The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Pleasantville Farmers Market

Send Me A Sign

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Judging time. PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

The privilege of judging a community’s apple pies evokes a deep sense of responsibility! Over 30 were entered into the annual contest at the Pleasantville Farmer’s Market, a town treasure and foodie destination in the county. As one of 11 judges (I joined a good number with ‘real’ culinary experience), I ditched my feelings of inadequacy, drew all my still functioning senses into sharp focus, so that I too could weigh in on which pies stood out the most, both in terms of appearance, basic baking features, and the all-important, TASTE. More info on the winners in the picture captions but the whole community ‘won’ that day for sure, both the contestants and all who purchased and enjoyed apple pie slices for the fundraiser. I was grateful as well to Pleasantville Farmer’s Market Chairman Peter Rogovin for a private tour of the Market, prior to the contest, and look forward to sharing more of what I learned in a future edition.

Pleasantville Farmers Market #ApplePieContest Winners! Best Double Crust pie award to (on right) Jules Putterman from Millwood, NY. Best Single Crust (tart, crumb or crisp) award to Jessica Schlesinger from Norwalk Ct. Junior Chef award to Violet Coppola from Pleasantville! The Friends and Family (board members, interns, employees and their immediate family) pie award went to Eli Neilson-Papish, Pleasantville Farmers Market Intern, also from Pleasantville.  Inside Press Photo

A week earlier, I covered, for a second time, Pleasantville’s now annual ‘Block Party,’ a fun and festive occasion which brought the whole community together for a day of terrific entertainment, tasty treats, a car show, raffles, and more, ever more smiles, that is.

Speaking of smiles… as we headed into press, Briarcliff Manor was also busy planning to hold its first ever Portraits in the Park event by Ann Charles Photography–including a November 20th session in the brilliant fall backdrop near the Low Library, which promised a perfect solution for creating keeper holiday cards and momentos.

Meanwhile, with deadlines looming, I asked God to “Send me a Sign,” so that I could still carve out the time I needed to produce my issues. ‘She’ answered! Because what I got were also multiple ones from Irene Unger who produced the story and gathered pictures about Briarcliff’s eclectic, community bonding and healing collection of signs regularly shared by the Briarcliff Congregational Church and ‘The Sign Lady’ there, Joan Austin.

With PFM Chairman Peter Rogovin
PHOTO BY DONNA MUELLER

Our holiday spotlights this year is a strong nod to anyone struggling this holiday season and to the people who have your back. To that end, we have included in depth features on the Hoarce Greeley Scholarship Fund, 914Cares, Hope’s Door and even the battle to prevent Homelessness in Westchester–in some rare good news, that’s a battle the County, partnering with Westhab, says is being won. We are also grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester for their work, and have helped sponsor their support of our holiday editions, too.

Please note that we won’t be publishing print again until editions mailing in late February when we move to a quarterly schedule.

In the meantime, wishing you and yours a peaceful, love-filled holiday season.

A Briarcliff Manor first time event–Portraits in the Park–has added a session at Low Library on November 20.
ANNCHARLESPHOTO.COM/NOW-BOOKING
Peter Rogovin, PFM’s chairperson instructing 11 judges before the contest evaluating and tasting 31 pies began!  Inside Press Photo

Pleasantville Farmers Market: Turning the Fun Back On

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The Pleasantville Farmers Market is getting its mojo back, with a rich slate of music, kids, culinary, and other events right around the corner.

“We spent the last two years trying to stay open and keep everyone safe,” says Peter Rogovin, president of the community nonprofit Foodchester, which operates the Market. “Many people saw us as the safest way to shop: outdoors, socially distanced, masked, with food direct from farms so minimally handled. We even implemented an online shopping platform to get people in and out quickly and with contactless payment.” 

Now, with the kind of cautious optimism that is appropriate in these times, Rogovin continues, “This spring is a great time to restart the amazing programming and culinary events that helped PFM become a place where so many in the area start their weekend.”  

The market’s live music series will showcase the area’s abundant creative talent to provide a fun and vibrant atmosphere. With 21 dates in total, the music series will start on Memorial Day Weekend (May 28) and will go every Saturday until October 15. 

“Live music and top-notch food–what a fantastic combination,” says Stuart Vance, leader of the Music Committee. “Look out for some very special programs this year.” The market’s music area is located near popular vendors selling pretzels, ice pops, tea and coffee, and more, and there’s a comfortable seating area for the shoppers to enjoy.

Ten reasons to Love, Love, LOVE Pleasantville

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Living in Pocantico Hills with a Pleasantville P.O., parking at the Hawthorne train station and sending your kids to Briarcliff High School is a bit of a geographic conundrum. You don’t really belong to any one town. Pocantico Hills is a school district rather than a town–even the school itself and Stone Barns are technically in Sleepy Hollow.

But living here has turned out to be a geographic bonanza: rather than one town, I claim three, situated as I am almost equidistant between Pleasantville, Briarcliff and Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow. My family and I frequent all three to shop and eat. But the one we visit more than any other for the mundane and the sublime is Pleasantville. Here are ten reasons to love this village.

1. The restaurants keep coming.

For a village of just 7,000, Pleasantville has a remarkably strong collection of dining options. A few of my newer favorites: Pub Street for seafood and salads, Mission Taqueria for tacos and margaritas, Southern Kitchen for, well, southern food, and Dai for its fresh sushi, soups and charming atmosphere. I get the sense Pleasantville residents don’t have a restaurant saturation point, which is good news for those of us who live here. If somebody builds a good one, they will come.

2. The Town Anchor.

I was practically in mourning when Yvonne and Roy decided to sell the Village Bookstore, but I’m thrilled they found an enthusiastic buyer in Jennifer Kohn to keep this gem open and thriving. If you love books, there’s nothing like browsing the aisles, reading the jacket cover and looking for employee recommendations over buying online. It’s also a chance to snub Amazon and more importantly, keep our local retailers in business.

3. The Bounty of the Farm.

I’ve checked out a few other farmers’ markets and maybe I’m biased, but Pleasantville’s Saturday market is something special. The sheer number of choices, the friendly sellers, the music, the quality of produce and the cheese all add up to a singular experience. On Saturdays, my family sits down to “market lunch,” which features three-four cheeses, fresh breads, pickles, salad and sometimes fresh seafood.

4. Mall Avoidance.

We all need to hit the Westchester or the Palisades Center on occasion. And I don’t want to see any of those stores go out of business. But when I have to buy a gift, I stay in town. I like pulling right up, throwing a quarter in the meter and walking into the Glass Onion for jewelry and accessories, Rhododendron for scarves and other women’s gifts, Aardvark for the dog, Kimberly House for baby clothes and scented gifts, Photo Works for a framed photo for the grandparents, and of course back to the Village Bookstore for anyone. Tip: The Pleasantville Pharmacy is a great stop at Christmas for something extra for kids, a pair of earrings, or a hostess gift.

5. You don’t have to go to NYC to see an art film.

What can I say about Jacob Burns except that it’s the jewel of Pleasantville. I hate to go anywhere else to see a movie anymore. And if your kids are interested in film, check out their fantastic after school courses and summer camp.

6. Skate the Old-Fashioned Way.

It’s as fickle as the winter weather, but when it’s open, Opperman’s Pond is an idyllic spot for family ice skating or a game of hockey. Pull up, put your skates on and go. There’s no line, no fee, and no rentals, so bring your own.

7. Architectural Digest.

I live in a mid-century modern home, and I’m not alone. A friend owns one near town where I’ve seen several, and then there’s Usonia, Frank Lloyd Wright’s utopian dream, right here off Bear Ridge Road. If the 1950’s are too new for you, Pleasantville has an impressive stock of Tudors, Victorians and Colonials, particularly the beauties lining Bedford Road that help Pleasantville live up to its name.

8. A True Community Theater.

My daughter did just two productions at Arc Stages during high school–I wish we had enrolled her as a young child. So many kids come back year after year until they go off to college. The people who run Arc Stages are as child-centered as you get. And their approach to musical theater and drama is to choose ensemble productions that give every kid an important role. Their community stage for adults and the variety of professional productions are excellent as well.

9. The Biggest Small Music Festival.

We’re a Clearwater Family, but I’ve got to say, Pleasantville is giving the Croton festival a run for its money when it comes to talent. This year, Everclear, Soul Asylum, Aimee Mann and Matthew Sweet were the featured artists. Every year in July, Parkway Field turns one Saturday into an all-day party. You can bring your kids or leave them home, but there’s something for everyone.

10. Charm.

Pleasantville is oozing in it, and at a time when people do so much ordering online and ordering to go, the village is often busy and alive. Let’s keep it that way. I worry about our small-town retailers dying off. Pleasantville, like so many of our Westchester villages, towns and cities, relies on its residents to be faithful customers. In return, it offers us a charming and bountiful place to call home.