The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Johnny Cozza

Surviving and Thriving in a Hamlet’s Pandemic: How Breezemont Rose to the Occasion

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The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world entirely. Across the globe, we saw people take initiative and ensure the safety of others with the use of masks, social distancing, and other protocols when the pandemic was still young. However, as time had passed and quarantine mandates began to lighten, there was a call to action for a safer sense of normalcy. Armonk, just like the rest of the world, faced the pandemic head on. Restaurants were only dining out, stores had limited space for consumers, and (almost) everyone wore masks. In a time of uncertainty, our town managed to come together and place the health and well-being of Armonkians above all else. 

In particular, the extraordinary initiatives put in place by places like the Byram Hills School District (which has been reported on here in a previous issue), and at Breezemont Day Camp (the focus of this article) were perfect examples of how any institution could take strides to help manage in a pandemic, even thrive, and help others thrive.  In the fall of 2020, the pandemic was at one of its many peaks.

With more people falling ill, there was a push for things to return as they once were…

Schools began to teach in person again, but the risk of exposure was high. As a way of making ends meet, Breezemont set up  up day care for children of teachers within our district! Within this facility, there were rooms students could take online classes, a playground for recess, and various other utilities that allowed these children to have a good time even if the world felt bleak. Although it might not seem like much, this opportunity allowed for those children to return to a sense of normalcy for the time being. Amongst the chaos of this pandemic, it was a trying time to be alive. Though options were slim and everyone had been waiting for a vaccination, these children could experience somewhat of a regular classroom experience. Within the nurturing walls of Breezemont, these children grew, experienced a once and a lifetime pandemic, and made friends with others they wouldn’t have met otherwise. 

Working amongst these children during this time was extremely valuable, personally. Seeing how the pandemic had affected people from ages 10 to 12 allowed me to step back and look at this pandemic from a different perspective. Most notably, I saw how their relationships developed with one another; most of them came into this program not knowing the other kids who were involved. Some had siblings, but others didn’t. Watching them adapt to their environment and create friendships with strangers was not only endearing to watch, but provided an escape from the daily dread that resulted from the  pandemic.

I remember when I was working with one of the children, it had been their first day, and it was scary. Being placed in an environment where you know no one can be intimidating, so being able to provide a sense of comfort to those kids made it all worthwhile.

As a community, Armonk came together and that type of unity is what got us through the pandemic. Without each other, who knows what would have happened.

Armonk’s Pizza Scene Surprises

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Pizza, although a simple dish, can be cooked in a variety of ways. The essentials usually remain the same: marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pizza dough. Universally loved, pizza is ubiquitous fare in many corners of the world.

 In our corner called Armonk, we’re lucky enough to have multiple pizzerias within our small hamlet. From Nick’s Pizzeria to Broadway Pizzeria, each restaurant has their own recipe for the same dish–a regular slice of pizza.

 I, being the investigative journalist I am, ventured out into the streets of Armonk in hopes to find the perfect slice of pizza. On my journey, I came across remarkable slices that were just waiting for someone to review them, and that is where I come in.

 To begin, the first pizzeria I flirted with was Nick’s Pizza and Ice Cream. For $4.16 per regular slice, the individual slice of pizza is ginormous; it’s also a firm slice, which I happen to prefer when eating pizza. Sometimes, when a piece of pizza is too flimsy, it immediately reveals to the consumer the amount of grease in the dish.

 Happily biting into my firm regular slice, I am met with a balanced combination of marinara sauce, cheese, and oregano. The sauce was sweet with a distinct flavor that separated this slice of pizza from the rest. The crust was crunchy, yet soft, which is a very important quality to look for. Bonus points for the air bubbles in the dough; they’re delicious and my favorite part of a slice.

 The next Pizzeria I visited was Amore Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen. This restaurant has called Armonk a home for years. Originally located in Armonk Town Center, they relocated to Main Street and revamped their aesthetic. At Amore, a regular slice goes for $3.94. The cheese and sauce complemented one another nicely. The crust offers a generously saucy bite and adds to the overall flavor combination, leaving the consumer with yet another positive pizza eating experience. Additionally, the slice was a big one, which surprised me. I didn’t realize how often the idea of giant slices of pizza had been visited, but at least you get more out of your purchase that way!

 The grand finale of my town-wide hunt for the perfect slice of pizza ends with Broadway Pizzeria, the heart of Armonk’s Main Street. This slice of pizza, to everyone’s surprise, is yet another successful preparation of a plain slice of pizza., Broadway’s pizza is a cheesey delight–the cheese to sauce ratio is weighed heavily on the cheese side, which can be seen in the lighter coloration of the pizza. The crust was a refreshing reminder of my Italian roots, reminding me that Nonno isn’t the only one who can make a magnificent pizza. Their crust, as always, is light and fluffy. A satisfying finish to a satisfying meal.

 With my research concluded, I can confidently determine that these slices don’t have a clear winner. Each slice of pizza provided a different experience than the last; in Armonk, I did conclude, you can never go wrong with which pizzeria you go to; they’re all delicious!