Seniors Invited To Contribute To 'Old Traditions, New Beginnings'

OSSINING, NY — Sometimes, something beautiful can come from unspeakable loss. We didn't have to survive the tragedy that one Westchester woman endured, but we can all share in the art it inspired.

The office of State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg has been working with two local seniors, Cora Silvestri and Judith Shangold, on a new project called "Old Traditions, New Beginnings." The not-for-profit project's goal is to "encourage seniors to share their wisdom and stories, and welcomes all forms of contributions including essays, poetry, words of wisdom passed down through the generations, recipes, and memories from childhood to present day."

"Capturing stories of our seniors is so important. It’s an opportunity for us to really benefit from lived experiences and pass on the lessons to the next generation," Levenberg said. "I’m so excited to be helping get the word out to encourage many to submit their knowledge and experiences. It is my hope that through this effort, new activities, gatherings, and friendships can be cultivated, and younger generations can learn."

The project was inspired by Ossining resident Silvestri, who learned the value of writing as a means of processing emotions while recovering from a catastrophic accident that took the life of her husband. She self-published her book, "Poetic Emotions," in the aftermath of that period. The book chronicles the major milestones of her life in poetry and prose.

Silvestri met Shangold at the Ossining Senior Center, where the two began talking about the impacts of COVID isolation and other changes on area seniors. Before her retirement, Shangold was an Emmy award-winning executive producer at NBC Television, where she produced news, three specials a year and a weekly talk show: The First Estate, Religion in Review. With her background, Shangold recognized the importance of Silvestri's work. Together, they started the project as a means of helping people develop a productive channel for their energies and connect with others in the process, and brought it to the attention of Levenberg’s staff.

Levenberg’s office is currently collecting contributions for sharing online and for a possible print publication in an anthology. The deadline for inclusion in the first volume of the project is Sunday, June 30. The recommended length is between 250-1000 words per submission. Those interested in submitting their own writing or volunteering to help others share their contributions are encouraged to send an email to this address.