

One Woman. One Bookstore. One 344-Year Streak Broken.
Did you know that until December 2024, there had never been a bookstore in Bedford? Best-selling author Fran Hauser recently broke that tradition while simultaneously fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. Bedford Books is a charming new bookstore offering a carefully curated selection of books and gifts for adults and kids. And if you don’t know Fran, she’s one of those people who dreams big and then does it. Expect author talks, book clubs, topic-focused salon series, and, of course, Fran at the helm.


Life Is a Cabaret, Old Chum. Come to the Cabaret.
Hey musical theater lovers, on Jan. 11, save yourself a trip to the city and head to a Broadway-style cabaret in Cross River. Now in its eleventh year, Encore Cabaret will showcase 24 talented JJHS students and alumni performing musical theater acts from then and now; composer & lyricist Andre Catrini (‘07) returns as musical director. Plus, view a film of original artwork & music by students from the JJHS visual art & music technology departments. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased in advance at klsdartsalive.org.


Art for Charity’s Sake
Let’s kick off the year by treating ourselves to some art. The Art Show: Bedford returns for its 52nd year with 45 talented artists showcasing their work, featuring paintings, collages, mixed media, jewelry, photography and ceramics. Purchase a piece from one of the 15 new-to-the-show artists or some of the artists we’ve featured in our magazine. All proceeds are donated to local charities. The show will be held Jan. 25, 26, 31 and Feb. 1 & 2, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford. Visit artshowbedford.org for more info.


World-Class Music Right at Your Doorsetp.
The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra has come a long way since its days as a community orchestra; it’s now a premier fully professional symphony. If you’re free on February 8 at 7:30 p.m., gather your friends/family for the Prowess & Passion concert to see GRAMMY Award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh perform the piece she played when she won the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition 30 years ago. Or check out Heroes & Hope on April 5 at the same time. And mark your calendars for their 60th anniversary gala on May 17.


Be the Hero of the Superbowl. Then Sit Down, Be Humble.
If we hosted a Superbowl party, we’d do it right. We’d place an order for wings, chili & tomato soup from The Blazer two weeks in advance. We’d get our dips & apps from DeCicco & Sons, and we’d have our game-day meat delivered by John Boy’s Farm. We’d cook said meat low & slow in a Shokunin Kamado grill from Albano Appliance. And, of course, we’d upgrade to the 83’ Samsung from Entertainment Technologies so we can see every little detail. But we’re not hosting a Superbowl party; we are, however, accepting invites.
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.