Brianna singing during the talent portion of the pageant.

Photo Credit: Dee Marangiello

Brianna going in stage in her long gown.

Photo Credit: Dee Marangiello

Brianna with her Spirit Award.

Photo Credit: Dee Marangiello

Joelle Hirsh

Photo Credit: Jody Hirsh

Gabby Esposito, Bella Pinque, Kristie Jacobs & Marissa Campanelli

Photo Credit: Susan Jacobs

Aine & Chris O'Sullivan

Photo Credit: Hershey Park

Faith, Bella & Shawn Powell

Photo Credit: Steve Powell

Mairead & Cecilia Kelly

Photo Credit: Colleen Kelly

Joshua & Montana Nelson

Photo Credit: Linda Alster-Nelson

Poise?  Check.  Talent?  Check.  Making new friends?  Check!  Confidence boosted?  Without a doubt!

On August 14, Brianna Marangiello from Cortlandt Manor participated in the National American Miss pageant held in Brooklyn.  Despite feeling a tad nervous off-stage, when she strode on stage she performed an acapella version of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” flawlessly.  The camaraderie was her favorite part since she now has new friends from Brooklyn, Long Island and Westchester.  She received three ribbons and three trophies; one of which was the Spirit Award.  Brianna will be singing all over the neighborhood this year as she continues to improve her talent for next year!

Random Acts of Kindness.  Or, RAK’s as they are more commonly known.  We’ve all heard of them, and maybe a few of us have acted on one.  However, my friend Joelle Hirsh, Hen Hud Grad and former Montrose resident kicked it up a notch with a recent 30-Day Challenge she issued to herself.  See if *you* can, as Joelle says, “ take time to slow down, notice the world around you and do small things on a regular basis that add weight and significance  to your footprint on this Earth."

Joelle’s mom is Jody Hirsh, co-owner of Hudson Dance and Tumble Center which received a love letter from me in on this site after their camp ended a few weeks ago.  Kindness did indeed get taught at home…

 Challenge, you ask?  Here’s her story, in her own words (it was too well written to edit.):

 “I began practicing the concept of these 30-day challenges after my mom suggested that I try and go a full month without shopping.  After successfully completing the 30 days, I had learned so much and generated such valuable material to share with the world.  The idea had evolved into an ongoing self-inflicted social experiment.  My mission of these challenges is to become better person, elevate my impact in the world and to ultimately live a fuller and more enriched life through simple measures of effort and sacrifice.

 My 2nd challenge came at the suggestion of a dear friend... to perform Random Acts of Kindness (RAK’s) everyday for 30 days.  In such a short time, I was able to learn and observe so many things about human nature and the impact of kindness.

 I know that my hometown of NYC does not exactly boast a reputation for smiling faces and chipper attitudes… but having been conscious of my kindness-footprint for 30 consecutive days, I was able to deduce just how people act the opposite.  In one instance, I had gone slightly out of my way to help a maintenance worker successfully get his 500 lbs of material in the door only to realize that a woman ahead of me had the opportunity to do the same but decided to continue in her rush and shut the door in his face.  It amazes me what taking a step back and slowing down could do for the world.

The highlight of my journey came on Day 11 of the challenge.  My wonderful boyfriend, Chad and I had decided to take a walk on a beautiful summer evening. As we reached 43rd Street on 3rd Avenue, Chad peripherally noticed an old man attempting to hail a cab.  In most cases, this would have been easy to miss but we decided to stop—which allowed us to observe that this man was extremely elderly, completely blind and alone.  And to make matters worse, he was attempting to flag down a cab in the bus lane.  I walked him across the street and Chad remained on the alternate side to increase our odds.  When I was finally able to get him a cab, the man thanked and blessed us so profusely with the most heartfelt appreciation you could ever imagine.  As we safely helped him in the cab and continued on our walk, I absolutely lost it.  My tears of joy came from a place of how my heart felt after doing something so innately good and right and realizing that its magnitude took literally 5 minutes out of our lives.”

 This week’s Destination Getaway is brought to us from more than one family – it’s Hershey, PA!  Age truly doesn’t matter here as there is something for every age group from toddlers to teens to adults.  My own teen had a few days there in July and came home raving about how much fun she had.  The general consensus is that you don’t need more than two days.  The water park is fabulous and just what’s needed on a hot summer day.  The factory tour is a “must see.”  Where you stay depends on your budget, your frequent flyer points and preference. The most common response to accommodations is, “we only slept there”

Denise O’Sullivan of Montrose said, “I think it is better to go for the twilight discount at 7:30 pm to take advantage of no ride lines, stay over, and then go back first thing next morning--again no lines for the major rides and boardwalk attractions.”

Faith Powell of Cortlandt Manor said, “It was nice for a weekend.  I think two days at the park was a perfect amount of time.  We split the days in 1/2 doing morning "dry" rides and afternoon "Water Park". In the evening we did the museum and the Hershey factory - the kids really liked the 3-D show there!”

 Colleen Kelly of Buchanan said, “We stayed in Lancaster, PA in the Amish Country which has its own touristy stuff going on about 40 minutes from Hershey.  It was gorgeous!  Chocolate World and Zoo America have great stuff to do and of course, the park is great!”

Linda Alster-Nelson of Cortlandt Manor said, “Stayed at Hershey Hotel - rooms were nice but small for the price. Loved to be able to ride the shuttle to the park rather than park - very convenient! Roller coasters were great!”

 To have your social event, announcement or honor included in Cortlandt Neighbors Notes, email Maggie at magpinque@aol.com