The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Stacey Pfeffer

Celebrating Grit & Resilience

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When I think back to my 9th grade journalism class, I still remember my teacher saying that “everybody has a story to tell–you just have to ask the right questions, sit back and listen.” Her advice still rings true today. Because we live in affluent communities in a prosperous time, people often think that all is copasetic here in bucolic Northern Westchester but everyone has their struggles. Sure, some are bigger than other’s but it’s all relative.

This issue features many stories focusing on grit and resilience. As a first generation American, Anna Young’s article on refugees coming to our shore despite dangerous circumstances with very limited support resonates deeply with me. Thankfully there are local residents doing amazing acts of kindness to help them resettle.

Anyone who has ever suffered from a serious illness knows how it can impact the entire family. Gilda’s Club of Westchester is offering support workshops for bereaving parents and children. Plus, as Beth Besen’s article points out they are starting new support groups for anyone undergoing treatment for cancer at the Bedford Playhouse.

Sometimes a story sticks with you and I’m sure you’ll remember Shauna Levy’s profile on alopecia awareness advocate Ali Lambert Voron. I had seen her at my gym swimming and smiling with her kids mistakenly thinking that she had cancer. Voron became completely bald at age 16 due to alopecia, an autoimmune illness. Her strength and resilience coupled with a sense of humor is something we can all aspire to.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our cover story on The Armonk Players. Now you are probably wondering how this one relates to grit and resilience but anyone who ever has been in theater knows that it is takes blood, sweat and (sometimes) tears to put on a production. The fact that this community theater group has been churning out fabulous productions for more than two decades is proof that this group knows how to overcome obstacles.

Finally, as a mom of three kids, Marlene Kern Fischer’s column perfectly describes the grit and resilience that any parent needs to survive to what I refer to as the “best but hardest job you’ll ever do with the lowest pay.” To all the moms out there in the trenches, Happy Mother’s Day and for all our readers happy spring!

Enjoy,

Joyful Living: Armonk

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“Joyful living” – two simple words that sum up this month’s theme of the magazine just in time for Mother’s Day. It should be easy enough to achieve. After all, we live in one of the most beautiful parts of Westchester County. But honestly, I’ve been having a hard time lately embracing “joyful living” with this never ending winter. I’ve tried to trick myself by thinking that spring is on the horizon. I’ve painted my toes a lovely shade of pastel pink. I’ve done a thorough spring cleaning in my house but still Mother Nature refuses to cooperate.

Nevertheless, I wanted to highlight six facts I learned while putting together this issue that made me smile and will likely make you appreciate living in North Castle.

1. Once upon a time there was a little girl named Bonnie Gleicher living in the Windmill community. Gleicher loved theater and had leading roles in her school plays. As a young girl, she was “young Jane” in Jane Eyre on Broadway and played an orphan in the Broadway national tour of Annie. Fast forward seventeen years, and Gleicher composed the music and lyrics for Addy and Uno–a family musical about disabilities and friendship featuring a colorful cast of puppets that is currently playing off-Broadway. There’s definitely more to come from this talented composer.

2. Danny McManus is a fifth-grader at Wampus Elementary School living with leukemia. Nine of his friends voluntarily shaved their heads to raise money for leukemia research. There’s no doubt that Danny has a strong support network here and friends who are willing to go the extra mile. From his teacher Mrs. Marchesini who has put together videos for him from his classmates to fellow churchgoers at St. Patrick’s, the McManuses have a community who truly cares about Danny’s recovery.

3. Students in the Dr. Robert Pavlica Authentic Science Program at Byram Hills High School are lucky to have educator Stephanie Greenwald at the helm as the program director. She’s passionate about her job and calls it “the absolute best job I ever had.” Read our up close and personal article on her and you’ll see why the students in the program garner numerous awards and accolades from the most prestigious science programs.

4. Speaking of accolades, The Armonk Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for their Citizen of the Year event this month at the Whippoorwill Club on May 15th. Big congratst to Judy Gilmartin-Willsey and the Armonk Independent Fire Department for all that they do day in and day out to make this town a better and safer place to live, work and play in.

5. As far as I’m concerned every day should be Mother’s Day. With three kids ages 10 and under, there is a lot of worrying when it comes to parenting. Just read Armonk mom Marlene Kern Fischer’s essay and you’ll see what I’m talking about. That’s why the moms in your life should be celebrated and for me, having a meal with loved ones where I don’t have to be a short order cook or clean up afterwards sounds heavenly. Check out some delicious local options to make mom happy.

6. A few summers ago, a friend of mine took me kayaking on Candlewood Lake. Having grown up in the city, I had never been kayaking before and I loved everything about it. The tranquility of being on the water, the rhythmic strokes needed to propel the kayak forward. It was one of those rare afternoons when I felt truly present and appreciative of the beautiful scenery. Luckily there are many options for kayakers of all levels right here in Westchester. Read our round-up of local spots and take to the waters!

Enjoy,

Welcome Arlo to the Family

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We had been talking about getting a dog for the past year for my daughter’s 7th birthday this October. She had her heart set on a particular breed and frankly we hadn’t exactly gotten the ball rolling with doggie research. We were doing a big construction project in the house and were too busy with that.

But something changed after I did a photo shoot of rescues at the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor for this magazine. I had the opportunity to meet some adorable Weimeraner/chocolate lab mixes who were from a large litter and came from a high-kill shelter in North Carolina (For more rescues up for adoption at the SPCA, see page 19). I quickly snapped a photo to my dog-loving husband of one of these pups and he said “take him home.” Well, it wasn’t so simple. The one I had my heart set on was already adopted but a few of his brothers and sisters were coming in that weekend from their foster homes and I could get a chance to meet them.

A bit apprehensive about taking a puppy home to add to the chaotic mix of construction and three young kids, my husband said “the timing is never going to be perfect. You can’t always have all your ducks in a row.” Fast forward to the following weekend where we met one of those rescues named Arlo and fell in love. And the rest is history.

Love and unity is our theme this season and I think having Arlo join the family is a perfect example of love and unity. Instead of bringing chaos to the house, I argue that he has brought a certain sense of calmness (at least in the first week- these are after all early days!) as all of us marvel at him. Plus I’m noticing that my kids are actually fighting a bit less as all of their attention is focused on Arlo.

Both editions and theinsidepress.com are chock full of other stories about love and unity. Take a peek at the story about the little known Baha’i faith, which emphasizes inclusivity or read Dan Levitz’s heart-warming essay about his aging parents.  Love and unity is all around us. And as you gather around the holiday table with your family (furry friends included!), stop and soak it all in.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season,

Gratitude for the “Helpers” in Our Community

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As this issue was going to press, my Facebook feed was deluged with media coverage about the Las Vegas shootings and pleas from friends to help victims of the many hurricanes that recently struck the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. These days it is so easy to fall into a state of despair every time you turn on the news no matter where you fall on the political spectrum.

When I was a little girl, the television show “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” was a perennial favorite in my house. I loved his calming voice as he took off his shoes and sang the theme song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?. The hit television show didn’t shy away from current events of the day. Mr. Rogers used to say whenever you faced a scary or upsetting situation his mother would tell him, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

As a parent, I’m hoping to instill that sense of helping and volunteerism in my young children. Volunteering gives you gratitude (our issue’s theme by the way!) for all that you have and also provides you with a sense of purpose. It also helps to know that you can play an active role in helping someone in the face of tragedy.

That’s one of the reasons why I am so grateful to highlight our cover story on the tremendous work that the volunteers do at Northern Westchester Hospital day in and day out. Volunteer Idelle Skriloff repeats the adage that many volunteers share about their experience –“Volunteering gives me so much more than I give.”

Another wonderful volunteer organization featured in this issue is the Emergency Shelter Partnership. A consortium of 17 houses of worship in Northern Westchester band together to help provide a warm meal and a safe place for the homeless to sleep during the harsh winter months. And if you think homelessness is only an urban problem, think again. Many of the homeless who are helped through the program reside in Mount Kisco.

While the victims of the mass shooting and the hurricanes certainly need our help, remember that there are people and local organizations here in our own backyard that need your help too. And what can be more neighborly than that?

Best,
Stacey Pfeffer
Editor, Inside Press

Remembering ‘Back to School’ Days

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EDITOR PHOTO BY Sally Foster; HAIR & MAKEUP, Aura Salon and Style Bar, Chappaqua

Six years ago this month we moved to Chappaqua from the city two days before school started. We had wanted to move in the summertime but the house closing and Hurricane Irene had other plans for us. I was nervous that my city born and bred son would have trouble acclimating to a new school and an actual house as opposed to an 800 square foot apartment but those fears quickly dissipated once we started school.We were welcome with open arms at my kid’s nursery school. So many parents had made the same journey just like us – from city parents to country transplants.

Yes my parents still consider this lovely part of Northern Westchester “upstate N.Y.”  After all, I do have deer roaming my backyard. What drew us to our community was the excellent school system. This is one of the many reasons why I am so delighted to helm this “back to school” issue as the new editor of both Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk. There are so many great things happening in our schools and the wider community that I want to highlight.

First up, I had the pleasure of interviewing and writing the cover story on The Comedy Kids for Inside Chappaqua. These two Roaring Brook Elementary School students had an idea to raise money for pediatric brain cancer that germinated during rainy day recess. It all started with a simple idea that grew from a grassroots joke booth at the Chappaqua Farmers Market to a charity that has gained national attention.

Our cover story for Inside Armonk is also “back to school” themed and features the Byram Hills Preschool Association which plays a critical role in making sure Armonk’s preschoolers are ready to enter elementary school and helps parents and caregivers make connections in the community.

With the back to school season in full swing, there’s never been a better time to visit downtown Chappaqua on October 14th for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, an annual event that now draws more than 90 children’s authors and illustrators and thousands of attendees to the town. Be sure to read the profiles of three Chappaqua-based authors Matthew & Mara Van Fleet and Barbara Dee who will be meeting eager readers and signing books at the festival. Even if you don’t have children that are school age anymore, the Festival is a lot of fun and a book is a gift that you can open again and again. Plus what’s better than an autographed book for a beloved grandchild?

If you are hoping to savor the beautiful autumn weather, North Castle is chock full of events this fall such as the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Jamie’s 5K Run and the Cider and Donut Festival. There’s something for everyone right at your doorsteps or in a neighboring town.

Finally if your kids need a break from hitting the books or you are too tired from figuring out after-school schedules, check out Jordan Stutts story on the best local biking trails and get a sneak peek of fall’s foliage. Yet another reason to love living in Northern Westchester.

Best,

Stacey
Editor, Inside Press