No. 020 | November 2024 by Drax Digest

FROM THE EDITOR

As the air turns crisp and cold, I don’t know about you, but every part of me longs to curl up with a cozy blanket, a steaming mug of a delicious somethin’ warming my hands, and a good book or perhaps to disappear into a movie or a comforting TV series— hibernation at its best. The kind that wraps you up in warmth and leaves you blissfully lost in another world. There’s nothing quite like a good story to pull you in, immersing you in a perspective wildly different from your own, especially when the comfy coziness teases you tantalizingly into wanting never to leave (a spell no one ever wants broken).

Stories, whether the ones we read, watch, hear, or, perhaps most importantly, internalize and tell ourselves, are a fundamental part of being human and impact every part of our lives. Through storytelling, we have the power and opportunity to drive change, spark creativity and joy, and further justice, equality, and environmental action.

At Drax Publishing (DPub), we aspire to do just that. Still in its infancy, DPub is a world of excitement, potential, and possibility, brimming with the promise of becoming a boutique publishing house that’s more than just a label or brand—a home, a platform where creators can claim their rightful space to share their artistry. We aspire to champion creativity and amplify voices, with a particular focus on women and minorities whose perspectives often disappear in waves of static, unheard, or silenced in our predominantly unjust, patriarchal industry.

Though just beginning, we’re confident of our direction: to be a leader in boutique publishing, setting a high standard for excellence, creativity, and social impact. This monthly Drax Digest is a testament to that mission, with each issue sprinkled with stories and art from emerging creatives (of which we are always looking for more, so if you’re an author, photographer, artist, or creator, please share your masterpieces and talents with us!).

Publisher Michael Ennis

One of my greatest joys as Editor is selecting, curating, and sometimes even creating the stories we publish each month. There’s something wonderful about thoughtfully crafting each issue to reflect the vibrant diversity of voices and ideas within The Drax Group’s business ecosystem.

Thank you for reading and allowing our story to intertwine with yours.

Until next month!

With love and light,

Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

eleonora@svvl.net

Featured Writer

Julia Healey

Editor-In-Chief

Eleonora Fogg

Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl.net!

WJvL Foundation

The William J. von Liebig Foundation is gearing up to announce the Fourth Annual von Liebig Prize winner This $25,000 grant is awarded to an individual for their contributions and accomplishments in the care and protection of animals, particularly companion animals. Any animal welfare organizations involved in projects concerning the well-being of dogs and cats are encouraged to submit an application or nomination, which is due to close on November 22nd. Anyone interested in applying or nominating someone for the grant can find further information on the William J. von Liebig Foundation's website. The winning recipient will be honored at a stunningly curated event at the Carlyle on December 3rd!

Square Holiday ket Details

Dates: 12/6 - 1/3

Hours:

Monday - Thursday 10 am - 9 pm Friday - Saturday 10 am - 10 pm Sunday 10 am - 9 pm

Address:

34th Street, Herald Square near Macy’s

Burr Hall Farm & Drax Marketplace

2024 was the most productive and successful year yet for Burr Hall Farm. Mother Nature has been more than generous this year when it comes to the farm’s produce and honey harvests. In addition to our produce, the geese, chickens, pygmy goats, dogs, and honeybees are a big part of what makes working on the farm so special, and sharing these gifts with our community is the cherry on top. This year’s success doesn’t stop there; now that we are heading into the winter season, Burr Hall Farm will be collaborating with Bread Story in the first-ever Herald Square Holiday Market in NYC for the month of December. Make sure to stop by to check out our holiday treats!

On November 1st, Burr Hall Farm will launch its very own email newsletter, sharing a plethora of exciting updates, photos, and insights to help our community stay informed about the farm’s happenings. From here on, the newsletter will be sent out seasonally to our list of subscribers. If you’re interested in hearing more about what’s happening on the farm, you can join our mailing list on the Burr Hall Farm website!

Bread Story and Burr Hall Farm will be at the Herald

Square Holiday Market starting December 6th!

Tis The Season...

For Pie!

Bread Story is pulling out all the stops for Thanksgiving this year, creating a lineup of unforgettable holiday desserts. If pie is your go-to for the season, you’re in for a real treat! Bread Story’s signature pecan pie is a musthave, made with fresh pecans, brown sugar, and a hint of bourbon nestled in a delicately flaky crust. For pumpkin pie lovers, Bread Story’s version combines sweet, in-season butternut squash crowned with swirls of whipped cream

—a guaranteed crowd favorite. My [featured writer Julia Healey’s] personal pick for Thanksgiving? — their apple pie made with freshly sliced apples and a signature blend of warming spices that captures the essence of fall in every bite. Make sure to place your pre-order when you stop by their bakery or on their website. They sell out lightning fast every year, and these holiday classics are too delicious to miss!

Drax Productions

Game of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Sophie Turner are set to reunite in the new horror movie The Dreadful.

The excitement is growing as The Dreadful commences shooting in Cornwall, England. The project has already garnered the interest of the press, such as this article from ScreenRant:

“Game of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Sophie Turner are set to reunite in the new horror movie The Dreadful. Fans of HBO’s epic fantasy series shipped Harington’s Jon Snow and Turner’s Sansa Stark, but it wasn’t meant to be for the two characters, who ended up with very different destin destinies. Now almost five years after the show aired its divisive final season, Harington is set to return for a Game of Thrones spinoff, while Turner’s character remains in limbo.

Harington and Turner may never meet again in the world of Westeros, but they will reunite away from GoT, as the pair are set to star together in the upcoming Gothic horror movie The Dreadful (via Deadline). Set during England's Wars of the Roses, the film stars Turner as Anne, a woman living a hard life on the outskirts of society with her mother-in-law. Harington plays a man from Anne's past whose return sets off a life-changing series of events. Natasha Kermani (Imitation Girl, Lucky) is writing and directing.”

A WELLNESS+ STUDIO INTERVEIW

Drax Digest had a sit-down interview with 969's very own Eva Vera, who had worked for Mrs. von Liebig for over fourteen years. At 66 years old in both body and soul, Eva turns 67 next month. She noticed that her body got tired more quickly as the years went by until she had an epiphany that she did not have to feel like this anymore. The answer was reflecting on her life and what she can change right now, in this moment, to improve. For Eva, that change was choosing and trusting the team at Wellness+ Studio to help her in her journey.

Q: What inspired you to start your journey at the Wellness+ Studio?

A: Naturally, as people age, they face more health problems. What inspired me to start my journey at the Wellness+ Studio was the issues I was having with my knee. When I visited the doctor, he offered me two solutions: surgery or painkillers. Considering the weight of my options, I hesitated, not wanting to choose either one. This was when I asked my doctor if he believed starting an exercise program would benefit my injury in any way. He said, “Sure. Try”, and that’s when I made the decision to start. Even though I’ve never had a passion for fitness, I decided to try.

Q: When did you begin your sessions at the studio? What differences have you noticed since starting?

A: I began training with Eva, the owner of Wellness+ Studio, around four months ago. Before I started exercising, walking around in the city was a struggle for me. I would walk a couple of blocks and immediately have to take painkillers to deal with the discomfort in my knee. During my consultation, Eva said, “In your case, knee surgery should be considered a last-resort solution to getting better.” After only a short time, I began to feel more vibrant and healthier than I had in years, and I am looking forward to continuing this journey and pushing myself to see how good I can get. Exercise has helped me tremendously with my physical health, mind, and soul.

Q: What is your favorite part of the Wellness routine?

A: To tell you the truth, my favorite part is when I open the door and walk into the studio. The environment, the trainers, the people working at the front desk, the smell, the atmosphere— everything about Wellness+ makes me feel empowered, like anything is possible. I know that when I walk into my session, I leave one step closer to my true potential. Wellness Studio is a incredible center for fitness. They work hard to improve the well-being of others.

Q: How do you feel after/when you leave?

A: My trainer, Eva, has taught me that the relationship you have with yourself has a huge impact on the way you see the world. Session after session, my physical strength improves along with my ability to approach difficult situations with a constructive attitude and sense of peace. After every workout, I feel stronger than I ever have before, both physically and mentally, and I feel proud that I’m taking responsibility for my well-being instead of settling for easy solutions.

Q: What is one thing everyone should know about Wellness+ Studio?

A: I don’t have the words to describe how much the studio and my trainer, Eva, have improved not only my knee injury but so much more than I thought possible. Today, my knee is 80% better than it was before I began my wellness journey and my mind, body, and soul have improved right along with it. I recommend that everyone, especially adults my age, take their health into their own hands instead of choosing the easy way out. I wish everyone would realize that age is just a number; it doesn’t have to limit your life unless you allow it to. You can change your circumstances and improve your life by exercising, especially if you go to the Wellness+ Studio and have a wonderful personal trainer like Eva. After only four months, I have become a better version of myself and continue improving after every training. When you open the door to possibilities, you elevate who you are.

The SvL Institute Presents

Vote with Your Wallet

The Powerful Impact of Consumer Choices

With the 2024 presidential election fast approaching, reminders to vote are everywhere from social media and television to messages across various media channels While casting your ballot on November 5th is essential, it’s not the only chance you have to make your voice heard Every day, you have the power to “vote with your dollar,” a practice/concept meaning spending money on products, brands, and businesses that align with your values and stand for causes you believe in

Consider the impact of daily choices where you buy breakfast, how you commute, the brands you support when you shop all of these decisions ripple through industries and shape corporate practices For example, solar energy is now one of the most affordable sources of power, thanks to people consistently “voting” for renewable energy options By choosing solar panels, renewable energy plans, and energy-efficient products, consumers drove demand, encouraging innovation, scaling production, and reducing costs over time

Similarly, when you choose an organic apple instead of a conventionally grown one or buy a Fair Trade Certified shirt instead of fast fashion, you’re sending a message that you value environmental sustainability and fair labor practices

Each purchase becomes an endorsement of practices you support, and it’s a small yet meaningful way to drive change Your dollars can influence everything from environmental responsibility to ethical sourcing and more So as election day nears, remember that while your vote at the polls is vital, your everyday spending choices allow you to cast your values and priorities into the world, one purchase at a time

Dan Treado

Dan Treado, a talented artist who resides in the Boston area, is best known for his visually stimulating and vibrant works of art Treado finds himself borrowing inspiration from science, specifically physics, biology, and electron microscope images, as well as media, film, and photography He considers himself to be a process artist, meaning that his work is more about the production than the end result Treado creates artwork that involves using squeegees, scrapers, and handmade paintbrushes Layer by layer, Treado can produce two-dimensional surfaces that invoke the viewer’s feelings of satisfaction and illusion

Although abstract, Treado can successfully blend science with arts, creating captivating and thought-provoking collections His work, Drawing a Record/The Rules of Jinx (2021), features brightly painted and strategically patterned discs, this installation is displayed proudly in the lobby of Virginia’s Watermark Hotel

by Genie Burn

THIS MONTH’S SPIRITUAL READING

November is a beautiful month full of surprises! It is the month before Christmas and the winter holidays, so all sorts of feelings are swirling around: thoughts of gift-giving, holiday parties, and family gatherings It is also a time to reflect on the past year, the activities we participated in, our accomplishments, and our desires for the new year A sense of hope fills the air Our hearts are open to new challenges and aspirations It is a joyous time of new beginnings and renewed friendships Each of us is given the opportunity to create a new identity, a more positive energy, and a renewed sense of wonder

Denisa’sDesserts

Mrs.’ Famous Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Recipe by Christopher Varroux-Renaud

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

A whole, brined turkey

1 jar of duck fat

2 cups of stuffing

Directions:

1.Preheat the oven to 300°F.

2.Rub the inside of a large brown bag with duck fat, covering the entire bag.

3 Dry the turkey Rub the inside and outside with duck fat, seasoning with salt and pepper

4 Stuff the turkey cavity with stuffing and tie the legs closed

5 Place the stuffed turkey in the bag, crimping it closed Place the bagged turkey in a roasting pan and put it in the oven Cook for 20 minutes per pound For the last 30 minutes of cooking, open the bag to expose the breast and baste. Use any drippings to make gravy.

6.Enjoy with cranberry sauce, gravy, and the incredible array of dishes that make Thanksgiving so special :)