All the Repression, affairs, smoking and non-stop drinking on the job aside, the episodes of Mad Men give me flashbacks to my childhood in The Tarrytowns on the Hudson River. I lived in those neighborhoods amidst the executives with the exciting advertising jobs, the women limited to their Garden Club meetings and volunteer work for either the Junior League Nearly New Shop or at Phelps Memorial Hospital. Some women had lunch at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and enjoyed either an afternoon of tennis, riding or time by the pool. Homes rarely had pools in that area since homes were much simpler those days in size as well as decor and the small lots did not allow for a pool. I know they call it Ossining in the series but the references are also just south into Sleepy Hollow and Philipse Manor territory. John Cheever, nicknamed “The Chekhov of the Suburbs” lived in Scarborough Manor and Ossining. All Mad Men Country. Perhaps he was the inspiration with his chronicles such as “The Sorrows of Gin.”

Episodes give me a start when a scene opens with the barware and glasses in the Draper home - exactly the same glasses my Father owned. Or when Betty Draper leans against her kitchen counters and the windows have the same “Cafe Curtains” my Mother had.

The train station was Philipse Manor on the Hudson which has a beautiful old stone Station House. I used to hear that the fireplace was lit for the evening return and there were leather wing chairs and Oriental rugs in the waiting room. Yes, drinking cars were big back then and perhaps this is where they waited for the wives to pick them up after their long day with their three martini lunches. Or one last drink before they went out to their station cars.

Community meetings for the residents of Sleepy Hollow Manor were held in the Rockefeller Family “Playhouse” up in neighboring Pocantico Hills. Perhaps this is how and where Betty used to meet her new love, Henry. She also mentions going into Tarrytown for a decorating project. I know the large shop she was referring to. The series is perfectly crafted with impeccable details with the use of cultural archives and resources.

I still shuddered as I watched the episode when President Kennedy was assassinated. Of course at Transfiguration School, Sr. Marian got on the PA system to tell us we had to pray for the President because he was in Texas and had some bad Mexican Food. They then dismissed us early and let our “stay at home Moms” tell us the shocking truth. Of course those were the days when we all walked to and from school.

What I also relate to was the simpler time when Tarrytown had a general store, when there was a Gristede’s where you would sit on a stool and the grocer used to reach up to shelves for dry or canned goods and then reach into bins for produce and have the butcher prepare the packages of meat. Flockhart’s had gifts, “yard goods” and clothing high on shelves which they would get up on a ladder to reach and bring to the counter. My favorite part was the wood and glass cupboard where racks and racks of ribbons were on display for my pig and pony tails to match my outfits. All the merchants knew our names and when we went to school the policeman on the corner was Mr. Dulin or Mr. Gilroy and we went to school with their daughters. I remember going to The Music Hall to see The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady with friends after picking up penny candy at Roy’s.

There was an underlying tension to the time and it was not solely the Cuban Missile crises. There were a couple of professional women on the street, one divorced Mom that worked and another that was an executive at General Foods that only saw her husband on the weekends, if at all. They raised their families on their own. These women were considered dangerous to the status quo. There was a woman attorney and that was “interesting,” as we knew things were about to change and we had that strong sense of unrest and tension in the air like on Mad Men.

Fast forward to when I had my children. I was one of those career women that had their children in their mid to late 30s in the 1990s. When it was time to move from the condo in Mt. Kisco to a home with a yard I insisted on Katonah. Katonah is one of the hamlets within the Town of Bedford – which is comprised of Bedford Village, Bedford Hills and Katonah. It was smaller than Tarrytown and had that village feel - BIG TIME. Katonah was saved and moved from land which became part of the NYC reservoir system. The Victorians were pulled into place by horse and mule onto sites planned by Frederick Law Olmstead of Central Park fame. Chain Stores are not allowed in Katonah so you will find a coffee shop named “Perks.” There is the Charles Department Store and Kelloggs & Lawrence – two stores that hearken back to a much simpler time. I felt that my children would be able to meet their friends, bike and walk into town the way I had so many years before. The Town of Bedford has wonderful Parks with Pools, Tennis and Day Camps. The merchants remembered me long before I lived there and we also used to go to the parades and fairs as soon as I had my son and took part in all of their events and library times. The schools are excellent and diverse in many ways. There is also an exciting adult environment and by that I mean having The Katonah Museum of Art, The Katonah Library and Caramoor as an important part of our lives. There are many writers, performers and artists in our area as well.

One of the best compliments my Father ever paid me was that I had chosen the most wonderful town in which to raise “his grandchildren.” Enough said! If you need any further information on what the area has to offer and what is currently on the market and what I know is coming on shortly, please feel free to contact me at KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com 914-232-1212 x342. My website KarenFromKatonah.com has many photos of the area and local events posted along with the full MLS.

Now I have the next season of Mad Men to look forward to. I am dressing for our office Holiday Party ala Mad Men!

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom