The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Spring

From Cabin Fever to Spring Fever

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Woman Discovers What Kind of Chair She is

By Janine Crowley Haynes

Ah…spring is finally here, but there’s no denying it was one heck of a cold and lonely winter. However, with the help of social media, I survived. Uploading TGIF photos of my dog wearing a Hawaiian lei propped up by a pink mai tai helped to temper my cabin fever. Also, I took up coloring again…as in…coloring in a coloring book. It’s only the first paragraph, so please don’t judge me quite yet.

I know I was not alone in my innocuous endeavors to maintain sanity. Last winter, I noticed a strong uptick of social media postings of crazy cat videos and unlikely interspecies alliances. The Youtube video of the cockatoo feeding individual strands of spaghetti to his canine companion is, not only adorbs, but a metaphorical template for ending world hunger. Also, tagging and sharing anything wine-related was considered a lifesaving ritual that friends did for one another. You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy wine was more than just a platitude; it was a public service announcement for the online adult community. I discovered that the Roman god of wine, Bacchus, is alive, well, and on the internet engineering kitchen faucets flowing with fruity, full-bodied pinot noirs. Now there’s a jobs program. We can build it. We have the technology. Let’s get to work, America.

But nothing kept away my winter blues quite like sipping and clicking. That is, sipping hot cocoa and clicking on the latest online quiz. My index finger robotically clicked on teasers like Let’s Play! and Take this Quiz!.…I mean, come on, who doesn’t want to know what kind of dog they’d be? Most of my friends are golden retrievers and German shepherds. I happen to be a husky, playful but tends to disappear for days at a time. Days is an understatement–I disappeared for an entire winter. I burrowed beneath the frozen layers of snow and nestled warmly in the cyber bosom of self-discovery. I suckled on the teet of BuzzFeed and PlayBuzz quizzes till my belly was full and my mind ripe with fantastical notions of who I really am.

Who knew the definition of an alternative lifestyle could be extended to life as an inanimate object? Isn’t everyone just the slightest bit curious about what piece of furniture they’d be? I’m an upholstered wingback armchair. Translation: I’m comfortably sophisticated and often found next to fireplaces. This is how I project myself in the world. It pleases me to know I’m not a beer-stained barcalounger with mystery meat rotting beneath my cushions, begging the question, “Dude, what’s that smell?” Ahem…FYI, I’ve been tested and actually smell like lavender which makes people feel relaxed in my presence. This is consistent with my purple aura results. Defining myself by my hue is not shallow–it’s cool and pairs nicely with my hippie name, Blossom, and my musical note, G.

Interestingly, from the countless hours of quiz taking, a pattern definitely emerged. A pattern of relaxed 
sophistication, and I’m comfortable with that label. Speaking of labels, PlayBuzz told me if I were a suit, I’d be Jennifer Aniston’s Gucci scarlet red tuxedo–shirt optional. This is serendipitous because I also got Rachel in Which Friends Character Are You? quiz…and…and…I scored Bradley Cooper as a celebrity husband, who was Jen’s onscreen hubby in the movie He’s Just Not That Into You….Crazy, right? Not me, silly, my results. Coincidence? I think not. Jen and I are practically twins.

Sure, I could’ve spent the winter baking decadent red velvet cupcakes, which PlayBuzz reveals is my confectionery makeup, but nothing fed my soul quite like esteem-building scrumptious morsels of self-discovery. The brilliance of these quizzes is that you can never really be wrong, only alike or unalike from your friends’ results. For example, invisibility and flying–both awesome superpowers, just different. Cinderella and Elsa–equally respectable Disney princesses, just different journeys.

So, I’d say this winter, albeit long, was kind of a productive cerebral season for me. I’ve come away with plenty of insights, at least, enough to write this bizarro essay. Now that it’s spring, I can head back into the woods for my daily walks fully aware of what kind of woodland creature I’d be. After reading this, you might be thinking I’m a real piece of work, and you’d be correct. I happen to be the famous painting At the Moulin Rouge because, like Toulouse-Lautrec, I seek out alternative crowds and, apparently, alternative thinking. What piece of work are you? Go to PlayBuzz and take the quiz!  

Janine Crowley Haynes is the author of My Kind of Crazy–Living in a Bipolar World.

Of Flowers, Mom and Memories

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flowerbarMay. It’s a month we all know and love for flowers (thank you, April Showers), and know and love too for that special day each year when many of us bring or send those flowers to Mom! Yes, May is famous for our celebration of flowers and women. Quite the dynamic duo.

Maybe it all starts with celebratory flowers when baby is born. Before long, those babes are starfish-fingered pre-schoolers earnestly drawing flowers with fat crayons and all their love. Mommy is their world. A little older, a little more independent, elementary school-aged children and pre-teens still sign their cards with hearts and flowers. But they’re, perhaps, a little more careful when they color, trying hard to stay inside the lines on their construction paper while testing lines and boundaries elsewhere. Mom may be cool one day, annoying the next. Teen years are a challenge for most parents–forget flowers, moms are often just grateful to be given the time of day! But, come college and after, smiles return. And so do the flowers. Circle of life stuff, my friends.

From my slightly clichéd meditations on motherhood above, to others’ somewhat more provocative inferences regarding women and flowers, connections between the two abound. Christian Dior is quoted as saying After women, flowers are the most divine creations. And who has not blushed, even slightly, at Georgia O’Keeffe’s resplendently feminine floral paintings?

Extending the metaphor, I suggest you think of this issue of Inside Armonk as a hothouse for exceptional blooms! Yes, the women we highlight on our cover and inside the issue are each unique and special. They’re mothers, daughters, sisters, wives. They’re friends, they’re co-workers, they’re women of courage, inspirational yet often very humble about all they’ve done and all they do.

In fact, speaking of our cover story, who doesn’t love a hero? Or, in this case, four dashing local SHEroes! Volunteers all, these wonder women serve in Armonk’s combined fire and ambulance service (one of only nine such combined services in the county) with the singular goal of helping others. They may not leap tall buildings in a single bound, but then again, they’re not comic book characters, but, rather, the real deal! And that’s our kind of superhero. All hail!

Helping others was young Arielle Levy’s goal too. As she prepared to become a Bat Mitzvah (that milestone event in a Jewish girl’s life as she transitions to adulthood), this graceful young woman decided that her lifelong love of dance could serve as a lifeline to others less fortunate. She gave of herself, and asked others to give on her behalf, as she worked with local schools to help create and sustain a dance program for children with special needs.

Treasures Thrift Shop volunteers are a committed crew too. Their purpose? To re-purpose clothing, jewelry, furniture, books, dvds and useful and decorative household items. A fixture in town since 1968, this St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church fundraising shop is a regular stop for so many. From those-in-the-know locals to antiques dealers who come often from far and wide, people hope to discover hidden treasure at Treasures. And very often, they do.

What else? Well, let’s not forget that May is also the month in which we honor, salute and celebrate the men and women who serve and have served our country. The stars and stripes fly high as American Legion Post 1097 hosts the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. The Byram Hills High School band plays patriotic music, names of memorialized soldiers are read, wreaths are laid and an invited speaker shares insightful thoughts and stories. It’s a moving and memorable event and all are most welcome to attend and show support.

Speaking of memorial observances, I too pause and reflect as this holiday approaches. Two years ago, I lost my father right after Memorial Day. A veteran, as well as a man who fought a brilliant fight against the horribly debilitating disease Parkinson’s, dad was inspirational to the end.

So, as we head into May, and its alliterative M-holidays, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, I want to wish everyone a marvelous month! Tell mom how much you love and appreciate her. If you’re having trouble finding just the right card, may I suggest turning to our Et Cetera page and taking a tip from Dan Levitz’s homage to his mom. Even if you’re not inspired to put pen to paper (or tap a keyboard on your preferred device), at the very least I promise you’ll smile. And sharing a smile is as great a gift as any. Especially if you bring flowers too.

Peace, Beth

May Flowers

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Beth Besen
Beth Besen

May. It’s a month we all know and love for flowers (thank you, April Showers), and know and love too for that special day each year when many of us bring or send those flowers to Mom! Yes, May is famous for our celebration of flowers and women.

Maybe it all starts with celebratory flowers when baby is born. Before long, those babes are starfish-fingered pre-schoolers earnestly drawing flowers with fat crayons and all their love. Mommy is their world. A little older, a little more independent, elementary school-aged children and pre-teens still sign their cards with hearts and flowers. But they’re, perhaps, a little more careful when they color, trying hard to stay inside the lines on their construction paper while testing lines and boundaries elsewhere. Mom may be cool one day, annoying the next. Teen years are a challenge for most parents–forget flowers, moms are often just grateful to be given the time of day! But, come college and after, smiles return. And so do the flowers.

From my slightly clichéd meditations on motherhood, to others’ somewhat more provocative inferences regarding women and flowers, connections between the two abound. Christian Dior is quoted as saying After women, flowers are the most divine creations. And who has not blushed, even slightly, at 
Georgia O’Keeffe’s resplendently 
feminine floral paintings? Extending the metaphor, I suggest you think of this issue of Inside Chappaqua as a hothouse for exceptionally beautiful blooms! Yes, the women we highlight are each unique and special. They’re mothers, daughters, sisters, wives. They’re friends, they’re co-workers, they’re inspirational yet often very humble about all they’ve done and all they do.

In fact, speaking of Georgias, our cover girl is none other than Georgia Hobaica Frasch. Known to many as the behind-the-scenes face of the Chappaqua Moms facebook group, Georgia sits down in her beautifully restored, turn-of-the-last-century home with none other than our very own Grace Bennett. These two powerhouse women discuss and dish all, from Georgia’s humble childhood to her fashionista career to her busy life here in the ‘burbs. Talk about an Inside story!

As powerful women go, few can keep up with Robin Murphy! A wearer of many hats, she’s a whirlwind of activity; tending her children or her upstate home’s animals, supervising her cleaning industry staff and, lately, overseeing the busy weekly orders of the Wholeshare Group she founded. In fact, I barely caught Robin in time to make this issue’s deadline–she was busy as usual; this time, she explained with much joy, leaving for her first real vacation in over ten years!

The list continues with the incomparable Varda Singer. A longtime resident and business owner, Varda is as well-known for her distinctive personal beauty and style as she is for her stylish and beautiful jewelry designs and welcoming boutique. We share her story, photos and some mom wisdom too–A mom is a mom forever. Your children depend on you whether they’re three years old or forty years old.–in a profile piece you simply won’t want to miss.

We also meet New Castle’s new Historical Society Executive Director, Cassie Ward. Cassie comes to us from National Park Services in Washington DC and Virginia’s 400-acre Longbranch Plantation. What’s more, she comes with an engaging enthusiasm and passion to energize the NCHS with new and exciting ideas for community projects and involvement.

Often the most moving stories resonate because they come from a place we can all relate to–a need fulfilled. One such remarkable tale is that of Girl AGain, the brainstorm boutique born of Marjorie Madfis’s desire to help her autistic daughter find happiness, comfort and learning. Modeled on the American Girl Doll store in Manhattan, it’s a very special place for those with special needs.

What else? Plenty! Let’s not forget that May is also the month in which we honor the men and women who serve and have served our country. The stars and stripes fly high above marchers and wave proudly from sidelines during Chappaqua’s Memorial Day Parade. The annual event boasts famous names and service corps members, school bands, scout troops and others. It’s always a great day to come on down to town and show community support and spirit in addition to national patriotism.

Another highlight–Penny Vane, beloved by so many and from such wide and varied circles, is also remembered and celebrated with stories and photos that share her vibrant life with the rest of us here in town.

Speaking of memorial observances, I too pause and reflect as this holiday approaches. Two years ago, I lost my father right after Memorial Day. A veteran, as well as a man who fought a brilliant fight against the horribly debilitating disease Parkinson’s, dad was inspirational to the end.

One of my favorite songs as a young girl was the folksong Where Have All the Flowers Gone? On a loop in my head as I sign off this issue, I wish everyone a May filled with peace, love and flowers to every purpose.

Breathe and enjoy,

Letting Stories SPRING Forth

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IC-Cover-shotOverheard somewhere recently: “Books are TV for smart people.” Now, before some of you start patting yourselves on the back, while others of you get your backs up and come looking for me, please remember I wrote that I overheard this somewhere recently. I’m neither espousing nor taking issue with it. It’s glib. It makes a great sound bite. But, is it true? Is it fair? Which books? And what TV? Certainly, there are books that TV could never and should never touch, but, then again–and especially in recent years– there are also some terrific TV shows out there that are light-years away from the formulaic and proverbial “idiot box” offerings.

A former college French major, I’ve read some big and, classically considered important, works (Hugo, Montaigne, Racine, Stendhal, Flaubert, Balzac to name a few). I’ve read them in the original language and, sometimes and simultaneously, I’ve read them in translation as well. The stories –events, characters, themes–carry through in both languages. To be sure, one finds little slips here and there; a funny word, a missed turn of phrase, a soupçon of slightly altered attitude. As a language student, I appreciate the differences and enjoy noting them. But, for many people, such nuances are unremarkable. The significant thing–the overall message–comes through loud and clear.

By extension, can we not say the same about any and all storytelling, language and media? The story comes first! The medium matters, but it’s secondary. And ever fluid. We’re thrilled to continue to put out print publications, and very much appreciate all the positive feedback for our efforts. Realizing that some stories play better in social media format, we’ve ramped up our online presence as well. However delivered, we truly believe in putting the story first–communication is a beautiful thing!

For the purposes of this–our Spring Awakenings print issue–I’d like to suggest a comfy space and place that need include neither desk nor lap. No cords or batteries required either. Breathe deeply. You can almost smell the ink. Enjoy the feel of the lovely paper stock, the sound of flipping pages. There’s something special about a hard copy magazine, no doubt about it. Not saying it’s better. Just saying it’s something considerable. We’re proud to bring you a fresh look at the everyday world around us through stories shared page by printed page…

For example, please consider our article on Habitat for Humanity. Before you turn to page six, what are your expectations? A feel-good story about volunteering? Sure, we’ve got that covered. But we also suggest that things could be better, and more could and should be done by all of us right here at home. Let’s do as Voltaire famously penned in 

Candide–il faut cultiver notre jardin–and take care of our own.

I do mean that, and sans the usually-ascribed sarcasm. Perhaps it’s the optimistic “hope springs eternal” season upon us. But why not choose to cultivate our immediate garden; our literal and figurative backyards? Why not make things the best they can be right here at home?

Certainly, that’s what some young men in Armonk and Chappaqua did when they came together for the love of sport and sportsmanship. When you read “Armonk Warriors Welcome Chappaqua Players for a Dream Season,” it’s impossible not to feel optimistically inspired! Bravo to the players, parents and coaches who made a significant difference and saw some dreams come true in the process.

Speaking of parents who make a difference, I want to give a shout out to local mom and practicing psychologist Benna Strober who shares both her professional expertise and a personal story with us in “When it’s Time to Let Go.” Helicopter parenting is neither new nor, especially in communities like ours, newsworthy, but this self-described and real-life application of control may help others make the decision to roll out their own landing gear.

When it comes to applause, let’s also give it up for the many talented local folk who act, sing, dance, direct, costume, create sets, design lights and sound–in other words, cheers for our community theatre groups! We discuss how they came to be, the creative energies that continue inform the companies and the best way to see or become involved with productions in “The Show Must Go On.”

And the art of narrative must go on too. Start a conversation with your friends, open a discussion with your family. Tell us what you think! We love your emails, notes and online posts, so please keep the lines of communication open and flowing.

Happy Spring, everyone –