President’s Letter

“ ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY ” INDEED! THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME TO REJOICE, CELEBRATE, AND…PARTY!“

SING WE JOYOUS ALL TOGETHER” AS THE CAROL GOES.

Photo: Andrea Ceraso; Floral Design: Elisa Bulgrin at Longfield Farm

You might get your best new Holiday recipe or decorating tips from our Cover Feature, Ridgefield and New Canaan local Barbara Costello, whose @brunchwithbabs makes her one of the biggest social media influencers on the planet. ...Or plan a visit to the Katonah Museum of Art, where you will find some of the finest Modern and Contemporary art. …Or prepare to party with a visit to Purple Plains, which is ‘cannabis central’ located right in Pound Ridge.

‘TIS ALSO THE SEASON FOR REFLECTION, FOR GRATITUDE FOR

ALL OUR BLESSINGS AND GOOD FORTUNE…AND FOR GIVING!

And not just the obligatory checks you write each year. ...I’m talking about really considering how you can make a difference in some cause - and preferably with a local charity. Make a commitment to give - enough that it makes a difference to you! And make a commitment to give your time to help others - and preferably those in the local community in need of help! Helping others is the most noble of our human endeavors!

In this issue we are featuring The Pantry in Mt. Kisco, formerly known as the Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, which distributes 1,000,000 pounds of food and 1,300,000 meals per annum - making it the largest weekly-choice food pantry serving the 21 towns in Northern Westchester! …When you read Executive Director Trina Ward Fontaine’s plea for help at the end of the feature...please stop and consider whether it’s you who will ensure The Pantry’s continued operation or expand its reach to help hundreds or thousands of people in our community who are in need. Or you who will volunteer.

And we’re featuring Dr. Jessie Stone, a Purchase native who’s devoted her life to fighting malaria and providing primary healthcare in a rural region of Uganda. She’s a selfless humanitarian who deserves the tribute and support of the International community, no less each one of us… So when you take stock of how much of herself Jessie is giving to help others, and of the magnitude of the problems she is facing…consider whether it’s you who will make the donation that will save the next life, or a thousand lives. Or what other worthy charity you can support.

And to highlight a local couple who are leading by example when it comes to philanthropy and helping others, we’re also featuring Bedfordites Mitti and Melissa Liebersohn. Their good fortune leads to their charity and giving…as it should for each of us.

‘TIS THE SEASON…AND THE TIME TO GIVE AND TO HELP OTHERS IS ALWAYS NOW!