This fall, one of Connecticut’s favorite seasonal traditions is taking on a very special meaning.
A five-acre corn maze honoring the late Dolly Parton will open at Twins BBQ Co. in Brookfield on September 5. Originally planned as a joyful celebration of the country music icon and the 31st anniversary of her beloved Imagination Library, the attraction has now become a heartfelt memorial following Dolly’s passing on August 25 at the age of 80.
The Brookfield maze is one of only 20 corn mazes across the United States and Canada participating in the “Get Lost with Dolly” campaign. Designed by Utah-based The MAiZE Inc., the experience celebrates everything fans loved about Dolly—her music, warmth, humor, generosity and unwavering commitment to helping children.
A Fall Adventure Filled With Dolly Magic
The maze stretches across five acres and includes more than a mile of winding pathways. Visitors can choose between two different routes: a shorter journey expected to take approximately 30 to 40 minutes or a longer adventure that may take more than an hour to complete.
Along the way, guests can search for clues, test their knowledge with Dolly Parton trivia and enjoy her unforgettable music. There will also be Dolly-themed photo opportunities, storytelling sessions and plenty of family-friendly farm activities.
Before her passing, Dolly recorded a personal video encouraging families and friends to visit the participating farms, enjoy a little country magic and make memories together. Knowing that Dolly was personally involved in promoting the project makes the Brookfield experience feel even more meaningful.
Supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
A portion of the proceeds from the corn maze will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the children’s literacy program she founded in 1995.
The program was created in honor of Dolly’s father, who was unable to attend school and never learned to read or write. What began as a small initiative in her Tennessee hometown eventually grew into an international program that provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth through age five.
For more than three decades, the Imagination Library has helped children develop a love of reading while giving families the opportunity to build their own libraries at home. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Dolly’s extraordinary legacy—and one that will continue touching young lives for generations.
More Than a Corn Maze
In addition to the Dolly-themed maze, visitors can enjoy classic fall activities, including corn pits, duck races and other seasonal attractions. Of course, a visit to Twins BBQ Co. would not be complete without stopping for some delicious barbecue.
The maze will remain open from September 5 through November 7, making it a wonderful outing for families, friends and Dolly fans throughout the fall season.
Plan Your Visit
The Corn Maze at Twins BBQ Co.
401 Federal Road
Brookfield, Connecticut
Dates: September 5 through November 7, 2026
This is so much more than a day at the farm. It is an opportunity to celebrate fall, spend time with the people you love and honor a woman whose kindness, talent and generosity brought so much happiness to the world.
So put on your favorite boots, gather your family and friends, and get ready to get lost with Dolly. As she so beautifully demonstrated throughout her life, having a little fun while helping others is always a wonderful idea.
There are few events that capture the energy, creativity, and spirit of Westchester quite like JazzFest White Plains. This September, one of the region’s most anticipated cultural celebrations returns for five unforgettable days, bringing internationally acclaimed artists, exciting performances, and a vibrant festival atmosphere to the heart of downtown White Plains.
Presented by Montefiore Einstein, JazzFest White Plains is produced through a unique collaboration between ArtsWestchester, The City of White Plains, and the White Plains BID, creating an event that celebrates not only world-class music but also the thriving arts and culture scene that makes Westchester such a special place to live and visit.
Five Days of World-Class Jazz
From September 23–27, 2026, audiences can experience an exciting lineup of performances featuring renowned jazz musicians, rising stars, and unforgettable live entertainment. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable evening out, JazzFest offers something for everyone.
The festival transforms downtown White Plains into a lively destination where music fills the streets, venues come alive, and visitors can enjoy everything from intimate performances to larger concert experiences.
More Than a Music Festival
What makes JazzFest White Plains so special is that it is much more than a concert series. It’s a celebration of community.
Visitors can enjoy:
- World-class jazz performances
- Grammy Award-winning artists
- Free and ticketed concerts
- Multiple venues throughout downtown White Plains
- Local restaurants, shopping, and nightlife
- An atmosphere that welcomes music lovers of every generation
The festival has become one of Westchester County’s signature cultural events, drawing audiences from throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Explore Downtown White Plains
One of the best parts of JazzFest is the opportunity to spend the day exploring everything White Plains has to offer before or after a performance.
Make an evening of it by:
- Enjoying dinner at one of the city’s outstanding restaurants
- Visiting local shops and boutiques
- Meeting friends for cocktails before the show
- Discovering new artists and venues throughout the festival
It’s the perfect excuse to plan a date night, family outing, or weekend getaway without ever leaving Westchester.
Presented by Montefiore Einstein
JazzFest White Plains is presented by Montefiore Einstein, whose commitment to advancing health and supporting the communities it serves extends beyond medicine and into the arts. Their sponsorship helps make this signature cultural celebration possible, enriching the lives of residents and visitors through the power of live music, creativity, and community.
A Community Partnership
JazzFest White Plains is produced through a collaborative partnership between ArtsWestchester, The City of White Plains, and the White Plains BID. Together, these organizations continue to bring exceptional arts programming to downtown White Plains, creating an event that has become a beloved annual tradition for Westchester County.
Save the Date
If you’re looking for one of the most exciting cultural events of the fall, be sure to mark your calendar.
JazzFest White Plains
Presented by Montefiore Einstein
📅 September 23–27, 2026
📍 Downtown White Plains, New York
Whether you’re attending one performance or spending the entire weekend enjoying the music, JazzFest White Plains promises unforgettable performances, incredible talent, and an atmosphere that celebrates the very best of live jazz.
We encourage everyone to experience this extraordinary five-day celebration of music, culture, and community. Gather your family and friends, explore downtown White Plains, and enjoy one of Westchester’s premier arts events.
In the heart of Chappaqua, House of 29 continues to set the tone for thoughtful, elevated shopping experiences. Curated by Sarah Mass David, the boutique has become known for introducing its clientele to brands with depth—and this season, that spotlight turns to Three Stories Jewelry.
At the center of the brand is a powerful idea: jewelry should mean something. The Stories of Love Collection reflects themes of unity, hope, and connection, brought to life through their signature Love Explosion motif a radiant diamond starburst symbolizing both personal and universal love. Each piece is designed not just to be worn, but to represent something deeply personal.
What sets Three Stories apart is its modern approach to versatility. Their collections are designed to evolve with the wearer layered, styled, and reimagined in multiple ways. Signature hoops and interchangeable charms act as the foundation, offering endless combinations that transition effortlessly from day to evening. It’s fine jewelry that feels as dynamic as the women wearing it.
The brand’s recent recognition at the prestigious COUTURE Design Awards in Las Vegas only reinforces what insiders already know this is a collection with both beauty and substance.
Save the Date: A One-Day Styling Event & Piercing Party
House of 29 is bringing this experience to life with an exclusive, one-day-only event:
Three Stories Styling Event & Piercing Party
Wednesday, April 29th | 12–7 PM
@ House of 29, 39 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua
Guests will have the rare opportunity to shop the entire collection in person while receiving expert styling advice directly from a Three Stories representative. Whether you’re looking to refresh your everyday pieces or create a more layered, curated jewelry wardrobe, this is the moment to do it.
The event will also feature a piercing party, allowing guests to personalize their look even further building out ear stacks with the brand’s signature earrings, charms, and meaningful motifs.
This is more than a shopping event—it’s an invitation to discover jewelry that tells your story, styled your way.
For appointments and piercing bookings, contact House of 29 directly or visit www.houseof29.com.
House of 29
Lifestyle Boutique Curated By Sarah Mass David
39 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua, NY 10514
Phone & Text: 914.861.2928
www.houseof29.com Webstore
Email: Concierge@houseof29.com
Like and Follow @houseof29
There are moments in fashion—and in life—when style becomes something more than what we wear. It becomes a story. A reflection. A legacy.
This season, that philosophy comes to life in one of the most talked-about auctions in the luxury world: “Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow — Lexicon of Style & The Archival Edit.”
And for those who understand the power of curated living, this is not just an auction—it is an invitation into a lifestyle.
✨ A Rare Glimpse Into a Curated Life
For the first time, Gwyneth Paltrow is opening her personal archives—offering a deeply personal collection of fashion, jewelry, furniture, and design pieces that have defined her aesthetic over decades.
This is not a typical celebrity sale.
It is a fully realized world—where red carpet glamour meets the quiet elegance of her Montecito and Hamptons interiors.
Think:
- Effortless neutral palettes
- Sculptural furniture
- Archival couture
- Pieces that feel both aspirational and livable
It’s the exact balance NS Lifestyles readers appreciate—elevated, but never unattainable.
💎 The Fashion: A Timeline of Iconic Style
The fashion component reads like a visual diary of modern style.
Among the highlights:
- A 2010 Atelier Versace ombré gown worn during Country Strong promotions
- A Giorgio Armani Privé ensemble from Iron Man 3 premieres
- A Christian Dior gown (1999) and rare archival pieces from the Galliano era
- Original Ralph Lauren Oscar gown sketches from her Academy Award-winning moment
These are not just garments—they are cultural markers, tied to defining moments in fashion and film.
And yet, what makes this collection so compelling is how wearable so much of it feels—rooted in that signature quiet luxury aesthetic she has perfected.
🏡 Beyond the Closet: A Lifestyle Collection
What truly sets this auction apart is the inclusion of interiors.
For the first time, this “Bold Luxury” collection expands beyond fashion to include:
- A Lindsey Adelman branching chandelier
- Sculptural pieces like the Julian Mayor Lunar Table
- Jean Royère-inspired seating and artisanal furnishings
These are the pieces that shaped her private spaces—the ones rarely seen, yet deeply influential.
It’s a reminder that true style doesn’t stop at the wardrobe.
It extends into how we live.
🌿 A Philosophy of Letting Go
At the heart of this collection is a mindset that feels especially relevant right now.
Paltrow has long believed:
When something new comes in, something else should go.
This auction reflects a personal shift—allowing pieces to find new life with new owners.
There is something incredibly chic about that.
Not accumulation—but curation.
🤍 Style With Purpose
Even more meaningful—a portion of the proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen, supporting global humanitarian efforts.
Luxury, with intention.
Exactly the direction the modern collector is moving toward.
For NS Lifestyles readers, this auction represents something larger than celebrity.
It reflects:
- The rise of quiet luxury
- The blending of fashion + interiors
- A shift toward intentional collecting
- And the idea that style is not about more—it’s about meaning
Gwyneth Paltrow has built an entire aesthetic around that philosophy.
Now, she’s letting others step inside it.
📍 Event Details
- Auction: Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow — Lexicon of Style & The Archival Edit
- Dates: March 24–25, 2026
- Location: The Peninsula Beverly Hills
- Explore & Bid:
If you’ve ever wondered how department stores came to shape modern urban life, style culture, and even women’s work, then Palm Beach’s Flagler Museum’s new exhibition, May I Help You, Madame? The Making of the Modern Department Store offers a rich, immersive journey through that transformation. Running from November 11, 2025 to May 24, 2026, it’s a thoughtful look at how a simple idea of mass retail blossomed into a cultural phenomenon.
🏛️ From Paris to Palm Beach: How Department Stores Changed Everything
The exhibition traces its origins to 19th-century Paris, spotlighting venues like Le Bon Marché — widely considered one of the pioneering modern department stores. From there, the concept spread globally, reaching American cities where firms such as Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman, and regional players like Wanamaker’s adapted the model to suit a rapidly changing society.
These stores didn’t just sell goods — they reimagined space, commerce, and culture. Grand architecture, sweeping interiors, and theatrical display became part of a new urban experience. Department stores turned shopping into a social ritual and transformed consumerism into a lifestyle.
👗 Women at the Center: Consumers and Shopgirls — A Dual Shift
One of the most compelling angles of the exhibition is how it centers on women: as both patrons and workers. The “shopgirl,” once a marginal role, gained visibility and respect. These women navigated structured employment, elegant settings, and — for some — a path toward financial independence.
On the flip side, department stores targeted female consumers with unprecedented sophistication. Through fashion, leisure, and carefully curated environments, they helped craft and propagate new ideals of femininity. Shopping became more than a necessity — it became a cultural expression, a statement of identity, aspiration, and belonging.
🎨 Beyond Commerce: Art, Display & Cultural Impact
The show also dives into the artistry behind window displays and store design. Indeed, upcoming lectures reflect this — including a talk by famed window dresser Simon Doonan, titled “Creating Desire: The Changing Face of Window Dressing.” His presentation aims to reveal how displays evolved into powerful tools of storytelling, style, and public seduction.
This angle reminds us that department stores weren’t just retail venues — they were stages. They shaped public taste, memory, and even social interaction. The show invites visitors to see them not only as marketplaces, but as early cultural centers, where commerce, art, identity, and social change intersected.
👇 Who Should Check This Out — and Why
- History & design lovers — If you’re fascinated by architecture, urban history, or the evolution of retail spaces, this exhibit is a gold mine.
- Students of gender and social change — The role of women in department stores marks a major shift in employment, social mobility, and consumer culture.
- Fashion & culture enthusiasts — Want to understand how modern retail and style were born? This show draws the line from 19th-century Paris to contemporary fashion powerhouses.
- Families & curious minds — There’s even a children’s program where kids build their own window-dressing diorama, showing how these big ideas can speak to all ages.
“May I Help You, Madame?” isn’t just about shopping — it’s about transformation. It reveals how department stores recast the way we live, work, and see ourselves. They were crucibles of cultural change: blending commerce with art, fashion with identity, and public space with private desire.
If you’re in Palm Beach (or making the trip), this exhibition is a unique chance to walk through the story of modern consumer society — from grand arcades of Paris to bustling streets of New York, from working-class shopgirls to luxury clientele, from simple commerce to the spectacle of desire.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Museum’s website HERE.
Something extra sweet is coming to Wainwright House’s Gingerbread Showcase — and it’s more than just the icing on the gingerbread!
At the Opening Celebration on Saturday, November 29 at 4 p.m., Rye Mayor Josh Cohn will officially declare the Chocolate Rye Cookie as the Official Cookie of Rye, NY. Created by Culinary Instructor Melanie Underwood of Nourish & Gather, this deeply flavorful cookie is more than a delicious treat — it’s a cookie with a cause.
The Chocolate Rye Cookie was developed to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research through the national nonprofit Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Thanks to Melanie’s creativity and generosity, Rye now joins the ranks of cities with their own signature cookies — from New York City’s iconic Black-and-White Cookie to Boston’s Chocolate Chip Cookie — and celebrates one that makes a difference.
🍪 A Sweet Celebration with Purpose
During the Opening Event, Melanie will host a live demonstration on how to make the Chocolate Rye Cookie, offering guests a chance to see her artistry in action. Attendees will enjoy fresh samples of the cookie and learn more about its inspiring mission to support children’s cancer research.
Adding to the excitement, FinaMill — whose innovative spice grinder helped inspire the cookie’s creation — has generously donated a FinaMill Spice Grinder Gift Set that will be raffled off to one lucky attendee during the kickoff celebration. It’s a fun, flavorful way to celebrate creativity, community, and compassion — all in one bite.
🇮🇹 Taste of Calabria with Sotto Il Sole
The showcase’s Naming Sponsor, Sotto Il Sole, will bring the warmth and richness of southern Italy to Wainwright House. Known for its exquisite farm-to-table products from Calabria, Sotto Il Sole offers extra virgin olive oils, artisanal vinegars, gourmet condiments, and sun-dried fruits and vegetables — all crafted from the fertile lands of this celebrated Italian region.
Guests will be able to sample many of these fine foods at the Kickoff Celebration and other events throughout the Gingerbread Showcase. These products make perfect holiday gifts or hostess presents, and will be available for purchase at Wainwright House. In the true spirit of giving, Sotto Il Sole will donate 15% of all event sales back to Wainwright House to support its mission of community enrichment and joy.
🎄 A Festive Experience for All
The Opening Celebration will also feature the spectacular Gingerbread Showcase — a display of stunning, edible architecture crafted by local bakers — and plenty of family-friendly holiday fun. Guests will enjoy refreshments, seasonal music, and the chance to capture memories with the life-sized gingerbread photo display donated by Christmas in America, a cherished event sponsor.
To make the celebration even brighter, attendees will receive a QR code for 25% off purchases at Christmas In America Mt. Vernon store, a perfect opportunity to add a little extra sparkle to the season.
🎟 Registration and Details
Space is limited for this exciting kickoff, and registration is required for all events during the Gingerbread Showcase. Wainwright House requests a suggested $10 donation for the Opening Celebration to help support its community programs and partnerships like Feeding Westchester.
The Gingerbread Showcase runs November 29–December 12, 2025, at Wainwright House, 260 Stuyvesant Avenue in Rye, NY.
For registration and the full event schedule, visit www.wainwright.org/gingerbreadshowcase.
✨ Join the Celebration
Wainwright House invites the community to kick off the holiday season with sweetness, generosity, and joy. From the Official Cookie of Rye to Calabrian holiday flavors, gingerbread masterpieces, and a chance to win a FinaMill Spice Grinder Gift Set, this event has something for everyone to savor.
Celebrate creativity. Support a cause. And enjoy the spirit of the season at Wainwright House’s Gingerbread Showcase Opening Celebration!