Millwood also has its own post office in that convenient location. A short walk around the corner brings you to Millwood Town Plaza with an eco-friendly cleaners, jeweler, specialty foods store, a spa and hair salon, and fine dining options.

Across the street, Millwood Park has tennis courts and more ballfields, conveniently located near a family-owned deli, which has been serving customers throughout the area since 1961; other stores and businesses in the hamlet have been run by the same families for 40 years or more.

A lumberyard, hardware store and garden center are a boon for all you DIYers. Whether or not you are an experienced gardener, you can join a team at the InterGenerate Community Garden to grow vegetables for yourself and for those who cannot afford fresh produce.

Want someone to do the work for you? It’s easy to find a plumber, veterinarian, tech center, movers, a limo service, and other business in Millwood as well as the nearby West End neighborhood. For those lucky enough to live in the Hidden Hollow neighborhood, there is a sandy beach and swimming pond for its residents. In the West End of town, beautiful Stillwater Lake offers swimming and boating for neighborhood residents. Additional recreation choices in the West End include ballfields at Amsterdam Park, hiking and cross-country skiing at Sunny Ridge Preserve, and the Hudson Hills Golf Course, a public course high in the hills with lovely scenic views.

Personal Attention, Knowledgeable Staff & Customer Loyalty at Dodd’s Wine Shop

March 8, 2018 by Janie Rosman

Experience gleaned as a teenager working in his father’s liquor store proved beneficial to when 25-year-old Dodd Farber opened Dodd’s Wine Shop in the Millwood Shopping Center in the early 1970s.

Farber, a no-nonsense man who operates the business without a computer, grew up in Long Island and earned an MBA, then left Wall Street for the Westchester suburbs.

In the 1970s, he initially thought about opening a card store and contacted numerous shopping centers. However, he said, surrounded by ledgers and stacks of papers, “My father was in the liquor business, and as a teenager, I worked there and became familiar with it.”

Farber also knew how to develop and keep relationships with customers, who remain loyal to him. “Our business philosophy is to put personalization back into shopping,” he said. “We want to make this into a wine and liquor experience.”

His staff averages more than 25 years of employment with him and knows customers’ likes and dislikes and guide them around the store of more than 1,500 kinds of wines from around the world. “We pride ourselves on great service, personal attention and a selection of more than 2,000, items all at great prices.”

Its diverse clientele ranges from people who enjoy a daily glass of wine to collectors who seek the rarest vintages. “We are here to advise our customers regardless of their preference,” he said.

Joe Cutaia has been working at Dodd’s more than 20 years. “It’s not about the bottles,” he explained. “It’s about our relationship with the customer. People come in and shake your hand, and you know them personally. We don’t want people to be anonymous.”

Ready to help you: The Staff at Dodd’s
PHOTO BY JANIE ROSMAN

“Customers like to see faces that they know,” Farber said. “They become comfortable working with our staff and their recommendations. It’s a friendly business, and everybody knows everybody’s name, like in “Cheers.”

During our visit to the store, a man walked toward the back of the store and asked for employee Bobby Chipman. “Yes, I have it ready for you,” Chipman said, walking to greet him.

“We have a personal contact with our customers,” Cutaia emphasized. “We don’t just look at this as a retail store because we’re entrenched in the community. People who used to live here and who pass through the area come by to say hello.”

To Enhance your Celebration…

With Passover beginning at sundown March 30 and Easter arriving April 1, Farber offered these wine suggestions to pair with any meal and delight your company. (Prices here are per bottle.)

Easter Wines:

Reserve des Rochers Pouilly Fuisse 2015: Its delicious tart pear and honey essence flavors blend well with the round, broad style French Chardonnay, amazing price for White Burgundy. Rated 90 points by Wine Spectator. $14.99

Bastide Miraflors Rouge 2015: The Bastide Miraflors is a combination of Syrah and Grenache grapes. Its flavors of blackberry and black raspberries deliver a fruity wine with a rich and silky texture. Rated 94 points by The Wine Advocate. $12.99

Passover Wines:

Golan Heights Winery Gilgal Cabernet Sauvignon 2012: This wine is grown in the cool climate region of the upper Galilee in Israel. With the combination of rocky soils and aging in French oak barrels, this cabernet shows its grace along with blackberry and dried fruit flavors tied together with the soft toast from the barrel. $17.99

Golan Heights Winery Gilgal Chardonnay 2015: This bright and crisp chardonnay flashes its delicious pear and apple spice flavors with just enough oak nuance to add a touch of body. It’s also grown in the Upper Galilee region of Israel. $17.99

200th Year Celebration of Millwood Set for October 28th

October 23, 2017 by Inside Press

In Millwood, the splendor of nature is always a cause for celebration with its easy access to the North Country Trail, and playground, hiking and dog walking fun inside gorgeous Gedney Park. On a beautiful fall day, Millwood’s charms can simply dazzle, with convenient services and fine merchants serving residents and visitors in its plazas and off Route 100.

And now the Town of New Castle is planning a 200- year celebration of Millwood on October 28th at Gedney Park from 12-5 p.m. with a host of activities planned: a big stage and band, food trucks, as well as rides/bouncy castles, face painting, pumpkin painting, and other fun activities for kids. Admission is free.

A shuttle bus will pick up people from the parking in the front field and overflow parking at West Orchard school to the back of Gedney.

In a release about the event, Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein thanked Ike Kuzio, our new Superintendent of Recreation & Parks, Suzanne Kavic and Jim Pinto, co-chairs of the Millwood West End Advisory Board, Councilwoman Hala Makowska, Town Administrator Jill Shapiro & Ciara Gannon, and a host of participating merchant sponsors from throughout New Castle, and beyond.

Admission is free.

To learn more about ‘The Magic of Millwood and the West End,” please also visit https://www.theinsidepress.com/the-magic-of-millwood-the-west-end

DeCicco’s in Millwood: Dec. 30th Grand Opening and The Talk of the Town

December 29, 2016 by Inside Press

https://www.facebook.com/InsideChappaquaMagazine/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154853596423669

By Grace Bennett

The end of the year Grand Opening of DeCicco’s in Millwood is THE talk of the town this week, and very good news for New Castle residents long anticipating the opening of a supermarket in the area. Meanwhile, the DeCiccos are pulling out all the stops and are as excited as any New Castle resident.

“It’s the perfect community for us to expand to,” stated John DeCicco, Jr., in a joint release from the Town of New Castle and the DeCicco family this morning. “John Jr.” is the President of the award-winning DeCicco & Sons chain of family-run supermarkets.

He pointed out that the Milllwood location marks the seventh store for the DeCicco family, and proudly pointed out “the advanced environmental-friendly technologies which are proudly setting the standards of ‘clean & green’ supermarkets throughout the country.”

Some facts if you are planning to stop by tomorrow’s opening of the new DeCicco’s:

The 20,000 square foot store is located at the Millwood Shopping Center on Saw Mill River Road at Routes 100 & 133, Millwood is the “sister hamlet” of Chappaqua, part of the Town of New Castle.
The Grand Opening will be Friday, 3 p.m. on December 30^th
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino will cut the ceremonial ribbon, declaring it “DeCicco & Sons Millwood Recognition Day in Westchester County.

And more, here, per the release (this story will be updated with original coverage following the grand opening):

Stated DeCicco “This is a true team effort made possible by the incredible assistance and hard work from Town of New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein, Deputy Supervisor Adam Brodsky, Steven Wolk of The New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board, and shopping center owner Chris Santomero.. just to name a few,” said DeCicco. They have worked with us hand and hand throughout every detail, assuring us and the community that our newest DeCicco & Sons market will become a reality in Millwood.”

“Congratulations to the DeCicco family on opening its newest supermarket in Westchester County,” said Astorino. “Their commitment to quality, customer service, the community and the environment is a true recipe for success. I wish them all the best and thank them for their continued dedication to the people of Westchester.”

Commitment to the Schools

DeCicco expressed how impressed he is with the New Castle-Chappaqua-Millwood area: “DeCicco & Sons has a strong commitment to the school districts in every community we are a part of. We look forward to supporting the over 4200 students and their families who make up the three elementary schools, two middle schools and Horace Greeley High School in the area. We provide “Cashier Receipt Give-Back Programs” that accumulate a percentage of the receipts collected throughout the school year, then contributed back into the many educational and community programs that assist the students and their families. This is a huge part of what we believe in.”

Their benevolence has not gone unnoticed, as DeCicco & Sons continues to be acknowledged with significant awards, most recently, Westchester’s Best Family Run Business, The PTA Golden Oak Award, the Rotary Club’s 2015 Honorees, and the 2016 Pelham Civic Association’s Persons of the Year Award.

Green & Clean

“Green & Clean” technologies with the old world philosophy of Quality First, DeCicco & Sons has established itself as a visionary supermarket that stresses consistent quality of the food & service that they and their family have been known for over 40 years.

In addition to this year’s 2016 Best of Westchester’s “Best Gourmet Market,” this new DeCicco & Sons is one of the nation’s most energy-efficient, and cleanest & Greenest supermarkets. In fact, it has just achieved the EPA’s highest certification: The Platinum Level Green Chill Certification.

Visually, the 20,000 square ft. store will be a sparkling beauty, complete with a Beer & Wine Tasting Bar, a multi-level Café… and rotating selections of world-renowned craft beers on tap…,a full-service Sushi counter… and hot seafood selections …and more!

Remarkably, this area is only one facet of DeCicco & Sons’ magnificent shopping experience. It’s the unique, technological advancements that’s “behind the scenes” that makes this extraordinary new DeCicco & Sons supermarket, well, extraordinary.

Ensuring the Health of the Planet for Future Generations

According to John DeCicco, Jr., President of DeCicco & Sons, “Life is only important when it has an impact on the lives of others. So when it comes to the world we live in, our generation has to make a commitment to meet the energy challenges put before us and sustain a clean and healthy environment… for now, and for future generations. With our new DeCicco & Sons store in Larchmont, we have the opportunity to continue to provide our customers and employees with a new paradigm in the supermarket shopping experience: a store that incorporates intelligent, energy-efficiency and on-site clean, and green renewable energy, every minute, every day. At the same time, it will continue to be true to our Quality First brand by delivering the very best quality food and products, the very best selection, with the very best service”.

Technologically Advanced Heat Reclaiming Refrigeration System

This is only the third in the State, and the second of its kind in Westchester County. (the first being the DeCicco & Son in Larchmont) So advanced, this zero-ozone, state-of-the-art equipment will be the subject of a comprehensive case study being conducted by leading governmental scientific and engineering agencies.It systematically takes all of the wasted heat that’s generated from the refrigeration system and transfers it to reusable energy to power machines to chill water, and provide heat and hot water for the entire store! Simple, clean, reusable energy. cost efficient, and ultimately, less reliance on fossil fuels. Think of 80,000 less cars this year because of the CO2 emissions we save by using CO2 in place of HFC refrigerant. And also 120,000 more trees can live this year, thanks to our reduced carbon emissions.

“Technology Teamwork”… at work.

DeCicco continued,” I have learned that the successful solution for utmost energy efficiency is not doing only one thing, but doing many things … having all of the advancements and technologies working together as one… not individual or independent installations, but a multiple of components that feed off one another. So it’s a significant investment, but we firmly believe, a smart one with long lasting dividends for this generation and the ones to follow.”

Quality First – In More Ways Than One

As DeCicco explained, “Our brand mantra ‘Quality First’ extends far beyond our superior food products. It means caring for the environment and the communities we serve by supporting clean energy technologies. We have a “green philosophy” that includes protecting our environment with advanced, innovative energy solutions. The objective is to increase energy efficiency with renewable energy, and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. The benefits the environment and our economy, and helps move our country toward a cleaner energy future.”

So DeCicco & Sons brings to Millwood a supermarket that includes their high level of taste and culinary knowledge… their “Quality First” brand and philosophy… and their leadership commitment to an intelligent, clean and safe environment. In other words, they’re re-writing the cookbook for all other supermarkets to follow! The new DeCicco & Sons Millwood will be located on the site of the former A&P in the Millwood Plaza, 230 Saw Mill River Rd, Millwood, NY 10546. For more information, visit our website at www.DeCiccoAndSons.com Also, be sure to follow us on our new Facebook page: facebook.com/deciccosmillwood

About DeCicco & Sons…

For over 40 years, DeCicco & Sons has a proud history of bringing the largest selection of high quality food available to customers with a personal, family touch. In addition to the finest meats, poultry, seafood, fish, fruits and vegetables, deli, bakery, pizza and sushi, they offer their famous Signature Series product line of homemade foods…one of New York’s largest selection of world-famous craft beers…and DeCicco & Sons Events & Cuisine to meet any size catering and event needs. They have stores located in Pelham, Harrison, Ardsley, Armonk, Brewster, Larchmont and now Millwood.

A First time “Millwood Community Health Fair!” Saturday, May 7

May 3, 2016 by Inside Press

Northern Westchester Hospital and Phelps Memorial Hospital present the Millwood Community Health Fair on Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Millwood Plaza (site of the former A&P)
230 Saw Mill River Road
Millwood, NY 10546

Highlights include:

• Phelps Executive Chef “Joe” serving up healthy cooking demos, tastings, and nutrition activities • Taste one of Northern Westchester Hospital’s refreshing Centennial Smoothies • Ask the Dietician! Tips on nutrition and exercise • Put a spring in your step! Learn about posture, balance, injury prevention, strength and flexibility from a Northern Westchester Hospital physical therapist • Blood pressure screenings and tobacco cessation guidance • Q&A with Northern Westchester Hospital Clinical Breast Specialist • Raffle tickets for surprise give-aways…and so much more!

Maria Simonetti, Director of Community Health Education and Outreach for Northern Westchester Hospital stated, “A health fair is an excellent way to bring people together, engage the community and share health and wellness information in a fun and interactive way. Providing health and wellness education to the community is an essential part of a hospital’s mission and to bring this event to the Millwood community with Phelps Memorial Hospital, our Northwell Health partner in this region, is extremely gratifying,”

Robert Lane, Vice President for Development and External Affairs of Phelps Memorial Hospital stated “Phelps Memorial Hospital has a long-standing commitment to health and wellness in our community. For instance, our mobile medical unit has been involved in and supports many athletic and cultural events in and around our region. We are proud to provide interactive and educational outreach, along with our Northwell Health partner, Northern Westchester Hospital, to our Millwood neighbors at their Community Health Fair”.

New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated “with the departure of the Millwood A&P there is a void in our community. This Saturday we will fill that void by bringing together two world-class community hospitals for a Community Health Fair. I want to thank Northern Westchester Hospital and Phelps Memorial Hospital for organizing this wonderful event.”

Millwood

Millwood and West End: Nature, Fitness and Great Shopping, too