Welcome to the Volunteer Opportunities Section

Get out and enjoy the weather on your bike while raising money for the Lung Cancer Alliance

July 2, 2010
by Judy Ward

Scenic Dutchess County, New York, will be the scene this weekend of the fourth annual Chappaqua-based bike-a-thon to support the Lung Cancer Alliance. Participants in the bike-a-thon, to be held on Sunday, July 4, will ride either a 15 or 30-mile course through rolling farmland one hour north of Chappaqua. Non-cyclists can opt to join the festivities just for lunch at 11:30 a.m.  Advance registration is required, and will be accepted through Saturday, July 3.  To view the flyer, click HERE

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Dr. Flank honored for 65 years of scouting leadership


June 11, 2010
by Peter Applebome

Many generations of middle and high school kids in Chappaqua have learned a few things from Bill Flank.

They’ve learned the Zen of wool socks and how to do the J stroke in a canoe. Over blazing fires in the woods, they’ve taken in many chapters of Lenni Lenape Indian lore. If they needed help with calculus or chemistry, he was around to offer it. He’s taught them what to bring and what not to bring on a hike, how to cook various elemental wilderness stews, the mysteries of the square knot, bowline and clove hitch and other essentials of the Boy Scout canon. He’s impressed upon them the perils of hypothermia, the importance of the bear bag, how to handle a knife and why you shouldn’t handle an ax, and the assorted near-death experiences that can confront the unwitting or careless canoer or hiker. 

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Letter to the Editor: Thanks to the community from the Chappaqua Fire Department

May 21, 2010
by Paul Eiden

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Letter to the Editor: Thanks to our firefighters

May 21, 2010
by Suzanne and Jay Keay

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Chappaqua Fire Department drawing contest fires young imaginations: WINNERS ANNOUNCED


See Photo Gallery for close to 100 kids’ drawings of fire trucks
May 14, 2010
by Christine Yeres

Last Saturday, Assistant Chief Russell Maitland announced the winners of the fire truck drawing contest, two from each K-4 grade.  They will ride with one parent on one of the fire trucks in the parade tonight, Friday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m.

Remember to join us for the “100th Anniversary Parade and Celebration for the Chappaqua Fire Department”

The parade forms at Grafflin Elementary School at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 14, and travels along King Street, past the Chappaqua Firehouse, and down King Street into downtown Chappaqua, ending at Bell Middle School, where fire trucks will be on display as well as a blow up jumpy castle kingdom and slide.

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Cottage School and its young charges survive on the kindness of strangers

April 30, 2010
by Marci Garson

Dressed in a crisp white polo shirt and khaki pants, “JT” held his head high as he walked through the crowd at The Cottage Schools Volunteer Recognition Dinner in Pleasantville on April 15. He climbed the stairs to the podium and reached up to bring the microphone down to his 11-year-old height. His left cheek was still swollen where he had had his tooth pulled the day before, a procedure he had to undergo without the comfort of his mother or father at his side.

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Walkathon and Pet Fair Saturday, May 1 at FDR Park


April 30, 2010

The Wags and Whiskers Walkathon and Pet Fair, the big fun-raising fundraiser of the year for the SPCA of Westchester, takes place in FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights tomorrow, Saturday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The SPCA is a no-kill shelter, located on North State Road in Briarcliff Manor.  Registration for the walkathon is not required, but it’s appreciated, and there’s still time to sign up and even gather pledges.  Click HERE for details.

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Help the library, become a Friend, take our survey?


We’re interested in what you think; please take our survey if you haven’t yet.
April 16, 2010
by Shobha Vanchiswar and Sandra Flank

In May, New Castle residents will vote on the library budget for next year.  Given the present economy, the Chappaqua Library board is very aware of the community’s position and has thus kept their budget request low.  However, attendance and the membership at the library are both increasing.

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Chappaqua library board seeks new trustee


March 19, 2010
by Pam Thornton

Every year a library board trustee finishes his or her five-year term and rotates off the board of the Chappaqua Library. So every year, there is an opportunity for yet another patron to give back to the library by running for the vacant board position. Is this your year to run for library trustee? 

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Crabtree Kittle House hosts fund-raiser for Clinton Bush Haiti Fund


January 29, 2010
by Susie Pender

The Crabtree Kittle House has extended an open invitation to dinner on Sunday, Sunday, January 31, to support the Earthquake Relief Effort in Haiti. They will donate 20% of the evening’s sales to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

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Out of the Garden


January 22, 2010
by Shobha Vanchiswar

What can gardeners do to help Haiti?

I had originally intended to write a lighthearted piece about the garden, but it’s been a rough two weeks.

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Q & A with Betsey Casey Metz, honoree of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic


U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Betsey Metz
November 27, 2009
by Susie Pender and Christine Yeres

Editor’s note: More than 225 supporters, friends, and elected officials gathered on October 23 in White Plains for the 2009 Empower Luncheon of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic to honor Chappaqua resident Betsey Casey Metz for her exceptional community leadership, passion, commitment and dedication to protecting women’s health, rights, and safety. Guests at the luncheon enjoyed a keynote speech by Fran Lebowitz, celebrated humorist, essayist and best-selling author.

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New Castle soccer players collect cereal at tomorrow’s practices to feed the hungry

November 13, 2009
by Jennifer Leventhal

This weekend, New Castle soccer players and their friends and families will be teaming up with the Food Bank for Westchester in a cereal drive to help feed hungry families right here in our own community. All families with children in the Chappaqua Youth Soccer Club or AYSO are being asked to bring a box or two of cereal to their games or practices on Saturday, November 14.

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Are you interested in community gardening in Chappaqua or Millwood?


October 2, 2009
by Molly Pickel

When is the last time you went to a garden to pick a tomato for your spaghetti sauce or pulled a carrot right out of the ground? Have you been yearning for heirloom vegetables that don’t come wrapped in plastic? If you wish you could garden but don’t have a backyard or don’t get six hours of full sun in the yard you do have, then a community garden could solve your problems.
What is a community garden?

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Community Day Tomorrow . . . Rain or Shine


Tomorrow, Saturday, October 3, Community Day at the Train Station
October 2, 2009
by John Ehrlich

Rain or shine , Community Day, hosted by the Rotary Club of Chappaqua in conjunction with the Town of New Castle, will be one of the largest yet, featuring 100 exhibitors, rides and attractions at Chappaqua train station plaza from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3.  If it pours the booths and attractions will be moved to Bell Middle School across South Greeley Avenue but the day will go on as scheduled.

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AYSO takes “Everyone Plays” to new heights


August 13, 2010
by Josh Lurie

I’m extremely excited to announce the start of an AYSO Very Important Players (VIP) soccer program in New Castle this fall!  The VIP program provides a quality soccer experience for children whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams.  My first experience of AYSO’s VIP opportunity was the fantastic program in Tarrytown.  I wanted to re-create that here in our town.

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Chappaqua Swimmers, Team Karen and David, “Swim Across America”


More photos in Photo Gallery and in “Read more…”
August 6, 2010
by Carrie Dillon

On Saturday, July 17, 20 members of Chappaqua Swim team participated in a “Swim Across America” event at the Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck.  Members of the team elected to swim either a one-mile or half-mile, to raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment.

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Second Annual Douglas Road Fourth of July Lemonade Stand a huge success!


July 9, 2010
by Susie Pender

Despite the heat, or perhaps, thanks to the heat, the Second Annual Douglas Road Fourth of July Lemonade Stand raised over $1000 to fight childhood cancer. Under the auspices of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a not-for-profit foundation that fights childhood cancer “one cup at a time,” the Raath girls of Douglas Road, Sophie, Ella and Lily, raised $617 at their lemonade stand and the remaining $383 through online donations. Donations can still be made by clicking HERE .

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Chappaqua cyclists raise over $7000 for Lung Cancer Alliance


July 9, 2010
by Judy Ward

July Fourth may have come close to breaking a temperature record, but that did not deter over 60 Chappaqua bicyclists from enjoying either a 15 or 30-mile ride among the rolling hills of Dutchess County in the fourth annual bike-a-thon for Lung Cancer Alliance.  Upon completion of the ride, cyclists were greeted with a tray of cool sliced watermelon.  This refreshing palate-pleaser was followed by a buffet lunch in the big barn at beautiful Meadowland Farm.  As in past years, it proved to be a day filled with camaraderie, fun and great exercise.  Participants in the bike-a-thon raised over $7000, all of which went directly to Lung Cancer Alliance.

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Beyond television: NCCTV to open state-of-the-art media center in downtown Chappaqua


Loui Bond, Lyle Anderson and Carrie Krams
July 2, 2010
by Barbara Kornreich

Hear that banging in Suite 2 next to Talbots at the top of King Street? It’s the sound of volunteer efforts building the new state-of-the-art New Castle Community Media Center (NCCMC). By mid-July, New Castle Community Television, known by its acronym NCCTV, plans to unveil this new media access center. Limited operations will begin on July 15, with a grand opening scheduled for September.

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Last Call for instruments to help heal our Vets


Changing Veterans’ lives through music, the hands-on kind
June 25, 2010

by Bob Coulombe

GOOD MOOOOORNING, NEW CASTLE!  I put out the word in February that I needed musical instruments for Veterans at the Bronx VA Hospital who are rehabilitating from wounds, illness and post-traumatic stress disorder. Inventory so far:  12 guitars, one violin, two banjos, one trumpet, two electric keyboards, one trombone, one flute, one cello, one autoharp, one sax, one clarinet, and one volunteer musician to refurbish the instruments before we turn them over to the VA in July.  Any more instruments out there?Now that we have instruments for them, music lessons will be included as part of their therapy. Until now there were volunteers to teach but no instruments and no budget. We have changed that dynamic.

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MKCCC to Host First Annual Jane H. Beusman Children’s Fund Celebration


In Read more, see a video of Amelia and her mom
June 11, 2010

Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) will host the First Annual Jane H. Beusman Children’s Fund Celebration on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.. The event will take place at the Saw Mill Club, 77 Kensico Drive, Mount Kisco, N.Y.

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The fabulous Friends’ Annual Used Book Sale Monday, June 7


OK, bring on the books!  See schedule in “Read more . . .”
June 7, 2010
by Sandra Flank

No old Encyclopedias.  No text books.  Lots and lots (and more lots) of books.  Mysteries, fiction, gardening, cookbooks, business, philosophy and myriad paper backs.  Volunteer to help with the Chappaqua Friends of the Library book sale—donations June 7 and 8, sales 9 through 12.  We need people to unload, put on the tables, help at checkout and generally keep things going.

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Chappaqua Girl Scouts and Beautiful Hair Color Salon host the Second “Kindest Cut of All”


May 28, 2010
by Margot Schmolka


Chappaqua Girl Scout Troops 2222, 1414, and 2535 joined together with the Beautiful Hair Color Salon in Pleasantville on Sunday afternoon to host the Girl Scouts” Second Annual Hair Cutting Event. 

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Chappaqua Relay for Life, come on Saturday evening to remember and celebrate


One of several Relay for Life bake sales
May 21, 2010
by Rose Schrott

The Third Annual Chappaqua Relay for Life will take place this Saturday, May 22, at Horace Greeley High School. The opening ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m., which will include guest speakers, Relay Awards and the Cancer Survivor Lap. The community is invited to attend to remember those lost to cancer, celebrate their lives and those victorious over cancer, and to help fight back against cancer. 

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Host a student for 10 weekdays this summer for a unique Chappaqua experience


May 21, 2010
by Diane Albert

When speaking to the 2005 Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program graduates, Bill Clinton said, “This program is a jewel in the crown of Chappaqua. I know from experience what it means to have someone reach out a hand to help a stranger.”

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THURSDAY: Can’t wield a hammer? Build quietly by supporting Greeley’s Silent Auction for Habit


Come to our Habitat for Humanity Silent Auction Thurs., May 20 @ 7:00 p.m.
May 19, 2010
by Phil Sieverding

Everybody deserves to live under a roof that doesn’t leak, in a house that is not mold-infested and has running water.

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New Castle kids meet the Fire Chief, parents get life-saving info

Do you have a family meeting place in an emergency—a rock, a mailbox?

May 14, 2010
by Matt Peterson

Area children (motivated by a chance to try on a fire fighter’s turnout gear) and their parents (motivated to keep their neighbors from seeing their hair in curlers at 3:00 a.m.) gathered at the Chappaqua Public Library on Saturday, May 8 to learn fundamental fire safety tips from Chappaqua Fire Department Assistant Chief Russell Maitland. Chief Charlie Bergstrom, as well as a number of firefighters, were also in attendance.

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“Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1910”


CFD members Doug Hunter and Diane Jaulus
May 7, 2010
by Paul Eiden

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1910” isn’t just a slogan for us, it is what we do. None of is paid for it, but ask the long time members of the Chappaqua Fire Department why they have been getting up in the middle of the night for more than 20 years, and the answer will be the same: They love it.  And for good reason.

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Rec Dept seeks volunteers for New Castle’s 10K Road Race: Be deputized as a road marshal


April 30, 2010
by Wayne Bass

The New Castle 10K Road Race needs adult volunteers (18 yrs and over) to act as road marshals for the event. The Road Race will be held on Sunday, May 16 at 9:00 a.m., starting and ending at New Castle Town Hall. Road marshals are required at key intersections along the course to assist in directing runners and slowing down traffic.

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