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North Castle Public Library

Pollinator Pathway Gardens: Gaining Local Support

February 22, 2020 by The Inside Press

Pollinator pathway garden in downtown Chappaqua. Prior to this, the area was full of weeds.

Article and Photos by Missy Fabel

Just last year at a meeting of the Earthwatch Institute, a prominent environmental non-profit, scientists declared the bee to be the most important living being on the planet. This notion was shared by Albert Einstein more than a century ago who boldly stated that “if bees disappear, humans would have four years to live.” Yet bees are at risk of extinction. In fact, in some regions of the world, they have disappeared up to 90 percent.

While that news is sobering, local residents and county-wide initiatives are doing their part to keep bees and other pollinators happily buzzing in the communities of Northern Westchester.

Bees, butterflies, birds and even bats are all pollinators that play a vital role in the transfer of pollen from one plant to another, enabling fertilization and the production of fruit and seeds. More than 30% of our food grows as a result of pollinators. Yet, the habitat loss of native plants and widespread use of pesticides and herbicides are causing worldwide decline of pollinators.

The History Behind the First Pollinator Pathway

Sarah Bergman started the very first Pollinator Pathway in Seattle more than a decade ago as part of a social and ecological project to combat the decline in pollinators. In an effort to connect two green spaces more than a mile apart, Ms. Bergman went door to door to the homeowners in-between to create a mile long 12-foot-wide corridor of pollinator friendly gardens, a literal “pathway” to sustain pollinators with pesticide-free habitat and nutrition.

With increasing public awareness of the decline of pollinators, particularly native bees, Bergman’s idea caught on. In 2018, Norwalk, Wilton and Ridgefield together with Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership (H2H) set up the first Pollinator Pathways in Connecticut. Westchester followed their lead and New Castle Pollinator Pathway Coalition (NCPPC) is among the more than 16 municipalities, organizations and hundreds of individuals joining Pollinator Pathways in Westchester.

Pollinator Pathway sign on Route 120 

Pollinator Pathways in New Castle

The New Castle Pollinator Pathway Coalition (NCPPC) is a volunteer effort consisting of individuals and organizations that support pollinators by connecting properties and green spaces to create a more hospitable environment for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

Pollinator Pathway signs have been popping up in New Castle on resident’s mailboxes and downtown near the train station in recent months. These signs mark just some of the properties that are part of the NCCPC.

According to New Castle resident Victoria Alzapiedi, founder of New Castle Healthy Yards and co-chair of NCCPC, more than 130 public and private properties are already on the Pathway and the list is growing. “I’m so excited that there are so many property owners in our community signing on to the New Castle Pollinator Pathway. Not using pesticides and other lawn chemicals and adding native plants–including specific host and nectar plants for each species of butterfly, moth, and bee–will attract these important insects to your yard and provide a haven for them to live and to thrive,” Alzapiedi explained.

Pollinator Friendly Gardens Gain Traction in Other Towns

Garden clubs and other organizations in Pleasantville, Bedford, North Castle and other towns in Westchester are also spreading the word, through education, outreach and the creation of pollinator friendly gardens.

“Our mission includes educating people about ways to help the planet,” says Phina Geiger, president of the Pleasantville Garden Club, whose members planted a demonstration garden next to a playground in Mt. Pleasant this past spring. “Many of the plants we used were ones from our yards, tried and true locally sourced native plants that people may not know about, but can come and see and be inspired to use in their own yards. The Pleasantville Garden club is also partnering with their Parks & Recreation department to promote Pollinator Pathways in other areas of town, she added.

Plans to add native and pollinator friendly plants are also in the works in Armonk. This spring, the North Castle Public Library is adding native trees, shrubs and perennials to its foundation planting as part of the New York Library Association (NYLA) state-wide Sustainable Library Certification Program. “We wanted to enhance the landscaping in front of our library,” says Edie Martimucci, Director of North Castle Public Library, “and using native plants just makes sense from an environmental and sustainability standpoint.”

Tips for Creating a Pollinator Friendly Garden

Whether you live in an apartment with a balcony, a typical suburban home, a large estate or are a commercial business in town, everyone can participate in Pollinator Pathway by avoiding the use of pesticides and choosing native plants. Nature preserves, such as Glazier Arboretum in New Castle, Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve in North Castle, town and county parks, schools, typical backyards and front yards, even window boxes can help support pollinators.

“It’s simple, really,” declares Filipine de Hoogland of Westchester Pollinators. “Many people already have native trees and shrubs in their yards with natural pesticide free areas. If we connect our pollinator friendly yards, we can construct pathways. Pathways create safe territory for our pollinators and other wildlife to survive.” She also suggests informing your landscaping company about the steps you are planning to take to create a pollinator friendly yard, so they can help you achieve your goals.

A bee on wild sweet William 

Year-Round Needs for Pollinators

Pollinators need nectar and pollen in all seasons. Native spring flowering trees and shrubs are an important nectar and pollen source early in the season as well as common native plants often considered “weeds,” such as the common violet. Violets provide nectar as well as leafy greens for the recently hatched butterfly larvae of the Great Spangled Fritillary. Consider leaving violets and other wildflowers in your lawn in spring.

Aster and goldenrod are vital sources of both nectar and pollen in the fall. White wood aster naturally colonizes the woodland edges common in suburban landscapes and can easily be encouraged to spread. Leaving some leaf litter in your garden or natural area also helps support pollinators by providing cover for overwintering insects.

Local Pollinator Events On the Horizon

Look for NCPPC and Westchester Pollinator events this spring and summer, including activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day as well as national Pollinator Week, June 22-28. In addition, mark your calendar for The Chappaqua Garden Club’s Mother’s Day weekend plant sale from May 7-10. The sale offers hundreds of native plants including specific pollinator friendly plant combination kits for sun, shade, wet and dry areas, according to Chappaqua Garden Club co-president Melanie Smith. For more information, visit chappaquagardenclub.com

Missy is a native plant landscape designer and consultant, teacher, writer and  naturalist in Chappaqua. She is a Steering Committee member of the Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, a member of the Town of New Castle Conservation Board and co-chair of the NCPPC.

For more information on Pollinator Pathways and how to start one in your town, visit: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org

How to Join the Pollinator Pathway Initiative

  • Include native plants on your property for all seasons
  • Avoid using pesticides and herbicides
  • Consider leaving some bare ground for nesting native bees and leaving some autumn leaves for overwintering eggs and pupae of pollinating insects

If you reside in New Castle, register at: pollinator-pathway.org/new-castle

 

Why are Pollinators Under Threat?

  • Habitat loss due to urban development and agriculture
  • Widespread application of pesticides
  • Climate change

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Bees, Butterfles, Downtown Chappaqua, Earthwatch Insititute, environment, Fertilization, garden, Habitat Loss, Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership, landscaping, Moths, Native Plants, NCPPC, New Castle, New Castle Healthy Yards, New Castle Pollinator Pathway Coalition, non-profit, North Castle Public Library, parks, Pesticide Dangers, Pleasantville Garden CLub, Pollinator Pathways, Pollinator Week, private properties, schools, Westchester

Why the North Castle Library is a Community Treasure

December 1, 2019 by Ella Ilan

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library,” said Albert Einstein. To access the library is to access a key to endless information. The following ten reasons are why you want to know the location of the North Castle Public Library.

1. A Children’s Oasis

The library’s innovative children’s programming satisfies all ages spanning from lap babies to high schoolers. The youngest patrons have access to toddler yoga, Sensory Play, Mother Goose, music classes, and the new Toddler Mixer. Ages 4 and up can participate in Science Lab, Robert the Guitar Guy, and reading with the adorable therapy dog Tobie.

The new young adult room (“YA room”) is a safe space for sixth graders and up to gather and do homework, study, and play games. In addition to 3D printers, the YA room has a Nintendo Switch, a PS4, and a Wii. The library also recently purchased 3D pens for the kids to explore and an Oculus Quest for virtual reality games.

Programs for teens and tweens include Dungeons and Dragons, knitting, and the teen book club “Overbooked.” A Teen Advisory Board of high schoolers meets monthly to discuss future programs for the library.

2. Summer Reading with Unexpected Benefits

Last year, the librarians tweaked the annual program by requiring participants to meet with a librarian to discuss the book they read rather than just logging it in on their website. “Parents thanked me because they noticed how much their child had grown over the summer from initially not wanting to make eye contact to learning how to express themselves to an adult and discuss a book,” recounts Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella, Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services at the library.

3. Adult Programming Offering Something for Everyone

Adults can participate in the current affairs book club, the Friday night film series or educational classes for Bridge, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Italian language and culture, art history, computer instruction, writing workshops, and more. Public service talks on real estate, ayurvedic medicine, and navigating health insurance are also regularly scheduled.

4. Everything is FREE!

All you need is a library card. Whether you want to attend classes, borrow books, use the public computers, hang out and read magazines, or access the digital collection, it is all free. Libraries are one of the few truly public places where one can have access to whatever one wants without having to spend a dime.

Tobie owned by Armonk resident Karen DiPietro is a therapy dog through The Good Dog Foundation. Each week children at the North Castle Library read to him.
PHOTOS by Carolyn Simpson

5. Download an E-book

Patrons can download free e-books and audio books onto their devices through the Westchester library system.

6. An Amazing Interactive Website

The website at northcastlelibrary.org connects you to online courses, job search engines, virtual concerts, recipes, newspapers, and entertainment. Free tutors are available through Tutor Time to go over math problems, submit a paper for proofreading, or talk to a tutor about any subject. Going on a trip and want the most up to date travel information on a country’s culture, currency or food? Head to the website. Want to take a free class on photoshop? Head to the website.

7. Need a dress?

The library has its very own version of rent the runway. They have a limited collection of party dresses that can be checked out just like a library book, worn, dry cleaned and returned. Other unusual items currently in circulation are fishing poles and ukeleles.

8. A Real Theatre Adjacent to the Armonk library is the 186-seat Whippoorwill Theater Hall.

Two theatre groups, Hudson Stage and The Armonk Players, sponsored by the The Friends of the North Castle Library (The “Friends”), put on shows at the theatre. The Friends are a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for the library.

9. Exposure to Art

Besides the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show sponsored by the Friends, the library now features art exhibits in its new gallery located upstairs in the Armonk branch.

10. Librarians Eager to Meet Community Needs

The librarians consistently work to bringing great ideas to life. One of those ideas currently in development is an outdoor garden behind the children’s space with gardening beds, a deck, and a collection of percussion instruments. Construction is set to begin in the spring. The librarians serve as a great resource for anyone needing help with research or looking for a particular book. “People sometimes come over to us and say ‘I hate to bother you’–You’re not bothering us! This is what we do and why we’re here–to help you find what you need,” says North Castle Public Library Director Edie Martimucci.

For an up to date calendar on the library’s programs, go to northcastlelibrary.org You can also follow the North Castle Public Library on Facebook. Teens can find out about upcoming programming on Instagram @ncplteen. The Armonk branch is located at 19 Whippoorwill Road East in Armonk. The phone number is 914-273-3887. The North White Plains branch is located at 10 Clove Road in North White Plains. Their phone number is 914-948-6359.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk Library, E-book, Finding a book, Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Interactive Website, North Castle Public Library, Programming, research, Resource, Whippoorwill Theater

10 Years of Fabulous Frosty Fun

October 26, 2019 by Stacey Pfeffer

Save the Date: Dec 1 for the Annual Parade

December 1 is the 10th Anniversary of Frosty Day! This year to celebrate there will be 40 different activities downtown starting at noon including three ride-on trains, automated Arctic animal rides, the Bubble Bus, six bands and of course everyone’s favorite Frosty the Snowman plus Santa. A parade with decorated vehicles, costumed characters and marching bands kicks off at 4:00 pm culminating with a lighting ceremony at Wampus Park at 4:30 pm. The parade is organized by Friends of Frosty, Inc., a non-profit organization in charge of planning one of the most anticipated days for family fun in Armonk.

New this year is a set of illustrations by Corinne Malvern for Frosty the Snowman, consisting of 27 illustrations plus the illustrated title page for the Golden Book edition of that beloved story from 1950/1951. The book was issued to follow up to the huge Gene Autry hit Christmas song of the same title in December 1950. The illustrations are all in color and are in excellent condition and will be displayed in the windows of Framings on Main Street in Armonk.

A display at the North Castle Public Library titled “Armonk 1950’s & Frosty the Snowman” from November 10th through December 14th will have Frosty memorabilia, artifacts and pictures of Armonk life in the 1950’s.

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: 10th year, Armonk, Bubble Buys, Corinne Malvern, Friends of Frosty, Frost Fun, Frosty the Snowman, North Castle Public Library, Parade

Broadway Sensation ‘A Doll’s House’ At the Whippoorwill Theatre

August 24, 2019 by The Inside Press

This fall Hudson Stage presents the critically acclaimed Broadway sensation: Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, directed by Margarett Perry, and featuring Denise Bessette, Kurt Rhoads and Mary Stout. This is Hnath’s (Broadway’s Hillary and Clinton) inspired comedic modern imagining of Nora Helmer’s return 15 years after her shocking decision to leave her husband and children in Ibsen’s world of 1879. Now she’s back… but why? And what will that mean for those she left behind? Performances are scheduled from October 18-November 2.

Whippoorwill Theatre
North Castle Public Library
Kent Place in Armonk

For tickets and further info: hudsonstage.com.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: A Doll's House, Hudson Stage, North Castle Public Library, Performances, Whippoorwill Theater

Residents Find Friendship and Intellectual Stimulation at Local Book Clubs

December 2, 2018 by Anna Young

When Chappaqua resident Kate Feher moved into the area four months ago she quickly missed the bonds she had made back home.

As a first-time mom adjusting to her new life in Chappaqua, Feher said she struggled to meet people and make friends. Her longing for friendship led her on a search to joining a group she had never been apart of before; a book club. But for Feher, her search for a friendly neighborhood book club turned into a grand effort to start her own group.

“I posted on the Chappaqua Moms Facebook page if anyone was part of a book club that needed new members. I thought I’d be meeting 10 to 12 ladies when I made that post,” Feher said. “I got over 100 responses and realized there was a clear and untasked need and excitement around joining a book club.”

As Feher began organizing her newest venture, she said it was imperative the club have equal ambition and wine. “People are looking for intellectual stimulation, but also social connection and book clubs have a good balance of both,” she said. “Reading is good down time and if you have a book club forcing you to take some down time hopefully it helps people take time for themselves.”

On Nov. 1, Feher kicked off the first meeting of the Chappaqua Moms Book Club, a group comprised of roughly 75 women from Chappaqua, Bedford, Briarcliff, Pound Ridge and other neighboring towns.

With 75 a large number for a community book club, Feher said the club will be broken down into five separate groups who will meet once a month at a place of their choosing and control their reading choices. While each group will run autonomously, suggestions will be made by Feher based on a survey she issued to members prior to the November meeting.

Suggested books include, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon, The Power by Naomi Aiderman, and Less by Andrew Sean Greer.

While the entire group will meet once a year to discuss their experiences and reading choices, she added that the club was less about books and more about meeting other people in the community and making new friends. Women like me with new children that really don’t know anyone just want to get to know other people, she said.

“I think a lot of people use social media to connect but it’s a digital connection, it’s not a person-to-person meeting and I think people are missing that,” Feher said. “I think this is a way for people to get to know others and feel more connected to the community. People in the community and so many women are so hungry for it.”

Book Lovers meet monthly at the North Castle Public Library as part of the Current Affairs Book Club. Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

But women aren’t the only one’s hungry for engaging conversation. For Armonk resident Daniel Vock, it was his passion for history and topical news that served as the catalyst to launch his Current Affairs Book Club five years ago at the North Castle Library.

After attending a similar book club in Greenwich, Conn., Vock approached library officials with the idea of starting his own club in Armonk. Since then, he has collaborated with North Castle Library librarian Mary Johnson to obtain non-fiction reading material either listed on The New York Times bestseller list or suggested by the groups five core members.

With the group meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, excluding August, Vock said their 90-minute discussion will revolve around the book, and what’s happening in the news, which Vock said always results in a lively discussion.

“We learn from reading the book and we learn from each other,” Vock said. “If you don’t learn from history, history will repeat itself again. And that’s what we feel we’re seeing now, and we learn from debating.”

Along with reading books, Vock said they will occasionally invite the books author or other historical authors and specialists to join the book club in their discussions.

But while most book clubs are comprised primarily of women, Vock said his group, comprised of all men, struggles to attract female membership. With energetic discussions and debate a core value of the club, he added he also wishes residents who are in support of President Donald Trump would join the group to enable a more well-rounded debate.  “We’re missing that component to the club because we can’t build on those opinions,” Vock said.

Despite the occasional controversial topics up for discussion, Vock said his group of “fair-minded” men gives senior citizens, like himself, the opportunity to get together and talk about the many national and international issues facing them. He joked it also gives his wife a break from his political gab.

“The men that are in this group I consider as brilliant and well-informed people who have led a full life, have seen a lot of things and have a lot to contribute,” Vock said. “We want to learn and exchange ideas rather than impose points of view.”

Chappaqua resident Holly Blum, who has been a member of Words with Wine Book Club since 2013, agreed that book clubs provide a night out and enlist members from all different backgrounds, education and upbringing to contribute and provide a more dynamic dialog.

“I’ve met a lot of great people through the book club,” Blum said. “What I really like about it is that it brings together a lot of different women who I would not have had the opportunity to know of otherwise.”

Blum said she appreciates her book club because they allow the reader to reflect on their experience with the book, while also giving room to reexamine the book with the roughly three-hour discussion that erupts during their monthly meetings.

“The women in the book club are not particularly shy about sharing their opinions,” Blum said. “It’s really an opportunity to get together with semi-likeminded people who enjoy a glass of wine, who like to read and hopefully have something interesting to contribute, book related or not.”

The need for stimulating conversation, friendship and community is exactly why Armonk resident Anita Luden Greenwald started Book Club Armonk three years ago.

While her kids were growing up, Greenwald said she was part of an Armonk-based book club for 16 years until it eventually disbanded due to residents retiring or moving out of the area. Some time later when her kids were all grown up and out of the house, Greenwald said she was in search for a new group of people who shared her desire for camaraderie and had a commitment to the community.

When a search on the Armonk Moms Facebook forum led her to a thread about reading and book suggestions, she decided to launch the Armonk Book Club.

“I got this resounding yes from people I didn’t know to join this book club,” Greenwald said. “I reserved a table at Beehive Restaurant and we all came with books we wanted to read. We had 12 to 15 people come and it was incredible.”

Book Club Armonk is comprised of 12 Armonk residents who meet monthly at a members’ home for snacks, wine and conversation. With books chosen a year in advance, the group will provide suggestions on reading material, and the books that share an overlap will ultimately be chosen. The rest is based on reviews, Greenwald said.

“It’s very democratic,” she said. “Somebody inevitably is always organized with questions from a book club guide, but someone will start talking about how they felt about a book and then everyone continues to chime in.”

While most book clubs choose their selection based on the book, Book Club Armonk centers their choice on the author.

“We choose an author, so you can read whatever book you want by the author and then compare notes and look at similar writing styles,” Greenwald said. “It’s really an interesting way to do a book club. Everybody was willing to try this, and through our Facebook page we poll to see who the author will be.”

Since she pioneered the group, Greenwald said it’s something she looks forward to every month, adding that the group encourages people to talk about more than gossip but share in intellectual discussion and get to know each other on an intimate and personal level. When you run into other members in town, it’s so nice, she said.

But as an avid reader, she said there’s nothing better than getting lost in a book.

“Books take you on a voyage to other locations, other cultures and other time periods,” she said. “There’s nothing like having a cup of tea with your book with the fireplace going. It’s perfect.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Book Clubs, bookclub, community, friends, locals, Love of Reading, North Castle Public Library, reading, social

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