By Isabella Aranda Garcia
Design by Justin Negard
1. The Art of Plants
Step into a world of natural wonder at A Plant Story: From Fern to Flower, a new exhibit at Lasdon Public Gardens. Stroll through the glasshouse conservatory and take in a curated collection of botanical photography while learning about the diverse world of plants, from ferns and flowering species to trees. Move at your own pace and take in all that nature has to offer. Best of all? Admission is free. Open through August 31, the conservatory provides a quiet, natural and serene setting to explore, discover and reflect.
2.Your Summer Soundtrack
Music hits the silver screen at Jacob Burns Film Center with their Sounds of Summer series, celebrating artists, stories and performances that span genres and generations. The series kicks off with “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster” followed by a Q&A with director Joe Berlinger (learn more on pg. 86). Through Sept. 6, check out films like “Amazing Grace” (July 16-17, featuring Aretha Franklin) and “Walk the Line” (Aug. 2-6, about Johnny Cash & June Carter), and more. Beyond the screen, the celebration continues with free live music on Thursday evenings at Take 3 Wine Bar & Café.
3. Music Festivals & a “Scoop” of candy
Festival season is here, and you know we’ll be there! Stop by our booth at the Pleasantville Music Festival (July 11) and Caramoor’s Jazz Festival (July 25), where our famous giant purple candy bowl will be waiting—but the treats come with a challenge: Scoop, our new mascot needs a voice! (Learn more in the Founder’s Letter on pg. 6 of our July/August 2026 issue). Scoop is adorable, expressive and always on the move, but we need your help figuring out what Scoop should sound like. Come by our booth and give us your best Scoop impression. The winner will get their name in lights (well, print) and just might earn a little extra candy.
4. Go shopping, get extra credit
Back-to-school shopping will be here before you know it, and this year, the Danbury Fair Mall will turn your shopping spree into money for local schools. Beginning on Aug. 1, download the School Cents app, upload your receipts and send your shopping “points” to a participating elementary school: Lewisboro’s Increase Miller, PQ in North Salem or Katonah’s KES. The more you shop, the more points your school of choice will earn. When the program ends on March 31, the winner will earn an additional $4,000 (but all schools will receive funding). Make an impact, and get yourself (or your kids) something nice.
5. World-class music in a beautiful mansion
Nothing beats the powerful experience of live music, and the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra’s Music at the Mansion summer concert series will be truly magical. Head to Lounsbury House on July 12 & 27 and Aug. 30 for wine, cheese & music; concerts begin at 4:30 p.m. Then, this fall, the season kicks off with the theme Visions, Masterworks, Dance, and Brilliance—showcasing works by composers from seven countries spanning three centuries. Plus, see extraordinary soloists, including violinist Jeremías Sergiani-Velázquez of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and critically acclaimed cellist Francesca McNeeley.
This article was published in the July/August 2026 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.
Justin is an award-winning designer and photographer. He was the owner and creative director at Future Boy Design, producing work for clients such as National Parks Service, Vintage Cinemas, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and others. His work has appeared in Bloomberg TV, South by Southwest (SXSW), Edible Magazine, Westchester Magazine, Refinery 29, the Art Directors Club, AIGA and more.
Justin is a two-time winner of the International Design Awards, American Photography and Latin America Fotografia. Vice News has called Justin Negard as “one of the best artists working today.”
He is the author of two books, On Design, which discusses principles and the business of design, and Bogotà which is a photographic journey through the Colombian capital.
Additionally, Justin has served as Creative Director at CityMouse Inc., an NYC-based design firm which provides accessible design for people with disabilities, and has been awarded by the City of New York, MIT Media Lab and South By Southwest.
He lives in Katonah with his wonderfully patient wife, son and daughter.
