Fresh from the airport, after returning home from shooting some final scenes of his movie in the Moroccan desert, Gary McKendry seemed delighted to be back. “Driving into Katonah, I was just hit with the beauty of the lush green grass, the flowers and trees in the neighborhoods,” he says. It has been a busy year-and-a half for the Irish-born filmmaker who lives in Katonah with his wife and two daughters. He is wrapping up his first feature length film that he both directed and co-wrote—an action-thriller that was shot in several countries—entitled “Killer Elite,” starring among others, Jason …

Northern Westchester has certainly attracted more than it's fair number of talented and artistic residents. Patch met with Katonah-local Linda Dannenberg, to learn more about her writing and publishing career, which has focused on French style and cuisine.  Author of 11 books, Dannenberg has also written articles for the New York Times and Travel & Leisure magazine. Dannenberg's latest project, The French Country Diary 2011, an elegant, illustrated engagement calendar, is available locally for purchase at Fine Lines in Katonah and Borders Book Store in Mt. Kisco. Dannenberg will be signing …

Bedford-Katonah Patch: How long have you been doing this job? BJ: This is my sixth year as a crossing guard, out here twice a day. I retired from the United States Post Office after 31 years of service. Bedford-Katonah Patch: Are you a local? BJ: Yes. I was born in Bedford Hills and have lived in Katonah for the past twenty-five years. I went to elementary and high school at St. Mary's. Bedford-Katonah Patch: Is there more traffic these days? BJ:  Well, traffic has gotten heavier. Also, there are many older drivers who were used to several areas that did not have stop signs before, who will …

Name:   Janis Lozano Age:     31 Occupation:  Make-up artist Bedford-Katonah Patch: What brings you to Katonah? Lozano: I found that I was sharing many of the same clients as Eiluj, a salon that has been in Katonah for five years.  I love the area - it's such a nice retreat from the city, so I came to work up here four days a week.  It is really laid back with a great lifestyle. Bedford-Katonah Patch: Okay, let's name drop.  Who are some of the famous faces you have made up? Lozano: Well, there are lots.   I've worked with Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Yoko Ono, Nathan Lane, Jane Fonda, …

He travels two hundred days a year but always comes home to Katonah.  John Scofield - jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader and recording artist has produced over thirty albums and continues to tour worldwide. The legendary musician who moves easily from jazz to rock, blues, fusion, soul and improvisation continues to make his mark as one of the best of his generation. He began playing guitar at age 11, having moved from Ohio to suburban Connecticut and thus began his steady ascent to the top of the jazz world.  He has lived in Katonah for the past 16 years. Scofield's work has included …

It all started with the idea that women over 40 needed an online destination with compelling and intelligent content. So in March 2008, Joni Evans and a circle of her friends including gossip columnist Liz Smith, advertising executive Mary Wells Lawrence and journalists Lesley Stahl and Peggy Noonan, launched wowOwow.com. It has been a hectic two years. Joni Evans' 35-year career in the publishing industry includes heading both Simon & Schuster and Random House and representing numerous best-selling authors at the William Morris Agency. Evans recently talked to Patch about the future of books…

His works of art make you stop and take a closer look. Then they make you feel a bit like a voyeur of a fascinating and sometimes disturbing world. Thomas Doyle is the Katonah-based creator of these tiny scenes under glass, that fetch up to five thousand dollars apiece. The New York Times Magazine has commissioned Doyle to create miniature sculptures for the covers of its annual architecture issue and of its Book Review. Recently, he discussed the unique style of his fine art with Patch. How did your art career lead you to create works on such a miniature scale?  I went to art school and …

A hamlet that is celebrating its 100-year mark, and a couple who has lived in the same house there for 60 years. For a fitting commemoration of these milestones, Patch sat down for a conversation with Jaap and Conny Ketting to reflect on life in their beloved town of Bedford Hills, New York. Having seen the evolution of a place that is such a vital part of Bedford today, this warm and lovely couple could aptly be considered the "village elders" of Bedford Hills. On the day we sat down to talk about their years on Roosevelt Avenue, Jaap and Conny were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary…

They hail from the Republic of Georgia and now spend their days cutting, shaving and trimming hair in Katonah. The Katonah Barber Shop has been at the same location on Katonah Avenue for forty years and has been owned and operated by Peter Suyunov for the last twelve. Along with Alex Fayziev and David Davidov, the trio has come to love the area and people of Bedford and surrounding towns. Where do you all live?We live in Queens, NY and commute six days a week to our shop here. How long have you been cutting hair?Alex: I have been at it continuously for forty-five years!Peter: In my country, I…

 It would not be Halloween in Katonah without walking up Terrace Heights and stopping by "Creepy Pete's" house. Peter Linz, a renowned puppeteer and all-around nice guy, recently talked to Patch about his work and life in Katonah. He has had a long career with the Jim Henson Company and Sesame Street and has played characters such as Tutter and Pip on Bear in the Big Blue House. Add to that a successful run on Broadway's Avenue Q and several movie credits. What attracted you to puppetry?I have always loved it, even in my earliest memories. I grew up at the exact time when the Muppets and …

Meet Cathryn Long, Katonah resident, mom and animal talent agent. For nearly 54 years, her family-run agency has been providing animals and production expertise for print, television and movies. "All Creatures Great & Small," as the agency is now called, supplied animals for the Captain Kangaroo show for 30 years, winning two Emmy awards. They continue to be compassionate representatives for animal stars today. We spoke recently about her work and her affection for Katonah. Q: What are the qualities that a pet needs to "make it" in the film world?A: There are lots of adorable pets out there …