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The Education Issue

September / October 2023

Click on the magazine below, or keep scrolling for behind the scenes pictures, videos and information.

View our September / October 2023 trailer.

Our Covers

What is education? There are clinical definitions, formalizing the concept of students in classrooms, teachers and apples, and all the rest of that. But education is much more. It symbolizes curiosity; the solving of problems and the asking of questions. Our Education Issue speaks to education in all of its forms, from trade schools to the differently abled to education in ways not often spoken for. The cover for this issue boils education down to the essence of imagination and curiosity. It addresses the most basic form of learning: wonder.

The back cover is a piece entitled, “Spring Street”, by Bedford artist Alissa Leigh. Leigh has quickly become a household name throughout Northern Westchester and it was our pleasure to profile her in this very issue. We hope you enjoy her story and the powerful colors and emotions that her work reflects.

Summer’s Fall

Just when you think crisp fall days and cooler nights are upon us, that last dose of hot and humid summer air returns. What’s a person to do? Maybe combine the best of summer and fall in your cocktail…
Dr. Elixir

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Straight from the kitchen of Le Fontane in Somers, this delicious lasagna recipe is the perfect family dinner for fall.

The Realities of College

Writing by Kaitlyn Hardy Artwork by Mary Ellis Not all of us will have a perfect first year of college. While some may live it up “Animal House”-style, others’ first semester, or first year, can be stressful, underwhelming or even disappointing. You’re going from living at home to living in a dorm. You’re switching from being in a school where ...

Tricks of the Trade

Writing by Kaitlyn Hardy Photography by Justin Negard For Madi Tiso-D’aquanni, weekdays in high school started and ended in tears. She dreaded going to school, struggled in classes and felt unsure of what her future held. But a checkmark on a little pink slip of paper changed it all. That pink slip, an application to Yorktown BOCES cosmetology school, led ...

Our Life Skills Course

Writing by Susan Trumpbour Artwork by Elizabeth Gourlay School teaches our children many things: The Pythagorean Theorem, where to properly place a comma, how to dissect a frog, etc. – education is crucial. Our teachers do an incredible job, are underpaid/under-supported and, if we’re being honest, deserve sainthood. But schools do have their limits; they cannot teach our children everything ...

A Day at Magazzino Italian Art

Writing & Photography by Justin Negard A gray concrete building sits at the center of a field of wildflowers. It’s a smooth, rectangular structure of modern design, standing firmly in stark contrast to the lush, tall grasses around it. Along the sides are large windows revealing clear views of the avant garde artwork housed within. Silhouettes of human statues can ...

Leveling the Playing Field

Writing by Gia Miller Artwork by Justin Negard There’s no such thing as “normal” when it comes to education – every student learns differently and at a different pace. Some children excel in certain subjects (or all subjects), some children find particular classes easier than others and some struggle with one or multiple subjects. If your child is struggling to ...

Finding Her Voice

Writing and photography by Justin Negard Alissa Leigh Cahillane was panicking. “We were flying home from a summer vacation to Yosemite in 2019,” Cahillane, who goes by Alissa Leigh professionally, remembers. “Suddenly, I was on the plane, and my arms were numb, my face was numb. The internal dialogue in my head was terrifying me, but I didn’t say a ...

Unlocking Literacy

Writing by Aerin Atinsky Artwork by Jimmy Sheehan "Ifelt like I was stranded in the middle of the ocean with no one coming to help me,” says 11-year-old Katonah resident Addie Black. When Black was in first grade at her local elementary school, she was struggling to read. She began receiving extra help during what the school called WIN Time ...

Out Loud: Visions

Founders’ note: Not everyone is born with the ability to use their voice. Not everyone can easily communicate their thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams. On this page, we’re giving non speaking people in our community the opportunity to be heard. The authors are students at Mouth to Hand Learning Center in Mount Kisco. You can read about Mouth to Hand ...

Force of Nature

Writing by Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard Alex Gorman and Rocco Cambareri sat down perpendicular to each other at a long wooden table. It was time for their weekly songwriting class with Brian Laidlaw, who was at the other end. “I have been thinking about those people who are forces of nature,” said Gorman. Laidlaw, who was teaching the ...