Chappaqua

Dream Big, Play Hard: Aerin Frankel’s Olympic Journey

August 20, 2026 by Stacey Pfeffer

Women’s ice hockey has been gaining in popularity ever since the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) was launched in 2023. Today, the PWHL consists of eight teams and this summer it will expand to twelve teams. With the US women’s ice hockey winning a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan this year, it is an exciting time to be a female player on the ice. And one of the most lauded performances at the Olympics this past February belonged to Chappaqua’s own Aerin Frankel, the team’s goalie.

Frankel’s love affair with the ice first blossomed as a three-year-old when her parents, Peter and Deborah, took her to “public skate” sessions at the Westchester Skating Academy (WSA) in Elmsford. There was no equipment or organized hockey playing during these sessions. Her mother knew how to ice skate and came from a family of ardent NY Rangers fans. At first, her parents enrolled her in figure skating. But Frankel soon saw ice hockey games being played and wanted in on the action. She resisted the figure skating lessons and begged her parents to let her try ice hockey. They soon relented and at the age of six, Frankel started to play ice hockey for the WSA’s House League, a non-competitive entry to the sport. “The House League was kind of like an intro to hockey and I just loved it,” recalls Frankel. “I kept playing and then I played on multiple House League teams because I wanted to get better and spend more time at the rink.”

Soon Frankel was playing as the only girl on the Westchester Vipers, a travel team based out of WSA. “It was a lot of fun. I have so many memories of when I was little playing for the Westchester Vipers and making friends with all the boys on my team. They treated me just like I was one of them,” notes Frankel. To this day, Frankel still stays in touch with some of the Vipers and in fact is best friends with a former Viper, Anthony Stark who played Division 1 ice hockey for Colgate University. “He’s like a brother to me. I made so many friendships during my time with the Vipers.” She also credits coach Kevin Hagen from WSA who coached Frankel and Stark for almost a decade.

Frankel, who grew up in Hardscrabble Lake attended Roaring Brook Elementary and Bell Middle School as well as her freshman year at Horace Greeley High School. She always felt supported by her teachers. “I think all I wanted to do was to talk about hockey and to tell everyone that I was a hockey player, and that’s how I was known by most of my classmates.”

Her involvement with the sport meant a lot of sacrifices. “I missed a lot of birthday parties on the weekends, school dances and socials but I knew I had to do that to pursue my dreams with hockey.” It also meant a huge time and financial commitment for her family, but they knew how serious she was about the sport. Eventually, WSA started a girls’ ice hockey team also named the Vipers and Frankel joined that too while still playing as the only girl on her original team of the Vipers.

Playing Goalie

Deciding to play goalie, arguably the most high-pressure position on the team, wasn’t taken lightly. But something that Frankel was passionate about trying. Her parents at first encouraged her to play out of the net in other positions and only let her become goalie after three years of playing.

“Even at a young age, I loved how goalies are always in the net. You’re not constantly on and off the ice, like the other players and I just love being the last line of defense. I think the position is like an expression of my personality. I’m kind of a free-spirit, wild, adventurous person, and the position resembles that.”

Frankel credits much of her success to her parents’ support. Another difficult decision her family had to face was leaving Greeley to attend boarding school where she could pursue ice hockey more rigorously. After freshman year, Frankel attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Fairbault, Minnesota where she honed her skills. “This put me on the best path to play the most hockey at the highest level.” She then attended Northeastern University in Boston, where she became the most decorated NCAA ice hockey player in the school’s history while pursuing a combined major of Criminal Justice and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. In her fifth year of hockey eligibility at Northeastern, she earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

Frankel with her father, Peter
PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

Today Frankel lives in Boston serving as goalie for the Boston Fleet, a PWHL team. This interview was conducted during a brief hiatus in her off-season. During the summer, she spent some time traveling with friends to Newport, the Bahamas and Florida. At the end of the summer, she is looking forward to speaking at the United States Tennis Association coaching symposium held during the US Open in New York.

Even though she will be off the ice for a few weeks, Frankel will still do interval training, yoga and biking to stay in shape. She also has a few nagging overuse injuries that she can devote more time to with physical therapy. Playing hockey non-stop during June 2025 leading up to the Olympics has been taxing. “You don’t really have time to rest during the season, because it’s just go, go, go. It’s my job to take good care of myself and train, even on the days where it’s harder or something’s bothering me. I obviously still have to show up to work which is just part of being in the professional league.”

When Frankel looks back on her journey to making the Winter Olympics, she notes that “It is an incredible honor. Making the national team in 2019 was such a surreal moment for me. To put on that USA hockey jersey and to be living out the dream I had.”

“If you had asked me 15 years ago, if I thought I would participate in the Olympics, let alone play for Team USA, I would have thought you were crazy. It has been a long time coming, but it’s just very rewarding given all the dedication to my sport and the commitment,” she continues.

Going for the Gold

Frankel believes that winning the gold medal with her team was a dream come true for her. “Having my family there beside me to celebrate it was one of the most special things. They have sacrificed so much for me to be where I am today and having them there was a full circle moment. In a career, there are many ups and downs, and I feel lucky to have the best support system always by my side.”

“I definitely felt so much love and support from back home as well. Seeing the watch parties in Westchester and receiving so many messages from prior coaches made me feel like I had so many people behind me.”

“I remember the moment we won the game I was in a bit of disbelief about what had just happened. I never lost any doubt in my teammates, but the feeling of winning that gold medal and hearing our anthem play was truly unbelievable,” she says with a hint of awe still in her voice.

While fans get to watch the Olympics for three weeks, many don’t realize that athletes like Frankel have been as she says “scratching and clawing at this Olympics to crack the roster for four years.” In USA Hockey, every year you have a world championship with the same opponents like Canada, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland competing. This November, Frankel is hopeful that she will compete in the world championship in Denmark. The player pool is bigger at the beginning of those four years (known as a quad). There’s a lot of players who get cut from the Olympic team along the way.

“The camaraderie as a team comes from all the time spent together during that quad leading up to the Olympics. You have four years of training camps, scrimmages, World Championships with a lot of ups and downs. You can’t play hockey all day every day, so you really get to know each other and spend time away from the ice.”

In addition to attending the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPYs) awards presented by ESPN this July, Frankel also went to watch the PWHL draft in Detroit to cheer on her teammates who will get drafted from the national team into the PWHL. As the PWHL expands, each team can only protect three players from being taken during expansion. Frankel’s status as a protected player means that she will remain playing for the Boston Fleet. “It’s where I love to play, and I have a lot of teammates here that I really enjoy playing with.”

Knowing that she is on the world stage, Frankel is acutely aware of what a privilege it is and how younger fans look up to her. “I’ve seen just how much an impact you can have on people, and it is really special. It’s something I don’t take lightly at all. I represent my hometown, my country, my team. It makes such a difference in people’s lives when you have meaningful interactions with them. A lot of people in our league are always eager to interact with fans and give back to our communities to help grow women’s hockey. It has grown tremendously over the past few years, but it’s still growing at this point.”

Besides spending hours on the ice, Frankel is a self-confessed foodie, and Caesar salad is her favorite food. She even has an Instagram account rating different ones which started as a passion project in 2024. The account dubbed PainbyRomaine started out small with just a few thousand followers but during the Olympics it gained traction and today she has over 70,000 followers. “I get sent a lot of croutons and salad dressing,” she quips.

But there are two local food items named in her honor that she can’t wait to try on her next visit to Westchester. The Hometown Hero consisting of romaine, hot honey, Buffalo chicken cutlet, crouton crumbles and Caesar salad dressing wrapped in a parmesan blanket is available at Bobo’s Cafe in Chappaqua and Rocky’s Deli in Millwood added a chicken Caesar wrap with bacon and croutons to celebrate her success. We are hoping they remain as menu items as she clenches another gold medal for Team USA at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.

Start the School Year Smiling: Advice From Chappaqua’s Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry

August 20, 2026 by Inside Press

The Practice

At Lipari & Mangiameli Dentistry, the foundation is relationships and trust. What started as a family-centered dental office has grown into a modern cosmetic and restorative practice while maintaining the personal feel patients appreciate. We’ve evolved by incorporating advanced technology, expanding cosmetic and restorative services, and focusing on patient comfort and experience. Our goal has always been to combine high-level dentistry with genuinely personalized care.

Working with Family

Working together as a family creates a level of trust, communication, and collaboration that our patients can genuinely experience. We share the same values, commitment to excellence, and philosophy of compassionate, patient-centered care. Regardless of which provider they see, patients can expect the same high standard of attention and personalized care.

Family Values Shape Patient Care

Family values are at the center of everything we do. We believe in treating patients the way we would want our own family members treated–with honesty, compassion, and patience.

That means taking the time to educate patients, never rushing conversations, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable and genuinely cared for. We want patients to feel known by name and confident that their long-term oral health is our priority.

What Patients Appreciate

Patients often mention how warm and personal the atmosphere feels. Many families have trusted us with their care across multiple generations, creating lasting relationships built on familiarity and continuity.

Our name is on the practice, and we take tremendous pride in every patient experience.

Fall Dental Check-ups Matter

As families settle back into their routines after summer, fall is an ideal time to prioritize oral health. It’s also an excellent opportunity to maximize any remaining dental insurance benefits and flexible spending account (FSA) funds before year-end.

The return to school brings changes in eating habits, sports participation, and daily schedules that can affect oral health. A fall dental check-up allows us to identify concerns early and keep smiles healthy before the busy holiday season.

How Often Should Children Visit the Dentist?

Children and teens should generally visit the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and comprehensive examinations. Preventive visits allow us to monitor dental development, detect cavities early, evaluate orthodontic needs, and reinforce healthy oral hygiene habits. For children at higher risk for cavities or those undergoing orthodontic treatment, more frequent visits may be recommended.

Common Back-to-School Dental Issues

As families transition back into the school-year routine, we often see an increase in cavities related to more frequent snacking, inconsistent oral hygiene, and changing schedules. We also see more sports-related dental injuries as children return to athletic activities.

For patients with braces or clear aligners, lapses in oral hygiene can quickly lead to plaque buildup and gum inflammation. Frequent consumption of sports drinks, energy drinks, and other sugary beverages can also increase the risk of enamel erosion and tooth decay. Consistent brushing, flossing, and choosing water whenever possible can go a long way in preventing these common concerns.

Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

Consistency is everything. Even on busy days, brushing twice daily for two full minutes and flossing once a day should remain non-negotiable.

Simple ways to stay on track:

Keep toothbrushes and floss visible and accessible.
Use electric toothbrushes with built-in timers.
Pack water instead of sugary drinks whenever possible.
Encourage brushing before school.
Make brushing and flossing part of a consistent bedtime routine.

Treating Chappaqua Families

Serving families in Chappaqua is both an honor and a privilege. This community is built on lasting relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence, and we are grateful to have been part of so many families’ lives over the years.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our practice is caring for multiple generations of the same family–from children at their first dental visit to parents and grandparents who have entrusted us with their care for years. Those relationships reflect the confidence our patients place in us and inspire us to provide compassionate, personalized, and exceptional care at every visit.

We never take that trust for granted. Being part of the Chappaqua community is a responsibility we value deeply, and we remain committed to helping our neighbors achieve healthy, confident smiles for generations to come.

125 King Street, Chappaqua, NY 10514
914.238.0213
info@NYGREATSMILES.COM
NYGREATSMILES.COM

The Kittle House Inn: Where Community Comes First

August 20, 2026 by Ronni Diamondstein

The Krase Family invites the community back to The Kittle House Inn. Newly renovated and refreshed, the beloved treasure in Chappaqua is ready to host you for a meal, a drink, an event, or a stay at the inn. “We’re beyond excited to show off the changes to the community and have people back celebrating special life occasions, birthdays, and anniversaries,” says Jackson Krase, Assistant Manager and son of Christie and Scott Krase who bought the inn in 2024. “It’s an amazing feeling. We tried so hard to balance the renovations in terms of keeping the feel of what the Kittle House was, to what it is now. I think we did a really good job at capturing what people liked about the Kittle House, the charm and essence of it, and maybe just giving it a more refreshed, a little bit modern update.”

From intimate dinners to grand celebrations, The Kittle House offers a variety of spaces designed for memorable gatherings of every size. The Tap Room is a welcoming gathering space with its copper ceiling and intricately carved, refurbished antique bar brought over from England by the legendary entertainer Fanny Brice. The Ivy Hill Room offers a comfortable setting overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens. Amy’s Garden has been transformed with a covered outdoor pergola featuring panoramic views. The Wine Tasting Room, with a capacity of 20 guests, is perfect for an intimate dining space with a view of their award-winning wine cellar. The Carriage Room, a newly renovated event space with access to a private patio and garden, holds up to 150 guests.

Travelers can stay in one of the fifteen thoughtfully designed guest rooms across two distinct buildings, the historic Main House and the modern Ivy House. Guest experience includes continental breakfast in the lounge and complimentary wine and charcuterie happy hour featuring daily selections from their wine cellar. Pet-friendly rooms are available. There will be Special Inn Packages for overnight stays this fall.

Along with the new kitchen, the Krase family brought in a new chef, restauranteur Nick Arnerich whom they have known for many years. Arnerich welcomed the opportunity to join them in this meaningful legacy project. He balances the American bistro style menu with classic Kittle House fare that never goes off the menu with some new dishes that have French and Spanish influence. “There’s a historical foundation of dishes here that are awesome and we’ll continue to work them in. And then, we are inspired by the season and the product,” says Arnerich. Krase says that while he is new to the area, Arnerich has developed an incredible rapport with their purveyors and that he’s doing an amazing job. “I think the menu and the food need to reflect all this effort and renovation. We asked him (Arnerich) to look at the menu and balance the old classics, bringing in a new fresh feel.” Guests will recognize many of the staff who have been at the Kittle House for decades. Retaining the staff means a lot to Krase who values their institutional knowledge. “They care about this place and how much it means to the guests–and they know the people!”

Weekly, the Kittle House hosts Saturday Lunch, Sunday Brunch, Lobster Night on Mondays, with lunch during the week coming this fall. Guests enjoy live music in the Tap Room on Thursday evenings. Happy Hours from 4-6PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday feature a small plate menu and drink specials.

Many other events planned include the popular Women’s Wednesday Wine Night, the last Wednesday of the month and Thanksgiving dinner. New this fall will be men’s events including whiskey tastings, a Winemaker Dinner series, Private Wine Pairing Dinners, and Family Movie Nights. The fall menu will feature fresh, in-season ingredients.

Longtime locals have high praise. “You drive down the entrance to The Kittle House Inn, and you’re in the country. It’s like arriving at a Relais & Chateau luxury hotel. They did a spectacular job. It’s very elegant and the rooms are fabulous. The attention to detail is amazing,” says Wendy Nolan. “The staff is so welcoming and accommodating to your needs–even Nick the chef! And they are a very nice family that really cares.”

“We’ve always enjoyed Kittle House, and we’re even bigger fans now. It means a lot that many of the staff from the old restaurant have remained. The updates have given the space a fresh, modern feel without losing any of its historic charm,” says Jennifer Topiel. “When it’s just the two of us, we love grabbing dinner at the bar, and the expanded tap room has become a great spot to meet friends for a memorable meal. The only thing I miss is the old phone booth!” “As someone who has been part of the Chappaqua community for more than 25 years, Crabtree’s Kittle House always had a special place in my heart. It has been part of so many memories for so many of us,” says Oscar Flores, White House chef during the Clinton administration. “I am excited to see this next chapter of The Kittle House Inn. It is wonderful to see a new family embrace such an important piece of our community while respecting the history that made it so special. Communities grow, evolve, and welcome new ideas, and that is something to celebrate when it is done with care and respect. And I have to say, I love the desserts. They are always a wonderful way to end a terrific meal. I look forward to seeing this historic place continue to thrive for many years to come.”

“Kittle House means a lot to people in the community,” says Krase who envisions more ways for guests to enjoy new and different experiences in the future. “It’s a good feeling when people recognize that we’re trying to keep the tradition in spirit. We want this to be a gathering place and hub for the community.”

For more info go to: thekittlehouseinn.com.

Meet the friendly staff…

General Manager: John Gendy

Assistant Manager: Jackson Krase

Maître d’ and Sommelier: Leo Erazo

Executive Chef: Nick Arnerich

Beverage Director: Brendan O’Neill

Private Events Directors: Kimberly Ann and Katina Rodriguez

Inn Manager: Emma Spink

Read: New Beginnings at The Kittle House Inn: Meet the Krase Family
September/October 2025

Bonding with our Best Furry Friends

August 20, 2026 by Cathy Hildenbrand

(L-R): ANCAR volunteers, Cathy Hildenbrand, Kelly Guich, Jocelyn Herman, Tom Becker and Justine Fontinelle

There’s nothing quite like the companionship of a dog. As Charles Schultz famously put it, “Happiness is a warm puppy”. We love our canine companions and they love us. Fortunately, living in Northern Westchester offers countless opportunities to deepen that bond. With endless trails to explore, neighborhoods to wander and backyards perfect for a game of fetch, our dogs can easily become our adventure partners. And when we are looking to be a little more social, there are plenty of classes, clubs and meetups to enjoy together as well.

But the benefits of sharing our lives with our dogs go beyond just playtime. According to numerous studies, pet owners in general, and dog owners in particular, tend to have longer, healthier lives than people without pets. Dogs help us to stay active while providing companionship, love, support and friendship. In return, the care, love and attention we give them foster confidence, security and trust. In a study out of Emory University, neuroscientist Gregory Berns found “a similarity between the part of a dog’s brain that lights up when they hear their owner’s voice and the same area in our brains that lights up when we’re around someone or something we love.” When animals and people share a caring relationship, both can experience stronger emotional, social and physical well-being.

While everyday activities like walking, cuddles, playtime and even car rides naturally strengthen the human-canine bond, some owners enjoy finding new ways to engage with their dogs physically and mentally. Whether your goal is to build confidence, reduce stress, or simply have fun together, these activities can deepen your relationship and broaden your dog’s engagement with the world.

Of course, every dog is different. Their personalities, abilities and interests vary widely so there is no one size-fits-all approach. The key is finding activities that both you and your dog genuinely enjoy.

Try A Class!

Structured classes can provide both enrichment and a shared sense of accomplishment. You can find many of these classes throughout Westchester County.

Agility

Agility challenges dogs to navigate obstacle courses that may include hurdles, teeter-totters, tunnels, balance beams, weave poles and climbing structures. Agility trials can range from competitive to complete fun and can be set up at a training site or right in your backyard. Either way, they serve as an excellent activity to help a dog release energy and learn to focus.

Dog Parkour

Dog Parkour offers another physical challenge but relies less on specialized equipment and more on exploration and fun. Using every day, natural, or urban obstacles, dogs learn to jump, climb, and maneuver through a variety of environments safely and at their own pace.

Nose Work

Nose Work taps into a dog’s incredible sense of smell. Dogs are trained to search for specific scents, using food or other target odors hidden in indoor and outdoor environments. Dogs that regularly engage in sniffing activities tend to have lower stress levels and reduced cortisol. This focused activity can also help dogs develop coping skills that carry over into everyday situations.

Animal Assisted Therapy

Perhaps the ultimate bonding activity is Animal Assisted Therapy, where humans and dogs train as a team to support others. Human-canine teams visit places like hospitals, nursing homes and libraries to help provide support, boost morale and encourage social interaction. Working together in service of others can create an incredibly strong partnership between dog and handler.

Home Improvements

For those who prefer a more laid-back approach to bonding, simple changes at home can significantly enrich your dog’s daily life.

Backyard engagement areas
PHOTO BY CANDY HIGGINS

Consider transforming your daily walk into dedicated bonding time. Be fully present during these outings. When we are focused on our phones, we are having a separate experience from our dogs- and they notice. Candy Higgins, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), suggests, “Think about your dog’s walk as a ‘sniffari’. Allow them time to wander, experience scents, follow interesting smells and even choose the direction of their walk. Make this time meaningful! I love when my dog finds something exciting and then looks back at me to check in, as though he’s saying, ‘Hey I wish you could smell how cool this is!’”

You can tailor enrichment activities to your dog’s natural interests. Are they a sniffer, digger, forager or chewer? Creating appropriate outlets for these instincts can be both easy and rewarding. Set up “sniffy” opportunities by scattering treats around the house or yard or create a treat-based scavenger hunt. Dogs find these scent-oriented adventures highly engaging, and it’s fun to participate in the activity with them. If your dog loves to dig but you’d rather not sacrifice your favorite shrubs, consider creating a designated dig area with toys, balls or other safe enrichment items for them to find. You can even install a small sandbox specifically for digging. Higgins has designed a variety of enrichment features for clients including a sniff wall and a scent garden. Dog-safe plants can provide interesting scents and varied textures for dogs to move through and explore. Plants such as Irish Moss offer a soft surface underfoot, while herbs like basil, fennel, rosemary and thyme can create a stimulating sensory experience, whether planted in the ground or containers.

The ASPCA maintains a comprehensive list of plants that are safe and unsafe, which can be very useful when planning your garden. aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list

No Dog? No Worries!

If you don’t currently have a dog, you don’t have to miss out on the experience. Consider volunteering or fostering with an animal rescue! The many rescue organizations throughout our area are always looking for foster families. Jen Ives, who fosters for A New Chance Animal Rescue (ANCAR), notes, “One of the most rewarding parts of fostering a dog is the strong bond that develops as I help a dog feel trust and love often for the first time in their lives.” Bonding with a foster dog and being a part of their transition to a forever home, is an incredibly unique opportunity.

Know Your Dog

Taking the time to discover what your dog truly enjoys- and joining them in those experiences- builds connection and enriches their all-too-short lives. Bonding with your dog does not have to be elaborate. It can be as simple or as ambitious as your lifestyle allows. According to Lisa Edwards of Three Dogs Training, “Ultimately the best way to bond with your dog is to understand what they love and what you love and find where the crossover is.” Edwards notes she has worked with clients who enrolled their dogs in agility work because they thought their dog would love it only to discover that the activity left them overstimulated. The owners enjoyed it and expected their dog would too, but that wasn’t necessarily the case.

As a therapy dog trainer herself, Edwards thought her own dog, Parthos, would enjoy therapy work. She quickly learned otherwise. One day, as they prepared to leave for a visit, he made it abundantly clear that he was done. “People have to ask their dog what they would like and really listen to them,” she says.

Ultimately, the strongest bonds are built not through any particular activity, but through shared experiences and mutual understanding. Whether it’s a leisurely sniffari, an agility course, a scent garden, or simply relaxing together in the backyard, the key is discovering what brings joy to both you and your dog. Isn’t that what being a best friend is, after all?

Wings Team Unites to Commemorate Player’s Daughter with a Special Uniform Patch

August 20, 2026 by Stacey Pfeffer

If you’ve ever played on a team before, you know that friendships often form on the baseball diamond, the soccer field or the tennis court. At first that friendship may form due to a shared passion for the sport but as time evolves, those friendships can deepen and create lasting almost family-like bonds. Such is the case with local men’s recreational softball team, the Wings. Several players have played together for twenty to thirty years or more.

Team manager, captain and coach Andy Benjamin was one of those long-term players and affectionately dubs himself the “great-grandfather” of the Wings as there are now several father-son duos playing on the team. Benjamin first started the team when they were known as the Misfits, then the Buffalo Wings and finally its current incarnation as the Wings. “We decided to name ourselves the Wings and drop the Buffalo because we are more than just an appetizer. You’ll still see our team logo has a buffalo with wings holding a bat,” he says with a laugh. Benjamin was the first to have his son Matt play alongside him on the Wings. Throughout the team’s history, there have been six father-son duos on the team. Many of those sons have joined after playing on the Horace Greeley baseball team and some have continued playing throughout college and even post college graduation. Currently, there are three father-son duos on the team roster. “We have a cornucopia of age with fathers, sons and even grandfathers playing,” notes Adam Kupperman, who first joined the team in 2008 and now plays alongside his son, Jared who graduated Horace Greeley this June and played for the baseball team.

Clearly there is something special about this team that makes the younger generation want to join the team and Benjamin credits that to the team’s chemistry and camaraderie. “It’s such a brotherhood, I can’t stress that enough.” Benjamin, who suffered a stroke a few years ago and no longer actively plays on the field says the team came to his aid when he was sick with hospital visits and emotional support. “When Andy got sick, we were all there for him. The team has the vibe of a family culture and that strong level of connection,” comments Kupperman.

Kupperman witnessed that unique bond first-hand when his daughter Kylie became sick again with medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Kylie was first diagnosed with the disease as a four-year-old and had many grueling treatments throughout her life. The Horace Greeley graduate, was able to complete her freshman year at the University of Delaware when her tumor grew back. She passed away September 10, 2025 at the age of 19. The team was always there for the family from meal drops to helping out with anything. Kylie was an avid fan of the Wings and watched many games that her father played in. “Baseball is our first religion followed by Judaism,” jokes Kupperman, whose family has always been passionate about the sport.

Team member Jon Brolin first met Adam when they attended the University of Pennsylvania and were part of the same fraternity. Coincidentally, they both moved to Chappaqua and were placed on the same softball team. As a way to honor Kylie’s memory, Brolin created a pink baseball patch which now adorns the Wings uniforms emblazoned with “K13” on it. Pink was Kylie’s favorite color and “K” which is the eleventh letter of the alphabet signifies Kylie’s birthdate of November 13th. The number 13 holds special significance in the Kupperman family as Adam was born on March 13th. Kylie was also an ardent Taylor Swift fan and as any “Swifty” knows “13” is Taylor’s lucky number. Kupperman’s number on his uniform has always been 13.

Brolin explains that it is common practice in sports to wear a patch to honor someone important to the team who passed away for a season. “When I met up with Adam at Quaker Hill Tavern, (a favorite Wings hangout) to show him the patch, he got very emotional,” recalls Brolin. Echoing that sentiment, Kupperman says he got teary eyed. “It was heavy and an amazing gesture. It was incredibly thoughtful to create something in her honor and that he got the greenlight from the entire team. I got really choked up about the fact that it was the entire Wings team who stepped up because we are a family.”

Brolin says that the patch will be on their unforms in perpetuity, not just for one season. “When a new member joins the Wings, they will learn who Kylie was. In this way, she will always be part of our team.”

Chappaqua