outdoors

Take it Outdoors: The Zen and Safety of Patios and Decks

April 2, 2021 by Marianne Campolongo

As the weather gets warmer, our thoughts turn to the outdoors, this year perhaps more than ever. Our yards have become an extension of our work from home office, an oasis to chill out and relax, and a safe space to visit with friends and family. Last summer, my hammock was a spot to unwind, contemplate my garden and my future, as well as a comfortable place to use my laptop or read a book. When the sun got too strong, I moved to the table, adjusting the umbrella to give me needed shade. These simple amenities made such a difference.

Adding a patio or deck with more room for outdoor seating is the ticket to making the most of your yard, whether for your private enjoyment or as a space for entertaining. A patio or deck is a “great place to sit and have drinks and talk. It’s very convivial,” says Sandy Bueti of Bueti Brothers, Inc. “You can socially distance, set up separate tables. Even elderly people can feel comfortable. You also don’t have to worry about ticks, so it’s an advantage over lying on your lawn.”

Last year, “because people were spending a lot more time at home, there was a big uptick in demand for decking,” says Donald LeBlanc of Just Decks in Pleasantville. “Manufacturing slowed down, so we had to be creative in getting materials. The demand exceeded the supply, and prices of materials were phenomenal, out of control.” Still, this did not deter most people from adding welcome outdoor spaces. He is hopeful raw material costs will come down this year.

Trends in decking are changing, with cedar decks becoming a thing of the past, replaced by easy to maintain composites or “very high end exotic hardwoods such as mahogany, ipe and palolape, ” said LeBlanc. Neither ipe, from South America, nor palolape from Asia “need any maintenance unless you’re trying to maintain the color,” he said. Mahogany, while beautiful, varies in grade and requires substantial maintenance. His company uses only sustainably harvested woods.

Both Bueti and Le Blanc caution that decks and patios are subject to setback and other requirements, so you should work with a licensed contractor who can help you acquire all needed permits.

They also recommend starting projects as early in the year as possible, especially given the increased demand.

Fire pits are continuing to grow in popularity. Whether you opt for a one-of-a-kind model hand built by a mason or a ready-made metal portable model, either provides a fun spot for the entire family to roast marshmallows and make those time-honored treats, s’mores. They also keep you warm come fall, extending the outdoor season.

Another way to extend the season is with a screened porch, says Bueti, particularly if you add a fireplace. Screened porches are also welcome in the hot summer months when mosquitos are biting. He joked that when you are out on a screened porch, it can be hard to get company to leave, “Hours go by, you feel so protected,” he said. These days, as we edge closer to normal life, that’s a welcome problem to have.

Exploring New Castle’s Great Outdoors

November 17, 2019 by Inside Press

One of New Castle’s greatest draws is its natural beauty with its very own network of parks and sanctuaries–a glorious 549 acres of parkland spread across seven separate parks and two preserves. Town parks and preserves include Amsterdam, Burden, Gedney, Glazier, Millwood Park, Recreation Field, Sunny Ridge, Warburg, and Whippoorwill, with facilities including hiking trails, ball fields, and playgrounds.
Parks ideal for walking, exercise, and quality time with family, friends or your canine pal include Gedney, Whippoorwill and Millwood parks. Gorgeous Gedney (many call it ‘Chappaqua’s Jewel’) is especially popular for dog walking along its beautiful pond, where you might spot a turtle swimming along with ducks and swans. It also has a year round comfort station, a popular children’s playground, plus hills families love for snow days sledding! Millwood Park is a popular haven too with a sprawling ballfield, two tennis courts, and a playground area.

And whether you are rollerblading or just looking for the perfect place to push a stroller, your best best is the 26-mile North Country Trailway maintained by the Westchester County Department of Parks. A popular section of the trail starts in Millwood. Public parking is just off Route 133, near Millwood Town Plaza. Take the well paved path north to the trailway bridge where you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty. Walkers, bikers, hikers and in line skaters are all welcome. Use caution where the road crosses public roads. For trail maps and parking information, visit westchestergov.com

In addition, The Saw Mill River Audubon Society maintains eight local wildlife sanctuaries. Trail maps are posted at each site and the trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Two in particular, Pruyn Sanctuary and Pinecliff Sanctuary, are ideal for a leisurely country walk. The Pruyn Sanctuary (pronounced Prine), 92 acres off Route 133, has three miles of wide open trails. Public Parking is available at both entrances, the garden entrance at the Pruyn home (off Route 133, two miles east of Millwood or just before the train entrance at the end of Woodmill Road. Following the Fern and Pruyn trails will take you on a dirt road with sections of boardwalk through a pond, arboretum, and a butterfly and hummingbird garden. There’s enough terrain change to make this an interesting walk requiring moderate endurance. The Pinecliff Sanctuary is at the end of Pinecliff Road in Chappaqua. It offers a quarter mile of wheelchair accessible boardwalk–allowing everyone the chance to experience nature. Benches and interpretive signs dot the path taking you through a pond and red maple swamp, an especially rich habitat of local birds. Stroll through in ten minutes or repeat the loop, or try the additional half mile of upland trails which connect to the boardwalk. sawmillriveraudubon.org

Sources: New Castle Recreation & Parks Department, The Saw Mill River Audubon Society and the Westchester County Department of Parks.

Planting a Farmer’s Market… One Neighborhood at a Time

May 31, 2019 by Miriam Longobardi

Amidst a brisk March wind, vendors at the Down-to-Earth Farmer’s Market in Ossining greet regulars by name, showcase new products and make tailored recommendations. One of the few Farmer’s Markets open outdoors year-round, rain or shine, the rapport between customers and vendors is apparent.

Miriam Haas, the market’s founder, walks around, shopping and chatting with people. In the late 1980s,, Haas and a group of women ran a food co-op but wished there was fresh produce more locally available.

After researching local farms and working with the Ossining Chamber of Commerce, the first Farmer’s Market was finally launched. In 1991, on a small patch of lawn in the downtown area in Ossining; two farmers set out their wares and the Down-to-Earth Farmer’s Market opened for business!

The second year there were three vendors, and by year five, Hass received an award from the Chamber of Commerce for bringing people and economic development to the downtown area.

Once their own local market was thriving, Hass began to bring farmer’s markets to other nearby towns such as Pleasantville, Hastings, Piermont, Tarrytown and Bronxville, to name a few. Soon ever more towns began reaching out to Haas to help them start their own markets.

“Community markets revitalize downtown areas. People meet and discuss recipes. It’s a very friendly environment,” Haas says. This is evident as she smiles, nods hellos and waves to people while we chat.

Soon communities from outside Westchester County reached out to her and she helped found three markets in Manhattan: Hudson Yards, Chelsea and Morningside Park as well as two each in Brooklyn and Queens. In total she has founded around 14 farmer’s markets. “I guess I’m like the Johnny Appleseed of farmer’s markets,” she jokes.

Dakotah Russo, Director of Marketing for the Down-to-Earth Farmer’s Market, notes that more recently the growth of farmer’s markets trend nationwide has slowed. “There was a time when everyone wanted one in their town,” she notes. “Many towns now have one and the need is not as great.” Still, the markets that are already out there do very well. “Our vendors respond to what people around here want. Different towns want different products. It’s not a bazaar. It is tailored to what people are buying”, Russo reports.

Beauty of Outdoors

Being outdoors year-round is a big draw as people maintain their shopping routines without driving to a different location. They tried holding the market indoors at one point, but vendors preferred to be outside despite variable weather. It is easy for people to pull up and shop.

During the winter months they still have vegetables, pasteurized meats and fish among other other staples, such as pickle and bread stands. There is often live music in the winter as well. During the summer months, harvests are bigger and the vendor mix expands with upwards of twenty vendors.

The market’s summer season officially kicks off May 11th. The hours are 8:30-1:00. There are café tables, live music or a DJ, and the atmosphere is festive. After 28 years, the Down-to-Earth Market continues to grow and thrive. For information and recipes, please visit their website: downtoearthmarkets.com

Hands on Opportunity at Westmoreland Sanctuary’s Floral Lecture & Workshop Series

April 30, 2017 by Inside Press

Five Events are Planned

As part of its 60^th Anniversary celebration, Westmoreland Sanctuary is honored to announce its 2017 Floral Lecture & Workshop Series. This series is comprised of five different events for the enjoyment and hands-on involvement of the general public to better identify invasive plant species while creating and customizing floral arrangements to take home for display. Registration is now open for the first event, Early Spring Blooms, which takes place at Westmoreland Sanctuary, located at 260 Chestnut Ridge Road in Mt. Kiso, on Thursday, May 11^th. Residents can register online at www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org or by calling 914.666.8448.

Early Spring Blooms, a two-hour lecture and workshop starting at 10:00am on May 11^th, features two prominent specialists in their respective fields. Nadia Ghannam, Floral Artist with a BFA from Cornell University, will spearhead the workshop portion by demonstrating a creative seasonal mix of spring floral designs. Participants then create their very own arrangements to take home. Steve Ricker, Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management at Westmoreland Sanctuary for 25 years, is also an invasive plant specialist who will discuss ways to identify and properly dispose of invasives that may negatively impact one’s home garden or property.

Ann Paul, Director of Westmoreland Sanctuary, stated, “We’re thrilled to offer the community our annual Floral Workshop & Lecture Series that any flower enthusiast or local garden club member would enjoy and appreciate. Every year, unwelcome plant and animal species come into our area through New York City ports which threaten our native wildlife. While part of the series will address the identification, understanding and proper eradication of these invasives, it also embraces the beauty of various seasonal flowers and allows for attendees to customize their very own arrangements to proudly display at home. This is part of our mission to finds new ways Westmoreland Sanctuary may continue to enrich, enhance and educate so the joy of being outdoors with nature can be more fully appreciated,” Ms. Paul concluded.

The remaining four Floral Lecture & Workshop Series dates and themes are as follows: June 8^th is Flower Potluck (bring your own flowers, twigs, weeds and vines from your garden and we’ll supply the rest; lecture by Tim Stanley); August 3^rd is Foraged Flowers (locally foraged summer flowers arranged in Bell Jars); September 21^st is Late Summer Bouquets (create late summer bouquets as seasons’ switch); December 7^th is Winterscapes (designing your own holiday wreath and tablescape; lecture by Glenn Ticehurst). WAG Magazine and Halstead Quinn are proud sponsors of the entire Floral Lecture & Workshop Series.

About Westmoreland Sanctuary

Westmoreland Sanctuary is a Nature Center & Wildlife Preserve founded 60 years ago through the vision of philanthropist Helen Clay Frick, daughter of Henry Clay Frick. An initial contribution of 30 acres in 1957 has since grown to 640 acres of beautiful contiguous, preserved land today – for free public use – with some of the finest hiking trails and outdoor vistas offered anywhere in Westchester County.

As a non-profit charity organization, Westmoreland Sanctuary’s mission is to secure and preserve land for the enjoyment and enrichment of all through Environmental Education and Conservation Programs. Westmoreland celebrates 60 years of conservation, preservation and appreciation of nature throughout 2017. To learn more about our Anniversary, Environmental Educational programs along with important Conservation initiatives… or to make a Donation, please visit: www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org

Fun for all at First Thursday

September 1, 2015 by The Inside Press

By Sarah Jane Weill

This summer, on the first Thursday of every month Armonk Square comes alive with fun, laughter, and dancing. These nights are appropriately called First Thursday, an event designed by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce to offer “art, music, in-store promotion, dining, wine tastings and more” for the Armonk community and its residents. A First Thursday night, lasting from 5-9 p.m., has occurred in June, July, and August so far. The last one will take place on September 3rd.

With the newly built Armonk Square, the town now has the opportunity to host even more exciting events. “The Chamber had been working to bring some distinctive events to town with the intent to bring more business to the businesses,” explains Armonk Chamber of Commerce President Neal Schwartz. Therefore, the creation of First Thursday seemed a great way to combine Armonk’s wide variety of restaurants with music and art for a whole evening of activity that would appeal to residents and benefit business. “First Thursday was a natural fit during the warmer summer months,” he adds when comparing it to some of the Chamber’s other popular events such as Frosty Day, a Cider and Donut Festival, and Citizen of the Year golf outing and dinners.

So far, it seems that First Thursday is working out great. “Overall the merchants are very happy with the launch of First Thursday this year,” says Schwartz. “All had customers that came in because of First Thursday.” This past First Thursday on Aug. 6th was no exception. “First Thursday was a gutsy move during the summer, when so many students and parents are literally out of town. But, to our delight, this past First Thursday had more attendees and a constant flow of families with strollers and dog walkers; crystal clear indicators that these [visits to the event] were planned in advance,” Schwartz reports.

Visiting the August First Thursday, there was no doubt as to the great success of this event. These are events for all. People can come and go as they please, enjoying the festivities in their own way. Indeed, there is a range of people in the square during the First Thursday: some people are milling about, circling the town, doing errands or going to dinner. Other people are sitting on benches, talking among themselves or just listening to the music, taking in the evening slowly. Waves of more and more people come throughout the night, assuring that the square was never empty during First Thursday.

“I think it’s a great community builder and great that the merchants buy into it. It’s something to do,” Armonk resident Barbara Reiter says as she describes how she thinks First Thursday has added to the community. “Look at all the little kids” she continues, nodding to a group of adorable kids dancing with pure delight in the middle of the square, “when my kids were little I wish they did this!”

Indeed, this is a perfect atmosphere for families. The whole center of the square is filled with thrilled young children: all running around, dancing up close and personal with the live musicians, their faces sticky with frozen yogurt. For them, it seems, this is a perfect opportunity to release that final bit of energy coursing through their veins after a day at camp or playing with friends. Also, this past First Thursday there was a juggling stilt-walker, who turned out to be great entertainment for children, and people, of all ages.

Just think–this great success has only been achieved in three nights of First Thursday. Looking forward, the possibilities to expand and strengthen the event are numerous. “We know it takes time to further develop First Thursday, but our start in 2015 has been great,” Schwartz concludes when addressing what the future might hold for First Thursday. “We plan on adding more Armonk talent to First Thursday and more art in 2016,” he added.

The effort to put on a successful event like this is enormous, and it shows. Those behind it: Robby Morris, Stacy Wilder, and plenty of others, truly worked hard to create an event that would draw people out of their homes to enjoy all that small town life has to offer while promoting local business. Indeed, all of the necessary ingredients came together in crafting this event. It’s a wonderful way to spend the waning hours of a hot summer’s Thursday, and we can’t wait for the next one.

Sarah Jane Weill attends Bowdoin College. She is a member of the Horace Greeley Class of 2014.