WESTCHESTER, NY — Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has announced that a dynamic leader of the arts, a innovative developer of aging-related programs and services, and a dedicated law firm that focuses on elder law issues will be honored at the 23rd annual Golden Harvest Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 2 in Tarrytown, NY.
“Each one of these three honorees has set a wonderful example for us all to follow,” Astorino said. “Their achievements live up to the prestigious merit of the Golden Harvest Awards. Their outstanding contributions have greatly enhanced the quality of life for seniors and all residents of Westchester County.”
The Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services (WPPP) sponsors the event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Oct. 2 at Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill, 81 Highland Ave., Tarrytown.
Tickets are $100 per person. For reservations, contact Rose Cappa at events@cappacrucy.com or (914) 747-0519 by Sept. 26.
Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester, will receive the Golden Harvest Humanitarian Award. ArtsWestchester supports the arts in Westchester both financially and through promotions, with Langsam as its leader for the past 23 years.
Langsam initiates programs that include seniors because she believes that art must be accessible and relevant to everyone. She also spearheaded the purchase and renovation of an abandoned nine-story historic bank on Mamaroneck Avenue in the heart of downtown White Plains to house the organization. Prior to her work with ArtsWestchester, she was president and chief executive of the Boston Center for the Arts and a first deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Catherine Wynkoop, Ph.D., a health care executive and management consultant, will receive the Golden Harvest Jim Curran Leadership Award.
Wynkoop has developed aging-related programs and services in the county since 2006, including the Boxwood Alliance, an aging-in-place organization, and WestFair Rides, a volunteer ride and transportation connection for older adults and people with vision disabilities.
Wynkoop has served as coordinator of the Westchester Alliance of Academic Institutions for Aging-Related Studies and Workforce Development – a coalition of colleges and universities whose goal is to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to possible careers in the aging field. As coordinator, she led the 2012 Think Tank on transportation challenges in northeast Westchester and the 2014 Think Tank on tax relief for older adults and their caregiving children. Astorino recognized Wynkoop at his State of the County address earlier this year for her work with the Think Tanks.
Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP, which has offices in White Plains and Somers, will receive the Golden Harvest Corporate Award.
Anthony J. Enea, Esq., the firm’s managing member, has devoted his 30-year practice to educating and protecting the rights of seniors, the disabled and their families from the costs of long-term care. The firm concentrates on elder law including wills, trusts, Medicaid applications and nursing home negligence.
Enea is the immediate past chair of the elder law section of the New York State Bar Association and a past president and founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He received the “Above the Bar Award” from the Westchester County Bar Association and other professional organizations as the leading eldercare attorney in Westchester County.
Commissioner Mae Carpenter of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services said that the honorees have collectively helped tens of thousands of seniors and their families over the years.
“Their contributions have been outstanding,” Carpenter said. “Their passion for their work is easy to see and merits this special recognition.”
Advertisements are now being accepted for the “Senior Services Directory of Westchester Public and Private Resources,” which will be distributed at the breakfast as well as at senior centers, local businesses and other locations. The directory is a marketing tool for advertisers to showcase their products and services to thousands of seniors and their families. It is published by the WPPP and proceeds benefit DSPS.
The cost for directory ads and sponsorship packages for the awards breakfast are posted at www.westchestergov.com/seniors.
Mary Beth Morrissey, Esq., MPH, Ph.D., is chair of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership, whose members are from government, the business community and social service agencies. The partnership develops resources for services that enable senior citizens to remain independent and active members of the community.