March/April Issue

A

an iconic heritage steeped in tradition, and still somehow, a well-kept secret.

The best.

The most.

The first.

The new Premier Club and Suites at Casa de Campo sets a new standard of excellence and luxury for our most discerning guests. Highlighted with Caribbean warmth, exclusivity, personalized service, and privacy from the moment your clients arrive. Premier Club guests will enjoy a private bar and lounge area and will be greeted upon arrival for a personalized check-in.

Casa de Campo Spa & Wellness Center, an 18,000 square foot state-of-the-art destination Spa is now open and waiting to pamper your clients.

Discover more at casadecampo.com.do • res1@ccampo.com.do • 800-877-3643 / 809-523-8698

NY

Offered at $2,295,000 / Rent $15,000 Per Month

3 BEDS · 4 0 BATHS · 4,066 SF · 5.77 ACRES

Katherine Cresci M 914.755.0130

RIDGEFIELD, CT

at $1,100,000

4 BEDS · 2 1 BATHS

RIDGEFIELD, CT Offered at $1,592,000

4 BEDS 3 . 1 BATHS 3,254 SF · 2.32 ACRES

Bob Neumann & Nancy Ollinger M 203.313.2600

WE m aIl B&NC m aG TO T HE 25,000 mOsT afflUENT HOmEs IN NEW CANAAN, DARIEN & RIDGEFIELD, CT, ARMONK, BEDFORD, BEDFORD HILLS, KATONAH, MT KISCO, NORTH SALEM, PLEASANTVILLE, POUND RIDGE, SOUTH SALEM, and WACCABUC, NY and we’re most pleased that our B&NC Mag readers spend an average of one hour and twenty minutes devoted to each issue!

GET IN TOUCH

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: advertising@bedfordnewcanaanmag.com

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES OR SUBMISSIONS: info@bedfordnewcanaanmag.com

SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER ON OUR WEBSITE, OR BY EMAILING info@bedfordnewcanaanmag.com WITH THE SUBJECT LINE: SUBSCRIBE.

AND DON’T MISS OUR CALENDAR OF LOCAL EVENTS AT www.BedfordNewCanaanMag.com

FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM: @BedfordNewCanaanMag

NOT RECEIVING B&NC MAG AT HOME? SUBSCRIBE FOR $50 FOR THE YEAR ON OUR WEBSITE. WWW.BEDFORDNEWCANAANMAG.COM

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Chevy is synonymous with slapstick. He’s a founding father of funny - or at least the funny from Saturday Night Live we’ve laughed at for the last fifty years. His buffooning parody of Gerald Ford lasts like that President’s Mount Rushmore. He’s Ty Webb from Caddyshack…and Clark W. Griswold from the four National Lampoon Vacation movies…and Fletch. He’s witty, wacky, and wild. …And at 80 he’s produced a body of work that puts him among the giants of comedy.

Chevy is, of course, also a real person…and a giant in the Bedford community, and for his family. I want to thank Chevy - and Jayni - for letting us ‘in’ to do the B&NC MAG March/April 2024 Cover Feature. Chevy and Jayni are a great example of our ‘Always Local. Always Positive.’ motto.

…But beyond that appreciation, I want to thank Chevy for making us all laugh! As Chevy reflects, “Laughter is the most profound feeling any of us has. When we laugh we lose all sense of darkness. A sense of humor is a sense of perspective. It’s a way of judging what’s good and bad, right and wrong. It helps us to make better judgments.”

As I’m pening this letter, I’m watching Caddyshack, again, kind of in the background…and Chevy just delivered the line to Ted Knight, who plays the preposterously pompous President of Bushwood Country Club, ‘Don’t sell yourself short Judge, you’re a tremendous slouch!’...and I’m laughing out loud!

TRULY YOURS,

Cas Ey Kapla N B&NC MAG PRESIDENT

ORIGINALS: NEW YORK’S ELOISE LUQUER AND DELIA MARBLE

Judy Culbreth’s daughter, Brett Cameron, co-owner of La Maison Fete and President of the Bedford Village Business Association, lives in the historic Airlie Farm in Bedford – former home of a woman named Delia Marble…and that’s where Judy’s new book, Bedford Garden Club Originals: New York’s Eloise Luquer and Delia Marble, starts.

Marylou is the Founder and President, and truly the driving force of 13 Hands Equine Rescue - with over 150 horses in residence at any given point in time, on a 66.5 acre property, at 50 Tuscan Way in Clinton Corners, New York, about an hour’s drive north of Bedford.

P.133 THE SPRING OF SPRY

For time immemorial, women have been in search of treatments that will bring clean and glowing skin and an ageless complexion… the Fountain of Youth… …Well…ladies…and gentlemen…if it isn’t the Fountain of Youth, I’ve at least found the Spring of Spry…tucked away at 59 Grove Street in New Canaan!!!

…listed for $5,195,000, this Wadia-original American shingle style beauty is ready to be called: home.

She grew up in Bedford, he grew up in Ridgefield… they each moved back home after college… and the rest is history!

P.114 THE BEDFORD GARDEN CLUB

P.140 A NEW CANAAN MASTERPIECE

P.122 HORSE HEAVEN

P.150 ALEXANDRA STANDRING AND JACK CARLSON ARE WED

MAX & NICOLE APTON…THE YOUNG COUPLE REINVENTING THE 80-YEAR-OLD BEDFORD NU RSERY AS

PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREA CERASO

NOTHING SAYS SMALL TOWN CHARM LIKE TWO LOCALS FALLING IN LOVE, GETTING MARRIED, STARTING A FAMILY … AND BUYING THEIR LOCAL GARDEN CENTER.

Meet Max and Nicole Apton, and their one-year-old daughter, Romy. Together, they’re the new owners of the Bedford Nursery, located at 235 Greenwich Road in Bedford, and they’re re-opening the community staple under the new name, Bedford Farms.

Max grew up in Armonk and went to Byram Hills High School. Nicole was raised in Katonah and is a graduate of John Jay. The couple married in the spring of 2023 and although they couldn’t have known Bedford Nursery would be coming up for sale, they have long dreamed of running a family business.

Max began his career in horticulture right out of college– working a string of seasonal jobs on vegetable farms from Hawaii to Vermont. But it wasn’t until landing the exciting role of Vegetable Field Manager at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture– the farm best known for supplying produce to the prestigious restaurant, Blue Hill– that Max began setting roots in the world of Westchester County horticulture. In 2015, Max launched his first solo business with the mission of helping homeowners grow vegetables in their backyards. That business grew and evolved into what is today Sweet Clover Design, a bustling, full service landscape design firm specializing in eco-friendly gardens and plantings.

SO IT ONLY MADE SENSE

WHEN THE BEDFORD NURSERY CAME UP FOR SALE,

“...we decided to go all in!” Max beams. “It took a lot of back-and-forth with the sellers, but we finally closed in August 2023. The garden center business really compliments my landscape design business,” Max explains.

“Bedford Farms is a great way for me to attract new clients, and now with an expanded network of growers and suppliers, I’m excited to offer our customers a greater variety of high quality plant material.”

“But our biggest motivator for buying the business,” Max continues, “is our vision to make Bedford Farms into much more than a great retail nursery! We feel like we’re renovating a community space, and want to provide our town with more than just a place to buy their plants and garden supplies. We’re working on updating all the existing infrastructure, breaking ground on a beautiful new sales barn, and improving a lot of the 9-acre property to accommodate a variety of new offerings. In addition to a curated selection of flowering plants, shrubs, trees and native species, we’ll have fresh organic vegetables, flower bouquets and an assortment of high quality foods sourced from local purveyors and artisans. Our gift shop will also be stocked with thoughtful items that make perfect hostess gifts. What’s more, we will also be offering an assortment of fun classes such as floral design, wreath making, vegetable gardening lessons, and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts and pumpkin painting.”

BEDFORD FARMS

“WE WANT PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO FEEL LIKE BEDFORD FARMS IS A FUN AND INVITING PLACE TO STOP BY,”

Max says. “Whether it’s for that hard-to-find perennial, a cup of coffee, a fresh cut bouquet of flowers or just a stroll in the gardens.”

Max and Nicole’s excitement is palpable as they discuss their plans for the nursery. A longtime student of architecture and design, Nicole has been guiding the vision for many of the site improvements. “It’s a big investment but we think it’ll all be worth it!” Nicole says. “The property was really in need of some TLC when we bought it but things are already coming together nicely. Even though we only opened around Labor Day last summer, we had a really great fall season and had a blast hosting a pumpkin painting party in our pumpkin patch, and a B&NC Mag festive fall event.”

“EVERYTHING ABOUT BEDFORD FARMS JUST FEELS RIGHT!”

The Bedford Farms acreage is a beautiful, sunny parcel which lends itself nicely to kid-friendly events. A flat field adjacent to Bedford Farms’ parking lot doubles as a showroom for their vibrant inventory of colorful plants as well as a picnic area perfect for finding a hidden Easter egg or hand picking the ideal Christmas tree come the holiday season.

“Everything about Bedford Farms just feels right!” Nicole says joyfully. “I love that Max and I are ‘back home’ where we both grew up and that we’re going to raise our daughter here in Bedford. I love that our child is going to grow up living, quite literally, in a garden. And I’m thrilled to have found a business that’s a hub for the community!”

The all new, 80-year-old Bedford Farms will be in full swing this spring.

Bedford Farms is located at 235 Greenwich Road and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am - 5pm.

Do not forget to extend your images and background to the red bleed line

THE Fascinating FISHERS

The Fishers are fascinating. Murray and Emily. Individually and as a dynamic duo.

B&NC MAG readers will recall, from the narrated photo essay titled American Road School in the September/October 2021 issue of B&NC MAG, that it was the Fisher family - Murray, Emily, and their now-12 year old daughter, Grayson, and two identical twin now-8 year old boys, Pen and Alex - who used the opportunity of covid to take-off on a year-long adventure, criss-crossing America in an RV. The story of the Fisher’s ‘RVenture’ was intriguing, and Emily’s photographs of the places they visited were utterly captivating.

Emily is delightful, friendly, and upbeat. Though she’s modest about her photographic work, she is a master behind the lens. Her work has soul. Her photos in nature are rich and nuanced, evoking the

primary images of Ansel Adams. Her portraiture is iconic, like John Singer Sargent gone digital. “I grew up in the Brandywine Valley, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in what is known as ‘Wyeth Country’. I went to Chadds Ford Elementary and Unionville High, went on to James Madison University for an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with minors in Art History and French, and then on to graduate school to get my masters in Arts Administration at NYU. My mom is an artist, art was always my favorite subject, and I always wanted to be an artist,” Emily says. “But after college I gravitated more to the business side of the art world. I worked in museums, galleries and auction houses, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Vose Galleries, Skinner Auction House, and the Whitney Museum. I spent four years at Christies in New York and then moved on to managing a private art and furniture collection in Greenwich, New York and Palm Beach,” Emily recounts.

Murray is a force of - and for - nature.

“I met Murray one summer on Fishers Island through mutual friends. The name of the island is just a coincidence, but we do have a lot of family there. We were married, lived in New York City, and had all three kids there. I started to really focus on photography when Grayson was born. I started out using my IPhone but, completing the Certificate Program at the International Center of Photography, I learned how to use a digital camera and how to do my own editing and printing. I have a good feel for what works and what doesn’t. I usually shoot what’s around me–our kids, our animals, even the abandoned pink house that was recently torn down next to Lucia’s!

I know what I like and I know when I’m taking a good picture.”

To sing Emily’s praises as a photographer where her modesty prevents her from doing so, Murray adds, “Emily is an artist! She’ll never tell you, but she wins awards every time she enters her photography in a judged competition. Most recently, her photograph won a the annual National Wildlife Federation competition, which was selected out of the 39,000 entries. She’s had her work shown all over, and even had one of her images blown-up on a billboard in Manhattan.”

He was born in Bogota, Colombia, where his family has a ranch that the Fishers still visit as often as possible. When Murray was still a young child, the family moved to be with his mom’s family and to run an organic cattle farm just west of Richmond, Virginia. Murray grew up surrounded by and involved with nature and animals. He even had a pet boa constrictor. Murray’s dad, who was in the first class of the Peace Corps in Colombia, and Murray’s mom, who knew every plant, shrub, and tree, nurtured Murray’s love for the outdoors. Murray recalls doing some outdoor activity every day of his childhood - whether it was fishing or hunting or birdwatching or catching frogs.. He went to Vanderbilt University and majored in Biology, and took a year off during college to work with a leading Ornithologist studying Macaws in the jungles of Bolivia and Peru.

way to do that. In college I determined I was better suited to work on the policy side, rather than the science, and every decision I make is based on how and where I will have the greatest impact. Admittedly, I’m an idealist.”

“I read Riverkeepers, by Robert Kennedy Jr. and John Cronin, and felt it was the best articulation I’d found about the way I felt about the planet,” Murray recalls. “Coincidentally, my great uncle, Lem Billings, had been roommates at Choate with JFK, and the story of their lifelong friendship was featured in a book titled The Best of Friends

The FISH ERS

“Anywhere I’ve ever been I’ve always been the ‘nature guy’,” Murray explains. “I feel a deep responsibility to protect our earth, and it’s been my lifetime’s journey figuring out the most effective

, by another Bedford local, David Michaelis. In 1998, I was hired through Americorp to work with Bobby on his Hudson Riverkeepers project, and actually moved in with Bobby and his family in Mt. Kisco for a few months before finding a place of my own in Irvington. Although I always figured I’d end up moving back to Virginia, I fell in love with the Hudson River - all 360 miles of it and the 250 species of fish that live in it - and called my parents to tell them I wasn’t coming back.”

MIDDLE A ND RIGHT PHOTO CAPTURED BY EMILY NEVILLE FISHER

“Working to help protect the Hudson motivated me so much that I wanted to help replicate the organization to help protect water bodies all over the world,” Murray continues. “I left Riverkeeper in 2000 to help Bobby establish the Waterkeeper Alliance, traveling the globe to help start new Waterkeeper programs and lobbying on their cumulative behalf.”

“While working at Hudson Riverkeeper, and specifically one day when I was watching a Marine Scientist work with some kids dressed in chest waders standing in the middle of a river identifying and releasing fish, it occurred to me that every kid should learn from this kind of practical experience. I realized that I had learned more in my one year at Hudson Riverkeeper than in my four years at Vanderbilt, and thought there should be a school based on the same work and total immersion that I had experienced at Riverkeeper. Around the Summer of 2002, I started to tell everyone who would listen to me that I wanted to start a school - a kind of ‘Waterkeeper Academy’ - entirely focused on the geography and oceanography of the New York Harbor…and nearly everyone I talked to offered support of one kind or another.

Mayor Bloomberg was supporting the establishment of small, themed schools, and our Harbor School was one of the eight schools licensed out of a pool of about eighty applicants,” Murray says proudly.

“We found a great Principal and put a super team together, and opened in a less-than-ideal location in Bushwick, Brooklyn in September 2003 with eight teachers and 125 highschoolers. Although we had to shuttle kids to the harbor every school day and

jump a lot of other hurdles, we made it work! As the school grew, and with a ton of fundraising, we managed to move to the school’s current location on Governors Island, and then we added a multimillion dollar Marine Science and Technology Center in 2012. Today, the Harbor School has over 500 students, with eight State-approved marinefocused career and technical education programs, and with the addition of two new buildings in the next couple of years has plans to grow to 1,100 students. We boast the fact that the student body demographics still mirror the demographics of New York City as a whole, and that our 91% graduation rate is 10% higher than the City average.”

I nevertheless remain charged with the idea that I can have a positive effect.”

“As pleased as I was about the Harbor School’s growth and move to Governors Island, I was at the same time dismayed by the state of our classroom: the New York Harbor. For the most part, the Harbor was flat, featureless, polluted, and difficult to access. We knew from reading The Big Oyster at Harbor School, that when the colonists arrived in New York City the Harbor was healthy and flourishing, and that there were then 200,000 acres of oyster reefs - enough to filter the entire volume of water in the Harbor every day!” Murray says with a kind of eureka excitement, “...So, in 2014, I co-founded the Billion Oyster Project, together with Harbor School teacher Pete Malinowski…and it’s flourishing!! We’ve planted over 120 million oysters so far…on our way to one billion by 2035…and all these oysters are working, all day every day, to filter the water, create habitat for marine plants and animals, and help protect our shorelines from storms!”

TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO CAPTURED BY EMILY NEVILLE FISHER

Bringing his story current, Murray says, “I worked full-time leading the Billion Oyster Project until 2018, stayed-on as Chair of the Board through 2022, and am now Chair of our Leadership Council. But, pre-covid, I determined it was time to transition into the for-profit world, creating and backing environmentallyfocused small businesses. I’m now involved in a mixture of about 14 for-profit and not-forprofit projects, and have most recently focused on a company called US Coastal Service, which aims to create a fleet of electric, coastal cargo ships for the New York Harbor, and thereby relieve a significant percentage of the City’s pollution and congestion.”

Murray sums it up saying, “I’m saddened by the reality that, as humans progress, nature loses, and that our climate continues to warm and we continue to lose more and more species every year. I nevertheless remain charged with the idea that I can have a positive effect.”

The FISH ERS

THE Fascinating FISHERS

“We like the feeling that our home has historical significance.”

The Fisher’s property actually dates back to 1791, and was built as a tavern by Benjamin Hays. “We like the feeling that our home has historical significance, and that we’re stewarding an asset of the village Village. And although we live with the conflict that we have a big environmental footprint, we try to offset that by sharing the property with the community, and utilizing the land to produce our own eggs, fruit and vegetables on the farm,” Emily shares. “We are in love with the Bedford community! Our boys walk to school. Murray coached Grayson’s lacrosse team. We’re always out as a family exploring the Ward Pound Reservation, the Mianus River Gorge, and all the other local parks and trails. Murray loves to take the kids out observing nature whenever he can, like his parents did with him. And we’ve opened our barn to many community activities! We’ve hosted Bedford Free Library programs, Garden Club meetings, yoga classes, and concerts. Just last week, we hosted a get together for the Boy Scouts, a Cotillion for local kids, and an art show exhibiting local artist FitzHugh Karol’s work and my photography.

After living in Manhattan for some 17 years, Murray and Emily decided it was time to move their young family to the country. The Fishers’ close friends, Willie and Christina Geist, had purchased a weekend house in the area, and enticed the Fishers to try the area. Emily explains, “We took a weekend house in North Salem for five years, and loved having the family living in so much nature, but we wanted more of a sense of community as a part of the equation. And then Chevy and Jayni Chase, who has been a supporter and Board member of the Harbor School and the Billion Oyster Project, and a bunch of other friends from Fishers Island who live in Bedford, like Sam and Phoebe Polk and Nancy and Blue Eaves, sold us on moving to Bedford full-time. We found our historic property and mini working farm right here in the Village... we knew we were home.”

“And,” Murray, ever conscious of the environment, slips in, “we’ve rewilded about half of our lawn. That area is now covered with grasses and wildflowers. It’s beautiful, requires way less maintenance, adds to the local biodiversity that all pollinators and birds depend on, and increases carbon sequestration. I’m not saying that everyone has to get rid of all of their lawns, but folks with big parcels ought to consider the benefits and advantages of rewilding a portion of their properties. I’ve even backed a company called Plan It Wild, which will transition and maintain rewilded property without a big upfront cost and at about the same cost as maintaining a lawn. …Sorry for the shameless plug, but this will help the environment… and I’ll do just about anything!”

Bedford 2030 will present Murray with an Environmental Hero award for his ‘water’breaking work at their Moon Dance gala on Saturday, May 18, 2024. And Emily photographed Jayni and Chevy Chase on the cover of this issue of B&NC Mag.

The FISH ERS

Emily’s photography Instagram is @emilyfisherphoto.

Native landscaping simplified.

Plan it Wild is an ecological landscape design company. We specialize in native landscaping, transforming private yards and landscapes into beautiful native habitats that capture carbon from the air & increase biodiversity. www.PLANitWILD.com

You Are Our Top Priority

The Market at Pound Ridge Square is a beloved fixture of the local community. The Fortin family – Billy, Lisa, and their sons Jason and Michael – pride themselves in providing the highest quality food and service to customers from Pound Ridge, Bedford, New Canaan and beyond!

At The Market you’ll find fresh local and organic produce, the finest quality meats, and seafood fresh from Fulton Fish Market.

Shop the Market Cafe for sumptuous chef-prepared entrees, sides and salads. Enjoy our full-service Deli, and wide selection of specialty items, including non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and more. In the Beer Aisle you’ll find an impressive selection of craft beers and hard seltzers.

Call on our full-service Catering Department to plan your next party, or consult with our Bakery to create an extraordinary dessert for your next special occasion.

At The Market, providing you with the very best is our top priority! The

La Maison Fête is a full-scale event planning and design company. From weddings, dinner parties, luncheons, birthdays and more, we make every gathering memorable. Visit our shop in Bedford to explore the world of entertaining through a curated collection of beautifully crafted home and fashion goods. Follow us on Instagram for news and upcoming store events @lamaisonfete

La Maison Fête

13 Court

Bedford New York

914.234.8627

www.lamaisonfete.com

Building Her Future

IT’S GREAT TO BE GREEN, BUT GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS REQUIRE LOCAL ACTION!

Now in its 14th year of operation, Bedford 2030 is established as a prototype for community involvement, legislative change, and ultimate effectiveness in achieving carbon emission reduction and other environmentally-friendly results.

And, after only about 3 years of operation, Planet New Canaan has already implemented several significant recycling programs and partnered with other local organizations on a variety of effective initiatives.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MOON DANCE, BEDFORD2030’S COACHING PROGRAMS, AND TO GET INVOLVED, VISIT BEDFORD2030.ORG OR CONTACT THE BEDFORD2030 TEAM AT (914) 620-2411.

Bedford 2030

Fourteen years ago, the Bedford 2020 movement was born in the Fox Lane High School gymnasium, formed by a group of concerned community members looking to tackle climate change at the grassroots level. In the first decade, the small but mighty organization, its army of local volunteers and board members, and the Bedford community achieved a 44% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the Bedford area, surpassing their initial goal of 20%!

Now rebranded as Bedford 2030, the organization aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030, and achieve net zero emissions in Bedford by 2040!

As Executive Director, Midge Iorio, puts it, “There is still a lot of work to be done to ensure clean air and a thriving natural world for our children, grandchildren and their children. Bedford 2030 has connected thousands of community members with programs, resources, and expert guidance to take impactful steps to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and protect our precious natural resources. It’s vital that we exponentially grow the local Climate Action Now movement, and that each of us knows that they have an essential role in working towards a better future.”

With substantial programs established in the 2010s, like the now-mandated single-stream pick-up of recyclables, Bedford 2030 is concentrating its current focus and resources around making concrete shifts in our energy sourcing. Through the implementation of green energy coaching, Bedford 2030 is connecting local homeowners with personalized - and free - coaching, to start the process of taking meaningful steps towards sustainability at home to reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and transition to clean energy sources. There have already been over 300 consultations, and there is already a marked shift in conversion to clean heating and cooling systems, energy efficiency upgrades and the adoption of solar. And the coaching is now being expanded to what the group is calling ‘Rooted Solutions’, empowering community members to adopt nature-based climate solutions into landscaping. Plan It Wild is a local company that focuses on rewilding landscapes and installing native habitats. Cofounder Dave Baker says, “Bedford 2030 has done so much incredible work to educate the community about how harmful chemicals and pesticides are to the ecosystem, and about the need for natural, native habitats for pollinators and biodiversity. We want to change the old narrative that an expansive and perfectly manicured lawn is more valuable and beautiful and instead through building shade gardens, meadows, mini forests, edible gardens, etc, help people realize the inherent value and beauty of nature in all its wild abundance!”

In addition, Bedford 2030 runs community-based programs like Community Compost and the Take It or Leave It Shed, as well as supporting advocacy campaigns to reduce plastics and protect our birds and bees from harmful pesticides. Bedford 2030 provides a broad array of forums and mission-driven gatherings to facilitate community conversation and action, and actively seeks partnerships to share programs and campaigns with other communities.

Bedford 2030 also continues to operate the exciting Greenlight Awards program - which provides tools and guidance to help Westchester high school students become activists, leaders and innovators. As a part of this program, hundreds of students have implemented projects to reduce waste in their communities, advocate for electric school buses, adopt more plant-based school cafeteria meals, and more. One Greenlight student, Sofia Jacobson, who also worked as an Intern with Bedford 2030 this past summer, shares, “My experiences with Bedford 2030 allowed me to see the impact that we as individuals and a community can have on the environment. This fueled my future research and studies in both high school and college. Bedford 2030 took the seedling of my interest in the environment and helped it flourish and grow into a true passion.”

And Bedford 2030 recently spearheaded a Power of Trees Community Forum - to create a place for education and conversation around creating a vibrant ecosystem. “More than one-third of all tree species are endangered, posing a real threat to global biodiversity,” Midge explains. “The Power of Trees was like a conference to inspire action. We had a fantastic lineup of speakers, hands-on activities, and real-world tips to protect our tree canopy. With everything from nature-inspired yoga to mindfulness, delicious catering, and 50+ exhibitors! Regardless of experience or age, we provided ways for everyone to take Climate Action NOW!” Martha Stewart and famed designer Stephen Sills made an appearance…and took away several tips on the care, maintenance, and sustainability of the trees on their own local properties!

This May, Bedford 2030’s Moon Dance Celebration will showcase the strides that the community has made in tackling environmental issues, and raise vital funds for local climate action. Moon Dance will honor two local environmental heroes, Olivia Farr, co-founder of Bedford 2030, and Bedford-local Murray Fisher, cofounder of the Billion Oyster Project and the New York Harbor School. Hosted bi-annually, Bedford 2030’s Moon Dance celebration is a community favorite and sells-out quickly, and this year’s party features exuberant live music from the New Orleans brass band, the Soul Rebels!

PLANET NEW CANAAN

Planet New Canaan was founded in 2017, and has emerged as a strong regional voice for change. Co-Founder and President and New Canaanite, Robin Bates, sets out, “We’re driven by a sense of urgency and a belief in the power of collective action. As the name Planet New Canaan suggests, global environmental issues are our local concerns. We’re committed to achieving a sustainable future for the town and its residents.”

“As education is always first and foremost, the organization offers a range of programs to engage residents of all ages in learning about environmental issues and the resources to participate and take action,” Robin continues. “But we’re all about taking action, and our first course was to develop and implement various forms of recycling.”

Working with the Town, Planet New Canaan has implemented a Food Scrap Recycling program, with bins installed at the New Canaan Transfer Station, in order to divert food scraps to be composted instead of incinerated. The EPA reports that 20% of municipal waste comes from food scraps. In addition to being good for the environment, Planet New Canaan is hoping to yield a cost savings for the town through the initiative.

Similarly, Planet New Canaan has partnered with Food Rescue, an organization that prevents food waste by reallocating commercial surplus and unmarketable products to those in need, and Planet New Canaan is working to involve local grocery stores and restaurants.

As Connecticut this year increases the redemption value from $.05 to $.10 on bottles and cans, Planet New Canaan is working with area organizations and partnering with local schools and student groups to ensure that more recyclable materials are recycled. And Planet New Canaan has even instituted annual programs to recycle pumpkins and Christmas trees. Post-Halloween pumpkins are diverted from the household garbage to five Connecticut farms where the pumpkins are used to feed cattle and pigs. And post-Christmas trees - 900 of them last year! - are

dropped-off at the Steve Benko Pool parking lot, then mulched and composted for use at the New Canaan Nature Center.

“Another big Planet New Canaan initiative is our Swap Shop,” Robin declares. “About twenty regular Planet New Canaan volunteers operate the Swap Shop, at the New Canaan Transfer Station, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, from 9am to 1pm, weather permitting. It’s a space that allows transfer station pass holders to drop-off household items and furniture that they no longer want or need… and for anyone else to come take what they want, and as much as they’d like…so long as they promise not to throw it away.” Planet New Canaan estimates that they are saving thousands of pounds of items a week from entering the waste stream.

“To help promote biodiversity amongst plant species,” Robin continues, “Planet New Canaan has joined in the promotion of The Pollinator Pathwayan effort to utilize native plants in public and private spaces.” They’ve partnered with Copia, the garden and landscaping center in Vista, to donate a portion of sales from their annual native plant sale to the further cultivation of the New Canaan Pollinator Pathway, which promotes planting on public and private spaces to enable healthy pollination and expand ecosystem biodiversity through rewilding and planting of native plants.

Planet New Canaan is also involved in various ‘cleanups’ in the region, including joining with Surf Rider Foundation for River Cleanups in the Five Mile River and the National Charity League Cleanups in train stations and other urban locations.

“We work well partnering with other locally-focused organizations, and wouldn’t have gotten off the ground or come as far as we have without the support and involvement of the New Canaan Nature Center, The New Canaan Community Foundation, and Grace Farms,” Robin says appreciatively. “And we’re always open to new ideas and looking for increased membership and volunteerism! Someone just brought us an idea about tennis ball recycling at the last meeting, so we’re looking into that right now. …We want people to be encouraged to just get involved - anyone! We’ve even created a youth board that‘s committed to their own set of initiatives!”

To get involved, email info@planetnewcanaan.org

MOON DANCE 2024

Bedford 2030 Moondance celebrates the outstanding strides our community has made in tackling environmental issues, and raises funds to amplify local climate action.

This year’s event will take place in a beautiful apple orchard in North Salem with live music from the New Orleans-based Soul Rebels!

ON SATURDAY, MAY 18.

This event always sells out quickly, so be sure to get your tickets early.

Tickets go on sale March 1 at:

www.bedford2030.org

The Byram offers one-level living with a blend of luxury, comfort, attention to detail in its design and amenities for an upscale living experience in Armonk. Impeccable design, unparalleled comfort, and refined living promise a lifestyle of sophistication and indulgence for the discerning buyer.

RESIDENCE FEATURES

• Open floor plans from 1,800-2,100 SF

• Ceiling heights of at least 9 feet

• Oversized patio or terrace

• Two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms

• Great room with modern linear fireplace

• Flexible den or office

• Powder rooms with marble mosaic flooring

• Kitchen features: Viking appliances, quartz countertops with waterfall island, open to living area

• Luxurious bathrooms

• Well-outfitted walk-in closets

• Wide plank flooring

• Security system for building and individual units

For more information, contact Amy today.

Affordable custom cabinetry, complimentary design and planning, project management and complete remodeling services for over 40 years. Your new kitchen starts here.

50 Virginia Road, N. White Plains, NY 10603 (914) 946-8600 | kbskitchen.com

KBS services are now available in Palm Beach County, FL!

Casola Stone is a one-stop shop that focuses on the residential and commercial sector. From multi-family high rise development to high end residential, allow us to design, supply, fabricate, and install all types of natural and synthetic stone and tile for your project.

(914) 471-6901

Casolatileandstone@gmail.com

https://www.casolastonellc.com

AMY SINGER

Real Estate Salesperson

M 914.772.3526 amysingerhomes.com

THE #1 HOULIHAN LAWRENCE AGENT IN ARMONK SINCE 2018

CHEVY & JAYNI CHASE Lot ofLaughs! Lot ofLaughs!

Famous as Chevy Chase is, not too many locals realize that Chevy and his wife Jayni moved to Bedford in 1995; that their three girls, Cydney, Caley, and Emily, were in Seventh, Fifth, and First Grades when they moved, and all three went to Rippowam Cisqua and grew up here; that Jayni has been a force in the environmental movement, and; that the Chases have been influential in enticing quite a few other families - like the Fishers, who are also featured in this issue, and songwriting and singing sensation Natasha Bedingfield and her family, - to move into town.

Chevy is a comedic giant, best known for his performances as a cast member in the first season of Saturday Night Live in 1975-1976 - including his legendary roles as the original anchor on the Weekend Update segment and his portrayal of a bumbling and stumbling President Ford - and then for his leading roles in Foul Play, Caddyshack, Fletch, Spies Like Us, Three Amigos, and as Clark W. Griswold in four National Lampoon Vacation movies.

Though Chevy has also been a prolific comedy writer, hosted both the Academy Awards and the Emmys, performed in numerous roles on television - including on his own The Chevy Chase Show and in the NBC’s series Community

, and been a go-to voice in animated films, it is his physical comedy, mixed with his personal impish brand of witty sarcasm, that makes him iconic. “I studied the great comedic actors who came before me, like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Ernie Kovacs, the Marx Brothers, Harold Lloyd, and Jonathan Winters,” Chevy reflects. “At its essence, all comedy is physical. It’s how you deliver it. The winking of an eye, the very way you speak the dialogue.”

And Chevy delivers even that serious analysis with a slight smile, edging on a smirk, which is his internationally recognized comedic trademark.

Born CORNELIUS CRANE CHASE,MARCH/APRIL 2024 78 BEDFORD & NEW CANAAN

Chevy says he grew-up upper-middle class, but a more objective view might be that it was more ‘middle-upper’ than Chevy admits. Either way, the sad reality is that Chevy had a difficult childhood. His parents were divorced when he was four. He has only good things to say about his brother, Ned, and his father, Edward Tinsley ‘Ned’ Chase, who had two daughters from his second marriage. “Dad was highly intelligent. He went to Princeton and was a critically acclaimed writer, editor and publisher. He gave me a good understanding of the importance of intellectualism and love, taught me about the importance of civil rights, and got me reading novels and fine publications like the New Yorker, The New York Times, Commonweal and The New Republic.

He edited the likes of Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut and published them. He was well respected. ...And my dad was funny! He made me laugh a lot. He would lift his leg when passing a hydrant just to get me and Ned to laugh, and he had this hilarious ‘face’ he’d put on to make fun of people when they weren’t looking,” Chevy recalls.

...But Chevy also recounts that his mother, Cathalene, whose ancestors dated back to the Mayflower and who was remarried twice after divorcing Chevy’s father, and her husband John Cederquist, were, at times, physically and psychologically abusive to Chevy. ...And it doesn’t take Freud to understand that humor was an escape.

Chevy reflects. “When we laugh we lose all sense of darkness. A sense of humor is a sense of perspective. It’s a way of judging what’s good and bad, right and wrong. It helps us to make better judgments.”

LAUGHTER IS THE MOST PROFOUND FEELING ANY OF US HAS”

Raised in Manhattan, he was ‘asked to leave’ both Dalton and Riverdale, before landing at the Stockbridge School, in Lenox Massachusetts, where Chevy soared. “I was never the class clown, but I was definitely funny. I said and did funny stuff… I’d raise my hand and say to the math teacher, ‘I have to urinate Miss Newby’. At Riverdale, in Study Hall, I got maybe 150 kids to all cough when the clock second hand hit a specific time – and I thought Mr. Schultz, the French teacher who was proctoring that day, was going to have a heart attack. When I was in summer school, which I needed to do to make up for some poor marks, there were only two of us sitting at a large table with Mr. Schultz, and raising our knees, we slowly lifted the table off the ground two or three inches and then dropped it…again scaring the bejesus out of the poor man. One prank I pulled off has been told and retold to Riverdale students over the years… On a really freezing winter day, we poured water on the steep driveway, which immediately froze into a sheet of ice, creating sheer sliding havoc at the start of the school day. …The fact is, 99% of the time, I have always been pretty much the funniest guy in the room!”

called Chevy ‘The Funniest Man In America’.

Chevy first attended Haverford College, and there remains some question whether he was asked to leave because he had a cow in his dorm room, or whether he just didn’t fit in. About this, Chevy remarks, “They told me that I had to see a psychiatrist or leave ...so I did.” He transferred to the more liberal Bard College, where Chevy was in his element, intellectually ...and musically. Remarkably, at Bard Chevy played drums in a band called The Leather Canary, with schoolmates Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker, who went on to musical stardom as the leaders of the band Steely Dan.

Right after college, Chevy played drums and keyboards on an MGM Records album with a band called The Chameleon Church. In 1980, Arista released Chevy’s album called Chevy Chase Using his unparalleled satirical

humor, he re-wrote the lyrics of several popular and well known songs, and did the singing, voices and harmonies. Legendary pianist Richard Tee and renowned saxophonist Tom Scott, who did all the musical arrangements, helped out on the album. It was difficult to market a musical-satirical-funny album at that time, so it didn’t really sell, but all three of his daughters tell him he should re-release it as they think it would do well now. Then, in 1986, Chevy starred in the music video for Call Me Al with his good friend Paul Simon, and in 1991 Chevy played saxophone with Simon at his free concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park. …Chevy has perfect pitch, and nowadays any guest at the Chase’s house is more likely to be entertained by Chevy the accomplished jazz pianist than Chevy the pratfall prankster.

JAYNI CHASE,

nee Luke, is a California girl who went to North Hollywood High School and graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She met Chevy while working in her first job as an Assistant Coordinator on the film Under the Rainbow which Chevy was shooting with Carrie Fisher and others. “He started flirting with me immediately, but I was at work and had no desire to go out with him. I finally had to face the fact that he was a sweetheart and even though it wasn’t in my plan at 23 years old to fall in love, I quickly did just that,” Jayni recalls. “Our first date was going to the premiere of Seems Like Old Times Chevy came to my ‘desk’, which was a large folding table set up near a bank of payphones in L.A.’s Union Train Station, and he said ‘Goldie is in Paris and Jacqueline Bissett has the flu, so can you go with me to my premiere tonight?’. I quickly replied, ‘Not if I’m the third choice’. As he turned to walk away, I saw he was crestfallen and that hit me right in the heart. I saw the nice guy. I saw that he realized I wasn’t impressed with fame and Hollywood BS, and he was very embarrassed. So, I called him and said I could come…and the rest is history!”

CHEVY WAS ABSOLUTELY SMITTEN WITH EACH OF OUR DAUGHTERS, AND HE’S BEEN A SUPER LOVING AND DEVOTED FATHER.”

It’s clear that Jayni has seen ‘the real Chevy Chase’, who he is at his core, and that that’s the Chevy she loves. “The abuse he endured, and the confusion between his mother’s and his father’s homes, and the sometimes conflicting principles they embodied, meant he had to find ways to survive and, eventually, thrive. It was humor that got him through, and that made him someone people were drawn to. Chevy’s super smart and he has this ability to jump ahead of everyone else in the room and put a crazy funny spin on whatever is going on. His brain puts all the elements, personalities and settings into perspective and, wham, he cracks everyone up! …Sometimes at someone’s expense…which can get him into trouble if that person is either intimidated or sensitive. But if Chevy sees that, or is told, he absolutely will apologize. It’s rarely his intention to hurt someone, and whether it’s intentional or not, he can be really good at apologizing.”

“WE WERE MARRIED IN 1982 AT OUR HOUSE IN PACIFIC PALISADES.

Chevy was absolutely smitten with each of our daughters, and he’s been a super loving and devoted father. By the time we were expecting our third, Emily, I realized I needed to find ways to share my passion and understanding of the importance of taking care of our environment,” Jayni recalls. “I grew up being taught that it’s my responsibility to do whatever I can about what’s going on around me, to push back against injustices and live in a way that makes the world a better place for everyone. I felt a responsibility to have an impact.

I was upset that our schools weren’t providing our kids a solid understanding of environmental issues. Knowledge begets understanding, and understanding is empowering.

So, in 1987, I founded a non-profit organization called the Center for Environment Education, with the purpose of serving as a resource center for K-12 teachers, administrators, parents and kids to learn about the environment. The Center flourished and became a leading resource for books, curricula, videos, music and materials on basically all aspects of environmental education – including information on the loss of wildlands, the misuse of Federal lands, the intrusion of chemicals in our food supply, and other human impacts on the environment. We closed the Center in 2006, when it was essentially replaced by the Internet.”

“We started spending our family’s summers in East Hampton, Long Island, and in 1994 we decided it would be better to raise the kids in the Northeast than in Los Angeles. In 1995, we moved into our house in Bedford, and have lived here ever since. We have four dogs, two cats, beehives, chickens, a couple of retired horses, three native plant gardens, and a vegetable garden. We have never used pesticides, fungicides or herbicides on our property. We spray plants that the deer would devour with deer deterrents like Bobbex, which is egg-based” Jayni describes. “Scholastic published my book, Blueprint for a Green School the same year we moved here, and I’ve continued to work to have a positive impact on the environment for the 29 years we’ve been here. I served on the Board of Friends of the Earth U.S. for 30 years, and in November I finally stepped-down after a very fulfilling second term as Chair. After meeting Murray Fisher in, I think 2007, I joined his Board, for the New York Harbor School, and continued onto the Board of the Billion Oyster Project...and then I helped woo Murray and his wife Emily to move to Bedford! I invited friends to speak and present at the Bedford Garden Club’s first Environmental Summit – including Dr. Tom Lovejoy, who coined the term “Biodiversity”, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Carl Safina, Majora Carter, and others. I’ve been an active supporter of Bedford 2030, and I’m interested in learning more about and working with Dark Sky, which is focused on reducing the amount of light we emit.”

“CHEVY AND I BELONG TOGETHER,”

JAYNI DECLARES.

“I ‘get’ him, and he adores me. He’s the love of my life, and Chevy and I have had an amazing 44 years. We’ve had lots of extraordinary friends and we’ve met a lot of high-profile people, but it’s our three fabulous daughters that matter most to us. And, hopefully, we’ve had a positive impact on the community and the world around us.” ...And Chevy responds, “Well it’s me that’s had the dream of 44 years of love, fun, and laughter with Jayni! I’m in love every day! We laugh A LOT! My personal world is really great!”

AT 80... AND STILL WORKING...

Chevy has delivered a body of comedic work which puts him in the pantheon of Chaplin and the others. “I’m very happy,” Chevy declares. “How lucky am I that things happened for me, and that I have somehow managed to stay famous and liked by many.”

BUT NOTWITHSTANDING CHEVY’S TREMENDOUS COMEDIC STATURE, HIS GREATER LEGACY LIES WITH THE FAMILY HE’S NURTURED...

Chevy and Jayni’s oldest daughter, Cydney, who teaches Yoga, shares, “My parents are persistent in their joy, love, fight for humor as perspective, and for goodness - towards one another, the earth, and animals. Their unconditional love bolsters my spirit, emboldens me, and informs my creative endeavors.”

And as Chevy and Jayni’s middle daughter, Caley, who went to NYU Tisch and is now the House Pianist at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, puts it, “While I think my dad taught us all something about comedy and having a sense of humor, the real lessons we have from our parents are to be a good person, be who you are, and fight for what you believe in.”

And as Chevy and Jayni’s youngest daughter, Emily, who works for the National Audubon Society, summarizes, “My mom is definitely the primary inspiration behind my career choices. Her passion for environmental education, advocacy, and climate activism, was the chief motivator for me to seek out a career in my own niche of the environmental sector—wildlife conservation. My dad is the funniest and most generous and loving person I know. He has a huge heart and everything he does is for us, his daughters, and our mom— who he has been completely infatuated with since 1980. We truly couldn’t ask for a better dad.”

| M 917.880.9023

Exquisitely Designed Smart Home | Wilton, CT

2,650,000 | 6 B R, 6.2 BA | Web# 170620718

Jennifer Leahy: O 203.622.4900 | M 917.699.2783

Charming and Spacious Colonial New Canaan, CT

$1,749,000 | 4 BR, 2.1 BA | Web# 170588166

Melissa Engel: O 203.889.5580 | M 203.858.0266

Pam Toner: O 203.889.5580 | M 917.319.1580

Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece | New Canaan, CT

$2,245,000 | 5 BR, 3.1 BA Web# 170617853

John Engel: O 203.889.5580 | M 203.247.4700

Melissa Engel: O 203.889.5580 | M 203.858.0266

Exceptional Somers Chase Residence | Somers, NY

$1,495,000 | 4 BR, 3.1 BA Web# H6286095

Anthony DeBellis: O 914.232.3700 | M 914.618.1737

GETTING READY FOR A COVER SHOOT!

BLOOPERS, BTS, AND MORE

The behind the scenes or ‘BTS’ of the Chase photoshoot are just what they seem… a seriously fun time.

It was a busy winter morning at the Chase house with five dogs and two cats running around the kitchen as the indomitable hair and makeup stylist, Eva Scrivo, worked with the talented Rina Cerka from the Eva Scrivo Salon team, to prepare the entire Chase family for their glamor shots! The skilled photographer Emily Neville Fisher began to set up equipment while Chevy kept the entire room entertained with a slew of jokes and goofy noises and Emily, Caley and Cydney Chase wrangled the pets between hair and makeup sessions. Each requesting totally natural and minimal glam looks, one Chase after the next emerged from Eva’s chair looking as much like themselves as they did a camera-ready movie star. With all action all the time and a constant flow of activities, games, and music - including an impressive performance from Chevy on the piano - it’s a shoot the entire team is sure to remember.

Photography by Frances Janisch

Experience the height of senior living.

“I enjoyed designing and customizing my apartment to truly make it feel like home.”

— Connie D., Resident

You’ll be at the height of luxury and ease in a maintenance-free home that can be customized to match your unique taste. Private outdoor spaces, fireplaces, stone countertops, high-end appliances, custom closets and fully monitored call systems are just a few of the many features that come standard in every home.

Our well-appointed, bright, spacious apartment homes are larger than any other community in Connecticut. Experience the best in senior living with our world-class amenities, engaging activities, gourmet cuisine and impeccable service.

To learn more or schedule a tour, call 203-349-8862 or visit MeadowRidge.com

Stamford Health is proud of its relationship with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, which has experts who specialize in all types of cancer, from the most common to the most rare and complex. Our patients have access to: advanced treatments, virtual second opinions, the latest clinical research trials, dedicated patient navigators who assist with every step of the journey, and more comprehensive benefits.

At Stamford Health, you can expect world-class, clinical expertise in an intimate and healing environment, closer to home.

*Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Ranking in U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024)

StamfordHealth.org/Cancer or call 203.276.7936

Online Counseling from your desk, couch or back deck!

Counseling helps you see what you’re doing - this is self-awareness. Great therapy helps you understand why you're doing it - this is insight. With these two, it’s much easier to change and grow.

BOOK

Contact: Admin@thepowertohealllc.com

Phone: 203-350-2527

Website: thepowertohealllc.com

• Proven Track Record: 18 years helping buyers/sellers achieve their goals.

• Personalized Service: Tailored solutions to fi t your unique needs.

• Market Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the local real estate landscape.

• Seamless Transactions: Smooth and stress-free buying/selling experience.

• Network: Local & Global network of buyers & agents.

The mission of the Power to Heal LLC is to embody and co-create a sanctuary for healing and

Where imagination shapes the future.

ridgefieldacademy.org

landmarkpreschool.org

smash

ACT of CT was founded in 2018, just a season-anda-half before the pandemic, by Daniel C. Levine, who is ACT of CT’s Artistic Director, together with Katie Diamond, who is President of the Board, and Bryan Perri, who is ACT of CT’s Music Supervisor and is known for his work as Music Director on

productions like Wicked and jagged Little Pill. R. Erin Craig, who joined ACT of CT in 2020 and has moved to Ridgefield, is the Producing Director. While ACT of CT has enjoyed widespread community engagement and support, and now also garners grants to help with the twothirds or so of total funding that doesn’t come from ticket sales, ACT of CT has been particularly fortunate to have the support of The Anna-Maria And Stephen Kellen Foundation and to have Caroline Kellen serving on the Board of Directors.

“Our stated mission at ACT of CT is to foster a sense of community through the arts by producing exceptional theater.”

Our stated mission CT to a arts exceptional theater

Levine, who bought what was originally intended as a weekend home in Ridgefield a dozen years ago, is a bundle of positive energy, and a big every-Broadway-musical-you’ve-ever-seen Star in his own right. Born and raised outside of Boston, Brandeis undergraduate, and headed to becoming a Dentist at Tufts Dental School, Daniel auditioned for a role in the Broadway production of Les Miserables on a dare…got the part… dropped-out of dental school…and, now at 51, has had a successful career and full life as an actor, director, and producer.

Producing Director R. Erin Craig, who immediately makes everyone feel like they’ve known her for a lifetime, is from Rochester and a graduate of the Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music, and did start-out as a performer, but eventually transformed to being a Producer. “I’ve always loved the creativity involved in the business side of theater production and the different things that make up the landscape of the theater business,” Erin reflects. “Our stated mission at ACT of CT is to foster a sense of community through the arts by producing exceptional theater and encouraging an environment of inclusivity and artistic excellence. We believe that theater is a holistic experience that we want to be overwhelmingly positive for our patrons.

During Covid, with seating limited to fifty percent of capacity, we live-streamed our performances…including a filmed version of Steven Schwartz’s Snapshots…and our cast album of the production received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album of the Year! …And then we were one of the first union theaters in the country to reopen at 100%! …Some of my favorite moments are when one person in a couple tells me they were first dragged to the theater to see one of our productions, and now they have a Season subscription for two!”

“We consider ourselves lucky to work in a community where the arts are considered vital to a thriving society, and our audience has expanded far outside of Fairfield County,” Levine declares. “We’re producing three or four full-scale mainstage musicals per Season. Each production - from rehearsal to opening and through closing - spans nearly three months. We also present and produce a ‘Broadway Unplugged’ Series, where we invite Broadway celebrities to do one-night special concert events.”

Now in its 6th September-to-June Season, ACT of CT is producing and presenting a full calendar of large-scale musicals with limited runs…and there’s nothing else like it in or around the B&NC MAG area!

“This place is great because we are a union theater that’s relatively close to New York City, so we’re able to employ actors, directors, and choreographers who have major Broadway credits. Dan proclaims, “The level of talent that we get is really exciting! As Artistic Director, it’s really important for me that my audience walks into each production having a totally unique experience - from the cast to the costumes to the scenic design… so there’s a totally different aesthetic for every production. We bring in a variety of Broadway set designers and costume designers specific for each production, and come up with resourceful and imaginative ways to transport our audiences and take them on a fantastic journey.”

Sunset Boulevard

, which ran in 2023, is the tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition in Hollywood; the production starts in Paramount Studios and quickly moves to a grand Hollywood mansion. Dan says proudly, “We had a fabulous scenic designer and great technicians who were able to completely transform our stage from a ‘movie set’ to a stately home in a matter of twenty seconds. We also rented a lot of the costumes from the original Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard and then mixed in some of our own flair. Our theater has an automated turntable stage, which we use in many of our productions, and last year for our production of The Secret Garden we added a production element that we’d never used before at ACT of CT - a giant LED wall! The Secret Garden

is a show that takes place across dozens of locations, including London, Paris, and India… and so it’s important for the audience to be transported. …We utilized this terrific video and LED technology in order to create an interactive set that allowed us to change the scene as rapidly as was required. Multiple patrons mentioned to me that, for the five minutes they were ‘in a place’, they really felt like they were there!“

ACT of CT ACT of CT ACT of CT

Central to ACT of CT’s mission of expanding access to theater and performing arts, the New Works program is a developmental series with professional actors and playwrights working in a kind of incubator to foster creativity and allow for the development of new shows. Dan shares, “People sometimes don’t realize that the amazing shows that we’ve come to know and love don’t just magically appear on Broadway… they need a space to grow and flourish…and be discovered. We provide that space and opportunity for artists, and we give our audience the opportunity to witness that first hand.” Some ACT of CT regulars might remember the mainstage production Austen’s Pride

from the 2019 Season, which was born out of the New Works Program. It started as a reading, with actors holding scripts and nothing more than a piano on stage, and flourished into a full-on production based on the enthusiasm and interest of ACT of CT patrons. Since then, the musical had a Carnegie Hall concert production, and now seems to have a bright future.

The theater also has an Audience Access initiative, which invites people who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to come to a theater to attend a professional production. Erin explains, “It’s made possible through the support of our amazing donors, and it’s steeped in the idea that people shouldn’t have to afford the theater to be able to experience it. We believe this is so important to the growth of children and adults’ creativity! … And I’m most proud of our First Act! Sensory Friendly Program,” Erin shares, “where we dedicate free performances to an audience reserved for patrons with special needs and sensitivities, and their families. We adjust stage lights and remove any jarring special effects in order to make these specific audiences feel safe and comfortable.

“We strive to get our youngest community members involved in theater and excited about performing.”

Even during the ‘off-season’, from July to September, ACT of CT hosts a myriad of performing arts programs for young people, including a Summer Showcase for younger kids and a Conservatory Program for middle and high schoolers. “We strive to get our youngest community members involved in theater and excited about performing,” Dan beams. “The Conservatory is a two week, audition-based program that allows young actors to create and perform a completely original musical, written based on their set of talents. Each cast member receives private voice lessons from a Broadway voice coach in advance of rehearsals, and we have an exciting and fulfilling rehearsal period which culminates in a live performance. It’s intense and exhilarating, and we’ve had some really amazing alumni emerge from that program.” This year, the program will also be adding opportunities for ‘non-performing’ participation from students who are interested in other components of theater, like lighting design and stage management. Erin adds, “There are so many pieces that have to come together for a performance to be great, and though there are lots of people who love theater, not everyone wants to be on stage…so we want to provide that environment for more technical opportunities as well.” The Summer Showcase is open to kids in 2nd6th grade, and is geared around a 2 week schedule, and culminating with a performance for parents, friends, and family on the professional stage…a first for many involved!

Million Dollar Quartet

is on stage at ACT of CT through March 17, 2024, and the 2023-2024 Season at ACT of CT will conclude with the Tony Award winning musical Kinky Boots

, written by Ridgefield-local Harvey Fierstein, with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, to run from May 23 to June 16, 2024.

Even B&NC Mag couldn’t get Erin and Dan to spill on next Season’s line-up of shows, which is announced every year at the annual ACT of CT Gala…to be held on June 7, 2024.

…At about $84 for a good seat… with the same cast that’s on Broadway, in a more intimate environment, with drinks at a fraction of the price, and parking a non-issue…this is Broadway in our backyard!

Jason Gladstone Harvey Melzerr

Judy Culbreth’s daughter, Brett Cameron, co-owner of La Maison Fête and President of the Bedford Village Business Association, lives in the historic Airlie Farm in Bedford – former home of a woman named Delia Marble…and that’s where Judy’s new book, Bedford Garden Club Originals: New York’s Eloise Luquer and Delia Marble, starts.

Judy is actually a Southern belle, as she was born and raised in Alabama, went to the University of South Alabama, and is now enjoying her retirement, with her second husband, back home in Fairhope, Alabama. But Judy got a job right out of college working at Seventeen Magazine, which led to a successful career as a writer and editor at several other prominent magazines in New York City.

Andy Millner, Floating World (Tree), 2023, Pigment print, mulberry paper on linen, 72 x 78 inches

‘If you have an idea, and you know it’s a good idea, get the people together and go ahead and do it!’

For three decades she lived in New York, and that’s where she raised her daughter, Brett, and son, Charlie. “When Brett moved to AirIie Farm in Bedford, I became intrigued with its history and was interested in giving my grandkids –Grey, Harry and Georgia – the full legacy of growing up in such a fabulous place,” Judy says about the undertaking. “I was a history major, and genealogy is one of my hobbies. As soon as I started doing a bit of research, I became fascinated with Airlie Farm’s long-ago owner, Delia Marble, and the remarkable work she did. She and her dear friend Eloise Luquer developed so much that’s still wonderful about Bedford.”

Eloise Payne Luquer (1862-1947) and Delia West Marble (1868-1951) were both born in the lateVictorian and early-Progressive eras – before women had the right to vote! They experienced

the advent of electricity and running water, and lived through World War I and the Suffragette Movement. They helped pioneer what role women could play in American society. As Delia was famous for saying: ‘If you have an idea, and you know it’s a good idea, get the people together and go ahead and do it!’ There seemed to be no limit on Delia’s or Eloise’s imagination, fortitude, or resolve. “The lesson for women today,” says Culbreth, “is the power of collaboration! Leadership through affiliation.”

Eloise’s father, a graduate of Columbia College and former lawyer, was pastor at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church for more than half a century. Delia’s father, a political operative and editor of New York World newspaper, hobnobbed with brilliant, powerful men of that day and may be best known for having stood-up to President

Lincoln. However, although Eloise’s and Delia’s fathers were well-educated and intellectual men, and both the women’s brothers were sent off to private boarding schools and universities like Columbia and the U.S. Naval Academy, Eloise and Delia were each tutored at home. Besides homeschooling, they were each given a sprinkling of mail-order courses, and random art and botany lessons, but they were mostly self-taught, and completely self-started. They were both single women, or what was then known as spinsters. They were both intuitive leaders.

Together, Eloise and Delia were founders of the Bedford Free Library and essential supporters of the Bedford Historical Society. Also, as the title of Culberth’s novel would suggest, they were among the earliest members of the Bedford Garden Club, with Delia serving as president from 1917 to 1919

and Eloise, a founder, serving as president from 1929 to 1932. And, as such, they championed the development of the Nature Trail and Museum at Ward-Pound Ridge Reservation. In tribute, the wildflower pathway there is named for these two friends – the Luquer-Marble Memorial Garden.

Eloise and Delia were also leading members of the Garden Club of America, with Eloise, importantly, Chair of the GCA’s National Conservation Committee in the critical years from 1929 to 1932. As such, Eloise was a leading fundraiser – with the Town of Bedford as the second largest contributor behind only the State of California – for the GCA’s acquisition, dedication, and preservation of the 2,552 acre Redwood Grove at Canoe Creek, in Humboldt County, California. The parcel is now incorporated into GCA’s 5,100 acre collection of 17 groves.

Eloise was an accomplished artist, and her 200+ watercolors of the wildflowers of Westchester County are a part of the body of artwork and work as a preservationist that earned her the title “The Audubon Of Wildflowers.” As Culbreth writes: “Eloise’s art glorified the stunning beauty of native flowers. She also understood and preached the complex role these creations played in sustaining life: nurturing pollinators and thus the food supply, filtering pollutants, controlling erosion and regulating air quality. …Eloise’s artwork and her mission had perfect synergy: she used her watercolors to illustrate knowledgeable talks on wildflower conservation. Work for garden clubs provided her a multitude of forums to communicate about these twin passions - she gave an estimated twenty thousand presentations in thirty-six states.” In 1939, the GCA presented Eloise with their Medal of Achievement for her outstanding work in creating interest in nature and wildflowers.

And, perhaps most impressive, during the era of World War I, Delia championed and helped prepare the way for the creation of the Farmerettes and the Bedford Agricultural Training Camp of the Woman’s Land Army. Bedford Camp was the cradle of the Farmerettes – and put the Town of Bedford on the world’s map! A generation before WWII’s ‘Rosie The Riveter’, Delia cultivated the idea of ‘farming girls in dungarees with peanut caps on their heads, doing man’s work’. Bedford Camp recruited college girls, city women and factory gals to do the hard work of farming to help with the nation’s food supply during wartime. The Bedford Camp, with headquarters located right across from where the Rippowam Cisqua School sits today - and Delia was a ‘Founding Mother’ of Rip as well! - was the first Farmerette training site of what quickly developed into a nationwide movement! Farmerettes also lived and worked at Airlie Farm up until the 1930s.

“These were great women,” declares Culbreth, “and enjoyed every minute of doing the deep dive into their lives and rich history. The Bedford Garden Club, Frick Collection and Frick Art Reference Library Archives, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and the Bedford Historical Society – and particularly Evelyne Ryan and Diane Bamford –were generous with their knowledge and shared treasures. I’m thrilled that The History Press published the book, so the legend of Eloise and Delia is told and their legacy continues.”

“Eloise’s art glorified the stunning beauty of native flowers.”

“We can and should all be inspired by Eloise and Delia.”

Culbreth is now busy promoting Bedford Garden Club Originals, available locally at La Maison Fête.

“We can and should all be inspired by Eloise and Delia. Garden Clubs are a paradigm for community achievement. It’s about the power of an idea infused with the force of people banding together,” Culbreth says. “Eloise and Delia were an example to women of the day…and remain an example todayfor all people - of what can be done!”

HORSE

HEAVEN

MARYLOU TORTORELLO and 13 HANDS EQUINE RESCUE

Marylou Tortorello’s family moved to Bedford Hills when she was 5 years old, and Marylou has called Bedford home ever since. She has a background in accounting and runs a bookkeeping business called Marylou Tortorello Inc, located at 2 Depot Plaza in Bedford Hills. And her husband, Jeffrey Rubinstein, is a dentist who has an office near the Bedford Village Green at 634 Old Post Road.

But Marylou has a kind of second-life beyond bookkeeping in Bedford…She’s the Founder and President, and truly the driving force of 13 Hands Equine Rescue Inc - with over 150 horses in residence at any given point in time, on a 113 acre property

, at 50 Tuscan Way in Clinton Corners, New York, about an hour’s drive north of Bedford.

“I’ve always loved animals and had a particular interest in horses,” Marylou declares. “When I was 5 and we moved to Bedford Hills I asked my dad for a horse and he said ‘we can’t afford it, but we’ll get you lessons’. I rode all through high school and remained so fascinated with horses that I enrolled in the Equine Studies program at Pace University, where I was riding three times a week for class credit with the wonderful teacher Ann Grenci, who ran Fox Hill Farms. …My riding career and equestrian focus were interrupted for a while - as my dad convinced me to change from Equine Studies to Accounting. After several years, I went back to riding, and with the help and friendship of my instructor, Kristen Carollo of Courtyard Farm in Bedford Hills, I started to refocus on the world of horses, and particularly the plight of neglected and abused animals.”

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED ANIMALS AND HAD A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HORSES.”

“I felt like I needed to do something. I had and still have this overwhelming feeling that neglected and abused horses need help, and I feel a personal responsibility that they need me to help them,” Marylou shares. “I was looking into starting a rescue, and in 2015 I visited a rescue in Vermont. I asked them how I could help…and before I left I adopted Pike and Rain… and never looked back. I rented two spaces from a small farm in Waccabuc…and ‘13 Hands’ - the height of each of those two big ponieswas born!”

“We moved around to bigger properties as we grew. For about three years, Bob and Beth Mancini gave us a sweetheart rental arrangement on their property off Guard Hill Road called Tanrackin Farm, and that was really a turning point for us that put us on the

map,” Marylou says with gratitude. “But as the need for rescue increased, we outgrew even those distinguished surroundings, and started looking for a place with a lot more land, where we could help more horses. …Clinton Corners was a dream come true for us. We couldn’t afford it…but the seller liked what we were going to do with the property and miraculously agreed to donate one-half the property and the house to our 501(c)(3) non-profit 13 Hands Equine Rescue - and we closed on January 14, 2020!”

The 13 Hands property is spectacular, and provides the perfect sanctuary for the horses and for the everexpanding therapeutic program 13 Hands runs for veterans and people with disabilities.

“We take abused and neglected animals, with a good portion being acquired from auction. And we get a call about every-other-day from someone who wants to surrender their horse or horses, mostly because they just can’t afford the upkeep. We take miniature horses, donkeys, mules, full-size horseswhich is defined as 14 hands or more, and horses of every variety…and we also help other rescues with goats, chickens, bunnies, and feral cats. Some of our horses find permanent sanctuary with uslike Rain and Pike and his buddy named Pancho… all livin’ their best lives! - some are adopted-out to new homes, and others are involved in our therapeutic programming,” Marylou explains. “We’re a bit different from other facilities in the area in the respect that we do rescue, and rehabilitation, and provide therapeutic services; and then also in the respect that our therapeutic services do not involve riding the horses. We’re really running a rescue and equine rehabilitation center, a mental health and wellness provider, and an adoption agency all

at the same time…and it’s really a tiny staff who accomplish this tremendous mission! We have many incredible volunteers who help with barn chores, clean up and horse care, but our office staff is two part-time volunteers who help with Communication and Adoptions, one Administrative Assistant, a part-time Community Outreach employee, and one person for Social Media….and they get just about everything done. The Board is also involved in our mission. We’re extremely fortunate to have a loyal group of donors, but I’ve always been a person focused on helping others and I’ve never really been good at asking for donations,” Marylou admits. “We could really use a few heavy-hitters on our Board, we always need donations, and we’re constantly looking for people to care and help!”

“For me, it’s like a second full-time job. I’ve saved a lot of animals and helped a lot of people, and that makes me feel good. I’ll probably do it the rest of my life…and because of that I’ll probably have to be doing bookkeeping forever, too!” Marylou laughs. “But, seriously, there’s plenty left to be done! We’re affiliated with Mental Health of America of Dutchess County and their Executive Director, Andrew Grady, serves on our Board and serves as a valuable liason. With his lead, 13 Hands is working with their ‘Vet to Vet’ program and expanding the reach and range of our mental health and wellness programming. We are also extremely blessed to have Jennifer Cohen Harper, a mindfulness and yoga instructor and a trauma focused equine assisted learning provider, who facilitates retreats where participants go through mindfulness-based practices while also working with the horses.”

Always focused on the next thing she can do for 13 Hands, Marylou adds, “One of our goals is a capital campaign to raise funds for an indoor facility where therapy and much needed horse training can happen all year long without interruption due to weather and temperatures. Another goal is to acquire the 58-acre property located on a shared driveway and immediately adjacent to the existing facility. The property would be home to the equines that will always call 13 Hands their forever home. ...So the aging, hard-to-keep horses that are not easily adopted, and of course our three zebras, will live out their lives according to the mission of 13 Hands. …And we could even develop nature walks, so many more people could come and enjoy the property…and get involved with the animals!”

JOIN US FOR A

Summer Soirée

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024

5PM TO 7:30PM

B&NC

Full Page Advert

Do not forget to extend your images and background to the red bleed line

WAVENY HOUSE

677 SOUTH AVENUE NEW CANAAN

$75 PER P ERS ON

Proceeds to benefit Staying Put in New Canaan. For more information, scan the QR Code, visit stayingputnc.org or call 203-966-7762

Staying Put in New Canaan is a member-based, volunteer-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to helping older New Canaan residents live confidently at home and stay engaged in the community by providing practical services and social connections.

2-3 Bedroom Units

Ranging from 2,535- 3,237 Sqft.

Starting at $2.8M Estimated Price.

914-273-9300 | info@summitclubresidences.com

SUMMITCLUBRESIDENCES.COM

This advertisement is not an offering. It is a solicitation of interest in the advertised property. No offering of the advertised units can be made and no deposits can be accepted, or reservations, binding or non-binding, can be made until an offering plan is filed with the New York State Department of Law. This advertisement is made pursuant to Cooperative Policy Statement #1, issued by the New York State Department of Law. File No: CP22-0091.

The Spring of Spry BA SKIN LAB

For time immemorial, women have been in search of treatments that will bring clean and glowing skin and an ageless complexion… the Fountain of Youth… …Well…ladies…and gentlemen…if it isn’t the Fountain of Youth, I’ve at least found the Spring of Spry …tucked away at 59 Grove Street in New Canaan!!!

Barbara Aquino is a New Canaan mom, and a Polish immigrant who has realized the American Dream. Through her thick accent, her English is impeccable… and though she is perfectly polite and very friendly, she’s not afraid to tell it like it is.

Barbara’s passion for skincare started at an early age, and she completed a pre-medical Bachelors degree in Poland, with a focus on Dermatology. Barbara came to the United States at 22, and immediately began working in skincare. “The education and norms in Poland are very different, and skincare is considered part of hygiene that’s learned from a young age. Facials are not considered pampering, rather part of healthcare, like having your teeth cleaned at the dentist, not a luxury. Facials are just about having your skin - your largest organ - in good shape. I remember my grandmother always hydrating her skin and putting moisturizer on multiple times a day…and at 90 she still has barely any wrinkles,” Barbara winks. “When I came to the United States, I noticed that, instead of being focused on the health of the skin, people were spending - even splurging - on makeup and products designed to cover up imperfections and make themselves look like something else…it was a real ‘ah ha’ moment for me and something I thought a lot about. My approach is clean and direct, and all about the health of the skin.”

RENDERING SHOWN

A shameless testimonial by Casey Kaplan

PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREA CERASO

BARBARA STARTED HER CAREER AT THE TOP SALONS IN MANHATTAN AND WAS INTRODUCED EARLY TO BIOLOGIQUE RECHARGE.

“I saw the Biologique products flying off the shelves, so I started testing the products on my own skin starting with the infamous Lotion P50,” Barbara recalls. “I couldn’t believe the results and the fundamental transformation of my own skin, and I began to attend any training could get to so I could learn how to utilize the whole line for my clients …and when I did start working with these products on my clients, they couldn’t get enough!” Eventually, Barbara was recruited directly by the brand to go around the country training other estheticians on diagnosis and tailored treatment plans, as well as proper techniques and the associated technology, like the patented Remodeling Face machine. “I had become an expert and was very enthusiastic about the effectiveness. Top salons were begging Biologique to carry the products, so there was no ‘sales’, which I loved. Biologique brought me to Paris, where I was honored to be trained directly by the Founder, who had developed the techniques that make Biologique so impactful. I began to understand that the reason behind the efficacy, beyond the methodology, was the purity and potency of the ingredients, where bigger brands and companies dilute these kinds of products with fillers and preservatives and cover up the natural components with toxic perfumes. Biologique products contain concentrated raw ingredients like yeast, biological, botanical and marine extract, colostrum, algae, and other plants. There’s no fluff. They’re not meant for mass market, and they require a prescribed regimen. …And every product has a very specific purpose and order in which it needs to be applied to best penetrate, protect, and strengthen the skin barrier.”

With over twenty years of experience under her belt, and a large roster of clients from her time in New York and Greenwich salons, Barbara opened her own practice, BA Skin Lab, in 2015. “I had become so passionate about the fundamentals and a sciencefirst approach, and implemented this no-nonsense evidence-based approach at the new oasis that I’d created at BA Skin Lab. With my loyal long-time clients and word of mouth quickly spreading, I was booked solid almost immediately.”

Although Barbara has added two Estheticians, Urszula Wandzel and Helena Glosnicka, BA Skin Lab is busier than a bees nest. Urszula shares, “I started working here part-time as a Receptionist and I was astonished with what I was seeing, the transformations… and I was always interested in skincare… I eventually got my license, practiced, went to as many trainings as I could, and shadowed Barbara for over three years before I started seeing my own clients.” And Helena, who grew up with Barbara in Poland, explains, “Barbara and I have known each other since elementary school and have been best friends almost our entire lives. I came to the U.S. shortly after her, and was always admiring Barbara’s passion for her career and wanted to emulate that myself with my own similar love of esthetics. I began to aggressively educate myself and take classes. Barbara had already gotten me hooked

on the Biologique products, so I knew their power. And, growing up in Poland, I had the same sentiment about skincare-as-a-necessity that Barbara did. I’m totally obsessed, and love what I do now. I’m constantly reading about the relationship between skin and autoimmune and gut health, and am always talking to Barbara and Urszula about their opinions on a diagnosis.” Each team member attends multiple mandatory Biologique trainings every year, and travels to about a half-dozen industry conferences and seminars to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies. Barbara has hired two more operations-focused team members, Victoria and Kinga, and all three Estheticians are in high demand, booking out about two months in advance. And this year, BA Skin lab is expanding into more treatment rooms and bringing on more highly trained team members to accommodate the demand.

The Remodeling Face machine also known as the red carpet facial - is a client favorite because results are immediate. It utilizes 4 different microcurrents to lift, sculpt and tone skin. “It’s like a workout for your face!” Barbara says.

THE BA SKIN LAB FOCUSES ON PROCEDURES AIMED AT COMPLETELY CHANGING AND MAINTAINING THE MAKEUP OF EACH CLIENT’S SKIN.

And though BA Skin Lab carries an array of products and brands, Biologique remains at the center of the approach. “Skin is like a fingerprint,” Barbara explains. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s specific and particular to each person, and different people need different mixtures and products. We focus on diagnosing each client’s skin, and doing so on an ongoing basis, and giving them the correct formulation that works for them, and adjusting on an ongoing and seasonal basis, and giving our clients the education and information to upkeep the progress between

visits. It’s called a ‘Lab’ because the mix of serums and lotions and masks for each client is like a prescription.” The anonymous white bottles have almost no branding, and blend-in in any bathroom cabinet, so they’re easy to miss or just not notice… and they’re still not carried in normal stores or even most spas or salons. …But with celebrities like Kim K, Victoria Beckham and Hailey Bieber touting the effectiveness of the brand, it’s become the musthave that women just can’t get enough of. The thing is…where to find it…and the professionals trained on how to use it properly!

I started going to BA Skin Lab almost a year ago, and I was skeptical, at best. …But I needed a good facial! My skin was in bad shape from the winter and needed some love. I had no intention of leaving with Biologique products, or any products for that matter…but Helena was my Esthetician and I was flabbergasted by how beautiful her skin was, she looked like a porcelain doll, and she shared her own story and journey with Biologique, and showed me some of the pictures of her own skin from before that left me floored. The facial itself was relaxing, but so much more intense than any other I’d ever had, focusing on lymphatic drainage and manual lifting and resculpting rather than steaming and superfluous oily pore-clogging massages. I was amazed with how much difference I saw immediately, my skin actually looked more sculpted and lifted, and I was actually glowing…So I decided to give just two products a try: the milky cleanser and the line’s hero product, P50, known as a ‘facial in a bottle’. I applied both religiously twice a day, in the morning and at night, in addition to some of my other products. …And within a month I saw a marked difference in my skin! The normal dryness I had in colder months was gone, I hadn’t had a pimple since I started using it, and my pores were noticeably smaller. I called BA Skin Lab and begged them to fit me into the schedule because I had to have more. A year later, I’ve added in a cocktail of serums that have changed seasonally, two retinolbased creams, and a few moisturizers and masks that are swapped-around as needed.

Our family’s annual ski trip is typically a time when my skin is at its worst. The cold weather combined with the stress of travel usually leads to breakouts and dry skin. …This winter I waited for the worst… but my skin remained glowing, and clearer than ever. Barbara had packed me an extra strong moisturizing mask as an insurance, which I applied as needed, and any impending dehydration seemed to immediately plump. Truly, my skin has never been better.

Though I don’t want to go completely overboard, the marked difference in my skin and complexion has actually been life-changing. In a world of first impressions, your face is the first thing people see. A bad pimple can be a day-ruiner. Whether it’s right or wrong, something wrong with your complexion can totally throw off your confidence. So when I say life-changing…I mean to say that I haven’t thought about what’s on my face or how it looks since I started going to BA Skin Lab. Armed with my ever-full bag of products, my skin is radiant! And though I won’t claim that it’s a quick fix - or cheap - the results are worth every last penny!

Barbara’s education-based approach extends not just to her team, but to clients as well.

Barbara and her team consider themselves guides, akin to a personal trainer, for your skin.

European Techniques are at the forefront of the practice.

A NEW CANAAN MASTERPIECE

14 Adams Lane

14 Adams Lane is a custom-designed masterpiece in the American Shingle style, by the esteemed architectural firm Wadia Associates, with Dinyar Wadia as Project Principal and Robert Butcher as Project Lead Architect, and with Country Club Homes builders. The two-and-a-half-acre park-like property, by Landscape Architect Devore Associates, with Project Principal Diane Devore, is similarly spectacular. And the home was completely modernized in 2022.

The 8,700 square foot residence, with five bedrooms, five full baths and 4 half-baths, is stately and sophisticated. Using an enfilade design on the first floor to create sightlines from one room to the next, with arched and vaulted doorless passageways between rooms, and 10-foot ceilings throughout, gives the home a museum-like quality. The massive center hall, with its extra-wide staircase, handcrafted with an Asian-inspired corkscrew-and-ball pattern, and its soaring ceiling, lend a substantial and important feel. Wide-plank reclaimed antique oak flooring, laid in an intricate herringbone pattern, adds a distinct richness and warmth. And the custom finishes, like beamed and coffered ceilings and handcrafted designs throughout, are the stuff of refined luxury.

PHOTOS

The first floor includes the front entry hall, oversized formal living room and formal dining room, a vaulted ceiling & two-story windowed family room with a large fireplace, a wood-paneled study, a breakfast room with fireplace, a 40+ case glass-walled wine room off the formal dining room, and a state-of-the-art kitchen and adjacent butler’s pantry featuring Copper countertops, a Wolf range, Gaggeneau steam oven, Sub-Zero Pro Series refrigeration and wine cooler, and Miele dishwashers and coffee maker. …And then there’s the simply stunning indoor/outdoor porch with fireplace and stone floors, for ‘open air’ gathering in any season, that overlooks the pool, pool house, lush lawn and gardens.

On the second floor, the primary bedroom suite with private sitting room, large walkin closet, fireplace, and automated Hunter Douglas room darkening shades, is a sanctuary of relaxation and comfort. The all-new primary bath includes upgraded features such as a Waterworks steam shower and a heated floor. All bedrooms are en suite. One bedroom has a secret passageway leading to a game room and balcony which overlook the family room on the first floor. And all of the rooms enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

The third floor has an office with a built-in desk and offers plentiful storage. The lower level has a media room, gym and half-bath.

The house has an attached oversized 2-car garage and, on the other side of the dramatic porte cochere and courtyard, another carlovers garage, complete with a two-car lift.

The pool and pool house are a Slim Aarons vision. Also designed by Wadia Associates, the pool house perfectly complements the style and design of the main residence, and features gas-burning light fixtures, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Miele dishwasher, and outdoor shower. The sparkling Pebble Tech pool, with its electric cover and bluestone terrace, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy.

THE MATURE LANDSCAPING AND GARDENS,

level lawns, and extensive stone walls,are a serene and natural oasis. There are 2 entertaining patios overlooking the hydrangea, rose, and other perennial gardens. The landscape lighting highlights the specimen trees and plantings on the property. And, in addition to the pool house, there are 3 covered columned porches with slate floors on the property.

Mechanically, the home includes: 5 woodburning fireplaces with propane starters; geothermal heat; solar electricity; gas-fired instant hot water; Sonos sound system with multiple zones and speakers throughout; outdoor lighting surrounding the property; an extensive irrigation system; perimeter pet fence with an outside zone and an inside zone which can restrict the pets to certain rooms in the house; high-speed wifi access; special soundproofing installed throughout the house, and; a generator with a dedicated 1,000 gallon propane tank.

14 Adams Lane has been listed for $5,195,000, with Hannelore Kaplan of William Raveis New Canaan. Please call Hannelore at 914-450-3880 to schedule a private tour.

We

Thank

Janill Sharma, Co-chair

Jennifer Leahy, Co-chair

Vasso Gyftopoulos, Co-chair

Cami Fischer

Amber Kemp

Natalie Martin

Hillary Miller

Jo Ann Nerenburg

Horton's

Stacy

Amy

Irene Whitney

Alyssa Young

Alexandra Standring Jack Carlson

Alexandra Standring grew up in Bedford, attending Meadow Pond Elementary School, John Jay Middle School, and Kennedy Catholic, before heading off to college at the University of Miami Ohio. Her parents, John and Melissa, moved back to the area from London when Alex was just 6 months old, and Alex enjoyed Bedford so much that she moved back in 2018 when she graduated college.

Unbeknownst to Alex, Jack Carlson grew up in Ridgefield, only about 12 miles away, going through the Ridgefield schools, before heading off to the University of Richmond. After graduation, Jack went to Spain for a stint teaching English, then moved back home to the quaint feeling of Ridgefield.

The two met in 2018, swiping on Hinge, and went on a first date at Truck in Bedford… and the rest, as they say, is history. “We love Truck and go back every year on our anniversary!” Alex shares And as Jack recalls their first date, “Funny enough, we both showed up about a half an hour early and so I went to sit at the bar, asking if an open seat was taken, and the person I asked…was Alex! She was there with her mom - probably scoping me out! But her mom ran off before I got the chance to meet her.”

The pair went on a second date at Blue Hill Stone Barns, and then began adventuring around the area together, with dates at Tequila Mockingbird, Luc’s, Solé, and Spiga. “We both really love walking around town in New Canaan and Ridgefield - they’re both such beautiful towns with so many cute things to do and shops to check out,” Jack says. And then, in early 2020, as covid hit, the duo got even closer - joining each other’s family bubbles, and hanging out all the time. Trying out lots of different baking recipes together was a frequent and favorite activity.

In 2021, Jack took a job in London for a six month term, and Jack and Alex maintained a long-distance relationship. Upon his return, Jack took Alex out to Sag Harbor for a weekend getaway…and proposed during a private wine tasting at the Wolffer Vineyard. “I knew what was up when the parking lot was empty, and there was a mysterious photographer hanging out… I began to smile ear to ear when I saw the flower encrusted pergola that we were being led to,” Alex grins.

PHOTOGRAPHY YARITZA COLON

“THE DAY WAS PERFECT - IT COULDN’T HAVE GONE BETTER,”

The couple were married on October 14, 2023, at the Aldrich Mansion, in Warwick, Rhode Island. “The venue was beautiful; my mom and grandmother found it, and we loved how the church was right next door. I knew as soon as I saw it that it was where I wanted to get married,” Alex gushes.

“The day was perfect - it couldn’t have gone better,” Alex proclaims. “Everything went according to plan, and my parents even surprised us with a classic Rolls Royce to chauffeur us to the church, which allowed for a few private moments just before we walked down the aisle.”

An English-style chapel, the church has the pews facing inwards towards each other - with a full view of the procession. The couple exchanged traditional Catholic vows, and Alex wore Jack’s grandmother’s sapphire and diamond bracelet as a ‘something old’ and ‘something blue’

Friends and family traveled from all over to attend the black-tie affair, with about 75 guests in total. Jack’s brothers, Bryan and Sam, served as his Best Men, and Alex’s sister, Taylor, was her Maid of Honor. The couple even had a good friend who flew in from hours away, despite that he had to head right back to the airport right after the ceremony.

“As we walked out of the church after the ceremony, all of our friends and family were waiting outside…blowing bubbles! It was so magical and special!” Jack shared.

As the reception kicked off, Jack fed Alex hors d’oeuvres while her mom bustled her dress, and the pair joined their guests to spend the evening celebrating their nuptials. “The venue was just magnificent,” Alex reminisced, “it had the feeling of West Egg Newport architecture, with a moody dark wood paneled library that we used as a sort of large photo booth for guests, a grand ballroom, and even a room that we used just for dessert - it was so fun to have the party flow through the different beautiful spaces.”

The couple incorporated custom drinks, an ode to the family dog, Mocha, and both Father-Daughter and Mother-Son dances, as well as the customary first dance for the couple, to the tune of Follow You, Follow Me city for a few weeks before the wedding to take dance lessons to make sure that we nailed it!” Jack said gleefully.

The finale for the evening was Alex and Jack sharing a last dance to the Thomas Rhett song, Unforgettable, which references the 14th of October - their wedding date, in its opening line, alone on the dancefloor. “It was such a special moment for us to share as the party wrapped up and our guests began to leave, getting to share one last dance and really soak in the perfect wedding,” Alex smiles.

THE COUPLE HONEYMOONED IN THAILAND FOR TWO WEEKS THIS FALL, AND JUST GOT A DOG NAMED TUCKER.

Calendar of local events

Through March 8, the Carriage Barn Arts Center is presenting their annual photography show with local and national photography to enjoy and for sale.

March 5 @ 3pm

AFTERNOON TEA

SERVICE AT GRACE FARMS

MA RCH

March 7 @7pm BEDFORD 2030

PRESENTS:

Common Ground film at the Bedford Playhouse with a discussion on rooted solutions

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET @ A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE IN RIDGEFIELD

March 7 @ 7, March 8 @ 8, March 9 @ 2 and 8, March 10 @ 2, March 14 @ 7, March 15 @ 8, March 16 @ 2 and 8, March 17 @ 2

Sensory-friendly performance on: March 10 @ 7pm

March 7 @ 7pm BUILDING AI FOR THE GREATER GOOD a moderated conversation at Grace Farms

March 8 @ 7.30pm INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION with Resistance Revival

Chorus at the Ridgefield Playhouse

March 8 @ 8.30am SYRUP SATURDAY

at the New Canaan Nature Center - pajamas encouraged

March 9 @ 3pm

THE SCIENCE OF FLAVOR at Grace Farms

March 9 @ 4pm THE WORLD

ACCORDING TO JAZZ

at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society

March 9 @ 5:30pm

@ The Bedford Playhouse EVENING HOWL

at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem

March 10 @ 11am MUSCOOT FARM PANCAKE BREAKFAST

March 10 @ 5pm OSCAR PREVIEW PARTY

at the Bedford Playhouse

March 13 @ 10:30am

STORY TIME AT THE BEDFORD HILLS FREE LIBRARY

for 18Mo - 3Yo

March 14 @ 8.30am

WOMENS WOLFPACK HIKE

at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

A sampling of what can be found on the larger B&NC Mag calendar of events online:

www.BedfordNewCanaanMag.com

March 16 @10am FREE SATURDAY AT THE ALDRICH MUSEUM IN RIDGEFIELD

March 16 @ 11am BEEKEEPING BASICS at Grace Farms

March 16 @ 7pm LIVE MUSIC AT THE CARRIAGE BARN ARTS CENTER

March 16 @ 8pm COMEDIAN RYAN HAMILTON

at the Ridgefield Playhouse

March 17 @ 1pm HANDS-ON TREE TAPPING MAPLE SYRUP LESSON

at Muscoot Farm

March 22 @ 6pm 15TH ANNUAL KATONAH CHILI COOKOFF

at the Harvey School

March 23 @ 10am

NEW CANAAN COLOR DROP

at Waveny Park to raise funds for need-based scholarships given to NCHS graduates

March 23 @ 10am SPRING AMPHIBIAN WALK

at the New Canaan Nature Center

March 23 @ 11am

FASCINATING WOMEN OF RIDGEFIELD BUS TOUR with the Ridgefield Historical Society

March 24 @ 3pm

March 26 @ 10am DESIGN FOR FREEDOM SUMMIT at Grace Farms in New Canaan March 27 @ 7pm

JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD

LECTURE SERIES with Michael Waldmin on voting rights at the Bedford Playhouse

March 28-30

GREAT EGG HUNT & SPRING CELEBRATION at the New Canaan Nature Center

March 30 @ 10am EASTER EGG HUNT at Bedford Farms

WILL LIVERMAN & MYRA HUANG

Will Liverman - baritone, and Myra Huang on piano at Caramoor

March 31 @ 11am

EGG HUNT WITH THE WOLVES

at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem March 16 @ 10am

HOPPY DAYS EGG HUNT

at the Lounsbury House in Ridgefield

March 17 @ 3pm SCHWAB VOCAL RISING STARS CONCERT at Caramoor

March 22 @ 2pm MASTER SHORT STORYTELLERS OF THE HIGH SEAS:

Conrad, Hemingway, Melville + more at the New Canaan Library

Calendar of local events

APRIL

April 4 @ 10.30am

STAR ANNUAL SPEAKER LUNCHEON at the Country Club of New Canaan

April 4 @ 8pm SÄJE, GRAMMY AWARD WINNING CONTEMPORARY JAZZ SUPERGROUP at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 5 @ 7pm

AN EVENING WITH ALAN RUCK

& screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 6 @ 3pm

THE ARCHITECTURE OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

a presentation at the Pound Ridge Library

April 7 @ 12.30pm MS. PRESIDENT US CAMPAIGN & ELECTION for 4th-8th graders at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 11 @ 8pm

JORMA KAUKONEN

- guitarist at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 12 @ 6.30pm SPRING GARDEN-TOTABLE DINNER at Grace Farms in New Canaan

April 13 @ 7pm AN EVENING WITH MEDIUM THOMAS JOHN at the Bedford Playhouse

April 14 @ 3pm

PACIFICA QUARTET AT CARAMOOR

April 15

GLASS HOUSE TOUR season opening in New Canaan

April 18 @ 6.30pm ASTRONOMY at Grace Farms in New Canaan

April 18 BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHERN WESTCHESTER ANNUAL GALA

April 18 @ 7pm LECTURE WITH ELIGA GOULD on The Crucible of Peace at the Bedford Playhouse as part of the John Jay Homestead lecture series

April 18 @ 8pm LESLIE ODOM JR. at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 19 @ 8pm COMEDIAN, CARLOS MENCIA

No Hate No Fear at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 19 @ 8pm

LAKECIA BENJAMIN & PHOENIX in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center at Caramoor

April 20 FREE SATURDAY at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield

A

April 20 @ 6pm ALDRICH MUSEUM

60TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

April 22 @ 7.30pm MATTEO BOCCELLI LIVE at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 25 @ 7.30pm SHAWN COLVIN & KT TUNSTALL at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 26 @ 6.30pm

ABC HOUSE OF NEW CANAAN 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

April 26 @ 8pm TRACY MORGAN at the Ridgefield Playhouse

April 28 @ 9am COFFEE & CARS IN BEDFORD

April 27 @ 7.30pm RIDGEFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: TRANSCENDENT

MAY

May 2 @ 6pm

MIANUS RIVER GORGE SPRING WINGDING in Bedford

May 5 @ 9am

GREAT STRIDES FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK at the New Canaan High School

May 11

NEW CANAAN MAY FAIR

May 16

ENDEAVOR SPRING CELEBRATION & COCKTAILS in Bedford

May 18 BEDFORD 2030 MOON DANCE in North Salem

JUNE

June 6 STAYING PUT IN NEW CANAAN SUMMER SOIREE at Waveny House

June 8

WESTCHESTER LAND TRUST ANNUAL BENEFIT at Old Salem Farm

June 15-16

CEO HORSE SHOW for Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship

June 15-16

CARAMOOR GALA

Live Exquisite This Winter

Elevated 7452 feet high lies limitless experiences, bespoke luxury, exquisite dining, revitalizing spa and unparalleled views. The St. Regis Deer Valley is nestled in Utah’s picturesque Wasatch Mountain range, yet lies within one mile of Historic Main Street Park City. The St Regis Deer Valley offers ski-in/ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort’s 21 chairlifts, 103 ski runs, six bowls, over 485 inches of powder and 2,026 acres of alpine skiing.

Secure your room and suite reservations at marriott.com/slcxr or with your travel consultant.

The St. Regis Deer Valley

2300 Deer Valley Drive East Park City, UT 84060 t. +1 435 940 5700 marriott.com/slcxr

TOP MARKETING SERVICES

We won the Top Brokerage in the United States, because William Raveis’ agents are experts at delivering top home selling services. With over 90 creative and talented marketing specialists behind them, our agents offer you winning strategies for success.

Experience the William Raveis advantage with:

• Professional Photography & Drone Footage

• Social Media/Video Marketing

• Direct Mail Promotions

• Exclusive Market Updates

• Automated Emails & Digital Campaigns

• Specialized Luxury Property Services

• A.I. Directed Marketing

• Social Media, Property Description and Market Forecasting

Promoting Luxury Properties

Drone Photography

Automated Lead Generation Emails

Lifestyle Photography & Video Shoots