PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Sandy Di Angelis 22, Oct 3 mins
3 mins
The Ritz Herald
Hamptons Polo. © Rob Rich / Society Allure

As the summer season winds down across the Northeast, premier equestrian institutions are preparing their annual migration south — a movement that carries significant economic ripple effects for communities on both ends of the seasonal circuit.

The Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut, and Hamptons Polo are now wrapping up their late-summer schedules and transitioning operations to Florida, where the winter season in Wellington and surrounding equestrian hubs will soon be in full swing.

These storied venues traditionally operate from June through early September, drawing elite riders, horses, sponsors and spectators from around the world. Greenwich Polo’s season typically runs through September, while the Hampton Classic’s showjumping calendar also concludes in early fall before reactivating in the Sunshine State.

But the shift south is more than logistical — it’s economic.

The equestrian industry is a powerful force nationwide. In New York State alone, it generates an estimated $7 billion annually and supports more than 52,000 jobs, according to industry data. Nationally, the American Horse Council’s 2023 report values the U.S. horse industry at approximately $177 billion, touching 2.2 million jobs directly or indirectly. The Hampton Classic alone has previously calculated a local economic impact of over $95 million during its event week.

CURRENT EDITION

WEATHER

TODAY

Kabir McNeely’s Standout Supporting Role Shines in Fallaway — A Raw Exploration of Queer Love Premiering at The Roxie
The Ritz Herald

Fallaway will celebrate its world premiere on October 9, 2025, at the historic Roxie Theater, followed by a week-long theatrical run at the Presidio Theater from October 10–16, 2025. Rising actor Kabir McNeely, delivering a quietly magnetic supporting turn as Giovanni, will join audiences for special Q&A screenings following…

The Canvas and the Metropolis: Lunjia Hu on Finding Order in the Beautiful Chaos of New York
The Ritz Herald

For any artist, New York City is not merely a location; it is an active participant in the creative process. Its relentless energy, its gridlock of human stories, and its architectural symphony of glass and brick can either overwhelm or inspire. For painter Lunjia Hu, the city has become…

Strategic Realism and Human-Centric Diplomacy: A Comparative Tribute
The Ritz Herald

In today’s fractured, multipolar world—shaped by rising tensions, shifting alliances, and global crises—grasping modern diplomacy is essential for navigating complexity and conflict.

This comparative analysis honors two seminal scholars whose contributions have substantially shaped the theory and practice of modern diplomacy: Dr. Henry Kissinger and Dr. Mosi Dorbayani. While Kissinger’s…

The Allure and Anatomy of the Japanese Sword: From Spine to Kissaki
The Ritz Herald

The Japanese sword (nihontō) transcends its function as a weapon to embody centuries of metallurgical genius, aesthetic philosophy, and samurai ethos. Its construction—a harmonious blend of art and engineering—reveals why it remains an object of global fascination. Here, we unravel its secrets from the resilient ​backbone (mune)​ to the…

5 mins
© Unsplash
The Ritz Herald
SaudiDialect: Revolutionizing Arabic learning with cultural immersion and personalized instruction

A newly launched online course platform, SaudiDialect, is making waves by offering students from around the world structured instruction in the Saudi dialect of Arabic, paired with deep insights into the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, and social landscape.

The platform emphasizes a holistic learning experience: not only will participants learn vocabulary and grammar from the ground up, but they will also explore Saudi landmarks, traditions, modern developments, and the Kingdom’s forward-looking vision, Saudi Vision 2030. According to the site, learners can expect “step-by-step progression from the basics of Arabic to the intermediate level.”

What the Platform Offers

  • Structured Lessons: The course begins with foundational grammar and vocabulary, then advances into dialect usage and cultural context to help learners “communicate effectively.”
  • Cultural Modules: Specialized lessons focus exclusively on Saudi Arabia’s heritage, landscapes, traditions, and modern transformations. These modules help contextualize language within the broader cultural compass of the region.
  • Pronunciation Help: A standout feature is the inclusion of English transliterations with Arabic text to aid pronunciation and reduce entry barriers for beginners.
  • Interactive Elements: The site highlights downloadable worksheets for offline practice, mix-and-match quizzes, “drag-and-drop” exercises, and other interactive learning tools.
  • Live Classes & Archives: Learners have access to live virtual classes taught…
6 mins
© Tanya Barrow
The Ritz Herald
Discover why buying seasonal produce from local markets supports better health, sustainability, and community in Lancaster County

Walk through any farmers market in Lancaster County, and you’ll notice something special — the colors, the aromas, the friendly conversations between farmers and shoppers. Buying seasonal produce isn’t just a nostalgic return to simpler times; it’s a smart, sustainable way to eat that benefits your health, your wallet, and your local community.

At a time when convenience often trumps connection, rediscovering the value of seasonal, local food can make a big difference — for both your family and the farmers who feed you.

What Does “Seasonal” Really Mean?

Eating seasonally means enjoying fruits and vegetables when they’re naturally ready for harvest in your area. Instead of relying on produce shipped thousands of miles from different climates, you’re eating what’s currently thriving in local soil.

In Lancaster County, that might mean asparagus and strawberries in the spring, tomatoes and sweet corn in the summer, apples and pumpkins in the fall, and hearty root vegetables like carrots and potatoes through winter.

This approach connects you to the rhythm of nature — and reminds you that food tastes best when it’s grown in its proper season.

The Flavor Advantage of Local Produce

When you bite into a strawberry that was picked that morning rather than a week ago…

Master of the Comeback Arc: From Indie Winner to A-List Force, the Enzo Zelocchi Blueprint
The Ritz Herald

In Hollywood, where careers can collapse almost as quickly as they begin, the idea of a comeback is no longer limited to stars clawing their way back from obscurity. The more interesting story is how actors reinvent themselves through versatility, vision, and control of their own narrative.

Enzo Zelocchi belongs…

WHAT CAFE Presents “Seesaws”: An Exploration of Nature, Humanity, and Shifting Values Through the Eyes of 19 Female Artists
The Ritz Herald

Tokyo, Japan – This September, Warehouse TERRADA’s innovative art gallery cafe, WHAT CAFE, will host “Seesaws,” a thought-provoking group exhibition featuring 19 contemporary female artists. Curated by guest curator Reiko Itabashi, the exhibition will run from Thursday, September 11th to Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025. Through a diverse array of…

Why Choosing a Local Florist Makes Every Bouquet More Meaningful
The Ritz Herald

Flowers have always carried more meaning than meets the eye. A single bouquet can brighten someone’s day, celebrate milestones, or provide comfort in difficult times. But when it comes to choosing where your flowers come from, the source matters just as much as the blooms themselves. While nationwide delivery…

Duke Valentour Provides a Look at Nature’s Toughest Multi-Sport Challenges
The Ritz Herald

Outdoor multi-sports are redefining the boundaries of endurance and athleticism. These combine numerous activities, such as trail running, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, or alpine skiing, into one demanding expedition that stretches across multiple terrains. From iconic global races like the Patagonian Expedition Race to personal backcountry pursuits, participants are…

11 mins
The Ritz Herald
Rose Barbantan with Eric Acevedo for SHIFT, Dance. Arts. & Media. © Ansa du Toit, 2024

The expression “tools of the trade”, rooted in the Middle Ages, refers to the necessary equipment and skillset for a specific occupation. As a profession, dance is in equal measure both incredibly rewarding and absolutely unforgiving: in this case, when that tool breaks, the consequences are not just physical, nor can it be “simply” be replaced. For a dancer, injury can be existential. In the case of Rose Barbatan, the setback turned into a soaring comeback.

In February 2024, just as this French dancer received the long-awaited confirmation of her O-1 visa approval – a major step forward in her career – she dislocated her shoulder during a rehearsal with Caterina Rago’s dance company. Months of preparation and legal paperwork had finally paid off: she was ready to celebrate and work as hard as ever. “I finished the weekend of performances at the highest level, but my body knew it was done,” she recalls. The injury launched the soloist dancer into six months of physical therapy, and a nagging question: “Do I still want to perform?”.

While her body was healing and resting, though, her artistry was anything but idle. Those months of limitation turned into an exploration of other aspects of her profession.

She began focusing more on choreographing, working around her injury to create movement that didn’t rely on shoulder articulation. And she blossomed. What had begun years earlier as an interest slowly transformed into a practice. Working with four female dancers, Rose created ‘Love is Enough’, a piece inspired by the poem Love Is…

How BeKnown Brand Helps Businesses Grow: Anton Prokhorov’s Story of Passion and Strategy
The Ritz Herald

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce names high marketing costs among top reasons for the failure of small businesses in the United States. In an era where marketing requires serious budgetary commitment, one visionary cracked the code of converting public attention into currency, strategic storytelling into business opportunities. With a…

Women at the Helm: Stories That Shaped Microsoft’s Trillion-Dollar Transformation
The Ritz Herald

Behind every company milestone is a collection of untold stories. Microsoft’s trillion-dollar transformation is no exception. While headlines often highlight the achievements of its most visible leaders, a quieter revolution was unfolding within. Women leaders across the company were making decisions, driving innovation, and democratizing access in ways that…

Ramesses Khalfani and Pinnacle Sports Academy Redefine Basketball Development in Central Florida
The Ritz Herald

When people in Central Florida talk about basketball training, one name keeps coming up: Ramesses Khalfani. With Pinnacle Sports Academy, Khalfani has quickly carved out a reputation for building athletes the right way—and the reviews back it up. Across platforms like Google and Yelp, Pinnacle holds a spotless track…

16 mins
Yuzhang (Jed) Wei
The Ritz Herald

New York City is a living dataset; a relentless stream of human stories told in a million languages at once. It’s a city of commerce and culture, of towering ambition and quiet, intimate moments. For the casual observer, it’s a beautiful chaos. For the artist, it’s a wellspring of inspiration. But for a creative mind like Yuzhang (Jed) Wei, New York is something more: it is the perfect metaphor for her work. A digital strategist and artist of international acclaim, Wei navigates the intersection of data, art, and commerce with the same fluency that a seasoned New Yorker navigates the subway system—with intuition, purpose, and a deep understanding of the human element that connects it all.

Wei’s work is a quiet revolution in a loud industry. She transforms the often-impersonal channels of digital marketing—email, social media, SMS—into canvases for artistic expression and genuine human connection. Her philosophy, which has been lauded by cultural titans like Vogue China and New York Weekly, is built on the radical premise that a marketing campaign can be a work of art, and that data, far from being the enemy of creativity, is its most vital medium. She has shaped the creative voice for telehealth…

EDITOR'S

CHOICE

A Celebration of Autumn and Altruism: The Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee Fall Luncheon

Sardone / RH
Under a crisp blue October sky, the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy gathered to celebrate its cherished Fall Luncheon—a hallmark of the city’s philanthropic and social calendar. The
Beyond the Octagon: Michelle Waterson Gomez’s True Story & Strengths
The Ritz Herald

When you look at Michelle Waterson Gomez, known to fans around the globe as “The Karate Hottie,” it’s impossible not to first think of her prowess inside the octagon. Yet, as anyone who knows her personally will tell you, the real story of Michelle is found far beyond the…

How Jay Williams Hacked His Way Into an Industry Where He Knew No One
The Ritz Herald

When Jay Williams started out, he didn’t know a single person in the beverage industry. This is the story of how he networked from scratch, found his people, and slowly built real credibility without a name badge or a shortcut.

When he decided to launch Free Bird Southern Spring Water,…

Sadiki Harris: Jamaica’s Rising Content Creator and Cinematographer Making Waves Online
The Ritz Herald

At just 20 years old, Sadiki Harris has quickly established himself as one of Jamaica’s most dynamic content creators and cinematographers. Hailing from Portland, Jamaica, Harris embarked on his creative journey in grade eight, developing a reputation for producing high-quality, cinematic videos that encapsulate the vibrant essence of everyday…