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June 2014
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Planet of the Apes and Chappaqua: The Missing Link Lessons from 14 years of Athletic Coaching An Unlikely Camping Adventure Sizzlin’ Good Grilling Tips from a BBQ Pro
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June 2014
T HE M AGAZINE F OR N EW C A STLE AND B EYOND
Our “Dad’s RULE!” All Star Line-up…
Departments Guest Editor
4. A New View of New Castle By Ian Karr
Just Between Us
6. Thank you Dads!
20. Chappaqua Camping 101 Campers in Chappaqua? Grab a stick and some marshmallows and see how some New Castle families discovered the Great Outdoors. By Joe Giannettino
Happenings
22. Do I Smell Smoke? Is there anything better than a perfectly seasoned and smoked rack of ribs? Stephen Barron shares his tips for summer barbeque success.
10. Best Biz Advice from Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran A take-no-prisoners but on target Corcoran offers up wise business pointers to a tickled “Growth 2.0” audience at Westchester Community College. By Grace Bennett
24. Running the Gauntlet Dan Levitz may not have a long commute, but a lot sure can happen driving along King Street before his coffee gets cold. 26. The Joke’s IN You You may be able to take a joke, but can you tell one? Learn how to make people laugh…and overcome joke amnesia from the best in the business, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling. 28. Care and Feeding of a Chappaqua Dad What do guys really want? A completely unscientific guide to turning your guy into a happy zombie. By Ian Karr 30. And the Oscar goes to…Chappaqua! As the summer blockbuster season gets into full swing, check out how some of them got their start right here in New Castle. By Mark Bomback 32. Put Me In, Coach! Have you ever considered coaching a team? Eric Kratz looks back at his 14 years helping kids learn to love the game.
Cover Photo by Todd Shapera www.toddshapera.com
(L-R): Contributors Joe Giannettino, Dan Levitz, Mark Bomback, Stephen Barron and Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling. Seated: Guest Editor Ian Karr. Contributor Eric Kratz was regrettably unavailable for the shoot; we hope everyone enjoys his “end note” column on lessons of athletic coaching in this issue. The dads and Inside Chappaqua thank John Crabtree, Glenn Vogt, and the entire staff at Crabtree’s Kittle House for permission to photograph the guys inside the beautiful Tap Room.
8. New Castle Master Plan Discussions in Progress; Greyston Foundation Honors Chappaqua’s John Tolomer.
12. Brainstorming Solutions to End Distracted Driving; A Low Cost Divorce Workshop via “Second Saturday”
In and Around Town
14. Discovering the Chappaqua Library’s “Teen Zone” 18. Inside Greeley’s Science Research Program Where some of the “best and the brightest” shine through. By Amanda H. Cronin 33. Advertisers at a Glance
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GUEST EDITOR
A New View of New Castle By Ian Karr
daunted. While writing is a big part of my job as a Director at IKA Collective, I hadn’t tackled anything with a table of contents since college. Grace has covered hundreds of topics over the years and I wondered how I could come up with something fresh. Especially after growing somewhat jaded about our town. Like most things that take you out of your comfort zone, I found the process of editing this issue incredibly eye-opening and rewarding.
When you live in a town as long as I’ve lived in Chappaqua (17 years), you tend to take certain things for granted. It’s the natural progression of life that one day blends into the next and the things that once seemed special don’t elicit the same reaction anymore. If that sounds familiar to you, I have one suggestion…edit an issue of Inside Chappaqua magazine. When Grace Bennett first approached me about helming the June issue, I was flattered, excited and a bit
I thought of my friends in different ways…as potential authors. Who had an interesting voice? Who could actually write? Who would be able to meet a deadline? They say a good friend will help you move, but a best friend will help you move a body. I can now add that a great friend will allow you to edit their work. I thought of all the English teachers I had spirited disagreements with, and realized that I owe them a huge debt of gratitude. It’s amazing that, after all these years, I still remember some of what they pounded into me about telling a story in 700 words or less. You’re entitled to think otherwise. But mostly, I thought of our town in ways I haven’t since I moved here. Joe Giannettino’s piece reminded me
that we are practically walking distance from some of New York’s most beautiful and enjoyable outdoor activities. Eric Kratz’s article on coaching reminded me how dedicated we are, as a town, to instilling in our kids a passion for sports, fitness and teamwork. Mark Bomback’s essay on moving here from Hollywood and Stephen Barron’s tips on how to cook the perfect rack of Texas-style ribs reminded me that Chappaqua attracts transplants from all over the country…and that we have incredible talent here. And Dan Levitz’s interesting take on his enviable commute reminded me that a lot can happen in a short trip through our quaint little town. I also had fun asking my radio partner, Jackie Martling, to offer up tips on joke telling. It really is an art, and he’s the best in the world. In the nearly eight years we’ve been doing Jackie’s Joke Hunt, we’ve told or heard over 10,000 jokes. I remember exactly six. In the end, I came through the experience with a rejuvenated love for New Castle. Our community spirit may not always be on display, but it’s definitely there, making this one of the best places to raise a family, build great friendships…and edit a local magazine.
-Ian
Our Intrepid All Dads Team
Photos by Todd Shapera 4 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
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June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 5
JUST BETWEEN US
Thank You to the Dads!
This whole issue has a little “history.” I met Ian Karr, our accomplished and talented Guest Editor, after innocently approaching him for a potential article about “Chappaqua Dads,” a Facebook page he started last year. Over breakfast at Le Jardin, I was surprised to hear he was also the co-host of a popular SiriusXM radio show, Jackie’s Joke Hunt. I had attended Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling’s performance one night at The Cutting Room in NYC (thanks to a local friend’s generous invitation!), and after a private introduction, Jackie invited me to be a guest on his show. I never followed up, but Ian was about to change all that, and I have since appeared twice, and it’s quite fun! So it’s been truly gratifying to turn the tables a bit, and invite Ian and Jackie to work with me on my own littler and hyperlocal “show”– Inside Chappaqua!
www.insidechappaqua.com June 2014 • Volume 11, Number 7
Guest Editor Ian Karr Graphic Designer Dina Spalvieri
Web Design Annette van Ommeren
Publisher & Editor Grace Bennett Contributors Stephen Barron, Mark Bomback, Amanda Cronin Joe Giannettino, Eric Kratz, Dan Levitz Jackie Martling, Todd Shapera Accounts/Billing General Counsel Carine Feist Brian Hand
Inside ChappaquaTM is published six to eight times a year, and is owned and operated by The Inside Press, Inc. Mailing address: PO Box 643, Millwood, NY 10546. Phone Number: 914-238-2600. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Reproduction of any portion is prohibited without permission from the publisher.
Inside Chappaqua may not necessarily agree with any one editorial viewpoint or necessarily endorse a particular product or service advertised. Editorial submissions should be mailed to the above address (please enclose an SASE) or sent to editor@insidechappaqua.com. For more information, rates and advertising calendar, go to www.insidechappaqua.com.
6 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
I was also intrigued when Ian told me he had some secrets to share about the so called “guy code.” I’m delighted by his article’s basic but on target insights and suggestions. I’ll take his messages to heart (next time I’m in a relationship, that is), and ladies, advise you do likewise! Indeed, I think I’ve gleaned plenty of new understanding about guys in general from the compilation of
submissions here. I’ve always enjoyed any window into “guy thinking,” and here they are writing about coaching, barbequing, commuting, joke telling, camping with their buddies, or writing a big time Hollywood screenplay! So a big THANK YOU to the dads, and a Happy Father’s Day to Ian, Jackie, Joe, Stephen, Dan, Mark and Eric for going with the flow and injecting a much needed dose of male sensibility into a local magazine that’s generally written largely by women freelance writers. Special thanks as well to Todd Shapera for his cover and inside pictures of “the guys.” Ian had thought up the concept of getting all the dads on the cover in a “Vanity Fair” style shoot, and I’m thrilled with the results. While dads were the primary focus, we did manage to include some “teen driven” pieces in time for graduation including ones about the “Teen Zone” at the Chappaqua Library, and another about an all day summit at Westchester Medical Center formed
to help solve the issue of distracted driving, and not just among teens. Also, check out an article by Greeley’s Amanda Cronin about our high school’s stellar Science Department! Contributing editors free me up to cover stuff too, on occasion, and I jumped at the chance to attend a talk by Shark Tank celeb and real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran. My own life sometimes feels as if it’s “publish or perish.” If I ever perish, I would hope to reinvent myself with the same combination of true grit and humor Barbara conveys in every sentence she speaks. Meanwhile, there’s been a steady flow of news in town ranging from Whole Foods signing a lease at Chappaqua Crossing, a proposal for a new and snazzy condo community at the Legionaries of Christ site, to most importantly, a solid citizen representation of New Castle residents weighing in with their visions for a Master Plan, as Eileen Gallagher reports here too. It’s not too late to get involved with that either! Enjoy the month of June, everyone. It’s extra special for me with my two graduating seniors (Anna from UMass, Amherst and Ari from Greeley); immensely proud of them both, and wishing all New Castle (and beyond) families with graduating seniors a hearty congrats too.
P.S. There’s something for everyone during Chappaqua’s annual Sidewalk Sales Days. So mark your calendar! At press time, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce told Inside Chappaqua this popular event will take place the weekend of July 24-26.
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914-664-6800 The Source of Support for the Jewish Community Since 1897 www.riversidememorialmountvernon.com Charles S. Salomon • Martin D. Kasdan Continuing to maintain the high service standards of the Rosenthal, Grossberg, and Alpert families June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 7
HAPPENINGS
Chappaqua’s John Tolomer Honored by The Greyston Foundation Special honorees at a May benefit of The Greyston Foundation–the country’s leading social enterprise–were Joe Armentano, CEO and Board Chairman, Paraco Gas Corporation, and Chappaqua’s John M. Tolomer, President and CEO, The Westchester Bank. Additionally, Lucy Moreno-Casanova, Greyston’s Community Gardens Coordinator, will be the recipient of the 2014 Bernie Glassman PathMaking Award. This annual award is given in honor of founder Bernie Glassman and is grounded in the philosophy of “PathMaking,” the foundation’s belief that individuals can be supported to move forward on a path to self-sufficiency. Through Armentano’s vision and leadership, Paraco Gas Corporation has experienced considerable growth and has transitioned from an industrial gas business to a leading propane energy company. Armentano is active on several boards and is the found-
ing member of The Executive Association of Westchester, a business networking association of entrepreneurs with a philanthropic heart. Tolomer has more than 20 years of retail and commercial banking experience in Westchester, including executive positions with Citibank and The Bank of New York, where he served as a senior vice president. He was named President and CEO of The Westchester Bank in November 2008, focused on providing highly personalized service to businesses in Westchester and the surrounding area.
Armentano and Tolomer have demonstrated a life-long commitment to supporting local charities and are especially proud of their work with the Greyston Foundation. Paraco Gas Corporation recently hired a Greyston Bakery employee as part of Greyston’s Next Steps program, and The Westchester Bank was a critical part of Greyston’s recent restructuring. Moreno-Casanova, recipient of this year’s Bernie Glassman PathMaking Award, began her journey with Greyston as countless individuals do: as a member of the community. Participating as a volunteer in the Community Gardens Program for five years, her love of gardening, paired with her natural leadership and mentorship ability, positioned her to join the Greyston staff as coordinator of the program in 2000. For more information, visit: www. greyston.org.
New Castle… Yours, Mine, and Ours By Eileen Gallagher
THE place to be one Wednesday evening in May was Bell, as a large crowd of residents came together with at least one thing in common: their love of New Castle. Likened to a traditional “town hall” gathering by one of the attendees, this public outreach event had both new and seasoned community members coming together with a united goa–to make New Castle the best town it can be. “Why Do You Love New Castle,” set on a colorful display in the middle school’s auditorium, invited residents to brag about their town via “Postit” note comments. “Great schools,” “small town feeling,” “friendly community,” and “involved citizenry” were among several observations conveying the pride and affection felt by many. 8 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
Tiffany Zezula of the Pace Land Use Law Center opened the evening with a brief orientation, first setting out the “ground rules” of group discussion.
This first of four sessions officially kicked off the master plan undertaking, an 18-24 month process, and appeared well received by the 75 or so participants. As both new and seasoned residents checked in (no pre-registration required), they were given an agenda with one of the five random group assignments.
In order to accurately record everyone’s responses which will be compiled by Pace and submitted as a report to the town, Zezula encouraged creativity, courtesy, patience, and open mindedness. The groups gladly complied...
Eileen’s story continues and further news updates can be read in full by clicking on “New Castle News” at www.insidechappaqua.com
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HAPPENINGS
Barbara Corcoran’s Secrets to Business Success
Or…How a Waitress from Joisey Found her Power—and USED IT! By Grace Bennett Real estate mogul and ‘Shark Tank’ celebrity Barbara Corcoran opened a talk* at Westchester Community College in May opining about the one person who may have figured as her most prominent influence: Her mother. “My mother ran our household like a boot camp. You didn’t dare cross her,” Barbara said, also pointing out her “phenomenal organizational abilities” managing a family of ten children in a modest, two bedroom apartment in New Jersey.
drug supplier!” Another secret to Barbara’s success was differentiating between “expanders” and “containers” at work. She looked for the ying to her yang, and found it in a woman named Esther, a clear “container,” who kept Barbara on task and organized.
*Corcoran’s talk for The Business Council of Westchester’s KeyBank Speaker Series, kicked off the second-annual GROW 2.0 Conference. GROW 2.0 is the largest gathering in the region for business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals to attend networking, training and workshops centered on business development and strategy. (L-R): Barbara Corcoran, Marsha Gordon, Ruth Mahoney
Barbara also related that her mom was uncanny at “nailing” each of her kid’s “gifts,” including dubbing her brother as “the kid who could dance.” Noted Barbara: “Tom is now a ballet dancer for Alvin Ailey.” As for Barbara herself, her mom aptly declared her daughter’s gift: “a wonderful imagination.” Another pivotal figure was an older (by ten years) and charming fellow named Ramon Simon who showed up at a Jersey diner one day where Barbara was waitressing (after receiving straight Ds in high school!) Apparently girlfriend hunting, “Ramon chose me over another waitress, ‘Gloria,’ a stacked dead ringer for Dolly Parton,” said Barbara. “Men would line up to catch a glimpse of her.” The experience taught Barbara early on that “men are just as attracted to the great white virgin as they are to the bombshell.”
Ramon and she ran off to the city– causing a major rift with mom…“She hated him; it broke my mother’s heart,” she said. For seven years, Ramon and she worked building up a business until mom’s intuition bore fruit. Barbara said Ramon announced he was leaving Barbara for their secretary. Barbara was devastated. The breakup, she said, and Ramon’s own cruel declaration, “You 10 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
know, you will never survive without me,” steeled Barbara to prove him wrong and employ the imagination her mom was so clear about. “One day, I found my power,” she said, and set up an office with a meager $1,000, calling it, simply, “The Corcoran Group.” Through the ups and downs of the market, Barbara would adapt accordingly. “I would just think of Ramon laughing at me.” She proved him dead wrong when she sold the company for a whopping $66 million. A key wisdom gleaned from years of successful real estate selling and marketing: “Perception creates reality.” On a hunch, in the Corcoran Group’s early days, Barbara sent her now landmark “The Madonna Report,” to media outlets, hungry, she said, for facts and figures in a record low NYC market. “I knew nothing about Madonna,” she laughed. Still, a producer invited her to appear on TV as an expert right away. From that point on, Barbara’s name, as she put it, “rose to the top of the food chain…If you can be the person churning out the numbers on a constant basis, they will call you their
She advised attendees to also get better, not just at hiring, but also at firing, and warned about the dangers of “dead wood” to any company’s bottom line. But showing a softer edge too, Barbara added that she also prided herself on personally coaching fired individuals on careers they were perhaps better suited for.
Finally, she described a culture of sheer fun in her company “that made us the company you wanted to be in.” “Fun is the most underutilized tool in business,” she said, and builds camaraderie “even amongst the most competitive real estate agents.” To that end, she would routinely organize outings, “the wackier and more shocking, the better,” she said. Barbara’s final pointer was encouraging hiring persons who are “great at failure. I look for the people who can take a hit and get up again. They don’t spend time feeling sorry for themselves.” And there you have it…a condensed version of Barbara’s secrets to success. The gathering ended with many hungry for more, and lining up to purchase a copy of her hot, new book, Shark Tales. Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press, Inc., dba Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk magazines since 2003. She has spent the last four years successfully publishing in a down print market.
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HAPPENINGS
While the New York Distracted Driving Summit drew panelists and spectators from all over the country, Chappaqua was front and center. The event was held at the Westchester Medical Center and along with WMC, the summit was hosted by AT&T, DORCs (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) and Stop Distractions. Ben Lieberman, a long time Chappaqua resident and co-founder of DORCs, said, “There have been conferences that warn of the dangers of distracted driving but we wanted to move toward the next level of how to solve the problem. In general, we all accept that this is dangerous behavior, but the problem is growing with our dependence on Smartphone technology and the need to stay connected.” Lieberman was the moderator on a panel addressing Police Protocol and Crash Investigations.
Ben Lieberman, co-founder of DORCs, moderates a panel on Police Protocol and crash investigation with Joseph A. McCormack, Esq., Chief of Vehicular Crimes Bureau; Bronx District Attorney’s Office; and Sergeant Anthony Mendez, Delaware State Police, Crash Investigation Unit.
Deborah Becker, the other cofounder of DORCs, who has also lived in Chappaqua for many years, presided over a panel on “How To Reach Teens.” Sasha Byck, a Horace Greeley High School senior, represented the students exceptionally well. When asked about her role at the conference Sasha said, "This is the first year where driving and texting related deaths have surpassed the amount of deaths due to drunk driving. It is imperative that we as students, parents, and adults crack down on this issue before it continues to grow." Other panels and experts included representatives from the media for a discussion on the media’s role in solving this problem. Speakers came from many areas such as Governor Cuomo’s office, National Highway Traffic Safety Authority and even a video message from Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Obama cabinet member.
A simulator was on hand to grade drivers while they engaged in distractive behavior.
The full day’s event can be seen on www.dorcs.or
Divorce Workshop to Navigate Difficult Terrain Second Saturday Divorce Workshop (a national not-forprofit) will address the legal, financial, family and personal issues of divorce in a logical and compassionate way. With the guidance of trained professionals, participants will gain greater understanding of the confusing divorce process. Our first workshop is Saturday June 14th, 8:30 -11:30 a.m., and will continue the 2nd Saturday of every month. Cost: $45 • 100% of proceeds will support the not-for-profit. Workshops will be held at 100 South Bedford Road, Mount Kisco. Register or for more information email: mishelle.ciliberti@sicounsel.com Visit www.secondsaturday.com to learn more.
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(L-R): Ed Bergstraesser (external affairs director, AT&T) Sasha Byck, HGHS student and leader of S.A.D.D., Students Against Destructive Decisions) Beverly Pierce, MA, LCSW, CASAC, CPP, Program Administrator/Supervisor, Student Assistance Services, and Deborah Becker (Moderator and Co-founder DORCs)
12 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
We have 140 great reasons to celebrate...our kids!
Wednesday, June 4th 6:30pm-8:30pm
Cheers for Children! Wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, jazz & wine-grab Travelers Rest, 25 Saw Mill River Road, Ossining, NY 10562 Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/mkccc-cheers
Mount Kisco Child Care Center 95 Radio Circle Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914 241 2135 │ www.mkccc.org
We hope you can join us for a fun-filled summer of celebration!
Sunday, June 8th 10:00am—3:00pm
MKCCC Family Tag Sale Bring the whole family for a funfilled day at MKCCC. Browse gently used & new items for sale while enjoying entertainment, food & music!
Tuesday, July 29th 6:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday, September 20th 6:00pm-10:00pm
Sparkle for a Cause
Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening
Join us in the beautiful Amy’s Garden at Crabtree’s Kittle House for cocktails & small plates.
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A gala evening of restaurant tastings, cocktails & music Ivanna Farms Bedford Corners, NY 10549 More info: www.mkccc.org or email hbock@mkccc.org
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Chappaqua Teens Get into the Right Zone Who better to run a teen activity than a teen?
are sort of harking back to those days,” he said.
That’s the thinking at the Chappaqua Library’s Teen Zone, where several Horace Greeley High School students are running programs for their peers and middle-schoolers.
During the summer of 2013, Teen Zone regulars decoupaged a coffee table to go with the couch in the TZ area. They enjoyed the experience so much that when the project’s coordinator, Claire Cohen left for college, current HGHS freshman Michael Friedland took it over.
For Girl Scout Kate Rosenberg, sharing her love of crocheting would have been part of her Gold Award project even it wasn’t a requirement. “I’ve always loved to crochet, and regretted the fact a large percentage of the population has no idea what crocheting is, let alone how to do it. This seemed like the perfect way to spread something I love,” she says. “I chose the library because I wanted somewhere community-oriented. It seemed like the best way to have the greatest impact on the greatest number of people.”
“Building something as a group is fun and it’s great to see the completed project. It’s also fun teaching people how to do it,” says Michael, admitting that “getting people to listen” is the hardest part of running the program. Finding a regular time and place to play Magic: The Gathering wasn’t easy for Lucas and his fellow card- game players, so his Magic sessions in the Teen Zone really fill a need, he says. They’ve gotten so popular, he’s now holding them once a week instead of once a month. Both seasoned players and newcomers are welcome. Student Initiated Programs “It’s fun to teach new players. I usually suggest they play one deck exclusively until they’ve memorized each card and know what to do with it,” he says. His experience in the Teen Zone has inspired him to look into starting a Magic club at school, he notes.
Another Girl Scout, Lauren Berger, channeled her love of reading into a book group for middle-schoolers. Lucas Lande, an avid player of the card game Magic: The Gathering teaches skills and strategy to classmates. “The kids know what they like and what their friends like, so whenever a student has an idea for a program, we’re very receptive,” says Donna Pesce, Teen Librarian. “My goal was to get more middleschool kids reading. Many think that it is “uncool” to read for fun. I wanted to get kids excited about reading and get them reading more than just what they are assigned,” says Lauren, whose monthly book club is part of her Gold Award project. 14 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
Other student-initiated programs include anime festivals, decoupage projects and video gaming sessions. Some programs, started a year or two ago by Teen Zone alumni, have been so popular that a new crop of student leaders took them over. A few times each school year, Michael Sayers, a page at the Library, holds court over middle- and high-schoolers playing Halo 4 and Forza on the library’s X-Box 360. The sessions were originally organized by then-Library Page Matt Jaselove, now a college student. Michael, a long-time gamer himself, enjoys watching the kids have fun. “It used to be that you had to be in the same room with your friends if you were doing a multi-player game, so it was a social experience. These sessions
Alumna Cohen is scheduled to return to the Teen Zone this summer to run a series of duct-tape craft workshops. All things anime appeal to Junior Andrew Kihara so he organizes anime festivals, featuring a story-board/collage craft, origami, Japanese food and a notable film. “We used to go to the New York City Comic-Con, but then we decided to hold our own “convention” at the library,” says Andrew, who, with his mother, screens the movie in advance to make sure it’s a winner. Many participants do both the origami, a traditional Japanese craft, and the contemporary storyboard project. A Welcoming Environment “The best part about running festivals like these is you get to see the kids have fun playing with foreign traditions. They get to experience a lot of Japan’s meta culture and it’s always nice to see them excited to do something new,” he notes. “We’re happy to provide an opportunity for our teen patrons to try out their ideas in a welcoming, comfortable environment,” says Pesce. “We like to have a variety of activities to appeal to as many interests as possible. Libraries today are really community activity centers–they’re not just for reading anymore,” she notes. Most Teen Zone programs are scheduled for Friday afternoons and occasionally Friday evenings. Pesce says it’s a good “decompression” day and the activities allow the students to make the transition from school mode to a generally less-structured weekend schedule.
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Skyview $7,900,000 Striking modernist residence built to perfection. Beautiful manicured lawns, terraces, fountains, garden pools and pond. Pool with spa and waterfall, poolhouse, tennis court. 18th century farmhouse and two bedroom caretaker's apartment. Sub-division in progress. WEB# CQ816265 Chappaqua
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Sophisticated Living $2,395,000 Extraordinary Contemporary home capturing the ultimate in luxury and lifestyle. NYC loft vibe in lush level setting of specimen landscaping and perennial gardens. Immaculately maintained home designed by award winning architect - no detail has been overlooked. WEB# CQ892266 Chappaqua
Comfort and Easy Living $1,679,000 A stately pillared driveway announces this Post Modern Colonial set on four acres. Dine-in-kitchen, den with four skylights, fireplace and doors to patio, tray ceiling master bedroom with marble bath, vaulted ceiling family/great room. A truly special home. WEB# CQ892436 Chappaqua
Quaker Village $1,599,000 A gracious renovation of this brick and clapboard Colonial boasts enviable amenities, custom millwork and decorative flair. Fabulous chefˇs kitchen, new baths, three family rooms, two fireplaces. Stunning new patio, awning, sitting wall and Gunite pool on 1.79 acres. WEB# CQ1075742 Chappaqua
Random Farms $1,295,000 Custom Modern Colonial perfectly designed to bring in the stunning natural setting. Exciting architectural elements. Grand living room with fireplace, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen/breakfast area, sunroom, octagonal office/family room. Pool, tennis, clubhouse WEB# CQ1076876 Chappaqua
Lawrence Farms $999.000 Pristine four-bedroom home on 1.36 acres in soughtafter Lawrence Farms features a traditional layout, formal living room with fireplace, modern dine-inkitchen, den/office, family room with French doors out to patio. Large bonus room offers room for expansion. WEB# CQ934257 Chappaqua
Picture Perfect $929,000 Elegant Colonial meticulously maintained. Great entertaining flow. Living room with fireplace, family room, sunroom with door to deck. Amazing storage. Many updates including beautiful finished lower level. On one acre in quiet established neighborhood. WEB# CQ1079530 Chappaqua
Gracious Living $899,000 Impeccably renovated Tudor blends pre-war charm with modern conveniences. Sensational gourmet kitchen, family room and master bedroom suite addition. Oak and slate floors, original detailing. Village cul-de-sac location with easy access to all Chappaqua amenities. WEB# CQ905233 Chappaqua
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Lawrence Farms South $1,750,000 Gracious Center Hall Colonial on 1.19 cul-de-sac acres in Lawrence Farms South. Completely renovated. Stunning cook's kitchen, luxurious master bedroom suite with new marble bath. Charming screened porch, and mahogany deck. Move-in condition. WEB# CQ891259 Chappaqua
Gracious Grandeur $1,695,000 Classically detailed home with top-of-the-line appointments such as white oak floors, custom woodwork, large bay windows and three fireplaces. Perfect layout flows easily to oversized deck and in-ground pool. Private 4.21 acres at end of cul-de-sac. WEB# CQ1078953 Chappaqua
Random Farms $1,248,000 Dramatic, light-filled spaces complemented by a wealth of amenities in this outstanding Modern home. Unique architectural details, on three levels. Private lushly landscaped property with in-ground pool, borders forever green space. HOA clubhouse, tennis, and pool. WEB# CQ888391 Chappaqua
Welcome Home $1,179,000 Sunny and spacious Johanssen built Colonial on beautiful level landscaped property in Whippoorwill neighborhood. New kitchen with custom cabinets, large deck with triple access, bay windows, family room and playroom/office. Hardwood floors throughout. WEB# CQ903708 Chappaqua
Hardscrabble Lake $1,029,000 Elegant Center Hall Colonial on quiet cul-de-sac. Chef's kitchen with granite counters lead to breakfast area and family room with fireplace and expansive deck. Master suite with tray ceiling, walk-in closets, and spa bath. On landscaped acre, private backyard. WEB# CQ1069476 Chappaqua
Space With Grace $899,000 Welcoming Center Hall Colonial set on two acres on quiet tree-lined street. Updated kitchen and baths. Dramatic stone surround fireplace. Hardwood floors throughout. Closets with custom organizing systems, storage galore. Minutes to town and train station. WEB# CQ892731 Chappaqua
Village Charmer $894,000 Enjoy a private setting in a convenient location. Pristine five-bedroom Colonial with updated kitchen and baths. Gracious family room opens to spacious deck and lush landscaped property. Flagstone walkways and stone walls. New Belgian block lined driveway. WEB# CQ1075125 Chappaqua
Seven Bridges $785,000 Beautiful blend of vintage charm with modern flair. Gracious bay window living room with fireplace, gleaming updated kitchen, formal dining room with built-ins, bay windowed living room with fireplace, screened porch with brick floor. Majestically set on lush acre. WEB# CQ904585 Chappaqua
June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 17
Source: HGMLS, 1/1/2013 – 12/31/2013, all properties, total volume and units sold by office, zone 2 Chappaqua School district
IN AND AROUND TOWN
From Student to Scientist – Greeley’s Science Research Program Turns Out Some of the Best and the Brightest By Amanda H. Cronin
The first image that may come to mind when you hear the words “science fair” is a lopsided, paper maché, volcano erupting “lava.” You know, the classic baking powder and vinegar experiment. But what is really going on at these science fairs is far more impressive and innovative.
Mrs. Patricia Donovan heads up Greeley’s Science department. “Science education is more important today than it has ever been. It is important to have a good science education to be competitive in today’s world. As global citizens, we all need to understand how the elements of our surroundings function so that we can make sense of the information made available to us.”
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, May 11-16. Horace Greeley High School Senior Alex Kaufman President Obama making a speech to the 40 Intel Finalists. was among some 1,600 high school Science teacher Trudy Gessler leads students from around the country As a fellow Greeley student and new many of the classes for the program. participating in the fair for the ultimate Science Researcher, I asked Alex for “We have many talented and passionate prize: a scholarship worth $75,000. some advice. “You have been provided an students in Science Research,” said Dr. incredible opportunity. You may come Gessler. “Their research and experiments out of this research experience knowing ISEF, the world’s largest international are all conducted under the supervision pre-college science competition, prothat you want to be a scientist for the of a research scientist/mentor, somevides a framework for aspiring young rest of your life. You could also come out times in a research lab and sometimes researchers, like Alex, to showcase their of it knowing that you never want to right here on campus.” go near a pipette again! So go into this excited about what you will learn about Alex’s interest is in the area of immuyour field and what you will learn about nology. His project focuses on the Hepayourself. There are so many fascinating titis B virus and constructing a special fields, so search long and hard for sometype of viral clone to function exactly thing that absolutely captivates you– it’s like Hepatitis B, except that it causes definitely out there!” cells to fluoresce upon infection. Alex conducted his research in the Laboratory Alex, Riya, and Anubhav are truly of Virology and Infectious Disease at The inspirational. There’s no doubt that these Rockefeller University in New York City. science research students are some of
Alex Kaufman with his poster at Intel WESEF
independent research and compete for more than $4 million in awards. Millions of students worldwide start out competing in local and school-sponsored science fairs, and if selected, go head-to-head in the final event with peers from over 70 countries, regions and territories. At a local fair in March, Alex was named one of the top ten researchers in Westchester and Putnam counties, which qualified him to advance to the final round. Alex is part of Horace Greeley’s Science Research program, a three-year, application-based science course that allows students to independently explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) topics of their own choosing, be it climate change, cancer research or molecular biology. 18 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
Alex’s story is not the only success story in the program. This past year, 12 students received awards for their projects at various fairs and competitions. Junior Riya Verma’s poster was given 1st place in the Category of Medicine and Health at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. “I have always been interested in applications of computer science in medicine, and Science Research has given me an opportunity to pursue it,” said Riya. Anubhav Guha’s award-winning project took him to the White House. Anubhav’s research deals with extending the lifetime of dye molecules. For his research Anubhav placed as a finalist in the Intel competition and semi-finalist in the Siemens competition. He even got to shake hands with President Obama! “I’ve always been interested in science– its really satisfying and neat to be able to fully understand a topic, or to be able to find something completely new that no one else has ever found,” said Anubhav.
the brightest “cells” in our student body. Their findings could potentially help people in meaningful ways and influence current scientific practices. Seeing their accomplishments makes me excited to hone in on my own science topic and gain experience through interacting with professionals in the field. Science can be very daunting and complex. But it is fascinating and extremely important for our understanding of the world and how it works. It’s thrilling to know that right here at Greeley we have some of the best and the brightest. To find out more about ISEF and the Siemens Competition visit: https://student.societyforscience.org/intel-isef and http://www.siemens-foundation.org/en/ competition.htm Amanda H. Cronin is a freshman at Horace Greeley High School. She loves the six Fs: Food, Fashion, Football (Soccer), Friends, Family and Felines.
Our students gain an appreciation for the joy and values of our Jewish heritage, vividly brought to life by our dedicated and enthusiastic teachers.Through stories, art, and music, each session is a creative and dynamic learning experience.
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June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 19
Chappaqua Camping 101 By Joe Giannettino
I know what you’re thinking…the only thing Chappaqua and camping have in common is that they both begin with the letter “C.” Well, that doesn’t have to be the case. I remember sitting around a fire pit with a few of my high-powered New Castle neighbors, cigars and scotches in-hand. One of them said (with a surprised tone in his voice), “This is really nice.” Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Now, I’ve been an outdoorsman my whole life, so the joy of hanging with friends around a fire wasn’t new to me at all. I asked a simple question which set an entire chain of events in motion. “Have you guys ever gone camping?”
Silence. Then came the jokes. “I only camp at the Four Seasons.” “Is there room service?” and, “do they have wifi?” After a few more drinks, I convinced this group of CEOs, lawyers and captains of industry to give camping the old college try. These guys were total rookies, so I suggested Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Gardiner, New York. It’s about as intimidating as it sounds. Yogi’s is a family friendly campground about an hour away; complete with a swimming pool, general store and even an arcade. Hardly the rugged outdoors, but it was a start. As the date approached, the frantic emails intensified. Panicked fathers scrambled to figure out what they needed. I wish I could’ve have seen the salesman at Target as, one by one, the dads cleaned out their inventory of tents, sleeping bags, gadgets and fishing equipment. At this point, the Four 20 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
One dad produced a cooler full of sausages and steaks purchased that morning from the Village Market. We were camping in style! Well, Chappaqua style anyway. Each link and steak sizzled as it hit the grill. The scent wafted. The kids were off riding bikes, fishing and playing wiffle ball. All was good in the world. Like our night around the fire pit, we enjoyed the warmth of the flames…and our friendships.
Seasons would’ve been less expensive. The cars were packed, leaving barely enough room for the kids. Good thing it was only a short drive. We arrived at the campground, checked in and headed to our sites. A numbered stake divided each spot, which came outfitted with an old truck rim (for the campfire) and a faded picnic table. The task of unpacking began. Fear set in as my fellow Chappaquans struggled to figure out which tent pole went where and how they were going to blow up a queen size air mattress using only their lungs. One of the guys brought a tent that rivalled the houses in Random Farms, complete with three bedrooms and a vestibule. My eightyear-old son became an entrepreneur that day, as each of the fathers gave him $10 to complete their tasks. It may have cost Mr. Random Farms $15.
“One dad produced a cooler full of sausages and steaks purchased that morning from the Village Market. We were camping in style! Well, Chappaqua style anyway.” With the tents finally set up, the next project was to collect firewood for our campfire. This was a necessity if we wanted to eat. The kids scattered like worker bees, each time bringing back twigs barely big enough to support a Barbie campfire. After about 15 minutes, one of the dads showed up with three perfectly bundled stacks of seasoned firewood he purchased from the general store. Not exactly living off the land, but effective.
That camping trip became an annual tradition for all us dads and created lifelong memories. There are dozens of local campgrounds to suit every level. For beginners, I recommend Ward Pound Ridge, where rustic lean-to’s are available, or Croton Point Park with views of the Hudson. Both are within a 15-minute drive, and if all’s not going to plan (or it rains), it’s an easy trip back home. For more adventurous beginners, there are several Yogi Bear Campgrounds and
KOA’s within a two-hour drive. They have all the amenities described above. New York also has many state campgrounds which are easy to enjoy. Visit www.nysparks.com/parks/ for more info. In today’s world of facebooking, tweeting and i-things, the great outdoors offers a rare opportunity to get back to basics, slow down and reconnect. If you haven’t slept under the stars, it’s never too late to start. Just make sure you give Target a heads-up that you’re coming.
Joe Giannettino is a life long resident of northern Westchester. He has two sons, Daniel and Michael. He enjoys fishing, softball and any other sport in which you can exaggerate your abilities.
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June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 21
You Can’t Spell Chappaqua without “Q” By Stephen Barron There is nothing like a perfectly cooked spare or baby back rib. Smoky meat, perfectly seasoned and combined with the right sauce makes our mouths water. Winter is behind us, and it’s time to start firing up your BBQ grill.
Cooking a perfect rib starts with a little knowledge, passion and perseverance. Whether you use chips, chunks, or logs, it is important to only use hard
I’m an East Coast native, but developed a passion for BBQ after moving to Texas in the mid 90’s. In Texas, brisket is king, but ribs were always my favorite. I became obsessed with learning how to cook them so the meat easily falls from the bone without being dry or fatty. And with the right mix of seasoning applied before cooking (Rub), you can enjoy them even without sauce. For me, picking out a good rack of ribs involves going to a good local butcher, or believe it or not, Costco. Look for whole racks that are meaty. Both baby back and spare ribs have a membrane on the bone side that should be removed. This can be a tricky process, and I suggest watching an online video to learn the proper technique.
“Chappaqua is a long way from the South, but did you know we have BBQ royalty in our midst? Christiaan Lorson from Le Jardin du Roi, heads up a well-respected team called “Q Haven” on the BBQ circuit.” After the membrane has been removed, begin layering your flavors. Start with a light slather to hold the rub (see recipe below, but the fun is in the experimenting). Apply your rub immediately before cooking so the salt does not pull moisture from the meat. I’ve made rubs that have Asian, Indian, spicy, and sweet flavor profiles. The key to great rubs is keeping your spice blends even. Experiment and have fun. 22 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
bone becomes exposed, immediately test internal temperature. Chappaqua is a long way from the South, but did you know we have BBQ royalty in our midst? Christiaan Lorson from Le Jardin du Roi, heads up a well-respected team called “Q Haven” on the BBQ circuit. Christiaan taught me a new twist on infusing more flavor into our ribs. After reaching 175 degrees internal temperature, wrap your ribs in foil, meat side down. He likes to line the foil with brown sugar, honey, rib rub, and maybe a little chipotle for added heat. When the ribs are wrapped tightly in foil, the heat molecules will turn your spices into a braising liquid. Forty five minutes of meat side down cooking should be more than enough to reach a final internal temperature of 195-200 degrees.
woods. Oak, apple, and maple are local woods that provide great flavor for ribs. When grilling with charcoal or gas, tossing a simple aluminum foil pack containing soaked wood chips or chunks will give you smoke to enhance the flavor. Without a doubt, proper temperature is critical to a successful outcome. Ideally, I will cook on an indirect 225-250 degree heat for around four hours. Offset your heat source from where the ribs are positioned to help even out the cooking temperature. Covering your charcoal or gas grill racks with sheets of aluminum foil will aid in dispersing heat. You can also place a small aluminum pan filled with apple juice over the heat source to create steam for keeping your ribs moist. To avoid losing a constant grill temperature, check on how your ribs are cooking only once per hour. Do not peek! Optimal internal rib temperature is 170-175 degrees. Move the ribs around to even out hot spots. If your rib meat is shrinking slightly where the rib
Christiaan says “Rest your meat!” Just like a good steak, your ribs should be out of the foil for a few minutes before cutting into your masterpiece. Spraying on a little apple juice to the rib will help stop the cooking process. I slice my ribs with the meat side facing down. Just cut between the bones. If you like, add sauce on top, or to the side (sauce suggestions below). Dig in!
When not conquering the world of finance, Stephen Barron can be found smoking his own ribs and spending quality time with his wife, Michelle, and sons, Max and Jack.
Christiann’s Slather Recipe Even parts mustard, agave syrup, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Maybe a tad less vinegar. Sauce Suggestions: Stubbs, Austin Texas, Arthur Bryant’s, a spicy Kansas City classic, McClards, Hot Springs AK (a former favorite of President Clinton when he ate BBQ), Sweet Baby Rays for the kids, The Shed, (all flavors).
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The Chappaqua Gauntlet By Dan Levitz The house is quiet. The only sound is a pleasing “whoosh, whoosh” from the little device that whips & heats the milk for the coffee. The kids have left for school and my wife for work. I’ll be the last one out the door and this... this is good. It’s a short ride to my job and, if all goes smoothly, it should be pleasant on this beautiful spring day.
I’ve mastered the repetitive left/right, right/left head-turn and, both directions clear, I make the turn and head towards town and The Infamous Bridge of Sighs! Pausing at the red light by Hunts Place, I sip my coffee and feel the caffeine begin to percolate just a little in my brain. The newly renovated bridge can be challenging in a myriad of ways. Too many times, I’ve found myself sitting there unsure if it was my right of way or the giant Escalade’s coming from town. My awkwardness in these moments is punctuated by indecision: Brake…gas…lurch…peer…gas… brake!
Not long ago, I would have been the first of my family out the door and I’d be rushing to get an early express train to the City. When we moved here from Manhattan, my intention was a daily walk to and from the Chappaqua train station where I could clear my head and get a little exercise while keeping my Big Apple pedestrian mojo intact. I would reject the car-culture and remain true to my downtown urban roots.
“...if things go smoothly, it’s a great little drive. Our town is scenic, quaint, historic and bucolic.”
In my early days in Chappaqua, you might have found me on a Saturday walking to town to buy milk with my little daughter in a Baby Bjorn as cars flew by on 120. I mean, this is how I carried my older son when he was a baby in the City, and I’d be damned if I would deny my daughter the same nurturing and effective mode of transport. I think we did that walk maybe two times in total. My naive idealism about relying on my own two feet proved to be fleeting. We moved here in autumn and by winter I was driving everywhere including to the train in the morning. My vision of the daily walk to the station gone, I rationalized that the distance from my spot at the edge of the train parking lot, essentially located in Pleasantville, was roughly 24 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
Today however, the sun is shining on me as I traverse the bridge effortlessly and in good rhythm. As I pull up, about to turn left onto S. Greeley, I get the bluetooth going and start digging on a good driving song (Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things”). I sip my coffee and breathe deeply as I look ahead towards The Great Intersection of Indecision! It may be a confusing traffic pattern with the two-way stop, but folks here can be quite neighborly, and most drivers seem to approach it as cautiously as do I on this gorgeous Chappaqua morn. equivalent to my now dormant walk from home. My daily train commute into the city has since been replaced by a short drive to my office in a neighboring town. I joke with my wife that the 1.3 miles of the commute that takes me through Chappaqua can only be referred to as…The Gauntlet! She says I can be overly dramatic, but I think as a term of action, it is spot on. As I mentioned, if things go smoothly, it’s a great little drive. Our town is scenic, quaint, historic and bucolic. These are highly appealing adjectives. However, if I’m to best The Gauntlet, a number of challenges must be overcome with honor and determination (I have no idea why she says I over dramatize things)! My journey begins with The Audacious Left Turn of Departure! All that’s involved here is gently navigating the car past the children at the bus stop in front of my house and making the left onto Quaker towards town safely.
As I continue forward, surrounded by picturesque Chappaqua in full spring bloom, it does feel natural to wax a bit poetic with my daily driving challenges happily in my rear view. I must admit that I feel privileged to be conducting my commute through such a lovely setting. The ride up King is sweet. I turn the music up and reach for my faded Café Du Monde coffee mug. I make the right turn past Lange’s and the quick left by the Mobil station. I drive respectfully slow past Grafflin Elementary, now confident that the challenging part of the commute is over. As I bring the mug to my lips, I violently hit a pothole the size of Rhode Island. The hot coffee splashes all over my chest, and as I shriek, I notice the “check engine” light pop on. Sometimes you ride The Gauntlet, sometimes The Gauntlet rides you. Dan Levitz is an art dealer & writer who has lived in Chappaqua for 10 years.
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How To Tell A Joke By Professor Jackie Martling By definition, jokes are ridiculous. Some people love them and some people hate them, but they’ve been around forever, and always will be. There are two groups of people at every party: The people in the huddle telling the filthy jokes and the people who are trying to remember a filthy joke so they can get in the huddle. Every joke has a “butt,” be it the husband or the Jewish mother or the blonde. For the humor to happen, someone has to “get hurt” to some extent, preferably someone else. Mel Brooks’ definitions of comedy and tragedy are: “Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall off a cliff.” For reasons I’ll never understand, I remember every joke I’ve ever heard. It started in the eighth grade and, over the past 50 or so years, I’ve learned a few tricks to telling them. Subtle do’s and don’ts may make you better at it. Trim the Fat Only relate what’s necessary. Longwinded stories packed with unnecessary details are mainly responsible for jokes getting a bad name. Playboy’s Party Jokes are a huge offender: “The sultry young lass sauntered into a nightclub, smiling broadly, and sexily asked the bartender if he could possibly...” No! Told properly, that hodgepodge translates to: “A girl walks into a bar and says to the bartender...” Keep it Simple Don’t ever break up dialogue. It’s, “The man says to the cop, ‘Hey, which way did that kid go?’” Not, “‘Hey,’ the man says to the cop, ‘Which way did that kid go?’” It just flows so much better that way. Don’t use any descriptive adjectives unless it’s to distinguish one character from another. It’s, “The first worm says,” to distinguish him from the second worm in the joke. Not “the slimy, dirty worm,” unless the description is necessary to the joke. No time like the present Always use the present tense.. It gives the joke an immediacy and makes it more exciting. It’s always, 26 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
A guy goes into a psychiatrist’s office and says, “Doc, I can’t seem to make any friends. Can you help me, you fat slob?” (Connector: stuffed fluffy toys are fat) A guy meets a girl in a bar and they go back to her apartment. They go into her bedroom and from left to right, floor to ceiling, there’s a whole wall full of fluffy toys. Floor to ceiling, side to side, fluffy toys everywhere. They get it on. When they’re done, the guy says, “How was I?” “The barber says,” never, “The barber said.”
She says, “Take anything from the bottom shelf.”
Save the best for last Though sometimes you really can’t dodge them, do your best to not include any words from the punch line in the body of your joke. It just makes the punch line more fun.
So now you’ve got a string of three great jokes. Learn them and get in the huddle. If you want more, follow me on Twitter @jackiemartling. I tweet a new joke every day. You can also e-mail me, jokeland@aol.com, and you’ll get free jokes a few times a month.
And, very important, memorize the punch line. Know it well. Even say it out loud a few times so you can deliver it flawlessly with confidence and without stammering. Three to Remember Here are three great jokes, with a short idea between each pair to aid you in remembering them in that order. A woman walks into a drug store and says to the pharmacist, “I’d like to buy some cyanide. I need it to poison my husband.” The pharmacist says, “Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband. You’ll go to jail, I’ll go to jail, you’re crazy.” The woman reaches into her purse and hands the pharmacist a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist’s wife. The pharmacist says, “You didn’t tell me you had a prescription.” (Connector: The pharmacist’s brother is a psychiatrist...)
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling is the author of several popular joke books and albums. He was the head writer of The Howard Stern Show for 15 years and currently hosts Jackie’s Joke Hunt on SiriusXM every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
EQUALS
THE GAME SHOW It’s quite simple. We'll give you a number which equals the first letter of each word in a name, a phrase, an entity or an expression. Your mission is to solve what the letters stand for. For example: 5 = F on O H 5 = fingers on one hand This issue's equations: 54 = C I a D W T J Hint: Las Vegas 4=TFWILGA Hint: stovepipe 4=BOaBD Hint: Abner If you’re stumped, email me at jokeland@aol.com
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The Care and Feeding of a Chappaqua Dad By Ian Karr This June, in honor of Father’s Day, I’m going to break the Guy Code and reveal the Simple Things at the top of every Dad’s wish list. They also happen to be the secrets to keeping men happy and attentive forever. I know these are lofty claims, but we men are very simple creatures with even simpler needs.
It’s important to point out that these Simple Things have nothing to do with who works, who takes care of the kids, or who has to walk the dog at midnight. They are simply the keys to keeping men, as a species, happy. Use them at your own risk. There’s one more Thing, but it’s about men and women equally.
It’s no surprise that men don’t “get” 50 Shades of Gray and women don’t “get” The Three Stooges. We’re hard-wired differently. Ironically, guys are about as complex as the Stooges. To us, life is about our family, friends, work…and trying not to get poked in the eye.
The noted philosopher Martin Buber had a theory that all human interactions, whether with your mailman or your spouse, have a virtual life of their own. Buber termed these interactions “Spiritual Children.” Just like a real child, your “Spiritual” one can grow up sick or healthy, be a success or a failure, or hit you up for a hundred bucks and the car keys. The fourth Simple Thing is about taking care of the most important Spiritual Child: your relationship.
Whether we identify with Moe, Larry, or Curly, there are several Simple Things that seem to hold true for most men. Admittedly, I’m the farthest thing from a psychologist. But I did start Chappaqua Dads on Facebook. And I’ve been male my whole life. So please take a leap of faith and accept my authority on these Things. Or at least ask your guy if they ring true. Simple Thing Number One: We want a sanctuary. It’s extremely important to guys that the place we call home stands in stark contrast to the crazy world outside. Remember, only a few thousand years have passed since we were cavemen. That’s barely enough time on an evolutionary scale to grow an eyelash. We may carry iPhones today, but we still crave that cave; a safe, peaceful place to eat and sleep without fear of attack.
Simple Thing Number Two: We need physical contact on a semi-regular basis. Big DUH, right? But it’s not just about the act. For us, sex is a mix of intimacy, pleasure, pursuit, success, and a hundred other things that make us feel like men. It’s deeply rooted in our sense of self. We certainly don’t expect our partners to be “in the mood” all the time, but the way we’re turned down matters.
Simple Thing Number Three: We like cheerleaders. Okay, maybe corner-man is a better metaphor. Guys often see the world as a boxing ring. Our days are filled with bouts large and small. When the bell rings and we come home to our neutral corner (see sanctuary above), there’s nothing better than having someone there to put ice on our 914-941-3970 bruises, cheer us For Your Safety Our Fleet is on, and make us All Wheel Drive All The Time want to go back in Since 1985 and fight another Dominic Cannavo, President WESTCHESTER COUNTY TLC #01-00086 round.
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28 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
Simple Thing Number Four: Your relationship comes first. Yes, before children. Before work. Before everything. The theory is that if you put your relationship first, you’re more likely to have a stable and loving foundation for being a better parent, a more productive worker, and a happier person. Take that vacation without the kids. Your family will be better for it. That’s about it. If you already knew how simple we are, great! If you didn’t, you now have the power to give the best Father’s Day gift(s) ever. Or, you could just get us another necktie. Guys, please forgive me. I know this information could be used to turn us into happy zombies, but I thought it was worth the risk. Ian Karr graduated Tulane University with a degree in Sociology and is happy to have finally used it for something. Otherwise, he tries not to embarrass his wife Lauren and his kids, Jayden and Gregory. Sometimes he succeeds.
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June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 29
Hollywood in Chappaqua? In the summer of 2004, my wife and I made the riskiest move imaginable. We moved to Chappaqua. Some context. I grew up in New Rochelle, studied film at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, then moved out to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue a career as a screenwriter. In L.A. I met my wife, Tema (a fellow transplant, but from Chicago), and three years later we were married. Our son Miles was born in 2000, followed by Caroline in 2003; by 2004, Tema and I were talking about having another child--a conversation that forced us to acknowledge that we would soon outgrow our Santa Monica townhouse.
David James Photo
by Mark Bomback
As we started house-hunting, it occurred to us that we should consider living in New York instead. We were both becoming increasingly uneasy with the notion that raising our kids in L.A. meant having no family within driving distance. My three brothers Mark on set with Director Matt Reeves. were all living in the New York area, and the prospect of realtor ended with us making an offer raising our children near their uncles, on a house. aunts, cousins and grandparents was feeling like more and more of a priorWhen we returned to L.A. and ity. announced we were moving to ChapHowever, my burgeoning screenwrit- paqua, the nearly universal reaction from both friends and colleagues was ing career was at a critical juncture. “Why?!” My first produced credit–a half-baked cloning thriller called Godsend–hadn’t We tried impressing them with exactly set any box office records. I’d photos of our very-East-Coast-looking managed to get myself hired by 20th new house as we explained our reaCentury Fox to write a fourth “Die sons. Most of our friends understood, Hard” film, however there was no guarhowever some of them questioned our antee the studio would actually make wisdom. And more than a few have it. I certainly was in no position to uproot our lives and move 3,000 miles subsequently admitted to me that they were all but sure the move would mean from the undisputed epicenter of my the end of my writing career. chosen profession. Tema and I decided we’d give ourselves a year to think about it. Yet on a trip to New York that May, an exploratory outing with a Chappaqua-based 30 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
When you write movies for a living, there’s a tendency to view your life through the prism of a narrative--to see yourself as a character in a story.
And I admit, during the first year of our living in Chappaqua, I was constantly asking myself if this abrupt shift in the plot that was my life felt natural.What was I doing on the sidelines of an AYSO game only 20 miles from where I’d grown up? Had I botched the story? Tema, a city girl born and bred, was still coping with an acute case of suburban culture shock, so I hesitated to add to her reservations with any of my own. True, we did see a whole lot more of our extended family. We just didn’t expect to miss our old lives in L.A. quite as much as we did. In time, however, we made new, and soon, very close friends. Equally important, we learned how best to stay in touch with our old ones, and gained an assurance that we hadn’t lost them in the move. Of course there were (still are!) winter days when Tema pined for El Matador Beach, but a morning spent sledding at Gedney has its own undeniable charms, and the small town we’d impulsively decided to call home has turned out to be an even more wonderful community than we’d anticipated. Less expected, but even more rewarding, is what Chappaqua has come to mean to me as a father. Before I had children, it never occurred to me to put down roots in Westchester–after all, I was going to be a happening screenwriter! So I hadn’t really considered what it would be like to raise my children in an environment that was in some ways markedly similar to that of my own childhood. For example, we sent our three daughters (we wound up having two more children since
moving here) to the same day camp I attended.
WETA Photo
My son and I devour buffalo wings at the Candlelight Inn, where I don’t think they’ve changed so much as a lightbulb since I was a kid. And the mere smell of the grass at those AYSO games brings me right back to the New Rochelle soccer fields that I played on when I was their age (with far less skill than my offspring). In short, there is a very unique pleasure to be had in watching my kids forge memories in settings that feel just a little familiar, although I get as much joy from seeing how our experiences diverge as I do from recognizing Caesar (Andy Serkis) ponders his next move as he faces a threat posed by a colony of humans. where they intersect.
“When you write movies for a living, there’s a tendency to view your life through the prism of a narrative...” Working from home in Chappaqua also means that I see my kids a lot more than I might have if we’d stayed in L.A., where meetings, lunches and dinners are always welcome opportunities to procrastinate. Of course I do have to travel to L.A. quite a bit,
but when I’m home I’m home. As for my career, thankfully things broke the right way for me, and I would attribute at least part of my success to living here, as the distance from L.A. requires me to stay even more focused than I might have otherwise, and to maximize every opportunity that comes along. There’s a screenwriting adage that I always do my best to adhere to: the ending of a story should feel at once surprising and inevitable. I never thought I’d live in a town like Chappaqua until that fateful summer when Tema and I decided to just take a chance and go for it. Now, as we approach the 10-year anniversary of our big move, it feels like it was always meant to be.
Mark Bomback is a screenwriter whose credits include Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (opens July 11), The Wolverine, Unstoppable, Live Free or Die Hard and Race to Witch Mountain, among others. A TV series, Legends, co-developed with Howard Gordon (Homeland) is scheduled to premiere August 20th on TNT.
The 77th Annual Strawberry Festival
will be held on Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m–4 p.m. at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church in Chappaqua (South Greeley Avenue, next to the Bell School)
Kids from toddlers to teens can enjoy a day of games & prizes, bounce castles, music, BBQ and, of course, the Festival's traditional strawberry shortcake and smoothies.
WETA Photo
A featured musical act is the longadored Annie and the Natural Wonder Band, which will perform on the great lawn from 12-12:40 p.m. and again from 2-2:40 p.m. The event also features a wide variety of craft vendors, attic treasures, raffles, bake sale and other musical acts throughout the day.
Malcolm (Jason Clarke) tries to make peace with Caesar (Andy Serkis), Koba (Toby Kebbell) and Maurice (Karin Konoval).
Proceeds benefit the Parish's outreach fund which supports a number of local philanthropic organizations.
June 2014 Inside Chappaqua 31
By Eric Kratz It is hard to believe that it’s been 14 years since I started coaching. The kids I coached at the beginning are now young men and women that can out-play me in the sports I helped them learn, but that’s what’s supposed to happen. I became interested in coaching in 1992 after walking into a client’s office and admiring his wall filled with team photos. I had many long talks with him about how much work, but tremendous joy it was coaching his son. I was hooked…but a few things had to happen first. Like get married, have kids and buy a house somewhere in Westchester.
“It still amazes me how some people are focused on playing time and winning at such a young age, when we really should be concentrating on teamwork and fundamentals.” Fast forward to about 2002 and me running up and down the sidelines at the Boys and Girls Club coaching fiveyear-old boys on the basketball court. I learned quickly that self-confidence and a love for the game were the most powerful things I could teach. Some kids have natural talents; others need to work hard to achieve basic skills. At the beginning of every season I would try to figure out where each kid could play at the start of the season that would get them into the game but not shake their confidence. As they learned and developed, I slowly moved them around to other positions. I explained this strategy to the kids and they really got it. Unfortunately, some parents didn’t. It still amazes me how some people are 32 Inside Chappaqua June 2014
innings. I know most of them probably forgot about it the next day, but it was the realization of my amateur coaching dreams. This spring will be the last season that I coach a sport. It has been a fun ride. I hope the kids I coached enjoyed the experience and will have the confidence to compete in anything. I moved my office recently, and kept one wall to hang all of my team pictures.
focused on playing time and winning at such a young age, when we really should be concentrating on teamwork and fundamentals. The first time I coached 5th grade rec baseball we had a really interesting combination of kids. We were the Mets, and we played like our namesake. (I’m a Mets fan, but, let’s face it, being a Mets fan is tough). We had one really talented kid–I think he is now playing for Greeley–but the other 12 needed a little work. Some of the kids never played before. I tried to build their confidence throughout the season. I first put them in positions I thought they could handle to build up their confidence, then slowly moved them around, telling them what they needed to work on to get better. By the end of the season, we had kids that could play several positions pretty well. We worked on the basics, base running, how to communicate and, most importantly, to support each other. All the teams made the playoffs, the top two got to play under the lights at the Rec field with the whole league watching in a championship game. It was a great experience. Too bad our town does not have more night sports events like high school football, but that’s another article for another time… We were not supposed to get past the first round, but we kept on winning. The kids played with confidence and supported each other. We ended up winning the championship in extra
Sometimes, when the day is not going the way I would like, I take a few minutes to look at the pictures and remember all the fun and great reactions the kids had when they made a nice play. I hope that wall of photos, and maybe this story, inspires others to coach and continue the tradition. Eric Kratz has been living in Chappaqua since 1997. When not coaching, Eric owns a software company and can often be seen jogging along Seven Bridges Road.
William Raveis
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Houlihan Lawrence
Advertisers at a Glance • June 2014 Amadeus Conservatory of Music & Theatre........................... 15 Beecher Flooks Funeral Home............................................... 23 Bowls..................................................................................... 29 Chabad Hebrew School.......................................................... 19 Arthur Dimella, Semper Home Loans.................................... 29 Lydia Evans, M.D................................................................... 11 Eye Designs of Armonk............................................................ 9 Eye Level Learning Center..................................................... 19 Forest Hills Financial Group.................................................... 5 Future Stars.......................................................................... 29 Bonnie Golub, William Raveis.................................................. 2 Harvey Cavalier Camp........................................................... 13 Houlihan Lawrence Home Listings................................... 16,17 Hubbels Music School............................................................ 19 Jodi’s Gym............................................................................. 25 Kitchen and Bath Source......................................................... 7 Le Jardin du Roi French Bistro.............................................. 25 Dr. Corinne D. Menn.............................................................. 23 MHA of Westchester/Mega Yoga Event.................................. 25 Mount Kisco Child Care Center.............................................. 13 New Castle Physical Therapy.................................................. 11 Nicolaysen Agency, Inc.......................................................... 29 Wendy Nolan, Houlihan Lawrence........................................... 9 Wally Peterkin, PGI Professional Golf Instructor.................. 25 Purple Pen College Essay Advisory......................................... 19 Riverside Memorial Chapel...................................................... 7 Beth Rordam, LMT................................................................ 29
For Children with Cancer
Help raise funds for Sunrise Day Camp, the only full summer day camp in the nation for children with cancer and their siblings, provided free of charge!
Two courses to choose from: 1 mile or 5k walk Finish Line Celebration with Music, Games & Family Fun Refreshments
Sunday • June 8 • 2014 Registration 8:30 am / Walk 10:00 am Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds
P e a r l R i v e r, N Y • J u s t m i n u t e s f r o m t h e Ta p p a n Z e e B r i d g e Main Gate Entrance GPS: Briarwood Lane • Orangeburg, NY
www.sunrise-walks.org • (914) 741-0333
SpinSational.......................................................................... 21 Squires Family Clothing & Footwear..................................... 21 Standing Ovations Studios.................................................... 21 Steinersports.com................................................................. 23 Shuppee................................................................................. 15 Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester............................... 15 Toddshapera.com; Todd Shapera, Photographer................... 27 Visiting Veterinary Practice of Westchester.......................... 27 Westchester Tree Life............................................................ 19 World Cup Gymnastics........................................................... 23 World Cup Summer Camps.................................................... 21 York: All Wheel Drive All the Time......................................... 28
THE POWER OF LEADERSHIP Means never standing still. Our team of real estate experts are the top ranked, operating from a regional network of 26 offices, making us the number one selling real estate brokerage in New York City’s northern suburbs. Building an esteemed network does not happen overnight. We have been developing our powerful connections for 125 years. We understand world-wide markets. We have the largest global network with international connections across 6 continents, with partners in 56 countries. And by integrating smarter data and the newest digital platforms, we continue to stay one step ahead. Proven and Proving it.
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