Didn’t receive the issue? Subscribe here.

Connect to the Best

January / February 2025

Read our latest issue below, or keep scrolling for behind the scenes pictures, videos and information.

A “Best Of” issue? Aren’t those things rigged?

Questions like that are why we never wanted to do one.

But everyone kept asking. We can’t even count how many times we said no. Then finally, someone suggested we create a panel of judges. It was brilliant. And so our inaugural Connect to the Best contest began to take shape.

We believe in transparency, so here’s how we selected the winners and why this contest is unique.

Step One

Like other contests, we offered everyone the opportunity to submit businesses and professionals for consideration. Simultaneously, we gave everyone the opportunity to apply to become a judge, and we gently encouraged a few leaders in the community to apply. We offered a spot on the panel to all judges who applied (pg. 31); only one applicant did not respond to our invitation.

Step Two

Once the nomination period ended, we organized all nominations and sent them to the judges to review and add rank. The nominations helped judges who weren’t familiar with a business/professional understand why they were a worthy candidate for the award. After the judges completed their rankings, we tallied them.

Step Three

We held a meeting for the judges to discuss the businesses nominated and make their own suggestions. While we led the meeting, we let the judges determine the criteria they would use, discuss the nominees and decide the winners. We did not force or veto any decision they made.

Members of our community selected each winner. No business or professional paid for their win.

Step Four

After the judges selected all the winners, we clarified the categories.Then we facilitated a discussion among the judges to finalize the runners-up.

We’re very pleased with the results, and we hope you are too. We hope to see even more nominations next year and perhaps a few new faces on our judging panel.

Congratulations to the winners of our inaugural Connect to the Best (pg. 38). You are truly some of the best in our region.

Happy New Year,

Gia Miller & Justin Negard

P.S. We’d like to give a warm welcome to all our new readers in Armonk, Chappaqua and Pleasantville. We now mail Connect to Northern Westchester to over 26,000 homes and businesses, making us the largest publication in our region. We’re glad you joined us, and we hope to hear from you.

Marialisa Zywotchenko, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Kayla Schmidt Somers resident Marialisa Zywotchenko is president and owner of Cyrus Contracting Corporation, works with many local businesses on a daily basis. She sees behind the scenes, and she brought that unique perspective to the table. Why did you want to be a judge? Well, I was asked, and I’m always happy to contribute to the community ...

Jennifer Wege, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Gia Miller Bedford Hills resident Jennifer Wege is part of the Northern Westchester Moms is incredibly passionate about local businesses. She spends her days supporting local businesses on her website and social media pages, doing her part to help each one succeed. Why did you want to be a judge? I love our community, and I want to ...

Josephine D’Ippolito, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Kayla Schmidt Yorktown Heights resident Josephine D’Ippolito is the chief operating officer at Griffin Strategies, a financial investigations firm in White Plains. She is also a freelance writer for this very magazine, very active in our community and says she loves all things local. Why did you want to be a judge? I’ve been a northern Westchester resident ...

Brian Willingham, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Max Chwatko Katonah resident Brian Willingham is the owner of the private investigation firm Diligentia Group in Katonah, moved to the area in 2014 and feels deeply rooted in our local community. Why did you want to be a judge? A friend asked me to volunteer, and I couldn’t say no. It’s a fantastic way to give back ...

Julie Rosenberg, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Max Chwatko Goldens Bridge resident Julie Rosenberg is a former healthcare professional turned artist and musician who paints and designs electric guitars, has been a dedicated member of our community for many years. Why did you want to be a judge? Being a judge was an exciting opportunity because it allowed me to contribute in a new and ...

Jason Kadlec, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Kayla Schmidt North Salem resident Jason Kadlec is the writer and founder of the cartoon Teddy’s Friends and licensed real estate salesperson for Christie’s International, used his wealth of knowledge about the community to serve as a judge. Why did you want to be a judge? I was asked, and I accepted because I thought it’d be fun, ...

Vanessa L. Seide, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Vanessa L. Seide Bedford Hills resident Vanessa L. Seide is the founder of Very Lovely Soles Footwear, has been a Westchester resident since she was 10 years old, and she now resides in Bedford Hills. With over 13 years in the footwear industry, she understands what it’s like to be a small business entrepreneur. Why did you want ...

Anne Joyce, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Kayla Schmidt Pleasantville Anne Joyce is the president and founder of A. Joyce Design Inc., is a long-time Pleasantville resident who is just as passionate about local businesses as she is about design. Why did you want to be a judge? I have known Justin for a long time, so when he brought up the idea of doing ...

Sarah Coldwell, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Max Chwatko Somers resident Sarah Coldwell is the owner of Honeybee Grove Flower Farm in Somers, knows what it takes to run a successful small business. With a background in marketing, she’s helped many businesses develop their branding and create their first logos. Why did you want to be a judge? I’ve always been passionate about small businesses, ...

Patti D’agostino, Judge: 2025 Connect to the Best

Written by Kayla Schmidt Pound Ridge resident Patti D’Agostino is the chief of development and community relations for Hope’s Door, co-founder of New Dawn Family Resource Center, director of marketing and communications for The Pound Ridge Partnership and decades-long resident, knows northern Westchester. Why did you want to be a judge? Well, I’ve lived in this area for 30 years, ...

How to Start a Business

Writing by Susan Trumpbour Design by Justin Negard Animation by Isabella Aranda Garcia Thinking about starting a new business? Well, aren’t you a daring soul? Prepare yourself for a journey filled with chaos and excitement; think of it as a rollercoaster ride: thrilling, but it simultaneously gives you butterflies. Exciting? Absolutely. Wise? Well, that’s debatable. Scared? Don’t be; change is ...

Stitching Her Next Chapter

Writing by Stephanie Susnjara Photography by Justin Negard It was one of the most highly coveted invitations of the year, and Bedford resident Isa Kriegeskotte was waiting inside. Outside, her client, Sofía Vergara, glided down the red carpet, the glimmering lights splashing on her crystal-encrusted black gown. The Hollywood A-lister paused at the step and repeat backdrop, striking a pose ...