We wish all of our Active Rain Friends a very Merry Christmas full of peace love and joy.  Although i am dealing with a broken arm, I am thankful for my gifts this year.  They did not come from a store.My daughter Lindsay is sitting next to me.  She is staying with us and has been a tremendous help to both Phyllis and me.  Ashley and Tom (taking the picture) have their hands full with Max , Teddy, and Tucker and keeping house show ready ready to exit for a showing.Everything was very organized and Max gave out the gifts.  Everything was pur back neatly.We go to Phyllis' Brother for dinner but it is too much for me.  They dropped me off at home first.  This will be a Christmas to remember.Enjoy yours. 12/25/2022

The holiday season in upon us.  I took this at my doctor's office today.  It is tough with a fractured left arm.  It i is also harder to type with one hand.This picture is from a couple of years ago. The festivities are all over Main Street in are.  The tree light and Hanukah lights have been set up.Everything is happening.  Happy Holidays 12/20/2022

Many of us here on Active Rain are proud of our grandchildren.  It is such a delight to see them as they grow up.The feature picture is our daughter Ashley proudly posing with her boys--our grandsons.  Max is a firefighter for Halloween and Teddy is a dalmatian.  Ashley and Tom celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary on November 4th.  As Ashley wrote on her Facebook page, what we wished and prayed for has come true.  As parents and grandparents that message was very touching.Max was born during the pandemic but soon got acquainted with his cousins and made an number of friends in Ashley's mom's club.  He got plenty of attention and we read him many books.  Max can't sit still and loves to work with his dad and his grandfathers.  They just had a sprinkler system installed at their house... 11/08/2022

I knew that it was going to be a big year when I saw signs by the Armonk police that said roads closed from 4pm to 7pm on Halloween.We go to a house of our friends on Glendale Ave.  That meant we had to drive from our house to their house before 4pm.  It did not take long for the street to begin to fill up with people. You can see our friend giving out treats.  We ran out of treats before the night ended.We went inside the house and had some warm food until the street reopened.If you are looking to make your Westchester NY or Fairfield CT business thrive please contact me.  914-953-4458ORIf you are looking to make your South Florida business thrive please contact me.  772-342-1066 11/01/2022

The Armonk Art Show will be back this year for October 1st and 2nd.  I have lived in Armonk for 34 years and the Art Show has always been amazing.  What is now truly amazing is the depth and breadth of art from all categories.  Categories include fine art, mixed media, painting, photography/digital art, print making/drawing/pastels, sculpture, and wearable art.  That really covers so much.In addition, the artists are from all over not just Armonk or New York.  It is all outdoors and tickets are $15, $13 for seniors, and under 18 free.  You can  buy tickets hereIf you are looking to make your Westchester NY or Fairfield CT business thrive please contact me.  914-953-4458ORIf you are looking to make your South Florida business thrive please contact me.  772-342-1066 Grant SchneiderPerform... 09/13/2022

Today, July 3, 2022, the music fest and fireworks have returned to Kensico Dam Plaza.  As I am writing this I know it is a madhouse there.  However, we live close enough to see the fireworks from our house.I am so glad that we can because there is limited parking, carpooling is being recommended.   Nevertheless, if you get there, admission and parking are free.People who go can bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating as well as a picnic supper.The Music Fest is presented by Westchester County Parks and sponsored by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company and the Westchester Parks Foundation with support from radio station 100.7 WHUD.I just finished up making the potato salad for tomorrow.This is always a hit at our 4th of July picnic and I don't want to disappoint.  The color you see with th... 07/03/2022

The town of North Castle New York which includes Armonk is very patriotic.  Flags line main street as was shown in my first post.  Today was primary election day and the flag above flies over town hall below.Just down the street is the American Legion Hall.  When our girls were in school the town supervisor was a member of the Legion and promoted patriotic celebrations.That American Flag flies in front of the American Legion post with the POW and MIA flag below it.  Our family has special memories of Memorial Day services in front.  The Byram Hills High School Band played in formation under the tree.  Both of our daughters played here during their high school years.This is my third and final post for the challenge sponsored by Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho and Endre Barath, Jr.   06/28/2022

I have caught just one of many flags which line Main Street in Armonk, NY.  The flags have been lining the street since Memorial Day.  Our town has a parade down this main center of down on Memorial Day and then turns left on to Bedford Road passing the town hall and ending in the front of the American Legion Lodge.I have not noticed when they are taken down but there are up like this past the 4th of July. This past weekend the Lion's club put on their annual Fol de Rol Carnival in the town in Wampus Brook Park.  In the Center of the Park it the Gazebo with old glory.This is my first week's entry into the challenge hosted by Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho and Endre Barath, Jr. . 06/07/2022

Carol Williams and Kathy Streib have invited us to answer 21 questions below to tell about ourselves. After some thought here are my answers. 1. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?My first job other than newspaper carrier was as a janitor (sexton) for the church we attended. The sexton just quit because of construction going on. I grabbed it and learned the floor machine. Later, while still in high school I put an ad in the paper and got a job after school doing floors in an office building.2. How long have you been in the real estate or related service industry? Working with agents started when Keller Williams agents offered to have me sponsor their training breakfast and talk about my service. That was in 2009.3. What is your biggest fear and what have you done to ... 05/10/2022

The northeast part of the country got a big snow storm on Saturday.  It was also very cold and windy. I almost got frost bite using the snow blower in the driveway as the wind was blowing the snow back in my face.  I am too old for this.  This was the week to have been in Florida.Snow is for the kid and I remember looking forward to a snow storm for snowball and sledding not to mention closed school.Our grandson Max in the top picture is discovering snow.  He did not want to wear gloves until he realized the snow hurt his hands.He also likes to help his father shovel the snow.And then he gets rewarded with a ride on the sled.I am glad he is enjoying the snow.  In two weeks we are back in sunny Florida.  02/01/2022

This is going to be a very interesting challenge for me.  And to frame things I need to step back to personal computing. I started with Sears in 1971 and by 1977, I was personnel manager of a large store in White Plains, NY.  One of my responsibilities was to create a payroll cost projection each month for the store operations executive who was responsible for send the profit flash up the line.  I would have to go through a book that has the personnel of every department and update it each month with terminations, new hires, and wage changes, also projecting the part time hours that would be used and so forth.  Everyone in my position in every store dreaded this.  With calculators and tapes, it took up to three days a month which I was able to cut to two.Fast forward to a different comp... 01/18/2022

All of the Christmas decorations are lit up here in Armonk NY.The top picture is the the focal point of our town.  This is the town park and it has been lit up since Frosty the Snow Man Day which was the Sunday after Thanksgiving.Some homeowners go to great lengths to  celebrate the Christmas season in lights like this house below.Or this house below.This time next week most of the colorful decorations will be put away until next year.  The winter months of January and February will begin.New Years Day we will be flying to Florida for a few weeks.  Maybe if we are lucky we will catch this display on New Years Day.Happy New Year!   12/28/2021

I thought long and hard about a miracle at Christmas time.  This about a fulfillment of a dream the Phyllis and I had for a long time and it happened just before Christmas 1988.  How appropriate this is too for a real estate blog!Ever since we were married in 1978 and had our first daughter in 1979 our house always seemed to be one size too small.  We went from a midrise luxury condo that I had just before we were married.  Then we moved to a nice townhouse with just enough room until our second daughter was born in 1987.We had dreamed of a beautiful big colonial and in 1988 the opportunity presented itself when we met a custom builder that would build the house and that house would be in Armonk which is an excellent town with a top rated school district.  Not just a dream house but a d... 12/07/2021

This past Sunday was Frosty Day in Armonk New York.  For the past 12 years this has been celebrated although last year was substantially toned down due to Covid.As I have mentioned in previous years' posts Frosty has a history in Armonk.  The composer of the song lived in Westchester and was inspired to write the song in Armonk.The festivities began at noon and lasted well past 5pm with some warm treats at the restaurants in town.We planned to attend this year with our grandson Max.  Unfortunately Max had a cold.  Look forward to next year when he will get more out of it.If you are looking to make your Westchester NY or Fairfield CT business thrive please contact me. Grant SchneiderPerformance Development Strategies914-953-4458 11/30/2021

I have enjoyed reading many of the gratitude posts this week.  I did not have time to participate but I want to add my comments.Like many in Active Rain we have friends and we care for each other.  Phyllis and I were in our house in Florida but arranged to be back in Armonk because one of our friends who moved away would be in town.Karenne and Richard Koo have been friends with all of us since our daughters were in 2nd grade.  Karenne and Richard moved to Tucson AZ about four years ago but returned to have Thanksgiving with their daughter who is in Washington DC.Having friends is very important and we support each other.  We are grateful to have our friends and so happy that we are able to share joys together.  Karenne (seated far right) and Richard (taking the picture) have announced t... 11/23/2021

Today was an off year election.  I think that everywhere in the country there are elections.  It is unfortunate that many people don't take the time to vote in these elections.  I am not one who shares my political views but Phyllis and I always make our voice heard on election day.Many of the issues that affect everyday life occur at the local level.  Today we are electing a Town Supervisor, a town board, local judge, a county executive, and county legislators.These are people we know and we see every day.  We can ask them questions and voice our opinions.  The Town Supervisor is a part time position.  Our supervisor, Mike Schilero is also a banker and a fellow member of the Business Council of Westchester.  We have both gone to Albany Day with the Business Council. Good government wor... 11/02/2021

Smith’s Tavern is a historical landmark in Armonk within the town of North Castle New York.  This beautiful site reminds us of the town’s early history.  It is included in the learning curriculum of 4th grades in the Byram Hills Schools.Smith’s Tavern is a landmark and is also the home of the North Castle Historical Society and is located at 440 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY. The North Castle Historical Society is chartered by The Regents of The University of The State of New York and is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic sites, education of our community and remembering local traditions.  The organization is totally supported by volunteer workers and contributors. This support is vital in keeping our North Castle History alive.  There is also no governme... 10/25/2021

This is the second in a series of posts of the Westchester County Area.  We are focusing here on recreational activities.  Some like last weeks post on The Performing Art Center at Purchase has been curtailed by the Covid restrictions.  But the outdoor parks, for the most part, are open.The County of Westchester has 12 parks spread throughout the county. Westchester's parks offer some of the most beautiful scenery you will find anywhere.  We have hills including the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and plenty of water from Hudson River to Long Island Sound and in between the magnificent waterways and dams that supply New York City with water.  From the Sound Shore to the Hudson, from Yonkers to Yorktown, visitors can enjoy Westchester County parks in every season. Some have miles of... 04/20/2021

Those living in Westchester County and especially Armonk, NY have a real gem right at their doorsteps. It is a world famous college with a performing arts center.  Purchase College is part of the SUNY (State University of New York) system.  The tuition is low for in state students.  However, if you apply for the performing arts program majors you face some very stiff competition.World famous performers, editors, producers, and film makers have graduated from Purchase College.  I remember taking my older daughter to colleges and she was interested in theater arts.  We took a tour and the dean of the school spoke to us.  He said that this is a studio school.  If you are majoring in film editing you will be in the dark for 4 years.  Needless to say, it takes commitment to graduate.What doe... 04/13/2021

This is the third of my posts from Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker and Carol Williams December holiday challenge. I am reflecting on the different Christmas traditions of Phyllis' family and my family.  I grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania northeast of Philadelphia, German Lutheran.  My wife grew up in Mt. Vernon NY, Italian Catholic.Christmas Eve for the Schneders included having some friends stop by or going out, attending 11pm candlelight service and then going over to someones home afterward.  No Gifts.  That was for Christmas morning.  We would spend the day at home and have my aunt, uncle, and cousins for Chistmas Dinner.  Although I can't find a photo from those times here is one from 26 years ago.One thing I loved when I married Phyllis was family, family, family.... 12/15/2020