PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON
This cycle I’ve tried something new for the back-to school issue. In my short time as Inside Press publisher, I’ve come across many incredibly smart, talented, and successful alumni from our school districts. I decided to focus on an alumnus whose accomplishments I thought were worth sharing with the community.
Tom Kitt, Byram Hills High School Class of 1992, our Inside Armonk cover story, has won a Tony Award for Best Original Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his show Next to Normal. Tom is a distinguished composer and musician who has also won Emmy’s, a Grammy and his list of nominations goes on for days. All this and he is kind, grounded, and a father of three. I was thrilled, honored and a bit star-struck in getting to know Tom and gaining some insight about his time at Byram Hills.
In Chappaqua, I found that most residents were familiar with the beloved restaurant, The Kittle House and that the new owners are a fantastic Chappaqua family – The Krase’s. The day-to-day operations will be handled by the oldest child, Jackson, Horace Greeley Class of 2015. Jackson along with his parents Christie & Scott and the newly renovated Kittle House Inn are the fall Inside Chappaqua cover story. I so enjoyed learning more about this very special family and the cherished landmark they are now proud owners of.
Ali Ewoldt, Pleasantville High School Class of 1999 is our Pleasantville/Briarcliff Manor back-to-school cover story. Ali, a proud native of Pleasantville, has dazzled audiences on Broadway with standout roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. She made history as the first Asian American Christine in Phantom on Broadway and has proven herself a true trailblazer in musical theater. Ali’s career is a testament to talent, perseverance, and star power and was pure joy to work with on this issue.
There’s something about the start of fall that feels like a fresh notebook – crisp, clean, and full of possibilities. Around town, the air turns a little sharper, the leaves begin their quiet show, and families trade beach towels for book bags. It’s back-to-school season, but it’s also back-to-routine, back-to-community, and back to the small-town rhythms we love.
So, whether you’re chasing the bus, chasing your sanity, or chasing the perfect cider doughnut, welcome to fall in our favorite community.
Elise Trainor
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
