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THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.C0M | MAY 2019

Alopecia Awareness for AllReflections About Motherhood

Beloved Armonk Eagle

Gilda’s ClubWHAT IS SPIRAL GIVING?Helping Refugees

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CongratulationsTo Our 2018 Award Winners

Stacey Sporn Stacee Massoni The DelVecchio Scarano Team

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PRESIDENT’S CLUBTop 13% in the Company

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HONORARY PRESIDENT’S CLUBTop 13% in the Company

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Andrea Hoolan joins Raveis with 22+years of Real Estate experience and a lifetime volume of $75+ Million. Andrea’s business philosophy is to provide clients with the highest level of commitment and service, ensuring a successful outcome, whether selling, buying or renting. She feels it is truly rewarding to fulfill the real estate needs of the new generations and existing clients.

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MAY 2019 | INSIDE ARMONK | 03

MAY 2019THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.COM

Accounts ManagerANALIA BOLTUCH

Web Design RYAN SMITH, RICK WATERS

Advertising Manager CAROLINE ROSENGARDEN

Art DirectorLISA SAMKOFF

EditorSTACEY PFEFFER

Publisher & Editor-in-ChiefGRACE BENNETT

Inside Press, PO Box 643, Millwood, NY 10546Telephone: 914-238-2600

Inside Armonk 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.

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

© 2019 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.Reproduction of any portion is prohibited without permission by the publisher.

May 2019Volume 16, Number 2

THE MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CASTLE & BEYOND | THEINSIDEPRESS.C0M

in the know4 Celebrating ResilienceBY STACEY PFEFFER

happenings8 • Commerce Picks 2019 Citizen and Organization of the Year• Yom HaShoah Concert• Basketball Event to End Food Allergies

features6 Helping RefugeesBY ANNA YOUNG

14 Non-Profit Helps People with Disabilities Enter WorkforceBY AMY KELLEY

18 The Beloved Armonk EagleBY DAVID PROPPER

21 Alopecia Awareness for AllBY SHAUNA LEVY

23 Junior League’s 65th AnniversaryBY AMY KELLEY

25 BHHS Scientists Win Competition

26 The Young PhilanthropistsBY SUE BOLEN

27 Support Groups at Gilda’s ClubBY BETH BESEN

28 Kids’ Kloset Fashion ShowBY STACEY PFEFFER

gotta have arts10 Spotlight: The Armonk PlayersBY ELLA ILAN

lifestyles with our sponsors30 ROCKS Second Location

31 Spring Fashion at StileBY SHAUNA LEVY

etcetera32 The Changing Nature of MotherhoodBY MARLENE KERN FISCHER

WE REALLY NEED YOUR EMAIL...that is, if you haven’t shared it already! We are building up our reader email list to communicate with you electronically both with occasional news andgenerous offers. Write to: [email protected] Enjoy our May edition!

cover story10-12| Spotlight on the Armonk PlayersBY ELLA ILANCOVER PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

25

Letter to the Editor Bedford Playhouse History I read the article on the history of the Bedford Playhouse (March/April story: The Bedford Playhouse Reopens its Doors). I love reading about the history of Westchester (and my old hometown of Pleasantville), and so wanted to give you additional and some corrected history of the theater: In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, the theater was owned by Ronald Lesser. He also owned the theaters in Mount Kisco, the late great Rome Theater in Pleasantville, the Yorktown Triangle Theater and Beach Theater in the Beach Shopping Center in Peekskill. Lesser turned the Bedford Playhouse into a Twin theater in 1984 along with the Rome Theater in 1983. The Mount KIsco Theater was later turned into five. Little by little, Lesser sold off theaters, but kept Mount KIsco and Bedford until later in the 1990s. It was then bought by Clearview Cinemas... which bought up small independent theaters in Westchester and a few in Rockland County. At some point after 2005, Clearview was bought out by Bowtie Cinemas. - Rob Koch

04 | INSIDE ARMONK | MAY 2019

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,

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 communi-ties in a prosperous time, people often think that all is co-

pasetic 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 Ameri-can, 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 be-reaving 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

in the knowCelebrating Grit & Resilience

ThankYou

To our March/April

and May 2019Sponsors:

FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

REAL ESTATE MVPs

Coldwell BankerBarbara Peterson

CompassThe Miller-Goldenberg Team

Yona Strougo, The Kori Sassawer Team

Corcoran GroupRobin Roy

Douglas EllimanGladys Disisto

Grand Lux Realty

Houlihan LawrenceAlicja BohmrichDeena Bouchier

Harriet Libov Amy Singer

William RaveisSena BaronCindy Glynn

Bonnie GolubAndrea HoolanGrace LoBelloDonna Nikic

Stacey Sporn

MORE OF OUR MOSTVALUABLE PLAYERS

Armonk Tennis ClubBeecher Flooks Funeral Home

Believe SalonBet Torah Synagogue

Bistro 146Breezemont Day Camp

Maria Briones, M.D.Bueti Brothers Inc.

Burke Rehabilitation HospitalChappaqua Learning Center

Chappaqua School FoundationClub Fit

Eye Designs of ArmonkFiddleheads Cooking Studio

Financial Asset Management Corp.First Congregational Church-Barn Sale

Future Stars Summer CampsGail Marie’s Brow Studio

Granite Tax ReductionHarmon Deli

Harvey Cavalier CampHarvey School

La Mer Gourmet SeafoodLanges Little Store

Logrea Dance AcademyMark’s Drivers

Millwood Garden CenterModern Tradition Kitchen and Bath

New Castle Physical TherapyNorthern Westchester Hospital

Oak Lane Child Care Center Pleasantville Synagogue

Rent a TeenagerROCKS Jewelry Gifts Home

Scarborough & TweedSteffi Nossen School of Dance

Temple Beth El of Northern WestchesterTobi Bistro

Tom Williamson LandscapingWags and Whiskers

White Plains HospitalWordcraft

World Cup GymnasticsWorld Cup Nursery School

For sponsorship inquiries in our upcoming editions, including the new Briarcliff/Ossining and

Pleasantville editions, please call 914 238-2600 or write to [email protected]

Sincerely, The Inside Press team

Special thanks to our Grand Slam Champs takingcover and/or full pages in multiple editions:

William Raveis, Houlihan Lawrence,Northern Westchester Hospital, Douglas Elliman, Compass,

White Plains Hospital, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital,Chappaqua Learning Center, Modern Tradition Kitchen & Bath

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BY ANNA YOUNG

Four years ago, a photo of a Syrian boy’s lifeless body washed up along the Turkish shore went viral and enlightened so many to the plight refugees succumb just to have

freedom, peace and safety.

The three-year-old boy, who was one of 12 Syrians who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea attempting to reach the Greek Island of Kos, encapsulated the determination and desperation refugees experience trying to escape the horror and danger they were born into.

That photo served as a catalyst for several residents and organizations throughout Westchester County to work together to support refugees overseas and aid in integrating and assimilating them as they sought refuge in the United States.

Armonk resident Jackie Tarascio said she was shocked by the image and felt an urgency to help refugees in anyway.

Local ResidentsHelp with theRefugee Crisis & Resettlement Needs

“When I saw it, I just felt like I had to do something. It was an awful image of these refugees seeking freedom,” Tarascio said. “It’s easy to go to dinner with your friends and have a day-to-day life, and then you become aware of what’s going on and you feel guilty for spending $5 on coffee, having a home, wearing a jacket or travelling through a border. These people can’t even cross a border to get to safety.”

Wanting to help those in need, Tarascio searched through social media for groups devoted to connecting refugees and volunteers, eventually joining several private groups on Facebook that serve both local families and those overseas. It’s a networking team that has been built up over the years and you learn the people you can trust, she said.

Tarascio noted many instances where her volunteerism assisted someone resettle locally, find a job, or acquire a doctor to perform an essential surgery overseas, adding that each individual and family is grateful to receive support. But while Tarascio is fortunate to help so many, she said it’s a highly emotional circumstance where some cases simply can’t be solved.

“Sometimes you need to come to terms with a family being unable to get out of their situation,” Tarascio said. “It’s a burden you expect, and it’s a weight on your shoulders and an awareness of what is happening. It took me seeing a news report to want to know more but if I can help get someone a stroller it’s heartwarming.”

Chappaqua resident Mary Refling, who started the Westchester Refugee Task Force in 2015, said she became aware of the violence in Syria after seeing the graphic photo in church one day. After learning there wasn’t a resettlement agency in Westchester, she said it was time to step up to the plate and help those seeking asylum.

“Most of the people in our group feel this real strong connection to this sense of civic responsibility that we are here and the privileges we enjoy as American citizens are due in part to our grandparents and our

parents,” Refling said, noting how difficult it is for people to leave their life, and sometimes families behind, to emigrate to the United States with almost nothing. “We just feel like someone did this for us so it’s our turn to make it possible for the new generation of immigrants.”

Kathie O’Callaghan, president and founder of Hearts & Homes For Refugees (HHFR), felt similar discouragement after she launched her non-profit grassroots humanitarian group in 2015. O’Callaghan collaborated with several civic groups and faith-based coalitions to create the Westchester Refugee Initiative to broaden the scope of work they could do to resettle refugees. In the last two years, she said her organization has resettled 12 cases, or 100 individuals.

While O’Callaghan and Refling are proud of the work they are doing, both noted that the Trump Administration has made every effort to prevent refugees from seeking asylum in the United States. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of State, the number of new

Mary Refling

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY REFLING

Jackie Tarascio

refugees in New York decreased from a high of 5,026 in 2016 to 1,281 in 2018.

With the number of refugees decreasing, O’Callaghan said her organization is focused on supporting recently resettled immigrants, citing that many of them have particular needs and run into obstacles as they integrate into the community. “The US has always been the country people look up to, and we’re not going to model the current behavior that this country has shown,” O’Callaghan said. “We’re not going to save the world by resettling refugees but it’s important that we make sure that we do our part. We’re not going to disappear.”

Anna Young is an avid journalist who has been reporting on an array of local stories in Westchester and Putnam counties for over two years.

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The Armonk Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2019 Citizen and Organization of the Year. The recipients

were selected due to their long-term volunteer commitment to help improve the North Castle Community. The Chamber pointed out that this year’s honorees “have gone above and beyond for the good of the Byram Hills School District.”

2019 Citizen andOrganizationof the Year

happenings

· Ira Schulman is the District’s longest serving school board member, who has also served in other local leadership and board positions.

· The Byram Hills Education Foundation, selected as Organization of the Year, is celebrating 25 successful years of providing grants to the District, totaling $4.6 million. The Chamber stated they will celebrate “these local champions” at the annual Citizen of the Year Golf Outing and Dinner. This year, it will take place on Tuesday, May 14 at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk. The public is invited to attend and may register at armonkchamberofcommerce.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARMONK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BHEF Members

Lace up your sneakers! Michelle Feit Isban, a parent of a child with multiple anaphylactic food allergies, has created an event with an amazing group of food allergy families called “EAT’s Shoot for a Cure and Family Fun Day” on May 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Breezemont Day Camp. The event will feature basketball games for the whole family and carnival-style activities. Visit eat.rallybound.org/shootforacure for additional information.

Basketball Fundraiser toEnd Food Allergies

Wednesday, May 1st at 7pm t Musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestraaccompany a multi-media presentation, video

and lecture narrated by Mark Ludwig

Erev Yom HaShoahConcert

On Wednesday night, May 1, 7 p.m., Temple Shaaray Tefila is sponsoring a unique Erev Yom HaShoah

concert with musicians from the Boston Symphony. Mark Ludwig, Executive Director of the Terezin Music Foundation, will be narrating a multi-media presenta-tion with music and archival video of the composers of Terezin and an examination of life/survival/death in the so-called Model Ghetto. Free attendance.

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Expert physicians in Primary Care, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and multiple specialties including Allergy & Immunology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Neurology, Orthopedics and Rheumatology offer personalized service for patients and family members. Same-day appointments are often available.

The facility also houses a Diagnostic Imaging Center and Urgent Care center, operated by White Plains Hospital Emergency Department physicians, with extended hours and short wait times.

To make an appointment call 914-849-7900. Visit wphospital.org/armonk for more information.

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Robert Antonelle, MDGastroenterology

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Samantha Lowe, MDPediatrics

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Ute Traugott MDNeurology, Multiple Sclerosis

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Michael Weintraub, MDNeurology

Michael Zuckman, MDInternal Medicine


ARMONK PLAYERS

BY ELLA ILAN

The Armonk Players (the “Players”), a true embodiment of high-quality theatre and community participation, is Armonk’s local community theatre group, which has been putting on productions at the 186-seat Whippoorwill Theater Hall adjacent to The North Castle Public Library for more than 22 years. Staging two full productions every year, one of which is a musical, along with free staged readings, the Players offer a plethora of opportunities for people to see great theatre, perform in shows, or work behind the scenes.

KEY PLAYERS

The Players was the brainchild of three longtime Armonk residents, Barbara and Hal Simonetti and Susan Geffen. Geffen’s and Mrs. Simonetti’s friendship developed in the 1980s when they were both living in Tokyo while their husbands were on work assignments for IBM. Simonetti, whose passion had always been theatre, was directing a staged reading for the Tokyo International Players, and asked Geffen, an interior designer by profession, for help with producing, staging, and costumes. Geffen loved the experience and there began a great friendship and shared love of theatre.

Upon returning to Armonk, the women learned that the library was adding on a theatre complex to the building. Once it was built, they decided they needed a community theatre group. “My husband Hal, Susan and I sat in my kitchen and said ‘Let’s put on a show!’ and that’s how it all started,” recalls Simonetti.

The Armonk PlayersCommunity Theatre at its Best

PHOTO BY CATHY PINSKY

Gotta Have Arts

to direct Lovers and Strangers and has stayed on ever since to help any way she can. She currently handles publicity for the Players in addition to her role as Director of Press and Public Relations at Westchester Broadway Theatre.

“I was immediately accepted as part of the family and it really was a family at that point,” says Haas.

DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY THEATRE

“We supply good theater to the community –remember, we are within a stone’s throw of Broadway so in order to get people to come, there have to be a couple of reasons and one of them is to see your friends and one of them may be the price, but at the end of the day you need to put on quality performances,” says Berro.

“I think we’ve achieved a quality that is kind of remarkable for a community theatre. I think our shows have really high quality productions and we pride ourselves on that,” says Haas.

“Many of us go into New York to go to the theatre. It can be a multi-hundred dollar event–we are either taking a train or driving a car in and paying fifty dollars to park, we’re going out to dinner, we buy tickets, and we get home after midnight.

“Here, you can go to the theatre within 10 or 15 minutes, you don’t pay for parking, you’re home by 10:30, and you’ve seen excellent theatre,” proffers Geffen.

AMAZING VOLUNTEERSIt takes an enormous amount of effort to put on a show. The Players are grateful for all their devoted helpers and are always looking for more volunteers. From early on, they were lucky to have Haas and Christine DiTota, both experienced directors, on the theatrical side. Berro, besides his contributions as a leader, on the board, and on the stage, was critical in setting up lighting for the shows. Berro’s father, Nat Berro, designed and supervised the construction of authentic-looking sets.

“Some people have been with us for 20 years…Phyllis Sederbaum, Ann Nisenholtz, Ron Aaronson, and others…these are stalwarts whose lives have been affected by this. It’s a successful cooperative community effort that’s longstanding. Not too many of those around,” says Mr. Simonetti.


“First I thought it was a crazy idea because even though we knew about theatre, we didn’t know about the making theatre end of it,” says Mr. Simonetti. “But after we started it, we found that out of the woodwork from every direction came people who were interested in it. We gave them an opening and in they came.”

The Armonk Players is sponsored by The Friends of the North Castle Library (“The Friends”), a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for purchasing “extras” for The North Castle Public Library. One of the Friends’ biggest fundraisers is the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show, which benefits the library and the Whippoorwill Hall theatre. Geffen was on the board of the Friends and was instrumental in arranging the early funding for the Players.

“When you have a theatre group, you need an angel and there was the magic confluence of the Friends having as their mission to bring culture and education to the community, having a theatre, and putting together a theatre group,” explains Geffen.

“We’re very blessed to have the facility that we have at the library and we’re extremely blessed to have the Friends be our patrons and supporters – that’s an unusual situation and a very lucky one,” says longtime Armonk resident Rodd Berro, board member and former president of the Players. Berro, who is the president and co-owner of Pegasus Asset Management, has been involved with the Players since performing and doing lighting for them in their very first show.

LET’S PUT ON A SHOWFor that first staged reading, the Players chose 84 Charing Cross Road, a play about a writer and an antique bookseller, for its literary focus since the theatre was at the library. Mrs. Simonetti played the lead and Mr. Simonetti directed it. It was a community effort from the very beginning.“For the set, we took furniture from people’s houses… a desk, bookcases, books, an old fashioned typewriter… Everybody involved brought something from their home,” remembers Mrs. Simonetti. “Everyone that came out that day, either in the show or doing tech or costumes or props for the show, ultimately stayed as long as they could over the years to help us with all the shows we did.”

Current Artistic Director Pia Haas was brought in as a director soon thereafter

VARIOUS PRODUCTIONSOF THE ARMONK PLAYERS

ALL PRODUCTION PHOTOSCOURTESY OF ARMONK PLAYERS


“One of the biggest challenges is finding volunteers. Everybody enjoys the acting part but finding people to do the work–from the backstage to the lighting to building the sets and taking them down to getting props and costumes to just being in there to organize–the people that do this are the unsung heroes and the unsung volunteers,” says Berro. “It’s a challenge but it’s always wonderful when new people come in. The challenge creates an opportunity to meet new people and to have new ideas.”

“We really need more people to do this; to make an investment in the town where they live,” says Geffen. “I love this town and made a decision to bring in a theatre group and get involved wherever I can. I get back

so much more than I give. I have met the best people because the volunteers are always the best people.”

“For me, personally, it was the start of getting involved in volunteer work and community spirit. Even though I had a love of theatre, having a BFA from a conservatory, and it was wonderful to get back into theatre, what it did most for me is allow me to recognize the importance of community outreach to make the community stronger and better through the arts and through other volunteer organizations,” reflects Berro. “It was also wonderful to have my dad, who is now 97, involved. He built some wonderful sets over the years.”

COMING UPTheir next show, Baby, a musical comedy, is scheduled to run for two weekends beginning May 10th and promises to be a great production. The musical with a book by Sybille Pearson and music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. first ran on Broadway in 1983. Poster design and graphics for the show were provided by generous volunteers, Janet and Rich Ferrante.

“Baby is a very relatable story about three couples all in different age brackets who discover they are all pregnant at the same time. The music is fantastic and the cast is phenomenal. It’s not a show that is produced too often so it should be really interesting for the audience,” says Director and Choreographer Tom Coppola.

“It’s one of my favorite musicals,” says Rachel Schulte , the actress playing the role of “Lizzie,” in the show. “I fell in love with the music after listening to a CD of it in college and it’s been a dream role of mine ever since.”

In addition to the regularly scheduled staged readings, the Players recently hosted their first “improv night,” which was a great success. They hope to do more in the future. For tickets to Baby and information about upcoming performances, please visit armonkplayers.org

Ella Ilan is an avid theater goer and a frequent contributor to Inside Press publications.

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BY AMY KELLEY

One in four Americans has a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while people

with disabilities have a lot to offer the workforce, there can be obstacles to finding employment, for both eager employers and prospective employees.

Disability Solutions, a group within Abili-ty Beyond, a non-profit with its New York headquarters in Chappaqua, seeks to help overcome these obstacles - and now, they’ve been awarded a $50,000 grant from the PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) foundation to help them do so.

Kristine Foss, managing director of Disability Solutions, said the money will fund efforts including a year-long series of webinars for “talent acquisition professionals and job seekers.”

“For 60 years we’ve been working with job seekers in New York and Connecticut and helping them find jobs,” Foss said of her par-ent organization. “We had employers reaching out to us, and from those conversations, Dis-ability Solutions was formed to build a bridge between employers and job seekers.”

Job seekers with disabilities vary widely, Foss said. Some have developmental disabilities; others have physical disabilities due to aging or medical disabilities; still others are veterans with service disabilities.

Job seekers with disabilities may have ques-tions as they try to find employment, Foss said. They may be unsure whether or not to disclose a disability to a potential employer; they may need guidance on “how to profes-sionally follow up, make sure keywords are in their resumes, how to navigate the interview process” and even how to “dress for suc-cess,” Foss said.

“Some of it is great advice that anyone can benefit from,” Foss said. “But of course we target it to people with disabilities.” The first webinar for job seekers launched this past winter with several planned for the coming months. Just this past week, webinars to help employers prepare for a pay equity audit and

to help jobseekers decide on disclosing if they have disability were launched. Six additional webinars are planned for May and June and additional information to register can be found at disabilitytalent.org/events-webinars.

Disability Solutions also offers information to talent acquisition professionals. Foss said that many companies really aim to benefit from

Beyond does fundraising, and receives funds from New York State and other government partners. “We do get grants but not enough of them,” she said.

It’s a continuum of services, Brighton-Ortiz ex-plained. People with disabilities come into the program “mostly from transitional programs in the high schools.” They are then assessed and are either matched with an internship or a pre-vocational program, the aim of which is to hopefully prepare and transition each person to an internship if possible.

“Once they acquire skills that will help them be successful in competitive employment,” these individuals are then graduated, referred to a state agency and then work with an em-ployment specialist (often called a job coach),” Brighton-Ortiz said.

The day program has a site-based compo-nent and another component that is really

Local Non-Profit Ability Beyond Receives Grant to Help People with Disabilities Enter Workforce

Ability Beyond clients receiving therapeutic services at the Chappaqua Crossing location

hiring the many talented and hardworking people with disabilities, but may need help removing obstacles in their hiring processes. For example, an online application can have “unintentional barriers,” Foss said.

Foss’s group has helped large companies like Pepsico, American Express and Synchrony Financial hire thousands of people.

Shaileen Brighton-Ortiz, assistant director of programs and services in New York, works out of Ability Beyond in the recently opened Chappaqua Crossing location. About four years ago, Ability Beyond moved out of its for-mer location on Kisco Avenue in Mount Kisco. “We’ve grown rapidly since then because we’ve been able to serve more people in the space we’re in now.”

“I oversee the day and work programs in New York,” she said. “Our New York office is located here in Chappaqua. We serve about 200 people in our work program and about 180 people in our day program.” Ability

“without walls,” Brighton-Ortiz explained, but the location in Chappaqua operates as a “hub.” From there, people may go out to internships, physical, recreational, or cultural activities. “There’s a blend of programming,” she said. “We don’t really believe in an adult day program. People are able to graduate when they’ve accomplished their goals. We partner with Disability Solutions and other agencies. It’s like graduating from high school to college - they have options.” Currently, about 40 percent of the people in Ability Beyond’s program are in the site-based program and 60 percent in the “without walls” component.

“I’m really excited to spread the word about this innovated and talented group of job seekers nationally,” Foss said. “Companies are looking for talent.”

Amy Kelley is a Mount Kisco resident and frequent contributor to Inside Press publications.

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BY DAVID PROPPER

R ecognizable across generations and indisputable in its significance, the Armonk Eagle has proven to be a special symbol in the Town of North Castle dating back decades.

What began as a simple 12 foot by 40 foot structure that was only supposed to grace the town temporarily has become a landmark rich in history. The origin of the Armonk Eagle goes back to 1976, when the town was preparing for America’s 200th birthday.

The entire country was in a patriotic mood then, which made an eagle the perfect symbol to soar above North Castle during its parade that year, Christine Eggleton, North Castle Historical Society president, explained. Originally, it was only supposed to stick around for the bicentennial, but ended up having an extended stay and has been replaced more than once when the elements battered up the previous eagle, noted Eggleton.

When one town administration decades ago was considering taking the beloved eagle down, Eggletown told the supervisor back then he shouldn’t be surprised if there is staunch opposition to that idea. She was right.

“It turned out he must’ve asked a lot of people (about taking the eagle down) and people felt very strongly about the eagle,” Eggleton said.

It’s an unofficial, visual landmark in the town, Eggleton said. When people are giving direc-tions to visitors, they’ll reference the eagle.

“You know you’re in Armonk when you see the eagle,” she said.

Town historian Sharon Tomback said creating the first Armonk eagle was a massive commu-nity effort that required several local volunteers, including and most notably residents Arthur Soka, Charles Elson and John Schnoor.

The History Behind

the Beloved

Armonk Eagle


“You’re driving up Route 22 and there’s the flags flying, the lights on the flag on the eagle and it’s a sense of civic pride and pa-triotism and community all rolled into one,” Tomback said.

Troy Soka, whose father was Arthur Soka, said the original plan was to place the eagle along Route 120 where the bicentennial parade would take place and suspend it overhead, but that proposal was shot down by the state department of transportation, Soka said. The alternative spot was near the IMB property, on the corner of Route 120 and Route 22, which is where the eagle continues to fly today.

“(My father) always made a big deal about how if you drove on Route 22 from Kensico coming from North White Plains when you approach the eagle and get closer to it, it appears to rise up as if it was taking off,” Soka said.

The eagle had a lasting meaning for Arthur decades after it was built. Even after Arthur moved to Florida, he would occasionally ask Troy, a New York resident, if his eagle was still in Armonk. In fact, in the third sentence of Arthur’s 2010 obituary, it states his involvement with the Armonk eagle and

a plaque in town commemorates him for his efforts.

Soka said it gratifies him to see that Armonk has embraced the eagle as “its symbol.”

“And now God forbid you took it down, it would be an uproar,” he added.

But in 2013, losing the eagle was a pos-sibility when it was once again in disrepair and the town didn’t want to use taxpayer dollars to replace it, said former North Cas-tle councilwoman Diane Roth.

When a Garden Club member went to put flowers under the eagle, she noticed a piece of the eagle’s wing broke off and was in the flowerpot. Roth worked to find potential private dollars to pay for it and eventually phoned The Engel Burman Group, which owns the Bristal Assisted Living Facility in town. Although the price tag was a hefty $25,000, the donation came through. For the first time, the eagle was made out of steel metal so it could last much longer than wooded predecessors.

“I think it’s one of the iconic symbols of North Castle and America,” Roth said.

“Keeping a memory of our past strengthens our future.”

So iconic that eagle symbols are seen on the badges of the North Castle Police De-partment and the North Castle Beautifica-tion Committee has spearheaded putting them on street signs and welcome-to-town signs.

Armonk Chamber of Commerce President Neal Schwartz, who owns College Planning of Westchester in town, said the eagle is one of three symbols that defines North Castle: An apple, Frosty the Snowman and finally the eagle, which is an all-encom-passing symbol for the entire town.

Beautification committee member Angela Monforte said the eagle welcomes visitors and residents alike to the community like a “town mascot.”

“It symbolizes small town living,” Monforte summed up.

David Propper is a frequent contributor to the Inside Press.

PHOTO COURTESY OFNORTH CASTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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BY SHAUNA LEVY

A li Lambert Voron of Briarcliff Manor is many things. She is a voiceover actress, motivational speaker, blogger, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a mother. She also happens to be bald. Yet, instead of allowing that single attribute to define her, Voron flipped the narrative and is redefining society’s views of “normal.” Through optimism, humor and a steadfast decision to be happy, she harnesses every challenge life presents, transforming them into opportunities.

Lean and long, with bright eyes and a warm smile, Voron’s captivating presence radiates both inner and outer beauty. From a young age, she found joy in spreading happiness and light, saying, “My mom always strived to make others smile, especially if she sensed they were in a bad mood. I inherited that. I had an amazing childhood. Then, I lost my hair.”

Redefining Normal At the age of 16, Voron began noticing bald patches in her head. Those discoveries prompted a confusing journey of misdiagnoses including hair-pulling disorders, depression and the potential of lupus. Voron recalls, “I felt happy and didn’t think I was stressed, but then I began second guessing myself. When a dermatologist finally diagnosed me with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss everywhere on the body, it was almost a relief.”

With the support of her family, Voron met the diagnosis with what would become her trademark optimism. A variety of treatments including serums and topical injections were used that produced hair regrowth, but only

Local Alopecia Awareness Advocate

Celebrates the Beautyof What Differentiates Us

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALI LAMBERT VORON


temporarily. “The most insecure part for me,” she says, “was that I never actually imagined being bald. I thought I’d have patches, but that it would come back. I never foresaw what actually happened and over a period of a year, my hair got thinner and thinner until it eventually all fell out.”

Initially, Voron bought a wig, but that didn’t last long and she emerged from the experience stronger than she thought possible. She explains, “Wearing a wig just wasn’t me and it didn’t take long before I whipped it off for good. I realized that I wanted to be myself regardless of whether that broke social norms. Strangely, I almost viewed myself as lucky for having learned this valuable lesson early on.”

A Sense of Humor HelpsLosing her hair at such a formative time was not without challenges. The headmaster of the private school Voron attended encouraged her to run for president of the school, a recommendation Voron credits as a “true gift.” With guidance from her “very funny” parents, she launched into cam-paign mode and put together a slideshow of bald leaders who she hoped to emulate including Mahatma Gandhi, President Eisenhower and Mr. Clean since he is the “leader of household cleaning products.” She won the elec-tion and gained a valuable platform to prove that although she was different, she remained the same, explaining, “As president, you make speeches in front of existing and prospective students, alumni and parents regularly. I got to show my community and myself that I was okay–different, but normal and even a leader–and, I got that opportuni-ty over and over again.”

A Cycle of KindnessHer story gained traction and Jennifer Saltiel, a family friend and aspiring writer (coincidentally, also a current Chappaqua resident) reached out. The resulting article, No-Hair Day, was published in “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul” as well as “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.” Voron began receiving letters in droves from people undergoing cancer treatment who were inspired to forgo their wigs to teenagers who were encouraged to look past their own insecurities. Voron says, “Those letters inspired me to realize how much we can help one another. I helped them and their outreach helped me. It was an amazing cycle.”

Years later, a chance meeting at the New Orleans’ Jazz Fest, introduced Voron to her husband. A fellow Philadelphia native, they had been orbiting one another for years, as his mother was even Voron’s second grade He-brew school teacher. The first years of marriage would also show that they shared a strong sense of resilience. Voron explains, “I got very sick with ul-cerative colitis in the beginning of our marriage. Autoimmune diseases like alopecia and colitis are closely genetically linked. I ultimately had my colon removed. Though I have no recollection, my parents reported that when I left the operating room, I raised my fist in the air and said, ‘the monster is out!’ At that same time, my husband’s mom died of brain cancer. Like my alopecia, these traumatic experiences made us stronger and taught us that we will emerge from the bad days to see the good ones.”

The Vorons have extended that philosophy to how they parent their chil-dren, ages three and six. Voron explains, “I love that my kids have a mom who looks different because it sends the message that it’s not just okay to be different–it’s cool. If you’re not different, you’re the same and that’s not exciting or special.” So, when Voron learned that a bald Bratz Doll hit the market, she naturally seized the opportunity.

The couple launched a grassroots effort, “Bald Dolls 4 Bald Kids.”“I understand firsthand how having this doll would be so impactful, so it became my mission to get enough dolls to the National Alopecia Confer-ence, a place where going wigless is the norm,” explained Voron. With only

three weeks until the conference, armed with sheer will and energy, the Vorons raised $14K, enough money to provide dolls for every child in attendance at the event. The family maintains a small inventory of the dolls, which they distribute at intervals to children with cancer and alopecia.

A Path of Inspiration Voron’s experiences have laid the foundation for living a life with a focus on kindness and empathy. “Initially, it bothered me that at least one person would approach me to ask about my hair daily, until my husband pointed that each of these people had their own story to tell. It literally changed my whole perspective. By simply giving them ten minutes, I was giving them an important gift. Now, I go through my day wondering how I can help that random stranger. You can let something destroy you and crumble into a ball or you can make the decision to not allow that. That’s an empowering concept and it’s my privilege to share it.” And, Voron spreads that mes-sage, proudly embracing her differences as what makes her special as she inspires everyone in her path to do the same.

Shauna Levy is a writer and communications professional. She is currently raising her three boys, ages 10, 7 and 5, alongside her husband in Chappaqua.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALI LAMBERT VORON


BY AMY KELLEY

T his year marks the 65th anniversary of that venerable, but hardly hidebound, local institution: the Junior League of Northern Westchester (JLNW).

Way back in 1971, the organization helped establish the Mount Kisco Child Care Center. In the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, the group’s focus was on domestic violence and in the early 2000’s, hunger and childhood obesity; the JLNW partne-red for a time with the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry too. Now, there’s a focus on human trafficking and the safety of girls and women, as well as raising children in a digital age - and the group also runs an annual Holiday Sharing Drive.

Women from Chappaqua, Armonk, Pleasantville, Be-dford, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, Briarcliff and more are members, meeting once a month, every third Tuesday, in order to move forward on projects and initiatives to improve the community.

“The Junior League is a community service organization that looks to identify critical needs in our community and develops unique ways to find solutions,” Clara Sharp, president elect of the Junior League of Northern West-chester, said.

To combat human trafficking–specifically the commer-cial sexual exploitation of children–the league has had a connection for the past several years with The Gateways Program, which is part of the JCCA Cottage Schools in Pleasantville.

Last month the group presented a well-attended program called Join the Conversation: Protecting Children in a Hyper Digital Age at the Bedford Playhouse. Liz Repking, the founder of Cyber Safety Consulting spoke. Topics discussed included sexting, gaming safety, restrictions and settings, and popular apps to use safely.

The Holiday Sharing Drive, started in 1980, is a favorite initiative of Sharp’s. “It’s really, truly a heart-warming expe-rience,” she said. About ten social service agencies help

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JLNW


the league by identifying around 200 families who could use help at holiday time. Then, all members of each family inclu-ding the adults write a list of what they need and/or desire to receive. “We match these families with people in the commu-nity,” Sharp said. Then, the gifts are purchased, readied and are packaged in bins and gathered in the gym of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester for distribution.

Armonk resident Trina Fontaine is also enthusiastic about the Holiday Sharing Drive. "The thing that got me hooked in the beginning was that (the junior league) had a number of initiatives going with other non-profits," she said, adding that her church now adopts four families during the drive. But the trafficking of children for commercial sexual exploitation is the cause that's "near and dear" to her heart, she said. "It really disgusts me and it shouldn't happen here" in Westchester.

These ideas, Sharp said, come from both members and groups with which the Junior League has formed part-nerships, like Northern Westchester Hospital. “It’s a two-pronged approach,” she said. “It’s not so much a formal process, but it’s something that evolves over time.” Often, after they take off, Junior League projects wind up in the hands of others.

“We have a strong history of introducing programming that can be released back into the community,” Sharp said. “After a certain number of years, it becomes self-sustaining and that’s truly what we consider a success story.” For example, Hope’s Door, formerly known as the Northern Westchester Shelter, was started by the Junior League and is now comple-tely independent.

“To be in the junior league is to be in a group of women who share your desire to make a difference in your community,” Sharp said. A popular misconception is that the junior league is a group of women who don’t work outside the home. Sharp works full-time as a fundraiser for a medical school, and said she is by no means the only member who has a career. “It’s women of all demographics.”

Emily Hunt, president of the JLNW, stated, "As a mother of daughters, I am especially proud of all the work we have done and continue to do to advance women and girls in our com-munity, to ensure their safety and security and provide them, as adults, an outlet to give back to the community."

Sharp joined in 2013, when she moved to Chappaqua, at the suggestion of her mother-in-law, a longtime member and past president herself. She said it was “a nice way to meet like-minded women,” Sharp said.

Joining the Junior League is easy, Sharp said: All you have to do is contact the group and say you want to join. In the past, joining was a more formal process and each new member needed a sponsor.

While the group prefers to admit new members twice a year so the women coming in have a greater chance to get to know other new members, really, Sharp said, new members can join any time. “As the times have changed, so have our policies and procedures,” Sharp said. “If you want to make a difference, we want you to join.”

Amy Kelley is a frequent contributor to Inside Press publications.


B yram Hills High School’s Joshua Freedman won the top prize and a $2,000 scholarship and Renner Kwittken finished fourth at the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities

Symposium last month.

The strong finish allows both seniors in the high school’s three-year Authentic Science Research Program to advance to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late April.

At the regional competition held on March 27 and 28 at the University at Albany, Joshua and Renner were among the six finalists who competed by giving 12-minute presentations on their research. Joshua competed in the biomedical science category; Renner’s work was in the biochemistry category.

“I am very proud of them both,” said Stephanie Greenwald, Director of the Byram Hills Authentic Science Research Program. “They worked extremely hard at articulating complex scientific research so the public can understand the work they’re passionate about. It’s always nice to see more students in the science research program being recognized for their outstanding work.”

Joshua’s research focused on targeting nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and treatment. His project involved creating a novel targeted anti-cancer nanoparticle that binds to a receptor only expressed in cancer. He found that his nanoparticle specifically bound to cancer cells in vitro. In the future, this could allow doctors to create sharper and more accurate images of tumors.

Renner’s work also involved nanoparticles. The goal of his research was to enhance the delivery of nanoparticles, small medicines that are less than the width of a strand of hair. He synthesized three novel nanoparticles and improved their delivery using a standard FDA-approved chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. His results were found in mice models and could potentially work in clinical trials, moving nanoparticles into the forefront of anti-cancer therapy.

In New Mexico, Joshua will compete with an oral presentation. Renner will be a poster presenter.

Also in Albany, Byram Hills senior Emma Lucchino won third place as a poster presenter. She analyzed the relationship between the bacteria living in our gut and in our immune system.

Byram Hills High School Science Research Students

Have Strong Showing at Upstate Science Competition

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BYRAM HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Renner KwittkenJoshua FreedmanEmma Lucchino


as we, the students, contribute the money that funds Spiral Giving grants. We request, review, and approve grant applications. Spiral Giving is about us, students learning, understanding and then helping our community.”

Over the past four years Spiral Giving has awarded 22 micro-grants to Westchester-based charities and nonprofit agencies. The students re-cently awarded a grant to Lifting Up Westchester, a nonprofit that assists those struggling to overcome the challenges of poverty, homelessness, and hunger, and provides support that leads to greater self-sufficiency.

BY SUE BOLEN

What makes a philanthropist? Google the word and a bevy of images of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Oprah Winfrey pop-up making us believe that a philanthropist is well known and extremely rich and that to earn the label of philanthropist one must make a huge financial impact to society. Two Chappaqua women, Sue Fuirst and Julie Gerstein, set out to show how even small donations can have a big impact on our community, and while doing so dispel the idea that only the super rich can be philanthropists.

In 2015, Fuirst and Gerstein introduced Spiral Giving as an extracurricular program to the Greeley and Byram Hills high school communities. Their

program teaches the fundamentals of philanthro-py through a specially designed curricu-

lum that focuses on the value of local impact. “We discuss the needs

of our neighbors and donate money to local charities

through a grant-awarding process that the students themselves administer,” tells Gerstein. Spiral Giving participants learn to embrace the many needs in and around our community and realize that they have the power to make a meaningful, measurable impact. While doing so,

they gain an understand-ing of the nonprofit and

philanthropic landscape of Westchester County.

Fuirst and Gerstein feel that service projects and volunteerism help to teach

charity and benevolence, but often worry that these are seen as one-off events–something that is checked off

as done, not something that one does. Spiral Giving was formed to help teens identify the social issues that matter to them and to provide them with the tools necessary to make a difference in this increasing backdrop of need.

Leadership Opportunitiesfor Participants

Spiral Giving also provides communication and leadership opportunities and encourages stewardship around giving back. Orestes Rellos, a senior at Horace Greely High School, is a third-year participant and Peer Leader at Spiral Giving. Rellos comments, "Spiral Giving is all about personal growth and leadership development, while learning about the needs of various segments of our community and doing the greatest good by giving back. Giving back takes on even greater meaning and personal application

Spiral Giving Teaches Local

Children About Philanthropy

Girls (L to R): Sami Miller, Chloe Greenstein and Natalie Bass

(L to R); Adam Bass, Zachary Andrews, Zane Riemer and Matthew Friedman

Anahaita Kotval, Executive Director of Lifting Up Westchester comment-ed, “I love that Spiral Giving engages its student members to critically think about what funding an issue really means and that they are empowering young people to help those in need.” Learning about the various agencies’ budgets has exposed the students to something that was previously unfamiliar.

Bailey Todtfeld, another Peer Leader, says, “Spiral Giving is unique in that it shows us the business side of nonprofits, a side that teenagers rarely see. Learning about nonprofits as a business has taught me the impor-tance of responsible usage of funds and the challenge of sustainability within organizations.”

Inspiring the Next Generationof Philanthropists

At the heart of Spiral Giving is the issue of how parents and educators can work together to inspire the next generation to become engaged in issues surrounding them. Spiral Giving wants the next generation to become invested in their future and to feel empathy for their neighbors. Fuirst believes, “This is often a challenge in communities such as ours, where basic needs are small and personal wants are big. Places where the discrepancy of wealth between towns is often large and affluence can lead to misplaced values.”

Spiral Giving illustrates how individuals can become a philanthropist. By giving teens the power to make an impact at this formative time in their lives, Spiral Giving has the ability to alter the perception of high school students and show how each person has the potential to change a life, strengthen a community, and make an impact on the world.

Spiral Giving’s grants are funded by Spiral Giving 501c3 through student fundraising, collective giving and private donations. Please visit www.spiralgiving.org to donate or learn more.

Sue Bolen is a publicist/owner of her own boutique public rela-tions agency, Sue Bolen Publicity, LLC in Chappaqua and also serves on the Advisory Board of Spiral Giving.

PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA GERSTEIN


BY BETH BESEN

Gilda Radner, and her much-be-loved Saturday Night Live comedic characters such as Roseanne Roseannadanna, kept audiences in stitches from

the mid-1970s through the actress’s untimely death from ovarian cancer in 1989. Laughter is a gift, and Radner gave most generously. It is in that spirit of giving, and to honor her per-sonal wish that information about her illness be shared to help others fighting cancer, that her husband, Gene Wilder, helped establish Gilda’s Club.

Gilda’s Club is a national network of 22 “clubhouses” dedicated to helping all people living with cancer– patients, their families and friends–free of any financial charges, ongoing obligations or commitments. Local affiliate, Gilda’s Club Westchester*, has welcomed and supported individuals and families in its warmly inviting White Plains clubhouse since opening its signature red doors in 2001.

Help for Bereaving Parents

While Gilda’s Club has a full calendar of regular and ongoing classes, support groups

and events, there are often special events as well. And, it’s worth noting, many of these are open to the public without any need of Club Membership. In fact, this coming Monday, April 22nd, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., Gilda’s Club Westchester in partnership with the Bereavement Center of West-chester is hosting a Special Bereavement

Parenting Workshop. The workshop will be led by clinical psychologist Dr. Justin Yopp, PhD and psychiatrist Dr. Donald Rosenstein, MD, authors of The Group: Seven Widowed

Fathers Reimagine Life and co-founders of The Widowed Parent Project.

The Widowed Parent Project began in 2010 with a support group for fathers who had lost their spouses to cancer. From that small original group of widowed men to research that involved more than 400 fathers, to its current commitment to supporting widowed mothers and fathers, the Project is part of the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital and Line-berger Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The highly anticipated evening event is for “parents who have lost a partner to cancer and struggle with experiencing loss as they continue their role as a sole parent.” Yopp and Rosenstein will share their experiences in sup-porting both widowed fathers and mothers, and provide additional methods for coping with loss of any kind. Children of attendees are invited to come along, and to participate in a concurrent social program facilitated by a professional from Gilda’s Club Westchester’s Children Teens and Families group. Copies of Yopp and Rosenstein’s book will be available for purchase (with all proceeds going to the Widowed Parent Project) and light refresh-ments will be served.

New Off-Site Cancer Support Group in Northern Westchester

As busy and wonderful as the White Plains clubhouse and its many free programs are and continue to be, Gilda’s Club Westches-ter’s Director of Clinical Partnerships, Christine Speck, points out that the club’s proximity to people in need can be a deciding factor in determining membership and usage. “Time management is a big part of cancer treat-ment”, says Speck. Patients have various doctor visits, treatment visits, and also re-

“If It’s Not One Thing…”:How Programming at

Gilda’s Club Helps ThoseAffected By Cancer

covery times when they’re just too tired to go anywhere. There’s a lot to consider. Therefore, Speck and her colleague, Programming Man-ager Debbie Vincent, LMSW, are very excited to announce a new off-site initiative, the Living with Cancer Support Group, especially intend-ed for people in northern Westchester.

Held at the newly renovated Bedford Play-house, the Group will meet every second and fourth Wednesday from 10–11:30 a.m. begin-ning in April. It’s worth noting that the Bedford Playhouse is more than a comfortable, convenient locale; it was here that a preview of the thoughtful and moving Gilda Radner documentary, Love, Gilda was screened to great acclaim. The Group “will encourage discussion of personal experiences as well as provide ongoing exploration of emotional and social concerns, while dispensing wisdom and practical advice.” It is open to anyone in active treatment, including those who are not Gilda’s Club Members. Those interested need only sign up ahead of time.

*For further information, please visit Gilda’s Club Westchester website: www.gildasclub-westchester.org

Beth Besen, a cancer survivor herself and a local writer and editor.

(L-R): Don Rosenstein, MD and Justin Yopp, PhD Authors of The Group PHOTO COURTESY of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center


BY STACEY PFEFFER

There they were sashaying down the red carpet clad runway–a nattily dressed toddler strutting his stuff in a stylish sweater, a tween decked out in a tulle skirt with on trend sunglasses. A DJ played the latest hits as these mini models advanced on the catwalk while Lindsay Brooke Weiss from Coco in Cashmere, an Armonk stylist and fashion blogger gave quick bios of the models.

Only this fashion show held last month in Harrison at the Willow Ridge Country Club had a higher purpose than just showcasing the latest spring styles for kids. All of the 80+ child models representing towns from across the county were donating their clothing im-mediately after the show to Kids' Kloset, a nonprofit that provides under-served Westchester County children with donated clothing and related items.

Since Kids' Kloset was created in 2011, the volunteer run organization has provided more than 17,000 “Bags of Love” containing clothing, footwear, diapers and other baby essentials to local children. Formerly under the auspices of Westchester Jewish Community Services, Kids' Kloset recently became a division of (914) Cares and opened up new headquarters in North White Plains this past fall. Michael Slomsky, a Vice Chairman of (914) Cares and Chappaqua resident whose daughter Megan was in the show, said the new North White

Kids' Kloset Fashion Show Gala:A Fun-Filled Evening of

Glamour Filled with Generosity

Models, Sam Berk, Olivia Berk, Marissa Senzon and Kayla Roth


Plains spot is an ideal location with ample space to showcase the clothing with low overhead.

Although Kids' Kloset has held fashion shows in previous years, this year’s event was the largest turn out to date, according to Jessica Reinmann, chairperson of (914) Cares and a resident of Chappaqua. “I really think the partnership between (914) Cares and Kids' Kloset is what made this year's event such a success,” said Rein-mann. The event raised more than $100K as of press time and Reinmann hopes that next year’s event will have attendees from every zip code of Westchester.

The event honored Diane Katz, a longtime Kids' Kloset supporter and White Plains resident. During the show, attendees also learned of the dire need for essentials that some 51,000 families in Westchester face with annual incomes of less than $24,000. An attendee from Armonk, Michele Zipper was happy to have her daughter, Emery participate as a model in the show. “It’s great that she can do something with fash-ion that helps others,” said Zipper.

Viola Regis, a Mount Vernon resident was an attendee and her daughters, Lily and Izzy, who also graced the runway have been the recipient of Kids' Kloset’s “Bags of Love”. She donated $100 to the orga-nization at the gala as a way to show her appreciation for Kids' Kloset. For several summers, her daughters have attended sleepaway camps on scholarships and Kids' Kloset has outfitted them for the experience. One attendee remarked that many children who receive camp scholar-ships actually turn them down because the families can’t afford the many camp essen-tials. “My children always have a smile on their face when they go to Kids' Kloset and I know they help not just my family but so many others,” said Regis.

Kids' Kloset founder Stephanie Roth was also excited at the gala to announce the launch of a “Baby Bank” this spring which will provide not only essentials like supplies of diapers for six months but also other items such as pack and plays. This "Baby Bank" and the evening’s gala illustrates just how much progress the organization has made since Roth decided to start the orga-nization after a young mom in her commu-nity who couldn’t afford a stroller showed up at Roth’s doorstep a decade ago.

For more information about Kids' Kloset, visit 914cares.org.

PHOTOS BY JAMIE KAPLANEXCEPT WHERE NOTED

(L-R): Jessica Reinmann Founder (914) Cares, Diane Katz (honoree) and Stephanie Roth Founder Kids' Kloset

Lindsay Brooke Weiss with her children, Colette and Steele Weiss

(lL-R): Nathalie Joseph, Viola Regis and Tamar Joseph

Models Emery Zipper, Emily Attar, Abigail PfefferModels Marley Gellert and Caitlin Samkoff

PHOTO BY LAUREN GELLERT

Publisher’s Note: The Inside Press asked Tonya Tochner to explain why she is opening a second location of ROCKS at Chappaqua Crossing–and why she believes customers will appreciate this new store in addition to her much beloved Armonk location. “Opening up a modern home store was always a future vision for ROCKS. When the oppor-tunity presented itself to open up in my own hometown and offer modern home gifts and jewelry, I could not resist. I was sold when I visited a friend who lives in Chappaqua Crossing and witnessed the beautiful property,” said Tochner.

Grand Opening

The Grand Opening date is all day Thursday, May 9, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tochner promises: “It is going to be great. We will have swag bags, massages, facials, raffles, etc. The first 25 customers will get a free piece of jewelry with their purchase!”

Follow news of ROCKS onFacebook: Rocks by Jolie B. Rayand on Instagram: rocks.jewelry

Catching up withTonya Tochner, owner, ROCKS

Tonya Tochner


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BY SHAUNA LEVY

With candor, impeccable taste and a ready smile, Julie Root is adept at helping customers put the “I” in style. Nestled

in the heart of Armonk’s Main Street, her shop, Stile, is a lifestyle boutique that offers “fun, delicious” items for everyone. Having opened only three years ago, the shop quickly found its niche in the Armonk fashion scene and cultivated a strong following. Describing Stile as a shop that has something for everyone, Root says, “My customers don’t just come to us for one thing. They come for the fabulous bags, chunky knits, beautiful candles and diffusers, wardrobe staples and trendy pieces. Everything we offer has a special twist and our inventory is ever-changing.”

Stile offers a dazzling array of swoon-worthy products including accessories, home goods, women’s apparel and J. Hillburn menswear. From the stunning Baobab diffuser to the one-of-a-kind Rolling Stones sweatshirt to the custom costume jewelry adorned with vintage Chanel buttons, the selection challenges clients to narrow down to just a few purchases. It’s no surprise that the boutique was the winner of the “Best of Westchester 2017” in the category of “Place to Find a Hostess Gift.” Stile specializes in exclusive, one-of-a-kind items and under the radar designers. Root says, “I have cultivated strong relationships in the industry over the past decades that provide me with access to items that no one else has–our lines are hard to get. You simply won’t find many of them on Ama-zon or in the major department stores.”

The fashion veteran is excited about spring as the new season’s inventory begins arriving. Here’s the forecast as Root sees it:

Pinks & Patterns

Root predicts that a specific color scheme will take over spring wardrobes, saying, “There will be a lot of color. I expect hues of pink like blush, coral and rose to be huge. We are also see-ing patterns like camo, animal print and florals injected into designs. Take part of the trends by

A Fresh Take onSpring Fashion

with Stile

adding it in pops with a soft sweater, yummy wrap or a fun handbag.”

Luxurious Materials

“Luxury is back,” Root proclaims, adding, “Ma-terials like cashmere, lace, fur, silk, velvet and leather are so in. Layer a little shearling vest or a lace cami into your outfit to infuse this trend.”

The Feminine Persuasion

Femininity will influence the spring looks. Dresses will be big, but the good news is that every length is acceptable. She says, “It’s high/low with maxis, midis and minis–anything goes this season! We’re also seeing designers do fun things with sleeves–big sleeves, off-the-shoulder, one shoulder, cut-outs, etc. And, don’t forget those cute rompers, which are still having their moment!”

Bag Lady

As Root talks about handbags, she becomes animated, saying, “I am bag-obsessed. There are so many fun bags coming to Stile this spring! I do a lot of smaller brands made in NY and California. We’re doing metallic, fringes, bouclé that’s reminiscent of Chanel, fur accents, sump-tuous Italian leather and more. And, there are so many options from knapsacks to cross-body to clutches. The cross-body iPhone cases are so functional and popular right now!”

Denim

Denim continues to have its moment in the sunshine. Stile features an assortment of all

styles at all price points including pull-on bell bottoms, striping up the sides and uneven rough-hewn hemlines.

Custom Creations

Stile truly thrives in the one-of-a-kind arena. As Root says, “Everyone wants what no one else has. I offer denim jackets with custom messaging and embellishments, the cutest, fun rock-n-roll t-shirts and unique vintage and custom jewelry. Shirts with messages of female empowerment are huge–I have them specially made for the store.” Sweatpants, sweatshirts and tees can also be customized according to personal tastes, featuring specific colleges, sports teams and favorite branded logos like Louis Vuitton or Chanel.

Regardless of trends and evolving fashions, there is one constant at Stile. High-end customer service is paramount as Root says, “I know what my customers are looking for and I always provide approachable, honest feedback with a smile. I will tell you if that dress looks awful and the pants don’t fit. I’d rather have the customer return because they love what they bought than buy something they regret and not return to us. And, I have the most wonderful style team who each share the same sensibilities and have their own loyal base of clients. It’s that personal touch that makes shopping local such a joyful experi-ence. It’s something that internet shopping can never replicate.”

Shauna Levy is a writer and communications professional. She is currently raising her three boys, ages 10, 7 and 5, alongside her husband in Chappaqua, NY.


etcetera

BY MARLENE KERN FISCHER

This Mother’s Day will mark the last one that I am a full-time mom. My youngest will be leaving for college at the end of August, which means that after nearly three decades, I will be an empty nester.

I am no stranger to the changing nature of motherhood. When my three boys were little, it was all about physical caretaking; making sure they were fed and clean. I read to them and cuddled them and covered their faces with kisses millions of times as I lifted them out of their cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers, etc. We had outings to the park and play-ground and we were together almost all of the time. It was me and them and we made a great team.

As they began to walk and then run, I became their protector. This was no easy feat because my sons often seemed hell bent on self-destruction and I often felt as if I spent my days saving them from themselves. There was the time my middle son, who was almost two, ate goose poop on a soccer field. Although he was fine, more than two decades later I am still scarred.

Between my older boys there were a slew of gashes that needed stitches and broken bones that needed setting. I was in charge of triage, trying to figure out how serious each injury was, a job for which my degree in English literature did not prepare me. At one point, the nurses in the orthopedist’s office knew my name and I was concerned they might call social services on me. Luckily, most of my sons’ injuries happened when they were not with me; most were sports re-lated. I told the doctors that I should get a punch card where the cast for the tenth break was free.

My favorite role probably has been that of teacher. I am proud that I taught my sons how to read and was even more excit-ed than they were when they sounded out their first words. I taught them their first notes on the piano (always starting with middle C), how to tie their sneakers, poetry, and a million other things I’m not sure they remember. But I do.

When my sons became teenagers, my role felt as it had mor-phed into being a warden and disciplinarian-in-chief. All of a sudden, instead of it being me and them it sometimes felt like me against them. This may have been the hardest stage of all because I didn’t enjoy enforcing rules—I suppose most peo-ple don’t. After all, who wants to be checking on homework and grades and meting out punishment for broken curfews

and other infringements? Parents of teens will most certainly understand the grueling and often unrewarding nature of that stage.

Resident Uber driver, playmate, nurse, tutor, cheerleader; these are only a few of the other hats I wore over the many years I parented.

As my two older sons have gone off to college and graduat-ed, gotten jobs and left the nest, I have found my role shifting once again. This phase is less hands on and more advisory; I am mostly called upon to listen to woes, lend moral sup-port and occasionally offer an opinion. I’ve also entered a phase where, in addition to being my sons’ mom, I get to be their friend and can enjoy them in a way that I was not able to when they were younger. When we are together, we talk about their jobs, politics, life, whatever. And it’s really nice. When they were younger, and we were at odds, I honestly couldn’t envision the relationships we have now. For those of you still in the trenches, hang in there.

I won’t sugarcoat how hard it is to imagine all three of their bedrooms clean and empty and the house eerily quiet. After all, wasn’t it just a moment ago when they were little, making messes and noise? I am comforted by the thought that although my role has changed, two things remain constant; that I will always be needed in some capacity and how much I will always love my children.

This Mother’s Day, whether you’re peering at your baby’s first sonogram, opening homemade cards in bed with your little kids, joining your big kids for brunch, or even if you can’t physically be with your children, I hope you have a wonderful day. Because all of us who have nurtured, protected, disci-plined and loved, have earned it.

Marlene Kern Fischer lives in Armonk and is a frequent contributor to the Inside Press.

The Changing Nature of

Motherhood

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