Savvy Local Steps To Save Our Bees - The Inside Press · Savvy Local Steps. To Save Our Bees....

THE MAGAZINE FOR NEW CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.C0M | MARCH 2020

Catch the BuzzSavvy Local StepsTo Save Our Bees

CARING CANINES IN TOWN Meet the New Town Board LOCAL LOVEFOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Platinum Club Member

Chairman’s Elite Club

Sena Baron

CongratulationsTo Our 2019 Award Winners

Chairman’s Club

Honorary Chairman’s Elite Club

Donna Nikic Bonnie Golub Amanda GoldbergSusan Biggar Melvin Ramos

President’s Club

Hayes HoppleStacy LeveyCindy Glynn Jean Cameron-Smith & The Source Team

Ted Holmes

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CHAPPAQUA | $975,000 Cindy GlynnClassic renovated ranch with contemporary feel in Chappaqua’s sought after Lawrence Farms South.

CHAPPAQUA | $1,100,000 Sena BaronElegant charm with stunning English gardens creates a vibrant setting for this wonderful home.

MOUNT KISCO | $879,000 Richard Hayes HoppleAlluring Lawrence Farms East colonial nestled on 1.43 hilltop acres with stunning western views.

MOUNT KISCO | $849,000 Sena BaronClassic federal style center hall colonial with level property, lush lawns and perennial gardens.

CHAPPAQUA | $2,199,000 Sena BaronBreathtaking Colonial located in the coveted Whippoorwill estate area. Luxurious amenities.

CHAPPAQUA | $925,000 Dawn LindenbergNestled on nearly one acre of private property, this Contemporary is located in the heart of town.

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MOUNT KISCO | $1,178,000 Stacy LeveyChappaqua Schools! Picturesque, colonial, with wel-coming front porch situated on a quiet circle.

CHAPPAQUA | $1,199,000 Cindy GlynnSpectacular sun-filled,updated modern masterpiece on park-like professionally landscaped property.

CHAPPAQUA | $989,000 Stacy LeveyLovingly maintained and updated Village Colonial with beautiful in-ground pool. Close to town.

MOUNT KISCO | $949,000 Cindy GlynnSun-filled Colonial on beautiful park-like 1.67 acre property in sought after neighborhood.

MOUNT KISCO | $1,495,000 Donna NikicBrandywyne Estates - A New Luxury Development comprised of 4 homes on a private cul-de-sac.

CHAPPAQUA | $999,000 Cindy GlynnCaptivating contemporary in rustic wooded set-ting. Many details abound at a captivating price.

Chappaqua | $2,999,000Refined, polished craftsmanship this modern home necessitates an open floor plan. The 12’ ceilings on first and second floors are complimented by beautiful architectural details. Views of gardens, lawns, pool & pool house all overlooking a serene nature conservancy.

Luxury Defined! Compelling price for this exceptional offering by Chappaqua’s Top Producer, Cindy Glynn

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson#1 Listing/Selling Agent (Chappaqua) 2018o: 914.238.0505 | c: 914.523.6163 | [email protected] cindyglynn.raveis.com

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HealtH Newsyou can usebrought to you by White Plains hosPital Physician associates

Taking a Temperature on Your HealthColder weather, high wind and less sunshine may be ideal for winter enthusiasts, but they are not exactly “health friendly.” Research has shown a correlation between cold weather and health conditions like stroke and heart attack. Dr. ChristineAshour, family medicine physician with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Armonk and Yorktown Heights, explains how to protect yourself when the temperature drops:

PROTECT yOuR hEaRT. The cold makes heart vessels constrict, which can be a problem for those middle-aged or older. High blood pressure or high cholesterol could further increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

Older people with known heart conditions, decreased mobility, or history of falls should avoid strenuous activities. “See a doctor immediately if you develop any chest discomfort or shortness of breath, discomfort in the arms, neck or jaw, lightheadedness and cold sweats, nausea or vomiting,” notes Dr. Ashour.

PROTECT yOuR baCk. Light stretching of the upper body, including arms, neck and back, is a great way to prevent muscular injuries while shoveling. Dr. Ashour advises pushing snow instead of lifting it, and point your feet in the direction you are throwing the snow instead of twisting your torso.

SEal in ThE hEaT. “Make sure the family is properly outfitted to protect against hypothermia,” says Dr. Ashour. “In colder temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced, which could lead to a lower body temperature, and in some situations can prevent the heart, nervous system and other organs from functioning normally.”

Frostbite, or freezing of the skin, can occur even when wearing gloves, thick socks and ear and face protection. Taking frequent breaks inside to warm up, and being attune to feelings of numbness and tingling can prevent this worst case scenario.

wphpa.org

Travel Tips from Your DoctorPlanning a trip to exotic Africa, or spring breaking in Aruba? After you click to confirm that great deal on airline tickets, you should schedule a visit with a doctor. Dr. Michael Zuckman, an internal medicine specialist with White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness in Armonk, reviews the health to-dos we need to check off before we jet off.

OuR Doctors. YOuR NeighborhooD.No matter where you live in northern Westchester, it’s easy and convenient to find a White Plains Hospital Physician Associates doctor or specialist near you. Our redesigned, modern outpatient facilities in armonk, Somers and yorktownprovide comprehensive care for the entire family. Expert physicians in primary care and multiple specialties offer personalized service, and same-day appointments are often available. In addition, our Armonk location includes an Urgent Care center, open seven days a week, with extended hours and short wait times.

Visit wphpa.org to learn more.

GeTimmunizeD

In addition to the standard vaccinations, your doctor may recommend additional shots –which typically take 7-10days to be fully effective andmay require multiple doses. “Ifyou want to have a safe andhealthy vacation, these thingsshould be thought about asmuch in advance as possible,”says Dr. Zuckman. “Even ifyou forget and wait until thelast minute, it’s better to havepartial immunity than noimmunity.”

Be sure to bring your exact itinerary with you to your doctor appointment, because recommendations for someone who is camping out in the open versus someone glamping in a screened hut may be different, even if they are going to the same place.

Some shots your doctor might recommend include: Thyphoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Rabies, Japanese encephalitis. (Find more information about specific vaccinations based on destination at the CDC’s website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list)

use commonsense

Foodborne illnesses like the norovirus have taken over entire cruise ships and ruined many a family vacation. Watching what and where you eat is one of the best ways to fend off sickness in areas of the world where healthcare is less developed. “Avoid eating from food carts and street vendors, and don’t eat uncooked foods, or drink non-bottled or unboiled beverages,” notes Dr. Zuckman.

ProTecTYourselffrom biTes

For viral illnesses from mosquitoes, such as Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya, use a mosquito repellent containing permethrin when going outdoors in areas known for mosquitoes, especially at dawn and dusk. Zika is especially dangerous for pregnant women, their partners, and couples planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months.

bring the whole family to receivevaccinations quickly and convenientlyin Armonk. call (914) 849-7900 toschedule an appointment.

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Taking a Temperature on Your Health Colder weather, high wind and less sunshine may be ideal for winter enthusiasts, but they are not exactly “health friendly.” Research has shown a correlation between cold weather and health conditions like stroke and heart attack. Dr. Christine Ashour, family medicine physician with White Plains Hospital Physician Associates in Armonk and Yorktown Heights, explains how to protect yourself when the temperature drops:






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use commonsense













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use commonsense













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OuR Doctors. YOuR NeighborhooD.No matter where you live in northern Westchester, it’s easy and convenient to find a White Plains Hospital Physician Associates doctor or specialist near you. Our redesigned, modern outpatient facilities in armonk, Somers and yorktown provide comprehensive care for the entire family. Expert physicians in primary care and multiple specialties offer personalized service, and same-day appointments are often available. In addition, our Armonk location includes an Urgent Care center, open seven days a week, with extended hours and short wait times.


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use common sense


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bring the whole family to receive vaccinations quickly and conveniently in Armonk. call (914) 849-7900 to schedule an appointment.

White Plains hosPital is a member of the montefiore health system

04 | INSIDE CHAPPAQUA & MILLWOOD | MARCH 2020

MARCH 2020THE MAGAZINE FOR NEW CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.COM

cover story24| Pollinator Pathway Gardens Gaining Local Support BY MISSY FABELPHOTO BY AARON BURDENaaronburden.com

in the know6 Neighbors Helping NeighborsBY STACEY PFEFFER

happenings10 • Inaugural Poverty Symposium• Chappaqua STEM Fest

features9 Meet the New Town BoardBY KIRAN SHETH

12 Horace Greeley Scholarship FundBY AMY KELLEY

20 All in a (Dog) Day’s WorkBY ROBIN CHWATKO

We are officially in our 17th year, and I couldn’t be prouder of this company launched in 2003, and especially of our team whose mission is to create features which shine a light on all the wonderful, big hearted people living

here and all the fun and vital happenings in this area–and also to give our sponsors an effective place to share their news too! We have two terrific new additions to our team: Robin Chwatko, as advertising manager, and Sherry Topel, who is managing accounts, too.

If we missed your story or sponsorship ‘in print,’ remember to contact me about our online edition, insidepress.com, for possible publication and/or advertising options, too. In the meantime, I invite you to enjoy just one of 11 springtime ‘Inside Press’ editions–Inside Chappaqua & Millwood, Inside Armonk and the new Inside Briarcliff/Ossining/Pleasantville Magazine (which we are calling ‘BOP’ Maga-zine) that we produce. We love sharing the joys of your hometown

and supporting local efforts to protect our precious environments. I love hearing from readers, too. Drop me a note anytime: [email protected]

Enjoy!

just between us

Publisher Pride

27 Spotlight on Evelyn FarkasBY GRACE BENNETT

30 Sing Sing Prison MuseumBY JENNIFER SABIN POUX

good neighbors 15 What Makes Your Neighborhood SpecialBY CHRISTINE PASQUERALLE

etctera32 The Art of Being Neighborly on My Cul-de-SacBY DAN LEVITZ

sponsor wisdom10 Five Tips for the Sandwich GenerationBY RICHARD BLOOM

23 My Fitness Journey at Life Time: Part 2BY STACEY PFEFFER

9

20

MARCH 2020 | INSIDE CHAPPAQUA & MILLWOOD | 05

From Northern to Southern Westchester, The Kori Sassower Team has you covered.

We live, love and breathe Westchester. Contact us to discuss how we can help you with your real estate needs.

Kori SassowerLic. Assoc. R.E. Broker in NY + CT [email protected] M: 914.727.0169 O: 914.223.7623

KORI SASSOWER TEAM IS A TEAM OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS. COMPASS IS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER AND ABIDES BY EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS.

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Several area residents are also profiled in this issue. From the residents lovingly planting beautiful native gardens to increase pollination in our community to volunteers spending countless hours accompanying their therapy dogs to help out senior citizens or stressed out students, I’d be thrilled to have any of these residents as neighbors. And don’t forget to check out the story about the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, a true community effort that as-sists Greeley students in paying for college. As a recipient of the scholarship said, “I thought college wasn’t even an option for me. (The fund) really gave me more than money–they gave me hope.” That’s the true essence of neighbors helping neighbors.

Warmly,

P.S. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to lo-cal nonprofit (914) Cares for organizing the inaugural Westchester Poverty Symposium held last month that I attended. The half-day symposium put a spotlight on poverty in Westchester County and explored strategies and partnerships to disrupt the cycle of poverty that exists throughout. Again, another prime example of neighbors helping neighbors. See Happenings on page 10.

in the know Neighbors Helping Neighbors

I ’ve been thinking about Mrs. Dobrowski a lot as I work on this issue of the magazine. A widow, she lived across the street from us at my childhood home

in Queens. On sunny days, she’d sit on the porch in her housedress reading the newspaper. On cloudy days, she watched TV. If I peered out through my window, I could make out the glare of the TV, bunny ear antennae perched on top. She would feed the neighborhood stray cats too and leave out a bowl of milk for them.

Later as I became a latchkey kid when my mom returned to work, my mom asked her to keep an eye out for me to make sure I was safely inside after school. She did. I could see her looking out her window as she took this duty very seriously. In return, my dad helped her shovel her walkway when it snowed or other simple home maintenance problems. In essence, she was a good neighbor and we looked out for each other. Mrs. Dobrowski walked that delicate balance of being friendly and helpful without ever being intrusive or nosy.

A central focus of this issue was what makes your neighborhood special? Our talented writer Christine Pas-queralle interviewed several families from various sections of town and the bottom line is that our neighborhoods are special because of the people who live in them who foster a sense of community. We plan on continuing this in future issues so be on the lookout for it and perhaps you’ll spot a neighbor or two.

Accounts ManagerSHERRY TOPEL

Web Design RYAN SMITH, RICK WATERS

Advertising Manager ROBIN CHWATKO

Art DirectorLISA SAMKOFF

EditorSTACEY PFEFFER

Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefGRACE BENNETT

Mailing address: Inside Chappaqua, PO Box 643, Millwood, NY 10546Telephone: 914-238-2600

Inside Chappaqua is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising that appears in this publication.The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Story Ideas or Press Releases: [email protected] | [email protected] Inquires: [email protected]

For more information, rates and advertising calendar, go to www.theinsidepress.comGeneral Counsel: Brian Hand

© 2020 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.Reproduction of any portion is prohibited without permission by the publisher.

March 2020Volume 17, Number 1

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THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.C0M | WINTER 2019/2020

LENDING A HANDMaking Holiday Memories

AppreciatingOur Community Treasure

Our'TOP TEN' Roundups!

THE MAGAZINE FOR NEW CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.C0M | WINTER 2019/2020

LENDING A HANDMaking Holiday Memories

How Local Leaders are Inspiring A New Generation of Volunteers and Readers

Our'TOP TEN' Roundups!

New CastleHolocaust Memorial


Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

Usha Subramaniam Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker M: 914.572.3401 | O: 914.238.0676 [email protected]

Usha SubramaniamLicensed Associate Real Estate Broker

As a lifelong resident, Usha brings a unique perspective to real estate in Chappaqua. She attended and graduated from the Chappaqua schools and is now an active member of the community raising her two children in Chappaqua. She enjoys working with buyers and sellers and loves sharing her insights on the town.

Top 100 Agent in Westchester – 2019 REAL Trends Five Star Realtor Award, Westchester Magazine – 2018

A vibrant, active congregation in the Reform Jewish tradition.

220 SOUTH BEDFORD ROAD • CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514

Come see what Temple Beth El is all about at these events open to the community!PURIM FAMILY CARNIVAL Sunday, March 8 at 11:00 am

A MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL MEGILLAH Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm

WOMEN’S SEDER Monday, March 23 at 6:00 pm RSVP for dinner on our website: bethelnw.org/Passover2020

SPRING MARKETPLACE Benefiting the Temple Beth El Early Childhood Center Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 pm bethelnw.org/marketplace

COMMUNITYEVENTS

FROM PURIM TO PASSOVER

914.238.3928 T • 914.238.4030 F • [email protected]

For membership information, service times and upcoming events, please contact the temple office or visit our website at www.bethelnw.org.


Curb Side Pickup, Delivery, Catering and Prepared Meals

914-495-3720 or 914-495-3721 • www.gionascatering.com

We specialize in vegan, vegetarian,gluten free family meals and catering.

Enjoy our convenient takeout or dining area!

Tell us You Saw it Inside Chappaqua

After serving Chappaqua

from 1996-2006,

GIONA’S KITCHENhas reopened in Thornwood!

Town BoardInaugurationWelcomes

Incumbents & Newcomers

progress and change. “We are in a time where we need to work together a little bit more than the past and we must come together with new ideas to move our town forward,” Lichtenthal passionately ex-plained. He encourages the community to bring forth and share their ideas with the new Town Board. “Unless people come out and tell us how things are going and how they see New Castle, we are not going to be able to move forward as a community.”

Also sworn in during the evening’s events was Douglas Kraus for Town Justice. The incumbent Kraus was re-elected to his 7th term having served in the position since 1994. Vedat Gashi was also administered the oath of office for County Legislator representing District 4. Gashi, a Democrat, will represent New Castle and portions of Somers and Yorktown on the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

At the end of the ceremony, Pool conclud-ed with how she anticipates the new Town Board will serve the people of New Castle. “Here in New Castle, we can and will do better. The only way that we are going to get things done is to forge partnerships and engage all voices.”

Kiran Sheth is an intern for The Inside Press and a senior at Horace Greeley High School.

PHOTOS BY CAROLYN SIMPSON


L to R: County Legislator Vedat Gashi, Town Justice Douglas Kraus, Town Board member Lauren Levin, Town Council member Jason Lichtenthal, Deputy Town Super-visor Jeremy Saland and Town Supervisor Ivy Pool

L to R: Town Supervisor Ivy Pool, NY State Attorney General Letitia James and County Executive George Latimer

BY KIRAN SHETH

On January 27th and before a packed Town Hall, New Castle inaugurated a new Supervisor and

three Council Members, two of whom are newcomers to the Town Board. The cer-emonies opened with the presentation of colors by various town first responders in-cluding the New Castle Police Department, fire departments from Chappaqua and Millwood and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance. In an audience that included New York State Attorney General, Letitia James, and Westchester County Executive, George Latimer, the elected officials were administered their oaths of office.

The inauguration was the culmination of the hotly contested November 5th election between candidates from two slates–New Castle Democrats and the Republican-sponsored Team New Castle. In addition to the Town Supervisor, there were three Town Board positions that were up for election.

Ivy Pool was elected from the New Castle Democrats and succeeds Robert Green-stein as Town Supervisor and will serve a two-year term. Pool was first elected as a Council Member in 2017. Jeremy Saland, having assumed his position on the Town Board in 2015, was re-elected and will also serve as Deputy Town Supervisor. Jason Lichtenthal, who ran with Pool and Saland as part of the New Castle Democrats ticket, was also elected as a Council Member. Lichtenthal has served as a Commissioner in the Millwood Fire District. Lauren Levin joins Lichtenthal as the other first-time Town Board member. Levin ran on the Team New Castle slate and has served on the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce board and Streetscape Com-mittee. Saland, Lichtenthal, and Levin will join the existing member, Lisa Katz, on the four-person Town Board.

Town resident and member of the Chap-paqua Ambulance Volunteer Corps, Reese Highbloom commented on what he ex-pects the new Town Board will accomplish.

“I hope that the new board members can be a great face for the New Castle commu-nity, get to know each and every one of us and really hear what we want and what we have to say.”

Pool stated that the Town Board has an ambitious agenda and has prioritized certain initiatives including creating thriving hamlets, modernizing infrastructure, thoughtful capital planning and improving recreation and community spirit. “There are a lot of different goals and objectives that the Town Board has put together for what we hope to accomplish,” Pool affirmed. “The most immediate thing that we are working on right now is a rezoning initiative for downtown Chappaqua. We have done a great deal of work replacing infrastruc-ture, but now we are ready to take that to the next step.”

Deputy Supervisor Saland emphasized Pool’s determination for the rezoning of the hamlet. “We are working on the form-based code to revitalize the hamlet. It is what the community wants and is consistent with the comprehensive plan.” Saland stated that the Town Board is eager to get to work for the people of New Castle. “I am excited to work with everybody on the Town Board; everybody is very eager, very hungry, very smart and very dedicated.”

Lichtenthal holds the belief that the town needs to come together in order to initiate


Save the Date:

Sat., March 21Chappaqua School district students, from elementary school through high school, will showcase their work at the Sixth An-nual Chappaqua STEM Fest on Saturday, March 21st. The event is at Bell Middle School from 9 am to 1 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Chappaqua STEM Fest will feature student designed experiments, inven-tions and research. In addition, local and national sponsors and companies will run hands-on activities at the STEM Fest. “This is the sixth year of the Chappaqua STEM Fest,” said Chandana Nallan, Chair of the Chappaqua PTA STEM. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to show their science projects and hone presentation skills–Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry and more. STEM FEST 2020 is sure to have it! “

happenings

The Westchester Poverty Sympo-sium was an opportunity for individ-uals to come together to learn about innovative, community-driven part-nerships focused on helping those in need. Elected officials, non-profit organizations and several school districts attended the sold-out event and learned actionable items to help the estimated 10% of Westchester residents living in poverty.

Mayor Andre Rainey (Peekskill), Chairwoman of (914) Cares Jessica Reinmann, Mayor Gina Picinich (Mt. Kisco)

(914)CaresInauguralPoverty

SymposiumSpotlights

Those in Need

SPONSOR WISDOM

BY RICHARD BLOOM

In today’s fast-paced world, life can be hectic—especially if you’re among the growing number of adults caught in the middle known as the

sandwich generation. According to the T. Rowe Price 2019 Parents, Kids & Money Survey, more than one in three parents with kids between the ages of 8 and 14 is also caring for an aging family member. Of those, nearly 70% have an aging parent or relative living under the same roof.1 Being a dual caregiver can

cause emotional stress and even financial strain, but planning ahead and seeking out the support you need can help you find—and maintain—your balance.

Here are some tips for living—and thriving in—the sandwich life.

1. Simplify where possible.Simplifying your finances is a good first step in knowing exactly where you stand in terms of being able to afford your own retirement and still support your kids and parents. Many of us have our money spread across multiple bank accounts, brokerage accounts and even retirement accounts. Consolidating these accounts may make it easier for you to manage your financial life, removing a layer of stress and potentially making your assets work more efficiently, guided by a cohesive investment strategy.

2. Break the ice on family finances.In many families, money is a taboo topic. But as your parents age and your children grow up—and sometimes boomerang back to the nest—having frank conversations about the family finances is a must. Take the brave step of asking your parents about their finances and how they would like their affairs to be handled if they are no longer able to make important decisions about their money or health. And talk to your children about your expectations when it comes to what you will pay for and what you expect them to pitch in. This is especially important if your grown-up children move back in with you.

3. Don’t be afraid to delegate.You don’t need to shoulder all of the responsibility alone. Whether it’s finding a reliable babysitter for your kids, a trusted caregiver for your aging family member or someone to help around the house, delegating to others can help to ease the load. Talk to you kids about chipping in with household chores,

or share caregiving responsibilities with a sibling. If you need outside help, ask family members and neighbors for recommendations or referrals. There are also websites and agencies that can help you with finding good care.

4. Explore all your options.In addition to parental leave benefits, an increasing number of employers are offering caregiver support as part of their benefits package. You may also be able to talk to your employer about flexible work arrangements.

According to the Home Care Association of America and the Global Coalition on Aging, 70% of adults over age 65 will require assistance with their daily activities at some point.2 Nursing home stays or in-home care can be expensive, and another option to consider is long-term care insurance.

5. Take care of yourself.You want to give your all to the people who rely on you. But, remember, in order to provide the best possible care for your kids and your parents, you need to be at your best. That means carving out time to recharge your physical, emotional and mental batteries so you can make the time you give to your family more meaningful and effective. Just as flight attendants remind you to put on your own oxygen mask first in the event of a loss in cabin pressure, prioritizing yourself is sometimes part of maximizing your ability to help those around you.

Whatever challenges you face, working with a Financial Advisor who understands your circumstances and priorities can help you formulate a plan that is designed to safeguard not just your finances, but also your family.

FOOTNOTES1. Money Confident Kids. 2019 Parents, Kids & Money Survey Results. Available at http://www.moneyconfidentkids.com/content/money-confident-kids/en/us/media/research/2019-parents-kids-money-survey-results.html. 2. Home Care Association of America and Global Coalition on Aging. Caring for America’s Seniors: The Value of Home Care. Available at http://www.hcaoa.org/assets/1/27/Value_of_Home_Care___SECURED.pdf. DISCLOSURESArticle by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.Richard Bloom is a Financial Advisor in 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104 at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 893-7597.This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information and data in the article has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice and has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this article may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.Richard Bloom may only transact business, follow-up with individualized responses, or render personalized investment advice for compensation, in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration, http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx.© 2019 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC2836810 12/2019

5 Tips for the Sandwich GenerationJuggling the Needs of

Your Kids and Your ParentsWithout Losing Your Balance


4 5 S O U T H G R E E L E Y AV E , C H A P PA Q U A H O U L I H A N L A W R E N C E . C O M

A LI C JA P. B O H M R I C HReal Estate Salesperson, CBR Ecobroker Certifi edChappaqua BrokerageM 914.469.1156ABohmrich@HoulihanLawrence.comAlicjaBohmrich.HoulihanLawrence.com

ConsistentPlatinum

Award Winner

Selling or Buying a Home?Selecting the right agent can make all the difference

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Horace GreeleyScholarship FundHelps StudentsAttend College:Upcoming March 20th FundraiserPlays A Crucial Role Raising FundsBY AMY KELLEY

As college fees continue to grow faster than inflation, it’s no surprise that some families, even in communities like Chappaqua, will struggle to afford the hefty price tags.

What sets Chappaqua apart, though, is a beloved community resource that since 1946 has been there to help many students bridge the gap between what their families can afford, aid provided by other sources such as colleges and universities themselves, and the price they actually are required to pay: the Horace Greeley Scholar-ship Fund.

“I grew up in a single-mom household and my mom didn’t have much money at all,” Horace Greeley grad Andrew Santana said. “I thought college wasn’t even an option for me. (The fund) really gave me more than money–they gave me hope.”

Today, after graduating from SUNY Geneseo and law school at the University of Dayton, Santana practices civil litigation and criminal law in Cincinnati. This spring the benefit for the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund will be held at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase on March 20, and Linda and Ed Bosco, as well as Patrick Dougherty, will be honored. The Boscos will receive the Taylor Family Award, and Dougherty will receive, unfortunately posthumously, the Ed Habermann Award.

Raising Funds

Last year, the benefit leadership committee raised more than $140,000. “Every year we have a benefit and we’re expecting over 350 friends and neighbors,” Scottie Guerney, president of the board of the HGSF, said, describing the honorees as having “really stood out in their gifts of service to the community. They are really incredible.”

Last year, the fund awarded more than $300,000 to students who had financial need beyond what financial aid and scholarships supplied. “And there was still need to be met,” Guerney said.Besides the benefit, the fund has a few other ways it accumulates

money. SHARE, the major student community service organization at Horace Greeley High School, runs an annual spelling bee and donates the proceeds. There’s also a game night in the fall. “It’s much smaller but to us everything counts,” Guerney said.

Publicizing the Scholarship to Students

Rebecca Mullen, chair of the counseling department at Horace Greeley High School, said her department makes sure students and families know about the HGSF in a variety of ways, beginning in ninth grade. “Families become aware of it as soon as they get to Greeley,” Mullen said. “The counseling department is very support-ive of the scholarship fund and we work very closely with it - we love working with the parents that organize the fund.”

At the annual Night Meetings held for each grade, a representative from the fund will make a 2-3 minute presentation. Additionally, the fund is highlighted in the counseling department’s newsletter, Guide Lines. Then, when juniors and their families come in for meetings to discuss the college process, once again they are

told about the fund and when appropriate, encouraged to apply.

Of course, Mullen said she doesn’t know which students become recipients of the HGSF unless they choose to share that information with her. The process and dis-tributions are entirely confidential. “We have as a subset of our fund a small and entirely confidential grants committee,” Guerney said. The committee works with an expert in college financial aid.

Guerney previously served two years as board vice president and several years before that as a member of the 27-person board. Currently, her own children attend Bell and Grafflin. Guerney joined the board after meeting a member of the board of education who suggested it. “He said he thought I’d really connect well and be interested in the scholarship fund,” Guerney said, adding that she has a background in teaching.

“We’d love to meet the need for everyone, so every Greeley grad can obtain a college education,” Guerney said. “We are big propo-nents of the scholarship fund because we’ve seen it be life-chang-ing for students,” Mullen said. “It really is an amazing resource that makes Greeley very special.”

Guerney notes that the recipients of the fund have said it has really changed their lives. “It’s amazing how generous our community is,” Guerney said. “And the generosity of the community has made them want to pay that forward and that’s a beautiful sentiment.”

Providing Hope

“Given the option to attend college - your future is a world apart what it could have been,” Santana said. “People think of Chap-paqua as a place where people have money. They don’t realize that a lot of people, without the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, just would not be able to attend college.”

Amy Kelley lives in Mount Kisco and is a frequent contribu-tor to the Inside Press.

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What Makes Your Neighborhood

SpecialARTICLES BY CHRISTINE PASQUERALLE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAMILIES INTERVIEWED

Christine Pasqueralle is a freelance writer, wife and mom of two. Based in Hawthorne, Christine enjoys yoga, the arts and exploring NYC and the surrounding areas.

Neighborhood spotlights continue on page 17.

Editor’s Note: Good neighbors are invaluable and make our communities a special place to live. They are there for you in a pinch when you run out of butter or need your plants watered. They offer camaraderie while waiting for the school bus and they help each other out when times are tough or tornadoes hit!

We wanted to profile four distinct areas of New Castle to capture the flavor of each neighborhood. One thing stands out in all of them–a passion for the place these families call home.

“When we moved here, we

immediately met a half dozen families

with kidsabout the same age as

our children." - Monica

“We love the quiet street, the access to the

lake, the proximity to DeCiccos and other stores and convenience to the Taconic,”

- Janice

“I’ve had friends I grew up with live

here and then move away, and new fam-ilies come and go, but the same warm atmosphere hasn’t changed since the community wel-

comed my parents here in the 80’s!

- Amrita

“Families on our block trade off on hosting parties for different holidays

such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and New

Year’s, as well as many impromptu BBQs and pool parties,” - Emily

It’s the people who ultimately make a neighborhood great.


Good Neighbors


Random Farms:Amenities Galore and

A Close-Knit CommunityThe Random Farms community is a wonderful place for families to call home. With its quiet streets and park-like feel, it is an ideal neighborhood. Random Farms was originally subdivided from the former Millwood Road estate of Lady Gabriel, a benefactor of Chappaqua schools, Northern Westchester Hospital and various other organizations. It has its own homeowners association and many amenities, including a pool, tennis and basketball courts and a clubhouse. One family that calls it home since 2015 is the Agarwala family.

The family of four consists of Sandip, who works in finance, Monica, who works in product management for Mastercard, Kiran, age 9 and Kayla, age 7. Monica grew up in Chappaqua while Sandip hails from Dutchess County. Monica always thought of Chappaqua as a great place to raise a family and when it was time to settle, the Agarwalas chose Chappaqua for its proximity to family, great schools and its strong sense of community.

“There are so many things we love about Random Farms,” says Monica. “We have a pool, tennis courts and a basketball court, which we use throughout the summer. The North County Trail is also within walking distance of us and we love going for walks, and bike rides there, practically year-round.”

Speaking with Monica, you get a sense of what makes the Ran-dom Farms neighborhood so close-knit. “When we moved here, we immediately met a half dozen families with kids about the same age as our children. We were able to make friends easily and our children met many of their classmates before they start-ed school. Since the houses are close together, we often make impromptu playdates and the kids spend snow days sledding in our yards.”

Random Farms boasts activities year-round including an annual block party at the end of summer and Halloween festivities in which many homes are transformed into haunted houses. Fami-lies also gather together for pizza before trick-or-treating begins. As Monica says, “For families with young kids, there is so much to do and you can always count on bumping into your friends and neighbors.”

Loving the Lake onHidden Hollow

Recent transplants to the New Castle area, the Kline family has lived in the Hidden Hollow section of Millwood since January 2019. Kevin, a VP of Digital Marketing at Mastercard and Janice, a Manager of Campaign Operations at salesforce.com live with their children Emerson, 5 and Fiona, 2.5 as well as with their Tibetan Terrier, Madison.

The Klines both hail from other areas–Kevin from Iowa and Janice from New Jersey. While living and working in Manhattan, they knew they needed more space for their growing family. After stints in Nyack and Thornwood, the family searched all over Northern Westchester and fell in love with their Hidden Hollow home. “We love the quiet street, the access to the lake, the proximity to DeCiccos and other stores and convenience to the Taconic,” says Janice.

There is a real sense of community in Hidden Hollow. As Janice says, “The neighbors are all wonderful and friendly, there are lots of little kids, and also high school kids who babysit.” The neighbors come together during the year for fun traditions such as the end-of-summer BBQ at the lake and an annual Halloween parade. Families gather before the parade for pizza and snacks and then go trick-or-treating together.

The lake at Hidden Hollow is a real gathering spot for the community. “The lake is so pretty and in the summer, is such a fun place to hang out,” says Janice. Many families go there to meet up and swim. There is also a lifeguard on duty six days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend and there are also boats, kayaks, a volleyball net and fresh sand, which is brought in every year.

In October 2018, a tornado hit the area, damaging part of the lake and causing trees to fall. Although the Klines moved in after the tornado hit, they participated along with the rest of the community in the clean-up efforts of the lake in Spring 2019. Neighbors uniting and helping one another is what truly makes Hidden Hollow a special place to live.

Good Neighborscontinued from page 15


Good Neighbors

Joan Drive: A Cul-De-Sac Where Families Can Thrive

Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, Joan Drive is a wonderful street to raise a family. It was one of the original postwar developments of Stuart L. Bradley who also created Bradley Farms and Quaker Village.

Joan Drive is home to the Seltzer family. Emily, who works in talent acquisition, Eric, an attorney and their children Dylan, age 8 and Olivia, age 5 moved to Joan Drive from New York City in August 2016. After many years of city living, the Seltzers were looking for more space for the kids to play. They settled in Chap-paqua for a myriad of reasons including its excellent schools and strong sense of community. Emily grew up in town, so coming back made sense. “I had a very positive experience so it felt easy to come back.”

It was also easy for the family to fall in love with the neighbor-hood. “I remember driving down Joan Drive to see the house. I was struck by how open, bright and spacious the street was - it really has a neighborhood feel,” says Emily. The fact that Joan Drive is a cul-de-sac with no real through-traffic makes it a very quiet and safe place, especially for neighborhood kids looking to ride their bikes and scooters.

The Seltzer family enjoys everything the area has to offer, always seeking out local events and activities such as the Chappaqua Farmers Market, Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and the open house at the Chappaqua Firehouse. The family also recent-ly discovered the Pruyn Sanctuary, a bucolic, hidden gem right across from Joan Drive.

“Families on our block trade off on hosting parties for different holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s, as well as many impromptu BBQs and pool parties,” says Emily. Joan Drive is also fun for trick-or-treating, with many of the elementary school children going together. There is a close-knit feel to the community, with childhood peers raising their own families in the area now as well. As Emily says, “I feel lucky to have such great neighbors.”

Why This Multi-Generational Family Calls

Chappaqua Ridge HomeThe Patel family has called Chappaqua Ridge home since 1982. The family consists of Rohit, an endodontist, Kalindi, a retired child psychologist and their children Amrita, a dentist who works with her father Rohit, Kavita, who holds a Masters in Public Health and Ved, a biomedical engineer with Topcon in New Jer-sey. The close-knit family originally moved to Chappaqua Ridge for its excellent school system, proximity to the city, local culture and the great outdoor spaces Chappaqua has to offer. Gedney Park, in particular is one of Amrita’s favorites, having grown up playing there with childhood friends.

Chappaqua Ridge was originally developed on land previously owned by the Haviland family, and has become an ideal neigh-borhood for families to raise children, enjoy close proximity to downtown and take advantage of everything Chappaqua has to offer. The neighborhood is big on holiday celebrations - neigh-bors put pumpkins out in front of their homes for Halloween so that trick-or-treaters know which houses to stop for candy, and many even coordinate decorations for other holidays throughout the year.

The Patels love Chappaqua Ridge because they have genera-tions of family members in the area and everyone has continued to stay close. As Amrita says, “I’ve had friends I grew up with live here and then move away, and new families come and go, but the same warm atmosphere hasn’t changed since the commu-nity welcomed my parents here in the 80’s! I would love to stay in Chappaqua and especially in the Ridge. I want my children to grow up with that same warmth that I did.” This is truly a tes-tament to the close, neighborly atmosphere Chappaqua Ridge offers to its residents.

As a Chappaqua native, Amrita has many favorite “hot spots” in town but one of her favorites is Lange’s, which according to her, “Makes the best egg and cheese breakfast sandwich around.” Certainly a ringing endorsement!


BY ROBIN CHWATKO

It’s almost time for Armonk resident Tobie Di Pietro’s shift at The Bristal Assisted Living Facility. He stretches and gets into his uniform. As he enters the building, it’s clear that he’s a valued member of the Bristal family–he is greeted with excitement from both residents and staff alike, a small crowd has formed awaiting his arrival.

Ready to get to work, he enthusiastically makes himself comfortable, curling up in the lap of one of the eager residents. Tobie is a therapy dog–an 8-year-old Havanese whose job is as simple as it is important- to bring joy, comfort and calm to the people he meets.

It is well-known (and scientifically proven) that interaction with pets has significant benefits to the psychological and physiological well-being of their human counterparts. Animals, and dogs especially, are said to reduce anxiety and stress, lower blood pres-sure, build confidence and encourage communication. As Tobie moves from lap to lap –27 in all–his impact is clear. Residents regale Tobie and his human partner Karen with stories of their own dogs, their grandchildren, their ailments, and even gossip about fellow residents. Smiles spread across faces as Tobie gently snuggles, stiffened hands relax with every stroke of his soft fur.

Meet Some Caring &Compassionate Caninesin your Neighborhood

ALL IN A (DOG) DAY’S WORK:

PHOTO BY LYNDA SHENKMAN


SCHNAUZER SOOTHES STRESSED AREA STUDENTSWhen Alexa Krugel was a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School, she started to feel the stress of the high-pressure, high-achieving environment. She soon came to realize that there was a lack of student-run organizations or initiatives to help alleviate this stress and address mental health issues and the stigmas that come with them. She took it upon herself to create such an outlet for her peers and called it the Mental Wellness Club. The club meets regularly throughout the school year, but around the time of midterms and final exams, they partner with the PTA for “Stress Less Week”. Open to all students, the week focuses on distracting, stress-reducing, mindful activities to allow them to decompress, including yoga, meditation, exercise and, of course, therapy dogs.

Enter a 92-pound giant schnauzer named Maus and his owner, Christine Meyer, who were participants since the club’s inception. Dogs are actually Christine’s business, as she is the owner of Wags N‘ Whiskers, a pet groomer and supply store in Chap-paqua, a town staple since 1991.

“Maus’s presence was commanding, truly remarkable", said Christine. “Physically he was just such a striking dog, people were drawn to him and had questions–what kind of dog he was, how his eyebrows grew so long–he was magnetic. He looked intimidating, but he was just a big mush.” Certified as a therapy dog at age 6, Chris-tine says that he had no idea how large he was, and practically demanded attention,

TOBIE: A HAVANESE WITH HEART Karen, Tobie’s owner, is a first-time dog owner and lifelong volunteer. She contends that the level of giving she experiences through Tobie is unmatched. “Sharing this with Tobie is truly something special, magical even,” she says. “Volunteering together leaves me on Cloud Nine–we connect with people on so many levels, it’s like Tobie seems to know what each person needs.”

This is even more evident in the “Reflections” wing, home to residents in the memory care program at the Bristal. “It’s incredible that the minute they see Tobie, they can recall the name of a childhood dog, or a story about a pet they used to have,” says Karen.

Maytha Ramirez, Director of Recreation at the Bristal, agrees. “It is so important in this community to have that positivity, energy and stimulation–the dynamic changes completely when Tobie enters the room. He gets them talking and brings so much happiness into their lives and their routine.”

In addition to the Bristal, Tobie and Karen volunteer at several county libraries, corpo-rations including Pepsi and Amscan, and women’s shelters. “Tobie is my boyfriend,” exclaims one resident, pulling Tobie closer. She winks and whispers, “He really just comes here for me.”

MAUS' PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTINE MEYER

TOBIE'S PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBIN CHWATKO

MAUS' PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXA KRUGEL


by reading to her. She makes private home visits and is a popular resident of Pleas-antville, where she can be seen getting pets and snuggles from neighbors on the street. Unlike service dogs, therapy dogs are encouraged to interact with a variety of people while they are on-duty.

Skye recently made her first trip to hospice, visiting a woman who had not spoken or communicated in days. Yet, the minute Skye entered the room, her eyes lit up, and she was even able to pet her once Skye every so gingerly offered her sweet, furry paw.

Sometimes, it seems, you just need a helping paw.

Robin Chwatko loved writing this piece as she truly believes in the healing power of the paw. She lives in Chap-paqua with her son, her cat Winnie, and her dogs Ollie and Ruby.

PLEASANTVILLE’S SKYEIS ALWAYS BRIGHT

You can’t help but grin when you meet Skye–a 3-year-old sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog/Poodle mix) who is a 60 pound shaggy poof of kindness, calm and love. Under all that fluff seems to be a knowing smile that, no matter what your mood, she has the power to brighten your day.

Skye’s owner Lynda Shenkman has had and loved many dogs. But the moment she met mellow, sweet Skye, she knew she was destined for therapy work. The mark of a therapy dog is its stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personality–basi-cally Skye in a nutshell.

“We started our training with Skye early, when she was just over a year old,” says Shenkman. “It was clear right away that this was her calling, she knew right away what she needed to do. The minute she puts on her vest and bandana, she knows it’s time to work.”

Therapy dogs may be trained by just about anyone, but must meet set standards and be tested to be certified and registered and actively participate in a program.

Skye works primarily on college campuses and libraries–where kids build confidence

nudging closer to students, even leaning on them or sitting on them until they gave in and pet him. “Maus just KNEW what his role was. As humans we don’t necessarily know who is hurting, but dogs always do. It is a real gift to share my dog with others.”

“My favorite part of having Maus at Greeley was the sense of community he brought. I would always see students who were not friends petting him together and laughing over their common love of the dog,” said Elizabeth Mortati, another Greeley student and club member. “It was really sweet to see how Maus would lift everyone's mood and bring students together.”

Sadly, Maus passed away this January at the age of 11. A fixture in Chappaqua and at the schools he visited, he touched and will be missed by many. His legacy will continue with his 4-year-old sister, another giant schnauzer named Freedom, who was recently certified.

Now a freshman at the University of Michigan, Alexa reflects on the positive experience and indelible impact Maus had on her and her fellow students, and what a positive addition he was to the program she started. “Maus brought so much joy- he was happy, he was comforting, and everyone loved him. He was a familiar face-people developed close relationships with him. Every time he came to the school our worries melted away for a moment.”

SKYE'S PHOTOS BY LYNDA SHENKMAN


BY STACEY PFEFFER

For those of you who are regular readers of this magazine, you’ll recall the first part of this series ran in the last edition. As we go to press, I am at the end of my 90-day complimentary

membership at Life Time. While I haven’t made radical transformations, I have made significant progress with my fitness goals and learned about common misconceptions that were holding me back from achieving my goals.

As an editor, there is a lot of thought that goes into every word that shows up on these pages. I chose the word “journey” for this series in the headline because fitness truly is a journey. There are “ups” and “downs” and twists and turns. Even in a short window of 90 days, I’ve had setbacks but overall, I am more fit than I was when I started. My skeletal muscle mass has increased and my body fat per-centage has reduced by almost 2 percent. Although the scale hovers around the same weight, there is no doubt that my body composi-tion has changed. Here’s five things I attribute these results to:

1. Don’t skimp on calories. I undergo a resting metabolic assessment which provides me with a lot of data points. First of all, for my

activity level I am undereating. I’d say I eat roughly 1,200 calories daily but my personal trainer, Nick Cerone explains that this is essentially helping my body hold onto fat aka those stubborn five pounds that we all want to shed. He wants me to increase my calories to almost 2,000. I am dumbfounded and think that this is going to backfire but I put my trust into him and wait to see what happens.

2. Pass the protein, please. In order to increase skeletal muscle mass, Cerone explains that I need to eat close to 100 grams of

protein a day. Again, I am skeptical and frankly mystified as to how I am going to achieve this. He suggests I keep a food diary to track my protein intake (and calories) on myfitnesspal.com which is free for this purpose. I’ve had to rethink a lot about food. So now in-stead of reaching for Special K cereal and a banana for breakfast, I’m more apt to have Greek yogurt and berries plus granola or an om-elet. It is all about nutrient-dense foods that will fuel my workouts. This has been by far the hardest part for me and most days I do not reach my protein goals but it is something I continually strive for.

3. Aim for full-body strength training moves for efficiency. Cerone likes to have me do moves such as lunges with overhead press

using free weights or goblet squats with a dumbbell instead of moves that work on a single area like tricep dips. “Doing a full body exercise makes the workout more efficient and increases the amount

of muscle tissue used at one time which increases calorie expenditure. This ultimately leads to more weight loss,” Cerone explains.

4. Get out of your comfort zone and mix up your fitness routine. For years, I have tried yoga with no success but during my onboard-

ing session I am urged to try ROOT or SOL especially since I need to improve my flexibility which is key for runners. During these cold winter months, I love the fact that they offer hot yoga.

I take a class with Stacy Bergman and she says something that really resonates with me- “be thankful for the almosts.” She explains you may be struggling with a move or position but have gratitude that you are trying and getting there slowly. She also explains at the beginning of class that as soon as we get on the mat, we are in a judgment-free zone. I like that as I feel pretty foolish and clumsy doing simple moves like tree. I am definitely incorporating yoga at least once a week into my fitness routine.

5. There will be setbacks and obstacles. That’s all part of the journey. Just as I was hoping to kick my fitness routine into high

gear as 2020 started, everyone in my family, including me was sick. I didn’t do a bit of exercise for ten days which for me hasn’t happened since giving birth. I can’t beat myself up over this. I know obstacles are just around the corner whether it be caring for a loved one or battling weight gain in middle age, they will happen. So, I slowly eased my way back to the gym and continued on my journey one lunge at a time.

Stacey Pfeffer is the editor of all three Inside Press publications.

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BY MISSY FABEL

J ust last year at a meeting of the Earthwatch Institute, a prominent environmental non-profit, scientists de-clared the bee to be the most important living being on the planet. This notion was shared by Albert Ein-stein more than a century ago who boldly stated that

“if bees disappear, humans would have four years to live.” Yet bees are at risk of extinction. In fact, in some regions of the world, they have disappeared up to 90 percent.

While that news is sobering, local residents and county-wide initiatives are doing their part to keep bees and other pollina-tors happily buzzing in the communities of Northern West-chester.

Bees, butterflies, birds and even bats are all pollinators that play a vital role in the transfer of pollen from one plant to another, enabling fertilization and the production of fruit and seeds. More than 30% of our food grows as a result of polli-nators. Yet, the habitat loss of native plants and widespread use of pesticides and herbicides are causing worldwide decline of pollinators.

The History Behind theFirst Pollinator Pathway

Sarah Bergman started the very first Pollinator Pathway in Seattle more than a decade ago as part of a social and ecological project to combat the decline in pollinators. In an effort to connect two green spaces more than a mile apart, Ms. Bergman went door to door to the homeowners in-be-tween to create a mile long 12-foot-wide corridor of pollinator

friendly gardens, a literal “pathway” to sustain pollinators with pesticide-free habitat and nutrition.

With increasing public awareness of the decline of pollinators, particularly native bees, Bergman’s idea caught on. In 2018, Norwalk, Wilton and Ridgefield together with Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership (H2H) set up the first Pollinator Pathways in Connecticut. Westchester fol-lowed their lead and New Castle Pollinator Pathway Coalition (NCPPC) is among the more than 16 municipalities, organiza-tions and hundreds of individuals joining Pollinator Pathways in Westchester.

Pollinator Pathways in New CastleThe New Castle Pollinator Pathway Coalition (NCPPC) is a volunteer effort consisting of individuals and organizations that support pollinators by connecting properties and green spaces to create a more hospitable environment for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife.

Pollinator Pathway signs have been popping up in New Castle on resident’s mailboxes and downtown near the train station in recent months. These signs mark just some of the properties that are part of the NCCPC.

According to New Castle resident Victoria Alzapiedi, founder of New Castle Healthy Yards and co-chair of NCCPC, more than 130 public and private properties are already on the Pathway and the list is growing. “I’m so excited that there are so many property owners in our community signing on to the New Castle Pollinator Pathway. Not using pesticides and other lawn chemicals and adding native plants–including specific host and nectar plants for each species of butterfly, moth, and bee–will attract these important insects to your

Pollinator PathwayGardens

Gaining Local Support

Pollinator pathway garden in downtown Chappaqua. Prior to this, the area was full of weeds.

PHOTO CREDIT: MISSY FABEL


yard and provide a haven for them to live and to thrive,” Alzapiedi explained.

Pollinator Friendly Gardens Gain Traction in Other Towns

Garden clubs and other organizations in Pleasantville, Bedford, North Castle and other towns in Westchester are also spreading the word, through education, outreach and the creation of pollinator friendly gardens.

“Our mission includes educating peo-ple about ways to help the planet,” says Phina Geiger, president of the Pleasantville Garden Club, whose members planted a demonstration garden next to a playground in Mt. Pleasant this past spring. “Many of the plants we used were ones from our yards, tried and true locally sourced native plants that people may not know about, but can come and see and be inspired to use in their own yards. The Pleasantville Garden club is also partnering with their Parks & Recreation department to promote Pollinator Pathways in other areas of town, she added.

Plans to add native and pollinator friendly plants are also in the works in Armonk. This spring, the North Castle Public Library is

NEW CASTLEPOLLINATOR PATHWAYS PARTICIPATING PROPERTIES

Pollinator Pathway sign on Route 120PHOTO CREDIT: MISSY FABEL

How to Join the Pollinator

Pathway Initiative● Include native plants on your property for all seasons● Avoid using pesticides and herbicides ● Consider leaving some bare ground for nesting native bees and leaving some autumn leaves for overwintering eggs and pupae of pollinating insects● If you reside in New Castle, register at: www.pollinator-pathway.org/new-castle

A bee on wild sweet WilliamPHOTO CREDIT: MISSY FABEL

Why are PollinatorsUnder Threat?

● Habitat loss due to urban develop-ment and agriculture● Widespread application of pesticides● Climate change

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adding native trees, shrubs and perennials to its foundation plant-ing as part of the New York Library Association (NYLA) state-wide Sustainable Library Certification Program. “We wanted to enhance the landscaping in front of our library,” says Edie Martimucci, Director of North Castle Public Library, “and using native plants just makes sense from an environmental and sustainability standpoint.”

Tips for Creating aPollinator Friendly Garden

Whether you live in an apartment with a balcony, a typical subur-ban home, a large estate or are a commercial business in town, everyone can participate in Pollinator Pathway by avoiding the use of pesticides and choosing native plants. Nature preserves, such as Glazier Arboretum in New Castle, Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve in North Castle, town and county parks, schools, typical backyards and front yards, even window boxes can help support pollinators.

“It’s simple, really,” declares Filipine de Hoogland of Westchester Pollinators. “Many people already have native trees and shrubs in their yards with natural pesticide free areas. If we connect our pollinator friendly yards, we can construct pathways. Pathways create safe territory for our pollinators and other wildlife to survive.” She also suggests informing your landscaping company about the steps you are planning to take to create a pollinator friendly yard, so they can help you achieve your goals.

Year-Round Needsfor Pollinators

Pollinators need nectar and pollen in all seasons. Native spring flowering trees and shrubs are an important nectar and pollen source early in the season as well as common native plants often considered “weeds,” such as the common violet. Violets provide nectar as well as leafy greens for the recently hatched butterfly larvae of the Great Spangled Fritillary. Consider leaving violets and other wildflowers in your lawn in spring.

Aster and goldenrod are vital sources of both nectar and pollen in the fall. White wood aster naturally colonizes the woodland edges common in suburban landscapes and can easily be encouraged to spread. Leaving some leaf litter in your garden or natural area also helps support pollinators by providing cover for overwintering insects.

Local Pollinator EventsOn the Horizon

Look for NCPPC and Westchester Pollinator events this spring and summer, including activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day as well as national Pollinator Week, June 22-28. In addition, mark your calendar for The Chappaqua Garden Club’s Mother’s Day weekend plant sale from May 7-10. The sale offers hundreds of native plants including specific pollinator friendly plant combination kits for sun, shade, wet and dry areas, according to Chappaqua Garden Club co-president Melanie Smith. For more information, visit chappaquagardenclub.com

For more information on Pollinator Pathways and how to start one in your town, visit pollinator-pathway.org.

Missy is a native plant landscape designer and consul-tant, teacher, writer and naturalist in Chappaqua. She is a Steering Committee member of the Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, a member of the Town of New Castle Conservation Board and co-chair of the NCPPC. 26 | INSIDE CHAPPAQUA & MILLWOOD | MARCH 2020


BY GRACE BENNETT

An interview with the very accomplished Evelyn Farkas might have started ‘anywhere’ but we started with her raison d'etre for being ‘back in Chappaqua,’ her childhood home, and her ‘connection’ to the 17th District: “I grew up here, and I never really left… I don’t have my own

nuclear family, so this is where I come back to as often as possible, for holidays and more…

“I left my town to serve my country,” she added pointedly. “I came back to serve my country,” said Far-kas, whose campaign announced over $460,000 raised by the first filing deadline, just six weeks post launching.

The 52-year-old Farkas, MSNBC National Security contributor and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for President Obama, speaks proudly of her parents who raised her here—94- and 81-year-old Hungarian immigrants who fled Hungary after the Communist Revolution failed. “They came to America

Conversation with Chappaqua Nativeand National Security Expert

Evelyn Farkas And Now Congressional Candidate

for the 17th District

PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT


for freedom and economic opportunity,” after moving from Manhattan's 'Little Hun-gary' to Chappaqua when Evelyn was one month old; she and her three siblings grad-uated from Horace Greeley High School.

“When his ship docked in Brooklyn, my dad was 31, and he had to learn English. He knew a little from music and films, but that was all. He took odd jobs and eventually got his Master’s in Library Sciences from Columbia University. He had a Ph.D. and a law degree, so he was on track to be a judge in Hungary. My mother was 13 years younger, so when she came to the U.S. she did a year of high school and college in Oklahoma where she studied pharmacy. They moved to Westchester because he got a job as director of the Briarcliff Manor Public Library. They chose Chappaqua for the schools. I’m so grateful to this district and my schooling. When I got to college, I realized just how well prepared I was.”

I asked her what stood out the most for her in Chappaqua schools: “I learned to write really well–it was a fantastic education, starting at Grafflin elementary school. I can still sing the school song!” We shared a laugh as Farkas recited its lyrics. Greeley, she elaborated, gave her “a great start” with advanced placement in Social Studies, for example. She also recalled a guidance counselor who had a huge impact on her life; she said he helped her navigate college admissions–eventually landing at Franklin & Marshall College with a double major in government and German; she related that her mom worked at three hospitals to supplement her dad’s modest income, so that they could afford her years at F&M, from where, upon graduation, she landed a first job at the Council on Foreign Relations. She described a “massive debt” not paid off until many years later with federal assis-tance. Today she is on F&M’s board.

Breaking Barriers“I do pride myself on working my way up–being self-made,” said Farkas, who after two years overseas went on to graduate school outside Boston to get a Masters and PhD at Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. While she was there, she served as a fellow for the House foreign af-fairs committee, and worked inside Bosnia for six months. As a Human Rights Officer, “it was the most absorbing, meaningful

job I’ve had to date.” What followed: The Marine Corps hired Farkas as one of its first two women assistant professors and eventually promoted her to associate after she finished her doctorate. It was on to the Senate Armed services staff for Senator Carl Levin (“a phenomenal member”) who endorsed Farkas to represent NY-17 in Congress in the late fall.

For nearly a decade, Farkas worked on “a whole swath of issues… combatting terror-ism but also narcotics, Asia Pacific policy, export control, and homeland defense after 9/11.” This led to a key appointment on a post 9/11 commission “getting to the bottom of the nexus between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.” She also worked at the American Security Project founded by Senator John Kerry with whom she worked closely with on environmental issues before returning to the Department of Defense and reporting to “the head of the U.S.-European Command.” Farkas then became the Sherpa to Secretary Leon Panetta for the 2012 NATO summit which led to her most pivotal role when appointed to become Obama’s Assistant Director of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Euroasia.

“Of course, famously, one of my countries invaded the other... I was alarmed to hear that the Trump campaign had this weird relationship to the Kremlin. I knew exactly what that meant because I knew how the Kremlin operated. And that probably repre-sented something more serious. I went on national TV and raised the alarm. I said we need to get involved and Congress needs to get involved.”

Farkas barreled ahead, speaking and writing op-eds—while weathering time con-suming and costly attacks by the far right, she related. “Ultimately the Republicans still in control of Congress made me testify. Of course, there was nothing to it, nobody was leaking to me. I just have a brain and I could put the dots together.”

The Pros of 'Inside Washington' Tenure

That brain and resolve eventually land-ed Farkas as a contributor at MSNBC. Ensconced in her role there, Farkas stated that she did not think she would be a poli-tician. But then in the fall, after Nita Lowey

announced her retirement, friends who had worked for Nita and strangers in the district convinced Evelyn to run.

“People said to me they wanted someone who understands national security issues, who’s a fighter, who will protect both our democracy and our economic opportu-nities; these are issues near and dear to me…"

“So is looking at gun safety and fighting hard so that our children don’t need to be afraid to go to school or working to make sure health care is accessible to more peo-ple at more affordable rates, Farkas added. “I will fight, it’s in my DNA.” Farkas em-phasized her national stature and that she knows how to get things done at the federal level. “For seven years, I drafted and passed legislation. I know the ranking members, the senior staffers... I already have a voice that people listen to. They follow me on Twitter, they watch me on MSNBC, and care what I have to say.”

Climate Changeas a #1 Priority

She describes the ‘backdrop to everything’ regarding her priorities boils down to “pro-tecting our freedom and our economic way of life,” and in that, her Number 1 priority, she makes clear, is the climate crisis. “With the planet on fire literally and melting, we can’t ignore the climate crisis. While that’s my top priority, there are other issues. And we have to tackle them all.” “All of us are affected by what’s happening: Along the Hudson, Long Island Sound, Rye Brook: all affect the district and those who live here–connected to that are issues pertaining to the airport for example. We do have to manage our air quality and noise.”

Gun safety is a very close second prior-ity, calling the current state of affairs “an appalling blemish on our society.”“It’s also preventable… Do background checks. It’s so basic. Many of these shooters would not otherwise have had access to weapons. Mental illness would have disqualified some too. Farkas also advocates no fly/no buy legislation, noting her background in counter terrorism. “Appallingly, people who are banned from flying because of suspicion they might be


others to make support a partisan issue when it has always been a bipartisan issue. Some people–and Trump is at the forefront of this–are changing the bipartisan support. He says ridiculous things like only he sup-ports Israel, only the Republicans support Israel… There’s Nita Lowey, there’s Senator Levin, and many others.”

Mandating Educationto Fight Hate

Farkas said that we also can’t always as-sume negative intentions to those making criticisms of Israel any more than of any other country. “That said, we do have to educate. There are younger people coming into Congress who have probably never traveled to Israel. Our commitment to Israel isn’t just political and military–it is moral.“

“This is why if you have people not educat-ed in the history–and even don’t know how we in America did nothing and turned Jews away during the Holocaust… we now have a moral responsibility to Israel and to the Jewish people. In Congress, I would rectify this lack in education. I also view it as a broader issue than Israel and antisemitism. I’m against all ‘isms.’”

Time was almost up. Early in the interview, Farkas had shared her motivation in break-ing barriers: “I’m a Doer. Even though I can be a Thinker, I’m a Doer.” I asked her for a final thought. “Although I grew up here in Chappaqua, we did struggle. But we got by because of its excellent education system.I feel I want to protect that for future gener-ations–that political freedom, that economic opportunity. I will fight for this district. From day one, I will be able to deliver. Because I’ve already legislated at the Federal level.”

For more information, please visit evelyn-forny.com

Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press and a recipient of the Bernard Rosenshein Courage to Care Award of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. Special thanks to Beth Besen for assistance with this article–second in a series of Inside Press spotlights of NY-17 congressional candidates.

involved with terrorism are not on a banned list for buying firearms!”

Another must do, she emphasized, is a ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons. “I worked for the military and saw weapons in Afghanistan and Iraq and been out to battle zones. Those weapons belong in the hands of our military, and af-ter that, our law enforcement. I don’t want those types of weapons on the streets of America.”

Protecting women’s rights, Farkas stated, is also a high priority. “It’s bad enough that at the state level there was an attack on Roe v. Wade, and not only that but access to reproductive health care. We need to work harder at getting equal pay for women and even harder for women of color across the board. We need to rectify that.”

Speaking of women, Farkas said she has received words of encouragement from Hil-lary Clinton for whom she helped fundraise in 2008, and again in 2016, “joining a group of other Chappaqua women at that time. “I spoke with her recently about this race… she had a number of pieces of concrete advice; her last was my favorite, and that was: ‘Have fun.’ She also said, 'call me anytime’ when I offered to keep in touch!”

Addressing Today’s Antisemitism

As I was working on shaping this story, antisemitism had passed a boiling point–with brutal and lethal attacks on Hasidic and ‘visibly” Jews in particular in Crown Heights, Williamsburg, Jersey City and Monsey with memories of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting still searing through Jewish and public consciousness. How are we going to heal this country, I asked Farkas. How do we take this deep division developed over these last three years and bring this country back together? How would you address antisemitism, I asked.

Farkas said that knowledge of the Holo-caust was “ingrained in me,” despite that her parents weren’t Jewish, she said her grandparents had friends growing up who were Jewish who were terribly affected… It was a horrible time period in Hungary’s history. Coming out of that, my parents wanted us to understand how horrible

humans could be to each other and have an awareness so we could do everything to prevent it.”

Farkas explained that her family history shaped her world view and she geared her education choices toward preventing atroc-ities. The genocide in Bosnia, she related, was one of her doctoral topics. “I’ve been wanted to stop hate from the beginning of my life.

Taking on Trump“But now I’m also disgusted by what Trump has done,” she continued. “He says he’s proud of his daughter and Jewish son in law, but he is aiding and abetting anti-Sem-itism, aiding and abetting ‘otherism’ and hatred of African Americans, the LGBTQ and Muslim communities.”

Farkas said she spoke at a Jewish Federa-tion of Peace lecture series in Pennsylvania. She recalled that the series was named after a prominent survivor, Leo Camp, who had survived Auschwitz. “We have to remember so that it doesn’t happen again,” Farkas said. Referring to a recent article about another survivor, she added: “This man, who didn’t even want to speak to his immediate family about his experience, is now so alarmed by what is happening that he is speaking out publicly as much as possible. I know many of the survivors who are very old doing just that.”

In our discussion about antisemitism, Far-kas noted that she is “absolutely opposed to the BDS Movement.

“I think it’s bad for Israel. It is bad for U.S./Israeli relations. At best, it’s misguided. When it comes to Israel, yes, we need a two-state solution. Israel has the right to remain a Jewish state and I believe the Palestinians should have their own state as well. We need to remain shoulder to shoulder with Israel on security. I’ve worked on that in the Pentagon…” She said that “giving Israel the “qualitative military edge in defense means giving Israel the ability to deter all the other bad actors in the area from taking military action against Israel.”She stated that Trump has “done more to put Israel at risk, to diminish protections than any other President in my lifetime. Politically, it also concerns me that the Israeli government has enabled Trump and


BY JENNIFER SABIN POUX

In 1929, the New York Yankees played an exhibition game in an unusual location. It wasn’t a major league stadium or even a famous park. And Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and their teammates weren’t playing a team known for its athletic prowess.

That game on September 5th was between the Yankees and the Ossining Orioles. The venue? Sing Sing Prison.The Orioles were the best team in the Mutual Welfare League, a.k.a. a prison team.

The Yankees toured the prison before playing in their iconic pinstripes. One man who was incarcerated at Sing Sing was too ill to watch the game, so Ruth autographed his cell wall. Apparently, the Yankees signed a number of baseballs and handed them out. One ball from that momentous game, signed by Ruth and Gehrig, was acquired by Sing Sing Prison Museum just before this past New Year at an auction in Seattle.

Brent Glass is the Interim Director of the museum which will open in part in late 2020. He says that ball, which will be on exhibit along with its history, is significant to the museum because it connects several prison stories.

The ball will “help us tell the story of one approach…to try to encourage men who are incarcerated to partake in recreation, and to become integrated in society when they leave.”

It also helps tell the stories of Sing Sing in popular culture.

Glass says Warden Lewis E. Lawes, who was in charge of Sing Sing at the time of the game, implemented a progressive theory about the importance of rehabilitating the men under his watch in part by making life more interesting for them and giving them recreational and athletic opportunities. He was also connected to Hollywood; Lawes had written several screenplays including, “Over the Wall,” about a man incarcerated at Sing Sing of course.

Over the prison walls is where three Ruth homeruns landed that day in 1929. The Orioles wore hand-me-down NY Giants uniforms to face their professional opponents, but that didn’t help. No surprise– the game was a rout. The Yankees won 17-3. And they gave the men of Sing Sing a great show.

Sing Sing Prison Acquires a New Story and Preps for Museum Opening

The baseball signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig during a game between the Yankees and the inmates. The ball was recently acquired for the museum.PHOTO CREDIT: MBA AUCTIONS

Archival image of the PowerhousePHOTOS COURTESY OF SING SING MUSEUM

Six Tidbits About Sing Sing• The 1,200 cells in the historic cellblock built in 1825 were seven-feet long, six-and-a-half feet high, and three-feet, seven inches wide.

• In the 19th century, some prisoners were subjected to punishments like the “shower bath,” similar to waterboarding.

• David Berkowitz, aka “the Son of Sam,” was incarcerated at Sing Sing.

• Some Hollywood movies filmed scenes at Sing Sing including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

• Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed at Sing Sing

• Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Harry Houdini and B.B. King have all performed at Sing Sing


A New Cultural InstitutionWhen we think about Westchester’s many cultural institutions, Sing Sing Prison does not come to mind. It doesn’t make any Hudson Valley must-see lists, yet. But that will change in this next decade, with the creation of the Sing Sing Prison Museum, opening in full in 2025. The museum’s founders are on a mission to make the museum one of Westchester’s great cultural tourism destinations.

You might go for the history, or you might go to gain a greater understanding of America’s prison complex. You might be interested in the more macabre aspects of the fabled penitentiary. Or you might go for the baseball.

The Sing Sing museum will be devoted to telling stories like the Yankees game, as well as the full story of the institution and its evolution. It will highlight stories of its brutal past and most infamous prisoners like Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, and those of the ordinary men incarcerated there, as well as their families, and the rehabilitation work occurring there in the 21st century. And the museum’s installations will be designed to encourage visitors to examine the greater social justice issues of the prison system.

“That’s one of our major goals for the museum is to challenge people to reimagine the criminal justice system and to take action to create a more just society,” says Glass.

Glass, who is also Director Emeritus of Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, says all stakeholders will be included in the creation of the museum. “We want to tell the story of how incarceration has affected everyone at Sing Sing. We want to talk to the men who are incarcerated. What stories do they think are important to tell? We want to talk to people who have been victims of crimes. We don’t want to leave their stories out.” And he says the museum will include the stories of the people who have worked there over the years.

Why build a museum at Sing Sing now? Glass says, “Every chapter in criminal justice history has a few pages written at Sing Sing.” Unlike a popular museum like Alcatraz, Sing Sing is still operating. And he adds that its proximity to New York City and historic sites in the Hudson Valley makes it a perfect location. It will also bring tourism and millions of tourist dollars to Ossining. The museum founders estimate that 260 jobs in the museum and the wider community will be created, as well as 100 construction jobs.

The Sing Sing Prison Museum will open a preview center in 2020 at the Powerhouse on the prison campus. The Powerhouse provided electricity to the prison from the 1930’s to the 1960’s and will be repurposed with the construction of exhibition spaces, classrooms and a theater, as well as space for re-entry programs to help released prisoners acclimate to society.

When the full museum opens in 2025, Glass says visitors will be able to enter the historic cellblock. “We would break into the prison in effect through a secure corridor that would connect the Powerhouse to the historic cellblock which is about 100 yards south of the Powerhouse. The historic cellblock, built in 1825, would be the centerpiece of the visitor experience because it is an extraordinary ruin that nobody gets to see at this point.”

Sing Sing has a notorious past–including 614 executions in the 20th century–but it is working to bring a sense of humanity to its prisoners through a variety of arts and

educational programs. Rehabilitation Through the Arts provides year-round theater workshops and performance to the prisoners of Sing Sing. They also run workshops in dance, visual arts, music and creative writing. Hudson Link for Higher Education provides college educational opportunities to prisoners through private funding. The correctional facility has a garden and a professional master gardener, Douglass DeCandia, who works with

the prisoners. There are also programs for the families of prisoners.

Perhaps some of the families of early twentieth century prisoners might still have their signed baseballs from the 1929 game against the Yankees. Glass is hoping the museum might be able to acquire a few more. In the meantime, this one will be on view at Sing Sing’s new museum later this year, a wonderful testament to the idea that people who are incarcerated benefit from the occasional diversion and a reminder of what’s possible on the outside.

Jennifer Sabin Poux is a freelance journalist and writer who lives in Pocantico Hills. For nearly two decades, she wrote and produced for ABC News. She has written on politics for the Huffington Post, and her short stories, essays and articles can be found in Fiction, Kitchen Sink Publishing and The Hook.

A rendering of the powerhousePHOTOS COURTESY OF SING SING MUSEUM


etcetera

BY DAN LEVITZ

It’s a week before the big day and our family has convened to strategize a significant plan of action. This approach must be executed with meticulous detail so that the inevitable impending onslaught will be met with preci-

sion. A disciplined chain of command will ensure that whatever blueprint we settle upon will come from the top. Which is most definitely not me. My wife, Laurie, has decided, as The Decider, that the candy should be put into easy to distribute, pre-packed little bags with plump pumpkins on them. While this laborious option will guarantee fairness and efficiency (and trackable statistical data my wise-guy son adds) I tend to lean towards the more chaotic and subjective. Why not greet each kid, assess quality of costume (along with their trick or treat statement) and then distribute loose candy based upon this information? With 200 to 300 trick or treaters expected you can see why I am not The Decider. Welcome to life on my cul-de-sac.

When we moved to our Northern Westchester digs everything seemed new and a bit odd but exciting too. In the city we’d walk the kids to school every morning and it was a sweet ritual. Leaving that and other distinct urban scenarios behind made me hesitant to embrace the move to this beautiful bucolic suburb. However, almost immediately, it was clear that the more rural versions of our established routines were equally wonderful. In this case, we’d lose the family time spent walking to school as, now, the bus-stop is literally in front of our house. This simple fact of geography led to very fast friendships for the kids, as well as par-ents, who would all gather on a near daily basis. It would be impossible not to notice that we’d absolutely landed in a neighborhood.

Some of the bus-stop relationships evolved into friendships that still remain. Others were fleeting and on occasion a little contentious but that’s just the way life is with people interacting daily, sometimes before coffee. What became intriguing to me over time was the evolution of the bus stop.

You’d see your kids eventually age out along with their peers followed by new kids which were often younger siblings you might know. At one point a whole new crop of kids populates the space by the house and, not being connected to it other than seeing it from the window, you realize that that particular aspect of living in the cul-de-sac always continues. Just as sweet as ever but no longer a direct part of our lives.

It may be a personal flaw but I’m very quick to base opinions upon my initial impression of people. Fair or not, neighbors show themselves one way or another and, unwittingly, I reach a conclusion about who they are which will never change unless they prove otherwise. I know this is absurd and not particularly neighborly but here we are. Shortly after we landed in our house a neighbor said hello and within 10 seconds told me I needed a new roof on my house. Probably a wonderful person but, for me, he’ll always be that guy who was critical of our new abode when I was at the height of emotional vulnerability homeowner-wise.

Along those lines, when the kids were young, there was a mother at the bus stop with a child the same age as my son. She wasn’t particularly friendly, even a bit abrupt, and I rashly concluded she was just kind of a hard case. Our kids became friends and I got to know her a little better and, of course, she turned out to be a very kind person. It turned out this single mom had serious health issues and I always felt terrible about my initial shallow rush to judgement. One December she came by to ask me to tune an electric guitar she’d bought for her daughter. I happily did so and she gave me a warm and spontaneous hug. I watched her walk away, guitar in hand, in light December snow headed up towards her house at the end of the cul-de-sac. The neighborhood is quite simply a community of folks living in close proximity and all that that entails.

Dan Levitz is an art dealer and writer and has lived in Chappaqua for more than 15 years.

The Art of BeingNeighborly

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