The Inside Press

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Local Faces Campaign Emphasizes Positivity, Loyalty and Shopping Local

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A photo campaign this summer is intended to help spread positivity, loyalty and shopping local in our community. Culminating in a gallery exhibit, the campaign aims to connect residents of the community with the faces behind our local stores and businesses. Photographed by Carolyn Simpson, Doublevision Photographers. doublevisionphotographers.com  Here are just a few faces in the campaign. Can you name these faces? The gallery show with the final images of everyone who was photographed will take place on September 15, 6-9 p.m. at Chappaqua’s hip-kid lounge, 77 South Greeley Ave.

Supporting our Local Merchants

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dawn greenberg w ice creamdawn rosen 2 Welcome to Chappaqua-Millwood’s ever-evolving and prospering business community! The Town of New Castle is comprised of a highly intelligent mix of creative, exciting and enterprising minds and individuals, families and partnerships with thriving businesses of all sizes and in all categories who are members of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

Many Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber members have built and grown their businesses through effective networking, productive collaborations and professional skill-building with businesspeople residing or doing business in the Town of New Castle (Chappaqua-Millwood), as well as neighboring towns in Westchester County. The potential is here for you–and opportunities abound through active participation and membership in the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce.

The new Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce members. Back row, left to right: Jeff Rocco, Dawn Greenberg (Executive Director), Dawn Dankner-Rosen (President), Carolyn Vento, Bernadette Bloom Front row, left to right: Dominique Simons, Collin Slattery, Lauren Levin, Nicole Hair.
The new Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce members. Back row, left to right: Jeff Rocco, Dawn Greenberg (Executive Director), Dawn Dankner-Rosen (President), Carolyn Vento, Bernadette Bloom Front row, left to right: Dominique Simons, Collin Slattery, Lauren Levin, Nicole Hair.

Our mission is to foster the success of any business that aims to serve Town of New Castle residents. To fulfill this mission, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber creates programs and initiatives that inform and educate, as well support and facilitate connections within the town and the community. Our members report that the skills, exposure and contacts gained through membership in the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber have enabled them to start and expand new business ventures that may not have otherwise happened.

Among the many benefits of membership, we provide a host of member services all aiming to build your business including: a full listing and description of your business (including your logo) on our website; member-to-member discounts, educational programs and seminars, key networking events; special business-community activities, events and parties; and important business-town advocacy efforts.

In addition, we make it a priority to promote greater awareness and enthusiasm for anyone who does business here. Our intensive efforts on behalf of your business include online, written and word-of-mouth communications between your business and the community, as well as your business and the town government via social media, traditional media, grass roots marketing and special events.

We are here to help.

PrintSincerely,

Dawn Dankner-Rosen

President

Dawn Evans Greenberg

Executive Director

 

Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Annual Highlights

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

beautiful day at the libraryHeld annually every April, this “getting-to-you-know” event is a great way for local residents and families to come together and meet town officials, first responders, shopkeepers, merchants and other neighbors in a fun-filled day, complete with special treats, programs and projects. The afternoon also features a live musical performance, and local restaurants cater a lunch for all participants to enjoy. This is one event not to be missed!

 

 

Millwood Movie Nights

jungle bookHeld every Friday evening in June in Millwood Park (next to Rocky’s Deli), Millwood Movie Nights are a great way for families to come together, eat popcorn, and enjoy a cool summer night under the stars. Past films shown have included E. T., The Lego Movie, Ghostbusters, Despicable Me 2 and in 2015, The Jungle Book. Admission is free, and screenings begin at dusk each week (approximately 8:30pm). The event is sponsored by the Town of New Castle Recreation and Parks Department with area merchant support.

 

 

Chappaqua Sidewalk Sale

Sidewalk Sales pic groupHeld annually every summer, the Sidewalk Sale is a New Castle tradition! Merchants in downtown Chappaqua line King Street and South Greeley Avenue with their merchandise, available for sale at great discount prices. A fun-filled day for all! For more information, search the ChappaquaSidewalkSale on Facebook.

 

 

Summer Concert Series

summer concert seriesCo-sponsored by the Town of New Castle Recreation and Parks Department, the Summer Concert Series brings families together to celebrate community and listen to great music. The series takes place every Wednesday evening in July, with a different band or musical group performing each week. Past groups have included local favorites Tramps Like Us, the Don Dupont Big Band, a Neil Diamond cover band, and the Chappaqua Orchestra. Amid the music, local food and ice cream vendors are also on hand to serve up some treats, and kids can play in the “Kid’s Corner,” which features various arts and crafts, an obstacle course, and a bouncy castle. The series is held in the
gazebo at Recreation Field on South Greeley Avenue.

Shop Local, Chamber of Commerce Unites Residents and Merchants

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Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales. Carlyn Simpson Photo*
Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales.
Carlyn Simpson Photo*

By Paige Schoenberg

What do a restaurant, a preschool, a clothing retailer, and a dentist have in common? All are members of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, a local association that aims to bring together New Castle businesses and the community.

The Chamber was founded just over one year ago in 2012 by Rob Greenstein and Christine Yeres, who hoped to help local merchants expand their businesses while at the same time creating a sense of community that many felt had begun to fade over the years. When the Chamber was first formed, only a few of the town’s many businesses were members. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Chamber Board, that number has grown to include over 170 diverse local enterprises

A Community-Minded Mission       

The Chamber supports these and other establishments with the “Shop Local” initiative, which encourages residents to shop at smaller stores in Chappaqua and Millwood instead of at big-box chains. This helps merchants by increasing revenue and benefits customers by providing a unique, personalized shopping experience that cannot be found at larger retailers. As part of their plan to boost the local economy, the Chamber promotes the 3/50 Project, which reinforces the economic benefits of shopping locally. For every dollar spent at a local store, more money is returned to the community than would be if that money was spent elsewhere.

Of every $100 spent locally, $68 comes back to the town through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures, as compared to only $43 for every $100 spent in a national chain.

The Chamber also participates in the American Express Small Business Saturday, a nationwide program advocating the importance of supporting small businesses.

The program, which provides free marketing materials for merchants, is run by the American Express Company and backed by corporations such as Facebook, Twitter, and FedEx.

Helping Business and the Community Thrive Together       

One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer. © Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe
One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer.
© Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

These campaigns are important to revitalize the local economy, but the Chamber recognizes that creating a sense of community is of equal value. To achieve their goal of making local businesses a part of the greater community, the Chamber has held several events, designed to increase spirit and bring residents into stores and restaurants. Recent events include the first annual Tails to Trails pet fair in Millwood, sponsored by Drug Mart and the Millwood Animal Hospital, and the May Madness Sweepstakes, which gave customers a chance to win one of four iPad minis by registering at participating merchants. Free family-friendly movies were shown in Millwood Park on Friday nights in June and July.

During July, the Chamber worked with the New Castle Recreation and Parks Department to host the Summer Concert Series, which featured the Chappaqua Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond cover bands, and local food vendors were on hand to provide refreshments.

The Chamber hopes that these kinds of larger events, in addition to the popular Sidewalk Sales in late July, will draw crowds from the surrounding area as well.

Ready for a Busy Fall       

New Castle residents have several upcoming events to look forward to. In October, the Chamber will organize its second annual Fall Festival in downtown Chappaqua. Planned activities include pie-baking and doughnut-eating contests, hayrides, and food tastings by local restaurants. Stores will sponsor activities, and merchandise will be available for purchase. The Chamber will be running a Community Day table to highlight future happenings.

Two returning events, the Taste of Chappaqua and the Holiday Stroll, will take place in November or early December. Last year’s Holiday Stroll featured carolers, ice sculptures, and refreshments as part of a joint event with the New Castle Historical Society’s annual tree lighting, at which the Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir and the Chappaqua Orchestra performed.

Residents can also expect new lighted snowflakes in time for the holidays, which will add a bit of winter sparkle to the Rt. 120 bridge and throughout the downtown area.

The decorations are part of a combined effort with the New Castle Beautification Advisory Board to boost foot traffic by improving the appearance of Chappaqua’s downtown area.

Chappaqua Fall Festival Apple Pie Contest
Chappaqua Fall Festival Apple Pie Contest

The Chamber actively participates in town matters and encourages residents to get involved. Currently, the Chamber posts a weekly ChamberChat on the New Castle NOW website to publicize town meetings and community activities, as well as special promotions from merchants. The Chamber also sends updates through email blasts and the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. An independent Chamber website and mobile app is in the works.

zoo bookPaige Schoenberg is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Put Me in the Zoo.

*Editor’s Note: Carolyn Simpson of Doublevision Photographers graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Photography. Through her lens she has photographed many things, from the cobblestoned streets of Italy to the smiling faces of families at holiday time. With  over 20 years of experience, Carolyn strives to always capture the essence of the moment. She specializes in Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Portraits and Architecture Photography.