This August is a special month for me since it marks my 15th anniversary as publisher of Westchester Magazine. It’s been a rewarding 15 years for me watching the magazine grow and evolve into the informative, entertaining, highly regarded publication it is today. It would take much more than this memo’s allotted space to tell you how much we’ve accomplished over the years—and even more space to express how proud I am of those accomplishments. So when I hear positive comments from readers about the magazine—which I often do—it’s extremely rewarding. In fact, the most rewarding thing for me is when people tell me how much they look forward to receiving their copy of Westchester Magazine each month—music to a publisher’s ears!
I’ve received lots of feedback, both good and bad, from readers over the years. Accolades are wonderful, but it’s important that we hear the negative comments as well as the positive. By hearing the negative feedback, it helps us turn out a better publication; we love hearing what you like as well as what you don’t; that’s what’s helped shape our magazine. The fact that you, our readers, are engaged, that you care enough about what you’re reading to give us feedback—is vital. That’s our lifeline.
Here are a few reader comments we’ve received this past year:
My first subscriber copy arrived today. So excited to find in the mailbox, I actually cheered!
Lots of fun things added to my summer to-do list—great issue!
Oh my gosh, the pizza at The Parlor in Dobbs Ferry looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I eat at Blackstones with my husband every Saturday and this is the best steakhouse in the area. Actually, the best restaurant in the area. This lady is clearly off her rocker…[referring to Julia Sexton’s review in the February 2014 issue]
Just finished reading the cover story on great getaways. I was happy to find several places I’d like to try out for myself. Thanks for the great tips.
…I can’t say I’m a fan of the new material used for the cover. I left my iPad on top of the magazine, which stuck to the back. Now portions of the magazine cover are stuck to my iPad and have not been able to be removed.
Love this guide! Gonna try some of your suggestions tomorrow. [referring to the February, 2014, “Morning Glories” cover story]
August also is our annual—and popular—Dining/Restaurant Issue. This year, the cover story focuses on restaurants that many people don’t know about—whether because the restaurant doesn’t market itself well or is in a tough location or other reasons—but should, like the lively wine bar Sorell in New Rochelle, whose kitchen is helmed by esteemed Chef Christopher Daley, who’s worked at Bouley and with Thomas Keller of Per Se and The French Laundry, or the worthwhile Rivertown Greek eatery that isn’t named Lefteris. See more about these two, plus 10 other under-the-radar restaurants, on page 52.
Yonkers, New York’s fourth largest city, is the subject of another feature this month (see page 68). The oft-maligned City of Hills has been in a seven-year downtown-redevelopment rut. After some progress along the waterfront in 2007, including the opening of Peter Kelly’s X2O Xaviars on the Hudson, not much has happened on many of the proposed downtown development projects, mainly due to the recession of 2008/09. But now, the real estate developers are back, poking around in the abandoned warehouses and empty lots. Freelance writer Dave Donelson tackles the tough question: Is Yonkers on the threshold of a reawakening, or is this just another false start?
If you can’t get enough of the printed magazine, make sure you visit westchestermagazine.com for expanded daily content or to sign up for our recently revamped e-newsletter Westchester Today.
Here’s to another 15 years!!
