And look forward to networking events, holiday parties and more Writing by Susan Trumpbour Artwork by Joe Halperin Oh, the joy of small talk! Said (almost) no one ever.  The Oxford Dictionary defines small talk as “a polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters.” In other words, it’s chatting about stuff that won’t rock the boat, especially at social gatherings ...

Writing by Kaitlyn Hardy We can learn a lot about life if we take the time to listen to those who’ve lived longer than us. But if you’re young, working and raising children, time is a precious commodity. So, we’re doing the listening for you by chatting with people who have lived in our community for several decades. This time, ...

By Courtney Davis Walker Today, coffee is having a moment. Okay, let’s be real, coffee is always having a moment. Coffee is popular worldwide for its energizing effects, taste and social aspects.  But is there a magic formula for making that perfect cup? How long do you brew? How hot is too hot? What about the beans? Grind size? Brewing pressure? ...

They’re tools that make our daily lives easier, and they’re also assistive technology Writing by Alexa Berman Have you ever washed your hands with an automatic soap dispenser? Watched a movie with closed captions? Used a keyboard to type rather than handwrite notes? If the answer is yes, then you have used assistive technology (AT). “Assistive technology tools can benefit ...

Writing by Ava Fleisher Artwork by Justin Negard According to the CDC, one in four women and one in seven men will face domestic violence of some kind in their lifetime. But what is domestic violence?  The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) defines it as “a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over ...

AI is here to stay. Here’s how to use it. Writing by Ava Elghanayan Artwork by Justin Negard Picture this: it’s a Saturday night after a hectic week. You want to grab dinner with friends to unwind, but you need to find a place that works for both your gluten-free neighbor and your vegan co-worker. Plus, you want to sit ...

What local experts think about technology’s role & effect on our society Writing by Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard                     We asked Perplexity and ChatGPT to write these bios, which are modified below due to space constraints in our print publication. We combined the best of each AI’s creation and ...

How to keep your friends, family and even strangers engaged in every tale you tell Writing by Kayla Schmidt  Artwork by Greg Muenzen Telling stories, a seemingly easy task, is much more than just saying “once upon a time.” It’s about making an experience come to life for others, connecting, and essentially putting the listener in your shoes with the ...

By Susan Trumpbour     Artwork by Justin Negard Travel is magical. It opens the doors to different cultures, tantalizes our taste buds with exotic flavors, allows us to explore new destinations, and is soothing for the soul—and, wait, good for our skin, too?  Across the globe lie coveted beauty products, each steeped in history and cherished for its transformative ...

Writing by Josephine D'Ippolito Artwork by Cameron Bly https://connecttomag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/flags.jpg Who says you need a passport to have an international adventure? This summer or fall, embark on a global journey right in your own backyard. Westchester County offers vibrant festivals, delicious food and immersive cultural experiences from around the world. So pack your bags (or don’t, because we are staying local) ...

How to use social media in a healthy way By Susan Trumpbour Social media—the double-edged sword of our digital age. It’s a modern-day wonderland that grants us access to a world of communication, self-expression and social connection, yet it leaves us vulnerable to a Pandora’s box of cyberbullying, curated content and constant comparison to others. It’s a bittersweet relationship that ...

Writing by Ana Dorta Yhen we walk into our local coffee shop every morning, some of us take the time to wish the cashier a good day, while others might saunter out without saying anything. But while a simple act of kindness like wishing someone well may seem purposeless and trivial, both anecdotal and scientific discoveries demonstrate the benefits that ...