Chamber Chatter for April 2016
By Susan Miele, Executive Director, Bronxville Chamber of Commerce
Apr. 13, 2016: Changing of the Guard
Pascale Le Draoulec is thrilled to be taking over the Bronxville Farmers' Market from her friend and colleague Mary Liz Mulligan, who retired from the market last fall.
In addition to Bronxville, Pascale also manages the Hastings Farmers' Market, the Irvington Farmers' Market, and the Chappaqua Farmers' Market, which all have a reputation for being well curated and for being the weekend hub or "agora" of their respective communities.
Before running farmers' markets, Pascale was a newspaper reporter for 18 years. She spent most of those years writing about food, and from 2001 to 2007 she was the restaurant critic at the New York Daily News.
Pascale is the author of American Pie: Slices of Life and Pie from America’s Back Roads (HarperCollins, 2002), which chronicles her cross-country road trip in an old Volvo named Betty in search of her American roots--and people who still make pie from scratch.
Pascale learned to cook (and to make goat cheese and pluck a chicken) while living on a dilapidated dairy farm near Normandy in her 20s--long before farm-to-table cuisine was a "thing." She looks forward to meeting the Bronxville Farmers' Market shoppers and growing the market with their feedback. The market begins on Saturday, May 7! You can reach her at
Ernie's Wine Bar + EATS is changing hands! Philip, Geraldine, and Ernie will be returning to England later this year. They're delighted to announce that Louise, Frank, and Greg have taken ownership of Ernie's. Stop by for hellos and goodbyes at 7 Pondfield Road.
Your Wireless--the Verizon Wireless store--is under new ownership! Perry Bal, one of the new owners, is happy to be joining the community. To make customers' experience at the store a great one, they've brought on new staff that have the knowledge and professionalism their customers deserve, as well as new products and devices that will allow them to provide proper solutions for your wireless and Verizon FIOS needs. As a token of their appreciation, the store will give free temper glass screen protectors, or 20% off select accessories, with any phone purchase. Perry looks forward to seeing you in the store! 118 Pondfield Road.
Classes Offered
Stillmeadow Gourmet is now offering monthly cooking classes! The first class--Healthy Foods Your Kids Will Actually Eat--will be held on Tuesday, April 12. Subsequent classes focus on grilling, farmers' market finds, and summer entertaining. Attend them all!
Ballet Arts is offering a six-day master intensive for intermediate to advanced dancers ages 11-18 June 23-30, featuring both staff and guest instructors--including a New York City Ballet soloist. Master classes include ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. 914-738-8300.
Lyte Body Fitness is pleased to offer a weekly Tai Chi class starting Thursday, April 14, at 7:00 pm and continuing every Thursday thereafter. Tai Chi is an ancient martial art that combines movement and meditation. The gentle, flowing movements, coordinated with deep breathing and mental focus, develop the practitioner in many ways. Physical benefits include improved balance, flexibility, strength, and increased blood flow and vitality. Cost: $20 per class. The first class on 4/14 is complimentary.
Philip Hedger will teach a wine class at Ernie's Wine Bar + EATS on Saturday, April 16, 1-3 pm. The focus will be Global Rose Wine Styles--and Some of Their Red Wine Analogues. It will be a tutored tasting of various wines, together with a discussion of the production techniques, wine-making practices, and idiosyncrasies that result in the various styles. Take advantage before he departs for the UK!
Serving Bronxville
At People's United Bank, helping communities grow and thrive has always been an important part of their history. On September 25, 2014, Stephanie Weston, market manager and vice president, joined Mayor Mary Marvin, bank employees, and Bronxville community leaders to celebrate a three-year effort to restore a local icon: the Bronxville Village clock. When People's United Bank opened a branch in the former Gramatan National Bank Building in 2011, the clock was in desperate need of repair; the opportunity to contribute to its restoration illustrates the bank's commitment to the needs of Bronxville's residents. New York is not only where they do business, it is where nearly 700 of their employees have chosen to live and raise their families and where they have invested $3.7 million in affordable housing, SBA Loans, foundation grants, and bank donations and sponsorships. They are very pleased to recognize five wonderful years in Bronxville!
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. This day is set aside annually to encourage individuals 18 and older to have family discussions about personal values and beliefs, to choose a health care agent, and to complete a health care proxy. Westchester End-of-Life Coalition participates in this effort by placing trained volunteers in Westchester public libraries each year on this day. Volunteers distribute NYS health care proxy forms and help others understand and complete a form, and they are available to answer questions about the importance of advance directives and health care planning.
Be Loyal—Buy Bronxville!
Susan Miele
Executive Director
Bronxville Chamber of Commerce
