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BROADWAY PERFORMER SARRAH STRIMEL-BENTLEY ON SURVIVORSHIP, ADVOCACY AND FINDING JOY AFTER BREAST CANCER

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

October Foodie Issue There are few things I love more than a great meal, except maybe the people gathered around the table. That’s what I kept thinking about as we put together this month’s Foodie Issue. Because while these pages are filled with plenty of reasons to eat, explore and indulge, the stories are really about something bigger: connection. Our communities are full of people creating experiences that bring us together and remind us to actually enjoy where we live. Private chef Marjorie Greenfield understands that beautifully. After nearly a decade in social work, Marjorie followed her passion for cooking and built a business around nourishing busy Northern Westchester families. What I love about her story is how relatable it is. Sometimes luxury isn’t an elaborate five-course dinner, it’s opening the refrigerator on a Tuesday night and realizing someone has already answered the dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?” We explore another version of luxury with Dana Cifone’s Luxury Lunch, because sometimes an ordinary afternoon deserves to feel a little more special. And if you’re craving an escape without the airport, Leslie’s Staycation reminds us just how many wonderful experiences are waiting close to home. Our feature on Adam Vohra is about recovery, purpose and the extraordinary things that can happen when someone decides their hardest chapter will not define the rest of their story. Adam has become a familiar face within our Lifestyle community, but there is so much behind the person many of you know as the guy bringing everyone together. His willingness to share his experience and use it to help others is a powerful reminder of how much one relationship, one conversation or one person believing in us can change the direction of a life. Perhaps that’s what ties this entire issue together. A table is never only a table. A meal is rarely just food. A community isn’t simply the place where we happen to live. They are opportunities to gather, connect, celebrate, support one another and occasionally make an ordinary Tuesday feel a little more special. So this month, make the reservation. Invite the friends. Try somewhere new. Stay somewhere close. Ask for help when you need it. And always make room at the table for someone else.

October 2026 PUBLISHER

Laura Sabia | laura.sabia@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N D I R E C TO R

Emma Parente | emma.parente@citylifestyle.com M AR K E T S U P P O RT D I R E C TO R

Adam Vohra | adam.vohra@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nathalie Carpenter, Dana Cifone C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Peter & Marissa Photography, Brook Road Photography, Leslie Kumar

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

LAURA SABIA, PUBLISHER @UPPERWESTCHESTER.CITYLIFESTYLE Our publication serves the communities of Armonk, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Chappaqua, Katonah, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge and Valhalla.

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 Upper Westchester City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Upper Westchester area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Upper Westchester City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue OC TOB E R 2 02 6 | FOOD & D R I N K

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

14 22

Featured

22 26

Departments

The Life After

Adam Vohra turned his hardest chapter into a life built on recovery, connection, purpose and helping others find hope

The Luxury Lunch Is Back

Why the best seat in town is at 12:30pm

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Inspired By HEALTH + WELLNESS

Expert Help ENTERTAINMENT

Hot Spot FOOD + BEVERAGE

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

Giving Back WELLNESS

Events

Dinner, Handled

Private chef Marjorie Greenfield turns everyday meals and effortless entertaining into something deliciously personal

On the Cover Sarrah Strimel-Bentley on Broadway, breast cancer and creating a beautiful life beyond diagnosis Photography: Brook Road Photography

WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT? With City Lifestyle’s co-branded print + digital packages, your business captures attention wherever our community is looking. Build unmatched local credibility on the page, and drive immediate action online. Ready to double your local reach? Contact your local publisher by scanning below.

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OCTOBER 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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1-7: Our Westchester Spotlight Social, hosted with Northern Westchester Moms and Studio 405, brought local business owners together for an evening of networking, connection, and community. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, new relationships, and opportunities to spotlight and support local businesses. Photography by Peter & Marissa Photography

C I T Y SC E N E

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8-14: Our Westchester Spotlight Social, hosted with Northern Westchester Moms and Studio 405, brought local business owners together for an evening of networking, connection, and community. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, new relationships, and opportunities to spotlight and support local businesses. Photography by Peter & Marissa Photography CONTINUED >

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city scene CONTINUED

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15-21:Our Westchester Spotlight Social, hosted with Northern Westchester Moms and Studio 405, brought local business owners together for an evening of networking, connection, and community. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, new relationships, and opportunities to spotlight and support local businesses. Photography by Peter & Marissa Photography

Want to be seen in the magazine? TA G Y O U R I N S TA G R A M P H O T O S W I T H @ U P P E R W E S T C H E S T E R . C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

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OCTOBER 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

The Tiny Mess Club Brings Sensory Play to Larchmont The Tiny Mess Club has officially opened its second location at 2096 Boston Post Road in Larchmont, offering a vibrant space where young children can explore, create and learn through hands-on sensory play. Founded by educators Valerie Geschwind and Jessica Piccinich, the clubhouse features themed sensory stations, daily classes, memberships, birthday parties and special events designed to foster creativity, curiosity and meaningful play in an inclusive, welcoming environment.

The Collective Opens in Bedford Hills The Collective has officially opened at 14 Main Street in Bedford Hills, bringing a fresh take on vintage and antique shopping to Northern Westchester. Home to nearly 20 curated dealers and creators, the multi-dealer marketplace offers an ever-changing selection of vintage furnishings, home décor, art, clothing, jewelry and one-of-a-kind finds. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, The Collective blends history, style and thoughtful design in a welcoming shopping experience.

Now Open: O₂ Cafe & Piggy's Italian American Deli O₂ Cafe and its companion concept, Piggy's Italian American Deli, are now open in Bedford Hills. Located under one roof at 524 & 526 Bedford Road, the new neighborhood spot serves coffee, breakfast, sandwiches and Italian deli favorites, offering locals a welcoming destination for everything from a morning pick-me-up to a satisfying lunch.

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THE LIFE AFTER ADAM VOHRA TURNED HIS HARDEST CHAPTER INTO A LIFE BUILT ON RECOVERY, CONNECTION, PURPOSE AND HELPING OTHERS FIND HOPE

ARTICLE BY LAURA SABIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY BROOK ROAD PHOTOGRAPHY

I NSP IR E D BY | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

ADAM VOHRA KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE YOUR LIFE HAS GONE TOO FAR IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. For years, addiction shaped his choices, relationships and sense of self. Today, as founder of ARV Enterprises and a recovery coach, Vohra uses the story he once hid to help others imagine a different ending. His struggle began young, around the time he and his sister discovered they had been adopted. Loss compounded that pain. His mother, Elahe, died from leukemia in 2013. Later, his best friend Lauren died. Vohra returned repeatedly to addiction, legal trouble, lost jobs, damaged relationships and the restaurant industry. Then came July 2022. This time, there was something else. Diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, he was told that he needed to make a change. He finally stopped casting blame and truly asked for help. Without health insurance or money for rehab, Vohra called a friend who worked in recovery. She flew him to Beaufort, South Carolina, where he was paired with recovery coach Rick Barnes. The decision changed far more for Vohra. “Recovery isn’t just putting down the drink or the drug,” he says. “That’s where it starts.” For Vohra, recovery meant honesty, accountability, rebuilding trust and learning to live without escaping uncomfortable emotions. He describes early recovery as grieving a former

version of yourself before reaching acceptance and beginning to build what he calls the “self-love ladder”: self-esteem, selfworth, self-reliance, self-respect, self-trust and self-confidence. The life that emerged surprised him. Rather than return immediately to restaurants, Vohra joined the sales team at Equinox in Greenwich. There, he watched high performers build their lives around discipline and consistency. His network expanded, along with his idea of what his future could hold. A year into sobriety, he founded ARV Enterprises, initially focused on nonprofit consulting. Work with organizations including the Carlos Rodón Foundation and InService Foundation led naturally toward events and community building. Yet recovery remained the work he felt called to do. Speaking with adolescents at Silver Hill Hospital became pivotal. Sharing the experiences he once carried with shame allowed him to offer young people words he wishes someone had given him years earlier. His coach provided another model. Therapy, twelve-step programs and treatment can be essential, Vohra says, while coaching can help bridge the ordinary moments between them: relationships, routines, fears, setbacks and decisions that make up daily life. He wants clients to leave their first conversation feeling safe. Heard. Unjudged. Hopeful. That philosophy extends to families. Addiction, Vohra explains, rarely affects one person alone. Those who love someone struggling may spend years rescuing, making excuses or shielding them from consequences, believing they are helping. Sometimes, he says, love instead requires boundaries and allowing accountability. His message is equally compassionate toward the person struggling: asking for help is not weakness, and no dramatic “rock bottom” is required before someone deserves support. CONTINUED >

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ADAM’S FOUNDATIONS “You do not have to fix your whole life today,” he says. “You just have to stop running from it and make the next right decision.” Vohra builds his own recovery around similarly ordinary choices: making his bed, meditating, moving his body, prioritizing sleep, eating well, attending therapy, practicing gratitude and nurturing his spirituality. “Recovery is built in the ordinary moments,” he says. Perhaps the most visible result of those moments is Vohra’s instinct for connection. He has become a community builder, creating events and rooms where strangers become friends, collaborators and supporters. Through Greenwich Lifestyle, he says, relationships and opportunities helped him recognize possibilities he once could not see for himself. For someone whose addiction once drove him toward isolation, becoming known as a connector feels particularly meaningful. He credits the people who believed in him, including Greenwich Lifestyle Editor in Chief Laura Sabia, whom he describes as both a close friend and mentor who challenged him to think bigger about what he could create. Vohra now tries to offer others the same gift: someone in their corner who can see possibility before they can see it themselves. His definition of success has changed accordingly. It was once measured in money, status, recognition and the appearance of doing well. Today, ambition remains, but it no longer determines his worth. Success is peace. Keeping promises to himself. Being dependable. Living with integrity. Building meaningful relationships. Doing purposeful work. Becoming someone he respects. Through ARV Enterprises, Vohra hopes to deepen his work throughout Connecticut, Westchester and surrounding communities, collaborating with treatment professionals, therapists, sober-living programs, coaches and families. He wants ARV to become a trusted resource for people navigating what happens after the decision to change. Because Vohra no longer sees recovery as an ending. He sees it as becoming. And if someone reading his story currently believes change is no longer possible, Vohra hopes his life offers evidence otherwise. “Your worst chapter does not have to become your whole story,” he says. There may be damage to repair and relationships to rebuild. But while there is another decision to make, there is another direction to go. Sometimes an entirely different life begins with asking someone to walk beside you.

I NSP IR E D BY | HEALTH + WE LLN E SS

Recovery, for Adam Vohra, lives in the habits repeated when nobody is watching: make the bed, hydrate, meditate, move, practice gratitude and stay connected. His daily non-negotiable is a gratitude list. His favorite place to recharge is Beaufort, South Carolina. The word he uses to describe recovery? Becoming.

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OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/U P P E RWE STC HE ST E R

YOUR GUIDE TO LIFE'S LITTLE LUXURIES

THE GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY There is a particular kind of tired that a spa day doesn't fix. It's the kind that comes from being the one who knows where everyone's everything is. The kind where someone is always asking you where their shoes are, what's for dinner, or if you've seen that thing they had two seconds ago. What fixes it, I have found, is one night away with women who are also tired in exactly the same way. We did it in twenty-four hours. Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, two girlfriends, both moms, no itinerary beyond dinner, and somehow, it felt like a real vacation. And the best part? We came home Saturday and still had the entire weekend ahead of us. No Sunday scaries. No “where did the weekend go?” Just a reset, and then real life, but a better version of it. And a better version of myself. If you know me, you know how much I value self-care. I really believe taking care of ourselves is part of how we take care of everyone else. When we give ourselves a chance to breathe, laugh, sleep, recharge and remember who we are outside of our everyday roles, we have so much more of ourselves to give to the people we love.

EXP E RT H E LP | ENTERTAIN ME N T

ARTICLE BY LESLIE KUMAR

THE LESLIE LIST

Which, for one night, we didn't! The art throughout the hotel is worth a pause. As a contemporary art fan, I was immediately drawn to the pieces on display. They give the hotel a uniqueness and edge you don't often see in a hotel, at least not around here. The J House is modern, but it doesn't feel cold, and the staff is a huge reason why. Every single person we encountered was warm, accommodating and helpful. I'm pretty picky about how hospitality presents itself. I almost annoy myself with how hyper-aware I am of the little things: smudge-free glassware, labels all pointing in the same direction, wrinkle-free everything, the details that you may not consciously notice when they're done right, but absolutely notice when they're not. So when someone else is paying attention to those things? I notice that too.

Our home for the night was The J House, a boutique luxury hotel in Greenwich that feels like a destination without requiring you to travel far. If you live in Fairfield County or Westchester, you can be checked in before your kids even notice you've left. THE AFTERNOON Greenwich Avenue is minutes away, so, naturally, we shopped first. Wandering in and out of stores with no agenda and nobody asking you for anything is its own form of therapy. We were just three friends, walking around Greenwich on a Friday afternoon, with nowhere we had to be and no one who needed us.

DINNER AT TONY'S One of my favorite parts of the night was getting ready for dinner. Bubbly, music and taking turns doing each other's makeup, or, at the very least, sharing our lip glosses. It reminded me of getting ready for nights out years ago, except this time we were back in our pajamas before our younger selves would have even thought about heading home. Our eight o'clock reservation at Tony's was downstairs in the hotel, which meant the walk home was just an elevator ride. Tony's has a whole vibe. It's lively, energetic and warm, and on a Friday night, it was buzzing. Birthdays were being celebrated, friends were catching up over drinks, and tables were lingering over dinner. There was energy everywhere. It felt like the place to be. And total bonus, we got the best seat in the house. We were tucked into a half-circle corner booth with a perfect view of the entire restaurant. It was basically a people-watching dream. We could see everything happening around us while still feeling like we had privacy. Tony himself came by the table several times, and if you've been, you know what comes with that: his upbeat personality and his seriously challenging trivia questions. I will not be sharing our record, but I am happy to share that the one I got right was the kind of car Richard Gere drove in Pretty Woman. CONTINUED >

CHECK-IN We got there in the late afternoon and were handed a glass of bubbly at check-in. Did they just read my mind?! Because that is the best way to begin anything. The Double Executive room fit all three of us comfortably, and I mean genuinely comfortably... not the “we'll make it work” kind. We had plenty of room to spread out, get ready, leave our things everywhere and, by the end of the night, enough space for a dance party. The room itself had that very J House combination of sleek and chic. Within minutes, our bags were open, shoes were off and we were sitting around talking like we had nowhere else to be. OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/U P P E RWE STC HE ST E R

THE MORNING After we quickly grabbed our coffees and pastries from the downstairs café, we recapped our amazing night and scrolled through photos back in the room. I had a late-morning hot stone therapy massage at The J House Spa, and I can understand why it keeps getting recognized as one of the best spas in Greenwich. In fact, The J Spa was named Best Day Spa in the Greenwich Lifestyle Local Love Awards, and it has also been recognized as Best Spa in multiple Best of Greenwich lists. My massage was exactly what I needed. I left feeling genuinely restored, and that feeling lasted well beyond the hour on the table. I will absolutely be back. And then there was the pool… We had every intention of spending the rest of the morning poolside. The J House has a heated outdoor pool with an expansive pool deck and cabana, and I pictured us settling into it for a few hours with something cold to drink, sunglasses on and ready to gossip. Mother Nature had other plans. Thunderstorms rolled in and made the decision for us. So, sadly, no pool, no cabana and no mini-vacation extension for a few more hours. But there's always next time! WHY TWENTY-FOUR HOURS WORKS It's long enough to feel like you left, yet short enough that nobody at home falls apart. With a Friday into Saturday, you get the champagne, the shopping, the long dinner, the pajamas, the dessert, the spa and the sleep-in-adjacent morning... and you're home before you're even halfway into your Saturday. Sometimes you just need twenty-four hours, a few good friends and a hotel room where nobody needs anything from you. Book it.

EXP E RT H E LP | ENTERTAIN ME N T

THE J HOUSE

THE DETAILS

A win is a win. I’ll take it! Tony's menu is another reason it works for a night like this. It's an Italian steakhouse with homemade pastas, prime dry-aged steaks, market-fresh fish and sushi, so everyone can find something they're excited about. We tried a little bit of everything and savored every. single. bite. I stuck to my go-to drink of Tito's and soda, but the cocktail menu is full of craft cocktails that someone more adventurous than me would certainly appreciate! The Best Decision of the Night We had dessert sent up to the room. Best move. A parade of seriously delicious sweet treats arrived, and we devoured them in our silky pajamas, on our beds. It was perfection. We ate, laughed, talked some more and then turned the room into our own little after-party. Then we drank an absurd amount of water before bed because, after all, we are grown women who have learned far too many times from our late-night mistakes.

1114 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside/ Greenwich, CT • Luxury boutique hotel with 84 guest rooms and suites, Tony’s Italian Steakhouse, The J Spa and a heated outdoor pool. • Room: Double Executive Room, from $549 per night. • Tony’s at The J House: Dinner reservations recommended, especially on weekends. The restaurant offers Italian steakhouse fare, homemade pastas, prime dry-aged steaks, seafood and sushi. • The J Spa: Book treatments in advance. The spa offers massages, facials, acupuncture and holistic therapies. • Pool: Seasonal heated outdoor pool with an expansive pool deck and cabana.

GETTING THERE A short drive from most of Fairfield County and under 30 minutes from many parts of Westchester. Metro-North to Riverside, followed by a short cab ride, if you’d rather not drive. Valet parking is available on site.

Rachel Lacoste REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON | CHAPPAQUA BROKERAGE 45 SOUTH GREELEY AVENUE CHAPPAQUA, NY 10514 Working with Rachel means having a dedicated partner in your corner before, during, and long after the sale. Her keen attention to detail, in-depth market knowledge, and genuine ability to listen and understand her clients’ wants and needs set her apart as a trusted real estate professional. Clients consistently commend Rachel for her patience, responsiveness, and commitment to making the home buying or selling process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. 203-228-2264 rlacoste@houlihanlawrence.com RachelLacoste.HoulihanLawrence.com

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THE LUXURY LUNCH

Is Back Why the best seat in town is at 12:30pm

ARTICLE BY DANA CIFONE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY INGA SKURATOVSKY

H OT SP OT | FO O D + BEVERAGE

Years ago, if you wanted to make something happen, you scheduled lunch. Deals were negotiated over Cobb salads. Partnerships were born over espresso. Friends carved out two hours in the middle of the day because everyone understood lunch wasn't simply about eating, it was where business and life naturally intersected. Then our calendars got louder. Lunch became a protein bar between meetings. Success was measured by how packed your calendar was, how many emails you answered before sunrise, and whether you were still networking at ten o'clock at night. After more than twenty years in hospitality, I've watched dining habits evolve. One of the biggest shifts I've seen isn't happening over dinner. It's happening at lunch. And no, I'm not talking about white tablecloths and three martinis. I'm talking about something much harder to come by. Time. Today, luxury looks different. It's meeting a client over lunch instead of another video call. Lingering over a second espresso because the conversation is too good to end. Getting home before nine and still having time to enjoy your evening. For years we chased busy. Now we're chasing balance. Restaurants are seeing midday become an occasion again. Business meetings have moved from dinner to daylight. Restaurant patios have become boardrooms, and somehow the conversations feel less rushed, less performative, and a whole lot more productive. But I think there's another reason this midday ritual is making a comeback. We're craving each other again. After years of living through emails, texts, and video calls, people want something we've been missing, real conversation. Eye contact instead of emojis. Conversation instead of notifications. We've become incredibly efficient at communicating, but not always great at connecting. There's something refreshing about putting your phone face down and giving the person across the table your full attention. That, in itself, feels luxurious. The afternoons we remember aren't defined by what we ordered. They're remembered because someone stayed an extra thirty minutes. Because an idea turned into a business. Because a client became a friend. Because, for a little while, the rest of the world could wait. CONTINUED > OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/U P P E RWE STC HE ST E R

One thing I've noticed from spending so much of my life in restaurants is that people simply aren't rushing anymore. They're sharing appetizers, staying for another coffee, and actually talking. The best ideas rarely come when everyone's staring at a phone, they happen when conversation has room to wander. One of the things I've always loved about lunch is that it brings everyone together. You'll find someone closing a real estate deal sitting next to two friends celebrating a birthday. A couple enjoying a leisurely afternoon beside someone dining solo with a glass of wine simply because they felt like treating themselves. For a couple of hours, titles, schedules, and to-do lists fade into the background. Maybe that's the point. Success isn't staying out the latest anymore. It's building a life you actually enjoy living. One with room for ambition, meaningful conversations, and getting home before nine feeling fulfilled instead of depleted. So here's your permission slip. Make the reservation. Order the appetizer. Leave your phone facedown. Have the second espresso. Take the longer conversation. Your inbox will still be there. That’s the kind of return on investment you won't find on a spreadsheet. To me, that's the new luxury. And I'll raise an afternoon espresso to that.

We've become incredibly efficient at communicating, but not always great at connecting. Maybe that's why the luxury lunch is back. It's not just about what's on the table, it's about putting your phone away, slowing down, and making time for the people sitting across from you.

H OT SP OT | FO O D + BEVERAGE

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DISCOVERY IN ACTION: AP Chemistry students explored chemical reactions through hands-on experiments, observation, and scientific discovery..

The Power of Discovery At King School, students ask big questions, explore ideas, and take ownership of their learning. That’s how engagement grows. That’s how students fall in love with learning. And those skills go far beyond the classroom. They shape how children solve problems, adapt to change, and take on any challenge with confidence and purpose.

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DINNER, HANDLED Private chef Marjorie Greenfield turns everyday meals and effortless entertaining

ARTICLE BY LAURA SABIA

into something deliciously personal

For Marjorie Greenfield, dinner is about more than getting food onto the table. It is a way to nourish people, bring them together and, increasingly, make life a little easier right now. Greenfield came to cooking professionally after nearly a decade in social work at an adoption and foster care agency. She had grown up watching her father make dinner and discovered her own instincts in the kitchen during college. Eventually, a longtime dream of culinary school became impossible to ignore. She enrolled at New York City’s Natural Gourmet Institute, choosing its largely plantbased program to better understand dietary needs and preferences. An internship in a bustling West Village restaurant sharpened her skills, but Greenfield already knew restaurant life was not her ultimate destination. Private-chef work offered something different: the opportunity to cook personally for busy local families each week.

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are a favorite, as are batched cocktails. Her simplest hosting advice? “You can never have enough ice…or wine.” Motherhood has further shaped her understanding of the nightly dinner challenge. She knows children’s preferences can change overnight and focuses on nutritious, flexible meals families genuinely want to eat. Now, referrals are fueling her next chapter. Greenfield hopes to grow beyond her current “mighty team of one,” bringing on people who share her approach to food and hospitality without sacrificing the personal connection behind her business. “As parents and working people, we are in this together,” she says. “If I can take one thing off someone’s plate and help make their week feel a little easier, that’s meaningful to me.” And if it happens to be epically delicious, even better.

Today, Greenfield offers weekly in-home meal preparation, drop-off meals, dinner parties and holiday catering throughout Northern Westchester. Each relationship begins with understanding a household—its schedule, allergies, preferences and, importantly, what everyone will actually eat. “Sometimes the real value isn’t having someone cook a fancy dinner,” she says. “It’s opening your refrigerator on a Tuesday night and knowing dinner is already taken care of.” That philosophy reflects Greenfield’s approachable style. Seasonal, local ingredients take center stage, from crisp summer salads to slow-cooked chicken and short ribs when temperatures drop. Her signature roasted chicken with crispy smashed potatoes over garlicky tzatziki embodies what she does best: thoughtful food that feels both special and comforting. For entertaining, Greenfield believes preparation creates ease. She handles menu planning, shopping, prep, cooking and execution so hosts can enjoy their own guests. Family-style dinners

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Broadway performer turned breast cancer awareness advocate, Sarrah Strimel-Bentley on joy mining, fertility preservation, and keeping awareness alive beyond October.

A LWAYS

there is

a chance

G IV IN G BAC K | WEL L NESS

ARTICLE BY NATHALIE CARPENTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BROOK ROAD PHOTOGRAPHY

I sat down with Sarrah Strimel - Bentley on the eve of the 30th annual Breast Cancer Alliance Luncheon and Show on October 22nd, when Sarrah will shine in the spotlight as emcee. We talked about how taking chances has changed her life, the importance of fertility preservation, and why breast cancer awareness is the evergreen conversation that deserves attention beyond October.

I was laying on a table with my arm up above my head while James was holding my hand, the doctors told me I had breast cancer before they did biopsies because they were that sure of what they saw on the ultrasound. As I was diagnosed, I went from the highest high to white noise. When I could finally recover from that absolute shock, I thought, "Wow, how silly of me to think I could have everything I wanted." I had thought that I was going to have a baby soon. I thought, "Oh, my God. I'm never going to be able to do the things on this earth that I know are in my destiny to do." I understood I had a choice to make. I could either be terrified that I wasn't going to be able to do all the things that I had dreamt about, or I could ground down, trust my medical team, and take it one day at a time. Every day I woke up, I asked myself “How do I feel? How do I make it better? How do I take the steps so I can fulfill my destiny to be alive to be a mom?”

NC: WHAT IS JOY MINING AND HOW DID IT CHALLENGE YOUR OUTLOOK DURING TREATMENT AND RECOVERY? SSB: Joy mining is a phrase that I coined while I was going through treatment. I look at it like this: sometimes you're put on a road you never wanted to walk down but you're stuck on this road, and you've gotta get to the end of it to continue. You can either walk down it heavy and depressed or you can walk down that road spending those valuable moments of your life, knowing every moment is precious. There's still joy on the worst roads, you just have to look a little harder. That's how I got through breast cancer. NC: WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT FERTILITY PRESERVATION? SSB: Fertility preservation is the topic that every single doctor should share after delivering a cancer diagnosis to any woman who hasn't finished family building. CONTINUED >

NC: IF YOUR STORY WAS A BROADWAY PRODUCTION WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT? SSB: If my life story was a Broadway musical it would be called “Joy Mining, the Musical”, or “So You're Telling Me There's a CHANCE.” I couldn’t help but envision a chorus of “Mommy, Mommy” for said musical, inspired by Sarrah’s son, Chance who was excitedly chanting "Mommy" in the background. NC: TAKE US BACK TO THE MOMENT THAT YOU WERE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER… HOW DID IT CAUSE YOU TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU WANTED FOR YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE? SSB: A few weeks earlier I had everything I had ever wanted and more. While walking with James Spencer Bentley, the love of my life, and my boyfriend of only nine months, along with our puppy on the beach in front of our new house in the Hamptons, I found a lump.

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Dr. Elisa Port is a hero and her first question to me was, "What are we going do about this tumor? What kind of surgery are we going to have?" The next thing out of her mouth was, "You two look like you're very much in love. Do you want kids?" We both said "Yes." Dr. Port said, "We're going to do two rounds of IVF immediately after surgery before you start chemotherapy." There is time for most women with hormone positive breast cancer diagnoses to do IVF safely before treatment. Fertility doctors know how to manage meds for oncology fertility patients to keep estrogen down, enabling patients to harvest as many good quality eggs as possible. Fertility preservation will not make cancer spread faster, or make it worse.

G IV IN G BAC K | WEL L NESS

Even if you go into treatment thinking you may not want kids or you're not sure, if you can handle IVF, do it. Do it for your future because I have a little kid right here yelling, "Mommy," that I would never have had if Dr. Port hadn't let me know that chemotherapy would affect my future fertility. NC: WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND "CHANCE"? SSM: I got the opportunity to do two rounds of back-to-back IVF between my mastectomy and my chemotherapy, and was able to freeze one genetically normal embryo. I looked at my husband and I said, "Honey, we have a chance." He looked at me and he said, "Chance?" And I said, "Oh my God, we have a chance! We have to name him Chance!" He was our "chance" to become parents of a biological child of our own, which was our dream long before my breast cancer diagnosis.

NC: WHAT ABOUT COLLABORATING WITH THE BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE ARE YOU MOST LIT UP ABOUT? SSM: I'm most excited about reaching a new community with my advocacy, story, and helping spread awareness to further BCA’s mission giving women access to breast cancer prevention, care, and screening, so no woman has to go through what I went through. BCA's commitment to providing screenings and testing for the underserved is close to my heart. I had to move mountains to get a test and appointment at a private radiology center that didn’t take insurance. I took a breath at the door, and almost turned away because I thought, "This is going to be really expensive.” I walked through the door saying to myself, "If this is nothing, it's not a waste of money, it’s peace of mind.” But how many women would have looked at that door, couldn’t afford it, turned away, and became metastatic? I cry thinking about that woman standing at that door realizing she can't afford a test that could save her life. BCA is helping those women have the exact same privilege that I had to get the life-saving screenings necessary to treat my breast cancer. NC: HOW CAN WE KEEP BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR RATHER THAN LIMITING IT TO OCTOBER? SSM: Breast cancer awareness is 12 months out of the year, not just October. Breast cancer doesn't stop when October is over, and neither should the conversation. Having benchmarks for yourself throughout the year like we do: “Feel it on the first”, which is giving yourself a breast exam on the first of every month, and if you see something, say something. Scheduling mammograms. Supporting nonprofits like Breast Cancer Alliance year round by giving. Checking in with your friends going through treatment, and survivors, too. Breast cancer affects one in eight women. Hopefully one day there's a cure. Until then, I use my platforms and my voice. The minute you see my face anywhere, I want women to think, "Did I get my mammogram? Did I schedule my ultrasound?" I want to be the reminder.

SARRAH STRIMEL - BENTLEY Sarrah Strimel - Bentley is a gifted speaker, a passionate breast cancer awareness advocate, fertility preservation foundation founder, and former Broadway performer. Sarrah has the kind of magnetism that inspires not only confidence but motivational quotes too.

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OCTOBER 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S O C TOBE R 4 T H

14th Annual Cider and Donut Festival Wampus Brook Park, Armonk NY | 9:00 AM Fall is sweeter in Armonk at the annual Cider and Donut Festival! Enjoy freshly made hot donuts and warm apple cider alongside a lively carnival featuring rides, music, games and a pie-eating contest. Families can also take part in kids’ races or Jamie’s 5K Run for Love. It’s a deliciously fun community tradition for all ages. O C TOBE R 1 5T H

Cultivating Hope: A Wellness Luncheon Whippoorwill Club | 11:00 AM Pause, re-center and connect with community at a restorative day of wellness, workshops, and lunch, benefiting Hope's Door's mission to protect and empower. Guests will enjoy expert-led sessions on value prioritization, cultivating hope, and developing a healthier relationship with food while gaining practical tools for intentional, everyday well-being. O C TOBE R 2 4 T H - 2 6T H

Bedford Historical Society: Battle of White Plains Re-Enactment Ward Pound Ridge Reservation | 10:30 AM Step back in time for a thrilling, large-scale reenactment of the Battle of White Plains! Experience history brought to life as reenactors recreate the sights, sounds and action of this pivotal Revolutionary War battle. Set against the beauty of the reservation, this immersive event offers a memorable experience for history buffs, families and curious visitors alike. O C TOBE R 2 5T H

FALL Run The Farm Muscoot Farm | 8:30 AM Lace up for Fall Run the Farm, a scenic 5-mile trail race through Muscoot Farm! Designed to showcase the beauty of the property and support awareness of the local farmers market, the event also features kids’ races for younger runners. Participants can enjoy the trails, fresh air and a rewarding finish with Farm Bucks to spend at the market! O C TOBE R 2 5T H

20th Annual Walk for Wishes Kingsland Point Park, Sleepy Hollow NY | 9:00 AM Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley’s Walk for Wishes: Family Fun Day Festival brings Halloween spirit and heartwarming fun to the historic village. Enjoy a scenic stroll along the Hudson River, explore the legendary glass pumpkin patch, and take part in live music, games, crafts, face painting and costume contests for both kids and pets. It’s a festive day supporting a meaningful cause. O C TOBE R 3 0 T H

Halloween on Main Armonk Square | 1:30 PM Celebrate Halloween in Armonk with an afternoon of trick-or-treating along Main Street and a festive costume parade. Families can show off their best Halloween looks, collect treats from local businesses and enjoy the spirited atmosphere throughout town. The costume parade begins at Armonk Square, making this a fun-filled community tradition for kids, families and Halloween lovers alike.

EVE N TS

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